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All

The News

That
Is News

MOTldN PICTURE

DAILY

And

To The
Point

VOL. 76. NO. 65

NEW YORK, U.S.A., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1954

TEN CENTS

All Amusements

2-Month NYC
Tax Collection,
$1,291,949

Theatres Paid $750,000
Of the Total Revenue

By LESTER DINOFF

Returns of the initial payment of the
New York City five per cent tax from
all sources of amusement revenue in
the five boroughs as tabulated at the
close of business on Wednesday totaled
$1,291,949, a representative of the City
Tax Collector's Office said here yes-
terday.

While the total amount of the
amusement levy has not been computed
as yet, the tax officials indicated that
a breakdown on what the motion pic-
tures theatres exclusively have paid
in tax for July and August amounted
to an appro.ximate $750,000 from 436
theatres.

It is expected that a more detailed
breakdown on how much the local ex-
{Continned on page 5)

Ask Review of
St. L. TV Case

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30.— St.
Louis Amusement Co. has asked the
Supreme Court to review a Circuit
Court of Appeals order dismissing
the theatre company's petition to de-
clare unlawful and void a Federal
Communications Commission hearing
involving applications for a new tele-
vision station in St. Louis.

The FCC hearings involved five
applicants for Channel 11 in St.
Louis. One of the applicants was the
St. Louis Amusement Co., one the
Columbia Broadcasting System. The
St. Louis brief told the Supreme
Court that at the time the hearing
opened CBS already owned interests
in five television stations. The brief
outlined the FCC multiple ownership
rule which limited to five the number
of television stations that can be held
by one licensee.

The brief declared, hov^'ever, that
the FCC had granted a special ex-
(Confinued on page 5)

MPAA Board to Study Italian
Issues at Meeting Here Today

A report on the Italian situation, now the subject of current negotiations
here, will highlight the agenda today of a Motion Picture Association of
America board of directors meeting.

The meeting, over which MPAA
president Eric A. Johnston will pre-
side, will be attended by Ralph
Hetzel, Motion Picture Export As-
sociation vice-president, who for the
past week has been conferring with
Italian film officials, headed by Dr.
Eitel Monaco. Among the issues dis-
cussed between the MPEA and
Italian representatives was the Ameri-
can position of not having an adequate
voice in the operation of ANICA, the

Italian producer-distributor organiza-
tion. Other issues concerned Italy's
desire to get Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
to join ANICA and the availability
of nine U. S. films for independent
Italian distributors.

Following the board meeting,
scheduled for the morning, Johnston
is slated to have lunch with the Ital-
ian delegation. Indication that the
Italo-American talks were drawing to
(Continued on page 5)

Nat Holt Joins RKO
As An Independent

HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 30. — The
Nat Holt Production Company, a
partnership formed by producer Nat
Holt and actor Randolph Scott, will
move onto the RKO lot immediately
to begin preparing for the filming,
starting Oct. 18, of "Seven Bad Men,"
a $1,000,000 Superscope-Technicolor
film. RKO will handle world-wide
distribution of "Seven Bad Men," while
(Continued on page 5)

Say 'Academy Award
Month' Boosts Profit

HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 30.— "Acad-
emy Award Month," in which 16 fea-
tures that had earned Academy Award
distinction were run during the month,
gave the Pix Theatre, Jackson, Miss.,
a 133 per cent increase in business
over the same month last year, and 97
per cent increase in net profit, mana-
ger E. R. Edwards informed the Acad-
emy of Motion Picture Arts and Sci-
(Continued on page 5)

TELEPHONE HOOKUP TO LAUNCH
WILL ROGERS 'CHRISTMAS SALUTE'

The motion picture industry today will launch the 1954 Variety Clubs
International "Christmas Salute" campaign seeking a goal of $250,000 and
200,000 signatures for the Oct. 1 to Jan. 15 drive which is for the benefit of the
Will Rogers

Memorial Hos-
pital in Sara-
nac, N. Y.

A. Montague,
president of
the hospital ;
Charles Feld-
m a n , national
distributor
chairman,^ and
Moe Silver, na-
tional exhibitor
chairman, an-
nounced the
start of the
campaign for
funds in a closed circuit nation-
wide telephone broadcast which
originated here and was heard in all
exchange cities by film salesmen, ex-

A. Montague

representing

hibitors and executive^
all branches of
the industry.

The Christ-
mas S a 1 u t-e ,
which seeks one
hour's pay' from
all industry
workers, was
termed by Mon-
t a g u e as the
"backbone of all
Variety Club
drives" in his
announcement.
Film salesmen,
branch man-
agers and other industry workers were
asked by Feldman, Silver and Mon-
(Continued on page 5)

Charles Feldman

Nearing Goal

Makelim Adds
150 Theatres;
Shea Joins Up

Talks Continuing With
SW, RKO and Fabian

The Shea circuit, operated by the
Jamestown Amusement Co., has joined
the Makelim plan, bringing the lineup
of theatres over the past week to an
additional 150, it was disclosed here
yesterday by John Wolfberg, vice-
president of Makelim Productions.

Wolfberg, here for the past week,
already has signed up E. M. Loew's
circuit, Boston, and the Century cir-
cuit. Negotiations with Stanley War-
ner, RKO Theatres and Fabian Thea-
tres are continuing, he added.

Wolfberg plans to leave for a swing-
around the country shortly, conferring
with officials of affiliate circuits of
American Broadcasting - Paramount
Theatres. The Makelim executive, it
is understood, planned the AB-PT trip
(Continued on page 5)

Name Fabian
^54 Pioneer

Simon H. Fabian, president of the
Stanley- Warner Corp., has been se-
lected as "Motion Picture Pioneer of
1954" by the Motion Picture Pioneers,
it was an-
nounced in New
York by Jack
Cohn, president
of the Motion
Picture Pio-
neers and also
of the Founda-
tion of Motion
Picture Pio-
neers, made up
of industry per-
sonnel in the
business for 25
years or more.

Fabian will
be the guest of
honor at the 16th annual Showman-
ship Dinner of the Motion Picture
Pioneers on Nov. 17 in the Hotel As-
(Continued on page 4)

S. H. Fabian

Motion Picture Dai

Friday, October 1, 1954

Personal
Mention

ITITEL MONACO, president of
^ ANICA, and Dr. trancO' Pe-
NOTTI, member of the board, will leave
here for Italy toniorrdw aboard the
"Andrea Doria."

•

Oscar A. Morgan, Paramount
short subjects, newsreels and special
features sales manager, will return to
New York today from St. Louis and
Kansas City.

•

P. T. Dana, Universal Pictures
Eastern sales manager, left here last
night to visit company branches in
Ohio and upstate New York.
•

Harold G. Minsky, Paramount
Mid-East division manager, was here
yesterday from Philadelphia.

•

William C. Gehring, 20th Cen-
tury-Fox executive assistant general
sales manager, will leave New York
by plane today for the Coast.
•

Gloria Nord, British actress, will
arrive here tomorrow from London
via B.O.A.C. Royal Scot.

•

Al Margolies, Paramount unit rep-
resentative, left New York yesterday
for Montpelier, Vt.

DiMiTRi TiOMKiN, composer,
leave here today for Italy.

wil

Martha Scott will leave here to-
morrow for Hollywood.

Earl Bellamy, director, has ar-
rived in New York from Hollywood.

Italy Grants Award
To Goldwurm Here

Jean Goldwurm, owner of Little
Carnegie and World Theatres here,
was honored by the Italian govern-
ment yesterday with the Order of
Merit in recognition of his "distin-
tinguished pioneering role" in the
presentation of Italian films. He also
heads Times Films, Inc.

Presentation of the award was made
by Dr. Eitel Monaco, president of
ANICA, Italian exhibition-distribu-
tion organization, and head of Italian
Films Export.

RKO Theatres Shifts
Dec. 1 to New Offices

RKO Theatres has leased the entire
17th floor of the Mutual Life Insur-
ance Building, 1740 Broadway, and
will operate its home office at this
address starting Dec. 1. The 10-year
lease covers 17,000 of floor space,
air conditioned, and will replace the
present offices in The Americas Build-
ing and the Palace Theatre Building.

Philadelphia Gets *Beau BrummelV; It
Was a Good Publicity Gimmick Anyway

Following nation-wide newspaper publicity about an intercity
"feud" in which a dozen Chambers of Commerce hurled claims and
counter-claims, Philadelphia has won the world-premiere of M-G-M's
"Beau Brummell." The picture will open at the Midtown Theatre,
in Philadelphia, on Oct. 5. The "haberdashery har;?icap" — as Mil-
waukee papers referred to it — started when the Bf ston Chamber
of Commerce asked Howard Dietz, M-G-M vice-pi-^'sident, for the
premiere of "Beau Brummell" because "Boston n,i s more well-
dressed men and more chivalrous men than any other city."

That set off the front page fireworks. Houston threw its Stetson
into the Homburg derby. New Haven chimed in with claims that
Yale has the best dressed campus in America. Washing on cited the
White House Beau Brummells. Milwaukee said it had shamed Bos-
ton in baseball and could do the same with its Beau BrumTiells.
Rochester pointed to its clothing factories. Louisville turned up its
nose — in four columns — and claimed the worst dressed men.

Sullivan Show to
Feature *Star'

The Ed Sullivan Sunday night tele-
vision show on the eve of the Oct. 11
New York premiere of "A Star Is
Born" at the Paramount will kick off
the premiere festivities for the Warner
Brothers release.

The Sullivan telecast will feature
a four to five-minute film clip of the
picture, it was learned. In addition,
talks are underway to have Judy Gar-
land present at the show to take a
bow.

Meanwhile openings for the picture
have been slated in many situations in-
cluding RKO Paramount, Seattle, Oct.
8 ; Senator, Sacramento, Oct. 8 ; San
Francis, San Francisco, Friday ; Ma-
jestic, San Antonio; Worth, Fort
Worth, Texas, Friday; RKO Or-
pheuni, St. Paul. It opened in the
Magestic, Dallas, and Majestic, Hous-
ton, yesterday following its world
premiere Wednesday night at RKO
Pantages, Los Angles.

'Dear Children' Bought

HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 30.— The
Ingo-Preminger Agency has sold to
Jerry Wald, Columbia Pictures exec-
utive producer, the film rights to the
stage play, "My Dear Children," in
which John Barrymore starred.

Trial Period For
Glowmeter Future

BUFFALO, _ Sept. 30.— An eight-
week trial period, during which pro-
duction methods and quality controls
are to be studied, will determine future
of Glowmeter Corp. of North Tona-
wanda.

The testing program was outlined
today at meeting of Glowmeter credi-
tors before Federal Judge John
Knight. The corporation, which manu-
factures motion picture screens, two
weeks ago filed a petition for reorgani-
zation under Chapter 2 of the Federal
Bankruptcy Act stating that it has
debts of $973,558 and assets of $408,-
329.

Owen B. Augspurger, Jr., attorney
for the corporation, asked Judge
Knight to adjourn the meeting of
creditors until Nov. 22. At that time
a determination will be made based
on the results of the pilot program.
There were no objections.

Paramount to Begin
^Christmas' Drive

Dr. Goldsmith Cited
By TV Film Council
At Testimonial Here

Rosenberg to WB

HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 30.— Jack L.
Warner, executive producer, has an-
nounced the signing of Frank P.
Rosenberg to a producer's contract at
Warner Brothers studios. Rosenberg's
first assignment will be "Miracle in
the Rain," by Ben Hecht.

The promotional campaign which
Paramount has set up for Irving Ber-
lin's "White Christmas," first of the
VistaVision productions, will begin
next week with Berlin himself holding
a series of conferences, luncheons and
cocktail receptions for motion picture
editors, critics and exhibitors in Bos-
ton, Philadelphia and Chicago.

Berlin, America's most famous com-
poser of popular songs, and "White
Christmas," will be honored with an
hour-long tribute on Monday night via
a special broadcast over the full NBC
radio network.

Due to arrive in Boston on Sunday
evening from New York, Berlin will
begin his field pronioticoal activity on
Monday with a luncheon at the Ritz
Hotel for the newspapermen and ex-
hibitors of the area. Arrangements
for this affair are under the super-
vision of John G. Moore, Paramount
assistant eastern division manager,
and Arnold Van Leer, special field
representative.

Reception Scheduled

Later in the day, Berlin, who will
be accompanied on the tour by his
representative, Helme Kressa, will
hold interviews at the Ritz, with a
cocktail reception to follow at the
Sheraton Hotel.

The composer will depart late Mon-
day evening for Philadelphia where
arrangements have been made by
Paramount mid-east division manager
Howard Minsky and field representa-
tive Mike Weiss for a round of activi-
ties similar to those slated for Boston.
The Warwick Hotel will be Berlin's
Philadelphia headquarters.

Berlin's arrival in Chicago will be
on Thursday. He will remain through
Friday, meeting with newspapermen
and exhibitors under arrangements
being made by Paramount central
division manager B. D. Stoner and
field representative E. G. Fitzgibbons.

Dr. Alfred N. Goldsmith was re-
sponsible for naking television a
reality at least a decade earlier than
its eventual arrival, it was stated here
yesterday at a testimonial luncheon to
the so-called "father of television,"
sponsored by the National Television
Film Council at the Warwick Hotel.
Approximately 200 guests were on
hand to see Doctor Goldsmith receive
a scroll and brief case from NTFC.
Mel Gold presided at the affair.

Doctor Goldsmith's career was
traced by Arthur Loughren, director
of research of the Hazeltine Elec-
tronics Corp., who pointed out that
the guest of honor was responsible for
the single dial radio receiver, the
radio-phonograph combination, 16mm.
sound-on-film, the continuous film pro-
jector, basic TV color process, the
color tube and large screen home tele-
vision.

Cliff Norton substituted for Milton
Berle who was scheduled to appear
on the program. Berle was taken ill
Wednesday night.

In a brief response. Doctor Gold-
smith traced the development of tele-
vision from 31 lines to the present 525
lines.

Branson, Tushinsky
Leave for Europe

Walter Branson, RKO's world-wide
general sales manager, sailed yester-
day aboard the S.S. "L^nited States"
for his first foreign sales trip since
becoming global distribution chief for
RKO. Joseph Tushinsky, co-inventor
of the Superscope lens, for which
RKO has foreign distribution rights,
accompanied Branson.

They will attend exhibitor demon-
strations of Superscope in London,
Paris, Rome and Germany. Branson
will hold sales conferences in London,
Paris and Rome.

Award to 'Hansel'

The October Parents' Magazine
medal "Movie-of-the-Month" has been
awarded to Michael Myerberg's "Han-
sel and Gretel," a full length feature
musical fantasy, it was announced by
Phil Willcox, director of motion pic-
ture relations of Parents' Magazine.
"Hansel and Gretel" will begin its
world premiere engagement at the
Broadway Theatre here on Oct. 10.

MOTION PICTURE DAILY Martin Quigley Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane Edii
Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rocltefeller Center, New York 20 N Y TelenhonT^ r
President; Martin Qui^ey Jr. Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasur
Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel. Production Manager-

Quigley to N.D. Meet

Martin Quigley left here yesterday
for South Bend, Ind., to attend a
meeting of the advisory council of the
College of Liberal Arts of Notre
Dame LTniversity, to which he re-
cently was appointed.

NEW YORK THEATRES

-RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL.

Rockefeller Center

"BRIGADOON"

in Color and Cinemascope slarriiiE
GENE KELLY • VAN JOHNSON
CYD CHARISSE with ELAINE STEWART

An M-G-M Picture
and SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION

starring

I SMINGHAYDEN- GLORIA GRAHIIME

PARAMOUNT

BWAV
43ra ST.

u ^ii?""', Published daily except Saturdays, Sundavs and holidays, by Quigley
Vice Pre-iiH^nt .^A^ B ^ ^'^Y^t ^'^^}? address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley,

jusef PrnH^fctL '^M ^'"'■^'■W^,?^'"""/ Vice-President; Leo J. Brady. Secretary; Al Steen. News

William R. Weaver. Editor. Hollywood" 7-2T45T Chica'go" Bureau 120 South LaSal^ lfre^^^^ n K^"^""! i^'"'^^"^ Yucca- Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns. Manager;
Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau 4 Golden So T nnd^r!' w 1" Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A.
'^Qui^ubco. .London." Other Quigle/publications: Moti^n^l^ture^HtaMf Bettfr'^he^^^^^^^^^ E<^''-' "^'^ ^^^^^^^^

Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-rla^V'^^rf^;, "Q»^/'o^"'iS«'^'"r°:u'''"'" PuousneQ jj times a year as a section 01 Motion
3. 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 forergnrsingle Ss. 10 c! ' ' ^* N- Y.. under the act of Mar A

times a year as a section of Motion

'\ . . a fleeting hut
passionate kiss . . .'

Look no further for your
THANKSGIVING ATTRACTION!
M-G-M has it!

THE LAST TIME
I SAW PARIS"

{Technicolor)

pQr your .best holiday time M-G-M has a picture that
will pack your house. The Preview was electric with
interest and enjoyment. This is a real love story, heart-
stabbing and compelling, based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's
daring novel of a fleeting but passionate kiss in Paris'
V-E Day celebration that led to a mad courtship and
a life of romantic adventure. Tears, laughter, powerful
devotions intermingle in a screen masterpiece filmed
in magnificent Technicolor in real Parisian locations.

M-G-M presents • Color by Tech- V]
nicolor • ''THE LAST TIME I
SAW PARIS" starring Eliza- >
BETH Taylor • Van Johnson -J
Walter PiDGEON' Donna Reed o
with Eva Gabor • Kurt Kasznar \^
Screen Play by Julius J. & Philip
G. Epstein and Richard Brooks
Based on a Story by F. Scott
Fitzgerald • Directed by Richard
Brooks • Produced by Jack
Cummings

(AVAILABLE IN PERSPECTA
STEREOPHONIC OR
ONE-CHANNEL SOUND)

(Issue of Aug. 20th)

LDEYIEVH

W.R.WILKERSON

"The greatest array
of musical talent
in all picturedom."

". . . Hollywood Reporter
describes the preview of
'Deep In My Heart'!"

Tell your M-G-M Branch:
**l want this great musical for
CHRISTMAS - NEW YEARS!"

DEEP IN
MY HEART

(Color)

The audience cards were 100% enthusiastic! Not one
dissenting voice. No wonder. M-G-M follows "Seven
Brides" and "Brigadoon" with its best yet. The life
and songs of famed Sigmund Romberg told in "The
Musical With A Heart." 22 song hits from 11 Romberg
operettas with the most imposing cast of entertainers
ever. There's a love story, there's warmth, there's
happiness, there's humanity! You cannot imagine an
entertainment so perfectly suited in every way for the
golden opportunity of the happy holidays, Christmas —
New Years !

M-G-M presents • Based on the
Life and the Melodies of Sigmund
Romberg • "DEEP IN MY
HEART" starring JosE FERRER
Merle Oberon • Helen
Traubel ♦ with Doe Avedon
Tamara Toumanova • Paul Stewart
Isobel Elsom • William Olvis
James Mitchell • and Guest Stars:
Walter Pidgeon • Paul
Henreid • Rosemary Clooney
Gene & Fred Kelly • Jane
Powell . Vic Damon e • Ann
Miller • Cyd C h a r i ss b
Howard Keel - Tony Martin
Screen Play by Leonard Spigelgass
From the Book by Elliott Arnold
Photographed in Eastman Color
Print by Technicolor • Directed by
Stanley Donen • Produced' by
Roger Edens

(AVAILABLE IN PERSPECTA
STEREOPHONIC OR
ONE-CHANNEL SOUND)

Motion Picture Daily

Friday, October 1, 1954

Fabian

{Continued from page 1)

tor here. He was chosen for this
honor by members of the Pioneers'
board of directors, men prominent in
every branch of the motion picture
industry.

In naming Fabian as the "Motion
Picture Pioneer of 1954," Cohn stated,
"It is altogether fitting and proper
that the Motion Picture Pioneers
honor Si Fabian this year on the occa-
sion of his 40th anniversary in the
motion picture industry. He is one of
filmdom's pioneers who is still pio-
neering. He has displayed an un-
equalled enthusiasm and confidence in
the forward progress of the motion
picture industry and is responsible for
far-reaching contributions to its de-
velopment.

'Recognized Leader'

"Today, he is the head of one of
the largest and most important the-
atre companies and is a recognized
leader of exhibition. His advice and
guidance are eagerly sought in the
councils of our industry. In addition,
Mr. Fabian has distinguished himself
as a public-spirited citizen and philan-
thropist. The Pioneers are proud of
their selection of Si Fabian as 'Mo-
tion Picture Pioneer of 1954.' "

Fabian's career as an exhibitor be-
gan on Aug. 24, 1914, when his father,
Jacob Fabian, opened the Regent The-
atre, Paterson, N. J., first deluxe mo-
tion picture and stage show presenta-
tion theatre in the United States. Suc-
cessively through the years, the
younger Fabian operated the Brooklyn
Fox Theatre, took over RKO Thea-
tres in Albany, Schenectady and Troy,
and, in 1944, the Wilmer and Vincent
Theatres.

Active in War Work

During the war, he helped organize
the Motion Picture Council for Na-
tional Defense, which became the War
Activites Committee of which he was
Chairman. He served his country in
other ways during the war years — as
member of the War Manpower Com-
mission and with the Treasury De-
partment, fulfilling at war's end a
mission for General Eisenhower as
member of a team visiting Europe to
formulate a film program for the war-
torn continent.

Active in TOA, Fabian was presi-
dent and now is treasurer of the ex-
hibitor organization.

On the business side, Fabian has
entered into such diverse areas
as drive-in exhibition, theatre tele-
vision. Cinerama, television station
WTRI in Schenectady, and most re-
cently the Latex Corp. In March,
1953, Fabian Enterprises became own-
ers of the stock interest in the War-
ner Circuit, and Si Fabian became
president of the newly formed Stan-
ley-Warner Corp.

Despite his activities as a pioneer
and leader in the entertainment world,
Fabian has always found time to be
a public-spirited citizen, chairman of
many philanthropic drives and mem-
ber of countless committees working
to aid the underprivileged and the
unfortunate, Cohn pointed out.

Shaindlin Signed

Jack Shaindlin has signed a con-
tract to do the musical direction of
20th Century-Fox's CinemaScope film
"El Torro," to be recorded with stere-
ophonic sound. Shaindlin will move
his studio to Steinway Hall today.

Home Town to Honor
Fabian on Oct. 12

Paterson, N. J., home town of Si H.
Fabian, will honor its distinguished
showman-son with a "homecoming"
day on Oct. 12, marking Fabian's 10th
anniversary in the motion picture in-
dustry.

Mayor Lester F. Titus of Paterson
will preside at a reception and dinner
It the Alexander Hamilton Hotel
there in honor of Fabian. Guests will
include civic and industry leaders,
celebrities and press representatives.

Chairman of the dinner is Jack
Stern. Co-chairmen are Abe J. Greene,
Sam Rosen and Frank J. Damis.

Miami Trust Suit
Goes Into 3rd Wk.

MIAMI, Sept. 30.— The Claughton
anti-trust suit seeking treble damages
of $9,450,000 from major distributors
went into its third week of trial here
in Federal District Court, with a pro-
tracted court struggle looming.

The suit, filed by E. N. and' Lillian
Claughton, independent circuit oper-
ators, names as defendants Paramount,
Warner Brothers, 20th Century-Fox,
Universal, Columbia and United Art-
ists.

Francis Anderson of Philadelphia,
attorney for the Claughtons, still has
not finished presenting the plaintilT's
case. Best estimates were that it will
take even longer for William Steel of
Miami and E. C. Timberlake, attor-
neys for the defendants, to present
their position.

Maryland Allied
Meets Dollinger

BALTIMORE, Sept. 30.— The Al-
lied Motion Picture Theatre Owners
of Maryland, Inc., held a special meet-
ing this morning, at which Irving
Dollinger, Eastern regional vice-presi-
dent of Allied, and a member of the
Emergency Defense Committee, ap-
pointed at the national board meeting
at White Sulphur Springs, explained
plans discussed and set up by the
committee. Leon Back is president
of the Maryland organization.

Review

Melvin Fox Houses
In Percentage Suits

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 30. —
Eight percentage actions were filed
here in the United States District
Court for the Eastern District of
Pennsylvania. Paramount, Loew's,
20th Century-Fox, Warner Bros.,
RKO, United Artists, Universal and
Columbia each filed a separate action
against Melvin J. Fox, Melvin Fox
Theatres, Inc., and Delsea Drive-In
Theatres, Inc. The theatres involved
are the Fox, High and Burlington
Drive-In Theatres in Burlington, the
Wildwood Drive-In in Wildwood, the
Criterion Theatre in Moorestown, the
Fox and Mt. Holly Theatres in Mount
Holly, the Fox Theatre in Riverside,
the Roxy Theatre in Maple Shade,
the Delsea Drive-In Theatre in Vine-
land, and the Bridgeton Drive-In
Theatre in Bridgeton, all in New
Jersey, and the Mayfair and Holly-
wood in Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia law firm of
Schnader, Harrison, Segal & Lewis
represents seven of the distributors
and Wolf, Block, Schorr & Solis-
Cohen ^represents Warner Bros., with
Sargoy & Stein of New York of coun-
sel in each case.

Drive-in Saturation
For 'Yellow Ribbon'

Because of the reported success of
"She Wore A Yellow Ribbon" in its
saturation bookings in more than 100
drive-ins throughout New England,
RKO will concentrate on releasing the
John Wayne starrer through mass
drive-in bookings on a regional basis,
it was announced yesterday by Walter
Branson, world-wide general sales
manager.

When all operating drive-in terri-
tories are covered, "She Wore A Yel-
low Ribbon" will be withdrawn from
release until the beginning of the
drive-in season next year, Branson
said.

New TNT Offices

Theatre Network Television, Inc.,
(TNT) will occupy new offices on the
25th floor of 575 Madison Avenue,
here today. The firm formerly was
located at 515 Madison Avenue.

People

Curtis Miller was the honor guest
at a farewell surprise party in
Tampa, the occasion being his
transfer from Tampa where he was
city manager for the Claughton cir-
cuit to the Miami home office.

May Daze, after completing 36
years as cashier at the O'Brien
Theatre, Arnprior, Ont., was hon-
ored by a "special night" at the
theatre, arranged by manager H.
Jordan, who presented her with a
gift on stage.

Paula Stutz, one of the twin
daughters of Manny Stutz, manager
of the Circle Theatre in Cleveland,
has joined the Allied Artists secre-
tarial staff there, while her sister,
Dorren, has entered Ohio State
University.

Charles Laughton is the subject of
a 308-page biography titled "The
Laughton Story" by Kurt Singer.

Dave Emanuel of Phoenix Films
here has been named Bufi^alo and
Albany representative for Louis de
Rochemont's "Martin Luther."

Johnnie Ray headlines a stage
revue at the State Theatre, Hart-
ford, this weekend.

Cecil James, formerly of the U.S.
Army Motion Picture Service, has
been appointed manager of the
Geneva Theatre, Geneva, Ala.

Walter Colby has been appointed
manager of the Mantanzas Theatre
in St. Augustine, Fla., replacing
Norris McCollum who has moved to
Orlando.

Lynn Goodwear has been named
manager of the Empire Theatre,
Daytona Beach.

Settle Smith Action
Against Lippert

Suit brought by Joseph P. Smith,
sales manager of Lippert Pictures
from 1950 to early this year, against
Lippert for salary and commissions
allegedly due him, has been settled
and discontinued. Smith had charged
breach of contract.

Harry Pimstein, attorney, repre-
sented Smith, while Lippert was rep-
resented by A. J. Handel in the settle-
ment.

'Shield' Here Wednesday

"The Black Shield of Falworth,"
Universal-International's first Cine-
maScope production in Technicolor,
will have its New York premiere at
Loew's State Theatre on Wednesday.

"The Unholy Four''

{Hainiiicr-Lippcrt) Hollywood, Sept. 30

THE principal billing strength of this British-made Hammer production is
the name of Paulette Goddard. She is paired with William Sylvester,
whose face and talents are known on this side but whose name probably
hasn't acquired much ticket-buying power as yet.

The cast is composed of capable players, none of whom speaks in the too-
British manner that so often mitigates against a British film's success over
here, and the plot is universally applicable. Story interest rides on three
murders, with identity of the key killer skillfully concealed until the final
sequence. By and large, the picture measures up snugly to the promise of
its billing.

Michael Carreras produced the picture, which was directed with authority
by Terence Fisher, and the screenplay by the producer is based on the novel,
"Stranger at Home," by George Sanders. Patrick Holt, Paul Carpenter and
Alvys Maben head up the able supporting cast.

In the picture Sylvester portrays a man of wealth who arrives home after
four years of hardship and amnesia caused by a blow on the head received
during a boat trip to Portugal on which he was accompanied by three
friends, all of whom he finds in varying degrees of association with his wife,
played by Miss Goddard. The plot concerns his attempt to discover which of
the friends administered the blow on the head with intent to kill him, and
whether his wife had prompted the deed. Two other murders are com-
mitted before the guilty party is identified and the innocent suspects, which
by now are legion, are cleared.

Running time, 80 minutes. General classification. September release.

W. R. W^

Friday, October 1, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Coast Meeting of SMPTE
Will Highlight Color, Sound

Lumber Strike Ends;
Ore. Business Up

PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 30.—
The 83-day old Northwest lum-
ber strike is officially over for
some 250,000 CIO International
Woodworkers, and business
generally, and motion picture
exhibitors especially, again
breathe a "sigh of relief." How-
ever they realize that this lull
has not helped to bring about
a pile-up of logs at the mills for
winter operation. Theatre busi-
ness has started to climb since
the strike ended. Film Row re-
ports.

(Continued from page 1)

hibitors have paid in tax and with-
held as tax breakage as allowed by
the temporary inj unction may be avail-
able at a later date.

A circuit attorney using these
figures as the average two-month re-
turn to the city from all sources of
revenue, including theatres, said that
"the city should realize about $7,851,-
694 yearly, with exhibitors contribut-
ing about $4,500,000." However, the
attorney stated, the city fails to realize
that July and August are the top
business months in the industry and
the yearly tax total will be watered
down as box-office receipts slack off.

'Error' Cited by Brandt

• Harry Brandt, president of the in-
dependent Theatres Owners Associa-
tion, stated that "on the basis of these
figures, the returns indicate the error
and estimates submitted to Mayor
Robert F. Wagner by City Budget
Director Russell Beame and on which
the mayor relied upon for the imposi-
tion of the amusement tax.

"Beame said that the tax would
raise $9,000,000 from theatres and
$16,000,000 from the amusements
yearly. With the returns from the best
two months of the year now avail-
able, it is evident that the tax can not
yield more than $8,000,000 overall and
somewhere between $3,500,000 to
$4,000,000 from theatres yearly and
that the industry figures which were
also submitted to the mayor, but re-
jected, were correct.

Frisch Looks to Dec. 20

Emanuel Frisch, president of the
Metropolitan Motion Picture Theatre
Association, stated that the second
payment of the five per cent levy, due
on Dec. 20, would give exhibitors a
better indication of what the yearly
levy would be in the -three months of
regular business that follow the July
and August "boom" period.

In the meantime, the attorneys for
the exhibitors are awaiting an order
from Assistant Corporation Counsel
Stanley Buchsbaum officially notifying
them that Supreme Court Justice
Percy D. Stoddart had granted the
city's motion for summary judgement
and rejected the exhibitor attorney's
motion.

Upon receipt of the order, it is un-
derstood that the local theatremen will
file notice of appeal of Justice Stod-
dart's decision in the Appellate Divi-
sion. The New York City circuit and
independent theatre operators, besides
Buchsbaum, are still awaiting word
from the higher court as to a decision
on their appeals pending on Supreme

HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 30.— Motion
picture color, magnetic sound and
widescreen processes are featured in
the full program of technical papers
scheduled for the 76th semi-annual con-
vention of the Society of Motion Pic-
ture and Television Engineers to be
held at the Los Angeles Ambassador
Hotel Oct. 18-22, it was announced by
R. E. Lovell, NBC-TV Hollywood,
program chairman for the meeting.
Color Seen Vital

Highlighting the program released
to all members of SMPTE were
recent developments in color cinema-
tography prompted by critical appli-
cations in studio and theater. These,
regarded of great importance to the
future of motion pictures, are de-
scribed in papers on equipment and
methods for control of color in pho-
tography and in the laboratory, (sensi-
tometers for color films, O. E. Miller ;
color densitometer performance char-
acteristics, W. L. Brewer and S. A.
Powers ; color densitometer control
methods, M. C. Goddard and S. A.
Powers, all from the Color Technol-
ogy Division of the Eastman Kodak
Co.), two new densitometers for color
control (densitometers for control of
color motion picture film processing,
J. G. Frayne, J. H. Jacobs, Westrex
Corporation), a system for automatic
printing of positive color film (auto-
matic additive printing of color film,
Frank Herrnfeld, Culver City) and on
a light meter for color printer control
(A. J. Sant, M. C. Goddard, O. E.
Millet, Eastman Kodak Co., Roch-
ester) .

Demonstration Slated

Cinematographers and studio and
laboratory technicians will be given
basic knowledge of color vision from
a color demonstration specially de-
veloped and presented by R. M. Evans
of Eastman Kodak (color and bright-
ness in projected color pictures).

Improvements in magnetic sound
recording and reproduction stimulated
by world-wide use of magnetic track
on release prints will be discussed.
Included will be reports on magnetic
head wear (magnetic head wear in-
vestigation, M. Rettinger, RCA, Hoi-

Nat Holt

(Continued from page 1) .

Scott will star in the film, which is
a historical adventure story of Amer-
ica of the 1870's. Story and screen-
play are by Horace McCoy.

Holt left Paramount eight months
ago after completing nine films, in-
cluding "The Great Missouri Raid,"
"War Path," "Silver City,", "Hur-
ricane Smith," "Arrowhead," "Flight
to Tangiers," 'Pony Express" and
"Denver and Rio Grande" among
others. Holt has been working with
Horace McCoy on the story and
screenplay of "Seven Bad Men" since
he left Paramount. Holt will tempo-
rarily close his office in Beverly Hills
to headquarter his organization on the
RKO lot.

Court Justice Nichols M. Pette's tem-
porary injunction order which curbs
the city from collecting the tax break-
age.

Supreme Court Justice Charles S.
Colden recently enlarged the Pette in-
junction to cover all parties seeking
to join the current suit.

lywood), on an instrument for auto-
matic inspection of release print sound
tracks (electronic comparator for the
automatic inspection of magnetic
sound prints, J. W. Stafford, MGM,
Culver City), a report by the mag-
netic sub-committee of SMPTE and
a review of research into methods for
measuring strength of magnetic sig-
nals recorded on 16mm film.

International Adoption Sought

International adoption of wide-
screen pictures in studios and theatres
will continue to occupy the attention
of the industry's optical experts who
will tell of new developments in Cine-
maScope lenses (CinemaScope cam-
era lenses, J. D. Hayes, Bausch &
Lomb, Rochester), CinemaScope pro-
jection in drive-ins (CinemaScope in
drive-in theatres, R. H. Heacock,
RCA, Camden), improved optics for
projection arc lamps (consideration
of improvements in condensing sys-
tems for 35mm projection, R. M. Alt-
man, A. E. Neumer, and H. H.
Schroeder, Bausch & Lomb, Roch-
ester), and drive-in theatre screens
and screen color (an improved high
brightness screen for drive-in theatres,
P. Vlakos, Motion Picture Research
Council, Hollywood and chromaticity
characteristics of theatre screens, P.
Zeff and J. P. Livadary, Columbia
Pictures, Hollywood). An entire
evening session will be devoted to
conference discussion of all factors
controlling image quality in wide-
screen processes.

Foreign Delegates Expected

Technical sessions on color, wide-
screen motion pictures and magnetic
sound are expected to draw the lead-
ing motion picture engineers from all
sections of the United States, Canada,
Mexico and Europe. Special arrange-
ments are being made to accommodate
engineers and technicians who will
attend the 16 technical sessions on
motion pictures, television and high-
speed photography, to be held at the
Hotel Ambassador, Academy Award
Theatre, NBC and CBS Television
Studios, Paramount Studio Theatre
and Moody Institute of Science.

Makelim

(Continued from page 1)

in light of the circuit's decentralized
operation.

Aproximately 2,600 theatres have
joined the Makelim plan, it was esti-
mated, with 400 more needed to reach
the 3,000 goal, set by Wolfberg on his
arrival in New York to confer with
circuit executives.

*Academy Month'

( Continued from page 1 )

ences. The house, he said, showed a
127 per cent increase in popcorn sales
and a 175 per cent jump in candy
sales.

The management is planning an-
other Academy Award month in the
near future.

New Conn. Drive-in

HARTFORD, Sept. 30. — Charles
Lane of the New Haven Drive-In
Theatre, North Haven, has disclosed
plans for construction of a drive-in
theatre at Branford, Conn.

Art House Goes Arty;
Ushers Drop Uniforms

HARTFORD, Sept. 30.— Two
art film units in this territory,
the Stanley - Warner Art,
Springfield, Mass., and the
Hartford Theatres Circuit's Art,
Hartford, have resumed special-
ized policies.

The Art, in a bid for season-
opening public relations, invited
western Massachusetts artists
to participate in group and one-
man exhibits. The Art, Hart-
ford, announced that service
staff personnel would be
dressed in dark business suits
rather than standard uniforms.

Will Rogers

(Continued from page 1)

tague to contact all exhibitors in all
of the 32 exchange areas to seek
pledges and support.

The Will Rogers Memorial Hos-
pital president, in the closed circuit
broadcast, traced the history of the
Saranac "industry club" revealing that
in each campaign during the past
three years the fund has steadily in-
creased.

Attending the broadcast which was
heard at the 20th Century Fox ex-
change offices in New York, were
Abe Dickstein and Alex Arnswalder
of 20th-Fox ; Sol Gottlieb and Low
Allerhand, M-G-M ; Herman Silver-
man, RKO ; Joe Wohl and Bob Fan-
non. Republic ; Nat Goldberg, Univer-
sal ; Joe Sugar, United Artists ; Moe
Fraun, Columbia ; Nat Furst, Allied
Artists ; Ben Abner, Warner Broth-
ers, and Myron Sattler, Paramount.

St. Louis Suit

(Continued from page 1)

emption to CBS, permitting it to op-
pose the other applicants for the
Channel 11 station.

"The test for the award of the
grant," the St. Louis Amusement Co.
brief said, "is a comparison of ability
to operate a television station, which
can be met only by Columbia." ,

The St. Louis Amusement Co. then
asked the commission to dismiss the
CBS application and the commission
denied the motion. St. Louis then
petitioned the Court of Appeals /for
review asking that the hearing be de-
clared unlawful and that it be stayed
until the CBS application was dis-
missed. The Appellate Court dis-
missed the petition.

The brief declared, "If this par-
ticular exemption is permissible under
the law — which is the question in this
case — there can be no assurance that
it will be the only one. Future
exemptions for favored parties will be
possible."

Italian Issues

(Continued from page 1)

a close was furnished by Dr. Mon-
aco's scheduled departure for Europe
tomorrow.

In addition to the Italian situation,
the board is expected to hear a first-
hand, report from Johnston of the new
Anglo-U. S. film pact.

In the meantime, it was leai'ned
tliat the MPAA president plans to
take his Coast trip next Tuesday,
returning to Washington on Oct. 10.

Soon I

Walter Wanger's
One Thousand and one
Thrill-Packed Production of

c4dventures of

'MM

Color by

Deluxe

INemaScORe

START HUOO'S^

YOUR

56 51-

Produced by Allied Artists Pictures Corporation
Released by 2©th Century-Fox

VOL. 76. NO. 66

NEW YORK, U. S. A., MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1954

TEN CENTS

Tradewise . . .

By SHERWIN KANE

JUST getting under way now, the
1954 Variety Clubs Interna-
tional Christmas Salute cam-
paign will continue to Jan. 15. The
result can be of the utmost impor-
tance to the operation and useful-
ness of the Will Rogers Memorial
Hospital at Saranac Lake, N. Y.
The degree of success which the
campaign achieves depends on
every member of the industry.

The Christmas Salute has been
the backbone of the financing for
the hospital. This year's goal is
$250,000, which Abe Montague,
Charles Feldman and Moe Silver
of the hospital's board are hopeful
can be achieved by the contribu-
tion of one hour's pay by every-
one employed in the industry.
•

The justification for generous
support of the Will Rogers Hos-
pital lies in its impressive record of
help to the industry's tubercular,
without charge, and in the value
to mankind of one of its most im-
portant goals — the discovery of an
anti-TB vaccine.

Illustrative of the first is the
statement in Montague's annual re-
port, as president of the hospital,
that in 1950, when the industry
took over full financial responsibil-
ity for it, 778 d^ys were required
to effect a cure. By last year, that
period had been reduced to 391
days, or by about one-half.
•

This remarkable progress would
not have been possible without the
excellent laboratory and research
equipment with which the hospital
has been provided.

Now the Will Rogers Hospital is
equipped to embark upon research
in an attempt to discover a vac-
cine which could immunize man
against his No. I killer.

Should this endeavor be crowned
with success, no imagination is re-
quired to envision the importance
of such a contribution to mankind,
to the world of medical science
and, as the instrument by which it
was made possible, to the motion
picture industry and its people.

The support of all of us is
needed to carry on such work as
well as to "care for our own."

New Categories

Johnston to Propose Hike
In Production Code Fees

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

Increased Production Code service fees to producers will be proposed
by Eric Johnston, president of the Motion Picture Association of
America, when he confers with studio heads on the Coast this week,
Johnston re

vealed here at
the weekend.

Johnston, in-
terviewed on
Friday imme-
diately follow-
ing the break-
up of the
MPAAi board
of directors
meeting here,
said the in-
crease was ne-
cessitated by the
production drop,
for one thing.
Asked how much the increase would
be percentage-wise, Johnston replied
(Continued on page 10)

Eric Johnston

Johnston to Confer
On Academy Support

A bid by £he Academy of Motion
Pictures Arts and Sciences for
financial support from the Motion Pic-
ture Association of America will be
discussed on the Coast by MPAA
president Eric Johnston.

Johnston, who is slated to leave
Washington for the Coast tomorrow,
will confer with studio officials re-
garding the bid, taken up at Friday's
meeting of MPAA's board of direc-
tors.

While the board took no action on
(Continued on page 10)

McCraw Resigns VC
Executive Director
Post; Officers Meet

Col. William McCraw has resigned
his position as executive director of
International Variety Clubs to accept
a judicial nomination in the Texas
Criminal Court System, it was an-
nounced by George Hoover, inter-
national barker.

The announcement was made at
French Lick, Ind., where the execu-
tive members of the organization met
to discuss the expenditure of its
$2,500,000 charity budget for the cur-
rent year and to organize the agenda
for the forthcoming international con-
vention to be held next spring in Los
Angeles.

Col. McCraw, formerly Attorney
General of Texas, had held the Vari-
ety post for the past seven years. He
is expected to remain in the office in
an advisory capacity until his suc-
cessor has been selected.

Among other business discussed.
Hoover directed the attention of the
conclave to the strengthened position
of the international representatives.
He stated that one of the chief aims
of his administration will be to dele-
gate enough authority to each of the
nine representatives to enable them to
(Continued on page 10)

COMPO AUDIENCE POLL PLAN HITS
SNAG OVER TELEVISION PROGRAM

A hitch, involving the use of TV, has developed in the Council of
Motion Picture Organizations' plan to sponsor a nationwide audience
star poll, a project originally designed to kick-off next January.

The hitch involves the question of
whether to go ahead with the poll
without first obtaining a tie-in tele-
vision program as originally en-
visioned. Because of the apparent diffi-
culty in packaging such a program,
the question has been tossed back to
COMPO's advertising and publicity
executive committee, members of
which currently are being canvassed
as to their position.

Pending a decision by the adver-
tising and publicity committee, it was
(Continued on page 11)

Mrs. Marston Heads
New SAG Regionals

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 3.— The
board of directors of the Screen
Actors Guild announces the creation
of the position of Eastern and Mid-
western regional director of the Guild
and the appointment to the position of
Mrs. Florence Marston, long-time ex-
(Continued on page 10)

Revised Schedule

20th to Make
At Least 24
Films in '55

Skouras Says Eight Will
Be Produced in England

Twentieth Century-Fox will pro-
duce at least 24 pictures next year,
Spyros Skouras, president, said here
at the weekend upon his arrival from
the Coast fol-
lowing produc-
tion confer-
ences with Dar-
ryl F. Zanuck,
vice - president
in charge of
production.

Skouras told
Motion Pic-
ture Daily
that at least
eight of next
year's lineup
will be pro-
duced in Eng-
land and that
an undetermined number would be
(Continued on page 11)

Spyros Skouras

Pension Plan
Set on Coast

HOLLYVyOOD, Oct. 3.— After a
year spent in working out methods
and details, motion picture produc-
tion, management and labor have an-
nounced completion of the first over-
all pension system in Hollywood his-
tory. Two hundred employers and 40
unions are parties to the agreement,
which was signed late Friday and
goes into actual operation on Oct. 24.
The plan covers more than 18,000
workers in film production. It is the
result of an agreement in principle
arrived at in Oct. 1953.

The plan calls for each employee to
(Continued on page 10)

Concessions Won by
U.S. on ANICA

More "equitable" representation for
American film distributors on ANICA,
the Italian distribution-exhibition or-
ganization, has been procured as a
result of the week-long talks" here
between Italian and American film
representatives, it was learned Friday.

In addition, the talks resulted in the
(Continued on page 10)

Motion Picture Daily

Monday, October 4, 1954

Personal
Mention

NICHOLAS M. SCHENCK,
Loevv's president, and Charles
C. MosKowiTZ, vice-president, are
scheduled to leave here Friday for
the Coast.

•

Charles Simonelli, Universal Pic-
tures advertising-publicity manager ;
Phh-Ip Gebard, Eastern publicity
manager ; Jeff LmcNGSTON, advertis-
ing manager, and Herman Kass, ex-
ploitation manager, returned to New
York over the weekend from the
Coast.

•

Al Mann, Walter Kelly, Clair
Behnke, Hubekt Graham, Bernard
Keetcr, Robert Rogers and Adolf h
Bricker, members of the Paramount
production staff on "The Ten Com-
mandments," have left New York for
Cairo, Egypt.

•

Alfred H. Tamarin, United Artists
assistant national director of advertis-
ing-publicity, left New York over the
weekend for Hollywood.

•

Mike Simons, in charge of exhibi-
tor relations for M-G-M, returned to
New York on Friday from Missoula,
Mont.

•

F. J. A. McCarthy, Universal Pic-
tures Southern and Canadian sales
manager, left here at the weekend for
Miami.

•

Kay Lenard, president of the Mo-
tion Picture Industry Council, is ex-
pected in New York today from
Hollywood.

William Moclair, managing direc-
tor of the Roxy Theatre here, arid
Mrs. Moclair will leave New York
by plane tomorrow for the Coast.

Edward D. Cohen, Latin American
supervisor for 20th Century-Fox's In-
ternational Corp., has arrived in New
York from Rio de Janeiro.

•

Spyros P. Skouras, 20th Century-
Fox president, returned to New York
Friday from Hollywood.

Anton Dolan, British actor, ar-
rived here yesterday from London via
B.O.A.C. Monarch.

George Weltner, Paramount Inter-
national president, will leave here on
Friday by plane for Paris.

Foster Blake, Universal Pictures
Western sales manager, will leave
here today for the Coast.

•

Sol Siegel, producer, is scheduled
to arrive in New York today from
London.

•

John Wolfbekg, vice-president of
Makelim Productions, is in Chicago
from New York.

•

Michael E. Turner, British direc-
tor, arrived here yesterday from Lon-
don via B.O.A.C.

Heavy Advance Sale
For TNT-Opera Show

Reports from theatres in four U.S.
cities indicate that ticket sales for
the closed circuit telecast of the
Metropolitan Opera's opening night
on Nov. 8 have made a good start,
Nathan L. Halpern, TNT president,
said here at the weekend.

Concerned with rumors of the can-
cellation of the presentation by TNT
due to the difificulty in securing A T
& T line clearance, Halpern stated
that "the closed circuit event will
take place, as all bookings have re-
ceived line clearance."

The rumors began, Halpern said,
when Dor Theatre Television can-
celled its scheduled closed circuit
presentation of the Philharmonic Sym-
phony opening when AT&T line
clearance could not be obtained.
Key Cities Report

"Early box-office reports indicate
that advance ticket sales for the opera
telecast have gotten off to a good be-
ginning," Halpern said. The Loew's
Capitol in Washington reported that
an advance sale of $3,000 at the end
of the first week in which tickets sold,
the TNT executive said. "In five days,
the Stanley Theatre in Philadelphia
sold $2,500 in advance tickets with the
3,000 seat Indian Theatre in Indian-
apolis sold out for the closed circuit
telecast," Halpern said.

The Paramount in Denver reported
that 60 per cent of the house was sold
out for the opera show, the TNT of-
ficial added.

Cohen Testimonial
In Hartford Tonight

HARTFORD, Oct. 3.— Several hun-
dred persons are expected to attend
tonight's testimonial dinner honoring
Lou Cohen, Loew's Poll manager, and
Mrs. Cohen, at the Statler Hotel.

The occasion, chairmaned by James
F. McCarthy, Connecticut district
manager of Stanley- Warner Theatres,
marks the Cohens' 35th wedding anni-
versary and Cohen's 35th year in show
business.

Harry F. Shaw, division manager,
Loew's Poli-New England Theatres,
is heading a regional circuit delega-
tion.

Lt. Gov. Edward N. Allen is serving
as toastmaster.

Leserman Resigns
As Telemeter V-P

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 3. — Carl
Leserman, one of founders of the
"telemeter" system of pay-as-you-see
television, has announced his retire-
ment from the executive vice-presi-
dency of interimtional Telemeter Corp.
and relinquishment of its active man-
agement, although he will continue
as an active member of the board of
directors. Actual management will be
administered by an operating com-
mittee consisting of Chester I. Lappen,
Paul McNamara and Dr. Louis N.
Ridenour.

Spokesman for the corporation told
inquirers that Leserman's retirement
does not signify any change in the
status of Telemeter's plans for future
activity in the field. The announce-
ment included reference to several
projects in the electronics field being
developed by the corporation but
which have no theatrical connection.

Kaufman, Former
SW Buyer, Killed

CLEVELAND, Oct. 3.— Funeral
services for Louis J. Kaufman, 69,
who retired two years ago as a film
buyer for Stanley Warner Theatres,
were held here yesterday. He was
killed instantly last Thursday when
his convertible and a tractor trailer
collided near Salem, O.

He is survived by his wife, Sarah
G. Kaufman, and five sisters, Mrs.
Jenny Sampliner of Los Angeles ;
Mrs. Irene Benjamin of Los Angeles;
Mrs. Yolanda Davidson of Cleveland;
Airs. Gizella Block of Cleveland and
Mrs. Elsa Steiner of Tulsa, Ariz.

Zeda Betsy Hix

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 3. — Ser-
vices were held on Friday at Forest
Lawn for Zeda Betsy Hix, vfife of
publicist Don Hix, who died here
last Wednesday. Survivors include
her husband and two children.

Mrs. Bessie Cooke Cohn

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 3. — Funeral
services were held here yesterday at
Forest Lawn Cemetery for Mrs.
Bessie Cooke Cohn, wife of M-G-M
studio executive J. J. Cohn, who died
last week.

'Jubilee' to Mark
Loew's Theatres'
50th Anniversary

Loew's Theatres in Greater New
York on Wednesday will begin a two-
month celebration of Loew's "Golden
Jubilee," marking the fiftieth anni-
versary of their founding by the late
Marcus Loew.

Ernie Emerling, Loew's ad-publicity
head, and his staff, assisted by the
managers of more than 50 Gotham
theatres, are planning an enthusiastic
campaign which will involve all forms
of motion picture theatre promotion —
newspapers, radio, TV, screens, and
exploitation.

Started as Penny Arcade

The "Golden Jubilee," marking the
progress of Loew's from the penny
arcade era to today's plush showplaces,
will be exploited to the fullest, with
greatest attention to be given to sell-
ing the lineup of films booked for the
"Jubilee" period. The schedule in-
cludes : Martin and Lewis in "Living
It Up" (Paramount) ; "Seven Brides
for Seven Brothers" (M-G-M) ; "Be-
trayed" (M-G-M) ; "The Caine Mu-
tiny" (Columbia) ; "Rear Window"
(Paramount) ; "On the Waterfront"
(Columbia); "Sabrina" (Paramount)
and "Brigadoon" (M-G-M).

At noon tomorrow, a Times Square
demonstration will launch Loew's
"Golden Jubilee Motorcade," com-
posed of floats on the first four attrac-
tions and a motion picture museum,
created by the George Eastman House
of Rochester. The motorcade will
visit all Loew's Theatres in the
metropolitan area, then be broken
down into separate units to ballyhoo
the individual pictures as they play off.
The museum will later visit schools
throughout the city.

Radio-TV Drive Slated

Newspaper advertising will be am-
plified during the campaign and an
eight-week radio-TV campaign is
scheduled. All Loew's Theatres will
feature special Jubilee birthday cakes
and decorations.

Loew's out-of-town theatres will
stage "Golden Jubilee" campaigns
when the, quality of bookings warrants.

Mrs. Janet Sayles

ALBANY, Oct. 3.— A Requiem
Mass was celebrated yesterday in St.
James Church here for Mrs. Janet
Sayles, widow of Alex Sayles, long-
time manager of Fabian's Palace until
his death last year. Mrs. Sayles died
last Wednesday. She formerly op-
erated a women's shop here. Survivors
of the deceased are a brother and two
sisters.

Leopold Atlas, Writer

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 3.— Leopold
Atlas, screen writer who received the
Academy Award nomination for "The
Story of G. I. Joe," died here at his
home. Other works of Atlas include
the screenplay "Tomorrow the World"
and the stageplay, "Wednesday's
Child."

Early-Day Motion Picture Equipment
To Be Contained in Museum on Wheels

ROCHESTER, N. Y., Oct. 3.— The motion picture museum on
wheels, which was completed here last week at Eastman House and
which will make its first New York appearance under the sponsor-
ship of Loew's Theatres, is housed in a 33-foot trailer.

Included in the museum will be early motion picture apparatus
mechanized to be put into operation by the visitor. The first of these
is the Bootrope, a whirling drum with slits, the predecesor of the
motion picture. The second will be an original Lumiere projector of
1895. The third will be an early Edison projector.

Above these exhibits will be transparencies of a Praxinoscope
(early animated cartoon viewer), the first film poster in the world
and Edison's peep show Kinetoscope.

A large still display will illustrate notable films and film person-
alities of a half century. A color camera, a complete projector unit
circa 1913, and a newsreel camera of that period will be featured.
Visitors will be invited to work an actual Mutoscope — a mechanical
peep show.

MOTION PICTURE DAILY,- Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley
Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley,
President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News
Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager;
William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145; Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A.
Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address,
"Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres and Theatre Sales, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion
Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter, Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of Mar A
3. 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign;' single copies, 10c.

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The Greatest Life Ever Lived
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Monday, October 4, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Reviews

"The Detective"

( Columbia)

tJ UMANITY is the keynote of this Columbia Pictures production, "The
Detective," which is based on the Father Brown stories by G. K. Ches-
terton. With British actor Alec Guinness turning in a deft portrayal as the
priest, whose philosophic methods in getting noted criminals to become good
citizens is allied to a certain amount of amateur detective work, producer
Paul F. Moss has turned out a light, amusing story which should do well
at the box office.

Chesterton's stories about Father Brown have been very well received in
the past and this film should also be well liked by audiences everywhere.
Thelma Schnee's screenplay has captured all over the warmth and sentiment
of Chesterton's stories.

Guinness, as Father Brown, is found alongside an open safe returning
money stolen by his latest convert. After spending the night in jail, he is
admonished by his bishop and informed that the treasured Catholic Cross of
St. Augustine is to be sent to Rome for the Eucharistic Congress and that
police believe that the famed continental thief. Flambeau, will try to steal it.
Guinness has marked down Flambeau as his next convert and he decides to
take the cross himself to the Congress.

Despite all of the precautionary measures taken on the trip to the Congress,
Flambeau steals the cross from Guinness revealing himself in the catacomb of
Paris to the priest. Father Brown, upon return to England, learns that he
has two weeks in which to recover the cross from Flambeau prior to the
start of criminal proceedings which are about to be lodged because the cleric
conspired to defeat the law. Utilizing a decoy, Father Brown again meets
up with the famed Flambeau and prevails upon the thief to mend his ways,
but police hinderance causes the cleric and the thief to part hurriedly.

Guinness, realizing that he is pressed for time, searches the Paris Archives
Nationales for background information about Flambeau and after securing it,
rushes to Flambeau's home. There he finds Flambeau, all of the thief's
stolen treasures and remembrances of Flambeau's youth. Once again the
police burst in on the scene and Father Brown is thwarted in converting
the thief. However, Father Brown recovers his cross, but believes he loses
his convert in Flambeau. Back in his parish, Father Brown is preaching in
the pulpit and he suddenly looks up to see the great Flambeau enter the
church seeking the good life.

Others in the cast, turning in warm performances which enhance the pic-
ture's value, are Peter Finch, Joan Greenwood, Cecil Parker and Bernard
Lee. The picture was produced by Paul F. Moss and directed by Robert
Hamer.

Running time, 91 minutes. General audience classification. Release not set.

LESTER DINOFF

The Sleeping Tiger

(Insignia Films-Astor)

THE big selling point in this British-made Hanbury production is Academy
Award winner Alexander Knox and Alexis Smith, both of whom turn in
capable performances in this story about the house guest who makes love to
his benefactor's wife. The third party in this story is British actor Dirk
Bogarde, a hardened criminal who makes an unwilling deal with Knox in
order to escape prison. As a whole, the film's' interest lies in the love, hate,
jealousy and criminal activities between Miss Smith and Bogarde.

Knox has the young criminal as a house guest for six months so that during
that period of time Bogarde could be used as a "guinea pig" in the psychia-
trist's work. Miss Smith, the wife of Knox, at first is antagonistic toward
Bogarde. While her husband is heavily engrossed in his work, and in turn
neglects his wife. Miss Smith and Bogarde fall violently in love.

The criminal, a supixjsed cured person during his stay at the house, con-
tinues with his robbing of jewelry stores. After one theft, the police are
thwarted in their arrest of Bogarde by Knox who alibis for him. Bogarde,
stunned by Knox's move in assistance, reveals all of his past and decides to
go straight and also decides to end his illicit love afifair with Miss Smith.
The film ends with Bogarde and Miss Smith, who in one sequence is effective
in portraying a rejected lover, involved in a fatal automobile accident.

Others in the cast are Hugh Griffith, Patricia McCarron, Maxine Audrey
and Glyn Houston. Victor Hanbury produced and directed Derek Frye's
screenplay which was based on a novel by Maurice Moiseiwitsch. Music was
composed by Malcolm Arnold and conducted by Muir Mathieson.
Running time, 89 minutes. Adult classification. October release. L. D.

People

To Show New Type
Drive-in Screen
At Allied Conclave

AIILWAUKEE, Oct. 3.— Drive-in
theatre owners in attendance at
national Allied "product convention"
here will be invited to visit the Vic-
tory Drive-in Theatre on Wednesday
night, Oct. 13, to witness a special
demonstration of the new Manco-
Vision extruded aluminum drive-in
screen which was developed after two
years' research by the Motion Picture
Research Council.

The extrusions for this screen are
manufactured by the Aluminum Corp.
of America and finished by the Manco
Plating Co. of Los Angeles.

First to Be Installed

Samples of this screen will be on
display at Allied's convention trade
show. The first screen of its type to
be installed is at the Victory. J. B.
Schuyler, distributor of the Manco-
Vision screen, has arranged for a
demonstration during the convention
for those exhibitors who register at
the Manco- Vision booth. Schuyler
states that the special characteristic
of this screen is an increase in picture
brightness of approximately 300 per
cent as compared to a freshly painted
white screen. This, he says, represents
a considerable increase in light, espe-
cially when considering the importance
attached to light increases of 10 per
cent to 30 per cent with cut-down
shutter blades and high-current car-
bons.

Says Patrons Note Improvement

Schuyler further states that the 300
per cent increase in light is readily
discernible by all patrons of the drive-
in theatre because there is no falling
of? at the sides "until you go beyond
45 degrees from the center line of the
theatre and, if the screen is properly
installed, there is still a tremendous
amount of illumination between 45 de-
grees and 55 degrees off of the center
line." The screen is available in panels
six_ inches in width and six feet long
which are placed together in a tongue
and groove arrangement like flooring.

Award for 'Lovers'

"The Young Lovers," a J. Arthur
Rank Organization presentation, has
been awarded the Edinburgh Film
Festival's Diploma of Merit for high

RCA Dividend on
Common, Preferred

A quarterly dividend of 25 cents
per share on the common stock of the
Radio Corp. of America, payable
Nov. 22 to holders of record on Oct.
15, was announced at the weekend by
Brig. Gen. David Sarnoft", chairman of
the board, following a regular meeting
of the board of directors.

At the same meeting, a dividend of
87y2 cents per share was declared on
the first preferred stock for the period
Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, payable Jan. 3 to
the holders of record on Dec. 13.

Critic- Award Set by
Am. Cinema Editors

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 3. — The
plan for bestowing a "Critics Award"
on film editors voted the year's best
by press critics has been approved
by the membership of American
Cinema Editors. Separate awards will
be made for theatrical film editing
and television film editing.

The press critics will vote by bal-
'ots posted to Price, Waterhouse &
Co., accountants, with the results to
be announced at a cocktail party
scheduled for Oct. 19.

Spyros P. Skouras, president of
2()th Century-Fox, vvas host at a
dinner held Friday evening at the
21 Restaurant here in honor of
Stepha nos Stephanopoulos, perma^
nent representative from Greece to
the United Nations.

Joseph E. Levine, president of
Ambassy Pictures Corp., will be
host today at a luncheon in the
Hotel Bradford, Boston, for circuit
heads, independents, buyers and
bookers concerned with Levine's
package of¥ering of two Selznick
films, "Notorious" and "The Farm-
er's Daughter."

Dr. Elmer W. Engstrom, execu-
tive vice-president of Radio Corp.
of America in charge of research
and engineering, has been elected
to the board of directors, it has been
announced by Brig. Gen. David
Sarnoff, chairman of the board.

Roy Anderson, assistant to Neal

Astrin, manager of the United
Artists playdate department, is the
father of a daughter born last week
to Mrs. Anderson at Mary Immacu-
late Hospital, Jamaica.

□

Robert J. Stein, formerly assist-
ant foundry director of Acme Alum-
mum Alloys, Inc., Dayton, Ohio, has
joHied Allen B. DuMont Labora-
tories, Inc., as manager of the Day-
ton office of that company's govern-
ment contract division.

Jan Sterling, star of Allied Artists'
"The Human Jungle," is in Boston
for personal appearances in connec-
tion with the opening of the picture
m that city, which will take place
Thursday at the Paramount and
Fenway theatres.

Larry Davee, sales manager and
engineer of the Century Projector
Corp., will give an illustrated talk
today at a meeting of the New York
State Association of Motion Picture
Projectionists at its fall meeting at
the American Legion Home, Ithaca,
N. Y. on modern projection and
sound systems.

Mrs. Kate Wright has resigned
from Kay Film Exchange in Atlanta
and has returned to her former post
at Astor Pictures.

Harry Parmenter has joined the
Florida State Theatres accessories
department in Jacksonville. Laurel
Barton has resigned from the cir-
cuit's booking department.

Herman (Dusty) Rhodes, drive-in
operator in Georgia and Alabama,
has been dismissed from an Atlanta
hospital where he recuperated from
a heart attack.

Oldest Cashier to
Be Cited by Allied

Kate Gould, 87 years old, who
has cashiered at the Crystal
Theatre, Glencoe, Minn., since
1909 and who is still punching
out tickets each night to the
patrons of the Theatre, will be
feted at the silver anniversary
convention of national Allied,
scheduled for Oct. 12-14 at the
Schroeder Hotel in Milwaukee.
She is said to be the oldest
cashier in the nation.

The Crystal Theatre is oper-
ated by her son, George C.
Gould, who is a member of
North Central Allied.

Mrs. Gould was the subject of
several feature newspaper stories
in the Minneapolis and St. Paul
newspapers and a few months
ago, she appeared on the TV
show "Welcome Travelers."

Motion Picture Daily

Monday, October 4, 1954

In the THEATRE

Equipment

& HefreshtnewBi

World . . .

• • with RAY GALLO

The Kollmorgen Optical Corp., New
York, has added two new f/1.7 pro-
jection lenses to its "Super Snaplite"
line. The //1.7X lens is for use with
projectors where the lens mount en-
croaches on the light path when short,
focal length lenses are used, while the
f/1.7 lens is for application where
vignetting is not a problem. Both
lenses are available in focal lengths
from 2 to 4 inches inclusive, in one-
quarter inch steps.

•

For theatres where requests for
coin change (for telephones, vend-
ing machines, etc.) is an extra bur-
den on sales personnel, Continental
Coin Devices, Inc., Cicero, 111., has
a new automatic change-maker. A
compact unit, it can be mounted on
a stand or on the wall or simply
placed on the counter. It is simple
to operate and includes such safety
features as a slug rejector, rein-
forced lock and a heavy-duty cab-
inet.

•

Charles Vonesh has been named
head of the field service department
of Motiograph, Inc., Chicago. He is
a member of Chicago Local 110 of the
lATSE and is an experienced projec-
tionist and engineer. He succeeds J.
W. Huckleberry, of Local 281, tvho
has joined Motiograph's engineering
department.

•

The Rowe Corporation, New
York, manufacturer and operator of
automatic merchandising machines,
has purchased the principal assets
of Spacarb, Inc., automatic cup
drink machine manufacturer. Rowe
president Robert Z. Greene reports
that Spacarb, Inc., will be liquidated
and a new Rowe division — Rowe
Spacarb, Inc. — formed to continue
the manufacture and markteing of
the complete Spacarb line of drink
dispensers as well as the "Auto-
Snak" common front for "automatic
cafeterias."

•

As compact storage units for em-
ployees' apparel and valuables, the
Precision Equipment Co., Chicago, has
some new locker racks. They consist
of steel box lockers for hats, purses,
etc., and an iron pipe rod for coats.
The units may be had in capacities
ranging from 15 38 locker openings.

McCraw

{Continued from page 1)

act as a liaison office to service both
local and international interests.

"This move," Hoover commented,
"is necessary because our organization
has grown so rapidly. Today there
are 45 tents throughout the world and
we must install an efficient delegation
of authority system."

The international chief bafker ap-
pointed a committee to meet in Pitts-
burgh to discuss the procedural aspects
of the selection of the annual Humani-
tarian Award winner. The Pittsburgh
sportscaster, "Rosy" Rosewall, will
head this group. On a motion made
by Edward Emanuel, international
property master, it was decided to
expand the selection procedure.

The head of the Heart Committee,
Nate Golden of Washington, an-
nounced arrangements for national
broadcast coverage at the dinner when
the Humanitarian Award winner will
be announced.

Mrs. Marston

{Continued from page 1)

ecutive secretary of the Guild's New
York branch.

Selected by the New York council
of the Guild to succeed Mrs. Marston
as New York executive secretary, and
confirmed in that position by the
Guild's board of directors, is Harold
M. Hoffman, formerly executive secre-
tary of the Eastern branch of Theatre
Authority. Hoffman, a graduate of
Fordham Law School, previously was
assistant executive secretary of the
New York local of the American Fed-
eration of Television and Radio
Artists, being with that organization
from 1944 to 1953.

TV Films a Factor

Expansion of Guild activity in East-
ern and Midwestern states, mainly
because of television motion pictures,
led the Guild board to enlarge the
Guild's national organization setup.

Mrs. Marston will oversee Guild
activities in Boston, Chicago, Cin-
cinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, New York
and Pittsburgh, and in such other
cities as may be organized in the
future. She will have her headquar-
ters in the office of the New York
branch and will serve as one of the
Guild's representatives on the inter-
national board of the Associated Act-
ors and Artistes of America; popularly
known as the Four-A's, AFL parent
of all actors' unions.

allocation of at least eight U.S. films
to be handled by Italian distributors,
it was further learned.

Expressions of mutual satisfaction
from both sides came in a prepared
statement, issued jointly by Motion
Picture Association of America presi-
dent Eric Johnston and Dr. Eitel
Monaco, of the Italian delegation.

The joint statement declared, in
part, "We have just completed a
series of discussions on mutual prob-
lems of the Italian and American mo-
tion picture industries. The sessions
were conducted in a spirit of friend-
liness and cooperation and agreement
was reached on all points under dis-
cussion."

Following completion of the discus-

Pension Plan

{ Continued from page 1 )

contribute two cents of each working
hour of straight time, which will be
matched in the equivalent amount by
tile employer. Employees will begin
making this contribution on Oct. 24
and the employers will begin on Oct.
26, after first making a contribution
representing the period of the past
year. No pensions will be granted,
liowever, until 1960.

Six Groups Not Covered

Not included in the plan are six
particular work classifications. They
are actors, writers, directors, mu-
sicians, extras and unit managers.

All classes of management, includ-
ing independents and major producers,
are parties to the plan.

The Bank of America will handle
the finances of the project.

George Flaherty, international rep-
resentative of the lATSE, was
named first chairman of the pension
fund, with Ralph Clare, of the Team-
sters Union, as vice-chairman.

PCA Fees

{Continued from page 1)

that the boost would be a graduated
one, related to introducing new cate-
gories.

At present, Code service fees are
broken into seven categories, varying
from a $1,150 fee for a film, the nega-
tive costs of which exceeds $500,000,
to a $100 fee where the negative cost
is less than $50,000. All shorts are
charged $50 for the Code seal.

Johnston, obviously pleased at the
results of the Italian talks, said that
an "amicable" arrangement had been
effected on all outstanding issues,
accruing from the recent Italian-U.S.
pact.

Johnston, who is slated to leave
Washington tomorrow for the Coast,
is expected to return on Oct. 10.

Johnston-Academy

{Continued from page 1)

the request for support, there was
reported to be considerable sentiment
in granting the Academy some aid.
The amount sought was said to be
in addition to the money received by
the Academy for its annual "Oscar"
TV Oldsmobile sponsored show. The
Academy's TV show has been its
prime source of income since MPAA
discontinued its financial support.

sions a luncheon honoring the Italian
delegation was given by American
film industry leaders at the Harvard
Club. The host at the luncheon was
Johnston.

In addressing the group at the
luncheon. Dr. Monaco said, in part,
"May I express the wish that within
the framework of the friendship ex-
isting between our two countries our
relations will evolve from a simple
interchange to a happy status of genu-
ine co-production."

It was understood that Metro-
Goldwyn-Mayer, despite Italian over-
tures, has remained firm in its posi-
tion in remaining out of ANICA,
despite the concessions won by the
American film companies.

Reade, Simons Best
Western Blizzards

Blizzards sweeping the northern
Rocky Mountain states last week
nearly marooned Walter Reade, Jr.,
Theatre Owners of America president,
and M. L. Simons, M-G-M director
of customer relations, who were
guests at the Montana Theatre Own-
ers convention in Missoula Thursday.

To keep his engagement as con-
vention speaker, Reade was obliged
to make a 208-mile trip by taxi from
Great Falls, where his plane flight
was grounded. Both he and Simons
had to take taxi planes to out-of-
the-way cities in order to catch a
return flight East on Friday.

The board of directors of the Mon-
tana organization after hearing an ex-
planation of M-G-M's Ticket-Selling
Workshop from Simons, invited him
to schedule a session in connection
with the spring convention next May.

'Duel' Strong in Toronto

The re-issue of David O. Selznick's
"Duel in the Sun" grossed $3,775 for
Its opening day in five Toronto-area
theatres, according to figures received
here by the distributors. On the basis
of these figures, the picture appears
headed for a $20,000 week.

STATEMENT REQUIRED BY THE ACT
OF AUGUST 24, 1912, AS AMENDED
BY THE ACTS OF MARCH 3,
1933. AND JULY 2, 1946 '
(Title 39, United States Code,
Section 233") SHOWING THE
OWNERSHIP, MANAGE-
MENT AND CIRCULATION.
Of MoTiO'N Picture Daily, published daily
(except Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays),
at New York, N. Y., for October 1, 1954!

1. The names and addresses of the pub-
lisher, editor, managing editor, aad busi-
ness managers are: Publisher and Editor-
in-Chief, Martin Quigley, 1270 Sixth Ave-
nue, New York City; Editor, Sherwin Kane
1270 Sixth Avenue, New York City; Man-
aging editor, Sherwin Kane, 1270 Sixth
Avenue, New York City; Business manager,
Theo. J. Sullivan, 1270 Sixth Avenue, New
York City.

2. The owner is: (If owned by a corpora-
tion. Its name and address must be stated
and also immediately thereunder the names
and addresses of stockholders owning or
holding 1 per cent or more of total amount
of stock. If not owned by a corporation, the'
names and addresses of the individual own-
ers must be given. If owned by a part-
nership or other unincorporated firm, its
name and address, as well as that of each
individual member, must be given.) Quigley
Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Ave-
nue, New York City; Martin Quigley, 1270
Sixth Avenue, New York City; Gertrude
S. Quigley, 1270 Sixth Avenue, New York
City; Martin Quigley, Jr., 1270 Sixth Ave-
nue, New Yo"rk City.

3. The known bondholders, mortgagees,
.ind other security holders owning or hold-
ing 1 per cent; or more of total amount of
bonds, mortgages, or other securities are:
(If there are none, so state.) None.

4. Paragraphs 2 and 3 include, in cases
where the stockholder or security holder
appears upon the books of the company as
trustee or in any other fiduciary relation,
the name of the person or corporation for
whom such trustee is acting; also the state-
ments in the two paragraphs show the affi-
ant's full knowledge and belief as to the
circumstances and conditions under which
stockholders and security holders who do not
appear upon the books of the company as
trustees, hold stock and securities in a
capacity other than that of a bona fide
owner.

^ 5. The average number of copies of each
issue of this publication sold or distributed,
through the mails or otherwise, to paid
subscribers during the 12 months preceding
the date shown above was: (This informa"-
tion is required from daily, weekly, semi-
weekly, and triweekly newspapers only.)

Theo. J. Sullivan,
(Signature of business manager.)
Sworn to and subscribed before me this
29th day of September, 1954.

(^eal) Rose W. Hornstein.

(My commission expires March 30, 1955.)

ANICA Concessions Won

{Continued from, page 1)

Monday, October 4, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Asides & Interludes

— by Al Steen

A MEEK little exhibitor in upstate New York was standing- in front of
his 350-seat theatre the other day when a big truck from a theatre supply
house pulled up to the curb.

"Okay, buddy," said the driver, "here's your CinemaScope screen, stereo-
phonic sound equipment, anamorphic lenses and new projectors."

"But — but," sputtered the exhibitor. "All I ordered was a box of carbons."
"Can't help that," yelled the driver. "This order says CinemaScope screen,
stereophonic sound equipment, anamorphic lenses and new projectors."

"Well, all right," said Mr. Milquetoast, "unload it. But if your company
makes another mistake like this, I'll have to deal with another outfit."

* * *

Perhaps you heard about the Hollywood accountant who used to prepare
income tax returns for clients. Well, he had, always dreamed of some day
being able to retire to a Pacific island. He got his wish. He noiv lives on an
island in the Pacific — Alcatra::.

^ ^

We don't believe this, but director George Sidney tells it, says
Dave Epstein. A tornado struck a Florida drive-in and buckled the screen
so that it was almost doubled. The exhibitor immediately advertised the
premiere of his new curved screen process.

^ * *

And Noel Meadow recalls that news item recently about the Brooklyn kid
who started out for a picture show, got side-tracked to the piers and boarded
the S.S. "United States" and unintentionally took a voyage to England with
17 cents in his pocket. And all the time his grandmother thought the boy
was at a double-feature program. Noel thinks the grandma should have known
better. He couldn't go to a theatre for 17 cents, but it was enough to make
a round trip to Europe.

We just heard about the studio press agent who walked gloomily into his
boss' office and said, "I guess I've pulled a boner."
"What happened?" asked the boss.

"Well, you knozv I've been assigned, to give a build-up to that nnv starlet
of ours, i suggested to her that she pretend to commit suicide as a publicity
stunt."

"Yes — yes."

"Well, she zvas so conscientious that she refused to deceive her public. So
she really killed herself."

* * *

Which reminds us of an independent press agent — brand new to the
business — who was not doing so well for his one and only client. The
actor-client gave him three days to get his name in print. On the final
day, the actor phoned his press representative.

"Did you get me in print?" he asked.

"You bet I did," gleefully replied the hungry fellow.

"Wonderful. What did you do?"

"I just had your name put in the telephone directory."

* * *

That leads us to the story about the down-at-the-heels actor who bragged
that he had an unlisted telephone. It wasn't listed anywhere because he
couldn't afford one.

An c.vhibitor friend of ours ivho has been bothered by vandals announced
publicly that he ivould make the parents pay for all damage done to his
theatre by their brats. One night he san.' a little boy, nrho zvas sitting with
his father, driving nail after nail into the seat in front of him. The exhibitor
ivalkcd dozen the aisle, bent over and zvhispcred to the father, "I hope you
realize that zn'hat your little monster is doing is very expensive."

The father leaned over and zchispered, "Not at all. I get the nails zvhole-
sale."

* * *

Ati exhibitor walked into a Midwest exchange and entered the man-
ager's office.

Exhibitor: "Remember that picture you sold me last week? You said
you would return my money if it wasn't satisfactory."

Manager: "You didn't have to bother coming to see me. I found your
money to be perfectly satisfactory."

Drive-in Forum at
TOA Convention
Is Slated for Nov. 3

A fourth open forum, devoted to
drive-in theatres, has been scheduled
for the 1954 Theatre Owners of
America convention and TESMA-
TEDA-TOA-IPA trade show, Oct.
31 through Nov. 4, at the Conrad
Hilton Hotel, Chicago.

Under the supervision of Jack D.
Braunagel and William T. Powell,
co-chairmen of the TOA drive-in
committee, the forum, set for Wed-
nesday morning, Nov. 3, will include
short reports on vital problems from
the nation's drive-in theatre experts,
followed by a question-and-answer
period.

Screen Important, Says Braunagel

"The main thing that everyone will
be interested in is what to do about
his screen," said Braunagel. "I be-
lieve it would solve every problem if
the film companies would make an
announcement that CinemaScope pic-
tures would be available in regular
wide screen prints. I do not feel
that one drive-in operator in 10 would
then worry about changing his screen,
as the only reason he wants to put in
CinemaScope is due to shortage of
product, not because of the method."

Tentatively scheduled for discussion
at the forum are the following :

1. Availability of regular prints on
CinemaScope pictures.

2. What steps can be taken to con-
trol dust in drive-in theatres inex-
pensively.

3. Higher priced items in snack
bars and results.

4. Screen surfaces on larger screens
and costs.

5. Indoor auditoriums in outdoor
theatres.

6. Stage attractions in drive-ins.

Miscellaneous other subjects un-
doubtedly will be brought up at this
forum, Braunagel pointed out. Names
of the panel members for the forum
will be announced later.

Other Forums Scheduled

Other forums on the TOA conven-
tion agenda will include concessions,
theatre equipment and new processes,
and prohibitive film rentals and stimu-
lation of independent production.

Personalities Plug
5 Fox 'Scope Films

Nine personalities are currently
publicizing five 20th Century-Fox
CinemaScope productions in New
York, the film company announced.
Arlene Dahl is here for promotion on
"Woman's World." Producer Walter
Wanger and Elaine Stewart are pub-
licizing "The Adventures of Hajji
Baba."

"Carmen Jones" is being promoted
by Otto Preminger, Dorothy Dan-
drige and Olga James with Harry
Belafonte arriving next week. Merle
Oberon is ballyhooing "Desiree" with
Johnnie Ray and cameraman Leon
Shamroy campaigning for "There's
No Business Like Show Business."

'Contessa' Debut: $11,500

"The Barefoot Contessa" grossed
$11,500 at the Capitol Theatre on
Broadway on its first day that matched
the pace set by "Moulin Rouge," the
greatest United Artists money-maker
to play the showcase, UA announced.

Paal Will Film Life
Of Rubens, Painter

The life story of Sir Peter Paul
Rubens, famous European painter,
will be produced by Alexander Paal
in the original locales in which the
artist lived, with Jose Ferrer in the
role of Rubens. The film will be
called "The Garden of Love," which
is the title of one of the painter's best
known works.

Paal is now in London to complete
arrangements with Kurt Frings,
Ferrer's agent.

Three Italian Films
Acquired by Carroll

Three Italian feature films have
been acquired by Carroll Pictures for
release in the United States, it has
been disclosed by Carroll L. Puciato.
president of the distributing organi-
zation.

The pictures are: "Four Ways
Out," featuring Gina Lollobrigida ;
"Princess Cinderella," a sequel to the
well-known fairy tale, and "Children
of the Madonna," a story of aban-
doned waifs on the streets of Naples.

Compo Poll

(Continued from page 1)

stated, the COMPO plan will not
be submitted to the company presi-
dents for their approval, a situation
which may postpone the original
starting date.

Meanwhile, COMPO's group in-
surance plan remains stymied by Al-
lied's position, which could be changed
if the Allied convention would recon-
sider the proposition and adopt a posi-
tive stand. At this stage, there is no
indication of a changed Allied posi-
tion, nor whether the proposed group
insurance plan would be taken up at
the convention. It is understood that
COMPO representatives stand ready
to outline the plan, if invited to do
so by Allied leaders. The Allied board
meeting at White Sulphur Springs,
W.- Va., last Aug-ust, while it took
no formal vote of disapproval of the
plan, expressed strong negative re-
action to it.

24 From 20th

(Continued from page 1)

made by independent producers for
20th Century-Fox release.

It is reported that the impressive
results that have been obtained with
the current and past CinemaScope
attractions have resulted in a company
move to revise the earlier estimates
for the 1955 production schedule.
These estimates had ranged as high
as 36 pictures for 1955 production,
but it is understood that the total
will not reach that figure.

Col. Screens First
CinemaScope Short

Columbia's first release in Cinema-
Scope was tradeshown at the weekend.
It is the latest in the U.P.A.-Mr. Magoo
cartoon series, "When Magoo Flew,"
and it is quite possibly the funniest yet
made. It uses the anamorphic lens to
perfection and this, combined with the
usual impeccable U.P.A. animation
and color by Technicolor, adds up to
an exhibitor's delight.

This time the nearsighted Magoo
thinks he's going to the . movies, but
instead .winds up in a plane. He not
only unwittingly succeeds in helping
a detective catch a criminal but causes
general havoc. When the plane lands,
Magoo still convinced he's been to the
theatre, complains about the lack of a
cartoon. Everything from 3-D pictures
to "Dragnet" is satirized and the re-
sult is a wonderfully funny cartoon.
It has no release date as yet, "but it
could be assumed that Columbia will
release it in conjunction with its first
feature-length film in CinemaScope.
The running time is seven minutes.

J.R.

SPG to Celebrate
14th Year Oct. 15

The New York Screen Publi-
cists Guild, the trade union
which represents advertising,
publicity and exploitation at
20th Century - Fox, Warner
Brothers, Columbia, Universal
and United Artists, will mark
its 14th anniversary of the
founding of the union by hold-
ing its "Movie Page Ball" on
Oct. 15 at the Hotel Pierre
here.

[ fiO STORMYI fiO VIOLENT! fiO^NTCNfiEJ
had fo be called f^Al^[/(o)[^^'

AVAILABLE NOW FROM

RKO

Distfibuledbl

RKO
RADIO

All

The News

That
Is News

MOTION PICTURE

Concise
Anp
To The
Poin

VOL. 76. NO. 67

NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1954

TEN CENTS

Process Refined

Para. Shows
Horizontally
Projected W

Special-use Development
Enthuses Coast Audience

By WILLIAM R. WEAVER

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 4. — On its
great studio screen where VistaVision
was first demonstrated to the trade
and the press, Paramount today pre-
sented its special-purpose side-wheel-
ing projection process, and with pro-
portionate impact.

Whereas the first sight of its hori-
zontally-fed camera's grain-free out-
put came as a bolt from the blue to
fascinated beholders, today's first
showing of what can be done when
Vista Vision's horizontal screen image
(almost thrice the normal film area)
is projected' from a likewise horizon-
tal exhibition print was welcomed as
a natural refinement of the process
and the procedure.

Although developed primarily for
special use in theatres and drive-ins
with screens of e.xtraordinary width
(Continued on page 7)

Brewer Rejoins
Allied Artists

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 4.— Roy
M. Brewer, who resigned Allied
Artists studio posts to run for
the presidency of lATSE dur-
ing the early summer, has re-
turned to his former position at
Allied, it was confirmed here
yesterday by the film company.

It is expected that Brewer
will resume his old position of
executive assistant to the presi-
dent of AA.

Phila. Holy Name
Union to Launch
Decency Crusade

special io THE DAILY

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 4.— A
crusade for decency in entertainment
and literature has been launched
among the 120,000 men of the Holy
Name LTnion of the Philadelphia
Catholic Archdiocese.

The first phase of the campaign,
which will start this fall, is limited to
motion pictures, and the plan is to
enlist all Catholics to patronize only
ihose motion pictures approved by the
National Legion of Decency. Later,
the laymen's group hopes to broaden
(Continued on page 7)

Seeks Policy Reversal

TOA Asks $10,000 from
MPAA for Convention

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

Theatre Owners of America has filed a request for $10,000 with the
Motion Picture Association of America for support of TOA's forth-
coming annual convention in Chicago, it was learned here yesterday.

The bid, which seeks a reversal of i ==^^=^^^^======

last year s MPAA's position, was
entered within the past few days, it
was stated. MPAA last year declined
requests from TOA and Allied for
financial support of their respective
annual conventions, with some com-
pany heads contending that they
should not financially support meetings
in which the production-distribution
policies of their companies are de-
nounced.

Allied this year has not filed a re-
quest for MPAA contributions to this
(Continued on page 7)

'Too Many Problems'

SEE D-J REJECTING
m PRODUCTION BID

Assistant Attorney General Says He Does
Not See Very Much Chance of Approval

By J. A. OTTEN

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4.— Top Justice Department officials are in-
clined at the moment against approving National Theatres' request to
enter the financing and production of motion pictures. In the opinion

of Stanley N. Barnes, Assistant At-

German Will Head
JDA Drive Again

William J. German, head of the
W. J. German Corp., has again ac-
cepted the chairmanship of the Mo-
tion Picture Industry Division of the
1954 campaign in behalf of the Joint
Defense Appeal. The announcement
was made by Irving M. Engel, presi-
dent of the American Jewish Commit-
tee, and Henry E. Schultz, national
chairman of the Anti-Defamation
League of B'nai B'rith.

JD.A., the sole fund-raising arm of
the AJC and ADL, is seeking to raise
$5,000,000 to support programs for
combatting bigotry and discrimination.

German has been active for many
years in philanthropic and civic activi-
ties in the motion picture industry.

1st in SuperScope,
*Big' to Premiere

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 4.— The first
picture to be made in the SuperScope
process, "The Big Rainbow," will have
its world premiere at the Fox Theatre,
St. Louis, Mo., on Dec. 21, C. J.
Tevlin, vice-president in charge of
(Continued on page 7)

1955 WORLD FILM FESTIVAL FOR
HOLLYWOOD PROSPOSED BY MPIC

Plans for holding an International Film Festival in Hollywood some-
time in 1955 are being proposed by the Motion Picture Industry Council
of Hollywood

Kay Lenard, president of MPIC,
arrived in New York from the Coast
yesterday to discuss the project with
representatives of key organizations.
Exploratory talks already have been

held with State Department officials
in Washington and MPIC has been
assured of the complete cooperation
of the Department in interesting for-
(C on tinned on page 7)

torney General in charge of the anti-
trust division, such a move "would
raise too many very difficult prob-
lems."

Barnes said that National Theatres
ofFcials had discussed the subject in
conferences with the Justice Depart-
ment, but that the theatre company
had not made a complete submission
of the facts as yet. "I don't want to
pre-judge the question," Barnes said,
"until I have all the facts from Na-
tional Theatres."

Barnes added, however, that he
didn't see "very much possibility" of
Justice's granting approval to the Na-
tional Theatres request.

Under the terms of the National
Theatres consent judgment, the the-
atre company may ask the New York
statutory court for permission to en-
gage in distribution, and must show
(Continued on page 7)

16mm. Briefs to
Be Filed Oct. 18

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 4.— Fed-
eral Judge Harry C. Westover
today asked government coun-
sel and defendants in the Jus-
tice Department's 16mm. case
against the film companies to
file briefs on Oct. 18 compris-
ing statements of issue in the
anti-trust suit.

The counsel for the U. S.
government said that the
plaintiffs' objections to inter-
rogatories supplied by the de-
fendants will have been filed by
that time and asked the court
to set the earliest possible trial
date. The court indicated that
the date for the trial will be set
following the Oct. 18 hearing or
may at that time say definitely
when such a date may be ar-
rived at.

E BAREFO

'llTnlr'''''^^^^^^^^'' BUGAfif • m GABON
nTZTj: I »M JOSEPH L. MANKIEW

• * "^ww i Color bjf jicjmcoiai ^

Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, October 5 1954

Personal
Mention

L' S. GREGG, president of Westrex
Corp. ; H. B. Allinsmith, vice-
president, and R. O. Strock, commer-
cial engineering manager, have re-
turned to New York from Hollywood.
•

Charles K. Whitmore, photogra-
pher on Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten
Commandments," and Charlton Hes-
TON, who will portray Moses in the
film, have left here by plane for Cairo,
Egypt.

•

Deborah Kerr, accompanied by her
husband, Anthony Bartley, and their
daughters, will arrive in New York
today from England aboard the
"Queen Mary."

•

Marty Wolf, assistant sales man-
ager of Altec Service Corp., has re-
turned to New York after attending
several out-of-town exhibitor meet-
ings.

•

Nick Pery, managing director in
Continental Europe and the Near East
for Columbia Pictures International,
has arrived in New York from Paris.
•

Wanda Hale, film critic of the
"New York Daily News," returned to
New York from Europe yesterday on
the "He de France."

•

Esther Williams has arrived in
Indianapolis from Detroit. On Thurs-
day she and her road-show unit will
go to Cleveland.

•

L. D. Netter, Jr., Altec Service
Corp. general sales manager, has re-
turned to New York from Scranton.
•

Ralph Ripps, M-G-M salesman in
Albany, has returned there from New
York.

Lillian Gish will leave Hollywood
during the latter part of this week for
New York.

•

Arthur Silverstone, assistant gen-
eral sales manager of 20th Century-
Fox, left here last night for Dallas.
•

Boris Karloff was among the pas-
sengers arriving here yesterday from
Europe aboard the "He de France."
•

Nina Foch left New York for
Hollywood on Sunday.

Breen, Nugent Head
Writers Guild Slate

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 4. — bcreen
writers Richard Breen and Frank
Nugent were named by the nominating
committee as candidates for the presi-
dency of the newly formed Writers
Guild of America (West) topping a
slate of 146 candidates for 73 positions
to be filled when all Coast writers in
motion pictures, radio and television
meet here on Nov. 17.

Other candidates for the top posi-
tions are Gomer Cool and Paul
Franklin for vice-president, Curtis
Kenyon and Erna Lazarus for secre-
tary-treasurer.

Four Major Issues Set for
Discussion at TOA Meet

By LESTER DINOFF

Four major industry issues — arbitra-
tion, industry coordinator, overseas
liaison, and product and print short-
ages— are expected to highlight the
1954 Theatre Owners of America an-
nual convention which takes place in
Chicago, Oct. 31 to Nov. 4, at the
Conrad Hilton Hotel.

Members of the theatremen's group
will also, it is expected, approve the
TOA nominating committee's slate of
officers which will head the organiza-
tion in 1955.

TOA general counsel, Herman
Levy, in one session, will inform ex-
hibitors as to the latest advances and
developments made in preparing a set
of rules and regulations for industry
arbitration. The joint exhibitor-dis-
tributor drafting committee has com-
pleted a preliminary draft and the
distribution attorney, Adolph Schimel
of Universal, is reported now study-
ing it.

Will Have Wide Influence

In another important segment of
the convention, the subject of an in-
dustry coordinator will be thoroughly
discussed with the possible naming of
a leading exhibitor or distributor
forthcoming. The plan for TOA em-
ployment of a "coordinator" arose in
June when the executive board of the
organization gathered in Los Angeles.
It was felt, at that time, the proposed
coordinator "will comprehend all mat-
ters relating to the exhibition, produc-
tion and distribution of motion pic-
tures and the financing thereof,
whether that financing be direct or
indirect."

Since the June TOA meeting, a
number of top industry figures have
been named as possible selections for
the position but no one thus far has
been appointed.

Former TOA president and now
member of the executive board Alfred
Starr, who returned in August from
a European tour, is also expected to
report to the convention on his pro-
posed plan for overseas liaison on mu-

tual problems affecting tlic industry.

Starr hopes that an international al-
liance of exhibitors will be an eventu-
ality and that the TOA should further
explore such a plan. "An exchange of
information regarding product, tech-
niques, processes and equipment could
be effected and the film industry
throughout the world would be much
stronger if all exhibitors were united
in a solid front," Starr said in August.

The Tennessee exhibitor is also ex-
pected to explore the broadening of
the potential market for films in the
U.S., irrespective of where the picture
is produced.

The other two issues, shortages of
product and prints, will also be dis-
cussed and recommendations as to the
improvements of these conditions will
be forthcoming from the TOA open
and closed meetings.

During the past few months, inter-
est has been high as to the possible
successor to Walter Reade, Jr., as
president of the exhibitor organization.
Speculation as to the successor listed
a number of prominent exhibitors
highly active in TOA affairs — Pat
McGee, Denver ; George Kerasotes,
Springfield, 111. ; Roy Martin, Colum-
bus, Ga., to name a few.

Midwest Seen Favored

Some observers feel that a repre-
sentative from the middle U.S. may be
named by the TOA membership.

Kerasotes, vice-president of United
Theatres of Illinois, a TOA affiliate,
has been very active in theatre affairs
in and around the Midwest area.
Reade has named Kerasotes, along
with Roy Cooper of San Francisco
and Horace Denning of Jacksonville
as co-chairmen of the 1954 convention.

The UTOI vice-president recently
attacked distribution policies in a
speech which stated that distribution
policies of the major companies have
lowered the standards of business
ethics. In some quarters, the speech
was regarded as a vehicle for bringing
the "dark horse" to the front.

IFE District Mgr.
Post to Chernoff

Samuel Chernoff has bi'en appointed
Midwest district manager for I.F.E.
Releasing Corp., Bernard Jacon, vice-
president in charge of sales and dis-
tribution, announced.

Chernoff replaces Bernard J. Mc-
Carthy, who resigned recently.

New Ohio Drive-in

COSHOCTON, O., Oct. 4.— Frank
Gilfilen has purchased an eight-acre
tract of land along the Coshocton,
Canal, Lewisvilje highway at the in-
tersection of routes 76 and 621 for
construction of a new 700-car outdoor
theatre to be called the Tri-Vale, with
completion scheduled for the 1955
season. Gilfilen's present Skyivay
Drive-In, in Coshocton, was forced to
close because of the relocation of a
new state highv^'ay.

Several Hundred at
Cohen Testimonial

HARTFORD, Oct. 4. — Several
hundred persons attended a testimonial
dinner here tonight at the Statler
Hotel, honoring- Lou Cohen, Loew's
Poli manager, and Mrs. Cohen on
their 35th wedding anniversary, and
Cohen's 35th year in show business.

Lt. Gov. Edward N. Allen of Con-
necticut served as toastmaster, with
guest roster including numerous trade
figures from out-of-state points. Harry
F. Shaw, division manager, Loew's
Poli-New England Theatres, led a
regional circuit delegation.

O. Drive-ins Close

CLEVELAND, Oct. 4.— Local ex-
changes report the closing of the Star
Auto Theatre. Wauseon, and the Sky-
way, North Madison. Two others have
reduced playing to weekends only.

Riviera Video Poses
French Problem of
Theatre Grosses

By HENRY KAHN

PARIS, Oct. 4.— With television
now available to the Mediterranean
Coast the trade is anxiously watching
for indications of any possible effect
which it may have on theatre attend-
ance, especially in the populous Mar-
seilles area, as well as pondering the
possibilities of the Cannes Film Fes-
tival being offered as a TV program.

Initially, telecasts will be limited
to 25 hours weekly. However, the
milder climate of the South and the
disposition of its inhabitants to spend
much of their leisure at cafes, which
are certain to provide TV for their
patrons, could make the new competi-
tion far more serious there this winter
than in Paris where the cinema is
far more comfortable than the cafe in
cold weather.

Government Cautious

Already there is some public senti-
ment for a telecast of the next Cannes
Film Festival, which is government
financed and, therefore, amenable to
public opinion. However, the govern-
ment could not risk a failure of the
Festival should any appreciable num-
ber of producers refuse to enter their
films or attend if the proceedings are
opened to TV. Also, the displeasure
of exhibitors in the event Festival en-
tries are televised would have to be
reckoned with.

G. C. McConnaughty
Sworn as FCC Chief

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4.— George
C. McConnaughty was sworn in today
as chairman of the Federal Communi-
cations Commission.

He told a press conference that he
is a "person who believes in as few
controls as possible on business in gen-
eral," and that "controls are only jus-
tified when clearly in the public in-
terest."

McConnaughty replaces Commis-
sioner Rosel H. Hyde as chairman.
He was formerly chairman of the Fed-
eral Renegotiation Board and before
that was chairman of the Ohio Public
Utilities Commission.

NEW YORK THEATRES

-RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL_

Rockefeller Center

"BRIGADOON"

in Color and Cinemascope stairine
GENE KELLY • VAN JOHNSON
CYD CHARISSE wilti ELAINE STEWART

An M-G-M Picture
and SPECTtCUUR STAGE PRESENUTION

IMakecl

starring

STEWIUIfDEN UMGIUIUME

PARAJMOUNT

BWAY
at

«3ra ST.

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Ouigley Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley
Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-.nOO:' Cable address: "Ouigpubco, New York." Martm Quigley,
President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President^ Theo J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer: Raymond Levy, "Vice'-Presideiit; "Leo T. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News
Editor;' Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel- D. Berns. Manager;
Wflliam R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145; Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington; J, A.
Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address,
"Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres and Theatre Sales, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion
Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter, Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y.„ under the act of March
3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies, 10c. _

Tuesday, October 5, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Critical Opinion Mixed

British Reactions Vary
As Cinerama Run Starts

By PETER BURNUP

LONDON, Oct. 1 (By Air Mail). — Cinerama opened here last night at
the 1,337-seat London Casino, following a number of private screenings for
newsmen, technicians and others with a gala performance organized by
London's Variety Club in aid of the
Empire Rheumatism Council and
Variety's Heart Fund.

The opening night was a sell-out at
greatly enhanced prices. From now on
the show goes on with three per-
formances daily — two on Sundays —
at prices ranging from five to fifteen
shillings. Advance sales are said by
the theatre to be "healthy." In plainer
words, there's been no overwhelming
rush for tickets and much, clearly,
will turn on word of mouth recom-
mendation and, to a lesser degree, on
weekend notices in the National Press.

Immediate critical reaction is best
described as mixed. The popular
Daily Herald reached the nadir of
disapproval by putting its favored
smear-writer, Wolf Mankowitz, on
the job. Mankowitz had seen the
show in New York and came out
with a lengthy piece of denunciation
in advance of the London Press show.

Screen Divisions Disliked

Most critics commented on the dis-
concerting joints between the panels
in the screen's triptych, variations in
light as between one section and an-
other and, in particular, with the
oscillation between the panels. Never-
theless, the two most favored London
evening papers found it possible to
comment, respectively, in the follow-
ing words : "breath-taking in its ef-
fect" and "a wonderful eyeful which
may well draw the town."

Technical and lay authorities appear
to agree that they see no future in
Cinerama in its present stage as a
medium for the presentation of "story-
films." Some concede that Cinerama,
as it's now seen, may be a stepping-
stone only, but the general viewiwint
probably is most closely epitomised in
the top-circulation News of the World
which, after discussing the many au-
dience thrills and the medium's mani-
fest shortcomings, remarks : "But all
the same Cinerama is a great show ;
possibly the greatest peep-show on
earth."

By all showings, Clifford Giessman
did a magnificent job in supervising

the fitting of the Cinerama gear into
the theatre. Giessman gives great
credit in that regard to the assistance
he had from Charles Bell, unanimous-
ly accepted here as Britain's leading
specialist theatre consultant. One of
Bell's main tasks was to persuade the
peculiarly zealous London County
Council's officers to relax their
stringent standard licensing regula-
tions in behalf of Cinerama.

Comment is made that there was
a certain maladroitness in the han-
dling of Cinerama's pre-publicity.
Former holder of a Quigley Silver
Award Everett C. Callow arrived
here at practically the last moment
and did much to adjust the position.
One of Britain's most respected ex-
ploitation experts Walter Gifford —
he was assoociated in earlier days with
D. W. GrifTlth road-showings — has
now been appointed to carry on where
Callow finishes on the latter's return
to the U.S.

Arnerican Officials Present

A considerable contingent from the
Cinerama parent organization, in-
cluding Simon H. Fabian, Harry A.
Kalmine and Arthur Rosen, flew in
for the opening show.

Fabian told newsmen that he had
every confidence that the present
Cinerama program would run at the
Casino for at least as long as it has
in New York.

The next opening of Cinerama out-
side the U.S. will be in Paris, Fabian
said. Glasgow is the next likely city
in the United Kingdom. The possi-
bilities there are now being explored.

The Quota situation with respect
to Cinerama's run here is not yet
finalized. In the strict letter of the
law the Casino would be required to
play 30 per cent of its program as
British films. The theory of the Act
of Parliament however is that Quota
depends on the availability of product,
and of course no British Cinerama
product is available.

The question is now under discus-
sion with Board of Trade officials.

TV Now Worried'
By Films' Comeback,
Preminger Says

The television industry now is
"worried" about the "spectacular"
comeback of the motion picture indus-
try. Otto Preminger, producer-direc-
tor, declared here yesterday.

Preminger, who has just completed
his indepeiidewt production "Carmen
Jones," to be released by 20th Century-
Fox, said that the TV competition has
spurred Hollywood, accounting for its
current success over the past 12
months.

He held that competition among
various media is healthy and in this
regard he spoke of his forthcoming
television "spectacular" on Oct. 18,
starring Ginger Rogers, which he will
produce and direct. Hollywood talent,
he contended, should work in both
media, letting the public decide which
of the media it likes best. The out-
come of such competition, he held, is
better product in each medium.
Regarding subscription tele-
vision, Preminger held that
medium will be a "tremendous
step forward," arguing that it is
the only way in which pro-
ducers and creators will be able
to know the public's opinion
about films or shows. Subscrip-
tion TV, he contended, offers
an outlet for creative ability and
quick monetary returns for the
independent producer.
To a query posing the question of
exhibition's opposition to toll TV,
Preminger said that some films will
be shown only in theatres, some on
toll TV, concluding that "it is the sur-
vival of the fittest."

Regarding "Carmen Jones," Prem-
inger, who also produced "The Moon
Is Blue," said that he had no trouble
with the Production Code Administra-
tion on "Carmen Jones." "The Moon
Is Blue" failed to win a Code seal.

Sees No Trouble in South

The producer-director said that he
expects no difficulty with censors on
"Carmen Jones" and in booking the
film in the South, he went on, there
should be no opposition for it has an
all-Negro cast. IJooking trouble in the
South, he explained, usually arises out
of a "mixed cast" situation.

Regarding CinemaScope as a medi-
um, the process utilized for "Carmen
Jones," Preminger said that the Cine-
maScope trademark enhances the com-
mercial potential of a picture today.
The CinemaScope shape has audience
impact as opposed to other techniques,
he held, adding, however, that the
story must fit the process.

Preminger said that he had one
more picture to produce for 20th-Fox
under his contract with the studio.

UA Sees 'Contessa*
As Its Top Grosser

"The Barefoot Contessa," in
its first four days at the Capitol
Theatre here, grossed $64,700,
according to figures compiled
by United Artists, distributor
of the Joseph L. Mankiewics
production. This figure, said
William J. Heineman, distribu-
tion vice-president of UA, sur-
passes by eight per cent the
business done by "Moulin
Rouge," the company's previ-
ous box-office record holder.

'U' Allots $281,000
For Magazine Ads

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 4.— Univer-
sal-International has allotted a record
$281,000 for the national magazine
advertising campaigns to pre-sell three
of its major fall and early winter re-
leases, David A. Lipton, vice-presi-
dent, announced at the concluding
meeting of U-I's East and West Coast
advertising-publicity executives. The
pictures involved are "Bengal Bri-
gade," "Sign of the Pagan" and "So
This Is Paris."

The allocation, said to be the larg-
est sum ever appropriated by U-I for
a three-picture magazine campaign,
will bring U-I's total expenditure for
magazine advertising during 1954 to
a new high $750,000, Lipton pointed
out. This is more than double the
amount spent in national magazines
during 1953 and puts U-I close to

British Riverside
Studio Sold to BBC

LONDON. Oct. 1 (By Air Mail).
— The Riverside Studios, with two
floors totalling 12,675 square feet, have
been sold to the British Broadcasting
Corporation for use as a television
production base.

The studios were once the property
of actor Jack Buchanan who disposed
of them some 10 years ago to Alliance
Film Studios Ltd., controlled by ex-
hibitors Alfred Shipman and Samuel
King.

the top among all major motion pic-
ture companies in dollar volume of
such advertising for the year, Lipton
said. The company ranked second
among the major studios in this field
for the first six months of 1954, ac-
cording to a report compiled by Pub-
lishers Information Bureau.

People

Joseph Hegeman, New Orleans
publicist, has been engaged by Al-
lied Artists to handle exploitation
for "The Human Jungle" in key
engagements throughout the south-
ern states.

Orville Crouch, Eastern division
manager for Loew's Theatres, has
been named chairman for the 1955
Cherry Blossom Festival, annual
Washington event, which is ex-
pected to begin around the end of
March.

Norman Siegel, jiublic relations
representatives for the Screen Di-
rectors' Guild, Judy Garland and
Sid Luft's Transcona Enterprises,
Inc., and Henry Ginsberg's Inter-
national Productions, has been ap-
pointed a member of the general
committee for the Royal Film Show
which will be held at the Empire
Theatre in London on Nov. 15.

Ted Kirwan, who resigned two
weeks ago as manager of the New
Theatre in Baltimore because he
was "fed up with the theatre life,"
is back at the theatre as manager.
In two weeks he filled two different
jobs, was unhappy with both and
went back to the New with a salary
boost.

Edgar Preston Ames has been
elected president of the Society of
Motion Picture Art Directors in
Hollywood. George Loren Patrick
was named vice-president; Malcolm
Bert, secretary; Serge Krizman,
treasurer, and Leo Kuter, adminis-
trator.

William Howard has been as-
signed to Altec's Northeastern
division in New York as field engi-
neer by operating manager C. S.
Perkins. Howard has been per-
forming special duties in the New
York headquarters.

Aldo Ray and actress JefF Hunter
were married in Orindo, Cal., last
week.

J. Willis Sayre, drama editor of
the Seattle Post-Intelligencer for
more than 50 years, was the guest
of honor last week at a testimonial
dinner which was attended by Film
Row and theatre executives.

AA to Hold 2-Day
Sales Convention

Sales policies, current liquida-
tions and future product will
highlight the two-day Allied
Artists national convention
which wrill take place on Oct.
14-16 at the Hotel Blackstone
in Chicago, it was announced
here yesterday by AA vice-
president in charge of sales
Morey (Razz) Goldstein.

AA branch managers and
franchise holders, as well as
W. F. Rodgers, Goldstein, AA
president Steve Broidy, vice
presidents Harold J. Mirisch
and Walter Mirisch, and John
C. Flinn, are expected to attend
the conclave.

TDAST

COAST/

Wherever you go in Hollywood
today you'll hear them say:
"THE HOTTEST LOT IS M-G-MI"
Here's an "On-The-Scene" Report
for the Exhibitors of America!

BIGGER AND MORE!

M-G-M's got the pictures! We'll tell you about a
few of them here. Current, coming and in pro-
duction, M-G-M attractions are leading the way
in the industry upbeat. Bigger productions and
more of them is the keynote as the World's Larg-
est Studio works day and night to bring you
Big Money Shows!

"DEEP IN MY HEART"

From its first sneak Preview, the word spread like wild-
fire that Leo's big new musical is something to ROAR
about. Sigmund Romberg's life and songs come to the
screen truly as "The Musical With A Heart" with 22
Romberg song hits from 11 of his greatest operettas
presented by the most imposing roster of star enter-
tainers ever. Jose Ferrer superb as Romberg; Merle
Oberon at her best as Dorothy Donnelly; songstar
Helen Traubel one of the world's great entertainers.
(See balance of great cast below.) Producer Roger
Edens. Director Stanley Donen. Screen play by Leon-
ard Spigelgass.

Plus: Doe Avedon, Tamara Toumanova, Paul Stewart,
Isobel Elsom, William Olvis, James Mitchell. And
Guest Stars: Walter Pidgeon, Paul Henreid, Rosemary
Clooney, Gene and Fred Kelly, Jane Powell, Vic
Damone, Ann Miller, Cyd Charisse, Howard Keel,
Tony Martin. From the book by Elliott Arnold. Print
by Technicolor.

"BEAU BRUMMELL" ^^''''''^

Says Film Daily: "One of the most read about movies
in years. A 'feud' between cities as to which has the
best dressed and most chivalrous men is snowballing
around the country." One city after another protests
that they have the leading "Beau Brummells." 500
newspapers published the Associated Press story of
Washington, D. C.'s challenge (White House Beau
Brummells Eisenhower and Nixon). Just part of the
promotion for a terrific picture. A magnificent spec-
tacle in color, a powerful love story starring Stewart
Granger, Elizabeth Taylor, Peter Ustinov with Robert
Morley. Producer, Sam Zimbalist. Director, Curtis
Bernhardt. Screenplay by Karl Tunberg. Based on
the play written for Richard Mansfield by Clyde Fitch.
Print by Technicolor.

"JUPITER'S DARLING" (C/nemoScope— Co/or)

Eye-filling spectacle, screen magic on a gigantic scale,
comedy, wonderful satire, great song numbers. Daz-
zling scenes: Hannibal's army crossing the Alps with
his elephant cavalry; the clash of armies in the attack
on Rome; Roman statues coming to life for an under-
water spectacle; Dance of the Elephants; and many
more. Top cast: Esther Williams, Howard Keel, Marge
and Gower Champion, George Sanders, Richard
Haydn, William Demarest and hundreds more. A
beautiful Roman girl diverts Hannibal from his assault
on Rome and falls in love thereby. Producer George
Wells. Director George Sidney. Screenplay by Dorothy
Kingsley. Yes, the coming darling of the screen, eye-
filling in its CinemaScope and Color magnitude, is
"JUPITER'S DARLING."

Based on the play ''Road To Rome" by Robert E. Sher-
wood. Choreography by Hermes Pan. Songs by Burton
Lane, Harold Adamson.

"THE LAST TIME I SAW PARIS"

(Technicolor)

A wonderful ticket-selhng title. A real love story,
heart-stabbing, compelling, absorbing. They meet in
the chaos of V-E Day celebration in Paris. She gives
him a fleeting but passionate kiss. They find each

other again and marry after a mad courtship. Engulfed
by the social whirl, the drinking, the flirting, tragedy
strikes. But an irresistible compulsion brings back the
strayed lover to the scene of his first flaming meeting.
Starring Elizabeth Taylor, Van Johnson, Walter Pid-
geon, Donna Reed with Eva Gabor, Kurt Kasznar. Pro-
ducer Jack Cummings. Director Richard Brooks.
Screenplay by Julius J. and Philip G. Epstein and
Richard Brooks, based on a story by F. Scott Fitz-
gerald. A screen masterpiece filmed in magnificent
Technicolor in real Parisian locations.

"BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK"

{CinemaScope — Color)

Spine-tingling suspense, the kind that makes movie
hits, takes place amidst a brooding row of houses in
a. tiny desert town (especially constructed near Lone
Pine, Cal.). Virtually every one of its handful of
citizens is involved in a murder during a brutal out-
burst of mob violence. Four years later a stranger
arrives. What happens is something for the goose-
pimples. Great Cast: Spencer Tracy, Robert Ryan
and Anne Francis, Dean Jagger, Walter Brennan,
John Ericson, Ernest Borgnine, Lee Marvin, Russell
Collins. Producer Dore Schary. Director John Sturges.
Screenplay by Millard Kaufman. CinemaScope and
Color give bigness to a big theme. Adaptation by Don
McGuire based on a story by Howard Breslin.

"THE GLASS SLIPPER"

As beloved "Lili" continues to enchant New York
after a year and a half, the same star, producer,
director and writer (who did ballet librettos, lyrics
and screenplay) have collaborated on a new triumph.
AppeaHng Leslie Caron, Edwin H. Knopf, Charles
Walters, Helen Deutsch have done it again— aided
by co-star Michael Wilding with Keenan Wynn,
Elsa Lanchester, Barry Jones, plus the work of dance-
genius Roland Petit featturing his world-famed Ballet
de Paris. Leslie Caron is utterly adorable as the lonely
scullery maid who overcomes untold obstacles of
poverty and mistreatment and the competition of the
favored girls to win the prize catch! Drama and dance
and delicious humor, sadness and sigh-inducing romance
to the music of Bronislau Kaper will keep audiences
enthralled and uplifted.

"ATHENA"

Aptly described as "The Nature Girl With The Body
Beautiful," "ATHENA" is a refreshingly different
kind of musical comedy enacted by a group of effer-
vescent personalities who keep things fast-paced: Jane
Powell, Edmund Purdom, Debbie Reynolds, Vic
Damone, Louis Calhern with Linda Christian, Evelyn
Varden, Ray Collins. Written by William Ludwig and
Leonard Spigelgass. Produced by Joe Pasternak. Direc-
ted by Richard Thorpe. Print by Technicolor. Athena
is one of seven daughters of a faddist colony and into
this setting comes a pompous young lawyer who soon
learns uninhibited and primitive ways of life and love.
Beautiful natvire girls, hilarious activities of the faddist
colony, add up to an appealing love story, an attrac-
tion for young and old. Songs by HiigK Martin and
Ralph Blane.

"THE PRODIGAL" (C/nemaScope— Co/or)

One of the great film spectacles of all time. Lana
Turner is the pagan beauty. Edmund Purdom is the
prodigal son. Co-starring Louis Calhern with Audrey
Dalton, James Mitchell, Neville Brand, Walter
Hampden, Taina Elg, Francis L. Sullivan, Joseph
Wiseman, Sandra Descher. Breathtaking scenes:
Heathen Temples of the ancient Idol-Gods, Baal and
Astarte; the teeming streets of Damascus and aU the
fabulous settings that occupy more than 400,000 square
feet outdoors and four of the world's largest indoor
stages. There are 18 speaking parts and in its spectac-
ular scenes 4,000 extras are employed. Producer Charles
Schnee. Director Richard Thorpe. Screenplay by
Mavirice Zimm. Prepare for a CinemaScope and Color
attraction beyond your wildest imagination. Adapta-
tion from the Bible story by Joe Breen, Jr. and Samuel
James Larsen.

IN PRODUCTION!

"HIT THE DECK" (CinemaScope-Co/or) — Not since "Anchors
Aweigh" such rollicking entertainment. Three sailors on the
loose in 'Frisco meet a night club singer, an actress and the
Admiral's daughter. Starring Jane Powell, Tony Martin,
Debbie Reynolds, Walter Pidgeon, Vic Damone, Gene Raymond,
Ann Miller, Russ Tamblyn with Kay Armen, J. Carrol Naish,
Richard Anderson, Jane Darwell. Screenplay by Sonya
Levien and William Ludwig, based on the musical play "Hit
The Deck" by Herbert Fields, presented on the stage by
Vincent Youmans from "Shore Leave" by Hubert Osborne.
Joe Pasternak, producer. Roy Rowland, director. 14 top songs
from the master, Vincent Youmans. Lyrics by Leo Robin,
Clifford Grey and Irving Caesar, choreography by Hermes Pan.

"MOONFLEET" (CinemaScope-Co/or)— Great story of daring ex-
ploits with its background of rugged English Coast and its
story of a young boy and the man he idolizes, a brooding
adventure in a strangely contrasting triangle of exotic women.
The cast: Stewart Granger, Viveca Lindfors, George Sanders,
Joan Greenwood with Jon Whiteley, Melville Cooper. Screen-
play by Jan Lustig and Margaret Fitts based on the novel by
J. Meade Falkner. Producer John Houseman. Director Fritz
Lang.

"IT'S ALWAYS FAIR WEATHER" fCinemaScope-Co/or) - Another
Big musical underway. Gene Kelly, Dan Dailey, Cyd Charisse,
Dolores Gray and Michael Kidd. Producer Arthur Freed.
Directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen. Written by Betty
Comden and Adolph Green.

"INTERRUPTED MELODY" (CinemoScope-Co/or) — Curtis Bern-
hardt, director, and Jack Cummings, producer, are making a
picture with the promise of "The Great Caruso." It is based
on the dramatic life story of Marjorie Lawrence, opera star,
who overcame disaster at the height of her career. Starring
Glenn Ford, Eleanor Parker with Roger Moore and Cecil
Kellaway. Written by William Ludwig and Sonya Levien.

In Ihe Cuffing Rooms: "GREEN FIRE" (Ci'nemoScope-Co/or) — High ad-
venture in the quest for an emerald mine. Filmed in South
America, it stars Stewart Granger, Grace Kelly, Paul Douglas,
John Ericson with Murvyn Vye and hundreds of others. Andrew
Marton, director. Armand Deutsch, producer. Written for the
screen by Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts. "MANY RIVERS TO
CROSS" (CinemaScope-Color) — Fast-moving action picture rich
with laughter, romance, suspense. Colorful background of
pioneer America. Starring Robert Taylor and Eleanor Parker
with Victor McLaglen, Russ Tamblyn, Jeff Richards, James
Arness. Producer, Jack Cummings. Director, Roy Rowland.
Screenplay by Harry Brown and Guy Trosper based on
a story by Steve Frazee.

SOMETHING TO REMEMBER: Preparing "beN-HUR" the

fabulous dimensions of CinemaScope, Color and with Stereo-
phonic Sound!

YOUR FUTURE: Hitch your wagon to the Studio of the Stars!

Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, October 5 1954

Texas- Albuquerque
Link Brings Web TV
To New Mexico

Completion of the eastern segment
of the first microwave route to cross
the Southwest has brought network
television to New Mexico.

The Long- Lines Department of
American Telephone and Telegraph
Co. said the newly constructed link
between Amarillo, Tex., and Albu-
querciue, N. M., has made it possible
to connect stations KOB-TV and
KGGM-TV, Albuquerque, to the na-
tionwide network. Programs for the
two stations are fed from Oklahoma
City to Amarillo. From there, 10
new radio relay towers, ranging be-
tween 50 and 262 feet, flash the sig-
nals across the 302-mile skyway to
Albuquerque.

Eventually, the route will stretch
from Texas to California. The west-
ern end, between Los Angeles and
Baker, Cal., was completed on Sept.
15 when station KLAS-TV, Las
Vegas, Nev., was connected for net-
vi'ork service.

The final segment, between Baker
and Albuquerque, will be built at
some future date. Long Lines said.

Set Premiere Staff
For *HanseV Here

Arthur Gray, Jr., president of
Michael Myerberg Productions, Inc.,
announced the appointment of NicVi-
olas John Matsoukas as general di-
rector of the "Hansel and Gretel"
world premiere booked for an extended
engagement at the Broadway Thea-
tre here.

"Hansel and Gretel," a full length
feature musical fantasy in Technicolor
produced by Michael Myerberg, will
begin its public engagement at the
Broadway Theatre next Sunday with
continuous performances daily there-
after.

Working with Matsoukas in launch-
ing the world premiere engagement of
"Hansel and Gretel" are : Monroe
Greenthal & Co., agency, will handle
advertising ; the firm of Bill Doll will
handle publicity; William Rodgers,
Jr., is in charge of the student group
plan program ; Stanley Berger and
Louis Weisberg are in charge of the
merchandising division ; Terry Tur-
ner, assisted by John Borghesie, is in
charge of radio and television.

MITCHELL MAY, Jr.

CO., INC.

INSURANCE
•

Specializing

in requirements of the

Motion Picture Industry

75 Maiden Lane, New York
3720 W. 6th St., Los Angeles

■HOWARD E. STARK

Brokers and Financial Consui-fants

TELEVISION STATIONS
RADIO STATIONS

SO E. 58th St., N. Y. EL 5-0405

Specialists to Motion Picture Industry

Television-'Radin

iWith Pinky Herman^

WELL, the Giants dood it, the 1954 World Series is history and
our Cleveland friends, including Phil McLean, Bill Randle, Carl
Reese, Morey Davidson, Virginia Holcomb, Jack Cohen, Joe Miyasaki,
Dick Reynolds, Tommy Edwards, Carl Lampl, Sammy Watkins, Sid
Watkins, Joe Mulvihill, Bud Ford, Mort Fleischmann, Johnny
Andrews, Hot Lips Levine, Mcrrilee Badura, Linda Gerovvin, Norman
Wain, Bob Ancell, will probably blame it on us — though upon recon-
sideration of the facts they can't help but come to the conclusion that
this writer's recent trips to Cleveland definitely weren't to spy on
Al Lopez' stalwarts. Then, too, fellows like Antonelli, Dusty Rhodes,
Willie Mays, Alvin Dark, Don Mueller, Hank Thompson, Sal Maglie
and Leo Durocher, in fact, the entire Giants Team, played inspired
baseball. What this paragraph was trying to convey was merely that
with baseball out of the way and the tang and crisp fall atmosphere
around the corner, the new season of TVehicles bowed in and if some
of the programs we saw Sunday are harbingers of what is in store
for the viewing public, we'd say 'hurray and on with show.'

■f?

Jack Benny's first TV show for "Lucky CBStrike' ciggies
bowed in with plenty of droll action followed by a truly great
"Toast of the Town" in zvhicit Ed (The Smil-
ing Irishman) Sullivan, high-lighted the ca-
reers of Liicille Ball and Dcsi Arnas and the
others in the "I Loi'e Lucy" cast, William
Fraivley and Viznan Vance. Some of the
scenes from recent 'hal-LUCY-inations' , the
film, "Long, Long Trailer" and live perform-
ances by Desi and Frazvley and Vance en-
hanced the proceedings and everyone had a
good cry, especially Lucille and Desi 4rt

1^ W A jBaker's "You. Asked, for It" proved to be an

^pl^ ^iftnil ABCutie with several unusual items, including
/ i a youth zvho zvater skis san^s skis and sans
Jack Benny shoes, no less, and a little monkey zvho shozucd
as much intelligence as some of ns zvho claim
to be human {not YOU. You or Yon — but we said, some of US).
. . . Ben Gross, dean of Gotham's radio and TV critics and column-
ist on^ the Nezvs (N. Y.) for the past 25 years, will be toasted, on
Joe Franklin's W ABC-TV shozv, Wed. Oct. 13. Ben's fine book,
"I Looked and I Listened," published by Random House zvill be
out next mionth.

ik ik

There's a young dynamo named Jim Gibbons whose early
morning patter chatter and platters opens the day at WMAL,
ABC's Washington outlet. Jim does about
everything expected of one with the gift of
gab and the savvy about news, people and
music and is credited with waking more
people and sending them merrily on their
way to work — (if anyone can be said to go
to work merrily) than any other deejay in
that area. . . . Plastics tycoon Lee Pelzman
taking a fling at TV production via Stan-
Lee Enterprises. . . . Fred Waring and his
Pennsylvanians will start a personal ap-
pearance tour Oct. 12 which will cover
about 25,000 miles (equivalent to a com-
plete encirclement of the globe), the tour t- r^-uu

J- J J ■ ... r 11 J • J'"^ Ciibbons

divided into a fall section and a winter sec-
tion (latter starting Jan. 5). The jaunt was handled by Para-
mount Attractions, Inc. and the "Fred Waring Show" for
General Electric will be seen TVia CBS three times while on
the road.

ik ik

Bob Ancell, WDOKleveland disk jockey and publicity director for
the Hippodrome Theatre there, will emcee a new TV series, "Lights —
Action — Movies" over WXEL sponsored by local motion picture
theatres in conjunction with Cleveland ni.p. exchanges. . . . Guild
Films, with several top-notch telefilm series in its repertoire including
"Liberace," "Life with Elizabeth," "Joe Palooka" and "Frankie Laine
Show" setting new gross revenue records, will enter the daytime TV
field with a l5-minute across the board program, "It's Fun to Re-
duce," skedded for distribution early next month. . . . Sotto voce to
Norman Wain : parties such as the one you authored and emceed for
Cleveland teenagers last week at Henry George's Cabin Club can do
more to lick this national disgrace called 'juvenile delinquency,' than
any other method we know.

SMPTE Names Kelt
Of RCA to Receive
David Sarnoff Award

The Society of Motion Picture and
Television Engineers announced that
it has named Ray D. Kell, as recipient
of the 1954 David Sarnoff Gold Medal
Award for his pioneering achieve-
ments m the development of all-elec-
tronic television and important con-
tributions to color television, including
its adaptation to the limits of a si.x-
megacycle channel, a career covering
more than a quarter century. The an-
nouncement was made by Herbert
Barnett, president of SMPTE.

Kell, a member of the television re-
search staff of the RCA laboratories
division of Radio Corp. of America,
will be presented the award at a
luncheon opening the society's 76th
semi-annual convention in Los Angeles
on Oct. 18.

The David Sarnoff Gold Medal
Award was established to give recog-
nition to technical contributions to the
art of television and is awarded pri-
marily for achievements within the last
five years. In 1953 it was presented to
A. V. Loughren of the Hazeltine Corp.

Senate Delinquency
Hearing Oct, 19-20

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4. — The
Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on
juvenile delinquency has announced
that it would hold hearings Oct. 19
and 20 on crime and horror televison
programs.

The subcommittee, which has con-
cluded hearings on the crime and hor-
ror comic book situation, said earlier
this year that it might look into mo-
tion pictures as well at some future
date.

Members of the subcommittee de-
clared that they are opposed to censor-
ship of television programs and that
the purpose of the hearing is to deter-
mine the "mental climate" created for
children by the content of television
programming.

Eberson to Design 3
Salvadore Theatres

Drew Eberson, architect of the firm
of John and Drew Eberson, has been
commissioned to design three theatres
in San Salvadore by Teatros de El
Salvadore.

The theatres are to be operated by
a group headed by Louis Poma, the
first to be a deluxe house in the center
of the city. The second will be a
"popular" larger theatre in the heavily
populated section and the third will be
a deluxe neighborhood house.

Buys Davies Lab.

CHICAGO, Oct. 3.— Stockholders
of Magnecord, Inc., manufacturer of
magnetic tape equipment, approved
the purchase of all of the outstanding
stock of Davies Laboratories, Inc.,
Riverside, Md., radio and electronic
firm. Stockholders also elected Gomer
L. Davies, president of the firm bear-
ing his name, to the Magnecord board.

3S Yeais the Leaiteis

SERVICE AND QUALITY

With Showmen Everywhere

Tuesday, October 5, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Vista Vision

(Continued jrom page 1)

(60 to 100 or more feet) and in cases
where the utmost in photographic qual-
ity is considered a prerequisite, some
witnesses speculated that sooner or
later side-wheeling projectors will be
made generally available in response
to the inevitable demand.

Today's demonstration included
scenes from "To Catch a Thief," with
color in Technicolor, and other foot-
age from the company's completed
product. But special interest attached
to "Vista Vision visits Norway," an
eye-popping subject, also filmed in
color, which opened a whole new vista
of possibilities for using the Vista-
Vision camera for scenic photography.

The projector used at today's dem-
onstration was devised and developed
in the studio engineering department
where, two years ago, engineers un-
der Loren L. Ryder converted an an-
cient Stein two-color camera into the
first Vista Vision camera. Century
Projector Corp. is manufacturing the
camera fashioned after it, and expects
to have the first one available mo-
mentarily.

Russell Downing, managing direc-
tor of New York's Radio City Music
Hall, is here to consider the use of the
new process at the opening of "White
Christmas," which is scheduled for
Oct. 14 at the theatre. The picture
will open on that date regardless of
whether or not VistaVision is used.

Showmen to Help
UJA on 'Stars'

Top showmen from New York and
Hollywood have agreed to serve as
chairmen and advisors for the 21st
annual "Night of Stars," the Uinited
Jewish Appeal benefit show which will
take place at Madison Square Garden
on Nov. 22, it was announced here
yesterday by general chairman Sylvan
Gotshal.

In the East, Arthur Knorr of the
Roxy Theatre, James Sauter of USO
—Camp Shows, Ed Sullivan of "Toast
of the Town" and Robert M. Weit-
man of Paramount and WABC, will
work to deliver the top stars of tele-
vision, and the stage. In Hollywood,
Marvin H. Schenck and Louis K.
Sidney will endeavor to fly the top
film stars to the Garden for the show.

The current edition of "Night of
Stars'" will have a twin dedication in
celebration of the tercentenary of Jew-
ish settlement in America and as a
memorial to Dr. Theodore Herzl,
founder of the world Zionist move-
ment. All proceeds will go to the
United Jewish Appeal to help further
its rehabilitation work in Europe,
Israel and the United States.

4 UP A Cartoons to
Edinburgh Festival

Four UPA cartoons have been
selected for exhibition at the 1954
Edinburgh International Film Festi-
val, Stephen Bosustow, president of
United Productions of America, an-
nounced. This is the fifth consecutive
year that UPA cartoons have received
acceptance by the Edinburgh Film
Festival.

This year's selection of UPA car-
toons consists of "The Tell Tale
Heart," "Magoo Goes Skiing, "Chris-
topher Crumpet," and UPA's presen-
tation of the James Thurber fable, "A
Unicorn in the Garden."

Buchsbaum Order
To Theatre Counsels

Assistant City Corporation Counsel
Stanley Buchsbaum was slated to serve
New York City exhibitor attorneys,
by late yesterday afternoon or early
this morning, with an order officially
notifying them that Supreme Court
Justice Percy D. Stoddard had rejected
their motion for summary judgment
in the current suit against the city's
five per cent admission tax suit.

The order, as directed by Justice
Stoddart, officially informs the theatre
circuit and independent operators' at-
torneys that the New York City posi-
tion in the motion for summary judg-
ment was upheld and granted while
the exhibitor motion was denied.

The exhibitor fight against the city
levy is currently in the Appellate
Division where appeals are pending.
The city appeal maintains that Su-
preme Court Justice Nicholas M. Pette
is unjust, while the exhibitor position
is that the court did not go far enough
in granting the temporary injunction
which curbs the collection of the tax
breakage by the city. The attorneys
for New York City have also appealed
Justice Stoddart's ruling.

'Exhibitor Request
Tour' for Makelim

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 4. — Hal
Makelim today left by plane for Okla-
homa City on the first leg of an "ex-
hibitor request tour" that will take
him also to Milwaukee next Tuesday
for the national Allied convention and
later to the Theatre Owners of Amer-
ica conclave in Chicago. He also will
visit Dallas, New Orleans and At-
lanta.

Makelim will be accompanied on his
tour by John Wolfberg, vice-president,
and Herb Kaufman, Midwest sales
manager, of Makelim Productions.

Review

''Fire Over Africa''

'Jones' to Premiere
At Rivoli Here

"Carmen Jones" will have its
world premiere here at the
Rivoli on Oct. 28, it was dis-
closed yesterday by Otto Prem-
inger, producer-director of the
film which is to be released by
20th Century-Fox. Preminger
said he preferred the Rivoli as
a showcase due to the theatre's
adaptability for extended en-
gagements.

NT Bid

{Continued jrom page 1)

the court that such activity will not
unduly restrain competition in the mo-
tion picture industry. If the court
feels that the resulting distribution
will not interfere with free competi-
tion, it can grant permission to the
theatre company. If the Justice De-
partment were to oppose such a peti-
tion from National Theatres, however,
it would greatly lessen the chances
of the court's approving it.

Barnes said that to his knowledge
National Theatres was the only the-
atre company that has approached the
department with such a request.

1st in SuperScope

{Continued from page 1)

operations of RKO Radio Pictures'
studio, disclosed here today.

The SuperScope process, it was
stated by Tevlin, is "compatible with
CinemaScope projection equipment,
whether the exhibitor uses a Cinema-
Scope projection lens or any other
anamorphic lens for the projection of
CinemaScope pictures.

Film Festival

{Continued jrom page 1)

eign governments and film producers
abroad in the plan, Mrs. Lenard said.
The cooperation of every industry or-
ganization also will be welcomed, she
said.

"If plans for the Festival are con-
summated," Mrs. Lenard said, "all
motion picture entries will be judged
on merit alone. No questions of com-
mercial advantage will enter into the
consideration of the judges."

"We feel such a Festival would be
of great benefit not only to all
branches of the American motion pic-
ture industry but would serve also to
correct many erroneous impressions
of Hollywood and of America itself.
Delegates, judges and visitors from
all parts of the world would see the
real Hollywood and become acquainted
with the American way of life while
here and would be in a position to re-
port their observations on their return
to their native lands," she said.

Mrs. Lenard, who will be in New
York about two weeks, said that finan-
cial details must be worked out before
plans for the Festival are finalized.

Holy Name Society

(Continued jrom page 1)

the campaign to fight for decency in
literature.

Rev. Monsignor John J. McKenna,
spiritual director of the Holy Name
Union, said that the "crusade" is
planned as an educational effort at the
parish level and not as a public
"pressure"' or "protest" type of cam-
paign.

A committee of two to four men is
being named in each of the 421 par-
ishes of the 10-county archdiocese.
These committees, in turn, will hold
at least four parish meetings this fall
to stress the moral values of entertain-
ment.

The bi-monthly film ratings of the
National Legion of Decency are to be
posted in church hallways. The parish
committees will visit their theatre
neighborhood theatre managers to tell
them of their aims.

In this respect Monsignor McKenna
said, "This is not an anti-campaign,
and it does not call for any threats,
picketing or public protests. We shall
try to be realistic and take the facts
as they are. We are not going to
attack or denounce court decisions
which have weakened or done away
with censorship."

The movement was requested by
Archbishop John F. O'Hara, head of
the archdiocese, after the U. S. Su-
preme Court decision, last January,
which restricted the censorship of
movies. He said in a pastoral letter :

"Parents and Catholic parish so-
cieties must become more acutely
aware of their responsibility to protect
children from unwholesome entertain-
ment and improper publications."

TOA Asks

(Continued from, page 1)

date, only seven days before its an-
nual convention is due to convene in
Milwaukee, it was learned from Allied
sources. Last year. Allied, miffed by
MPAA's refusal, canvassed the film
companies individually and received
contributions.

In 1951, MPAA contributed $5,000
individually to the annual conventions
of TOA and Allied. The individual
contribution in 1952 was $10,000.

{Columbia)

FILMED in color by Technicolor in the free port of Tangier in North Africa
recording the sounds of the Casbah, local inhabitants and market places,
this Frankovich-Sale production stacks up as a film loaded with action and
intrigue which should please most audiences. The picture is in a quasi-docu-
mentary vein, and as entertainment, ranks with the best in that category. It
deals with undercover agents and their adventures.

True, the proceedings of Robert Westerby's tightly-knit screenplay are rooted
in a conventional cops-and-robbers theme, but the convincing performances
which director Richard Sale has drawn from the cast, headed by Macdonald
Carey and Maureen O'Hara, plus the superb photographic effects achieved
by Christopher Challis, gives the story freshness and authenticity. "Fire Over
Africa" is highly exploitable and should make a fine showing at the box office.

Customs officials, international police and state departments in Tangier are
concerned over the increase in smuggling and over the deaths of a number of
their agents. They appoint a woman undercover agent, Miss O'Hara, who is
beautifully costumed, to delve into the illegal activities in order to discover
the leader of the smuggling ring. In turn, the red-haired agent meets up with
a tough American, Carey, who skippers a fast boat and is rumored to be
engaged in hijacking.

The screenwriter throws in the usual man-woman by-play pitting Miss
O'Hara against other characters, but while the men fawn over her, she treats
one and all with contempt. Carey is engaged by a Frenchman, Leonard Sachs,
to deliver a cargo in Spain and on the voyage, the three are stopped by mem-
bers of the syndicate, which bosses all operations in the area. In a gunfight,
Carey is wounded and afterwards learns that even though the cargo was
taken, Sachs has valuable information which could break up the smuggling-
ring and that he is going to sell the information to the proper authorities.
Framed by Sachs, arrested by the local gendarmes, Carey shoots and kills the
smugglers, is shot at by Miss O'Hara mistakenly, makes love to his red-
tressed leading lady, and is revealed as the top undercover agent in the
Mediterranean whose job it is to end smuggling.

Others in the cast are Binnie Barnes, Guy Middleton, Hugh McDermott,
James Lilburn and Harry Lane. The film was produced by M. J. Frankovich.
Running time, 84 minutes. General audience classification. Release, not set.

L. D.

■

RELEASING CORP.

is proud to have been selected by

Dr. Goffredo Lombardo

President of Titanns Films

as United States distributor of

GINA LOLLOBRIGIDA'S

newest hit

"Breads Love and Dreams^^

now in its long run American Premiere engagement
at the

PARIS THEATRE, N.Y. C.

FLASH (FIRST WEEK — SMASH f 17,750)

MOTION PICTURE

VOL. 76. NO. 68

NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1954

TEN CENTS

From $942,000

Columbia Net
For 52 Weeks:
$3,595,000

Per Share Earnings Hit
$4.41 from 90c in '53

NOTICE

Due to a labor dispute in the
printing industry in New York
City, affecting only the bindery
operation, MOTION PIC-
TURE DAILY is forced to
appear today in an abbreviated
edition. The Publisher asks the
forbearance of subscribers and
advertisers. Normal service will
be restored as soon as possible.

Columbia Pictures' net profit for the
52 weeks ended June 26 zoomed to
$3,595,000 as compared with $942,000
for the 1953 fiscal year, the company
reported yester-
day through
Harry "Cohn,
president. The
per share earn-
ings for the cur-
rent year were
$4.41 compared
with 90 cents
last year. The
earnings per
share, after pre-
ferred stock
dividends for
both the current
and prior years,
are based on the
757,843 shares
of the company

which were outstanding on June 26.

The net profit before income taxes
this year was $8,381,000 compared with
$2,149,000 last year. Estimated income
taxes. Federal, state and foreign,
amounted to $4,786,000 for the 1954
fiscal year. This compared with $1,-
207,000 for taxes last year.

The Columbia board yesterday de-
(Continued on page 4)

Harry Cohn

MPAA Polls Firms
On TOA Request

Theatre Owners of America's bid
for convention support from the Mo-
tion Picture Association of America
is being considered by member com-
panies of MPAA, it was learned here
yesterday.

Meanwhile, the circumstances of the
request were clarified. It was learned
that the bid was made by Alfred
Starr, TOA board member, who,
when he visited New York about
three weeks ago, stopped in at MPAA
headquarters, putting in a bid for
$10,000 for support of TOA's annual
meet in Chicago, Oct. 31 to Nov. 4.

T0.'\ president Walter Reade, Jr.,
(Continued on page 3)

Kopf stein Resigns
From Astor, Atlantic

Resignation of Jacques Kopfstein as
vice-president of Astor Pictures Corp.
Atlantic Television Corp. and affiliated
companies was announced here yester-
day by Robert Savini, president of the
companies. Kopfstein had been with
the Savini organizations since 1941.

A successor is to be announced
shortly by Savini.

KOREAN RELIEF DRIVE LAUNCHED
AT AMBASSADOR LIMB LUNCHEON

Theatre audience collections for th
begin on a nation-wide basis today.
Astor luncheon given here yesterday
bassador to the United States, in honor
of the motion picture industry's aid
and contribution to Korean relief.

Over 250 representatives of the
United Nations diplomatic corps, mo-
tion picture industry and other fields
of endeavor were in attendance as the
audience collections were undertaken
by the motion picture theatres of the
U. S. under the sponsorship of the
Council of Motion Picture Organiza-
tionp^,,

"Chairman of the luncheon was Dr.
Howard A. Rusk, president of the
American - Korean Foundation. Col.
Limb spoke on the present situation
(Continued on page 2) ■

e American Korean Foundation will
The drive was launched at a Hotel
by Col. Ben C. Limb, Korean Am-

Rathvon Sets Two
German Pictures

The first two German-produced
films under the Peter Rathvon banner
aimed for the American market will
be "Embassy Baby" and "1984," it
was disclosed here yesterday by Rath-
von, head of Rathvon Overseas, Ltd.

Rathvon, at a trade press conference,
said that Joseph Cotten has been
signed up as the American star for
"Embassy Baby," which, he added,
(Continued on page 4)

B.O. Unchanged by TV's Best

10 from Para.
Thru March

Fall Business Continuing
Big in Wake of Summer

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

The return of big-time talent on home television after the sunnner pro-
graming hiatus has caused little or no noticeable effect on motion picture
theatre business at this stage, according to leading- circuit executives polled by

Motion Picture Daily.

The consensus, with minor modifica-
tions, was that good quality product
draws just as strongly today as it did
during the busy summer months, that
business on the whole continues to im-
prove as compared with last year, and
that the impact of television is not as
great an adverse factor at the box-
office as in previous years.

Subscribing to the above consensus
were spokesmen from American
Broadcasting - Paramount Theatres,
RKO Theatres, Stanley ^Varner
Theatres and Loew's.

A note of caution, however, was
introduced by a Loew's executive close
to the circuit's out-of-town operations.
He said it is too early really to tell,
with only four weeks of September
to go by, with school opening and the
(Continued on page 4)

Ten major productions will be re-
leased by Paramount October through
March, A. W. Schwalberg, president
of Paramount Film Distributing Corp.,
announced yesterday.

"At no other period in Paramount's
history has there been a release lineup
that could compare with the one we
have now insofar as inherent grossing
strength is concerned," he said.

October and November releases are :
"Rear Window," in Technicolor, pro-
duced and directed by Alfred Flitch-
cock ; "Sabrina," produced and di-
rected bv Billv Wilder ; Cecil B.
DeMille's "Reap the Wild Wind," a
re-release in Technicolor ; and the spe-
cial Vista Vision pre-release engage-
ments of Irving Berlin's "White
Christmas" in Technicolor.

December and January will bring
(Continued on page 4)

McGee to Deliver
TOA Keynote Speech

Keynote speaker of the 1954 Thea-
tre Owners of America convention
and TESMA - TEDA - TOA - IPA
Trade Show, Oct. 31 through Nov. 4,
at the Conrad
Hilton Hotel in
Chicago, will be
Pat McGee,
general man-
ager of Cooper
Federation The-
atres in Denver,
it was an-
nounced here
yesterday by
W alter Reade,
Jr., TOA presi-
dent.

A'IcGee, presi-
dent of the
Rocky Moun-
tain COMPO, formerly the Colorado
Association of Theatre Owners, and
national co-chairman for the Council
of Motion Picture Organization's tax
repeal committee, will deliver his key-
note address at the opening business
session of the convention on Nov. 1.

Carpenter Succeeds
Blake of Kodak, Ltd.

ROCHESTER, Oct. 5.— Ernest E.
Blake, chairman of the board of Kodak
Ltd., London, and chairman of the
Eastman Kodak Co. European and
overseas advisory committee, will re-
tire from the board chairmanship of
the British company, effective imme-
diately, it was announced here today.
He will continue as advisory commit-
tee chairman and will become con-
(Contimied on page 4)

Pat McGee

Grainger Denies RKO
Backlog for Sale

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 5.
James R. Grainger, RKO Radio
Pictures president, today denied
recently published reports that
the company's film backlog
would be sold partly to tele-
vision and partly to United Art-
ists. (In New York, Robert
Benjamin, U.A. board chairman,
also termed the report "com-
pletely false.")

"The rumor," Grainger said,
"is completely in error. Our
backlog of over 800 films is not
for sale. RKO has never con-
sidered selling these films to
anybody and is not negotiating
with anybody for their sale."

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, October 6, 1954

Personal
Mention

HARRY M. KALMINE, vice-
president and general manager of
Stanley Warner Theatres, returned to
New. \'ork from England yesterday.
•

Lko Samuels, sales manager of
Walt Disney Productions, and
Charles Levy, publicity director, left
here yesterday for Chicago.

•

Ben Lyon and his wife, Bebe
Daniels, will sail from New York
today aboard the "Queen Mary" for
England.

•

Don Hartman, Paramount Pic-
tures executive producer, is scheduled
to arrive here from Hollywood tomor-
row.

•

O. J. Forest, manager in Trinidad
for the Westrex Corp. Caribbean, has
arrived in New York from Port of
Spain.

•

Morris E. Leeko, RKO Radio
Eastern-Central division manager, has
arrived here from Cleveland.

•

Hugh Owen, Paramount distribu-
tion executive, will leave New York
tomorrow for Miami.

•

WiLLL-\M Madden, M-G-M man-
ager in Philadelphia, has returned
there from Boston.

•

Gina Lollobrigid'A will return to
Italy from New York on Friday via
Italian Airlines.

•

David Farrar, British actor, will
arrive in New ^'ork by plane today
from England.

•

Marlon Brando will sail for Eu-
rope today on the "He de France."

Filmakers Adds One
Feature to '55 List

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 5. — Filmak-
ers Productions executives. Collier
Young and Irving H. Levin, now con-
ferring on 1955 product, today an-
nounced a decision to increase the
company's annual output from six fea-
tures to seven.

'HanseV Dimes Drive Aid

On behalf of The March of Dimes,
Louise David, five-year-old victim of
polio, this morning will place crowns
upon the heads of Hansel and Gretel,
dedicating the "Hansel and Gretel"
display here at 1681 Broadway. The
ceremonies will help to publicize a
March of Dimes benefit to be held
Sunday at 2 P.M.

Alex Adilman, 69

TORONTO, Oct. 5.— The Canadian
film industry is mourning the death of
Alex Adilman, 69, a veteran partner
of Famous Players Canadian Corp., at
Montreal. He was an officer of Con-
solidated Theatres, Ltd., Montreal,
and Victoria Theatre Co., Quebec
City.

Industry Leaders
Active in Stock
Trading in August

WASHINGTON, Oct. 5.— Barney
Balaban sold 3,300 shares of Para-
mount Pictures common in August,
dropping his holdings to 19,400 shares,
according to the latest Securities and
Exchange Commission report on trad-
ing in film stocks by company officers
and directors.

A trust holding of Stanton Griffis
sold 500 Paramount shares, leaving
1,000 shares. Griffis holds 2,000 shares
in his own name.

Thomas F. O'Connor bought 1,800
shares of RKO Theatres Corp. com-
mon, and Harold E. Newcomb bought
8\j0 shares.

Warner Increases Holdings

Charles F. McKhann bought 100
shares of Stanley Warner Corp. com-
mon during the month, boosting his
holdings to 600 shares. Trust holdings
of Albert Warner were increased by
2,500 shares of Warner Brothers Pic-
tures common, giving him 160,000
shares in his own name and 26,500
shares in trust. Jack L. Warner
bought 2,300 shares, increasing his
direct holdings to 290,499 shares and
his trust holdings to 13,400 shares.

Walter L. Titus, Jr., bought 100
shares of common of Associated Mo-
tion Picture Industries. He now holds
245 shares and his wife holds 80
shares. Daniel O. Hastings reported
buying 400 shares of 20th Century-
Fox common in January and 300
shares in March, holding a total of
801 shares at the end of the period.

Nate Blumberg in June exchanged
100 shares of Universal Pictures com-
mon for Decca records shares — his
last Universal holdings.

14'Week Tour for
I.F.E.'s J aeon

Bernard Jacoii, I.F.E. Releasing
Corp. vice-president in charge of sales,
will leave on a 14- week, nation-wide
tour of all IFE district offices on
Monday.

The extensive trip, which comes at
the midway point in the Bernard
Jacon testimonial sales drive, will
permit Jacon to meet with members of
the IFE sales organization as well as
key exhibitors, he said.

His discussions with exliibitors will
result, Jacon stated, in finalizing plans
for "first run engagements of the out-
standing fall and winter releases on
the IFE schedule."

Two Nominated to
Head Film Council

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 5.— The AFL
Film Council will come up to its an-
nual election time next Tuesday with
its first contest for the presidency as
a prime issue in a secret ballot to be
taken at next week's regular lueeting,
in consequence of today's nominating
meeting, at which Ralph Clare, busi-
ness agent of the Teamsters Local 399,
and George Flaherty, international
representative of lATSE, were nomi-
nated for the post.

The incumbent, Carl Cooper, was
not up for nomination.

^ Scope Award to
Skouras Today

The Broadway Association will
present a special award to Spy-
ros P. Skouras and 20th Cen-
tury-Fox commemorating the
first anniversary of Cinema-
Scope in ceremonies to be held
today at the film company's
home offices.

Korea

( Continued from page 1 )

in Korea and expressed his people's
gratitude to the film industry.

Al Lichtman, director of distribution
for 20th Century-Fox and co-chairman
of COMPO, spoke as did Robert W.
Coyne, special counsel of COMPO,
who explained the role the industry
as a whole has played, not only in
helping the Korean people in this par-
ticular instance, but in assistance in
many other philanthropic and patriotic
drives through its various organized
bodies representing the rank and file
of the industry.

Dais List Impressive

Sharing the dais with Ambassador
Limb were O. Roy Chalk, Foundation
vice-president : Herman Robbins, pres-
ident of National Screen Service, the
company that is handling the distribu-
tion of the material and film in con-
nection with the theatre audience col-
lection ; Rt. Rev. AInsgr. Thomas Mc-
Carthy ; Harry Brandt, Lt. Gen. John
B. Coulter, Coyne, Rusk, Lichtman,
Richard C. Patterson, Jr., His Excel-
lency Archbishop Paul Yu-pin ; Wil-
bur Snaper, Forrest Tancer, Emanuel
Frisch, Maj. Gen. Charles W. Chris-
tenberry, Rev. Dr. David J. Seligson
and Dr. Roland R. De Marco.

3 *Gala' Premieres
Planned by RKO

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 5. — RKO
will stage gala world premieres for
three of its forthcoming pictures with-
in the next three months, according to
Walter Branson, RKO's world-wide
general sales manager.

First RKO production to receive
the world premiere treatment will be
"This Is My Love" which will make
its debut in Houston on Nov. 11.

"Cattle Queen of Montana," will
have its world premiere at the Fox
Theatre in Billings, Mont., on Nov.
18, and the third RKO filni to be
premiered will be "The Big Rain-
Idow," which will open Dec. 21 at the
Fox Theatre, St. Louis.

Stanley Brody to
UA Publicity Dept.

Stanley J. Brody has joined the pub-
licity department of United Artists, it
was announced by Francis M. Wini-
kus, national director of advertising,
publicity and exploitation.

Brody, former press representative
of Radio City Music Hall and pub-
licity director of the Center Theater
in Rockefeller Center, recently repre-
sented the Cinerama Corp. in Wash-
ington and Cincinnati.

Name Sponsors and
Chairmen for the
Boasberg Luncheon

Chairmen and sponsors of the testi-
monial luncheon for Charles Boasberg,
former vice-president and general sales
manager of RKO Radio, on the occa-
sion of his new association with Dis-
tributors Corp. of America, were
announced here yesterday. The event
will be held on Oct. 21 at the Hotel
Astor. Chairmen are Walter Reade,
Jr., Samuel Rinzler and Joseph Seider,
with the latter serving as treasurer.
The committee is asking that reser-
vations be made quicklv to Seider at
233 W. 49th St.

Following is the list of sponsors :
Chester Bahn, John Balaban, Harry
Brandt, Leo Brecher, Jack Cohn,
Robert Coyne, George Dembow, Ned
Depinet, Russell Downing, Jay Eman-
uel, Simon Fabian, Charles Feldman,
Emanuel Frisch, W. C. Gehring, Wil-
liam German, Leonard Goldenson,
Maury Goldstein, James R. Grainger,
David Griesdorf, Henry S. Griffing.

Eric Johnston, Ben Kalmenson,
Sherwin Kane, Tom Kennedy, Al
Lichtman, M. A. Lightman, Mrs.
Charles E. Lewis, Ben Marcus, Herb
Miller, Robert Mochrie, Abe Mon-
tague, T. E. Mortensen, Charles Moss,
Martin Mullin, Robert J. O'Donnell,
E. K. O'Shea, Martin Quigley, Martin
Quigley, Jr., Charles Reagan, True-
man Rembusch, F. H. Ricketson.

Harold Rinzler, Samuel Rinzler,
Herman Robbins, William F. Rod-
gers, Samuel Rosen, Leo Samuels,
J. Myer Schine, Louis Schine, Al
Scliwalberg, Sam Shain, Spyros P.
Skouras, Alfred Starr, Kermit Sten-
gel, Sol Strausberg, Nat Taylor, Mo
Wax, Mitchell Wolf son, Joseph Vogel
and Max Youngstein.

Joins Excelsior

Stefi Sheldon has been appointed
foreign representative of Excelsior
Pictures Corp. and will leave shortly
on a European trip in the interest of
Excelsior's "Garden of Eden."

ARISTOCRAT OF THE AIR

Direct
New York • London

BKITISH OVBR5EAS
AIRWAYS CORPORATION

Reservations through your travel agent
or call B.O.A.C. at 342 Madison Ave..
New York 17. N. Y., tel. MU 7-8900

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quiglev, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except .Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley
Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley,
President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen. News
Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager;
William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145; Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A.
Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnun, Editor; cable address,
"Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres and Theatre Sales, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion
Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter, Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March
3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in ihe Americas and $12 foreign; single copies, 10c.

Wednesday. October 6, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Reviews

Beau Brummell

(MGM) Hollywood, Oct. 5

THE mantle of George Bryan Brummell, once worn with acclaim by the
late John Barrymore and originally on the stage by Richard Mansfield
in the Clyde Fitch play, had been eloquently restyled to fit the tall, handsome
Stewart Granger. Granger is the essence of sartorial elegance as the proto-
type of England's most famous dandy.

In a role that demands grace, charm and daring, our Beau finds some highly
dramatic moments and romantic interludes with Elizabeth Taylor to suit his
talent. The beauty of Miss Taylor blends well with the richly detailed pro-
duction. Her self-conflict of pride versus passion, which leads her into a love-
less marriage, can be added to her impressive list of acting accomplishments.

But the fast rising- star of Peter Ustinov will zoom in importance to
American as well as his native English audiences for the natural mien in
which he portrays a weak, fun-loving, childish Prince of Wales, heir to the
throne of King George IH. Ustinov enjoys the unique gift of mastering a
scene with belly-laugh or tear-choking response.

Karl Tunberg's character-drawn screenplay is possessed with lyrical quality
and comes to life under the fine directorial guidance of Curtis Bernhardt.
Ustinov and Granger run the gamut of emotions through a friendship that
survives their stubborn temperaments.

The story deals with Brummell's rise to personal favor with the prince,
despite his frequent insults. It depicts an irresponsible attitude toward his
debtors. Rather than accept money from his lady love to escape debtors
prison, he abandons her and his country after a rift with the prince. The film
comes to a sorrowful climax when the prince, whom he had helped groon) I
into a righteous man, discovers him ill and dying in a small French village.
The final scene has a memorable touch as they reaffirm their friendship.

The balance of the cast, headed by Robert Morley whose brief footage as
the demented King George III proves another of the film's high spots, is
composed of competent English actors who will be honored by the film
chosen for this year's Royal Command Performance.

Producer Sam Zimbalist has endowed the new era of wide screen with a
costume classic, filmed in England, that is destined for top-choice repertory
treatment. The production was photographed in eye-appealing Eastman Color
by Oswald Morris and printed by Technicolor.

Running time 111 minutes. General audience classification. For release in
October. Samuel D. Berns

''The Bob Mathias Story'*

(Allied Artists) Hollyivood, O.ct. 5

JAMES L. FALLON, executive producer, has delivered a strong- exploita-
tion film for release under the Allied Artists' banner in "The Bob Mathias
Story," which shapes up as a good, clean, family-type screen testimonial 'io
the Olympic Games sports hero.

While it may not add any acting medals to his trophy room, Bob Mathias,
authenticating the title role, comes across with a pleasing personality, an
unusual physique, typifying the popular concept of the All-American athlete,
and a display of his track and field ability that made sports history.

Apparently all of the production value was placed on the rare, documented
stock footage covering the 14th and 15th Olympiads, which was secured by
producer William E. Selwyn, wherein Alathias proved the only two-time
winner of the decathlon. However, all this footage and some exciting foot-
ball stock, featuring our hero's football fame at Stanford University, is well
stitched to allow for story and suspense thrills.

Francis D. Lyon, director, who established his credit with "Crazylegs"
Hirsch, handled this assignment with equanimity. His ability in securing
acceptable performances from Mathias and his wife, Melba, who likewise
plays herself in the picture, is in itself noteworthy. Ward Bond and Ann
Doran are standouts among the unfamiliar cast who help establish the heart
and spirit of the story.

The Richard Collins' story and pedestrian screen play has Bond, as
Mathias' high school coach, acting as his source of encouragement in mak-
ing the Olympic team. It carries him through his high school and college
romance with Melba to his current "hitch" with the U. S. Marine Corps.

Running time, 80 minutes. General audience classification. Release, in
November. S. D. B.

CORNfR

MPAA-TOA

{Continued from page 1)

when asked to comment on AlPAA's
disposition of the request, suggested
that the query be directed to Starr
who, he said, handles such matters.

The MPAA declined to make any
official comment, but it was stated in
other quarters that no disposition by
the ]\IP.-\A has been made as yet and
that some member companies already
have been queried as to their senti-
ment. One member company spokes-
man said, however, that his company
has not been queried as yet.

That the TOA request may be
somewhat "delicate" in light of last
year's MPAA's position was seen in
the fact that no quick disposition of
the bid was made, although it may
have been opportune to act on the
matter at last Friday's MPAA board
meeting.

Request Refused Last Year

Last vear, MPAA declined requests
from fOA and Allied States Asso-
ciation for financial support of their
respective conventions, with some
company heads contending that they
should not financially support meet-
ings in which the production-distribu-
tion policies of their companies are
decried.

Allied, to this date, has not filed a
request for MPAA contributions, it
was stated in well-informed circles.
Last year. Allied canvassed the film
companies individually and received
paid advertisements in the organiza-
tion's convention program from the
companies.

In 1951, MPAA contributed $5,000
individually to the TOA and Allied
conventions, w'hile the individual con-
tributions by the MPAA in 1952 was
$10,000.

Fabian Dinner Dais
Guests Announced

Dais guests at the testimonial dinner
to Si Fabian, president of Stanley
Warner Corp., to be held in the Alex-
ander Hamilton Hotel in Newark
next Tuesday in honor of his 40th
year in show business, were announced
here yesterday. They are :

Barney Balaban, president of Para-
mount; Nate J. Blumberg, chairman of
the board, Universal ; David G. Baird,
director of Stanley Warner, Jack
Cohn, executive vice-president of Co-
lumbia ; Ned Depinet, consultant to
RKO Pictures ; Leonard H. Golden-
son, president of AB-PT ; James R.
Grainger, president of RKO Pictures ;
Harry M. Kalmine, vice president-
general manager of SW ; Louis B.
Mayer ; Samuel Rosen, executive vice

• Three Channel interlock projection

• 17Vjmm & 3Smm tape interlock

• 16mni interlock projection

CUTTING & EDITING ROOMS AVAILABLE

MoviELAB THEATRE SERVICE, INC.

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president of SW ; Nicholas M.
Schenck, president of Loew's, Inc.;
Serge Semenenko, senior vice presi-
dent of the First National Bank of
Boston ; Spyros P. Skouras, president
of 20th Century-Fox; A. N. Spanel,
chairman of the board of International
Latex Corp. ; Walter Vincent, presi-
dent of the Actor's Fund of America ;
Joseph Vogel, president of Loew's
Theatres ; Richard F. Walsh, presi-
dent of lATSE, Major Albert War-
ner, vice president-treasurer of War-
ner Brothers ; Herman Robbins, presi-
dent of National Screen Service; Sen-
ator H. Alexander Smith; Gov. Rob-
ert B. Meyner of New Jersey ; mayor
of Paterson Lester F. Titus ; Con-
gressman Gordon Canfield ; State Sen-
ator Frank Shershin ; Professor David

L. Cole, Cornell University; Abe J.
Greene, associate editor of the Pater-
son Evening News ; Harry B. Haines,
publisher of the Paterson Evening-
News ; Henry A. Williams, publisher
of the Paterson Morning Call ; Com-
missioner Carl Holderman of the New
Jersev State Commission of Labor
and Jack Stern, general chairman.
Greene will be toastmaster.

The honorary guests will be Mrs.
Jacob Fabian, Mrs. Simon H. Fabian
and Mrs. Samuel Rosen.

Members of the clergy participating
will be Rabbi Arthur T. Bueh of
Temple Emanuel, Paterson ; Rev.
Charles J. Child of the Trinity Epis-
copal Church and the Rt. Rev. Msgr.
Joseph M. O'Sullivan of St. Anthony's
R. C. Church, Hawthorne, N. J.

QHOW CAN YOUR
• FLOORS HELP
HOLD UP BOX-OFFICE?

.^^.9 RCA Custom - Loomed
Theatre Carpet goes a long way to
give your house the handsome
appearance that's a steady attrac-
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patterns and designs ranging all
the way from classic simplicity to
bold modern. And scores of colors
... all attractive enough to form
the basis for your whole decorat-
ing scheme. There are solids, too
. . . plain and tone-on-tone for
varied effects. Or, you can specify
your own individual pattern,
woven to order. For RCA,
Thomas L. Leedom Company
looms these carpets to stand up
under years of wear, years of
cleaning. Highest quality color-
fast woolens are backed by long-
fibre jute and cotton.

QWHO has samples
* of RCA Custom-
Loomed Theatre Carpet ?

Your local independent
RCA Theatre Supply Dealer can

show you how beautiful these car-
pets look and how durably they're
made. Talk to your dealer now for
facts and figures on RCA Custom-
Loomed Carpet for your house.

RADIO CORPORATION
of AMERICA

THEATRB CQUIPMINT
CAMDEN, N. J.

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, October 6, 1954

National
Pre-Selling

Novel style review
for "Woman's World"

In the October issue of "Women's
Home Companion," Pliilip T. Har-
tung's "family-approved movies" de-
partment is devoted to an unusual type
of review, for "Woman's World."
Captions under a selection of seven
stills briefly explain the idea of the
story. The final caption is "Comes the
big moment of Webb's decision. Can
you guess which wife's man gets the
job?"

Having taken a guess, the reader's
next step should be to see the picture,
to find the correct answer. With
a total readership estimated at over
twelve million, the teaser value of this
review in the "Companion" should be
quite a factor in building advance in-
terest in this picture.

A series of advertising and mer-
chandising tie-ins for the theme, "It's
a Woman's World" got ofif to an im-
pressive start this week in a series of
double-truck ads by Gimbel's depart-
ment store, in five New York metro-
politan newspapers. Various other
department stores also have arranged
to tie in similarly in their advertising
and in window and store displays, by
arrangement with the manufacturers
of fashion brands.

Plans also are well underway to
adopt the tie-in campaign by arrange-
ments with stores throughout the
nation. Also, Glen Raven hosiery will
feature the theme in a national maga-
zine campaign. And "Glamour" maga-
zine is promoting a 7-page tie-in sec-
tion for its November issue.

Faivccff Publications announces "dy-
namic changes in- modernized format
end policy jar "Motion Picture Maga-
zine" and "Trite
Confessions."
Jack Podell, re-
cently appointed
editor of "Mo-
tion Picture," is
adding to the
m a g a s i n e's
masthead- t h e
names of top-
flight column-
ists: Hedda
Hopper, Earl
Wilson, Doro-
t h y Kilgallen
and Er skin e
Johnson, who
zuill by line regular columns and
monthly features. A neiv style of edi-
torial layout is to be used, em-ploying
. a combination of artzvork and photog-
raphy. Among the changes in layout
policy for "True Confessions" zvill be
the use of four-color printing for pho-
tographs which dramati::e various
stories each month.

•

"Sabrina" gets effective attention
in the current issue of "Life." A
full page is devoted to a picture lay-
out under the headline, "Bill vs.
Bogie for Audrey." Featured is the
fight scene between Bogart and
Holden.

The Oct. 3 issue of "Parade" de-
votes the front cover and a two-page
personality story to Sheree North, star
of "Pink Tights."

WALTER HAAS

Autumn Business Continuing Strong

Jack Podell

{Continued from page 1)

World Series acting as factors in the
box-office grossing curve.

But a more affirmative position was
taken by an AB-PT official who said
that since the advent of fall there
has been no "noticeable" decline at the
box-office. The improvement in busi-
ness, he continued, goes on, depreca-
ting the affect of the return of top
personalities on TV. He said that in
situations which have suffered a de-
cline at the box-office with the end
of the summer, those situations were
adversely hit by what he called a
"thinning out" of quality motion pic-
ture releases. The big ones continue
to make money, he added.

An RKO spokesman also
spoke of a "thinning out" of
quality releases, but he, too, at-
tributed any drop in fall busi-
ness to that factor rather than
home TV. Fall business, this
year, he added, is better than it

was in 1953. To illustrate his
point, the RKO official pointed
to a recent Sunday which had
Ed Sullivan and a new spec-
tacular back-to-back program
on TV, only to have theatre
business as sprightly as ever
with a quality picture on RKO
screens that day. Theatre busi-
ness, depends on the product,
he contended, relegating TV to
one of many competitive fac-
tors for the public's amusement
dollar, rather than the "big bad
wolf" role it played years ago,
swallowing what many exhibi-
tors thought of as the major
chunk of exhibition's share.
A Stanley Warner spokesman ex-
pressed a bit more respect for TV as
a competitive medium, contending that
there is a percentage level which TV
does drain off, the percentage varying
with the pull of the particular product
at the theatre. He said it would be
difficult to relate what has happened

at the box-office since the return of
the big shows on TV. Business, how-
ever, he acknowledged, in September
was up in comparison with last year
and "if you wanted to project a trend
the acknowledgement could be made
that the television impact has dimin-
ished."

A spokesman for the Fabian circuit
spoke of the lack of top quality re-
leases as compared to the summer,
adding, tqo, that business remains
ahead of last year.

A Loew's official close to the opera-
tion of the circuit's Metropolitan
theatres was very reluctant to attribute
any drop at the box-office to the return
of what TV thinks of as "strong pro-
graming." He said business has fall-
en off somewhat, blaming such factors
as the holidays, the unseasonable warm
v^'eather, school and competition other
than TV. Business continues better
than last year, he added, and by and
large good pictures do fine at the
box-office.

Rathvon

{Continued from page 1)

will go before the cameras on Nov. 1.
George Orwell's "1984," he explained,
probably will be filmed in February.

Interviewed at the offices of Inter-
national Affiliates, the organization
which represents Rathvon in the U. S.
market, he told of the "vigorous" Ger-
man film market flourishing today.
Every studio there, he explained, ^ is
now busy. If we are successful with
the two pictures in the German and
U. S. market, he continued, it would
represent the first post-war break-out
of German films in the American mar-
ket.

"No Way Back," he said, which he
made for the German market solely,
will be dubbed in English in order to
get "some distribution" in the U. S.
"No Way Back," he added, was chosen
as the best German feature of 1953
at the Berlin Film Festival. His sec-
ond feature for the French and Ger-
man market, he added, will be "Double
Destiny," to be released simultaneously
in Paris and Berlin. Columbia Inter-
national, he explained, distributes
Rathvon films abroad. A distributor
for the American market is yet to be
selected, he stated.

Rathvon said that he plans to pro-
duce in Europe three of "our own" per
year, with additional possible associa-
tions with other producers. He plans
to leave here for Paris in about 10
days.

Dickson S, CaL Head
For U,A. Theatres

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 5. — Dick
Dickson, long-time executive of Na-
tional Theatres, today was named by
George Skouras to the general man-
agership of the United Artists Theatre
Circuit, Inc., Southern California divi-
sion. Dickson succeeds Fred Stein,
whose resignation submitted two
months ago was accepted today.

Dickson had resigned from National
Theatres three months ago after a
more-than-20-year association which
began with Charles P. Skouras' ac-
quisition of Fox West Coast Theatres
and was interrupted for a brief period
during which Dickson joined the late
Harry Sherman in production.

Columbia

{Continued from page 1)

clared a quarterly dividend of $1.06>4
per share on the $4.25 cumulative pre-
ferred stock of the company, payable
Nov. 15 to stockholders of record on
Nov. 1. The directors, also declared
a dividend of $1.00 in cash on its com-
mon stock and voting trust certificates
for common stock payable on Nov. 3
to stockholders of record on Oct. 19.

The company additionally declared
a five per cent stock dividend on the
common stock and voting trust certi-
ficates for common stock of the cor-
poration payable in common stock on
Dec. 7 to stockholders of record on
Oct. 19. Cash will be paid where frac-
tional shares of the common stock are
due.

Carpenter-Blake

{Continued from page 1)

sultant on the international aspects of
Eastman Kodak's professional motion
picture business.

Harold S. Carpenter, managing di-
rector of Kodak, Ltd., will advance to
chairman of the board while continu-
ing as managing director. I. D. Wrat-
ten, a director of Kodak, Ltd. and
supervisor of motion picture film sales
in England, Europe and India, has
been named a deputy managing direc-
tor. He will continue in charge of
professional motion picture film sales
for Kodak, Ltd.

Stein V ice-President y
Metropolitan Circuit

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 5.— President
Sherrill Corwin, of Metropolitan The-
atres, todav announced the appoint-
ment of Fred Stein as vice-president.
Stein, whose resignation as general
manager of the United Artists Thea-
tre Circuit, Southern California divi-
sion, was announced today, will be
Corwin's executive assistant in an ex-
pansion program for Metropolitan
Theatres and other Corwin interests,
including television station KAKE in
Wichita.

Other key Metropolitan executives
are Norman Newman, chief film buyer,
and Harold Citron, in charge of the-
atre operation.

People

Joseph Kaufman, producer of
"Long John Silver," will supervise
the sound recording of the picture
in Hollywood, having left here yes-
terday, and then will go to London
for the final color processing.

Joseph McConville, president of
Columbia Pictures International,
has been elected to the rank of
Commander in the Order of Merit
of the Italian Republic. He received
the official diploma from Dr. Eitel
Monaco, president of ANICA.

Art Bahen, Jacques Martin and
G. Drouin were the Montreal win-
ners of the Odeon circuit's "Big
Show" promotion drive.

Carl E. Anderson, of Kalispell,
Mont., has been elected president of
the Montana Theatre Owners As-
sociation.

Russ Brown, general manager in
Oregon for the Evergreen circuit,
is commissioner of the Oregon
State Fair in Salem.

Para/s 10

{Continued from- page 1)

release of Hal Wallis' Dean Martin-
Jerry Lewis comedy, "Three Ring
Circus," the second VistaVision pro-
duction, which also is in Technicolor ;
this will be Paramount's Christmas-
New Years holiday offering. Also,
"The Bridges at Toko-Ri," in Tech-
nicolor, produced by Perlberg-Seaton,
and directed by ^lark Robson.

Set for February release are :
"Mambo," Ponti-DeLaurentiis pro-
duction directed by Robert Rossen
and George Pal's inter-planetary "The
Conquest of Space," in Technicolor.

March releases will be "Ulysses,"
and Perlberg-Seaton's "The Country"
Girl." :'

MOTION PICTURE

Concise

And

To The
Point

VOL. 76. NO. 69

NEW YORK, U. S. A., THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1954

TEN CENTS

East Next Month

NT Officials to
Talk with D-J
On Producing

Seeking 'Workable Plan'
To Ease Film Shortage

By SAMUEL D. BERNS

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 6.— National
Theatres executives plan to go to
Washington next month to confer
with Assistant Attorney General Stan-
ley N. Barnes, who on Tuesday held
that he "doesn't see very much pos-
sibility" that the Justice Department
will approve National Theatres' re-
quest to enter film producing and
financing. A circuit spokesman told
Motion Picture Daily today that the
company's intention is to lay all the
facts before the Justice Department
and to obtain its advice in developing
a workable plan that would enable the
circuit to create an added source of
product.

$4,600,000 Pledged
To Makelim Plan by
2,700 U.S. Theatres

special to THE DAILY
HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 6.— Exhibi-
tion has already pledged itself to
nearly an estimated $4,600,000 to get
the Makelim plan underway, it was
estimated here in the wake of the
departure of Hal jMakelim on an "ex-
hibitor request tour."

The basis for the estimate was these
factors :

Each Makelim production is esti-
mated to cost $426,000 ; Makelim plans
to make 12 films over a period of a
year, the costs of which will be paid
by the 3,000 sought-after participating
theatres, to be paid upon the booking
(Continued on page 4)

H-63 Elects Devine
President of Local

Edward Devine of the Universal
Pictures home office was elected to
fill the remaining term of Home Oifice
Employees, H-63, lATSE, president
Davad Cassidy, at a meeting of the
union's board, it was announced here
yesterdaj' by Russell ]Moss, H-63 ex-
ecutive vice-president.

Devine, a former union vice-presi-
dent, will hold office until the begin-
ning of 1955. Cassidy resigned the
(Continued on page 4)

Number of Theatres Up

Canadian Receipts Passed
$100,000,000 Mark in '53

special to THE DAILY
OTTAWA, Oct. 6. — Paid admissions to regular motion picture theatres in
Canada dropped to 241,182,726 last year from 247,732,717 in 1952 but receipts
passed the $100,000,000 mark for the first time, Canadian Government states

in advance report.

The number of theatres in operation
increased to 1,906 from 1,843, and
receipts, exclusive of taxes, rose to
$100,889,361 from $98,851,349. Amuse-
ment taxes collected totalled $12,760 -
235 agamst $12,308,148. The average
admission price, including amusement
tax, was 47 cents, up from 45 cents in
the preceding year.

Number of regular theatres in-
creased in 1953 in all provinces except
Prince Edward Island where there
was no change and Ontario where the
number decreased. There were more
paid admissions than in 1952 in all
provinces except Newfoundland, Que-
bec and Ontario, and receipts were
higher in all provinces except Ontario.

Drive-in theatres increased to 174 in
1953 from 104 in 1952. and their paid
admissions numbered 11,134,788 against
8,379,586. Receipts, exclusive of taxes,
rose to $5,862,920 from $4,409,426, and
(Continued on page 4)

NOTICE

ITOO Protests 16mm.
Club Competition

COLUMBUS, O., Oct. 6.— Indepen-
dent Theatre Owners of Ohio reports
in its current bulletin that six 20th
C€ntur3f-Fox films and two Warner
Bros, films are being offered in a
16mm. series by the Franklin County
Historical Society for $1.

The most recent of the eight films,
the bulletin states, is Warners' "The
Story of Will Rogers," which was re-
leased in July, 1952. It is in color and
stars Jane Wyman and Will Rogers,

Robert Wile, executive secretary of
ITOO, reports that the Society has
"blanketed" the area with brochures
advising that the films are available.
Inquiries at 20th-Fox brought a prom-
ise to investigate. Wile said, but
Warners reminded that some major
distributors are being sued by the
Government now for refusal to sell
(Continued on page 4)

City Meet Will Weigh
Film Adv. Complaint

Edward T. McCaffrey, License
Commission of New York, in response
to a number of complaints, has called
a_ meeting for tomorrow afternoon to
discuss the type of advertising being
used in certain theatres in the Times
Square area, particularly those on
42 nd Street between Seventh and
Eighth avenues.

Commissioner McCaffrey said that
the advertising has been the subject of
complaints from religious, business
(Continued on page 4)

ARBITRATION GROUP RECONVENES
FOLLOWING SCHIMEL-LEVY TALKS

Resumption of dual work in setting up an industry arbitration system is
expected to get under way here again next week with conferences slated
between Herman Levy, general counsel of Theatre Owners of America, and
Adolph Schimel, counsel chairman of
the distributors arbitration subcommit-
tee.

The projected Schimel-Levy talks
will set the stage for reconvening the
arbitration conference committee, com-
posed of exhibition and distribution
delegates. The later meeting, as indi-
cations now stand, is expected to take
place following TOA's annual conven-

ill start

tion in Chicago, which
Oct. 31.

It is understood that the proposed
arbitration draft, drawn under the
direction of Levy, has now been an-
notated with suggestions from distri-
bution. The proposed annotations, it
was stated, will form the basis of dis-
cussions between Schimel and Levy.

Appeal Due

Court's Ruling
Favors Seven
Distributors

Dismisses $900,000 Suit
Of Metropolitan Circuit

Sj>ecial to THE DAILY

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 6.— In a de-
cision hailed here as precedentally im-
portant. Federal Judge Harry C.
Westover today directed a jury to rule
for the defendants in Metropolitan
Theatres' $900,000 treble-damage anti-
trust suit against seven major dis-
tributors charging conspiracy to de-
prive the Orpheum Theatre, in down-
town Los Angeles, of adequate first
run product between May, 1950, and
January, 1952.

After _ reviewing charges against
each defendant individually, the court
ruled that no conspiracy had been
proved, although "similarity of ac-
tion" had prevailed.

The defendants were Columbia,
Loew's, Paramount, 20th Century-
Fox, RKO Radio, Universal and
Warner Brothers.

Metropolitan counsel, Robert L.
Wright, said the verdict will be ap-
pealed.

Quality Not Quantity
Will Save Industry,
Zanuck Tells Mgrs.

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 6.— Darryl
F. Zanuck, vice-president in charge of
production of 20th Century-Fox,, told
the final session of the studio's West-
ern division sales meeting that "qual-
ity, not quantity is the salvation of
the industry."

In a challenging address delivered at
the studio, Zanuck told 40 top sales
(Continued on page 3)

To Appeal 5% Tax
Ruling Tomorrow

Attorneys representing New York
City exhibitors in their suit against
the five per cent amusement tax are
expected to file their appeal against a
ruling that the law is valid by tomor-
row afternoon. The ruling was handed
down last week by Supreme Court
Justice Percy Stoddart in Queens
General Court.

On Sept. 28, the court denied the
exhibitor motion for summary judg-
(Continued on page 4)

Motion Picture Daily

Thursday, October 7, 1954

Personal
Mention

LAWRENCE WEINGARTEN,
M-G-M studio executive, is sched-
uled to arrive here from the Coast on
Sunday.

•

William B. Zoellner. M-G-M
short subjects and newsreel sales head,
will leave New York at the weekend
for Pittsburgh on the first leg of a
tour that will take him to five cities.
•

Millv Vitali, Italian actress, will
arrive here tomorrow from Holly-
wood.

•

Cedric Gibbons, M-G-M studio art
director, will arrive here on Oct. 15
from the Coast.

•

Robert Goelet, of City Investing
Co., arrived here yesterday from Eng-
land via B.O.A.C.

•

Floyd Fitzsimmons^ M-G-M field
press representative in Boston, is in
New York from there.

•

John Sturges, director, is in New
England from Hollywood.

Martha Scott will leave here this
weekend for Hollywood.

•

Walter Low, film editor, has left
here for the Coast.

•

Irving Berlin will leave New York
for London on Nov. 1.

Film Dance May Ban
'Jungle' in Memphis

MEMPHIS, Oct. 6.— Although
some 1,800 police chiefs, meeting in
New Orleans, liked the dance by Jan
Sterling in Allied Artists' "The Human
Jungle," three members of the Censor
Board liere saw the picture and or-
dered Miss Sterling's dance cut from
the film before being shown in Mem-
phis.

It is reported that Allied Artists
may refuse to cut the dance sequence.
If AA refuses to cut the scene the
film would be shown in West Memphis
instead of in a downtown Memphis
house.

Allied Artists has called attention to
the fact that approximately 1,800 police
chiefs, at their convention in New
Orleans last week, selected "The Hu-
man Jungle," a police story, as their
"official convention picture" and of-
fered no objection to the dance of Miss
Sterling.

Jessel, Block to
M.C, 'Star' Debut

George Jessel and Martin Block will
be the masters of ceremonies at the
formal New York two-theatre pre-
miere of Warner Brothers' "A Star
Is Born" which takes place simul-
taneously at both the Paramount and
Victoria Theatres on Monday night.

Jessel will introduce stars and ce-
lebrities to WABC-TV television au-
diences from the Paramount and Block
will perform the same duties at the
Victoria.

Phila. Zoning Board
Mulls Drive-in Bid

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 6. — For-
mer Senator Francis J. Meyers is the
attorney for A. M. Ellis Theatres be-
fore the Philadelphia Zoning Board of
Adjustment to seek permission to in-
stall a $500,000 drive-in for 1,500 cars
on a 40-acre tract at the Northeast
corner of Roosevelt Blvd. and Byberry
Road. Meyers said that the petition
was presented because the city's zon-
ing code contains no provision for
drive-in theatres and because the tract
in question, zone C, is residential and
partly limited industrial. The petition
was taken under advisement.

The new Ellis drive-in will be lo-
cated appro.ximately one mile from
Neil Hellman's Lincoln Drive-in
which is one of the busiest in this
part of the country.

UA Acquires Shorts
For Foreign Field

United Artists has acquired 10 one-
reel "Broadway Varieties" musical
featurettes which will be distributed
throughout the world except in New
Zealand, Switzerland, France, In-
donesia, Finland and the domestic
market.

UA, a short time ago, also acquired
the worldwide distribution rights to
12 Walter Lantz cartoons.

The 10 one-reelers include per-
formances by Broadway and Holly-
wood musical stars. Among them are
Slim Gaillard, Searles and Gallion, the
De Castro Sisters, Gene Austin,
Candy and Coco, Janina and Felix,
Linda Lombard and various orches-
tras.

Steinhardt to Head
20th' s Siam Office

Appointment of Albert V. Stein-
hardt as manager of Siam for 20th
Century-Fox International was an-
nounced yesterday by the company.
Steinhardt replaces Vasant S. Pad-
bridi who has been promoted to man-
ager of Singapore, Malaya, supplant-
ing Sanade A. Rao, resigned.

Steinhardt has been associated with
foreign film distribution since 1932,
having held managerial positions with
United Artists in Belgium, Luxem-
bourg, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and in
Cairo. He leaves New York on Oct.
18 for his assignment in Bangkok,
where he will make his headquarters.

Chaplin Summons Is
Upheld on Appeal

The Appellate Division of the State
Supreme Court this week denied a
motion on behalf of Charles Chaplin
to quash service of a summons and
complaint in an action brought by the
widow of the late Max Kravetz al-
leging that he was wrongfully ex-
cluded from benefits of a partnership
formed to take over control of United
Artists.

Chaplin had appealed from an order
by Supreme Court Justice William C.
Hecht earlier this year which per-
mitted the service of the summons on
Chaplin, who now resides in Switzer-
land.

Fight Film Grosses
$275,000 to Date

Films of the Sept. 17 heavy-
weight championship fight be-
tween Rocky Marciano and
Ezzard Charles, currently in
distribution through the facili-
ities of United Artists, have
been shown in some 4,500 situ-
ations earning an approximate
$275,000 gross to date, a UA
representative disclosed here
yesterday.

It had been indicated by UA
officials on the eve of the title
bout that over 5,000 bookings
for the films would be had, ex-
ceeding the number of exhibi-
tions which have been reached
by previous fight pictures.

Report 'World' Tops
'Coins' in 2 Spots

Twentieth Century-Fox's Cinema-
Scope production of "Woman's World"
is setting a fast boxoffice pace in
initial theatre engagements across the
country, the company disclosed today.

The picture is besting "Three Coins
''n the Fountain" at the Centre Thea-
tre, Denver, scoring a five-day gross
of $12,600 to top an $8,634 figure
achieved by the previous CincmaScope
hit, it was stated.

"Woman's World" registered $20,540
in three days at the Oriental Theatre,
Chicago, topping heavily a $14,920
gross of "Three Coins in the Foun-
tain," according to the company.

Faith-Documentary
Completed by Short

Negotiations are now in progress for
distribution of "The Mighty Fortress,"
religious-type documentary featuring
Billy Graham, evangelist, production
of which has just been completed by
Paul Short. Short's staff included
Westbrook Van Voorhis, James A.
Prichard, Don Higgins, Dave Cazalet
and Jerry Beavan.

"The story," said Short, "deals with
the phenomenal progress of religion of
all faiths as evidenced in 1954. It
should be a powerful instrument in the
welding of theatre and church."

Ascap Heads Visting
Radio, TV Stations

J. M. Collins, sales manager of
ASCAP, met in Dallas this week
with Stanley Adams, president of the
society, who was returning from the
Ascap West Coast meeting in Los
Angeles.

Adams is making a series of per-
sonal visits with the sales managers
of various TV and radio stations in
the Texas and Louisiana areas, these
calls being in the nature of a public
relations tour.

Reopen Bridgeport House

HARTFORD, Oct. 6.— Loew's Poli-
New England Theatres will relight
the long-shuttered Globe, Bridgeport,
on Friday, according to division man-
ager Harry F. Shaw. Albert Domian,
now assistant at Loew's Poll, Bridge-
port, moves to the Globe as manager.

Miami Trust Trial
Of 6 Distributors
May End by Oct. 15

MIAMI, Oct. 6.— Now in its fourth
week of trial in Federal District court
here, the $9,450,000 treble damage
anti-trust suit brought by Claughton
Theatres against six distribution com-
panies may be concluded by Oct. 15.
The defense is now presenting its case
to the jury,

John F. Caskey, New York attor--
ney, has replaced E. Compton Timber-
lake among defense counsel here.

Shea Circuit Meet
Set for Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 6.— A meet-
ing of managers and home office ex-
ecutives of the Shea Circuit will be
held here at the Roosevelt Hotel on
Oct. 26-28.

The agenda will include emphasis
on the use, control and monitoring of
CinemaScope presentation, especially
in respect to stereophonic sound. Top
item on the agenda will be exploitation
and promotion of the coming product
with emphasis directed specifically to
creation of the "go-to-the-movies" im-
pulse.

UA to Open New
Philadelphia Office

United Artists' new Philadelphia
exchange building will be officially
opened on Monday at ceremonies pre-
sided over by general sales manager
B. G. Krauze and attended by circuit
heads, theatre owners, film buyers and
theatre managers from the area.

Other United Artists sales execu-
tives and representatives attending
the opening will be Eastern division
manager Milton E. Cohen, Eastern
district manager John Turner, Phila-
delphia branch manager Mort Magill
and Mid-Eastern exploitation-pub-
licity-promotion manager Max Miller.

Following the formal dedication of
the new quarters, industry guests will
be feted at a cocktail reception and
luncheon.

Rejects Jury Trial
In Levittown Case

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 6. — Dis-
trict Court Judge Lord has dismissed
the defendants' demands for a jury
trial in the case of Levittown Theatre
vs. Warner Brothers, et al. Judge
Lord said the suit, which is one for
injunctive release, is in equity and
there is no constitutional right for a
jury trial.

Schwartz to Coast

Conferences concerning two of the
first offerings of Distributors Corp.
of America, "Finian's Rainbow" and
"The Viking," will be discussed on
the Coast by president Fred Schwartz,
who left here yesterday for Holly-
Vi'ood, and Milo Frank, producer of
"The Viking," and Burton Lane, com-
poser of the music for "Finian's Rain-
bow."

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher: Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley
Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-.1100 Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley,
President- Martin Ouigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer: Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo T. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News
Editor- Herbert VT Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yitcca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager;
William R Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145; Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A.
Otten National Press Club,' Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address,
"OuisTJubco London " Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres and Theatre Sales, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion
Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter, Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March
3 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in ihe Americas and $12 foreign; single copies, 10c.

Thursday, October 7, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Zanuck

{Continued from page 1)

representatives in the Western states
that "just because our picture produc-
tion is hniited to major releases, do
not think budgets are down.

"Actually," he added, "our costs
have gone up because there can be
no stinting on casts, stories and pro-
duction values when all studios are
trying to outdo each other in top
quality entertainment as they are to-
day."

Zanuck- also declared the box office
revival by CinemaScope provided im-
petus for today's competition.

Zanuck's address concluded a two-
day meeting of western sales execu-
tives, conducted by William Gchring,
general sales manager, who came to
Los Angeles from New York for
the meeting.

Top Sales Executives Present

Other top sales personages at the
sessions were Alex Harrison, Western
sales manager ; Herman Wobber,
Western division sales manager ;
Reville KniiTin, assistant division man-
ager, and branch managers Morris
Sudmin, Los Angeles ; V. J. Dugan,
Denver ; C. F. Powers, Portland ;
Kenneth Lloyd, Salt Lake City ; Jack
Erickson, San Francisco, and Jack
Burk, Seattle.

In his address, Zanuck pointed out
that for each story property that
reaches the screen in its final, Cinema-
Scope form, "two and one-quarter
other properties never make it."

"Sometimes," Zanuck added, "we
buy a property with a specific star in
mind, only to find that for one reason
or another the person we want is not
available when we're ready to shoot.
Rather than put 'just anyone' in the
role, we shelve the project until we
get the man or woman we want."

Zanuck stressed the importance of
pre-sold audiences as a reason for
such studio purchases as "Lord Van-
ity," "A Man Called Peter," "The
Tall Man," and "The Left Hand of
God."

Bridgeport to Have
Its First Drive-in

HARTFORD, Oct. 6. — Seymour
Levine, Connecticut drive-in theatre
operator, has filed an application with
the State Police Commissioner's office
here for authority to build a drive-in
theatre on River St., in Bridgeport.

The project would be the initial out-
door venture for Connecticut's third
largest city.

Levine, planning a Spring opening,
will have capacity for 450 cars.

Color Tube Presented

CLIFTON, N. J., Oct. 6.— The f^rst
21-inch rectangular color television
shadow mask picture tube to be manu-
factured at Du Mont Laboratories, of
which Paramount Pictures is an im-
portant stockholder, has been presented
to Dr. Allen B. Du Mont, company
president. The presentation was made
by F. P. Rice, tube division manager,
and Kenneth Hoagland, chief engineer.

For 35 Years the Leaders

IN SERVICE AND QUALITY

.With Showmen Everywhere!

Reviews

''The Adventures of Hajji Baba"

(Allied Artists-20th Century-Fox)

[CinemaScope]

IAVISHLY produced in CinemaScope and brilliant De Luxe color by
Walter Wanger for Allied Artists, which has turned the film over to 20th
Century-Fox for release, "The Adventures of Hajji Baba" is an eye-filling,
romantic adventure film of the Middle Ages which should delight both young
and old alike and prove to be a good box-office attraction since the "Arabian
Nights" type of legend enjoys wide popularity. Good exploitation angles can
be found in abundance in this picture, which stars John Derek and Elaine
Stewart, and abounds in derring-do, swordplay, intrigue and exotic women
The music, written and directed by Dimitri Tiomkin, and sung by Nat
(King) Cole, should also enjoy much popularity.

In Hollywood's latest trend of announcing the plot of the story prior to
listing the title, cast and credits, the audience is informed that the handsome
young Derek, who portrays a barber, is about to leave his position in search
of a greater fortune. A lean and testy merchant wagers with the rotund
kindly Thomas Gomez, another merchant, that in six months Derek will still
be a barber and later on in the picture, the gamble pays off for Gomez.

Derek at once reminds a viewer that his portrayal is quite similar to the
screen actions of the late Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., who fought and dueled with
his adversaries in a bouncing, ducking, free-for-all style. On his way from
rags to riches, Derek meets the local princess, portrayed by the ever-popular
and sex-appeal personified kid. Miss Stewart, who had disguised herself as a
boy in order to escape from her father's marriage plans. Consummating a
deal in which Derek is to deliver her safely to Paul Picerni, an unsavory
prince, the couple ride on to adventures which lead to romance under desert
skies which are fully enhanced by the panoramic sweep of the CinemaScope
lenses.

The romance between Miss Stewart and Derek ripens when both are cap-
tured, along with the merchant Gomez, by the dreaded Turcomans, a band of
fierce and beautiful women who prey on the passing caravans and road trav-
elers. After a rescue by the men of Picerni's troop, the couple are separated
But, near the end of the film, Derek steals his long-tressed chosen-one away
from Picerni, who is killed in a duel.

Others cast in this spectacular are Amanda Blake, who portrays the leader
of the Turcomans ; Rosemarie Bowe, a long-stemmed dancing girl, and Don
aid Randolph. This picture was produced by Walter Wanger and directed by
Don Weiss. The screenplay was written by Richard Collins and suggested
by James Morier's novel.

Running time, 94 minutes. General audience classification. October release.

Lester Dinoff

Passion

(RKO-Bogeiiiis) HoUyzvood. Oet. 6

WITH a title like "Passion" and a pair of co-stars like Cornel Wilde
and Yvonne DeCarlo a picture like this could mislead a casual observer
of the billing into thinking it's something it isn't. The fact of the matter is
that it's a story about violence and vengeance in California back in the days
of Mexican rule, and the passions concerned are avarice, hate, revenge and
reprisal. The only romance in the piece is in the past tense and completely
decorous. Raymond Burr, Lon Chaney, John Qualen, Rodolfo Acosta and
Anthony Caruso head up the supporting cast. Allan Dwan directed from a
script by Beatrice A. Dresher and Josef Lettes. Box office promise is
moderate.

In the story, Wilde portrays a rancher who learns, on his return from a
cattle drive, that his wife has borne him a son and that a long-time claimant
to his lands has reasserted his demands and has organized a band of
ruffians to enforce his wishes. While Wilde is in town arranging for a church
wedding and a christening (his marriage having been a civil ceremony) the
ruffians attempt to drive his wife, her father, mother, sister and baby from^ the
home, and they kill the first three of these in the attempt. Wilde and his
sister-in-law, believing the baby also was killed, set out on a campaign of
revenge, killing one after another of the ruffians, and wind up on a snow-
topped mountain where the last one has sought refuge and whence the police
have followed the avengers. Both men are wounded, the villain fatally, but
it's been learned on the way that the baby is not dead, as believed, and the
police, having heard from the dying man that the men Wilde has killed were
members of the group that did the original killing, assure Wilde that they'll
be sympathetically inclined when he goes on trial for murder.

The picture is in color (print by Technicolor) and was shot for 1.85-1
aspect ratio. The scenic background of the final 20 minutes or so is beautiful.
Most of the way, however, the killing and counter-killing is front and center.

Running time 84 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Oct. 6. William R. Weaver

'Scratcher' Contest

In cooperation with the Barker
Greeting Card Co., the Rivoli Theatre
here will award 50 back-scratchers of
the type James Stewart uses in Para-
mount's "Rear Window" to as many
persons who provide the longest lists
of logical possible uses for the back
scratchers, it was announced by the
Rivoli's managing director, Montague
Salmon, who sent gift scratchers to
the press this week.

Cancel Ohio Deal

CLEVELAND, Oct. 6. — A last
minute hitch prevented consummation
of the previously announced sale of
Horace Shock's Lima, Gloria and
Sharon Drive-ins of Lima, O., to
Douglas Wick and Robert J. Leaver,
Cleveland attorneys. Shock continues
to operate the theatres and to main-
tain his status as a member of the
board of directors of the Independent
Theatre Owners of Ohio.

People

Lawrence W. Smith and B. Ward
White have been promoted to new
posts in the photofinisher and school
sales division of Eastman Kodak Co.
Smith has been named assistant
manager of the division with re-
sponsibility for amateur color photo-
finishing, while White has been de-
signated as assistant manager in
charge of photofinisher apparatus.

Lindsley Parsons, Jr., assistant
director with Lindsley Parsons Pro-
ductions, and the former Barbara
Wright, of Santa Monica, Cal., are
honeymooning.

Henry Hede and Stewart Barthel-
mess have l)een promoted by the
American Network, the former to
the position of director of sales ser-
vice for the ABC television net-
work and the latter to the same post
in the ABC radio network.

Robert Rancatore is the new stu-
dent booker in the Boston offices
of 20th Century-Fox.

Dr. James Hillier, pioneer in the
development and use of the electron
microscope, has joined the research
and engineering stafif of RCA as an
administrative engineer.

Paul A. Barkmeier will become
president of RCA Estate Appliance
Corp. on Nov. 1, filling the vacancy
resulting from the resignation of
Cecil M. Dunn.

Harry Anger, in charge of tele-
vision production at General Art-
ists, will serve as, chairman of the
talent committee for the forthcom-
ing "Celebrity Parade for Cerebral
Palsy" to be held over WABC-TV
on Oct. 23-Oct. 24.

Art Cauley, Paramount Theatre,
Peterborough, Ont., and George
Shepherd, Odeon Theatre in the
same town, have been awarded life
guest memberships in the Toronto
Variety Tent No. 28 for organizing
a benefit show that provided $550
for the Variety Village Vocational
School for crippled boys.

Harry Woodworth has been ap-
pointed director of the ABC Radio
Network for the Western division.

Don Knell, M-G-M booker in
Charlotte, will enter the U.S. Army
shortly.

'Aida' Hurok's First

A screening of S. Hurok's first
motion picture production, Verdi's
"Aida," in color, will be held at
Bonded Film Studios here tomorrow
for invited guests. A dinner at
Leone's will precede the preview. The
picture will be distributed by I.F.E.
Releasing Corp.

Motion Picture Daily

Thursday, October 7, 1954

Review

''Hansel and Gretel"

(Myerberg)

BECAUSE "Hansel and Gretel" is regarded as one of the world's most
famous stories, it is fitting that Michael Myerberg should use his new ani-
mated puppet process on such a popular and delightful work.

Somewhat reminiscent of the puppets in the old George Pal Puppetoons of
several years ago, here is yet another addition to the advancement of new
screen techniques. These animated figures are fascinating to behold as they
duplicate the movements of the human body with innumerable facial expres-
sions in addition. They are electrically controlled and are seen against ani-
mated backgrounds.

The musical score by Humperdinck is used most efYectively as are many
of the melodies from the opera. However, there is much dialogue so that the
audience is not sated with the music. The voices of the performers used are
perfect for a fairy tale. Constance Brigham plays both title parts and her
deftness in switching from one to the other is remarkable. Mildred Dunnock
is heard as the troubled mother and Frank Rogier as the happy, but poor,
father.

Strangely enough, the most delightful character in the whole picture is the
witch, played by comedienne Anna Russell. The puppet itself is exagger-
atedly, but charmingly, ugly, and Miss Russell plays the part with such zest
and comic ability it's almost a shame that she must have her inevitable demise
in the oven. Some of her "material" would- also seem to go over many
youngsters' heads.

"Hansel and Gretel," in any form, is designed primarily for children, but
this first full-length feature film version should find many appreciative adults
among its audiences. The middle third of the picture may prove rather tedious
going for any but children, but the rest is compensation enough. And the
youngsters should find it a complete and unreserved delight.

The picture was directed by John Paul and adapted for the screen by
Padriac Colum. The Technicolor photography is vivid and is consistent with
the contents of the story. This, along with the fame of the story, the opera
and most especially the new process, should contribute much to its success.

Running time, 75 minutes. General classification. Release date not set.

Canada

(Continued from page 1)

. amusement taxes collected increased
to $685,389 from $540,390.

Community enterprises numbered
669 last year compared with 657 in
1952 and their paid admissions totalled
5,647,668 against 5,363,564. Receipts
advanced to $1,851,685 from $1,702,824,
and amusement taxes collected to
$105,057 from $96,314. Halls serviced
by itinerant operators decreased, with
the number of paid admissions down
to 1,381,655 from 1,487,420. Receipts
fell to $468,562 from $495,584, but
amusement taxes collected advanced
to $31,859 from $30,446.

Motion pictures were exhibited com-
mercially in 3,554 theatres and halls in
Canada last year compared with 3,416
in 1952. The total number to see the
shows decreased to 259,346,837 from
262,963,287, but the amount they paid,
including taxes, rose to an all-time
high of $122,655,068 from $118,434,481.

Representatives for
'Luther' Named

Cresson E. Smith, general sales
manager of Louis de Rochemont As-
sociates, yesterday announced a series
of changes and additions in his organ-
ization of field representatives for the
selling of "Martin Luther."

Robert I. Kronenberg of Manhattan
Films International, Inc., Los Angeles,
has been named to represent the Los
Angeles territory. In Cincinnati, Ed-
ward Salzberg of Screen Classics, Inc.,
will represent the picture.

David Emanuel of Phoenix Films,
Inc., New York City, will sell the pic-
ture in the Albany and Buffalo ex-
change areas. Kay Film Exchanges,
Atlanta and New Orleans, will cover
the Atlanta and New Orleans terri-
tories.

Frank Mantzke, Minneapolis, has
been named to represent "Martin Lu-
ther" in the Milwaukee zone, and
Bernard Rubin of Imperial Pictures,
Cleveland, will sell the picture in that
^territory.

A final addition to the "Martin Lu-
ther" stafif is John Kane of Concordia
Pictures, Indianapolis, to sell the pic-
ture in the Indianapolis exchange area.

AMPP Press Meeting
Scheduled for Today

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 6. — Eric
Johnston, president of the Motion Pic-
ttire Association of America, follow-
ing talks with AMPP board chairman
Y. Frank Freeman and other officials,
called press conference for tomorrow
morning at association headquarters.

'Luther' Back to Guild

"Martin Luther," the Louis de
Rochemont production will open for
an extended popular price run at the
Guild Theatre here on Oct. 15. It
was at the same theatre a year ago
when the original showing chalked up
a 14-week run at advanced admissions.

*Star' Premiere on TV

A special telecast will be presented
over WABC-TV Channel 7 of the
two-theatre formal New York pre-
miere of Warner Brothers' "A Star
Is Born" next Monday night. The
premiere will take place at both the
Paramount and the Victoria Thea-
tres and WABC will station camera
crews in front of each theatre.

Film Advtg.

{Continued from page 1)

and civic leaders. Representatives of
those groups, as well as theatre rep-
resentatives, have been asked to attend
tomorrow's meeting.

The advertising objected to, said
McCafifrey, is used largely in connec-
tion with "immoral, crime and gang-
ster" pictures.

The present move against the ad-
vertising marks the second time in re-
cent months that concerted objections
have been voiced against this type of
publicity.

AA*s 'Mathias' to
Aid Olympic Fund

As its contribution to National
Olympic Day which will be celebrated
on Oct. 15, Allied Artists has an-
nounced that it will donate receipts
from special showings of "The Bob
Mathias Story" to the United States
Olympic Committee.

Prints of the film will be available
to the committee for special showings
across the country. The receipts from
these showings will contribute to the
fund drive to allay the cost of equip-
ping and transporting the United
States' 1956 Olympic team.

Makelim Plan

(Continued from page 1)

of each film, and at this date 2,700
theatres have joined the new produc-
tion plan.

An arithmetic computation would
show that the 2,700 theatres have com-
mitted themselves to the tune of
$4,600,800.

This estimate was made as Makelim
left here to attend the national conven-
tions of Theatre Owners of America
and Allied States Association, stop-
ping of¥ at Dallas, New Orleans and
Atlanta for talks with exhibitors.

ITOO Protest

(Continued from page 1)

16mm. versions of their films to tele-
vision.

If they must sell to these accounts,
Wile asks in the bulletin, why can't
they demand 50 to 70 per cent as they
do from theatrical accounts?

A 20th Century-Fox home office
executive said yesterday that the films
had been sold to the Historical Society
with the provision that they would be
made available only to members. If
investigation shows this provision has
been violated, he said, film service to
the organization will be discontinued.
He said the films involved belonging
to his company are either documen-
taries or of the "Rebecca of Sunny-
brook Farm" type.

Devine Elected

(Continued from page 1)

presidency to devote his full time
to union activities as a statistician.

Moss said that Edward Dewitt of
RKO Pictures home office has been
elected to fill Devine's former vice-
presidency post.

On or about Dec. 1, local H-63 will
move to new and larger offices at
750 Eighth Avenue, Moss said. The
union offices are presently located at
1674 Broadway.

Studio Craft Wages
Increased in August

HOLLYAVOOD, Oct. 6. — Craft
workers in the film studios averaged
$129.80 in weekly earnings during Au-
gust as compared with the average
July weekly wage of $122.20, the Cali-
fornia Department of Industrial Rela-
tions revealed in its monthly report.
The work week averaged, 43.9 in both
instances, the report said.

Tax Appeal

(Continued from page 1)

ment and held the New York City
levy to be constitutional and valid, but
Judge Stoddart suggested to the ex-
hibitors that they take the suit to the
higher court, and pending the appeal,
to continue withholding the tax break-
age from the city.

The exhibitor appeal of Supreme
Court Justice Nicholas M. Pette's
temporary injunction, filed in the Ap-
pellate Division in August by the tliea-
tre counsels, is now academfc and falls
by the wayside. The hearing on this
new appeal will bring up all aspects
of the case, including the Pette in-
junction appeal in which the exhibitor
attorneys contend that the court did
not go far enough in curbing the five
per cent tax and its major fraction
issue.

Johnston in Group
For Atomic Study

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6.— Motion
Picture Association president Eric
Johnston is one of a dozen American
businessmen and financiers who have
formed a group to study investment
possibilities in the peacetime future of
atomic energy.

Others in the group, whose forma-
tion was announced this week, are
Harvey S. Firestone, Jr. ; former Un-
dersecretary of Defense Roger M.
Kyes, Gardner Cowles, Hoyt Ammi-
don and Nathan W. Pearson. The
group has retained Robert LeBaron,
former chairman of the Military Liai-
son Committee of the Atomic Energy
Commission, to make continuing stud-
ies of various industrial and commer-
cial possibilities of peacetime use of
atomic energy both in the U. S. and
abroad.

Want Mass, Censor
Case in State Court

BOSTON, Oct. 6.— The defendants
in the RKO Radio Pictures censor-
ship case, the Commissioner of Public
Safety, the mayors of Boston and
Lynn and other state officials, have
filed motions to dismiss the case from
the U.S. District Court, claiming that
remedy for the complaint should be
in the state court and not in the Fed-
eral Court, and that RKO, as a dis-
tributor has no right to sue the de-
fendants who grant licenses to show
films to exhibitors only.

The court has given the defendants
until Oct. 13 to file briefs and to pre-
pare arguments regarding this matter,
and likewise, has given the attorneys
for the plaintiflf an additional two
weeks to reply to the arguments and
briefs. The court will then decide
whether the case should be heard in
the Federal Court or should be
brought up in the Suffolk Superior
Court in Boston.

RKO had sued over the banning of
"The French Line."

$17,500 2nd Week
Gross for 'Bread*

In spite of stiff competition from
unseasonally hot weather and season-
ally hot interest in the World Series,
"Bread, Love and Dreams" finished
a second record breaking week at the
Paris Theatre here with business
better than $17,500, IFE reports.

I';

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VOL. 76. NO. 70

NEW YORK, U. S. A., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1954

TEN CENTS

Film Clinics Set

U.S. Control
Tops AUied's
'54 Convention

Board Meets Sun.-Mon.;
Convention, Tues.-Thurs.

By J. A. OTTEN

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7. — Allied
States Association's proposal for Fed-
eral regulation of the film industry
will be the top topic for both the
board meeting and general convention
in Milwaukee starting Sunday, gen-
eral counsel Abram F. Myers said
here today.

The board meets Sunday and Mon-
day at the Schroeder Hotel, with
Allied's silver anniversary convention
following on Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday. The affair will climax with
the annual convention banquet Thurs-
day night.

Myers will submit to the board
meeting his proposed bill for Federal
(Continued on page 6)

Youngstein Abroad
For 'Contessa'

Max E. Youngstein, vice-president
of United Artists, will fly to Europe
over the weekend to set campaigns
heralding international premieres of
"The Barefoot Contessa."

To chart the advertising, publicity
and exploitation activities, Youngstein
will confer with UA's top promotion
and sales executives in Paris, London
and Rome.

The first overseas premiere of "The
Barefoot Contessa" will be held at
the Odeon Leicester Square in Lon-
don on Nov. 4 and will open in prin-
cipal cities throughout the Continent
shortly thereafter.

Owners' ^Ultimatum'
Going to Minn. Union

special to THE DAILY
MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 7.— Minne-
apolis independent theatre owners
will either close their houses or oper-
ate on an open shop basis if a new
contract with Local 219, lATSE, is
not signed prior to the Nov. 30 dead-
line, it was learned from a reliable
source today.

Angered by the union's demand for
an increase of five per cent the first
year and five per cent for each of the
second and third years, the exhibitors
(Continued on page 6)

TOA Weighs Bid to Join
Allied on Gov't Control

Allied to Re-Elect
Officers Next Feb.

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 7. — Al-
lied States Association's winter
board meeting will take place in
St. Louis immediately before or
immediately after Allied's sec-
ond national drive-in conven-
tion. The drive-in convention
will be held at the Chase Hotel,
Feb. 7-10.

Allied's annual election of offi-
cers is held at the winter board
meeting. Since Allied presidents
and other officers traditionally
serve for two years, it is ex-
pected that Ben Marcus of this
city and his current slate of offi-
cers all will be re-elected for a
second term.

Montague, Lichtman
Allied Speakers

special to THE DAILY
MILWAUKEE, Oct. 7.— Abe Mon-
tague, Columbia general sales man-
ager ; Al Lichtman, head of 20th Cen-
tury-Fox distribution, and William F.
Rodgers, former M-G-M general sales
manager, now adviser to Allied Art-
ists, will be guest speakers at Allied
States' annual convention here next
week.

Special interest in Allied circles at-
taches to Montague's appearance on
the program inasmuch as he, with Ben
Kalmenson, Warner Bros, general
(Continued on page 6)

Marcus Letter to Reade Presses for Action
On United Exhibitor Front to Gain Rentals
Regulation; Decision Seen Up to TOA Board

Tlieatre Owners of .A.merica, as a
Marcus, president of Allied States, is
in the near future on the question

New Type Lens
From Holland

A new type anamorphic lens, devel-
oped in Holland and known as the
Deh'ama, will be marketed in this
country shortly, it was reported here
yesterday following a series of private
demonstrations conducted for technical
people.

The lens is said to be not variable
and is designed to show pictures in
an aspect ratio of 2.55 to 1. It is
neither cylindrical nor prismatic, but
has its basis on a two-quartz fused re-
flector surface.

Cost of the lens is reported to be
less than those currently on the
market. Distribution channels are now
being negotiated and an announce-
ment is expected to be made shortly
regarding sales outlet. Only a "tool
room" model is in this country now,
but technicians who witnessed the
demonstrations said that they were
impressed by the possibilities of what
they saw.

The lens was invented by Doctor
Bauer of Holland.

^Emeritus' Status for Breen

result of prodding this week by Ben
certain to respond one way or another
whether it will go along with Allied
on the proposal of the latter to seek
Federal regulation of film distribu-
tion.

The effort to draw TOA into the
program, as reported by Motion Pic-
ture Daily on Sept. 17, was first
broached informally at a hush-hush
meeting of exhibitor organization
leaders at the Blackstone Hotel, Chi-
cago, last month.

This week, Marcus made the
attempt not only official but
public, as well, by addressing a
direct plea to Walter Reade, Jr.,
TOA president, to go along
with Allied's Federal regulation
plan and by releasing the letter
to the trade press for publica-
tion before it had been received
by Reade.

The TOA president could not be
reached for comment yesterday but
the Marcus letter was addressed to
him at TOA's headquarters here. In-
quiry at that office yesterday morning
brought the statement that Marcus's
letter had not yet been received.
Reade had not attended last month's
meeting in Chicago. TOA was repre-
sented there by Alfred Starr of Nash-
ville and George Kerasotes of Spring-
field, 111.

Among the Allied representatives
present at the meeting were Marcus,
(Continued on page 6)

Johnston Proposals Treat
Code Fee^ Academy Deficit

By Staff Correspondent

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 7. — Eric Johnston, president of the Motion Pic-
ture Association of America, at a press conference held here toda}^, out-
lined the specific recommendations which he planned to submit to studio
heads at a dinner to be held later in

the Beverly Hills Hotel.

In addition to the three recommen-
dations, which concern matters closest
to Hollywood professional interest,
Johnston will present at the dinner a
complete report on industry conditions,
foreign and domestic.

Possibly uppermost in Hollywood

professional interest is the need for
raising Production Code Administra-
tion service charges to meet overhead
e.xpenses affected by the shrinkage in
production. Johnston said he favors a
sliding scale for PCA inspection based
on picture budgets, but did not supply
(Continued on page 4)

Harris, Hoover to
Head NCCJ Drive

John H. Harris, president of the
Harris Amusement Co. of Pittsburgh,
has accepted the chairmanship of the
1955 campaign of the motion picture
industry for the National Conference
of Christian and Jews. Harris, who
was the founder of the Variety Clubs
and is now international Big Boss, will
be assisted in the campaign by George
Hoover, international chief barker of
the Variety Clubs, who will serve aa
vice-chairman.

The campaign committee invited
Harris to serve as chairman at a plan-
ning session which was held here on
Sept. 23.

Motion Picture Daily

Friday, October 8, 1954

Personal
Mention

JULES LEVEY, independent pro-
ducer and distributor, has returned
here from Los Angeles and San Fran-
cisco.

•

George Weltner, president of Para-
mount Liternational, will leave New
York by plane today for Paris.
•

James King, Robert Toby, George
Gall, John Leeds and Rudolpei
Frank, of the production staff of
Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten Com-
mandments," will arrive in New York
from Hollywood over the weekend
enroute to Cairo, Egypt.

•

GiNA Lollobrigida, who was sched-
uled to leave here by plane for Italy
today, has extended her stay in New
York for a week.

•

Milly Vitali, Italian actress who
arrived in Nev/ York yesterday from
the Coast, will leave here on Sunday
bv plane for Rome.

•

John Starbuck, Paramount chore-
ographer, will leave New York tomor-
vow for Hollywood.

•

Jesse Kaye, M-G-M Records rep-
resentative, has returned to the Coast
from New York.

•

John Mici-iael Hayes, writer, has
left Montpelier, Vt., for Hollywood.

Judy Garland
from the Coast.

has arrived lieri

20th Sets 'Carmen'
Distribution Plans

A "custom tailored" distribution
program has been set for "Carmen
Jones" by 20th Century-Fox with the
CinemaScope musical slated to bow
initially this month in three key situa-
tions, one in the East, one in the Mid-
west and one on the West Coast, pre-
ceding national release in December.

The trio of showcase engagements
will be in New York, Chicago and
Los Angeles and will serve as hubs
of territorial openings of the Otto
Preminger color by De Luxe produc-
tion in December following campaign
patterns established in each of the
three situations.

I'Carmen Jones" will open on Oct.
28 at the Rivoli Theatre, New York ;
shortly thereafter in Chicago, in a
theatre to be announced ; and will fol-
low with a twin opening in Los An-
geles, at the Wilshire and Los Angeles
Theatres, on Nov. 4.

Heavy Promotion Planned

Each of the engagements will be
given important promotional treatment
climaxed by Hollywood-styled open-
ings attended by stars and covered by
TV, radio and newsreels, 20th-Fox
announced. The film's Rivoli Theatre
playdate is receiving a strong advance
campaign in which producer Premin-
ger and stars Dorothy Dandridge,
Harry Belafonte and Olga James are
engaging in an intensive program of
press interviews and guest appearances
on a score of TV and radio programs.

AA Invites Censor
To View 'Jungle'

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 7.— Al-
lied Artists, refusing to delete
"The Human Jungle" dance se-
quence which got the picture
barred by Memphis censor
Lloyd T. Binford, instructed its
Memphis branch manager, Dai-
ley Prichard, to invite Binford
to view picture personally, as
the ban was invoked on the
basis of reports from three Bin-
ford subordinates.

If the situation remains unre-
solved, it is understood, AA will
play the film in West Memphis.

'Star' Set in Twelve
RKO Situations

The world iiremiere of Warners
"A Star Is Born" at the RKO Pan-
tages Theatre in Hollywood, was the
first of twelve engagements scheduled
for the RKO Theatres' circuit.

The next three openings were set
at the Orpheum, Minneapolis ; Or-
pheum, St. Paul and the Orpheum,
New Orleans. Other premiere show-
ings will take place this month at the
Albee, Cincinnati ; Palace, Columbus ;
Orpheum, Davenport ; Orpheum, Des
Moines ; Palace, Rochester ; Orpheum,
Sioux City ; Keith's, Syracuse ; and
the Lincoln, Trenton.

The two-theatre New York opening
will be held Monday night.

One of the biggest over-all adver-
tising campaigns is planned for "A
Star Is Born" in each of the RKO
cities.

NT Declares Its First
Quarterly Dividend

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 7.— National
Theatres board of directors today de-
clared a dividend of 12^ cents per
share on the outstanding common
stock, payable Nov. 4th to stockhold-
ers of record on Oct. 21.

This is first quarterly dividend de-
clared by the company, and the first
dividend declared during the current
fiscal year, which began Sept. 26.

Wallis Back to Coast

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 7. — Hal
Wallis, who will put "The Rose Tat-
too" into production at Paramount
next month, has returned to his Holly-
wood office after an extensive business
trip to New York and Europe during
the past several weeks. During his
trip he held conferences with Anna
Magnani, who will make her first
American appearance in "The Rose
Tattoo," and Tennessee Williams, au-
thor of the play upon which tlie screen
version is based.

Jane Russell in P. A.

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 7. — Jane
Russell, star of RKO's "The Big
Rainbow," will make personal appear-
ances in connection with the world
premiere of the film at the Fox Thea-
tre, St. Louis, on Dec. 21, it was an-
nounced here this week.

"The Big Rainbow" will serve as
the vehicle to introduce SuperScope,
the new wide-screen projection system.

London Showing of
SuperScope Tuesday

LONDON, Oct. 7.— Demonstrations
of the SuperScope lens will be given
here next Tuesday at J. Arthur Rank's
Tottenham Court Road Odeon with
Joseph Tushinsky and Walter Bran-
son, RKO Radio's worldwide sales
head, presiding.

The lens is being marketed this side
by RKO-Radio, whose London man-
ager, Robert S. Wolff, has circularized
every exhibitor in the country with de-
tailed specifications of the process. No
price has yet been fixed for the lens.
Wolff however says that he has hopes
of manufacturing the lens here.

Demand for Standardization

The claim is made that SuperScope
will accommodate any anamorphic
squeeze print up to a ratio of 3:1, but
an urgent demand for an agreed stand-
ardization of print ratios grows among
exhibitors here. The majority of thea-
tremen favour a ratio of 1.85:1 and a
formal ultimatum that all films be
available in that ratio is likely to be
issued bv CEA in the near future.

4 Start, 5 Finished;
34 Films in Work

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 7.— Four new
pictures were started the past week;
five pictures were completed, for a
total of 34 pictures now before the
cameras.

Started were : "The Man From
Laramie," William Goetz, Cinema-
Scope, Technicolor, and "Cell 2455"
(Columbia) ; "Santa Fe Passage,"
Truecolor, and "Magic Fire," True-
color (Republic).

Completed were
Sun," Paal-Arion
Stereo, Gevacolor
"The Glass Tomb,
pert) ; "Eddie Foy and the Seven Lit
tie Foys," VistaVision, Technicolor
(Paramount) ; "Untamed," Cinema-
Scope, Technicolor, and "Prince of
Players," CinemaScope, Color (20th
Century-Fox).

"Dance in the
Prods., Klang
(Independent) ;
Hammer (Lip-

/. F. O'Gara to N, Y.
Buena Vista Post

James V. O'Gara has been appointed
special home office sales representative
for Buena Vista, it was announced by
Leo F. Samuels, president of the Dis-
ney distribution subsidiary. O'Gara
will make his headquarters in New
York, where his activities will be di-
rected by Irving H. Ludwig, the com-
pany's domestic sales manager.

O'Gara formerly was with 20th
Century-Fox as manager of offices in
Trinidad and Chile. He was also
South American sales supervisor and
domestic eastern sales manager for
Republic Pictures.

Canadian Shipments

OTTAWA, Oct. 7.— Canadian Gov-
ernment reports shipments of films to
foreign markets declined to $2,639,000
in the first eight months of 1954 in
contrast to $2,880,000 in the same
period of 1953. Film exports rose to
$334,000 in August against $211,000
in July; $302,000 in June, and $186,-
000 in August last year.

'Daily' Thanked for
Israel Bond Aid

To THE EdITOK of

Motion Picture Daily :

May I extend the deep appreciation
of the entire Israel Bond organization
to you and the staff of the Motion
Picture Daily for the wide coverage
given to the testimonial dinner for
Barney Balaban which was held last
month.

As you may know, the dinner was
sponsored by the Metropolitan Coun-
cil of B'nai B'rith in behalf of the
State of Israel Bond Drive. The over-
whelming success of the dinner, both
as an industrial affair and a major
effort to aid Israel, we feel reflects in
large measure the interest shown by
your publication.

Proceeds of the Israel Bund Issue
constitute the major source of capital
for Israel's economic development.
The wide publicity given to the dinner
by your paper, therefore, can be said
to have played an important role in
advancing the progress of a sister
democracy.

Please convey to all concerned our
heartfelt thanks and appreciation for
the splendid job done.

Harry Seeve,
Director, Greater New

York Committee,
State of Israel Bonds ^

New York, N. Y., Oct. 6, 1954.

Flinn, Wirthwein to Chi.

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 7.— John C.
Flinn, Allied Artists advertising-pub-
licity director, and Harold Wirthwein,
Western division sales manager, will
leave Hollyv\'ood on Tuesday for Chi-
cago, where they will attend the com-
pany's sales meeting, which is sched-
uled to open Thursday at the Black-
ston Hotel.

Dietz on CBS Monday

Howard Dietz, vice-president of
Loew's, will be heard on the CBS
radio network from 11 :30 to 11 :45
A.M. on Monday. As celebrity guest
on "Make Up Your Mind," Dietz
will discuss the handling of tempera-
mental stars.

NEW YORK THEATRES

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL_

Rockefeller Center

"BRIG ADOO^S"

in Color and CinemaScope slarrine
GENE KELLY • VAN JOHNSON

CYD CHARISSE with ELAINE STEWART

An M-G-M Picture
i SPECUCULAS STAGE PREStNUTIOH

Starring Alibi

STERLING HAYDENUIAGRAHAME

8 WAY
dt

I 43ra ST.

by Quigley
- ligl
News

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley. Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays. Sundays and hohdays. . - - . -
Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center. New York 20, N. Y Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Ouigpubco, New York. Martin Uuigley,
President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo L Brady, Secretary; Al bteen.
Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel. Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager;
William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145; Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A.
Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address,
"Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres and Theatre Sales, each published 13 times a year
Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter, Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York
3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in fhe Americas and $12 foreign; single copies, 10c.

N. Y.,

as a section of Motion
under the act of March

21 1 Main St.
YUMA. ARIZONA

Dear Mr. Wolf :-

This may be a testimonial letter Mr. Blumberg will prize.

Some weeks ago, we discontinued trailer service for a couple
of reasons. (a) We had the opportunity in our contract,
(b) We wanted a test of their value, and (c) finances.

We have decided that we definitely made a mistake; that the
very least we can say for trailers is that they pay for
themselves, and no theatre should be without them.
In addition to their sales ability, they are a subject
comparable to a short subject; people like to see them and
miss them when they are removed.

Will you kindly write us up a new contract at the usual
terms, and get trailers headed our way as soon as possible.

Thanks and regards.

Motion Picture Daily

Friday, October 8, 1954

Johnston

(^Continued from page 1)

details. The present method is by
bracketed groups based on production
costs, with the top category beginning
at $500,000. Speculation is that a new
category with a higher base line might
be contemplated.

Closely associated with the code fee
proposal, in Hollywood interest, is the
possibility that PCA director Joseph I.
Breen may be given "emeritus" status
and Geoffrey Shurlock promoted to
directorship. Johnston said he will
recommend this and expects complete
approval.

Answering questions, Johnston said
he will recommend that the industry
allocate money in the required amount
to wipe out the deficit now confronting
the Academy of Motion Picture Arts
and Sciences, as was done years ago.
The amount, he said, is "roughly
$100,000." The decision on whether or
not to aid the Academy Award activ-
ity will be made later on and after
re-examination, he added.

Expects Acceptance

Johnston said he anticipates no re-
sistance to these recommendations and
expects to take back a favorable re-
port to the MPAA board, which has
the final voice in the matter.

Johnston, while hailing the renewed
progress of the industry, cited the rise
of many new problems and the neces-
sity for many economies in the con-
duct of the business. Among the lat-
ter, he mentioned a move for the com-
bining of distribution facilities of all
companies into a single over-all sys-
tem for shipping locally and overseas.
He predicted that the plan would be
tried shortly.

Johnston will leave here Monday
night for San Francisco enroute to
Washington, with a stopover in Chi-
cago.

Foreign Trade Meet
To Draw Industry

Representatives of the industry are
scheduled to be in attendance at the
41st national foreign trade convention
at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel here on
Nov. 15-17 where conditions affecting
U.S. international trade and invest-
ment issues will be discussed.

It is expected that officials repre-
senting the Motion Picture Export
Association, Independent Motion Pic-
ture Distributors Association, Society
of Motion Picture Producers and pos-
sibly representatives of I.F.E. Releas-
ing Corp. will attend some of the ses-
sions.

Shackleford Again
Heads Alberta Assn,

_ TORONTO, Oct. 7.— In prepara-
tion for the annual convention here on
Nov. 22 of the national committee of
the Motion Picture Exhibitors Asso-
ciations of Canada, the annual meeting
of the Alberta Theatres Association
was held at the Macdonald Hotel, Ed-
monton, where Mayor A. W. Shackle-
ford of Lethbridge, partner-manager
of Famous Players, was reelected
president.

L. J. Chown, Strand Theatre, Cal-
gary, was named secretary-treasurer
for the 11th year. President Shackle-
ford, secretary Chown and vice-presi-
dent Douglas Miller of Tabor, Alta.,
will represent Alberta exhibitors at
Toronto.

Reade Circuit Books
Legitimate Shows

OAKHURST, N. J., Oct. 7. —
Walter Reade Theatres is embarking
on an extensive season of stage pres-
entations with "Tea and Sympathy,"
the Ballet Theatre, "Oklahoma" and
.he Spanish Ballet already booked, it
was announced by Walter Reade, Jr.,
circuit president.

Reade, in announcing the stage
policy, declared that this is the first
ime that the circuit has entered a
Fall season with so many legitimate
attractions booked.

Start Set for Oct. 28

' The national company of "Tea and
Sympathy" will start its cross-country
tour at tlie St. James Theatre in
Asbury Park, N. J., with a total of
three performances on Nov. 5 and 6.
The Ballet Theatre will perform at
the Broadway Theatre in Kingston,
N. Y., on Oct. 28; on Dec. 11 at the
Majestic Theatre in Perth Amboy,
N. J., and Dec. 10th at the St. James
Theatre.

The Spanish Ballet will play four
Reade houses, the Oxford in Plain-
field, N. J., on Dec. 3, the Broadway
.n Kingston, on Dec. 2, and the St.
James on March 11, and the Majestic
on March 12. "Oklahoma" will appear
at the Oxford Theatre in Plainfield,
N. J. on Oct. 29 and 30.

Gilbert and Sullivan Scheduled

In addition, the circuit has com-
pleted arrangements with the Mon-
mouth Arts Foundation, a nonprofit
cultural organization in Red Bank,
N. J., to present four shows at its
Carlton Theatre there, starting with
"An Evening with Agnes Moorehead"
on Nov. 16th. These will be followed
by performances of "The Little Foxes"
by the Monmouth Players, a local
professional acting group on March
15 and a performance of the Gilbert
and Sullivan "Pirates of Penzance" on
May 24. The Foundation will also
sponsor a motion picture show in the
circuit's "Curtain at 8 :40" series of
foreign films in April.

Review

Howco Expanding
Offices in South

NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 7.— Besides
announcing the start of production on
"Kentucky Rifles," Joy N. Houck, co-
head of Howco Productions, also said
that the organization is opening an ex
change office in Memphis for the pur-
chase and distribution of independent
films.

Handling the production of "Ken-
tucky Rifles" is Carl Hidelman and
associate producer Ira Webb.

Houck said that the opening of the
Memphis exchange enables Howco
Productions to have outlets in six areas j
— Charlotte, Dallas, Atlanta, Jackson-
ville, Memphis and New Orleans. As-
sociated with Houck are Harold
Cohen, Lippert franchise owner in
New Orleans, and Francis J. White,
co-owner of Consolidated Theatres in
the Carolinas.

100 Dallas Drive-ins
In 'Ribbon' Dates

Over 100 drive-ins will participate
in the saturation bookings of RKO's
"She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" in the
Dallas area beginning Oct. 31, it was
announced by Walter Branson, RKO's
world-wide general sales manager.

This is the first mass regional drive-
in booking of the John Wayne reissue
since the New England area premiere.
When all active drive-in territories
are covered, the John Ford Techni-
color release will bo withdrawn until
the beginning of the outdoor season
next year.

According to present plans, the Los
Angeles area will be next territory
covered.

New FPC Art House

TORONTO, Oct. 7.— The North
End Avenue Theatre, 680 seats, oper-
ated in partnership with Famous
Players, becomes Toronto's latest art
house today with the opening of the
Canadian-produced "Ti-Coq" in the
French language.

People

Cy Donegan, Jr., has been named
New York sales manager of Minot
TV, Inc., by Charles Amory, presi-
dent. Donegan has been with Mo-
tion Pictures for Television for the
last two years and will continue to
sell product just acquired from
MPTV.

Scott Lett has been appointed
Southeastern sales representative
for Filmakers Releasing Organiza-
tion.

Kendall Way, first assistant chief
Barker of the Dallas Variety Club,
has been given the R. J. O'Donnell
Award which is presented annually
in appreciation of efforts in behalf
of the tent's Boys Ranch and other
charities.

J. A. Milling, of Howard W. Sams
& Co., has been reappointed chair-
man of the jobber relations commit-
tee of the Radio-Electronics-Tele-
vision Manufacturers Association.

Clyde Williams of the Dallas
Variety Club won the low score
honors in the tent's annual golf
tournament in which almost 100
players competed.

Harold Lawrence has been named
assistant manager of Parker's
Broadway Theatre in Portland, Ore

C. G. (Hickey) Lawing, projec-
tionist for National Theatre Supply
Co. in Charlotte, has just become
the grandfather of twin girls.

Don Hassod is the new assistant
manager at the New Fox Theatre,
Portland, Ore.

Paul Smith will conduct a 52-
piece orchestra to record his score
of Walt Disney's "20,000 Leagues
Under the Sea."

UA Sets Staff of
20 Exploiteers

United Artists has assigned a force
of 20 exploitation men to the field to
set up regional openings of "Suddenly"
and "Sitting Bull."

Cities covered by the exploiteers,
working under the direction of United
Artists exploitation manager Mori
Krushen, are Seattle, Portland (Ore.),
San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix,
Denver, Salt Lake City, Kansas City,
St. Louis, Milwaukee, Chicago, Cleve-
land, Pittsburgh, New Orleans,
Houston, Atlanta, Memphis, Omaha,
Little Rock and Des Moines, as well
as key cities throughout the New
England territory.

'Contessa' Chicago Date

"The Barefoot Contessa" will have
its midv\rest premiere at the United
Artists Theatre in Chicago on Oct. 20,

'*Angelika'*

{Joseph Brenner)

THIS latest German import seems more closely akin to the American
soap opera. It has almost all the ingredients including fear, hope, frustra-
tion, several moments of joy, much misery and an abundance of love. And
luckily for the picture it has for its star the lovely and talented Maria Schell
who has been seen here in a few British films.

Miss Schell's fragile beauty and rare, warm smile light up the screen
whenever she appears. She prevents the contrived and unrealistic story from
becoming excessively maudlin. "Angelika" is not ideal fare for the art
houses, but it won't bore the audience and Miss Schell is certainly worth
recommending.

The story tells of a young lady, played by the star, who has an incurable
disease. Her nurse's fiancee, a noted research doctor, has discovered a serum
which relieves pain and fear. The girl rallies and quickly falls in love
with the man who has helped her. Knowing that this is but a temporary aid
the good doctor proceeds to work feverishly to discover a cure for hei
affliction.

Miss Schell wants to marry the doctor so much that her nurse agrees, if
it will mean some happiness for the dying girl. After their marriage, the
doctor not only discovers the cure, but it's an unqualified success. He then
realizes that their marriage is not one-sided. This, however, leaves the nurse
out in the cold, so to speak. Her unpleasant situation is neatly solved, too,
with as little plausibility as the preceding events.

Although the plot has whiskers on it, the interest is generally sustained.
In support of Miss Schell is Dieter Borsche as the doctor and Heidemarie
Hatheyer as the nurse, both performing competently. The picture was
written by Thea Von Harbou and is a Friedrich A. Mainz production. Joseph
Brenner Associates is presenting it in the U.S. A dubbed version will be
released shortly in addition to this one with good English subtitles.

Running time, 99 minutes. General classification. Released in September.

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Motion picture Daily

Friday, October 8, I

Speakers

{Continued from page 1)

sales manager, was singled out for the
strongest kind of criticism by Allied's
emergency committee which met with
major company general sales man-
agers in their New York offices prior
to Allied's White Sulphur Springs,
W. Va., board meeting last August.

It was at the White Sulphur
Springs meeting that Allied's board
iurthered its plan to seek Federal
regulation of distribution. The Allied
committee reported that Montague and
Kalmenson, of all the sales executives
interviewed on policies by the com-
mittee, alone showed no sympathy for
exhibition problems and made no offer
of conciliation or compromise.

Lichtman, Reagan Praised

Lichtman, along with Charles M.
Reagan, Loew's-M-G-M vice-president
in charge of distribution, was singled
out for praise in the committee's re-
port for interest shown and indicated
willingness to help wherever legitimate
assistance could be given.

The three sales executives are
scheduled to appear at the Wednesday
afternoon business session immediately
following the annual report of Allied's
president, Ben Marcus of this city.

Equipment and new processes are
given a prominent place on the con-
vention program with a demonstration
of Perspecta sound scheduled for next
Thursday morning at the Riverside
Theatre here, and afternoon talks the
same day on VistaVision by a Para-
mount official, and on Perspecta sound
by a Loew's official.

^Ultimatum'

{Continued from page 1)

have countered with a demand that
the projectionists submit to a 25 per
cent cut, one man in a booth, and an
"early termination" of negotiations.

The increase sought would mean 10
to 30 dollars additional per booth per
week.

Three years ago negotiations opened
in the fall and dragged on until spring,
with the operators collecting large
checks for retroactive pay.

"There will be no retroactive wages
this time unless it is a retroactive
cut," one exhibitor said grimly.

It was also learned that the inde-
pendent theatre owners have unani-
mously signed an agreement backing
the negotiation committee headed by
Ted Mann, owner of the World Thea-
tre, Loop art house, agreeing to shut
or run open shop unless a new con-
tract is signed by the Nov. 30 dead-
line.

The matter of salary is still open
to negotiation, but the deadline is not.
The ultimatum on the deadline is ex-
pected to be given to the union mo-
mentarily.

Goetz Buys Novel

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 7. — "The
Brothers Ricco," current novel by the
French author, Simenon, has been
purchased by William Goetz Produc-
tions and placed on the company's
1955 schedule for Columbia Pictures.
Peter Vicrtel has been signed to write
the screenplay and Robert Parrish will
direct.

Award to 'Star'

"Parents' Magazine" has awarded
its Medal of Special Merit to Warner
brothers' "A Star Is Born."

Gov '/ Control Top Convention Itemj

{Continued from page 1)

regulation, he said, "but it is not ex-
pected that the board will act on this
until it has been presented to the con-
vention and the reaction of the dele-
gates has been seen."

Presumably the convention will be
asked its views and the board will
affirm whatever action the convention
takes before the meeting breaks up.

Other main topics up before the
board, according to Myers, who also
is chairman, will be the print shortage
and high film rentals "which have
caused an exhibition crisis that crosses
organization lines and extends
throughout the country." Myers said
regional vice-presidents would report
on conditions in their areas and par-
ticularly on whether there have been
any changes since Allied's special

committee met with distribution
officials in New Y^)rk in August.

Another key question for the
board will be to decide whether
to renew Allied's membership
in the Council of Motion Pic-
ture Organizations, for how
long, and on what terms and
conditions. Allied's one-year
membership expires this month.

The board will also discuss the
matter of engaging a Southern re-
search firm to study and report on
the merits of certain items of equip-
ment put out by difTerent manufac-
turers.

Myers will be the keynote speaker
at the convention which it is estimated
will draw approximately 750 delegates.

Ben Marcus, president of Allied,
declared that it was fitting that Myers,

TOA Ponders Allied's Bid

{Contimied from page 1)

Abram Myers, Allied chairman ; Wil-
bur Snaper and Trueman Rernbusch.

Last Aug. 26 while the Allied
board was meeting at White
Sulphur Springs, W. Va., at
which time the move for Fed-
eral regulation was formalized,
Reade was interviewed by
Motion Picture Daily and said
that, speaking for himself, he
has "never known exhibition to
come out on top when it went
to the government."

Observers recalled at the time that
over a period of the past several years
Allied has repeatedly refused to go
along with TOA's favorite project for
smoothing some of the exhibitor's
trade practice problems — arbitration.
TOA still is engaged in meetings with
distribution representatives in an
effort to set up an industry arbitration
system. Allied has consistently ignored
the whole thing.

Whether that would have any effect
on TOA's reply to Allied's bid now
for joint action on the latter's Federal
regulation plan, TOA officials who
were queried yesterday declined to
surmise.

Say Board Must Act

Those officials pointed out that the
response would require action by the
full TOA board of directors, if not
by the organization's annual conven-
tion in Chicago, starting Oct. 31.
Therefore, they insisted, their personal
opinions of the desirability of Federal
regulation aimed largely at limiting
prices of film, are meaningless at this
time.

Following the Chicago meeting last
month, trade observers said Allied's
move to win TOA support for its
regulatory program undoubtedly was
dictated by the fact that legislation to
carry out such a program would stand
a vastly greater chance of success if
it were to have the unanimous backing
of exhibitor organizations than it
would if exhibition presented a divided
front on the subject before Congres-
sional committees.

In his letter to Reade this week
urging TOA support of the Allied
legislative control plan, Marcus said
that "all exhibitors regardless of size
or affiliation" are threatened by cur-
rent distribution policies. If those

policies "prevail for another year," he
wrote, "both large and small exhibi-
tion is doomed to destruction."

He made reference to an
"artificial product shortage
which automatically results in
exorbitant and extortionate
film rentals and in a shortage
of prints."

He then recalls that there "has been
some talk by some members of TOA
as well as Allied for possible merger."
He states that while he, personally,,
feels that an Allied-TOA merger "at
present is premature and inadvisable,
this I believe would be the proper
time due to the common threat which
is about to destroy all of us, to pos-
sibly start going together and to keep
company. This would not only tend
over a period of time to prove our
compatibility, but such unity of all
exhibitor groups is most urgent if we
are to avert total annihilation and
economic slavery."

Discuss Allied Committee

Marcus's letter next refers to Al-
lied's recently formed Emergency De-
fense Committee and its "declaration
of emergency," saying ;

"Now whether we agree or dis-
agree on all four sections of this
Declaration of Emergency is not im-
portant, but there is enough in any one
of these sections for any exhibitor
group regardless of its affiliation or
how it may be constituted to join
forces with Allied, and I invite you
and your group of exhibitors to back
the action of our board. It was only
througii unified planning and action
that the exhibitors of America broke
the 'Sound Barrier' and as a i-esult
the exhibitors and also Twentieth
Century-Fox have gained tremendous-
ly through this united action."

"As we approach the eve of the
National Allied Convention which is
scheduled in Milwaukee October 12-
14, and your National T.O.A. Conven-
tion which is scheduled for November
1, it would give the exhibitors of
America a great moral uplift, if all
exhibitor organizations would declare
their unreserved support of the Allied
Declaration of Emergency, and I
of Allied develop into a 'united
emergency defense committee' to be
known as U.E.D.C.," Marcus con-
cludes.

because of his continuous associati
with Allied for a quarter century, '
keynoter of this silver anniversa '
convention, adding that no one in ; j
lied is more cjualified than Myers 1 '
cause the history of Allied and
accomplishment have been bound i
gether under the influence of his w ,
and guiding hand.

Tells of Regard for Allied

Myers, in accepting the assignme
said he felt a deep affection for Alii
and what it has stood for over t
past 25 years and that his part
Allied's course of action in behalf
the independent exhibitor was to.
great extent inspired by the ev
present enthusiasm and untiring sd
port of many of Allied's great exhil
tor leaders of today and yesteryer
Myers further said, "Altliough t
Silver Anniversary event of Alii
may strike many as strictly an affi
of sentimental celebration, I hasten'
correct such an assumption, addi
that while such sentiment will sh<
part of the spotlight of the comi
convention it must not be overlook
that the main theme of the conve.
tion is 'The Product Convention' a
all efforts will be concentrated on t
exhibitors' right to make a profit
the product he plays from the d!'
tributors, and on the other curre
evils that are gradually forcing t
small theatre owner out of busines

As in years past, film clinics
play a big part in this year's conve
tion, shaping to a great extent t
action to be taken on the conventif
floor. S. J. Goldberg, president
Wisconsin Allied, the host unit, w
be coordinator of the clinics.

Sees 'Common Ground'

"It is through these clinics," B'
Marcus, national Allied presid,;
said recently, "that the individual e
hibitor finds the common ground wi
which he and his brother exhibit!
in a comparable situation, can t
in discussing and deciding the pre
lems that are peculiar to their ps
ticular type of operation."

This year the clinics will be divid
into seven categories : small towns
3,500 or less population, large tow
of up to 20,000, cities of 20,000
100,000, large cities of over 100,01
key neighborhood and subsequent rai
outdoor theatres and circuit buyi
and booking.

Is Allied's Plan
Official Or Not?

Trade observers here yesterday
remarked on seeming contradic-
tions in Allied States' references
to the present status of its plan
to seek Federal regulation of
film distribution.

AUied officials discussing the
program for the annual conven-
tion in Milwaukee next weel
said that both the Allied board
and the convention will have to
act on the Federal regulation
plan before it becomes official.
Yet Ben Marcus, Allied presi-
dent, in his letter to Walter
Reade, Jr., Theatre Owners of
America president, made public
yesterday, obviously regards the
plan as official while inviting
TOA to join in backing the
plan.

The Dollar-Wise Exhibitor is Making His Reservation NOW for the

1954 TO A COI^VE]\TIO]^

COMBINED WITH

TESMA-TEDA-TOA-lPA TRADE SHOW

CONRAD HILTON HOTEL • CHICAGO, ILL.
OCT. 31 - NOV. 4

FOUR GIANT OPEN FORUMS:

Concessions!
Drive-in Theatres!

Theatre Equipment and New Processes!

Prohibitive Film Rental and Stimulation
of Independant Production!

If-

• 4

' m

" The Barefoot Contessa'
is the biggest United
Artists hit ever to play

the Capitol^ N. Y. Toppini
even the sensational

grosses of 'Moulin Rouge
and 'African Queen.' "

MOTION PICTURE

DAILY

VOL. 76. NO. 71

NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1954

TEN CENTS

Due to Complaints

May Establish
Exterior Adv.
Code for NYC

12 Theatres in the Area
Cleared of All Charges

Preliminary discussions regarding a
set of rules and regulations for
exterior advertising of films in lobby
displays and on theatre marquees
were held Friday when New York
City exhibitors, religious, business
and civic leaders met with Edward
T. McCaflfrey, City License Com-
missioner.

McCaffrey, in calling the two-hour
meeting to discuss alleged indecency
complaints against 14 theatres in the
Times Square area, particularly those
on 42nd Street between Seventh and
Eighth Avenues, stated that "12 thea-
tres in the area have been completely
exonerated of all charges."

The complaints, which were regis-
tered by business, religious and civic
organizations in the Times Square
area were based on the "indecent and
immoral" advertising utilized by the-
(Contintied on page 6)

Sectional Release,
Localized Promotion
DC A Plan: Schwartz

By Staff Correspondent

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 10.— Point
of-sale promotion and sectional release
will be the fundamental features of
Distributors Corporation of America
policy, with the nation divided into
five sections where pictures will be
presented successively, instead of si-
multaneously as in present practice,
DCA president Fred Schwartz told
the press on Friday.

DCA will have sales offices in New
(Continued on page 6)

NOTICE

Due to a continuing labor dis-
pute in the printing industry in
New York City, affecting only
the bindery operation, some
copies of MOTION PICTURE
DAILY are subject to trimming
and binding imperfections. For
these the Publisher asks the
forbearance of subscribers and
advertisers. They will be elimi-
nated immediately that normal
operations can be resumed.

AUied BiU Would Make
F. T. C. Film Price Arbiter

Allied Convention
To Chicago in '55;
Compo Role Not Set

(Convention Program on P. 7)

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 10. — Allied
States' national convention next year
is scheduled to be held in the Sher-
man Hotel, Chicago, early in October.

At present, there are no plans to
attempt to combine it with a TES-
MA-TEDA trade show, with indica-
tions that it will again go to Theatre
Owners of America, as it did this year
for the second year in a row. In that
event, however, TOA probably would
have to return to Chicago for the third
consecutive year for its convention, as
TESMA-TEDA have indicated they
{Continued on page 7)

Six Majors to Appeal
Kansas City Decision

KANSAS CITY, Kan., Oct. 10.-^
An appeal is planned against the deci-
sion of the U. S. District Court jury
here awarding the Electric Theatre
of this city more than $2,400,000
damages against the six film com-
panies.

Making the appeal will be the fol-
lowing defendants : Loew's, Inc. ;
Columbia Pictures Corp. ; Warner
Brothers Pictures Distributing Corp. ;
United Artists Corp.; RKO Radio
Pictures Inc.; and Paramount Film
Distributing Corp.

The $2,400,000 judgment was said
(Continued on page 6)

ALLIED LEADERS

Music Hall Installing VV
Horizontal Projectors

Radio City Music Hall is installing two horizontal projectors for the
presentation of Paramount's "White Christmas" starting on Thursday, with
prints having the VistaVision frames full negative size and similarly running

the long way of the film.

Also Requires Distributors to Post Terms
For Film and Theatre Types, and Hearings
When Theatres Object; Drafted By Myers

By SHERWIN KANE

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 10. — The Federal Trade Commission would be made
arbiter of "fair and reasonable" film prices for theatres in every category
under the terms of a proposed bill drawn by Abram F. Myers, Allied chair-
man and general counsel, for con-
sideration and action by Allied's board
of directors and the 2Sth anniversary
Allied convention in session here this
week.

Copies of the draft prepared by
Myers at the earlier direction of Al-
lied's board were distributed to di-
rectors at their initial meeting in the
Schroeder Hotel here today. The
board will consider the proposed meas-
ure further at its sessions tomor-
row but will not take final action until
the convention has expressed itself,
probably next Thursday, not only on
Myers' draft but also on the basic sub-
ject of recourse to Federal regulation
of the industry as a remedy for the
current problems of exhibition.

Those problems are concerned prin-
- cipally with high film rentals, scarcity
of product, shortage of prints and
what many small exhibitors here re-
gard as an adequate profit margin. It
is believed certain the convention will
support a board recommendation for
the principle of government control of
the industry and Myers' draft of a bill
to achieve that. However, some here
oppose the idea but will support it
nevertheless, feeling that relief of some
sort must be had and other means of
obtaining it are believed to be even
less promising.
The draft of Myers provides that
{Continued on page 6)

Ben Marcus

Abram Myers

Reade to Reply to
Allied Bid Today

A letter in answer to Allied States
Association's bid for joint action with
Theatre Owners of America will be
sent today by TOA president Walter
Reade, Jr., Reade disclosed at the
weekend.

The TOA president, who left a
(Continued on page 6)

Allied Artists Net
$914,480 for Year

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 10. — Con-
solidated net profit of Allied Artists
for the fiscal year ended July 3 was
$914,480, president Steve Broidy has
announced, as compared with $761,113
for the previous year. After preferred
(Continued on page 6)

The mechanisms were fabricated by
Century Projector Corp. at the in-
stigation of Paramount's technical de-
partment following the exploration of
the possibilities of carrying the advan-
tages of VistaVision cinematography
into the projection of pictures made by
that process.

The VistaVision negative frame is
almost one-and-a-half inches wide and
(Continued on page 6)

AMPP Board Votes
$100,000 to Academy

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 10. —
The board of directors of the
Association of Motion Pic-
ture Producers on Friday voted
$100,000 to the Academy of
Motion Picture Arts and Sci-
ences to meet that organiza-
tion's current deficit, which re-
sulted from the expense of
modernizing the Academy
Awards Theatre and similar
outlays. A'Ction of the AMPP
board is in line with the sug-
gestion made last week by Eric
Johnston, president of the as-
sociation.

Motion Picture Daily

Monday, October 11, 1954

Personal
Mention

MILTON R. RACKA'IIL, presi-
dent of Universal Pictures, left
New York Saturday for the Coast.
•

MouT Blumenstock, Warner Broth-
ers advertising-publicity vice-presi-
dent, arrived in New York over the
weekend from Hollywood.

•

David Golding, Samuel Goldwyn
Productions advertising-publicity man-
ager, left New York for the Coast
over the weekend.

•

Richard Hodgson, president of
Chromatic Television Laboratories,
Paramount subsidiary, is in Washing-
ton from New York.

•

Harold J. MiRisch, Allied Artists
vice-president, has returned to the
studios following several weeks in
Europe.

•

LoREN L. Ryder, Paraniount's spe-
cial projects engineer, will arrive in
New York today from Hollywood.
•

Robert Haggiag, producer, left New
York yesterday for London via
B.O.A.C. Monarch.

•

G. Ralph Branton, Allied Artists
vice-president, has returned to Holly-
wood from New York.

•

Lou Green, Stanley Warner sound
engineer, was in Albany and Troy,
N. Y., from New Haven.

•

E. K. O'Shea, Paramount distribu-
tion vice-president, will return to New
York today from Buffalo.

•

S. H. Fabian, president of Stanley
Warner Corp. returned to New York
Friday from London.

•

PiLADE Levi, Paraniount's general
manager in Italy, is scheduled to leave
New York today for Rome.

•

Constance Carpenter left here
Friday for London via B.O.A.C.

A. M. Watt enter g,
Copyright Specialist

Services were held on Friday after-
noon for Abraham M. Wattenberg,
76, copyright specialist in the music
publishing field, who died Thursday.
Associated with Harms, Inc., for 35-
years and with Warner Brothers
since 1929, Wattenberg was one of
the officers of the Music Publishers
Holding Corp. at the time of his
death.

He also had served as attorney for
many of America's leading com-
posers and lyricists during the past
40 years.

No Paper Tomorrow

MOTION PICTURE DAILY
will not be published tomorrow,
Columbus Day, a legal holiday.

Air Pilots Want Longitude, Latitude
Of Drive-ins; TO A to Cooperate

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has asked the Theatre
Owners of America for an assist in obtaining the exact longitude and
latitude of the nation's drive-in theatres because the outdoor houses
are such distinctive landmarks from the air.

TOA president Walter Reade, Jr., in a bulletin to all drive-in
theatre owners and operators, requests this information as a service
to all pilots and that such information be forwarded to TOA head-
quarters in New York as soon as possible.

Reade advises the outdoor theatremen to seek the exact longitude
and latitude of their theatre through the local or county engineers'
offices.

Ad Stresses Youth
Interest in Films

The 28th in the series of COMPO
ads being published in "Editor & Pub-
lisher, which appeared in the issue of
Saturday, points up the interest young
people have in motion picture news.

Under the heading "Youth Should
Be Served," the ad says: "Young
people are ardent motion picture
enthusiasts. Therefore, newspapers
are certain to capture their interest
by printing more picture news."

As proof of the soundness of its
reasoning, the ad cites the results of
a recent survey by the "Cleveland
Press" which interviewed boys and
girls between the ages of 13 and 19
over a period of one month in the
paper's home county. In addition to
being asked to classify 13 items
according to frequency read, and "two
favorites," the teen-agers were re-
quested to volunteer the name of any
other "Press" feature they read regu-
larly.

The 'Indians' First

"With the Indians leading the
American League race," the ad con-
tinues, "it was probably inevitable that
sports should finish , first, especially
since 94 per cent of the boys inter-
viewed named the sports page ^ as
their first preference. Close behind
the sports page, however, was the
movie department. In fact, Omar
Ranney's movie column placed a con-
sistent second in all lists : second in
regular readership, and second least
votes in the column headed 'Never
Read'." . ^ „

"We, of course, may be biased,
the ad concludes. "Nevertheless we
believe the results of this survey
prove the truth of two contentions
we are always making to newspaper
men. One is that young people like
to read about motion picture activ-
ities. The other is that if a paper
has a strong, interestingly written
movie department, it will command a
large and loyal readership."

The ad also pointed out that teen-
age columns are appearing in more
and more newspapers, and in London
three of the largest papers have
started junior papers for their
younger readers.

WB Pays 30c

At a special meeting of the board
of directors of Warner Brothers Pic-
tures, Inc., on Friday, a dividend of
30 cents per share was declared on its
common stock payable Nov. 5, to
stockholders of record on Oct. 19.

U.K. Exhibitors Shy
From Gov't Control

By Staff Correspondent

LONDON, Oct. 10.— While inde-
pendent exhibitors in America are
considering inviting their government
into their industry, British exhibitors
are extending themselves to the ut-
most to prevent a possible further
Governmental infiltration into the
business here.

Criticisms of the new Eady levy
rates are heard throughout Cinemato-
graph Exhibitor Association's ranks
but acceptance of the new rates by
the rank and file exhibitor may be
taken as a foregone conclusion and
solely because he does not want, as
will be the case should he reject the
new levy, a statutory one adminis-
tered by the government in its stead.

C. E. A.'s general council will con-
vene next Wednesday at which time
ratification of the new levy is
expected. The way will then be
cleared for the signing of the
necessary documents by all four trade
associations which will bring the new
levy rates into operation on Oct. 24.

Pa. Drive-in Files
Anti-Trust Action

An anti-trust suit seeking damages
of $1,500,000 was filed in Federal
Court here at the weekend by the
Maple Drive-in Corp. of Circleville,
Pa., against seven film distributors and
five theatre corporations charging dis-
crimination against the outdoor house
by awarding preferential treatment
to the Warner and Hollis Theatres
in the Circleville area.

Named in the suit were RKO Pic-
tures, Warner Brothers, 20th Century-
Fox, Paramount, LTniversal, LTnited
Artists, Loew's, Stanley-Warner, Na-
tional Theatres, American Broadcast-
ing-Paramount Theatres, Wesco The-
atres, and Hollis Amusement Co.

Vending Machine
Operators Meet

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10.— Auto-
matic vending machine operators con-
vened here today for the convention
of the National Automatic Merchan-
dising Association at the National
Guard Armory.

The convention featured a display
of vending machines used in theatres.
This field was considered to be mush-
rooming, with an estimated 1953 gross
in theatre vending machine sales of
$250,000,000.

'A Star Is Born' in
Formal 2-Theatre
Premiere Tonight

Warner Brothers' "A Star Is Born"
will have its formal New York two-
theatre premiere tonight beginning at
8 P.M. at both the Paramount and
Victoria Theatres. Judy Garland will
be present in person at the premiere
at botli theatres.

WABC-TV, with four mobile tele-
vision cameras stationed in front of
each theatre, will begin premiere activ-
ities with a special on-the-spot half-
hour telecast highlighted by the
appearance of Miss Garland who trav-
elled from Hollywood especially to
be present at the opening.

George Jessel and Martin Block will
be special masters of ceremonies for
the telecast. Jessel will preside over
the festivities at the Paramount while
Block simultaneously performs the
same duties three blocks away at the
Victoria.

A large aggregation of stars and
notables will pass before the television
cameras to be introduced by Jessel
and Block. In addition, the formally-
dressed first-night audiences will be
photographed by Warner Pathe news-
reel and be interviewed on coast-to-
coast NBC radio and the Armed
Forces Radio for broadcasts to for-
eign countries.

The Victoria Theatre on Broadway
has received a complete "face lifting"
for the premiere of "A Star Is Born."
-A new marquee now graces the front
of the Victoria and the outer lobby
has been completely rebuilt.

Inside the theatre new seats replace
worn ones and the interior walls have
been refurbished. New stereophonic
sound. Cinema Scope equipment and
new projection equipment have been
installed.

Illinois TOA Unit
Sets 2 More Meets

Two additional regional meetings, at
which a vice-president and two direc-
tors to the- board of United Theatre
Owners of Illinois will be named, have
been scheduled for Oct. 18 at Rock-
ford, 111., and at Peoria, 111., it was
announced at the weekend by George
Kerasotes, UTOI vice-president, in a
Theatre Owners of America release
here.

Exhibitors of the Rockford district
will meet at the Faust Hotel on
Oct. 18 at noon with August Marchesi
as temporary chairman.

Theatremen of the Peoria district
will hold a luncheon meeting at the
Pere Marquette Hotel on Oct. 18
with Ralph Lawler as temporary
chairman and Kerasotes assisting.

NEW YORK THEATRES

_ RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL_

Rockefeller Center

*'BREGADOON"

in Color and Cinemascope statrine
GENE KELLY • VAN JOHNSON

CYD CHARISSE with ELAINE STEWART

An M-G-M Picture

.^iCTf-CULAS SIfiEJ PiESEKIAriON

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Ouigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley
Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center. New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-.310O. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley,
President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo T. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News
Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus PT. Fausel. Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yticca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager;
William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145; Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A.
Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address,
"Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres and Theatre Sales, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion
Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter, Sept. 21, 1938. at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March
3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in (he Americas and $12 foreign; single copies, 10c.

for the first time
Cinema5coP^ unveils
the eye- filling opulence . . .
the magic enchantment . .
the sensuous wonders
of the Exotic East I

W the siren dance
f the slave-girl Ayesha!

the fabulous
slave markets of Ispahan!

WALTER WANGER presents

Adventures oi

COLOR BY DE LU

EMA

starring JOHN DEREK - ELAINE STE

Produced by Allied Artists Pictures Corp. - Released by 20th Century- Fox,

I i

f sings the
est song hit
the picture!

FREE!

NAT "KING" COLE RECORD!

Start plugging your date now
with the novelty song that's
sweeping the country! START
PLAYING IT NOW at candy
breaks, intermissions . . . and
over your lobby P. A. system.
Plant it with local disk jockeys!

As soon as your date is confirmed,
contact RADIO-TV Dept., 20th
Century-Fox,444 W. 56 St.,N.Y. 1 9

n. FREE

I TV

TRAILERS

60 seconds and 20 sec-
onds! Actual scenes from
the film! Available at
your 20th exchange!

Motion Picture daily

Monday, October 11, 1954

Schwartz

{Continued from page 1)

York, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, and
either San Francisco or Los Angeles,
Schwartz said. "In this way," he
added, "we will be able to concentrate
all our effort on establishing a picture
in each section, in turn, bringing all
point-of-sale promotional media — tele-
vision, radio, newspapers — to bear on
each individual area."

In response to questioning, Schwartz
said the present intention is to forego
national-magazine advertising, in view
of the sectional release method and
in order to focus promotion on the
period when the film is available to
the public. However, he said, na-
tional magazines may be used in what-
ever certain cases may appear to re-
quire this type of advertising.

Many Benefits Seen

The sectional-release plan will con-
fer manifold benefits on DCA from a
cost viewpoint, Schwartz said, men-
tioning the saving of print costs due
to the lesser number required as one
among many similar economies made
possible.

The DCA operations policy reflects
the organization's belief that "stream-
lining" is called for at this point
in the industry's progress, which
Schwartz regards as the beginning of
the "golden age" for motion pictures.
He said 3,500 theatres in the United
States yield 75 to 80 per cent of pic-
tures domestic revenue, and these can
be covered in 250 sales. He said DCA
will directly sell its pictures to that
extent, and will parcel out the re-
maining: 25 per cent of selling- to one
or another existing channel on some
mutually agreeable basis still to be
determined.

DCA will turn over physical dis-
tribution to one or another service
organization already functioning satis-
factorily in that way with other prod-
uct, the. DCA president said.

Foreign Policy to Conform

DCA policy in foreign markets will
conform in general outline to the com-
pany's domestic policy. Physical dis-
tribution will be placed in hands most
advantageously qualified in distribut-
ing organizations already in operation,
either in the usual manner or by out-
right sale, it was disclosed.

Schwartz said his organization, con-
sisting of 30 exhibitors controlling
about 750 theatres, has had its coun-
sel canvass the possibility of Govern-
ment protest and counsel has told him
there can be no objection by the De-
partment of Justice so long as exhibi-
tor stockholders in DCA do not pre- •
empt rights not open to non-stock-
holders.

Allied Film Price Bill

Majors to Appeal

(Continued from page 1)

to be one of the largest returned in
an anti-trust film case.

The Electric Theatre alleged the
defendants violated anti-trust laws by
preventing it from showing first-run
films at the same time as theatres in
adjoining Kansas City, Mo. The jury
ruled that actual damages totaled
$802,200 and under the law were
tripled as a punitive measure to
$2,406,602.

RKO Radio Pictures and Para-
mount, under the judgment, each
must pay $185,802 and the four other
defendants are to pay the remainder
in equal shares.

(Continued from page 1)

all persons engaged in licensing
films shall file with the Federal
Trade Commission fair and rea-
sonable classifications of films
and theatres, together with
"fair and reasonable film rentals
for each classification," and
before licensing any picture to
a theatre shall first allocate it
to a proper classification.

If 25 or more exhibitors challenge
the reasonableness of the film rental
designated for any classification of
pictures for any type of theatres, or
the allocation of any picture to a par-
ticular price category, the Commission
may serve a formal complaint on the
producer or distributor involved and
hold a hearing thereon, the proposed
bill provides.

If the Commission concludes that
the challenged pricing or allocation is
unlawful, it shall issue an order
specifying the reasonable film rental
or allocation to be followed. If during
the pendency of any such proceeding
the respondent continues to charge the
challenged film rental or persists in
the challenged allocation, and lower
film rentals or allocations are ulti-
mately prescribed by the Commission,
the bill provides that exhibitors may
sue for the difference between the
prices paid and those prescribed, un-
less the money is voluntarily refunded.

In addition to the provisions for

securing fair and reasonable film ren-
tals, the draft provides for cease and
desist orders against certain trade
practices enjoined in tlie Paramount
case.

These provisions, Alyers says, "were
drawn with a view to eliminating the
glaring loopholes in the consent de-
crees."

Enforcement, he adds, "is
lodged with the Federal Trade
Commission to relieve the
elderly Federal judges assigned
to the case of the burden and
the Anti-Trust Division of its
unwelcome duty of enforcing
the decrees by means of con-
tempt proceedings.

Myers notes that this may be the
first attempt made in this country to
provide price regulation "for so di-
verse a product as motion pictures."
Some of the Scandinavian countries,
he points out, prohibit the charging of
film rentals over a certain amount, but
such "flat prohibition is not possible
under our constitutional system."

The proposed bill, 11^2 printed
pages in length, begins by reciting
characteristics of motion pictures,
their distribution and exhibition, de-
signed to establish their relation to
public welfare and "national defense."'
It provides that where bidding for pic-
tures is requested by an exhibitor the

Music Hall

(Continued from page 1)

the print for horizontal projection has
a frame of similar size for an aperture
of corresponding dimensions.

In the Music Hall presentation, the
sound will be reproduced from a single
optical track on a standard Vista-
Vision reduction print run through a
standard projector head for the repro-
duction by the sound head attached
to that projector. To assure synchroni-
zation of sound and picture, the sound
projector will be connected to the
picture projector through a Selsyn
motor hookup.

The projector speed of the new ma-
chines is 180 feet per minute, while
the print projecting the sound on the
standard projector is 90 feet per
minute. A two-to-one gear ratio will
be utilized in order to achieve the
double speed.

If test runs prove this method to be
feasible, the Music Hall presentation
will be the first application of the
process which was demonstrated re-
cently on a sound stage at the Para-
mount studio in Hollywood.

Adv. Code

(Continued from page 1)

atres in lobby displays and in describ-
ing the films on the marquees. It was
revealed by an exhibitor spokesman
that none of the charges were directed
against the Brandt or Cinema Circuit
theatres in the Times Square area.

McCaffrey said that the various
representatives briefly discussed and
considered a plan whereby all thea-
tres in New York City would con-
form to an "exterior advertising
code." "A system of regulations for
theatre lobby and marquee advertising
would be very effective," McCaffrey
said. Further discussions on this mat-
ter will take place in two weeks, the
License Commissioner stated.

Exhibitors who attended the session

Reade to Reply

(Continued from, page 1)

message at his Oakhurst, N. J. head-
quarters in response to inquiries, said
that he will send a reply to Ben
Marcus, Allied president, and release
the contents of the letter tomorrow
to the press, in an apparent attempt
to make the contents known at the
same time that Marcus receives the
TOA reply in Milwaukee.

Meanwhile, TOA general counsel
Herman Levy stated that the open
letter sent by Marcus to Reade for
cooperation in Allied's program seek-
ing possible Federal regulation of
film distribution, will be taken up at
the TOA board meet when it con-
venes prior to the Chicago conven-
tion, set to get under way on Oct. 31.
He declined anj' further comment.

Sees 'Enough' for Agreement

Marcus, in his letter to TOA pres-
ident Walter Reade, Jr., said in part.
"Now whether we agree or disagree
on all four sections of this Declara-
tion of Emergency is not important,
but there is enough in any one of these
sections for any exhibitor group
regardless of its affiliation to join
forces with Allied."

The "Declaration of Emergency"
referred to the Allied resolution
passed at the board meeting in White
Sulphur Springs, W. Va., sections of
which called for government interven-
tion in setting up what Allied con-
siders equitable trade practices.

were : Herman Schv\'artz, Squire
Theatre ; Martin Levine, Sam Man-
dleboojn, Brandt Theatres ; Mor-
ton Sunshine, Independent Theatre
Owners Association ; Harold Klein,
J. J. Theatres ; Max A. Cohen, Cin-
ema Circuit Corp. Taylor Mills and
Michael Linden of the Motion Picture
Association of America sat in on the
conference as observors.

Distribution Control
O.K., But Theatre—?

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 10.— First
exhibitor reaction encountered
here to the draft of proposed
legislation for Federal control
of film rentals includes some
apprehension over the question
of how the bill could avoid some
perhaps unwelcome regulation
of theatre operation also, in-
cluding ceilings on admission
prices.

Allied general counsel Abram
Myers, who drafted the pro-
posed bill at the instance of the
board of directors, will conduct
a question-and-answer period
on it during the convention this
week. The exhibitor's fear of
theatre regulation undoubtedly
will figure in that session, al-
though early convention atmos-
phere indicates approval of the
board's regulatory course.

distributor is relieved of the prohibi-
tion against charging more than the
maximum rentals filed with the F.T.C.
'Unlawful Practices' Defined
Defined as unlawful trade practices
in the proposed bill are : dictation of
admission prices by a producer or dis-
tributor under any circumstances or
means ; granting of clearance between
theatres not in substantial competi-
tion ; burden of showing any clearance
to be reasonable is placed upon dis-
tributor, and prohibition against con-
ditioning licensing of one picture on
the licensing of another ; permitting
block booking where a second theatre
or theatres is not in the market for
the product involved, and granting a
20 per cent rejection privilege in in-
stances of such block booking when
the pictures involved have not been
trade shown.

Past Record Important

In determining reasonableness of a
distributor's price policy on a picture,
the bill provides that the Commission
may take into account average rentals
or customary terms of the distributor
for its several grades of pictures over
the past 10 j'ears ; gross income and
net profits of the producer-distributor
for the past 10 years or less ; average
or customary rentals paid by com-
plaining exhibitors for films of the
class in question, and gross receipts
and net profits of the complaining ex-
hibitors for such periods and in such
form as the Commission may require,
including the percentage of gross re-
ceipts paid for film rentals during the
period designated by the agency.

The proposed measure also provides
that after it has been in effect for
three years, F.T.C. shall report to
Congress on its administration experi-
ence with recommendations for chang-
ing or repealing the act. Enforcement
of the act is brought under the pro-
visions of the Federal Trade Commis-
sion Act. The measure would become
effective six months after its enact-
ment.

Allied Artists

(Continued from page 1)

stock dividends and provision for Fed-
eral income tax, the net income was
equivalent to 46 cents per share on
the 852,740 shares outstanding. This
compares to 48 cents on same number
of shares the year before.

Gross income reached all-time high,
$11,838,500, as against $9,994,000 for
the prior year.

Monday, October 11, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Wilbur Snaper

Allied Meet

(Continued from page 1)

are not interested in holding a trade
show anywhere but in the Hilton Ho-
tel, Chicago, where they have found
tiie exhibit space most of their liking.

Doubts arose today with the iirst
session of Allied's board that the
organization would renew its member-
ship in the Council of Motion Pic-
ture Organiza-
tions f o r an-
other year. Al-
lied looks with-
out ejithusiasm
on such pro-
posed COMPO
activities as a
group insurance
plan and a new
campaign to ob-
tain repeal of
the remaining
10 per cent
Federal admis-
sions tax.

Even should
Allied renew with COMPO for an-
other year, its representative on the
governing triumvirate, Wilbur Snaper,
has indicated
that he wishes
to withdraw.
Snaper has in-
dicated that he
has found it dif-
ficult to oppose
distribution pol-
icies and prac-
tice s at one
time and work
with the pro-
tagonists of
those poli-
cies on other
matters at
another time.
Allied's silver anniversary conven-
tion will open immediately after lunch
on Tuesday with Ben Marcus, Allied
president, as permanent chairman.
Opening remarks will be made by S.
J. Goldberg, president of Allied of
Wisconsin and convention co-chair-
man. Milwaukee's mayor will greet
the delegates and Abram F. Myers,
chairman and general counsel of Al-
lied, will give the keynote address.

The convention then will adjourn to
permit the convening of the seven sep-
arate groups of film clinics for the
remainder of the afternoon. The clinics
will be in charge of Leo Wolcott,
Joseph Fineran, Irving DoUinger,
Wilbur Snaper, Leon Back, Julius
Gordon and Sidney Samuelson.

Irving DoUinger

See MP A Saying
No to TO A Bid

Indications are that the Motion Pic-
ture Association of America as an or-
ganization will bv-pass the request for
$10,000 made by Theatre Owners of
America for support of its forthcom-
ing Chicago annual convention.

It was learned that many MPAA
afliliate company executives feel that
TOA, as in the previous year, should
solicit individual film companies for
convention program advertising. Thii
process was considered by many to be
preferable to returning to the old
method of MPAA alloting funds year-
ly to TOA and Allied States Associa-
tion in support of the respective an-
nual conventions.

The MPAA sales managers com-
mittee, it was learned, will not meet
until the week of Oct. 25, virtually on
the eve of TOA's convention.

PROGRAM
Allied Stales National Convention
Hotel Schroeder, Milwaukee,
Oct. 12-14

TUESDAY—

9:00 a. m. — Registration and inspec-
tion of exhibits, 5th floor.

1:00 p. m. — Opening convention ses-
sion, Crystal Ballroom, 5th floor:
Call to order by S. J. Goldberg;
permanent chairman, Ben Mar-
cus; speakers. Mayor of Mil-
waukee, Mr. Marcus, and Abram
F. Myers.

3:00 p. m. — Film Clinics: Co-ordin-
ator: S. J. Goldberg.

1. Small Towns (3,500 or less):
Chairman, Leo Wolcott; Club
Rooms, 3rd floor.

2. Large Towns (up to 20,000):
Chairman, Joe Finneran; Parlor A,
4th floor.

3. Medium Cities (20,000 to 100,-
000): Chairman, Irving DoUinger;
Room 507, 5th floor.

4. Large Cities (over 100,000):
Chairman, Wilbur Snaper; Eng-
lish Room, 5th floor.

5. Key Neighborhood and Sub-
Runs: Chairman, Leon Back; Pere
Marquette Room, 5th floor.

6. Outdoor Theatres: Chairman,
Julius Gordon; Parlor C, 4th floor.

7. Circuit Buyers and Bidding:
Chairman, Sidney E. Samuelson;
Parlor 1, 4th floor.

6:30 to 8:00 p. m.— Cocktail Party,
Crystal Ballroom, 5th floor; Host,
Pepsi-Cola Company.

10:00 p. m. — Special showing of "A
Star Is Born," courtesy of War-
ner Bros., at Towne Theatre
(tickets by registration only).

WEDNESDAY—

9:00 a. m. — Registration and inspec-
tion of exhibits.

10:00 a. m. — Film Clinics (continued
as on Tuesday).

11 :30 a. m. — Ladies luncheon and
tour of Miller brewery (transpor-
tation from 5th Street entrance
of Schroeder Hotel).

12:00 a. m. — Luncheon for regis-
trants, Crystal Ballroom, 5th
floor.

1:30 p. m. — Business session. Crys-
tal Ballroom: President's report
by Ben Marcus, addresses by
Al Lichtman, 20th Century-Fox;
William F. Rodgers, Allied Art-
ists; Abe Montague, Columbic

7:30 p. m.— Night Club Dinner
Party at Jimmy Fazio's Sunn^r
Club, Port Washington Road;
Host: Coca-Cola Company (trans-
portation from 5th Street en-
trance of hotel at 6:30).

THURSDAY—

9:00 a. m. — Registration and in-
snection of exhibits.

10:00 a. m. — Committee meetings.

11:00 a. m. — Perspecta Sound dem-
onstration. Riverside Theatre.

11:30 a. m. — Ladies' luncheon and
style show. Empire Room, lobby
floor; host: Hixons.

12:00 a. m. — Stag luncheon for reg-
istrants. Crystal Ballroom.

1 :30 p. m. — Business session. Crys-
tal Ballroom: talk on Vista Vision
bv representative of Paramount
Pictures; talk on Persuecta Soun''
by representative of Loew's, Inc.;
report on Film Clinics; Commit-
tee reports and resolutions.

6:00 to 7:15 p. m.— President's Cock-
tail Partv, Cocktail Lounge, lobby
floor; Host: National Carbon
Company.

7:30 p. ni.— Allied Silver Anniver-
sary Banquet, Crystal Ballroom.

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in Speed and Luxury
ily United DC-7s

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FRANK

INATRA I

Book it
NO IV

FRANK SINATRA and STERLING HAYDEN in

with JAMES GLEASON • NANCY GATES • KIM CHARNEY • PAUL FREES
Original Screenplay by RICHARD SALE • Produced by ROBERT BASSLER • Directed by LEWIS ALLEN

A Robert Bassler Production

thru

MOTION PICTURE

Concise

Anil

To The
Point

VOL. 76. NO. 72

NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1954

TEN CENTS

Lower Prices

Allied Talks
Equipment,
Supply Sales

Units Would Distribute
On Cooperative Basis

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 12.— Plans
for putting Allied States into the sales
and distribution of low-priced theatre
equipment and supplies were dis-
cussed at the two-day meeting of
Allied's board of directors which
were concluded at the Hotel Schroe-
der here yesterday.

Ben Marcus, Allied president, de-
clined to identify the manufacturers
of sound equipment and lamp houses,
projection machines and other sup-
plies with whom Allied is discussing
the plan but he said he will stop off
to further explore the arrangements
on his way to the Coast from here
Oct. 22. He said that if the deal is
concluded the equipment and supplies
will be manufactured with Allied's
name as a brand and will be lower-
priced than competing items on the
market because the sales and dis-
tribution will be by Allied regional
units operating on "almost a cooper-
ative basis."

The Allied equipment and supplies
(Continued on page 8)

Gov't Control, Product
Chief Convention Issues

SW Signs Deal for
Makelim Program

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 12.— The
entire Stanley Warner circuit
has signed a deal with Hal
Makelim for the lineup of 12
pictures to be produced by the
Makelim organization, it was
revealed here by John Wolf-
berg, vice-president of the pro-
duction company. Wolfberg
said that the deal represented
approximately $500,000 in book-
ing rentals.

World Premieres at
Paramount, Victoria
For *A Star Is Born'

(Pictures on Page 7)

Acting possibly on the assumption
that two gala openings of a film make
a better spectacle than one, Warner
Brothers on Monday night conducted
impressive premieres of "A Star Is
Born" at the Times Square Para-
mount and Victoria theatres.

Judy Garland, star of the Transcona
(Continued on page 7)

Don Hartman Says

Paramount 1933 Budget:
$36,000,000 for 20 Films

By LESTER DINOFF

A program of 20 films, finished or ready to go before the cameras,
costing an estimated $36,000,000, is planned for 1955 by the Paramount
Pictures studio, it was ainiounced here yesterday by executive producer
Don Hartman

Myers, in Keynote Milwaukee Speech, Says
All Difficulties Flow from Shortage; Okay
Of Regulation Plan Rests With Delegates

By SHERWIN KANE

MILWALTKEE, Oct. 12. — Two major problems face the industry in
general and the current Allied States Association convention in particular,
Abram F. Myers, Allied general counsel, declared here today in his key-
note address to the "silver anniver-
sary" conclave of the organization.
Those problems are, he said, Allied's
proposal that the government regulate
the motion picture industry as a public
utility and the alleged shortage of
product.

While dweUing largely on the
ramifications of possible govern-
ment control, Myers described
the product shortage as Enemy
No. 1.

"All our other difficulties flow
directly or indirectly from this basic
evil," Myers said, adding that "if the
product shortage could be ended over-
night and the bargaining power of the
theatres thereby restored, we could
dispense with at least one very diffi-
cult item on the agenda."

Myers stressed that the Allied
board had been driven to the contem-
plation of the drastic government con-
trol proposal by the "high-handed
methods of the film companies." As
of this moment, he added, "the board
is no more committed to government
regulation than you are." It merely
directed, he said,- that a bill be
drafted for presentation here because
it wanted to know how this represen-
(Continued on page 8)

in a trade con-
ference held in
the Paramount
home office
board room.

Here for the
Radio City Mu-
sic Hall world
premiere of
Irving Berlin's
"White Christ-
mas" tomorrow,
Hartman also
stated that
"horizontal pro-
jection enables
a better presentation of Vista Vision
(Continued on page 7)

Don Hartman

Perkins Appointed
Altec Operating Mgr.

The appointment of C. S. Perkins
as operating manager of Altec Service
Corp., effective immediately, was an-
nounced by H. M. Bessey, vice-presi-

dent. Perkins

replaces E. O.
Wilschke, who
recently re-
signed to b e -
come vice-presi-
dent of Fine
Sound, Inc. He
has been divi-
sion manager of
Altec's North-
eastern division
since 1947, in
charge of field
engineering ac-
tivities in the
territory e m -
braced by metropolitan New York,
Connecticut and Massachusetts. Prior
to this he occupied the post of man-
ager of the company's commercial en-
gineering departrnent.

Perkins, a well-known figure in mo-
tion picture sound and equipment cir-
cles, has an extensive technical back-
ground, and at one time was a member
of the laboratory department of Gen-
eral Radio Co. and an instructor at
the Massachusetts Radio and Tele-
(Continued on page 7)

C. S. Perkins

BRANDT ASKS U.S. TO CONSIDER
NT'S PRODUCTION BID OKAY

Harry Brandt, president of the Independent Theatre Owners of New York,
along with other exhibitor leaders, here, have wired Herbert Brownell, U.S.
Attorney General, and Stanley Barnes, Assistant Attorney General, to give
serious consideration and support to

Sees 3% Tax
Near Goal

National Theatres' proposed plan to
enter the production of motion pic-
tures.

The wire states : "As president of
the Independent Theatre Owners As-
sociation of New York, I am wiring
you to urge your support of a petition

by National Theatres which is to be
presented to the Statutory Court in
the case of U.S. vs. Paramount, et al,
which seeks to grant permission to
that company to finance and produce
feature motion pictures," and added :
(Continued on page 7)

New York City's 436 theatres, plus
two drive-ins, contributed $779,358 to
cover the five per cent amusement levy
for July and August and withheld, as
allowed by Supreme Court Justice
Nicholas M. Pette's temporary injunc-
tion order, $124,811 as tax breakage.
City Budget Director Abraham D.
Beame, revealed here yesterday,

Beame said that the city tax collec-
tor offices in the five boroughs had
received a total tax of $1,291,949 from
all sources of amusement revenue and
that the total tax liability from the
local theatremen is $904,169 for the
62-day summer period.

Speaking as a layman, unaware of
(Continued on page 7)

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, October 13, 1954

Personal
Mention

ELLIS G. ARNALL, president of
the Society of Independent Mo-
' tion Picture Producers, is in New
York from Newnan, Ga.

Alfred H. Tamarin, United Art-
ists assistant national director of ad-
vertising-publicity, will return to New
York today from Hollywood.
•

Steve Broidy, president of Allied
Artists, and Walter Mirisch, execu-
tive producer, left Hollywood yester-
day by plane for Chicago.

•

Berry Geeenberg, home office sales
representative for Warner Interna-
tional, has returned here from Aus-
tralia and the Far East.

•

MacGregor Scott, sales director of
Associated British Pathe, arrived in
New York yesterday from London via
B.O.A.C. Monarch.

•

Al Young, of Du-Art Laboratories
and Tri-Art Laboratories, will leave
here with Mrs. Young for Hollywood
on Sunday.

Lee Prentice, manager of the Hol-
lywood plant of Technicolor, arrived
in New York Monday from the Coast.
•

Margaret Ettinger, head of the
Ettinger Co., has arrived in New York
from Hollywood by way of Detroit.
•

LoREN Ryder, in charge of research
for Paramount Pictures, has arrived
in New York from the Coast.
•

Bernard Jacon, vice-president of
I.F.E. Releasing Corp., will arrive in
Detroit today from Cleveland.
•

Cleveland Armory, novelist, will
leave New York by plane in two
weeks for the M-G-M studios.
•

Barry Jones, British actor, is
scheduled to arrive here today from
England via B.O.A.C.

•

R. A. Morris, sales manager of
Associated British Films, will arrive
here today from London via B.O.A.C.
Monarch.

•

Jack H. Levin, of Certified Re-
ports, has left New York for Mil-
waukee.

Bob Mathias will arrive in New
York today from the Coast.

Arthur Davis, film importer, has
left New York for Europe.

Herman Cohen, producer, left here
Monday for the Coast.

Jan Sterling has arrived here from
Hollywood.

B. B. Borhridge, 65

OTTAWA, Oct. 12.— Bartyn B.
Borbridge, 65, owner of the Granada
Theatre Building, St. Thomas, Ont.,
died in hospital in St. Thomas after
an extended illness.

Robbins to Head
Pioneers Dinner

Announcement of Herman Robbins,
president of National Screen Serv-
ice, as gen-
eral chairman
of the 16th an-
nual "showman-
ship dinner" of
the Motion Pic-
ture Pioneers,
was made yes-
terday by Jack
Cohn, president
of the organiza-
tion.

The dinner,
honoring S i -
mon H. Fabian
as "Pioneer of
the Year," will
be held on Nov. 17 in the grand ball-
room of the Hotel Astor.

Robbins, one of the motion picture
industry's foremost leaders, and a
member of the board of directors of
the Motion Picture Pioneers, will co-
ordinate all committees for the dinner.

Committees and their chairmen for
the Motion Picture Pioneers dinner
are in the process of being organized
by Mr. Robbins and will be announced
shortly.

Herman Robbins

Dave Ross Resigns
From FWC Post

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 12. — Dave
Ross, city district manager for Fox
West Coast Theatres since 1942, and
whose 46 years in show business have
been spent largely in the Skouras
Brothers' employment, will retire to-
morrow and devote his time there-
after to continuing his musical career
which included musical directorship of
the New York Roxy, Philadelphia
Mastbaum, Grauman's Chinese and
First National Pictures studio. Ross
turned from music to theatre opera-
tion, for FWC, in 1936, rising to his
present post six years later.

Ups Ad Rates

COLUMBUS, O., Oct. 12.— The
"Columbus Dispatch," largest local
daily, has increased its daily amuse-
ment ad rate to 34 cents per agate line
and to 38 cents on Sunday. Former
rates were 33 cents daily and 36 cents
on Sunday.

Elect AA Directors
On Coast Nov. 10

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 12.— Election
of 10 directors is the principal item
on the agenda for the annual stock-
holders meeting of Allied Artists to
be held here on Nov. 10.

TIt^e nominees for the board are
W. Ray Johnston, Samuel (Steve)
Broidy, George D. Burrows, Howard
Stubbins, G. Ralph Branton, Herman
Rifkin, Harold J. Mirisch, Arthur C .
Bromberg, Edward Morey and Nor-
ton V. Ritchey.

The proxy statement to stockhold-
ers reveal company officers and their
remuneration for the last fiscal year
were as follows :

Johnston, board chairman, $36,122;
Broidy, president, $105,277 ; Burrows,
executive vice-president and treasurer,
$30,700; Mirisch and Branton, vice-
presidents, $53,183 and $52,283, re-
spectively ; Ritchey, $39,320, and
Morey, $39,320, each of the latter be-
ing vice-presidents in New York.

First Supreme Court
Decisions Tomorrow

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12. — The
Supreme Court will hand down its
first decisions of the new term on
Thursday.

The court was supposed to start
handing down its rulings yesterday,
but the death over the week-end of
Justice Robert H. Jackson caused the
court to put off its first business ses-
sion until Thursday. Appeals in half
a dozen film cases are pending, and
the court is expected to indicate
Thursday whether or not it will hear
these appeals.

Regional Groups to
Boasherg Luncheon

Special groups of exhibitors from
Bufifalo, Albany, New Haven and
Philadelphia have been formed to at-
tend the Charles Boasberg testimonial
luncheon at the Astor Hotel here on
Oct. 21.

Meanwhile, additional sponsors of
the event have been announced. They
are Herman Levy, Ben Shlyen, Abel
Green, James Mulvey, Morton Sun-
shine, Harry Kalmine, James Jerauld,
Al Picault, Fred Schwartz, Don Mer-
sereau and Sol Schwartz.

EXTERIOR AD CODE IS OPPOSED

New York City exhibitors came out strongly in opposition to
License Commissioner Edward T. McCaffrey's proposed "exterior
advertising code" for local theatres, declaring that "there is no
need and never has been a need for legislation governing the
use of lobby display and marquee advertising."

Harry Brandt, president of the Independent Theatre Owners
Association, and a theatreman who is against censorship in any
form, stated: "There is no need for censorship between the
Production Code and the common decency of the people." A
representative of the Metropolitan Motion Picture Theatre Asso-
ciation stated: "There is no need for such legislation because
MMPTA members have always had and maintained happy com-
munity relations."

Typical of the other comments received were those of one
independent theatre owner who said : "There is no need for regu-
lations of any sort as proposed by Commissioner McCaffrey. The
theatres, as a whole, regulate themselves when advertising a film."

SchimeVs Contract
With Universal
Extended to 1958

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12. — A
three-year extension of the contract of
Adolph Schimel, vice-president and
general counsel of Universal Pictures,
to Dec. 31, 1958,
with salary in-
creases was re-
ported to the
Securities a n d
Exchange Com-
mission here by
the company.

Schimel's or-
iginal three-
y e a r contract
which became
effective Jan. 1,
1953, was due
to expire on
Dec. 31, 1955,
with $1,000 per
week in compensation provided for
during the entire term of the agree-
ment. Under the salary modification
provisions of the extension, Schimel
received $1,100 per week during 1954 ;
$1,200 per week during 1955 and
$1,300 per week during 1956, 1957 and
1958. Modification of the agreement
dated Sept. 8, 1954, is similar to that
made in the three year contract of
vice-president David A. Lipton last
May and is apparently in line with the
policy of president Milton R. Rackmil
of tieing top executive personnel to
long term pacts.

Stock Warrants Reduced

The company also reported a reduc-
tion in the number of warrants for the
purchase of common stock outstanding
with 6,715 warrants being exercised
during the months of August and Sep-
tember, 1954, to reduce the number of
such warrants outstanding to 53,143
exclusive of 12,800 held in the treasury.

Panavision*s Newest,
Apo Panatar, Is Due

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 12. — The
Apo Panatar, the third optical device
produced by Panavision, will be ready
for production use within the next
month, it was disclosed today by Rob-
ert Gottschalk, Panavision president,
whose previous two devices, in order
of introduction, were the Super Pana-
tar (anamorphic projection lens) and
the Micro Panatar, a system of lab-
oratory installation which achieves the
development of standard "flat prints."

Apo Panatar is Panavision's ana-
morphic photographing system, which
Gottschalk believes will set new
standards of clarity and definition in
that field.

SW Now Has 44
Operating in N.E.

HARTFORD, Oct. 12.— Stanley-
Warner Management Corp. now has
44 houses operating in the northeast-
ern states, with the reopening of the
long-shuttered Waldorf Theatre, Lynn,
Mass.

Two other units, the Rialto, South
Norwalk, and Hull, Derby, both in
Connecticut, were reopened some weeks
ago.

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Pubhshed daily except .Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Ouigley
Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpuix:o, New York." Martin Ouigley
President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; "l^o J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen News'
Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager*
William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145; Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, Fl 6-3074." Washington J. a!
Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address]
"Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Tlieatres and Theatre Sales, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion
Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter, Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March
3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies, 10c.

(A Report from M-G-M's Saks Managers,
recently in Convention at Culver City, Cal.)

"On our recent visit to California,we attended
the Preview of 'THE LAST TIME I SAW
PARIS' at the Picwood Theatre. The re-
action of men who sell the pictures may
be of interest to those who create them.

"Our first concern: 'Is it commercial.^' This
can be answered quickest by reporting that
our group unanimously recommended its
release for Thanksgiving, the most valuable
playing time of the year. Three to four
hundred of the top theatres of the nation
in the largest cities will show it at that time.

"It is a long while since the screen has had
such a powerful love story, a real love
story of the kind that makes hits. From the
first electric moment when Elizabeth Taylor

, gives Van Johnson that fleeting but passion-
ate kiss during the chaos of the V-E day
celebration in Paris, right through their
fevered courtship and romantic adventures,
the deep, but troubled love of these two is
of overpowering, compelling interest.

"Our studio people have skillfully captured
the background and the spirit of the F.
Scott Fitzgerald story and the M-G-M cam-
eras that went to Paris have brought back
the realism that makes the drama all the
more powerful and believable.

"As sales representatives of M-G-M, we're
mighty proud of 'THE LAST TIME I SAW
PARIS' and congratulate all who had a
hand in its making."

a fleeting but passionate kiss during the chaos of the V-E day celebration in Paris. . ."

M-G-M presents

Color by TECHNICOLOR

THE LAST TIME I SAW PARIS

Starring

ELIZABETH TAYLOR

VAN JOHNSON
WALTER PIDGEON
DONNA REED

with

EVA GABOR • KURT KASZNAR

Screen Play by

JULIUS J. & PHILIP G. EPSTEIN and RICHARD BROOKS

Based On a Story by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Directed by Produced by

RICHARD BROOKS • JACK CUMMINGS

to lUy

(AVAILABLE IN PERSPECTA STEREOPHONIC OR ONE-CHANNEL SOUND)

Motion Picture daily

Wednesday, October 13, 1954

Grignon to Receive
Sam Warner Award
From the SMPTE

People

Lorin Grignon

Lorin D. Grignon, development en-
gineer on the 20th Century-Fox re-
search department staff, has been
named recipient of the 1954 Samuel L.
Warner Memo-
rial Gold Medal
Award for work
over a 10-year
period in the
development of
systems and
techniques for
the application
of stereophonic
sound to motion
pictures, it was
announced here
by Herbert
Barnett, presi-
dent of the So-
ciety of Motion

Picture and Television Engineers.

Grignon will formally receive the
Warner Award on Monday, at the
Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, dur-
ing a luncheon which opens SM PTE's
76th Semi-Annual Convention.

The Gold Medal award is presented
annually, recognizing inventions and
developments occurring in the last five
years, and in particular, those having
widest and most beneficial effect on
the quality of reproduced sound. The
purpose of the award is to encourage
the development of new and improved
methods for the recording, reproduc-
tion, or presentation of sound in mo-
tion pictures. In 1953, the award was
presented to Dr. W. W. Wetzel, re-
search engineer of the Minnesota Min-
ing and Manufacturing Co.

Long Runs Dominate
Charlotte Theatres

CHARLOTTE, N. C, Oct. 12.—
Because of a series of long runs, only
15 motion pictures have opened in
Charlotte's five first run theatres since
Sept. 12.

A survey conducted for Motion
Picture Daily shows that outstanding
films doing top business played for as
many as 32 days in Charlotte theatres,
an unusual situation.

Starting with "The Egyptian" and
going through "Rear Window," sev-
eral pictures have enjoyed unusually
long runs.

"Seven Brides for Seven Brothers"
did 32 days at the Plaza. "Rear Win-
dow" has played 14 days at the Im-
perial. "Caine Mutiny" will show
four weeks at the Manor, plus an ex-
tra week at the Center. "The Egyp-
tian" was good for two weeks at the
Carolina.

Most "A" quality films are good for
a week in Charlotte, but many are
now playing for a month or more.
"Glenn Miller Story" and "Magnifi-
cent Obsession" and "Gone With the
Wind" also enjoyed long runs.

Set Disney Releases

Title and release dates for the first
two Walt Disney Technicolor car-
toons of the new 1954-55 program
have been announced by Sidney
Kramer, short subjects sales manager
for RKO.

"Social Lion," a Walt Disney Pro-
ductions special subject, has been set
for release on Friday, while "Flying
Squirrel," starring Donald Duck, will
be released on Nov. 12.

Bing Crosby will be seen on the
Ed Sullivan CBS television show
on Sunday, as part of a special
presentation in connection with the
world pre-release engagement of
Irving Berlin's musical "White
Christmas," which begins at the
Radio City Music Hall tomorrow.

M. D. Williams, owner of the
Oliver Theatre, Oliver Springs,
Tenn., has opened his 500-car
drive-in there.

Curtis Mills has been named
manager of the Jeff Davis Drive-
in and Chain Drive-in, Hazelhurst,
Ga., units of Stein Theatres, Mills
also will, be supervisor of the com-
pany's 14 other theatres in Georgia
and Florida.

Jan Sterling, starred in Allied
Artists "The Human Jungle," made
a personal appearance yesterday in
Albany, N. Y., where the film will
open today at the Stanley Warner
Strand Theatre.

Irving Berlin will visit four of
the midwest's largest cities during
the next five days in connection
with the forthcoming nremiere of
his new screen musical, "White
Christmas," Paramount's first pro-
duction in Vista Vision.

Bob Heit, of the United Artists
domestic sales department, and
Sylvia White, of Allied Artists
foreign sales, will be married here
on Friday.

Edward Raftery, industry attor-
ney, is in St. Luke's Hospital in
Kansas City.

Frances Kates, former Warner
Brothers booker in Cleveland, has
moved with her family to Los
Angeles.

Edith Finkenstein, secretary to
Robert Ferguson of the Columbia
Pictures advertising and publicity
department, was married over the
week-end to Bernard Hiller at Long
Beach, L. I.

David Parry, formerly with the
Lynn Farnol organization here, has
opened his own public relations
office on the Coast with headquar-
ters at 6363 Wilshire Boulevard,
Los Angeles.

Frank Belles, recently promoted
from salesman to branch manager
for RKO Radio in Cleveland, will
be honored by the Salesmen's Club
of that city with a dinner to be held
Oct. 29 at the Theatrical Grill.

Fred Bragdon, for the past 10
years Boston representative for
Columbia Pictures, has been named
New England representative for
Times Film, working out of Boston.

Maj. Paul Vogel, of the Liberty
Theatre, Wellesville, Ohio, has
reported for temporary duty as
instructor at the Command General
Staff School, Fort Meade, Md.

□

Mrs. Rose O'Donnell Selwyn,

Allied Artists assistant payroll
supervisor, has retired after 17 years
with the company. She is the wife
of William E. Selwyn, producer.

Martin J. Mullin, president of
New England Theatres, will receive
a plaque from the Granite Guild of
Barre, Vt., honoring Mullin for his
work in behalf of the Jimmy Fund.
Presentation of the plaque was
suggested by Governor Emerson of
Vermont.

Florence Soos has been named
assistant manager of the Warner
Theatre, Bridgeport, Conn.

Rudolph Sanders, pioneer theatre
operator of Brooklyn, and one-time
president of the Motion Picture
Owners Association of that bor-
ough, will be honored on Sunday,
his 75th birthday, by the Jewish
Chronic Disease Hospital,

Andy McDonald, manager of the
Ridgeway Theatre, Stamford, Conn.,
has been promoted to the post of
Connecticut district manager for
the Brandt Theatres.

Gips Joins Mel Gold

Robert E. Gips, assistant to Harold
Danson, of National Screen Service,
Television Department, has joined
Mel Gold Productions in an executive
capacity, it was announced by Melvin
L. Gold, president. Gips' immediate
assignment will be directed at the su-
pervision of production of television
film commercials, currently in work.

To Release Mays Short

The national release date on the
Willie Mays Sportscope currently
being produced by RKO-Pathe is
Oct. 29.

'Widow' Roxy's Next

"Black Widow," Twentieth Cen-
tury-Fox CinemaScope picture, di-
rected and produced by Nunnally
Johnson, will be the ne.xt attraction
at the Ro.xy Theatre following the
current engagement of the comedy-
drama, "Woman's World."

Reopen Ottawa House

OTTAWA, Oct. 12.— Towne Cin-
ema, completely remodelled and under
a new policy, has been opened here. It
was formerly the Century Theatre
but now will offer only new first-run
films.

Patent Office Shows
Chromatic Tubes
In Public Display

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12.— Chro-
matic Television Laboratories' achieve-
ments in color television tube develop-
ment was put on public display by the
U.S. Patent Office in the lobby of
the Commerce Building here for ap-
proximately four weeks beginning to-
day. Chromatic is a subsidiary of
Paramount Pictures Corp., which
owns 50 per cent of Chromatic stock.

The display, being put on in con-
junction with the Patent Office's pro-
gram to illustrate for the public the
government agency's value in foster-
ing inventiveness, will present the
original color tube developed and built
by Dr. Ernest O. Lawrence ; the de-
velopment by steps and stages of the
single-gun tri-color cathode ray tube ;
Chromatic's latest model, a 21" glass
rectangular tube with 210 square
inchs of picture area ; the component
parts of the "210," and a TV color
receiver equipped with the Chroma-
tron tube. All telecasts in color will
be shown on the receiver, and pro-
vision has been made to show color
reception on it during periods when
color telecasts are not made.

Company Officials Present

Richard Hodgson, president of
Chromatic Television Laboratories,
and Isaac Fleischmann, chief of train-
ing of the U.S. Patent Office, were
present at the opening today of the
Chromatic display. Al Chesnes and
Robert Dressier, Paramount television
engineers, will be present during the
run of the display to explain for in-
terested observers the nature of the
Chromatic tubes.

All-Star Game By
L. A. Variety Club

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 12.— Show-
men of Variety Club, Tent 25, will
mark the observance of Variety's 26th
founding year by sponsoring the Vari-
ety Boys' Club first annual all-star
baseball game.

The game will be played at Gilmore
Field on Sunday, with proceeds going
to Tent 25's main Southland philan-
thropy, the Variety Boys' Club, in the
heart of Los Angeles' east side.

Success of Variety's Club for Boys,
founded a little more than four years
ago, is evident with drop of juvenile
delinquency in the club area by more
than 80 per cent since the Club was
opened, it was stated. More than
3,000 underprivileged boys in the vi-
cinity are being served by the organ-
ization.

The game will be a star-studded af-
fair, with its two baseball nines com-
posed of ball stars of the major
leagues. Names in baseball such as
Bob Lemon, pitching star of the
Cleveland Indians; Rudy Regelado,
another Indians star, and Tom Mor-
gan, New York Yankees slugger, will
personally play.

Dennis Morgan already is com-
mitted to head a contingent of show
world personalities.

Reopen Ore. House

EUGENE, Ore., Oct. 12.— After a
four-months shut down the Mayflower
Theatre, near the University of
Oregon campus, has reopened. Initial
feature was "On the Waterfront."
Seventy-five per cent of the patrons
are students of the University of
Oregon.

IT'S THE Sound of

A ROMANCE ON

THE Rocks/

pJxffft ^^ funniest
— pcture since *Born
Yesterday'!"

Judy
HOLLIDAY

^'t.yxt^.Phffftx^ a goofy title.

Buf^N^Rat^ gimmick for
smart shownnen / "

)

Jack
LEMMON

' Have you heard Decca's
mambo? It's shooting
to the top in all disc jockey pdk! "

Wait 'II you dig the special
trailer I made for

Story and Screen Play by GEORGE AXELROD * Produced by FRED KOHLMAR * Directed by mAKI\ nUDOUIl

WATCH THE PREMIERE AT LOEWS STATE IN NEW YORK!

Wednesday, October 13, 1954

MOTION Picture daily

Dual-Theatre Premiere for 'A Star Is Born

Matching Hollywood in opulence of ceremonies and impres-
siveness of celebrity turnout, Warner Brothers' "A Star Is Born"
was accorded a formal, dual-theatre premiere here Monday night
at the Paramount and Victoria theatres.

Shown arriving at the premiere above are, left to right, first
photo: Kitty Carlisle (Mrs. Moss Hart); Hart, who wrote the
screenplay of the film, and Arlene Francis, radio and television

luminary. Second photo: Ben Kalmenson, the distribution head
of Warner Brothers; Sidney Luft, producer of the picture;
Miss Garland and Robert Shapiro, managing director of the
Paramount Theatre. Third photo : Major Albert Warner and
Mort Blumenstock, vice-president in charge of advertising, pub-
licity and exploitation.

Paramount

(Continued from page 1)

product in the large theatres." The
Music Hall is currently installing two
Century Projectors for horizontal
projection of the film, he said.

"The present production plans for
Paramount studios include 20 films
next year, but it is very possible that
an additional three or four more pic-
tures will be added to the slate," the
producer stated. "During the past
five years, Paramount has averaged
22 to 24 films annually," he said.

Film producers in Hollywood have
become more selective and careful in
turning out films as there is "no limit
to a film's gross," he said. However,
the producers have become more dar-
ing in spending money for better casts,
writing and production because a big
property will attract important box-
office stars, Hartman said.

"However, the rising cost market
demands that all producers and studios
keep a closer check on all expendi-
tures," he said.

Points to Experimentation

Commenting on the successful ex-
perimentations with horizontal pro-
jection of VistaVision films which
allegedly enables greater height, as
well as depth, clarity and definition
of subject, Hartman said that "this
type of projection is solely for use in
large theatres with screens ranging in
width from 60 to 120 feet. It is the
eventual hope of Paramount that some
horizontal projection attachment can
be evolved so that all theatres can
project VistaVision in a manner in
which audiences will notice the
marked improvements, he said.

The experiments conducted with
horizontal projectors thus far, each
projector costing an approximate $2,-
000, have been very successful, he
said. "The VistaVision films used in
the tests were projected left to right
and in a 2 to 1 aspect ratio," Hart-
man said. "Our technicians now are
working on the horizontal attachments
and also are testing black and white
films for VistaVision," he stated. The
attachment could be hooked up with
an ordinary projector, he said.

VistaVision is flexible and can be
used in any theatre and can give

(Continued from page 1)

Enterprises production, also was star
of the lobby festivities in both houses
prior to the start of the performance.
Miss Garland was greeted at the
Victoria by Martin Block, master of
ceremonies, while at the Paramount
she was embraced by George Jessel,
who handled the festivities at that
point.

Times Square traffic literally slowed
to a standstill to catch a glimpse of
the glittering show illuminated by
giant searchlights.

WABC-TV cameras covered the
ceremonies at both theatres. There also
was coverage by the NBC radio net-
work, the Armed Forces Radio Net-
work, newsreels and press photog-
raphers.

The premiere literally covered three

city blocks, from the Paramount at
43rd Street to the Victoria at 46th
Street. At the Paramount, in addition
to the television cameras, Tex and
Jinx McCrary interviewed stars and
celebrities in a special hour-long salute
to Miss Garland via NBC radio. The
first 20 minutes emanated directly
from the Paramount, with the remain-
ing 40 minutes originating at the NBC
studios.

"A Star Is Born" started its regular
run at the two theatres yesterday. It
will be aided by one of the most ex-
tensive national campaigns ever* con-
ducted by Warner Brothers, a drive
executed and put into operation by
Mort Blumenstock, vice-president, and
his advertising-publicity department
staf¥.

Perkins

(Continued from page 1)

graph School. He entered the motion
picture field in 1929 as a member of
ERPI, predecessor of Altec, and has
served the organization in numerous
capacities since. Following a period
covering technical supervision of in-
stallations and service operations in
Ohio, he saw service as field engineer
in the Detroit area, and was then ele-
vated to the post of supervisor of
Altec service installation in St. Louis,
Providence and Boston.

audiences a 3-D ef¥ect, Hartman said.
"Our experiments with the medium
have been conducted under the policy
that the best will survive as no novel-
ties, changes in screen size, or what-
ever, will aid the story, which is
primary," he said.

VistaVision prints in 2 to 1 aspect
ratio can be had anamorphically or
regularly, he said. "So far, we have
had no requests for anamorphics as
yet," Hartman said. VistaVision is
currently being photographed in a
"loose" 1 :66 to 1 aspect ratio, Hart-
man said, enabling enlargement to fit
all ratios.

Coming back to horizontal projec-
tion for VistaVision, Hartman said
that "it is not for the great masses
of the public." Only the large thea-
tres, at this time, could have hori-
zontal projection, installing two ma-
chines at high costs, he said.

Brandt

(Continued from page 1)

"The motion picture exhibition in-
dustry is presently suffering from a
shortage of product, and rental terms
for films are geared to a seller's
market. Refusal to grant permission
to National Theatres will actually
serve to restrain trade here. Whereas,
favorable reception of this petition and
that there will be others similarly
situated, will do much to promote
much needed competition in the pro-
duction of motion pictures."

Kaufman Finishing
'Silver' TV Series

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 12. — Pro-
ducer Joseph Kaufman told the press
here that he has completed the first
six of 26 half-hour television-series
films under the title "Adventures of
Long John Silver" for distribution
via Fred Schwartz' Distributors Corp.
of America in the Western Hemis-
phere, but will not ofifer the series for
sponsoring until all 26 are completed
and follow a feature run.

Board Expenses Up

OTTAWA, Oct. 12. — Canadian
Government reports budgetary expen-
ditures for the National Film Board
rose to $985,000 in period April 1 to
Aug. 31 this year in contrast to
$836,000 in same period last year.

5% Tax

(Continued from page 1)

what New York City exhibitors con-
sider as good business periods, Beame
stated that "on the basis of these re-
turns, the yearly amusement tax from
motion picture theatres indicate a
minimum yield of $5,425,014." The
city's fiscal officials expect the film
admissions to be substantially larger
than $5,500,000 yearly, he said, basing
the opinion on the assumption that
July and August are low-yield months
and that the theatres will do better
business during the remainder of the
year.

The $124,811 ta.x breakage figure
which was withheld by the exhibitors,
is based on the tax required on ad-
mission prices of 50 cents or more.

Harry Brandt, president of
the Independent Theatre Own-
ers Association, and Emanuel
Frisch, president of the Metro-
politan Motion Picture Theatre
Association, have asked all New
York City exhibitors, circuit of-
ficials and independent opera-
tors, to attend a meeting at
11:30 a.m. today at the Loew's
home office to discuss the city
tax report and to plan future
strategy in the tax fight.

The city collector's office revealed
the total tax figure, $1,291,949, a short
time ago, but at that time, did not
reveal the breakdown. It was learned
yesterday that the City Tax Collector
turned over the figures to Beame for
official release and publication.

Edict Now Under Appeal

A Supreme Court decision is now
under appeal in the Appellate Division
courts by the city and the local exhibi-
tors. The city attorney, Assistant Cor-
poration Counsel Stanley Buchsbaum,
held that the collection of the tax
breakage as under the present city
impost which was affixed under the
State Enabling Act of 1947, is legal
and conducted in the manner of ordi-
nary business. The court, ruling in
favor of the theatremen, held that the
collection of the tax breakage would
make the tax more than five per cent
and was therefore illegal and unconsti-
tutional.

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, October 13, 1954

Shortages^ Gov^t Control to Fore

Allied Aided by
2 More Units
In Rental Fight

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 12.— The In-
dependent Theatre Owners Associa-
tion of New York and tlie Southern
California Theatre Owners Associa-
tion have advised Allied States that
they are in sympathy with Allied's
current campaign to combat allegedly
unreasonable film terms and a short-
age of product and have agreed to
meet to discuss cooperative action, Ben
Marcus, Allied president, said here to-
day.

Received Letters

Marcus said both ITOA and
SCTOA were mailed copies of the
letter which had been sent to Theatre
Owners of America last week and
which asked TOA's aid in furthering
Allied's program as set forth in its
"declaration of emergency" which in-
cludes among other things the intro-
duction of a congressional bill calling
for control of film prices by the Fed-
eral Trade Commission.

Marcus said, however, that the re-
sponses from Harry Brandt, ITOA
president, and Harry Arthur, SCTOA
president, did not mention the Federal
regulation plan in any way.

No reply had been received by Al-
lied from TOA up to today, Marcus
said.

He asserted that it is not a foregone
conclusion that the Allied convention
here on Thursday will declare itself
for the Federal regulation measure
and insisted, too, that it was only a
"last resort" measure.

Invites 'Alternatives'

"If the distributors came up with
alternatives to the arduous film terms
they are now asking which offered
the exhibitors an opportunity to make
a reasonable profit, there would be no
need to go to the government for
help," he said.

Asked how Allied could expect help
from TOA on its program when Al-
lied refused to go along with TOA's
arbitration program for alleviating in-
dustry grievances, Marcus said Allied
would back arbitration if it were
drawn to include the arbitration of
sales policies or film terms.

KPIX, S.F., Drops
DuMont Programs

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 12.— Tele-
vision station KPIX here has dropped
all DuMont network programs, charg-
ing DuMont violated a network affili-
ation agreement.

KOVR, Stockton's new TV station,
Channel 13, will get the DuMont pro-
g'rams — including "The Goldbergs,"
"The Stranger," "Chance of a Life-
time," "Rocky King," "Johns Hopkins
Science Review," and "They Stand
Accused."

Officials of KPIX, which has been
relaying DuMont programs since 1949,
declined to say what specifically
prompted the break. However, a
spokesman for KOVR said that
KPIX had protested when KOVR
began operations as a DuMont affiliate
recently.

KOVR, with a transmitter atop
Mount Diablo, is received in the Bay
area.

(Contimicd from page 1)

tativc gathering of exhibitors viewed
the matter.

Pointing out that there have been
claims that government regulation
means the end to free enterprise,
Myers said that the best answer to
the claim was contained in a letter
from Harry Arthur in which he said
his Southern California group "have
come to the conclusion that govern-
ment regulation . . . would be far
superior to the regulation that we
are now suffering" from by the film
companies."

Continuing, Myers said in part :

"Free enterprise is based
upon the profit system. With-
out profits there can be no free
enterprise. Whoever heard of a
system of free enterprise where
the profit motive had been
snuffed out? Yet the evidence
is overwhelming that the film
companies are rapidly eliminat-
ing all profits from theatre
operations or are reducing them
to a bare subsistence level. And
it has even been suggested that
the film companies are entitled
to a cut of the concessions re-
ceints, the last refuge of profits
in the theatre business.

"Just what kind of free enterprise
is it that those who scorn government
regulation would preserve? There is
no Drofitless free enterprise in the
books on economics that I have read.
Until those who have a practical
monopoly of the film business adopt a
!i->'e-and-let-live policy so that the
theatres can earn a profit, I am not
going to be disturbed by their cry
that their brand of free enterprise is
•endangered by government regulation.

Calls Regulation Legal

"For example, the assertion has
been made that the motion picture
business is not a public utility ; there-
fore, it is not subject to price regula-
tion. This pre-supposes that public
utilities are a closed category to which
neither the legislatures nor the courts
can add a new member. That is un-
true. The state legislatures and the
Congress of the United States can
regulate any business which they deem
to be affected with a public interest
or affected with a public use. It is
then up to the courts to decide
whether the regulation is valid or

Arthur Murray, RKO
In Dance Tieup

Arthur Murray Studios will intro-
duce a new dance, The Americano,
created by Murray, in conjunction
with local playdates of the RIvO pro-
duction, "The Americano." The dance
was inspired by one performed by
Abbe Lane in the Technicolor South
American adventure.

Every licensed Arthur Murray
Studio is receiving detailed instruc-
tions on how to teach the new dance,
with information concerning co-opera-
tion with local exhibitors playing the
RKO picture.

AA Buys 'Mother-Sir'

Walter Mirisch, Allied Artists ex-
ecutive producer, has announced the
studio has purchased the Tats Blain
novel "Mother-Sir."

Compo Membership
Renewed by Allied

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 12.— Al-
lied's board of directors has
renewed the organization's
membership in the Council of
Motion Picture Organizations
for another year. Wilbur Snaper
will continue as Allied's repre-
sentative on COMPO's govern-
ing triumvirate.

invalid and there are no precise cri-
teria for such determination."

Myers said that two circumstances
argue for a better performance by the
Federal Trade Commission, as pro-
posed by Allied, than by the Depart-
ment of Justice in handling matters
relating to the film industry. On this
score, Myers said :

"In the first place, the bill is so
drafted as to permit the distributors
in working out classifications of films
and theatres to cooperate among
themselves and with representative
groups of exhibitors, or the Commis-
sion may hold a trade practice con-
ference with both distributors and
exhibitors present, so as to avoid the
errors and weaknesses that crept into
the consent decrees which were
drafted behind closed doors and with-
out exhibitor participation.

Cites Difficulty of Control
"In the second place, it is harder for
the film companies to reach into and
control a Commission with five mem-
bers than an executive department
presided over by a single cabinet offi-
cer. Ever since Harlan F. Stone, the
last of the great Attorneys General,
presided over the Department of Jus-
tice, it has been the style to appoint
Attorneys General more for their poli-
tical prominence than for their legal
attainments. While an occasional
Commissioner may be susceptible to
outside influence, political or other-
wise, it is reasonable to expect that
a majority will take their duties seri-
ously and discharge them according
to law."

Myers said he had made no
provision in the draft for the
regulation of admission prices
or other details of theatre busi-
ness because he did not believe
that theatres are engaged in
interstate commerce so as to be
subject to regulation by Con-
gress, and also theatres "are not

Attendance at Films
Rising, Agency Finds

Despite the fact that television-set
use continues high, people are going
back to the motion picture theatres
in steadily increasing numbers, accord-
ing to a survey conducted by Cunning-
ham & Walsh, advertising agency.

The agency based its survey on a
poll conducted over a period of five
years in New Brunswick, N. J., called
"Videotown" because of the fact that
the city gets good reception from so
many New York and New Jersey
television stations.

Attendance at film theatres had
showed a drop of 77 ,per cent when
television sets, in quantity, hit the
market. But, "In 1953," said the
agency's report, "a 17 per cent gain in
movie attendance marked the turning
point. This year's attendance almost
doubled that of last year."

exercising monopolistic powers
or committing any acts which
require that they be regulated in
the public interest."

Tlie Allied general counsel opened
his address with a brief review of
.Allied's efforts on behalf of indepen-
dent exhibitors, stating that he occa-
sionally hears exhibitors desire a
return to the "good old block-book-
ing days." In this connection, he
asked : "In view of the changed habits
of the theatre-goers . . . how would
you like to revert to compulsory
block-booking and let the film com-
panies decide which pictures you shall
play?" Among other accomplish-
ments, Myers listed the campaign
against the fixing of admission prices,
ASCAP's charge for recorded music
and the "CinemaScope sound barrier."

Some 'Not Working Out'

Myers admitted that some of the
reforms for which Allied had fought
are not working out as well as they
should, because film company law-
yers "pulled the wool over the eyes
of the government lawyers in drafting
the consent decrees and the Depart-
ment of Justice has not the will to
enforce the decrees to the extent that
they can be enforced."

In decrying the dearth of product
and the effect on theatres and the
public, Myers stated : "The question
that now arises is this : Has this great
industry that means so much to the
American people the right to com-
mit suicide, whether it realizes what
it is doing or not ?"

Myers concluded his address by
asking the convention to join him in
honoring the man "who stands as a
symbol of the idealism, integrity and
devotion that characterizes Allied —
Col. H. A. Cole."

Allied Board

(Continued from page 1)

will be available to all exhibitors,
whether Allied members or not, on
the same price basis, Marcus said.

The board spent much of its time
deliberating the subjects of film
prices and product supply, which are
regarded as the most important on
the agenda of the 25th anniversary
convention which opened today.

Marcus said that regional vice-pres-
idents of Allied reported that all units
have endorsed Allied's "declaration
of emergency," calling for action,
among other things, on a bill provid-
ing for control of film prices by the
Federal Trade Commission, details
of which were published in Motion
Picture Daily on Monday.
Suggestions from Regional Units

Suggestions for implementation of
the declaration were made by the
regional units and reports were re-
ceived by the Board of advanced work
on the part of Horace Adams, presi-
dent of Independent Theatre Owners
of Ohio, and Irving Dollinger, of
Allied of New Jersey, on the forma-
tion of regional committees and the
setting of meetings to discuss film
terms and exhibitor action on such
as are deemed to be unreasonable.

Marcus said the board reaffirmed
its backing of the Makelim plan, the
Fred Schwartz Distributors Corp. of
America and all other new product
sources "which can offer good films
to exhibitors."

Wednesday, October 13, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Dumestre Named
TEDA Chairman
For Convention

Ray G. Colvin, executive director
of the Theatre Equipment Dealers
Association, has announced the ap-
pointment of J. B. Dumestre, Jr., of
the Southeastern Theatre Equipment
Co., Atlanta, to serve as convention
cliairman for the coming meeting to
be held in Chicago Oct. 31 -Nov. 4,
held in conjunction with the conven-
tions of TESMA-TEDA-TOA and
I PA.

Serving with Dumestre as members
of the reception and entertainment
committee are the follov^'ing members
of TEDA.

Ernie Forbes, Detroit ; Henry Sor-
enson, Dallas ; L. M. Wutke, Los An-
geles ; Frank Strange, Charlotte ; Al
Boudouris, Toledo ; Carl White, Oma-
ha ; Ray Busier, Tampa ; Neil Blount,
Memphis ; R. Bemis, San Francisco ;
Harry Blumberg, Philadelphia; H. J.
Ringold, Grand Rapids; L. T. Kim-
brial, Kansas City, and Paul Fine,
Omaha.

TEDA to Elect 2
Members to Board

Ballots were mailed out this week
to all members of the Theatre Equip-
ment Dealers Association, who will
elect two members of the board of
directors to serve three-year terms.

The two members of the present
board, whose terms expire at this time,
are S. F. Burns of Seattle and H. I.
Tegtmeier of San Francisco.

Four have been placed in nomina-
tion by TEDA members, as follows :
Kenneth R. Douglas, Jr., Boston ;
Tegtmeier ; Henry Sorenson, Dallas,
and Al Bourdouris, Toledo.

Results of the election will be known
when the ballots are counted at board
meeting to be held in Chicago, on
Oct. 31.

3 New Films Start;
6 Finish on Coast

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 12 — With
only three new pictures starting and
six pictures finishing, the total number
of pictures in work dropped down
to 31.

Started were : "Gun that Won the
West," Clover Prods. (Columbia) ;
"The Admiral Hoskins Story" (Re-
public) ; "The Purple Mask," Cinema-
Scope, Technicolor ' (Universal-Inter-
national).

Completed were : "Cell 2455," "The
Monster Beneath the Sea" and "Tight
Spot" (Columbia) ; "Timber jack,"
Trucolor (Republic) ; "Racers," Cine-
maScope, Technicolor (20th Century-
Fox) ; "Night of the Hunter," Greg-
ory Prods. (United Artists).

20th-Fox to Hold
'Desiree* Premiere

Twentieth Century-Fox will go "all
out" in its command performance pre-
miere of Henry Koster's CinemaScope
production of "Desiree" which will
open at the Roxy Theatre in New
York in November, the film company
announced yesterday.

The film company is sending out in-
vitations to royal families, and titled
members of nobility throughout the
world, in addition to leaders of inter-
national society, statesmen, ambassa-
dors, diplomats and industry leaders
for the premiere, it was said.

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Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, October 13, 1954

At Testimonial Dinner

Paterson^ N.J.^ Honors

Fabian on Anniversary

S. H. Fabian

NEWARK, N. J., Oct. 12.— Som
and motion picture leaders were in
duly honored S. H. Faliian, preside
marking his
4 U t li anniver-
sary in the film
aiaustry, at a
testimonial din-
ner held at
die Alexander
Hamilton Hotel
here tonight.

In honor of
his two score
years in show
business, Fabian
was awarded a
bronze plaque,
recognizing his
services to the
industry, by Harry B. Haines, pub-
lisher of the Paterson, N. J., Eve-
ning News.

The motion picture industry dele-
gation to the testimonial dinner was
neaded by Spyros P. Skouras, presi-
dent of 20th Century-Fox ; Barney
Balaban, president of Paramount Pic-
tures, and Leonard H. Goldenson,
president of American Broadcasting —
Paramount Theatres.

Mother Also Honored

Honorary guests at the dinner,
which was held in a banquet room
bedecked with photographs which re-
counted Fabian's career, were Mrs.
Jacob Fabian, the guest of honor's
mother; Mrs. S. H. Fabian and Mrs.
Samuel Rosen. Toastmaster was
A. J. Greene, associate editor of the
Paterson Evening News, while Jack
Stern, Paterson, was general chair-
man. The dinner committee was com-
posed of Mayor Lester Titus of

e 350 local dignitaries, civic officials
attendance as the city of Paterson
nt of Stanley Warner Corp., who is

Paterson, Stern, Samuel Rosen of
SW, Greene, Frank Damns and Bob
IJeitch.

i Among the guests were : Nate J.
, lilumberg, David G. Baird, Jack
Cohn, Ned Depinet, James R. Grain-
ger, Harry M. Kalmine, Louis
B. Mayer, Nicholas M. Schenck, Serge
Semenenko, A. N. Spanel, Walter
Vincent, ■ Toseph Vogel, Richard F.
Walsh, Major Albert Warner, Her-
man Robbins, Sen. H. Alexander
Smith, Gov. Robert B. Meyner, Gor-
don Canfield, Frank Shershin, David
L. Cole, Henry A. Williams, Carl
Holderman, Rabbi Arthur T. Buch,
Rev. Charles J. Child, and the Rt.
Rev. Msgr. Joseph M. O'Sullivan.

Tells of Regard for Industry

Fabian in responding to the speak-
ers, said the honors heaped upon him
were earned by the motion picture
industry. He said that he was for-
tunate in having found his first day
in his first job as an usher in the Re-
gent Theatre, a business which has
fascinated him every day of his life.
He gave unstinted praise to his friends
and associates and reminisced about
his early days in Paterson and the
personalities who taught him the es-
sentials of show business.

In speaking of his past forty years
as a showman, Fabian said "The des-
tiny of the motion picture industry in
these fabulous years has been largely
decided by the range and quality of
the pictures it has made and by the
growth of motion picture exhibition in
the United States.

Vending Machines
Boost SW Sale of
Refreshments

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12.— Use of
vending machines has sharply in-
creased Stanley Warner Theatres'
sales of ice cream, soft drinks and
other refreshments, according to Carl
Siegel, Stanley- Warner official.

Siegel discussed the advantages of
vending machines in an article written
for the program of the National Auto-
matic Merchandising Association con-
vention, which is being held here. He
declared that theatres canriot possibly
do without vending machines an;,
longer, and added that Stanley War-
ner is constantly looking for new ideas
in this field.

500% Increase Cited

Some of the points made by Siegel :
An ice cream vending machine will
produce more business in a theatre
than counter sales. By introducing ice
cream vending machines, -Stanley
Warner boosted ice cream sales from
1^ per cent of the entire refreshment
gross four years ago to nine per cent
today.

The beverage vending machine is
the theatres' most important piece of
vending equipment. The machine in-
creases the volume of soft drinks sold
to at least double that sold over the
counter, and equally important, has
boosted candy and popcorn sales by
permitting attendants to devote more
time to those items.

Conversion in Progress

The chain is now converting ma-
chines which used to sell five cent
candy bars exclusively to machines
selling half five cents bars and half 10
cent bars and so far has met no cus-
tomer resistance.

The combined revenue from a comb
machine in a theatre's men's room and
a perfume machine in the ladies room
almost paid for the annual cost of
maintaining the two rest rooms.

SW Reopens Two
In Connecticut

HARTFORD, Oct. 12.— The Rialto,
Norwalk, Conn., and Hull, Derby,
Conn., long-closed Stanley-Warner
situations, have been reopened, with
the former unit operating on a Friday-
through-Sunday policj', and the Derby
theatre on a seven-day schedule.

Jack A. Simons, formerly manager
of Loew's Poll, Hartford, now man-
aging the S-W Palace, Norwalk, is
also supervising the Rialto, while man-
agership of the Derby theatre has been
assigned to Harry Corlew, formerly
assistant manager of the Strand, Hart-
ford.

Meanwhile the Greenwich Playhouse
interests have relighted the Greenwich
Playhouse, Greenwich, Conn., with
first-run art policy in effect. Theatre
is running two performances nightly
Mondays through Saturdays, with
continuous showings, starting at 2 :30,
on Sundays.

'Suddenly' Takes $34,420

United Artists "Suddenly," cur-
rently at the Mayfair Theatre here,
has grossed $34,420 during the first
four days of its run at the Broadway
house, and theatre officials expect a
week's gross of $54,000 for the film,
it was announced by the film distri-
bution company.

SW Zone Manag^ers
In Meetings Here

A conference of home office execu-
tives and theatre zone managers of
Stanley Warner Corp. will be held
here today and tomorrow.

S. H. Fabian, president ; Sam
Rosen, executive vice president ; Nat
Lapkin, vice, president in charge of
production, and Stewart W. McDon-
ald, vice president and treasurer will
attend, with Harry M. Kalmine, vice
president and general manager of.
theatres presiding at the home office
meeting.

Zone managers attending are Alex
Halperin, Chicago ; Moe A. Silver,
Pittsburgh ; Harry Feinstein, New
Haven ; Frank Dainis, Newark ;
Charles A. Smakwitz, Albany ; Ted
Schlanger, Philadelphia, George A.
Crouch, Washington, and Ben H.
Wallerstein, Hollywood.

Among the home office executives
at the meeting will be : Stuart H.
Aarons, Miles H. Alben, Stanley
Amster, James M. Brennan, Nat D.
Fellman, Gio Gagliardi, Harry Gold-
berg, Frank J. Kiernan, Herman R.
Maier, Frank W. Marshall, W. Stew-
art McDonald, Arthur M. Rosen,
Bernard H. Rosenzweig, Carl Siegel,
Louis Siegel, Fred Stengl, Robert
Schneider, Charles J. Schnur, Dan B.
Treister, Ben Wirth.

No Early Sterling
Convertibility Seen

The recent statement by J. Arthur
Rank to the efl^ect that he would ac-
quire U.S. theatres when sterling-to-
dollar convertibility became a fact
may be minimized as a result of a
study on the subject of convertibility
by Roy Reierson, staff economist for
the Bankers Trust Co. here. In a
memo prepared for the bank person-
nel, Reierson said :

"Action on the part of the British
to make sterling convertible into dol-
lars, even on current account, does not
appear to be in prospect for some time
to come. Early in 1953, it was re-
ported that the British were fairly
optimistic as to the prospects ; since
then, however, they appear to have
adopted a progressively more cautious
attitude. Mr. Butler is reported to
have made a public statement in
Washington within the past few days
which, in effect, postponed a formal
step toward dollar convertibility for
an indeterminate period.

"It is my belief that Britain will
continue its program of easing import
and currency restrictions as conditions
permit, but that they will not under-
take formal action in the direction of
dollar convertibility of sterling until
after the next British election which
may not be held until autumn, 1955." [

Judge in Baltimore
Studies Decision on
Waterfront' Lines

BALTIMORE, Oct. 12. — As the
preliminary part of a formal court
hearing over a world that seldom gets
into court. Judge James K. Cullen and
attaches of Baltimore City Court went
to the theatre. "Hell" is the word in
question.

Columbia Pictures is appealing from
J. ruling by the Maryland State Board
jf Motion Picture Censors that the
words "go to hell" in the film "On the
Waterfront'' are obscene and indecent
jnder rules of the Maryland law. The
proposed censorship is supported by
Sidney R. Traub, chairman, and other
members of the Maryland censor
board.

A special showing of the film for
the court's benefit was held at the
censor's projection room. Counsel for
both sides were among the limited
number of viewers.

The picture distributors, through the
aw firm of Nyburg, Goldman and
Walter, contended to the court the
phrase is a necessary part of the action
of the picture and tends to lend em-
phasis to a portion of the film that
Jevelops a moralistic sequence.

Judge Cullen said he will return a
verdict soon as possible.

Product Trailer
Prepared by Col.

Columbia Pictures has produced a
special 56-minute film to highlight the
top 16 pictures on its future schedule.

Consisting of actual scenes from 11
of the productions and carrying men-
tions for the other five, the special
trailer will have its first screening at
the TOA convention in Chicago on
Nov. 1.

Prints of the trailer will be made
available at all exhibitor association
meetings and will be sent to all of the
32 domestic exchanges of Columbia.
There is also a possibility that the
film may be made available for show-
ings in theatres.

Scenes from the following features
will be included in the special
film : "Phffft," "Three for the Show,"
"The Long Gray Line," "The Violent
Men," "The End of the Afifair," "The
Black Knight," Technicolor adventure
"My Sister Eileen," "Joseph and His
Brethren," "Prize of Gold," "The Man
from Laramie" and "Tight Spot."

Mentioned will be "Picnic," "Pal
Joey," "Reminiscences of a Cowboy,"
"The Franz Liszt Story" and "Captain
Calico."

Fabian to Chairman
Israel Fund Dinner

S. H. Fabian, president of Stan-
ley Warner Theatres, will be chairman
and Spyros P. Skouras, president of
20th Century-Fox, will be guest of
honor at the annual dinner concert of
the American Fund for Israel Insti-
tutions, scheduled for Jan. 5, at the
Hotel Waldorf-Astoria here as the
highlight of the Fund's campaign for
$1,857,000.

Fund president Edward A. Norman
stated that "the most eminent civic and
philanthropic leadership of Mr. Fabian
and Mr. Skouras assures us that once
again the Fund's annual dinner con-
cert, an artistic tradition of the New
York winter season since 1947, will be
an outstanding success."

Wednesday, October 13, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

No Sales in West
Of RKO Theatres,
Schwartz Reports

No deals for the sale of any RKO
Theatres West of the Mississippi
iiave been concluded as a result of the
Western trip of Sol A. Schwartz,
RKO Theatres president, Schwartz
disclosed here.

It was indicated from other trade
sources that while on the Coast
recently Schwartz, as well as Albert
List, RKO Theatres board chairman,
entertained a number of offers, none
of which at this stage has proven
acceptable. List, too, has returned to
New York.

The information garnered, it was
learned, will provide a basis for evalu-
ating the current liquidation value of
some 17 theatre properties in seven
Western states. Although no sales
have been consummated as yet, it was
pointed out, this situation did not rule
out the continuation of negotiations
looking to consummation of deals.

Rogers Merchandise
Sales: $34,097,000

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 12.— From
gross retail sales of $260,000 in 1945,
Roy Rogers Enterprises anticipates a
total of $34,097,000 for 1954, according
to Larry Kent, general manager, who
has returned from New York, where
the company staged its first co-ordi-
nated showing of the complete mer-
chandise line at the Hotel Pierre.

"Roy's popularity in all entertain-
ment media — TV,- radio, movies and
personal appearance — is the actual
basis of the merchandising program,''
Kent said, "but the operation of En-
terprises is conducted separately, and
the figures I quote pertain only to
merchandising."

Currently, Kent reports, 47 firms
are producing 360 different items of
clothing, toys, furnishings and novel-
ties bearing the Double R-Bar brand,
which includes Dale Evans as well as
Roy Rogers merchandise.

Huge Music Drive
Set for 'Hajji Baha'

Capitol Records is launching a na-
tional promotion campaign on the
melody "Hajji Baba" which is sung
by Nat (King) Cole in the Walter
Wanger CinemaScope productions,
"The Adventures of Haj.ji Baba,"
which opened at Brandt's Globe
Theatre here on Friday, 20th Cen-
tury-Fox, distributor of the pictures,
announced at the weekend.

Special leters have been sent out to
Capitol's thousands of dealer outlets
across the nation apprising them of
the Cole disk and the film.

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''Aida"

[Uscar-IFE)

A RICH and exciting experience is in store for theatregoers who will soon
have an opportunity to see the screen version of Giuseppe Verdi's great
opera, "Aida." Presented by Sol Hurok, internationally famous impresario, and
produced in Italy, "Aida" introduces a brilliant new dimension in film enter-
tainment.

By using an English narration with consummate skill — merely to illuminate
the contours of the plot — "Aida" is developed into a show that vibrates with
color, movement, drama and pageantry. Its appeal will extend far beyond the
esoteric groups who patronize our opera houses. For this is grand opera
which through its pristine grandeur dramatizes a highly emotional story so
that it succeeds in stirring the imagination and capturing the heart.

The choice of "Aida" as the first opera-film in color was extremely felici-
tous. Verdi's score is literally overflowing with melodies that enchant the
ear and lend themselves magnificently to the drama and mobility of the plot.
The producers, Ferruccio De Martino and Frederico Teli, are lurther to be
congratulated for having assembled a cast of first-rate stars who are attractive
to look at and whose flawless acting blends superbly with the dubbed in voices
of Italy's finest operatic singers. Production values deserve to be described
as extraordinary throughout. There is subdued splendor in the color evolved
by the Italian process called Ferrania-color.

As is known to opera fans, ancient Egypt in the days of the Pharaohs is
the locale of the story. Egypt has been invaded by an army of Ethiopians, led
by their King, Amonasro. Radames, handsome young army officer, dreams
of leading Egypt to victory and of marriage to Aida, beautiful slave girl who,
known to all, is the daughter of Ethiopia's king. But Princess Amneris,
daughter of the Pharaoh, is also in love with the young warrier who is named
commander of the Egyptian armies and ordered to thrust back the invaders.

In victory, Radames faces disaster. To reward him the Pharaoh makes him
his heir and announces his engagement to the princess. At a secret tryst with
his beloved Aida, Radames learns her true identity and discovers also that
he has betrayed military secrets to her and her father. Radames is denounced
as a traitor and arrested. The princess offers to free him in return for his
love. Radames refuses, preferring death to life without Aida. He is condemned
to death by entombment in a crypt — and there he finds Aida, waiting to die
v,'ith him. As the lovers await death, Amneris, in the temple above, weeps and
prays for forgiveness.

Sophie Loren, one of Italy's brightest young stars, delivers a finely etched
performance as the beautiful but doomed Aida, while Lois Maxwell, as the
unhappy Princess, brings to her role conviction and deep sincerity. As the
warrior, Luciano Delia Marra not only displays the characteristics of a hero,
but portrays the tormented Radames with understanding and vigor.

Thanks to the scope of the screen, the big scenes in the picture have been
photographed for background effects of striking brilliance and beauty. Espe-
cially noteworthy are the battle sequences, the triumphal march through the
palace gates, and the ceremonial and victory dances. The latter are performed
with extraordinary grace and artistry by the Ballet Corps of the Rome Opera,
led by a trio of notables — Alba Arnova, Victor Ferrari and Ciro Di Pardo.
The choral singing and the music throughout matches the highest standards
of grand opera in the world capitals.

As can be expected, the picture must be slanted toward specialized theatre
policies and for special types of audiences.

"Aida" was directed by Clemente Fracassi.

Running time, 95 minutes. General classification. Release date not set.

AL STEEN

TV Set Production
Hit Peak in August

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12.— Tele-
vision set production in August was
the highest for any month this year,
according to the radio-electronics-tele-
vision manufacturers association.

RETMA reported TV set output in
August as 633,387 sets, better than
double the July production of 306,985
sets. Production was still below 1953,
however. In August last year, 603,760
sets were produced.

Total set production during the first
eight months of the year amounted to
3,785,519 sets, compared with 4,754,-
285 sets in the comparable 1953 period.
Slightly more than one-fifth of the
sets had UHF tuning facilities.

RKO Pathe Makes
Air Force Feature

New Conn. Drive-in

HARTFORD, Oct. 12. — Groton
Open Air Theatre, Inc., has opened
Connecticut's newest drive-in, the 600-
car capacity Groton Drive-In, on
Route 12. Principals include J. Law-
rence Peters, Anthony Albino, Harry
F. Picazzio, Jr., and Isadore Fishbone.

RKO Pathe has just completed a
nine-reel feature for the United
States Air Force entitled "Air Cruise
Control for Jet Aircraft" under the
supervision of Dudley Hale, produc-
tion director of government films for
the studio.

RKO Pathe is currently engaged
in converting several hundred reels
of film to foreign language versions
for the United States Information
.Agency. Production is under the
supervision of Frances Dinsmoor,
head of the foreign versions division
of RKO Pathe. Foreign language
versions of the USIA films are trans-
lated into 32 languages.

'Hansel' to Levine

BOSTON, Oct. 12. — Joseph E.
Levine, president of Embassy Pictures
Corp., has completed arrangements
with the office of Michael Myerberg
in New York to distribute "Hansel
and Gretel," in the New England ter-
ritory.

Say Parliament May
Produce on Coast;
O'Keef e in Hollywood

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 12. — Al
O'Keefe, president of Parliament Pic-
tures, will arrive here tomorrow from
New York to complete pending nego-
tiations whereby Parliament will en-
gage in feature production on the
West Coast.

Parliament's first feature, "Men of
Sherwood Forest," with Don Taylor
and Eileen Moore, has just arrived
here from England. The company's
second feature, "Break in the Cir-
cle," an action drama with Forrest
Tucker and Eva Bartok in the star-
ring roles, is now in the cutting and
editing stages. Both features, filmed
in Eastman Color, were produced in
England and on the Continent.

Prior to his departure for the Coast,
O'Keefe indicated that no distribution
deal had been arranged for the release
of "Men of Sherwood Forest" or
"Break in the Circle."

O'Keefe is due back in New York
in about two weeks.

Boston Sees Easing
Of Parking Problems

BOSTON, Oct. 12.— With the new
Central Artery nearly completed,
which will alleviate the present
traffic congestion for cars entering
and leaving the city proper, Mayor
Hynes has revealed plans for the
building of six garages at a cost of
$1,000,000 each, providing space for
3,600 cars for those who desire to re-
main in the heart of the city for
shopping or the theatre.

Fills Long-Felt Need

Business leaders and theatre man-
agers have long been demanding re-
lief from the present lack of parking
space in the downtown area. In addi-
tion to the six new garages which will
be equipped with automatic parking
facilities for the cars to be parked
in tiers by elevators, the mayor said
that meters will be installed in 650
spaces under the artery between the
North Station and the Sumner Tun-
nel for daytime and evening parkers,
only _ a short walk to the theatre
district.

Mesibov to Handle
IFE's 'Theodora'

Sid Mesibov has been appointed
special exploitation co-ordinator to
handle the national launching of IFE's
Pathecolor production "Theodora,
Slave Empress," it was announced by
Jonas Rosenfield, Jr., national director
of advertising, publicity and exploita-
tion for I.F.E. Releasing Corp. Mesi-
bov will co-ordinate his work with
Bernard Lewis, exploitation manager
for the company.

Mesibov, who was formerly ex-
ploitation and promotion director for
Paramount Pictures, will create and
execute an exploitation campaign for
the film.

Mesibov will assume his new as-
signment at IFE immediately.

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Point

VOL. 76. NO. 73

NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1954

TEN CENTS

TOA Board to Mull
Allied Proposal

Theatre Owners of America's
response to AUied's bid for
unified action is that the pro-
posal will be considered by the
TOA board meeting in Chi-
cago, it was learned here yes-
terday.

TOA's response, mailed by
TOA president Walter Reade,
Jr. to Allied president Ben
Marcus in Milwaukee, will be
made available to the press here
tomorrow. The reply is said to
inform Marcus of TOA's deci-
sion to take up AUied's bid
at TOA's forthcoming board
meeting.

Plea Heard for

Independent

Production

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 13.— With a
purported product shortage as one oi
the principal topics at this Allied
States' "product convention," much of
today's business sessions were given
over to spokesmen for new sources
of independent production. They were
Charles Boasberg, general sales man-
ager of Distributors Corp. of Amer-
ica ; Hal Makelim, producer, and Wil-
liam F. Rodgers, sales consultant to
AUied Artists, which is embarking
{Continued on page S)

Allied Urged to Jettison
Government Control Plan

Four Standard Films
Added to Fox List

Adding to its program of releases
during the last quarter of this year,
20th Century-Fox has announced the
acquisition and distribution of four
standard - dimensional films, one in
Eastman color, bringing to 29 the
number of films in both CinemaScope
and standard being olTered by the
company during 1954.

Of the total of 29 attractions, 17 are
filmed in CinemaScope and color by
De Luxe and Technicolor laboratories,
and 12 are in 2-D, of which nine are
lensed in color.

New additions to the release pro-
gram are '"The Outlaw's Daughter," a
W. Barry production in Eastman col-
or, starring Bill Williams, Kelly Ryan
and Jim Davis. The picture will be
opened in November.

Also that month, 20th Century-Fox
will release "Black 13," an F. Proud-
locks production directed by K.
Hughes starring Peter Reynolds, Rona
Anderson, Patrick Barr and Lona
Morris.

To the December release roster
have been added "Devil's Harbor," a
C. Dean production starring Richard
Arlen, Greta Gynt, and Mary Ger-
maine ; and "The Other Woman," a
Hugo Haas production starring Haas
and Cleo Moore.

Majors^ Appeal Successful

Judgment of $490,000 Is
Reversed in New Orleans

special to THE DAILY
NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 13.— Judgment of $490,000 against seven
major distributors awarded in Vicksburg, Miss., in 1951 by Judge Sidney
L. Mize to Joe Applebaum and Betram E. Simms, operators of the

Center Theatre, Greenville, Miss., was
reversed here yesterday in the U.S.
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals by
Judge Ben C. Dav^'kins and concurred
in by Judges Wayne C. Borah and
Robert L. Russell.

The original Applebaum-Simms
complaint charged that they were
forced to close their theatre as the
result of an alleged conspiracy be-
tween the seven defendant film dis-
tributors and Paramount Gulf Thea-
tres, operators of the Delta and Par-
amount theatres, and Clyde G. Dar-
(Continiied on page 3)

Prize Pictures May
Release Thru RKO

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 13.— Prize
Pictures, Inc., financed by Arizona
capital, has moved onto the RKO lot
to produce a program of three pic-
tures in 1955. Distribution for the
three pictures is contemplated for
RKO. Films will be produced in
SuperScope and color.

Sig Schlager, general manager of
{Continued on page 5)

Gehring, Rodgers Advise New Attempts to
Reach Understanding with Distribution,
But Convention Appears to Favor Control

By SHERWIN KANE

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 13.— The first voices to be raised at the Allied
States annual convention here against Federal regulation of the industry
were heard at today's session —

Both W. F.

Disney Prints
In All Forms

Walt Disney Productions plans "to
put out in all forms of prints our
forthcoming CinemaScope pictures,"
.Allied States Association was in--
formed in a telegram signed by presi-
dent Roy Disney.

The telegram, the contents of which
were learned here, was in response to
a telegram of protest sent by Allied
president Ben Marcus regarding the
stereophonic sound question.

Disney, replying on specific policy
regarding "20,000 Leagues Under the
Sea," said that "because of physical as
well as financial reasons, our first
batch of prints will be in CinemaScope
with stereophonic sound, but later
optical sound CinemaScope prints will
be on hand and still later when the
standard negative is made, prints will
likewise be in standard form."

In the first portion of his telegram,
{Continued on page 5)

Allied Cool to '55
All-Industry Meet

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 13.— Despite
the fact that Allied States will hold
its 1955 convention at the Morrison
Hotel, in Chicago on Nov. 5-9, there
is no apparent disposition within the
organization to tie it in with a sort
of all-industry meeting and trade show
to include next year's Theatre Owners
of America convention, Theatre
Equipment and Supply Manufacturers
Association and Theatre Equipment
Dealers Association, the International
Popcorn Association and others.

Such a proposal was first broached
last year and in the convention pro-
gram for the current Allied States
annual convention here, there appears
a full page TESMA ad urging the
officers and directors of Allied to give
{Continued on page 5)

Rodgers, sales consultant to
Allied Artists,
and William C.
G e h r i n g, 20th
Century - Fox
executive assis-
tant general
sales manager,
urged the ex-
hibitors here to
continue trying
to settle their
dii¥erences with
d i s t r ibutors
around the con-
ference table,
warning that
"once the Gov-
ernment is in
will never get out."
of both men were

W. F. Rodgers

your industry it

The remarks
warmly a p -
plauded by the
convention dele-
gates and, also,
were . promptly
answered by
Allied leaders,
who contended
that repeated
efforts to reach
u n d e r s t a nding
on sales policies
and other griev-
ances have been
made unsuccess-
fully and there
is no road open
to them other than Federal regulation.

Gehring cited the progress the in-
{Contimied on page 4)

W. C. Gehring

Allied Registration
Approximately 500

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 13.— Reg-
istration for the Allied States
convention here, still incomplete
today, was estimated at approx-
imately 300 from out of state
and around 200 from Milwau-
kee and elsewhere in Wiscon-
sin, said to be a record.

The attendance is expected to
be larger on the final business
day of the convention tomor-
row and for the closing banquet.

Motion Picture Daily

Thursday, October 14, 1954

Personal
Mention

LOUIS DE ROCHEMONT and
Mrs. de Rochemont arrived
liere yesterday from Europe aboard
the "Liberte.''

•

D. A. DoRAN, assistant to Don
Hartman, Paramount Pictures ex-
ecutive producer, who has arrived in
New York from Europe, will leave
here for the Coast on Saturday.
•

Bernard Jacon, I. F. E. Releasing
Corp. vice-president in charge of sales,
will arrive in Indianapolis today from
Detroit.

Jules Lapidus, Warner Brothers
Eastern and Canadian division man-
ager, is in Washington from New
York.

•

Americo Aboaf, vice-president and
sales manager will arrive here to-
morrow from London via B.O.A.C.
Monarch.

•

Joseph A. Tanney, president of
S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp., will
leave New York today for Los An-
geles.

Mike Simons, in charge of M-G-M
customer relations, will return to New
York tomorrow from Milwaukee.
•

Mori Krushen, LTnited Artists ex-
ploitation manager, is in Chicago from
New York.

•

John R. Bishop, head of the Para-
mount Pictures camera department, is
in New York from Hollywood.
•

Lawrence Weingarten, M-G-M
studio executive and producer, is here
from the Coast for a vacation.
•

Jack Murppiy, representative of
Harold Lloyd^ is in New York from
Hollywood.

•

Bob Hope will leave here tomorrow
for England.

•

Arnold Gillespie, M-G-M sound
man, is in New York from the Coast.

Pinanski Heads TOA
Nominating^ Group

Samuel Pinanski of Boston, former
president of the Theatre Owners of
America for two years, has been
named chairman of the 1954 TOA
nominating" committee, it was an-
nounced by Walter Reade, Jr., TOA
president.

Serving with Pinanski on the com-
mittee will be- Carl E. Anderson of
Kalispell, Mont. ; James S. Carbery
of Little Rock, Ark. ; L. S. Hamm of
San Francisco; R. M. Kennedy of
Birmingham ; David B. Wallerstein of
Chicago, and Mitchell Wolfson of
Miami.

The committee will hold a pre-con-
vention meeting at the Conrad Hilton
Hotel, Chicago, on Oct. 30. Its slate
of officers will, be presented at the
board of directors meeting on Oct. 31.

SIMPP Withdrawing
Complaint to FTC

The Society of Independent Motion
Picture Producers is advising the
Federal Trade Commission that it is
no longer interested in pressing its
charges against the Motion Picture
E.xport Association's reported pay-
ment of subsidies to foreign govern-
ments, Ellis Arnall, SIMPP presi-
dent, announced here.

Arnall stated that the Society
would ask the FTC for permission
to withdraw its complaint against the
MPEA which was filed on July 8,
in which SIMPP asked the govern-
ment agency to investigate and deter-
mine if the MPEA had made a sub-
sidy payment under the new trade
agreement with France.

The former Governor of Georgia
disclosed that the Society was satis-
fied with MPEA president Eric John-
ston's recent statement in Hollywood
to the efifect that he is strongly
opposed to subsidies and that his
views on the subject apply equally to
members of the MPEA board of
directors.

Speculation Regarding Probe

There is speculation in the indus-
try at this time as to the FTC's inves-
tigation of MPEA's activities abroad
as the agency has been studying the
problem for over a year, it was
learned. A representative of the
Independent Motion Picture Distribu-
tors Association revealed a short time
ago here that the FTC had coupled
his group's complaint against I.F.E.
Releasing Corp. with those of the
MPEA.

2 More Meets Set
By Illinois TOA

Two additional meetings of the
United Theatre Owners of Illinois
have been scheduled for Oct. 25 at
Springfield, 111., and at Urbana, 111.,
to elect a regional vice-president and
two directors to the board, it was an-
nounced yesterday by UTOI vice-
president George G. Kerasotes, in a
Theatre Owners of America release
here. '

Exhibitors of the Springfield district
will hold a luncheon meeting at the
Leland Hotel with Kerasotes as tem-
porary chairman. Theatremen in the
Champaign district will meet at the
Urbana Lincoln Hotel with Gene Rus-
sell as temporary chairman and George
Gaughan, TOA field representative,
assisting.

Seymour Mayer to
Loeiv Tokyo Meet

Seymour Mayer, Far and Near
East regional director for Loew's
International, left here Tuesday for
Tokyo, where he will preside over the
M-G-M PEP conference for the Far
and Near East, which opens next
Monday. Also attending from the
home office is Morris Frantz, the
company's advertising chief.

The five-day conference, first of its
kind held by the company in that
area, takes its name from PEP, the
"Perspecta exhibitor plan," $2,500,000
merchandising plan. Eighteen dele-
gates from twelve territorial offices
will attend.

O'Donnell Master
Of Ceremonies for
Boasberg Luncheon

Robert J. O'Donnell, general man-
ager Interstate Circuit, Dallas, and
Variety Club's
I n t e r n a t i o n al
ringmaster, will
be toastmaster
at the testimo-
nial luncheon to
be tendered to
Charles Boas-
berg by exhibi-
tors of the
United States
and Canada on
October 21 at
the Hotel Astor
here.

Among com-
panies which
have already re-
served tables for
the event are : Walter Reade Theatres,
Century Theatres, Prudential Thea-
tres, RKO Theatres, Skouras Thea-
tres, Liggett-Florin, Loew's Theatres,
Republic Pictures, Distributors Corp.
of America, RKO-Radio Pictures,
Randforce Theatres, Fabian Theatres,
William German, Brandt Theatres and
Rugoff & Becker.

R. J. D'Donnell

DCA to Distribute
Crawford Picture

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 13. — Fred
Schwartz, president of Distributors
Corp. of America, announced yester-
day that DCA has completed financial
and distribution plans for "The Way
We Are" with Joan Crawford signed
as star and Robert Aldrich scheduled
to produce and direct. Jack Jevne
wrote the story.

The signing of "The Way We Are"
marks DCA's second important dis-
tribution deal to be set within the
past few days. Schwartz announced
on Monday in Hollywood that he had
concluded a deal for the distribution
of "I Am a Camera," the Christo-
pher Isherwood play being produced
by John and James Woolf in London,
with Julie Harris, Laurence Harvey
and Shelly Winters in leading roles.

Schwartz is in Hollywood this week
for production and casting meetings
on "The Viking," a Milo Frank pro-
duction which will be shot in Nor-
way in the Spring of 1955 and
"Finian's Rainbow," a cartoon feature
will go into production in Hollywsod
shortly.

'Suddenly' Gross High

United Artists' "Suddenly," which
opened at the Mayfair Theatre here
on Thursday, grossed $7,420 on open-
ing today, topping the receipts for
"High Noon" by more than 15 per
cent, it is announced by the film dis-
tributor.

'Love' Posters Free

RKO will offer free 24-sheets on
"This Is My Love" to all theatres
which agree to pay for posting and
sniping, the company announced. Pos-
ters will be readv for shipment by
Oct. 20.

SuperScope
Is Shown to
British Trade

LONDON, Oct. 13.— Walter Bran-
son, RKO's world-wide general sales
manager, and Joseph Tushinsky, co-
inventor of SuperScope, today an-
swered questions of the British trade
press concerning the new wide-screen
process and its distribution, following
the first foreign demonstration of the
anamorphic lens on Tuesday to over
600 exhibitors from the British Isles
and Ireland at the Odeon Theatre
here. Branson and Tushinsky were in
charge of the demonstration.

Applause from the exhibitors, who
termed the wide-screen process "sen-
sational," was said to have been
almost continuous, as scenes from
forthcoming RKO productions, were
projected via SuperScope. Particular
enthusiasm was expressed for the un-
derwater scenes from the latest Jane
Russell starrer, "The Big Rainbow,"
which will be the first film to be re-
leased in SuperScope. "The Big Rain-
bow" will have its world premiere on
Dec. 21 at the Fox Theatre, St.. Louis.

Branson and Tushinsky will hold
exhibitor demonstrations of Super-
Scope at the Rex Theatre, Paris, on
Oct. 19, and at the Capitol Theatre,
Rome, on Oct. 26. A demonstration
will be held in Germany shortly.

RKO is handling distribution of the
SuperScope lens in the foreign market,
while National Screen Service has
rights for domestic distribution.

Flan SuperScope
For H-L's 'Cruz'

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 13.— United
Artists' "Vera Cruz," will be released
in SuperScope, the newly perfected
wide-screen process, it was announced
here yesterday by producer Harold
Hecht, co-owner of Hecht-Lancaster
Productions.

The initial order placed with the
Technicolor laboratories for prints
calls for 200 SuperScope prints and
100 standard projection prints, Hecht
stated, after concluding negotiations
with Joseph and Irving Tushinsky,
inventors of the process.

The agreement was reached follow-
ing the Tushinsky brothers' announce-
ment that their process is now com-
patible with CinemaScope projection
equipment.

The first screening of "Vera Cruz"
in the new 2 to 1 aspect ratio form
is scheduled to be held during Christ-
mas week at the Capitol Theatre in
New York, UA has announced.

Trade Charity Drive
Meeting Tomorrow

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 13. — Plans
for the permanent Charities Commit-
tee 1955 drive, with a goal set at
$1,250,000, will be completed Friday
at a luncheon meeting in the Beverly
Hills Hotel, campaign chairman Ralph
Clare disclosed today.

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Qmg\ey, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley
Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley,
President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News
Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel. Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns. Manager; •
William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145; Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A.
Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address,
''Quigpubco, London." Other ^Juigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Bettei Theatres and Theatre Sales, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion
Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter, Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March
3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies, 10c.

Thursday, October 14, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

National
Pre-Selling

City Overestimates Yearly
Tax Yield, Say Exhibitors

Rosemary Clooney

Ten fur coats, for free . . .

White fur coats, as worn by Rose-
mary Clooney in "White Christmas,"
will be awarded by the Association of
Fur Manufacturers to winners of
contests conducted by theatres in key
cities. The contest is for MEN, who
are required to write a letter telling
why they would like to see the wife
or girl friend wear a zvhite fur coat
for Christmas.

•

Irving Berlin in national
tour for "White Christmas"

Irving Berlin will travel to a series
of interviews, lunches, and cocktail
receptions to be attended by mo-
tion picture editors, columnists, disc
jockeys, and exhibitors in connection
with key city openings for "White
Christmas."

Music promotions: Rosemary
Clooney has written a series of
letters to 1,800 radio and television
disc jockeys in all parts of the
nation in which she says, "I think
the greatest compliment you can
pay to Irving Berlin is just to say
the score was written by him,
because his talents are so well
known that you expect the very
best — and always get it." Para-
mount and Columbia Records have
completed plans for the saturation
exploitation of a "White Christmas"
album by Rosemary Clooney con-
sisting of eight Irving Berlin num-
bers from the VistaVision film.

Merchandise tie-ups: Bing Cros-
by, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Cloo-
ney, Vera-Ellen and other mem-
bers of the "White Christmas" cast
have endorsed national products,
namely: Benrus Watches, Van
Heusen Shirts, Chief Apparel, Juno
Knitting Mills, and Styrofoam
Christmas Decorations. These man-
ufacturers will spotlight the stars
and tie in with "White Christmas"
in their national magazine and
newspaper advertising and in dis-
play material.

•

"Life," devotes three pages to
"White Christmas" in a picture
lay-out and review appearing in the
current issue. Two facing pages,
which carry pictures made on the
production sets in full color, lead
off the story.

"Look," in the current issue gives
a highly laudatory review to "A Star
Is Born." Quoting from the review,
"Judy Garland puts on the greatest
one-woman show on earth. This
movie will confirm once and for all
that she is one of the greatest of
movie-trained artists."

WALTER HAAS

New York City exhibitors are cer-
tain that the total five per cent amuse-
ment tax liability collected during this
second impost quarter, with payment
due on Dec. 20, will be less than the
$904,169 collected by the local thea-
tremen during the July and August
62-day summer period.

A prominent circuit olflcial, active
in the campaign to have the city's
levy on admissions declared null and
void, stated that "city officials do not
seem to realize that the summer
period is the best business period for
theatres throughout the whole year
and that the yearly tax total will be
watered down as box-office returns
fall off."

During the July and August tax
period. New York City's 438 theatres,
including two drive-ins, turned over
to the city tax office $779,358 and
withheld, as allowed by a Supreme
Court injunction order, $124,811 as

tax breakage. These figures were
revealed earlier this week by New
York City Budget Director Abraham
D. Beame.

The circuit representative, along
with other top exhibitor officials in
New York City, feels that the second
payment of the tax, due on Dec. 20,
will substantiate the figures presented
earlier in the year prior to the sign-
ing of the tax law by Mayor Wagner.
Beame has repeatedly stated that the
local theatres' yield would be about
$5,500,000 annually.

However, the local exhibitors have
maintained all along that the yearly
amusement tax would be in the vicin-
ity of $3,500,000 to $4,000,000 with
the whole tax, computed from all
sources of revenue, being in the $8,-
000,000 vicinity annually. The July
and August tax liability from all
sources of revenue reached a total of
$1,291,949.

People

Goldenson Keynoter
Of Carolina Meeting

CHARLOTTE, Oct. 13.— Leonard
Goldenson, president of American
Broadcasting - Paramount Theatres
will be a principal speaker at the
annual convention of the Theatre
Owners Association of North and
South Carolina here Nov. 14-16.
Goldenson will sound the keynote at
the opening business session Nov. 15.

Walter Griffith, convention chair-
man, said other speakers will be
announced later. Business sessions
will be held all day on Monday Nov.
15, with elections that afternoon and
the annual banquet and dance that
night.

The final day of the convention will
be given over to instruction to thea-
tre men in a program to be called
"theatre of tomorrow."

Judgment

{Continued from page 1)

Tepeyac Resuming
After Long Strike

MEXICO CITY, Oct. 13.— The
Tepeyac studios here, one of Mexico's
best, have resumed operating with
settlement of a 14-month strike and
making a peace pact that is similar to
the general one in which the other
studios entered during the summer
with the technical and manual workers
sections of the Picture Production
Workers Union (STPC). That pact
lasts until next July 31.

The Tepeyac operators allowed the
10 to 20 per cent pay hike along with
other studio-members to the pact and
agreed to pay their strikers 80 per
cent of wages during their long idle-
ness. That payment amounts to $20,-
000. STPC withdrew claims for $72,-
000-pay. It had sustained the strikers
by paying them half wages. Tepeyac
also agreed to pay a minimum of
$480 in wages per picture. That plan
is to last for 27 months.

'Amazon' to Schlaifer

Times Film Corp. has commissioned
the Charles Schlaifer and Co. agency
prepare an advertising campaign on
"Naked Amazon," the semi-documen-
tary color film about an expedition to
the Matto Grosso region of the upper
Amazon which is now being readied, treble damages of $600,000.

den and W. A. Prewett, operators of
the Lake Theatre. The object of the
alleged conspiracy, the plaintiffs
alleged, was to prevent them from
showing first-run films in the Center.

The seven distributor defendants
were Columbia Pictures, Loew's,
Inc., Republic Pictures, 20th Century-
Fox, United Artists, Universal Film
Exchanges and Warner Brothers.

Sees Jurors Partial

In their reversal of the judgment,
the three Circuit Court jurists stated
that the jurors in the Vicksburg trial
were favorably inclined to the plain-
tifl^s as against the non-resident cor-
porations. They held, further, that
against the multitude of decisions
against film distributors, it is still the
law that, ordinarily, a distributor has
the right to license, or to refuse to
license, his films to any exhibitor,
pursuant to his own reasoning, as
long as he acts independently.

In this respect, the court held that
three instructions to the jury given
by Judge Mize and complained of by
defendants, "in effect told the jury
that every distributor of films must
as a matter of law accept all equally
suitable exhibitors as customers and
must treat them all equally."

The opinion held that such a state-
ment overlooks the peculiarities of
the motion picture exhibiting business,
and also obviously conflicts witli the
settled law to the contrary.

Jurors Heard 'Rumors'

Another point held by the present
court was that during the Vicksburg
trail rumors of compromises ofl:ered
by the defendants reached the ears of
at least three jurors.

The case was ordered dismissed as
to Republic and reversed and re-
manded for a new trial as to other
defendants.

Plaintiffs Applebaum and Simms, as
brought out in the Vicksburg trial
charging violation of the Sherman
snd Clayton anti-trust acts, had asked
damages ' of $450,000 and $40,000 in
attorneys fees, and, for forcing the
theatre to close, they had asked for

Cyril S. Landau, former counsel
to RKO Pictures and Universal-
International, has announced the
opening of his own law offices here
where he will resume the general
practice of law and continue repre-
sentation of motion picture and
theatrical interests.

Edward Cohen, 20th Century-
Fo.x's Latin America director, was
married to Miss Lucia Hazan
Strugo of Rio de Janeiro at the
Spanish and Portugese Synagague
in New York over the past week-
end. The couple is currently honey-
mooning in England and Europe.

William R. McAndrew has been
promoted to the position of director
of NBC News, and Eugene Juster

has been named manager of NBC
news films.

Walt Disney, Fred Quimby, Ed-
ward Selzer, Steve Bosustow and
ueorge Pal are heading a film car-
toon industry committee to honor
Walter Lantz on his 25th anniver-
sary with Universal-International.

Frank P. Rosenberg, Warner
Brothers producer, has announced
the birth of a son born at the
Cedars of Lebanon Hospital, Holly-
wood. His wife is the former Mary-
ann Schaffer.

George Forsythe has been named
assistant to manager Bert Gamble
at the Oriental Theatre in Salem,
Ore.

Thomas Walsh, general manager
of J. J. Parker Theatres; M. M.
Mesher of Paramount and Jack
G'Bryan, United Artists studio ex-
ecutive, were among the Portland,
Ore., guests at the annual Navy
League cruise.

Suit for $31
Filed in Maryland

BALTIMORE, Oct. 13. — Three
theatres at Frederick, Md., are in-
volved in a new, Sherman Anti-Trust
Act suit filed today in Federal Court.

Alarva Theatres Inc., of Braddock
Heights, operating the City Opera
House filed the suit against six de-
fendants that operate Frederick's other
two film houses, the Tivoli and Fred-
erick.

A conspiracy to injure the plaintiff
and to monopolize the motion business
in Frederick is alleged in the suit.
Specific allegations include a charge
that the defendants have sought to
interfere with the plaintiff's lease of
the theatre from Frederick's Board of
Aldermen.

Treble damages of $300,000 and an
injunction are asked by the City Opera
House operators.

The defendants are Trans-America,
Frederick Theatre Corp., and two
other companies.

Motion Picture Dail'v

Thursday, October 14, 1954

Allied Hears Argument Against GovH Control

Not a Solution,
Rodgers Tells
Convention

{Continued- from page 1)

dustry has made "by working to-
gether" during the past year and one-
half in overcoming television competi-
tion, in improving theatre business and
in successfully applying and marketing
new technical processes and equip-
ment, and in producing and marketing
better entertainment. He emphasized
that it is 20th-Fox's policy to make
"a fair deal for any picture with any
theatre, anywhere," and added :

"We have made so much progress
in recent months, who knows where
we could be a year from now if we
work together? There is nothing in
government control that promises any-
thing of value to the industry. Far
more can be gained by negotiation and
discussion."

Gehring suggested that if ex-
hibitors feel they can make no
progress negotiating with sales
managers, rather than quit
there in favor of Federal con-
trol they should continue efforts
to reach understandings by con-
ferring with company presi-
dents.

"We have intelligent leaders in our
industry," he said. "There is every
reason to have confidence in reaching
understandings with them."

Rodgers, in a similar vein, told the
assembled delegates, "Government
regulation or intervention does not
seem to be the solution to the indus-
try's problems."

Rodgers warned that "once the gov-
ernment gets in, it will never get out."
He urged Allied to explore further
the possibilities of reaching an under-
standing with the distributors before
going to the government, pleading for
a "meeting of the minds."

In a question and answer period
which followed his talk, Gehring
answered specific complaints which
had been raised in the convention film
clinics yesterday and today.

Jack Kirsch, president of Illi-
nois Allied, said exhibitors had
charged they were unable to
buy 20th - Fox CinemaScope
productions flat despite a recent
statement by Al Lichtman,
head of 20th-Fox distribution,
that theatres grossing $1,000 a
week or less could buy flat.

Gehring replied there were no cri-
teria for gauging the grossing powers
of CinemaScope productions at thea-
tres and the company wanted to find
out what was fair and what wasn't
in marketing the new product. As of
now, he said, any exhibitor can make
a deal on any basis he wants for 20th-
Fox product providing only it is a
fair one.

Bennie Berger, North Central
Allied president, remarked that if all
companies followed the same policy
as 20th-Fox Allied would have no
need to go to the government.

M-G-M's policies also were lauded
by convention speakers in remarks

from the floor, but criticism of Colum-
bia was spirited. Much of the latter
was due to the inability of Abe Mon-
tague, Columbia's general sales man-
ager, to attend the convention at
which he had been listed in the pro-
gram as a speaker.

Montague Wire Read

Ben Alarcus, Allied president, read
a wire from Montague stating he was
required to remain away from the
convention in order to participate in
legal matters which could not be post-
poned. The wire said that Columbia's
position in connection with the visit
of Allied's emergency committee
which called on sales managers in
New York last August in an effort
to reach understandings on sales
policies, had been unfairly presented
by Allied. Montague emphasized that
his door is always open to exhibitors
with justifiable complaints and that
the way to settle misunderstandings is
not by "ganging up or through threats
of boycott."

Horace Adams, president of Inde-
pendent Theatre Owners of Ohio;
Irving Dollinger, of Allied of New

Jersey, and Trueman Rembusch, of
Indiana Allied, replied to the Gehring-
Rodgers' urgings against government
control of the industry, contending
that efforts to reach an understanding
around the conference table have been
made over the years and have ended
in failure.

"If we continue to discuss these
things longer," Adams said, "we won't
have any business to discuss."

"If government regulation comes,"
Rembusch said, "it will be because
some distribution executives brought
it on themselves. When you go back
to New York, tell them so," he said,
turning to Gehring.

Snaper Cites 'Rebuffs'

The 20th-Fox executive said he'd
"be glad to."

Wilbur Snaper, president of New
Jersey Allied, asked "What do we do
after we've been rebuffed by some
sales managers as we were in their
offices in August ? Do you talk some
more after you've been kicked in the
teeth?"

"Yes," Gehring said. "I urge you
to try again. There must be a meeting

More Gained
By Negotiating
Says Gehring

of the minds. There has to be some-
thing better than going to the Govern-
ment."

It became apparent that Allied
leadership, if it is not actually intent
upon the Federal regulation move, at
least wants the convention's authoriza-
tion to take that step at the discretion
of the board of directors.

Adams Asks for 'Ammunition'

"Do not leave this convention with-
out giving Allied's leaders some am-
munition with which to fight for you,"
Adams said at one point. "If you do
we will lose this fight and if we lose
this we will lose them all."

The temper of the convention ap-
peared in a state of flux. The rallying
cries of the more militant Allied
leaders were applauded with the same
spontaneity and enthusiasm as were
the cautionings of Gehring and
Rodgers against inviting the Govern-
ment inside.

Affected by Business Rise

It was apparent that the currently
improved theatre business has robbed
the Federal regulation move of some
of its urgency in the minds of many
exhibitors here. However, they re-
sponded to the "get tough" talk and
indications are they will give the
Allied board tomorrow what it has
so clearly revealed it wants.

Allied Hits Disney
On ^Leagues' Prints

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 13. — The
Allied convention here expressed dis-
pleasure over the statement by Roy
Disney, in response to an Allied in-
quiry, that "20,000 Leagues Under the
Sea" will be sold at first only in
stereophonic sound prints.

The CinemaScope production, Dis-
ney said, will be sold later in optical
prints.

On m.otion from the floor. Allied
officers were instructed to wire Dis-
ney requesting optical prints simul-
taneously with release of the picture
on stereo prints and requesting a
response from Disney before the con-
vention adjourns tomorrow.

Exhibit Booths by
40 Dealers, M-G-M

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 13.—
About 40 equipment supply and
concessions companies have ex-
hibit booths at the Allied States
convention in the Schroeder
Hotel here. The exhibits have
attracted a steady flow of visi-
tors since they were opened to
the delegates.

In addition to other display
space, M-G-M has a "hospital-
ity room" with provisions for
meetings, conferences and cor-
respondence.

Gehring Well Received^ But
Opposes Terms Arbitration

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 13.— Although W. C. Gehring, 20th Century-
Fox sales manager, won the admiration and applause of the Allied States
convention here today with his frankness in a convention speech and
later in an interrogation period on

sales practices, he declared with em
phasis that he would not be willing
to submit a dispute over film terms to
arbitration.

The declaration was made in reply
to a question put by Ruben Frels of
Texas. "I definitely would not,"
Gehring said ; "I won't establish a
'branch' policy."

The reply cost him nothing in
popularity with his Allied States
audience which has no discernible
interest in arbitration.

The questioning of Gehring brought
out his willingness to permit a re-
gional Allied States officer or other
associate of a complaining exhibitor
to appear with the latter in seeking
redress from branch managers or
other 20th-Fox representatives.

No 'Forcing' He Says

Gehring made short shrift of a
complaint that Chicago exhibitors, in
a double feature territory, are sub-
jected to "forcing" of short subjects
in order to obtain features. "That,"
said Gehring, "is against the law. It
is not our policy."

The question had been put by Jack
Kirsch of Illinois Allied, who said
the "forcing" complaint had been
made in a convention film clinic.

Convinced by Gehring that 20th-
Fox sales policy as enunciated by the
home office is fair and equitable,
Frank Stewart, Danville 111., third-
run exhibitor, wanted to know how
branch managers could be kept in-
formed of those policies. Said Stew-
art : "I read wonderful policy
statements by Al Lichtman and when
I call at your Chicago exchange I'm
told they know nothing about it. Most
of the time I can't even get in to see
the branch manager."

Gehring replied that policy changes
and instructions sometimes are delayed

in arriving at branches but that
eventually they get there. He said
he had made the mistake of inform-
ing only Harry Balance, Southern
District manager at Atlanta, of a
recent policy change, with the result
that other Southern branches re-
mained unaware of the change. To
remedy that, Gehring said he has
called a meeting of 20th-Fox's entire
Southern sales organization for Miami
next Monday and Tuesday, at which
the new policy will be explained to
all.

Despite his refusal to consider sub-
mission of a terms dispute to arbitra-
tion, Gehring took the occasion to
urge Allied to "try arbitration,"
saying, "Why reject it just because
you don't get everything you want at
the outset?" He referred to Allied's
policy of remaining away from arbi-
tration unless film terms are included
among arbitrable subjects. "Who
knows what could come of it, where
it might lead, if given a change?"
he asked.

Stresses Regard for Customers

Later, referring to Allied's conven-
tion slogan of "The Right to Make
a Profit," Gehring said his company
doesn't believe it can prosper or sur-
vive if its customers die.

"We want them to have a fair and
honest profit," he said. "Not just a
break-even deal but a margin above
that for their progress and plant
improvement and for better product
from us."

"But the distributor must make a
fair profit, too," he said. "No com-
pany in an insecure financial position
can give you what you need — top
quality product. We must be healthy
and prosperous to do that."

Gehring appeared in place of Al
Lichtman, who was kept in New York
by illness.

Thursday, October 14, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Production

{Continued from page 1)

on a new production program of high
budget fihiis.

Boasberg invited the exhibitors as-
sembled at Alhed's silver anniversary
convention to subscribe for stock in
the new D.C.A. company, pointing
out that such sage exhibitors as
j\Iitchell Wolfson, Joseph Seider,
Samuel Rinzler, Morton Thalheimer,
Julius Gordon and many others al-
ready are stockholders in the com-
pany. Seider, he said, will be one of
the directors of D.C.A.

Participation in the stock ownership
—D.C.A. is capitalized at $1,000,000,
he said, consisting of both common
and si.x per cent cumulative preferred
—not only will encourage the new
company but will help it to expand.

Praises New Product

He described the forthcoming prod-
uct of the new company, which is
headed by Fred Schwartz of Century
Circuit, New York, saying the real
product shortage in the industry is
not of film but of "A" product. "We
liope to make nothing but those."

Makelim thanked Allied for- its
early backing of his plan to produce
12 features with promises of play-
dates in advance from thousands of
theatres. He reported recent support
lined up from the Stanley Warner
circuit, Paramount Gulf Theatres,
E. M. Loew circuit. Paramount Tenn-
Arkan circuit, and the endorsement
of the Interstate circuit. He also
acknowledged and thanked the trade
press for its cooperation to the prog-
ress of his venture. All 12 pictures
will be made in this country ; none
will be made abroad, he said.

Rodgers, who was warmly intro-
duced by Ben Marcus, Allied presi-
dent, with an anecdote of how the
former M-G-M executive obtained a
New Year's Eve show for Marcus's
first theatre in Wisconsin when all
efforts to obtain one locally had failed,
described in detail Allied .Artists'
plans for top quality product.

Sees 'Transition Period'

In this transition period, Rodgers,
formerly distribution director of
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, acknowledged
that all branches of the business are
beset with many problems. "Of these
problems, complex in nature, the most
serious, according to my beliefs, is
the wide difference existing between
buyer and seller. This is to be de-
plored. The lack of arbitration in our
industry is, in my opinion, nothing
short of a calamity," he continued.

He then paid tribute to the con-
tributions made in former years by
Allied general counsel Abram F.
Myers and other Allied executives in
attempting to set up an arbitration
system, inviting .\llied people once
again to try to reach an agreement
on arbitration.

Looking into the future, Rodgers
predicted a "bright" one, with "qual-
ity entertainment in greater numbers"
seemingly assured. Producing and re-
leasing organizations, he held, "are

■HOWARD E. STARKi

Brokers and Financial Consuifanfs
TELEVISION STATIONS
RADIO STATIONS
SO E. 58th St., N. Y. EL 5-0405

Specialists to Motion Picture Industry

TelevisiDn-'HadiD

,with Pinky Herman^

"[ESTABLISHMENT of a production unit in New York and further
^ expansion plans will be revealed when Guild Films execs hold
their meeting- in N. Y. next Sunday and Monday. Sales director
Joseph P. Smith will preside at the confab which will also introduce
new Guild execs Karl H. Gericke, formerly with ABC-TV, and
Arnold L. Deutschman, now administrative aide to prexy Reub
Kaufman. . . . Bob Hope embarked Tuesday nite on another admin-
istrative season TVia NBC and gave with some rapid fire material
which was funny enough and timely, although to this reviewer it
seemed that some of his gags were too blue for so early (8:00-9:00)
in the evening. . . . Nine months have gone by since Jerry Marshall
succeeded Martin Block as 'barker' for the "Make Believe Ballroom"
over WNEW and not only has the spieler retained the Block-buster's
legion of listeners but has at the same time 'marshalled' several
thousand new fans. . . . Sid NBCaesar's clowning last Monday was
top-drawer and this particular situation-comedy episode (Country
Club Party) was made-to-order for his talents. ...

14- i!V i!V

The 4th annual WABCerebral Palsy Telethon, femceed by
Jane Pickens, will take place from Saturday, Oct. 23 at 10:30
P.M. thru 4:30 P.M. next day aided by
Toni Arden, Martha Wright, Martin Block,
Polly Bergen, Jerome Courtland, John
Henry Faulk, Betty Furness, Virginia
Graham, Al Hodge, Bess Myerson, Janis
Paige, Hazel Scott, Sloan Simpson. . . .
We've got this all figgered out. Sometime
about September, 1955, we will be able to
order that new Cadillac. Last week Harold
Goldman, veep in charge of sales for Na-
tional Telefilm Associates, sent us a note
and attached thereto was a crisp new dollar
bill. Yesterday, Harold again sent us a
reminder that 'the news is on the way'
and attached were two crisp new dollar
bills. Of course, if Harold and his associates keep up this
practice a lot of us will get rich. But upon reflection, it occurs
to us that there is something in the wind. We're sure that
somewhere or at sometime or other, we 'heered tell' something
to the effect 'nobody — but nobody gives anything for nothing.'
In fact we're most certain that this teaser campaign is leading
up to something and it better be good — else we'll save the
dollars sent us and return the amassed total to N.T.A., Inc. . . .

ik ik i:?

Her daily efforts on her WCFLavorful series, "Your Sister
Eileen," {Chicago) and other services performed for the Vets at
the Vets' Research Hospital, has earned Eileen Mack the title
of "Szveetest Girl in Radio" and she's also been nominated for this
year's McCall's Award {Radio's Outstanding Woman). . . . Can't
understand hozmome Bill Silbert isn't tapped to emcee his own
TV series. This handsome young deejay, heard daily at 4:00 p.m.
over WMGM, knows his music, artists, talent, iias done numerous
TV stints {while at Dii Mont) and is definitely Video timber.
. . . Pretty Aimee Richel, who has been associated until the "Arthur
Godfrey Shozv" from the day it started back in 1946, became the
mother of a baby boy, Michael, last Friday. Moaseltoff. . . . WORL
engineer Al 'Cuddles' Alford resumed his studies at Boston Uni-
z'crsitx last zvcek.

Bess Myerson

putting their best foot forward and
striving to make outstanding prod-
uct." Exhibition on its part, he con-
tinued, should strive to get the maxi-
mum results on each attraction.

Regarding his association with
Allied Artists, Rodgers predicted a
"very bright" future for that com-
pany, mentioning Allied Artists' acqui-
sition of such talent as John Huston,
Billy Wilder and William Wyler. "I
might mention here that the execu-
tives of Allied Artists will expect me
to counsel and advise with them con-
cerning their future producing plans.
My advice in this regard must quite
naturally be based upon the support
they get from exhibitors throughout
the country," he added.

Prize Pictures

{Continued front page 1)

Prize Pictures, has already set up his
organization at RKO. His present
business organization includes Ben
Englander, Una Stanley and John
Shanks.

Prize Pictures has spent three years
acquiring and developing story ma-
terial and negotiating for personal-
ities to appear in them, Schlager
stated. Announcement of the three
properties to be made in 1955 will be
made shortly, he said. Prize Pictures,
Inc., is the producing name of Pic
tures Holding Corp., of which James
A. Smith of Phoenix is president.

Allied Report
Calls for New
Film Sources

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 13. — Allied's
record over the past year, highlighted
by its resistance to stereophonic sound
requirements for Cinema Scope pro-
ductions and its encouragement of new
product sources, was reviewed for the
convention here today in the annual
report of Ben Marcus, Allied head.

Marcus said that more than 9,000
theatres in this country are showing
CinemaScope productions now, con-
tending that such a number would not
have been possible at this stage had
the stereo sound requirement been per-
mitted to stand. "We are not opposed
to progress, just want to run our thea-
tres right," he said.

Marcus said the product shortage is
a symptom of the industry's "sick-
ness," and that the doctor it needs is
new product sources. Allied is encour-
aging all of these it can, he said. The
organization is gearing itself now to
combat unreasonable terms and print
shortages, he said, citing the plan for
Federal regulation.

He reiterated that he did not think
Allied is interested in a merger with
any other e.xhibitor organization at
this tin>e, but asserted Allied welcomes
the cooperation of all organizations in
its activities on behalf of independent
exhibitors.

He said Allied's plan to have thea-
tre equipment and supplies made with
.Allied's name brand for distribution by
it at low prices is a result of the board
of directors' determination not to again
"get caught" in equipment pinches re-
sulting from introduction of new proc-
esses.

Allied Cool

{Continued from page 1)

consideration to the proposal for next
year.

The ad states that the convention
committee of TESMA "will welcome
the opportunity of discussing this sug-
gestion" with an Allied committee.

An informal inquiry among Allied
officers and directors here failed to
turn up one interested in pursuing
the suggestion. Several Allied offi-
cials said they have been disappointed
by the collapse of arrangements a
year ago to hold the trade show here
in Milwaukee in conjunction with
this year's Allied convention and did
not feel another arrangement of the
kind would interest Allied for some-
time to come.

Disney

{Continued from page 1)

Disney declared that the policy of re-
leasing CinemaScope pictures "in all
forms of prints" stems not only from
good business from our part, but from
the knowledge that the world-wide
public supports Disney pictures and
therefore they must be served."

For 35 Years the Leaders

fIN SERVICE AND QUALITY

.With Showfinen Everywhere!

MOTION PICTURE

DAILY

\OL. 76. NO. 74

NEW YORK, U. S. A., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1954

TEN CENTS

Sets Strong Pace

W Impresses
As ^Christmas'
Opens Here

Balaban Says "It's Just
A Start for Process"

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

The first VistaVision production,
Paramount's "White Christmas," was
unveiled here yesterday to the Amer-
ican public at Radio City Music Hall,
drawing lauda-
tory comments
and setting up a
"terrific" box-
office pace.

Paramount
president Bar-
ney Balaban,
holding a press
conference fol-
lowing the first
showing of the
film, said that
"White Christ-
mas" represents
"just a begin-
ning of what
can be done" with the process.

Adolph Zukor, chairman of the
board of directors of Paramount Pic-
tures, attending the same press confer-
ence, acclaimed the progress that the
industry is making, referring to the
VistaVision process and "White
Christmas." The industry pioneer de-
clared that the "public is getting more
for its money" today than in any pe-
riod in the industry's history. "I never
{Continued on page 6)

Barney Balaban

Name Baumgarten
Lippert President

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 14.— -Robert
L. Lippert today announced the
appointment of his executive assistant,
Edmund J. Baumgarten, to the presi-
dency of Lippert Pictures, with Wil-
liam Pizor continuing as vice-presi-
dent in charge of foreign sales. Lip-
pert will assume an advisory capacity
with the company, and will personally
supervise picture sales during the next
three months for opening campaigns
on three top budget pictures. Follow-
ing the launching of these pictures,
four district sales managers will be
appointed in January, to function
under the jurisdiction of Baumgarten.

Lippert's announcement bears out
an earlier indication that he person-
ally had completed financial arrange-
ments, during his recent trip abroad,
(Continued on page 6)

Allied Convention Votes
For Federal Regulation

Breen Resigns
PCA Post

The resignation of Joseph I. Breen
as administrator of the Production
Code Administration was accepted
here yesterday by the directors of the
Motion Picture
.'Association of
America.

The board, at
the same time,
approved the
selection of
Geoffrey M.
Shurlock to suc-
ceed Breen as
PCA adminis-
trator.

In making
the joint an-
nouncement,
MPAA presi-
dent Eric A.

Johnston said that Breen would con-
tinue as special consultant to the PCA
for the next seven years. Shurlock,
a motion picture industry veteran, has
served as Breen's assistant for the
past several years.

Johnston praised Shurlock as an
"extremely able, respected and experi-
(Conlinued on page 4)

Joseph I. Breen

37 From A A
In 1 954-' 55

Each Company Scrutinized

Fox, MGM Most Favored
In 7 Allied Film Clinics

Little Opposition; Leaders Will Use It As
Bargaining Weapon During Next 3 Months;
If No Relief, Board Will Act at Feb. Meet

By SHERWIN KANE

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 14.— A resolution approving a draft of a bill
calling for Federal regulation of the industry was adopted by Allied
States silver anniversary convention at its closing session today in the

Hotel Schroeder here. Introduction
of the bill in Congress is left to the
discretion of Allied's board of direc-
tors after a three-month period. If
at the end of that time conditions in
the industry have changed so as to
make introduction of the bill unneces-
sary in the opinion of the board it
can be abandoned.

• On the other hand if the board
at its annual meeting in St. Louis
next February still feels legislation
to be desirable, the Allied member-
ship under the resolution adopted
today pledges itself to do "all in our
power to secure the bill's enactment."

The resolution is in keeping with
the four-point declaration of emer-
gency promulgated by the Allied
board at its August meeting in White
Sulphur Springs, W. Va. Point four
of that declaration provided for
"keeping the door open for the recep-
tion and consideration of any pro-
posals the film companies may offer
or any reforms they may voluntarily
adopt for relieving the present intoler-
able conditions, especially as they
affect the small town and sub-run
theatres."

Thus, it is made clear that at this
iContimied on page 4)

CHICAGO, Oct. 14.— Thirty-seven
films for the 1954-55 season, 12 of
which will spearhead releases during
the next 10 months, were announced
today by Walter Mirisch, executive
producer, at the annual Allied Artists
national sales convention in the Black-
stone Hotel.

In revealing the company's product
for the new season, including at least
two films in CinemaScope and seven
in Technicolor, Mirisch disclosed
that it represents the "greatest box-
office potential in the company's his-
tory," and by far reflects AA's heav-
iest investment in production.

"I am certain," he told the sales-
{Continued. on page 2)

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 4. — As was the case in the report made by the
Allied States film committee after its meetings with sales managers in
New York last August, the film clinics at Allied's 25th anniversary con-
vention here were most favorably dis

RKO Studio Labor
Post to Mahn

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 14.— Richard
Mahn, who has been associated with
RKO for the past 23 years in a
variety of executive capacities, has
been appointed labor relations director
of RKO Radio studio, it was an-
nounced by C. J. Tevlin, vice presi-
dent in charge of operations. Mahn
succeeds Mark Bushner, who resigned
the post to become administrator of
the motion picture industry pension
fund.

jposed toward M-G-M and 20th Cen-
tury-Fox and most critical of Colum-
bia and Warner Brothers in reporting
today on the results of three days
of clinics.

There were seven clinics in all, one
each for small towns, large towns,
medium cities, large cities, key neigh-
borhoods and subsequent runs, out-
door theatres and circuit buyers.

S. J. Goldberg, president of Allied
of Wisconsin, was appointed coordina-
tor of the seven groups and read a
report covering seven major distribu-
tion companies, consolidating com-
(Coiitiniied on page 4)

Allied Bid to TOA
To Latter's Board

As had been expected, Allied's bid
to Theatre Owners of America for
support of the former's proposal to
seek government intervention will be
submitted to TOA's board of directors
in Chicago next month.

TOA president Walter Reade, in
his letter to Allied president Ben Mar-
cus wrote :

"I wish to acknowledge your very
sincere letter of Oct. 4 and I wish to
assure you, your officers and board of
directors and members of the emer-
gency defense committee that I shall
present the thoughts contained in your
letter at our board of directors meet-
ing at the convention in Chicago.

"Upon the conclusion of our con-
vention, I shall transmit to you the
board's decision concerning the con-
tents of your letter."

Motion Picture Dail\

Friday, October 15, 1954

Personal
Mention

EDWARD L. HYMAN, vice-presi-
dent of American Broadcasting-
Paramount Theatres, and Robert K.
Shapiro, managing director of the
Paramount Theatre, will leave New
York tomorrow for the Coast.
•

Joseph S. Hummel, Warner Broth-
ers general manager for Continental
Europe, the Near East and Africa, has
arrived in New York from Paris.
•

Byron Haskin, director who ar-
rived in New York this week from
the Coast, will leave here over the
weekend for London.

•

Gregory Ratoff is scheduled to ar-
rive here tomorrow from London via
B.O.A.C. Royal Scot.

Byron Haskin, director, will ar-
rive here next Wednesday from Aus-
tralia.

Bob Hope will leave here for Eu-
rope today aboard the "United States."

Cornel Wilde is due in New York
from the Coast next week.

Bert Orde, of "Redbook," is in Los
Angeles from New York.

Abbe Lane will leave here today
for Hollywood.

High Court to Review
IPE vs. NSS Case

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14.— The
Supreme Court today agreed to re-
view the action of a lower court which
threw out the suit of Charles Lawler
and Mitchell Pantzer, trading as In-
dependent Poster Exchange, against
National Screen Service and eight
major distributors. The Third Circuit
Court rejected the suit and the part-
ners' appeal to the high court resulted
in today's decision.

Independent Poster Exchange
charged NSS with a monopoly in the
poster and trailer field, and declared
that the major distributors aided NSS
in maintaining this monopoly.

Earlier Suit Dismissed

The Philadelphia District Court and
the circuit court threw out the case,
holding that the suit was barred by
reason of the fact that a similar,
earlier suit had been dismissed after
the parties worked out a settlement.
The courts said the matter had there-
fore been adjudicated once and could
not be the subject of a second suit.

The partners claimed that NSS had
violated the earlier settlement ; that
the new suit claimed damages only for
actions taking place since that settle-
ment had been violated, and therefore
that the new suit should not be barred.

Argument in the appeal will be
heard later in the current term of the
high court. Decision is not looked
for before the end of the present year
or early in 195S.

Film Cases in High Court
As Current Term Opens

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14.— The Supreme Court today agreed to hear
appeals in two cases affecting the film industry.

One of the cases the court agreed to rule on involves an anti-trust
uit against National Screen Service

37 from AA

Corp. and the eight major distributors,
treated in detail elsewhere in these
columns. The other poses the question
of whether exhibitors who win puni-
tive damages in private anti-trust suits
must pay Federal income taxes on
those damages.

Argument in the two cases will be
heard later in the term, with final
decisions unlikely before the end of
this year or early next year.

Harrison Plea Rejected

At the same time, the high court
refused to review a lower court deci-
sion throwing out an anti-trust suit
brought by a Pennsylvania exhibitor —
F. E. Harrison — against the major
distributors. Harrison, owner of the
Bryn Mawr Theatre in suburban
Philadelphia, sued the eight distribu-
tors, Warner Brothers Circuit Man-
agement Corp. and Stanley Co. of
America. The Third Circuit Court of
Appeals threw out the suit and Harri-
son appealed to the high court. The
justices today gave no reason for their
refusal to hear the case, merely noting
their decision on a long list of orders.

These three cases were the
only film cases acted on by the
high court today, at its first
business session of the new
term. The court will meet to
hand down orders again on
Monday, at which time it may
say whether or not it will hear
appeals in four other pending
film cases. These involve such
issues as a distributor's right
to license old films to televi-
sion and the applicability of the
Indiana gross income tax to
film rentals.

The question of taxing punitive
damage awards is posed by the
Government's appeal from a decision
of the third circuit court that Wil-
liam Goldman Theatres was not tax-
able on such damages.

Goldman won an anti-trust suit
against Warner Theatres and the
major distributors, and was awarded
$125,000 damages, trebled to $375,000.
He admitted that the first $125,000
represented lost profits and was tax-
able, but maintained that the remain-
ing $250,000 was not taxable. The
Internal Revenue Service took the
matter to court, arguing that the
entire amount was taxable, but the
tax court and the third circuit court
ruled against the Government and for
Goldman.

Based on Previews Decision

The lower courts based their action
on a previous Supreme Court decision
to the effect that taxable income con-
sists only of "gain derived from capi-
tal or labor or both combined." They
said punitive damages did not come
in this category and therefore were
not taxable.

In appealing the case to the Su-
preme Court, the Justice Department
said other cases involving other indus-

tries have been decided differently in
other lower courts and that the prob-
lem was one of insufficient importance
for the Supreme Court to have its
say on the matter. The high court to-
day agreed and took the case.

The Harrison suit, which the court
refused to hear today, charged a con-
spiracy to make the Bryn Mawr
Theatre play films behind the Warner
Theatre in the area. The district
court as well as the circuit court
ruled against Harrison and for the
defendants.

In appealing the case to the
high court, Harrison's attorneys
said the trial court was in error
in refusing to allow the Para-
mount decree as prima facie
evidence of the unlawful notices
of the distributors and in refus-
ing to direct a verdict for Har-
rison on the basis of the Par-
amount decree and other evi-
dence.

The appeal also said the circuit
court ruling conflicted with the ruling
of other circuits as to whether clear-
ances must be held illegal, even if
reasonable, so long as they grow out
of a conspiracy. The Third Circuit
Court' in the Harrison case said that
even if the clearances grew out of the
Paramount conspiracy, the distribu-
tors could still prove they were
reasonable and thereby avoid con-
sequences.

Had Leased House to Others

Distributors declared that the dis-
trict court had fully explained the
Paramount case to the jury. They
argued that there was ample evidence
that each distributor had acted inde-
pendently, for his own proper busi-
ness purposes. Finally, they main-
tained that Harrison for the past 20
years had leased the theatre to others
to operate, had never had any control
over its operations or transacted any
business with the distributors, and
therefore had no status to sue the
distributors.

Edward P. Hodges, 57
Justice Dept. Official

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14.— Ed-
ward P. Hodges, chief assistant in
the anti-trust division of the Justice
Department, died here today at the
age of 57 following his collapse while
addressing a conference of district
attorneys.

Hodges had been associated in a
supervisory capacity with many of
the recent decisions on enforcing the
Paramount case consent decrees.

Set L.A. 'Contessa' Bow

The West Coast premiere of Joseph
L. Mankiewicz's "The Barefoot Con-
tessa" at the Fine Arts Theatre in
Los Angeles has been moved up to
Nov. 4.

{Continued from page 1)

men from all key cities, "this pro-
gram will result in Allied Artists'
greatest year at the boxoffice.

Of the 12 pictures spearheading
releases between now and next Au-
gust, Mirisch revealed, at least one
will be in CinemaScope, three will be
in Technicolor and in the entire new
product there will be diversified sub-
ject matter.

Ten of the 12 already have been
filmed. They and the months of their
release are :

"The Human Jungle," and "The
Bob Mathias Story," October ; "Cry
Vengeance," and "Target Earth,"
November ; "Tonight's the Night," in
Technicolor, December ; "The Big
Combo," January ; "The Annapolis
Story," in Technicolor, February;
"John Brown's Raiders," March ;
"Shotgun," in Technicolor, April;
and "The Black Prince," in Cinema-
Scope, May.

To be readied for release in June
and July, respectively, are "Hold
Back the Night," and "Mother-Sir."
Also to be made for the new season
is "Wichita," which is to be in
CinemaScope with Mirisch as the
producer.

Four in Technicolor

Other forthcoming productions will
include four in Technicolor. They
are "Yellow Knife," to be produced
by Walter W anger ; "Legionnaire"
and "African Fury," each of which
Richard Heermance will produce, and
"The Green Hills of Idaho," which
Scott R. Dunlap will produce.

Scheduled also for filming are
"Phenix City," with which Samuel
Bischoff will make his debut as a
producer for Allied Artists ; "Gun
Point," which Vincent M. Fennelly
will produce ; "General Hospital,"
with Hayes Goetz as producer, and
"The Atomic Submarine" to be based
on Clay Blair's book. In addition,
producer Lindsley Parsons will pro-
vide "Massacre at Dragoon Wells,"
to star Barry Sullivan; "Today is
Forever," "Desperate Women" and
"The Intruder."

Four for William Broidy

Producer William F. Broidy will
contribute "Singapore East," "Dan-
gerous Assignment," "Port of Hell,"
and "Sweet Charity."

The program will be completed with
four Bowery Boys comedies.

Steve Broidy, president, and Wil-
liam F. Rodgers, who recently joined
the company in an advisory and con-
sultant capacity, will address the
sales force representatives when they
convene again tomorrow.

NEW YORK THEATRES

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

Rockefeller Center

BERLIN s "WHITE CHRISTMAS"

in VistaVision starring

BING CROSBY - DANNY KAYE
ROSEIVIARY CLOONEY - VERA ELLEN
, Color by Teclinicolor - A Paramount Picture
■ and SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION

Editor- Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager;
William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145; Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A.
Otten National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address,
"Quigpubco London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Bettei Theatres and Theatre Sales, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion
Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter, Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March
3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies, 10c.

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Motion Picture Daily

Friday, October 15, 1954

DISTRIBUTION ATTACKS ALLIED'S
PROPOSAL FOR GOV'T CONTROL

Distribution executives here yesterday expressed resentment at Allied
States Association's proposed "government intervention" bill, with one
film company official labelling the move as a "reckless crusade."

The film company executives, de-
clining the use of their names for fear
of "adding fuel to the fire," challenged
the concept that a third party could
determine how much a film is worth.
The third party referred to would be
the Federal Trade Commission, which,
under the proposed bill now being
considered at Allied's Milwaukee con-
vention, would be made the arbiter of
"fair and reasonable" film prices for
theatres.

A number of top distribution per-
sonnel could not be reached for com-
ment, some attending the Allied con-
vention and others out of town on
other business. But those who could
be reached reacted unanimously in
condemnation, with one quoting what
he called a slogan of an exhibitor :
"One more victory on the part of
Allied States and we will be out of
business."

Another distribution official asked,
pointedly, whether it would be fair
for the government to control the
price of films to the retailing theatre
and not, in turn, control the theatre's
price to the public. He maintained
that it would be easier for a govern-
mental body to put a price tag on
famous paintings of the past than to
set a pricing policy for each individ-

ual picture in each situation.

Getting angrier as he warmed up
to the argument, he said that his pro-
duction-distribution company would
be happy to earn a six per cent profit,
if that was the ceiling, on many of
its releases. Further, he continued, if
"we were insured a six per cent profit
in the 'bad years' for our pictures, it
would be more than we earned then."
He also expressed disbelief that Con-
gress would ever support such a meas-
ure as proposed by Allied general
counsel Abram F. Myers.

Hitting the whole concept of
governmental control, another top dis-
tribution executive maintained that if
the price is wrong for any commodity,
including films, the manufacturer
sufifers a loss in business. What about
the contention that there are only a
comparatively few film "manufac-
turers" in comparison to other indus-
tries and therefore the pricing situa-
tion is unique, he was asked. To this
he replied that anyone who has the
money and enterprise can enter the
market and compete on film prices to
theatres. In fact, he added, there are
a number of new companies cropping
up, referring to Distribution Corp. of
America and Makelim Productions.

Controls

(Continued from page 1)

stage Allied is prepared to use the
resolution with its provision for
seeking Federal regulation of the
industry as a bargaining weapon with
distributors.

The principal issues brought out at
this convention which Allied would
like to see discussed and acted upon
are :

dFilm terms which it regards as
unreasonable.

HA shortage of product.

d Shortage of prints, with its resul-
tant eft'ect upon availabilities and
clearance.

CfWhat Allied has termed "the
right to make a profit."

The resolution in favor of the move
toward Federal regulation was car-
ried by an overwhelming standing
vote following exhortations by Allied
leaders. Prior to that it had been
carried by a voice vote without any
discussion whatever.

Obviously surprised and admittedly
disappointed by this seeming lack of
convention interest in the measure,
several Allied leaders contended that
the chair had not observed several
persons who wanted to be heard on
the resolution.

Motion Made by Cole

H. A. Cole, who had introduced
the resolution, then moved for its
reconsideration and discussion was
begun by Irving Dollinger of New
Jersey Allied.

Subsequent speeches on behalf of
the resolution were made by True-
man Rembusch, Allied of Indiana ;
Beverly Miller, Kansas Missouri
Allied ; Horace Adams, Ohio Allied ;
Al Myrick, Iowa-Nebraska Allied,
and Benjamin Berger, North Central
Allied.

The burden of all speeches
was "We're thinking of the
little fellow who is being forced
out of business, not of our-
selves, most of whom are doing
all right. We have tried and
have failed to get relief for
those little fellows from the
sales managers and their com-
panies. Now we have no alter-
native but to go to the Govern-
ment for relief. None of those
in need can possibly be any
worse off under Government
control than they are now."

There was almost no advocacy of
the move for Government regulation
by the rank and file, from the conven-
tion floor. Neither was there any
vocal opposition to it by a rank and
file member or anyone else, despite
the fact that small exhibitors in pri-
vate conversations with reporters had
said they were opposed to Government
regulation of any kind for any pur-
pose. None of this feeling was trans-
lated into convention oratory.

Cites Robinson-Patman Act

One theatre attorney from Minne-
apolis urged that Allied seek Federal
control of the industry regardless of
whether or not complaints are cor-
rected by distributors during the next
three months "because of the experi-
ence you have had with distributors
in the past."

His suggestion was that films might
be included in the Robinson-Patman
Act.

The Allied draft of Federal regu-
lation provides for filing of theatre

More Film Tax Relief
Possible: Sen. Wiley

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 14. — _ "A
chance for improvement in the direc-
tion of further Federal tax relief for
theatres"^ is seen by Sen. Alexander
Wiley (R. Wis.), he told the AUied
States convention here today.

Wiley, an unscheduled speaker who
accepted an invitation to address the
convention following his arrival in this
city today, described himself as a
friend of the industry," not because
I'm a politician looking for support,
but because I believe the health of the
nation depends upon the economic
health of industries such as yours.

Tells of Visit Abroad

As chairman of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee, Wiley visited
European leaders last month and re-
lated some of his reactions to those
contacts. He believes, he said, that
films promote an understanding of the
American way of life abroad.

Ben Marcus, Allied president, who
had introduced Wiley to the conven-
tion, recommended at the conclusion
of his talk that exhibitors everywhere
should go to candidates who be-
friended the industry in the tax reduc-
tion and repeal campaigns and ask if
there is anything the exhibitors can do
in return for those who now are up
for reelection.

and film price classifications with the
Federal Trade Commission. Com-
plaints of mis-allocations by 25 or
more exhibitors could bring about a
hearing and a re-allocation by F.T.C.
Details of the bill, which_ was pre-
pared by Abram F. Myers, Allied
chairman and general counsel, at the
direction of the board, were published
in Motion Picture Daily last
Monday.

Wilschke Expounds
Perspecta Sound

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 14. — Elmer
Wilschke, executive vice-president of
Perspecta-Sound, addressed the Allied
States convention here today follow-
ing a demonstration of the system
earlier at the Riverside Theatre. The
demonstration was attended by about
SO exhibitors.

Wilschke presided at a question-
and-answer session at the convention
for the benefit of those exhibitors who
were unable to attend the demonstra-
tion.

Breen Resigns

{Continued from page 1)

enced executive. His experience and
thorough knowledge of the industry
should serve him well in continuing
the outstanding job done through the
years by Joe Breen."

The board's approval of Breen's
request to relinquish active direction
of the PCA was expected in trade
circles, familiar with Breen's desire
to slow down his activities. Breen,
a native of Philadelphia and a news-
paperman there, became active in
Hollywood and, in 1941, was ap-
pointed general manager in charge of
RKO studios. In 1942 he was chosen
as director of PCA and the following
year elected president of the Motion
Picture Society for the Americas. He
also held the post of vice-president of
the Motion Picture Producers and
Distributors of America, the predeces-
sor to MPAA.

Shurlock, who joined the Code staff
in 1932 after serving in several posts
with a major studio, has lived in this
country since he was a child. A
native of Liverpool, England, he was
educated in California.

In addition to the Breen resigna-

Clinics

{Continued from page 1)

plaints against each raised in all seven
clinics. Highlights of the report
follow :

Twentieth Century-Fox complaints
that communications between home
office and branches on adoption of
new policies sometimes are unduly
delayed, with the result that the
branch has no instructions to put into
eflect such items as Al Lichtman's
recent declaration that theatres gross-
ing less than $1,000 weekly could
buy CinemaScope Pictures on flat
rental. (W. C. Gehring, 20th-Fox
general sales manager, told the Allied
convention here yesterday that steps
to remedy that situation were being
taken.)

Credits Fox For Efforts

Complaints that few small theatres
have been able to install CinemaScope
equipment because the high terms for
the pictures does not leave them
sufficient margin to liquidate the
equipment and meet other costs. Fox,
exhibitors reported in the clinics,
appears to be working out availabil-
ities better than other companies.

M-G-M : Regarded in the clinics
as "about the fairest company, except
in towns of 2Q,000 and under, where
complaints against allocations of pic-
tures and difficulties in getting adjust-
ments were registered. Also com-
plaints of clearance and availability
dislocations resulting from print short-
ages.

Universal : Less adherence to na-
tional policies by this company than
any other. Most complaints limited
to Memphis, Des Moines and Omaha
territories.

Paramount : Numerous and wide-
spread complaints against pricing
policies with reports that on next
three releases beginning with "Sa-
brina" a 25 per cent increase in flat
rental scales and a 40 per cent floor
on percentage deals will go into effect.

Sees Drive-ins Hurt

Warners : Complaints of difficulties
in making deals and in getting adjust-
ments, especially in the case of drive-
ins. Buyers resistance to deals for
Warner CinemaScope productions and
for "Dragnet."

Columbia : Numerous and wide-
spread complaints of high prices.
Many reported inability to make deals
with Columbia at exhibitors level in
some time.

H. A. Cole, Allied director, recom-
mended that copies of the clinic
reports be sent to the sales managers
of each of the companies covered.

The clinics occupied a half of each
of the three convention days and all
were well attended.

'Widow' Here Oct. 27

"Black Widow," directed, produced
and scenarized by Nunnally Johnson
from a novel by Patrick Quentin, will
make its New York debut at the
Roxy Theatre on Oct. 27.

tion, the board also considered the
proposed hike in PCA fees to pro-
ducers, it was learned, with Johnston
reporting on studio reaction to the
proposal. It was further learned that
no decision by the board was taken
on the proposal at this stage.

Johnston, who recently returned
from the Coast, left here for Wash-
ington last night.

OW IN
DISTRIBUTION

the 1955 edition of the
industry's most-wanted,
most-often-used
reference book . . .

Edited by

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Now in the hands of a record number of advance sub-
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Motion Picture Daily

Friday, October 15, 1954

VistaVision Scores as ^Christmas^ Opens

Radio City Music Hall yesterday had one of the biggest first
days in many years with the opening of Paramount's initial pro-
duction in VistaVision, Irving Berlin's "White Christmas." The
picture was advertised to start at 10:30 A.M. but the boxoffice
line began to form at 8:30, and by the time the doors were
opened the line extended from Avenue of the Americas East

on 50th Street to Rockefeller Plaza, thence up to 51st Street.
Similar lines formed during the entire day and into the evening.
Reserved seats were sold out for the first week. Photo at left
above shows the opening show line as it extended from the box-
office entrance to Rockefeller Plaza. Photo at right shows line
as viewed around the corner in Rockefeller Plaza.

(Continued from page 1)

Adolph Zukor

visualized such progress," he added.

Russell V. Downing, president and
managing director of Radio City Mu-
sic Hall, estimated opening day busi-
ness at $25,000, which he called "ter-
rific." Downing expressed satisfaction
at the many favorable comments of
patrons on the
process, which
featured the
horizontal p r o-
jection of the
V i s t a Vision
negative, repre-
--enting another
lirst.

The process,
as seen on the
Music Hall
screen with a
picture measur-
ing 59^ feet by
32 feet, was im-
pressive, mark-
ed by a richness in color, unusual clar-
ity and abounding in detail.

A separate slory on audience re-
action to the process will he found
on this nase.

The press conference, attended by
Don Hartman, executive in charge of
production, and Loren L. Ryder, re-
search director, in addition to Balaban
and Zukor, was highlighted by the
optimism expressed by Paramount
toppers.

Balaban, asked to comment on the
question of the degree of audience im-
pact of VistaVision at the box-office,
had this to say: The more the indus-
try does to "widen the gap" between
what is seen on motion picture screens
and what can be seen on television, he
explained, the "less" we have to "fear"
home -TV. VistaVision "widens the
gap" more, he added, acknowledging
that some people might want to stay
home to watch their favorite TV
show, but these same people, he main-
tained, will not be able to compare
what they see at home with what they
now can see in their film theatre.
Hartman, speaking on the
same topic, said that Para-
mount has welcomed all inno-
vations, including Cinerama,
Cinemascope and the new
Todd-AO process. He indicated
that he was relatively uncon-
cerned about how powerful the
initial impact of the Vista-

Vision process is, stressing his
belief that in the long pull it
will gain in strength, winning
new adherents. "What is best"
as far as the public is con-
cerned, he added, "should sur-
vive."

Balaban praised the Century Pro-
jector Co. for making the first models
of the horizontal projectors on such
short notice. The Paramount presi-
dent stressed that the whole concept of
VistaVision was to make the process
available for all theatres throughout
the world. He did not put much stress
on horizontal projection, explaining
that such a method was meant for the
larger theatres with screens more than
50 feet wide or with special lighting
problems. He estimated the number of
such theatres in the hundreds rather
than in the thousands.

Ryder put the cost of hori-

zontal projectors at about $2,-
000 each, with indications that
the cost may be brought down
to $1,500.

The Paramount research di-
rector claimed that the system
is especially valuable to drive-
ins, which, he stated, will be
able to double their present
projection lighting.

Balaban, explaining what he meant
by his "just the beginning" term,
stated that he had seen shots of from
nine to 11 other VistaVision pictures
and still further improvements are
evident, he added. Regarding new
technical progress, Balaban said there
now is available a new 93-degree tak-
ing lens as compared to the current
taking lens of 60 degrees, opening up
new possibilities.

Ryder, speaking on sound arid hori-
zontal projection, said that the sound

JOHN Q PUBLIC LIKES VV, POLL
OF FIRST-DAY PATRONS REVEALS

A hearty endorsement of the VistaVision process was furnished here
yesterday by John Q. Public. , ti

Patrons at the first-day showing of "White Christmas at the Radio
City Music Hall were virtually unani

mous in praising the image they saw
on the screen, with exclamations vary-
ing from "wonderful" to "beautiful."

Random sampling by this reporter
of the sentiments of people going out
of the theatre elicited the following
responses :

"When can I see such beautiful pic-
tures in New Jersey?" a middle-aged
woman asked, explaining that she was
visiting New York. She was_ with
a group of friends and they all joined
her in tribute to the color and detail.

A grey-haired man, using gestures,
attempted to explain the third-dimen-
sional quality he felt while watching
the picture. "Everything is in the
foreground," he kept on saying, ex-
plaining there was roundness, too.

Most patrons polled were hazy as
to the name of the system, many
fumbling with the word, when asked
if they knew what the new process
was called. "I know it's difTerent,"
one young visitor from Canada
firmly asserted, however.

Many asked this reporter to explain

what the system was, asking such
questions as "how are they able to get
everything so big and clear." The
brilliance of the color and the detail
was commented on frequently.

"It was lush," a teen-ager replied
amiably to the question on how she
liked the process. Her boy-friend
thought the system fine. A young
girl had the only negative reaction
among the dozens of people polled,
saying that she didn't see too much
difference, an opinion that was chal-
lenged forthrightly by her girlfriend
who exclaimed, "But remember the
color, Elaine."

One rather elderly woman had a
unique complaint. Explaining that she
sat in the balcony near the booth, she
said she had trouble with the brilliance
on the screen, borrowing her hus-
band's sun glasses to cut down the
light.

All in all, the reaction of the first-
day audience, based on the people
polled, was very favorable.

M. H.

track area already is available on
"White Christmas" prints. Vista-
Vision prints, he added, will be avail-
able in three types, including ana-
morphic, but he and Balaban envi-
sioned little demand for anamorphic
prints. The anamorphic VistaVision
print, he explained, is compatible only
with a prismatic lens such as Super-
Scope.

Sees Studios Cautious

Balaban, in response to a question,
said that J. Arthur Rank in England
has plans for VistaVision productions
as have a number of Italian producers.
He said that Hollywood studios are
watching how VistaVision will be re-
ceived by the American public before
embarking on any VistaVision plans.

Balaban saw the possibility that
perhaps some exhibitors would enjoy
an extended run from six months to a
year for a roadshow engagement of a
VistaVision production such as Cecil
B. DeMille's "Ten Commandments."
He compared such an engagement to
the runs now being enjoyed by "This
Is Cinerama" and envisioned for the
Todd-AO process.

Baumgarten

( Continued from page 1 )

which would enable him to concen-
trate on high budget pictures exclu-
sively.

Three pictures on which Lippert
will direct sales by making a tour of
all exchange centers in the country
are "They Were So Young," with
Scott Brady, Raymond Burr, and
Johanna Matz ; "Race For Life," and
"Black Pirates."

SPG Movie Page
Ball at Pierre

The Screen Publicists Guild
(New York) membership will
mark the 14th anniversary of
the founding of the union by
holding an annual "Movie Page
Ball" tonight at the Hotel
Pierre here.

VOL. 76. NO. 75

MOTION PICTURE

DAILY

NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1954

TEN CENTS

City Counsel View

Says Exterior
Ad Censorship
Is Not Legal

Police Held Authorized
.To Halt Ulegal Publicity

Broidy Says AA
To Acquire New
Creative Talent

The New York City Corporation
Counsel's office has advised City Li-
cense Commissioner Edward T. Mc-
Caffrey that at the present time there
is no legal authority for any action
on censorship of a theatre's use of
exterior advertising, it was learned
at the weekend.

However, a staff representative of
the Corporation Counsel's office re-
vealed that under Section 1141A of
the Penal Code, police authority may
be exercised upon a theatre found to
be using improper advertising.

Preliminary discussions regarding a
set of rules and regulations for the
exterior advertising of films in lobby
displays and on theatre marquees were
held on Oct. 8 when McCaffrey met
with exhibitors, religious, business and
civic leaders to discuss ■alleged inde-
cent and immoral complaints against
14 theatres in the Times Square area.

After a two-hour session, 12 thea-
tres located in the Times Square area,
(Continii'ed on page 4)

CHICAGO, Oct. 17.— Steve Broidy,
Allied Artists president, disclosed the
company soon will announce that it
has acquired additional high calibre
creative talent
to add to that al-
ready obtained.

His disclosure
highlighted the
second day's
general session
of the com-
pany's three-day
annual sales
meeting at the
B I ackstone
Hotel.

Broidy, de-
claring Allied
Artists will
reach new hori-
izons in 1955, also said the company
financially and product-wise has never
been in a sounder position, and he
spoke with optimism of its activities
in the foreign field from which returns
for the last fiscal year show a "healthy
and profitable" increase.

Sharing the speakers' table with
Broidy for the first time was William
F. Rodgers, who recently joined Al-
lied Artists in an advisory and con-
sultant capacity. Both were intro-
duced by Morey R. Goldstein, vice-
president and general sales manager,
(Continued on page 4)

Steve Broidy

Cites Growth

Pathe Sees 19B5 Record
Year for Color Pictures

By LESTER DINOFF

Hollywood producers will use more color in pictures during 1955 than
ever before, according to James L. Wolcott, executive vice-president of
Pathe Laboratories, Inc., a subsidiary of Chesapeake Industries, who also

disclosed that during the first

Johnston to Far
East in 2 Weeks

Seeks Meeting

ALLIED NOW OPEN
TO PEACE OFFERS

Hopes for Concessions Which Would Avert
Proposed Move for Federal Regulation

By SHERWIN KANE

Allied States would welcome any overture from distribution companies
for the purpose of discussing possible changes in sales policies which,
if adopted, would relieve Allied of the responsibility of waging a cam-
paign for Federal regulation of dis-

Bader Joins Atlantic
As Sales Manager

David A. Bader has been named to
succeed Jacques Kopfstein as general
sales manager
of Atlantic Tel-
evision Corp., it
w a s announced
by Robert M.
Savini, presi-
dent.

Bader, who
left a similar
post with Com-
monwealth Film
and Television,
Inc., is a vet-
eran of motion
pictures and
television. He
formerly was
associated with Universal, 20th Cen-
tury-Fox and Paramount, both here
and abroad. He is a former president
of AMPA and was national publicity
director of the Motion Picture Pi-
oneers for several vears.

David A. Bader

tribution next winter and spring.

This was abundantly clear at Al-
lied's "silver anniversary" convention
in Milwaukee last week where or-
ganization leaders repeatedly reminded
the convention, in urging its endorse-
ment of the plan for government regu-
lation, that those leaders needed
"ammunition" with which to wage
their fight against what Allied re-
gards as unreasonable film rentals
and shortage of product.

Additionally, Allied leaders re-
vealed that they have suggested to
likelv intermediaries, perhaps unoffi-
cially, that they sound out company
presidents in New York on their atti-
tude toward a get-together to explore .
concessions or reforms for which Al-
lied would exchange its commitment
to try for Federal regulation of dis-
tribution.

Suggestions also have been
made by some Allied officials,
again most likely on an in-
formal basis, that Eric John-
ston, president of the Motion
Picture Association of America,
be asked to call a trade confer-
(Continued on page 5)

Negotiations looking toward the
settlement of thorny film questions in
Japan and the Philippines will be
conducted by Eric A. Johnston, Mo-
tion Picture Producers Association
president, who will leave for the Far
E^st in two or three weeks.

In Japan, American filrh companies
currently are operating under a uni-
lateral Japanese government decree,
limiting the importation of films to
121 in the dollar area and a revok-
(Continucd on page 4)

months of 1954, 60 per cent of all film
footage manufactured was utilized in
color productions.

Wolcott, speaking to the industry
trade press in a "newspaperman's
clinic" which was designed to reveal
black and white and color film lab-
oratory operations, stated that "in
1946, eight per cent of all film^ foot-
age manufactured was used by 13 top
picture distributors in color and in
1953, the amount of color work dis-
tributed by the same number of com-
panies increased to 35 per cent."

Seldom has the number of black and
white pictures produced and distrib-
uted ever fallen below the 300 mark,
(Continued on page 4)

PROPOSE NEW PRODUCTION CODE
FEES ON EXISTING CATEGORIES

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 17.— Proposals to increase Production Code
service fees on the existing seven categories upon which fees are now
based, are being considered here by studio heads, it was learned at the
weekend.

The retention of the seven cate-
gories was considered more favorably
here than the introduction of new
categories in the upper limits, as re-
portedly initially suggested by Eric
Johnston, president of the Motion
Picture Association of America, on
his recent trip to Hollywood.

The sentiment of the studio heads
was mulled at the recent meeting in
New York of the MPAA board of'
directors. The board, following dis-
cussion on the topic, was said to have
thrown the problem back to the stu-
dio heads to work out a formula in-
(Continned on page 4)

RKO to Distribute
Ed Graing^er Films

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 17. — RKO
and Edmund Grainger Productions,
Inc., have completed negotiations for
distribution by RKO of the first of
a series of "A" films to be produced
by the independent producer's newly
formed company, J. R. Grainger,
president of RKO Radio Pictures,
announced.

Al O'Keefe, ' president of Parlia-
(Continucd on page 4)

Motion Picture Daily

Monday, October 18, 1954

Personal
Mention

DON HAUTMAN, Paramount
Pictures executive in charge of
production, left New York at the
weekend for Hollywood.

•

Bernard Jacon, I. F. E. Releasing
Corp. vice-president in charge of sales,
has arrived in Chicago from Cincin-
nati.

•

Harvey Rudsill, manager of the
Kay Film Exchange branch in At-
lanta, is hospitalized there with a heart
attack.

•

J. F. McCarthy, Connecticut dis-
trict manager for Stanley Warner
Theatres, is recuperating from illness
at his mother's home in Bridgeport.
•

William Pizor, vice-president of
Lippert Pictures, arrived here Satur-
day from London via B.O.A.C. Royal
Scot.

•

Al Crown, president of Moulin
Productions, arrived here Saturday
from London via B.O.A.C. Monarch.
•

Charles Simpson, theatre operator
of Chattanooga, Tenn., has returned

there from New York.

•

GiNA LoLLOBRiGiDA will leave New
York by plane today for Italy.

Norman Weitman
Albany Mgr.

Norman Weitman, sales manager'
for Universal Pictures in Washington,
has been promoted to the post of
branch manager in Albany effective
today, replacing Leo Greenfield, who
has resigned, it was announced at the
weekend by Charles J. Feldman, vice-
president and general sales manager.

At the same time, Feldman an-
nounced that Isidore Ehrlichnian, a
salesman in Washington, has been
promoted to the post of sales manager,
replacing Weitman.

Weitman joined Universal in April,
1947, as a member of the advertising
and publicity department in New York
and entered the sales organization in
April, 1948, as a student booker in
Philadelphia. In January, 1949, he be-
came a salesman in Philadelphia and
in July, 1953, became sales manager
in Washington.

Ehrlichman joined Universal in
March, 1946, as a student booker and
became a salesman in Washington in
1948.

Conn. Allied to Hear
Dollinger Tomorrow

HARTFORD, Oct. 18. — Irving
Dollinger of Allied Theatre Owners
of New Jersey will address the Allied
of Connecticut unit on Tuesday, at
the Hofbrau Restaurant, New Haven.

Dr. Jack Fishman of Fishman The-
atres heads the regional organization.

Maurice W. Shulman of Shulman
Theatres and Barney Tarantul, Burn-
side Theatre Corp., will head the
Hartford delegation.

Extensive Ladies'
TOA Program

A program of entertainment has
been arranged for the ladies attend-
ing the 1954 TOA convention and
TESAIA-TEDA-TOA-IPA trade
show, Oct. 31 through Nov. 4, at the
Conrad Hilton Hotel, Chicago.

Especially arranged for their visit
to Chicago are :

Tuesday — 3 :30 p.m., "Tea and Fur
Show," Pump Room, Hotel Ambas-
sador East, "Festival In Furs" —
Rosin-Starr Furs, followed by a visit
to Mrs. Dane Clark's art exhibit.
Hotel Ambassador East; Wednesday
— -Matinee performance of "Wonderful
Town," starring Carol Channing,
Shubert Theatre ; Thursday — Break-
fast, College Inn Porterhouse, Hotel
Sherman, followed by Welcome Trav-
eler Show, Garrick Theatre.

Screenings on Monday

In addition the ladies will join the
men at the following :

Monday morning — Special screening
of current and future product of the
major film companies. That evening
they will attend the TESMA-TEDA
open house, Williford Ballroom, Con-
rad Hilton Hotel ; Tuesday night —
Party sponsored by Coca-Cola, Grand
Ballroom, Blackstone Hotel ; Wednes-
day night — Supper and square dance
sponsored by Pepsi-Cola, Tam-0-
Shanter Country Club, and Thursday
night — Cocktail party sponsored by
National Carbon, followed by the an-
nual president's banquet.

Under the chairmanship of Mrs.
David B. Wallerstein, a group of
wives of prominent Chicago exhibitors
and of members of the United Theatre
Owners of Illinois have volunteered
their services to make certain that the
ladies of the convention have a mem-
orable time, TOA announced.

Glamor Scheduled
For TOA Conclave

Hollywood glamour will be added
to the 1954 TOA convention and
TESMA - TEDA - TOA - IPA Trade
Show, Oct. 31 through Nov. 4, at the
Conrad Hilton Hotel, Chicago.

Three personalities have been sched-
uled to attend convention activities, in-
cluding the ladies' events and the an-
nual president's banquet. They are
M-G-M's Elaine Stewart and Colum-
bia Pictures' Kim Novak and Robert
Francis.

Extend '36' Date

Filmakers' "Private Hell 36," the
independent producing organization's
first picture to play the RKO Thea-
tres circuit as the top feature, has had
its playing time extended from five to
six days, Harry L. Mandell, vice-pres-
ident and general sales manager for
Filmakers Releasing Organization, an-
nounced.

Schwartz East

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 17. — Fred
Schwartz, president of Distributors
Corporation of America, left here by
plane yesterday following a two-week
stay, leaving Milo Frank, co-producer
of "The Viking," to negotiate_ for a
director to handle that production.

11,440 'Scope Houses
Equipped in 10 Mos.

Available statistics at 20th
Century-Fox reveal that during
the first 10 months of 1953,
11,440 theatres throughout the
world installed CinemaScope
and stereophonic sound equip-
ment, it has been learned here.

Theatres in the United States
and Canada equipped for the
wide-screen medium totalled
8,264 as of Oct. 2, while houses
located overseas, equipped for
CinemaScope and optical or
magnetic stereophonic sound,
equipping at the rate of 200
weekly, totalled 3,176 for the
same period.

20th Holding Sales
Meet in Miami

A general discussion of company
sales policy and the formulation of dis-
tribution plans for CinemaScope and
standard releases during the balance
of the year will head the agenda of
a two-day 20th Century-Fox South-
ern sales division meeting convening
in Miami today.

W. C. Gehring, executive assistant
general sales manager, and Arthur
Silverstone, assistant general sales
manager, left New York for Miami
over the weekend for the meeting
with division head Harry Balance,
assistant division manager Paul C.
Wilson and managers of the com-
pany's seven Southern offices.

Branch managers attending are
D. M. Coursey, Atlanta ; John E.
Holston, Charlotte ; Mark Sheridan,
Jr., Dallas; T. P. Tidwell, Jackson-
ville ; T. W. Young, Memphis ; W. A.
Briant, New Orleans ; and M. W.
Osborne, Oklahoma City.

New WB Deaf With
Jaguar Productions

BURBANK, Oct. 17.— A new long-
term agreement with Alan Ladd's
Jaguar Productions for the produc-
tion and distribution of a number of
Jaguar pictures has been completed
by Warner Brothers.

The productions will star Ladd and
other top name personalities. "Drum
Beat," the first picture made by Jaguar
Productions for Warner Brothers,
has been completed with Ladd, Audrey
Dalton and Marisa Pavan in the star-
ring roles. The drama was filmed in
CinemaScope and WarnerColor un-
der the direction of Delmer Daves.

Five in November
By United Artists

"Twist of Fate," starring Ginger
Rogers, leads the roster of five United
Artists releases set for November, it
was announced by William J. Heine-
man, vice-president in charge of dis-
tribution.

The other features slated for na-
tional release next month are "Shield
for Murder," "The White Orchid,"
"You Know What Sailors Are" and
"Snow Creature."

Kodak Men to Talk
At SMPTE Meet
In Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 17. — Tech-
nical aspects of new equipment used
in motion pictures, television and color
photography will be discussed in eight
reports to be made by Eastman Kodak
Co. representatives before the Society
of Motion Picture and Television En-
gineers here. The society's semiannual
convention opens tomorrow and will
continue through Friday.

Three of the papers report on film
processing control instruments. In his
paper on "Sensitometers for Color
Films," Oran E. Miller of Kodak
Park's color technology division, will
explain how these instruments are de-
signed to provide test exposures
closely simulating conditions under
which the films are used.

To Outline Control Methods

Performance of color densitometers
for use in motion picture film process-
ing laboratories will be discussed in a
paper by W. Lyle Brewer and Stanley
A. Powers of the color technology
division. Special control methods for
such instruments are outlined in the
report by Powers and Murray C. God-
dard, also of the color technology
division.

Albert J. Sant, with Goddard and
Miller, will describe a new design for
a light meter. The manufacturing ex-
periments division of Kodak Park is
presenting a report, "Shrinkage Be-
haviour of Motion Picture Film."
Authors of the study are Charles R.
Fordyce, John M. Calhoun, and Eldon
E. Moyer.

With color television as a featured
subject on the opening day's agenda
the convention appeared, on the basis
of the swiftly mounting number ' of
delegates arriving over the weekend,
to be heading for a new attendance
record.

Attendance May Set Mark

Luncheon at the Cocoanut Grove,
with the presentation of four awards,
will precede the afternoon session de-
voted to color-TV. A demonstration
of the polychrome medium is sched-
uled for the same evening at the CBS
Television City.

More Firms Join
Boasherg Salute

More than 50 representative com-
panies of the motion picture industry
and allied arts will be represented at
the testimonial luncheon which is to
be given to Charles Boasberg by the
exhibitors of the United States and
Canada on Thursday, at the Hotel
Astor. Bob O'Donnell, general man-
ager of Interstate Circuit, Texas and
Variety International Ringmaster will
be toastmaster. Chairmen for the
luncheon are Walter Reade, Jr.,
Samuel Rinzler and Joseph Seider,
who is also serving as treasurer.

Additional companies which re-
served tables for the luncheon over
the weekend include Paramount, Col-
umbia, Universal, Stanley Warner,
Radio City Music Hall, National
Screen Service, Independent Theatre
Owners Association, Trans-Lux The-
atres and Brandt Theatres, Loew's
Theatres and 20th Century-Fox.

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher: Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays. Sundays and holidays, by Quigley
Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley,
President- Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President: Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo T. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News
Editor- Herbert V Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca- Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager;
William R Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-214S; Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A.
Otten National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address,
"Ouigpubco London" Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Bettei Theatres and Tbeatre Sales, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion
Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter, Sept. 21, 1938. at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March
3 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies, 10c.

WHITE CHRISTMAS"
OPENING DAY AT
RADIO CITY
MUSIC HALL
TOPS
THE GREATEST SHOW

ON EARTH" BY 30%!

Motion Picture Daily

Monday, October 18, 1954

Exterior Ads

(Continued from page 1)

along 42nd Street between Seventh
and Eighth Avenues, were exonerated
of any or all complaints.

Up to now, the Commissioner said,
there has been considerable sentiment
against the 42nd Street theatres in
regard to advertising of films, es-
pecially those houses which play
"risque" films.

An observer at the meeting held
previously, stated that among the rules
and regulations which may be effected
and which were suggested by McCaf-
frey, or others in attendance, were :
No full-sized pictures of scantily clad
girls, displaying of bra's and G-
strings, sexy terminology in advertis-
ing copy, and some sort of limitations
on the operating hours of 42nd Street
theatres which book "risque" pictures.

; I No Theatres Named

McCaffrey was adamant in refusing
to name the theatres which were the
cause of the meeting, but it was
learned that the two houses which
were not cleared of charges have been
specializing in the "burlesque-type"
films. The theatres reportedly are the
Squire and Times, both located close
to churches.

A further study of an "exterior ad-
vertising code or a system of self-
regulation by all theatres is expected
to take place some time this week,
McCaffrey revealed.

Grainger Films

{Continued from page 1)

ment Pictures, the concern which is
interested with Edmund Grainger in
financing his company's forthcoming
product, flew to Hollywood from- his
headquarters in New York, to sit in
on finalizing of distribution deal with
RKO.

Production Starts Jan. 15

Production of the first of Edmund
Grainger Productions for RKO dis-
tribution will begin Jan. 15 with the
independent companj^ filming on RKO
Studio lot. The name of the first film
will be announced next week, Ed-
mund Grainger stated and he dis-
closed that it will be filmed in Tech-
nicolor, for wide screen and will be
budgeted at $1,500,000.

The second of Edmund Grainger's
films to be produced for RKO dis-
tribution will be "Oh, Promised
Land," the James Street novel. Pro-
duction of this film will begin in mid-
May.

Bogeaus and Holt Films
Rolling at RKO Studios

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 17. — "Bow
Tamely to Me" went before the, cam-
eras at the RKO studio on Friday,
with Allan Dwan directing. Barbara
Stanwyck and David Farrar have the
leads. Benedict Bogeaus is producing.

"Seven Bad Men," which Nat Holt
is making for RKO Radio release,
will go into production tomorrow with
Randolph Scott as star.

Johnston

(Continued from page 1)

able ceiling of $5,500,000 for world-
wide film remittances yearly.

In the Philippines, over $2,000,000
in blocked currencies is owed Amer-
ican film companies.

Johnston, upon his arrival in Tokyo,
will be joined by Irving Maas, MPEA
Far Eastern director.

Flick Favors Code
For Outdoor Ads

An exterior advertising code or
some sort of standard system
for regulating theatre advertis-
ing would be a help to both the
theatre and its patrons. Dr.
Hugh M. Flick, director of the
Motion Picture Division of the
New York State Department of
Education, has emphasized.

If some sort of rules and
regulations could be put into
action, there wouldn't be any
misleading advertising of films,
any questionable lobby displays
for exploitation, and no trans-
gressing of the next fellow,
Flick said.

Code Fees

(Continued from page 1)

creasing the service charges in light
of the present shrinkage of Hollywood
product.

At present. Code service fees are
broken into seven categories, varying
from a $1,150 fee for a film, the nega-
tive costs of which exceeds $500, OOO,
to a $100 fee where the negative cost
is less than $50,000. All shorts are
charged $50 for the Production Code
seal.

Offer AA Employees
Investment Program

HOLLY'WOOD, Oct. 17.— Allied
Artists is making available to its em-
ployees an opportunity for payroll de-
ductions against the purchase of vari-
ous stocks in its investment program,
it was announced by Steve Broidy,
president, following conferences with
Sam Grodin of the brokerage firm of
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and
Beane.

Under the investment program plan,
employees may invest sums ranging
from $40 to $999 in any one stock
monthly or quarterly over a period
from one to five years. The employees
may select the stock or stocks from
a list of approximately 1,200 on the
New York Stock Exchange.

WB Signs Liberace

BURBANK, Oct. 17.— Liberace has
been signed to star in "Sincerely
Yours," an .original story now being
written by Irving Wallace, for War-
ners.

(Continued from page 1)

Wolcott said. "Out in Hollywood lab-
oratories are under constant pressure
from television producers and the
Armed Forces to turn out more and
more 16mm. color," the Pathe exec-
utive said, adding that black and
white production, in television and
feature film production, will be at a
minimum in the near future.

Wolcott, along with Albert Duryea,
Pathe vice-president in charge of East
Coast operations ; Lew Mansfield,
Pathe color supervisor, and Bob
Eisenhauer, of Chesapeake Industries,
circulated the following figures on
how color increased since 1946. That
year, 341 black and white films were
made as compared to 30 color pro-

Youngstein Returns
From Europe Tour

Alax E. Youngstein, vice-president
of United Artists, returned from Eu-
rope over the weekend after setting
the campaigns heralding international
premieres of "The Barefoot Contessa."

Youngstein met with UA's top pro-
motion and sales executives in Paris,
London and Rome, including Charles
Smadja, Continental manager; Mon-
tague (Monty) Morton, managing di-
rector in Great Britain ; European
promotion head Richard Condon ;
Georges Rouvier, managing director
in France, and Kurt Unger, UA rep-
resentative in Italy.

The first overseas premiere of "The
Barefoot Contessa" will be held at the
Odeon Leicester Square in London on
Nov. 4.

3-City Premieres
For 'Long John'

Prior to his recent return to Holly-
wood, producer Joseph Kaufman an-
nounced that Distributors Corp. of
America and Twentieth Century-Fox
have completed arrangements for si-
multaneous premieres of his new
CinemaScope production, "Long John
Silver," in New York, London and
Sydney, Australia. The premieres will
take place during the Christmas sea-
son.

"Long John Silver," co-starring
Robert Newton and Connie Gilchrist,
was filmed entirely on location in
Australia. Based on an original script
by Martin Rackin, it was directed by
Byron Haskin.

The picture is being released in the
Western Hemisphere by DCA, while
Twentieth Century-Fox is handling
distribution in the Eastern Hemis-
phere.

Sponsors Magazine

Stanley Adams, the president of
ASCAP, announced at the weekend,
the society's sponsorship of the Oc-
tober issue of the "Braille Musician,"
publication designed for blind musi-
cians. "ASCAP," Adams said, "is
now the sponsor of an annual affair
since this magazine provides an irre-
placeable service of which we are
proud to be part." The "Braille Musi-
cian" is published by the Louis Braille
Institute of New York City.

'Affair* to Palace

United Artists' "Personal Affair,"
will have its New York premiere at
the Palace Theatre here on Friday.

ductions, using only eight per cent of
all film footage manufactured ; in 1947,
314 black and white, 41 color, 12 per
cent; 1948, 321 black and white, 63
color, 16 per cent; 1949, 309 black
and white, 52 color, 14 per cent ; 1950,
308 black and white, 75 color, 19 per
cent; 1951, 371 black and white, 103
color, 22 per cent; 1952, 289 black
and white, 124 color, 30 per cent ;

1953, 304 black and white, 165 color,
35 per cent. In the first nine months of

1954, approximately 280 black and
white films were made while color
production jumped to 60 per cent.

Duryea, who has designed most of
the processing equipment now in use
at the Pathe laboratories, revealed
that over 1,000,000 feet of prints are
turned out daily with newsreels upping

Broidy

(Continued from page 1)

who was the chairman at the session.

"Negotiations on two large-scale
deals are now underway," Broidy
said. "Their completion will put Al-
lied Artists in a position even stronger
than that attained in the past year."

Referring to John Huston, William
Wyler, Billy Wilder, Samuel Bischoff,
Humphrey Bogart and Gary Cooper,
now identified with Allied Artists, and
those with whom negotiations are un-
derway, Broidy added :

"These men are giving us creative
talent second to none in the film in-
dustry. They are moved by our past
performances and by our immeasure-
able potentials to regard our company
as the one in which they wish to in-
vest their future."

Expects New Income Sources

In reaching its strong basic position
to expand into the area of high budget
pictures with highly proven production
talent and outstanding box office per-
sonalities, the company already has
reached one of its goals, Broidy said.
New sources of income, Broidy
pointed out, are expected to derive
from the program of high budget films
which will supplement the regular out-
put.

Discussing returns from drive-in
theatres, Broidy pointed out that the
gross from that source during the
past year reached an all-time high,
and that with the upgrading of prod-
uct the drive-in business during the
coming year should show even greater
returns.

Discussing the company's foreign
operations, he said :

"We believe our foreign potential
is large, and in recent months have
strengthened our operations in the
foreign field. We look for increasing
foreign revenue in the current fiscal
year."

To Close 'Pioneer*
Membership Nov, 17

Industry veterans were reminded
yesterday by Jack Cohn, president of
the Motion Picture Pioneers, whose
annual dinner takes place on Nov. 17
at the Hotel Astor here, that they
must have their membership applica-
tions in before Nov. 1.

Membership in the organization is
open to any man engaged for 25 years
or more in either production, distribu-
tion, exhibition or laboratory. There
are no dues or assessments, just a
nominal initiation fee.

the output to over 1,400,000 feet twice
a week. Commenting on business,
Duryea said, "Our gross sales have
been up so far this year, with 16mm.
work averaging about one-quarter of
Pathe business."

One of the biggest difficulties in
laboratory work is with color prints
and sound, Wolcott said, due to the
fact that two separate processes are
used, while in black and white devel-
opment the sound is processed and
printed along with the film. "Color
at this time runs about twice as much
in cost as black and white," he said.

The "newspaperman's clinic" start-
ed off early Friday with Mansfield
taking the party on a tour of the
four-story Pathe Laboratories build-
ing.

Paths Cites Growth of Color Pictures

Monday, October 18, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Goldenson Is Cited
By Pennsylvania,
His Home State

Leonard H. Goldenson, president
of American Broadcasting-Paramount
Theatres, Inc., was named honor-
ary "Pennsylvania Ambassador" by
the State of
Pe n n sy 1 V a n i a
Chamber of
Commerce for
"outstanding
achievement in
the best tradi-
tion of the Com-
monwealth."

Goldenson, a
former resident
of Scottdale,
Pa., was se-
lected for the
distinction from
a list _ of 82
nominations for
his efforts on behalf of the United
Cerebral Palsy Association which he
organized and heads as president.

The award, an annual event, a part
of "Pennsylvania Week," was made
at the banquet of the Scottdale Com-
munity Civic and Industrial Associa-
tion at the Pleasant Valley Country
Club, where Goldenson received a
scroll signed by Gov. John S. Fine
and other state dignitaries.

L. H. Goldenson

Goldenson Recalls
O'Brien from ABC-TV

Leonard H. Goldenson, president of
American Broadcasting - Paramount
Theatres, Inc., announced that he has
requested Robert H. O'Brien to re-
turn to the home office from ABC-TV.
Goldenson stated that developments
within the company make it desirable
to have O'Brien free of other require-
ments to concentrate on his duties as
AB-PT financial vice-president, and
to share part of the increased load on
executives in the home office.

Ralph Clare Heads
AFL Film Council

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 17. — The
AFL Film Council has elected Ralph
Clare, business agent of Studio Trans-
portation Drivers, Local 399, to the
presidency over the lATSE interna-
tional representative, George Flaherty,
by a vote of 28 to 16. The election
marked the first time in the council's
history that two candidates ran for the
presidency.

IMPDA Officials
Meet This Week

Officials of the Independent
Motion Picture Distributors
Association will hold a closed
business meeting this week to
discuss the status of the
organization's complaint against
I.F.E. Releasing Corp. opera-
tions in the U.S. which has
been filed with the Federal
Trade Commission, Arthur
Mayer, IMPDA president, said
here yesterday.

The FTC had coupled the
IMPDA complaint against
I.F.E. with its investigation of
Motion Picture Export Asso-
ciation's activities, Mayer said.
"The IMPDA will seek right
after elections to prosecute the
complaint along its own lines,"
he said.

RCA, Altec Named
In Trust Actions

BOSTON, Oct. 17.— In two sep-
arate anti-trust actions filed here
Ml the Federal District Court, the
Image and Sound Service Companies
alleged in one complaint that Radio
Corp. of America and RCA Service
Co. combined and conspired to elim-
inate Image and Sound from the
motion picture sound service busi-
ness in New England and through-
out the United States. In the other
complaint, the plaintiff similarly
charged Altec Service Corp. and
National Simplex Bloodworth, Inc.
The damages claimed in each action,
before trebling, exceeded $1,750,000.

Both complaints specified that the
defendant corporations attempted to
monopolize the sound service field
through illegal practices, including,
among others, false statements about
the plaintiffs to the motion picture
trade and inducing breaches of con-
tract by customers of the plaintiffs.

Image and Sound president, Law-
rence J. Hacking of Boston, stated
"our entry into this field benefited the
entire industry by better service and
lower rates. The institution of these
suits was necessary to preserve free
competition. The entire motion pic-
ture industry will benefit by our
actions."

Md, Censors Ask,
Get 'Bamboo' Cut

BALTIMORE, Oct. 17. — The
Maryland State Board of Motion Pic-
ture Censors has granted Columbia
Pictures Corp. "the privilege of de-
leting" a term offensive to the Negro
race from one of its films, according
to chairman Sidney R. Traub.

In the picture "Bamboo Curtain"
the word "nigger" is used, he said.
Traub made it clear he would have
pulled out the scissors himself if Col-
umbia Pictures had not done so. Col-
umbia has agreed to delete the word,
not only in films to be shown in Mary-
land, but in every print in the film in
the country, said Traub.

UK Exhibitors
Order Superscope

LONDON, Oct. 17.— The RKO
Pictures^ offices here were said to be
"flooded" with orders for Superscope
lenses as a reflection of the enthusi-
asm expressed by more than 600 ex-
hibitors from Britain and Ireland who
attended the first foreign demonstra-
tion of the Tushinsky anamorphic
process at the Odeon Theatre here by
Joseph Tushinsky and Walter Bran-
son, RKO world-wide general sales
manager.

British showmen were reported
unanimous in proclaiming Superscope
as the answer to the widescreen prob-
lem for cinemas, large or small, and
were especially impressed with the
first hand information provided by
Tushinsky.

Branson and Tushinsky now head
for Paris and Rome for showings of
the test reels with interchangeable
soundtracks in the language of these
respective countries.

Judy Garland Aids
Chicago Charities

CHICAGO, Oct. 17.— Actress Judy
Garland officially kicked off the 1954
Greater Chicago Red Feather Drive
following her arrival here with hus-
band Sid Luft to attend the opening
of her Warner Brothers film, "A Star
Is Born," which opens at the Chi-
cago theatre here today.

Miss Garland, met at the LaSalle
Street Station by her fan clubs, played
host to the local press, radio and tele-
vision representatives at an interview
in her Ambassador Hotel suite.

Glass Succeeds Ross
In FWC District Post

HOLLYWOOD. Oct. 17. — Fred
Glass, of San Francisco, who has been
district manager for Fox West Coast
in the Northern California valley, will
succeed Dave Ross, retired, as Los
Angeles city district manager for the
circuit. Louis G. Tavolara, of Stock-
ton, will succeed Glass.

Peace Offers Welcome

(Continued from page 1)

ence on the subject, or, in lieu
of that, a conference be held
under the auspices of the Coun-
cil of Motion Picture Organi-
zations.

It has been pointed out in connec-
tion with the latter suggestions that
Allied may be heading in the wrong
direction, since neither MPAA nor
COMPO are authorized to engage in
trade practice activities of this kind.
As a result, the avenue most likely to
be explored is that to determine the
attitude of the company presidents
toward participation in such meeting.

"The company presidents negotiate
with the American Federation of Mu-
ion heads," an Allied director remark-
sicians and sometimes with other un-
ed in Milwaukee last week. "Why
shouldn't they be willing to negotiate
with their customers ? The union
leaders carry ammunition to the ne-
gotiations, and we can carry it, too."

The reference was to the threat of
action to obtain goverhment regula-
tion, approved by the Allied meeting.

This course, meeting with
company presidents, also was

suggested to the Allied con-
vention last week by W. C.
Gehring, 20th Century-Fox gen-
eral sales manager. Gehring
urged the convention to avoid
a move in the direction of gov-
ernment control and recom-
mended further efforts to find a
solution in conferences with
company presidents.

Don't give up because you feel you
have not succeeded in your talks with
sales managers, Gehring, in effect,
told the convention. This industry's
leaders are intelligent men, he re-
minded the Allied convention. Try
again and again to reach an under-
standing.

One Allied official said he had
asked W. F. Rodgers, former M-G-M
sales manager, now distribution con-
sultant to Allied Artists, to endeavor
to obtain reactions of company presi-
dents to the idea of a peace confer-
ence with Allied.

Rodgers and Gehring were the only
ones to speak in opposition to the
government control idea at the Allied
convention last week.

IDA Will Honor
Industry Press

Motion Picture Daily and "Motion
Picture Herald," and other industry
publications will be honored for "their
contributions to the American ideals
of freedom, equal opportunity and fair
play," at the annual Joint Defense Ap-
peal luncheon tendered by the Motion
Picture Division and Cinema Lodge of
B'nai B'rith on Oct. 27 at the Hotel
Astor here, it was announced by Wil-
liam J. German, JDA division general
chairman.

The luncheon will highlight the in-
dustry's campaign to help JDA raise
New York's share of the $5,000,000
needed to finance the activities of the
American Jewish Committee and the
Anti-Defamation League of B'nai
B'rith.

Martin Quigley will receive the
av.-ard on behalf of Motion Picture
Daily and "Motion Picture Herald" ;
the others receiving awards for their
publications are : Ben Shlyen, for "Box-
office" ; Jay Emanuel, for "The Ex-
hibitor"; Mo Wax, for "Film Bulle-
tin"; Jack Alicoate, for "Film Daily";
Morton Sunshine, for "Independent
Film Journal" ; Roger Littleford, for
"The Billboard" ; Marvin Kirsch, , for
"Radio Daily," and Mrs. Margie
(Chick) Lewis, for "Showman's
Trade Review."

'Exemplary Leadership'

In making the announcement, Ger-
man declared : "It is most fitting that
we should honor our trade press for
their exemplary leadership in the
struggle to protect our democratic
rights at the same time that we ex-
press our support to the JDA agencies
in their fight against bigotry and dis-
crimination. The work of both the
press and the agencies strengthen our
democratic heritage, and make more
secure the basic rights of all free men."

10 From Pete Smith

Pete Smith will be represented with
10 "Specialties" on M-G-M's short
subject program for 1954-55. Two of
the subjects will be in Technicolor,
and all will be narrated by the pro-
ducer-commentator.

Col. Gives Answer
To Allied in Ad

Allied States Association mem-
bers, angered by the absence,
due to business commitments,
of Columbia sales manager Abe
Montague at their convention
in Milwaukee to explain the
company's disputed sales policy,
were advised by Columbia that
they might find their answer in
the reasonable approach taken
by the two-page ad the distribu-
tion company placed in Allied's
own convention journal.

In the copy Columbia states:
"With a deep sense of respon-
sibility to our customers, our
stockholders and our indus-
try — and with gratitude to
those members of Allied whose
friendship and constancy has
been unflagging, we face the
challenge of 1955 with the con-
tinuing desire to deal in equity
and fairness with every ex-
hibitor large and small."

THE GREAT
BROADWAY MUSICAL
THAT RAN
16 SMASH MONTHS
ON BROADWAY. . .

2 SOLID YEARS
THROUGHOUT
THE NATION...

NOW ON THE
SCREEN AND
COMING YOUR WAY,

Color by DE Luxe • Released by Twentieth Century-Fox

MOTION PICTURE

To The
Point

VOL. 76. NO. 76

NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1954

TEN CENTS

Coyne Says

COMPO Sets
Executive
Meet in Nov.

Group to Confer Either
In New York or Chicago

An executive committee meeting of
the Council of Motion Picture
Organizations will be held in mid-
November either in New York or in
Chicago, it was disclosed here yester-
day by Robert W. Coyne, COMPO
special counsel.

COMPO member organizations, it
was learned, are being polled to fix
the exact date and the city, in addi-
tion to being questioned on sug-
gested items for the executive com-
mittee agenda.

In addition to the proposed agenda
items, all pending COMPO aflfairs
will be discussed at the meeting,
Coyne added. Pending COMPO
affairs virtually certain to be aired at
the forthcoming meeting include : the
fate of COMPO's group insurance
plan, the projected national audience
star poll, and the advisability of a
new drive against the remaining
Federal admissions tax.
-Allied's disapproving attitude against
(Continued on page 4)

Disney to 'U'
In Canada

Three Walt Disney Productions,
"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," "The
Vanishing Prairie," and "The Littlest
Outlaw" will be distributed in Canada
by Empire-Universal Films, it was
announced here yesterday by Roy O.
Disney, president of Walt Disney
Productions.

The distribution deal was negotiated
by Leo F. Samuels, president of
Buena Vista, and Empire-Universal
executives Paul L. Nathanson and
Alfred "Alf" Perry.

The deal is said to be unprecedented
for Disney in the Western hemisphere.
In the United States the pictures will
be distributed by Buena Vista and in
the United Kingdom by the Buena
{Continued on page 4)

Frayne, of Westrex,
Heads the SMPTE

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 18.— John G.
Frayne, director research for Westrex
Corporation, was elected president
Society of Motion Picture and Tele-
vision Engineers, succeeding Herbert
Barnett, at the opening session of the
organization's 76th semi-annual con-
vention, of the Ambassador Hotel,
this afternoon.

Other officers for the coming year
are : Barton Kreuzer RCA, executive
{Continued on page 4)

Studios 'Gambling' More
Than Ever, Scliary Says

BY MURRAY HOROWITZ

"Studios are gambling more money today than they have ever done in the
past," Dore Schary, vice-president in charge of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
studio, declared here yesterday in commenting on e.xhibitor complaints regard-
ing the lack of
product.

Here for con-
ferences with
Loew's officials,
Schary cited
many examples
in which studios
"put a lot of
money on the
line" to gain a
story property
and to introduce
a medium, indi-
eating their
"willingness to
tackle anything"

which shows promise.

The M-G-M studio chief cited "On
the Waterfront," "A Star Is Born,"
and "The Long Gray Line" as exam-
(Continued on page 4)

EXHIBITORS UNITE
ON TOLL^ ISSUE

Invite Groups Interested in Preserving
Free Home Television'' to Participate

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 18.— The formation of a joint exhibitors committee
on subscription television was announced here today in a joint statement by
Trueman T. Rembusch and Alfred Starr, the newly-elected co-chairmen of the

group, which is said to represent 95

Carolina Drive-ins
Smashed by 'HazeP;
Damage Tops Million

CHARLOTTE, Oct. 18. — Hurri-
cane Hazel ripped scores of drive-ins
to shreds and left piles of. debris at
theatres that it did not destroy in its
march through the Carolinas on Fri-
day. Theatre owners poured into
Charlotte over the weekend bringing
stories of theatres blown to pieces in
the storm. Unofficial reports placed
the number of wrecked drive-ins at
between 50 and 75. Damages are
expected to exceed $1,000,000. It
was feared that many owners may
have to stand the loss themselves as
most insurance policies do not cover
damage caused by water.

It was understood here that the Sea
Breeze Drive-in at Windy Hill
Beach, S. C, was one of the hardest
{Continued on page 4)

percent of organized exhibition in
the U.S.

The announcement stated that the
organization will not be limited to
members of the motion picture indus-
try. "All groups interested in pre-
serving free home television for the
American people would be invited to
become members of the committee,"
the statement declared.

The Starr-Rembusch announcement
came in the wake of a second meeting
of exhibitor leaders in Chicago on
Friday at the Blackstone Hotel, at-
tended by Allied, Theatre Owners of
America representatives and other ex-
hibitor organization delegates.

In addition to Rembusch of Allied
and Starr of TOA, the Friday meeting
elected the following officers : Phillip
Harling, of the Metropolitan Motion
Picture Theatres Association of New
York, and James Arthur, of Southern
California Theatre Owners Associa-
tion, to serve as treasurer and secre-
tary, respectively.

Abram F. Myers, Allied general
(Continued on page 5)

Republic Free to Release
Rogers^ Autry Films to TV

By J. A.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18.— The
Republic Pictures the right to license
to television in such manner as the

Dore Schary

HIGH COURT REJECTS INDIANA'S
BID ON CHICAGO EXCHANGE TAX

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18.— The Supreme Court in effect today sustained
an Indiana Supreme Court decision that the state cannot tax film exchanges
in other states on rentals received from e.xhibitors within the state of Indiana.

The state of Indiana attempted to

levy its gross income tax on film
rental income received by the Chicago
exchange of Warner Brothers Pic-
tures from exhibitors in Northern In-
diana. The State Supreme Court ruled
in favor of Warners, and the state ap-
pealed to the high court. The justices
today said they would not hear the
appeal, letting the State Supreme
Court decision stand. No reason was

given for the action of the high court.

Warners operates a film exchange
in Indianapolis, serving all but the
Northern part of the state, and pays
the Indiana tax on the income of that
exchange. E.xhibitors in Northern In-
diana, however, are serviced from the
Chicago exchange, and Warners chal-
(Continued on page 4)

OTTEN

Supreme Court today in effect gave
old Gene Autry and Roy Rogers films
company may see fit.

The court said it would not hear
appeals by the two cowboy stars from
a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rul-
ing which gave Republic this right.
The stars had sought to bar the film
company from licensing their old films
to television against their wishes. The
justices today did not indicate their
reasons for refusing to hear the case,
merely noting the decision not to hear
it on a long list of orders handed down
at noon.

The court's action could have im-
portant ramifications in encouraging
other film companies to make similar
efforts to seU old films to television.

Actually, two separate cases are in-
volved, with the issues differing
slightly in the two suits. The District
Court had found for Rogers but
{Continued on page 5)

Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, October 19, 1954

Personal
Mention

MU/roX Iv. RACRMil., presi-
dent of Universal Pictures, will
return to New '^'ork tiiday from Hol-
K wood.

•

\Vii.i.iA.M C. Gehring, 20tli Cen-
tury-Fox executive assistant general
sales manager, and Arth uu Silver-
stone, .assi>tant general sales man-
ager, will return to New York tonight
from Mian.i.

•

Al Durvea. vice-president in charge
of Pathe Laboratories East Coast
operations, and Kurt Kanis, Pathe
East Coast sales manager, will leave
here today for Los Angeles.

•

Arnold M. Picker, United Artists
vice-president in charge of foreign dis-
tribution, will return to New York
today from Australia and the Far
East.

William Scully, former vice-pres-
ident of Universal Pictures, left here
over the weekend with Mrs. Scully
for their home in Florida.

•

David Hanxa, publicity representa-
tive for Figaro, Inc., will leave New
York bv plane today for Hollywood.
•

Alfred E. Daff, Universal Pictures
executive vice-president, returned to
New \ ork yesterday from Hollywood.
•

Gregory Ratoff and Mrs. Ratoff
will arrive in New York today from
England aboard the "Queen Mary."
•

Cedric Gibbons, M-G-M studio art
director who now is in New York,
will return to Hollywood Oct. 31.
•

DoRE ScHARY, M-G-M vice-presi-
dent in charge of production, arrived
here yesterday from the Coast.
•

L. D. Netter, Jr., Altec Service
Corp. sales manager, has returned to
New York from Buffalo.

•

Raymond Massey and, Mrs. Mas-
SEY will sail from New York Oct. 26
for England.

Frederick Brisson, producer, ar-
rived in New York yesterday from
Hollywood.

Sarah Churchill left here yester-
day for London via B.O.A.C. Mon-
arch.

Rites Tonight for
Altec's Pinckney

G .M. Pinckney, a member of Altec
Service Corp. for many years, died
Saturday.

Funeral services will be held at
McCorrv Funeral Home, Cliffside,
New Jersey ; tonight at 8 P.M.

Pinckney was well known to ex-
hibitors in New Jersey in his capacity
as branch manager of the Newark
office of Altec's Eastern division. He
joined ERPI (Electric Research
Products, Inc.) predecessor of Altec,
in 1929.

Suit Filed Here Over
'Waterfront' Rights

A suit asking that Columbia be en-
joined from distributing "On the Wa-
terfront" and that the plaintiff be
awarded damages was filed here yes-
terday by the Monticello Film Corp.
Named as defendants were Budd
Schulberg, Elia Kazan, Horizon-
.\mcrican Pictures, Malcolm Johnson,
Columbia and Sam Spiegel. The
action was filed by Emil K. Ellis,
counsel for Monticello.

It is alleged that in May, 1949,
Monticello acquired the exclusive own-
ership of articles by Johnson in the
New York "Sun" titled "Crime on the
Waterfront." Subsecjueniiy, it is
charged, the plaintiff acquired the ser-
vices of Budd Schulberg as a consul-
tant on the preparation of a picture
based on the articles and to write the
screen play on a profit-sharing basis.
However, the suit alleges, Schulberg
appropriated the property and con-
veyed it to Horizon-American.

*Star/ 'Christmas'
Strong on B'way

Terrific business was chalked up by
"A Star is Born" and "White Christ-
mas" in their first week on Broadway
here.

"A Star is Born" at the Paramount
broke a house record for a picture
with an estimated $115,000 for its first
week, while the neighboring Victoria,
playing day-and-date with the Para-
mount, grossed an estimated $46,000.

At Radio City Music Hall, a very
big $169,000 was seen for the first
week of "White Christmas," Para-
mount's first V^istaVision production.

The Paramount, for the showing of
"A Star is Born", , has increased its
admission prices to a $2 per-person
top, with the \'ictoria following suit.

Ponti-De Laurentiis
Para. Renew Pact

ROME, Oct. 18.— Producer Dino
De Laurentiis announced today that
Paramount Pictures has exercised its
option with the Ponti-De Laurentiis
studios for another year. The new
contract calls for the production of
five pictures during 1954-55 at the
Ponti-De Laurentiis Studios in Rome.

De Laurentiis just returned from a
two-week business trip to New York
during which he held discussions with
Paramount executives and made plans
for the American launching of
"Ulysses" and "Mambo."

Appeal Filed by 23
In Loyalty Dispute

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 18.— Attor-
neys for 23 Hollywood writers and
other professionals who sued virtually
all producers in March, 1953, for $51,-
750,000 charging conspiracy to de-
prive them of employment due to their
refusal to answer questions put by the
House Un-American Activities Com-
mittee, and whose case was dismissed
in Superior Court on grounds of insuf-
ficient evidence, today filed appeal to
the California District Court of
Appeals.

Boasberg Luncheon
Is a Sellout

Reservations for the Charles
Boasberg luncheon at the Hotel
Astor here on Thursday have
been sold out, the committee
reported yesterday. Possibil-
ities for "standing room only"
was indicated. Robert J. O'Don-
nell will be toastmaster at the
event which will salute Boas-
berg's association with Distrib-
utors Corp. of America after
many years with RKO Radio.

Pre-Trial Edict Filed
In Gov't 16-mm Suit

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 18.— Federal
Judge Harry C. VVestover, who today
entered a pre-trial order in the Govern-
ment's anti-trust suit against 12 dis-
tributors of 16 mm film, said he hopes
the case can go to trial in the spring.
The case was filed in July, 1952. Pre-
trial hearing will be held Dec. 13.

The pre-trial order instructs coun-
sel for both sides to prepare and sup-
ply a large number of documents, and
to undertake to reach an agreement
on facts in order that the trial may
be narrowed down to key essentials.
Counsel has the privilege of consult-
ing court, meanwhile, if obstacles or
objections present themselves.

Fox Wisconsin Signs
For Makelim Plan

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 18. — The
Fox Wisconsin circuit has signed con-
tracts for the Makelim plan, it was
announced today by John Wolf berg,
Makelim vice-president, who stated
that the circuit is the first among the
Fox chains to sign up for the plan.

Skouras Hospitalized
After Heart Attack

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 18.— Charles
P. Skouras, president of National
Theatres, is in Cedars of Lebanon
Hospital here following a heart attack.
The theatre executive has been placed
:n an oxygen tent. Spyros P. Skouras,
president of 20th Century-Fox, and
George Skouras, president of the
United Artists Theatre Circuit, are
enroute here to be at the bedside of
their brother, who, a bulletin said, is
"doing well."

Herbert V. Anderson, 47

Herbert V. Anderson, 47, account
executive for the National Broadcast-
ing Co. television network's sales de-
partment, died at the North Shore
Hospital, Manhasset, N. Y., after a
long illness. Survivors include his
wife, Anne, mother, father and two
sisters.

Thomas Gilboy, 65

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 18.—
Thomas Whalon Gilboy, 65, San Fran-
cisco film distributor, died at Mount
Zion Hospital here. A native of San
Francisco, he is survived by his wife,
Ada T. Gilboy, and four children.

Announce Winners .
In Allied Artists
Billing Drive

CHICAGO, Oct. 18.— The New
Orleans, Detroit and Indianapolis ex-
changes were first place winners in
Allied Artists' 13-week billing drive,
it was announced by Morey R. Gold-
stein, vice-president and general sales
manager, at the company's annual
sales convention which ended at the
weekend here.

Winners were :

First prize consists of $1,500 for the
exchange manager and a two weeks'
vacation with salary for bookers and
salesmen. Second prize consists of
$500 for the manager and a one-week
vacation with salary for the bookers
and salesmen. Third prize consists of
$250 for the manager.

First division — New Orleans, Henry
B. Glover, manager, first ; Kansas
City, R. M. Copeland, manager, sec-
ond, and St. Louis, M. Schweitzer,
manager, third.

Detroit Runner Up

Second division — Detroit, Nathan D.
Levin, manager, first ; Albany, Nate
R. Dickman, manager, second, and
Memphis, Bailey Prichard, manager,
third.

Third Division — Indianapolis, Ed-
ward Spiers, manager, first ; Atlanta,
J. E. Hobbs, manager, second, and
Denver, the late Charles Duer. man-
ager, third.

Branch managers winning first, sec-
ond and third prizes of $500, $300 and
$200, respectively, in the "Little Ras-
cals" comedy series drive were M. J. E.
McCarthy, Los Angeles, first ; Nat
Nathanson, Chicago, second, and Jack
Felix, who managed the Portland ex-
change at the time of the drive and
now managing the Denver exchange,
third.

$744,000 Weekly
In Benjamin Drive

The first six-week lap of United
Artists' Robert S. Benjamin drive has
scored the highest weekly average
billings recorded by the company in a
sustained period, it was announced by
co-captain B. G. Kranze, general sales
manager for UA.

The salute to UA's chairman of the
board has compiled billings averaging-
more than $744,000 a week for the six-
week period, with totals for the sixth
week alone exceeding $1,000,000.

The drive, which will award $50,000
in prizes to the winners among United
Artists' 32 competing branches, sup-
ports the "blockbuster-a-month" re-
leasing program announced recently
by president Arthur B. Krim.

NEW YORK THEATRES

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

■ Rockefeller Center '

iBERLm's "WHITE CHRISTMAS" :

, in VistaVision starring .

BING CROSBY - DANNY KAYE ]

■ ROSEMARY CLOONEY - VERA ELLEN
Color by Teciinicolor - A Paramount Picture

and SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION .

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwm Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke,
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vme Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post ofiice at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

Tuesday, October 19, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

People

Lester Al Smith will be general
manager of the revival of "Abie's
Irish Rose," coming to the Holiday
Theatre on Broadwaj', next month.
Smith was formerly the manager of
the Lyric Theatre, Bridgeport,
Conn.

Ingo Preminger is now in New

York looking to find and sign new
talent for the new Joan Crawford
starrer, "The Way We Are."
Preminger will produce and direct
this film for The Associates and
Aldrich, Lie.

Ira Peck has been appointed
editor of "Screenland" and "Silver
Screen" Magazines. Peck continues
in his present position as editor of
the new projects division of Pines
Publications.

Earl Clark, 46, has been appointed
director of industrial and tourist
promotion for the Province of Nova
Scotia. He formerly held the posi-
tion of production sales manager of
the Associated Screen News in
Montreal.

Robert Roark has been set for
one of three leads in "Same Song,
Next Verse," which Palisades Pro-
ductions will produce in January.
Max Steeber has been set to do the
screen play.

Herbert Ochs and his wife have
left for Florida to spend the winter.
Ochs, operator of a chain of Can-
adian drive-ins, will commute to his
office in Cleveland until all of his
drive-ins are closed for the season.

Mr. and Mrs. Leon Feldun an-
nounce the birth of a son, Joseph,
their first. Feldun is a member of
the United Artists home office
foreign department executive staff.

Peter J. Ambrosini has succeeded
Joseph Thompson as manager of
the Strand Theatre, Bridgeport,
Conn.

^Rainbow* to Open
Here on Christmas

"The Big Rainbow," the first pic-
ture to be released in SuperScope,
will open in New York on Christmas
Day at the Mayfair Theatre, it was
announced by Walter Branson, RKO's
world-wide sales manager.

The Technicolor production will
have its world premiere Dec. 21 at
the Fox Theatre in St. Louis.

'John Silver' Float
In Macy Parade

Arrangements between Distributors
Corp. of America and R. H. Macy
have been concluded, whereby a spe-
cial "Long John Silver" float, com-
posed of three mobile units, will b;
included in the Macy's Thanksgiving
Day parade on Nov. 25.

Publicists Prove
They Can Act, Too

In an efifort to prove that they
have histrionic talent as well as ver-
satility in squeezing news stories into
print, members of the Screen Pub-
licist Guild presented a mammoth,
laugh-provoking revue titled "Movies
Are Wider Than Ever" at the Hotel
Pierre, Friday night, in conjunction
with its annual Movie Page Ball
which marked the 14th anniversary of
the founding of the union of artists,
advertising and publicity men and
women in the industry in New York.

TV Show Was Model

Patterned, in part, on, and lifted
almost entirely from television's "This
Is Your Life," the presentation could
have been called "This Is a Helluva
Life." Giving credit where credit is
due, it should be noted that some of
the participants dO' a better job in
turning in able and deft performances
when they sometimes visit trade paper
editorial offices and beg on bended
knee, "If I don't get this story on
Page One, my wife will have to take
in washing."

The scientific innovations which
occurred in the industry in the past
year, the shift from tall screens to
wide, prone screens, plus the various
new developments in sound, were
enthusiastically presented and lam-
pooned by the SPG cast in the annual
revue which was written by George
Nelson of United Artists, Harold
Rand and Ira Tulipan of 20th Cen-
tury-Fox. As a whole, the two-part
presentation was uproariously funny
and rib-tickling to an SRO audience,
which included some persons who
wandered into the Pierre's Grand
Ballroom thinking that the Guild
event was part of Hildegarde's act in
the next door Cotillion Room.

'Keystone' Motif Injected

Take-ofifs on advertising slogans of
recent films were effectively per-
formed by the SPG cast, which in-
cluded some young, sexy, women, and
the group freely utilized a slapstick
act of early silent screen days, cream-
pie massages. Pictures which were
buffooned were "Magnificent Obes-
sion," "Them," "The Egyptian," "On
the Waterfront," "The Caine Mutiny,"
"The Cruel Sea," "Indiscretions of
an American Wife," recent epics con-
cernings the days of knighthood and
men in mail with sword, shield and
tux, "Heidi" and the film depicting
the Mt. Everest mountain climb, but
the mountain in the show was real
cool, Minka!

The second half of the show was
devoted to the life of a screen pub-
licist, "This Is Your Life," with Rand
portraying ithe flackster and Al
Mendelsohn turning in a convincing
job as the master of ceremonies, Mal-
colm Mashugah. Rand was flippant in
his remarks and bounced about the
stage with derring-do, kissing pretty
young girls, casting his blood-shot
eyes on others, in the style of his
Bronx upbringing, while his past life
is reviewed.

Cast of 'Characters'

Others taking part in the SPG
festivities were : president Harry
Hochfeld, who awarded the SPG
crown to Movie Page Ball Queen
Sally Wile ; Edward Feldman, Paul
I Grosz, Paul Kamey, Al Cohan,
Jerome Evans, Yale Miller, Milton

Skouras Heads N.Y.
Committee for Ives

Spyros P. Skouras, 20th Century-
Fox president, has accepted the chair-
manship of the Independent Citizens
Committee for the Ives-McGovern
ticket at the behest of Gov. Thomas
E. Dewey and Senator Irving M. Ives.

Plans for launching a drive on be-
half of the New York State Republi-
can candidates will be made at a lunch-
eon to be given by Skouras at the
Plaza Hotel here next Friday.

'U' and Dial Press
In 'Pagan' Co-op

Universal Pictures, producer of the
CinemaScope and Technicolor film
production "Sign of the Pagan" is
joining promotional forces with the
Dial Press, publisher of the novel of
the same name by Roger Fuller. The
book was published last Friday with
an advance sale of 10,000 copies and
was launched with full page ads.

Dial Press promotional executives
met with U-I last week to develop
promotional plans for the book and
pictures.

Skolsky, and John Scuoppo. The show
was directed by Mendelsohn and Tuli-
pan and written by Nelson, Rand and
Tulipan in association with Evans,
Kamey, Mendelsohn and Feldman.
Lighting was by Joe Hyams, and the
assistant stage manager was Nick Di
Mattel.

Running time, 40 minutes. General
audience classification. Immediate re-
lease.

—LESTER DINOFF

On Equal Basis

Independents
Seen ^Even'
With Majors

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 18.— A feel-
ing that independent producers can
now compete with the majors on
selection of stars and story material
seemed firmly established at a round-
table luncheon at the Brown Derby
today between members of the Screen
Producers Guild and press represen-
tatives. Predicated on right story
material, it was pointed out, indepen-
dent producers can attract star name,
release and finance in respective
order.

Producer Carey Wilson pointed to
a decreasing number of important
stars, outlining their desire for par-
ticipationg earnings against large
weekly salaries.

Terms Called Attractive

The terms offered by an indepen-
dent producer were conceded to be
more attractive since overheads were
greatly minimized; and opportunity
for achieving greater income through
allowable capital gain structures is
proving a favorable budget factor for
independent deals, it was pointed out.

The Guild, heretofore limited to mo-
tion picture producers exclusively is
considering a formula for admitting
television film producers to member-
ship.

U. S. FIBERGLASS

INDUSTRIAL PLASTICS, INC.

150,000 Shares
CLASS "A" COMMON STOCK

Offering Price: $2.00 Per Sliare

Copies of the Offering Circular may be obtained from

UNDERWRITER

GENERAL INVESTING CORP.

80 WALL STREET, NEW YORK 5. N. Y. TeL: BOwling Green 9-5240

Please send me offering circular on U. S. Fiberglass Indusfrial
Plastics, Inc.

Name Address

( Please print full name clearly)

City State V

Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, October 19, 1954

Frayne Succeeds Barnett as SMPTE Head

Schary

{Continued from page 1)

pies. He mentioned 20th Century-Fox,
Paramount and his own studio in this
respect, also, adding M-G-M's plans
for a labor story, titled "Bannon,"
"Tea and Sympathy," and "Cobweb."

Prior to citing the studio's "gamble,"
he said that "not being an exhibitor
I would not know whether their com-
plaint about the product shortage is
valid or not." However, he added,
the production side of the business is
working harder than it ever worked to
"make better product."

Next year, he added, M-G-M will
spend more money than has ever been
spent on a film in its production of
"Ben Hur." He acknowledged that
the expenditure of money is not the
"answer" to a successful picture, but
the studio's thinking is that this spe-
cific picture is worth the planned ex-
penditures.

'Everybody Looking'

"Everybody," he continued, "is look-
ing for provoking pictures."

Asked to give comparative produc-
tion costs, Schary declined, stating
that it was not in his province to give
out such over-all production costs.
However, he added, "we are spendmg
more proportionately for pictures as
compared to last year."

Regarding VistaVision, Schary said
he welcomed any new device, believing
such innovations are a healthy influ-
ence, calling them exciting and inter-
esting. As to M-G-M plans regarding
VistaVision, Schary said that his stu-
dio has no commitments, but that it
the studio feels it has a property that
will lend itself specially to the Vista-
Vision medium, it would make such
a picture in that technique.

Indiana

{Continued from page 1)

lenged Indiana's right to tax these
rentals. The State Supreme Court sus-
tained the film company, finding that
films transmitted to Indiana exhibitors
directly from an out-of-state exchange
constituted interstate commerce, and
that rentals paid on these films were,
therefore, free from the Indiana gross
income tax.

In appealing the case to the Su-
preme Court, Indiana argued that ex-
hibition of the films in a state breaks
the flow of interstate commerce, mak-
ing the property subject to the tax
laws of the state. If the Indiana
court's ruling is correct, the brief de-
clared, then the Indiana exhibitors
should also be exempt from the tax.

COMPO Sets

(Continued from page 1)

the group insurance plan would seal
its fate unless Allied reconsiders its
position or an alternative plan could
be proposed by COMPO, it was said.
The projected audience star poll has
remained in abeyance pending an
attempt to package a television tie-in
show. As to a new tax drive, Allied
has expressed sentiment against such
a move.

Ladies Free

HARTFORD, Oct. 18.— "Ladies
Night," with female patrons admitted
free, is now in effect on Wednesdays
at the newly-opened East Hartford
Family Drive-In Theatre, South
Windsor, Conn.

(Continued from page 1)

vice-president; Norwood L. Simmons,
Eastman Kodak, editorial vice-presi-
dent ; Byron Roudabus, Byron, Inc.,
convention vice-president ; Edward S.
Seeley, Altec Service Corp., secretary.

Regional governors will be : Gor-
don A. Chambers and George Levin,
for the East Coast area; Malcolm G.
Townsley and W. Wallace Lozier,
Central area ; Lloyd T. Goldsmith and
John W. Duval, West Coast area.

In liis opening address. President
Barnett traced the industry's upswing
from a low point touched two years
ago and declared, "Today our indus-
try is enjoying fruits of a two-year
investment in engineering and applied
research. It is a rare and welcome

Goldman Leaves on
World Tour Thurs.

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 18.— Wil-
liam Goldman, Philadelphia film pro-
ducer, distributor and exhibitor, will
leave Thursday on a 30,000-mile round-
the-world trip during which he \yill
take a close look at the film situation
in Asia and Europe.

Goldman's inspection tour will coin-
cide with a trip he is taking with the
International College of Surgeons until
Nov. 15, when he will leave the medi-
cal group and continue on his own. _

In addition to inspecting foreign
motion picture facilities and attending
medical conventions, Goldman will
also act as a representative of Penn-
sylvania and Philadelphia.

Mayor Joseph S. Clark, Jr., pre-
sented Goldman with autographed
copies of prints of Independence Hall
to be delivered to the heads of the 13
states Goldman will visit during his
tour.

Gov. John S. Fine gave Goldman
letters of greetings to be presented to
the government heads including Presi-
dent Magsaysay of the Philippines,
Prime Minister Nehru of India and
Emperor Hirohito of Japan.

Can, Film Imports
Increase in Value

OTTAWA, Oct. 18. — With _ such
imports increasing in value steadily in
recent months, Canadian government
reports imports of films rose to $5,-
079,000 in the first seven months of
1954, in contrast to $4,541,000 in same
period of 1953.

Film imports in July rose again to
$809,000 against $805,000 in June,
$721,000 in May and $599,000 in July
last year.

400 'Rainbow' Prints

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 18.— The larg-
est order RKO has given Technicolor
in the past seven years for prints for a
forthcoming RKO production was
placed yesterday when RKO or-
dered a total of 400 prints of "The
Big Rainbow." Two hundred of the
Technicolor prints will be in Super-
scope, and 200 will be for standard
projection.

Increase Odeon Board

OTTAWA, Oct. 18.— The Odeon
Theatres (Canada), Ltd., has filed
notice here that its board of directors
has been increased from 9 to 10
members.

occasion indeed that permits a motion
picture engineer to contribute directly
to the immediate benefit of his indus-
try. Through his ability to meet these
responsibilities he has gained greater
esteem and prestige, and has moved
forward into new positions of promi-
nence."

Business Meet Follows Luncheon

Following- the luncheon, members
adjourned to a business meeting in
the Ambassador Hotel theatre, with
proposals for increasing membership
fees the principal matter on the
agenda.

At the luncheon the Samuel L.
Warner award was given Louis D.
Grignon, of 20th Century-Fox, for

Name Bowen GPE
UK Representative

Ivor Bowen, principal director of
air equipment research and develop-
ment in Great Britain's Ministry of
Supply, has resigned to become the
British Empire representative of Gen-
eral Precision Equipment Corp., it
was announced here by Herman G.
Place, GPE president. Bowen, who
resigned from his British post on
Oct. 12, will reside in London.

"Mr. Bowen's appointment as our
first direct overseas representative,"
said Place, "foreshadows further
expansion of our existing foreign
activities and increased interest of the
GPE companies in development work
in the U.K., particularly in the manu-
facture of advanced types of naviga-
tional systems applicable to guided
missiles and manned aircraft, in which
developments the United States holds
the leading position.

Canada Amusement
Construction Down

OTTAWA, Oct. 18.— Construction
of theatres, arenas, amusement and
recreation buildings will decline to $19,-
897,000 during 1954 in contrast to $23,-
741,000 during 1953 but above the
$19,064,000 during 1952, Canadian gov-
ernment reports.

New construction in this field in
1954 went down to $18,518,000 as
against $22,249,000 in 1953 but above
the $17,623,000 in 1952, while repairs
fell to $1,379,000 in 1954 as against
$1,492,000 in 1953 and $1,441,000 in
1952.

Governmental expenditures in this
field showed $2,727,000 for the Federal
government in 1954 as against $2,672,-
000 in 1953 and $10,000 in 1954 against
$9,000 in 1953 for provincial govern-
ments, with municipal governments ac-
counting for $7,056,000 in 1954 against
$6,627,000 in 1953.

Republic to Release
Five JARO Films

Five top British productions will be
distributed by Republic Pictures in the
United States and Canada, it was an-
nounced here yesterday by Herbert J.
Yates, Republic president, following
conclusion of a deal with the J. Arthur
Rank Organization.

The five productions include "Doc-
tor In The House," "Trouble In
Store," "Forbidden Cargo," "A Day
To Remember" and "The Square
Ring."

engineering work on stereophonic
sound. The David Sarnoff Gold
Medal Award went to Ray D. Kell,
of RCA, for important contribu-
tions to color television, and The
SMPTE Journal Award to Armim
J. Hill for his paper on stereoscopy.
A special achievement award was
given Earl I. Sponable and Herbert
E. Bragg for contributions to Cinema-
Scope.

Color TV Viewed

Late in the afternoon the delegates
viewed NBC's Transcontinental color
cast, "Tonight at 8:30," on nine color
television sets supplied by three manu-
facturing companies, in the Ambas-
sador theatre.

Disney

(Continued from page 1)

Vista subsidiary, Walt Disney Film
Distributors, Ltd.

The first picture to be released in
Canada by Empire-Universal will be
"The Vanishing Prairie."

"20,00p Leagues Under the Sea,"
Walt Disney's first live-action feature
in CinemaScope, will follow on the
Empire-Universal release schedule.
The kickofif date in Canada is slated
for Christmas and will coincide with
the release date in the U.S.

The third production set for Can-
adian release is "The Littlest Out-
law," a live-action Technicolor film
made in Mexico.

^Hazer

(Continued from page 1)

hit of the storm areas. Other thea-
tres along the strand were also bat-
tered by wind and water.

Curving in, the storm smashed at
two drive-ins at Dunn, N. C. Hal
Jordan, owner of the Centerview,
said his theatre was destroyed. The
Cotton Bowl at Dunn and the Star
View in nearby Benson were also flat
after the storm had passed over. In
many localities, equipment was dam-
aged by water and will have to be
replaced. Many screens were also
blown down. Some owners said they
might not rebuild if insurance policies
did not cover damages.

Albany Stations to
Lowell Thomas Firm

ALBANY, Oct. 18. — Negotiations
to purchase radio station WROW and
television station WROW for a re-
ported $350,000 have been concluded
between the Hudson Valley Broad-
casting Corp. and Lowell Thomas,
Frank J. Smith and Alger B. Chap-
man, it was announced here yesterday.

The Federal Communications Com-
mission has been asked by the Thomas
group to approve the purchase of the
UHF TV and radio outlet and erec-
tion of a "booster" tower 20 to 25
miles away from the transmitter.

'Duel' to RKO Circuit

David O. Selznick's "Duel in the
Sun," following its six-week Broad-
way-stand at the Mayfair Theatre and
its current two-week run at the
Brooklyn Paramount, goes into the
RKO circuit throughout thp metro-
politan area on Oct. 27.

Tuesday, October 19, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Toll TV

{Continued front page 1)

counsel, Herman Levy, TOA general
counsel, Arthur and Harling were
elected to serve the group as a legal
advisory committee.

The second meeting at Chicago's
Blackstone Hotel took place about
four weeks after the Sept. 13 hush-
hush meeting at the same place, called
by Allied. According to the jomt
Rembusch-Starr statement, it was
agreed at tliat time to form a joint
toll TV' committee, but action had to
be deferred pending authorization by
the respective organizations. Such
authorization was received through
communications from the respective
organizations prior to Friday's meet-
ing, it was added.

Among those attending the Friday
meeting were the following : Myers,
George Kerasotes, of TOA, David
Arthur and James Arthur, of SCTOA,
Julius Gordon, president of East
Texas Theatres, Inc., Renibusch, and
Sol Strausberg, MMPTA vice-
president.

TNT Buys 50 Units
From GPE

Fifty projection units, the first big-
screen TV equipment designed and
manufactured for hotel closed-circuit
television, has been purchased by
Theatre Network Television from
General Precision Laboratory, Inc., it
was announced here yesterday by
Nathan L. Halpern, TNT president,
and Hermann Place, GPE president.

The new equipment will make pos-
sible simultaneous closed circuit busi-
ness meetings in as many as 50 hotels
located in 50 cities from coast to
coast, and will augment TNT's cur-
rent network of over 100 theatres,
Halpern said.

Delinquency Session
Draws TV Officials

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18.— Two
television network officials will be
among the witnesses opening the Sen-
ate juvenile delinquency sub-commit-
tee hearings tomorrow on television
crime programs.

They are Merle S. Jones, CBS vice
president, and James L. Caddigan,
Du Mont program director. Other
witnesses who are scheduled to testify
tomorrow include the managers of
two Washington television stations
and Richard Clendennen, subcommittee
executive director. Among those who
will testify on the second and, pre-
sumably, final day of the hearings will
be Harold Fellowes, president of the
National Association of Radio and
Television Broadcasters.

Sees 3-D Television
In Late December

Three-dimensional pictures are
expected to be ready for tele-
vision by late December with-
out any special equipment for
home owners of sets except the
wearing of special 3-D glasses,
it was announced here yester-
day by Wallace Garland, presi-
dent of Broadway Angels, Inc.

The 3-D film system for tele-
vision was invented by Leslie
P. Dudley of England, Garland
said.

T ele vision Radio

iWith Pinky Herman^

Paul Lavalle

PLANS for a complete NBCoverage of national 'niid-term' elec-
tion (Nov. 2) in both radio and TV are being formulated and
the results will be flashed until a definite conclusion is reached on
"which party is to control Congress for the remainder of President
Eisenhower's first term." The largest number of TV affiliates in
the history of election coverages will participate — 142 stations. . . .
Grey Advertising prexy Lawrence Valenstein has named David
Mayer head of the newly created marketing and sales development
department, and Chris Cross (formerly with Kenyon & Eckhardt) as
director of promotion & publicity. . . . Tommy WEREdwards starts
the second year as ye editor, publisher, circulation manager, reporter
and office boy for the T. E. Newsletter. Tommy is very popular
with Tin Pan Alleyites, being one of Cleveland's best song salesmen
and a most cooperative young man. . . . Bob Weitman and ABChief-
tains will preview "Disneyland TV" for the press tomorrow at 11 :00
A.M. at their studios on W. 66th St.

^ ik -i^

Maestro Paul Lavalle, of the NBCities Service "Band of
America," is chairman of the men's committee of the Friends of
the Philharmonic nthich zmll hold a special fund-raising luncheon
Tuesday, November 23, at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel at zvhich
Victor Borge will entertain. Victor is about
the only man in town who can make people
laugh even while they're autographing checks.
. . . Sig Mickelson, CBS veep in charge of
nezvs and public ajfairs, back at his desk after
a month in Europe. . . . Didn't know till yes-
terday that Ed Penney, luhose daily platter-
chatter at WTAO in Boston, is one of the
Hub's favorites, is a, co-zvriter of the song,
"Hopelessly," which the Ames Bros, are
zooming into the Hit Parade. This 'Penney'
is worth a mdllion d.ollars in personality and
salesmanship. . . . Ralph Edwards will emcee
(he "Diamond Jubilee of Light" luncheon to
be held Thursday, Oct. 21, at Los Angeles
tvhere Pat Weaver zvill be principal
speaker.

- ^ ik

The plaque that Robert Q. Lewis will receive as guest of
honor at a luncheon Saturday at the Hotel Plaza will read-
quote- . . . salutes Robert Q. Lewis for distinguished service
in his capacity as Greater N. Y. chairman of the 1954 Muscu-
lar Dystrophy Research Appeal, unquote.
(Nice goin' Robert Q.) . . . Buff Cobb,
pretty, pert and pixyish panelist on Ed
Wolf's ABClassy "Masquerade Party"
TVehicle, is the daughter of writer Eliza-
beth Cobb and singer Frank Chapman,
granddaughter of the late great humorist
Irvin S. Cobb, and the wife of Mike Wal-
lace. . . . That was a great show Max Lieb-
man NBCreated last week in which Judy
Holliday, Steve Allen and Dick Shawn
combined their talents ; soo, comes next
Saturday we'll cancel any and all engage-
ments between 9 and 10:30 P.M. to watch
M.L.'s next 'special,' "The Follies of Suzy,"
starring the French danseuse Jeanmaire,
Steve Allen, and the new comic sensation Dick Shawn. . . .
Bill Hobin, whom we tabbed two years ago, as one of the
brightest newcomers to television, is associate-producer-
director.

ik ^ -A _ it ,

Celebrating his 50th year in motion pictures, Tom London will
be seen in his 1702nd role as a featured player in the Screen Gems'
forthcoming telefilm, "Rin-Tin-Tin and the Ancient Mariner." In
compiling this amazing list of screen credits, London played in Every
Rin Tin Tin motion picture, starting with the original silent canine
star to the present Rin-Tin-Tin IV. . . . One wouldn't think it to
look at him but tall, goodlooking and athletic Doug Browning- has
been newscasting, announcing-, spinning records and spreading
common sense and homey philosophy on the air for 18 years, starting
with NBC and continuing with ABC when the Red and Blue net-
works went their respective ways some years ago. . . . Otto Prem-
inger, who's just completed producing-directing "Carmen Jones" for
20th Century-Fox, directed Ginger Rogers' TV debut last night in
Leland Hayward's Three Noel NBCoward Plays.

Robert Q. Lewis

Republic

{Continued from page 1)

agamst Autry, while the Circuit Court
found against both. Eighty-one Roy
Kogers films and 57 Gene Autry fea-
tures are at issue.

Rogers contended that his contract
with Republic specifically reserved to
mm all rights for commercial exploita-
tion of his films, and that his films
could not be sold to television with-
out his consent. The Circuit Court had
ruled that these rights were limited
to his name, picture and voice outside
of the films, but that Republic had
complete title to the use of his name,
picture and voice in the films and
could, therefore, freely license the
films to television. Rogers said his
case would be a test case for many
similar contracts between stars and
film companies. He said the pictures
might be used to indicate that the star
was endorsing liquor, cigarettes or
some other product which might dam-
age the star, and that the star should
have the right to veto such plans.

Autry said he did not dispute Re-
public's right to license his films for
television but that he did challenge
the company's right to use or license
his name, voice or likeness for com-
mercial advertising. He pointed out
that the Circuit Court had declared
that Republic could not make it appear
that Autry actually endorsed a specific
product, and said that such a vague
ruling, without the details spelled out,
would force him to police the actions
of Republic on television stations
throughout the country and bring
many actions in many different courts,
with possibly different results.

Disney TV Series to
Bow Oct 27 on ABC

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 18. — Walt
Disney's television series, "Disney-
land," will premiere on Oct. 27 over
the American Broadcasting Co. tele-
vision network using scenes from his
CinemaScope production, "20,000
Leagues Under the Sea," during the
initial hour-long show, ABC-TV an-
nounced here yesterday.

Also presented on the Disneyland
show will be a pictorial salute to
Mickey A'louse, whose career is re-
viewed by Disney by means of memor-
able cartoon sequences.

The television camera, ABC-TV
reports, will roam about Disney's
Burbank studio to acquaint viewers
with the over-all nature of Disney-
land.

Evans to Address
NTFC Meet Nov. 4

Ralph M. Evans, director of the
Technology Division for Eastman
Kodak Co., will be the guest speaker
at the Nov. 4 luncheon meeting of the
National Television Film Council at
the Hotel Warwick, it was announced
here yesterday by Alelvin L. Gold,
NFTC president.

Evans will address the membership
on "Seeing Light and Color."

35 Years the Leailets

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*N. Y. Times. N. Y. Daily News, N. Y.

^^^^

MOTION PICTURE

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VOL. 76. NO. 77

NEW YORK, U. S. A., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1954

TEN CENTS

After World Tour

Aboaf Sees
U-I Overseas
Business Jump

Foreign Market Passing
Last Year's High Record

By LESTER DINOFF

Despite the economic situations in
several nations abroad, Universal-
International business will be "higher
this year by a substantially wide
margin" surpas-
sing the record
breaking mark
of 1953 by "sev-
eral millions,"
it was disclosed
here yesterday
by Americo
Aboaf, U-I vice
president and
foreign sales
manager.

Aboaf re-
turned over the
weekend from a
10 - week tour
around the

world, surveying operations in the
(Continued on page 6)

Americo Aboaf

CEA Approves Eady
Levy; Rank Declines
Bid to Rejoin Now

LONDON, Oct. 19. — Cinemato-
graph Exhibitors Association has for-
mally ratified the new Eady levy
scale, thus averting governmental
intervention in the industry by means
of a statutory levy in place of a
voluntary industry one.

Following ratification, CEA officers
made an approach to J. Arthur Rank
seeking a healing of the breach be-
tween his organization and CEA.
Rank's theatres resigned from CEA
{Continued on page 6)

NYC Theatres to File
Appeal by Nov. 5

New York City exhibitor attorneys
have until Nov. 5 to file their briefs
with the Appellate Division, Second
Department, Brooklyn, courts appeal-
ing Supreme Court Percy D. Stod-
dart's decision which upheld the city's
motion for summary judgment in the
five per cent admission tax suit.

Assistant Corporation Counsel Stan-
ley Buchsbaum, who is rept-esenting
(Continued on page 5)

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM TO PUBLIC
PLANNED IN ANTI-TOLL TV DRIVE

An extensive educational program against toll TV, aimed at the public,
legislators and business interests, has been envisioned for the newly-formed
joint exhibitors committee on subscription TV, it was learned here yesterday.

A participant at the. Chicago meet-
ing, which resulted in the formation
of the committee, said that a number
of meetings in which other groups will
participate has already been blue-
printed. The participant, who declined
the use of his name, said the next
meeting of the committee will take
place shortly, adding that an announce-
ment as to the place will be made
soon.

The role of exhibition coming to the
aid of free home television was frankly
explored by the participant. He saw
no contradiction in sucli a role, point-
ing out beyond the economic interest,
exhibition has a stake in maintaining
the theatre as a separate means of
communications in this country, a
means, which, he claimed, would be
closed if toll TV should gain wide
acceptance.

Toll TV, he argued, in addition,
would confine if not ultimately throttle
free communications over the air, force
the public to pay for programming and
provide toll TV with free distribution
(Continued on page 6)

Siegel Named V-P
Of Int'l Associates

Norman Siegel has been named vice-
president and a director of Interna-
tional Associates, active in the pro-
duction, financing and distribution of
pictures here and abroad, it was an-
nounced yesterdav by John McCarthy,
executive vice-president. Siegel, who
will make his headquarters in Holly-
wood, will continue to represent the
Screen Directors Guild, Judy Garland
and Sid Luft's Transcona Enterprises
and Henry Ginsberg's International
Productions.

Spiegel, who formerly was adver-
tising-publicity director of the Para-
(Contimied on page 6)

'Moby' Budget Up
To $4,000,000

The production budget for John
Huston's "Moby Dick" has been
raised another $1,000,000, bringing the
total production budget to $4,000,000,
Al Crown, president of Moulin Pro-
ductions, disclosed here yesterday.

Crown, who recently returned from
London, toId~ a trade press conference
that the rise in production costs was
due to Huston's intent in retaining the
central integrity of the story, necessi-
tating expensive and extensive location
shooting. "Moby Dick," he continued,
(Continued on page 6)

Skiatron Leaders
Map Counter-attack

Skiatron toppers will meet here to-
day to map a counter-attack against
the recently-formed joint exhibition
committee to combat toll TV.

An indication of the accent of the
counter-attack was offered yesterday
by Arthur Levey, president of Skia-
tron Electronics & Television Corp.,
which developed Subscription-Vision,
one of the three toll TV systems.

"In our opinion," Levey said in com-
menting on the formation of the joint
committee, "it is against progress in
the entertainment field and against
freedom of choice on the part of tele-
vision home viewers."

Levey said he would confer with
James Landis, Skiatron general coun-
sel and board member, and Matty
Fo.x, president of Skiatron TV, Inc.,
which holds the world rights for the
commercial development of Subscrip-
tion-Vision. An announcement will
be made after the meeting, Levey
added.

Subscription-Vision has filed with
the Federal Communications Commis-
sion for a public hearing on toll TV.

Laud Subsidy Stand
Of Johnston, Arnall

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 19. — The
Hollywood AFL Film Council today
passed a resolution expressing satis-
faction with policy declarations by
Eric Johnston, president of the Motion
Picture Association of America ; Ellis
Arnall, president of the Society of
Independent Motion Picture Pro-
ducers, and the U. S. State Depart-
ment, on foreign subsidies. The reso-
lution, after reciting recent events
(Continued on page 4)

Production Pickup
At RKO Studio

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 19. — RKO's
film production hiatus came to an end
■fh's week as two top "A" films were
before the cameras and four others
were in active stages of preparation for
early filming. The six films are being
produced by independent producers
and are slated for world-wide distri-
bution bv RKO.

Now filming are Benedict Bogeaus'
(Continued on page 6)

Over 1953

45% Increase
In AB-PT 3rd
Quarter Net

Equal to 31c Per Share;
Earnings, $1,373,000

Estimated net operating profit of
American Broadcasting - Paramount
Theatres after taxes for the third
quarter of 1954 was 45 per cent ahead
of the same
period of 1953,
or $1,373,000, as
compared with
$946,000, presi-
dent Leonard
Goldenson re-
ported yester-
day. Earnings
per share of
common stock
for the quarter
was 31 cents as
against 20' cents
last year. The
increase in earn-
ings in the third
quarter greatly ofifset the decrease in
(Continued on page 4)

L. H. Goldenson

Reverse Maryland
Censor Ruling on
*0n the Waterfront'

BALTIMORE, Oct. 19. — The
Maryland State Board of Motion Pic-
ture Censors' ruling for deletion of the
words "go to hell" from dialogue of
the film "On the Waterfront" was re-
versed yesterday by Judge James K.
Cullen in Baltimore City Court.

The Judge declared that the board's
decision was illegal since there was not
any evidence to support its finding that
the dialogue was indecent in view of
(Continued on page 5)

Elect Pery 'V-P'
Of Columbia Infl

Nick Pery, Columbia International's
managing director for Europe and the
Near East, has been elected a vice-
president of the organization, it was
announced here yesterday by Joseph
A. McConville, president, following a
meeting of the company's board of
directors.

Pery several months ago succeeded
Lacy W. Kastner, now executive vice-
president, in the Paris post, following
Kastner's transfer to . the New York
home oflSce.

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, October 20, 1954

Personal
Mention

F0STI;K M. HI.AKl', Uiiivcrsal's
Western sales manager, will return
to New York today from San Fran-
cisco.

•

James M. Con'nolly, 20th Century-
Fox district manager, and Jack
Bloom, his assistant, were in Albany,
N. Y., from Boston.

•

Ma.x TiioKi'ic, Columbia Pictures
managing- director in London, will
leave there l)y plane on Nov. 8 for
New York.

•

Huntington Harti-okd, of Hunt-
ington Hartford P3nterprises, will
leave New York today aboard the
"Cueen Alary" for Europe.

•

John Davis, managing director of
the J. Arthur Rank Organization,
plans to leave London for New York
on Nov. 1.

•

Joan Greenwood will arrive in
New York from Hollywood tomor-
row, and will leave here Friday by
plane for England.

•

George Nichols, M-G-M studio
publicist, will arrive in New York
today from the Coast.

Bernard Brooks, chief buyer and
booker for Fabian Theatres, was in
Albany, N. Y., from here.

•

David E. Rose, producer, has
arrived in New Y''ork from Hollywood
enroute to London.

•

Charles Schnee, producer, is
scheduled to arrive here next Monday
from the Coast.

•

Harry Fellerman, Universal's
nnanager of the special films division,
is in New Haven from here.
•

Frederick Brisson, producer, re-
turned to Hollywood last night from
Nev\' York.

•

Morris Helprin, vice-president of
London Films, will arrive here today
from England via B.O.A.C. Monarch.

Ethel Merman will arrive here
today from Denver.

•

Jesse L. Lasky is visiting in New
York from Hollywood.

M-G-M's Charlotte Office Tenders
Aid to Carolina Hurricane Victims

Telegraphic offers of assistance, if needed, were dispatched from
M-G-M's Charlotte office by branch manager Jack ReVille to more
than 100 accounts in North and South Carolina on Monday and
Tuesday following partial restoration of communication lines into
the storm-wracked territory where many conventional theatres were
reported flooded and drive-in screens blown down by hurricane
Hazel.

Early responses to ReVille's tender of aid indicated that some of
the Carolina theatremen had summoned emergency crews and re-
stored equipment to working order with not more than one night's
loss of business.

Krim Returns Today
From Overseas Trip

-Arthur B. Krim, president of
United Artists, will arrive in New
York today concluding a six-week
tour of the company's ofifices in the
Middle and Far East.

During his swing through Japan,
India, Malaya and Egypt, Krim held
exploratorj' conferences on co-pro-
duction deals patterned after similar
arrangements in vvlvch U'^-ited Artists
has participated in Italy, France, Eng-
land, Mexico and Samoa.

Accompanied by Picker ,

Accompanied throughout the greater
part of his trip by Arnold M. Picker,
United Artists vice president in
charge of foreign distribution, the
UA chief also inaugurated the Asian
l^hase of the company's world-wide
35th anniversary celebration. His itin-
erary included stops in Manila, Hong
Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Bombay
and Cairo.

Before emplaning for the United
States, Krim met with producers cur-
rently shooting or preparing films in
Europe for United Artists release.

Fabian 8th Pioneer
To Be Selected

India Refuses M-G-M
Picture Request

Special facilities for shooting
■"Bhowani Junction" was refused
M-G-M by the Indian government
when the film company had asked for
the use of Indian Army units and
special running of trains, it was re-
ported here yesterday by the New
Y''ork "Times."

The film, starring Ava Gardner, is
based on a novel depicting the life of
an Anglo-Indian community in the
last davs of British rule.

SMPTE Honors
SW's Lester Isaac

Lester B. Isaac, national director of
exhibition of Cinerama for Stanley
Warner Corp., has been awarded a
Fellow Membership in the Society of
Motion Picture and Television Engi-
neers.

The award presentation, made yes-
terday during the 76th convention of
the society in Los Angeles, was ac-
cepted by Isaac's lifelong friend. Merle
Chamberlain, chief of sound and pro-
jection at M-G-M, inasmuch as Isaac
is currently preparing new theatre in-
stallations of Cinerama.

The presentation honors Isaac for
his major status in the motion picture
industry and for his Substantial con-
tribution to the betterment of the in-
dustry.

Set ITO of Ohio Meet
For Next March 1-2

COLUMBUS. O., Oct. 19. — The
annual convention of Independent
Theatre Owners of Ohio has been set
for next March 1 and 2 at the Deshler-
Wallick Hotel here. The M-G-M
Ticket Selling Workshop under the
direction of M. L. Simons, director of
customer relations, will be a feature
of the convention, according to Rob-
ej"t A. Wile, executive secretary.

When the Motion Picture Pioneers
honor Simon H. Fabian, president of

e Stanley Warner Corp., as the Mo-
tion Picture Pioneer of 1954 at its 16th
annual showmanship dinner on Nov.
17, he will be the eighth Pioneer so
honored in the 16-year history of the
motion picture veterans' organization,
it was pointed out by Jack Cohn, pres-
ident of the Pioneers and the Founda-
tion of Motion Picture Pioneers.

"Outstanding- men of our industry
honored by the Pioneers," said Cohn,
"have included such celebrated names
as Adolph Zukor in 1947, Gus Eyssel
in 1948, Cecil B. DeMille in 1949,
Spyros Skouras in 1950, the three
Warn-r Brothers in 1951, Nate J.
Blumberg in 1952 and Barney Balaban
in 1953. Fabian, one of the great lead-
ers of the motion picture industry, is
distinguished for his services to all
humanitarian causes. This year the in-
dustry is also celebrating his 40 years
of service to and participation in mo-
tion pictures."

500 to Attend

Over 500 Pioneers together with
outstanding personalities of industry,
the church, civic life and the motion
picture and television industry will join
in paying tribute to Fabian at the din-
ner, the 16th since the organization
was founded in 1939. A "Cavalcade of
Show Business" will be on hand to
provide entertainment.

Name New Head of
U.K. Films Council

LONDON, Oct. 19.— The Board of
Trade announced that S. C. Roberts,
master of Pembroke College, Cam-
bridge, and a former vice-chancellor
of Cambridge University, accepted the
invitation of the Board to become
chairman of the Cinematograph Film
Council as of Sept. 30, last.

The previous chairman, Lord Drog-
heda, had intimated that he did not
wish to be considered for reappoint-
ment.

'Contessa* Midwest
Bnw in Chi. Today

United Artists' "The Barefoot Con-
tessa" will have its Midwest premiere
today at the United Artists Theatre in
Chicago.

"The Barefoot Contessa" currently
is in the third week of its world pre-
miere engagement at the Capitol Thea-
tre in New York.

12 Industry Leaders
Are Chairmen for
Joint Defense Appeal

Honorary chairmen of the Joint
Defense Appeal campaign in support
of the American Jewish Committee
and the Anti-Defamation League of
B'nai B ' r i t h
n o w comprise
12' of the lead-
i n g executives
of the industry.
They are Bar-
ney Balaban,
Robert S. Ben-
jamin, Harry
Brandt, Jack
C o h n, Simon
H. Fabian,
Leonard H.
Goldenson, Ar-
thur B. Krim.
Herman Rob-
bins, Sam Ro-
sen, Spyros P. Skouras, Richard F.
Walsh and Major Albert Warner.

The nation-wide efifort will be
highlighted in New York by a testi-
monial luncheon Oct. 27 honoring the
trade press at the Hotel Astor. The
announcement was made by William
J. German. JDA division chairman.

Louis Phillips, of Phillips, Nizer,
Benjamin & Krim, is serving as
luncheon chairman, and Leon Gold-
berg, of United Artists Corp is treas-
urer. Martin Levine is JDA chair-
man of the Cinema Lodge of B'nai
B'rith, co-sponsor of the luncheon.

Leon Goldberg

Name Chairmen for
Tri-State Conclave

MEMPHIS, Oct. 19. — Alton Sims
of Memphis and Nona White of Little
Rock have been named chairman and
co-chairman, respectively, of the an-
nual convention of the Motion Picture
Theatre Owners of Arkansas, Tennes-
see and Afississippi to be held here
Dec. 6-8.

Product, new techniques, concessions
and the encouragement of independent
production are items on the agenda.

Albert, Jack Warner
Increase Holdings

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19. — Maj.
Albert Warner, vice-president of War-
ner Brothers Pictures, Inc., has pur-
chased 4,500 shares of WB stock, in-
creasing his beneficiary holdings to
31,000 shares and his direct holdings
to 160,000 shares, the Securities and
Exchange Commission reported.

Jack L. Warner, vice-president, also
bought 5,000 shares increasing his
beneficiary holdings to 13.400 shares,
increasing his direct holdings to 295,-
499 shares, the SEC reported.

Goldwyn's $25,000
Aids Charity Drive

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 19.— Samuel
Goldwyn, first president and founder
of the Permanent Charities Commit-
tee, has donated $25,000 to this year's
campaign, which starts Nov. 1. Cam-
paign chairman Ralph Claire said
Goldwyn has been the highest donor
throughout PCC's fourteen years.

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays Sundays and holldavs hv n„i.,1pv PnhUsI,;,,,
.1270 S,.xth Avenue, Rockefeller Center. New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100 Cable address's "Q'uUpXofX'wYork^-' M.r^n%%^Iy

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Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager- William R Weaver Editor'
Chj_cago BuTcau, 120 South LaSalle ^treet, Urben Farlej-, Advertising JRepresentative, Fl 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, 'Washington

Let's give your
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start it /
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Here's just
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GIRLS! Do Big
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Good Lovers? Or
would you prefer
the romancing of
Edmund Purdom—
or the song-wooing
of Vic Damone?

JANE
POWELL

She sings, dances!

DEBBIE
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Singing -dancingtoo!

(She's in the headlines)

EDMUND
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He romances!

VIC

DAMONE

Romantic singer!

M-G-M's "BODY-BEAUTIFUL MUSICAL!

ATH E Mil

"THE NATURE GIRL"

THE MUSICAL WITH YOUNG IDEAS!

The story of Seven Daring Daughters on the Prowl
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with

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Songs: HUGH MARTIN and RALPH BLANE
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Directed by RICHARD THORPE . Produced by JOE PASTERNAK

(AVAILABLE IN PERSPECTA STEREOPHONIC
OR ONE-CHANNEL SOUND)

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, October 20, 1954

SARNOFF FORESEES ELECTRONIC
LIGHT EMERGING FROM TV STUDY

sr. LOUIS, Oct. 19. — Electronic light, a far-reaching revolution in
lighting, bids fair to he produced as the result of television research.
Brig. General David Sarnoff, chairman of the board of the Radio Corp.

of America, announced here today at
a St. Louis Chamber of Commerce
luncheon in observance of "Light's
Diamond Jubilee."

AB-PT Net

Theatre Color
TV by RCA

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 19.— Devel-
opment of an RCA theatre color tele-
vision system which projects large-
screen TV pictures in sizes up to IS
by 20 feet were described here yester-
day by J. E. Volkmann, engineer of
the Radio Corporation of America, in
a paper delivered before the meeting
of the S(Kiety of Motion Picture and
Television Engineers at the Ambassa-
dor Hotel here.

The paper, entitled "Large Screen
Color Television Projection," was pre-
pared by L. L. Evans and R. V. Little,
Jr., engineers for RCA in Camden,
N. J.

Theatre-Size Picture

The new system projects theatre-
size color television pictures with good
resolution and highlight brightness, he
said. The highlight brightness is ap-
pro.ximately five foot-lamberts on an
embossed aluminized screen. The
combined kinescopes and optical sys-
tems utilize the full bandwidth of the
color television signal.

The experimental color system,
which can also be used for theatre
projection of black-and-white tele-
vision pictures, is basically similar to
RCA's monochrome theatre system,
\'olkmann said. However, whereas
the latter utilizes a single optical sys-
tem, the color projector employs three
26-inch Schmidt-type optical systems
— one for each of the three primary
colors, red, green, and blue. In addi-
tion, the color system requires a de-
coder, two additional video amplifiers,
and increased scanning power.

Decoder Is Vital

The decoder is the heart of the thea-
tre color TV system, Volkmann ex-
plained. It "extracts" the color in-
formation from the incoming video
signal and combines it in proper pro-
portion with the brightness informa-
tion in the video signal to form the
red, green, and blue signals. The red,
green and blue outputs drive the equip-
ment's three television picture tubes.

The new system also represents ad-
vances which have been made in recent
years in Schmidt-type optical systems,
he said. These advances have resulted
in important improvements in detail
contrast in the projected picture. The
improvement at 300 lines, for example,
is in the order of three to one.

Mitchell, Oberfelder
Promoted at ABC

Robert E. Kintner, president of the
American Broadcasting Co., yesterday
announced the executive promotions of
John H. Mitchell to vice-president in
charge of the ABC television network
and Ted Oberfelder to vice-president
and general manager of WABC-TV,
ABC's owned TV outlet here, both
promotions becoming effective on
Nov. 1.

Mitchell is currently in charge of
the ABC television station while Ober-
felder has charge of WABC, the net-
work's radio station in New York
City. Oberielder's successor at radio
station WABC will be announced
shortly.

Mitchell, w^ho joined ABC in Chi-
cago during 1953, was formerly with
Balaban & Katz Corp. in charge of
that circuit's Indiana theatres owned

{Continued from page 1)

the first six months so that for the
nine months, net operating profit after
taxes was $3,127,000 or 68 cents per
share of common stock as compared
with $3,182,000 or 71 cents per share
in 1953, Goldenson said.

Capital gains (net) for the third
quarter and for the nine months were
$10,000 and $86,000, respectivelv, as
against $63,000 and, $4,377,000 in 1953.
The latter figure was due principally
to the sale of television station WBKB
in Chicago following the merger with
ABC.

The improvement in earnings was
despite increased depreciation charges
due to the installation of new theatre
wide screen and sound equipment and
a loss sustained by the ABC division,
which loss included certain additional
non-recurring costs, it was stated. The
estimated cash throw-off for the third
quarter and the first nine months in-
creased by $649,000 and $838,000, re-
spectively, over the corresponding peri-
ods of 1953,

Goldenson stated that theatre
business in the third quarter was
better than in any similar period
since the company's inception
on Jan. 1, 1950. The improve-
ment was said to be due pri-
marily to the greater number of
fine pictures released. He said
that while the present trend is
encouraging, the problem of suf-
ficient supply of product still
exists and the company was
continuing to encourage addi-
tional production from all pos-
sible sources.

As had been anticipated, the third
quarter for th= ABC division, the
weakest broadcasting period, was
not profitable. Recent organizational
changes resulting in additional non-
recurring costs during the quarter are
expected to result in greater efficiency
and economy in subsequent periods.
ABC sustained a sizeable loss in the
orogramming of the NCAA college
football series, of which approximatelv
25 ner cent was taken in the third
qaarter and the remainder will be
taken in the fourth quarter. Goldenson
said that certain risks must be taken
to obtain high calibre programs as in
the case of the NCAA football games,
in order to build a strong television
network.

Record Coverage Given

The games, considered the outstand-
ing fall sports series, enjoying greater
coverage than in previous years and
attracting one of the largest television
audiences to watch a sport series, have
brought added prestige to the network,
Goldenson said. He stated that b.-^rring
anv unforeseen changes, in the fnurth
quarter the increase in the number of
snonsored programs and the econom'es
eiTected will substantially offset the
NCAA loss.

bv a B & K sub^idiarv company.
Oberfelder joined ABC in 1945 as a
member of the network's advertising
and promotion department.

Describes Development

General Sarnoff, recalling that it
was the intensive search for high-effi-
ciency fluorescent materials for the
television screen that led to the devel-
opment of the fluorescent tube as the
rival to incandescent light, declared :

"We are now engaged in the devel-
opment of a new form of light — elec-
tronic light. This new form seems des-
tined to carry forward the great work
sparked by Edison and is likely to
loom ever larger in public conscious-
ness as this development progresses."

General Sarnoff said that the story,
or at least the climactic chapter in the
storv, began as recently as 1951.

"On the occasion of the 45th anni-
versary of my association with radio,"
he recalled, "I suggested to the re-
search men who were gathered at our
Princeton Laboratories that they in-
vent three 'presents' for me by the time
the 50th anniversary arrives in 1956.

"All mv suggestions sounded 'impos-
sible' but those of us who are unham-
pered by too much knowledge of the
obstacles have more confidence in the
scientists than the scientists sometimes
have in themselves. Personally, I h?ve
always proceeded on the theory that
whatever the mind of man can imagin°,
the mind of man can ultimately pro-
duce.

Made Three Requests

"In any case, I asked them first for
a magnetic tape recorder for television
programs ; second, for an electronic
air-conditioner ; and third, for a true
amplifier of light. And amazingly,
there is reason to believe I shall re-
ceive all three of these anniversary
presents within the time I specified."

"I am convinced," said General Sar-
noff, "that electronic amplification and
conversion of light will enrich life for
all of us. A first benefit from this re-
search will be bigger and brighter tele-
vision pictures in the home. I believe
that the TV tube of today will eventu-
ally be eliminated. It will be dis-
placed by a thin, flat screen like a
picture on a wall. Or. it may be an
easel-like frame that will set on your
living-room table and, being portable,
can be moved to any other part of the
room or house. If desired, the same
program could be received on a num-
ber of screens in different rooms of
the house.

No Cabinet Needed

"The pictures could be controlled
from a little television box no bigg^^r
than a jewel case or a cigar box. No
cabinet will be required. The televi-
sion box will contain all the controls
—tuning, volume, light, station selector
— and a knob will enable you to make
the image larger or smaller, and in
black-and-white or in color to suit
vour eye and your mood."

Swedish Film Here

The American premiere of "Illicit
Interlude," a new Swedish film star-
ring May Britt, Alf Kjellin and Berger
Malsten, will take place at the Plaza
Theatre here on Oct. 26, following the
■^urrent engagement of "Ugetsu."

People

Earle Keate, United Artists ex-
ploiteer, has been appointed to cover
the entire Pacific Northwest. Keate
has been handling special assign-
ments for UA since 1939.

F. K. Haskell of Salem, Ore., and
correspondent for Motion Picture
Daily, has had his book-length
novel, "Valley of the Santiam," ac-
cepted by the Vantage Press of
New York.

Howard Blackmore, member of
the Sales Executives Club, Ameri-
can Public Relations Association
and the Hotel Managers Associa-
tion, has been appointed sales man-
ager of Charles E. Skinner Produc-
tions.

Sygmund Rossilliano has been

named assistant manager of the Poli
Palace, Hartford. Rossilliano was
formerly at Loew's Poli in New
Haven.

Oscar Ruby, Columbia branch
manager in Cleveland, is taking an
extended leave of absence to con-
valesce from an illness which has
hospitalized him for the past three
weeks.

Albert R. Lessow, formerly as-
sistant manager of Loew's Palace,
Hartford, has been shifted to a sim-
ilar post at Loew's Poli, Bridgeport.

Johnston, Arnall

(Continued from page 1)

which have rectified conditions com-
plained of, concluded :

Resolved, that the Council expresses
its congratulations and gratification to
Johnston and Arnall for the agree-
ment between their export trade asso-
ciations, opposing payment of sub-
sidies to foreign film industries, and
approves and supports wholeheartedly
the Department of State's policy in
opposing such subsidies."

WB and SDG Sued
By Music Director

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 19. — The
Screen Directors Guild today de-
clined comment for publication on a
$220,000 suit filed in Superior Court
by Ran Heindorf against the Guild,
20 Guild members, and Warner
Brothers. The suit is based on Hein-
dorf's contention that Warner Broth-
ers, for whom he has been music
department head since 1948 and for
whom he has served on many pictures
theretofore as music director, now
declines to give him screen credit as
musical director on the ground that
the clause in the SDG contract with
all studios prohibits the use of the
word "director" or any variant as
screen-credit except when applied to
the director of a picture.

The suit asks $20,000 damages from
the Guild and 20 named members,
and $200,000 from Warners, together
with a judicial order compelling the
studio to restore screen-credits to
music directors.

Wednesday, October 20. 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Reviews

''Phfffr

(Columbia)

HEN Judy Holliday and Jack Lemmon, married for eight years, split
up and divorce, the audience knows pretty well that the pair will be back
together before the final fadeout. It is all very obvious, but the episodes and
interludes between the split-up and the reconciliation, comprise a series of
hilarious events that had a "sneak" preview audience in what is tritely called,
stitches.

. George Axelrod has designed a story and screenplay with strictly adult
flavor. Some of the sequences border on the risque and some of the dialogue is
not exactly puritanical, but for flimsy, frothy entertainment, "Phffft" meets
all the requirements.

As usual, Judy Holliday gives a star performance and Lemmon's comedy
talents blend appealingly with Miss Holliday's own brand of humor. Her
timing appears to be perfect and she knows how to milk a scene to get the
most out of it. Producer Fred Kohler and director Mark Robson have sur-
rounded Miss Holliday and Lemmon with stellar support, particularly Jack
Carson and Kim Novak, both of whom get co-star billing.

Miss Holliday, a successful writer of TV soap operas, and Lemmon, an
attorney, break up their marriage after eight years. Lemmon blames her
mother and Miss Holliday blames Carson, Lemmon's close friend, for the
romance going phffft. Lemmon, after the divorce, moves in with Carson, a
theatrical producer, who tries to get Lemmon interested in other women. Miss
Holliday's mother tries hard to get her daughter interested in other men.
Their eiTorts in those directions are successful only to the point of having
dates, but the sum total of their experiences only convinces them that they
have never lost their love for each other and so, naturally, they are re-united.

Miss Novak makes the most of an entertaining role as a potential girl friend
for Lemmon, while Carson provides laughs as the play-boy type who seeks to
develop a romance with Lemmon's ex-wife. Luella Gear is excellent as Miss
Llolliday's rattle-brain mother.

Others in the good supporting cast are Donald Curtis, Donald Randolph,
Arny Freeman, Merry Sanders and Eddie Searles.

Running time, 91 minutes. Adult classification. Release date not set.

AL STEEN

''The Black Knighr

(IVai-ufick-Colmnbia)

r IFE, love and combat during the days of King Arthur and the Knights of
' the Round Table in Camelot are presented by Warwick Productions in
this saga which stars Alan Ladd and Patricia Medina in a vehicle which
should please most audiences. Having much in common with other recent
films of this era, the picture presaits Ladd as the Black Knight who takes
a full course of training for knighthood, together with incidental strife and
adventure, and in time, engages iii armored conflict to the death with his
adversaries.

Exciting in its frequent and varied clashes and melodramatic in its final
climactic battle scenes which have literally thousands taking part, Ladd
bounds about with reckless abandon at times and engages the enemy in pell-
mell combat in order to save the beautiful Miss Medina.

Ladd is new to the ranks of Hollywood and British actors who have been
cast as a commoners battling- their way into knighthood. This British-made
action spectacle is produced in color by Technicolor by Irving Allen and
Albert R. Broccoli and directed by Tay Garnett. The story mainly deals with
Ladd, who portrays a young swordmaker, getting involved in a plot to de-
throne King Arthur, and his efi^orts to reach a station in life where he may
ask for the hand of Miss Medina in marriage.

The young swordmaker is suspected of cowardice when his master's castle
is sacked and pillaged, when actually he had ridden out of the castle hoping
to catch one of the enemy. One of King Arthur's loyal knights coaches lladd
in the ways of jousting and swordplay and aids him in disguising himself as
the Black Knight, who seeks out the men who plan the downfall of Camelot.
Carrying out a one-man campaign in which countless heads roll, Ladd foils
an attempted Saracen plan to storm King Arthur's court after escaping from
a prison dungeon. There is no let-up in the action as Ladd's exploits are
registered on the screen.

Others in the cast are Andre Morrell, Harry Andrews, Peter Gushing,
Anthony Bushell and Laurence Naismith. The story and screenplay were by
Alec Coppel and the music composed by John Addison and played by the
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Running time, 85 minutes. General classification. November release.

LESTER DINOFF

Poli Bridgeport
House at 25c Top

HARTFORD, Oct. 19. —
Loew's Poli-New England The-
atres, Inc., has reopened the
long-shuttered Globe, Bridge-
port, with 25 cent top admis-
sion scale at all times. Chil-
dren are admitted for 10 cents,
according to Harry F. Shavir,
division manager. Albert R.
Domian, formerly assistant
manager of Loew's Poli,
Bridgeport, is manager.

N.Y. Theatres

(Continued from page 1)

the city in the suit, has until Nov. 20,
an additional IS days, in which to file
,1 respondent's brief as the December
term of the court opens on Nov. 29.

Five justices will sit on the bench
when both sides present their argu-
ments in the admission levy suit, it
v^'as learned. The justices will be
selected from a roster of six judges
assigned to the court. The six are :
Presiding Justice Gerald Nolan, Asso-
ciates Justices Frank F. Adee, Henry
G. Wenzel, Jr., John MacCrate, Fred-
erick G. Schmidt, and George J.
Beldock.

G.F.W£, Leaders
See 'Black Widow'

One hundred and fifty-five officers
of the General Federation of Women's
Clubs were the guests of 20th Cen-
tury-Fo.x here yesterday for breakfast
and a special preview showing of
"Black Widow," CinemaScope produc-
tion opening next Wednesday at the
Roxy Theatre.

Edward E. Sullivan, publicity man-
ager of 20th Century-Fox, and Arthur
De Bra, community relations director
of the Motion Picture Association of
America, were hosts at the breakfast-
screening, attended by the organiza-
tion's board of directors, national offi-
cers, heads of departments, and state
federation presidents. The affair
highliglited the annual G.F.W.C. board
of directors currently meeting in the
East.

Tushinsky Lens in Paris

PARIS, Oct. 19.— The Tushinsky
lens was demonstrated here today for
exhibitors and other interested parties,
following a similar recent demonstra-
tion in London.

Joseph Tushinsky and his brother
are scheduled to show the lens in
Rome on Oct. 26 before returning to
London to sut)ervise its production.

• Three Channel interlock projection

• 17'/2mm & 35mm tape interlock

• 16mm interlock projection

CUTTING & EDITING ROOMS AVAILABLE

: MoviELAB THEATRE SERVICE, inc.

' 619 54th St.. N Y 19, N.Y.. JUdson 6-0367

'Scope in 300 Army
Theatres by June

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19.— By the
end of June close to 303 of the Army
and Air Force Motion Picture Serv-
ice theatres in continental U.S. will
have installed CinemaScope equipment
and wide screens.

To date about 140 AAMPS thea-
tres have completed CinemaScope in-
stallations. Not all of those completed
or contemplated will have stereo-
phonic sound, however, the AAMPS
announcement said.

Alexander Prods.
To New Quarters

Robert Alexander Productions, Inc.,
has moved to larger offices at 230 West
41st Street, here, it was announced by
Steve Cochran, president, whose non-
professional name is Robert Ale.xan-
der Cochran ; hence the name of the
firm, which will produce plays, films
and television shows under an inde-
pendent producing set-up.

Other officers of the company are
Harrison Reader, treasurer, and Sam-
uel J. Green, secretary.

Four Features for
25c in Spokane

SPOKANE, Wash., Oct. 19.~
Four features for 25 cents is the
new policy of the Rex Theatre
here, requiring a patron to sit
for almost a full day to see the
program. The initial bargain-
week featured "The Cruel Sea,"
"Stranger on a Train," "Silver
Whip" and "Champ for a Day."

Censors

(Continued from page 1)

constitutional rules on freedom of ex-
pression.

Evidence showed, the court decreed,
that the particular expression as used
in the film has been regarded as inof-
fensive by many qualified persons and
that it seemed to be "objectionable only
to a segment of society to which the
particular members of the Maryland
board happen to be a part."

Asserting that the court had highest
respect for purposes of the board in
protecting immature moviegoers, the
judge said he still had to conclude that
the word was not used in a grossly
vulgar manner in the picture dialogue.

Judge CuUen cited the testimony
given by Sydney R. Traub, chairman
of the censor board and pointed out
that the words "rot in hell" in another
section of the same film, had been
passed by the censors despite Traub's
own testimony that the board had "in-
variably" deleted the word for the past
IS years.

U -I Film and Hudson
For TO A Conclave

As features of the Theatre Owners
of America convention to be held Oct.
31 through Nov. 4 at the Conrad Hil-
ton Hotel, Chicago, Rock Hudson will
make a series of personal appearances
and Universal-International's forth-
coming "The Far Country," starring
James Stewart and Ruth Roman, will
be privately shown for all delegates of
TOA, TESMA, TEDA and IPA.

Other Hollywood personalities sched-
uled to appear include Elaine Stewart,
Kim Novak and Robert Francis.

FLY BOM

ARISTOCRAT OF THE AIR

Direct
New York • London

BRITISH OVERSCAS
AIRWAYS CORPORATION

Reservations through your travel agent
or call B.O.A.C. at 342 Madison Ave.,
New York 17, N. Y., tel. MU 7-8900

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, October 20, 1954

National
Pre-Selling

Building advance interest

Featured in the current issue of
"Collier's" in full color is this framed
portrait of Marlon Brando as Napo-
leon, "complete with frown to fore-
lock." It is accompanied by an illus-
trated story on the facing page, deal-
ing with the make-up technique and
character study used by Brando for
his role in 20th-Fox's forthcoming
"Desiree." The motion picture was
adapted from the best-seller novel and
will premiere with a "command per-
formance" at the Roxy in November.
•

"Woman's Home Companion" de-
votes an entire page to a review
and picture layout of "White Christ-
mas" in the November issue. The
"Companion's" reviewer reports
Paramount's spectacular new musi-
cal glistens with stars, Irving Berlin
music and VistaVision.

•

"Life," has selected MGM's "Beau
Brummell" as the picture of the week
for review in the current issue. Under
the title "A Prince and a Fop," "Life"
devotes two pages to a picture layout
that could be blown-up and used for
attractive lobby and theatre front dis-
plays.

Also in the issue two pages are
given over to Ava Gardner, star of
"The Barefoot Contessa," shown as
she is being photographed by Philippe
Halsman.

•

"Redbook" selected "Cinerama
Holiday," as the Silver Cup Candi-
date for the November issue.

Florence Somers, "Redbook's"
editor reports, "For excitement and
out-of-the ordinary entertainment,
"Cinerama Holiday" is hard to beat.
Where else can you have the fun
of traveling in Europe and America
for the price of two movie tickets?"
•

A striking two and a half page ad
on UI's "Bengal Brigade" appears in
the current issue of "Look." More
than one page is devoted to a listing
of some of the theatres which will
play "Bengal Brigade" during the
four week period starting Oct. 27.
•

Louella Parson's "Movie Cita-
tions" in "Cosmopolitan's" Novem-
ber issue are: "A Star Is Born,"
best production, "Dragnet," best
melodrama; Grace Kelly, best fe-
male performance in "The Country
Girl," and Jack Palance. best male
performance in "Sign of the Pagan."

WALTER- HAAS.

CEA Okays

{Continued from page 1)

several months ago reportedly as a
])rotest against the Association's offi-
cers' attitude in the matter of the
negotiations on the new Eady levy.

In the course of a short meeting
between the parties Rank made it
clear that he had no intention of
returning to the fold. The Rank
resignation makes a serious dent in
CEA finances. Dues paid by his thea-
tres amount to around £11,000 an-
nually out of CEA's total income of
£56,000 ^ year.

Indications are, in view of Rank's
stand, that CEA's members face an
increase in dues.

Moby Dick

( Continued from page 1 )

should be finished in January rather
than in December, with the release by
Warner Brothers scheduled for late
summer.

Moulin Productions, Crown ex-
plained, has tendered 70 per cent of
the financing for the picture and War-
ners the other 30 per cent on the first
$3,000,000, with Moulin putting up the
additional $1,000,000.

Location shooting has been done off
the coast of Madeira, a Spanish whal-
ing seaport, in addition to shooting off
the coasts of Britain and Ireland.

The next two co-productions set by
Moulin, Crown continued, will be "I
Am a Camera," and "The Story of
Esther Costello."

The $4,000,000 allotted for "Moby
Dick," Crown maintained, represents
the highest budget allotment for a pic-
ture by an independent producer.

Arbiter Rules for
Exhibitors in U.K.
'Break-Figure' Tiff

By Staff Correspondent

LONDON, Oct. 19. — Exhibitors
through their Association scored a
signal triumph over the distributors in
the decision of Cyril Salmon, Q. C.
in regard to the break-figure dispute.

Following the acceptance of the
Eady Plan four years ago, the KRS
(distributors) passed a resolution vir-
tually ending individual negotiations
on break-figures ; the plea being that
that was the only effective method of
ensuring that exhibitors would not
seek to recover any part of their con-
tribution provided for in the Plan by
a reduction in film rentals.

After a prolonged wrangle the two
Associations agreed to submit their
respective cases to Salmon, and agreed
further to accept his "advice" as
binding. Salmon's ruling, upholding
the exhibitors' position, said in part :

"If an individual exhibitor and
renter cannot agree in their negotia-
tions over a break figure contract
either party should be able to refer
the matter to the Joint Trade Com-
mittee, all members of which would
approach the subject with a fresh and
open mind. This would seem to me
to give the renter almost as much pro-
tection as if the original negotiations
were between the individual exhibitor
and the KRS with a right of appeal
to the Joint Trade Committee."

Siegel V-P

(Continued jrom page 1)

mount studio, was with the Cleveland
"Press" and Scripps-Howard newspa-
pers for 19 years before going to Hol-
lywood in 1945. Siegel headed three
delegations to the Royal Film Show
in London and co-produced the show's
stage presentation in 1947. He is a
member of the British committee , this
year.

International Associates represents
Peter Rathvon's European productions,
George Lourau, French producer and
distributor, and others.

CEA to Fight Sunday
Closing Law in U.K.

LONDON, Oct. 19.— The Cinema-
tograph Exhibitors Association has
appointed a committee to confer with
the Home Secretary on a proposal for
the introduction in Parliament by the
government of amending legislation
which would abolish the Sunday thea-
tre closing law applicable to all
houses which do not contribute to
charity out of the day's receipts.

The campaign for eliminating the
1932 legislation was inspired by a
Yorkshire County council decision to
increase the Sunday levy payable by
theatres under its control from the
present one shilling per seat per year
to one penny per seat per perform-
ance. Exhibitors claim that would
represent an increase of 800 per cent.

Anti-Toll-TV

{Continued from page 1)

channels as opposed to the paid distri-
bution channels of theatre facilities
and present-day TV.

The joint committee, composed of
Theatre Owners of America and Al-
lied representatives, in addition to
other exhibition organization delegates,
was said to feel that it saw no reason
why the government through the allot-
ment of air time should subsidize sub-
scription TV, while other entertain-
ment media conforms to the free enter-
prise system.

Progress Can't Be Stopped,
Says Zenith's McDonald

Obviously much concerned about the
exhibitors' campaign to combat sub-
scription television, Commander E. F.
McDonald, president of Zenith Radio
Corp., yesterday issued a lengthy state-
ment, the gist of which was "Progress
can't be stopped."

Production at RKO

(Continued front page 1)

"Bow Tamely To Me," starring Bar-
bara Stanwyck, Robert Ryan and
David Farrar, and the Nat Holt pro-
duction company's "Seven Bad Men,"
starring Randolph Scott with Alala
Powers. Both films are photographed
in Superscope and Technicolor.

Set to begin filming within the next
three weeks are "The Girl Rush," star-
ring Rosalind Russell, produced by
Frederick Brisson's Independent Art-
ists and to be photographed in Tech-
nicolor and VistaVision, and "The
Syndicate," with an all-star cast, pro-
duced by the King Brothers in Super-
scope and Technicolor. In preparation
are the first Edmund Grainger grade
"A" production, presently untitled,
which will be filmed in wide-screen
and Technicolor, and the Prize Pro-
duction film which will be in Super-
scope and Technicolor.

WB's Girl Scout Film

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 19.— "Mari-
ners Ahoy!", a two-reel Technicolor
film made by Warner Brothers with
cooperation of the Girl Scouts of
America, has been placed on the
studio's short schedule for early
release.

Aboaf Tells of U-I Overseas Business Rise

(Continued from page 1)

Philippines, Hong Kong, Indo-China,
Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia,
Burma, India, Egypt, Italy, Greece,
France and England, besides presiding
at the U-I Far East sales convention
in Tokyo earlier.

Tremendously optimistic about the
company's future, Aboaf said that
"this will be a record-breaking year
for U-I foreign-wise as well as do-
mestic with the next 12-month period,
ending Oct. 31, 1955, being even
higher." He pointed to his company, as
well as industry-wide business as put-
ting emphasis upon quality over quan-
tity in American product as the reason.

Exhibitors throughout the world are
showing high interest in Universal
product due to the success which the
highly diversified films have atttained
in other territories at the box office,
Aboaf asserted. "L^niversal has many
52-week theatres around the globe ex-

hibiting our product which is suited
for all types of houses with wide
CinemaScope, wide-screen or average
size screens," he said. All types of
prints are also available to an ex-
hibitor, he added.

Universal product is holding its
own, as well as all American product,
in areas where local production, espe-
cially in France and Italy, is making
big inroads into the playing time,
Aboaf said. "The quality of U.S. films,
which are the backbone of the world
market, is holding its own against
these inroads into exhibition despite
local improvements in production," the
film executive stated.

Despite the economic conditions in
several nations, the theatres are doing
big business and the local industry
should be encouraged further in build-
ing more and better theatres as the
public demands much in film enter-
tainment, he said. It is understood that
"The Glenn Miller Story" has already

grossed an estimated $3,000,000 for-
eign wise, surpassing "The Egg and
L"

The 16mm. business in Siam is im-
proving steadily as that country's eco-
nomic situation doesn't allow much
construction of permanent 35mm. in-
stallations, Aboaf said. "Business is on
the upswing all over," he added.

Commenting on the Tokyo conven-
tion of all Universal Far East repre-
sentatives, Aboaf said that "much
good came out of it as all of the com-
pany's people met and discussed mu-
tual industry problems besides those
problems which occur in the separate
divisions."

In concluding his report on Uni-
versal product, operations and the
general industry situation, Aboaf said
that "quality continues to improve
box office business all over, but in
situations where the novelty of wide-
screen is new, business is especially
verv good."

.,, MOTION PICTURE /

All j ^ i Concise

The News ; ■ m A H X ' Alt' J

j I ■ /m I I !

Is News i ■ m ' ^ ■ ■ . ■ Point

VOL. 76. NO. 78

NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1954

TEN CENTS

Sees 'Menace'

Calls Toll TV
'Real Threat'
To Exhibition

Kerasotes Tells TO A Unit
Of 'Monopoly' Dangers

PEORIA, III, Oct. 20.— "A very
real and ominous threat" to motion
picture exhibition is poised by "coin-
in-the-slot TV," as currently proposed
by petitions pending before the Fed-
eral Communications Commission,
George Kerasotes, executive commit-
tee member of Theatre Owners of
America, declared here.

Kerasotes, speaking before a re-
gional meeting of the United Theatre
Owners of Illinois, reported on his
attendance at a recent conference on
toll TV, held in Chicago, with repre-
sentatives of TOA, Allied, and other
exhibitor associations. He called toll
TV's bid to utilize UHF TV stations
a "new menace to exhibitors," because
it will permit the stations to telecast
first-run films and to collect a charge
through the medium of coin-operated
decoder attachments on the TV sets.

This will create a new communica-
tions monopoly in the hands of a few
(Contimied on page 6)

Broadcast Revenue
By TV in 1953 Up
33% Over '52 Total

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20. — The
television industry's total broadcast
revenues in 1953 rose 33 per cent over
the 1952 total, the Federal Commu-
nications Commission reported today.

Total television revenues before
Federal income tax were $432,700,000
in 1953, as compared with $324,200,000
in 1952.

Television broadcast income — net
income after deduction of expenses but
{Continued on page 9)

Illinois TOA Unit
Elects Marchesi

ROCKFORD, 111. Oct. 20.— August
Marchesi of Amboy was elected
regional vice president of the Rock-
ford area of the United Theatre
Owners of Illinois at a meeting of
this regional group.

Russell Lamb of Oregon and Oscar
Granquist of Rockford were elected
to the board of directors. Jim Lamb
{Continued) on page 6)

51 'U' Shorts;
1 Vistarama

L'niversal Pictures will release 51
short subjects during the 1954-55 sea-
son with color and comedy predomi-
nating and designed to provide the
widest possible
appeal for their
customers, Irv-
i n g S o c h i n ,
short subjects
sales manager
announced yes-
terday.

Among the
one-reelers in
color will be a
subject titled
"Speed S u fa-
Zero," the com-
jjany's first
short subject
filmed with an
anamorphic lens in the Vistarama
{Continued on page 9)

Irving Sochin

Fellowships Given 16
By the SMPTE

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 20. — Six-
teen members of the Society of
Motion Picture and Television Engi-
neers were awarded fellowships to-
night at the organization's semi-annual
banquet. They are : Philip G. Cald-
well, John R. Clark, Jr., Albert A.
Duryea, Ralph H. Heacock, Armin J.
Hill, Lester Isaac, U. B. Iwerks,
George Lewin, Everett Miller, Harry
F. Olson, Richard H. Ranger, Reid
H. Ray, Hazard E. Reeves, Ralph A.
Tearle, R. Edward Warn and James
L. Wassell.

Telemeter Thinking

Exhibition^ Toll TV Can
Be Friends: MacNamara

Fox Lists 26
'Scope Shorts

Exhibition and toll TV interests can work harmoniously together rather
than being in conflict with one another, it was contended here yesterday by
Paul MacNamara, advertising and publicity head of International Telemeter,

the toll TV company which is par-
tially owned by Paramount Pictures.

MacNamara, here from the Coast
to discuss Telemeter's new plans for
next year with Paramount officials,
said exhibition should try to work
with toll TV rather than setting up a
"iiue and cry," referring to the recent
formation of a joint exhibition com-
mittee to combat subscription tele-
vision.

He then referred to the Telemeter
test in Palm Springs, Calif., last
spring in which a local exhibitor acted
as distributor of the toll TV picture,
in addition to having the same picture
play at his theatre. The Telemeter
official compared the potential role of
exhibition in toll TV as that of a city
department store which has suburban
outlets, underscoring that the ex-
hibitor in Telemeter's thinking plays
a vital role in the distribution of the
lilm on the toll TV programming,
with toll TV being another outlet
for his film, broadening his possible
gross.

Telemeter, MacNamara went on,
in response to another question, is pre-
paring its petition to the Federal
{Continued on page 6)

Twentieth Century-Fox will release
a program of 26 CinemaScope short
subjects, all in color, during 1955,
raising from 18 the number of subjects
being offered
this year in the
new entertain-
ment medium,
L e m Jones,
short subjects
sales manager
of the company,
announced yes-
terday.

Representing
2 0th Century-
Fox's most am-
bitious produc-
tion effort in
the shorts de-
partment, the

line-up will cover a wide variety of
subjects, including sports, travelogues
spotlighting countries in the headlines,
adventures of a cameraman, and a
{Continued on page 9)

Lem Jones

NEW MOVIETIME, U.S.A., TO BE
CONSIDERED BY COMPO S BOARD

A suggestion for a new Movietime U.S.A. or a national "go-to-the-movie^
month" will be among the headline items for discussion at the annual meeting
of the board of directors of the Council of Motion Picture Organizations

which has been set tentatively for
Nov. 15-16 at the Astor Hotel here.

Other projects that will come before
the board are :

An audience poll to choose the best
picture of the year, an industry tele-
vision program, a liability insurance
plan, industry political action on na-
tional, state and local levels against
admission taxes, distribution and ex-
hibition of "This Is Your Army," a
film produced for the Department of
Defense ; audience development plans,
a Hollywood round__table meeting of
representatives of production, distri-
bution and exhibition, expansion of
COMPO's membership, COMPO
financing, reappointment of commit-
tees and recommendations by industry
charter members,

Expect 500 Today at
Boasherg Luncheon

More than 500 will gather at the
Astor Hotel here today at the
luncheon which will salute Charles
Boasberg's association with Distribu-
tors Corp. of America after many
years with RKO Radio. Walter
Reade, Jr., will preside and Robert
O'Donnell, general manager of the
Interstate Circuit of Texas, will be
toastmaster.

On the dais, in addition to the
above, will be Harry Brandt, Ned
Depinet, Emanuel Frisch, Joseph
Kaufman, Maurice Miller, Samuel
Rinzler, Fred J. Schwartz, Wilbur
Snaper and Irving Wormser.

*Hansel and Gretel'
Will Be Released
By RKO Radio

J. R. Grainger, president of RKO
Radio Pictures announced yesterday
that he had concluded negotiations
with Arthur Gray, Jr., president of
Michael Myerberg Productions, for
the worldwide distribution of "Hansel
and Gretel."

Backed by unanimously exceptional
critical acclaim^, the Technicolor fea-
ture finished the opening week of its
{Continued on page 6)

Censoring Is Outside
FCC Province: Hyde

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20. — The
Federal Communications Commission
chairman, Rosel Hyde, told a Senate
subcommittee today that neither the
FCC nor any other Government
agency should attempt to maintain
television program standards by acting
as a censorship board. Hyde told the
Juvenile Delinquency Subcommittee,
{Continued on page 6)

Motion Picture Daily

Thursday, October 21, 1954

'Carmen' Selected for
Academy Showing

Twentieth Century-Fox's Cin-
emaScope production, "Carmen
Jones," has been selected by the
Academy of Motion Picture
Arts and Sciences for a special
forum showing in Hollywood
on Sunday.

Otto Preminger, who pro-
duced and directed the Oscar
Hammerstein musical, will share
the spotlight at the forum fol-
lowing the screening of the pic-
ture before an audience of in-
dustry executives and celebrities.

Personal
Mention

BARNEY RALABAN, president
of Paramount Pictures, returned
to New York yesterday from Holly-
wood.

•

Sir Kenneth M. Clark, K.C.B.,
chairman of England's Independent
Television Authority, will arrive in
New York today from London aboard
the "He de France."

•

Sidney Schaefer, Columbia Pic-
tures director of media and printed
advertising, left here yesterday by
plane with Mrs. Schaefer for the
Coast.

•

Mervin Houses, assistant to Perry
Lieber, RKO Radio national director
of publicity and exploitation, arrived
here yesterday from Hollywood.
•

Harry Mandel, RKO Theatres
publicity chief, is in Washington from
New York.

Cecil Beaton, scenic designer, will
arrive in New York from London
today via B.O.A.C. Monarch.
•

DoRE Schary, M-G-M vice-presi-
dent in charge of production, will
leave here today for Boston.

•

William Perlberg and George
Seaton, producers, will arrive here
from the Coast on Monday.

•

Jack H. Levin, of Certified Re-
ports, has returned to New York
from Chicago.

•

Jose Ferrer will arrive here on
Monday from Hollywood.

•

Skip Homeier has arrived in New
York from Hollywood.

Coast Court Confirms
Jarrico Verdict

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 20. — The
State District Court of Appeals today
confirmed the Superior Court verdict
in Paul Jarrico's 1952 suit against
RKO Radio seeking $100,000 damages
for removal of his screen-credit from
"The Las Vegas Story" on the
grounds that he had brought himself
into "public disgrace or ridicule" by
refusing to answer questions put by
the House LTn-American Activities
Committee.

The lower court had ruled the stu-
dio was within its rights as stipulated
in his employment contract.

The case was widely headlined when
first brought to trial.

'Sitting BulV Here on
Thanksgiving Day

"Sitting Bull," United Artists' first
release in CinemaScope has been set
for a New York holiday premiere at
the Mayfair Theatre on Thanksgiving
Day, Nov. 25.

"Sitting Bull" follows UA's "Sud-
denly" at the Broadway showcase.

Canadian Drive-ins
Now Total 174

OTTAWA, Oct. 20.— Canada's
drive-in theatres increased by 70
last year to 174 and their paid
admissions rose by 2,755,202 or
almost one-third to 11,134,788
Canadian government reports.
Receipts, including taxes, climbed
to $6,548,209 from $4,949,816 in
1952.

Set Celebrity Ball
For New Year's Eve

Airs. Seymour D. Hesse, president
of the women's committee of United
Epilepsy Association, in affiliation
with the Variety Club of New York,
announced yesterday that plans are
being completed for the second annual
celebrity ball. The ball will be held
again in the Sert Room of the Waldorf
Astoria Hotel on New Year's Eve,
and the proceeds will go to the United
Epilepsy Association, which supports
the Variety Club Clinic for Children
with Epilepsy at the Columbia-Presby-
terian Medical Center.

Four Co-Chairmen

Co-chairmen of the committee are
Mrs. Arde Bulova, Mrs. Hugh Casey,
Mme. Andre Dubonnet and Mrs. Budd
Getschal. The tentative program in-
cludes dancing, entertainment and a
midnight supper.

The women's committee will pub-
lish a "Celebrity Journal" for distribu-
tion at the ball. Co-chairmen of the
journal committee are Mrs. William
J. German, Mrs. Harold Kolbert, Mrs.
Edward Rubin and Mrs. Morty Weil.

Invitations at $100 for two, are
available from the women's committee
at 140 West 58th Street.

20th-Fox Sales Meet
Opens in Toronto

William C. Gehring, 20th Century-
Fox executive assistant general sales
manager, and Arthur Silverstone, as-
sistant general sales manager, are di-
recting a two-day sales meeting in
Toronto. The conference, called by Al
Lichtman, distribution director, will
formulate merchandising plans on
forthcoming releases and will review
generally the sales policy of the com-
pany. Gehring and Silverstone are be-
ing assisted by Peter Myers, Canadian
division manager of the company.

Canadian division branch managers
attending are Robert A. Cringan,
Calgary ; G. L. Chernoff, Montreal ;
R. G. March, St. John ; V. J. Beattie,
Toronto; J. E. Patterson, Vancouver,
and J. H. Huber, Winnipeg.

Also attending the meeting are
Clarence A. Hill, manager of ex-
change operations, and all salesmen
from the company's six Canadian
offices.

Reduces Scale

PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 20.—
Opening of "Rear Window," at Port-
land's Paramount theatre, listed prices
on the first run at 75 cents-$l, where-
as the majority of first runs still main-
tain $1.25 top admission price.

Irving Wormser to
Head DCA Sales

Irving Wormser has been appointed
vice-president and general sales man-
ager of Distributors Corp. of Amer-
ica, it was announced by Fred
Schwartz, president of DCA. Worm-
ser will assume his new duties at
DCA on Nov. 1.

In joining DCA, Wormser ends a
24-year association with Columbia
Pictures where he had been with the
executive sales staff.

Key executives of DCA now are
Fred Schwartz, president; Charles
Boasberg, general manager, and
Wormser, vice-president and sales
manager.

The newly formed company has
announced distribution plans for 12
major films over a period of three
years.

Recently announced pictures were
Joan Crawford in "The Way We
Are," "I Am A Camera" with Julie
Harris, Shelley Winters and Lau-
rence Harvey, "The Viking," pro-
duced by Milo Frank, "Finian's Rain-
bow," to be done as a cartoon feature
and "Long John Silver."

Geo, Gladden Joins
Academy Pictures

George S. Gladden, who for the
past fourteen years has been head of
the motion picture and film TV de-
partment of the J. Walter Thompson
Co., has resigned to become associated
with Academy Pictures, Inc., here,
commercial film production organiza-
tions, it was announced by Edward L.
Gershman, president of Academy.

Gladden, who will join Academy on
Nov. 1, is considered one of the
nation's foremost experts on commer-
cial, industrial and educational film
production, and was associated with
Audio Productions as a writer-director
and was also Eastern color director
for Technicolor, Inc., prior to joining
the J. Walter Thompson organization
in 1940.

Circle Claims Print
Speed-up Method

Circle Film Laboratories has devel-
oped a method for reducing the de-
livery time for TV reduction prints
by 25 per cent, Herbert R. Pilzer,
president of the company, announced.
A 35mm film magazine that can hold
seven reels at a time is employed.
This, it is claimed, eliminates the time
consuming necessity of reloading the
printing machine seven times during
the processing of a feature length pic-
ture.

Gene Milford Wins
Film Editors Award

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 20.— Amer-
ican Cinema Editors last night an-
nounced winners of its first annual
critics' award for the year's best film
editing, as determined by press critics
in a mail referendum. Winners were
Gene Milford, in the motion picture
division, for editing "On the Water-
front." and Robert Leeds and Lynn
Harrison, in tele-film division, for
"Dragnet."

Showmanship Award
Judging Tomorrow

Judging of the entries received dur-
ing the third quarter of this year for
the Quigley Showmanship Award will
be held in the Round Table office of
Quigley Publications tomorrow morn-
ing.

The judges are Charles Hacker,
manager of operations for the Radio
City Music Hall ; Jef¥ Livingston,
Eastern advertising manager for Uni-
versal Pictures, and Rutgers Neilson,
director of foreign advertising and
publicity for RKO Radio Pictures.

Jimmy Fund Aided
By All-Star Game

NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass.,
Oct. 20. — A capacity crowd of more
than 3500 persons were in attendance
at the Community Field here this
week, when two "big league" all-star
teams played a baseball game under
the lights for the benefit of two chari-
ties.

Both the Jimmy Fund (which bene-
fits children afflicted with cancer) and
the Community Fund were the re-
cipients of the entire receipts.

The players participating in the
game were : Art Houtteman, Cleve-
land Indians ; Vic Raschi, St. Louis
Cardinals ; Chet Nichols, Milwaukee
Braves ; Max Surkont, Pittsburgh
Pirates ; Frank Shea, Washington
Senators ; Clem Labine, Brooklyn
Dodgers ; Mike Sandlock, Pittsburgh
Pirates ; Wes Westrum, New York
Giants ; Walt Dropo, Detroit Tigers ;
Frank Leja, New York Yankees;
Ed Pellagrini, Pittsburgh Pirates ;
Johnny Pesky, Detroit Tigers ; Sam
Dente, Cleveland Indians ; Dan O'Con-
nell, Milwaukee Braves ; Bill Gardner,
New York Giants ; Sid Gordon, Pitts-
burgh Pirates ; Jim Piersall, Boston
Red Sox ; Maury McDermott, Wash-
ington Senators ; Sam Mele, Boston
Red Sox, Gene Hermanski, Pittsburgh
Pirates ; Bob Porterfield, Washington
Senators, and Ron Northy, Phila-
delphia Phillies.

SW Dividend

At a meeting of the board of direc-
tors of Stanley Warner Corp., held
on Tuesday, a dividend of 25 cents
per share was declared on the common
stock of the corporation, payable on
Nov. 24 to stockholders of record on
Nov. 3.

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and PublisVier: Slierwin Kane. Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen. News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke.
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, Fl 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post ofifice at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and ?12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

Thursday, October 21, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Reviews

"Three Ring Circus"

( Paramount- Wallis)

(VistaVision) Hollywood, Oct. 20

PROBABLY the best idea anybody's had so far about what kind of sub-
ject to give Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis is this one of Hal Wallis' —
an inspiration, no less — to place them in a circus and give 'em plenty of room
in which to spread their stuff. That is what they do, for 110 solidly enter-
taining minutes, in what well may turn out to be their most profitable pic-
ture to date, it's in VistaVision, a process that makes the multi-colored
circus scenes more compellingly genuine than any ever seen on a screen,
and in Technicolor, which goes with VistaVision like butter on bread; and
the boys have Zsa Zsa Gabor, Joanne Dru, Wallace Ford, Sig Ruman, Elsa
Lanchester and the entire cast of Clyde Beatty's Circus going the merry
distance with them. It can't miss.

The story and screenplay by Don McGuire opens with Dean and Jerry
getting out of the Army in a financially depleted state and hiring out to the
circus (which wears a disguised name in the film) as roustabouts. Early
scenes showing the arrival, unloading and setting-up of the circus, are stun-
ningly realistic in VistaVision, as are, later on, the scenes of circus per-
formance on the high wire, the trapeze and so on. After a succession of
screamingly funny incidents, not properly to be described in advance of see-
ing, Lewis ultimately attains his ambition, to be a clown, and Martin works
up through personal-assistant of aerial-star Gabor to circus-manager for
owner Dru. There are some side issues in the story — a drunken clown who
opposes Lewis' progress, a managerial softness for gamblers on Martin's
part, etc. — but these are unimportant pegs on which a technically indispensable
but wholly incidental plot is hung.

The performance of the clown role by Lewis is far and away the funniest
portrayal which that seemingly inexhaustible comedian has contributed to the
mirth of the world, and is easily the top asset of the attraction. Martin, par-
ticipating in the slapstickery on occasion, but representing the straight-man
relationing principally, sings two songs in his customary flawless manner.
The extremely difficult direction is by Joseph Pevney.

For old, for young, for anybody and everybody, "Three Ring Circus" is
a three-ring-circus.

Running time, 110 minutes. General audience classification. Release date
not set. WILLIAM R. WEAVER

''They Rode Wesf

{Colu-mhia)

A WESTERN of standard design but nicely acted by all concerned, in-
cluding Academy Award-winning actress Donna Reed, is offered in this
Columbia release, which highlights the youngsters, Robert Francis and May
Wynn, who were introduced to the public in "Caine Mutiny."

With this kind of cast, including the comparative veteran of such cow-
country proceedings, Phil Carey, the picture should have somewhat above-
average appeal in the general action market.

The screenplay by DeVallon Scott and Frank Nugent is a simple and
to-the-point affair telling of the trials and tribulations of a young doctor,
Francis, assigned by the Army to a lonely cavalry post on the western frontier.
Francis' predecessors have been a rum crew of no-goods and drunkards, so
the base doesn't take kindly to the new doc, especially when he disregards
regulations to minister to sick Indians on a malaria-infested reservation.
When the Indians break reservation to move to healthier high ground, and
when they join the belligerant Comanches to besiege the fort, Francis is
vilified as a "woodhawk," the bird that turns against its own.

After several bloody skirmishes comprising some spectacular action pho-
tography, Francis is instrumental in bringing peace to the area when he
operates and saves the life of the Indian chief's only son. Thus, belatedly,
he wins the respect of his fellow soldiers and of the commandant's niece,
Miss Reed, whose love he has had all along. Carey is seen as Francis' chief
nemesis within the fort, a cavalryman who doesn't believe in being soft
toward the Indians, and Miss Wynn as a wistful white girl raised by the
Indians and married to the chief's son, for whom Francis harbors a senti-
ment of more than usual proportions.

Leo Katcher wrote the original story. Phil Karlson directed and Lewis J.
Rachmil produced.

Others in the cast include Onslow Stevens, Peggy Converse, Roy Roberts,
Jack Kelly, Stuart Randall and Eugene Iglesias.

Running time, 84 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
not set.

People

Mexican Setup
On Production
Reorganized

MEXICO CITY, Oct. 20. — Reor-
ganization of producers for better but
lower cost production, decided upon
recently by the "Big Four'' of the
trade — Cinex, which the Government
formed to control distribution abroad ;
the trade's own bank, the semi offi-
cial Banco Nacional Cinematografico,
S. A., and the top independent home
and foreign distributors, Peliculas Na-
cionales and Peliculas Mexicanas — has
begun with the reshaping of Peliculas
Nacionales. General reorganization of
the trade was prompted, it was an-
nounced by Eduardo Garduno, who
heads the bank and Cinex, because
of "shocking" dvi'indling of playdate —
a mere two or three days each — for
Mexican pictures in Central and South
America.

'Greater Yield Per Picture'

Garduno said reorganization of Peli-
culas Nacionales \\'\\\ "allow a greater
yield per picture." He is the reformed
company's new board chairman. The
new board comprises the top pro-
ducers, namely, Miguel Zacarias, Gre-
gorio Wallerstein, Cesar Santos Ga-
lindo, Raul de Anda, Alfonso Rosas
Prieto, Adolfo Lagos, Guillermo Cal-
deron and Alfonso Orive Alba. The
reformed company comprises 16 pro-
ducers. Its original makeup was seven
producers.

John Rust Forms
Producing Firm

John Rust, who has been a member
of the radio and television division
of United States Steel Corp.'s public
relations department since 1945, is
resigning to open his own office, to be
known as John Rust Productions, Inc.

Rust, who created, and with Talent
Associates, co-produces the TV show,
"Justice," announced that the top item
on his production agenda is "Cross-
roads," which will star Faye Emerson
in a new half-hour dramatic TV show
based on Travelers Aid cases.
Whether "Crossroads" will be filmed
or presented live will be determined
by Miss Emerson's rehearsal schedule
for her forthcoming Broadway play,
"Running Mate."

Horizontal Feed for
VV in Coast House

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 20. — The
Stanley Warner Beverly Hills Theatre
will be the second in the world to
use horizontal projection for Vista-
Vision when "White Christmas" is
given a gala benefit premiere ne.xt
Wednesday, Stanley Warner Pacific
Coast zone manager Ben Wallerstein
and Paramount vice-president Y.
Frank Freeman jointly announced.

Century projectors especially built
with horizontal feed for use with
VistaVision on e.xtra-large screens, as
at the Music Hall, New York, are
being installed in the Beverly Hills
Theatre booth which, Wallerstein said
"was spaciously constructed in antici-
pation of such developments when
the house was built" and does not re-
quire remodeling to accommodate ad-
ditional projectors.

The house seats 1,612, and screen
is 50 feet wide.

Hall Bartlett to Set
'Unchained' Release

Hall Bartlett will be negotiating
shortly for the release of his "Un-
chained," which was produced en-
tirely on location at the California
Institution for Men at Chino. Bartlett,
currently in New York on vacation,
formerly produced "Navajo" and
"Crazylegs."

Bartlett was the host to the press
at a cocktail party Tuesday evening
at the Sherry Netherland Hotel.
George Schaefer is his sales repre-
sentative here.

Phila. Associates
To Replenish Funds

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 20.— Sam
Diamond, in charge of ■ Motion Pic-
ture Associate's welfare fund, has an-
nounced that the fund must be replen-
ished, and that a committee has been
formed for this purpose. Among the
activities to be planned will be a din-
ner among industry people.

On the committee are Lou Formato,
Joe Schaeffer, Albert M. Cohen,
George Beattie, Bill Doyle, Jack
Greenberg, Mort Magill, John Turner,
Lester Wurtele and Dave Titleman.

George Washington, head of Al-
lied Artists' studio mail and record
room, was feted at a studio party
hosted by Eugene A. Arnstein, stu-
dio manager, in observance of his
silver anniversary with the com-
pany.

Eddie Clifford, Portland, Ore., or-
ganist, was honored by representa-
tives of the show world at the Music
Hall. He teamed with his partner
Tubby Clark, pianist for a half hour
of music. This marks Clifford's
first anniversary at the house.

Charles Efferson, of Portland
well known Portland salesman foi
20th-Fox has been remanded to the
hospital for surgery.

Orton H. Hicks will be guest
speaker at the annual dinner of the
Industrial Audio-Visual Association
on Tuesday, at the Beekman Tow-
ers. Hicks is Loew's Internationa'
Corp.'s 16mm director.

John McFadden is now operator-
owner of the Lake Theatre, at O^
wego. Ore.

Henry L. Needles and his wii>.

are noting their 40th anniversary.
Needles is ex-Hartford division
manager for Warner Brothers
Theatres.

Don Cameron and Eddie Laine,

former stagehands, have taken over
the operation of the Capitol Thea-
tre in Portland, Ore.

Richard Feener, manager of
ATC's Central Theatre, Somerville,
Mass., will be married on Sunday
to Eleanor Chisholni, candy girl
at the Ball Square Theatre in
Somerville.

Dorothy Riley is the first woman
to be named by B & Q Theatres
as a house manager. The circuit
promoted her to the position of
manager of the Strand Theatre,
Quincy, Mass., replacing Robert
Dyette, resigned.

A BP to Expand U. S.
Activity, Says Scott

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 20. — Mac-
Gregor Scott, general sales manager
of Associated British-Pathe, now vis-
iting Allied Artists here for confer-
ences with president Steve Broidy and
other executives, disclosed that his
company, which has a joint distribut-
ing' and , producing deal with AA, is
on the point of widely expanding its
operations.

"Production wise," Scott said, "we
are directing our efforts to making
motion pictures aimed at the American
market." He also revealed he will em-
ploy a. publicity representative in New
York who will coordinate with A A
advertising-publicity director John C.
Flinn.

You findl them sLt the foot of Supe]:»stition
John MaoKay, the man they called 'Injnni
the ad ventm:*e he had been searching out

DCGBCI]Za^S(S®I^^ takes you across the lava-ca
buttes of the 'Lost River' land— over vistas measureless
above death-craters and painted deserts— to Oregon's m<'
country, and magnificent new excitement for the screen

.nDELMER DAVES'

1 and
man —
tic Modoc

Motion Picture Daily

Thursday, October 21, 1954

Leading Networks Reticent
On Subscriber Television

Kerasotes

{Continued from page 1)

stations, most of which already are
owned by individuals or firms that
already control the radio and news-
paper outlets in their communities, he
charged. Such a monopoly most
assuredly would soon put motion pic-
tures under the supervision of the
Federal government," he warned.

Urges Code of Ethics

Edward G. Zorn of Pontiac, presi-
dent of the Illinois group, urged that
some system of arbitration be set up
immediately and that a code of ethics
be devised for the industry to improve
the relationships between exhibitors
and distributors, "since this relation-
ship has fallen to a new low."

Zorn charged, "The distributors
have jjroken faith with the theatre
owners and with the Federal courts
and are not living up to the terms of
the consent decree, which is attested
to by the many complaints being
voiced throughout the state in recent
months." He repeated his admonition,
previously given at the Springfield
meeting, that one way to stop alleged
unfair distributor trade practices was
to say "no" to their demands.

Fox and MGM Praised

Theatre owners present at the
meeting voiced approval of the an-
nounced policies of 20th Century-Fox
and M-G-M of giving more consider-
ation to the problems of the smaller
theatre owners as a "step in the right
direction." Many were critical of
Warners' 50 per cent demands for
"High and Mighty" and "Dragnet"
and of Paramount's policy of asking
forty per cent to a low split, than
667^ per cent "without regard as to
whether the exhibitor made a profit."

Elected as representatives from the
Peoria region to the state association
were : Ralph Lawler of Peoria, vice
president ; Jim Fegnolio of Ogelsby,
J. R .McCullough of Peoria, and Tom
Brewer of Farmington as directors.

Stress Radio-TV
For 'The She-WoW

Heavy concentration on radio and
television coverage, supplementing
newspaper advertising, will back the
opening of the Kerima starrer, "The
She-Wolf," at the Cinema Theatre in
San Francisco, where the Republic
presentation wilF premiere on Oct.
29th, following the 13-week run of
"The Vanishing Prairie."

The campaign on this Jules Levey
picture will highlight Kerima, who
scored as the native girl in "Outcast
Of The Islands."

New Berlo Branch

CLEVELAND, Oct. 20. — Berle
Vending Co. has opened a branch
office in Detroit, Irwin Shenker, gen-
eral manager in Cleveland, announces.
Harold Hinkston, assistant to Shenker,
has been named branch manager. A
warehouse and complete service facil-
ities will be maintained in Detroit.

'Notorious* to Capitol

Capitol Releasing Corp. of Atlanta,
headed by W. M. Richardson, cur-
rently distributing "Duel In The Sun"
for Selznick Releasing Organization
in the Atlanta exchange territory
will also distribute the next up-coming
SRO presentation.

Three top radio and television net-
works. National Broadcasting Co.,
Columbia Broadcasting System, and
the American Broadcasting Co., in-
voked a "reign of silence" when com-
pany executives were contacted by
Motion Picture Daily as to each
network's individual position and stand
in regard to the subscriber television
applications which are now pending
before the Federal Communications
Commission,

Variety of Excuses

The top officials at the major net-
works here were reported as "tied
up in meetings," "out of town," or
having nothing to say in general about
pay-as-you-see TV or about the for-
mation of an exhibitor committee to
combat toll-TV and preserve free
home television for the American
public.

Gordon Gray, general manager of
station WOR-TV, the Mutual Broad-
casting System's television outlet in
New York City, stated that "while
WOR-TV has offered its facilities to
Skiatron Electronics Corp. and Zen-
ith Radio Corp. for tests of their
Subscriber- Vision and Phonevision
methods of pay-as-you-see-it televi-
sion, this in no way connotes this sta-
tion's approval of either system. What
it does connote is WOR-TV's policy
of keeping abreast of the current de-
velopments in the industry and a will-
ingness to participate in the explora-

FCC's Hyde

(Continued jrom page 1) I

which concluded two days of hearings
on television crime and violence pro-
grams, that the FCC is prohibited by
the Communications Act from exer-
cising any powers of censorship over
program content.

Hyde cited the Supreme Court's
decisions in motion picture censorship
cases, saying that they "raise doubts
as to the constitutionality of any law
which would establish the Federal
Government" as the censor of any
radio or television program.

Hyde called the NARTB code "a
definite step in the right direction"
and said that the television bfOad-'
casters themselves were conscious of
their responsibility in regard to good
programming.

Harold Fellows Heard

Another witness, the National Asso-
ciation of Radio and Television
Broadcasters president, Harold E.
Fellows, told the committee that the
NARTB has engaged a professional
research organization to conduct a
"pilot study" on how families are
reacting to television programs. Fel-
lows said this would be "a long-range
study" and would cover attitudes
toward television programs in families
of all economic and educational levels.
The research organization would also
assist the NARJB code board in mon-
itoring television programs, he said.

In addition. Fellows said, since last
December the NARTB has been
supplying material to telecasters to
assist them in working with commun-
ity groups to improve juvenile train-
ing and environment and in arranging
television programs for children and
parents.

tions and experimentation in new
fields."

Motion picture exhibitors had earlier
this week formed a group, headed by
Alfred Starr, board member of Thea-
tre Owners of America, and Trueman
T. Rembusch, board member of Allied
States Association, to campaign for
the preservation of free home televi-
sion. The group had announced plans
for an extensive educational program
against toll TV, aimed at the public,
business interests and legislators,
pointing out that subscription televi-
sion would confine if not ultimately
throttle free communications over the
air, force the public to pay for pro-
gramming and provide pay-as-you-
see-it TV with free distribution
channels as opposed to the paid dis-
tribution channels of theatre facilities
and present-day television.

Points to Station's Film Series

Gray pointed out, in his statement,
that "the huge success of 'Million
Dollar Movie' which presents never
before on television, feature films 16
times a week, should be encouraging
to the subscription TV promoters
because it showed the thirst of the
TV audience for outstanding film pro-
ductions. When we are able to attract
80 per cent of the television homes in
the New York market to our 'Million
Dollar Movie,' it indicates that the
pay-TV proponents may justifiably
have rosy dreams of the future."

Illinois TO A

{Continued jrom page 1)

of Mt. Morris will serve the group
as secretary..

Prior to the election there was a
general discussion of trade problems.

. "Members reported that there had
been some improvement in the atti-
tude of those distributors who were
attempting a few weeks ago to force
the sale of all their product," accord-
ing to Marchesi.

Directors from the Rockford group
were instructed to propose to the full
Illinois board that a thorough study
of insurance rates be made and that
action be taken toward correcting
present inequities.

^Hansel and GreteP

{Continued from page 1)

world premiere at the Broadway The-
atre, N. Y., on Saturday with a stand-
ing gross of $40,000, excluding re-
ceipts for the benefit premiere for the
March of Dimes, Grainger said.

Using Kinemins, electronically-
controlled dolls, for actors, "Hansel
and Gretel" has been accepted by the
general public as the introduction of a
new cinematic art, according to
Grainger.

Aids Polio Fund

_ HARTFORD, Oct. 20.— As a pub-
lic relations gesture, Frank Mc-
Queeney of the Pine Drive-In, Water-
bury, Conn., turned over receipts from
one evening's showing of "King Rich-
ard and the Crusaders" to the Water-
bury polio emergency fund. In addi-
tion, 25,000 pieces of candy .were given
to patrons.

MacNamara

{Continued jrom page 1)

Communications Commission and will
file it prior to the toll TV hearings
due to be called by the FCC. He
estimated the hearings will be held
within six or eight months.

Brought Latest Model East

He said that he had brought the
latest model of the home Telemeter
device to the East, a model, which he
added, will be unveiled later this year.

Asked if he had outlined Tele-
meter's thinking to exhibition groups,
MacNamara said that he had not been
invited. "I am willing to sit down
with anyone of them," he added.

'Chicago American'
Lists 'Best Films'

CHICAGO, Oct. 20.— Acting on a
suggestion by Allied Theatre of Illi-
nois, the "Chicago American" amuse-
ment section this month began publica-
tion of a new weekly feature calling
the attention of the public by photos
and text to "The Top Films on Local
Screens."

Anne Marsters, film critic of the
"American," is in charge of the new
feature which presents her recom-
mendations of the week's be^t films
on neighborhood and Loop theatre
screens.

Jack Kirsch, president of Illinois Al-
lied, has commended William Carroll,
amusements editor of the "American,"
and his assistant, Frank Ward, by let-
ter for "this latest effort by your news-
paper on behalf of the theatres of Chi-
cago."

Set Music Tie-up

In conjunction with the national
exploitation campaign on its "Willie
Mays" Sportscope, RKO-Pathe has
made arrangements with the Spinlan
Music Co., to promote the publishing
firm's "Say Hey !" tune, which was
written by Dick Kleiner and Jane
Douglass in honor of the Giants' star.
The song gets its title from Mays'
well-known and familiar saying.

Mex. Bank Active

MEXICO CITY, Oct. 20. — The
trade is being financed more than ever
by its own bank, the semi official
Banco Nacional Cinematografico, S.A.,
whose latest published balance sheet,
dated Sept. 30, shows loans, credits
and discounts totaling $2,105,673, a
new high. The bank has intensified its
stressing of quality in pictures.

Cite Carl Brisson

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20. — Carl
Brisson, who is currently appearing
at The Carlton House here, received a
special "Gold Key Award" from the
nation's capital. Commissioner Turner
and representatives of the Danish,
Swedish, Norwegian and Icelandic em-
bassies were present for the ceremony
which named Brisson as an "all-time
entertainment great."

Opera TV in Pitts.

The Stanley Theatre will be the
only Pittsburgh house to telecast the
Metropolitan Opera's opening per-
formance on Nov. 8. The Pittsburgh
Opera will co-sponsor the event along
with the Met.' Prices will range from
$7.50 in the loges to $4 in the balcony.
Main floor seats will sell for $5.

tot Uie Atl 4 l/lioijmVidwm

TECHNICOLOR IS THE REGISTERED TRADE-MARK OF

TECHNICOLOR MOTION PICTURE CORPORATION

HERBERT T. KAIMUS, PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER

0(m

THIS

HOSPITAL

)ftU^ finOMde TUBERCULOSIS CARE
RESEARCH and HEALING

at NO CHAISE TO PATIENTS

for ALL in the
AMUSEMENT
INDUSTRY
and their
FAMILIES
as well

Will Rogers Hospital gratefully acknowledges contributions of ad production by Paramount Pictures, and space by this publisher.

Thursday, October 21, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

f/' Shorts

( Continued from page 1 )

process and dealing with skiing, bob-
sledding and ice boating.

The 51 short subjects will consist
of 15 two-reelers and 36 one-reelers,
six of the one-reelers being reissues
of Walter Lantz Technicolor Cartunes
of previous years.

Two of the two-reel specials in color
will feature commentaries by actor
Eddie Albert and television personal-
ity Steve Allen. There will also be
104 issues of the Universal-Interna-
tional newsreel.

Of the 51 short subjects for the
coming year, there will be 13 two-
reelers in the company's "Musical
Featurettes" series featuring name
bands and musical personalities. Con-
tinuing the trend of the past year,
these subjects will be given greater
production attention and story detail.
There will be eight "Variety View"
one-reelers, eight "Color Parade" one-
reelers with the remainder of the pro-
gram being rounded out by 13 new
Walter Lantz Technicolor Cartunes
with six or more featuring Woody
Woodpecker and six additional Walter
Lantz Technicolor Cartune reissues.

Broadcast Revenue

{Continued from page 1)

before payment of Federal income tax
—was $68,000,000 in 1953, the FCC
reported, a 23 per cent rise over the
1952 figure of $55,500,000.

The 1953 figures for television
broadcast income cover four networks
owning and operating 16 stations, 92
pre-freeze stations and 226 post-freeze
stations. The 1952 income figures
cover four networks owning and
operating 15 television stations, 93
pre-freeze and 14 post-freeze stations.

The 16 network stations reported
a total 1953 income of $18,000,000, al-
most double their 1952 total of $9,-
900,000 for 15 stations. The 92 pre-
freeze stations reporting in 1953
showed a total income of $60,500,000,
as compared with a 1952 figure of
$45,800,000 for 93 stations.

By the end of 1953, the FCC said,
240 post-freeze stations were on the
air. Of these, 114 VHF stations
reported a total loss of $4,200,000 and.
112 UHF stations a loss of $6,300,000.

Of the country's 108 pre-freeze'
stations, 97 reported profitable oper-
ations during 1953. Eight of the 11
stations reporting a loss for the year
were located in New York City and
Los Angeles — the two seven-station
markets.

Most of the 40 pre-freeze stations
which were the only stations in their
market in 1952 reported a substantial
increase in 1953 total revenues, the
FCC said. Half of these stations con-
tinued to be the only outlet in their
area for all of 1953.

'Mistress' Bows Oct 29

United Artists' "The Golden Mis-
tress," filmed on location in Haiti and
elsewhere in the Caribbean, will open
at the Palace Theatre on Broadway
on Oct. 29.

Title Fits Crime
In Car Shooting

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 20.—
Mrs. Christine Dempsey ad-
mitted shooting her husband,
John, five times while they
were driving home from a
drive-in theatre. The name of
the film they saw together was
"Bad For Each Other."

7 Start, Finish 6
At Coast Studios

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 20.— Seven
pictures started this week and six pic-
tures finished, for a total of 32 pic-
tures in production.

Started were : "Air Strike," Cy
Roth (Lippert) ; "It's Always Fair
Weather," CinemaScope, Color (Met-
ro-Goldwyn-Mayer ) ; "You're Never
Too Young," Vista Vision, Techjiicolor,
"The Desperate Hours," Vista Vision,
and "The Ten Commandments," Vista-
Vision, Technicolor (Paramount) ;
"Bow Tamely to Me," Filmcrest,
SuperScope, Technicolor (RKO Ra-
dio) ; "Big House, U. S. A.," Bel-Air
Productions (United Artists).

Completed were : "John Brown's
Raiders" (Allied Artists) ; "Gun That
Won the West," Clover Productions
(Columbia) ; "Moonfleet," Cinema-
Scope, Color (Metro-Goldwyn-May-
er) ; "Lucy Gallant," VistaVision,
Technicolor (Paramount); "Justice
Comes to Tomahawk," color, and
"Lady Godiva of Coventry," techni-
color (Universal-International) .

New Changes Set
By FWC Theatres

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 20.— Changes
in the Fox West Coast managerial
picture include the switch of Vernon
Brown, manager of the San Mateo,
to Vallejo and the promotion of Jack
Gunsky to the managerial post at the
Fox, Salinas. Duncan Knowles, the
present manager, has resigned.

Other changes involve Max Knauss
from the Lodi Theatre, Lodi, to the
Fox, Watsonville ; James Willetts
from the Lindsay, Lindsay, to Lodi,
and promotion of Pat Reeves from
assistant manager to manager of the
Lindsay.

Party for Greenfield

ALBANY, Oct. 20.— Leo Greenfield,
who retired as Universal-International
branch manager here, was feted by the
Variety Club and other industry
friends at a dinner. Their farewell
gift was a wrist watch. Chief barker
Jules Perlmutter and Columbia man-
ager Norman Jackter served as co-
chairmen of arrangements. Green-
field had been a Tent No. 9 crew man.

Filmack Brochure

CHICAGO, Oct. 20. — Filmack
Trailer Co. is supplying showmen with
a brochure that will show the mer-
chants exactly what their holiday ads
and greetings will look like on the
screen. This brochure, which shows no
prices, is aimed directly at the mer-
chants, Irving Mack said.

.With Showmen Everywhere!

'Bullet' Premiere Set

Columbia's "A Bullet Is Waiting"
will have its first New York showing
at the Globe Theatre here on Oct. 29.

New Albany Tent
Crew Elects Monday

ALBANY, Oct. 20.— The new Al-
bany Variety Club "crew" comprises
Jack Goldberg, MGM manager; Nor-
man Jackter, Columbia manager ; Leo
Greenfield, former Universal manager ;
George H. Schenck, Tri-State Auto-
matic Candy Corp. branch manager ;
Irwin UUman, Mohawk Drive-in man-
ager ; Sylvan Lefl^, operator of thea-
tres in Utica and Watertown and up-
state representative for Realart Pic-
tures ; Lewis A. Sumberg, attorney ;
Sidney Urbach, certified public ac-
countant ; Aaron Winig, State Tax
Commission employee ; Arthur Green
and William Wenner.

They will elect officers on Monday
for the ensuing year, chief barker Jules
Perlmutter said.

Bingo Ohio Issue

COLUMBUS, O., Oct. 20.— Ohio
voters would be enabled to vote on
a constitutional amendment allowing
communities local option on the ques-
tion of legalizing bingo, if a proposal
by Paul Ward, Democratic candidate
for Ohio attorney general, is adopted.
Ward is advocating such an amend-
ment.

Use Goldwyn Lot

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 20. — Pro-
ducer Harold Hecht has completed
arrangements with the Samuel Gold-
wyn Studios for use of its facilities
for the Hecht-Lancaster production,
"Marty," United Artists release sched-
uled to go before the cameras next
month.

Fox Shorts

(Continued from page 1)

series on America's defense, Jones
said.

Among the nations to be captured
by the CinemaScope cameras will be
Formosa, Hong Kong, Japan, Moroc-
co and Israel.

In the group devoted to America's
defense will be subjects on new type
submarines, air rescue through the
utilization of helicopters, the intercept
or command, the attack command, and
one devoted to the B-36 bomber.

The sports category will present
athletic competitions with camera
crews to be dispatched to all parts of
the world to film tournaments, races,
and other headline-making events.

"With the advent of CinemaScope,"
Jones notes, "the short subject has
again come into its own as a 'must'
in every theatre's programming.
Through the anamorphic lens the
world and major events can be
brought to the theatre-goer with a
realism never before attainable."

Russell to Chicago
Allied BooJcing Unit

CHICAGO, Oct. 20.— Jack Kirsch,
president of Allied Theatres of Illi-
nois, Inc., announced that Kermit Rus-
sell has been engaged as assistant film
buyer of the Allied buying and book-
ing organization.

Russell, who assumed his duties with
Allied yesterday, has been associated
with the local film industry for over
25 years in varying capacities, both in
exhibition and distribution.

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SPECIALISTS IN MOTION PICTURE SOUND

Motion Picture Daily

Thursday, October 21, 1954

Reviews

"Bengal Brigade"

(Universal )

THE India of a century ago, when the threat of violence and uprising was
always present, forms the background against which is painted an exciting
tale of adventure and romance, giving Rock Hudson the opportunity to turn
in another excellent performance as a captain in the Bengal Army. Support-
ing him are the usual number of stock characters so frequently associated
with this type of story. Most of them, however, are made believable through
the medium of a well-written script by Richard Alan Simmons.

Hudson, in order to save the lives of a group of native soldiers, disobeys
an order by his commanding officer, Torin Thatcher. Despite the fact that
his action results in success, his disregard for orders brings about court-
martial proceedings. His sentence is comparatively light, but he feels he must
resign from the army. Confused and ashamed, he also breaks off with the
woman he loves, Arlene Dahl, daughter of Thatcher.

While trying to solve his problems on a safari, he learns that a native
uprising is uot too far of¥, for it is the 100th year of British rule and the
time prophesied for such a revolt.

Feeling that Hudson no longer has any love for the British, a Rajah who
is behind the impending uprising, summons him for aid. The ex-officer ac-
cepts, but only as a means of helping his old friends. When the Rajah learns
of his proposed double-cross, he attempts unsuccessfully to have Hudson
killed. The rest of the picture details Hudson's efforts to prevent the up-
rising and his return to the good graces of both the Army and his lady love.

"Bengal Brigade" has many exciting moments and a couple of good old-
fashioned battle scenes. Photographed in Technicolor, it is always a delight
to look at, especially the two leading ladies, Arlene Dahl as Hudson's love
and Ursula Thiess as a native girl.

Hudson gets excellent support from Thatcher and Dan O'Herlihy as a
fellow officer. Arnold Moss is properly evil as the Rajah while the girls,
especially Miss Thiess, are effective, though with little to do.

Ted Richmond produced and Laslo Benedek directed, from a novel by
Hall Hunter called "Bengal Tiger," with the adaptation by Seton I. Miller.

Others in the cast include Dan O'Herlihy, Michael Ansara, Harold Gor-
don, Shep Manken, Leslie Dennison, John Dodsworth and Ramsay Hill.

Running time, 87 minutes. General classification. For November release.

''The Lawless Rider"

(Royal U'cst-UA )

LOYAL customers of westerns should approve of this Royal West produc-
tion, which stars Johnny Carpenter as the young and daring marshal who
rids a county of rustlers and killers with his wild and lusty fisticuffs and
accurate shooting. The plot in "The Lawless Rider" is simple, although at
times, unfortunately, gets tangled with inept dialogue.

Carpenter, a fearless law enforcement officer, decides to retire from his
hazardous mode of living, but an appeal from a former friend delays his retire-
ment. Outlaws are pillaging and raiding the county and Carpenter disguises
himself as an outlaw and joins the thieves. After several narrow escapes.
Carpenter, joined by other law enforcement personnel, shoots it out with the
rustlers, with the deputies coming out the victors.

Others in the cast are Frankie Darro, Douglas Dumbrille, Rose Bascom,
Hank Caldwell and his Saddle Kings. This film was produced by John Car-
penter and directed by Yakima Canutt from an original story and screenplay
by Carpenter.

Running time, 62 minutes. General classification. L. D.

He 'Bicycles' Own
Equipment Setup

CINCINNATI, Oct. 20.— "Bi-
cycling" of films has developed
into "bicycling" of projection
equipment at Peebles, O., where
Heney Davidson installs a pro-
jector in the Peebles Drive-in
during the summer, then re-
moves it at the close of the
season for installation in his
Mounds Theatre, which is dark
during the time the drive-in is
in operation.

Heller & Co. Net
Up for 9 Months

CHICAGO, Oct. 20.— Consolidated
net earnings of Walter E. Heller &
Co. and subsidiaries in the nine months
ended Sept. 30, were $1,714,273 after
all charges and income tax provisions,
compared with $1,375,363 in the com-
parable nine months last year, Walter
E. Heller, president, has announced.

After preferred stock dividend re-
quirements, the earnings were equal to
$2.55 a share on 574,018 shares of
common stock outstanding, compared
with $2.75 a share on 433,644 shares
in the same period a year before.

The Heller company is active in
film financing.

VistaVision Short
To Para, Branches

Technicolor Corp. this week is start-
ing shipments to Paramount branches
of the first short subject produced in
VistaVision, titled "VistaVision Visits
Norway," made in the new production
and screen presentation process, it was
announced yesterday by Oscar A.
Morgan, Paramount general sales
manager in charge of short subjects
and special features, who said that
prints of the 17-minute subject will be
in the branches in time to cover all
pre-release dates of Irving Berlin's
"White Christmas," first feature pro-
duced in VistaVision.

Morgan pointed out that availability
of "VistaVision Visits Norway," pro-
duced by James A. Fitzpatrick, will
make it possible for theatres booking
"White Christmas" to present their
first "all-VistaVision" program.

Asks End to 10%
Pittsburgh Tax

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 20.— Warn-
ing Pittsburgh's Mayor Lawrence
that "the power to tax is also the
power to destroy," the Allied Motion
Picture Theater Operators of West-
ern Pennsylvania has again urged the
mayor to relieve Pittsburgh film
houses of the "burdensome and con-
fiscatory" 10 per cent admissions tax
now in effect. The unit also reminded
the mayor that the city has already
exceeded its legal limit of 1 per cent
of the total assessed real estate value
as provided for by the State Enabling
Act through wage taxes.

'Window' in 12th Week

Alfred Hitchcock's "Rear Window'"
starts its 12th week today at the Rivoli
Theatre, here. James Stewart and
Grace Kelly are starred in the Para-
mount-Technicolor picture, with Wen-
dell Corey, Thelma Ritter and Ray-
mond Burr. Hitchcock served as both
producer and director.

Max Fine Prepares
Altec TO A Booth

Altec Service Corp. has engaged
Max Fine, Inc., manufacturer of thea-
trical displays, to prepare, according
to company specifications, an exhibit
for the forthcoming TOA-TESMA
Convention at the Conrad Hilton
Hotel, Chicago.

Occupying booths 104-105 on the
convention floor, Altec will present a
huge photo montage-mural to pictori-
ally describe and explain the technical
phases which feature the work of Altec
engineers in the motion picture field.
Color will be used to highlight the
salient points of the display, together
with special lighting effects, it was an-
nounced.

Pair Opens in N.E.

Alfred Hitchcock's "Notorious"
combined with Dore Schary's Acad-
emy Award winner, "The Farmer's
Daughter," opened yesterday in 117
day-and-date bookings throughout the
New England territory, keying from
Boston's Paramount and Fenway
Theatres.

Six Recording Firms
Wax 'Desiree' Song

"The Song from Desiree," theme
tune of 20th Century-Fox's "Desiree,"
has been waxed by six recording com-
panies, and will be released as a fea-
ture of an extensive advance music
campaign in support of the Cinema-
Scope feature.

The melody has been recorded by
RC.A.-Victor, featuring Frank Cordell
and his Symphony Orchestra ; Colum-
bia, Paul Weston's Orchestra and
Chorus ; Capitol, Jane Froman ;
M-G-M. Allen Dean with Joe Lipp-
man's Orchestra ; Mercury, Anna
Marie Alberghetti, and Majar, Joe
Leahy with orchestra and chorus.

Set Flaherty Award

Presentation of the sixth annual
City College Robert J. Flaherty film
award will be on Jan. 14, at a screen-
ing of the prize-winning films which
have been entered in the competition,
it was announced here by Professor
Hans Richter, director of the City
College Institute of Film Techniciues,
which sponsors the award.

Theatre Ejects Boy;
Dad Wants $50,000

ATLANTA, Oct. 20.— An At-
lanta father is seeking $50,000
damage in Fulton Superior
Court for the "wounded feel-
ing" of his 13-year-old son
James, who, he claims, was un-
justly ejected from a neighbor-
hood theatre. The father, James
C. Morris, filed suit on behalf
of his son against Grant
Amusement Co., which owns
the Temple Theatre.

ITO of Ohio Official
Lauds C'Scope Policy

COLUMBUS, O., Oct. 20.— After
numerous visits to widely separated
theatres and with exhibitors from
many sections of the country, Robert
A. Wile, executive secretary of Inde-
pendent Theatre Owners of Ohio,
states in a current bulletin that he be-
lieves 20th Century-Fox "would be
wrong to make its pictures available
in the old dimension."

Noting that this is a personal opin-
ion. Wile points out that 20th-Fox is
willing to aid exhibitors in financing
CinemaScope installations and that if
"The Robe" and "some of the other
fine pictures were made available in
2-D it would be a step backward."

'Scope Equipment for
Maryland Censors

BALTIMORE, Oct. 20. — The
Maryland film censors have received
$3,800 to buy CinemaScope projection
equipment. The special appropriation
came from the Board of Public Works
after chairman Sidney R. Traub of the
Maryland State Board of Motion Pic-
ture Censors complained.

Traub said he and his fellow cen-
sors have been forced to visit theatres
elsewhere in Baltimore and even in
Washington at "daybreak" hours to
review wide-screen films. Lacking
equipment for wide-screen projection,
he said, censorship viewings had to be
timed to avoid conflict with commer-
cial operations of the picture houses.

Fall Nielsen Ratings
Show NBC in Front

First national Nielsen ratings on the
TV fall schedule reveal three signifi-
cant facts :

NBC has four out of top five shows
and six out of top seven as follows :
"Dragnet," 51.2; Berle, 50.1; Gleason,
43.3 ; "Lady in the Dark" 39T ; Col-
gate, 38.6 ; Groucho Marx, 37.7 ; Ford,
37.7.

"Ladv in the Dark," seen in 11,347,-
400 homes with 37,200,000 viewers, is
the fourth highest-rated show.

Comparable Nielsen rating for "Sat-
ins and Spurs," first spectacular, was
38.7 and would be the fifth highest
rated show, with 11,300,000 homes and
37,100,000 viewers.

Probe All-Niqht Drive-in

HENDERSON, Ky., Oct. 20.—
committee of three ministers has been
appointed by the Henderson Minis-
terial Association to investigate all-
night drive-ins on complaint that the
pictures being shown are not of the
proper standard, and that the hours
of operation recjuire considerable in-
vestigation.

MOTION PICTURE'

! All

Concise

The News

ATT "^Z"

And))

That

To The

Is News

Point

. — • . <

VOL. 76. NO. 79

NEW YORK, U.S.A., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1954

TEN CENTS

Further Discussion

To Meet Today
On Exterior
Ad Code Here

Session to Be Held With
License Commissioner

New York City exhibitors will meet
this afternoon with License Commis-
sioner Edward T. McCaffrey and
civic, religious and business leaders
to discuss a proposed exterior adver-
tising code for theatres.

It is also expected that the remain-
ing complaints against two theatres
along 42nd Street between Seventh
and Eighth Avenues, in the Times
Square area, will be discussed.

Originally, 14 theatres in the mid-
Manhattan area were involved in al-
leged violations of decency in ads but
(Continued on page 4)

Gordon Critical of
McDonald on Toll TV

In championing subscription tele-
vision, Comdr. Eugene F. McDonald,
president of Zenith Radio Corp., is
doing a disservice to the customers
who bought his TV sets with the
understanding that they would be
"everlasting" in their use, Julius Gor-
don, head of the Jefferson Amusement
Co. of Texas, said here yesterday.

Gordon, who is a member of the
joint TOA-Allied committee on toll
(Continued on page 4)

To Show Perspecta
Sound at TO A Meet

Exhibitors attending the 1954
Theatre Owners of America
convention in Chicago, Oct. 31
to Nov. 4, are invited to attend
a special demonstration of
Perspecta sound at the State
Lake Theatre on Nov. 1, the
TOA announced here yester-
day.

Three film companies, Col-
umbia, 20th Century-Fox and
Allied Artists, will screen their
current and future product for
the theatremen also.

^U' Backing Tagan'
And Taris' With
All-Out Promotion

Universal-International has set for
release during the Christmas-New
Year's holiday season two of its most
important attractions — "Sign of the
Pagan" and "So
This Is Paris"
and is backing
their release
with the same
type of promo-
t i o n a 1 c a m-
paigns that suc-
c e s s f u 1 1 y
launched "T h e
Glenn Miller
Story'' and
"M a ,g n i ficent
O b session"
earlier this
year, it was an-
nounced yester-
day by Charles J. Feldman, Universal
{Continued on page 10)

Charles Feldman

Houser Is Here for
'HanseV Campaign

A nation-wide campaign for "Han-
sel and Gretel," keyed to the holiday
season, is being planned by Mervin
Houser, executive assistant to Perry
Lieber, RKO's national director of
advertising, publicity and exploitation,
who flew to New York from the
Coast especially to handle promotion
of the Michael Myerberg screen ver-
(Continued on page 10)

Two Loew Cleveland
Houses to Associated

CLEVELAND. Oct. 21.— Ac-
quisition of two Loew's theatres
here by Associated Theatres
was confirmed today by Meyer
Fine, head of Associated. The
houses involved are the 3,000-
seat Park and the 2,000-seat
Granada, both first subsequent
runs. The takeover becomes ef-
fective on Nov. 1. This reduces
Loew's holdings here to three,
the State, Stillman and Ohio.
Associated operates approxi-
mately 30 theatres and drive-ins
in Ohio.

*No Speeches' Will
Be the Keynote of
Pioneers' Dinner

"No Speeches" is to be the keynote
of the 16th annual showmanship dinner
of the Motion Picture Pioneers to be
held in the Hotel Astor on Nov. 17,
it was announced by Herman Robbins,
general chairman of the affair. The
dinner honoring Simon H. Fabian on
the occasion of his 40th Anniversary
in the industry will feature a "Caval-
cade of Show Business." Stars of
motion pictures, television and the
theatre will take part in the entertain-
ment. Significant moments in the
career of Fabian will be dramatized
{Continued on page 10)

Capacity Turnout

Over 300 in Tribute to
Boasherg and New D.C.A.

(Picture on page 3 )

Approximately 500 leading figures in exhibition and distribution attended
a luncheon at the Sheraton Astor Hotel here yesterday honoring Charles
Boasberg on the occasion of his new association with Distributors Corp. of
America, of which he is general
manager.

With Robert J. O'Donnell of Inter-
state Circuit, Texas, as toastmaster,
aided and abetted by a selection of
able speakers, the audience was
treated to about evenly divided meas-
ures of serious and sincere tributes,
on the one hand, and mirth provoking-
ribbing on the other.

Sharing in the encomiums were
Fred Schwartz, president and founder

of D.C.A., and Irving Wormser,
newly appointed vice-president and
general sales manager, not to mention
the new company itself, whose con-
tribution of product to what exhibitors
refer to as the current short supply,
assures its instantaneous popularity
with the buyers of film.

Walter Reade, Jr., president of
Theatre Owners of America, intro-
(Contimied on page 3)

Experience Proves

Gov't Control
Not a Solution,
Balaban Says

Para. President Claims
Terms Always a Problem

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

There is no substitute for a free
competitive market in the motion pic-
ture industry, Barney Balaban, presi-
dent of Paramount Pictures, declared
here yesterday.

Balaban, interviewed on his senti-
ments regarding Allied States As-
sociation's proposal to seek govern-
mental regulation, said, "I can't seri-
ously believe that such a move will
solve exhibition's problems. There' is
plenty of experience to the contrary,"
he added.

Explaining that he did not want to
make a statement simply for the sake
of making a story, he added this note
of caution : "When you call the cop,
both sides are brought to the station
house before the judge."

Balaban then went on to tell of
(Continued on page 4)

Smakwitz Opposes
Gov't Regulation

S.t'ecial to THE DAILY

ALBANY, N. Y., Oct. 21.— Opposi-
tion to the Allied States plan for gov-
ernment regulation of film distribution
was voiced here today by Charles A.
Smakwitz, Stanley-Warner zone man-
ager, who told Motion Picture
D.\iLY :

"I would be against it at any time,
(Continued on page 4)

New Laurel-Hardy
Picture to EPI

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 21.
— National distribution of
"Utopia," starring Stan Laurel
and Oliver Hardy, has been
acquired by Exploitation Pro-
ductions, Inc. This is the first
picture to be produced by the
comedy team since 1945.

STARRING —

TONY CURTIS

m THE
JAN. ISSUE
OF

• More than
3,953,426
Primary Readers

GLORIA DEHAVEN • GENE NELSON • CORINNE CALVET • PAUL GILBERT

THE MAGAZINE FOR YOUNG ADULTS

MOTION Picture Daily

Friday, October 22, 1954

Personal
Mention

Explains Reasons

Arnall Formally Withdraws
IFPEC'MPEA Complaint

ATLANTA, Oct. 21. — In line with his previously announced intention, EHis
Arnall, president of the Independent Film Producers Export Corp., on behalf
of the organization, has withdrawn the complaint filed with the Federal Trade
Commission against the Motion Pic-
ture Export Association. In a formal
letter to Bernard B. Smyth, chief of
the export trade division of the FTC,
Arnall wrote, in part :

"In pursuance to the conversation
had last week with you and Mr. Chas.
J. Connolly, Federal Trade Commis-
sion Attorney, I am advising that I
will not press the charges against Mo-
tion Picture Export Association, Inc.,
filed with you on July 8, 1954, and
hereby withdraw the same.

"This action is based upon the as-
surances of Hon. Eric A. Johnston,
president. Motion Picture Export As-
sociation, that in support of his per-
sonal opposition to private subsidies in
film agreements, he now has the sup-
port of the board of directors of
MPEA. Similar statements of this
position on the part of Mr. Johnston
and his board were made by Mr. John-
ston in a press interview held Thurs-
day, October 7th, in Hollywood.

Sees 'No Difference'

"The Independent Film Producers
Export Corp., of which I am presi-
dent, had been gravely concerned
about the attitude of MPEA on this
matter but now that Mr. Johnston has
stated his position of opposition to
subsidy arrangements has the support
of his board, there is no difference
existing between us. We now assume
a united front in opposing the grant of
gratuities, subsidies and subventions
in foreign film agreements.

"If private film subsidies in violation

of the Webb-Pomerene Act are not
granted in the future by export cor-
porations, whether or not such sub-
sidies are violative of law, becomes a
mere theoretical rather than an actual
or practical question.

"As a matter of policy, you will be
interested to know that on Sept. 10,
1954, Hon. Samuel C. Waugh, Assis-
tant Secretary, Department of State,
Washington, in a letter to me, stated
that :

Waugh Letter Quoted

" 'This Government is opposed to
artificial barriers which impede the
flow of trade and prevent the best util-
ization of the resources in the free
world. Consistent with this policy, the
Department is generally opposed to
any policies or practices of foreign
governments or industries which might
entail the payment of subsidies such
as you describe, in which funds from
American producers go to producers
of a competitive product abroad, as a
condition to entering or participating
more fully in a foreign market.'

"The Hollywood A. F. of L. Film
Council has been tremendously inter-
ested in the propriety and legality of
private subsidy arrangements in film
agreements. I know that this impor-
tant organization will be gratified in
learning that the Motion Picture E.x-
port Association and Independent Film
Producers Export Corporation now
have assumed a unified position of
opposing film subsidies in export trade
agreements."

SPYROS P. SKOURAS, president
of 20th Century-Fox, returned to
New York yesterday from the Coast.
•

B. G. Kkanze, United Artists gen-
eral sales manager ; Fr.vncis M.
WiNiKUS, national director of adver-
tising-publicity, and Roger H. Lewis,
advertising manager, returned to New
York yesterday from Owensboro, Ky.
•

Morris Loewenstein, president of
Theatre Owners of Oklahoma, and
Mrs. Loewenstein are in New York
from Oklahoma City. They will attend
the TOA convention in Chicago
starting- Nov. 1.

•

DA\aD A. Lipton, Universal Pic-
tures vice-president, is scheduled to
arrive here from Hollywood on Sun-
day.

•

Walter Seltzer, Hecht-Lancaster
Organization vice-president in charge
of advertising-publicity, has arrived
in New York from the Coast.
•

William Melniker, head of the
theatre department for Loew's Inter-
national, has left New York on a
tour of Latin American installations.
•

Lawrence Weingarten, M-G-M
studio executive and producer, re-
turned to Hollywood by plane yester-
dav from New York.

•

Bernard Jacon, I. F. E. Releasing
Corp. vice-president in charge of sales,
is scheduled to arrive in Chicago to-
day from Minneapolis.

•

William W. Howard, RKO The-
atres vice-president, will leave here
today on visits to four Midwestern
cities.

•

Homer Mendenhall, Paramount
VistaVision technician, will return to
Hollywood over the weekend from
New York.

•

Joseph Bronstein and Isadore
Bregman, of the East Hartford
Family Drive-in, South Windsor,
Conn., left there yesterday for Miami.
•

Trevor Howard, son of the late
Leslie Howard, has left New York
via B.O.A.C. for England.

•

Mori Krushen, United Artists ex-
ploitation manager, has returned to
New York from Chicago.

George Nichols, M-G-M studio,
publicist, left New York by plane
yesterday for Boston.

Jean Simmons will arrive here to-
morrow from Hollywood.

ATOC to Elect

HARTFORD, Oct. 21. — Allied
Theatre Owners of Connecticut will
elect new officers at a meeting, slated
for Tuesday noon, at the Hofbrau
Restaurant, New Haven. Dr. Jack
Fishman of Fishman Theatres is cur-
rent head of the statewide organiza-
tion.

Arbitration Moves
Forward a Step

Another step forward on arbitra-
tion was reported in the wake of yes-
terday's meeting between Herman M.
Levy, general counsel for Theatre
Owners of America, and Adolph
Schimel, vice-president and general
counsel for Universal Pictures.

Levy and Schimel, the counsellors
for the joint exhibition-distribution
drafting committee, met to discuss and
analyze the preliminary draft.

The next meeting between the two
is expected to take place after the
annual TOA convention in Chicago,
Oct. 31 to Nov. 4, when further dis-
cussions will be held.

The eight-man exhibition-distribu-
tion committee; is composed of Levy,
Si Fabian, Leo Brecher, Max A.
Cohen, Schimel, Al Lichtman, A. W.
Schwalberg, A. Montague and Charles
Feldman, who is alternate for distri-
bution. The group was selected at
the Hotel Astor arbitration meeting
by the full exhibition and distribution
group in late May.

At that time, while no definite
agreements were reached by either
side, it was decided that the subject
of film rentals would not be arbitrable
but any matter aflfecting the orderly

Biichman to Operate
Concessions Firm

BOSTON, Oct. 21.— Nathan Buch-
man, head of the candy and vending-
departments of American Theatres
Supply Co. has resigned to go into
the theatre concessions business for
himself, effective Nov. 15. Upon
Buchman's resignation, American
Theatres announced that Benjamin S.
Conviser, head of maintenance and
supply, will assun-ie the additional
duties as head of the candy and vend-
ing- for the company.

Conviser's headquarters will be at
the home office of ATC, with the
warehouse and shipping offices con-
tinuing at 78 Broadway.

Black and White VV

Production has started on William
Wyler'i "The Desperate Hours" at
Paramount with Humphrey Bogart
and Fredric March starred. The film
is the first to be shot in black and
white VistaVision.

distribution of motion pictures shall
be arbitrable. This included clearances,
runs, conditioning, contract violations,
print shortages, competitive bidding
and the pre-release of pictures.

2 Trust Suits Here
Seek $4,981,500
In Damages

Two anti-trust actions totalling
$4,981,500 in damages were filed in
New York Federal Court yesterday.

One of the cases, a joint suit by
the Sompru Theatre Co. and the
Brookpru Theatre Co., asked $639,000
and $592,000, respectively, on behalf
of the Court Theatre, Somerville,
N. J. Eight major companies, Walter
Reade Theatres, Plainfield Operating
Co. Trenton-New Brunswick Thea-
tres, Inc., and the Broadway & 47tii
St. Corp. were named as defendants.
It was charged that the defendant
distributors favored the houses of the
defendant exhibitors in granting runs
and clearances. The Sompru company
operated the Court until 1943 when
it leased it to Brookpru.

In a second suit, the Golden Lane
Theatre Corp. filed an action for $3,-
750,000 damages against the same dis-
tributor defendants plus Republic Pic-
tures. It was claimed that theatres
of the Loew's, Warner Brothers and
RKO circuits were given preferences
in runs and clearances over the Tem-
ple Theatre in Union City, N. J.

N.E. Circuit Mgrs.
Promoting Drive

BOSTON, Oct. 21. — The entire
managerial staff of New England
Theatres, Inc., is hitting on high gear
for the "Profit and Prestige Cam-
paign" now in effect for the managers
in the final quarter of the year. The
managers, themselves, are conducting
the drive, promoting- business for the
months of October, November and
December, under the supervision of
the home office executives.

Each district managership has one
special representative manager to
whom other managers present their
exploitation plans. He discusses them
with other special representatives at
weekly meetings where the best and
most practical ideas are developed and
passed back to all managers. The or-
ganization.al committee for the cam-
paign consists of Martin J. Mullin,
president ; Hy Fine, Robert Stern-
berg, Jerry Govan, Chester Stoddard,
Harry Browning, H. W. Glidden,
Joseph Plunkett, Jack Saef, Bill
Romanoff and George Mofifitt. Rep-
resenting the managers for the month
of October are managers James Davis,
Leo Lajoie and Max Nayor ; for No-
vember, Larry Burke, Mel Morrison
and Marvin Huban ; for December,
Arthur Keenan, Ray McNamara and
Ben Greenberg.

NEW YORK THEATRES

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

f Rockefeller Center ,

bTr'^^n s "WHITE CHRISTMAS" :

I in VistaVision starring '

[ <
r BING CROSBY - DANNY KAYE <

r ROSEMARY CLOONEY - VERA ELLEN .
[ Color by Technicolor - A Paramount Picture '
( and SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION i

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane. Editor. Published daily except Saturdavs, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20. N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, ISTew York." Martin Quigley, President: Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy. Vice-President; Leo .T. Bradv, Secretary; Al Steen. News Editor; Herbert V Fecke
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. -Weaver, Editor, Hollywood ' 7-'145 '
Chicago BuTcau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, Fl 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau'
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London.". Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post ofiice at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

Friday, October 22, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

At Boasherg Testimonial

People

PlHitu by Flinil slciiK'

Honoree and associates in Distributors Corp. of America at testi-
monial luncheon given by exhibitors at Sheraton Astor Hotel here
yesterday. From left to right, standing, Charles Boasberg, D.C.A.
general manager; seated Fred J. Schwartz, president, and Irving
Wormser, vice-president and general sales manager.

Harry Anger, chairman of the
talent committee for the Greater
Xew York Cerebral Palsy Telethon,
announced that such stars as Kaye
Ballard, Betty Furness, Polly Ber-
gen, Jerome Courtland, Gabby
Hayes, Al Hodge, Barry Sullivan,
Hazel Scott, Eva Gabor, Roger
Price, Juanita Hall, Virginia
Graham, Nancy Craig, and Barry
Sullivan will l)e on hand to enter-
tain. The telethon will be televised
over WABC-TV beginning 10:30
on Saturday and continuing until
.i:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Taxes Among
Subjects for
Canada Meets

TORONTO, Oct. 21.— Road show
complaints, the amusement tax an-i
the adult age limit are among th.'
issues to be taken up at the nationa.
conventions of Canadian industry or
ganizations, including the Canadian
Motion Picture Industry Council, a?
evidenced by the actions taken at rneet-
ings of the provincial organizations.

In Regina, the Saskatchewan Mo-
tion Picture Exhibitors Association
seeks to protest the number of road
show attractions foisted upon them or
do without the regular films.

This matter was taken up without
success at last year's meeting of the
CMPIC. The Saskatchewan associa-
tion also seeks to have the distributors
use plastic cases for shipping. The
Saskatchewan group also feels the
National Film Board is encroaching
on the rights of private enterprise.
There has been some pressing by serv-
ice clubs on the exhibitors that they
should play more NFB subjects.

In Edmonton, the Alberta
Motion Picture Exhibitors
called for the lowering of the
age for attending adult shows
from 16 to 14 and removal of
the amusement tax from tickets
up to 50 cents or a five per cent
reduction.

The Alberta exhibitors look for a
general revision of the Amusement
Act in their province along the lines
of the Ontario act. A resolution asks
that distributors consider special ope-
rations problems of the smaller opera-
tors. They returned Mayor A. W.
Shackleford of Lethbridge to the of-
fice of president for his 11th successive
term of the ATA's U-ysar existence.
The vice-presidents are Doug Miller,
Taber ;* D. C. Fox, Pincher Creek ;
D. A. Boyle, Macleod ; and W. H.
Wilson, Edmonton. B. H. Wiber was
elected asistant secretary.

McKenzie Succeeds Winterton

J. D. McKenzie, Estevan, was
elected to the presidency of the Sas-
katchewan association to fill the va-
cancy left by the retirement of W. E.
Winterton. J. Ludholme is vice-presi-
dent and J. Heaps, secretary-treasurer.
Directors are J. D. Watson, W.
Winterton, I. Reinhorn, W. Pyle, D.
Hood, R. D. Armstrong, M. Craw-
ford, H. S. Humphries, C. V. Mar-
shall, G. R. Miller, G. M. Miller, H.
Durham, H. Falconer, H. Gunn, and
J. King.

'Contessa' Hits Record

"The Barefoot Contessa" scored
the biggest opening-day business ever
registered by a United Artists release
at the United Artists Theatre in
Chicago, it has been announced by
UA general sales manager B. G.
Kranze. The midwest premiere of
"The Barefoot Contessa" at the
United Artists Theatre on Wednes-
day grossed $5,620, Kranze said.

'Contessa' Opening

United Artists' "The Barefoot Con-
tessa" will have its Philadelphia
premiere at the Midtown Theatre
next Wednesday.

{Contimicd from page 1)

duced the master of ceremonies,
O'Donnell, to open the post-luncheon
program. O'Donnell observed that in
years past when buying film from
Boasberg, he had believed that a testi-
monial for the former RKO Radio
general sales manager could be held
in a phone booth.

Looking over the capacity gather-
ing, O'Donnell added. "Now I see we
could have used the Polo Grounds."

Rinzler Lauds New Company

Sam Rinzler of Randforce Circuit
lauded Schwartz, Boasberg and
Wormser for their courage and enter-
prise in aligning themselves with the
new company and commended the
part he predicted D.C.A. will play
in "relieving the film shortage."

Rinzler's remarks were liberaUy
sprinkled with characteristic sallies
that kept the audience in good hunnor.
Item.: "The companies' sales gim-
micks are so clever I've always
thought they should put their sales
forces up for Academy Awards in-
stead of their pictures." "Distributors
are real magicians. I've seen them
change every letter in the alphabet
to 'A'." Item.: "I tried to get out of
coming here today, but everybody re-
minded me of the adjustments I'd
gotten from Boasberg, so here I am."

Schwartz Predicts 'Correction'

Schwartz, head of Century Circuit
as well as the new production-dis-
tribution company, D.C.A., drew
laughter from the gathering with his
opening statement : "I've yet to see
an exhibitor who's paid enough film
rental. That's something we're going
to correct at once."

Turning serious, Schwartz asked for
exhibitor support for D.C.A., spoke
of his friendship and high regard for
Boasberg and Wormser and thanked
those responsible for the testimonial.

Ned E. Depinet, former head of
RKO Radio, related the circumstances
of Boasberg's first employment by that
company as a salesman in Buffalo in
1931 and described his personal
pleasure in observing Boasberg's

steady rise, eventually to become RKO
Radio general sales manager, a post
he left to join D.C.A.

Joseph Kaufman, producer of "Long-
John Silver," D.C.A.'s first release,
voiced his confidence in the manage-
ment of the new company, explaining
that was the reason for turning over
his production to an as yet untried
concern for distribution. He is re-
turning to Australia where the pic-
ture was made, he said, knowing that
his property is in good hands.

Harry Brandt added a tribute to
D.C.A. and its officers, saying its
initials could stand for "decency,' con-
fidence and ability," and that the
character of the personalities would
get contracts from exhibitors as well
as patrons of the testimonial gathering
"even had there been no product
shortage."

Reade Pledges Support

Reade presented Boasberg with a
gilded telephone with which to do his
film selling, as a bit of ribbing, and
in more serious vein pledged exhibitor
support "with more than words" in
appreciation of the help D.C.A.
promises to give in the way of solving
exhibitors' product supply problems.

Boasberg responded with a sincere
declaration of his appreciation. "If we
succeed," he said, "it will be good for
everyone — for the industry to have a
new source of quality pictures, and
for distribution as well as exhibition.
With your support and cooperation
we will succeed."

Coast Players Again
To Entertain Troops

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 21.— Holly-
wood talent again will supply holiday
entertainment for American troops
throughout the world, as reciuested by
the Department of Defense, with the
Hollywood Co-ordinating Committee
and the USO Camp Shows cooperat-
ing in the activity.

HCC president George Murphy has
appointed a committee to proceed at
once with plans for the setting up of
five principal touring groups that will
include about 88 stellar players.

Stanley F. Hodes, production ex-
ecutive with Rainbow Pictures in
Miami, and son of the late Hal
Hodes, Columbia Pictures execu-
tive, will be married today to Nita
Kaufman of that city.

Dick Lang, manager of Portland's
RKO Radio exchange, has been
named chairman of the Will Rogers
Memorial Hospital drive. Thomas
Walsh, general manager of J. J.
Parker Theatres, has been named
co-chairman for the Oregon the-
atres.

Dave Prince, southern district
manager of RKO in Atlanta, and
Herman Rhodes, drive-in owner in
-A^labama and Georgia, have recov-
ered from heart attacks.

Harold E. Wondsel, of New York,
president of Sound Masters, Inc.,
producers of television motion pic-
tures, announced the arrival of a
son, Harold E. Wondsel, Jr., on
Oct. 16.

Mrs. H. Hudson has the unique
distinction of being the oldest wom-
an operator of a motion picture
theatre in Oregon.

Mrs. Edward Zane is now oper-
ating the Hollywood Theatre in
Salem, Ore.

Bill Wolfson, city manager of
Wilby Theatres in Montgomery,
Ala., underwent an eye operation in
the hospital there.

Ken Edrisnick is the new sales-
man for Warner Brothers in Port-
land. Edrisnick was formerly in the
same capacity at Omaha.

Ed Grainger to S.F.

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 21.— Edmund
Grainger, president of Edmund Grain-
ger Productions, Inc., has been in-
vited by a group of top exhibitors
in Northern California to meet with
them over the weekend to discuss his
forthcoming prockict. Grainger will
arrive in San Francisco today and
will return to Hollywood on Monday.
The producer has just signed with
RKO for the distribution of his forth-
coming "A" pictures.

Motion Picture Daily

Friday, October 22, 1954

136 Manufacturers Join TOA
Meet in Big Trade Show

Manufacturers rfprcsontiiif; 136 different firing, taking virtiiall}' all available
booth space, promise to make the forthcoming Theatre Owners Convention
in Chicago, Oct. 31-Nov. 4, one of the biggest trade shows.
Cooperating in the venture by hold-
Paramount Pictures Corp. ; Earl
Sponable, technical director of 20th
Century-Fox ; M. A. Stevens, Bausch
& Lomb Optical Co.; J. F. O'Brien,
Radio Corp. of America; A. J. Hatch,
Strong- Electric Corp. ; and Leonard
Satz, Raytone Screen Co.

Panel Members Listed

Panel members for the discussion
will be F. C. Matthews of Motiograph,
president of TESMA ; A. E. Meyer,
International Projector Corp.; L. E.
Pope, Fox Midwest Theatres; Nash
Weil, Wil-Kin Theatre Supply Co.,
Atlanta ; Edwin Goge, Walter Reade
Theatres; Joseph Zaro, Bijou Amuse-
ment Co. ; E. J . Nelson, The Ballan-
tyne Co.; John R. Miles, Projection
Optics, Inc. ; F. C. Dickely, Altec
Service Corp. ; W. A. Gedris, Ideal
Seating Co. ; Robert Gottschalk,
Panavision, Inc.

The IPA-TOA forumi is scheduled
for all daj^ Thursday. The moderator
will be Bert Nathan of the Theatre
Popcorn Vending Gorp., Brooklyn,
vice-president of IPA and co-chair-
man of TOA's concessions committee.
Talks will be made by Nathan Buch-
man, also co-chairman of TOA's Con-
cessions Committee; Van Myers,
Wometco Theatres ; Lee Koken,
RKO Radio Theatres; Melvin Rapp,
Apco, Inc. ; and Melvin Wintman,
Smith Drive-In Theatres.

ing their conventions at the same tnne
wul be the Theatre Equipment and
Supply IVIanufacturers Association,
1 neatre Equipment Dealers Associa-
tion, and the International Popcorn
Association.

The trade shows, to be conducted at
the Conrad Hilton in Chicago, will be
free to theatremen whether or not they
belong to any exhibitor organization.

The general theatre equipment ex-
hibits, as regularly conaucted by
TESMA, is combined this year with
the trade show of the International
Popcorn Association, which will also
be in convention during this period.
The two expositions will immediately
adjoin each other. Although conducted
by the popcorn industry, the IPA ex-
hibits will embrace all phases of
theatre refreshment merchandise.

Refreshment Forum Slated

Besides the usual TESMA-TEDA
forum, there will be an IPA-TOA
forum of similiar purpose concerned
with refreshment merchandising. The
TESMA-TEDA forum will be de-
voted to new techniques and general
equipment problems.

The moderator of the TESMA-
TEDA forum, to be held Wednesday
afternoon, will be Alex Harrison of
20th Century-Fox Film Corp., and
the meeting will be addressed by
Loren Ryder, technical director of

Ryder Says Sound
Is 100% Better in
Horizontal-Feed VV

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 21.— Loren
L. Ryder, director of engineering for
Paramount Pictures, tonight told 300
members of the Society of Motion
Picture and Television Engineers that
the horizontal-projection system for
V'istaVision pictures achieves improve-
ment in sound equivalent to the im-
provement in pictorial quality. Ryder
said the system enables the sound
range to be doubled and that the con-
sequent improvement in sound will be
about 100 per cent.

Calls It Best Ever

Declaring that sound produced with
the horizontal-projection eciuipment is
the best the industry ever has ex-
perienced, Ryder explained that this
improvement in sound is due to the
fact that the film travels twice as
fast through the side-wheeling pro-
jectors as through standard vertical-
feed projectors, and that this doubled
speed greatly enlarges the film's sound
capacity and versatility.

Ryder's statement was made in
course of his SMPTE paper entitled
"Vista Vision Exhibition," which was
accompanied by a practical demon-
stration of VistaVision on the same
great screen where the process was
developed and perfected.

Ryder emphasized the point that
VistaVision, as used in standard ver-
tical-feed projectors, adds greatly to
the pictorial quality on any screen in
the world, and that the horizontal-
projection system, utilizing" direct-
contact positives printed from un-
reduced VistaVision negative, makes
it possible, for the first time, for
theatres and drive-ins with screens
up to 100 feet wide to match small-
theatre screen results in pictorial
quality.

Frayne Paper a Feature

The VistaVision demonstration,
conducted at the studio, was the high-
light event on the Thursday program,
which was featured also by John G.
Frayne's paper on the new Westrex
photographic stereophonic sound sys-
tem employing the two-channel meth-
od, practical for reproducing over
either the two-speaker or three-
speaker setup.

Brisson May Switch
From Para, to RKO

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 21.— Frede-
rick Brisson, independent producer,
whose impending production, "Girl
Rush," has been scheduled for produc-
tion on the RKO Radio lot and for
RKO release, said-, today he is nego-
tiating with Parambunt vice-president
Y. Frank Freernan for a possible
switch to Paramount studio and re-
lease. The reason named was to gain
access to the full facilities of the
VistaVision process as well as its
personnel.

Party for Feldman

Members of 20th Century-Fox ad-
vertising, publicity and exploitation
departments will hold a farewell
luncheon today honoring Edward
Feldman, advertising copywriter, who
has been called to active duty by the
Air Corps. Feldman, formerly fan
magazine contact for the company,
reports to Westover Field, Mass.,
next week to begin his duties as a
public information officer.

Balahan

{Continued from page 1)

his experience as an exhibitor, when,
he, too, thought "the sky was falling,"
when in 1908 his brother informed
him in Chicago that one of the dis-
tributors was hiking his film rentals
from $1 per day to $25 per week.
"We never thought we'd survive," he
confided, drawing the parallel with
today's exhibitors' complaints.

"Film rental terms since I've been
in the business," Balaban argued,
"always have been 'onerous' from ex-
hibition's point of view and not enough
from the point of view of production-
distribution."

"How can anyone guarantee a profit
for exhibition?" he asked, and added,
"Who is to guarantee a profit to pro-
duction ?"

The only sure thing in life is the
$65 per month offered by the govern-
ment in social security, Balaban stated,
stressing his feeling that chances
must be taken by both sides of the
industry. He said he welcomed the
news that exhibition plans to enter
production, explaining that such a
step will offer those exhibitors insights
into the problems of production, the
work, talent and money which has
to be marshaled for a particular pic-
ture.

Closes Still Dept.

OTTAWA, Oct. 21.— In order to
concentrate fully on motion picture
production. Associated Screen News
is closing its still photo departments
at the end of (October, including
branches in several areas of Canada.

Smakwitz

{Continued from page 1)

because I do not think the industry
should turn to the Government for a
solution of its problems. The industry
has the manpower, the intelligence
and the experience to settle all of
its problems around the table, with-
out Government intervention. Federal
regulation of distribution would be a
springboard to further regulation. We
do not need it, should not seek it.

"The Government does not want to
regulate industry ; it wishes industry
to regulate itself. Neither major poli-
tical party, on the basis of campaign
speeches, wishes Government regula-
tion of Industrie"

Allied should concentrate on a solu-
tion of problems by and within the
industry, said Smakwitz, who added
that he does not consider the matter
of film rentals to be arbitrable.

'Parents' Magazine
Award to 'Romeo'

"Romeo and Juliet" has been se-
lected by Parents Magazine to receive
its award for "Extraordinary Achieve-
ment in 1954," the highest motion pic-
ture honor bestowed by the magazine
during the year.

Winner also of this year's grand
prize at the International Film Fes-
tival in Venice, Italy, "Romeo and
Juliet" is scheduled to be released
by United Artists for the Christmas
season, with its Los Angeles opening
set to enable the J. Arthur Rank Or-
ganization presentation to compete for
this year's Academy Awards.

TOA Sets Schedule
Of Events for Its
4-Day Convention

The complete schedule of events for
the Theatre Owners of America con-
vention and trade show in Chicago,
Oct. 31 to Nov. 4, at the Conrad Hil-
ton Hotel, has been disclosed here.

On Monday, Nov. 1, there will be
a special screening of 1954-55 product
at the State Lake Theatre, to be fol-
lowed by the keynote address to be
delivered by Pat McGee. On that day
there also will be a "Speak- Your-
Mind" session and open house by
Theatre Equipment and Supply Manu-
facturers Association and Theatre
Equipment Dealers Association.

Closed Session Tuesday

On Tuesday, a session on film prob-
lems open to exhibitors only will be
held. After the luncheon, there will
be an open discussion, while the ladies
will be invited to a tea and fur show
and art exhibit at the Hotel Ambas-
sador East.

There will be a drive-in theatre
forum on Wednesday, in addition to
a theatre equipment and new processes
forum. At night there will be a sup-
per and square dance. For the ladies,
a matinee of "Wonderful Town" will
be featured.

President's Banquet Thursday

On Thursday, the concessions forum
will be highlighted and in the evening
the president's banquet will be held,
For the ladies on the same day there
will be a breakfast at the Hotel Sher-
man and the "Welcome Travelers
Show."

Adv. Code

{Continued from page 1)

at a meeting two weeks ago, 12 of the
houses were exonerated.

Motion picture theatremen through-
out the city were against McC^rey's
proposed guide for exterior advertis-
ing for theatre lobby displays and
marquee advertising, feeling that "the
vast majority of houses were self-
regulating in exterior advertising."
However, it was learned that the City
Corporation Counsel's office has ad-
vised McCaffrey that there is no legal
authority at this time for any action
on censorship of a theatre's advertis-
ing.

A staff representative of the Cor-
poration Counsel's office revealed that
under Section 1141 A of the Penal Code,
police authority may be exercised upon
any house found to be using improper
advertising.

Gordon Critical

{Continued from page 1)

TV, said that McDonald must know
that the creation of subscription would
give a monopoly to the current seven
channels. He asserted that McDonald
should be aware of the fact that to
cripple any other means of public
communication for the benefit of a
few could result in the few controlling
all outlets.

The granting of any given time to
one station for toll TV would only
be a wedge by which all TV stations
could "get into the act," Gordon said.
If the venture proved to be profitable,
it could eliminate the "air for free
TV," he added. In time, all good pro-
grams w^ould be limited to subscrip-
tion television, Gordon asserted.

TWO IMPORTANT
PICTURES AVAILABLE
FOR THE HOLIDAY

BOTH POWERFULLY
PRE-SOLD BY
SPECTACU LAR COLOR -

ADS IN NATIONAL

l^^i^^^JliAkiZil INI l^n^^ 1 1

More than

90 MILLION
PEOPLE

will see the

pre-seiimg
ad campaign
which includes
DOUBLE TRUCK
FULL PAGE
on

L COLOR
ads on the
pages of:

This Week

MAGAZINE

JEFF CHANDLER • JACK PALANO

with

JEFF MORROW. GEORGE DOLENZ • EDUARD FRANZ -ALEXANDER SCOUl

iriLA STOOD A WARRIOR'S MIGHT AND A PEOPLE'S FAITH!

LUDMILU TCHERINA • RITA GAM —

:ted by DOUGLAS SIRK- Screenplay by OSCAR BRODNEYand BARREIYN DON- Story by Oscar Brodney -Produced by ALBERT J. COHEN

The wonderful story of Three sailors on leave...

Three girls in love
Five little orphans
in trouble!

TONY CURTIS • GLORIA DeHAVEN
GENE NELSON • CORINNE CALVET • PAUL GILBERT

„h MARA CORDAY -"MISS UNIVERSE OF 1954" CHRISTIANE MARTEL -"MISS U.S.A. OF 1954" MYRNA HANSEN

Directed by RICHARD QUINE • Screenplay by CHARLES HOFFMAN • Produced by ALBERT J. COHEN

The impressive campaign of color ads on the pages of 20 LEADING NATIONAL
PUBLICATIONS will pre-sell the readers of LIFE... LOOK... AMERICAN WEEKLY
PARADE . . .THIS WEEK . . . SEVENTEEN . . . REDBOOK . . . COSMOPOLITAN . . . FAMILY
CIRCLE... WOMAN'S DAY. . .WOMAN'S HOME COMPANION... HIT PARADER
CORONET... SONG HITS. ..PHOTOPLAY.. .FILMLAND. ..SCREEN STARS...
MOVIE LIFE...MOVIE STARS PARADE...WEEK-END PICTURE MAGAZINE (Canadq)

Again in 1954....

The Motion Picture Industry lias scheduled

more advertising in LOOK
than in any other major magazine

Take Universal-International, for example. Its 1954 schedule in LOOK consists of 10 pages,
culminating in a big four-color spread on its top holiday attraction

"SIGN OF THE PAGAN"

ADVERTISED IN THE DEC. 28 ISSUE, ON SALE DEC. 14

Why, year after year, have the motion picture industry's leading advertisers made such
extensive use of this magazine? Why has Universal-International scheduled more adver-
tising in LOOK during 1954 than in any other major magazine?

The answers are simple: •

# LOOK reaches one of the largest magazine audiences ever assem-
bled—20,650,000 movie prospects every issue.

• 73.7% of these LOOK readers are in the top movie-going age
group (under 45).

# LOOK pre-sells the movies through constant and exciting coverage
of the Hollywood scene, devoting an average of almost five pages
an issue to the latest releases and to warm, authoritative stories
about screen people.

• look's editorial approach to the movies is a positive, constructive
one. LOOK presents the pictures its editors feel will appeal to
look's huge family audience.

It is for these reasons that Universal relies on look to build the tremendous box-office
potential today's high-cost productions require. And these are the reasons why Universal
has already made plans to employ the selling power of look in 1955... starting with a
colorful ad in the January 11 issue (on sale Dec. 28) featuring

"SO THIS IS PARIS"

For real box-office all year 'round, book the pre-sold films you see advertised in look.

Movies' Greatest Salesman

OTHER HOLIDAY BOX-OFFICE

ATTRACTIONS BEING

ADVERTISED

IN LOOK:

"Deep In My Heart"

(MGM)

Nov. 30 (on

sale Nov. 16)

"Jupiter's Darling"

(MGM)

Dec. 28 (on

sale Dec. 14)

"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea"

(Walt Disney)

Nov. 16 (on

sale Nov. 2)

Dec. 28 (on

sale Dec. 14)

Motion Picture Daily

Friday, October 22, 1954

^-E-W-S...

like the wind, it keeps
changing — like the wind,
it affects the course
you steer . . .

Keeping abreast of the trade news is
a daily "must" for the alert-minded,
active members of this industry. They
are the men and women who are con-
scious of the fact that events of today
shape the course to steer for tomorrow.
They keep constantly informed about
what goes on, and why. They know
the news while it IS news!

To obtain and bring that news to you
promptly Motion Picture Daily has
the advantage of the largest national
and international news-gathering organ-
ization in the industry — and the per-
sonnel with the know-how to sift and
evaluate realistically.

Atop the front page each day, adjoining
the name-plate of the paper, is the
assurance that you have before you
"All The News That Is News . . . Concise
And To The Point." We are mindful
of the value of your business-day read-
ing time.

Every issue of Motion Picture Daily
is edited as though our reputation
depends on it. As a matter of fact,
we consider that it does.

Researcher Honored
At RETMA Meeting

SYRACUSE, N. Y., Oct. 21.— A
citation presented to Artliur V.
Loughren, vice-president in charge of
research of the Hazeltine Corp., fea-
tured the three-day meeting held here
by the Radio-Electronics-Television
Manufacturers Association. The meet-
ing, held at the Hotel Syracuse,
marked the 26th anniversary of the
annual sessions.

The award, which honored Lough-
ren's contributions to color television
circuitry, was presented by Dr. W. R.
G. Baker, vice-president of the Gen-
eral Electric Co. and general manager
of the Electronics Division, who re-
ceived the association's first award in
1941 for his work in the development
of black-and-white television stand-
ards. Dr. Baker also is the director
of the RETMA engineering depart-
ment.

Later award winners included Fred-
erick S. Barton, chief scientific ofiicer
and principal director of electronic
research and development for Great
Britain ; Dr. Lee A. DuBridge, for-
merly in the radiation laboratory at
Massachusetts Institute of Techno-
logy ; Dr. William Litell Evcritt, dean
of the College of Engineering at the
University of Illinois ; Dr. E. W.
Engstrom, vice-president in charge of
the RCA Laboratories, and Mrs.
Martha E. Kinzie of Syracuse, secre-
tary to Dr. Baker, who was honored
for her work as secretary of the
National Television System Commit-
tee.

Peggy Ann on Air

publicity for 20 th Century-Fox's
"Black Widow" in CinemaScope will
be gained during the next week by
a series of appearances by Peggy Ann
Garner on TV and radio and press
interviews, Miss Garner, will guest
on Ed Sullivan's CBS-TV "Toast of
the Town" this Sunday, following
early next week with appearances on
Dave Garroway's "Today," NBC-TV,
The Stork Club, ABC-TV, and Steve
Allen's "Tonight," NBC-TV.

'No Speakers '

{Continued from page 1)

and individual stars will perform in
the acts for which they are noted.

Record attendance is expected at the
dinner as a result of the intensive
membership drive announced earlier
by Jack Cohn, president of the Motion
Picture Pioneers and the Foundation
of Motion Picture Pioneers. Cohn em-
phasized that all men with 25 years or
more in production, distribution, ex-
hibition or laboratory are eligible for
membership and that only members
can purchase tickets to the 16th an-
nual showmanship dinner.

In addition to the fraternity of fel-
low veterans of the industry, mem-
bership in the organization of¥ers the
opportunity to become a part of the
great but unpublicized humanitarian
work of the Pioneers, Cohn said.

Houser Here

{Continued from page 1)

sion of the internationally famous
fairy tale.

Houser will headcjuarter at the
RKO home office during the two
weeks he will be in New York.

Lieber has also assigned Houser to
work on the New York campaign for
RKO's "The Big Rainbow," which
opens on Christmas Day at the May-
fair Theatre. The Jane Russell Tech-
nicolor film is the first to be released
for Superscope.

"Hansel and Gretel" was filmed in
Technicolor using a cast of Kinemins,
electrically-magnetic dolls which are
controlled by buttons on a master
electronic board.

/. /. Theatres Get
Burnside Here

The Loew's Burnside in the Bronx,
recently shuttered, has been leased to
J. J. Theatres, Inc., which will reopen
the theatre today.

The Burnside was one of the thea-
tres which Loew's had to dispose of
under terms of its consent decree.

Taris/ Tagan' Promotion

{Continued from page 1)

Pictures' vice-president and general
sales manager.

"Sign of the Pagan," said to be
the most costly negative produced on
the U-I lot to date, is the story of
Attila the Hun whose barbarian
hordes threatened to overrun Europe
in the days of Christian Rome's glory.
In CinemaScope and Technicolor, it
stars Jeff Chandler, Jack Balance,
Ludmilla Tcherina and Rita Gam.

"So This Is Paris" is a Technicolor
musical starring Tony Curtis, Gloria
deHaven, Gene Nelson, Corinne Cal-
vet and Paul Gilbert — the story of
three gobs on leave in Paris, inter-
spersed with romance and nine musi-
cal numbers, Feldman said.

Universal's sales organization, ac-
cording to Feldman, has embarked
upon an all-out drive to book "Sign
of the Pagan" for Christmas and "So
This Is Paris" starting with New
Year's Eve dates. Prints of both pic-
tures have been rushed into all ex-
change cities for special exhibitor
showings, he reported.

David A. Lipton, Universal vice-
president, recently announced that a
record national magazine advertising

budget has been allotted for the pre-
selling of these two pictures.

In announcing the holiday release of
"Sign of the Pagan" and "So This
Is Paris," Feldman said that the na-
tional magazine ads on the former
would be seen by more than 90,000,000
people with double truck, full page
and full color ads scheduled to break
in "Life," "Look," "This Week,"
"Parade," "Modern Screen," "Screen
Stories," "Motion Picture," "Movie-
land" and "Week-End Picture Maga-
zine" of Canada. The promotional
campaign is also scheduled to take
full advantage of touring personalities
in the manner of the launching of
"The Glenn Miller Story."

The "So This Is Paris" ads are
scheduled to appear in 20 leading pub-
lications including "Life," "Look,"
"American Weekly," "Parade," "This
Week," "Seventeen," "Redbook,"
"Cosmopolitan," "Family Circle,"
"Woman's Day," "Woman's Home
Companion," "Hit Parader," "Coro-
net," "Song Hits," "Photoplay,"
"Filmland," "Screen Stars," "Movie
Life," "Movie Stars Parade" and
"Week-End Picture Magazine."

Friday, October 22, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

National
Pre-Selling

A mighty novel
of pagan and Christian
in the terror-ridden dryr
of Attila the Hun!

Sign of

THE

Pagan

A noni by BOGEB HtLLEB U

Book campaign precedes
motion picture campaign

IN a carefully timed arrangement be-
tween Dial Press, publisher of
"Sign of the Pagan," and Universal,
producer of the motion picture, a cam-
paign in the book sections of metro-
politan newspapers will be followed by
a national magazine campaign for the
motion picture.

The book campaign commenced with
powerful full-page ads in New York
"Times" Sunday book section (which
carried the ad reproduced above) and
in Chicago Tribune, San Francisco
Chrcnicle and Los Angeles Times.
Advance sale to book stores was 10,-
000 copies.

Prior to Universal's Christmas re-
lease of "Sign of the Pagan," the
national magazine campaign will be
launched with ads in full color : Two-
page spread in Look, full page in Life,
and full-color ads also in Parade and
This Week, plus the fan magazines.

U-I's national magazine
expenditure $750,000 for 1954

Universal's total expenditure for
advertising in national magazines
for the year of 1954 will reach a
record figure of $750,000. This will
be more than double the amount of
U-I's figure for the previous year.
It includes the campaigns for "Ben-
gal Brigade," "So This is Paris,"
and "Sign of the Pagan" which will
account for $281,000 in more than
20 national publications.

Additionally, U-I has almost
doubled its advertising expenditure
in TV and radio and has stepped
up various forms of promotion and
exploitation. All of which certainly
adds up to national Pre-selling, with
a capital "P."

•

Parade, the Sunday supplement in
47 metropolitan newspapers, will de-
vote the front cover of its Oct. 24
issue to a full-color portrait of Marlon
Brando as Napoleon, with a story in
the issue. This is the role played by
Brando in the forthcoming 20th-Fox
picture "Desiree."

The front cover of Redbook's No-
vember issue is devoted to Grace Kelly,
labeled as "Hollywood's most sought-
after actress."

Ed Miller of "Seventeen" reviews :
"Bridgadoon," "White Christmas,"
"High and Dry" and "Little Kidnap-
pers" in the November issue.

WALTER HAAS

Para. Offering Radio
TV White' Material

Paramount is making available to
exhibitors special television and radio
promotion material on Irving Berlin's
"White Christnms," as part of the
company's advertising - publicity - ex-
ploitation campaign for the first mo-
tion picture in VistaVision.

This material includes a free TV
sound film clip featuring Bing Crosby
and Rosemary Clooney in one of the
dramatic scenes. The clip is designed
for local TV shows that feature com-
mentators, reviewers, "xA.round-the-
Town" newscasters, women's pro-
grams, etc.

A two-sided recorded interview with
Rosemary Clooney, each side being a
complete IS-minute radio program
with music, also is provided. The
platter too is available without charge.

"Live" radio spot announcements of
20, 35 and SO words also are being
offered to the exhibitors, as are sug-
gestions for making arrangements with
disc jockeys.

Legion Reviews 18;
One in 'C; 8 'B/ 9 'A'

One film out of 18 pictures reviewed
in the latest listing of the National
Legion of Decency is placed in Class
C, eight are rated as "B" and nine as
"A."

The picture in Class C is "Garden
of Eden."

The eight films in Class B are
"Adventures of Hajji Baba," "The
Barefoot Contessa," "Carmen Jones,"
"Jesse James' Women," "Phffft," "So
This Is Paris," "Tarzan, the Ape
Man" and "This Is My Love."

In Class A, Section 2 are "Bam-
boo Prisoner," "Beau Brummell,"
"Crossed Swords," "Fire Over Af-
rica," "Sign of the Pagan" and "Un-
chained."

The remaining three pictures, all
in Class A, Section 1, are "Quest for
a Lost City," "Roogie's Bump" and
"The Yellow Mountain."

Name Carlson A A
Portland Manager

PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 21.— Rich-
ard C. Carlson, who has been acting
manager of the Allied Artists' ex-
change here since the transfer some
m.onths ago of Jack R. Felix to the
Denver branch, has been named man-
ager of the exchange, it was announced
by Harold Wirthwein, Western divi-
sion sales manager.

Lindsley to Head
TNT Unit Sales

Fanshaw Lindsley has been ap-
pointed general sales manager of
TNT Tele-Sessions, the business and
industrial division of Theatre Network
Television, Inc., it was announced by
Nathan L. Halpern, president. For
the past 13 years, he was associated
with Time, Inc., as an advertising
executive on "Fortune Magazine."

Lindsley will institute sales and pro-
motion program to acquaint agencies
and corporations with what he terms
"a tremendously persuasive new and
dynamic element in large-scale private
business communication." Organized
five years ago, TNT and Tele-Ses-
sions are said to produce over 90 per
cent of all large screen closed-circuit
business, entertainment and sports
telecast.

Loew's-UATC Split
Six Joint Theatres

Three theatres each were received
by Loew's Theatres and United Art-
ists Theatre Circuit in a split-up of
the six Loew's-UATC jointly owned
houses in five cities under an agree-
ment between the two circuits, reached
recently.

The agreement, representing the
culmination, of protracted negotiations,
was necessitated by the terms of the
Loew's consent decree.

Under the terms of the deal, it was
stated, that UATC acquired Loew's
State, Los Angeles ; the Penn, Pitts-
burgh and the State, Louisville.
Loew's acquired the Century, Balti-
more, and Broad and Ohio, Colum-
bus, O.

All six houses had been Loew's
operated.

Lorher Named P.R.
Head of Chromatic

Norman Lorber has been appointed
director of public relations of Chro-
matic Television Laboratories. The
company, which has developed the
one-gun Lawrence color television pic-
ture tube, is a subsidiary of Para-
mount Pictures Corp.

Lorber, a former member of the
news staff of The New York "Times,"
has most recently been television edi-
tor of "Tide Magazine." He had pre-
viously been assistant public relations
director of television station WPIX
here. Lorber replaces Sol Sanders,
who recently resigned to take a posi-
tion at McGraw-Hill.

PROPOSED HARTFORD DRIVE-IN
SAID TO BE WORLD'S LARGEST

HARTFORD, Oct. 21.— A half-million-dollar drive-in theatre project, with
car capacity at 2,010, will be built on a newly acquired 2S-acre tract of land
adjacent to the Veterans Highway in the North Meadows of Hartford by
A. J. Bronstein, principal backer of
the East Hartford Family Drive-in
Theatre Corp., South Windsor, Conn.,
and associates.

Application Filed

Bronstein has filed application with
State Police Commissioner John C.
Kelly for authority to proceed with
construction of the venture, said to be
largest outdoor theatre in the v.'orld.
A Westbury, L. I., theatre, with ca-
pacity for 1,900 cars, currently claims
the latter distinction.

The screen will measure 140 feet by

65 feet, thus far surpassing current
facilities anywhere in the industry, ac-
cording to attorney Bernard E. Fran-
cis, counsel for the Bronstein interests.
An April 1, 1955, opening is planned,
with Bronstein negotiating for first-
run product.

"Unique features will include a mod-
ernistic, six-lane cafeteria building,
swimming and v\'ading pools — first of
their kind in an eastern drive-in thea-
tre— and extensive playground facili-
ties, situated in tv^'o sections," Bron-
stein said.

the

Sunday Picture Magazine

will carry the ball for,
not one, but two great
new Holiday Hits by

in DECEMBER
Sign Of The Pagan

in CinemaScope and Technicolor
to be advertised in color
in Parade, Dec. 19 issue

So This Is Paris

in Technicolor
to be advertised in color
in Parade, Dec. 26 issue

Parade will carry the news of
these two big attractions to
more than 14,000,000 readers
of Sunday newspapers in 47
key situations and surround-
ing areas Parade has what

it takes to pull these people
into the box office, and
Universal - International knows
it.

ii\J

m sure your mother wouldn't object-
after all, it's a COMPANION-approved movie!"

Early or late — in large or small theaters, CoMPANiON-approved movies offer the hest in entertainment for the whole family.
Over 4 million women see the Companion's movie reviews and are guided hy them.

Theater owners, too, know that CoMPANlON-approval means a hig "plus" in their hox office take.

So, with paying customers and theater men hehind the Companion,
Hollywood movie people do what comes naturally— keep right on
spending more money in the Companion than in any other monthly
magazine— just as they've done for the past seven years.

Currently advertised
in the COMPANION

A Star is Born Warner Bros.

The Last Time I Saw Paris MGM

Beau Brummel MGM

^Exceptf of course^ the fan magazines.

THE CROWELL- COLLIER PUBLISHING COMPANY, 640 FIFTH AVE., NEW YORK 19, N.Y. -

PUBLISHERS OF WOMAN'S HOME COMPANION, COLLIER'S, THE AMERICAN MAGAZINE

All

The News

That
Is News

MOTION PICTURE

VOL. 76. NO. 80

NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, OCTOBER 25. 1954

TEN CENTS

Cite ^Danger^

Drop Proposal
For Exterior
Ad Code Here

2 Times Square Houses
To Give Full Cooperation

The voluntary code for exterior ad-
vertising went "phffft" when New
York City exhibitors and License
Commissioner Edward T. McCaffrey,
along with religious, civic, and busi-
ness leaders rejected the suggested
plan as a dangerous form of censor-
ship which may appear to be harmless
now but, in the future, may be danger-
ous.

Meeting at the weekend in the Li-
cense Commissioner's offices, the group
received a pledge from two theatres,
(Continued on page 3)

Show Superscope in
Paris; Rome Next

PARIS, Oct. 24.— Walter Branson,
RKO's world-wide sales manager, and
Joseph Tushinsky, co-inventor of Su-
perscope, left here over the weekend
for Rome, where they will hold the
second European demonstration of the
new wide-screen process on Tuesday
at the Capitol Theatre.

Following the demonstration in
{Continued on page 3)

MGM Set for
^Workshop'

M-G-M has enlisted two exhibitors
to lead off its "Ticket Selling Work-
shop," Oct. 28 at the William Penn
Hotel in Pittsburgh, according to
Mike Simons, director of customer
relations, who will conduct the Work-
shops in line with the recent announce-
ment by vice-presidents Charles M.
Reagan and Howard Dietz.

Sparking oft" the inaugural discus-
sions will be Irving Clumb, manager
of the Riverside Theatre, Milwaukee,
and Herbert I. Brown, operator of the
Victoria, Greenfield, Mass. Clumb's
assist for the maiden session was ob-
tained by arrangement with James E.
Coston, head of Standard Theatres
Management in the Midwest. Clumb
and Brown will appear in the roles of
(Continued on page 4)

Move for Censorship
By Canada Catholics

TORONTO, Oct. 24.— The Catho-
lic Women's League has announced
a new campaign through its many
parish organizations in Canada for
tightened censorship of moving pic-
tures at theatres and increased control
of television and radio programs in all
the provinces. Chief objection was
taken, it was stated here, to the type
of films for TV programs which were
viewed in many homes as well as
occasional profanity on the CBC net-
work.

A protest was made regarding the
moral tone of some theatre films from
Europe in recent months. "

Lantz' Sentiment

Warns Present Rentals May
Cut Length of Shorts

By LESTER DINOFF

Unless U. S. exhibitors allow distribution companies to increase rental
terms for animated cartoons and short subjects, the rising production
costs will tend to cut the running time of shorts, independent producer

Walter Lantz stated here at the week-

Switch ^Girl Rush'
From RKO to Para.

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 24. — Y.
Frank Freeman, vice-president in
charge of Paramount Studios, and
Frederick Brisson, in behalf of Floyd
B. Odium of Atlas Corp., who con-
trols Independent Artists Pictures,
Inc., have concluded a deal whereby
the $2,500,000 Technicolor musical-
(Continued on page 4)

end.

Recently returned from a 4,000-mile,
two-months automobile tour of the
Continent where he met with theatre-
men in large and small towns, Lantz,
who is marking his 25th year as a
cartoon producer for Universal Pic-
tures, declared that "since 1941 salary
costs for animators have almost
doubled, causing a boost in production
costs from $15,000 to about $30,000
for a six-minute cartoon."

Speaking at a trade press luncheon,
(Continued on page 3)

SKOURAS' DEATH
SHOCKS INDUSTRY

Charles Skouras

Leaders' Tributes
To Charles Skouras

Nicholas M. Schenck, President of
Loew's: "I deeply mourn the loss of nny
friend Charles Skouras, who was a great
figure in our industry."

Charles M. Reagan, vice-president,
sales manager Loew's: "The passing of
Charlie Skouras takes from our midst a
valued friend who occupied a particular
place in my affections. This is a personal
loss. He was a man who truly repre-
sented the pioneering spirit in our busi-
ness and our country."

Walter Reade, Jr., president of The-
atre Owners of America: "We of TOA
have lost a great and true friend — a
founder and always a leader of this as-
sociation and of the motion picture in-
dustry, but also the nation has lost a
man of world-wide reputation for his
philanthropic and civic endeavors to ad-
vance the cause of the American way
and to aid the underprivileged at home
and abroad. His loss shall be mourned,
but the basic tenet of his humanitarian
philosophy of life shall always be his
heritage."

Eric A. Johnston, president of the Mo-
tion Picture Association of America:
"The passing of Charlie Skouras is a
grievous loss, hie was one of the truly
great men of our industry. He loved it
and he contributed mightily to its
growth and to its high achievements.
He stood for the good things in motion
pictures and .what he stoo J for and
fought for will always serve as a living
guidepost."

Leonard Goldenson, president of Amer-
ican Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres:
"The motion picture ind.ustry and the
business suffered today a very great loss
(^Continued on page 5)

National Theatres' Head
Succumbs to Attack;
First Stricken Sunday

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 24. — The
in-oduction community where he made
: his headquarters, and leaders of ex-
i hibition and distribution throughout
the land were shocked and saddened
by the death at Cedars of Lebanon
Hospital here on Friday of Charles
P. Skouras, 65, president of National
Theatres Corp.

Brother of Spyros Skouras, presi-
dent of 2Gth Century-Fox, and of
George Skouras, president of United
Artists Theatre Circuit, Charles suc-
cumbed at 1 1 :20 A.M. Friday, five
days after having been stricken with
another in a series of heart attacks
which had plagued him over the past
few years. At the bedside when the end
came were his wife, Florence, his son,
Charles, Jr., two daughters, Mrs!
Margi Cluri and Mrs. Edith Jung-
meyer, and his brother George.

Services vi^ill be held at St.
Sophia Greek CathoHc Cathe-
dral here, with interment to
follow in the Skouras family
mausoleum adjoining the edi-
fice.

The seriousness of the attack he
suffered last Sunday was evidenced by
the fact that his brothers Spyros and
George were summoned to his bed-
side from New York. He was placed
in an oxygen tent where he remained
throughout the week, despite his hav-
ing rallied sufficiently at midweek to
(Continued on page 4)

Mistrial in
Miami Case

MIAMI, Oct. 24. _ After seven-
hours of deliberation by a Federal
Court jury here on Friday a mistrial
was declared in the $9,450,000 treble
damage anti-trust suit brought against
six distributors by C. N. and Lillian
Claughton, operators of Claughton
Theatres.

The jury was deadlocked from the
third ballot with 11 for acquittal of
the defendants and one for Claughtons.

The trial before Federal Judge
George W. Whitehurst had consumed
six weeks. Indications are it will be
re-tried. Six major distributors were
defendants in the case, Loew's, RKO
Radio and Wometco Theatres having
been dismissed before trial.

Motion Picture Daily

Monday, October 25, 1954

Personal
Mention

Theatre Guild Is Consultant
To ABC Under New Pact

WILLIAM PERLBERG and
George Seaton, producers, and
William Holden will arrive in New
York today from . Hollywood.
•

John Hubley, supervising director
of "Finian's Rainbow," and Maurice
Binder, co-producer, v^'ill leave here
for the Coast tomorrow.

•

James George Minter, managing-
director of Renown Pictures Corp.,
Ltd., arrived here yesterday from Lon-
don via B.O.A.C. Monarch.

•

Mike Simons, M-G-M director of
customer relations, will leave here to-
night for Pittsburgh.

•

C. Robert Fine, president of Per-
specta Sound, will leave New York
today for Hollywood.

•

Joseph Kaufman and David Lo-
ries, producers, left here Saturday
for London via B.O.A.C. Monarch.
•

Nicholas Nayfack, producer, has
arrived in New York by plane from
the Coast.

•

YuL Brynner, who arrived in New
York yesterday from Hollywood, will
leave here today for Cairo, Egypt.
•

Robert Vogel, studio representative
for Loew's International, has arrived
here from the Coast.

•

Jean Simmons and Joan Green-
wood left here Saturday for England
via B.O.A.C.

•

Haddom Mason, of Film Rights
International, has arrived here from
England via B.O.A.C.

•

Kim Novak arrived in New York
last night from the Coast.

June Allyson is scheduled to ar-
rive here today from the Coast.

Use Korean Trailer
Coupon, Coyne Urges

Exhibitors wishing to participate in
the audience collection campaign for
the relief of the Korean people should
use the coupon in the drive press
book, it was declared by Robert W.
Coyne, COMPO special counsel.

The coupon is addressed to National
Screen Service, and if it is mailed by
exhibitors to their nearest National
Screen exchange, they will receive the
trailer in which President Eisenhower
appeals for funds, Coyne said.

Use of the trailer, Coyne added,_ is
of the utmost importance if the drive
is to be a complete success.

Mandell, Kranz on
Filmakers Board

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 24.— Harry
Mandell, Filmakers vice-president and
general sales manager, and Charles
Kranz, distribution-production execu-
tive, have been named to the board
of Filmakers Releasing Organization.

The American Broadcasting Co. has
signed an exclusive, long-term agree-
ment with the Theatre Guild in which
the producing organization will act as
consultant with ABC in the further
development of programs and talent
for the ABC Radio and TV networks,
effective Thursday, it was announced
jointly Friday in a statement by
Robert E. Kintner, president of the
American Broadcasting Company ana
Lawrence Langner, president of the
Theatre Guild.

"ABC's new association with the
Theatre Guild, we are certain, will
result in further significant contribu-
tions to ABC's expanding schedule
of outstanding programs," Kintner
said.

Langner Enthusiastic

Mr. Lawrence Langner of the
Theatre Guild said :

"We are happy to extend and ex-
pand our Television and Radio activi-
ties with ABC. The dynamic effect of
Television on the public and the en-
tertainment world in general, has lead
us to believe that we can help the
theatre and other media by intelligent
collaboration of the best talents from
all these. Our experience with the

Times Square to Be
Crimson for Jones

The Broadway area is slated to be
aglow in crimson Thursday night,
when the switches are flicked on a
battery of special searchlights to mark
the New York premiere of "Carmen
Jones" in CinemaScope at the Rivoli
Theatre.

An intensive search throughout the
metropolitan area was necessary in
order to bring to light powerful arc
lamps of an intensity and design
adaptable to the projection of crimson
of high candle power, Fox said. The
film company has secured exclusive
rights to the initial unveiling of the
illumination setup.

Airports, police stations, and fire
stations will be alerted to avoid any
unnecessary alarm over the hue which
will tinge the skies over Times Square.

Wife of N. Oakley
Of DuPont, Dies

Funeral services were held for Mrs.
Sophie Oakley, wife of Norman Oak-
ley, motion picture sales manager for
DuPont films department, yesterday at
the Oakley home in Asbury Park,
N. J. Interment was in Keyport, N. J.
She died Friday morning at the age
of 56.

'Paris' to Hartford

HARTFORD, Oct. 24— Ernie Em-
erling of Loew's Theatres, New York,
wired local newspaper amusement
editors that "The Last Time I Saw
Paris" would be the Thanksgiving
Day attraction at Loew's Poli here.
News was given a four-column spread
by Allen M. Widem, Hartford Times.

United States Steel Corporation as its
producer of their past Radio and
present TV shows has been so pro-
ductive that we are stimulated by the
challenge of the further activities in
television and radio which this new
arrangement includes. This will in
no way affect our productions of thea-
tre plays and the U. S. STEEL
HOUR which will always receive our
devoted attention."

Handles Drama and Music

The Theatre Guild was founded in
the year 1919 and has presented nearly
200 plays in the American theatre, and
has produced the works of outstanding
dramatists of this period including
Shaw and Eugene O'Neil. The or-
ganization has been equally at home
in dramatic plays and musicals, having
produced in the past the original
"Porgy and Bess," "Oklahoma," "Car-
ousel" and "The Garricks Gayeties."

The Theatre Giuld, in conjunction
with the American Theatre Society
has also established a theatre subscrip-
tion system in the leading cities of the
United States.

Its directors are Theresa Helburn,
Lawrence Langner and Armina Mar-
shall.

Macdonald Again
Heads Warner Club

At the annual meeting of the dele-
gates of the Warner Club, Inc., Karl
G. Macdonald, vice-president of War-
ner International, was re-elected presi-
dent of the club.

Other officers elected at the meet-
ing are Larry Leshansky, vice-presi-
dent in charge of membership ; Ruth
Weisberg, vice-president in charge of
welfare ; Don Cherry, vice-president
in charge of claims ; Harry Mayer,
vice-president in charge of social ac-
tivities ; Barry O'Connor, treasurer,
and George Schiffer, secretary.

Canada Drive-in, WB
Aid Hurricane Relief

TORONTO, Oct. 24.— The first
theatre to come to the aid of flood
and hurricane sufferers in the Toronto
area, where 89 lives were lost in the
disaster, was the Clappison Drive-In
at Waterdown, Ont. Total receipts
from a benefit night were turned over
to the Ontario Hurricane Relief Fimd.

Warner Brothers donated the fea-
ture "Captain Horatio Hornblower"
for the show, with all Clappison em-
ployes including projectionists contri-
buting their services.

Judy in TV Series

Judy Garland has postponed her re-
turn to Los Angeles for a week or
10 days to be in New York with her
husband, producer Sidney Luft, while
he is conferring on plans for a TV
series to be made in 1955. Miss Gar-
land would appear in some of the TV
presentations, following birth of her
baby next April.

RCA 9-Months'
Sales Earnings
At Record High

Sales of products and services of
Radio Corp. of America and subsidia-
ries attained an all-time record vol-
ume of $660,345,000 in the first nine
months of 1954, Brig. General David
Sarnoff, chairman of the board, an-
nounced at the weekend. This volume
is 8.4 per cent higher than the same
period in 1953. Corresponding figures
for the first nine months of 1953
amounted to $609,428,000.

Earnings for the first nine months
of 1954. before Federal income taxes,
were $56,423,000, compared with $53,-
651,000 for the corresponding period
of 1953.

After Federal income taxes, RCA
net profits were $27,557,000 for the
first nine months of 1954, compared
with $25,152,000 for the corresponding
period in 1953, an increase of 9.6 per
cent.

Dividends Lower

After payment of preferred divi-
dends, net earnings applicable to the
common stock for the first nine months
of 1954 were $1.00 per share, compared
with $1.62 per share in the same
period of 1953.

During the third quarter of 1954,
RCA sales of products and services
also achieved record volume, reaching
a total of $215,976,000 for this period.
Earnings before Federal income taxes
were $16,820,000, compared with $14,-
842,000 for the same quarter of 1953.
Net profit after Federal taxes for this
quarter was $8,289,000, compared with
$6,967,000 for the same quarter last
year — an increase of $1,322,000 or 19
per cent for the three month period.

Feldman, Brother
of Mrs. Schine, Dies

GLOVERSVILLE, N. Y., Oct. 24.
— Services were held here for Milton
Feldman, 47, brother of Mrs. J. Meyer
Schine and victim of a heart attack
the previous day while driving an
automobile near his residence. Rabbi
Samuel Shafler officiated, burial being
in the Gloversville Jewish Cemetery.

Feldman, who had many friends in
the industry, owned a furniture store
in neighboring Johnstown, but lived
in Gloversville for the past nine years.

In addition to Mrs. Schine, wife of
the president of Schine Chain Thea-
tres and Schine Hotels, Feldman is
survived by his wife, a daughter, and
two brothers.

Name Al Cohan 'U'
Magazine Contact

Al Cohan has been named national
magazine contact in the Eastern adver-
tising and publicity department of
LTniversal Pictures to work under
Philip Gerard, Eastern publicity man-
ager, replacing Lowell Benedict who
has resigned, it was announced by
Charles Simonelli, Eastern advertising
and publicity department manager.

Cohan has been associated with
Universal's publicity, department since
last October. Before that he was pro-
motion manager of the American
Broadcasting Co.'s New York Station
WJZ, now WABC.

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke,
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FX 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Ejitered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

Monday, October 25, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Hnlly wnDd

Bu Samuel D. Berns——

INCIDENTALLY: 20th asked to add "Seven Year Itch" to
"Seven Brides . . ." "Seven Little Foys" and Nat Holt's "Seven
Bad Men" for a lucky season of titles. . . . Mervyn Leroy is still
grinning about the Series. Took 20 to 1 Giants would cop the first
four. . . . Bob Kronenberg has De RochemO'Nt's "Martin Luther" ■
for fringe distribution in the L. A. area. . . . Search is on for a Mary
Magdalene to play opposite Jeff Chandler in "The Galileans." . . .
Bruce "Lucky" Humberstone squeezed in a megging assignment on
"Purple Mask" at U-I before taking that participation deal with
Marcel Hellman in England. . . . No release set on Kling''s first
of 3 films, "Miracle at Santa Anita," but the studio is off to the races
with Stanley Kramer's current schedule on "Not As A Stranger."
. . . Governor Al Shivers of Texas will probably make Bob O'Don-
nell his agent after seeing the rushes on his part in "Lucky Gallant."

Producer-Scope : William Goetz got Cath
tile femme lead opposite Jimmy Stewart in ,
"Man From Laramie." The picture is off and
rolling on location at Santa Fe, N. M., with
Jiiiiiuy's favorite director, Anthony Mann
calling the shots. Goets signed Seton I.
Miller to script "Captain Gallico" for Clark
Gable and Technicolor. . . . The former U-I
executive has also borrowed Bob Parrish
from Columbia to meg the "Brothers Ricco"
zvlien "Man From Laramie" is canned. . . .
Joe Pasternak and Miklos Rozsa put their
z'oices on tape for Radio Free Europe so
Hungarians behind the Iron Curtain can get
messages via Municli Radio.

y O 'Don NELL for

William Goetz

Memo Padder: Japanese film agreement due for renewal
in March. . . . New method of projecting Vista Vision gives
screen that 20/20 look. . . . New writer's guild has 146 nominees
running for 73 offices. Got to be politican to get into the
Guild?

People

Frank O. Pinyons : Fred Schwartz claims TV screens at home
are building audiences for theatre's big screens. After catching some
of those "old film" programs we don't doubt it. . . . There ought to
be a Code of Screening Ethics with penalties for those who enioy
talking back to the screen; showing a comedy in the projection
room; regular sneak previews at the same theatres; and sneak pre-
views within a 25-mile radius of the studio where production and
family personnel come to applaud their favored screen credits and
mislead the producers with hoky comment cards. . . . Sterling Hay-
den is on the crest with the title role in Republic's "Admiral Hoskin's
Story."

Lantz Says

{Continued from page 1)

Laiitz stated that in 1941, an animator
was earning about $80 per week, but
now is scaled at $147 per week. "It
now takes 60 people working for four
weeks, 40 hours each week, to turn
out one six-minute cartoon," the in-
dustry veteran said. "Before a car-
toon producer can show a profit on
the books, he has to wait at least four
years before his negative costs are
returned from about 15,000 bookings
of the cartoon," he said.

"We are not getting a fair shake
from the theatres," he said. In con-
trast, Lantz said, "European theatre-
men, who exploit short subjects more
than their U. S. counterparts, turn
over a small percentage of their thea-
tre's gross to short subjects."

Plans 13 for Universal

During the next year, Lantz re-
vealed a production plan of 13 ani-
mated cartoons for Universal which
will be available in wide-screen and
can be projected in CinemaScope as
each individual subject will be drawn
a little thinner, he explained. "It is
also .planned that less dialogue will be
used in the future cartoons by the
producers," he said.

Animated cartoons have the same
reaction and appeal to the European
public as they have with domestic
audiences, Lantz said. The theatreman
overseas considers the cartoon more
than just a filler, he said. "The U. S.
exhibitors should be more aggressive
in advertising their shorts," Lantz de-
clared.

Ad Code

{Continued from page 1)

in the Times Square area, which have
been brought in on "indecency and
immoral" complaints, for further co-
operation in self-regulating advertis-
ing in lobby displays and theatre
marquees.

Exhibitors in attendance rejected
any sort of exterior advertising code,
pointing out that "there is no need for
censorship as theatres are self-regulat-
ing in use of advertising."

McCaffrey, it was reported, stated
at the meeting that any statements
emerging from his office as to the
proposed exterior advertising code
were misinterpreted and it was his
intention just to suggest some form
of self-regulation.

Industry representatives in atten-
dance at the conference were Martin
Levine, Max A. Cohen, Harold Klein,
Herman Schwartz and Morton Sun-
shine.

\ Paris SuperScope

{Continued from page 1)

Paris at the Rex Theatre last week
! before more than 2,500 exhibitors and
1 leading personalities in the film indus-
\ try, RKO France accumulated a large
backlog of orders for the Superscope
lens which will be filled as soon as
importation arrangements are con-
cluded.

Among the Paris audience were the
heads of the three large French cir-
t cuits, Gaumont, Pathe and Sogec, and
exhibitors from as far off as French
Equatorial Africa.

The general reaction of exhibitors
was that the Superscope. lens is the
answer to their need for the stand-
ardization of wide-screen projection
with complete flexibility and compati-
bility, Branson said.

Bosustow to Head
UP A Sales Dept.

BURBANK, Oct. 24.— Stephen Bo-
sustow, president of UPA, animated
cartoon studio, announced that Fred
W. Swanson has been appointed di-
rector of sales of UPA's Burbank
studio.

As well as the company's sales rep-
resentative in the TV spot, educational
and industrial film fields, he will be in
charge of character merchandising.

Swanson was vice president of
Russel M. Seeds advertising agency
before coming to UPA.

Credit Group to Meet

The Motion Picture Industry Credit
Group, composed of film laboratories,
will hold its next monthly meeting
here tomorrow at the Park-Sheraton
Hotel.

RCA Service Pact
With B&K Circuit

_ CAMDEN, N. J., Oct. 24. — The
signing of a service and maintenance
pact with the Balaban & Katz Circuit
was announced by W. L. Jones, vice
president of the technical products de-
partment of RCA Service Co., Inc.

The contract covers all B&K thea-
tres in Illinois, Ind iana and Ohio and
includes service and parts on both
optical and stereophonic sound. The
negotiations were completed with
A. L. Trebow, representing B&K.

'Phffff Nov7l0~

"Phffft," Columbia comedy starring
Judy Holliday, Jack Lemmon, Jack
Carson and Kim Novak, will have
its world premiere engagement at
Loew's State Theatre here on Novem-
ber 10.

Ken Hamilton, New York sales-
man, won first place in the Manley
popcorn merchandising contest con-
ducted from the Boston office.
Hamilton and his wife will leave
Oct. 30 for a week's visit to San
Juan, P.R., where they will be the
guests of the Manley company at
the Caribe Hilton Hotel. Second
place went to John Stone, salesman
for Maine, New Hampshire, Ver-
mont and Eastern Massachusetts,
and third place went to" Irving
Dunn, selling in the Connecticut,
Rhode Island and New York City
territories. The contest was under
the supervision of division manager
Lyman O. Seley.

B. D. Benton, president of the
Benton Bros. Film Expiess, At-
lanta, was injured in a parade when,
the horse he was riding fell on him,
Benton was a member of the horse-
patrol of the Shriners.

Leo Lanz haS' returned to Seattle
from Las Vegas with the hope of
bringing some of the desert night
spot's top talent to Seattle.

Roy Rogers' telephone conversa-
tion with Kenneth Arruda, 10, of Fall
River, Mass., who was confined to
bed by burns suft'ered in his West-
port home fire, aided in his recov-
ery. Rogers' deed was the subject
of a lengthy article with illustrations
in the local press.

Elaine Kretchmar has been ap-
pointed office manager of Comics
Magazine Association of America,
Inc., here.

Robert W. Sarnoff, executive vice
president of the National Broadcast-
ing Co., will address the Advertis-
ing Club of Greater Buffalo at a
luncheon to be held at the Hotel
Statler tomorrow. Sarnoff will dis-
cuss "What's Happening in Color
TV," and the address will mark the
observance of "NBC-WGR Week"
proclaimed by the mayor of Buffalo.

Stephen Barber has resigned his
post with the Florida State The-
atres, which he held for 25 years, to
take over as manager of the Haines
City Theatre, in Haines City, Fla.,
a unit of the Floyd Theatres.

'HazeV Bogs Roads;
Canada Drive-in Shut

TORONTO. Oct. 24.— With much
of the immediate area laid waste by
Hurricane Hazel, the 400 Drive-in,
opened last July by 20th Century
Theatres, Toronto, on Super-Highway
400, was closed down for the season
this week. While the theatre was rot
damaged to any extent, portions of the
highway were washed out and the
authorities halted all traffic in the dis-
trict except for emergency work.

Two other drive-ins here of the Nat
Taylor circuit, the North-West and
North-East, continued to operate
without interruption.

Motion Picture Daily

Monday, October 25, 1954

Skouras Death Shocks Industry

^Workshop

{Continued from page 1)

big city and small town theatre repre-
sentatives, respectively. According to
Simons, both were selected primarily
because of their successful experiences
in all types of theatre operation.

Also scheduled to take a leading
role in the open forums will be Dale
F. Tysinger, manager of Shea's The-
atre in Ashtabula, O., and Fenton
Scribner, manager of Shea's Daniel
Webster Theatre at Nashua, N. H.
They will be among the 30 representa-
tives of the Shea organization to be
on hand for the Workshop meeting,
following a general business meeting
earlier in the week of the Shea cir-
cuit managers by Gerald M. Shea,
general manager of Jamestown
Amusement Co.

Silver to Attend

More than a dozen managers and
executives of the Stanley Warner
management in the Pittsburgh zone
will attend the M-G-M session, as
well as M. A. Silver, zone manager.
The Manos circuit and a number of
other independent groups have already
indicated their desire to be present.

Charles Blatt, president of the Al-
lied unit in western Pennsylvania, will
officially issue a formal welcome to
Allied members attending.

Emery Austin, M-G-M's exploita-
tion manager, will represent Dietz,
vice-president and director of publicity,
advertising and exploitation. He will
give a complete report on exhibitor
aides furnished by the company. This
report will be the result of the com-
bined efforts of Dietz, Silas F. Seadler,
advertising manager ; Dan S. Terrell,
publicity manager ; Oscar Doob, han-
dling special attractions ; with assists
from Howard Strickling, M-G-M stu-
dio publicity head ; and O. A. Kings-
.bury, vice-president of the Donahue
and Coe advertising agency in New
York. Aiding Austin in the Pittsburgh
presentation will be E. C. (Manny)
Pearson, central division press repre-
sentative for M-G-M with headquar-
ters at Cleveland, .and John L. John,
Pittsburgh field press representative.

Seminar on Newspaper Ads

Heading a seminar on newspaper
advertising of films will be Edward
M. Hyde, chairman elect for 1955 of
the Advertising Committee of Penn-
sylvania Newspaper Publishers Asso-
ciation. Hyde also is a member of the
ciation.

*Girl Rush'

{Continued from page 1)

comedy "The Girl Rush," starring
Rosalind Russell, will be produced at
Paramount Studios and distributed by
Paramount Pictures.

The film has been in preparation
at RKO studios for the past few
months. Since "The Girl Rush," which
is the first musical about Las Vegas,
is being produced in VistaVision,
which was developed by Paramount,
circumstances made it more desirable
for Brisson to move the production
company to Paramount and thereby
benefit from their research and tech-
nical handling, since Paramount is
completely geared to VistaVision pro-
ductions. Freeman said.

Hoffman Leases House

BOSTON, Oct. 24.— Nathan E.
Goldstein has leased the Arcade Thea-
tre, Springfield, to I. J. Hoffman of
New Haven.

{Continued from page 1)

encourage Spyros to return to Nev\'
York.

A month ago he went to New York
to give information concerning com-
pany operations and financial policies
to a group of investment officials who
represent large stockholdings in Na-
tional Theatres. The trip was made
against the orders of Skouras' physi-
cian.

He passed a grueling day, first sub-
mitting" to cjuestioning at a luncheon
by 40 or more newsmen, then follow-
ing with the questions of the financial
men later the same afternoon.

During the nev\'Spaper interview,
Skouras was told that some investors
in National Theatres were concerned
that the company might be "to much
of a one-man operation," and would be
unduly crippled if he were lost to it.

Lauded His Aides

"You mean if I should die," Skouras
shot back at his questioner. "Well,"
he went on, "that's nonsense. Our
company has wonderful manpower,
capable, experienced executives who
know the business as well as I do."

He waved his hand around the table
at the Waldorf Astoria private dining
room where were seated with him
Rick Ricketson, Elmer Rhoden, John
Bertero, Ed Zabel, Russell McCul-
lough, Allan May and others of the
N.T. management.

A native of Skourohorian, Greece,
he came to this country in 1908. His
first jobs were as a hotel bus boy and
newsboy in St. Louis. He became
identified with the industry in 1914 at
the age of 15 when with Spyros and

Altec Perspecta
Delivery on Nov. 12

A delivery date has been set for
the first Perspecta Sound units now
in process of manufacture by New-
paths, Inc., one of Altec's manufactur-
ing subsidiaries, it was announced at
the weekend.

Deliveries will start Nov. 12 and
continue at a regular pace from that
date on. Distribution will be through
regular theatre supply channels.

A patent license agreement was con-
summated a few months ago between
Perspecta Sound and Altec for the
manufacture of the integrator units.
Altec is currently active in the tech-
nical supervision of theatre installation
of Perspecta, and participated in the
installation phases of this sound unit
during its earlier development stages.

Launch 'MeV TV
Campaign in Albany

ALBANY, Oct. 24.— Paul V. Wal-
len has launched his sales campaign
for the TNT closed-circuit presenta-
tion of "Opening Night at the Metro-
politan Opera" Nov. 8.

Orchestra and first balconv seats
are being offered at $3.30 and $2.75;
boxes at $2.75, and second balcony at
$1.65 and $1.10.

Wallen, who recently leased the
1,550-seat house from Fabian, has in-
stalled a 30-foot-wide-screen, which is
expected to improve the theatre's pres-
entation of the telecast. The Grand
carried the Metropolitan Opera origi-
nation of several seasons ago.

George Skouras, they acquired and
operated a nickelodeon, the Olympia,
in St. Louis.

The brothers prospered and, in the
years that followed, working together,
they expanded their theatre holdings
to a circuit of 36 houses by 1926.
These were sold to Warner Bros,
later and the Skouras brothers were
in charge of operations of all Warners'
theatres. They then acquired and re-
organized 47 Fox Theatres in the New
York Metropolitan area which became
the present Skouras Theatres circuit,
of which his nephew, Spyros Skouras,
Jr., is president now.

Named FWC Manager

Concurrently, Charles Skouras was
placed in management charge of Fox
West Coast Theatres with headquar-
ters in Los Angeles. In 1942 he be-
came president of National Theatres
and subsidiaries, parent company for
all of 20th Century-Fox's theatre
properties which, at their peak, num-
bered approximately 700 houses, in-
cluding the flagship, the Roxy The-
atre, New York.

Following theatre divorcement and
formation of National Theatres as
an independent corporation, Charles
Skouras was continued as president.

He was active in industry war work
during the last World War, serving
as chairman of the fourth War Loan
drive, and was vice-president of the
Greek War Relief Association. He
was also active in Variety Clubs In-
ternational, having- been co-founder
and first chief barker of the Los An-
geles Tent. He was chairman for
Southern California of the admission
tax repeal campaign conducted last

Explains Why Films
Stressed in Press

year by the Council of Motion Pic-
ture Organizations.

Known for his generous support of
numerous charitable endeavors, Skou-
ras was particularly interested in help-
ing worthy causes linked with his
native land. He was the inspiration
behind the building of the Greek
cathedral in Los Angeles last year.

Skouras had been active in Theatre
Owners of America affairs for years,
serving not only as chairman of its
board but also on numerous commit-
tees since the founding of the organ-
ization. He was a valued exhibitor
contact not only with the Hollywood
production capital but also with legis-
lators and many public officials
throughout the West. He was as
highly regarded Ln the production
community where he made his head-
quarters as he was in the exhibition
world, where he was considered among
the best and most resourceful show-
men in the land.

Suffered Numerous Heart Attacks

He had suffered several heart at-
tacks in the past two years, one in
1952 while on an inspection trip to
N.T. Pacific Northwest theatre oper-
ations, following which he went to
Hawaii for an extended rest and was
regarded in good physical condition
on his return to Los Angeles.

Almost a year ago to the day, he
suffered his second serious attack
while in Chicago to attend the TOA
annual convention. He remained in an
oxygen tent for many days and was
hospitalized for more than a month.
Finally pronounced well, he was soon
back at work on a full schedule, main-
taining the pace until the seizure on
Oct. 17.

RCA Will Display
Theatre Equipment

The 29th in the series of COMPO
ads in "Editor & Publisher," which
appeared on Saturday quotes a letter
from James Gediman, executive vice-
president of "The American Weekly,"
in which he states that "movie ma-
terial goes big with our audience"
and "that's why we play it up all
year round."

"We don't know or pretend to
know," wrote Gediman, "what the
producers and exhibitors ought to do
or ought not to do. We're interested
and enthusiastic about what's right
and good about the movies.

"But there's one thing we do know
— and so does everybody else with a
stake in the motion picture industry.
Bright, colorful news and pictures
about enjoyable productions, glamor-
ous glimpses of anticipated hits, will
excite and activate the American
people."

"To us," the letter concludes, "go-
ing-to-the-movies, talking about them,
holding hands during them constitute
a basic American enthusiasm. Maybe
we're a little movie-struck ourselves,
but we Icnow from our studies, that
movie material goes big with our
audience. That's why we play it up all
year round."

At TESMA Meet

UA Aids Victims

United Artists had turned over the
print of "The Golden Mistress" to
the Haitian government for the bene-
fit performance to aid families that „,„ ^ ^„...„.... ^

lost their homes in the last hurricane, and RCA theatre field representatives.

CAMDEN, N.J., Oct. 24.— Latest
RCA theatre sound, projection, and
screen equipment for both indoor
houses and drive-ins will be exhibited
during the annual convention of the
Theatre Equipment Supply Manufac-
turers Association, next week at the
Conrad Hilton Hotel in Chicago.

The TESMA show will also mark
the first public showing of Griggs
theatre chairs since their recent ad-
dition to the line of products distribu-
ted by the RCA theatre equipment
section, according to J. F. O'Brien,
manager of the section. The Griggs
line, which offers five basic chair types
for both indoor houses and Drive-Ins,
includes the Kroehler-developed "push-
back" type that moves out of the way
of patrons passing through the aisles.

The new chair line will be intro-
duced to RCA theatre equipment sup-
ply dealers at a special meeting to be
held on Friday at the Blackstone
Hotel, Chicago, he said.

The RCA-TESMA exhibit, a 40-
foot booth on the main exhibition floor,
will include latest magnetic stereo-
phonic speakers, projection equipment,
drive-in speakers, hy-arc and wide-arc
lamps for wide screens, and RCA
theatre carpeting.

RCA theatre equipment personnel
attending the show will include, in ad-
dition to O'Brien, A. J. Piatt, field
sales manager ; a group of theatre spe-
cialists from the Camden home office

Monday, October 25, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Film Leaders in Tribute to Charles Skouras

{Continued from page 1)

in the death of Charles Skouras. He was
a pioneer in the business and a vital and
outstanding leader. We all will miss him
very much."

which inspired producers to make bigger
and better pictures. I shall miss him
more than words can express. My sym-
pathy goes out to his family and loved
ones."

to all branches of the industry than
Charles Skouras. His generosity to his
fellow man, his civic minded guidance
and contributions were a source of in-
spiration to all who knew him."

Association of Motion Picture Pro-
ducers: "The industry has lost one of its
outstanding figures. Skouras served not
only his industry well but also his com-
munity and his nation."

Bob Coyne, special counsel for the
Council of Motion Picture Organizations:
"The passing of Charles Skouras marked
a sad milestone for his host of friends
and associates. Not only to his friends
but to the entire business community
will this event have deep import. His
life and progress in America was a busi-
ness romance to inspire all those of
humble beginnings and to reaffirm our
faith in America as a land of promise.
I know the entire COMPO membership
to a man joins with me in my feelings
of loss and in my sincere sympathy to
the Skouras family."

Charles J. Feldman, vice-president and
sales manager for Universal: "We are
left with a tremendous void in our busi-
ness with the passing of Charles Skouras.
But he leaves behind a wonderful her-
itage of countless friendships. This is the
way we should always remember him."

Sol Schwartr, president RKO Theatres:
"I was deeply shocked at the news of
the untimely passing of Charlie Skouras.
The industry has lost a great showman
and personality, and I, a very good
friend. He was a wonderful humanita-
rian and ever ready to give unstintingly
of himself to all worthy causes. He will
be missed."

Alfred E. Daff, executive vice-president
of Universal Pictures Co.: "The death
of Charles Skouras is an irretrievable
loss to the industry. His contributions
to the development of the motion pic-
ture business in America were gigantic.
He leaves behind him a name that will
live indefinitely in the minds of those
associated with our business. He was a
man of God and a great humanitarian
and his rewards must be great. It is a
sad loss to all who knew him personally
and those who did not."

John J. O'Connor, vice-president of
Universal Pictures Co.: "The industry has
lost a great exhibitor in the passing of
Charles Skouras. He was one of the pio-
neers who helped make our industry
great."

William J. German, president of Wil-
liam J. German, Inc.: "Charles Skouras
was a good friend of mine. I will feel
his loss very keenly. I feel that the in-
dustry has lost one of the great figures,
particularly in the exhibition field.
Charlie was a great American and a
great humanitarian."

R. W. Al+schuier, Republic director of
World-Wide Sales: "We all owe a real
debt to Charles Skouras for his inspira-
tional leadership, and I join the many
in our industry who sincerely mourn his
loss."

Arthur B. Krlm, U-A president: "This
is a sad day for the industry. In the
death of Charles Skouras, it has lost one
of its great leaders. His contribution,

and those of his brothers to the growth
and development of American motion
pictures throughout the world have been
unparalleled. We at U-A have lost one of
our best friends and the heartfelt sym-
pathy of all of us goes out to Mrs.
Skouras, Sypros, George, and the whole
Skouras family."

George Dembow, vice-president and
sales manager National Screen Service:
"The industry has lost a great pioneer,
great leader, and great humanitarian. I
am very distressed at his death."

Si Fabian, President of Stanley-Warner:
"I have lost a great friend. The industry
has lost a notable leader, a unique and
dominant personality, a man of boldness,
vision and determination. His career was
in the great American tradition. Charles'
sudden passing is a personal loss to all
of us who admire his gift as a human
being and a statesman of the industry."

Sam Rosen, vice-president Stanley-
Warner: "Charles Skouras was a giant in
our industry, a far-seeing leader, a man
of courage and tremendous personal
force. His friends were legion and his
career was fabulous. His passing is a
serious loss to the motion picture busi-
ness."

Charfes Einfeld, vice-president 20th
Century-Fox: "A distinguished statesman,
a warm-hearted friend and loving father
has passed away. Charles Skouras, a man
of deep faith in God and love of fellow
man, typifies the spirit of America and
stands as one of our nation's great^t
success stories. Coming to these shores
as an immigrant lad from Greece,
Charles Skouras in his monumental ca-
reer has left a legacy of accomplish-
ment in the film industry as well as in
his many philanthropic projects. He
leaves a heritage which will make his
memory live forever."

Manny Frisch, president of Metro-
politan Motion Picture Theatres Asso-
ciation: "Not merely exhibition but the
entire motion picture Industry has suf-
fered a great loss in the passing of
Charles P. Skouras."

Harry Kalmine, vice-president Stanley-
Warner: "With Charlie Skouras gone, a
remarkable family triumvirate suffers an
irretrievable loss and a great leader is
gone from our industry. He was a warm
and distinguished personality, a pio-
neer of outstanding vision and fore-
sight."

A. W. Schwalberg, pres. of Paramount
Distribution Corp.: "My heartfelt sym-
pathy goes to the members of Charles
Skouras' family in their sorrow. I share
their grief, for I myself have a sense^ of
personal loss. At milestones in my own
career Charlie was my mentor and
guide. Charles Skouras was one of the
leading statesmen of the industry, one
of those rare individuals who put the
industry's interest before their own.
Charlie's love of and devotion to the
motion picture business will long be re-
membered. His greatness as a human
being I will never forqet."

Arthur Mayer, president IMPDA:"lt is
a great loss to our industry. He was a
man of great energy, foresight and de-
termination."

Barney Balaban, president of Paramount
Pictures: "The imprint left by Charlie
Skouras on the motion picture industry
is definite and permanent. In his passing,
we have lost one of the industry's pio-
neers, a great pillar of strength. In the
early years when he and his brothers
were operating theatres in St. Louis and
I was operating theatres with my family
in Chicago it was my pleasure and
privilege to count him as my friend.
Charlie's leadership in all of the worthy
causes in which our industry has par-
ticipated has been outstanding and his
loss will be sorely felt. We will all miss
him very much and I extend my deepest
sympathy to his wife and his brothers,
Sypros and George and his other dear
ones."

Nate J. Blumberg, chairman of the
board of Universal Pictures: "The tragic
news of Charlie Skouras is being felt
deeply by all of us in our industry. His
life was indeed a symbol of the Ameri-
can success story. But more important
than his achievement in business was
his great contribution to humanitarian
causes. To those of us who knew him
intimately, his personality was inspired
and at all times he could really be called
a good friend. I share the sadness of all
his many friends and associates at this
time of mourning.

Milton R. Rackmil, president of Uni-
versal: "I am deeply saddened to learn
of the passing of Charles Skouras. His
loss will be greatly felt by the motion
picture industry to which he devoted so
much of his time' and talent."

Harry Cohn, president of Columbia
Pictures: It is with deepest regret that
I learn of the death of Charles Skouras.
He was one of the true leaders of our
industry and his loss will be felt by
every person who knew him.

Jack Cohn, executive vice-president of
Columbia Pictures: "I am shocked be-
yond words by the sudden news. Charles
Skouras always appeared to me as one
of the immortals of our business. It is
hard to believe that he will no longer
be with us."

Abe Montague, vice-president In charge
of distribution: "In the death of Charles
Skouras the motion picture Industry has
lost an internationally important figure
and I have lost a close friend and as-
sociate. His contribution to motion pic-
tures and to humanity must be long
remembered."

Al Lichtman, distribution director for
20th Century-Fox: "Charlie Skouras was
one of the great pioneers of our busi-
ness. He was a great spirit. He loved
people. He had great faith In our in-
dustry and he was a great fighter for
everything that was good and progres-
sive. His passing will be keenly felt by
all his friends and associates in the en-
tire Industry."

Herbert J. Yates, president of Repub-
lic Pictures: "The motion picture Indus-
try can III afford to lose Charles Skouras.
He probably did more than any man
to revitalize the sagging theatre box
office. He gave new hope to studios,

Robert L. Lippert, president of Lip-
pert Pictures: "I have lost one of my
closest and dearest friends, and the mo-
tion picture industry has lost Its greatest
champion. From personal experience I
know how hard he fought to advance
presentation of motion pictures.

Don Hartman, of Paramount Pictures:
"I didn't know Charlie Skouras very well,
but quite possibly the true measure of
his individuality Is that I feel that I knew
him intimately."

E. J. Mannix, of M-G-M: "Charles
Skouras will always be remembered as
one of the great showmen of our time.
For many, like myself, who have known
him over the years, I feel deeply the loss
of a friend as well as a leader of in-
dustry."

Al Galston and Jay Sutton, Galston
and Sutton: "The motion picture busi-
ness has lost one of Its most progressive
exhibitors the industry has ever known,
a great humanitarian and humorist."

Harry M. Warner, president of War-
ner Brothers: "Charles Skouras was first
of all a great American. His story stands
for all of the great things this nation
represents. His loss will be keenly felt."

Jack L. Warner: "I personally have
lost a great friend, and the motion pic-
ture industry has lost a great leader.
Charles P. Skouras was as well-known for
his philanthropies as for his contribution
to the motion picture Industry."

Major Albert Warner: "As a motion
picture pioneer, Charles Skouras helped
the Industry grow. His progressive think-
ing and actions will serve to guide the
industry for years to come. His death
has saddened all of us."

Joseph M. Schenck: "Charles Skouras
was a leader and builder of the Ameri-
can Motion Picture Industry. His Is one
of the most Inspiring stories of success,
because from an humble beginning he
rose by sheer power of ability, character
I and executive force to become head of
! one of the world's largest theatre chains.
His untimely passing is a distinct loss."

Darryl F. Zanuck, vice-president of 20th
Century-Fox: "He was one of the out-
standing men of our Industry. He gave
fine leadership not only to the organiza-
tion of which he was president but also
to the community, for whose good he
was always ready to work unselfishly and
charitably.

James R. Grainger, president of RKO
Radio: "The motion picture Industry has
lost a great man, and 1 have lost a great
friend."

Y. Frank Freeman, vice-president of
Paramount Pictures: "The untimely death
of Charles Skouras leaves a void in the
hearts of his associates in the picture
Industry that can never be filled by
anyone. He was a forthright leader, a
man of fine spiritual qualities, and an
outstanding leader in civic affairs. The
industry, the community in which he
lived, and our country have lost a real
American."

Edmund J. Baumgarten: "There never
has been more sincere or truer iriend

"it's a pleasure to do business with 20th!"

All

The News

That
Is News

MOTION PICTURE

Concise
And
To The

Point

VOL. 76. NO. 81

NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1954

TEN CENTS

Allied Again
May Meet With
Distribution

Compo Executive Session
Seen as Possible Time

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

Possibility of another effort to heal
the breach between Allied States As-
sociation and distribution in mid-
November loomed large here yester-
day as an Allied leader acknowledged
that the convening of the executive
committee of the Council of Motion
Picture Organizations may be a good
time for another round of discussions
on trade practices between Allied
officials and distribution executives.

The COMPO meet, slated to be
held here Nov. 15-16, would find many
Allied leaders in New York, it was
pointed out. Allied, it was added,
would welcome a round table confer-
ence with distribution toppers before
(Continued on page 4)

Further Decline in
Grosses in 1953

By Staff Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25.— Amer-
ican moviegoers spent $1,252,000,000
on motion picture theatre admissions
in 1953, the Commerce Department
reported today, a drop of $32,000,000
from the 1952 figure of $1,284,000,000.

(The motion picture industry's own
records for the current year show the
decrease in bo.x office gross to have
been reversed with substantial in-
creases reported throughout 1954. —
Ed.)

In 1946, $1,692,000,000 was spent on
{Continued on page 4)

30 Theatres Signed
For Opera Telecast

An approximate 30 theatres
coast-to-coast have been signed
for the Nov. 8 closed circuit
telecast of opening night of the
Metropolitan Opera with ticket
prices ranging from $3.60 to
$7.00, where charities are spon-
soring the presentation, a rep-
resentative of Theatre Network
Television said here yesterday.

Audiences watching the three
hour closed circuit show will see
Act One from the opera "La
Boheme," Act Two of "Barber
of Seville," and Act One, Scene
One and Act Two from the
opera, "Aida."

CINERAMA TODAY ESTABLISHES
ALL-TIME NEW YORK RECORD

"This is Cinerama" will achieve New York's all-time long-run record
today when the Lowell Thomas-Merian C. Cooper presentation will begin its
109th week on Broadway, passing- the record heretofore held by "Red Shoes"

at the Bijou Theatre of 108 weeks.

The only other film currently being-
shown that has completed as much as
one year is "Lili," in its 84th week
at the Translux Theatre. "Open City"
tops its record with 91 weeks. Other
films that had extended runs are "The
Big- Parade" (66 weeks), "Hamlet"
(61 weeks), "Paisan" (51 weeks),
"Bitter Rice" (47 weeks) and "Gone
With the Wind" (43 weeks).

High Court Delays
Hearings on Two
Industry Actions

WASHINGTON, _ Oct. 25.— The
Supreme Court won't hear argument
until after the first of the year on two
film industry cases which were ac-
cepted for review earlier in the month,
court officials said.

The cases, taken at the high court's
session on Oct. 14, involve an anti-
trust suit by the Independent Poster
Exchange against National Screen
Service and the major distributors and
an attempt by the Internal Revenue
Service to collect Federal income
taxes on punitive damages won in
anti-trust suits by exhibitors. The de-
fendant in the latter case is William
Goldman Theatres.

Court officials said the argument
list for the court's November and De-
cember sessions was already full, and
therefore these two cases would not
be heard until January or February.
That means there probably won't be a
decision in the cases until sometime
next spring.

MGM Sets 2 More
'Workshop* Meets

Two more "Ticket Selling Work-
shops" have been scheduled by
M-G-M, making a total of five so far,
the latest two to be held in March and
May of 1955, according to vice-presi-
dents Charles M. Reagan and Howard
Dietz, who are sponsoring the gather-
ing for ideas and expressions for im-
proving box office business in the in-
dustry.

The brace of new dates are March
1, in Columbus, O., in cooperation
with the Allied of Ohio unit ; and
May 10, at Billings, Mont., at the re-
quest of the Montana Theatre Owners
Assn., whose directors recently passed
(Continued on page S)

Arbitration Trial Asked

Many Small Exhibitors
Decry Federal Regulation

A preponderance of exhibitors in small Eastern cities interviewed by Motion
Picture Daily correspondents expressed themselves as opposed to Allied
States' plan for invoking Federal regulation of the industry as a cure for

trade practice complaints of small ex-

Regulation as Last
Resort: W. Pa. Allied

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 25.— Allied
of Western Pennsylvania expressed a
hope today that governmental, interven-
tion in the film industry will not come
about, but while not voting for Fed-
eral regulation, the national conven-
tion approved a plan whereby the
national board would seek such regu-
lation if no progress was made in
intra-industry relations between now
and February, according to spokesman
Harry Hendel.

"The door of our Allied unit is
always open wherein we may estab-
(Continued on page 4)

hibitors.

Most of those interviewed thus far
were emphatic in stating the small
theatres urgently need relief from high
rentals and allegedly unfair allocations
of pictures, but were equally emphatic
in stating they did not believe govern-
ment regulation was the answer.

Many small exhibitors interviewed
expressed confidence in the principle
of arbitration and said that they be-
lieved most of their problems could
be solved either by an industry arbi-
tration system or simply by round
table discussions with distribution rep-
resentatives.

Following are statements from some
of those interviewed. More will be
(Continued on page 4)

Skouras Rites
And Interment
In Los Angeles

Entombed in Mausoleum
On Cathedral Gounds

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 25.— Upward
of 4,000 persons paid final respects
today to Charles P. Skouras at funer-
al services held in St. Sophia Greek
Orthodox Cathedral, which he was
principally instrumental in causing to
be built at a cost of $2,000,000.

In addition to the production, dis-
tribution and exhibition branches of
the industry in which he had played
so prorninent and powerful a part as
both pioneer and <;hampion, state,
county and city were widely repre-
sented in the assemblag-e which over-
flowed the cathedral and listened over
a public address system to ceremonies
and to a eulogy read in Greek by
Archbishop Athenagoras and spoken
in English by Dean Leonidas C.
Contos.

Following the cerem.onies, those un-
able to gain admittance to the church
during the services filed through the
cathedral and past the casket for a
(Continued on page 4)

Make Feature From
TV's *Gangbusters'

Three episodes of TV's "Gang-
busters," which were never telecast,
have been assembled into a 78-minute
feature for theatres by Visual Drama,
an affiliate of General Teleradio, in
association with Terry Turner.

The picture will be released in a
saturation booking arrangement in
New England either in November or
January. Joseph Levine has acquired
the picture for the New England ter-
ritory, but whether the film will be
released nationally via the state rights
market or through a national distrib-
utor has not been determined. A
{Continued on page 5)

IP A Reports 500
Meet Registrations

CHICAGO, Oct. 25.— Five hun-
dred International Popcorn As-
sociation advance convention
registrations top by 50 per cent
the total advance registrations
of last year. The largest atten-
dance in theatre history is ex-
pected for its IPA-TOA Thea-
tre concession forum Nov. 1-
2-3-4.

Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, October 26, 1954

Personal
Mention

WILLIAM C. GI'HRING, 20th
Century-Fox executive assistant
general sales manager; Arthur Sil-
VERSTONE, assistant general sales man-
ager, and Clarence A. Hall, man-
ager of branch operations, have re-
turned to New York from Toronto.
•

Harold Boxall, managing director
of London Film Productions, and
Mrs. Boxall v^'ill arrive here from
England today aboard the "Queen
Elizabeth."

•

Donald A. Henderson, 20th Cen-
tury-Fo.x treasurer and secretary, and
Mrs. Henderson will return to New
York from Europe today aboard the
"United States."

R. Edward Warn, Westrex Corp.
vice-president, has arrived in New
York from the Coast to take over his
new duties as director of foreign oper-
ations.

•

MacGregor Scott, general sales
manager for Associated British Pathe,
left New York with Mrs. Scott yes-
terday for London.

•

Herbert Steinberg, Paramount na-
tional exploitation manager, will re-
turn to New York today from Chi-
cago.

Henry Gordon, Paramount Inter-
national general sales representative,
wilL leave New York by plane today
for South Africa.

•

Linda Darnell and her husband,
Philip Liebman, will arrive in New
York from Europe today on the
"Queen Elizabeth."

•

Tom Ward, Western advertising
manager of "Time," arrived in New
York yesterday from the Coast.

Guy Mitchell arrived here from
London yesterday via B.O.A.C. Mon-
arch.

Raymond Massey will sail from
New^ York on the "Mauretania" to-
day for England.

D. C. Dickely, division manager
for Altec Service Corp. in Chicago,
has returned there from New ^ ork.
•

Armand Deutsch, director, and
Edmund Purdom have left here for
London via B.O.A.C. Royal Scot.

Breakfast for U-I
Talent Discoveries

Universal-International was host at
a press breakfast at the Delmonico
Hotel here this morning for Nicole
Maurey of France, Myrian Verdeeck
of Belgium and Giovanna Scala of
Italy. The three are leading candidates
for the role of Mary Magdalene in
U-I's forthcoming "The Galileans."

Robert Palmer, U-I studio talent
executive, and Maurice Bergman,
Eastern studio representative, who
selected the three after a worldwide
talent search, were present.

Roy Boomer Resigns
Posts with TESMA

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 25. — Roy
Boomer has resigned as secretary-
treasurer of Theatre Equipment and
Supply Manufacturers Association,
due to ill health. He has held the post
for the past eight years. Indications
are his successor will be named at
TESMA's annual meeting in Chicago
next week.

Boomer has been in the industry as
an exchange manager and theatre ex-
ecutive since 1922.

Testimonial Dinner
To Fitzgerald Nov. 1

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 25.— A testi-
monial dinner in honor of Harold J.
Fitzgerald, former president of Fox
Wisconsin Amusement Corp., will be
held at Schroeder Hotel, here Nov. 1.

Fitzgerald bowed out of show busi-
ness recently, not to retire, but to
enter other fields of endeavor. Many
who formerly worked for him and
those who have associated with him
in the show business are planning the
afifair at which over 600 are expected.

Folke Peterson, executive secretary
to the mayor, and at one time em-
ployed by Fitzgerald, is a chairman.

McDonald's Toll TV
Statement Answered

FRANKLIN, Ind., Oct. 25.— The
exhibitors' Joint Committee on Toll
TV, through its co-chairmen, Alfred
Starr and Trueman Rembusch, have
issued a statement answering the re-
cent attack by E. F. McDonald, presi-
dent of Zenith Radio, on the forma-
tion of the exhibitors' group and its
announced aims.

The statement charges that toll TV
will employ the free air waves for a
commercial purpose which could bring-
about a concentration of communica-
tions' control, opposed to the public
interest.

'UnderwaterT for
Christmas Release

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 25.— "Under-
water !" Howard Hughes' $3,000,000
production starring Jane Russell, which
has been three years in the making and
is the first picture to be filmed in Su-
perscope, lias been set for four de luxe
premieres on Christmas Day follow-
ing its world premiere at the Fox
Theatre, St. Louis, on Dec. 21, it was
announced today by J. R. Grainger,
president of RKO Pictures, Inc. They
are the Mayfair Theatre, New York ;
the W oods, Chicago ; Paramount,
Hollywood ; and Rialto, Atlanta.

Filmed in Technicolor in Havana
and the Caribbean, "Underwater !"
was produced by Harry Tatelman and
directed by John Sturges. It also stars
Gilbert Roland, Richard Egan and
Lori Nelson.

Leonard Siebert, 90

HARTFORD, Oct. 25. — Leonard
Siebert, 90, operator of the first mo-
tion picture theatre in East Hampton,
Conn., known as Siebert's Opera
House, is dead, following a long ill-
ness. He retired from business in 1946.

Clift, Cochran to
MC UJA Show

Montgomery Clift and Steve
Cochran will act as masters of
ceremonies for the 21st annual
"Night of Stars," United Jew-
ish Appeal benefit show, which
will take place on Nov. 22 at
Madison Square Garden here.

Proceeds from the huge show
will be used to further the UJA
program in Europe, Israel and
the U. S. During the 20-year
history of the show, more than
$2,000,000 had been raised
through the sale of tickets to
an estimated 400,000 people.

TOA Registrations
Pass the 380-Mark

Advance registrations for the 1954
TOA convention and TESMA-TEDA-
TO.A.-IPA trade show, next week at
the Co.irad Hilton Hotel in Chicago is
unprecedented, TOA reported.

As of Thursday 380 persons had
registered through New York offices
and dozens more are pouring in daily,
it was said. This advance registration
is two-to-one greater than last year
one week prior to convention time.

Minter Here for
Distribution Talks

George Minter, head of Renown
Pictures Corp., London, is in New
York to discuss American distribution
for his recently completed production,
"Svengali."

He plans to go to Hollywood from
here to confer with Darryl F. Zanuck
on casting of his planned CinemaScope
production of Charles Dickens' "A
Tale of Two Cities." The picture, to
be in color, will be made in England.
An American director and two Amer-
ican stars are being considered for the
film.

Women's Clubs Cite
Goldwyn on Nov, 8

Producer Samuel Goldwyn has been
chosen as recipient of the New York
State Federation of Women's Clubs
award for his "outstanding achieve-
ments in motion pictures and the high
standards which he has set for the
entire industry," it was announced yes-
terday by Mrs. Bruce M. Mills, presi-
dent.

The citation to Goldwyn will be
presented at the Helmuth Fellowship
dinner on Nov. 8 at the Hotel Roose-
velt in New York.

Conn, Allied to Elect
New Officers Today

HARTFORD, Oct. 25.— Election
of officers is slated for Allied Thea-
tre Owners of Connecticut meeting at
the Hofbrau Restaurant, New Haven,
tomorrow.

Serving on the nominating commit-
tee are Maurice W. Shulman, Barney
Tarantul, Jack Post and Robert G.
EUiano. Current head of the statewide
organization is Dr. Jack Fishman.

Horizontal VV for
'Christmas' on Coast
Starting Tomorrow

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 25.— As a re-
sult of the reported success of the
horizontal large-frame \'ista\ ision
projection of Irving Berlin's "White
Christmas" in its world premiere en-
gagement at Radio City Music Hall
in New York, the Paramount musical
will be presented in the same manner
in its West Coast engagement at the
Stanley Warner Theatre in Beverly
Hills, opening with a premiere on
Wednesday evening.

Two Century projectors with the
horizontal moviement and other neces-
sary equipment will be installed at the
Beverly Hills house, as at Radio City
Music Hall. This will be the second
such installation in the world, the Mu-
sic Hall being the first.

Claughton Petitions
For New Trust Trial

MIAMI, Oct. 25.— Lillian Claugh-
ton of Claughton Theatres has filed a
petition here before senior Federal
Judge John Holland seeking a re-trial
of her anti-trust suit against, si.x ma-
jor film distribution companies.

The original suit, after a seven-hour
deliberation last week, was declared a
mistrial by a Federal Court jury.
Miss Claughton is seeking $9,450,000
in triple damages from the distribu-
tors. The circuit attorneys are also
readying other suits for the period of
1951 to 1954, charging similar anti-
trust violations.

^Romeo and Juliet'
at Sutton Dec. 22

The American premiere of the
Technicolor film version of Shake-
speare's "Romeo and Juliet," winner
of the grand prize at this year's
Venice International Film Festival,
will be held on Dec. 22, at the Sutton
Theatre in New York, it has been an-
nounced by William J. Heineman,
vice-president of United .Artists in
charge of distribution.

The United Artists release w'ill be
shown at the Sutton on a continuous-
performance schedule.

'Aida' to Premiere
at Carnegie, Nov, 11

The American premiere of Verdi's
"Aida" will be held at the Little
Carnegie Theatre here on Nov. 11, it
was announced yesterday by I.F.E.
Releasing Corp., which is releasing
the Italian production nationally.

NEW YORK THEATRES

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

Rockefeller Center

BERLfN's "WHITE CHRISTMAS"

in VistaVision starring

BING CROSBY - DANNY KAYE
ROSEMARY CLOONEY - VERA ELLEN
Color by Tethnicolor - A Paramount Picture
and SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke,
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, LTrben Farley, Advertising Representative, Fl 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post ofiice at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, .$6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

GET YOUR COPY NOW-
AT YOUR N.S.S.

mmmi,\C^e^ service

Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, October 26, 1954

Decry Federal Regulation

(CoiitiiiHcd from page 1)

^33Grosses

{Continued from page 1)

motion picture admissions and $1,594,-
000,000 in 1947. They were the in-
dustry's peak revenue years.

National spending in the overall
category of recreation increased in
1953, the Department said, as did
spending for radio and television re-
ceivers. Total 1953 recreation spending
rose over $500,000,000, from $11,368,-
000,000 in 1952. to $11,892,000,000 in
1953. And Americans spent $2,176,-
000,000 on radio and television sets
in 1953, as compared with $2,100,000,-
000 in the previous year. Spending for
total recreation, including spending on
radio and television sets, has increased
steadily since 1946, with almost all
categories except motion picture ad-
missions within the overall recreation
group showing a continuing rise.
No Corporate Figures

For the first time this year the
Department did not release any cor-
porate income and sales figures, which
are usually made public at this time.
Department spokesmen said they used
the 1951 Internal Revenue Bureau
figures as a basis for extrapolating
income figures for 1952. They found,
they said, that although this method
was valid for figuring in broad cate-
gories of industrial income, it didn't
work out accurately for breakdowns
by industry. The Department has con-
sequently discontinued publishing an-
nual figures on corporate income of
individual industries.

In addition, the Department has
revised all of its consumer spending
figures for the past 10 or 12 years.
The revised figures for motion picture
admissions which the Department has
just put out are slightly higher than
those published each year for the in-
dustry. The trend down from the peak
years, however, remains the same.
$711,000,000 in Salaries

The industry paid $711,000,000 in
wages and salaries in 1953, compared
to $721,000,000 in 1952, the Depart-
ment reported. The number of persons
working in the industry last year was
the equivalent of 209,000 full-time
employes, a drop from the 1952 re-
ported figure of 216,000. The indus-
try's full-time workers earned an
average of $3,244 in 1953, compared
with an average of $3,190 the previous
year. Some 220,000 people were en-
gaged in production in 1953, a drop
from 1952's total of 227,000.

Acquires Film Unit

McGraw-Hill has acquired the sales
and distribution rights to the Audio-
Visual Division of Popular Science
Publishing Co., exclusive of the Film-
strip-of-the-Month Clubs, which Pop-
ular Science will continue to operate.

To Fete Cinerama

A party, celebrating- the 109th week
of "This Is Cinerama" on Broadway,
will be held this afternoon in the
offices here of Lynn Farnol. The 109
weeks is said to be a long-run rec-
ord for any Broadway engagement.

CENTURY THEATRE— 2342 N. 3rd
St., Milwaukee, Wis.; fully equipped
— •20 seats— with §75.000.00 mort-
gage will be sold to highest bidder
on Nov. 1st at 2 P.M. Federal
Court, Milwaukee.

Hartwig & Westfahl, Attorneys
W. Wis. Ave. BR 6-1617

published in later issues of Motion
PicTUKii Daily.

Carl Zeitz, Academy Theatre, Fall
River, Mass. : "The need for relief for
the small exhibitor is acute. I do
not know whether the Allied States'
plan is the answer. However, I feel
exhibitors and distributors should get
together and make a sincere effort to
solve the problem to the satisfaction
of all without having recolurse to
Federal regulaton which could prove
not only costly but consume consider-
able time."

William Purcell, Sr., Embassy
Theatre, Fall River: "I beheve that
nothing should be done which would
give the government control of prices
and distribution. Current exhibition-
distribution problems could be ironed
out in round table conferences. The
small exhibitor's need for relief is
urgent but not at the price of govern-
ment control."

Norman A. Zalkind, Strand Thea-
tre, Fall River: "Something must be
done to regulate film prices and dis-
tribution practices if the so-called
little man is to survive, and solutions
might be reached at roundtable discus-
sions of the problems. That is the
American way of doing things and
certainly is to be preferred to govern-
ment regulation."

Barney Tarantul, Burnside Thea-
tre Corp., East Hartford, Conn. : Be-
lieves tl-.at Allied States' proposal to
seek Federal regulation of distribution
unless film terms and other distribu-
tion practices are modified by next
February should be backed by inde-
pendent exhibitors everywhere. "There
are too many tiagrant abuses of price-
scaling. There seems to be no set price
policy on the part of distributors. This
breeds discontent among small exhi-
bitors and intensifies resentments. If
the distributors could set a policy and
stick to it, it would remove much of
the ill-feeling. But the way things
are today, there are no rules or reg-
gulations that distributors abide by."

Harry Lament, Lamont Theatres,
Albany, N. Y. : "I am against Fed-
eral regulation of distribution. There
must be an alternative. Arbitration
is probably the best way. Simple
arbitration machinery should be estab-
lished in every excnange district for
use when requested by an exhibitor.
It should be able to function promptly

Allied May Meet

{Continued from page 1)

pressing for government regulation of
trade practices when Congress recon-
venes in January.

It was felt though in Allied quar-
ters that the invitation tor such a
round table conference should be ex-
tended by distribution, for, it was held,
it is up to distribution to present "an
alternative plan" to prevent the con-
templated Allied move to seek gov-
ernment aid in correcting alleged
abuses.

One section of distribution, ques-
tioned on whether it would call such
a round table trade practices confer-
ence in mid-November, replied in the
negative. Their position was that it
would be bowing to pressure. How-
ever, they indicated that they were
not adverse to talking things over in-
dividually once again with Allied
officials on trade practices.

and dispose of actions swiftly — within
one week. I think Allied is right,
though, in holding out for arbitra-
tion that will include film rentals but
I am definitely against government
regulation. It has already taken block
booking away from us. I think that
was a mistake."

• Sidney Dwore, Cameo Theatre,
Schenectady, N. Y. : "I am opposed
to Federal regulation except as a last
resort — after arbitration, including
rentals, has had a fair trial, say of
one or two years. I believe the indus-
try has the leaders and intelligence
to settle its problems without govern-
ment intervention. But distributors
must recognize the situation faced by
the neighborhood exhibitor. We are
truly the 'forgotten men.' Our backs
are to the wall but branch offices give
us no relief. Our problems are prop-
erly subjects for arbitration. I think
there is a chance distributors will
agree to arbitrate film rentals. Let's
set up a system of arbitration boards
and try it."

Clarence Dopp, operating theatres
in Frankfort, Northville and Poland,
N. Y. : "My 38 years in motion picture
business has shown me that no indus-
try benefits from government regula-
tion. Mine are small weekend opera-
tions. My problems, therefore, are not
those faced by larger exhibitors. I do
think, however, that the motion pic-
ture industry has the brains to solve
its own problems. Let us hope it also
has the will." Dopp feels that distrib-
uting companies having an established
record of cooperating with exhibitors
should be "encouraged."

Smitt, of Utica First Run
Says "The Less the Better"

UTICA, N. Y., Oct. iS. — "I am
against Federal regulation of film dis-
tribution," George J. Smitt, of the first
run Olympic 1 neatre here, declared
today. "The less government regula-
tion any industry has, the better off
It is," said the son-in-lav\' of Charles
Gordon, Olympic owner. Smitt was
a Navy officer during" world War II.

Explaining that he is an "individual-
ist," smitt siated he has been able to
get along satistactorily with distribu-
tors in dealing for "small pictures."

added "I do not buy big pictures,
because my capacity and patronage
will not permit their purchase at tne
terms asked."

W. Pa. Allied

{Continued from page 1)

lish the basis for fair deals between
our members and tne film companies,
including the kindred industries that
serve theatres m our areas," Hendel
said.

Ted Grance, president of the Tri-
State Drive-in Association, asserted
that "no exnibitor wants government
control, but it is surely better to have
such control than for the small ex-
hibitors to be forced against tne wall."

Settles Suit

HARTFORD, Oct. 25.— The suit
of a West Haven, Conn., woman who
blamed a fall at the Forest Theatre,
West Haven, for a miscarriage she
suffered, was settled for $1,700 in an
out-of-court arangement, it was dis-
closed at the Superior Court session
in Meriden.

Skouras

{Continued from page 1)

final view of the deceased.

Burial took place in the Skouras-
built mausoleum adjoining the cathe-
dral.

Very Rev. Leonidas C. Contos,
Dean of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox
Cathedral, said, in the course of his
eulogy :

'Fine, Sympathetic Spirit'

"Blessed by God with an extraor-
dinary mind and keen insight, a high
degree of sensitivity and the broad
grasp of things which is typical of
the true artist, he distilled all of these
great talents through a fine, sympa-
thetic spirit, and in turn blessed the
world around him. . . . Jesus of Naza-
reth loved the enthusiast who gave
himself without reserve. He liked
energetic action. . . . Charles Skouras
has banged on life's door more in-
sistently than most men, and over and
over again the door has been opened
and life's choicest blessings have been
besto^jred on him — material wealth
only incidentally. More important to
him have been the devotion of a truly
wonderful family, the esteem and the
warm, unconstrained love of countless
friends ; a great sense of achievement
and service ; the deep and abiding
sense of God's nearness.

"All last week as his tired heart
pounded, and all of us prayed, it was
as though he were pounding at the
door of Heaven itself, not audaciously
as in life, but quietly, humbly. I be-
lieve this door has opened too, and
if we will listen over the tumult of
our own grieving, I think we may
hear the voice of The Master of the
Household : 'well done, thou good and
faithful servant'."

Leading Executives Present

Among the friends attending the
funeral were Buddy Adler, irving
Alien, Edward L. Alperson, Pandro
S. Berman, A. R. Broccoli, Jack
tsroder, Steve Broidy, Sherriu Cor-
wm, Michael Curtiz, Sam Uembow,
Ned Depinet, Si t-abian, J. J. Fitz-
gerald, Bert triedlob, i"ed Gamble,
uayle Giterson, bamuei Goldwyn,
James R. Grainger, Pete Harrison,
iJon riartman, jacK Jungmeyer, ben
Kaimeiison, Harry ivannine, Carl
l-aemmie, jr., Pete Latsis, Carl Leser-
man, Kobert L. Lippert, Jim Londos,
narry Maizlish, INick John Matsou-
kas, Harold Mirisch, George Murphy,
James and George XNasser, Ben Ir'es-
Kay, Harry ropKin, Mayor Norris
Poulson, Sid kugea, i hornton Sar-
gent, Harold ieidenberg, David O.
belznick, I* red Sitein, Michael Todd,
Steve Trilling, Ben VVallerstein,
Waiter Wanger, Albert, Harry ancl
JacK Warner, and Darryl b'. Zanuck.

Cite 'Carmen' Stars

Dorothy Dandridge and Pearl Bailey,
starred in 2'Oth Century-Fox's Cinema-
Scope production of "Carmen Jones,"
will be guests of honor at a reception
this evening in the Skyline Room of
the Hotel 1 heresa. The reception will
be highlighted by the presentation of
scrolls to the two stars, and to Otto
Preminger, who directed and pro-
duced the filmization of Oscar Ham-
merstein's stage production.

Parade Moves

Parade, the Sunday picture maga-
zine, has moved to new quarters here
at 285 Madison Ave.

Tuesday. October 26, 1954

MOTION Picture Daii.^'

Workshop

{Continued from page 1)

a resolution to that effect at its Mis-
soula convention.

Alike Simons, in charge of customer
relations tor M-G-M, will conduct the
newl}' scheduled sessions as well as the
other tliree previously listed. Also at-
tending the three meetings from the
home office will be Emery Austin, in
charge of exploitation under Dietz. A
number of panelists will be selected for
each session to cover as wide a field
bearing on promotion and coordinated
activities as possible.

The "kick-off" Workshop session
will get under way Thursday morning,
at the William Penn Hotel in Pitts-
burgh, v^'here various independent and
circuit theatre groups will be on hand,
as well as a number of important ex-
hibitor leaders.

Others Nov. 16 and Dec. 6

The second and third Workshops
will be held Nov. 16 in Indianapolis
and Dec. 6 in Boston. Foster B.
Gauker, manager of M-G-M's branch
in Indianapolis, is working with Roy
Kalver, president of the Allied Inde-
pendent Theatre Owners of Indiana,
and William Carroll, executive secre-
tary, on finalizing plans for the Hoo-
sier state get-together. In Boston,
Benn H. Rosenwald, M-G-M manager,
is working with Melvin B. Safner and
Herbert Brown, convention chairman
for the annual meeting of Independent
Exhibitors, Inc., and Drive-In Thea-
tre Association of New England. The
unit will hold its annual convention the
day after the M-G-M Workshop and
will ha/c many members on hand for
both occasions.

2 Mass, Houses to
Continue under Shea

The Shea circuit announced yester-
day that reports that Western Massa-
chusetts Theatres had purchased 50
per cent of the Lawler family's hold-
ings in' the Lawler Theatre, Green-
field, and the Amhurst Theatre, Am-
hurst, does not indicate that the
discontinuance of the Shea company's
management because the leases and
agreements have about 10 months to
go.

Although not formally notified, the
announcement, it was said, "came as
no surprise," since the lease imposed
circumstances and conditions involving
the discontinuance 'of E. C. Grainger's
services with the corporation.

Shea Personnel Meet

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 25.— Gerald
Shea, president and general manager
of the Shea Circuit, will preside at a
two-day business meeting of Shea
personnel tomorrow and Wednesday
in the Hotel Roosevelt. Shea bookers
in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Boston
will also attend the sessions, and the
group will stay over on Thursday to
participate in the M-G-M ticket-selling
Workshop in the Hotel William Penn.

'Mef TV in Cleve.

CLEVELAND, Oct. 25.— The Met-
ropolitan Opera opening night per-
formance will be telecast locally at
Loew's State Theatre, on Nov. 8.
Present plans provide for a benefit
performance sponsored jointly by the
Metropolitan Opera and C.\RE, with
these two organizations taking over
the ticket sale. Loew's State has 3,500
seats.

Televisinn-'RadiD

iWith Pinky Herman-.

When Howard

Jerry Martin

jV/TARGARET SULLA VAN and Joseph Gotten will co-star in a
i>l TVersion of the Howard Lindsey-Russel Grouse Pulitzer Prize-
winning play, "State of the Union," which will be NBColorcast on
"Producers' Showcase," Monday, Nov. 15, at 8:00-9:30 P.M. Nina
Foch, John Cromwell, Ray Walston, Muriel Kirkland, Fred Ayres,
Gotten, Jack Leslie, C. Albert Smith and Royal Deal will also be in
the cast. . . . Two years ago when Decca's publicity and promotion
chief Mike Conner needed a capable assistant, he brought into New
York a young Chicago-getter, Bud Katzel, who's merely turned out
to be one of the best wax promoters in the biz. . . . That working
agreement just entered into by Guild Films and Vitapix Corporation
in which the fine product of the former is guaranteed outlets in about
60 major markets, was conceived by prexies Reub Kaufman and
Frank E. Mullen of Guild and Vitapix respectively. . . . MGM has
purchased the story of "Aimee Dubucq de Rivery" from Lesley
Blanch's best seller "The Wilder Shores of Love," several stories of
which have already been featured over WOR.

Miller, the top-ranking disk jockey in
Chicago, named handsome Jerry Martin,
quote, "possessor of the finest NEW voice
in America today," unquote, his prediction
proved well founded because young Mar-
tin's recording of "Where Can You Be"
not only was acquired for a number one
promotion by Coral Records, but in less
than four weeks has climbed to national
juke box ratings. Leeds Music Corp. has
become sole selling agents for the ballad
Jerry discovered and introduced and Wil-
lard Alexander, Vaughn Monroe's mentor
and agent, has signed to guide Young
Martin to vocal heights. Lad not only has
the voice and looks but is chockful of
personality and charm and is a natural for Hollywood.

ik ^ i4

Rumors to the effect that the cost for the first foiir-iietwork-
tzi'O-hour telecast of Daz'id 0. Sclsiiick's production of the "Dia-
mond Jubilee of Light" last Sunday ivas proliibitive are contrary
to file facts. Actually, the most ambitious program- ever presented
in television, sponsored by 300 electric and pozver companies to
commemorate the 75th anniversary of the discovery of the electric
light by Thomas A. Edisoii and acclaimed by every -critic in the
land, zvas produced far under the estimated budget, another
feather in the D.O.S. cap. . . . The RCA jingles zvhich Vaughn
Monroe zvarbles, zvere composed by Hank Sylvern, maestro of the
"Jane Froman CBShozv." . . . John Rust, on the public relations
{ rad.io-TV) staff of U. S. Steel since 1945 and co-producer zvith
Talent Associates of the TVehicle "Justice," has resigned to open
his ozwi firm, John Rust Productions. Initial TV package zvill be
titled "Crossroads," a new half-hour dranuitic series zvliich zvill
star Faye Emerson.

Ogden Nash, regular panelist on the ABC-TV "Masquerade Party,"
is currently penning the lyrics for a new Broadway musical, "If I
Were Queen," skedded for a Big Apple opening sometime in January.
. . . Joe Given, ace newscaster at WOV, has returned to that station,
after serving a three-year hitch as a captain with the Armed Forces
stationed in Stuttgart. Germany. ... 21 years ago a young violinist
and his quintet were hired for a four-week engagement at the Pea-
cock Room of the Hotel Waldorf-Astoria. Last week, Michael Zarin's
option was picked up for the umpteenth time and leads Michael to
believe the job might be steady. . . . Bob Clayton, WHDH deejay
and one of Boston's most popular personalities and song salesmen,
is starting his second decade there. Bob's hep chatter about platters
has launched manv a hit for Tin Pan Allev.

fk ik -ik

DOTS ALL. . . . Jack Schiffman, formerly with Sammy Kaye
Music firms, is now prof. mgr. of Lee Eastman's music firms,
Warock, Campbell and Rytvoc. Jack is all excited about
a new recording of "If I Had a Million Dollars," waxed
on Label X by the Dolphins, a new quartet who are headed
places — but fast. . . . Basso Lee Cass, seen and heard on TV
and radio with the Boston Symphony and NBC Opera series,
received Second Place Award in the nation-wide Marian
Anderson Scholarship Contest and was finally located by the
Awards Committee at Arthur Lessac's Institute of Vocal Arts
(where else?). . . .

Gangbusters

(Continued from page 1)

television and radio promotion cam-
paign which, according to Turner, will
cost in the neighborhood of $50,000,
will launch "Gangbusters" in the New
England area.

Parts of the episodes have been re-
shot. The picture will not be made
available to television until after the-
atre liciuidation has been completed. If
the venture is successful. Turner
plans to release similar productions at
the rate of two a year.

New FCC Chairman
To Speak Thursday

George C. McConnaughey, the new
chairman of the FCC, will make his
first public statement since taking of-
fice at a joint luncheon meeting on
Thursday of the Radio & Television
E.xecutives Society and the National
Association of Educational Broad-
casters. The occasion for the luncheon,
to be held in the Biltmore Hotel, is
a special industry salute to the N. A.
E. B. which is holding its convention.

In addition to McConnaughey,
Graydon Ausmus and Roger Pryor,
presidents respectively of the N. A.
E. B. and the R. T. E. S., will also
speak

Seeks Ted Gamble's
Radio Station Stock

PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 25.— C.
Howard Lane of Portland has asked
the Federal Communications Commis-
sion for permission to purchase the
majority stock of Ted R. Gamble in
Radio Station KJR, Seattle. Lane is
a minority stockholder. He is also
managing director of KOIN-TV.

Gamble, also of Portland, is presi-
dent of Mount Hood Radio & Tele-
vision Broadcasting Corp., which op-
erates KOIN-TV.

New TV Package

Because of the reported success of
the first package of 30 films released
for television less than a year ago.
Fortune Films has organized a second
package of 52 American language
Italian-produced features, 13 in color,
for immediate availability. This second
package will make a total of 82 Eng-
lish language Italian features avail-
able for television viewing.

Canadian TV Dispute

OTTAWA. Oct. 25.— A three-man
conciliation board is conducting a col-
lective agreement dispute between the
Canadian Broadcasting Corp. and the
National Association of Broadcast
Employees and Technicians. CBC has
complete jurisdiction over television
in Canada.

Jersey Allied to Meet

PASSAIC, N. J., Oct. 25.— New
Jersey Allied will hold a full member-
ship meeting at the Ritz Restaurant
here on Nov. 18 which will be fol-
lowed by a beefsteak dinner.

With Showmen Everywhere!

COLUMBIA
PICTURES CORPORATION

— ;

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ T':^"^''-^

MOTION PICTURE

1 The News

■ ^ ATT

Concise

And ) 1

^ That

JJAi L Y

To The

j Is News

^1-^.-... , .- .... . ^.-...^

Point

VOL. 76. NO. 82

NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1954

TEN CENTS

Tradewise . . .

By SHERWIN KANE

PERSPECTA SOUND is making
a place for ifseli' in the industry
with -far greater rapidity even
than its most enthusiastic sponsors
and supporters believed possible
only a few months ago.

Much of that progress is re-
counted in text and pictures in an-
other part of this issue of Motion
Picture Daily. One impressive item
of evidence in support of it is the
fact that there are current on
Broadway four top-grossing films
and that an uninterrupted succes-
sion of others of the kind is in
prospect from M-S-M, Paramount,

Warner Bros, and others.

•

As of now, there are an esti-
mated 650-700 theatres equipped
with Perspecta Sound integrators,
with a vastly larger field of pros-
pects among the 8,000 theatres
already said to have three-channel
sound. For a nominal expenditure
every one of those theatres can
increase their deluxe presentation.

As most exhibitors realize by
now, three-channel sound is an ef-
fective adjunct of wide-screen
presentation. It is parHcularly ad-
vised for theatres equipped with,
or capable of accommodating,
very large screens.

•

Now that Perspecta Sound has
been so authoritatively accepted
by Hollywood, as is attested by
the numbers of top-quality produc-
tions capable of picking up the
Perspecta signal, already in re-
lease, completed, in production or
planned, its place in the industry
and in improved theatre presenta-
tions is certain to be made more
secure by ever-increasing theatre
acceptance and adoption.

Perspecta fulfills a very useful
function in the industry. It is mak-
ing its ov/n significant contribution
to the new excitement and interest
which surrounds motion pictures
and in so doing is helping to re-
claim the screen's own audience.

Admission Prices
Rose in Early Fall

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26. —
The Bureau of Labor Statistics
said that motion picture theatre
admission prices rose again in
late August and early Septem-
ber.

Releasing its cost of living
index for the month to mid-
September, the Bureau reported
that the index for all reading
and recreation costs dropped
slightly. "Substantial cuts for
television sets were almost off-
set by higher movie theatre ad-
mission prices," the BLS said.

U-I Talent Program
Costs $1,000,000

The Universal-International talent
development program, which was in-
stituted by the company in 1949, has
been costing an approximate $1,000,000
annually, Robert Palmer, U-I studio
talent executive, disclosed here yester-
day at a trade press conference at the
Hotel Delmonico.

The studio, which has nearly 40 con-
tract players and about 20 others
signed for picture deals at present, is
happy if at least one player yearly
{Continued on page 12)

Within Sixty Days

ALLIED WILL SHOW
ITS SOUNDSYSTEM

To Be Exhibited in New York and Chicago;
Equipment 'Field Activity Urgent: Marcus

By SAMUEL D. BERNS

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 26. — An improved, superior-quality, full stereo-
phonic sound system bearing the Allied States label will be trade-shown
in New York and Chicago within 60 days to give evidence of Allied's

plan for enter-

Old CoL Product
To Hygo for TV

A number of out-of-date cartoon
and Western properties which Colum-
bia Pictures had produced and dis-
tributed about 15 years ago, have been
sold to Hygo Corp., a television film
sales agency. Jack Cohn, executive
vice-president of Columbia, revealed
yesterday.

The deal provides for Columbia to
turn over to Hygo the rights to some
cartoon series on which theatrical dis-
tribution rights have expired, as well
as a group of Western films, dating
(Continued on page 12)

Hyman Sees 'Healthy^ 4th
Quarter for the Industry

A healthy fourth-quarter in 1954 "and an even more acceptable first quarter
in 1955, for the industry was forecast yesterday by Edward L. Hyman, vice-
president of American Broadcasting- Paramount Theatres, currently visiting
the Coast.

Hyman made
his forecast in
a statement re-
leased here in
which he
stressed the
many quality
pictures being-
prepared by
various studios.
"After viewing
these fine pro-
ductions," Hy-
man expressed
his conviction
that the motion

picture medium today is preeminent in
the entertainment field. The AB-PT

Edward Hyman

official called upon exhibitors to meet
i:e challenge of the studios by proper
cxpioi.atxn, by allowing the box-office
to dictate tne length of run of an en-
gagement. He had a word of caution
to exhibitors criticizing studios for
long running times of big stories. Let
the public decide, Hyman advised, be-
fore chopping a story.

Hyman, who is on the Coast with
Robert K. Shapiro, managing director
of the Paramount, and Jerry Zigmond,
Western division manager of Para-
mount Theatres Corp., said they were
welcomed at every studio, with_ per-
sonnel there anxious for an inter-
change of ideas. "We found no ivory
towers," Hyman declared.

ing the theatre
equipment field.

Allied's presi-
dent, Ben Mar-
cus, in an ex-
clusive inter-
view, said :

"Allied is de-
termined that
never again will
its exhibitors be
caught in a vise
as they were
with C in e m a-
Scope's stereo-
phonic sound
system." He cited some small exhibi-
tors who, he said, were economically
ruined^ because of exorbitant costs of
the original system.

Marcus will be in New York in
mid - November to discuss arrange-
ments for trade-showing this equip-
ment, which will become available to
non-member exhibitors, as well, at the
same savings accorded Allied mem-
bers. The system will be priced ap-
proximately 25 per cent under other
{Continued on page 12)

Ben Marcus

Snyder, Zimmerman/
Goldman Join Forces

Three industry executives have
joined forces in the formation of a
new enterprise, William Films, Inc.
William Goldman, William Zimmer-
man and William L. Snyder are the
founders of the new organization
which is engaged both in acquiring
films from abroad for specialized ex-
hibition in the United States theatrical
market and in the production of tele-
vision films for children.

The new company marks the first
venture into the foreign motion pic-
ture field for Goldman, Philadelphia
{Continued on page 12)

Sound on the March

BEGINNING
ON PAGE 4

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, October 27, 1954

Personal
Mention

SPYROS P. SKOURAS, president
of 20th Century-Fox, and Al
LicHTMAN, director of distribution,
have returned to New York from Los
Angeles.

LeoiJ J. Bambekger, RKO Radio
sales manager, and Mrs. Bamberger
will leave Friday aboard the "Santa
Paula" for a vacation in V enezuela.
•

Max Fellerman, Lopert Films
vice-president and general manager,
will arrive in Hollywood today from
New York.

•

Fayette W. Allport, of the London
office of Motion Picture Association of
America, left here yesterday for Eng-
land via B.O.A.C. Monarch.

•

Morris E. Lefkow, RKO Radio
Eastern-Central district manager, left
here last night for Cleveland.

•

Douglas Shearer, in charge of
M-G-M studio technical research, is
in Washington from Hollywood.
•

Jay Robinson has arrived in New
York from Hollywood.

Marcus, Gran Bid
For Milw. Theatre

MILWAUKEE, Oct. 26. — Ben
Marcus, general manager of the Mar-
cus Theatres Management Co., offered
$95,000 for the defunct Century Thea-
tre here, and L. F. Gran, of Gran
Enterprises, offered $92,500.

Harvey Hartwig, the theatre's at-
torney, earlier had petitioned the Fed-
eral Court that the Century Theatre
Co., be reorganized under Chapter 10
of the Federal Bankruptcy Act. The
theatre, which closed Aug. 8, is sub-
ject to mortgages totaling $75,000, a
Federal witholding and Social Se-
curity tax lien of $18,000 and claims
by 40 creditors amounting to $11,367.

Federal Judge Robert E. Tehan
postponed final sale of the house until
Nov. 1, when it will go to the highest
bidder. The highest possible price
should be sought, he said, so that all
creditors can be satisfied. Owners of
the theatre are John Freuler, Glencoe,
111., and his family.

Gleason to Appear
On Para. Stage

Jackie Gleason and his entire
TV cast have been booked for
a two-week personal appearance
at the New York Paramount
Theatre, beginning Nov. 17, it
was announced yesterday by
Robert K. Shapiro, managing
director.

It will be the first stage show
at the Paramount in more than
a year to run concurrently with
a motion picture, making the
Paramount's current policy of
occasional stage shows. Gleason
will appear following the clos-
ing of Paramount's current
screen attraction "A Star Is
Born."

'20,000' to Open
At Astor Dec, 22

The world premiere of "20,000
Leagues Under the Sea" will be held
here at the Astor Theatre on Dec. 22
or a few days later, it was disclosed
here yesterday by Charles Levy, ad-
vertising and publicity director of
Walt Disney Productions.

Arrangements for the premiere
were concluded by Leo J. Samuels,
president and general sales manager
of Buena Vista, and Max Fellerm.an,
vice-president of Lopert. The Astor,
it was further disclosed, will be closed
down for refurbishing, including the
installation of new seats and a new
CinemaScope screen, before the Dis-
ney film opening.

Trade Press Salute
By JDA Here Today

Ten industry trade papers will be
honored today at the Joint Defense
Appeal testimonial luncheon at the
Hotel Astor. William J. German is
chairman of JDA's motion picture
division, which is sponsoring the
luncheon in behalf of the American
Jewish Committee and Anti-Defama-
tion League of B'nai B'rith. Columbia
star Kim Novak will present plaques
to the trade press publishers and
editors.

Serving as associate chairmen in the
campaign are : George F. Dembow,
Emanuel Frisch, Edward L. Hyman,
Harry M. Kalmine, Al Lichtman, Abe
Montague, Milton Rackmil, Walter
Reade, Jr., Samuel Rinzler, Burtin E.
Robbins, Abe Schneider, Sam Schnei-
der, Al W. Schwalberg, Fred J.
Schwartz, Spyros Skouras, Jr., Edwin
L. Weisl and Max E. Youngstein.
Saul Jefi^ee is laboratories chairman.

Also helping the effort as members
of the executive committee are : Leon
T. Bamberger, Alfred E. Daff, Charles
H. Feldman, S. Arthur Glixon, Mon-
roe R. Goodman, Arthur Israel, Jr.,
Bernard G. Kranze, Paul N. Lazarus,
Jr., Jack H. Levin, W. Stewart Mc-
Donald, Louis A. No^'ins, John J.
O'Connor, Eugene Picker, Norman
Robbins, Arthur M. Rosen, J. Robert
Rubin, Silas F. Seadler, Al Senft,
William Zimmerman and Bernard
Zimetbaum.

The trade papers to be honored are :
Billboard, Boxoffice, Exhibitor, Film
Bulletin, Film Daily, Independent
Film Journal, Motion Picture Daily,
Motion Picture Herald, Radio Daily
and Showmen's Trade Review.

Film Dividends
Up Last Month
Over Sept., 1953

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26.— Total
dividend payments made by industry
firms in September were close to
$1,000,000 more than the amount paid
in dividends in September of 1953, the
Department of Commerce said today.

Payments made in September, 1954,
totalled $3,996,000. Those for Septem-
ber of last year amounted to $3,036,000.
The August figure also rose, with
$1,426,000 reported for August this
year and $1,018,000 for August, 1953.

The August and September figures
continue to carry on what seems to be
a trend toward increased dividend pay-
ments in 1954. Commerce has reported
figures to date for the first nine months
of 1954, and seven of those months
have shown higher dividend payments
than those made in the comparable
months of 1953.

The increase in the September, 1954,
payments was due to the fact that 20th
Century-Fox, Loew's and Universal
rhade substantially higher payments in
that month than in September of last
year.

RKO to Distribute
5 Films by 1955

RKO Radio will have five color
productions, each representing a dif-
ferent form of screen entertainment,
in national release by the end of 1954,
it was announced here yesterday by
Walter Branson, RKO world-wide
sales manager.

The five pictures are : "This Is My
Love," set for -Nov. 11 release; "Cat-
tle Queen of Montana," Nov. 19;
"Underwater," Dec. 21 ; "Hansel and
Gretel," now playing on Broadway;
and "Passion," now in release.

Altec Division Post
To Ralph Kautzky

The appointment of Ralph Kautzky
as acting manager of Altec Service
Corp. Northeastern division has been
announced by H. M. Bessey, execu-
tive vice-president. Kautzky succeeds
C. S. Perkins, who recently moved
up to operating manager of the Altec
organization at the New York head-
quarters. Kautzky will direct opera-
tional activities of the company's
Northeastern engineering field force
from division offices.

The new Altec division head has a
long record of service in the motion
picture field both with Altec and its
predecessor ERPI (Electrical Re-
search Products, Inc.) He joined
ERPI in 1928 as a member of the field
engineering force in the Harrisburg,
Pa., territory. Following assignment
to the company's Atlanta headquarters,
he was sent to London to supervise the
installation of the first sound-on-film
equipment, and to train the staff of
Western Electric, Ltd. He joined
Altec at its formation in 1937 in the
capacity of field engineer and in No-
vember, 1941, became attached to the
company's New York division office.

S.F. Newspaper Guild
Sponsors 'Desiree*

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 26.—
The world premiere of "Desiree" will
be held here on Nov. 16 at the Fox
Theatre.

The San Francisco-Oakland News-
paper Guild is sponsoring the event.
A feature of opening night will be the
annual Guild Frolic in which many
Hollywood stars will participate.

The following Hollywood column-
ists and wire service representatives
will be on hand : Harrison Carroll,
Sheila Graham, Hedda Hopper, Er-
skine Johnson, Louella Parsons, with
Emily Belser, INS, Aline Mosby, UP,
and Bob Thomas, of AP.

Royalty Galore at
'Desiree' Opening

Twentieth Century-Fox's press
release concerning the imposing
roster of royalty which will
grace the command perform-
ance of "Desiree," contained the
names of 24 princes, 23 prin-
cesses, three archdukes, three
archduchesses, 29 counts, 20
countesses, 20 barons, 17 baron-
esses, two marquis, one em-
press, one marchioness, four
duchesses, two dukes, eight
ladys and two sirs.

Buena Vista Expands
Dist. Organization

The appointment of Herb Schaeffer
and Leo Greenfield as district man-
agers in the Buena Vista Distribution
Corp. was announced here yesterday
by Leo J. Samuels, Buena Vista presi-
dent, and general sales manager.

Schaeffer, who will headquarter in
Boston, will also cover the exchange
areas of New Haven, Conn., Buffalo
and Albany, while Greenfield will
headquarter in Cleveland, covering, in
addition, Detroit and Cincinnati ex-
change areas.

It also was announced that the fol-
lowing have been appointed as field
representatives : Ed Terhune, who will
headquarter in Dallas, Jerry Field,
Chicago, and John Philip, Denver.

Hamm Heads V,C,
Project in S.F,

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 26.— L. S.
Hamm, attorney and motion picture
industry leader, is the new president
of the Variety Club Blind Babies
Foundation.

Hamm, president of the Northern
California Theatre Association and of
East Side Theatres, Inc., was elected
at the annual meeting of the Founda-
tion's Board of Trustees. He succeeds
H. Neal East, Western division man-
ager of Paramount, who served as
Foundation president since 1949.

Mrs. George D. Cameron and Rotus
Harvey were reelected vice presidents ;
Henry Verdelin, treasurer ; and D. V.
Nicholson, secretary. Other trustees
reelected include H. Neal East, Frank
G. Belcher, Abe Blumenfeld, J. C.
Geiger, M.D., Ben Levin and John P.
Parsons.

• Three Channel interlock projection

• 17'/2nim & 35mm tape interlock

• 16mm interlock projection

CUTTING & EDITING ROOMS AVAILABLE

iELAB;,tHEATRESSERVlGE;PNCV^

54th Si:; N Y, 19, N. Y.. JUdson 6-0367

I MOV

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MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher^ Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published dailv except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke,
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor. Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urberr Farley, Advertisittg. Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J: A. Often, Nations;! Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editot-; 'cable address-, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
aBd Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times' a year' as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3,-1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

The Prized
Blue Ribbon!

M-G-M's BLUE RIBBON
WINNERS OF 1954!

{From January through September
And Watch For More!)

"SEVEN BRIDES FOR
SEVEN BROTHERS"
s"EXECUTIVE SUITE"
"ROSE MARIE"

"THE LONG, LONG
TRAILER" ;

"KNIGHTS OF THE
ROUND TABLE";

WE'RE GOING OUT ON
A LIMB TO PREDIGTf

So far this year M-G-M has won 5 out of the 9 Blue Ribbon Awards of Box-|
office Magazine representing the vote of press and public for the Best Picture o|
The Month. Not only this year, but of the total awards since the poll begad
M-G-M's All-Time Winners are almost twice as many as the next company. ^!

LEO PREDICTS BLUE RIBBONS FOR THE 2 HITS BELOW!

NOVEMBER!

Pre-sold in giant campaigns! Ads in mass circulation magazines; Long-range
advance newspaper teaser and display campaigns; Sunday supplements;
Plus radio and TV campaigns. Multi-miUion readership for both pictures.

DECEMBER!

"THE LAST
TIME I
SAW PARIS

M-G-M's

THANKSGIVING
SENSATION!

^rec/im'co/or)

M-G-M presents • Color by
Technicolor . "THE LAST
TIME I SAW PARIS" star-
ring Elizabeth Taylor • Van
Johnson • Walter Pidgeon
Donna Reed • with Eva Gabor
Kurt Kasznar • Screen Play by
Julius J. & Philip G. Epstein
and Richard Brooks • Based on
a Story by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Directed by Richard Brooks
Produced by Jack Cummings

(AVAILABLE IN PERSPECTA
STEREOPHONIC OR
ONE-CHANNEL SOUND)

DEEP IN
MY

I//

HEART

M-G-M's

CHRISTMAS -
vNEW YEARS HITl

(Color)

M-G-M presents "DEEP IH
MY HEART" starring Jose
Ferrer • Merle Oberon ♦ Helen
Traubel • with Doe Avedon
Tamara Toumanoua • Paul
Stewart • Isobel Elsom • Williani,
Olvis • James Mitchell • and
Guest Stars: Walter Pidgeon
Paul Henreid • Rosemard
Clooney • Gene & Fred Kell^^
JanePowell • VicDamone • Ann
Miller • Cyd Charisse • Howard
Keel • Tony Martin • Screen
Play by Leonard Spigelgass
From the Book by Elliott Arnold
Based on the Life and the Mel-
odies of Sigmund Romberg
Photographed in Eastman Color
Print by Technicolor ♦ Directed
by Stanley Donen • Produced by
Roger Edens

(AVAILABLE IN PERSPECTA
STEREOPHONIC OR
ONE-CHANNEL SOUND) .

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, October 27, 1954

FROM A SINGLE OPTICAL TRACK

Full-Scale Sound for the
Wide-Screen Techniques

Noting the

practical role of the
Perspecta sound system
in the new processes.

HEART OF THE PERSPECTA ' SYSTEM : TFe Integrator, pic
above with cover off and parts identified. With pre-amplifiers and
power supply, this constitutes the equipnnent necessary for Perspecta
reproduction. Below, it is diagrammed, first as introduced with two
additional channels in a theatre sound system having only one
speaker; secondly, into a system already having three channels.

PROJECTOR p

No. I.
-J-

PROJECTOR
No 2.

PEBSPECTA
FADER pIlNTEGRATOR

J SWITCH

MULTIPLE
GANG H
U FADER

CENTER

POWER TO MORN
AK«^IFIERS SYSTEMS

PROJECTOR

-1 FADER
JsWiTCH

MAGNETIC
PENTHOUSE

PROJECTOR []

No. a. [

PERSPECTA
INTEGRATOR

MAGNETIC
PENTHOUSE

FADER J
SWITCH

MULTIPLE ^ MULTIPLE
GANG n GANG
SWITCH

FOUR
PREAMPLIFIERS

Under license of Perspecta Sound, Inc., Infegrotors ond related acces-
sories are made in fhe United States by Fairchild Recording Equipment
Company. New york; Stelma, Inc., Stamford, Conn.; New Parts, Inc.
lAltec-LansingI , New York; Ampex Electric Corporation, Redwood City,
Calif.; Southwestern Industrial Electronics, Houston; and U. S. Gasket
Company, N. J. . . . and obrood by Brock/iss-Simp/ex, France; by Com-
pagnia Generate di Costruszioni, Cinemeccanica, Ing. A. Fedi, S. A.,
Prevost and Microtecnica in ftaly; and the Victor Comoany of Japan.

By GEORGE SCHUTZ

Editor of Better Theatres

THE PERSPECTA system of re-
producing sound stereophonically
from one optical track was demon-
strated in New York seven months
ago. Its practical reality today
among the new techniques of the mo-
tion picture is dramatically demon-
strated by pictures now being ex-
hibited at several of the leading New
York theatres.

"White Christmas," first of Para-
mount's VistaVision productions, is
at Radio City Music Hall.

"The Barefoot Contessa," United
Artists release from Joseph L. Man-
kiewicz, is having an extended run
at Broadway's Capitol.

Down Broadway, in Times Square,
the State is presenting "Beau Brum-
mel," MGM production selected for
the Royal Film Performance in Lon-
don.

In each of these engagements, with
huge screens giving tremendous ef-
fect to the new cinematography, a
single optical track is being repro-
duced by three sets of screen speak-
ers through the Perspecta system.

Also currently, MGM's "Betrayed"
is playing the New York metropoli-
tan area with Perspecta sound repro-
duction at scores of theatres. Houses
which have thus given this picture
the benefit of three-channel repro-
duction include 49 metropolitan thea-
tres of the Loew's circuit.

These presentations are exhibits
of the fact that important advantages
of stereophonic sound need not be
sacrificed to the practical conve-
nience, the flexibility of the single
optical track. With adoption of the
VistaVision method of cinematog-
raphy, Paramount is providing for
Perspecta sound in all feature pro-
ductions. MGM is following the
same policy, while Warner Bros,
productions are being similarly re-
corded.

General Availability

The prospect is that Perspecta sig-
nals soon will be added generally to
feature picture tracks. The process
is available without royalty to all
producers, while already there are
many thousands of theatres with
three speaker channels.

Though ingenious enough in the
engineering by which it has allowed
an established technique of sound to
meet the sudden challenge of a big-

ger, wider screen image, the Per-
specta system is simple in application.
By means of a variable gain ampli-
fier with a band pass filter respond-
ing to optical track signals of inaudi-
ble frequencies, it distributes the pic-
ture sound to the three sets of screen
speakers with such uniformity or
variation of volume as the director
of the production chooses for the
purpose of enhancing the realism of
the performance.

Loudness is always a major factor
in the localization of a source of
sound, in every-day life and in all
stereophonic methods of recording
and reproducing sound mechanically.
The Perspecta system uses this prin-
ciple to achieve the positive "direc-
tionalism" which wide-screen tech-
nique immediately suggested; thus
making sound localization less de-
pendent on merely arbitrary pictorial
devices.

Additionally, realism of mechan-
ically produced sound is increased
when it comes from more than one
point. Multiple-speaker reproduc-
tion gives the sound spatial qualities
which the two ears recognize as
those commonly present in natural
sound.

Perspecta theatre equipment is
now available from six manufactur-
ers in the United States, and from
eleven in other countries, all of
which make it under license from
Perspecta Sound, Inc., which has
(Continued on page 6)

SEES ADDED VALUES
IN PERSPECTA SOUND

Pointing to the popular success of
"The Barefoot Contessa" at the Capi-
tol theatre in New York, Robert S. Ben-
jamin, chairman of the board of United
Artists, distributors of that Joseph L.
Mankiewicz production, has written C.
Robert Fine, president of Perspecta
Sound, Inc., that the Perspecta system
of sound used in the Capitol presenta-
tion "added inherent entertainment
values to the picture."

"Perspecta," he said, "has emerged
as a thrilling new medium which en-
hances the entertainment values of mo-
tion pictures. Our enthusiasm for Per-
specta Stereophonic Sound is equalled
only by our faith in the future. I hope
the many important producers who
release through United Artists will
adopt Perspecta."

NEWYORK GOES

"We're changing the name oj
the world's most famous street!"

AT RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

Paramount's first production in Vista Vision
Irving Berlin's ''WHITE CHRISTMAS"

AT THE CAPITOL THEATRE

United Artists' presentation of Joseph L. Mankiewicz'
'THE BAREFOOT CONTESSA "

AT LOEWS STATE THEATRE

M-G-M's "BEAU BRUMMELL "
Selected for the Royal Film Performance in London

AT 49 LOEWS THEATRES

In the New York Metropolitan Area
M-G-M's "BETRAYED "

Imagine! All at the same time! The top theatres of the big city in
extended engagements are giving New York audiences added enter-
tainment with PERSPECTA STEREOPHONIC SOUND.

All M-G-M, Paramount and Warner Brothers films (and films from other
companies) are produced with PERSPECTA STEREOPHONIC SOUND.

PERSPECTA SOUND, INC. • 711 Fifth Avenue, New York 22, N. Y.

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, October 27, 1954

At the New York headquarters of Perspecta Sound and Fine Sound complete facilities are available to any produc?rs for recording a Perspecta
sound track. C. Robert Fine, head of the organization, is shown with Miss Betty Jane Keilus, sales director, at the control console of a recording
studio. At upper right is pictured the laboratory where the composite tracks are transferred to the film. Below is another studio view, looking
toward a control room used for radio and television transcriptions, which are an important part of the recording service that is supplied.

{Continued on page 4)
offices and recording laboratories in
New York.

Now head of that company, as
well as of Fine Sound, Inc., C. Rob-
ert Fine is the inventor of the Per-
specta process. Its ultimate develop-
ment into the applied technique it is
today is accredited, however, to
Arthur M. Loew, president of Loew's
International Corporation.

Major producers providing for
Perspecta sound in their product do
their own recording at the studio.
Producers not so equipped, however,
can compose the master track at the
New York laboratories of Perspecta

Sound. That of one of the pictures
noted above — "The Barefoot Con-
tessa" — was recorded in this way.

Sharing the facilities of Fine
Sound, Inc., which produces many
tapes for radio, and sound films for
television, the Perspecta organiza-
tion is elaborately equipped for the
projection of a theatrical film and
for recording synchronized with it
in the production of a magnetic track,
or of an optical track with Perspecta
signals as desired by the director of
the picture. And once the Perspecta
sigiial pattern for a picture is re-
corded, it is available for later re-
cordings anywhere.

Mr. Producer-

Fine Sound, Inc. offers you tlie f inest facilities in ike East
for tke recording of PERSPECTA STEREOPHONIC
SOUND tracks.

To cite kut one example, Joe Mankiewicz is one of tke
independent producers wko used our facilities to record

PERSPECTA STEREOPHONIC SOUND for "THE
BAREFOOT CONTESSA."

For information about our facilities for a// types of motion picture recording and disc
recording including mobile equipment for location recording, contact

FINE SOUND, INC., 711 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK 22, N. Y.

TOP CHOICE -EVERYWHERE!

THE WESTREX Multi-Channel

and Single Channel Sound Systems

FOR THEATRES OUTSIDE U.S.A. AND CANADA ... FOR STUDIOS EVERYWHERE

FOR THE STEREOPHONIC ERA there is a
new, complete and thoroughly proved Westrex
line of theatre sound systems for multi-channel
magnetic ( such as CinemaScope ) , multi-channel
photographic (such as Perspecta Sound), and
single channel reproduction (standard photo-

graphic). When these modern systems are in-
stalled, adjusted and serviced by Westrex Corpo-
ration engineers, finest performance and lowest
overall cost are definitely assured . . .Write today
for complete information about the particular
system in which you are interested.

R9 STEREOPHONIC REPRODUCER

(Magnetic) brings you the Academy
Award winning hydro flutter suppressor,
a tight film loop, and double flywheels.

THIS INTEGRATOR is essential
for Perspecta Sound multi-
channel reproduction from a
standard photographic sound*
track on which control frequen-
cies have been superimposed.

THE WESTREX R9 Stereophonic Repro-
ducer (Magnetic) and R7 Photographic
Reproducer.

R7 PHOTOGRAPHIC REPRODUCER

gives unsurpassed reproduction from
variable area and density prints. Special
noiseless timing belts are an exclusive
feature . . . will not slip or stretch.

"THE WESTREX TSOIA Stage Loud-
speaker Assembly features the newly
designed Acoustic Lens.

THE WESTREX AMPLIFIER CABI-
NETS can provide up to four chan-
nels for either magnetic or photo-
graphic reproduction.

THE WESTREX T502B Stage Loud-
speaker Assembly was designed for
larger motion picture theatres.

Westrex Corp^^^

RESEARCH, DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FOR THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY

1 1 1 Eighth Avenue, New York 1 1, N. Y.
Hollywood Division: 6601 Romaine Street, Holly wood 38, Calif.

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, October 27, 1954

Pi€fures Here and on the Way
with Perspecta

IVE PICTURE companies —
Paramount, M-G-M, Warner
Bros., United Artists and Colum-
bia— have 36 CinemaScope, Vis-
taVision or standard wide-screen
features completed or in prepara-
tion for domestic and foreign
distribution utilizing Perspecta
Sound, with three of these top
films currently on Broadway.

Fifteen of these films are pro-
duced in CinemaScope, eight are
photographed in the VistaVision

Catch a Thief," the

ring Cary Grant

latter star-
and "We're
No Angels," starring hlumphrey
Bogart and Joan Bennett.

"The Country Girl," with Bing
Crosby, William hidden and
Grace Kelly, will definitely be re-
leased by Paramount in standard
sound, but the distribution com-
pany is undecided as to the
sound track for "The Bridges of
Toko-Ri," "Mambo," "The Con-
quest of Space," and "Ulysses."

James Mason and Judy Garland in Warners' "A Star Is Born."

process, the rest are standard.

Paramount has announced that
all VistaVision product will be re-
leased with Perspecta Sound, but
of the 13 films, eight of them in
VistaVision, one has been set for
distribution with standard sound,
with four others under considera-
tion. The eight Paramount Vista-
Vision releases are:

"White Christmas," Irving Ber-
lin's musical currently at the
Radio City Music htall here, star-
ring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye,
Vera-Ellen and Rosemary Clooney.

"Three-Ring Circus," with Dean
Martin and Jerry Lewis.

"Strategic Air Command," with
James Stewart.

"Eddie Foy and the 7 Little
Foys," starring Bob hlope.

Others are "Love Is a
Weapon," "Run for Cover," "To

The latter four films are standard
v/ide-screen productions.

United Artists' sole release,
"The Barefoot Contessa," cur-
rently at the Capitol theatre
here, starring Ava Gardner,

hlumphrey Bogart and Edmund
O'Brien, carries Perspecta sound
signals.

Five Warner Brothers produc-
tions, all in CinemaScope with
Perspecta sound, are currently

playing broadway houses or the
major theatre circuits of the U.S.
The films are:

"A Star Is Born," with Judy
Garland and James Mason.

"King Richard and the Cru-
saders," with Rex hlarrison and
Virginia Mayo.

"Ring of Fear," a Mickey Spil-
lane and Clyde Beatty vehicle.

"The High and the Mighty,"
with John Wayne, Claire Trevor
and Laraine Day.

"Lucky Me," starring Doris Day
end Robert Cummings.

M-G-M product currently in
release and planned for the im-
mediate or near future, all have
Perspecta sound tracks. Product
of the company which has been
shown on Broadway or on the
miajor circuits are:

"Seven Brides for Seven
Brothers," in" CinemaScope.

"Brigadoon," in CinemaScope,
v/ith Gene Kelly, Van Johnson
and Cyd Charisse.

"Betrayed," with Clark Gable,
Lana Turner.

"Beau Brummel," currently at
the Loew's State here, with
Stewart Granger and Elizabeth
Taylor in the starring roles.

Other M-G-M productions to
have Perspecta sound are:

"Athena," in Eastman color,
v/ith Jane Powell, Edmund Pur-
dom, Vic Damone and Debbie
Reynolds.

"Crest of the Wave," with
Gene Kelly.

"Deep in My Heart," in East-
man color, with Jose Ferrer,

(Continued on page 12)

NOW AVAILABLE

FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVE

THEONLY COMPLETE

STEREOPHONIC SOUND INTEGRATOR
. . . complete in every respect at a price
lower than any other model

THE NEW

STELMA

STEREOPHONIC SOUND SYSTEM
THAT IS INTERCHANGEABLE WITH OPTICAL
OR MAGNETIC SOUND EQUIPMENT

PARAMOUNT (VISTAVISION) - MGM -WAR N E RS

ARE RECORDED IN PERSPECTA SOUND

STELMA PERSPECTA INTEGRATORS

have been fully tested and approved for field use by
C. Robert Fine, inventor and President of Perspecta Sound, Inc.

STELMA PERSPECTA INTEGRATORS

ore completely interchangeable with single optical and magnetic
sound tracks. A simple to operate 3-way switch is available at small extra cost. The integrator comes complete at no
additional charge over minimum price, although it includes power, input transformer, pre-amplifier base and treble equalizers
and 3 output balancing controls. Pre-wired in a stanaard rack if requested. Installation time just a matter of hours.

IMMEDIATE DELIVERY AT LOWEST MANUFACTURERS PRICES
Available only through established equipment dealers

ELECTRONICS • 389 LUDLOW ST., STAMFORD, CONN. - STAMFORD 4-7561

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, October 27, 1954

AMPEX

for Perspecta -Sound

PLUS

The plus you get from Ampex is heavy-
duty amplifiers, high fidelity stage
speakers and emergency features that
protect you from loss of dialogue re-
gardless of failures in any part of any
channel.

Among sound engineers Ampex is a
name that stands for the best. All
sound assemblies are of thoroughly
proven design. They have been in ex-
tensive use in installations in hundreds
of theatres.

And the Perspecta-Sound system you
buy from Ampex is a protected invest-
ment. At nominal extra cost it can also
be used with magnetic sound.

MPEX

CORPORATION

9 3 4 CHARTER STREET
REDWOOD CITY. CALIFORNIA

Perspecta for
Better Sound

By SHERMAN M. FAIRCHILD

President of the Fairchild
Recording Equipn^ent Company

111 twenty or more years' experi-
ence in the development and manu-
facture of various kinds of profes-
sional-quailty sound recording and
reproducing equipment, the Per-
specta Stereophonic Sound idea has
been one of the more interesting and
stimulating projects to watch develop
from inception into full stature.

Here is a development that was
conceived, developed and has gained
acceptance within the short period
of one year. This speed of acceptance
was, of course, greatly facilitated by
the development of wide-screen
techniques, which pointed up the
advantage of stereophonic sound,
and conditions urged that this be
at once simple and compatible, and
matched to the visual medium.

Due to its simplicity and com-
patible features, it became immedi-
ately apparent that Perspecta Stereo-
phonic Sound would become a
dominant factor in the theatre ex-
hibition field. The simplicity of
dealing with the already well-estab-
lished optical sound track in particu-
lar has therefore resulted in the

SHERMAN M. FAIRCHILD

early acceptance of Perspecta Sound.

Of course, from the exhibitor's
standpoint, oustanding performance-
as well as dependability and trouble-
free operation are of prime im-
portance. The fact that Perspecta
Sound meets these qualifications is
amply supported by exhibition in 22
countries over a period of many
months, and the present usage of
Perspecta Sound in the major thea-
tres in the principal cities.

Producer acceptance by a number
of motion picture studios in Holly-
wood is exemplified in terms of
product released to date, and also
emphasizes the potential the system
has for future expansion in term?
of more intimate audience participa-
tion. Perspecta Sound has all the
ingredients necessary to make this
outlook certain of realization.

HAIL PERSPECTA!

We are supplying exhibitors with Per-
specta Stereophonic Sound. The single
track system with Only One Integrator
that controls the sound through any three-
channel sound system. Be prepared to
play all pictures including VistaVision
recorded in Perspecta Sound.

Theatre Equipment Specialists

JOE HORNSTEIN, INC.

630 Ninth Ave.
New York, N. Y.

273 W. Flagler St.
Miami, Fla.

Wednesday, October 27, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

New Perspecta Unit by Stelma

Last August, Stelma, Inc., a ma-
jor producer of military and com-
mercial communications equipment,
received a letter from C. Robert
Fine, inventor of the Perspecta sound
system, indicating his enthusiastic
approval of the new Stelma Per-
specta Sound Integrator. Manufac-
tured under license from Perspecta
Sound, Inc., the Stelma Integrator
and switching equipment represents
considerable redesigning to incorpo-
rate construction improvements.

In order to provide the exhibitor
with a complete all-inclusive unit,
Stelma engineers developed one
standardized Integrator which con-
tains all of the following features in
addition to the basic Integrator :

Input transformer, pre-amplifier,
base and treble equalisers to com-
pensate for acoustical variation in
theatres, output level equalisers to
adjust the input into each pozuer
amplifier separately, and higher P.E.
cell voltages.

In addition, the Stelma Integrator
includes a newly designed band pass
filter that has made it possible to
lower the cost of the equipment.
Also, in order to cut exhibitors'
maintenance and installation costs,
the Stelma Integrator has been built
with vertical type mounting construc-
tion. The removal of four screws al-
lows the front panel to be taken out,
leaving the complete wiring layout

The Stelma Integrator pictured
with panel cover removed.

of the Integrator easily accessible to
the serviceman.

Stelma Perspecta equipment is a
complete assembly in one "package,"
which includes the Integrator and
power supply, sound track selector
switches, and master volume control,
all mounted and pre-wired with in-
terconnecting cables in a standard
open rack 25 inches high.

With the Stelma master volume
control, it is pointed out, instead of
controlling the volume of the multi-
channel sound with a multiple-gang
volume control (fader), a single
fader controls the volume of all chan-
nels through a single connection.

PERSPECTA SOOND INTEGRATORS

manufactured byNEWPATHS INC.

a subsidiary of Altec Service Corporation

See your theatre supply dealer now
for complete details and delivery.

Licensed by Perspecta Sound, Inc.

BETTER. . . for '55

FAIRGHIIiD

INTECRATOI^

DESIGNED FOR
EASY COMPLETE INSTALLATION

BETTER. . ai ^8S5

Including all these features.,

* Equalization control

* Channel balance controls
• System gain control
• Preamplification

* Complete power supply

PLUS . . .

FAIRCHILDS EXCLUSIVE BAND PASS
FILTERS FOR CLEANEST SEPARATION
BETWEEN CHANNELS

Only Fairchild's 20 years of experience in sound
recording . . . Fairchild leadership in design can bring
such a superb Perspecta Integrator at so low a price!

MORE THAN 700 THEATRES ARE AL-
READY USING FAIRCHILD PERSPECTA
INTEGRATORS FOR SINGLE OPTICAL
TRACK STEREOPHONIC SOUND!

For full intormation see your theatre equipment dealer or call, write or wire us!

impiuiiiiin hegording,

mmlllLIU EQUIPMENT

THEATRE EQUIPMENT DIVISION • WHITESTQNE 57, NEW YORK

331 N. MAPLE DRIVE, BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, October 27, 1954

TV Has Aided Films, Shea
Tells Circuit's Managers

By Staff Correspondent

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 26.— Televi-
sion, which was once considered the
arch enemy of the motion pictur; in-
dustry, has proved itself invaluable
in the promotion of Hollywood films,
according to Gerald Shea, president of
tl:e Shea Circuit, who is presiding
over a two-day managers meeting in
the Hotel Roosevelt here. Addressing
40 Shea personnel and guests from
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New
York, Ohio and Pennsylvania, Shea
called upon them to sell their mer-
chandise with basic showmanship and
to forget their complacency induced
bv improved business since last June.
He attributed the better business to
the improved film product and the
strong effort in pre-selling pictures,
especially through concentrated TV
campaigns.

Shea was lavish in his praise of

Cin.maScore, which he said has more
than justified itself in its first year.
All 54 Shea houses are now equipped
with CinemaScope and stereophonic or
optical sound. He declared :

"CinemaScope has given the in-
dustry its first new look since 1931,
it's like a new Cadillac."

Other speakers were Thomas Shea,
circuit vice-president; Ray Smith,
circuit booker and buyer ; William
Gehring, 20th Century-Fox executive
assistant general sales manager ; Ray
Showe and Phil Lowe, who discussed
vending problems ; Harold Hoffman,
Shea operating engineer, and Bernie
Hickey, Fulton manager.

The group previewed, "White
Christmas," "Phffft," "The Black
Widow" and "Carmen Jones." They
stayed on for M-G-M's "ticket sell-
ing workshop" Thursday.

Films with
Perspecta

{Continued from page 8)

Ivlerle Oberon, Helen Trauble.

"Green Fire," in CinemaScope,
with Grace Kelly and Stewart
Granger.

"Last Time I Saw Paris," in
Technicolor, with Van Johnson,
Elizabeth Taylor, Donna Reed and
V/alter Pidgeon.

"Bad Day at Black Rock," in
CinemaScope and Eastman color,
starring Spencer Tracy.

"The Glass Slipper," in East-
man color.

"Jupiter's Darling," in Cinema-
Scope and Eastman color, star-
ring Esther Williams and hloward
Keel.

"Many Rivers to Cross," In

CinemaScope and Eastman color,
with Robert Taylor and Eleanor
Parker.

"The Prodigal," in Cinema-
Scope and Eastman color, with
L ana Turner and Edmund Purdom.

The three Columbia Cinema-
Scope pictures — "The Long, Gray
Line," starring Tyrone Power and
Ivlaureen G'hHara; "Three for the
Show," starring Betty Grable and
the Champions; and "Violent
Men," with Glenn Ford and Bar-
bara Stanwyck, definitely will be
released overseas with Perspecta
sound tracks, and possibly domes-
tically.

U-I Talent

( Continued from page 1 )

breaks through to the top as a box-
office name, Palmer said.

"With a shortage of leading name
players in Hollywood, U-I has had
considerable success with its talent
development program," the studio offi-
cials asserted, 'the main reason for
the lack of top name players is the un-
availability of talent when a film is
ready for casting, he said.

The U-I talent program will shortly
be copied by the other major studios,
Palmer said, revealing that the stu-
dio's annual show, which is put on by
the youngsters in the program, _ has
received much acclaim and recognition
in Hollywood and that a television
network has offered to assume all
financial burdens if U-I will allow the
talent show to be aired.

Searching for 'Magdalene'

Palmer, along with Maurice Berg-
man, U-I Eastern studio representa-
tive, has been conducting a world-wide
search for a girl to portray Mary
Magdalene in Universal's forthcoming
production of "The Galileans," After
a long European search, U-I has im-
ported Gia Scala of "Italy, Nicole
Maurey of France and Myriam Ver-
beck of Belgium to screen test for the
role.

New Firm

(Continued from page 1)

exhibitor who recently began to ex-
pand his motion picture interests. Last
August Goldman formed, with Paul
Gregory, the motion picture and legiti-
mate play company called Gregory-
Goldman Enterprises, Inc. Zimmer-
man, former RKO vice-president and
general counsel, is also active in this
company as a director and vice-presi-
dent.

Snyder, importer of "The Emperor's
Nightingale" and "White Mane," has
provided a number of films for TV's
"Omnibus" and "Adventure." He will
be responsible for the acciuisition of
new product and its preparation for
the American market. Zimmerman
will act in a general advisory capacity
and supervise distribution.

Parker Republic's
Boston Manager

BOSTON, Oct. 26.— Judson Parker
has been appointed branch manager
for Republic Pictures here, replacmg
Herbert Schaefer, who' resigned to
join Buena Vista in this territory.

Parker, who entered the industry in
1938, has been with Warners, United

Allied to Show

{Continued from page 1)

systems now available, Marcus said,
adding that small town exhibitors will
be able to save up to $750 on installa-
tions, and larger installations will reap
savings up to $1,500.

The new stereophonic system has
been in the development stage for the
past nine months under engineering
specifications and supervision furnished
by Allied to a leading electronics
manufacturing company, the name of
which Marcus preferred to withhold
at this time. The deal covering the
system has been consummated but will
be submitted to Allied's newly formed
Emergency Defense Committee for ap-
proval. The EDC has the power to
act upon and advise the national Allied
board without waiting for formal
presentation, and consists of all re-
gional vice-presidents.

In following through on its equip-

Old CoL Films

{Continued from page 1)

back 15 years or more with some of
the Westerns starring Wild Bill El-
liott and Russell Hayden, a former
cohort of Hopalong Cassidy.

Cohn, in, .explaining the disposal of
the films, said : "This in no way alters
our company's policy of not releasing
our features for television showing.
The cartoons and Westerns which
we just disposed of have long since
outlived their theatrical value. They
have no further potential for re-
issues."

Hygo, a company which has been
selling old feature films for TV usage,
paid $300,000 in April to Chesapeake
Industries for 10 Eagle Lion feature
productions.

Suiter Promoted

Lyman E. G. Suiter has been pro-
moted to general plant manager of
Fairchild Recording Equipment Co.,
and will be responsible for all produc-
tion activities within the plant.

Artists, Universal and more recently
head booker and salesman for Screen
Guild Productions. He assumes his
new position on Nov. 1.

Its New Sound

National

Pre-Selling

"Life's" issue on the newsstands to-
morrow has devoted the front page to
Dorothy Dandridge, star of "Carmen
Jones." A preview of "Carmen Jones"
and a personality story of the star also
appears in the issue. "Life" reports
that their circulation for the first six
months of this year has hit an all
time high, 5,615,075.

•

"Woman's Home Companion's"
family-approved movies for Novem-
ber are: "White Christmas," "The
Detective," "Aida," "Suddenly,"
"Rogue Cop," "Ugetsu," "'Bread,
Love and Dreams" and "The Egyp-
tian."

•

"Look," has devoted three pages in
the current issue to photos of Kath-
arine Hepburn on location for UA's
"Summertime," in Venice. The series
of photos shows her toppling back-
ward into the Grand Canal, a stunt
to make any Venetian blanch. The
"Summertime" company worked along
Venice's congested canals and streets
for two weeks at the height of the
tourist season.

•

Ruth Harbert of "Good House-
keeping" has developed a new for-
mat for her "Assignment in Holly-
wood" department, which is inaugu-
rated in the November issue. She
has chosen three films to preview
in the issue, spotlighting one pic-
ture,—"The Long Gray Line." She
explains the story line of this pic-
ture is based on the first Army-
Notre Dame football game, that
took place in 1913, which inciden-
tally Notre Dame won by a score
of 35 to 13.

•

A special two-page photo-feature in
the November issue of "Seventeen"
alerts readers to the new "Cinerama
Holiday," produced by Louis de
Rochemont. Fourteen scenes from the
sight-seeing movie are pictured in the
magazine, including views of Manhat-
tan, Paris and Zurich. "Cinerama
Holiday" will take its audience on the
trip to France, the Swiss Alps and
around our amazing country, says
"Seventeen's" entertainment editor, Ed
Miller.

WALTER HAAS

System

ment plan, Marcus said. Allied will
continue to explore any new develop-
ments so that all exhibitors can take
advantage of equipment innovations at
prices which will conform with
"economy of purpose." He revealed
that an established optical manufactur-
ing company is currently developing
an anamorphic as well as standard
lens which will be marketed at 40-to-
50 per cent savings over other estab-
lished brands.

Outlines Distribution Plan

In pursuing this equipment phase of
exhibitor problems, Marcus was em-
phatic in his desire for all exhibitors
to be able to take advantage of Allied's
efforts in keeping costs at a minimum.
Questioned on distribution plans for
Allied States equipment, he explained
that Allied will act as a national dis-
tributor, with established franchise

dealers being delegated to distribute
in close cooperation with local Allied
units.

Marcus revealed he has been meet-
ing with several top producers on pro-
posals for Allied backing of film
production projects, and that he will
discuss these with Allied's EDC in
an effort to encourage more indepen-
dent sources of product than those
already being developed by Hal R.
Makelim and Fred Schwartz.

Lauds D.C.A.

Marcus said he views Fred Schwartz'
Distributors Corporation of America
as typical of type that can provide a
solution to the product-scarcity prob-
lem, and admitted his personal finan-
cial and moral support to DCA, which
he said he hoped would encourage
similar p-ojects by other reliable
groups.

All

The Mews

That
Is News

MOTION PICTURE

\Oh. 76. NO. 83

NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 195^^

TEN CENTS

Strong Plea

ExhibitorUnity
Stressed Here
By Pat McGee

Makes Pitch for Single
Theatre Association

A strong plea for "unity of all ex-
hibitor groups" was issued here yes-
terday by Pat McGee, vice-president
of Theatre Owners of America.

McGee, stressing that he was speak-
ing as an individual rather that for
TOA, declared that "if the rank and
file members had their say they would
be together" in one exhibitor organ-
ization.

McGee declined direct comment on
Allied president Ben Marcus' unity
appeal, but he made it clear how he
personally felt on the issue of exhibi-
tors being affiliated with a number of
trade associations rather than one.
McGee will be the keynote speaker
at the TOA convention in Chicago,
which gets under way on Sunday.

He said since divorcement took
place in the industry, all reasons for
(Continued on page 6)

JDA in Tribute
To Industry Press

More than 200 exhibition and dis-
tribution executives paid tribute to the
trade press for "distinguished services
in behalf of human rights," at a Joint
Defense Appeal testimonial luncheon
yesterday at the Hotel Sheraton Astor
here.

Kim Novak, Columbia Pictures'
starlet now appearing in "Pushover"
and "PhfTft," presented representatives
of 10 industry trade journals with
"symbols of esteem." Publications re-
ceiving the plaques were "Motion Pic-
ture Daily," "Motion Picture Herald,"
"The Billboard," "Boxoffice," "Ex-
hibitor," "Film Bulletin," "Film
(Continued on page 6)

STARTS TODAY IN PITTSBURGH

Local 306 Picketing
Injunction Vacated

A temporary injunction restraining
Local 306 from picketing the Fair
Theatre, Queens, was set aside yester-
day by Queens Supreme Court Judge
Stoddard following a hearing on an
application by the theatre to have the
injunction made permanent. The court
indicated the application would be de-
nied, Herman Gelber of Local 306
said.

The local contended the temporary
(Continued on page 6)

SELLING WORKSHOP' OF M-G-M \Need Moral Balance

Shurlock Says
Mature-Theme
GrowthNaturaJ

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 27.— M-G-M'
be held at the William Penn Hotel
more than 300 theatre owners, manag
ly of a c c e p -
tances received
by John J. Ma-
loney, M-G-M
central division
sales manager,
who will act as
host, assisted by
other members
of his staff in-
cluding Ralph
W. P i e 1 o w ,
branch manager ;
Max Shabason,
assistant man-
ager ; "I r v"
Jacobs, Ed
Moriarty and Bob Clark, salesmen. It

s initial "Ticket Selling Workshop," to
tomorrow, here, will be attended by
ers and executives, according to a tal-

Mike Simons

was 12 years and eight days ago that
M-G-M held its "Exhibitor Forum"
in the same ballroom. It was the last
in the inaugural series and was at-
tended by numerous faces still active
in local Film Row.

Mike Simons, in charge of customer
relations for the film company, has
been here the past two days finalizing
plans for the first forum, designed to
improve business at the bo.x office,
with exhibitors in the territory par-
ticipating in suggestions and ideas to
further this endeavor. Emery Austin,
exploitation manager for the company,
arrived last night by plane to coor-
(Continued on page 6)

26 Terrytoons in
All Media by Fox

A program of 26 Terrytoons, all in
color and suitable for standard, wide
screen and projection through Cinema-
Scope's anamorphic lens, will be re-
leased by 20th Century-Fox during
1955, Lem Jones, short subjects sales
manager, announced yesterday.

Of the 26 subjects, 13 will be new
and 13 Terrytoon Toppers, cartoons
being brought back into release. The
lineup will feature the Terry Bears,
Little Roquefort, Phony Baloney, and
(^Continued on page 5)

Releasing Unit Set
By Coast Exhibitor

By Staff Correspondent

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 27.— James
H. Nicholson, longtime Los Angeles
exhibitor, has announced the forma-
tion of American Releasing Corp.,
with 28 exchanges in the United
States, and four Palo Alto produc-
tions topping the first year's release
schedule.

ARC president and general sales
manager Nicholson made his an-
nouncement in conjunction with a
(Continued on page 5)

Favor Arbitration

Opinions Vary on Proposal
For Government Regulation

Mixed opinions as to the advisability of pursuing Allied States Association's
proposal for industry regulation by the Federal Trade Commission as a public
utility continue to be received ffom exhibitors, large and small, but the over-all

consensus appears to be in opposition
to the project. Most exhibitors who
were interviewed by Motion Picture
Daily field correspondents have
strengthened their beliefs in arbitra-
tion as a means of settling many of the
industry problems.

Typical of the comments obtained
are as follows :

Abe Blumenfeld, Blumenfeld The-
atres, San Francisco : "In my opinion,
it would be detrimental to the over-all
industry picture and I am unalterably
opposed to asking government inter-
vention. Of course, the cost of new
wide-screen installations has added a
{Continued on page 5)

^Disneyland' Opens
Over ABC-TV Web

Walt Disney's initial television ven-
ture, "Disneyland," which bowed last
evening over the TV facilities of the
American network, promises much in
entertainment value for children and
adult audiences, with "Disneyland"
future shows providing a full hour of
enchantment. Those tuned in were in-
formed by Disney what future shows
will contain. They will be titled "Ad-
(Continued on page 5)

Can Be Handled Within
The Production Code

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

The growth in the number of films
with mature themes was termed
natural" here yesterday by Geoffrey
Shurlock, newly-appointed administra-
tor for the Production Code Adminis-
tration.

Shurlock, here on PCA business
trom the Coast, expressed his convic-
tion that mature themes can be han-
dled within the Production Code,
pointmg to such pictures as "On the
Waterfront" and "Streetcar Named
Desire."

The growth in the number of films
with mature themes, he explained,
stems from the experience over the
past three years in which films with
such themes have been found to be
acceptable to the entire family. He
cautioned that all films need a "reason-
able moral balance."

In one of his first interviews with
the trade press since his promotion
to the post of administrator, Shurlock
(Continued on page 6)

GPE Sales and Net
Up in 3rd Quarter

Consolidated sales and net earnings
of General Precision Equipment Corp.
for both the third quarter and the
first nine months of 1954 increased
over similar periods of 1953, Hermann
G. Place, president, reported yester-
day.

Consolidated net sales for the three
months ended Sept. 30, were $31,-
141,460, a rise of 45 per cent over
the $21,391,405 reported for the same
period of 1953. Net profit, after ad-
justment for minority interest, was
(Continued on page 6)

Services Today for
CoUs Oscar Ruby

CLEVELAND, O.. Oct. 27.— Oscar
Ruby, 57, for approximately 20 years
Columbia branch manager in Milwau-
kee and for the past 10 years in Cleve-
land, died yesterday in University
Hospital of lung cancer. Funeral ser-
vices will be held tomorrow in Temple
Memorial Home, with burial in
Youngstown. Parents, wife, son and
grandchild survive.

Motion Picture Daily

Thursday, October 28, 1954

Personal
Mention

HAL WALLIS, of Wallis-Hazen
Productions, has arrived here
from Hollywood.

•

Mike Simons, in charge of exhibi-
tor relations for M-G-M, and Emery
Austin, director of exploitation, will
return to New York tomorrow from
Pittsburgh.

James Saphier, talent executive,
and Charles Goldner, actor, -will
leave here today for London via
B.O.A.C. Monarch.

•

Capt. L R. Maxwell, chairman of
the board of Harmony Films, left
here for London yesterday via
B.O.A.C.

•

Nicholas Nayfack, producer, and
John Sturges, director, will leave
New York at the weekend for Hol-
lywood.

•

William E. Kollmeyer, formerly
manager of the Westrex Corp. branch
in India, has arrived in New York
from there.

Ci Bartlett, producer, and Jack
Hylton, agent, have arrived here
from London.

Sid Blumenstock, Paramount ad-
vertising manager, will return to New
York today from Washington.
•

Robert Aldrich, director, arrived
in New York yesterday from the
Coast.

John P. Byrne, M-G-M Eastern
sales manager, is in Philadelphia from
New York.

•

Patricia Medina has arrived jhepe,
from the Coast. , . ■

Sidney Bell to Coast
For National Screen

Sidney C. Bell, head of the contract
department of National Screen Serv-
ice, is transfering his activities to the
NSS Hollywood studios, where he
will represent the company in televi-
sion film commercial sales, it was an-
nounced by Herman Robbins, presi-
dent of National Screen.

Bell, with National Screen for the
past seven years in contracts and sales,
will be guest of honor at a luncheon
of his company associates at Toots
Shor's today. Bell leaves for the coast
on Friday.

Roxy Dividend

HOLLYWOOD, Oct.- 27.— A quar-
terly cash dividend of 37 cents per
sharp was declared yesterday on out-
standing preferred stock of Roxy The-
atres, Inc., payable Dec. 1 to stock-
holders of record on Nov. 17. ,

Chicago Bow for 'Fate'

United Artists' "Twist of Fate,"
starring Ginger Rogers, will have its
American premiere at the Monroe
Theatre in Chicago on Nov. 10.

U.S. Grants Patent
To Chromatic Tube

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27. —
The U. S. Patent Office has
granted to Dr. Ernest Law-
rence a patent covering his
basic invention of the Chroma-
tic color television picture tube
which is controlled by Para-
mount.

To Discuss NCCJ
Drive Here Nov. 9

John H. Harris, national chairman
of the amusements division for the
1954-55 drive of the National Confer-
ence of Christians and Jews, will dis-
cuss plans for the forthcoming drive at
a luncheon-press conference to be held
at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on
Nov. 9.

The luncheon program also will in-
clude the presentation of a placiue to
Emanuel Frisch by the National Con-
ference in tribute for his services in
last year's drive, as amusement divi--
sion campaign chairman.

J. Robert Rubin is general chairman
of the amusements' division for the
National Conference .of Christians and
Jews.

*Carmen' Opening
To Draw Stars

Dorothy Dandridge, Pearl Bailey, '
Olga James and Joe Adams will be
among the show business personalities-
and noted figures in attendance at the
world premiere of 20th Century-Eox's
CinemaScope presentation, "Carmen
Jones," at the RivoK Theatre tonight.

Among the guests at the opening of
Otto Preminger's production ,of Oscar
Hammerstein's musical, will be Ethel
Merman, Janice Rule, Judy Holliday,
Peggy Ann Garner, Lena Horne, Joe
Mankiewicz, Abe Burrows, ' Anna
Rosenberg, Michael Todd, Moss Hart,
Judge Samuel Rosenman,- Congress-
man Adam Clayton Powell, Hazel
Scott, Hermione Gingold, Count Basic
and Sammy Davis, Jr.

Also at the aftair will be Jessie
Rojrce Landis, Sam and Bella Spe-
wack, Billy DeWolfe, , Red Buttons,
Wild Bill Davtstfn, ' Steve Allen, Rob-
ert Q. Lewis, Mindy Carson, Morey
Amsterdam, Deems Taylor, and Ben-
nett Cerf.

The Carmen Jones rose, grown by
T. W. Bianchi _Greenhouses, East
Patchogue, L. L, for the world pre-
miere of the 20th Century-Fox pro-
duction will be presented to women
guests attending the premiere.

Harding, Exhibitor
In Kansas, Is Dead

KANSAS CITY, Oct. 27.—David
H. Harding, formerly an exhibitor in
the Midwest, is dead here at the age
of 77. He and his brother, Samuel,
once owned the Doric Theatre. David
Harding had been secretary-treasurer
of Caphol JEnterprises, operating 24
theatres in the Midwest in the twen-
ties. He also had built the Liberty
Theatre, now the Roxy, in downtown
Kansas City. He is survived by his
wife, two sons and a daughter.

MGM's Int'l Revue
To Run 3-4 Hours

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 27.— Produc-
tion by M-G-M of "The International
Revue," with a cast which will include
not only all of the studio's top stars,
but leading singers and dancers of
many countries, was announced by the
studio head Dore Schary. The project
is said to have the support of Arthur
Loew, of Loew's International Corp.

Director George Sidney and pro-
ducer Joe Pasternak have been work-
ing on the project for some • time.
Fifty-six M-G-M representatives all
over the globe have filled out com-
prehensive questionnaires, listing each
country's most colorful backgrounds,
national events, artists known and un-
known on the screen.

More Than a Year to Make

The film is planned for a running
time of from three to four hours, and
will require more than a year to film.
Sidney will leave in the near future on
a world tour to select locales, and in-
terview singers, dancers, musicians and
other talent in forty countries.

Leslie Caron will star in a Paris se-
quence ; Gene Kelly in an Irish num-
ber and Esther Williams may have
the Panama Canal as a swimming
pool. Others definitely set to star in-
clude Howard Keel, Cyd Charisse,
Debbie Revnolds, Jane Powell, Robert
Taylor. Pier Angeli, Ann Miller, Wal-
ter Pidgeon, Vic Damone and Taina

Els-

The picture will have a story with
Leonard Spigelgass writing the screen-
play, tying together the best of the
world's entertainment.

Leavitt ASCAP
Detroit Area Mgr.

The appointment of David Leavitt
as the new district manager of the
ASCAP office in Detroit was an-
nounced by J. M. Collins, sales man-
ager.

Leavitt has been associated with the
Society for seven years. During this
time he has been operating as a field
representative in the Boston office.
From 1942 to 1946 he served in the
Ouartermaster Corps of the United
States Army and was honorably dis-
charged as a major.

The law firm of Grosner & Burak,
which "nas represented the Society for
manv years, will remain as counsel in
the Michigan territory.

'Hansel* to Open
During Holidays

RKO will open "Hansel and Gretel"
on the first day of the Christmas holi-
day vacation in key cities, it was an-
nounced yesterday by Walter Branson,
world-wide sales manager.

During the first two weeks of its
world premiere run at the Broadway
Theatre, N. Y., the Michael Myerberg
production outgrossed every other
house on Broadway except the Radio
City Music Hall and the Paramount,
RKO asserted.

A six-month test by the National
Biscuit Co., which is introducing a new
cookie package called "Hansel and
Gretl," revealed, Myerberg relayed,
that the "title has sold more merchan-
dise than any other titled merchandise."

Geo. Schenck Heads
Albany Variety Club;
Jackter First Asst.

ALBANY, Oct. 27.— The Albany
Variety Club has a new set of officers,
headed by George H. Schenck as chief
barker. Schenck, Tri-State Automatic
Candy Corp. branch manager since
1946, former Warner Theatre manager
in Elmira and assistant manager in
Utica and Syracuse, took office as soon
as the crew elected him. He was prop-
erty master two years ago.

Norman Jackter, Columbia branch
manager, was chosen first assistant
chief barker, and Jack Goldberg, Metro
resident manager, second assistant
chief barker.

Lewis A. Sumberg, an attorney with
film connections, was elected property
master, while Sidney Urbach, certified
public accountant, also with an indus-
try affiliation, was voted chief dough
guy.

Take Office at Once

The new officers assumed control
immediately, because the crew and
Variety Club members deemed it ad-
visable for them to draft plans for the
annual Denial Drive to aid Camp
Thatcher. This campaign will be con-
ducted during the month of November,
with a target of $13,000.

Jackter was appointed campaign co-
ordinator. Irwin Ullman, Mohawk
drive-in manager, was selected as spe-
cial events collection chairman, and
Arthur Green, as distributor chair-
man.

Elect Bialek Head
Of Conn. Allied

HARTFORD, Oct. 27. — Norman
Bialek of the Sampson-Spodick-Bialek
Theatres has been elected president of
Allied Theatre Owners of Connecticut,
succeeding Dr. Jack Fishman, of the
Fishman Theatres, who becomes a di-
rector.

Others named were : Vice-presidents,
Maurice W. Shulman, Shulman Thea-
tres ; Seymour Levine, Bowl Drive-in,
West Haven; Michael Alperin, Hart-
ford Theatres Circuit ; and Jack Post,
Fishman Theatres ; secretary, attorney
Maxwell Alderman ; treasurer, Joseph
Shulman, Shulman Theatres ; direc-
tors, the officers. Doctor Fishman, and
Maurice Bailey, Bailey Theatres ;
Robert Elliano, Colonial, Walnut
Beach; and Barney Tarantul, Burnside
Theatres Corp.

Three Talks Slated
By MGM for Murphy

George Murphy, as representative
of M-G-M, will fill three speaking
engagements, the first on Nov. 15 at
the annual convention of the Theatre
Owners of North and South Carolina
to be held at the Hotel Charlotte, in
Charlotte.

The second will be at the Motion
Picture Pioneers dinner to be held
here Nov/ 17 at the Waldorf Astoria,
which will be followed on Nov. 22
by a talk to be delivered at the annual
convention of the Florida Theatre
Owners at the Roosevelt Hotel, Jack-
sonville.

MOTION, PICTURE DAILY Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company,-' Iflc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20. N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke.
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urhen Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sfl., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each Dublished 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Se,<it. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

CHRISTMAS
GROSSES

INDUSTI

Greatest Entertainment
Package Of The Year Is
All Wrapped Up In

•ed up 1 If

yiSTAVlSION

GETTING
CHRISTMAS

BUSINESS
RIGHT NOW!

Motion Picture Daily

Thursday, October 28, 1954

Motion Pictu re Da ilyFea tu reRevie ws

"Black Widow"

(20th Ccntnry-Fox)
(CinemnScope)

THE tension of a taut murder mystery has been caught by the Cinema-
Scope camera in Nunnally Johnson's production of "Black Widow," a
film in which suspense is served up on a heaping platter. It is a smartly-
paced melodrama which should remain comfortably inside the understanding
and comprehension of the average patron. Offering entertainment from plau-
sible script, this de luxe color picture should command high grosses at the
nation's box-offices. The top-notch cast of Ginger Rogers, A-'an Heflin, Gene
Tierney, George Raft, Peggy Ann Garner and Reginald Gardiner keep the
story moving swiftly.

Heflin and Miss Tierney are a prominent couple, much in love, who derive
their earnings from the legitimate stage, he as a producer and she as a per-
former. Miss Rogers is the star of Heflin's stage presentation while Gardiner
basks in her limelight as the husband who is dominated by the wife's prom-
inence and who eventually seeks love and understanding somewhere else.
In this case, Gardiner enters into an affair with Miss Garner, who portrays
a young, innocent girl, who has a purpose. Raft is the police officer who
turns the suicide angle into murder, thus changing the lives of all the others.

While Miss Tierney is away for a period visiting her ailing mother,
Heflin meets Miss Garner, an aspiring writer, at a cocktail party thrown by
Miss Rogers. A short time later, Heflin allows the young writer to move
into his apartment as tlie premises provide the proper environment for Miss
Garner's budding career. The story really begins when Heflin and Miss
Tierney return from the airport to their home and discover Miss Garner's
body hanging in the bedroom, an apparent suicide.

Raft here enters the picture, as the investigating officer, and as he ques-
tions and probes about into the lives of the others, Heflin looms more and
more as the cause of Miss Garner's suicide, but the producer maintains his
innocence, despite the mounting circumstantial evidence, and strikes out on
his own to solve the suicide which has turned into murder. Johnson, the
producer and director, at this point interjects flashbacks as Heflin seeks to
find the real criminal and the suspense and tension mount, keeping the viewer
on edge. The real killer is discovered by Raft after he breaks in on a con-
versation among the principals.

Others in the cast are Virginia Leith, Otto Kruger, Cathleen Nesbitt, Skip
Homeier and Hilda Simms. Johnson wrote the screenplay from a story by
Patrick Quentin.

Running time, 95 minutes. General audience classification. Release, in
November. LESTER DINOFF

''The Steel Cage''

Sn'artt::-Doiiiyci- ( United Artists)

H LJ UMOR, Freedom and a Purpose in Life." These are the three goals
sought by all prisoners, says Clinton T. Duffy, warden of San Quentin
Prison and author of "Dul¥y of San Quentin." It mirrors another segment
in the life of the famous penologist — played here by Paul Kelly— and results
in another feature on this theme with excellent box-office potentialities. Co-
produced by Berman Swarttz and Walter Doniger, who several months ago
released "DuiTy of San Quentin," the film is divided into three parts, telling
three unrelated stories. Thus there is an episode dramatizing each.

The first one, called "The Chef," features Waher Slezak as a famous cook
whose violent temper puts him behind bars. His cooking is such a treat that
the other prisoners frame him back into jail when he is paroled. Slezak gets
his revenge and the whole sequence is played for laughs, which are intermittent.
It's pleasantly innocuous.

"The Hostages" is the title of the second episode and it's the least success-
ful of the trio mainly because it tells a tale told so often in prison pictures.
John Ireland and Lawrence Tierney play two hardened criminals who plan
a break. Involved are Ireland's kid brother who is due for release soon and
two prison board officials who are held as hostages. An internal crisis among
the men provides their downfall. Although inherently the most exciting, it is
depicted listlessly.

The best of all is, appropriately, the climax, "The Face." Herein a young
priest comes to San Quentin and is beset by many problems. He must over-
come his own prejudice towards the prisoners, yet help murderers and thieves
regain their lost faith. The protagonist is an artist, intelligent and sacrilegious,
who is repainting the prison chapel's copy of "The Last Supper." The faces
on the painting become the faces' of the inmates and through each other, the
priest and the artist learn a better understanding of man and mankiiid. The
sequence is quite moving. It is extremely well acted by Arthur l-^ranz as
the priest and Kenneth Tobey as the artist.

"The Steel Cage" is an offbeat prison picture that should appeal, strangely
enough, mainly to the non-action fan. Doniger directed all three sequences,
with the writing divided among many. Oliver Crawford wrote the screen-
play for the first from a story by the producers. The latter did the screenplay
for" the second and Guy Trosper the third from a story by Scott Littleton.
The whole was based on the book "The San Quentin Story" by Duffy and
Dean Jennings.

Kelly is properly forceful as Warden Duf¥y while Maureen O Sullivan
appears briefly as Mrs. Duffy.

Prominent among a large and competent supporting cast are Alan Mow-
bray, George E. Stone, Lyle Talbot, Elizabeth Frazer, Stanley Andrews,
Morris Ankrum and Don Beddoe.

Running time, 80 minutes. General audience classification. Release date
not set.

Iff

Operation Manhunf

(MPTV-United Artists)

BASED on the actual experiences of ex-Russian code clerk Igor Gouzenko,
"Operation Manhunt" is a documentary film made in its entirety in Canada
and should please most types of audiences inasmuch as democracy in action is
shown in contrast to the totalitarian methods of existence. Producer Fred
Feldkamp, in order to protect Gouzenko's new identity and whereabouts, has
altered the characters, incidents and locations in line with the Canadian gov-
ernment's security requirements.

Audiences will recall the 1945 newspaper headlines concerning Gouzenko, a
Soviet government representative in Canada, who made a break for freedom
with dossiers of information concerning the Russian government's espionage
system and network throughout Canada and the U. S., and, in turn, revealing
a Soviet spy ring. Although he and his family are living under constant police
protection, Gouzenko presently is leading a fairly normal life and is aware
that sudden death threatens at any moment.

Residing at a remote farm somewhere in Canada, Gouzenko's principal con-
tact with the "outside world" is through his publisher, Robert Goodier. One
day, Goodier informs Gouzenko, who is portrayed in this film by Harry
Townes, that he received a letter from someone in the Russian Embassy in
Ottawa stating Uiat the writer wants to break with the Soviets, as Gouzenko
did, but first wants to be sure that he will be as free as Gouzenko.

Considering all the angles concerning the writer, Gouzenko meets with his
publisher and the police, setting up plans whereby the man in question, who
is portrayed by Jacques Aubuchon, an MVD agent imported from Russia
for the task of murdering Gouzenko, will be closely watched and apprehended
if necessary. A meeting is arranged and instead of killing Gouzenko, the
MVD agent, who had for 10 years awaited his opportunity to break with
the Soviets, reveals himself and turns over a list of all spies still operating
in Canada.

Others in the cast are Irja Jensen, who portrays the ex-code clerk's wife,
Albert Miller, Will Kuluva, Ovila Legara and Caren Shaffer and Kenneth
Wolfe. This film was produced by Feldkamp and directed by Jack Alexander
from a screenplay by Paul Monash.

Running time, 77 minutes. General audience classification. Release, in
October.

L. D.

''Ricochet Romance''

( U niversal-International)

THE fans of Ma Kettle and Francis will not be let down in this uninhibited
farce which finds Marjorie Main and Chill Wills joining forces.
They receive excellent support from Pedro Gonzales-Gonzales and Alfonso
Bedoya who provide a great deal of the fun with their south-of-the-border
accents and tom-foolery.

Wills is seen as a dude ranch owner whose penchant for magic tricks inter-
feres with the running of the ranch. Miss Main is his sardonic new cook
who helps straighten out his romantic entanglements. Benay Venuta is the
gold-digging waitress who sets her sights on Wills but changes her mind, if
not her tactics, when she discovers one of the guests to be a millionaire
bachelor.

Director Charles Lamont, an old hand at this sort of thing, never aims for
subtlety, just the funnybone. Everything from a pie-in-the-face to pratfalls
are present and they all fit snugly into the wacky proceedings. Certainly
none of the characters could ever be called conventional. Bedoya and Gon-
zales-Gonzales, two ranch hands, have penchants for the stock market and
women's fashions. Rudy Vallee, seen in his by-now famous role of the fussy
millionaire, never stops eating and Irene Ryan plays a guest who is constantly
milking the cows. This potpourri of merriment is certainly not for the
sophisticated, but most others should find it a good gloomchaser.

The picture was produced by Robert Arthur and Richard Wilson with Kay
Lenard doing both the story and screenplay. Several songs are heard briefly
including the popular title tune.

Others in the cast include Ruth Hampton, Judith Ames, Darryl Hickman,
Lee Aaker, Phillip Tonge and Phillip Chambers.

Running time, 80 minutes. General audience classification. For November
release.

Vitapix, Guild Films
In Working Tieup

Vitapix Corp. and Guild Films Co.,
Inc. have entered into an agreement
for close working relations between
them in their respective fields in tele-
vision, according to an announcement
by Frank E. Mullen, president of
Vitapix, and Reub Kaufman, president
of Guild Films.

Under the agreement, all film pro-
duction, sales and distribution, traffic,
and service functions of the two com-
panies will be performed by Guild
Films, while Vitapix will concentrate
its activities on station relations, time
and program research, and time clear-
ance for national spot programs.

A^^ Tent to Salute
'New Faces' Nov. 9

BOSTON. Oct. 27.— The Variety
Clubs of New England will honor
"New Faces in New Positions" at a
Hotel Bradford luncheon on Nov. 9,
it was announced here by Chief Barker
Walter Brown.

Chairman of the luncheon will be
M-G-M's Beau Rosenwald. Guests of
honor are : James Connelly, John
Feloney, 20th Century-Fox ; Joseph
Gins, Universal ; Francis Dervin,
RKO: Herbert Schaefer, Walt Dis-
ney; Ralph lannuzzi, Warner Broth-
ers ; John Moore, Jack Brown, Para-
mount ; William Madden, M-G-M ;
Judd Parker, Republic.

Thursday, October 28, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Views on Regulation Vary

(Continued from page 1)

oon

{Continued from page 1 )

Dim Wit as well as other popular
animated characters in the Terrytoon
series.

The first 10 Terrytoons to be placed
in exhibition next year are "Gandy
Goose In Barnyard Actor," "A Yoko-
hama Yankee," "Terry Bears In Duck
Fever," "Aesop's Fable — The First
Flying Fish," "Little Roquefort In No
Sleep for Percy," and Terrytoon
Toppers "Dear Old Switzerland,"
"Swooning The Swooners," "Gandy
Goose In It's All In The Stars," "The
Two-Headed Giant," and "Smoky."

Releasing Group

{Continued from page 1)

trade press preview of the first Palo
Alto production, "The Fast and the
Furious," which has John Ireland and
Dorothy Malone cast in the starring
roles.

Nicholson said : "The national tour
from which Roger Gorman (Palo
Alto producer) and I have just re-
turned proved to us that the average
exhibitor continues to find difficulty
in securing quality attractions of
proper showmanly quality. It is to fill
his need that we have created Amer-
ican Releasing Corporation."

Other ARC officers are Samuel Z.
Arkofif, vice-president and counsel,
and Joseph Moritz, treasurer.

^Disneyland'

{Continued from page 1)

ventureland," "Frontierland," "Fan-
tasyland" and "Tomorrowland."

The Academy- Award-winning pro-
ducer, in his talk, attributed much of
his success to Mickey Mouse, his first
cartoon creation, and presented se-
quences from Mickey Mouse, to-
gether with Donald Duck, Goofy and
Pluto. A scene from Disney's first
CinemaScope feature, "20,000 Leagues
Under the Sea," was also shown,
along with film clips from "Alice in
Wonderland" and "Fantasia."

L. D.

Gimbels in 'Jones'
Tieup With 20th

Twentieth Century-Fox, and Gimbel
Brothers department store are jointly
promoting "Carmen Jones" in Cinema-
Scope via a saturation newspaper ad-
vertising campaign totaling 10 full
pages in five metropolitan papers. The
production world premieres tonight at
the Rivoli Theatre.

Double-truck advertisements fully
crediting the picture and its stars ap-
peared in yesterday's "Journal-Ameri-
can" and "Post" and the campaign
follows through today with two-page
ads each in the "Daily Mirror,"
"Times" and "Herald Tribune."

H off berg Acquires
*Hon, Mountain'

Hofifberg Productions has been des-
ignated Eastern sales agent for the
Ray Fielding adventure-travelogTje
production, "The Honorable Moun-
tain."

Photographed in Japan, the two-
reel color picture documents the an-
nual pilgrimage, by the Japanese
people, to the top of 12,000 foot Mount
Fujiyama, the highest mountain in
Japan.

great burden . . . but I believe the only'
lasting and satisfactory solution is ar-
bitration. It can't be done by an out-
sider, it can't be done overnight and it
certainly can't be done without the full
cooperation and support of all con-
cerned. It's up to us to put our own
house in order."

David Idzal, managing director,
Fox Theatre, Detroit : "There's too
much regulation now. We have cen-
sorship. Give the government any
more hand and there will be a bureau
that knows nothing about running the
industry. This is not an essential
business like making electricity. The
anti-trust suits were supposed to solve
all problems. The exhibitor is worse
ofif now than he was before. What
would be next ? Would they regulate
grocery stores ? Gas stations ? The
small exhibitor may be in the same
position as the small bar operator. For
a while they gave everyone a license to
sell liquor. So now there are many
more bars than can be supported. The
exhibitor who is on his toes and knows
his job will make out without any
more laws to help him. Added regu-
lation will stifle initiative clear back to
the producer."

Maurice W. Shulman, Shulman
Theatres, Hartford: "I'm in favor of
arbitration by all interested parties
prior to going to the Federal govern-
ment. Since divorcement of the major
film companies from their theatre
properties, there seems to have been
an added drive for revenue from ex-
hibition. When an independent ex-
hibitor's source of income reaches the
point of no-profit, then it's time to sit
down and ask pointedly, 'Where do
we go from here?' Distribution and
exhibition must live together, and un-
less arbitration by friendly people is
accomplished, we must turn to the
government."

Mcrris Keppner, General Thea-
tres, Hartford : "Conditions have
reached impossible areas, and the only
source for us today is to turn to the
govenmient to straighten out the
mess."

Jules Perlmutter, circuit operator.
Uptown, N. Y. : "My objection to Fed-
eral regulation of film distribution is
that you take the industry out of the
exhibitors' hands and you give your
rights away. I think it will hurt us.
I am definitely against Federal regu-
lation. I don't feel that it fits into the
picture of private enterprise. I, for
one, have been able to work out my
own problems very nicely. I don't

Coast 'White' Bow
On NBC-TV in East

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 27.— The ea-
tertainment value of a Hollywood
picture premiere as television-program
subject matter was underscored to-
night when NBC picked up a fifteen-
minute segment for telecast of the
"White Christmas" premiere at the
Stanley Warner Beverly Hills Thea-
tre and used it on Steve Allen's "To-
night" program over the NBC East-
ern seaboard stations.

NBC picked up a segment from
KTLA's local telecast covering the
premiere ceremonies. The premiere
was in the nature of a benefit for
the California Society for Mental
Hygiene. It netted that organization
over $20,000.

feel I should be regulated by the Fed-
eral government. I have been able to
arbitrate my own film rentals. I don't
say that I have won out in every situa-
tion, but I feel that the give-and-take
method has been successful. I don't
find any fault with the distributors. I
have been given as much as I would
want to give anybody else, were the
situation reversed."

Morton Gerber, general manager
of District Theatres, Washington : "I
am opposed to any government inter-
vention and I wouldn't like to see the
government running our industry. We
should clean our own house."

Sidney Lust, Lust Theatres,
Washington : "Government regulation
of the industry is not at all necessary
and I don't think we should allow the
government to run our business. It's
only desperate men who are suggest-
ing government control. That's be-
cause the distributors are squeezing
them too much. The companies and
exchanges are taking full advantage
of every opportunity. If they'd stop
and think, they would realize we've
been hanging on by the skin of our
teeth. This is one time when we have
to work together, and if they put us
out of business they won't get film
rentals and then where will they be?
I see a lot of brightness so let's not
kill it."

Robert L. Lippert, Lippert Thea-
tres, and George M. Mann, Redwood
Theatres, San Francisco : "It is our
firm belief that there should be no
government interference in any aspect
of the industry. We know of no case
where any such regulation has done
the motion picture business any good.
The rapid advances made during re-
cent months, making screen and sound
replacements necessary, has undoubt-
edly worked a financial hardship on
some exibitors and this probably ac-
counts for many of the complaints"and
much of the confusion that now exists.
Any major industrial advance requires
an adjustment period before all those
affected get back on an even keel."

Phillip Corte, Garden Theatre,
New Orleans : "As an independent ex-
hibitor operating one theatre, I must
support Allied's plan. The current
distributor policies must be halted to
keep the small exhibitor in business.
We were a happy lot when we were
relieved of the burden of the amuse-
ment tax, but we'll be a sad lot again
if distribution's policies are not modi-
fied soon."

WB Latin America
Meet Starts Nov. 15

Wolfe Cohen, president of Warner
International, will hold a sales meet-
ing of the company's Latin American
managers, in Mexico City, during the
week of Nov. 15.

Home office representatives who will
be present at the meetings include
Samuel Schneider, Warner vice-presi-
dent ; John J. Glynn, Karl Macdonald,
Jerry Keyser. Also attending will be
Carl Schaeffer of the Burbank studio.

'Queen' for Thanksgiving

"Cattle Queen of Montana," which
has its world premiere on Nov. 17
in Billings, Mont., will be RKO's
Thanksgiving release.

People

Attorney I. Elmer Ecker has been
elected chief barker of Tent No. 1,
Variety Club in Pittsburgh for 1955.
Other officers are David J. McDon-
ald, president of the United Steel
Workers, first assistant chief barker;
Ray Scott, second assistant; Sammy
Speranza, treasurer, Al Weiblinger,
secretary. The board of directors
consists of Ray Downey, Harry
Hendel, Jimmy Klingensmith, Har-
ry Kodinsky, Bob Prince and Abe
Weiner.

James Carreras will be the British
representative at next year's Variety
Club's International convention in
Los Angeles. Carreras is managing
director of Exclusive Films and
present chief barker of the London
Variety tent.

George L. George has been nained
associate producer and director of
Sturgis-Grant Productions, Inc.

Jacques Tati, French comic and
famed for his role in "Mr. Hulot's
Holiday," will arrive in New York
early in November. Tati will make
his American TV debut on the Max
Leibman NBC show on Nov. 7.

Ted Schlanger, Stanley Warner
Philadelphia, zone manager, became
a grandpappy again when his daugh-
ter Marilyn gave birth to a boy.

Jeanne Flatley, secretary to office
manager Max Berlone at LInited
Artists in Boston, is engaged to
marry Thomas Fleming of Holyoke.

Nat L. Lefton, former indepen-
dent distributor of Cleveland, is
spending some time there before
leaving to open up his home in
Florida. Lefton is reportedly in
good he'alth after emergency sur-
gery.

Felix Mendelsohn, Jr., has been
appointed head of the West Coast
office of Mayer and O'Brien, Inc.

John Scuoppo has joined the
United Artists publicity department
here. Scuoppo was previously asso-
ciated with Columbia Pictures and
Eagle-Lion.

Mervyn LeRoy was awarded the
Victoire Trophy as winner of a poll
to select the best motion picture di-
rector held by Le Film Francaise.
The trophy was presented to LeRoy
by Raoul Bertrand, French Consul
General of Los Angeles at a War-
ner Brothers studio luncheon.

Ingo Preminger has returned to
Hollywood after lining up talent for
the Joan Crawford starrer, "The
Way We Are," which Robert Aid-
rich will produce and direct for The
Associates and Aldrich, Inc.

Motion Picture Daily

Thursday, October 28, 1954

JDA

{Contimied from page 1)

Daily" "Independent Film Journal,"
"Radio Daily," and "Showmen's
Trade Review."

Principal speaker at the luncheon
was Henry Edward Schultz, national
chairman of the Anti-Defamation
League of B'nai B'rith, who described
the activities of the JDA agencies m
combatting bigotry and promoting bet-
ter relations among Americans of all
races and creeds. He urged continuing
industry support for JDA which is the
fund-raising arm of both the American
Jewish Committee and the Anti-Def-
amation League.

William J. German has been serv-
ing as general chairman of the JDA
campaign. Paul N. Lazarus, Jr., vice-
president in charge of advertising and
publicity for Columbia Pictures,
served " as luncheon chairman and
Leon Goldberg, of United Artists,
was treasurer.

Fifteen on Dais

Seated on the dais along with the
trade press representatives were : Sam
Rinzler of the Randforce circuit;
Emanuel Frisch, president of Metro-
politan Motion Picture Theatre Asso-
ciation; John J. O'Connor, vice-presi-
dent of Universal Pictures; Charles
Boasberg, vice-president and general
manager of Distributors Corp. of
America; Ed Fabian of Fabian Thea-
tres; Sol Schwartz, RKO Theatres
president ; John Balaban of Balaban
& Katz Theatres ; Samuel Rosen,
Stanley Warner Corp. vice-president ;
Leon Goldberg, United Artists treas-
urer ; Louis Phillips, Paramount ;
Robert Benjamin, chairman of the
board of United Artists ; Arthur
Krim, president of United Artists ;
Russell V. Downing, president and
general manager of Radio City Music
Hall ; Douglas Yates, vice-president
and assistant sales manager of Re-
public Pictures International, and Burt
Robbins of National Screen Service.

Prominent at 'Workshop' of MGM

Tennessee TOA to
Fight Proposed Tax

COOKEVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 27.—
The Tennessee Theatre Owners Asso-
ciation is organizing its ranks to com-
bat a proposed 3 per cent tax on gross
receipts of motion picture theatres by
the State of Tennessee, according to
Stacy Wilhite, TTOA president.

On Oct. 18, the Tennessee Legis-
lature Council Committee listed 18 tax
sources open to the General Assem-
bly. Included was the restoration of a
3 per cent tax on gross receipts of
theatres, an estimated revenue of
$100,000.

TTOA leaders immediately began
plans for a full-fledged fight to prevent
the enactment of any such legislation,
Wilhite stated, and a series of regional
meetings in November will be held.

Kaye to Receive
TOA 'Star" Award

The board of directors of Thea-
tre Owners of America has
named Danny Kaye as "Star of
the Year," it was announced
here this week. Kaye will re-
ceive the initial TOA honor at
the president's banquet which
climax's the 1954 TOA conven-
tion in Chicago next week.

Ervin Clumb

Riverside Theatre
Milwaukee

Edward Hyde

Advertising Manager
Sharon (Pa.) Herald

Herbert Brown

Victoria Theatre
Greenfield, Mass.

Emery Austin

Exploitation Director
Loew's, Inc.

( Continued' from page 1 )

dinate his presentation with Simons.
Austin will represent Howard Dietz,
Silas Seadler, Dan Terrell and himself
in the presentation of promotion activi-
ties, publicity and advertising' geared
by M-G-M's creative staffs at the
home office and studios for the benefit
of the theatre owner. Austin will be
assisted by E. C. Pearson and J. L,
John, field press representatives from
Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

Additionally, a panel of two exhibi-
tor representatives, a newspaper ad-
vertising executive and two TV repre-
sentatives will discuss theatre business
and ways and means to bolster box
office attendance. On the panel are
"Irv" Clumb, manager of the River-
side, Milwaukee, who will appear by
arrangement with James E. Coston,
head of the Standard Theatres man-
agement, and Herbert I. Brown, oper-
ator of the Victoria Theatre in Green-
field, Mass. Also, Edward M. Hyde,
advertising manager of the Sharon
(Pa.) Herald and Max Riley and
William Kelley, representing station
WDTV in Pittsburgh.

Welcome by Blatt

Charles Blatt, president of the local
Allied unit, will make the formal wel-
come to Allied members attending. At
least 30 men from the Shea theatre or-
ganization will be on hand with Dale
F. Tysinger, manager of Shea's Ash-
tabula, and Fenton Scribner, manager

of the Daniel Webster, Nashua, N. H.,
who will take leading and active parts
in the open forums.

Moe Silver, zone head for the Stan-
ley Warner Theatres in the area, also
will attend with a group of his man-
agers and executives. He will speak
at luncheon and make an appeal for
the Will Rogers Hospital at Saranac,
N. Y. As chairman for the 1954
Christmas Salute for this territory.
Silver will play back a tape recording
of the recent salute of industry execu-
tives, from a recent national TV
broadcast in New York. The Manos
Circuit and other important theatre
interests in this area have indicated
they also will be represented.

Work with Local Groups

M-G-AI's sales executives in each
of the new "Workshop" meeting
places are now working with local ex-
hibitor groups and others who may be
interested in attending to get as wide
an audience for the forums as possible.
Local panels will be set up in each city
so that the topics become more related
to the individual situations in the
given areas.

At each of the "Workshops," mate-
rial designed to aid the exhibitor in
the furtherance of the program will be
distributed as well as information as
to related materials which can be or-
dered through National Screen and
other sources to promote individual
attractions.

'Paris' Premiere Set
For Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 27.— Loew's
Theatre here has been selected for the
world premiere of MGM's "Last
Time I Saw Paris." The picture will
have its first unveiling Nov. 11,
Armistice Day. Hundreds of theatres
will play the picture as their Thanks-
giving holiday attraction, MGM said.

Oscar A. Doob of MGM and Jim
Shanahan of Loew's advertising de-
partment will be here over the week-
end to set up campaign. Ernie Emer-
ling will attend the opening from
Loew's home office. Staging the world
premiere in Indianapolis is a gesture
of cooperation with the Merchants'
Association which is launching a "shop
downtown" campaign.

2 From AA in Nov.

Morey Goldstein, general sales man-
ager of Allied Artists, has announced
two pictures for national release dur-
ing November. They are "Target
Earth," starring Richard Denning,
Kathleen Crowley and Virginia Grey,
and "Cry Vengeance," Lindsley Par-
sons-John Burrows production star-
ring Mark Stevens.

Bennett Named to
New RCA Post

Martin F. Bennett has been ap-
pointed director of regional operations
for Radio Corp. of America, it was
announced by C. M. Odorizzi, execu-
tive vice-president, RCA corporate
staff.

Bennett will assume the newly-
created post immediately. He formerly
served as manager of RCA's West
Coast region with headquarters in Los
Angeles. In his new assignment, Ben-
nett will supervise the operations of
RCA's eight regional offices.

NT Board to Meet
On Skouras Post

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 27. — The
board of directors of National Thea-
tres will consider the election of a
president to succeed the late Charles
P. Skouras at its next regular meet-
ing Nov. 4.

Although the late C. P. Skouras
was president of NT and its subsi-
diary Fox West Coast Theatres, it was
pointed out that it is not necessary
that a single individual hold both of-
fices.

Shurlock

(Continued from page 1)

said there will be no let-down in the
enforcement of the provisions of the
Code. On the handling of mature
themes, Shurlock saw himself carrying
on the work of Joseph I. Breen, the
former administrator and now PCA
consultant.

Cites Case of "Streetcar'

Since the successful handling of
"Streetcar Named Desire," and the
picture's success at the box office,
Sliurlock explained studios have turned
to more mature themes in the belief
that they can be handled without be-
ing ofi^ensive to the family trade, es-
pecially the youngsters.

On the proposed increase in Produc-
tion Code service fees, Shurlock said
a 30 percent hike had been put into
effect Oct. 15. The increase, he added,
was necessitated by the shrinkage in
the product output in Hollywod at
this time.

The "way it looks now" Shurlock
said, the Hollywood product output for
1954 will be under 300. He compared
this figure with the output three years
ago which, he said, ran into the four
hundreds.

Confers on Code Dispute

While in New York, Shurlock said
he has been conferring with producer
Paul Graets on his picture "Lovers,
Happy Lovers" on an appeal for a
Code Seal.

He said he plans to return to Holly-
wood in time for a W'ednesday lunch-
eon there in tribute to Breen, given
by studio personnel.

G.P.E. Sales, Net

(Contimied from page 1)

$1,060,987, or 30 per cent above the
$814,763 reported for the same period
of 1953.

For the nine months ended Sept. 30,
consolidated net sales were $85,446,656
compared with $62,493,972 for the
same period of 1953. Net profit, after
minority interest, was $3,602,640 which
was equivalent, after dividends paid
on preferred and preference stocks, to
-.44 per share on 753,790 common
shares, the average amount outstand-
ing during the 1954 period. This com-
pares with net profit of $2,283,C30 or
$3.46 per share on the 649,987 shares
outstanding at the end of the first
nine months of 1953.

McGee

(Continued from page 1)

continuing separate exhibitor organ-
izations has disappeared. McGee ac-
knowledged that there are areas of
disagreement between TOA and Al-
lied, but he contended that there also
is a wide area of agreement and the
latter, he indicated, should be used as
a basis for unification. Disagreements,
he added, should be worked out until
a common approach to a problem is
realized.

Local 306

( Continued from page 1 )

injunction had been granted without
a hearing and said it regarded Judge
Stoddard's ruling as precedental. It
said the picketing of the theatre would
be resumed at once. The dispute arose,
according to Gelber, when the theatre,
which formerly employed projectionist
members of Local 306, switched to
non-members of the local.

All

The News

That
Is News

MOTION PICTURE

DAILY

Concise

To tli^

Point

VOL. 76.. NO. 84

NEW YORK, U.S.A., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1954

TEN CENTS

'Ticket Seller'

TV Aids Sales,
Austin Tells
'Workshop'

But MGM Won't Release
Films to Video, He Adds

By Staff Correspondent

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 28.— Although
M-G-M has not jumped into televi-
sion with both feet, it fully recognizes
the power of television as a powerful
sales medium, according to Emery M.
Austin, director of exploitation for
Loew's, who was the main speaker in
the first of the M-G-M "Ticket Sell-
ing Workshops" here today.

Addressing more than 300 owners
and managers of film houses in the
tri-state area, consisting of Western
Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio and West
Virginia, Austin noted that M-G-M
was the first Hollywood studio _ to
utilize the possibilities of television
in selling its merchandise. He de-
clared ;

"We launched a new era in motion
picture selling when we first plugged
our movie, 'Above and Beyond' on the
Ed Sullivan TV show."

However, he pointed out that
M-G-M has no intention of releasing
any of its old product to TV, and that
it requires an "Emergency Meeting of
{Continued on page 6)

'Don't Call Cops' Seen as
TOA Convention Theme

Distributors Upheld
In Philadelphia Court
In Percentage Suit

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 28.— Per-
centage action complaints by eight dis-
tributors against I. Edward Kapner
and others operating the Park Thea-
tre here were sustained in Federal
Court by U. S. District Judge John
W. Lord, Jr., who denied motions by
the defendants to dismiss such com-
plaints.

The motions by these exhibitors at-
tacking complaints filed by Columbia,
Loew's, Paramount, United Artists,
RKO, Universal, 20th Century-Fox
and Warner Bros, claimed each to be
defective, in that the action should
have been grounded in contract and
not in tort, the requisite Federal juris-
diction was lacking, and that it was
too indefinite in its allegations.

In his opinion denying the motions,
Judge Lord held, as to the first
ground, that the actions being for
deceit, and not for breach of contract,
allegations of the contractual relation-
hip between the parties were unnces-
{Continued on page 7)

Shortage in Quality
Only, Says Frank

The only product shortage in the
industry is the shortage of strong box-
office pictures, William R. Frank, ex-
hibitor and independent producer of
"Sitting Bull," United Artists first
CinemaScope release, declared here
yesterday.

"Many pictures are available, but
most of them are not commercially
sound and go down the drain," Frank
said. "Quality is more important to a
theatre than quantity in a bargaining
business," he said.

CinemaScope pictures, the 44-year
industry veteran declared, are bring-
ing back the business to the neighbor-
hood and suburban theatres which
were hard hit by television during the
( Continued on page 6)

44 Popcorn Exhibits

208 Trade Show Booths
TESMA-TEDAIPA

Expect Allied Bid for Gov't Intervention
Support to Be Rejected; Exhibitor Unity,
Rentals, Coordinator to Hold Spotlight

By AL STEEN
(Convention Program on Page 5)

CHICAGO, Oct. 28. — "Don't call the cops" appears to be the theme
song of the early arriving delegates to the annual convention of the The-
atre Owners of America which opens formally at the Conrad Hilton

Hotel here on Monday. The non-cop-
calling premise is based on TOA's
apparent negative reaction to Allied
States Association's bid for TOA's
support of AUied's proposal to ask
government intervention — via the Fed-
eral Trade Commission — in industry
trade practices, particularly as they
relate to alleged high film terms.

z'Mthough many TOA members are
admittedly concerned over the rentals
and percentage situation, it has been
the association's policy to avoid any
move toward outside interference.
Early indications are that if action on
Allied's invitation to TOA for co-
operation is asked on the convention
floor, TOA will vote it down; and
that goes for the TOA board of direc-
tors, too. The board will hold its pre-
convention executive session on Sun-
day.

On the other hand, some
effort may be made to weld a
closer link with Allied on other
issues. It is known that several
of the TOA leaders, such as
Pat McGee and Si Fabian, would
like to see all exhibitor organi-
zations consolidated into one
(Continued on page 5)

Russell Elected to
UTOI Regional Post

CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, 111.,
Oct. 28. — Gene Russell of Champaign,
has been elected regional vice-presi-
dent of the Champaign region of the
United Theatre Owners of Illinois.

George Barber of Tuscola and W.
E. Simmons of Monticello were named
to represent the area on the UTOI
board of directors. Mrs. W. E. Sim-
mons of Monticello was appointed
secretary.

Although the majority of exhibi-
tors in this area are UTOI members,
plans were made to obtain 100 per
(Continued on page 7)

( Convention Program on Page 4 )

CHICAGO, Oct. 28. — Joined by the International Popcorn Association,
the trade show of the Theatre Equipment and Supply Manufacturers'
Association and the Theatre Equipment Dealers' Association is expected
to reach peak proportions when the
exhibits are thrown open for inspec-
tion at noon on Sunday. The trade
show, which is being held in connec-
tion with the annual convention of the
Tlieatre Owners of America at the
Conrad Hilton Hotel here, will con-
sist of 208 booths, of which 44 have
been taken over by the popcorn asso-
ciation members. The 106 remaining
exhibitors will be occupied by 142
firms representing TESMA and
TEDA. Two highlights of week's ac-

tivities will be an equipment forum
scheduled for Wednesday and a con-
cessions forum, conducted by the TOA
and the IPA, which will run all day
on Thursday.

Both the TESMA and the TEDA
board of directors will meet on Sun-
day, with a subsequent TEDA board
session slated for Thursday. Both
groups will hold a joint breakfast on
Monday and an "open house" later in
the dav.

^Jones' in Colorful
Times Square Bow

(Pictures on Page 7)

Twentieth Century-Fo.x's "Carmen
Jones" in CinemaScope made its en-
try into exhibition last night at New
York's Rivoli Theatre before a celeb-
rity-packed audience and dignitaries
from many walks of life.

Said to be one of the most colorful
openings in many years, the premiere
saw the Times Square area bathed in
lights and crimson flares.

Commentary on the theatre scene
(Continued on page 7)

ANOTHER GREAT AUDIENCE HIT FROM REPUBLIC

TROUBLE IN THE CLEN

IN TRUCOLOR

From the author of

"THE QUIET MAN" '^^^^-^^ ^^f^/e

MAURICE / ^ , ^

WALSH .("rf^ /

Motion Picture Daily

Friday, October 29, 1954

Personal
Mention

SPYROS P. SKOURAS, president
of 20th Century-Fox, will leave
New York today for Hollywood.
•

Edwin Gage, vice-president of
Walter Reade Theatres; Nick Scher-
nierhorn, general manager ; James
LoEB, catering department director,
and Al Floersheimer, advertising-
])ublicity director, will leave here Sun-
day for Chicago.

•

Max Fellerman, Lopert Films
vice-president and general manager,
will return to New York by plane to-
day from Hollywood.

•

Hajrry Stevens, on the "Life" mag-
azine staff, will leave New York over
the weekend for the Coast.

•

Peter Riethof, president of Amer-
ican Dubbing Co., has returned to
New York from Rome, Italy.
•

Richard W. Altschuler, Republic
Pictures director of worldwide sales,
left here last night for the Coast.

Jack Weiner, M-G-M Southern
press representative, is in New York
from Jacksonville.

Kathleen Nesbitt has arrived here
from England via B.O.A.C. Monarch.
•

William R. Frank, producer, left
New York yesterday for Minneapolis.
•

Dick Powell will leave Hollywood
by plane today for New York.

George Cukor, director, will arrive
here Monday from Hollywood.

L, Gorman Dead;
Headed Md. Allied

BALTIMORE, Oct. 28. — Lauritz
Garman, ex-chief barker of the Balti-
more Variety Club and former presi-
dent of the Allied Motion Picture
Theatre Owners of Maryland, died
here yesterday. He had been a patient
at Union Memorial Hospital.

Garman also was a partner in the
ownership of Uptown Pikes and Ava-
lon Theatres.

Audrey Meadows Guest

Audrey Meadows, of the Jackie
Gleason show, will be the guest of
honor at a tea of the Women's Com-
mittee of the United Epilepsy Asso-
ciation in the Crystal Room of the
Sherry Netherland Hotel on Nov. 8.
Mme. Andre Dubonnet, vice-president
of the Women's Committee, will act
as master of ceremonies. The United
Epilepsy Association supports the
Variety Club Clinic here.

Mrs. Rosenfeld, 59

TORONTO, Oct. 28. — Blanche
Ruth Rosenfeld, 59, died here. She
was the wife of Louis Rosenfeld,
president of Columbia Pictures of
Canada, Ltd. for many years.

Election, Film Dearth
Hit Portland Area

PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 28.—
Pre-election diversions in the
form of television, radio and
street and auditorium rallies,
are being severely felt by both
first run and neighborhood the-
atres in this area. Regional esti-
mates are that attendance is off
25 percent and no relief is ex-
pected before next midweek.

Some exhibitors attribute part
of the attendance decline to the
product shortage, however, con-
tending that there is a lack of
top grade new feature releases
here currently.

Johnston Hears
Arbitration Data

Eric A. Johnson, president of the
Motion Picture Association of. Amer-
ica, was brought up to date on the
status of arbitration talks at a meet-
ing here of the MPAA sales managers
committee yesterday.

The briefing was held in light of
Johnston's departure shortly for a
tour of the Far East.

Morey Goldstein, chairman of the
sales managers committee, reported
that Johnston was informed of the
"progress" being made on arbitration,
although nothing has been "concluded"
as yet. As to the status of negotiations,
Goldstein said work on the arbitra-
tion draft is continuing.

Goldstein, at the same time, denied
a report that arbitration talks will
be held in Chicago in conjunction with
the Theatre Owners of America con-
vention there.

Johnston, who will leave for the
Coast Tuesday or Wednesday, plans
to be away for six weeks, visiting the
Philippines, Japan, Australia and per-
haps Formosa.

PCA Seal to 'Lovers'
Following 2 Changes

"Lovers, Happy Lovers," produced
by Paul Graetz, has been granted the
seal of approval of the Production
Code Administration following the
making of two minor changes in the
film, changes which, Graetz said, "will
not in any way affect the artistic in-
tegrity of intent" of the picture.

The film, produced in England and
now showing at the Little Carnegie
Theatre here, was released in England
under the title "Knave of Hearts" and
in France as "Monsieur Ripois." Di-
rected by Rene Clement, it stars
Gerard Philipe, Valerie Hobson and
Joan Greenwood.

Berger Is Returning
From European Trip

Benjamin N. Berger, president of
North Central Allied and Minnesota
State chairman for the Crusade for
Freedom, is scheduled to return here
from Europe on Monday following a
survey of conditions abroad with a
group of Crusade drive directors.

The group, which left here by char-
tered plane, Oct. 20, visited Berlin,
Munich and Paris.

Eleven Paramount
Pictures Currently
In Editing Stages

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 28.— Para-
mount production activity for 1954 is
at its peak with 11 major films now
in the studio cutting room, four cur-
rently before the cameras in Holly-
wood and overseas and one in re-
hearsal.

The four now shooting are Cecil B.
DeMille's crowning epic, "The Ten
Commandments," filming in Vista-
Vision and Technicolor in Egypt;
Alfred Hitchcock's "The Trouble
With Harry" and Martin Lewis'
"You're Never Too Young," both in
VistaVision and Technicolor, and Wil-
liam Wyler's "The Desperate Hours"
first black-and-white VistaVision pic-
ture.

'Rose Tattoo' in Rehearsal

In rehearsal is Hal Wallis' "The
Rose Tattoo" starring Burt Lancaster
and Anna Magnani. Production begins
in Key West, Fla. on Nov. 1.

In various stages of editing are :
George Pal's interplanetary "Conquest
of Space," Perlberg-Seaton's Bing
Crosby-Grace Kelly-William Holden
starrer, "The Country Girl" ; "Stra-
tegic Air Command," in VistaVision
and Technicolor ; "Run For Cover,"
James Cagnev VistaVision-Techni-
color vehicle ; "We're No Angels,"
Humphrey Bogart VistaVision Tech-
nicolor vehicle ; "Two Captains West,"
in VistaVision and Technicolor ; Al-
fred Hitchcock's first in VistaVision,
"To Catch a Thief" ; Bob Hope in his
first VistaVision picture, also being
filmed in Technicolor, "The Seven
Little Foys" ; "Lucy Gallant," in Vis-
taVision and Technicolor ; "Mambo,"
and "The Bridges At Toko-Ri," Perl-
berg-Seaton Technicolor production.

Universal Has Six
Pictures in Work

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 28.— Three
new productions went before the cam-
eras at Universal-International this
week to give the studio a total of si.x
pictures currently shooting. This is
the largest number of films the studio
has had in production simultaneously
since last June when seven pictures
were before the cameras.

Current sextet of pictures consist of
three in Technicolor, two of which
also are in CinemaScope.

Three Starting

New starters are "Cult of the
Cobra" Faith Domergue - Richard
Long-Marshall Thompson starrer ;
"Third Girl From the Right," Tech-
nicolor production starring Rory Cal-
houn, Piper Laurie and Mamie Van
Doren, and "Abbott and Costello in
the Mummy."

Other pictures now in production
include "The Shrike," Jose Ferrer-
June Allyson starrer now shooting on
location in New York ; "To Hell and
Back," Technicolor CinemaScope pro-
duction starring Audie Murphy, and
"The Purple Mask," also in Techni-
color and CinemaScope and starring
Tony Curtis, Colleen Miller, Daniel
O'Herlihy, Gene Barry and Angela
Lansbury.

News
Roundup

UCP in All States

Affiliates of United Cerebral Palsy
are now organized in all 48 states and
the District of Columbia for the first
time since the organization was
founded five years ago, according to
Leonard Goldenson, president of UCP.

New Rank Title

"Land of Fury" is the new title of
the J. Arthur Rank Organization's
production previously called "The
Seekers." Universal will distribute in
the United States.

Reile Leases House

The Family, Utica, N. Y., neigh-
borhood house, has been leased by
Frank Reile who will reopen it shortly
after a modernization program.

'Hunter' in January

"Hunters of the Deep," which won
a diploma at the Edinburgh Film Fes-
tival, will open in New York in Jan-
uary. Photographed on the coasts of
California, Florida and Mexico, the
picture is a documentary of under-
water life.

25 'Queen' Dates in N.W.

"Cattle Queen of Montana" will
open in more than 25 theatres in Mon-
tana and Idaho following its world
premiere on Nov. 17 at the Fox The-
atre, Billings, Mont.

Engel to Universal

Universal Pictures has engaged Lyle
Kenyon Engel, music promotion con-
sultant, to handle the overall music
promotion on the company's forthcom-
ing musical "So This Is Paris," with
color in Technicolor, starring Tony
Curtis, slated for January release.

NEW YORK THEAMS

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

Rockefeller Center

BERLIN'S "WHITE CHRISTMAS" :

in VistaVision starring

BING CROSBY - DANNY KAYE
ROSEMARY CLOONEY - VERA ELLEN
Color by Technicolor - A Paramount Picture
and SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION

For 35 Yeats the Leailets

SERVICE AND QUALITY

.With Showmen Everywhere

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher: Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke,
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c

■

mmm

JOHN FORD

The famed direcl

has won four Academy Awards
never made a more wonderful
entertainment than this.

who already

TYRONE POWER • MAUREEN O'HARA

in JOHN FORD'S

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

THE LONG GRAY

Co-starring

ROBERT FRANCIS-

P-WARO BOND -BETSy PALMER- PI CAREy

Screen Play by EDWARD HOPE • Based upon "Bringing Up tlie
Brass", by IVIarty Maher and Nardi Reader Campion

Produced by ROBERT ARTHUR • Directed by JOHN FORD

Color by TECHNICOLOR

Motion Picture Daily

Friday, October 29, 1954

1954 Officers of Theatre Owners of America i^i^i^

Walter Reade, Jr. Alfred Starr George Kerasotes S. H. Fabian Herman Levy

President Board Chairman Coiifciitioii Treasurer General Counsel

Co-Chairmaii

F. C. MATTHEWS

President of Tesma

142 Firms Exhibiting
At TESMA-TEDA-
IPA Trade Show

CHICAGO, Oct. 28.— The follow-
ing companies, listed alphabetically,
have displays at the trade shows of
Theatre Eciuipment and Supply Manu-
facturers Association, Theatre Equip-
ment Dealers Association and Inter-
national Popcorn Association, being
held in conjunction with the annual
convention of Theatre Owners of
America at the Conrad Hilton Hotel
here, Oct. 31 — Nov. 4:

TESMA TRADE SHOW:

Adler Silhouette Letter Co., Altec Lfui-
sing Corp., Anieric£ui Seating Co., Ampex
Corp., Apco, Inc., Ashcraft Mfg. Co., C.S.,
Automatic Devices Co., BaJlantyne Co.,
Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., Bell &
Howell, Berlo Vending Corp., Breschell
Products Co.

Capitol Stage Lighting Co., Carbonic
Dispensers, Inc., Carbons, Inc., Century
Projector Corp., Coca-Cola Co., Cole Prod-
ucts, Inc., Continental Electric Co., Cretors
& Co., Inc., Curtiss Candy Co., Dad's Root
Beer Co., Dawo Corp., Die-Cast Alum-
inum Speakers Co., Drive-In Theatre
Mfg. Co., Eprad, Everfrost Sales, Inc.,
Fairchild Recording Equipment Co., First-
American Products, Inc., Putter Co.,
Walter.

GenercJ Register Corp., Goldberg Bros.,
Gordos Corp., Griggs Equipment Co.,
Heide, Inc., Henry, Helmco, Inc., Hershey
Chocolate Corp., Hertner Electric Co., Hey-
wood-Wakefield Co., Hires Co., Charles,
Hollywood Brands, Inc., Ideal Seating Co.,
International Projector Corp., International
Seat Corp., Irwin Seating Co., Kneisley
Electric Co., Knoxville Scenic Studios, Inc.,
KoileH-Kords, Inc., Kollmorgen Optical Corp.

LaVezzi Machine Works, Magnasync
Mfg. Co., Ltd., Majestic Enterprises, Inc.,
Manco- Vision, Manley, Inc., McAuley Mfg.
Co., J. E., Miracle Whirl Sailes Co., Mission

(Continued in column 4)

Tesma-Teda Program:

Conventions of the equipment maimfacturev {Tesma) and dealer
(Teda) organizations will be held in conjunction with the trade
show. For the second consecutive year, Theatre On/ners of America is
holding its four-day national convention coucnrrently. So is the
International Popcon? Association, whose own trade shoiv, covering
the entire refreshment field, augments that conducted by Tesma. The
following program, hmvever, refers only to Tesma and Teda.

SUNDAY (Otober 3ls+):

Trade Show opens at noon and continues to 6 p. m.
9:30 a.m. — Tesma board of directors meeting, Room 4.
5:30 p.m. — Teda board of directors meeting, Room 4.

MONDAY:

Trade Show open I I a.m. to 6 p.m.

8 p.m. — Tesma-Teda Open House, Williford Ballroom.

TUESDAY:

Trade Show open 12 a.m. to 6 p.m.

9:30 a.m. — Tesma breakfast, West Ballroom.

9:30 a.m. — Teda breakfast, North Assembly Room.

WEDNESDAY: °"

Tesma Trade Show open I I a.m. to 2 p.m.

2 p.m. — Theatre Equipment Forum, Grand Ballroom.

MODERATOR: Alex Harrison, 20+h Century-Fox.

SPEAKERS: Herbert Barne+t, president of Society of Motion Picture
and Television Engineers; Loren Ryder, Paramount Pictures; Earl
Sponable, 20th Century-Fox; A. E. Neumer, Bausch & Lomb; J. F. O'Brien,
RCA; A. J. Hatch, Strong Electric Corporation; Leonard Setz, Raytone
Screen Company.

PANEL MEMBERS: F. C. Matthews, president of Tesma; Nash Weil,
Wii-Kin Theatre Supply; A. E. Meyer, International Projector; L. E. Pope,
Fox Midwest Theatres; Edwin Gage, Walter Reade Theatres; Joseph
Zaro, Bijou Amusement Company; E. J. Nelson, The Ballantyne Com-
pany; John R. Miles, Projection Optics; F. C. Dicltely, Altec Service;
W. A. Gedris, Ideal Seating; Robert Gottschalk, Panavision.

THURSDAY:

Trade Show opens at I I a.m.; ends at 4 p.m.
9:30 a.m. — Teda board of directors meeting, Room 4.
7:30 p.m. — Cocktail Hour, Normandie Lounge.
8:30 p.m. — Banquet (TOA), Grand Ballroom.

IPA-TOA CONCESSIONS FORUM: All day Thursday.

MODERATOR: Bert Nathan, Theatre Popcorn Vending Corporation.

SPEAKERS: Nathan Buckman co-chairman of TOA Concessions Com-
mittee; Van Myers, Wometco Theatres; Lee Koken, RKO Radio Theatres;
Melvin Rapp, Apco, Inc.; Melvin Winkman, Smith Drive-In Theatres.

RAY COLVIN
Executive-Director of Teda

Exhibits

(Continued from first column)

Dry Corp., Mitchell Industries^ Inc., Motio-
graph. Inc., National Ceu-bon Co., Inc., Nehi
Corp., Nestle Co., Inc., Neiunade Products
Corp., Norpat Sales, Inc., Orange-Crush
Co., Paromel Corp., Pepsi-Cola Co., Pro-
jection Optics Col., Protective Coatings,
Inc., Quaker City Chocolate & Conf. Co.

Radiant Mfg. Co., Radio Corp. of Amer-
ica, Raytone Screen Co., Reese Candy Co.,
H. B., Robin, Inc., J. E., Romar Vide Co.,
Serv-A-Car Products, Star Mfg. Co., Stel-
ma Electronics, Inc., Strong Electric Corp.,
Superior Electric Co., Supurdisplay, Inc.,
Sweets Co. of America, Switzer's Licorice
Co., Theatre Specialties, Inc., Thermola-
tcr Corp., Wagner Sign Service, Inc.,
Walker Americeui Screen Corp., Wenzel
Projector Co., Whitney Blake Co., Wolk
Co., Edward H., Wollensak Optical Co.

IPA TRADE SHOW:

Apco, Inc., American Butter Institute,
Blevins Popcorn Co., Canada Dry Ginger
Ale, Inc., Capital City Products Co., Car-
gill, Inc., Central Popcorn Co*., Ccca-Cola
Co., Cole Products Corp., Debcate Inter-
raticrEiI, Dell Food Specialties Co., Dia-
mond Crystal Salt Co., Dickinson Co., Al-
bert, Electric Sorting Machine Co., Elmer
Candy Co., Evans Manufacturing Corp.,
F & F Laboratories, Ferrara Candy Co.,
Inc., Flavoi-Rite Foods, Inc., Interstate
Popcorn Co.

Jet Spray Cooler Co., Johnson Cjmdy
Co., Walter H., Jo-Lo Perfumatic Dis-
penser, Inc., Joyce Sales Co., Kelling Nut
Co., Lusk Cemdy Co., Mars, Inc., McCarty
Seed Co., J. A., Monticello Manufacturing
Co., Newman Associates, Ben, Pepsi-Cola
Co., Phenix Foods Co., Premier Popcorn
Co., Pronto Pop Com Sales Corp.

Regal Products, Div. Maryland Paper
Co., Rio Syrup Co., Rowe Mfg. Co.,
Saunders Novelty Co., SelMix Dispensers,
Inc., Simonin's Sons, Inc., C. F., Savon
Candy Co., Steel Products Co., Superior
Refrigerator Mfg. Co., Tidy House Paper
Corp. of N. Y., Tone Products Co., Tyson-
Caff ey Corp., Ucanco Candy Co., Van
Houten & Zoon, Inc., C. J., Wamder Co.,
Walting^ Mfg. Co.

Friday, Octobr 29, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Theme

(Coiitiitiicd from page 1)

all-inclusive group. Fabian ad-
vocated a merger with Allied
last year; and McGee, it is re-
ported, will make a similar pitch
in his keynote address to the
convention, scheduled for Mon-
day's opening session. In fact,
McGee hinted such a maneuver
to Motion Picture Daily in New
York on Wednesday.
One of the highlights of the conven-
tion is expected to be the selection of
a TOA coordinator, a salaried execu-
tive, who would direct the various
functions of the association on a full-
time basis, thereby relieving the elected
president from many of the duties
which he now is required to perform.
At TOA's board meeting- early last
summer on the Coast, the appointment
of such an executive was authorized
with the stipulation that the actual
selection would be made at this year's
convention.

Election Sunday

The nominating committee, headed
by Sam Pinanski of Boston, will draw
up a slate of proposed officers here on
Saturday and the board will elect on
Sunday. Speculation as to the possible
new president, to succeed Walter
Reade, Jr., centers on three names ;
namely, George Kerasotes, Spring-
field, 111. ; Myron Blank, Des Moines,
and Pat McGee, Denver. However,
Kerasotes, convention co-chairman,
has been pushed to the fore by TOA
for the past several months and for
that reason is believed to be the choice
for the top spot for the next one year
term.

The stimulation of independent pro-
duction and, for that matter, too, ma-
jor studio production is expected to
hold a spotlight during the sessions.
The cry for more product has been
echoed since the 1953 convention in
this same hotel where Leonard Gold-
enson in his kej'note address, issued
a grim warning that the industry
could destroy itself because of the sit-
uation. And Goldenson, in effect, was
reiterating" the theme, in part, of True-
man Rembusch's keynote speech the
previous year. It is pointed out that
the hue and cry for more pictures has
spurred various moves for greater out-
puts, such as Fred Schwartz' new
Distributors Corp. of America, Hal
Makelim's production project and
others.

No Distributor Speaker

While several distribution execu-
tives are slated to be present at the
open sessions, none is on the agenda
as a speaker, although Columbia's
Abe Montague will talk on behalf of
the Will Rogers' Memorial Hospital.
Among sales leaders who have made
reservations are William F. Rodgers,
Morey Goldstein, Charles Feldman,
William Gehring and Richard Alt-
schuler.

Macy Parade Float ,
For 'John Silver'

With "Long John Silver" scheduled
to open in New York during the
Christmas holidays, pre-selling cam-
paign is now being finalized. Display
advertising in newspapers, trade pa-
pers and magazines will be supple-
mented by a heavy concentration on
radio and TV coverage, says DCA.

Highlight feature of the campaign
will be the special "Long John Silver"
three-way float in Macy's annual
Thanksgiving Day parade.

THEATRE OWNERS OF AMERICA

CONVENTION PROGRAM

Conrad Hilton Hotel, Chicago

10:00 A.M.

11:00 A.M.

12:00 Noon

2:30 P.M.

9:00 A.M.

9:30 A.M.

11:00 A.M.

2:00 P.M.

8:00 P.M.

9:00 A.M.

9:30 A.M.

12:00 Noon

12:30 P.M.

2:00 P.M.
6:00 P.M.

9:30 A.M.
11:00 A.M.

12:30 P.M.

2:15 P.M.

6:30 P.M.

9:30 A.M.

11:00 A.M.

2:30 P.M.

6:30 P.M.

7:30 P.M.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31

Registration Opens — Entrance to Exposition
Hall. Closes at 6:00 P.M.

Meeting of Finance Committee — S. H. Fabian,
Treasurer. In TOA Headquarters Suite.
TESMATEDA-TOA-IPA Trade Show Opens.
Exposition Hall. Closes at 6:00 P.M.
Convention Committee Luncheon — Room No. 1
— Third Floor.

Meeting of Executive Committee and Board
of Directors. Room No. 2 — Third Floor.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1

Registration Continues — Entrance to Exposi-
tion Hall (on floor below main lobby). Closes
at 6:00 P.M.

Special Screening New Product — Slate Lake
Theatre.

TESMA TEDA-TOA-IPA Trade Show Continues.
Exposition Halls. Closes at 6:00 P.M.
Opening of Convention (Grand Ballroom).
Keynote Address by Pat McGee, Vice-President,
TOA, co-chairman COMPO National Tax Re-
peal Campaign Committee.
Speak -Your-Mind Session.

TESMA-TEDA Open House — Williford Ball-
room, Third Floor.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2

Registration Continues — Entrance to Exposi-
tion Hall. Closes at 6:00 P.M.
Film Problems — Open to Exhibitors Only.
Grand Ballroom.

TESMA TEDA-TOA-IPA Trade Show Continues
— Exposition Hall. Closes at 6:00 P.M.
Luncheon — Grand Ballroom — Hosts : Motion
Picture Advertising Service Co., Inc., and
United Film Service Co., Inc., Claude F. Lee,
M.P.A.S. Co., Executive.
Open Discussion — Grand Ballroom.
Coca-Cola Party — Host: The Coca-Cola Com-
pany.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3

Drive-In Theatre Forum — Grand Ballroom.
TESMA TEDA-TOA-IPA Trade Show Continues.
Closes 6:00 P.M. Exposition Hall.
Luncheon — Grand Ballroom — Hosts : Motio-
graph. Inc., The Nestle Co., Inc., Radio Corpo-
ration of America, National Theatre Supply,
The Charles E. Hires Company, Radiant Manu-
facturing Corporation.

TESMA-TEDA-TOA Equipment and New Proc-
ess Forum — Grand Ballroom.
Supper and Square Dance — Tam-O-Shanter
Country Club. Host : The Pepsi-Cola Company.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4
IPA-TOA Concessions Forum

North Ball-

room.

TESMA-TEDA-TOA-IPA Trade Show Continues.
Closes 4:00 P.M.

Meeting of Executive Committee and Board of
Directors. Room 18 — 4th Floor.
Cocktail Party — Normandie Lounge, Second
Floor. Host: National Carbon Company.
President's Banquet — Grand Ballroom.

In the THEATRE

Equipment

A Refreshment

World . . .

• • with RAY GALLO

HERE we are writing again of a
Tesma Trade Show, this one
sponsored for the second consecutive
year by the TOA, and with something
added — the trade show of the Interna-
tional Popcorn Association, bringing
the total number of booths to around
250, showing approximately 140 dif-
ferent lines of products. Every year
we are promised a bigger exposition
than the one of the year before — and
it has always been a promise well
kept, this year beyond what could
have been hoped for a few years back.

Reading this year's roster of ex-
hibits, one can appreciate how it is
that Chicago's Conrad Hilton Hotel,
largest in the world, seems the logical
location for this annual event. You at-
tend the convention meetings, eat and
sleep and see the exhibits without go-
ing out from under one roof. Rain or
cold autumn wind — who cares? (No
taxi fares, either ! )

Although Roy Boomer, secretary
of Tesma since its reorganization in
1946, has relinquished those duties
because of illness, he was forced to
do that only recently, so that this
year's theatre equipment manufac-
turers' trade show is another
Boomer production.

It is the first convention and trade
show, however, under the direction
of Fred Matthews, as president, and
of Larry Davee, as vice-president, of
Tesma. But both have been so ac-
tive in the organization that they
can't be called new to this kind of
thing.

For interest aroused among thea-
tre people, the efforts of Oscar Neu
should not be overlooked. Oscar, of
course, was the guiding light of
Tesma throughout its earlier years
and he continues to lend an experi-
enced hand to its activities. As in
previous years, he was instrumental
in the creation of the big, gaudy
folder which exhibitors found in
their mail a few weeks ago.

Oscar and Bob Hoff, who pre-
ceded Fred Matthews in the presi-
dency, are both available to the
Tesma officers and directors as hon-
orary members of the board.
•

Oil the dealers' side of the big event,
Ray Colvin carries on according to
custom that seems pretty well estab-
lished. Teda likes his broad shoulders
— alimys room enough for another or-
ganisation chore.

Looking oz'er at the nezv neighbor
— the IP A Trade Show — one finds
new figures in Carl Siegel of Stanley
Warner Theatres, ivho is the exhibit
chairman for the popcorn industry.
IPA itself is headed nozv by another
theatre man — /. /. Fitsgibbons, Jr.,
zvho heads the concessions operations
of Famous Players-Canadian Thea-
tres, the notably successful career of
zt'hich has long been directed by his
father.

Motion Picture Daily

Friday, October 29, 1954

People

Harvey J. Smidt of Albany has
hcoii cUxtcd president of Loge 24,
Colosseum of Motion Picture Sales-
man of America. Howard Goldstein
of RKO was chosen vice-president
and James Moore of Warner Broth-
ers, secretary-treasurer.

Gladys Beaupre, telephone opera-
tor for the past 25 years with Para-
mount in San Francisco, will return
shortly after being hospitalized with
a broken shoulder.

Herman Kass became a father for
the second time when his wife
Gloria gave birth to a girl. Kass is
Eastern exploitation manager of
Universal Pictures here.

Sid Reams, sales representative
for Republic in Atlanta, is at home
following a heart attack. Reams
would like to get cards from his
many friends. Write to him at 22
Park Lane, N. E. Atlanta, Ga.

Shirley Temple will open an in-
terior decorating shop on the San
Francisco Peninsula next month.

Jimmy Gaylord has taken over
the Crenshaw-Drive-In Luverne,
Ala. Gaylord formerly owned the
Starlight-Drive-In Troy, Ala.

Leon Feldun, member of the UA
home office foreign department ex-
ecutive staff, became a father last
week when his wife gave birth to a
son, Joseph. This is Feldun's first
child.

Robert B. Little has been named
manager of the Bexley Theatre in
Columbus, O.

John Rickert, formerly with Uni-
versal, in San Francisco, has been
transferred to the Seattle office.

Bob Langer, sales representative
for National Screen Service in At
lanta, has returned to his post after
several weeks in a Birmingham
hospital.

Sam Yablonsky has replaced Fred
Curtis as manager of the Es-
quire Theatre in Sacramento, Calif.
Yablonsky was formerly the man-
ager of the Times Theatre in Sacra-
mento, and E. Alecio, in turn, was
named manager of the Times.

Vernon Hunter, retiring city man-
ager for the Florida State Theatres
in Orlando, Fla., was honored at a
surprise banquet in the Pine Hill
County Club.

Officers Elected by
M. P. Associates

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 23.— Mo-
tion Picture Associates elected Sam
Diamond, 2()th-Fox branch manager,
(.iiairman and Mort Magill, United
Artists' branch manager, vice-presi-
dent at tlie annual meeting here.

Gene Gantz, RKO salesman, was
made secretary, while Shep Bloom,
20th-Fox sales manager, was elected
to the treasurer's post.

On the new board are past M.P.A.
presidents Lou Formato, MGM dis-
trict manager, and John Turner,
United Artists district manager. Oth-
ers on the board are George Beattue,
Dave Titleman, Lester Wurtele, Dave
Supowitz, Joseph Schaeffer and Jack
Greenberg. Albert M. Cohen is the
solicitor.

S6 New Pictures
Now in Production

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 28. — The
studios started five new pictures and
completed camera work on one, wind-
ing up the week with 36 pictures in
progress here and elsewhere.

Started were: "High Society," (Al-
lied Artists) ; "Shock," Exclusive
Productions (Lippert) ; "The Marau-
ders," color, and "The Scarlet Coat,"
CinemaScope, color (Metro-Goldwyn-
Mayer) ; "Seven Bad Men," Nat
Holt, Super Scope, Technicolor (RKO
Radio).

Completed were: "The Black
Prince," CinemaScope, Technicolor
(Allied Artists).

Berlin to London
For 'Christmas'

Irving Berlin will leave New York
by plane Monday for London to at-
tend the European premiere of his
"White Christmas," first picture filmed
in VistaVision, next Friday at the
Plaza Theatre.

The composer who wrote the score
for the Paramount picture, will hold
press and radio interviews while in
London as part of his current cam-
paigning on behalf of the Technicolor
musical.

the Board of Directors" to release
even a film clip for TV.

Summing up his studio's stand, Aus-
tin observed that "TV can be an asset
for the right picture on the right
schedule at the right time." He said
that M-G-M offers 33 promotion serv-
ices to help the exhibitors, spurred on
by 35 field representatives, more, he
said, than all of the other companies
combined.

Some of these M-G-M "Services,"
he said, are tieup stills, advance man-
uals, record promotions, M-G-M tours,
advance planting, educational aids, ad-
vertising in key cities, special acces-
sories and special art layouts.

Presiding at today's meeting was
M, L. "Mike" Simons, director of
customer relations for Loew's. John
J. Maloney, M-G-M Pittsburgh sales
manager, and Ralph Pielow, Pitts-
burgh branch manager, greeted the
visitors, who included Gerald Shea
and his circuit managers, who stayed
over after finishing their two-day
meeting here yesterday.

Edward M. Hyde, advertising direc-

Sterling Appoints
2 Vice-Presidents

.Sterling Television Co., inc., has
elevated two men to vice-presidencies,
it was announced by Saul J. Turcll,
company president. They are Richard
Carlton, as vice-president in charge
of operations, and Hal Tulchin, vice-
president in charge of production. _

Carlton has been associated with
Sterling since 1952 when he was made
agency sales manager. He assumed
the post of operations manager earl-
ier this year. Prior to his joining
Sterling, he spent 12 years in the
motion picture industry ; six at the
National Screen Service, and six at
Columbia Pictures.

Tulchin joined Sterling in 1951.
He served in various capacities with
the company and in 1953 was ap-
pointed general manager. At 27, he
is the youngest member of Sterling's
management team.

Canadian Film Board
6-Month Costs Up

OTTAWA, Oct. 28.— In a state-
ment of budgetary expenditures, the
Canadian government reports expendi-
tures on behalf of the National Film
Board increased to $1,390,000 for the
period from April 1 to Sept. 30, in
contrast to $1,058,000 in same period
of last year.

However, expenditures in this period
for the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.,
which has jurisdiction over television
and which is currently engaged in es-
tablishing TV stations, fell to $3,-
000,000 as compared with $4,400,000
last year in same period.

Canada Film Board
Has 2 New Members

OTTAWA, Oct. 28.— The Cana-
dian Government today appointed
Mitchell W. Sharp, Ottawa deputy
minister of trade and commerce, and
Bruce Hutchison, Canadian author of
Victoria, B. C., as members of the
National Film Board.

Charles S. Band, of Toronto, was
reappointed to another three-year
term.

tor of the Sharon (Pa.) "Herald,"
urged managers not to cut down the
size of their ads when an extra inch
or two might mean the difference in
the success of a picture at the box
office.

Ervin J. Clumb, manager of the
Riverside theatre, Milwaukee, repre-
senting theatres in large cities, noted
that theatre managers must still han-
dle specific responsibilities themselves
instead of delegating them to others.
A firm believer in co-operative ads,
he feels that these have been invalu-
able in the successful promotion of
many of his pictures.

Herbert I. Brown of the Victoria
theatre, Greenfield, Mass., speaking
for houses in small towns, said that
most managers are guilty of inertia,
and that the sale of pictures should
represent a definite challenge.

At a luncheon in the Pittsburgh
room of Hotel William Penn, a taped
message by Abe Montague, M. A.
Silver and Charles J. Feldman urged
support of the Will Rogers' Memorial
Hospital Drive.

Quality Lack

(Continued from page 1)

past five years. Within a year or so,
all theatres, in big and small cities,
will be presenting films of that me-
dium, he added.

"In some situations, the suburban
tlieatre is outgrossing the downtown
theatre," he stated. Frank heads a
buying combine for 80 theatres and
operates or owns 22 theatres, most of
which are equipped for CinemaScope
product, within the St. Paul and Min-
neapolis area.

Commenting on the proposed plan
for governmental regulation for film
rentals, Frank said that "I am against
any form of governmental regulation
of the industry and if any film terms
are considered high, they could be ad-
justed."

Associated Circuit
Now Has 32 in Ohio

CLEVELAND, Oct. 28.— With ac-
quisition of Warners' Uptown and Va-
riety theatres six months ago and
Loew's Park and Granada this week.
Associated Circuit, of which Meyer S.
Fine is president, now owns 32 thea-
tres in the Cleveland exchange area.
Of these 25 are indoor theatres and
seven are drive-ins. The indoor thea-
tres are located in Cleveland, Young-
stown, Toledo, Avon Lake and Port
Clinton. The drive-ins are in Young-
stown. North Canton, Madison, Ash-
tabula and Harrisburg.

Loew to Preside at
Barcelona Meeting

Arthur M. Loew, president of
Loew's International Corp., will pre-
side at M-G-M's PEP European con-
ference, which will meet in Barcelona,
Spain, for three days beginning Nov.
11.

Loew, who is now in Europe on a
business trip, will remain there until
after the meeting. Assisting him at
the conference will be David Lewis,
regional director of Continental Eur-
ope, M-G-M managers and sales and
publicity chiefs from all M-G-M terri-
tories in Continental Europe will
attend.

FTC Unit to Study
Causes of Mergers

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28. — The
Federal Trade Commission has or-
dered its Bureau of Economics to
make a speedy survey of the extent
and causes of corporate mergers in
recent months.

Chairman Howrey said he hoped
the study would determine the effect
of mergers on competition in specific
market areas. The commission has
under study some 209 mergers or ac-
quisitions.

Bellah Here Today

John Warner Bellah will arrive in
New York today for a series of con-
ferences with Fred Schwartz, presi-
dent of DCA and then will leave for
London to finalize production plans
for The "Survivors," DCA's latest
film which is being produced by Boul-
ting Bros.

New RKO Title

"Escape To Burma" will be the
final title of the Benedict Bogeaus
production being filmed as "Bow
Tamely To Me," for RKO release.

TV Called Good Selling Aid

{Continued from page 1)

Friday, Octobr 29, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

'Carmen Jones ^ Returns to Broadway^ Filmed

A brilliantly kleig-lit Rivoli Theatre last night saw the world
premiere of Otto Preminger's presentation of Oscar Hammer-
stein's Broadway hit musical, "Carmen Jones." The 20th Century-
Fox CinemaScope release, starring Dorothy Dandridge, Harry
Belafonte, Olga James and Joe Adams, made its bow before an
invited audience of show business personalities and notables from
many walks of life. Among the guests were, shown above at the

theatre prior to the opening of the performance, left to right,
first photo: Preminger, producer-director of the picture, Mrs.
Preminger and their son, Sandy. Second photo : Charles Einfeld,
vice-president of 20th Century- Fox; Mrs. Einfeld and Mrs. and
Mr. John Pruce. Third photo : M. B. Spingold, vice-president of
Columbia Pictures, and Mrs. Spingold.

{Continued from page 1)

was made through the facilities of
RCA-TV's "Tonight" show which
programmed a 30-minute filmed fea-
ture on the event coast-to-coast, be-
tween 11 :30 p.m. and midnight. Radio
coverage was handled by Ray Heath-
erton for his Mutual Network airer.
The TV hook-up into 34 cities marked
the first national coverage of a film
opening from New York.

Branson Returning
From Europe Tues.

CHERBOURG, Oct. 28.— WaUer
Branson, RKO's world-wide sales
manager, left here today on the Queen
Mary for New York after almost a
month in Europe devoted to industry
demonstrations of Superscope and
company sales meetings. The RKO
global distribution chief will arrive
Nov. 2.

Branson and Joseph Tushinsky, co-
inventor of the Superscope lens, super-
vised demonstrations of the new wide-
screen process in London, Paris and
Rome. Following each exhibition of
the new lens, the local office of RKO,
which has foreign distribution rights,
was busy with orders, it was stated.

Holds 'Scope Adds
To Excitement

Howco Memphis
Branch Opened

MEMPHIS, Oct. 28.— Scott Lett,
sales manager for Howco Productions,
has -announced the opening of a new
film exchange in Memphis to be
known as the Howco Exchange of
Tennessee, Inc. W. C. Kroeger has
bsen named manager of the exchange.

The Howco exchange will distribute
the current and forthcoming releases
produced by Howco Productions, Inc.,
Filmakers Releasing Organization and
the Samuel Goldwyn re-issues.

The opening of the Memphis ex-
change rounds out the Howco ex-
change group in the South. The How-
co exchange was opened in Atlanta
in September and the other affiliated
exchanges are Herman Beiersdorf
Distributing Co., Dallas ; Lippert Pic-
tures of Louisiana, New Orleans, and
Screen Guild Productions of Charlotte.

CinemaScope as a medium received
the hearty endorsement of the pro-
ducer-director team of Nicholas Nay-
fack and John Sturges here yesterday.

"Visual excitement once again has
returned to the screen," director
Sturges explained, adding that he con-
siders CinemaScope as "another arm
in telling a story."

Producer Nafack, asked how the
atmosphere in Hollywood today com-
pares with a year ago, said that "in
general it is far more optimistic." He,
too, held that CinemaScope is a trade-
mark which is popular with the public,
thereby boosting business.

Shooting "Scarlet Coat'

Nayfack and Sturges, here for loca-
tion shooting on their M-G-M produc-
tion "The Scarlet Coat," starring
Cornel Wilde and Michael Wilding,
said they plan to return to the Coast
shortly. "The Scarlet Coat," which
will be in CinemaScope and in color,
should be readv for release in early
spring, Sturges estimated. Sturges
added that "The Scarlet Coat" will be
his second CinemaScope production,
the first being "Bad Day at Black
Rock," a 20th Century-Fox film tu be
released shortly.

Nayfack, who is under contract with
M-G-M, said that his next produc-
tion would be a science fiction picture,
titled "Forbidden Planet.''

Seven Midwest Units
Re-Open; One Closed

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 28.— Seven
theatres in the upper Midwest area
which have been closed for periods
ranging up to one year have reopened
in the last few weeks and an eighth
is considering resuming operations.

The list includes W. W. Mansfield's
Mills Theatre at Tama, la., which re-
opened after conferences with the local
chamber of commerce ; Tomah Thea-
tre, Tomah, Wis. ; Uptown Theatre,
Creston, la. ; West Theatre, Siou.x
City, la. ; Ro-xy Theatre, Owatonna,
Minn,, and the White House Theatre,
near Hartford, Wis. Reopening of the
Ellsworth Theatre, Ellsworth, Wis.,
owned by the village, moved a step
closer with a theatre operator re-
ported checking costs of CinemaScope
equipment.

Fontanelle House Shut

Closing recently was G. O. Dunker-
son's Victory at Fontanelle, la.

Meanwhile, in Schleswig, la., the
town's businessmen promised full co-
operation to Everett Evers who re-
cently reopened the shuttered Schles-
wig Theatre which he leased from the
local VFW post. The theatre was
closed last spring and completely
stripped. Evers has installed new seat-
ing, projection and sound equipment.

Percentage

{Continued from page 1)

Picker to Europe
For UA Parleys

Arnold M. Picker, vice president of
United Artists in charge of foreign
distribution, will leave New York by
plane today for London on the first leg
of a tour of the company's offices in
Britain, France, Italy, Germany and
other Continental countries.

Picker will confer with UA sales
and promotion executives on the line-
up of product for the coming season.
In addition. Picker has slated discus-
sions with producers currently filming
or readying pictures in Europe includ-
ing "Gentlemen Marry Brunettes" and
"Alexander The Great."

Belgium Minister
Addresses Hennepin

Paul-Henri Spaak, Foreign Minis-
ter of Belgium, was principal speaker
last night at an inaugural dinner and
meeting of the Hennepin Society at
;:he Waldorf-Astoria Hotel here.

Secretary of State John Foster
Dulles also addressed the new group,
which was formed to foster closer ties
and friendship between Belgium and
the United States.

A message from President Eisen-
hower was read by Eric Johnston,
president of the Motion Picture Asso-
ciation of America, and chairman of
the Hennepin Society. Spaak brought
a message to the Hennepin Society
from His Majesty King Baudouin of
Belgium.

sary ; and furthermore, the fact that
the plaintiffs may have mistrusted de-
fendants and posted checkers in the
defendants' theatre did not exonerate
defendants of the alleged tortious con-
duct.

As to the absence of the requisite
minimum Federal jurisdictional
amount of $3,000 in each action the
court held that the good faith upon
which the actions were based was suf-
ficiently supported by the affidavit sub-
mitted for each plaintiff in the action.

As to the third ground the Court
held the complaint was not too in-
definite in its averments.

Russell Elected

{Continued from page 1)

cent representation. Trade practices
were discussed and frequent meetings
of the group are being planned. The
theatre owners endorsed TOA's ef-
forts to spur increased production
and to bring an end to the so-called
"seller's market."

'Contessa' Grosses
$6,530 in Phila, Bow

"The Barefoot Contessa" has com-
piled what is reported to have been
the biggest opening day gross regis-
tered at the Midtown Theatre in
Philadelphia by a United Artists re-
lease, taking in a high $6,530,- it was
announced here yesterday by B. G.
Kranze, general sales manager for
UA.

'Contessa' Music Plugs

A. national music promotion backed
in the field by United Artists' ex-
ploitation force and the RCA-Victor
promotional staff will provide support
for regional openings of "The Bare-
foot Contessa," UA reports. Pegged
on the hit parade entry "Song of
the Barefoot Contessa," the campaign
will plug the picture via disc jockeys,
TV shows, and more than 7,000 music
shops and department stores.

^ agonal

„ the scree;;

with the cast
of the year I

Thanksgiving
from

20th Century- Fox

/ Directed by

COLOR BY

DE LUX£

HENRY KOSTER

It s a
pleasure
to do
business
with 20th!''

MOTION PICTURE

DAILY

Concise
A|id

ToThei
Point

VOL. 76. NO. 85

NEW YORK, U. S. A., MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1954

TEN CENTS

Exhibitor Confab

u erMidwesi|New Thcatrc TV Era Is at

Owners Hear Hand, TO A Conclave Told

TOA Officials

'Other Side of Picture'
Told; Deny 'Raid' Intent

special to THE DAILY

_ MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 31.— Forma-
tion of a Theatre Owners of America
unit embracing exhibitors from the up-
per Midwest area hung in the balance
on Friday while more than 75 theatre
owners, several of them members of
North Central Allied, gave careful
consideration to the speeches of five
of the top ofticials of TOA. Invited
here by Harold Field, of Pioneer The-
atres, and Eddie Ruben, of the Wel-
worth Circuit, "to hear the other side
of the picture," the top echelon dis-
claimed any desire to "raid" Allied
territory and to set up a rival exhibi-
tor organization.

Presenting the TOA side of the pic-
(Continued on page 9)

Adleman to Head
Publicity for V. C.

George C. Hoover, international
Variety Club head, has announced the
appointment of Robert Adleman of
Philadelphia as director of publicity
for the organization.

The post's specific purpose will be
to coordinate the work of the Press
( Continued on page 9 )

'Daily' Will Not Be
Published Tomorrow

Tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 2,
is Election Day and hence a
printers' holiday in New York.
Consequently, Motion Picture
Daily will not be published to-
morrow. Any resultant incon-
venience to readers is genuinely
regretted.

Full coverage of today's and
tomorrow's TOA-TESMA-
TEDA-IPA conventions ses-
sions in Chicago by M. .P.
Daily staff correspondents will
appear in Wednesday's issue.

Lower Fire Rates
Unforeseen Says
TOA Committee

CHICAGO, Oct. 31.— After survey-
ing reports from New York, New
England and the Southeastern states,
E. D. Martin, chairman of the fire in-
surance rates committee of the Thea-
tre Owners of America, disclosed in
his report to the TOA convention that
"we will not be able to receive an
over-all reduction in fire insurance
rates because of the current use of
acetate film."

Martin based his conclusions upon
reports from Emanuel Frisch and
Henry Anderson in the New York
area, Arthur Lockwood and Jack
Wallens in the New England states,
and Frank Brady and A. C. Lauer in
the Southeastern area.

Theatre owners could claim for
lower film rates with justification,
Martin said, as film in projection
booths is now charged for at prac-
iContinued on page 8)

TOA Group Reports
1.66 Ratio Best

UA Officials Say

World Film Business in
"Era of Prosperity^ ^

By LESTER DINOFF

Motion picture business throughout the Far East, European and othei
foreign territories is undergoing a "tremendous era of prosperity," United
Artists executives Arthur Krim and Arnold M. Picker, declared here at the

weekend in a trade press conference,
adding that UA's world-wide billings
estimate of $40,000,000 for 1954 has
been "revised upwards by several mil-
lions."

The so-called "Four Horsemen,"
Krim, president of the distribution
company ; Picker, vice-president in
charge of foreign sales ; Robert Ben-
jamin, chairman of the board, and
Max E. Youngstein, vice-president,
also disclosed that "we are exploring
the possibiHty of Far East product
making inroads into the U.S. market."
Krim and Picker recently returned
{Continued on page 9)

Fabian-Wolf son Report Sees Ammunition
In It for New Opposition to Home TV; More
Theatre Installations Needed; Color Near

By AL STEEN

CHICAGO, Oct. 31. — Asserting that exhibition is "on the eve of develop-
ments that forecast a different theatre business than we have known," the
report of the theatre television committee for Theatre Owners of America's

annual convention opening at the Con-
rad Hilton Hotel here tomorrow coun-
sels that the "far-seeing exhibitor will
face this future with confidence and
boldness and be ready to ride with the
tide."

The committee's report, prepared by
co-chairmen S. H. Fabian, head of
Stanley Warner
Theatres, and
Mitchell Wolf-
son, of Wometco
Theatres, Mi-
ami, holds that
home televi-
sion's inroads on
motion picture
theatres have
been substan-
tially curbed
and that better
product and new
techniques have
armed the thea-
tre for a counter-assault.

"Unable to overwhelm us with the
powerful initial onslaught, TV is raid-
ing our vaults for star product of
yesteryear and organizing a deep
flanking movement to disrupt our
source of picture supply and immobil-
ize our patrons in their homes through
{Continned on page 6)

CHICAGO, Oct. 31.— The theatre
equipment and accessories committee
of the Theatre Owners of America, in
reporting to the delegates attending
the 1954 exhibitors convention here,
revealed that a 1.66 to 1 ratio with an
.825 aperture seems to be the best pro-
portion for all non-CinemaScope prod-
uct for the average house.

The committee, which is headed by
Joseph J. Zara, Lucian E. Pope and
Edwin Gage, conceded that a "2.55 to
{Continued on page 8)

Mitchell Wolfson

Arthur Krim

Arnold Picker

20th-Fox Starting
Nine New Pictures

Twentieth Century-Fox shortly
will place nine pictures before
the cameras in all parts of the
world for either full or partial
filming.

The line-up will be increased
to eleven via the addition of two
CinemaScope productions being
made in European locales by
Alexander Korda for company
release.

ANOTHER GREAT AUDIENCE HIT FROM REPUBLIC

TROUBLE IN THE GLEN

IN TRUCOLOR

From the author of
"THE QUIET MAN"

MAURICE
WALSH

Motion Picture Daily

Monday, November 1, 1954

Personal
Mention

EDWARD L. HYMAN, American
Broadcasting - Paramount Thea-
tres vice-president, and Roisickt K.
SiiAPiuo, managing director of the
New York Paramount Theatre, have
returned here from Los Angeles.
•

(iEOUGE Weltneu, president of Para-
mount International, will leave Naples,
Italy, today aboard the "Cristoforo
Colombo," scheduled to dock here
Nov. 9.

•

Fred Schwartz, president of Dis-
tributors Corp. of America and of the
Century Circuit, is in Chicago from
New York for the convention of The-
atre Owners of America.

•

Bernard Jacon, I.F.E. Releasing
Corp., vice-president in charge of sales,
will arrive in Dallas today from New
York.

•

E. K. O'Shea, Paramount distribu-
tion vice-president, will return here
today from a trip to upstate New
York.

•

Joseph A. Tanney, president of
S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp., and
Mrs. Tanney have returned to New
York from the Coast.

•

Alfred Katz, United Artists as
sistant foreign sales manager, has re
turned to New York following a tour
of company offices in the Caribbean
area.

•

Al Crown, president of Moulin
Productions, left here at the weekend
for the Coast.

•

Mori Rrushen, United Artists ex-
ploitation manager, left here by plane
over the weekend for Texas.

•

John P. Byrne, M-G-M Eastern
sales manager, returned to New York
at the weekend from Philadelphia.
•

David Lewis, director, arrived here
from London yesterday via B.O.A.C.
Monarch.

•

Maurice Kinn, producer, left New
York Saturday for London by
B.O.A.C.

•

Phil Frankel, unit manager for
Transfilm, has returned to New York
from Detroit.

•

Robert Palmer, Universal-Interna-
tional talent executive, left New York
over the weekend for Hollywood.
•

Dimitri Tiomkin, composer, who
arrived in New^ York recently from
Rome, left here Friday for Hollywood.
•

Glynis Johns arrived in New
York on Saturday from London, and
left here yesterday for Hollywood.
•

Richard Thorpe, director, arrived
in New Y'ork yesterday from Paris
and will leave here today for the Coast.

Gloria De Haven has arrived in
New York from Hollywood.

Hillman Named SW
*Manager-of-Month'

HARTFORD, Oct. 31. — Irving
Hillman, Sherman Theatre, New
Haven," has been named "Alanager of
the Month" for the August phase of
the Stanley-Warner Circuit North-
eastern zone's "Fabian's Fabulous
Forty" promotion campaign.

Harry Feinstein, zone manager, dis-
closed other winners : Al LaFlamme,
Strand, Albany ; A. A. Sette, Capitol,
Springfield ; Murray Howard, War-
ner, W orcester ; Steve Barbett and
Guido Luminello, Warner, Lawrence ;
Andrew Roy, Stanley, Utica ; Robert
Howell, Port, Newburyport ; and N.
E. Brickates, Garde, New London.

Recommends Cut in
Drive-in License

CINCINNATI, Oct. 31. — The
finance committee of City Council has
voted to recommend an increase in li-
cense fees for drive-in theatres from
40 to 50 cents for the first 250 spaces
and from 30 to 40 cents for each ad-
ditional space. This was a compromise
from the original recommendation to
75 cents for the first 250 spaces and
55 cents for each additional space. The
downward revision resulted from pres-
sure brought by Jerome Goldman, at-
torney for the S. & S. Amusement
Co., operating the 2,000-car Twin
Drive-in, the only outdoor theatre
within the city limits.

Officials to Attend
'Contessa' Bow

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 31.— Indus-
try leaders and celebrities will be in
attendance when Joseph L. Mankie-
wicz's "The Barefoot Contessa" will
premiere at the Fine Arts Theatres
here on Thursday.

Joseph Schenck, Jack Warner, Ed
Mannix, Charles Brackett, Harry
Cohn, Pandro S. Berman, Arthur
Freed, Jerry Wald, Stanley Kramer,
Harold Hecht, Charles Vidor, Jean
Negulesco, Lew Wasserman and Paul
Gregory are among the film officials
who will be on hand for the opening.

Schanberger Now
In Hotel Business

Rathvon Starting 1st
German-U,S, Film

The film, "Embassy Baby," being
produced by Rathvon Overseas, Ltd.,
has been retitled "The Little Ambas-
sador". Joseph Gotten will co-star
with Eve Bartok in the production.
This is Rathvon's first joint German-
American production.

While Rathvon Overseas, Ltd. has
already produced three films, the oth-
ers were geared primarily for the
European market. This latest produc-
tion is being made primarily for
American consumption, it was an-
nounced.

Madison Signed

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 31.— Produc-
ers William and Edward Nassour
announced the signing of Guy Madi-
son to star in their "Beast of Hollow
Mountain," a CinemaScope-Techni-
color production, combining live action
and electronically activated figures,
which United Artists will distribute.

BALTIMORE, Oct. 31.
Lawrence Schanberger who had
been owner of Keith's Theatre
for nearly 30 years, and who
recently relinquished his hold-
ings, is now actively engaged in
management of the St. James
Hotel in Baltimore.

Groups in Opposition
To Outdoor Project

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 31.— The
Chamber of Commerce of Greater
Philadelphia and the city's Commerce
Department have joined in opposing
the ejection of a 1,500-car drive-in
theatre on the West side of Roosevelt
Boulevard at Byberry Road on the
grounds that the outdoor house would
ruin the landscaping and turn "the ap-
proach route into a line of honky-
tonks."

The theatre is planned by A. M.
Ellis Co. on a 20-acre parcel presently
zoned for limited industrial and resi-
dential use. The cost of land and the-
atre improvements would total about
$500,000.

The Chamber of Commerce also
stated that a "terrific" traffic hazard
would be created when 1,500 cars
would spill out onto the highway twice
a night.

Svigals Sales Head
Of Harrison Pictures

Ed R. Svigals, who has specialized
in the distribution of foreign films, has
joined Harrison Pictures Co. as sales
manager.

Svigals will leave tomorrow for Los
Angeles to set up first-run engage-
ments for the Japanese film "Ugetsu,"
which has just concluded a two-month
run at the Plaza Theatre. On the way
back, he will stop off at key cities.

L. B, Wilson, Former
Circuit Owner, Dead

CINCINNATI, Oct. 31. — L. B.
Wilson, 63, owner of WCKY, 50,000^
watt independent radio station of this
city, died suddenly of a heart attack
in his apartment at the Hotel Shera-
ton Gibson. His widow survives.

Wilson formerly operated a circuit
of motion picture theatres in North-
ern Kentucky.

28 J TV Rating for
'Disneyland' Debut

According to a nine-city survey by
Trendex, more than half of the na-
tion's television sets were tuned to the
lead-off program of Walt Disney's
"Disneyland." The premiere's rating
was 28.4. The nine cities were Atlanta,
Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleve-
land, Detroit, New York, Philadelphia
and Washington.

Father of Sid Kleper

NEW HAVEN, Oct. 31.— Services
were held here on Friday for the fa-
ther of Sid Kleper, manager of
Loew's College Theatre, who died
last Thursday.

Europe Distribution
Surveyed by Ritchey
During Trip Abroad

Norton V. Ritchey, president of
Allied International Corp., has re-
turned to New York from Europe
where, in addition to attending the
joint Allied Artists-Associated Brit-
ish Pathe sales' convention at Monte
Carlo, he made a complete study of
the European market with a view to
the re-vamping of the AA European
distribution into one of three chan-
nels. The announcement that AA
would adopt the new distribution sys-
tem was made recently by Steve
Broidy, president of the company.

Visited Several Countries

In making his survey, Ritchey en-
gaged in discussions with prominent
circuit operators and distributors of
Germany, Holland, Belgium, France,
Portugal and the Scandinavian coun-
tries. While it is understood that some
agreements were entered into, it is
unlikely that the full details of the
new distribution policy will be re-
vealed until after the forthcoming
directors' meeting of AA in Holly-
wood.

BS'City Openings
For 'Contessa'

United Artists' "The Barefoot Con-
tessa" has been set for 26 key regional
openings within the next two weeks, it
was announced by B. G. Kranze, gen-
eral sales manager.

The saturation bows include Loew's
circuit bookings in Akron, Cleveland,
Dayton, Bridgeport, Harrisburg, In-
dianapolis, Evansville, Memphis, Nash-
ville, Houston, Norfolk, Louisville,
Richmond, Rochester, Reading, Spring-
field, Worcester, Syracuse, Toledo
and Wilmington. Other cities are
Albany, Baltimore, Detroit, Minne-
apolis, St. Paul and Washington.

Set Promotional
Tieups for 'HanseV

Promotion tieups totaling more
than $10,000,000 worth of national
and local advertising have been set for
"Hansel and Gretel," according to
Walter Branson, RKO's world-wide
sales manager. Set to run in conjunc-
tion with local playdates, the tie-ups
will also add publicity breaks to the
nation-wide campaign being readied
by RKO for the Michael Myerberg
Technicolor production.

All tie-ups will be ready for local
level promotions in time for the Chris-
mas holiday release of the feature,
with national advertising to pave the
way beginning almost immediately.

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

Rockefeller Center

Rerun s "WHITE CHRISTMAS"

in VistaVision starring

BING CROSBY - DANNY KAYE
ROSEIMARY CLOONEY - VERA ELLEN
Color by Technicolor - A Paramount Picture
am) SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION

MnTinw PTPTTIRF DAILY Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing

IVlUllWll r ^ Y , . • T, /T i-Tii -NT -ir 1. or. at V t.i l „„ m^^y^ •;_-Sinn P.iW/> -iiAAra^^' "nuiVTMihr-n Vnrk " MarHtl ninVlfV Prfsirlftit. Martin

rr^mnanv Tnc 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York. Martm Quigley, President; Martin
niiicrW Tr Vice-President- Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke,
A^,rprtidn^''Manaeer- Gus H Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor Hollywood -7-2145;
rw/Jn Bureau I'O South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A Otten, National Press Club Washington, D C London Bureau,
A r llpn London W 1- Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
^ Prftpr T{efreshment' Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
srcond-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 m the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

Monday. November 1, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Business Good
In Suburbans,
Jacon Reports

Theater business in the Central and
Midwestern sections of the United
States is encouraging, enabling ex-
hibitors, especially those located in
small, suburban communities to foresee
a brighter future, Bernard Jacon, vice-
president in charge of sales for I.F.E.
Releasing Corp., reported at the week-
end.

Commenting on his observations
during a 16-day hinterland tour, Jacon
said the suburban houses are becoming
more important in providing enter-
tainment to the public which finds it
difficult and annoying to attend the
large, downtown theatres.

Sees Small Houses Prospering

Communities with small theatres
have been doing big business for some
time and a theatre patron's habits and
the general film business has relocated,
according to Jacon. "Unless some sort
of provision is made by the downtown
cricuit or independent theatres for
parking facilities, business will fall off
at the box office and in turn harm
all businesses along the Main Street,"
he said.

Many patrons, living on the out-
skirts of large cities, do not want to
drive in for a downtown theatre per-
formance knowing that parking facili-
ties are very crowded and few, he
said. "This helps the small suburban
house," the film official said.

In some areas, drive-in operators
have been running into difficulties in
securing permission to erect outdoor
theatres because the large downtown
theatre owners and operators have
been "pressuring" the City Councils,
Jacon said. "They want to keep the
business in town, realizing that if
their houses lose patrons to the drive-
ins and suburban theatres, everyone
along the street will likewise be af-
fected," he said.

Lauds Italian Producers

Commenting on his organization's
activities, Jacon stated that "exhibi-
tors are realizing that I.F.E. picture
releases are on a par with product
distributed by the U. S. companies
in providing top entertainment." The
Italian film producers have done a
good turn to the American industry
by introducing new faces and talent
which, in the future, will be the world
stars, he said.

While more and more theatres are
equipping for CinemaScope, I.F.E.
product has been receiving their share
of playing time, Jacon said. "Hell
Raiders of the Deep" has had more
booking dates than any other I.F.E.
film previously released, he said.

Jacon also reported that the na-
tional newspaper, magazine, radio and
television publicity which was given
to film actress Gina Lollobrigida dur-
ing her recent visit to this country
has increased the bookings for "Bread,
Love and Dreams."

Many Dates for "Bread'

Engagements for the picture will
start prior to Thanksgiving at the
following theatres : Esquire, Cincin-
nati ; Keith's, Indianapolis ; Cinema,
Detroit ; World Playhouse, Chicago ;
Strand, Milwaukee; Bexley Art, Co-
lumbus ; Heights, Cleveland ; Illini,
Champaign ; Capitol, Iowa City ;

Review

* Athena*

(M-G-M) Holim'ood, Oct. 31

THIS one is destined to fill the bill for the coming holiday season. It's
as nutty as a fruit cake, and should satisfy the zany appetites of all
audiences, especially those who are tortured by a sense of curiosity for those
late-late TV shows. They can now witness an escape-escape musical and still
get home in time to sleep.

"Athena" may not answer the Greek concept of their ancient deity, but
producer Joe Pasternak had a word for it, — "entertainment." While it does
not measure up to some of his more creditable offerings, it still bears his
stamp of authority for good production values to perk the film's potential
gross.

Jane Powell integrates her vocal charm to offset an oft'-beat role of a
numerologist enthusiast, w-ho, with her six sisters, runs a health food store
by day; and, at night helps her grandparents, Louis Calhern and Evelyn
\'arden, conduct a class for muscle men, training for the title of Mr. Uni-
verse, at their unique dwelling located "a half mile from the end of the road."
Calhern is excellent, as a zany prototype of Bernard ilacfadden.

Richard Thorpe kept the action fluid and held the characters in tow with
story-bound direction. The screenplay by William Ludwig and Leonard Spigel-
gass revolves around Miss Powell's campaign to marry Edmund Purdom,
a young blueblood candidate for Congress. Her influence in causing him to
adopt back-to-nature habits of diet on fruits and nuts, changing his ideas
about home decor and getting rid of her rival, Linda Christian, offers the
framework for contrived, ridiculous situations. Hugh Martin and Ralph
Blane's musical is a lyrical benefactor of the action.

Fitting into the pattern of events, Debbie Reynolds, as Miss Powell's sister,
is top-notch in her song-and-dance handling- of "I Never Felt Better." Vic
Damone, cast as Debbie's romantic interest, fits the vocal format. He sends
"The Girl Next Door," borrowed from a former M-G-Musical, home on
your lips with another whistling chance.

Robert Planck's camera made capital of the Eastman Color. Prints are
by Technicolor.

Running time, 97 minutes. General Audience classification. Release in
November.

SAMUEL D. BERNS

Brown Buys Colonial
Theatre in Albany

ALBANY, Oct. 31.— The Colonial
will be reopened about Nov. 5 as a
subsequent-run picture theatre under
the management of Dr. Samuel Brown,
of Brown Associates, New York City.

Doctor Brown purchased the theatre
three years ago. For a time, it played
stock, under lease to Malcolm Atter-
bury, but went dark in April, 1953.

The 40-year-old house has featured
a variety of policies, motion pictures
being the principal one. It was oper-
ated as an art situation for a time.

Brown has engaged Robert W.
Griffeth, recently of Schine's Mohawk
in Amsterdam, as manager. Griffeth
served as assistant at Fabian's Grand,
Albany, several years ago. He also
has been affiliated w-ith Smalley and
Warner theatres.

O'Kelly Quits Schine
Post After 25 Years

ALBANY, Oct. 31. — Fielding
O'Kelly, Amsterdam city manager for
Schine and an employee of that cir-
cuit for 25 years, has resigned.
Charles Trurran, former manager of
the Avon in Watertown, succeeded
him.

O'Kelly, who is now visiting his
son, employed in England by the
United States government, will make
another connection on his return to
this country. O'Kelly was originally
an exhibitor in West Virginia.

Beverly Canon, Los Angeles ; Larkin,
San Francisco; Plaza, Washington,
D. C. The picture will also be
launched in Interstate Circuit theatres
in four Texas cities.

Jacon revealed that to date, more
than 31 other key cities have already
scheduled to play "Bread, Love and
Dreams" during the Christmas holiday
neriod.

Upped Prices Now
Rule in Columbus

COLUMBUS, O., Oct. 31. — Ad-
vanced prices for big pictures have be-
come the rule here rather than the
exception. Latest example of upped
admissions is the current showing of
"A Star _Is Born" at RKO Palace
with $1.25 evenings and 90 cents at
matinees. Many major attractions
have been playing to good business
here at rates ranging from 90 cents
to $1 evenings and' from 65 to 75 cents
at matinees. Regular admissions are
70 cents week nights and 75 cents
weekends, with 50 cents in effect at
matinees.

Patrons Seen Agreeable

Managers say that there is little
resistance to increased rates when the
attraction is strong. Among features
which have done good business at
increased rates are : "The Egyp-
tian," "Rear Window," "On The
W'aterfront," "Seven Brides For
Seven Brothers,"' "Dragnet," "Broken
Lance," "Gone With The Wind,'' "The
High and the Mighty," "Three Coins
In the Fountain," "Garden of Evil,"
"Demetrius and the Gladiators," "The
Caine Mutiny," "The Student Prince,"
"Rose Marie'' and "Julius Caesar."

Advanced price attractions have been
held for extended playing time, up to
five weeks for "The Robe."

Dr, Nelles in New
Technicolor Post

Dr. Maurice Nelles will join Tech-
nicolor Motion Picture Corp. in a
newly created position of director of
diversification and research develop-
ment. Doctor Nelles comes to Techni-
color from Borg- Warner Corp. where
he has served as director of its central
research laboratory.

Doctor Nelles will assume his new
duties at Technicolor today.

People

John B. Browning and Harold
Reason have bought the Charlotte-
Drive-In at Punta Gorda, Fla., from
Glucknian & Mitts.

John Ford checked out of St. Vin-
cent's Hospital, Hollywood, follow-
ing an emergency gall-bladder
operation.

Al Burks, Warner Brothers home
office exploiteer, will now cover the
company's Dallas, Oklahoma City
and Memphis territories. Burk
formerly covered the \\'ashington,
Philadelphia and Charlotte branch
areas.

Harry R. Clark has resigned his
position as president of Telechrome
Manufacturing Corp., Amityville
N. Y. '

Lou Holleb will be general man-
ager of the 1,000-car-In-Town Auto
Theatre in Whitehall. Holleb was
formerly the manager of the RKO
Majestic and Uptown Theatres ' in
Columbus.

Arthur A. Munsell, president of
\"ocalite Screen Corp., suffered a
fall on Oct. 3 and therefore will not
be able to attend the TOA conven-
tion.

Kenneth Harris, onetime manager
of Schine's Hippodrome in Glovers-
ville, N. Y., is now managing the
Alohawk Theatre in Amsterdam,
N.Y., for that circuit.

Mary Nicolletti, of M-G-M's
special service department, was
married at Lady of Perpetual Help
Church in Richmond Hill on Satur-
day to Henry W. Bode.

Gerry Huff, owner of the Hud-
son Theatre, Hudson, N. Y. wel-
comed the birth of a daughter
named Nancy Gale. This is Huff's
second child.

B. E. Hoffman of Connecticut
Theatres, New Haven, has been
named to the national board of
Brandeis University Associates.

Walter Colby, formerh' managei
of the Mantanzas in St. Augustine,
Fla. has been appointed city man-
ager for the Florida State Theaters
of Orlando. Colby replaces \'erne
Hunter who retired.

Whitney Lindsey, manager of the
Florida State Theatre, Lakeland,
Fla. has resigned. Tom Sawyer has
been appointed to replace him.

Harry Farros, manager of the
Portola Theatre in San Francisco,
was married in New Orleans.

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Motion Picture Daily

Monday, November 1, 1954

TOA Theatre-TV Group Sees 'New Era' Near

Called Strong
CounterAttack
To Television

{Continued from page 1)

metered television," the report states.

"We have the weapon for a power-
ful counter-attack but are exceedingly
slow in developing its mighty poten-
tial. For additional revenue and for
recouping the patronage taken from us
by the lure of 'free' entertainment,
closed circuit TV is a reinforcement
which can advance us to a new era m
the history of the theatres," it con-
tinues.

Referring to the several subscription
television developments, which the re-
port says are intended "to shift from
theatre audiences to home audiences
the exclusive privilege of witnessing
first run pictures," it observes that:

"Should the F.C.C. give these sys-
tems the green light it would be an
attempt to eliminate the middle-man,
(every exhibitor in the United States)
and encourage direct producer to con-
sumer buying of motion picture enter-
tainment on a vast scale.

Calls It 'Grave Threat'

"This is just a shadow on the TV
horizon— but it is a grave threat and
discussions are now under way to
crystallize exhibitor opinion and mo-
bilize against such destructive fran-
chises."

The latter reference obviously is to
the recent formation of the joint ex-
hibitor committee to oppose subscrip-
tion TV which was formed with
TOA, Allied States and other exhibi-
tor organization participation.

The report notes that little progress
was made in the area of -theatre tele-
vision during the past year but that
"some slight progress" was made in
the use of theatres in off-hours for
closed circuit conferences.

Lack of Seats a Factor

Lack of seats and programs for
theatre telecasts are holding up de-
velopment of TV in the field of stage
spectacles and major sports events, the
report holds, pointing out that to get a
World Series, theatre TV would re-
quire a great many more theatres and
seats than are now available to it.

"Having sufficient seats," it says,
"programming becomes more practical
because it would enable an agent to
offer the biggest attractions more
money than could be bid by any other
medium."

Three Trailers Won
TOA Approval

CHICAGO, Oct. 31. — Three
trailers during the past year
were recommended for showing
by the screening committee of
Theatre Owners of America.

The trailers, all of short length
recommended to the TOA mem-
bership, were for the American
Cancer Society, American Heart
Association and American Red
Cross.

BEWARE OF LOCAL TAXATION,
SAYS TOA LEGISLATIVE UNIT

CHICAGO, Oct. 31. — The state and local legislation committee of the
Theatre Owners of America warns theatre owners in its TOA convention
report to be vigilant of municipalities and towns which already possess through
"General Enabling Acts" or other
"specific grants of taxing power" the
authority to levy admission and other
excise taxes.

Committee co-chairmen L a M a r
Sarra and Robert E. Bryant, in pre-
paring their report for the TOA
exhibitors, saluted the 20' per cent
tax repeal committee which succeeded
in, securing a significant measure of
excise tax relief, but warned all ex-
hibitors to be on the lookout for state
and local levies.

In the report, the legislation

committee reminded theatremen

of "tax complacency" and of the

reduction in the Federal levy by

10 per cent. The group was

severe in warning theatre

owners and operators to be on

the lookout for state and local

taxations and cited the New

York City five per cent admis-
sion tax now being legally con-
tested, as an example.

The committee urged that local ex-
hibitor organizations, especially those
in states where townships already
possess the power to levy excise taxes,
exert on their city officials maximum
pressure to "head off" any attempt
to levy admission or other discrimina-
tory taxes. Support, Sarra and Bryant
said, could also be marshalled from
retail merchants, real estate and in-
vestment brokers and other business
concerns which, during the past five
years, have witnessed at close hand
the devastating effect of heavy excise
taxation, especially those on motion
picture theatres, amusements in gen-
eral, furs, jewelry, communications
and travel.

Successful Actions Cited

While also informing the TOA con-
vention of state legislature meetings
this year, the committee noted several
successes in securing tax relief such
as Akron, where the city repealed its
three per cent admissions tax, and
Columbus, which amended its three
per cent admission tax ordinance by

exempting tax on all admissions of
50 cents or less, effective last Jan. 1.

In line with aggressive efforts by
other exhibitors, Sarra and Bryant
urged that "we do not retreat from
our recent victory," but rather through
local organizations seek, without de-
lay, a wider scope of tax relief. The
committee declared that "the over-
whelming proof which convinced the
Congress on two separate occasions
during the past 18 months should now
be effectively presented to your state
and local legislative and other tax-
ing officials, seeking from them re-
duction of local taxes now being
levied against the theatres. Some local
taxes which have reached high levels
include discriminatory license and
privilege taxes, seat taxes not realis-
tically assessed ; also separate levies
on patron service sales, and conces-
sion vending machines." Theatremen
should also plan to effect reductions
in excessive valuations on the real
and personal property of theatres, the
committee asserted.

Sarra and Bryant said that
reports to the committee indi-
cate that exhibitors in many
states during the peak business
years of the late Forties allowed
their assessed valuations on
such property to be successively
increased to. an alarming level.
Moreover, this tendency to "up
the valuation" by assessors still
continues today, the co-chair-
man- said.

"Your committee feels we have not
received local relief on this phase of
taxation since the sharp decline in
our box office receipts became evident
several years ago and relief from this
source of taxation is the Number Two
objective of this committee," Sarra
and Bryant reported. The committee
noted some excellent exceptions where
alert exhibitors under financial pres-
sure of threatened theatre closings
secured appreciable reductions.

TOA Report Finds Upward
Trend in Drive-in B.O.

CHICAGO, Oct. 31.— A general up-
ward trend in drive-in business during
the past season was revealed in a
report of the Theatre Owners of
America drive-in theatre committee.

The report, citing the response to a
committee questionnaire, showed that
all sections of the country virtually
told of increased business, some tem-
pering their response with phrases
such as "upwards but spotty" and up-
wards with the exception of towns hit
by new TV stations.

Prepared under the co-chairmanship
of Jack D. Braunagel and William T.
Powell, the report also cited the hike
in film rentals, reporting increases
varying from 10 per cent to 30 per cent.

Regarding the question of whether
drive-ins should equip for Cinema-

Scope presentation, the report cited
this general conclusion : "Drive-ins
running all year around will find it a
must due to product shortage if they
are running against theatres that have
CinemaScope. Seasonal drive-ins in
the North may be able to get by a
while longer due to backlog of winter
product, but even this is questionable."

The report urged distributors to
"follow the lead of Warner Brothers
and Universal and give the exhibitor
the choice of selecting the process he
feels he can present. Let's demand,"
the report continued, "an answer from
the distributors as to where we will
stand next April regarding types of
prints that will be available. We can
then make our winter and spring plans
on a sound basis."

Myron Blank

Backs Policy of
No Standard
Films of 'Scope

CHICAGO, Oct. 31.— Support for the
the refusal of film companies to release
their CinemaScope pictures in conven-
tional prints
was offered here
today in a re-
port of the re-
search commit-
tee of Theatre
Owners of
America.

The commit-
t e e , working
under the chair-
manship of
Myron N .
Blank, acknowl-
edged that "con-
siderable pres-
, . , , sure" is still

being brought on film companies
mainly by small theatres and drive-
ins, to release their CinemaScope pic-
tures in standard ratios in order that
they may forego the necessity of the
purchase of anamorphic lenses.

'Not Economically Practical'

'It is our belief," declared the com-
mittee report, "that it is not econom-
ically practical for an exchange to
have prints on a picture with full
magnetic CinemaScope, single track
and optical CinemaScope, as well as
the standard prints, which means an
exchange would have to carry four
different types of prints for such an
attraction."

The report, forecasting a bright fu-
ture for the industry, said that the
studios now realize that technical
changes and improvements have to be
made. It heralded the introduction of
magnetic sound reproduction. Para-
mount's Vista Vision, the development
of new taking-lenses in Hollywood,
the improvement in color, Magna-
Scope and other technical advances

Regarding 3-D, the report stated
that "a year ago at . this time the in-
dustry was greatly concerned whether :
third-dimension would prevail and if
changes could be made to revive it.
History, it continued, "now shows
that presently third-dimension viewed '
by glasses is on the way out."

Decries Any 'Dictation'

Although it praised the introduction
of magnetic sterophonic sound, the re-
port stressed the committee's feeling
that exhibitors should not be "dictated
to" as to the kind of equipment he
should install in his theatre.

The committee called upon lens
manufacturers to take note that be-
cause of large screen projection, more
consideration should be given to what
was in the past considered normal
aberration tolerance. "This correc-
tion," the report continued, "will aid
considerably to help bring a good wide
screen picture to all theatres in nearly
any seat in the auditorium."

A change in the aperture plate, the
report added, can aid those exhibitors
who care to change their CinemaScope
ratio of 2.35 to 1 to their particular
size screen in their auditorium or
drive-in.

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Motion Picture Daily

Monday, November 1, 1954

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with oil. Wide— mesh gear train
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Nylon pad rollers eliminate all
need for lubrication in the operat-
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TO A Told of
Compo Work,
Future Plans

CHICAGO, Oct. 31.— A year of ac-
complishment by the Council of Motion
Picture Organizations, highlighted by
elimination of the Federal admissions
tax on tickets of less than 50 cents and
a reduction of the tax to 10 per cent
on others, is reviewed in the report
of Sam Pinanski, member of the
COMPO governing triumvirate, for
the Theatre Owners of America con-
vention here.

Pinanski listed the following as
other outstanding achievements of
COMPO during the past year:
<| Betterment of Industry relations
with Congressmen and Federal of-
ficials ;

CI A change for the better in public
and press attitudes toward the industry
and its product ;

d Injection of a "certain semblance of
unity into an industry which for years
has been torn apart by dissension."

Pinanski's report said that as a re-
sult of the successful campaign against
the Federal tax, 9,288 theatres were
freed of the entire Federal tax, and
8,677 others have had their Federal
tax reduced by 50%. This has given
the theatres an additional annual in-
come of $122,500,000, Pinanski said.

On the basis of this achievement
alone, his report states, COMPO de-
serves the continued support of TOA.

Political Activity Urged

The report urges exhibitors to keep
in touch with their Federal repre-
sentatives who aided the anti-tax ef-
fort, now that those men are at home
for the election period. It also de-
scribes the assistance COMPO can
give to theatres which may be threat-
ened with state or local taxation, but
reminds that COMPO lacks the facili-
ties to engage itself in local tax
battles.

The report - says 6,300 dues-paying
members of COMPO were sent de-
tails of the proposed group insurance
plan with requests for expressions on
the plan. Of 1,100 replies received by
Oct. 1, he said, 650 favored the plan
and represented more than 6,000 em-
liloyes, or far more than the minimum
needed to put the plan in operation.

Working on Poll

Pinanski's report revealed that
COMPO's plan for a national audi-
ence poll to select top film players of
the year requires sponsorship within
the industry, which is now being
sought. The plan calls for the first
balloting to be held Jan. 1-15 on pic-
tures released this year. It is hoped
that at least 5,000 theatres would
participate if the plan is effectuated.

The report also reviews the series
nf ads inserted by COMPO in "Edi-
tor & Publisher." observino- that Pin-
■■nski believes they contributed much
'1 the changed press attitude toward
"he industry and films. The effort to
maintain good press relations, he dis-
f^loses, is being encouraged on the
state, and regional level in the indus-
try.

Predicts Attendance Jump

For the future, he believes that
COMPO, armed with research in-
formation, can show the way to at-
tendance increases and to more orderly
technological development within the
industry.

1.66 Report

(Continued from page 1)

1 ratio is too severe and that it does
not provide enough height for the
average theatre," but advised that
"somewhere between 2.55 to 1 and 2
to 1 would be more practical."

The co-chairmen of the group, in
reporting on the many new innova-
tions which have occurred during the
past year insofar as equipment, re-
vealed that some quarters suggest the
aspect ratios of 2.20 or 2.40 to 1 as
suitable for the average house.

Points to Improvements

Many controversies have arisen as
to the merits of different types of
screens, lenses and sound equipment,
the committee reported. "In regard
to screens, there are many types and
there have been considerable improve-
ments made during the past year,"
the committee said. "Some theatremen
claim that the seams do not annoy the
patron at all, but there are just as
many who would not have a seamed
screen in the theatre even at the risk
of some loss of light," the co-chairmen
said.

In reporting on lenses, the commit-
tee revealed, that while the many
types which have been received by
theatremen with various opinions, it
is the opinion of the majority that the
cylindrical anamorphic lenses gives
the best light and the prismatic type
lenses are doing a satisfactory job in
the small to medium size indoor
theatre. However, the prismatic type
lenses do not give sufficient light for
drive-in use where they have been
found almost a 25 per cent difference,
the group said.

Discussion Subjects Outlined

The committee stated that there are
many other items for discussion such
as the merits of the magnetic against
optical sound reproduction, the various
types of primary lenses, and the re-
flectability of metal mirrors versus
glass. "There are discussions taking
place also to the merits of push back
seats versus stationary ones, and the
merits of electric hand driers against
paper towels, and many other items
too numerous to mention," the co-
chairmen reported.

The forum on "new processes and
equipment," which will be held on
Wednesday, will discuss many items
of interest to exhibitors, the commit-
tee said.

Brooks Joins Wallis

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 31.-Gene
Brooks has been assigned as head of
publicity for Hal Wallis Productions
at Paramount. Brooks was film proj-
ect officer for Hal Wallis' "Cease
Fire" while on duty with the Army
in Korea where the picture was
filmed last year.

'Leila' to DC A

Fred Schwartz' Distributors Corp.
of America will distribute "Leila,"
Bernard Luber's production based on
the life of George Sand. Olivia de
Havilland will play the title role and
production will start in France and
England next summer.

Dual Detroit Policy

DETROIT, Oct. 31. -The Studio
and Coronet Theatres are inaugurating
a policy of first-run art and foreign
films to be played day and date com-
mencing with Thanksgiving Day.

Coverage

Martin Quigley, Jr., editor of
"Motion Picture Herald"; Al
Steen, news editor of Motion
Picture Daily; George Schutz,
editor of "Better Theatres," and
Ray Gallo, advertising manager
of "Better Theatres," are in
Chicago this week at the joint
conventions of Theatre Owners
of America, Theatre Equipment
Supply Manufacturers Ass'n,
Theatre Equipment Dealers
Ass'n, and the International
Popcorn Ass'n at the Conrad
Hihon Hotel.

Also representing Quigley
Publications at the conventions
and trade shows is Jerry Field,
resident Chicago editorial repre-
sentative of Quigley Publica-
tions.

Fire Rates

{Continued from page 1)

tically prohibitive rates of $3.00 per
hundred. "Substantially lower rates
are due the theatre owner and would
give him a protection virtually unob-
tainable at present," he said. The cur-
rent high values in film might make
this matter well worth investigating
with the individual bureaus, and thea-
tre men, acting in unison through their
organizations could bring great pres-
sure to bear on their rating associa
tions, Martin concluded in his report.

Frisch and Anderson reported
that fire insurance rates in the
New York area were based
solely on the building code pro-
visions relating to construction
of the building, as well as the
experience of losses from fires.
At no time has the fire insur-
ance rate ever been influenced
by the fact that the theatres
were using nitrate film, they
said.

The New England report indicated
that the use of film in itself, whether
safety or non-safety, has not materially
contributed to the fire record. It would
appear that the overwhelming major-
ity of cases causing fire losses in thea-
tres arise out of the smoking habit,
they reported.

Grainger in Chicago

CHICAGO, Oct. 31.— J. R. Grainger,
president of RKO Pictures, arrived
over the week-end from Hollywood toi
attend the TOA convention and to
address a sales conference tomorrow
on "Hansel and Gretel." Grainger will
be joined by Edward L. Walton, ex-
ecutive assistant, and Herbert H.
Greenblatt, domestic sales manager.

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Motion picture daily

16mm. Business Is
Good Picker Says

The 16mm. film business
throughout the world, especially
in Siam, is very good, it was re-
ported by Arnold M. Picker,
United Artists vice-president in
charge of foreign sales, at the
weekend. Siamese exhibitors
project a film blacking out
foreign dialogue as three actors,
in an enclosed booth, transmit
the dialogue in the native lan-
guage, he said.

Midwest

(Continued from page 1)

ture were Walter Reade, Jr., presi-
dent ; Alfred Starr, cliairman of the
board ; Herman Levy, executive coun-
sel ; George Kerasotes of United The-
atres of Illinois, and Roy Cooper,
TOA board official from San Fran-
cisco. Also present, but not speaking,
was Al Foreman of TOA's Oregon
unit.

The only actual plea for formation
of a new organization was voiced by
Eddie Ruben during the informal ques-
tion-and-answer period, which occu-
pied more than half of the four-hour
luncheon meeting. Ruben, touching
briefly on the earlier history of ex-
hibition and its problems with distribu-
tion, urged the formation of regional
units in Minnesota, Wisconsin and the
Dakotas "with a central office in the
Twin Cities to carry out policies de-
cided in the field and not run by one
or two men and tied in with a strong
national organization."

Two Questions Posed

The two big questions posed by
many of the exhibitors who accepted
the Field-Ruben invitation to the meet-
ing were: "What does TOA offer in
answer to exhibitor problems that Al-
hed does not," and "Is not the answer
a merger between the two exhibitor
groups rather than the formation of
a new and separate organization."

Both in his opening speech and in
the later question-and-answer period,
Reade answered both by pointing out
that TOA was already carrying on
consultations with distribution sales
managers on sales policies and that
for more than three years the organ-
ization has suggested closer coopera-
tion with Allied.

Starr, who said that exhibition was
"in a most precarious position," said
that Allied's position was logical and
"echoed a spirit of economic despera-
tion," adding "If we are smart, if we
can get together, common sense and
united action can save us."

Adleman

(Continued from page 1)

Guys in each of Variety's 45 tents
with the office of the international
Press Guy, Ben Goffstein of Las
Vegas, and to arrange for national
news coverage of Variety events.

1321 So. Wabaih
Chi»eo !i, lllintlt

l-or 35 Yean Ihe Leadeis
IN SERVICE AND QUALITY

LWith Showmen Everywhere!

^Era of Prosperity' Predicted for Industry

(Continued from page 1 )

from six-week tours of the Orient and
Far East where they met "face to
face" with exhibitors, company per-
sonnel and government officials and
extended the UA 35th anniversary
celebration through 1954. Youngstein
returned a short time ago from a
European trip concerning "The Bare-
foot Contessa" and other UA releases
and will leave this week for West
Coast conferences with producers.
Benjamin has been here "minding the
store."

Welcomed in Far East

The UA president, in reporting on
his tour and the warm receptions
which he had received in the Far
East, said : "Every time I am away
on a trip, the UA billings increase.
During this six-week trip, the UA
billings totalled $7,000,000 and I must
revise upward my previous estimate
of $40,000,000 for 1954 by "several
millions." The U.S. and Canada bill-
ings should be in the neighborhood of
$26,000,000 by the end of the year."

Business throughout the Far East
is very prosperous, Krim said, citing
the case of one Manila exhibitor who
yanked out the last five rows of seats
in his theatre so that more standees
could attend performances. "This ex-
hibitor informed me that he has had
at times, 2,000 patrons for a perform-
ance in his 900 seat theatre," he said.

American product, throughout the
world, is still the champion at the box
office except in some small instances
where native product is very popular,
he said. "Despite the economic diffi-
culties and problems, and native.
indnstry pressure on govern-
ments, the people support U.S.
pictures more than any other
imported product." the distribu-
tion head stated.

"Every country in the
Far East has some sort
of a native motion pic-
ture industry and all have
hopes of having their
product exported to
America," Krim said. "UA
is now exploring the pos-
sibility of importing these
foreign films but we real-
ize that a film must have
some sort of appeal to an
American audience," he

UA's 'Apache' Is
Top U.S. Earner

Hecht - Lancaster Productions
"Apache" is the biggest do-
mestic money earner for United
Artists thus far with the film
grossing by the end of 1954
an estimated $3,500,000, Arthur
Krim, UA president, disclosed
at the weekend.

said. Krim revealed that within
a short time, the company, will
release an Indian production,
"The Tiger and the Flame,"
and a Philippine produced pic-
ture, "Ghengis Kahn."
Commenting on possible co-produc-
tion deals with Far East producers,
Krim cited the modern, up-to-date
film studios and stated, "The ma-
chinery is there, but the story must
come first." He said that the company
would like to enter into co-production
arrangements such as those made on
"African Queen," "Moulin Rouge,"
and "The Barefoot Contessa."

Picker Urges 'Getting About'

Picker, who also reported on the
general industry business in the cities
be covered during his six-week tour,
said that "more U.S. industry execu-
tives should get about in order to get
a better understanding of the world
film situation." It is expected that
Picker, who left at the weekend for
London, will visit about 90 per cent

of all UA foreign offices by the end
of the year.

"There is a tremendous prosperity
throughout the world not only for
U.S. product but also for foreign
films," Picker said. This prosperity,
in some areas, is hindered by low
admission prices, but in general, more
theatres are being constructed and
many old houses are being remodelled
and recondition, he said. Asked if UA
will build or operate any theatres
outside the United States, Picker said
"no." UA operates only the Pavilion
in London.

Sees CinemaScope Popular

Commenting on the success of Cin-
emaScope in the Far East and the
interest with which exhibitors are ap-
parently awaiting VistaVision, Picker
said that as of Jan. 1, 1955, United
Artists product will be played on the
Kerridge-Odean circuit in New Zea-
land, switching from the Amalga-
mated circuit. The reason for the
transfer, Picker said, was the mod-
ern equipment in the houses and an-
ticipated larger returns.

Questioned about subscriber tele-
vision and the company's attitude to-
wards the toll-TV. Benjamin and
Youngstein both stated "no com-
ment."

The executives also disclosed that
U.-\ will have some VistaVision prod-
uct for release shortly and forthcom-
ing CinemaScope films are "The Ken-
tuckian," "Gentlemen Marry Bru-
nettes," and possibly "Alexander, The
Great," in that medium. "Vera Cruz"
will be the company's first Superscope
release.

IF YOU THOUGHT

Rename Daley

TORONTO, Oct. 31.— T. S.
Daley, manager of the Famous
Players' University Theatre,
Toronto, has again been namet'
general chairman for the awards
dinner of the Canadian Picture
Pioneers, the function this vear
being scheduled for Nov. 25 at
the King Edward Hotel. Dan
Krendel of Famous Players
head office is in charge of the
advance sale of banquet tickets
totalhng 600.

'Scope to Drive-In

CLEVELAND, Oct. 31.—
First drive-in CinemaScope in-
stallation in the Greater Cleve-
land area has opened at the
East Side Drive-In, a unit of
the Phil Smith circuit. The new,
wide screen measures 165 ft. by
48 ft. Opening picture in the
new medium was "River of No
Return."

WAS REAL BOXOFFICE

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Monday, November 1, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Hnlly WDDd

Bu Samuel D. Berns^^

INICIDENTALLY : Aloha to Sam Goldwyn. That Honolulu vaca-
tion has him primed for "Guys and Dolls.". . . Televised presenta-
tion of a plaque, honoring VistaVision, to Y. Frank Freeman by
Vision Conservation Institute, marked opening night ceremonies for
West Coast premiere of "White Christmas.". . . Hecht-Lancaster's
new expansion and financing program worth a halo from both exhibi-
tors and indie producers. ... If Italy can't find a spot for Warners'
20-ton Horse of Troy, it might make a good attraction alongside
Atlantic City's Elephant Hotel. . . . Mark Robson has gone Conti-
nental. Won't be back 'til Christmas. . . . Rex Allen lassoed a deal in
Scotland to make "Cowboy in Kilts.". . . Nick Ray moved to the

"Star Is Born" lot for a director's assignment.

Screenwriter Ketti

Frings and Jose Ferrer hot on "Jallopy" as a project to follow
"The Shrike.". . . Sam Bischoff with six pictures on the slate for
Allied Artists is still headquartering on the RKO-Pathe lot. . . . Dan
O'Herlihy, a great "Robinson Crusoe," signed for U-I's "The Purple
Mask" on Friday. Superstitious? . . . Doug Fairbanks, Jr., will trot
to Turkey to film a story of Kemal Ataturk. Plenty of free extras
and soldiers on hand for the father of the Turkish Republic.

n n n

William Campbell caught our eye in "The High and the Mighty"
and zve're mighty glad for Iiis break luith the Caryl Chessman role
in Columbia's "Cell 2455.'". . . Glenn Ford chalks up the important
lead in MGM's "Blackboard Jungle.". . . There's a shortage of
music mixer technicians around town. . . . The "chips" are down
at Paramount with Jimmy Dorsey's daughter, Julie, and Joel
McCrea's boy, J ode, jnaking debuts in Pine-Thomas's "Lucy Gal-
lant.". . . New Hollywood Format: Open the film with a Dimitri
Tiomkin-Ned Washington title time. To wit — "High Noon,"
"High and the Mighty," "Hajji Baba," and now "Strange Lady
In Town.". . . Lippert ivill give the marquees "Shock" instead of
the title "Quartermass Experiment.". . . Lauren Bacall is wrapped
up for Wayne-Fellows "Blood Alley.". . . Charles Marquis War-
ren will add a producer credit to his writing and directing talents
when he visits our British cousins ne.vt year to make "The Long
Swords" and "The Norman." Jack Balance ivill favor William
the Conqueror in the latter.

FRANK O. PINYONS: Hall Bartlett symbolizes the indus-
try's new spirit and new crop of indie film makers . . . Dick
Walsh sees no harm in foreign production if it means a for-
eign currency tie-in to make the film, or authentic backgrounds
demanded by the script . . . Fred Schwartz claims TV will
prove greatest boon to theatres — just as radio brought about
the phenomenal success of the record industry. . . . Peter
Ustinov is sensational in "Beau Brummell." Can't wait to
catch him in Paramount's "We're No Angels". . . "Music By
Duchin," the story of Eddie Duchin, has enough story heart
and music to give Columbia a matching vehicle for U-I's
"Glenn Miller Story". . . Paramount is holding back on "Coun-
try Girl" for Academy reasons . . . Chuck Connors' batting
average on picture assignments is getting to look better than
his former baseball record with the L.A. Angels . . . 75-year
old Walter Hampden deserves some special testimonial for his
top-notch thesping and active schedule which has him in
"Sabrina," "Silver Chalice," "Prodigal Son" and "Strange Lady
In Town" — and an ABC-TV show . . . Marge and Gower
Champion will double their film importance after they return
from that 77-cities tour in Paul Gregory's legit musical, "Three
For Tonite". . . J. K. Friedrich's religious feature, "Day of
Triumph," could put live tableau prologues back in vogue . . .
Sinatra's stint in "Suddenly" was a worthy hitch hike to the
Nathan Detroit role in Goldwyn's "G's and D's". . . Charlton
■ Heston in DeMille's "Ten Commandments" should look great
as Moses in the "rushes".

n . n n

DRUM BEATERS : Highest paid song plugger in the business,
Irving Berlin, — on pitch with "White Christmas.". . . George Jessel
will m.c. the Publicists 8th annual Panhandle Dinner. . . . Benny,
Cantor, Hope, Crosby, Kaye, Marx and Webb are a few of the re-
liables who recorded an appeal for the Boy Scouts Youth Program
Fund. . . . Drum Majorettes : Patricia Medina making personals on
"The Black Knight"; Jan Sterling barking for "Human Jungle" in
'the hinterlands ; and Jane Russell packing for RKO's pot o'gold at
the beginning of "Underwater !"

^-E-W-S...

like the wind, it keeps
changing — like the wind,
it affects the course
you steer . . .

Every issue of Motion Picture Daily
is edited as though our reputation
depends on it. As a matter of fact,
we consider that it does.

Xmas

comes eai

Hansel and Gretel" broke everx. ^
Broadway Theatre N Y a7o ^ ^^"clance record at the

tre, N^gross.ng $40,287 i„ six days!

• • • and Xmas will
come early (and stay late) when you play
Hansel and GreteK^, this yearns great holiday show!

''Hansel and Greter' is the miracle that happens only once to the very young... at heart.

And all the New York critics and the long lines at the box office must be young at
heart, because they agree that "Hansel and Gretel" is great entertainment for everybody.

"A fine film for children . , . should delight fanciful
grown-ups, tool Mr. Myerberg's daring has admirably
paid off ... a charming entertainment in both the
musical and the novelty line. This picture has the quality
of a truly visualized fairy tale."

—Bosley Crowther, New York Times

"It calls for cheers. The Kinemins v/alk, talk, sing and
dance as though they v/ere really alive. Displays an
imaginative eye for the picturesque."

— Kate Cameron, Daily News

"Hansel and Gretel" certainly solves
the problem of v/here to take the
young ones on a holiday or birthday
outing. The elusive spirit of fantasy
has been caught with sprightly deli-

cacy that is likely to spread its enchantment over Broad-
way for many a month."

—Alfon Cook, New York World-Telegram

"The picture can be summed up as a very remarkable

achievement." —Archer Wir^ster^, New York Posf

"A charming musical fantasy."

—Rose Pelswick, New York Journal-American

"Rises into great and exalted beauty . . . literally sings

its way into your heart." —Jesse Zunser, Cue Magazine

"Amazingly Real. Myerberg has created a wonderful
fairy tale that will be loved by all children and many
adults. 'Hansel and Gre-

Distributed by

R K O
RADIO

RCnjRES

Full Length Feature Musical Fantasy
in FAIRYLAND COLOR by TECHNICOLOR

The News

That
Is News

MOTION PICTURE

DAILY

Concise

To The
Point

VOL. 76. NO. 86

NEW YORK, U. S. A., WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1954

TEN CENTS

Election Results

Board Selects
Martin as New
TOAPresident

Reade Board Head; Starr
Tops Executive Unit

By Staff Correspondent

CHICAGO, Nov. -2.— E. D. Mar-
tin of Columbus, Ga., was elected
president of Theatre Owners of
America by the
board of di-
rectors.

Walter Reade,
Jr., retiring
president, was
elected chair-
man of the
board. Alfred
Starr, who for-
m e r 1 y was
chairman of
both the board
and the execu-
tive committee,
was re-named
chairman of the
latter group. Sam Pinanski was elected
{Continued on page 6)

E. D. Martin

Small-Towners Hit
Distribution Policy

By Staff Correspondent

CHICAGO, Nov. Z— Small town
exhibitor-members of Theatre Owners
of America raised their voices here
last night in protest against distribu-
tion trade practices in one of the most
militant sessions held by the TOA
(Continued on page 5)

To Hold Industry
Ad Meet Nov. 9

Another distribution-exhibition
meeting on mutual advertising
problems wrill be held here on
Nov. 9.

Attending will be representa-
tives from Theatre Owners of
America, sales managers com-
mitte of Motion Picture Asso-
ciation of America, and MPAA's
advertising-publicity committee.

Plea for Industry Reform
Voiced by McGee to TOA

RKO Deal for
3 from Kling

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 2. — David
Butler, one of Hollywood's top direc-
tors and a vice-president ot Kling Pic-
ture Corp., will produce and direct
three top budget feature films in 1955
for RKO distribution, Robert Eiren-
berg, president of Kling Studios, said.

The first production of the Kling
independent unit is "Miracle at Santa
Anita," an original screen story by
Robert Harari, which will be filmed
for Superscope in Eastman color.
Principal photography will start after
the first of the year.

Associated in the new company are
{Continued on page 7)

Muhl Forms New 'U'
Studio Committee

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 2. — The
creation of a new studio executive
committee for Universal Pictures was
announced here yesterday by Edward
Muhl, vice-president for production.

In addition, Muhl announced a
number of promotions.

The new executive group, which
{Continued on page 7)

Skouras Will Filed
In Hollywood Court;
Trust Fund Created

By Staff Correspondent
HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 2.— The late
Charles P. Skouras' will, filed for
probate here in Superior Court, listed
his estate as "in excess of $10,000,"
created a trust in his community in-
terest in certain securities with an
income to be payable to his widow,
Mrs. Florence L. Skouras, for life,
and with the property to go to his
three surviving children on her death.
They are Mrs. Jack Jungmeyer, Mrs.
Margaret L. Curtin, and Charles P.
Skouras, Jr. The balance of the
estate was left to his widow.

Charles P. Skouras, Jr., George
Skouras, Michael Rosenberg and John
B. Bertero were named executors and
trustees.

To Back Own Production

TOA WILL GO TO
GOV'T ON ISSUES

By Staff Correspondent

CHICAGO, Nov. 2. — Theatre Owners of America will go to
the government for two purposes :

^ To ask the Justice Department to review the results of the

consent decrees in the Paramount case

Keynote Address Asks for Exhibition Unity,
Easing of Film Terms, Establishment of an
Arbitration System and Increased Product

By AL STEEN

CHICAGO, Nov. 1. — A reformation within the industry to correct alleged
existing evils with particular emphasis on distribution was prepared here today
by Pat McGee, general manager of the Cooper Foundation Theatres of Denver

and a vice-presi-
dent of the The-
atre Owners of
America. Deliv-
ering the key-
note address to
the annual TOA
convention i n
the Conrad Hil-
ton Hotel, Mc-
Gee stated that
"our entire ma-
chinery is out-
moded and
archaic" and
that instead of
guessing at
things, "the whole industry should join
in a giant engineering research and
analysis, under neutral direction, such
as COMPO."

McGee covered the entire horizon
of the industry and its problems, citing
the need for more equitable distribu-
tion policies, the existing shortage of
product, the necessity for increased
production, the need for an arbitration
system and the advantages of having
a single association representing all
exhibitors.

"Since the reasons for the separation
between Allied and TOA have long
{Continued on page 4)

which were designed to aid exhibitors
in order to determine who in the
industry is getting the benefits of those
decrees, and

d To ask for a modification of the

decrees to permit all divorced theatre
affiliates of production-distribution
firms to engage in production of films.
That announcement was made to an
{Continued on page 6)

Pat McGee

Plan Memorial
To C. P. Skouras

CHICAGO, Nov. 2.— The crea-
tion of a fitting memorial to the
late Charles P. Skouras was
authorized by the board of di-
rectors of Theatre Owners of
America in session here.

A committee consisting of L.
S. Hamm, San Francisco; El-
mer Rhoden, Kansas City; and
Herman Levy, New Haven,
Conn., was named to formulate
the memorial plans.

ANOTHER GREAT AUDIENCE HIT FROM REPUBLIC

TROUBLE IN THE GLEN

IN TRUCOLOR

From the author of
^'THE QUIET MAN"

MAURICE /o|rr ,

WALSH i"^"^ i

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, November 3, 1954

Personal
Mention

A\. LI CUT MAN, iUth Contury-
Fox director of distribution, left
hero by plane last night for Chicago.
•

Au'KKU Katz, United Artists as-
sistant foreign sales manager, has re-
turned to New York following a
seven-week tour of Central and South
America.

•

M.vuiucE SiLVEESTKiN, Loew's In-
ternational regional director in Latin
America, has arrived in New York
for home office conferences.

•

Sol A. Schwartz, RKO Theatres
president, will attend the Theatre
Owners of America convention ban-
quet in Chicago tomorrow night.
•

George Cukor, director, who ar-
rived in New York on Monday from
England, will leave here today for
Hollywood.

•

Alex Harrison, 20th Century-Fox
Western sales manager, will return
to New Y'ork Friday from Chicago.
•

DoRE ScHARY, M-G-M vice-prcsi-
dent in charge of production, will
leave here Sunday for the Coast.
•

B. G. Kranze, United Artists gen-
eral sales manager, will leave here by
plane today for Chicago.

•

Edmund Purdom will arrive in
New York tomorrow from England.
He is enroute to Hollywood.

•

S. HuROK, impresario, returned to
New York yesterday following a
nationwide business trip.

Makelim Executives
Going to Chicago

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 2. — Ma-
kelim plan vice-president, Jolin Wolf-
berg and Midwest manager. Herb
Kaufman, will represent the Ma-
kelim plan at the TOA meeting.
President Makelim has revealed.
Makelim said he is unable to attend
the Chicago conclave personally due
to involvement in pre-production plans.

Makelim said contracts to date
aggregate $324,650, and that he an-
ticipates reaching his goal figure of
$426,600, average complete negative
cost, by the year's end. He expects to
be in production by January IS.

Cinema Stamp Club
To Meet on Nov, 23

The Cinema Stamp Collectors will
have a "Topical Stamp Night" for
its meeting on Nov. 23 at the Hotel
Astor here under the direction of
Allyn H. Wright, vice-president of
the American Topical Association.

Herbert Rosen will present his
award-winning film-strip "Radio and
TV on Stamps." Mrs. Margaret
Hackett will exhibit and comment
on her international collection of
"Coaches on Stamps." Wright will
speak about the American Topical As-
sociation and its services to collectors.

Eisenhower Praises
Troops' Entertainers

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 2.—

President Eisenhower, in a let-
ter to the Hollywood Co-or-
dinating Committee on the De-
fense Department's request for
stars to make overseas enter-
tainment tours for troops at
holiday time, said:

"I have personally seen on
innumerable occasions the tre-
mendous good that comes from
these visits by well known and
universally admired personalities
of Hollywood. It is my earnest
hope that it will be possible for
stars to give again the gift
which only they can take to the
Armed Forces abroad."

Schwartz Announces
9 Features from DCA
In Next 3 Years

CHICAGO, Nov. 2.— Fred Schwartz,
president of Distributors Corpora-
tion of America, yesterday announced
nine quality feature films that DC A
will produce and distribute within the
next three years. The announcement
came at the Theatre Owners of
American Convention here.

In response to exhibitors' interest
in the films that the newly organized
DCA was planning, Mr. Schwartz
said that production will be on a
world-wide scale, and named the nine
films now being readied for distribu-
tion. They are :

"Lelia," starring Olivia de Havil-
land, produced by Bernard Luber, and
written by Orin Jannings ; "I Am a
Camera," a Moulin Production star-
ring Julie Harris, Shelly Winters,
and Laurence Harvey ; "The Viking,"
to be done with Milo Frank, and to
be filmed in Scandinavia ; "The Way
We Are," starring Joan Crawford, to
,be produced by Robert Aldrich.

'Finian's Rainbow' Included

Also "Finian's Rainbow," to be
done as a feature cartoon ; "The Sur-
vivors," to be produced by the Boult-
ing Brothers ; "Hunters of the Deep,"
a story of an underwater adventure ;
a still untitled Bella and Sam Spe-
wack film, and "Long John Silver,"
starring Robert Newton and produced
by Joseph Kaufman. "Long John
Silver" is now being readied as the
first DCA release.

Approximately $1,000,000 has been
subscribed by exhibitors to DCA,
Schwartz revealed here following a
meeting with delegates to the TOA
convention. A number of exhibitors
subscribed following the session.

While the original million-dollar
capitalization goal has been reached,
additional pledges are sought, although
the money may not be needed,
Schwartz said.

Edward F. Medley

PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 2.— Ed-
ward F. Medley, 71, for many years
associated with the late Capt. Austin
E. Lathrop, motion picture owner-
operator of several Alaska theatres,
died here of a heart ailment.

Seek to Upset New
Dykman Decision

A writ of mandamus, seeking to up-
set the New Dykman Theatre ruling
of the Federal District court here, has
been filed in the Circuit Court of
Appeals.

The writ, entered by William Gold,
attorney for the plaintiff, New Dyk-
man Theatre Corp., sought a reversal
of Federal District Court Justice
Dawson's decision, regarded in many
industry circles here as precedent-
making". In his September decision,
Justice Dawson called upon the de-
fendant to "particularize" his anti-trust
complaints and set the "bounds of per-
missable discovery."

Asks Reinstatement

In the appeal, the plaintiff asked the
higher court to reinstate the complaint,
stricken by Justice Dawson in its
original form as being in a large meas-
ure irrelevant. The plaintiff contended
that Justice Dawson limited the area
of conspiracy that could be charged
against the film companies, arguing
that by doing this the District court
refused jurisdiction of the complaint.
It was the plaintiff's position in the
writ that the Paramount case con-
spiracy has continued despite the con-
sent decree and that the plaintiff
should not be limited to charges on or
after October, 1953, when the New
Dykman Theatre opened.

In the $324,000 suit, the following
were listed as defendants : RKO Thea-
tres, RKO Radio Pictures, Warner
Brothers Pictures, Stanley Warner,
20th Century-Fox and Universal.

Seen Precedent-Making

The pre-trial hearing as set forth in
the decision was considered without
precedent with the possibility that such
a procedure may become the regular
practice of the District court here.
The plaintiff, instead of filing an
amended complaint, sought redress in
the Circuit Court of Appeals.

NYC Theatres to File
Tax Appeal Friday

New York City exhibitor attorneys
will file briefs on Friday appealing the
Oct. 8 decision of Supreme Court Jus-
tice Percy D. Stoddart in the current
suit against the city's five per cent
admission tax, according to Loew's
Theatres attorney Thomas Bress.

The theatremen's appeal which will
be filed in the Appellate Division, Sec-
ond Part, Brooklyn, will contend,
Bress said, that the city levy is in
excess of the five per cent authorized
by the State Enabling Act of 1947 ;
and that it is inconsistent and con-
tradictory to a prior Administration
Code provision.

Corporation Counsel Upheld

Justice Stoddart's decision in the
motion for summary judgment upheld
Assistant Corporation Counsel Stanley
Buchsbaum, who represents New York
City in the suit. The order, however,
preserved the prior injunction order
of Supreme Court Justice Nicholas M.
Pette until a decision has been made
on the appeal. It allows exhibitors in
the five boroughs of the city to withold
the tax breakage from the City Tax
Collector.

Essoldo Circuit
Resigns from CEA,
Following Rank Lead

By PETER BURNUP

LONDON, Nov. 2. — Sol Sheck-
man's Essoldo Circuit embracing 171
theatres has followed the Rank Organ-
isation and withdrawn from the Cine-
matograph Exhibitors Association.

In a letter to C.E.A.'s general sec-
retary Walter Fuller, Sheckman says :
"You are no doubt aware that for
some considerable time I have been
dissatisfied with the policy of the CEA
in so far as it affects independent ex-
hibitors."

The letter complains also of the way
in which the new scale of Eady levy
was negotiated and says that Essoldo
will pay the new rate "under protest."

Granada Circuit's Cecil Bernstein
also has protested C.E.A.'s handling of
the Eady Levy but has made no an-
nouncement in regard to its C.E.A.
membership.

Meanwhile, trade unity on the new
Eady Levy still is lacking. Another
effort to reach agreement is scheduled
to be made at another meeting on
Thursday. Failure may result in the
government imposing a statutory levy,
which the trade has sought to avoid
through its efforts to agree on a volun-
tary one.

Cinema Lodge Marks
15th Year on Nov. 23

New York's Cinema Lodge of B'nai
B'rith will mark the 15th anniver-
sary of its founding with a Charter
Night at the Hotel Astor on Nov. 23
at which past presidents of the lodge
will be honored, it is announced yes-
terday by Burton E. Robbins, presi-'
dent.

The winner of the 1954 Cadillac
sedan being awarded by the Lodge in
its current fund raising drive will be
announced at the meeting.

Max E. Youngstein, chairman of
Cinema's current fund-raising drive
and a vice-president of the Lodge, will
preside at the meeting.

Among the past presidents sched-
uled to be honored are Alfred W.
Schwalberg, first president and hon-
orary president; Arthur Israel, Jr.,
Irving Greenfield, Adolph Schimel, Al
Senft, Jack H. Levin, S. Arthur
Glixon, Robert M. Weitman, Saul E.
Rogers and Martin Levine.

Trent Named Acting
Altec Branch Head

Shell Trent, Altec field representa-
tive in the New York area since 1947,
has been appointed acting branch
manager of Altec's Northeast division,
succeeding Ralph Kautzky, who was
recently appointed acting division
manager, it was announced yesterday
by C. S. Perkins, the organization's
operating manager.

Trent, who will assume his new
duties immediately, is a veteran in the
field of theatre sound service. He con-
tributed much of his technical knowl-
edge to many of the Cinema Scope-
stereophonic installations which marked
the premiere of "The Robe."

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published dailv except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; AI Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke,
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, Fl 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

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Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, November 3, 1954

McGee Outlines Program for Industry Reform

Urges 'Action
Committee' to
Aid Producers

{Continued from page 1)

since disappeared," McGee said, "these
and other exhibitor organizations
sliould unite. A single theatre group,
in which no one will lose his identity,
would pool our manpower and re-
sources to further our mutual inter-
ests. There are no stumbling blocks
that I can see. Indeed, the areas of
agreement are large and we should
take steps to bring this about quickly."

Referring to the cry by both asso-
ciations for more product, McGee sug-
gested that an action committee be
appointed, headed by a single execu-
tive of experience who would be
empowered to explore methods of
financing those producers who need
it, methods of assuring more efficient
distribution and methods of increasing
production in general." The time for
conversation is past, he said. "When
the machinery is ready, we must then
back it with playdates and with money.
Once having set forth on these ob-
jectives, we must pursue them relent-
lessly."

McGee stated that one of the
by-products of the admission

tax cut campaign's research and
probing wras the "startling real-
ization" that nowhere in the in-
dustry could be found leadership
and statesmanship in the true
sense of the word. Instead of
statesmanship, McGee asserted,
"we found in all branches of the
industry, people working for
their own interests to the ex-
clusion of all other interests."
Because producers and distribu-
tors are few in number and deal
in millions, exhibitors have ex-
pected them to be looking out
for the interests of the industry
rather than confining themselves
exclusively to their own inter-
ests.

"In short," McGee said, "we ex-
pected them to exercise what Leonard
Goldenson called 'enlightened self in-
terest.' I am sorry that it is lacking in
a major degree."

McGee admitted there were excep-
tions, pointing to Spyros Skouras'
gamble on Cinema Scope and stereo-
phonic sound as statesmanship of a
high order. Having taken the risk,
his company is entitled to the benefits,
McGee said, adding that "not all of
us agree that all his methods suited us,
but you cannot take away the fact
that he was doing something for the
entire industry." McGee said that this
also was a good time to thank M-G-M
for the assistance provided by Dore
Schary and Herman Hoffman in pro-
ducing special film for the tax effort.

Stating that from 1946 to the pres-
ait there has been a steady decline in

theatre attendance, McGee said "we are
not out of the woods as an industry."
In the face of increased results in
major cities, 80 per cent of the thea-
tres today are showing seven per cent
less attendance than last year, and the
dollar volume, including $123,000,000
provided by tax relief, has not in-
creased materially, "and this despite
all the greatly increased earnings by
the few big pictures about which you
read in the trade papers."

Sees 'Tremendous Selling Job'

In his own circuit, McGee said,
attendance is seven-and-a-half per cent
below a year ago, while the dollar
volume has increased six per cent,
"which should have been a 12j4 per
cent increase, based on the fact that
we have a net saving of 12^ per cent
on the excise tax. With increased film
rentals of five to 10 per cent, you can
see what happens to the profits."

Television and the fewer number of
pictures have been factors which got
the people out of the habit of going to
the theatre, McGee said. As an indus-
try, he continued, "we have a tre-
mendous selling job to get more peo-
ple into the theatres and this job will
not be done by relying on a few big
pictures at increased admission prices."

McGee declared that the apparent
distributors' policy of fewer but bet-
ter pictures is not the answer and that
"such a policy eventually will kill us."
The problems stemming from long
first-runs, increased admission prices
and fewer pictures have milked the
subsequent runs' potentials, McGee
said, stressing that "these problems
could be cured quickly with a larger
supply of good pictures."

If it is impossible for pro-
ducers to supply added product,
McGee said, "then we must face
another fact proclaimed by pro-
ducers and distributors that
5,000 to 8,000 theatres in the
country must close." McGee
said that friends of his in dis-
tribution have actually said that
they are reconciled to the loss
of 5,000 additional theatres," a
situation which McGee branded
as "heartbreaking." If a third
of the theatres close, he de-
clared, the industry, as consti-
tuted today, cannot survive.

"Distributors have watched the key
center grosses and have assumed that
they can get 40 per cent and 50 per
cent film rentals without question,
when we know that 80 per cent of the
theatres, by paying such terms, have
reduced their profit margins to the
point where they cannot maintain
their properties," McGee said. "Ex-
hibitors going out of business naturally
look desperately for relief — even to the
government. This, we of TOA, do
not believe to be a good answer."

Favors 'Complaint Department'

McGee said that distributors were
not helping themselves or exhibitors
when they drag their feet in the
establishing of a workable arbitration
system, which, he argued, would
eliminate a portion of the law suits.
Distributors, he added, could stop
many irritations if they would only
establish a complaint department in
each company. "If Macy's finds _ it
practical, I am sure the film companies
would see it pay ofl^," he said.

"As we note the rocky road
being traveled to establish an
industry system of arbitration,"

Wants System
Of Arbitration
To Curb Suits

McGee said, "we remember that
the distributors have been most
adamant in refusing to include
in the system the arbitration of
film rentals. With film terms
reaching an all time high, we
begin to understand why they
object."

In summarizing his remarks, Mc-
Gee said :

"Let's boil all of this into a few
words. Producers and distributors, in
most cases, have failed to exercise en-
lightened self interest in dealing with
exhibitors. Their belief in fewer but
better pictures is being followed
blindly without regard to the end of
the road several years hence. Their
policy of fewer but better pictures,
coupled with unreasonable terms, has
deprived the American theatre of its
rightful share of the boxoffice returns
and of the tax saving which we pro-
vided. The pendulum has swung too
far in favor of the seller. The market
must be brought into balance through
economies which will enable the dis-
tributor to allow easier film terms ;
and the market must be brought into
balance by providing additional pic-
tures from whatever sources are avail-
able in order to revive competition on
a healthy basis.

Has Four-Point Plan

"We can go about this by following
a planned program to

^, "Encourage present producers to
make additional pictures as good as
they know how.

d "Encourage foreign producers to
analyze our needs in the United States
and make pictures that will interest
American audiences. This can be done
by using American stars in foreigm
productions coupled with foreign per-
sonalities. The roster is loaded with
names of current stars who came from
foreign countries and found a home in
the hearts of American theatregoers.
Put Gina Lollobrigida in one good
American style movie and you will
have another star. Mr. Rank wants a
larger share of the American market.
Our screens are open to him but he
must find a way of appealing to the
American theatre-goer who so far has
shown no interest in most English pic-
tures.

^ "We must have a distribution chan-
nel more sympathetic to our needs for
product during April and May, No-
vember and December, when we really
must tighten our belts for lack of film.

^ "There are many encouraging de-
velopments, such as Freddie Schwartz's
Distributor Corp. of America, Bill
Goldman's new production company,
Filmakers, Makelim, and others who
must be encouraged, especially at their
inception, to get them of¥ to a good
start.

"To accomplish these purposes we
will require the unanimous backing of
every theatre owner in the nation,"
McGee said.

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SPECIALISTS IN MOTION PICTURE SOUND

Wednesday, November 3, 1954

MOTION PICTURE DAILY

Small Towns

(Continued from page 1)

in a long time. The special small-town
meeting was expected to draw only a
handful of exhibitors, but more than
150 jammed the small room. It was
attended not only by small operators,
but big operators who have theatres
in small towns.

While clearances and film rentals
were the principal topics of com-
plaints, the exhibitors claimed that the
key to the whole solution was suf-
ficent product.

When Alfred Starr, who presided,
asked how many exhibitors present
would be willing to pledge an amount
equal to a week's film rentals to back
a production project, the response was
unanimous. Such a project will be
given a thorough study by the board
on Thursday.

Militant in their attitude on current
conditions, the exhibitors proposed a
variety of methods of attack, even a
boycott of some distributors' product.
Walter Reade, Jr., retiring president
of TOA, told the assemblage that "we
will do anything you ask" to the limits
of legality in obtaining relief. It was
the consensus that the small exhibi-
tors have gone as far as they can go
in tolerating alleged unfair trade prac-
tices and that "it is now time for
action."

Government Review Proposed

The TOA leaders said that they
would study the problem of how far
they can go on various measures, in-
cluding a boycott, and still remain
within the legal bounds.

Starr proposed that TOA ask the
Government to review all the actions
that the Government had prescribed
for the benefit of exhibition so that
the Government "can see what has
happened." He said that exhibition
really has the "whip hand" because
without an outlet, distribution has no
market. He indicated that the "whip
hand" could be used effectively.

The necessity for exhibition unity
was stressed ; it was recommended
that Allied and TOA set up a joint
committee to bring about trade prac-
tice reforms.

The proposals of the meeting will
be acted upon by the board before the
end of the convention on Thursday.

TOA to Reactivate
Insurance Committee

CHICAGO, Nov. 2.— The The-
atre Owners of America insur-
ance committee, which has been
dormant during recent years,
will be reactivated in order to
make a fresh presentation to in-
surance companies on the mat-
ter of liability insurance.

The TOA board has sug-
gested that new rates, based on
a per-seat arrangement in lieu
of the present yearly average of
admissions, could result in sav-
ings for the exhibitors. The
committee will prepare its own
data for presentation to the in-
surance companies.

Global Exhibitor
Group Still Talked

By Staff Coi-rcspondent

CHICAGO, Nov. 2. — Kenneth
Winckles, joint assistant managing di-
rector of the J. Arthur Rank Organ-
ization, London, who had been invited
to attend the Theatre Owners of
.'\merican convention here, has cabled
Alfred Starr of his inability to do so.

Winckles said he felt it was im-
possible to attend this year because
lie and John Davis were coming to
the stales in late November, but sug-
gested that "one of us make the
journey next year."

Starr, who was in England last
summer, said that the British ex-
nibitors were vitally interested in the
probkms of the American exhibitors
because the problems were mutual.

The British Cinematograph Ex-
hibitors Association early this year
suggested the formation of an inter-
national link among exhibitor organ-
izations around the world for the ex-
change of information on subjects of
common cause and interest. The pro-
posal was received with interest in
America by Ben Marcus, president
of Allied States, as well as Starr but
CEA's preoccupation throughout the
summer and fall with the establish-
ment of new rates for the Eady levy
on admission prices at British theatres
prevented further action on the pro-
posal, up to this time.

TOA 'SPEAK-YOUR-MIND' SESSION
PRODUCES VARIOUS COMPLAINTS

By Staff Correspondent

CHICAGO, Nov. 2. — Complaints on subjects ranging from pre-releases to
high film carrier rates were voiced here yesterday by exhibitor delegates to
the Theatre Owners of America convention in a "speak-your-mind" session,
but the meeting was not as fiery as
had been expected. The session was
held primarily as a guide for the board
and special committees so that they
can take action on the complaints,
many of which will be given imme-
diate attention by the directors later
in the convention.

Among the issues upon which the
bocrd will take action, as a result of
the expressions from the floor, are a
move toward the standardization of
equipment, unification of exhibitors,
high amusement advertising rates in
newspapers, the distribution of product
to Army theatres before it is available
to commercial theatres and the fre-
quent lack of trailers for current re-
leases.

The apparent bitterness over current

film terms brought the statement by
Sam Pinanski, of Boston, that the dis-
tributors were in a "new era of pros-
perity" and the exhibitors are on the
"threshold of disaster," adding that if
the distributors do not "wake up, ex-
hibition will die."

The Motion Picture Theatre Own-
ers of Metropolitan District of Colum-
bia distributed a resolution at the ses-
sion, demanding that the TOA board,
in regard to clearance, print shortages,
film rentals and other issues, take
action "and also vote in favor of any
proposed measures or actions which
are directed toward remedying or cor-
recting these and other unfair trade
practices" which, it was said, present
a clear danger to the industry.

Every teen-age girl who's
ever laughed ... or cried . . .
or acted out (in secret)
all the splendor of a star
will be auditioning
A STAR IS BORN right on
the pages of
December SEVENTEEN -
casting herself
in JUDY GARLAND'S role,
and playing a big
part in exhibitors'
profits — as
she goes out (again
and again and
again) to see SEVENTEEN's
Picture-of-the-Month :

A STAR IS BORN

starring JUDY GARLAND
JAMES MASON in
Cinemascope & Technicolor
A Warner Bros. Picture

. . . and when

seventeen

says "Be sure to see "

2V2 million girls
in their teens need no
further prompting!

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, November 3, 1954

National
Pre-Selling

< </^OLLIER'S" color camera made
^ a beautiful photo on the set of
Todd-AO's "Oklahoma" for the issue
now on newsstands. It is reproduced
in a two-page spread and shows the
cast singing and dancing to the tune
of "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning."
In addition, two other pages with full
color photos are devoted to "Okla-
homa."

Also appearing in the issue is a
striking two and a half-page color ad
on UI's "Bengal Brigade," which lists
some of the theatres that will play the
picture during the next four weeks.
•

An interesting ad on MGM's
"The Last Time I Saw Paris" ap-
pears on the table of contents page
in the November issue of "Woman's
Home Companion." The film is
based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's story
"Babylon Revisited."

An eye catching two-page spread in
full color on Walt Disney's "20,000
Leagues Under the Sea," appears in
the current issue of "Look."

Florence Somers recommends tr
the 3,953,500 readers of "Redbook's"
November issue that they see:
"Rear Window," "Dragnet," "Africa
/Adventure," "Suddenly," "High and
Dry" and "The Vanishing Prairie.'

•

A full color picture of Natalie
Wood, co-star of Warner's "The Sil-
ver Chalice," along with a personality
story of this new star appeared in last
Sunday's issue of "American Weekly."
This magazine reports that its circula-
tion has reached almost 10,000,000.

"Cosmopolitan" has devoted the
front cover of the November issue
to John Wayne, star of RKO's
"The Conqueror." In addition a

Theatre Owners Acclaim
ORCHID PROMOTION

As Great Box Office Stimulator

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orchids arrived in perfect condition . . . had
a full house . . . hope to repeat promotion
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mothers loved them . . . want to use pro-
motion again!" . . . from Arkansas*, "...
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great success . . . best we've ever had!"
These are just a few of the many letters we
receive from theatre and drive-in theatre
owners across the country praising the
Vanda Orchid Promotion. The exotic, dainty
orchids are flown dewy fresh from Hawaii
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FLOWERS OF HAWAII

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Los Angeles 57. California

TOA to Gov't

{Continued from page 1)

enthusiastic convention here today by
Alfred Starr, former TOA president,
following- an earHer plea by Al Licht
man, 20th Century-Fox distributioi
head, to seek conferences with dis-
tribution executives of all companies in
an ef¥ort to reach amicable settlement
of grievances. Lichtman is distribution
chairman of the group which has been
negotiating- with TOA and other or-
ganizations on a proposed new indus-
try arbitration setup.

The TOA position on "going to the
government" also followed an earlier
statement by Aiitchell Wolfson, TOA
director, informing the convention that
TOA had declined an appeal by Ben
Marcus, Allied States president, to
join in supporting Allied's proposed
legislation providing for Federal regu-
lation of distribution if trade practice
relief has not been granted by distribu-
tion before next February.

Starr's declaration that TOA will
go to the government was permitted
by the convention to stand after it had
heard a second appeal by Lichtman to
refrain from "calling the cops" and to
confer instead on the grievances.

The convention also adopted
a resolution calling upon TOA's
board of directors to authorize
its officers to form or financially
support new film production.
Calling the proposal the "super-
Makelim Plan," the convention
pledged members to contribute
the equivalent of an average
week's film rentals to create
financing for the project, and
also pledged playing time to
such product.

An invitation to participate in the
project was extended by the conven-
tion to non-members of TOA.

The day's action was the most mili-
tant in TOA history and followed an
open forum at which small town and
rural theatre operators spoke spiritedly
against some distribution practices and
of their own economic plight.

personality story of this Hollsrwood
star covers eight pages of the issue.

"Cosmopolitan" reports that its
monthly circulation averages in ex-
cess of 1,000,000.

•

Johnny Weissmuller, star of Colum-
bia's "Jungle Jim" pictures, was pro-
filed in last Sunday's "Parade." He
makes three "Jungle" pictures a year
for Columbia. They are very well liked
overseas and in small towns across the
nation. "Parade" says that its -weekly
circulation is now 6,500,000.

•

Pete Martin's story on Grace
Kelly, the girl who has turned the
Cinderella story upside down, is fea-
tured in the current issue of "The
Saturday Evening Post." The author
explains that in gathering material
for "The Luckiest Girl in Holly-
wood," he ran himself black in the
face tracking down everyone — in-
cluding Grace herself — who could
give him an angle on her. When he
had finished all this, Martin found
she was still such an elusive sub-
ject that writing about her was like
trying to wrap up 115 pounds of
smoke.

Photos taken on production sets
illustrate the article. Grace Kelly's
films ready for release are: "The
Bridges of Toko-Ri," "Green Fire"
and "The Country Girl."

WALTER HAAS

Asks Divorcing of
Producer-Distributor

CHICAGO, Nov. 2. — At the
initial board meeting of the The-
atre Owners of America con-
vention, a director proposed that
inasmuch as the Government
separated distribution from ex-
hiDition, the Government now
should take steps to separate
distribution from production, in-
asmuch as distribution allegedly
is the root of exhibition prob-
lems. Although the director
made the statement in jest, it is
reported that the board believes
the idea has merit.

Asks TOA Broaden
Field Program

By Staff Correspondent

CHICAGO, Nov. 2.— An expansion
of Theatre Owners of America s field
representative program was recom-
mended here by the organizational
ana membership committee of TOA.

The recommendation to the board,
carried in the report of George
Gaughan, fOA's only field represen-
tative, did not specifically indicate
whether additional field representa-
tives would be hired. The report did
speak of the need to bring TOA's
program to the "grass roots" level,
the need to coordinate state and local
units and to organize new fOA units
if desired by local exhibitors. To ful-
fill these needs, the report stated "a
skilled and enthusiastic neld repre-
sentative'' is required.

Gaughan, who was appointed field
representative last winter by the board,
told in his report of his successtul
work in Arkansas and Illinois.

TOA Is Considering
'Grievance Director'

CHICAGO, Nov. 2.— The selection
of a "film grievance director" may be
made by the board of directors of
Theatre Owners of America at its
convention windup session on Thurs-
day. That title will be used in place
of "Co-ordinator" as previously used.

The grievance director will operate
on a territorial and national basis for
TOA members. A member who has
a complaint of any kind relating to
terms or other problems may contact
the grievance agent, according to
general counsel Herman Le-vy. The
director will take the members' prob-
lems direct to the sales executives.

It _ was pointed out that such a
function in no way would side-track
TOA's determination to press for a
system of arbitration. Levy said that
an initial draft of a system had been
completed and that he would confer
with Adolph Schimel, Universal Pic-
tures counsel, on the draft in New
York some time next week.

TED A Renames
Colvin Director

CHICAGO, Nov. 2. — Renaming
Ray Colvin, executive director, the
Theatre Equipment Dealers' Associa-
tion has elected the following to the
board of governors :

Henry Sorenson, Modern Theatre
Supply, Dallas, succeeding Homer
Tegtmeyer, and Kenneth R. Douglas,
Jr., Capitol Theatre Supply, Boston,
in place of S. E. Burns.

Elect Martin

(Continued from page 1)

honorary chairman of the board, re-
placing the late Charles Skouras.

George Kerasotes, Springfield, 111.,
and J. J. Rosenfield, Spokane, are the
newly elected vice-presidents, the
others having been reelected. They
were A. Julian Brylawski, Washing-
ton ; Roy Cooper, San Francisco ; Pat
McGee, Denver ; Myron Blank, Des
Moines ; Albert Pickus, Stratford,
Conn., and John Rowley, Dallas.

Robert Livingston, Lincoln, Neb.,
was reelected secretary, and Si Fabian,
New York, was re-named treasurer.
Mitchell Wolfson, Miami, was elected
to a new post, chairman of the finance
committee. Herman Levy, new Haven,
was reelected general counsel.
Executive Committee Named

Elected to the executive committee
were Carl Anderson, Kalispell, Mont. ;
Art Adamson, Portland, Ore. ; Tom
Bloomer, Belleville, 111. ; Jack Braun-
agel, Kansas City ; James Carbery,
Little Rock; C. E. Cook, Maryville,
Mo. ; Horace Denning, Jacksonville ;
Ed Fabian, New York ; Nathan Greer,
Santa Fe ; M. A. Lightman, Jr., Mem-
phis ; Mack Jackson, Alexander City,
Ala. ; R. M. Kennedy, Birmingham ;
Arthur Lockwood, Boston ; Morris
Loewenstein, Oklahoma City ; Roy
Martin, Jr., Columbus, Ga. ; Martin
Mullin, Boston; J. J. O'Leary, Scran-
ton; A. Fuller Sams, Statesville, S.
C. : Jay Solomon, Chattanooga ; Mor-
ton Thalhimer, Richmond ; David
Wallerstein, Chicago; R. B. Wilby,
Atlanta, and Nat Williams, Thomas-
ville, Ga.

Wolfson, as chairman of the finance
committee, was voted the authority to
name his committee which will con-
sist of not less than three nor more
than five members on a geographic
basis.

In accepting the presidency, Martin
said that he appreciated the confidence
bestowed in him and that he felt he
had been surrounded by capable offi-
cers. He said that the new slate would
pursue and further the objectives of
TOA.

Reade Praises New Slate

Reade, upon retiring, stated that he
felt the new slate represented top ex-
hibition manpower and that the "first
team" would move into action after
the convention and continue through-
out its term. In rearranging the ex-
ecutive committee, Reade said the new
setup would allow for a broader base
and increased responsibility so that the
grass roots will have a more forceful
representation in the association.

Craft Workers Sept.
Wages Off Slightly

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 2.— Weekly
earnings of craft workers in film pro-
duction averaged $125.35 during Sep-
tember, according to the State De-
partment's industrial relations monthly
report. The figure compares with
$129.80 for August.

The September work week averaged
42.1 hours; the August work week
averaged 43.9 hours.

For 35 Years the Leaders

IN SERVICE AND QUALITY

LWitih Showmen Everywhere!

Wednesday, No^fimber 3/1954

Motion Picture Daily

Muhl

{Continued jroin. page 1)

will operate under Muhl, is composed
of James Pratt, executive manager of
the studio ; Alorris Davis, business
manager ; Robert Palmer, talent ex-
ecutive; Ray Crossett,. scenario and
story editor; Morris Weiner, in
charge of industry relations ; George
Douglas, manager of operations ; and
Ernest Nims, editorial executive.

The realignment, said Muhl, is de-
signed to get the maximum produc-
tion benefits from the creative, policy-
making and management experience
of the studio executives.

In a realignment of executive duties,
George Douglas, studio treasurer, is
advanced to a newly-created post of
manager of operations, and Charles
Stineford, assistant business manager,
takes over the position of studio
treasurer vacated by Douglas. Morris
Weiner moves up from his post as
studio manager to that of head of
industry relations.

At the same time, Muhl has also
streamlined the studio operating com-
mittee to serve as an arm of the ex-
ecutive group on an operational level.
As manager of operations, Douglas
will now also serve as chairman of
the operations' committee. Others on
this committee are Gilbert Kurland,
production manager ; Emmett Ward,
plant manager ; Percy Guth, post-
production manager ; Joseph Dubin,
chief studio counsel ; George Bole,
commercial and short subjects man-
ager ; William Batliner, assistant to
Douglas as operations' manager ;
Charles Stineford, new studio treas-
ijf€T ; Ivan Betts, studio controller ;
Jack Bauer, casting director; Sam
Israel, studio publicity director ; and
•Glark Ramsay, executive assistant to
David Lipton, vice-president.

The changes will become ef¥ective
immediately, Muhl said.

Triumvirate Tops
Phila. Variety Club

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 2.— Phila-
delphia Variety Club Tent 13 has
elected Louis J. GotTman, an attorney,
with Wolf Block Schorr and Solis
Cohen as chief barker.

Other officers elected for 1955 in-
clude Maxwell Gillis, first assistant
chief barker ; Harry Romain, second
assistant chief barker ; George T.
Beattie, dough guy, and Meyer Lewis,
property master.

Elected to the board were Sylvan
M. Cohen, Roger W. Clipp, Jack
Greenberg, Michael Felt, Leo Posel
and Lester Nurtele. Induction of offi-
cers and board members on Jan. 10
will be held at the club's annual din-

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TelevisiDn--Radio

iwith Pinky Herman^

SOME 25 years ago a bright-eyed, pretty young lady, energetic,
ambitious and brimful of ideas, brought a radio idea to the
Horn & Hardart people in Philadelphia. The idea, to encourage and
develop the talents of youngsters, "The Children's Hour," was
launched forthwith over Station WCAU where its success was im-
mediate and its scope broadened, ultimately to originate in New York.
The creator and producer of this fine series, which two weeks ago
celebrated its 25th year of successive and successful airing (now a
simulcast), Mrs. Alice Clements, is not only beloved by everyone
in the music business for her gracious charm and friendly coopera-
tion, but she is "Aunt Alice" to more than 100,000 talented young-
sters who've appeared on her programs. Stars including Ralph
Edwards, Red Benson, Kitty Kallen, Robert Q. Lewis, Arnold Stang,
Carol Bruce, Elliot Lawrence, Norman Paris, Connie Haines, Delia
Russell and iTiany other current radio and TV favorites, received
their baptism in show business on "Aunt Alice's" Children Hour. It's
been this scribbler's privilege to have enjoyed her friendship that
goes back to 1931 and so we should like to add our sincere con-
gratulat ions and add 'May Alice Clements' RCAreer be extended
for another cjuarter century.

ik ik

Everyone connected with the new Wednesnite (7 :20-8 :30 P.M.)
series, "Disneyland," ivhich bozved in last tveek TVia ABC may
ivell take a deserved bow. Created e.vpressly for video by the ge-
nins of Walt Disney himself, iliis program, chockful of thrilling
entertainment for young and old alike, can't
help but capture the fancy of TViewers, just
as surely as the Disney organization captured
and still thrives on the admiration an<d sup-
port of the American, theatrcgroer. Television
is the richer for having gathered into its
realm Walt Disney's characters, beloved by
everyone, everywhere on earth. . . . Mel
Allen's netv telefilm series, "Call the Play,"
sponsored by White Owl Cigars, will be dis-
tributed, nationally on regional, syndicated or
local levels. . . . After five years as head of
DnMont's advertising and promotion, Nor-
man Ginsbnrg has resigned. He'll announce
future plans after a month's vacation. . . .
Songstress Jane Pickens will be toastmistress
N. Y. Philanthropic League's 43rd annual awards dinner,
Sunday, Nov. 14, at the Waldorf-Astoria.

^ ik

Lovely Nan Garcia (of the Garcia Y Vega Cigar dynasty)
who literally sang her way completely around the world (was
featured vocalist on the Home Lines' world cruises) is back
in town to give radio and TV a whirl. Nan's personal friends
are legion and include European royalty,
Arab shieks, South American dons and
people of all walks of life and as a result
her Washington, D. C, radio programs
proved colorful, educational and entertain-
ing. Easily one of the most talented and
charming personalities in New York, Nan
is definitely a TV find and ether execs
might very well take a look, give a listen
and take our advice to sign the young
lady — but mucho pronto. ... A new radio
program, "From Silents to Cinerama," pro-
duced by Neal Bruce and sponsored by
the Chicago Cinerama Corp. over WEMP,
Evanston, 111., is a quarter hour of nostal-
gic thrills. Featuring the voice and experience of Sam Lesner,
motion picture critic of the Chicago "Daily News," the series
of 26 ET's really "tells and sells" motion pictures via radio.

ik ik ^ - - _ - .

The official opening of Mickey Schwarz*s A T V Film Produc-
tion Studios in Long Island City today introduced by Borough Prexy
James A. Lundy and emceed by Gene Raymond, whose TVehicle
■'Fireside Theatre" will be telefilmed here, is the first real step
toward bringing large scale TV film production within "15 minutes
of Times Square" a reality. . . . RECOMMENDED— Lanny Ross'
WCBSinging. . . . Dave Garroway's friendly smile and all-round
artistry. . . . Bill Harrington's daily variety show on WNEW.,

Walt Disney

Nan Garcia

Kling

{Continued- from page L) ;

Lee R. Blevins, vice-presidenif at Kling
Studios, and David S. Garber, who
will act as production associate" .•to.
Blevins and Butler. ' ''■

Butler, who started as an actor, be-
came a director, then a writer-director,
now will combine producing with his
directorial chores under the set-up of
the new company. Some of his best
known directorial efforts include many
of Shirley Temple's and Will Rogers'
films, and "Kentucky," "Ali Baba
Goes to Town," "Road to Morocco,"
"Princess and The Pirate," "Where's
Charley?" and "Calamity Jane." He
has not rated less than second in
Fame's list of Champion Directors
during the last 10 years.

Eirenberg stated that this new com-
pany will in no way conflict with
Kling's present television film and
commercial activities.

TESMA Mulls Meet
With TOA and Allied

By Staff Correspondent

CHICAGO, Nov. 2.— Attendance at
the combined conventions of TESMA,
TED A, TOA and I PA at the Con-
rad Hilton Hotel reached more than
1,400 today, bringing an estimate of
more than 4,000 as the total registra-
tion likely to be realized.

The three-year old practice of as-
sociating the TESMA trade show
with a national exhibitors' conven-
tion took the possibility of expansion
to include both Allied and TOA in a
discussion by TESMA directors of a
plan for six full days of exhibits
with one exhibitor organization con-
vening during the first three days, the
other association the last three.

While Washington, D. C, has
been mentioned as a possible location
for next year's trade show, discus-
sion tended toward preference for
holding it again at the Conrad Hilton
here.

That the theatre equipment and
concessions' exhibits are a principal
attraction of the gathering has been
indicated more than ever this year by
the number of exhibitors spending
considerable time at the booths, con-
sistently swelling attendance above
the average of other years. ■

FLY B OM

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New York • London

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action- laden, suspenseful!''— 60X0FF/CE

''The exhibitor who plays this hard-boiled action story
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"Packed with suspense from start to finish! Breathtaking
action . . . startling violence!"— M. P. DAILY

Tension and suspense of a high order!

-INDEPENDENT FILM JOURNAL

Cdmond O'BRIEN

also siar,ing JUiIm nuHlv witu Emile Meyer ■ Carolyn Jones • Hugh Sanders

.... JUBREY SCHENCK.o„ec,.JOMOND O'BRIEN a JOWARO W. Kl

Screenplay by

RICHARD ALAN JOHNC.

Introducii

MARIA [Nl

the sizzling !
screen sens(

thru

Mosic b, PAUL DUNLAP

: All

i MOTION PICTURE

i ^V^^ ▲ VHP mm

p ' '■ -' ■ — ' — ' — - — ' ---^

Concise ^

1 The News

mm All

That

To The

, Is News

X „

1 JJAi L Y

Point

VOL. 76. N. 87

NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1954

TEN CENTS

Election Effects

New Men Head
Committees of
84th Congress

Will influence Bills
Of Industry Interest

By J. A. OTTEN

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3.— Demo-
cratic control of the House of Rep-
resentatives for the next two years
means that a completely different set
of men will be presiding over legisla-
tion of interest to the film industry.

Heading the tax-writing House
Ways and Means committee, for ex-
ample, will be Rep. Cooper (D.,
Tenn. ), who led the fight in the House
for greater admission tax relief for
the small theatres. Cooper and his
Democratic colleagues are generally
friendly to excise tax relief, though
any further admission tax reduction
right now seems a rather remote pos-
sibility. They're considered likely to
go for extension of part or all of the
52 per cent corporate tax rate if the
(Continued on page 6)

Republic 39-Week
Profit at $776,971

For the 39-week period ended last
July 31, Republic Pictures and sub-
sidiaries reported net profit after
taxes of $776,971, compared to $823,-
155 for the corresponding period in
1953, on the same basis.

The 1954 Federal tax provision is
estimated at $841,000.

For the corresponding 1953 period
Republic reported net profit of $1,-
698,155, before Federal tax provision.

Nathan Heads LP, A,;
Segment Heads Set

CHICAGO, Nov. 3.— Bert Nathan,
of Theatre Popcorn Vending Corp.,
Brooklyn, was unanimously elected
president of the International Popcorn
Association at the annual membership
meeting here today. Nathan, who
served as first vice-president during
the last year, succeeds J. J. Fitzgib-
bons, Jr., of Theatre Confections, Ltd.,
Toronto, who becomes chairman of
the board.

At the same meeting I. P. A. in-
augurated seven newly-elected junior
segment directors, who will serve
two-year terms on the I. P. A. board.

In the popcorn processor segment,
(Continued on page 7)

Col. Puts up $10-Mimon
To Finance Production

Weigh Election's
Effect on Possibility
Of N. Y. Tax Relief

By LESTER DINOFF

New York City exhibitor opinion
about securing any form of tax relief
at the January meeting of the State
Legislature from the newly elected
Democratic administration varied from
deep pessimism to mild optimism yes-
terday.

An attorney for New York City
engaged in defending the municipal
admission tax stated that if the city
could secure more financial assistance
from the new state administration,
it would be "possible that a number
of taxes now in effect may be revised
or eliminated."

Local theatremen had planned to ask
(Continued on page 7)

Agree on 1 Film
Festival Yearly

Reaffirmation of the principle of
recognizing only one film festival a
year for international competition was
voted at the recent Madrid meeting
of the administrative council of In-
ternational Federation of Film Pro-
ducers Association.

The report on the Madrid meeting
was rendered here at yesterday's
(Continued on page 7)

TOA-RKO Meeting
On Sparking New
Productions Asked

CHICAGO, Nov. 3.— A meeting be-
tween RKO Radio Pictures executives
and Theatre Owners of America of-
ficials on the latter's stated interest in
stimulating new independent produc-
tion was suggested in a telegram by
J. R. Grainger, president of RKO
Pictures, to E. D. Martin, newly-
elected TOA president.

Grainger's message read in part :
"After listening to Pat McGee and
Walter Reade, Jr., at the opening ses-
sion of your convention . . . we at
RKO Radio would be interested in
learning to what extent TOA was
contemplating becoming financially in-
terested in participating in independent
production, as we at RKO Radio have
been participating in financing in-
dependent producers of quality pic-
tures for the past 18 months."

Grainger went on to say that he and
(Continued on page 7)

TOA Sees No Alternative

Round Table on Trade
Practices Predicted

Cohn Sees Fund As Best Way to Ease Film
Shortage; Discloses Columbia Plans to
Augment Studio Line-up with Independents

Columbia Pictures, "recognizing the need of exhibitors for a greater
supply of top-bracket films," yesterday announced the allocation of $10,-
000,000 for the financing of independent motion picture production.

''We are
aware," Harry
Cohn, Columbia
president de-
clared, "that the
so-called prod-
uct shortage has
been and will
continue to be
the industry's
prime problem.
I can think of
no better way
to alleviate the
situation than to
provide a large
sum of money
for the support
of new film
projects," he continued.

Columbia's announcement came as
both Theatre Owners of America in
convention in Chicago and Allied
States continued to advance plans for
support and encouragement of inde-
pendent production as a means of help-
ing to solve what both organizations
regard as the primary problem of the
nation's exhibitors today.

Concurrently, James R. Grainger,
president of RKO Radio, moved to
join TOA in furthering inderendent
production activities. (See separate
story in this issue).

Cohn, in outlining the Columbia
(Continued on page 5)

Harry Cohn

By AL STEEN
(Other TOA Convention News on Pages 6 and 7)

CHICAGO, Nov. 3. — Theatre Owners of America leaders today pre-
dicted that distribution heads would call a distributor-exhibitor meeting
for the purpose of coming to an understanding on prevailing film prices
and other trade practices.

The feeling of TOA's annual con-
vention here is that distribution must
do something to stem the tide of moves
by both TOA and Allied for govern-
ment intervention in industry affairs.

Alfred Starr, former TOA president
and Nashville circuit operator, appar-
ently expressed the views of the ma-
jority of delegates yesterday when, in
a short rebuttal to Al Lichtman's

address, he accused the distributors of
"criminal monopolistic conspiracies to
restrict the market."

Although Lichtman told the conven-
tion that he was speaking as a repre-
sentative of 20th Century-Fox, the
Council of Motion Picture Organiza-
tions, the arbitration committee and
himself, the consensus here is that he
(Continued on page 7)

Makelim Signs
MCA Talent Deal

By Staff Coryeshondcnt

CHICAGO, Nov. 3.— Hal Makelim
has signed a contract with Music
Corporation of America for its com-
plete roster of stars to appear in
Makelim Productions, according to
representatives of the producer attend-
ing the Theatre Owners of America
convention here.

The first picture is slated to go
into production in about three weeks,
it was said. It will be either "The
Peacemaker," starring Gary Cooper,
or "Desperate Men," starring Robert
Mitchum, the spokesmen disclosed.
They added that approximately $4,-
000,000 has been pledged by exhibitors
to date for the Makelim line-up.

Motion Picture Daily

Thursday, November 4, 1954 i'

Personal
Mention

DA.VID LIPTON, Universal Pic-
tures vice-president will leave
here today for Chicago and the Coast.
•

Walter Branson, RKO Radio
Pictures world-wide sales manager,
and Joseph Tushinsky, co-inventor
of SuperScope, arrived here yester-
day from Europe. Tushinsky left
immediately for Hollywood, with a
stop-over in Chicago.

•

J. Y. Abe, director and assistant
manager of Westrex Co., Orient, and
K. Kagara, recording engineer, have
arrived in New York from Tokyo.
R. J. HoRTis, manager of the West-
rex Co., Argentina, has arrived here
from Buenos Aires.

•

Eugene Pleshette, managing di-
rector of the Brooklyn Paramount,
will receive the 1954 interfaith award
of the Anglo-Jewish Publications of
Greater New York.

•

Jack Weather, whose company
recently obtained control of the film
and television rights to "The Lone
Ranger" series, has arrived here from
London.

•

Mervin Houses, RKO Radio Pic-
tures advertising-publicity manager,
will return to the Coast from here
over the weekend.

•

Spyros p. Skouras, president of
20th Century-Fox, has returned here
from Hollywood following studio con-
ferences.

•

Jack H. Levin, president of Certi-
fied Reports, is in Chicago from New
York for conferences with Cincinnati
and Milwaukee division heads.
•

Rene LeBrun, owner of the Star
Theatre, Limestone, Me., is the father
of a daughter, Andrea Mary, born
to Mrs. LeBrtjn last week.

•

Seymour Schussel, L F. E. Re-
leasing Corp. Eastern division mana-
ger, is in Buffalo from New York.
•

Myron Karlin, M-G-M manager
for Argentina, has left New York for
Buenos Aires.

Charles Lalumiere, 78

TORONTO, Nov. 3.— Charles La-
lumiere, 78, Canadian film pioneer,
died in Montreal after a long illness.
He started in the film distribution
business in 1910, later becoming an
exhibitor. Lalumiere was the first
film exchange executive to introduce
French-language subtitles for Holly-
wood pictures for French-speaking
Canadians.

Universal Dividend

The board of directors of Universal
Pictures yesterday declared a quar-
terly dividend of $1.0625 per share
on the 4% per cent cumulative pre-
ferred stock of the company payable
Dec. 1 to stockholders of record at
the close of business on Nov. 15.

Ricketson, Rhoden
Added to N. T. Stock
Holdings, SEC Says

By Staff Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3.— Pur-
chases of National Theatres stock by
officers and directors of the company
were disclosed in the Securities and
Exchange Commission's latest report
on stock transactions by film com-
pany executives.

Frank H. Ricketson, Jr., was re-
ported having bought 9,000 shares
during 1953, bringing his holdings to
10,042 shares. E. C. Rhoden pur-
chased 1,000 shares during September,
1954, and now holds 21,300 shares in
his own name and 10,225 shares
through holding companies. Alan May
bought 100 shares and Graham L.
Sterling, Jr., bought 200 shares, hold-
ing 400 and 200 respectively. Peter
Colefax sold 500 shares, dropping his
holdings to 2,000 shares.

Nathaniel Lapkin bought 11,241
shares of Stanley Warner Corp. com-
mon, his initial purchase of the com-
pany's stock. Albert Warner bought
4,500 shares of Warner Brothers Pic-
tures common through a trust account,
holding 160,000 shares in his own
name and 31,000 shares in trust ac-
counts. Jack Warner bought 5,000
shares, bringing his holdings to 295,-
499 shares in his own name and
13,400 shares in trust accounts.

William W. Howard bought 2,000
shares of RKO Theatres Corp. com-
mon, for a total of 2,500. Abraham
Montague sold 200 shares of Colum-
bia Pictures common, dropping his
holdings to 15,783 shares.

SCTOA Asks OK of
NT Production Plan

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 3. — The
government should permit not only
National Theatres, but all other prin-
cipal theatre circuits as well, to pro-
duce motion pictures, the Southern
California Theatre Owners Associa-
tion told the Senate Select Committee
on Small Business in a letter released
to the press today. The point was
made in the course of a letter to Sen-
ate Committee Chairman Andrew F.
Schoeppel from Albert Hanson, chair-
man of the SCTOA trade relations
committee, which alsO' covered many
other aspects of SCTOA activities and
attitudes.

Referring to National Theatres re-
quest for permission to produce pic-
tures, the letter reads in part :

"This bears out complaints by vari-
ous theatre exhibitor organizations
throughout the United States that the
shortage created by the eight major
companies has worked to the detriment
of all exhibitors. The board of direc-
tors of SCTOA is in favor of the Na-
tional Theatres plan and feels that the
same opportunity should be permitted
to all large theatre circuits now re-
stricted."

'Chalice* to Para.

"The Silver Chalice" will be the
New York Paramount Theatre's
Christmas attraction, Robert Shapiro,
managing director, reported.

'U' Pays 'Interest'
On Diaper Prize

There are expectations and
great expectations.

Seven years ago Universal of-
fered as a prize two weeks of
free diaper service in a promo-
tional contest on "Great Expec-
tations."

Recently, a winner, Allan
Glasser of New York, informed
Universal that he could not col-
lect seven years ago, for he was
a bachelor, but now is married
and the father of a two-week-
old daughter, adding she "can
certainly use diaper service."

Universal not only paid off
but also paid interest on the
long wait — it arranged for four
weeks of diaper service for the
Glasser's new daughter.

Exhibitors Praise
M-G-M Workshop'

Many congratulatory messages from
independent and circuit exhibitors on
M-G-M's first "Ticket Selling Work-
shop" in Pittsburgh last week have
been received by the company.

Among those commending the Work-
shop were Gerald Shea, president of
Shea Enterprises ; J. Crowley, Blatt
Brothers Theatres, Somerset, Pa. ;
Andy Biordi, Majestic Theatre, Ell-
wood City, Pa. ; Mel Katz, Fabian
Theatres, Embassy Theatre, Johnstown,
Pa.; Ralph M. Felton, Spotlight 88
Drive-in Theatre, Beaver Falls, Pa. ;
Saul Bragin, Stanley Warner Thea-
tres, Pittsburgh, Pa., and Bert Dat-
tola, Dattola Theatre, New Kensing-
ton, Pa.

Herman M, Dolinsky,
Loeiv*s Manager

Funeral services for Herman M.
Dolinsky, 66, a Loew's Theatres man-
ager, who died earlier this week at
the Crown Heights Hospital in Brook-
lyn, will be held today at 10 A.M.
at Schwartz & Sons Funeral Home,
Queens. Dolinsky started with Loew's
in 1911 as an assistant manager. He
is survived by three daughters, Mrs.
Marion Lawton, Mrs. Cecile Silver-
stein, Sandra Dolin, and a grandson.

Reservations Brisk
For Pioneers Dinner

Reservations for the 16th annual
Motion Picture Pioneers dinner, which
will honor Si Fabian as "Pioneer of
the Year," on Nov. 17 at the Shera-
ton Hotel Astor here, are increasing
with applications received from the
Middle West, South and West Coast.

The affair is limited to members of
the Motion Picture Pioneers who ac-
cordingly are urged to make reserva-
tions promptly.

Appoint Levine

Joe Levine of Embassy Pictures,
Boston, has been appointed Exploita-
tion Productions Inc. representative
in New England by Jack H. Harris
of EPI.

News
Roundup

New UTOI Group Meets

The newly-formed Lake County
district of United Theatre Owners
of Illinois held its first regular meet-
ing recently at the Swedish Glee Club
in Waukegan, 111. Among the subjects
discussed were advertising, promotion
and film reviews.

Brandt Acquires Loew House

The Brandt theatre circuit here has
acquired the Victory Theatre in the
Bronx, formerly a unit of the Loew
chain. A new CinemaScope screen and
sound system is being installed. The
house will open tomorrow under a
neighborhood policy, with popular
prices prevailing.

Pathe to Process 'Matador*

Pathe Laboratories will process the
National Picture Corp. CinemaScope
feature, "The Magnificent Matador,"
starring Maureen O'Hara and An-
thony Quinn. The film will be released
by 20th Century-Fox.

Manos Building Drive-in

George Manos, Ohio circuit opera-
tor, has started construction of a new
750-car drive-in on the outskirts of
Coshocton, scheduled to open at the
beginning of the 1955 season. The
project will include a 150-seat en-
closed, heated patio.

Adds Wide Screens

Two of the seven Walter Reade
drive-in theatres now have wide
screens. Twenty-foot wings have been
added to each side^of the 40 by 60
foot screens at the Latontown and the
Atlantic, Eatonville and Pleasantville,^
N. J., respectively.

'Matter' Booked

"Heart of the Matter," based o^
Graham Greene's novel, will have its
New York premiere at the Normandie
Theatre here in late November. It is
an Associated Artists production.

Cinerama D.C. Record

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3.— "This
Is Cinerama" next week becomes the
first motion picture ever to run a full
year in Washington. The Warner
Theatre will hold a week-long an-
niversary celebration Nov. 7 through
13, Including the presentation of
"Miss Cinerama," chosen from among
local airline hostesses. The Wash-
ington Advertising Club will salute
the film at a luncheon on Nov. 9, and
special ceremonies will take place at
the theatre that evening. Close to
500,000 persons have seen the film at
the Warner during the past year.

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martm Quigley, Editor-m-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quiglev Publishing
Company Inc 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York"' Martin Quigley, President; Martin
yuigley, Jr. Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Bradv, Secretary; Al Steen News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke.
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Uolden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quiglev Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single

OTTO PREMiNGER presents
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Thursday, November 4, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

People

Arthur Rose will handle the sales
activities of Buena Vista, the Walt
Disne}' film distribution subsidiary,
in the Albany and Buffalo exchange
areas. Rose will be supervised by
Herb Schaefer, Buena Vista, district
manager for New England.

Jack Allender has been named
manager of the Circle Theatre in
Portland. Allender formerly oper-
ated theatres in California.

Norman Nadel, theatre editor of
the Columbus, O., "Citizen," has
been signed for two annual three-
week lecture tours of the U. S. and
Canada by the Lee Keedick Agency,
New York. Nadel is the second the-
atre critic to be signed by the
Keedick agency, the other being
John Mason Brown, drama critic of
the "Saturday Review of Literature."

Charles A. Moses, European pub-
licity supervisor for U.A., will be
married some time during the next
two weeks to Paola Toninato, whom
he met at the recent Venice Film
Festival.

Marty Blau, Columbia Pictures
publicist, has announced his engage-
ment to Cynthia Klein.

Howard J. Smidt, Paramount, is
the new president of Albany Loge
24, Colosseum of Motion Picture
Salesmen of America.

Irwin Germaine has been named
supervisor of the art department at
the 8th Army Headquarters in
Seoul, Korea. Germaine is the son
of Henry Germaine, Paramount ex-
change manager in New Haven.

'Desiree' to Bow
Nov. 17 at Roxy

Twentieth Century-Fox's Cinema-
Scope production of Annemarie Se-
linko's novel "Desiree" will have its
"command performance" world pre-
miere at the Roxy Theatre here on
Nov. 17.

France's leading diplomatic repre-
sentatives in the United States, digni-
taries from many fields of American
life and a host of personalities rep-
resenting the entertainment world will
join persons well-known in Old World
monarchies for the premiere.

Warner Sales in
2-Day Meet Here

Warner Brothers home ofiice sales
executives and district managers will
attend a two day meeting at the com-
pany's home office today and tomor-
row, at which Ben Kalmenson, vice-
president in charge of distribution,
will preside.

The Vv'arner executives will discuss
forthcoming product, including na-
tional distribution of "A Star Is
Born,"

ACLU Injects Self
Into Action Over
Col. Branch Pickets

Sfccial to THE DAILY

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 3. — The
Minnesota branch, American Civil
Liberties Union, yesterday filed as in-
tervener in Mmneapolis Federal court
in the motion tor a temporary injunc-
tion brought by Columbia Pictures
against North Central Allied and its
3<j-man board of directors.

The 20-page brief, prepared by Lee
Loevinger and Gerald Magnuson,
Minneapolis attorneys, concerns itselt
only with the free speech aspects of
the injunctive action which arose out
of the picketing of Columbia's Min-
neapolis exchange by the independent
theatre owners in September.

Picketing, according to the ACLU
brief, is a means of free speech guar-
anteed by the First, Fifth and 14th
Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
The brief also opposes any "prior re-
straints" which might be interpreted
as being imposed on the publication of
comment critical to Columbia in the
NCA membership bulletin.

The ACLU brief was filed shortly
after Stanley L. Kane, NCA executive
counsel, submitted a lengthy memoran-
dum to Judge Gunnar H. Nordbye in
Federal court. Kane's memorandum
defends Allied's right to picket on the
grounds that "educational activities ol
trade associations cannot and do not
violate anii-trust laws" and that pick-
eting is a constitutional right of free
speech.

Kane also claimed that under pres-
ent film marketing conditions, the
eight major companies selling to
18,000 theatres have a competitive ad-
vantage, leaving the small film buyers

Review

Stockholders to Vote
On Cohn's New Pact

Columbia Pictures stockhold-
ers will be asked to ratify
president Harry Cohn's new
five-year contract, agreed upon
this week, at their annual meet-
ing; in December.

"The new contract," Cohn
stated, "should dispel any ru-
mors that I am in negotiation
for the sale of my Columbia
stock. Nor have I presently
any intention of entering into
such a negotiation."

VistaVision Given
Visual Inst. Award

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 3. — Vista-
Vision, Paramount's wide-screen pro-
duction and presentation techniques,
has received a special award of merit
from the Vision Conservation Insti-
tute, national non-profit educational
and public service organization, the
company announced yesterday. The
award was accepted by Y. Frank
Freeman, vice-president in charge of
Paramount studios, from Dr. Law-
rence H. Foster, president of the In-
stitute.

"at the mercy of the distributors." It
was in an attempt to restore competi-
tive balance for 800 exhibitors in the
Minneapolis film market that the
pxketing was undertaken, Kane added.

In view of ACLU's entrance into
the case, the court granted David
Shearer, Minneapolis attorney for Co-
lumbia Pictures, an extension of time
in which to answer the Kane and
ACLU briefs.

Col. Puts Up

(Continued from page 1)

plans, said that "our own studio
will continue to deliver its full
program of company-made pic-
tures. We are planning an even
greater number of top-quality
hiras than in the past. But we
intend to supplement the stu-
dio's prof;ram with a lineup of
ti e best independently - made
films we can attract."

Announcement of the Columbia plan
came just one day after TO A pro-
posed to go to the government and
seek an amtndment to the consent de-
crees allowing divorced circuits to en-
gage in production. Another plan, pro-
posed by TOA, was to aid in the
financing of independent production, a
project similar to the Makelim plan,
fostered by Allied with TOA coopera-
tion.

Columbia, it was stated, made the
announcement foliowing a series of
top-level management meetings at-
tended by Columbia studio and home
office executives.

Columbia, it was pointed out in
trade circles, has been emerging as an
important factor in the independent
market, handling such pictures as "On
the Waterfront," "Paratrooper" and
"Hell Below Zero."

The $10,000,000 fund, it was
explained, will be open to inde-
pendent producers both here
and abroad.

Meanwhile, it was disclosed that
several importanr deals are currently
under discussion at Columbia and will
be made pub.ic m the near future. In-
dependent productions still to be re-
leased by Columbia, it was added, in-
clude "Ena of the Affair." starring
Deborah Kerr and Van Johnson, and
"A Prize of Gold," starring Richard
Widmark and Mai Zettering.
uition, two Alec Guiness films are on

Jeffers vs. SEG Suit
Will Be Re-Tried

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 3.— Superior
Judge Allen W. Ashburn today
granted a defense motion for re-trial
of Michael Jeffers' $200,000 libel su.t
against the Screen Extras Guild i.i
which, two months ago, Jeffers was
awarded $33, COO damages following ti
jury trial. The suit was an outgrowtii
of a labor dispute during which, Jef-
fers charged, he had been hbelously
alluded to as having "Red" leaningj
or connections.

Judge Ashburn today indicated that
he considered the damages affixed b.
the jury were "excessive," althougli
he believed Jeffers was entitled to
"some recovery."

File Percentage
Suits in Chicago

CHICAGO, Nov. 3.— Six distribu-
tor percentage actions were filed here
j'esterday in U.S. District Court.
Loew's, Warner Brothers, Paramount.
Universal, RKO Radio Pictures an !
United Artists filed a separate action
against Arthur Hernrich, Bernar 1
Wright and the Manor Theatre Corp.,
operating the Manor Theatre, Chi-
cago.

Miles G. Seeley, Bryson P. Burn-
ham and Richard Hart of the Chicago
law firm of Mayer, Meyer, Austrian
and Piatt signed the complaint, wi.h
Sargoy and Stein of New York named
as of counsel in each case.

'*The Last Time I Saw Paris''

(M-G-M ) Holiywood, Nov. 3

v^AME-POWER and title-appeal are a showman's best guarantee of good
i ^ business with this elaborate and expensive updating in color by Techni-
color .of the late F. Scott Fitzgerald's one-time best-selhng boolv, "Babylon
Revisited," which was a popular as well as a literary ssnsaaon m its era. The
names — Elizabeth Taylor, van Johnson, Walter Pidgeon, Donna Reed, Eva
Gabor — give an exhibitor a good deal to work with on marquee and in news-
print, and most of the performances provided by the bearers of those names
are very good indeed, but the story that was regarded as ultra-sophisticated
and stimulating in the giddy 'Twenties didn't survive intact the attempted
updating to the post-World War II era in which it is told here. The produc-
tion, lavish in the extreme and leisurely as to tempo, stacks up, under its
inviting new title, as likely to sell better than it satisfies.

Van Johnson, acting well over his past best, portrays with conviction a
former newspaper man and soldier who, at picture s opening returns to Paris,
a successful novelist, to regain custody of his daughter, who has been in care
of his sister-in-law since his wife's death. A flashback then takes the audi-
ence to Paris at the ending of the European phase of World War II and to
the meeting of the then soldier and Miss Taylor, daughter of a proud wastrel
played smartly by Pidgeon, on the day when Paris turns on its lights for
the first time.

The script, the work of Julius and Philip G. Epstein and director Richard
Brooks then carries forward the account of the couple's romance, marriage,
joys and troubles, in the hysterically frivolous circumstances and surround-
ings of the Fitzgerald original, which culminate in the death of Miss Taylor,
in Johnson's return to the United States, and in their daughter's adoption by
her aunt. Miss Reed. In an attenuated final section, after the flashback is
over, the child is restored to a reformed and repentant Johnson.

The production by Jack Cummings contains many settings and sequences of
individual excellence, notably the street scenes during the celebration of the
war's ending, and the sports-car racing.

The direction by Richard Brooks is at its best in the intimate scenes, where
it goes far toward overcoming- the basic artificiality of the updated narrative.
The title song by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II is played steadily
throughout as a background theme which smooths out rough spots in the
continuity.

Running time, 116 minutes. Adult audience classification. Release date,
Nov. 19.

WILLIAM R. WEAVER

Motion Picture Daily

Thursday, November 4, 1954

Lichtman Reports

One Point Left
For Agreement
On Arbitration

CHICAGO, Nov. 3.— Agreement
"on everything but one point" on an
arb.tration draft has been reached be-
tween distributors and Theatre Own-
ers of America, according to Al Licht-
man, 20th Century-Fox distribution
director.

Addressing the TOA convention
here, Lichtman expressed assurance
that "as soon as we are able to meet
again, which we plan to do in the very
near future, we will be able to resolve
that one point too." Lichtman, who
is chairman of the distributors' arbi-
tration committee, did not identify the
"one point" which remains unresolved.

Wants 'A Fair Trial'

Urging cooperation among all seg-
ments of the business, he called for
support of the projected arbitration
system, adding "at least let us give it
a fair trial." Allied States, refusing
to join any arbitration talks which do
not include film rentals as an arbi-
trable item, has not participated with
TOA and other exhibitor organiza-
tions in the current negotiations.

Lichtman, speaking as co-
chairman of the Council of Mo-
tion Picture Organizations, called
for continued support of the or-
ganization, commenting on its
successful tax fight. "I urge all
exhibitors not to abandon it just
because there is no great major
issue at this moment affecting
their pocketbooks. You don't
know what may arise tomorrow,"
he warned.

Lichtman forecast that at the Nov.
15 COMPO executive committee meet-
ing a number of ideas of "tremendous
benefit to the entire industry" will be
outlined.

Referring to the decrease in Holly-
wood production, Lichtman contended
that "there are fewer pictures being
made today because major producers
cannot afford to make a picture just
for the sake of making numbers." The
20th-Fox executive voiced his convic-
tion that production, as well as exhibi-
tion today, cannot afford to compro-
mise with quality. It is this type of
conviction, he held, which has put the
industry on the road to recovery, men-
tioning such factors as CinemaScope,
stereophonic sound, Cinerama, new
techniques, better pictures, factors, he
declared, which have met the competi-
tion of television.

Predicts Improvements

He forecast that next year there
will be "startling improvements" in
the CinemaScope medium, with no
change needed in exhibitor equipment.

In conclusion, Lichtman, outlining
the many points in his address, de-
clared that there can be no healthy
production business without a healthy
exhibition and that "above all, we must
create a code of ethics in dealing with
one another that is of the highest
standard."

Lichtman also urged TOA to avoid
"going to the government" with trade
practice grievances, recommending
that further efforts be made to arrive
at understandings in conference with

Combat Toll TV with
Eidophor : Lichtman

CHICAGO, Nov. 3. — Eido-
phor was held to be "the sure
way" to combat toll TV as well
as home television by Al Licht-
man, 20th Century-Fox dis-
tribution director, in his address
before the Theatre Owners of
America's convention here.

Eidophor, 20th-Fox's color
theatre TV system, "will be a
certainty within the near fu-
ture, but it will not be launched
until it is perfected and a proper
programming of outstanding
supplementary attractions to
your feature films will be made
a certainty," Lichtman prom-
ised.

Offers Plan to End
Seasonal *Gap'

A plan aimed at avoiding the "hor-
rible gap" of quality picture releases
between the Thanksgiving and Christ-
mas holiday season, was offered here
this week by Edward L. Hyman, vice-
president of American Broadcasting-
Paramount Theatres.

Based on distribution-exhibition co-
operation, the plan calls upon the ex-
hibitor "to underwrite the film rental
for the picture he wants, provided of
course that it is a quality picture with
legs' indicating a good box-office
potential."

Arguing for the ready adoption of
the plan, Hyman said "the exhibitor
should not ask the distributor to take
all the gamble in releasing his picture
during the period between Thanks-
giving and Christmas. On the other
nand," Hyman continued, "the dis-
tributor who goes along with such a
proposal is bound to catch his com-
petitors flatfooted. . . ."

RKO Theatres Net
Up to $755,033

Consolidated net income of RKO
Theatres for the third quarter of 1954
was $755,033 as compared with $370,-
728 for the third quarter of 1953, the
company announced.

The financial statement said the net
profit had been reduced to $720,984
after deduction of special items, includ-
ing a loss from disposal of a theatre
property amounting to $41,048, result-
ing in the reduction of federal income
taxes of $7,000, which otherwise would
have been payable on net income.
There were no special items in the
1953 period by comparison, the report
said.

Net income before deduction for
special items for the first nine months
of 1954 was $1,710,150 as compared
with $739,282 for the first nine months
of 1953. After deduction of special
items the net income was $1,625,009
for the 1954 period as compared with
a net income of $788,331 in 1953.

company executives. "Don't call a
cop," he counselled.

The TOA convention, however, as
reported yesterday, approved a pro-
posal to go to the Department of Jus-
tice to ask it to review all decrees in
the Paramount case for the benefit of
exhibitors and to obtain authorization
for divorced circuits to engage in or
finance production.

TOA Rejects Bid on
Federal Regulation

By Staff Correspondent

CHICAGO, Nov. 3.— Although it
approved a proposal of its own to
"go to the government" for consent
decree review and authorization for
divorced circuits to engage in film
production, Theatre Owners of Amer-
ica emphatically declined the Allied
States' invitation to join it in seeking
Federal regulation of distribution in
the event trade reforms are not in
evidence by next February.

TOA's response, made by Mitchell
Wolfson, co-chairman of the organiza-
tion's finance committee, said in part :

"We are very much opposed to Al-
regulation of film rentals.

"Their plan speaks of regulation but
invites regimentation. I have read
Abram Myers' bill and it gives me the
shivers.

"The making of more pictures must
be encouraged by exhibitors. For this
eason, there must remain hope of gain
if we are to hope that there will re-
.nain those willing to risk making pic-
tures of unusual box office value.

"As exhibitors, we should continue
a united fight for fair prices and poli-
cies, but we should not seek the help
of professional politicians who owe no
allegiance of heart and may well be-
come guests who will eat more than
we can place on the table."

Clink Appointed to
New Perspecta Post

Jack Clink, associated with Pros-
pecta Sound for the past two months
supervising equipment installation and
motion picture recording and disc re-
cording, has been appointed chief en-
gineer and recording supervisor of
Perspecta and Fine Sound, Inc., by
Elmer Wilschke, operation vice-presi-
dent.

Clink started as a sound man with
M-G-M studios in 1934. He spent
five years there until his entry into the
Army in 1939 to organize one of the
first motion picture units of the Army
Signal Corps. In 1948 he joined the
Jarville Studio in St. Louis, working
on documentaries and initial magnetic
tape recordings.

Wenzel, Stevens
To TESMA Board

CHICAGO, Nov. 3. — Two new
members, Fred Wenzel of Wenzel
Projector Corp., and M. H. Stevens
of Bausch and Lomb Optical Co., were
elected to the board of directors of
Theatre Equipment and Supply Man-
ufacturers Association at the conven-
tion here.

TESMA also reelected the follow-
ing to the board : V. J. Nolan, Na-
tional Carbon Co. ; J. F. O'Brien,
Radio Corporation of America ; and
Erwin Wagner of Wagner Sign
Service.

Only five TESMA board positions
were involved in elections this year.

Correction

Newpaths, Inc., a subsidiary of
Altec Service Corp., is manufacturing
Perspecta Sound integrators under
license from Perspecta Sound, Inc.
The licensee was incorrectly referred
to as New Parts, Inc. (Altec Lansing)
in the Oct. 27 issue of Motion Picture
Daily.

New Congress

{Continued from page 1)

Administration asks Congress again to
prevent that rate from dropping to 47
per cent as it's scheduled to do next
April 1.

The Democrats on the Ways and
Means committee are also likely to
give a friendly reception to the Presi-
dent's recommendations for reduction
of international trade barriers, a move
backed by most industry leaders. Re-
publican committee chairman Reed
(R., N.Y.) has been a staunch oppo-
nent of the free trade program.

Celler Heads Committee

Rep. Celler of New York and Rep.
Priest of Tennessee will head the
House Judiciary and Commerce com-
mittees, respectively. One or the other
of these two committees would handle
Allied States' bill for Federal regula-
tion of the film industry should it ever
be introduced. In private life Celler
is a member of the New York law
firm which represents Independent
Theatre Owners Association of N. Y.
Celler told Motion Picture
Daily he would press for action
on bills to boost the fine for
violating the anti-trust laws and
to set up a uniform Federal sta-
tute of limitations for private
anti-trust suits. The latter has
been a major battle ground be-
tween exhibitors and distribu-
tors for some years.
Rep. Patman (D., Tex.) will head
the fiouse Small Business committee,
and can be counted on to provide a
vigorous program of investigation for
that group.

Ranking member of the House
Commerce committee will be Rep.
Harris (D., Ark.) and chances now
seem good for a renewal of the in-
vestigation he led some years ago into
television program contents.

Walter in New Post

Rep. Walter of Pennsylvania, on
frequent occasions very friendly to the
film industry and laudatory of its anti-
Communist efforts, will head the
House Un-American Activities com-
mittee.

Control of the Senate now seems
likely to remain Republican, though
that definitely may not be known for
many weeks. Should the Senate re-
main in GOP hands. Sen. Millikin of
Colorado would be head of the Senate
Finance committee, which handles
taxes and foreign trade ; Sen. Langer
of North Dakota would remain head
of the Judiciary committee and Sen-
Bricker of Ohio would stay head
of the Commerce committee. Sen.
Schoeppel of Kansas, reelected Tues-
day, would probably stay as head of
the Small Business sub-committee
checking on industry trade practices.
Bricker's continuation in the Com-
merce committee post would mean
steady emphasis on that committee's
attempt to prove the need for Federal
regulation of television networks.

Four Democrats in Running

If the Senate should pass into
Democratic hands. Sen. Byrd of Vir-
ginia would probably head the Finance
committee, Sen. Kilgore of West Vir-
ginia the Judiciary committee, Sen.
Magnuson of Washington the Com-
merce committee, and Sen. Sparkman
of Alabama the Small Business com-
mittee. It is believed that few policy
changes would result from these
switches except that Sen. Byrd would
probably be more pro-free-trade than
Sen. Millikin.

Thursday, November 4, 1954

MOTION Picture Daily

N.Y. Elections

(Continued from page 1)

the state legislature at its next ses-
sion to amend or repeal the Enabling
Act of 1947 which allows municipali-
ties to enact taxation such as the
New York City five per cent amuse-
ment tax.

Now, it appears some exhibitors
feel that the new Democratic state
administration, while it would not be
likely, presumably, to repeal the en-
abling act, would be more likely than
Governor Dewey's administration in
Albany to give the city at least some
of the increased financial assistance
it has been requesting. If this were
done, some industry observers feel,
the need for the admissions tax might
be removed and the city might repeal
or end it voluntarily.

Wagner Action Recalled

In this connection it was recalled
that Mayor Wagner attempted to
place the responsibility for the city
ticket tax directly on the state gov-
ernment last spring, on the grounds
that refusal of state fiscal aid for the
city forced the latter to adopt such
unpopular measures as the nuisance
tax.

These observers remarked that if
the friendlier Democratic state ad-
ministration now grants fiscal relief
to the city, the sincerity of Mayor
Wagner's statements of last spring
will be put to the test. Wagner wired
Gov. Dewey last spring urging adop-
tion of a three-point program which
would enable the city to raise $25,-
000,000 needed without new taxes. He
also told the governor that he would
veto the five per cent admission levy
if the governor would sponsor legis-
lation at the special session of the
Legislature to give the city the $25,-
000,000.

To File Briefs Tomorrow

In the meantime, exhibitor attorneys
were putting the final touches on
appellant briefs which will be filed
tomorrow in Brooklyn Appellate Di-
vision court. Assistant Corporation
Counsel Stanley Buchsbaum, repre-
senting the city in the current five
per cent tax suit, will file his respon-
dent brief by Nov. 20.

The city is also expected to appoint
a successor to Corporation Counsel
Adrian P. Burke who has been elected
to a 14-year term in the Court of
Appeals. If the current tax suit ever
reaches the Court of Appeals in Al-
bany, Burke will disqualify himself
from hearing the case.

One Film Yearly

(Continued from page 1)

meeting of the Motion Picture Export
Association. It was further reported
that the Federation agreed that sub-
sequent to 1955, the international
festival should not be in the same
country two successive years.

However, for 1955, Cannes and
Venice were both considered eligible
provided both cities agree to the gov-
erning principles in 1956.

TOA-RKO Meet

(Continued from page 1)

C. J. Tevlin, vice-president in charge
of RKO Radio studios, would be in-
terested in meeting with a TOA com-
mittee in Los Angeles at TOA's con-
venience, adding "I might suggest a
meeting after Jan. 1."

TOA Members Pledge
Thousands of Dollars
To Production Plan

Bv Staff Correspondent

CHICAGO, Nov. 3.— Several hun-
dred thousand dollars has already been
pledged by Theatre Owners of Amer-
ica members to the association's pro-
duction finance project, it was re-
vealed here yesterday. An official
tabulation probably won't be com-
pleted until after the annual conven-
tion closes tomorrow.

However, it was learned that there
were at least five pledges of $20,000
each and several for $30,000 each.
There were many more individual
pledges of sums between $10,000 and
$15,000.

The TOA convention adopted a
resolution calling for the exhibitor
group's board of directors to authorize
its officers to form or financially sup-
port new film production. Calling the
proposal the "Super-Makelim Plan,"
the convention pledged members to
contribute the equivalent of an average
week's film rentals to create financ-
ing for the project, and also pledged
playing time in their theatres to such
product.

Non-Members Welcomed

An invitation to participate in the
production project has been extended
to all non-TOA members by the con-
vention, which also proposed that the
Department of Justice be asked to
approve amendments of the decrees
in the Paramount case to permit di-
vorced theatre companies to engage
in film production to help alleviate
the product shortage.

was delegated to talk for all distribu-
tors.

Starr virtually ripped the distribu-
tors apart for product shortages, high
rentals and clearances. While not go-
ing along with Allied's proposal for
Federal regulation, Starr said that Al-
lied was acting in desperation and that
its leaders could not be blamed for
seeking outside assistance. 'We all
will run to the government unless we
get relief," Starr said.

When Starr finished, to a round of
applause, Lichtman again took the
fioor and denied any conspiracy among
the distributors.

"I have never talked with another
sales manager about his film terms or
policies," Lichtman said.

Sees Nothing Gained

Lichtman pleaded with the conven-
tion not to go to the government,
claiming that nothing would be gained
by such a move. He asserted that film
shortages were due to the elimination
of block booking and theatre divorce-
ment, pointing out that the studios
could not afford to keep large stock
companies of players and inventories
of product when there was no assured
outlet. He also denied that the dis-
tributors were enjoying their greatest
era of prosperity as had been stated
by exhibitors. He said that increased
profits were only by comparison with
those of recent years, but that earn-
ings were much greater a decade ago.

Instead of going to the government,
Lichtman said, both sides should get
together and work out solutions like
"sensible business men." It was on

Nathan

(Continued from page 1)

Robert Pelton, Pelton Popcorn Co.,
Bloomdale, succeeded Harold M. Al-
ver. Premier Popcorn Co., Watseka,
111. For manufacturer-wholesale, Allan
W. Adams, Adams Corp., Beloit, Wis.,
replaced Syd Spiegel, Super Puft
Popcorn, Ltd., Toronto. For theatre-
concession, Nathan Buchman, Amer-
ican Theatre Supply Corp., Boston,
succeeded Nathan. For retail popcorn
shops, H. H. Miller, Caramel Crisp
Shop, Madison, Wis., succeeded Jerry
Berger, Topsy's Popcorn, Kansas
City.

For jobber-distributor, Dave C.
Evans, Gold Medal Products Co.,
Cincinnati, replaced Augie J. Schmitt,
Houston Popcorn and Supply Co.,
Houston. For brokers, A. J. Villiesse,
Villiesse Sales Co., Wilmette, 111. suc-
ceeded Hersch I. Yesley, Yesley Bros.
Sales Co., Newtonville, Mass. For
equipment manufacturers. Rex Yocum,
Seedburo Equipment Co., Chicago,
replaced H. E. Chrisman, Cretors
Corp., Nashville.

Steinberg Named to
UA Brazilian Post

H. Alfredo Steinberg has been
named United Artists' assistant man-
ager in Brazil.

Steinberg is a native of Rio de
Janeiro and entered the industry in
1932 with Companhia Cine Brazil, an
exhibitor organization. Subsequently
switching to distribution, he succes-
sively held executive sales posts with
Paramount, Universal, Monogram,
and more recently with Columbia.

that statement that TOA leaders be-
lieve a meeting will be called shortly
by distribution to settle many of the
problems.

Today's sessions were largely de-
voted to operating subjects. Drive-in
exhibitors this morning covered topics
such as screen surfaces, dust and mos-
quito control, playgrounds and con-
cessions. A review of new techniques
and media occupied the afternoon ses-
sion.

Five Firms Hosts

Yesterday the convention was the
luncheon guest of Motion Picture Ad-
vertising Service Co. and United Film
Service Co., at which Claude Lee, ex-
ecutive of the former company, was
the principal speaker. Today the lunch-
eon hosts were Motiograph, Nestle
Co., RCA, National Theatre Supply,
Charles E. Hires Co. and Radiant
Manufacturing Corp. Coca Cola was
the host at a bufiiet last night and
Pepsi Cola was the host at a supper
and barn dance tonight.

The convention yesterday agreed to
sponsor an audience collection for the
Will Rogers Memorial Hospital, the
collection to be conducted for a single
day nationally.

A 30-minute television subject,
showing clips from forthcoming prod-
uct, was shown at the luncheon today.
Prepared by Bruce Balaban, the reel
is currently in use and Balaban asked
TOA endorsement of it as a business
stimulator. Previously, the convention
voted to form a committee to further
an all-industry TV program to be tele-
cast on Monday nights.

VV Productions Will
Be Available in
Anamorphic Prints

By Staff Correspondent

CHICAGO, Nov. 3. — Doubt in
some areas of the industry that Para-
mount would actually make Vista-
Vision productions available in an-
amorphic prints was dispelled today
by Lor en L. Ryder, head of the Para-
mount studio technical department, at
the TESMA-TEDA-TOA convention
forum.

In addressing an audience of about
800 assembled for discussion of tech-
nical problems in exhibition with the
new systems, Ryder said that his com-
pany definitely plans to supply an-
amorphic VistaVision prints for thea-
tres that want them, with a compres-
sion-expansion ratio of one-and-a-half
to one, as originally announced, re-
gardless of the fact that this ratio will
not be compatible with squeeze prints
of CinemaScope and of RKO Radio's
SuperScope productions.

Through Squeeze Prints

Ryder pointed out later, during the
open discussion period of the forum,
that it would ibe through squeeze prints
that Paramount would make Vista-
Vision productions available for pro-
jection in the widths of picture in
which drive-in theatres are presenting
CinemaScope.

For anamorphic prints in the Para-
mount squeeze ratio, cylindrical lenses
would be made available by Bausch
& Lomb, said A. E Neumer of that
company, another forum speaker. He
indicated that Bausch & Lomb is now
working on an adapter for that pur-
pose. He said such an adapter had
been developed also in a variable type
for adjustment through a range of
anamorphic ratios, but that this had
not proved feasible because of the sac-
rifice of other optical values.

Sponable Heard

Defending magnetic sound as a
method practicable for theatres gen-
erally. Earl Sponable, technical direc-
tor of 20th Century-Fox said that
while present magnetic heads had
proved capable of reproducing between
four and five million feet of film, an
alloy of aluminum and iron, called
alfenol, had been used experimentally
and had indicated it could increase
head life about five times that of the
present rating.

TOA Will Cite Kaye
Today in Chicago

CHICAGO, Nov. 3.— Danny Kaye
will be cited as "the star of the year"
at tomorrow's annual convention ban-
quet of the Theatre Owners of
America at the Conrad Hilton Hotel
here.

Kaye's tribute will come just one
day after his new starrer "White
Christmas," Paramount's first Vista-
Vision production, opens at Chicago's
State Lake Theatre.

Gollin, Rand Merge

Ed Gollin Associates of New York
and Jess Rand Associates of Beverly
Hills, press and public relations of-
fices, announced they have a working-
agreement to give East-West service.
Among the accounts represented are
Filmakers, Jeff Chandler Enterprises,
Will Mastin Trio and Sammy Davis,
Jr.

TOA Predicts Peace Meet

(Continued from page 1)

ON
THE
WIOVE!

All

The ^ews

That
Is News

MOTION PICTURE

DAILY

VOL. 76. NO. 88

NEW YORK, U.S.A., FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1954

TEN CENTS

Improves Attitude

TO A Leaders
Hail Columbia
Finance Plan

Some Are Skeptical But
Most Applaud the Move

By Staff Correspondent

CHICAGO, Nov. 4.— Theatre Own-
ers of America leaders as a whole
today hailed Columbia Pictures' an-
nouncement that it had allocated $10,-
000,000 to finance independent produc-
tion in an effort to alleviate the
shortage of product, but there were
some dissident comments among the
exhibitors attending the convention
here.

Nevertheless, the announcement from
Harry Cohn, president of Columbia,
brought about an immediate improve-
ment in exhibitor attitude toward the
company whose sales policies were
twice classified by Allied States as the
harshest of all companies and which
{Continued on page 3)

Casting Poses Grave
Problem, Says Powell

There are about 10 to 15 actors
and actresses presently in Hollywood
who have a "draw" at theatre box-
offices, according to Dick Powell,
producer of the RKO Pictures' Cin-
emaScope release, "The Conqueror,"
which will be distributed nationally
at Eastertime.

These personalities who bring the
(Continued on page 6)

Columbia to Get
U.S, Bond Award

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4.— Col-
umbia Pictures will receive a
"Distinguished Service Award"
from the Treasury Department
for a five-minute savings bond
film that will be shown in the-
atres and on television screens
next year.

The film plugs the purchases
of the government's E and H
savings bonds. Judy HoUiday
will receive the Treasury's
"Minute Man Flag Award" for
her part in the film. Both awards
will be presented Monday night
during a dinner climaxing a
two-day meeting of Treasury
Department bond salesmen to
plan their 1955 sales campaign.

5 Trustees to Guide New
Exhibitor Finance Firm

Para. 39-Week Net
Up to $6,390,000,
$1.4-Million Gain

Paramount Pictures Corp. yester-
day estimated its consolidated earnings
for the third quarter ended Oct. 2, at
$2,428,000 after provision for United
States and Canadian income taxes.

The earnings represent $1.10 per
share on the 2,208,133 shares outstand-
ing.

Consolidated earnings for the cor-
responding quarter last year were
estimated at $2,005,000 and represented
(Continued on page 3)

Union City House
Files Trust Suit

A $1,050,000 anti-trust suit was
filed here by Marlies Theatre Corp.,
operators of Park Theatre, Union
City, N. J., against the eight major
film companies, Skouras Theatres and
others.

The suit, filed in Federal District
Court, alleged the Park Theatre was
(Continued on page 3)

Could Cancel the Allied Bill: Myers

By Staff Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4.— Allied States Association general
counsel Abram F. Myers said Allied's bill for Federal regulation
of the film industry could be put "in deep-freeze" if enough film
companies follow Columbia's example and begin large-scale
financing of independent film production.

"Without knowing the details of the Columbia action," he
declared, "I certainly welcome the idea of additional production
and release of pictures. The market is in a starved condition and
we need pictures. Anything more will be welcomed by exhibitors."

Myers added that he thought other producers could do the
same thing and would probably be forced to do the same thing
by Columbia's action in order to preserve their own competitive
position.

Asked what effect this might have on Allied's regulation bill,
Myers then declared that if additional companies did the same
thing and did it on a sufficiently large scale, "we'll be able to
put it (the bill) in deep-freeze."

Plan to Launch Project Is Finalized by TO A
Board; Association to Advance $5,000 for
Trustees to Meet Organizational Expenses

By AL STEEN

CHICAGO, Nov. 4. — Machinery for the launching of a film financing
company, to be initiated by the Theatre Owners of America but com-
pletely independent of the association w^as formalized here today by the

TOA board at the windup session of
the annual convention at the Conrad
Hihon Hotel.

The TOA officers were instructed to
appoint not more than five exhibitors
as trustees for the purpose of receiving
the funds that are to be subscribed by
the TOA members. At least one of the
trustees will not be a member of TOA.
The trustees will function until such
time as the finance company is legally
prepared for the acceptance and use of
the subscription funds, it was ex-
plained by general counsel Herman
Levy.

Of the five trustees authorized, the
four named today are : L. S. Hamm,
San Francisco ; Sam Pinanski, Bos-
ton. John Rowley, Dallas, and Myron
Blank, Des Moines. TOA will lend
$5,000 to the trustees for the purpose
of meeting organizational expenses,
but this sum will be returned to the
organization after the finance company
has been set up.

It was stressed by retiring
TOA president Walter Reade,
Jr., that the finance company is
not a TOA organization. "We
are starting it for exhibitors,"
Reade said. No goal figure for
subscriptions has been set; this
{Continued on page 6)

Three Drive-ins File
Anti-Trust Actions
Seeking $4,575,000

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 4. — Three
outdoor theatres, the South Park
Drive-In Theatre, Blue Dell Drive-In,
and the Community Drive-In, filed
three separate anti-trust complaints
in Federal Court of the Western Dis-
trict of Pennsylvania here today seek-
ing judgments totaling $4,575,000 from
producing-distributing companies and
theatre circuits. The suits charge dis-
crimination and unreasonable restraint.

The three drive-ins, which are rep-
(Continued on page 3)

MILWAUKEE, Nov. 4.— Ben Marcus, president of Allied
States, questioned here today regarding Columbia Pictures' plan
to appropriate $10,000,000 for the financing of independent pro-
ducers, declared: "I am very highly grateful and am greatly en-
couraged that Columbia is interested in the exhibitors and in the
future of our business. The exhibitors of America are happy and
grateful for Columbia's appropriation and will be happy to sup-
port Columbia pictures. It is gratifying to know that Columbia
has taken such an optimistic and enthusiastic interest on behalf
of our industry and the needs of the exhibitors."

N. T. Elects
Rhoden Head

By Staff Correspondent

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 4. — The
board of directors of National Thea-
tres, Inc., today elected Elmer C.
Rhoden president of the circuit.
Rhoden succeeds Charles P. Skouras,
who died Oct. 22.

Rhoden, who has been president of
Fox Midwest Theatres, will move
here from Kansas City and will con--
duct his management operations from
the National Theatres headquarters
building.

The NT board, at the same meet-
ing, also elected Alan May, treasurer,
{Continued on page 6)

Motion Picture Daily

Friday, November 5, 1954

Personal
Mention

TDSEPH H. MOSKOWITZ, 20th
*J Century-Fox vice-president and
Eastern studio representative, has ar-
rived in Hollywood from New York.
•

Charles J. Feldman, Universal-
International vice-president and gen-
eral sales manager, and Ray Moon,
assistant general sales manager, will
return to New York today from
Chicago.

•

Max Thorpe, Columbia Interna-
tional managing director for the
United Kingdom and Ireland, and
Mrs. Thorpe will arrive here Monday
from London.

•

Bernard Jacon, I.F.E. Releasing
Corp. vice-president in charge of sales,
will return to New York tomorrow
from Atlanta.

•

Mike Simons, in charge of con-
sumer relations for M-G-M, will
return to New York today from
Chicago.

•

Arthur Silverstone, 20th Cen-
tury-Fox assistant general sales man-
ager, entered Mt. Sinai Hospital here
yesterday for a throat operation.
•

Brad Springsteen, producer, with
Edmund Purdom and Gill Desmond,
arrived in New York yesterday via
B.O.A.C. Monarch.

•

Alex Havemann, authority on
Africa who assisted in the produc-
tion of "Untamed," has left Holly-
wood for Australia and New Zealand.
•

Jack Carter, of "Woman's Home
Companion," will leave here over the
weekend for the Coast.

•

Edward Morey, Norton V.
RiTCHEY and Herman Rifkin, Al-
lied Artists vice-presidents, will leave
here at the weekend for Hollywood.
•

George Nichols, M-G-M studio
publicist, has returned to Hollywood
from New York.

Lopert Due Here Sun.

Ilya Lopert, president of Lopert
Filtns, is scheduled to arrive here on
Sunday from England to confer with
associates on his latest production,
"Summertime," adapted from the
Broadway stage play, "Time of the
Cuckoo."

Youngstein to Coast

Max E. Youngstein, United Artists
vice-president, will leave here by plane
today for Hollywood, where he will
confer on forthcoming releases with
West Coast officials and producers.
He will visit San Francisco before
returning to New York.

Kaufman's Mother Dies

Fanny Kaufman, mother of H. C.
Kaufman, Columbia Pictures manager
of exchange operations, died here yes-
terday. Funeral services will take
place today.

New Exhibitor Unit
Opposes So. Africa
C'Scope Importation

By Staff Correspondent
CAPETOWN, S. A., Nov. 4.— The
recently formed Independent Exhibi-
tors' Association opposed applications
by M-G-M, 20th Century-Fox and the
Schlesinger organization for permis-
sion to import hitherto banned Cin-
emaScope and other new wide screen
eciuipment at a hearing in Pretoria
this week conducted by the South
African import controller's office.

Called Too Expensive

The exhibitor organization's opposi-
tion was based on the contention that
the new medium is expensive and im-
practical for their needs. They main-
tained that standard 2-D prints of
CinemaScope productions are sufficient
for the purposes of exhibitors here.

The hearing is regarded as having
some bearing, too, on the future of
Vista Vision in this market owing to
Schlesinger's association with Para-
mount here.

Souvenir Program
On 'Aida' Prepared

A 20-page illustrated souvenir pro-
gram for the first opera film in color,
S. Hurok's "Aida," to be released by
I. F. E. Releasing, has been prepared
for sale in theatres playing the pro-
duction of the Verdi classic. Included
are facts concerning the production of
the film, its cast and the history of
the opera, as well as the complete
libretto.

Hurok screened the film here last
night for a large group of guests at
the Museum of Modern Art. Among
those present were educational and
labor leaders and prominent figures in
the local Italian community.

Travers, Yankee Web
President, Resigns

BOSTON, Nov. 4.— Linus Travers,
president of the Yankee Network, has
resigned effective Dec. l. A pioneer
in motion picture-radio advertising,
Travers has launched more than 60
successful motion pictures on televi-
sion advertising in this area with
Terry Turner.

After 25 years in the station operat-
ing business, Travers will enter a new
field, setting up a company specializ-
ing in radio and TV sales, promotion
and merchandising, designed for radio
and TV stations as well as for agen-
cies and advertisers.

'Contessa* Has Gala
West Coast Opening

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 4.— An im-
pressive array of industry officials and
celebrities were in attendance as
United Artists launched "The Bare-
foot Contessa" at the Fine Arts The-
atres here last night.

Among the stars and executives
attending- the West Coast opening
were Mary Pickford, co-founder and
present co-owner of UA, Humphrey
Bogart, Ava Gardner, Joseph L. Man-
kiewicz, Edmund O'Brien and many
others.

Concessions Gross
High for Drive-ins

CHICAGO, Nov. 4.— Drive-in
patrons now spend an average
of 20 cents per admission on
concessions, it was brought out
at the concessions forum of the
Theatre Owners of America
convention here today. Some
exhibitors reported that their
concessions sales often ex-
ceeded the box office gross for
a single day.

Miami's Olympia
To Close Nov. 9

special to THE DAILY
MIAMI, Nov. 4.— The closing of
the 2,200-seat Olympia Theatre, this
area's only vaudeville theatre, on Nov.
9 was announced here by Harry Bot-
wick. Southeastern district supervisor
of Florida State Theatres.

In his unexpected announcement,
Botwick said "We're closing the
Olympia because it is no longer eco-
nomically feasible to operate."

Cinerama representatives have been
considering the location but no deal
has been made, according to Botwick.
The Olympia was opened Feb. 18,
1926.

Expect Capacity for
Smith-Morgan Fete

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 4. — A
capacity crowd is expected to be pres-
ent on Monday when Variety Club
Tent 13 and industry members from
this area honor Ulrich F. Smith, Para-
mount branch manager here, and Oscar
A'lorgan, Paramount short subjects
general sales manager at a testimonial
dinner upon completion of 40 years of
service with the company. Howard
Minsky will be toastmaster at the
Bellevue Stratford Hotel affair.

Smith started with Paramount in
1914 in the shipping department, ad-
vancing to the booking department
and then to sales manager here. He
became branch manager in 1941.

Morgan, whose offices are in New
York, was Philadelphia branch man-
ager prior to his promotion to general
sales manager of short subjects.

Lambert Named
Assistant to Todd

Sammy Lambert, unit manager for
Magna Productions, has been named
executive assistant to Michael Todd,
head of the newly organized Michael
Todd Productions, which will make
two pictures yearly in the Todd-AO
process.

Lambert has been closely associated
with Todd's Broadway ventures since
1936. He has produced several Broad-
way shows including the musical ver-
sion of Booth Tarkington's "Seven-
teen."

Hyman to Midwest

Edward Hyman, vice-president of
American Broadcasting - Paramount
Theatres, will leave here on Sunday
for a week's tour of the Tri-State
Midwest area and Minnesota.

News
Roundup

Leases Memphis House

Jack Katz, veteran theatre manager
and circuit executive of Memphis, has
leased the Ritz Theatre here from
Dave Flexer, owner. Joe Simon will
continue temporarily as manager, then
rejoin the Fle.xer organization. Katz
was formerly district manager for
Paramount Tenarken Theatres, which
operates the Strand here.

'Command Performance'

Walt Disney's first 3-D cartoon
short subject "Melody" has been se-
lected for this year's Royal Command
film performance in London, it was
announced here by Leo F. Samuels,
general sales manager of Buena Vista.
The command performance will be
given in Loew's Empire Theatre, Lon-
don, Nov. 15.

Buys Troy Theatre

The Troy Theatre in upstate New
York, a 1,975-seater, has been pur-
chased for investment purposes by
Martin A. Ginsburgh, of Glens Falls,
but Stanley Warner will continue op-
eration of the theatre on lease, as did
the Warner Circuit for many years.
Purchase price was not announced, al-
though a $100,000 mortgage was filed
in the office of the Rensselaer county
clerk.

U.S.I.A. Film to Rep.

Republic Pictures will distribute
overseas a new U.S. Information
Agency film, "Dance to Freedom," the
agency has announced in Washing-
ton. The film tells the story of
two leading Hungarian ballet dancers
who fled from behind the iron curtain
to Freedom in West Germany. The
agency has recently adopted a policy
of trying to get wider overseas au-
diences for its films by having private
film companies distribute the pictures
through regular commercial theatre
channels.

'Widow' Strong at Roxy

A first week's gross of $62,000 is
reported by 20th Century-Fox for its
"Black Widow" in CinemaScope at
the Roxy Theatre here. The figure
was chalked up despite bad weather
on several days of the opening stanza,
the company pointed out.

NEW YORK 1HEAMS

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

Rockefeller Center '

BERLm s "WHITE CHRISTMAS" ;

in VistaVision starring <

BING CROSBY - DANNY KAYE '
ROSEMARY CLOONEY - VERA ELLEN
Color by Technicolor - A Paramount Picture ,
and SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION .

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke,
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, Fl 6-3074. Washington. J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post ofEce at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

Friday, November 5, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Drive-ins 'Trust' Suits

(Continued from page 1)

CoL Finance

(Continued from page 1)

were criticized by exhibitors here.
Some exhibitors even had threatened
to boycott Cohimbia product.

B. B. Wilby of Atlanta said that
Cokimbia still would have control of
releases and that it could vvithold one
of its own pictures to make an inde-
pendent picture available. He said that
unless Columbia increased the product
availability through its financing plan,
not much could be gained.

Alfred Starr of Nashville described
the announcement as being "wonderful
if true."

Points to 'Backlogs'

Ed Zorn of the Illinois TOA unit
pointed out that the release would still
be in Columbia's hands, adding that
some companies have big backlogs but
are holding back on release. The ex-
hibitors want those pictures on the
market, he said.

Other comments, however, were more
favorable. Typical were the following:

E. D. Martin, newly elected presi-
dent of TOA : "This is the best news
I've heard in a long time."

Sam Pinanski of Boston : "I'm
happy to see Columbia break the ice.
I compliment any company that rec-
ognizes the plight of the exhibitor in
a short market. I know of no source
of supply that is better than that con-
ducted by an existing company. I hope
all other companies will follow Co-
lumbia's lead and make more pictures
because more pictures will help ex-
hibition, with prosperity for all."
• R. J. O'Donnell, Dallas : "The news
from Columbia is exciting and en-
couraging. If Columbia doesn't curtail
its own program, I wish it success in
the venture. I extend my hand of fel-
lowship to the company."

Reade Enthusiastic

Walter Reade, Jr., retiring TOA
president : "It's wonderful news."

Mitchell Wolfson, Miami: "Colum-
bia's announcement, if carried through,
will solve many of the industry's prob-
lems. It certainly is a step in the
right direction. I congratulate Colum-
bia for its forward-looking move."

Emanuel Frisch, president of the
Metropolitan Motion Picture Theatre
Association of New York: "All ex-
hibitors will be happy to hear the
news. I hope there will be a lot of new
pictures and that all of them will be
good."

In New York, exhibitors also
expressed enthusiasm about Harry
Cohn's announcement. Typical com-
ments were :

Leonard H. Goldenson, president
of American Broadcasting-Paramount
Theatres : "I am delighted to see Co-
lumbia approaching the shortage of
product progressively."

Eugene Picker, vice-president of
Loew's Theatres : "We could always
use good, top-flight product at all
times."

Wilbur Snaper, president of New
Jersey Allied: "We welcome addi-
tional films from all sources."

Myerberg in London

LONDON, Nov. 4. — Michael
Myerberg, producer of "Hansel and
Gretel," has arrived here for three to
four weeks of conferences with RKO
foreign executives on the distribution
of his Technicolor feature. Following
meetings here with Robert S. Wolff,
RKO's managing director for the
United Kingdom, Myerberg will go
to France, Germany and Italy.

resented by the law firm of Malkan
& Ellner, also listed 44 co-conspira-
tors, including the Motion Picture As-
sociation of America, in their com-
plaints.

Among the defendants in the suits
are Warner Brothers, Stanley Warner
Corp., RKO Pictures Corp., RKO
Theatres Corp., 2(Xh Century-Fox
Film Corp., Universal Pictures Co.,
Inc., American Broadcasting- Para-
mount Theatres, Inc., Loew's, Inc.,
Paramount Pictures, Altoona Publix
Theatres, Inc., Penn Paramount Corp.,
Comerford Theatres, Inc., United Art-
ists Corp., United Artists Theatre
Circuit, Inc., Harris Amusement Com-
panies, Jamestown Amusement Co.,
Inc., National Theatres, Inc., Wesco
Theatres Corp., Columbia Pictures
Corp., Allied Artists Pictures Corp.,
Monogram Pictures, Inc. and Repub-
lic Pictures Corp.

Co-Conspirators Listed

The co-conspirators, which the
drive-ins claim acted in concert with
the defendants, are : Arizona Para-
mount Corp., B & K Management
Corp., Balaban & Katz Corp., Wil-
liam Berinstein Theatres, Buffalo
Paramount Corp., Fanchon & Marco,
Inc., Fanchon & Marco Service Corp.,
Florida State Theatres, Inc., Inter-
mountain Theatres, Inc., Interstate
Circuit, Inc. and Texas Consolidated
Theatres, Inc., Jefferson Amusement
Co. and East Texas Theatres, Inc.,
Kallet Theatres, Inc., Maine & New
Hampshire Theatres Co., Malco The-
atres, Minnesota Amusement Co.,
Monroe Amusement Co., New Eng-
land Theatres, Inc., Northio Theatres
Corp., Paramount Enterprises, Inc.,
Paramount Gulf Theatres, Inc., Para-
mount Pictures Theatre Corp., Publix
Bamford Theatres, Inc., Publix Great
States Theatres, Inc., Tenarken Para-
mount Corp., Tri-State Theatre Corp.,
United Detroit Theatres Co., Wilby
Kincey Service Corp., Evergreen
State Amusement Corp., Fox Inter-
Mountain Theatres, Inc., Fox Mid-
west Theatres, Inc., Fox West Coast
Theatres Corp., Fox Wisconsin The-
atres, Inc., Fabian Theatres, United
California Theatres, Inc., Poli New
England Theatres, Inc., RKO Mid-
west Corp., RKO Proctor Corp.,
RKO Orpheum Corp., Skouras Thea-

Para. Profit

(Continued from page 1)

89 cents per share on the 2,256,158
shares then outstanding.

Consolidated earnings for the nine
months ended Oct. 2, 1954 after taxes
are estimated at $6,390,000. These
earnings include net profit on sale and
adjustment of investments in subsid-
iary and affiliated companies of ap-
proximately $832,000, after deducting
applicable income taxes. These earn-
ings, including such net profit on sales
of investments represent $2.89 per
share and, excluding such net profit,
$2.52 per share, the company reported.

Consolidated earnings for the first
nine months of 1953 were estimated at
$4,996,000 and represented $2.21 per
share. .

Para. Votes 50' Cents

The board of directors of Para-
mount Pictures yesterday voted a
quarterly dividend of 50 cents per
share on the common stock, payable
Dec. 14, to holders of record Nov. 29.

tres Corp., Metropolitan Playhouses,
Inc., Randforce Amusement Corp.,
Brandt Theatres, Schine Circuit, Inc.,
and the MPAA (formerly the Motion
Picture Producers and Distributors of
America, Inc.).

The three plaintiffs claim discrim-
ination and unreasonable restraint by
the defendants and others acting in
concert with them. Some of the ex-
hibitors and a trade association are
not named as defendants because they
are not subject to service of _ the
process in this suit, attorneys said.

The drive-ins state in their com-
plaints that the "Big Five" producer-
distributor defendants controlled, mo-
nopolized and arrogated to themselves,
directly and through subsidiaries,
affiliated and jointly owned companies,
the cream of the motion picture ex-
hibition business ; that is, first run
and other early exhibition of feature
films. The other defendants acquiesced,
the complaint charges.

In furtherance of the alleged con-
spiracy, the defendants have discrim-
inated against local independent ex-
hibitors, including drive-ins such as
the South Park, Community and Bell
Dell, in many respects, such as runs
and clearances, film rentals, main-
tenance of minimum admission prices,
and in unreasonably withholding prints
from independent exhibitors after
availability by false claims that all
prints were previously booked, it is
charged.

Restriction Charged

Arnold Malkan, attorney for the
outdoor houses, charged that the "de-
fendants skimmed the cream of the
exhibition business, which consists of
first-run and other early showings.
At first, they refused to license prod-
uct to independent drive-ins on any
terms but later on restricted pictures
and delayed runs on product which
were given to the outdoor houses,"
he contended.

The South Park Drive-In seeks a
judgment of $2,225,000 together with
interest. The Blue Dell Drive-In and
the Community Drive-In each seek
judgments of $1,275,000. It is be-
lieved that the complaints are among
the first to list damages to conces-
sions as well as the theatre, Malkan
said.

Usiion City House

( Continued from page 1)

deprived of first and subsequent run
product because of an alleged con-
spiracy among the defendants. Others
included in the suit are Republic, and
subsidiaries of Loew's, Stanley War-
ner and RKO Theatres.

Ehrlich Elected D.C.
Tent Chief Barker

WASHINGTON. Nov 4. — Alvin
Q. Ehrlich, vice-president of Kal,
Ehrlich and Merrick Advertising, Inc.,
was elected chief barker of the Wash-
ington Variety Club Tent 11 for the
year starting in January.

Phil Isaacs, Paramount Pictures
branch manager, was elected first as-
sistant chief barker and Loew's East-
ern division manager Orville Crouch
was elected second assistant chief
barker.

Other officers elected for the com-
ing year were : Frank Boucher, prop-

People

Louis Lober, general manager of
the foreign department of United
.A.rtists, marks two milestones this
week. Lober rounds out 25 years in
the industry and simultaneously
celebrates his 25th wedding anni-
versary.

Bill Fincher is the new owner of
the Bay Mountain Drive-In at
Kingsport, Tenn. Fincher was for-
merly a theatre owner in Chatta-
nooga.

William R. Kelley of WDTV
was elected commander of the Pitts-
burgh American Legion Variety
Post 589 at a testimonial luncheon
in the Variety Club honoring out-
going commander B. N. Rosenberg.
Donald ^y. Chaban, 1st vice-com-
mander; Paul Krumenacker, 2nd
vice-commander; James Gallagher,
finance officer; C. C. Kellenberg of
20th Century-Fox, adjutant; Morris
Berman, "Sun-Telegraph" photog-
rapher, service officer, and the Rev.
James S. Garahan, chaplain, were
also installed at the testimonial.

Robert Wile, secretary of the In-
dependent Theatre Owners of Ohio,
will make a number of speeches to
the Junior Chamber of Commerce
of that state starting in November
and ending in June.

Mrs. Norma Jacobson, daughter
of Si H. Fabian, president of Stan-
ley Warner, is serving as director of
public service for the Albany UHF
station, WTRI. Fabian is a di-
rector of the operating company,
Van Curler Broadcasting.

Jack Boddam of National Thea-
tres head office in Toronto has been
appointed manager of the circuit's
latest art theatre, the Towne
Cinema at Ottawa, replacing Ron-
ald Wedgewood, who resigned to
become manager of the Rialto, an
independent house in the Canadian
capitol.

John Davis of London, chief ex-
ecutive of the J. Arthur Rank Or-
ganization, is expected to visit
Toronto at the time of the Canadian
industry convention during the
week of Nov. 22.

Vincent Kelly, owner of the Em-
press Theatre, Kemptville, Ont.,
was honored in a special ceremony
in Toronto of the Knights of Co-
lumbus for his long service in be-
half of the organization.

erty manager; Sam Galanty, dough
guy ; and Morton Gerber, convention
delegate. Elected to the new board of
governors were J. E. Fontaine, Mar-
vin Goldman, Nathan D. Golden, Sam
Wheeler, Hirsh De La Viez, George
M. Crouch, and Messrs. Ehrlich, Gal-
anty, Boucher, Isaacs and Orville
Crouch,

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Motion Picture Daily

Friday, November 5, 1954

Convention

{Continued from page 1)

will be left to the trustees, it
was said.

No action was taken by the board
on James R. Grainger's proposal for
TOA leaders to meet with him and
C. J. Tevlin, RKO studio head, on a
possible co-production project after
Jan. 1. Grainger's invitation by tele-
gram was sent to E. D. Martin, newly
elected TOA president, who said that
he had not replied to Grainger as yet,
but when he does, he will state that
the finance company must be organized
officially before such a conference
could be held.

No One 'Ruled Out'

Reade pointed out at a post-board
meeting press conference that "any
constructive thought on increasing"
production would be well received by
TOA." He added that "we are not
ruling out anybody." This statement
was made in answer to a query as to
whether the new finance company's
product would be released through an
established distributor.

The board did not make any
formal statement on Columbia's
announced plan to allot $10,-
000,000 to finance independent
product to be released by Co-
lumbia. The directors individu-
ally expressed gratification of
the announcement.

Although several hundred pledges to
subscribe to the finance company, on
the basis of an amount equal to a
week's film rental, have been received,
no complete tabulation can be made
immediately. It was pointed out that
many delegates must return to their
homes and confer with partners and
affiliates before they can commit them-
selves. However, Reade said that sub-
scriptions "were coming in hourly."

^Grievance Director'
Still Not Set by TOA

By Staff Correspondent

CHICAGO, Nov. 4. — No action
was taken by the Theatre Owners of
America board in the selection of a
co-ordinator or a "film grievance di-
rector," which will be his title. It
was pointed out that TOA is still
looking for the right man, but as yet
he has not been found.

'President's BanqueV
Draws Film Stars

CHICAGO, Nov. 4. — Approxi-
mately 1,100 persons attended the
president's banquet which completed
the 1954 Theatre Owners of America
convention here tonight. Robert J.
O'Donnell was toastmaster. Among
the stars present were Danny Kaye,
Vera-Ellen, Robert Francis, Elaine
Stewart, May Wynn, Rock Hudson
and others.

Registration for
TOA Meet 1,040

CHICAGO, Nov. 4.— Exhibitor
registration for the Theatre
Owners of America convention
which ended here tonight to-
talled 1,040, the convention com-
mittee reported.

Overseas Engineers
Of Westrex in N.Y.

Recording managers from overseas
subsidiary- companies of W estre.x Corp.
are now in New York attending a
conference on new recording equip-
ment and techniques. Among those
attending are representatives from
Australia, England, France and Japan.
The conference has been convened by
R. O. Strock, Westrex connnercial
recording engineer.

The program includes visits to stu-
dios in this area and next week all
conferees will go to Hollywood to
visit studios and inspect the Westrex
Hollywood division and laboratories.

Those in attendance include J. Y.
Abe, director and assistant manager,
and K. Kagara, recording engineer
of the Westrex Company, Orient,
Tokyo; J. A. Todd, recording man-
ager of the Westrex Company, Ltd.,
London ; W. E. Kollmyer, manager of
Westrex Australia Pty., Ltd., Syd-
ney ; R. Senechal, head of recording
department of the Westrex Company,
France-Belgium, Paris ; and R. W.
Wight, manager of Westrex Corpo-
ration's Hollywood division.

Johnston, President
Will Confer Today

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4.— Motic n
Picture Association president Eric A.
Johnston will call at the White House
tomorrow to invite President Eisen-
hower to attend an international trade
conference in New Orleans in Feb-
ruary. The conference is designed to
stimulate investment and trade in
Latin American countries.

Johnston goes to the White House
in his capacity as chairman of the
President's International Development
Advisory Board. He will be accom-
panied by C. D. Jackson, former
White House psychological warfare
aide.

RCA Pacts Smith

CAMDEN, N. J., Nov. 4.— The
Phil Smith Management Corp. of Bos-
ton, one of the largest chains of out-
door theatres, has contracted for in-"
stallation of RCA wide-arc screen
lamps in 14 drive-ins located in eiaht
states, it was announced by the En-
ginet ing products division, of Radio
Corp of America.

Cathedral Memorial
To Skouras by TOA

CHICAGO, Nov. 4. — Theatre
Owners of America will furnish
a Sunday School room in the
St. Sophia Cathedral in Los
Angeles as a memorial to the
late Charles P. Skouras. This
was voted today by the board
of directors at its final conven-
tion session. In a formal trib-
ute to Skouras, who was hon-
orary board chairman, and which
will be forwarded to his family,
TOA said:

"The directors and members
of TOA are united in their grief
in the passing of Charles P.
Skouras, a great American fig-
ure in the history and develop-
ment of the industry, distin-
guished in his many honors, in
his unimpeachable integrity and
in the many manifestations of
his charitable spirit, but most
of all in his unfailing fearless
courage displayed throughout
his life."

Assoc. News Plans
3-Day ^Workshops'

MONTREAL, Nov. 4.— Associated
Screen News, Ltd., will hold a three-
day motion picture and television
workshop here on Dec. 6-8 for the
benefit of companies interested in the
production of films for these fields, it
was announced by William J. Single-
ton, general manager.

Outstanding motion picture and
television authorities from Canada and
the U.S. will speak at the three-day
clinic which will be held at the As-
sociated Screen News studios.

Dr. A. W. Trueman, the National
Film Board commissioner, will be the
first speaker at the opening session of
the workshop on Dec. 6, speaking for
the film industry. The second day's
session will be opened by A. Davidson
Dunton, chairman of the Canadian
Broadcasting Corp., representing the
Canadian television industry. E. Fitz-
gibbons of Famous Players Corp. will
be the principal speaker during the
third day of the clinic speaking on
the operation of private television sta-
tions.

Rhoden

{Continued from page 1)

to membership on the 10-man direc-
torate of the organization. No other
executive changes were announced.

I{lmer C. Rhoden, for more than
three decades a prominent figure in
the industry, was born in Le Mars, la.,
Educated at Omaha and Nebraska
universities, he entered the industry
with General Film, of On"iaha, in 1912.

Following service in World War I,
Rhoden joined the sales force of First
National, Omaha, later becoming
branch manager in Kansas City. En-
tering exhibition in the late 20's, he
formed Midwest Theatre Co., which
was subsequently sold to Fox West
Coast Theatres, by which organization
he was retained as division manager
under Skouras operation, later being
named president of Fox Midwest The-
atres, Inc., and director and vice-presi-
dent of National Theatres.

Rhoden long has been active in the
Red Cross, March of Dimes, and the
cancer, heart and community chest
drives. He is a director of the Motion
Picture Association of Kansas City.

Casting Problem

{Continued from page 1)

public into a theatre are usually com-
mitted to a film well in advance, caus-
ing a serious casting problem to pro-
ducers, Powell said at a trade press
luncheon-conference at Sardi's Res-
taurant here yesterday.

Powell, actor, director and now
producer of top-budget films, stated
that while "The Conqueror" cost
about $6,000,000 to produce, he would
like to travel about the various dis-
tribution territories in advance of the
film's bookings to help exploit it so
that his production could realize an
eventual gross of $10,000,000. "We
vi'ould break even on the picture in
that way," he said.

The success of the picture will de-
termine his future as a producer,
Powell said. The former actor said
that Howard Hughes had approached
him about becoming head of RKO
production, but "I felt I did not have
enough experience for the job."

"The Conqueror" will be released
first in CinemaScope and a short
time afterwards, it is expected, Powell
said, a number of SuperScope prints
will be made for exhibitors not
equipped with CinemaScope.

Powell, whose future plans are in
the dark except for some television
work, said that he is working on a
Western, "The Long Wire," and that
he is seeking some stage or book prop-
erties for the future.

TOA DIRECTORS IMPLEMENT PLAN
TO SEEK DECREE MODIFICATION

By Staff Correspondent

CHICAGO, Nov. 4. — As had been expected, the Theatre Owners of
America directorate today confirmed its intention to seek a modification
of the consent decrees. It was voted that the directors communicate to
the Department of Justice a request
from the membership and the board
that the former theatre affiliates of the
defendants in the U. S. vs. Paramount
case be permitted to produce and dis-
tribute motion pictures "with the ex-
plicit understanding that all existing
safeguards against monopolistic con-
trol shall continue to be rigidly en-
forced."

This move, it was said, was initiated
so that the product flow can be in-
creased and was recommended early
in the TOA convention, which closed
here tonight, by Alfred Starr of
Nashville.

The decision to make the request

government assistance. No action was
taken on the invitation by Ben Mar-
cus, Allied president, to TOA for the
latter's support in AUied's proposal
for government regulation via the
Federal Trade Commission. However,
Walter Reade, retiring president, was
asked by the board to write to Marcus
and suggest that a joint committee of
Allied and TOA members meet at
Allied's earliest convenience to discuss
the thoughts expressed in Marcus'
letter.

While indications were that TOA
would work closely with Allied on
many industry affairs, there has been
to the Justice Department was the [ no hint or a suggestion of a merger
only action taken by the board for ' of the two associations.

Winter Board Meet
Of TOA in Capital

CHICAGO, Nov. 4.— The mid-
winter board meeting of Thea-
tre Owners of America will be
held in Washington early in
February, the directors decided
here today. Although no selec-
tion has been made of a con-
vention city for 1955, Los An-
geles appears to be favored.

Directors pointed out that
Los Angeles would be prefer-
able because they then could be
close to production, which
would be in line with TOA's
push for more product.

J/((/l/l(f/

Motion Picture Pioneers

RESERVATIONS ARE
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MOTION PICTURE

DAILY

Concise
An
Tot

Point

VOL. 76. NO. 89

NEW YORK, U. S. A., MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1954

TEN CENTS

TESMA's Plan

Allied Cool
To '55 Joint
Meeting Idea

But Indications Are
Board Would Decide

Questioning of Allied States leaders
at the weekend revealed little enthu-
siasm for the suggestion of an_ all-
industry convention of both national
exhibitor organizations with Theatre
Equipment and Supplj' Manufacturers
Ass'n., Theatre Equipment Dealers
Ass'n. and the International Popcorn
Association.

The suggestion, made by TESMA
during the Theatre Owners of Amer-
ica convention in Chicago last week,
was that a huge trade show run for
a week with an Allied national con-
vention during the first three days
(Continued on page 4)

Good Foreign Films
Scarce, Mayer Says

There is a great scarcity of good
foreign language product in the United
States as foreign producers, in seeking
an export mar-
ket, have been
imitating Holly-
wood produc-
tion m et h o d s
and disregard-
ing the local
flavor, Arthur
L. Mayer, in-
dependent for-
eign picture dis-
tributor, said
in an interview
here.

Foreign prod-
uct, which has
been produced
with quality, flavor and appeal, has
(Continued on page 4)

SPG Members Feel
Toll-TV Future
Great: Blaustein

By LESTER DINOFF

About 85 per cent of the Screen
Producers Guild membership presently
feel that subscriber television has
"enormous future possibilities," Julian
Blaustein, producer of 20th Century-
Fox CinemaScope productions "De-
siree" and "The Racers" said here at
the weekend.

"The superficial judgment of pro-
ducers to whom I have spoken, a few
of whom being better informed about
the subject than I, feel that subscrip-
tion television offers unlimited film
grosses," Blaustein stated in a trade
press conference at the Hotel Plaza
here on Friday.

Estimates of film returns on sub-
scriber television have ranged from a
"paltry $10,000,000 to a high of $100,-
(Contimicd on page 6)

No TV 'Down Under';
License Phonevision

CHICAGO, Nov. 7.— Subscrip-
tion television utilizing Zenith's
Phonevision systems has been
licensed to the Rola Co., Mel-
bourne, Australia, Zenith an-
nounced.

There is no TV in Australia
or New Zealand yet. However,
the Zenith announcement said
that Rola will seek govern-
mental and industry "support"
for Phonevision at once.

Plan Progresses

Pinanski Head
Of TOA Move
For Product

Illinois Allied Backs
Fight Vs. Pay TV

CHICAGO, Nov. 7.— The board of
directors of Illinois Allied Theatre
Owners at a meeting here voted a
welcome to the formation of the
Joint Exhibitors' Committee on Toll
TV and recommended that Illinois
Allied give its full support to the
fulfillment of the Committee's objec-
tives.

The board also approved a 24th an-
niversary celebration for Illinois Allied
(Continued on page 6)

Montague Accepts
Illinois Allied Bid

CHICAGO, Nov. 7.— Abe Monta-
gue, Columbia vice-president in charge
of sales, has accepted an invitation
to address an
Illinois Allied
members hip
meeting and
open forum at
the Blackstone
Hotel here
Nov. 17.

Montague
had been invited
to address na-
tional Allied's
annual conven-
tion in Milwau-
kee last month
but was unable
to attend. His
absence stirred considerable criticism
among convention delegates inasmuch
(Continued on page 6)

Convention Delegates
Sell Plan Regionally

Abe Montague

Seeks to Back Producers

Arthur Mayer

Pioneers' Dinner
Committee Named

The dinner committee for the 16th
annual showmanship dinner of the
Motion Picture Pioneers, honoring Si
H. Fabian and to be held at the Shera-
ton Astor Hotel here Nov. 17, was
announced on Friday. Herman Rob-
bins, general chairman for the affair,
heads the dinner committee also. The
following are committee members :

J. W. Alicoate, Richard W. Alt-
{Continued on page 2)

Rhoden^ Taking NT Post^
Sees a 'Brilliant Future '

By WILLIAM R. WEAVER

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 7. — Elmer C. Rhoden, newly-elected president
of National Theatres, Inc., on Friday declared that he sees a brilliant
future for the
motion picture
exhibitor, with
possibly a
smaller number
of theatres but
with a larger
revenue result-
ing from the
improved qual-
ity of product.

Rhoden said
that the Na-
tional Theatres
proposal to the
U. S. Depart-
ment of Justice

that it permit a theatre circuit to in-

Elmer Rhoden

vest money in production contemplates
the giving of aid in the financing of
important independent pictures with
the purpose of expanding and enrich-
ing the flow of product. He added
that he does not fear toll-TV as a
potential competitor, because he doubts
that it will be a success. He disclosed
that General Electric has a new Eido-
phor prototype that it plans to demon-
strate within 10 days and he expressed
great confidence in the potential value
of the new development.

National Theatres, which now owns
no drive-ins, will maintain a flexible
policy with regard to the acquisition
(Continued on page 2)

By AL STEEN

Sam Pinanski of Boston has been
named chairman of the trustee group
which will set up the mechanics for
the film financing company which
was initiated at the Theatre Owners
of America convention in Chicago
last week.

The fifth man for the board of
trustees will be announced this week.
The others are L. S. Hamm, Pinan-
ski, John Rowley and Myron Blank.
Pinanski is a member of the board of
the John Hancock Insurance Co. and
the First National Bank of Boston,
both of which have been active in film
industry finance. Pinanski plans to
hold the first meeting of the trustees
(Continued on page 4)

Makelim Caustic on
Col. Financing Plan

By Staff Correspondent

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 7.— Hal R.
Makelim, president of the Makelim
organizaton, discussing Columbia Pic-
tures plan to allocate $10,000,000 for
the financing of independent produc-
tion, told Motion Picture Daily :

"There is nothing new in Columbia's
sudden burst of generosity except the
announced size of the bankroll. There
has been an awful lot of talk by ex-
hibitor organizations, the majors and
everybody else about putting up money
for independent production. It makes
good headlines but where is the mon-
ey? It's an old old story born no
(Continued on page 6)

New Copyright Pact
Signed by President

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7. — The
Universal Copyright Convention,
drawn up for the protection of authors,
composers and owners of literary
works, was signed here Friday by
President Eisenhower. The United
States is the eighth nation to have
ratified the convention, although 40
countries have indicated their inten-
tion of joining.

The House and Senate must now
pass legislation to implement the
convaition.

Motion Picture daily

Monday, November 8, 1954

Personal
Mention

T R. GRAINGER, president of
• RKO Radio Pictures, who ar-
rived in New York from Chicago last
week, will remain here for two weeks
before returning to the Coast.

Edward L. Hyman, vice-president
of American Broadcasting- Paramount
Theatres, and Bernard Levy, his as-
sistant, will arrive in Minneapolis to-
day from New York.

•

DoRE ScHARY, M-G-M vice-presi-
dent in charge of production, left here
yesterday bv train for the Coast.
•

Margaret Ettinger, publicist, re-
turned to Hollywood from New York
on Friday by American Airliner.

Fanny Hoi-tzman, film • attorney,
left here Saturday for London by
B.O.A.C. Mayflower.

Irving Berlin is due in New York
today from London.

Howard Keel arrived here Friday
from London via B.O.A.C. Monarch.

Pioneers Dinner

{Continued from page 1)

schuler, Robert Benjamin, Harry
Brandt, Sam Dembow, Jr., Ned De-
pinet, Jay Emanuel, William C. Geh-
ring, William J. German, Abel Green,
Benjamin Kalmenson, Harry M. Kal-
mine, Marvin Kirsch, Mrs. Chick
Lewis.

Also, Edward Morey, John J. O'-
Connor, Eugene D. Picker, Martin
Quigley, Charles M. Reagan, Sam
Rinzler, Samuel Rosen, Alfred W.
Schwalberg, Sol A. Schwartz, Ben
Shlyen, Morton Sunshine, Harry J.
Takifif, Joseph R. Vogel, Edward L.
Walton, Mo Wax.

The entertainment program for the
affair, which will present personalities
of the show world in a "Cavalcade
of Show Business" based on the career
of Fabian, is being prepared and
staged under the direction of the en-
tertainment chairman. Sunshine.

Publicity on behalf of the dinner is
under the supervision of Hal Danson,
chairman.

Rhoden Discusses NT Policy

'Theodora' to Open
In 20 Texas Cities

"Theodora, Slave Empress," IFE's
Afnerican-ianguage Pathecolbr film,
will salute the State of Texas with a
20-city saturation premiere starting
Dec. 2, according to Bernard Jacon,
I.F.E. Releasing Corp. vice-president
in charge of sales.

Some of the cities and theatres in-
volved in the Texas premiere include :
Interstate's State Theatre, El Paso;
State, Galveston ; Texas, San An-
tonio ; Kirby, Houston ; and Palace,
Forth Worth. Trans Texas Circuit's
Rialto, Dallas ; Capitol, Amarillo ;
Majestic, Abilene; State, Dennison ;
Main, Paris ; Strand, Wichita Falls ;
Queen, Austin ; Ideal, Corsicana ; and
Texas, Denton.

(Continued from page 1)

or building of any such theatres in
the future, said Rhoden. He revealed
that the circuit has spent $5,000,000
in the past year on equipment to keep
pace with technical developments, and
added that he expects more such tech-
nical progress in the future.

Regarding executive personnel of
the circuit, Rhoden said that John B.
Bertero, vice-president of National
Theatres, is his choice for the presi-
dency of Fox West Coast Theatres,
Inc., and that Frank H. Ricketson,
president of Fox Intermountain Thea-

tres and vice-president of National
Theatres, will be given charge of the
circuit's Eastern houses, including the
New York Roxy.

In answer to series of questions,
Rhoden covered many facets of his
opinions and policies, during which
he pointed out that National Theatres'
first objective is to complete the di-
vestment of theatres required under
the consent decree, after which cir-
cuit expansion will proceed. National
Theatres, he said, still has 12 houses
to dispose of under the decree.

Md. Censorship Up
At Public Hearing

special to THE DAILY

BALTIMORE, Nov. 7.— Represen-
tatives of 29 organizations comprising
the Catholic Committee for Decency
will attend a public meeting here set
for Tuesday night by the special com-
mittee of the Legislative Council stu-
dying the question of motion picture
censorship in Maryland.

The meeting to which all persons
interested in the censorship problem
have been invited, is to be held in the
City Council chambers.

James J. Curran, chairman of the
Knights of Columbus Catholic Action
Committee, has notified John T.
Bauernschub, chairman of the Com-
mitee of Decency, that he will present
the stand of his organization.

The Catholic Committee of .Decency
was organized a year ago following
a protest meeting attended by more
than 100 representatives of Catholic
organizations which resented the secu-
lar assault on the validity of the state
motion picture censor law. Outcome
of the organizational meeting was a
resolution to take strenuous measures
to insure continued control of ob-
jectionable films scheduled for exhibi-
tion in all parts of the state.

Ontario Exhibitors
Fight Ticket Tax

TORONTO, _ Nov. _ 7.— Plans to
combat the provincial ticket tax were
drawn up here at a meeting of the
Ontario exhibitors committee for ad-
mission tax relief. The plan is to seek
a substantial cut in the provincial
ticket levy and total exemption of
low-priced adult admissions as a help
to smaller theatres.

The joint committee represents two
associations with seven members from
each. The co-chairmen are Lionel
Lester, Studio Theatre, Toronto, for
the Motion Picture Theatres Associa-
tion of Ontario, and Ben Freedman,
Royal Theatre, Long Branch, for Al-
lied Theatres of Ontario. The secre-
tary is Arch H. Jolley.

TNT Signs RCA

Appointment ot the RCA Service
Co. to supervise installation and ren-
der service for the 50 specially engi-
neered hotel closed-circuit television
projection units of Theatre Network
Television, Inc. has been announced.

Johnston to Near
East in January

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7.— Motion
Picture Association's Eric Johnston
said he will have to go back to the
Near East in January as the Presi-
dent's personal envoy to get Arab-
Israel agreement on developing the
Jordan Valley.

Johnston made the statement Friday
after a visit to the White House
where, as chairman of the President's
International Development Advisory
Board, he invited Mr. Eisenhower to
attend a trade conference in New Or-
leans late in February. The MPAA
official leaves here Tuesday afternoon
for a month's trip to the Far East on
motion picture matters. He'll visit
Australia, the Philippines and Japan,
and will return around Dec. 6.

32 Theatres Signed
For TNT-Opera Show

Thirty-two Coast-to-Coast theatres
will carry tonight's large screen,
closed-circuit telecast of the Metro-
politan Opera's opening night per-
formance via Theatre Network Tele-
vision facilities, Nathan L. Halpern,
TNT president, said.

Set Northwest Meet

SEATTLE, Nov. 7.— Annual meet-
ing of the Theatre Owners of Wash-
ington, Northern Idaho and Alaska
will be held at the New Washington
Hotel here on Nov. 16. Highlight of
the meeting will be a discussion of
the forthcoming legislative session.

Hurricane Relief

TORONTO, Nov. 7.— A check of
the returns from benefit shows for
the Ontario Hurricane Relief Funxl
in 18 neighborhood theatres here, all
affiliated with Allied Exhibitors of
Ontario, showed total proceeds of
$5,275 with all expenses absorbed by
theatre owners and staffs. No admis-
sion charge was made but a silver
collection was taken up.

Lapkin Buys Stock

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7. — Na-
thaniel Lapkin, vice-president for the
Stanley Warner Corp., directly pur-
chased 11,241 shares of common stock
in the corporation, the Security and
Exchange Commission reported.

News
Roundup

'Camera' Starts Nov. 15

"I Am a Camera," to be released
by Distributors Corp. of America,
will go into production Nov. 15 in
London. Julie Harris, Shelley Win-
ters and Laurence Harvey are starred.

Three F-W Units to Cinema

Cinema, Inc., of Milwaukee has
taken over from Fox-Wisconsin the
operation of three houses in that city,
the Downer, Sherman and Varsity.
Cinema also operates the Fox Bay, at
Whitefish Bay, Wis.

Columbia, Music Firm Sign

Columbia Pictures has entered into
a partnership with Shapiro-Bernstein,
music publishing organization, to pub-
lish and exploit all music from forth-
coming Columbia filrns in all media.
The new company will be known as
Columbia Pictures Music Corp., head-
ed by Jonie Taps, who was associated
with S-B for 15 years before joining
Columbia.

Schultz's Take Three More

Nate and Sam Schultz, of the
Selected Theatres circuit, Cleveland,
have taken over the Lima, Gloria and
Sharon drive-ins, all located in Lima,
Ohio, from Horace Shock.

Debuts 'Christmas,' Screen

The Riverside Theatre, Milwaukee,
will open its run of "White Christ-
mas" on Nov. 17, presenting at the
same time its new seamless screen,
40 feet wide and said to be ideal for
VistaVision.

Eight Films Started,
Five Are Completed

HOLLYWOOD, Nov._ 7. — Eight
pictures went into production and five
were completed, for a total of 39 pic-
tures in work.

Started were : "Rider of the Ruby
Hills," (Allied Artists) ; "Creature
with the Atom Brain," Clover Prods.
(Columbia) ; "Bride of the Atom,"
Catacomb Pic. and "Marty," Hecht-
Lancaster Prods. (Independent); "Top
of the World," Landmark Prods.
(United Artists) ; "Abbott and Cos-
tello in the Mummy," "Cult of the
Cobra," and "Third Girl from the
Right," Technicolor (Universal-Inter-
national).

Completed were : "Air Strike," Cy
Roth (Lippert) ; "Boulevard in Paris,"
CinemaScope, Technicolor (Metro-
Goldwyn-Mayer) ; "Santa Fe Pas-
sage," Truecolor (Republic) ; "The
Kentuckian," Hecht-Lancaster Prods.,
CinemaScope, Technicolor (United
Artists) ; "Target Zero," (Warner
Bros.) .

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen. News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke.
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca- Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
secotid-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post ofEce at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

IeMILLE'S
MIGHTY
EA EPIC

TODAYS

BIG

GREENS!

CEQL B. DeMILLES

mxPTmmw mm

onorHyTlSCHNICOLOR

starring

JOHN WJffNE SUSM HJffWARD
RAT MILLAND • PJflJLETTE GODnARD

With RAYMOND MASSEY • ROBERT PRESTON • CHARLES BICKFORD • WALTER HAMPDEN • JANET BEECHER
Prdduced and Directed by CECIL B. DeMILLE • Screenplay by ALAN LeMAY, CHARLES BENNETT and JESSE LASKY, jR.
Based on a Saturday Evening Post Story by Thelma Strabel • A PARAMOUNT RE-RELEASE

Results are in from the first 25 key runs !
They've played to **Wind"- jammed houses . . . with
thousands of new patrons lining up to see John Wayne and Susan
Hayward in one of the all-time great DeMille attractions.
Date it now and reap a windfall of profit!

Motion Picture Daily

Monday, November 8, 1954

New High
in Speed and Luxury
fly United DC-Zs

NONSTOP TO
LOS ANGELES

Leave at 12 noon or 3 p.m.

There's a "red carpet" welcome awaiting you on United's
great, new 365 mph DC-7s — the nation's newest, fastest
airhner! Next trip, enjoy the utmost in comfort, luxury and
superb service including:

* Reserved seating convenience *

* Full-course meals served in flight *

* New and efficient soundproofing *
* Air-conditioned, pressurized cabins *

* Extra- fast luggage delivery on arrival *

Visit San Francisco on yoor way bock-
no extra fare on United I

UNITED AIR LINES

Call your nearest United ticket office
or an auttiorized travel agent.

Review

Drum Beat

( Jagiiar-Wanicr Brothers)

A FACTUAL incident out of the history of the West has been taken by
Alan Ladd and expanded into a handsome, king-sized CinemaScope out-
door saga which fills the screen with turbulent action and magnificent scenery.
Partially hiding the fact that "Drum Beat" is a standard drama about the
West, Ladd's first Jaguar production for Warner Brothers release has the
possibility of becoming the year's top money-making Western. It is a fine-
depiction of colorful characters and adventures.

The script, both written and directed by Delmer Daves, lacks a certain
measure of focus in its unfolding, but, despite this, holds the interest well.
Ladd, as a taciturn Indian fighter, on orders from the President tries to
make peace with renegade Indians through the good offices of two Modoc
tribesmen, pretty Marissa Pavan and her brother, Anthony Caruso. Support-
ing Ladd in his role as a peace commissioner are Audrey Dalton, who por-
trays a pretty Easterner ; Robert Keith, his sidekick, and Charles Bronson,
who portrays the renegade leader known as "Captain Jack."

Bronson, who acquired his title for his love of uniforms and medals, all
stolen, asks peace terms completely unacceptable to the whites. When one of
his aides is killed by a vengeful stage driver, Bronson goes on the warpath,
laying waste to the countryside. Ladd, who is forbidden by orders to fight him,
sends peace overtures. A meeting between both factions ends in wholesale
slaughter and only after the conference does permission come to bring in
the renegade dead or alive.

The CinemaScope photography of J. Peverell Marley and the WarnerColor
add immeasurably to the film's production values, as does the Victor Young
score, including a title song, "Drum Beat." Nice performances are also
turned in by Elisha Cooke, Jr., Isabel Jewell and Warner Anderson.

Running time, 111 minutes. General audience classification. Release, in
November.

Allied Cool

(Continued from page 1)

and TOA's convention during the
last, or vice versa.

TESMA expressed a preference for
Chicago as the place and the Conrad
Hilton Hotel, where it has met the
past two years in succession with
TOA, as the site.

Despite the fact that AUied's 1955
national convention already has been
scheduled for Chicago, but at the
Morrison Hotel, Allied leaders who
were questioned about the TESMA
proposal displayed no more than mild
interest. TOA, on the other hand, has
expressed a preference for Los An-
geles as its next year's convention city,
even after the TESMA proposal was
made.

Myers Cautious

Abram F. Myers, Allied's chairman
and general counsel, in Washington
said "Our board of directors would
have to consider this proposal, taking
into account the views and wishes of
Illinois Allied."

Other Allied officials said they had
been disappointed this year when
TESMA switched its convention and
trade show from Allied's convention
city, Milwaukee, to TOA's in Chicago
and said they doubted whether there
was any strong desire in Allied at
this time to work out similar plans
again.

They, too, added that the final deci-
sion should be up to Allied's board
after it had heard the wishes of Illi-
nois Allied, the host organization for
the 1955 convention.

Pinanski

{Continued from page 1)

at an early date. Meanwhile, he is
correlating all the data necessary for
the initial session.

The plan is open to all exhibitors,
whether TOA members or not.

Delegates to the convention from
each of the TOA units will call on the
members of their respective associa-
tions to subscribe to the plan. E. D.
Martin, newly elected president, and
general counsel Herman Levy, will
explain the setup to the St. Louis unit
next Sunday at a pre-convention board
meeting. This will be Martin's first
meeting with a TOA unit since his
election. He then will address TOA
unit members in Charlotte, Jackson-
ville, Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City
and Memphis during November. .

Good Foreign Films 1

(Continued from page 1) ^

Seek TV Licenses
For Montreal

OTTAWA, Nov. 7.— The Canadian
Association of Radio and Television
Broadcasters has called upon the Ca-
nadian government to license immedi-
ately private TV stations in Montreal.

Toronto, Ottawa, Halifax, Winnipeg
and Vancouver are presently serviced
exclusively by Canadian Broadcasting
Corp.

been given to the big distributmg
organizations leaving the small dis-
tributor with films that, in many cases,
are not commercially sound, he said.

A majority of the foreign producers
have been satisfied in securing the sec-
ond half of a double feature program
for their product, Mayer said. "By
making films that have all the local
flavor and quality, a film will appeal
to some art house audiences and even-
tually may play the circuits as the
top feature," he said.

English films have already received
warm welcomes in the U.S. but when
a foreign language film has to be
dubbed, the appeal and flavor is lost
in many cases, he said.

Producers of foreign language films,
in order to have some sort of an ex-
port market, must incorporate all the
local color, flavor and appeal in their
story and then a film may have a
chance in the U.S., he said. "Imitat-
ing American production methods does
not help them," Mayer said.

Mayer is scheduled to address the
Independent M. P. Distributors' As-
sociation of Ontario and the Canadian
Picture Pioneers in Toronto on Nov.
25, at the King Edward Hotel.

SHOWS

SHOWMANSHIP!

Sure it's the attraction that counts . . .
but the way you present it to your
public gives it that special sell !

Eye-catching, colorful DISPLAYS
... at the theatre and away-from-
theatre . . . FEATURE and SPECIAL

Motion Picture Daily

Monday, November 8, 1954

People

Otto Preminger, producer, will
leave Hollywood on Saturday for
New Delhi, India, where he will
discuss v\'ith Prime Minister Jawa-
harlal Nehru plans for bringing to
the screen "The Story of Mahatma
Ghandi."

Robert Lester, who resigned
some time ago as booker-buyer for
Fox- Wisconsin in Milwaukee, has
returned to the company in its real
estate department.

Chet Lavoir, of the Universal-
International Minneapolis exchange,
has been elected president of the
Minneapolis Colosseum of Motion
Picture Salesmen.

Jerry Safron, formerly of the
Milwaukee branch of Columbia Pic-
tures, has arrived in Cleveland to
take over his new duties as manager
of the local Columbia exchange in
that city, succeeding the late Oscar
Ruby.

Alexander M. Poniatoff, founder
and president of Ampex Corp., was
presented a 10-year service pin by
executives of the organization to
mark the 10th anniversary of the
company's founding.

SPG Members Like ToU TV

{Continued from page 1)

000,000," the 20th-Fox producer said.
Everyone, however, is anxiously await-
ing further developments in the medi-
um, he said.

Commenting on his latest produc
tions, "Desiree," which will open at
the Roxy Theatre here on Nov. 17,
and "The Racers," which is s?t for a
February release, Blaustein said that
both films, especially the latter, should
have tremendous appeal to European
audiences. In Francs, Napoleon is
considered as one of the greatest men
who has lived and the characteriza-
tion should have much interest there,
he said.

There should also be a tremendous

European reaction to "The Racers" as
automobile racing throughout Europe
is immensely popular, as baseball is
with Americans, Blaustein stated.

Questioned about other producers'
claims of casting problems and the
lack of box office names and shortages
in properties, Blaustein said that
"there is a large demand from the
public as well as the studios for new
faces. The top players are always tied
up and studios, in trying to get around
their casting problems, try to get com-
mitments from these box office names
well in advance. Also, there is no
abundance of fine properties at any
time," he said.

Montague

{Continued from page 1)

as Columbia's sales policies were un-
der fire. His appearance here will be
the second in a series — William Geh-
ring of 20th Century-Fox having at-
tended the first in September — at
which general sales managers are in-
vited to discuss their sales policies.

With most exhibitors here believing
their major problems to be caused by
shortage of product, the attitude to-
ward Columbia softened noticeably
last week with the company's an-
nouncement that it was appropriating
$10,000,000 to finance independent pro-
duction in addition to its own studio's
program.

If theyjoyed

f*0^* wait till

they see

FROM
REPUBLIC

Makelim

{Continued from page 1)

doubt in the enthusiasm of a few in-
dependent successes.

"It is significant that not until the
Makelim plan was announced, and
given a smashing endorsement by
many hundreds who signed strict play-
or-pay contracts for my entire pro-
gram of 12 pictures, did we hear any
of this sudden solicitation for the
struggling independent.

Recounts Past Financing

"Columbia has financed independent
productions for years, including such
great creators as Frank Capra, Bob
Riskin, John Ford and Leo McCarey,
who certainly were their own bosses.
These projects met with varying suc-
cess until Columbia, at long last, hit
the jackpot, and cashed in with 'The
Caine Mutiny' and 'On the Water-
front,' both independent creations.

"It is significant that Columbia
timed its announcement to 0|ffset the
news from Chicago that the TOA, in
convention assembled, had decided to
get into the production field."

(Continued from page 1)

at the Chez Paree here in December,
date to be announced later. It also
endorsed the 1954 Will Rogers Me-
morial Hospital Christmas Salute,
calling upon the entire membership to
give its complete cooperation.

Jack Kirsch, president, reported to
the meeting" that Illinois Allied had
raised $17,396 through Variety Club
audience collections in October for
LaRabida Jackson Park Sanitarium,
which exceeded last vear's collection
by more than $2,000.'

Aids Fresh Air Fund

HARTFORD, Nov. 7. — Variety
Club of Connecticut, Tent No. 31, has
given a check for $615, net proceeds
of a boxing show, to the New Haven
Evening Register-Family Service
Fresh Air Fund. The tent, chief barker
of which is Henry Germaine, Para-
mount, has conducted fight programs
in behalf of the Fresh Air Fund for
three seasons.

Gleason Band on Stage

Jackie Gleason's 52-piece "Music
For Lovers Only" orchestra will be
utilized on the Paramount Theatre
stage here when the Gleason TV ag-
gregation opens a two-week date on
Nov. 17. ■

TV and Hadia

in HDLLYWaOD

By SAMUEL D. BEmS

VIRGIL E. ELLSWORTH, Mer-
cury-International prexy and
"spot" production specialist, figures
close to 8 million $$ annually will be
reached this year in West Coast
billings to sponsors for the briefies.
Claims agencies now recognize Holly-
wood talent and production costs as
being "in line," with the added com-
fort of quality. . . . Those hot kinnies
on Don McNeil's Breakfast Club
make good morning viewing from
Seattle to San Diego. . . . Walt Dis-
ney's Wednesday niters should spark
kiddie pilgrimages to his 9 million
$$ worth of amusement park. Wonder
if he'll have an ABC-Saw in Disney-
land. . '. . Hallowe'en was Vampira's
night to howl. This wierdo needs a
ghost writer. . . . Can't help thinking
Theatre Guild's tie-in with TV is just
a few steps away from a TV Home
Subscription Plan to partner their
successful theatre plan. . . . Paul Mas-
terson's Madhouse show getting ter-
rific scavenger hunt response on Dolls
for Christmas for the needy kids. . . .
Politics makes strange sponsors. What
with Roto-Broil "roasting" the can-
didates, an.d Chevrolet taking the in-
cumbents for a "ride" election day,
we can look to the big Party conven-
tions "being brought to you through
the courtesy of Gillette," with that old
parrot singing "How're ya fixed for
trades ?"

AGENCY ACTION: Harmon
Nelson, building TV activity for
Stromberger,
LaVene, Mc-
Kenzie, trained
So cony-Vacu-
um's Flying
Horse to per-
form for Gen-
eral Petroleum
in seven west-
ern states via
20 to 60-second
spots. Nelson,
former pro-
gram manager
for KRCA and
alumnus of K
& E, Y & R
and talent agent for the old Berg-
Allenberg firm, conceived a story
board on the Flying Horse which
was translated into action by ex-
Disney animators. He also puts his
know-how into effect with the taping
of Virgil Pinkley's news commen-
tary over Don Lee for national radio
pickups.

NBC couldn't have picked a better
helmsman than Bill Harmon to pro-
duce and direct the Jimmy Durante
Show when Eddie Buzzell bowed out
for a picture commitment at U-I. . . .
Toughest tickets to get of any attrac-
tion in town belong to the Danny
Thomas "Make Room for Daddy"
filming Thursday nites. Danny's
warmups are priceless. His ad lib
bridges between scene setups has the
Wm. Morris client list begging for
space in the sponsor's box to make
mental notes.

Harmon Nelson

GIVE IT ALL YOU CAN with

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Make sure your presentations give the full value that's
on the film by using a "National" carbon trim best suited
to your screen requirements.

See your supply-house representative or write to National
Carbon Company for advice. Either one will be more than
glad to help.

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Effective immediately:

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highest quality standard for use with 2" to 5" E.F. prime lenses.
(No. II, for use with 4" diameter prime lenses, $11 95 a pair. )
First in sales, first in comparison tests. Here's why —

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The News ■ m A ■ ■ / ^''-M

That 1 ■ ■ ■ I Td Thk

VOL. 76. NO. 90

NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1954

TEN CENTS

'Class Action'

National Effect
From Drive-in
Suits is Seen

New Action Filed Here;
Claims Door Open to All

In the wake of the $4,575,000 anti-
trust suit filed last week by three
Pennsylvania drive-ins, through the
law firm of Malkan & Ellner, the
same legal firm yesterday filed an ac-
tion in New York Federal Court on
behalf of the Starlight Drive-in, Fair-
mont, W. Va., operated bv Lasky
Brothers. This suit asked $450,000
damages and made substantially the
same charges as those in the Pennsyl-
vania action against approximately the
same defendants.

In effect, the suits open the doors
for all drive-in operators to partici-
pate if they wish to join in on the
expenses, according to Arnold Malkan,
who filed the suits. This, he said, is
known as a "class action." He indi-
cated yesterday that other claims are
(Continued on page 4)

Japan Seeks Share
Of World Market,
Producers Here Say

Two leading Japanese producers
stressed yesterday at the United Art-
ists' home office that the Japanese in-
dustry is out to capture a share of
the world market, and that they are
here, and have been traveling, to as-
certain what ingredients are necessary.

The men are Tadayoshi Asao and
IMotumo Ohno, directors of the Shoch-
iku organization, Japan's largest, a
producer, a distributor of United Art-
ists pictures ; an exhibitor, with a
chain of theatres ; and a promoter of
the foremost legitimate theatre groups.

Shochiku will try to make pictures
{Continued on page 4)

Expect 100 Today at
NCCJ Luncheon

More than 100 representatives of
the amusement industry are slated to
attend today's luncheon of the Na-
tional Conference of Christians and
Jews at the Hotel Waldorf Astoria
here where chairman John Harris
will outline plans for this year's drive.

Emanuel Frisch will be presented
with a plaque for his services in last
year's campaign.

J. Robert Rubin is luncheon chair-
man.

NO NEED TO CHANGE SMALL SCREEN
FOR LARGE PICTURE, SAYS PICKUS

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 8. — There is no necessity for exhibitors to change from
the so-called small screen to a larger picture ratio, provided, however, that
standard prints of CinemaScope, and of other new processes pictures, are made
available, Albert M. Pickus, vice-
president of the Theatre Owners of
America, said in an address before
the annual convention of the Missouri-
Illinois Theatre Owners Association
at the Hotel Chase here today.

Pickus, in recounting some of the
happenings at the TO A's annual meet
last week, said that "Al Lichtman of
20th Century-Fox had announced dur-
ing the convention that his company's
CinemaScope films were not yet
available in 2-D ; that he hoped they
never would be, even though his com-
pany still intended to keep its prom-
ise to release them."

If you are willing to wait for that
day, then you have no problem,
Pickus said. But for those exhibitors
who do not wish to wait, or, because
(Coniinned on page 5)

Mexico Producers in
New Film Fair Bid

special to THE DAILY

MEXICO CITY, Nov. 8.— The
proposal for an international film fair
'n Mexico, ventured several times
during recent years, has come up
again, but this time stronger than
ever. The Mexican Picture Producers
Association has presented to the Min-
istry of the Interior, chief Government
{Continued on page 4)

Tushinsky Mulling^
SS Foreign Setup

With rigid import restrictions on
optical equipment in force in many
European countries, Joseph and Irv-
ing Tushinsky and their associates
are studying the possibilities of organ-
izing foreign manufacture of the
anamorphic Superscope lenses, Walter
Branson, world-wide sales manager
for RKO Pictures, disclosed here
yesterday.

RKO is handling the sales and dis-
tribution of the Superscope lenses
throughout the world with the excep-
tion of the United States, where
National Screen Service is the fran-
chised dealer.

Application has been made with tlie
English ministry for permission to
import a number of lenses, Branson
said. English exhibitor orders for the
anamorphic lenses are high, but with
the difiiculties in securing import li-
censes, the Tushinsky group is dis-
cussing their next move — organize
foreign manufacturing plants or seek
to secure import licenses, the RKO
executive stated.

Branson recently returned from a
five-week tour of Europe with Joseph
Tushinsky where both conducted ex-
hibitor demonstrations' of Superscope.

'Sign of the Pagan

( Universal )

( CinemaScope)

T HE motion picture cameras ha\-e invaded the turbulent Fifth Cen-
tury, the days of Attila the Hun and his onslaught on the Roman
^ Empire and Christianity, creating, in turn, a picture of grandeur,
sweep and power in the CinemaScope process. "Sign of the Pagan" is
a formidable challenge to an audience providing a deeply moving narra-
tive with the broad and heavy overtones of religious connotation. The
film, in color by Technicolor, strictly in its dramatic impact, has warmth
and understanding.

This is a story about Attila and his horde of Mongol horsemen which
swept across Europe to the very gates of Rome only to be turned back
by the Christians and the resistance of a Roman general. Out of a cen-
tury, not unlike our own of today, comes a story of a man who had once
been a captive slave of Rome and wdio spent a lifetime planning revenge
against it, but is foiled by a young centurion, of lowly birth but of great
faith, wdio had escaped from Hunnish captivity with the knowledge that
might bring about Attila's downfall.

There is much similarity, in magnitude, settings, and spectacularism, be-
tween "Sign of the Pagan" and other product such as "The Robe" and its
sequel, ':"Demetrius and the Gladiators." These films have all been produced
by top craftsmen who have utilized the panoramic sweep and vividness of the
CinemaScope camera on authentic mountings and have provided, with an

{Continued on page 4)

Branson Says

RKO Business
Increases 5%
Over Last Year

Shows Tushinsky Lenses
To European Theatremen

By LESTER DINOFF

RKO Pictures' world-wide business
today, as compared to last year, has
increased about five or six per cent,
according to Walter Branson, world-
wide sales man-
ager for the
company, who
returned last
week from a
five-week tour
of Europe with
Joseph Tushin-
sky, co-inventor
of the anamor-
phic Superscope
lenses.

Speaking at a
home office
trade press con-
ference yester-
day, Branson
business increase

Walter Branson

attributed the RKO
and general industry business upswing
to "unproved conditions throughout
{Continued on page 4)

Right to Inspect
Books Granted in
2 Percentage Suits

DALLAS, Nov. 8.— Federal Judge
James V. Allred of the United States
District Court for the Southern Dis-
trict of Texas granted si.x plaintiff
distributors' motions to consolidate
their separate perentage actions and
for a broad order of inspection of
exhibitors' theatre books and records.
The actions were brought by Colum-
bia, Warner Brothers, Universal,
RKO, Paramount and 20th Century-
{Contimied on page 5)

Rites Thursday for
SW's McCarthy

HARTFORD, Nov. 8. —James F.
McCarthy, 55, Connecticut district
manager, for Stanley Warner The-
atres, died today at Massachusetts
General Hospital, Boston, after a long-
illness.

McCarthy, in the district post for
the past year, had served as manager
of the downtown Strand for more
{Continued on page 4)

Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, November 9, 1954

Personal
Mention

SPYROS P. SKOL'RAS, president
of 20th Century-Fox, left here by
plane c*er the weekenj for Pans,
o

P. Amourgis, manager of Westrex
Co., East, Alexandria; J. Cuevas,
manager of Westrex Co., Brazil, Rio
de Janeiro, and W. de Mello, man-
ager of Westrex Co., Caribbean, Ha-
vana, have arrived in New York from
their respective headquarters.

•

Walter Reade, Jr., Edward Gage,
Nick Schermerhorn, James Loeb
and Al Floershimer, all Reade cir-
cuit executives, returned to Oakhurst,
N. J., over the weekend from Chicago.
•

Howard AIinskv. Paramount Mid-
East division manager, returned to
Philadelphia at the weekend from New
York.

•

Arthur M. Rosen, assistant to Nat
Lapkin, vice-president of Stanley
Warner Co. p., has left New York by
plane for Hollywood.

•

F. J. A. McCarthy, Universal Pic-
tures Southern and Canadian sales
manager, will leave here today for
Toronto.

•

Max Thorpe, managing director of
Columbia Pictures Corp., Ltd., Lon-
don, arrived here yesterday from Eng-
land by B.O.A.C.

•

James E. Velde, Western division
manager for United Artists, will leave
New York by plane today for Mil-
waukee.

William B. Zoellner, head of
M-G-M shorts and newsreel sales, is
in Cincinnati from New York.
•

Douglas Fairbanks, 'Jr., has Teft
New York for London via B.O.A.C.
Monarch.

•

H. William Fitelson, theatrical
attorney, left here yesterday for the
Coast.

Jules Levey, producer, has left De-
troit for Buffalo.

MEMBERS OF INDUSTRY WITNESS
COPYRIGHT CONVENTION SIGNING

Study O. Censor Law
C onstitutionality

■ COLUMBUS, O., Nov. 8.— Consti-
tutionality of Ohio's censor law is
under scrutiny by the three-judge Dis-
trict Court of. Appeals here following
an appeal filed by Harry Wright, at-
torney for RKO Radio Pictures ; In-
dependent Theatre Owners of Ohio,
Martin Smith of Toledo and Horace
Adams of Cleveland. Plaintififs ap-
pealed the decision of Judge Ralph
Bartlett of Franklin County Common
Pleas Court, who denied an injunction
against the board sought by the plain-
tiffs.

Plaintiffs contend that the Ohio
board is without authority to censor
films because of recent U. S. Supreme
Court decision in censorship matters.
The Appellate Court has not indicated
when its decisions will be handed
down.

Watching the signing by President
Eisenhower at the White House iast
Friday of the instrument by which the
United States becomes the eighth
country to ratify the new Universal
Copyright Convention were Austin C.
Keough, vice-president and general
counsel of Paramount Pictures and
chairman of the Motion Picture As-
sociation's law committee, and Edward
A. Sargoy of the New York law firm
of Sargoy & Stein, who heads the
copyright section of the American
Bar Association and was a technical
consultant to the U.S. delegation at
1952 Inter-governmental conference
in Geneva, Switzerland, which drew
up the U.C.C.

Due to an inadvertent error. Motion
Picture Daily yesterday reported that
Congressional action to implement the
convention remains to be taken.

The U.S. Senate gave its consent

to the treaty and both Houses passed
the necessary implementing legisla-
tion just before the last adjournment
of Congress. Three months after the
12th country's ratification is deposited
at UNESCO headc|uarters in Paris,
the U.C.C. will be in effect.

In commenting on the significance
of the ratification, Keough indicated
he was particularly pleased that the
ertire motion picture industry had
been able to contribute its support in
the final stages of the drive to get
consent of the Senate and the neces-
sary implementing legislation through
Congress, after certain clarifying in-
terpretations had been given in Paris
by an interim Inter-governmental
Copyright Committee of UNESCO to
its Director-General Luther Evans,
eliminating some questions which had
been a matter of concern to certain
picture companies.

2 Administrators of
Shea Estate Praised

An order awarding commissions,
counsel fees and other costs in the
Shea Estate litigation was signed on
Friday by Bronx Surrogate Christo-
pher McGrath who, at the same time,
commended the administration of the
estate by Edward C. Raftery, attor-
ney, and Edmund C. Grainger, former
general manager of the Shea Circuit.

The administration of the two dis-
played "a high degree of fidelity," the
order said, adding that "the Sheas
have been led to make unwarranted
and unjustified accusations against
said executors . . . and this adminis-
tration is marked with care and pru-
dence and crowned with exceptional
success."

The Surrogate had previously ruled
that the total to be paid by the execu-
tors as a result of such accusations
was approximately $221,000. Since the
executors had distributed the assets
to the Shea family the court ordered
members of the family to pay the ex-
ecutors a percentage each of the total.
The court also directed that in the
event on an appeal members of the
family must post a surety bond of
$250,000 within eight days. In the
event there is no appeal, the court
directed them to return to tne execu-
tors the stock of Shea Enterprises
which was distributed to tliem.

Raftery and Grainger are directed
to sell a sufficient amount of such
stock as is needed to make the pay-
ments directed.

$8,100 for 'Contessa*

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 8.— United
Artists' "The Barefoot Contessa"
grossed $8,100 in its first three days
at the Fine Arts here, reportedly a
record for a weekend.

'Matter' Nov. 18

"The Heart of the Matter," based
on the novel by Graham Greene, will
have its American premiere at the
Trans-Lux Normandie Theatre here
on Nov. 18.

Responses Come in
For New Workshops

Response to the next two M-G-M
"Ticket Selling Workshops" in the
company's Indianapolis and Boston
offices indicate the meetings will be
as successful as the initial forum held
last week in Pittsburgh, the com-
pany announced.

More than 100 exhibitors in the
Indiana territory have already sent
in, or acknowledged in person, accept-
ances for the gathering to be held at
the Marrott Hotel in Indianapolis on
Nov. 16. According to M-G-M branch
manager Foster B. Gauker, indica-
tions are that approximately 300 will
attend. The session will be held on
the day originally scheduled for the
first Allied of Indiana meeting, the
time having been offered to Mike
Simons, in charge of M-G-M cus-
tomer relations and conduting the
Workshops, by Roy Kalver, head of
the exhibitor unit, and the board of
directors. Emery Austin, M-G-M ex-
oloitation head, will make a presenta-
tion similar to his Pittsburgh offer-
ing. However, the panel will be
tailor-made to fit the local situation,
as it was in Pittsburgh, the company
said.

For the Boston session, Benn H.
Rosenwald, M-G-M branch manager,
announces that Lockwood & Gordon
Enterprises will have 21 executives
and managers present at the Forum
on Dec. 6. And again, Austin will
present in detail the 33 aides M-G-M
makes available for promotion.

'20,000 Leagues' to
Bow Here Dec, 23

The world premiere of Walt Dis-
ney's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea"
will be held at the Astor Theatre here
on Dec. 23.

"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,"
based on the Jules Verne novel, is
Disney's first live-action feature in
CinemaScope. In color by Techni-
color, its stars are Kirk Douglas,
James Mason, Paul Lukas and Peter
Lorre.

News
Roundup

AMPP to Honor Prince

Association of Motion Picture Pro-
ducers in Hollywood will honor
Prince Axel of Denmark and heads
of the Swedish, Norwegian and Dan-
ish governments at a luncheon on
Nov. 18 at the Universal-International
studios. Y. Frank Freeman will pre-
side and about 200 industry members
are expected to attend.

Variety Promotion

The second annual X'ariety Club-
Inter City boxing championships in
Albany will be held on Nov. 27. The
Albany tent is striving to sell 2,500
tickets at $1.25 and $2 each. The
arrangement does not call for the
tent to absorb any of the expenses.

Grant Union Hearing

Front office exhange workers in
San Francisco have been granted a
hearing, to be held within 30 days,
on their application to the Labor
Relations' Board to withdraw from
the lATSE in order to join the Office
Workers' International Union.

Jessel to Emcee .

Screen Producers' Guild president
Arthur Freed announced that George
Jessel would emcee the Guild's fourth
annual "A'lilestone Dinner" at the
Statler Hotel in Los Angeles on
Nov. 21 at which Nicholas and Joseph
Schenck will be presented the Mile-
stone Award.

'Prairie' in House Record

Walt Disney's "The Vanishing
Prairie," set an all-time first week
record of $10,200 at the Bellevue The-
atre in Upper Montclair, New Jersey,
it was announced by Sam Shumer,
manager.

m YORK THEATRES

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL__

Rockefeller Center

BER^^rN's "WHITE CHRISTMAS" :

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BING CROSBY - DANNY KAYE
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For 35 Years the Leaders

[?/W SERVICE AND QUALITY

.With Showmen Everytwhere !

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quiglej', Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V Fecke

and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign- single
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RKO

THE SHOWMANSHIP COMPANY

I Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, Novernber 9, 19541

RKO Business

{Coniinned from page 1)

Europe and the Near East, especially
in Germany. RKO has fulfilled its im-
port quotas with pictures, some of
them being re-releases, and we have
had good grosses with them." s

Branson, in an April press conjfer-
ence, diselo^ed thatlhe RKO bt^siness
then was.iO to 12'^er cent ahead of
a compai'&ble 1953-p,er.iod.

During his tour of England, France,
Italy, Holland, Germany and Belgium,
Branson met with RKO branch man-
agers, and in association with Tushin-
sky, conducted denpnstrations of the
Superscope lenses 'in London, Paris
and Rome where he screened a special
product trailer for exhibitors, utilizing
outstanding sequences from "Susan
Slept Here," "Underwfater," "Son

Japan

(Continfi^dfrovKpagc 1) -

especially for submission to the Caiines
and Venice film , festivals, and it will
make them ,1ft Eastman Color, Jap-
anese color pirocesses having proved
so far unacceptable for high quality.
The company also has made a deal
with Thornas Brandon for release/'
probably during the Christmas season,

of "The Impostor." y'

They w«re accompan^63 By T.
Koida," their representative, who has
opened headquarters in Los Angeles,
and,,, who , at the interview acted as
translator. They already have been in
Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France,
Belgium and Great. Britain, talking
with exhibitors and studio executives,
and expect to do the same in New
York and Hollywood, ,

Little Communist Influence

Communist influence among Jaip-
anese producers is small, they declared,
answering questions. Seven of 300
films last year were from leftist pro-
ducers. These men, they asserted, be-
gan their careers with propaganda pic-
tures. It . was the first experience in
such an appeal, for .Japanese audiences
—"which .soon stopped coming." The
producers now have changed to al-
most straight entertainment.

Both men asked reporters to tell
them of jstich matters as CinemaS'cope,
televisio#;. and the like.

They asked about the competition
between films and television, and were
told it had decreased. They asked
which "Scope" the reporters favored,
and were told they wouldn't get an
answer. They asked whether Cinerama
would compete with CinemaScope, and
were assured it would not. Also, they
■ asked whether, if European producers
combined, as they often talked of do-
ing, to make a dent in the American
market, they could do so. They were
answered : there are too few European
pictures.

Two TV Outlets in Tokyo

They spoke of television as an in-
cipient force, making impression now
only during sports events. Tokyo has
two television stations. The govern-
ment station has "uninteresting" pro-
grams, they said. The commercial one
hasn't been able to obtain advertisers
because there are only 20,000 receivers.

They feel two factors militate
against television as a competitor in
Japan : high costs, so far ; and a large
number of mountains.

Is Up 5% Over

of Sinbad" and "The Conqueror."

"European exhibitors are trying to
find something compatible for all films
and they have expressed much interest
in file „Supersco^e lenses," Branson
said. "The French are slow-moving in
equipping for the latest media, but they
are highly interested in Tushinsky's
leijses," he said. Lens demonstrations
were held at the London Odeon for
some 750 British exhibitors, at .the
Paris Rex for about 2,000 theatremen,
and at the Rome Capital where 1,500
exhibitors and Italian producers were
in attendance, he said.

Branson said that all future com-
pany releases would be available with
Superscope anamorphic prints. "This
company policy will immensely broaden
the domestic and foreign markets as
Superscope prints can be projected

Mexico Fair

" (Continued from page 1)

. department, a costs budget for such a
fair. They calculate the expenses at
$240,000 and want the Government to
cover that outlay.

The Ministry considers that quite a
price for lodging, .boarding and enter-
taining invited guests, representatives
hi various branches of the industry
from, all picture producing countries,
publicity, etc. The producers say
$240,000 is the absolute minimum cost
of a successful world film fair, adding
that unless such a fair can be a suc-
cess, it is better not to stage it at all.

Stressing that there must be no
stinting nor stinginess, the producers
cite the world picture show which
Argentina presented last year. They
point out that the Buenos Aires Gov-
ernment thought nothing of paying all
costs of that fair.

Para. Re-Signs Dolan

Paramount Pictures has exercised
its option on Robert Emmett Dolan,
producer. Dolan currently is prepar-
ing "Anything Goes," as his next film.

Last Year

through the regular anamorphic lenses
which are used in CinemaScope up to
at 2:1 aspect ratio," he said. The ana-
morphic Superscope prints will have
optical sound tracks, he added.

Commenting on the numerous film
festivals around the world, Branson
stated that "the festivals have lost
their original intent and have become
very commercial." Questioned about
the possible effects of subscriber tele-
vision and commercial television in
Europe, the RKO executive said
"Pay-TV is afi" interesting phase" and
that he didn't hear any discussions
about the medium while in Europe.

However, he said, the British public
does not seem concerned with com-
mercial television as TV in Great Bri-
tain is no competition to motion pic-
tures.

Trust Suits

{Continued from page 1)

pending and that every out-door ex-
hibitor who has been in business for
many years has a cause of action. The
Pennsylvania suits could set in mo-
tion a nationwide series of claims or
could be wrapped up in the two cases
filed, it was said.

Runs, clearances, film terms and
alleged withholding of prints are in-
volved in the charges.

Malkan also filed a $1,080,000 anti-
trust suit yesterday on behalf of the
Austin Theatre in Kew Gardens,
L. I., naming many of the defendanfs
in the drive-in suits.

McCarthy Rites

( Contiyiued from page 1 )

than 20 years. Earlier affiliations had
included managerships in Philadelphia
and other Pennsylvania cities. He
started in the industry with the old
Sylvester Z. Poll interests at Bridge-
port.

Funeral services will be held in the
latter city on Thursday.

People

Forrest J. Beard has been named
advertising manager of Ampex
Corp., Redwood City, Cal. He was
formerly with Ray Oil Burner Co.
and Pabeo Products, -both of San
Francisco.

Allan Noye, Mexico manager for
20th Century-Fox, has been elected
president of Variety Club Tent No.
1, Mexico City. New vice-presidents
are Emilio Azcarraga, Jr., and
Rumolo G'Farrill, Jr.

Johnny Parsons, chief barker of
Variety Club of Northern California,
has reported an all-time high atten-
dance of 200 at the annual costume
dinner and dance held recently at
the Richelieu Hotel in San Fran-
cisco.

Ed Stevens, president of Stevens
Pictures, Atlanta, has returned there
following a tour of his branches.

Mitchell Little, who has been
office manager for Republic Pictures
in Charlotte, has joined Buena Vista
as a salesman in the Atlanta and
Charlotte territories.

Elmer F. Lux, Buffalo exhibitor
arid' city council president; Mrs.
Lux, Jack Chinell, RKO Radio ex-
change manager in Buffalo and Mrs.
Chinell will be the "greeters" at the
"Get Acquainted Night" Friday in
the headquarters of Tent 7, Variety
Club of Buffalo.

R. A. Morris, overseas sales man-
ager for Associated British-Pathe,
Ltd., visited recently at the Atlanta
tij^ices of Allied Artists Southern
pjcfehanges.

'Fate' Opens Tomorrow

United Artists' "Twist of Fate"
will have its American premiere to-
rnorrow at the Monroe Theatre in
Chicago, with Ginger Rogers and
co-star Jacques Bergerac, her husband
in private life, the honored guests at
the opening ceremonies.

"Sign of the Pagan^

{Continued from page 1)

appropriate musical score, an outstanding vehicle' of entertainment which
should make its weight felt at the box office. Universal exchanges will carry
three dififerent prints, four track magnetic sound, one track optical sound,,
tor CinemaScope equipped theatres besides a regular, fiat print.

The picture has a star-studded cast headed by Jack Palance, who portrays
Attila the Hun with an outer harshness and cruelty, but an inner warmth and
inner understanding of life and faith ; Jef¥ Chandler, who portrays the Roman
centunon, the son of a sandalmaker, whose love of country is surpassed
only by his love of a woman; Ludmilla Tcherina, princess of the Eastern
Roman Empire, whose remarkable masquerade as the most wanton woman
m Constantinople helped hide from Attila her dedicated role as proctectress
of the Church and the Empire, and Rita Gam, daughter of Attila who yearns
and dies for Christianity.

Set in 450 A.D., Attila captures a young centurion. Chandler carrying a
message from the Emperor to Constantinople, and against the wishes "of "his
daughter. Miss Gam, nurses the Roman back to health and sends him on
his way. Chandler learns that the Eastern empire has entered into an alliance
T-j j*^^ IV^^^ Hunnish hordes and sets about to take counter measures
Aided by Miss Tcherina, and Jefif Morrow, commander of the Eastern leo-ions
Chandler prepares to meet Attila in battle, but he is denied the satisfaction
of ending the Huns life— the fatal knife thrust in Attila's body comes from
Alhson Hayes, a slave whom the Hun had forcibly taken as his wife.

Others in the cast are Eduard Franz, a Persian philosopher who forsee's
the end of Attila ; George Dolenz, Sara Shane, Leo Gordon and Moroni Olsen
The picture was produced by Albert J. Cohen and directed by Douglas Sirli
from a screenplay by Oscar Brodney and Barre Lyndon. The story was
written by Brodney.

Running time, 92 minutes. General audience classification. Release in
December.

LESTER DINOFF

Harriman Presents
Finance Aid Plan

Averell Harriman, newly elect-
ed Democratic governor of New
York, expressed the hope that
New York City's financial and
tax problems would be han-
dled on a non-partisan basis in
a television appearance on the
Citizen's Union Searchlight
Hour over Channel 4 of the
National Broadcasting Co. net-
work here.

Outlining his "affirmative pro-
gram" which will be presented
to a Republican-controlled,
Legislature, Harriman said that
he hopes to work out an equita-
ble plan of state aid for New
York City and other cities as
well whose fiscal relations with
Albany are not what they
should be.

Tuesday, November 9, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Percentage

{Continued froiiii page 1)

Fox against William A. Smith and
Texas Theatres, Inc., as defendants,
operating the Texas theatre in Pharr,
Texas.

Judge Allred required the defend-
ants to produce all of the theatre
books for a six and one-half year peri-
od from Jan. 1, 1948, to the date of the
filing of the suits. Judge Allred's
order in Texas is the first to cover
a period of such length, and follows
a line' of similar orders granted in
more than twenty-five other Federal
jurisdictions.

A motion by the eight distributor
plaintiffs for a broad inspection of
theatre books and records of the Park
Theatre in Philadelphia, Pa., for over
a six year period, in eight pending
percentage actions also was ordered
by United States District Judge John
W. Lord, Jr., in Philadelphia. The
motions filed by Columbia, Loew's,
Paramount, United Artists, RKO,
Universal, 20th Century-Fox and
Warner Bros, were brought in cases
involving defendants I. Edward Kap-
ner and others operating the. Park
Theatre for the period from Jan. 1,
1948, to the date of the filing of the
actions this year.

High Court Ignores
St. Louis TV Appeal

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8.— The
Supreme Court refused a request by
the St. Louis Amusement Co. that it
intervene to block a Federal Com-
munications Commission hearing on
CBS' application for a St. Louis
television station.

St. Louis Amusement Co. is one of
five applicants for Channel 11 in St.
Louis. Another of the five is the
Columbia Broadcasting System. St.
Louis contended that the FCC should
not permit CBS to remain as an ap-
plicant for the channel, since CBS
already has five television stations and
under the FCC multiple ownership
rules not more than five VHF TV
.stations can be held by one licensee.

Special Ruling for CBS

The commission, however, granted a
special exception to CBS, permitting
it to apply for the St. Louis station,
and the St. Louis Amusement Co.
petitioned the FCC to deny the CBS
application. When the FCC denied
this, St. Louis asked the court of ap-
peals to order the commission to deny
it and to order the FCC hearing
stayed until CBS is dropped. The ap-
peals court denied this motion, and
the amusement company then asked
the Supreme Court to step in.

In its appeals brief, St. Louis said
that "if this particular exemption is
permissible, there can be no assurance
it will be the only one. Future exemp-
tions for favored parties will be pos-
sible."

The high court today gave no rea-
son for its decision not to hear the
appeal. Justice Douglas took no part
in the decision, it was noted.

'Carmen' Pulls $31,000

Otto Preminger's CinemaScope pro-
duction, "Carmen Jones," grossed $31,-
000 over the weekend at the Rivoli
Theatre here, it was announced yes-
terday by 20th Century-Fox. The high
mark was substantially ahead of the
first weekend of the picture's engage-
ment.

Television-'HadiD

iWith Pinky Herman^

Jackie Gleason

WHEN a program becomes an institution, such as Don McNeill's
"Breakfast Club," (Series is currently on its 22nd consecutive
year on the air) one must take time out from a busy and varied
schedule to pay heed. When Don's pals and cohorts including ork
pilot Eddie Ballentine, vocalists Johnny Desmond and Eileen Parker,
comic Sam Cowling, Fran (Aunt Fanny) Allison and producer Cliff
Petersen, descended en masse upon us Gothamites last week, this
scribbler not only paid heed to the jam-packed audiences in the
Terrace Room of the Hotel New Yorker but also paid a visit and
thrilled to the ABChockful of entertainment shows the Chicagoans
put on. . . . Ruth Hussey and Louis Jourdan will co-star next Tuesday
in an original teleplay, "Warm Clay," scripted by Jack Gordun and
Winifred Wolfe for "The Elgin Hour," TVia ABC. . . . Peter
Packer's television adaptation of L A. R. Wylie's story, . . And
Son," the first she's ever permitted to be telecast, will star Edward
G. Robinson and will be produced by Michel Kraike for Screen
Gems. Sponsor is Ford Theatre.

^ ^

When the "Jackie Gleason CBShow" opens a two-week en-
gagement at the New York Paramount Theatre next Wednes-
day, not only will the assembled cast prove to be the greatest
in number but for the first time in 19 years,
will it be necessary to utilize the entire
stage. . . . Formerly with Telefilm Enter-
prises and Official Films, Bud Austin has
been named to head the national sales divi-
sion of National Telefilm Associates by
veep Harold Goldman. . . . Dick (Two-Ton)
Baker, whose Chicago clowning and RCA-
pers has won him a great following in the
Mid-West, has signed with Imperial Rec-
ords. Initial disk pairs two novelties, "Clink
Clank" backed with "The Froggy Song."
. . . Leonard E. Hammer has resigned from
the Adam Young TV Corp. to join the
sales staff of MCA-TV Ltd. . . . With a
wealth of Broadway, stock and radio experience, plus looks
and charm, Helen Baron, currently seen as Bob Dana's "Gal
Friday" every Tuesday (4:00-4:15 P.M.) over DuMont, rates
our nod as "Miss TVision of 1954."

ik ik ^

Sounds like a natural to ws. We're referring to Jack Benny's
forthcoming CBSunday TV satire on "The Caine Mutiny" a base-
hall storv, "The Giant Mutiny" ivhich features Leo Dnrocher,
manager of the N. Y. Giants, Bob Lemon oj
the Cleveland Indians, Fred Haney and Chuck
Dressen and umpire "Beans" Reardon. . . .
According to Hugh H. Beville, Jr., NBChief
of research and planning, there are now ap-
proxiniatcly 31,674,000 TV receivers in the
country. . ■. . Producers Mark Goodson and
Bill Todman have named Harris Katleman,
director of G-T West Coast operations, to
cultivate new material and, develop nezu writ-
ers. . . . Rnss Emery, singiug-enicee of the
daily "Neur England Talent Club" series
TVia WJAR, is another lad who came to the
big apple, learned the ABC's of broadcasting
via Dick Stabile's Orchestra, Ken Murray
and Kate Smith shozvs, his ozvn program over WNEll' thence
back home to Rhode Island, where as star of his own TV show,
he can encourage and guide other talented' youngsters. . . . When
20 -year Don Hastings makes his appearance next Monday as
"Captain Video" on DuMont, it'll mark his 1500th consecutive
telecast. Don started his TVenture on this program when it
preenied back in 1949. . . . Bob Weitman has come to "grippes"
with the flu and is zvinning the battle.

it ^ it

RECOMMENDED : Maggi McNellis' daily ABChatter Irving

Berlin's "Count Your Blessings," from the Paramount filmusical,
"White Christmas." . . . "Big Jon & Sparkie," fine kiddie series heard
locally in Cincinnati, should be brought to N. Y. and ABCoast-to-
Coasted on TV. . . . The Dolphins' great waxing of the swingy "If
I Had a Million Dollars" on Label X. A deejay natural. ... Ed
Herlihy's colorful reporting every Sunday (3:00-5:00 P.M.) on
his "Week-End" RCA radio series. . . . Ruby Mercer's MBSpritely
programs featuring recorded music and up-to-the-minute news.

Jack Benny

Pickus

{Continued- from page 1)

of the shortage of product, cannot
wait, there is a problem, the Con-
necticut theatre owner said.

"It seems to me that the latter
group of exhibitors shoul(i : ( 1 ) In-
stall a large screen, after careful in-
vestigation and advice, so as to be
able to get the best reflective light
setup for the particular theatre. For
the average small theatre the cost of
the large screen is not more than
$1,000. And (2) install a short focal
lens. For an additional $750, if they
wish to be able to show all Cinema-
Scope pictures on the wide screen,
they are able to buy a pair of anamor-
phic lenses. Prints are being released
with one-track optical sound," Pickus
stated.

There is no reason to make any
investment in stereophonic sound, he
flatly said.

"You must make these decisions
after due investigation, counsel, and
thought," Pickus stated. "Do not get
high pressured into things you do not
want and do not need. Take these
thoughts into account : (1 ) What
amount of product is available to you
if you do nothing, or, if you do part,
or, if you do all? (2) What is your
competitive position? Are you being
hurt because you have not modern-
ized your projection equipment? What
are your neighbors doing? (3) Have
you kept your house in order, aside
from equipment? Are your customers
getting the best in cleanliness, service,
and courtesy?"

ABC, DuMont Silent
On Reported Deal

Principals of American Broadcast-
ing Co. and DuMont Laboratories
refused to comment yesterday on re-
ports that discussions looking to the
purchase of the DuMont television
network by ABC have been under way
for some time.

In addition, officials of Paramount
Pictures, which owns all of the
DuMont Class B stock, declined com-
ment on further reports that it op-
posed the projected deal.

DuMont owns and operates TV
stations in New York, Washington
and Pittsburgh. LTnder the Federal
Communications Commission regula-
tions, if such a deal were consum-
mated, ABC would be required to
divest itself of one New York station
and two other VHF properties.

Three UA Branches
Lead Sales Drive

L^nited Artists' New York, Cleve-
land and Milwaukee branches have
captured the three first-place prizes
for the first lap of the Robert S.
Benjamin drive, it was announced by
B. G. Kranze, general sales manager
for UA and co-captain of the drive
saluting the company's chairman of
the board.

The New York branch is managed
by Joseph Sugar ; the Cleveland ex-
change is bossed by Dave Rosenthal,
and Joe Imhof heads the Milwaukee
branch.

'She Woir In Buffalo

First showing of Republic's "The
She Wolf" in the English dialogue
version will open at the Lafayette
Theatre in Buffalo tomorrow. The
picture is a Jules Levey presentation.

Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, Novembei- 9. 1954

COMPO Ad Scores
Growing Threat of
Local B.O. Taxes

The 3Uth in the series of Council of
Motion Picture Organizations' ads in
"Editor & PubHsher," calls atten-
tion to the threat of new municipal
admission taxes and points out to
editors a few aspects of such taxes
that may not have occurred to them.

"When Congress reduced the 20 per
cent Federal admission tax last spring
it took great care," the ad says, "to
make it known why this relief was
being voted. The reason was simple :
Congress was convinced that the ad-
mission tax was destroying the motion
picture industry."

Cites 'A Few Aspects'

Notwithstanding Congress's clear
intent, the ad says that the motion
picture industry now hears that there
is a possibility cities and towns will
impose admission taxes of their own.
In view of this threat, the ad states
that "we would like to alert our news-
paper friends to a few aspects of mu-
nicipal admission faxes which may
not have occurred to them."

"Since the tax was cut in half last
April 1, there has been an, increase
of nearly 1,000 theatre operations. All
of these newly opened theatres give
employment to local residents, stimu-
late local retail business and pay taxes
into their local municipal treasuries.
These benefits" would be gravely
threatened in every community impos-
ing a municipal admission tax."
Drive-ins a Factor

Another factor which the ad points
out should not be overlooked is the
rise of the drive-in theatre. "The
drive-in is a comparatively new but
most welcome development in the mo-
tion picture industry. But if your city
puts on an admission tax, it is obvi-
ous that the theatres that will have to
pay it are those within your city lim-
its. These are the ones that are already
paying taxes on real estate, license
fees, utility service rates and numerous
other local charges."

Would End House
Un-American Unit

WASHIN'GTON, Nov. 8. — Rep.
Walter (D., Pa.), who would head the
House Un-American Activities com-
mittee in the new 84th Congress, said
he might ask the House in January to
abolish the committee.

Walter said he would favor trans-
fering the functions of the special com-
mittee to the House Judiciary Com-
mittee, of which he is the ranking
Democrat. He declared he felt there
would be less "abuse of power" if
the investigations of subversion were
carried on through the Judiciary com-
mittee rather than through the special
House committee.

It's possible, of course, that House
Democratic leaders will try to talk
Walter out of his idea, or that the
House itself will vote to continue the
committee despite Walter's feelings.

Starts Art Bookings

HARTFORD, Nov. 8.— The part-
time booking of art films is spreading
into small town situations in Connec-
ticut. The independent State theatre
in Spring-dale is the latest to set se-
lected European attractions on a two-
day-per-week schedule. General ad-
mission prices are raised to $1 for
the two days.

Reviews

You Know What Sailors Are

(J. Arthur Rank-United Artists)

THE light, amusing humor which has so happily characterized many
of the British productions during recent years is present in this J. Arthur
Rank offering, "You Know What Sailors Are," starring Akim TamirofT in a
delightful characterization as a ruler of an Arabian Night-style country.
Tamiroff is the sole marquee name which American audiences will recognize
but his excellent performance is easily matched by the rest of a talented and
well-chosen English cast headed by Donald Sinden, Sarah Lawson and
Naunton W ayne.

Sinden, a Navy radar expert, had a few drinks too many and for a joke,
collected a pawnbroker's sign and a pram, and shaped and welded them to the
bridge of a foreign destroyer. Following that old Naval axiom — if it's perma-
nent, paint it, the crew of Tamiroff's vessel paint the contraption, believing
it to be the latest radar equipment. Units of the British Navy are in an
uproar because they want a secret weapon like the one welded to the bridg?
of the foreign vessel. Sinden is assigned to Tamiroff as a radar instructor
and, while at sea, tries to explain the joke but is thwarted by the explosion
of a sabotaged plane, thus convincing Tamiroff that the pawnbroker's three-
ball sign is a secret weapon.

Tamiroff keeps Sinden under the close guard of 15 lovely girls in his
palace in order to learn all he can about the secret weapon in order to fight
the threats of a neighboring nation. As the story unfolds, Tamiroff, Sinden
and a screwball professor, Martin Miller, keep the chuckles moving right up
to the end.

Also in the cast are Bill Kerr, Dora Bryan, and Michael Shepley. The
picture was written and produced by Peter Rogers and directed by Ken
Annakin, all members of the Julian Wintle Production unit.

Running time, 85 minutes General audience classification. Release, in
November. L. D.

Senate Unit Gets
SCTOA Complaint
Anent Distributors

The Golden Mistress

(Kay-Rybnick—UA)

L'\ NUSUAL scenes of voodoo ceremony and dances, in color, lend an
'' eerie emphasis to "The Golden Mistress," a film starring John Agar
and Rosemarie Bowe in a standard adventure drama about a treasure hunt
in modern Haiti. The picture was filmed entirely in the Caribbean and
has considerably more appeal to audiences than the cast names suggest.

Agar is pictured as a happy-go-lucky skipper of a broken-down island boat
who is continually in search of treasure and in need of cash. Miss Bowe is
the daughter of another treasure hunter, a cheat who dies after making off
with a voodoo idol. The newly-orphaned Miss Bowe and Agar join forces to
search for the treasure of a long lost tribe of slaves in a series of colorful
locales, ranging from an idyllic little fishing village on the coral sands of the
turquoise sea, to such places of Haitian historical interest as Sans Souci and
the Citadel.

The climax is a fantastic affair involving a large, but unknown Caribbean
island where the protagonists come within an inch of losing their lives in a
spectacular voodoo dance of justice.

The film was produced by Richard Kay and Harry Rybnick, with Sam X.
Abarbanel as executive producer. Joel Judge directed from a screenplay he
co-authored with Lew Hewitt, who also wrote the original story. Prominent
in the supporting cast are Abner Biberman as Miss Bowe's father ; little
Jacques Molant as Agar's 12-year-old first mate; Andre Narcisse as an
upright village chief and several members of the National Folklore Theatre
of Haiti.

Running time, 82 minutes. General audience classification. Released m
September.

Twist of Fate

(British Lion-United Artists)

While; manipulating melodramatic incident after incident, "Twist of
Fate" manages to provide audiences with a good level of excitement and
suspense as Ginger Rogers and Jacques Bergerac, in authentic French Riviera
atmosphere and locale, turn in able performances.

Miss Rogers seems to be in love with an international businessman, Stanley
Baker, who actually is the head of a syndicate minting illegal coins for the
Continental market. Presently, however. Miss Rogers learns that he has been
deceiving her and that his wife would not give him the divorce he pretended
was near fulfillment. By chance she meets a potter, Bergerac, and falls in
love with him. Coincidence adds its touch when a bracelet that was given
to Miss Rogers by Baker is stolen by Herbert Lom, a Continental confidence
man, and used to pay an underworld debt. Thus, by a twist of fate, the bracelet
is returned to Baker and he immediately assumes that Lom is Miss Rogers'
lover.

The screenplay by Robert Westerby and Carl Nystrom churns with move-
ment and involvements. In the finale, Lom kills Baker when the latter catches
him in another theft. Lom then rearranges circumstances so that it would
appear that the lovers actually committed the murder. Despite the highly
melodramatic quality of the story, it is to its credit that it does not sink into
the routine. When Miss Rogers and Bergerac discover that they are being
victimized by false evidence they go about nabbing the real culprit in a
whirlwind, bang-up finish.

Maxwell Setton and John R. Sloan produced the film and David Miller
was the director!

Running time! 89 minutes. Adult audience classification. Release in No-
vember.

HARTFORD, Nov. 8.— The part-
Southern California Theatre Owners
Association complaint against trade
practices of producer-distributors will
be studied before any action is taken,
a spokesman for the Senate Select
Committee on Small Business said
here.

The SCTOA forwarded to Sen. An-
drew F. Schoeppel and, reportedly, to
every member of Congress, a list of
grievances citing alleged "monopoly"
practices by the major companies in
.he marketing of motion pictures.

Sees New Powers Given

The association maintains the con-
sent decree has resulted in giving the
distributors new price-control powers
which are being used to the detri-
ment of the individual or small cir-
cuit theatre owner. SCTOA urged the
Senate committee to bring about re-
forms to help the small theatre owner
to "obtain sufficient purchasing power
so that he can expect a reasonable
profit on his investment."

4 Films Start; 11
Finish; 32 in Work

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 8.— Four
pictures started and 11 pictures were
com^pleted last week, dropping the
overall total of pictures in production
to 32.

Started were : "Five Aganist the
House," (Columbia) ; "No Place to
Hide," Joseph Shaftel, Eastmancolor
(Independent) ; "The Rose Tatto,"
VistaVision (Paramount) ; "Kiss of
Fire," Technicolor (Universal-Inter-
national ) .

Completed were : "Rider of the Ruby
Hills" and "High Society," (Allied
Artists) ; "Creature With the Atom
Brain," Clover Prods. (Columbia) ;
"Hit the Deck," CinemaScope, East-
man ( Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) ; "The
Trouble With Harry," VistaVision,
Technicolor (Paramount) ; "The Ad-
miral Hoskins Story," (Republic);
"The Seven Year Itch," CinemaScope,
color (20th Century-Fox) ; "Big
House, U.S.A.", Bel-Air (United
Artists) ; "The Shrike" and "To Hell
and Back," CinemaScope, Technicolor
(Universal-International); "Jump In-
to Hell," (Warner Brothers.).

L of D Takes 'Bread'
Out of 'B' Class

The National Legion of Decency's
rating of "Bread, Love and Dreams''
has been revised as a result of revi-
sions made in the film. Formerly
rated as Class B, it has now been
placed in Class A, Section 2, this
classification being applicable only to
prints exhibited in Continental United
States.

In the same listing the Legion
classified 16 other films, placing six
in "B" and 10 in "A". In Class B
are "Bowery to Bagdad," "The Gold-
en Mistress," "Jessie James' Women,"
"Phffft," "This Is My Love," and
"Track of the Cat."

In class A, Section 2 are "Black
Widow," "Fire Over Africa," "F'our
Ways Out'' and "Sign of the Pagan."

In Class A, Section 1 are "Athena,"
"The Black Knight," "The Bob Ma-
thias Story," "Crest of the Wave,"
"Romeo and Juliet" and "West of
Zanzibar."

All

The News

That
Is News

MOTION PICTURE

Concise

■1 r /

To The
Point

\ OL. 76. NO. 90

NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1954

TEN CENTS

'Class Action'

National Effect
From Drive-in
Suits is Seen

New Action Filed Here;
Claims Door Open to All

In the wake of the $4,575,000 anti-
trust suit filed last week by three
Pennsylvania drive-ins, through the
law firm of Malkan & Ellner, the
same legal firm yesterday filed an ac-
tion in New York Federal Court on
behalf of the Starlight Drive-in, Fair-
mont, W. Va., operated by Lasky
Brothers. This suit asked $450,000
damages and made substantially the
same charges as those in the Pennsyl-
vania action against approximately the
same defendants.

Japan Seeks Share
Of World Market,
Producers Here Say

Two leading Japanese producers
stressed yesterday at the United Art-
ists' home ofiice that the Japanese in-
dustry is out to capture a share of
the world market, and that they are
here, and have been traveling, to as-
certain what ingredients are necessary.

The men are Tadayoshi Asao and
Motumo Ohno, directors of the Shoch-
iku organization, Japan's largest, a
pi-oducer, a distributor of United Art-
ists pictures ; an exhibitor, with a
chain of theatres ; and a promoter of
the foremost legitimate theatre groups,
i Shochiku will try to make pictures
: - {Continued on page 4)

Expect 100 Today at
NCCJ Luncheon

Emanuel Frisch will be presented
with a plaque for his services in last
year's campaign.

J. Robert Rubin is luncheon chair-
man.

NO NEED TO CHANGE SMALL SCREEN
FOR LARGE PICTURE, SAYS PICKUS

.ST. LOUIS, Nov. 8. — There is no necessity for exhibitors to change from
the so-called small screen to a larger picture ratio, provided, however, that
standard prints of CinemaScope, and of other new processes pictures, are made
available, Albert M. Pickus, vice-
president of the Theatre Owners of
America, said in an address before
the annual convention of the Missouri-
Illinois Theatre Owners Association
at the Hotel Chase here today.

Pickus, in recounting some of the
happenings at the TOA's annual meet
last week, said that "Al Lichtman of
20th Century-Fox had announced dur-
ing the convention that his company's
CinemaScope films were not yet
available in 2-D ; that he hoped they
never would be, even though his com-
pany still intended to keep its prom-
ise to release them."

If you are willing to wait for that
day, then you have no problem,
Pickus said. But for those exhibitors
who do not wish to wait, or, because
{Coniinued on page 5)

Mexico Producers in
New Film Fair Bid

special to THE DAILY

Tushinsky Mulling
SS Foreign Setup

RKO is handling the sales and dis-
tribution of the Superscope lenses
throughout the world with the excep-
tion of the United States, where
National Screen Service is the fran-
chi'sed dealer.

Application has been made with the
English ministry for permission to
import a number of lenses, Branson
said. English exhibitor orders for the
anamorphic lenses are high, but with
the difficulties in securing import li-
censes, the Tushinsky group is dis-
cussing their next move — organize
foreign manufacturing plants or seek
to secure import licenses, the RKO
executive stated.

Branson recently returned from a
five-week tour of Europe with Joseph
Tushinsky where both conducted ex-
hibitor demonstrations of Superscope.

"Sign of the Pagan

{Universal^

(CinemaScope)

THE motion picture cameras have invaded the turbulent Fifth Cen-
tury, the days of Attihi the Hun and his onslaught on the Roman
Empire and Christianity, creating, in turn, a picture of grandeur,
sweep and power in the CinemaScope process. "Sign of the Pagan" is
a formidable challenge to an audience providing a deeply moving narra-
tive with the broad and heavy overtones of religious connotation. The
film, in color by Technicolor, strictly in its dramatic impact, has warmth
and understanding.

This is a story about Attila and his horde of Mongol horsemen wdiich
swept across Europe to the very gates of Rome only to be turned back
by the Christians and the resistance of a Roman general. Out of a cen-
tury, not unlike our own of today, comes a story of a man who had once
been a captive slave of Rome and who spent a lifetime planning revenge
against it, but is foiled by a young centurion, of lowdy birth but of great
faith, who had escaped from Hunnish captivity with the knowledge that
might bring about Attila's downfall.

There is much similarity, in magnitude, settings, and spectaculansm, be-
tween "Sign of the Pagan" and other product such as "The Robe" and its
sequel, "Demetrius and the Gladiators." These films have all been produced
by top craftsmen who have utilized the panoramic sweep and vividness of the
CinemaScope camera on authentic mountings and have provided, with an

{Continued on page 4)

Branson Says

RKO Business
Increases 5%
Over Last Year

Shows Tushinsky Lenses
To European Theatremen

By LESTER DINOFF

RKO Pictures' world-wide business
today, as compared to last year, has
increased about five or six per cent,
according to Walter Branson, world-
wide sales man-
ager for the
company, who
returned last
week fro m a
five- week tour
of Europe with
Joseph Tushin-
sky, co-inventor
of the anamor-
phic Superscope
lenses.

Speaking at a
home office
trade press con-
ference yester-
day, Branson
attributed the RKO business increase
and general industry business upswing
to "unproved conditions throughout
{Continued on page 4)

Walter Branson

Right to Inspect
Books Granted in
2 Percentage Suits

DALLAS, Nov. 8.— Federal Judge
James V. Allred of the United States
District Court for the Southern Dis-
trict of Texas granted six plaintiff
distributors' motions to consolidate
their separate perentage actions and
for a broad order of inspection of
exhibitors' theatre books and records.
The actions were brought by Colum-
bia, Warner Brothers, Universal,
RKO, Paramount and 20th Century-
{Continued on page 5)

Rites Thursday for
SW's McCarthy

HARTFORD, Nov. 8. —James F.
McCarthy, 55, Connecticut district
manager, for Stanley Warner The-
atres, died today at Massachusetts
General Hospital, Boston, after a long
illness.

McCarthy, in the district post for
the past year, had served as manager '
of the downtown Strand for more
(Continued on page 4)

Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, November 9, 1954

Personal
Mention

SPYROS P. SKOURAS, president
of 20th Ceiitury-Fox, left here by
plane over the weekena for Paris.
«

P. Amourgis, manager of VVcstrex
Co., East, Alexandria; J. Cuevas,
manager of Westrex Co., Brazil, Rio
de Janeiro, and W. de Mello,- man-
ager of Westrex Co., Caribbean, Ha-
vana, have arrived in New York from
their respective headquarters,
e

Walter Reade, Jr., Edward Gage,
Nick Schermerhorn, James i^oeb
and Al Floershimer, all Reade cir-
cuit executives, returned to Oakhurst,
N. J., over the weekend from Chicago.

Howard Minsky, Paramount Mid-
East division manager, returned to
Philadelphia at the weekend from New
York.

•

Arthur M. Rosen, assistant to Nat
Lapkin, vice-president of Stanley
Warner Cot p., has left New York by
plane for Hollywood.

•

F. J. A. McCarthy, Universal Pic-
tures Southern and Canadian sales
manager, will leave here today for
Toronto.

•

Max Thorpe, managing director of
Columbia Pictures Corp., Ltd., Lon-
don, arrived here yesterday from Eng-
land by B.O.A.C.

James E. Velde, Western division
manager for United Artists, will leave
New York by plane today for Mil-
waukee.

•

William B. Zoellner, head of
M-G-M shorts and newsreel sales, is
in Cincinnati from New York.
•

Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., has left
New York for London via B.O.A.C.
Monarch. .

•

H. William Fitelson, theatrical
attorney, left here yesterday for the
Coast.

Jules Levey, producer, has left De-
troit for Buffalo.

Study O. Censor Law
C onstitutionality

COLUMBUS, O., Nov. 8.— Consti-
tutionality of Ohio's censor law is
under scrutiny by the three-judge Dis-
trict Court of Appeals here following
an appeal filed by Harry Wright, at-
torney for RKO Radio Pictures ; In-
dependent Theatre Owners of Ohio,
Martin Smith of Toledo and Horace
Adams of Cleveland. Plaintiffs ap-
pealed the decision of Judge Ralph
Bartlett of Franklin County Common
Pleas Court, who denied an injunction
against the board sought by the plain-
tiffs. _

MEMBERS OF INDUSTRY WITNESS
COPYRIGHT CONVENTION SIGNING

Watching the signing by President
Eisenhower at the White House last
Friday of the instrument by which the
United States becomes the eighth
country to ratify the new Universal
Copyright Convention were Austin C.
K.eougli, vice-president and general
counsel of Paramount Pictures and
chairman of the Motion Picture As-
sociation's law committee, and Edward
A. Sargoy of the New York law firm
of Sargoy & Stein, who heads the
copyright section of the American
Bar Association and was a technical
consultant to the U.S. delegation at
1952 Inter-governmental conference
in Geneva, Switzerland, which drew
up the U.C.C.

Due to an inadvertent error, Motion
Picture Daily yesterday reported that
Congressional action to implement the
convention remains to be taken.

The U.S. Senate gave its consent

to the treaty and both Houses passed
the necessary implementing legisla-
t'on just before the last adjournment
of Congress. Three months after the
12th country's ratification is deposited
at UNESCO headquarters in Paris,
the U.C.C. will be in effect.

In commenting on the significance
of the ratification, Keough indicated
he was particularly pleased that the
ertire motion picture industry iiad
been able to contribute its support in
the final stages of the drive to get
consent of the Senate and the neces-
sary implementing legislation through
Congress, after certain clarifying in-
terpretations had been given in Paris
by an interim Inter-governmental
Copyright Committee of UNESCO to
its Director-General Luther Evans,
eliminating some questions which had
been a matter of concern to certain
picture companies.

2 Administrators of
Shea Estate Praised

The Surrogate had previously ruled
that the total to be paid by the execu-
tors as a result of such accusations
was approximately $221,000. Since the
executors had distributed the assets
to the Shea family the court ordered
members of the family to pay the ex-
ecutors a percentage each' of the total.
The court also directed that in the
event on an appeal members of the
family must post a surety bond of
$250,000 within eight days. In the
event there is no appeal, the court
directed them to return to tiie execu-
tors the stock of Shea Enterprises
which was distributed to them.

Raftery and Grainger are directed
to sell a sufficient amount of such
stock as is needed to make the pay-
ments directed.

$8,100 for 'Contessa*

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 8.— United
Artists' "The Barefoot Contessa"
grossed $8,100 in its first three days
at the Fine Arts here, reportedly a
record for a weekend.

'Matter' Nov. 18

"The Heart of the Matter," based
on the novel by Graham Greene, will
have its American premiere at the
Trans-Lux Normandie Theatre here
on Nov. 18.

Responses Come in
For New Workshops

'20,000 Leagues' to
Bow Here Dec. 23

The world premiere of Walt Dis-
nev's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea"
will be held at the Astor Theatre here
on Dec. 23.

News
Roundup

AMPP to Honor Prince

Association of Motion Picture Pro-
ducers in Hollywood will honor
Prince Axel of Denmark and heads
of the Swedish, Norwegian and Dan-
ish governments at a luncheon on
Nov. 18 at the Universal-International
studios. Y. Frank Freeman will pre-
side, and about 200 industry members
are expected to attend.

Variety Promotion

The second annual Variety Club-
Inter City boxing championships in
Albany will be held on Nov. 27. The
Albany tent is striving to sell 2,500
tickets at $1.25 and $2 each. The
arrangement does not call for the
tent to absorb any of the expenses.

Grant Union Hearing

Jesse] to Emcee

Screen Producers' Guild president
Arthur Freed announced that George
Jessel would emcee the Guild's fourtli
annual "Milestone Dinner" at the
Statler Hotel in Los Angeles on
Nov. 21 at which Nicholas and Joseph
Schenck will be presented the Mile-
stone Award.

'Prairie' in House Record

Walt Disney's "The Vanishing
Prairie," set an all-time first week
record of $10,200 at the Bellevue The-
atre in Upper Montclair, New Jersey,
it was announced by Sam Shumer,
manager.

NZW YORK THEATRES

.RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL.

Rockefeller Center

IRVING
BERLIN'S

'WHITE CHRISTMAS"

in VistaVision starring

BING CROSBY - DANNY KAYE
ROSEMARY CLOONEY - VERA ELLEN
Color by Technicolor - A Paramount Picture
and SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION

.With Showmen Everywhere!

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quiglejs Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

42,736,92

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THE SHOWMANSHIP COMPANY

Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, November 9, 1954

RKO Business

(Continued from page 1)

Europe and the Near East, especially
in Germany. RKO has fulfilled its im-
port quotas with pictures, some of
them being re-releases, and we have
had good grosses with them."

Branson, in an April press confer-
ence, disclosed that the RKO business
then was 10 to 12 per cent ahead of
a comparable 1953 period.

During his tour of England, France,
Italy, Holland, Germany and Belgium,
Branson met with RKO branch man-
agers, and in association with Tushin-
sky, conducted demonstrations of the
Superscope lenses in London, Paris
and Rome where he screened a special
product trailer for exhibitors, utilizing
outstanding sequences from "Susan
Slept Here," "Underwater," "Son

Japan

(Continued front' page 1) ,

especially for submission to the Cannes
and Venice film festivals, and it will
make them in Eastman Color, Jap-
anese color processes having proved
so far unacceptable for high quality.
The company also has made a deal
with Thomas Brandon for release,
probably during th^ Christmas season,
of "The Impostor."

They were accompanied by T.
Koida, their representative, who has
opened headquarters in Los Angeles,
and who at the interview acted as
translator. They already have been in
Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France,
Belgium and Great Britain, talking
with exhibitors and studio executives,
and expect to do the same in New
York and Hollywood.

Little Communist Influence

Communist influence among Jap-
anese producers is small, they declared,
answering questions. Seven of 300
films last year were from leftist pro-
ducers. These men, they asserted, be-
gan their careers with propaganda pic-
tures. It was the first experience in
such an appeal, for Japanese audiences
— "which soon stopped coming." The
producers now have changed to al-
most straight entertainment.

Both men asked reporters to tell
them of such matters as CinemaScope,
television, and the like.

They asked about the competition
between films and television, and were
told it had decreased. They asked
which "Scope" the reporters favored,
and were told they wouldn't get an
answer. They asked whether Cinerama
would compete with CinemaScope, and
were assured it would not. Also, they
asked whether, if European producers
combined, as they often talked of do-
ing, to make a dent in the American
market, they could do so. They were
answered : there are too few European
pictures.

Two TV Outlets in Tokyo

They feel two factors militate
against television as a , competitor in
Japan : high costs, so far ; and a large
number of mountains.

Is Up 5% Over

of Sinbad" and "The Conqueror."

"European exhibitors are trying to
find something compatible for all films
and they have expressed much interest
in the Superscope lenses,"' Branson
said. "The French are slow-moving in
equipping for the latest media, but they
are highly interested in Tushinsky's
lenses," he said. Lens demonstrations
were held at the London Odcon for
some 750 British exhibitors, at the
Paris Rex for about 2,000 theatremcn,
and at the Rome Capital where 1,500
exhibitors and Italian producers were
in attendance, he said.

Mexico Fair

(Continued from page 1)

department, a costs budget for such a
fair. They calculate the expenses at
$240,000 and want the Government to
cover that outlay.

The Ministry considers that quite a
price for lodging, boarding and enter-
taining invited guests, representatives
of various branches of the industry
from- all picture producing countries,
publicity, etc. The producers say
$240,000 is the absolute minimum cost
of a successful world film fair, adding
that unless such a fair can be a suc-
cess, it is better not to stage it at all.

Stressing that there must be no
stinting nor stinginess, the producers
cite the world picture show which
.A.rgentina presented last year. They
point out that the Buenos Aires Gov-
ernment thought nothing of paying all
costs of that fair.

Para. Re-Signs Dolan

Paramount Pictures has exercised
its option on Robert Emmett Dolan,
producer. Dolan currently is prepar-
ing "Anything Goes," as his next film.

Last Year

through the regular anamorphic lenses
which are used in CinemaScope up to
at 2:1 aspect ratio," he said. The ana-
morphic Superscope prints will have
optical sound tracks, he added.

Commenting on the numerous film
festivals around the world, Branson
stated that "the festivals have lost
their original intent and have become
very commercial." Questioned about
the possible efl^ects of subscriber tele-
vision and commercial television in
Europe, the RKO executive said
"Pay-TV is an interesting phase" and
that he didn't hear any discussions
about the medium while in Europe.

However, he said, the British public
does not seem concerned with com-
mercial television as TV in Great Bri-
tain is no competition to motion pic-
tures.

Trust Suits

(Continued from page 1)

Runs, clearances, film terms and
alleged withholding of prints are in-
volved in the charges.

Malkan also filed a $1,080,000 anti-
trust suit yesterday on behalf of the
Austin Theatre in Kew Gardens,
L. I., naming many of the defendants
in the drive-in suits.

McCarthy Rites

(Continued from, page 1)

than 20 years. Earlier affiliations had
included managerships in Philadelphia
and other Pennsylvania cities. He
started in the industry with the old
Sylvester Z. Poli interests at Bridge-
port.

Funeral services will be held in the
latter city on Thursday.

People

Forrest J. Beard has been named
advertising manager of Ampex
Corp., Redwood City, Cal. He was
formerly with Ray Oil Burner Co.
and Pabco Products, both of San
Francisco.

Allan Noye, Mexico manager for
20th Century-Fox, has been elected
president of Variety Club Tent No.
1, Mexico City. New vice-presidents
are Emilio Azcarraga, Jr., and
Rumolo O'Farrill, Jr.

Ed Stevens, president of Stevens
Pictures, Atlanta, has returned there
following a tour of his branches.

Mitchell Little, who has been
office manager for Republic Pictures
in Charlotte, has joined Buena Visla
as a salesman in the Atlanta and
Charlotte territories.

Elmer F. Lux, Buffalo exhibitor
and city council president; Mrs.
Lux, Jack Chinell, RKO Radio ex-
change manager in Buffalo and Mrs.
Chinell will be the "greeters" at the
"Get Acquainted Night" Friday in
the headquarters of Tent 7, Variety
Club of Buffalo.

R. A. Morris, overseas sales man-
ager for Associated British-Pathe,
Ltd., visited recently at the Atlanta
offices of Allied Artists Southern
Exchanges.

'Fate' Opens Tomorrow

United Artists' "Twist of Fate"
will have its American premiere to-
morrow at the Monroe Theatre in
Chicago, with Ginger Rogers and
co-star Jacques Bergerac, her husband
in private life, the honored guests at
the opening ceremonies.

"Sign of the Pagan

(Continued from page 1)

appropriate musical score, an outstanding vehicle of entertainment which
should make its weight felt at the box office. Universal exchanges will carry
three different prints, four track magnetic sound, one track optical sound
tor CinemaScope equipped theatres besides a regular, flat print.

The picture has a star-studded cast headed by Jack Palance, who portrays
Attila the Hun with an outer harshness and cruelty, but an inner warmth and
inner understanding of life and faith ; Jeff Chandler, who portrays the Roman
centurion, _ the son of a sandalmaker, whose love of country is surpassed
only by his love of a woman; Ludmilla Tcherina, princess of the Eastern
Roman Empire, whose remarkable masquerade as the most wanton woman
in Constantinople helped hide from Attila her dedicated role as proctectress
of the Church and the Empire, and Rita Gam, daughter of Attila who yearns
and dies for Christianity.

Set in 450 A.D., Attila captures a young centurion. Chandler carryino- a
message from the Emperor to Constantinople, and against the wishes of "his
daughter. Miss Gam, nurses the Roman back to health and sends him on
his way. Chandler learns that the Eastern empire has entered into an alliance
Y-j Hunnish hordes and sets about to take counter measures

Aided by Miss Tcherina, and Jeff Alorrow, commander of the Eastern legions
Chandler prepares to meet Attila in battle, but he is denied the satisfaction
of ending the Hun's life— the fatal knife thrust in Attila's body comes from
Allison Hayes, a slave whom the Hun had forcibly taken as his wife.

Others in the cast are Eduard Franz, a Persian philosopher who forsee's
the end of Attila ; George Dolenz, Sara Shane, Leo Gordon and Moroni Olsen
The picture was produced by Albert J. Cohen and directed by Douglas Sirk
from a screenplay by Oscar Brodney and Barre Lyndon. The story was
written by Brodney.

Running time, 92 minutes. General audience classification. Release in
December.

LESTER DINOFF

Harriman Presents
Finance Aid Plan

Averell Harriman, newly elect-
ed Democratic governor of New
York, expressed the hope that
New York City's financial and
tax problems would be han-
dled on a non-partisan basis in
a television appearance on. the
Citizen's Union Searchlight
Hour over Channel 4 of the
National Broadcasting Co. net-
work here.

Outlining his "affirmative pro-
gram" which will be presented
to a Republican-controlled
Legislature, Harriman said that
he hopes to work out an equita-
ble plan of state aid for New
York City and other cities as
well whose fiscal relations with
Albany are not what they
should be.

Tuesday, November 9, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Percentage

{Continued fronn page 1)

Fox against William A. Smith and
Texas Theatres, Inc., as defendants,
operating- the Texas theatre in Pharr,
Texas.

Judge Allred required the defend-
ants to produce all of the theatre
books for a six and one-half year peri-
od from Jan. 1, 1948, to the date of the
filing of the suits. Judge Allred's
order in Texas is the first to cover
a period of such length, and follows
a line of similar orders granted in
more than twenty-five other Federal
jurisdictions.

A motion by the eight distributor
plaintiffs for a broad inspection of
theatre books and records of the Park
Theatre in Philadelphia, Pa., for over
a six year period, in eight pending
percentage actions also was ordered
by United States District Judge John
W. Lord, Jr., in Philadelphia. The
motions filed by Columbia, Loew's,
Paramount, United Artists, RKO,
Universal, 2'Oth Century-Fox and
Warner Bros, were brought in cases
involving defendants I. Edward Kap-
ner and others operating the Park
Theatre for the period from Jan. 1,
1948, to the date of the filing of the
actions this year.

High Court Ignores
St. Louis TV Appeal

Special Ruling for CBS

In its appeals brief, St. Louis said
that "if this particular exemption is
permissible, there can be no assurance
it will be the only one. Future exemp-
tions for favored parties will be pos-
sible."

The high court today gave no rea-
son for its decision not to hear the
appeal. Justice Douglas took no part
in the decision, it was noted.

'Carmen' Pulls $31,000

Televisinn-'HadiD

iivith Pinky Herman^

■fX rHEN a program becomes an institution, such as Don McNeill's
"Breakfast Club," (Series is currently on its 22nd consecutive
year on the air) one must take time out from a busy and varied
schedule to pay heed. When Don's pals and cohorts including ork
pilot Eddie Ballentine, vocalists Johnny Desmond and Eileen Parker,
comic Sam Cowling, Fran (Aunt Fanny) Allison and producer Cliff
Petersen, descended en masse upon us Gothamites last week, this
scribbler not only paid heed to the jam-packed audiences in the
Terrace Room of the Hotel New Yorker but also paid a visit and
thrilled to the ABChockful of entertainment shows the Chicagoans
put on. . . . Ruth Hussey and Louis Jourdan will co-star next Tuesday
in an original teleplay, "Warm Clay," scripted by Jack Gordun and
Winifred Wolfe for "The Elgin Hour," TVia ABC. . . . Peter
Packer's television adaptation of I. A. R. Wylie's story, ". . . And
Son," the first she's ever permitted to be telecast, will star Edward
G. Robinson and will be produced by Michel Kraike for Screen
Gems. Sponsor is Ford Theatre.

^ ^

When the "Jackie Gleason CBShow" opens a two-week en-
gagement at the New York Paramount Theatre next Wednes-
day, not only will the assembled cast prove to be the greatest
■ in number but for the first time in 19 years,

will it be necessary to utilize the entire
stage. . . . Formerly with Telefilm Enter-
prises and Official Films, Bud Austin has
been named to head the national sales divi-
sion of National Telefilm Associates by
W*>^ v^^P Harold Goldman. . . . Dick (Two-Ton)

illMte timr^m B^^^'^' whose Chicago clowning and RCA-
JH^HT't^^H pars has won him a great following in the
^^^H^ Mid-West, has signed with Imperial Rec-

^^^H m j^H ords. Initial disk pairs two novelties, "Clink
^^H i^H Clank" backed with "The Froggy Song."
^^^^M'M^^M . . . Leonard E. Hammer has resigned from

Tackie Glf>a^nn ^^e Adam Young TV Corp. to join the
Jackie Uleason ^^j^^ ^^^^ MCA-TV Ltd. . . . With a

wealth of Broadway, stock and radio experience, plus looks
and charm, Helen Baron, currently seen as Bob Dana's "Gal
Friday" every Tuesday (4:00-4:15 P.M.) over DuMont, rates
our nod as "Miss TVision of 1954."

■ii -A

Sounds like a natural to u^. We're referring to Jack Benny's
fortlicouiing CBSunday TV satire on "The Caine Mutiny," a base-
ball story, "The Giant Mutiny," which features Leo Durocher,
manager of the N. Y. Giants, Bob Lemon of
the Cleveland Indians, Fred Haney and Chuck
Dressen and umpire "Beans" Rear don. . . .
According to Hugh H. Bcville, Jr., NBChief
of research and planning, there are now ap-
proximately 31,674,000 TV receivers in the
country. . . . Producers Mark Goodson and
Bill Todman have named Harris Katlemwi,
director of G-T West Coast operations, to
cultivate nezv material and, develop nezu zurit-
ers. . . . Russ Emery, singing-emcee of the
daily "New England Talent' Club" series
TVia WJAR, is another lad who came to the
big apple, learned the ABC's of broadcasting
via Dick Stabile's Orchestra, Ken Murray
and Kate Smith sliozvs, his own program over WNEW thence
back home to Rhode Island, where as star of his own TV show,
he can encourage and guide other talented youngsters. . . . When
20-year Don Hastings makes his appearance next Monday as
"Captain Video" on DuMont, it'll mark his 1500th consecutive
telecast. Don started his TVenture on this program when it
prcemed. back in 1949. . . . Bob Weitman has come to "grippes"
zvith the flu and is winning the battle.

^ -iJV ^

RECOMMENDED: Maggi McNellis' daily ABChatter Irving

Berlin's "Count Your Blessings," from the Paramount filmusical,
"White Christmas." . . . "Big Jon & Sparkle," fine kiddie series heard
locally in Cincinnati, should be brought to N. Y. and ABCoast-to-
Coasted on TV. . . . The Dolphins' great waxing of the swingy "If
I Had a Million Dollars" on Label X. A deejay natural. ... Ed
Herlihy's colorful reporting every Sunday (3:00-5:00 P.M.) on
his "Week-End" RCA radio series. . . . Ruby Mercer's MBSpritely
programs featuring recorded music and up-to-the-minute news.

Jack Benny

Pickus

{Continued from page 1)

of the shortage of product, cannot
wait, there is a problem, the Con-
necticut theatre owner said.

"It seems to me that the latter
group of exhibitors should: (1) In-
stall a large screen, after careful in-
vestigation and advice, so as to be
able to get the best reflective light
setup for the particular theatre. For
the average small theatre the cost of
the large screen is not more than
$1,000. And (2) install a^short focal
lens. For an additional $750, if they
wish to be able to show all Cinema-
Scope pictures on the wide screen,
they are able to buy a pair of anamor-
phic lenses. Prints are being released
with one-track optical sound," Pickus
stated.

There is no reason to make any
investment in stereophonic sound, he
flatly said.

"You must make these decisions
after due investigation, counsel, and
thought," Pickus stated. "Do not get
high pressured into things you do not
want and do not need. Take these
thoughts into account : ( 1 ) What
amount of product is available to you
if you do nothing, or, if you do part,
or, if you do all? (2) What is your
competitive position? Are you being
hurt because you have not modern-
ized your projection equipment? What
are your neighbors doing? (3) Have
you kept your house in order, aside
from equipment? Are your customers
getting the best in cleanliness, service,
and courtesy?"

ABC, DuMont Silent
On Reported Deal

Principals of American Broadcast- '
ing Co. and DuMont Laboratories
refused to comment yesterday on re-
ports that discussions looking to the
purchase of the DuMont television
network by ABC have been under way
for some time.

In addition, officials of Paramount
Pictures, which owns all of the
DuMont Class B stock, declined com-
ment on further reports that it op-
posed the projected deal.

DuMont owns and operates TV
stations in New York, Washington
and Pittsburgh. Under the Federal
Communications Commission regula-
tions, if such a deal were consum-
mated, ABC would be required to
divest itself of one New York station
and two other VHF properties.

Three UA Branches
Lead Sales Drive

United Artists' New York, Cleve-
land and Milwaukee branches have
captured the three first-place prizes
for the first lap of the Robert S.
Benjamin drive, it was announced by
B. G. Kranze, general sales manager
for UA and co-captain of the drive
saluting the company's chairman of
the board.

The New York branch is managed
by Joseph Sugar ; the Cleveland ex-
change is bossed by Dave Rosenthal,
and Joe Imhof heads the Milwaukee
branch.

'She Wolf In Buffalo

First showing of Republic's "The
She Wolf" in the English dialogue
version will open at the Lafayette
Theatre in Buffalo tomorrow. The
picture is a Jules Levey presentation.

Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, November 9. 1954

COMPO Ad Scores
Growing: Threat of
Local B.O. Taxes

The 30th in tlie series of Council of
Motion Picture Organizations' ads in
"Editor & PubHsher," calls atten-
tion to the threat of new municipal
admission taxes and points out to
editors a few aspects of such taxes
that may not have occurred to them.

Cites 'A Few Aspects'

Notwithstanding Congress's clear
intent, the ad says that the motion
picture industry now hears that there
is a possibility cities and towns will'
impose admission taxes of their own.
In view of this threat, the ad states
that "we would like to alert our news-
paper friends 'to a few aspects of mu-
nicipal admission taxes which may
not have occurred to them."

"Since the tax was cut in half last
April 1, there has been an increase
of nearly 1,000 theatre operations. All
of these newly opened theatres give
employment to local residents, stimu-
late local retail business and pay taxes
into their local municipal treasuries.
These benefits . would be gravely
threatened in every community impos-
ing a municipal admission tax."
Drive-ins a Factor

Would End House
Un-American Unit

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8. — Rep.
Walter (D., Pa.), who would head the
House Un-American Activities com-
mittee in the new 84th Congress, said
he might ask the House in January to
abolish the committee.

It's possible, of course, that House
Democratic leaders will try to talk-
Walter out of his idea, or that the
House itself will vote to continue the
committee despite Walter's feelings.

Starts Art Bookings

HARTFORD, Nov. 8.— The part-
time booking of art films is spreading
into small town situations in Connec-
ticut. The independent State theatre
in Springdale is the latest to set se-
lected European attractions on a two-
day-per-week schedule. General ad-
mission prices are raised to $1 for
the two days.

Reviews

You Know What Sailors Are"

(/. Arthur Rank-United Artists)

npHE light, amusing humor which has so happily characterized many
A of the British productions during recent years is present in this J. Arthur
Rank ofTering, "You Know What Sailors Are," starring Akini Tamirof? in a
delightful characterization as a ruler of an Arabian Night-style country.
Tamirofif is the sole marquee name which American audiences will recognize
but his excellent performance is easily matched by the rest of a talented and
well-chosen English cast headed by Donald Sinden, Sarah Lawson and
Naunton Wayne.

Sinden, a Navy radar expert, had a few drinks too many and for a joke,
collected a pawnbroker's sign and a pram, and shaped and welded them to the
bridge of a foreign destroyer. Following that old Naval axiom — if it's perma-
nent, paint it, the crew of Tamiroi¥'s vessel paint the contraption, believing
it to be the latest radar equipment. Units of the British Navy are in an
uproar because they want a secret weapon like the one welded to the bridge
of the foreign vessel. Sinden is assigned to TamirofT as a radar instructor
and, while at sea, tries to explain the joke but is thwarted by the explosion
of a sabotaged plane, thus convincing TamirofT that the pawnbroker's three-
ball sign is a secret weapon.

TamirofF keeps Sinden under the close guard of 15 lovely girls in his
palace in order to learn all he can about the secret weapon in order to fight
the threats of a neighboring nation. .A.s the story unfolds, Tamiroff, Sinden
and a screwball professor, Martin Miller, keep the chuckles moving right up
to the end.

Also in the cast are Bill Kerr, Dora Bryan, and Michael , Shepley. The
picture was written and produced by Peter Rogers and directed by Ken
Annakin, all members of the Julian Wintle Production unit.

Running time, 85 minutes General audience classification. Release, in
November. . L. D.

Senate Unit Gets
SCTOA Complaint
Anent Distributors

Sees New Powers Given

''The Golden Mistress"

(Kay-Rybnick — UA)

L7 NUSUAL scenes of voodoo ceremony and dances, in color, lend an
eerie emphasis to "The Golden Mistress," a film starring John Agar
and Rosemarie Bowe in a standard adventure drama about a treasure hunt
in modern Haiti. The picture was filmed entirely in the Caribbean and
has considerably more appeal to audiences than the cast names suggest.

The climax is a fantastic affair involving a large, but unknown Caribbean
island where the protagonists come within an inch of losing their lives in a
spectacular voodoo dance of justice.

The film was produced by Richard Kay and Harry Rybnick, with Sam X.
Abarbanel as executive producer. Joel Judge directed from a screenplay he
co-authored with Lew Hewitt, who also wrote the original story. Prominent
in the supporting cast are Abner Biberman as Miss Bowe's father ; little
Jacques Molant as Agar's 12-year-old first mate ; Andre Narcisse as an
upright village chief and several members of the National Folklore Theatre
of Haiti.

Running time, 82 minutes. General audience classification. Released in
September.

''Twist of Fate''

(British Lion-United Artists')

WHILE manipulating melodramatic incident after incident, "Twist of
Fate" manages to provide audiences with a good level of excitement and
suspense as Ginger Rogers and Jacques Bergerac, in authentic French Riviera
atmosphere and locale, turn in able performances.

The screenplay by Robert Westerby and Carl Nystrom churns with move-
ment and involvements. In the finale, Lom kills Baker when the latter catches
him in another theft. Lom then rearranges circumstances so that it would
appear that the lovers actually committed the murder. Despite the highly
melodramatic quality of the story, it is to its credit that it does not sink into
the routine. When Miss Rogers and Bergerac discover that they are being-
victimized by false evidence they go about nabbing the real culprit in a
whirlwind, bang-up finish.

Maxwell Setton and John R. Sloan produced the film and David Miller
was the director.

Running time, 89 minutes. Adult audience classification. Release in No-
vember.

4 Films Start; 11
Finish; 32 in Work

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 8.— Four
pictures started and 11 pictures were
completed last week, dropping the
overall total of pictures in production
to 32.

Started were : "Five Aganist the
House," ( Columbia) ; "No Place to
Hide," Joseph Shaftel, Eastmancolor
( Independent ) ; "The Rose Tatto,"
VistaVision (Paramount) ; "Kiss of
Fire," Technicolor (Universal-Inter-
national ) .

Completed were : "Rider of the Ruby
Hills" and "High Society," (Allied
Artists) ; "Creature With the Atom
Brain," Clover Prods. (Columbia) ;
"Hit the Deck," CinemaScope, East-
man (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) ; "The
Trouble With Harry," VistaVision,
Technicolor (Paramount) ; "The Ad-
miral Hoskins Story," (Republic);
"The Seven Year Itch," CinemaScope,
color (20th Century-Fox) ; "Big
House, U.S.A.", Bel-Air (United
Artists) ; 'The Shrike" and "To Hell
and Back," CinemaScope, Technicolor
(Universal-International) ; "Jump In-
to Hell," (Warner Brothers.).

Lof D Takes 'Bread'
Out of 'B' Class

The National Legion of Decency's
rating of "Bread, Love and Dreams"
has been revised as a result of revi-
sions made in the film. Formerly
rated as Class B, it has now been
placed in Class A, Section 2, this '
classification being applicable only to
prints exhibited in Continental United:
States.

In class A, Section 2 are "Black
Widow," "Fire Over Africa," "Four
Ways Out" and "Sign of the Pagan."

In Class A, Section 1 are "Athena,"
"The Black -Knight," "The Bob Ma-
thias Story," "Crest of the Wave,"
"Romeo and Juliet" and "West of
Zanzibar."

1 All ■

1 MOTION PICTURE

Concise

1 The News |

1 ATT "^T*

1 That ^

DAlLYi

lis News

Point 1

VOL. 76. NO. 91

NEW YORK, U. S. A., WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1954

TEN CENTS

Must Make Try

Martin Pleads
For Solution
Of Problems

New TO A President Says
Future Is Threatened

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 9. — The seller's
market created by the distributors, the
siiortage of good product, prints and
the prohibitive film rentals demanded
for the pictures that are available, are
all combining to threaten the continued
existence of most exhibitors, E. D.
Alartin, newly elected president of the
Theatre Owners of America, stated
here today.

Speaking at the closing banquet of
the Missouri-Illinois Theatre Owners
Association at the Chase Hotel, Mar-
tin said that "perhaps these problems
are not soluble, but we would be
(Continued on page 6)

TOA Promises RKO
Meeting on Finance
Plan When Ready

A committee representing the pro-
jected film financing company which
is being initiated by the Theatre Own-
ers of America will meet with James
R. Grainger, RKO Pictures president,
and C. J. Tevlin, studio head, when
the finance group's plan "is off the
ground." This was stated yesterday in
a telegram to Grainger by E. D. Mar-
tin, TOA president, in reply to Grain-
ger's suggestion for a meeting on
TOA's financing proposal.

Martin's telegram said : "TOA is
definitely interested in stimulating in-
dependent production of quality pic-
tures through the formation of a
{Continued on page 6)

24 Films Offered by
Associated Artists

Twenty-four British pictures, plus
a number of other foreign features and
shorter length films, are available for
immediate theatrical and non-theatri-
cal distribution, including television,
by Associated Artists, it was an-
nounced here yesterday by Eliot Hy-
man, president of the newly organized
company at a Warwick Hotel trade
press conference.

The new company has already
started activity in all of the various
fields for which it has been formed,
{Continued on page 6)

Col. 5-Day Sales
Meet in Chicago

A five-day sales convention of
Columbia's division and branch man-
agers and Canadian and home ofiice
executives will be held at the Black-
stone Hotel, Chicago, starting Nov.
15, A. Montague, general sales man-
ager, announced yesterday.

Participating will be 18 home office
sales and promotion executives, 38
domestic division and branch man-
agers and the top seven sales execu-
tives of the company's Canadian or-
ganization. It will be the first time
the latter' have been included in a
domestic sales convention.

Scheduled for discussion will be
forthcoming product on Columbia's
schedule, both from its studio and
from independent producers, and dis-
cussions on continuing liquidation of
product released earlier this year.

U.K. Business
On Even Keel

By PETER BURNUP

LONDON, Nov. 9. — There were
322,000,000 paid admissions to British
theatres in the quarter ended last June
26, which was only 1.1 per cent less
than admissions during the first quar-
ter of 1954, according to the Board of
Trade Journal's report of industry
statistics.

The Journal points out that there
customarily is a decline in attendance
in the second quarter but that this year
it was less marked than in any pre-
viously recorded year. However, the
admissions were very slightly below
the corresponding 1953 quarter when
attendance was stimulated by Corona-
tion films and when the first signs had
appeared of the declining attendance
trend having been arrested.

The Board's statistics, collected
from 4,508 theatres, or 99.6 per cent
{Continued on page 6)

Industry Meet

Seeks Ways to Expand
Film- Going Audiences

Methods of expanding the audience potential for motion pictures were
explored here yesterday at a meeting of company sales and advertising-
publicity heads with representatives of Theatre Oyvners of America.

The avenues discussed were said to
have covered a wide area, including
audience research, market surveys,
media advertising and special projects
to attract and hold new audiences. In
this latter regard, stress was placed on
the importance of coralling the esti-
mated 12,000,000 girls and boys who
will have reached their 12th birthday
within the next five years.

The round-table approach to indus-
try problems was warmly praised by
E. D. Martin, newly-elected TOA
president who led the TOA delega-
tion, it was learned. In his comments,
it was stated that he compared this
approach to the "civil war" method
of examining industry problems.

The highlights of the suggestions
made at yesterday's meeting, it was
stated, will be conveyed to the Nov.
15 session here of the executive com-
mittee of the Council of Motion Pic-
ture Organizations. Acting as liaison,
it was added, will be Al Lichtman,
{Continued on page 6)

Begin 'Army' Print
Handling Nov. 27

Distribution to exchanges of prints
for "This Is Your Army," a feature
length Technicolor picture produced
for the Department of Defense, will
begin Nov. 27, it was announced yes-
terday by Robert W. Coyne, Council
of Motion Picture Organizations spe-
cial counsel. Release date of the pic-
ture is Dec. 13.

Nine major companies are cooperat-
ing with COMPO in distribution of
the picture, the general sales man-
agers having divided the country into
areas with certain exchange territories
allotted to each company.

"This Is Your Army" has a run-
ning time of 55 minutes. Distribution
of press books, prepared by the 20th
{Continued on page 6)

Reade Suggests
TO A- Allied Meet

A joint committee composed of
Allied and Theatre Owners of Amer-
ica members to explore Allied's bid
for united action on exhibitor prob-
lems was proposed by Walter Reade,
Jr., chairman of the TOA board. .

The proposal was in the form of
an open letter by Reade to Ben
Marcus, Allied president. It made no
mention of Allied's proposal to seek
Federal regulation of film rentals, a
measure already rejected by Mitchell
Wolfson on behalf of TOA.

The Reade letter, in response to an
{Continued on page 6)

Arbitration Damage Issue Unresolved

Rules for determining the extent of damages is the one point
dividing exhibition and distribution from reaching agreement on
an arbitration draft, it was disclosed here yesterday by Al
Lichtman, chairman of the distributors' arbitration committee.

Lichtman's disclosure on the one remaining point came as
Herman Levy, Theatre Owners of America general counsel, and
Adolph Schimel, counsel for the distributors' arbitration commit-
tee, planned to confer again later this week.

Queried on his statement before the recent TOA convention,
Lichtman explained that the "one point" referred to in his speech
then was in reference to the question of damages. He went on to
explain that standards to measure how much an exhibitor should
be allowed in damages under the projected arbitration system,
were still to be ironed out.

Chief Barkers to
Aid Harris with
Brotherhood Drive

Former chief barkers of Variety
Clubs International and former chair-
men of Brotherhood Week of the
National Conference have volunteered
to assist John H. Harris, head of
Harris Amusement Co. of Pittsburgh,
in conducting the 1955 campaign next
February, Harris told a gathering of
approximately 100 industry leaders
and trade press representatives at a
luncheon at the Waldorf-Astoria Ho-
tel here yesterday.

The meeting heard the report of
{Continued on page 7)

Says U. S. May Use
Cinerama in Bangkok

By Staff Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9. — The
State Department wants to display
"This Is Cinerama" in Bangkok as
part of the U. S. Government's efforts
to sell America in crucial overseas
areas, according to Samuel Rosen,
executive vice-president of Stanley
Warner Corp.

Rosen disclosed this at a Washing-
ton Advertising Club luncheon honor-
{Continued on page 7)

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, November 10, 1954

Personal
Mention

WILLIAM J. HEINEMANN,
United Artists vice-president
in charge of distribution, returned to
New York yesterday following a busi-
ness-and-vacation trip to the Moun-
tain states and the West Coast.
•

Alfred E. Daff, Universal Pic-
tures executive vice-president, will
leave here today for the Coast.
•

George Weltnek, president of
Paramount International, returned to
New York yesterday from Europe.
•

Hal Hackett, president of Official
Films, and Mike Neidorf, chairman
of the board, are scheduled to leave
here today for England via B.O.A.C.
Monarch.

•

Michael Mindlin, Jr., advertising-
publicity director for Lopert Films,
will arrive here tomorrow by plane
from London.

•

Alex Harrison, 20th Century-Fox
Western sales manager, will return
to New York tomorrow from St.
Louis.

•

Joseph Bronstein and Isadore
Bregman, of the East Hartford Fam-
ily Drive-in Theatre Corp., have re-
turned there from Miami.

•

Pat Duggan, producer, and Mi-
chael CuRTiz, director, left the Coast
by plane yesterday for New York.
•

Henry Berman, producer, who ar-
rived in New York recently from Eu-
rope, has left here for Hollywood.
•

Barbara Stanwyck arrived in
New York yesterday from London
by B.O.A.C.

SOME SELLOUTS REPORTED FOR
OPERA TELECAST IN 32 HOUSES

Celebrities to Attend
Pioneers' Dinner

A cast of stage, screen and tele-
vision personalities will be presented
at the 16th annual showmanship din-
ner of the Motion Picture Pioneers,
honoring Si Fabian as "Pioneer of
the Year," on Nov. 17th, at the Hotel
Sheraton Astor here, it was announced
by Morton Sunshine, entertainment
chairman.

Among the celebrities announced as
taking part in the "Si Fabian Story,"
a cavalcade of the motion picture in-
dustry from the Nickelodeon era to
Cinerama, are film stars George Mur-
phy and Van Johnson of Hollywood,
Licia Albanese, the Metropolitan
Opera star, and Lowell Thomas, com-
mentator.

Assisting Sunshine on staging and
lighting is Dave Bines, who for the
past five years has staged the Palace
Theatre Shows.

No Paper Tomorrow

Motion Picture Daily will not
be published tomorrow, Nov.
11, Veterans' Day.

Business in the 32 U. S. theatres which presented the large-screen,
closed circuit telecast of the opening night performance of the Metro-
politan Opera on Monday evening was termed by circuit representatives
and Nathan L. Halpern, president of
Theatre Network Television, as "very
good."

Halpern, enthusiastic about the early
theatre reports which were received at
the TNT offices here, stated yesterday
that "the telecast was the biggest and
most spectacular in the company's his-
tory. It cost TNT an approximate
$100,000 to present the show."

A report from the Metropolitan
Opera stated that an audience of 3,800
paid $62,438 in admissions with seats
on the orchestra floor bringing $30
each. The installation of electrical
equipment and television cameras is
reported to have cut $2,250 off the
box-office receipts.

Tickets $2 to $5 and Up

While Halpern, and the circuit of-
ficials, did not reveal what the receipts
from the 32 theatres totaled, it was
learned that ticket prices ranged from
a low $2 to a high of $5 and in some
instances more, where charity groups
were involved with the telecast pres-
entation.

Harry Mandel, national director of
advertising and publicity for RKO
Theatres, who viewed the opera at
the RKO Fordham in the Bronx, re-
ported that the 2,100-seat house was
sold out. "The handling of the opera
by TNT was better than the closed
circuit 'Carmen' performance in 1952,"
he said.

A representative of Fabian Thea-
tres, who viewed the performance at
the Fabian Fox Theatre in Brooklyn,
stated that about 3,000 of the 4,000-seat
house was occupied. "A big surprise
of the evening was the small business
Vi^hich the concessions did. not even
$100," he said.

National Reports Favorable

Around the nation, reports indicated
that business was "very good," Hal-
pern said. The Fabian Fox Theatre
reported an approximated $^,000 for
the Monday evening event ; Denver
reported a 1,700 advance ticket sale
and Indianapolis had a sellout of 3,100
tickets, the TNT head said.

In Washington, the Capitol Theatre
was reported sold out. In Chicago, at-
tendance at the theatre presenting the
telecast was considered good despite
competition from the citv Civic Opera
House. The Balaban & Katz 4,400-
seat Uptown Theatre in Chicago had
about 3,500 patrons viewing the pro-
ceedings. In Buffalo, a small crowd of
1,152 opera fans were in attendance at
the Center Theatre as pianist Liberace
was performing elsewhere in town.

Mechanical Trouble in Detroit

At the Palms theatre in Detroit,
mechanical difficulties blacked out the
picture proceedings for about two min-
utes during the "Barber of Seville" se-
quence, but the 1,500 in the audience
could still hear the sound. In Balti-
more, about 2,000 patrons paid their
way into the Stanley Theatre, a down-
town house seating some 3,000 pa-
trons.

In Houston, at the 1,400 seat Kirby
Theatre, over 1,000 patrons turned out

Smith, Morgan Feted
By Philadelphia VC

special to THE DAILY

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 9.— Ulrik
F. Smith, Paramount's Philadelphia
branch manager, and Oscar Morgan,
short subjects manager for Para-
mount, were honored on their 40th
anniversaries with the film company
at a testimonial dinner sponsored by
Variety Club Tent No. 13 last night
at the Bellevue Stratford Hotel here.

With some 250 industry officials in
attendance, Sam Diamond, 20th Cen-
tury-Fox branch manager and new
president of the Motion Picture As-
sociates, remarked that "men are
judged by their character and ability"
and he stated that those being honored
had the full measure of these virtues.

Norman Silverman, former chief
barker of Tent No. 13, appealed to
those present to aid in the tent's an-
nual Heart Fund.

Pickman, Schlanger Heard
Jerry Pickman, Paramount vice-
president, made some humorous re-
marks aiid lauded Smith and Morgan.
Ted Schlanger, Stanley Warner zone
manager for the Philadelphia area,
stated that these men have "given of
themselves freely and generously to
the industry and their communities."

A. W. Schwalberg, president of
Paramount Film Distributing Corp.,
used the occasion to call for an end
of "bickering and wrangling" and said
that everyone in the industry should
"join hands and go forward."

Smith and Alorgan were tendered
gifts and both made a few remarks
of gratitude for the honor that had
been bestowed upon them.

Columbia Signs Wright

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 9.— William
H. Wright, former M-G-M producer
whose credits include "Stars In My
Crown," "Naked Spur" and others,
will join Columbia pictures tomorrow
as a contract producer.

Ohio I.T.O. Enlists
In Fight Against
Toll Television

for the telecast. The picture, except
for a few moments, come through
clearly. In Cleveland, the telecast
played to 875 paid admissions in the
$2.80 to $5 reserved seats at the
Loew's State Theatre. The picture in
Cleveland was generally clear with oc-
casional light flicker and the sound
was generally excellent with occa-
sional fuzziness. About 900 Salt Lake
City opera lovers found the perform-
ance satisfying at the Utah Theatre.
While the local patrons did not stay
away in droves, as originally feared,
the 1,800-seat theatre was 'barely half-
filled due to the early start of the
three and one-half hour show.

In Los Angeles, the audience started
to stream into the theatre at 5 p.m.
in the afternoon, because of the East-
West Coast time dift'erences. In Pitts-
burgh, the showing at the Stanley
Theatre was well attended, it was said.

COLUMBUS, O., Nov. 9.— Count
Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio
in on the fight against subscription
television, Robert A. Wile, executive
secretary, tells members of that or-
ganization in a current bulletin. Says
Wile:_

"This subject was not supposed to
be discussed in bulletins but the trade-
papers have been full of it lately sd
apparently the cat has left its bag.

Sees 'A Great Menace'

"This is a great menace to the ex-
hibitor. In a city of 25,000 population
where he has the only theatre, the
idea sounds great — the same picture
is shown in the theatre as well as on
television for a fee. But how many
people will go to a theatre to see a
picture when it is available for less
money (or even the same money) but
any number of people permitted to
view it for the price.

"Of course, in those cities where
there is competition, which exhibitor
gets the nod will be the crux of the
situation. At any rate, television in
its present form is a competitor we
can lick when we have the right at-
traction. But once television can put
on the same attractions as we show in
the theatres it will be a different
story.

"This is going to be a difficult thing
to fight. While the present television
stations, the advertisers, newspapers
and many other people will assist us
in combatting it, the general public
as a whole might be expected to fa-
vor it.

Would Contact Congressmen

"The matter will soon come to a
head before the Federal Communi-
cations Commission in Washington.
Needless to say, your exhibitor organ-
ization is going to fight this menace
to the theatres. Before your Congress-
man returns to Washington, see him
and tell him your viewpoint on this
subj ect."

Paramount to Honor
Division Managers

Paramount's division managers next
month will be honored by the com-
pany's bookers and salesmen in the
final sales drive of the calendar year,
"Booker-Salesmen's Month," A. W.
Schwalberg, president of Paramount
Film Distributing Corp. said yesterday.

The division managers who will be
honored in the December drive are
Howard G. Minsky, Mid-East ; Bryan
D. Stoner, Central ; A. M. Kane,
South Central ; George A. Smith,
W estern ; and assistant division man-
agers Gordon Bradley, Southern ;
John G. Moore, Eastern, and H. Neal
East, Western.

Booker-Salesmen's Month will pick
up where Paramount's 40th Anniver-
sary Drive — "A Salute to the Fu-
ture"— leaves off, and will provide
these representatives in the various
branches with a special period in
which to complete their calendar year
activities, according to Schwalberg.

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigle}', Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, Ne-w York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen. News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke.
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London."' Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

F YOU

COULD HAVE
PICKED THE
STARS FOR THIS
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(AVAILABLE IN MAGNETIC STEREOPHONIC,
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YOU TOO
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(To Quofe The
Hollywood Reporter)

mmm

Jubilantly
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Variety reports:

HRISTMAS: FIRST lli !'!STAVISION

IS NE^NATIONAL BOXOFfCE CHAMP!

Y
Y

Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y

STAYISIONJs breathtaking.

—Boston American

STAVISIOH Is simply spectacular!

mvlsior

wonderful !

—Los Angeles Times

Is Impressive. "

—New York Daily News

Detroit Times
11

STAYiSiOH

STAYISIOHjffersaboon!"

—Denver Post

revolutionary."

Akron Beacon Journal

STAVISION^arrles a big wallop!"
STAVISION lives depth and clarity."

^^^^■■■■■H^^ —Memphis Commercial Appeal

STAVISION lives up to advance billing."

I^HHflHHHHBBp —Newsweek Magazine

STAVISION gives the scope and realism of a full stage.
STAVISION Is wonderfully better than anything yet.
STAVISION makes action as realistic as if it were flesh -and -blood.

-Variety
11

-Boston Globe

STAVISION [Has fine pictorial value, rich luminous color.

^^^■■^■■■■■jHP —New York Times

STAVISION can project an enormous image with remarkable clarity."

^^HH|||^HHH^K|^ —Life Magazine

STAVISION Is marked with exceptional clarity and illusion of depth."

^^^HB|HH|H^^ —Buffalo Courier -Express

STAVISION % destined to be a magnetic word on theatre marquees!"

-M. p. Daily

ill play an important role in the future of the industry."

—The Independent

akes photographed people look like people, not photographs.

■Mk —Brooklyn Eagle

STAVISION gives a new vastness and quality not matched by other methods

f — ~^ — ""l^os Altitudes ^fcw'

PARAMOUNT DELIVERS EVERYTHING IT PROMISED FOR VISTAViSION!" ^

If , ^ —Film Daily

STON

sSvisloN

iTYisiAVrsiON

istmas-New

:tractio

*3 Ring Circus," starring Martin & Lewis, in Technicolor . . .

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, November 10, 1954

Associated Artists Offering 24 Pictures

{Continued from page 1)

Hynian said. These include the pro-
duction of fihns of both feature and
shorter length, for theatrical and non-
theatrical distribution, and the release
of pictures for showings on television,
he said. Both the production and dis-
tribution operations of the new com-
pany are on a world-wide basis, he
said.

Negotiations, Hyman stated, are
now in progress for the establishment
of regional distribution offices where
franchised dealers will handle solely
the theatrical sales in Chica,go, Dallas,
Boston, Philadelphia, Washington,
Los Angeles, San Francisco, Detroit,
Pittsburgh and Charlotte. It is ex-
pected that most of the new Associated
offices will be opened by the end of
the year.

Four Handling Television

With Hyman as president and
chairman of the board of Associated,
other officers are Kenneth Hyman,
vice-president ; Samuel Haims, con-
troller and treasurer ; Jacciues Kof-
stein, general sales manager in charge

Industry Meet

(Continued from page 1)

COMPO co-chairman who, as 20th
Century- Fox distribution director, at-
tended yesterday's meeting with TOA
and the sales managers and advertis-
ing-publicity committees of the Motion
Picture Association of America.

Commenting on yesterday's meeting,
Morey Goldstein, chairman of the
MPAA sales managers committee,
said, in part, "The meeting was sound,
constructive and harmonious. . . .With
all segments of our industry participat-
ing, we can accomplish our goals of
brmging even greater numbers of peo-
ple back to the theatres of our nation."

Besides Martin, the TOA delegation
included Walter Reade, Jr. and Leon-
ard Goldenson.

Reade Suggests

(Continued from page 1)

earlier message for cooperation from
Marcus, said "we are fully sympathe-
tic toward the problems of exhibition,
which caused your board to take these
actions," apparently referring to Al-
lied setting up an emergency defense
committee. "If you will set a time and
a place for a small committee of Al-
lied to meet with a small committee
of TOA, E. D. Martin, our new pres-
ident, will appoint a committee to
meet with you," Reade added.

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cf domestic distribution ; Norman
Katz, sales manager in charge of for-
eign distribution ; Herbert Richek,
chief of the booking department and
office manager, and handling the tele-
vision operations are Arthur Kalman,
Donald Klauber, Herman Katz and
Paul Kwartin.

Margolies, Greenthal Engaged

Albert Margolies & Co. has been
retained to handle publicity with Mon-
roe Greenthal Agency handling ad-
vertising matters.

The 24 films now ready for thea-
trical release are : "The Heart c>f the
Matter," which will have its Amer-
ican premiere at the Trans-Lux Nor-
mandie Theatre here on Nov. 18, "The
Green Scarf," "The Intruder/' "The
Lady With a Lamp'," "The Naked
Heart," "Rapture," "An Inspector
Calls," "The Belles of St. Trinian's,"
"Trilogy of Murder," "The Teckman
Story," "They Who Dare," "Derby
Day."

Also "Cure for Love," "Front Page
Story," "Eight O'Clock Walk," "Con-
flict of Wings," "Appointment in Lon-
don," "The Long Rope," "Night of

Queen Mother Sees
'White Christmas'

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9. —
Queen Mother Elizabeth of Eng-
land was the guest of President
and Mrs. Eisenhower at a spe-
cial screening of Irving Berlin's
"White Christmas," in Vista-
Vision, during Her Majesty's
recent visit to the White House.

Martin

(Continued from page 1)

acutely derelict in our duty if we did
not attempt to solve them."

The immediate answer and, solution
to the industry problems which are
posed to us is to stimulate independ-
ent production, he said. "If this plan
fails, and it dare not, we shall return
to the chaotic position we are in now,
at the mercy of the producers and dis-
tributors," Martin stated.

"Unfortunately there arc many pro-
ducers and distributors that do not
understand exhibitor problems and are
not sympathetic," Martin said. "This
situation must be corrected, for an end
must come to the strife in our indus-
try," he said.

TOA Promises

(Continued from page 1)

finance company. The board of trus-
tees, chairmaned by Sam Pinanski,
will soon hold an organizational meet-
ing and when the plan is off the
ground, a committee will be nleased to
meet with you and C. J. Tevlin on
financing production."

Following the announcement of
TOA's proposal to establish a finance
committee, Grainger wired Martin
stating that "we at RKO Radio would
be interested in learning to what ex-
tent TOA was contemplating becom-
ing financially interested in participat-
ing in independent production, as we
at RKO Radio have been participatine
in financing independent producers of
quality pictures for the last 18 months."

the Full Moon," "The Straw Men,"
"Ciolden Marie," "The Devil on
Horseback," "I'orbidden" and "(jame
of Danger."

In addition to the first-run British
Lion films, Hyman said, the following
productions are ready for theatrical
re-release : "Syncopation," "Tom
Brown's School Days," "The Fight-
er," "Lucky Nick Cain," "A Christ-
mas Carol," "The Big Night," "One
Big Afifair," "Red Planet Mars,"
"Chicago Calling," "Captive City,"
"The Second Face," "Once a Thief,"
"Park Row" and "The Scarf."

Also available, the executive said,
is a package of feature films known
as "The Hall of Fame Classics." This
package will shortly start its first en-
gagement at the Fifth Avenue Cinema
here.

Has 83 Spanish Films

Hyman further announced the ac-
quisition of a group of 83 Spanish
feature films, which are now being
dubbed into English for TV release
and that 40 feature productions from
Western Germany are currently being
dubbed for TV.

U.K. Trade

(Continued from page 1)

of those known to be operating com-
mercially here, showed total seating
capacity of 4,154,692.

Gross box office receipts for the
quarter were £27,487,000 ($76,963,000).
The gross was slightly higher than for
the corresponding 1953 quarter, but
was 1 per cent lower than for the
first quarter of this year.

On the other hand, net receipts and
the exhibitors' share of such receipts
in the second quarter exceeded those
in the preceding quarter, doubtless due
to the reduction in entertainment tax
beginning last May.

Net Receipts Up

The Journal comments that the net
receipts and also the exhibitors' share
were both greater in the second 1954
quarter than in any period since the
end of 1952.

The Journal also reports a consider-
able decline in the registration of "for-
eign films — from 428 in 1953 to 394
in 1954, doubtless due to the cutback
in Hollywood production. On the
other hand, British registrations in-
creased from 124 to 140.

Gross film rentals for the first six
months of 1954 amounted to £11,917,-
000, of which £3,900,000 or^ 32.7 per
cent was provided by British films,
compared with 30.3 per cent for all of

1953, and considerably exceeding the
three previous years.

'Foreign' Gross Down

The proportion of gross film rentals
paid to producers of "foreign" films,
namely 64.4 per cent, was slightly
lower than in previous years back to
1951.

The total number of persons em-
ployed in film distribution in June,

1954, was 5,237, the lowest yet re-
corded.

Friedman to UA

Publicist Samuel J. Friedman has
been retained by United Artists to
handle advance promotion for "The
Beachcomber," Technicolor drama
starring Robert Newton and Glynis
Johns.

Home Offices Close
At 1 P.M. Tomorrow

All home offices and the New
York headquarters of the Mo-
tion Picture Association of
America will close 1:00 P.M.
tomorrow in observance of Vet-
erans Day.

People

Mrs. L. D. Netter, Jr., wife of the
sales manager for Altec Service,
gave l)irth to a eight and one-half
pound girl, Katherine Mary, on
Nov. 6 at the Lawrence Hospital, in
Bronxville, N. Y.

Mandel Herbstman, former staff
writer for the "Motion Picture
Herald" and Motion Picture Daily,
has joined Walt Disney Produc-
tions, under the supervision of
Charles Levy, Eastern publicity
director.

Henry Brunig, office manager of
the LTnited Artists exchange in New
Haven, and Mrs. Bruning are the par-
ents of a third son, named Christo-
pher.

Joe Borenstein, manager of the
Stanley Warner Strand, New
Britain, Conn., is hospitalized there.

Phil AUare, formerly manager of
the independent Palace Theatre,
Torrington, Conn., has been named
assistant manager of the Stanley
Warner Strand in Hartford.

Begin 'Army' Print

(Continued, from page 1)

Century-Fox publicity department,
will begin shortly by National Screen
Service, which also will distribute the
trailer.

Although the distribution of the
picture is being handled as a public
service without charge by any of the
participating companies, Coyne said,
the picture itself will be sold as a
regular feature, but at a price to
theatres that will only cover print
costs and other out-of-pocket charges.
If there is any money left over, Coyne
explained, IS per cent will be paid
into the U.S. Treasury as provided
by law, and the balance turned over
to the Army Relief Fund.

3 Percentage Suits
Filed in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 9.— Three
percentage actions were filed here
in the United States District Court
for the Middle District of Pennsyl-
vania. Columbia, Paramount and Uni-
versal each filed a separate action
against W. R. Buckley, Mary Buck-
ley, Mary L. Buckley, E5uckley Amuse-
ment Enterprises, Imperial Amuse-
ment Co., Inc., and George Riester
operating the Capitol and Majestic
Theatres in Shamokin, the Elks The-
atre in Mahoney City, the State
Theatre in Mt. Carmel, and the Im-
perial Theatre in Kulpmont, all in
Pemisylvania.

Wednesday, November 10, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

National
Pre-Selling

The "DESIREE"
Build-Up

BUILDING upon a number of pub-
licity breaks in national con-
sumer Magazines for 20th Century-
Fox's "Desiree," the pubHcity and
exploitation men of Fox made a num-
ber of effective tie-ups ; some of which
are outhned here.

Book Tie-ups — Extensive tele-
vision and radio advertising and a na-
tional promotion campaign involving
thousands of book dealers are included
in a powerful drive linked to the na-
tional release of "Desiree," set by
Pocket Books Inc., reprint pubhshers
of the Annamarie Selinko best-selling
novel. Commencing with the publica-
tion of 30,000 copies of the novel,
Pocket Books is sponsoring a series
of TV and radio spot announcements,
heralding the edition and the forth-
coming Fox release. Ten thousand
film-linked window cards are being
circulated nationally by the Pocket
Books to key city outlets timed to
playdates of "Desiree."

Music — A total of eight versions
of "The Song From Desiree" are be-
ing made for national release by lead-
ing recording companies.

Artists to record the new ballad,
subtitled "We'll Meet Again," are
Bing Crosby and Alfred Newman and
his orchestra on Decca, and Johnnie
Desmond for Coral Records.

Other artists represented in the re-
cording line-up are Jane Froman,
Capitol ; Anna Marie Alberghetti,
Mercury ; Paul Weston and his or-
chestra, Columbia ; Frank Cordell,
RCA-Victor ; Alan Dean with Joe
Lipman and his orchestra, MGM ; and
Joe Leahy and the Majar Choir,
Maj ar.

Store Tie-ups — Helena Rubin-
stein has set a strong promotional
campaign for its "Command Perform-
ance" perfume.

Department and perfume store ac-
counts are being contacted by Helena
to cooperate fully with exhibitors on
the local level for a variety of pro-
motional - exploitation activities later
this month when "Desiree" will be
showing in over 72 first engagements.

Sally Victor, Martini Frocks and
Marvella Jewelry are programming
individual campaigns through their
thousands of accounts and outlets in all
parts of the nation. Style shows,
newspaper advertising, window dis-
plays and theatre co-ops are among the
activities planned.

•

A striking ad on "A Star Is
Born," appears in the November
issue of "Woman's Home Com-
panion."

In the current issue of "Life," a full
color page ad advertising Lustre-
Creme Shampoo spotlights Elizabeth
Taylor and plugs "The Last Time I
Saw Paris," her newest starring film.
This MGM picture will premiere here
tomorrow at the Capitol Theatre.
•

The first issue of "Film Culture,"
a consumer magazine, will appear
on the newsstands Dec. L This is-
sue will contain articles by Orson
Welles, Erich von Stroheim and
Hans Richter. "Film Culture" will
publish articles by film celebrities,
illustrated by stills made on produc-
tion sets.

WALTER HAAS

Disney Maps Slate
Of 6 in 18 Mos.

A program of four features, one
True-Life production, another the first
in the People and Place series, and
possibljr a re-release is envisioned for
Walt Disney Productions for the next
18 months, it was disclosed here yes-
terdajr by Charles Levy, advertising
and publicity director.

The four features, which includes
the current release of "Vanishing
Prairie," will be "20,000 Leagues
Under the Sea," to go into national
release Christmas ; "Lady and the
Tramp," Disney's first CinemaScope
cartoon feature, set for late spring or
early summer ; and "Littlest Outlaw,"
set for the latter part of the summer.

Also set for release within the 18-
month period, Levy continued, are
"African Lion," a True-Life produc-
tion, and "Siam," first in the Peoples
and Places series. All will be dis-
tributed through Buena Vista, Dis-
ney's releasing organization, Levy
added.

Asks Repeal of Md.
Censorship Law

BALTIMORE, Nov. 9.— If the
Maryland legislature is unwilling to
repeal the state's motion picture cen-
sorship law, then the decision as to the
future of the law should rest with the
public in the privacy of the election
booth. This contention was made here
tonight by Gerard M. Cahill of the
Motion Picture Association of Amer-
ica in an address before the subcom-
mittee of the Maryland Legislative
Council.

Reviewing decisions in other states
and those of the U. S. Supreme Court
on the subject of censorship, Cahill
stated that "the present hearing af-
fords the Legislative Council an ex-
cellent opportunity to recommend now
an effective solution to an increas-
ingly vexing problem by calling for
prompt repeal by the 1955 legislature
of the archaic movie censorship law."

Emanuel Frisch, chairman of this
year's campaign, in addition to launch-
ing plans for the next one.

Harris, one of the founders and
former international chief barker of
Variety Clubs, said that among- those
who had agreed to assist him in con-
ducting the 1955 drive are Marc
Wolfe, R. J. O'Donnell, Jack Beresin,
George Hoover, George Eby, Sol A.
Schwartz, Frisch and J. Robert Rubin.
The latter is head of the amusements'
division for the campaign and pre-
sided at yesterday's lunchecm.

Lauds Americanism

Harris invited everyone who at-
tended the luncheon to contribute
$1,000 "to get us off to a good start."
He referred both to the organization
and the work of Variety Clubs In-
ternational as examples of tolerance
and freedom from prejudice.

Reporting on this year's campaign,
Frisch commended the trade press on
"the finest cooperation accorded in
any campaign."

He also commended Max E.
Youngstein, United Artists vice-presi-
dent, and publicity director for the

Loew's Infl Meet
Opens in Barcelona

Headed by Arthur M. Loew, 40
delegates from Loew's International
Corp. in New York and M-G-M
offices in Continental Europe are
meeting in Barcelona, Spain, for the
four-day M-G-M PEP European sales
conference, which opens tonight.
Loew, president of Loew's Interna-
tional, is presiding. Also attending
from New York are Samuel N.
Burger, the company's sales manager ;
Maurice Silverstein, regional director
of Latin America, and Arthur Pincus,
assistant director of advertising and
publicit}'.

Opening" event of the conference is
tonight's cocktail party, tendered by
the host nation, M-G-M of Spain. In
addition to the delegates, the guests
will include government officials,
prominent exhibitors and the press.

Subsequent sessions will concentrate
on special sales and publicity plans for
the coming year's product, with par-
ticular reference to the "Perspecta
Exhibitor Plan," from which the con-
ference takes its name. Purpose of
PEP is to promote M-G-M product
and Perspecta stereophonic sound.
For the plan, Loew's International
has set up a special budget of $2,-
500,000 in addition to regular adver-
tising budgets.

Leaders to Attend
Fitzg-erald Dinner

(Special to THE DAILY)

MILWAUKEE, Nov. 9.— Industry
and civic leaders are scheduled to
attend the testimonial dinner here
Thursday night at the Schroeder
Hotel for Harold J. Fitzgerald, retir-
ing president of Fox Wisconsin
Amusement Corp.

Among the out-of-town guests will
be Nate J. Blumberg, chairman of
the board of Universal-International ;
George C. Hoover, international chief
barker of the Variety Clubs, and Sig-
mund Goldberg, president of Wiscon-
sin Allied.

campaign, on literature that was pro-
duced for the drive, and acknowl-
edged the help of individuals such as
Schwartz, Harry Brandt, Mort Sun-
shine and others. He predicted that
with the wholehearted assistance which
he believes exhibitors throughout the
country who are identified with Va-
riety Clubs International will give
Harris, a new campaign record will
be set next year.

Plaque Presented

Schwartz, chairman of the 1953 cam-
paign, presented Frisch with a Confer-
ence plaque. In doing so, Schwartz
told those present the results of every
campaign are up to them, not to the
drive chairman. "The amount of co-
operation you give and enthusiasm
you show," he said, "can determine
the success or failure of these cam-
paigns. If each one did just a little
bit more it would be so easy to achieve
unprecedented results."

Dr. Miller Richard of Oneonta
College described the work being
done in colleges and universities with
Conference funds in the area of group
relations, and special training units
set up in communities for police.

Cinerama

(Continued from page 1)

ing the first anniversary of the Wash-
ington showing of "This Is Cinerama,"
which is the first film to run a year
here.

Rosen noted the success of "This
Is Cinerama" at cities around the
U. S., and also at the recent Damascus
International Fair, where it was dis-
played by the State Department with
enthusiastic native reaction. "The
State Department wants to show Cin-
erama in Bangkok," he added, "feeling
it will accomplish the same results
there for the free world as it did in
Damascus." He also noted that Cin-
erama will open in Montreal, Buffalo
and Miami shortly after Christmas.

Lowell Thomas a Speaker

Lowell Thomas, president of Cin-
erama Production Corp., discussed
briefly plans for the third Cinerama
production, "Seven Wonders of the
World." He said Cinerama is work-
ing on a scheme for permitting the
audience to select the outstanding
seven wonders from clips brought
back by two film crews now touring
the world to film dozens of outstand-
ing sights.

Seated at the head table at the ad
club luncheon were diplomatic repre-
sentatives of India, Pakistan, Thai-
land, Burma and Indonesia.

The District of Columbia commis-
sioners proclaimed the day "Cinerama
Day" in Washington, and special cita-
tions were presented the film at the
luncheon from the Legion of Decency,
the district department of the Amer-
ican Legion and the Washington
board of trade. The citations were ac-
cepted by W. Stewart McDonald,
vice-president and treasurer of Stan-
ley Warner ; Lester B. Isaac, national
director of exhibition for Cinerama
theatres, and Rosen.

Boston Turns Out for
*New Faces' Affair

BOSTON, Nov. 9.— More than
300 industry persons turned out for
the "New Faces in New Positions"
testimonial luncheon held today at
the Hotel Bradford, honoring 10 ex-
change personnel who have been pro-
moted or transferred this past year.

Benn Rosenwald, M-G-M resident
manager was the general chairman
who introduced Arthur Lockwood,
toastmaster.

Those honored were John Moore
and Jack Brown, Paramount; James
Connolly and John Feloney, 20th-
Fox ; Judson Parker, Republic ; Her-
bert Schaefer, Buena Vista; Francis
Dervin, RKO ; Joseph Gins, Univer-
sal ; Ralph lannuzzi, Warners', and
Bill Madden, MGM.

Set 'Treasure Hunt'
For 'Long John'

A treasure hunt on behalf of DCA's
"Long John Silver" in a tie-in with
Macy's has been arranged by Edith
Prigozy of Albert Margolies & Co.
and Joseph Liebman of the department
store.

The promotion will be launched
after the Christmas holidays and it
involves a visit by patrons to a theatre
in the Greater New York area and a
visit to three designated merchandise
areas in Macy's New York store. The
list of prizes will have a value of ap-
proximately $50,000.

Aid for Brotherhood Week

{Continued from page 1)

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All

The News

That
Is News

MOTION PICTURE

VOL. 76. NO. 92

NEW YORK. U.S.A., FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1954

TEN CENTS

On National Basis

To Negotiate
New Exchange
Employee Pact

Present Contracts End
Later This Month

Film company representatives will
sit down with officials of the lATSE,
possibly with international lA presi-
dent Richard Walsh, shortly to nego-
tiate a new exchange employee con-
tract on a nation-wide basis covering
39 branch offices coast-to-coast, a rep-
resentative of the Motion Picture
Home Office Employee Union, Local
H-63, lATSE, stated here yesterday.

The demands of the new contract,
which is scheduled to commence Dec.
1, were not revealed by the H-63
business agent. The contract in force
now and expiring at the end of this
month was negotiated on an individual
office basis.

However, it was learned that the
{Continued on page 7)

Would Continue Md.
Censorship Law on
A Restricted Basis

St>ecial to THE DAILY

BALTIMORE, Nov. 11. — At a
special meeting of a Legislative Coun-
cil subcommittee, it was urged that
motion picture censorship be continued
in Maryland, but on a restricted basis.
Under the proposed changes in censor
laws, which are the only major ones
since 1922, censors could cut or ban
films that are obscene, intended to
debase or corrupt morals, or intended
to incite to crime.

In line with recent Supreme Court
{Continued on page 7)

Cinerama Bank Loan
To Pay Debentures

Cinerama Productions has completed
arrangements for a $200,000 bank
loan to pay off the remaining $400,000
of its Series "A" debenture bonds
which are due on Dec. 1, Wall Street
sources revealed here yesterday.

The loan, it was learned, has been
guaranteed by Louis B. Mayer, board
chairman, whose stockholdings give
him an approximate one-ciuarter in-
terest in the company.

A settlement has also been reached
{Continued on page 6)

Postpone Milestone
Dinner on Coast

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 11.—
Arthur Freed, president of the
Screen Producers Guild, an-
nounced last night the indefinite
postponement of the organiza-
tion's "Milestone Dinner," orig-
inally scheduled for Nov. 21,
due to the inability of Nicholas
Schenck to attend.

The fourth annual dinner was
to have been in honor of
Nicholas and Joseph Schenck
who were to be the recipients
of the Milestone Award.

IFE to Handle
Foreign Films

By ARGEO SANTUCCI

ROME, Nov. 11.— In addition to
the co-productions it will make with
French producers, Italian Films Ex-
port also will handle wholly French-
produced features for release, Eitel
Monaco, president of ANICA, told the
official news agency ANS.A. yesterday.

Monaco also referred to the recently
negotiated new two-year agreement
between ANICA. and the Motion Pic-
ture Export Association of America,
saying that the American companies
which are parties to the agreement are
obliged to spend in Italy not less than
40 per cent of their "frozen" accounts,
or a minimum of $6,000,000, either
for production in Italy or for Italian
pictures for release here and abroad.

Monaco said that the "frozen"
American revenue must be deposited
with certain Italian banks which will
{Continued on page 6)

Name Nafl Bank of Boston

TOA FILM FINANCE
PLAN ADVANCES

Pinanski Sees Meeting of Trustees Here
Within Week; Papers Now Being Drawn Up

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

The National Bank of Boston has been appointed to act as depository
for the projected film financing company sponsored by Theatre Owners
of .America, it was disclosed here yesterday by Sam Pinanski, chairman of

Rights to Delrama
Dutch Lens to NTS

National Theatre Supply has ac-
quired American distribution rights to
the anamorphic attachment manufac-
tured bv N. V. Optische Industrie
("De Cud Delft") of Delft, Holland.
Trade-named "Delrama," this attach-
ment is distinguished by reflection
rather than transmission of light as
in prismatic and cylindrical lens sys-
tems.

The "Delrama" attachment employs
quartz glass reflectors in a fi.xed sys-
tem at the CinemaScope squeeze ratio
of two-to-one.

Merian Cooper V-P
Of Whitney Pictures

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 11.— Corne-
lius Vanderbilt Whitney, president,
has announced the election of Merian
C. Cooper to the vice-presidency in
charge of production of newly formed
C. V. Whitney Pictures Co. Cooper,
who will continue as president of
{Continued on page 6)

Far West Views

Exhibitors Hold Federal
Regulation 'Last Resort^

Varying opinions as to Allied States' proposal for Federal regulation were
encountered in the West and Far West among independent and circuit ex-
hibitors, with a majority opposing the idea. A number of California and

Oregon exhibitors interviewed by Mo-
tion Picture Daily correspondents
are certain that many of the industry
problems can be arbitrated and that
government regulation is something to
be shunned.

Typical of the comments obtained
are the following :

L. S. Hamm, president, North
California Theatre Association, and
president, Westside Theatres, Inc.,
{Continued on page 7)

Litvak to Make 3
For United Artists

Anatole Litvak will produce and
direct three independently-made mo-
tion pictures for United Artists release
under an agreement announced by
Arthur B. Krim, president of the re-
leasing company.

The three films Litvak will make
{Continued on page 6)

Sam Pinanski

envisioned for the

the trustees of
the organiza-
tion.

Pinanski, here
to attend the
f o rthcoming
meeting of the
executive com-
mittee of the
Council of Mo-
tion Picture
O r ganizations,
told of the bank
designation in
his outline o t
the work al-
ready done and
film finance com-
pany.

Another step currently feing taken,
Pinanski continued, is the drawing up
of incorporation papers by B. A.
(Confiniicd on page 6)

Predict Elimination
Of South African
Wide Screen Ban

By Staff Correspondent

CAPETOWN, S. A., Nov. 11.—
Although no official government ruling
has been made yet, well informed
sources expect the ban on importation
of wide screen and other new techni-
cal equipment will be lifted on Dec. 15
as a result of the recent public hear-
ings conducted in Pretoria by the
{Continued on page 6)

A A Declares 1st
Common Dividend

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 11.— Decla-
ration of Allied Artists' first common
stock cash dividend, 10 cents per share,
was announced here yesterday by pres-
ident Steve Broidy at the company's
annual stockholders' meeting. In ad-
dition, the board voted a quarterly div-
idend of 13% cents per share on AA's
per cent cumulative convertible
preferred stock. The common divi-
dend is payable Jan. 3 to stockholders
{Continued on page 7)

Motion Picture Daily

Friday, November 12, 1954

Personal
Mention

MILTON R. RACKMIL, presi-
dent of Universal Pictures, will
leave New York tonight for Holly-
wood.

•

Lee Reno, secretary to Thomas
Geretv, of the M-G-M home office
publicity department, will be married
on Thanksgiving- Day to Joseph
Vergara.

•

Edward L. Hyman, vice-president
of American Broadcasting-Paramount
Theatres, and his assistant, Bernard
Levy, have arrived in Des Moines
from New York.

Norman Katz, Associated Artists
sales manager in charge of foreign
distribution, left here yesterday for
Havana, San Juan and MexicO' City.
•

Foster M. Blake, Universal Pic-
tures Western sales manager, will
leave New York Sunday for Indian-
apolis and Chicago.

•

Arthur M. Rosen, assistant to
Nat Lapkin, Cinerama vice-president,
arrived in New York yesterday from
the Coast.

•

Herb Steinberg, Paramount na-
tional exploitation manager, has re-
turned to New York from Detroit.

Bob Hope is scheduled to arrive
here today from London via B.O.A.C.
Monarch.

•

Earl Revoir, Allied Artists assist-
ant treasurer, has arrived in Holly-
wood from New York.

•

William Richardson, president of
Astor Pictures, Atlanta, has returned
there from Florida.

•

Robert Rossen, producer, will ar-
rive in New York by plane on Monday
from England.

•

Lillian Lang, fashion promotion
director of "Photoplay," is in Holly-
wood from New York.

•

Otto Lang, producer, will arrive
here from London today by B.O.A.C.

Hoivco-Pathe Deal

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 11.— James
S. Burkett, West Coast sales manager
of Pathe Laboratories, announced to-
day a deal has been concluded with
Howco Productions for processing of
its forthcoming feature, "Kentucky
Rifle," on which shooting has started.
The picture is to be produced and di-
rected by Carl K. Hittleman and will
be in Eastmancolor by Pathe.

Madeleine White Marries

Madeleine White, former secretary
of Monogram Pictures and later East-
ern publicity representative, was mar-
ried here recently to James Reed,
Eastern automotive representative of
B. F. Goodrich Co. The couple \v\\\
reside in Pleasantville, N. J.

Albany Theatres to
Close for *Air Raid'

ALBANY, Nov. 11. — Downtown
Albany theatres will cooperate by clos-
ing from 3 :30 to 5 :30 P.M. tomorrow,
in a mass "go home" evacuation of the
business district, arranged by Albany
County Civil Defense director Alfred
H. Jacobson and Mayor Erastus
Corning. It is said to be the first test
of its kind held in the United States,
one of the ideas being to test the prac-
ticality of the "go home" setup, rather
than the current "take to the hills"
civil defense concept. Air raid sirens
will be the signal to start home for
an estimated 65,000 persons living n
the area.

Charles A Smakwitz, Stanley War-
ner zone manager, and William With,
manager of Fabian's Palace, were
among the business leaders summoned
to a meeting at which the plan was
announced. Theatres will be per-
mitted to keep their staffs on hand for
the reopening hour, but most of the
stores and offices will call it quits for
the day. Newspapers and radio sta-
tions are excluded from the closing-
order.

Will Appeal from
Shea Estate Order

Notice of appeal from the order
signed by Bronx Surrogate Chris-
topher McGrath in the Shea Estate
litigation has been filed, according- to
Gerald J. Shea, president and general
manager of Shea Enterprises.

The order awarded commissions,
counsel fees and payment of other
costs to Edward C. Raftery, attorney,
and Edmund C. Grainger, former gen-
eral manager of the Shea circuit.

Rites for Frank Pope

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 11.— Private
funeral services will be held here to-
morrow for Frank T. Pope, 83, who
died following a series of heart at-
tacks. Pope for many years was edi-
tor of "Hollywood Reporter." Be-
fore coming- West, he was on the edi-
torial staffs of Boston and New York
newspapers.

Top industry officials will be repre-
sented on the dais at the 16th annual
showmanship dinner of the Motion
Picture Pioneers, honoring Si Fabian
as "Pioneer of the Year," next
Wednesday at the Sheraton Astor
Hotel here.

The roster will include Jack Ali-
coate, David G. Baird, Barney Bala-
ban, Rabbi B. Birstein, Harry Brandt,
Jack Cohn, Sam Dembow, Jr., Ned
Depinet, Gus Eyssell, Si Fabian,
Charles Feldman, Frank Folsom, Wil-
liam J. German, Leonard H. Golden-
son, James R. Grainger, Abel Green,
William J. Heineman and Eric John-
ston.

Also, Al Lichtman, John J. O'Con-
nor, Robert J. O'Donnell, Ferdinand
Pecora, Samuel Pinanski, Martin

Sees From 6 to 8
Para. VV Shorts

A VistaVision short subjects pro-
gram yielding from six to eight pic-
tures a year at the outset was an-
nounced here by Oscar A. Morgan,
Paramount short subjects sales head.

Paramount's first VistaVision short,
"VistaVision Visits Norway," cur-
rently is being readied for general
release, he added, thus enabling tliea-
tres booking "White Christmas" to
present their first "all VistaVision"
program.

The VistaVision sulDjects, Morgan
explained, will be in addition to the
regular one-reel Technicolor cartoons
and black-and-white subjects the com-
pany has been turning out in the 1.66
to 1 aspect ratio. During the 1954-55
short subjects year which began Oct.
1, Paramount will release 60 such one-
reelers, according- to an earlier an-
nouncement by Morgan.

Stereo Sound for
MPAA Theatre

W;ASHINGT0N, Nov. ll. — The
Motion Picture Association's select
theatre here, the Academia, is in the
process of installing stereophonic
sound and other new-process projec-
tion and sound equipment, according
to MPAA vice-president Kenneth
Clark.

The theatre recently installed Cine-
maScope projection equipment but was
still using optical sound track. When
the new equipment is installed, Clark
Said, the Academia will be converted
to show practically every type of new
film process.

"We'll be able to show any film any
member company makes," he declared.
"The only two processes we won't be
able to show are Cinerama and Todd-
AO, and they're not MPAA members."

'Contessa' Takes $12,000

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 11.— United
Artists' "The Barefoot Contessa" es-
tablished a record at the Fine Arts
Theatre here by grossing an estimated
first week gross of $12,000, according
to Fox West Coast Theatres officials.

Quigley, Charles Reagan, E. V. Rich-
ards, Jr., Sam Rinzler, Herman Rob-
bins, William F. Rodgers, Samuel
Rosen, Alfred W. Schwalberg, Ben
Shlyen, Gradwell Sears, Serge
Semenenko, Spyros P. Skouras, Wil-
bur Snaper, A. N. Spanel, Joseph R.
Vogel, Albert Warner and Adolph
Zukor.

Entertainment will replace the ora-
tory with top celebrities from stage,
screen, opera and television scheduled
to appear. Latest additions to the
roster of stars are John Daly, Sherry
Britton, Dorothy Sarnoff, the Deep
River Boys, Dore Brooks and Bill
Hayes. They join George Murphy,
V an Johnson, Licia Albanese and
■ Lowell Thomas in the presentation of
"The Si Fabian Story."

Jack Cohn Heading
Home-Office Group
To Col. Meeting

Jack Cohn, vice-president of Colum-
bia Pictures, will head the home office
delegation to the company's sales meet-
ing in Chicago, which gets underway
Monday at the Blackstone Hotel.
Presiding at the five-day session will
be A. Montague, general sales man-
ager.

In addition to Cohn and Montague,
the following will attend from the
home office: Rube Jackter, Paul N.
Lazarus, Jr., Louis Astor, George
Josephs, Maurice Grad, Vincent Bor-
relli, H. C. Kaufman, Joseph Freiberg,
Howard LeSieur, Milton Goodman,
Daniel Rothenberg, Seth Raisler, Wil-
liam Brennan, Al Schwartz, Sydney
Singerman, George Berman and Nat
Goldblatt.

They will be joined in Chicago by
the company's seven division managers
and the managers of its domestic
branches, as well as the key sales ex-
ecutives from Columbia's Canadian
division.

Murphy Speaker at
Carolina Meeting

CHARLOTTE, Nov. 11. — George
Murphy will be honor guest at the
annual convention banquet of the The-
atre Owners of North and South Caro-
lina here on Monday.

Dick Pitts, public relations director
of Theatre Owners of America, will
be toastmaster for the banquet.

Herbert Barnett, president of the
Society of Motion Picture and Tele-
vision Engineers, will conduct the
theatre owners' technical symposium
at the Nov. 16 session.

Hy Daab Is Press
Head for Makelim

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 11. — Hy
Daab, veteran industry advertising-
publicity executive, has been appointed
public relations director for all Hal
Makelim enterprises.

Daab formerly was advertising-pub-
licity director for RKO Pictures, Co-
lumbia and David Selznick. He will
assume charge of a global press cam-
paign for the Makelim Plan, already
widely backed by American exhibitors.

Makelim to Speak

CHARLOTTE, Nov. 11.— Hal R.
Makelim, independent producer, will
address the annual convention of the
Theatre Owners of North and South
Carolina here on Monday.

NEW YORK THEATRES

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

Rockefeller Center

berli'n^ "WHITE CHRISTMAS"

in VistaVision starring

BING CROSBY - DANNY KAYE
ROSEMARY CLOONEY - VERA ELLEN
Color by Teciinicolor - A Paramount Picture
and SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION

Industry Leaders Chosen
For Pioneers Dinner Dais

MOTION PICTURE DAILY Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr. Vice-President; Theo.' J. Sullivan, -Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke.
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Faiisel', Producli'on Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South. LaSalle'St'reet, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment" Merchandising each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

Friday, November 12, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

News
Roundup

Brunk to Buena Vista

Sam Brunk, chief barker of ^'a-
riety Tent 22, in Oklahoma City, who
terminated a 30-year association with
Paramount Pictures several months
ago, has been named territorial repre-
sentative for Buena \'ista Distributing-
Co., distributor of Walt Disney films.
Brunk was with United Film until
joining Buena Vista.

Altec Distributing Booklet

Altec Service Corp. is distributing
to theatres, both regular and drive-in,
a new booklet titled "The Altec Serv-
ice Man," describing the work done
b}^ the organization as a whole and
bj' its service personnel as individuals.

Kirk Douglas Records Song

Disc Jocke3's of the nation soon
will be receiving a Decca recording
by Kirk Douglas singing the sea chan-
tej^ "A Whale of a Tale," from the
Walt Disney production of "20,000
Leagues Under the Sea."

Wide-Screen Spurt in Mexico

Oscar Brooks, of Mier y Brooks,
producers and distributors of Mexico
City, has predicted that at least 200
theatres throughout that nation will
be wide-screened by 1955 and that
Mexican production in the medium
will start at that time.

To Benefit Polio Fight

All proceeds from the Nov. 17
Command Performance premiere of
20th Century-Fox's CinemaScope
drama, "Desiree," at the Roxy Thea-
tre here will go to aid the fight against
polio, it was announced by the com-
pany.

WOMPI in Seal Drive

The New Orleans' chapter of the
Women of the Motion Picture Indus-
try will sponsor this year's tubercu-
losis Christmas seal trailers.

Nielsen in New York

Egon C. Nielsen has returned to
New York from Denmark, where he
produced "Edge of Tomorrow," star-
ring Jackie Coogan, to arrange for the
distribution of the feature.

Tie 'Chalice' Bow to
Christmas Seals

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 11. —
The city or town that sells the
most Christmas Seals in propor-
tion to population during the
first three days of its local drive
will be given the world pre-
miere of Warner Brothers' "The
Silver Chalice," complete with
stars and fanfare. The tentative
date for the premiere is Dec. 17,
the studio anounced.

Reviews

"Track of the Cat"

( U'ayiic-FclIcws-lVanicr Bros. )

(CinemaScope) HoUm'ood, Nov. 11

EXPERT production, direction and performance are exploitably superlative
N'alues that set sharph' apart from other fundamentally grim stories this
skillful filming, in CinemaScope and WarnerColor, of a novel by Walter Van
Tilburg (the "Ox-Bow Incident" man) dealing with life and death in the
snow-swept mountains of Northern California in the 1890's. Although none
of the grimness is dispelled by the presence of professional artistry beyond
common — may, in fact, be intensified by it — the sombreness is made tolerable,
the suspense reasonable, and the story-line more momentous than it might
have been in less gifted hands. Critics can be depended on to give the picture
a hearty send-ofT, and if its first audiences like it well enough to tell their
friends about it, which certainly seems likely, the box office score should
be big.

The picture is tabbed a William A. Wellman production and there is much
in it that reflects the Wellman talent — striking character portrayals, dramatic
changes of pace, easy command of vast materials — for marshalling his effects
from crisis to crisis as the narrative builds toward its climax. (Difficult
to exploit in box office terms, but not to be overlooked by exhibitors interested
in the techniques of the motion picture, is an extraordinary use of the color
process in making a primarily black-and-white picture ; don't try to figure
out what that means, but watch for it.)

The screenplay by A. I. Besserides opens in the ranch home of a family
of six in Northern California in winter. The title derives directly from a
mountain lion which three of the sons, in turn, seek to track in the snow, the
first two sons meeting death in the undertaking and the third succeeding in
killing the animal. But the more substantial story concerns the six members
of the family — father, mother, daughter, three sons, plus a girl guest and an
aged Indian. These are the eight excellent players who make up the cast,
and none of the characters they portray can be said to be 100 per cent black
or white.

Robert Mitchum plays strongly the forceful brother who dominates the
family and has won the ranch land the family controls. Teresa Wright
portrays his spinster sister who has missed her romantic chance.

Diana Lynn plays with quiet authority a neighbor girl in love with the
youngest son. Tab Hunter, who dies early in the story, dominates attention
through the long period of his preparation for burial and his crude interment
in frozen ground. William Hopper is successfully cast as the youngest
brother, who survives a variety of dominations to share the ending with
Miss Lynn.

Beulah Bondi is tremendously efTective as the avaricious, domineering
mother whose family obeys her through fear. Philip Tonge's portrayal of a
spirit-broken father whose only solace and joy is whisky is a work of art.
Carl Sweitzer is usefully sinister in the role of a century-old Indian whose
relationship to the self-centered family is never made quite clear.

Robert Fellows, John Wayne's partner in Wayne-Fellows Productions,
here adds another to his lengthening list of professional achievements.

Running t_ime 102 minutes. Adult audience classification. Release date,
November 27.

WILLIAM R. WEAVER

People

Crest of the Wave

{M-G-M) Hollywood, Nov. 11

HERE is a truly commendable efifort in drafting entertainment with a
realistic concern for better Anglo-American relationships. The film was
produced and directed in England by John and Roy Boulting, with the good
fortune of a name like Gene Kelly as marquee insurance for the grosses.

Although Kelly delivers a first-rate dramatic performance in an unusual
role, as a scientist in the U. S. Navy, most of the credit for the success of the
film can be attributed to the characterized reaction by a small, but well-cast
group of British Navy men, to three American sailors in their midst on special
assignment. Names like Sidney James, Patric Doonan, Bernard Lee, Fredd
Wayne and John Justin may not mean anything in your advertising campaign,
but they're worth a jotting to remember when the salesman comes around
again with another British import.

Jeff Richards, as one of Kelly's mates, last seen in "Seven Brides for Seven
Brothers," looms as great "Stars of Tomorrow" material and should attract
the teen-age set for this film.

Despite the slow-moving start of the Frank Harvey-Roj Boulting script,
and the frequent "Limey" dialect, the true-life portrayal of human relationships
surrounding men on a lonely little island, used by the Navy as an experimental
station, will set aside such disturbing elements.

The action of the story, taken from Hugh Hastings' play, "Seagulls over
Sorrento," is centered on a small fortress isle off the shores of Scotland,
where Kelly's knowledge of DPT explosives is enlisted by the British Navy
to complete torpedo test experiments that claimed the life of their top man.
He succeeds in his mission only after two more men are lost in the trials
and he wins a plea to the British naval authorities to rescind an order
cancelling further experiments.

The musical score by Miklos Rozsa and the sharp camera work by Gilbert
Taylor, B.S.C., are potent factors in raising impressively the simple pro-
duction values.

Running time, 90 minutes. General audience classification. Release in
December.

SAMUEL D. BERNS

Jane Froman, singer, will act as
hostess at a special screening of
20th Century-Fox's CinemaScope
production of "Desiree" for leading
disc jockeys and music publishing-
executives on Monday evening at
the film company's home office
screening room.

Ernest Cragin was reelected chief
barker of the Las Vegas Variety
Club Tent No. 39 in a general elec-
tion last week at the Last Frontier
Hotel. Other officers elected were
Fred Soly, 1st assistant barker,
Eugene Murphy, 2nd assistant
barker, Robert Cannon, dough guy,
and Harry White, property master.
Jake Kozloff continues as the inter-
national canvasnian.

Mrs. M. Henry Dawson, member
of the public relations staf? of the
Motion Picture Producers Associa-
tion and director of the National
Children's Film Library, will be the
principal speaker at an American
Education Week program of the
Citj' Club in Albany today.

Harry Weiss, Paramount pub-
licity representative covering the
Cleveland and Detroit exchange
areas, has resigned and is being suc-
ceeded by Leonard Gray, formerly
with the Wolfberg circuit in Den-

Irving Hillman, manager of the
Sherman Theatre, New Haven, has
been named winner of the Septem-
ber phase of the Stanley Warner
Theatres' "Fabian's Fabulous Forty"
promotion campaign.

Joe Podoloff, Minneapolis inde-
pendent exhibitor, and John Bran-
ton, of Minnesota Amusement Co.,
have been elected delegates , from
Tent 12, Variety Club of the North-
west, to the 1955 national conven-
tion in Los Angeles.

Sal Adorno, Sr., general manager
of M. & D. Theatres, Middletown,
Conn., a veteran of 50 years in the
entertainment field, was honored by
Forest City Knights of Columbus
when a class of 30 candidates was
inducted into the Forest City Coun-
cil.

Now It's Pickles
As a Concession

PONCA CITY, Okla., Nov.
11. — Pickles have become a
popular concessions item at
three theatres here. The thea-
tres keep a gallon jar or two
filled on lobby counters, along
with popcorn, candy, etc. The
houses sell about 100 gallons
of pickles a month, it is re-
ported. Theatre pickles are not
sold as an "extra item." They
are listed as an "asked for
item."

Out of this world . . .

New, exciting wide-screen entertainment! Thrills! Thrills!
Large things made even larger! The barely visible made man-
size and more! Entertainment that fills eye and mind. That's
today's motion picture — a new world of advanced production,
processing and projection with a world of new problems. Today
many of these problems are being solved in co-operation with
the Eastman Technical Service for Motion Picture Film. Branches
located at strategic centers. Inquiries are invited.

Address: Motion Picture Film Department
EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY, Rochester A, N .Y.

Easi Coast Division
342 Madison Avenue, New York 17, N. Y.
Midwest Division
1 37 North Wabash Avenue, Chicago 2, Illinois
Wesf Coosf Division
6706 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood 38, California

Motion Picture Daily

Friday, November 12, 1954

IFE to Handle

(Continued from page 1)

grant an additional credit of $16,000,-
000 annnally to the home industry.

Monaco disclosed that the 7\merican
industry loan to l.F.E. in the early
years of the agreement amounted to
$4,500,000, and said it had been settled
on a basis very favorable to Italy. He
said European countries are pushing
the co-production system strongly
now, inasmuch as it has proved a
means of making costly productions
possible and assurnig a foreign market
for them. He warned the Italian gov-
ernment, however, that if currently
proposed legislation is not held in
abeyance, all international co-produc-
tion agreements of Italian nationals
will be void.

Cinerama Loan

(Continued from page 1)

between the board of directors of
Cinerama Productions and Mayer re-
garding the latter's five-year contract
which called for a salary of $1,000
per week. An official of the company,
quoted by The Wall Street Journal,
said that Mayer had never received
any money from Cinerama Produc-
tions in his capacity as board chair-
man under the contract which started
on Nov. 1, 1^*52, but merely allowed
it to accrue.

The settlement of the Mayer con-
tract, he said, was merely an effort to
reduce the liabilities of Cinerama Pro-
ductions. He explained that the com-
pany was short of cash to meet its
bonded indebtedness on Dec. 1 as
expected profits from Stanley War-
ner Corp., which controls the film
exhibition and production rights, had
not materialized. Mayer has agreed
not to accept any of his accrued sal-
ary until all of the company's debts
are paid of?, it was said.

The Series "A" bonds currently
total $400,000 of an original total of
$600,000. Series "B" and "C" deben-
tures are due in July, 1955, and have
been brought down to $350,000 from
an original loan of $386,000, the com-
pany official said.

To Fly Cinerama
To Bangkok Fair

As a result of the reported success
of "This Is Cinerama" at the Damas-
cus International Trade Fair this
past summer, the United States In-
formation Agency is flying the film
and equipment to Bangkok, where it
will be shown at the international fair
opening there on Dec. 7. it was an-
nounced yesterday at an Overseas
Press Club luncheon by Theodore
Streibcrt, director of the U.S. I. A.

"We expect to duplicate our success
in Damascus in Bangkok," he told
press club members in a discussion of
the operations of the State Depart-
ment's information agency. "The
United States had a pitiful showing
there last year. Now, it's rumored

Reviews

Git ALL YOUR SPECIAL

The Fast and the Furious

(Palo Alto-.-l iiieriraii Releasing Corp.) H otiyivood, Nov. 11

SPORTS-CAR enthusiasts may get more satisfaction than other people out
of this Palo y\lto production, tne first of four films which are to be dis-
tributed by the newly formed American Releasing Corp. in the next 12 months.
Exploitation angles pointed toward that segment of the public might yield
good results, "ihe Fast and the Furious" stars John Ireland and Doroth>
Malone. Producer Roger Corman, along with co-directors Edwards, Sampson
and Ireland, and screen-playwrights Jerome Odium and Jean Howell, using
a story by Corman, kept their narrative straight, simple and uncomplicated
from flag-fall to finish.

The story boils down to a protracted chase, not different from many others,
save in that the fleeing parties do their fleeing in a Jaguar and the pursuing
constabulary on motorcycles or in police cars, an arrangement that makes
for speed of movement on the screen if not in the story.

The film opens with Miss Malone, wealthy sports car driver, pulling up to
a highway cafe where she encounters, unknowingly, a fugitive truck driver,
portrayed by Ireland, accused of committing a murder by shouldering another
trucker of? the road and causing his death. The fugitive forces her at gun
point to accompany him in her car to Mexico, and the remainder of the pro-
duction chronicles their flight, in the course of which, of course, they fall in
love and he is persuaded to go back and face trial.

Running time, 74 minutes. General audience classification. Release, in
November.

W.R.W.

Cannibal Attack

(Katzman-CohtiUibia )

JOHNNY WEISSMULLER stars once again as the intrepid hero who
overcomes all adversaries, human or animal, in producer Sam Katzman's
latest film about the jungles for Columbia Pictures' "Cannibal Attack." The
newest in the series is a standard mixture of studio action and jungle stock
shots. Weissmuller's supporting cast is unknown save for the smattering of
humor which is interjected into the Carroll Young screenplay by Kimba,
the always present chimpanzee. Tnis film was directed by flee Sholem.

The advei saries and foes of Weissmuller here are crocodiles and savages
who are led by a half-caste jungle girl, the ward of a cobalt mine owner,
who has been persuaded to smuggle the mineral to a foreign government.
Weissmuller is called in to determine the source of a number of thefts of
cobalt and after some bursts of violence, he succeeds.

The cloaking of identities, the shifting of suspicion from one villain to
another, confuses the hero and also the audience. Despite its brief running
time, the film tends to be repetitious and slow-moving. However, dyed-in-
the-wool action fans should be compensated by the innumerable clashes be-
tween man and beast and man and man.

Running time, 69 minutes. General audience classification. Release, in
November.

Litvak

(Continued from page 1)

are untitled but the first, an adven-
ture story of the Far East to be
filmed in that locale, is already being
prepared for the screen. The producer-
director expects to put the first film
into production in April, 1955, after he
finishes making Terence Rattigan's,
"The Deep Blue Sea" for 20th Cen-
turv-Fox.

South African Ban

(Continued from page 1)

Will Honor Workman

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 11.— W. H.
Workman, M-G-M branch manager
here, who will retire this month, will
be honored Nov. 22 by the Variety
Club at a dinner to be held in the
Hotel Nicollet.

1327 S. WABASH
CHICAGO i. ILL.

I 630 NINTH AVENUE I
NEW YORK 36, N. Y.

that the Russians have learned of our
plan and may not exhibit in Bangkok."

Cinerama, ' Streibert emphasized, is
not propaganda. "It is dramatic, to be
sure. But it is factual," he said.

Elaborating on Cinerama as a vivid
portrayal of America, Streibert noted
that for the Damascus Fair, the Com-
munists had put on an elaborate ex-
hibition. Their building alone cost
them $450,000 and the exhibits were
on a similar scale. The United States
Information Agency's budgetary lim-
itations could not hope to compete
with a similar exhibition. The Agency
decided that Cinerama could interest
fair visitors. "We scored a triumph,"
he said.

South African import controller's of-
fice.

Lifting of the ban on the new ana-
niorpihic equipment is viewed as insur-
ing an equal start with new projection
techniques for the Big Three here—
20th Century-Fox, M-G-M and the
Schlesinger interests. The latter has a
tie-up with Paramount Pictures which
makes the ultimate ruling of signifi-
cance to Vista V iiion.

Should none of the three have any
competitive advantage in consequence
of the ruling, the coming holiday per-
iod would see 20th-Fox's "The Robe,"
M-G-M's "Knights of the Round
Table," and Paramount's "White
Christmas" on wide screens in South
Africa.

TOAFUmPlan

Dandrldge on Tour

Dorothy Dandridge, who stars in
Otto Preminger's "Carmen Jones,"
will embark Monday on a three-city
personal appearances tour for the
20th Century-Fox release. Leaving
from New York, Miss Dandridge will
go to Boston, Chicago and Cleveland.

New Portland Policy

PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 11.—
Evergreen Theatres has inaugurated a
new policy at the Oriental Theatre
here, making it a subsequent run house
with prices lowered to 60-60 cents.

(Continued from page 1)

Trustman, of Nutter, McCennon &
Fish, of Boston. These papers are ex-
pected to be completed sliortly, with
a meeting of trustees, TOA officers
and other interested parties slated to
be held in New York within a week,
Pinanski continued.

Expansion Planned

Pinanski, stressing the enthusiasm
that he and other exhibitors felt for
the plan, said the projected finance
company will be set up on a basis to
permit it to grow to any size. "I hope
it becomes a vehicle for stabilizing
the industry," Pinanski added, ex-
plaining what he felt as the need for
other companies to step into the prod-
uct breach.

Asked how much money the
TOA-sponsored organization ex-
pects to raise, Pinanski replied
that no goal has been set, add-
ing his belief that a "substantial
sum" is envisioned. He empha-
sized that subscription to the
plan is not limited to TOA
members, but to all exhibitors
no matter what their affiliation.
It was agreed at the recent
TOA convention that exhibitors
should subscribe to an amount
equal to at least one week's film
rental.

Pinanski said he welcomed the an-
nouncement of Columbia Pictures
that it has set aside a fund of
$10,000,000 for financing of indepen-
dent producers. He called upon other
companies to take similar steps to
augment their regular yearly line-up
of product, commenting that such
steps would do much to ease the prod-
uct shortage. He also held out the
possibility that the TOA-sponsored
organization may, if it believes it has
a good picture package, go to Co-
lumbia or another company for their
financing cooperation.

Looks for Others to Join

"We have to encourage more pro-
ducers to get into the business,"
Pinanski declared, adding that tal-
ent must be nurtured with the belief
that there are additional commercial
outlets for what they have to ofTer.

The fifth man to the organization's
board of trustees, he went on, has not
been named as yet. He said Trustman
was selected as counsel because of his
experience with establishment of the
old National Exhibitors Film Finance
Co.

Cooper Named V-P

(Continued from page 1)

Argosy Pictures Corp., with John
Ford as board chairman, disclosed the
purchase of Alan Le May's novel,
"The Searchers," for big scale produc-
tion under the CVWP banner. The
new company has not yet chosen a
release channel but is understood ne-
gotiating with three major distribu-
tors.

Whitney and Cooper, whose asso-
ciation in various enterprises dates
from, the early 1930's, were fellow of-
ficers in the Air Force during World
War II. Cooper and Whitney were
fellow members of the board of Pan-
American World Airways and other
corporations at various times.

Whitney will come West next month
for discussions on the new company's
production plans.

Friday, November 12, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

AA Joins AMPP;
Finney Heads IMPPA

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 11.—
Having joined the Association
of Motion Picture Producers,
effective Jan. 1, Allied Artists
has resigned from the Indepen-
dent Motion Picture Producers
Association. AA has been a
member of the Motion Picture
Association of America for sev-
eral years, but not of the AMPP
until now.

Steve Broidy, AA president,
g who headed the IMPPA, has
resigned and, at a special meet-
ing of the group, Edward Fin-
ney was elected president.
Other IMPPA officers elected
were Lindsley Parsons, John
Champion and Jack Broder,
vice-presidents ; William F.
Broidy, treasurer; John Bur-
rows, assistant treasurer, and
Vincent Fennelly, secretary.

AA Report

{Continued from page 1)

of record on Dec. 10. The preferred
dividend is payable Dec. 15 to holders
of record on Dec. 3.

Addressing the stockholders' meet-
ing, Broidy reported a net profit of
$92,697 for the first quarter, which
compares with $98,990 for the same
period last year. The gross income
was $2,907,177 for the quarter com-
pared with $2,781,491 in the 1953
period.

All directors were reelected by the
stockholders.

Colfman Heads
lA Film Editors

Frank Cofl^man has been elected
president of Local 771, Motion Pic-
ture Film Editors, lATSE, it was an-
nounced. Others elected were : Michael
Prusch, vice-president ; Rosemarie H.
Herman, secretary ; John Oxton,
treasurer ; Charles Wolfe, business
agent ; and Fred Edwards and Ed-
ward Wyant, Jr., sergeants-at-arms.

The board of trustees consists of
Frank Madden, chairman; Fred Ah-
rens and James Molini. The executive
board is as follows : Coffman, chair-
man; Prusch, Herman, Oxton, Mad-
den, Ahrens, Molini, Edwards, Wyant,
Elmer McGovern and William Sofio.

Two Dividends Set
By AB-PT Board

The board of directors of Ameri-
'■an Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres
declared dividends of 25 cents per
.share on the outstanding preferred
and 25 cents per share on the outstand-
ing common stock of the corporation,
payable Dec. 20 to holders of record
on Nov. 26.

WB Adds 'River'

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 11.— "The
River Changes," filmed on actual lo-
cation, has been placed on the Warner
Brothers release schedule by Jack L.
Warner, executive producer. The pic-
ture is now nearing completion in
Western Germany under the direction
of Owen Crump, who wrote the story
and is also the producer.

Far West Eyes

(Continued f:

San Francisco, said : "It is, and always
has been, my opinion that fair-minded
and earnest business men can carry
on their own business better than any
government ofhce or department can
conduct it for them. With this opinion
firmly established, I can only say that
I am not in favor, in principle, of the
proposed legislation.

"However, our industry has arrived
at a point where I cannot say that the
selling" and distribution of pictures is
being carried on by fair-minded men,
serious in any purpose except their
own aggrandizement and that of their
companies. It is obvious that unless
they themselves will modify their pres-
ent arrogant and greedy policies, steps
must be taken to force them to do so."

Ray Grombacher, Esquire Thea-
tre, Portland, Ore. : "Having been in
the industry in both Oregon and
Washington for the past 40 years, it
is my belief that the actions of the
various film exchanges in charging ex-
orbitant prices for films, and also per-
centages, is the worst I've ever en-
countered. There is absolutely no sense
in their actions. We have appealed to
the exchanges in vain. Other econo-
mies in operation of our theatres, mean
nothing when distributors arbitrarily
insist on such high rentals.

"We are heartily in accord with the
Myer's bill, but hope it will be put in
Congress only as a last resort."

Walter Tebbets, Laurelhurst The-
atre, Portland, Ore. : "We have noted
with alarm, the heavy increase in film
rentals and that they have been dras-
tically raised, ever since we had the
consent decree which failed to help the
theatre owners generally.

"This is a must for our exhibitors,
that they make a concerted effort
within the industry to solve this most

Exchanges

(Continued from page 1)

international lATSE office was pres-
ently studying reports received from
union locals around the U. S. citing
individual conditions in the exchanges
which tliey represent. The LA. office,
it is reported, is trying to consolidate
the requested terms and conditions
noted into an initial package which
could be offered to the film company
representatives in the first pact talks.

In the meantime, the H-63 represen-
tative reported that two exchange
locals on the West Coast, Locals B-17
and Local F-17, in San Francisco,
have filed applications with the Na-
tional Labor Relations Board seeking
separation from the international
lATSE and affiliation with another
AFL union. It is understood that the
two locals had expressed dissatisfac-
tion with national negotiations for ex-
change contracts, preferring to deal
on an individual basis with the film
companies because each exchange has
its own grievances and problems which
could not be fully alleviated by nation-
wide talks.

Last year H-63 also expressed dis-
satisfaction in the exchange pact nego-
tiations and had discussed a similar
move, but the union withdrew its plan
after receiving closer support from the
lATSE.

Meanwhile, Local H-63 has filed an
application with the National Labor
Relations Board for an employee elec-
tion at the National Screen Service
home office here. A hearing will take
place on Monday.

Regulation

rom page 1)

important problem. In the Portland
area, the bidding and guarantee by
several theatres, from 35 to 60 per
cent, are ruinous,

"We would endorse and try to have
Myers' bill, but hope it will be put in
only if all efforts for settlement have
been exhausted within our industry.''
Roy Brown, Buying and Booking
Agency, Portland, Ore. : "As a buyer
and booker for some 20 of the smaller
Oregon theatres, we have noted the
increased rentals and percentages, and
they are entirely too high, and do not
give the exhibitor any chance for a
back-log to make up for the occa-
sional recessions at the box office.

"However, we have been able to
average up for the exhibitors, with
high and low rentals, but they all
would like to see some early settle-
ment, especially one favoring the
smaller exhibitor in the area."

Homer Tegtmeier, San Francisco:
"I do not like Federal regulation ot
business at any time, but as things
stand now, it may be the only way
out of a bad situation unless some
vitally needed readjustments are forth-
coming. As the operator of four thea-
tres and as a representative for a
theatre equipment and supply firm, I
know the point of view of the small
exhibitor. Most of the grass-roots
criticism centers around the ruinous
prices of film, poor condition of prints
and product shortages. Without some
sort of alleviation of these conditions
in the immediate future, I would say
that half of the houses in California
will have to close in another year."

Break a Leg and
Get in Gratis

TORONTO, Nov. 11.— If
you) broke a leg you could get
into Shea's Theatre this week
for nothing to see James Stew-
art wearing a cast in "Rear
Window." Manager Len Bishop
threw out the offer of free ad-
mission to anybody wearing a
leg cast — and this is the football
season.

Censor Law

{Continued from- page 1)

decisions against broad censorship
power, the proposed statute would
delete words "sacrilegious, indecent,
inhuman and immoral" as grounds for
banning pictures.

Under present laws, an exhibitor
can appeal a decision of the Maryland
Board of Motion Picture Censors di-
rectly to the Supreme Bench of Bal-
timore City.

Would Strengthen Censors

If the exhibitor wins his case, the
censor board now has no right of ap-
peal. While the recommended law-
would limit the grounds for censor-
ship, it would give censors a much
stronger position in cases that are
taken to court.

Under the proposed legislation, the
board could take an adverse decision
to the Maryland Court of Appeals,
and on up to the United States Su-
preme Court, if necessary.

"If they howled

through \ JjSr^^" wait

till they see

FROM
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MOTION PICTURE

DAILY

VOL. 76. NO. 93

NEW YORK. U.S.A., MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1954

TEN CENTS

Tradewise . . .

By SHERWIN KANE

ELMER C. RHODEN, new presi-
dent of National Theatres,
told reporters at a press con-
ference on the Coast recently that
the time may have arrived for ex-
hibition to provide some of the risk
capital needed for production.

His observation goes direct to
the heart of the situation with
which the industry finds itself con-
fronted today.

Production learned some time
ago that medium and low-budget
films no longer bring people into
the theatres. Exhibition knows it,
too.

Therefore, studios began to con-
centrate on production of costlier
pictures. There is a limit to the
number of stories and to the
amount of talent and top-grade
technicians available for such pro-
ductions. Thus, inevitably, the re-
sult was "fewer but bigger" pic-
tures.

Consequently, exhibitors found
themselves not only paying consid-
erably more for film but almost
constantly in short supply, as well.
•

That the producer's course, for
him, at least, has been right is
shown in earnings statements, box
office reports and by other barom-
eters of film marketing. Fair-
minded exhibitors admit that the
producer is entitled to more for his
costlier and better productions. He
has invested more — risked more.
He is entitled to a larger reward
if his pictures succeed because, if
they do not, his losses, too, will be
greater than ever before.

Any quick succession of failures
of one studio's large-budget pro-
ductions would be disastrous for
such studio.

That a product shortage exists
insofar as the average theatre
Is concerned is undeniable. But
whether that shortage can be ef-
fectively alleviated merely by the
production of an increased num-
ber of low-budget or program pic-
tures, is debatable.

The public apparently is not in-
terested in product in volume un-
(Continued on page 2)

Gulf States Allied
In Bidding Protest

NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 14.—
Although no official action was
taken, the board of directors of
Gulf States Allied at a meeting
here indicated that it would
make an all-out drive to elimi-
nate situations where competi-
tive bidding now exists. Presi-
dent Abe Berenson, Gulf States'
delegate to the COMPO execu-
tive committee meeting in New
York tomorrow, was instructed
to favor another "Movietime,
U.S.A." project at the COMPO
conferences.

See Turndown
Of TV Offer

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 14— Studio
officials here indicated that it is ex-
tremely unlikely that the industry will
undertake or underwrite a QO-minute
telecast to promote 1955 films, as pro-
posed by the National Broadcasting

Co-
Inquiries among- studio executives

who attended last Thursday's meeting
with NBC representatives, on the per-
sonal invitation of Robert J. O'Don-
nell, vice-president and general man-
ager of the Texas Interstate Circuit,
expressed negative reactions. Declin-
ing the use of their names, studio and
publicity-advertising personnel pointed
out that the same fundamental ob-
stacles that prevented the industry
from cooperating with American
Broadcasting Co. on its TV proposal
more than a year ago, still apply.
Several officials also mentioned that
(Continued on page 7)

Industry Meet Opens Today

STAR POLL TOPS
COMPO S AGENDA

50 Delegates Gather to Act on Plans to Win
New Audiences, to Combat New Taxes

The projected national audience star poll will be one of the leading
items on the agenda of today's meeting here of the Council of Motion
Picture Organizations' executive committee and the COMPO board of

directors, to be held at the Sheraton

Compo Distributing
Tax Booklet as Aid
To Theatre Owners

In an effort to help theatre owners
combat present or threatened state
and local admission taxes, COMPO
is distributing nearly 10,000 copies of
a new booklet it has prepared en-
titled "Block That Tax!" Robert W.
Coyne, special counsel of COMPO,
said the booklet is being sent to all
members of State, Congressional and
local tax committees, to the members
of the recently appointed State and
Regional Press Relations Committees
and to all dues-paying COMPO mem-
bers.

The booklet warns theatremen that
new admission taxes may come from
two sources — states and municipalities
— and sets forth a detailed plan for
combatting them at each level.

It quotes high government officials
and leading members of Congress in
support of the industry's claim that
Federal tax relief was granted be-
cause of the financial distress of the
theatres, and for other reasons, and
(Continued on page 7)

Showmen Divided on Plan
For Federal Regulation

A majority of exhibitors in the South, like those in the East and Far
West interviewed earlier, look without enthusiasm upon any move to
invite the Federal government in to regulate the industry.

Those interviewed by Motion

Columbia Sales Meet
Begins in Chicago

CHICAGO, Nov. 14. — Columbia
Pictures home office executives, de-
partment heads and key sales per-
sonnel, as well as the seven division
managers, branch managers, and top
sales officials of the Canadian divi-
sion will gather at the Blackstone
(Continued on page 11)

Pic-
ture Daily correspondents on their
reactions to the Allied States plan to
consider introduction of regulatory
legislation in Congress if satisfactory-
trade practice reforms have not been
introduced by next February, were, in
the main, opposed to the plan, but it
was not found to be without support.

A smaller segment of exhibitors
favored it as a last resort and another
group was of the opinion that condi-
tions are sufficiently desperate for
(Continued on page 10)

-Astor Hotel.

The meeting, which is expected to
be attended by 50 delegates, may last
two days, if the business scheduled
cannot be completed today, Robert W.
Coyne, COMPO special counsel stated.

Among- those attending will be
COMPO's governing triumvirate, Al
Lichtman, Sam Pinanski and Wilbur
Snaper, in addition to Allied president
Ben Marcus. E. D. Martin, newly-
elected president of Theatre Owners
of America, due to a prior engagement
to address a TO A regional unit in
Charlotte, N. C, will be unable to at-
tend.

Plans for the audience star poll were
drawn up last June at a meeting of
theatre advertising and publicity repre-
sentatives. Under the proposed plan,
audiences in the participating theatres
would vote annually between Jan. 1
and 15, inclusive, on pictures released
during the previous, year. They would
be asked to select the best picture, the
(Continued on page 7)

Brous in Rhoden's
Fox-Midwest Post

KANSAS CITY, Nov. 14.— Rich-
ard P. Brous, for the past 10 years
chief counsel for Fox Midwest cir-
cuit has been elected divisional presi-
dent, succeeding- Elmer C. Rhoden,
new president of National Theatres.

Senn Lawler, with the circuit for 25
years, has been made division manager
in charge of theatre operations, and
Joe Redman succeeds him in charge
of advertising-publicity.

Cinerama Slated for
Montreal, Dec. 27

The first Cinerama theatre to be
operated by the Stanley Warner Cor-
Doration outside the continental United
States will be the Imperial Theatre
in Montreal, it was announced by
Lester B. Isaac, general manager in
charge' of Cinerama exhibition for
Stanley Warner.

The 14th theatre in the company's
(Continued on page 7)

Motion Picture Daily

Monday, November 15, 1954

SAG Members' TV Work
Rising, Guild Study Shows

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 14. — Production of television films is now pro-
viding almost as many days' work for actors as production of theatrical
films, and emplojnnent in both media has increased over the 1953 levels,

the Screen Actors Guild members

were told Friday at the organization's

annual membership meeting held at
the Academy Award Theatre.

A detailed breakdown showed that
television films ijrovide 46 per cent and
theatrical films 54 per cent of the work
done by members in the earning brack-
ets below $7,500 annually, who com-
pose 70 per cent of the SAG mem-
bership.

Financial Report Given

All candidates on the administration
slate were elected in a mail refer-
endum, with all present officers re-
elected, according to tabulations dis-
closed at the meeting.

Kenneth Thomson, SAG television
director, disclosed that the guild has
collected and distributed to members
$268,294 in television residual pay-
ments, which includes $77,965 received
from Allied Artists for actors' tele-
vision rights in theatrical pictures
made after Aug. 1, 1948, the SAG
cut-of¥ date.

The financial report showed that
operating costs exceeded operating in-

come by $9,323, but income from other
sources, including dividends and prof-
its on SAG investments, totalled $57,-
906, which resulted in a net surplus
of $48,583 for the year.

Members were told upcoming col-
lective bargaining negotiations with
television-film producers probably will
seek substantial increases in salary
minimums and possibly a new sliding
scale based on the number of lines
spoken.

New Building Planned

The meeting was highlighted by the
announcement that the SAG is pur-
chasing a building site on Sunset Boul-
evard and will erect its own two-
story structure costing approximately
$200,000 as guild headquarters. SAG
president Walter Pidgeon said the site
is corner property, 130 feet by 135,
and the building will be modern in
every respect with a "style of architec-
ture that is dramatic but still con-
servative." Completion is expected by
next October.

Personal
Mention

EDWARD L. ITYMAN, vicerpresi-
dent of American Broadcasting-
Paramount Theatres, and Bernard
Levy, his assistant, have returned to
New York from Minneapolis and Des
Moines.

•

Nat Lapkin, Stanley Warner vice-
IHVsident in charge of production, has
returned to New York from Holly-
wood.

•

Mori Krushen, United Artists
exploitation manager, will return to
New York today following a tour of
the Southwest and Gulf territories.
•

William Lyon and Morgan Hud-
gins, of the M-G-M studio publicity
department, arrived in New York
from the Coast on Friday.

•

Harry Browning of New England
Theatres, and Arnold Van Leer of
Paramount Pictures have returned to
Boston from Hartford.

•

Emery Austin, M-G-M exploita-
tion head, will leave New York by
plane today for Indianapolis.

•

JuANiTA El WELL, bookcr for Bailey
Theatres, Southern circuit, has re-
turned to Atlanta from New York.
•

Jack Schloss of the Columbia Pic-
tures exploitation department is in
Hartford today from New York.

RouBEN Mamoulian, director, has
arrived here from Hollywood

Ella Raines will leave New York
by plane today for Akron.

Bert Orde of "Redbook" has re-
turned here from the West Coast.
•

Spencer Tracy is due in New
York from Europe on Thursday.
•

George Sidney, director, has ar-
rived in New York from Hollywood.

Belmont vs. NT Suit
Settled Out of Court

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 14, — An
$800,000 anti-trust suit in which
Moises and Raqual Mareyna, owners
of the Belmont Theatre here, had
charged National Theatres, Fox West
Coast and 20th Century-Fox damaged
them in that amount when NT chose
to divest itself of the Belmont, instead
of other theatres, when ordered to
divest one or another under the con-
sent decree, today was settled out of
court for an undisclosed amount.

Rothacker Services Held

Funeral services were held Satur-
day for Douglas Rothacker, 67, for
more than 40 years a producer and
distributor of educational and indus-
trial films, who died Friday at his
home in Great Neck, L. I. He is sur-
vived by his widow, three daughters
and a son.

Stress Importance
Of Lardner Case

Home office attorneys of film com-
panies here stressed the significance of
the recent court decision in the Ring
Lardner, Jr., case, under which the
U.S. Court of Appeals in San Fran-
cisco reversed a Los Angeles Federal
Court award of $25,789 to the screen
writer, one of the "Unfriendly Ten."

The money in the dispute repre-
sented the back pay from a film studio,
20th Century-Fox, that had discharged
him for refusing to answer questions
regarding Communist affiliations.

Attorneys here pointed out that the
Lardner case represented the last
piece of litigation in the courts re-
garding the "Unfriendly Ten," add-
ing that the Appellate Court decision
upheld the 1947 industry position.

The Appellate Court ruled that the
lower court had erred in refusing to
admit into evidence Lardner's convic-
tion for contempt of Congress. The
Appellate Court said such a convic-
tion was considered legally as con-
stituting moral turpitude and was
therefore ground for dismissing Lard-
ner, since his contract contained a
good conduct clause.

'Aida' Pulls $2,475

"Aida'' opened at the Little Car-
negie here with a gross of $2,475, said
to be the largest opening day gross in
the theatre's history. The S. Hurok
production is being released by the
I.F.E. Releasing Corp.

Miss. House Burns

POPLARVILLE, Miss., Nov. 14.—
The ShefT Theatre was almost com-
pletely destroyed here by fire.

Makelim Claims 282
New Theatre Deals

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 14. — New
Makelim plan deals .with circuits and
other theatre operators over a wide
area were announced by Hal Makelim.

Among the chains lined up within
the past 10 days is the Alliance with
53 houses operating in the Chicago
territor}^ and throughout the Pacific
Northwest. This boosts to 282 the
total theatres recently signed up, it
was said.

All deals, Makelim disclosed, were
for strict play or pay contracts, in-
volving the entire slate of 12 Makelim-
produced attractions.

In addition to Alliance, negotiations
have just been closed with Cooperative
Theatre Service, Pittsburgh, 86 thea-
tres ; Kayton Theatres, Franklin, Pa.,
Eight ; Crescent Amusement Co.,
Nashville, 63 ; Skirball Bros., Cleve-
land, Six ; Switow Enterprises, Louis-
ville, Ky., 12 ; Affiliated Theatres, San
Francisco, 10.

Makelim left at the weekend for
Charlotte, to attend the 42nd Annual
Convention of Theati'e Owners of
North and South Carolina. His itiner-
ary includes stops at Atlanta, Dallas
and other Southern centers, for talks
with exhibitors.

Lantz Dinner Friday

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 14. — Walt
Disney, chairman of the committee in
charge of the 25th anniversary testi-
monial for Walter Lantz, announced
that the party will be held at the
Universal-International studio on Fri-
day. Others of the committee to honor
Lantz are Fred Quimby, Edward Sel-
zer, Steve Bosustow, and George Pal.

Tradewise . . .

(Continued from page 1)

less if also happens to be product
of quality, product which is distinc-
tive in itself.

With virtually every studio al-
ready assuming the limit of reason-
able risk on high-budget produc-
tions, it may well be, as Rhoden
suggests, the time for exhibition to
provide some of the risk capital for
increased production.

National Theatres is prepared to
do that, if the Department of Jus-
tice approves. Exhibitors of all
classifications backing Distributors
Corp. of America are prepared to
help do it. Theatre Owners of
America is encouraging the forma-
tion of another company through
which exhibition can join in pro-
viding capital for new production.
There are and will be others.

It seems reasonable to speculate
that had theatre divorcement not
occurred, the economic pressure
exerted by affiliated circuits might
have brought about an increase in
production, whether for the ulti-
mate good of all studios or not.
Now exhibition's economic pres-
sure can be turned largely only
upon itself.

Translated into action, that
means the time has arrived for ex-
hibition to provide more of the
lisk capital for production.

Orders Arbitration
Of Grainger Pact

Supreme Court Justice Joseph Gave-
gan has ordered Shea Enterprises and
Jamestown Amusement Corp. to pro-
ceed with arbitration under E. C.
Grainger's claim for breach of con-
tract as former general manager of
the companies.

Grainger's services were terminated
by Shea in 1951, at which time he
requested arbitration. Shea countered
with charges of mismanagement
against Grainger and E. C. Raftery
and contended that Grainger's contract
was in valid. Arbitration was deferred
but the court recently found that the
Grainger contract was valid. How-
ever, Judge Gavegan upheld Shea's
claim that the statute of limitations
applied, thereby limiting Grainger's
possible recovery to six years.

To Honor Miss Gamble

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 14.— Bet-
tie Gamble, a member of the Univer-
sal exchange here for 25 years, will
be honored on her anniversary with
a sales drive from Nov. 15 to Jan. 1,
to be called Bettie Gamble Shorts
Drive. In addition, plans are under
way for a dinner party for the end
of the drive. She now is head booker
at the Universal exchange.

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwiu Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20. N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke.
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten. National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald ; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

"Hottest version of 'Carmen!'

None was ever so decorative or will reach
nationwide fame as quickly as sultry
Dorothy Dan dridge !" — Life

"It is a terrific picture! Hope you

won't repeat my experience when you see 'CARMEN
JONES'. I got so excited I burned a big hole in
the front of my dress. Yep, the film is that hot."

— Hedda Hopper

"Crowded with fiery music
and blazing passion I

Dorothy Dandridge is a bewitcher!"

— Walter Winchell

"A great and exciting picture!"

— Louis Sobol

"Audience stood up and cheered!"

— Ed Sullivan

"Bound to make a sensation!"

— Danton Walker

Color by DE LUXE « In the Wonder of High-Fidelity, STEREOPHONIC SOUND

starring

HARRY BELAFONTE DOROTHY DANDRIDGE
PEARL BAILEY • OLGA JAMES • JOE ADAMS

Produced and Directed by Books and Lyrics by

OTTO PREMINGER. OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN, 2nd

screen Play by HARRY KLEINER • Music by GEORGES BIZET

Released by 20th Century-Fox

"Sure to be a big hit! This is a carmen'
that may bUster the rear walls of many a movie
house. The audience is not merely stimulated,
it is all but electrocuted. Even the huge
CinemaScope screen seems hardly big- enough
to carry the mass scenes — Time

"Hot! Hot! Hot!"

— Louella 0. Parsons

"Superb! Dynamic! Packed with

talent! Dorothy Dandridge becomes an
incandescent Carmen, devilishly willful and
feline. She is one of the outstanding
dramatic actresses of the screen.
Great showl" — Newsweek

"A great picture!''

— Earl Wilson

"BriUiant! Tops in Town! Audiences

are raving about Dorothy Dandridge's beauty
and talent ! " —Dorothy Kilgallen

Motion Picture Daily

Monday, November 15, 1954

Reviews

"Theodora, Slave Empress"

{Lit.v Films-I.F.E.)

LUX Films Rome and Lux Compagnie Cinematographique of Paris have
freely and fulsomely utilized Pathecolor's color process in detailing the
rarely seen Byzantium empire in this I.F.E. release, "Theodora, Slave Em-
press," and have also shown that Hollywood producers do not hold any sort
of a franchise in turning out semi-historical spectacles, so much in evidence
during the past year. This picture holds its own with its American counter-
parts in lavishness, costumes and crowds. The dubbing into English was
accomplished by means of archaic and unintentionally humorous dialogue which
U. S. audiences should find quite satisfactory.

Theodora, born the daughter of a bear feeder, rose to be empress of Byzan-
tium and, according to tlie film, it was accomplished quickly, artfully and
excitingly. The emperor, Justinian, noticed her in his wanderings among his
people and with each successive meeting, Justinian's passion for her increased.
Theodora's ambition is to be queen, not courtesan and when their fiery love
affair does culminate in marriage, they become better people for it with new
respect and regard for one another.

With the possibility of conspiracy and intrigue from the powerful patricians
always present, Theodora, born with the common people, teaches her husband
the ways of democracy. It is accomplished only after some strenuous battles,
the uproting of the court villains and the near-death of Theodora in as wild
a climax as has been seen in a year of spectacles. Although Theodora is seen
as the queen of the populace, her sudden change from seductress to benevolent
ruler is too pat. She is played by Gianna Maria Canale, one of Italy's top
film beauties. George Marchal is the handsome Justinian and Henri Guisol
is able and deft in his performance as the chief trouble maker. All of the
roles are played with gusto and little subtlety.

The film was directed by Riccardo Freda in collaboration with script writers
Rene Wheeler, Ranieri Cochetti and Claude Accursi.

Running time, 88 minutes. General classification. -Release in December.

Snow Creature

{Wilder-United Artists)

THE slight story of a legendary Himalayan snow creature which might
have been an exciting and suspenseful science-fiction tale proves to be
somewhat tame stuff as a minimum of thrills is provided as the snow creature
itself is neither terrifying nor horrendous. W. Lee Wilder's production, which
has been directed from a story and screenplay by Myles Wilder, has excellent
photography by Floyd D. Crosby.

Paul Langton plays a botanist who, with his photographer and a group of
Sherpa natives, plan to explore a section of the Himalaya Mountains for plant
life and discover instead a snow creature, a legendary man-beast. Eventually
the creature is captured alive and brought to the U. S. While the immigra-
tion authorities are determining the status of the snow creature, it escapes and
proceeds to terrorize the citizenry until he is finally captured in the sewers of
the city.

Running time, 69 minutes. General classification. Release, in November

People

M-G-M Sets Second
Workshop Panel,
Plan Others for '55

M-G-M has set its three-man panel
comprising a "big" town theatre oper-
ator, a "small" town exhibitor and a
newspaper advertising executive for its
second "Ticket Selling Workshop" to
be held tomorrow at the Marott Hotel
in Indianapolis. Mike Simons, in
charge of customer relations for
Al-G-M, will be chief speaker and
moderator at the second forum. Emery
Austin, exploitation head, will discuss
the 33 services Howard Dietz's depart-
ment makes available to theatre own-
ers for the promotion of M-G-M pic-
tures.

Maloney in Chair

The Indianapolis Workshop is sec-
ond in the series to be held. Pitts-
burgh was the first city. The session
was held Oct. 28 and was attended
by more than 300. John J. Maloney,
M-G-M central sales manager who
opened the first gathering, will do like-
wise in Indianapolis, the exchange
coming under his supervision. Foster
B. Gauker, resident manager ; Val
Klaiber, Dewey Taute and O. L.
Presscott, salesmen, have been work-
ing with Maloney on the Indianapolis
project for the past month and will
be on hand to personally greet theatre
owners and representatives of allied
interests from the area. Austin will be
assisted by E. C. Pearson, press divi-
sion head, and Jerome Allan, local
press representative.

Taking advantage of the presenta-
tion of the "big" theatre angle made
by Ervin J. Clumb, managing director
of the Riverside Theatre, Milwaukee,
at the initial Workshop, Simons has
prevailed upon James Coston, midwest
zone head for Stanley Warners, to
have Clumb appear again at the In-
dianapolis meet. He will again be on
the dais, this time with L. J. "Bill"
Williams, operator of theatres in such
small towns as Union, Hermann and
Owensville in Missouri. The third
member of the panel will be Wayne
Botkin, retail advertising manager of
the Muncie Ind. Evening Press. He
will make the trip from Muncie espe-
cially for the occasion.

All Managers to Attend

All major circuit heads in the In-
dianapolis territory have assured Gau-
ker they intend to bring their man-
agers to Indianapolis for the meeting.

Following the Indianapolis Work-
shop, there will be the third in the
series, scheduled for Dec. 6 at the
Bradford Hotel, Boston. Plans are
under way for meetings in 1955 with
Rocky Mountain Theatre Owners bid-
ding for a Workshop in mid-January
at Denver and Mississippi Theatre
Owners also for the same month.
Pencilled in for February is a meet-
ing of Virginia Theatre Owners at
Richmond. Other tentative requests
for meetings in the month are under
consideration. On March 1, a Work-
shop is set for Columbus, O., and later
that month, if present plans mate-
rialize, there will be a session in Kan-
sas City. Numerous possibilities for
April have been presented. Billings,
Mont., and Salt Lake City are on the
schedule for forums in May, accord-
ing to present indications.

91 With Gleason

A cast of 91 people will surrcniiid
Jackie Gleason when he appears in
person at the Paramount Theatre for
two weeks beginning on Wednesday.

Senate Group Okays
FCC Nomination

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14. — The
nomination of George C. McCon-
naughey as chairman of the Federal
Communications Commission was re-
ported out by the Senate Interstate
Commerce Committee, but it appears
unlikely that he will be confirmed by
the Senate before the new Congress
convenes in January.

All seven Democrats on the Com-
merce Committee abstained from vot-
ing on the nomination, while seven Re-
publicans approved it. There is one
GOP vacancy on the committee.

It is felt that McConnaughey's
name won't come up on the Senate
floor because of the agreement be-
tween GOP' leader Knowland (R.
Calif.) and Democrat leader Johnson
(D. Tex.) not to handle anything
"controversial" during the McCarthy
session.

Sen. Monroney (D. Okla.) pre-
dicted after the committee meeting
that the FCC chairman, who has been
serving on a recess appointment since
last Sept. 25, would not be confirmed
at this session.

The Democrats are anxious to ex-
plore reports that the GOP National
Committee has put McConnaughey in
charge of giving more FCC jobs to
Republicans. The nominee has denied
this.

Rev. Scully Is New
Bishop of Albany

ALBANY, Dec. 14. — The Most
Rev. William A. Scully, who has
served as chairman of the Catholic
Bishops National Committee on Mo-
tion Pictures and who is a leader in
National Legion of Decency councils,
is_ the new bishop of the Albany
Diocese. Coadjustor bishop for nine
years and also pastor of St. Mary's
Church in Troy, he succeeded Bishop
Edmund F. Gibbons, who, after 35
years' service in the high position, re-
tired.

'Jones' Strong in
Miami and S.F.

Twentieth Century-Fox's Cinema-
Scope presentation of "Carmen Jones"
is showing marked boxofifice strength
in first engagements across the coun-
tr}'-, according to theatre reports.

Opening in Miami, at Wometco's
Carib, Miami and Miracle Theatres,
the Otto Preminger production racked
up a combined gross of $6,975 as com-
pared to a $5,706 figure set by "Three
Coins In The Fountain" in the three
houses, 20th-Fox announced.
^ In San Francisco, at the St. Francis
Theatre, "Carmen Jones" grossed
$2,690 opening-day, Wednesday (10),
a powerful mark for the situation.

Kenneth MacKenna, M-G-M stu-
dio story head, is scheduled to arrive
in New York on Dec. 5 for his peri-
odic visit here to catch the shows
and contact editors and publishers.

Herb Lyon, formerly in the pub-
licity department of Balaban & Katz
in Chicago, and more recently a
Cliicago and Hollywood columnist,
now has his by-line on Tower
Ticker, publication of which was
recently resume by the "Chicago
Tribune."

William Humphries, office man-
ager for Warner Brothers in Jack-
sonville, has been transferred to the
.Atlanta branch as sales representa-
tive in Alabama. His post in Jack-
sonville has been taken over by
Henry Goldberg, formerly auditor
in the Paramount office.

Hal Kemp, manager of the NBC
talent office in New York, will trans-
fer to Hollywood on Dec. 1 to be-
come a general program executive
in both radio and television.

J. p. Lindsley, long-time employe
of the Martin Theatres in Georgia,
Alabama and Florida, has been
named manager of the Martin The-
atre in Florala, Ala.

J. W. Fletcher has taken over the
Lakewood Theatre, Augusta, Ga.,
from Jake Bogo.

Mark J. Emdem and associates
have taken a long-term lease on a
site in St. Petersburg, Fla., and will
start work around Dec. 1 on a new
drive-in theatre.

James Allen, formerly with the
Evergreen Theatres Corp., has been
named manager of the American
Theatre at BelHngham, Wash.

Jack Goldberg, M-G-M resident
manager in Albany, and Howard
Goldstein, salesman, have been ap-
pointed to the local Variety Club
membership committee.

Charles H. Topmiller, executive
vice-president of WCKY, Cincin-
nati, was elected president and gen-
eral manager of the 50,000-watt in-
dependent radio station, succeeding
L. B. Wolson, who recently passed
away.

'U' Distributing
'Pagan' Manual

Universal this week is distribut-
ing a manual of more than 100
pages on promotional and mer-
chandise die-ups on "The Sign
of the Pagan." The manual is
reported to be the most exten-
sive in company history.

Monday, November 15, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

COMPO^s Triumvirate and Officers

Tax Booklet

{Continued from page 1)

Al Lichtman

Co-Chairman

Sam Pinanski
Co-Chairman

Wilbur Snaper

Co-Chairman

Herman Robbins

Treasurer

Robert Coyne

Special Counsel

(Continued from page 1)

best performances by male and female
players and the most promising new
young male and female players.

Mrs. Alice N. Gorham of the United
Detroit Theatres Corp., was chairman
of the committee. Other members
were Ralph W. Russell of the Palace
Theatre, Canton, Ohio ; Emil Bern-
stecker of the Wilby-Kincey Service
Corp. of Atlanta ; Paul Levi of the
American Theatres Corp., Boston ;
Senn Lawler of the Fox Midwest
Amusement Corp., Kansas City, and
William A. Carroll, executive secre-
tary of Indiana Allied, who repre-
sented Roy E. Kalver of the Adams
Theatre, Decatur, Ind., named to the
committee as a representative of na-
tional Allied.

Other leading subjects include
consideration of a possible in-
dustry-TV program, liability in-
surance plan, circulation of the
Department of Defense tech-
nicolor feature film, "This Is
Your Army," and a suggestion
for a new Movietime, U.S.A., or
National Go - To - The - Movies
Month.

There will also be discussions of
political action at the national and lo-
cal levels, coordination of technological
advances in the industry, various audi-
ence development plans and a proposed
Hollywood round table.

Other subjects to be considered in-
clude expansion of COMPO member-
ship, COMPO financing, re-appoint-
ment of COMPO Committees and
recommendations from industry mem-
bers. Rendering a report on finances
of the organization will be Herman
Robbins, COMPO treasurer.

Toll-TV a Possibility

An opportunity, it was stated, also
will be given to executive committee
and board members to bring up sub-
jects not on the agenda for discussion
and action. One of these items, it was
believed in trade circles, may be the
toll TV issue, which recently resulted
in the formation of a united exhibition
committee to combat toll TV.

48 Christmas Day
Bows for 'Leagues'

Forty-eight Christmas day openings
have been set for Walt Disney's
CinemaScope-Technicolor production,
"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," fol-
lowing the world premiere at the
Astor Theatre in New York on Dec.
23, it was announced by Leo F.
Samuels, president of Buena Vista,
distribution subsidiary of Walt Disney
Productions.

Theatres slated for day and date
openings of this production based on
the Jules Verne story are in cities
coast to coast.

Hickey Transferred
To Shea N.Y. Office

Bernie Hickey, who has managed
Shea's Fulton Theatre in Pittsburgh
since the death of John Walsh, has
been transferred to the home office of
the Shea circuit in New York where
he will coordinate advertising, pub-
licity and exploitation between the dis-
tributors and the theatres.

Frank King, field representative of
the circuit, now is manager in Pitts-
burgh.

Loew Infl Group
In London for 'Beau*

Arthur M. Loew, president of
Loew's International Corp., is in Lon-
don with a special delegation of the
company's executives to attend to-
night's Royal Command performance
of M-G-M's "Beau Brummell" at the
Empire Theatre, premiere M-G-M
house in Great Britain. The delega-
tion went to London from Barcelona
over the weekend, at the conclusion
of the M-G-M European PEP sales
conference, over which Loew presided.
"Beau Brummell" was one of the
pictures screened at the conference,
whose purpose was to make special
plans for the coming year's product
with Perspecta Stereophonic Sound.

With Loew in London are Samuel
N. Burger, general sales manager ;
David Lewis, regional director of con-
tinental Europe ; Maurice Silverstein,
regional director of Latin America,
and Arthur Pincus, assistant director
of advertising and publicity.

Alabama's July
Receipts Up 17%

MONTGOMERY, Ala., Nov. 14.—
Theatre box-office receipts in Ala-
bama during Julj' showed an increase
of 17 per cent in comparison with
those of June. The University of
Alabama Bureau of Business Research
made the report. The survey is based
upon reports of sales tax collections,
the bureau also reported that July
receipts this year were up 11.2 per
cent when compared with those of
July, 1953.

submits facts and figures which local
exhibitors may use to advantage be-
fore their state or local taxing authori-
ties.

The booklet makes it clear that
unlike the Federal tax campaign, the
conception, organization and prosecu-
tion of a successful campaign against
local taxes rests almost entirely upon
the individual exhibitor. COMPO's
role in these battles, it is estimated,
can only be that of a source of am-
munition.

However, if additional facts are
obtained that seem pertinent or
COMPO's attention is called to un-
usual tax fighting methods that have
been successful, they will be made
available to all tax campaign com-
mittees.

Perspecta Showings
In Charlotte, Phila.

Two more trade demonstrations of
Perspecta stereophonic sound have
been set for this month. The first will
take place in the Carolina Theatre,
Charlotte tomorrow, for members of
the Motion Picture Theatre Owners
of North and South Carolina, who
will be convening at that time.

The second demonstration will be
held on Nov. 29 in the Stanley Thea-
tre, Philadelphia, for exhibitors and
press of the area.

Elmer O. Wilschke, executive vice-
president of Perspecta Sound, Inc.,
will supervise both demonstrations.
He will be assisted by Al Mian, of the
company's engineering staff.

Rocky Mt. Allied
Backs Col. Criticism

DENVER, Nov. 14.— The board
of directors of Allied Rocky Moun-
tain Independent Theatres concurred
in the criticism of Columbia Pictures
sales policies by National Allied at
a regional meeting of the group here.

The ARMIT board declared their
opposition to "The hostile attitude of
Columbia general sales manager A.
Montague towards exhibitors in the
matter of film rentals."

"Whereas the terms being asked by
Columbia as a result of Montague's
attitude make the top pictures un-
available to Rocky Mountain exhibi-
tors, and whereas ARMIT wished to
support the stand of National Allied
on the matter of Columbia, be it re-
solved that the board of directors of
ARMIT concur in the criticism of
Columbia sales policies by National
Allied," the board of directors re-
solved.

500 Expected for
Carolina Meeting

CHARLOTTE, N. C, Nov. 14. —
About 500 exhibitors from this area
will be in attendance at the initial
meeting tomorrow of the 42nd annual
convention of the Theatre Owners As-
sociation of North and South Carolina
here.

The theatremen are expected to ex-
press opinions about the proposed Al-
lied States Association plan for gov-
ernmental regulation of the industry
during the three day meeting.

Speakers to address the convention
will include Leonard H. Goldenson,
president of American Broadcasting-
Paramount Theatres who will deliver
the keynote talk ; actor George Mur-
phy, and Mrs. Pauline Griffith, execu-
tive secretary of the Carolina group.
Toastmaster of the convention will be
Dick Pitts, Theatre Owners of Amer-
ica director of information.

Turndown

(Continued from page 1)

film companies had declined to spon-
sor the telecasting of their own Acad-
emy Award function and accepting
the current NBC ofifer, they argued,
would place the industry in an awk-
ward position.

Presented by O'Donnell

NBC's original proposal, which was
brought to Hollywood by O'Donnell,
reportedly had been offered to com-
pany heads previously in the East on
an individual company basis, and
turned down.

Present indications are that the
project will be discussed again this
week, but the likelihood that it will
be acted upon tangibly is considered
remote.

Cinerama

(Continued from page 1)

operation, the Imperial will premiere
"This Is Cinerama" on Dec. 27. Reno-
vations have just begun to permit in-
stallation of three projection booths,
the huge screen, Cinerama sound, and
other special equipment. Isaac esti-
mates that the box office will be ready
by Dec. 6.

For the premiere showing in Can-
ada, Cinerama officials are negotiating
for a charity sponsored opening under
the auspices of the St. Justin's Chil-
dren's Hospital which is under the
official direction of the Cardinal of
Canada.

Many Media to Cover
'Desiree' Bow Wed.

The Mutual radio network, televi-
sion station WPIX, the Armed Forces
Radio Network and the Voice of
America will carry the lobby cere-
monies preceding the "command per-
formance" premiere of "Desiree," 20th
Century-Fox's CinemaScope drama-
tization of Annemarie Selinko's novel
depicting the times of Napoleon, which
will open Wednesday at the Roxy
Theatre here.

In addition, Movietonews and still
photographers from newspapers and
wire services will be present at the
specially-decorated theatre to record
the arrival of celebrities.

Among those expected to attend the
premiere are members of the nobility,
leaders of international society and im-
portant French, Swedish and other
foreign diplomats.

PARAMOUNT
CONTINUES
TO DELIVER
THE

INDUSTRY'S
TOP GROSSES
BECAUSE . . .

It's hitting Christmas Week
business right now as its first hun-
dred dates play to smash results.
The whole country hails this first
VistaVision attraction for, as the
Los Angeles Herald & Express
says, it's "an irresistible package
of boxoffice inducements!"

presented! ■ THROUGH

yiSTAVISIOH

MOTION PICTURE f HIGH-FIDEIITY

IRVING BERLINS

BING DANNY

CROSBY* KAYE

ROSEMARY VERA-

CLOONEY* ELLEN

Color tyTECHNICOlOR

with lyrics and Music by

DEANJAGGER- IRVING BERLIN

P d db Directed by

ROBERT EMMEHDOLAN • MICHAELCURTIZ

Dances and Musicol Numbers Sloged by Robert Alton
Written lor tJie screen by

NORMAN KRASNA, NORMAN PANAMA and MELVIN FRANK

Today's big bo
are all from

"^^^nderful is the exhibitors'
word for Sabrina everywhere!
Seventh record week on Broad-
way. And Variety reports "Boffo,
Chicago" - "Paces Buffalo" -
"Huge, Minneapolis" —"Giant, Los
Angeles" — "Sockeroo, Denver" —
"Uniformly sock to terrific!"

HUMPHREY BOGART
AUDREY HEPBURN
WILLIAM HOLDEN

with

WALTER HAMPDEN • JOHN WILLIAMS
MARTHA HYER • JOAN VOHS
Produced and Directed by BILLY WILDER ' Written forthe
Screen by Billy Wilder, Samuel Taylor and Ernest Lehman
From the play by Samuel Taylor

12 weeks New York — 12
weeks Philadelphia are typical •
of engagements making this the
year's long-run leader. In key city
runs it hit an astounding 98%
holdover average. No wonder it's
the hottest attraction in general
release today!

JAMES

STEWART

ALPRED HITCHCOCK'S

REAR VJINUOW

Color hyTECHNlCOLOR

co-starring

GRACE KELLY • WENDELL COREY
THELMA HITTER

with RAYMOND BURR • Directed by ALFRED HITCHCOCK
Screenplay by JOHN MICHAEL HAYES

BASED ON THE SHORT STORY BY CORNELL WOOLRICH

Dffice leaders
amount !

Motion Picture Daily

Monday, November 15, 1954

N-E-W-S...

like the wind, it keeps
changing — like the wind,
it affects the course
you steer ...

Every issue of Motion Picture Daily
is edited as though our reputation
depends on it. As a matter of fact,
we consider that it does.

Federal Regulation Plan

( C(iiiti)iued from page 1)

some to convince them that even Fed-
eral regulation is preferable to their
current lot.

Following are typical statements
received :

Mrs. Lillian Claughton, Claughton
Theatres,. Miami: "Every means
should be exhausted to iron out the
problem, but if the distributor is un-
reasonable, I feel Fd rather seek gov-
ernment aid than go out of business."
She said she believed government in-
tervention should be sought only in
the last extreme. Mrs. Claughton felt
the appointment of a man of the stat-
ure of William F. Rodgers to an in-
dustry grievance board would be help-
ful.

Lyall Shiell, operator of the Sky-
vue Drive-In, New Orleans, in as-
sociation with S. E. Mortimore and
Frank Olah, said he opposes the Al-
lied States plan. "There is no reason
for the government to come into the
business, not any more than for the
government to take over management
of department stores. It seems the
government itself doesn't want to reg-
ulate industry, but wants industry to
regulate itself. If the government
takes over distribution, which I hope
will never come to pass, what is there
to stop the government from regulat-
ing exhibition? We in the industry
certainly have more than the ounce
of intelligence needed to settle our
own problems. I have been in the
business a long time, experienced
many ups and downs, but I have kept
going and will continue to do so for
many years to come and without the
government intervening."

E. Jenner, operator of indoor and
drive-in theatres in Mississippi and
Louisiana : Favors AUied's plan for
government regulation of distributors,
but he hopes that the brain trusts of
both distributors and exhibitors will
get together between now and Feb-
ruary, 1955, and reach mutual agree-
ment.

F. G. Prat, Jr., co-owner of Prat-
Aucoin Theatres, Louisiana: "I am
all for Allied's plan." Prat is vice-

president of Allied Theatres Owners
of the Gulf States.

Charlotte, N. C, theatre owners,
although refusing to permit their
names to be used, overwhelmingly
oppose Federal regulation of distribu-
tion.

Mitchell Wolfson, Wometco The-
atres, Miami : "We are very much
opposed to Federal control of film dis-
tribution. The making of more pic-
tures must be encouraged by exhibi-
tors. Exhibitors should continue a
united fight for fair prices and policies.
We want more pictures — not more
policing. We should work to that end
in unity and not force prices up by
trying to out-bid each other."

Philip Corte, operator of the Gar-
den Theatre, New Orleans : "Inde-
pendent exhibitors like myself operat-
ing one theatre should and must sup-
port Allied States' plan for Federal
regulation. Distribution policies must
be modified if the small exhibitors are
to remain in business."

J. H. Thompson, president,
MPTOO of Georgia: "I have always
been opposed to Federal regulation
and feel that if and when we do have
Federal regulation of our industry we
may expect our business to subside
and go into a gradual decline. How-
ever, with small exhibitors faced with
the loss of their entire lifetime sav-
ings which are invested in theatres,
the critical and desperate period has
finally come to a showdown as to
whether they will be able to stay in
business or not."

Frank Smith, operating the Grand,
Grand Island. La. : "I hope the dis-
tributors and producers will soon get
wise to themselves, that they cannot
continue with the exorbitant prices of
film, shortage of films and shortage
of prints if they do not want the small
town exhibitors to close their doors."

Bernard Woolner, president,
Woolner Theatres, New Orleans :
"Government intervention in sales
practice and regulation of the industry
simply will not work out. We don't
want politicians' interference.

Filmakers, with TO A
Aid, Would Make 12

HOLLYWOOD. Nov. 14. — Fil-
makers Releasing Organization presi-
dent Irving H. Levin has written
Theatre Owners of America president
E. D. Martin ofifering to increase
FRO output to 12 pictures annual-
ly if TOA will co-finance produc-
tion, as TOA indicated in its Chicago
convention it intends to do. Filmakers
has two completed pictures nearing
release and has announced plans for
releasing seven additional features
during 1955.

Set Openings for
'Romeo and Julief

L'nited Artists' "Romeo and Juliet"
has been set for regional premieres in
Washington, San Francisco and Kan-
sas City, it was announced by William
J. Heineman, UA vice-president in
charge of distribution.

The picture will open at the Dupont
Theatre in Washington on Dec. 22
and will be unveiled at the Stage Door
Theatre in San Francisco and the
Kimo Theatre in Kansas City on
Dec. 24.

Add Six Names to
Pioneers' Dais List

Additional names have been added
to the roster of those who will be on
the dais on Nov. 17 for the 16th an-
nual showmanship dinner of the Mo-
tion Picture Pioneers, honoring Si
Fabian as "Pioneer of the Year." They
are : Nate Blumberg, Max A. Cohen,
Benjamin Kalmenson, Harry Kalmine,
Sol A. Schwartz, and George P.
Skouras.

Reservations for the dinner are near
capacity but a few tickets still are
available to Pioneers who hurry, the
committee announced.

Subways Select 3
*Go See' Pictures

Product apparently is getting so
much better that the New York
City subways' "Go See" recom-
mendation this month had to be
split among three pictures. In-
stead of a single selection, as is
customary, the subways picked
"Carmen Jones," "White Christ-
mas" and "A Star Is Born."

Monday, November 15, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Columbia

(Continued from page 1)

Hotel here tomorrow for what is said
to be one of the most important sales
meetings in the company's history.
General sales manager A. Montague
will preside.

High on the agenda of the five
days of sessions will be the detailed
discussions of the sales and distribu-
tion of Columbia's forthcoming top
product as well as the continued liq-
uidation of the company's current
line-up.

Screenings Scheduled

The delegates will have some of
the company's product unveiled for
them at screenings at the hotel. The
company plans to show the first three
CinemaScope productions, "The Long
Gray Line," "Three For The Show,"
and "The Violent Men" as well as the
UPA CinemaScope cartoon, "When
Magoo Flew," and the 40-minute
product trailer which was shown at
last v^'eek's convention of the Theatre
Owners of America.

Present from the home office, in ad-
dition to Jack Cohn and Montague,
are : Rube Jackter, Paul N. Lazarus,
Jr., Louis Astor, George Josephs,
Maurice Grad, Vincent Borrelli, H.
C. Kaufman, Joseph Freiberg, How-
ard LeSieur, Milton Goodman, Daniel
Rothenberg, Seth Raisler, William
Brennan, Al Schwartz, Sydney Sin-
german, George Berman and Nat
Goldblatt.

Division managers in attendance
are : Nat Cohn, New York ; S. A.
Galanty, Midwest, Carl Shalit, Cen-
tral; B. C. Marcus, Midwest; L H.
Rogovin, New England ; R. J. In-
gram, Southeastern ; Jack Underwood.
Southwestern ; H. E. Weiner, West-
ern Pennsylvania and Southern New
Jersey and L. E. Tillman, North-
western.

Branch Managers Attending

Branch managers present include :
N. Jackter, Albany ; G. Roscoe, At-
lanta ; T. O'Brien, Boston ; B. Felcher,
Buflfalo; R. D. Williamson, Char-
lotte ; B. Lourie, Chicago ; P. Fox,
Cincinnati; J. Safron, Cleveland;
R. C. Hill, Denver; B. Shapiro, Des
Moines ; M. Zimmerman, Detroit ;
M. Devaney, Indianapolis ; P. Har-
gette, Jacksonville ; T. Baldwin, Kan-
sas City ; W. Ball, Los Angeles ;
N. J. Colquhoun, Memphis ; H. 01-
shan, Milwaukee ; H. Chapman, Min-
neapolis ; W. Silverman, New Haven ;
H. Duvall, New Orleans ; S. Trauner,
New Yorlf ; C. A. Gibbs, Oklahoma
City ; J. Jacobs, Omaha ; L. Wurtele,
Philadelphia ; J. Judd, Pittsburgh ;
J. Beale, Portland; H. Green, Salt
Lake City; L. N. Walton, Seattle;
C. D. Hill, St. Louis and B. Caplon,
Washington.

The Columbia Pictures of Canada
contingent will be represented by
Harvey Harnick, sales manager, and
the following branch managers : L.
Simon, St. John ; I. Levit, Montreal ;
S. Pearlman, Winnipeg; H. Ross
Calgary; A. Cass, Toronto and N.
Levant, Vancouver.

*Dream No More' Set

TORONTO, Nov. 14.— "Dream No
More," a feature produced in Israel,
is set for its Canadian premiere at the
Avenue Theatre, here, on Thursday,
under the auspices of Temple Sinai
Brotherhood with proceeds to be
turned over to the synagogue building
fund. The picture is being released in
Canada by Alliance Films Limited.

Step Up and Have a
Napoleon Brando

With Marlon Brando playing
Napoleon, it had to happen.
Somebody was sure to go to a
bar and ask for a drink of Napo-
leon Brando. So —

Miniature bottles of Courvoi-
sier brandy were distributed to
press and circuit advertising di-
rectors by 20th Century-Fox as
part of a promotional campaign
on "Desiree." The theme is "the
brandy of Napoleon salutes the
Brando of Napoleon."

Hughes, Zeckendorf
Deal Completely Off

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 14.— Howard
Hughes and William Zeckendorf, pres-
ident of Webb & Knapp Realty Co.,
revealed, in separated statements, that
all moves by a Zeckendorf syndicate
to acquire the assets of Hughes in
various enterprises have terminated.
Although somewhat contradictory as
to the extent to which the negotiations
had progressed, it appears certain that
any deal, contemplated or not, is dead.

Hughes declared: "I have denied
this rumor in the past. Let me say
once and for all this rumor is utterly
untrue. I have no intention of selling
anything to Mr. Zeckendorf."

Denial by Zeckendorf

Zeckendorf, prior to leaving here on
Friday for New York, stated: "So far
as the Hughes deal is concerned, ^^'ebb
& Knapp has no further interes. and
will make no further comments about
it."

It had been reported earlier that a
syndicate composed of Zeckendorf,
Laurance Rockefeller, Aristotle Onas-
sis and several Wall Street interests,
had bid $400,000,000 for Hughes' in-
dustrial companies and allied mterests.
Zeckendorf, earlier in the week, had
accused Hughes of reneging on the
sale. "We consider the deal absolutely
ofi: due to a unilateral and completely
unconscionable reversal on the part of
Hughes," the realtor said.

'Saw Paris* Premiere
Will Aid 2 Hospitals

The New York Infirmary for Wo-
men and Children and the North Shore
Hospital, Manhasset, L. I., will be
the beneficiaries of the gala premiere
of M-G-M's "The Last Time I Saw
Paris," which will be held here Thurs-
day evening at the Capitol Theatre.

In addition to Elizabeth Taylor
and Van Johnson, stars of the picture,
both of whom will attend, the audi-
ence will include a brilliant first-
night audience.

Besides the section for the invited
guests, most of the seats in the Capi-
tol will be sold to the public at regu-
lar prices, all receipts going to the
two hospitals.

Shorter Schedules
For Conn. Drive-in

HARTFORD, Nov. 14.— Majority
of Connecticut drive-in theatres have
gone on shortened schedules for the
remainder of the season. Several lo-
cations, including Lockwood & Gor-
don's Sky-Vue Drive-In, Torrington,
and the independent Pine Drive-In,
Waterbury, have already closed. Nor-
mally, most drive-ins close by early
December.

LAST CALL

TO AIL
MOTION PICTURE PIONEERS!

You still have a chance to get your
reservation in if you act — NOW —

for the

1 Bth ANNUAL
SHOWMANSHIP OINNER

of the

MOTION PICTURE PIONEERS

Honoring

SI FABIAN

"PIONEER OF THE YEAR"

NOVEMBER 17th, 1954
GRAND BALLROOM
HOTEL SHERATON-ASTOR

Biggest Show Of Stars Ever!

Rush your check for $20 immediately to

MOTION PICTURE

729 - 7th AVENUE. NEW YORK CITY

Motion Picture Daily

Monday, November 15, 1954

In the THEATRE

Eqoipmeiit

A ite t resit, tnatBl

World

• • wUh RAY GALLO

T N a special folder on its line of
•1 projection and sound equipment for
wide-screen presentation at drive-ins,
Motiograph, Inc., Chicago, points out
practices which have proved practica-
ble in the extension of present screens.

The folder observes that most new
screens have been resurfaced in Tran-
site or plywood and finished with three
coats of white outdoor screen paint,
adding that in some cases an under-
coat of aluminum paint has been used.

With respect to increase in size, it is
indicated that the drive-in operator
should determine at the outset whether
he would want to project non-ana-
morphic pictures to the same width as
squeeze prints, since the former would
require more height than the latter if
presented the full w^idth of the screen.
•

Fourteen drive-ins operated by the
Phil Smith Management Corp., Bos-
ton, are to be equipped with RCA
"Wide-Arc" projection lamps, ac-
cording to the Engineering Products
Division of RCA. The drive-ins are
located at LaGrange, 111. (Chicago),
Indianapolis, Lowell and Natick,
Mass., Detroit, Kirkwood, Mo.;
Cleveland, Livingston, Saddle River
and Rutherford, N. J., and Milwau-
kee.

•

Bell & HozvcU, Chicago, has an-
nounced reduction in the price of its
35miii aiiainorphic lenses. The com-
pany wakes anatnorphic attachments
also for the projection of CinemaScope
prints reduced to I6mm.

•

A. M. Poniatoff, president of the
Ampex Corp., Redwood City, Calif.,
manufacturers of magnetic recording
and stereophonic sound systems, has
announced the appointment of Forrest
J. Beard as assistant advertising man-
ager.

•

A portable emergency lighting
unit with two reflector lamps and
powered by a storage battery has
been marketed by the General Scien-
tific Equipment Co. of Philadelphia.
The unit is plugged into a regular
lighting outlet, and when the circuit
power fails, the lamps light auto-
matically. The unit is equipped with
a trickle charger which maintains
the battery at full charge.

•

The Theatre Sales Division of the
Pepsi-Cola Co., New York, has avail-
able a new trailer tc boost refresh-
ment sales in theatres. Called "The
Peri's of Lurine," the trailer has a
plot, is in color, and runs for almost
two minutes.

Hnlly wDod

Bu Samuel D. Berns^^

Catholic Actors Dance

The Catholic Actors Guild will hold
its annual dance and entertainment
next Friday night, on the Astor Roof
here.

TNCTDENTALLY: Saw Jack Stodel greet Cecil Kellaway in the
lobby of the Roosevelt. They hadn't seen each other in 42 years.
Just like watching "This Is Your Life." Stodel, theatre executive
with the Schlesing-er empire, started Managers Round Table for
"Motion Picture Herald" in South Africa. . . . Robert "Stalag 17"
-Strauss, who just finished a role in ".Seven Year Itch" at 20th, tells
us he used to manage one of Max Cohen's theatres in the Bronx. . . .
When Greer Garson's recent appendectomy put Warners' "Strange
Lady In Town" production on ice, Cameron Mitchell, her film brother,
worked out a date with the Tucson Symphony. Cam, one of our top
"Stars of Tomorrow," narrated Kipling's "Jungle Book" against a
Miklos Rozsa musical backgound. . . . Brod Crawford and Bob
Mitchuni are right guys in our book. They found spare time while
working on Kramer's "Not As A Stranger" to cheer up Harry Wil-
son, Brod's stand-in, bedded at Veterans' Hospital with a stomach
ailment. . . . The stand fans screamed with delight as Debbie Rey-
nolds got out of a limousine for the "White Christmas" opening
with R-R-R-Roscoe Ates as her escort. ... It was Don Hartman
who named it VistaVision. . . . Six musical numbers will lilt Panama
and Frank's screenplay, "The Court Jester" for Danny Kaye. . . .
Mervyn LeRoy scored heavily as a pinch-hitting director for the
recuperating John Ford on "Mister Roberts." . . . Actors' agents,
publicists and studio heads pledged immediate action to the Holly-
wood Coordinating Committee for a lineup of 88 performers to spread
the coming holiday cheer at our military bases around the globe.
George Murphy, Y. Frank Freeman and Abe Lastfogel were perfect
pitchmen for the call.

n n n

HELLO LONDON : Arc yon there? Just read your report in

tlie London "Times" on the opening of "TJiree Coins " at the

600-scat Rialto, isiherein yon say "this proves that CinemaScope
can be as easily fitted into a small cinema as a mammoth one."
Might interest you to knozu that the projection room at 20th' s
"renting office" here is a- CinemaScope theatre zvith only room
enongh for 42 persons. . . . Oriental Theatre marqncc on Sunset
Bonlez'ard has coined "Wid.escope" as its new equipment attraction.
. . . Lou Radenuan, M-G-M's concert maestro, was singing praises
of Johnny Green to pool-siders in Palm Springs at Del Hai Mo
Lodge during the weekend. . . . Johnny Green and Bunny are
packing for a Honolulu lanai this month to put the maestro in
shape for a new series of those zvonderfid symphonic CinemaScope
shorts. . . . Producer Phil JVa.vman hosting Jack Palance and
the Missus at the opera. Palance could, he ripe for "Pistolero."

FRANK O. PINYONS: U. S. Commerce Dept.'s Nathan
Golden says all we need is some good pictures to go with the
new developments and the industry has the best outlook it
ever had. . . . 1955 will see the growth of many new exhibitor-
producing units, if we can chalk the cue from Joy Houck of
New Orleans, Francis White of Charlotte, N. C, Bill Goldman
of Philadelphia, and Ben Marcus of Milwaukee. . . . Watch
Robert Aldrich, producer-director, zoom to prominence when
he finishes the Joan Crawford starrer, "The Way We Are."
. . . After two years on tour with Bea Lillie, Reggie Gardner
is a welcome-home face for the screen. U-I signed him for
"Third Girl From the Right" after a glimpse at his thesping
Ginger Rogers' husband in 20th's "Black Widow." . , . Jack
Lemmon must make marquee magic after "Phffft." . . . Para-
mount's stock could do a kangeroo leap with Sol C. Siegel's
shingle now fastened at the new address.

DRUM BEATERS : Johnny Grant, the West's most co-operative
deejay for the industry, spotlighted in his "White Christmas" role,
is bleating TV interviews and plugs for the film. Edith Head, the
multi -Oscar designer, tells the behind-the-scenes story of creating
costumes to TViewers for the same pic. . . . While you're tuned
to the TV channels, look for Robert Fellows' Batjac Productions
campaign on Warners' "Track of the Cat." ... A real space-grabber
will be Moulin's "Moby Dick" when John Huston sends the Pequod,
that whaling ship, across the Atlantic and through the Canal to give
the fans a port-by-port description of the movie prop and parapher-
nalia used on the vessel for the film. . . . Alan Ladd is taping plugs
via Armed Forces Radio Service to smack the old tympany for,
oddly enough, Warners' "Drum Beat."

Cooperation of
Army Offered
^Army' Film

General Matthew B. Ridgway, in
a letter to COMPO expressing his
appreciation to the members of the
motion picture industry "for their
generous cooperation in presenting to
the American people the motion pic-
ture 'This Is Your Army,' " states
that to exhibitors who will screen the
film "the Army wishes to offer its
wholehearted cooperation and sup-
port."

"Such Army units as may be avail-
able in local areas," the general said,
"will be pleased to assist in every
way possible in any celebrations and
special programs which are arranged
in connection with the presentation of
'This Is Your Army.' "

Release on Dec. 13

Tlie film, which runs 55 minutes,
will be released on Dec. 13.

"This film," General Ridgway's let-
ter said, "portrays the vast range
and scope of the Army, the diversity
of skills and talents needed to make
it function effectively, and the weap-
ons and equipment the Army employs
to help secure the finest possible de-
fense of our nation. Above all it por-
trays the splendid American men and
women in uniform who comprise the
United States Army.

"The members of the motion pic-
ture industry are performing a dis-
tinct public service in helping to make
this film available to the American
people. The fact that it has received
the endorsement of such prominent
national organizations as the Ameri-
can Legion and the Veterans of For-
eign Wars is a source of deep gratifi-
cation to all those who have labored
to make 'This Is Your Army' an out-
standing film in every way."

Robert W. Coyne, special counsel
for COMPO, in commenting on Gen-
eral Ridgway's letter, said that ex-
hibitors who were contemplating use
of Army personnel in the film's pro-
motion should contact the nearest
Army recruiting officer as soon as
possible. A list of Army recruiting
stations in the United States is printed
in the press book for the film. If any
difficulties arise, Mr. Coyne said,
COMPO will be pleased to use its
good offices to obtain the necessary
approval.

'Scope Guide Book
Revised by 20th

Publication of a "completely re-
vised" CinemaScope technical book,
containing information on all phases
of theatre installation and recom-
mended operating procedure, was an-
nounced by 20th Century-Fox here. ,

Copies of the handbook are being '
sent to all theatres equipped for Cin-
emaScope and theatre equipment sup-
pliers. Distribution will be through the
company's domestic and foreign offices.
One section of the 76-page book, pre-
pared under the direction of Earl I.
Sponable, 20th-Fox research director,
is devoted specifically to drive-in thea-
tres, detailing screen types, picture
size, sound speakers and systems.

The booklet, which is a third edi-
tion, "has been completely revised in
an ef¥ort to bring it up to date, in the
light of this (year's) experience," it
is stated in the preface.

VOL. 76. NO. 94

NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1954

TEN CENTS

Plus Financing

Col. Facilities,
Roster Open to
Independents

Manpower to Be Offered
To Producers, Cohn Says

Independent producers of important
films may now obtain even more than
financing from Columbia Pictures, it
was announced here yesterday by
Harry Cohn, president. Supplementing
his announcement that his company
had created a $10,000,000 fund for the
financing of independent producers,
Cohn in response to inquiries, pointed
out that "The Columbia Plan" also
envisages the benefits of casting as-
sistance in addition to trained techni-
cal help.

"As long as it does not interfere in
any way with our own expanding
production program," he said, "we
will be happy to make available to
the responsible producer our full
studio facilities, both physical and in
manpower. In addition, our ever grow-
ing roster of contract players will,
when not engaged in our own produc-
tion, be put at the disposal of inde-
pendents with whom we may have
deals."

Lichtman Offers to Call
Industry Trade Parley

New Posts for Col.
Sales Executives

CHICAGO, Nov. 15.— A realign-
ment of Columbia Pictures' home office
executive sales staff was announced
here today by general sales manager
A. Montague to representatives at-
tending the company's sales conven-
tion at the Blackstone Hotel.

Under the new alignment, Louis
Astor, circuit account executive, takes
on added responsibilities. George
Josephs, home office sales executive,
(Continued on page 3)

Lopert Cites Rising
Italian Film Costs

The costs of producing in Italy are
becoming "astronomical," it was stated
here yesterday by Ilya Lopert, dis-
tributor-exhibitor-producer, following
his return from Europe where he com-
pleted "Summertime" in Italy after
100 shooting days and a total of two
years' preparation.

Lopert said that since 1949, costs of
(Continued on page 3)

Changing Trade Pattern
Seen in COMPO Report

A "spectacular" gain in theatre earnings and attendance, coincident with
the granting of Federal tax relief, and a highly significant reversal in sea-
. sonal trends are revealed in a special Council of Motion Picture Organiza-
tions report mailed to COMPO mem-
bers.

Second quarter theatre gross earn-
ings jumped to $270,300,000 in 1954 as
against $227,700,000 in the same period
of 1953, a gain of $42,600,000, or 18.7
i;er cent.

This gain, the report then states,
came from two sources: $18,900,000,
or 44 per cent from increased attend-
ance; and $23,700,000 or 56 per cent
from Federal admission tax relief ;
that is, the amount of former Federal
admis?ion taxes retained by the thea-
tres as part of admission prices.

These and other statistics are dis-
closed in the 12-page booklet, which
was compiled by the COMPO staff
and based on research studies made by
Sindlinger & Co., analysts, working
under the direction of Robert W.
Coyne, special counsel, and Charles E.
(Continued on page 7)

Conference Would Include Presidents^ Sales
Heads and Exhibitors, Before End of Year;
Seen Outgrowth of TO A, Allied Demands

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

An offer to call an industry roundtable conference, attended by com-
pany presidents, sales managers and exhibition leaders, was made here
yesterday by Al Lichtman, 20th Century-Fox distribution director.

Lichtman used the meeting of the
Council of Motion Picture Organiza-
tions, of which he is a co-chairman, as
the forum to make his announcement,
projecting a move desired by both
Theatre Owners of America and Al-
lied States Association as a vehicle
to air exhibition's trade grievances.

It was made clear, according to a
COMPO spokesman attending the
closed session, that the industry round-
table conference would not be a
COMPO project. It was stated that
Lichtman foresaw the industry meet
in New York "in the near future,
sometime before the end of the year."

Lichtman's announcement
came in the midst of Al-
lied moves seeking Federal
regulation of film rentals and
forecasts of an industry round-
table conference at the re-
{Cdiitiiiiicd on page 6)

TOA, Allied Heads
In Separate N. Y.
Meetings Today

By LESTER DINOFF

Leaders of Allied States Associa-
tion and the Theatre Owners of
America will meet today here in sepa-
rate sessions to possibly discuss the
formation of a committee for joint
action on trade grievances and Allied's
proposed bill for Federal regulation
of the industry.

Ben Marcus, president of Allied
States, said at yesterday's Sheraton
Astor Hotel meeting of COMPO, that
a number of his organization's lead-
(Contimied on page 3)

Endorse Compo Star Poll
Plan and Other Projects

The audience star poll was endorsed here yesterday at the one-day
meeting of the Council of Motion Picture Organizations executive com-
mittee and board of directors, held at the Sheraton Astor Hotel.

The endorsement by the 42 top

IMPORTANCE OF MERCHANDISING
RY TY STRESSED BY GOLDENSON

special to THE DAILY
CHARLOTTE, S. C, Nov. 15. — Merchandising by television was called
"one of the most important answers" to the industry's problem of how to
attract the new, younger generation to theatres by Leonard Goldenson, presi-
dait of American Broadcasting-Para-
mount Theatres, in a keynote address
today before the convention here of
Theatre Owners of North and South
Carolina.

The new generation, Goldenson de-
clared, "has grown up with television
and we must not overlook this new
medium of communication." The AB-
PT president called for a program of

experimentation with TV in order to
gain the most effective use of the
medium. "Right now," Goldenson
continued, "my theatre associates
in American Broadcasting-Paramount
Theatres have a committee composed
of our most experienced exhibitors
(Continued on page 3)

COMPO representatives was in as-
sociation with an over-all plan to in-
crease -theatre attendance, encompass-
ing television programming, research
rnd exploration of ways and means of
capturing the younger segment of the
population. Work on the over-all plan,
it was announced, will be conducted
by a COMPO committee which will
render a report by the end of the year.
The composition of this committee
will be announced later, it was added.

Other highlights of the one-day
meeting, presided over by Wilbur
Snaper, a member of COMPO's gov-
erning triumvirate, was as follows :

It was decided not to have an or-
ganized,, aggressive anti-tax drive
against the remaining Federal admis-
sions tax at this stage.

Allied, it was said, indicated tha,t
(Continued on page 7)

Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, November 16, 1954

Personal
Mention

HM. BESSEY, Altec Service
• Corp. executive vice-president,
has left New York for Charlotte and
other key cities of the South.

•

Norton V. Ritchey, president of
Allied Artists International, and Ed-
ward MoRETY, AA vice-president, to-
gether with Arthur C. Bromberg and
Herman Rifkin, franchise owners in
Atlanta and Boston, respectively, have
returned to their home offices from
Hollywood.

•

Robert M. Weitman, American
Broadcasting - Paramount Theatres
vice-president, returned to his ABC
desk yesterday following a week's
absence due to illness.

•

Harold Wirthwein, Allied Artists
Western division sales manager, left
Hollywood Sunday for San Francisco.
•

George Nater, Walt Disney Pro-
ductions supervisor of 16mm. non-
theatrical films, is in New York from
Hollywood.

•

Earl Revoir, Allied Artists assis-
tant treasurer, left Hollywood yester-
day for New York.

•

Spyros p. Skouras, president of
20th Century-Fox, has arrived in Lon-
don from Paris.

Leslie Parkyn, producer, and
George Moore O'Farrell, director,
have left Hollywood for London.
•

George Mintee, president of Re-
nown Pictures, has returned here from
the Coast.

Hear 'French Line*
Case in Mass. Tues,

BOSTON, Nov. 15.— A hearing on
the RKO "French Line" censorship
case vs. the Commissioner of Public
Safety of Massachusetts, the mayors
of Boston and Lynn and other public
officials, will be held next Tuesday
in the Federal Building. The hearing
will be on various motions to dismiss
the case brought by the defendants
and on the applications for preliminary
injunctions asked by the plaintiffs.

"The French Line" has been
banned for Sunday showings through-
out the Commonwealth and has been
refused licenses to play in the cities of
Boston and Lynn at any time.

Emil Jensen, Pioneer
Of Industry, Dead

Funeral services were being ar-
ranged last night for Emil C. Jensen,
pioneer industry figure, who died of
a heart attack yesterday.

Jensen joined Kinemacolor in 1912
as a salesman and eventually became
a top executive in World Film, Gold-
wyn Pictures, FBO, Inspiration Pic-
tures and with Mary Pickford. At
his death he was president of Art-
cinema Associates.

Now Historians Aid
'Desiree' Premiere

News despatches from Stock-
holm at the weekend reported
that 127 hitherto undiscovered
letters written by Empress
Marie Louise to Napoleon in
1813 and 1814 have been found
in the archives of the King of
Sweden. Most had been taken
to Sweden by Desiree. The dis-
covery earned liberal space in
most newspapers over the week-
end, and was editorially com-
mented on by some yesterday.

Publicity men at 20th Cen-
tury-Fox considered the find es-
pecially timely. The company's
production, "Desiree," will have
its world premiere at the Roxy
here tomorrow night.

Mother of Murphy
Of Loew's Dies

Mrs. Elizabeth Paisley Murphy, 70,
mother of John F. Murphy, a vice-
president of Loew's Theatres, died
suddenly at her home, 85-30 165th
Street, Jamaica, Queens, at the
weekend.

A solemn high requiem mass will be
sung at 11 a.m. today at the Church
of the Immaculate Conception, Jamaica
Estates, Queens. Burial will be in St.
John's Cemetery Brooklyn. Mrs.
Murphy is survived by four other
sons, three daughters, and four step-
children.

McNerney, Veteran
Exhibitor, Dead

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 15.— Den-
nis J. McNerney, veteran exhibitor
whose experience dated back to the
days of the nickelodeon, died here at
the age of 70. McNerney, a partner
of the Blumenfeld Theatre chain for
the past 25 years, was a member of
San Francisco Tent 32 of the Variety
Clubs of Northern California.

Prior to joining the Blumenfeld
group, he was Pacific Coast district
manager for United Artists.

Fred Schram Passes

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., Nov. 15.
— Fred Schram, former leading north-
ern Ohio independent distributor who
retired from all film activities about
eight years ago, died here. In 1929
Schram and Nate Schultz, now Allied
Artists franchise owner, were the first
distributors of Disney cartoons.

Beaudine's Mother Dies

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 15. — Mrs.
Ella L. Beaudine, 84, mother of Wil-
liam Beaudine, one of the pioneer
directors of the industry, died here
today following an extended illness.
In addition to her son, four grand-
cliildren and 13 great-grandchildren
survive.

George Dunnery, 48

George Dunnery, 48, doorman at
the 20th Century-Fox home office here
for many years, died suddenly yester-
dav of a heart attack.

UA Renews Deal
With Italy's D.E.A.R.

United Artists has entered into a
long-term agreement with D.E.A.R.
Film of Italy, whereby UA releases
will be distributed throughout the
Italian market by that organization, it
was announced here by Arthur B.
Krini, UA president.

The deal, renewing a previous UA-
D.E.A.R. distribution arrangement,
was finalized in Rome over the week-
end by Arnold M. Picker, United
Artists vice-president in charge of
foreign distribution, and UA Con-
tinental manager Charles Smadja. The
Italian organization was represented
in the negotiations by Angelo Rizzoli
and Robert Haggiag.

Rizzoli and Haggiag, who were
financially active in the co-production
of United Artists' "The Barefoot Con-
tessa," will similarly participate in the
co-production of important forthcom-
ing UA releases, it was disclosed by
Krim.

Ia,-Neh. Allied Backs
National Program

MASON CITY, lA., Nov. 15.— A
regional meeting here of Iowa-Ne-
braska Allied Independent Theatre
owners unanimously adopted a reso-
lution reaffirming its support of na-
tional Allied's emergency plan to com-
bat allegedly excessive film rentals
and shortage of product, according to
Charles Jones, secretary.

The resolution also took note that
Columbia Pictures Des Moines office
would hold a sales meeting in the
near future at which the company's
sales policies laid down at the current
Chicago meeting will be described to
the sales force in this territory. It
suggested that if and when Columbia
adopts a sales policy acceptable to
small exhibitors that it be presented
first to national Allied representatives
who thereafter could call territorial
meetings to discuss such policy.

The Iowa-Nebraska meeting was
attended by 32 exhibitors.

'Carmen* Grosses
$102,000 at Rivoli

"Carmen Jones," 20th Century-Fox's
CinemaScope production currently at
the Rivoli Theatre on Broadway here,
has grossed $102,000 at the end of its
second week, the company reports.

The Otto Preminger film registered
$54,000 during the first week followed
by a second week gross of $48,000.
Over this past weekend, the picture
took in $23,000, the company said.

All-UA Policy

Mesho Triller's Dominion Theatre
in Winnipeg, Man., has switched from
a subsequent-run to a first-run policy
following its renovation and is launch-
ing its new program with 16 consecu-
tive United Artists bills, UA an-
nounced.

Fay Baker, 60

Fay Baker, 60, screen actress last
seen in "Chain Lightning" and "No-
torious," died here on Saturday of a
heart attack.

Trip to Africa Is
Exhibitor Prize in
'Zanzibar* Contest

Exhibitors in small towns and those
in large cities will be able to match
their talents with circuit theatre ex-
ploiteers in a new national exhibitor
showmanship contest being conducted
by Universal Pictures in connection
with the American release of the J.
Arthur Rank Organization production,
"West of Zanzibar," it was announced
yesterday by Charles J. Feldman, vice-
president and general sales manager of
Universal.

The prize will be a trip for two to
Africa, locale of the picture produced
by Rank in association with the
Schlesinger Organization of South
Africa. The trip being offered to
American showmen for the best Amer-
ican campaign on "West of Zanzibar"
includes visits to major South African
cities as well as to the wild game
preserves which provide some of the
backgrounds to the picture, which was
filmed in Technicolor.

Originality the Prime Test

In announcing the national show-
manship competition on "West of
Zanzibar," Feldman stressed that
every exhibitor in the United States
who develops a compaign on the pic-
ture will have an equal opportunity
to win the prize. He explained that
the campaigns and other activity
developed by each exhibitor will be
judged solely on the originality of
the ideas and by the effective way
they are developed regardless of the
size of the theatre or the status of
the exhibitor. Certain basic campaign
material will be provided to all ex-
hibitors who play the picture. The
judges will consist of the editors of
the leading American motion picture
trade publications.

Feldman pointed out that this will
be the first exhibitor showmanship
contest conducted by Universal or
perhaps by any other film company
where exhil^itors in all types of thea-
tres and situations will have an op-
portunity to compete on equal terms
for one big national prize.

The contest will start with the Jan-
uary national release of "West of
Zanzibar," and conclude on June 10.

NZW YORK THEATRES

.RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL.

Rockefeller Center

IRVING
BERLIN'S

'WHITE CHRISTMAS"

in VistaVision starring

BING CROSBY - DANNY KAYE
ROSEMARY CLOONEY - VERA ELLEN
Color by Teclinicolor - A Paramount Picture
and SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION

GET ALL YOUR SPECIAL

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Shervvin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quiglev Publishiiii;
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copies, 10c

Tuesday, November 16, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Reviews

''So This Is Paris''

( i'liiz'crsal)

UNIVERSAL lias taken a story about three American sailors, Tony Curtis,
Gene Nelson and Paul Gilbert, on shore leave in Paris, set them on the
prowl for women, Gloria De Haven, Corinne Calvet and Mara Corday, and
has mixed in a number of lively songs and dances, thereby offering to exhibi-
tors a smart, melodious and upper bracket song and dancefest. "So This Is
Paris" is a highly amusing and entertaining comedy. Excellent choreography
and songs have been packed into the footage and the net result, which includes
10 melodies, is wholesome and enjoyable.

Produced in color by Technicolor by Albert J. Cohen and directed by Rich-
ard Quine from a Charles Hoffman screenplay, most of the numbers are sung
and danced collectively, with one or another of the cast stepping out of for-
mation for solo jobs. Newcomer Gilbert, in his first screen role, turns in a
terrific solo job that left a preview audience limp from laughing and applaud-
ing. Nelson's singing and dancing are enjoyable to see and hear. The big
surprise, however, is watching" Curtis turn in a deft performance as a song and
dance man, his first such role. Miss De Haven, beautifully costumed and
proportioned, commands attention when she sings and dances.

The three sailors, while in Paris, visit a left bank bistro where Miss
De Haven is appearing on stage and Curtis, after turning- on the charm and
smiles, dates the entertainer hoping for a wonderful time. Gilbert becomes
involved with the bistro's cashier. Miss Corday, and Nelson, alone, goes seek-
ing his evening's enjoyment elsewhere. Nelson, at the conclusion of a song
and dance number, runs into Miss Calvet, a chic French heiress, and she
invites him to her home for a "proper reward."

The adventures of the group, individually and together, are funny and, at
times, sentimental. Curtis discovers that he is in love with Miss DeHaven,
who has been leading a double life, one as the French entertainer, and the
other as a wage earner for five little orphans. He throws a huge party at
Miss Calvet's home in order to raise needed funds for the support of the waifs
and all contribute to give the film a smash ending.

Others in the cast are Allison Hayes, Christiane Martel, Myrna Hanson,
Ann Codec, Roger Etienne and Arthur Gould Porter. The story was written
by Ray Bufifum. The choreography was devised by Nelson and Lee Scott
with Joseph Gershenson getting credit for the musical chores.

Running time, 96 minutes. General audience classification. Release, in
January. LESTER DINOFF

"Tonighrs The Nighr

(Allied Artists) Hollyzvood, Nov. 15

THERE'S an Irish jig tempo to this latest British import that will have
audiences rollicking with laughter and chuckles from start to finish. Mario
Zampi directed his rich Technicolorful production with a keen inner sense of
what will tickle the funnybone of American show shoppers. The humorous
earthy dialogue, flavored with an understandable Irish brogue that blends
with the folksy dress and lore of a small Irish community, will charm the
family ticket buyers.

The names of David Niven, Yvonne De Carlo and Barry Fitzgerald will
not only look well on the marquee but show up in roles that suit their screen
personalities. The surrounding cast, made up of unique Irish types who are
seasoned performers, is a noteworthy contribution to the farcical aspect of the
film. Topping this group is A. E. Matthews, with a brief but expert portrayal
of General O'Leary, old lineal owner of the village, who manages to make
some last minute commitments for his will while on his death bed following
a hunting accident.

Jack Davies and Michael Pertwee's screenplay follows through with the
introduction of Niven to the villagers when he arrives to assume the
inheritance left by his uncle. Miss De Carlo, a widow and schemer, falls in
with Niven's plan to liquidate the estate and take oft" for parts unknown.
Niven's plan backfires when he disregards the "oral" commitments by his
uncle to his loyal servant Fitzgerald and a few of the villagers. The
village priest produces a will which supersedes any claim by Niven in view
of the unjust respect for his heritage. A great many humorous situations
are built around the personal campaigns of a number of the villagers to kill
off the new overlord. Fitzgerald and Michael Shepley, ignorant of each
other's plan to masquerade as O'Leary's ghost to scare off the nephew, offer
some hilarious slapstick that reaches its height at the film's end when
the real ghost appears and walks through a wall to prove the legend of
"O'Leary Night."

The camera work by Stanley Pavey is first rate.

Put this on your "must" list for top notch escapist entertainment.

Running time, 88 minutes. General audience classification. Release in
December. SAMUEL D. BERNS

Goldenson

I (Continurd from page 1)

I who are making a study of the prob-
|i lem."

i Another speaker, George Murphy,
\ emphasized the fact that there "is an
' urgent need for closer liaison between
all branches of our industry. Pro-
duction is on the upbeat and exhibi-
tors may expect more and better
product. We have not even approached
the peak in the business and I am now
more optimistic than ever."

Called Hollywood's "Ambassador
' of Good Will," Murphy pointed out
' that "There will continue to be prob-
lems for all of us, but they can be
solved by men of intelligence and
good will sitting around a table."

E. D. Martin, newly elected presi-
dent of Theatre Owners of America,
also spoke.

Martin Decries Shortage
Martin termed the current shortage
of motion picture "a very serious
thing" and noted the industry will
I turn out 250 pictures this year.

Goldenson, citing population growth
with an estimated increase in the
audience potential of 20,000,000 within
the next five years, called for eft'ective
exploitation of this medium, for here,
he went on, "lies the growth factor of
our business."

Regarding the product shortage,
Goldenson expressed hope that it
would be somewhat alleviated by ex-
hibition fostering production through
financial aid, by cooperation between
; exhibition and production and by en-
couraging foreign production by play-
ing their product whenever feasible.

The film shortage, he went on to
charge, "has resulted in exhorbitant
film rentals and over-extended playing
time. I would like to repeat what I
said last year and which still holds
true today," he continued. "There is
a need for more pictures than we are
presently receiving — more pictures re-
i leased evenly throughout the year —
i that without adequate product sus-
tenance, our market will shrink and
many theatres will close," he warned.

The Association took a strong stand
against sex pictures and adopted a
resolution protesting their showing.

Another resolution commended the
TOA and other producers for plans
' for independent production to provide
more pictures.

Dandelake President

C. A. Dandelake of Tarboro, N. C,
was elected president of the associa-
tion to succeed Howard Anderson of
Mullins, S. C. Anderson was named
first vice-president and Woodrow Fus-
sell of Bladenboro, N. C, second vice-
president.

TOA directors named are H. F.
Kincey for North Carolina and Robert
Bryant for South Carolina.

Separate Meetings

(Continued from page 1)

|; ers will meet today in a closed session.
It is expected that the Allied officials

; will also discuss their proposed plan
to have theatre equipment and sup-
plies manufactured and sold under
their own name.

Sam Pinanski, chairman of the
trustees of TOA, said at the conclu-
sion of the COMPO conclave, that
"TOA officials will meet in his office
today." It is expected that the group
will also discuss the TOA film finance

1 program and possibly name a fifth
member to the TOA finance commit-
tee.

O'Neill Canada-JJS,
Agent for AB-P

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 15.— Steve
Broidy, president of Allied Artists,
today announced the appointment of
Terry O'Neill as American and Ca-
nadian representative of Associated
British-Pathe, with headquarters in
the AA New York office. O'Neill is
Eastern sales manager of Interstate
Television Corp., AA subsidiary.

See $22,000 Record
Week for 'Aida'

IFE's film version of "Aida" broke
all house records at the Little Car-
negie here at the weekend with a
gross of $15,790 for four days, it was
announced by the distributor. The
largest single day business, it was
reported, was on Saturday when the
box-office registered $5,013. A $22,000
week is anticipated.

Col. Posts

( Continued from page 1 )

has been appointed circuit account ex-
ecutive. Vincent Borrelli, formerly
assistant to the circuit account execu-
tives, has been promoted to a circuit
account executive.

In addition, Daniel Rothenberg and
Milton Goodman have been elevated
to the posts of assistants to circuit ac-
count executives. Rothenberg has been
serving as Josephs' assistant and Good-
man previously was in charge of Co-
lumbia's 16mm. sales.

It was further stated that Joseph
Freiberg, manager of the sales ac-
counting department, will assume su-
pervision of the home office bidding
department, and that Maurice Grad,
short subjects sales manager, and Seth
Raisler, contract department manager,
will take on additional important
duties.

Italian Film Costs

( Continued from page 1 )

production in Italy have increased four
times. Workers there, he added, are
efficient and wages are reasonable, but
"talent has initiated demands that are
outrageous." Lopert said that on
"Summertime," he went over budget
by $150,000.

Lopert asserted that he would like
to make a picture in the U.S. "just
to see how I would do in comparison."
He said that "Summertime" cost $1,-
200,000 to produce. He added that he
estimated a good picture could be
made in France for between $700,000
and $800,000 and that a good picture
could be made here for $400,000 or
$500,000; and for $1,000,000 it would
be "very good." Lopert said he could
have taken over an American com-
pany, paid all expenses and "Summer-
time" would have cost less to make.

A A Coast Dance Nov. 27

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 15. — The
Allied Artists Studio Club will hold
its annual fall dinner dance on Nov.
27 at the Starlight Room iii the Holly-
wood Athletic Club. GeOrge Smith
is chairman of the dance committee.
Other members are William Engbert-
son and Shirley Wilson.

12 Columbia Veterans
To Receive Awards

CHICAGO, Nov. 15. — The
sales representatives attending
Columbia's sales meetings at
the Hotel Blackstone will take
time out from business sessions
tomorrow to honor 12 of their
number for 25 years or more
service to the company with
suitably inscribed silver bowls.
The division managers to be
honored are Sam Galanty, Mid-
east; Bob Ingram, Southeast;
Harry Rogovin, New England,
and Jack Underwood, South-
west. Branch managers receiv-
ing the awards are Jimmy
Beale, Portland; H. Duvall,
New Orleans; Phil Fox, Cin-
cinnati; Saul Trauner, New
York, and L. N. Walton, Seat-
tle. Harvey Harnick, sales man-
ager of Columbia of Canada,
and branch managers Dutch
Levit of Montreal and Abe Cass
of Toronto also will receive
bowls.

IN THE TRADITION 01

GLENN BARBARA j

Based upon a novel by Donald Hamilton • Produced by LEWIS i. RACHMIL. Directed by RUDOLPH IVIAIE Color by I CO LO R

Motion picture daily

Tuesday, November 16, 1954

Lichtman

{Continued from page 1)

cent Theatre Owners of Amer-
ica convention in the light
of grievances expressed there.
It was made in consonance with
Lichtman's often expressed opin-
ion that the industry can settle
its own problems without re-
course to the government, an
opinion that was forcefully ar-
ticulated by him at the TOA
conventions, as was done also
by William Gehring at the Al-
lied convention.

It was stated that Lichtman's an-
nouncement of an industry meeting on
"mutual problems" was met with
enthusiasm at tlie meeting, attended
by Ben Marcus, Allied president, and
Abram F. Myers, Allied general
counsel. Lichtman, it was stated,
made the offer to call such a meeting
when the question of holding a Holly-
wood roundtable conference came up
on the agenda. Exhibition representa-
tives at the meeting of the COMPO
executive committee and board of di-
rectors, held at the Sheraton Astor,
were described as having voiced ob-
jections to a Hollywood meeting with
producers, questioning its value. Ex-
hibitor representatives were said to
have declared that they would much
rather meet with distribution, com-
pany presidents and sales managers,
ostensibly to mull over trade prac-
tices.

Thereupon, it was stated, Lichtman
volunteered to call such a meeting,
acting on his own behalf.

Russia Buys 2 Mex.
Films With Dollars

special to THE DAILY
MEXICO CITY, Nov. 15.— Sale of
two Mexican pictures to Soviet Ex-
port P'ilm, the official Russian picture
company, was announced by Peliculas
Nacionales, oldtime independent dis-
tributor which was recently reorgan-
ized for expansion. The price was
$12,500 each, paid in American money.
Peliculas Nacionales admits the price
is low, but stresses that the impor-
tance of the deal is that this will
really introduce Mexican pictures in
Russia. The pictures are to be Rus-
sian-dubbed in Moscow.

The pictures are "Masclovia" and
"Rio Excondido," both featuring
Maria Felix, top feminine film box
office champion. She is featured in
"French Can Can," now in work in
Paris. Miss Felix has been contracted
for two pictures in Mexico next year
by Internacional Cinematografica, Jac-
ques Gelman, its manager, announced.

Film Dividends Up
In First 10 Months

special to THE DAILY
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15.— Public-
ly reported cash dividend payments of
motion picture companies totaled $20,-
214,000 in the first 10 months of this
year, well ahead the $17,501,000 re-
ported in the like 1953 period, the
Commerce Department declared.

Commerce said payments last month
amounted to $1,241,000, compared with
$1,244,000 in October, 1953.

If you liked

the dormybrook

in \ wait till you

see this

one in / 7^

REPUBLIC

TelevisiDn-'HadiD

iWith Pinky Herman^

LJANS CONRIED, after a year in the Broadway musical hit,
"Can-Can," has returned to Hollywood where he will be starred
with Fess Parker and Buddy Ebsen in the forthcoming- Walt Disnev
(land) ABC-TVehicle," Davy Crockett at the Alamo." . . . Julius
LaRosa will appear as special guest on Jack Paar's "Morning

CBShow" for two weeks starting next Monday.

That beautiful

Harry Wismer
Bill Silbert.

red-headed gal, Wendy Waldron, whose appearance as talent scout
for a group called The Rover Boys on Arthur Godfrey's CBShow
recently, earned her a resounding 'whistling symphony,' will be
screen-tested by MGM. This is the gal who was seen with Martin
& Lewis in their recent Copacabana engagement. . . . Texas tycoon
Jack Wrather, whose firm last September, purchased all rights to
"The Lone Ranger," for $3,000,000, last night presided at a meeting
of about 100 representatives of affiliated companies, including spon-
sors, (General Mills and American Baking Co.) the nets, (ABC and
CBS) ad agencies, licensees, comic strip and book pubs and Decca
Records at which ambitious plans for expanded and aggressive pro-
motion were revealed. It is estimated that about 40 million children
and adults see and hear "The Lone Ranger" (which in February
will round out its 22nd consecutive year on the air) TVia ABC and
CBS and on ABC and Canadian radio nets.

That walking encyclopedia of sports facts, Harry (Smiles)
Wismer, will be host to Ye Fourth Estaters next week at a
cocktail party to celebrate his 20 years on the air. Not only is
Harry one of the best all-round sportscasters in the country,
but he's also one of the most popular with
the ladies and gentlemen of the press. . . .
Matthew J. Culligan will head the newly-
created post of national sales manager for
the RCA-TV network with Roy C. Por-
teous, supervisor of the sales unit for
"Today," upped to succeed Culligan as
sales manager for NBC's participating pro-
gram dep't. . . . Did you know that Gail
Davis, star of Du Mont's "Annie Oakley"
teleseries, is a real sharpshooter and will
make a 43-state tour with a marksmanship
troupe in the spring? . . . Newest addition
and doing a swell job on the "Red Buttons
Show" Fridays at 8 P.M. TVia RCA, is
. TV execs should stop-look-listen to Richard
Oneto who warbles "Stranger in Paradise" in the Broadway
production "Kismet."

Jack Lacy, whose platter-W INS pinning daily has been one of
the "most Ustened-to" radio series in Greater New York since 1947 ,
has been signed to another five-year contract. Besides being one
of the best autJwrities on pop music in the East, Lacy is also a
top-notch emcee and is capable of turning in
a masterful job as quiz-master for TV audi-
ence-participation shows. . . ■ "Best Foot
Foriuard," the musical comedy about college
life zuhich had a most successful Broadivay
run several seasons ago, will be telecast this
Saturday by producer Max Licbman (RCA-
TV 9:00 P.M.) and zmll co-star Robert Cum-
mings and Marilyn Ma.vivell and will intro-
duce England's newest musical comedy star,
Jeannie Carson. . . . George Q. Leivis, direc-
tor of the Comedy Workshop and Bill Tread-
zvell, director of the Museum of American
Comedy, will tell New Yorkers, via Phil
Tonkcn's "Man from Times Square" IVOR
program, the ivhat, zvh\ and zviiereforc of the art of 'laugh-mak-
ing," next Monday night at 9:00. Phil's daily (2:30-5:00 P.M.)
recorded mnsicales are WORshipped by Tin Pan Alley's contact-
men (songpluggcrs) .

ik i:? . ik

Lawrence (Larry) Menken, who at 42 is tlie author of over 300
original TV dramas and has produced another 500, has moved from
WOR-TV to Guild Films where he'll head that firm's expanding
program schedule as director of programs. Menken is also co-author
of the Hollywood hits, "Possessed" and "Johnny Belinda." ... A
most interesting half-hour audience-participation program is "Finders
Keepers," emceed by Fred Robbins, sponsored by Coca-Cola and
produced by Talent Associates everv Thursdav from 7:30-8:00 P.M.)
TVia Du Mont.

Jack Lacy

Tuesday, November 16, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

COMPO Reports Changing Trade Pattern

Star Poll

{Continued from fayc 1)

it would not veto the group insurance
|)lan if other member COAIPO organ-
izations tiiought it desirable. A com-
mittee will be appointed to report on
public liability insurance rates.

A report was rendered on efforts
to produce a TV "spectacular" pro-
luoting the motion picture industry,
with sentiment being voiced that the
project is available for possible pro-
gramming by any network. This proj-
ect was declared "very much alive."

Tlie audience poll will proceed with-
out any TV tie-ups as originally
planned in view of the disinclination
of distributors to pay the cost of such
shows.

Dues Campaign Postponed

The COMPO dues campaign was
pe>stponed until next May or June.

The Southern California Theatre
Owners of America was delegated a
1 epresentative on COMPO's board of
directors, with Harry C. Arthur
named as the SCTOA representative.

The national audience poll envisions
theatre patrons selecting the best pic-
ture of the year, the best actor and
actress and top selections in other
categories.

Al Lichtman, COMPO co-
chairman, reported on the re-
cent meeting he attended of
sales managers, advertising and
publicity directors and officials
of Theatre Owners of America,
at which time means were ex-
plored of expanding theatre at-
tendance. It was then decided to
include the poll project in the
over-all program of finding
ways and means of capturing a
greater share of the public's
amusement dollar. The over-all
program, which will be explored
by a committee, will encompass
setting up a budget for the
work, seeking new and more ef-
fective means of advertising, as
well as previously mentioned
areas.

According to a COMPO represen-
tative attending the closed session, the
toll TV issue did not come up for dis-
cussion on the agenda, although he
acknowledged "informal talks" on the
subjects were held among some
COMPO representatives.

Robert Coyne, special COMPO
counsel, in his address was said to
have described how the all-industry
organization functions to integrate in-
formation, protect the industry and
inform it of developments. He also
was said to have urged the represen-
tatives to be alert against the imposi-
tion of taxes.

Two By-Law Changes

There was a change in the by-laws
of COMPO, it was stated, to "legi-
timize" the rule by a three-man com-
mittee, in addition to a by-law change
decreasing the number necessary for
an executive committee quorum from
15 to 10.

Those attending the meeting included:
Sam Plnanski, Herman Robbins, Mrs.
Alice N. Gorman, Ralph W. Russell, Paul
W. Lyday, Col. H. A. Cole, Ben Berger.
Ellis Arnall. Julius Gordon. Robert J.
O'Donnell, Abram F. Myers, Abe Baren-
-son, Ben Marcus. Morey Goldstein, Nat
Yaniins. Rube Shor, Carlton Duffus, Leon-
ard Gordon, Howard Bryant, Ray Co!vin.
Oscar Doob, Harry Mandel, D. John Phil-
lips, Emanuel Frisch, Ben Shlyen, Michael
Mayer, S'dney Schreiber, Harry Brandt,
Charles E. McCarthy, Stanley Picnosil,
Ralph Hetzel, Arthur L. Mayer, Ed Lach-
nian, Harold Rinzler, Robert J. Rubin,
Albert W. Sindlinger, Bruce Balaban, Leo
Brecher and Harold Saxe.

{Continued from page 1)

McCarthy, information director, of the

COMPO organization.

One of the most revealing
disclosures in the report is the
rise from 300 to 4,050 in drive-
in operations during the last
eight years. This is held pri-
marily responsible for the sea-
sonal reversal in motion picture
attendance, which now reaches
its peak in the months of July,
August and September. Drive-
in attendance has accounted for
nearly half of the motion pic-
ture attendance during the
months of July and August
from the years 1952 through
1954, according to the report.

Another significant development is
the wide quarterly swing now taking
place in theatre attendance. Whereas
attendance was fairly constant at all
seasons of the year from 1946 to 1948,
with a variance of only plus or minus
10 per cent from the yearly average,
wide swings have developed in recent
years, the variances in the cjuarterly
figures from the year's averages run-
ning over 50 per cent. The increase
of nearly 3,000 active theatre opera-
tions during the summer months,
mostly drive-ins, is given as the rea-
son.

The report states that with motion
picture attendance now reaching its
peak in the third quarter, and the in-
creasing percentage of week-end at-
tendance at other seasons of the year,
"changes in production schedules and
programming are indicated."

Week-Day Attendance Off

"Exhibitors are also confronted,"
the report points out, "with the neces-
sity of devising ways and means of
stimulating week-day attendance and
developing a regular movie-going habit
among the younger generation and
those who have been temporarily di-
verted to other forms of entertain-
ment."

The statistical summaries published
in the report show that the downward
trend of theatre attendance and earn-
ings, which began in 1946 and was
accelerated by television competition
and the closing of more than 6,000
theatres under the impact of high Fed-
eral admission taxes in the next seven
years, leveled off in the first quarter
of 1954. In the second quarter of 1954,
when the lower Federal admission

taxes went into effect, there was a
sharp upturn, the weekly average of
admissions rising to 47,200,000 as
against 35,100,000 in the first quarter
and 43,900,000 in the second quarter
of 1953. For July the weekly atten-
dance figure had risen to 72,500,000,
with a further increase to 80,100,000
in August, or approximately the same
figures recorded in 1946-48 for the
same two months.

Theatre earnings kept pace
writh the growth in attendance.
On the basis of preliminary
June-September, 1954, gross the
annual rate is $1,191,200,000,
which would be $183,700,000
more than in 1953, or an in-
crease of 18.2 per cent. From
preliminary figures, it appears
that the increase would be di-
vided as follows: $124,400,000, or
68 per cent from Federal admis-
sion tax relief, and $59,300,000,
or 32 per cent, from increased
attendance.

During the period of inflation, the
average admission price for a ticket,
including the Federal admission tax,
but not state or local admission taxes
levied, increased from 42 cents in
1946 to 50.61 cents in 1953. This was
an increase of 8.61 cents, or 20.5 per
cent. Although the average admission
price, a theoretical figure derived by
simply dividing the total gross by the
number of admissions, increased 20.5
per cent between 1946 and 1953, the
actual average price of a ticket to the
average U. S. motion picture theatre
had increased only by about 12 per
cent.

The reason for the difference, the
report says, lies in the fact that dur-
ing recent years attendance decline on
a national basis has been greater in
.ower priced theatres, and at times
of day or week when admissions are
normally lower.

Prices Decrease Slightly

A comparison and analysis of aver-
age admission prices between the sec-
ond quarter of 1953 and the second
quarter of 1954, which shows a drop
of about half a cent in the average
price of a ticket, indicates that a por-
tion of the Federal tax saving was
passed on to the public.

In the second quarter of 1953, the
average admission price was 47.85
cents, of which 7.96 cents represented
Federal tax, and 39.89 cents was net

to the theatre. In the second quarter
of 1954, the average admission price
had dropped to 47.33 cents, of which
3.28 cents represented the Federal tax,
and 44.05 cents was net to the theatre.
This represented a gain of 4.16 cents,
or 10.4 per cent, in the theatre's net,
but if all of the tax saving had been
retained by the theatres, the percent-
age increase in the theatre's net would
have been 12 per cent.

Texas Has Most Theatres

The number of active theatres in the
United States on August 3, 1954, as
shown in the report, was 18,351, of
which 14,301 were conventional four-
wall theatres and 4,050 were drive-ins.
Texas led all states in the number of
theatres with 1,362. Pennsylvania had
1,095; New York, 1,091 and Cali-
fornia, 1,064. Nevada had only 43,
Delaware 44 and Rhode Island, 46.

An analysis of four-wall and drive-
in operations shows that the average
weekly gross of the four-wall theatre
is higher in proportion to attendance
than the drive-in theatre.

Federal tax relief, the report
shows, has not only resulted in
higher theatre attendance and
earnings but has checked the
alarming trend of theatre clos-
ings. The average number of
monthly closings increased from
35 in 1946 to 107 in 1953, and
reached a high of 14'9 in the first
two months of 1954. During
April, May and June, the first
three months of tax relief, a
total of 351 theatres closed, but
in the same period 169 closed
theatres reopened, so there was
a net loss of only 182 in the sec-
ond quarter.

An analysis of the 0,047 theatres
which closed between 1946 and 1953
showed that 1,962 or 32 per cent, were
located in communities where there
was no television or in communities
prior to the advent of television. And
of the 4,085 closings in television cofn-
munities, 2,361, or 58 per cent, were
closed at a time when their losses were
less than the amount paid by them in
Federal admission ta.xes.

"It is therefore a conservative con-
clusion," the report says, "that had the
admission tax been repealed in 1950
when television was beginning to ex-
pand in certain markets, at least 50
per cent of the theatres that closed in
those markets would still be operat-
ing."

THINK OF THE

YOU CAN DO

^ WITH

HOUR'S PAY

Scmeffunejilo he ^/ui^u£^

At this Thanksgiving Season, let us be
grateful that there IS a Will Rogers Hos-
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conduct TB Research, and where we can
heal tuberculosis at NO CHARGE TO
PATIENTS

If you could help save a life by
working one hour, you'd do it,
wouldn't you? That's what you, and
all other Industry Employees are
asked to do in the Annual Christmas
Salute— to give at least one hour's
pay each year to your
Will Rogers Memorial Hospital.

By doing this you help provide a
haven of healing; of TB care and
Research, for your friends, for your
family, and for yourself.

Give to the Christmas Salute -NOW!

Located at Soranac Lake, N. Y., your Will Rogers
Memorial Hospital has maintained an average
rate of TB healing of 90%-plus of all its cases.
More than fwelve hundred cures have been
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AMUSEMENT INDUSTRY

'^WILL ROGERS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL^

NATIONAL OFFICE: 1501 BROADWAY, NEW YORK 36, N.Y.

Will Rogers Hospital gratefully acknowledges contribution of ad production by Universal Pictures Company, Inc., and of space by this publisher

MOTION PICTURE

VOL. 76. NO. 95

NEW YORK, U. S. A., WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1954

TEN CENTS

Officers Elected

110,000,000
Capitalization
For TOA Firm

To Be Called Exhibitors
Film Financial Group

Theatre Owners of America's spon-
sored film finance company, to be
called Exhibitors Film Financial
Group, Inc., will have a capitalization

of $10,000,000, it

was announced
here yesterday
by TOA gen-
eral counsel
Herman Levy.

Levy, report-
ing on a meet-
ing of TOA
leaders in New
York on the
plan to promote
i n d e p e n d ent
production, said
that incorpora-
tion papers for
the new com-
pany will be filed in Delaware today.
Temporary officers of the new cor-
poration. Levy continued, will be
headed by Sam Pinanski, selected as
president.

Other temporary officers and direc-
tors were stated as follows : John
(Continued on page 6)

Myron Blank

Schimel Heads FJP
Amusements Groups

Adolph Schimel, vice-president and
general counsel of Universal Pictures,
was named chairman of the amuse-
ments divisions of the 1954-1955 fund
raising drive of
the Federation
of Jewish Phi-
lanthropies o f
New York as
represen-
tatives of vari-
ous branches of
the division met
at a luncheon at
the Hotel Pic-
cadilly here
yesterday to
map campaign
plans.

According to
Joseph Willen,
executive, director of Federation, the
campaign goal this year is $16,950,000
or $1,950,000 extra to close the gap
between income and human needs ;
(Continued on page 6)

Adolph Schimel

Allied Equipment
Meet in 2 Weeks

Plans to have theatre equipment
and supplies manufactured and
sold under Allied States Associa-
tion's own label will be dis-
cussed at a special meeting of
Allied officials within a couple
of weeks, Allied president Ben
Marcus said here yesterday.

Marcus, extending his visit to
New York, said that Allied
leaders met here following the
meeting of the Council of
Motion Picture Organizations
conference. Abram F. Myers,
Allied general counsel, returned
to Washington yesterday, he
added. Yesterday's meeting was
described as a meeting of Al-
lied's Emergency Defense Com-
mittee and of Allied COMPO
delegates by Marcus.

Col. Plans to
F inance Plays

A new company policy, under which
Columbia Pictures will become an im-
portant factor in the financing of plays
with a screen potential was announced
by Harry Cohn, president and head
of production, as a major part of the
company's expanding program.

The new Columbia plan was acti-
vated at a recent series of meetings in
Hollywood between Colin, executive
producer Jerry Wald and home office
executives from New York including
Columbia's Eastern story editor, Al-
bert Johnston.

Immediately following the decision
to implement this policy, Cohn went
East to begin looking over the present
available play properties, and Arthur
(Continiied on page 6)

See Solution to Problems

HAIL LICHTMAN'S
CONFERENCE FLAN

Leaders Rally to Proposal; Could Stave Off
Bid to Government; See Trust Law Issue

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

Exhibition here yesterday roundly endorsed the offer to call a round-
table industry conference on mutual problems, made here Monday by
Al Lichtman, 20th Century-Fox distribution director.

Ben Marcus, Allied States Associa-

21 Independents
Financed by WB

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 16. — The
financing of independent production is
"nothing new" to Warner Brothers,
said Jack L. Warner, executive pro-
ducer of the
company, in a
statement is-
sued today.
"We have al-
ways done it
and will con-
tinue to do so,
he added.

Warner stated
that his com-
pany now is
financing a rec-
ord number of
independ-
ent productions,
has many more
such deals in progress and stands
ready at any time to give considera-
tion to others.

Affirming that Warner Brothers
has aggressively sought to attract and
finance quality independent produc-
(Continued on page 6)

Jack L. Warner

Desiree^

{20th Century-Fox)

( CinemaScope)

EXCELLENT performances by Jean Simmons and Marlon Brando,
top production and direction by Julian Blaustein and I-Jenry Ivos-
ter, respectively, make this 20th Century Fox CinemaScope pro-
duction a top box-office contender. Exhibitors should be able to realize
healthy grosses from this De Luxe color film. Academy Award winner
Daniel Taradash's screenplay has been taken from Annemarie Selinko's
best-selling novel about a romance between Napoleon Bonaparte and
Desiree Clary in the years following the French Revolution, during the
reign of the little general as dictator of France and until his exile to
St. Helena.

The combination of Miss Simmon's deft portrayal as the gay, young
Desiree who falls in love with the citizen general and is subsequently
jilted by him for Josephine and power, and Brando's impressive char-
acterization as Napoleon, plus Merle Oberon's portrayal as Josephine,

(Continued on page 7)

tion president, said that his organiza-
tion is "very, very favorable" to the
proposal.

Sam Pinanski, speaking for Theatre
Owners of America, called the offer a
"constructive" approach to industry
problems. Similar reactions were ex-
pressed by Harry Brandt, president of
Independent Theatre Owners of Amer-
ica, and Emanuel Frisch, president of
Metropolitan Motion Picture Theatres
Association, both New York organiza-
tions.

Meanwhile, Lichtman, the author of
the proposal to call a meeting of film
company presidents, sales managers
and exhibition leaders in New York
"in the near future," expressed as-
surance that film companies would
welcome the move. Lichtman, how-
ever, raised the question of whether
film companies' lawyers would per-
mit such an industry-wide meeting,
adding that he, as yet, had not resolved
that question.

Lichtman's reference to the
lawyers was in regard to what
may be their feeling that such
a meeting may be contrary to
the anti-trust laws. He went on
to state, however, that even if
such a meeting may not be
called, individual companies, in-
cluding company presidents,
would welcome a meeting with
exhibition leaders, conferring
with them separately.

Allied president Marcus, when asked
(Continued on page 7)

SIMPP Favors
Toll Television

The Society of Independent Motion
Picture Producers remains as an or-
ganization in favor of toll television,
it was disclosed here by Ellis G. Ar-
nall, SIMPP general counsel.

Arnall, here to attend the recently
concluded meeting of Council of Mo-
tion Pictures Organizations, referred
to the previously announced SIMPP
position when asked how his organiza-
tion stood on the issue. Arnall added
(Continued on page 6)

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, November 17, 1954

Personal
Mention

WILLIAM B. ZOELLNER, M-
G-M head of shorts and news-
reel sales, will return to New York
on Friday from Cleveland.

•

Jerry Evans, Universal Pictures
home office promotion representative,
left last night for Boston enroute to
Cleveland and Chicago.

•

Albert Allen, secretary of Tech-
nicolor, Ltd., and Leslie W. Oliver,
plant manager, have arrived here from
London via B.O.A.C. Monarch.
•

John P. Byrne, M-G-M Eastern
sales manager, is in Boston from New
York.

•

Bob Hope, who returned to New
York from England yesterday, will
leave here today for Hollywood.
•

Pat Duggan, producer, and Mi-
chael CuRTiz, director, will return
to Hollywood today from New York.
•

Mike Simons, in charge of M-G-M
customer relations, will return to New
York today from Indianapolis.
•

Patricia Cutts, British actress,
will arrive here today from London
by B.O.A.C.

•

Nina Foch has arrived in Holly-
wood from New York.

•

Alfred Crown is in London from
New York.

Gene Tunick Named
UA Phila. Manager

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 16.— Gene
Tunick has been appointed branch
manager of United Artists' exchange
here and will serve under the super-
vision of Eastern and Southern divi-
sion manager Milton E. Cohen and
Eastern district manager John Turner,
it was announced by B. G. Kranze,
general sales manager for United
Artists.

The appointment of Tunick, who was
formerly associated with a number of
UA's current executives in his posts
as Indianapolis and New York branch
manager for Eagle-Lion, will become
effective on Nov. 29.

Tunick is replacing Mort Magill,
who resigns as of Nov. 26.

Burton Aids Sale
Of 20th' s 'Prince'

A program of radio appearances
and press interviews has been sched-
uled by 20th Century-Fox for Richard
Burton, who is currently in New York
for advance promotion on "Prince of
Players'' in CinemaScope.

The star met with representatives
of the trade press and fan magazines
in a luncheon press conference at the
Plaza Hotel yesterday. Burton also
will join with other prominent show
business figures at the Command Per-
formance of "Desiree" tonight at the
Roxy Theatre. He sails for England
aboard the S.S. Liberte on Nov. 20.

Eastman 3rd Period
Earning^s Up 51%

Eastman Kodak Company's third-
quarter sales showed an improving
trend and in total almost equaled the
high level of the 1953 third quarter.
Net earnings in the quarter showed
a gain over the 1953 figure. This
statement was made by Thomas J.
Hargrave, chairman, and Albert K.
Chapman, president, yesterday, fol-
lowing a meeting of the company's
board of directors.

Sales in the third quarter were
$152,714,860 or just two-tenths of one
per cent below $152,958,756 for the
corresponding 1953 quarter. Consoli-
dated net earnings were $18,824,501,
up 51 per cent over the $12,434,802 in
the 1953 quarter. Third-quarter earn-
ings equaled $1.07 per common share
in 1954 on 17,402,261 shares outstand-
ing compared with 71 cents in 1953 on
17,374,496 shares.

Sales Off 1.9%

Sales of $430,846,922 for the 1954
three-quarters (36 weeks ending Sept.
5) were oi¥ 1.9 per cent compared
with $439,340,926 for the same pe-
riod last year.

Earnings before taxes for the three-
quarters were $100,458,076, down
11 per cent from $112,949,175 for the
same period in 1953. After taxes net
earnings for the three quarters were
$46,958,693 or $2.68 a share. This
compares with $34,966,635 or $1.99 a
share a year ago.

The increase in net earnings was
due primarily to the removal of the
excess profits tax, Hargrave and
Chapman said.

The board declared a cash dividend
of 50 cents a share and an extra divi-
dend of 20 cents a share on the com-
mon stock and the regular lyi per
cent dividend ($1.50) on the pre-
ferred stock. Both dividends will be
paid on Jan. 3, to shareholders of
record on Dec. 3. The total cash
dividends per share declared on the
common stock in 1954 amounted to
$2.05. This is 20 cents more than in
1953.

Additional Dividend Declared

In addition, the board declared a
stock dividend of five per cent, or one
share for each 20 held, on outstanding
common shares. The stock dividend is
payable on March 21, to shareholders
of record Feb. 7.

The directors voted a wage divi-
dend for employees estimated at $23,-
500,000 for about 53,000 employees in
the U.S. The wage dividend is de-
ductible in computing the company
Federal income tax.

Schaefer-Gunzburg
Hearings Set Jan. 3

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 16.--George
J. Schaefer's suit against Milton L.
Gunzburg for 50 per cent of profits
made by the latter from the Natural
Vision process is scheduled for pre-
trial hearings Jan. 3. Schaefer, who
was Eastern representative for Gunz-
burg from the time when the latter's
three-dimension process was first of-
fered the industry, based his suit for
half of the Gunzburg profits on a con-
tract the latter made with him before
any producer decided to utilize the
Gunzburg system.

Gina Bags 2 Covers
With Same Face

Although I.F.E. admits its re-
search is not completed it points
pridefuUy to what it believes to
be a "first" for any film per-
sonality — Gina LoUobrigida's
picture on the covers of both
"Life" and "Look" concurrently.

Barrymore Funeral
Tomorrow on Coast

special to THE DAILY
HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 16.— Funeral
services for Lionel Barrymore, 76,
who died last night following a one-
day illness, will be held at 10 A.M.
Thursday in Calvary Cemetery Chapel,
Los Angeles. Burial will be in the
crypt beside his late brother, John,
and his wife, the former Irene Fen-
wick, who died in 1936. Barrymore
died Monday evening in Valley Hos-
pital, where he had been taken after
being stricken Sunday evening with
what his doctor called a "congestive
heart condition."

Among honorary pall bearers are
Lew Ayres, Clarence Brown, Frank
Capra, J. C. Cohn, George Cukor,
Gene Fowler, Clark Gable, Bob Hope,
E. J. Mannix, Louis B. Mayer, Matt
Moore, Charles Moskowitz, George
Murphy, Reginald Owen, Walter Pid-
geon, Mickey Rooney, Dore Schary,
Joseph Schenck, Nicholas Schenck,
Marvin Schenck, David O. Selznick,
Cameron Shipp, Louis K. Sidney,
Robert Taylor, Benjamin Thau and
Darryl F. Zanuck.

Film Council Hails
Jeffers-Case Edict

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 16. — The
AFL Film Council unanimously
adopted a resolution hailing as a
"great victory for all anti-Communists
within organized labor" the recent Su-
perior Court decision by Judge Allen
W. Ashburn in which he found that
Conference Studio Unions, which
spearheaded the studio strike in 1946,
was "not only Communist-inspired"
but was "Communist-dominated."

Judge Ashburn's statement was
made in a decision upsetting the $35,-
000 damages award made in the case
of Michael Jeffers against the Screen
Extras Guild and granting- the SEG
a new trial.

Report $163,623 Net
By Cinerama Prods.

Cinerama Productions yesterday re-
ported a net profit of $163,623 for the
period from Nov. 1, 1953, to Sept. 26
last. Income amounted to $580,692.

Stockholders will meet here on
Dec. 7 to elect five directors, approve
the termination of Merian C. Cooper's
employment agreement, approve and
ratify Louis B. Mayer's employment
agreement and for a stock arrange-
ment and bank loan guarantee by
Mayer, ratify stock option arrange-
ments for certain officers and to ap-
prove other acts and proceedings of
the board of directors.

Indiana Allied Greets
M-G-M's Workshop;
Simons, Austin Heard

INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 16. —
M-G-M's ticket-selling workshop re-
ceived an enthusiastic reception from
300 exhibitors at the opening of the
Allied Theatre Owners of Indiana
convention in the Marott Hotel here
today.

"In towns where movie houses have
gone out of business, the chief suf-
ferers have always been the merchants
in the vicinity of the theatre," Mike
Simons, director of customer relations
for M-G-M, told the meeting in stress-
ing the direct efifect of theatre pros-
perity on general business.

Clumb a Speaker

"Whole communities of business
men have banded together to reopen
closed theatres lately to regain patron-
age lost when the movie traffic ceased,"
Simons said.

Ervin J. Clumb, Milwaukee exhibi-
tor, and L. J. Williams, of Union, Mo.,
spoke on ticket-selling ideas in large
and small towns, respectively.

Emery M. Austin, M-G-M's direc-
tor of exploitation, outlined a program
for exhibitors, assisted by E. C. Pear-
son, M-G-M field representative in the
Cleveland district, and Jerry Allen, of
Indianapolis. John J. Maloney, central
division manager of M-G-M, also took
part in the discussion. Foster Gauker,
M-G-M branch manager here, pre-
sided.

Wayne Bodkin, advertising manager
of the Munci "Star," conducted a
forum on motion picture advertising
in newspapers.

Gov't 16mm, Case Put
Over Until Nov. 29

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 16.— Federal
Judge Harry C. Westover today put
over until Nov. 29 consideration of
motions pending in the government's
16mm. anti-trust case against 12 de-
fendants. On that date the government
will object to admission of minor ques-
tions in defense interrogatories, on
grounds of immateriality, and defend-
ants will move for the court to order
the government to present its case
first, instead of simultaneously with
the defense as currently instructed.

Blumberg Suffers
Mild Attack Here

Nate J. Blumberg, Universal Pic-
tures board chairman, suffered a mild
attack yesterday and was removed to
Doctors Hospital where he was re-
ported resting easy last night.

Blumberg has been here from the
Coast for the past several weeks for
a periodic home office visit.

World Tour for Ava

Ava Gardner will embark on a
world-girdling publicity tour in behalf
of her latest film, Joseph L. Man-
kiewicz's "The Barefoot Contessa," it'
was announced by United Artists.
Miss Gardner's global tour will be
launched on Thanksgiving Day when
she flies from Hollywood to Tokyo.

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke,
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, Fl 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, < lOc

ANOTHER WONDERFUL ROMANCE FROM

HE AUTHOR OF "THE QUIET MAN"!

HERBERT J. YATES and HERBERT WILCOX

presents

Actually filmed in the Scottish Highlands

TRUCOLOR by Consolidated

starring

MARGARET ORSON FORREST

LOCKWOOD • WELLES • TUCKER

VICTOR

co-starring

JOHN

McLAGLEN • McCALLUM • mccoFrt

Screen Play by FRANK S. NUGENT

From the story by MAURICE WALSH

X"cteVbr HERBERT WILCOX
A REPUBLIC pictures PRODUCTION

Republic Pictures Corporation

ARCHIE

DUNCAN

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, November 17, 1954

Projection Standardization
Not Near, Carolinians Told

special to THE DAILY

CHARLOTTE, Nov. 16. — The motion picture industry i.s no nearer
standardization of projection .systems today than it was when old stand-
ards were first upset, Herbert Barnett, president of the Society of Motion
Picture and Television Engineers, said

by Hal R. A'lakelim, who told of his
plan for producing more pictures,
"I do not expect you to pay more than
25 per cent of the gross for a pic-
ture," said Makelim. and added, "You
will share in the i)rofits of the pic-
ture." He told the exhibitors that he
would begin production when he had
received enough signed contracts. He
has already signed up a number of
Carolina exhibitors.

M-G-M held a special screening of
"The Last Time I saw Paris" for
delegates this morning. George Mur-
phy, M-G-M star, who was one of
the principal speakers yesterday at
the convention, also was ,on hand to
greet theatre owners attending the
showing of the Technicolor attraction.
Additionally, Murphy was special
guest at a luncheon for the wives of
the theatre men.

here today. Barnett, speaking to ex-
hibitors at the Annual Convention of
the Theatre Owners Association of
North and South Carolina, said dif-
ferences of opinion in major studios
were helping to prevent standardiza-
tion. "But we must stabilize," he said,
"and we must do it in such a way
that we will not stifle new develop-
ments. We must leave the door open.''

Jack Braun'jgel, Kansas City au-
thority on theatre operations, advised
the exhibitors to "Treat their cus-
tomers like guests".

"Let us clean up our theatres," said
Braunagel, "and keep them clean so
our customers, like guests, will come
back." He added that operators should
try to keep theatres quieter so patrons
could hear as well as see.

The exhibitors, who ended their
convention today, were also addressed

National
Pre- Selling

Capitalizing

{Continued front page 1)

Rowley, vice-president ; Myron Blank,
secretary ; L. S. Hamni, treasurer, and
E. D. Martin, Walter Reade, Jr., and
Alfred Starr, directors in addition to
the four previously mentioned officers
who wdl also serve as directors.

Plans are being made. Levy went
on, to file the necessary papers with
the Securities and Exchange Connnis-
sion whose permission is needed for
the sale of stock. Levy pointed out
that the present officers and directors
are temporary in that after the stock
is sold, stockholders will elect their
own officers and directors.

All Exhibitors Welcome

Levy reiterated that the plan, as
well as subscription to the stock, will
not be confined to TOA members
but will be open to participation from
all exhibitors.

The m.eeting was attended by Row-
ley, Pinanski, Reade, Martin, Ben
Trustman, Boston attorney who drew
up the incorporation papers, and him-
self, Levy stated. The TOA counsel
said that a fifth trustee had not been
named as yet. Trustees Blank and
Rowley, who were not in attendance
at the meeting, were said to have been
in communication by phone during
the day on the project.

SIMPP Favors

{Continued from page 1)

that exhibitors own and operate tele-
vision stations, arguing if exhibition
can utilize television profitably, why
shouldn't producers have the same op-
portunity ?

SIMPP's position was considered
one of the reasons why the toll TV
issue was not taken up formally at
Monday's meeting here of the
COMPO executive committee and
board of directors. It was known that
exhibition representatives of Theatre
Owners of America and Allied States
Association broached the topic infor-
mally at the meeting, voicing senti-
ments in opposition to toll TV. How-
ever, the nature of the issue, with
division in sentiments apparent, was
felt to make it an issue outside the
province of COMPO.

FLY B OM

ARISTOCRAT OF THE AIR

DfVect
Mew York • London

BRITISH OVERSSAS
AIRWAYS CORPORATION

Reservations through your travel agent
or call 6.O.A.C. at 342 Madison Ave.,
New York 17, N. Y., tel. MU 7-8900

Warners

{Continuicd from page 1)

tions, Warner cited a list of 21 such
pictures on the current slate of the
organization.

Included on the list are : "A Star Is
Born," "Young at Heart," "Mr. Rob-
erts," "Moby Dick," "Giant," "Drag-
net." "Pete Kelly's Blues," "Track of
the Cat," "Blood Alley," "Drum Beat,"
"The Silver Chalice," "Land of the
Pharaohs," "The Spirit of St. Louis,"
"The Old Man and the Sea," "Adam
and Eve," "The Animal World,"
"Daniel Boone," "Sincerely Yours,
Liberace," "The Lion's Share," "The
Darkest Hour" and "The Quality of
Mercy."

Schimel in FJP Post

{Continued from page 1)

there are 116 medical and social wel-
fare agencies, hospitals, child care and
family service agencies, projects for
the aged, community centers and
camps, religious education, vocational
guidance and rehabilitation services
deriving support from Federation's
campaign.

Harry Brandt, chairman of the
amusement division in last year's cm-
paign, presented Schimel as the chair-
man of this year's drive. Also on the
dais were S. H. Fabian and Sam
Rosen. Plans were discussed for an
industry-wide function to be held in
January.

Participants in yesterday's luncheon
included representatives of the motion
picture industry, the legitimate the-
atre, television, radio and the music
world. Among those who attended
were Charles Alicoate, Charles Boas-
berg, William G. Brenner, Irving
Caesar, George F. Dembow, Walt
Framer, Leon Goldberg, Irving Green-
field, Carl Haverlin, Edward L. Hy-
man, Arthur Israel, Jr., Saul Jaffee,
Malcolm Kingsberg, William Koblen-
zer, Arthur Levy, Lawrence Lohman,
Samuel Rinzler, Harold Rinzler, Rus-
sell Sanjek, Herman Schlier, Eddie
Solomon, Solomon Strausberg and
others.

Finance Plays

{ContiniKd from page 1)

Kramer, Columbia's Hollywood story
rditor, will fly to New York next
weekend to work with Johnston to set
up operation of the new plan.

Cohn said Columbia will not con-
fine its search to plays by "name"
authors but will seek properties with
a screen potential by new and un-
known writers as well.

"Facilities for financing will be
made available by Columbia for the
right properties," Cohn stated, "both
on Broadway and abroad. We feel
there is a great deal of undiscovered
material in New York, London, Paris,
Rome and other world centers of cul-
ture, which has not yet been tapped
by Hollywood. We will make every
effort to discover and utilize this
material."

Follows Fund Announcement

Inauguration of this new phase of
the. company's operation follows close
on the heels of Cohn's announcement
3f the allocation of a $10,000,000 fund
to augment Columbia's financing of
independent film productions, and the
studio's ofi^er to these independents of
full studio facilities, both physical and
in manpower.

Moss Hart and Col.
In Three-Film Deal

Moss Hart has signed a three picture
writing deal with Columbia Pictures.
Harry Cohn, president of Columbia,
announced in New York yesterday that
Hart's first screenplay for the com-
pany will be "Tlie Eddie Duchin
Stor}^" based on the life of the pianist
and bandleader.

Hart will go to Columbia's Holly-
wood studio in a few days to discuss
"The Eddie Duchin Story" with di-
rector George Sidney. Sidney has
has been borrowed from Metro-Gold-
wyn-M,ayer. It is the first time Sidney
has been loaned by M-G-M in his 22
years with that company. Jerry Wald
will produce.

Introducing:

"The Lady and the Tramp" :

IN a unique, two-page editorial
spread in full color, the December
issue of "Woman's Home Companion"
introduces to its 12,000,000 women
readers the new Disney characters
starring in the forthcoming cartoon
feature "The Lady and the Tramp."
It consists of a series of 10 color stills
with a running story in captions. Alert
theatre managers will obtain a copy
of that issue and display it, opened
at that spread, on their "coming at-
tractions" lobby stands or wall cases.
•

The advance promotion campaign
for "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea"
is under way in many directions.
Merchandising and advertising tie-
ins include: Botany "500" men's
coats and Van Heusen shirts, the
campaigns for which feature Kirk
Douglas and a plug for the picture.
Botany will run a full-page, na-
tional magazine ad; similarly, Timex
Watches will run a full-page in Life
featuring James Mason. A series of
other tie-ins have been arranged.

Meanwhile, the magazine cam-
paign for "20,000 Leagues" com-
menced in the Nov. 16th issue of
Look with a two-page, full-color
spread to be followed by a four-
color full-page in the Dec. 13th is-
sue of Life and a four-color full-
page in the Dec. 24th issue of "Col-
liers." Pre-selling at the local level
will be stimulated by an ad in the
Dec. 12th issue of This Week, Sun-
day newspaper supplement, and by
an outdoor showing of 1,100 28-
sheet posters in "Day-Glo" full col-
or, in strategic positions from coast
to coast.

Ed Miller, motion picture editor of
"Seventeen," has selected "A Star Is
Born" as the picture of the month
for November.

Prominent mention is given to
"■Vera Cruz" in the November issue
of "American Magazine." Two strik-
ing full color photos are used to
illustrate the review in this issue.
•

"Time" Magazine, in its current is-
sue, calls Columbia's "Don't Say It"
slogan "PhfYft" sensible advice." Top-
ping off a highly laudatory review, the
magazine hails Judy Holliday and
Jack Lemmon as the "smoothest new
comedy team in show business."
•

"Suddenl.v," "Sabrina," "Dragnet"
and "Rear Window." are among the
pictures recommended by Florence
Somers in tlie November issue of
"Redbook."

WALTER HAAS

Wednesday, November 17, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

People

Charles S. Steinberg, associate
Eastern publicity director of War-
ner Brothers liere, has received his
Ph.D degree from N.Y.U. for his
study of the use of the broadcast-
ing communications in education.

Mary Elizabeth O'Connor and
Richard W.alsh were married Satur-
day. Mrs. Walsh's father is Thomas
O'Connor, vice-president and treas-
urer of RKO Theatres.

Herbert H. Rabke, former gen-
eral manager of the Harry B. Cohen
. Advertising Co., has been appointed
secretary-treasurer of Transfilm Inc.

Sophie Ruskin and Mary Albano

have been named by Atlantic Tele-
vision Corp. to head the company's
station service relations.

Max Finn, general manager of the
E. M. Loew Theatres in Boston,
-wWX marry Gertrude Rittenberg, of-
fice manager of that circuit in De-
cember.

Graeme Fraser, executive of Craw-
ley Films, Ottawa, has been pre-
sented a plaque for his successful
conduct in the Canadian capital of
the Red Feather Drive, of which he
was campaign chairman.

Robert Wile, secretary of the In-
dependent Theatre Owners of Ohio,
will speak on Nov. 23 at a meeting
of the Lions Club of Seville, and on
Dec. 22 at the Lions Club of West
Lafayette.

Asks Dismissal of
Pictorial Action

Chesapeake Industries yesterday in
New York Supreme Court moved for
the dismissal of the complaint filed
by Pictorial Pictures which asked
$500,000 for breach of contract in a
suit against United Artists, Eagle
Lion Classics and Chesapeake.

It was charged that under a 1949
agreement, Pictorial obtained the
16mm. rights to the 1946-47 and 1947-
48 seasons' product of ELC, which
ultimately was taken over by UA. It
was alleged that UA interfered with
the licensing of the pictures by Pic-
torial and that the delay prevented
the plaintiff from realizing any reve-
nue from the deal.

'Desiree^

(Continued from page 1)

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• 16nim interlock projection

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and Michael Rennie's capable performance as Desiree's husband, all add
up to top drawing power at large and small theatres. A good musical
background considerably enhances the prestige of this CinemaScope picture,
which at times is very intimate, and at other times, suggests more action than
is shown to audiences.

Desiree's family is shocked, as the film opens, when they learn of an
extended invitation to two Corsican refugees to visit their home. The brothers
Bonaparte, Brando and Cameron Mitchell, meet the family with Mitchell
eventually marrying Miss Simmons' sister, Elizabeth Sellars, while Brando
courts and woos Desiree. Receiving an Army assignment, Brando, bitterly
informs Miss Simmons that higher authorities are trying to bury him in a
policeman's job, but he borrows 98 francs from her so that he can go to Paris
and try for a war command.

Desiree, expecting to hear at any moment from Napoleon, becomes fed up
at the jibes of her sisters and takes off for Paris where she finds her husband
to be surrounded by many feminine admirers, including Miss Oberon, at a
gay party. There she also meets Rennie. Producer Blaustein here incorpo-
rates a diary in which Miss Simmons tells of occurences as the years fly by.
Blaustein shows Miss Simmons in Italy where her sister and brother-in-law
are stationed and in Paris where she matures from a young country girl in
love to a courtesan.

At another palace party, Desiree once again meets Rennie whom she even-
tually marries and has a son. Rennie is offered a job as Crown Prince of
Sweden and is opposed by Napoleon, but the little general eventually changes
his mind and the couple head for Sweden where palace difficulties force a
separation. Action in the form of stirring music and marching flags suggest
the French army moving out to war and its return, in defeat. Desiree, in
Paris, is visited secretly by Napoleon and is informed that her husband aided
the Russians in their victory. A little later, she is asked by French officials
to act as an intermediary to Napoleon to effect his capitulation and exile.

Others in the cast are Charlotte Austin, Cathleen Nesbit, Evelyn Varden,
Isobel Elsom, John Hoyt and Alan Napier.

Running time, 110 minutes. General classification. For release in November.

LESTER DINOFF

* Desiree' Opens Here
At the Roxy Tonight

"Desiree," 20th Century-Fox's Cin-
emaScope production of Annemarie
Selinko's Napoleonic drama, will open
here tonight at the Roxy Theatre be-
fore an audience that will include in-
vited guests representing the nobility
of Sweden and France as well as in-
ternationally prominent social figures.

The world premiere of the film was
held last night at the Fox Theatre in
San Francisco.

Exchange Contract
Talks Start Today

Negotiation of new contracts cover-
ing film-exchange employes through-
out the United States will be started
today by representatives of the lATSE
and the major distributing companies,
it was announced yesterday by the
union's international president Rich-
ard F. Walsh.

Decision to hold nationwide talks
was made recently following a poll in
which the locals of both back-room
and front-office employes voted over-
whelmingly against negotiating in each
exchange area.

Representing the lATSE at the ses-
sions beginning today will be a com-
mittee composed of general secretary-
treasurer Harland Holmden, interna-
tional vice-president Louise Wright
and international representative Joseph
D. Basson.

6 Shows for Gleason

Bob Shapiro, managing director of
the Paramount Theatre, has scheduled
six complete stage and screen shows
beginning today when Jackie Gleason
and his entire television cast begin a
two-week in-person appearance on the
stage. Alan Ladd will star on the
screen in Warner Bros. CinemaScope
production, "Drum Beat." The last full
show will begin at midnight

Bars Dismissal
Of Reade Suit

A move to dismiss the complaint of
Walter Reade, Jr., president of the
circuit bearing his name, against three
New Jersey drive-in operators alleg-
ing non-performance of a contract to
sell, was rejected by Judge John
D re wen of Hudson County Court,
Trenton, it was disclosed yesterday.

Judge D re wen was said to have
ruled, in effect, that the suit, in which
Reade alleges fraud and the defendants
claim that no agreement had been
signed, must go to trial. Named as
defendants in the suit are Monroe E.
Stein, William A. Scully and James
J. Thompson, owners of six drive-in
properties in New Jersey.

In his suit, Reade charges that the
defendants had agreed last December
to sell him their six drive-ins while
the defendants, in addition to claiming
that no contract has been signed, also
claim that they had contracted to sell
the properties to a third party, whose
name has not been disclosed. The
properties, formerly operated by the
defendants under the Eastern Drive-in
Theatres banner, involved in the suit
are: Union Drive-in, Totowa Drive-
in, Route 10 Drive-in, North Bruns-
wick Drive-in, Shore Drive-in, and
Fly-In Drive-in.

Lichtman Plan

{Continued from page 1)

if the round table conference would
stave off Allied's bid to the Govern-
ment for Federal regulation of film
rentals, said "that all depends on what
the results of the meeting are."

TOA leader Pinanski said that the
proposed conference would offer a
vehicle for the industry to regulate its
own problems "rather than going else-
where."

Marcus said he considered trade
grievances and the product situation
as problems to be discussed at the pro-
jected conference, while Pinanski saw
the meet as evolving "a code of ethics"
which would promote harmony rather
than disunity in the industry.

Pinanski expressed his opinion that
the conference should not be used as
a forum for "bartering," a place where
the individual pricing policies of sepa-
rate companies on various pictures
might be the subject of "bargaining."
Lichtman, outlining what he
had in mind when he made the
offer at Monday's clgsed meet-
ing here of the Council of Mo-
tion Picture Organizations, said
the meet would be on the "gen-
eral state of the industry" for
the purpose of creating "better
understanding" between produc-
tion-distribution and exhibition.
Both sides, he went on, would
be given an opportunity to air
their positions in the interests
of "harmony" rather than one
side "yelling" charges at the
other.

Asked if he thought that such a
meeting would stave off Allied's bid
to go to the Government, Lichtman re-
plied that, if held, "it might prevent
that." He added that he had not, as
yet, formally broached the proposal to
individual companies.

Pinanski, asked if he thought the
projected meeting would discuss the
product situation, replied that "after
all, you can't discuss tiddlywinks."

Welcomed by Brandt

ITOA president Brandt said he wel-
comed the suggestion, adding that any
responsible person would be willing to
rationalize the differences between ex-
hibition and distribution. "There are
too many professionals," he charged,
who foment trouble, exploiting prob-
lems which businessrnen, when they
get together, can solve.

MMPTA president Frisch called it
a "wonderful" idea, foreseeing "bene-
ficial results" from the project.

'Africa' to Globe

"Fire Over Africa," Columbia's
Technicolor adventure drama, will
have its New York premiere at the
Globe theatre, following the run of
"A Bullet Is Waiting."

At Auction

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The News

That
Is News

MOTION PICTURE

VOL. 76. NO. 96

NEW YORK, U. S. A., THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1954

TEN CENTS

Seven in 'Scope

Columbia Lists
39 Pictures in
Current Group

Sales Convention Hears
Of 'Impressive' Program

CHICAGO, Nov. 17.— Thirty-nine
Columbia pictures that are ready for
release, in production or in prepara-
tion, will be discussed here tomor-
row by Columbia sales executives who
are attending a company meeting at
the Blackstone Hotel. The sales heads
describe the lineup as its "most im-
pressive in the company's history." At
least seven of the productions, it will
be announced, will be in CinemaScope,
of which three are completed. Seven-
teen pictures on the schedule will be
in color by Technicolor.

Those films which are ready for re-
lease, before the cameras or planned
for early production are :

"The Long Gray Line," John Ford's
(Continued on page 7)

Aid Pledged
By Montague

CHICAGO, Nov. 17.— Speaking be-
fore Allied of Illinois today, Columbia
sales manager Abe Montague prom-
ised all the help needed to exhibitors
in distress, but urged earnestly that
exhibition police itself when asking for
help in order to prevent "free rides"
by theatre owners not really in need.

Denying that Columbia had done
anything to help create the product
shortage and terming the very idea
"ridiculous," Montague pointed out
that such a shortage worked more
! (Continued on page 7)

^Dimes' Drive Aided
By *Desiree' Opening

(Pictures on Page 6)

The March of Dimes was the bene-
ficiary of the Command Performance
of "Desiree" held last night at the
Roxy Theatre here. All proceeds of
the affair were donated to the fight
against polio.

Crowds estimated by the police at
over 4,000 jammed barricades to see
celebrities arriving at the kleig-lit,
blue-carpeted theatre to see the New
York premiere of 20th Century-Fox's
(Continued on page 6)

M.P. Pioneer of the Year

SI H. FABIAN, left, president of Stanley Warner Theatres and
head of other enterprises, currently observing his 40th anniversary
in the industry, is pictured above being presented with the 16th
annual award plaque of the Motion Picture Pioneers by the presi-
dent, Jack Cohn. Fabian was honored at the Pioneers' annual dinner,
held at the Sheraton Astor Hotel here last night.

500 in Attendance

Exhibitors Will Produce,
Fabian Tells Pioneers

By LESTER DINOFF

Faced with a serious product shortage to fill their motion picture
screens, the nation's exhibitors are turning to cooperative production ven-
tures of their own, declared Simon H. Fabian, head of Stanley Warner
Theatres, last night on the occasion
of the 16th annual showmanship din-
ner of the Motion Picture Pioneers
at the Sheraton Astor Hotel here.

Fabian was honored as "Pioneer of
the Year" at the dinner attended by
more than 500 industry pioneers, in
ceremonies conducted by Jack Cohn,
executive vice-president of Columbia
Pictures and head of the Pioneers.

Tracing the history of exhibitor
participation in the production of
films, Fabian pointed to the success in
the 1920's of First National Pictures,
born of the need for film product.

"I cherish the friendships I made in
the hectic days of First National when
we exhibitors created a producing
company which swiftly rose to leader-
ship with the best," Fabian said.

"Now the industry has come full
circle and exhibitors, troubled by

product shortages, are again consid-
ering production units of their own.
They can be encouraged and go for-
ward with confidence, inspired by the
success of First National. There was
then what I like to call a mutuality of
responsibility. The producers tried to
create even better pictures, the ex-
hibitors were enabled to make a profit
and had the vision to spend it on
better and better theatres. By and
large, a distributor took care of his
customers and the customers felt an
obligation to the supplier, to find play-
ing time for his product.

"All this has been changed by the
present methods of doing business,
but as I look at the struggle we are
engaged in to adjust our methods of
doing business to the new facts, I feel
(Continued on page 3)

No Major Outlet

TOA Financed
Films Through
Regional Firms

stock May Be Available
To Public at Later Date

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

Independent regional distributors
tliroughout the country will be utilized
liy producers of films financed by Ex-
hibitors Film Financial Group, Inc.,
Theatre Owners of America's spon-
sored film finance company, it was
disclosed here yesterday by E. D.
.Martin, TOA president.

EFFG-financed producers will be
liarred from releasing through major
distributors, Martin declared.

The distribution issue evidenced a
cleavage of opinion between Sam Pin-
anski, EFFG president, and Herman
Levy, TOA general counsel, both of
whom attended the Martin press con-
ference at TOA headquarters. At
first, Pinanski expressed opposition to
the policy of barring major distribu-
tors as a channel, but later assented
(Continued on page 7)

Martin Asks
Early Parley

An industry round table conference
"just as soon as possible" received the
hearty endorsement here yesterday of
E. D. Martin, president of Theatre
Ovi'ners of America.

Martin referred to the offer to call
a conference of company presidents,
sales managers and exhibition leaders,
made by Al Lichtman, 20th Century-
Fox president.

LTnderlining TOA's interest in cre-
ating a more harmonious relationship
among all segments of the industry,
(Continued on page 7)

Enlarge Attendance,
Not Grosses: Myers

INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 17. — Ex-
hibitors are too much concerned with
the dollar sign and not enough with
the vital statistics of attendance,
Abram F. Myers, general counsel of
Allied States, told the Allied Theatre
Owners of Indiana fall convention at
the Marott Hotel here today. Pointing-
out that attendance has been declining
(Continued on page 7)

Motion Picture Daily

Personal
Mention

IKXlXti MAl k, i)ri.>iiKut of Fil-
niack Trailers, will return to Chi-
cago today after a brief business visit
here and attendance at the Motion Pic-
ture Pioneers dinner last night.
•

Tony Morris. Associated British-
Pathe overseas sales manager, has left
Hollywood for Chicago, Detroit and
New York.

•

John Davis, managing director of
the 1. Arthur Rank Organization, is
scheduled to arrive here today from
London via B.O.A.C. Monarch.
•

Saul T. Uixmax, Fabian division
manager 'in Albany, N. Y., and Mrs.
Ullman are spending two weeks in
Miami.

•

Max Thorpe, managing director of
Columbia Pictures Corp., Ltd., Eng-
land, will leave here today for London
via B.O.A.C.

•

Emery Austin, M-G-M exploita-
tion head, will return to New York
todav from Indianapolis.

Max Weinberg, writer, will return
here from Switzerland on Nov. 26.
•

Bexn H. Rosenwalu. M-G-M
branch manager in Boston, has left
there for a vacation in the South.
•

Harry Stevens of "Life" has re-
turned to New York from the Coast.
•

Paul Newman has arrived in New

York from the Coast.

•

Zsa Zsa Gabor will arrive in New
York today from Hollywood.

•

Eliz.\beth Taylor will leave here
tomorrow for Hollywood.

'Star' to Continue
At Victoria Here

The Victoria Theatre is the only
theatre in Greater New York where
"A Star Is Born" will be shown the
remainder of 1954, Max Fellerman,
general manager of the theatre, an-
nounced. "A Star Is Born" will con-
tinue on a long but indeterminate run,
Fellerman said. It ended its run at the
Paramount Tuesday.

Trona Theatre Debut
To Draw NT Officials

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 17. — Na-
tional Theatres executives will attend
a Hollywood-type opening of the new-
636-seat $200,000 Fox Theatre at
Trona, Cal., Thursday night, with six
picture stars in attendance. E.xecutives
present at the opening will be Elmer
Rhoden, John Bertero, E. F. Zabel,
Alan Alay and R. R. McCullough.

Loew Dividend Declared

The board of directors of Loew's,
Inc., yesterday declared a 25-cent
quarterly dividend, payable Dec. 24 to
stockholders of record on Dec. 7.

Marcus and Berger
Meet Sales Heads

Leaders of Allied States Associa-
tion, namely Ben Marcus, i)rcsident of
the exhibitor grt)up, and Ben Berger,
president of North Central Allied, met
here yesterday with the sales heads of
three film com])anies.

Marcus and Berger visited with
\V. Schwalberg, president of Para-
mount Film Distributing Corp., in the
morning and later lunched with
Charles Feldnian, vice-president and
general sales manager, and Ray Moon,
assistant general sales manager, of
Universal Pictures. Berger, in the
afternoon, met with William Heine-
man, United Artists vice-president in
charge of distribution.

Say Mission Was 'Product'

Officials of the film companies re-
ported that the Allied leaders merely
called about securing product for their
own theatres and generally discussed
the industry problems. However, Ber-
ger stated early yesterday when he
stepped out of Schwalberg's office for
a moment, that "industry problems and
trade grievances were discussed."

Marcus reported that he merely
paid "courtesy calls on his friends
here" during the day. It should be
noted that during last August, Marcus
along with Abram F. Meyers, Wilbur
Snaper. Jack Kirsch and Nathan
Yamins, met with the sales heads of
all the film companies except United
Artists and Universal over alleged
trade grievances.

One sales official, with, whom the
Allied officials talked, stated that noth-
ing specific was considered and that
the ills and woes of motion pictures
today were discussed generally. An-
other executive said that the North
Central exhibitor was seeking product
for his theatre.

A^. Allied Meets
In Passaic Today

New Jersey Allied will conduct a
luncheon meeting for its, general mem-
bership today prior to playing host
at its annual beefsteak dinner at the
Ritz Restaurant in Passaic, N. J., to-
night, which will be attended by some
150 industry officials.

During the afternoon meeting. New
Jersey Allied members will discuss
future state legislation, toll television,
theatre attendance as related to state
economic conditions, the proposed
.A.llied bill for federal regulation of
the industry, and the film companies'
sales policies.

The membership will also hear a
report on the national Allied conven-
tion by the national director, Irving
Dollinger.

RKO Pathe Moves
To RKO Home Office

RKO-Pathe will move its offices
next Monday to 1270 Avenue of the
Americas, where RKO Radio Pictures
has its home office, it was announced
yesterday by Jay Bonafield, vice-presi-
dent of RKO-Pathe. The organization
is currently at 625 Madison Ave.

Production operations will continue
at the RKO-Pathe Studios at 105 East
106th Street.

NSS, NLRB to
Meet Next Week

National Screen Service's sched-
uled meeting with the National
Labor Relations Board has been
postponed until next week. In
the meantime, NSS officials and
representatives of Home Office
Employees Union, H-63, lATSE,
are meeting to determine the
eligibility of employees to vote
in the forthcoming elections for
a bargaining agent.

M-G-M's Taris' Bows
Tonight at Capitol

One of the most elaborate premieres
in the history of M-G-M will take
place tonight when "The Last Time
I Saw Paris" opens at the Capitol
Theatre here on Broadway, with all
receipts going to the New York In-
firmary and to the North Shore Hos-
pital, Manhasset, L. I.

The stars of the picture, which is
in color by Technicolor, Elizabeth
Taylor and Van Johnson, will be in
the audience, also to include many
top industry leaders and celebrities.

The premiere will be staged Holly-
wood style, with all the events and
the trappings of the Capitol Theatre
keyed to the spirit of Paris. There
will be a French cafe and a revolving
kiosk in the lobby. Gendarmes will
open the doors of cars arriving at the
theatre. Odette, who sings in the pic-
ture, will be in the lobby 'with an ac-
cordion accompanist, singing songs in
French and English. Violinists in
Left Bank costumes will also perform.

'She Wolf Strong in
Opening Bookings

In its initial engagements in the
English language version, "The She
Wolf" is setting a strong pace, accord-
ing to Jules Levey who is presenting
the picture through Republic.

In its first week at the Lafayette
in Buffalo, the film pulled a heavy
$15,000, Levey said. At the Loop in
Chicago, where it is in for an inde-
finite run, "The She Wolf" grossed
a big $14,000 in its opening week,
he said.

Herbert Hale Dies

Herbert Dudley Hale, a writer for
RKO-Pathe and producer of docu-
mentary films, died here yesterday at
the age of 62. He had joined RKO-
Pathe in 1940 as a script writer for
newsreels, and was probably best
known for his writing and produc-
tion of many documentaries for the
U. S. Government. He was a veteran
of World War I.

Klune Leaving H-L

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 17. — Ray
Klune, production executive, has re-
quested and obtained release from his
contract with Hecht-Lancaster Pro-
ductions, effective Dec. 31. Klune,
who joined the company last August
after a long career with several ma-
jor studios, will announce a future
affiliation on leaving H-L.

Report Minneapolis
Projectionists Plan
Strike Notice Filing

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 17. — The '
Projectionists' Local No. 219, lATSE,
will file a strike notice Saturday
against two independently-owned loop
theatres and more than 20 independent
neighborhood and suburban sub-run
houses, it was learned yesterday.

The strike notice will be filed with
the Minnesota State Labor Conciliator i(
exactly 10 days before the expiration '
of the present three-year contract. ,
Union officials have not admitted that ':|
the notice will be filed nor have any J
members of the exhibitor negotiators |
team headed by Ted Mann been no-
tified.

Talks Started Month Ago

Negotiations opened in Minneapolis
more than a month ago with the
union demanding a series of pay in-
creases which total approximately 30
per cent over the three-year period,
an extra week of vacation, and ad-
ditional preparation time.

The exhibitors countered with a flat
offer of a 25 per cent cut from the
current scale and a one-man drive-in
booth. After hearing the terms out-
lined, Mann and the union negotiators
left and have not resumed discussions.

It v\.'as believed that the union was
filing the strike notice in an effort
to force a quick decision with the in-
dependent exhibitors, thereby avoiding
a "two-front" war when they begin
negotiations with Minnesota Amuse-
ment Co. and RKO Theatres on a
contract to replace the current agree-
ment which expires on Dec. 31.

Wants Compo Meet
3 Times Yearly

The 30 state, regional theatre and
equipment organizations which com-
prise the Council of Motion Picture
Organizations should meet more often
to plan a steady approach to problems,
Robert W. Coyne, special counsel of
COMPO, said.

COMPO should meet at least three
times a year, Coyne added, to move
closer to true integration, closer to
complete information, closer to real
protection, and closer to dynamic
progress.

Presently, the group gets excited
only at emergencies, he warned.

Coyne's position was contained in
his speech which he delivered at Mon-
day's meeting of the executive com-
mittee of the Council of Motion Pic-
ture Organizations, the contents of
which were released yesterday.

Steve Cochran Firm
Forms Tangent Films [

Tangent Films, Inc., has been
formed as a subsidiary of Robert Alex- 1
ander Productions with offices here, it
was announced by Steve Cochran,
chairman of the board. !

The company will produce commer-
cial and documentary films for the en-
tertainment, industrial and business
world. These films will be made for
distribution to theatres and television ]
stations through sj'ndication, it was

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc.. 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke.
Advertising Manager; Gus II. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor,' Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, lOc

Thursday, November 18, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Fanchon and Marco
Appeals Trust Suit
To Supreme Court

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17. —
Fanchon & Marco, Inc., appealed to
the Supreme Court a lower court de-
cision throwing out an anti-trust suit
it brought against eight major distrib-
utors, National Theatres and Fox
West Coast Theatres.

The suit charged the defendants
with conspiring against F & M's
Baldwin Theatre by denying it first-
run films. Los Angeles District Court
judge Leon Yankwich threw out the
suit, and the Ninth Circuit Court of
Appeals upheld Yankwich.

No 'Conspiracy' Found

Both the district and circuit courts
held that in denying first-run films
to the Baldwin, the distributors had
not acted as part of a conspiracy nor
had they acted unreasonably, but that
each distributor had acted indepen-
dently and through the exercise of its
own business judgment.

In appealing" the decision to the
Supreme Court, F & M declared it
was entitled to a verdict— if for no
other reason — on the basis of the find-
ings and decrees in the government's
Paramount case. It pointed out that
the decrees required substantial di-
vorcement, and that this divorcement
had not been carried out in the Los
Angeles area at the time F & A! was
trying to get first-run films for the
Baldwin.

Calls 'Time' Only Difference

"This case and the Paramount case
do not deal with dififerent, but similar,
conspiracies and monopolizations, but
with precisely the same conspiracy and
monopolization," the appeals brief de-
clared. "The only difference between
the two cases is a short interval of
time, in that this case is a specific
instance of the actual operation of the
same conspiracy to a single inde-
pendent exhibitor beginning in 1949,
shortly after the decision of this court
in the Paramount case in May, 1949,
and before the proceedings in the Dis-
trict Court on the mandate of this
court in that case had been concluded.
A decision precisely the reverse of
that of this court in the Paramount
case was reached in this case by the
District Court."

Si Fabian Pioneer of the Year

Rank's * Excellency*
To Joseph Brenner

Joseph Brenner Associates, here,
has consummated a deal with the J.
Arthur Rank Organization for the
national distribution of "His Excel-
lency," which stars Eric Portman,
Cecil Parker, and Susan Shaw.

"His Excellency" was produced at
the Ealing Studios by Sir Michael
Balcon. The picture will have its
American premiere in New York
shortly, it was announced.

{Continued from page 1)

that necessity will be the mother of
invention and we will and must
evolve a new set of trade practices,
which will be favorable to both the
buyer and the seller.

"I have great faith in the future of
our industry — a vision that a motion
picture in a theatre will continue to
be the most popular mass entertain-
ment. The theatre screen is still the
greatest medium for story-telling that
has ever been invented — and I see
nothing on the horizon that can sur-
pass it.

Must Meet 'Competition'

"We have made a great discovery
in recent years. We have discovered
that technological improvement is as
miportant to us as it is to other Amer-
ican industries. And we must inspire
and support the continuation of tech-
nological improvement to improve our
own service to the public and to meet
any advances in competing entertain-
ment.

"In our time we have worried about
many forms of new competition. You
remember how radio frightened us.
It was supposed to be the funeral of
the picture business. And night base-
ball, and bowling, and household
gadgets using up the entertainment
dollar ; and the most frightening dan-
ger of all, television. The spectacu-
lars ride the airwaves but we can say
we have met the best of television —
and we are holding our own.

"When you look at the many ways
in which our beloved country is grow-
ing, how can any man lack faith in
tomorrow's motion picture theatre
business ? Soon we will be a nation
of 175,000,000 people — a people with
the highest incomes, the most leisure,
more literacy, wider education than
any land since the world was born. A
huge new movie age generation is
coming up.

Sees 'Golden Age' in Offing

"Are we defeatists? Are we pre
pared to say that our industry cannot
share in this growth, cannot develop
the greatest weekly movie audience of
all time? I believe we can. Forty
years an exhibitor — and I believe the
golden era of the motion picture is
coming up on the horizon.

"To all the sons of the pioneers,
I say, soon we will pass on to you and
your generation a wonderful indus

Thomas to Produce
Third Cinerama

"Seven Wonders of the World,"
the third Cinerama feature, will
be produced by Lowell Thomas.
The announcement was made
last night by Thomas at the
Motion Picture Pioneers dinner
at the Sheraton Astor Hotel
here.

Plaque Inscription
To Si H. Fabian

Following is the text of the in-
scription on the plaque pre-
sented to Si Fabian as "Pio-
neer of the Year" at the annual
Motion Picture Pioneers dinner
last night:

"To Simon H. Fabian for his
distinguished personal and pub-
lic service to the motion picture
industry ; for his pioneering con-
tributions to the business of mo-
tion picture exhibition; for his
leadership in exploring new and
exciting mediums through Cine-
rama; for his inspiration and
counsel in industry affairs; for
his outstanding position as a
major industrialist, but above all
for his great and good heart in
all humanitarian causes.

"The M. P. Pioneers, Inc., on
the occasion of his 40th year in
the motion picture industry, be-
stows its highest honor, Pioneer
of the Year, at the 16th annual
dinner Nov. 17, 1954."

try, in many ways, strong, virile and
indestructible. Yet, beset by strife,
greed, lack of true statesmanship and
an unwillingness to recognize the
massive inherent strength we possess
when we stand together. You come
into this industry, vigorous, intelli-
gent, impatient with the old divisions,
the old strife. Let the past bury its
own battles. You must create in the
era of your own leadership a better
business than we leave in your hands."

'Ambassador' Murphy Heard

As an overture to "The Si Fabian
Story," written by Mort Sunshine
and narrated by top talent, acting
master of ceremonies George Murphy
said : "Sometimes I am called the
motion picture industry's good-will
ambassador. That phrase never had
more meaning for me than it does
right now. Tonight I am serving as
your representative, as are the other
stars of stage, screen and television,
to express the good-will that this in-
dustry feels toward Si Fabian for his
substantial contributions to its prog-
ress on the occasion of his 40th
anniversary in the motion picture in-
' dustry. This is an industry which he

loves and to which he has devoted
himself far beyond the call of his own
business. He is a true pioneer — still
pioneering. For Si, his industry life
is just beginning at 40 years."

Narration of the Fabian career was
begun by ABC commentator John
Daly, with Murphy, Walter Abel,
Judy Holliday, Van Johnson, Bill
Stern and Lowell Thomas each pre-
senting a chapter of the Fabian story.
Interspersed were songs by the Deep
River Boys, Dore Brooks, Licia
Albanese, Judy Johnson, Paula Stew-
art, Bill Hayes, Dorothy .Sarnoff and
others.

Started in Paterspn

The story of Fabian's career began
with the awakening of his father's in-
terest in theatres in Paterson, N. J.,
at the turn of the century, and the
transferal of that interest to the son.
In humorous and "kidding" vein the
script continued to spin out the
Fabian story up to the present, includ-
ing his recent acquisitions of the
Stanley Warner Theatres, Cinerama,
International Latex and his role in
the formation of Theatre Owners of
America and his numerous other in-
dustry, patriotic and humanitarian ac-
tivities.

Herman Robbins, president of Na-
tional Screen Service, as general
chairman of the dinner, made the in-
troductory remarks for the evening's
program. The induction was by Rabbi
B. Birstein.

38 New Members

Judge Ferdinand Pecora and Jack
Cohn conducted the induction cere-
mony for 38 new Pioneers. They
were :

R. W. Altschuler, M. J. Baranco,
Bernard P. Brooks, J. Glenn Cald-
well, George A. Crouch, Frank J. Da-
mis, Harold Danson, Robert Deitch,
Irving Farber, David Fogelson, Harry
Goldberg, Edgar Goth, Foster Hath-
away, Maurice Henry, Elmer Hirth,
Samuel Hacker, A. J. Howard,
Arthur Israel, Jr., Jack Judd, Lacy
Kastner, Frank Kiernan, Joseph Lef-
kowitz, Louis Lober, Herman Lor-
ence, Herman Maier, W. Frank
Marshall, Howard Minsky, W. Stew-
art McDonald, Charles McGowan,
Charles Oelreich, Matthew Polon,
Ralph Poucher, Louis Ribnitzki, Rob-
ert Sherman, Charles Smakwitz, Dan-
iel L. Sonney, Johnnie Waters and
Anthony Williams.

Four Regional Meets
Set By Va. MPTO

RICHMOND, Nov. 17.— Leonard
Gordon, president of Virginia Motion
Picture Theatre Association, an-
nounced that the one-day exhibitors
meeting originally planned for Rich-
mond, on Dec. 8, had been cancelled.

To replace this, in an effort to bring
every possible Virginia exhibitor into
the discussion of conditions and prac-
tices now existing in the industry,
four meetings will be held through-
out the state. The first of these will
be at the Hague Club, Norfolk, on
Nov. 23, with Sidney Bowden, Nor-
folk, as chairman.

Other meetings will be held at the
George Wythe Hotel, Wytheville,
Nov. 30, with John Lester, Wytheville,
as chairman : Natural Bridge Hotel,
on Dec. 1, with Charles Grimes, Wash-
ington, chairman, and Jefferson Hotel,

'Scope Impresses
Greek Trade Fair

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17.— Cine-
maScope made an impressive perform-
ance at the recent Salonika Interna-
tional Trade Fair in Greece, according
to a U. S. Information Agency offi-
cial.

Bart N. Stephens, who served as
U.S. LA. public affairs officer in
Greece, said the film exhibit at the
Trade Fair "impressed even the Rus-
sians." "We introduced CinemaScope
to Greek audiences at a large outdoor
theatre which was always filled to ca-
pacity," he reported. "We showed
American documentaries and films
loaned to our program by 20th Cen-
tury-Fox."

Richmond, on Dec. 2, with Sy Hoff-
man, Richmond, chairman.

Both Gordon and Carlton Duffus,
executive secretary of the association,
will attend all meetings.

May Drop Plan to
End Loyalty Unit

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17.— Rep.
Walter (D., Pa.) said he would prob-
ably abandon his plans to have the
new Congress do away with the House
UnAmerican Activities Committee.

Walter, who is in line to head the
committee, had earlier suggested that
the committee be abolished and its
Communist-hunting activities trans-
ferred to a House judiciary subcom-
mittee. He was here today to discuss
the idea with Rep. Rayburn of Texas,
who'll be Speaker in the new Demo-
cratic House. However, the present
speaker. Rep. Martin (R., Mass.) said
today he thought most Republicans
would oppose the Walter proposal, and
Walter later said that he felt this
stand of Martin's would force him to
give up his plan to abolish the com-
mittee.

37 DAYS AND 160 MILLIONfl

Last week, this week and next weekjlil
every day Monday through Friday, thej
famous Art Linkletter Show on CBSpi
Television and Radio, is offering the
World Premiere of 'The Silver Chalice" i\i
as the prize to the city --large or
small --which scores the highest

mail sales during the first three
days of the 1954 Christmas
Seals Campaign

Warner Bros, and
Art Linkletter volunteered
to spearhead this year's
efforts on behalf
of the good people
in every community
who annually support
Christmas Seal sales.

City

NEW YORK CITY. ..WCBS

AKRON WADC

BALTIMORE WCAO

BOSTON (WEEI

BUFFALO ,WGR

CEDAR RAPIDS WMT

CHICAGO WBBM

CINCINNATI WKRC

CLEVELAND WGAR

DES MOINES KRNT

DETROIT WJR

HARTFORD WDRC

INDIANAPOLIS. . . . WFBM

KANSAS CITY KMBC

OMAHA-LINCOLN. , KFAB

lOUlSVILLE WHAS

PHILADELPHIA WCAU

PITTSBURGH WJAS

PROVIDENCE WPRO

ST. LOUIS KMOX

SYRACUSE WFBL

WJBK-TV WASHINGTON WTOP WTOP-TV

WORCESTER WTAG

WFBM-TV DU BOIS WCED

WHB-TV COLUMBUS, O WBNS WBNS-TV

KMTV DAYTON WHIG WHIG-TV

WHAS-TV HARRISBURG WHP

WCAU-TV ROCHESTER WHEC WVET-TV

WDTV TROY WTRY

ALLENTOWN WHOL

KSO-TV ALTOONA WVAM

WHEN ANDERSON, IND...WHBU

ASHLAND; WCMI.

ATLANTIC CITY WFPG.

BANGOR WGUY

BECKLEY WJLS.

BINGHAMTON WNBF WNBF-TV

BURLINGTON, VT. . WCAX

CHAMPAIGN WOWS WCLA-TV

CHARLESTON,

W. VIRGINIA... WCHS

CONCORD WKXL

CUMBERLAND WCUM

DANVILLE WDAN

DECATUR WSOY

ELMIRA WELM

EVANSVILLE WEOA ...

FAIRMOUNT WMMN

FT. WAYNE WANE

FREDERICK WFMD

GLOVERSVILLE WENT

GRAND RAPIDS WJEF WOOD-TV

INDIANA WDAD

City Radio TV

ITHACA WHCU

HOPKINSVILLE WHOP

SPRINGFIELD, ILL.. WTAY

JOPLIN KSWM

JOHNSTOWN WARD

KALAMAZOO WKZO WKZO-TV

KEENE WKNE

KOKOMO WIGU

MANCHESTER WFEA

MILWAUKEE WISN WCAN-TV

ROCK ISLAND, ILL.. WHBF WHBF-TV

MUNCIE WLBC

PARKERSBURG WPAR

PEORIA WMBD

PORTLAND, ME.... WGAN

PORTSMOUTH WPAY

QUINCY WTAD

READING WHUM WHUM-TV

RICHMOND WRVA WTVR

SCRANTON WGBI WGBI-TV

SOUTH BEND WSBT

Radio

City

SPRINGFIELD,

MASS VVMAS

SPRINGFIELD, MO.. KTTS

SUNBURY WKOK

TERRE HAUTE WTHI

TOPEKA WIBW

UNIONTOWN WMBS

UTICA WIBX

WATERBURY WBRY

WATERTOWN WWNY

WHEELING WWVA

WICHITA KFH KWFT-T\

YOUNGSTOWN WKBN

WILLIAMSPORT WWPA

PADUCAH WPAD

CONCORDIA KFRM

ANDERSON WAIM

ASHEVILLE WWNC

AUGUSTA WRDW

CHARLESTON, S.C..WCSC

CHARLOTTE WBT WBT\

lEOPLE TO CHRISTMAS. ..AND

There will be a five-times-a-week campaign

3ver 69 TV stations and 203 radio stations --

with Warner Bros, proudly staging the

World Premiere of ''The Silver Chalice,"

with Art Linkletter, in person, as Master of Ceremonies,

and stars, lights, press, TV, radio and newsreel

coverage in the winning city or town.*

THE DATE OF THE WORLD PREMIERE:
DECEMBER 17th

Tell your patrons how you are co-operating . . .
how they can co-operate!

A GREAT CAUSE!... A GREAT PICTURE!
A GREAT PROMOTION!

From the Novel by THOMAS B. COSTAIN • A VICTOR SAVILLE Production starring

^ The results will be
judged in proportion
to the population
of the cities and
towns. Size of the
community is not
important . . . the only
condition is that the
local theatre must be
equipped to exhibit
a CinemaScope
production.

VIRGINIA

PIER

JACK

introducing PAUL

MP -ANGELI-PALANCE- NEWMAN

Written for the screen
by

LESSER SAMUELS,
Associate Producer

Radio

Music composed & conducted by Franz Waiman

Directed by *

VICTOR SAVILLE :

WarnerColor

STEREOPHONIC SOUND

The record-sefting
Best-Seller that
has sold over
3 million copies
— and it s still
going strong!

City

COLUMBIA, S.C WMSC

DURHAM WDNC

FAYETTEVILLE WFAI

GREENSBORO WBIG WFMY-TV

GREENVILLE, S.C. .WAKE

ROANOKE WDBJ

SAVANNAH WTiOC

SPARTANBURG WSPA

WILSON WGTM

ALBANY, GA WGPC

ATHENS WGAU

ATLANTA WAGA WAGA-TV

BIRMINGHAM WAPI WBRC-TV

COLUMBUS. GA....WRBL WBNS-TV

JACKSON, MISS WJQS

KNOXVILLE WNOX WTSK-TV

LITTLE ROCK KTHS ■.

MACON WMAZ

WINSTON-SALEM., WTOB

CHATTANOOGA WOOD

COOKEVILLE WHUB

MEMPHIS WREC WHBQ-TY

Radio

City

MERIDIAN WCOC

MOBILE WKRG..

MONTGOMERY WCOV

NASHVILLE WLAC WLAC-TV

NEW ORLEANS WWL

PENSACOLA WBSR

SELMA WGWC.

AMARILLO KLYN "

AUSTIN KTBC

CORPUS CHRISTI. . . KEYS. . .

DALLAS KRLD

FORT SMITH KFPW. .

HARLINGTON KGBS. .

HOUSTON KTRH. . .

LAKE CHARLES KLOU. .

KFOA-TV
KTBC-TV

KRDl-TV

OKLAHOMA CITY. . KOMA

SAN ANTONIO KTSA

SHREVEPORT KWKH.

TULSA KTUL

WICHITA FALLS. . . KWFT

FT. MYERS WINK.

JACKSONVILLE WMBR

KWTV
KEYL-TV

KOTV
KWFT-TV

wmbr-'tV

City Radio TV

MIAMI WGBS WTVJ

ORLANDO WDBO

ST. AUGUSTINE WFOY

SARASOTA WSPB

TALLAHASSEE WTAL

TAMPA WDAE

W. PALM BEACH. . WJNO

JAMESTOWN KSJB

DULUTH KDAL

GRAND FORKS KILO

GREEN BAY WBAY

MADISON WKOW

MASON CITY KGLO

MINNEAPOLIS WCCO WCCO-TV

Ml NOT KCJB

YANKTON WNAX

RAPID CITY KOTA

ALBUQUERQUE KGGM

BOISE KDSH

BUTTE KBOW

CARLSBAD KAVE

CEDAR CITY .KSUB

City Radio

COLO. SPRINGS. . . KVOR. .

COOLIDGE KCKY. .

DENVER KLZ

EL PASO KROD. .

GREAT FALLS KFBB. .

IDAHO FALLS KID. . .

LAS VEGAS KLAS. .

ODESSA KOSA. .

PHOENIX KOOL.

SCOTTSBLUFF KOLT. .

KENNEWICK KWIE. .

NOGALES KNOG.

BILLINGS KOOK.

MISSOULA KGVO.

POCATELLO KJRl. . .

SALT LAKE CITY. . . KSL

SANTA FE KVSF. .

SILVER CITY KSIL. . .

TUCSON KOPO.

TWIN FALLS KEEP. .

YUMA, ARIZ KOLD..

NORTH BEND KFIR...

KLZ-TV

KSL-TV

City Radio TV

BAKERSFIELD KERN

CHICO KXOC

FRESNO KFRE

LOS ANGELES KNX KNXT

PALM SPRINGS KCMJ

PORTLAND, ORE.. . KOIN KOIN-TV

RENO KOLD

SACRAMENTO KROY

SAN DIEGO KCBO KFMB-TV

SAN FRANCISCO. . .KCBS KPIX

STOCKTON KGDM

MEOFORD KYJC

EUGENE KERG

EUREKA KHUM

MONTEREY KMBY

SEATTLE KIRO

SPOKANE KXLY KXLY-TV

YAKIMA KIMA

REDDING, CAL KVCV

HILO, HAWAII KHBC

HONOLULU,

HAWAII KCNB

Motion Picture Daily

Thursday, November 18, 1954

Command Performance of 'Desiree ^atRoxy

Stars and leading figures from all branches of the entertain-
ment world joined with representatives of European nobility last
night at the command performance of "Desiree," held at the Roxy
Theatre here. The opening of 20th Century-Fox's dramatization
of the life and times of Napoleon received radio, TV and news-
reel coverage. Seen above entering the Roxy just prior to the

start of the performance are, first photo : Charles Einfeld, vice-
president of 20th Century-Fox, and Jack Benny. Second photo,
left to right: Julian Blaustein, producer of "Desiree"; Mrs.
Blaustein and Mrs. and Mr. Daniel Taradash, writer of the film's
screenplay. Third photo, Harry Cohn, president of Columbia
Pictures.

Censorship Attacked
As Undemocratic
By Mrs, Dawson

special to THE DAILY
ALBANY, Nov. 17.— Not a single
state has adopted censorship since the
inception of the motion picture indus-
try's Production Code. This was the
report brought to the influential
women's City Club by Mrs. M. Mar-
jorie Dawson, member of the Motion
Picture Association of America public
relations staff and head of the Chil-
dren's Film Library, in an address
here on "The Fine Line of Censor-
ship."

Calls It Contradictory

Criticizing state censorship as un-
democratic, unnecessary, contradictory
and biased, Mrs. Dawson said that the
U. S. Supreme Court, in recent de-
cisions had "knocked out" three
grounds for a picture's rejection:
"sacrilegious" in "The Miracle" case ;
"inciting to crime" in "M" and "im-
moral" in "La Ronde."

This left only "licentious, obscene
and indecent" as statutory reasons for
license denial. All three, the speaker
emphasized, are covered by the police
laws of cities and states, which can,
and sometimes do, close theatres vio-
lating them. Mrs. Dawson pointed
out that New York City had no "cen-
sorship statute, yet the police had
closed burlesque."

Criticizes 'Subterfuge'

She was highly critical of the "sub-
terfuge" by which motion pictures arc
censored not only for Boston, but actu-
ally for a large area of New England
— through the board established to con-
trol what can be shown on Sunday.
Mrs. Dawson pointed out that the
voters of Massachusetts, in a referen-
rum, had defeated a proposal for cen-
sorship, nevertheless. She also paid
her respects to Lloyd T. Binford, the
Memphis censor.

She said she had never known of a
picture on which "the censors of all
states agreed" ; their rulings "reflect
their personal preferences and predi-
lections." Censorship is a substantial
source of revenue, is "gravy" to states
licensing motion pictures, Mrs. Daw-
son declared.

{Continued from page 1)

CinemaScope production of Annemarie
Selinko's Napoleonic drama starring
Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Merle
Oberon and Michael Rennie.

Miss Oberon and Julian Blaustein,
producer of the film, headed a large
and distinguished audience at the pre-
miere, whose invitational roster in-
cluded prominent members of French
and Swedish nobility as well as lead-
ing executives and stars of the indus-
try on this side of the Atlantic.

Wide Coverage Given

Local, national and international
TV, radio and newsreel coverage sur-
rounded the opening, with Tex and
Jinx McCrary interviewing guests on
a special live 30-minute TV show over
WPIX, between 8 :30 and 9 P.M. Ray
Heatherton tape-recorded personality
interviews for his Mutual network
radio show, while the Armed Forces
Radio Service and Voice of America
also taped interviews for rebroadcast-

ing in Europe, South America and the
Far East.

Movietone newsreels and a battery
of still photographers from the metro-
politan newspapers and wire services
also were on the premiere scene photo-
graphing many of the guests.

World Premiere of 'Desiree'
Sets Frisco Benefit Record

SAN P^RANCISCO, Nov. 17. —
Twentieth Century-Fox's "Desiree,"
which opened here yesterday at the
Fox Theatre to a sold-out house, was
held as a benefit for the San Fran-
cisco Newspaper Guild. The proceeds,
donated to the guild, are estimated by
the management to be greater than
four previous charity openings at the
theatre.

Governor Goodwin J. Knight and
San Francisco Mayor Elmer Robinson
headed a delegation of civic, business
and social leaders to the opening.

Christmas Dates
For 'HanseV in N.Y,

Michael Myerberg's "Hansel and
Gretel" will be the Christmas holiday
attraction in 100 theatres in the New
York area, it was announced yester-
day by Walter Branson, world-wide
sales manager of RKO.

"Hansel and Gretel" currently is in
its sixth week at the Broadway The-
atre.

To Re-Equip Astor

The Astor Theatre here will close
for three days prior to the world
premiere of Walt Disney's Cinema-
Scope-Technicolor production, "20,000
Leagues Under the Sea" Thursday,
Dec. 23, to prepare for the gala open-
ing. The theatre will undergo com-
plete refurbishing, and a CinemaScope
screen and stereophonic soiand equip-
ment will be installed.

///. Allied to Celebrate

CHICAGO, Nov. 17.— Jack Kirsch,
president of Allied Theatres of Illi-
nois, has announced that the organi-
zation's 24th anniversary celebration
would be held on Dec. 29, at the Chez
Paree here.

Decca, Univ. Join
In 'Paris' Album

Universal-International and Decca
Records are joining promotional forces
again for the promotion of the sound
track album of "So This Is Paris,"
the rhusic from the U-I Technicolor
film production starring Tony Curtis,
Gloria De Haven, Gene Nelson, Cor-
inne Calvet and Paul Gilbert.

The pattern of the promotional
campaign is expected to follow that
of "The Glenn Miller Story," one of
the most successful albums in Decca's
history and the biggest grossing film
in the history of Universal.

Pat he Closes Deal

Pathe Laboratories has closed a
three-picture deal with Palo Alto Pro-
ductions, headed by Roger Gorman
and James Nicholson. The first pic-
ture, entitled "Five Guns West," rolls
on Saturday and will be in Pathecolor.

Jensen Rites Today

Funeral services for Emil Jensen,
industry executive who died here
Monday, will be held this evening at
8 o'clock at Campbell's Funeral Home,
81st St. and Madison Ave.

People

Roland Gammon, former editor of
"See," and well known in the indus-
try as the discoverer of Elaine
Stewart, is the co-author of a book
on the world's religions titled "The
Truth Is One."

Adele Harris, daughter of Ted
Harris, partner in the State Thea-
tre, Hartford, who recently became
Mrs. Ozzie Levinson, is honey-
mooning in Bermuda.

Louis and Maury Sher, operators
of the Bexley Art Theatre, Col-
umbus, plan to open an art house
in Shaker Heights, suburb of Cleve-
land.

George Cothran, booker in the
Atlanta exchange of Allied Artists,
will be married on Nov. 24 to Patri-
cia Akins.

Ivan Hore, has been named man-
ager of the Riviera Theatre, a unit
of the J. J. Parker circuit, in Asto-
ria, Ore.

Harry Furst has resigned as man-
ager of the Plaza Theatre, Stam-
ford, Conn.

Harry Alexander, operator of the
Middletown, N. Y., Drive-In and
former Universal salesman in Al-
bany, was presented with a wrist
watch at a dinner given last week
by the Albany Variety Club.

'Girr Here Dec. 16

"The Country Girl," Paramount's
film version of the Broadway play,
starring Bing Crosby, Grace" Kelly
and William Holden, will open at the
Criterion Theatre, New York, on Dec.
16, following the long-run engagement
there of "Sabrina."

Thursday, November 18, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

TOA Films

(Continiu^d from page 1)

to the summing up of views expressed
by Levy and endorsed by Martin.

The major companies will be barred
for two reasons, Levy stated ; one,
because the plan of the newly formed
company is to stimulate additional pro-
duction, supplementing rather than
substituting for the lineup of product
available, and two, the contention that
the cost of distribution through the
majors is too
h i g h, thereby
resulting in
hiked film
rentals.

Investment in
the $10,000,000
capitalized E F-
F G will not be
restricted to
exhibitors, al-
though they
will be offered
the stock first,
Levy stated,
adding that the
stock invest-
ment later might be opened to the
public and all other agencies who can
legally come into the plan.

The necessary papers will be filed
shortly in Delaware for incorporation
and with the Securities and Exchange
Commission in Washington, Levy said,
in response to a question. It custom-
arily takes three to four weeks for
the granting of such an application
with the SEC, Levy added.

Brochure Ready Soon

Within a few weeks, exhibitors of
the country will receive a brochure
outlining the project and inviting them
to subscribe, it was stated. Levy went
on to say that producers already have
been in touch with TOA expressing
an interest in the plan, while exhibi-
tors also have evidenced a wide in-
terest to participate financially, al-
though no subscriptions have been
received pending clearance by SEC.

Martin, speaking on developments
since the recent TOA national conven-
tion, said that TOA is continuing its
multiple-pronged attack on the product
front by stimulating independent pro-
duction through financing, by contact-
ing all foreign producers to make pic-
tures that are slanted more to the
American market, and by stepping up
appeals to American film companies.

"It won't be necessary for Rank to
spend a few million dollars to get out-
lets for his product here," Martin de-
clared, if the British producer would
slant his pictures for the U. S. Martin
referred to J. Arthur Rank's statement
that he may purchase theatres in the
U. S. to gain what he thinks is a
fairer play on American screens.

Returning to EFFG, the three
TOA leaders were unanimous in
their declaration that EFFG ex-
hibitor investors will not be
favored in the sale of EFFG-
financed pictures, with Levy ex-
plaining that the law proscribes
such discriminatory selling.
They contended, however, that
it is to the interests of exhibi-
tors to invest in EFFG, first,
because production today is a
sound investment and, second,
because EFFG will increase the
available product line-up. Hope
was expressed, in addition, that
the resulting boost in the prod-
uct would bring down rentals.

Pinanski indicated that EFFG will

Columbia Has 39 Films in Current Lineup

{Continued from page 1)

CinemaScope-Technicolor tribute to
West Point, starring Tyrone Power
and Maureen O'Hara and co-starring
Robert Francis, Donald Crisp and
Ward Bond and directed by Ford,
produced by Robert Arthur ; "Joseph
and His Brethren," said to be the most
e.xpensive production in Columbia his-
tory, to be filmed in CinemaScope and
Technicolor. Footage has already
been recorded in Egypt. This will be
a personal production of executive
producer Jerry Wald ; "The End of
the Affair," starring Deborah Kerr
and Van Johnson, filmed in London by
David Rose's Coronado productions,
with Edward Dmytryk directing and
David Lewis producing. "The Man
From Laramie," the first offering of
William Goetz Productions, starring
James Stewart in an outdoor drama
filmed in CinemaScope and Techni-
color in New Mexico and directed by
Anthony Mann ; "Three for the
Show, ' starring Betty Grable, Marge
and Gower Champion and Jack Lem-
mon in a CinemaScope-Technicolor
musical. H. C. Potter directed for
producer Jonie Taps with the music
of George and Ira Gershwin and
Hoagy Carmichael ; "The Violent
Men," in CinemaScope and Techni-
color, starring Glenn Ford, Barbara
Stanwyck and Edward G. Robinson.
Rudolph Mate directed, Lewis J.
Rachmil produced.

'Sister Eileen' Scheduled

"Phffft," comedy starring Judy Hol-
liday. Jack Lemmon, Jack Carson and
Kim Movak, directed by Mark Rob-
son, produced by Fred Kohlmar ; "My

Sister Eileen," CinemaScope and
Technicolor musical version of the
stage i)lay starring Janet Leigh,
Betty Garrett and Jack Lemmon. Di-
rected by Richard Quine, produced by
Kohlmar ; "A Prize of Gold," in Tech-
nicolor, starring Richard Widmark,
Mai Zetterling and Nigel Patrick. A
W arwick production, directed by Mark
Rcbson for producers Irving Allen
and Albert R. Broccoli. "Tight Spot,"
stairing Ginger Rogers, Edward G.
Robinson and Brian Keith ; directed
by Phil Karlson and produced by
Lewis J. Rachmil; "The Black
Knight," Alan Ladd Technicolor
drama, also starring Patricia Medina.
A Warwick production, directed by
Tay Garnett ; "The Duchin Story,"
the life story of the pianist and orches-
tra leader, with screenplay by Moss
Hart and production by Jerry Wald.

Gable Starrer Set

"The Young Virginians," based on
James Warner Bellah's "The Valiant
Virginians" ; "Captain Calico," Tech-
nicolor drama for which William
Goetz will star Clark Gable; "Picnic,"
based on the Pultizer Prize winning
play ; "Pal Joey," from the Rodgers
and Hart Broadway musical comedy;
"Reminiscenes of a Cowboy," based on
the Frank Harris book, to be filmed
in Cinem.aScope and Technicolor ; "The
Brothers Ricco," to be produced by
William Goetz ; "The Franz Liszt
Story," to be made in the same spirit
as one of Columbia's greatest box-
oflice hits, "A Song to Remember."

"Deadlock," starring Stewart Gran-
ger and Jean Simmons, in a Techni-
color Film Locations, Ltd., production.
Arthur Lubin will direct in England

for producer Mike Frankovich ; "The
Detective," starring Alec Guinness.
Joan Greenwood and Peter Finch are
co-starred. Robert Hamcr directed and
Paul Moss produced ; "Tiie Prisoner,"
to star Alec Guinness and Jack Haw-
kins. Peter Glenville directs and Vi-
vian Cox and Sydney Box are in
charge of production ; "The Stalk," to
star 1 yrone Power and to be filmed
in CinemaScope and Technicolor by
Copa producer Ted Richmond ; "Lor-
enzo, the Magnificent," Copa produc-
tion to star Tyrone Power, pro-
duced by Richmond in CinemaScope
and Technicolor ; "Five Against the
House," starring Guy Madison, Kim
Novak, Brian Keith and Kerwin
Mathews. Phil Karlson directs and
Stirling Silliphant produces, and "The
Gentle Wolfhound," with location film-
ing in Japan, Korea and West Point.
It will be directed and written by
Richard Murphy and produced by
Kohlmar.

Six for Katzman

There will be six from Sam Katz-
man; namely, "Chicago Syndicate,"
with Abbe Lane, Xavier Cugat and
Dennis O'Keefe ; "Duel on the Mis-
sissippi,'' "Masterson of Kansas,"
"New Orleans Uncensored," "The
Gun That Won the West" and "Crea-
ture With the Atom Brain."

Others on the program are Bryan
Foy's "The Bamboo Prison" and
"Women's Prison" ; Harry Joe
Brown's "Ten Wanted Men" ; Wil-
liam Fadiman's "The Gilded Rooster" ;
Charles Schneer's "It Came From
Beneath the Sea" ; Andrew Stone's
"Terror in the Night" and Wallace
MacDonald's "Wyoming Renegades."

Myers

{Continued from page 1)

even while grosses have increased,
Myers emphasized the need to work
to attract new people into theatres.

Trade problems were given a tiior-
ough airing in the morning and after-
noon sessions attended by 200 exhibi-
tors, but no resolutions were passed.

Rembusch Hits Toll TV

Toll television was scored by True-
man Rembusch, national director of
Indiana Allied. He predicted it would
claim the best days of the week and
times of the day, when free television
would not be available to the public.
Ranbusch also declared toll TV is
not comparable to theatre TV, wdiich
leases its own services.

Roy Kalver was reelected president
of Indiana Allied, along with Richard
Pell, vice-president ; Richard Lochry,
treasurer ; Rembusch, national direc-
tor, and William A. Carroll. Execu-
tive secretary.

attempt to maintain a flexible financ-
ing policy, at times securing 30 to 35
per cent of the risk capital, with banks
supplying the remaining financing.
When it was pointed out that most
banks refuse to supply financing unless
the picture has a major distribution
outlet, Pinanski indicated that EFFG's
set-up may relax that policy.

Martin, expressing satisfaction at
the entrance into the production mar-
ket of Distributors Corp. of America,
Makelim Productions and Filmmakers,
said that EFFG may loan "such people
money."

Berger Favors
Toll-TV Fight

The whole motion picture in-
dustry should fight subscription
television because "no good can
be forthcom.ing from that medi-
um," Ben Berger, president of
North Central Allied, stated
here yesterday.

"Toll-TV looms as a menace
and I hope that COMPO will
eventually undertake the fight
on behalf of the industry," Ber-
ger said. Subscriber-TV will
eliminate exhibition because film
producers will deal directly with
the patron, he said.

Martin Asks Parley

{Continued from page 1)

Martin said that if a round table con-
ference cannot be held because of pos-
sible anti-trust violations, then TOA
anticipates calling on individual com-
panies on this problem. The latter
was proposed by Lichtman as a pos-
sible alternative.

In regard to another matter, con-
cerning 20th Century-Fox's enunciated
policy regarding the sale of Cinema-
Scope films on flat rentals, Martin
urged that 20th-Fox send directives to
its field force informing them that the
bar has been lifted in selling Cinema-
Scope films at a flat rental to theatres
doing less than $1,000 a week.

Martin said he would continue
TOA's policy of holding periodic
meetings with sales managers and ad-
vertising and publicity directors.

Montague

( Continued from page 1 )

against the interest of the producer
than anyone else.

The first job, he reminded the mem-
bers, was to recoup for his company
the tremendous investment made by
it in each picture and when possible
to make a profit. Consistent with this
objective, he said, "the company al-
ways has and will continue to keep
an open door for any theatre owners
in trouble, pointing out that this
policy was further emphasized by
the recent announcement of Columbia's
$10,000,000 fund for independent pro-
duction.

In answer to direct questions from
the floor, Montague assured exhibitors
that Columbia would in certain in-
stances sell such films as "The Caine
Mutiny" on a flat rental basis. Once
again he stressed that each case must
be judged on its individual merits and
urged the exhibitors to police them-
selves so that those in need of as-
sistance from the company would not
be victimized by having others with
false claims of necessity riding along
with them.

GET ALL YOUR SPECIAL

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CHICAGO 5. ILL.

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NEW YORK 36, N. Y.

THEY'RE

FIGURING
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PROFITS
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FILM
MEN
MEET !

"Hello
M-G-M _
I wanf i+fbr
Christmas -
New Vfears !"

The Greatest
r array of musi-
cal talent in all
picturedom."

—Hollywood
Reporter

(AVAILABLE IN PERSPECTA
\ STEREOPHONIC OR 1-CHANNEL SOUND)

MOTION PICTURE

DAILY

Is News

NO. 76. NO. 97

NEW YORK, U.S.A., FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1954

TEN CENTS

1955 Message

New Release
Timing Asked
By Ed. Hyman

Bases Call on Experience
With 'Star; 'Christmas'

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

Distributors were called upon here
3'esterday to time the release of some
of their biggest pictures on or about
Thanksgiving holiday next year by
Edward L. Hy-
man, vice-presi-
dent of Amer-
ican Broadcast-
ing - Paramount
Theatres.

Hym m issued
the call in re-
porting that
some big pic-
tures currently
in release are
enj oying such
success at the
box-office that
they will play
r i g h t up to

Christmas time in some situations,
thereby relieving the pre-Christmas
"seasonal" product shortage.

Such pictures as "White Christmas"
{Continued on page 8)

Edward Hyman

AB-Fs Scott Reports:

U.S. Exhibitors Have No
Anti-British Film Slant

By WILLIAM PAY

LONDON, Nov. 18. — There is no anti-British film feeling among American
exhibitors, reported MacGregor Scott, general sales manager of Associated
British-Pathe, following his return here from a survey of the American market.

Scott said that too many British
films have an insular outlook and
American audiences are interested in
the British way of life. While a Brit-
ish film like MGM's "Ivanhoe," deal-
ing with the past, was good box-of-
fice, drawing room comedies of life
in Mayfair and the slums of Birming-
ham did not appeal to the average
American cinemagoer. He had passed
on these observations to Robert Clark,
.A.BPC e-xecutive producer and presi-
dent of British Film Producers' Asso-
ciation.

Five AB-Pathe pictures are cur-
rently in release throughout America
and are expected to yield excellent r-e-
turns, Scott declared. "Duel in the
{Continued on page 6)

Col. in New Talent
Grooming Project

CHICAGO, Nov. 18. — Columbia
Pictures is in the midst of a concerted
ef¥ort to develop new young talent into
potent box office stars for the theatres
of the world, it was announced at the
company's annual sales convention at
the Blackstone Hotel here today.

Company spokesmen pointed out
that not only has the studio signed a
large number of promising actors and
(Continued on page 10)

CEA Resignations
May Bring About
A Reorganization

By Staff Correspondent

LONDON, Nov. 18.— Resignations
of the Rank Organisation and the
Essoldo Circuit, together they repre-
sent over 700 theatres, from the Cine-
matograph Exhibitors Ass'n here is
likely to lead to a streamlining of the
Association's constitution. First step
envisaged is a re-grouping of the
CEA's 26 branches, which would in-
evitably lead to a smaller but more
efficient general council.

fiank-and-file exhibitors are de-
termined that these resignations will
not hamper the effectiveness of CEA's
work. At the last meeting of CEA's
general council a vote of complete
confidence was given general secre-
tary, Walter R. Fuller, and the future
existence of the Association was said
to be in no danger.

This move followed a specially con-
vened meeting of all members of the
general council who are past presi-
dents of the Association. Sir Philip
Warter, chairman, and D. J. Good-
(Continued on page 8)

'Paris' Capitol Debut
Benefits 2 Hospitals

(Pictures on Page 6)

A typical — and impressive — first
night audience gathered at the Capitol
Theatre here last night in tribute to
M-G-M's "The Last Time I Saw
Paris" and to the. cause of the New
York Infirmary and North Shore
Hospital at Manhasset, L. I. The two
latter institutions benefited from the
proceeds of the public sale of tickets.

Top flight celebrities were on hand
(Continued on page 6)

For 3rd Quarter

Admissions at
Record High
In Big Cities

No Explanation Offered
As Reason for Increase

Local 306 to Fight
One-Man-in-Booth

Projectionists Local No. 306 will
oppose any move by New York ex-
hibitors to operate with one man in
the booth, it was stated here by Her-
man Gelber, president of the local
union. Commenting on the situation in
other territories, particularly in St.
Louis and Boston where one-man-in-
the-booth policies have been adopted,
Gelber warned that in such places the
(Continued on page 8)

CAMBRIDGE TO TEST LOW PRICE
POLICY FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE

Screen, Radio, TV
Coast Writers Elect

BOSTON, Nov. 18. — The University Theatre, Cambridge, an independent
theatre managed by Stanley Sumner, is believed to be the first in the
country to cooperate with its local Community Services Committee in offering
its senior citizens reduced prices to the
theatre. Residents of the city who are
65 years of age or older, and living in
limited circumstances, are offered ad-
missions to the theatre at a 25-cent
reduction. The program was arranged
with the management of the theatre
and the Cambridge Community Ser-
vices Committee for the elderly in an
effort to brighten the lives of its older
citizens living under reduced or fixed
incomes and who cannot always find
room in the budget for regular atten-
dance at the local theatre. It is part
of the expanding recreational program
(Continued on page 6)

By Staff Correspondent

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 18.— Rich-
ard Breen, former president of the
Screen Writers Guild, last night was
elected president of the newly-formed
Writers Guild of America West. Paul
Franklin was elected vice-president,
Curtis Kenyon secretary-treasurer,
with Julius Epstein, Ranald Mac-
(Continiied on page 8)

By J. A. OTTEN

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18. — Mo-
tion picture theatre admission prices in
large cities reached record highs in the
third quarter of 1954, almost double
the 1935-39 average, the Bureau of
Labor Statistics reported.

The Bureau collects figures quar-
terly in 18 large cities and weighs the
figures to represent the situation in the
34 largest U. S. cities.

BLS officials had no explanation for
the sharp rise in the third quarter, but
one guess was that it reflected the
large number of road-show prices.

The combined index of adult and
children's admission prices was put by
BLS at 199.9 at the end of September,
compared with 192.0 at the end of
June and a previous record of 192.8 at
the end of December, 1953.

The adult price index was 204.5,
compared to a June figure of 197.0, the
previous high. The children's price
index was back up to 172.2, compared
to 163.3 at the end of June. The new
figure was still slightly below the rec-
ord 172.5 at the end of December, 1953.

Name Bertero Head
Of Fox West Coast

By Staff Correspondent

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 18. — The
board of directors of Fox West Coast
Theatres Corporation, National The-
atres' subsidiary, today elected John
B. Bertero president, succeeding the
late Charles P. Skouras, in line with
NT president Elmer Rhoden's recom-
mendation. Bertero has been with the
company 24 years, and has been senior
vice-president and counsel since 1943.

Schaefer Distributor
Of 'Day of Triumph'

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 18.— George
J. Schaefer, who today screened "Day
of Triumph" for the trade-press in
connection with his announcement that
he has taken over national distribution
of James K. Friedrich's Century Films
production in Eastman color dramatiz-
ing the last three years in the life of
Christ, will plane to Dallas tomorrow
enroute to New York, where he will
preview the picture Monday. Schaefer
(Continued on page 8)

Motion Picture Daily

Friday, November 19, 1954

Personal
Mention

DARRYL K. ZANUCK, 20th Cen-
tury-Fox vice-president in charge
of production, and Joseph Moskowitz,
vice-president, will arrive here today
from the Coast, enroute to Paris.
•

John Davis, managing director of
tlie J. Arthur Rank Organization,
postponed his scheduled departure
from London for New York one day.
He is expected now to arrive here
tixlay.

•

.\rthur A'I. Loew, president of
Loew's International, and Maurice
Sn.vERSTEiN, regional director for
Latin America, have returned to New
York from Barcelona and London.

Foster M. Blake, Universal Pic-
tures Western sales manager, will
return to New York today from
Chicago.

•

Mrs. Wilma Totten, of the Man-
agers' Round Table department of
"Motion Picture Herald," will leave
here today for Ferndale, Mich.
•

WiLLi.vM W. Howard. RKO The-
atres vice-president, will leave here
Sunday on a Western trip.

•

Russell Holman, Paramount
Eastern production manager, left New
York yesterday for Hollywood.
•

Richard Burton will sail from
New York tomorrow aboard the
"Liberte" for England.

•

Ed Lachman, president of Lorraine
Carbons, will leave here today for
Washington and Jacksonville.
•

Katharine Hepburn returned to
New York from Europe yesterday
aboard the "Lidependence."

Tom Aspell, Jr., M-G-M manager
in Los Angeles, has returned there
from Grand Rapids, Mich.

•

Jane Powell, now Mrs. Pat Ner-
NEY, will leave here by plane today
for Paris on her honeymoon.

•

Sol C. Siegel, producer, is in New
York from the Coast.

Huntz Hall will arrive in New
York today from Hollywood.

Judy Garland has returned to Hol-
lywood from New York.

Goldenson, UCP President,
Will Not Seek Reelection

Leonard H. Goldenson, president of
.American Broadcasting - Paramount
Theatres, Inc., announced yesterday
that he would not be a candidate for
re - election as
I) r c s i d cnt of
United Cerebral
Palsy, which is
holding its fifth
annual conven-
tion beginning
today at the
Hotel Alay-
flower, Wash-
ington.

G o 1 d e nson,
who has served
as president of
UCP since its
founding in
1949, made the
announcement at a luncheon for ex-
ecutives of news services, broadcasting
networks and others at the Paramount
Building.

Marking the fifth year of United

L. Goldenson

Cerebral Palsy, Goldenson presented
placques in recognition of five years
of support of the cerebral palsied to
the Associated Press, United Press,
International News Service, The
Advertising Council, National Broad-
casting Co., Columbia Broadcasting
System, American Broadcasting Co.,
Mutual Broadcasting System, DuMont
Television Network, Alan E. Freed-
man, president of DeLuxe Labora-
tories ; Edward L. Hyman, vice-
president of United Paramount
Theatres ; Herman Robbins, president
of National Screen Service, and Den-
nis James, television star and master
of ceremonies on numerous UCP
Telethons.

Elections Tomorrow

Goldenson announced at the lunch
that he had decided to make his cur-
rent term as UCP president his last.
The election of new officers will take
place tomorrow, the second day of the
three-day national convention.

Scandinavia Nobility

Dined by the AMPP Chicago Sales Meet

Columbia Concludes

Bader Nominated for
AMPA Presidency

David Bader has been nominated
for the presidency of Associated Mo-
tion Picture Advertisers for the 1954-
55 term. Other nominated officers are
Martin Davis, vice-president ; Harold
Danziger, secretary, and Hans Barn-
st5'n, treasurer.

Elections will be held on Monday
at a closed meeting of the organiza-
tion.

By Staff Corrcspoiident

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 18.— H.R.H.
Prince Axel of Denmark, and the
Prime Ministers of Denmark, Nor-
way and Sweden, who arrived in Los
Angeles Tuesday on the Scandinavian
Airways first commercial passenger
plane flight over the North Pole from
Scandinavia to the United States,
were honored today by the Association
of Motion Picture Producers with
lavish luncheon ceremonies at the
Universal-International studio.

More than 250 film stars, executives,
organization heads, civic and state
officials attended welcoming exercises
which included the playing, of Ameri-
can, Norwegian, Danish and Swedish
National Anthems, a formal greeting
by the AMPP board chairman,
Y. Frank Freeman, and an informal
monologue by Danny Kaye.

Greeted by U-I Officials

U-I officials in the receiving-line,
which included representatives of
other than the host studio also, were
Milton Rackmil, Alfred Daff, Edward
Muhl and David Lipton.

The American ambassadors of
Scandinavian countries also were
present.

Hemingway Novel to
McCarthy, Lowe

Producer Frank McCarthy an-
nounced yesterday that he and Wil-
liam Lowe had secured an option on
screen rights to the untitled novel
which Ernest Hemingway is presently
writing in Cuba. The novel has an
East African background.

Following a two-day visit with the
Nobel Prize winner at his home near
Havana, McCarthy said the novel
would serve as a story basis for the
motion picture safari project which

CHICAGO, Nov. 18.— Following a
day of individual group meetings be-
tween home office executives and
branch representatives, Columbia Pic-
tures' annual sales convention will
come to a close tomorrow night after
five days of sessions.

Delegates from the field will return
to 38 sales offices in the United Statep
and Canada to continue liquidation of
the current product and to prepare for
the handling of future product of which
they were informed at the meetings.

The large delegation of home office
executives will leave for New York
over the weekend.

Contest for ^Chalice'
Premiere Starts

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 18.— A na-
tion-wide contest to obtain a Holly-
wood premiere in the coming Yule-
tide season gathered momentum today
when cities and towns from coast to
coast set out to sell more Christmas
Seals per capita — the winner to get the
film opening.

Typical was the point blank chal-
lenge issued by the community of
Sarasota, Fla., to Lake Jackson, Tex.,
saying it was going all out to obtain
the world premiere of Warner Broth-
ers' "The Silver Chalice." Lake Jack-
son had announced at the outset of
the contest that it was in the running.

Compo's Ad Warns
Of Ticket Tax Effect
On Local Retailers

The 31st in the series of Council of
Motion Picture Organization ads in
Editor & Publisher to be published to-
morrow states that if municipalities
take over all or part of the 20 per-
cent Federal admission tax which the
government gave up on April 1, "they
will be putting a roadblock to local
retail business which Congress went to
great pains to remove."

"Proof of Congress' intention "to
help local retail business is clearly set
forth in the record," the ad says. "For
instance, explaining the purpose of
amusement tax relief, Rep. Daniel A.
Reed, Republican chairman of the
House Ways and Means Committee,
made the following statement on the
House floor : 'This bill is necessitated
by the serious economic condition con-
fronting the motion picture industry.'
He was supported by Rep. Jere
Cooper, ranking Democrat on the
Ways and Means Committee, who
said : 'Statistics indicate that motion
picture theatres mean greater pros-
perity to merchants in their vicinity'."

Backed by Statistics

Citing figures to prove the local
economic importance of theatres, the
ad points out that in 1953 film theatres
spent in their local communities a total
of $605,400,000. Some of these local
expenditures were: $160,400,000 for
local stafif payrolls; $216,800,000 for
rent or realty taxes; $103,200,000 for
service and utility expenses, and
$72,300,000 for advertising and pro-
motion.

"Retail merchants," the ad con-
tinues, "realize how important to their
business a prosperous movie theatre
is. In the last six years, when thou-
sands of movie theatres were closing
and the existence of thousands of
others was threatened, merchants in
many places moved vigorously to pre-
serve their movie houses, in some in-
stances financing the theatre owner,
in others taking over the operation
of the theatres themselves.

"Obviously it would be folly," the
ad concludes, "if local taxing authori-
ties, by imposing a local admission
tax, balked the help to local business
which Congress so generously gave."

NEW YORK THEATRES

he and Lowe set up with the author
early in September.

The film will be produced independ-
ently by McCarthy, at present a
Twentieth Century-Fox executive, and
Lowe, formerly editor of "Look"
Magazine. A distribution deal is under
discussion with Darryl F. Zanuck and
Twentieth Century-Fox. The new
novel is Hemingway's first since "The
Old Man and the Sea."

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL _

Rockefeller Center

BERVrN s "WHITE CHRISTMAS" :

in VistaVision starring

BING CROSBY - DANNY KAYE
ROSEMARY CLOONEY - VERA ELLEN
Color by Technicolor . A Paramount Picture
and SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION

••••••••

IN Pf RSON

•• • • »v to

IJMGKIE CliASfm

• AND HIS ENTIRE TV CAST

fON SCREEN CBNEmaScoPE WARNERCOLOR?

• SLSN LADD in ]>RUM BEAT *

m. •

FARilMOUNT

second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York. K Y.. under the act of March 37l879.' Subs^riptiM"rItes^peryear$6 I^Th

COpl£S| lOc* '

Friday, November 19, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Charge CEA Head
With Quota Default

LONDON, Nov. 18. — Claude
Whincup, president of the Cine-
matograph Exhibitors Ass'n, is
being prosecuted by the Board
of Trade for alleged Quota de-
fault. The theatre concerned is
the 850-seat Opera House at
Ripon in Yorkshire. The case
was scheduled for hearing yes-
terday.

Midwest Opinion Reported

Many Confident Trade Can
Solve Its Own Problems

Widely divergent opinions on the advisability of seeking Federal regulation
of the industry as proposed by Allied States were encountered by Motion
Picture Daily correspondents who interviewed Midwestern exhibitors.
The results in the Central area fol-

See 'Night of Stars'
As Sellout Monday
At Garden Here

With acceptances from stars of
stage, screen, television and night
clubs' coming in, the 21st annual
"Night of Stars," United Jewish Ap-
peal benefit show, at Madison Square
Garden on Monday, will be a complete
sellout for the 21st time, it was pre-
dicted by Sylvan Gotshal, general
chairman. Once again the net
proceeds will exceed $200,000, Gotshal
stated, with the program of the United
Jewish Appeal the beneficiary.

The latest list of stars who have
stated intentions to appear includes :

Joey Adams, Tonv Bennett, Jeanette
La Bianca, Joyce Bryant, Manuel
Capetillo and his singing Mariachis,
Chino and Mary, The Chordettes
Eddie Fisher, Ganjou Bros, and Anita,
Barry Gray, Joel Grey, Steve Gibson
and the Red Caps, Walter Hampden,
Harry Hershfield, Mambo Jetz, Kean
Sisters, Al Kelly, Alan King, Tito
Puente and his Mambo Revue, Claude
Rains, Johnnie Ray, Bud and Ceecee
Robinson, the Music Hall Rockettes,
Hazel Scott, Earl Wilson and the
Winged Victory Chorus.

low pretty closely those reported ear-
ier from the East, Far West and
South.

The samplings indicate that no small
number of exhibitors feel that enough
of their colleagues are sufficiently
hard-pressed at this time to risk the
dangers which they are aware lurk in
government control of any branch of
the industry, providing distribution
itself does not ofl'er some material re-
ief along with an increased supply of
product.

Most Prefer the Conference
In the main, however, a majority of
exhibitors in the Midwest, as in other
areas, appears to be confident that if
a serious attempt to do so were made
by both exhibition and distribution, the
major grievances and problems could
be eliminated by conference, compro-
mise and good will within the industry.

Following are some of the Midwest-
ern views collected :

Leonard Mishkind, Garden,
Southern, Sun theatres, Cleveland, and
Orr Theatre, Orrville : "Absolutely
no. The cure would be worse than the
disease. However, Allied's threat to
seek government control might have
some effect. It might make the dis-
tributors pause and look at the present
situation that brought about the pro-
posal for controls. I believe that we
must maintain the free enterprise
policy and operate our theatres with-
out controls."

'Desiree' Opens Big
In 4 Situations

"Desiree" in CinemaScope, whicl
bowed in a Command Performance
Wednesday night at the New York
Roxy, opened strong in opening dates,
according to theatre reports from the
film's four initial domestic engage-
ments, 20th-Fox announced.

At the Fox, San Francisco, the
drama grossed $2,810 compared to
$2,542 for "Three Coins In The Foun-
tain." A first day's mark of $1,731
was scored at the Paramount, Oak-
land, topping a $1,274 total for
"Woman's World," the company said.

The Julian Blaustein production
notched $1,292 at the Strand, Albany,
and hit $1,724 at the Century, Buffalo,
to best "Night People" ($1,613) and
"King of the Khyber Rifles" ($1,616),
according to 20th-Fox.

Form Creative
Film Foundation

The formation of a Creative Film
Foundation, with headquarters in New
York, devoted exclusively to the de-
velopment of motion pictures as a
creative fine art form, was announced
here yesterday.

The foundation, according to its
statement of purpose, "shall give as-
sistance to film-makers whose primary
aim is creative artistic achievement,
whose productions would not normally
fall within the scope of the existing
educational and commercial agencies

M. B. Horwitz, general manager,
Washington Circuit: "I am against
government control provided distribu-
tors will adopt a live and let live
policy."

Andrew Martin, Royal and Day-
ton theatres, Akron: "If we can't run
our own business, we ought to get out
of it. Once the government gets in, it
will never get out. I am against any
form of government control in the mo-
tion picture business."

Helene Ballin, Schenley Theatre,
Youngstown : "I am opposed to gov-
.rnment control because I do not be-
lieve it can ever understand our busi-
ness. Anyhow, each theatre is different
and we cannot operate under a system
of generalized controls."

Abe Schwartz, Lexington Thea-
tre, Cleveland: "We don't want the
government in our business, \yhenever
the government gets into private en-
terprise, it makes it worse."

Associated Circuit, Cleveland:
"We don't like the idea of government
control and are utterly opposed to it."

Jerome Steel, Oberlin: "I am
against seeking government control.
I can operate my six theatres whhout
government interference. If I can't, I

ought to get out of the business."

Jerry Goderski, Airway Theatre,
Milwaukee: "I'm for government con-
trol. We are getting pushed around
by distribution. Despite what they say,
it's impossible to buy pictures flat."

Wisconsin Allied stating he is all for
Federal regulation.

Evelyn Gutenberg, Grand Thea-
tre, Milwaukee : "Whatever Wisconsin
Allied does on this is all right with
me. I'll go along with them."

A. Provinzano, Alamo Theatre,
Milwaukee : "Although it's not good
to have government control in private
enterprise, it seems like the only an-
swer when private enterprise gets so
unreasonable. When distribution all
seems to follow the same pattern, the
exhibitors can't buck it any other
way."

Fred Krueger, Rainbow and Og-
den theatres, Milwaukee : "I think we
could try to work something out with-
out government control. We should
have meetings of the minds without
getting involved."

Tony La Porte, Avalon Theatre,
Milwaukee : "I want government con-
trol only as a last resort." In speaking
about pictures sold at high rentals.
La Porte said : "Every independent
exhibitor should stop buying that par-
ticular picture, and not stop buying
from any one film company. Trying
to breatq a company isn't the right
viewpoint to take. We should boycott
a picture if the rentals are too high.
If the Emergency Committee says a
certain picture is out of line then all
independent exhibitors should boycott
it. I think they'll talk terms then."

Cincinnati: A survey of city and
many Cincinnati exchange territory
exhibitors discloses almost unanimous
opinion among small exhibitors that
remedial measures are necessary to
relieve the problem of high rentals
and what is alleged to be unfair prod-
uct allocation.

Exhibitor thinking is equally em-
phatic that government intervention is
not the solution to the problems.

One influential exhibitor spokesman,
who asked to remain anonymous,
summed up the situation this way :
"There isn't a single industry problem
that cannot be solved by arbitration
if the right approach and the proper
follow-through are maintained. Fed-
eral intervention would, in my opin-
ion, fall far short of obtaining the
result of lower film rentals and more
equitable allocations. This would be
'the court of last resort' when every-
thing also had failed. It could well be
retained as 'an ace in the hole' just
in case, but we certainly have enough
big men in the industry to satisfacto-
rily arbitrate the matters in question.
I feel sure that I reflect the attitude
of the small exhibitor generally when
I say that adoption of Allied's pro-
posal of government regulation will
not accomplish the desired result."

Don't Say It, See It

COLUMBUS, O., Nov. 18. —
Says Bob Wile, executive sec-
retary of I.T.O. of Ohio, in a
current membership bulletin:

"Regardless of the merits or
lack of merit of Columbia's new
picture 'Phffft,' it's going to
cause a lot of trouble when it
plays the theatres. What is the
person answering the phone
going to say when a patron
inquires 'What's playing to-
night?'."

People

Phil Reisman, president of Mi-
chael Todd Productions, has accepted
the chairmanship of the Moton Pic-
tures Committee of the New York
Arthritis and Rheumatism Founda-
tion's $500,000 Development Fund
Drive for 1954-55.

Rosalind Feldman has left the sta-
tion service relations department of
Atlantic Television Corp. to move
to the West Coast. She has been
succeeded here by Sophie Ruskin.

John Devaney has been appointed
to ASCAP's radio and television
station relations division. Hei has
been with ASCAP for more than
seven years in Philadelphia.

Leon Back, president of Allied
Theatres of Maryland and head of
Rome Theatres, has been granted a
wave-length by the FCC to con-
struct a radio station in Baltimore.

Eileen Raleigh, United Artists
contract clerk in Cleveland, will be
married in St. Vincent de Paul
Church on Nov. 27 to Kenneth
Bauer.

□

Paul Sokol, 13-year-old son of
Robert Sokol, manager of Loew's
Broad Theatre, Columbus, is _ re-
covering from injuries sustained
when he was struck by an auto-
mobile while riding his bicycle.

DCA Signs Sinatra

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 18.— Frank
Sinatra has been signed by Fred
Schwartz, president of Distributors
Corporation of America, to record
three songs for DCA's production of

I Goderski said he wrote a letter to ' "Finian's Rainbow."

Rev, Grauel Plans
Cinema Lodge Talk

The Reverend John Stanley Grauel
will be the principal speaker at the
15th "Anniversary Night" ceremonies
of the New York Cinema Lodge of
B'nai B'rith at the Hotel Astor on
Tuesday, it was announced yesterday
by Burton E. Robbins, president.

The past presidents of Cinema
Lodge, including A. W. Schwalberg,
Arthur Israel, Jr., Irving Greenfield,
Adolph Schimel, Albert A. Senft,
Robert M. Weitman, Jack H. Levin,
S. Arthur Glixon, Saul E. Rogers and
Martin Levine, are scheduled to be
honored at the open meeting with a
group of charter members of the lodge
scheduled to participate.

The winner of the 1954 Cadillac
sedan being offered by Cinema Lodge
will be announced.

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Motion Picture Daily

Friday, November 19, 1954

'The Last Time I Saw Paris ' in Capitol Debut

With the lobby of the Capitol Theatre here attractively trans-
formed into a scene which breathed the Bohemian atmosphere
of the Left Bank, M-G-M's "The Last Time I Saw Paris" opened
last night to an audience whose names read like a "blue book"
in the fields of entertainment and society. Shown above prior to
the start of the performance are, left to right, first photo :

Herman Ripps, assistant Eastern sales manager of M-G-M,
George Murphy and Si Seadler, advertising manager of M-G-M.
Second photo : Barney Balaban, president of Paramount Pic-
tures, Mrs. Balaban and Nicholas M. Schenck, president of
Loew's, Inc. Third photo : Van Johnson, co-star of the picture,
with Mrs. Johnson.

Cambridge

{Coiitiiiucd from page 1)

designed to meet the needs of its local
citizenry by the Community Services.
Regular admission prices at the Uni-
versity are 40 cents matinees and 65
cents evenings. With the reductions,
eligible patrons may now pay only 15
cents matinees and 40 cents evenings.
Can Bring a Guest

Those eligible must go to one of the
10 Red Feather or Community Service
headquarters to apply for identification
cards which are presented at the box
office for the reduced prices. The
oflfer is good for every day except Sat-
urdays, Sundays or holidays, while
each holder of one identification card
may bring one guest also over 65 at
the same reduced rate.

The program was presented to Stan-
ley Sumner, managing director of the
University. "We are trying out this
system from. Dec. 1 to March 1 to see
how it works out," he said. "If it is
as successful as we hope it will be, we
will continue it indefinitely. Today
there are so many elderly people liv-
ing in a fixed income bracket who sim-
ply cannot afford to attend the theatre
as often as they desire, that we feel we
can give them a chance for entertain-
ment and diversion by offering them
this opportunity to attend our theatre
more often. It is a local Red Feather
project which we are delighted to co-
operate with."

Editorial Praises Plan

The Cambridge "Chronicle - Sun"
came out with an editorial titled "An-
other First for Cambridge," lauding
the Red Feather, the city Recreation
Department and "that statesman of
show business, Stanley Sumner." The
editorial went on to say that "this plan
will enable many people over 65 to
enjoy hours of entertainment which
they might not otherwise be able to af-
ford. Since the matinee admission
charge is 40 cents the 25 cents reduc-
tion means that for 15 cents, a 'senior
citizen' can buy 'a million dollars'
worth of Hollywood entertainment.'
Everyone knows that 'movies are bet-
ter than ever.' Judging from this
imaginative and- useful plan, Cam-
bridge social work and community co-
operation are better than ever, too."

(Continued from page 1)

for the event. Tex and Jinx Falken-
berg did a half-hour tape recording
of interviews from the inside lobby
of the theatre for broadcasting nation-
ally on their radio program this morn-
ing. Additionally, Steve Allen and his
NBC camera crew "shot" pictures of
the celebrities for his "Tonight" pro-
gram which was broadcast over the
WRCA-TV network about midnight
last night. Van Johnson also made a
personal appearance on the Steve
Allen show, where he talked about
the picture, produced in Paris. News
of the Day also photographed the oc-
casion for inclusion in the News dis-
tributed to theatres in the local area
today. Both Miss Taylor and Johnson
leave for the Coast today after a week
of publicity activity here on behalf of
the picture.

Nicholas M. Schenck, president of

Loew's, and Mrs. Schenck headed the
list of M-G-M and Loew executives
attending. Executives from other film
companies also were there, as well as
leading independent and circuit ex-
hibitors. Elizabeth Arden, Constance
Bennett, Hattie Carnegie, Phil Silvers,
John O'Hara, Deems Taylor, Herbert
Bayard Swope, Billy Rose, Gabby
Hayes, Monica Lewis, Audrey Mea-
dows, Jeffrey Lynn, Margaret Case,
John Cashmore, Bryon Foy, the Gabor
Sisters, and Odette, who sings in the
picture, also attended. Miss Odette
also sang in the inside lobby of the
theatre last night before the picture
went on.

A buffet supper in the executive
dining room of the Loew Building,
attended by the guest personalities,
preceded the opening of the picture at
ihe Capitol.

See *Break Figure'
Dispute Near End

By Staff Correspondent

LONDON, Nov. 18. — The long
dispute between Britain's exhibitors
and distributors over break figures is
nearing an end. The Kinematograph
Renters Society agreed in principle
this week to be guided by the "advice"
tendered by Cyril Salmon, Q.C.

It will be recalled that the ex-
hibitors had insisted that all break
figure decisions should be a matter
of individual trading between seller
and buyer and that the KRS break
figure resolution should be withdrawn.
In his "advice" Salmon said:

"In my judgment this (KRS)
resolution is contrary to the best in-
terests of the industry — and therefore,
on a broad view, to the best interests
of the renters themselves. Moreover,
the renters, in my view, can be given
adequate protection against the par-
ticular danger which the resolution
is designed to meet without resorting
to the practices the resolution lays
down."

The KRS points out, however, that
the matter is one for the joint CEA-
KRS committee and until agreement
is reached at that meeting the society's
existing break figure resolution re-
rnains in full force. That meeting is
likely to take place early next month.

Early FCC Hearing
On Toll TV Seen

By Staff Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18.— Fed-
eral Communications Commission offi-
cials look for an early Commission
announcement scheduling hearings on
requests to authorize Phonevision and
other subscription television systems.

They say such an announcement
should be forthcoming before the first
of the year. However, they add, the
hearings that are scheduled could be
several months off.

Presumably theatre operators and
other industry officials organizing
against subscription TV would seek
to intervene in such an FCC hearing.

MGM Has 6 Films
Now in Production

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 18. — With
filming started Monday on "The
Blackboard Jungle," six pictures are
currently in production at M-G-M.
Based on the Evans Hunter novel
about today's juvenile delinquency
problem, "The Blackboard Jungle"
has a cast headed by Glenn Ford,
Anne Francis, Louis Calhern, Mar-
garet Hayes and Richard Kiley. The
film is being directed by Richard
Brooks.

AB-P's Scott

{Continued from page 1)

Jungle" is being released as a first
feature and is estimated to gross $2,-
000,000, of which half will probably
be returned to Britian. The others are
all likely to yield a return to this
country of between $75,000 and $100,-
000 each. "The Weak and the Wicked"
is being shown on RKO, Warner and
Loew circuits, he reported.

Scott pointed out, however, that
while he anticipates substantial returns
from his company's pictures, distribu-
tion costs were high. He explained
that to give a film general release in
the United States it required a mini-
mum of 150 prints, although this could
secure as many as 9,000 bookings.

He was high in his praise of Allied
Artists with whom AB-Pathe has a
reciprocal distribution arrangement.

He concluded his statement with a
reference to CinemaScope. "It is now
an accepted thing in almost every
American cinema. It would help Brit-
is pictures in the American market if
they were made in CinemaScope, pro-
viding this medium was suitable for
the subject."

John Davis, managing director of
the J. Arthur Rank Organization, left
London for New York by plane last
night. The Rank-Davis view of Amer-
ican exhibitor attitude toward British
films is not as mild as MacGregor
Scott's.

Both Rank and Davis have flatly
charged that British films are unfairly
treated by American theatres and have
said they will acquire theatres here
if necessary, when sterling conversion
permits, in order to ensure their prod-
uct being made available to the mass
American audience.

New Albany Drive-in

ALBANY, Nov. 18.— A drive-in is
to be constructed off Southern Blvd.
and near the new State Thruway by
the owner of a small neighboring air-
port, according to reports in industry
circles. The theatre would be close to
the city line. There are already six
drive-ins rimming Albany, with an-
other across the river and two beyond
Troy, six miles from here.

Motion Picture Daily

Friday, November 19, 1954

Review

''Cattle Queen of Montana''

{RKO-luHjcans) Hollytmod, Nov. 18

W]TH names as good as Barbara Stanwyck, Rciiiald Reagan, Gene Evans
and Teclniicolor to spread across marquee, billboard and newspaper
space, opening- business for tliis Benedict Bogeaus production figures to be
brisk, and in areas where action is the ijrincipal demand made upon the West-
ern melodrama, the picture may very well sustain its initial draw. In com-
munities where audiences are more exacting in their reciuirements, hovvever,
the confusion that sets in on the story line at mid-picture and the difficulty
of separating the good Indians from the bad Indians thereafter may mitigate
against extended runs. In any and all areas and communities, regardless of
story, plot, players or whatever, cinematographer John Alton's camera paints
some of the most beautiful pictures of mountains, horses and cattle anybody'd
ever want to see.

The script used by the veteran and versatile Allan Dwan was written by
Robert Blees and Howard Estabrook, a pair of long-experienced craftsmen,
and is based on a story by Thomas Blackburn. The film takes its title, evi-
dently, from a point somewhat beyond the end of the picture, when the heroine
may have become the cattle queen of Montana, but the film takes her only
up to the time when her enemies have been thwarted and her claim to certain
land and cattle established.

At the opening of the picture, she and her father have arrived in Montana
fiom Texas at the head of a wagon train which bad Indians, in pay of a
white man, ambush and destroy, killing everybody but her and an aged fore-
man. (The white man, bent on owning the entire Buffalo Valley at whatever
cost, is played by Evans.) About now, Ronald Reagan shows up in the guise
of an unemployed gunslinger and goes to work for Evans. Along about here
it develops that all the Indians in the area are Blackfeet, but about half of
them are bad Indians in white employ and the other half, under a college-
educated chief, are good Indians. The good Indians string along with Miss
Stanwyck, the bad Indians with Evans, and after many and many a bloody
battle, and after Reagan has revealed that he's really an Army Intelligence
officer, girl gets land, boy gets girl, and Alton gets a fine shot of a Montana
sunset.

Running time, 88 minutes. General classification. For release in November.

WILLIAM R. WEAVER

Local 306

(Coiiliiiiii'd from /fagc 1)

"performances will not be as good as
in the past," adding that tlie new
tcchnic|ues require projectionists "to
he on their toes at all times."

In order to meet emergencies caused
by breakdowns and maintain high
eiliciency in tlie booth, theatres must
have at least two men in the booth
continuously, the Local 306 president
said.

Local 143, St. Louis, recently
worked out a five-year agreement
whereby theatres would have one
projectionist in the booth. The agree-
ment between the projectionists and
the theatre owners necessitates an im-
mediate repeal of the St. Louis city
ordinance which requires the use of
two projectionists in a booth. It is also
reported that efforts are underway in
Massachusetts to put through a state
bill that would permit theatres to oper-
ate with only one projectionist. The
St. Louis agreement, effective Sept. 1,
1955, will apply to 47 theatres in the
area.

International Policy Stands

The international lATSE policy on
the two-man-in-the-booth situation, as
defined by president Richard Walsh
during the August convention of the
union in Cincinnati, still stands, it was
said.

Walsh, in his report to the lA dele-
gates, stated : "In various parts of the
U.S. and Canada, certain locals have
gone to one man in a booth. Often this
could not be avoided after the protec-
tion of state, provincial or munipical
regulations was removed. On the other
hand, manpower sometimes was cut
without a battle — in return for large
pay boosts. Such arrangements can be
made with a clear conscience, I think,
only when they do not create unem-
ployment among the membership.

"Otherwise I believe in battling to
the last ditch. Although safety film is
a fact we must face, I personally never
have believed in selling manpower
merely on the basis of decreasing the
fire hazard. It takes two men, working
together, to put on a dependably flaw-
less show, and I still believe in the
long-run wisdom of that type of
service. So let us keep fighting, wher-
ever possible, for an opportunity to
provide it."

George Schaefer

(ConHnned from page 1)

told Motion Pictuke Daily he will
roadshow the attraction at advanced
prices, with the first engagements
probably starting Christmas Week.

The picture is the first theatrical
film production since 1927 (DeMille's
"King of Kings") in which Christ has
been portrayed by an actor, in this
case Robert Wilson.

Other players in cast include Lee J.
Cobb, Joanne Dru, James Griffith,
Ralph Freud, Tyler McVey, Everett
Glass and Lowell Gilmore. Direction
is by late Irving Pichel, who directed
"Martin Luther."

Schaefer has appointed the Meyer
Beck Organization, New York, as
national publicity representatives.

$22,432 for 'Aida'

"Aida," which is being released by
IFF, begins its second week at the
Little Carnegie here today, after re-
gistering a gross of $22,543 for the
first week, IFF reported. This is said
to be the largest gross recorded by
the Little Carnegie.

Form N.O. Firm to
Make Films Abroad

special to THE DAILY
NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 18. —
George M. Leppert, of this city, today
announced that an independent pro-
ducing company is being organized
here which will specialize in Class A,
low-budget features made in foreign
countries.

Leppert, president of the new cor-
poration, said it is organized on a
nominal capital basis, with no stock
sales offered to the public. The firm,
titled Draw Poker Films, Inc., will
have its legal headquarters in Houston.
The New Orleans base of operations
will be the office of the treasurer,
George Wetzel. Robert L. Irvin, Long
Beach, Cal., attorney and public re-
lations counsel will head the West
Coast center. Leander H. Perez, Jr.,
is the local vice president.

First Is a Suspense Film

A suspense film is the first produc-
tion slated to be shot. The story,
Leppert said, was co-authored by him
and Edward Ainsworth, novelist and
feature writer of the "Los Angeles
Times." Advising Ainsworth in pre-
paring the script are actors in the film,
Morris Ankrum and Ollie Prickett.

Leppert says he plans to leave for
Madrid, Spain, on Jan. 1 to negotiate
for the filming with a Spanish group
for co-production, and will sell the
show directly to them. If not, it will
be made in Hollywood. Shooting is
expected to start May 1.

Present plans call for the film to be
in black and white for wide screen.
Americans on the production staff for
the film in Spain will include three
actors, a camera man and director.

Each production will be financed on
its own basis, said Leppert, either
directly by New Orleans men or by
subscription contracts with direct par-
ticipation in the net.

*Cattle Queen' Bows
In Billings, Mont.

BILLINGS, Mont., Nov. 18. —
Crowds jammed Fox Theatre last
night for the world premiere of
RKO's "Cattle Queen of Montana."
Before the Technicolor production was
shown, state and local dignitaries se-
lected a Cattle Queen from five con-
testants who had survived a state-wide
search. Mrs. Susan Haughian, one of
Montana's real cattle queens in the
early days of the state, crowned the
winner, who was 18-year-old Betty
Lou Dahl, of Butte. Miss Dahl will
visit Hollywood for a week as guest
of RKO. Her transportation, and that
of her chaperone, will be supplied by
Frontier Airlines.

Festivities Broadcast

Station KOOK, a Columbia Broad-
casting System outlet, broadcast the
premiere festivities from the theatre.
Cattle Queen contestants and celeb-
rities were interviewed in the Fox
lobby.

Throughout the day, the girls and
Mrs. Haughian were guests of the city
of Billings and RKO. They attended
a series of special events arranged by
the women's committee of the local
Chamber of Commerce.

To Show Art

The first annual art exhibition of
paintings by employees of 20th Cen-
tury-Fox will be launched at a cock-
tail party and preview this afternoon
in the company's home office gallery.

Lassen in New Post

Kurt Lassen has been appointed to
the newly-created post of promotion
director of "Seventeen" Magazine, it
was announced by Howard Bergman,
general manager.

Hyman

(Continued from page 1)

and "A Star Is Born," Hyman con-
tended, are now being offered an unin-
terrupted playing time period without
heavy competition. It shows, Hyman
continued, that there are now no real
"seasons" in this business. Big pictures
do outstandingly well in any period
of the year, he added.

The AB-PT vice-president acknowl-
edged, however, that although prog-
ress is being made in eliminating the
so-called "seasonal" release pattern,
"the battle has not been won."

Regarding other trade problems,
Hyman spoke glowingly of M-G-M's
"Workshop," citing it as an example
of how distributors and exhibitors
can work together to their mutual
advantage. Warner Brothers' efforts
to ready the release of "Silver Cha-
lice" for Christmas was also cited by
Hyman. He told of how within a few
weeks after seeing the picture on the
Coast, a meeting of AB-PT field men
and advertising and publicity men,
under the supervision of WB adver-
tising and publicity director Ben Kal-
menson, was arranged to work out an
exploitation campaign on the picture.

CEA Resignations

(Continued from page 1)

latte, managing director, of the power-
ful ABC Circuit also attended.

The meeting expressed "complete
confidence in the general secretary"
and approved a recommendation for a
complete review of the somewhat an-
tiquated and cumbersome constitution
of the CEA. Immediately thereafter a
resolution to this effect was endorsed
at the full general council meeting.

There has long been a bitter under-
current of criticism of and opposition
to the present control and guidance
of the exhibitor organisation. The
prolonged and embittered wrangle
over the new Eady levy led to a
further clash of personalities, with
Fuller as the critics' main target. But
Fuller is said to thrive on crises. He
continues in office with the full support
of his members. And whatever the
outcome one thing is obvious, the
CEA remains a united, albeit weak-
ened, body.

It may well be that all this will lead
to a marked improvement in industry
relations here.

Coast Writers Elect

(Continued from page 1)

Dougall and Frank Nugent as trus-
tees. Frances L. Inglis was unani-
mously approved as executive director.

WGAW was created recently as the
Western division of a national organi-
zation embracing the former Author's
League of America, Screen Writers
Guild, Radio Writers Guild and Tele-
vision Writers Group.

Ivan Goff was elected president of
the screen writers branch ; David
Franklin president of the radio writers
branch ; Fenton Earnshaw president
of the television writers branch.

Other election results will be dis-
closed Monday following the tally.

WGAW will not tabulate the votes
on the constitutional amendment
which would bar from membership
Communists and writers who refused
to answer questions on the loyalty
issue until Dec. 15, at which time the
W riters Guild of America East is
scheduled to vote on this amendment.

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Motion Picture Daily

Friday, November 19, 1954

VARIETY TENTS IN N. O., DALLAS,
CHICAGO, CLEVE. ELECT OFFICERS

Elections of officers in Variety Club tents in New Orleans, Dallas, Chicago
and Cleveland were held during- the past week.

In New Orleans, all officers and the 11 men who had served temporarily
since the formation of the tent in June
were reelected. They were Page
Baker, chief barker; Harold Cohen,
assistant chief barker ; William Briant,
second assistant ; Dan Brandon, prop-
erty master, and Henry Plitt, dough
guy. The permanent board will con-
sist of Joel Bluestone, J. L. Boyer,
William Holiday, Carl Mabry, Ernest
MacKenna, L. C. Montgomery, Baker,
Brandon, Briant, Plitt and Cohen.

Temporary quarters of the New
Orleans club will be in the Warwick
Building, but a permanent home will
be selected shortly, it was announced.
The tent's charity will be the presen-
tation of pictures for shut-ins. Baker
and Mabry will be delegates to the
national convention.

Kendall Way Elected

The Dallas tent elected Kendall
Way, former first assistant chief
barker, to the post of chief barker,
succeeding Albert Reynolds. Other
officers elected were Charles Darden,
first assistant ; Don Douglas, second
assistant ; Meyer Rachofsky, dough
guy, and Joe S. Caffo, property
master.

Jack Silverthorne was reelected
chief barker of the Cleveland tent for
a second term. Elected to serve with
him were Tom McCleaster, first
assistant ; Dan Rosenthal, second
assistant ; Nat Barach, property
master ; Edwin R. Bergman, assistant
property master, and I. J. Schmertz
continues as dough guy. The board of
directors consists of Peter Rosian,
Henry Greenberger, Nate Schultz,
Abe Kramer, Marshall Fine, Leonard
Greenberger, Irwin Shenker, Milton
Grant, Bill Gordon and Will Dough-
erty. Silverthorne and Shenker were
named delegates to the national con-

vention, with Grant and Leonard
Greenberger as alternates.

The eleven-man crew voted in by
members of Tent No. 26, Variety Club
of Illinois, elected Jack Kirsch, presi-
dent of Allied Theatres of Illinois,
chief barker for 1955.

Other 1955 officers chosen by the
crew were Nat Nathanson of Allied
Artists, first assistant chief barker ;
Lou Reinheimer, Rose-Bowl, second
assistant chief barker ; Harry Balaban,
H & E Balaban Theatres, dough guy,
and Jack Rose, Indiana-Illinois Thea-
tres, property master. New crew
elected by the membership, in addition
to the officers, were Dave Wallerstein,
Lou Goldberg, Charles Cooper, John
Semadales, Ralph Smitha and Sam
Levinsohn.

Manny Smerling of Confection
Cabinet Corp., whose term as chief
barker expires at the end of 1954, will
represent the club as International can-
vasman. Delegates chosen to the In-
ternational Variety Club convention in
1955, in addition to Kirsch, include
Mike Stern, with Irving Mack, Film-
ack. Inc., as first alternate and Nat
Nathanson as second alternate.

Blue-

Elect Bluestein Honorary
Director of Memphis Tent

MEMPHIS, Nov. 17.— Ben
stein, ill with a heart attack, was
elected an honorary director of Var-
iety Club with 11 new directors.

New board members are : Fred A.
Meyers, M. A. Lightman, Jr., Nathan
Reiss, Howard Nichols, Tony Tedes-
co, Ben Bass, George W. Simpson,
Conrad Bach, Fordyce Keiser, G. L.
Brandon and Alton Sims.

New directors will elect officers in
a week or 10 days.

TV and Radio

in HOLLYWOOD

By SAMUEL D. BERNS

PINKY LEE sent us newspaper ads
in which he apologized to more
than 15,000 ticket holders who couldn't
get into the Cleveland Statler for his
two p.a.'s. Halle Bros. Dept. Store
will know better if it gets to sponsor
the next one. . . . ABC's Donn Tatuni
appointed to the Governor's Commit-
tee for Employment of Handicapped,
. . . Gross-Krasne supervising filmed
commercials for H. J. Heinz Co. at
their California studios. Leo Langlois
planed in from Detroit to assist for
the Heinz agency, Maxon, Inc. . . .
Fred W. Swanson ankled the Russel
M. Seeds agency to rein UPA's ani-
mated cartoon facilities for Spot deals.
. . . Mercury International Pictures
snared Chicago's Art Director's Club
award this year for creating best TV
commercial : "The Little Boy," filmed
for Leo Burnett's account — Kellogg's
Corn Flakes. . . . With all the radio,
TV and commercial rights to the Lone
Ranger safely tucked away in his "new
deal" file. Jack Wrather is blazing
trails for the promotion of the series.

Sunset Blvd's curbs will be burst-
ing with pride when KTLA starts
building its new 2 million $$ studios
this month — that doesn't include
the cost of the ground. . . . Erna
Lazarus, writer of the filmed "Mayor
of the Town" series, has earned as-
sociate producer credit. . . . Martin
& Lewis will start recouping some
of that hundred grand they lost on
account of Jerry's illness when they
face the NBC cameras again on
Dec. 19. . . . Mort Abrahams round
tables future policy with MCA and
BBD&O on the live GE Theatre
shows out of CBS Television City.
. . . Barbara "Mrs. North" Britton
is squeezing in a lead film role in
"Third Girl from the Right" at Uni-
versal-International. . . . Tennessee
Ernie is stealing patter from his fan
mail to ease material shortage. . . .
Bing is priming his pipes to sound
off on ye olde CBS radio for the
quintet of weekly programs. . . .
We heard of a guy who got nervous
sneaking product mentions. — He
finally joined "Plugs Anonymous."

FRANK O. PINYONS: Barbara
Bates gives NBC's "It's a Great Life"
some eye-filling moments. Wouldn't
hurt to build up some of the situations
around the film startlet for the TV
series insurance. . . . Fresh jokes don't
require canned laughs. . . . Wm. Mor-
ris has a hot film package dreamed
up by Sam Newman, with Peter Lorre
and Francis Sullivan filling the title
roles as "The Getter and the Holder."

A special 30-day sales drive start-
ing this week will mark United
Television Programs' fifth anniver-
sary. Wynn Nathan, UPT's sales
veep, now has 10 million $$ worth
of product to brag about. . . . The
same Superman cast is back at Cali-
fornia Studios to resume shooting
the series in color.

Nine Films Start,
4 Finish on Coast

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 18. — Nine
pictures started and four were com-
pleted this week, increasing the over-
all total in production to 37 pictures.

Started were: "Code Three," (Al-
lied Artists) ; "Chicago Syndicate,"
(Columbia) ; "I Am a Camera,"
Remus (DCA) ; "Kentucky Rifle,"
Howco Prods., and "The Big Bluf¥,"
W. Lee Wilder, (Independent) ;
"Blackboard Jungle," (Metro-Gold-
wyn-Mayer) ; "Daddy Long Legs,"
CinemaScope, color, and "The Num-
ber One," National Pictures-Primero,
CinemaScope, Eastmancolor (20th
Century Fox) ; "Robbers' Roost,"
Goldstein-Jacks, (United Artists).

Completed were : "The Marauders,"
color, (Metro - Goldwyn - Mayer) ;
"Seven Bad Men," Nat Holt, Super-
scope, Technicolor, and "Escape to
Burma," Filmcrest, Superscope, Tech-
nicolor (RKO Radio), and "Top of
the World," Landmark, (U.A.).

Youngstein Returning

Max E. Youngstein, vice-president
of United Artists, will return to New
York over the weekend, following a
two-week stay on the West Coast,
where he conferred with executives at
the company's Hollywood office and
met with producers currently filming
or readying films for UA release.

Posthumous Award
To Tent Vs Rauh

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 18.— The first
posthumous award in the history of
Tent One, Variety Club, will be con-
ferred on Sunday upon Richard S.
Rauh, local civic leader, who died last
July. His widow, actress Helen Wayne
Rauh, will accept the annual Heart
Award from A. K. "Rosey" Rowswell
during the Variety Club banquet in
Hotel William Penn. Rauh was active
in such ventures as the Pittsburgh
Playhouse, the Pittsburgh Symphony,
the campaigns of United Jewish Fund
and the Federation of Jewish Philan-
thropies.

George Jessel will emcee the Sunday
night banquet.

Legion Reviews 13;
Rates 3 'B/ 10 'A'

"Destry," "Track of the Cat" and
"Twist of Fate" have been placed in
Class B in the latest listing of the
National Legion of Decency, which at
the same time rated 10 films as Class
A.

"Aida" and "Black 13" were placed
in Class A, Section 2, while in Class
A, Section 1 are "Athena," "The
Black Knight," "The Bob Mathias
Story," "Drum Beat," "Masterson of
Kansas," "Romeo and Juliet," "Trou-
ble in Store" and "West of Zanzibar."

Col. Talent

{Continued from page 1)

actresses in recent months, but that it
is also implementing a continuing pol-
icy of placing the players in important
pictures alongside established stars to
make them known to the public.

Among the newly signed players
whom Columbia plans to utilize in
this manner are Adelle August, Vince
Edwards, Kathryn Grant, Lucy Mar-
low, Jana Mason, Kerwin Mathews
and Connie Towers. They hope to
follow in the footsteps of other Colum-
bia players who have come to be rec-
ognized as potential top stars after
only a few appearances on the screen,
the company said. This group in-
cludes Phil Carey, Dianne Foster,
Robert Francis, Brian Keith, Jack
Lemmon, Kim Novak, Betsy Palmer,
Aldo Ray and May Wynn. All of
these players made their screen de-
buts in key roles opposite big name
stars.

Roles Must Fit Talents

Columbia will not cast the young-
sters in pictures at the studio unless
the roles fit their talents, it was said.
But to insure that the new faces will
gain recognition it has been the policy
to loan out the contract players for
suitable parts at other studios if they
are not working at Columbia. For
example, Lemmon and Miss Palmer
will be seen in Warners' "Mister Rob-
erts," Ray will appear in Warners'
"Battle Cry" and Paramount's "My
Three Angels," while Miss Foster is
working in Hecht-Lancaster's "The
Kentuckian."

All of these players are also being
kept busy at Columbia. Lemmon has
completed three films and is currently
working in a fourth. On the distaf¥
side, the Misses Novak, Foster and
Wynn will b€ seen in at least three
films each within a year.

It will be the practice of Columbia
to send the new stars on tours as much
as possible to make them known in the
smaller cities and to help them gain
added poise and polish, it was stated.

3-Day MPEOF Meet
To Start on Sunday

special to THE DAILY

JACKSONVILLE, Nov. 18. —
Spurred by a convention slogan, "Help
Comes to Those Who Help Them-
selves," the Motion Picture Exhibit-
ors' of Florida will hold its annual
meeting at the Hotel Roosevelt here
next Sunday, Monday and Tuesday
with an attendance which, according
to present indications, is expected to
be the largest in the six-year history
of the organization.

The discussion of film rentals, short-
age of product and the slowing of
availability dates are subjects high on
the agenda of the conclave.

The convention will open with a
cocktail party on Sunday evening and
will really get under way Monday
morning with a business session un-
der the direction of Nat Williams of
Thomasville, Ga. This will be followed
by a luncheon and an afternoon ses-
sion at which the speaker will be
George Murphy.
_ The Tuesday morning business ses-
sion will have James Partlow, of
Orlando, Fla., in the chair, while
Horace Denning, president of the or-
ganization, will preside at the Tuesday
luncheon.

Election of officers will be held on
Tuesday afternoon.

EXHIBITORS

NEW ENGLAND

are invited to attend

MGM's NEW ENGLAND "WORKSHOP"

on Monday, December 6

HOTEL BRADFORD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

to he held
in conjunction with

Independent Exhibitors, Inc. and Drive-In Theatre
Association of New England's Annual Convention

held oil Tuesday , December 7

HOTEL BRADFORD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

Plan to attend — Bring your managers—
In addition to "WORKSHOP" and CONVENTION,
there will be a "Social" program you won't want to miss.

Send Requests for Reservations NOW!!

INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS, INC.

36 MELROSE STREET BOSTON 16, MASSACHUSETTS

EVERY EXHIBITOR IS LOOKING
FOR THIS KIND OF BUSINESS!

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The News

That
Is News

MOTION PICTURE

VOL. 76. NO. 98

NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1954

TEN CENTS

Tradewise . . .

By SHERWIN KANE

WHAT strikes this observer
as the most important re-
sult of last week's meeting
of directors and executive commit-
tee members of COMPO actually
was a by-product of the session,
rather than a pre-planned objec-
tive.

That would be, of course, Al
Lichtman's offer to try to arrange
a meeting of top home office and
distribution executives with repre-
sentatives of organized exhibition
to discuss some of the more urgent
trade practice problems of the
day.

As previously stated, such a
meeting, if one can be arranged,
will have nothing to do with COM-
PO. Yet COMPO was the instru-
ment through which the principals
most concerned were brought to-
gether and through whose delib-
erations the idea developed.

An opportunity tor a reasonable
exchange of views by spokesmen
for exhibition and distribution is
needed urgently. Serious, even
permanent harm may be done the
industry if the roundtable meeting
which Lichtman offered to try to
arrange cannot be set up.

There is little point in undertak-
ing any of the several new projects
proposed at the COMPO meeting,
as cooperative endeavors, unless
and until the several branches of
the industry learn to live again in
a reasonable semblance of har-
mony. Then and only then will their
joint efforts carry the promise of
achievement.

ALFRED STARR, Nashville exhibi-
/ \ tor and chairman of the TOA
executive committee, telephoned
this department to take issue with
the statement in last week's pillar
discussing exhibitor financing of
production, that "medium and low-
budget films no longer bring
people into the theatres."

Distributor propaganda and un-
true, Starr believes.

This department agrees with
Starr, as everyone must, that a
large budget does not insure a suc-
{Continued on page 2)

Cite Objectionable Ads

Catholics Reminded of
Legion of Decency Pledge

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21.— The Catholic bishops of the United States,
assembled here on Friday reminded the Catholic people of the seriousness of
the pledge of the Legion of Decency and called for faithful compliance with it.

The pledge which is taken by Cath-

Schine Contempt
Trial Deadline
Date Is Nov. 29

BUFFALO, Nov. 21.— Trial of the
Schine Chain Theatres Inc., and other
organizations a n d individuals o n
charges of civil and criminal contempt
of court has been adjourned on a day-
to-day basis with a deadline of
Nov. 29.

Federal Judge John Knight said he
was granting the adjournment of the
trial, scheduled to start tomorrow, be-
cause attorney William B. Mahoney
is busy in Supreme Court on another
matter. Mahoney is scheduled to rep-
resent Common Council president El-
(Continued on page 4)

'Ten Commandments'
Ahead of Schedule

Having completed shooting in Egypt
on "The Ten Commandments" two
weeks ahead of schedule, Cecil B. De-
Mille will return to the United States
on Wednesday, accompanied by Charl-
ton Heston, who is starred as Moses,
and who appeared in several of the
major location sequences.

Among the important scenes filmed
{Continued on page 4)

olics on the Sunday within the Octave
of the Feast of the Immaculate Con-
ception provides for the avoidance oi
motion pictures dangerous to their
moral life.

The bishops also reminded Catholic
critics of their obligation to emphasize
the primacy of the moral in the ap-
praisal of any film irrespective of its
technical and dramatic values.

Reference was made by the bishops
to the communication of His Excel-
lency Giovanni B. Montini, former
Papal Pro-Secretary of State and
now Archbishop of Milan, to the June
conference of the International Cath-
olic Office of the Film held in Cologne
in which the Pro-Secretary of His
(Continued on page 4)

Metro Leading Off
'55 with 8 Films

MGM will release eight pictures dur-
ing the first four months of 1955, ac-
cording to tentative plans announced
by Charles M. Reagan, vice-president
and general sales manager. Accord-
ing to the schedule there will be two
pictures released each month, all in
Eastman color but seven in Cinema-
Scope.

Leading off the list in January will
be "Bad Day at Black Rock," the
Dore Schary production, in Cinema-
Scope starring Spencer Tracy, Robert
(Continued on page 4)

Fix Date, Probable Compo Poll Costs

The new target date for the projected national audience poll
is Feb. 15 rather than Jan. 15, it was disclosed here at the week-
end by Robert Coyne, special counsel for the Council of Motion
Picture Organizations.

Coyne, prior to leaving for Europe on a three-week vacation,
spelled out in greater detail the plans for the project. In regard
to financing it, Coyne estimated that it would cost participating
theatres approximately $100 for such things as lobby displays.
Although the cost per theatre would be small, the aggregate
sum expended for the poll could easily reach $1,000,000, with
10,000 theatres participating, it was pointed out.

The tabulation as to the patrons' star and picture choice would
be done in the field, Coyne explained, negating extra costs and
time if the tabulation were done centrally. The poll project, now
in the hands of COMPO's over-all audience building committee,
should engender great enthusiasm and interest in films, Coyne
added, pointed out that interest could be extended throughout
the year with announcements of possible winners and their poll
standing.

Project Jelling

No Legal Bar
To Industry
Parley Seen

Arbitration 'Appropriate'
Topic, Lichtman Feels

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

The likelihood of realizing the proj-
ect to hold an all-industry round table
conference appeared stronger at the
weekend with the disclosure that com-
pany attorneys feel that such a confer-
ence would not be in contravention to
the anti-trust laws.

The disclosure of the sentiment of
company attorneys was made by Al
Lichtman, 20th Century-Fox distribu-
tion director, and author of the pro-
posal.

Lichtman, at the same time, in re-
sponse to a question, said that the ar-
bitration issue would be a "very ap-
propriate" topic among others, for dis-
cussion at the proposed meeting of
company presidents, sales managers
and exhibition leaders.

The interview, interrupted by the
arrival here from the Coast of Darryl
F. Zanuck, 20th-Fox vice-president in
charge of production, was preceded
(Continued on page 5)

Over $800,000
DCA Stock Sold

Over $800,000 of the stock of Dis-
tributors Corp. of America, capitalized
at $1,000,000, has been subscribed al-
ready, it was disclosed here at the
weekend by Charles Boasberg, vice-
president of distribution for DCA.

Boasberg added that the "over
$800,000" represents stock sold, ex-
plaining that pledges have been re-
ceived for the entire $1,000,000.

Asked for the names of those ex-
hibitors participating in the DCA ven-
ture, Boasberg said they would be
made public when Fred Schwartz,
DCA president, returns from Holly-
wood this week.

'Shield' Plays 600
Non- Scope Houses

In line with Universal-Interna-
tional's announced policy of providing
exhibitors with all of its pictures for
all types of theatres, "The Black
Shield of Fal worth," the company's
first CinemaScope production, which
was released in September, already
has played in almost 600' theatres not
yet equipped for CinemaScope, it was
(Continued on page 5)

Motion Picture Daily

Monday, November 22, 1954

Govt. Files Anti-Trust Suit
Against RCA and Others

Personal
Mention

RICHARD VV. ALTSCHULER,
Republic Pictures director of
worlcKvide sales, left here at the week-
end for Hollywootl.

•

John Davis, managing director of
the J. Arthur Rank Organization, left
here for the Coast yesterday. His ar-
rival in New York from London by
plane was delayed Friday due to
weather conditions which sent his
plane first to Montreal, then to Wash-
ington.

•

Nettie Anixter, secretary to Mike
Simons, M-G-M customer relations
head, has left New York for a vaca-
tion in Mexico.

•

Robert W. Coyne, executive direc-
tor of COMPO, left here for Europe
by plane yesterday, to be away about
three weeks.

•

Dr. Ren.\to Gualino, president of
I.F.E. Releasing Corp., has arrived in
New York from Italy.

•

Robert Rossen, writer, and Helen
Morgan, publicist, will leave here to-
day for Spain via B.O.A.C. Monarch.
•

P. T. Dana, Universal Pictures
Eastern sales manager, is in Pitts-
burgh from New York.

•

Sara Salzer, West Coast editor of
"Seventeen," is in New York from the
Coast.

•

Sam Spiegel, producer, left New
York Yesterday for London via
B.O.A.C.

Collier Young, president of Fil-
makers. Inc., returned to Hollywood
over the weekend from New York.
•

S. HuROK has arrived in New Y'ork
from the Coast.

5 Speakers Slated for
Oklahoma T,0. Meet

OKLAHOMA CITY, Nov. 2L —
Top industry figures will be here for
the annual convention of Theatre
Owners of Oklahoma, Dec. 5-7, TOO
president Morris Lowenstein said to-
day. They include Robert J. O'Don-
nell, vice-president of the Interstate
Circuit of Texas ; Pat McGee, general
manager of the Cooper Foundation
and a prominent figure in the Council
of Motion Picture Organizations ; E.
D. Martin, president of Theatre Own-
ers of America, and Si H. Fabian,
president of Stanley Warner Theatres.

McGee will be the keynote speaker
on Dec. 6, while Martin and Fabian
will be heard the following day, the
former at a luncheon meeting and the
latter at the annual banquet. O'Don-
nell will be the luncheon speaker on
Dec. 6. Lowenstein expects about 250
exhibitors to attend.

It is expected that Sen. Robert S.
Kerr of Oklahoma, who aided greatly
in the passing of the bill cutting Fed-
eral ticket taxes, will speak at the
Dec. 6 luncheon.

The government has filed a major
anti-trust suit against the Radio Corp.
of America, charging it with having,
since 1932, monopolized the radio-
television patent licensing business.

The suit was filed Friday in New
York City District Court. Named as
co-conspirators, but not as defend-
ants, were American Telephone and
Telegraph Co., Western Electric, Bell
Telephone Laboratories, General Elec-
tric Co. and Westinghouse Electric
Corp.

The Complaint charged that RCA —
through agreements with these and
other firms — has restrained both the
radio-television patent licensing busi-
ness and the manufacture, sale and
distribution of radio-TV products and
devices, both in the black and white
and color fields.

Controls 10,000 Patents

The radio-TV industry is in an
actively developing stage, the com-
plaint pointed out. It alleged that
RCA, by amassing ownership of or
rights to use and license some 10,000
U.S. patents in the radio-TV field, has
achieved and exercised not only the
power to control the introduction to
commercial use of new radio and TV
developments but also to exclude po-
tential or actual competitors from the
patent licensing business.

The complaint did not charge a di-
rect monopoly over radio and TV
manufacturing, but did maintain that
RCA's controls over patents have lim-
ited the area in which RCA's nianu-

Recruiting Centers
Receive *Army' Kits

Seventy-one U.S. Army recruiting
stations throughout the United States
have received kits instructing them
how to cooperate with exhibitors and
enlist the support of civic associations
in the promotion of the Technicolor
feature, "This Is Your Army," Robert
W. Coyne, special counsel of COM-
PO, has been advised by Gen. Mat-
thew Ridgway, Army Chief of Staff.
The film will be released Dec. 13.

Recruiting officers were told that
the army can supplement the picture
industry's publicity efforts "by stimu-
lating the interest of patriotic organi-
zations at the community level so that
the maximum possible number of
American people will see the film dur-
ing the show-date periods in neighbor-
hood theatres.

Urges Exhibitor Action

Coyne, in commenting on the army's
statement, said he did not recall any
other government film offered to the
industry which has received such
widespread offers of support by the
sponsoring organization. Exhibitors,
he said, should make early plans to
take advantage of the offer of army
bands, military units and display of
equipment in the promotion of this
film, and should contact local units of
the American Legion, Veterans of
Foreign Wars and Junior Chambers
of Commerce, all of which have
pledged their support.

facturing competitors in the field can
operate.

The government asked the court to
force RCA to liberalize its patent and
licensing policies.

In addition to charging RCA with
having violated the anti-trust laws
by amassing control over the 10,000
patents, the complaint also alleged
that RCA licenses almost all manu-
facturers only under "package" li-
censes, requiring the licensees to ac-
cept licenses under all of RCA's pat-
ents and other tie-in provisions. The
corporation and its co-conspirators
were also charged with having har-
assed actual and potential competitors
by instituting patent suits.

Progress Seen Affected

Among the effects of RCA's prac-
tices alleged in the complaint are :
competing manufacturers have been
discouraged from realizing their full
research, manufacturing and profit po-
tential, and have been forced into
dependence on RCA for patent rights
and technical know-how ; new radio-
TV developments have been barred
unless originated and controlled by
RCA; the public has been deprived of
the benefit of these new developments ;
and the manufacture, sale and distribu-
tion of radio and television products
have been unreasonably restrained.

No specific mention of theatre tele-
vision equipment was contained in the
complaint, though presumably this
would be covered along with home
television equipment.

Plan at Least Four
New Conn. Drive-ins

HARTFORD, Nov. 21.— Connecti-
cut will see a minimum of four new
drive-in theatre projects opening next
spring.

Either in planning stage or under
actual construction are these projects:

Hartford, 2,010-car capacity Mead-
ows Drive-In, being backed by A. J.
Bronstein of East Hartford Family
Drive-In Theatre Corp., and associ-
ates.

Bridgeport, 750-car capacity unit,
backed by Seymour Levine, operator
of the Bowl Drive-In, West Haven.

Meriden, 1,000-car capacity unit,
backed by Kounaris-Tolis Theatres.

Middletown, 1,000-car capacity unit,
backed by Sal Adorno, Jr., formerly
assistant general manager, M&D The-
atres.

^Hunters of Deep'
At Trans-Lux 60th

"Hunters of the Deep," feature-
length documentary of underwater life,
will have its American premiere at
the Trans-Lux 60th Street Theatre
here on Dec. 16, it was announced
by Distributors Corp. of America,
which is releasing the picture. "Hunt-
ers of the Deep" was voted the out-
standing documentary of the year
when it was selected for presentation
at the Edinburgh Film Festival last
summer.

Tradewise . . .

(Continued from page 1)

cessful picture, nor, conversely,
that a small budget implies a fail-
ure. We do believe, though, that
high budgets account for more
successes than failures. The proof
of that is in the recent and con-
tinuing experience of the industry.

It was not the program pictures
that drew the public away from
television sets a year ago and that
has kept them coming back to the
theatres since.

Minnesota TO A Unit
Unlikely Now: Field

Stccial to THE DAILY
MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 21.— Little
immediate prospect of the formation of
a Minnesota unit of Theatre Owners
of America is seen by Harold Field,
president of Pioneer Theatres, who
three weeks ago joined with E. R.
Rubin, of the Welworth circuit, in
hosting top TOA officials at a lunch-
eon here.

Explaining that the Minneapolis
session was purely "exploratory,"'
Field said that he considered the meet-
ing in Minneapolis both interesting
and successful from the exhibitors'
standpoint.

"It wasn't our aim to immediately
set up a new organization," Field said.
"We had an opportunity to hear the
top TOA officials explain their ap-
proach to the problems that are com-
mon to the industry. I think that every-
body W'ho attended the meeting learned
that we are all in it together, big cir-
cuits and independents."

Although Field is a member of
TOA, he explained that his St. Louis
Park theatre is a member of North
Central Allied and that he had no de-
sire to set up a rival organization.

"If the exhibitors themselves want
an organization set up in the TOA
pattern, it will come in time," he
declared.

Astor Product Meet
Under Way Here

Four Astor exchange executives
from Boston, Philadelphia and Pitts-
burgh are here for product confer-
ences with R. M. Savini, president of
Astor Pictures.

Among the group are Irving Farber
and Eddie Ruff, respective heads of
Regal Pictures of New England ; Ed-
die Gabriel of Capital Film Exchange,
Philadelphia, and Max Shulgold of
Crown Film Co., Pittsburgh.

The main topic is "The Sleeping
Tiger" which opens for one week's
run coast to coast on Wednesday at
RKO, Loew's, Warners', Paramount
and Skouras circuits.

Canadian Dividend

OTTAWA, Nov. Zl.- Consolidated
Theatres Ltd., has declared a dividend
of 12 cents on Class A common and
10 cents on Class B, both payable on
Dec. 1 to shareholders of record on
Nov. 1.

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishin"
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President- Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor;' Herbert V Fecke
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor,' Hollywood ' 7-214S •
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. 'c. London Bureau'
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second-class matter Sept. 21. 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c

Monday, November 22, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

News
Roundup

Lead UA Drive

United Artists' San Francisco, St.
Louis and New Haven branches liave
taken the lead in their respective
groups in the third week of the second
lap of the Robert Benjamin sales
drive. The company reported that the
first six-week lap compiled billings
averaging $744,000, with the sixth
week total exceeding $1,000,000.

Pallos to Talk Deals

Producer Steven Pallos is due here
from London todaj' to confer with ma-
jor company executives on co-produc-
tion deals. He is bringing with him
a print of "Angela," recently com-
pleted in Italy.

'Inspector' to Open

The American premiere of "An In-
spector Calls," an Associated Artists
release, will take place at the Plaza
Theatre here on Thursday. It is a
British Lion production.

Films Tops in Mexico

The 131 theatres in Mexico City sell
a monthly average of 6,396,719 for
$1,100,000 which places pictures as the
most popular diversion in the Mexican
capital, according to the City Amuse-
ments Supervision Department.

Japanese Film Here

"Hell's Gate," first Japanese film in
color to be shown here, will have its
American premiere at the Guild The-
atre in Rockefeller Center as a Christ-
mas holidays attraction.

Rejects Sunday Vote

The civic authorities of Hamilton,
Ont., rejected a petition for a vote on
the question of Sunday shows in con-
nection with next month's elections
when it was found that many of the
signatures were fictitious. One per-
son had signed the name of Sir Win-
ston Churchill, while another used the
signature of Mayor Lloyd Jackson
who is opposed to any easing of Sun-
day observance.

Columbia Buys
'Gold Cadillac'

Harry Cohn, president and head
of production at Columbia Pic-
tures, announced at the week-
end the purchase, for an undis-
closed sum, of the film rights
to the Broadway hit comedy,
"The SoUd Gold Cadillac" as
the next starring vehicle for
Judy Holliday.

The deal for the film rights
was set last week when Cohn
came here for the specific pur-
pose of investigating stage prop-
erties and personalities with an
eye to Columbia's expanded
program for the coming months.

To Vote Tonight on
New Haven Film Bill

HARTFORD, Nov. 21.— A vote
on a proposed ordinance which would
restrict the showing of motion pic-
tures in New Haven — se;cond largest
city in Connecticut — will be taken at
tomorrow night's meeting of the New
Haven Aldermanic Committee on
Ordinances.

The proposal was introduced by
Martin J. Griffin, president of the St.
Francis Holy Name Society, and was
accompanied by more than 15,000
signatures collected at Sunday mass
in churches throughout that city.

If enacted, the ordinance would pro-
hibit the showing in New Haven of
films which have not been approved
by the Motion Picture Association.
Many foreign films, which do not
come under MPA scrutiny, would be
affected by the ordinance.

Several months ago, representatives
of the industry, including attorney
Herman M. Levy, executive secretary
of the MPTO of Connecticut, and
general counsel of TOA, heatedly pro-
tested the situation at a public hear-
ing. Other speakers asserted that the
proposed law was "unconstitutional"
and was not necessary, "since there
are state laws covering the showing
of indecent or immoral motion pic-
tures."

Jackie Cooper on
*Long John' Float

Joining the stage and screen celeb-
rities who will appear in person with
the array of floats in Macy's Thanks-
giving Day parade here is Jackie
Cooper, who will be the star per-
former on the "Long John Silver"
float.

Cooper, who is currently starring
in "King of Hearts" on the Broadway
stage, will impersonate young Jim
Hawkins, one of the principal charac-
ters in the CinemaScope Technicolor
production of DCA's "Long John
Silver." He will be featured on the
three-way float, which has been con-
structed so that it depicts one of the
buccaneering battles of the picture.

Buchsbaum to File
Respondent Brief

Assistant Corporation Coimsel
Stanley Buchsbaum, representing New
York City in the current exhibitor suit
against the city's five per cent amuse-
ment tax, will file today or tomorrow
a respondent brief in Brooklyn Appel-
late Division.

Exhibitor attorneys had filed briefs
on Nov. 5 appealing the Oct. 8 de-
cision of Supreme Court Justice Percy
D. Stoddart which upheld the city's
position in the suit, preserved the
prior injunction order until a decision
has been made on the appeal, and al-
lowed exhibitors throughout the city,
who had applied for court permission
to become parties to the action, to
withhold the tax breakage from the
City Tax Collector.

Buchsbaum's respondent brief will
review his past motions which were
introduced before Supreme Court Jus-
tice Nicholas M. Pette, who had
signed the injunction order. Justice
Stoddart and Supreme Court Justice
Charles S. Colden who heard the city's
and exhibitor motions for injunction.

The theatre attorneys contend that
the city levy is in excess of the five
per cent authorized by the State
Enabling Act of 1947 and that it is in-
consistent and contradictory tO' a prior
New York City Administrative Code.
The New York City attorney states
that the five per cent amusement tax
is legal and that it is computed by
ordinary business means.

Demma to Supervise
D,C:s K-B Circuit

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21.— Charles
Demma has been named supervisor of
Kogod-Burka Theatres.

The chain has eight theatres in
Washington and nearby Maryland.
Demma was manager of the circuit's
Apex Theatre for 10 years, and in
March was assigned to open the com-
pany's new Rockville Drive-in. Other
theatres in the K-B circuit are the
MacArthur, Ontario, Colony, Lang-
ley, Flower and Naylor.

As of Nov. 13

Report 9^356 Domestic
^ Scope Installations

By LESTER DINOFF

Twentieth Century-Fox statistical reports show that as of Nov. 13, Cin
emaScope equipment has been installed in 9,356 domestic conventional, drive-in
military theatres of the approximate 22,500 houses in the U. S. and Canada
leading company officials to believe

that the installation total in the domes
tic market will reach the 11,000 mark
by the end of the year.

With equipment dealers filling ex-
hibitor orders at an average of 150
per week, the 20th-Fox statistics re-
veal that 5,331 houses were equipped
for CinemaScope with optical sound,
87 houses have one-track magnetic
sound eciuipment, 543 theatres utilize
mixers and 3,395 theatres have four-
track magnetic stereophonic sound.

Foreignwise, the 20th-Fox report
shows that about 4,000 exhibitors in
more than 40 overseas markets have
equipped for the entertainment medi-
um. Internationally, 2,100 exhibitors
have magnetic sound and some 1,900
theatres are optically equipped.

An official of CinemaScope Prod-

ucts, an equipmenc firm, revealed at
the weekend, that the company has
sold to date 12,800^ anamorphic lens
units to 6,400 domestic theatres. Sta
tistics on screen equipment weren't
available.

'Robe' Gross Cited

Interest in CinemaScope and stereo-
phonic sound is said to be reflected
in theatre grosses recorded by "The
Robe," the first CinemaScope feature
which 20th-Fox produced and which is
reported to have grossed over $3 1,000,-
000 to date. A company representative
revealed that the rentals from this
first CinemaScope film had been 10
to 12 times higher than on preceding
conventional pictures in many situa-
tions.

People

Jack Kirsch, president of Illinois
Allied, has named the list of mem-
bers who will handle arrangements
for the organization's forthcoming
24th anniversary celebration at the
Chez Paree, Chicago, on Dec. 29.
They are Van Nomikos, general
chairman; Jack Clark, chairman on
arrangements; Bruce Trinz, chair-
man of publicity; Charles R. Lindau
and Jack Rose, co-chairmen of
ticket sales.

Paul Johnston, manager of Eaton's
Auditorium, is the only newcomer in
the 1955 crew of Toronto Variety
Tent No. 28. Johnston replaces
William A. Summerville through
his retirement as chief barker short-
ly. The re-elected canvasmen are
J. J. Fitzgibbons, Jr., Dave Bries-
dorf, H. S. Mandell, Dan Krendel,
Herb Allen, George Altman, Clare
Appel, Lou Davison, Monty Hall
and E. M. Rawley.

Phyllis Hardin of National Screen
Service in Atlanta has announced
her engagement to Roy Williams.

Herman "Dusty" Rhodes, drive-
in owner in Alabama and Georgia,
is at home recuperating from a
heart attack.

Mack Jackson, theatre owner in
Alexander City, Ala., has entered the
hospital in Birmingham for an eye
ope;ration.

Jack Whittle, owner of the Ave-
nue Theatre in Baltimore, has been
elected chief barker for the Variety
Club, Baltimore Tent No. 19. Others
elected are: Wilbert Brizendine, first
assistant, and Sam Tabor as second
assistant chief barker. Mayer Lev-
enthal is the newly elected secretary
and Oscar Kantor is the dough guy.
The new board includes Pete Prince,
Franke Durkes, Sr., Stanley Baker,
William Schnader, Leon Back and
Richard Dubin. The delegates are
Rodney Collier, the out-going chief
barker, and Pete Prince, with Dick
Dubin and Mayer Leventhal as
alternates.

Propose ANT A TV
Show for Feb. 21

A deal to theatre telecast the
ANTA Album on Feb. 21 is
being offered circuit executives
here, it was learned at the week-
end.

The project, to be sponsored
as a fund-raising affair for
CARE, is being packaged in
association with Empire Pro-
ductions Co. of Kansas City, it
was stated. Robert Bowling, of
City Investment Co. and a leader
of CARE, also was said to be
one of the sponsors.

It is understood that a four-
wall deal is being sought for the
show, said to be proposed for
10:30 P.M. (EDT). CARE was
said to be proposing that $7 per
ticket be charged for the event.

Motion Picture Daily

Monday, November 22, 1954

Reviews

"The Outlaw's Daughter"

(Alplee-20th Century- Fox)

EDWARD L. ALPERSON, JR.. of Alplce Productions has turned out a
standard saga about tlie West, "The Outlaw's Daughter," which is one
of several new independent pictures whicii 20th Century-Fox is distributing
to supplement its more important CinemaScope top bill releases. As a pro-
gram filler, this film serves its purpose although it seems unnecessarily long
for what it has to tell. As a western, it's routine throughout with a few
violent outbursts shown and its unidentified color photography somewhat
enhances its value.

Bill Williams, the henchmen of a retired outlaw, masquerades as a vicious
murderer and robber baron whose escapades are unknown to the erstwhile
outlaw. When circumstances force Williams to kill Kelly Ryan's father, the
daughter blames the murder on ATarshal Jim Davis, sight unseen. She moves
to another town and again encounters the marshal, where love blooms. When
the couple discover each other's identity. Miss Ryan joins Williams, still
believing that he (Williams) is only a glorified thief. Her illusions are soon
destroyed when she discovers his ignoble character and leaves him.

Miss Ryan, a newcomer, plays the girl without a variety of emotion. Wil-
liams and Davis fare somewhat better and the supporting cast includes George
Cleveland, Elisha Cook, Guinn Williams and Sara Haden. The picture was
directed and produced by Wesley Barry from a screenplay by Sam Roeca.
.'\lperson is listed as associate producer.

Running time, 75 minutes. General audience classification. Release, in
November.

''Masterson of Kansas"

{Columbia)

THE color by Technicolor in this Sam Katzman production enhances Doug-
las Heyes' story and screenplay about three legendary figures of the Old
West, Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, making "Masterson of
Kansas" a better than average western picture wliich should please the average
theatre patron and outdoor fan. The three characters present interesting
studies, especially that of Holliday who is presented as a cunning, fearless but
sickly gunslinger with a soul. He emerges as a complex and interesting figure
not often found in films of this type.

George Montgomery, in the title role, plays the sheriff of Dodge City who
tries to prove that a group of cattlemen are framing a man for murder. The
man, John Maxwell, had negotiated a peace treaty granting the Indians a
reserve in grass country wanted by the cattlemen. Knowing that the Indians
will wage war again if Maxwell is executed, Montgomery begins a search for
David Bruce who testified he saw the murder.

Helping him in this hunt is Federal Marshal Wyatt Earp and Holliday,
both for different reasons. Although Holliday and Masterson have a long-
standing feud, the former is persuaded by Maxwell's daughter, Nancy Gates,
to help. Despite an ambush, an attempted and near-lynching, the three gun
slingers prove to be too terrifying a trio for the villains. Surprising enough,
Holliday is not disposed of at the end which lends some authenticity to the
whole.

Others in the cast are James Mitchell and Bruce Cowling. The film was
directed by William Castle.

Running time, 73 minutes. General audience classification. Release, not set.

"Black ir

(Van Dykc-20fh Ccntiwy-Fox)

BURDENED by shallow dialogue and stock characters, this British action
melodrama which deals with a psychopathic killer falls below the stand-
ards established by some of the more recent imports. The Pietro Germi story,
directed by Ken Hughes and produced by Roger Proudlock for Van Dyke
Pictures Corp. of London, needs strong support as it leans on an unsym-
pathetic characterization of its central figure. However, it may fare well in
houses largely dependent on "popcorn" pictures and in others which need a
program filler.

The film's title is lifted from a scene in a gambling room where a roulette
wheel spins into action. Peter Reynolds is convincing enough as the crazy
mi.xed-up son of a college professor who turns to a life of crime after an
automobile accident in which he kills a pedestrian ; but the rest of the no-star
cast are string puppets for this low-budget quickie.

The plot deals with a series of petty crimes, one of which results in a
killing. Lana Morris is carrying an unwise torch for Reynolds while he is
sharing his loot with a female nite club entertainer. In the last chance caper,
Reynolds is pursued by an undercover agent and winds up as a corpse when
his car overturns.

Running time, 75 minutes. Adult audience classification. Release, in
November.

L of D Pledge

(Continued from f'ogc 1)

Holiness, Pope Pius XII, declared
that, "the faithful have the duty to
learn what these judgments (the
classifications of the Legion of De-
cency) are to make their conduct con-
form to them."

Milan Archbishop Quoted

The reminder to Catholic critics
was emphasized in a further reference
to the Montini comnumication in
which this ofiicial said, "just as it is
desirable that a product miirally rec-
ommendable should be of real value
technically, so too, on the other hand,
must one in eiiual measure guard
against all weakness toward a film
wliich might be recommended by its
technical value or the interest of its
subject-matter, but which would call
for grave reservations from the moral
or the religious viewpoint."

The bishops expressed grave
concern over the lowering of
standards of decency in motion
picture advertising in evidence
during the past year, together
with apparent indifference of
the authorities of the industry
toward the trend or their in-
ability effectively to deal with it.
They expressed the hope that
no like lapse from acceptable
standards will be allowed to
creep into the work of the Pro-
duction Code Administration in
Hollywood.

The Most Reverend William A.
Scully, D.D., Bishop of Albany, and
chairman of the Bishops' Committee
on Motion Pictures, reported to the
bishops of the United States, assem-
bled in Washijigton, on the work of
the National Legion of Decency.

Reporting on the moral qualities of
films produced in the United States
the bishops said that 120 or approxi-
mately 43.01% were classified as
.\-I (Morally Unobjectionable for
General Patronage), 101 or approxi-
mately 36.13% as A-II (Morally Un-
objectionable for Adults) while 56 or
approximately 20.07% were rated as
B (Moralh' Objectionable in Part
for All). OfTensiveness manifested in
the B category showed a negligible
decrease percentagewise from 1953.
Two domestically produced films out
of a total of 279 were condemned.

73 Foreign Films Reviewed

Of the 73 foreign films reviewed by
the Legion of Decency, 18 or approxi-
mately 24.66% were classified as A-I
(Morally Unobjectionable for Gen-
eral Patronage), 26 or approximately
35.62% as A-II (Morally Unobjec-
tionable for Adults) while 22 or ap-
proximately 30.14% were rated as B
(Morally Objectionable in Part for
All) and 7 or approximately 9.59%
were condemned. Percentagewise the
B or Morally Objectionable in Part
for All category showed a decrease
of 8% from last year. However, the
number of foreign films condemned
showed an increase of approximately
3% over the preceding year. Seven
foreign pictures seen by the Legion
this past year were condemned as op-
posed to 3 the previous year.

The Most Reverend William A.
O'Connor, D.D., Bishop of Spring-
field, Illinois, has completed his term
as a member of the Bishops Commit-
tee. The Most Reverend Hubert M.
Newell, D.D., LL.D., Bishop of Chey-
enne, Wyoming, has been elected a
new member of the Episcopal Com-
mittee on Motion Pictures.

Over 100 for Mexico

MEXICO CITY, Nov. 21.— As 92
pictures were produced in Mexico this
year up to Oct. 31, the trade has re-
vised its estimate that the 1954 output
would not exceed 100. Nine pictures
nearing completion further prompted
that revision which ventures a total
production this year of at least 107.

'Christmas' Tieup

More than 3,000 department stores
and women's wear shops in cities
throughout the U. S. currently are
plugging Irving Berlin's "White
Christmas" in window and interior
displays under the tieup established
between Paramount Pictures and
Natlynn Junior Originals.

Metro's 8

(Continued from page 1)

Ryan, Anne Francis, Dean Jagger,
Walter Brennan and John Ericson.
This will be folloi ed by "(jreen
Fire," in CinemaS :ope, starring
Stewart Granger, Gn.ce Kelly, Paul
Douglas, John Ericson, and Mervyn
Vye.

For February there will be "Many
Rivers to Cross," in CinemaScope,
starring Robert Taylor, Eleanor
Parker, Victor McLaglen, and Russ
Tamblyn ; and "Jupiter's Darling," in
CinemaScope, starring Esther Wil-
liams, Howard Keel, Marge and
Gower Champion, George Sanders,
Richard Haydn, and William Dem-
arest.

'Hit the Deck' in March

"Hit the Deck" will head the March
duo. The musical stars Jane Powell,
Tony Martin, Debbie Reynolds, Wal-
ter Pidgeon, Vic Damone, Gene Ray-
mond, Ann Miller, and Russ Tamblyn.
The second picture for the month will
be "Interrupted Melody," in Cinema-
Scope, starring Glenn Ford, Eleanor
Parker, Roger Moore, and Cecil Kell-
away.

For April there will be "Glass Slip-
per" and "Boulevard in Paris," the
latter in CinemaScope. Michael Wild-
ing, Leslie Caron, Amanda Blake,
Keenan Wynn, and Elsa Lanchester
head the cast of "Glass Slipper" while
Anne Baxter and Steve Forrest co-
star in "Boulevard in Paris."

*Ten Commandments'

( Continued from, page 1 )

in Egypt are : that of Moses leading
his followers out of captivity through
the desert and across the Red Sea;
Moses on Mount Sinai, which DeMille
and the company climbed by camel and
on foot ; battle scenes employing more
than 15,000 tribesmen, with Heston
and Yul Brynner as opposing com-
manders, and scenes before the gates
of Tanis.

DeMille, Heston and other members
of the company will arrive at Idlewild
Airport here on Wednesday and will
leave Saturday for Hollywood to be-
gin studio preparations for the com-
pletion of the picture.

Schine Trial

(Continued from page 1)

mer F. Lux, one of the defendants in
the case.

Meanwhile, motions by the Schine
chain for permission to sell 11 theatres
for non-theatrical use and for a bill
of particulars in the criminal contempt
of court action will be argued before
Judge Knight tomorrow afternoon.

Personnel Changes
In Canadian Odeon

TORONTO, Nov. 21.— A number
of personnel changes in the Toronto
district have been announced by the
Canadian Odeon circuit, involving
both headoffice staff and theatres.

James Hardiman has been pro-
moted_ to director of advertising and
publicity at headquarters, replacing
W. C. Tyers, who becomes manager
of the Hyland Theatre from which
Barry Carnon is transferred to the
Fairlawn here.

Don Robertson goes from the Fair-
lawn to the Colony, succeeding G.
Bregman who has been named to
manage the Grant Theatre.

Monday, November 22, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Exhibitor Survey Finds:

Majority Wants Industry
To Settle Own Problems

A second sampling of Eastern exhibitor opinion on Allied States' proposal
of Federal regulation of distribution by Motion Picture Daily correspondents
showed little change from that obtained last month and published Oct. 26.
A majority of exhibitors decry the
very idea of Federal regulation but
a substantial number feel that cur-
rent circumstances are such as to
justify consideration of the Allied
program.

In addition, there is a definite be-
lief among many exhibitors that an
industry arbitration plan would help
solve some of the problems and that
all could be settled by internal means
if a genuine effort to do so were made.

In most of these respects, the East-
ern exhibitor attitude on Federal
regulation and the broader issue of
current trade practice problems paral-
lels that encountered by correspondent
tor The Daily in other sections of
the country. Exhibitor opinions from
the Far West, South and Midwest
were published earlier.

Thus, the national exhibitor opinion
might be summed up as follows :
Let's avoid Federal regulation of the
industry and solve our own problems,
as we are capable of doing. But if no
effort to relieve current conditions is
made, then let's consider an approach
to government agencies.

Following are some of the additional
comments of Eastern exhibitors :

Orville Crouch, Loew's Eastern
division managers, Washington, D. C. :
"All of US' know by this time that
when you get the government in
your business it stays in. The idea of
government regulation of the industry
is entirely foreign to our concept of
free enterprise."

companies will be fair with exhibitors
as a whole. This is especially true in
smaller towns where the exhibitors
must depend upon the fair dealing of
the distributors. We cannot afford to
be fooling around with Federal regu-
lation. We have sufficient government
interference as things stand at present.

"It has been my happy experience
as an exhibitor, which covers a period
of approximately 15 years, that there
hasn't ever been a problem which
could not be settled satisfactorily be-
tween the distributor and myself."

Michael J. Daly, Hartford, Conn.,
voiced a hearty "Yes" to Federal reg-
ulations. "Film prices have reached a
state of monopoly, where the distribu-
tor is in a position to demand and get
fantastic rentals and percentages for
his product, and it's time that the
government stepped in to hold con-
ditions to a level where the indepen-
dent exhibitor as well as the large cir-
cuit can make a decent profit."

Maurice Green, director of Mid-
dlesex Amusement Co., Maiden,
Mass. : "I feel that the industry should
be free of government intervention
and controls."

Gerry Wagner, manager of Lo-
pert theatres, Washington, D. C. : "I
don't think it's the government's busi-
ness to regulate. The less regulation
we have, the better. The industry can
take care of its own difficuties, but
it has to grow up."

Censors in Memphis
Praise, and Pass
*Carmen Jones'

MEMPHIS. ^Jov. 21.— The Mem-
phis and Shelby .County Board of Cen-
sors passed and^raised 20th Century-
Fox's Cinema Scope production of
"Carmen Jones" which has an all-
Negro cast, it was announced by
Lloyd T. Binford, chairman of the
censor board.

The board, which in the past has
been opposed to pictures utilizing Ne-
gro actors, reported that Otto Prem-
inger's production "had some marvel-
ous acting and that it was a clean film.
There is nothing in it that can be con-
sidered the least out of place. There
is nothing in it to censor and we have
no objection to its showing here."

Memphis Bans All
Bergman Pictures

MEMPHIS, Nov._ 21.— A re-issue
of "Saratoga Trunk" was banned by
censors here because Ingrid Bergman
plays in the film.

The 88-year-old censor, Lloyd Bin-
ford, told Warner Brothers that In-
grid Bergman and all her pictures
were banned forever" from Memphis.
Said Binford to Warners :

"I feel confident that you have over-
looked the fact that the Board of
Censors banned forever Ingrid Berg-
man and all of her productions after
she deserted her husband and only
child."

Binford has also banned all Charlie
Chaplin pictures.

Corona in Queens
Leased by G. S. & D,

A long-term lease for the 1,600-seat
Corona Theatre, located in Jackson
Heights, L. I., has been acquired by
the G. S. & D. Amusement Corp.,
which is headed by Goldman and
Dubin, it was announced here last
week by Berk and Krumgold, real
estate brokers.

The Corona Theatre is the 15th
acquistion in the metropolitan area
by Goldman and Dubin who have al-
ready commenced a complete rehabili-
tation of the house.

The lessor of the theatre is the In-
terboro Circuit, which is headed by
Solomon M. Strausberg.

Shift Fairbanks to
Altec Office Here

C. S. Perkins, operating manager of
Altec Service, has announced the
transfer of R. D. Fairbanks, engineer-
ing specialist attached to the Boston
office of Altec's northeastern division,
to New York headquarters, effective
immediately.

Fairbanks has been brought to New
\' ork to carry out a special assignment
in connection with an electronics
project now under way by Altec in
behalf of the United States Navy.

Fairbanks will work in a special
projects group headed by E. S. Seeley,
chief engineer of Altec's engineering
department.

Granat Now Producer

MEXICO CITY, Nov. 21.— Samuel
Granat, who with his brother, Oscar,
recently sold their large theatre circuit
here to quit pictures, is returning, this
time as a producer. He will largely
finance a picture that is to go into
work here soon.

Sam Roth, Roth Theatres, Wash-
ington, D. C. : "The distributors'
methods and tactics are forcing the
exhibitors to look for some relief, no
matter where it comes from. I don't
approve of government regulation, but
if it's the only way out, then I'ln for
it. With the distributors it's merely
a matter of what they can squeeze out
of the exhibitor, and if the exhibitors
can do nothing about unfair practices
themselves, where can they turn?"

George Crouch, Stanley Warner
zone managers, Washington, D. C. :
"I'm not in sympathy with having the
government in business. I don't think
it would be good for exhibitors or for
the industry as a whole. We've had
enough government regulation."

Paul W. Amadeo, general man-
ager of Turnpike Theatre Corp., New-
ington. Conn. : "Any attempt to get
our industry controlled by the govern-
ment can very easily snowball into
tremendous proportions, over which
both the little guy and the big circuit
no longer have control. I'm very much
in favor of industry arbitration, and
would recommend pursuing the latter
course as far as feasible.

"This industry has come a long
way, and it will continue to go still
further, but not unless it makes up
its collective mind to watch out for
the next fellow, and, at all times,
putting up a united industry front for
the world — -and government — to see."

Jack Fruchtman, New and Keith's
theatres, Baltimore : "I am not inter-
ested in any government control be-
cause I believe in all dealings the film

Marvin Goldman, part owner of
the K-B circuit, Washington, D. C. :
"Federal regulation of the industry
would be the worst thing that could
possibly happen. Ours isn't an industry
that can be legislated. You can't put
a price tag on intangibles, and that's
what motion pictures are. There are
abuses now — there always have been —
and only time will correct them.
There's no reason why the distribu-
tors and the exhibitors can't sit down
and work things out — and I think
they will."

Lloyd Wineland, Jr., vice-presi-
dent, Wineland Theatres, Washington,
D. C. : "I don't think Federal regula-
tion is a good thing, but I don't think
the present situation in regard to the
releasing of films is a good thing,
either. It's a question of which is the
lesser of two evils. There are certainly
going to have to be some changes if
we're going to continue to run our
theatres. There are too many evils in
the present system of distributing and
pricing pictures."

'Tonight' to Follow
'LilV at Trans-Lux

Allied Artists' Technicolor produc-
tion of "Tonight's The Night" will
follow "Lili" at the 52nd Street Trans-
Lux Theatre here in December for an
indefinite run, the film company an-
nounced.

The picture, which was made in
Ireland, and stars David Niven,
Yvonne De Carlo and Barry Fitz-
gerald, was produced and directed by
Mario Zampi.

No Legal Bar

{Continued from page 1)

by Lichtman's statement that he will
have a more definite announcement on
his proposed meeting in New York
later this week, referring to the date
and commitments from companies as
to their participation.

In reference to current efforts to
establish an industry arbitration sys-
tem, Lichtman said talks are continu-
ing on the draft. Allied States Asso-
ciation has refused to participate in
the talks, contending that it will not
enter an arbitration system in which
film rentals are not made an item for
arbitration.

Views Seem to Conflict

Lichtman's disclosure on the senti-
ment of company attorneys would ap-
pear to negate the alternative method
proposed by the 20th-Fox distribution
director, that of having separate par-
leys between individual companies and
exhibition leaders.

Zanuck left for Europe at the week-
end.

^Shield' Plays 600

{Continued from page 1)

disclosed by Universal at the weekend.

U-I's policy of making available
conventional prints of its Cinema-
Scope productions to theatres on their
normal availabilities has been so
"overwhelmingly" endorsed by exhibi-
tors that the company has decided to
continue this policy on all its future
CinemaScope productions including
"Sign of the Pagan," said to be the
costliest negative produced to date on
the U-I lot and which has been sched-
uled for Christmas release.

The U-I CinemaScope productions
will also be available in magnetic
sound and optical sound prints, it was
announced.

Phila. M.P. Associates
Pioneer Affair Jan. 18

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 21.— Pio-
neers of Philadelphia's Motion Pic-
ture Associates will be honored at a
$25-a-plate dinner of the M.P.A. at
the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel on Jan.
18, it was announced by Sam Diamond,
branch manager of 20th Century-Fox,
president of the organization.

Leading figures of the industry from
Hollywood and New York are sched-
uled to attend the event, first of its
kind to be held by the Associates, com-
posed of men employed in Philadel-
phia exchanges. Ulrik Smith, veteran
head of the Paramount exchange, has
been named chairman of the commit-
tee to select the pioneers to be hon-
ored, Diamond said. Proceeds of the
dinner will go to the welfare commit-
tee of the Associates.

Personnel Changes
In Fairchild Corp.

Two personnel changes have been
announced by Ray F. Crews, executive
vice president of Fairchild Recording
Equipment Co. of Whitestone, N. Y.

Frank G. Mullins, Jr., has joined
the company as manager of engineer-
ing and special counsel. Mullins was
formerly with the electronic division
of Westinghouse in Baltimore.

Robert J. Marshall has been promot-
ed from chief engineer to head the re-
cently established new product devel-
opment group.

OTTO PREMINGER presents OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN'S

from 20th Century-Fox

Cl N EM aScoP^

starring

HMyBELAFONTE-DOROM
PEARL BAILEY -OLGA JAMES JOE ADAMS

Produced and Directed by

OTTO PREMINGER

Books and Lyrics by

OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN, 2nd

Screen Play by HARRY KLEINER

color by DELUXE

'^aifin cm!

iNoerRoiT'.

ith a pleasures

to do business with 20th!

MOTION PICTURE W

DAILY

Point

VOL. 76. NO. 99

NEW YORK, U. S. A., TUESD.4Y, NOVEMBER 23, 1954

TEN CENTS

Profits Climb

Col. Earned
$1,349,000
In 13 Weeks

Earnings Represent $1.70
A Share; 90c Last Year

A net profit of $1,349,000 for the 13-
week period ended Sept. 25 was re-
ported here yesterday by Columbia
Pictures. This compares to a $762,000
net profit earned last year for the same
13- week period, according to the com-
pany's statement of comparative con-
solidated earnings.

In its statement, signed by president
Harry Cohn, the company reported
that earnings per share of common
stock for the current year's 13-week
period was $1.70, compared to 92 cents
for the same period last year.

The earnings per share of common
{Continued on page 13)

Dave Bader Elected
AMPA President

David Bader was elected president
of Associated Motion Picture Adver-
tisers at a closed meeting of AMPA
members here yesterday. All other of-
ficers named by
the nominating
committee,
headed by Vi-
vian Moses and
Blanche Liv-
ingston, also
were elected.

They were
Martin Davis,
vice - president ;
Harold Danzi-
ger, secretary,
and Hans Barn-
styn, treasurer.
The board of
directors, in ad-
dition to the officers, will consist of
{Contimied on page 13)

Dave Bader

Counsel Contends
New Haven Censor
Proposal Is Void

HARTFORD, Nov. 22.— Corpora-
tion counsel George W. Crawford of
New Haven, second largest city in
Connecticut, today expressed the be-
lief that a proposed censorship ordi-
nance which would ban the New
Haven showing of films that do not
have the Motion Picture Association
Seal of Approval would be void.

Such an ordinance, he said :

1. Offends the first and 14th amend-
ments of the U. S. Constitution.

2. Attempts an unconstitutional re-
delegation of the legislative power
granted to the New Haven Board of
Aldermen.

3. Attempts to redelegate a matter
which transcends purely local concerns
and involves statewide legislative

{Continued on page 12)

Reserve Decision
On Schine Request

BUFFALO, Nov. 22.— Federal
Judge John Knight today re-
served decision on a motion by
Schine Chain Theatres asking
permission to sell 11 theatres to
non-theatrical interests.

The government is opposed
to this, claiming it is just a
variation of the decree order.
The trial of Schine Chain Thea-
tres, Inc. and other defendants
on charges of civil and criminal
contempt of court has been or-
dered to trial by judge Knight
by Nov. 29 at the latest.

UJA's Garden Show
Takes $102,000

The United Jewish Appeal's 21st
annual benefit performance of "The
Night of Stars," at the Madison
Square Garden here last night, took
in an estimated $102,000 boosting the
proceeds from past shows to $2,120,-
000, it was announced.

Some 20,000 persons, who turned
out to see stars of stage, screen, radio,
television, and opera, helped the UJA
to dedicate the performance to the
Tercentenary of Jewish settlement in
America and the memory of Theodore
Herzl, founder of modern Zionism.

The proceeds from the four-hour
show went towards the UJA prcgram
of European relief and Israel rehabili-
tation. Since the conception of the
"Night of Stars," 21 years ago, about
{Contimted on page 10)

Skouras Abroad on
Co-Film Deals

Lining up additional co-production
deals in Europe for 20th Century-Fox
was described here yesterday as one of
the missions of Spyros P. Skouras,
20th-Fox president, now in Paris, ac-
cording to Joseph Moskowitz, 20th-
Fox vice-president.

Moskowitz, speaking of previous co-
production deals set during his recent
trip to Europe, said the American
market would get only those films
produced in England or in English
speaking colonies. He saw no market
in the U. S. for French or German
films in which 20th-Fox will have a
financial investment. All the foreign
co-production films, estimated previ-
ously at 25, will be made in Cinema-
Scope, Moskowitz added.

Two Sir Alexander Korda films be-
ing made ready now for the American
market and for which 20th-Fox has
world-wide distribution rights, he con-
tinued, are "Deep Blue Sea" and
"That Lady." Another Korda produc-
tion, "Four Feathers," will be dis-
{Continued on page 10)

Youngstein Says

New Deals Up
UA '55 Slate
To Over Forty

$30,000,000 Available for
Independent Production

United Artists will have "not less
than 40 productions" for release in
1955, Max E. Youngstein, UA vice-
president, disclosed here yesterday
upon his return
from the Coast.

You ngstein
reported that
while on the
Coast he closed
deals for ap-
proximately 15
pictures, adding
that the proper-
ties will be an-
nounced as soon
as the neces-
sary legal pa-
pers are signed.

The UA vice-
president, asked
to comment on plans within the indus-
try to stimulate independent produc-
{Contimied on page 12)

Max Youngstein

Record Attendance at
Fla. Exhibitor Meet

GLENN HAVILAND IS ELECTED
PRESIDENT OF COLOSSEUM

High Court Rejects
Rogers' TV Appeal

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22.— The
Supreme Court today refused to re-
consider its earlier decision not to
interfere with Republic Pictures' at-
tempts to sell old Roy Rogers films to
television.

On Oct. 18, the high court refused
to hear an appeal by Rogers and Gene
Autry from California Circuit Court
decisions throwing out their suits to
bar Republic from selling their old
{Continued on page 13)

Special to THE DAILY
CHICAGO, Nov. 22.— Glenn Haviland of Seattle was elected presi-
dent of the Colosseum of Motion Picture Salesmen of America at the

organization's annual meeting here.

Canadian Exhibitors
In Toronto Conclave

TORONTO, Nov. 22.— Convention
week for major fihii-trade organiza-
tions of the Dominion opened today at
the King Edward Hotel with the hold-
ing of the sixth annual meeting of the
National Committee of Motion Picture
Exhibitors Associations of Canada un-
der the chairmanship of Morris Stein,
{Continued on page 12)

Other officers are: Milton Simon,
first vice-president, Chicago; Robert
Lightfoot, second vice-president, St.
Louis ; Jack Eckhardt, secretary, Chi-
cago ; Leo Schauer, assistant secre-
tary, Chicago ; Edgar E. Shinn, treas-
urer. New Orleans, and J. P. Mosley,
assistant treasurer, New Orleans.

Regional officers are : Charles Dor-
tic, regional vice-president, Pitts-
burgh ; W. G. Bugie, regional com-
mitteeman, Albany, N. Y. Kenneth
Dotterer, regional vice-president, In-
dianapolis ; Dave Chapman, regional
{Continued on page 12)

Special to THE DAILY

JACKSONVILLE, Nov. 22. — The
annual roundup of Florida's industry-
ites began here at a Sunday evening
cocktail party in the clubrooms of
Variety Club, Tent 44, at the Roose-
velt Hotel, with the Royal Crown
Cola Bottlers as hosts for members of
the Motion Picture Exhibitors of
Florida.

By the start of today's business ses-
sion the registrations were more than
100 ahead of last year, assuring
MPEOF of the largest convention in
{Continued on page 10)

Percentage Actions
Upheld in Pa. Court

The motion of the exhibitor defend-
ants to dismiss some eight percentage
actions was denied by Federal Judge
John W. Lord, Jr., in U. S. District
Court for the Eastern district of
Pennsylvania. The dismissal had been
sought on the grounds that the
amounts involved were insufficient for
federal jurisdiction.

In denying the motion to dismiss
{Continued on page 10)

Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, November 23, 1954

Personal
Mention

HARLES M. REAGAN, M-G-M
vice-president and general sales
manager; E. M. Saunders, assistant
general sales manager, and John P.
BvRNE, Eastern sales manager, have
returned to New York from Chicago,
•

Cecil B. DeMille, Chaklton Hes-
TON and other members of "The Ten
Commandments" production unit, are
scheduled to arrive in New York by
plane tomorrow from Egypt.

•

Herbert H. Green blatt, RKO
Radio domestic sales manager, and
Harry Gi'm-ESON. executive assis-
tant, have returned to New York from
Canada.

•

William E. Osborne, assistant ex-
port manager of Allied Artists Inter-
national, has arrived in London from
New York.

•

Robert Fleisher, 20th Century-Fox
national magazine contact, will leave
New York tomorrow by plane for the
Coast.

•

Terrence Young, director of Lon-
don Films, is scheduled to arrive here
from England today via B.O.A.C.
Alonarch.

•

J. A. ToDDj recording manager of
Westrex Co., Ltd., England, has re-
turned to London from New York.
•

Herman Finkelstein, general at-
torney of ASCAP, has left New York
by plane for Paris.

Jack Carter, of "Woman's Home
Companion," has returned to New
York from the West Coast.

Mona Freeman has arrived in New
York from London via B.O.A.C. Mon-
arch.

A. J. Bronstein, president of Mead-
ows Drive-in Theatre Corp., Hartford,
has left there for Los Angeles.

Milton Sperling, producer, has re-
turned to Hollywood from New York
and Washington.

Debbie Reynolds left here yester-
day for Hollywood.

Steve Forrest has returned to Hol-
lywood from Europe.

Virginia Mayo is here from the
Coast.

Trade Charity Drive
Passes 63% Mark

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 22. — The
Motion Picture Permanent Charities
Committee chairman, Ralph Clare,
today announced that the organization
is 63!^ per cent of the way toward its
1955 campaign goal, $1,250,000, now
in its third week since the drive
started.

The present figure, $793,796, repre-
sents 18,333 donations.

NSS Employees
To Vote Dec. 16

Some 170 employees of National
Screen Service's home office
here will vote on Dec. 16 on
whether or not they want the
Home Office Employees Union,
Local H-63, lATSE, as their
bargaining agent.

RCA in Reply to
U.S. Civil Complaint

Radio Corp. of America stated yes-
terday that it had received a copy of
a civil complaint filed by the Anti-trust
Division of the Department of Justice.

RCA pointed out that the agree-
ments upon which the complaint is
based are the same agreements which
were approved by the courts and the
government in 1932 and have since
been twice upheld by the courts, once
in 1942 and again in 1954.

The company said that it does not
acquire for itself, nor does it grant
to others, exclusive patent licenses.
RCA also pointed out that its licensing
policy of making its inventions avail-
able to all has resulted in the devel-
opment of the radio-television industry
as the "fastest growing and most com-
petitive industry in America."

'Dimes* to Sponsor
'Romeo' Premiere

The March of Dimes will sponsor
the invitational American premiere
of the Technicolor film version of
Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," on
Dec. 21, at the Sutton Theatre in
New York, it was announced by Law-
rence F. Kennedy, general chairman
of the Greater New York March of
Dimes, and William J. Heineman,
vice-president of United Artists in
charge of distribution.

Proceeds from the premiere w'ill go
to the Mary MacArthur Fund of the
March of Dimes for the fight against
infantile paralysis.

"Romeo and Juliet" will be shown
at the Sutton on a continuous-per-
formance schedule, beginning Dec. 22.

"Romeo and Juliet" was awarded
the Golden Lion of St. Mark in
Vence, Italy.

Swedish Picture
Acquired by Davis

The first American language film
produced in Sweden, "The True and
the False," has been acquired for re^
lease in the United States and Canada
by the Helene Davis Pictures. Pro
duced by Signe Hasso, this drama is
based upon selected tales by Guy de
Maupassant and Honore de Balzac,
and was written for the screen by Bob
Condon. Directed by Michael Road,
the picture stars Miss Hasso and in
troduces William Langford.

Mrs. Don Cole Dies

Muriel A. Cole, wife of Don Cole,
Altec Service Corp. branch manager,
in Washington, died last week. Fu
neral services will be held today in
Millburn, N. J.

Cinema Lodge Marks
Birthday Tonight

. A large turnout of industry repre-
sentatives. Cinema Lodge members and
their guests, is expected at the Hotel
Astor here tonight to help New York's
lodge of B'nai B'rith mark its 15th
anniversary.

Max E. Youngstein, Cinema Lodge
vice-president, will be chairman of the
festivities which will honor the lodge's
past presidents before the group which
will also include many of the lodge's
charter members. Past presidents
scheduled to attend are Alfred W.
Schwalberg, Arthur Israel, Jr., Irving
H. Greenfield, Adolph Schimel, Albert
A. Senft, Robert M. Weitman, Jack
H. Levin, S. Arthur Glixon, Saul E.
Rogers and Martin Levine.

Robbins to Preside

Burton E. Robbins, president of
Cinema Lodge, will preside. One of
the highlights of the evening will be
the awarding of the 1954 Cadillac
sedan in the Lodge's 1954-1955 fund-
raising drive through the sale of con-
tribution share certificates which have
been completely sold out.

The Reverend John Stanley Grauel,
a young minister who has devoted
himself to the furtherance of the de-
velopment of Israel, will be the prin-
cipal speaker of the evening. Schwal-
berg, who is honorary president in
addition to being one of the founders
and the first president of Cinema
Lodge, is also scheduled to speak.

'Country GirV Bow
For Olympic Fund

"The Country Girl," Paramount's
screen version of the Broadway drama,
will have a world premiere on Dec. 15,
for the benefit of the United States
Olympic Fund at the Criterion Thea-
tre here. This was announced jointly
by Barney Balaban, president of Para-
mount Pictures, and J. Lyman Bing-
ham, executive director of the United
States Olympic Committee, which will
receive all proceeds from the premiere
performance.

Starred in "The Country Girl" are
Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly and Wil-
liam Holden.

Altec Officials at
Florida Conclave

A special delegation of Altec Serv-
ice Corp. representatives are in at-
tendance at the convention of the Mo-
tion Picture Exhibitors of Florida in
Jackson\ille. It includes Marty Wolf,
Altec assistant sales manager from
New York headquarters ; M. G.
Thomas, division manager from the
company's Atlanta offices, and Bruce
Mewborn, Atlanta branch manager.

News
Roundup

Blumherg Reported
Doing Very Well

Nate J. Blumberg, Universal board
chairman, who suffered a heart at-
tack in his Hotel Sherry Netherland
apartment here last week, was re-
ported yesterday to be well on the
way to recovery at Doctors Hospital.
Blumberg's physicians were reported
to be completely satisfied with the
progress he has made.

Chapel Honors Sudekum

Work has started in Nashville on a
memorial chapel honoring the late
Tony Sudekum, founder of the Cres-
cent Amusement Co. Witnessing the
laying of the cornerstone at the First
Lutheran Church were Mrs. Sudekum,
a major Crescent stockholder, and a
daughter, Mrs. Kermit Stengel, wife
of the Crescent president.

K of C Series

Eighteen Cleveland neighborhood
theatres will show a series of four
short subjects sponsored by the
Knights of Columbus, starting on or
about Dec. 12. The films are being
supplied gratis under the Catholic
Film Plan to sell 125,000 theatre cou-
pons for $1 each.

To Honor Walter Hyland

Chicago area exhibitors are joining
Universal's special date drive in honor
of head booker Walter Hyland's 40th
anniversary with the Chicago ex-
change. The December celebration is
being designated as "Walter Hyland
Month." Hyland entered the industry
as a booker with the old Carl Laem-
mle organization.

Luncheon for Danny

The Hollywood Foreign Corre-
spondents Association will hold a
luncheon today for Danny Kaye at
the Beverly Hills Hotel, citing the
actor as a "goodwill ambassador."

Dinner for Adorno

The Middletown, Conn., Municipal
Employes' Association is planning a
testimonial dinner next month for at-
torney Joseph A. Adorno, son of Sal
Adorno, general manager of the M
& D Theatres. Adorno is stepping
down as Middlesex County Judge of
Probate.

NEW YORK THEATRES

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

Rockefeller Center

BERLrN% "WHITE CHRISTIVIAS"

in VistaVision starring

BING CROSBY - DANNY KAYE
ROSEMARY CLOONEY - VERA ELLEN
Color by Technicolor - A Paramount Picture
and SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION

• • » • • « • •

IN PERSON

• AND HIS ENTIRE TV CAST
?ON SCREEN CINCmaScoPE WARNERCOLOR:

: JILAN XADDinSRUM BEAT

PARAMOUNT

B'WAY AT
43ra ST.

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Q«igley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published dailv except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke.
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, LTrben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. I; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quig:pubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post ofSce at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

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FACET OF ADVERTISING, PUBLICITY AND EXPLOITATION!

Clear-cut information on "Where to, When to and How to" vividly embodied in giant pressbook!

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Minneapolis, Minn.

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Denver, Colorado

1660 Cordova Street
Los Angeles, Cal.

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Jacksonville, Florida

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Boston, Mass.

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Chicago, Illinois

2017 Young Street
Dallas, Texas

LITHO U. S A.

Tuesday, November 23, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Army Issues Order
Regarding Promotion
For 'This Is Army'

An elaborate film promotion project
is revealed in army orders, made
public by COMPO, yesterday, which
have been sent to 72 army recruiting
stations throughout the country in
connection with the theatre presenta-
tion of the Technicolor feature, "This
Is Your Army," which will be re-
leased on Dec. 13.

In order to direct community at-
tention to the film, army recruiting
officers are instructed to contact local
American Legion and Veterans of
Foreign Wars posts and obtain their
cooperatipn in arranging special pro-
grams for the premiere of the film in
neighborhood theatres ; to request
local editors, radio and TV station
managers to publicize the showing of
the film; to arrange for army ex-
hibits (equipment, food packaging,
war trophies, etc.) in theatre lobbies;
and to assist in the staging of parades,
band concerts and drills.

Publicity Kit Prepared

A kit sent by the Army Informa-
tion Service to recruiting centers con-
tains special press releases and picture
mats, spot announcements for radio
and television, and army posters ad-
vertising the film. Local army per-
sonnel also are requested to arrange
parades to the theatre, using active
and reserve army units, veterans and
school contingents ; to seek the co-
operation of stores in displaying cap-
tured enemy equipment or war souve-
nirs belonging to home town veterans ;
to have veterans drill teams give ex-
hibitions in or outside the theatres
and to use any other ideas best suited
to the conditions and needs of their
own communities.

Holly WDod

Bu Samuel D. Berns^^n,

Name Brickates SW
Conn, District Mgr.

HARTFORD, Nov. 22. — Promo-
tion of Nick E. Brickates, manager of
the Garde Theatre, New London, to
Connecticut district managership of
Stanley- Warner Theatres has been an-
nounced by Harry Feinstein, North-
eastern zone manager.

Brickates, in the film industry for
26 years, succeeds the late James F.
McCarthy. He will supervise 14 thea-
tres in the Connecticut territory. His
replacement at the New London house
will be announced shortly, according
to Feinstein.

Briskates' territory includes the
Garde, New London ; Palace, Nor-
wich ; Capitol and Gem, Willimantic ;
State, Manchester; Strand and Em-
bassy, New Britain ; Cameo, Bristol ;
Warner, Torrington ; Palace and Em-
press, Danbury ; Capitol, Ansonia ;
Hull, Derby; and Palace, South Nor-
walk.

Bishop Newell to
Catholic Film Unit

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22.— Bish-
op Herbert M. Newell of Cheyenne,
Wye, has been named a member of
the Catholic Bishops' Committee on
Motion Pictures, ' it was announced
here.

He replaces Bishop William A. O'-
Connor, of Springfield, III, who has
completed his term of service on the
committee. Other members of the
committee remain unchanged, includ-
ing the chairman, Bishop William A.
Scully of Albany.

INCIDENTALLY: Robert H. Nolan got an okay from Dr. Roy
Chapman Andrews to develop a motion picture and television
series on the life and adventures of the famous explorer. . . . Uni-
versal is hot on the musical series possibilities of the team starred
in "So This Is Paris," so Al Cohen assigned Earl Baldwin to
screenplay "So This Is Rio." . . . Joan Wilcoxon will stage her
Third Annual Nativity Play alone this year for the Marine Corps'
"Toys For Tots" campaign, while Henry is associate-producing
DeMille's "Ten Commandments" in Egypt. . . . Norm Siegel hopped
to Mexico City to check future of Transcona with Ed Alperson,
and to plan a campaign on "The Number One," which the producer
is making below the border for 20th. . . . Y. Frank Freeman re-
elected to U.S.C.'s board of trustees. . . . Victor Young will baton
his own inusical score for Republic's important "Timberjack." . . .
Walter Mirisch is parlaying Neville Brand's success in "Riot in
Cell Block 11" with a starring role in Allied Artists' "Hold Back
The Night." . . . Robert Wise will have his director's chair favor-
ing the M-G-M lot for a while. . . . Henry Ginsberg and George
Stevens are in the "Giant" steps forward with Boris Leven design-
ing the sets and Rock Hudson already signed for one of the leads.
. . . "Love Me or Leave Me" gives Cameron Mitchell third billing
with a role that spells a milestone in his booming career. . . . Para-
mount lifted its option on producer Robert Emmett Dolan, now
prepping "Anthing Goes." . . . Noel Drayton, singing partner of
Danny Kaye in "Knock On Wood's" memorable Irish reunion
scene, cinched a key role in the comedian's next, "The Court Jester."
. . . Sign Of the Times : Joan Crawford packaging herself, Ranald
MacDougall as writer-director, and Edna Lee's novel, "Queen Bee,"
for a participation deal with Columbia.

n n n

DRUM BEATERS: Exhibitors will view Allied Artists'
forthcoming product via two-reel color subject. . . . RKO's
"Underwater" will get a musical buildup with Perez Prado's
recording of "Cerezo Roza" (Cherry Pink). . . . That six-
stories-high rubber likeness of "Long John Silver" in the
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade should get enough national
coverage to prime the kid trade for Joe Kaufman's jackpot
entry. . . . Warners' Hollywood-type premiere of "The Silver
Chalice" for the town selling the most Christmas Seals is
great public relations for our industry.

n n n

Directors cope : Richard 0. Fleischer caught ou-r attention a
few years back when he took home an Oscar for "Design For
Death" in the documentary feature field. Then Stanley Kramer,
preparing "The Happy Time" picked the apparent newcomer for
his first important assignment as a director, after baptism^ at RKO
making lozv-budget features with quality. Dick comes by his career
honestly, having his fanmo'ws cartoon-producing father, Max Fleis-
cher, as an inspiration, and Yale Drama School training as a
foundation. Oddly enough, another great cartoon creator, Walt
Disney, recognized the 37-year-old craftsman's ability in the live
action field and entrusted him with a $4,000,000' budget to make
"20,000 Leagues Und.er The Sea." Now that Dick is among the
name directors one looks for in making quality product. Buddy
Adler signed him for "Violent Saturday," which gets rolling next
month under the 20th-Fox banner.

n n n

FRANK O. PINYONS : Tony Curtis will jet his career into the
big money class through an amazing song and dancing ability display
in "So This Is Paris." . . . Eddie O'Brien's Oscar Muldoon portrayal
in "Barefoot Contessa" rates an Oscar Doubloon. . . . Elmer Rhoden
observes public's demand for quality films today would have 40 per
cent of the films gone by begging for playing time. . . . Studios like
Columbia, borrowing top talent, other than star names, like director
George Sidney from M-G-M, can keep top product on the march. . . .
Kling Studios will need another stage to handle the activity. ... If
Jerry Lewis ever harnesses his wishful thinking, he's likely to wind
up a member of the Screen Directors' Guild. . . . Now that Mrs. Gur-
ney of the Mr. Peepers TV show has signed for an important role in
Rosalind Russell's new film, "The Girl Rush," it might get Wally
Cox excited about a film career. . . . Kim Novak is a personality in
her own right. Any comparison to Marilyn Monroe is strictly coffee
clotch. . . . Looks like Columbia is on a musical kick now that they're
partnered with Shapiro-Bernstein. Latest on the schedule being a
la de da version of "It Happened One Night." June Allyson starring
and Dick Powell directing. We'd like Sammy Fain and Paul Webster
for the music on this one.

People

Robert Lippert has postponed his
swing of the country in connection
with "They Were So Young" until
early 1955, after setting back the
national release date to late January.
Lippert will leave Hollywood on
Jan. 3 for a 28-city tour.

Edward Cutler, former RKO
booker in Cleveland, has joined Al-
lied Artists' sales staff in that city.

Albert Pickus, owner of the Strat-
ford Theatre, Stratford, Conn., and
a TOA vice-president, has been
elected a director of the Stratford
Chamber of Commerce.

George E. Landers, Hartford divi-
sion manager of E. M. Loew The-
atres, and Mrs. Landers are grand-
parents for the third time, with the
birth of a baby girl to their daugh-
ter and son-in-law in San Francisco.

Milton A. Mooney, president of
Independent Theatre Owners of
Ohio, and Mrs. Mooney will leave
Cleveland next week for a six-week
cruise to the Orient.

Lester Stepner, former manager
and publicity director for Jones,
Linick and Schaefer, returns after
a year's absence to handle publicity
for the McVickers Theatre in
Chicago.

William K. Everson, publicity
manager of Allied Artists Interna-
tional, addressed the Springfield,
Mass., Motion Picture Council on
"The History of the Western" at
the Springfield Museum of Fine
Arts at the weekend.

Mary Drews, Republic booker in
Cleveland, has resigned. Her succes-
sor is Gene Kenehan, who has been
promoted from the shipping depart-
ment.

Lou Williams, former manager of
Fox West Coast's Cinema Theatre
in San Francisco, has taken over the
management of the Cinerama The-
atre there.

It's Official Now;
'Pfiffff Is 'Piff

In reply to a query by Robert
Wile, executive secretary of the
Independent Theatre Owners of
Ohio, as to how theatre person-
nel should pronounce Colum-
bia's picture, "Phffft," when a
patron should ask, the Columbia
home office stated here yester-
day that "Phffft" is pronounced
"Pift." Columbia urges all the-
atre personnel to adopt that
pronunciation to prevent confu-
sion.

Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, November 23, 1954

Percentage

(Conliniicd from pay^ D

the actions, Judge Lord granted the
motions by all parties fur the inspec-
tion of theatre records.

Plaintiff distributors were given the
right to inspect the gross receipts
records of the 13 theatres and drive-ins
operated in New Jersey and Pennsyl-
vania by defendants Melvin Pox, Mel-
vin Pox Theatres, Inc. and Delsea
Drive-ln Theatres, Inc. These theatres
are The Pox, High and Burlington
Urive-Iu Theatres in Burlington,
N. J.; the Wildwood Drive-In in
VVildwuod, N. J.; the Criterion Thea-
tre in Moorestown, N. J.; the Pox
and Mt. Holly in Mt. Holly, N. J.;
the Pox in Riverside, N. J.; the Roxy
in Maple Shade, N. J.; the Mayfan-
and Hollywood in Philadelphia, the
Delsea Drive-In in Vineland, N. J.;
and the Bridgeton, in Bridgeton, N. J.

Among the records defendants were
permitted to examine were the film
license agreements, their box office
reports on the pictures claimed to
be under-reported, and copies of com-
plaints and responses as to the under-
reporting.

Nine 'Desiree' Dates
Report Good Grosses

Twentieth Century-Fox's "Desiree"
in CinemaScope is demonstrating
strong grossing power in its first nine
domestic engagements topping such
previous hit attractions as "Woman's
World" and "Broken Lance," week-
end theatre reports disclose.

At the Roxy Theatre here, where
the picture bowed in a Command Per-
formance last Wednesday evening,
"Desiree" has scored $51,000 in its
first four days ; while at the Fulton,
Pittsburgh the picture hit $7,910 over
tlie weekend as compared with $4,500
recorded by "Woman's World," the
distributor reports.

The Julian Blaustein production hit
$11,000 this weekend at the Para-
mount, Oakland, besting "Black Wid-
ow," whose comparable gross is $6967.

Weekend reports from the United
Artists Theatre, Detroit, show "De-
siree" grossing $15,980 as compared
to $14,577 for "Broken Lance." At
the Century, Buffalo, "Desiree's"
margin over "Broken Lance" is $i
090 to $6,500. At the Chinese, Los
Angeles, the margin over "Woman's
World" is $16,040 to $11,443.

The drama starring Marlon Brando
as Napoleon also is exhibiting marked
strength at the Fox, Philadelphia
Poli, Hartford; Poli, New Haven.

Attendance Mark At Florida Exhibitor Meet

(Continued from page 1)

'Darkest Hour" Next
Jaguar Film for WB

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 22.— Jack L.
Warner has announced the selection of
"The Darkest Hour," a novel by Wil-
liam P. McGivern, as the next Alan
Ladd Jaguar Production for Warner
Bros. The Ladd organization and
Warners recently completed a new
long-term deal for a number of pro-
ductions to be produced and distributed
by the studio.

The deal was made upon completion
of "Drum Beat," a Jaguar Production
for Warners, which stars Ladd, with
a featured cast headed by Audrey Dal-
ton and Marisa Pavan, produced and
directed by Delniar Daves.

"The Darkest Hour," with a New
York background, is a suspense story
in which Ladd will star as a framed
policeman.

its six-year history. The session
opened with a welcome by President
Horace Denning of this city and with
m invocation by the Rev. Albert J.
Kissling.

Nat VVillianis, Thomasville, Ga., ex-
hibitor was chairman, and he gave a
brief address in which he urged the
establishment of an exhibitors research
institute to "get at the causes of pres-
ent ills and to do something about
them." He said that he had heard that
"distribution would manage to take
away from exhibitors the financial
benefits of the Federal tax cut in the
first year of its operation, but the dis-
tributors actually managed to do this
in the first seven months."

Starr the Keynoter

The keynote speech by Alfred Starr
set the tempo of the convention, noting
exhibitors' complaints that distribution
is taking an unfairly large amount of
the money taken in at theatre box-
offices. Saying that he represented
theatre men "who are at the bottom
of the industry heap," he added that
"the salutation of Texas Guinan, night
club operator of the prohibition era, is
applicable to exhibitors of today. Miss
Guinan's salute of 'Hello, sucker' you
all know."

Starr described the sliding scale of
70-30-10 as a "mathematical monstros-
ity," and said "you can't make money

with poor pictures and distribution
won't let you make money with good
pictures." William Lee, who operates
a small drive-in at Keystone H^eights,
was bitter in denouncing one major
distributing company for not giving
him any definite booking date for
December, although he said he had
contracted for them. William Cumbaa,
of Leesburg, suggested that exhibitors
band together "and refuse to play pic-
tures when aistributors' prices are too
high in percentages or flat rentals."

COMPO Lauded

Lamar Sarra of this city, counsel
for Florida State Theatres and legis-
lative chairman of MPEOF, praised
the accomplishments of the Council of
Motion Picture Organizations in fight-
ing for federal tax relief for the in-
dustry, and said that a "fine public
relations job was done and Congress
sees us in a better light than ever be-
fore." He urged exhibitors to "help
pay the freight on COMPO, and let
all the industry stand together when
facing common problems."

A luncheon meeting was presided
over by Bolivar Hyde of Lakeland,
general manager of the Talgar Thea-
tre Co., with an invocation by Rabbi
Sanders A. Tofield and an address by
Congressman Charles Bennett of this
city, who said "the motion picture
industry occupies an imposing position
in America and it is doing a note-
worthy job of producing fine entertain-

ment. If the time comes when you
need my lielp again, please call on me
in Washington. 1 have a small son
and he and I have a movie date each
Friday night. I want to go on keep-
ing that date."

Sindlinger Heard

Speakers at the afternoon session
today included Jerry Gold of Pahokee,
a small town on the rim of the Ever-
glades ; Dick Pitts, Theatre Owners
of America public relations director ;
George Murphy, of Hollywood, and
Albert Sindlinger, theatrical analyst.

Murphy said that the ideas ex-
pressed at exhibitor meetings are
needed for the ears of Hollywood pro-
ducers and that he would carry back
to Hollywood the major criticisms
voiced at the convention.

Sindlinger discussed the downward
box-office trends from 1946 to the
present and suggested remedial action
by the industry. He said "If a theatre
closes, that business does not go to
the remaining theatres in town. It is
lost. Theatres do not come under the
economic law of elasticity ; they are not
in a group with soap or food or gaso-
line."

Cocktail Party Held

The evening was given over to a
cocktail party given by the Motion
Picture Advertising Co., and a later
buffet dinner and floor show by night
club talent.

'Nile of Stars

(Continued from page 1)

422,000 persons have seen the show.

Celebrities who took part in the per-
formance were: Claude Rains, Walter
Hampden, Lucy Monroe, Joey Adams,
Tony Bennett, Jeanette La Bianca,
Joyce Bryant, Manuel Capetillo and
his singing Mariachis, Chino and
Mary, The Chordettes and Eddie
Fisher.

Rockettes Present

Also, Ganjou Brothers and Anita,
Barry Gray, Joel Grey, Harry Hersh-
field, Mambo Jets, Kean Sisters, Al
Kelly, Alan King, Jackie Miles, Tito
Puente, Johnnie Ray, Bud and Ceecee
Robinson, the Music Hall Rockettes,
Hazel Scott, Earl Wilson, the Winged
Victory Chorus and others.

Mexico Backs Cuban
Distributor, Theatres

MEXICO CITY, Nov. 22. — The
industry's own bank, the semi official
Banco Nacional Cinematografico, has
started intensive playing of Mexican
pictures in Cuba with the investment
of $300,000 to back a distributor in
Havana and of $250,000 for a long-
term lease on four theatres in the
Cuban capital for exclusive exhibi-
tion of Mexican films.

The bank's latest balance sheet,
Oct. 31, reports loans, credits and dis-
counts totaling $1,811,375.25 and
$640,000 worth of its bonds circulating.

'Crazy legs' Hirsch Dined

A reception for "Crazylegs" Hirsch,
well known professional football star,
was given here last night at Toots
Shor's restaurant by Hall Bartlett,
producer of the Hirsch starring ve-
hicle, "Crazylegs."

Small Exhibitors Eye
TOA Finance Plan

Skouras

Because of high film rentals, SO per
cent films, product and prints short-
ages, many small U. S. exhibitors
have expressed interest in the Ex-
hibitors Film Financial Group, Inc.,
Theatre Owners of America's spon-
sored film finance company, George
Gaughan, TOA field representative,
said here yesterday.

While against any proposed govern-
mental regulation of industry trade
practices, the small exhibitors gen-
erally are mainly interested in relief
from shortages of pictures and hope
that the TOA film plan will offer
product at reasonable terms, Gaughan
said.

Activities Nationwide

The TOA field representative, who
is here for meetings with top officials
of the exhibitor organization, spends
much of his time meeting circuit and
independent exhibitors about the coun-
try enabling them to unburden them-
selves of pressing problems.

Exhibitor problems are generally
the same, he said, but more top indus-
try people should get down to "bed-
rock" to learn of them.

Open Combination
Theatre in Idaho

MOSCOW, Ida., Nov. 22. — The
Northwest's first combination indoor-
outdoor theatre has opened at the
Auto Drive-In, located four miles
west of Moscow on Pullman-Moscow
Highway.

It is owned and operated by Edgar
H. Metzgar of Moscow. The theatre
will operate during the summer as
an outdoor unit and in bad weather
and winter months as an indoor thea-
tre with CinemaScope. Indoor capac-
ity is 518 persons.

(Continued from page 1)

tributed in the Western Hemisphere
by 20th-Fox, he added.

Moskowitz, who recently returned
from a trip to the Coast, said that
currently before 20tli-Fox cameras are
"A Man Called Peter," "Daddy Long
Legs," at the studio and "Soldier of
Fortune'' on location in the Orient.
"Lord Vanity" will begin at the studio
in another week, he added.

Jury Favors Theatre
In Ohio Injury Suit

TOLEDO, Nov. 22.— The defend-
ant Paramount Theatre, operated by
Jack Armstrong was awarded a favor-
able jury verdict in a personal injury
case after Judge Frank L. Kloeb said
"the Ohio law has established that a
person opening a door to enter a dark
room is at fault if he falls in the
room and is injured." The plaintiff,
George Resier, 45, a musical director
of the show "Top Banana," claimed
he was hurt in March, 1953, when
he opened a door and fell into a raised
orchestra pit, injuring his arm and
shoulder.

Resier asked damages in the amount
of $125,000.

30 Cities Hold Over
'White Christmas'

Irving Berlin's "White Christmas,"
has earned third and fourth week hold-
overs in some 30 cities. Paramount
announced. These include Boston, Buf-
falo, New Haven, Cincinnati, Day-
ton, Cleveland, Toledo, Philadelphia,
Washington, Chicago, Indianapolis,
Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San
Antonio, Denver, Los Angeles, San
Francisco, Portland and Salt Lake
City.

FILM RtNTMl

Year's Great
Technkolor Featuresi^

One of

Film rental for this 54-minute
picture sufficient only to
cover costs of prints and
advertising accessories!

Produced in cooperation with the UNITED STATES ARMY

At the following exchanges:

COLUMBIA

Albany
Charlotte
Des Moines
Milwaukee

WARNER

Atlanta
Buffalo
Philadelphia
Seattle

BROS.

UNIVERSAL

Boston
Cincinnati
Denver
New Orleans

PARAMOUNT

Chicago
Detroit

Oklahoma City
Salt Lake City

20th CENTURY-FOX

Cleveland
Los Angeles
Minneapolis
New York

UNITED ARTISTS

Dallas
New Haven

REPUBLIC

Indianapolis

LOEWS, INC,

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RKO RADIO

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Play it wil

Sponsored by
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MHTinW PIPTIIRF nRr;AWI7ATini\l<J

Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, November 23, 1954

Youngstein

(Continued from page 1)

tion, said "there is room for every-
one." "Tlie competition will be good,"
he added, referring to Theatre Owners
of America's plan to finance produc-

Indicating the dimensions of UA s
role in financing, Youngstein said that
UA now has $10,000,000 invested in
six independent productions now
shooting. Under UA's program,
Youngstein continued, over $30,000,000
has been made available by the com-
pany for pictures, eitiier now bemg
filmed, or contemplated for production,
or already completed but unamortized.

New Haven Censor

{Continued from page 1)

policy on which the assembly itself
has already spoken.

The aldermanic committee of ordi-
nance had sought Crawford's opinion.

Proposed ordinance was submitted
by Martin J. Griffin, president of the
St. Francis Holy Name Society, and
had the endorsement of a dozen other
Holy Name societies whose members
had gathered 15,000 signatures on
petitions circulated after Masses in
their churches.

Ed Fahey to Manage
Shea Pittsburgh Unit

Ed Fahey, manager of the Shea
Circuit's theatre in Manchester, N. H.,
has been named manager of the cir-
cuit's Fulton Theatre in Pittsburgh.
He will succeed Bernie Hickey, who
has been transferred to the Shea home
offices here and placed in charge of
exploitation and promotion coordi-
nated with buying and booking activi-
ties.

Fahey's managerial post in Man-^
Chester will be taken by Fenton
Scribner, who has operated the Shea
theatre in Nashua, N. H. since 1941.
Scribner will be succeeded in Nashua
by Armand Pepin.

Canadian Meet
To Explore Laws

MONTREAL, Nov. 22.— The legal
aspects of motion picture and tele-
vision production will be explored by
counsel Willard Z. Estey of Toronto,
at the Dec. 6 session of Canada's film
workshop being staged at Associated
Screen Studios here.

The three-day conference, accord-
ing to Jack Chisholm, sales manager,
is a concerted effort on the part of
producers to disseminate information
on new techniques to improve the pro-
duction of television and motion pic-
ture films.

Reviews

'Leagues' on Disneyland

The Dec. 8 program of Disneyland
on the ABC-TV network will go be-
hind the scenes in the making of Walt
Disney's "20,000 Leagues Under the
Sea," as part of the TV campaign on
the picture.

GET ALL YOUR SPECIAL

Cry Vengeance

(Allied Artists) Hollym'ood, Nov. 22

THIS melodrama was produced by Lindsley Parsons in Ketchikan, Alaska,
under the working title of "Ketchikan," and it is, by its much better pres-
ent title, or by any other, a rock-solid, bullet-straight melodrama of the first
order. The principal character, among many clearly drawn portrayals, is
played uncompromisingly by Mark Stevens, who quite as clearly and uncom-
promisingly directed the picture. Other principals are Martha Hyer, Skip
Homeier, Joan Vohs, Douglas Kennedy, Dan Haggerty, Cheryl Callaway
and Warren Douglas. Not a single false note is struck in the tight script by
actor-writer Douglas and George Bricker, and the production figures to play
a pleasant tune on theatre cash-registers.

The picture opens in Ketchikan, where one Tino Morelli, former gangster,
played by Kennedy, has come to lead a legal life and rear his small daughter,
but the script switches quickly to San Francisco where Stevens, released from
prison after serving a three-year sentence for a crime he didn't commit, buys
a gun and determines to find and kill Kennedy, whom he blames for framing
him. Actually an honest policeman, and known by his police friends to be
innocent of the crime, he refuses to heed their advice to let the past remain
buried, and ferrets out the fact that the man he seeks is living in Ketchikan.
How he locates his quarry, how he reacts to influences he encounters, and
what happens when he comes to the realization that vengeance is not for him
to deal out, make up a steadily interesting and never transparent narrative.

There is a good deal of grim material in the picture, and plenty of fighting,
with fist and gun, but all of it is duly motivated. Skip Homeier's performance
as a hired killer who likes his work is Academy-calibre stuf¥. The picture
wasn't made for children.

Running time, 83 minutes. Adult classification, November release.

William R. Weaver

The Yellow Mountain

( Universal-International) HoUyuwod, Nov. 22

LEX BARKER'S entry into Western civilization after being cooped up in
those money-making jungle pictures shows great promise as a star prop-
erty for U-I, but the selection of "Yellow Mountain" to favor his debut fell
short of its purpose. ^
Despite Ross Hunter's efforts in dressing his production with color by
Technicolor and assembling some choice actors like Howard Duff, Mala
Powers and William Demarest, the film was weighed down with plot changes
and spotty direction.

Previewed at the El Rey, a neighborhood theater, the audience fell into the
spirit of a corny fight at the beginning of the film and wound ui) hissing the
villain at the close.

Harold Channing Wire's story, adapted by Robert Blees and scripted by
George Zuckerman and Russell Hughes, depicts Barker and Dufif as a strange
team of gold-rush saloon partners, who are constantly taking chin shots at
each other. In spite of this, there is an aura of brotherly-love. The beautiful
Miss Powers portrays the daughter of Demarest, an irresponsible gambler
who owns a supposedly worthless gold mine. Duff joins John Mclntire, a
lawless mine operator, in trying to buy the Demarest deed when they learn it
represents the "apex rights" to their gold vein. Barker protects Demarest
and wins Mala after a "High Noon" finish which puts Mclntire and his
henchmen where they belong. Duff proves himself a hero and is rewarded
with a partnership in the Demarest mine along with Mala and Lex.

Jesse Hibbs directed, obtaining some good location backgrounds, which were
capably photographed by George Robinson.

Running time, 78 minutes. General classification. For release in December.

Samuel D. Berns

Colosseum

All-Mexican Picture
In Wide-Screen Set

MEXICO CITY, Nov. 22. — The
Rodriguez brothers on Jan. 3 will
start production of the first all-Mexi-
can picture for wide-screen. Titled
"Monstruo de la Montana Hueca"
("The Monster of Crooked Moun-
tain"), it will be directed by Ismael
Rodriguez, with Carlos Orellana di-
recting.

The film will have a version in
English and is expected to cost $342,-
000, a new high for a picture in
Mexico that is totally Mexican.

1327 S. WABASH
CHICAGO 5. ILL.

I 630 NINTH AVENUE]
NEW YORK 36, N. Y.

Acquires 'Nanga'

"Nanga Parbat, The Killer Moun-
tain," an Agfacolor feature based upon
the joint German- Austrian Himalaya
expedition of 1953, which scaled the
peak of "Nanga Parbat" has been
acquired for distribution in the United
States and Canada by Grand Prize
Films, Inc.

Atlanta Variety Club
Elects Harold Spears

ATLANTA, Nov. 22. — Harold T.
Spears, general manager of the Bailey
Theatres in the South, has been elected
chief barker of the Atlanta Variety
Club. He succeeds A. B. Padgett.
Other officers elected are: Lex Ben-
ton, first vice-president ; R. J. Barnes,
second vice-president ; M. A. Barre,
treasurer, and Willis J. Davis, sec-
retary. Installation ceremonies are
scheduled for Dec. 4.

Spears has announced that the club
allocated approximately $100,000 for
charity during 1954. The principal
beneficiary of the club is the Cerebral
Palsy School here.

9 'Queen' Dates

^ LOS ANGELES, Nov. 22.— RKO's
"Cattle Queen of Montana" will open
day-and-date in nine situations in the
Los Angeles area on Dec. 8. Seven
of the dates are drive-in theatres.

(Continued from page 1)

committeeman, Milwaukee ; Paul
Weiss, regional vice-president, Min-
neapolis ; Walter Walker, regional
vice-president, Atlanta ; Charles Tur-
ner, regional committeeman, Jackson-
ville ; William Tomlinson, regional
vice-president, San Francisco ; Wayne
Batemen, regional committeeman, Los
Angeles.

The convention voted to reopen the
contract which expires on Feb. 17,
1955. The provisions of the present
agreement were given a thorough air-
ing and suggested changes were sub-
mitted by the respective current loges
to the bargaining committee.

Bartell Delivers Report

David B. Bartell, in his report to
the convention discussing what he
termed the growing menace of the in-
dependent buying and booking com-
bines, declared :

"The exhibitor who falls prey to the
sugary talk of the combine will one
day find that another exhibitor has
taken his place in the affections of the
erstwhile swain. There's nothing solid
upon which to build a permanent re-
lationship, since the combine is not
wedded to anyone, but plays the field
of distributors and exhibitors.

"Distributors, too, are being seduced
by the magical music of apparent sav-
ings in sales costs. The moment the
combine controls the exhibitor, at that
moment has the distributor placed his
future sales in jeopardy. Through the
years, the value of personal contact
between distributor and exhibitor has
paid off for both. It is a pattern of
success. The distributors who want to
save a penny today may lose their
market tomorrow.

Los Angeles Convention City

"This is something we will take up
with distributors at our next meeting
with them. For their own protection
as well as that of our organization,
we will require that each exhibitor —
even if a member of an outside buying
group — remain on the books of the
salesmen for sales and service."

The convention selected Los Angeles
as its next annual convention city.

Canadian Exhibitors

(Continued from page 1)

veteran executive of Famous Players
Canadian Corp.

Representatives were present from
seven provincial theatre associations
from Saint John, N.B., to Vancouver,
B.C., to deal with questions of com-
mon interest, with decisions taking the
form of recommendations for the con-
sideration of the "upper house," the
Motion Picture Industry Council of
Canada, made up of all branches of
the business, which meets tomorrow
and Wednesday.

The exhibitor groups presented re-
ports on varied subjects, giving sup-
port to a move to secure amusement
tax relief and to the proposal for a
Canadian Motion Picture Institute to
promote good relations in behalf of the
theatres which would contribute an
assessment on seating basis.

The committee members raised ob-
jections to the requirement of in-
creased admission prices for pictures
of special types.

Financial and other reports were
presented by H. C. D. Main, Toronto,
secretary-treasurer of the exhibitors'
committee while an outline of activities
during the past year was given by the
regional associations.

Tuesday, November 23, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

WGA, East and West
Given Jurisdiction
Over Net TV Writers

By Staff Correspondent

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 22. — The
Writers Guild of America, East and
West, has won jurisdiction over tele-
vision writers employed by networks,
it was revealed today, in an NLRB
election open to all writers employed
by the network during the year ended
Aug. 31. The vote was 241 to 29.

The election result, WGA pointed
out, opens the way for negotiations
that will start immediately for in-
creased minimums and other advan-
tages for writers.

Seek Relief From
Canadian Tax

Sfiecm! to THE DAILY
TORONTO, Nov. 22.— On the as-
surance from Ontario Premier Leslie
Frost that the government would give
serious consideration to a brief from
theatre proprietors throughout the
Province requesting relief from the
present admission tax schedule, a spe-
cial committee of exhibitors has sent
out a questionnaire to all Ontario the-
atres to round up appropriate data.

Abolishment Urged

The group, known as the Ontario
Exhibitors Committee for Admission
Tax Relief, has proposed abolishment
of the amusement levy on all tickets
of 50 cents and under, and a per-
centage reduction in the impost on
admissions above SO cents.

The committee chairman is Lionel
Lester, owner of the Studio Theatre,
Toronto, and the secretary is Arch H.
Jolley, representing the Motion Pic-
ture Theatres Association of Ontario.

6 New Films Start,
6 Finish on Coast

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 22. — The
number of pictures in production last
week totalled 37, the same as the week
before. Six new pictures started and
six pictures were completed.

Started were : "Deadlock," Film Lo-
cations Prod., Technicolor (Colum-
bia) ; "The Little Ambassador," Rath-
von Overseas Prod., and "The Inde-
structible Man," J. Pollexfen Prods.
(Independent) ; "The Court Jester,"
Dena Prods., VistaVision, Technicolor
(Paramount) ; "Soldier of Fortune,"
CinemaScope, color (20th Century-
Fox) ; "Tacey," Technicolor (Univer-
sal-International).

Completed were : "The Man From
Laramie," William Goetz, Cinema-
Scope, Technicolor (Columbia) ; "The
Big BlufT," W. Lee Wilder Prods.
(Independent) ; "Shock," Exclusive
Prods. (Lippert) ; "Cult of the Cobra"
and "The Purple Mask," Cinema-
Scope, Technicolor (Universal-Inter-
national) ; "Mister Roberts," Cinema-
Scope, WarnerColor (Warner Broth-
ers).

Two More for Conn.

HARTFORD, Nov. 22.— Charles
Lane of the New Haven Drive-In,
North Haven, Conn., has disclosed
plans for construction of an outdoor
theatre at Branford, Conn.

Another newly-announced outdoor
venture is slated for Southington. Lat-
ter project will be built by P. J.
DeFazio of Hartford.

Television-'Radin

iWith Pinky Herman^

Pee Wee King

ly/f AX LIEBMAN'S next 90-minute color spectacular TVia RCA
Sunday, Dec. 5 (7:30-9:00 P.M.) will be a musical revue fea-
turing Sonja Henie and her Ice Showr with a cast of 25, British
musical comedy star, Jack Buchanan, Jeannie Carson, Bambi Lynn
and Rod Alexander, Pat Carroll and Jimmy Durante. . . . Charles C.
(Bud) Barry, who started his meteoric career back in 1936 as a
sportscaster at NBC's Washington, D. C, station, brought to New
York as Eastern program manager of the former Blue Network and
later named radio and TV head by NBChieftains, which post he
maintained until recently, will join the William Morris Agency Jan. 1
and will work in close association with Wallace S. Jordan and
George Gruskin, developing radio and TV packages and talent. . . .
Charlie Curran, formerly Betty Hutton's husband, and Lee Pelzman
formulating plans to produce indie telefilms.

Thar's gold in them thar hills and especially in them thar hill-
hilly tunes these days. Cozvhoyodcller Pee Wee King, emcee of
the iiezv WLW -TV chicle, "Flying U\ Ranch," (which features
both folk and pop music) established, for himself a pec-zvee fac-
simile of Fort Knox zju-ith a couple of ditties
entitled "Tennessee Waltz" and "Slozu Poke."
. . . The tremendous listening audience that
the first three "Disneyland" programs TVia
ABC has amassed zvill be increased soon as
it becomes nationally knozm that tzvo fidl-
hour programs (Dec. 8 and Jan. 19) zuill be
devoted specifically to the nezv Buena Vista
CinemaScope production of Jules Verne's
"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" zuliich zuill
be nationally released in theatres during
Christmas Week. . . . Especially telefilmed.
in England, Bob Hope's Dec. 7 shozv zvill
present Maurice Chevalier, Beatrice Lillie
and several other stars of European screen,
TV, radio, concert and opera. BBC's best
knozvn announcer, Donald JJobley, gives out zvith the General
Foods commershills.

i^r ^

Ed Herlihy's Newspaper of the RCAir series "Week End,"
heard Sundays over a coast-to-coast radio net from 3:00-5:00
P.M. (E.S.T.) has turned in a remarkable crystal-gazing stint,
having predicted hitdom for three new recordings in the past
three months. The highly interesting program with music se-
lected by editor-newscaster Art Wakelee and scripted by Bill
Hill, was the first to wax enthusiastic (via the Herlihy Pick
of the Week segment) about Connee Boswell's "If I Give My
Heart to You," Jerry Martin's "Where Can You Be?" and
Bill Haley & The Comets' rendition of the bouncy "Shake,
Rattle & Roll." . . . Had lunch last week with a remarkable
man — a clear-eyed, ruddy-faced, silver-haired gentleman, whose
keen wit, erect posture, acute sense of awareness and an
eagerness to start on his forthcoming three-month lecture
tour of American universities and high schools next month,
belies his 77 years of age. Dr. Edwin Franko Goldman, who
succeeded the late John Philip Sousa as America's March
King, composer of 106 published marches, conducted the Gug-
genheim Memorial Concerts for the 38th consecutive year
and although he's batoned his famous band for 44 years, has
never missed a single performance.

"It's the small-fr}^ who directly influence the purchasing power
(housewife) of the country," was the keynote of the speech delivered
by honor g-uest Pinky Lee at last week's luncheon session, held by
the Beverly Hills Professional and Businiess Men's Ass'n. Daddy
may enjoy a comedian or dramatic artist for years and Mummy
may never miss a soap opera or musical series yet neither may even
seriously consider their favorites' respective commercial products —
but not so the moppets — they go all out, not only for their heroes
(and heroines) but also the products they plug." . . . Baby boys are
born, cigars passed out, parties, christening's and 'Bris-enings' are
held and then normalcy. But not so at the Wes Hopkins domicile.
Wes, who conducts a very popular disk jockey series daily over
WTTM, Trenton, N. J., became the proud daddy of a bouncing
baby boy and instead of huddling with the immediate family as to
a given name, selected Wilbur Evans and Rita Morley to judge a
"Name the Baby" contest, the prize a one-week vacation at the
Delano Hotel in Miami Beach, via North American Airlines. (Wes,
how about Junior Hop-kins?)

Col. Earnings

(Continued from page 1)

stock after preferred stock dividends,
it was added, for both the current year
and the prior year, are based on the
757,843 shares which were outstanding
on Sept. 25.

Net profit before income taxes for
the current year's 13-week period was
put at $2,553,000 against $1,947,000 in
net profits for the same period in the
preceding year, which ended Sept. 26.
Estimated income taxes for the 1954
period was put at $895,000 compared
to the 1953 income tax estimate for the
same period of $885,000. State and
foreign ta.xes for the current year
period was estimated at $309,000 com-
pared to $300,000 the previous year.

Propose Col. Stock Increase
To 2,000,000 Shares

Columbia stockholders at their meet-
ing scheduled for Dec. 17 at the home
ofiice will vote on proposals to in-
crease the authorized common stock of
the corporation from 1,000,000 to 2,-
000,000 shares and to change the au-
thorized no par value common stock,
issued and unissued, into common
stock having a $5 par value.

To Consider Cohn Pact

The meeting also will vote on a five-
year extension of Harry Cohn's
employment contract and on reelection
of the company's nine directors. A
proposal for election of directors by
cumulative voting, made by a stock-
holder, will be submitted to the meet-
ing. The proposal is opposed by man-
agement.

Dave Bader

(Continued from page 1)

Meriam F. Branden. Lige Brien, Gor-
don White, Blanche Livingston and
Harry K. McWilliams.

Ray Gallagher was elected to the
board of trustees to replace Bader. Cy
Eichman of Astor Pictures was elected
head of public relations for the new
administration.

The membership voted to hold its
annual Christmas party on Dec. 21 at
the Piccadilly Hotel. Brien, retiring
president, and his staff are lining up
the door prizes for the party.

Rogers TV Appeal

(Continued from page 1)

films to TV. Rogers asked the high
court to reconsider its action, and to-
day the court refused to reconsider.

The court gave no reason, merely
noting its final decision in the list of
orders handed down at its noon deci-
sion session.

Disney Accessories
To National Screen

Leo F. Samuels, general sales man-
ager of Buena Vista Film Distribution
Co., announced that arrangements had
been completed between National Film
Service and National Screen Service
Corp., whereby the latter will take over
accessory and trailer distribution of
Walt Disney's Buena Vista product.
This will apply to all current as well
as futui'e Buena Vista releases, Sam-
uels said.

Accessories and trailers were pre-
viously handled by National Film
Service which will continue to per-
form billing, collection, physical han-
dling of prints and other local ex-
change functions for Buena Vista.

WHILE

THEY'RE SITTINC!

There they are . . . row upon row of
patrons with their eyes glued to
the screen . . . ready to give their
100% attention to whatever pitch
you want to make.

It's your "captive audience". . .
an opportunity you can't afford to
overlook ... an advantage offered
by no other advertising medium.

So sell everything you've got...
your shows . . . contests . . . special events
and merchant tie-ins ... in advance . . .
from your screen . . . with trailers that get
the most out of your "captive audience"
. . . trailers from National Screen !

\_J PRizfBOBr Of meinousTRY

VOL. 76. NO. 100

NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1954

TEN CENTS

PARAMOUNT SETS 1ST INT'L MEET
ON PROMOTION WEEK OF DEC. 6

New NT DJ
Decree Talks

The first international promotion coordination meeting for Paramount
Pictures, aimed at achieving the full box-office potential of the company's
1955 product line-up, was announced here yesterday by Paramount. The

meeting will take place at the Para-
mount studio during the entire week
of Dec. 6.

The meeting, which also will further
resolve the integration of activities
among home office, studio and field
promotion forces for maximum mer-
chandising benefits, will be attended
by advertising, publicity and exploita-
tion executives from the home office,
the studio publicity staff, the field
merchandising representatives of the
U. S. and Canada, and ad-publicity
executives of Paramount Interna-
tional Films.

Jerry Pickman, vice-president in
charge of advertising, publicity and
{Continued on page 4)

By Staff Correspondent

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 23— National
Theatres plans to resume negotiations
with the Department of Justice in
Washington in an effort to obtain re-
laxation of its consent decree barring
NT from entering production, it was
learned here.

Heading the NT party to the
capital soon, it was learned, will be
John B. Bertero, vice-president and
general counsel.

The upcoming negotiations will be
(Continued on page 6)

Exhibitor-Financed
ARC Schedules 8

John Davis Says:

Too Early for
Talk of Rank
Theatre Buys

U.S. Exhibition Entry
Awaits Convertibility

B\' Staff Correspondent

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 23. — John
Davis, managing director of the J.
Arthur Rank Organization, who ar-
rived here this week from London
for a periodic visit, today described
stories of a planned acquisition of
American theatres by Rank as "pre-
mature!"

Speaking of Rank's reference in his
annual message to stockholders of his
company to the possibility that it
might be found necessary to acquire
theatres in order to ensure bringing
British films before the mass Amer-
ican audience, Davis pointed out that
Rank also had said no action in that
(Continued on page 5)

to Start Studio
Sales Meet Dec. 6

Universal Pictures will hold a week-
long sales conference at the Universal-
Liternational studios in California
starting on Dec. 6, to be attended by
the company's executives from both
New York and the U-I studios, home
office sales executives, district sales
managers, foreign department execu-
tives, East and West Coast advertising
(Continued on page 6)

Todd and Todd-AO
To Make '80 Days'

Contracts for the production of
"Eighty Days Around the
World," based on the Jules
Verne story, "Around the
World in Eighty Days," have
been signed by the Michael
Todd Co. with Henry Wood-
bridge, president of the Todd-
AO Corp., it was announced
yesterday by Phil Reisman,
president of the Todd organiza-
tion.

This is the first of a 10-pic-
ture pact which the Michael
Todd Co. has signed with
Todd-AO and will be the sec-
ond in the Todd-AO process.
The first is Rodgers and Ham-
merstein's 'Oklahoma!' which
has been completed.

Goldwyn Studio to Be
Auctioned in 60 Days

By Staff Correspondent

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 23. — Supe-
rior Court Judge Paul Nourse of Long
Beach, in a memorandum decision,
today ordered counsel for Mary Pick-
ford and Samuel Goldwyn to prepare
an order of sale of the Samuel Gold-
wyn studios by Nov. 29. The order
will be presented in court within seven
(Continued on page 6)

Pictures for 1955

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 23.— Ameri-
can Releasing Corp., new distribution
company with 28 exchanges in the
United States and representation in
Canada, the British Isles and Latin
America, will release a minimum of
eight pictures during 1955, it is an-
nounced by James H. Nicholson, pres-
ident. Four of these will be in color
and one or more in the Vistarama
anamorphic process.

Currently in release through ARC
(Continued on page 4)

$1M0M0 Deal

Col. Acquires
Kramer Stock
In 11 Pictures

Will Permit Immediate
Profit for Producer

A deal whereby Columbia Pictures
acquires all stock rights in the erst-
while .Stanley Kramer Co. which pro-
duced 11 pictures for Columbia release
was closed late Monday, it was re-
vealed here yesterday. The transaction
reportedly involved approximately $1,-
000,000.

When the Kramer production com-
pany, which produced for Columbia,
was dissolved, the stock was trans-
ferred to the SGS Co., which con-
sisted of Kramer, George Glass and
Sam Katz, with Sam Zagon, attorney,
also a stockholder representing vari-
ous principals in the Kramer organ-
ization.

Under the setup, Kramer is able
to realize an immediate profit on the
Columbia-released product instead of
waiting for a year or more to liquidate
the program completely.

Kramer's new releasing deal is with
United Artists, the first picture to be
made under a renewed arrangement
with that company being "Not As a
Stranger."

Zagon flew to the Coast yesterday
after completing final details of the
deal.

Theatre Attorneys to
Argue Tax Appeal

Exhibitor attorneys along with As-
sistant Corporation Counsel Stanley
Buchsbaum will argue appellant and
respondent briefs, respectively, in the
Supreme Court, Appellate Division,
Second Department, Brooklyn, on
Monday afternoon in the R.K. O.-
Keith - Orpheum Theatres, et al,
(Continued on page 6)

Springfield, 0., to
Drop Ticket Tax

COLUMBUS, O., Nov. 23. —
The latest Ohio city, and the
largest in some time, to repeal
its three per cent municipal ad-
missions tax is Springfield, ef-
fective Jan. 1.

In addition, the town of Ce-
lina has reduced its three per
cent tax to lYz per cent.

Sees Radical Changes

New- Sales and Promotion
Units Forecast by Broidy

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 23. — Radical changes in sales, publicity and ad-
vertising methods employed by motion picture companies, was forecast
here tonight by Steve Broidy, Allied Artists president, in an address before

the Publicists Guild "Panhandler" din-

'Show Business* in
Actor Fund Tieup

In a tribute to show business, the
Actors' Fund of America yesterday
announced through its president, Wal-
ter Vincent, that the world premiere
performance of Irving Berlin's "There's
No Business Like Show Business" will
be a benefit performance for the en-
tertainers' organization.

The picture, which stars Ethel Mer-
man, Donald O'Connor, Marilyn Mon-
roe, Dan Dailey, Johnnie Ray and
(Continued on page 4)

ner.

In place of so-called endless belt
operation of sales and exploitation as
"we know them today," he declared,
"I envision units of three or four men
from publicity and advertising depart-
ments devoting entire efforts over a
period of many months, perhaps a
year, solely on three or four films."

Similarly in the sales department,
he continued, separate sales managers
will be assigned these same three or
four films as his responsibility on a
national basis. These units, he added,
(Continued on page 4)

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, November 24, 1954

Personal
Mention

KENNETH WINCKLES, a direc-
tor of the J. Arthur Rank Or-
ganization, will arrive here from Eng-
land tomorrow via B.O.A.C. Mon-
arcli.

•

James E. Perkins and T. C. Red-
din of the Paramount Pictures Lon-
don office have left there for New
York.

•

Nat Kramer, sales manager of
Eros Films, Ltd., will arrive in New
York today from London via
B.O.A.C.

•

Al FlS^^:R, United Artists exploita-
tion representative in New York, will
leave here by plane tomorrow for
Miami.

•

Adm. John Dale Price, USN
(Ret), technical adviser on "Mister
Roberts," has left Hollywood by au-
tomobile for Washington.

•

Noel Cow.-vrd will arrive in New
York from England today aboard the
"Queen Elizabeth."

•

Raymond Massey will arrive here
today from England on the "Queen
Elizabeth."

•

Gypsy Rose Lee is scheduled to
arrive here from London today via
B.O.A.C. Monarch.

•

Joe Forest, Transfilm director, will
leave here today for Montreal.

Betsy Palmer has arrived in New
York from the Coast.

20TH-FOX PRAISED BY ALLIED
UNIT FOR AID TO SMALL HOUSE

Goldenson, Hudson,
Hoover in UCP Posts

WASHINGTON, Nov. 23.— Three
executives of motion pictures, radio
and television were elected to national
offices of United Cerebral Palsy at the
fifth annual convention here.

They were Leonard H. Goldenson,
of New York, president of American
Broadcasting Paramount Theatres,
Inc. ; Earl J. Hudson, Beverly Hills,
Calif., vice-president, West Coast divi-
sion, of American Broadcasting " Co.,
and former theatre executive in De-
troit, and George C. Hoover, South
Miami, theatre executive and chief
barker of Variety Clubs International.

Goldenson, who had served as presi-
dent of UCP since its founding in
1949, was elected chairman of the
board of directors.

Hudson was elected to the office of
vice-president. Hoover was named
regional vice-president for the South-
east. He is also president of United
Cerebral Palsy of- Florida.

No Paper Tomorrow

MOTION PICTURE
DAILY will not be published
tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day.

COLUMB'US, C, Nov. 23. — Praise for a distributor from Allied is
praise indeed. But 20th Century-Fox gets it unstintingly from Robert
Wile, executive secretary of Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio, in
a current organizational bulletin. The
occasion is the assistance given a small
theatre operator on installation of
CinemaScope equipment.

Following is Wile's account of the
incident :

"Some time ago, Spyros Skouras
offered to assist any exhibitor who
was unable to finance the installation
of CinemaScope. As far as we know,
no one had taken him up until last
week.

Theatre Seats 146

"One of our members, the Star
Theatre in Dresden, with 146 seats,
the smallest operating theatre in the
state — open six days every week — told
the writer about two weeks ago, he
was having difficulty in maintaining his
grosses with the limited supply of non-
CinemaScope film. He makes three
changes a week. Earl Starner, the
owner, has the confidence necessary
to make a good showman. Obviously
with this small capacity, Mr. Starner
has never been able to amass any
capital. The only reason he_ is not
hungry is because he has a job, the
proceeds of which he puts into the
Star Theatre to make it more attrac-
tive to the people of Dresden and the
many small surrounding communities
which have no theatre.

"Having determined to avail him-
self of the new process, Mr. Starner

requested his fellow members through
this bulletin last week to sell him a
screen.

"The writer called William C. Geh-
ring, general sales manager of Twen-
tieth Century-Fox. Mr. Gehring asked
which supply house Mr. Starner dealt
with. It was National Theatre Supply
Co. in Cleveland. A little later, Mr.
Gehring returned the call to say he
had talked with Frank Massek, man-
ager of National Theatre Supply Co.
in Cleveland and that Mr. Starner
could have the lenses on his own
terms.

Terms Most Reasonable

"This is positively true. The terms
are astounding and could be more
generous than Mr. Starner requires.
Furthermore, they have absolutely
nothing to do with the price of Twen-
tieth Century-Fox pictures. It is en-
tirely conceivable that Mr. Starner
could install lenses assisted by Twen-
tieth Century-Fox and never play a
Fox picture. In view of Mr. Gehring's
statements to the Milwaukee conven-
tion and his interest in this exhibitor,
this is highly unlikely, however.

"So we accord a salute to Twen-
tieth Century-Fox and an accolade as
well to Earl Starner, who has enough
faith in the future of this industry to
shoot for the best in his community."

Uphold Atty. General
In Hub-Censor Case

BOSTON, Nov. 23.— In the censor-
ship case concerning the attack of the
Brattle Theatre, Cambridge, on the
constitutionality of the rights of the
Commissioner of Public Safety to pro-
hibit the Swedish film "Miss Julie"
from playing the theatre on Sundays,
Judge Cahill of the Middlesex Supe-
rior Court has sustained the demurrer
filed by a respondent. Attorney Gen-
eral George Fingold. The effect of the
judge's holding is to sustain the At-
torney General's argument that the
petition was insufficient as a matter
of law. The judge, however, gave the
attorneys for the Brattle Theatre an
opportunity to file amendments.

Had Asked Invalidation

The petitioners, Brattle Theatre Co.,
operated by Cyrus Harvey, Jr., and
Bryant Halliday, had asked the court
for a declaratory judgment invalidat-
ing the existing Sunday Licensing
Law in the Commonwealth. The
petition was brought about when
twice the theatre was turned down for
Sunday licensing of the film, although
it could and did play weekdays. The
respondents, besides Fingold, are Otis
M. Whitney, Commissioner of Public
Safety, and City Manager of Cam-
bridge John J. Curry. William C.
Brewer of the Boston firm of Pea-
body, Koufman and Brewer is han-
dling the case for the theatre while
Arnold Salisbury represented the At-
torney General.

Myerberg Plans to
Produce in England

By Staff Correspondent

LONDON, Nov. 23. — Michael
Myerberg is here setting up the
British distribution by RKO-Radio of
his puppet film "Hansel and Gretel."

He told newsmen that he plans
establishing an organization and stu-
dio for producing his puppet films
here. It would be completely inde-
pendent of the American set-up, he
said.

"Britain," added Myerberg, "pos-
sesses the special and curious talents
I am looking for. You have some
great people here for this kind of
work, in which for the first time all
the -^arts are. involved- British crafts-
men are the best in the world and the
kind of talent we want is here."

Myerberg will probably bring over
a few of his top technicians to begin
with, but he aims at establishing an
all-British unit.

He anticipates making live films
"here, but his immediate plans are to
make "Aladdin" and "Pied Piper" in
puppet form.

Moroni Olsen, 65

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 23.— Moroni
Olsen, 65, veteran stage and screen
actor, was found dead in his apartment
here, apparently from natural causes.
Recent films which Olsen appeared
in were "Long, Long Trailer," "The
Washington Story" and "Samson and
Delilah."

Harris Is Lining Up
Amusement Industry
Brotherhood Heads

John Harris

Chicago ; George
M. A. Lightman,
Pinanski, Boston

John H. Harris, national chairman
of the amusements division of the
National Conference Brotherhood
drive for 1955, has extended invita-
tions to 27 in-
i dustry leaders
to assume
c h a irmanships
for the forth-
coming cam-
paign.

Pro m i n e n t
figures whom
Harris has
asked to serve
as national as-
sociate . chair-
m e n include :
Jack Beresin,
Phil adelphia ;
Johnny Jones,
Eby, Pittsburgh ;
Memphis ; Sam
Sol Schwartz,
Simon Fabian, Charles Reagan and
Emanuel Frisch, New York; Robert
J. O'Donnell, Dallas; Ted Gamble,
Portland, Ore.; F. H. Ricketson, Jr.,
Denver; Rotus Harvey, San Fran-
cisco; Robert J. Wilby, Atlanta;
Robert Hofif, Omaha, and Marc Wolf,
Indianapolis.

All Branches Represented

Industry men who have been ten-
dered posts as committee chairman
are: Frank Folsom, television and
radio ; George Hoover, chairman, and
George Eby, assistant chairman, mo-
tion picture theatres ; Walter E.
Green, theatre equipment and supplies ;
Jack L. Warner, for motion picture
production; Gen. John Reed Kil-
patrick, sports ; Herman Robbins, ac-
cessories and theatre advertising ; Max
Gordon, legitimate theatres ; Charles
Bernes, restaurants and clubs ; Jack
Beresin, concessions ; Jay Emanuel,
trade publications, and Richard Walsh,
labor.

Harris concurrently announced that
a distribution chairman will be named
shortly to succeed Charles Reagan,
who served in that post during the
1954 Brotherhood drive.

Disney UK Officials
Arriving Here Friday

A group of executives of Walt Dis-
ney Film Distributors, Ltd., the Walt
Disney distribution subsidiarjy iiL the
LTnited Kingdom, will arrive herefrom
London on Friday, for a series of
home office talks and executive meet-
ings. In the visiting contingent will be
Cyril Edgar, sales supervisor ; Cyril
James, treasurer, and Arthur Allighan,
director of publicity.

The British executives will confer
with Leo F. Samuels, general sales
manager of Buena Vista, and Ned
Clarke, foreign sales manager, on
promotion and distribution plans for
"The Vanishing Prairie," and "20,000
Leagues Under The Sea." Discus-
sions on the Walt Disney product
schedule for the coming year also will
be held.

While here, the executives will at-
tend a special screening of "20,000
Leagues Under The Sea."

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published dailv except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke,
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-214S;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered : as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post ofSce at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

"DEEP IN MY HEART" had its first
public preview in New York this week at
Loew's Lexington. Wow! is the word for it!

East or West, the public loves it. In Los
Angeles the Preview response cards, for
the first time on record, were "100%
Recommended"! And in New York it was
equally sensational. They applauded dur-
ing the picture, they acclaimed it at the
end. When they do that, you know you've
got an attraction!

M-G-M has dehvered many important
money hits to theatres at hohday time in
past years, but never have we offered an
entertainment so perfectly suited for
Christmas-New Years presentation!

Aptly caUed "The Musical With A Heart,"
it is a beautiful love story that follows a
celebrated composer's career along the
rocky road to fame. You wiU truly be
Santa Claus to your patrons when you
play "DEEP IN MY HEART," the Big
Hohday Attraction, spangled with stars,
song hits, spectacle— all in glorious color.

(AVAILABLE IN PERSPECTA STEREOPHONIC OR ONE-CHANNEL SOUND>

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, November 24, 1954

People

Ethel Croog, secretary to Edward
L. Kingsley, of Kingsley Interna-
tional Pictures Corp., will i>e mar-
ried on Dec. 19 to Harry Millstein.
51ie will terminate her association
with the Kingsley organization to-
day.

Arthur Kany, motion picture and
drama .editor of the Dayton, O.,
Tournal-Herakl, is in a Dayton hos-
pital suffering from serious injuries
as the result of an automobile acci-
dent in which his wife was killed.
Howard Kany, a son, is attached to
the CBS News Bureau in New
York.

Robert Wile, secretary of the In-
dependent Theatre Owners of Ohio,
was the principal speaker at a meet-
ing of the Solon, O., Lions Club last
week and showed three short sub-
jects produced by the Motion Pic-
ture Association of America.

Don Hassod, formerly assistant
manager of Evergreen's Fox Thea-
tre in Portland, Ore., has joined
U. S. Color Co. as assistant to
Dean Child.

Chuck Charles has been named
city manager for the Jesse Jones
theatres at Sweet Home, Ore.

Richard Smyth has been appoint-
ed treasurer at the Paramount,
downtown UPT South Buffalo com-
munity house. Smyth replaces Leon-
ard J. Warchol, who resigned be-
cause of ill health. Smyth was for-
merly employed in various capaci-
ties, starting as usher, at the Seneca,
UPT South Buffalo community
house. Robert Cecil, doorman at the
Seneca, takes over Smyth's post
there as assistant manager.

Paramount Schedules Int'l Promotion Meet

Dave Richards, former manager
of the El Capitan Theatre in San
Francisco, is now managing the
Turlock Theatre, Turlock, Calif.

Farewell Party for
MGM's Workman

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 23.—
More than 250 film row col-
leagues as well as business,
civic and fraternal leaders of the
city gathered here last night to
pay tribute to W. H. (Bob)
Workman, MGM's Minneapolis
branch manager, who will retire
this month after 38 years with
the company.

Present to honor Workman
were Ed Saunders, MGM as-
sistant general sales manager,
and Burtis Bishop, Jr., Midwest
sales manager from Chicago.
Among the large stack of tele-
grams from well-wishers was
one from F. Handley Paige,
British airplane manufacturer,
with whom Workman was asso-
ciated during the first World
War.

(Continued from page 1)

exploitation, will preside over all
meeting sessions. Y. Frank Freeman,
Paramount vice-president in charge of
the studio, and Don Hartman, execu-
tive producer, will address the meet-
ing.

In addition to Pickman, the home
office contingent at the week-long
merchandising gathering will include
Sid Blunienstock, assistant national
director of advertising, publicity and
exploitation and advertising manager ;
Herb Steinberg, national exploitation
manager, and Burt Champion, home
office publicity manager. Teet Carle,
studio publicity manager, will head
the group of studio promotion repre-
sentatives who will attend.

Paramount overseas operations will

be represented by Tony Reddin, direc-
tor of advertising, publicity and thea-
tres in England, and Odette Ferry,
promotional liaison for Continental
Europe, as well as Paul Ackerman,
director of advertising, publicity and
sales promotion for Paramount Inter-
national. Also representing the foreign
field will be Al Deane, manager of
the Paramount International depart-
ment of censoring and editing.

Complete determination of details
concerning general release of Irving
Berlin's "White Christmas," the first
picture in VistaVision, and Hal Wal-
lis' newest Dean Martin-Jerry Lewis
comedy film, "Three Ring Circus" also
in VistaVision, is one of the items
on the meeting agenda.

Branch cities will be represented
at the meeting by the following field

merchandising representatives : Leon-
ard Allen, Charlotte, Jacksonville and
Atlanta ; Pete Bayes, Denver and Salt
Lake City ; Robert Bixler, Dallas.
Oklahoma City, Alemphis and New
Orleans ; Robert Blair, Los Angeles
and San Francisco ; Ralph Buring,
Cincinnati and Pittsburgh ; James
Castle, St. Louis and Kansas City.

Also, E. G. Fitzgibbon, Chicago,
Milwaukee and Minneapolis; Dave
Friedman, Indianapolis, Des Moines
and Omaha ; Leonard Gray, Detroit
and Cleveland ; Walter Hoffman,
Seattle and Portland ; Arnold Van
Leer, Boston and New Haven ; Ed-
ward J. Wall, Albany and Buffalo ;
Mike Weiss, Philadelphia and Wash-
ington. Win Barron will represent
Paramount's Canadian promotion
forces.

*Show Business'

(Contiimed from page 1)

Mitzi Gaynor, is a 20th Century-Fox
production in CinemaScope and color
by DeLuxe, and will open at the Roxy
Theatre before the Christmas holidays
All proceeds from the premiere,
which will be a Broadway highlight
of the Yuletide season, will be turned
over to the Actors' Fund. Allied or-
ganizations which also will be aided
by the "Show Business" premiere in
elude the Episcopal Actors' Guild, the
Catholic Actors' Guild, the Jewish
Theatrical Guild, the Negro Actors'
Guild, the Lambs Welfare Fund and
the American Theatre Wing, it was
pointed out by Vincent.

ARC Slates 8

(Continued from page 1)

Canada Council Gets
Small-Exhibitor Plea

special to THE DAILY
TORONTO, Nov. 23. — Chairman
A. J. Mason of the Motion Picture
Industry Council of Canada today
made a strong plea for the small ex-
hibitors in this country in addressing
the organization's annual meeting at
the King Edward Hotel here.

Mason, who is a theatre owner of
Springhill, N. S., and president of
the Maritime Exhibitors Association,
claimed that the road-showing of pic-
tures at what he called unfavorable
rental terms was ruinous to the sub-
sequent-run or small-town theatre
owners. He contended that no small
exhibitor on this continent could sur-
vive by paying 50 or even 35 per cent
of gross revenue for product.

Chairman' Mason also urged stand-
ardization of the theatre equipment for
new techniques to relieve the perplex-
ity of theatre owners.

C. J. Appel announced in his report
on public relations that a group of 12
national societies, representing wo-
men's educational, religious and patri-
otic bodies, had started to issue a
periodic list of recommended features
after viewing them at the film ex-
changes, J. J. Fitzgibbons expressed
the view that these bulletins should
be placed in the hands of all exhibi-
tors, managers and newspapers.

Acquires 'Desert Storm'

Gilbralter Motion Picture Distribu-
tors has acquired U. S. rights to
"Desert Storm," French film starring
Dany Robin and Georges Marchal.
The picture is dubbed in English and
will be released through exchanges
in key cities.

is "The Fast and the Furious,"
Roger Corman Palo Alto production
starring Dorothy Malone and John
Ireland. Scheduled for release this
month is "Operation Malaya," a story
of jungle warfare.

First of the eight releases for 1955
is "Five Guns West" in color starring
John Lund and Dorothy Malone. Lo'
cation shooting in Death Valley starts
Nov. 29 under the direction of Roger
Corman. Second 1955 release is
"King Robot," science-fiction melo
drama starring Lon Chaney, Bela
Lugosi and Helen Gilbert, which starts
production on Jan. 15, under the ban-
ner of Golden State Productions.

A third release, "The Day the
World Ended," is now in preparation
with special effects to be in production
by January. This picture is slated to
be in color and Vistarama.

Other releases set for delivery by
American during 1955 are "The Beasf
From 1,000,000 B.C.," "War Cry,"
"One Mile Below," "African King,"
and "Johnny Big Gun," western in
color.

American Releasing Corp. has been
set up and financed by a group of in-
dependent southern California exhib-
itors. No exhibitor organization is
involved, nor does American seek any
tie-up with TOA or Allied, it was
said.

Broidy

(Continued from page 1)

will be coordinated by general sales
manager and national director of ad-
vertising-publicity. "In other words, I
think our industry soon will be
operated under a new system of mer-
chandising specialists," he added.

Broidy also paid tribute to press
agents, publicists and newsmen for
contributing to the success of the film
business.

Gleason Pulls $104,000

First week of the N. Y. Paramount
Theatre's two-week stage show fea-
turing Jackie Gleason and his TV
troupe grossed $104,000, according to
Robert Shapiro, executive director of
the theatre. The picture is Warner
Brothers' "Drumbeat." Shapiro said
that bad weather conditions had held
down the gross. The high for a stage
show and picture at the house was the
$135,000 take by Martin and Lewis
and "Plunder of the Sun" more than
a year ago.

CinemaLodge
15 Years Old

New York's Cinema Lodge of B'nai
B'rith marked the 15th anniversary of
its founding in 1939 before a large
audience of members, guests and
representatives of the entertainment
industry at the Hotel Sheraton Astor
here last night.

Alfred W. Schwalberg, first presi-
dent and honorary president and gen-
erally credited with the chartering of
Cinema Lodge, traced the accomplish-
ments of the organization during the
past 15 years through its fund raising
on behalf of the B'nai B'rith agencies
and the nationwide public relations job
it has done on behalf of B'nai B'rith.
He also traced the great advancements
made since the founding of the Lodge
in combatting organized anti-semitism.

Ten Past Presidents Honored

The 10 past presidents of Cinema
Lodge were honored during the anni-
versary ceremonies and were pre-
sented with special B'nai B'rith meno-
rah pins. David Hockey, representa-
tive of District Grand Lodge No. 1
of B'nai B'rith presented a special
citation to president Burton E. Rob-
bins for Cinema's fulfillment of its
fund-raising quota during the past
year.

iMax E. Youngstein opened the
evening by citing the success of the
Lodge's 1954-55 fund raising drive
through the sale of contribution share
certificates. The winner of the 1954
Cadillac sedan which was awarded to
one of the holders of the $25 contribu-
tion share certificates was Sid Nagler,
of the Nagler sign shop.

The Reverend John Stanley Grauel,
principal speaker of the evening,
stressed the importance of Israel's
independence to Americans of all
faiths.

Mid-December Move
For RKO Theatres

RKO Theatres will move to
the Mutual Life Building at
1740 Broadway, here, by the
middle of December from its
present offices at 1270 Sixth
Avenue. The maintenance and
construction departments of the
circuit have already occupied
office space at the new quarters.

Wednesday, November 24, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

'Too Early ^ Says Davis

{Continued from page 1)

Britain's NFFC to
Continue Group 3
Experimental Films

By Staff Correspondent

LONDON, Nov. 23.— Following a
meeting between a deputation from the
Producers' Association and the Na-
tional Film Finance Corporation it
was agreed that Group Three will be
maintained as an experimental produc-
tion unit.

This was the organization formed
by NFFC and financed out of public
money for the training, ostensibly, of
novitiate technicians. A number of in-
dependent producers had complained
that the Government financing of
Group Three placed them in an unfair
position.

But Sir John Keeling, the newly-
appointed NFFC chairman, made it
clear that a considerable modification
will take place in the Group's produc-
tion program during the next few
months.

It will no longer have an an-
nual program of a fixed number
of films, but will produce films
only when projects considered
suitable for achieving the ob-
jects of the Group are found.

Producers also wanted to know the
Finance Corporation's intentions in
regard to British Lion and to terms
under which future loans would be
issued by the Corporation.

They were assured that in the in-
terests of British producers it was
felt desirable that there should be
at least a third major distributing
company of British films. But precise
details of how the re-formed British
Lion will operate did not emerge.

Loan Terms Under Consideration

Sir John also told producers that i
their representations on loan terms
would be closely examined and born
in mind in discussions between the
government and the NFFC concerning
the latter's future activities.

Jury at Theatre Sites
In Mass, 'Trust' Suit

BOSTON, Nov. 23.— In an unusual
move in the Commonwealth, the jury
panel sitting on the anti-ti"ust suit of
the Victoria Amusement Corp. was
driven to the city of Lawrence to view
the locations and types of theatres in-
volved in the case. At the instigation
of some of the defendant distributors,
it was agreed by all involved that the
jury would receive a clearer impres-
sion of the subject matter if they were
taken to the exact spots of the thea-
tres mentioned.

The suit is a $3,000,000 anti-trust
damage suit brought by Victoria
Amusement Corp., operating the State
Theatre, Lawrence, against a group of
exhibitors and the major distributors.
It is being heard before Judge
Sweeney and a jury in the Federal
District Court.

The complaint alleges that prior to
1947, the defendants conspired to re-
strain trade, maintained a uniform
system of runs, clearances and admis-
sion prices and declined to contract
for or to deliver films to the plaintiff
except in accordance with that system.

The $3,000,000 sought is three times
the amount of actual damages sus-
tained by the plaintifT by reason of
the defendants' violations of the anti-
trust laws, the complaint stated.

The case is continuing. George S.
Ryan is the attorney for the plaintiff.

direction could be taken until free
convertibility of sterling had been
restored.

When that happens, Davis said, in-
dividual decisions would be made as
to whether theatres should be acquired
outright or partnerships should be
purchased. He also indicated that con-
siderable care would be exercised to
obtain properties only where British
films could reasonably be expected to
be presented profitably.

Davis denied reports that he is here
to discuss a co-production deal with
Republic. The only tie between Rank
and Republic at this time, he said, is

CEA Endeavors to
Overcome Defections

By Staff Correspondent

LONDON, Nov. 23. — Continuing
efforts are being made here to bring
the J. Arthur Rank and Sol Sheck-
man theatres back into the Cinema-
tograph Exhibitors Ass'n fold from
which they resigned recently.

One such is the suggestion that a
new salaried office be created, the in-
cumbent of which would serve the
combined associations of the industry.
That is a reflection of a proposal
which Rank made some years ago
when he envisaged his R.E.P. — Renter-
Exhibitor-Producer Committee.

Loophole Found

On the occasion of Rank's previous
withdrawal from CEA a way out was
found by withdrawing executive au-
thority from Fuller personally and
vesting it in the joint body of the
i Association's five officers.

The suggestion of a new office
would, in the opinion of several re-
sponsible leaders of the industry, still
further spread the executive power
and CEA is exceptionally jealous of
its autonomy. But current indications
are that an ingenious formula of
rapproachement will presently be ar-
rived at.

Significant, however, is the fact that
Fuller lately volunteered to sacrifice
part of his salary in the present finan-
cial emergency of CEA, but the
finance committee would have none of
that.

Confidence in Fuller Expressed

As reported earlier, following a
meeting of past presidents of the CE.A.
accompanied by ABPC's Sir Philip
Warter and D. J. Goodlatte, the As-
sociation's general council adopted a
resolution expressing "complete con-
fidence in the general secretary" ;
Walter R. Fuller.

Rosen, Knowles Quit
Cinerama in Minn,

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 23. ^ _A1
Rosen, managing director of the Cin-
erama Theatre here, and William
Knowles, house manager, have re-
signed. No successors have been
named but, meanwhile, division man-
ager Frank Upton is in charge of the
local operation.

Ohio Paper Ups Ad Rate

COLUMBUS, O., Nov. 23.— Effec-
tive Feb. 1, advertising rates in the
morning "Ohio State Journal" will_ be
advanced one cent to 22 cents a line.

a deal by which the latter acquired
five pictures from Rank for distribu-
tion.

He said he had no comment to
make at this time on the status of
British films, particularly Rank's, in
this market while American exhibitors
are complaining of a serious product
shortage. Davis said he will return
to New York Nov. 30, at which time
he will check on playing time cur-
rently being given British product,
and will learn then whether there has
been any change in the situation,
which he and Rank heretofore have
regarded as unsatisfactory.

U.K. *Break-Figure'
Dispute Nears End

By Staff Correspondent

LONDON, Nov. 23.— The future of
the break-figure dispute will be de-
cided at a meeting between the officers
of the Kinematograph Renters So-
ciety and Cinematograph Exhibitors
Association in the course of the next
few days.

This follows the last meeting of the
KRS council and a letter which was
sent by the society's president. Sir
David Griffiths, to W. R. Fuller of
CEA which said :

"I was directed to inform you that
the KRS in principal has agreed to be
guided by the advice tendered by Mr.
Salmon in his report dated Oct. 14.

"Until such time as the appropriate
unanimous resolution recommended by
Mr. Salmon has been passed by the
joint CEA-KRS committee, the So-
ciety's existing break-figure resolu-
tion of March 8, 1951, will remain
in full force and effect."

The reference to "the appropriate
unanimous resolution" relates to a
passage in Salmon's "advice" in which
he says : "This difficulty can and
should in my view be met by the joint
trade committee passing a unanimous
resolution that any exhibitor desiring
a revision of a break figure contract
shall at the opening of the negotiations
with the renter concerned disclose
certified figures in support of his con-
tention that the proposed revision will
not have the effect of passing any part
of the Eady levy on to the renter."

Both sides are confident that full
agreement will be reached at the
coming meeting".

Gualino to Discuss
French Film Release

Dr. Renato Gualino, president of the
I.F.E. Releasing Corp., will meet with
John McCarthy of International Affil-
iates, and George Lourau of Film-
sonor, S. A., this week to discuss the
distribution of French films in the
United States.

The board of directors of Italian
Films Export confirmed reports that
the company mav eventually distribute
films of any nation, as well as those
of Italy, in the domestic market, as
reported exclusively in Motion Pic-
ture Daily on Nov. 12.

Gualino, who is expected to return
to Rome over the weekend, is meet-
ing with I.F.E. executives here. The
discussions with McCarthy and Lou-
rau will take place as soon as Lourau
arrives in New York from France.

UK Exhibitor Head's
Theatre Fined for
Quota Act Breach

By Staff- Correspondent

LONDON, Nov. 23. — Associated
Towers Cinemas of Leeds, of which
Claude Whincup, president of the
Cinematograph Exhibitors Associa-
tion, is a director, was fined £5 ($14)'
and ordered to pay £10 ($28) costs
for violation of Britain's first feature
Quota law at the Opera House, Ripon,
during period beginning Oct. 1, 1951.

A similar summons in respect of
second features was dismissed.

The prosecuting attorney for the
Board of Trade said that instead of
the prescribed percentages of 30 and
2'5, respectively, of first and second
features the theatre had shown per-
centages of 17.6 and 18.1.

Defending counsel told the bench
of justices that some of the British
films offered to Whincup were three
years old and had already been seen
in nearby Harrogate and Leeds, add-
ing : "You are asked to say it was
commercially practicable to show them
in Ripon. If Mr. Whincup had shown
this rubbish he might have complied
with the quota but he might have
shown a financial loss also."

The nominal nature of the fine and
the negligible amount of costs is taken
here as clear indications of where the
sympathy of the justices lay. The gen-
eral feeling is that Whincup's offence
was a technical one and that the Board
of Trade was wasting public time and
money in launching the prosecution.

S chine Plea for Data
Objected to by Gov't

BUFFALO, Nov. 23.— The govern-
ment today asked Federal Judge John
Knight to quash a subpoena relating
to the pending contempt of court
charges against the Schine Chain The-
atres and other corporations and in-
dividuals.

The subpoena, by the Schine inter-
ests, seeks to compel the government
to produce certain documents for ex-
amination by the defendants in the
contempt of court action which is
scheduled to go on trial Monday.

Joseph E. McDowell, Government
attorney, told Judge Knight that the
subpoena requires the government to
"produce virtually everything in the
files of the department of justice that
is revelant or may be revelant to issue
in this case." He contended that the
request is too broad.

Defense attorney Frank G. Raichle,
however, argued that the information
contained in the documents should "in
all fairness" be made available by the
government to the defendants.

Judge Knight reserved decision.

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Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, November 24, 1954

National

Pre-Selling

arpHK BAREFOOT CON-
1 TESSA" received a substantial
plug in the December issue of "Red-
book." A full color photo of Ava
Gardner and Humphrey Bogart, stars
of this new Joseph L. Mankiewicz
picture accompanies the review of
"Contessa" in the issue. The review
is sufficiently up-beat, so that theatre
managers can have "blow-ups" made
for their 40 x 60 easels or for lobby
shadow boxes.

"Contessa" was selected as a "Red-
book's," Silver Cup candidate for De-
cember.

•

"Woman's Home Companion" has
devoted an entire page in the De-
cember issue to the review of U.I.'s
"Sign of the Pagan." Seven photo-
graphs taken on the production sets
illustrate the review. "The Pagan"
is a story of Attila the Hun who
lived in the Fifth Century.

•

"Look" selected Irving Berlin's
"There's No Business Like Shovy
Business," as the "movie review ol
the week" for the current issue. A
photo of the cast's stars, Ethel Mer-
man, Marilyn Monroe, Donald O'Con-
nor, Mitzie Gaynor, Johnnie Ray and
Dan Dailey, highlights the review.
•

"Life," in the current issue, re-
views two films based on the life
of Napoleon Bonaparte. The Amer-
ican one, "Desiree," produced by
20th Century-Fox and starring Mar-
lon Brando, highlights the Napo-
leonic romances. The French film,
produced by Sacha Guitry and star-
ring Orson Wells and Danielle Dar-
rieux, titled "Napoleon," concen-
trates on the military angle. Theatre
managers can use quotes from views
of these films in their programs or
in lobby displays.

•

Correction : In the last National
Pre-Selling column, "A Star Is Born"
was mentioned as "Seventeen's'' pic-
ture of the month for November. The
correct month is December.

•

An unusual series of fan magazine
cover "breaks" has been garnered
by Warner Bros., for its forth-
coming release of "Young at Heart,"
with cover photos of Doris Day and
Frank Sinatra, who co-star in the
film, to appear coincident with the
picture's national distribution date.
Magazines set to devote covers to
the "Young at Heart" stars are
Photoplay, Screen Stories, Movie-
land, Hollywood Stars, Movie Life,
Movie Fan, Compact, TV and
Movie Screen, Movie World and
News Magazine.

•

The last installment of the "John
Wayne Story" will appear in Sunday's
"American Weekly." Wayne's next
films for release are "The Conqueror"
and "Tundra."

•

The sixth annual motion picture
number of the "New York News"
Coloroto Magazine, will be pub-
lished next Sunday. Fifty-nine films
will be featured, most of which will
be represented in color. These,
shown in color, are "The Silver
Chalice," "Desiree," "The Bridges
of Toko-Ri," "East of Eden," "Bat-
tle Cry," "20,000 Leagues Under the
Sea" and "Romeo and Juliet."

WALTER HAAS

NT and DJ

( Continued from page 1 )

the second round of talks between NT
and Justice Department officials. Fol-
lowing the first round of talks, Ber-
tero expressed optimism that the
Justice Department, realizing the cur-
rent product situation, would relax
the company's consent decree. How-
ever, this optimistic note was tem-
pered by a conflicting statement from
a Justice Department spokesman in
Washington foreseeing no relaxation
of the decree.

Under the Paramount consent de-
cree, American Broadcasting-Para-
mount Theatres can enter the produc-
tion and distribution of motion jiic-
tures, Leonard Goldenson, AB-PT
president stated here yesterday.

'Considering,' Says Goldenson

Goldenson, invited to comment on
the move of NT to resume negotia-
tions with the Department of Justice,
was asked whether AB-PT con-
templated a similar step. In response
the AB-PT president reaffirmed his
company's contention that its consent
decree does not bar it from entering
production. Goldenson also reiterated
that his company is "considering"
whether to go into production to aid
the product situation, although he de-
clined stating definite plans.

Tax Appeal

{Continued from page 1)

amusement tax suit against the City
of New York.

The suit. No. 477 on the docket, is
expected to hold interest to New York
City exhibitors because the next tax
payment is due on Dec. 20. Exhibitors
had received court permission to with-
hold the tax breakage from the City
Tax Collector under a temporay in-
junction order issued until a deter-
mination of the appeal.

The local theatremen's appeal is
based on the contention that the city
amusement levy of five per cent ex-
ceeds the authorized tax as allowed
under the State Enabling Act of 1947
and that it contradicts a prior Ad-
ministrative Code provision.

Goldwyn Studio

(Continued from page 1)

days and the studios will be auctioned
within 60 days, according to attorneys
Jacques Leslie for Miss Pickford and
Loeb and Loeb's Herman Selvin for
Goldwyn, thus ending a five-year liti-
gation.

Nourse handed down an opinion
holding that practically nothing of the
machinery at the studios be included
in the sale of the property, overruling
the Pickford attorneys, who held that
all projection, sound, machinery and
mill equipment is part of the real es-
tate. Certain minor fixtures are con-
ceded to be part of the common prop-
erty.

The sale will be on a "bare bones"
basis rather than as an operating stu-
dio.

Elia Kazan Signed to
Long-term WB Deal

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 23.— Jack L.
Warner today announced completion
of a deal with Elia Kazan to produce
and direct a series of important films
over a long-term period for Warner
Brothers.

NT Meet to Stress
'Showmanship'

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 23. —
"Showmanship" will keynote
the first divisional conference
of National Theatres, under
its new president, Elmer C.
Rhoden, who wrill start the
three-day meeting on Nov. 29
a<: NT's home office in Los
Angeles. Among 86 executive
heads of all departments from
21 states served by NT who
will attend are John B. Bertero,
Edwin F. Zabel, Alan May,
Frank H. Ricketson, Jr., and
Richard Brous, also theatre
operating executives M. Spen-
cer Leve, James Runte, Wil-
liam Thedford, Robert W.
Selig, Senn Lawlor, William
Moclair, Dave Idzal, Harold
Seidenberg and Gordon Hewitt.

3-Week Bankruptcy
Stay for Glowmeter

St^ccial to THE DAILY

BUFFALO, Nov. 23. — A three-
weeks' stay in bankruptcy proceedings
involving the Glowmeter Corp., North
Tonawanda, while the directors try to
raise $75,000, has been ordered by
Federal Judge John Knight, who has
granted the request of attorneys for
Glowmeter, manufacturers of motion
picture screens, for an adjournment
until Dec. 15, despite objections of
attorneys for eight former employees
who claim they are owed some $4,500
in back wages.

Attorney for Glowmeter told the
court that the original program, dis-
closed after the corporation filed a pe-
tition for reorganization under Chap-
ter two of the Federal Bankruptcy Act,
called for an eight-week production
test period during which it would be
determined if the corporation could
remain in business. Attorneys said
that it was discovered that products
manufactured during this period were
not acceptable to the trade and that
further work must be done.

Trying to Raise $75,000

"We are asking an additional three
weeks to attempt to raise $75,000 or
$80,000,'" declared a Glowmeter attor-
ney. "We therefore ask the court to
hold this matter until Dec. 15."

A representative of Radiant Mfg.
Co. of Chicago, described as the prin-
cipal creditor of Glowmeter and dis-
tributing corporation agent, stated that
his concern is willing to go along with
the three-week adjournment. Glow-
meter is trying to develo]) a process
in screen manufacture that is revolu-
tionary, the court was told, and is on
the brink of discovering an important
item.

"I'll hold this matter for three
weeks," Judge Knight ruled. "It
seems that some efifort is being made
to pull this thing out, and I think we
should give them a little time."

Says Col, Sells 3
Specials ^Flaf Now

COLUMBUS, O., Nov. 23.— Alem-
bers of the I.T.O. of Ohio have been
advised that Columbia is now selling
"From Here to Eternity," "The Caine
Mutiny" and "On the Waterfront" flat
in '^mal'er situations.

The information is attributed to Al-
lied States' Emergency Defense Com-
mittee.

'U' Meeting

(Continued from page 1)

and publicity executives and represen-
tatives of Empire-LTniversal of Can-
ada, it was announced yesterday by
Charles J. Feldman, vice-president and
general sales manager.

Following the studio meetings, the
division sales managers will hold a
series of district sales meetings with
their district managers, branch man-
agers and salesmen participating and
with a promotional executive sched-
uled to attend each of these seven in-
dividual meetings, it was further an-
nounced by Feldman who stressed that
the combined studio conference and
division-district managers meetings
would have the full impact of a large
scale sales convention in reaching
every member of the Universal sales
organization with the company's forth-
coming releasing and promotion plans
for the coming year.

Top Officials to Attend

Universal executives from New
York and California who will partici-
pate in the week-long sales conference
at the studios are Milton R. Rackmil,
president ; N. J. Blumberg, chairman
of the board ; Alfred E. DafT, execu-
tive vice-president ; Edward Muhl,
vice-president in charge of production;
Adolph Schimel, vice-president and
general counsel ; David A. Lipton,
vice-president ; James Pratt, executive
manager of the studio, and Maurice A.
Bergman, Eastern studio representa-
tive.

Feldman will preside at the meet-
ings and head the sales contingent
which will include Ray Moon, assis-
tant general sales manager ; F. J. A.
McCarthy, Southern and Canadian
sales manager ; P. T. Dana, Eastern
sales manager ; Foster M. Blake,
Western sales manager; James J. Jor-
dan, circuit sales manager ; Harry
Fellerman, sales head of the U-I spe-
cial films division ; Irving Sochin,
short subjects sales manager, and
F. T. Murray, manager of branch
operations and maintenance.

District sales managers who will
participate are P. F. Rosian, Cleve-
land ; Joseph Gins, Boston ; Manie M.
Gottlieb, Chicago ; Lester Zucker,
Kansas City ; Barney Rose, San Fran-
cisco: James Frew, Atlanta; Henry
H. Martin, Dallas, and David Levy,
New York.

Canadians Expected

A. W. Perry, president of Empire-
Universal which distributes Univer-
sal's pictures in Canada, and Mark
Plottel. sales manager, will attend.

Americo Aboaf, foreign general
manager ; Ben Cohn, assistant foreign
general manager, and Fortunat Baro-
nat, foreign publicity director, will also
attend the meetings.

Charles Simonelli, Eastern adver-
tising and publicity department man-
ager, Philip Gerard, Eastern publicity
manager, and Jel¥ Livingston, Eastern
advertising manager, will attend from
New York as will Robert Gillham,
vice-president of Cunningham &
Walsh, Universal's advertising agency.

Sell Stanley Here

The Stanley Theatre, a constant
outlet here for the exhibition of Soviet
films, has been sold to Irving Maid-
man, investor and builder. He has as-
sembled a parcel of property which
includes the theatre for the purpose
of altering the structures for a large
banking institution.

All

The News

That '
Is News

MOTION PICTURE

DAILY

VOL. 76. NO. 101

NEW YORK, U.S.A., FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1954

TEN CENTS

Asks Extension

NT Has Less
Than 10 Units
Yet to Divest

Expects to Be Down to
4 or 5 By End of Year

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25. — Na-
tional Theatres has asked the Justice
Department for another extension of
its divestiture deadUne.

The present deadhne for the theatre
chain to complete its divestiture under
the consent decree is Dec. 7. When it
got its last extension on June 7, it had
some 17 theatres and properties still
to get rid of.

The request for another extension
was put before the Department in two
days of meetings by John Bertero,
vice-president of National Theatres
and president of Fox West Coast
Theatres. He was accompanied by
F. W. Pride of Dwight, Royall, Koe-
gel and Caskey and by West Coast
attorney W. B. Carman.

Pride said he expected the circuit
{Continued on page 6)

Brandt Lauds Allied,
Hits Myers' Role

Harry Brandt, president of the In-
dependent Theatre Owners Associa-
tion of New York, in a letter to Ben
Marcus, president of Allied States,
which was released to the trade press
by Brandt on Wednesday, expresses
gratification that .Allied will parti-
cipate in the industry meetings pro-
posed recently by Al Lichtman, direc-
tor of distribution for 20th Century-
Fox.

Brandt, replying to an earlier letter
from Marcus, took exception to the
latter's contention that Abram Myers,
Allied chairman and general counsel,
"has contributed more than any other
individual during the past 25 years to
(Continued on page 3)

50% of Lawler Estate
To W. Mass. Theatres

HARTFORD, Nov. 25.— West-
ern Mass. Theatres, Inc., headed .
by Samuel Goldstein, has ac-
quired a 50 per cent interest in
the Lawler Estate, which in-
cludes the Lawler Theatre and
adjoining properties in Green-
field, Mass., and the Amherst
Theatre, Amherst, Mass.

Washington to Consider Special Tax
On Theatre TV Showings of Fights

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25.— The District of Columbia government
has agreed to consider the possibility of putting a special tax on
theatre television showings of major boxing events.

The idea would be to "use the money to bolster funds for the local
boxing commission. District Commissioner Samuel Spencer said he
feels such a study is in order. He made the statement after hearing
a plea for more funds from Col. Harvey L. Miller, chairman of the
boxing commission. Miller told the Commissioners that many cities
put a special tax of as much as five per cent on such admissions.

Milton Pickman
To Head DCA's
Production Post

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 25.— Milton
E. Pickman has been named execu-
tive in charge of production for Dis-
tributors Corp. of America by Fred
Schwartz, DCA president.

Pickman recently concluded a two-
year contract with Columbia as one of
the studio's top production men. Pre-
viousl)', he was vice-president of the
Wald-Krasna RKO Production Co.,
before negotiating the purchase of the
Wald-Krasna stock interest by Co-
lumbia, resulting in Wald-Pickman as-
suming executive production functions
at Columbia.

He will start immediately on his
new job, supervising the completion of
the DCA co-production film "Finian's
Rainbow." Meanwhile, it was learned
that DCA here is scouting for a build-
ing to house its production and West
Coast Distribution activities.

Eidophor Model
Now Is Expected
Before Year End

The commercial prototype of the
Eidophor color theatre television
equipment is expected to be ready
before the end of the year, it was
learned here from an authoritative
20th Century-Fox spokesman.

The spokesman, discounting reports
of an early demonstration of the equip-
ment within days, said that 20th-Fox
president Spyros P. Skouras will out-
line a program for Eidophor and a
demonstration of the equipment after
his return from Europe, expected in
about another two weeks.

He said Swiss engineers are cur-
rently working out ways to correct
a slight flicker by providing addi-
tional shielding in the prototype model,
work on which has been going on for
over a year. The prototype commer-
cial model, the spokesman went on, is
(Continued on page 6)

Arthur L. Mayer Says

Present Industry 'Follies '
May Create Charity Seekers

TORONTO, Nov. 25. — Asserting that he would say disagreeable things
about some thoroughly agreeable people, Arthur L. Mayer, president of
the Independent Motion Picture Distributors Association of America,

. . =,a-,Bsmma^mii^mim^^ d i S C C t € d the

Set Music Fees for
Canadian Theatres

OTTAWA, Nov. 25.— Composers,
Authors and Publishers Association of
Canada, Ltd., has filed statements of
all fees, charges or royalties which
it proposes during the next calendar
year, including an annual fee of 10
cents per seat for theatres of 499 seats
and under, 12 cents for 500 to 799
seats, 15 cents for 800 to 1,599 seats,
and 20 cents for 1,600 seats and over.

Theatres operating three days or
less per week shall pay one-half of
the above rates. Minimum fee is
$10.

problems of e.x-
hibition. distri-
bution and ex-
hibition at a
luncheon meet-
ing of the Mo-
tion Picture
Theatres Asso-
ciation of Can-
ada here today.

The industry
has come
through its pe-
riod of greatest
emergency with
flying colors,
but however, it has fallen into a prev-
(Continued on page 6)

Arthur Mayer

Step Forward

Sales Heads to
Meet Tues. on
Lichtman Plan

See Agenda Problem for
Proposed Parley Weighed

The proposal to hold a round-table
industry trade conference will be pre-
sented to company sales managers
Tuesday by Al Lichtman, 20th Cen-
tury-Fox distribution director and au-
thor of the plan.

The presentation, it was learned,
will be made at a meeting here of the
sales managers committee of the Mo-
tion Picture Association of America.

A committee source, underlining the
importance of Tuesday's meeting, said
that all sales managers are expected
to be present to hear Lichtman out-
line his plan. The Lichtman project,,
initially disclosed at the recent meet-
ing of the Council of Motion Picture
Organizations, calls for a conference
of company presidents, sales managers
and exhibition leaders in the near fu-
ture on industry problems.

It was held likely that the sales
(Continued on page 6)

File $10,000,000
Boston Trust Suit

BOSTON, Nov. 25.— An anti-trust
case seeking damages which, when
trebled, amount to $10,000,000 has been
filed in Federal District Court here by
Jean C. Campopiano, owner and oper-
ator of the Capitol Theatre, Lawrence,
Mass. The suit is directed against the
Stanley Warner Co., Massachusetts
Warner Theatres, Empire Amusement
Co., Roland and Harold Siskin who
own theatre property in Lawrence ;
(Continued on page 3)

Admission Prices
Continue to Rise

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25. —
Theatre admission prices con-
tinued to rise in some cities be-
tween mid-September and mid-
October, the Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported.

The Bureau released its con-
sumer price index for the month
to mid-October. The report said
that "reading and recreation
costs rose as movie admission
charges and newspaper prices
increased, in a few cities."

MOTION Picture Daily

Friday, November 26, 1954

Personal
Mention

CHARLES J. FELDMAN, Uni-
versal Pictures vice-president and
sales manager, left New York yester-
day for California.

•

William Moclair, managing direc-
tor of the Roxy Tlieatre here, will
leave over the weekend for Los An-
geles to attend the National Theatres
convention there.

•

Jack P. Harris, film buyer for
Walter Reade Theatres, has left New
York with Mrs. Harris for the Vir-
gin Islands.

•

Leon Roth, publicity coordinator
for United Artists on the West Coast,
will arrive in New York on Monday
from Hollywood.

•

Ray Moon, Universal Pictures as-
sistant sales manager, will leave here
today for New Orleans, Houston, San
Francisco and Los Angeles.

•

Pinky Sober, of the M-G-M legal
department, is in Miami from New
York.

Joel Bezahler, of the M-G-M sales
department, will return to New York
today from a vacation in the South.
•

Ed Gollin, Filmakers Eastern pub-
licity representative, will leave New
York today for the Coast.

•

John C. de Wael, director, will
arrive in New York today from Eu-
rope aboard the "He de France."
•

Jay Eisenberg, legal liaison for
M-G-M's distribution department, has
returned to New York from Miami.
•

Arthur L. Mayer will return to
New York today from Toronto.
•

Michael Myerberg, producer, re-
turned here yesterday from London.

Denies Judgment in
Hempstead Action

A motion for a summary judgment
was denied here Wednesday by New
York Supreme Court Justice Henry
Clay Greenberg in the suit filed a year
ago by the Hempstead Theatre Corp.
and four other companies against
Metropolitan Playhouses, Skouras
Theatres and Circuit Vendors.

The plaintiffs, which had leased
their theatres to Metropolitan, charged
that Circuit Vendors had discrimi-
nated against them in favor of the
Skouras houses in paying the full
amount of percentages due them on
concession sales under an agreement.

JJustice Greenberg ruled that the
claims of the plaintiffs did not exist.

DeMille to Coast

Cecil B. DeMille will' leave New
York for Hollywood tomorrow after
a brief stop-over following his return
to this country from Egypt, where he
completed location shooting of "The
Ten Commandments," in VistaVision.

H-63 to Occupy
New Offices

Home Office Employees Union,
Local H-63, lATSE will occupy
new office space at 752 Eighth
Avenue here, during the middle
of December. The motion pic-
ture white collar union is pres-
ently located at 1674 Broadway.

GPE May Control
Griscom-Russell

General Precision Equipment Corp
and the holders of approximately 80
per cent of the outstanding preferred
and common stock of Griscom-Russell
Co. of Massillon, O., have agreed upon
terms for an exchange of stock which,
if consummated, will result in the ac-
quisition of control of Griscom-Rus-
sell by GPE.

Griscom-Russell, founded in 1912,
is a manufacturer of heat transfer
equipment and water purifiers for the
petroleum, power and chemical indus-
tries and for naval and merchant
ships.

Expected by End of Year

According to a joint announcement
by Hermann G. Place, GPE presi-
dent, and T. Kennedy Stevenson,
chairman of the executive committee
of Griscom-Russell, the exchange, if
consummated, is expected to be com-
pleted about the end of the year.

Under the exchange offer, one
share of new cumulative $5 dividend
GPE preferred stock will be issued
for each preferred share of Griscom-
Russell and 245/1000 of a share of
GPE preferred and 245/1000 of a
share of GPE common will be issued
for each share of Griscom-Russell
common received by GPE in the ex-
change. If all of the outstanding
Griscom-Russell shares are exchanged,
GPE Will issue approximately 27,566
shares of its preferred stock and
20,034 shares of its common stock, it
was said.

Publicists, UA to
Open Wage Talks

As permitted under the present two-
year contract between the Screen Pub-
licists Guild and United Artists, which
expires Dec. 31, 1955, a union com-
mittee will sit down with representa-
tives of the film company on or about
Dec. 1 to discuss upward revisions in
wages.

SPG members will meet on Monday
evening at District 65 headquarters
here to formulate their demands for
wage increases for advertising, pub-
licity and exploitation personnel.

In event that no agreement is
reached between the Guild committee
and UA by Jan. 1, the matter will be
submitted to arbitration automatically.

Brandon Dissolves

Makelim, in Travels,
Sees Bright Future

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 25.— Hal R.
Makelim, on his return from confabs
with Southern exhibitors on the
"Makelim Plan," predicted that tlie
next five years would be the brightest
ever recorded by the film industry.

Basing his forecast on first-hand
business observations during travels
of several months and more than
75,000 miles, Makelim asserted that in
his opinion, 1955 would return record
profits to theatre men, producers, and
distributors.

"Rising business activity," he com-
mented, "is evident in all parts of the
country and this should hearten us all.
The only question is not when busi-
ness will turn upward but how long
and how far the general upswing will
go. Theatre operators agree that con-
sumer buying will move to higher
levels in the new year."

Makelim added : "Only continued
conflict between exhibition and distri-
bution can prevent a banner year in
1955. If we show more patience and
statesmanship, and seek seriously to
adjust inequities, it would produce a
climate for cooperation. The Make-
lim plan, in effect, has been designed
to help accomplish this. What we need
is more of the spirit 'live and let live.'
It could well be a permanent industry
policy and establish the unity by which
the future prosperity can be achieved."

Probstein Acquires
Fox Denver House

DENVER, Nov. 25.— With the ac-
quisition of the Rialto from Fox Inter-
mountain Theatres, Norman Probstein,
Denver and St. Louis theatre owner,
now has three theatres, one in each
of the three blocks on Curtis Street.

Formerly boasting 12 theatres, the
three blocks now have seven, with
three making way for parking lots and
two for store buildings, in the past
25 years or so. This leaves Fox Inter-
mountain with nine theatres in Denver.

Extra Dividend by
Can, Marcus Loew

OTTAWA, Nov. 25. — Marcus
Loew's Theatres, Ltd., declared a
regular quarterly dividend of $1 per
share, plus an extra dividend of an
equal amount on the common stock,
both payable Dec. 31, to shareholders
of record Dec. 10.

Net profit of company for fiscal year
ended Aug. 25, is reported equal to
$12.08 per share, compared with
$12.56 in the previous year.

Extra United Dividend

OTTAWA, Nov. 25. — United
Amusement Corp., Ltd., declared a
dividend of 25 cents and an extra 15
cents on Classes A and B stock, both
payable Dec. 15 to shareholders of
record Nov. 30.

FPC Dividend

DEN V ER, Nov. 25. - Al Brandon OTTAWA, Ont.. Nov. 2S.-Famous
has closed out his Brandon Pictures, Players Canadian Corp., Ltd., declared
independent distributors, and returned 37^ -cent plus 10-cent extra dividend

to selling for the majors. He has gone
with RKO and will handle the north
ern district.

on common stock for the quarter end-
ing Dec. 31, payable Dec. 29 to share-
holders of record on Dec. 3.

New Englanders
Honor Pinansici at
Surprise Luncheon

BOSTON, Nov. 25.— Samuel Pinan-
ski, president of American Theatres
Corp., was honored yesterday at a sur-
prise testimonial luncheon at the Hotel
Statler. Tribute to Pinanski was in
recognition of his services and national
leadership in the industry. More than
100 prominent New England execu-
tives and exhibitors were present at
the affair when he was presented a
wrist watch suitably inscribed as a
memento of the occasion.

Nathan Yamins and Arthur Lock-
wood were co-chairmen of the lunch-
eon. Speakers who paid tribute to
Pinanski were Martin J. Mullin ; Ed-
ward S. Canter, treasurer of ATC ;
Walter Brown, chief barker of the
Variety Club of New England ; Her-
man Levy, general counsel of TOA,
Lockwood and Yamins.

Canter in Tribute

Canter was selected to make the gift
presentation. He cited Pinanski as
outstanding public servant in war and
peace, sincere worker in humanitarian
causes, loyal alumnus of his college
and an untiring worker in the motion
picture industry.

Pinanski was recently appointed
honorary chairman of the board of
directors of TOA and subsequently
was named chairman of the newly
founded Exhibitors Film Financial
Group, Inc., an organization created
to provide financing for independent
production. He also serves as co-chair-
man of the governing tribunal of
COMPO.

Tlieatre Burns

DENVER, Nov. 25. — The Gem,
Campo, Colo., belonging to Bernard
Newman, burned to the ground, leav-
ing the town without films.

NEW YORK THEAMS

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

Rockefeller Center

BERLiN-s "WHITE CHRISTMAS"

in VistaVision starring

BING CROSBY - DANNY KAYE
ROSEMARY CLOONEY - VERA ELLEN
Color by Technicolor - A Paramount Picture
and SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION

• ••••••«|

I •!> PERSON

idifiiaE CUHSSN

• AND HIS ENTIRE TV CAST

fON SCREEN CINEmaScoPE WARNERCOLOR?

* JiUiN lAPP in DRUM BEAT *

BTVAYAT •

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GET ALL YOUR SPECIAL

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630 NINTH AVENUE
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4 Golden Sq., London
and Better Refreshment
second-class matter Sept. 21
copies, 10c.

Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
' York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke,
am _R._ Weaver, Editor,_ Hollywood 7-2145;

ureau.

Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
1879. t^ubscnption rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single

;outh LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative FI 6-3074 W;,.!,;^';^^^ a" 7?.?^' ^^".ager; William K. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7
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Friday, November 26, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Wm. Goldman
Heads Phila.
MPA Affair

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 25.— Wil-
liam Goldman, Philadelphia exhibitor
and producer, has been named general
chairman of the Motion Picture Asso-
ciates dinner committee, it was an-
nounced by Sam Diamond, president.

The dinner, a $25-a-plate affair,
with proceeds going to the MPA wel-
fare committee, will be held at the
Bellevue-Stratford Hotel here on Jan.
18. Industry pioneers of the Philadel-
phia area will be honored at a special
ceremony.

Vice-chairmen of the committee are :
Lester Krieger, Stanley Warner Thea-
tres ; George Beattie, William Gold-
man Theatres ; Lou Formato, district
manager, Loew's, and Lester Wuertle,
branch manager of Columbia.

Gene Gantz, city salesman for RKO
Radio, will act as secretary of the
committee and Shep Bloom, sales man-
ager of 20th Century-Fox, is treasurer.

Sub-committees and their chairmen
are : entertainment and decorations,
Harold Seidenberg, general manager
of Fox Theatre ; invitations. Jack
Greenberg, Greenberg Theatre Cir-
cuit ; dais, Albert Cohen, attorney ;
tickets and seating, Charles Zagrens,
branch manager of RKO and Mort
Magill, branch manager of United Art-
ists, co-chairmen; hotel, John Turner,
district manager of United Artists ;
publicity, Milton Young, publicity di-
rector of Columbia ; gifts and menu,
Lester Wuertle, branch manager of
Columbia, and trade papers. Mo Wax
of "Film Bulletin."

Ida Koverman Dies;
Was Aide to Mayer

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 25. — Mrs.
Ida B. Koverman, 78, died here yes-
terday of a heart ailment at her Hol-
■lywood home shared with two close
friends, film writer Virginia Kellogg
and Betty Rothschild. An M-G-M
studio executive for 25 years, Mrs.
Koverman served as executive secre-
tary to Louis B. Mayer and for the
past 15 years was public relations di-
rector at the studio with a broad scope
of duties. She was born in Cincinnati.

Named executive secretary of the
Calvin Coolidge presidential campaign
1924, Mrs. Koverman served in a
similar capacity in the Herbert
Hoover campaign of 1928, and was a
delegate to three national GOP con-
ventions.

Her civic life activity included mem-
bership on the board of directors of
the Hollywood Bowl Association, the
Hollywood Canteen, St. John's Hos-
pital Guild, Business and Professional
Women's Club and a trustee of the
John Tracy Clinic.

Funeral services for the widow, with
no close survivors, will be held at
Pierce Brothers Beverly Hills Mor-
tuary at 3 P.M. today.

Frank Freeman East

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 25. — Y.
Frank Freeman, Paramount vice-pres-
ident and studio head, left here to-
night for home office conferences in
New York with Barney Balaban,
president, on forthcoming production
and releasing plans. He will return
here next week.

Industry to Inspect
Reade New Offices

Members of the film industry and
trade press have been invited to in-
spect the Walter Reade Theatres' new
headquarters at the Mayfair House in
Oakhurst, N. J.

Reade said that a series of "open
house" visits had been set for late
November and early December, at
which film distribution company exec-
utives, film company advertising top-
pers, supply and equipment dealer
heads and members of the trade press
would be invited to visit the new head-
quarters. Bus transporation has been
arranged between New York and
Oakhurst.

The Reade organization closed its
offices in New York City and in
Asbury Park late last August, and
consolidated all "home office" person-
nel in a converted country estate in
Oakhurst.

31 Italian Pictures
Now in Production

A total of 31 Italian films, including
co-productions, are currently being
made in Italian studios or on location
in and out of Italy, and in France,
Spain, South America, Germany,
Egypt, and French Equatorial Africa,
IFE has reported.

Of the 137 films that went into pro-
duction- in Italy during the first 10
rnonths of 1954, 127 were new Italian
pictures, seven were suspended pic-
tures resumed this year and three were
American productions.

54 in Color

During this period, the Italian film-
makers completed 36 co-productions ;
30 with France, two with Spain, two
with Germany, one with Japan, and
one witli Egypt. Fifty-four color films
were made including 24 in Ferrania-
color, 14 in Eastmancolor, 11 in Tech-
nicolor, three in Gevacolor, and two
(American) in Warnercolor, IFE said.

Review

Ed Grainger Selects
1st for RKO Release

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 25. — "The
Treasure of Pancho Villa," an origi-
nal^^story, will be the first of a series
of "A" films which Edmund Grainger
Productions, Inc., will produce for dis-
tribution by RKO, it was announced
by the independent producer and RKO.

Grainger is currently negotiating
with Van Heflin and Gilbert Roland
to enact the two male leads in the
film, which will be photographed in
Technicolor for Superscope release.
Filming will begin early in February.

Second Grainger production for
RKO release will be the James
Street's "Oh, Promised Land," to star
Alan Ladd. It will be filmed in Tech-
nicolor and CinemaScope. Filming is
scheduled to begin in early April.

Gov't 'Secrecy' Hit
By Schine Attorney

BUFFALO, Nov. 25.— The govern-
ment's "ghost of secrecy" was con-
demned here by attorney Frank G.
Raichle in Federal Court as he sought
to have the government produce cer-
tain documents relating, to Schine
Chain Theatres, Inc., and other cor-
porations and individuals. All are
charged with civil and criminal con-
tempt of court and will be tried before
Judge Knight on Monday.

Says Failures Were 'Forgiven'
Raichle, representing the defendants,
also told Federal Judge Knight that
part of his defense in the trial, against
charges that the defendants failed to
abide by terms of a 1949 anti-trust
decree, is that they were "forgiven"
such failures when an extension of the
decree was agreed to between the
Schine interest and the government
in 1952.

The discussion came during a mo-
tion by government attorney Joseph
E. McDowell to quash a subpoena that
would require the government to pro-
duce for examination by the Schine
defendants a number of documents.

Brandt

(Continued from page 1)

the welfare of the independent exhibi-
tor and the industry as a whole."

"Lest my silence be construed as
acquiescence," Brandt wrote, "I am
compelled to answer. I must acknowl-
edge that Mr. Myers, more than any
other individual, is entitled to recogni-
tion for the following industry condi-
tions :

"1. The elimination of block book-
ing; 2. Divorcement; 3. Competitive
bidding ; 4. An absence of arbitration ;
5. The threat of government regula-
tion.

"Let each independent exhibitor
search his conscience and ask himself
how much the above-mentioned indus-
try conditions have contributed to his
welfare and then the achievements of
Allied's general counsel will fall into
their proper perspective," Brandt said.

Boston Trust Suit

(Continued from page 1),

James A. Donovan, owner of the Astor
Theatre, Lawrence ; Gene Ippolito,
owner of the Central Theatre, Law-
rence ; Joseph Liss, district manager
of Stanley Warner Alassachusetts
Theatres, and James M. Connolly,
Northeastern division manager of 20th-
Fox.

Other defendants are Spyros Skou-
ras, Al Lichtman, Nicholas Schenck,
Charles Reagan, Ben Kalmenson, Si
Fabian and Harry Warner. The com-
plaint alleges restraint of trade, mo-
nopolistic control of film distribution,
discrimination in favor of the exhibi-
tor defendants by the defendant dis-
tributors, etc.

Five TTOA Regionals
In Tenn, Next Week

ATLANTA, Nov. 25.— A series of
five regional meetings will be held
next week in five Tennessee areas by
the Tennessee Theatre Owners Asso-
ciation, an affiliate of Theatre Owners
of America. The meetings, together
with locations and chairmen, are :

Nov. 29, New Southern Hotel,
Jackson, with Brian Gooch of Selmar,
as chairman; Nov. 30, Variety Club,
Gayoso Hotel, Memphis, with J. A.
West of Memphis as chairman ; Dec.
1, Hermitage Hotel, Nashville, with
Morton Tune of Shelbyville, as chair-
man ; Dec. 2, Tennessee Tech Cafe-
teria at Cookeville, with Stacy Wilhite
of Cookeville, as chairman, and Dec.
3, Brown's Cafteria, Knoxville, vvith
Walter Morris of Knoxville, as chair-
man.

Wilhite, president of TTOA ; Tune,
vice-president ; Morris, TTOA rep-
resentative to TOA, and George
Gaughan, TOA field representative,
will attend each meeting. Among the
subjects to be discussed are:
C|l Threat of an increase in the State
Gross Tax during next session of the
Legislature.

€| Opinion on Government control of
film rentals, etc.

CI Exhibitor financing of production
to increase number of pictures. A full
explanation of TOA activities in this
field is expected.
H Arbitration.
€| Unification.

Also up for discussion will be a
report of the TOA convention in Chi-
cago, with a full explanation of the
proposed Exhibitors Filrn Financial
Group, Inc.

''Trouble in the Glen"

(Republic Pictures)

PRODUCED in the Scottish Highlands in Trucolor by Consolidated, Frank
S. Nugent's screenplay of Maurice Walsh's story, "Trouble in the Glen,"
does not measure up in stature to a previous Republic picture, "The Quiet
Man," which was excellently received at the nation's box-offices. Despite
capable acting performances by a cast headed by Forrest Tucker, Orson
Welles and Margaret Lockwood, with veteran actor Victor McLaglen in a
minor role, comparatively, this film is only slightly above program fare even
though the tradition and characteristics of the Highlands are present, along
with some romance, feuding and a little humor.

"Trouble in the Glen," which was produced and directed by Herbert Wil-
cox, is somewhat handicapped by a lack of action and an overdose of wordage
in a slightly confused story line about a closed road which causes trouble
among the inhabitants of the Glen. But it has a certain amount of charm
that will register with the patrons. Victor Young's musical score adds con-
siderably to the mood.

Welles closes a road which runs across his Highlands property after being
affronted by the men of Glen Eachen. Tucker, an American soldier, returns
to find the Glen literally up in arms over the affair and he tries to straighten
out the trouble so that his little bedridden daughter, born of a World War II
marriage, can see the road come to "life." For his efforts. Tucker runs afoul
of the Tinkers, a band of road gypsies headed by McLaglen, has his pants
stolen by Miss Lockwood while swimming in the loch, and engages, in the
sole action sequence in this film, in a fist fight near the end of the film. When
peace is restored to the Glen, Welles opens the road. Tucker's daughter drags
herself out of bed to see the activity on the road and in her excitement over-
comes her paralysis.

Others in the cast are John McCallum, Eddie Byrne, Archie Duncan, Ann
Gudrun and Mary Mackenzie.

Running time, 91 minutes. General audience classification. Release not set

L. D.

together for the
first time ! terrific
from the first
moment!

ALSO STARRING

GIG YOUNG V : ETHEL BARRYMORE

DOROTHY N

**1

Barney was fresh and moody ar^inpredictable- -
and the most lovable guy she ever met!

Ringing Story with All Thats So Swell about
Doris Day and All That's So Special
ABOUT Frank Sinatra!

Til My Love Comes To Me'
Just One Of Those Things'
You My Love'
One For My Baby'
'Someone To Watch Over Me'
Young At Heart'
Hold Me In Your Arms'
There's A Rising Moon' J > d
.'Ready Willing And Able' d j

MAS-PRBSENTEO BY WARHER BROS.

WarnerColor

Jechnicolor

WITH ROBERT KEITH • PRINT BY I IL^ Fl I N I VJ \-KJ I \ screen play by JULIUS J. EPSTEIN and LENORE COFFEE

HENRY BLANKE • directed by gordon douglas • presented byWARNER BROS.

AN ARWIN
PROOUCIION

produced by

Motion Picture Daily

Friday, November 26, 1954

Lichtman

(Continued from page 1)

managers meeting, in addition to hear-
ing Lichtman, may go into the prob-
lem of a proposed agenda for the con-
ference.

Latest indications are that a number
of company presidents who head-
quarter m Hollywood may not be able
to attend the projected New York-
meeting. However, they would dele-
gate authority to sales manager rep-
resentatives or other executives to ad
in their stead, it was pointed out.

Exhibitors to Get
Lichtman's TOA Talk

The address delivered by Al Licht-
man, 20th Century-Fox director of
distribution, at the annual convention
of the Theatre Owners of America
in Chicago early this month, has been
reprinted for circulation to every ex-
hibitor in the nation, the film company
announced.

The speech, in which Lichtman
spoke as a representative of 20th-
Fox, as co-chairman of COMPO, as
chairman of the Distributors Com-
mittee on Arbitration and as a vet-
eran of 44 years in the motion picture
industry, has been widely acclaimed
by leaders of the TOA and Allied,
who asked that copies be distributed
to all theatremen.

Twenty thousand copies of the talk,
dealing with industry problems and
their solutions, emphasizing the need
for cooperation and unity for the
mutual welfare of exhibitor and dis-
tributor, will be distributed by the
two exhibitor organizations to their
respective memberships and through
the 20th Century-Fox branch offices
across the country.

Mayer Warns Against Industry's 'Follies

Exhibitors Protest
Military Competition

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25. — De-
fense Department officials are studying
a new wave of exhibitor complaints
against competition from theatres in
military posts.

Exhibitors in Texas and a few other
areas are complaining that they are
being hurt badly by the fact that mili-
tary theatres in their communities or
adjacent communities are showing
films ahead of bookings in privately-
owned theatres. The damage has been
particularly hard on some first-run
houses, it is alleged.

Participants refused to discuss the
exact nature of the talks, except to say
that nothing conclusive had resulted,
further meetings would be held, and
some solution would likely be worked
out eventually.

(Continued from page 1)

alent mood of complacency and self-
satisfaction, Mayer stated. "If we per-
sist in some of our current follies,
a great many of us soon will be need-
ing charity," the foreign film distribu-
tor said.

Speaking as the MPTA's guest of
honor, Mayer asserted that the in-
dustry is still confronted with a form
of give-away competition the like of
which no industry ever before had to
face. "The industry of ours faces this
threat with internal rancor, inadequate
scientific research and no public good-
will to talk about," he said. "One
group of exhibitors for instance is
seriously proposing government regu-
lation of film rentals as a cure for our
current ills," Mayer said.

"I am only too well aware from
the theatres with which I am still un-
fortunately associated of the agonizing
problems created by unconscionable
film- rentals, insufficient product and
the necessity for installing expensive
equipment which may overnight be-
come obsolete," he said. "The pro-
posed medicine seems to me more
deadly than the malady as regulation
is surely injurious to any business
enterprise, but if there ever was one
specific industry to which it would be
fatal, it would be ours," he said.
Calls 'Victory' Hollow

"Indeed, it seems that what we are
suffering from at present is largely
due to excessive governmental inter-
ference with the conduct of the busi-
ness," Mayer said. "Maybe the exhib-
itors won a memorable triumph in
the case of the U. S. vs. Paramount,
et al, but if so, it was like the Roman

Pat Notaro V-P of
Roth Circuit in D.C»

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25.— Pat R.
Notaro, a veteran of 20 years in the
industry, has been named a vice-presi-
dent and director of the Roth Theatre
Circuit, president Sam Roth an-
nounced.

Notaro spent most of his time in the
industry in various capacities with the
Warner Brothers circuit. He joined
the Roth Circuit about two years ago
and has been supervising the chain's
five theatres in the Washington area.
The circuit has some 20 indoor and
drive-in theatres in the District of
Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia
and Maryland.

victory at Pyrhus of which the com-
manding general said, 'One more such
victory and we are ruined.' "

As long as the producing-
distributing companies owned
some theatres, there was no
shortages of product, no com-
petitive bidding, no danger of
the sale of valuable negatives to
television, Mayer said, adding
that "we are now suffering from
an inadequate flow of good
product, but the least effective
way to increase the supply is
to subject the men who have
the know-how, the initiative, the
gambling instinct and the huge
capital that modern picture
production requires to the im-
positions and ignorance of bu-
reaucrats, politicians and in-
quisitorial agencies."

But if some exhibitors have lost
their heads in well justified anxiety
and indignation, some of the dis-
tributors have misplaced their hearts,
Mayer said. ^

Sees 'Main Street' Essential

"There may be some 3,000 U. S.
theatres, mainly late-runs or located
in small communities, that badly re-
quire relief if they are to survive,"
Mayer said. "Politically and socially,
the small town house is the industry's
first line of defense and it will be a
dark day for Hollywood and Vine
Street if the bright lights of our cin-
ema marquees start to fade out on
the Main Streets of America."

Like the weather, everybody
talks about arbitration, but no
one does anything about it,

Mayer said. "If the distributors
are adamant in their refusal to
mclude the price of film as a
subject of arbitration, I can
only plead that without further
delay, we proceed to arbitrate
all other matters at issue — clear-
ances, playdates, prints and
other trade practices," he stated.
"No one can be compelled to
arbitrate, but the courts are al-
ways open and legal bills are
always heavy."

Not only the distributors and ex-
hibitors, but the producers of motion
pictures must also put their house in
order, Mayer stated ; "in adding depth
and width to their films, they can't
afford to overlook the fourth dimen-
sion of self-restraint and good taste."

Deplores Brutality

"I used to be known as the Mer-
chant of Menace so I think that I
could speak with some authority on
the subject of brutality, eye gouging,
groin kicking and other forms of
mayhem — of when brutality is neces-
sary for the development of the story
line and when it is inserted merely
to exploit the repulsive and the de- _
grading," Mayer said. "Hollywood's
previous flirtation with sadism h^s
developed into a fixation and I am
not among those who glibly attribute
to films the responsibility for increased-
juvenile delinquency of adult crime,
but I do say that an excessive diet
of the violent, the vicious and the
vulgar is offensive to the family audi-
ence which constitutes the backbone
of the industry. It is not smart picture
making and it is not good citizen-
ship."

Eidophor

(Continued from page 1)

capable of projecting a picture in
Cinema Scope proportions.

Twentieth-Fox's consistent interest
in the Eidophor theatre TV medium
was pointed up recently when 20th-
Fox field representatives were advised
by the home office to see the recent
theatre telecast at their local theatres
of the opera telecast. Their first-hand
observations as to the entertainment
value of the program, as to technical
proficiency and audience reaction were
ostensibly relayed to the home office.

Jerry Gold President
Of Florida Exhibitors

JACKSONVILLE, Nov. 25.— Jerry
Gold, exhibitor from the small Ever-
glades town of Pahokee, was named
president of the Motion Picture Ex-
hibitors of Florida at the group's clos-
ing business session held at the Hotel
Roosevelt here.

Elected to serve with Gold were
four vice-presidents : James Biddle, of
Jasper ; Mark Dupree, of Jacksonville ;
Peter Sones, of Tampa, and Robert
Daugherty, of Haines City. B. B.
Garner, of Lakeland, was reelected
treasurer and William Beck, of Jack-
sonville, was named secretary.

Mark Chartrand, of Miami, was
chosen representative to the Theatre
Owners of America and Hugh Martin,
of Leesburg, became the TOA regional
vice-president.

Horace Denning, the outgoing presi-
dent, was named chairman of the
board.

Testing Laboratory
For New Techniques
Needed, Says Mayer

TORONTO, Nov. 25.— The motion
picture industry needs a clearing
house, a laboratory for the testing of
new ideas by the best scientific brains
so that films can keep pace with de-
velopments in this electronic age,
Arthur L. Mayer, president of the
Independent Motion Picture Distribu-
tors Association of America, said here
today.

Speaking at a luncheon meeting of
the Motion Picture Theatres Associa-
tion of Ontario, Mayer stated that "we
need a proving ground for merchan-
dising and housekeeping techniques as
the industry can not have a scatter-
shot approach to the problems of third
dimension, theatre television, audience
tastes and exploitation techniques."
Praises Wolfson, Rhoden

Farsighted leaders like Mitchell
Wolfson, former president of the The-
atre Owners of America, and Elmer
Rhoden, president of National Thea-
tres, have repeatedly warned about
the lack of scientific research, Mayer
said. "The recent strides forward in
sound and wide screen are invariably
under the compulsion of economic
forces that drive us to action rather
than !as a result of careful study and
advance planning," he said.

'Heart' Bows Dec. 9

M-G-M's Christmas release "Deep
in My Heart" will have its world
premiere at the Radio City Music
Hall on Dec. 9.

Divestiture

(Continued from page 1)

to get "some form of extension." He
indicated that National now has fewer
than 10 theatres to sell and "we'll be
down to four or five by the end of the
year."

National Theatres' request to the
Department for permission to enter
film production was only discussed in-
cidentally and in general terms, ac-
cording to the participants in the two-
day meeting.

Mayer Envisions
Home Theatres

TORONTO, Nov. 25.— Withih
a few years, practically every
American home will be equipped
with a living room theatre
showing greatly enlarged, col-
ored, probably three-dimen-
sional pictures, Arthur L. Mayer
said at a meeting of the Motion
Picture Theatres Association
here.

Aided and abetted by phony
statistics and producers without
vision, Phonevision or some
similar device may even make
big pictures available for small
screens, Mayer said. "Certainly
what is shown ■will not be as
bad as it is now — it hardly could
be — and it will be available
minus papa and mama standing
on a box office line while some
adolescent sits at home with
baby," he said.

VOL. 76. NO. 102

NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1954

TEN CENTS

Tradewise . . .

By SHERWIN KANE

THE policy or, perhaps, the at-
titude, of the Department of
Justice on divorced theatre
companies engaging in production
is perplexing and seemingly con-
tradictory.

National Theatres, which for
months now has been interested in
putting up what its new president,
Elmer Rhoden, refers to as the
needed risk capital for production,
is prohibited from doing so by the
terms of the consent decree ap-
plicable to it.

AB-PT, which has been mulling
the idea of entering production
but which has come to no decision,
feels that its decree does not pro-
hibit it from engaging in produc-
tion, and has competent legal ad-
vice to that effect.

•

The Justice Department on one
occasion or another has called at-
tention to various and sundry pro-
visions of the Paramount case de-
crees which it regards as being
especially beneficial or helpful to
the small independent exhibitors in
whose cause, if not whose name,
the Department purports to have
prosecuted the case through the
courts for almost 15 years.

The Department thus sought to
give the impression that its great-
est concern in the matter was the
welfare of the small exhibitor.

How come then that the De-
partment, with the power at hand
to help ease the small exhibitor's
(and every other kind, as well) pri-
mary problem — the product short-
age— continues to withhold its
authorization for National Theatres
to make use of its risk capital,
while at the same time, appar-
ently imposing no restriction on
AB-PT from doing that very thing?
•

It would seem that in all con-
sistency, not only with decree
terms but also with the Depart-
ment's professed stand as the ben-
efactor of the small exhibitor, that
Justice could find the means for
proper removal of decree barriers
which prevent those divorced the-
atre companies willing to invest
{Continued on page 2)

Alabama High Court
U pholds Ticket Tax

BESSEMER, Ala., Nov. 28.—
The constitutionality of a
municipal tax on theatre ad-
missions has been upheld by
the Alabama Supreme Court
sitting in Birmingham. Besse-
mer Theatres, Inc., operating
the State and Grand theatres
here, had challenged the va-
lidity of the levy.

The high court held that the
tax was not discriminatory
against the theatre owners.

Perspecta-Equipped
Theatres Now Total
1,500, Says Loew

By LESTER DINOFF

On the premise that new screen
techniques and the latest innovations
in sound equipment tend to increase
theatre business,
some 1,500 ex-
h i b i t o r s
throughout the
world already
have installed
Perspecta
s t ereophonic
sound equip-
ment, according
to Arthur M.
Loew, president
of Loew's Inter-
national.

Recently re-
turned from a
five-week tour
of England, France, Belgium, Ger-
many, Italy and Spain, Loew said that
"about 4,000 orders for Perspecta
(Continued on page 2)

Arthur Loew

Government-Subsidized

NEW ^BRITISH LION'
BEING FORMED IN UK

Sufficient Funds Expected for 10 Features
Yearly; Will Welcome U.S, Producers

By SAMUEL D. BERNS

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 28. — A new British Lion organization is currently
being formed in London to distribute and arrange for "distribution financing"
of productions in England, it was learned from Capt. Sir Arthur William

Jarratt, R.N.V.R., in an exclusive

Nasser Sells 4 to TV;
United Artists Sues

By Staff Correspondent

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 28.— United
Artists Corp. on Friday filed suits
against James Nasser and various in-
dividuals and corporations asking an
accounting and injunctive recovery of
funds involved in the sale of four pic-
tures to television in violation of dis-
tribution contracts with UA. The
films are "Cover Up," "Kiss for Cor-
liss," "Without Honor" and "Don't
Trust Your Husband."

Dismiss RKO Radio
Suit vs. Pimstein

The suit brought by RKO Radio
Pictures against Harry Pimstein,
charging that the former RKO attor-
ney had disclosed confidential informa-
tion to Albert List who ultimately
acquired Howard Hughes' stock in
RKO Theatres, has been dismissed.

Pimstein said here yesterday that an
(Continued on page 3)

'The Country GirV

[Paramount]

Hollyzvood, Nov. 28

PRODUCER William Perlberg and writer-director George Seaton
surpass their impressive list of screen hits with an adroit adapta-
tion of the successful Clifford Odets play, "The Country Girl,"
giving the masses impressive evidence why motion pictures are their
best entertainment.

It is a fitting offering to climax a year that has met the challenge
of its multi-scope opportunities with an abundance of Academy-styled
offerings. "The Country Girl'' earns a pedestal of achievement for the
new sphere. Achievement by its author, director, producer and three
stellar names. This remarkable constellation of talent will have industry
seers predicting a bright new year ahead.

Casting Bing Crosby in an off-beat dramatic role was in itself a
sample of Perlberg-Seaton daring and shrewd foresight. Bing's recogni-
tion of the opportunity to display another dimension of his talent will
be confirmed witli rewarding approval by the show shoppers. To scru-
tinize his ability in handling a dramatic characterization — one that

(Continued on page 3) .

interview Friday at the Beverly Hills
Hotel.

The film finance corporation, with
complete financial subsidy by British
Government, will supply "sufficient
finance" to the new company for at
least 10 features annually. There is a
possibility that Sir John Keely will
serve as chairman of board of the film
financing company and will serve in
a similar capacity for the new dis-
tributing organization. This would not
preclude the opportunity of other pro-
duction organizations from securing,
(Continued on .page 3)

Broadway Grosses
Hit Lively Holiday
Pace; Hall Record

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

Business hit a lively pace along
Broadway here over the Thanksgiving
holiday weekend, boosting grosses to
a sturdy level.

Most outstanding business was
racked up by the Radio City Music
Hall, with "White Christmas" and its
regular stage show being featured.
For the four-day weekend, the first
Vista Vision feature was forecast to hit
a big $112,000. On Thursday, the Music
(Continued on page 3)

Bar Schine Sales for
Non-Theatrical Use

special to THE DAILY

BUFFALO, Nov. 28. — Federal
Judge John Knight on Friday refused
permission for Schine Chain Theatres
to sell two of its houses for non-
theatrical * purposes, but stated that
authority to sell a third theatre in
Van Wert, Ohio, should be granted.

The opinion came on a motion re-
questing permission to modify a 1949
anti-trust decree, in which the circuit
was ordered to divest itself of 46 thea-
tres to create competition in Schine
towns. Permission, was asked to sell
11 theatres and a lot for non-theatrical
(Continued on page 3)

Motion Picture Daily

Monday, November 29, 1954

Loew's International World-wide Business
15% Ahead of 1953, Arthur Loew Reports

Loew's International world-wide business today, as compared to the
1953 calendar year, has increased about 15 per cent, according to
Arthur M. Loew, president of the foreign film organization, who
also revealed that "about five per cent of the picture company's over-
seas gross is from the 16mm. market."

Loew returned a short time ago from a five-week tour of Europe
where he attended the command performance of '"Beau Brummell"
in London and an M-G-M sales conference in Barcelona.

Personal
Mention

CHARLKS SIMONELLI, Uni-
versal Pictures Eastern advertis-
ing and publicity department manager,
left New York over the weekend
for the Coast.

•

R. Senechal, head of the recording
department of Westrex Co., France-
Belgium, has returned to Paris from
New York.

•

Earl I. Si'onable, 20th Century-
Fox research director, has returned
to New York from Hollywood.
•

Russell Holman, Paramount East-
ern production manager, has returned
to New York from Hollywood.
•

Dr. Renato Gualino, president of

I.F.E. Releasing Corp., has returned

to Italy from here.

•

Barry Jones and Harry Foster,
British actor, have returned to Lon-
don from New York via B.O.A.C.
•

Marlon Brando returned to New
York from Europe on Friday aboard
the "United States."

Joan Collins, British actress, ar-
rived here from London on Friday via
B.O.A.C. Monarch.

Marlene Silverstein, of Magno
Sound, left here over the weekend
for Englishtown, N. J.

MiTZi Gaynor has arrived in New
York from the Coast.

Makelim Sees World
Interest in His Plan

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 28. — In-
quiries concerning the Makelim plan
and its working have been received
from "all nations of free world" in-
cluding "such remote places as Pakis-
tan and Malta," president Hal R.
Makelim disclosed at the weekend.

As to domestic conditions, Makelim
observed "rising business activity evi-
dent in all parts of the country and
this should enhearten us all. Theatre
operators agree that consumer buying
will move to higher levels in the new
year. Only continued conflict between
exhibition and distribution can prevent
a banner year in 1955."

Herb Kaufman, Midwest manager
for the Makelim plan, arrives here
next week for conferences with Make-
lim prior to starting a national tour
in the plan's behalf while Makelim
remains here to concentrate on pro-
duction preparations.

To Produce 'Jumbo'

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 28.— M-G-
M has scheduled "Jumbo," adapted
from Rodgers and Hart stage musical
hit of several years ago, as one of
its major productions in 1955, and
has assigned Roger Edens "as pro-
ducer, Stanley Donen to direct and
Leonard Spigelgass to write the
screenplay.

Veterans Urged to
See *This Is Army'

All members of the American Le-
gion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and
Junior Chambers of Commerce and
their families are being urged by their
national officers, in letters sent to local
affiliates, to attend the theatre shovv-
ings of the Technicolor feature "This
Is Your Army." The film, which runs
for 54 minutes, will be released on
Dec. 13.

Seaborn P. Collins, national com-
mander of the American Legion, wrote
his members, in part as follows : "I
hope every American Legion Post will
make the occasion of the film's ap-
pearance in its locality a special af-
fair, not only by turning out to see
the film, but in assisting and support-
ing your local theatre owner to in-
terest your fellow citizens in every
walk of life."

Similar letters were written by
Merton B. Tice, commander-in-chief
of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and
Lamar Buckner, president of the
United States Junior Chamber of
Commerce.

Nancy Ross to Confer
On Whitney Stories

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 28.— Nancy
Wilson Ross, Eastern story editor
C. V. Whitney productions, and who
has been commissioned to locate four
strong stories for early production,
will arrive here within two weeks for
conferences with vice-president Mer-
ian C. Cooper.

sound equipment will be filled shortly."

The film executive revealed that 15
companies throughout the world are
licensed to manufacture and distribute
Perspecta sound equipment. However,
Loew said, there are "11 firms now
manufacturing or assembling the Per-
specta stereophonic sound equipment."

Loew disclosed that two firms are
operating in Italy, one in Japan, one
in Germany, one in France, two in
England, and four in the U.S.

As soon as more firms begin manu-
facturing operations, it is expected that
import restrictions in many foreign
nations will be done away with, he
said.

Meanwhile, Perspecta Sound, Inc.,
announced that demonstrations of Per-
specta stereophonic sound have been
scheduled for all parts of the world,
including the U. S. and Canada. At the

19 Holiday Dates for
*Cruz,' 1st Superscope

United Artists' "Vera Cruz," will
be the first film released in the Super-
scope process, with 19 Christmas
holiday regional premieres now set
throughout the country, it was an-
nounced by William J. Heineman, UA
vice-president in charge of distribu-
tion.

The Hecht-Lancaster Film will un-
veil the Tushinsky brothers' anamor-
phic process in San Francisco, San
Diego, Denver, Chicago, Houston,
Detroit, Evansville, Dayton, Colum-
bus, Harrisburg, Reading, Nashville,
Norfolk, Wilmington, Richmond,
Charlotte, Syracuse, Bridgeport and
Springfield in engagements on Dec.
24 and carrying through New Year's
Day.

An initial order of 200 Superscope
prints of "Vera Cruz" will service
the holiday premieres and regional
saturation openings that will imme-
diately follow.

The decision to use Superscope for
"Vera Cruz" was reached following
the Tushinsky's disclosure that their
new wide-screen process had been
made compatible with CinemaScope
projection equipment. Superscope,
which projects an image in a 2-to-l
ratio, is also compatible with other
anamorphic lenses.

'Athena' to Globe

M-G-M's "Athena" will open at the
Globe Theatre here on Christmas fol-
lowing "Battleground" and "Asphalt
Jungle.''

Stanley Theatre in Philadelphia, a
trade demonstration will be held today,
kicking off the first of a series of
showings, which will eventually bring
the number of world-wide demonstra-
tions close to 80.

In December, demonstrations will
be held in the Metropolitan Theatre,
Buenos Aires ; the Dai Nam Theatre,
Saigon, and the Metro Theatres in
Johannesburg, Durban and Capetown.
Shortly thereafter, Perspecta demon-
strations will be held in Indonesia,
Israel, Spain and Taipeh.

The demonstration in Philadelphia
today is being conducted under the
supervision of Elmer O. Wilschke.
executive vice-president of Perspecta
Sound, Inc. All the overseas demon-
strations are held with the cooperation
of foreign territorial managers of
M-G-A'I.

Tradewise . . .

(Continued from page 1)

risk capital in production from do-
ing so.

National Theatres still hopes to
obtain government permission to
engage in production. Perhaps
other divorced theatre companies
do, too.

What Justice's objections are to
permitting it in the current emer-
gency are obscure to the average
exhibitor. Certainly, it is not im-
possible to devise any necessary
and proper conditions to guaran-
tee the impartial licensing of prod-
uct from such corporate sources.

Or, should the Department be-
lieve it to be advisable, authoriza-
tion to such companies to produce
could be limited to the duration of
the product shortage.

If consistency does not, circum-
stances do call for an unrestricted
right to produce so long as a short-
age exists.

Anglo-German Game
For Theatre TV

By Staff Correspondent

LONDON, Nov. 28.— The England-
Germany football match at Wembley
Stadium Dec. 1, one of the top items
of public interest throughout this
country, will be televised on big
screens in five theatres here.

The arrangement follows lengthy
discussions of terms between repre-
sentatives of the industry and the
English Football Association. The
amount of the payment has not been
disclosed, but it is understood that a
specified sum per seat sold will be
handed over.

Two of the theatres concerned are
in London — the Odeon, Leicester
Square, and ABC's show-house, the
Hammersmith Commodore. The
others are Gaumont houses in Don-
caster and Manchester, and the Odeon,
Leeds.

275 Holiday Dates
For 'Show Business*

Darryl F. Zanuck's presentation of
Irving Berlin's "There's No Business
Like Show Business" will debut in
275 domestic and Canadian engage-
ments during the Christmas and New
Year holiday season in one of the larg-
est openings to date of a 20th Century-
Fox CinemaScope production, the
company announced.

Weltner, Pratchett Tour

George Weltner, president of Para-
mount International Films, and A. L.
Pratchett, Latin American division
manager, will leave New York today
by plane on a tour of Latin American
countries in conjunction with local
premieres of Irving Berlin's "White
Christmas."

Perspecta in 1,500 Theatres

{Continued from page 1)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke,
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post ofSce at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreig:n; single
copies, 10c.

Monday, November 29, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Arbitration Meet
Set for Friday

Work on the industry arbitra-
tion draft will be resumed this
week, with a meeting slated,
probably on Friday, between
Herman Levy, general counsel
of Theatre Owners of Ameri-
ca, and Adolph Schimel, coun-
sel for the distributors arbitra-
tion committee.

The Friday meeting, it was
learned, is one of a series of
meetings slated between Levy
and Schimel, indicating a
stepped-up program to iron out
an arbitration draft.

Gro

The Country Girl

{Continued from page 1)

(Continued from page 1)

Hall broke its Thanksgiving Day
grossing record with a hefty $30,000
for the day. "White Christmas," now
in its seventh week at the Music Hall,
will be withdrawn on Dec. 9, when
"Deep In My Heart" and the tradi-
tional Christmas stage show opens.

The four-day weekend for Jackie
Gleason on stage and "Drumbeat" on
the screen at the Paramount was ex-
pected to hit a large $88,000. Another
four-day estimate was furnished by
the Criterion where a very nice $14,-
500 is seen for "Sabrina," now in its
10th week.

At the Roxy, "Desiree" got off to
a big holiday start with an estimated
$27,000 for Thursday and Friday. The
Rivoli, featuring "Carmen Jones" in
its fifth week, reported holiday busi-
ness about 15 per cent higher than
last year. Grosses got off to a good
start Thanksgiving Day with $6,500.

Thanksgiving Day business for the
following situations set the stage for
lively weekend business : At the Capi-
tol, "The Last Time I Saw Paris"
did a big estimated $9,000 on Thurs-
day, while "A Star Is Born" at the
Victoria on the same day hit a nice
$7,000. Four thousand dollars was seen
as the Thanksgiving Day business of
"On the Waterfront" at the Astor,
while "Phffft" at Loew's State did a
good $3,200 the same day.

demanded tempered abandon for his familiar personality, is a fascinating-
experience.

Sharing the marquee glory, William Holden proves again his unique gift
of mastering a difficult role with natural poise and understanding. His por-
trayal of a stage director who gambled on starring a has-been actor against
the better judgment of his producer, and the problem of dealing with the
actor's "meddlesome" wife, is his best dramatic effort to date.

As though this were not enough, the big surprise package of the year af-
fords Grace Kelly a similar opportunity to garner accolades for a sensitive
part. Her rise to stardom in two short years, with the uncanny luck of having
each of her films among the top grossers, is a cinch to have this one running
true to form. Her self-conflict of pride and loyal devotion to a husband
who leans on her "mother complex" to help him over the rough spots could
make "Oscar" open his gold plated eyes. She has the charming faculty of
projecting wholesome beauty without relying on glamor gimmicks — a perfect
attribute for the part.

Having the advantage of proven material, the dialogue registers sharp and
effectively. Holden is tenacious in molding Crosby for his new play with
a part that calls for a lead who can "act while he sings, and sing while he
acts." His producer, vividly and expertly portrayed by Anthony Ross, has
little confidence in Holden's choice.

Crosby, trying to sham his fear of handling the part, tosses the burden of
his alibis onto Miss Kelly, making her appearance a stumbling block to his
career.

When Holden realizes Crosby has been lying, he finds it difficult to express
his chagrin and apologies to Miss Kelly. He forces a kiss on her to climax
a heated argument, with the sudden realization they are both starved for
affection — Holden, for the kind of loyal wife he didn't think existed ; and
Miss Kelly for the love Crosby has neglected to show her since their small
son was killed in an auto accident.

When Miss Kelly's prayer that Crosby will be able to stand on his own
is answered at a party following the successful New York opening, she
decides to continue her loyalty and devotion instead of finding a new life
with Holden.

The black and white photography by John F. Warren features a low key
lighting effectively for the backstage story, which is punctuated with Victor
Young's music score. Ira Gershwin and Harold Arlen wrote four new songs
that are well integrated. One of these, "Love and Learn," gives Jackie Fon
taine a showcase opportunity in a duet with Bing.

Running time, 104 minutes, General audience classification. Release, in
March. SAMUEL D. BERNS

RKO— Pimstein

(Continued from page 1)

Roy Disney, Walker Will Show New TV

agreement had been "amicably worked
out."

However, Pimstein' s $250,000 action
against List for money allegedly due
him on services rendered in connec-
tion with the acquisition of the RKO
Theatres stock by List, still is pend-
ing.

Here for Parleys '

Roy O. Disney, president of Walt
Disney Productions, and E. C. Wal-
ker, executive vice-president of Buena
Vista Film Distribution Co., the Dis-
ney releasing subsidiary, arrived in
New York from the Coast this week-
end for a series of meetings with
executives of the home office and the
United Kingdom on "20,000 Leagues
Under the Sea," and other forthcom-
ing Disney product.

Disney and Walker will confer with
the home office group headed by Leo
F. Samuels, Buena Vista general sales
manager, Irving H. Ludwig, domestic
sales manager, Ned Clarke, foreign
sales manager, and Charles Levy,
eastern publicity director.

Attending from England will be
Walt Disney Film Distributors, Ltd.,
executives Cyril Edgar, sales super-
visor ; Cyril James, treasurer, and
Arthur Allighan, director of publicity.

City 5% Tax Hearing
Off Until Tomorrow

Due to a crowded court cal-
endar, it is unlikely that the
New York City exhibitors' suit
against the city's five per cent
amusement tax, now on appeal,
will be heard this afternoon in
the Appellate Division, Second
Department, Brooklyn, Thomas
Bress, attorney for Loew's The-
atres, said.

The suit, RKO-Keith-Orph-
eum Theatres vs. City of New
York, No. 477 on the calendar
of the Supreme Court, is ex-
pected to be heard tomorrow
afternoon, Bress said.

'British Lion'

(Continued from page 1)

New Directors Pact
Increases Minimums

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 28.— Direc-
tors and assistant directors are given
increased minimums and pension bene-
fits in a new contract concluded Fri-
day between the Association of Motion
Picture Producers and the Screen Di-
rectors Guild. Among the changes are
an increase in directors' minimum from
$550 weekly to $600. Free-lance first
directors are increased from $300 to
$335 weekly, and seconds from $170
to $190.

The contract, which runs for three
years, also provides pension benefits
for senior directors and assistants.

No Option Granted
On Hemingway Tales

Contrary to published reports, no
option of any kind has been granted on
any works, published or unpublished,
by Ernest Hemingway, it was an-
nounced here by Alfred Rice, the
Nobel Prize winner's attorney.

At the same time, William Lowe,
who was reported from Hollywood
last week to be co-owner of an option
to the motion picture rights of a still
unfinished novel by Hemingway, made
it clear in New York that he neither
held such an option nor had any inten-
tion to film or participate in the pro-
duction of such a film.

Aid to Film Making

A new process, still in its early
stage, which utilizes television as a
means of cutting time and costs in
film production, will be demonstrated
by RKO-Pathe today at the annual
convention of the Public Relations
Society of America at the Roosevelt
Hotel here.

The new process, as described by
Jay Bonafield, executive vice-president
of RKO-Pathe, combines Du Mont
Laboratories, latest invention, the
Teleye, a miniature TV camera, with
a standard 35mm. Mitchell motion
picture camera.

The Teleye, placed in juxtaposi-
tion with the camera's viewer, picks
up the scene being shot as it will ap-
pear on the film and telecasts it in-
stantaneously on an adjoining monitor
screen. Thus, Bonafield explained, the
director can see immediately, without
waiting for daily "rushes," exactly
how the scene will look in the com-
pleted film. If any changes are neces-
sary, they can be made before the
production camera begins exposing
film.

financial assistance from the govern-
ment, it was pointed out.

The formation of the new distribut-
ing organization, which will absorb
old British Lion, now in receivership,
will dedicate its operation as a major
distributing organization to the estab-
lishment of a home where American
independent producers will be given
the same hospitality and care as Eng-
lish independents in the handling of
product, said Sir Arthur.

Co-Production Deals Planned

Plans for distributor's financing will
also include a campaign to effect a
stronger Anglo-American relationship
by arranging for co-production deals
with independent American producers.
The company will continue to furnish
its physical facilities for the distribu-
tion of John Woolf's films, and will
open the door to anyone else for sim-
ilar arrangements.

Sir Arthur will return to London
tomorrow following current negotia-
tions for English distribution of a
number of American films, including
Edward L. Alperson's "New Faces,"
"Invaders from Mars" and "The
Number One," currently being filmed
in Mexico for Twentieth Century-Fox
release in the United States.

Gross, Krasne Form
Mark Stevens Prod.

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 28. — Jack
Gross and Philip Krasne, whose
Gross-Krasne, Inc., is producing the
"Big Town" telefilm series starring
Mark Stevens, on Friday announced
the formation of Mark Stevens Pro-
ductions to produce two theatrical fea-
tures annually. The first feature for
theatres will be "Twisted Street" to
be produced, directed, written and
starred in by Stevens.

Schine Theatres

(Continued from page 1)

purposes. The circuit, in requesting
this permission, stated it had offers for
three of the properties. In his opinion
Judge Knight dealt only with those
three theatres.

The government opposed the peti-
tion, claiming that it is a major modi-
fication and that it defeats the purpose
of the anti-trust decree, which was
designed to end motion picture mo-
nopolies.

Meanwhile, trial of the Schine Cir-
cuit and other defendants, including
Common Council president Elmer F.
Lux, on charges of civil and criminal
contempt of court for failing to abide
by the 1949 decree, has been adjourned
on a day-to-day basis pending com-
pletion of the gambling trial in Su-
preme Court.

Polon Bar Mitzvah Held

Neil' Michael Polon's Bar Mjtz-
vah was held at the Congregation
Beth David in Lynbrook on Satur-
day. The young man's father is
Matthew Polon, an executive of
RKO Theatres' film booking de-
partment.

iighty Campaign To Millions! The Best-Sellir

PARAMOUNT'S FIRST BOXOFF

A NEW TEAM OF LOVERS
THE PUBLIC WILL LOVE
The glamorous girl from
"Rear Window" in the

arms of the man
"Sabrina" wanted . . .

Two of today's most magnetic stars —William Holden, winner
of this year's Academy Award, and Grace Kelly, most publicised
new actress in many years — head an important cast in this
hard-hitting dramatization of the outspoken novel by
the Pulitzer Prize winning author of "South Pacific."

FIRST 1955 ATTRACTION AT RADIO CITY M

(Nlovel That Was First Published In Life Magazine Is Now

ICE BLOCKBUSTER OF 1955

JAMES MICHENER'S

The Bridges

atTbko ri

PERLBERO - SEATOlSr pT«dvLctio«

J WILLIAM HOLDEN
las Lieutenant Brubaker,
chosen to bomb
the death-laden
bridges at Toko-Ri

GRACE KELL\
as Nancy who risked
everything to be with
her man just once more

FREDRIC MARCH
as Admiral Tarrant
who taught them to cross
the bridge of decision
all must face

MICKEY ROONEY
as Mike, the 'copter
pilot ... all fun
and fearlessness

steavitig

WILLIAIM

HOLDEN KELLY

TREDRIC

MICKEY

MARCH RO ONE Y

ROBERT STRAUSS • CHARLES McGRAW • KEIKO AWAJI
Produced by WILLIAM PERLBERG and GEORGE SEATON • Directed by MARK ROBSON

Screenplay by VALENTINE DAVIE S • From the Novel by JAMES a. MICHENER

with

Color V TE CHNICOLOR

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TARGET EARTH

Richard Denning
Virginia Grey

D— (5503)
(Release 11/7/54)

KETCHIKAN
Marlt Stevens

Joan Vohs
Martha Hyer

D— (5504)
(Release 11/21/51)

TONIGHT'S
THE NIGHT

(Color)
David Niven
Barry Fitzgerald
Yvonne DeCarlo

C— SS min.
(Rev. 11/16/54)
(Release 12/19/54)

PORT OF HELL
Dane Clark

(Release 12/5/54)

ALLIED ARTISTS

(Dec. Releases)

PHFFFT
Judy Holliday
Jack Lemmon
Jack Carson
Kim Novae
C — 88 min.
(Rev. 10/20/54)

THEY RODE WEST

(Color)
Robert Francis
May Wynn
Donna Reed
Phil Carey
(0 — 84 min.)
(Kev. 10/21/54)

(Nov. Releases)

T U C R 1 A r* 1/

KNIGHT

(Color)
Alan Ladd
Patricia Medina

0 — 85 min.
(Rev. 10/20/54)

FIRE OVER
AFRICA

(Color)
Maureen O'Hara
MacDonald Carey
D— 84 min.
(Rev. 10/5/54)

THE AFFAIRS
OF MESSALINA

Maria Felix
Georges Marchal
106 min.

CANNIBAL
ATTACK
Johnny Weissmuller
Judy Walsh
David Bruce

Kimba
A— 69 Min.
(Rev. 11/12/54)

COLUMBIA

THE SIEGE
Special Cast
D— (5323)
(Release 11/5/54)

A RACE FOR LIFE
Richard Conte
Marl Aldon
George Coulouris

(Release 12/3/54)

LIPPERT

ATHENA

(Color)
Jane Powell
Debbis Reynolds

Vic Damnne
Edmond Purdom
M— 119 min.
(Rev. 11/1/54)
(Release 11/5/54)
CS-Ss, Ms, Os

THE LAST TIME
1 SAW PARIS

(Color)
Elizabeth Taylor
Van Johnson

116 min.
(Rev. 11/4/54)
(Release 11/19/54)

(Re-issue)
TARZAN AND THE
APE MAN
Johnny Weissmuller
Maureen O'Sullivan

(Rev. 3/26/32)
(Release 11/12/54)

(Re-issue)
TARZAN ESCAPES

Johnny Weissmuller
Maureen O'Sullivan

(Rev. 10/26/36)
(Release 11/12/54)

CREST OF THE
WAVE
Grace Kelly
Jeff Richards

D — 90 min.)
(Rev. 11/12/54)
(Release 12/3/54)

DEEP IN MY HEART
(Color)
Jose Ferrer
Merle Oberon
Helen Traubel
Walter Pidgeon
(Release 12/24/54)

M-G-M

(Dec. Releases)

THREE RING CIRCUS

(Color)
Dean Martin
Jerry Lewis
Joanne Dru
Za Za Gabor
C— 104
(Rev. 10/21/54)

(Nov. Releases)

WHITE CHRISTMAS

(Color)
Bing Crosby
Danny Kaye
Rosemary Clooney
Vera-Allen
M— 120 min.
(Rev. 8/27/54)
TV

PARA.

MAKE HASTE

TO LIVE
Dorothy McGuIr*
Stephen McNally
Mary Murphy
D — 90 min.
(Rev. 4/1/54)
(Release 8/1/54)

JOHNNY GUITAR

(Color)
Joan Crawford
Sterling Hayden
Mercedes McCambrldge
Scott Brady
D — 110 min.
(Rev. 5/5/54)
(Release 8/23/54)

THE OUTCAST
John Derek
Joan Evans

D — 90 min.
(Release 8/23/54)

ROOGIE'S BUMP
Robert Marriot
Ruth Warrick
B'klyn Dodgers

C^71 min.— (5310)
(Rev. 9/16/54)
(Release 8/25/54)

TOBOR THE GREAT
Charles Drake
Karin Booth
SF— 77 min.— (5309)
(Rev. 8/31/54)
(Release 9/1/54)

THE SHANGHAI
STORY
Ruth Roman
Edmond O'Brien

D— 90 min.— (5311)
(Rev. 9/24/54)
(Release 9/1/54)

REPUBLIC

THIS IS MY LOVE
(Color)
Linda Darnell
Rick Jason
Dan Duryea
Faith Domergue

D— 91 min.
(Rev. 9/30/54)
(Release 11/11/54)

CATTLE QUEEN OF
MONTANA

(Color)
Barbara Stanwyck
Ronald Reagan
Gene Evans
Lance Fuller
(Release 11/18/54)

HANSEL AND
GRETEL

(Color)
Kinemins

75 min.

UNDERWATER!

(Color)
Jane Russell
Gilbert Roland
Richard Egan
Lori Nelson

THE AMERICANO

(Color)

Glenn Ford
Ursula Thiess
Frank Lovejoy
Cesar Romero

Abbe Lane

RKO

(Dec. Releases)

WHITE FEATHER

(Color)
Robert Wagner

Terry Moore
Dale Robertson
Jeffrey Hunter
CS-Sa, Ms or Os

THERE'S NO
BUSINESS LIKE
SHOWBUSINESS

(Color)
Marilyn Monroe
Ethel Merman
Dan Dailey
Donald O'Connor
Mitzi Gaynor
Johnny Ray
CS-Ss, Ms or Os

(Nov. Releases)

THE BLACK
WIDOW

(Color)
Ginger Rogers
Van Heflin
Gene Tierney
George Raft
D— 95
(Rev, 10/28/54)
CS-Ss, Ms or 0»

DESIREE

(Color)
Marlon Brando
Jean Simmons
Merle Oberon
Michael Rennie

D — 95 min.
(Rev. 11/17/54)
Cs-Ss, Ms or Os

20TH-FOX

(Nov. Releases)

TWIST OF FATE

Ginger Rogers
Jacques Bergerac

D— 89 min,
(Rev. 11/9/54)

SHIELD FOR
MURDER
Edmond O'Brien
John Agar

D— 80 min.
THE WHITE
ORCHARD
(Color)
William Lundigan
Peggie Castle
O — 81 min.
YOU KNOW WHAT
SAILORS ARE

(Color)
Akim Tamiroff
Donald Sinden

C — 85 min.
(Rev. U/9/54)
SNOW CREATURE
Paul Langton
Leslie Denison
70 min.
D — 70 min.
(Rev. 11/15/54)

(Oct. Releases)

THE BAREFOOT
CONTESSA
(Color)
Humphrey Bogart

Ava Gardner
Edmond O'Brien
D— 128 min.
vxve\ . y/^ii D'i}

SITTING BULL
(Color)
Dale Robertson
Mary Murphy
J. Carrol Naish
^VD— 105 min.
(Rev. 9/8/54)
CS— Ss, Os

THE LITTLE
KIDNAPPERS

Jon Whitely
Vincent Winter
Duncan MacCrea
D — 93 min.
(Rev. 8/18/54)

OPERATION
MANHUNT

Harry Townes
Jacques Aubuchon
D— 77 min.

(Rev. 10/28/54)

UNITED ARTISTS

(Dec. Releases)

THE YELLOW
MOUNTAIN

(Color)
Lex Barker
Mala Powers
0—87 min.

THE SIGN OF
THE PAGAN

(Color)
Jeff Chandler
Jack Palance
Rita Gam

D— 92 min.
(Rev. 11/9/54)
CS-Ss

(Nov. Releases)

BENGAL BRIGADE
(Color)
Rock Hudson
Arlene Dahl
Ursula Thiess
(Rev. 10/22/54
0—87 min.

FOUR GUNS TO THE
BORDER
(Color)
Rory Calhoun
Coleen Miller
George Nader
(Rev. 9/2/54)
0—83 min.

RICOCHET ROMANCE
Marjorie Main
Chill Wills
Rudy Vallee
C— 80 min.
(Rev. 10/28/54)

UNIV.-INT'L

DRUM BEAT
(Color)
Alan Ladd
Audrey Dalton
Marisa Pavan
D— 111 min.
(Rev. 11/8/54)
(Release 11/13/54)
CS-Ss

TRACK OF THE CA'i
(Color)
Robert Mitchum
Diana Lynn
Tab Hunter
D— 102 Min.
(Rev. 11/12/54)
(Release 11/27/54
CS-Ss

(Re-release)
SARATOGA TRUNK

Gary Cooper
Ingrid Bergman
Flora Robson
D — 135 min.
(Rev. 11/9/54)
(Release 12/11/54)

(Re-release)
THE BIG SLEEP
Humphrey Bogart
Lauren Bacall
Martha Vickers
Dorothy Malone
D— 114 min.
(Rev. 8/13/46)
(Release 12/11/54)

THE SILVER
CHALICE

(Color)
Virginia Msyo
Pier Angeli
Jack Palance
Paul Newman
Walter Hrmpden
(Release 12/2.^/54)
' CS-Ss

WARNERS

... MOTION PICTURE ^

All A Concse

The News i ■ m A H ■ i AjiJ;

That ] ■ ■ ■ ■ lofiil

Is News I ■ m ' ^ ■ ■ . ■ Point

VOL. 76. NO. 103

NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1954

TEN CENTS

Prods Agency

Zenith Asks
Toll TV ^OK'
By FCC Now

New Petition Suggests
Eliminating Hearings

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29.— Zenith
Radio Corp. today requested the Fed-
eral Communications Commission to
authorize immediate commercial oper-
ation of subscription television by
properly equipped TV stations.

The request took the form of
a petition substituting for one
filed in February, 1952. It
pointed out that the Commis-
sion has legal authority to ex-
pedite subscription operation by
granting a simple modification
of existing TV station licenses
without prolonged formal hear-
ings.

The petition asserted tliat public in-
terest would best be served by elimi-
nating prolonged hearings which might
(Continued on page 7)

FCC to Hear
Opposition

By Staff Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Nov. 29.— Fed-
eral Communications Commission offi-
cials asked to comment on Zenith
Radio's petition for immediate au-
thorization of subscription television
without hearings said that the Com-
mission had never authorized a new
service without first affording some
opportunity for adverse comment, if
any, to be expressed.

This has taken the form either of
scheduling public hearings or of in-
(Coniinued on page 7)

Says Telemeter Could
Aid Minor Leagues

special to THE DAILY
HOUSTON, Tex., Nov. 29.— Tele-
meter offers organized baseball the
best means of promoting its own finan-
cial interests and of protecting minor
leagues against attendance losses
caused by telecasts of major league
games, it was stated here by Paul
MacNamara, vice-president of Inter-
national Telemeter Corp., in an ad-
dress delivered at the annual conven-

(Continned on page 6)

Broadway First Runs | Sales Managers Show
Pull Heavy Holiday,
Post Holiday Grosses

Thriving business was done along
Broadway here last week, with the
Thanksgiving holiday weekend lending
fine support. Outstanding attractions
included "White Christmas," "Desi-
ree" and "The Last Time I Saw
Paris."

Jackie Gleason on stage at the
Paramount and "Drumbeat" on the
screen was expected to hit a resound-
ing $116,000 for the second week.
Among off-Broadway attractions,
"Aida" registered an estimated sturdy
$22,400 for its third week at the Little
Carnegie.

Heavy Broadway business was re-
flected in major circuit situations
throughout the country, according to
(Continued on page 8)

IMPDAA To Mull
Exhibitor Members

The possibility of exhibitors joining
the Independent Motion Picture Dis-
tributors Association of America will
be discussed by the association's mem-
bership at a closed meeting which will
be held here today, it was announced
by IMPDAA.

The group is also expected to dis-
cuss the present status of the Federal
(Continued on page 8)

CORDIAL REACTION
TO LICHTMAN PLAN

See No Objections to Round Table Parley
At Initial Session; To Set Date Shortly

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

Initial reaction of sales managers to the Lichtman plan, calling for a
round table industry trade conference, was described as favorable follow-
ing a meeting here yesterday of the sales managers committee of the

Motion Picture Association of Amer-

Theatre Lawyers to
Meet Prior to NYC
Tax Appeal Hearing

New York City exhibitor attorneys
will meet tomorrow morning at 11
a.m. in the O'Brien, Driscoll & Raf-
tery law offices to discuss their appeal
arguments of the city's five per cent
amusement tax which will be pre-
sented in Brooklyn's Appellate Divi-
sion, Second Department, Supreme
Court by Edward C. Raftery later
in the day.

Five jurists, of the seven assigned
to the high court, will be on the bench
to hear Raftery and Assistant Corpo-
(Continued on page 6)

Adv.-Research Fund Included

Rhoden, at N. T. Conclave,
Outlines 4~Point Program

By Staff Correspondent

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 29.— Newly-elected National Theatres president
Elmer C. Rhoden today outlined a four-point business program to 89 com-
pany members attending the circuit's first divisional convention since
1952. The convention will run through ~~

now in use, research on value of pre-
miums, recreation habits, admission
prices, advertising budgets, and public
tastes.

Point two provides for a travelling

(Continued on page 8)

Wednesday.

Rhoden placed first emphasis on
a half-miilion-dollar advertising-re-
search fund allocated to finance re-
search into such matters as determin-
ing relative values of advertising media

NT in Tribute to Charles Skouras

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 29. — Divisional conferees at the Na-
tional Theatres meeting today adopted a resolution in memory
of the late Charles P. Skouras, president, which reads in part :

"He was a great man, but most of all he was our friend, and
through his great heart, his thoughtfulness and his generosity
the future welfare of all of us and our families is secure and
assured."

ica.

The meeting, convened one day
ahead of schedule, heard the author
of the proposal, Al Lichtman, 20th
Century-Fox distribution director,
outline his plan. It was felt, however,
that further discussions would have to
be held, a good part of yesterday's
discussion being devoted to the ar-
bitration issue.

Optimism Seen General

Optimism on the realization of the
round table proposal was expressed
by one sales manager who said that
he knows of no distribution company
which would not welcome a meeting
with exhibitor leaders on common in-
dustry problems. He went on to say
that as far as he could see all that
remains to materialize the Lichtman
plan is the settmg of a date.

The Lichtman proposal, calling for
a meeting of company presidents,
sales managers and exhibition leaders,
received its first presentation to sales
managers yesterday. Indications are
that although some company presi-
dents may not attend the projected
conference, their respective represen-
tatives would be apix>inted to act as
delegates. Further indications are that
(Continued on page 8)

Move Ahead
On Arbitration

A meeting between the distribution
and exhibition arbitration committees
"to settle the one remaining problem
on arbitration" is now being arranged,
it was announced here yesterday fol-
lowing a meeting of the sales man-
agers committee of the Motion Picture
Association of America.

The meeting, initially called with
the intention of devoting most of the
time to the Lichtman round table con-
ference plan, got so engrossed in the
arbitration issue that a later meeting,
as yet unscheduled, on the Lichtman
plan had to be planned.

The official announcement did not
(Continued on page 8)

Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, November 30, 1954

Personal
Mention

JOHN DAVIS, managing director
of the J. Arthur Rank Organiza-
tion, is clue in New York today from
Toronto, and is scheduled to leave here
on Friday for England.

•

Samuel Grad, son of Maurice
Grad, Columbia Pictures short sub-
jects sales manager, is the father of
a daughter born Thanksgiving Day at
Maimonidies Hospital, Brooklyn.
•

Nathan Saland, president of Mer-
cury Film Laboratories, became a
grandfather Saturday when a son was
born to his daughter-in-law, Mrs.
Barbara Saland.

•

Cyril Edgar and Cyril James, di-
rectors of the Walt Disney British
organization, and Arthur Allighan,
publicity director, have arrived here
from London for product conferences.
•

Edward L. Fabian and Louis R.
GoLDiNG. of Fabian Theatres, have re-
turned to New York from Albany and
other upstate points.

•

C. Adlerstrahle, manager of Wes-
trex Scandinavia, AB, has returned to
Stockholm, Sweden, from New York.
•

Henry Salomon, documentary
writer, has returned to New York
from Europe.

N. M. Berman, head of Tempean
Films, Ltd., will leave here today for
London via B.O.A.C. Mayflower.

Sidney Kaufman, of Grand Prix
Films, has left New York for the
West Coast.

RouBEN Mamoulian has arrived in
New York after having spent the
Thanksgiving weekend in Washington.
•

James Jewel, British actor, is
scheduled to arrive here tomorrow
from London via B.O.A.C. Monarch.

UA 'Cruz' Campaign
Aimed at Magazines

A national magazine advertising
campaign designed to reach a com-
bined readership of 185,000,000 has
been set in behalf of Hecht-Lancas-
ter's "Vera Cruz," the first film to
be released in Superscope, it was an-
nounced yesterday by Francis M.
Winikus, UA's national director _ of
advertising, publicity and exploitation.

The campaign will spot color dis-
plays ranging from half to full-page
advertisements in "'This Week,"
"Metro Comics," "Look," "Life,"
"American Weekly," "Seventeen," and
"Redbook."

Two in Dec. from AA

Allied Artists will put two films
into national release during December,
it has been announced by Morey R.
Goldstein, vice-president and general
sales manager. "Tonight's The Night"
goes out on Dec. 5.

Expect 350 Plus
At Boston MGM
Ticket Workshop

i\dvance reservations for seats at
the Boston "Ticket-Selling Work-
shop" to be conducted by Mike
Simons, director of customer relations
for M-G-M, at the Bradford Hotel on
Monday already is in excess of 350,
according to M-G-M's Boston branch
manager Benn Rosenwald.

Official count at Pittsburgh on Oct.
28 was 304 and at Indianapolis on
Nov. 16 was 324.

"We anticipate that our 'workshops'
will attract between five and six times
the attendance of the average ex-
hibitor convention in almost any terri-
tory in the country," Simons said.
He has already started a campaign to
encourage exhibitor organization
leaders to include an hour or two, a
half day, even a full day of ticket-
selling activities in their plans for
future conventions. "We hope the idea
catches on," he said, "because numer-
ous exhibitors have expressed the de-
sire that this be done."

Sees Attendance Encouraging

One of the most encouraging things
about M-G-M's workshops at Pitts-
burgh and at Indianapolis, added
Simons, is that while attendance by
small-town exhibitors was more than
satisfactory, the big-city, first run and
key town representation was exactly
100 per cent in both cases. Not one
important theatre interest was un-
represented at either meeting", a final
check of the attendance shows.

The Workshops are designed to fit
the territories in which they are held,
with features included for large and
small town exhibitors alike.

Picket Albany House
On 2-Men-in-Booth

ALBANY, Nov. 29.— Local No. 14,
Stage Workers Union, lATSE, drew
a picket line in front of Paul Wallen's
Grand at the weekend, in a dispute
over the number of men to be re-
tained. The union held out for two,
the unit employed for sometime.

The management, insisting that one
was sufiicient, refused to accept the
substitute planned in switch-overs
which followed the retirement of Hen-
ry Harris at the Stanley Warner
Strand, after 52 years service in vari-
ous houses.

Dispute Over Successor

A Grand worker was slated to move
to the Ritz as successor for an em-
ployee who took over Harris' job, and
the Grand was to get another man.

Wallen balked, claiming the latter
was not on the payroll and was not
required. The union thereupon started
to picket.

The controversy was said to be the
first that resulted in picketing here
since an incident at the old Capitol
in 1935.

The Grand's business and physical
requirements do not warrant employ-
ment of two stage workers, Wallen
contended. He leased the three-floor
"B" first-run from Fabian last Sep-
tember, after serving as its manager
lor six years.

MGM's Pete Smith
Retires Permanently

HOLLVWOOD, Nov. 29. —
M-G-M producer Pete Smith,
who returned to that studio to
complete 10 films for 1955 after
retiring nearly a year ago, left
the studio permanently today
after finishing that commitment.
Smith said he intends to spend
several months on a fishing ex-
pedition in Mexican waters, and
is undecided about reengaging
in production thereafter, al-
though he has several offers.

Amer. Fund to Honor
Skouras on Jan. 5

Spyros P. Skouras, president of
20th Century-Fox, will be honored at
a dinner concert sponsored by the
American Fund For Israel Institu-
tions "in recognition of his leadership
on behalf of Israel through the Amer-
ican Fund," Simon H. Fabian, head
of Stanley Warner and Fabian Thea-
tres and chairman of the dinner con-
cert committee, announced here yes-
terday. The afifair will be held on
Jan. 5, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

Over 400 civic leaders have joined
the sponsors committee.

Mexican Production
Near 110 in 1954

MEXICO CITY, Dec. 29.— Picture
production in Mexico this year by
Mexicans and foreigners, most of the
latter Americans, will be at least 110,
a near-new high, the trade now esti-
mates. That calculation is based upon
the fact that production in 1954 up to
Nov. 24 was 103 — of which Americans
made seven. The Mexican pictures
included 15 "quickies" — films made in
two weeks each.

The seven pictures cost the Ameri-
cans some $1,120,000, the trade says.
Trade talk is that the Americans did
not pay extraordinarily well for
studios, locations and technicians
though they used them much longer
than the Mexicans.

Schaefer Sets Dates
For 'Day of Triumph'

Tyler, Tex., will be the world pre-
miere setting for James K. Friedrich-
Century Films' Biblical drama "Day
of Triumph," under a deal negotiated
with Interstate Theaters by distributor
George J. Schaefer. It will have its
first public showing at Tyler's Tyler
Theater on Dec. 17.

Houston will be the scene of the
picture's first key city roadshow en-
gagement at the Kirby Theater on
Dec. 24.

the

Brandt Acquires
Loew's 86th Here

Brandt Theatres has acquired
Loew's 86th Street Theatre here.

The Loew's 86th, now to be known
as Brandt's 86th Street Theatre, was
one of the theatres which Loew's had
to divest under terms of its consent
decree.

Vogel Co-Chairman
Of FJP Campaign
For 1954-1955

Joseph Vogel

Chairmen of the various committees
of the amusement division of the 1954-
55 fund raising drive of the Federa-
tion of Jewish Philanthropies of New
York were an-
nounced yester-
day by Adolph
Schimel, vice-
president a n d
general counsel
of U n i V e rsal
Pictures, who
is division
chairman of this
year's drive.
Joseph Vogel
has been named
associate chair-
man.

Spyros
Skouras is
chairman of special gifts; Harold
Rinzler, chairman of the exhibitors
committee ; Saul Jeffee, laboratories ;
Abe Dickstein, film exchanges; Walt
Framer, broadcasting and television ;
Irving Caesar, Carl Haverlin and
Mitch Miller are heading the record-
ing companies and music publishers ;
Nat Lefkowitz, actors and agents ;
Oscar Hammerstein II, legitimate
theatres ; Morris Jacobs, ticket
brokers, and Jack Alicoate, publicity.

Federation is seeking $16,950,000
this year for the support of its 116
medical and social welfare agencies,
hospitals, child care and family service
agencies, projects for the aged, com-
munity centers and camps, religious
education, vocational guidance and re-
habilitation services. A special indus-
try-wide function will be held early
in January.

'20,000' to Bow in
St. Louis Dec. 25

Loew's Orpheum Theatre in St.
Louis will unveil its CinemaScope on
Christmas Day with the premiere
presentation of Walt Disney's "20,003
Leagues Under the Sea." The theatre
will close down a few days prior to
the premiere to undergo refurbishing
and the installation of the Cinema-
Scope screen and stereophonic sound.

m YORK THEAMS

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

Rockefeller Center

BERVm s "WHITE CHRISTMAS"

in VistaVision starring

BING CROSBY - DANNY KAYE
ROSEMARY CLOONEY - VERA ELLEN
Color by Technicolor - A Paramount Picture
and SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION

STARTS TOMORROW
•^Warner Bros. »«ist«t — —

PBERTMitchumTeresa Wright

Trac

1 ClWEMASeOpC •WarnerColow I

PARAMOUNT

rWAYAT ■
4M ST.

MOTION PICTURE DATL\. Martm Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdavs, Sundavs and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center New York 20. N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York.'" Martin Qugiley, President, Martin
Uuigley, Jr. Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy. Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert T. Fecke,
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager: Hollywood Bureau. Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Lrben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 (jolden Sq^ London W. 1: Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Ketreshment Merchandising each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

Tuesday, November 30, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

News
Roundup

Byrne Holds One-Day Meet

John P. Byrne, eastern M-G-M
sales manager, has completed a one-
day meeting with district and branch
managers under his supervision,
when plans for the next four months
were discussed. Attending were Her-
man Ripps, assistant to Byrne ; Saal
Gottlieb, Greater New York district
head ; Lou Formato, Philadelphia dis-
trict manager ; Lou AUerhand, New
York and New Jersey manager ; Phil
Gravitz, New Haven ; Benn H.
Rosenwald, Boston ; William Madden,
Philadelphia ; Jack Goldberg, Albany,
and Jack Mundstuk, Buffalo.

Atlanta Dinner Dec. 6.

The annual Wilby-Kincey-Harri-
son-Padgett steak dinner, honoring
film exchange employees, will be held
Dec. 6 at the Capital City Club in
Atlanta.

N.C. Theatre Firm Formed

The Lumbee Theatres, of Lumber-
ton, N. C, has been granted a charter
of incorporation to establish, own and
operate theatres in North Carolina.

Olmstead Studio to Open

Olmstead Sound Studios, set up to
handle all types of sound recording,
will open officially here Thursday
with a reception for the press and
business leaders.

Three Winners in UA Drive

United Artists' Washington, St.
Louis and Salt Lake City branches
have taken first place in their respec-
tive groups in the fourth week of the
second lap of the Robert S. Benjamin
Drive.

Fights Net $5,000 to
Albany V.C. Tent

ALBANY, Nov. 29.— Albany Va-
riety Club officers, reporting a record
high of 1,800 persons at its second an-
nual inter-city boxing championships,
in Mid-City Arena, expected to net
about $5,000 from the sale of tickets
and advertising- space for its Camp
Thatcher drive. An hour of the show
was telecast over ABC network, un-
der the auspices of a cigar company.

The committee included Chief
Barker George H. Schenck, former
Chief Barker Charles A. Smakwitz,
Irwin Ullman, Ben Becker (AAU
district president), Charles Ryan and
Eddie Perrone.

Billboard Truck Is
Banned in Memphis

MEMPHIS, Nov. 29. — Memphis
censorship has taken a new turn. Po-
lice Chief MacDonald banned from
Memphis streets a truck decorated
with billboard advertising a Memphis-
banned picture, "The She -Wolf,"
which is now showing in the Sunset
Drive-in, across the Mississippi River
from Memphis in West Memphis, Ark.

Bob Kilgore, Sunset manager, said
he might defy police, let the truck
driver be arrested and test the case
in court.

"The billboard on the side of the
truck has a life-size picture of a half-
nude girl," said Chief MacDonald.

He said the policy of the police in
the future would be to forbid billboard
advertisements of pictures banned in
Memphis.

Five Best Sellers
Belong to 20th-Fox

Five 20th Century- Fox properties
are among the best selling books in
the United States, according to the
New York Times Book Analysis, the
film company reported here yesterday.

The five properties are "Katherine,"
"Soldier of Fortune," "The View
From Pompey Head," "Good Morn-
ing, Miss Dove" and "Prayers of
Peter Marshall."

CANADIAN EXHIBITORS TO RAISE
$50,000 FOR PRESS RELATIONS

TORONTO, Nov. 29. — 'The curtain has rung down on the series of
Canadian trade conventions here. The annual awards banquet of the
Canadian Picture Pioneers was staged under the chairmanship of
president Nat A. Taylor to honor Jack

Arthur as "The Pioneer of the Year."

Prior to the function in the King
Edward Hotel, the day had been fea-
tured by a number of important in-
dustry announcements as well as the
13th annual meeting of the Motion
Picture Theatres Association of On-
tario, at which the week's proceedings
were reviewed.

One development was the adoption
of a two-year test plan for a central
public-relations committee under the
direct auspices of the Motion Picture
Industry Council of Canada with
promised support by all branches of
the business. This project replaces the
Canadian Motion Picture Institute
which had been proposed by Nat Tay-
lor, who was appointed organizing
director. Eventually, the committee
will have directors from the distrib-
utors, exhibitors and other groups.
The objective is to raise $50,000 for

press, radio, magazines and appro-
priate organizations, the film ex-
changes being expected to contribute
$15,000. The plan calls for theatre
owners to cover a voluntary assess-
ment amounting to five cents per seat
or car.

Morris Stein of Famous Players
announced that 1,086 theatres across
Canada had been represented by dele-
gates to the meeting of the National
Committee of Motion Picture Ex-
hibitors Associations of Canada and
pointed out that the problems of small
theatre owners, who formed an essen-
tial basis of the industry, had been the
main concern of industry representa-
tives.

The Ontario Association, under the
presidency of J. D. McCulloch,
Petrolia, found itself v\'ith 349 paid-up
members, of whom 172 were indepen-
dent exhibitors, at the end of the fiscal

the improvement of relations with the year.

Starts Monday

Fabian^ Martin^ McGee to
Address Okla. TOA Meet

special to THE DAILY

OKLAHOMA CITY, Nov. 29.— Si H. Fabian, president of Stanley War-
ner Theatres, will be the honored guest at the 37th annual Theatre Owners
of Oklahoma convention next Monday and Tuesday at the Biltmore Hotel,
here. Fabian, whose circuit operates
the Midwest Warner and Sooner here,
will be saluted at the TOO "star
showmanship" banquet, set for the
closing night of the two-day meeting,
and will make the only banquet talk.

Also sparking the parley will be
Pat McGee, Theatre Owners of Amer-
ica vice-president, who will come from
Denver to give the keynote address
at the Monday luncheon. U. S. Sena-
tor Kerr will be a special guest at
this event. Morris Loewenstein, TOO
president and convention general
chairman, will preside at this session.

Martin to Be Honored

E. D. Martin, Columbus, Ga., new
TOA president, will be honored at the
president's luncheon on Tuesday, with
Paul Stonum, Anadarko, TOO board
chairman, presiding.

Special guests at the convention
will be Burton Robbins, New York,
National Screen vice-president ; Ray
Colvin, St. Louis, TEDA executive
director ; John Rowley, TOA vice-
president and first assistant chief
barker of Variety Clubs International,
and R. J. (Bob) O'Donnell, Inter-
state circuit executive, both of Dallas ;

O'Donnell will discuss COMPO, the
Will Rogers Memorial hospital pro-
gram, and will emcee the banquet.
Rowley, who also is a member of
TOA's production fund-raising com-
mittee, will discuss the new TOA proj-
ect, and will attend the annual mem-
bership meeting of Variety Tent No.
22 on Monday, at which time 1955
directors will be elected.

Special Guests Invited

Other special guests will include
Jack Braunagel, Kansas City, Com-
monwealth Theatres executive, and
George Gaughan, Memphis, TOA's
field organizer.

Also meeting at convention-time will
be Allied of Oklahoma, the baby or-
ganization in Oklahoma. Earl Snyder,
Jr., Tulsa, president, said the regular
session of the board will go ahead as
scheduled because many of the Allied
members also are affiliated with TOO.
This meeting is set for noon Monday
at the Biltmore, too. The group will
plan further on its 1955 convention at
the Skirvin Tower Hotel here. The
parley will be held the last day in
February and the first day of March.

Ampex Marketing
4-Way Sound Unit

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Nov. 29.
— A motion picture theatre sound sys-
tem capable of reproducing Cinema-
Scope magnetic stereophonic sound,
single track magnetic sound, single
track optical sound and Perspecta-
Sound is now being marketed by the
Ampex Corp.

. In announcing the availability of the
new combined optical-magnetic system,
Jim Mahon, theatre equipment sales
manager, said the price for a complete
system, including all facilities for
three-track CinemaScope sound-, -was
about /-equal to the cost of simply re-
placing the single track optical sound
systems still used in many theatres.

* Immortal City' to
Favorite of Calif,

Distribution rights to Jerome Cappi's
"The Immortal City" have been ac-
quired by Favorite Films of California,
of which N. P. "Red" Jacobs is presi-
dent, for the exchange territories of
Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland
and Seattle. Similar arrangements for
the handling of this picture in other
exchange territories will be made
through Buena Vista Film Distribu-
tion Company, Inc., as producer's rep-
resentative.

"The Immortal City" contains many
of the first views of the Vatican and
the Sistine Chapel to be photographed
in color. It is said to have taken three
years to film.

File Bankruptcy

OTTAWA, Nov. 29.— Rio Theatre,
Weedon, Que., has made an assign-
ment in bankruptcy.

People

Arthur Lockwood, New England
exhibitor, has been succeeded by
Joe Cronin, general manager and
vice-president of the Boston Red
Sox, as chairman of the executive
committee of the Children's Cancer
Research Foundation in Boston.
Other industry people on the com-
mittee are Martin J. MuUin, of
American Theatres, and Walter
Brown, chief barker of the New
England Variety Club.

Malvin Warshaw, manager of
AB-PT's Paramount Theatre in
Peekskill, N. Y., has been trans-
ferred to the Juliet Theatre, Pough-
keepsie. He is being succeeded in
Peekskill by Fielding K. O'Kelly.

Jimmy Troy of Southeastern
Theatre Supply Co., Atlanta, has
just become the father of a baby
son.

Max Fletcher, manager of the
Friendly Drive-in, Andalusia, Ala.,
and bride, the former Betty Hender-
son spent their honeymoon in New
Orleans.

Prichard Hobson has been ap-
pointed booker of Republic's At-
lanta branch. Meanwhile, Frances
Hopkins has returned to the At-
lanta Republic office after a short
stint with Exhibitors Service.

'^■■■•^'■*''*y>«*"*'*'"*">'-

• ••• ••••

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)X PRODUCT\OH

Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, November 30, 1954

Telemeter

(Coiitiitiicd from page 1)

tion of the National Association of
Professional Baseball Leagues.

MacNamara, after explaining the
system by which money paid into the
Telemeter coin boxes to see niajoi
league games would be shared per-
centage-wise by minor league teams
whose attendance such telecasts would
affect, declared, "An unprecedented
era of prosperity for all professional
baseball leagues, major and minor,"
would be experienced.

Theatre Lawyers

(Continued from page 1)

ration Counsel' Stanley Buchsbaum,
who represents the city. The jurists
will be selected from a group com-
posed of presiding justice Gerald
Nolan, Charles E. Murphy, Frank G.
.\del, Henry G. Wenzel, Jr., John
NfacCrate, Frederick G. Schmidt, and
George J. Beldock.

Calendar Crowded

The current exhibitor suit, RKO-
Keith-Orpheuin Theatres vs. City of
New York, No. 477 on the December
calendar of the court, had originally
been sclieduled for yesterday, but was
put off a crowded calendar.

Raftery is expected to seek appeal
of prior Supreme Court decisions on
the grounds that the New York City
levy exceeds the authorized five per
cent limit as allowed by the State En-
abling Act of 1947 and that the tax
contradicts a prior Administrative
Code provision. Buchsbaum, who had
been thwarted in earlier court appear-
ances only by Supreme Court Justice
Nicholas M. Pette's injunction order
and a subsequent court order uphold-
ing the injunction which allows exhibi-
tors to withhold the tax breakage from
the city, will argue the legality of the
New York City five per cent tax and
will cite as examples the amusement
and admission taxes levied in other
cities and counties throughout the
State.

Interest Reported High

New York City exhibitor interest in
the appeal arguments is reported to be
high as the second payment of the
admission tax is due on Dec. 20. The
first payment on Sept. 20 saw metro-
politan theatremen, who had applied
for court permission, withhold the tax
breakage from the city tax collector
by posting bond. Supreme Court Jus-
tice Pette's injunction order will be
affected by any ruling which is handed
down after both exhibitor and city
appellant and respondent motions are
heard by the five Brooklyn justices.

Douglas Forms
Film, TV Firm

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 29. — Paul
Douglas has formed Senalda Corp. in
California to produce motion pictures,
stage plays and a television series.

The corporation will have as secre-
tary treasurer, Harold M. Plant, and
as vice-president Beverly Ziv.

GET ALL YOUR SPECIAL

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CHICAGO 5. ILL.

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NEW YORK 36. N. Y.

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iivith Pinky Herman^

WE frankly admit that in our Yonkers High School days, where
we hob-nobbed with Sid White and Bill Shakespeare, we found
the latter quite difficult to understand. Accordingly, it wasn't till last
Sunday (between 4:00-6:00 P.M.) that we finally completely under-
stood '(thanks to terrific performances by Judith Anderson and
Maurice Evans) "Macbeth." . . . Twenty years ago, when Bert
Lown's orchestra was second in national popularity only to Rudy
Vallee's Band, Bert lived in North Yonkers, and busy though he
was, he still found time to repair toys for the neighborhood children.
This, together with his talents as a writer, salesman, organizer and
executive, makes him a natural to head the CBS-TV Western office
and which influences us to add, "It couldn't happen to a nicer guy."
. . . We'll have a chance to interview J. Fred Muggs tomorrow at
Dave Garroway's cocktail party at the Hampshire House and learn
what all this "Huggermuggery" that's been taking place all week
on "Today" is all about. ... Is Kraft TV Theatre planning to bow
out of its Thursday nite slot on ABC in January?

l!V - - ^

Dennis James' "Chance of a Lifetime," audience-participa-
tion quizzer, seen Fridays TVia DuMont, will be alternately
sponsored by Bromo-Seltzer (Emerson Drug) and Lentheric
starting Dec. 10. The show's new feature in which Dennis
phones two home-viewers for their pre-
dictions of the night's winners, has pulled
over 60,000 letters in the past three weeks
— a tremendous showing. . . . One of the
best-liked announcers in town and an NBC
staffer for the past 18 years, Jack Costello
will represent the network at the forth-
coming Inter-American Announcers Con-
gress to be held at Havana, Cuba, from
Dec. 1 thru Dec. 5. . . . Aileen Stanley,
rated one of vaude's greatest delineators
of song a decade or so ago, is the discov-
erer and mentor of petite Gina Genardi,
who was brought East from Hollywood
where she was featured in Frank Sennes'
"Moulin Rouge," to appear as the "Sing-
ing Princess" in Bob Smith's "Howdy Doody."

Dennis James

But a scant three years from his chores as sporfscasfcr over
WJR Detroit, Deejay Phil McLean has built up a huge jollozving
among Cleveland vikisic lovers via his daily WERE programs
and today is considered, by. Tin Pan Alleyites, a "hit-maker."
Other regional liit-makers include Howard
Miller {Chicago), N-prnv Prescott and Boh
Clayton (Boston), Martin Block (N.Y.),
Bob Horn (Phila.), Bill Randle (Cleveland),
Ray Perkins (Denver). Dick Gilbert
(Pheonix), Ira Cook, (Los Angeles). Inci-
dentally, a card from Dick Gilbert advises
that due to his increased radio sked, he's
been obliged to drop his TV programs. . . .
Now zve think it's darn friendly of Press
NBChief Syd. Eiges to adorn his outer of-
fices -with pictures of Burr Tillstrom's
ABGharacters, "Ollie and Knkla." Least
Jean Accas can do to reciprocate is hang the
likeness of "Howdy Doody" in his ABCubby
hole. . . . Walter Herlihy, who acquired his

early training in radio at WNAC in Boston, is completing .his
12th year -as staff announcer with ABC in New York. Like his
brother, Ed. Walter is blessed zvith the gift of gab that caresses
the ears and inspires confidence.

i^s- lir

Rapid expansion and acquisition of new product has obliged Guild
Films after but one year at its. present location at 420 Madison
Avenue to sign a 10-year lease to occupy the entire third floor (17,000
sq. ft.) of the new Marion Davies Building at 460 Park Ave., N. Y. C.
Company's production budget for 1955 will amount to approxi-
mately $12,000,000. . . . Observation by Robert Q. Lewis: If TV
screens keep growing larger, people will soon have but three walls
in their living rooms to paint. . . . Prexy Herbert Pilzer of Circle
F.ilnr'Laboratories has added considerable space on the third floor
of 33 W. 60th St., N. Y. C," which will be exclusively devoted to
development of color telefilm, utilizing Eastman Kodak Color process
entirelv.

Phil McLean

See Film Costs Cut
With TV Monitor
Demonstrated Here

A new production technique by
which a miniature Du Mont "Tel-
Eye" television camera, mounted on a
35mm. motion picture camera, gives
film directors and their crews instan-
taneous duplicate TV pictures of
scenes being shot by the film camera,
has been jointly developed by RKO-
Pathe and Allen B. Du Mont Labora-
tories.

The synchronized production devel-
opment was demonstrated here yester-
day at the seventh national conference
of the Public Relations Society of
America at the Roosevelt Hotel.

The Du Mont "Tel-Eye" camera
enables a film director and his crew
to see at a glance all that is occurring
on the set and is expected to eliminate
expense and delay in awaiting the
daily "rushes," according to Jay Bona-
field, executive vice-president, and
Sidney Kramer, general sales man-
ager, for RKO-Pathe. Inc.

Better Control of Shooting

A monitor is conveniently placed on
the set and as the camera sv.'ings
about, the director and all others con-
cerned have a cameraman's view of
the proceedings and have a complete
control of the shooting at all times, it
was said.

While still in the development and
research stages, Bonafield and Kramer
said that the new "Tel-Eye" tech-
niques will be used by RKO-Pathe to
"facilitate production."

DCA's Lineup to
Alliance of Canada

James L. Smith, president of Alli-
ance Films, Ltd., of Canada, has con-
cluded negotiations with Fred J.
Schwartz, president, and Charles S.
Boasberg, general manager of Dis-
tributors Corp. of America, for the
Canadian franchise of the DCA prod-
uct.

All pictures produced for DCA, or
acquired by it for U. S. distribution,
will be handled in Canada by Alliance
Films. First major production to be
released under the DCA-Alliance
banner will be "Long John Silver," in
CinemaScope and Technicolor, pro-
duced by Joseph Kaufman, and star-
ring Robert Newton in the title role.
"Long John Silver" will be put into
release shortly after the first of the
year.

Smith announced that his company
would open its own Calgary branch
in the immediate future. Several ad-
ditions and changes in Alliance per-
sonnel are expected to be announced
in the near future.

Alliance Films recently took over
distribution for all of Canada with
the exception of Ontario of the Astral
Films product of 1. H. Allen.

Elect Tiesler a V-P
Of L&N Studios

Jolin A. Norling, president of Loucks -
& Norling Studios, Inc., here, has an-
nounced a change in officers and direc-
tors.

Hans Tiesler, for the past three
years associate producer, has been
elected vice-president and a director of
the company. He replaces Wil Mar-
cus, who has resigned his executive
position but will retain connection with
the company on a consulting basis.

Tuesday, November 30, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Zenith Asks Toll TV 'OK'

{Continued from page 1)

delay introduction of subscription tele-
vision, and cited instances of matters
which were not settled until after
years of consideration. It then out-
lined three alternative procedures, by
which the Commission could take this
action within the scope of its present
authority.

Zenith said that establishment of
subscription television would make
possible a new and better kind of pro-
gramming that will not duplicate or
interfere with present commercial pro-
grams. It would also restore to home
TV many important events, such as
grand opera and championship fights,
which have been lost to theatre TV
or blacked out altogether, the petition
said.

The company said that subscription
TV would not replace present pro-
grams or equipment. Instead, it would
put first-run movies, heavyweight
championship fights, Metropolitan Op-
era, Broadway openings, a variety of
top sports events, and other major
box office entertainment into sub-
scriber homes on the same TV re-
ceivers with which they watch com-
mercially sponsored programs.

In particular, subscription
television would make possible
the showing of top Hollywood
movies, Zenith said. These, and
other important box office
events are now denied to the
home television audience be-
cause their production costs are
too high for advertising spon-
sorship, it added.

According to Zenith, if subscription

TV is approved the public will be able
to see box office events in the home
at a fraction of the cost of attending
them in person, or of seeing them in
a TV equipped theatre. From the
standpoint of the producers of fine
entertainment, the payment of only a
few cents per person in millions of
homes would provide a box office to
finance those fine and costly produc-
tions which can not now be seen in
the home, it said.

Sees Education Aided

Subscription television would also
tend to increase the quantity of edu-
cational and public service programs
in general. Stations would be able to
afford more programs of this nature
on a sustaining basis because of their
increased income from subscription
programs. Zenith stated.

Zenith foresees no reduction in the
number of advertising sponsored pro-
grams available to the public. The
public itself will determine the
amount of time it will devote to sub-
scription television, and will pay only
for programs that are markedly su-
perior to those supplied, by advertisers,
the petition stated. Zenith said that
the amount of program material of
this caliber is small in relation to the
airtime requirements of hundreds of
TV stations operating 18 hours a day.
Consequently, very few stations would
devote more than a small percentage
of their broadcast time to subscription
programs.

The company said that subscription
TV would make possible the extension
of television service to small towns

and many other areas that are unlikely

to get service otherwise.

Zenith asked that a subscrip-
tion service be made available
for both UHF and VHF sta-
tions and not confined to UHF
alone as has been suggested.
Increasing the number of sta-
tions in existing markets, and
establishing new stations in
areas not now served by tele-
vision, would make available to
rnillions of people many adver-
tising-sponsored network pro-
grams not now available to
them, Zenith said.

Because subscription television is a
totally new service, Zenith recom-
mended that detailed rules for its
operation be avoided until such time
as experience indicates what rules
should be made. In the interim, the
company said, the FCC has ample
power to cope with any abuses.

Much Groundwork to Be Laid

If the FCC approves the petition, it
will be many months before subscrip-
tion TV can be established. Zenith
said. Vast problems lie ahead, such as
the necessary production and distribu-
tion of coding and decoding equip-
ment, installation of this gear at sta-
tions and homes and making necessary
program arrangements.

Henry Harris Retired

ALBANY. Nov. 29.— Henry Har-
ris, oldest active member of Local No.
14, Theatre Stage Workers Union,
and for many years its president, has
retired from his position at the Strand
and will move in January to Dade
City, Fla. He served for 52 years.
The lATSE local has planned a testi-
monial to Harris.

Opposition

{Continued from page 1)

viting written comments by interested
parties. Should the latter show suffi-
cient opposition to the new service,
then the Commission would proceed
to schedule a hearing.

The FCC has 14 petitions, including
the older one from Zenith, one from
Skiatron and 12 from individual sta-
tions, asking authorization of sub-
scription television. They have been
on file for a period from "months to a
year." All will be considered at the
same time.

Action Believed Near

Reports that the FCC would take
some action within the next month or
so in the way of calling for expres-
sions on the subject of toll TV have
been published recently. Some observ-
ers here feel that Zenith's petition
prodding the FCC for immediate ac-
tion anticipates the reported move by
the Commission.

Aim at Male Appeal
For 'Six Bridges'

For what is said to be the first time
in its history, Universal-International
will blanket the men's magazine field
in an advertising campaign to reach
the largest possible audience for "Six
Bridges to Cross," based on the $2,-
500,000 Boston robbery and starring
Tony Curtis, Julie Adams and George
Nader.

A total of 11 "male-appeal" publica-
tions will be utilized in the campaign,
David A. Lipton, vice-president, dis-
closed.

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Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, November 30, 1954

Rhoden

(Continued from page 1)

cavalcade through principal cities
dramatizing the industry's first half
century, witli Hollywood studios co-
operating in this project.

The third point covers a proposed
incentive plan for theatre managers,
district managers and department
heads, which would supersede the
present campaign-bonus system.

The fourth point contemplates com-
pleting the circuit's compliance with
the consent decree by January 1, and
the application, thereafter, for Justice
Department approval to acquire ad-
ditional theatres.

Bertero Reports on Properties

Vice-president and general counsel
John Bertero later told the delegates
that NT now has only eight theatres
and one theatre-property still to be
divested by the year's end. He also
said that NT will build drive-ins in
areas where they will not conflict
with conventional theatres operated
by the circuit.

Treasurer Alan May reported the
corporation in a strong financial posi-
tion, mentioning investments in mod-
ern equipment and technological sys-
tems, including CinemaScope and
Todd-AO.

Candy department head Andrew
Krappman reported that candy is the
best refreshment seller in California,
popcorn in the Midwest, and ice
cream in Wisconsin.

Enthusiastic Regarding Product

Bert Pirosh, film buyer, said that
forthcoming product is better than a
year ago by five to one.

Thornton Sargent, NT public rela-
tions director, will lead off the Tues-
day meeting with details on the half-
million-dollar advertising-research pro-
gram announced today.

IMPDAA

(Continued from page 1)

Trade Commission's investigation re-
garding Italian Films Export activi-
ties in the United States and the Mo-
tion Picture Export Association's
foreign activities.

FTC stafif attorneys who have been
working on the coupled complaints
have about finished their report and
recommendations, it was learned, and
will announce a decision after the first
of the year.

The discussion concerning admit-
tance of "art" exhibitors into the
IMPDAA has been under surveillance
for some time, it was learned yester-
day. The theatremen were excluded
under a reorganization of the associa-
tion by the late Joseph Burstyn when
membership was limited solely to the
importers and distributors of foreign
films.

Launch 'Gangbusters'

BOSTON, Nov. 29.— Thomas F.
O'Neil, president of the Mutual
Broadcasting Co., the Yankee Net-
work and General Teleradio, Inc., is
coming here from the West Coast to
attend the "Managers' Roundup
Luncheon" to launch the campaign for
the world premiere showings of
"Gangbusters." O'Neil heads the com-
pany which made the film.

Joseph E. Levine, president of Em-
bassy Picturfes, is hosting the luncheon
for managers, exhibitors, film buyers
and bookers, at the Hotel Bradford
today.

Holly wnnd

-By Samuel D. Berns-

ECHO OF A THANKSGIVING DAY PRAYER:
"Our fathers' God, to thee, author of liberty,"
And under vdiom zife have our freedom, zve offer
Our fervent thanks for the good things provided us
By thy bounteous hand, and for thy blessings zvhich
Have made us the best fed. best clad, the best housed
Nation in the icorld. Amen.

— Samuel G. Engel

INCIDENTALLY: 20th-Fox can well be proud of its pro-
ducer Sam Engel, whose current schedule includes "A Man
Called Peter." A student of theology, the producer also hap-
pens to be chaplain of the studio's Post 563 of the American
Legion. . . . Cherubusco Studio in Mexico City is putting in
a color lab to attract American production. Waiting for color
tests and rushes from Hollywood has been a major complaint.
. . . The leprechauns are favoring Hollywood, and DCA may
hold its world premiere in Glocomorra now that Ella Logan
has been signed for the musical cartoon feature version of
"Finian's Rainbow." . . . Carl Post, former studio publicist,
turned concert pianist and will feature portions of his own
"Fantasie for Piano and Strings" in U-I's "Third Girl from
the Right." . . . Too Many "Black" titles changes Allied Artists
"The Black Prince" to "The Warrior" for Western Hemi-
sphere showings of the Errol Flynn CinemaScoper. . . . Dmitri
Tiomkin's hit tune, "The High and the Mighty," was voted
out of the Academy running because the lyric wasn't sung
in the film. ... It was Jeff Chandler who rushed to Sammy
Davis' bedside for the operation when the colored headliner
lost his eye in an auto accident.

PRODUCTION SCOPE: Manpozver is a priceless commodity,
especially zvhen it comes to huilding a fresh organization. When
Fred Sclnvarts announced that Milton Pickman zvould be placed
in charge of production for Distributor's Corporation of America
zve zvere doubly convinced that DCA has a
realistic point of viezv and an ultimate bright
future in store. Milton's modesty can account
for the fact that he's one of the unsung crea-
tors of important film projects. His linking
of Ringling Brothers-Barniim 6-., Bailey Cir-
cus zvith DeMille's "Greatest Shozju on'
Earth," zvith more than. 20 million $$ zvorld
gross already in the till, can be placed in his
"big deal" file. Pickman also set up the IVald-
Krasua stock purchase by Columbia zvhich
earned him a tzvo-year production post at the
studio. We remember zvhen he organised a
vaudeville department for MCA and later
Jielped form the film department in Hollyzvood
for the agency. The nezu production topper
(brother of Paramount's publicity-advertising dynamo, Jerry Pick-
man) zi'ill be dez'eloping a number of important shozmnanship
packages for DCA's Schwartz, Boasberg and Wormser.

FRANK O. PINYONS: Don Hartman and Steve Broidy's dais
delivery at the Screen Publicist's Panhandle dinner will have in-
dustry functions begging them for similar guestings. . . . Exotic
Lisa Montell's thesping in Warner's "Jump into Hell" and RKO's
"Escape to Burma" will jet interest in this new star material. . . .
The good old times are back again with Edward G. Robinson going
back to Warners to make "Illegal," in a W. R. Burnett screenplay
yet. . . . Deborah Kerr's role in Columbia's "The End of the Affair,"
will make this a four handkerchief picture.

n n n

DRUM BEATERS: Ava Gardner slipped into some Jap-
anese sandals to start a West to East world flight for "Bare-
foot Contessa" preems. One glimpse of Ava in this film will
have the Tokyo fans singing "Kimono My House." . . . Ter-
rific multi-magazine layouts for Todd-AO's "Oklahoma" are
on deck for combined circulation of 25 million. . . . Betty
White's NBC-TV show is turning into a great source for
picture plugs.

Milton Pickman

Lichtman

(Continued from page 1)

following the conference on general
trade problems, exhibition leaders will
be asked to confer with individual
film companies on problems relating
to specific companies.

According to an olTicial MP.A.A
spokesman, a "later meeting" on the
round table conference proposal by the
sales managers committee will be
held. From other quarters, it was
learned that the sales managers com-
mittee is not expected to meet again
before a couple of weeks. The latter
source indicated that quite a number
of sales managers are expected to be
out of town the next week or so on
business.

The next meeting of sales managers
is expected not only to more fully
discuss the Lichtman plan but also to
explore a possible agenda for the con-
ference, slated to be held in New
York.

Grosses

(Continued from page 1)

a poll of circuit executives. A spokes-
man for American Broadcasting-Para-
mount Theatres said "we did very
well" in most situations. Comments
of "good business" were received from
spokesmen for Loew's and RKO
Theatres.

At the Radio City Music Hall, a big
$145,000 was seen for the seventh
week of "White Christmas." Close to
$60,000 was estimated for the second
week of "The Last Time I Saw
Paris" at the Capitol, a figure which
is considered excellent. A very big
$80,000 was forecast for the second
week of "Desiree" at the Roxy.

'Star Is Born' Popular

Holding up strong is "A Star Is
Born" at the Victoria where a nice
$37,000 is predicted for its seventh
week. Another good hold-over, "Sa-
brina," is expected to hit $18,500 for
its 10th week.

"This Is Cinerama" remains a
champion with $40,000 indicated for
its 77th week at Warner.

The first week of "Sitting Bull"
opened to a fairly good $33,000, while
the fifth week of "Carmen Jones" is
due to hit a nice $29,000. At the Astor,
"On the Waterfront" is expected to
do a fine $20,000 for its 18th week,
while a nice $27,000 is forecast for
the third week of "Phfifft" at the
Loew's State.

Among off-Broadway first-runs,
"Bread, Love and Dreams" is seen for
a good $9,500 for its 10th week.

Arbitration

(Continued from page 1)

state what the one remaining problem
on arbitration dividing exhibition and
distribution is, but according to an
earlier statement by Al Lichtman, 20th
Century-Fox distribution director, the
question of damages in an industry-
wide arbitration system remains in
dispute.

Attending yesterday's meeting were
Adolph Schimel," counsel for the dis-
tributors arbitration committee, and
Austin Keough, Paramount vice-pres-
ident and general counsel. Schimel,
as reported earlier, is slated to confer
with Herman Levy, general counsel
for Theatre Owners of America, on
Friday, resuming arbitration talks
which have been held in abeyance for
approximately the last two months.

The Na
That
Is News

MOTION PICTURE

DAILY

To fhe
Point

VOL. 76. NO. 104

NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1954

TEN CENTS

'Wide Acceptance'

Zanuck Tells
Of C'Scope's
UK Progress

Equipment Installations
At Rate of 40 a Month

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

A progress report on CinemaScope,
highlighting the business "renaissance"
ushered in by the medium both in the
U. S. and abroad, was rendered here
yesterday by
Darryl F. Zan-
uck, 20th Cen-
tury-Fox vice-
president in
charge of pro-
duction.

Zanuck, who
_i u S t arrived
from a one-
week trip to
Great Britain,
told of the wide
acceptance of
CinemaScope
there by the
public, as well
as by the producers in Britain and in
Europe.

CinemaScope equipment in Britain,
(Contimied on page 6)

Darryl Zanuck

U.S. Seeks ouyc
Over Italian Limit

ESSENTIALITY OF ADVERTISING
STRESSED AT N. T. CONVENTION

By Staff Correspondent

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 30. — National Theatres advertising-publicity direc-
tor Thornton Sargent opened today's session of the company's convention with
a statement that any curtailment of advertising appropriations by exhibitors at
this time would be damaging to the
theatre's interests. Sargent said NT's
advertising expenditure now is running
at 5.4 per cent of gross admission
revenue and "it would be foolish to
cut flesh from bone" by reduction be-
;ow that point.

"Advertising and selling is the heart
of show business," Elmer C. Rhoden,
president of the circuit commented at
that point.

Pete Latsis, principal aide to Sar-
gent, spoke on publicity aspects of the-
atre promotion, declaring" news breaks
in main news section of newspapers
"constitute plus factor beyond ordinary
{Continued on page 6)

Negotiations are under way in
Italy to procure for American film
companies 60 per cent in remittances
over the controversial $4,500,000 year-
ly "ceiling," a meeting of the Motion
Picture Export Association was in-
formed here yesterday.

The projected settlement, initiated
in talks conducted by MPEA presi-
dent Eric A. Johnston, would end a
long-standing controversy over the
so-called "ceiling" in remittances. Cur-
rently representing the MPEA in
Rome in talks with Italian officials,
it was stated, is Eugene Van Dee,
Italian MPEA representative.

20th Profit

At $5,732,063

The net profit of 20th Century-Fox
and subsidiaries for the 39 weeks
ended Sept. 25 increased by $4,299,026
over the corresponding period in 1953,
the company reported yesterday.

Consolidated net earnings this year
were $5,732,063, ecjual to $2.17 per
share, compared with $1,433,037 for
the 39 weeks of 1953 when the per
share earnings amounted to 52 cents.

Third quarter net earnings this year
(Continued on page 6)

Rembusch Feels FCC
Will Veto Zenith's
Toll TV Petition

S fecial to THE DAILY

FRANKLIN, - Ind., Nov. 30.— An
expression of confidence that the Fed-
eral Communications Commission will
not accede to Zenith Radio's petition
to authorize
subscription
television at
once, dispensing
with public
hearings, was
voiced here
today by True-
man T. Rem-
busch, co-chair-
man with Al-
fred Starr, of
the exhibitors'
joint defense
committee
against toll TV.
F'ollowing is
Rembusch's statement :

"Zenith's petitioning the FCC to im-
mediately grant authority for the pur-
pose of carrying toll or coin TV is
obviously a tactical move. I am in-
formed by counsel, Zenith's action is
not unusual in FCC contests, however,
(Continued on page 6)

T. T. Rembusch

CoL to Back Films
Made in Britain

LONDON, Nov. 30. — Returning
from a two weeks' visit to New York,
Columbia's Max Thorpe announces
that a considerable share of the $10,-
000,000 allocation to be made available
by the company for financing inde-
pendent production will be devoted to
(Continued on page 6)

Disney Sees Television Conflicting
Less With U.S. Picture-Going Habits

As television defines its own particular sphere in the American
scene, it will conflict less and less with the habits of the picture-going
public, Walt Disney said here last night. Speak-
ing at the 1954 Sylvania television awards an-
nouncement dinner at the Ambassador Hotel,
where his organization received an award,
Disney said that both the media of motion pic-
tures and TV, working in cooperation, will find
this relationship advantageous. He added that
he believed motion pictures would continue to
"occupy a very warm and special place in the
hearts of the American people."

Disney said that Americans are a responsive
people and that the ideas, knowledge and
emotions that come through the TV screens
"will most certainly shape the course of the
future for ourselves and our children." Disney's
entrance into television has been a great
"energizer," he said, asserting that "we are all
walking faster, acting faster and — I hope — thinking faster than we
ever did before."

Walt Disney

Odium Says:

Atlas Wants
RKO Deal By
End of Year

Reports to Stockholders
On Hughes Negotiations

Hope that an understanding may be
reached by Dec. 31 between the Atlas
Corp. and Howard Hughes whereby :
.A.tlas would assume the management
responsibility of
the inactive
RKO Pictures
Co. was ex-
pressed here
yesterday by
Floyd B. Od-
ium, Atlas pres- ^
i d e nt , at the
company's an-
nual meeting of
stockholders in
the Ambassador
Hotel. In an-
swer to a ques-
tion as to why
Odium wanted
to take over
RKO Pictures,
w h i c h Hughes
had planned to
dissolve, the Atlas president said that
(Continued on page 7)

Floyd Odium

Arbitration Meet
May Be Monday

An early meeting, perhaps next
Monday, of the distributors and ex-
hibitors negotiating arbitration com-
mittees was forecast here yesterday"
in trade circles.

The forecast of an early meeting-
came in the wake of Monday's meet-
ing of sales managers, at which time
a report on the progress of arbitration
talks was rendered. Next week's joint
distributor-exhibitor meeting is ex-
(Continued on page 6)

Move for TO A Unit
In Salt Lake Today

SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 30.—
Some seventy exhibitors vi'ill meet in
the Hotel Utah here tomorrow at
which time a move will be made to,
organize the group officially as a .unit
of the Theatre Owners of America.
The group has been functioning here
for the past two years. Sidney L.
Cohen, Salt Lake exhibitor, will be
chairman pro-tem.

Among those present tomorrow will
(Continiied on page 6)

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, December 1, 1954

Personal
Mention

ED. MARTIN, Theatre Owners
• of America president, is in Salt
Lake City today.

•

J. Y. Abe, director and assistant
manager of Westrex Company, Orient,
and K. Kaoara, recording engineer,
have left New York on their return
trip to Japan.

•

Fred Aufhauser, president of Pro-
jection Optics Co., Rochester, has left
there with Mrs. Aufhauser for
Texas and Mexico City.

James J. Larkin, theatrical sales
representative for B.O.A.C., will leave
here tomorrow for London on one of
the company's Monarch airliners.
•

Virginia Mayo and her husband,
Michael O'Shea, have returned to
Hollywood from New York.

Meyer P. Beck, independent pro-
ducer's representative, will leave here
for the Coast tomorrow.

Mrs. Douglas Fairbanks has left
New York for London via B.O.A.C.
Monarch.

Leo Greenfield, Buena Vista rep-
resentative in the Detroit area, has
returned there from Albany, N. Y.

Myerberg Plans One
Kinemin Yearly

Michael Myerberg, producer of the
"Hansel and Gretel" puppet film, said
here yesterday that he intends to con-
tinue his use of Kinemin film, and
hopes to turn out one Kinemin film a
year, alternating production between
the U. S. and England, beginning in
1956. His next production is to be
selected from among "Alladin's Lamp,"
"The Pied Piper" and a science fiction
type story.

While story selection is indefinite at
present, he observed that "AHadin,"
with background music by Rimsky-
Korsakoff, may be the product picked
for shooting to commence next spring.
The films are to appeal to the chil-
dren's audience predominantly, accord-
ing to the producer, but he hopes to
attract the adult audience as well by
"producing films as the work de-
mands" ; that is, "selecting the original
material of the author, not departing
from it, but capturing the author's
writing in motion picture form, with-
out altering it to suit any particular
audience."

Myerberg expressed his eventual
hope of including science fiction and
tragic drama as story material for his
Kinemin films.

Brotherhood Dinner
Will Honor Rubin

Marton Leaves M-G-M

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 30. — An-
drew Marton, director probably best
known for his work in "Mrs. Miniver"
and "King Solomon's Mines," has re-
quested and received release from his
contract with M-G-M.

J. Robert Rubin, general chairman
of the Amusement Division of the
National Conference for years, will
be honored at a
1 dinner at the
Waldorf-
Astoria Hotel
here, Jan. 13, to
mark the open-
ing of the 1955
Brother-
hood Week
campaign, John
H. Harris, na-
tional campaign
chairman, dis-
closed yester-
day.

Rubin, former
vice-presi-
J. Robert Rubin dent and gen-
eral counsel of
Loew's-MGM, organized the Amuse-
ment Division of the Conference 17
years ago and has been largely respon-
sible for its continuation and expansion
since. The division now is recognized
as the most effective medium for dis-
seminating the Brotherhood doctrine
in the country.

Harris is now engaged in forming
a dinner committee designed to be
representative of every branch of the
industry.

47 Accept Posts in
Brotherhood Week

Forty-seven industry leaders have
accepted posts as national associate
chairmen and members of the 11 re-
gional committees of the National
Conference Drive in observance of
Brotherhood Week for 1955, it was
announced by John H. Harris, nation-
al chairman of the Amusements Divi-
sion of the campaign.

Among those who wall head the
regional groups marshalling nation-
wide support for the Brotherhood
Drive are Jack Beresin, national as-
sociate chairman for Pennsylvania,
Delaware, Ohio, Maryland and the
District of Columbia ; Simon Fabian,
New York, Connecticut, New Jersey ;
Theodore R. Gamble, Montana, Idaho,
Utah, Oregon, Washington ; Rotus
Harvey, Arizona, California, Nevada ;
Robert Hoff, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas,
Nebraska, and John F. Jones, Michi-
gan, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin.

Also M. A. Lightman, Mississippi,
Tennessee, Arkansas ; Robert J. 0'-
Donnell, Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma,
New Mexico; F. H. Ricketson, Jr.,
North Dakota, South Dakota, Colo-
rado, Wyoming ; Robert J. Wilby,
North Carolina, South Carolina,
Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and Marc
Wolf, Kentucky, Virginia, West Vir-
ginia, Indiana.

Committee Members Named

Industry executives who will assume
posts as committee members of the
regional groups include James Bal-
mer, Pittsburgh ; Jay Emanuel, Phila-
delphia ; Meyer Fine, Cleveland ; Rube
Shor, Cincinnati ; Abe Lichtman,
Washington ; Joseph Grant, Baltimore,
and Roy Wells, Dayton.

Also Walter Reade, Jr., Joseph
Seider, Harry Brandt, Gerald Shea,
Spyros S. Skouras, Montague Salmon,

NYC Tax Appeal
Hearing Today

The New York City exhibitor
tax appeal of the city's five per
cent amusement levy will be
argued in the Brooklyn Su-
preme Court, Appellate Divi-
sion, Second Department, this
afternoon before justices Frank
G. Adel, Charles E. Murphy,
John MacCrate, Frederick G.
Schmidt and George J. Beldock.

The exhibitor suit, RKO-
Keith-Orpheum Theatres, et al,
vs. City of New York, No. 477
on the court's calendar, is ex-
pected to be heard about 3:00
p.m.

Sell Latin- Am. Films
Singly, Wolfe Urges

A plea to Warner Brothers man-
agers from Central and South Amer-
ica to market each picture on its
merits, after a local screening, rather
than to try to sell a whole season's
lineup, or groups of films, was voiced
in Mexico City recently by Wolfe
Cohen, president of Warner Interna-
tional.

In this manner, said Wolfe, both the
sales force and exhibitors will be able
better to evaluate each release in ac-
cordance with its adaptability to thea-
tre conditions, play-dates, admission
prices and type of promotion cam-
paign.

'Chalice' Date on CBS

The name of the town to which will
be awarded the privilege of conduct-
ing the world premiere of Warner
Brothers' "The Silver Chalice'' will
be announced Friday on Art Linklet-
ter's "House Party" TV and radio
program over the CBS network. The
program is heard here on TV from
2:30 to 3 P.M. and is repeated on the
radio web from 3:15 to 3:45 P.M.

Bader a V-P

David A. Bader, who recently joined
Atlantic Television Corp., as general
sales manager, has been named vice
president of the company, it was an-
nounced by R. M. Savini, president.

Samuel Rinzler, New York ; Harry
Feinstein, New Haven; Marvin
Jacobs, Buffalo; Charles Smakwitz,
Albany ; Frank Newman, Seattle ; Ben
Goff stem. Las Vegas ; Harry Arthur,
Jr., Los Angeles ; James Arthur, St.
Louis ; Myron Blank, Des Moines ;
Clive Waxman, Grand Rapids ; Benny
Berger, Minneapolis ; Hugo Vogel,
Milwaukee, and Monty Gowthorpe,
Detroit.

Also Arthur Lehman, Jackson,
Miss.; Robert Talbot, Tulsa; M.
Lowenstein, Oklahoma City ; E. V.
Richards, Jr., New Orleans ; Mike
Kincey, Charlotte; Mitchell Wolfson,
Miami ; Leon Netter, Jacksonville ;
Richard Kennedy, Birmingham ; Sam
Switow, Louisville, and Morton Thal-
himer, Richmond.

Brotherhood Week, annually spon-
sored by the National Conference,
promotes understanding and coopera-
tion among Americans of all faiths.

New Goldwyn, Jr.
Co. Plans 3; UA to
Release the First

Samuel Goldwyn, Jr., has announced
that he has formed his own indepen-
dent motion picture production com-
pany, and at the same time, it was
announced by Arthur B. Krim, pres-
ident of United Artists, that his com-
pany had signed a releasing deal for
Goldwyn, Jr.'s first picture.

Goldwyn, Jr., has acquired three
properties to be produced during 1955.
They are "Sharkfighters," an original
screenplay by Jo and Art Napoleon
based on an incident of naval hero-
ism in World War II ; "Linnett
Moore," based on a story by James
Edward Grant which originally ap-
peared in "The Country Gentlemen,"
and "The Dancing Detective," a pub-
lished story by Cornell Woolrich
whose original story, "Rear Window,"
was filmed recently by Alfred Hitch-
cock.

'Sharkfighters' First

Goldwyn, Jr.'s first picture will be
"Sharkfighters" on which production
will start in February.

H-63, De Luxe Labs
Sign 2 -Year Pact

A new two-year agreement, retro-
active to Oct. 1, has been entered into
by De Luxe Laboratories and the
Home Office Employees Union, Local
H-63, lATSE, it was announced here
yesterday by Russell M. Moss, H-63
executive vice-president.

The new pact, which was ratified by
the entire De Luxe unit membership,
provides for a reduction in working
hours, from 40 to 37^^ hours per week,
with "substantial" wage increases and
also provides for upward revisions in
the minimum hiring scales.

DuMont 40-Week
Sales Up; Net Down

Sales of Allen B. Du Mont Labora-
tories, Inc., for the 40 weeks ended
Oct. 10 amounted to $67,593,000 com-
pared to $65,896,000 for the same
period in 1953, it was announced here
yesterday. Net profits in 1954 were
$612,000 as against $935,000 for the
same period in 1953. Net profit per
share of common stock after payment
of preferred dividends was 22 cents per
share, compared to 36 cents per share
in 1953.

Two 'U' Dividends

The board of directors of Universal
Pictures, at a meeting held yesterday,
declared a quarterly dividend of 25
cents per share and an extra dividend
of 25 cents per share on the common
stock of the company, payable on Dec.
22 to stockholders of record on Dec.
10.

Decca Dividend

Directors of Decca Records, Inc.,
yesterday declared a regular quarterly
dividend of 17^ cents per share on
the company's capital stock payable on
Dec. 29 to stockholders of record on
Dec. 14.

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martm Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundavs and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center. New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President: Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President ; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke,
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager: Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1 : Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

CHEERFUL EARFUL!

GOOD NEWS FROM M-G-M!

The tentative line-up of Big M-G-M attractions below is just a
sample of what's to come. They've been screened in various stages
of completion and are assured hits! Following right after "THE
LAST TIME I SAW PARIS" and the great Christmas-New Years
musical "DEEP IN MY HEART," showmen may happily depend
on a consistent flow of top product from M-G-M. THRIVE IN '55!

JANUARY

BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK'

(CinetnaScope — Color)

M-G-M presents in CinemaScope • Spencer Tracy • Robert Ryan
in "BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK" . co-starring Anne Francis
Dean Jagger • Walter Brennan • John Ericson • Ernest Borgnine
Lee Marvin • Russell Collins • Screen Play by Millard Kaufman
Adaptation by Don McGuire • Based on a Story by Howard
Breslin . Photographed in Eastman Color • Directed by John
Sturges • Produced by Dore Schary

JANUARY

"GREEN FIRE" fC/nemaScope-Co/orj

M-G-M presents in CinemaScope • Stewart Granger • Grace Kelly
Paul Douglas in "GREEN FIRE" . co-starring John Ericson
with Murvyn Vye • Written for the Screen by Ivan Goff and Ben
Roberts • Photographed in Eastman Color • Directed by Andrew
Marton • Produced by Armand Deutsch

MARCH

M-G-M presents in CinemaScope "HIT THE DECK" starring
Jane Powell • Tony Martin • Debbie Reynolds • Walter Pidgeon
Vic Damone • Gene Raymond • Ann Miller • Russ Tamblyn
with Kay Armen . J. Carrol Naish • Richard Anderson • Jane
Darwell • Written by Sonya Levien and William Ludwig . Based
On the Musical Play "Hit the Deck" by Herbert Fields • Presented
On the Stage by Vincent Youmans • From "Shore Leave" by
Hubert Osborne • Music by Vincent Youmans • Lyrics by Leo
Robin, Clifford Grey and Irving Caesar • Choreography by
Hermes Pan • Photographed in Eastman Color • Directed by
Roy Rowland • Produced by Joe Pasternak

MARCH

"INTERRUPTED MELODY

(CinemaScope — Color)

M-G-M presents in CinemaScope "INTERRUPTED MELODY"
starring Glenn Ford • Eleanor Parker • with Roger Moore • Cecil
Kellaway • Screen Play by WiUiam Ludwig and Sonya Levien
Based On Her Life Story by Marjorie Lawrence • Photographed
in Eastman Color • Directed by Curtis Bernhardt • Produced by
Jack Cummings

FEBRUARY

MANY RIVERS TO CROSS

(CinemaScope— Color)

M-G-M presents in CinemaScope "MANY RIVERS TO CROSS"
starring Robert Taylor • Eleanor Parker • with Victor McLaglen
Russ Tamblyn • Jeff Richards • James Arness • Screen Play by
Harry Brown and Guy Trosper • Based on a Story by Steve
Frazee • Photographed in Eastman Color • Directed by Roy
Rowland • Produced by Jack Cummings

FEBRUARY

"JUPITER'S DARLING Vc/nemoScope-CoM

M-G-M presents in CinemaScope "JUPITER'S DARLING"
starring Esther Williams • Howard Keel • Marge and Gower'
Champion • George Sanders • with Richard Haydn • William
Demarest • Screen Play by Dorothy Kingsley • Based on the Play
"Road to Rome" by Robert E. Sherwood • Songs: Burton Lane
and Harold Adamson • Photographed in Eastman Color • Directed
by George Sidney • Produced by George Wells

APRIL

"THE GLASS SLIPPER'^^^^m

M-G-M presents "THE GLASS SLIPPER" starring Leshe
Caron • Michael Wilding' with Keenan Wynn • Estelle Winwood
Elsa Lanchester • Barry Jones • Written for the Screen by Helen
Deutsch • Ballets by Roland Petit • Featuring Ballet de Paris
Photographed in Eastman Color • Directed by Charles Walters
Produced by Edwin H. Knopf

APRIL

"BEDEVILLED"

(CinemaScope— Color)

M-G-M presents "BEDEVILLED" in CinemaScope . starring
Anne Baxter • Steve Forrest • with Simone Renant • Maurice
Teynac • Robert Christopher • Joseph Tomelty and Victor
Francen • Based on an Original Story and Screen Play by
Jo Eisinger • Photographed in Eastman Color • Directed by
Mitchell Leisen • Produced by Henry Berman

1955 -THE YEAR OF M-G-M's "THi Pi>ODIGAL"

Proudly Annoui
Of The Motioi
All Through 1.

GRACE

KELLY

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15th

Criterion Theatre, New York

TUESDAY. DECEMBER 21st

Beverly Hills Theatre, Los Angeles

Paramount
es The World Premiere Engagements
Picture That Will Be Talked About
15 And For Many Years To Come • . •

Three Superlative Acting Performances From Three Brilliant
Boxoffice Stars Illuminate "The Country Girl", Described By
Look Magazine As "The Dramatic Thunderbolt Of The Year"!

A Perlberg-Seaton Production

Produced by William Perlberg
Written for the Screen and Directed by
George Seaton • From the Play by
Clifford Odets • A Paramount Picture

WILLIAM

HOLDEN

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, December 1, 1954

Rembusch

(Conttmied from page 1)

CinemaScope

(Continued from page 1)

such moves are seldom if ever suc-
cessful, particularly where complex
(|uestioiis as to their legality and goiKl
engineering practice arc involved, as
is tiie case in toll TV.

"Hearing out the complexities of the
toll or slot machine TV question, re-
cently FCC chairman, George C. Mc-
Conaugiiey in a speech to the Na-
tional Association of Broadcasters,
stated he was not familiar with the
proiilem and in tiie question and an-
swer i)eriod that followed the speech
left the impression that it would be
some time before the Commission
could complete hearings on the sub-
ject and iiand down a decision. Of
course, even when a decision is handed
down, appeal to the Federal courts is
open to parties not agreeing to the
decision. In such an instance it would
be many years before the issue could
he decided one way or another.

Pressure on FCC Futile

"In the past many persons have
tried to stampede the Commission
into taking fast action in matters
under its jurisdiction. However, the
usual result is to slow down the whole
process so tiiat the Commission can
scrutinize the problem more minutely
before making final its decision. The
Commission, if it follows its usual
procedures can be counted on to fol-
low the due processes of its agency
and will not be coerced by any group
into a quick decision.

"Toll television poses many complex
problems to the Commission, for in-
stance : whether or not it has the
authority under existing law to grant
use of the free air waves for toll TV ?
Whether or not granting use of the
free air waves for toll television would
create a communications monopoly
leading to controlled thought of the
citizens of this country? Whether toll
TV would destroy motion picture ex-
hibition thereby destroying the valu-
able theatre — created public travel in
front of retiil establishments; such
travel destruction naturally would re-
sult in a serious drop in all retail
sales? Whether toll television would
by its very nature monopolize free
television stations' choice broadcast
time leaving the public in many tele-
vision markets without free television
curing normal listening hours and
eventually result in complete destruc-
tion of free television as we now know
it ? Whether granting toll television
would reverse the long time traditional
posit'on of the FCC established by a
decision in 1929 turning down toll
broadcasting? Whether transmission
facilities are available and more prac-
tical for toll TV such as A.T.&T.'s
coaxial lines to the homes which
transmission lines would put toll tele-
vision on the same basis as theatres
in this country now buying .\.T.&T.
transmission lines for theatre TV?

Sees No Perfunctory Decision

"It is my opinion that the Com-
mission, being faced with so many
complex legal and engineering ques-
tions in the toll television matter, it
will not be stampeded into a snap
judgment decision by Zenith or any
other minority group seeking selfish
advantages."

'Ben Hur' to Franklin

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 30.— Sidney
Franklin will direct "Ben Hur" for
M-G-M following a year's absence,
it was announced today by the studio.

he said, is going in at the rate of 40
per month. .A new "circuit," he ex-
I)lained, has been formed by indepen-
dents there which is equipping for
CinemaScope and playing 20th-Fox
product. Zanuck called this a "healthy"
development, adding that 2()th-Fox
does not sell to the Rank Organiza-
tion, nor do "we have any idea of ever
deserting the independent circuit."

Expects Record in March

In Britain, as well as elscv^here in
the world, Zanuck continued, the prob-
lem is not to sell 20th-Fo,x Cinema-
Scope pictures, but to supply prints.
Although in Britain, 20th-Fox rev-
enue is running behind $2,500,000 this
year due to the lack of adequate in-
stallations and available product, by
"March we'll surpass our biggest war
year," Zanuck predicted.

Zanuck, telling of 20th-Fox's experi-
ence in Britain where it now has eight
films in release, said that in no spot
did "we find a theatre playing Cine-
maScope that did not increase its rev-
enues 50 per cent" in a survey there.
In some cases, revenues were increased
80 percent, he added.

Speaking as head of the 20th-Fox
studio, Zanuck said that the produc-
tion program "aims" at producing 20
films ne.xt year, exclusive of outside
producers releasing through 20th-Fox.
The number of outside productions
will augment the number to between
24 and 30, Charles Einfeld, vice-presi-
dent in charge of advertising, publicity
and exploitation, who also attended the
press conference, interjected.

Selection of Material Vital

Zanuck stressed that the studio no
longer thinks in terms of numbers, but
of selecting tlie proper stories, casting
and subjects that will command wide
audiences and longer playing time in
theatres.

Regarding production in Cinema-

20th-Fox Profit

{Continued from page 1)

amounted to $2,635,518, compared with
$1,274,728 for the third quarter of
1953. Second quarter net in 1954 was
$1,048,515.

Provision for F'ederal taxes for the
39-week iieriod this year amounted
to $5,800,000, against $1,433,037 last
year. Gross income for this year's 39
weeks totaled $78,010,380, compared
with $75,540,617 in the same period
of 1953.

The company yesterday declared a
quarterly dividend of 40 cents a share
and an extra dividend of 10 cents a
share, payable on Dec. 24 to stock-
holders of record on Dec. 10.

Move for TOA Unit

(Continued from page 1)

be E. D. Martin, Jr., TOA president;
Walter Reade, Jr., past president and
chairman of the board ; Joseph Rosen-
field, of Spokane, vice-president, and
Carl Anderson, of Kalispell, Mont.,
Intermountain TOA director.

'Game' to Baronet

The American premiere of "The
Game of Love," winner of the 1954
Grand Prix de Cinema Francaise, has
been scheduled for Dec. 14 at the
Baronet Theatre here.

UK Progress

Seeks to Ease

UK Print Shortage

Experiments currently are
under way here with Eastman
Kodak to ease the print short-
age of 20th Century-Fox prod-
uct in England, it was disclosed
here yesterday by Darryl F.
Zanuck, vice-president of 20th-
Fox production.

"We are flirting with cutting
a second negative of our second
takes," Zanuck explained, add-
ing "that the second negative
would be made in England at
the same time as here."

Scope abroad by foreign producers,
Zanuck said that the "caution" ex-
pressed by foreign producers in the
past has been supplanted by enthu-
siasm for the medium. "We can't be-
gin to fulfill demands for the Cinema-
Scope camera taking-lens abroad," he
declared. In Western Germany, he
added, there are 22 requests, while 18
lenses are in current use in England,
seven in France and nine in Italy.
Foreign productions in CinemaScope,
he went on, will stimulate the Cinema-
Scope installations abroad.

Foreign Gross Estimated

Zanuck estimated that the foreign
gross, exclusive of Canada, will be
$32,000,000 the next fiscal year, while
Einfeld, basing his estimate on "very
rough" preliminary figures said it may
be as high as $40,000,000.

Stereophonic sound installations
abroad are running about 75 per cent
in relationship to the theatres install-
ing CinemaScope screens, while in the
Orient, it is 100 per cent, Zanuck
stated.

Spyros P. Skouras, now in Europe,
is due back after the first of the year,
Zanuck reported.

Col. to Back Films

(Continued from page 1)

films which are now being planned in
Britain.

Columbia's production and distribu-
tion activities are to be considerably
extended beyond their present high
level in the coming year, said Thorpe.

The company has a powerful pro-
duction schedule in hand in this coun-
try. Thorpe discussed in New York
preliminary release plans for David E.
Rose's "End of the Affair," of which
initial prints will be delivered by Cor-
onado early next month, and War-
wick's "A Prize of Gold" due to be
delivered early in the New Year.

Columbia's current British program
includes its second Alec Guinness sub-
ject, "The Prisoner," and the Alike
Frankovich-Maxwell Setton produc-
tion "Deadlock," as well as two major
features projected by Warwick Pro-
ductions in 1955.

Arbitration Meet

(Continued from page 1)

pected to concentrate on the one re-
maining issue in dispute, said to be
the question of damages. Setting the
stage for next week's meeting will
be the scheduled conference here on
Friday between Adolph Schimel,
distributors arbitration committee
counsel, and Herman Levy, Theatre
Owners of America general counsel.

N. T. Meeting

(Continued from, page 1)

breaks on drama page." Latsis said,
"if you deal honestly and sincerely
with press, you will be treated fairly."

Others who spoke on advertising
panel were Joe Redmond, Russ Brown,
Paul Laday, Fay Reeder, Al Frank,
Perry Pasmezoglu and Dean Hyskell.

Jess Elliott addressed the 89 dele-
gates on real estate; and Joe Tuohy
on labor relations.

Darryl F. Zanuck, vice president of
20th Century-Fox in charge of pro-
duction, is expected to address the
convention tomorrow afternoon.

Exhibitor Meetings
Open in Tennessee

MEMPHIS, Nov. 30.— A regional
meeting of exhibitors was held today
at the Gayoso Hotel here to discuss
the matter of setting up grievance
committees on the state level to handle
all problems, including film rentals.

Martin Tune, of Shelbyville, Tenn.,
president of the Tennessee Theatre
Owners Association, speaking on the
subject of rentals, charged that the
recent reduction in the federal admis-
sions tax has been negated by the in-
crease in film rentals.

Today's meeting, the second of a
series, followed that held yesterday at
Jackson, and will be followed tomor-
row^ by a third to be conducted in
Nashville, a fourth on Thursday in
Cookville and a fifth on Friday in
Knoxville.

James West, chairman of the
Neighborhood Theatre Association,
presided at today's meeting here.

Paramount Division
Sales Heads to Meet

A special meeting of Paramount's
divisional sales managers has been
called by A. W. Schwalberg, presi-
dent of Paramount Film Distributing
Corp., to start on Monday at the com-
pany's Hollywood studio.

Purpose of the meeting is to lay
the groundwork for the marketing of
what he called "the unprecedentedly
strong Paramount product lineup for
1955." The executives in attendance,
including officials from the home of-
fice, will view several of the 1955
releases that have been completed and
"rushes" on films currently in produc-
tion and set for release next year.

Percentage Actions
Filed in Conn.

HARTFORD, Nov. 30.— The eight
majors — Loew's, 20th-Fox, Para-
mount, Columbia, Warner Bros., UA,
U-I, and RKO — have brought suit for
$4,000 against Edward A. Miller and
Edward A. Miller, Jr., on charges of
short-changing on exhibition fees.
Each film company is suing for $500.

In the suit, filed in New Haven
Court of Common Pleas, the eight
majors contend they had arrangements
whereby the Millers would pay them a
percentage of admissions charged for
films at the Alillers' Hamilton Thea-
tre, Waterbury, Conn. However, it is
alleged that the theatre operators have
paid less than they should have, since
Nov. 11, 1952.

'Passion' Dec. 10

RKO's "Passion," co-starring Cor-
nel Wilde and Yvonne de Carlo, will
open at the RKO Palace, here, on
Dec. 10.

Wednesday, December 1, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

National
Pre-Selling

UN I V E R S A L- 1 N T E R N A-
TIONAL has mailed a very at-
tractive pre-selling folder on "So This
Is Paris," to 9,000 circuit and inde-
pendent bookers, buyers and theatre
operators in the nation.

The face of the folder is a striking
color 30 X 40 that can be used as a
strong selling pitch in lobbies of all
types of theatres. The back of the
folder has reproductions of the ads
which will appear in the magazines
that have a reported combined reader-
ship of 150 million. These magazines
are "Life," "Look," "Woman's Home
Companion," "American Weekly,"
"Parade," "This Week," "Redbook,"
"Seventeen," "Coronet," "Family Cir-
cle," "Woman's Day," and the Fans.
•

Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly in
"The Country Girl" try for Academy
Awards, reports "Look," in the cur-
rent issue. Crosby plays an alcoholic
and Grace Kelly his wife.

George Seaton who directed and
wrote the screenplay says, "Bing
was right for the part because he
has the quality that wins the sym-
pathy of an audience — no matter
how low he sinks, or how much he
lies and cheats. This Crosby could
play anything — even second base
for the Yankees."

•

"Redbook" recommends three un-
usual pictures in the December issue :
"Beau Brummell," "The Littlest Out-
law" and "Aida." Theatre managers
can take advantage of "Redbook's" cir-
culation by mentioning these recom-
mendations in all their advertising
when they play the pictures.

•

A striking color ad on Para-
mount's "White Christmas," ap-
pears in the December issue of
'Seventeen."

•

The reproduction of a beautiful oil
painting of Pier Angeli as Deborah
and Paul Newman as Basil from a
scene in Warner's "The Silver Chal-
ice," leads ofif the condensation of
Thomas Costain's best-selling novel in
the December issue of "Woman's
Home Companion."

Thirteen pages of the "Companion"
?re devoted to the condensation of
"The Silver Chalice."

"Life," in the current issue pub-
lished a photo story of a supper
party given in honor of Marilyn
Monroe, to celebrate the finishing of
her latest film ready for release,
"The Seven- Year Itch."

WALTER HAAS

Reviews

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Deep in My Heart

(M-G-M) Hollyzmod. Nov. 30

A MORE deserving testimonial to the music of the late Sigmund Romberg
could hardly have been conceived or brought to the screen.
Producer Roger Edens' assemblage of tiie talented, star-studded cast, to
highlight the composer's episodic rise to prominence, places a stamp oi im-
portance on the box office grosses destined tor this film. 1 he magnihcent
color tones, and truiy lavish, yet tastetul, values poured into the copious
musical production numbers places a stamp of quality on this offering, quality
that will establish costlier standards tor the biographies ot otner great
composers.

The rounds of applause that will greet its more than a dozen musical
treats will also put a stamp of entertainment on this rare vintage niusicai,
as evidenced by the sincere ovation ot the audience that witnessed the pre-
view at the Egyptian theater here.

Jose Ferrer gives credence to the role of the personable Viennese com-
poser, whose music was written with a heart s-eye to "make people love each
other more." His versatility as a song and dance man ; and his bullet-like
delivery in a spot where he enacts the plot, songs and characters for a new
musical, is a sure show-stopper.

Helen Traubel will earn a great measure of applause in a heart-warming
inspirational role that olTers opportunity for her vocal charm. Merle Oberon
is beautiful and convincing as Dorothy Donnelly, who wrote most of the
librettos for Romberg before she died and Oscar Hammerstein became his
team mate. Doe Avedon is likewise well-mated to her role as Mrs. Romberg.

Stanley Donen's direction is as sharp and witty as tne all-embracing
Leonard Spigelgass screenplay, which was adapted from Elliot Arnold's
book ; and is kept intact by Adrienne Fazan's film editing.

The tempos and variety of songs will thrill every age bracket of the
family. Names like Rosemary Clooney, Tamara Toumanova, Gene Kelly and
his brother Fred, Jane Powell, Vic Damone, Ann Miller (wows 'em with an
"It" girl number), Howard Keel, Tony Martin and many others, are
thrilling contributions in brief but memorable bits.

The film tells the story of "Rommy's" career tiom the time he started as
a pianist in a Viennese cafe on Second Avenue in New York in the early
1900's to nearly a half century later when he conducts a symphony of his
own works at Carnegie Hall.

Running time, 131 minutes. General audience classification. Release, De-
cember. SAMUEL D. BERNS

RKO-Atlas

"Day of Triumph"

{George J. Schacfer — Century Films, Inc.)

Hollywood, Nov. 30

^^T^AY OF TRIUMPH" is a presentation of incidents and events in the life
of Jesus Christ from age 30 to the Resurrection.

The producer, the Reverend James K. Friedrich, Episcopalian, is founder
and president of Cathedral Films, Inc., which produces films for exhibition
in churches, and is executive producer of Century Films, Inc., a corporation
organized to produce this and other pictures for exhibition in theatres.
Direction is by the late Irving Pichel, who also directed "Martin Luther,"
and the players whose names have meaning for theatregoers are Lee J.
Cobb and Joanne Dru. The picture is in Eastman color, processed by Pathe,
and Cinematographer Ray June, ASC, shot it for aspect-ratios from Academy
to 1.85-1. The screenplay is by Arthur T. Horman, and the music score is
by Daniele Amfitheatrof, a leader in his field.

Although the services of these professionals tend to impart an aura oi
professionalism, the production rettects beyond mistaking the manner and
method of a producer who learned his cralt and fashioned his technique m
his 16 years of addressing his pictures and his messages to captive audiences
made up of persons of one faith convened in church or classroom to observe
and accept them. The pedagogic attitude toward subject matter — the assump-
tion of the authoritarian posture, the statement of a point without bother of
substantiation, the manipulation of emphasis and stress for convenience or
expediency — obtrudes again and again to give "Day of Triumph" the air of
textbook or rostrum instead of theatre. It may be due in part to this con-
ditioned manner of expression that the character of Pontius ^Pilate is shown
as kindlier, and that of Judas as less evil, than they have stood in public
tradition over the centuries ; and it could turn out to be a reason, liivewise,
why the picture appears certain of becoming a center of religious con-
troversy on sight.

As a box office attraction, of course, the picture figures to prove again,
as has been proved over and over again without failure since the first
imported filming of the "Passion Play at Oberammergau" packed nickelodeons
to their rafters 50 years ago, the supremacy of the story of the Saviour as a
subject for screen, stage, page, electronics and all other media past, present
and future.

Events treated in the picture include, among others, the Sermon on the
Mount, the Last Supper, the Conversion of Mary Magdalene, the raising of
Lazarus, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection.

Cobb portrays a leader of the "Zealots," a Jewish sect of which Judas,
played by James Griffith, is represented as a member, and to which the pic-
ture imputes the responsibility for causing Pilate to liberate Barabbas
C Anthony Warde) instead of Jesus (Robert Wilson). Miss Dru portrays
Mary Magdalene, Lowell Gilmore is seen as Pilate.

Production designer John T. Coyle is vice-president of Cathedral Films,
Inc., which was to have produced this picture, according to announcements
made in 1952, but which has no corporate connection with Century-Films,
Inc. Associate producer was Spencer H. Lees.

Running time 112 minutes. General audience classification. Release on
roadshow basis by George J. Schaefer.

WILLIAM R. WEAVER

{Continued frunn faije 1)

his company had a surplus of $15,000,-
000 which he wanted to put to work.

Statin,^- that "Mr. Hughes seemingly
would like us to take over tuch man-
agement," Odium said that Atlas was
willing but hesitates "to do so with-
out assurance of continuity for a peri-
od." Atlas holds ,84,900 shares of
RKO Pictures, representing $5,530,625.

Referring to RlvO Pictures, Odium
said that the company has cash and a
capital loss carry-forward and that "it
should get organized to make profits
to ofifset these losses because time is
running."

Says Talks Were Held

Odium admitted that he and Hughes
had conferred on deals for the take-
over of the picture company, but that
such conferences had not, as reported,
dealt with Hughes' other projects, ex-
cept for an oral agreement concerning
Hughes Aircraft, which never mate-
rialized. In regard to the active RKO
Radio Pictures Co., which is owned
entirely by Hughes, Odium said that
he thought Atlas had an agreement for
a takeover last J une, "but then we had
to wait to determine the impact of the
new tax law on the agreed plan." That
law, Odium told the stockholders, re-
quired a somewhat diff^erent approach
which, in turn, involved a passage of
time.

"I frankly told Mr. Hughes recently
that I believed the company to be
worth more to him in his own opera-
tions than its worth to anyone else,"
Odium said. "He agreed with me.
What he will now do with it remains
to be seen."

Doubts 'Meeting Point'

Odium said that "perhaps" he and
Hughes would find a common meeting
point as to the economics and values
of RKO Radio, "although I am in-
clined to doubt it, particularly as long
as others keep making proposals that
seem to be based on lack of knowl-
edge of all the facts."

That leaves only RKO Pictures
which has no assets other than about
$15,000,000 of cash on hand. Odium
said, for which he would like to make
a deal with Hughes.

George E. Allen of Washington was
elected a director of Atlas Corp. at
the meeting.

FLY B OM

The

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VOL. 76. NO. 105

NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1954

TEN CENTS

March Premiere

Todd-AO's
^Oklahoma' to
Rivoli Here

*War and Peace' Also Is
Announced by Mike Todd

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

"Oklahoma!" the first production
in the Todd-AO process, will open
here on a road show basis at the
Rivoli Theatre at the end of March,
it was announced here yesterday by
Mike Todd, chairman of the board
of Mike Todd Productions.

Todd, at the same time, announced
plans to produce "War and Peace" in
the same process, a project which he
said would cost in the neighborhood
of $7,000,000 or $7,500,000.

"Oklahoma!" a Rodgers and Ham-
merstein production, was completed
last Saturday, Todd disclosed, adding
that there are two days of retakes
still to be done. He estimated the cost
of the first Todd-AO production at
$6,000,000.

Pressed for a detailing of plans
for the exhibition of "Oklahoma !"
throughout the country, Todd replied
that it would be shown in key cities,
{Continued on page 3)

Arbitration
Meet Monday

The joint eight-man distribution-
exhibition committee for drafting a
set of rules and regulations for indus-
try arbitration will meet Monday
morning at the Motion Picture Asso-
ciation of America's offices here to
discuss the latest issues in dispute.

Prior to the convening of the group
at the MPAA's board room, attorneys
{Continued on page 8)

Rights to Easterners
For ^Birth of Nation'

Shecial to THE DAILY

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 1.— Veteran
film executive Phil L. Ryan today
announced the acquisition of film and
title rights to "The Birth of a Nation"
by Eastern capitalists who, according
to his announcement, will spend $8,-
000,000 on producing the picture, pos-
sibly in Todd-AO and CinemaScope.
The purchasing group is headed by
{Continued on page 8)

How Hughes Could Give
RKO Control to Odium

No detailed agreements or extended negotiations are necessary to com
plete the transfer of control of RKO Pictures Corp. from Howard Hughes
to Atlas Corp. by the end of this month, the deadline set by Floyd

Odium, Atlas head, it was brought
out yesterday.

All that is required of Hughes is
that he tender his 1,262,000 shares
to the company for the $6 per share
offered to all holders. With Atlas the
owner of 1,200,000 shares of RKO
Pictures stock, and the public hold-
ing only a minority interest. Atlas
would automatically become owner of
the controlling interest and could as
sume management responsibility of the
inactive company at once. '

The RIvO Pictures' offer to pay
$6 for each share of stock tendered to
it e.xpires Dec. 31. The deadline on
the offer has been extended three
times during the past year and the
lapse of time obviously explains why
Odium set Dec. 31 as the deadline
{Continued on page 8)

Tenn. TOA Forms
Service Committee to
Handle Complaints

J.\CKSON, Tenn., Dec. 1. — A
proposal that the Tennessee Theatre
Owners Association immediately set
up a service committee to handle
grievances in all categories, including
film rentals, v^-as approved early this
week by Morton Tune of Shelbyville,
vice-president of TTOA, at the first
of a series of five regional meetings
held by the unit.

"On April 1, we were all very
happy," he said. "For most of us in
these small towns, the tax had been
completely removed and we thought
that we would be able to divert this
saving towards improving our prop-
erties and equipment and perhaps
{Continued on page 3)

Ford Vice-President
Of C. V. Whitney, Inc.

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 1. — John
Ford, director, tomorrow will join his
long-time associate, Merian C. Cooper,
and Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney in
C. V. Whitney, Inc., as vice-president.
Cooper has announced, and will di-
rect three pictures for this newly-
formed production company under a
non-exclusive contract. Properties to
be directed by Ford, only director who
has won four Academy Awards, will
be determined later. He recently com-
pleted "The Long Gray Line" for
{Continued on page 8)

Mountain Unit Votes
Affiliation With TOA

special to THE DAILY

SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 1.—
More than 70 exhibitors from Utah,
Idaho, Eastern Nevada and Western
Wyoming today voted to become
affiliated with Theatre Owners of
America. Meeting here, they approved
appointment of a committee to take
care of organizational' problems and
report at a future meeting on plans
for the TOA unit. Roger Mendenhall,
of Boise, Ida., was named chairman,
with David K. Edwards, Hal Hawk
and O. J. Hazen of Salt Lake and
Irving H. Harris of Burley, Ida., as
members.

At an all-day luncheon-and-discus-
{Continned on page 8)

'Show' Vital, Lichtmaii Tells NT

By Staff CO-
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 1. "If
you've got a good show, and give it
to them, you have a golden era of
entertainment in your grasp," 20th
Century-Fox vice-president Al Licht-
man told 89 delegates to the National
Theatres convention at its closing
session today. Members attending
represented 365 theatres in 21 states.
Lichtman said, "Motion pictures must
fight for business without compromis-
ing, and reach out through every me-
dium to sell pictures to the public."

Lichtman listed points he considers
important to maintaining theatre pros-

■respondent

perity, naming such matters as per-
sonal service, proper use of equipment,
comfortable theatres, direct mailing
and participation in civic affairs.

Lichtman said CinemaScope and
stereophonic sound has lifted many
theatres from red ink into black, and
that he e.xpects this trend to continue.

"Theatres' ultimate answer to home
television," according to Lichtman, is
Eidophor color television in theatres.

Herman Wobber, Fox Western divi-
sion manager, and Frank Whitbeck,
M-G-M advertising executive, also
spoke.

Loan Position

Report Banks
Firm on Major
Outlet Policy

Spokesman Sees in Offing
No Easing of Provision

A firm stand "by an important seg-
ment of the banking community against
supplying film financing to producers
unless a major distribution outlet is
assured was indicated here yesterday
by a top banker, long associated with
the film industry.

He was queried regarding talk in
the trade that the banking community
rnay relax its major distributor pro-
vision in the light of plans by Dis-
tributors Corp. of America and Ex-
hibitors Film Financial Group, Inc.,
Theatre Owners of America's spon-
sored film finance company, to use
state righters in the distribution of
their releases.

The banking spokesman said that
99 percent of the financing deals with
banks has been with producers plan-
ning to lelease through a major com-
pany. "This has been the practice for
the past 10 years," he went on, add-
ing that he saw no change in the
offing.

TOA's sponsored EFFG, when it
{Continued on page 8)

Republic Deal
With DC A Off

Trade reports that a deal by which
Republic Pictures would handle tail-
end selling and physical distribution
for Distributors Corp. of America
had been discussed between the two
were confirmed here yesterday by of-
ficials on both sides who, at the same
time, said it had mutually been de-
{Continued on page 8)

IMPDAA Defers
IFE-FTC Action

Besides approving a plan to broaden
the group's membership by admitting
exhibitors into the fold, the Independ-
ent Motion Picture Distributors Asso-
ciation of America, at a closed meet-
ing held on Tuesday here, decided to
postpone further legal proceedings
against Italian Films Export until af-
ter the Federal Trade Commission
{Continued on page 3)

Motion Picture Daily

Thursday, December 2, 1954

Personal
Mention

JAAIES A. MULVEY, president of
Samuel Goldwyn Prods., is back
at his oflice here following a brief
stay in Florida.

•

Al Lichtman, 20th Century-Fox
director of distribution, who left New
\urk for Hollywood early this week,
is expected to return here over the
weekend.

•

John Davis, managing director of
the J. Arthur Rank Organization, and
Kenneth Winckles, member of the
board, will leave New York tomorrow
for London via B.O.A.C. Monarch.
•

Ierome PicKMAN, Paramount vice-
president in charge of advertising-
publicity, left New York yesterday
by plane for Hollywood.

•

Henky Wilcoxon, associate pro-
ducer on "The Ten Commandments,"
will arrive in New York by plane
today from Egypt.

Walter Ruckersberg, technical
manager of Titra Films, is the father
of a daughter born to Mrs. Ruckers-
berg this week.

•

Seymour Schussel, I.F.E. Releas-
ing Corp. Eastern division manager,
is in Washington from New York.
•

Miles 5"torms, manager in Vene-
zuela for Westrex Co., Caribbean, has
returned to Caracas from New York.
•

Charles Boyer will arrive here to-
day aboard the "Queen Mary" from
Europe.

•

Charles Tucker, British talent
agent, will leave here Sunday for
London via B.O.A.C. Monarch.

WCBS-TV Buys
179 Lantz Cartoons

The purchase by WCBS-TV of 179
Walter Lantz animated cartoons for
exclusive first-run television showings
in the New York area was announced
by William C. Lacey, manager of the
station's film department.

The films will be programmed on
WCBS-TV's "The George Skinner
Show," "Space Funnies" and "Cartoon
Carnival."

Four different cartoon series are
included in the 179 films. They are
"Oswald, the Rabbit," "Pooch, the
Pup," "Willie Mouse" and "Meany
Miny and Moe."

First released for theatrical show-
ings by Universal, the cartoons are
being distributed to television by Mo-
tion Pictures for Television, Inc.

TO A Winter Board
Meeting Feb. 5

The mid-winter executive board
meeting of the Theatre Owners
ot America is expected to take
place in Washington on or
about Feb. 5.

Tokyo and Osaka
To See Cinerama

The people of Japan will see Cine-
rama for the first time in their home-
land next month when the new medi-
um will be presented in Tokyo on
New Year's Day and in Osaka on
Jan. 22.

"This Is Cinerama" will be pre-
sented by Robin International at the
Imperial Theatre in Tokyo and at the
OS Theatre in Osaka, the latter house
having been built specially to house
the Lowell Thomas-Merian C. Cooper
presentation. A narration in Japanese
replaces the voice of Thomas.

Here in New York, "This Is Cine-
rama" will be shown tomorrow after-
noon at the Warner Theatre to an in-
vited audience of Japanese diplomatic
and commercial officials and resident
representatives of the Japanese news-
papers.

*Show Business' to
Bow on Dec. 16

Irving Berlin's "There's No Busi-
ness Like Show Business," Twentieth
Century-Fox CinemaScope musical,
will have its world premiere at the
Roxy Theatre here on Dec. 16.

The Darryl F. Zanuck presentation
will make its Broadway bow as a
benefit performance for the Actor's
Fund, of America and allied organiza-
tions.

"There's No Business Like Show
Business" is the first motion picture
to hold a premiere benefitting the Ac-
tor's Fund entirely, its president Wal-
ter Vincent pointed out. Likewise as-
sisted will be the Episcopal Actors'
Guild, the Catholic Actors' Guild, the
Jewish Theatrical Guild, the Negro
Actors' Guild, the Lambs Welfare
Fund and the American Theatre
Wing.

C, J. Lawler Resigns
Hartford Circuit Post

HARTFORD, Dec. 1.— Carroll J.
Lawler, general manager since March,
1953, of the five-unit Hartford Thea-
■ tres Circuit, has resigned, efl:ective
immediately. He said he would an-
nounce a new affiliation within the
next two weeks.

Lawler was chief film booker for
the Shea Theatres, headquartering in
New York, prior to the HTC post.

Fabian Enterprises
Reduces SW Stock

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1. — Fabi-
an Enterprises, beneficial owner of
more than 10 per cent of common
stock in Stanley Warner Corp., sold
11,241 common shares in September,
decreasing its direct holdings to
326,094, the Securities and Exchange
Commission reported.

Henry O'Donnell Dies

HARTFORD, Dec. 1.— Henry O'-
Donnell, formerly assistant office man-
ager, Stanley Warner Theatres' New
England Zone, is dead.

Japan Society Will
Sponsor *Gate' Bow

"Gate of Hell," winner of the grand
prize at the 1954 Venice International
Film Festival, and the first Japanese
film in color to be shown here, will
have its American premiere on Dec.
13, at the Guild Theatre in Rockefeller
Center under sponsorship of the Japan
Society, it is announced by Douglas
W. Overton, executive director of the
Society, and Nofman W. Elson, presi-
dent of Guild Enterprises.

The Guild Theatre will be closed all
day Monday until 8 :30 P.M., in prep-
aration for the premiere ceremonies.

Government Officials
See *Ugetsu' in B.C.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1. — Top
government and embassy officials at-
tended a premiere at the DuPont The-
atre here for the prize-winning Japa-
nese film, "Ugetsu."

The premiere was sponsored by the
former Ambassador to Japan, Joseph
C. Grew, and Mrs. Grew, and invita-
tions were sent out by the Japanese
Ambassador and Madame Iguchi. In
the audience were ambassadors. Sena-
tors, heads of government agencies,
key military officials and Washington
society leaders. Guests v\'ere ushered
to their seats by ladies of the Japanese
embassy.

Buena Vista District
Post to Mort Magill

Mort Magill has been named district
sales supervisor for the Philadelphia,
Washington and Pittsburgh exchange
areas for Buena Vista, it was an-
nounced by Leo F. Sarnuels, president
and general sales manager. Magill
will make his headquarters in Phila-
delphia.

An industry veteran, Magill recently
resigned as branch manager for United
Artists in Philadelphia to take over
his new Buena Vista post.

Head 'Chalice' Group

Virginia Mayo and Jack Palance,
co-stars of Warner Brothers' "The
Silver Chalice," will head the group
of Hollywood stars who will be pres-
ent at the world premiere of the
CinemaScope picture on Dec. 17.
Where the world premiere will be
held is not yet known. It will take
place in the town or city which sold
the most Christmas Seals, in propor-
tion to population, during the first
three days of the annual drive, Nov.
22 through 24.

Elizabeth Heindorf, 83

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 1. — Mrs.
Elizabeth Heindorf, 83, mother of Ray
Heindorf, Warner Brothers music de-
partment head, died this week at
Elwyn Sanitarium after a lingering
illness.

Tax Hearing Today

Due to the lengthy prior court
hearings which caused delay, the New
York City exhibitor appeal from the
city's five per cent amusement tax will
be argued in the Appellate Division,
Second Department, Supreme Court
in Brooklyn, this afternoon.

Exchange Workers'
S.F. Union Defers
Autonomy Move

special to THE DAILY
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 30. —
Local No. B-17, exchange workers,
after meeting with members of the
negotiating committee and interna-
tional IATSE representatives and at-
torneys, has decided to await the sign-
ing of the new national exchange con-
tract with the distribution companies
before seeking full local autonomy and
a hearing before the National Labor
Relations Board, according to Jack
Jensen, B-17 president.

The international IATSE is pres-
ently negotiating a new exchange con-
tract on a national basis with a dis-
tribution committee in New York
which is headed by Mike Rosen of
Loew's.

Had Filed With NLRB

The union had filed an application
with the NLRB some time ago seek-
ing recognition as a separate bargain-
ing agent due to a disagreement over
the method in which the new exchange
pact was to be negotiated. B-17 had
no quarrel with the employers, but
the union felt, according to Jensen,
that they weren't receiving enough
recognition from the international
IATSE office and more local autono-
my on questions relating to their
special division.

Jensen, newly elected president of
B-17 and chairman of the negotiating
committee, met with John Ford, who
is the newly appointed IATSE repre-
sentative for Northern California,
Michael T. Luddy, West Coast attor-
ney, and Horld Spivak, attorney from
the lA office in Nevvf York.

Will Await Terms

According to Jensen, "we have a
lot of confidence in John Ford. We
decided to wait for the terms of the
new contract and if they are unsatis-
factory, we will proceed with our
plans for full local autonomy."

Albany Theatre in
Reply to Picketing

ALBANY, Dec. 1.— Paul V. Wal-
len, lessee-proprietor of the Grand,
answered the picketing by Local No.
14, Stage Union, IATSE, for an al-
leged "lockout," via a large sign, near
the sidewalk, to the efifect "all union
employees" of the theatre are "mem-
bers in good standing of IATSE, af-
filiated with A.F.L." and "there is no
labor dispute at this theatre."

The sign was presumed to mean
that the boothmen, also members of
IATSE, but of a dififerent local, would
continue working. Their failure to ob-
serve the picket line was seen likely
to bring repercussions.

Arthur Willi Joins
Martin Goodman

Arthur Willi has joined Martin
Goodman Productions here, as head of
the motion picture and legitimate pro-
ductions department.

Willi was formerly Eastern produc-
tion representative for RKO and also
with Columbia Pictures.

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher: Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundavs and holidays by Quigley Publishino
oZk^jJ^'WcePresMent TSeo' f^t^t^l S^"'^^p Telephone Circle 7-3100^ Cable addresf: "Quigpubco, New Ck." MarHn Q^gley. Presid'^ntf

yuigley, jr., Vice-iTesident, iheo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady Secretary Al Steen News Editor • Herbert V Fecke
rhrc7.rBure^ri20'kouth tsl^^^kJel^T^T^'J^f^'T:, Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manag"? wfliiam R.'weavTr Iditor,' HoTlywooI> 2145 ;'
Chicago Bureau. 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club Washin»ion D C London Bureau
Ld°Be«er'*Re^e"shmenYMirc^r^ Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, ''Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publicationsfkotior P^^^^^^^^^^

and Better Ketreshment Merchandising each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac- Fame Entered as
S 10c' " ' ' "^"^ ^■' ""'^^ °^ ^^"^ ^' Subscription rates per year, $6 inX ImtA^as and $12 Ve^n! sh^^^^

Thursday, December 2, 1954

MOTION Picture Daily

Martin Asks
Optical Prints
On ^Leagues'

The battle of magnetic stereophonic
sound for CinemaScope productions
could be reopened unless the distribu-
tion policy for "20,000 Leagues Under
the Sea" requiring only magnetic
stereophonic prints is changed, E. D,
Martin, newly elected president of the
Theatre Owners of America, declared
yesterday in a telegram to Roy and
\Valt Disney.

"TOA is gravely concerned over
your announced policy to release only
magnetic stereophonic prints for the
first 90 days of national release,'
Martin declared. "This policy will
create a new and objectionable system
of clearance creating further exhibitor
hardships and will deny your out
standing production to thousands of
theatres that do not have magnetic
sound equipment because of financial
or other reasons," he said in the wire

Called 'Desperate Men'

"These are the theatre owners who
are suffering the most from low prof
its and shortage of pictures," the TOA
president continued. "They are the
desperate men of the industry and
your isolated policy will reopen the
wound recently healed after the battle
of magnetic stereophonic sound for
CinemaScope productions," Martin
stated.

"We urge you to reconsider and re-
lease this so vitally-needed film so that
it is made available to all theatres in
their normal release pattern," he con-
cluded.

Roy Disney, president of Walt Dis-
ney Productions, was reported to have
wired a reply to Martin last night.

Allied States at its annual conven-
tion in Milwaukee last October also
protested the "20,000 Leagues" stereo-
phonic print plan. No response to the
protest had been received by the time
the convention adjourned and if one
was received later Allied did not pub-
licize it.

Lightman, Jr,, Heads
Memphis V.C. Tent

MEMPHIS, Dec. 1. — M. A.
Lightman, Jr., was elected chief
barker of the Memphis Variety Club
for 1955 last night. Lightman is an
official of Malco Theatres, Inc. He
succeeds M. H. Brandon, who be-
comes an international canvassman.

Elected first assistant chief barker
was Gilbert Brandon, while Fordyce
Kaiser was named second assistant.
Howard Nicholson was elected prop-
erty master and Nate Reiss was
named dough-guy.

Elected canvassmen were Ben Bass,
Tony Tedesco, Alton Sims, George
Simpson, Fred Mevers and Conrad
Bach.

'Tuesday' for Star Show

United Artists' "Black Tuesday,"
which will open at the Palace Theatre
here on New Year's Eve, has been
selected as the screen attraction for
the 11th annual Stars and Heroes
Show for the benefit of the New York
Journal American War Wounded
Christmas Fund. The show will be
held Dec. 14 at the Academy of Music
on East 14th Street.

Extend Italo-French
Co-Production Pact

PARIS, Dec. 1.— The delegates to
the ninth meeting of the mixed Italo-
French Film Accord Commission have
voted to extend the Italo-French co-
production agreement of 1949 to
March 31, 1955, and renewed the film
exchange accord until Dec. 31, 1955.

The co-production agreement was
extended rather than renewed pending
Italian Governmental action on the
motion picture law. As soon as def-
inite action on the new film law is
taken, the Italians and French will
meet again to negotiate for renewal
of the pact.

Liaison Group Set

Highlight of the Paris meeting was
the decision of the delegates to estab-
lish a coordinating committee of study
and liaison for the formation of a
European motion picture pool. An in-
vitation has already been extended to
Germany to join France and Italy in
such a pool and eventually other
European nations will be invited to
collaborate.

Members of the Italian delegation
at the meetings, which were held here
last week, were Nicola De Pirro,
general director of Italy's Bureau of
Entertainment ; Eitel Monaco, presi-
dent of ANICA ; Geffredo Lombardo,
president of the Italian Film Pro-
ducer's Association ; Benedetto Orta,
chief of the Foreign Office of the
Bureau of Entertainment, and Eman-
uele Cassuto, director of Unitalia.

Co-Productions Draw Well

Figures recently published by "Cine-
mundus," Italian film trade organ, dis-
close that Italo-French co-productions
have consistently been among the out-
standing commercial successes on the
foreign as well as local markets.
Many of the 120 Italo-French motion
pictures produced since 1948 have been
leading box-office hits in France, Italy
and other European markets as well
as in South America, the Middle East
and North Africa, it was said.

Co-productions have earned out-
standing grosses, according to the
magazine, in the American "art"
market, sometimes, as in the case of
"Fanfan, the TuHpe," which even sur-
passed earnings in the key cities of
France.

Zanuck, on Coast,
Cites C'Scope Gains

By Staff Correspondent

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. l.-Interest
in stereophonic sound is stronger
abroad than here, Darryl F. Zanuck,
20th Century-Fox vice-president in
charge of production, said on his re-
turn to Hollywood from Europe,
pointing out, "while showmen here
are adopting it at rate of about 50
per cent. Great Britain and Europe
are requesting it with CinemaScope
installations at a rate of about 75 per
cent, and the Orient demands it 100
per cent."

"The print situation," said Zanuck,
"also has been a serious road block
and must be overcome. Print short-
ages abroad are at about the same
stage that they were here eight months
ago.

Zanuck set December starting dates
for four pictures ; "Violent Saturday,"
"Lord Vanity," "Pink Tights" and
"Tokyo Story."

IMPDAA

(Continued from page 1)

renders its report, which is expected
by the first of the year.

The IMPDAA also named a spe
cial committee, consisting of Arthur
L. Mayer, Max A. Goldberg, Martin
J. Lewis, George Roth and Thomas J.
Brandon, to select the best foreign
language film released in the United
States during this year for the annual
Joseph Burstyn Award.

The foreign film group's members
meeting at the association's executive
offices, voted to broaden the organiza-
tion's membership basis by admitting
exhibitors who are also importers and
distributors of foreign films.

The association's membership agreed
to postpone further legal proceedings
against I.F.E. in connection with its
purported restriction of competition in
the field of Italian films or the ru
mored proposals that I.F.E. is seeking
to obtain a similar preferred position
in the French field until after the
FTC renders its report which is now
expected to be issued prior to Jan. 1
1955.

IMPDAA unanimously adopted a
resolution to continue the fight against
censorship and pressure groups.

Oklahoma ' to Rivoli Here

Tenn. TOA

(Continued from page 1)

on a two-a-day basis throughout the
country.

He bowed out of further explanation,
saying that his major efforts are now
devoted to lining up productions for
his company which has a franchise to
produce 10 pictures in the process in
the next five years. Exhibition plans,
he went on, are being handled by
Magna Theatre Corp., a company in
which he now acts in a consultant
capacity.

"War and Peace," the second
planned film to be lined up by Mike
Todd Productions, will be filmed on
location in Yugoslavia, if present ne-
gotiations materialize, Todd said.
Talks, he continued, to line up Fred
Zinnemann as director and Robert
Sherwood as the writer are now be-
ing conducted.

Todd said he found Yugoslav of-
ficials very cooperative, adding that
the Yugoslav Ambassador to the

U. S. was flown to the Coast to see
a demonstration of the process. Cog-
nizant of the magnitude of the pro-
duction, Todd continued, there is hope
to get the Yugoslav Government to
allow contingents of its army to be
used in the production.

He said "War and Peace" will go
into production on Jan. 15 with ex-
terior shots being filmed, adding that
he estimated that the entire production
would take two years. Todd acknowl-
edged that the title "War and Peace"
had been registered with the Motion
Picture Association of America by
David O. Selznick, but added he, "reg-
istration does not intimidate me."
The property is in the public domain,
he said.

Present plans, he went on, is to have
a four-hour running time for "War
and Peace." The first planned film for
Mike Todd Productions is "Around
the World in 80 Days."

spend a little more for advertising to
get people in at the box office. How-
ever, the distributors were actually
more alert than we were and we now
find that there is no money left to
jnigle in our pockets— they have taken
the relief right away from us. It
seems as though all pictures of any
importance are now being priced at
50 per cent and up. Some of us have
had the courage to say no — but cer-
tainly it has worked a hardship on us.
We need the product, but we need it
at a price which will allow us a
legitimate profit.

Sees Action as Imperative

"What are we going to do about
the situation? If we don't do some-
thing sooft, the film companies are
going to be back in the theatre busi-
ness— they are literally going to take
over our theatres— if they have not
already done so.

"Just before the TOA convention, I
received a telegram from Walter
Reade, Jr., then president of TOA and
now chairman of the board, asking
me to attend a meeting especially for
small theatre owners and to bring
some ideas with me.

"In giving consideration to his re-
quest, I began to wonder if at the
state level we couldn't set up a series
of service committees to be at the
service of those exhibitors who have
exhausted every effort of their own
to solve their difficulties. This service
committee would have the weight of
the state association behind it and
would be available to all members in
good standing who file a legitimate
complaint in writing. We would pro-
pose to attempt a solution of the prob-
lem by honest, across the board nego-
tiations, starting first at the branch
level, but going all the way to the
home office, if necessary. I believe that
this committee should handle all
grievances, including obvious unjust
film rentals. I don't know that the dis-
tributors will talk to a committee
about such matters, but I do know
that all they can do is to throw us
out, and certainly we can keep going-
back until someone in authority re-
alizes that as a state group we mean
to get help for our fellow members if
he is entitled to it. And that will do
it, one way or the other.

Seeks Top-Level Talks

"The distributors say that they are
always ready to negotiate ; we cer-
tainly are ready to negotiate, but we
must negotiate from the same unified
strength that they do. It is my honest
belief that they will listen to us and
that if we have a legitimate problem,
it can be solved, perhaps not at the
local level, though I think we should
start there, but at the top level."

President Stacy Wilhite of Cooke-
ville reported on the potential tax
fight with the coming session of the
state legislature. George Gaughan,
TOA field representative outlined
plans now being made to throw the
full force of the state association be-
hind plans to defeat any adverse leg-
islation.

'GreteV in Canada

Sixteen theatres in Canada's five
leading cities will open day-and-date
on Dec. 24 with Michael Myerberg's
"Hansel and Gretel" as their Christ-
mas holiday attraction, it was an-
nounced by Walter Branson, RKO's
world-wide sales manager.

Proudly Warner Bros,
present the mightiest
Story of Truth and
Temptation Ever Told
Ever Lived- Ever Made
INTO A Motion Picture!

ii-H

iCINemaScoPE

WarnerColor
Stereophonic Sound

SAVILLE PRODUCTION

DNGING THOUSANDS. STARRING

as DEBORRA. the Innocent

AND
INTRODUCING

as BASIL, the Defender

WITH

WALTER HAMPDEN

WRITTEN FOR THE SCREEN BY

LESSER SAMUELS
Associate Producer

MUSIC COMPOSED AND CONDUCTED
BY FRANZ WAXMAN

DIRECTED BY

VICTOR SAVILLE

PRESENTED BY

WARNER BROS.

Tomorrow

America will know
which city, large or
small, wins the
World Premiere of
The Silver Chalice" I
This IS the day,
after three weeks
of spearheading ■
the national sale
of Christmas Seals,
Art Linkletter
on his famous ■
CBS "House Party"
announces on
69 TV stations
and 203 radio
stations the name
of the American
community which
has led the
nation in the
first three days
of Christmas Seal
sales— and the
first theatre in
the world to
show this mighty
attraction on

The Night Of

December

4 r

FOR CHRISTMA

during '^'•'^ .theBes*
«r.e ot the ^.^ ^.^^^^3 . . .

Big rAoney co^^'

NEW YORK Exchange

New York City
ACADEMY
ALHAMBRA
BEACON
CASTLE HILL
CHESTER
COLISEUM
CROTONA
DAVID MARCUS
EARL

86TH STREET

58TH STREET

FORDHAM

FRANKLIN

HAMILTON

LACONIA

PORT CHESTER, N.

LUXOR

MARBLE HILL
MELBA

MT. VERNON
NEMO

NEV/ ROCHELLE

NEW 23RD STREET

PARK PLAZA

PELHAM

REGENT

RIVERSIDE

ROYAL

WHITE PLAINS
YONKERS

Y.-CAPITOL

Brooklyn
AMBASSADOR
AVALON
BUSHWICK

CARLTON •
DYKER , *

EMBASSY »
GREENPOINT .
KENMORE •
LOEW'S BORO PARK
MADISON •
MARINE ,*
PROSPECT •
REPUBLIC •
SAVOY

STADIUM *
STONE ,
TILYOU •
WALKEg'

ASTORIA, I. I.-ASTORIA
BAY*SHORE, L. I.-REGENT
FAR ROCKAWAY, L. I.-STRAND
TLORAL PARK, I. I.— FLORAL
FLUSHING, I. {.-FLUSHING
FLUSHING, L. I.-MEADOWS
FOREST HILLS, L. I.-MIDWAY
FREEPORT, L. I.-GROVE
GLEN COVE, L. I.-COVE
GREAT NECK, L. I.-PLAYHOUSE
HEMPSTEAD, L. I.-RIVOLI
HUNTINGTON, L. I.-HUNTINGTON
JACKSON HEIGHTS, I. I.-BOUIEVARD
JAMAICA, L. l.-ALDEN
LYNBROOK, L. I.-LYNBROOK
PATCHOGUE, L. I.-RIALTO
PORT WASHINGTON, L. I.-BEACON
QUEENS VILLAGE, L. I.-QUEENS
RICHMOND HILL, L. I.-RICHMOND HILL
WOODSIDE, L. I.-SUNNYSIDE

STAPLETON, S. I.-PARAMOUNT

• yAVERSTRAW, N. Y.-BROADWAY
KINCfSfQN^ N. Y.-BROADWAY
MIDDLETOWh?, N.^-STATE
NYACK, N. Y.-ROClA/»N© ,
OSSINING, N. Y.-VICTORIA * • •
PORT JERVIS, N. Y.-STRAND
SUFFERN, N. Y.-LAFAYETTE

ASBURY PARK, N. J.-MAYFAIR
BOONTON, N. J.-STATE
DOVER, N. J.-BAKER
JERSEY CITY, N. J.-STATE
LAKEWOOD, N. J.-STRAND
MORRISTOWN, N. J.-COMMUNITY
NETCONG, N. J.-PALACE
NEWARK, N. J.-PROCTORS
NEW BRUNSWICK, N. J.-STATE-RIVOLl
PASSAIC, N. J.-MONTAUK
PATERSON, N. J.-FABIAN
PERTH AMBOY, N. J.-MAJESTIC
PRINCETON, N. J.-PLAYHOUSE
TOMS RIVER, fi. J.-COMMUNITY

WASI^NGTON Exchange

WASHINGTON, D. C.-COLUMBIA
AN^^APOLIS, MD.-PLAYHOUSE
BALTIMORE, MD.-MAYFAIR
,lRISTOL, TENN. AND VA.-CAMEO
♦ CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA.-JEFFERSON
CUMBERLAND, MD.-LIBERTY
HAGERSTOWN, MD.-COLONIAL
LYNCHBURG, VA.-WARNER
NEWPORT NEWS, VA.-JAMES
NORFOLK, VA.-NEWPORT AND COLLEY
PETERSBURG, VA.-BLUEBIRD
PORTSMOUTH, VA.-COMMODORE
RICHMOND, VA.-CAPITOL
ROANOKE, VA.-JEFFERSON

OKLAHOMA CITY Exchang

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA.-STATE

NEW HAVEN Exchange

NEW HAVEN, CONN.-ROGER SHERMAN
BRIDGEPORT, CONN.-HIWAY & BEVERLY
DANBURY, CONN.-EMPRESS
HARTFORD, CONN.-STRAND
NEW BRITAIN, CONN.-EMBASSY
NEW LONDON, CONN.-GARDE
NORWICH, CONN.-LORDS
STAMFORD, CONN.-STAMFORD
WILLIMANTIC, CONN.-GENI
BRISTOL, CONN.-CAMEO
TORRINGTON, CONN.-WARNER
SO. MANCHESTER, CONN.-STATE
MIDDLETOWN, CONN.-PALACE

JACKSONVILLE Exchange

JACKSONVILLE, FLA.-PALACE or FLORIDA
CORAL GABLES, FLA.-CORAL
DAYTONA BEACH, FLA.-EMPIRE
FT. LAUDERDALE, FLA.-WARNER
MIAMI, FLA.-FLORIDA
MIAMI BEACH, FLA.-SHERIDAN
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.-PHIEL
TAMPA, FLA.-PALACE
WEST PALM BEACH, FLA.-CENTER

MEMPHIS Exchange

• , MEMPHIS, TENN.-WARNER
LlTtLfr ROCK, ARK.-ARKANSAS

KVND NEW YEARS!

CHICAGO Exchange

CHICAGO, ILL-LOOP
CHAMPAIGN, ILL.-VIRGINIA

ATLANTA Exchange

ATLANTA, GA.-RIALTO
BIRMINGHAM, ALA.-EMPIRE
CHAHANOOGA, TENN.-STATE
MACON, GA.-GRAND
NASHVILLE, TENN.-TENNESSEE
SAVANNAH, GA.-SAVANNAH
TUSCALOOSA, ALA.-DRUID

LOS ANGELES Exchange

LOS ANGELES, CAL.-LOEW'S STATE
BAKERSFIELD, CAL.-CALIFORNIA
BEVERLY HILLS, CAL.-FOX BEVERLY
HOLLYWOOD, CAL.-EGYPTIAN
LONG BEACH, CAL.-TOWN & RIVOLI
OXNARD, CAL.-VOGUE
RIVERSIDE, CAL.-RIVERSIDE
SAN BERNARDINO, CAL.-FOX
SAN DIEGO, CAL.-CALIFORNIA
SANTA BARBARA, CAL.-STATE
TUCSON, ARIZ.-FOX

MINNEAPOLIS Exchange

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.-PANTAGES
DULUTH, MINN.-GARRICK
FAIRMONT, MINN.-LAKE
ROCHESTER, MINN.-TIME
ST. PAUL, MINN.-RIVIERA
SIOUX FALLS, S. D.-EGYPTIAN

INDIANAPOLIS Exchange

INDIANAPOLIS, IND.-CIRCLE
EVANSVILLE, IND.-CARLTON
FT. WAYNE, IND.-PALACE
LAFAYEHE, IND.-MAIN
LOUISVILLE, KY.-RIALTO
MUNCIE, IND.-STRAND

DENVER Exchange

DENVER, COLO.-ORPHEUM
ALBUQUERQUE, N. M.-STATE
BOULDER, COLO.-FLATIRONS
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.-CHIEF
PUEBLO, COLO.-CHIEF

KANSAS CITY Exchange

KANSAS CITY, MO.-MISSOURI
JOPLIN, MO.-FOX
MARSHALL, MO.-MARY LOU
SPRINGFIELD, MO.-GILLIOZ
TOPEKA, KANS.-GRAND

PHILADELPHIA Exchange BOSTON Exchange

PHILADELPHIA, PA.-STANTON
ALLENTOWN, PA.-RIALTO
BETHLEHEM, PA.-BOYD
EASTON, PA.-STATE
HARRISBURG, PA.-COLONIAL
LANCASTER, PA.-GRAND
READING, PA.-WARNER
SCRANTON, PA.-CAPITOL
TRENTON, N. J.-TRENT
WILKES-BARRE, PA.-PENN
WILMINGTON, DEL-WARNER
WILMINGTON, DEL.-TOWN

SAN FRANCISCO Exchange

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.-GOLDEN GATE

FRESNO, CAL.-CREST

OAKLAND, CAL.-TOWER

RENO, NEV.-GRANADA

SACRAMENTO, CAL.-ALHAMBRA & CREST

SALINAS, CAL.-VOGUE

SAN JOSE, CAL.-UNITED ARTISTS

STOCKTON, CAL.-RITZ

VALLEJO, CAL.-EL REY

MILWAUKEE Exchange

MILWAUKEE, WISC.-ALHAMBRA
APPLETON, WISC.-APPLETON
BELOIT, WISC.-STATE
GREEN BAY, WISC.-TIMES
KENOSHA, WISC.-GATEWAY
MADISON, WISC.-CAPITOL
PORTAGE, WISC.-HOME
RACINE, WISC.-RIALTO

SEATTLE Exchange

SEATTLE, WASH.-BLUE MOUSE
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA-EMPRESS
BREMERTON, WASH.— ROXY
FAIRBANKS, ALASKA-LACEY
TACOMA, WASH.-BLUE MOUSE

NEW ORLEANS Exchange

NEW ORLEANS, LA.-CIVIC
BATON ROUGE, LA.-GORDON
JACKSON, MISS.-ROYAL MUSIC HALL
MOBILE, ALA.-DOWNTOWN
PENSACOLA, FLA.-FLORIDA
SHREVESPORT, LA.-GLENWOOD

SALT LAKE CITY Exchange

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH-CENTER
BOISE, IDA.-ADA
PROVO, UTAH-UINTA

OMAHA Exchange

OMAHA, NEB.-BRANDEIS
LINCOLN, NEB.-VARSITY
SIOUX CITY, lA.-ORPHEUM

BOSTON, MASS.-MEMORIAL
CLAREMONT, N. H.-MAGNET
CONCORD, N. H.-CONCORD
FALL RIVER, MASS.-CENTRE
KEENE, N. H.-SCENIC
LAWRENCE, MASS.-WARNER
LEWISTON, MAINE-RITZ
LOWELL MASS.-KEITH
NEW BEDFORD, MASS.-EMPIRE
NEWPORT, R. I.-PARAMOUNT
PORTLAND, MAINE-EMPIRE
PROVIDENCE, R. I.-ALBEE
SPRINGFIELD, MASS.-PARAMOUNT
TAUNTON, MASS.-STRAND

PITTSBURGH Exchange

PITTSBURGH, PA.-STANLEY
ALTOONA, PA.-CAPITOL
ERIE, PA.-STRAND
JOHNSTOWN, PA.-CAMBRIA
MORGANTOWN, W. VA.-WARNER

CINCINNATI Exchange

CINCINNATI, OHIO-GRAND
CHARLESTON, W. VA.-VIRGINIAN
COLUMBUS, OHIO-GRAND
DAYTON, OHIO-COLONIAL
HUNTINGTON, W. VA.-ORPHEUM

BUFFALO Exchange

BUFFALO, N. Y.-LAFAYETTE
BINGHAMTON, N. Y. -CAPITOL
JAMESTOWN, N. Y.-WINTER GARDEN
NIAGARA FALLS, N. Y.-STRAND
ROCHESTER, N. Y.-REGENT
SYRACUSE, N. Y.-ECKELS

DALLAS Exchange

DALLAS, TEX.-TOWER
AUSTIN, TEX.-QUEEN
FT. WORTH, TEX.-PALACE
SAN ANTONIO, TEX.-TEXAS

ST. LOUIS Exchange

ST. LOUIS, MO.-

RICHMOND & PAGEANT

DETROIT Exchange

DETROIT, MICH.-ADAMS
ANN ARBOR, MICH.-STATE
BATTLE CREEK, MICH.-REGENT
BAY CITY, MICH.-REGENT
FLINT, MICH.-GARDEN
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.-REGENT
JACKSON, MICH.-CAPITOL
KALAMAZOO, MICH.-CAPITOL
LANSING, MICH.-ESQUIRE
MUSKEGON, MICH.-REGENT

CLEVELAND Exchange

CLEVELAND, OHIO-PALACE
AKRON, OHIO-PALACE
CANTON, OHIO-PALACE
ELYRIA, OHIO-CAPITOL
FINDLEY, OHIO-HARRIS
LIMA, OHIO-SIGNET
MANSFIELD, OHIO-OHIO
MARION, OHIO-PALACE
WARREN, OHIO-ROBINS

PORTLAND Exchange

PORTLAND, ORE.-UNITED ARTISTS
EUGENE, ORE.-REX
SALEM, ORE.-GRAND

CANADA

CHARLOTTE Exchange CALGARY Exchange

CHARLOTTE, N. C.-MANOR
GREENVILLE, S. C.-PLAZA

DES MOINES Exchange

DES MOINES, lA.-ORPHEUM
CEDAR RAPIDS, lA.-IOWA
DAVENPORT, lA.-CORONET
DUBUQUE, lA.-ORPHEUM
MARSHALLTOWN, lA.-ORPHEUM
WATERLOO, lA.-ORPHEUM

ALBANY Exchange

ALBANY, N. Y. -PALACE
AMSTERDAM, N. Y.-MOHAWK
SCHENECTADY, N. Y.-PROCTORS
TROY, N. Y.-PROCTORS
UTICA, N. Y.-UPTOWN
WATERTOWN, N. Y.-AVON

EDMONTON, ALTA.-EMPRESS
EDMONTON, ALTA.-GARNEAU

MONTREAL Exchange

MONTREAL QUE.-AVENUE
MONTREAL QUE.-KENT

TORONTO Exchange

TORONTO, ONT.-
TORONTO, ONT.-
TORONTO, ONT.-
TORONTO, ONT.-
TORONTO, ONT.-
TORONTO, ONT.-

-TIVOLI

■CAPITOL

■NORTOWN

-ALHAMBRA

■ST. CLAIRE

■CENTURY

WINNIPEG Exchange

WINNIPEG, SASK.-LYCEUM
WINNIPEG, SASK.-UPTOWN
WINNIPEG, SASK.-COLLEGE

R K O

Distributed by W THE SHOWAAANSHIP COMPANY

Motion Picture Daily

Thursday, December 2, 1954

>licy Repuhlic-DCA Deal Off

i ■ /I! I >

1 1 1 1 I i i ' II' 11 - -l ll 1^1 l"l I '1 b H I ^ Willi I 1, 11 ik
I l> IK \ I ( 1 ■ ( , |M"l sil In It S.llll I'll Mil slo
-, . 1, I I \i !■ h I' ( , s, t -U|i llll'J 1 It W Ml I, 1 .

I I 1, 1 \ 1 i h 11 1.1 1 1 H , ml let 1 irM\ 1 - iMi I i ,1

MiiL..

\ s| I, ikc vl I 1.11 1 I . H I U \ , W I 111 1 1 .1 I -M

|il.iii- lii Use iihlr|>ciiilriu ri ii m 1. 1 1 ,|is

I ril iiilc ir^, I \ I M'l - s; il I II k . 11 h iTii M\ ri-
ll U' 1 11.11 1 ir 1 lilt K'l 1 II . i\ 1 -.lui 1 1.1 1 1.11 ik 11 1'.:

I I nii^, s.n II il; tli.it I H \ I i.k I -~iil I n K'l it

I I I Ml 11 1 1 il: .

I p 1m 1 Ml it III Ui I ,ll UMl I with till- |11'< I-

|M i^.iL Im I'l 111-- w ifr t.) the rlTM.1 that
I III M uMli ir\- ] Hint iiil; i li'iil with ( i ni-
-I iliilali 1 1 !■ 1 1 111 .1 Ui I I miini I ill tl ir

]ir,il,

No Comment from D.C.A.

John Ford

I I ,111 1 i II iiril Irani. /'i(,'/r 1 )

^ I .liiiiil ii.i, .1 sli iry 1 1|" W est \'< liiil.

I iHilu r .iiiil I'dnl, w hi> w ill fi'taiii
the |ii"o>i<kiK'\ .Hill liiMial ihairiiKtii-
s|ii]i, ri>iH\ti\ c.-l_\', lit tlk'H' .\i".l;iis>'
I 'ictiiia\-. I, iir]i., Iit st w assi n lateil
ill I'k^i, wIk'ii C'ndin'r was in char.iic
III ]in iiliKlii 111 Idi" ami assimieil

l-iifd tl) ilii'M'l "The 1 till iriiier" and
"Liist Patriil." Imtli lU'eCMk-ntal jiif-
tiire--. Whitney and (Minper were asMi-
.'iati'd in (, iiieraina I 'n idviet K ills.

( )ii eniniian\ tiolic.v, \\ hitne\ said,
"1 lirnily helie\e the da\' nf the small
jiicture was ilonniecl with the presen-
tatiiiii (if '(, inerama.' W \' intend t"
|>rniluee mily ]iictt-ii"es nl' the liiiest
i|ualit\ lit w liieh w e are capalile."

Arbitration

( L nil 1 1 iiiicil jrnin pone 1 )

Joint Holiday Party

iI.\!rri-'()Rl), Dec. 1.— Staffs i ,f
three C'l mnectieut exehantjes, U-l, LA
and Iveiuihlic will Imld ti joint holiday
party at the Town llo Restaurant,
Milford, Conn., on Dec.

.\dolph Scliiniel, distrihution arliitra-
tion coiiiniittee eoniisel, and llerniaii
l.e\\', Jheatre ()wiiers ot Anu'rica
seller. il Counsel, will meet tomorrow
moiiiinn' to discuss, it is e.\liected, the
i|uestion of daiiia.ttes and othei- items
lor arhitr.ition.

I'"..xpected to attend Monday's com-
mittee meetint; are Al l.ichtman,
chairman for the distributors' _t;roui) ;
.\. .Montague, Charles Rea.uan, .^chim-
el, .S. H. babian, Afa.x .\. Cohen, l.eo
Pifccher and Le\'V.

Reopen Rifkin House

}D\RTF()RD, Dec. l.-^Rifkin The-
atrt-s' Pliilli])s Theatre, .Sprin.u field,
Mass., rebuilt alter a hre, reo])ened
tl iniuiit.

Altec's current installation rate accounts for 75% of total
stereophonic sound sales!

Broadway or Main Street, theatre o.vncrs kno-.v Altec's engineering
skill and know-how assure perfect installation, sure service.

That's why Brandt's GLOBE, Broadway, New York, (pop. 8,000,000)
and the OPERA HOUSE, Lebanon, New Hampshire, (pop. 4,614) ^
signed Altec stereophonic installation and service contracts!

SPECIALISTS IN MOTION PICTURE SOUND

161 Sixth Avenue, New York 13, N.Y.

ALTEC

ll.k'.A. e\eciili\es did not comment
111 th.it phase of the re|iort but said
ill, it .ifter the distrihution pro|iosal
i iiad been ni.ide and consul, red, the
coiu|iaii\' decided to adiiere to its
ori,s.;iiial phm to sell and distribute
tbroimh slate rinliters, where it did
Hot h.mdle its own sales Irom head-
i|uarli,-rs here. Lhey ohserwd that the

'III hi'ic 1 I

terms offered by Republic were "\ery
.atracti\e."

file I ).f'.,\. olficial said that it has
\irtuall\ completed the task of liiiin.u
lip st.ales ri.uhts re|iresentati\'es na-
lioiially, and that with jiroduct ready
for release and more sbootiii.t;, with
Its stock oversubscribed by exnibitors
and with more than !sS30,(l(l() in casli
alre,id\ advanced, it is readv for full
I ijieratioii.

Details of D.( .\.'s progress will be
revealed to the trade jiress liy bred
Schwartz, president, at a coiilerence
scheduled for next 'fuesdav in New
\"ork.

^Birth of a Nation'

( C oiiliiuicii jroiii Italic 1 )

be, I t lial, president of 'J halcu Corp.,
,ind Alicliael Spack, president ol

tenia Lor])., holli companies in the
,i.ilass industry.

Ivyan said the purchase follovveii
eigiit months of negotiation vvitn
1 larry K. Aitken, president ol Ivpocn
I'ilm Corp., which owned the title
rights, aiul the widow of the novelist,

fliomas Dixon, who owned the rights
to J)ixon's "The Clansman," irom
which "'file Pdrth ot a Xatioii" was
lakeii. The group is said to have paid
,f730,(l(lij for all rights to tlu property.

Ao distribution channel i.as lieen
chosen, liut discussions arc said to
be under way with two major com-
panies. L I inversatioiis have Ix-eii con-

.ucted with Dudley Xichols concern-

n,g his writing the script for the
jiicture, hut no deal has yet been
bnalized.

Produced in 1915

"flirth" produced by D. W. (irif-
bth in iyi5, and believed to have fieeii
seen by more people, and possibly to
have grossed more revenue, than any
other picture, is largely credited v\'ith
havin,g" lifted motion pictures from
the "swaddling clothes" status to adult
stature. Shown first as tv\o-a-day at-
traction, with sviuphony orchestra
touring with the him, "Jlirtli" pros-
jiered steadily on repeated rounds of
the nation's theatres, luit ran into or-
ganizational and sectional opposition
in later years when views and atti-
tudes toward slavery and "clan"-tyiie
activity, such as shown in the him,
underwent a change.

A sotuid-trackeil and edited version
has lieen shown liiuitedly in recent
vears under Aitken's continuing man-
a,gement.

Rvan told Moriox Picti'Rt: Daily
his grou|) does not anticipate difficulty
in handling either the slavery or the
"clan" featm'es of the IJixon storv' in
the modern version.

Subways' 'Go See'
Picks 3 Foreigns

I' or tile first time in the 13-year
history of the New York subvN'ay's
"picture cif the luoiith" selections, a
trio of foreign-made films has been
named the "Go See" films.

1 he I tecemljcr subway selections
are the Italian-made ",Vida," now
pla\ing at the Little Carnegie Thea-
tre; the Jaiianese film "Gate of Hell,"
which will ha\'e its .American premiere
Dec. 13 at the Cuild Theatre, and the
P>ritish-ltalian eo-])rofluction "Romeo
and Juliet," wliich will open Dec. 21
at tile Sutton 'fheatre.

Some Ohio Theatres
To Close for Week

COLUMBUS, O., Dec. 1.—
'"Several" neighborhood the-
atres here and others in small
towns in this area plan to close
Dec. 19 and remain closed until
Dec. 25, Christmas Day, Robert
■Wile, executive secretary of the
Independent Theatre Owners of
Ohio, reports.

"■With the scarcity of strong
attractions," Wile says, the ex-
hibitors feel that none should be
"wasted" on the light attendance
of the week before Christmas.

How Hughes

{ioutuiucd jroiii page 1)

lor action. Should the deadline for
lenders be extended again. Odium in-
dicated at the meeting of Atlas Corp.
stockholders here on Tuesday, there
wcnild be a serious tiuestion whether
Atlas would continue to be interested
in ac(iuiring control,

KKO Pictures Corp. sold all of its
assets to RKf) Radio for $15,0(JO,U0U.
It has that sum plus an additional
several millions in its treasury and
also has a loss carry-forward which
can he used advantageously for tax
savin.gs if the company is reactivated
and placed on a profit-making basis,
those were the advantages which in-
iluenced Atlas to pay more than the
.fb tender price in order to enlarge
,ts holdings of the RKO Pictures
stock during the past year.

Should no deal with Hughes mate-
rialize by the Dec. 31 deadline or
thereafter. Atlas would stand to lose
a substantial sum, the difference be-
tween its purchase price for huge
blocks of the stock earlier in the year,
and the $0 redemption price, in the
event it elected to tender its RKO
Pictures stock.

If it succeeds in acciuiring control,
.\tlas lias excess capital on hand to
finance re-activation of the company,
to realize the advantages of its loss
carry forward. Odium told the Atlas
stockholders. He did not indicate in
any way that, if reactivated by Atlas,
RKO Pictures would again become a
filiu producing-distributing company.

Mountain Group

(Continued from page 1)

sion session at the Hotel Utah, ex-
hibitors heard a report from E. D.
Martin, Walter Reacle, Jr., Joe Rosen-
field and Carl .Anderson, all of TOA,
on the plan to finance independent
production of films. The response was
enthusiastic. Many wanted to put up
money on the spot, according to re-
liorts. Alartin and Reade said it was
the same response they had been
meeting throughout the country.

Sidney L. Cohen, chairman pro-tem,
said the turnout was much moi e than
expected, especially when it is con-
sidered the group was starting from
scratch.

GET ALL YOUR SPECIAL

1327 S. WABASH
CHICAGO 5, ILL.

630 NINTH AVENUE
NEW YORK 36, N. Y.

All

The News
I That
I Is News

VOL. 76. NO. 106

MOTION PICTURE

DAILY

NEW YORK, U. S. A., FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1954

TEN CENTS

5-2 Decision

O. High Court
Rules Censor
Law Unlawful

Prior-Censorship Seen
Killed by the Decision

COLUMBUS, O., Dec. 2. — Any
further film censorship under the pres-
ent Ohio law is "unreasonable and
unlawful," declared the Ohio Supreme
Court in a 5-2 decision in appeal cases
involving RKO Radio's "The French
Line" and "Son of Sinbad" and Capi-
tol Enterprises' "Mom and Dad." The
court failed by one vote to declare the
censor law unconstitutional. Observers
(Continued on page 4)

Lausche Wants Ohio
Censorship Kept

COLUMBUS, O., Dec. 2.— Gov.
Frank J . Lausche asserted today that
Ohio must have a film censorship law
despite the Ohio Supreme Court de-
cision. He said the State Education
Department has been directed to draft
legislation which will meet constitu-
tional requirements.

Lausche said he had doubted the
{Continued on page 4)

Cinerama System
For Small Theatre
Shown on Coast

From THE DAILY Bnrcan

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 2.— Dele-
gates to National Theatres' conven-
tion, which ended officially Wednesday
night, this morning witnessed a dem-
onstration of "small-theatre Cine-
rama," a setup developed by the cir-
cuit's R. H. McCuUough and installed,
experimentally, at the long-shut Mel-
rose Theatre, Hollywood.

The concensus of circuit personnel
{Continued on page 3)

Fiscal Year Ticket
Tax: $270,520,000

From THE DAILY Bureau

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.— General
admission tax collections totaled $270,-
520,000 in the year ending June 30,
Internal Revenue Service reported.

In the previous fiscal year, ending
June 30, 1953, collections amounted to
$310,224,000. However, the figures
are not strictly comparable for two
reasons : a reduction in the admission
tax rate that took place on April 1,
1954 ; and a change in the method of
paying the taxes to the Treasury from
a monthly to a quarterly basis, effec-
tive July 1, 1953.

Reserve Decision on NYC
5% Admission Tax Appeal

By LESTER DINOFF

With both exhibitor and New York City attorneys contending that
the current suit against the city's five per cent admission tax is only
a matter of law interpetation, not an issue of fact, five Supreme Court
justices sitting

in the Brooklyn
Appellate Divi-
sion yesterday
reserved deci-
s i o n on the
plaintiff's appel-
lant and the
city's respond-
ent briefs.

According to
Assistant Cor-
poration Coun-
sel Stanley
Buchsbau m,
who, with the
New York City
exhibitor coun-
sellors, was al-
lowed 15 min-
utes to present arguments, a decision

Edward Raftery

from the five jurists may be expected
within three to five weeks.

Sitting on the Supreme Court, Sec-
ond Department, bench were justices
George J. Beldock, Henry G. Wenzei,
Jr., Gerald Nolan, presiding, John
MacCrate, and Charles E. Murphy.
Buchsbaum represented New York
City while exhibitor attorneys and
representatives in court included Ed-
ward Raftery, RKO Theatres ; Thom-
as Bress, Loew's Theatres ; Cecelia
A. Goetz, Brandt Theatres ; Louis
Weber, Skouras Theatres ; Mitchell
Klupt, Century Theatres, and D. John
Phillips of the Metropolitan Motion
Picture Theatres Association of New
York.

Raftery, who presented the main
{Continued on page 3)

Industry Proposes

NEW MILITARY PCS
CLEARANCE PLAN

Army and Air Force Theatres Would Play 14
Days After Privately -Owned First-Runs

By J. A. OTTEN

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.— The Defense Department is studying an
industry proposal that Army and Air Force theatres play new films 14
days behind nearby privately-owned first-run theatres.

Under the industry proposal, service

Disney Stands Firm
On '20,000 Leagues'
Stereophonic Policy

Walt Disney Productions yesterday
stood firm on its policy of releasing
"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" first
in stereophonic sound.

The Disney policy was spelled out
in an answering telegram to E. D.
Martin, president of Theatre Owners
of America, signed by Roy O. Disney,
president of Walt Disney Productions.

Declared Disney : "I believe it only
good business and common sense to
present our picture first in stereo-
phonic sound, which is an integral
part of the story, with dramatic value,
just as much as any other factor, so
that on its first presentation in deluxe
houses it should be presented with
stereophonic sound if at all possible ;
otherwise substantial production costs
will have been tossed to the wind."

Disney began his telegram by re-
ferring to a telephone conversation he
had with Martin. "I tried to explain
to you in our telephone conversation,"
the telegram stated, "that it was phys-
ically impossible to have optical prints
{Continued on page 4)

44 Legislatures to
Convene Next Year

From THE DAILY Bureau

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.— Legis-
latures in 44 of the 48 states are
scheduled to meet next year. _

All states but Kentucky, Virginia,
Louisiana and Mississippi are slated
to have their legislatures in session
some time during the year, according
to Jack Bryson, legislative represen-
tative of the Motion Picture Associa-
tion. Bryson said he expects the usual
tax, censorship and other issues to
pop up, though as of now, he knows
of no specific bills that are likely to
be pending in any particular state.

MPAA officials, meanwhile, indi-
cated doubt they will push any new
{Continued on page 3)

theatres which are not near privately-
owned theatres would continue to play
first-run films 21 days before their
general release, as is now the case for
all service theatres.

D. Walter Swan, Deputy Assistant
Secretary of Defense for public af-
fairs, said the services are studying
the effects that the industry proposal
might have on service morale. He de-
clared he thought the study would be
completed shortly after the first of the
year, and that he would then meet
with representatives of distributors
and theatre owners. He has already
met twice with these industry spokes-
men to hear and discuss the industry's
side of the situation.

Exhibitors have complained
that in many areas where serv-
ice theatres are close to pri-
vately-owned theatres, early

{Continued on page 5)

Say Du Mont AB-PT
Talks Resumed

Discussions of a deal for American
Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres to
acquire the Du Mont television sta-
tions have been renewed, according to
industry and financial district reports.
However, no confirmation was forth-
coming from official sources. Of those
who could be reached, most declined
to comment.

Apparently on the strength of the
reports, Du Mont stock advanced
about two points on a turnover of
nearly 40,000 shares in the past two
{Continued on page 4)

Dudley Will Make 6
Annually for 6 Years

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 2. — Cari
Dudley, president of Dudley Pictures
Corp., today announced plans for pro-
ducing six features annually for the
next six years, and said a $2 million
revolving fund has been set up to
finance the production project. He
said all films will be in Eastman color
and will be photographed with the
{Continued on page 3)

MOTION Picture Daily

Friday, December 3, 1954

Personal
Mention

Il.VA 1.0Pl':ivT, president of Lopert
Films, will leave here for London
today.

•

ToNV RicmuN, Paraniount's direc-
tor of advertising and theatres in
England, arrived in New York Wed-
nesday from London, and will leave
liere "tomorrow for Hollywood.
•

Howard Diktz, M-G-M vice-presi-
dent, and Dan S. Terrell, publicity
manager, will leave here by plane on
Sunday for the Coast.

•

Lem Jones, 20th Century-Fox short
subjects" sales manager, will leave here
Tuesday for Denver and other key
cities of the West.

•

Louise Leonard, manager of Loew's
Lexington Theatre here, is in Doctor's
Hospital recuperating from an opera-
tion.

•

Leon Birnbaum, 20th Century-Fox
studio music editor, is scheduled to
arrive in New York today from Hol-
lywood.

•

Kenneth MacKenna.^ M-G-M
studio story head, will arrive in New
York from the Coast on Sunday.

Jean Carson, British actress, will
leave New York for London on Sun-
day via B.O.A.C. Monarch.

Joe Donoiiue, of The Ettinger
Company's Hollywood office, will ar-
rive here today from the Coast.
•

David Friedman, Paramount field
representative, is here from Chicago.

6 Pre-Release Dates
Lined Up for 'Army'

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1. — Six
pre-release engagements of "This Is
Your Army" have been lined up, it
has been announced by Lt. Col.
Walter Griscti, assigned by the De-
partment of Defense as liaison officer
with the motion picture industry in
the distribution of the picture.

The picture's world premiere will
be held Tuesday at the Warner Wil-
ton Theatre in Los Angeles. Col.
Griscti said a detachment of troops
has been assigned to duty at the
theatre and Army searchlights, bands
and exhibits of Army equipment will
add to the impressiveness of tlie oc-
casion.

In New York Dec. 14

Other pre-release engagements al-
ready set, according to Col. Griscti,
are the Aletropolitan Theatre, Wash-
ington, and the Paramout Theatre,
Atlanta, both Dec. 9, the Mastbaum
Theatre, Philadelphia, and the Majes-
tic Theatre, Dallas, both Dec. 10, and
the Globe Theatre, New York, Dec.
14.

At all these pre-release engage-
ments. Col. Griscti asserted. Army
troops, bands, equipment and search-
lights will be used.

Sponsored by the Council of Mo-
tion Picture Organizations, "This Is
Your Army" is a Department of De-
fense picture which is being distrib-
uted without profit by all the major
film companies. Any surplus film ren-
tal money that may be left after pay-
ment of print costs and other out-of-
pocket expenses will be donated to the
Army Relief Fund.

Says Theatre 'Fans'
Are Fleeing TV

"Folks Are Going to the
Movies Again," Westchester
County newspapers averred edi-
torially on Wednesday. And
one rf the big; reasons, the edi-
torial declares, is television.

"Movie-lovers apparently
have learned anew that they
can go to a picture house and
see a good show without a
lengthy interruption every rive
minutes to extol the merits of
soap, tooth paste, automobiles,
razors, beer or what have you."

Filmakers Conclave
Dec. 11-12 in Chicago

From THE DAILY Bureau

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 2. — Fil-
makers Releasing Organization will
hold its national sales convention Dec.
11-12, at the Blackstone Hotel, Chi-
cago, with 28 franchise holders at-
tending. President Irving H. Levin
and vice-president Harry Mandell will
fly to New York at the weekend for
a week of conferences there prior to
the Chicago conclave.

Swiss Firm Signs
Perspecta Deal

Praesens Films of Switzerland,
headed by Lazar Wechsler, is the
latest independent producing company
to sign a licensing agreement to pro-
duce all forthcoming pictures with
Perspecta stereophonic sound, it was
announced yesterday. Among Wechs-
ler's past pictures were "Four Men
in a Jeep," "The Last Chance" and
"The Search."

Compo Ad Pegged
To Reopened House

The decision of Ellsworth, Wis.,
merchants to finance the reopening of
their town's motion picture theatre
forms the basis of an advertisement
published by the Council of Motion
Picture Organizations in this week's
Editor & Publisher.

Headed "78 words that ought to
be framed," the advertisement repro-
duces a dispatch from Minneapolis
giving details of the Ellsworth mer-
chants' action. Around the dispatch is
a faint line drawing of a picture
frame.

Morale Seen Hurt

The story related that the merchants
decided to subsidize the reopening of
the local theatre because they had
found that its closing not only had
hurt their business but had lowered
the morale and spirits of the town's
residents.

The advertisement is the 32nd in a
series being carried in Editor & Pub-
lisher by COMPO.

Lead UA Drive

United Artists' Los Angeles, Den-
ver and Minneapolis branches have
captured first place in their respective
groups in the fifth week of the second
lap of the Robert S. Benjamin sales
drive.

Paramount Officials
Leaving for Parleys
At Hollywood Studios

Two important meetings next week
in Hollywood that will determine
Paramount Pictures promotion and
sales policies for 1955 will be signaled
this weekend with the departure from
New York of several home office
executives.

A. W. Schwalberg, president of
Paramount Film Distributing Corp.,
who wdl preside at a special divisional
sales managers meeting, which will
open Monday at the Paramount
Studio, will leave tomorrow with a
home office sales executive contingent.

Leaving also at the weekend will
be Sid Blumenstock, advertising man-
ager ; Herb Steinberg, national ex-
ploitation manager, and Burt Cham-
pion, publicity manager, who will at-
tend Paramount's first international
promotion coordination meeting, set
to begin Monday at the studio, with
Jerome Pickman, vice-president, pre-
siding.

Many Leave Tomorrow

Sales executives leaving New York
for the Coast Saturday include Hugh
Owen, home office distribution ex-
ecutive; Howard Minsky, Mid-East
division manager, and Monroe R.
Goodman, executive assistant to
Schwalberg. Oscar A. Morgan, gen-
eral sales manager in charge of short
subjects, left yesterday. E. K. O'Shea,
distribution vice-president, and Sidney
Deneau, his sales assistant, were in
St. Louis yesterday on business and
will leave there today for the studio.

To Discuss M-G-M Plans

Charles M. Reagan, M-G-M vice-
president in charge of distribution,
will discuss the company's plans for
the new year at a luncheon with trade
press representatives at the Sheraton-
Astor Hotel here next Tuesday.

WB Told to File Data
In Phila. Theatre Suit

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 2.— Judge
Lord, in U. S. District Court here,
has issued a decision in the Warner
Brothers Pictures Distributing Corp.,
and others, against the Fox Dening
Theatre stating that the plaintiffs
should furnish the defendant with in-
formation regarding specific returns
where they consider there has been
fraud in paying license fees to the
plaintiffs, together with information
now in their possession as to what
they ' consider the proper amounts
which should have been stated and
the source of that information.

Heineman to Be Distributor Chairman
Of 1954-55 National Conference Drive

William J. Heineman, United Artists vice-president in charge of
distribution, will serve as distributor chairman in the 1954-55 national
conference drive in observance of Brotherhood
Week, it was announced by John H. Harris,
national chairman of the amusements division.
Heineman succeeds Morey Goldstein, vice-pres-
ident of Allied Artists.

Francis M. Winikus, national director of ad-
vertising, publicity and exploitation for United
Artists, has accepted the post of director of
advertising and publicity for the Brotherhood
campaign. Brotherhood Week will be launched
with a dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in
New York on Jan. 13.

J. Robert Rubin, general chairman of the
Amusements Division of the National Confer-
ence for many years, will be the guest of honor.
Forty-seven industry leaders have accepted
W. J. Heineman posts as national chairmen and members of the
11 regional committees. The National Confer-
ence promotes understanding among Americans of all faiths.

Trans-Lux Dividend

At a meeting of the board of direc-
tors of Trans-Lux Corp.; a dividend
of 15 cents per share on the stock of
the corporation was voted, to be paid
on Dec. 20' to stockholders of record
on Dec. 13.

NEW YORK THEATRES

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL.

Rockefeller Center

IRVING
BERLIN'S

'WHITE CHRISTMAS"

in VistaVision starring

BING CROSBY - DANNY KAYE
ROSEMARY CLOONEY - VERA ELLEN
Color by Technicolor . A Paramount Picture
and SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION

f^WARNER BROS

RES^

.WILLIAM A. WELLMAN'S

IRC

t ClMEBHASeO^B »WarnerColor

PARAMQUaVT

B-WAV AT
4it4 ST.

N PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published dailj' except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
y. Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President: Martin

MOTION

Company, , - - , - _ _ „. , _ . . ,

Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke.
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca- Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative. FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald ; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

Friday, December 3, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Cinerama

{Continued from page 1)

who witnessed the demonstration to-
day was that the procedure developed
by McCullough makes it practicable
to install workable "Cinerama" ap-
paratus and setup in a middle-sized
theatre, placing all three projectors
inside a single booth and using
mirror-type reflectors to obtain the
necessary distribution of images to the
side panels.

The demonstration was conducted
with footage lent by Cinerama, and
McCullough's plans contemplate
mobile-unit use, to reach the smaller
cities, as well as permanent-type in-
stallations.

The booth at the Melrose where the
demonstration was given is 12 feet
deep, twenty-two feet wide, and the
screen is 21 feet high by 58 deep, with
a ten-foot curvature. Only fifty seats
had to be removed to accommodate
the installation, it was said.

The experimentation was launched
during the NT presidency of the late
Charles P. Skouras, and has been
conducted independently of Cinerama,
although the latter lent footage for
today's demonstration. No deal for the
use of "This Is Cinerama" or other
Cinerama product exists, according to
reliable authority, although an NT
spokesman had said that negotiations
looking toward that end have been in
progress over a long period.

Exhibition experts who witnessed
the demonstration said the effect was
generally good, although less "envel-
oping" than is achieved by Cinerama
itself.

Decision on Tax Reserved

{Continued from page 1)

44 Legislators

{Continued from page 1)

censorship repeal laws the coming
year. They have long marked Mary-
land as a crucial state in the state
censorship repeal drive, and in view of
their setback there early in November,
they have apparently decided to let
things slide in other states this com-
ing year.

argument for the theatremen, in-
formed the court that the exhibitor
appeal of Supreme Court Justice
Percy D. Stoddart's order of Oct. 11
was based on the city levy which ex-
ceeds the five per cent authorized
under the State Enabling Act of 1947
and the city municipal assembly's
mistake in not revoking prior license
laws for ticket sales.

Justice Stoddart had ordered, ad-
judged and decreed in the early Fall
that the New York City five per cent
tax enacted by Local Law 37 for 1954
( Title G, Chap. 46 of the Administra-
tive Code) is valid and constitutional
in all respects. The exhibitor appeal
was based on Justice Stoddart's order
which granted the city's motion for
summary judgment and dismissing the
exhibitor's cross motion for summary
judgment.

Clarified by Raftery

"The State Enabling Act of 1947,"
Raftery informed the jurists, "allows
cities and municipalities to invoke an
amusement tax not in excess of five
per cent. The city in 1949 passed a
law which was designed to do away
with ticket gouging and scalpers and
provided that only Federal tax in-
formation be printed on tickets. If
any other information is printed on
admission tickets, under the New
York City law which was not
amended when the five per cent tax
was levied, it is a misdemeanor and
a theatre is liable."

New York City's amusement levy
is in direct "conflict" with its prior
law which deals with licensing, Raf-
tery said. "The courts shouldn't re-
write laws enacted by legislation, but
the assembly, however, should have
amended all prior laws which affect
new administrations," he said.

Raftery also introduced a

brief concerning a Pennsylva-
nia ruling. Fisher's Pool Swim-
ming Club, et al vs. Towamen-
cin Township, Montgomery
County, whereby the court
ruled that the taxing resolution
imposes a tax in excess of the
rate allowed by the Enabling
Act. The levy in this case, im-
posed a tax of one cent on
every 10 cents of an admission
charge or fraction thereof, ex-
ceeding the limit of 10 per cent
as contained in the state ruling.

City counsellor Buchsbaum advised
the court during his 15-minute talk
that it is customary in business and
banking that one-half cent or more
equals one cent. "Under the legal and
model legislation of the State En-
abling Act of 1947, five cities and
counties have introduced sales taxa-
tion," he said. "The courts must look
at the legislation and its intention,
nature and customs for users," the
corporation lawyer said.

Questioned by Jurist

At this point. Justice Beldock asked
Buchsbaum "a terminology question
about the Enabling Act. "If the state
law says 'not in excess of five per
cent,' is it correct to say then that
taxation could be levied at a rate of
five per cent?" the jurist stated.

Buchsbaum, slightly bewildered at
the Appellate jurists point, shrugged
and said, "I don't know."

The Assistant Corporation Counsel
closed by saving that "in the end, the
New York City five per cent tax will
be just that, slightly more or maybe
slightly less."

Bress, in his short say, stated that
the city fathers know that the tax
is illegal and have made provisions
to utilize tokens or stamps for taxa-
tion.

People

Six from Dudley

{Continued from page 1)

newly-improved Vistarama anamor-
phic lens.

Charles Bruce Newbery, former
distribution head of Republic Pictures,
will join Dudley in January as execu-
tive vice-president.

Richard Goldstine, vice-president in
charge of production, is negotiating
for appropriate quarters in a Holly-
wood studio and expects to launch the
first feature in March.

Review

March of Dimes, 'U'
In 'Paris' Contest

In launching its 1955 campaign, the
March of Dimes, in cooperation with
Universal-International, will conduct
a nationwide contest designed to focus
attention on the polio drive.

Highlight of the joint undertaking
will be a "So This Is Paris" contest,
based on the forthcoming U-I Techni-
color musical. Top prize in the contest
will be an all-expense, ten day trip to
Paris for two, via Pan American's
Rainbow Service.

The "So This Is Paris" contest will
be officially opened in New York City
by the March of Dimes and Milton R.
Rackmil, president of Universal Pic-
tures, simultaneous with the national
release of the film.

The Heart of the Matter

{Associated Artists)

r~jRAHAM GREENE'S novel, "The Heart of the Matter," is basically a
profound study of a man tormented by conflict with his wife, his mistress,
himself and his God. That novel, and that theme, are here used under the
skillful production reins of Ian Dalrymple, resulting in a film of deep and
adult emotional appeal, an appeal which attracts a rather limited but highly
intelligent and perceptive audience.

A London Films presentation, distributed in this country by Associated
Artists Productions, the film stars Trevor Howard as the British deputy
police commissioner in Freetown, West Africa, during World War II. Eliza-
beth Allan is seen as his shrewish wife and Maria Schell as the girl with
whom he falls hopelessly in love. Having been photographed to a large extent
on West African location, the picture is full of mood and music which
alternately serve as underscoring and counterpoint to the principal action.

This concerns Howard who, after the loss of his child and 15 years in his
post, is content to live a withdrawn, comparatively settled existence with his
wife for whom his love has turned to a sort of unemotional pity.

While his wife is away, Howard unintentionally starts a liaison with a
pretty Austrian refugee, a liaison which soon becomes an overwhelming love
and leads him into conflict with his deeply felt religious beliefs, his loyalty to
his wife and his love for the girl. Although a Catholic, he eventually decides
on the "unforgivable sin" of suicide as the only way out, hoping by his damna-
tion to secure peace for those he loves. In a last-minute twist, his death is
taken out of his hands, thereby raising one of the picture's most controversial
points, and supplying an ending which to many may seem arbitrary or
contrived.

The performances are all top-notch, w^ith Howard and Miss Schell especially
efifective. Prominent in the supporting cast are Denholm Elliott in the some-
what ill-defined role of an incognito Government inspector, and Peter Finch
as an understanding Catholic priest. Dalrymple produced and wrote the script
from an adaptation by Lesly Storm. George More O'Ferrall directed.

Running time, 100 minutes. Adult audience classification. Release date,
Nov. 18.

Sol Schwartz, president of RKO
Theatres, is co-chairman of the mo-
tion picture division of the Com-
merce and Industry Committee of
the Arthritis and Rheumatism tele-
thon to be heard over the WABC-
TV network on Dec. 11.

Oscar V. Sprague will become
superintendent of the utilities di^ i-
sion of Kodak Park Works in
Rochester, N. Y., on Jan. 1. He has
been assistant superintendent of the
power division since 1945.

Arthur Abeles, Jr., managing di-
rector for Warner Brothers in the
United Kingdom, is the father of a
girl, Amanda Sarah, born last week
to Mrs. Abeles in London.

George Ottine has been appointed
manager of Transfilm's animation
department here.

Jack Sanson, manager of the
Stanley Warner Strand Theatre in
Hartford, is a patient in the Man-
chester, Conn., Memorial Hospital.

Alex Harrison, 20th Century-Fox
Western sales manager, will discuss
motion picture problems in an ad-
dress in the near future before the
Young Men's Association of the
Textile Apparel Industry here.

Juan Aviles, editor of United Art-
ists' Spanish press books, was a
prize winner in a literary contest
co-sponsored by the Spanish-Ameri-
can Writers and Poets Circle and
the Hispanic Institute of Columbia
University.

Dandelake in Hollywood

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 2.— C. A.
Dandelake, newly-elected president of
Theatre Owners of North and South
Carolina, has arrived here for confer-
ences with Hal R. Makelim.

SW Names Smakwitz
NJ. Zone Head

The promotion of Charles A.
Smakwitz, Albany zone man-
ager for Stanley Warner, to the
post of zone manager for SW's
New Jersey theatres was an-
nounced here yesterday by
Harry Kalmine, vice-president
and general manager. Smakwitz
succeeds Frank Damis, who re-
cently resigned.

Starting as a page boy at the
Broadway Strand here, Smak-
witz became manager of the
Ritz and Strand theatres in
Albany, then holding various
executive positions with War-
ner Theatres until his promo-
tion to zone manager in 1947.
He has been three times chief
barker of Albany Variety Club.

Motion Picture Daily ^'"^^y^ December 3, 1954

HAROLD HECHT presents

lARY COOPER • BURT LANCASTER

COLOR BT TECHNICOLOR

irnnj OENISE DARCEL and CESAR ROMERO «ilh GEORGE MACREADY ■ ERNEST BORGNINE and inifoducing SARITA MONTIEL
-nplay b, ROLAND KIBBEE and JAMES R. WEBB • Star, by BORDEN CHASE ■ Produced by JAMES HILL • Directed by ROBERT ALDRICH
A HECHTJ^NCASTER PRODUCTION ■ Released thru UNITED ARTISTS

Ohio Court

{Contimted from page 1)

believe the effect of the decision will
be the same as if the law had been
so declared.

Attorney General William O'Neill
is expected to rule soon on whether
the censor board should suspend oper-
ations. RKO and Capitol had asked
the court to vacate cuts ordered by
the board. The majority decision was
made on the basis of last January's
U. S. Supreme Court decision that
the criteria in the Ohio law were
vague and general and, therefore, il-
legal.

Two dissenting votes were cast by
Chief Justice Carl V. Weygandt and
Justice William Hart.

R. M. Eyman, chief Ohio censor,
said : ''We will have to seek new legis-
lation vyhich will be constitutional and
which will give us the right to make
certain cuts and rejections." Eyman
said three censors on the board would
be transferred to another section of
the Department of Education if cen-
sorship is abandoned. His opinion is
tliat the present ruling just eliminates
prior censorship. He added that the
decision "didn't surprise me too much."

Memphis Bans UA Picture
Because of Police Portrayal

MEMPHIS, Dec. 2.— The Memphis
and Shelby County Board of 'Censors
has banned United Artists' "Shield for
Murder" because it "appears to be a
burlesque on the city police depart-
ment." The censors objected to the
alleged portrayal of police in the pic-
ture as being "half dumbbells and half
crooks."

The banned film will open tomorrow
at the Sunset Drive-in in West Mem-
phis, Ark.

Lausche Wants

{Continued from page 1)

validity of the present Ohio law and
added : "It was gratifying to note that
the constitutionality of the right of
the Legislature, by a properly-drafted
aw, to regulate the public showing of
films, has been declared valid by the
Ohio Supreme Court decision."

Lausche continued : "The showing
of films tending to debase morality
and having a harmful influence in the
performance of our ethical obligations
cannot be left to the voluntary self-
imposed restraints of the film industry.

"I believe the Legislature will rec-
ognize that fact and adopt an adequate
censor law. The film industry for its
own preservation ought to join in sup-
port of such a law. My office will do
everything in its power to procure its
passage."

Lausche solicited the aid of parent-
teacher groups, churches and other
agencies concerned with juvenile de-
inquency in passing the proposed law.
The Legislature meets in January.

Du Mont— AB-PT

(Continued from page 1)

days of trading on the American
Stock Exchange. Yesterday AB-PT
also was up a half -point to a new 19S4
high on a volume of more than 24,000
shares for the day.

Reports that a similar deal was un-
der discussion were current at various
times earlier but were never officially
confirmed. One report recently was
that Paramount Pictures, owner of a
substantial block of Du Mont stock,
was opposed to the deal.

M-G-M Sets Panel
For 'Workshop' in
Boston on Monday

A panel has been chosen to ofiiciate
at M-G-M's third "ticket-selling work-
shop," to be held in Boston on Mon-
day, according to Mike Simons,
M-G-M's direc-
tor of customer
relations. The
chief panel
member again
will be Emery
Austin, exploi-
tation manager
who will outline
the company's
33 exhibitor
aids available
to all theatre
men.

Mrs. Alice N.
G o r h a m, of
United Detroit
Theatres, has
been enlisted as
guest panelist
for the subsequent-run theatre pro-
motion. Mrs. Gorham will discus
with practical demonstrations what is
done by her department in Detroit.

Clumb for 'Big Cities'

To conduct the small-town promo-
tion discussions, Perry Reavis, Jr.,
will come from Charlotte. Reavis is
promotion chief for Stewart-Everett
Theatres, a circuit comprising a num-
ber of small towns in the Carolinas.

The "big-city"' representative at
Boston again will be Ervin J. Clumb,

Perry Reavis, Jr.

Norman Knight Alice N. Gorham

manager of the Riverside Theatre,
Milwaukee.

Also indicative of the importance at-
tached to the Boston meeting, both by
M-G-M and by associated interests,
will be the appearance on the program
to represent radio and television
promotion of motion pictures of Nor-
man Knight, vice president of General
Teleradio, Inc., executive vice-presi-
dent and general manager of the
Yankee Network, and general man-
ager of Station WNAC-WNAC-TV,
Boston. Knight will give New Eng-
land showmen the benefit of his ex-
perience in selling motion picture at-
tractions via the airwaves as well as
ideas that have worked in merchan-
dising" other lines which might well
be adapted for selling films.

'20,000 Leagues'

(Continued from page 1)

on '20,000 Leagues' simultaneously at
the beginning with stereophonic." The
telegram went on to state that even
if it were possible, Disney did not be-
lieve it would be "good business," cit-
ing the argument to present the pic-
ture first in stereophonic sound.

Friday, December 3, 1954 MOTION PICTURE DAILY

V. C. Officers
Set in Buffalo
And Charlotte

Election^ of officers in Variety Club
tents in Charlotte and Buffalo have
been announced.

In Charlotte, the tent has reelected
unanimously all directors and officers
for the coming year at its annual mem-
bership meetmg. Reelected were John
\'ickers, chief barker ; H. F. Kincey,
first assistant chief barker ; F'rank
Beddingfield, second assistant chief
barker ; Bob Simril, property master ;
J. Francis White, Jr., dough guy.-

Board members named were Cy
Dillon, J. E. Holston, Earl Mulwee,
W. P. White, Bob Saunders and Jack
Wehh.

In Buffalo, Tent No. 7 elected as
chief barker W. E. J. Martin, drama
and motion picture editor of the Buf-
falo "Courier-Express." Marvin Ja-
cobs was named first assistant chief
barker, Marvin Atlas, second assist-
ant, Myron Gross, treasurer and \'.
Spencer Balser, secretary. Installation
will take place at a dinner-dance to be
held Jan. 16 at the Buffalo Statler.

Directors Named

The Buffalo Variety Club Tent No.
7 has elected 1 1 directors to serve one-
year terms. They are Marvin Atlas,
Broadway Drive-In ; Spencer Balser,
Basil Circuit; Harold Bennett, Na-
tional Screen Service ; Robert Boas-
berg, attorney ; David Cheskin, WGR ;
Myron Gross, Co-Operative Theatres ;
Marvin Jacobs, retired ; Billy Keaton,
WGR and former chief barker ; Ben
Kulick, Faysan Distributing Co., and
Leon Serin, Center Theatre manager.

Jacobs was elected a delegate to the
1955 convention in Los Angeles next
March.

TORONTO, Dec. 2. — At a ban-
quet and dance held in the Prince
George Hotel here, Harry S. Mandell,
secretary-treasurer of Twentieth Cen-
tury Theatres, was installed as chief
barker of Variety Club of Toronto,
Mandell succeeds William A. Sum-
merville, who conducted the installa-
tion ceremonies.

Other officers inducted were : David
Griesdorf, general manager of Odeon
Theatres, Ltd., as first assistant ; C. J.
Appel, executive director of the Cana-
dian Motion Picture Distributors As-
sociation, as second assistant ; Dan
Krendel, Famous Players executive,
as dough guy, and Paul Johnston,
manager of Eaton's .Auditorium, as
property master.

OMAHA, Dec. 2.— J. Robert Hoff,
sales manager of the Ballantyne Co.,
was reelected chief barker of Omaha
Variety Club, Tent 16, at the annual
. meeting held in the Blackstone Hotel
here. Max Rosenblatt, manager of the
RKO Radio film exchange, was re-
elected first assistant chief barker.

Don Hammond was named second
assistant chief barker, Walter Creal
property master and Henry McGrath
dough guy. Glenn K. Slipper continues
as international canvasman.

DAYTON, O., Dec. 2. — Thomas
Ryan, exhibitor, has been elected chief
barker of the Dayton Variety Club,
Tent 18, succeeding Robert Gump.
Harry Good was named first assistant
and Walter Beachler, second assistant
chief barkers, Paul Swinger is dough

Army Bases

(Continued from page 1)

showings of first-run films on
the military bases have serious-
ly affected business at the pri-
vate theatres. The Defense De-
partment has agreed to review
the situation to see what ad-
justments can be made to help
out the industry without dam-
aging service morale.

The present policy of showing new
films on service posts 21 days before
exhibition in private first-run houses
was set up in 1940-41. Attempts were
made to change the situation in the
late 1940's, but then dropped.;, A new
attempt was started early this year,
sparked largely by complaints from
Texas exhibitors, where the military
competition has been particularly
keen.

Swan said that under the in-
dustry plan, the "21-day-before
rule" would continue to apply
to the service theatres in iso-
lated areas, where no private
theatres are nearby. However,
in areas where the distributors
and exhibitors feel they are be-
ing hurt by competition from
nearby military theatres, the
service theatres would get first-
run films only 14 days after
they have been shown in pri-
vate first-run houses. This
would be the situation for do-
mestic theatres only; all over-
seas military theatres would
continue to get pictures 21 days
in advance.

The defense official pointed out thai
one advantage which the services
might get from the industry plan
would be a greater number of first-run
prints when the film is finally maae
available for military exhibition, l n-
der the present "21-day-before rule,"
only 75 prints are available, he said,
whereas some 350 prints might be
available under the "14-day-after"
situation. Many military theatres
would, therefore, actually get to see
the films under the new set-up earlier
than under the present plan, he in-
dicated.

Expects Solution

"Both the Department and the in-
dustry have shown a realization that
there are two sides to this story,"
Swan said, "and I am confident some-
thing will be worked out that is satis-
factory all around."

'Show' Debut Ticketn
Go on Sale Sunday

Tickets for the world premiere of
Irving Berlin's "There's No Business
Like Show Business," set for the
Roxy Theatre here on Dec. 16 for tiie
benefit of the Actors Fund of Amer-
ica, will go on sale Sunday both at
the theatre and at the offices of the
leading ticket agencies.

The Actors Fund has launched a
comprehensive promotional campaign
heralding the world premiere of the
CinemaScope feature. Plans have been
lormulated in association with 20th
Century-Fox and the Episcopal, Cath-
olic, Jewish and Negro actors guilds.

185,000,
MOVIE-GOER
PRESOLD...
READY AND
WAITING TO

The Battle
Of The Giants
In The Biggest
Spectacle
Of Them All •

;uy and John Collins, property master
Canvasmen, in addition to the officers,
are William Clegg, Fred Krimm, Roy
Wells, Arthur Denlinger and Abe
Rosenthal,

..of all the legends of
the frontier there is
none greater than
the story of
that day -when
Destry carried a gun!

PRINT BY

Starring

AUDIE MURPHY- MARI BLANCHARD • LYLE BETTGER-LORI NELSON

THOMAS MITCHELL with EDGAR BUCHANAN- WALLACE FORD • MARY WICKES

Directed by GEORGE MARSHALL • Screenplay by EDMUND H. NORTH and D. D. BEAUCHAMP • Produced by STANLEY RUBIN

Suggested by MAX BRAND'S novel, "DESTRY RIDES AGAIN"

f r

Pictures with that Universal appea

The NeWs

That'
Is News

MOTION PICTURE

DAILY

VOL. 76. NO. 107

NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1954

TEN CENTS

EDITORIAL

One Showman's
View of Toll TV

By Sherwin Kane

WHEN the late Charles
Skouras, as astute an ex-
hibitor as one could find
In the business, was asked at a
luncheon with New York financial
and trade press writers last Sep-
tember what he thought of sub-
scription television, he replied:

"I don't think anything of it.
It hasn't shown a thing we need to
be afraid of."

There were those present that
day who wondered if Skouras was
serious. They had expected he
would view the development with
the utmost apprehension and
speak of its probable effect on
the vast National Theatres opera-
tions with gravity.

•

There was an opportunity later
to question Skouras on his reasons
for appraising subscription tele-
vision so lightly.

First, Skouras said he was con-
fident that the American public
eventually would turn, after a
novelty period, from subscription
TV, regardless of the quality of
the average offering, just as It is
doing from free TV. It would not
long be content to see first run
films, even good ones, on a small
home screen for a price. Special
events would command the big
audiences. Such offerings, he felt,
would be about as frequent as
closed channel theatre TV events
are now.

In between such special events,
subscription TV would be unable
to offer even the best motion pic-
tures in a manner which would be
acceptable for long to the great
majority who are rapidly becom-
ing accustomed to the better film
presentation methods of the day,
he believed.

And even if they did not de-
(Continued on page 2)

Virginia Exhibitors

See Gov Intervention
Necessary but 'Harmful^

RICHMOND, Va., Dec. 5. — Although members of the Virginia Motion
Picture Theatres Association expressed concern over the possibility of gov-
ernment intervention in the industry, as proposed by Allied States Associa-
tion, some of them said they believed

With O. Censorship
Relaxed, Exhibitors
Warned on Policies

COLUMBUS, O., Dec. 5.— Ohio
exhibitors need not display the state
censor's seal on the screen and dis-
tributors can discontinue paying cen-
sor fees, according to Robert Wile,
Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio
secretary, in a special bulletin to ITO
of Ohio members.

"You are perfectly safe from any
criticism as long as you play pictures
which have the production code seal,"
Wile said. He warned that "quickie"
{Continued on page 6)

Four RKO Meets for
2 Forthcoming Films

Plans for the over-all merchandis-
ing and selling campaign for two
RKO Radio features will be com-
pleted at four regional meetings of
the company
beginning ] ~
Thursday in
Los Angeles.
The pictures
are "Under-
water ! " and
"The Ameri-
cano."

The three-
day Los An-
geles meeting,
with J. H.
Maclntrye,
Western divi-
sion sales man-
ager, presiding,

will be followed by conclaves to be
(Continued on page 6)

such a move may be necessary even
though harmful.

This sentiment was expressed fol-
lowing four sectional meetings of the
organization in Norfolk, Wytheville,
Natural Bridge and here. It was
pointed out that Virginia theatre clos-
ings have been increasing lately, with
many more due to close, unless there
is a drastic change in film terms for
small situations, the exhibitors said.

The sessions were led by Leonan.
Gordon, president, and Carlton Duf-
fus, executive secretary, who broughi
the members up to date on activities
of Theatre Owners of America anc
its recent convention and of the Coun-
cil of Motion Picture Organizations.

The TOA production finance plan
was assured definite support and the
COMPO audience poll project was
said to have been warmly received.

Deny Schine Access
To Government Data

BUFFALO, Dec. 5. — Federal
Judge John Knight has denied a re-
quest by the Schine Chain Theatres,
Inc., to obtain information in posses-
sion of the government regarding the
pending civil and criminal contempt of
court charges against the theater cir-
cuit.

In an opinion handed down here,
(Continued on page 6)

Administration to
Keep Special Taxes

From THE DAILY Bni-fau

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.— The ad-
ministration made it clear over the
weekend that it has no intention of
giving up any special tax sources at
the present time to cities and counties.

Under-Secretary of the Treasury
Marion B. Folsom told a Washington
meeting of mayors from all over the
United States that the Treasury be-
lieves that an over-all reduction in the
Federal tax load is a more effective
way of helping local governments meet
their financial problems than "a re-
allocation of tax sources among the
government."

The Federal admission tax was long
cited by state and local governments
as the type of tax that the U. S. should
(Continued on page 6)

Hoover on National
Tour of V,C. Tents

George Hoover, international chief
barker, has embarked on an extensive
six-month tour which will take him
to Variety Club tents in all parts of
the country. His itinerary, which
started in Atlanta, will include visits
to Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Houston
and Baltimore within the next month.

Hoover expects to visit each tent
within the United States, and has
tentatively scheduled trips to Canada,
Mexico and Europe.

Upswing Seen

S-W Net Profit
For Full Year
Is $1,770,100

First Quarter Doubled
Pre-Divorcement Figure

A net profit of $1,770,100 for Stan-
ley Warner Corp. for the fiscal year
ended Aug. 28 was reported at the
weekend by Si H. Fabian, S-W pres-
ident, in a re-
port to stock-
holders.

It was Stan-
1 e y Warner's
first full year
of operation
since divorce-
ment and in the
words of Fa-
bian "(It) was
a year of
marked prog-
r e s s." The
downward
trend in operat-
ing profits of
theatres acquired by Stanley Warner,
which had continued for more than
(Continued on page 7)

Si H. Fabian

Export Unit by WB,
Paid for Austria

From THE DAILY Bureau

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.— A new
film export association to ship pictures
to Austria has filed with the Federal
Trade Commission under the Export
Trade Act.

The act, better known as the Webb-
Pomerene Act, exempts from U. S.
anti-trust laws any association work-
ing entirely in the export field. The
(Continued on page 6)

Johnston Returning
From Orient Thurs.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.— Mo-
tion Picture Association presi-
dent Eric A. Johnston is due to
return to United States from his
current Far Eastern trip late
this week, MPAA officials said.

Johnston, who is now in
Tokyo, was originally scheduled
to return today. He has been
delayed, however, and now it
will be at least Thursday before
he comes back, according to
MPAA.

Motion Picture Daily

Monday, December 6, 1954

Personal
Mention

York.

ARK STEVENS will return to
Hollywood today from New

Mrs. Paul Carter, nee Adeline
Stuuzzeiro, former secretary at In-
dependent Exhibitors of New Eng-
land, Boston, is the mother of a son
born last week.

•

RoBEiiT Clark, a member of the
board of Associated British Picture
Corp., arrived here from London yes-
terday via B.O.A.C. Monarch.
•

Florence Friedman, NBC-TV
secretary of "American Inventory,"
will be married Dec. 23 to Eugene
Daynes.

•

Edward Lachman, president of
Lorraine Carbons, will leave here to-
day for Memphis.

•

George Nichols, M-G-M studio
publicist, is in New York from the
Coast.

•

Virginia Callahan, M - G - M
booker in Buffalo, is in New York
from there.

•

Gary Cooper arrived in New York
yesterday from Hollywood.

RCA Pays Extra
35-cent Dividend

An extra dividend of 35 cents per
share and a quarterly dividend of 25
cents per share on the common stock
of Radio Corp. of America were de-
clared by the board of directors. Both
dividends are payable Jan. 24, to hold-
ers of record on Dec. 17.

Future quarterly dividends declared
by the RCA board will be payable in
April, July, October and January.

The board also declared a dividend
of 87^ cents per share on RCA first
preferred stock for the period of Jan.
1, 1955, to March 31, payable April 1,
to holders of record on March 14.

Common stock dividends declared
by RCA for 1954 totaled $18,898,000.
In addition, RCA paid $3,153,000 in
dividends on its outstanding" preferred
stock.

Eighteen Screenings
For Paramount Meet

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 5.— Eighteen
pictures, seven in finally completed
form and eleven in various stages of
production, will be screened for dele-
gates to Paramount's first internation-
al promotional meeting which starts
at the studio tomorrow. Early footage
from Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten
Commandments" sequences shot in
Egypt will be among the scenes chosen
from the product line-up that the
studio regards as the greatest the
company ever had, in terms of market
merchandisability and public impact.

Monday's session will be addressed
by Y. Frank Freeman, who will ex-
tend a welcome to the visitors, and by
Don Hartman, summarizing product.

Opens Studio
Sales Meet Today

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 5.— Univer-
sal Pictures home office and sales ex-
ecutives arrived here over the weekend
for their week-long sales conference
which gets un-
derway at tlu
Universal - In-
ternational stu-
dios here to-
morrow with
Charles J. Feld-
man, vice-presi-
dent and gen-
eral sales man-
ager, presiding.

The sales con-
ference which
will be followed
next week by a
series of seven
regional sales
meetings conducted by tlie company's
three division managers, is expected
to have the impact of a large sales
convention.

The conference is scheduled to hear
U-I's top executives from New York
and California including Milton R.
Rackmil, president ; y\lfred E. Daff,
executive vice - president ; Edward
Muhl, vice-president in charge of pro-
duction, and vice-president David
Lipton.

Foreign Officials to Attend

Also at the studio for the meetings
are Maurice A. Bergman, Eastern
studio representative ; Americo Aboaf,
foreign general manager, and Ben
Cohn,- assistant foreign general man-
ager.

Charles Feldman

Salute to ASCAP on
NBC Network Today

A salute to the American Society of
Composers, Authors and Publishers
on the 40th anniversary of its found-
ing will be broadcast today on the
NBC radio network as a feature of
the "Best of All" program, which is
heard from 8 to 9 P.M. The program
will star Skitch Henderson, with Ed-
die Fisher as master of ceremonies.
An NBC orchestra will supply the
music.

Among ASCAP members who will
appear on the show are Stanley
Adams, president ; and song writers
Irving Berlin, Richard Rodgers, John
Golden and Otto A. Harbach.

'Triumph' Seeks 'Oscar'

George J. Schaefer. distributor, will
enter "Day of Triumph," new James
K. Friedrich-Century Films' Biblical
drama, in the motion picture Academy
sweepstakes. The picture will open at
Fox West Coast Bruin Theatre,
Westwood, Calif., on Dec. 24, for an
engagement limited to one week, to
qualify it for Academy consideration.

Flinn in Twin Cities

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 5.— John C.
Flinn, Allied Artists publicity-adver-
tising director, left here by plane for
Minneapolis to prepare for the Twin-
City openings of "Tonight's the
Night" Thursday at the Radio City
Theatre, Minneapolis, and the Para-
mount Theatre, St. Paul.

Saranac Lake Wins
'Chalice' Premiere

Saranac Lake, N. Y., has won
the world premiere of War-
ner Brothers' "The Silver Chal-
ice," for its Adirondack Mount-
tain community by leading the
nation in the first three days of
the Christmas Seal sale. The
premiere will be held on Dec. 17.

Art Linkletter will lead a
parade of screen stars to Sar-
anac Lake for a full-scale Holly-
wood premiere of the Cinema-
Scope and WarnerColor picture.

The Saranac Lake Society for
the Control of Tuberculosis will
play host.

Geo. Mitchell Heads
S.F. Variety Tent

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 5. —
George Mitchell has been elected chief
barker of Tent No. 32 of Variety
Clubs International here. Other mem-
bers of the crew are Marshall Maify,
first assistant chief; Henry Masser,
second assistant chief ; Stanley Lef-
court, property master, and Leslie
Jacobs, dough guy. The canvasmen
are Monroe Belling, Nate Blumen-
feld, Frank Harris, Chas. Maestri,
Jack Marpole and Ed Sonney.

Ezra Stern Chief Barker
Of L. A. Variety Club

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 5.— The
Variety Club tent here has elected
Ezra Stern, chief barker and O. N.
Srere, first assistant chief. Other offi-
cers are L. C. Ownby, second assist-
ant chief ; M. J. E. McCarthey, prop-
erty master ; and Al Hanson, dough
guy. Ed Zabel, Fred Stein, Dick Dick-
son, Steve Broidy, D. L. Johnson and
Morton W. Scott were elected can-
vasmen of the tent.

View of Toll TV

'Birth' Will Denounce
Totalitarians: Ryan

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 5.— Phil R.
Ryan, speaking for the group prepar-
ing to produce "The Birth of a Na-
tion," said the protest voiced by the
National Association for Advancement
of the Colored People is premature.
Ryan said in part :

"Our production will be the greatest
denunciation of totalitarianism ever to
appear on the screen. We do not be-
lieve a-;majority of persons within the
Negro- "race will agree with the pre-
mature stand taken by the members
of the NAACP."

{Continued from, page 1)

mand the best in presentation, he
remarked, there still would be the
important factor of human gre-
gariousness to take into account.

hie also believed the economics
of subscription TV, entirely apart
from its technical problems, have
been wildly distorted; that it will
not only have to compete with
free TV and all other entertain-
ment but also, in all probability,
with several varieties of its own
kind.

Finally, Skouras proclaimed him-
self to be singularly unimpressed,
to understate his view, with ex-
periments heretofore made with
subscription TV.

V\/e leave these thoughts with
that vast body of exhibitors who
confidently believe they can read
their doom in every new mention
of subscription television as likeli-
hood of action by the Federal
Communications Commission in-
creases.

Testimonial Banquet
For I. J. Schmertz

CLEVELAND, Dec. 5. — I. J.
Schmertz will be honored with a
testimonial banquet to be held here
on Jan. 17 in the Hollenden Hotel to
commemorate the double celebration
of his 50th anniversary with the 20th-
Fox organization and his 28th year as
manager of the local branch. Both of
these events are said to have estab-
lished a record in the industry.

The Cleveland exhibitors are spon-
soring the affair, with M. B. Horwitz
of the Washington circuit and Nate
Schultz of Allied Artists and Selected
Pictures as co-chairmen.

'Scope Shorts from Astra

Two color shorts in CinemaScope
with stereophonic sound, the first to
be made in Italy, have been produced
by Astra Cinematografica. They are
the first in a series of 14 CinemaScope
shorts being filmed by Astra.

Truman Ferguson, 69

HARTFORD, Dec. 5.— Truman
W. Ferguson, 69, manager of the
Whitney Theatre, Hamden, Conn., is
dead. He was in the automobile busi-
ness for more than 20 years before

Pitt. Variety Tent
Raises $400,000

At the annual banquet of the Pitts-
burgh Variety tent, chief barker
Norman Mervis announced that the
tent had raised over $400,000 to be
used toward the building of a new
wing at the organization's Rosalia
Foundling Home.

In accordance with its usual custom,
this tent announced the adoption of
another baby. This year, the foundling
is a young colored girl.

Republic Dividend

A dividend of 25 cents per share on
preferred stock, payable Jan. 3, to
stockholders of record at the close of
business on Dec. 13, has been declared
by the board of directors of Republic
Pictures.

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martni
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke,
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager: Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Often, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

You'll be the proudest showman i
this glorious music. ..this heartw

o o o o o o

Produced by SOL C. SIEGEL • Directed by WALTER LANG
Screen Play by PHOEBE and HENRY EPHRON
From a Story by LAMAR TROTTI

Lyrics and Music by Irving Berlin
Dances and Musical Numbers Staged by Robert Alton .'^

COLOR By DE LUXE

In the Wonder of A-Track, High-Fidelity, Directional STEREOPHONIC SOUND

wn when these wonderful stars...
ing story.. .light up your screen!

) O O O ' ■ — • ' ,j (J u O U V,

Motion Picture Daily

Monday, December 6, 1954

For Producers

NARTB Unit
Seeking Code
For TV Films

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.— A sys-
tem which would bring producers of
fihns for television under the stand-
ards of the Television Code has been
developed by the television code re-
view board of the National Associa-
tion of Radio and Television Broad-
casters.

This was indicated in a statement
sent by the NARTB to the Senate
subconimittee on juvenile delinquency.
The statement said that the code re-
view board proposal must be acted on
by the television board of the NARTB
when it meets in January.

Wording Not Specific

The statement did not specify ex-
actly who would be asked to affiliate
with the television code. It merely
said that the proposed system would
extend code affiliations "to others al-
lied with the television industry whose
product comprises now a large share
of the programming viewed in the
American homes."

NARTB spokesman said, however,
that they felt the code review board
expected to ask affiliation only from
those who produced films specifically
for television and not from the major
film producers.

Until now the code has applied only
to television stations and networks.

The prime purpose of the statement
to the subcommittee was to give the
code review board's opinion of ex-
cerpts from five motion pictures
shown on television and cited by the
subcommittee in its October hearing.
The code review board found that the
picture was not always "wholly with-
in the spirit of the code," and also
that "excessive violence" was noted in
some scenes. The statement pointed
out, however, that all the films shown
were produced originally for theatre
exhibition and that four of the five
films had the motion picture industry
code seal.

For 'Theatre' Atmosphere

The statement pointed out that
"previous clearance by such theatre
review board, did not take into con-
sideration the intimate viewing by
family groups as provided by tele-
vision."

The statement went on to say that
the television code review board there-
fore has notified all code subscribers
that special attention should be given
to clearance before acceptance of all
film productions made before the first
television station went on the air.

TV Set Production
Hit Record in Oct,

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.— Aver-
age weekly production of television
receivers set a record high in Octo-
ber, the Radio-Electronics-Television
Manufacturers Association said over
the weekend.

The number of receivers produced
in October, a four-week reporting
month, totalled 921,476 receivers, com
pared with 680,433 produced in Octo
ber, 1953. In September of this year,
a five-week month, the total number
of receivers produced was 947,796.

Review

"Destry

(Uiiii'crsal)

AN action Western drama, in the main along formula lines, is offered in
this Universal presentation, formulated as a sequel to the old "Destry
Rides Again."

Starring Audie Murphv as the son of the famed gun-totin' sheriff Destry,
there are plenty of hi-jinks, songs, fisticuffs and old-fashioned shootm' to keep
most of the action fans happy. Adding spice to the skullduggery in the
frontier town of "Restful" is Mari Blanchard, the curvacious hard-bitten,
inwardly soft, entertainer in the frontier saloon.

The villian of the piece is Lyle Bettger, saloon keeper and keeper of the
town, the mayor and everything else he can lay his hands on. His undoing,
naturally, is Audie Murphy, first playing it soft and cagey, almost a sheriff
Milquetoast character, and then going into his act as the son of the famed
Destry, picking off the badmen, virtually single-handed, one by one.

Comic relief in this color by Technicolor production is offered by Thomas
Mitchell, the town drunk who, as a grim joke, is made sheriff. Little does
villain Bettger realize that the responsibility is going to reform him, that he
was formerly associated with the old Destry. Mitchell, like everyone else in
this film, plays his role to the hilt with a noisy, unimaginative effect.

Others in the cast include Lori Nelson, Edgar Buchanan, Wallace Ford,
Mary Wickes and Alan Hale, Jr.

Stanley Rubin produced, while George Marshall directed from a screenplay
by Edmund H. North and D. D. Beauchamp from a story by Felix Jackson
and suggested by Max Brand's novel, "Destry Rides Again."

Running time, 95 minutes. General classification. For release in January.

Deny Schine

(Continued from, page 1)

Judge Knight granted a government
request to quash a subpoena ordering
the government to produce various
documents and reports.

Specifically, the Schine chain sought
to obtain correspondence between it
and the government from 1942 to 1954,
reports of investigations conducted by
the government, memoranda concern-
ing meetings held between government
representatives and Schine officials
and court records and court decisions
involving anti-trust cases against other
circuits.

Trial of the Schine chain and other
defendents on contempt charges for
alleged failure to comply with a 1949
anti-trust decree is scheduled later
this month.

RKO Meetings

(Continued from page 1)

held simultaneously in New York and
Chicago Dec. 13, 14 and 15. Walter
Branson, worldwide sales manager,
will preside in New York, while the
Chicago meeting will be under the
direction of Sam Gorelick, Midwest
district manager. J. R. Grainger, pres-
ident of RKO, will be present for a
portion of the time at each of these
meetings, and also will attend the Los
Angeles and New Orleans sessions. ^

The fourth meeting, to be held in
New Orleans Dec. 16, 17 and 18, will
have Branson as presiding officer.

The world premiere of "Under-
water !" will be held at Silver Springs,
Fla., late in January. The premiere
of "The Americano," which was pho-
tographed principally in Brazil, has
not yet been set.

Export Unit

(Conthmed from page 1)

trade commission announced late Fri-
day that American Film Export As-
sociation, Inc., had filed papers cover-
ing film activities for the Austrian
market.

Officers are : Wolfe Cohen, presi-
dent and director ; George Weltner,
director ; J. William Piper, vice-presi-
dent and director ; J. J. Glynn, direc-
tor ; H. S. Bareford, secretary ; Max
Greenberg, assistant secretary ; Milton
Kirshenberg, treasurer, and Ralph
Pepper, assistant treasurer.

Stockholders and members are
Paramount International Films, Inc.,
and Warner Brothers Pictures Inter-
national Corp.

Ohio Censors

Smith to RCA Board

Election of General Walter Bedell
Smith as a member of the board of
directors of the Radio Corp. of
America was announced by David
Sarnoff, chairman of the board.

'Love' to Palace

Allan Dowling's "This Is My Love"
will open at the Palace Theatre here
on Dec. 10.

Special Taxes

(Continued from, page 1)

surrender for exclusive use by local
taxing bodies. This pressure has di-
minished somewhat since the reduction
in the Federal admission tax early this
year, but still exists in some degree
to get the federal government to give
up that part of the admission tax
which it still levies.

Folsom pointed out that the admin-
istration cut taxes to the tune of $7.4
billion this year, the largest tax cut
in any year, and declared that these
tax cuts would increase the capacity
of the states and cities to collect rev-
enue. He made it clear that the ad-
ministration planned to help the states
and cities only by a general reduction
in taxes and attempts to create gen-
eral national prosperity, and not by
handing over to them any specific tax
source.

Set 'Bad Men'

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 5.— A 100-
theatre area premiere in southern In-
diana, which will include the cities of
Indianapolis, Louisville and New
Albany, is being set up by producer
Nat Holt and RKO president J. R.
Grainger for the Nat Holt Produc-
tions' "Seven Bad Men," starring
Randolph Scott and co-starring For-
rest Tucker, Mala Powers and J.
Carrol Naish.

(Continued from page 1)

producers "trying to make a fast
buck" will attempt to flood the state
with burlesque pictures, peep shows,
sex films. "Screen every picture of this
type before you buy it," warned Wile.
He said exhibitors may be subject to
arrest, fine and imprisonment under
state penal code if such films are
shown.

Wile said these penalties have never
been enforced during state censorship
but will be now. He said if the com-
petition tries to show such films, ex-
hibitors should report it to the police
and prosecuting attorney.

'Police Ourselves'

"This is to protect you and the vast
majority of exhibitors all over the
state," he said. If we police ourselves,
as exhibitors in the 42 other censor-
free states do, there will be no outcry
against our industry. If we can point
to a clean record between now and the
time the proposed new censor law has
its hearings, our chance of escaping
greater restriction will be better."

Wile said exhibitors who show "The
French Line" may "bring the wrath of
Catholic Church membership down
on you." He added 'that whether any-
thing is to be gained by showing
"M^om and Dad" is questionable. He
advised watching trade paper reviews
of "Son of Sinbad" before booking it.
Wile said the effect of the Ohio Su-
preme Court 5-2 decision is the same
as if the censor law had been declared
unconstitutional.

The Columbus "Dispatch" came out
editorially for a "continuation of the
present mild censor law" to protect
patrons from objectionable output of
"fringe" studios "frankly out to ex-
ploit se.x, sensation or vulgarity."

No Appeal to Washington

Attorney General William O'Neill
said his office will not appeal the Ohio
Supreme Court Decision to the U.S.
Supreme Court because it "would in
all probability be unsuccessful." He
said the Ohio court decision "indi-
cated that a valid statute could be
enacted" by the Ohio legislature. He
stated that in view of the adverse de-
cisions rendered previously by the
U.S. Supreme Court an appeal v\''ould
be of no avail.

R. H. Eyman, chief Ohio censor,
said that writing an airtight censor
law is not easy. He added : "The
question is what type of legislation
can we propose that will pass a legis-
lature that is strongly anti-censorship,
that the Supreme Court will uphold
and that will still have teeth in it. We
are not interested in continuing cen-
sorship just for censorship sake."

Points to Last Session

Eyman pointed out that the last
legislature, with much the same mem-
bership as the incoming legislature,
considered a bill to abolish all censor-
ship and passed a modified law ex-
empting newsreels from censorship.-

Firestone Gets Award

The second annual Lee De P'orest
Award for outstanding cultural de-
velopment of radio and television dur-
ing the past year was presented to
Harvey S. Firestone, Jr., chairman of
the board for the Firestone Tire &
Rubber Co., sponsors of the "Voice of
Firestone'" which is presented weekly
over the facilities of the American
Broadcasting Co.

Monday, December 6, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

TV and Hadia

in HDILYWDDD

By SAMUEL D. BERNS

THE filmed portions of Bob Hope's
NBC-TV er, with Maurice Che-
valier, Bea Lillie, Moria Lister, bal-
lerina Liane Dayde and French singer
Line Renaud, et al, could set the pat-
tern for more foreign filmed segments
on the topliners. . . . Thomas Mitchell's
p.a.'s for "Mayor of the Town"
series, which ends in a White House
meeting with the President and 200
mayors, is a natural hypo for sales ap-
peal. . . . Jerry Courneya, owner of
the talking" Chimpanzee series, and
Edwin Gillette are ready with Syn-
cro-Vox, a labor-saving device en-
abling a photograph to talk with
realistic, accurate and completely
synchronized lip-movements, accom-
panied by natural voice. Trademark
faces can now come to life for spots
and station breaks. . . . Joseph Kauf-
man now has 12 of the first 26 half-
hour "Long John Silver" color films
in the can. The series is being shot in
Australia. . . . Ed Murrow's Person-
to-Person is a plum program for mov-
ies and picture personalities. . . .

Bob French of the Noble agency
supplies the major prizes for the
MARCO game that now has over
a million Saturday night viewers in
the L.A. area playing the game,
sponsored by the Thoro-Fed dog
and cat food packers. . . . KTLA's
Tee Vee Auctions reaches into
neighborhood stores tie-ins to dis-
tribute the coupon money that en-
titles studio and home viewers to
bid on appliances. . . . Ralph Ed-
wards adds another package to his
banner with the Saturday morning
"Funny Boners."

Bing Crosby's Minute Alaid (frozen
orauffc juice) gives us the traditional
"Tournament of Roses Parade" via
NBC-TV Jan. 1. This one should be
sensational color viewing. . . . UPT's
"Smash" plan got a test run at San
Francisco" KRON. "Where Were
You." "Waterfront" and "Lone Wolf"
got an across the board nightly play-
off starting at 11 p.m. The loyal in-
somniacs caught a complete 39 half-
hour series in a period of eight is.'eeks.
Viczvers were seeing Ford, Anahist,
American Tobacco and Southern
Pacific Railroad spots before their
eves.

Al Jarvis is a shining example of
Disc Jockey importance to civic wel-
fare. Junior and high school news-
paper editors and reporters gathered
at the ABC-TV studios while Al con-
ducted a forum on juvenile problems.
.... Judy Garland is ripe for a TV
show. . . . Anton Reming, TV and
Radio columnist, left the Chicago Trib
to publicize for Hollywood's Foladare,
Greer and Bock. . . . Color film pays
ofT for Jack Webb's "Dragnet" story
of the statue of the child Jesus that
was stolen from the old Mission
Church in L.A. on Christmas Eve.
Dec. 23 may set this one up as a year-
ly regular with NBC-TV's re-tele-
cast in black and white plus the
added "color version."

S-W Profit

(Continued from page 1)

five years, was reversed," he con-
tinued.

In commenting upon the first quar-
ter of the current fiscal year which
ended Nov. 27, Fabian said "it ap-
pears that the earnings for the quar-
ter were more than twice the con-
solidated earnings for the correspond-
ing quarter which ended Nov. 28,
1953, when our profits amounted to
$523,000 after all charges, including
Federal income taxes."

Started March 1, 1953

The company commenced operations
on March 1, 1953, the statement con-
tinued, and, therefore, the first ac-
counting period covered the 26-week
period ended Aug. 29, 1953. During
such period, it was recalled, opera-
tions showed a consolidated loss of
$970,700 of which $649,800 arose from
the sale of theatres and other prop-
erties.

The net profit for the current fiscal
year, Fabian added, is equivalent to
80 cents per share on the 2,218,529
shares of common stock outstanding
after deducting the stock held in the
treasury. Included in such profit is a
net of $74,000 arising from sales of
fixed assets, Fabian stated.

Before deducting provisions for
Federal income taxes and contin-
gencies, but after deducting deprecia-
tion and amortization of $3,476,400,
the consolidated fiscal year profit
amounted to $3,595,100, the statement
disclosed.

Assets Double Liabilities

"Our sound financial position,"
Fabian declared, "is shown (by the)
balance sheet. On Aug. 28, 1954, cur-
rent assets totaled $25,835,300 and
current liabilities $11,846,400. Cash
amounted to $12,206,100 which in it-
self was in excess of all current liabil-
ities. Long term debt due after one
year was $19,484,000. All properties
were free of mortgage indebtedness
except for one theatre and building on
which there was a long term mort-
gage of $1,334,000."

The annual meeting of the company
will be held in Wilmington, Del., on
Jan. 13, 1955, it was stated.

The multiplicity of Stanley War-
ner's subsidiary operations, ranging
from TV station ownership to its ac-
quisition of International Latex Cor-
poration, was reflected in the 19-page
stockholders report covering the fiscal
year ended Aug. 28.

S-W president Fabian reported that
the company's 50 per cent owned
UHF television station in the Sche-
nectady, Troy and Albany area, suf-
fered operating losses during its de-
velopmental stage. International Play-
tex, the company acquired by S-W in
April for $14,930,000, is expanding
and profitable, Fabian added.

Says Cinerama Is Advancing

Regarding Cinerama, another S-W
operation, Fabian told of its expansion
in both exhibition and production, list-
ing new Cinerama theatres both here
and abroad, as previously announced.

Dealing with circuit matters, Fabian
reported that 19 of the theatres dis-
posed of during the year were required
to be divested under the terms of the
consent decree and subsequent court
order, leaving only six additional the-
atres to be divested. During the fiscal
year, Fabian continued, "we reduced
our outstanding stock by more than
10 per cent at an average cost of
$14.43 per share."

New High
in Speed and luxury
ily United DC-7s

NONSTOP TO
LOS ANGELES

Leave at 12 noon or 3 p.m.

There's a "red carpet" welcome awaiting you on United's
great, new 365 mph DC-7s — the nation's newest, fastest
aidiner! Next trip, enjoy the utmost in comfort, luxury and
superb service including:

* Reserved seating convenience -k
ir Full-course meals served in flight *
if New and efficient soundproofing -Ar
* Air-conditioned, pressurized cabins *
* Extra- fast luggage delivery on arrival *

Visit Son Francisco on your way back-
no extra fare on United!

UIMITED AIR LINES

Call your nearest Unifed ticket office
or an auttiorized travel agent.

Sales is right! And your screen is your greatest selling medium . . .
giving you an advantage other advertisers spend fortunes trying to
achieve. . . 100% attention of your audience!

So exploit this "captive audience" of yours for all it's worth with
trailers that sell your shows . . . herald your special events . . . ballyhoo
your contests . . . and bring in extra revenue with merchant tie-ups.
You'll find it's worth plenty!

nmomi^Kb^^ service

pnnf BfiBr of memausmr

The News

That
Is News

VOL. 76. NO. 108

MOTION PICTURE

DAILY

NEW YORK, U. S. A., TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1954

TEN CENTS

Joint Conclave

Make 'Great'
Progress on
Arbitration

Conciliation Plan Also to
Be Readied for Jan. Meet

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

"Great progress" on setting up an
arbitration system was reported here
yesterday following a four-and-a-liali
hour meeting of the exhibitor-dis-
tributor subcommittee on arbitration.

In addition to the progress report,
it was disclosed in a statement by
the Motion Picture Association of
America that a conciliation plan is
envisioned by the arbitration subcom-
mittee.

Regarding arbitration, Herman M.
Levy, Theatre Owners of America
general counsel, and Adolph Schimel,
counsel for the distributors arbitra-
tion committee, "were instructed to
reduce to final writing the wide areas
of agreement," according to the
MPAA statement. Levy and Schimel
(Continued on page 7)

Pickman Stresses
One-World Aspect

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 6.— The "one
world" aspect of the motion picture
business was pointed up today by
Jerome Pickman. Paramount
advertising-publicity vice-president, in
an address before company l ublicity
and sales representatives assembled for
the initial meeting in a scheiluled full
week of individual promotion and sales
conclaves.

"In the international flavor repre-
sented here by other segments of th°
far-flung Paramount world organiza-
tion we find the symbol of the inter-
dependence which makes it so n-'ces-
sary for all of us to be aware of the
(Continued on page 6)

'U' Increases I^ikelyNext Year

^55 Schedule

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 6. — Univer-
sal-International will release a greater
number of pictures next year than it
did during 1954, it was announced to-
day by Charles J. Feldman, vice-presi-
dent and general sales manager, at the
opening session of the company's
week-long sales conference which is
being attended by production, distribu-
tion and advertising-publicity heads of
the company.

During this past year, during which
U-I grosses are reported to have
soared to an all-time record, the com-
pany put 28 features into release, Feld-
man pointed out. During 1955, a total
(Continued on page 7)

Fellman Promoted
At Stanley Warner

Harry AI.

Kalmine, vice-president
and general manager of Stanley War-
ner Corp., yesterday announced the
promotion of Nat D.
executive assistant in
duties as film buyer
circuit.

Fellman began his
career in 1928 as an
Warner Brothers Pictures and
later transferred to the booking

MGM Workshop in
Boston Draws 350

BOSTON, Dec. 6.— More than 3.50
managers and exhibitors atten'led the
M-G-M ticket selling workshop today
at the Hotel Bradford, with Mike
Simons in charge. Representatives
from nearly every circuit in New Eng-
land were present, with some circuits
sending all their managers to hear the
proceedinss.

Besides Norman Knight of the Yan-
kee net, Mrs. Alic° Gorham of United
(Continued on page 7)

Fellman as his
addition to his
for the theatre

motion picture
office boy for
was
and

buying departments. .A short tinie
later, when the Warner Theatre Cir-
cuit expanded, he was advanced to
assistant to Kalmine, then the circuit's
film buyer.

MAY EXTEND WAGE
LAW TO^EATRES

Minimum Compensation Might Be 90 Cents
Per Hour, Unless Compromise Is Reached

By J. A. OTTEN

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6. — The Administration is reported to be consider-
ing asking Congress next year to extend the Federal minimum wage law to
theatres. At present, theatres, along with other retail and service establishments,

are exempt from the law, which re-

20th Issues Stereo
Campaign Manual

.\ special exhibitor campaign book
on stereophonic sound devised for
promotional use by theatres having
stereophonic sound installations has
been prepared by 20th Century-Fox,
it was announced yesterday.

The latest sales aid issued by the
company as part of its program of
servicing exhibitors with technical
and promotional material on recom-
mended procedures for CinemaScope
exhibition, the book contains ad-
vertising, publicity and exploitation
campaigns for the merchandising of
stereophonic sound to the public.

Acknowledgement is made by 20th
Century-Fox in the manual to Sidney
L. Bernstein, of Granada Theatres,
(Continued on Page 7)

Pat McGee Proposes

Co-Op Booking and Buying
Offices for Small Theatres

OKL.AHOMA CITY, Dec. 6. — The establishment in each distribution
center of a cooperative buying and booking office, which would have as
its accounts only those small situations which are too costly to sell and
which need

qun-es a minimum wage of 75 cents an
hour and time and a half for overtime.
Central offices or film exchanges are
covered at present in most cases.

Labor Secretary Mitchell is now re-
ported to be ready to ask Congress
to boost the minimum wage to 90 cents
an hour, and also to extend coverage
to retail and service establishments,
including theatres. He is considering '
some compromise recommendation
which would bring the newly covered
establishments under the law at a
lower minimum wage possibly around
60 cents an hour. Coverage would in-
clude all employes — ushers, cleaning
personnel and others.

Will Face Opposition

Any such Administration, recom-
mendation to e.xtend coverage is cer-
tain to touch off a bitter fight in Con-
gress, it is said. Many retail groups
are already mobilizing to fight the
proposal, and many Southern Demo-
crats and Republicans on Capitol Hill
are certain to oppose it. The present
outlook is no better than 50-50 in
favor of the plan's adoption.

low

flat rentals was
proposed here
yesterday by
Pat McGee,
g e n e r al man-
ager of Cooper
Foundation
Theatres and a
vice-president
of the Theatre
Owners of
America.

Speaking at
the convention
luncheon of the
Theatre Own-
ers of Oklahoma,
these flat rentals

Pat McGee

McGee said that
could be justified

because of the saving in selling. He
asserted that the co-op should be
headed by a "man of integrity who
would not willingly represent an ex-
hibitor who was out to chisel." McGee
said that the man should be acceptable
to distribution and be paid a salary
commensurate with his duties, but
with no participation in proceeds of
either the theatres for which he buys
nor in the savings on film rentals.

McGee told the convention that
small exhibitors with whom he had
discussed the idea "welcome the
thought with open arms," adding that
"if set up on a national basis, it could
certainly save a lot of costs in sell-
(Continued on page 7)

Theatres Cautioned
To Show Tax Signs

Pending the determination of the
appeal currently in the Appellate Di-
vision, New York City exhibitors
were cautioned yesterday by Loew's
Theatres attorney Thomas Bress to
post prominent signs informing pa-
trons of a possible tax refund.

"A number of houses have already
misplaced or moved the signs," Bress
said. The signs inform the public to
(Continued on page 6)

Southern Exhibitors
Will Elect Flexer

MEMPHIS, Dec. 6. — Nathan
Flexer, owner of the Mi-De-Ga Thea-
tre, Waverly, Tenn., is scheduled to
be elected president of Motion Picture
Theatre Owners of Arkansas, Tennes-
see and Mississippi at the group's 45th
annual convention at Hotel Gayoso
(Continued on page 6)

Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, December 7, 1954

Personal
Mention

Miami, returned
York yesterday.

WOLFSON,
Vometco
there from

co-

ITCHELL

owner of Wometco Theatres,

New

Rene Silvern, secretary to Wolfe
Cohen, president of Warner Interna-
tional, will leave the company on Fri-
day to be married to Abe Schoen-
FELD, of Long Beach, Cal.

•

Ray McNamara, manager of the
Allyn Theatre, Hartford, has been
named chairman of the Theatres Divi-
sion, Metropolitan Hartford Muscular
Dystrophy Campaign.

•

Mike Simons, M-G-M director of
customer relations, and Emery Aus-
tin, exploitation head, will return to
New York today from Boston.
•

Al Mendelsohn, Universal Pic-
tures home office publicity department
radio and TV contact, has left here
for Boston.

•

Lillian Lang, fashion sales and
promotion manager for "Photoplay,"
has returned to New York from the
Coast.

•

Harry Mersay, manager of the
20th Century-Fox print department,
today will celebrate his 27th anniver-
sary with tlie company.

•

J. J. CoHN, M-G-M studio execu-
tive, is due in New York from the
Coast at the end of the month to
spend the holidays here.

Al Lichtman, 20th Century-Fox
director of distribution, has returned
to New York from the Coast.
•

Norman H. Moray, Warner Broth-
ers short subjects sales manager, left
the Coast yesterday for New York.

Paul Newman, has arrived here
from Hollywood.

Duke Clark Named
UA Dallas Manager

Duke Clark has been appointed
branch manager of United Artists'
Dallas exchange effective today and
will serve under the supervision of
Eastern and Southern division man-
ager Milton E. Cohen and Southern
district manager George Pabst, it was
announced by B. G. Kranze, general
sales manager for UA. Clark replaces
W. C. Hames, who has resigned to
form his own business venture outside
the film industry.

Started in 1907

Active in motion pictures since
1907, Clark comes to United Artists
after completion of his special assign-
ment as distribution consultant for
Jerome Cappi productions at the Walt
Disney Studios.

The sales veteran joined Paramount
Pictures in 1921 and held a variety of
distribution posts with that organiza-
tion that terminated in 1952, when he
resigned as South Central division
manager to join COMPO as a field
executive.

Name Harold Green
CoL L, A, Manager

SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 6.-
Harold Green, branch manager of
Columbia Pictures here for past three
years, has been named branch man-
ager in Los Angeles effective after
the first of the year. Green started his
industry career as an usher in Salt
Lake in 1923. He became employed at
Columbia Pictures 25 years ago and
has held various positions in the
branch office since that time. No suc-
cessor has been named.

Huge Promotion Set
For 'Show Business'

A million-dollar national advertising
and promotion campaign linked to the
release of Irving Berlin's "There's No
Business Like Show Business" in
CinemaScope has been set by Natlynn
Junior Original dresses which are
merchandising a full line of modes
inspired by the 20th Century-Fox
picture.

One of the largest film-linked drives
ever programmed, the campaign, to
run for six months, will feature na-
tional TV, radio, newspaper and mag-
azine advertising, comparable regional
and local level advertising, cooperative
promotions including fashion shows
and contests, and local theatre co-
operation by the dress manufacturer's
thousands of department and specialty
store outlets.

Kits Prepared

Five thousand complete campaign
kits prepared with the explicit purpose
of obtaining full participation by 5,000
retail outlets have been serviced to
facilitate store promotions during the
peak Christmas holiday season and
concurrent with the picture's initial
playdates.

Cinema Lodge to
Entertain Rogers
Hospital Patients

Trade Charity Drive
At $881,168 Mark

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 6. — The
third industry-wide report of the Per-
manent Charities Committee on its
1955 campaign shows 19,703 subscrip-
tions totalling $881,168, Chairman
Ralph Claire today disclosed. The
goal is $1,250,000.

Skouras Increased Stock

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6. — The
late Charles P. Skouras purchased
40,208 shares of national Theatres,
Inc., common stock before he died in
October, boosting his holdings to
85,218 shares, according to a report
by the Securities and Exchange Com-
mission.

'Unchained' to WB

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 6.— Warner
Brothers will distribute "Unchained,"
prison story produced independently
by Hall Bartlett, Jack Warner an-
nounced today.

N,Y. Critics Elect
Quinn Chairman

Frank Quinn of the New York
"Mirror" has been elected chairman
of the New York Film Critic Circle.
A. H. Weiler of the "Times" was
elected vice-chairman, Irene Thirer,
the "Post," secretary and Joe Piho-
dora, "Herald Tribune," treasurer.

The critics will vote their annual
selection of best performances and di-
rection on Dec. 28. It will be their
20th annual event.

Conn, to Get Bill
To Legalize Raffles

HARTFORD, Dec. 6.— Two Demo-
crats, Representatives Mopsik and De-
muth of Plainfield, have disclosed
plans to introduce a bill legalizing
bazaars and rafffes at the 1955 session
of the_ Connecticut State Legislature.

A similar proposal was vetoed by
Gov. Lodge in the 1951 legislative
session.

The Mopsik-Demuth measure pro-
vides for local option on bazaars and
raffles, and stipulates that if five per
cent of the voters of a town sign a
petition for legalizing bazaars and raf-
fles in their town, then the legislative
body of that town must vote on such
a proposal within 14 days.

New York's Cinema Lodge, the en-
tertainment industry unit of B'nai
B'rith, will provide an annual Christ-
mas gift for the patients of the amuse-
ment industry's Will Rogers Memo-
rial Hospital at Saranac Lake, N. Y.,
in the form of an entertainment junket
sponsored by the Lodge, it was an-
nounced yesterday by Burton E. Rob-
bins, president of Cinema Lodge, fol-
lowing approval of the project by the
executive committee.

The idea of bringing live entertain-
ment to the industry's patients at the
Will Rogers Hospital was developed
by Cinema Lodge, which has over 900
members in the entertainment and al-
lied industries and will become part
of the Lodge's special industry proj-
ects activities. The junket is being
made possible through the participa-
tion of the American Guild of Variety
Artists and Theatre Authority which
is recruiting the necessary acts for the
show which will be headed by a top
name personality.

To Leave Here Dec. 20

The troupe will leave New York by
train on Dec. 20, arriving at the Hos-
pital the following morning. It will
put on its show on Tuesday evening
and return to New York Wednesday
morning. The actors are contributing
their services and Cinema Lodge is
underwriting their transportation.

A. Montague, president of the hos-
pital, is arranging the details of the
first junket with Dr. George E. Wil-
son, medical director of the hospital
and the hospital authorities acting as
hosts to the entertainers and the Cine-
ma Lodge representatives. The "live"
entertainment at Christmas time is
considered of important therapeutic
value.

Milton Randolph Dead

NASHVILLE, Dec. 6. — Milton
Randolph, editor of "Good News
Weekly," published by Crescent
Amusement Co. for circulation in its
theatres, and editor of the Nashville
"Banner" amusement page, died fol-
lowing an extended illness. Randolph
was the author of a recent feature
article in "Motion Picture Herald"
about Crescent's theatre advertising in
the "Banner."

Lux in Hospital

BUFFALO, Dec. 6. — Elmer F.
Lux, head of Elmart Theatres and
president of the Buffalo Common
Council, has entered the General Hos-
pital. He underwent surgery this
afternoon. Mrs. Lux said her hus-
band has had a recurrence of an ill-
ness which had hospitalized him in
July.

14 Brandt Theatres
Sign Altec Contract

A contract has been signed between
Stepamclau, Inc., a Brandt theatres
subsidiary, and Altec Service Corp.,
covering the sound equipment in 14
houses in New Jersey.

The deal was negotiated between
Marty Wolf, Altec assistant sales
manager, and Arthur Sommer, repre-
senting the Brandt interests. Half of
the theatres have stereophonic sound
equipment. Altec will provide the
special service techniques developed
by the organization for these installa-
tions, together with service and main-
tenance of the optical equipments in-
volved.

Schaefer Retained

George J. Schaefer has been re-
tained as producer's representative for
United Artists' forthcoming "Star of
India," starring Cornel Wilde and
Jean Wallace.

NEW YORK THEATRES

Whitney Engages MCA

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 6. — C. V.
Whitney Pictures, Inc., has delegated
Music Corporation of America to
negotiate a distribution arrangement
for "Searchers," which John Ford will
direct. Whitney said the arrangement
made for "Searchers" may have "more
important and far reaching effects
than any other arrangement for a
single picture."

_RAD!0 CITY MUSIC HALL

Rockefeller Center

BE^Lm% "WHITE CHRISTMAS"

in VistaVision starring

BING CROSBY - DANNY KAYE
ROSEMARY CLOONEY - VERA ELLEN
Color by Technicolor . A Paramount Picture
and SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION ]\

•••"Warner Bros. m;'.H, "~

ROBERTMitchumTeresa Wright

..WILLIAM A. WELLMAN'S

Co%lny,lll''™^S?.tH^^^^^^ ^^"''ir^^^./-'^ Saturdays. Sundays and holidays, by Qu.gley Publishing

Quigley, Jr., Vice-President Theo T SuUivati S^fpresk ent and Treasn^;^ lr^°°^ address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President: Martin

.^dverti^in'g Manager; Gus" H. Fausel IrXiin^fan'lge f H^^^^^^^ Ync'^^-t^'^Bnm^^^^^^ ^^--etary ; Al Steen,^ News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke.

Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street Urben Farlev \dvertisin<. Renresentativ^ FT^^" n7A \j ^il- °- ^^"^s- Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;

4 Golden Sq.. London W. 1; Hope BurnuV Ma ager PeterTurn^^^^ Edkor r«hl .Washington J. A. Otten National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,

and Better Refreshment Merch:ndi^ng?Tacr pSed 3 thn s a'' yi aV a sectf 'of' M& Picture" Herld"*Mot^"""p^ Publications : Motion Picture Herald ; Better Theatres
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York N Y under thrnVi- r if \ , c u ¥°t'°n Picture and Televisior. Almanac; Fame. Entered as

copies, 10c. ' ' "'^ ^^'^ °^ ^^^'■^'1 ^' Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single

Tuesday, December 7, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Reviews

West of Zanzibar''

{Univcrsal-lnicrnational-Rank) Hollywood, Dec. 6

LACK of player names meaningful on American marquees is major handi-
cap under which this melodrama winch was sent over by the J. Arthur
Rank Organization, to whose "Ivory Hunter" it is said to be a sequel, goes
into distribution in these States. The top players are Anthony Steel, who's
been seen in "Ivory iiunter," "Another Man's Poison," "Outpost in Malaya"
and more than a dozen other pictures since the war, and Sheila Sim, whose
past screen credits include "Pandora and the Flying Dutchman."

These players do well enough in portraying a married couple made to seem
more like cardboard-cutouts than people in a story and screenplay contrived to
afford a reason for photographing most attractively a great many animals of
the African jungle and plain whose natively dramatic appeal is as strong in
this as in the other previous animal pictures that have given audiences, and
sometimes auditors, so much satisfaction over the years. When "West of
Zanzibar" is permitted to become an outright animal picture, with the camera
taking over the responsibility of entertainment, it is very good. The rest of
the tmie it is a combination of unconvincing makebelieve and political message.
Exploitation featuring the animals — elephants, hippos, leopards, all the regu-
lars, plus a few underwater creatures seldom seen on film — is likely to produce
best results.

The picture is a Michael Balcom production produced by Leslie Norman
and directed by Harry Watt from a screenplay by Max Catto and Jack
W hittingnam taken from a story by Watt, ana it was maUe, according to
the creait-sheet, "in association with ttie Scniesmger organizaiion. " ihe
director oi pliotography, in iechnicolor, whose contribution is the standout
teature of the him, is Paul Beeson.

Ihe story is a loosely-knit account of the ways in which the white Steel,
warden of the national park in Atrica in whicli tlie black tribe of Galanas
lias taken residence, undertakes to save them trom lawless ivory-smuggiers
headed by an mdehmtely delineated attorney who calls himself a Phoenician.
Ihe time is about now, by indication ot the jeep used by the whites, and
there is a great deal of action, some of it tragic, some of it on land and
some on the sea, beiore the whites best tne Phoenician and save the surviving
and gratetul members of the Galanas tribe.

Running time, 94 minutes. General classification. W. R. W.

The White Orchid

{Lcaorg-United Artists)

ILMIiD in Mexico, this story of romance and adventure boasts picturesque
" and technically impressive photography in color by h-astman Color. Its
other selling points are interesting aspects of Mexican culture and folklore
and the names of William Lundigan and Peggie Gastie. The somewhat siow-
paced story manages to hold the interest until the pace increases toward the
end.

Lundigan and Miss Castle co-star as an archeologist and his unwanted (at
first J assistant photographer. He learns of an ancient tribe dwelling in remote
jungles. Needing a guide to lead them through this strange territory, she
persuades a wealthy plantation owner to accompany them. Romantic complica-
tions develop along the way, but the hostility changes when the three are
captured for unwittingly causing the death of one of the tribe. Their escape
is partially successful as the Mexican gives up his life so the others can flee.

Much of the gaiety of a fiesta and the beauty of the countryside is caught
by the cameras. The film has a flavor of authenticity which helps overcome
the plot deficiency. Reginald LeBorg directed at a leisurely pace and got com-
petent performances from the cast, most of whom, other than the principals,
are unknown north of the border.

LeBorg produced and also wrote the screenplay in collaboration with David
Duncan.

Running time, 81 minutes. General audience classification. November release.

People

News
Roundup

Pittsburgh TV Outlet Sold

Purchase of television station
WDTV, Pittsburgh, by Westinghouse
Broadcasting Co. from Allen B. Du-
Mont Laboratories, Inc. for $9,750,000
was announced here jointly at the
weekend by Gwilym A. Price, presi-
dent of Westinghouse Electric Corp.,
parent company of Westinghouse
Broadcasting, and Dr. Allen B. Du-
Mont, president of the company bear-
ing his name. The sale is subject to
the consent of the Federal Communi-
cations Commission.

New Tenn. Drive-in

A corporation headed by R. M.
Condra, now operating the Colonial
and Bel-Air Drive-ins in Nashville,
will start work immediately on a new
drive-in and amusement center on
Highway 100. The 800-car project
will cost $200,000 and will include a
swimming pool and pony riding trails.

Support Two Festivals

The Council of the International
Federation of Film Producers Asso-
ciations has announced that in 1955
it will support both the Cannes and
the Venice Film Festivals. Previously,
the council decided to lend its support
only to one major film festival per
year.

'Gretel' London Bow

Michael Myerberg's "Hansel and
Gretel" will have its first European
engagement when it opens in London
on Dec. 19 as the Christmas holiday
attraction at the Tivoli Theatre.

Right to See Books
Given CoL 'Holder

ALBANY, Dec. 6.— Lester Martin,
holder of approximately eight per cent
of Columbia Pictures common stock,
has been given the right to inspect the
company books in accordance with a
decision handed down here by the
Court of Appeals. Three justices of
the court dissented.

Martin, who charged mismanage-
ment of the business, earlier had ob-
tained from Supreme Court Justice
Edgar J. Nathan, Jr., an order per-
mitting him to inspect the company
records. Following objections by Co-
lumbia, the Appelate Division upheld
Justice Nathan and the Court of Ap-
peals now has sustained the action of
both the lower tribunals.

Youngstein Heads
Denver Charity Unit

Max E. Youngstein, vice-president
of United Artists, has been appointed
chairman of the entertainment com-
mittee of the National Home for
Asthmatic Children at Denver, it was
announced by Robert Q. Lewis, the
CBS television star who is honorary
chairman of the home's regional board
of directors.

Youngstein and Lewis simultane-
ously announced their sponsorship of
a "Parade of Stars" at Town Hall
here, on Jan. 8, for the benefit of the
national home.

UA-SPG Open Wage
Talks Here Today

The United Artists unit of the
Screen Publicists Guild will present
its demands for a general increase
across the board for advertising, pub-
licity and exploitation personnel to
company officials in the first of a
series of meetings which begin here
today.

If an agreement cannot be reached
between the SPG members and UA,
the matter is to go to arbitration after
the first of the year.

Plan Smakivitz Dinner

ALBANY, Dec. 6.— The Variety
Club will give a testimonial dinner to
Charles A. Smakwitz, who has been
promoted from Stanley Warner zone
manager in the Albany territory to a
similar post in the Newark area, effec-
tive Jan. 1.

Conn, Critic Picks
'Star Is Born'

HARTFORD, Dec. 6.— "A Star Is
Born" tops the "Ten Best Films of
1954" selections announced by Allen
M. Widem, motion picture editor,
Hartford "Times."

Others honored: "Sabrina," "Bare-
foot Contessa," "The High and the
Mighty," "White Christmas," "About
Mrs. Leslie," "Caine Mutiny," "Rear
Window," "Seven Brides for Seven
Brothers" and "Magnificent Obses-
sion."

Coast Craft Pay Rises

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 6. — The
weekly earnings of craft workers in
the studios here, averaged $129.55 in
October. This figure is slightly above
the average of $125.35 for September
of this year and considerably above
the $116.40 for October, 1953.

Frank Braden, press representa-
tive of Ringling Brothers-Barnum
& Bailey Circus, has joined Para-
mount Pictures on a "loan out" to
assist with the campaign on Hal
Wallis' Dean Martin-Jerry Lewis,
"Three Ring Circus" in Vista-
Vision. Working with Braden, who
currently is stationed at the Para-
mount home office, is Dave Fried-
man, Paramount Mid-West field
representative, who has a broad
circus promotion background.

Clyde Hawkins replaces Otis
Smith as manager of the Bradley
Theatre, Columbus, Ga. Hawkins
was formerly with the Fox Theatre
in Atlanta. Smith moves over as
manager of the Columbus Drive-In
in Columbus.

□

Celia Reile is operating the re-
opened Family Theatre in Utica,
N. Y.

John E. Petroski of Stanley War-
ner Theatres has taken over the
inanagement of the Garde Theatre
in New London, Conn., succeeding
Nick E. Brickates, newly appointed
Connecticut district manager for the
circuit.

Jack and Ray Essick of Modern
Theatres Circuit in Cleveland have
completed plans to go into the travel
agency business as a side-line.

DeChantal Smith, cashier at the
Paramount New Haven exchange
for the past 36 years, retired from
the company last week.

Howard E. Kohn, III, has been

named national coordinator for Cen-
tury Films' "Day of Triumph" in
charge of publicity and promotion.
Kohn formerly handled road shows
for Stanley Kramer and United
Artists.

Jim Bolus, former booker for
MGM in Atlanta, has been appoint-
ed sales representative for Republic
Pictures. Dave Londen has suc-
ceeded him as booker at MGM.

File 'Piracy' Suit

A suit for $300,000 was filed in
N. Y. Federal Court yesterday by
Seymour Gonberg, writer, who
charged that the Joseph Burstyn, Inc.,
release, "The Little Fugitives," was
based on his Collier's story "The
Shrimp" and on "Rest Cure," which
appeared in Cosmopolitan. Portions
of the stories were pirated, he
charged. Four defendants, in addition
to the Burstyn company, were named.

To Process 'Girl'

O. W. Murray, West Coast vice-
president of Pathe Laboratories, an-
nounced that a deal has been closed
with Burt Kaiser Productions to
process "Girl Murdered" which stars
Lawrence Tierney and John Car-
radine.

adding powerful boxoffice pull:

WHICH WILL PLAll

THAN ANY ATTRACT

NEW YORK TIMES TELLS
THE PUBLIC: "Richest bo-
nanza. On the basis of returns
from other films the com-
pany has released... 'White
Christmas' should yield a rec-
ord at Paramount."

VARIETY TELLS THE TRADE:
"'White Christmas' threatens
to top industry's all-time top
grosses."

Hollywood Reporter Adds:
"'White Christmas' will break
thru the money -barrier."

MOTION PICTURE f HIGH-FIDELITY

0 all the other selling elements of

TO MORE PEOPLE

RECENT YEARS

Irving Berlin's
WHITE CHRISTMAS
in vistaVision

Motion Picture High -Fidelity

starring Bing Crosby • Danny Kaye • Rosemary Clooney • Vera-Ellen * I

_ Lyrics and . Produced by ««• i_ i i.- *

with Dean Jagger ■ Music by Irving Berlin • Robert Emmett Dolan • Directed by MlCnael CUrtlZ

Dances and Musical Numbers Staged by Robert Alton .|
Written for the screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama and Melvin Frank • A Paramount Picture f ' ^

COLOR BY TECHNICOLOR

RIGHT NOW HUNDREDS OF ENGAGEMENTS ARE VERIFYING THESE NEWS STORIES
AND IN THE WEEKS AHEAD THOUSANDS OF DATES WILL CONFIRM THEM!

Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, December 7, 1954

Pickman

{Continued from page 1)

fundamental one-world nature of our
corporate enterprise," Pickman said.

"We are in a one-world business of
entertainment today," Pickman con-
tinued, "and each and every one of us
is a part of tiiat one world business.
W'e all have jobs to do. This is true
regardless of the level on which we
operate or the sphere of our particular
influence and responsibilities. Each of
us here today is a part of the whole
and dependent upon each other for the
best, final end result."

The meetings, one the_ first inter-
national coordination session in Para-
mount's history, and the other a spe-
cial divisional sales managers meeting,
got under way this morning with a
welcoming address by Y. Frank
Freeman, Paramount studio vice-
president.

A. W. Schwalberg, president of
Paramount Film Distributing Corp.,
who is presiding at the sales meeting,
paid tribute to the picture makers. He
said that these planners and producers
were the ones that this year made
great salesmen out of all the sales
force."

In introducing Pickman, who is pre-
siding at the international coordina-
tion meeting attended by domestic and
foreign publicity executives. Freeman
said a main purpose of the company
policy was to establish closer bonds
between production, selling and mer-
chandising.

Loren L. Ryder, studio technical
engineering head, spoke and gave a
demonstration of double frame Vista-
Vision projection. Ryder said:
"VistaVision as we now have it on
the double frame negative produces a
better image than the human eye can
resolve, and it is this fact coupled with
the amazing clarity that creates a
third dimension effect, although no
claim of third dimension qualities is
made."

Schary Sees Color
TV Hurting at First

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 6.— A minor
depression in the motion picture in-
dustry will occur when color television
is available to the general public at
low cost, it was predicted by Dore
Schary, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio
production head, in a United Press
dispatch.

"The dip in theatre patronage will
not be as bad as the one brought about
by the arrival of television a few years
ago," Schary said. "After the first
thrill of seeing color, the public will
again demand more adequate enter-
tainment and TV will then be back
where it is today."

MITCHELL MAY, Jr.

CO., INC.

INSURANCE
•

Specializing

in requirements of the

Motion Picture Industry

75 Maiden Lane, New York
3720 W. 6th St., Los Angeles

TBlEvisiDn--Radio

.with Pinky Herman^

Gerry Gross

Norman Baer

SHOW'FOLK have always given generously of their time, talents
and money to charity and the season of wholesale giving to un-
fortunates is here once more and we feel proud that in hundreds of
communities radio and TV execs and their staffs are successfully
raising funds for various local charities. It's impossible to list in
this pillar even a small fraction of the "drives," but we should like
to name some. The New York chapter of American Women in Radio-
TV will hold its annual Christmas-Chanukah party next Monday
at the Hotel Warwick, where, with Prexy Nancy Craig, they'll pre-
pare the distribution of gifts to 150 neediest families. Gifts accumu-
lated thru the efforts of WMGM artists and station personnel, wall
be distributed by the 52 Association of N. Y. to wounded and hos-
pitalized servicemen in Greater N. Y. In Cincinnati, femcee Ruth
Lyons of the WLW-TVehicle "50-50^ Club," has already raised
a "Christmas fund" of $55,000 to purchase and distribute toys to
invalid children in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana hospitals.

The busy office of Gerry Gross-Norman Baer Productions
will be even busier starting Sunday Dec. 19 when the TVhiz-
kids' newest TV panel show, "Let's Take Sides," ABCom-
mences in the 1:00-1:30
P.M. slot. The current
Gross-Baer shows in-
clude the award-winning
"Junior Champions"
and "The Igor Cassini
Show" both TViewed on
NBC; The "Morey Am-
sterdam" and "Maggi
McNellis" shows (ABC-
TV) and Ted Straeter's
WABDoins. The new
program will have Bob
Considine as moderator
and Sloan Simpson and
Frank Conniff, regular panelists; the other two guest pan-
elists selected each week. . . . Jan Minor, whose make-
believing as leading lady on radio shows "Hilltop House"
and "Casey, Crime Photographer" and Robert Montgomery
TV shows, stamps her as one of the most talented on
the air, is currently in Hollywood making a series of
telefilm commershills for "Lux Video Theatre." . . . Ben
Berenberg, executive producer for Screen Gems, has added
producers Ben Blake and Lee Goodman to the firm's new
"personalized service" sub-division. Under this new service,
producers will be assigned exclusively to advertising agencies
to handle respective film needs.

When Ray Perkins, Denver's KIMNonpareil deejay returned
from the hospital, the staff expected the former vaude headliner
to confine his activities solely to platter-chatter in viezv of the
fact that one of his hands was completely
bandaged. But not Ray. He sat down at the
piano as usual, ivory-tickled a torrid tempo
and has since been introditced to his listeners
as "the zvorld's greatest one-hand pianist."
. . . W ABDelovely Helen Baron starts her
second year as Bob Dana's "Gal Tiiesday"
on "Dining Tips." LaBaron, who's appeaired
in several Broadway productions, is sprinkled
with TV Stardust. . . . Nelson Case has been
so completely identified with the soapera
"Road of Life"" as narrator tlmt, he's been
selected to deliver similar chores for the
show's TVersion which CBSstarts Monday
at 1:15-1:30 P.M. . . . Dick Gilbert (KTYL,
Phoenix, Ariz.) president of the American
Society of Disk Jockeys, has purchased a nezv Chrysler in order
to travel about the country fulfilling his new duties. Gilbert, who
started his wax warbling years ago over WHN {now WMGM)
is one of the most popular personalities with Tin Pan Alleyites.

it iz it

Warner Bros, have affected a nation-wide tie-up with "The Big
Pay-Off" for their forthcoming musical. "Young at Heart," co-star-
ring Doris Day and Frank Sinatra. A letter-writing contest will be
featured for two weeks on the CBS-TV program, starting December
13 and will ask viewers to end the sentence that starts with "I Keep
Y^'oung in Heart by."

Ray Perkins

Tax Signs

{Continued from page 1)

save their admissions stubs as it is
possible that tliey may secure a tax
refund, he said.

The posters, placards and box-office
signs which were printed by the In-
dependent Theatre Owners Associa-
tion and the Metropolitan Motion
Picture Theatres Owners Association
state : "To our patrons ! This theatre
is fighting the 5% city admission tax.
Save your ticket stubs. You may be
entitled to a refund."

Meanwhile, a study of the New
York City five per cent amusement
tax levy, Local Law 37 for 1954, re-
vealed that the local government can
secure an even five per cent tax on
admissions by the use of token or
stamps. The provision states : "To
prescribe methods for collection of
the tax, include the use of stamps,
coupons, serial numbered tickets, or
such other reasonable device or meth-
ods as may be necessary or helpful
in securing a complete and prompt
collection of the tax."

This method of sales tax collection
is in effect in Missouri, Ohio and a
few other states where the local gov-
ernments have been collecting sales
taxes by use of half-penny tokens
thereby eliminating any major frac-
tion of tax breakage issues.

However, exhibitor officials in New
York have contended all along that
if the city authorities try to install
this method of tax collection, the cost
involved would be enormous and it
would be "politically bad."

Southern Exhibitors

{Continued from page 1)

which will open here tomorrow.

Flexer, brother of David Flexer,
Memphis motion picture man, was
elevated, as is customary, from secre-
tary-treasurer by the nominating com-
mittee, which reported to the board.
The membership will approve the
nominees.

It was Mississippi's turn to have
the presidency, and Flexer, in the
theatre business since 1935 and the
1951 Tennessee vice-president, got the
nomination. James Carbery of Row-
ley-United Theatres, Little Rock, out-
going president, is the new board
chairman.

Charles Eudy, Houston, Miss., was
nominated secretary-treasurer, in line
for the presidency at the 1955 con-
vention, as it will be Mississippi's
turn.

The three new vice presidents are
Roy L. Cochran, North Little Rock;
R. B. Cox, Batesville, Miss., and Tom
Ballas, Memphis.

The three-day session, which
opened this afternoon, seemed to be
one without particular controversy.
The primary topic being discussed
is "more pictures."

Carbery said the plan of Theatre
Owners of America, which has set
up Exhibitors Film Financing Group,
Inc., to finance films, will be discussed
at length at the convention.

FybU GA/* JtWAYS DfPfND ON

Tuesday, December 7, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

20th Manual

(Continued from page 1)

Co-Op Bookings Buying

Ltd., London, Joseph F. Bugala, of
the Monessen Amusement Co.,
Greensburg, Pa., and other exhibitors
for ideas and campaign suggestions
which have been incorporated into the
press book.

Reproduced in the book are cam-
paigns submitted by theatremen on
stereophonic sound which have re-
sulted in reported box office advan-
tages achieved in conjunction with the
presentation of CinemaScope pictures.

The publicity section of the manual
contains a series of news stories des-
cribing the development of stereo-
phonic sound and its association with
CinemaScope.

Advertisements Included

The advertising section presents a
group of ads selling stereophonic
sound. Ads, in one, two and three
column sizes are adaptable for any
company's CinemaScope pictures in
stereophonic sound.

Special ads for campaigns on "The
Miracle of Stereophonic Sound," Cin-
emaScope short subject explaining
stereophonic sound comparing it to
regular optical sound, also are carried
in the ad section. This CinemaScope
subject is being made available free to
theatremen by the film company.

The manual also contains sugges-
tions for the exploitation of stereo-
phonic sound via lobby and theatre-
front displays, heralds, throwaways
and direct mail pieces to local civic
and scientific organizations, news-
paper editors, broadcasters and tele-
casters and to the theatre's regular
mailing list. Ideas for space-getting
stunts and contests also are outlined
in the section.

Going to 3,500 Houses

The book is being sent to each of
the 3,500 theatres in the United
States and Canada currently equipped
with stereophonic sound. It is also
going to all leading production and
exhibition executives and advertising
and publicity directors. Theatremen
overseas also will be supplied with
the press book for use in all parts
of the world.

(Continued from page 1)

ing." For instance, McGee said, "Fred-
die Schwartz with his Distributors
Corp. of America could do his pri-
mary selling in the manner he plans
at the moment, and his so-called
secondary selling would be a cinch.
Probably this co-op would need a
board of supervisors of exhibitors and
distributors which might hay&-cJo
arbitrate an occasional situation. Now,
while I say that, I realize that dis-
tributors have ahvays refused to
arbitrate film rentals, but in a type
of operation as I am suggesting here^
they might be inclined to participate.
Perhaps it would be necessary to set
this up on a national basis, and it
might even be further necessary to
provide for a Price Waterhouse type
of operation."

A further proposal, based on
the assumption that sales heads
"mean what they are quoted
as saying," was expressed by
McGee who said, "we should
not wait for arbitration and
conciliation to be put into
actual practice. I think each
distribution center should set
up within the exhibitor organ-
izations a committee to listen
to abuses or grievances, wheth-
er real or fancied, and attempt
to conciliate them right now."
McGee said he saw no reason
for distributors staying out of
towns for months and years
and no reason for exhibitors
being deprived of needful prod-
uct because of some hindrance
which may not actually exist
when brought to the attention
of the proper people.

Despite figures compiled by Sind-
linger & Co. showing a national im-
provement in box-office figures, Mc-
Gee said he would amend a state-
ment made at the Chicago TOA con-
vention and say that 90 per cent of
the U. S. theatres are selling fewer
tickets today than they did a year

*U' Schedule

(Continued from page 1)

of 32 major pictures will be released.

In reviewing the distribution policy
of the company over the past year and
outlining the program for 1955, Feld-
man stated that the keynote of U-I
operation will be based on the same
principles of "confidence, responsibility
and reliability that sparked the com-
pany's success over the past several
years."

"Our organization is full of con-
fidence in the future of the motion
picture industry," Feldman empha-
sized. "Our responsibility to our ex-
hibitor customers is to continue to de-
liver a flow of quality product having
the same reliability of entertainment
values which have pleased American
movie-goers in ever increasing num-
bers to the benefit of our company and
our exhibitor friends."

Top Officials Heard

Addressing the opening session of
the sales conference yesterday were
Milton R. Rackmil, president: Alfred
E. Daff, executive vice-president ; Ed-
ward Muhl, vice-president in charge
of production ; and David A. Lipton
vice-president.

ago. He accounted for the dif¥erence
in his estimate and that of Sindlinger
by stating that "a few big pictures
in a few big theatres in large cities
made the dilference."

Lauds M-G-M Workshops

In commenting on and congratulat-
ing M-G-M for its "ticket-selling
workshops," McGee proposed a "giant
ticket-selling campaign in each com-
munity where the theatres tie up with
some big organizations of the caliber
df the American Legion, Boy Scouts,
Ministerial Alliance or the Olympic
Games Fund.

"For instance," he said, "in our
Cooper Foundation theatres and towns,
we are establishing a standard plan
of selling tickets at 50 cents each to
the right kind of an organization, pro-
viding,- they sell the tickets at our
standard boxoffice price or more if
they can get it. Furthermore, a non-
profit organization can apply to the
Revenue Department and get an ex-
emption on the excise tax. In this
fashion we feel that tickets will be
sold to people who never read our
ads, wherever displayed, and once
having the ticket, they will attend at
a time of opportunity. It is a type o.
personal solicitation you cannot hire
and I commend it to all exhibitors.'

Sindlinger Discusses Attendance

The downward trend in attendance
at motion picture theatres, which was
constant for some eight years, has
been checked, it was stated by Al
Sindlinger, business analyst, in an ad-
dress also delivered today. Attend-
ance this year, he said, showed a two
per cent gain over last year, and he
added :

"With 143,800,000 potential movie-
goers over five years of age, producers
received $72,000,000 additional this
vear, and theatres $126,000,000, the
total increase being $198,000,000,
minus the $114,000,000 which went to
Uncle Sam."

Arbitration

(Continued from page 1)

also were instructed to prepare a
conciliation plan for approval of the
committee, slated to meet again on
Jan. 17.

The joint committee asked the two
counsels to have the conciliation plan
ready for its next meeting. Follow-
ing yesterday's conference, both sides
were said to have expressed satisfac-
tion with the "great progress" made
at the meeting.

It was indicated from other than
MPAA sources that the "wide areas
of agreement" included virtually every
point in the proposed arbitration sys-
tem including the question of damages,
the latter issue heretofore described
as the one remaining issue dividing
exhibition and distribution. The latter
source indicated that there were some
differences remaining, but he ex-
pressed optimism that these "wrin-
kles" can be ironed out. Up and
down the line, he said, progress had
been made.

Attending the meeting were : Si
Fabian, Mitchell Wolfson, Max
Cohen, Leo Brecher and Levy from
exhibition ; and A. Montague, Charles
Reagan, William Gehring, Robert
Perkins, Adolph Schimel and Austin
C. Keough, from distribution.

MGM Workshop

(Continued from page 1)

Detroit Theatres and Irving Clumb of
Milwaukee, a local man, Jack Hamil-
ton, head of theatre advertising on
the "Boston Globe," spoke. He urged
all managers to keep their ads clean
and truthful, as is the policy of the
news sections of the paper.

Clumb urged all managers to stress
newspaper advertising and to make
contacts with local merchants for
proper tie ins.

Emery Austin explained the func-
tions of picture exploitation and pro-
motion services.

Perry Reavis, of North Carolina,
described an exploitation method used
in smaller situations.

4 Percentage Suits
Filed in Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE, Dec. 6. — Nick
Johnson and Harry E. Tope operating
the Strand Theatre, Manitowoc, Wis.
and the Wisconsin and Majestic The-
atres in Sheboygan, Wis., were named
as defendants in four percentage suits
brought in the Federal Court for the
Eastern District of Wisconsin.

The actions were by Loevi''s, 20th
Century-Fox, United Artists and
RKO.

CORNER

WHY DO
YOU NEED
WIDE-ARC ?

.• RCA Wide- Arc Lamps
give more light per ampere than
any other projection lamp! Their
low carbon-burning rate also helps
hold down operating costs — and
special design holds maintenance
costs to an absolute minimum.
And for extra-efficient operation
. . . "Instant Acting" ventilation
keeps reflector cool and free of
carbon dust, water circulator
keeps overall temperature low.
High speed reflector distributes
light better . . . high speed positive
carbon rotation provides greater
arc stability. Wide-Arcs illuminate
just as efficiently with either stand-
ard or Hitex carbons. They're
ideal for wide screen and 3-D.

WHO can show RCA
Wide-Arc^s extra effi-
ciency in terms of an actual
installation ?

Your local independent
RCA Theatre Supply Dealer can

prove to you that RCA Wide-Arc
Lamps will give all-around
superior illumination in ?/0Mr specific
wide-screen or 3-D installation.

RADIO CORPORATION
of AMERICA

THEATRE EQUIPMENT
CAMDEN, N. J.

VOL. 76. NO. 109

NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1954

TEN CENTS

Disclose List

Exhibitors in
DC A Operate
1,005 Houses

Schwartz Sees Co. Boost
In Capitalization Soon

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

Major exhibitors throughout the
country are represented in the Dis-
tributors Corp. of America stockhold-
ers list, made public here yesterday
by DCA presi-
dent Fred J.
Schwartz.

Schwartz, at
the same time,
disclosed that
DCA is con-
templating in-
creasing its cap-
italization, the
$1,000,000 of
DCA preferred
stock having al-
ready been fully
subscribed.

DCA stock-
holders, scat-
tered throughout the country operate
{Continued on page 6)

Fred Schwartz

Smith Leaves USIA;
Shelton in His Post

Frcm THE DAILY Bureau

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7. — An-
drew W. Smith, Jr., is resigning ef-
fective Dec. 11, as chief 'of the U. S.
Information Agency's Motion Picture
Service, and will be replaced by the
present deputy chief. Turner B. Shel-
ton.

This was announced today by the
(Continued on page 6)

D oiling er Asks Study
Of Admission Prices

special to THE DAILY

BOSTON, Dec. 7.— Film rentals
and advanced admission prices key-
noted the address of Irving Dollinger,
of New Jersey Allied, in an address
delivered here today at the conven-
tion of Independent Exhibitors, Inc.

Dollinger made a strong plea for
(Continued on page 6)

TOA Mid-Winter
Meet Feb. 13-15

The joint mid-winter meeting of
the executive committee and
board of directors of Theatre
Owners of America will be held
Feb. 13-15 at the Mayflower
Hotel, Washington. The ses-
sions previously had been tenta-
tively set to start on Feb. 5.
Walter Reade, Jr., chairman of
the board, and Alfred Starr,
chairman of the executive com-
mittee, will preside.

Fabian Again
Asks Unity

OKLAHOMA CITY, Dec. 7. —
Reiterating his stand of a year ago.
Si Fabian, president of Stanley War-
ner Corp., today called for "one big
organization"
of e.xh i b i t o r s
which, he as-
serted, could
move the in-
dustry ahead
five years in it'^
thinking with a
period of s i x
months of con-
centrated effort.

Fabian, speak-
ing at the an-
nual convention
here of the
Theatre Own-
ers of Okla-
homa, attacked moves by some indus-
(Contimtcd on page 3)

Si Fabian

BoxoMce Stimulant

M-G-M 'SALUTE TO
THEATRES^IN '55

Campaign, to Run from Jan. 1 to April 30,
To Use 'There's More Fun at Movies' Slogan

Plans for a nation-wide campaign by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to help
increase theatre business in 1955 and designed as a salute to the com-
pany's exhibitor customers were announced yesterday by Charles M.

Reagan, vice-

$16,500,000
For Cinerama
As of Nov. 27

By LESTER DINOFF

.\t the end of the 14-montli period
ending Dec. 31, 1955, "This Is Cine-
rama" and "Cinerama Holiday,"
which will have been exhibited in 16
United States and Canadian cities by
then, will have grossed about $20,000,-
000, Ira S. Stevens, treasurer and
assistant secretary of Cinerama Pro-
ductions, Inc., informed company
stockholders at a Barbizon Plaza
Hotel meeting held here yesterday.

Basing his assumptions on the aver-
age attendance of 65 per cent at the
13 theatres in the U. S. now present-
ing "This Is Cinerama," Stevens
stated that the $20,000,000 anticipated
(Continued on page 3)

'There's No Business

Like Show Business'

[20th Centitry-Fox]
(CinemaScope)

SOME extraordinarily happy results entertainment-wise, which is,
of course, to say commerce-wise, flow from a prodigal mmghng
of many top-flight talents before some of the best utilized technical
developments the screen has displayed since the opening of the get-them-
out-o£-the-living-room era last year, in this wonderful motion picture,
"There's No Business Like Show Business."

It is, most assuredly and unreservedly, worthy of its title and living
proof of it.

The quality of the performances of Ethel Merman, Donald O Connor,

(Continued on page 3)

Charles Reagan

president and
general sales
manager, at a
luncheon with
trade press rep-
resentatives at
the Sheraton
Asfor Hotel
here.

The campaign
will be official-
ly titled "M-
G-M's 195 5
Motion Picture
Theatre Cele-
bration."

The slogan for the salute will
be "There's More Fun at the
Movies!" While the promotion
activity will be undertaken by
M-G-M from Jan. 1 through
April 30, the company hopes
that the momentum will be
maintained indefinitely.

In describing the campaign, Reagan
said :

"I believe there is every indication
that 1955 will be a great movie year
and that the upswing started in '54
will continue and will be accelerated.
We are convinced that this business is
(Continued on page 6)

Tnterim' Extension
For NT Divestiture

From THE DAILY Bureau,

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7. — The
Justice Department has agreed to
give National Theatres an "interim"
extension of its Dec. 7 divestiture
deadline until Jan. 10.

Before that date, it is planned. Jus-
tice and National will work out an-
other, longer extension which _ it is
hoped will be the final extension of
National's divestiture deadline.

Under the original 20th Century-
(Continued on page 3)

HAROLD HECHT presents

GARY COOPER ★ BURT LANCASTER
"%i£R£k CRUX"

SUPERSCOPE

IN THE
FEB. ISSUE
OF

• More than
4,322,140
Primary Readers

THE MAGAZINE FOR YOUNG ADULTS

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, December 8, 1954

Personal
Mention

ROY O. DISNEY, president of
Walt Disney Productions, and
v.. C. Wm.kkr, advertising and ex-
|)loitation manager, have returned to
tlio Coast from New York.

•

KoiiEUT Clark, president of the
British Fihn Producers Association,
and a director of Associated British
Picture Corp., has arrived in New
Yorl< from London.

•

Bernard Jacon, l.F.E. Releasing
Corp. vice-president in charge of sales,
has arrived in Los Angeles from New
York.

•

H. M. Bessey, Altec Service Corp.
e.\ecutive vice-president, has left New
York for Chicago and other cities of
the Midwest and Far West.

•

Lou Marks, M-G-M manager in
Detroit, is in New York from there
on a belated honeymoon and also to
celebrate his mother's 75th birthday.
•

R. J. HoKTis, manager of the Wes-
trex Company, Argentina, has re-
turned to Buenos Aires from New
York.

•

Alexander McDonald, of Doug-
las Fairbanks, Jr. Productions, Ltd.,
is scheduled to arrive here today from

London via B.O.A.C.

•

Leon Roth, publicity coordinator
for United Artists on the West Coast,
will return to Hollywood today from
New York.

•

Mai Ze'itebling will arrive here
tomorrow from London via B.O.A.C.
Monarch.

•

Saul J. Ullman, Fabian division
manager in Albany, N. Y., has re-
turned there from Miami.

•

Mike Simons, M-G-M exhibitor
relations head, left here yesterday for
Memphis.

•

Jack Sogg, M-G-M manager in
Cleveland, is in New York from
there.

•

P. Amourgis, manager of Westrex
Company, East, has returned to Alex-
andria, Egypt, from New York.

Schine Trial Starts in
Buffalo Tomorrow

BUFFALO, Dec. 7.— Defendants
in the contempt action against the
Schine Chain Theatres will go to trial
on Thursday, Federal Judge John
Knight has ruled.

The decision came after repeated
delays because of the unavailability of
attorney William B. Mahoney, who
represents council president Elmer F.
I^ux, a defendant.

Trial Date was fixed after judge
Knight conferred with Frank G.
Raichle, Jr., attorney for the Schine
defendants, and Joseph E. McDowell,
Justice Department trial council.

F-17 Withdraws
NLRB Petition

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 7.—
Exchange Local F-17 has with-
drawn its National Labor Re-
lations Board petition for an
election, according to John
Ford, international lATSE rep-
resentative for Northern Cali-
fornia.

Last week, exchange workers
local B-17 had decided to await
the signing of the new national
exchange contract with the dis-
tribution companies before seek-
ing full local autonomy and an
NLRB hearing concerning rec-
ognition as a separate bargain-
ing agent.

Asks ^Voluntary'
Ohio Censorship

COLUMBUS, O., Dec. 7.— A bid
for voluntary submission of films for
review by the Ohio state censor board
was made here today by R. M. E}'-
man, director of education in the state
and head of the censor board, in a
statement in which he acknowledged
that the recent Ohio Supreme Court
decision has "removed the power . . .
to require" prior film censorship.

'Seals' to Be Continued

"On the other hand," the statement
continued, "it is quite clear that the
law has not been decided unconstitu-
tional nor void. Therefore, the divi-
sion (of film censorship) will accept
and review films voluntarily submitted
to it and will issue official leaders
(seals) to those films approved. This
policy will be continued until the leg-
islature acts on the problem.

"In the event that an amended law
is enacted, those films being exhibited
in the state which have not been ap-
proved under this voluntary arrange-
ment will be subject to immediate
review."

Moclair Back from
Product Survey

William J. Moclair, Roxy Theatre
managing director here, has returned
from the National Theatres division
conference in Los Angeles where he
and other National Theatres execu-
tives, attended preview screenings of
new 20th Century-Fox CinemaScope
productions, booked for future show-
ing at the Roxy.

Moclair reports that these forth-
coming films, which he claimed are
among the "greatest to come from
Hollywood in many a year," will be
premiered at the Roxy following the
run of Irving Berlin's "There's No
Business Like Show Business."

Among the new films are "The
Racers," starring Kirk Douglas ; "Un-
tamed" with a cast headed by Tyrone
Power, Susan Hayv^'ard and Richard
Egan ; "A Man Called Peter," star-
ring Jean Peters, Richard Burton and
Richard Todd ; the musical version of
the play, "Daddy Long Legs," co-
starring Fred Astaire and Leslie
Caron ; and "The Seven Year Itch,"
starring Marilyn ]\Ionroe and Tom
I Ewell.

First Theatre TV
In Britain Clicks

LONDON, Dec. 3 (By Air Mailj.
— Britain's first large screen theatre
TV, with the hugely popular England-
(lermany football game at Wembley
Stadium as the attraction, was gen-
erally regarded as a success here but
was not a sellout at any of the eight
theatres which offered the game at
increased admission prices.

An estimated 13,000 paid admissions
were reported by the theatres. A re-
lay of the BBC transmission also was
taken at the Apollo in Dusseldorf,
Germany, where another 2,000 fans
bought tickets. Theatre managers re-
ported a different type of customer
from usual, obviously more sports
fans than theatre, was in attendance.
Weather conditions were favorable
and reception was reported to be of
reasonably good quality.

Wolf berg, Daab End
Makelim Association

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 7.— John M.
Wolfberg, former Denver and South-
ern California exhibitor, and former
national secretary of Allied States,
has severed his association with the
Hal R. Makelim organization of
which he was vice-president and sales
manager. Taking over Wolfberg's
duties is Herb Kaufman, former Re-
public Pictures sales official and more
recently with Makelim in the Midwest
as a sales executive.

H}' Daab, veteran industry
advertising-publicity executive, who
was with the Makelim organization
briefly, has completed an assignment
and withdrawn. No replacement has
been named.

'Underwater!' to Bow
Jan. 10, Under Water

The much-heralded ))review of How-
ard Hughes' "LTnderwater !" which will
be shown 20 feet below the surface of
the water at Silver Springs, Fla., is
scheduled for Jan. 10. Approximately
100 top correspondents will be flown
from New York and Hollywood for
the event.

The "submarine" preview has been
made possible by special equipment
now being installed to project both
sight and sound under v\'ater. Spec-
tators will be seated in chairs 20 feet
below the surface equipped with aqua-
lungs, or, if they desire, will view the
proceedings through the portholes of
electrically powered submarines.

Foundling Hospital
Sponsors 'Tonight'

The New York Foundling Hospital
will sponsor the opening performance
of "Tonight's _ the Night," Allied
Artists' Technicolor comedy which
was filmed in Ireland. The film will
have its New York premiere at the
S2nd Street Trans-Lux on Dec. 22,
following "Lili," which will then com-
plete a 95-week run.

This was announced jointly by
Steve Broidy, president of Allied
Artists, and Rt. Rev. Mons. John E.
Reilly of the New York Foundling
Hospital.

Southern Exhibitors
In Product Plea to
Major Distributors

S fecial to THE DAILY
MEMPHIS, Dec. 7.— Motion Pic-
ture Theatre Owners of Arkansas,
Tennessee and Mississippi at the
group's convention here today dis-
cussed the shortage of film prints in
the area. James Carbery, out-going
president, was instructed by the con-
vention in a closed session to write
to the general sales managers of all
major film companies regarding the
shortage.

The convention also discussed the
high price of film rentals, and went
on record to the efTect that film rent-
als are "definitely too high." The
group said many theatres have to wait
too long to play a picture, too, be-
cause of the insufficient number of
prints.

The convention also heard Jack
Keiler, vice-president and general
manager of Columbia Amusement Co.,
Paducah, Ky., who urged exhibitors
to regard television as an ally, and to
use TV in advertising films.

Lightman Heard

.-\.t a luncheon at the Variety Club,
the delegates heard M. A. Lightman,
one of the founders of the organiza-
tion and president for the first seven
years, disCuss the Variety Club's con-
valescent home for victims of rheu-
matic fever.

Mayor Frank T. Tobey welcomed
the theatre men to Memphis.

The convention elected the officers
proposed by the nominating committee
as follows : Nathan Flexer, Waverly,
Tenn., president ; James Carbery,
Little Rock, board chairman; Roy L.
Cochran, North Little Rock ; R. E.
Cox, Batesville, Miss., and Tom Bal-
las, Memphis, vice-presidents.

Representatives to Theatre Owners
of America will be K. K. King,
Searcy, .A.rk. ; Leon Rountree, Holly
Springs, Miss., and M. A. Lightman,
Memphis.

Feldkamp Forms
FF Productions

Fred Feldkamp announces the for-
mation of FF Productions here for
the independent production of feature
pictures for theatrical release. Two
original properties are currently sched-
uled for production in 1955.

Feldkamp is the producer of the re-
cent L^nited Artists' release "Opera-
tion Manhunt," based on the life in
hiding in Canada of Igor Gouzenko.

Schwartz on Telethon

Sol A. Schwartz, president of RKO
Theatres, and motion picture industry
co-chairman of the Arthritis and
Rheumatism Foundation's sixth an-
nual drive for funds, will be the in-
dustry's representative in the 15-hour
telethon to emanate from the studios
of WABC-TV on Saturday night.

King Bros. Dividend Set

A dividend of five cents per share,
payable Jan. 10 to stockholders of
record on Dec. 22, has been declared
by the directors of King Brothers.

MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quiglev, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher: Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center. New York 20. N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President: Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President: Theo. .1. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer: Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke.
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca- Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington. J. A. Otten. National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup. Editor; cable address. "Quigpubco. London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept . 21, 1938, at the^post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $.12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

Wednesday, December 8, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

'There^s No Business

Like Show Business^

{Continued front page 1)

Marilyn Monroe, Dan Dailey, Johnnie Ray and Mitzi Gaynor are such
as to set one wondering when, if ever, they may have been surpassed.

The terrific CinemaScope production numbers for the Irving Berlin
"hit" tunes, in marvelous color by DeLuxe, are luxuriously dressed,
beautifully sung, danced and acted. Among them are the title tune, and
"Heat Wave," "When That Midnight Choo Choo Leaves for Alabam',"
"Laz}'," "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "After You Get What You
Want' You Don't Want It," "A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody," " You'd
Be Surprised," and many others.

In addition to the abundance of eye and ear appeal, there is emotional stim-
ulus and heart in the Phoebe and Henry Ephron screen i^lay, from the Lamar
Trotti story. And the way it is played by every member of the cast, under
Walter Lang's discerning direction, will command the undivided attention of
audiences from beginning to end.

It has so much to offer, so much to sell and to be talked about, that this
excellent show is certain to attract huge crowd which can but go their way
as salesmen for it, after seeing it.

THE story relates the personal and professional adventures of the Dona-
hues, a show business family headed by Miss Merman and Dailey, a
vaudeville team, ultimately expanded to include the children, O'Connor, Ray
and Miss Gaynor, and their excursions into ttie night club and other fields
after the demise of vaudeville.

As the children grow up, Ray becomes a priest ; O'Connor falls in love with
Miss Monroe, an aspiring entertainer, and Miss Gaynor also finds romance
with Hugh O'Brien, a lyric writer. Misunderstandings jar the course of the
O'Connor-Miss Monroe wooing, after one of which O'Connor is injured in an
automobile accident on tne night of a show opening and, after an altercation
with his father, disappears, blaming himself, Dailey sets out to find U Connor.

An actors' benefit performance at the old Hippoarome in New York pro-
vides the occasion for the family reunion and the reconciliation between
O'Connor and Dailey, on the one hand, and O Connor and Miss Monroe, on
the other. With show business as the background of the principals and the
story, the magnificent production numbers are worked naturally into the nar-
lative and seem as much a part of it as any day-to-day happening in the lives
of the Donahues. The circumstance is one of many which contribute to the
distinguished and happy whole that is this Sol C. Siegel production.

Richard Eastham as a play producer, Frank McHugh as an agent, Robin
Raymond as a snow girl, and Mimi Gibson, Linda Lowell, John Potter,
Jimmy Baird, Billy Cnapin, Neil McCaskill and Donald Gamble, as the
Donahue children at early ages, make substantial contributions in support.

The mark of quality is upon this production, every foot of the way. It is
superb entertainment, the kind of which all of show business may be justi-
nably proud. And, as has been indicated above, not the least of its discinction
is attributable to expert use of CinemaScope, of stereophonic sound and of
color.

Running time, 117 minutes. General audience classification. Release, in
December. SHERWIN KANE

Say Wage Law
Can Apply to
Film Theatres

Theatres could conceivably be
brought under the Federal Minimum
Wage Law on the theory that motion
picture product moves in interstate
commerce, it was the opinion of sev-
eral industry attorneys who agreed
that if there ever was a court chal-
lenge on the issue, it could be asserted.

Labor Secretary Mitchell is re-
ported to be considering asking Con-
gress next year to extend the mini-
mum wage law to theatres, which
currently, along with other retail and
service establishments, are exempt
from the law, which requires a mini-
mum of 75 cents per hour.

Theatres generally have been held
as engaged in intra-state commerce,
but it is only a matter of constitu-
tional law, one attorney said. Small
independent theatres are regarded as
engaged in intrastate commerce, but
the large circuits which have theatres
in many states, and which book films
for the entire circuit, are actually in
interstate commerce, another attorney
said.

The National Labor Relations
Board under the Taft-Hartley Act
has said that it could, if it wanted to,
assert jurisdiction over an intra-state
theatre, but it would not do this as
a policy matter, and not on legal
grounds. The issue, however, is much
clearer with circuits whose activities
cross state lines.

Cinerama

(Continued from page 1)

gross will enable the company to
realize a profit, before operating
costs, of $1,200,000' for the same 14-
month period.

From the initial opening in the fall
of 1952 to Nov. 27 last, in the 13
theatres where "This Is Cinerama" is
being presented, the first production
has grossed an estimated $16,500,000
with Cinerama Productions securing
an income of $2,900,000 from its 50-50
agreement in the first four theatres
with Stanley Warner Corp., Stevens
said.

The S-W organization is currently
planning to open "This Is Cinerama"
in Montreal on Dec. 27 followed by a
January premiere in Buffalo and
Miami, the stockholders were in-
formed.

The stockholders unanimously
elected Lowell Thomas, Louis B.
Mayer, Milo J. Sutliff, Theodore R.
Kupferman and Stevens as directors.
They also approved and ratified an
agreement dated Nov. 3 for the termi-
nation of an employment agreement
and for stock arrangements between
the company and Merian C. Cooper
and between the company and Argosy
Pictures Corp.

Also, the stockholders ap-
proved and ratified an agree-
ment dated Nov. 3 for the
termination of an employment
contract and for a stock ar-
rangement and for a bank loan
guarantee arrangement between
the company and Mayer; and
voted permission for certain of-
ficers, Kupferman, Stevens and
Irving N. Margolin, to purchase
Cinerama Productions stock in
blocks of 5,000, 5,000 and 2,500

shares respectively, at $2.25 per
share.

Kupferman, at the beginning of the
meeting, informed the stockholders
that between Oct. 1953 and July 4,
1954, Cinerama Productions had spent
$1,950,000 in opening the first nine
theatres about the country now show-
ing "This Is Cinerama." The money
was spent on equipment, refurbishing
the houses and promotion "and your
company has received a profit, as of
July 1, of $1,600,000," he added. ''By
February, we will be even," he said.

Thomas Resigns Post
As Cinerama Head

Due to his production responsibili-
ties for the third Cinerama film, "The
Seven Wonders of the World," Lowell
Thomas, president of Cinerama Pro-
ductions, Inc., yesterday announced
that he is withdrawing his candidacy
for the company office during the
forthcoming year.

Following a meeting of the board
of directors of Cinerama Productions,
who were elected at a stockholders
meeting held earlier, it was announced
that Milo J. Sutliff was elected presi-
dent, succeeding Thomas. Other offi-
cers named were Theodore R. Kup-
ferman, vice-president and secretary ;
Ira S. Stevens, treasurer and assistant
secretary; and Irving N. Margolin,
assistant treasurer.

NT Divestiture

(Continued from page 1)

Fox consent decree, the company had
two years from June 7, 1951, to dis-
pose of some 110 theatres and prop-
erties. There were three six-month
extensions of this deadline, and as
of today, the company has only nine
or 10 theatres and properties still to
divest.

The five theatre-owning film pro-
ducers sued by the government in the
Paramount case were ordered to get
rid of approximately 1,200 theatres
under the consent decrees that fol-
lowed the Supreme Court's decision
in favor of the government. By the
end of the year, fewer than 65 theatres
will remain to be sold. Justice officials
estimated. Within a few months, they
said, divestiture should be completed
for National, RKO Theatres, Stanley
Warner and possibly even Loew's,
with American Broadcasting-Para-
mount Theatres the only chain likely
to need substantially more time.

'Prince' to Rivoli

Twentieth Century-Fox's Cinema-
Scope production of "Prince of Play-
ers" will be the holiday attraction at
the Rivoli Theatre here, following the
engagement of Otto Preminger's
"Carmen Jones," the film company
announced.

Fabian

( Continued from page 1 )

try segments for government interven-
tion in the industry and stated: "It
is my firm conviction that all the
energy being expended by both sides
in exhibition is being largely wasted."
He cited the united effort by the in-
dustry in getting admission tax relief,
pointing out that "an aroused exhibi-
tion industry working in concert with
other elements of our business can
perform miracles and do wonders for
itself when it is united with a definite
goal ahead."

Fabian said he "honestly be-
lieved" that if a referendum
were taken today and exhibi-
tors' opinions throughout the
nation were duly registered,
"our theatre owners would be
overwhelmingly in favor of one
central organization."
Turning to production, Fabian said :
"If you review the records of all
the major studios for the past five
years, you'll discover they all have
a pretty fine batting average. Where
they turned out 20 pictures a year,
you'll find three or four smash hits,
five or six good pictures, three or
four average and a few run-of-the-
mill. Suppose this same studio were
to increase its number of pictures
produced yearly by 50 per cent,
lavishing the same care and produc-
tion effort on this larger group of pic-
tures. The percentage of hits and good
pictures would go up almost in pro-
portion to the added number of films.

Wants Hollywood Encouraged

"That's why we in the theatre busi-
ness should encourage Hollywood to
make more and encourage everyone
willing to invest his money in produc-
ing pictures to fill the playing time of
our theatres.

"New stars are created by the pub-"
lie when they indicate their preference
by paying money at the box office.
The more people who see the creative
efforts of new producers — applaud and
are entertained by stars and new faces,
then more new blood will be pumped
into our industry and revitalize our
motion picture business.

"Yes, my companies are com-
mitted to a policy of maximum
aid, financial and otherwise, to
any person or organization that
can bring more pictures into the
market. My faith in our busi-
ness has never wavered and is
as strong today as ever."

In conclusion, Fabian said :
"We've got to stop fighting
amongst ourselves, we've got to let
our communities know that great at-
tractions are on the way and that
every theatre is equipped with the
most modern means of projection to
enchant their audiences. Let's organize
into one big harmonious industry or-
ganization. We've got the brains and
finances, the imagination and the man-
power to whip any temporary prob-
lems and pave the way for the great-
est prosperity this industry has ever
known."

Ed Thorne today was elected presi-
dent of Theatre Owners of Oklahoma.

Other officers named are : Ralph
Drewry, vice-president ; Ray Hughes,
secretary-treasurer, and Mrs. Zella
Geek, assistant secretary-treasurer.
Mrs. Geek and Drewry were the only
officers reelected. The posts of chair-
man of the board of directors and
second vice-president were eliminated.

M-G-M's 1955

THEATRE CEL

IN STEP WITH THE FORWARD
MARCH OF OUR INDUSTRY!

FORWARD IN '55! M-G-M announces a great nationwide
event that will bring business to your box-office and
prestige to your theatre.

For the first time a huge industry-promotion is dedicated to the glorifica-
tion of the motion picture theatre and its place in the community. Capitalize on
M-G-M's far-reaching publicity and advertising campaign that emphasizes the
slogan: ' THERE'S MORE FUN AT THE MOVIES." Join in with your own
gala local Celebration. Many fine M-G-M entertainments [some listed on next
page) are available, with FREE showmanship -accessories to ballyhoo them!
This Celebration is a salute to you, Mr. Exhibitor, and a wonderful way to
start the New Year rolling to bigger profits in '55.

PTION PICTURE

BR Arrow !

"THERE'S MORE FUN AT THE MOVIES"

AMONG THE BIG ONES FOR THE CELEBRATION!

MOTION
PICTURE
THEATRE

/ / i

rhe Greatest Star
of Them All!

JANVAKY

BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK"

{ChiemaScope — Color)

starring Spencer Tracy • Robert Ryan . co-
starring Anne Francis. Dean Jagger . Walter
Brennan . John Ericson • Ernest Borgnine
Lee Marvin • Russell Collins

JANUARY

"GREEN FIRE" {CmemaScope—Color)
starring Stewart Granger . Grace Kelly • Paul
Douglas . co-starring John Ericson • with
Murvyn Vye

FEBRUARY

MANY RIVERS TO CROSS"

{CinemaScope — Color)

starring Robert Taylor . Eleanor Parker
with Victor McLaglen • Russ Tamblyn • Jeff
Richards • James Arness

FEBRUARY

"JUPITER'S DARLING"

{CinemaScope — Color)

starring Esther Williams • Howard Keel
Marge and Gower Champion . George Sanders
with Richard Haydn . William Demarest

MARCH

"HIT THE DECK"

{CinemaScope — Color)

starring Jane Powell . Tony Martin • Debbie
Reynolds • Walter Pidgeon • Vic Damone
Gene Raymond . Ann Miller . Russ Tamblyn
with Kay Armen . J. Carrol Naish . Richard
Anderson • Jane Darwell

MARCH

INTERRUPTED MELODY"

{CinemaScope — Color)

starring Glenn Ford . Eleanor Parker • with
Roger Moore • Cecil Kellaway

APRIL

"THE GLASS SLIPPER" (cm

starring Leslie Caron . Michael Wilding .with
Keenan Wynn • Estelle Winwood • Elsa
Lanchester . Barry Jones

APRIL

BEDEVILLED"

starring Anne Baxter

{CinemaScope — Color)
• Steve Forrest • with
Simone Renant • Maurice Teynac • Robert
Christopher • Joseph Tomelty and Victor
Francen

1955 -THE YEAR OF M-G-M's "THE PRODIGAL"

ASK YOUR M-G-M BRANCH! WATCH THE TRADE PRESS!

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, December 8, 1954

MGM Salute

{Continiicd from /'age 1)

now firmly established on the road to
recovery of much of the patronage
that has been lacking in the postwar
years. We believe that the rate of re-
covery can be speeded by better prod-
uct, which we are now getting, and
by better selling of this product to
the public."

In paying tribute to the theatre and
the exhibitor as a vital part of mo-
tion picture progress Reagan said ;

Expects Wide Participation

"We confidently expect that some
15,000 theatres will participate in this
'Forward In '55 !' campaign. We feel
we are basically right in saluting the
theatre now that our industry is well
launched into a new era. The artists
who make our pictures — prodjcers,
directors, writers, actors, are worKing
with wonderful new tools that the
technicians have perfected for them.
But none of these improvements — big-
per screeiis, more realistic sound, more
glowing color — could be empio.iCd to
make better movies if the motion pic-
ture theatres were not eciuippeu to
bring these greater productions to
their audiences. In short, the theatre
is the place that makes great product
possible.

"We Lnow that the best place to see
a motion picture is in a movie theatre
and that the entertainment being pro-
vided in the movie theatre today is the
finest in the world. So, we want to
salute our exhibitor friends thiough-
out the U. S. and Canada with this
promotion campaign. Our plans focus
on the local community and theatre,
not on the glorification of Hollywood."

"We have scheduled nine releases to
start ofif the New Year," said Reagan.
"These include 'Green Fire,' 'Bad Day
at Black Rock,' 'Hit the Deck,' 'In-
terrupted Melody,' 'The Glass Slipper,'
■Bedevilled,' 'Jupiter's Darling,' 'Many
Rivers to Cross" and 'The Prodigal.'

Reagan explained that every
medium of promotion will be
used in the campaign. He said
that Howard Dietz and Dan
Terrell are at the studio this
week, consulting with Dore
Schary and Howard Strickling
on the production of a short
film to publicize the celebration
to the public, and to solidify the
East and West coast activities
for the most effective results.

Si Seadler is at work, Reagan said,
on a program of advertising for the
trade press, magazines and newspa-
pers. Emery Austin and the entire
M-G-M field press staff will spear-
head the "Celebration" in every ex-
change area. Oscar A. Doob will co-
ordinate the campaign.

• Three Channel interlock projection

• lemm, iTVimm & 35mm, tape inter-
lock

• 16mm interlock projection

CUTTING & EDITING ROOMS AVAILABLE

MOviELAB THEATRE SERVICE, inc. ;

619 W 54in Si , N Y 19, N Y . -JUdson 6-036*

Major Exhibitors in DCA

(Continued jroni page 1)

1,005 theatres and own 1,000,000 the-
atre seats, Schwartz pointed out. The
list of stockholders which, according
to Schwartz, represent about 90 per
cent of those owning shares will be
found elsewhere on this page.

The decision to increase DCA's
capitalization, Schwartz explained,
will be made at the company's first
stockholders meeting, slated to be held
here on Feb. 7. At that time, a board
of directors will be elected, which, in
turn, will elect officers, he added.

Beginning with "Hunters of the
Deep," DCA contemplates the release
of four or five pictures the first year,
Schwartz said. Production and dis-
tribution plans for DCA total $12,-
000,000, he estimated, breaking down
the figure in this fashion :

DCA has $1,000,000 invested with
more expected as the first issue is in-
creased ; $3,000,000 is estimated from
European co-producers ; $4,000,000 in
bank financing, with Schwartz adding
that DCA has banking arrangements
with Bankers Trust Co. and Chemical
Bank and Trust Co.; $1,000,000 in
deferments representing profit parti-
cipation of stars, directors and other
talent ; $2,000,000 is expected to be re-
invested by DCA from revenues, and
an additional $1,000,000 equity interest
represented by individuals or groups
who have invested in particular pic-
tures.

Asked if DCA would utilize
the financing facilities to be of-
fered by the newly-formed film
finance company sponsored by
Theatre Owners of America,
Schwartz responded "very like-
ly." Century Circuit, of which
he remains as president,
Schwartz continued, will pur-
chase stock in the TOA-spon-
sored company. Century, which
according to Schwartz remains
in controlling interest of DCA,
also has pledged itself in the
Makelim plan and has cooper-
ated with Filmakers, he added.

Charles Boasberg, general manager ;
Irving Wormser, general sales man-
ager, and Century Circuit, Schwartz
went on, own 40 per cent of the com-
mon stock with the remaining shares

of common owned in proportionate
ratios by preferred stockholders.

DCA's distribution fee for the U. S.
and Canada, he continued, will be 25
per cent of film rentals. An announce-
ment of DCA's distribution facilities,
which will utilize independent regional
distributors, will be made in two
weeks, Schwartz added. DCA will not
be confronted with the problem of
foreign distribution until next fall, he
continued, pointing out that for the
first few pictures DCA is distributing
only in the U. S. and Canada.

Few Pictures in Beginning

On long-range policy, Schwartz said
the company plans to abide by the
principle of handling a few pictures,
estimating that it will take four years
before DCA can successfully take on
10 or 12 pictures a year.

Regarding TV rights to DCA pic-
tures, Schwartz said that in some in-
stances "we have control and in oth-
ers, where DCA has not direct control,
the company's contract with the pro-
ducer bars the playing of the film on
TV for the duration of the contract
which runs seven years."

The list of stockholders, broken
down into sections of the country, in-
cludes the following :

Northeastern states: Sam Piiiansky, Amer-
ican Theatres, Boston; Harold Eskin, Amuse-
ment Enterprises; Harry Brandt, Brandt
Theatres; Leo Brecher; Schwartz, Century
Theatres; F. C. Walker and J. J. O'Leary,
Comerford-Publix Theatres; Jay Emanuel;
.Solomon M. Strausberg, Interboro Circuit;
^\rthur Lockwood, Lockwood and Gordon;
Morry Miller, Charles H. Moses; Joseph
.'^eider. Associated Prudential Theatres;
.Samuel Rinzler, Randforce Amusement
Corp.; Walter Reade, Jr., Walter Reade
Theatres; Herman Becker, Rugoff and
Becker; J. Meyer Schine, Schine Circuit;
Spyros S. Skouras, Jr., Skouras Theatres;
Joseph Springer, Springer Theatres; Per-
civa! E. Furber, Trans-Lux Theatres.

South Atlantic states: Paul Engler, Car-
ver Theatre Corp. ; D. Irving Long, Fourth
Ave. Amusement; M. A. Lightman, Malco
Theatres; E. D. Martin, jMartin Theatres of
Florida; Morton G. Thalhimer, Neighbor-
hood Theatres; Max Baum, Pekin Amuse-
ment; Arthur Steele, St. John Theatre Co.;
Alfred Starr and Milton Starr, Bijou
Amusement Co.; M. Wolfson, Wometco.

Central states: Harry Arthur; Myron
Blank, Central States Theatres; Julius M.
Gordon, Jefferson Amusement Co, ; George
Kerasotes, Kerasotes Theatres.

Western states: Joseph Rosenfield, Favorite
Theatres; Will Conner, John Hamrick The-
atres; and L. A. Starsmore, Westland The-
atres.

Andrew Smith

{Continued from page 1)

USIA head, Theodore C. Streibert.
The agency carries on the govern-
ment's information program overseas.

Smith, who has headed the Motion
Picture Service for just one year, will
return to private business in the New
York City area, according to the
USIA announcement. A veteran of
the film industry, he will remain
available as a USIA consultant. Ac-
cepting Smith's resignation "with
reluctance," Streibert praised him
highly for organizing the film service
when USIA was set up as an inde-
pendent agency.

Shelton, who is 39, entered the film
industry in 1942 and has been a pro-
ducer and executive at Warner Broth-
ers, Monogram and Eagle-Lion. He
has been Smith's deputy for the past
year.

Shelton's job of deputy chief will
be taken over by Anthony Guarco,
who has been serving as chief of the
film branch's overseas operating divi-
sion.

Dollinger

(Continued from page 1)

each exhibitor to thoroughly know his
rights under the consent decree. Later
there was an open-forum discussion
on increasing admission prices for
certain big pictures.

Questions from the floor as to the
advisability of increasing prices on
these pictures, which indicate to the
public that the pictures at regular
prices are not good, was answered
by Dollinger, who said:

"The entire structure of admissions
should be governed by the attraction
of the picture itself. If you have a
bad picture the public won't come
anyhow and for a special feature they
will pay the few cents increase. Find
the minimum and maximum prices
your theatre can stand and keep with-
iti them."

Abram F. Myers, general counsel
of Allied States, in a meeting closed
to the press, spoke on the toll tele-
vision problems, warning of the threat
of another competitor in the amuse-
ment field.

National
Pre-Selling

Powerful art used for
"Vera Cruz" campaign

SHC)\\'N above, in reduced size, is
an example ot the effective draw-
ings in strong line treatment being
used in the campaign for "Vera Cruz."
United Artists has scheduled "Vera
Cruz" national ads for December and
January in : Life, Look, American
Weekly, Kedbook, Seventeen, This
Week, and the Metro (Sunday Comics
Supplement) group.

Tie-ups and Merchandising.

Joining in the coast-to-coast "Vera
Cruz" campaign are: Winchester
Firearms, Van Heusen Shirts, Berk-
ray Corp., Duane Jewelry, Holly-
wood Bread, Honeybug Slippers,
Cavalier Ties, Reliable Machine
Works, Dreamstep Shoes, Tavi
Products, Purofied Down Products
and Chester Roth Hosiery. Theatre
managers can arrange tie-ups with
local outlets for those firms.

Winchester Firearms will run tie-
in ads in "True," "Argosy," "Field
and Stream," "Outdoor Life,"
•'Sports Afield" and "Sports Illus-
trated." Berkray Corp., manufac-
turer of men's jackets, features Burt
Lancaster in a full-page color ad in
"Esquire," and is supplying stores
with counter-cards and cooperative
advertising mats.

Van Heusen Shirts tie-in features
Cesar Romero who co-stars in "Vera
Cruz," in a series of full-color ads
in "Look," The New York Times
magazine section and "Men's Ap-
parel Arts." Duane Jewelry features
Denise Darcel, who co-stars in
"Vera Cruz," in a campaign that in-
cludes national magazine ads in Life
and Vogue magazines, radio and
television spot announcements, 14 x
16 counter-displays, easel-back dis-
plays, 50,000 four-page throw-aways
and co-operative ads for local deal-
ers. Honeybug Slippers also featur-
ing Denise Darcel, is running na-
tional ads in "Movie Life," "Movie
Star Parade," "Intimate Romances,"
"Personal Romances" and "TV Star
Parade," as well as shipping a 15-
foot display to key city stores.
•

"Woman's Home Companion" has
recommended to its 12,000,000 women
readers of the December issue "A
Star Is Born," "Hansel and Gretel,"
"Beau Brummell" and "Bengal Bri-
gade."

•

"Life" reviewed both Paramount's
"The Country Girl" and U.A.'s "Ro-
meo and Juliet" in the current issue.
Both reviews are illustrated with
photos taken on production sets.

WALTER HAAS

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"What I really want is a 'steady' who'll take

me to ALL the COMPANION-approved movies!"

Once a woman gets a bee in her bonnet about a movie the Companion has reviewed, nothing can keep her from it.
And every month MILLIONS of readers get excited about CoMPANION-approved movies!

These enthusiastic movie-goers have made their mark on theater owners who are very much

aware of the Ijenefits of CoMPANlON-approvak Results are felt
where they count most — in the cash receipts !

So it's not surprising that Hollywood picture people have
invested moie of their money in the Companion
over the past seven years than in any other monthly magazine!*

^Except, of coursi', tlir /tin magazines.

Currently advertised
in the COMPANION

The Last Time I Saw Paris.

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A Star Is Born Warner Bros.

THE CROWELL-COLLIER PUBLISHING COMPANY, 640 FIFTH AVE., NEW YORK 19, N. Y. - PUBLISHERS OF WOMAN'S HOME COMPANION, COLLIER'S, THE AMERICAN MAGAZINE

The News

That
Is News

MOTION PICTURE

DAILY

VOL. 76. NO. 110

NEW YORK, U. S. A., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1954

TEN CENTS

New Product

6 Independents
To Produce 12
Films for RKO

Grainger Sees Company
In Strongest Position

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 8.— Six ma-
jor independent producers will be
filming a minimum of 12 top-budgeted
pictures — all of them in color and
wide-screen process — for distribution
by RKO with the start of 1955, it
was disclosed here today by J. R.
Grainger, president of RKO.

In addition, with six films currently
in release and a backlog of four com-
pleted and awaiting spring and sum-
mer release, the company is in the
strongest, most mobile position it has
been in since coming under the man-
agement of Howard Hughes, Grainger
said.

Each of the following independent
units has a schedule of major attrac-
tions ready to go before the cameras
in color and wide screen process for
RKO release : Edmund Grainger Pro-
ductions, King Brothers Productions,
(Continued on page 3)

Martin Talks
Film Backing

Stccial to THE DAILY

MEMPHIS, Dec. 8.— Financing of
film production was the main topic
here on the final day of the three-day
session of the Theatre Owners of
Arkansas, Tennessee and Aiississippi.

E. D. Martin, president of Theatre
Owners of America, explained the set-
up of Exhibitors Film Financing
Group, Inc., to finance films made by
independent producers in order to in-
crease the supply for theatres. Fie
(Continued on page 6)

Doubt Senate Action
On SCTOA Charges

From THE DAILY Burean

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8.— Chances
are very slim now that the Senate
Small Business Committee will take
any action this year on the Southern
California Theatre Owner Associa-
tion's complaints against the distribu-
tors and the Justice Department.

The Senate has now completed its
(Continued on page 6)

Trial of Volk $576,000 Anti-Trust Action
Against Majors Starts Today in Minn.

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 8.— Trial of a $576,000 triple-damage anti-
trust action brought by William and Sidney Volk, operators of the
Terrace Theatre, deluxe independent suburban 28-day house, against
eight major film companies, Minnesota Amusement Co. and RKO
theatres is scheduled to open here tomorrow before Judge Gunnar
H. Nordbye in Federal District Court.

The action charges that the distributors and the two theatre cir-
cuits conspired to deprive the Terrace Theatre of a run "in keeping
with the character, location and grossing potential" of the house.

Reelect Schenck
UATC Board Head

Joseph M. Schenck was reelected
chairman of the board of directors of
United Artists Theatres Circuit at
the company's reconvened stockholders
meeting in Baltimore.

Others reelected to the board are
George P. Skouras, Joseph M. Seider,
Bertram S. Nayfack, Milton Shubert,
Harry D. Buckley, Douglas M. Mof-
( Continued on page 6)

Minn. Booth Men
File Strike Notice

special- to THE- DAILY
MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 8. — ^trike
notices against more than 40 circuit
and independent theatres in Minneap-
olis were filed by Projectionists' Local
No. 219, lATSE, with, the Minnesota
Labor Conciliator's offi^fr-'ih St. Paul
yesterday.

The notices were filed against Min-
( Continued on page 6)

Brewer to Station
At AA N.Y. Office

Upon assumption of full control,
Roy Brewer, of branch operations for
Allied Artists, will shift his head-
quarters from Hollywood to New
York sometime in January, the former
candidate for the lATSE presidency
announced here yesterday.

Brewer, concerned only with his
present position and not with hi
(Continued on page 6)

Sees Mexico Industry
Bolstered by Cimex

From THE DAILY Bureau

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 8. -^ Alfonso
Pulido Islas, heading the recently
formed Cimex, which comprises 55 of
Mexico's 90 producers, today told the
press that this pooling of resources,
which was started last May, has
brought Mexican production to a point
in Cjuality that Cimex feels warrants
(Continued on page 6)

Goldenson Optimistic

Predicts Pro fitahle ^33;
1st Quarter Specially Good

'By MURRAY HOROWITZ

A forecast of good'l business for the new year, especially in the first
quarter of 1955, was rtiade here yesterday by Leonard Goldenson, presi-
dent of American I^roadcasting-Paramount Theatres. Beginning at
Christmas,

Goldenson said,
there is a "tre-
mendous num-
ber of good pic-
tures coming
into the mar-
ket." He de-
clined to make
a detailed pre-
diction for the
second and third
quarter, ex-
plaining the
product line-up
for the periods
are not clear.
Expressions of confidence in the fu-

L. Goldenson

.ture and. the vitality of the motion
picture- business; bowever, were; con-
stant in Goldenson's appraisal of the
outlook for 1955.

Regarding industry problems, the
AB-PT president felt that there is a
"crowding" of good product around
holidays. He also acknowledged that
there will be a "lot less pictures" in
1955. True, he said, there now are
longer runs for pictures, but, he went
on, the picture shortage is most keenly
felt by subsequent runs and smaller
houses, a situation which evidenced his
sympathy.

The proper use of television
(Continued on page 6)

Meets Today

Anti-Toll TV
Committee to
Advance Plans

Compo Aid Appears Out;
Weigh Financing Means

Members of the exhibitors' joint
emergency committee on subscription
television will meet here today to ad-
vance their campaign of opposition
and to explore financing plans for
committee activities.

The committee will press its plan-
ning as rapidly as possible on the
theory that the Federal Communica-
tions Commission may call for briefs
on the toll TV question or set a date
for hearing early in the New Year.

Indications are that all chances of
the Council of Motion Picture Or-
ganizations conducting or engaging in
the campaign have been eliminated.
Counsel for some of the member or-
ganizations of COMPO fear possible
anti-trust involvements in such a
move, while others feel that such a
role is outside COMPO's orbit or
would be barred by the COMPO re-
quirement that it must have the un-
animous approval of its members in
(Continued on page 3)

Compo to Set
Poll Details

Final details of the national audi-
ence poll recently authorized by the
executive committee of the Council
of Motion Picture Organizations will
be worked out at a meeting over the
week-end of the committee that drew
up plans for the poll last summer.

The committee will meet at the
Sheraton Astor, and those attending
the sessions will be Mrs. Alice N.
Gorham of the United Paramount
Theatres of Detroit, committee chair-
(Confinned on page 6)

This Is Your Army'
Bows in D.C. Tonight

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8.— The
Army Chief of Staff, General Mat-
thew B. Ridgway, will head the guest
ist at the Washington premiere of
'This Is Your Army" at the Metro-
politan Theatre tomorrow night.
Assistant Secretary of Defense Fred
(Continued on page 6)

Motion Picture Daily

Thursday, December 9, 1954

Personal

Mention

SAM NATHANSON, president of
Gibraltar Motion Picture Distrib-
utors of Hollywood, has arrived in
New York from the Coast.

•

Leonard Hirsch, home office assis-
tant to Rudy Berger, M-G-M South-
ern sales manager, has left here for
Jacksonville and Charlotte.

A. J. Bronstein, president of the
A'leadow Drive-in Theatre Corp.,
Hartford, has returned there from
Los Angeles.

J. CuEVAS, manager of the Westrex
Company, Brazil, has returned to Rio
de Janeiro from New York.

Kay Harrison of Technicolor, Ltd.,
is scheduled to arrive here Saturday
from London via B.O.A.C. Monarch.

Victor Saville, producer-director,
has returned to Hollywood from New
York.

Gary Cooper will leave here today
for New Orleans, Houston and Ft.
Worth.

William K. Hollander, publicity
director of Balaban & Katz, has re-
turned to Chicago from Europe.

E. Z. Walters, Altec Service Corp.
comptroller, is in New York from the
Coast.

Mass. *Trust' Action
Settled by Agreement

special to THE DAILY
BOSTON, Dec. 8.— In the case of
the Victoria Amusement Co. of Law-
rence, Mass., which has been on trial
for two weeks in Federal Court here,
the jury was dismissed this noon and
the case was settled for an undisclosed
amount.

The anti-trust suit was brought by
Samuel Richmond, who operated the
State Theatre, Lawrence, against the
major exchanges and certain adjacent
theatres. The complaint alleged that
prior to 1947 the defendants conspired
to restrain trade, maintained a uni-
form system of runs, clearances and
admission prices and other allegedly
objectionable practices.

Powell-Pressburger
Set 'Fledermaus'

LONDON, Dec. 8. — A Cinema-
Scope version by Michael Powell and
Emeric Pressburger of Johann
Strauss's "Die Fledermaus" goes into
production at Associated British Els-
tree Studios here on Jan. 3.

Michael Redgrave will have the
role of Eisenstein, Ludmilla Tcherina
that of Rosalinda and Anton Wal-
brook the part of "The Bat." Title of
the film, which is set in the Vienna
of today and will be in color, will be
"Oh Rosalinda!!".

Carnival at Saranac
For ^Chalice' Debut

Saranac Lake, the New York com-
munity that won the world premiere
of Warner Brothers' "The Silver
Chalice," announced plans for a gigan-
tic winter carnival to greet the stars
at the opening there on Dec. 17.

Saranac Lake plans to entertain
the fihn celebrities with exhibitions
of skiing, skating and toboganning.
Saranac Lake's 7,000 residents won
the world premiere over more than
400 communities in a Christmas Seals
contest sponsored by Radio-TV star
Art Linkletter, in association with
Warner Brothers and the National
Tuberculosis Association.

$1M000 Trust
Suit Filed in N,Y.

An anti-trust suit, asking damages
of $1,800,000, was filed in New York
Federal Court this week by the Solis
Theatre Corp., operating the Vogue
Theatre on E. Tremont St. here. De-
fendants named were eight major
companies, Skouras Theatres, Metro-
politan Playhouses, National Theatres
and American Broadcasting - Para-
mount Theatres.

Conspiracy to eliminate competition
through alleged illegal clearances and
runs were charged.

Book 'She Wolf

Jules Levey's "The She Wolf," re-
leased by Republic, has been booked
as the top feature over the RKO cir-
cuit here and the Stanley Warner
houses in Pennsylvania.

Nash Motors to TV
^Show' Premiere

What is said to be the first
commercially-sponsored telecast of a
film premiere will take place on Dec.
16, when video audiences in the great-
er metropolitan area will view the
Roxy opening of Irving Berlin's
"There's No Business Like Show
Business" over WPIX_ from 8 to 9
p.m., under the auspices of Nash
Motors.

Negotiations for the telecast were
concluded by Fred Thrower, vice-
president and general manager of
WPIX, and Charles Einfeld, vice-
president of 20th Century-Fox.

Leaders Invited to
'Country GirV Bow

New York's civic and religious
leaders have been invited to the
United States Olympic Fund world
premiere of Paramount's "The Coun-
try Girl" set for Wednesday evening
at the Criterion Theatre.

Among those who have received
invitations to the gala opening are :
Governor Thomas E. Dewey, Gover-
nor-elect Averell Harriman, Mayor
Robert Wagner, Cardinal Spellman,
Rabbi Julius Mark, Bishop Fulton
Sheen and Dr. Norman Vincent
Peale.

As previously reported, invitations
also have been sent to President
Eisenhower, Secretary of State John
Foster Dulles and Secretary of De-
fense Charles E. Wilson in their capac-
ities as honorary president, and vice-
presidents, respectively, of the United
States Olympic Association.

The 9th annual edition of

the WORLD MARKET section

—the most important since
this valuable international
feature was originated
by the Herald—

The enfire indusfry
beneHts from
Internafional trade
expansion!

will be published

in this week^s issue of

MOTION PICTURE

HERALD

Adolph Schimel

Schimel Completes
Amusement Industry
FJP Affair Plans

Adolph Schimel, chairman of the
amusement industry division of the
Federation of Jewish Philanthropies,
has announced the completion of the
division's plans
for its annual
' ' Ma r k o f
Achievement"
award luncheon,
scheduled for
Jan. 13 at the
Hotel Sheraton
Astor.

The awards,
given annually
to outstanding
figures in the
e n t e r t a i nment
world, go to
those people
"whose talent
and genius have brought happiness to
countless millions." Among those who
received the award last year were
Edward R. Murrow, Eddie Fisher and
Bishop Fulton J. Sheen.

Spyros Skouras 'Gifts' Chairman

Spyros Skouras is the division's spe-
cial gifts chairman. The chairman of
the exhibitors committee is Harold J.
Rinzler. Sam Jeffee is the labora-
tories _ chairman, while Charles B.
A'loss is chairman of the vendors com-
mittee.

The film exchanges chairman is Abe
Dickstein. Walt Framer is chairman
of the broadcasting and television
group. Irving Caesar, Mitchell Miller
and Carl Haverlin are co-chairmen of
the recording companies and music
publishers committee. The actors and
agents group is headed by Nat Lefko-
witz. Oscar Hammerstein, II, chairs
the legitimate theatre committee. The
ticket brokers group is led by Morris
Jacobs.

Twelve on Executive Committee

The division's executive committee
is made up of Barney Balaban, Robert
S. Benjamin, Charles Boasberg,
Harry Brandt, Jack Cohn, George F.
Dembow, Simon H. Fabian, Leopold
Friedman, Emanuel Frisch, William
J. German, Leon Goldberg and Irving
Greenfield.

Also, Malcolm Kingsberg, Al Licht-
man, Arthur M. Loew, Charles C.
Moskowitz, Milton R. Rackmil, Her-
man Robbins, Samuel Rosen, Abe
Schneider, Samuel Schneider, Fred J.
Schwartz, Sol A. Schwartz, Murray
Silverstone, Nathan D. Spingold, Ma-
jor Albert Warner.

Role of Films Lauded
By Chinese Diplomat

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 8. — Dr.
George K. C. Yeh, Minister of For-
eign Affairs for the Chinese Republic
on Formosa, speaking at a luncheon
in his honor given by the association
of Motion Picture Producers at the
Paramount studio, said in part :

"Of all media of art, the motion
picture will eventually go much fur-
ther than any other, because it in-
cludes all others. It must at some
time bring all the nations of the world
together."

Sinv Inc iVyn A^' 'p" P'i'f^^'r? w V l"'^,n 'xt'"^"'=^^/'"u""" ^Ar^"1' Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing

Se^'Tr V;iip.£^l„f ^'°^'^<=,^f"^'^ Cente,^ New ^ ork 20 N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President: Martin

AZ}rf,'<.n^''M^n%^^^^ l""^^"-' Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary ; Al Steen. News Editot"; Herbert V. Fecke.

Chi^-rn Zre,n^?n T .'/n I ' ^^T^l "''t^ f^'^'Ii Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-V,ne Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; Wil iam R. Weaver, Editor Hollywood 7-2145;

4 Sn T^irlnn W 1^^^^ V ' "m'" ^"1%. Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, Nationaf Press Club. Washington, D. C. London Bureau,

Ret^.r R.f^firenYMi..^^^^- ™ ^""Ifl' J^^f Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald : Better Theatres

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copras 10c ' ^ ' ' °^ ^^'^"^ ^' 1^7^- Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas aild $12 foreign; single

Thursday, December 9, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

PREMINGER SAYS INDIA PRODUCERS
COPYING AMERICAN TECHNIQUES

By LESTER DINOFF

Indian motion picture producers are rapidly incorporating United States
and English production techniques in producing pictures, Otto Preminger,
producer-director of 20th Century- Fox's CinemaScope production of "Car-
men Jones," said here yesterday upon
his return from India.

Preminger, who conferred with
Prime Alinister Nehru and members
of Mahatma Ghandi's family while in
India in order to prepare a screen
treatment of Ghandi's life and the
liberation of that country, stated that
"Indian film producers are copying-
Western ideas by promoting and ad-
vertising films with 24-sheets while a
picture is still in production."

The industry is split into two fac-
tions, Preminger said. One segment
produces films solely for Indians and
the other copies U. S. productions for
the local market, he said. "The latter
group films an American production
such as 'The Hunchback of Notre
Dame,' and 'Samson and Delilah'
scene by scene using Indian actors
speaking in Hindustan," Preminger
said.

Since there now are no copyright
laws in India, these producers are
learning much about U. S. and En-
glish production, he said.

Planning to go to Hollywood early

next week for conferences with 20th
Century-Fox officials, Preminger re-
vealed that a writer will shortly be
sent to India to prepare a script so
that he can begin filming the Ghandi
story in a wide screen medium in
about a year from now. Preminger
has one more film to produce for 20th-
Fox under his present contract with
the company.

Throughout India, there presently
is a friendly feeling and hope for the
future, the producer-director said.
"Wherever I went and with all the
people to whom I have spoken, a film
about Ghandi would be warmly wel-
comed," Preminger said. "However,
this picture will not be a biographical
one, but it will tell about Ghandi's
ideas and the liberation of the coun-
try," he said. The film maker said
that the picture will be produced on
an independent basis.

Preminger is currently having a
writer and director, F. Hugh Herbert,
adapt the Italian play, "The Vintage
Years," for the Broadway stage.

Review

'This Is Your Army ^

j COMPO-Sponsorcd Docniiicii-
tary]

A very interesting 54-minute docu-
mentary in color by Technicolor is
iiffered in "This Is Your Army," the
tilm sponsored by the Council of Mo-
tion Picture Organizations and pro-
duced in cooperation with the U. S.
Army.

The film, which takes in the vari-
ous branches of the Army, also opens
the global activities of that branch
of the services. Patrons seeing it
should be awed by its might, in addi-
tion to gaining insight into the tasks
and roles assigned to their sons or
neighbor's children.

Although weapons receive the main
play, including guided missiles and
the atomic cannon, time also is de-
voted to such topics as mail call, rec-
reational facilities and spiritual needs.
Some of the most exciting footage is
devoted to the activities of paratroop-
ers. That now familiar "mushroom"
cloud following an atomic explosion
remains most awesome.

Available Dec. 13

Produced by Movietone News for
the Department of the Army, the fea-
ture-length documentary will be avail-
able for national release on Dec. 13.
Distribution is being handled by the
majors and Republic, with each dis-
tribution company handling the pic-
ture in particular cities.

The film rental to theatres was an-
nounced as nominal in this non-profit
venture, with any money left over go-
ing into the Army Relief Fund after
IS per cent of the surplus is turned
over to the U. S. Treasury.

Credit as producer goes to Edmund
Reek and associate producer John J.
Gordon. Fox Movietone cameramen
were assisted by Army Signal Corps
camera teams.

MURRAY HOROWITZ

13 Novels in *U'
Program of 30

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 8.— Thirteen
"best-selling" novels will be included
in the production program planned
by Universal-International for 1955,
it was revealed yesterday by Edward
Muhl, vice-president in charge of pro-
duction, at the company's sales con-
ference now in progress at the studio.

Speaking to the visiting sales ex-
ecutives, Muhl also stressed the fact
that a "potent" list of star names will
head the casts of U-I's important 1955
productions. A number of box office
stars already have been signed, he
said. In order to attract others of the
same stature, the studio plans to con-
tinue its policy of making a certain
number of percentage deals such as
those which in the past have proven
mutually advantageous to both the
company and such stars as James
Stewart, Tyrone Power, Gregory
Peck and Alan Ladd, Muhl stated.
A minimum of 30 high budget fea-
tures will be put before the cameras
during the coming year, he added.

ITOO Board to Meet

COLUMBUS, O., Dec. 8.— Mem-
bers of the board of directors of the
Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio
will meet here next Tuesday. Mem-
bers are invited to sit in on the meet-
ing as observers.

RKO

(Continued from page 1)

Benedict Bogeaus Productions, David
Butler Productions, Nat Holt Pro-
ductions and Sol Lesser Productions.

Edmund Grainger has two deluxe
pictures ready for filming in Techni-
color and SuperScope : "The Treasure
of Pancho Villa," to be made in
Northern Mexico, and a picturization
of James Street's, "Oh Promised
Land."

Just completed by Bogeaus for
RKO release is "Escape to Burma,"
while a second top-budget picture goes
before the cameras in February.

First of three to be produced and
directed by David Butler, "Miracle
at Santa Anita," starts in January.

In February King Brothers start
their "The Boy and the Bull," to be
filmed in color and CinemaScope en-
tirely in Spain, locale of the story. In
June, cameras roll in England on
"The Two-Headed Spy."

Nat Holt Productions has just com-
pleted "Seven Bad Men" (tentative
title), filmed in Technicolor and
SuperScope, while a second produc-
tion, as yet untitled, is slated to start
within six weeks.

Already completed by Sol Lesser
Productions is "Tarzan's Hidden
Treasure," to be followed within the
next few weeks by another Lesser film.

Plan Feb, Bow for
2nd Cinerama Film

The second feature length film pro-
duced in the Cinerama process, "Cine-
rama Holiday," will open in New
York at the end of January or in
early February, ^according to Lowell
Thomas, president.

The Stanley Warner Corp. plans to
launch the picture at the Warner
Theatre here at the latest by early
February and will follow up with
staggered openings in four or five
U.S. cities shortly thereafter, Thomas
said.

Anti-Toll TV

(Continued from page 1)

order to engage in a project. It is felt
by some that in this instance unani-
mous approval would be lacking.

Trueman T. Rembusch, co-chair-
man of the joint defense committee
with Alfred Starr, is here for today's
meeting. It was uncertain yesterday
whether Starr would be able to attend
and arrangements had been made for
Herman Levy, general counsel of
Theatre Owners of America, to rep-
resent him. Officials of other exhibitor
organizations and theatre operations
will be on hand.

Plans for financing the committee's
activities, which also received a set-
back when it became evident that
COMPO's participation was unlikely,
may center now on a system of ex-
hibitor contributions or assessments
raised through regional exhibitor or-
ganizations.

Will Reach Many Groups

The committee is preparing argu-
ments for use both in briefs to be sub-
mitted to the F. C. C. and in informa-
tional brochure to be distributed to
exhibitors throughout the country for
use in a grass roots campaign to in-
clude legislators, newspapers and other
publications, business men whose es-
tablishments depend upon or derive
benefits from theatre patronage, and
many others.

Effects of subscription TV on such
enterprises, as well as on theatres,
monopolistic and discriminatory as-
pects of the innovation, along with
its utilization of the free air for priv-
ate, commercial purposes, are expected
to be stressed in the committee's cam-
paign arguments.

'Sunderin' Dec. 23

"Sunderin," a new English-narrated
film made in Germany, starring Hil-
degarde Neff, will have its New York
premiere on Dec. 23, at the World
.Theatre.

People

Leo Jones, Upper Sandusky, O.,
theatre owner, has been appointed
Variety Club territorial membership
representative there, in an effort by
the Cleveland club to extend its ac-
tive membership to a greater area.

Robert F. Kaufmann, former Con-
necticut exploitation representative
for 20th Century-Fox and more re-
cently employed in the promotion
department of CBS in Los Angeles,
has joined the Thor Corp., Chicago
home appliance manufacturers, as
director of public relations and sales
promotion.

Jean DuBarry of the Art Theatre,
Springfield, Mass., has been relief
manager at the Stanley Warner
Strand in Hartford during the ill-
ness of manager Jack Sanson, and
Carl Munday has been named assis-
tant manager of the theatre.

AI Bloom, editor of "Greater
Amusements," has been appointed
vice-president and a member of the
board of the Amusements Publish-
ing Corp., Minneapolis. He will con-
tinue as editor of the trade paper
and will be assigned additional man-
agerial duties.

Ray McNamara of the Allyn The-
atre, Hartford, was elected a director
of the newly-formed Asylum Street
Merchants' Association there.

Para., WB, MPEA to
Function in Austria

The association formed by Para-
mount International Films and War-
ner Brothers Pictures International to
function in Austria was regarded here
at Motion Picture Export Association
headquarters as legalization of the
joint distribution facilities maintained
by the two companies in that country.

MPEA has been and will continue
to function in Austria, it was pointed
out, with MPEA's representative in
Germany, stationed in Frankfurt, rep-
resenting MPEA in the Austrian
market.

Paramount International Films and
Warner Brothers International filed
papers recently in Washington with
the Federal Trade Commission under
the Webb-Pomerene Act, forming a
new film export association to ship
pictures to Austria. The Webb-Pome-
rene Act exempts from U. S. anti-
trust laws any association working
entirely in the export field.

Goldsmith to Speak
At NTFC Meeting

Dr. Alfred N. Goldsmith will be the
principal speaker at the Dec. 16 meet-
ing of the National Television Film
Council meeting at the Hotel Del-
monico, Mel Gold NTFC president,
announced here yesterday.

Dr. Goldsmith, the so-called "Father
of Television," will address the NTFC
membership on "Centercasting," a de-
vice which automatically polls TV au-
diences' for stations, indicating what
programs are being listened to, the
duration of the listening period, and
the reactions of those who are listen-
ing.

\ J

ANOTHER BIG WARNER TV PROMOTI

DORIS DAY m FRANK SI

^Beginning December 13th

\ ' .

through December 24th, 'The Big
Payoff," over the CBS-TV network.

coast-to-coast for two consecutive
weeks at 3:00 p.m. EST, Monday
through Friday, is conducting J
etter-writing contest for its mil-
lions of viewers, entitled *l STA'i'
YOUNG AT HEART BY

;7\^. The contest ties in directly with
^ the Christmas-New Year release of

"YOUNG AT HEART," with im-
portant credit mentions each day.

■ - ,-

RANDY MERRIMAN AND BESS MYERSON,
stars of the Colgate-Palmolive TV Show,
"THE BIG PAYOFF" displaying "Young at
Heart" poster before CBS-TV cameras.

• • •

The winner of the contest and
husband (or wife) will receive a
Bermuda trip as the first prize. The i
winner also will be brought to New
York to appear on 'The Big Payoff,"
with a chance to win a mink coat.
In addition to the grand prize, there
will be five runner-up prizes.

EVERY WEEK-DAY FOR 2 WEEKS OVER 79 TOP

City Station

AMES, I A WOl-TV

ATLANTA, GA .WAGA-TV

AUSTIN, TEXAS KTBC-TV

BAITIMORE, MD WMAR-TV

BINGHAMTON, N.Y WNBF-TV

BIRMINGHAM, AlA WABT-TV

BOSTON, MASS WN AC-TV

BUFFALO, N.Y WBEN-TV

CEDAR RAPIDS, lA WMT-TV

CHAMPAIGN, ILL WCIA-TV

City Station

CHARLOTTE, NX WBTV

CHARLESTON, W.VA WCHS-TV

CHICAGO, ILL WBBM-TV

CINCINNATI, OHIO WKRCTV

CLEVELAND, OHIO WEWS

COLUMBUS, OHIO. WBNS-TV

DALLAS, TEXAS KRLD-TV

DAYTON, OHIO WHIO-TV

DENVER, COLO KLZ-TV

DETROIT, MICH WJBK-TV

City Station

FRESNO, CALIF KMJ-TV

GALVESTON, TEXAS KGUL-TV

GREEN BAY, WISC WBAY-TV

GREENSBORO, N.C WFMY-TV

HUTCHINSON, KANS KTVH

INDIANAPOLIS, IND WFBM-TV

JACKSONVILLE, FLA WMBR.TV

JOHNSTOWN, PA WJAC-TV

KALAMAZOO, MICH WKZO-TV

KANSAS CITY, MO WHB-TV

City Stall

KNOXVILLE, TENN WTSj^l

LANCASTER, PA WGAlT

LANSING, MICH WJIM

LOS ANGELES, CALIF Kf

LOUISVILLE, KY WHAjl

LYNCHBURG, VA WIV*

MACON, GA WMAil

MEMPHIS, TENN Wl

MIAMI, FLA ,

MILWAUKEE, WISC WCAhl

IS UNDER WAY! irS FOR

iTRA IN YOUNG AT HEART

MB HERE'S THE SPECIAL
LAYOFF FOR THE MANAGERS

THE 1st mm THEATRES -
LAYING "YOUNG AT HEART"s

If any of the winners come from
our town, you will automatically
eceive a duplicate prize. This means
hat it is possible for you also to win

free trip to Bermuda and a mink
oat, or any of the runner-up prizes,
iince your first-run theatre will be
>laying ' YOUNG AT HEART, ' it
vill be to your interest to see that as
nany letters as possible come from
'Our town. \j^^^^32:>:Sn-^'

A special free, screen trailer has
)een sent to your theatre. It briefly
xplains the tie-up between *The
iig Payoff" and this picture.

I # #

• • • •

Full contest details are provided
in the trailer.

^ The promotion department of
'The Big Payoff" in New York is
alerting all CBS stations which carry
the show to cooperate locally with
this contest. They are ready and
eager to work out all mutually
beneficial tie-ups. Cash in!

A NATION-WIDE PRE-RELEASE
BUILD-UP TIMED TO
PERFECTION FOR THE PERFECT
XM AS-NEW YEAR'S ATTRACTION!

.WarnerColor

GIG ETHEL

youNGBMmoii[ mN[

WITH ROBERT KEITH • PRINT ByTECH N ICOLOR

SCREEN PLAY BY JULIUS J. EPSTEIN AND LENORE COFFEE an arwin production

PRODUCED BY PRESENTED BY

HENRY BLANKE gordonTouglas WARNER BROS.

ALSO STARRING

DOROTHY

fATIONS WITH 40 MILLION PEOPLE WATCHING!

Station

lEAPOLIS, MINN WCCO-TV

IVIllE, TENN WSIX-TV

HAVEN, CONN WNHC-TV

ORLEANS, LA WDSU-TV

YORK CITY, N.Y WCBS-TV

=01K, VA WTAR-TV

kHOMA CITY, OKLA KWTV

HA, NEB KMTV

lA, III WEEK-TV

\DEIPHIA, PA WCAU-TV

City Station

PHOENIX, ARIZ KPHO-TV

PINE BLUFF, ARK KATV

PITTSBURGH, PA WDTV

PORTLAND, ORE KOIN-TV

PROVIDENCE, R.I WJAR-TV

QUINCY,llL.-HANNIBAl,MO.KH0A-TV

READING, PA VlfHUM-TV

ROANOKE, VA W^SIS-TV

ROCHESTER, N.Y WHEC-TV

ROCKFORD, III WREX-TV

City Station

ROCK ISLAND, ILL WHBF-TV

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH KSL-TV

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS KEYl

SAN DIEGO, CALIF KFMB-TV

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF KPIX

SCHENECTADY, N.Y WRGB

SCRANTON, PA WGBI-TV

SOUTH BEND, IND WSBT

SPOKANE, WASH KXIY-TV

ST. lOUIS, MO KSD-TV

City

Station

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA WSUN-TV

SYRACUSE, N.Y. WHEN-TV

TACOMA, WASH KTTK-TV

TOLEDO, OHIO WSPD-TV

TEXARKANA, ARK.-TEXAS. . .KCMC-TV

TULSA OKLA KOTV

UTICA, N. Y WKTV

WASHINGTON, D.C WTOP-TV

YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO WKBN-TV

Motion Picture Daily

Thursday, December 9, 1954

Martin Talks Film Backing

(Continued from page 1)

Goldenson

(Coiitiinted from page 1)

for the promotion of motion pic-
tures, a constant theme of Gold-
enson's, also was explored by
the AB-PT president. For some
reason or other, Goldenson said,
producers seem to be "pulling
apart" in this area, giving that
as the reason for the failure of
the project of the American
Broadcasting Co. and others to
launch its TV promotion series
for the industry. When TV is
used properly in selling motion
pictures, Goldenson predicted,
"we'll have the greatest boom
the motion picture industry has
ever experienced."

He reiterated the need to corral the

Nickelodeon to Be
Dedicated in Phila.
By MPA on Jan. 18

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 8.— Stars,
directors and producers of the motion
picture industry will participate in
the dedication of The Nickelodeon in
Franklin Institute on Jan. 18, co-spon-
sored by the Institute and the Motion
Picture Associates of Philadelphia.

The MPA also will hold a $2S-a-
plate dinner that evening in the Bel-
levue-Stratford Hotel, honoring pio-
neers of the Philadelphia indus-
try. The MPA is composed of men
employed in Philadelphia exchanges.
Proceeds of the dimier will go to the
Association's welfare committee, ac-
cording to Sam Diamond, president of
the group.

William Goldman is general chair-
man of the MPA dinner committee.
He is also the donor of the Nickelo-
deon, which he plans as a "shrine to
the movie industry."

Co-chairmen of the entertainment
committee for the dinner will be
Howard Minsky, division manager of
Paramount, and Harold Seidenberg,
of the Fox Theatre.

The Franklin Institute Nickelodeon
will be a replica of the turn-of-the-
century theatres. It will feature con-
tinuous showings of silent film classics.
All proceeds of the Nickelodeon show-
ings will go to the Franklin Institute.

A veteran showman, Goldman started
in the industry in 1910 in St. Louis
with an open-air nickelodeon. Today
he is one of the nation's largest in-
dependent exhibitors. He is also a
producer, as president of Gregory-
Goldman Enterprises, and a distribu-
tor, as president of the Williams Com-
pany.

Brewer

(Continued from page 1)

former labor activities, is in New
York to study exchange and branch
operations before leaving over the
weekend for Dallas enroute to Holly-
wood.

The AA executive said that before
shifting his offices from the West
Coast to New York, he will spend a
few days at each of the AA exchanges
and branches in the United States. He
has been meeting here with company
officials, exchange and branch man-
agers to discuss expansion plans and
forthcoming product.

'This Is Your Army'

(Continued from page 1)

A. Seaton and other Defense Depart-
ment and Congressional leaders will
also be on hand. Army searchlights
will light the skies in front of the
theatre, ceremonies saluting the armed
forces will take place on the stage and
the U.S. Army band will present a
30-minute concert prior to the show-
ing of the film.

said any exhibitor in the nation can
subscribe to stock, wliether or not he
is a member of the TOA. This was
the sixth convention at which he has
talked on the subject.

So far, Martin said, it has been a
selling job, and many things have to
be done, especially at the Securities
Exchange Commission, and after Jan.
1, a prospectus will be sent out.

"TOA is pleased at the prospect of
an exhibitor-Distributor conference
soon, to be sponsored by the distribu-
tors," Martin said. "TOA has always
been in favor of attempting to solve
industry problems around a conference
table," he declared, and added :

"If the conference is to be success-
ful, it must be approached by all par-
ticipants with sincerity and willing-
ness to sacrifice. The greater conces-
sion must come from the distribution
representatives because they are in
control of the current sellers' market

Compo Poll

(Continued from page 1)

man ; Roy Kalver of Decatur, Ind. ;
Ralph Russell of Canton, O. ; Paul
Levi of the American Theatres Corp.
of Boston ; Frank H. Ricketson, Jr.,
and Paul Lyday of the Fox Inter-
Mountain Theatres of Denver ; Harry
Mandel, chairman of the COMPO
press relations committee, and Char-
les E. McCarthy of the COMPO
staff.

Ricketson and Lyday will take the
place of Senn Lawler, a member of
the original committee who will be
unable to attend because of pressure
of new duties as a division manager
of National Theatres. Emil Bern-
stecker of the Wilby-Kincey Theatreis
of Atlanta, another member of the
original committee, also has sent word
that he will be unable to attend.

Will Consider Three Points

Aspects of the poll to i be decided
upon by the committee are its date,
the manner of counting the ballots
and the time and nature of the an-
nouncement of the poll winners.

The poll, a COMPO spokesman
said, is designed to give the public
a chance to make its choice of the
best picture released in 1954, the best
male and female performances and
the most promising young male and
female players developed during the
last year.

SCTOA Charges

(Continued from page 1)

special session and members have
returned to their homes. Senator
Schoeppel (R., Kans.), chairman of
the Small Business Subcommittee
1 which has been watching the film in-
dbstry, will leave town this week.
With the Senators dispersed, it's con-
sidered almost certain now there will
be no further subcommittee investiga-
tions or hearings this year. Presum-
ably Schoeppel will make some per-
sonal answer to the SCTOA letter,
but that will be all.

Moreover, chances are that little
will be done in this field until Feb-
ruary or later, since it will take at
least the month of January for the
new Congress to organize under its
new Democratic leadership, make
committee assignments and work out
plans for the year ahead.

and are in the position of being able
to dictate terms and conditions of
rental. Exhibitors are the victims of
a 'take-it-or-leave-it' philosophy.

"I do not say that this market has
been rigged by the distributors. What
I do know is that the conditions exist,
and that relief for thousands of ex-
hibitors must be forthcoming cjuickly."

John H. Rowley, executive vice-
president of Rowley United Theatres,
Dallas, vice-president of the TOA for
the Southwest area and vice-president
of Exhibitors Financing Group, in-
vited to the convention by president
James Carbery, spoke in favor of
financing films by exhibitors.

Mike Simons, New York, director
of exhibitor relations for M-G-M,
spake ■ of the huge campaign Metro
will conduct in 1955, pointing up the
importance of local theatres, with the
slogan "There's More Fun at the
Movies."

Mexico Industry

(Continued from page 1)

its taking a frontal place in the world
market.

After a brief stay in Los Angeles,
which he said is the third largest user
of Mexican films in the world, Pulido
Islas will tour the United States,
Europe and the Orient, setting up
offices to promote the distribution and
exhibition of Mexican pictures made
available " in dubbed or sub-caption
form as well as bi-lingual.

The visitor revealed that Cimex is
open to co-production proposals from
all other nations, and is prepared to
go as high as 80 per cent of the nega-
tive cost in financing films which
Cimex considers top-calibre with re-
spect to quality, commercial aspects
and distributional advantages. He did
not, however, make a direct pitch for
American producers to utilize Mex-
ican facilities, although this is often
done on a satisfactory basis by many
companies.

Co-production deals have been ex-
ecuted in France and Italy, he said.

Minn. Booth Men

(Continued from page 1)

nesota Amusement Company, opera-
tors of four loop and two neighbor-
hood houses ; RKO Theatres, operators
of two loop first runs ; and almost 40
independent neighborhood and sub-
urban houses as well as two loop first
run theatres. The strike, if effective,
would close every theatre in the city
with the exception of Cinerama.

Under the Minnesota labor law, the
strike notices provide for a 10-day
conciliation period so that if further
negotiations fail, a walkout could be
effective Dec. 17.

The state labor conciliators office
announced today that it has set up
three separate meetings for next week.
Minnesota Amusement will negotiate
on Monday, RKO on Wednesday and
the independents on Thursday.

Independent theatres are currently
operating without a union contract,
the last three-year agreement having
expired Nov. 30. Three-year contracts
with Minnesota Amusement and RKO
expire Dec. 12. Union demands for
a new three-year agreement included
salary increases totalling approxi-
mately 30 per cent over the three
years, an extra week of vacation time
and additional preparation time.

new audience growing up, now be-
tween the ages of five and 12.

The AB-PT president welcomed the
advent of such organizations as Dis-
tributors Corp. of America and the
Theatre Owners of America's spon-
sored film finance corporation. Due to
the product scarcity, he held, these
organizations, if properly handled,
have a good chance of being success-
ful.

Regarding the possibilities of AB-
PT going into production, Goldenson
said that if the shortage in pictures
become such, that the best interests of
theatres would be served by AB-PT
taking such a step, "we would give
serious consideration" to the move.
He reiterated that AB-PT which, he
said, is not barred by its consent de-
cree from engaging in production, will
continue to study the situation.

Reelect Schenck

(Continued from page 1)

fat, Milton C. Weisman, Raymond V.
Wemple, A. H. Frisch and James M.
Landis.

A meeting of the newly reelected
board will be held in the near future
when all officers are expected to be
reelected.

Skouras Describes
'Scope UK Progress

LONDON, Dec. 8. — With some
1,400 British theatres to be equipped
for CinemaScope by March of next
year and orders for more pouring in
daily, representative British film men
yesterday hailed Spyros P. Skouras,
president of 20th Century-Fox, as the
man who has "revitalized world in-
terest in motion pictures" through
the introduction of CinemaScope.

The tribute was made at a luncheon
held at the Savoy Hotel, in London,
at which 120 leading producers, dis-
tributors, exhibitors, writers and poli-
ticians gathered to honor the Amer-
ican film leader, Kine Weekly, a
British film trade paper, organized the
salute.

Further news revealed at the lunch-
eon included reports that 510 inde-
pendent theatres would be equipped
for CinemaScope by the end of 1954,
and that 830 would be ready by
March.

Skouras announced that he expected
eight to 10 British films to be pro-
duced in CinemaScope, emphasizing
that these would be completely Brit-
ish-made. He added that he expected
six to eight films to be made on the
European continent making a total of
approximately 16 foreign productions
in the new process for 1955.

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NEW YORK, U.S.A., FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1954

Toll-TV Seminar

Exhibitors May
Have Stage Ally
In TV Dispute

stage Play Producers
Wary About Phonevision

By LESTER DINOFF

Motion picture exhibitors fighting
subscription television may have an
unexpected ally in legitimate stage
producers and theatre owners who ex-
pressed skepticism at a Zenith Radio
Corp. seminar on Phonevision held
here yesterday at Sardi's Restaurant
at the invitation of the National The-
atre Arts Council.

The legitimate stage producers and
theatre owners met and discussed the
merits of Phonevision and subscriber
television generally with Zenith rep-
resentatives Pieter Van Beek, execu-
tive assistant to the Zenith president,
Ted Leitzell, public relations director
for the company, and Dr. Millard
F a u g h t , economic consultant to
Zenith.

Skeptical and showing little enthusi-
asm about Phonevision and its ability
(Continued on page 17)

EFFG Moves Step
Forward on Stock

Theatre Owners of America's
sponsored Exhibitors Film Financial
Group, Inc., has moved a step forward
in its plans to sell stock, it was dis-
closed here yesterday by Herman
Levy, general counsel of TOA.

Levy announced that the necessary
papers seeking permission of the Sec-
urities and Exchange Commission to
market stock had been signed at an
EFFG board of directors meeting,
held in Memphis last Tuesday. At-
tending the meeting, Levy said, were
EFFG directors Alfred Starr, E. D.
Martin, and E. H. Rowley.

Grainger Praises
RKO Sales Results

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 9. — Sales
personnel attending the opening day
of the first of RKO's four regional
sales meetings were told here today
by J. R. Grainger, president of RKO
Radio Pictures, that he was "particu-
larly happy with their enthusiasm
and the results they have achieved
during the year."

The two-day meeting opened this
morning with a screening of Howard
(Continued on page 17)

Rep. Stock Spurts
On TV Film Report

Sources close to Republic Pic-
tures ascribed exceptional activ-
ity in the company's stock this
week to new reports that more
of the company's old film library
will be sold to television. Offi-
cial sources ridiculed another
report that H. J. Yates, presi-
dent, was negotiating for sale
of his controlling stock interest.

Trading in Republic common
on the New York Stock Ex-
change involved more than
90,000 shares in the past three
days for a total gain of more
than a point. Closing price yes-
terday was 6^4, high for 1954.

'U' Drive Set
For Feldman

HOI-^LYWOOD, Dec. 9.— Stress-
ing the theme that "big" pictures are
those which can make "big" profits.
Universal Pictures will launch a 17
weeks "Charles
J. Feldman an-
nual drive" on
Jan. 3, and con-
tinuing through
April 30, it was
announced b y
Alfred E. D_af¥,
e.xecutive vice-
president at to-
day's sessions
of the com-
pany's current
week-long sales
conference novi'
being held at
the Universal-
International studios here.

The announcement of the Feldman
(Continued on page 17)

Alfred Daff

Exhibitors' Campaign

ASKS REJECTION
OF TOLL TV BID

Retain Counsel to Prepare Petition to FCC
Opposing Zenith's 'No Hearing' Request

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

The Federal Communications Commission will be asked to turn down
the Zenith su1)scription television petition in a brief to be prepared for
the joint committee on toll TV, it was announced here yesterday by

Trueman T. Rembusch, co-chairman
of the joint committee.

Rembusch 's announcement was
made _ following a two-day meet of
the joint group which mapped a multi-
pronged program to fight all toll TV
systems, including Zenith's, which
seeks to use the "free" airways.

The committee, Rembusch declared,
"has no objection to toll TV if (it)
will compete on the same basis as
theatre TV, "using the same coaxial
cable facilities as theatre TV utilizes."
In this regard, Rembusch said he had
no objection to the Telemeter test in
Palm Springs, Calif., the experiment
which did utilize coaxial cable facili-
ties into individual homes.

The joint group does take strong
exception, Rembusch continued, to toll
TV seeking a "preferred economic
position" through the use of the air-
ways, putting theatres in an "econom-
ical untenable position."

Herman Levy, Theatre Owners of
(Continued on page 3)

Distributors
In Arbitration
Meeting Today

At a meeting to be conducted by
Eric Johnston, president of the Mo-
tion Picture Association of America,
the proposed industry arbitration sys-
tem will be dis-
cussed here to-
day by company
presidents, sales
managers and
counsels. At a
subsequent
trade press con-
ference, John-
ston will report
on the arbitra-
tion session and
his Far Eastern
trip from which
he returned last
night.

It is expected
that the executives will study the
(Continued on page 17)

Eric Johnston

Pre-Christmas Project

Merchants Reopen House
As Shoppers^ 'Baby Sitter

special to THE DAILY

OKLAHOMA CITY, Dec. 9.— The Oklahoma City Downtown Re-
tailers Ass'n is paying a ilat fee to the temporarily shut down Harber
Theatre here to remain open from 10 A.M. to 8:30 P.M. from Dec 18
through 24 as a depository for infants
whose mothers otherwise would have
difiiculty doing their Christmas shop-
ping.

The theatre's full staff, augmented
by special employes, will be retained
for the week to care for the moppets
and the reopened house. A continu-

ous, two-hour program of Westerns,
cartoons and other film fare suitable
for juveniles, with a change every day
to encourage "repeats," will be offered
without charge, the cost to be ab-
sorbed in the flat fee paid by the mer-
( Continued on page 17)

Schine Witnesses
Out of Courtroom

special to THE DAILY

BUFFALO, Dec. 9. — Federal
Court trial of Schine Theatres, Inc.,
and associates, defendants on charges
of criminal and civil contempt of court
opened today before Judge John
Knight. The charges are based on the
defendants alleged failure to follow
the courts' order of June 24, 1949, to
divest certain theatres and make first-
run films available to competitors.

At the outset, the judge ordered the
(Continued on page 17)

Paramount to Offer
VV Product Short

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 9. — "Para-
mount Presents VistaVision," a 20-
minute product presentation, will be
made available free to the nation's
theatres early in January, A. W.
Schwalberg, president of Paramount
Film Distributing Corp., announced
here today.

The featurette was filmed at the
(Continued on page 17)

Motion Picture Dail,y

Friday, December 10, 1954

Personal
Mention

FRED MATTHEWS, president of
Theatre Equipment Supply and
Manufacturers Association and vice-
president and general sales manager
of Motiograph, Inc., has left here for
Chicago.

•

Alfred M. Hitchcock and Mrs.
Hitchcock will arrive in New York
by plane today from Hollywood and
will leave here Sunday for England
via B.O.A.C. Monarch.

•

Edward L. Hyman, vice-president
of American Broadcasting Paramount
Theatres, will leave here Sunday for
Detroit, Rochester and Buffalo, re-
turning here at the end of next week.
•

Joseph A. Tenney, president of
S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp., and
DoMiNiCK J. Capano, vice-president,
have returned to New York from
Montreal.

•

Arnold M. Picker, United Artists
vice-president in charge of foreign
distribution, will return to New York
over the weekend from Paris.
•

Norman Moray, Warner Brothers
general sales manager of short sub-
jects, will arrive in New York over
the weekend from the Coast.
•

Mike Simons, M-G-M customer
relations head, will return to New
York today from Memphis.

•

Mori Krushen, United Artists ex-
ploitation manager, is in Chicago from
New York.

•

Ervin J. Clumb, manager of the
Riverside Theatre, Milwaukee, has
returned there from New York.
•

Don Sharp, of Douglas Fairbanks,
Ltd., will leave here today for London
via B.O.A.C.

•

Sol C. Siegel, producer, will leave
Hollywood over the weekend for New
York.

School Head Lauds
'Romeo and Julief

William Jansen, Superintendent of
Schools of New York City, has hailed
the Technicolor film version of Shake
speare's immortal love story, "Romeo
and Juliet," as "perhaps the most
beautifully picturesque film I have
been privileged to see," it was an-
nounced yesterday.

Jansen praised as "powerful and
deeply moving" the United Artists
release which will have its premiere
at the Sutton Theatre on Dec. 21, for
the benefit of the March of Dimes
fight against infantile paralysis.

Gladys George, 50

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 9.— Gladys
George, 50, motion picture and Broad
way stage actress, was found dead at
her home here yesterday. Funeral
services are being arranged by the
Motion Picture Relief Organization

Asks High Court to
Reject F & M Appeal

From THE DAILY Bureau
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9.— Victors
in the lower courts, the defendants in
an anti-trust suit brought against them
by Fanchon & Marco asked the Su-
preme Court to reject an F & M ap-
peal for high court review of the case.

The defendants are six of the eight
maj or distributors — P aramount,
Loew's, RKO, 20th Century-Fox,
Universal and United Artists — and
National Theatres and Fox West
Coast Theatres. The F & _ M suit
charged them with a conspiracy to
deny first run films to F & M's Bald-
win Theatre in suburban Los Angeles.
The District Court and Circuit Court
threw out the suit, but the theatre
company appealed to the Supreme
Court. The court will probably act on
the appeal at its Jan. 10 session.

'No Conspiracy' Plea Bolstered

The distributors, National aiid Fox
West Coast told the high court that
the lower courts had been exactly
right in finding that there was no
conspiracy and that the distributor
policies in licensing first run films had
been based on sound business reasons.
They denied F & M's charge that first
run films were confined to theatres
operated by subsidiaries or affiliates _ of
the distributors, and cited many in-
stances where first run films were
licensed to independent exhibitors.

See Record Turnout
At AM PA Party

Honor Technicolor
Veteran at Banquet

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 9.— Seven-
teen employees of the Technicolor
Motion Picture Corp. who have com-
pleted 25 years of service during 1954
will be honored at a banquet in
Beverly Hills Hotel tomorrovv'.

All these employees, who joined
Technicolor in 1929, will be presented
with gold watches by Dr. Herbert
T. Kalmus, president and general
manager, in commemoration of the
anniversary.

A record crowd, including many out
of town stars, is expected to attend
the Associated Motion Picture Ad-
vertisers' 3.:th annual Christmas party
on Dec. 21 at the Piccadilly Hotel
here.

Martin Starr, veteran industry pub-
licist and a former AMPA president,
will be master of ceremonies. Fie will
handle all introductions and present
Christmas gifts to those attending the
affair, Lige Brien, party chairman,
announced.

Ray Gallagher, Charles Alicoate,
Gordon White, Vivian Moses, Ray
Gallo and Cy Eichman will handle
dais guests and special events at the
party.

Stay Halts Premiere
Of 'Munchausen'

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 9.— Federal
Judge William C Mathis today issued
a temporary injunction preventing the
opening tomorrow of the German-
made "Munchausen" at the Tiboli
Theatre, Santa Monica, for its first
American exhibition.

The injunction, sought by Skelum,
Inc., New York company headed by
Sidney Kaufman, and who was joined
in the complaint by Attorney General
Brownell, set forth that the print to
be shown 'here had been obtained
illegally by persons, including Harry
Popkin, Edward Finney and Mike
Levinson.

Finney told Motion Picture Daily
the defendants' position in the matter
is legally clear and a counter-injunc-
tion will be sought.

Edward Schiller, 84

HARTFORD, Dec. 9. -- Edward
Leonard Schiller, 84, a Stamford,
Conn., resident since 1942, is dead. He
was a salesman for 30 years for the
Trans Lux Movie Ticket Corp., New
York, and was active until last week.

A. H. Blank Says Quality
Of Pictures Tops Today

The over-all quality of pictures today tops the run of pictures over the
past 44 years in the opinion of pioneer showman A. H. Blank, president of
Tri-State Theatre Corp., an affiliate of American Broadcasting Paramount
Theatres.

Blank, active and alert at the age
of 77, was interviewed yesterday prior
to his return to Des Moines.

Prefacing his remarks that he's
been in exhibition since 1910, Blank
said "there isn't any question" that
the general run of pictures today is
superior to any year he's been in the
business. The veteran exhibitor, at
the same time, said that certain of
his situations felt the product pinch.
All of his 22 theatres in the Midwest
area, he continued, are equipped with
large screens and stereophonic sound.

Expressing optimism about the
future of the business, he credited
CinemaScope with giving the business
"a great lift." VistaVision also will

Senate Group Not
To Reach Films in
Delinquency Study

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9. — The
Senate Judiciary Subcommittee study-
ing juvenile delinquency has given up
any thought it might have had of
studying motion picture content this
year, committee officials said.

There had been some speculation
that the subcommittee, which has been
studying the impact of comic books
and radio and television programs on
young people, might move on into the
motion picture field. However, com-
mittee officials today pointed out that
the subcommittee goes out of existence
on Jan. 31, that deadline is not too far
away now, and the lawmakers must
hold some other hearings to which
they had previously been committed
and must prepare a final report by
that date.

May Be Reconstituted

Accordingly, they said, it's now cer-
tain that this subcommittee won't hold
motion picture hearings.

Some subcommittee members have
urged that the subcommittee be re-
constituted in the new Congress next
year. If that happened, films might be
an item on the new subcommittee's
agenda, the officials declared.

Extra 35-cent Heller
Dividend Declared

CHICAGO, Dec. 9.— Directors of
Walter E. Heller & Co., active in film
financing, increased the company's
regular quarterly dividend rate on
common stock from 30 to 35 cents
a share with a declaration for the
final 1954 quarter at the new rate,
and in addition declared a year-end
extra of 35 cents. The action brought
the year's declared dividends to $1.60
a share, as against $1.45 declared in
1953.

The directors also declared the re-
gular dividend of $1.37j4 a share on
the company's SYz per cent cumulative
preferred stock and $1 on the four
per cent cumulative preferred stock.

All the dividends were declared
yesterday and payable Jan. 3, to stock-
holders of record on Dec. 20.

be a big help, he continued, adding
that he foresaw continued technical
improvement.

Whatever the technique, Blank con-
tended, its the "story, actors and
producer" which makes or breaks the
picture. The technique, he felt, is the
pepper and salt of the motion picture
meal.

As to business. Blank said that the
Midwest had its worst year in 1951
when TV hit the area, but each suc-
cessive year has been an improve-
ment, adding that 1954 business has
been good.

Blank said he plans to leave on a
world cruise from New York on Jan.
21.

Levine Bar Mitzvah

Laurence Edward Levine, son of
Martin Levine, Brandt Theatres ex-
ecutive and grandson of William
Brandt, will be Bar Mitzvahed at the
Park Avenue Synagogue here tomor-
row morning. A dinner reception will
be held tomorrow evening at the Hotel
Waldorf Astoria.

NEW YORK THEATRES

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

Rockefeller Center

"DEEP IN MY HEART"

In Glorious COLOR starring
JOSE MERLE HEUEN

FERRER • OBERON • TRAUBEL

An M-G-M Picture
Sc The Music Hall's Great Christmas Stage Show

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quiglev, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher: Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke,
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca- Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145 ;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, Fl 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Often, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications; Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

Friday, December 10, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Louis Nizer Subject
Of 'Esquire' Story

Louis Nizer of the industry law
firm of Phillips, Nizer, Benjamin &
Krim is included among the "four
or five" rarest kinds of lawyers in
the country,
discussed in an
article by Allen
Churchill in the
January issue
of Esquire.

Churchill
quotes Nizer
as saying that
there are two
types of promi-
nent attorney:
the scholar and
brief writer,
the other, the
skilled trial
lawyer." Rarely
are these two
types combined

in one man, but when they are the
combination is irresistible," Nizer is
quoted as saying.

"One thing Nizer did not say,"
Churchill writes, "but which every-
one else in the profession knows, is
that these four or five rare attor-
neys would readily include in their
select company Nizer himself."

Louis Nizer

Toll-TV

{Continued from page 1)

America general counsel, who along
with other members of the joint com-
mittee attended the Rembusch press
conference at TOA headquarters, an-
nounced that the Washington law firm
of Cohn and Marks had been retained
to prepare the FCC petition.

The petition, Levy continued,
will ask the FCC to withhold
any decision on Zenith's bid for
relief without a hearing. In ad-
dition, Levy added, it will ask
the FCC that when it does
schedule hearings on the toll
TV issue to grant the exhibitors
group an opportunity to be
heard. The petition, now in
preparation, should be ready to
be filed with the FCC in a week
or ten days, Levy stated.

Also attending the press conference
were WilHam Namenson, representing
the Independent Theatre Owners As-
sociation ; Wilbur Snaper, of Allied
States Association, and Phillip Har-
ling, treasurer of the joint group and
representing the Metropolitan Motion
Picture Theatres Association of New
York.

Sees TV Owners Duped

Namenson, in a prepared statement,
declared "toll TV is against the inter-
ests of the public because it will foist
on the public a charge for entertain-
ment over the airwaves which they
were assured they would enjoy upon
the purchase of a television set. Also
once one TV broadcasting company
gets the right to charge for a program
it then becomes a matter of time be-
fore all programs will be subject to
charge."

Similar arguments against toll TV
were used by Rembusch. Opening the
press conference, Rembusch charged
that Zenith in its FCC petition made
"erroneous" claims, basing its argu-
ments on what Zenith called the "suc-
cess" of its Chicago tests when tele-
phone facilities were utilized. Today,

MEET DISTRIBUTORS HALF WAY
ON FLAT RENTALS, McGEE ASKS

SIOUX FALLS, S. D., Dec. 9. — Commenting on the announced willingness
of some distributors to sell smaller theatres on a flat rental basis, Pat McGee
said here today that "if we close our exhibitor ranks and try to meet these
distributors half way and on a work-
able plan, we can get something ac-
complished quick enough to serve the
purpose." Speaking at the conven-
tion of the South Dakota Exhibitors
Association, the general manager ol
the Cooper Foundation Theatres of
Denver cited 20th Century-Fox and
M-G-M as having expressed a will-
ingness to sell on a flat rental basis,
and also Columbia and other com-
panies although, he added, they "are
not taking very rapid steps to put
them into operation."

Quotes Producers

In regard to the apparent shortage
of product, McGee asserted that the
producers say that they are not solely
responsible for making fewer pictures.
"They say," he said, "that television
and other factors cause them to lose
money on the B pictures and forced
them to be eliminated. They cite the
lack of good story ideas, the lack of
sufficient stars, the fact that only the
big picture makes money, and that
there isn't room for any other type.
I don't doubt there exists a shortage
of stars and good technicians. It was
recently reported that a number of
good story ideas were waiting until
the right male star became available.
In that very admission you must
clearly see that no film company now
in production has a continuing pro-
gram for the development of new per-
sonalities. They wait for someone
else to take the chance on the young
personality in the hope that when he
has been developed, they can borrow
him when they have a suitable role.
There are dozens of youngsters in
California who could be developed
into stars if producers would only
make the effort."

McGee said that in the mean-
while, this policy of fewer
but bigger pictures, with no
willingness to risk featuring
a young but capable player,
"makes the producers them-
selves victims of the policy of
which they have made exhibi-
tors the victim." As the stars
get older and retire, he con-
tinued, without suitable replace-
ments being trained, the salaries
of those who remain are natu-
rally forced up by the spirited

bidding for their services, in
which the agents for the stars
take full advantage. The higher
the salaries, the less the stars
want to work, McGee said, be-
cause of high income taxes, and
"thus you see the result of the
fewer but bigger picture policy,
all of which raises costs which
in turn force higher film
rentals."

Yet, despite all this, McGee said,
"we see a few newcomers rising to
stardom. You see Grace Kelly, Tony
Curtis, Rock Hudson, and others like
them coming to the fore. Just think
what would happen if a determined
eft'ort were made to develop new per-
sonalities, thus widening production
possibilities."

This, he explained, gets back to
that "lack of statesmanship" which
he mentioned in Qiicago. "I men-
tioned it in accusing the men who
have made fortunes in this business
but who still refuse to take the busi-
ness risks without which they would
never have made their fortunes in the
first place," McGee stated. "It doesn't
matter to them that the policy of big-
ger and better pictures is the under-
lying basic cause of the declining at-
tendance at our box offices, even
though some few pictures show to
more people and gross more dollars
than ever before in the history of our
industry."

Warns of Decline in Gross

McGee said that if production
shrinks so that only 250 features are
available, "our national gross will de-
cline from our present $1,200,000,000
annually to about $750,000,000," add-
ing that if production is increased to
about 350 features annually or slightly
more, "our national gross will in-
crease to almost $1,500,000,000 an-
nually, and all this comes about be-
cause of the public's reliance on its
opportunity to attend."

There must be enough product avail-
able for the public to make its selec-
tion so they can average 17 annual
visits per capita. McGee said. This is
a decision that the producers ought to
make, relying on the full support of
exhibition to do its utmost to sell
every possible ticket, he concluded.

Rembusch went on. Zenith plans to
use alternative methods, untried and
untested.

The anti-toll TV program mapped
by the two-day meeting of exhibitors,
according to Levy, includes : the FCC
petition, an educational program to the
public to correct "misleading" toll TV
claims, the raising of money to finance
the joint committee's work and win-
ning the cooperation of allied industry
groups and others in the campaign.

To Meet Again Shortly

In response to a question, Levy said
the method of financing and how much
money is to be raised have not been
decided upon yet. Rembusch, in re-
sponse to another question, said the
full joint committee will meet again
soon after the first of the year.

The educational program may in-
clude newspaper advertising and even
the use of theatre screens. Levy
acknowledged.

Leppert Seeks Crew
For DPF Spain Film

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 9. — George
M. Leppert, president of the recently-
formed Draw Poker Films of Texas,
Inc., of Houston, is here for negotia-
tions with cameramen and technicians
for the production of the company's
first picture, which will be filmed in
Spain. The picture will be based on
the novel "Accent Spain," a work of
Ed Ainsworth, feature writer of the
"Los Angeles Times."

Leppert will leave here on Dec. 27
for New York, where he will spend
four days before leaving for Madrid.

Members of the DPF board of di-
rectors, in addition to Leppert, are :
George Tessier, chairman ; John T.
Charbonnet, Oliver S. Livaudais,
Bentley G. Byrnes, Max Tobias, Wil-
liam G. Zetzman and Jack Auslet, all
of New Orleans. I

McGee May Book TV
Films for Kid Shows

SIOUX FALLS, S. D., Dec.9.
— Pat McGee, general manager
of the Cooper Foundation The-
atres, told the South Dakota
Exhibitors Association conven-
tion today that he was contem-
plating the booking of some
television programs for Satur-
day kiddie shows because of
the lack of suitable product. He
mentioned the Mickey Rooney
and "My Little Margie" TV
programs as possibilities.

"Surely producers could make
worthwhile kiddie programs on
which they could at least break
even," McGee said. "If they
can be made for television, why
can't they be made for this
especial purpose?"

No Auxiliary Camera
For MGM in Filming
C'Scope in Future

From THE DAILY Bureau

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 9.— M-G-M
will dispense with auxiliary cameras
on CinemaScope productions hence-
forth, and will rely on the Gottschalk
micro-panatar laboratory equipment
to derive from anamorphic prints all
"flat" prints required for theatres not
equipped for CinemaScope and using
aspect ratios from 1.85-1 down to
Academy proportions.

Until now, M-G-M has been film-
ing CinemaScope productions with both
anamorphic and standard cameras, so
that exhibitors could be offered un-
hanipered choice in film dimensions.
However, following extended tests by
the studio's Douglas Shearer, with the
mirco-panatar system, first installed
in the Technicolor laboratory and
later in Columbia and Universal-In-
ternational, M-G-M has decided all
necessary prints of any aspect ratio
can be taken from CinemaScope
negatives.

Scribe, Hope in Deal
For 3 Biographies

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 9. — Bob
Hope Enterprises and Scribe Produc-
tions, now associated in the filming
of "Eddy Foy and the Seven Little
Foys," today signed a new equal-
partnership deal by which Scribe
(Melville Shavelson and Jack Rose)
will produce three biographies star-
ring Hope in the next five years.

The first under the Scribe-Hope
deal will be a biography of the late
Mayor James Walker of New York.

Utah Theatre Burned

SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 9.— Fire
today completely razed the Ritz The-
atre at Layton, Utah. Damage is
estimated at between $75,000 and
$90,000. The house is operated and
owned by the Hawk Theatre Circuit
of this city. No one was in building
at the time of the fire.

Burrows Buys More AA

George D. Burrows, executive vice-
president of Allied Artists Corp., pur-
chased 24,750 shares of the company's
common stock during October, ac-
cording to figures reported to the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

JANUARY 3rd. .. APRIL 30th

reaffirms its highly popular policy of delivering

ALL types of pictures . . . for
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«..and reaffirms its conviction from years of
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For the CHARLES J. FELDMAN

ANNUAL DRIVE

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We cordially invite Exhibitors everywhere to
again profitably participate as in the past.

The wonderful story of Three sailors on leave ...

Three girls in love
and Five little orphans

in trouble!

TONY CURTIS ^ GLORIA DeHAVEN
GENE NELSON • CORINNE CALVET • PAUL GILBERT

wi,h MARA CORDAY -"MISS UNIVERSE OF 1954" CHRISTIANE MARTEL-"MISS U.S.A. OF 1954" MYRNA HANSEN
Directed by RICHARD QUINE • Screenplay by CHARLES HOFFMAN • Produced by ALBERT J. COHEN

available: during

THE CHARl_ES J. FELDMAN DRIVE . .January 3-april 30. isps

with EDGAR BUCHANAN • WALLACE FORD • MARY WICKES

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I ARi niiRiNG THE CHARLES J. FELDMAN DRIVE . .January 3-aprii_ 30. i955

The Star . . . The Director . . . The Producer who gave you "Winchester '73"
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TYRE
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AVAILABLE DURING THE CHARLES J. FELDMAN DRIVE.. JANUARY 3-APRIL 30, 1

He braved the savagery of Ute rebellion...

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^ / i

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AVAILABLE DURING THE CHARLES J. FELDMAN DRIVE . .JANUARY 3-APRIL 30. 1955

"a love-bargain is like
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Directed by KING VIDOR • Screenplay by BORDEN CHASE and D. D. BEAUCHAMP • Produced by AARON ROSENBERG

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Against the ravaging hordes
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Against his ruthless
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starring

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JACK PALANCE • LUDMILLA TCHERINA • RITA GAIVI

with JEFF MORROW -GEORGE DOLENZ-EDUARD FRAMZ -ALEXANDER SCOURBY
Directed by DOUGLAS SIRK ■ Screenplay by OSCAR BRODNEV and BARRE LYNDON • stot, by osta/ erodnty • Proiluceil by ALBERT I. COHEN

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Friday, December 10, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Exhibitors May Have Ally

(Continued from page 1)

Strike Closes
Albany House

ALBANY, Dec. 9. — The Grand
Theatre here was closed this week
when the boothmen supported, by fail-
ing' to report for work, the stage
workers' union in its dispute with
lessee-proprietor Paul V. Wallen over
the number of men to be employed, in
back of the house. The projectionists
had notified Wallen that unless the
controversy was settled by noon, they
would not come on the job.

The four men had passed single
pickets stationed in front for eight
days. However, their union, Projec-
tionists Local No. 322, lATSE, voted
by secret ballot Thursday to stand be-
hind the stage hands, members of Lo-
cal 14, LATSE, if Wallen did not pay-
roll the long time number of two. He
cut to one, in a shiftover that followed
the retirement of Henry Harris at the
Strand — after 52 years' service.

The stagehands had picketed the
Grand durmg operating hours, claim-
ing a "lockout." Wallen retorted with
a sign that all union employees of the
theatre were members in good stand-
ing of lATSE.

In voting to back up the stage-
hands, the projectionists' local further
pledged that working members would
share their shifts with the four Grand
men. This meant a reduction in take-
home pay, until the dispute was re-
solved.

Jack Kennedy AA
Des Moines Mgr.

Jack Kennedy has been appointed
Allied Artists' Des Moines branch
manager, it was announced here by
Morey R. Goldstein, general sales
manager.

Kennedy was Des Moines branch
manager for M-G-M until 1948, when
he acquired a small circuit of theatres.
Kennedy has since disposed of these
properties and will now devote all his
time to distribution.

Charles Elder, who was formerly
acting branch manager, will take over
the booker's position in the Des
Moines branch.

'Six Bridges' World
Premiere in Boston

Universal-Inter nation al's "Six
Bridges To Cross" based on the $2,-
500,000 Boston robbery and starring
Tony Curtis, Julie Adams and George
Nader, will have its world premiere
at the RKO Memorial Theatre in
Boston on Jan. 19 launching a series
of openings throughout the New Eng-
land territory as part of a saturation
territorial release of the picture.

In addition to the national maga-
zine advertising campaign on the pic-
ture which is blanketing for the first
time the men's magazine field with
11 "male appeal" publications being
utilized, U-I is developing a territorial
saturation promotional campaign
which will use television, radio, the
newspapers and special exploitation
and merchandise tie-ups.

'Cruz* for Christmas

United Artists' "Vera Cruz," the
first picture to be released in the new
Superscope widescreen process, will
have its world premiere on Christmas
Day at the Capitol Theatre here.

to help the theatre instead of stealing
its manpower, audiences and monetary
returns, the stage producers and house
owners were generally in accord about
not producing plays, which are sub-
ject to minute censorship when broad-
cast, for "a one night stand" on sub-
scriber television, thereby allowing a
mass audience to see an opening night
performance and eliminating any
chance for long-run situations.

A question posed by producer-
theatre owner John Shubert to Leitz-
ell concerning the "one night stand"
performance on pay-as-you-see-TV
and its value to a house owner was
answered v^'ith a hope that if enough
product, films and legitimate stage
presentations, were available, theatres
wouldn't have to worry about the
situation.

However, Leitzell asserted, at
the present time Zenith is mak-
ing no plans for any financial
backing, co-production or pro-
duction activities so that when
Phonevision is in actual opera-
tion, there will be enough prod-
duct for public entertainment.
"Zenith is only concerned at
present in getting Phonevision
into the American home," Leit-
zell said.

Commenting on the proposed cost
to television set owners, the Zenith
representative said that "the cost of a
Phonevision code descrambler should
equal the cost of a small radio now
being sold. Zenith, once permission is
granted by the Federal Communica-
tions Commission, hopes to mass pro-
duce these decoders so that some
500,000 U.S. homes are equipped with-
in a year."

Van Beek, along with Dr. Faught,

Grainger

(Continued from page 1)

Hughes' "Underwater!", which will
be released in Superscope.

Following the screening. J. H. Mac-
Intyre, Western division sales man-
ager, presided over a discussion of
selling plans for the film.

Pointing to the unique debut of the
Hughes production on Jan. 10, under-
water at Silver Springs, Fla., Mac-
Intyre predicted that "this will be
one of the most publicized films of
recent years."

The Angeles meeting, which ends
Saturday, will be followed by simul-
taneous meetings in New York and
Chicago, with Grainger presiding at
Chicago, Walter Branson in New
York.

The Friday morning session will be
devoted to a screening of "Americano"
and in the afternoon sales plans will
be discussed for that picture and
"Underwater," which Grainger said
will carry the biggest budget ever set
for the advertising of any RKO pic-
ture.

Arbitration Meet

(Continued from page 1)

draft of a system which was prepared
by Adolph Schimel, Universal gen-
eral counsel, and Herman Levy, gen-
eral counsel of the Theatre Owners
of America, who were designated to
draw up a tentative formula for the
industry. No exhibitor representatives
will attend today's meeting.

insisted that product would be in
abundance once Phonevision is in
operation, but the stage producers,
many of whom seek outside financial
support in order to stage a play or
musical, were concerned about obtain-
ing backing for plays to be performed
only once. Faught, at this point, said
that the financial return, in many in-
stances, from a "one night stand"
would be enormous, thereby allowing
producers to more or less go into mass
production of plays and films with
profitable results.

Censorship a Factor

The problem of censorship entered
the discussion and one producer stated
that of the 30-odd plays and shows
now on Broadway, only about two are
suitable for broadcast under current
FCC regulations. Also, he asked, who
would select the plays and films to be
presented over Phonevision when it is
in operation? The Zenith representa-
tives answered that "no system has
been set up for program procurement
but it is expected that the local TV
station and sponsor would select the
show."

According to Herman Levin, presi-
dent of the League of New York The-
atres and a well-known producer,
Phonevision can be a stimulant to the
theatres. "The potential return to the
theatres, both in financial terms and
in terms of increased interest in the
theatre throughout the country, might
result from permitting the televising
of the first nights of certain produc-
tions on a home subscription basis,"
Levin said.

The producers at the Sardi's meet-
ing were also shown a film which
depicted the so-called "box-office in
the home."

Schine Witnesses

(Continued from page 1)

courtroom cleared of witnesses in • a
response to a request from Joseph E.
AIcDowell, government attorney, and
joined by defense attorney Frank G.
Raichle. In making the request
McDowell said he feared "danger of
recollections being altered if witnesses
hear each other."

Innocent pleas were entered for the
defendants, one of whom, Elmer F.
Lux, president of Elmart Theatres,
Inc., was excused from attendance.
His attorney explained he is in Buf-
falo General Hospital.

Opening the government's case,
McDowell said proof will be pre-
sented that the defendants have con-
tinued "the abusive and predatory
practices found by the court and that
failure to divest themselves of the-
atres" is the result of a "stubborn,
continued determination to maintain
control of theatre exhibitions in scores
of towns."

Merchants Reopen

(Continued from page 1)

chants' organization to the theatre.

The Harber, a Cooper Foundation
house, closed this week with the ex-
planation that a shortage of first run
product made it impossible to book
the house properly for the next sev-
eral weeks. The Warner Theatre
here, a Stanley Warner operation, also
closed last week with a similar ex-
planation. It plans to reopen Dec. 22.
The Harber will reopen Dec. 25.

'U' Drive

(Continued from page 1)

sales drive climaxed four days of
meetings during which the U-I ex-
ecutives reviewed production, distribu-
tion and promotion plans for 1955
which the company aims to make its
fifth record-breaking year in a row,
Daff said.

Thirteen pictures, most of which
were screened for the sales and pro-
motion executives, will be released
during the four months of the Feld-
man drive period.

More than $36,000 will be distrib-
uted in prizes in the Feldman sales
drive to the company's domestic divi-
sion, district branch and office man-
agers, salesmen and bookers for the
best billing results achieved during
the drive period. In addition to the
over-all prize money, the branch man-
agers will vie for a "man of the week"
award in the form of a special gift
from one of the company's top stars.

District Meetings to Follow

With the announcement of the Feld-
man sales drive, for the third year
in a row named in honor of Univer-
sal's vice-president and general sales
manager, the business sessions of the
week-long sales conference concluded.
The division sales managers, F. J. A.
McCarthy, P. T. Dana and Foster
M. Blake will leave Hollywood over
the weekend to start a week of district
sales meetings in San Francisco, St.
Louis, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Chi-
cago, Cleveland and Boston with their
district managers, branch managers
and salesmen participating. A promo-
tion executive is scheduled to attend
each of these seven meetings to outline
promotional plans on the pictures to
be released during the Feldman Drive.

Paramount

(Continued from page 1)

studio with many of the technical as-
pects of picture-making integrated
into the production and will give mo-
tion picture audiences an "inside view"
of Hollywood, never before seen on
the screen, Schwalberg said.

Five hundred prints will be made of
the featurette which will be handled
through division managers and sup-
ported by an extensive advertising
campaign. It was decided to give
"Paramount Presents Vista Vision" to
the theatres following its approval
when it was screened at the interna-
tional promotion coordination meeting
being held this week at the Para-
mount's studio.

The productions shown in the fea-
turette are: Irving Berlin's "White
Christmas," Alfred Hitchcock's "To
Catch a Thief," "Strategic Air Com-
mand," "The Far Horizons," Hitch-
cock's "The Trouble with Harry,"
"The Seven Little Foys," Pine-Thom-
as' "Run For Cover," "We're No
Angels," Pine-Thomas' "Lucy Gal-
lant," and Hal Walhs' "Three Ring
Circus."

Introduced by Y. Frank Freeman,
who said "The Ten Commandments"
is "needed by the world" and "will
take its place in history," De Mille
screened footage from the picture for
the delegates. Describing the footage
as "merely background against which
the story of Moses will be told," he
said, "the scale of production you have
witnessed will be dwarfed by the
theme and stature of the subject which
symbolizes unity and the spirit of
brotherhood."

Motion Picture Daily

Friday, December 10, 1954

Universal Slates 13 far 1933

Describing tlie forthcoming program of Universal Pictures ^ Pictures for

in releasing, production and exploitation Early Release

MILTON RACKMIL

President, Universal Pictures

• My goal in assuming the
presidency of Universal Pictures
Company in 1952, was to keep
the company in the forefront of
the motion picture industry and
to continue to advance its suc-
cessful destinies. The past two
years have seen the fullest reali-
zation of these dual aims.

Several weeks ago, to fur-
ther insure the success of these
two objectives, my associates
and myself took an important
step. We acquired control of
Decca Records through the pur-
chase of a large block of the
outstanding common stock. This
means that the friendly man-
agement interests which have
been at the helm of Decca since
it acquired control of Universal,
have consolidated their position
and can go forward with the
plans we have developed for
Universal. — M. R.

N. J. BLUMBERG

Chairman, Universal Pictures

® Now that the motion picture
industry has once more settled
down to expending its major ef-
forts in producing films with the
greatest possible box office po-
tentials inherent in their story
appeal, star and production val-
ues, following this past year's
emphasis on size, shape and di-
mensions. Universal is aiming
its sights at another record year.

It was no small accomplish-
ment that during the past year
of mechanical evolution in the
motion picture industry, Univer-
sail's world-wide business soared
to new heights, surpassing ev-
erything in company history.

Teamwork in Universal's
world-wide family and >vith the
world's exhibitors has been the
keynote of the Universal suc-
cess story and we aim to main-
tain this teamwork during 1955.

— A^. /. B.

ALFRED E. DAFF

Exec. Vice-President of Universal

® The evolution of motion pic-
ture production during the past
few years, marked by changing
patterns in distribution and ex-
hibition throughout the world,
has manifested itself at Univer-
sal in four successful years.

We believe in all systems.
We will produce in any system
the exhibitor and public demand.
We believe in all types of
screens. But, basically, we be-
lieve in giving the public the
best we can in subject matter,
performance and production
value because we believe the
audience buys on the basis of
these three vital factors.

With these fundamentals in
mind we planned our 1954-55
program which, I firmly believe,
includes a greater number of
outstanding attractions than any
single year in our history.

—A. E. D.

EDWARD MUHL

Head of Universal Studio

who discusses product on page 19

CHARLES J. FELDMAN

General Sales Manager

who lists releases on this page

DAVID A. LIPTON

Director of Advertising
who outlines promotion on page 20

Universal-International will release
during the first four months of 1955
one of the most powerful groups of
important film productions in its his-
tory, dealing with a wide variety of
themes and pre-sold by record mer-
chandising campaigns to create the
greatest possible box-office potential,
it was announced yesterday by Charles
J. Feldman, vice-president and gen-
eral sales manager.

The releasing program which is in
line with Universal's policy of provid-
ing exhibitors with a steady flow of
pictures for all types of theatres, in-
cludes three CinemaScope productions.
All but three of the 13 are in Tech-
nicolor. Two of them are top budget
films in color produced by the J.
Artliur Rank Organization — one in
Africa and the other in New Zealand.

The group includes "Sign of the
Pagan," the most expensive negative
produced at the Universal-Interna-
tional Studios which is being launched
with a heavy saturation of Christmas
dates.

According to Feldman, Universal's
three CinemaScope productions will be
available to exhibitors with both mag-
netic and optical sound tracks and
will be made available in regular
screen size in line with the company's
policy of making pictures for all types
of theatres.

Musical Starts 1955 Group

Released for Christmas, "Sign of
the Pagan," is in CinemaScope and
color by Technicolor, and stars Jeff
Chandler, Jack Palance, Ludmilla
Tcherina and Rita Gam and features
Jeff Morrow, George Dolenz, Edward
Franz and Alexander Scourby.

"So This Is Paris," a musical with
color by Technicolor, starring Tony
Curtis, Gloria De Haven, Gene Nel-
son, Corinne Calvet and Paul Gilbert,
heads the list of January releases.

The second January picture will be
"Destry," the remake of "Destry
Rides Again." Starred in this new
remake are Audie Murphy, Mari
Blanchard and Lyle Bettger.

"West of Zanzibar," photographed
in Technicolor on the African veld by
the J. Arthur Rank Organization, in
association with the Schlesinger Or-
ganization, will be the third January
release. It stars Anthony Steel and
Sheila Sim and features some startling
photography in the manner utilized
for "King Solomon's Mines" and
"Mogambo."

February releases will be headed by
"The Far Country," the new James
Stewart film in color by Technicolor.
Starred with Stewart are Ruth Ro-
man, Corinne Calvet and Walter
Brennan. Produced by Aaron Rosen-
berg and directed by Anthony Mann,
the team responsible for "The Glenn
Miller Story" and the succession of
James Stewart box office hits, "The
Far Country," Feldman pointed out,
occupies the same releasing position as
"The Glenn Miller Story" last year ;
"Mississippi Gambler" the year before
and "Bend of the River,'' released in
1952._

"Six Bridges to Cross," a teeming
(Continued on page 19)

Friday, December 10, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

(Continued from page 18)
melodrama dealing with the great
Boston robbery, filmed on location
and starring Tony Curtis, Julie
Adams and George Nader, will be the
second February release. The third
will bring Abbott and Costello back
to the screen after an absence of more
than a year and a half. Titled "Ab-
bott and Costello ^leet the Keystone
Kops," the picture also features Fred
Clark and Lynn Bari and revives
memories of Alack Sennett days.

'"Captain Lightfoot," an unusual ad-
venture story filmed entirely in Ire-
land in CinemaScope and color by
Technicolor to capture the scenic
beauty of that country, and starring
Rock Hudson, Barbara Rush and Jef?
Alorrow, will be one of the important
Alarch releases. "Smoke Signal," with
the interesting background of Indian
warfare in the New Alexico territory
in color by Technicolor and starring
Dana Andrews, Piper Laurie, Rex
Reason and William Talman, is the
second March release, while "Land of
Fury," a pioneering story filmed in
Eastman Color in New Zealand for
the J. Arthur Rank Organization and
starring Jack Hawkins and Glynis
Johns, is the third March release.

"Chief Craz}- Horse," in Cinema-
Scope and color by Technicolor and
starring \'ictor Alature, Suzan Ball
and John Lund will be one of the
April releases — a big Indian picture
in the U-I tradition of "Tomahawk."

"Man Without a Star," an unusual
action film with a Western back-
ground, filmed in color by Technicolor
and starring Kirk Douglas, Jeanne
Grain and Claire Trevor, will be the
second important April release, while
the third and 13th of the spring sched-
ule will be "Ala and Pa Kettle at
^^'aikiki."

In announcing this lineup, Feldman
concluded by stressing that it is not
only the purpose of Universal to aro-
vide exhibitors with a steady flow of
important box office productions, but
also to provide within the schedule a
variety of entertainment that will at-
tract and satisfy the widest possible
audience.

C Lineup of
1955 Product

Backed by a dazzling list of big
name stars and a wealth of outstand-
ing story properties, Universal-Inter-
national's production program for the
coming year will be the most potent
in the company's history, Edward
Aluhl, vice-president in charge of
production, said yesterday. The com-
pany's 1955 schedule will duplicate
numerically its 1954 program, but
from the standpoint of star power,
importance of stories and production
scope, it will be the most imposing
line-up of product ever undertaken by
the studio, Muhl added.

Muhl pointed out that U-I already
has acquired a number of outstanding
stor}' properties and is continuously
looking for additional stories of the
same high calibre. In addition, in
order to attract the industry's top
stars to head the casts of these im-
portant stories, the studio plans to
continue its policy of making a cer-
tain number of percentage deals such
as those which in the past have proven
mutually advantageous to both the
company and such stars as Jimmy
Stewart, Tyrone Power, Alan Ladd
and Gregory Peck.

About 75 per cent of the studio's

(Continued on page 20)

EiBrly Universal ReletBse^

SIGN OF THE PAGAN . . . starring Jeff Chandler, SO THIS IS PARIS . . . starring Tony Cur+is, Gloria
Jack Palance, Ludmilla Tcherlna, Rita Gam. DeHaven, Gene Nelson, Corinne Calvet, Paul Gilbert.

DESTRY . . . remake of "Destry Rides Again" starring WEST OF ZANZIBAR ... J. Arthur Rank production
Audie Murphy, Marl Blanchard, Lyie Bettger. starring Anthony Steel and Sheila Sim.

THE FAR COUNTRY . . . starring James Stewart. Ruth SIX BRIDGES TO CROSS . . . starring Tony Curtis,
Roman, Corinne Calvet, Walter Brennan. Julie Adams and George Nader.

ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET THE KEYSTONE CAPTAIN LIGHTFOOT . . . CinemaScope production
KOPS . . . starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. starring Rock Hudson, Barbara Rush and Jeff Morrow.

Motion Picture Daily

Friday, December 10, 1954

{Continued from page 19)
1955 schedule will be filmed in color,
and studio executives are carefully
watching developments on the various
new camera processes so that they
might take advantage of such proc-
esses when they feel that added scope
would enhance the values of a particu-
lar story or background.

Among the top budget films on the
coming year's schedule are :

"Female on the Beach," a dramatic
story of a tempestuous romance be-
tween an attractive widow and a beach
boy which will bring Joan Crawford
and Jeff Chandler together on the
screen for the first time.

"Tacey," adapted from Conrad
Richter's popular novel of a woman
who braves disgrace and disillusion-
ment in order to push the man she
loves into success, which v^-ill star
Anne Baxter, Rock Hudson and
Julie Adams.

"So This Is Rio," a gay musical in
color by Technicolor that will star
Tony Curtis, Gene Nelson and Paul
Gilbert, the same three stars who were
such hits in "So This Is Paris."

Wy man-Hudson Teamed
Again

"All That Heaven Allows," again
teaming Jane Wyman and Rock Hud-
son, tlie stars of "Magnificent Obses-
sion," in a Technicolor adaptation of
the dramatic novel by Edna Lee and
Harry Lee.

"Song of Norway," adapted from
the great stage operetta and which
will be filmed in color on a scale as
one of the big musicals of all time.

"The Navy Gets Francis," seventh
in U-I's highly popular talking mule
comedy series, with Donald O'Connor
again in the starring role.

"The Galileans," a Technicolor Bib-
lical spectacle starring Jefl:' Chandler
and adapted from the best-selling
novel by Frank G. Slaughter.

"The Benny Goodman Story," based
on the life of the band leader and
produced on the same scale as the suc-
cessful "Tlie Glenn Miller Story."

"Apache Agent," large scale West-
ern with color by Technicolor, based
on Woodworth Clum's biography of
his father, the only man to capture
and force the surrender of the Apache
warrior, Geronimo.

"There's Always Tomorrow," star-
ring Barbara Stanwyck in a modern
romantic drama of a glamorous fash-
ion expert who becomes involved in a
romance with her former employer,
now married.

"Away All Boats," a top budget
adaptation of Kenneth Dodson's best-
selling novel about the heroism, the
suffering and tlie hardships of the
fighting men aboard a landing attack
transport in some of the most crucial
Pacific battles during World War II.
It is in color by Technicolor.

"The Private War of Major Ben-
son," starring Charlton Heston in a
heart-warming story of an army offi-
cer who is disciplined by being sent
to take charge of a boys' military
school.

"The Life of Charles Russell," with
color by Technicolor, is a high-
budget story of the old West as told
through the eyes of the West's most
famous cowboy artist.

"New Heaven, New Earth,"
adapted from Arthemise Goertz' mov-
ing novel of a young Louisiana doctor
at the turn of the century who battles
to tear himself away from his fashion-
able family ties in order to marry a
girl in a lower social class.

"Dead Man Pass," Peter Dawson's
Saturday Evening Post serial of the
human conflicts in the building of a
railroad tunnel in the old West.

UniM^ersul Schedules JVeBiianiMi
Pre^SelHng dMmpuign far ^3 J

The largest pre-selling budget in
the 40-odd year history of Universal-
International has been allocated by
the company to merchandise its 1955
releases, it was announced yesterday
by David A. Lipton, vice-president. In
revealing the promotional plans for
the coming year Lipton pointed out
tiiat every possible publicity and ad-
vertising medium will be used to
achieve complete penetration on both
national and local levels.

"Pre-selling plans for all pictures to
be released during the early months
of 1955 already have been finalized,"
Lipton stated. "Since this group of
pictures represents the greatest variety
in entertainment appeal ever delivered
by tlie company, each campaign has
been tailored with extreme care in
order to reach the maximum audience
for each type of picture.

"In addition to the normal pre-sell-
ing channels, we also are reaching into
the more specialized magazine, tele-
vision and promotion fields v^'ith both
publicity and advertising in order to
create a real impact on the infrequent
as well as the frequent movie-goer."

Commenting on plans for specific
pictures, Lipton pointed out that
"Sign of the Pagan," the big Tech-
nicolor CinemaScope spectacle which
has been set for a Christmas release,
already is being pre-sold with national
magazine advertising comparable to
the record campaign on "The Glenn
Miller Story." This is being sup-
plemented by the advance national
newspaper campaign, now in progress,
on Roger Fuller's book, "Sign of the
Pagan," on which LI-I is co-operating
with the publisher, Dial Press.

"So This Is Paris," the gay Tech-
nicolor musical which has been set
for a New Year's release, is being
launched with a tremendous campaign
involving color advertising in 20 pub-
lications having an actual circulation
in excess of 57,000,000. ,

Big Campaign on Theft Film

"Six Bridges to Cross," the story
of the great $2,500,000 Boston rob-
bery, will be pre-sold in a record-
breaking advertising campaign which,
for the first time in the company "t,
history, will blanket the men's maga-
zine field, utilizing a total of eleven
"male-appeal" publications such as
True, Argosy, Official Defective
Stories and Sport.

Altogether, 20 publications will
carry the advertising on this picture
to a circulation exceeding 22,000,000
and an estimated readership of triple
that figure. Collier's, which first pub-
lished the original story by veteran
Boston crime reporter Joseph F. Din-
neen, "They Stole $2,500,000— and Got
Away With It," on which the sensa-
tional film melodrama is based, will be
included in this group.

To assure the "Six Bridges to
Cross" advertising reaching every
potential ticket-buyer, general reader-
ship will be secured through place-
ment in Life and Look, and teen-
agers and regular movie-goers
through Sei'cnteen and various movie
magazines to complete the roster of
the two-score publications being util-
ized.

In the tradition of James Stewart
campaigns which proved so successful
in launching "The Glenn Miller
Story" and "Bend of the River," U-I
is backing up the new Stewart starrer,
"The Far Country," with the most

comprehensive use of color advertising
on a local level ever attempted for a
motion picture. Full-color ads for
this picture will appear in 184 Sunday
and weekend newspapers in 177 cities
and towns in the United States and
Canada. This extensive coverage is
being accomplished by utilizing, for
the first time by a film company, the
new newspaper supplement, Faniily
Weekly, which adds 88 smaller com-
munities to those already served by
newspapers with weekend color maga-
zines.

Extensive research begun by U-I
months ago in response to exhibitor
requests for an advertising medium to
reach smaller but important communi-
ties was responsible for the selection
of Family Weekly for this inaugural
use of localized full-color newspaper
advertising. The company feels "The
Far Country" will carry wide appeal
"down the line" in this type of com-
munity.

"The Far Country" also will be
advertised in full color in two of the
largest Sunday magazine supplements,
American Weekly and Parade; in
Canada's largest Sunday newspaper
supplement, the 25-city Weekend
Magazine, and the weekly magazines
Life and Look.

Romance Angled to Women

Preliminary planning on "Captain
Lightfoot," the Technicolor Cinema-
Scope adaptation of W. R. Burnett's
best-selling novel which was filmed
entirely in Ireland, calls for an ex-
tensive national magazine campaign
that will include the majority of the
women's magazines in order to capital-
ize on the romantic pairing of Rock
Hudson and Barbara Rush, two of the
stars who scored in "Magnificent
Obsession."

Important campaigns also have been
planned for the J. Arthur Rank Or-
ganization's "West of Zanzibar," the
top-flight "Destry" and other films
scheduled for release in the coming
months.

"Having pictures based on impor-
tant or fresh and unusual stories and
presenting big name stars as well as
new personalities, it is only consistent
that we continue developing new pre-
selling areas and ideas in order to
fully exploit their box office values,"
Lipton declared.

Pointing out that U-I not only
pioneered in the television field, but
has used TV extensively as a sales
medium, Lipton announced that the
company will expand still further its
use of TV as a promotional medium,
while continuing its wide use of radio
exploitation.

U-I had great success with its open-
end Rock Hudson filmed television in-
terview on "Magnificent Obsession"
and plans to repeat this type of promo-
tion, while at the same time develop-
ing new innovations. The company
also will continue to make available
special trailers and film subjects pre-
pared for TV exploitation.

Stars, featured players and special
behind-the-scenes personalities, who
have figured importantly in past pro-
motional activities, will be used even
more extensively in key and sub-key
situations, where they will make TV
and radio appearances in addition to
participating in other promotional
events.

Music also will play an important

part in the campaigns on certain pic-
tures. Following the successful pat-
tern of music promotion for "The
Glenn Miller Story," U-I has estab-
lished a special department for han-
dling music promotions, with its new
Technicolor musical, "So This Is
Paris," already receiving strong plug-
ging in this medium.

With several of the company's top
personalities, including Jef¥ Chandler
and Tony Curtis, now also recording
for Decca, new avenues have been
opened for exploiting pictures in
which they appear. Title theme songs
have been incorporated in the musical
scores of several pictures, among
them "Six Bridges To Cross," "Fox-
fire"_ and "Man Without A Star," and
special music promotions are being
planned aroimd the theme songs from
these productions.

Increased Local Aid

As a part of the overall activities,
there also will be an acceleration of
U-I's national merchandise promo-
tional tie-ups, according to Lipton. In
this connection, greater emphasis will
be given to the type of tie-ups which
manufacturers are willing to develop
on local levels in cooperation with
local exhibitors.

Pointing to the outstanding success
of many U-I pictures during the last
year, Lipton declared that their suc-
cess was due in a large degree to the
manner in which exhibitors responded
on the local level to the promotional
assistance provided by the company.
He added that the most important ob-
jective of all U-I showmanship ef¥ort
is to deliver the most potent promo-
tional point-of-sale impact in coopera-
tion with local exhibitors.

As another assist to exhibitors, U-I
will continue to augment its press
book material with comprehensive
promotion manuals designed to achieve
the ma.ximum results. The company
also will continue to expand its field
exploitation activities augmenting its
field force with members of the studio
and home office stafi^, as has been
done so effectively in the past.

In commenting on U-I's designation
as "the showmanship company," Lip-
ton said, "We have earned this repu-
tation on the basis of results over the
past several years. It is our objective
for the coming year to surpass every-
thing we have done to date in the way
of publicity-advertising-promotional
pre-selling. Our budgets for the year
have been set to provide us with the
financial resources to do a record-
breaking job. We have the finest
product in the history of the company
and we have the plans and man-power
to do the job that will re-affirm our
reputation for delivering pre-sold
product."

'Paris' Salute Sunday
On Colgate TV Show

The NBC-TV telecast of the Col-
gate Comedy Hour on Sunday even-
ing will salute Universal-Internation-
al's "So This Is Paris" and the
launching of the Decca Records al-
bum taken from the sound track of
the Technicolor musical. .Appearing
on the program in person will be
Tony Curtis, Gene Nelson and Gloria
DeHaven, who will reprise musical
sequences from the film.

Is News

MOTION PICTURE

DAILY

VOL. 76. NO. 112

NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1954

TEN CENTS

EDITORIAL

Trade Conference . . .
Time's A -Wasting

By Sherwin Kane

SIGNIFICANT and encourag-
ing as Is fhe current news
that an industry arbitration
plan is nearing connpletion, many
exhibitors are looking with keener
Interest for word of progress on
the proposal to convene an all-
industry roundtable meeting to
discuss and seek solutions to the
llfe-and-death problems of the
small exhibitor — the cost of prod-
uct and its short supply — upper-
most among them.

Completion of an industry arbi-
tration system has long been de-
sired by many, on the distribution
as well as the exhibition side. Its
realization will be heartening to all
such and should stand as a great
factor in the lessening of Industry
discord in the future.

The all-industry conference is an
emergency measure, urgently re-
quired to take care of problems of
the moment confronting hundreds
of small exhibitors who, If they are
not afforded some relief soon, will
not be around to sample or share
the fruits of an Industry arbitration
system.

During October and November,
Motion Picture Daily correspond-
ents throughout the country quer-
ied exhibitors at random on their
opinions of the Allied States' pro-
posal to weigh requests for Fed-
eral regulation of the industry in
the event efforts to extend relief
to distressed, small exhibitors are
not in evidence by February.

Despite some recent, public in-
sinuations to the contrary by vet-
eran Allied organizers, no effort
was made either to Influence the
type of response obtained by the
correspondent or to misrepresent
the results In the manner of their
publication.

The bare facts revealed by the
quotations sent to Motion Picture
{Continued on page 2)

Hartman Predicts
Single Film Gross
Of $100,000,000

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 12.— Fore-
seeing grosses as high as $50,000,-
000 or $100,000,000 for a picture,
Don Hartman, executive producer for
Paramount Pic-
tures here,
called on Hol-
lywood to dis-
play daring,
courage and
selectiveness in
picture making,
while address-
ing a joint ses-
sion of Para-
mount sales-
d i s t r i b u tion
executives and
promotion co-
ordination rep-
resentatives.
High film grosses can be attained
by planning to make only the best
possible entertainment with the best
possible elements without compromise,
Hartman said. "It may well be that
Cecil B. DeMille's 'The Ten Com-
mandments' may be the first of these
high grossers," he said.

The merged session, which was held
at the weekend here, was attended
A. W. Schwalberg, president of Para-
mount Film Distributing Corp., E. K.
(Ted) O'Shea, vice-president, Y.
Frank Freeman, Paramount studio
vice-president, and Jerry Pickman,
{Contimied on page 6)

Don Hartman

Johnston in 1955

SEES $210,000,000
FOREIGN MARKET

Head of MPAA and Irving Maas, of MPEA,
Report Following Return from Far East

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

American film companies should realize an estimated $210,000,000
from the foreign market, including Canada, in 1955, it was forecast here
at the weekend by Eric A. Johnston, president of the Motion Picture
Association of America.

WB Year Net,
$3,976,000

Consolidated net profit of Warner
Brothers Pictures for the fiscal year
ended Aug. 31 was reported at $3,-
976,000 by the company, the earnings
being equivalent to $L60 per share
on 2,474,329 shares outstanding on
that date. The shares include 35,446
which were reserved for exchange for
shares of the former Warner Brothers
Pictures (1923). The financial report
represents the first full year of opera-
tions since the reorganization of the
company in 1953.

Film rentals, sales, etc., increased
$600,000 over the previous year result-
ing from an increase in the remittable
foreign film rental which was partly
{Conthmed on page 6)

Joint Meeting Jan. 17

'Close to an Agreement^
On Arbitration Reported

Acknowledgement that exhibition and distribution are "close to agree-
ment" on arbitration was furnished here at the weekend by Sidney
Schreiber, secretary and general counsel of the Motion Picture Associa-
tion of America.

Schreiber, attending the press con-
ference of Eric Johnston, president
of the Motion Picture Association of
America, along with other MPAA of-
ficials, was asked a series of questions
on arbitration issues by the press.

Declining to respond on specific
arbitration issues, Schreiber said that
they are still being negotiated. He
stressed however, that negotiations
have reached a point where company
presidents are being informed of de-
velopments by sales managers. Such
a meeting of company presidents, sales
managers and company counsels was
{Continued on page 6)

DeMille Foundation
Hits Mitchell Talk

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 12. — The
DeMille Foundation in a press release
asks whether Secretary of Labor
James P. Mitchell's statement before
the C.LO. convention here last week
that the right-to-work laws now in
effect in 17 states have done more
harm than good was a repetition of
what he had heard from "top labor
bosses."

"All professional labor bosses are
{Continued on page 6)

Johnston, at a press conference
following his return from a one-month
trip to the Far East, said next year's
over-all remittances should be on a
par with this year's which he esti-
mated at $210,000,000. He acknowl-
edged that in some countries there
might be a gain or a decrease in com-
parison, but he went on, within two
or three per cent his forecast should
be accurate.

Visiting Japan, the Philippines and
Australia on his trip, Johnston said
in each country he discussed industry
problems, in addition to meeting witli
government officials.

Of the three countries, Japan, ac-
cording to the MPAA president, has
its economy in a more precarious
position faced with a huge trade def-
{Continued on page 6)

Compo Audience Poll
Details Completed

Final details for a nation-wide poll
to determine the public's choice of the
best picture released in 1954 were
ironed out over the week end at a
meeting of COMPO's audience poll
committee at the Sheraton Astor
Hotel. Announcement of the commit-
tee's decisions probably will ' be made
in the near future, it was said by a
COMPO spokesman.

Up for discussion at the meeting
were the date of the poll, the nature
of the ballot, the manner in which the
{Continued on page 6)

Set Promotion Plans
At Filmakers Meet

CHICAGO, Dec. 12. — Irving H.
Levin, president of Filmakers Releas-
ing Organization, today told a na-
tional sales meeting at the Blackstone
Hotel here that the company will ex-
pend its largest cooperative advertis-
ing campaigns to date for the early
1955 release of "Crashout" and "Mad
at the World."

Levin also announced to 28 Fil-
{Continucd on page 6)

Motion Picture Dail,y

Monday, December 13, 1954

Personal
Mention

MOREY GOLDSTEIN, Allied
Artists vice-president and gen-
eral sales manager, left here yester-
day by plane for Hollywood.
•

Jeff Livingston, Universal Pic-
tures Eastern advertising manager,
and Philip Ger^vrd, Eastern publicity
manager, have returned to Neu^ York
from Hollywood.

•

Bernard Jacon, LF.E. Releasing
Corp. vice-president in charge of sales,
will arrive in Los Angeles today from
New York.

•

Leonard Birnbaum, 20th Century-
Fox music film editor, returned to
Hollywood at the weekend from New
York.

•

Charles Simonelli, Universal
Pictures Eastern advertising and pub-
licity department manager, is on a
trip to the Midwest.

MoRT Greenberg, United Artists
salesman in Winnipeg, will be married
here on New Year's Day to Vivien
Bernstein, of Valley Stream, N. "V.

Howard Dietz, M-G-M vice-presi-
dent, will return to New York to-
morrow from the Coast.

Roy Williams, story director at
the Walt Disney studios, has arrived
here from the Coast.

Gill Esmond, British actress, is
scheduled to arrive here today from
London via B.O.A.C. Monarch.

Lou Marks, M-G-M branch man-
ager in Detroit, has returned there
from New York.

Aubrey Schenck, producer, is in
New York from Chicago.

Lester Cowan, producer, left Hol-
lywood at the weekend for New York.

Says U.S, Films Used
For Red Propaganda

ATLANTA, Dec. 12. — American
pictures, especially action films, are
one of the Communists' most potent
propaganda weapons, one of Holland's
leadmg editors said on his visit to
Atlanta.

Dr. Herman Planten, editor-in-chief
of the Algemeen "Handelsblad," said
that Americans are frequently misun-
derstood in foreign countries because
motion pictures do not always give a
true picture of life here.

Resume Preview

"Movie Preview," published by
Stephen L. Saunders, exhibitor in Car-
mel, N. Y., will resume publication
with the December issue. The front
cover is devoted to the M-G-M star,
Debbie Reynolds. Thirteen current pic-
tures are reviewed in the issue, which
should be very helpful to exhibitors.

RKO Meetings Today
In N.Y. and Chicago

Regional sales meetings of RKO
Radio will open today in New York
and Chicago with screenings of How-
ard Hughes "Underwater!" In New
York the Superscope release will be
shown at the RKO 58th Street The-
atre and in Chicago at the Esquire
Theatre.

Walter Branson, worldwide sales
manager, will preside at the New
York meeting, which will be held at
the Warwick Hotel, while Sam Gore-
lick, Midwest district manager, will
direct the Chicago discussions at the
Blackstone Hotel. James R. Grainger,
president, will attend the Chicago
meeting with Joseph Tushinsky, co-
inventor of Superscope, who will dem-
onstrate the process. Tushinsky will
leave Wednesday for New York.

A fourth and final regional sales
conclave will be held in New Orleans
starting Dec. 16. Grainger will also
attend that conclave.

K, C. Exhibitors
Name 6 Directors

KANSAS CITY, Dec. 12.— New
directors named at the annual meet-
ing of the Motion Picture Associa-
tion of Greater Kansas City were
Ed Hartman, Ben Marcus, Harry
Gaffney, Clarence Schults, Sid Levy
and Ralph Ammacher.

Sam Abend, one of the founders
and active members, who died recently,
was honored by the establishment of
a memorial shelter house at the
Santosage Boys Sunmier Camp.

The association also set up a
scholarship fund, comprising a year's
tuition for a deserving boy.

8 MGM Pictures
Now in Production

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 12. — With
the start last week of two new films,
"The Cobweb" and "Loye Me or
Leave Me," M-G-M had a total of
eight fdms in various stages of pro-
duction.

"The Cobweb," based on the Wil-
liam Gibson novel, stars Richard Wid-
mark, Lauren Bacall, Charles Boyer
and Gloria Grahame. It is being di-
rected by Vincente Minnelli, with
John Houseman producing.

"Love Me or Leave Me," a musical
based on the Ruth Etting story, stars
Doris Day, James Gagney and Cam-
eron Mitchell. The director is Charles
Vidor, with Joe Pasternak as pro-
ducer.

Technicolor Declares
An Extra Dividend

The board of directors of Techni-
color, Inc., declared a dividend of 25
cents per share on the $1 par com-
mon stock and 50 cents on the old
no-par common stock not exchanged,
it was announced.

In addition, a special year-end divi-
dend was declared of 10 cents a share
on the new $1 par common stock and
20 cents a share on the old no-par
common stock, not exchanged. The
dividends were payable on Dec. 30 to
stockholders of record at the close
of business on Dec. 17.

U. S. Balking
YugoslavRule

Negotiations are currently under-
way between the iVlotion Picture Ex-
port Association and Yugoslav gov-
ernment omcials regarding distribution
of American hlms in lugoslavia, it
was confirmed here at the weekend by
Ralph D. ±letzel, jr., iVlPEA vice-
president.

Hetzel, attending the press confer-
ence of Eric Johnston, Ivil'h.A presi-
dent along with otlier association
othcials, was asked to comment on re-
ports of trouble in the Yugoslavian
market. The problem, according to
Hetzel, is whetner other than a non-
government sponsored distribution
agency in Yugoslavia can engage in
distribution there.

It was reported from Washington
that MPEA had been having its hlms
distributed in Yugoslavia by one par-
ticular firm, and that tliis firm then
demanded that MPEA cut its royalty
percentage. MPEA, it was reported,
refused and most of the companies
found another distributor, but the
Yugoslav government will not recog-
nize this second distributor.

Western TV Network
Of ABC Starts Jan. 1

From THE DAILY Bureau

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 12. — The
American Broadcasting Co. vice-pres-
ident. Earl J. Hudson, on Friday
announced completion of arrangements
for a regional television network
which will commence operations on
Jan. 1. To be known as the Western
Television Network, the web will con-
sist of a total of 32 stations in the
Mountain and Pacific Coast regions,
plus Alaska and Hawaii.

The new network will reach all the
television markets in 11 Western
states, said Hudson.

Cinerama in S, F,
Tops Million Mark

The Orpheum Theatre in San Fran-
cisco is the latest of the 13 Cinerama
houses in key U. S. cities to break
the million dollar mark, the company
reports.

Leading the parade is the Warner
Theatre in New York where $4,000,-
000 will probably have passed through
the box office window in this one
engagement. Present plans call for
Louis de Rochemont's new "Cinerama
Holiday" to be brought in early next
year. Vying for second place is the
Palace Theatre in Chicago and the
Warner in Hollywood, both over
$2,000,000. In fourth place with
$1,750,000 is the Music Hall, Detroit.

Head *Junkef Group

Eddie Dowling and Magda Gabor
will be co-chairmen of a March of
Dimes theatre committee for the bene-
fit premiere of United Artists' Tech-
nicolor film, "Romeo and Juliet," at
the Sutton Theatre on Dec. 21, it was
announced today by Lawrence F.
Kennedy, general chairman of the
Greater New York March of Dimes.

Trade Conference

(Contmiied from page 1)

Daily were simply that a great
majority of exhibitors are opposed
to Federal regulation of this in-
dustry but many among their num-
ber feel that the plight of many
exhibitors today is so desperate
that such a course must be con-
sidered providing no relief is
forthcoming soon.

Those outstanding characteris-
tics of the interviews were duly
reported and repeated in every
installment published in Motion
Picture Daily, and In the conclud-
ing summation In the Nov. 22 Issue
the national exhibitor viewpoint
was described thusly:

"Let's avoid Federal regulation
of the Industry and solve our own
problems as we are capable of do-
ing. But If no effort to relieve cur-
rent conditions Is made, then let's
consider an approach to govern-
ment agencies."

That is no less true this month
than It was In October and No-
vember.

It Is earnestly commended to
the consideration of those In a
position either to advance an all-
Industry roundtable conference
now or to jettison the proposal.

Shapiro to Head
Hospital Junket Unit

Robert K. Shapiro, managing direc-
tor of the New York Paramount The-
atre, has been appointed chairman of
the committee of New York's Cinema
Lodge of B'nai B'rith which is ar-
ranging the Lodge's Christmas enter-
tainment junket to the Will Rogers
Memorial Hospital at Saranac Lake
on Dec. 21, it was announced over the
weekend by Burton E. Robbins, presi-
dent of Cinema Lodge.

The junket of a group of enter-
tainers to the hospital is being made
possible through the participation of
the American Guild of Variety Artists
(AGVA) and Theatre Authority
which are recruiting the necessary
acts for the show which will be headed
by a top name personality.

'Hunters' Here Thurs.

The American premiere of "Hunters
of the Deep," the underwater feature-
length documentary drama photo-
graphed in color, will take place at
the Trans-Lux 60th Street Theatre
here on Thursday. Accompanying
"Hunters of the Deep" at the Trans-
Lux 60th will be a new short in color,
"Rembrandt, a Self-Portrait." Both
pictures are being released by Dis-
tributors Corp. of America.

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke.
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca- Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
ind Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

Monday, December 13, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Stereo Costly hut Results
Worth It^ Birnbaum Says

By LESTER DINOFF

While CinemaScope and stereophonic sound has increased the amount
of work and effort in preparing music for motion pictures, the end result
is worthy of the effort, according to 20th Century-Fox music film editor
Leonard Birnbaum who stated that

"television is making serious inroads
in utilizing film industry specialists
and is copying motion picture produc-
tion techniques."

Speaking at a trade press conference
at Danny's Hideaway here on Friday,
Birnbaum, who joined 20th-Fox stu-
dios in 1938, said that "television has
learned to copy many motion picture
production techniques, mainly by raid-
ing the studios for top-notch talait."
In Hollywood presently, there are
about 40 top music film editors work-
ing, he said.

Recording an Involved Process

Prior to the introduction of stereo-
phonic sound, Hollywood producers
used a minimum of two sound tracks
in producing musicals and background
music for dramatic films, Birnbaum
said. "With CinemaScope and stereo-
phonic sound, it is impossible to record
all voices, music and vocal tracks at
one time, so it adds up to about 20
musical tracks being made ; in reality
a total of 60 since three microphones
are always used and each mike has its
own track, for a film," the music head
said.

"In the end, a music editor takes all
the tracks and combines them into a
component stereophonic sound track
which audiences will appreciate, Birn-
baum said. "If 20th-Fox did not ad-

vertise stereophonic sound, the ordi-
nary layman would have known
immediately that the quality of record-
ing was very much superior," he said.

In New York on a combination
business trip for Irving Berlin's
"There's No Business Like Show
Business" and for a vacation, Birn-
baum said that "hit tunes, melody and
lyrics help sell pictures and if a song
is good, an audience will leave the
theatre singing it." He cited such
tunes as "Three Coins in the Foun-
tain," "Desiree," and "Hajji Baba,"
as examples.

Urges 'Sound Education'

Birnbaum asserted that many the-
atre owners and managers are "not
educated" in the proper use of stereo-
phonic sound to a theatre audience.
"Everyone thinks that his taste for
sound is good enough for the entire
audience, but many times the sound
with a film is either too loud, or not
mixed properly," he said.

The 20th-Fox music editor said that
upon his return next week to Holly-
wood, he will begin work on "Un-
tamed" and "The Seven Year Itch."
With the advent of the new mediums,
more music is used in motion pictures
and the quality of the music is better,
he said.

S chine Sale
Is Disputed

special to THE DAILY

BUFFALO, Dec. 12.— A prosecu-
tion witness in the government's case
against Schine Theatres, Inc. testified
Friday in Federal Court concerning
one of the theatres divested which the
Government has termed "fictitious."

Walter R. Snider, an Ohio attorney,
told of his negotiations on behalf of
some of the owners of the Star Thea-
tre property in Delaware, Ohio in
connection with the assignment of the
lease following the 1949 divestiture
decree, to Joseph M. Cohn of Cleve-
land.

The witness testified that Peter M.
Klein of Cleveland, Ohio attorney,
who has represented the Schine The-
atres in previous transfer of Star's
lease from the Schine Theatrical Co.
to the Schine Delaware Corporation,
also represented Cohn in his nego-
tiations. The government has con-
tended that the Star actually con-
tinued to be operated by the Schine
interest.

Subpoena Discussed

Judge John Knight interrupted the
session briefly to hear arguments on
the government's motion to quash a
subpoena served by the defense to gain
access to various reports of prosecu-
tion investigations. A former sub-
poena for a similar purpose was
quashed by the judge who held it was
too broad in its demands.

Joe E. McDowell, the prosecution
attorney objected that the second sub-
poena also was too broad, arguing
that it "seeks to make the govern-
ment bare its file to the defendants."

Frank Graichle, defense attorney
disputed this argument declaring that
the defense now is asking for "definite
and specific items" to use in support
of some of its claims." It has been
decreed, he said, that the sovereign
may not sit by with that in its files
which may show the innocence of the
defendant.

de Rochemont Sets
Four New Projects

Louis de Rochemont, whose Tech-
nicolor animated cartoon feature,
"Animal Farm," based on the fable
by George Orwell, is scheduled to
open soon, has four new projects un-
der way for next year, to be filmed
by his producing company, Louis de
Rochemont Associates, it is an-
nounced.

The independent producer has just
completed negotiations for the pur-
chase of "Call Me Yankee Doodle!"
a historical novel by Lillian L. Lud-
wig, and "The Green Mamba," an
African adventure story written by
Richard D. Estes.

De Rochemont also announced that
his schedule includes the production
of Henry Morton Robinson's novel,
"The Cardinal," and "Natty Bumppo,"
based on the Frontier Man character
created by James Fenimore Cooper in
his "Leatherstocking Tales."

Two completed de Rochemont pro-
ductions will be on view early next
year. These are "Animal Farm,"
made for him in London by the car-
toon producers, Halas and Batchelor,
and the second feature in the Cine-
rama process, titled "Cinerama Holi-
day."

George Murphy Now
MGM Studio Contact

HOLLYWOOD. Dec. 12.— George
Murphy, today will assume public re-
lations duties at MGM in addition to
his current representation on behalf of
the studio and industry with theatre
organizations.

In his new function, Murphy will be
the studio's contact with national,
state and local civic bodies, as well as
other activities formerly assigned to
the late Ida Koverman.

Murphy has served as the motion
picture representative on many na-
tional committees.

Rosensohn Elected
President of BOT

William P. Rosensohn, former ex-
ecutive vice-president of Box Office
Television, has been elected oresident
of the closed-circuit television pro-
duction concern succeeding Milton
Mound, who was named chairman of
i"he board, it was announced here on
T^riday.

Rosensohn has been responsible of
the closed circuit telecasts of 12 busi-
ness organization meetings this past
year and it was in recognition of his
efforts that he was elevated to the
company's top post.

* Cowboy' to Wright

HOLLYWOOD, Dec.^ 12.— "Remi-
niscences of a Cowboy," by Frank
Harris, has been assi.gned to William
Wrieht as his second Columbia nro-
duction, executive producer Jerry
Wald has announced.

'Horizons of Hope*
Cancer Film Offered

An 18-minute live action and
animated filmed report for the general
public on current progress in cancer
research, "Horizons of Hope," will be
distributed shortly on a loan basis to
theatres, television, schools, medical
groups and other community organi-
zations, according to Alfred P. Sloan,
chairman of the board of General
Motors and president of the Alfred P.
Sloan Foundation, producers of the
f^lm.

An abbreviated version of "Horizons
of Hope" was presented yesterday on
NBC-TV's "American Inventory"
program.

The script and the picture were de-
veloped by John Sutherland Produc-
tion, whose writers and artists worked
for more than a year in consultation
with leading cancer authorities — par-
ticularly with the group headed by
Dr. Cornelius P. Rhoads of the Sloan-
Kettering Institute for Cancer Re-
search, at New York City's Memorial
Center for Cancer and Allied Dis-
eases.

The picture, which is available in
16mm. and 3Smm. form, is expected
to be distributed on or about Jan. 1.

L. D.

Wilkinson Wins Prize

D. J. Goodlatte, managing director
of Associated British Cinemas, an-
nounced in London that J. W. Wilkin-
son, manager of the Havmarket Cin-
ema, Newcastle, is ABC's "champion
manager" for 1954 and wins the first
prize of a trip to New York for him-
self and wife.

People

A. W. Schwalberg, president of
Paramount Film Distributing Corp.,
headed a large group of the com-
pany's executives which left Holly-
wood at the weekend for the East
following the division sales manager
meetings. Others included Jerome
Pickman, vice-president; Sid Blu-
menstock, advertising manager;
Herb Steinberg, national exploita-
tion manager; Burt Champion, pub-
licity manager, and Paul Ackerman,
advertising-publicity director. Sales
department executives included E.
K. O'Shea, distribution vice-
president, Hugh Owen, Sidney
Deneau, Oscar A. Morgan and
Monroe R. Goodman.

A. A. Moulder and wife, who re-
cently retired after 43 years as ex-
hibitors in Oklahoma, were honored
last week at the Theatre Owners
of Oklahoma annual convention in
Oklahoma City. They were pre-
sented with a silver coffee service,
suitably inscribed.

Hasten Snow of the Hinton The-
atre, Hinton, Okla., is the first new
member to be admitted to the Man-
agers Round Table ranks this win-
ter, Walter Brooks, director of the
Motion Picture Herald showmen's
department, reports.

J. W. Lawson of Baton Rouge,
La., has taken over the New Thea-
tre, Palatka, Fla. from its former
owner, Harry Dale.

Francis J. Gooch, manager of the
Houlton Theatre, Houlton, Me., for
New England Theatres, Inc., re-
ceived an award of merit by the
Lydia Putnam Chapter of the
Daughters of the American Revolu-
tion.

Yvonne De Carlo has been set to
make personal appearances at the
Radio City Theatre, Minneapolis,
and the Paramount Theatre, St.
Paul, in connection with the Mid-
west premiere of Allied Artists "To-
night's the Night."

NLRB to Shun Small
Radio, TV Stations

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12. — The
National Labor Relations Board on
Friday stated that in the future it
would take jurisdiction over cases in-
volving radio and television stations
only if the station's gross income
amounts to at least $200,000 annually.

Previously, the board had asserted
jurisdiction over all radio and TV
stations, regardless of size. The new
ruling is another step in the board's
new over-all policy of limiting its jur-
isdiction to enterprises having a sub-
stantial impact on interstate com-
merce.

The board has not yet spelled out
how it would apply its new standards
to theatre exhibition. Under its old
standards, the board had decided to
take cases involving interstate circuits,
but not to take cases involving the-
atres which were not part of interstate
chains.

FWM THE BOYS WHO Will KEEP Y

rM CINEMA

PROSPEROUS YEAR AFTER YEAR!

Motion Picture Daily

Monday, December 13, 1954

Johnston

(Continued from page 1)

icit. While there, Johnston said he
had preHminary talks on the new film
pact to replace the current one ex-
piring in April, '55. He was joined
in these talks by Irving Maas, head
of Motion Picture Export Associa-
tion's Far East division.

Presented to the Japanese for their
study, Johnston continued, were a
number of alternative compensatory
deals aimed at aiding the Japanese
economy and at getting American
film rental revenues out of the coun-
try. Under the present pact, the Amer-
ican film quota is 102 pictures and
from July, 1953, to July, 1954, a total
of about $9,000,000 was remitted from
that country, with $5,600,000 in re-
mittances and the remainder in com-
pensation deals.

The role of compensatory deals
was accentuated on his trip to the
Philippines and Australia, Johnston
said, adding that these deals must be
resorted to more and more in order
to get blocked funds out of countries.

In the Philippines, from
where American film companies
remit $2,800,000 yearly, there is
$4,000,000 in blocked funds,
Johnston continued, while the
blocked funds in Australia, a
$600,000 yearly market, amount
to $500,000. The greatest
amount of blocked funds in the
three countries, according to
the MPEA president, is in
Japan, where $7,000,000 of
American revenues is being
held.

In all countries, Johnston held talks
in order to unfreeze the blocked funds,
lie stated, adding that although the
talks were satisfactory no decisions
had been made. Johnston saw the pos-
sibility of returning to Japan in the
near future if projected negotiations
on a new pact hit a snag. He also
said he probably would visit India,
Ceylon and other countries in the Far
East not covered in his recent trip
sometime next year. He called the Far
Eastern market an expanding one for
American motion pictures, drawing
special attention to the densely popu-
lated Indian market which at present
yields comparatively little to Amer-
ican film companies.

Johnston saw the need of expanding
the MPEA facilities in Australia,
Indonesia and Japan.

Takes a 'Wild Guess'

Asked to estimate the current for-
eign world box-office gross, Johnston
said his "wild guess" would be about
two billion dollars, converting foreign
currencies at the official rate of ex-
change. The gross foreign film rentals
of American film companies were
estimated at between $550,000,000 and
$600,000,000 by Johnston in another
one of his "wild guesses."

Johnston acknowledged that there
is a great need for more statistical
information in the industry, but said
that some companies are reluctant to
give out information, in addition to
the issue of whether such information
freely given might run into some legal
complications. Commented Johnston :
"This industry is so law-suit ridden,
that they are court-shy."

Arbitration 'Agreement

'Tuesday' Dec, 31

United Artists' "Black Tuesday"
will have its New York premiere at
the RKO Palace Theatre on New
Year's Eve.

(Continued from page 1)

held last Friday. A similar meeting,
Johnston said, would be held this
week.

The joint meeting of the exhibitor
and distributor negotiating committee
on arbitration is slated for Jan. 17.

Johnston, who presided at
the Friday morning session of
company presidents and sales
managers, said a progress re-
port on arbitration was ren-
dered. In response to a specific
question, Johnston said that as
far as he knew the pre-release
and damages issues in arbitra-
tion had been "thoroughly
thrashed out" by both sides.
Schreiber, commenting further,
said there still are certain areas
to be negotiated, adding, how-
ever, that "indications" are both
sides are "close to agreement."

Regarding another matter, the

status of the fine imposed against
RKO Radio Pictures for exhibiting
"The French Line" without a Code
Seal, Johnston said the fine has not
been paid, describing the situation as
"status quo."

Asked to comment on the proposal
to call a round table industry trade
conference, made by 20th Century-
Fo.x distribution director Al Licht-
man, Johnston said he did not know
enough about the proposal to com-
ment, having been away when it was
made.

Cites Cost of Producing

Questioned on the charge that film
companies are responsible for the drop
in product, Johnston expressed his
opinion that the decrease is not delib-
erate on the part of the producers,
mentioning the high cost of pictures
today and the need to get a proper
property.

WB Net

(Continued from page 1)

offset by a decrease in domestic film
rentals, the report stated.

Income for the fiscal year amounted
to $72,093,000. On a comparative basis
for the year ended Aug. 31, 1953, in-
come equalled $70,157,000. However,
the 1953 figures, the report explains,
combined the operations of the new
Warner company and subsidiaries for
the six months ending on that date
and those of the predecessor company,
excluding theatre operations, for the
six months ending on Feb. 28, 1953.
In the latter category, the net profit
was listed at $2,908,000.

The report shows that the company
has made advances of $18,536,773 to
independent producers, recoverable
from net proceeds of distribution. It
is further pointed out that two pic-
tures were produced abroad utilizing
in part unremittable currency and that
this policy will be continued.

30c WB Dividend

At a special meeting of board of
directors of Warner Brothers Pic-
tures, Inc., held here on Friday, a
dividend of 30 cents per share was
declared on its common stock payable,
Feb. 5, 1955 to stockholders of record
Jan. 14, 1955.

Filmakers

(Continued from page 1)

makers franchise holders attending the
session that the number of theatres
signed up for the next two releases
under the company's "exhibitor guar-
antee" plan already surpasses the 1,000
mark reached on "Private Hell 36,"
now in distribution.

Record ad outlays for the coming
releases also provide for trade press
advertising, Levin stated. He reported
that the "biggest teaser ad campaigns
of recent years" are being readied for
run-of-paper insertion to stress timely
aspects of both features.

Levin and Harry Mandell, vice-
president in charge of sales, planed
out for the Coast home office after
chairing the Chicago meeting.

DeMille-Mitchell

(Continued from page 1)

categorically against all right-to-work
laws," the statement said. It added
that The DeMille Foundation intends
to continue its efl^orts to extend right-
to-work laws and regrets that such
efforts "should be a source of dis-
turbance to the Secretary of Labor
. . . (who) is supposed to represent
all of us who work for a living," not
just those in organized labor.

Review

"The Atomic Kid"

(Republic)

A radio-active Mickey Rooney is the basis of this screen treatment which
endeavors to inject (or, perhaps, extract) some humor into a story of
the atom bomb. That the effort does not entirely succeed is due less to the
awesome choice of subject matter than to weaknesses in the script which
give the humor a forced character.

Rooney and Robert Strauss, looking for fame and fortune, respectively,
begin a uranium hunt and become involved in an atom bomb test without
their being aware of it. Strauss leaves but Mickey is caught in the blast and,
though not killed, he becomes a radioactive mass.

While under the care and supervision of the government, Strauss launches
an all-out campaign to capitalize on The Atomic Kid. Strauss unwittingly
becomes a dupe of Communist agents who want to learn some of the secrets
involved. Everything ends happily, if idiotically, and Rooney even finds love

with his nurse. . . , , . • t, •

Rooney and Strauss do their best with their material and succeed m being
comical at times. Elaine Davis, Rooney's wife, is seen as the nurse while
Bill Goodwin plays a physicist. Leslie H. Martinson directed from a screen-
play by Benedict Freedman and John Fenton Murray, based on a story by
Blake Edwards. Maurice Duke was associate producer.
Running time, 86 minutes. General audience classification. Release Dec. 8.

Hartman

(Continued from page 1)

vice-president in charge of advertis-
ing-publicity.

Confidence was expressed by
Schvvalberg that Paramount product
yet-to-be-released next year \vi\\ keep
the company on top.

"You can't make pictures with
money alone or the Bank of America
would be the greatest producer in
Hollywood," Hartman said. "We must
be selective in our stories because
audiences are selective and picture-
making must go forward with daring,
courage to invest in the right ingre-
dients and selection of stories yet un-
told, not duplicates of pictures made
before, so that one is unlike the
other," he said.

"Paramount's production policy is
that each picture must be different,"
Hartman said.

Compo Poll

(Continued from page 1)

ballots should be tabulated and the
time, place and kind of function at
which the results of the poll are to be
made public. The poll is designed to
give picture theatre audiences an op-
portunity to vote for the best picture
released in 1954, the best male and
female performances and the best
young male and female players ap-
pearing during the year.

Those at the meeting were Alice N.
Gorham of United Paramount The-
atres, Detroit, chairman of the com-
mittee ; Ralph W. Russell of Canton,
O. ; Roy Kalver of Decatur, Ind. ;
Paul Levi of the American Theatres
Corp. of Boston ; Frank H. Ricketson,
Jr., and Paul Lyday of the Fox Inter-
Mountain Theatres of Denver ; Harry
Mandel, chairman of the COMPO
press relations committee, and Charles
E. McCarthy of the COMPO staff.

New S.O.S. Lens for
Anamorphic Systems

A nev^^ anamorphic lens — Cinematic
IV — made of lightweight cast alumi-
num, is being offered by S. O. S. Cin-
ema Supply Corp. Featuring microma-
tic control for all aspect ratios from
1:33-1 to 2:66-1, the manufacturer
claims it is adaptable to VistaVision
and Superscope as well as Cinema-
Scope.

The lens is said to fit all projectors,
being mounted in front of the objective
lens on Universal adapter brackets.
A balance indicator and distortion
controls as well as coated, achromatic
optics are included to give brilliance
and steadiness to the screen image.

Oscar Lightstone, vice-president of
S.O.S., stated that his organization
developed and introduced the new
lens following a survey of small town
and neighborhood theatres which re-
vealed the necessity for a lower-priced
lens for the new wide-screen media.

Conn. Variety Club
To Entertain Boys

Hz\RTFORD, Dec. 12.— Variety
Club of Connecticut, Tent 31, will
sponsor a party for 50 boys from low-
income families at the Variety Club,
New Haven, on Dec. 18. Sam Ger-
maine of the 20th-Fox Connecticut
exchange is general chairman.

The Dec. 18 program is the fourth
annual affair sponsored by the tent.

Monday, December 13, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Holly wDod

Samuel D. Hernit —

'Tivas just before Christmas

When zue took our seat

For 20th' s treasure-filled musical treat.

The cynical doubters zvho cover previevws

And rarely, if ever, stifle their "phews,"

Gave out zmth elated bursts of applause

For this star-filled package from sage ZanucKlaus.

The title itself is a clue to our guess,

Producers, exhibitors will share its success.

So ive join in the song that bears its proud name,

"There's No Business Like Shoiv Bu.nness"

For our Hall of Fame.

nun

INCIDENTALLY : Sir Arthur Jarratt planed back to London
"bug-eyed" with Todd-AO and speechless with VistaVision. His
parting message: "The film world owes Hollywood a great debt of
gratitude for the innovations that were sparked with the advent of
Cinerama and CinemaScope." . . . The Garutso lens is due to spring
back in the limelight as a booster to all the scopes, with Paramount
having the inside track on its adaptation. . . . Technicolor's answer
print on Louis De Rochemont's "Cinerama Holiday" should be out of
the dryer and ready for Nat Lapkin's o.o. ... A fellow we know flew
in and out of town before we could say "Jacques Grinieff." Marisa
Pavan almost had her option lifted by a tiger shark while swimming
at the Key West location during the filming of Hal Wallis' "Rose
Tattoo." The Florida hotels and chamber of commerce managed to
keep it quiet. . . . It's just coincidence that Sam Goldwyn, Jr. has Jo
and Art Napoleon's screenplay "Sharkfighters" scheduled as his
first UA production.

n n n

FRANK O. PINYONS: More showmanship and less multiple
first run playoffs can help ease product shortage. Exhibitor
groups who play "first run roulette" in trading availabilities can
only blame themselves if a tapeworm demand for product plagues
their operation. . . . Edward Ludwig, just back from scouting
location sites for Republic's "Rebel Island" in the Bahamas be-
lieves he's found the forwarding address for "God's Country."
. . . Memo to Jerry Wald: Marquees may like it better if "Rem-
iniscences of a Cowboy" is changed to something like "Saddle
Scars." ... In the spring the industry's fancy will turn to James
Mitchell as top star material when R & H's Todd-AO version
of "Oklahoma" is unveiled to the public. . . . National Theatres
business-building program, with a sizeable chunk of the fund
to research recreational habits of potential customers, deserves
a vote of thanks from exhibitors everywhere who will ultimately
benefit. . . . With Doris Day in his corner, Marty Melcher can't
help winding up as a top music publisher.

n n n

DRUM BEATERS : The Saranac Lake world premiere of War-
ners' "The Silver Chalice" for winning the Christmas Seal sales
contest is the most natural spot in the nation for the event. . . . Creat-
ing world goodzuill for Hollyzuood, AMPP tied in zuith American Red
Cross campaign to promote International Student Week by arranging
studio tours for foreign students from 26 nations. . . . Manufacturers
of waterproof products from wrist zmtches to "wet proof cigarettes
are trying to hitch on to RKO's bandwagon openings of the Jane
Russell starrer, "Underwater." . . . Johnny Flinn has David Niven
and Barry Fitzgerald on tap for the tzvin-city premiere of Allied
Artists "Tonight's the Night" in Minneapolis and St. Pond. . . .
Brazilian officials want Scott Brady, Raymond Burr and Johanna
Matz for Lippert's world preem of "They Were So Young." . . . and
they may get 'em.

In the THEATRE

Equipment

& lie treshitBewui

World . . .

e • wUh RAY GALLO

LAVEZZI Machine Works, Chi-
cago, has marketed a new type
aperture plate for either the Stand-
ard or Super models of Simplex pro-
jectors. It is available for both stand-
ard and CinemaScope prints. Desig-
nated as a Spring Loaded Aperture
Plate in the SP-672-E series, it re-
places both the regular P-672-E
removable plate, and the P-445-E
sliding piece.

The new plate consists of an as-
sembly of aperture plate and a blue
tempered spring steel wedge which
holds the plate firmly in place in the
film trap. This is said to eliminate the
need for two plates when the aperture
is changed, thus making changes
easier and quicker. Change is also
eased by a finger grip bend of the
plate.

•

A "single weight" seamless screen
for marketing at a generally com-
petitive price, has been announced
by the Bodde Screen Co., Los An-
geles. The new screen has surface
finish and perforation specifications
similar to those of the company's
screens of greater base thickness,
and is said is retain the light gain
factors of the larger gauge t5'pe.

The company also announced that
it has obtained additional matrices
for the supply of custom-made
seamless projection screens on a
production basis "without sacrificing
quality or longevity of the finished
product." These screens, used in
studio process projection, are cast in
one piece in sizes up to 35 x 90 feet.
•

Exit signs equipped for switchover
autonmtically to battery operation in
emergencies, have been marketed by
the Electric Cord Co., New York. A
metal box contains two ll5-z'olt lamps
of 15 zvatts each for line operation,
and two 6-volt bulbs of 6-c.p. each
for emergency operation by batteries.
The latter lamps can be pozuered by
either dry or wet batteries. Provisions
are made in the zvet cell type for keep-
ing the batteries up to charge. Emer-
gency burning time is rated as four
hours continuous. Sign letters in stand-
ard models are red 6 inches high, set
against a zvhite translucent ground.
•

Three types of fire extinguishers on
a lightweight push-cart designed for
carrying them have been marketed by
Norpat Sales, Inc., New York. Trade-
named "Crest Fire Enginette," the
equipment provides for rapid trans-
port of chemicals for all types of fires
by a single person.

A 10-lb carbon-dioxide extinguisher,
and another containing pressurized
dry chemical, are mounted on the
platform of the cart for ready re-
moval, vjhile a handle bracket holds
a vaporized liquid gun. The cart is
stood upright when stored, requiring
floor space 14 x Ziyi" and a height
of 46".

Disneyland on TV
To Sell Pictures

The Disneyland TV show over the
ABC-TV network will continue its
promotion of motion pictures, high-
lighting the Walt Disney releases at
neighborhood theatres, a run-down of
forthcoming shows indicated.

Among the features promoted are
Disney's "Lady and the Tramp,"
"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" and
the reissue of "Pinocchio."

M-G-M and Desilu
In 50-50 Film Deal

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 12.— M-G-M
has signed a contract with Desilu Pro-
ductions calling for two pictures to
star Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, who
vi'ere seen this year in the studio's
"The Long, Long Trailer."

Under terms of the agreement, the
pictures will be financed by M-G-M
with Desilu, producers of TV shows,
participating on 50-50 basis.

V. C. Elects in
Cleveland and
Milwaukee

Variety Club tents in Milwaukee
and Cleveland have announced the re-
sults of recent elections.

Oliver Trampe was chosen chief
barker of Tent No. 14, Milwaukee,
succeeding Ben Marcus. Other new
officers are Edward Johnson, first as-
sistant ; Alorris Anderson, second as-
sistant ; Joe Imhof, property master,
and William J. Pierce, dough guy.

Jack Silverthorne was reelected
chief barker of the Cleveland tent,
and committee personnel were ap-
pointed. The house committee will be
headed by Irwin Shenker, assisted by
Leonard Finesilver, Jules Livingston
and Leroy Kendis. Henry Green-
berger is the new chairman of the
lieart and welfare committee, which
also includes Leonard Greenberger
and Milton Grant. The publicity com-
mittee consists of Duke Hickey, chair-
man ; Robert Ancell, Joe Mayer and
William Dougherty, and the finance
committee is headed by I. J. Schmertz,
chairman, assisted by M. B. Horwitz,
Abe Kramer and Nate Schultz.

Other committees and their mem-
bers are : entertainment : Dan Rosen-
thal, chairman ; William Dougherty,
Bill Gordon, Leonard Greenberger ;
maintenance : Tom McCleaster, chair-
man ; Peter Rosia, Nate Shultz, Er-
nest Sands, William Dougherty ; ways
and means : Leonard Greenberger,
chairman ; Edwin R. Bergman, Irwin
Shenker, Justin Spiegle ; golf : Tom
McCleaster, chairman ; Dan Rosen-
thal, Harry Buxbaum, Gene Vogel ;
and tickets : Edwin R. Bergman,
chairman, Sanford Leavitt, Manny
Click, Jack Lewis.

4 Start, 3 Finished;
34 Films in Work

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 12.— Only
four pictures started and three pic-
tures finished last week, for a grand
total of 34 pictures now in production.

Started were : "Girl Murdered,"
Burt Kaiser Prods. (Independent) ;
"Love Me Or Leave Me," Cinema-
Scope, color (Metro - Goldwyn -
Mayer) ; "The Girl Rush," Vista-
Vision, Technicolor (Paramount) ;
"Female On The Beach," (Universal-
International).

Completed were: "Five Against the
House," (Columbus) ; "Magic Fire,"
Trucolor (Republic) ; "Strange Lady
In Town," CinemaScope (Warner
Brothers).

One 'C: 1 'B; 11 'A'
In Latest Legion List

"Illicit Interlude" has been placed
in Class C and "Affairs of Messa-
lina" in Class B in the latest listing of
the National Legion of Decency,
which also rated 11 films as Class A,
eight in Section 2 and three in Sec-
tion 1.

In Class A, Section 2 are "Country
Girl," "Desiree," "Doctor in the
House," "Green Fire," "The Heart of
the Matter," "The Outlaw's Daugh-
ter," "Last Time I Saw Paris" and
"White Orchid."

The three pictures in Class A, Sec-
tion 1 are "Cannibal Attack," "Cattle
Queen of Montana" and "The Far
Country."

GIVE IT ALL YOU CAN with

THE PICTURE IS LIGHT...
GIVE IT ALL YOU CAN
With "NATIONAL" CARBONS

TRADE-MARK

PROJECTOR CARBONS

Make sure your presentations give the full value that's
on the film by using a "National" carbon trim best suited
to your screen requirements.

See your supply-house representative or write to National
Carbon Company for advice. Either one will be more than
glad to help.

TIte term "NationBt" is a registered trade-mark of Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation

NATIONAL CARBON COMPANY

A Division of Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation • 30 East 42nd Street, New York 17. N.Y.

Sales Offices: Atlanta. Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, New York, Pittsburgh, San Francisco
IN CANADA: Union Carbide Canada Limited. Toronto

Is News

MOTION PICTURE

DAILY

VOL. 76. NO. 113

NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1954

TEN CENTS

Expiration Near

RKO Pictures
Board Set for
Hughes Move

Directors to Meet Here
Tomorrow, Deadline Day

The board of directors of RKO Pic-
tures will meet here tomorrow in
readiness to act in light of tomorrow's
expiration date of the company's op-
tion to Howard Hughes to tender his
stock for the $6 per share ofTered to
all holders.

The expiration date of the com-
pany's offer to Hughes precedes by
16 days, the expiration date of RKO
Pictures' bid to all other holders, in-
cluding Atlas Corp.

As of late yesterday there were no
indications what Hughes may elect to
do, either to tender his 1,262,000
shares or ignore the expiration date.
There is a possibility that the board
may decide to extend the Hughes'
{Continued on page 4)

'Holders to Receive
Proposal to Double
Col. Common Shares

Stockholders of the Columbia Pic-
tures Corp. will be asked at the com-
pany's annual meeting here on Friday
to approve or disapprove a proposal to
amend the certificate of incorporation
so as to increase the authorized com-
mon stock from 1,000,000 to 2,000,000
shares at a $5 par value.

Columbia Pictures secretary Charles
Schwartz, in his notice to company
stockholders, disclosed that the com-
pany has followed a practice in recent
years of paying stock dividends on its
common stock. By amending the cer-
tificate of incorporation to double the
(Continued on page 4)

RKO NTYTMeeting
Gets Product Plans

Howard Hughes' "Underwater !"
will go into general release on Feb. 9
with a minimum of 32 openings in
branch cities, Waher Branson, RKO's
world-wide sales manager, announced
here yesterday at the opening session
of the company's regional sales meet-
ing at the Hotel Warwick.

Branson also brought the sales staff
up to date on details of the forthcom-
ing product to be delivered for RKO
(Continued on page 4)

U.K. Circuit
Rejoins CEA

By PETER BURNUP

LONDON, Dec. 13.— The Sheck-
man Circuit, which resigned its mem-
bership in the Cinematograph Exhibi-
tors Ass'n here recently, has rejoined
the organization with Sol Sheckman
declaring that although he questions
certain of the Association's attitudes
he appreciates that it would be un-
ethical of him to remain outside while
deriving benefits from the Associa-
tion's work.

A spokesman for the J. Arthur
Rank Organization, whose theatre
affiliates also withdrew from C.E.A.
recently, when told of Sheckman's
(Continued on page 4)

Vistarama Lens Will
Be Widely Available

From THE DAILY Bureau

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 13.— Vista-
rama, Inc. president Carl W. Dudley
today announced that the compariy
will make the Vistarama anamorphic
lens (compatible with CinemaScope)
available to all producers on a "very
reasonable basis," which he did not
define in detail.

Dudley also disclosed that an Amer-
ican releasing corporation will use
Vistarama in photographing "The
Day the World Ended."

Committee to Recommend

COMPO-POLL START
ON THANKSGIVING

Would Extend Thru Dec, 7, thus Avoiding
Conflict with Academy Awards in March

The committee appointed by the Council of Motion Picture Organiza-
tions to make plans for an annual national audience poll that would choose
the best picture of each preceding year will recommend to the COMPO

governing committee that the first poll

EFFG Files SEC
Stock Registration

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13. — The
Exhibitors Film Financial Group Inc.,
has filed a registration statement with
the Securities and Exchange Commis-
sion seeking registration of one hun-
dred thousand shares of its $100 par
capital stock, the SEC announced.

The stock, the entire stock of the
group, is to be offered for public sale
directly by the company, with no un-
derwriting involved, according to the
registration statement. The group is
the TOA-sponsored organization aim-
ing at providing funds to finance the
production of films by independent
producers.

The registration statement said that
the net proceeds of ,the financing
(Continued on page 5)

PaulRaibourn Says

Industry Must Intensify
Public Interest in Films

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

One of the major problems of the industry in 1955 will be to intensify the
efforts to get more of the public interested in what is being produced by
Hollywood, according to Paul Raibourn, vice-president of Paramount Pictures.

Raibourn, interviewed on the out-
look for 1955,
made it plain
that he consid-
ered the job of
selling the pub-
lic on Holly-
wood product
a dual one, re-
quiring just as
much effort on
the part of the
exhibitor as on
the producer.
The Paramount
vice - president
was of the opin-
ion that this

selling job cannot be adequately han

Paul Raibourn

died by an all-industry organization,
contending that the public will not
buy films in general on institutional
ad programs, but they will buy indi-
vidual pictures. The nature of an all-
industry organization lessens the pos-
sibilities of selling individual pictures,
Raibourn added.

As to the outlook of business in
1955, Raibourn forecast that it would
be good, basing his prediction on what
he considered the healthy economic
levels in the U. S. which will allow
people more leisure time to enjoy
themselves.

Regarding the plans of Paramount,
Raibourn pointed out that the studio
(Continued on page 5)

be held from next Thanksgiving Day
to midnight of the following Dec. 7
and that the pictures eligible for the
vote be those released and publicly
exhibited between Nov. 1, 1954, and
Nov. 1, 1955.

Choice of the date was made at a
meeting of the committee held over
the weekend here at the Sheraton
Astor Hotel. Original date set for
the poll, when the committee drew up
its first plans last June, was the first
two weeks in Jan., 1955.

Inability to get the poll under way
for the January date and a desire to
avoid conflict with the Academy
"Oscar" awards in March were given
by the poll committee as its reasons
for setting the Thanksgiving — Dec. 7
date for the voting.

The committee decided to withhold
other details of its plans pending a
meeting immediately after the holidays
with the COMPO governing commit-
(Continued on page 5)

No Interference As
First Ohio Non-Seal
Film Opens in Cleve.

special to THE DAILY
CLEVELAND, Dec. 13.— "Without
Pity," an IFE release, opened at the
Circle Theatre here yesterday, the
first picture to be shown in Cleveland
without a censor seal, although adver-
tising was rejected by the "Plain
Dealer" but accepted by the "News"
and "Press."

The film was accepted by a mixed
(Continued on Page 4)

Ohio Theatre Sale
Schine-Trial Subject

special to THE DAILY

BUFFALO, Dec. 13.— Trial of the
Schine Theatres contempt of court
case resumed this afternoon before
Federal Judge John Knight with two
witnesses describing the purchase of
the lease of the former Schine-
operated theatre in Delaware, Ohio,
(Continued on page 4)

Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, December 14, 1954

Personal
Mention

JAMES E. PERKINS, Paramount-
International director in the Brit-
ish Isles, will arrive in New York
from England today aboard the
"Queen Elizabeth."

•

Seymour Mayer, Loew's Interna-
tional director in the Near and Far
East, has returned here following a
fhree-month trip to the offices and
theatres of the region.

•

Paul F. Thomas, treasurer of
Altec Service Corp., has left New
York on a trip through the Southern
states, with the first stop scheduled
for Atlanta.

•

MoREY R. Goldstein, Allied Art-
ists vice-president and general sales
manager, arrived in Hollywood yes-
terday from New York.

•

Milton E. Cohen, Eastern and
Southern division manager for United
Artists, will return to New York to-
day from the South.

•

Dr. Hans Hass, producer of un-
dersea films, is scheduled to arrive in
New York from Europe tomorrow
via B.O.A.C.

•

Irving Shiffrin of the Allied
Artists exploitation department, has
returned to New York from Min-
neapolis.

•

Johnny Green, M-G-M studio
musical director, returned to New
York yesterday from Hawaii.
•

Stanley Goldsmith, M-G-M unit
business manager, will leave New
York by plane today for India.
•

Dorothy Squires, British actress,
arrived here yesterday from London
via B.O.A.C. Monarch.

•

Sol C. Siegel, producer, has ar-
rived in New York from the Coast.

Dan Dailey has arrived here from
Hollywood.

Will Ask Retention of
52% Corporate Tax

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13. — The
Administration has decided to ask
Congress to continue the present 52
per cent corporate income tax rate.

This was revealed by Republican
members of Congress attending a
briefing session at the White House
today. Under present law, the rate
was scheduled to drop to 47 per cent
on April 1.

Need Seen for Revenue

The Republican lawmakers said that
the Treasury's serious need for reve-
nue had swayed the Administration in
favor of seeking the extension of the
high corporate tax rate and also of
present excise rates on liciuor, ciga-
rettes, gas and autos, also scheduled
to drop April 1 under existing law.
The Administration decision means
the Treasury will very likely oppose
any industry requests for new tax
relief.

Macy, 20th, SIcouras
Cliildren's Yule Host

A series of Christmas theatre par-
ties for 25,000 children from metro-
politan charity and welfare groups has
been planned jointly by Macy's New
York, 20th Century Fox and Skouras
theatres in the area. The project, in-
volving 10 theatres in three boroughs,
will offer a special morning showing
of "Miracle on 34th Street," cartoon
horts, a talk with Santa Claus and
candy bars for each youngster.

The first of the parties was held
last Saturday at 9:30 A.M., and will
be repeated on the two succeeding
Saturdays, Dec. 18 and Christmas
morning.

DC A Names Milton
Talent Scout Here

Frank Milton, long associated
with the Broadway legitimate
theatre, has been appointed head
of casting and of new talent in
the East for Distributors Corp.
of America, it was announced
here yesterday.

Milton's duties will also en-
tail the purchase of legitimate
stage show properties for DCA.

A,A. Drops Effort
To Buy 'Alouette*

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 13. — Allied
Artists has withdrawn from negotia-
tions looking toward purchase of Jean
Anounilh's "Alouette," which had
been considered as a property for
John Huston. "Alouette" will be pro-
duced in a stage version shortly.

Honor Hoblitzelle

Karl Hoblitzelle, president of Inter-
state Circuit of Texas, has been
awarded the Papal Medal of Good
Merit. The medal, authorized by Pope
Pius XII, was presented to him
earlier this month by the Most Rev.
Thomas K. Gorman, Bishop of Dallas
and Fort Worth at the dedication of
a new building of St. Peter's Acad-
emy in Dallas. Although not a Cath-
olic, Hoblitzelle contributed $100,000
toward the building fund of $250,000
for the new building.

Missouri, St. Louis,
Dark Due to Product

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 13.— The 3,441-
seat first-run Missouri Thearte will
be converted into a public auditorium
because of a shortage of top first-run
product available, according to Edward
Arthur, general manager for Fanchon
& Marco-St. Louis Amusement Co.,
operators of the house.

Two other first-run houses here are
absorbing all of the better films avail-
able, according to Arthur, who has
closed the theatre. The theatre opera-
tors will try to rent the Missouri on
a day-to-day basis for conventions,
sales meetings, special stage and pic-
ture attractions.

Bernstein Says UK
Business Up 30%

Theatre business in England is 30
per cent better this year, ended Sept.
30, than last year, Sidney L. Bern-
stein, chairman of Granada Theatres,
Ltd., and Transatlantic Pictures Corp.,
declared here yesterday.

Bernstein, who is in this country
looking at Hollywood product and
conferring with major company execu-
tives, said that he "sees no reason
why this increase should not continue
so long as Hollywood doesn't get too
far distant from ordinary people."

An important contributing factor to
the upswing in business, Bernstein
said, was CinemaScope and stereo-
phonic sound.

Holdovers, for First Time

"Something that has never happened
before has taken place," he said.
"They are the holdovers in the Lon-
don suburbs because of CinemaScope."

In about nine months something new
will be introduced, he said ; namely
commercial television. Bernstein said
he was setting up a TV station,
Granada TV in the Northern region,
and that it is being watched with great
interest.

Cooper Co-Producer
Of *Seven Wonders'
As 3rd Cinerama

From THE DAILY Bureau
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 13.— Merian
C. Cooper, co-producer of "This Is
Cinerama," today disclosed he will
co-produce the third Cinerama feature,
"Seven Wonders of the World," and
took active steps toward getting the
project under way. In this connection,
he declared :

"I have worked unoificially with
Lowell (Thomas) on 'Seven Won-
ders' since his conception of the idea.
I have always felt this subject was of
such scope and magnitude it could
not be made cheaply and quickly and
at the same time well. Lowell has now
informed me that sufficient finances
to meet the budget I required will be
made available, so I am delighted,
under these circumstances, to join him
officially as co-producer."

Marton Sent to Greece

The first move toward active pro-
duction on the film was the sending
of director Andrew Marton, who re-
signed from, M-G-M a fortnight ago,
to Athens, Greece, to resume the
filming which had been interrupted
by the recent illness of director Ted
Tezlaff.

_ Also on Cooper's advice Thomas
signed Max Steiner to compose, and
Lou Forbes to direct the music score
for "Seven Wonders."

Cooper said C. V. Whitney, presi-
dent of C V. Whitney Pictures, Inc.,
of which he is vice-president, and
John Ford, his partner in Argosy
Pictures, are in complete agreement
with him concerning his undertaking
of "Wonders" and that his work on
it will not interfere with CVW or
Argosy plans.

Para, to Hold Yearly
Promotion Meeting

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 13.— The in-
ternational promotion coordination
meeting held here last week by Para-
mount will be made an annual event,
Y. Frank Freeman, vice-president and
studio head, said at the final session.
The meeting, closing on a note of high
enthusiasm, was described by Freeman
as "most effective for all." He made
his remarks at a joint session with
distribution representatives who met at
the studio concurrently during tlie
week.

Gov't Seeks May 30 for 16mm. Trial

From THE DAILY Biueaii

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 13.— Although the scheduled appear-
ance of opposing counsel in the Government's 16mm. suit against
12 defendants was postponed by agreement today to next Mon-
day, so that attorneys can continue conferences looking toward
simplification of the basic issues, Government attorney James
M. McGrath disclosed that the Government is urging the court
set May 30th as the trial date instead of Sept. 6th, which, he
revealed for first time, has been regarded as the tentative date.

Defense counsel, McGrath said, is seeking a later date. There
is a possibility that the date for the trial will be determined
finally next week.

NEW YORK THEATRES

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MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Shervvin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publish:

Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C London Bureau
4 Golden Sq^ London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco. London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac- Fame Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign- sinele

copies, 10c. ^ e. . a V

Seriously concerned with
combating tuberculosis in the
Amusement Industry; with
maintaining effective
Research, Surgery
and Medication;
and with making this

available w/t/iout
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^111

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NATIONAL OFFICE: 1501 BROADWAY, NEW YORK 36, N.Y.

Will

Rogers Hospital gratefully acknowledges contribution of ad production by Columbia Pictures Corporation and of space by this publisher.

Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, December 14, 1954

News
Roundup

Leases Fabian Property

The lease on the old Harmanus
Bleecker Hall property in Albany,
held by Fabian Theatres, has been
purchased by Joel Carroll of Elmira
who may erect an office building on
the site.

To Telecast Premiere

The opening night ceremonies pre-
ceding the premiere of Allied Artists'
"Tonight's the Night" at the 52nd St.
Trans Lux on Dec. 22 will be telecast
by WPIX with Tex McCrary and
Jinx Falkenberg as emcees. Premiere
receipts will go to the New York
Foundling Hospital.

Seattle House Passes

Workmen have started to tear down
the Metropolitan Theatre in Seattle
which opened in 1911 and which has
housed both legitimate and film attrac-
tions. G. C. Field, the architect who
designed the theatre, sat in the same
seat on closing night that he occupied
when the theatre opened on Oct. 2,
1911.

Aids Charity

The Film Colony Club of San Fran-
cisco, which consists of girls connected
with the film industry, has raised
$1,000 from its Christmas card project
which will be donated to the Variety
Club's Blind Babies Foundation.

Cleveland to Elect

The Cleveland Motion Picture Ex-
hibitors Association will meet on Jan.
6 to elect officers for the coming year.
A buffet luncheon will be served prior
to the business session.

Albany V.C. Project

Having netted $7,000 from its sec-
ond annual inter-city boxing cham-
pionships and having collected $3,000
on special promotions, the Albany
Variety Club tent is launching a "Big
Brother" drive.

Boston Exhibitors
To Produce Short

BOSTON, Dec. 13.— Cyrus Har-
vey, Jr., Byrant Haliday and Myles
-Morgan, owners and operators of the
Brattle Theatre, Cambridge, are en-
tering the production end of the busi-
ness. They have bought the screen
rights for James G. Cozzens' Pulitzer
prize-winning story "A Clerical Er-
ror," which they will shoot in Boston
at the Scollay Square Theatre, long
closed, which will be used as a studio.

The film, a two-reel short, is aimed
at release in art theatres and will be
available around the first of February.
It will star Martin Koleck and Ward
Costello and will be produced and
directed by Myles Morgan. These
Brattle Theatre owners recently
formed Janus Films Corp., to dis-
tribute foreign films nationally.

RKO Board

(Continued from page 1)

deadline as well as the deadline of
Dec. 31 for all other holders.

According to one person close to
the situation, it would be idle to guess
what Hughes or Floyd Odium, head
of Atlas, may do, both being princi-
pals who always have played their
cards close to their chests. Odium in
his report to Atlas stockholders re-
garding the possibility of acquiring
RKO Pictures put a Dec. 31 deadline
on any consummation of a deal.

If Hughes would tender his stock.
Atlas, which controls 1,200,000 shares
of RKO Pictures stock, would auto-
matically become owner of the con-
trolling interest and could assume
management responsibility of the in-
active company at once. The company
sold its assets to RKO Radio for
$15,000,000 and that cash and a tax
loss carry-forward which interests
Atlas are its sole remaining assets.

RKO N. Y. Meet

(Continued from page 1)

release during 1955 by six major in-
dependent producers. All of these fea-
tures, a minimum of 13, will be lensed
in color and for wide-screen projec-
tion by their producers.

Midwestern sales personnel heard
the same announcements in Chicago,
where Sam Gorelick, Midwestern dis-
trict manager, presided at the opening
of another regional sales meeting be-
ing held concurrently with the New
York conference. J. R. Grainger,
president of RKO Radio Pictures, dis-
cussed forthcoming releases and future
productions at the Chicago meeting.

Stars Aid 'Cruz'

Gary Cooper, Denise Darcel and
Sarita Montiel, the three stars in
United Artists "Vera Cruz," will tour
a dozen key cities from coast to coast
on behalf of the picture.

Review

Stars Off Friday for
Army Posts Abroad

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 13. — In
the largest single holiday enter-
tainment mission in the history
of the Hollywood Coordinating
Committee, 71 entertainers, plus
17 USO musicians, begin de-
parting Friday for military in-
stallations in Europe, North
Africa, the Far East, Alaska,
Azores, Iceland and Scotland, to
entertain military personnel.
Separated into seven units, by
destination, the entertainers will
leave Los Angeles for two-week
tours spanning the Christmas
and New Year's holiday period.

Schine Trial

(Continued from page 1)

the government charging that the pre-
vious alleged sale of the lease to Jos-
eph Cohn of Cleveland was "fictitious."

Steve Polites, a Delaware restaur-
ant proprietor, and Raymond F. Watts,
Anderson, Ind., manager of two drive-
in theatres who managed the two
Schine theatres in Delaware, said
Polites purchased the Star Theatre
for $7,000 in February of 1950.

Watts said he answered a blind ad-
vertisement in a theatre industry
paper early in 1950 offering the Star
for sale.

Contacted by Lawyer

He answered the advertisement with
the idea of buying the theatre himself,
he said, and was contacted by Joseph
Klein, Cleveland attorney.

Klein has been identified as an at-
torney for Schine Theatres. The wit-
ness said that Polites shortly there-
after told him he wanted to buy the
theatre and would buy it if Watts
would help run it. He said he agreed
and that they went to Klein's office in
Cleveland where the sale was com-
pleted.

Columbia

(Continued from page 1)

amount of authorized stock, there will
be available to Columbia additional
shares for future stock dividends and
for other corporate purposes, he said.

From 1945 to January, 1954, the
corporation paid stock dividends of
two and one-half per cent. In addi-
tion, a 50 per cent stock dividend was
paid in December, 1945, and a five
per cent stock dividend is payable on
Dec. 7, 1954. The number of shares
which Columbia will have issued by
Dec. 7 will aggregate 797,446.

Stockholders will also be asked to
elect nine directors, to approve and
ratify president Harry Cohn's con-
tract, to consider and act so as to
change the authorized no par value
common stock into common stock hav-
ing a $5 par value, to elect independ-
ent public accountants and auditors, to
act on a stockholder resolution and to
transact other business.

Ohio Non-Seal Film

(Continued from page 1)

racial adult audience as "just another
entertainment picture," with no police
interference or supervision. The box-
office was reported at "slightly above
average."

The picture had been rejected four
times by the censors in its entirety.
Emanuel J. Stutz, in booking the pic-
ture, said he considered it to be a
celebration "of a truly historic vic-
tory."

The Ohio Supreme Court recently
ruled that the state censorship law
was illegal.

Rejoins C.E.A.

(Continued from page 1)

about-face said with some surprise :
"So soon?"

It now appears extremely likely that
with Associated British Cinemas
standing strongly by C.E.A. , the Rank
Organization also may return to the
fold, subject to some curbs being im-
posed upon C.E.A.'s general secretary
W. R. Fuller.

A face-saving formula in that re-
gard is now in the course of active
preparation.

Variety Club Elects
In Oklahoma City

OKLAHOMA CITY, Dec 13.—
Dave Hunt, former Republic Pictures
manager, now KWTV film director,
is the new Variety Club Tent 22, chief
barker. Also elected today were Don
Tullius, Warner Brothers' branch
manager, first assistant ; Claude Mot-
ley, Video Theatres official, second
assistant ; Paul Rice, Paramount
salesman, property master ; George
Fisher, M-G-M manager, doughguy,
and Sam Orunk, Buena Vista sales-
man, international canvasman.

More Stars to Saranac

SARANAC LAKE, Dec. 13.— In
addition to Virginia Mayo and Jack
Palance, the list of Hollywood stars
who will attend the world premiere on
Friday of Warner Brothers' "The Sil-
ver Chalice" now includes Tab Hun-
ter, Paula Raymond, Ann Robinson,
Lucy Marlow, Gonzales-Gonzales,
Marian Carr and Lori Nelson. The
contingent will be led by radio-TV
star Art Linkletter. Victor Saville,
producer, also will attend.

''The Other Woman"

(ZOth Century-Fox)

ANOTHER Hugo Haas vehicle, this time with the motion picture indus-
try as the background, is offered in this 20th Century-Fox release, deal-
ing with the downfall of a man because of a woman. Producer-director-
writer-actor Haas in "The Other Woman" places himself in the familiar role
of a director.

Cleo Moore, who has accompanied Haas on several of his journeys into
the more lurid aspects of passion, portrays a bit player who fumbles an
opportunity for a small role in his latest picture. She blames him for her
failure and vows to seek revenge. Together with her boy friend, she concocts
a scheme to make it appear as if she and Haas have had an affair. Having
been drunk at the time, he can't rely on his hazy memory.

Although he tries to avoid her, she knows that he can't afford a scandal.
She next confronts him with the news that she's pregnant and threatens to
tell his wife. The poor fellow reaches the breaking point and carefully plans
her demise. His conscience catches up with him after it's too late.

A few interesting inside details of the film industry are depicted including
Haas' reluctance to change his arty directorial style and his insistence that
the majority of films are aimed for juveniles. These controversial tidbits,
however, are never more than casually mentioned.

"The Other Woman" is a typical Hugo Haas production. There are times
when the dialogue is loaded with realism and others when it's just ludicrous.
The character of the director is conceived logically while that of the girl is
completely lacking in motivation other than a bare hint Or two that she
might be unbalanced. However, it always manages to hold the interest and
should be fairly well received by adult audiences.

The acting is generally good although Miss Moore's version of sex appeal
is too stilted. The supporting cast is unknown. Robert Erlik is listed as
associate producer of this H. & H. production.

Others in the cast include Lance Fuller, Lucille Barkley, Jack Macy, John
Qualen and Jan Arvan.

Running time, 81 minutes. Adult audience classification. For release in
December.

Tuesday, December 14, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Raibourn

(Confhined from page 1)

would produce from 18 to 27, the
range of films it produced for the
past four or five years. "I don't
think anything but the big pic-
ture has a chance in today's mar-
ket," he declared.

Questioned on the issue of standard-
ization of techniques, Raibourn ex-
pressed his opinion that no doubt
there will be a tendency to one tech-
nique. What that technique will be,
he added, still produces some lively
arguments. Speaking of Paramount's
system, VistaVision, Raibourn said
the public has shown a keen appre-
ciation of the effects in the system.
Sees Auto Big Competitor
Raibourn, referring to other com-
petitive entertainment media, con-
tended the automobile rather than
television remains the industry's chief
competitor. Some of this competition,
he pointed out, has been coralled by
drive-in theatres. However, in refer-
ence to his over-all contention, Rai-
bourn pointed to some recent figures
released by the Council of Motion Pic-
ture Orgnizations which indicated the
big drop in weekly attendance occurred
between 1946 and 1948, one year be-
fore the "blossoming" in 1949 of the
television medium. By 1946, Rai-
bourn went on, all the war restric-
tions on automobiles had been lifted.

Fisher Motion for
New Trial Denied

Federal Judge Matthew T. Abruzzo
has denied in its entirety the motion
for a new trial in the anti-trust suit
brought by Fisher Studios and Robert
V. Fisher against major distributors
alleging anti-trust law violations with
respect to the availability of 16mm.
versions of their films. The action
sought treble damages and injunctive
relief.

The motion for the new trial was
made after a decision had been entered
affirming a special master's report
which directed that David H. Isacson
and the New York law firm of Mal-
kan & Isacson be disqualified from
representing the plaintiffs in the ac-
tion. It had been found that Isacson
while formerly employed as an attor-
ney by Sargoy & Stein, a law firm
representing some of the defendants,
had access to confidential information
which he would be able to use against
them in the present action in disregard
of obligations under the canons of
ethics.

In denj'ing the plaintiff's motion for
a new trial. Judge .Abruzzo in U.S.
District Court here said he found the
"new" evidence of no consequence and
that had it been presented before the
special master it "would not have pro-
duced any different result."

Times Sq. Marquees
To Salute * Business*

Nine theatres of the Times Square
area on Thursday will extend a spe-
cial marquee salute to Irving Berlin's
"There's No Business Like Show
Business," which will have its world
premiere that night at the Roxy
Theatre.

The salute will consist of blinking
lights or special lines on the marquees
of the Astor, Victoria, Paramount,
Globe, Mayfair, Rivoli, Palace, Capi-
tol and Loew's State theatres.

Television-'Hadio

iwith Pinky Herman^

XT OT unlike his contemporaries Hopalong Cassidy, Roy Rogers,
-'-^ Gene Autry, to mention a few, Cesar Romero's telefilm series,
■'Passport to Danger," syndicated by ABC-TV Films, has catapulted
the suave Romero smack-dab among today's top stars. His newest
film, "Vera Cruz." a United Artists epic, which will add new laurels
to his collection, opens at the Capitol Theatre in New York on
Christmas Day. . . . Roberta MacDonald, TVision featured every
day at 3:00-4:00 p.m. across the board on the "Paul Dixon Show''
on the DuMont net, comes by her talents naturally. Her mom is
Kathryn MacDonald, one of Earl Carroll's most beautiful show
gals. . . . Aside to Joe Pasternak: Deejay Dick Doty at WHAM,
Rochester, N. Y., has several of Ruth Etting's original platters Avhich
may prove useful in your MGMusical, "Love Me or Leave Me." . . .
Bill Bivens, emcee-announcer wh<j was associated with Fred Waring
for years, has just completed narrations for two telefilms for the
\]. S. Coast Guard, "Sabotage" and "Sea Cadet."

^ ik

Two years ago when NBC sought a young, energetic and
personality-plus type of emcee-announcer-newscaster they
signed to an exclusive contract a young fellow named Herb
Sheldon. Today Herb has proven himself to be one of the
most-listened-to luminAIRies with a sked
that consists (besides special guestints,
personal appearances, etc.) of a Monday
thru Friday (6:45-7:00 a.m.) TV series
called "Kids Today," "The Herb Sheldon
Show" daily from 8:55-10:00 a.m. (RCA-
TV) three five-minute news spots daily on
"Today," another TV stint every Satur-
day morning from 7:00-9:00 a.m. and yet
another Saturday morning series (radio)
from 9:30-10:30. (We know Herb owns a
tux but with this schedule when can he
travel?) . . . Joe Dunay, Broadway's am-
bassador of good will, didn't cease his
activities as personal guide to servicemen
and servicewomen with the end of the
war. He still can be seen daily escorting Armed Services per-
sonnel about Tin Pan Alley and radio-TV row. . . . Jimmy
Dolan, assistant to Ted Husing at CBS from 1936 to 1948, is
the new director of sports at DuMont.

Back ill the early '30sj Fred Waring's Pennsylvamaus xvere ac-
claimed the "eiitertainingest band in vandevUle" Currently on a
nation-zvide tour totaling 25,000 miles (200 cities) the F. W.
troupe zvhich- include many original members and i^ being road-
shozuni as "Pleasure Time 1955," is racking
up an imposing string of S.R.O. perform-
ances. . . . Atlantic TV Corp. is distributing
a special Christmas telefilm, "Beyond To-
morrozv," ztfhich is a seasonal "natural." . . .
The stork next month zvill visit the Wolfs-
Hcrb and Renee Wolf, that is. (He's pro-
ducer of the TV- AB Click, "Masquerade
Party.") . . . Jack Carroll, former chirper
zi'ith Tex Bcnekc and. Les Brozvii orks, lias
signed zi'ith Major Records and liis initial
release, "Whistling Otto, The Baby Rein-
deer," published by Vincent Lopes, is a timely
novelty that's getting lots of deejay attention.

Herb Sheldon

Donna Reed, zvho zvon an "Oscaf

Fred Waring

"From Here to Eternity" makes her TV

debut Thursday on Ford Theatre's telefilm, production, "Portrait
of Lvdia."

ik i?

Filmack's N. Y. (630 Ninth Ave.) facilities, heretofore used solely
to produce special trailers and films for theatres, has been enlarged
and the staf¥ increased in order to handle on-the-spot TV and com-
mercial films for Eastern ad agencies. . . . Sarah Vaughn's Mercury
disk of Bob Merrill's "Make Yourself Comfortable" may hit the
million mark. . . . Max Liebman has signed up a formidable array
of talent for his Yuletide production this Saturday of Victor Her-
bert's "Babes in Toyland"— Wally Cox, Dennis Day, Dave Garraway,
Jack E. Leonard, Jo Sullivan, Bill & Cora Baird and Bambi Linn
and Rod Alexander. . . . Easily one of the most popular figures in
the Mid- West is WINDisk Jockey Jay Trumpeter, who, upon gradua-
tion from Northwestern U., spent two years with the AFRS in
Nome, Alaska thence back to Chicago.

Compo Poll

{Continued from page 1)

tee, which consists of Sam Pinanski,
Wilbur Snaper and Al Liclitman.

Those attending the poll committee
meeting were Alice N. Gorham of
United Paramount Theatres, Detroit,
chairman ; Frank H. Ricketson, Jr.,
and Paul Lyday of the Fo.x Inter-
Mountain Theatres of Denver ; Paul
Levi of the American Theatres Corpo-
ration, Boston ; Ralph Russell of the
Palace Theatre, Canton, O. ; Roy Kai-
ver of Decatur, Ind., president of
.A.llied Theatres of Indiana ; Harry
Mandel of RKO Theatres, chairman
of the COMPO press relations com-
mittee, and Charles E. McCarthy,
COMPO information director.

EFFG Stock

{Continued from page 1)

would be used by the company for
general corporate purposes. Promoters
of the company, which was organized
Nov. 18 in Delaware, were listed as
the Theatre Owners of America Inc.,
Samuel Pinanski, who will serve as
president, and John H. Rowley, L. S.
Ham, Myron N. Blank, E. D. Martia,
Walter Reade Jr., and Alfred Starr.

Colonial in Albany
Damaged by Fire

ALBANY, Dec. 13.— Fire of unde-
termined origin caused considerable
damage to the stage of the Colonial
Theatre here, as Dr. Henry Brown,
of New York City, was renovating it
for reopening Christmas week. The
uptown house had been dark since the
spring of 1953, when Malcolm Atter-
bury closed a stock season, and had
not been used for motion pictures in
three years. Doctor Brown, who
owns film theatres in the metropolitan
area, planned to relight the Colonial
as a subsequent-run situation. He had
spent considerable money on the re-
furbishing.

Panic Avoided in
Miss. Theatre Fire

LOUISVILLE, Miss., Dec. 13.—
.\ theatre manager, Otis Boyles, was
credited with being largely responsi-
ble for the safety of 600 children and
a few adults.

When fire was discovered in the
boiler room of the Strand Theatre
here, Boyles started at seats nearest
the screen and whispered to children
on the end of each row to notify others
in the row to walk slowly out of the
theatre. A\[ marched calmly out with-
out injurv or panic. Damage was esti-
mated at' $35,000.

'Gate of HelV in Bow

The Japanese consul-general, Jun
Tsuchiya, and Sir George Sansom of
Columbia University, were speakers
here last night at the American pre-
miere of the Japanese film, "Gate of
Hell," at the Guild Theatre under the
sponsorship of the Japan Society

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-M. P. DAILY

'Engrossing! The story has
been given a realistic touch
by its semi-documentary
treatment. Mounting sus-
pense throughout! Can be
exploited to advan

tage

-HARRISON'S REPORTS

Suspense-filled! Authent
settings and backgroundi
good performances, capa-
ble direction and produc-

tion!'

-EXHIBITOR

"Spy meller with documen-
tary flavor. Exploitation val-
ue helps fair b.o. prospects.
Suspense builds nicely."

-variet;

Taut, suspenseful drm
ma. Should sell to old and

young alike. Sustains inter-
est throughout. ..screenplay
extremely interesting."

-film daily

VOL. 76. NO. 114

NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1954

TEN CENTS

Talks Begin

Plan 50 Key
'Oklahoma'
Bows in 1955

Slate 25 Premieres in US
From May Through Aug.

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

Plans are underway to open "Okla-
homa!" in the Todd-AO process in
25 key situations throughout the coun-
try from May through August, it was
learned here yesterday from industry
sources.

The 25 key situation openings, it
was stated, will follow the scheduled
world premiere on the first Todd-AO
production here at the Rivoli, slated
to bow at the end of March.

According to reported present plans,
another 25 key situation openings in
the U. S. from August through the
remainder of 1955 will follow, bring-
ing the total projected number of the-
atres slated to play the roadshow en-
(Continu^d oil page 6)

Product
Top: Bala ban

Optimism about prospects for Para-
mount Pictures in the new year is
based on completed product scheduled
for release in
1955, "most of
which we have
see n," Barney
Balaban, Para-
mount president,
advises the
c o m p a n y' s
stockholders in
a letter now in
the mails. The
letter lists 20
productions and
tells the stock-
holders some-
thing about
each.

In it, Balaban says that "White
Christmas" now "appears certain to
be 1954's highest grossing picture of
the industry. We are confident that
(Continued on page 5)

Barney Balaban

Product Fills Needs

Better Merchandising Aids
Exhibitors^ Siegel Says

By LESTER DINOFF

Hollywood is not only turning out better product today, but is giving
each picture a better merchandising sendoff than ever before, according
to producer Sol C. Siegel, who is in New York for the world premiere

tomorrow night

Reelect Geo. Skouras
President of UATC

George P. Skouras has been re-
elected president of United Art-
ists Theatre Circuit by the com-
pany's board of directors, it was
learned here yesterday.

Others reelected were: Harry
D. Buckley, vice-president; Ray-
mond V. Wemple, vice-presi-
dent and treasurer, and A. H.
Frisch, secretary.

BVay Stage Mulls
Toll TV Tromise'

Organized legitimate Broadway the-
atres here will embrace or reject toll
TV in light of the medium's offer of
profits, according to Herman Levin,
president of the League of New York
Theatres.

Levin, in response to a question,
stated here yesterday that "primarily,
stage producers are interested in se-
curing the most money from their
plays or musicals. If subscription
television, Phonevision, Telemeter or
Skiatron, helps build up a play's gross,
I am all for it. But if the system hurts
{Continued on page 6)

of his Cinema-
Scope produc-
tion of "There's
No Business
Like Show
Business."

The studios
are filling the
needs of exhibi-
tion despite the
cry about prod-
uct shortage,
Siegel said. "If
more story ma-
t e r i a 1 were
available, every
studio would
naturally i n-
crease produc-
tion and then the exhibitors probably
would be yelling for good product,"
he said.

Speaking primarily of independent
{Continued on page 5)

Sol C. Siegel

WB Gives 'Army'
Negative to AER

The original negative of Warner
Brothers' production of Irving Ber-
lin's "This Is the Army" is being
turned over permanently to This Is
The Army, Inc., on behalf of Army
Emergency Relief, it was announced
by Warner Brothers Pictures, Inc.,
{Continued on page 5)

'20^ 000 Leagues Under Sea '

[Disiiey-Biieim Vista]
( CinemaScope)

EVEN though the works of Jules Verne have given way to the Buck
Rogers type of imaginative fiction, his name still is identified as
the forerunner of writers of science fantasy. Hewing close to the
Verne story-line, Disney has used an equal amount of imagination jn
transferring the adventure classic to the screen, capitalizing on the
technical advancements of photography to capture underwater sequences.
Therefore the combination of Verne's famous story and the below-the-
surface visual episodes plus considerable excitement above the surface,
should be a powerful magnet for customers.

As a novelty, the picture has few, if any. equals. Maintaining a pace

{Continued on page 5)

John Davis Says:

U.S. Gov't Not
Opposed to
Rank Theatres

Is 'Happier' After Talks
With Distributors Here

By PETER BURNUP

LONDON, Dec. 14. — The J.
.A.rthur Rank Organization alreavly
has ascertained that there is no oppo-
sition in Washington to its plans to
acquire theatres in the United States
in which to exhibit British films, John
Davis, managing director of the Rank
organization, said in an interview here
today.

This possibility had been explored,
it was indicated, because of injunctions
against theatre operation by large
American producing-distributing com-
panies.

Davis said no time has been set yet
for activating plans, and that to carry
them out fewer than 100 theatres
would be needed. While he suggested
that outright purchase of the theatres
is not contemplated, he declined to say
what other plan is being considered.

"We want enough houses," Davis
{Continued on page 6)

Hughes Move
Spurs Stock

Presumably on the possibility that
Howard Hughes may sell his RKO
Pictures stock to the company for $6
per share before expiration of the
deadline today, giving control of the
inactive company to Atlas Corp., New
York Stock E.xchange speculators
traded 20,200 shares of the stock yes-
terday, sending it to the high price for
the year, 7^.

If Hughes retains his stock, other
shareholders have till Dec. 31 to ten-
der it to the company for $6 a share,
unless the deadline is extended another
time. If Hughes sells to the com-
pany. Atlas could reactivate RKO
Pictures and endeavor to put it on a
profitable basis which would permit
it to make use of its huge loss carry-
over for ta.x purposes.

HAROLD HECHT presents'

GARY COOPER ★ BURT LANCAST
"VERH CRUZ

cai.o« Bv

TECHNICOLOR

m THE
DEC. 28
ISSUE Of

LOOK

For more thaii^
13,000,000
readers
to see!

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, December 15, 1954

Personal
Mention

BEN GOETZ, chairman of Metro-
Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, Ltd.,
London, will arrive in New York to-
day from England aboard the "United
States."

•

Edwakd L. Hyman, vice-president
of American Broadcasting- Paramount
Theatres, and Bernard Lew, his
assistant, are in Buffalo from New
York.

•

Seymour Oshrin, 16mm. shipping-
supervisor for the Army and Air
Force Motion Picture Service, and
Renee Silver, AAFMPS secretary,
have announced their engagement.
•

Philip M. Sherman, son of Rob-
ert Sherman, New York buyer and
booker for RKO Theatres, has be-
come engaged to Doris R. Gottlieb
of Jamaica, L. I.

•

Tony Reddin, Paramount director
of advertising, publicity and theatres
in England, will leave here tomorrow
by plane for Paris.

•

MoRT Nathanson, United Artists
publicity manager, will return to New
York today from a trip through the
South.

Irving Rapper, director, will arrive
in New York today from Hollywood.
He is enroute to Spain by way of
England.

•

Odette Ferry, Paramount promo-
tional liaison for Continental Europe,
will leave here tomorrow by plane for
Paris.

•

Albert Allan, secretary of Tech-
nicolor, Ltd., has left New York for
London via B.O.A.C. Monarch.
•

Gene Markey and Mrs. Markey
will leave here today today for Eng-
land on the "Queen Elizabeth."
•

Lily Bergere, European producer-
distributor, is scheduled to arrive here
tomorrow from France.

•

Philip Gerard, Universal Pictures
Eastern publicity manager, left here
yesterday for Boston.

•

John P. Byrne, M-G-M Eastern
sales manager, is in Philadelphia from
New York.

•

Frank Sinatka will arrive here
tomorrow from Hollywood.

Howard Keel will arrive here to-
day from Hollywood.

RKO's Executives Leaving
For Final Sales Meeting

RKO executives will leave today
from Chicago and New York, where
concurrent regional sales meetings
ended yesterday, to attend the fourth
and final sales session which begins
tomorrow in New Orleans at the Jung
Hotel.

J. R. Grainger, president of RKO
Radio Pictures, will arrive in New
Orleans tonight from Chicago, where
he addressed Midwestern sales per-
sonnel.

Walter Branson, world-wide sales
manager, who will preside at the New
Orleans meeting, leaves New York to-
day accompanied by Herbert H.
Greenblatt, domestic sales manager ;
Nat Levy, Eastern- Southern division
sales manager; Sidney Kramer, short

subjects sales manager, and Harry
Gittleson, executive administrative as-
sistant.

Irving Tushinsky, inventor with his
brother, Joseph, of Superscope, will
address the delegates to the New
Orleans conference. Joseph was a
speaker at the final session in New
York, after speaking to the Chicago
meeting- on its first day's session, held
in the Blackstone Hotel.

In New York, representatives of
Samuel Goldwyn Productions, Walt
Disney Productions, Producers Repre-
sentatives, Michael Myerberg Produc-
tions, Distributors Corporation of
America, and editors of the motion
picture trade press were guests of the
company at lunch.

Edinburgh Festival
Cites 15 U.S. Films

Mrs. Ruth Warburton

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 14. — Mrs.
Ruth Wilcox Warburton, sister-in-law
of Nicholas M. Schenck, president of
Loew's Inc., died here. Funeral serv-
ices will be held on Thursday. The
sister of Mrs. Schenck was born in
1905 in Tazewell, Va. The Schenck
family has flown here for the funeral
services. The brother of the deceased,
Fred Wilcox, is a director at M-G-M.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14. — Fif-
teen American motion pictures have
received Diplomas of Merit at the 8th
International Film Festival held in
Edinburgh, Scotland.

Industry motion pictures as well as
those made by private firms and gov-
ernment agencies made up the Amer-
ican contribution to the Festival.
Among the pictures receiving the
award were : "Caine Mutiny," "Riot
in Cell Block 11," "On the Water-
front," "Prowlers of the Everglades,"
"Alaskan Eskimo" and "The Teil-
Tale Heart."

TV 'Best Tiling' for
Films: de Rochemont

BOSTON, Dec. 14.— The introduc-
tion of television was "the greatest
thing that ever happened to Holly-
wood," Louis de Rochemont declared
here in an address delivered before a
non-theatrical group. Television had
the effect, he said, of taking away the
"sure dollars" from the producers,
forcing them to turn out better and
more attractive films.

"The spirit of competition now is
keen," said de Rochemont, "and public
taste is no longer being misjudged."
He called for an "experimental film
workshop" which would be used to
dramatize subjects outside the enter-
tainment field. Television, he pointed
out, presents many public service pro-
grams, and motion pictures can give
outstanding public service by reflect-
ing dramatically and realistically na-
tional and international events and
problems.

1,600 to Attend
'GirV Bow Here

More than 1,600 persons, including
former Olympic champions, will be
present at tonight's world premiere of
Paramount's "The Country Girl" at
the Criterion Theatre here.

All proceeds from the event will be
turned over to the. United States
Olympic Fund to help send the Amer-
ican team to Australia in 1956.

Yugoslav Pact
Talks in January

Negotiations on a new Yugoslavia
film deal will get under way here in
January with the slated arrival of offi-
cials of Yugoslavia Films, the sole
import agency designated by the
Yugoslavian government to handle
U.S. films there.

_ The talks, it was learned, are de-
signed to break the present impasse
between the Motion Picture Export
Association and Yugoslavia Films.
The impasse grew out of a demand by
Yugoslavia Films to pare down the
payment for U.S. films. Although in
a separate deal, it was learned, Yugo-
slavia Films is paying Loew's $4,500
per film, the agency has sought to pay
less for films of other MPEA member
companies. Besides Loew's, several in-
dependent American film companies
have made deals with the government-
endorsed agency, a condition which
has cut down the flow of American
films to Yugoslavia at present.

Initially, MPEA made a deal with
the Yugoslav import firm of Croatia
Films, an agency which failed to get
Yugoslav government approval to par-
ticipate in the convertability of Yugo-
slav currency into American currency
under the U.S. information media
guarantee program.

Stars Arrive
For 'Show^

Four of the top players of Irving
Berlin's "There's No Business Like
Show Business"— Ethel Merman, Dan
Dailey, Johnnie Ray and Mitzi Gay-
nor — are in New York for the Actors'
Fund Benefit opening of the Darryl
F. Zanuck CinemaScope presentation
at the Roxy Theatre tomorrow eve-
ning.

The quartet, along with Sol C.
Siegel, producer of the Twentieth
Century-Fox musical, and Irving Ber-
lin head a celebrity roster comprising
a Who's Who of Show Business and
dignitaries from all walks of life, in-
cluding Mayor Robert Wagner who
will provide a welcome to the $5,000,-
000 picture at the theatre.

A commercially-sponsored telecast
will carry festivities at the Roxy, in-
cluding a musical salute bv the 60-
piece Freeport High School band, to
metropolitan video audiences from 8
to 9 P.M. over WPIX, under the
auspices of Nash Motors.

Conducting celebrity interviews
over WPIX will be the toastmaster
George Jessel, alternating with Tex
and Jinx McCrary.

Mrs. Eisenhower
Sponsors 'Romeo*

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14.— Mrs.
Dwight D. Eisenhower will sponsor a
special benefit performance of "Romeo
and Juliet," internationally-honored
Technicolor film, at the Dupont The-
atre here next Monday evening.

Attended by the First Lady, mem-
bers of the foreign diplomatic corps,
cabinet members. Congressional lead-
ers and Washington society figures,
the charity showing of "Romeo and
Juliet" will benefit the Florence Crit-
tenton Home.

Government officials from the
United States and 23 foreign countries
will participate in the benefit perform-
ance of the United Artists release.

SDG Awards Dinner
Slated for Feb, IS

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 14.— Screen
Directors Guild president George Sid-
ney today disclosed that the Guild's
fourth annual Awards Dinner will be
held Feb. 16, at the Biltmore Bowl,
with 900 expected to attend.

Awards for the best motion picture ;
best television film and best lay press
reviewer will be announced.

'Murder Is My Beaf
To Allied Artists

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 14.— Allied
Artists, today announced the acquisi-
tion of distribution rights to Masthead
Productions' recently completed "Mur-
der Is My Beat," independently pro-
duced under Edgar LTlmer's direction.

Lowell Thomas Off
On Cinerama Tour

Lo\vell Thomas will fly to London
on Friday on the first leg of a round-
the-world flight in connection with his
forthcoming production in Cinerama,
"Seven Wonders of the World." His
associate, aviator Paul Mantz, took off
yesterday in his reconstructed B-25
bomber to join Thomas in his globe
encircling trip. They will be gone one
month.

"Seven Wonders of the World" fol-
lows the yet unreleased "Cinerama
Holiday," which was produced by
Louis de Rochemont.

Heart Attack Fatal
To Bernard Rubin, 38

CLEVELAND, Dec. 14.— Bernard
Rubin, 38, head of Imperial Pictures,
here, the only independent distributor
in Northern Ohio, died in his office
this morning- of a heart attack. His
wife and three small daughters sur-

Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca--Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood' 7-2145 '•
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074i Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau'
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald: Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Mption Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3. 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign- single
copies, 10c.

★ ★

M-G-M's

MOTION
PICTURE
THEATRE

—

/ 7 / r / / ' I \ I

"THEtE'S MORE FUN AT THE MOVICSl"

HEADLINES!

"M-G-M Salute to Theatres box-
office stimulant!" -M.P. DAILY

"M-G-M's promotion at community
level to stimulate ticket sale!"

-FILM DAILY

"Metro's showmanship drive accents
'theatre's place in the commimity'!"

—VARIETY

"Metro's ticket selling workshop a

success ! ' ' -INDEPENDENT FILM JOURNAL

"Workshops draw blueprint for in-
creased patronage!" -m. p. herald

"M-G-M workshop fills hotel's baU-
room!" -showmen-s trade review

"Exhibitors laud M-G-M workshop!"

—M. P. EXHIBITOR

"Showmen call workshop 'Tonic'!"

—FILM BULLETIN

TALK OF THE INDUSTRY!

M-G-M does it again! Great response from
theatres and Trade Press to M-G-M's 1955
MOTION PICTURE THEATRE CELE-
BRATION. Thanks! Forward in '5 5!
M-G-M's nation wide promotion is perfectly
timed to accelerate the box-office upbeat.
Tie-in your theatre with a local Celebration
to stimulate your business. Watch for
M-G-M Press Book, soon available with
FREE accessories. You asked for ACTION,
Mr. Showman! This campaign is for you.
Join now!

^ WOW!
Sensational Preview of M-G-M's

"BAD DAY
AT BLACK ROCK"

Market Research Service survey is one of
the highest reports in dramatic field. The
first public showing last week of M-G-M's
first Celebration release held the audience
spellbound at Loew's 72nd St. Theatre,
N. Y. It's just the beginning!

★

JUST A FEW OF M-G-M's
CELEBRATION RELEASES!

Ask your Branch for other fine films available!
"BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK" fJanuoryj

{CinemaScope — Color) . starring Spencer Tracy • Robert Ryan
co-starring Anne Francis • Dean Jagger • Walter Brennan • John
Ericson • Ernest Borgnine • Lee Marvin . Russell Collins

"GREEN ?\RE" (Jonuary)

(CinemaScope — Color) • starring Stewart Granger . Grace Kelly
P?iul Douglas • co-starring John Ericson . with.Murvyn Vye

"MANY RIVERS TO CROSS" (February)

(CinemaScope — Color) • starring Robert Taylor • Eleanor Parker
with Victor McLaglen • Russ Tamblyn . Jeff Richards • James Arness

"JUPITER'S DARLING" (February;

(CinemaScope — Color) • starring Esther Williams • Howard Keel
Marge and Gower Champion . George Sanders • with Richard
Haydn • William Demarest

"HIT THE DECK" (March)

(CinemaScope — Color) • starring Jane Powell • Tony Martin
Debbie Reynolds .Walter Pidgeon • Vic Damone • Gene Raymond
Ann Miller • Russ Tamblyn • with Kay Armen • J. Carrol Naish
Richard Anderson • Jane Darwell

Eleanor Parker

"INTERRUPTED MELODY" (March)

(CinemaScope — Color) . starring Glenn Ford
with Roger Moore • Cecil Kellaway

"THE GLASS SLIPPER" fApr//j

(Color) • starring Leslie Caron • Michael Wilding • with Keenan
Wynn • Estelle Winwood • Elsa Lanchester • Barry Jones

"BEDEVILLED" (April) (CinemaScope— Color)

starring Anne Baxter • Steve Forrest • with Simone Renant • Maurice
Teynac . Robert Christopher . Joseph Tomelty and Victor Francen

1955-The year of M-G-M's "THE PRODIGAL"

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, December 15, 1954

Motion Picture Daily Feature Reviews

Young At Heart

{Anmn-VVarner Brothers) Holiyzvood, Dec. 14

THIS is just what the box-office ordered. Everyone should fall in love
with its warm human family life appeal, smartly tailored to the opening-
rendition and mood of its popular song title. It was produced in WarnerColor.

Warner Brothers and producer Henry Blanke have every right to burst
a vest button for re-styling the successful Fannie Hurst "Four Daughters"
story to suit the personable talents of its two stars, Doris Day and Frank
Sinatra, with ingratiating portrayals by its co-stars Gig Young, Ethel Barry-
more and Dorothy Malone.

Frank Sinatra had the preview audience at the Wiltern Theatre, Los
Angeles, in the palm of his hand with a sincere interpretation of a cynical
piano-playing singer and composer, with a world's-against-me attitude. His
lyrical delivery of such old song standards as "Someone To Watch Over Me,"
"One For My Baby And One For The Road," and "Just One Of Those
Things" in addition to the main and end-title handling of "Young At Heart,"
which were selected for plot value, offered resonant punctuation to the
matchless dialogue of the Julius J. Epstein and Lenore CoiTee screenplay.

Doris Day's musical-comedy talents are well blended into the story that
also has her answering the demands for a sympathetic, romantic actress.
Outstanding among the new tunes introduced by Miss Day is Sammy Fain's
and Paul Francis Webster's "There's a Rising Moon For Every Falling
Star," which should make the disc jockeys plug-happy.

Credit Gordon Douglas with integrating clever directorial bits, endowing
Gig Young with a refreshing new personality, getting Ethel Barrymore to
score as a hep spinster with a pixie quality and knitting the young at heart
talents of attractive Elizabeth Eraser and Dorothy Malone, as well as Robert
Keith, the flute-playing head of a musical family, into a vibrant, charming
vehicle.

Liam O'Brien's succulent adaptation of the story has eliminated one of
the original daughters and presents Miss Day, Miss Malone and Miss Eraser
as the three marriage-minded children, of Keith.

Gig Young becomes the object of all their affections when he comes to
their home in Connecticut to write the music for a Broadway show. Young
becomes enamored of Miss Day, which prompts Miss Malone to accept Alan
Hale, Jr., the town's rising young realtor, and has Miss Eraser carrying a
heartbreaking torch for Young, while Lonny Chapman, an enterprising plum-
ber, indicates his desire for her hand in marriage.

When Sinatra makes his entry into the household as the arranger-composer
for Young's music, Miss Day is unwittingly attracted to his defeatist manner
and hopeless attitude for ever achieving recognition of his talent as a com-
poser. Her interest in his career and changing his attitude toward life proves
a strong influence. When Young announces that he and Miss Day are to
be married, Sinatra is heartbroken and prepares to leave town. An hour
before her marriage to Young, Miss Day discovers Miss Eraser's disappoint-
ment and gives vent to her true feeling by running off with Sinatra.

Sinatra and Miss Day experience trying times in their first six months
of marriage ; and at the conclusion of a family get-together for a Christmas
holiday celebration, Sinatra believes he is a failure and makes an attempt
at suicide. Through tears and prayers at his hospital bedside. Miss Day
tells him that he has to pull through for the baby that's on its way. It all
ends happily when Frank, fully recovered, and with the new baby in view,
plays and sings his newest composition — Mack Gordon and James Van
Heusen's "You My Love."

Running time, 121 minutes. General audience classification. Release in
January. SAMUEL D. BERNS

"The Bamboo Prison''

(Columbia) Holiyzvood, Dec. 14

ROBERT FRANCIS, Dianne Foster, Brian Keith and Jerome Courtland
are the top-listed names in a long cast in the more or less prescribed
pattern of plots about prisoners of war, in this case the Korean conflict.
They handle with competence the obligations of a script by Edwin Blum
and Jack DeWitt, based on a story by the latter, under direction of Lewis
Seller. It is not, under that billing, a production likely to shatter box-office
records as it makes its round of the theatres using films of this calibre, but
it has a certain timeliness as to topic in view of the various court martials
conducted recently in consequence of deportment imputed to some American
prisoners in Korea.

The picture opens on the line of march toward a Red Chinese prison
camp at which 70 of an original 166 marchers arrive and begin incarceration.
The story narrows down to occupants of a single cabin, expanding later to
take in other sections of the camp and finally the town in or near which it
is located. Francis plays a hated collaborator whom the audience knows to
be an American intelligence agent, and Keith has a similar assignment. Miss
Foster is seen as the wife of a former American who now is a high official
in Communist ranks, but who doesn't believe in Communism at heart and
does believe in Francis and democracy. Like other stories of its -kind, this
one tells the individual stories of various prisoners, subordinately to the
principal story, and the script does a great deal of talking, much of the talk
being policy-ridden in one direction or the other, with the good side winning
out in the end after long inter-play of opposed forces.

There is, naturally, in view of the nature of the subj ect, much that is grim
and tragic in the picture. Bryan Foy produced.

Running time 79i^ minutes. Adult audience classification. Release date
not set. W. R. W.

"Bad Day at Black Rock"

(M-G-M)
(CinemaScope )

TAKING a cast of top box-office players and placing them in a drab
Western setting, Dore Schary personally has produced a screen vehicle
which is loaded with dramatic ingredients. It should hold audiences in its
spell to the very end. Schary and director John Sturges have placed the
emphasis on the story rather than on lush production embellishments and
the result could make the picture a strong entry in the "Oscar" sweepstakes.

The cast, which is topped by Spencer Tracy, Robert Ryan, Walter Brennan
and Dean Jagger, turns in creditable and deft performances instilled with
suspense and, at times, slight humor. Millard Kaufman's screenplay which
is based on a story by Howard Breslin and a fine cast of supporting players
help make this a fresh and distinguished picture. However, the story line in
many instances reminds the viewer of "High Noon," where suspicion and
violence grip audiences to the fadeout.

For four years, the drab, clapboard town of Bad Rock has been harbor-
ing a secret about the murder of a Japanese farmer, and it lives in fear of
the future. The Southern Pacific streamliner, which usually barrel-rolls
through the whistlestop every day stops one afternoon to deposit Tracy,
an Army veteran who has lost an arm in the Italian campaign. New faces
and strangers are a novelty in Bad Rock and, immediately, Tracy is looked
upon with suspicion and fear that he has come to expose the town's secret.
Ryan, a rancher and leader of the murderers, rules the town with an iron
hand, making his own laws and appointing law enforcement officers, and
interfering in the lives of its citizens.

Tracy discovers the town's secret and in turn, learns that the Japanese
farmer had been murdered the day after Pearl Harbor by Ryan and his
associates who were drunk. Ryan orders ranch hands Lee Marvin and Ernest
Borgnine, who will be recognized as the stockade sergeant with cruel and
inhuman tendencies in "From Here to Eternity," to kill Tracy, who is be-
lieved to be a police officer of some kind. The suspense is built up time and
again. Tracy in reality came to Bad Rock just to deliver a medal to the
Japanese. The climax is depicted with utmost suspense.

Andre Previn contributed an effective musical background. Eloquent cam-
era work by William C. Mellor enhances "Bad Day at Black Rock" im-
measureably. Excellent support is supplied by Anne Francis, Jagger, a drink-
loving sheriff who has a weak stomach for carrying out his duties; Brennan,
the sole friend to Tracy who tries to stop his killing ; John Ericson, one of the
party of murderers ; Marvin, a chill-provoking cowhand who knows who is
boss ; Russell Hastings, a nervous railroad dispatcher, and Walter Sande.
Running time, 81 minutes. General classification. Release in January.

LESTER DINOFF

"DeviVs Harbor"

(Deane-20th Century-Fox)

MORE suitable for television presentation than for exhibition in a motion
picture theatre because of its old-fashioned and slow-moving melo-
dramatic storyline, 20th Century-Fox has taken this Charles Deane pre-
sentation, which was filmed in England, for distribution as a supplement to
its own CinemaScope release program. "Devil's Harbor" is certainly not
for the discriminating, although some dyed-in-the-wool action fans may enjoy
this story about a gang of thieves and its eventual capture due to the aid
of a rugged, innocent bystander.

Richard Arlen, one of the screen's old favorites, plays the lead role com-
petently. He becomes involved with the crooks when a package of stolen
drugs is suddenly left with him. While the gang tries to recover the package,
the insurance company begins its investigation of a series of thefts and
eventually Arlen and the detective meet and round up the thieves together,
but the long arm of coincidence is in constant focus.

Greta Gynt plays Arlen's girl friend and Mary Germaine is seen as an
accomplice of the gang. The acting, generally speaking, is better than the
picture itself. This British presentation was directed by Montgomery Tully
and written and produced by Deane.

Running time, 71 minutes. General audience classification. Release, in
December.

Gate of Hell

( Daiei-Harrtson )

APAN of the 12th Century, with its feudalism, wars, rebellions, ancient
customs and intrigues, forms the background of a film rich in production
values, firm in structure of story and excellent from a standpoint of photo-
graphic skill. It should do well in the art houses. "Gate of Hell" was winner
of the Grand Prize at the 1954 International Film Festival at Cannes. It is
released in this country by Ed Harrison.

The tragic love story is concerned with the burning desire of a war leader
for a woman. Unfortunately the woman is married and this leads to turmoil
and tragedy. Thinking to win the woman by killing her husband, the warrior
plunges a sword into a sleeping figure which turns out to be the woman,
who had deliberately sacrificed herself that her husband might be spared.

The picture bristles with battle scenes. Highly interesting are the paint-
ings, costumes, weapons and temples of the time. Color is exceptional.

Kazuo Hasegawa plays the warrior with Machiko Kyo the wife and Isao
Yamagata the husband. A Daiei Production, it was produced by Masaichi
Nagata with the direction and screenplay by Teinosuke Kinugasa.

Running time, 89 minutes. Adult audience classification. For December re-
lease.

Wednesday. December 15, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Siegel Says '20^ 000 Leagues Under Sea '

(Coiifinucd from page 1")

(Continued from page 1)

product, Siegel said that the producers
are giving more careful attention to
production values and to the advertis-
ing aiid promotion of their wares.
Siegel, who now heads an independent
unit at Paramount, described the pres-
ent film market as an "ideal situation."

Studios have realized that independ-
ent producers are better bets, have
more latitude in making a film at
lower costs, and in turn, are more
rewarding for all concerned, Siegel
said. "The taxes involved for contract
producers are not as high as those
for independent producers whose par-
ticipation deals also provide greater
incentive in producing a good film
with the material on hand," he said.

Lauds New Media

During the conference with the
trade press in his Sherry Netherland
Hotel suite here, Siegel, who plans to
return to the Coast over the week-
end, said that the improvements in
CinemaScope lenses and in stereo-
phonic sound also have been factors
in bringing out the better qualitj- of
current releases.

"If a film is a hit," Siegel said,
"there is no limit to its gross. The
public's selectivity in entertainment
has encouraged producers to determine
the subject matter of future product
accordingly." Pictures such as "Three
Coins," which will gross world-wide
about $10,000,000, and "White Christ-
mas," which will gross world-wide an
approximate $14,000,000, attest to this,
he said.

"The medium, CinemaScope or
Vista\'ision. is secondary," the pro-
ducer stated. "CinemaScope has al-
ready proven its value at the box of-
fice, but when making a film, the story
must always be considered initially,"
Siegel said. Also, the virtue of the
spectacle in a picture is always better
on a big screen and if the story is
there, "you are home," he said.

Sees Dearth of Top Talent

Commenting on the talent problems
which are confronting Hollywood,
Siegel said that it is his hope that
television will pro\-ide motion pictures
with talent because actors have better
opportunities to develop in that form.
"There is enough medium talent avail-
able to studios, but not enough top
flight talent." he said. "It is very dif-
ficult to find someone young with ex-
perience," Siegel asserted.

He disclosed that "There's No Busi-
ness Like Show Business" cost 20th-
Fox in excess of $4,000,000 to produce
and it took some five and one-half
years to make. In filming the musical,
Siegel said that the new anamorphic
CinemaScope lenses were used.

that gets ol¥ to a fast start in the opening footage, the principal char-
acters are taken through a series of amazing experiences which, al-
though some of them tax the credulitj- of the viewer, are taken in stride.

CinemaScope adds a great deal to the effectiveness of the production.
It would still be an exciting picture if given only the conventional
screen-size treatment, but the film takes fine advantage of the sweeping
and panoramic effects provided by CinemaScope, especially in the underwater
scenes. The color by Technicolor is excellent, in the interior, exterior and
undersea shots.

Director Richard Fleischer had a tough assignment when he tackled this
production but the results on the whole, are good. The acting of the principals,
while interesting, could have benefitted from more restrained direction. In
fact, there appears to be a tendency on the part of each of the stars to
over-act. However, it does not detract from the fascinating adventures that
are woven into the story.

A battle between a giant squid and the crew of the submarine '"Nautilus"
probably will rank as one of the most exciting and engrossing sequences
that have been filmed in many a year. The battle is staged with grim reality
and tremendous suspense on a vast waterj' stage that glimmers with color
as a backdrop for the harsh struggle for survival between man and monster.

The all-male cast is headed by James Mason, Kirk Douglas, Paul Lukas
and Peter Lorre. The story opens in 1868 in San Francisco. The shipping
lanes of the Pacific are menaced by an unidentified creature which has been
destroying vessels, with the result that sailors refuse to ship out. On an
expeditionary ship, Paul Lukas, an authority on undersea life ; Peter Lorre,
his assistant, and Kirk Douglas, a harpooner, find themselves thrown together
in search of the strange monster. As is well known to readers of Verne,
the monster turns out to be a submarine commanded by !Mason whose scien-
tific discoveries could destroy the world. Douglas, Lukas and Lorre even-
tually become the submarine's prisoners on a global tour, permitting them
to observe the wonders of the ocean's depths through ingenious diving suits
and from the craft's windows. Escape comes only after ma;i)' adventures.

Considerable credit must go to Franz Planer who was responsible for the
unusual photography ; Earl Fenton for his screenplay and Elmo Williams
who edited the vast footage.

Running time, 122 minutes. General classification. National release not set.

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Says TV Industry
Probes Crime Shows

WASHINGTON. Dec. 14. — The
television industry is considering
large-scale research into the extent to
which crime and horror TV programs
may be contributing to juvenile de-
linquenc}'.

This was revealed by Senator
Hendrickson (R., N. J.), chairman
of a Senate judiciary subcommittee
studying juvenile delinquency. The
subcommittee has investigated, among
other items, the program content of
television programs for children.
Hendrickson, who leaves the Senate
at the end of the year, declared that
he had been "unofiicially advised that
the television industry itself is con-
templating significant research into
the effects of certain kinds of pro-
gramming." The retiring law maker
urged the Senate to resume investiga-
tion next vear.

L.A,, Denver, Minn.
Topping UA Drive

United Artists' Los Angeles, Den-
ver and ^linneapolis branches have
won the second lap of the Robert S.
Benjamin Drive, it was announced by
William J. Heineman, vice president
in charge of distribution, and B. G.
Kranze, general sales manager, who
are serving as co-captains of the salute
to the company's chairman of the
board.

The Benjamin drive will award a
grand total of $50,000 in prizes to
w-'nners among United Artists' 32
U.S. and Canadian branches, which
are competing in three groups of equal
grossing potential.

Runner-up to Los Angeles in the
first group is the Washington ex-
change, while the San Francisco
branch takes third place.

'Prodigal/ 'Slipper'
Tours Set by MGM

Promotional campaigns utilizing a
huge glass slipper and a 74-foot rail-
road car are being prepared by
AI-G-M to coincide with the national
release of "The Prodigal" and "The
Glass Slipper," according to Emery-
Austin, M-G-!M exploitation head.

Beginning on or about Feb. 1, one
of the largest rolling stock cars in
operation on U.S. railroads, a 74-foot
freight car, will be transformed into
a combination projection room and
museum to tour the country- in ad-
vance of "The Prodigal" openings,
Austin said.

The huge 14-foot high glass slipper
which was displaj^ed by M-G-M in
Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade here
last month will be sent about the do-
mestic market to plug "The Glass
Slipper'' in early March, he said.

Wm. Harper Named
FF Assoc. Producer

William A. Harper has been named
associate producer by Fred Feldkamp
in his newly formed FF Productions.
Feldkamp's independent company has
scheduled two untitled features for
production in 1955.

Harper headed the Marine Corps
photographic department on the staif
of the commandant during the Korean
war. More recently he has been en-
gaged in television and commercial
film production in the East.

Masterpiece, AAP Sign

NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 14.— Mas-
terpiece Pictures will distribute in this
territory the product of Associated
Artists Productions, in accordance with
a deal just signed with AAP by Mil-
ton Dureau, president of Masterpiece.

Balaban

(Continued from page 1)

more people will pay to see it than
have seen any other motion picture
for several years.

"Based on this highly favorable
reception of VistaVision in 'White
Christmas,' we believe we have a
practical and economical solution to
our industry's efforts to achieve the
best techniques for processing and ex-
hibiting motion pictures. We are now
producing all our pictures in 'high-
fidelity' Vista-Msion."

The letter reports the likelihood of
"an acceleration in public interest and
discussion about pay-as-you-see tele-
vision in 1955" and that Paramount
feels that the practical advantages of
its International Telemeter system
"makes it oustanding in the field." It
also states that the Lawrence color
TV tube, in which Paramount is in-
terested, has been granted important
patents and promises to make possible
practical prices for mass acceptance of
color TV.

WB Gives *Army'

(Continued jrom page 1)

producers and distributors of the
picture.

\\'i\h the cooperation of the Arm.y
and of theatre owners and their pa-
trons throughout the country, "This
Is the Army" earned in excess of
$7,800,000 for Army Emergency Relief.

Industry Dividends
$22,747,000 in '54

From THE DAILY Bureau

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14. — Pub-
licit}- reported cash dividend payments
of motion picture companies totaled an
impressive $22,747,000 during the first
11 months of 1954, compared with
only $18,519,000 during the like 1953
period, the Commerce Department re-
ported.

Dividend payments in November
amounted to $2,533,000 compared with
$1,018,000 in November last year.
Commerce officials said the increase
was due to large payments this year
b}- Columbia Pictures, National The-
atres and Stanley ^^'arner Theatres.

FLY B OM

ARISTOCRAT OF THE AIR

Direct
New York • London

BRITISH OVCRSEAS
AIRWAYS CORPORATION

Reservations through your travel agent
or call B.O.A.C. at 342 Madison Ave.,
New York 17. N. Y., tel. MU 7-8900

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, December 15, 1954

Davis Sees No Opposition

(Continued from- page 1)

Seek New O.
Censor Law

National
Pre-Selling

"There's No Business
Like Show Business"
Build-up

EMPHASIS was placed ou the
music of Irving Berlin and on tie-
ups, by 20th Century-Fox for the pro-
motional campaign of "Show Busi-
ness."

MU.SIC : Selections from the sound
track of Irving Berlin's "There's No
Business Like Show Business" are be-
ing issued by Decca Records in a
special album to be extensively pro-
moted with the national release. All
the picture's hit songs are included in
the album. The company is alerting its
distributors and thousands of accounts
across the nation of the album's re-
lease, scheduled for this week, urging
full cooperation with theatremen.
Disk jockeys and juke box operators
also are being contacted to award top
play to the album, iuid program salutes
to composer Irving Berlin are being
lined up in the overall drive.

FASHIONS: A complete line of
dress fashions by Natlynn of New
York inspired by costumes in "Show
Business" was introduced last week
before 200 newspaper, magazine and
wire service fashion representatives at
a special fashion show and cocktail
party. The Natlynn drive will feature
national TV, radio, newspaper and
magazine advertising, regional and lo-
cal level advertising, cooperative pro-
motions such as fashion shows and
contests, and local theatre cooperation
by Natlynn's thousands of department
and specialtjf store outlets across the
country.

A nationwide contest with top prizes
of one week, all-expenses-paid trips
to Hollywood or New York or $250
U. S. Defense Bonds has been set by
Westbrooke Clothes. Theme of the
competition is "Westbrooke Clothes,
as worn by Donald O'Connor, are best
for me because."

The contest, open to all men be-
tween the ages of IS and 30, requires
entrants to complete the sentence in
25. words or less. All entries must be
mailed on or before April 30, 1955 to
"Fashion Contest," P. O. Box 211—
Chelsea Station, New York 11, N. Y.

•

"look's" current issue has three
ads on motion pictures: an eye-
catching two-page spread in full
color on U-I's "The Sign of the
Pagan," — a striking full page on
MGM's "Deep In My Heart," and
two action-packed facing half pages
in color on U.A.'s "Vera Cruz."

MGM's "Glass Slipper," starring
Leslie Caron, receives prominent men-
tion in the December issue of "Seven-
teen." A two-page editorial spread is
devoted to Leslie Caron's new starring
film. "Seventeen" reports that Leslie
Caron has the same writer, director
and producer in this new film as she
had in "Lili."'

Striking color ad on U-I's "So
This Is Paris" will appear in Amer-
ican Weekly's" Dec. 26 issue.
"American Weekly's" readership has
reached 30,000,000.

WALTER HAAS

said, "to prove that profits can be
made with the new style Rank pic-
tures which are being deliberately
tailored for the world market."

He reiterated that 19b3 had been
the best year ever for Rank distribu-
tion in Canada. He also confirmed
that more than 50 per cent of Rank's
distribution receipts now come from
overseas and asked again why returns
from the United States are not better.

Nevertheless, Davis admitted
that he is "happy" as a result
of his conversations with his
affiliated American distributors
with whom he met during his
recent visit to America.

Beginning with the New Year,
Davis again said. Rank's entire pro-
duction schedule will be in Vista-
Vision with single track optical sound.
He said the chief virtue of Vista-

^Oklahoma'

(Continued from page 1)

gagement of "Oklahoma!" in 1955 to
50.

In view of these reported plans, it
was learned that Magna Theatre
Corp., which holds the exhibition
rights to the process, has begun pre-
lim.inary negotiations for theatres.

Magna Theatre Corp. president
George Skouras, when asked for com-
ment on the reported exhibition plans
for "Oklahoma!," declined to make
any statement. In response to a direct
cfuery of whether only United Artists
Theatres Circuit houses would be util-
ized for "Oklahoma!," Skouras re-
plied strongly in the negative. De-
clared he : "It is the policy of Magna
to license 'Oklahoma !' to the most
suitable theatres in the community, re-
gardless of whether they belong (to
UATC) or not."

The footage of "Oklahoma!" in the
Todd-AO and CinemaScope versions
are now being examined in Holly-
wood by producers Oscar Hammer-
stein and Richard Rodgers, he added,
refusing any further comment.

Hear Schine Official
On Corporate Setup

BUFFALO, Dec. 14.— At least 100
corporations are wholly owned by
Schine Chain Theatres, Inc., a gov-
ernment witness testified in Federal
Court here during the Schine trial.

Mrs. Florence D. Torrey, assistant
secretary-treasurer of Schine Chain
Theatres, also testified that the com-
pany owns 50 per cent or more of the
stock in a number of other firms.

Mrs. Torrey, who has been em-
ployed by Schine 31 years, was ques-
tioned in an attempt to show the
defendant corporations were under
control of the Schine family.

Joseph E. McDowell, Justice De-
partment trial counsel, said the gov-
ernment contends the corporations
constituted one business enterprise.

Mrs. Torrey said some of the
Schine subsidiaries were in the theatre
concessions, theatre operating and
printing businesses. She could give no
estimate of the number of corporations
hi which the Schine defendants have
an i'lterest of 50 per cent or more.

The witness said the Hildemart

Vision is its extreme clafity of defini-
tion which, in his view, is unsurpassed
by any other medium.

He denied American reports that he
made a deal for Rank pictures on
television while over there but did not
deny that such a deal was a possibility
for the future.

Fears TV Competition

Davis said that in his view there is
"dreadful" competition from commer-
cial television awaiting British ex-
hibitors when it is inaugurated here.
He said that every section of the in-
dustry must serve the public to the
utmost of its capability to offset the
effects of TV.

Discussing Rank's new theatre
building program, Davis said that in
his view the maximum seating capac-
ity of an average neighborhood house
today should be 1,500.

BVay Stage

(Continued from page 1)

a show's gross by enabling mass audi-
ences to view the proceedings and
eliminates the long run situations,
then I will fight it."

In the past. Levin said, television,
which has presented portions of plays
to home TV audience, has not harmed
the box office.

A New York exhibitor representa-
tive on the joint anti-toll TV com-
mittee viewed subscriber television as
a sure way for the government to
enter the industry by regulation of
product, through censorship of product
and rental fees. "Who is going to
evaluate the price of a top-Broadway
stage play or Grade "A" Hollywood
motion picture for exhibition on toll-
TV," the exhibitor asked. The small
TV station which will present the
show most likely will be unable to
pay for the product in the first place
thereby giving the government an op-
portunity to step in and regulate
prices, he said.

Zenith has said that the local TV
station itself would handle the product
procurement, the theatreman said, but
"who will consider the censorship is-
sue— what is morally sound for tele-
casting." It was contended at a Zenith
seminar of Phonevision here last week
that out of the 30-odd plays now being
presented on Broadway here, only
about two could be shown on TV.

Warners to Produce
'Faiisf for Screen

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 14.— The full
technical resources of the screen, in-
cluding CinemaScope, color and stereo-
phonic sound, will be employed by
Warner Brothers in their forthcom-
ing production of the opera "Faust,"
it was announced here by Jack L.
Warner.

Both Gounod's opera and the liter-
ary work by Goethe will serve as
source material for the production,
which Warner stated, will be made as
a drama with music and on an "epic
scale."

Corp. is ov^'ned by members of the
Schine family. She testified that El-
mart is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Hildemart, but denied Hildemart is a
subsidiary of Schine Chain Theatres.

Special to THE DAILY
COLUMBUS, O., Dec. 14.— Censor
fees only high enough to cover the
expenses of censorship were advocated
by R. M. Eyman, state education di-
rector and chief Ohio censor. In the
fiscal year ending last June, the censor
board collected $233,774 via the $3
per reel fee. The board's expenses
were $48,336. This left a surplus of
$185,438, all of which went into a
fund for audio-visual education in
Ohio schools.

Where will the state get money
for visual education if censorship re-
mains dormant in Ohio? Eyman said
he didn't know. "Maybe the educa-
tion department isn't even the right
place for the film censor board," he
said.

Wants 'More Specific' Law

Eyman said he and his staff are
"sweating out'' the job of drafting a
new censorship law which presumably
would have a provision for lower
censor fees. "It will have to be much
more specific than the old law," said
Eyman.

"In writing the new law we're
floundering around with terms," Ey-
man said. "Words like obscene, vul-
garity and lewdness should probably
be used." He said that in the future
obscenity in movies should be the cen-
sors' prime concern. In the past the
Ohio board also has cut out action
which they thought might stir up
racial or religious trouble or incite
to crime. But Eyman thinks it is too
difficult to pre-judge such effects. He
says he feels the time to crack down
on such films is when it has been
plainly shown they have created trou-
ble after public screening. This rep-
resents a right-about-face from the
41-year-old Ohio policy of prior cen-
sorship.

Eyman said that members of
the censor board "take a dim
view" of his suggestion that
the censor fees cover only the
budget of the board. "They
tell me the complaint by the
movie people about the fees is
just an alibi," Ejmian said.
Theatremen contend the fee is
in reality a tax.

Can Eyman and the censor board
draft a new law which will be ac-
ceptable to the legislature and which
will stand up under the future as-
saults in the courts ?

"I wouldn't say I'm too optimistic
about it," said Eyman. "But then
I'm not pessimistic, either."

The censor board is still in business,
but on a "voluntary" basis only. Ey-
man said that Attorney General Wil-
liam O'Neill had interpreted the Ohio
Supreme Court's 5-2 decision which
declared censoring films "unlawful" as
removing the censors' power to re-
quire submission of films for censor-
ing prior to their exhibition.

Sees Constitutionality in Doubt

Eyman said that "it is quite clear
that the law has not been declared
unconstitutional nor void." He said
the board will accept and review films
voluntarily submitted it. Eyman added
that this policy will remain in effect
until the Legislature acts on the prob-
lem. He said that the $3 per reel fee
still applies to films voluntarily sub-
mitted, reviewed and approved.

VOL. 76. NO. 115

NEW YORK, U. S. A., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1954

TEN CENTS

Session Today

NY Exhibitors
To Meet to Map
Tax Strategy

May Frame Direct Plea
To Gov-Elect Harriman

By LESTER DINOFF

With the second payment of the five
per cent amusement tax about due,
New York City exhibitor leaders will
meet in a closed session this afternoon
at the Loew's Theatres home office to
discuss further strategic moves in the
current battle against the legality of
the local levy and the possibility, it
was learned, of carrying the issue di-
rectly to the governoi of New York
State.

High on the agenda of the meeting
will be a discussion concerning the
status of the five per cent tax appeal
now pending in the Appellate Divi-
sion. A decision from the Supreme
Court should be forthcoming before
the end of the year, according to
exhibitor attorneys who argued the
issues earlier this month.

Exhibitor leaders, following the
{Continued on page 5)

^Country Girl' Bows
In Sport Atmosphere

(Pictures on Page 4)

Champions of the sports world —
past and present — joined last night
with notables of the entertainment
field and a packed house at the Crite-
rion Theatre here to welcome Para-
mount's "The Country Girl" at its
world premiere.

Proceeds of the affair were donated
to the U. S. Olympic Fund to aid in
sending the American Olympic team
to the 1956 games which will be held
(Continued on page 4)

RKO Holding Final
Sales Meet in N.O.

NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 15.— J. R.
Grainger, president of RKO Radio
Pictures, will arrive here tomorrow
for the company's fourth and final
regional sales meeting after stopping
over in New York to attend a board
of directors meeting of RKO Radio
Pictures. Grainger also attended the
sales sessions held in Chicago, Mon-
day and Tuesday, concurrently with a
sales conference in New York.

Walter Branson, world-wide sales
(Continued on page 5)

$1 a Share Earnings
Seen for Disney
In Fiscal Year

Walt Disney Productions is ex-
pected to report earnings for the fiscal
year ended on Oct. 31 of close to $1
per share, an increase from the 79
cents a share reported for the same
1953 period, a company official was
c|uoted by the "Wall Street Journal"
yesterday.

The contributing factors in the in-
crease include some profits from the
hour-long weekly television program,
"Disneyland," a better box office and
sizeable revenues from the feature-
length true life adventure films, "The
Living Desert" and "The Vanishing
Praire," the Disney official said.

Buena Vista Advantage Seen

The Disney organization is also
reported as expecting a monetary
saving by distributing its product
through Buena Vista Distribution Co.
rather than through RKO Radio Pic-
tures, its former releasing agency.
First big pictures which Buena Vista
will distribute are "20,000 Leagues
Under the Sea" and "Lady and the
Tramp," the newspaper said.

The Disnev family holds about
355,000 of the' 652,000 common shares
of Walt Disney Productions outstand-
ing with the Atlas Corp. holding 100,-
000 shares and leaving a floating sup-
ply of about 200,000 shares, it was
reported.

Canadian Labor to
Act on Sunday Law

TORONTO, Dec. 15.— Organized
labor in Ontario is preparing to take
a stand on the Sunday observance
question in view of agitations for
easing of blue laws in various com-
munities. Some union leaders are op
posed to a change.

The controversial subject will comp
before the annual meeting of the
Ontario Federation of Labor, Jan.
14-16, at Niagara Falls, Ont., with thr
(Continued on page 5)

Ohio Exhibitors
In 'Star' Protest

COLUMBUS, O., Dec. 15. —
Warner Brothers' plan to re-
lease the cut version of "A' Star
Is Born" only to small towns
and subsequent runs was at-
tacked here by the board of di-
rectors of the Independent The-
atre Owners of Ohio. The board
sent a protest to Ben Kalmen-
son, Warners' sales chief, advis-
ing him that both the full and
cut versions should be made
available in the Cleveland and
Cincinnati territories so that ex-
hibitors could make their own
choice.

Schine Trial Gets
Books and Records

BUFFALO, Dec. 15— Books and
records of Schine Chain Theatres,
Inc., and a Florida corporation, Hil-
demart. Inc., were presented in the
contempt trial in Federal Court in
support of the Government's charge
that the Schine family controls the
defendant corporations.

Joseph E. McDowell, Justice De-
partment trial counsel, presented evi-
dence before Judge John Knight to
show that the Schine Family members
'•■eld the chief posts in both organiza-
tions and that stock in Hildemart was
issued to members of the Schine
family.

Testimony concerning the exhibits
was given by Florence D. Torrey,
assistant secretary-treasurer of Schine
Chain Theatres. One exhibit, the
1945 corporation report of Hildemart,
filed July S, 1945, in Florida, was
signed by J. M. Schine as president :
L. W. Schine, vice president, and T-
A. May as secretary-treasurer. J. M.
Schine and Hi'desard F. Schine are
lifted on the board of directors.

Minutes of the annual meeting of
the board of directors of Schine Thea-
tres, Inc.. on Feb. 13, 1950, gave the
(Continued on page 5)

Status Quo

Hughes Lets
Deadline on
Stock Pass

Atlas Informs Board of
'No Redemption' Intent

A decision not to extend RKO Pic-
tures stock redemption periods was
made here by the company's board of
directors as Howard Hughes, owner
of 1,262,120 shares, ignored his re-
demption deadline yesterday.

At the same time, president James
R. Grainger in a letter to stockholders
revealed that the management of Atlas
Corp., which claims to own or control
between 900,000 and 1,000,000 shares,
has advised RKO Pictures that its
stock will not be tendered for redemp-
tion at any time during the remainder
of the redemption period.

The redemption period of stock-
holders other than Hughes is at the
close of business on Dec. 31 and will
not be extended again, Grainger de-
clared.

The upshot of Hughes' failure to
act on the ofl^er to redeem his stock
at $6 per share and Atlas' declaration
that it, too, would not avail itself of
(Continued on page 5)

Elect Meyers Head
Of N.Y. Film Board

Fred Meyers of United Artists was
elected president of the New York
Film Board of Trade at a membership
meeting yesterday. Meyers succeeds
Lou Hollerhand of M-G-M who was
elected sergeant-at-arms.

Other officers elected were Joseph
Wohl, Republic, first vice-president;
Joe Sugar, United Artists, second
vice-president; Myron Sattler, Para-
mount, treasurer, and Saul Gottlieb,
M-G-M, secretary. Louis Nizer will
continue as attorney and executive
secretary.

Installation of officers will be held
in January.

Johnston to Spend
Holidays in Spokane

WASFIINGTON, Dec. 15. — Mo-
tion Picture Association of America
president Eric Johnston will leave
this week-end for Spokane, where he
will spend the Christmas holidays.

Johnston is expected back in Wash-
ington immediately after the first of
the year. He has no present plans to
visit Hollywood while in the West.

Slate More Cinerama Openings Abroad

Indication that the new Cinerama openings will be concen-
trated next year in the foreign field was offered here yesterday
by Lester B. Isaac, head of Stanley Warner's Cinerama theatre
operations.

Isaac, who is slated to leave today for Montreal, said that be-
sides the scheduled opening there of "This Is Cinerama" at the
Imperial Theatre on Dec. 27, Cinerama openings abroad are
planned for Tokyo after the first of the year and in the latter
part of January in Osaka, Japan. Negotiations, he continued, are
going on in Paris for a Cinerama theatre. Cinerama, he added is
now playing in London.

In the U. S., he explained, the onlv other scheduled opening
at present is in Buffalo by the end of February, although no the-
atre has been selected as yet. Currently, Cinerama is being played
in 13 U. S. cities.

Motion Picture Daily

Thursday, December 16, 1954

Personal
Mention

ALFRED E. DAFF, Universal
Pictures executive vice-president,
has left New York for Australia.
•

Paul Lazarus, Jr., Columbia Pic-
tures vice-president in charge of ad-
vertising and publicity, has returned
here from Europe.

•

Mike Nh'orff, chairman of the
board of Official Films, has arrived
here from London via B.O.A.C. Mon-
arch.

•

Ben Y. Cammacic, RKO Radio
Southwestern district manager, is the
father of a son born to Mrs. Cam-
mack this week in Dallas.

•

Jeff Livingston, Universal Pic-
tures Eastern advertising manager,
will leave New York tonight for Kan-
sas Cit}'.

•

Charles Levy, Walt Disney Pro-
ductions Eastern publicity director,
will leave New York today for Den-
ver.

Harry Cohn, president of Colum-
bia Pictures, has arrived in New
York from the Coast.

•

Chester Pickman, of the Para-
mount exchange in New Haven, will
leave there Saturday for Florida.
•

Leslie Oliver, of Technicolor, Ltd.,
of Great Britain, will leave New York
today for London via B.O.A.C.
•

Marty Wolf, Altec Service Corp.
assistant sales manager, has returned
to New York from Philadelphia.
•

Al Crown, president of Moulin
Prod., has returned to New York
from England.

•

Lawrence Lapidus, Stanley War-
ner booker, was in Albany, N. Y.,
from New Haven.

Hy Levine, Connecticut distributor,
has returned to New Haven from
Miami.

United Circuit Buys
Salem, Ore., House

SALEM, Ore., Dec. IS.— The Elsi-
nor Theatre, one of Oregon's pioneer
theatres, with a seating capacity of
2,000 and built some 30 years ago by
George B. Guthrie, has been pur-
chased by the United Theatres, Inc.,
headed by Al and William Forman.

It is reported the firm paid $175,000
for the house, considered to be one
of the finest in central Oregon. United
has operated the property since June,
1951, when a lease was purchased
from Warner Brothers.

United Theatres is also owner and
operator of the Grand and Capitol
Theatres in Salem, and also operates
two drive-ins, one north and the other
south of Salem. The firm also oper-
ates theatres in Portland, Seattle and
Bend, Ore.

'The Silver Chalice'
Premiere to Be Held
In Saranac Today

SARANAC LAKE, N. Y., Dec. 15.
— The two-day world premiere of
Warner Brothers' Cinema Scope pic-
ture, "The Silver Chalice," will begin
tomorrow with the arrival here of the
contingent of Hollywood stars who
made the cross-country trip especially
for the opening. The climax of the
affair will be the premiere showing
of the WarnerColor picture Friday
night at the Pontiac Theatre.

Saranac Lake's welcome to the
stars as they arrived on "The Silver
Chalice Premiere Special," via the
New York Central will be officially
extended by Mayor Alton B. Ander-
son, civic dignitaries and a committee
from the Chamber of Commerce.

Present for the premiere will be
Virginia Mayo and Jack Palance,
stars of "The Silver Chalice" ; Alan
Hale, Jr., Marian Carr, Ann Robin-
son, Gonzalez-Gonzalez and Nancy
and George O'Hanlon. Victor Sa-
ville, producer and director of the
picture, is a specially invited guest.
Heading the group is Art Linkletter.

20,000 Kids Guests
Of Conn. Theatres

HARTFORD, Dec. 15.— What may
be largest Christmas party of its kind
in the United States is slated for nine
New Haven theatres on Dec. 24, with
New Haven Savings Bank as host.

Some 20,000 youngsters will see the
same screen program, with screenings
at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Participating tlieatres : Westville,
Whalley, Howard and Pequot, all
New Haven ; Strand, Dixwell Play-
house and Whitney, Hamden ; Rivoli,
West Haven ; and Capitol, East
Haven.

Atkinson Republic
Dallas Manager

DALLAS, Dec. 15.— Claude Atkin-
son, formerly branch manager for
Republic Pictures in Oklahoma City,
has assumed duties as branch man-
ager of Republic here.

Atkinson succeeds John Hoolihan.

RKO Theatres Into
New Home Monday

RKO Theatres will move its home
office headquarters this weekend to
the 17th floor of the Mutual Life In-
surance Building, 1740 Broadway here
and will begin operations from there
on Monday.

'Mighty Fortress' to AA

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 15.— Allied
Artists today acquired "Mighty For-
tress," two-reeler based on evangelist
Billy Graham's career, for national
distribution.

Date 'Magoo' for Dec. 25

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 15.— "When
Magoo Flew," first United Produc-
tions of America cartoon short in
CinemaScope, goes into release by
Columbia Pictures on Dec. 25.

Name 4 Winners in
Ballantyne Contest

OMAHA, Dec. 15.— American The-
atre Supply Co., of Sioux Falls, S. D.,
took first place in the Ballantyne
Company's contest to determine which
dealer would sign the most business
for Ballantjaie stereophonic sound
equipment during the recent TESMA-
TEDA convention.

Second place went to the Dixie
Theatre Service, of Albany, Ga.

First prize money for drive-in thea-
tre equipment was taken by Perkins
Theatre Supply Co., of Buffalo, with
second place going to Veterans Elec-
trical Service Co., of Elkins, West
Va.

Legion Reviews 14;
Four in 'B; 10 in 'A'

Four pictures in Class B and 10 in
Class A comprise the latest listing of
the National Legion of Decency. The
four films in Class B are "Deep in
My Heart," "Target Earth," "Theo-
dora, Slave Empress" and "There's
No Business Like Show Business."

The 10 pictures in Class A are
divided, six in Section 2 and four in
Section 1. In Section 2 are "The
Beachcomber," "Bridges at Toko-Ri,"
"Day of Triumph," "Gate of Hell,"
"Tonight's the Night" and "The Vio-
lent Men."

In Class A, Section 1, are "Abbott
and Costello Meet the Keystone
Cops," "Hunters of the Deep," "Rem-
brandt" and "Snow Creature."

Geo. Jessel to M.C.
Phila. MP A Dinner

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. IS. —
George Jessel will be toastmaster of
the Motion Picture Associates dinner
on Jan. 18, at the Bellevue-Stratford
Hotel here.

The dinner, honoring the indus-
try's pioneers, will be held in conjunc-
tion with the dedication of the Nick-
elodeon at the Franklin Institute.
Sponsored by William Goldman, Phil-
adelphia motion picture executive, the
Nickelodeon is planned as a "shrine
to the motion picture industry."

Proceeds of the $25-a-plate dinner
will go to the welfare committee of
the MPA.

Filmack TV Dept.

CHICAGO, Dec. 15.— Irving Mack,
president of Filmack Studios, an-
nounced that his company is opening
a television department in its New
York City plant. Mack said this latest
expansion to his company's operations
will help meet demands of Eastern
advertising agencies. The new depart-
ment will provide complete produc-
tion service for all types of TV com-
mercials, slides and industrial films.

'Show' Premiere Tonight

In conjunction with the Actor's
Fund of America and six allied
groups, 20th Century-Fox Cinema-
Scope production of Irving Berlin's
"There's No Business Like Show
Business" will have its world pre-
miere at the Roxy Theatre here to-
night with scores of industry leaders
and celebrities in attendance.

News
Roundup

Warner Corp. Moves

The Stanley Warner Corp., now lo-
cated at 321 West 44th St., will move
its offices on Monday to 1S8S Broad-
way.

Holiday Ruled Out

Canadian exhibitors received a blow
when Boxing Day, the day after
Christmas, was declared to be not a
statutory holiday but a matter of mu-
nicipal observance. The extra day,
which in the past has meant big busi-
ness for theatres, will not be a holiday
for federal employees, the Canadian
cabinet ruled. However, many munici-
palities are requesting stores, offices
and industries to close.

V.C. Aids Sanitarium

The Variety Club of Chicago has
turned over a check totaling more
than $70,000 to LaRabida Sanitarium.
Together with the women's auxiliary,
Variety Club members contributed
$105,803, of which $24,000 goes to the
sanitarium's Willie Shore Research
Laboratory.

New Film Magazine

Film Culture, a magazine aimed at
advancing a deeper understanding of
the social and aesthetic aspects of the
cinema, is now on sale at newsstands
and bookstores. Jonas Mekas is editor-
in-chief of the publication.

U.S. Films Lead

The Mexican National Cinemato-
graphic Board reports that Hollywood
contributed 202 of the 333 pictures
exhibited there this year. Other films
shown during the period ending Nov.
30 included 76 Mexican, 28 French,
27 Italian, 13 Spanish, three each from
England and Germany, and two each
from Argentina, Cuba and Russia.

■

Harris, EPI Merger

Jack H. Harris, vice-president and
general sales manager of Exploitation
Productions, Inc., has merged his
Philadelphia exchange territory dis-
tributing company. Jack H. Harris
Productions, with the national organi-
zation. Henceforth EPI will distrib-
ute product in the Philadelphia area
as well as exchange territories.

Drive-In Season Ends

Open air theatres in the Fall River,
Mass., area have closed after the long-
est season experienced in many years.
The theatres, which usually end their
presentations in early November, are
the Seekonk Drive-In, the Westport
Drive-In, the Dartmouth Auto The-
atre and the Somerset Drive-In.

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke.
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald ; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

MOVE OVER

FOR

Those Translux showmen who kept LMi'*
for 2 years in New York have picked another
sweetheart of a hit for their next long run affair!

Toid^$ the m^i

ROBERT URQUHART-A. E. MATTHEWS- ANTHONY NICHOLLS- MICHAEL SHEPLEY

A MARIO ZAMPI Production • Produced and Directedjy MARIO ZAMPI
Onginal Story and Screenplay by JACK DAVIES and MICHAEL PERTWEE ;:

COLOR

"ALLIED ARTISTS has one of the funniest pictures of the season!" "Se^

Motion Picture Daily

Thursday, December 16, 1954

Olympic Fund Aided as 'Country GirV Opens

Notables from the business and entertainment world, as well
as many former Olympic Games champions were among the more
than 1,600 persons attending the premiere of "The Country Girl,"
held here last night at the Criterion Theatre. Radio and news-
paper coverage was accorded the opening of the Perlberg-Seaton
production for Paramount, which stars Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly
and William Holden. Seen above ;n the lobby of the Criterion
are, left to right, first photo: Richmond Landon, 1920 Olympic

high jump champion ; his wife, who was Alice Lord, 1920 Olympic
swimming star; Charles J. Bacon, president of the New York
chapter, J. S. Olympians, and James A. Leftwich, vice-president
of that organization. Second photo : Larry Morris, Criterion
g,eneral manager. Miss Kelly and Charles B. Moss, executive
director of the B. S. Moss Circuit. Third photo: "Johnny" Hayes,
vi^inner of the marathon at the 1908 Olympiad ; his daughter,
Doris ; Mrs. Andy Stanfield and Stanfield, 1952 Olympic champion.

Federal Regulation
Hit by Sehoeppel in
Letter to SCTOA

(Continued from page 1)

From THE DAILY Bureau,

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15. — The
proposed Federal regulation of the
motion picture industry was scored on
Dec. 13 by Sen. Andrew F. Sehoeppel,
■(R., Kans.), chairman of the Senate
Small Business Subcommittee in a
letter to Albert Hanson, chairman of
the trade relations committee of the
Southern CaHfornia Theatre Owners
Association.

Hanson had written Senator
Sehoeppel on Oct. 15 and the letter
was forwarded to the legislator in
Kansas. Sehoeppel deferred his an-
swer to Hanson until his return to
Washington.

Senator Sehoeppel wrote that if he
were an exhibitor he "would think
a long time before I would tn-ge
government regulation of my busi-
ness." He would not want the gov-
ernment, he said, to tell him what
price lie could charge at the box-
office, what return he could get on
his investment, nor would he want
"bureaucrats drawing up schedules
telling me what pictures I could play,
for how long and when." Govern-
ment regulation, he went on to say,
would not cure the product shortage,
"unless you also expect the govern-
ment to enter into or subsidize picture
production." He emphasized, however,

SCTOA Awaiting
Receipt of Letter

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 15. —
Officials of the Southern Cali-
fornia Theatre Owners Asso-
ciation, questioned here today
regarding the letter of Sen.
Andrew Sehoeppel to that or-
f;anization, stated that such
communication has not yet
been received and that no com-
ment can be made unless and
until the text of the letter itself
can be studied.

in Melbourne, Australia. A check for
this purpose was presented to Col. Ed-
ward P. F. Eagan, chairman of the
National Olympic Finance Committee,
by Thomas J. Watson and Bernard
Gimbel.

Telegrams were received from John
Foster Dulles, U. S. Secretary of
State, and Charles F. Wilson, Secre-
tary of Defense.

Among the sports champions of to-

day and yesterday who attended were
Buster Crabbe, Dick Button, Gertrude
Ederle, Johnny Hayes, Eleanor Holm,
Alice Lord, Dick Landon, John B.
Kellj^ Sr., father of Grace Kelly, who
stars in the film, and an Olympic
sculling champion of 1920 ; John B.
Kelly, Jr., brother of Grace and pres-
ent day Diamond Sculls champion,
and Charles J. Bacon, president of
United States Olympians.

that he would not approve of the gov-
ernment "subsidizing an information
and entertainment medium."

Sehoeppel reaffirmed his belief that
an effective arbitration system is the
best solution for industry problems,
but that such a system should not
cover arbitration of film rentals. He
added, however, if film rentals are
excluded from arbitration, "the rela-
tionships growing out of arbitra-
tion eventually wiW lend themselves to
more equitable adjustment of even
film rentals in those circumstances
where fairness and -equity suggest that
adjustments should be made."

Charges 'Misstatements'

Most of the Senator's letter was
devoted to a blistering criticism of
Hanson's letter. Sehoeppel accused
Hanson of making "actual misstate-
ments of facts and half-truths" and
slapped at Hanson for suggesting
"that tlie committee took a fixed posi-
tion inimical to exhibitors before he
heard testimony."

In his letter, Hanson had described
business conditions under which he
operates as "unAmerican and illegal."
Schoeppel's answer was that "such
words have a sinister connotation and
are frequently used by rabble-rousers
when invective must be used instead
of fact because there are no facts."
The industry is operating under a
court decree, Sehoeppel said. "Do
you expect those operating under the
decree to violate it and set up a pro-
hibitive practice?" he asked.

Sehoeppel admitted the possibility
that the consent decrees might not
have worked out to the exhibitors'
advantage but said that the testimony
of the Justice Department during the
subcommittee's 1953 hearings indicated
there is no way to modify only those

portions of the decrees which exhibi-
tors feel are harmful to them. He was
"loath to believe," Sehoeppel said,
that justice was not "doing its duty
in carrying out its proper legal re-
sponsibility under the court's decree."

The Senator declared "it was an
oversimplification of a complex prob-
lem" to charge that the exhibitors'
problems are the result of a monopoly
by producers. The charge of monopoly,
lie said, has "never been substantiated
by competent witnesses and relevant
facts." So far as the product shortage
is concerned, Sehoeppel said, there is
no way in which the government can
compel a manufacturer to make more
product than he finds it feasible or
desirable to make.

Sehoeppel concluded by saying that
the subcommittee is ready at all times
to aid the legitimate problems of any
small business. It will not lend itself,
however, "to being m.ade a catspaw
pressure agency for anyone," he said.

People

Managers Shifted
In Shea Circuit

Al Foley will take over the man-
agement of the Lawler Theatre,
Greenfield, Mass., in January, it was
announced by Gerald Shea, president
and generfl manager of Shea Enter-
prises. He is at present assistant to
Ed Fahey in the circuit's Manchester,
N. H., operation.

Ed Mason, who has served at Shea
theatres in Ohio, Massachusetts and
Pennsylvania, has been appointed as-
sistant to Fenton Scribner in Man-
chester.

Shea also announced the transfer of
Bill Kibrige, now manager at Am-
herst, Mass., to Westfield, Mass.,
to manage Shea's Park theatre.

Mrs. J. E. Kenning has been
elected president of Women of the
Variety Club, Tent 32, in San Fran-
cisco for the coming year. Other
elected officers are: first vice-presi-
dent, Mrs. Jesse Levin; second vice-
president, Mrs. Bernie Mannheimer;
recording secretary, Mrs. John Par-
sons, corresponding secretary; Mrs.
J. Leslie Jacobs; treasurer, Mrs. Al
Brubstick; and historian, Mrs. Mon-
roe Belling.

Win Crawford has been named
assistant manager of E. M. Loew's
Theatres, Hartford.

Lee Hofheimer will leave Colum-
bus to go into theatre business in
his native Norfolk, Va. Hofheimer
was formerly a partner in H & S
Theatres and general executive for
the Miles circuit.

Dave Prince has returned to his
office after being out with a heart
attack for several months. Prince is
southern district manager for RKO
Radio Pictures in Atlanta.

John Lawson has purchased the
New Theatre, Palatka, Fla., from
its owner, H. A. Dale of Lake But-
ler, Fla.

Jack Kirsch, president of .Allied
Theatres of Illinois, will act as
chairman of Cook County Theatre
Week for the 1955 March of Dimes.

Theodore V. Quinlivan has been
appointed director and counsel of
the Theatre Managers, Inc., which
operates the extensive Western
Mass. Theatres, Inc. Quinlivan re-
places J. Albin Anderson, who has
moved to Colorado.

Thursday, December 16, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Tax Fight

(C ontimicd from page 1)

Atlas stockholders recently that he
hoped to reach an agreement with
Hughes before the Dec. 31 deadline.
Odium told Atlas stockholders that
the inactive RKO Pictures company
has cash and a capital-loss-carry-
forvvard and that "it should get or-
ganized to make profits to offset these
losses because time is running."

Clarified by Grainger

Grainger, reporting on the Tuesday
night meeting of RI'CO Pictures board,
emphasized the following to stock-
holders : "No stockholder is required
to tender his shares for redemption,
and any stockholder may refrain from
doing so. If he does not tender his
stock, he will continue after the ex-
piration of the redemption period to
be a stockholder, having his pro rata
interest in the holdings and affairs of
the company."

There are still outstanding, regis-
tered in the names of about 4,500 per-

sons, between 700,000 and 800,000
shares of stock, exclusive of the stock
owned by Hughes and Atlas Corp.
and its associates, Grainger added.
"Your management makes no recom-
mendations whatever as to whether
stockholders should or should not ten-
der their stock for redemption prior
to the expiration of the redemption
period," Grainger concluded.

Active in Wall Street

Despite the apparent stalemate in
the status of the stock, RIvO Pictures
shares ciantinucd to hold the interest
of speculators on the New York Stock
Exchange yesterday for the second
consecutive day. There were nearly
30,000 shares traded, with the closing
up Yi to 8^, a new high for the year
and $2.25 per share more than the $6
which the company will pay to holders
other than Hughes who surrender
their shares in the period between now
and Dec. 31.

election of Averill Harriman as
L^emocratic governor of the state, have
felt that possible relief from the New
York City levy, which is being fought
on the grounds that it exceeds the five
])er cent authorized under the State
Enabling" Act of 1947, may be forth-
coming as tile cit}' may possibly se-
cure more financial assistance from
the new state administration and re-
sult in a number of taxes, now in
effect, to be revised or eliminated.

Repeal Seen Unlikely

Some time ago, the local theatremen
had planned to ask the state legisla-
ture at its next session to amend or
repeal the Enabling Act which allows
municipalities to enact taxation as the
amusement levy. Now, it appears to
some exhibitors that while the new
administration would not be likely to
repeal the 1947 legislation, it would
be more likely inclined than the pres-
ent administration to give the city
some of the increased financial assist-
ance it had been requesting.

If this were done, some industry
observers feel, the need for the ad-
missions tax might be removed and
the city might repeal or end it volun-
tarily. In this connection, it is re-
called that Mayor Robert F. Wagner
allegedly attempted to place the re-
sponsibility for the city ticket tax di-
rectly on the state government last
spring, on the grounds that refusal of
state fiscal aid for the city forced the
latter to adopt such measures as the
nuisance tax.

These observers remarked that if
the new state administration now
grants more fiscal aid to New York
City, the sincerity of Wagner's state-
ments of last spring would be put to
the acid test.

Direct Appeal Expected

At today's exhibitor meeting, it is
expected that some sort of direct ap-
peal to Governor-elect Harriman may
be framed as the current tax suit
could possibly reach the Court of Ap-
peals in Albany, pending, naturally,
the Appellate Division's decision.

In the meantime, reports on the
second tax payment which covers Sep-
tember, October, and November, indi-
cate to high exhibitor officials that the
yearly tax return as estimated by the
City Budget Director earlier this year,
would be far less than expected. The
first tax payment on Sept. 20, which
was collected from all sources of
amusement revenue, totaled $1,291,949.
The 436 local theatres contributed
about $750,000 for the July and
August period of the total tax col-
lected, mainly due to the peak sum-
mer business attained here.

Canada Labor

{Continued from page 1)

introduction of a resolution of the
Ottawa and District Trades and Labor
Council which opposes any "meddling"
with Sunday restrictions.

Unions of projectionists and stage
employes are members of the Ottawa
Council while prominent in the affairs
of the provincial Federation is Hugh
J. Sedgwick, a Hamilton, Ont., pro-
jectionist who is the International
vice-president for Canada of the
lATSE and also a director of the
Canadian Picture Pioneers. His pre-
decessor in office, the late William
Covert, took an active stand against
the open Sunday.

(Continued from page 1)

the offer leaves everything in status
quo with RKO Pictures, a shell of a
corporation whose only assets consist
of cash, stalemated in its efforts to
redeem the major portion of its stock.

Grainger, reporting on the com-
pany's activities since the sale of RKO
Radio Pictures, the operating com-
pany, to Hughes, for $23,489,478 last
March, said a total of 952,987 shares
of the stock of RKO Pictures had
been tendered by stockholders and had
been redeemed up to the close of busi-
ness on Tuesday.

Considered by Odium

Grainger in his stockholders letter
estimated the company's capital-loss-
carry-forward as much as $30,000,000
under the recently enacted new Fed-
eral tax code. This capital-loss-carry-
forward was referred to by Atlas
president Floyd Odium when he told

WB to Distribute
Hall Bartlett Film

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 15.— Comple-
tion of a deal for world-wide presenta-
tion by Warner Brothers of Hall Bar-
tlett Productions' "Unchained," is
announced. The picture, starring El-
roy Hirsch, Barbara Hale, Chester
Morris and Tim Considine and intro-
ducing Todd Duncan, has as its back-
ground California's prison without
bars, officially the Institution for Men
at Chino.

"Unchained'' was filmed in its en-
tirety at the Chino Institution, with
the sanction of Richard A. McGee,
director of the state's Department of
Corrections and with most of Chino's
1,500 inmates participating in the ac-
tion.

Hargrove Service
Control to Dale

Dale System, Inc., nationwide busi-
ness research organization, has ac-
quired control of the Hargroves Na-
tional Service System, Inc., which
functions as a testing service for
honesty and efficiency in the motion
picture theatre field, it is announced
by Earle E. Gold, executive vice-presi-
dent of Dale.

The Hargroves organization, headed
by Mrs. Florence Groves, will now
operate as the Hargroves Theatre
Division of Dale System, Inc. No
changes in personnel or operating
methods are planned at this time. Gold
stated.

Burton Finishes 1st
Of Three Pictures

Paul Burton-Mercur, film writer
and producer, has completed his first
full-length film, "Dark Violence," for
Burton Picture Productions, Inc.,
which he organized a year ago to pro-
duce three motion pictures annually.

Scheduled productions for 1955 are
"Moon Gate," a story dealing with an
American medical missionary in
China; "Lucrezia," a psychological
musical tragedy to be filmed in Italy ;
and "Tanya," a dramatic comedy.

3 From UA in Jan.

"Black Tuesday," "The Beach-
comber" and "Battle Taxi" have been
set by United Artists for national dis-
tribution in January.

¥/estrex Closes 13
License Agreements

E. S. Gregg, president of Westrex
Corp., announces that 13 new motion
picture recording and disk license
agreements have been completed re-
cently with studios in the United
States, Japan, England, Italy and
Hong Kong.

The studios which have installed the
Westrex studio recording" equipment
are : Yokohama Cinema Corporation,
Yokohama, Japan ; Magna Theatre
Corp., Nevi' York ; Leevers-Rich &
Co., Ltd., London ; Color Reproduc-
tion Co., Hollywood ; Gr. Cr. Rag.
Vincenzo Cardi, Rome; Carlos C.
Rivas, Hollywood ; Beeland-King
Productions, Atlanta ; Information
Productions, Inc., New York ; Osaka
Sangyo K. K., Osaka, Japan; Lan-
glois Filmusic, Inc., New York; and
Asia Pictures, Ltd., Hong Kong.

Burford & Rose, Ltd., London, and
Electric & Musical Industries, Hayes,
Middlesex, are the new disk record-
ing" licensees.

Silliphant, Barnwell
To Make 'Huk' in P, L

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 15.— Stirling
Silliphant and John Barnwell, who
have just completed production of the
Guy iVfadison-Kim Novak starrer
"5 Against the House" for Columbia,
will leave early in January for Manila
to finalize plans for producing "Huk 1"
a modern love story with the cur-
rent Philippino guerrilla warfare as
a background.

Production, to be in color and wide-
screen, is scheduled for a mid-March
start, with Hollywood talent to be
used in all principle roles. Negotia-
tions for release of the film are now
in progress.

Name Gookin Liaison
Between RCA, AAF

Frank M. Gookin, veteran theatre
service engineer for RCA in New
England, and a well known figure in
the industry in that area, has been
promoted to another field with RCA.
He will serve in its government oper-
ations division as liaison between that
company and the Air Corps with
headquarters at Andrews Air Base,
Washington.

S chine Trial

(Continued front page 1)

names of J. Myer Schine, president;
Louis W. Schine, secretary-treasurer,
and John A. May, Comptroller as
among officers elected.

Minutes of a special meeting of the
corporation's board of directors on
Nov. 3, 1952, reported the election of
G. David Schine and Donald G. Schine
as vice presidents. G. David Schine
is the former investigator for the
McCarthy Committee.

Asked where Hildemart has its
principal offices, Miss Torrey said she
didn't know, except that for purposes
of tax returns the address is 40 Main
St., Gloversville, N. Y. That is the
address of the Schine Chain Theatres,
Inc., headquarters.

RKO Sales Meeting

(Continued from page 1)

manager, will preside at the confer-
ence at the Jung- Hotel here.

Sales personnel from the field who
are attending include : Ben Y. Cam-
mack, Southwestern district manager ;
Dave Prince, Southeastern district
manager ; S. M. Sachs, Dallas ; R. V.
Reagin, Memphis ; R. B. Williams,
Oklahoma City ; R. C. Price, Jack-
sonville; I. P. Stone, Atlanta; R. F.
Branon, Charlotte, and J. R. La-
mantia. New Orleans.

Lancaster to Direct 2nd

Burt Lancaster, who recently com-
pleted his first motion picture direct-
ing effort with "The Kentuckian,"
will direct a second film, "Until They
Sail," based on a James A. Michener
story of New Zealand in World War
II and the effect on the island of the
departure of the young male popula-
tion.

The film will be a Hecht-Lancaster
production for United Artists release.

YOU CAN ALWAYS DEPEND ON

FOR THE REST !

SPECIALS
TRAILERS

TODAY

STRANGER

America's
#1 Best-
Seller!

with one of the greatest all star casts of recent years

Olivia DeHavilland • Robert Mitchum • Frank Sinatra
Gloria Grahame • Broderick Crawford • Charles Bickford

Directed by Stanley Kramer

)jective: To outgross his last boxoffice blockbuster/'The Caine Mutiny'

The Ne
That
Is News

MOTION PICTURE

DAILY

VOL. 76. NO. 116

NEW YORK, U.S.A., FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1954

TEN CENTS

Statistical Move

Sindlinger to
Probe Effects
Of Theatre Tax

Exhibitors to Contribute
Data to Offset Claims

Market analyst Albert E. Sindlinger
has been retained by New York City
exhibitors to gather statistics reflect-
ing the efl:ect of the city's five per
cent amusement tax on theatres since
the inception of the local levy, it was
announced yesterday following an ex-
hibitor meeting at Loew's Theatres
home office.

Some 75 theatremen, after discus-
sions concerning future strategy in the
current battle against the levy on tick-
et admissions, engaged Sindlinger in
order to "discredit" the tax estimates
expected at the end of a year's time
by the City Budget Director, it was
said.

All New York City theatres, inde-
pendently or circuit operated, will be
(Continued on page 5)

No Supreme Court
Hearings on Pending
Cases Until Feb.

From THE DAILY Bureau

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16. — The
Supreme Court will not hear argu-
ment on any pending cases before
February, court officials revealed.

The court is deferring argument for
the time being in hopes of having a
full bench early next year. The Senate
did not act at its special session on
President Eisenhower's nomination of
Circuit Court Justice Harlan to fill
the vacancy created by the death of
Justice Jackson.

Awaiting argument are two cases
involving the film industry : one, an
{Continued on page 5)

N.O. Area Exhibitors
Guests of RKO

NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 16.— Fifty-
three exhibitors from this area joined
RKO's Southern division sales per-
sonnel at a screening of Howard
Hughes' Superscope-Technicolor pro-
duction, "Underwater !," today at the
Saenger Theatre here as the company
began its final regional sales meeting.

J. R. Grainger, president of RKO
Radio Pictures, hosted the theatremen
{Continued on page 5)

1955 Forecast

See Allied^s Continued Use
OfEDC on Trade Grievances

Continued, if not heightened activity, of Allied's Emergency Defense
Committee in 1955 was forecast here yesterday by an Allied official.
The Allied spokesman, choosing to remain anonymous, expressed a

good degree of satisfaction with some

Work on Improving
'Scope Continues

Continued work on improving the
quality of CinemaScope was reported
yesterday by Earl I. Sponable, 20th
Century-Fox research director, who
returned here from a trip to the Coast.

Sponable, queried as to the nature
of the improvements, said it was too
early to announce them now, but indi-
cated that they concerned progressive
steps in the taking lenses.

Regarding Eidophor, 20th-Fox's
color theatre TV system, Sponable
said the company is "close" to per-
fecting the prototype model which is
to be manufactured by General Elec-
tric. Plans for utilization of the Eido-
phor equipment are expected to be
announced when Spyros P. Skouras,
president, returns from Europe at the

of the results of Allied EDC meetings
with individual producing-distributing
film companies. In some instances he
indicated that a change of policy has
resulted even in companies claimed to
be most hostile to the committee,
namely Warner Brothers and Co-
lumbia.

It was evident from his outline of
the committee's activities that Allied
puts a good deal of stock in its work,
eschewing arbitration in favor of
grappling with film rental issues and
other trade practices which Allied
feels more imjportant to small exhibi-
tors.

Acting as the on-the-scene spokes-
men for the EDC committee, it was
pointed out, are Irving Dollinger and
Wilbur Snaper, with visiting Allied
leaders making themselves available
for conferences with individual com-
panies.

What was adopted as an emergency
measure, it was pointed out, may be

end of this month.

Questioned on the possibility of hav- | come an enduring vehicle for Allied to
(Continued on page 5) air its trade grievances.

The Silver Chalice

[Warner Bro fliers]

(CinemaScope) HoUyzvood, Dec 16

VICTOR SAVILLE'S CinemaScope production will find audiences
charmed by its unusual and meticulous splendor, the natural qual-
ity of its color, its detailed richness, the spic and span effect of
its costumes and the Biblical settings. It truly is an art director's dream.

It was a righteous effort to attempt the screen treatment of the novel
to draw attention to the nearly 2,000 years that have passed since The
Prince of Peace effected a "Christian conscience" that has yet to pene-
trate some existing groups of uncivilized infidels, who may be compared
to the ancient Roman rulers.

Pier Angeli owes much to director Saville for affording her a full-
rein opportunity to display a warm, beautiful personality that gives
the film much of its reverential quality and reveals the potential of her
looming career. Jack Palance as Simon, magician, victimized by the
belief that he is possessed of supernatural powers, and Virginia Mayo,
a former slave girl who turns into a gold-digging opportunist as

(Continued on page 2)

"Show Business" Given N. Y. Premiere

20th Century-Fox's CinemaScope production, "There's
No Business Like Show Business," was presented at the
Roxy theatre last night in a gala premiere attended by
many celebrities. Details and pictures on pages 4 and 5.

At Next Meeting

Map Financing
Program for
Anti-Toll-TV

Expect All Organizations
To Contribute to Drive

The dimensions of the anti-toll TV
campaign and how it will be financed
will be the major topics of the next
meeting of the joint exhibitors toll
TV committee, slated to be held
shortly after the first of the year, it
was learned here yesterday from
sources close to the committee.

One source expressed assurance that
exhibitor organizations will contribute
the financing for, as he put it, the
"life of the motion picture theatre is
at stake." In addition to Theatre
Owners of America and Allied States
Association, the committee spokesman
was quick to point out there are other
organizations such as Metropolitan
Motion Picture Theatres Association
and Independent Theatre Owners As-
sociation, both of New York, which
have a vital stake in the upcoming
battle.

Another source, . which is felt of
{Continued on page 6)

New Company Plans
15% Distribution
Fee to Producers

A new releasing organization de-
signed to handle independent product
on the basis of a distribution charge
of 15 per cent is in the process of for-
mation by Sam Nathanson, president
of Gibraltar Motion Picture Distribu-
tors, Inc. Nathanson, currently in
New York from the Coast, said the
setup would be available, at the outset
at least, only to independent producers
who make one or two pictures a year.

Under the new company's format,
(Continued on page 6)

Deny Schine Chain
Bought Hildemart

BUFFALO, Dec. 16.— Payments
totalling $90,000 for purchase of
Hildemart Corp. stock for wives anJ
children of the Schine brothers did not
come from the Schine Theatres, Inc.,
a witness asserted in the Federal
Court contempt action against the
chain and 14 other defendants.

Mrs. Florence D. Torrey, assistant
(Continued on page 6)

MOTION Picture Daily

Friday, December 17, 1954

"The Silver Chalice''

(Continued from page 1)

Simon's assistant, offer intriguing portrayals to fill their name requirements.

Offsetting the costly production values is an over-lengthy screen adapta-
tion of Thomas Costain's best seller that could have been trimmed to
eliminate the aura of a religious soap opera. The diffused story line provides
Saville's directorial prowess with vignette-laden opportunities to appeal to
ecclesiastical tastes.

Lesser Samuels' screenplay also serves as an introductory vehicle for Paul
Newman, who makes the most of his rudderless role, as Basil, the highly
skilled silversmith from Antioch, commissioned by Luke, one of the Apostles,
to fashion the silver chalice that would hold the cup used by Christ at the
Last Supper. It further deals with the struggle by Christians to protect the
cup from a group of revolutionists who have chosen Simon to destroy the holy
object and to display feats of magic that would overshadow the miracles
performed by Christ, thereby establishing Simon as a holier leader to follow
in liberating themselves from the Roman yoke.

Basil fulfills his agreement to finish the chalice after acquainting himself
with Peter and learning more of Christian principles, which enables him to
produce a "faithful" reproduction of The Lord's face.

In a special performance by Nero and a vast assemblage in Rome, Simon's
boast that he has the power to fly results in a fatal leap from a 200-foot
tower. This erring display causes an uprising during which the cup is stolen
in a riotous looting of homes.

Basil acknowledges his true love for Pier Angeli, granddaughter of Joseph
of Arimathea, (notably characterized by Walter Hampden), over the cun-
ning of Virginia Mayo. As they set sail to return to Antioch, Peter bids
them farewell with the hope that one day the cup would be recovered when
"the meek shall inherit the earth," and, with a forecast that there would come
a time when men would be able to f\y and put this ability to more useful
advantage.

The unique production was designed by Rolf Gerard, with excellent art
direction by Boris Leven. William V. Skall applied his camera skill to make
this an eye-appealing creation.

Running time, 131 minutes. General audience classification. Release in
Feb. 1955.

SAMUEL D. BERNS

Personal
Mention

J OOP GEESINK, president of
Holland's Bollywood Studios, ar-
rived in New York yesterday from
Amsterdam.

•

Joseph Harper and Mrs. Harper,
who is the daughter of Cecil B. De-
MiLLE, arrived in New York from
Europe this week, and will leave for
Hollywood today, accompanied by
their children.

•

Carl ScHAEyER, foreign publicity
head at Warner Brothers Burbank
studio, who arrived in New York this
week from Europe, will return to the
Coast over the weekend.

•

Robert F. Blumofe, United Artists
vice-president in charge_ of West
Coast operations, will arrive in New
York on Monday from Hollywood.
•

Robert Clark, Associated British
Picture Corp. production chief, re-
turned to New York from the Coast,
en route back to London.

Rod MiLUNGTOisr, correspondent for
the London "Spotlight," is scheduled
to arrive here today from Britain via
B.O.A.C. Monarch.

Jerry Pickman", Paramount vice-
president, will leave here today for
the Coast, returning around the mid-
dle of next week.

Ed Berkson, treasurer of Screen-
craft Pictures, is recovering from
surgery and will return to his duties
next week.

Olivia De Havilland will arrive
in New York Sunday from Holly-
wood and will leave later in the week
for Paris.

Ben Goetz, chairman of M-G-M
Pictures, Ltd., London, will leave
New York for the Coast over the
weekend.

Elizabetpi Taylor and Michael
Wilding will leave here tomorrow for
London via B.O.A.C.

•

William De Mello, manager in
Cuba for Westrex Company, Carib-
bean, has returned to Havana from
New York.

J. J. Cohen, M-G-M studio execu-
tive, is scheduled to arrive here from
the Coast on Dec. 29.

John P. Byrne, M-G-M Eastern
sales manager, will return to New
York today from Philadelphia.

Henry Fonda has arrived here
from the Coast to spend the holidays
with his family.

Bob Hope returned to Hollywood
last night from New York.

Richard Todd will leave here Sun-
day for London via B.O.A.C.

NLRB Drops Labor
Petition in Florida

MIAMI BEACH, Dec. 16. — A
petition filed by the United Transport
Workers of America which sought to
represent the employees at the Beach
Theatre here, one of 11 Florida houses
owned and operated by Paramount
Enterprises and managed by Florida
State Theatres, has been dismissed by
the National Labor Relations Board.

In dismissing the petition, the
NLRB concluded: "Inasmuch as the
management of these theatres is es-
sentially a local operation, and there
is no showing in the record of opera-
tional integration between the opera-
tion of local theatres and the opera-
tions of the parent corporation, we
believe that it will not effectuate the
policies of the Act to assert jurisdic-
tion in this case."

Anti-Trust Suit Filed
By Wheeling Theatre

WHEELING, West Va., Dec. 16.
— Publix Wheeling Theatre Corp.,
operator of the Rex Theatre here,
has filed suit in U. S. Circuit Court
charging the owners of three Wheel-
ing theatres with violation of the
anti-trust laws by "conspiring" to
force the Rex to close its doors.

The theatres named in the action
are Capitol, Court and Victoria, all
of this city. The defendants are
Wheeling Theatres, Inc., West Vir-
ginia Theatrical Enterprises, Inc., the
Victoria Amusement Co., all of
Wheeling ; Genessee Theatrical En-
terprises and Dipson Theatres, of
Batavia, N. Y. ; Nikitas Dipson, of
New York, and Thomas Callas, of
Wheeling.

AMPA Christmas
Party Near SRO

Reservations for tickets and tables
for AMPA's 38th annual Christmas
Party at the Piccadilly Hotel here on
Dec. 21 are pouring in from film com-
panies and organizations doing busi-
ness with the film companies, it was
reported yesterday.

Dave Bader, AMPA president,
urges all members and their guests to
make reservations now, as it is ex-
pected the SRO sign will go up on
Monday for the affair on Tuesday,
at which Martin Starr, former presi-
dent and veteran publicist, will be
master of ceremonies.

Phila. Zoning Board
Rejects Drive-in Bid

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 16.— The
Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjust-
ment has turned down a request by
A. Mellis, theatre operator, to build a
$500,000 l,SOO-car drive-in theatre on
a 20-acre site on the West side of
Roosevelt Boulevard at Byberry Road.

Both the Chamber of Commerce of
Greater Philadelphia and the Phila-
delphia Commerce Department op-
posed the plan on the grounds that it
would "waste some of the city's al-
ready meager supply of industrial
land."

In ASCAP Post

J. M. Collins, ASCAP sales man-
ager, announced the appointment of
Howard Connors as a member of the
radio and television station relations
division. He will make his headquar-
ters in Atlanta and will cover Georgia,
Florida, Alabama and Mississippi.

News
Roundup

Philatelists Nominate

The Cinema Stamp Collectors slate
of officers for 1955, nominated this
week by the executive committee of
the organization, named Leon J. Bam-
oerger for president ; Jack Levy, first
vice-president ; Elias Sandburg, second
vice-president ; Seymour Glassner,
third vice-president ; Sid Weiner,
treasurer; James Harvey, recording
secretary; Alilton Zucker, correspond-
ing secretary ; Herman Seltzer, ser-
geant at arms and Jack Hoffberg
chairman of the executive committee.

A CSC Christmas Party will be
held on Wednesday at Rossoff's Res-
taurant, to be followed by a dinner at
the Sheraton Astor Hotel.

Perspecta in Paris, Rome

Perspecta Stereophonic Sound re-
cording equipment is now installed in
M-G-M's Paris and Rome studios.
The M-G-M Berlin and Barcelona
studios will be similarly equipped
soon. An agreement has just been
signed licensing the Paris studio of
the Compagnie Generale d'Energie
Radio-Electrique to handle Perspecta
recordings. When the deal is closed
with RCA-International, there will be
six studios in Europe with facilities
open to outside producers to add
stereophonic sound to their films.

Plan S.F. Theatre Parties

Theatre Owners of Northern Cali-
fornia is holding its annual pre-holiday
Christmas parties for young people
confined at the Youth Guidance Cen-
ter. Through the generosity of three
San Franacisco theatres, the young-
sters will see "White Christmas" at
the Paramount, "Rear Window" at
the Balboa and "This Is Cinerama" at
the Orpheum.

Canadian Board to Move

The National Film Board of Can-
ada is expected to occupy its new
building in Montreal by the spring of
1956, although the moving of equip-
ment and personnel will begin in the
autumn of 1955. The new edifice will
put under one roof operations cur-
rently carried on in two Ottawa
buildings.

NEW YORK THEATRES

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

Rockefeller Center i

"DEEP IN MY HEART"

In Glorious COLOR starring ,
JOSE MERLE HELEN <

FERRER • OBERON • TRAUBEL '

An M-G-M Picture '
& The Music Hall's Great Christmas Stage Show (

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company Inc 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
OuiMey Jr Vice-President; Theo.' J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke,
Advertising Manager- Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald: Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Televisior Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

M-G-M DOES IT AGAIN!

"DEEP IN
MY HEART"

Biggest 1st Week

Gross of Any

Christmas Picture
in Music Hall

History!

Another Musical Sensation from the Company that made
"Seven Brides for Seven Brothers"!

MOTION PICTURE DAILY

Friday, December 17, 1954

Warid Premiere af "Shatv Business

Pictured to the left at a gala pre-premiere
dinner party here, left to right, Mrs. Charles
Einfeld, Jack Bean, Mitzi Gaynor, who is
Mrs. Bean, and Charles Einfeld, vice-presi-
dent of 20th Century-Fox. Above, left to
right, are George Jessel, Marilyn Morrison
and singing star Johnnie Ray.

A smiling trio. Dan Dailey, starred in the Darryl F. Zanuck
presentation, is here flanked on the left by W. C. Gehring, execu-
tive assistant general sales manager of 20th Century-Fox, and
Warren Munsell, right, secretary of the Actors Fund of America.

Sol t. Siegel, left, producer of the Cinema-
Scope musical, is shown here with the cele-
brated composer, Irving Berlin.

George Jessel, right, is here shown with
Arthur Silverstone, assistant general
sales manager of 20th Century-Fox, left,
and Murray Silverstone, president of 20th
Century-Fox International, center.

Grouped together in the red-carpeted lobby, are, left to right, William
Moclair, managing director of the Roxy; Ethel Merman, one of the stars of
the film, and Frank H. Ricketson, Jr., vice-president and Eastern regional
head of National Theatres.

Friday, December 17, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Glitter and Glamor Galore

Stars Shine, Mere Mortals
Gawk, ^Show Business' Bows

A brilliant page in entertainment history was written last night at the
Roxy Theatre here as Irving Berlin's "There's No Business Like Show
Business," 20th Centurj'-Fox CinemaScope musical production, had its
world premiere in a benefit performance for the Actors' Fund of
America.

The opening, transformed into an
impressive tribute to the acting pro-
fession, saw a record outpouring of
entertainment luminaries, and a record
number of spectators who jammed to
overflowing the Times Square area,
renamed Show Business Square for
the occasion.

Scene Is Flood-Lighted

A detail of more than 100 police
were assigned to the Roxy Theatre
area to keep the crowds in check.
Their number was estimated in the
thousands, drawn by the arrival of
celebrities at the flood-lighted show-
spot.

On hand to greet the Darryl F.
Zanuck presentation were the cele-
brated song writer Irving Berlin, four
of the picture's six stars — Ethel Mer-
man, Dan Dailey, Johnnie Ray and
Alitzi Gaynor — and the film's producer,
Sol C. Siegel. Stars Marilyn Monroe
and Donald O'Connor are in Holly-
wood and were unable to attend.

A 2'1-foot bridge was erected under
the marquee of the theatre, on Sev-
enth Avenue and 50th Street, over
which the stars passed on their way
into the red-carpeted lobby. In stage
ceremonies immediately preceding the
start of the picture, Walter Vincent,
president of the Actors' Fund, ac-
cepted a check from emcee George
Tessel for monies raised from the sale
of tickets to the opening.

Several Groups Benefit

Organizations allied with the Ac-
tors' Fund benefiting from the pre-
miere are the Episcopal, Catholic,
Jewish and Negro Theatrical Guilds,
The Lambs and the American Theatre
Win?.

Among the personalities attending
were Mayor Robert Wagner, Dr.
Ralph Bunche, Denice Darcel. W. C.
Handy, Patti Page, Ziegfeld Girls
Mrs. Annette Rueff and Miss Helen
Gates, Nanette Fabray, Billy Wil-
liams, Joey Adams, Virginia Mac-
^^'atters, Charles Coburn, Jessie
Royce Landis, Eileen Barton, Ger-
trude Niesen, Peggy Ann Garner,
\\'^alter Abel, Ilona Massey, Harry
Hershfield and Rita Gam,

Also : Herb Shriner, Alimi Benzell,
Jack Carter, Fran Warren, Linda
Darnell. Al Kelly, Jessie Block & Eve
Sulley, Paul Winchell, Charles .Apple-
white, Maggie McNeills, Frank H.
Ricketson, Jr., Betty and Jane Kean
and Dolores Gray.

Festivities Telecast

Theatre-front activities were tele-
cast "live" over station WPIX in an
hour-long show featuring George Jes-
sel and Tex & Jinx McCrary in
celebrity interviews and commentary.
The program, the first commercially-
sponsored telecast of a motion picture
premiere, was sponsored by Nash
Motors.

Also, on hand at the theatre catch-
ing highlights of the occasion and the
arrival of personalities were Alutual
network's Ray Heatherton, and the
Armed Forces Radio and the Voice
of America, in add'tion to Movie-

tonews and a corps of newspaper and
wn-e service still photographers.

A m.usical send-oft' to the gala event
was furnished by the prize-winning
60-piece Freeport High School Band
under the direction of Dr. J. Maynard
V'V ettlaufer, chairman of the Music
Department of the Freeport, Long
Island Schools.

Walter Lang directed "There's No
Business Like Show Business," which
was reviewed in MoTioivr Picture
Daily, Dec. 8.

Irving Berlin, whose "There's No
Business Like Show Business" had its
Actors' Fund benefit world premiere
at the Roxy Theatre here last night,
will be honored today by the Sales
Executives Club of New York at its
annual Christmas Party.

The composer will be presented with
the Club's "Hands of Applause"
award which in previous years has
gone to President Dwight Eisenhower,
Herbert Hoover, Henry Ford, Alfred
P. Sloan and Benjamin Fairless. Ber-
lin's citation will hail his accomplish-
ments for stage, and screen, and the
general enjoyment of songs that are
famous around the world. Over 3,000
sales executives will attend the noon
affair at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

Supreme Court

(Continued from page 1)

anti-trust suit brought by the In-
dependent Poster Exchange against
National Screen Service and major
distributors ; the other, a suit to deter-
mine whether exhibitors must pay
Federal income ta.x on money awarded
them as punitive damages in anti-
trust suits. Court officials said there
was no guaranty these cases would
be reached in the session starting on
Jan. 31, but that it was clear they
wouldn't be heard before then.

The court will meet before then—
on Jan. 10 — for a decision session. It
has under advisement, already argued,
a government anti-trust case against
the Schubert theatre. The Federal
Communications Commission has an
application from W. S. Butterfield
Theatres, Inc., for a rehearing on the
commission's decision to grant a
Flint, Mich., television station to
WJK, The Goodwill Station, Inc.
Butterfield and Trebit Corp. were
competitors with WJR for the Flint
channel and lost out to WJR.

'Romeo' Aids Polio Drive

Olivia DeHavilland, Grace Kelly,
Patrice Munsel, Robert MerriU, Mimi
Benzell, Walter Abel, Fav Bainter,
Peggy Wood and Magda Gabor will
be among the theatrical notables at
the Sutton Theatre on Tuesday, for
the American premiere of United Art-
ists' "Romeo and Juliet," it is an-
nounced by Eddie Dowling, chairman
of the Theatre Committee for the
March of Dimes, which will receive
all the proceeds from the benefit pre-
niiere.

N.O. Exhibitors

{Continued from page 1)

from this territory tonight at a dinner
at Antoine's. Among the exhibitors
who attended the screening and the
dinner were : E. V. Richards, former
Ijresident of Paramount-Richards The-
atres Corp.; G. J. Dureau, president
of Paramount Gulf Theatres ; Henry
Plitt, Maurice Barr and James How-
ell, executives of Paramount Gulf ;
Abe Berenson, president of Allied
Theatre Owners of Louisiana ; Page
Baker, general manager of Associated
Theatres ; Don Stafford, president of
Dixie Theatre Circuit ; Joy Houck,
president of Houck Theatre Circuit,
and L. C. Montgomery, president of
Delta Theatre Circuit.

A sales session, held in the after-
noon at the Jung Hotel was addressed
by Grainger. Walter Branson, world-
wide sales manager, presided.

Home office personnel present were :
Herbert H. Greenblatt, domestic sales
manager ; Nat Levy, Easter n-
Southern division sales manager ; Sid-
ney Kramer, short subjects sales man-
ager, and Harry Gittleson, executive
administrative assistant.

Improving 'Scope

{Continued from page 1)

ing CinemaScope newsreels in 1955,
Sponable said that the issue was out
of his hands, pointing out that it was
an "economic" issue involving the
question of whether exhibitors would
pay the additional costs involved.

WB's B.A. Meet

Warner Bros, branch managers in
the Argentine are holding a sales
meeting this week in Buenos Aires,
called by Jack Mindis, Warners' gen-
eral manager for that country. Fea-
ture of the meeting will be screenings
of new CinemaScope productions, in-
cluding the special Jack L. Warner
CinemaScope trailer.

People

Babe (lone) Baratte, 20th Cen-
tury-Fox, has been elected presi-
dent of the Film Colony Club in
San Francisco. Ruby Silverman,
Paramount, first vice-president;
Irene Glosser, Blumenfeld Thea-
tres, second vice-president; Betty
Merritt, Paramount, treasurer, and
Mildred Combs, 20th Century-Fox,
secretary, are the officers elected.

Harry Feldman has been elected
president of Local 74, lATSE. suc-
ceeding James Flynn. Other elected
officers are: Charles Miller, Jr.,
vice-president; Bridgie Webber, re-
cording secretary; Guty Cappiello,
financial secretary; John Miller,
business agent, for his eighth term,
and Robert Watson, sergeant-at-
arms.

Roy Cooper, Roy Cooper Thea-
tres, has taken over booking and
buying for the Vacaville Theatre,
Vacaville, Calif., formerly handled
by General Theatrical. Cooper has
done likewise for owner Bob Pat-
ton's Uptown Theatre, Sonora, and
Calaveras Theatre in San .Andreas.

Billy Brooks has been appointed
manager of the Glades Theatre,
Moore Haven, Fla. Brooks replaces
J. C. McMahan who has been trans-
ferred to Fort Myers.

P. J. Buchieri has rejoined the
Hartford Theatre Circuit as man-
ager of the Lyric Theatre. Buchieri
formerly was manager of the Art.

Tax Study by Sindlinger

(Continued from pac/c 1)

sent questionnaires in order to help
Sindlinger to round up statistics which
will be announced early next month.

According to a prominent ex-
hibitor who was in attendance
at the meeting, the Sindlinger
report will include tax statistics
from July 1 to the end of this
month, a six-month period. The
statistician's figures may possi-
bly be used in preparing briefs
and petitions for study by
Democratic governor-elect Ave-
rill Harriman if and when the
New York City exhibitors seek
a repeal or amendment of the
Ftate Enabling Act of 1947
which allows municipalities to
enact legislation such as the
nuisance tax, it was learned.

Among the tax figures which will
be included in the Sindlinger report
will be the initial payment by exhibi-
tors to the New York City Tax Col-
lector of the five per cent amusement
tax. The second payment, covering s
three-month period ending Nov. 30, is
to be paid by the close of business on
Monday. Some 436 local theatres in
operation on Sept. 20, the date of the
first tax payment, forwarded to the
citv's coffers an approximate revenue
of '$900,000, less a tax breakage with-
held by court order of $150,000. Tlie

amusement tax collected by the city
for the months of July and August
from all sources of revenue totaled
about $1,291,949.

Prior to the inception of the tax on
July 1, City Budget Director Abraham
Beame contended that the amusement
impost would produce $9,000,000 year-
ly from the local film houses. Indus-
try leaders, led by Harry Brandt,
president of the Independent Theatre
Owners Association, immediately chal-
lenged Beame's figures saying that the
levy would only produce about
$3,500,000. Sindlinger, in June, was
compiling statistics to back up the
local theatremen's arguments.

Beame, later on, vehemently denied
that he expected a $9,000,000 revenue
and announced, instead, a yearly ex-
pectation from film houses of about
four to five and one-half millions.

The Sindlinger report is expected to
be made public in earh^ January as
exhibitors' strategy in the fight against
the five per cent amusement tax moves
on. Speakers at the exhibitor meeting
at Loew's Theatres yesterday included
Brandt, Emanuel Frisch, president of
the Metropolitan Motion Picture The-
atre Owners Association ; Martin
Newman of Century Theatres, James
Gould of the Radio City Music Hall.
Thomas Bress, Loew's Theatres cir-
cuit attorney, and Sindlinger.

Motion Picture Daily

Friday, December 17, 1954

Toll-TV

(Continued from page 1)

first importance is the planning of the
campaign. It. was explained that if
the committee feels that its work
should simply be confined to a pre-
sentation before the Federal Com-
munications Commission, financing
would not present a problem. Em-
phasis, he stressed, should be upon
the challenge of winning the battle,
mapping a campaign to do just that,
and then raising the funds.

Going to the pulilic with the com-
mittee's arguments through full-page
ads, the latter committee source, said,
presents another financial problem.
He acknowledged that the dimensions
of the campaign in the final analysis
would have to be sized to the amount
of money that can be raised. But, he
argued, the cart should not be placed
before the horse, adding first the com-
mittee should know what it plans to
do before "aimlessly" raising money.

First Considered COMPO

Initially, the committee sounded out
the possibility of raising revenues
through the Council of Motion Pic-
ture Organizations, but that was
scotched, when it was pointed out that
there was some division of opinion
among COMPO members. The Soci-
ety of Independent Motion Picture
Producers, for instance, has come out
in favor of toll TV.

Meanwhile, it was learned that the
firm of Cohn and Marks in Washing-
ton is continuing its preparation of
its brief for the FCC in opposition
to the recent Zenith bid for Phone-
vision.

Review

''Romeo and JulieV*

(J. ArtJntr Rank-United Artists)

A picture full of grace and charm, telling a tale as old as life itself, telling
it in cinemagraphic terms that does justice to the genius of William
Shakespeare, is offered in this J. Arthur Rank presentation. It will be loved
by discriminating audiences and should enjoy long runs in art houses.

Comparisons with other productions of "Romeo and Jul.'et" both on stage
and screen, are inevitable. The strength of this rendition, in the opinion of
this reviewer, lies in the photography, the pace of its movement, the excel-
lence of its color and topped by a highly competent all-British cast.

The lack of strong star names familiar to American audiences detracts
from the possibility of gaining a mass audience for the picture. However,
there are names such as Laurence Harvey, who portrays Romeo; John
Gielgud who does the prologue, and Flora Robson, who plays Juliet's nurse,
that have some familiarity in America.

Smart showmen, recognizing that they have a gilt-edged package, will
use such plus factors and the multiplicity of other positive factors in the
picture to increase the audience potential. The naural tie-ups with schools
and other cultural and educational organizations should be utilized for in-
creased revenues — the extra dollars are there ; the product commands them.

The poetry of love, its joy, its sadness, is captured in this film. There is
no necessity to recapitulate the plot line of two young lovers caught in Lhe
mesh of their families' feuding for the story is most everyone's cultural
heritage. Yet, it should be said that once a few poetic licenses are accepted,
the story remains as fresh as when it was written in Elizabethan days.

The picture retains this quality for many reasons : It has Susan Shentall,
beautiful, winning and talented, playing Juliet ; it was shot on location in
Italy, lending reality to its Renaissance period ; its settings are full of
artistry ; and the musical score richly supports the picture's varied moods.

Director Renato Castellani should be commended for not falling into the
trap of making Shakespeare "talky." The picture is alive with movement,
a proper framework for Shakespeare's poetry.

Mention should be made of Laurence Harvey's interpretation of Romeo.
He plays him as a petulant adolescent in the main, a characterization which
should draw some lively debate.

Castellani, in addition to directing the film, did the adaptation for the
screen. It was produced by Sandro Ghenzi in association with Joseph Janni.
Robert Krasker was director of photography and Joan Bridge, the Techni-
color color consultant. Roman Vlad composed the music.

Running time, 140 minutes. General classification. For December release

MURRAY HOROWITZ

Don't Miss

AMPA'S 38th

ANNUAL

CHRISTMAS
PARTY

Tuesday, Dec. 21st, 12:30 p.m.

HOTEL PICCADILLY . 227 West 45+h Street
GEORGIAN ROOM

A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY
TO RENEW OLD FRIENDSHIPS

No Reservations assured after
5 P. M., Monday, Dec. 20th

Telephone: Cy Eichman,
Astor Pictures Corp., JUdson 2-1287

Deny Schine

{Continued from page 1)

secretary-treasurer of Schine The-
atres, Inc., and an officer of Hilde-
mart, made that assertion in response
to questioning by government attorney
Joseph E. AIcDowell as to "how or
by whom" the payments were made.
The government has contended that
Hildemart was an instrumentality and
"alter ego" of the Schine Chain The-
atres, Inc.

Mrs. Torrey, on the stand for the
fourth consecutive day, said she did
not know the source of the payments
but suggested they might have been
made from personal accounts or pro-
ceeds of the candy concession business
owned by the Schine wives and
children.

As McDowell turned to affairs of
the candy businesses, defense attorney
Frank G. Raichle said he would stipu-
late that the Schine corporation or-
ganize these companies and for a time
own stock in them and that the B and
B Confectionery Sales Corp., which
was chiefly under consideration, was
organized by Schine about 1939 and
transferred to the wives and children
in 1942 or 1943.

The minutes of the board of direc-
tors meeting of the B and B Confec-
tionery Sales Corp., on Aug. IS, 1946,
in Gloversville, read in part by Mc-
Dowell, disclosed that at that meeting
$9,000 in dividends were appropriated
from surplus profits to the owners.

New Firm

{Continued from page 1)

the United States will be split into 12
zones, each headed by a zone manager
with one assistant. The physical han-
dling of prints will be channeled
through National Film Service, Na-
thanson said. Despite the low per-
centage fee, Nathanson said that the
operation can show a profit. Home
office expenses will be held to a mini-
mum, having only a sales manager,
an assistant, an advertising staff, plus
clerical aides, he said.

Describes Los Angeles and Dallas

In almost all the distribution cen-
ters, Nathanson contended, it requires
a maximum of 30 calls to cover be-
tween 70 and 80 per cent of their re-
spective territories. As an example,
Nathanson pointed to Los Angeles,
where 21 film buyers represent 78 per
cent of the territory. In Dallas, he
said, 18 buyers represent 82 per cent
of the territory's theatres. A corre-
sponding ratio exists throughout the
country, he claimed. To sell the na-
tional circuits, with the exception of
National Theatres which is handled
out of Los Angeles, it is necessary to
contact only five buyers in New York
to cover key city first run situations
as well as the subsequent runs,
Nathanson said. The zone managers
in each of the areas will contact the
balance of the approximate 20 per
cent of theatres, in addition to the
regional circuits, he explained.

A maximum job for independent
producers can be done under such a
setup, Nathanson said, because each
picture will receive individual, con-
centrated attention and the savings
will be reflected in film rentals. The
plan, he added, will coincide in some
measure with the proposal of Pat
McGee, general manager of Cooper
Foundation Theatres, for a booking-
buying organization exclusively for
small situations, but further, he added,
it will be more applicable.

Independent Production a Factor

With new independent production
units springing up, Nathanson said,
the producers need an efficient and yet
economical outlet. He said that his
new organization will fill that need.
As an example, he referred to the unit
planned by George Burns, Jack Benny
and Norman Krasna for the produc-
tion of a picture starring Jackie
Gleason.

Nathanson for many years was with
the Columbia sales department and has
handled special assignments for major
companies.

$5,000 to Olympic Fund

Approximately $5,000 was raised
for the United States Olympic Fund
in admissions to the world premiere
of Paramount's "The Country Girl,"
Wednesday night, at the Criterion
Theatre here.

Saranac in Gay Mood
For 'Chalice' Debut

SARANAC LAKE, N. Y., Dec. 16.
— The world premiere of Warner
Brothers CinemaScope feature, "The
Silver Chalice," will take place at the
Pontiac Theatre here tomorrow night,
culminating a two-day salute to the
film in which a number of top Holly-
wood stars will have participated.

Today, at noon, a gala parade was
held in honor of the film and the stars,
who were drawn through the streets
on dog sleds.

The premiere will take place at the
Pontiac tomorrow at 6 P.M. Two
complete shows will be given in honor
of the event, with the 9 :30 festivities
being broadcast over the Mutual Net-
work. Later in the evening a torch-
light parade will bring the festivities
to an impressive close.

VOL. 76. No. 117

NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1954

TEN CENTS

EDIT ORl A L .

Fair Warning on
Gov't. Regulation

Sherwin Kane

PROPONENTS of Federal regu-
lation of the industry — even
those exhibitors who may be
inclined to support it out of des-
peration born of current operating
frustrations confronting the small
theatre, in particular — must have
been given plenty to think about
in the reply last week of Sen.
Andrew Schoeppel, chairman of
the Senate Small Business subcom-
mittee, to representations made by
Albert Hanson, chairman of the
trade relations committee of
Southern California Theatre Own-
ers Association.

Schoeppel observed that if he
were an exhibitor he "would think
a long time before I would urge
government regulation of my
business."

He would not want the govern-
ment to tell him, he said, what
admission price he could charge,
what return he could get on his
investment, nor have schedules
drawn up telling him what pictures
he could play, for how long and
when. Nor would government regu-
lation solve a product shortage,
Schoeppel warned.

Motion Picture Daily's recent
poll of national exhibitor opinion
on the proposal for Federal regula-
tion of the industry indicated that
there were about two exhibitors in
five in desperate enough straits to
opine that if trade relief was not
forthcoming soon for their opera-
tions, they would favor a move in
the direction of Federal regulation.

Their attitude appeared to be:
What do we have to lose?

Senator Schoeppel's letter
(Continued on page 2)

Counter Zenith

Theatres' Toll
TV Group in
FCC Petition

From THE DAILY Bureau

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19. — The
exhibitors' joint committee on toll-TV
told the Federal Communication Com-
mission over the week-end that it was
opposed to subscriber television and
asked the FCC not to act on Zenith's
petition for immediate authorization of
the service until the joint committee
has filed its comments with the Com-
mission.

In a letter written by Marcus Cohn,
joint committee counsel, the Commis-
sion was told that the toll-TV com-
mittee was preparing a reply to the
{Contimied on page 4)

Kassler Tells
Product Plan

A distribution plan whereby exhib-
itors may participate financially in the
distribution of product was unveiled
at the weekend by Frank Kassler,
president of Continental Distributors,
Inc., and Walter Readc, Jr., president
of Walter Reade Theatres, who is
associated with Kassler in Continen-
tal. The plan is designed to insure
greater and preferred playing time for
producers of specialized films and to
assure a flow of product for exhibitors.

Under the plan, an exhibitor in a
particular territory would put up an
amount of money in a ratio to the dis-
(Confinued on page 4)

Gov't Weighs 16mm. Action

MAY NAME ALLIED
CO-CONSPIRATOR

Department of Justice Considers Adding
Other Industry Organizations to Suit Also

From THE DAILY Bureau
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19. — The Justice Department is considering
naming Allied States Association a co-conspirator in the 16mm. anti-trust
suit seeking the unrestricted sale of 16mni. films to television, it was
learned here at the weekend

AB-PT Decree
Change Made

From THE DAILY Bureau

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19. — The
Justice Department has agreed to
modify the conditions under which the
voting trust established in the Para-
mount consent decree is to be wound
up early next year.

It is expected that a court order
making the changes will be entered

early this week PriCC tO DrOD 40%

Under the Paramount decree, all

(Continued on page 4) SupCrSCOpC LCHS

From THE DAILY Bureau

HOLLYWOOD. Dec. 19. — The
price of Superscope anamorphic lenses
will be I educed more than 40 per cent
Jan. 3, and distribution will be on
a direct factory-to-exhibitor basis
thereafter, co-inventors Joseph and
Irving Tushinsky announced on Fri-
day. In their announcement Tushin-
sky said ;

"We are dropping the price of the
(Contimied on page 4)

McConville, Kastner
Head Columbia Int'l

Joseph A. McConville, president of
Columbia Pictures International Corp.
since the company's founding, has been
elected chairman of the board of di-
rectors of that organization, with Lacy
Kastner, Columbia International vice-
president and managing director for
(Continued on. page 4)

A Justice Department spokesman,
questioned on the report, confirmed
that the matter is under consideration,
adding that the naming of other un-
identified organizations also is being
examined. He stated, however, that
the decision most likely will be made
by the Federal Attorney in Los An-
geles in charge of the case, rather
than by the Attorney General's office
here.

Currently, it was learned, discussion
of the matter is being carried on be-
tween the Justice Department here
and the Federal Attorney's office in
(Continued on page 4)

S'fV3€iBy A^ddJVenv Theatres Sa^^wt

By J. A. OTTEN

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19. — The
Justice Department has agreed to an-
other extension of the Stanley Warner
divestiture deadline and a modification
of some divestiture conditions. It is
expected this will wind up Stanley
Warner's divestiture and will clear
the way for the chain to seek govern-
ment permission to start acciuiring
new theatres.

The chain has been barred from ac-

quiring new theatres until it completes
its divestiture. The new extension,
which will be put before the, court
early this week, will relax the original
Warner consent decree and permit
Stanley Warner to retain certain
properties which have proven difficult
to get rid of and still be considered as
having fulfilled its divestiture pro-
gram and therefore become eligible for
new theatre acquisitions.

By Jan. 4, 1955. the present divesti-

ture deadline, Stanley Warner will
still have only four of the 57 theatres
it was originally to have disposed of,
according to Justice officials. Three of
these involve long-term leases on un-
profitable theatre operations and the
chain will be allowed to keep these
providing certain conditions are met.
The company will have an additional
six months to sell or lease the fourth.
This last case involves the Orpheum
(Continued on page 4)

HAROLD HECHT presents'

GARY COOPER ★ BURT LANCASTE
"VERH CRUZ

AOVfRTISED \H Wi DEC. 79 ISSUE OF

This Week

JA TEgHNlcOLQga more than 23,500,000 readers to see!

Motion Picture Daily

Monday, December 20, 1954

Gov't. Regulation

(Continued from page 1)

Personal
Mention

SOL C. SIEGEL, producer, left
New York by plane on Saturday
for Hollywood.

J. KA.YMOND Bell, public relations
executive for Columbia Pictures, has
been nained a member of the national
judicial council of the Public Rela-
tions Society of America and has also
been elected vice-chairman of this
group.

Robert Clark, Associated British
Picture Corp. production chief, left
New York for London on Friday via
B.O.A.C. Monarch.

O. S. Barnett, office manager for
Allied Artists in Atlanta, has left
there with Mrs. Barnett and their
daughter for Chicago.

Leonard Burgh, United World
Films branch manager in Atlanta, has
left there to spend the holidays with
his parents in New York.

Jay Solomon, vice-president of In-
dependent Theatres of Chattanooga, is
the father of a son born to Mrs.
Solomon there last week.

•

Frank King of King Brothers
Productions will arrive in New York
tomorrow from Hollywood.

Robert Haggiag, producer of Ita-
lian films, will arrive here tomorrow
from London via B.O.A.C.

•

MiTzi Gaynor returned to Holly-
wood over the weekend from New
York.

Hammerstein, Brandt
To Head FJP Groups

Oscar Hammerstein II has been
named chairman of awards and Harry
Brandt has been named luncheon
chairman of the Amusement Industry
Division of Federation of Jewish
Philanthropies' second annual Mark of
Achievements luncheon to be held at
the Hotel Sheraton Astor here on
Jan. 20, it was announced by Adolph
Schimel, chairman of the amusement
industry division's participation in the
1954-55 Federation fund-raising drive.

The "Mark of Achievement" awards
are being given annually to outstand-
ing figures in the entertainment world
"whose talents and genius have
brought happiness to countless mil-
lions." Recipients of last year's
awards were Edward R. Murrow,
Eddie Fisher, Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
and Dr. Moshe Davis for the "Eternal
Light" radio program.

Recipients, of the 1954-55 awards
will be announced shortly by Ham-
merstein.

Brandt, who was amusement indus-
try division chairman of Federation's
1953-54 fund-raising drive, is to serve
as chairman of the luncheon and has
launched plans to insure a record
turnout for the event.

'Trust' Trial Probes
Merger of Schine and
Kentucky Company

BUFFALO, Dec. 19.— The merger
of the Harlan, Ky., Margie Grand
Theatre into the Schine Lexington
Corp. shouldn't be included as evi-
dence in the anti-trust suit against
Schine Circuit Theatres in Federal
Court here, according to attorney
Frank G. Raichle, who said that the
transaction took place "before this
court's consent decree of June 23,
1949."

Government attorneys Lewis Bern-
stein and Joseph E. McDowell had
previously presented evidence relating
to the alleged use of Darnell Theatres
as an "instrument" in acquiring the
Margie Grand Theatre in Harlan.

California theatre manager Leon _B.
Scott, who was permitted to testify
and return to his home without delay,
stated that in 1947 he sold his interest
in the Kentucky house to Darnell,
whose stock he and the Schine Lex-
ington Corp. equally owned.

Scott was examined by Bernstein.
McDowell temporarily withdrew from
the stand Mrs. Florence D. Torrey,
assistant secretary-treasurer of Schine
Chain Theatres. Scott's testimony,
according to Bernstein was "merely
background."

Raichle said that the merger of the
Harlan house took place long before
the cut-of¥ bar by the statute of limita-
tions and the modifying result from
the settlement of January, 1952.

Saranac in Two-Day
Welcome to ^Chalice'

SARANAC LAKE, N. Y., Dec. 19.
— Warner Brothers' "The Silver
Chalice," and the contingent of Holly-
wood stars who came East for the
opening of the picture, were accorded
a warm welcome here when the Cin-
emaScope feature had its world pre-
miere Friday at this resort communi-
ty's Pontiac Theatre.

The showing of the film on Friday
culminated two days of festivities
which started Thursday morning with
the arrival of Virginia Mayo, Jack
Palance, Alan Hale, Tab Hunter, Ann
Robinson and other players on the
"Silver Chalice Premiere Special."
This was followed Thursday after-
noon by a Winter Carnival and a
buf¥et supper.

The Friday night premiere followed
a mile-long parade through the down-
town streets in the morning and an
exhibition of winter sports in the
afternoon.

The premiere festivities on Friday
night were broadcast over 300 stations
of the Mutual network.

Scott, 20th Manager
In Omaha, Is Dead

OMAHA, Dec. 19.— John E. Scott,
20th Century-Fox branch manager
for 20 years, died Friday in a hospital
here following a heart attack Thurs-
day. He formerly was with 20th-Fox
in St. Louis and was the Variety Club
chief barker here in 1949.

News
Roundup

Mexico to Back Quality

The best stories and plots, material
which promises the best boxoffice re-
turns, will be the first to be backed in
Mexico by the trade's own bank, the
semi-official Banco Nacional Cine-
matografico, S. A., it has been an-
nounced by Eduardo Garduno, director
general of the bank. Such pictures, it
is said, will be financed heavily. The
lesser types can look for no more than
20 to 30 per cent bank money.

■

Caldwell Calls It Cyclotrona

Cyclotrona is the name chosen by
Frank Caldwell for his new motion
picture process. Caldwell, independent
producer and director, is now in New
York setting up the business structure
for the financing and marketing of the
system.

■

Pittsburgh Art Theatre

The success of Pittsburgh's Squirrel
Hill Theatre as an art house has
prompted the Indie Beacon Theatre to
adopt a similar policy. Operator
Ralph Green is lining up foreign art
product for the house, which under
the name of the Guild Theatre will
begin the showing of art films next
month.

■

Cinerama Strong in Chicago

"This Is Cinerama," is now in its
73rd week in Chicago, John Bull, pub-
licity head of Eitel's Palace Theatre,
expects that by the end of January,
1,500,000 persons will have viewed the
production.

■

Portland House Reopening

The United Artists Theatre in Port-
land, Ore., is being reopened by Mrs.
J. J. Parker after having been closed
for two months. "Hansel and Gretel"
will start there on Thursday.

^Underwater' Plans
Set at Sales Meet

NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 19.— Sales
and promotion follow-ups to the un-
derwater premiere of Howard Hughes'
"Underwater" on Jan. 10 in Silver
Springs, Fla., were discussed during
the last day of the fourth RKO Pic-
tures regional sales meeting at the
Hotel Jung here.

The Superscope-Technicolor pro-
duction, which goes into general re-
lease Feb. 9 with a minimum of 32 key
branch city openings, was screened
for RIvO officials at the start of the
conference along with "The Amer-
icano," which was viewed later on at
the Tudor Theatre here.

Southern division sales personnel
were addressed by J. R. Grainger,
president of RKO Radio Pictures, and
Joseph Tushinsky, co-inventor of
Superscope. Walter Branson, world-
wide sales manager, presided.

Drovides the answer to that atti-
tude.

The dangers which he says are
possible to the exhibitor through
Federal regulation, and of which
he warns, add up to the surrender
by the exhibitor of initiative and
business independence in the oper-
ation of his theatre.

Experience has shown that with
time the industry has made its way
out of every dire emergency that
has confronted it. There is no rea-
son to believe that the one now
facing the small exhibitor cannot
be overcome also with diligence
and good will in time.

There is little reason for believ-
ing that the solution will ever come
about through government control
of the industry.

The Radio Corporation of America |
in 1954 will do the largest volume of i
business in its 35-year history, accord-
ing to Brig. General David Sarnofl:",
chairman of the board, who announced
in a year-end statement that sales of
product and services amounted to ap-
proximately $930,000,000, with net
profits before Federal taxes totaling
an estimated $84,000,000 and after
taxes $40,000,000.

The basic progress in research and
experimentation on compatible color
television, color TV tubes and new
sets, RCA's magnetic TV tape re-
corder, electronic light, electronic light
amplifiers, transistors and high fidelity
during 1954 will have a profound ef-
fect during 1955, Sarnofif said, and I
should certainly result in good busi- j
ness later.

Television during 1954 established
new records in retail sales of receivers
and widened the scope of program-
ming, especially in color, lie said.

Looking ahead, Gen. Sarnoff said
that industrjr production of TV re-
ceivers in 1955 is currently estimated
around 6,000,000 sets, which will lift
the total number of TV sets in the |
U. S. to approximately 38,000,000 by
the end of the year. "At the opening
of 1955, there will be more than 420
TV stations in operation in the U. S.,
140 of which will be equipped to han-
dle network color programs," he said.
"More than 90 new TV stations began i
operation in this country during 1954 ■
and in Canada, 26 TV stations are
expected to be on the air by earlv
1955," Sarnoff said. ;

Donald Duck in 'Scope

Donald Duck will make his Cinema-
Scope debut in Walt Disney's forth-
coming short subject titled "Grand
Canyonscope." The short will be
tagged to play on the same prograrn
with "20,000 Leagues under the Sea."

$40,000,000 Profit
For RCA: SarnoflP

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke.
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald: Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

Monday, December 20, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Harry Cohn Says:

Columbia to

Conserve Cash
For Expansion

By LESTER DINOFF

Columbia Pictures' stockholders,
after approving all management pro-
posals including a plan to double the
amount of common stock from 1,000,-

000 to 2,000,000

shares, were in-
formed by pres-
ident Harry
Cohn, who pre-
sided at the
home office an-
nual meeting on
Friday, that due
to the rapid
growth of the
company and its
future business
expansion pro-
gram, it will be
necessary to
conserve cash
assets.

Screen Gems Income
To Double in 1955

The gross income of Columbia
Pictures television subsidiary,
Screen Gems, will be in the
neighborhood of $6,000,000 dur-
ing the coming year, according
to A. Schneider, Columbia vice-
president and treasurer.

The Screen Gems gross in-
come during this past year was
about $3,000,000, Schneider in-
formed stockholders at the Co-
lumbia annual meeting here.

Harry Cohn

By having a stock dividend policy,
Cohn and A. Schneider, Columbia
vice-president and treasurer, said in
answer to stockholder questions, "all
cash assets, including the $7,053,745
listed in the annual report on June 26,
will be conserved for business expan-
sion."

The Columbia Pictures manage-
ment, which has followed a practice
in recent years of paying stock divi-
dends on its common stock in lieu of
cash dividends, sought the increase of
common stock on the grounds that it
will be available for additional shares
for future dividends and for other
corporate uses, thus conserving cash.
Sees Business Good

Revealing that Columbia has re-
cently completed negotiations for a
$15,000,000 bank loan to be used for
investments in future productions,
Schneider, when asked about the cur-
rent trend of company earnings, do-
mestically and abroad, stated that
"business is generally good and that
about 40 per cent of earnings is from
the overseas market."

The stockholders elected the follow-
ing directors to serve until the next
annual meeting: Cohn, Jack Cohn,
Schneider, L. M. Blancke, N. B. Spin-
gold, A. Montague, Donald S. Stra-
lem, Alfred Hart and Abraham M.
Son'nabend. Also, they ratified the ex-
tension of Harry Cohn's employment
contract with Columbia which calls
for a salary of $3,500 per week and
an expense allowance of $600 per
week.

A proposal that all common stock
be changed from no par into shares
having a par value of $5 per share
was approved.

One Resolution Rejected

A resolution proposed by stock-
holder Victor H. Mardfin that Colum-
bia adopt cumulative voting for its
stockholders meetings was rejected by
vote of the meeting. Columbia man-
agement opposed this resolution.

Answering a stockholder question
concerning the sale of old feature films
to television, Cohn and Schneider said
that while some old Westerns, having
no theatrical value, were sold by Col-
umbia to television, the present h^lm
library will not be sold to TV due
to the individual pictures' potential

Hillman Wins Fabian
Anniversary Contest

Irving Hillman, manager of the
Roger Sherman Theatre, New Haven,
is the winner of the "Fabian's Fabu-
lous Forty" contest through which the
Stanley Warner Corp. celebrated Si
Fabian's 40th anniversary in show-
business.

The announcement made by Harry
M. Kalmine, vice-president and gen-
eral manager of Stanley Warner The-
atres, said that Hillman's prize would
be a two-week vacation in England
with Mrs. Hillman. Additional prizes
which go to Mrs. Hillman include a
mink stole, a diamond studded watch,
set of matched luggage and several
years' supply of a number of famous
perfumes.

The second national prize, a $1,500
U. S. Bond, was won by William
Wyatt, of the Virginian Theatre,
Charleston, W. Va. and the third
prize, a $1,000 U. S. Bond, was won
by Frank Costa, W arner Theatre,
Ridgewood, N. J.

Promotional Awards Made

For the best series of promotions,
the award was given to Claude Land
of the Silver Theatre, Silver Springs,
Md., and the best series of kiddie
show activities was won by Jack
Harvey of the Palace Theatre, Dan-
bury, Conn.

The winners of exploitation prizes
on individual pictures were : Howard
Higley, Allen Theatre, Cleveland ;
Dominick Lucente, Broadway Theatre,
Philadelphia ; Henry Rastetter, Warn-
er, Erie, Pa. ; James Salmans, 6th St.
Theatre, Coschocton, O. ; Iz Perlin,
Stanley, Camden, N. J. ; Sidney Hof¥-
man. Metropolitan, Washington ; Wil-
'iam Wyatt, Virginian, Charleston,
W. Va. ; Willard Osborne, Granada
Theatre, Santa Barbara, Cal. and Al
Plough, Stanley Theatre, Philadelphia.

The mink stole to Mrs. Hillrnan
was a gift from Confection Cabinet
Corp., ABC Vending Corp. and Tri-
State Automatic Candy Corp. The
watch was presented by Pepsi Cola
Co.; the luggage by Barnet Film
Service and the perfume by Jo-Lo
Perfume Co.

Ohio Distributors
Bypass Voluntary
Print Censorship

COLUMBUS, O., Dec. 19.— There
has been little, if any, response from
distributors to the invitation of R. M.
Eyman, chief Ohio film censor, to sub-
init pictures voluntarily for censorship,
reports Robert Wile, secretary of the
Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio.

Wile said the print shortage may be
relieved for Ohio exhibitors by the
absence of censorship, since the com-
panies no longer have to pay the $3
per reel fee for every print. "They
will be more willing to bring prints
into the state for simultaneous book-
ings. While this may not be felt in
the first week, the situation may ease
tough print problems."

Cuts have been restored in many
pictures, said Wile. "As long as this
involves a picture which has a Pro-
duction Code seal, you need not worry,
since the picture as you will get it
played at least 42 other states and
probably more, as Ohio's censors were
the most capricious of all," Wile
added.

Cutting Criticized

"Nothing would help the cause more
than for someone to complain about a
picture which has a Production Code
seal, being cut by the censors and then
shown uncut in theatres. W e could
then show this picture to a legislative
committee as an example of the type
of cutting that is being done."

The Catholic Times, official publi-
cation of the Columbus diocese, said
editorially that the Ohio Supreme
Court's decision "should not be taken
as the death knell of state censorship
but rather only as a rallying cry for
those interested in seeing moral enter-
tainment insured in our theatres."

Eyman told reporter Dean Jauchius
of tlie Columbus "Dispatch" "what I'm
after are those foreign films. Some of
them are downright vulgar."

People

Jonas Rosenfield, Jr., I.F.E. Re-
leasing Corp. vice-president in
charge of advertising-publicity, on
Friday was guest speaker at a din-
ner for the Boston film critics tend-
ered by Viola Berlin, of the Exeter
Theatre there.

Murray Gerson, of Universal Pic-
tures, San Francisco, has been re-
elected president of the Colosseum
of Motion Picture Salesmen, Lodge
No. 3, of that city. Other officers
are: Al Adolph, Republic, vice-pres-
ident; Bill 'Wheeler, Warner Bros.,
retained as treasurer; Joe Flanne-
gan, 20th Century-Fox, secretary,
and Jack Finley, United Artists,
sergeant-at-arms.

Horace E. Shock, of Lima, Ohio,
has resigned as second vice-presi-
dent of the Independent Theatre
Owners of Ohio, and has sold his
theatre interests. The vacancy will
be filled at the annual election next
spring.

James Cartledge replaces Pierce
E. McCoy as city manager for the
Georgia Theatres in Augusta, Ga.

Dr. Nathan Swerdlin of the Jew-
sh Day-Journal has been elected
president of the Foreign Language
Press Film Critics' Circle. Wladis-
law Borzecki, editor of the Polish
Morning World, has been elected
vice-president. The other officers are
Mary Mokarzel, publisher of the
Arabic daily, "Al Hoda," secretary;
Dr. Tibor Weber, of the Hungarian
"Nepszava," treasurer, and Sigmund
Gottlober, executive director.

when and if reissued for motion pic-
ture exhibition and to subscription
television.

The board of directors reelected all
officers. They are : Harry Cohn, presi-
dent ; Jack Cohn, executive vice-presi-
dent ; vice-presidents A. Schneider,
N. B. Spingold, A. Montague, B. B.
Kahane, Jerry Wald, Paul N. Laza-
rus, Jr., Leo Jaffe, Joseph McConville
and Louis J. Barbano ; secretary,
Charles Schwartz; controller, Arthur
Levy ; assistant treasurer, Morton
Wormser ; assistant secretaries, Ber-
nard Birnbaum and Duncan Cassell.

MGM Sets 12 Shorts
For Jan. thru April

Twelve short subjects will be re-
leased by M-G-M during the first four
months of 1955. Four of these will be
"Tom and Jerry" reprint cartoons, and
of these four, two will be in Cinema-
Scope.

For January, there will be Pete
Smith's "Man Around the House"
and two of "Tom and Jerry," "Part
Time Pal" and "Cat Concerto." An-
other of these — "Dr. Jekyll and Mr.
Mouse" — is slated for February, to-
gether with "Keep Young" and "Mex-
ican Police on Parade."

During March, there will be the
Tom and Jerry CinemaScope cartoon,
"Southbound Duckling," followed by
"Sports Trix," from Pete Smith, and
"Salt Water Tabby," a Gold Medal
reprint.

For April, there will be "Pup on a
Picnic," a Tom and Jerry Cinema-
Scope cartoon ; "Just What I Needed,"
a Pete Smith, and "Mighty Niagara,"
a Fitzpatrick Traveltalk.

Cinerama Star of
Bangkok Fair: JJSIA

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19. — The
showing of Cinerama at the Bangkok
Fair has duplicated the fantastic suc-
cess that the show had at the recent
Damascus Fair, according to the Unit-
ed States Information Agency.

The agency made the necessary ar-
rangements for the showing of "This
Is Cinerama" at both fairs. The
Bangkok Fair opened on Dec. 7 and
closed yesterday, with Cinerama put-
ting on two shows a day in a theatre
with 2,000 seating capacity.

The Information Agency said there
were crowds waiting at all times to
see the film and that police had great
difficulty keeping order, so great was
the desire to get in.

Cinerama proved so popular, the
USIA declared, that the film's run
has been extended for another two
weeks past the fair's closing day to
permit another 56,000 natives to see
the unusual show.

Detroit Mgr. Vanishes

DETROIT, Dec. 19.— Max Geahn,
owner of the Loop Theatre here, re-
ported that William Garden, 38, man-
ager for three years, disappeared on
the way to the bank with $424 cash
and $658 in checks. Garden was on a
daily trip to a bank four blocks from
the theatre.

Say Emanuel Takes
Over Loew's Ave. B

The Loew's Ave. B Theatre has
been taken over by Jay Emanuel The-
atres of Pennsylvania, it was reported
within the company. Efforts to obtain
confirmation were unavailing.

The Ave. B Theatre is among those
Loew's was required to divest under
terms of its consent decree.

Motion Picture Daily

Monday, December 20, 1954

See Sponsors
For TV Bows

The telecasting of all 20th Century-
Fox premieres will be made available
for sponsorship, it was stated on Fri-
day by Charles Einfeld, 20th-Fox
vice-president in charge of advertising,
publicity and exploitation.

Einfeld's decision was made follow-
ing what was claimed to be the
first premiere sponsored telecast last
Thursday evening for "There's No
Business Like Show Business." The
hour-long telecast over New York's
independent station WPIX, sponsored
by Nash, was seen in 600,000 homes,
according to WPIX.

Heretofore, Einfeld explained, the
film companies had to purchase time
from the station for the telecast, but
with a sponsored program the time
is purchased by the sponsor, with the
film company supplying, in effect, the
programming.

Networks, Einfeld continued, are
now showing a keen interest in the
possibility of telecasting premieres.
The Nash people, he went on, are
very well satisfied with last Thurs-
day's telecast outside the Roxy.

"We, in turn, feel it helps to sell
theatre tickets," Einfeld said.

May Add Allied to 16 mm Suit

(Continued from page 1)

Superscope

(Continued from page 1)

lenses, so that they will be within the
reach of every exhibitor, big or little,
in the world."

Two lens-grinding companies and
one casting foundry now are engaged
in turning out Superscope lenses and
housings.

The announcement coincides with
screenings of the first two completed
features processed by the Superscope
System. They are the Hecht-Lancaster
"Vera Cruz" and RKO Radio's "Un-
derwater."

McConville

(Continued from page 1)

the European Continent, succeeding
McConville as president.

McConville continues as a vice-
president of Columbia Pictures Corp.,
the parent firm. Kastner, who was
named executive vice-president of
Columbia international last June, was
also elected to the board of directors
of the international company.

Gov't and Defense
Counsel Meet Today

HOLLYWOOD. Dec. 19.—
Officials of the Federal Attor-
ney's office, questioned here
Friday regarding the report that
the Justice Department is con-
sidering naming Allied States
Association as co-conspirator in
the 16mm. antitrust case, stated
that no decision has as yet been
reached in the matter. They
also declined to speculate on
when the decision will be made.

Meanwhile, both Government
and defense counsel are to ap-
pear Monday before Federal
Judge Harry C. Westover, as
previously reported, to continue
discussions looking toward de-
fining areas to be covered in
trial of case.

Los Angeles. In 1952, when suit was
filed, Theatre Owners of America was
the only exhibitor group cited as
a co-conspirator. Named as defend-
ants were si.x major producing com-
panies, their 16mm. distributing sub-
sidiaries and two independent 16mm.
distributors. These included 20th Cen-
tury-Fox, Warner Brothers, RKO
Pictures, Republic Productions, Screen
Gems, a Columbia subsidiary, and
United World, a Universal subsidiary.
Loew's and Paramount, not distribut-
ing 16min. films, were not included in
the action.

Say TOA Aided Defendants

The original complaint cited TOA
for aiding the defendants in policing
and enforcing their alleged restrictions
on the sale of 16mm. film to television
and various other outlets in competi-
tion with established theatres. At the

time, it was said that national Allied
was not cited as a co-conspirator be-
cause the Department had no evidence
concerning it and others, referring to
Allied and Paramount.

Took No Action

Now, two-and-one-half years later,
apparently the Justice Department, or
a segment of it, believes otherwise,
or at least is considering the possi-
bility of altering its decision. Appar-
ently being weighed in the considera-
tion of the Justice Department are the
public statements of exhibitor organi-
zation leaders other than TOA warn-
ing against the sale of theatrical films
to TV.

TOA, soon after it was named as
a co-conspirator, considered the ad-
visability of actively intervening in the
suit, but no action was taken by the
organization.

AB-PT Decree

(Continued from page 1)

stock of the new theatre company was
to be put into a voting trust, from
which it could be taken out only on
an affidavit that the owner held no
stock in Paramount Pictures. A modi-
fication e-xcluded holders of 500 or
fewer shares, and a still later change
raised excluded holders of 2,000 shares
or less and permitted holders of more
than 2,000 shares to get stock out on
a showing that it was held for invest-
ment only and that the owner took no
part in management of the company.

The original decree also provided
that by Jan. 1, 1955, the trustee must
notify all stockholders with shares
still in trust that their shares would be
sold in 90 days. It stipulated, how-
ever, that these shares could not be
sold by the trustee to any person who
owned Paramount Pictures stock.

48,500 Still in Trust

This last provision created a prob-
lem : It meant that the stock could
not be sold through the New York
Stock Exchange, since the exchange
can not put such qualifications on its
transactions. Justice officials found that
at present there are only about 48,500
shares of American Broadcasting-
Paramount Theatres stock still in
trust, less than 1^ per cent of the
company's outstanding stock. In view
of the small amount of stock involved
and in order to make possible public
sale through the Stock Exchange, the
Justice Department has agreed to
modify the original judgment so as to
remove the restriction that the stock
cannot be sold to anyone also owning
Paramount Pictures stock. However,
the Department did specify that no
more than 500 shares of the remaining
stock can be sold in any one day.
Justice oflScials said that in the first
11 months of the year, approximately
34,000 shares of AB-PT stock were
traded weekly on the New York
Exchange.

Johnston to Spokane

Eric A. Johnston, president of the
Motion Picture Association of Amer-
ica, left here at the weekend for his
home in Spokane, Wash., for the holi-
days. On Friday, he briefed a foreign
managers meeting on his recent Far
East trip and the status of negotia-
tions there, as previously reported in
the trade press following his return
to the U. S.

*Continentar Plan

(Continued from page 1)

tribution percentage possibility in his
area. For example, if the Chicago
territory represented 10 per cent of
the picture's potential return, an ex-
hibitor would invest an amount equal
to 10 per cent of the picture's capitali-
zation. The exhibitor would be given
the first run rights to the film, but he,
in turn, would then make it available
to the subsequent runs in his area and
share 10 per cent in the Western
Hemisphere gross.

As explained at a trade press con-
ference at Reade's new Oakhurst,
N. J. home offices, the participating
exhibitor would not be investing in a
"pig in a poke," but would be able to
see each picture before investing in it.

The first picture under the setup is
"To Paris with Love," a J. Arthur
Rank production, to which Continental
has obtained the Western Hemisphere
rights. The picture stars Alec Guiness
in his first Technicolor comedy.

Continental plans to make three to
four pictures available a year in the
so-called Continental plan, Kassler
said.

Currently in release under the Con-
tinental banner are two Rank produc-
tions: "Tonight at 8:30" and "The
Final Test." In preparation are two
French films : "The Snow was Black"
and "Domenica."

Continental also is distributing the
Canadian Film^ Board's featurette,
"Stratford Adventure," with Alec
Guiness. Also being prepared for re-
lease early in 1955, Kassler said, is
the first modern story to come from
Japan, titled "Hiroshima."

S' W Houses

FCC Petition

(Continued from page 1)

petitions filed by Zenith and Teco, Inc.

Referring to Zenith's request for the
authorization of subscriber television
either without proceedings or with
limited proceedings, Cohn said, "The
relief requested by Zenith and Teco,
Inc., would drastically revise the pres-
ent pattern of broadcasting and would
result in fundamental changes in the
philosophy of the Communications Act."

The letter requested the FCC to
defer any action on Zenith's request
until the toll-TV committee could file
its reply, "so that full consideration
may be given to all viewpoints on this
very vital request for a change in the
rules."

(Continued from page 1)

Theatre in Titusville, Pa. Originally
required to be sold, it can under the
new extension be either sold or leased,
providing the circuit agrees for a five-
year period not to take more than 60
of the first-run films of major distrib-
utors in its other Titusville theatre.

While the chain has until July 4,
1955, to get rid of this property, it
would be to its interest to dispose of it
earlier, since it can apply for new
theatres anywhere in the United
States as soon as the Orpheum is sold
or leased. Of course, it must still re-
ceive Justice and court approval before
it actually acquires any new theatres.

Some Properties Unprofitable

In the other three situations, Stan-
ley Warner has long-term leases on
unprofitable theatre properties and no
one seems willing to take over the
leases. Leases on the Washington
Theatre in Chester, Pa., and the
Modern Theatre in Lawrence, Mass.,
run through May, 1965, while a lease
on the Capitol Theatre in Danbury,
Conn., runs through July, 1957. In all
three cases, Stanley Warner is agree-
ing not to extend or renew the exist-
ing lease, to dispose of any of the
three leases if anyone wants to take it
over, and make an irrevocable offer to
each landlord allowing the landlord to
cancel the lease on 30 days notice to
Stanley Warner. In addition, there
are special conditions in each case :
the Washington, which is now closed,
can't be reopened without government
approval and Stanley Warner agrees
not to operate more than two first-run
theatres in Chester ; the Modern will
not be operated as a first-run house
and Stanley Warner agrees for five
years not to have more than two of
its theatres in Lawrence operating as
first-runs and to limit itself to two-
thirds of the first run films of major
distributors ; and the Capitol will not
be operated as a first-run house, and
for three years the circuit will not
take for its other first-run theatres in
Danbury more than two-thirds of the
first-run films of major distributors.

A similar wind-up order is expected
for National Theatres early in Janu-
ary, and Loew's and RKO are also
nearing the end of their divestiture
programs.

Circuits Move Offices

RKO Theatres and the Stanley
Warner Corp. moved to new office
quarters over the weekend. RKO
Theatres has shifted its home office
to 1740 Broadway while Stanley War-
ner moved to 1585 Broadway here.

Reade, Sr., Home
Now Circuit Office

The 20-room home of the late
Walter Reade, Sr., at Oakhurst,
N. J., has been converted into
home offices and headquarters
of Walter Reade Theatres, and
at that spot the trade press on
Friday was given a weekend
"Cook's Tour." The great man-
sion has been broken up into
departmental segments. What
used to be huge bedrooms are
now the offices of the account-
ing, booking and clerical de-
partments of the circuit.

Monday, December 20, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

In the THEATRE

Equipment

& ite fresh wtBetBi

World . . .

• • with RAY GALLO

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL is
now cooling both the fihn gate
and the film itself by means of a water
jacket and air jet attachment on its
projectors. With Simplex X-L me-
chanisms, the theatre has installed
Simplex X-L Aqua-Flo units, which
circulate water around the gate and
blow air on to each side of the film.

The nozzle on the lens side is syn-
chronized with the pull-down to emit
a stream of air only during the period
of film rest, while on the lamp side
the nozzle, which here is associated
with the jacket so as to be cooled by
the water, operates continuously.

Being under compression, the air
loses heat upon release and is said to
have a definite cooling efl^ect upon the
film. Air pressure on both sides mini-
mizes in-and-out-of-focus effect. As a
result of the installation, heat filters
have been removed from the lamps,
which are condensers burning 180
amperes.

•

A variable prismatic type anamor-
phic lens, called "Cinematic IV,"
has been marketed by the S.O.S.
Cinema Supply Corp., New York.
The new device is described as hav-
ing micromatic control for all aspect
ratios from 1.33/1 to 2.66/1, making
it adaptable, it is pointed out, to
VistaVision as well as Superscope
and CinemaScope. Constructed of
lightweight cast aluminum, the lens
is said to fit all projectors, mounting
in front of the objective lens on
universal adapter brackets. It has a
balance indicator and distortion con-
trols, while optical members are
coated.

•

Thirteen neiv motion picture record-
ing and disk licensing agreements have
been completed by Westrex Corp.,
Nczv York, with studios in Japan,
England. Italy and Hong Kong, also
in Hollyii'ood and New York.
•

For older models of the company's
projectors, Motiograph Inc., Chicago,
has produced removable aperture
plates for easy, immediate substitu-
tion of apertures for the various as-
pect ratios. There are nine different
sizes, applying to models H, HU, HK
and K. sold from 1926 to 1941.

Pine-ThomaSy Para,
Sever Association

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 19. — Bill
Pine and Bill Thomas are withdraw-
ing their Pine-Thomas production unit
from Paramount after the delivery of
"Lucy Gallant." Their future distribu-
tion outlet has not been announced.

Pine and Thomas have been releas-
ing through Paramount for the last 14
years and have produced 77 pictures
which were partially financed by the
studio. Under their new policy, Pine
and Thomas currently are producing
"Lincoln McKeever."

Reviews

Hunters of the Deep

(Dowling-D.C.A.)

DHOTOGRAPHED in super Cinecolor entirely on and under the ocean,
the Edinburgh Festival prize-winning initial release of the Distributors
Corp. of America is a documentary of underwater life filmed with the coopera-
tion of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, U. S. Navy Electronics
Laboratory and Allen Hancock Institute of Marine Research. The Allan
Dowhng presentation, revealing the inhabitants of the deep waters, will hold
audiences enthralled as the bright hues of coral reefs and the striking tints of
the various species of fish, photographed even at a depth of 150 feet, are
caught.

Narrated throughout by Dan O'Herlihy, written by Dowling and producer
Tom Gries, the results of the underwater photography were reproduced by
the Radiant Labs in England. The film, which also will be available to
educational and research institutions, is enhanced by a musical score composed
and conducted by George Antheil. Cameramen who invaded the waters off
the Bahama reefs, and the coastal waters of California and Mexico, are Robert
Dill, Verne Pederson, Harry Pederson, Martin Akmakjian, William Fortin,
and Conrad Limbaugh.

Men of science, using aqualungs to provide the necessary air, and spear guns
for protection against the gangsters of the deep, drop from a world of sunshine
and fresh air into an environment of untold beauty and danger. While endeav-
oring to record life beneath the surface of the ocean, the submarine cameramen
encounter peaceful frolicsome games as played by sea lions, sea elephants and
groupers, and view the predatory mode of living as followed by sharks, sting
rays, devil fish and barracuda. Audiences will enjoy this documentary picture
which at times is suspenseful and informative.

Running time, 64 minutes. General audience classification. Release, in
January.

On the same program, "Rembrandt, Self-Portrait," a DCA release, depicts
the great artist's life in a color short which displays his paintings and
etchings. •

L. D.

Paid to Kill

(Lippert)

ATYPICAL mystery-melodrama, fast, furious and slightly preposterous,
"Paid to Kill" is no better or worse than others in its category. It should
satisfy the action fans. Dane Clark is the lone American name in this Anglo-
American picture.

Clark plays a young businessman who fails to consumate a business deal
which he feels will ruin too many people. In order to protect his wife, whom
he idolizes, Clark hires an old buddy of his to kill him so his wife can collect
the insurance. When the deal does go through, he has to work fast to prevent
his murder. There are several attempts made on his life before he realizes
that they're not the result of the bargain he made.

Who actually wants to murder him and why constitute the remainder of
the film. The denouement is fairly obvious to the audience half-way through
the picture, although Clark conveniently waits until the end to make the dis-
covery.

The acting is generally good with Clark playing a meaty part for all it's
v;orth. Best in suoport is Cecile Chevreau who plays his secretary, too much
in love with her boss. Paul Carpenter is seen as the hired killer and Thea
Gregory is the wife.

Anthony Hinds produced and Montgomery Tully directed from a screen-
plav by Paul Tabori.

Running time, 70 minutes. General audience classification.

*'An Inspector Calls**

(Associated Artists)

AN intriguing British mysterv picture, "An Inspector Calls" is aided ef-
fectively by the expert performance of Alastair Sim. His name should
be a draw, especially in art theatres.

Described as a Westgate production, and produced by A. D. Peters, it was
directed competently by Guy Hamilton from a good screenplay by Desmond
Davis.

The film, taken from the J. B. Priestley story, is a moralistic work, without
being in the slightest overbearing in that regard. It is a deftly woven plot
structure which utilizes the stategic device of coincidence but does not abuse
it. In a suburban British town, a merchant of means and self-satisfaction is
presiding at a happy family dinner marking the engagement of his daughter
to a promising young man, in the presence of the merchant's wife and slightly
tipsy son.

Into the scene walks Sim, who introduces himself as a police inspector,
investigating the death in a hospital that day of a girl who had taken poison.
The initial disclaimers of interest or involvement by all present change to
conscience-stricken admission on the part of each present under the skillful
probing of the gentle-voiced inspector. Each, it appears, has contributed to
the chain which forced the girl to suicide.

At the moment they discover the "inspector" is 'not what he purports to
he, the plot takes a fascinating twist to a surprise ending. That conclusion
and the ingratiating and warm performance of Sim are the chief, and valuable,
se'ling assets of the production, which spells out good entertainment.

Running time, SO minutes. General audience classification. November
release.

TV and Radio

in HOLLYWOOD

By SAMUEL D. BERNS

p\lSC JOCKEYS are viewing the
'-^ 45 rpm E.P.'s as a shot in the
arm of the record industry. The teen-
agers are more likely to spend an ex-
tra six bits for a four-song platter
(two per side). To wit: Capitol's up-
coming release of Dean Martin vocals
— "Let Me Go Lover," "Naughty
Lady of Shady Lane," and on the flip
side, "Mambo Italiano" and "That's
All I Want From You.". . . William
Asher, Robert Elorey, Roy Kellino,
Ted Post and Jack Webb are on the
ballot for the second annual TV-Film
Directorial Award. Bob Elorey took
it home last year for "Last Voyage"
on the 4- Star Playhouse. . . . Walt
Disney gets a 2 for 1 shake with
Peggy Lee spotlighted on his Disney-
land ABC'er to plug the songs she
wrote for his soon-to-be-released full
length feature cartoon, "Lady and the
Tramp.". . . Ed Rosenberger is now
NBC's West Coast talent and pro-
gram contract administrator under
Tom Sarnoff ; and the staff at KRCA
was proud of the news that Tom
McEadden, their former manager, was
made a veep, in charge of the net's
spot sales.

California Studios is in the midst oj
its greatest production splurge. All
the stages and cutting rooms are busy.
. . . Alex Gottlieb renewed Barbara
Hammer's ivriter contract for another
13 weeks go at "Dear Phoebe.". . .
Ben Blue has financier Ray Ryan's
greenbacks for a neiv half-hour film
series that should keep the company
in the black. . . ."Alias Jimmy Valen-
tine," Donald Hyde's new TV film
package for UTP could steal plenty
of station time. . . . Earl Hudson's
hoys are researching shows for spon-
sors and vice versa to meet the time
of day on the nezu 32-station ABC-1 V
hookup blanketing the 11 Western
states as well as Hazvaii and Alaska.
. . . NBC noztf stands for Nice Boy
Cy (Howard, that is) .... Gloria Pall
hits the local TV log ais Voluptua on
Wednesday nites over KABC.
Wouldn't surprise us if this female
anszcer to The Continental gets the
kinny treatment. . . . Morton Scott,
Studio City TV Productions prexy,
reports "Stories of the Century," seen
in practically ez'ery market, has just
finished shooting No. 31 of the tteries.

Nippon Film Chosen
For Bur sty n Award

The Japanese color film, "Gate of
Hell," has been chosen to receive the
annual Joseph Burstyn Award as the
best foreign-language picture of the
year, it was announced here by the
Independent Motion Picture Distribu-
tors Association of America.

Bosley Crowther, motion nicture
critic of "The New York Times,"
will make the presentation of the
award to the Hon. Jun Tsuchiya, con-
sul general of Japan in New York
City, at a IMPDA luncheon on Dec.
28 at Rosoff's Restaurant. Edward
Harrison is the American distributor
of the Daiei Studio-Masaichi Nagata
Production.

SHAPING
UP
WITH
THE

YEAR'S
BIGGEST
GROSSERS!

OTTO PREMINGER presents OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN'S

from 20th Century-Fox

CinemaScoPI^

starring

HARRY BELAFONTE- DOROTHY DANDIGE
PEARL BAILEY 'OLGA JAMES JOE ADAMS

Produced and Directed by Books and Lyrics by

OnO PREMINGER OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN, 2nd

Screen Play by HARRY KLEINER

color by DELUXE

VOL. 76. NO. 118

NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1954

10 Firms Agree

New Two Year
lA' Exchange
Pact Signed

Provides for $5.50 Weekly
Pay Hike, Shorter Hours

Agreement on a two-year contract
between 10 motion picture distributors
and lATSE, covering all employes
represented by "lA" in the front and
back offices of exchange locals in the
U.S., has been reached, according- to a
joint announcement here yesterday.

The new contract calls for an in-
crease of $5.50 per week, per employe,
retroactive to Dec. 1, and a reduction
of the work week from 40 to 37^
hours starting Jan. 3. Improvement in
the severance pay claims also is pro-
vided in the new contract, which runs
from Dec. 1 to Nov. 30, 1956.

The committee representing the
"lA" consisted of general secretary-
treasurer Harland Holmden, chair-
man ; international vice-president Lou-
ise Wright and international
representative Joseph D. Basson, with
international president Richard F.
Walsh participating in the final nego-
tiations.

Representing the distributors were
(Continued on page 6)

Gov't Documents in
16mm, Suit Will Be
Disclosed Mar, 10

From THE DAILY Bureau

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 20.— Federal
Judge Harry C. Westover today fixed
March 10 as the date for the Govern-
ment to disclose its documents in the
16mm. anti-trust suit to the defense,
and gave the 12 defendants 90 days
thereafter to disclose its documents in
the case to the Government.

The court also confirmed Sept. 6 as
the trial date for the case, which was
filed in July, 1952.

The court tentatively approved an
agreement between opposing counsel
by which all defendants except Repub-
lic Pictures will withdraw interroga-
tories, reportedly 3,200 in number, al-
ready supplied the court by Govern-
ment demand. The exception of
Republic, it was explained, is made
because that company has released
some films to television, which places
it in a slightly different category than
other defendants, which have not.

Thedford President,
Evergreen Theatres

special to THE DAILY

SEATTLE, Dec. 20.— WilHam H.
Thedford, for some eight years assist-
ant to Frank L. Newman, head of
Evergreen State Amusement Corp.,
has been named president of the cir-
cuit, a National Theatres affiliate,
■operating in Oregon and Washington.

Expect 30 in 1955

10 From 20th'Fox in First
Four Months of New Year

With the number of attractions from 20th Century-Fox in 1955 ex-
pected to hit 30, the company yesterday announced a program of releases
between January and April, 1955, calling for eight CinemaScope produc-
tions, all in color, and two standard
films, one in color.

The product linc-up will see two
CinemaScope productions released
each month during the four-month
period augmented in February and
March with standard pictures being
distributed by the company.

The program commencing in Jan-
uary, numbers Otto Preminger's "Car-
men Jones" in CinemaScope and color
by De Luxe, and "Prince of Players"
in CinemaScope and color by De
Luxe, produced and directed by Philip
Dunne.

February releases are "White
Feather" in CinemaScope and print
by Technicolor, a Leonard Goldstein
presentation, produced by Robert L.
{Continued on page 6)

Berger Says 4 Firms
Agree to Flat Rental

special to THE DAILY

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 20.— Ben-
jamin N. Berger, president of North
Central Allied Independent Theatre
Owners, Inc., has disclosed in a mem-
bership bulletin that M-G-M, Colum-
bia, Warner Bros, and Universal will
sell their top product to all small
town theatres with low grosses on a
flat rental basis.

Berger, attributing what he called
"the change in tune" to national
Allied's threat to seek federal legisla-
tion controlling film distribution, listed
(Continued on page 3)

Deadline Was Yesterday

2ND NYC 5% TAX
SHORT OF^STIMATE

Three Circuits Representing 88 Houses
Report Collections at $391,775

By LESTER DINOFF

Three top New York City circuits with 88 theatres throughout the five
boroughs here yesterday reported admission taxes collected for the three
month period ended on Nov. 30 totaling $391,775 approximately, which

' included the tax breakage of $69,200
withheld by the exhibitors pending the
determination of the legality of the
city levy by the courts.

Officials of the City Tax Collector's
office refused to estimate the revenue
collected from the second payment of
the five per cent "nuisance impost"
which was to be turned in by the close
of business yesterday. However, local
exliibitor officials, after studying col-
lated tax reports, reported that the
total revenue paid in the New York
City area will be far short of all esti-
mates due to the definite slack off in
theatre business after the summer
"boom" period.

New York City amusement sources
on Sept. 20 had turned in, it was re-
ported by the City Tax Collector, a
revenue for the Julv and August peri-
od of $1,291,949 with the 436 theatres
(Continued on page 3)

Nat. Review Board
Picks ^Waterfront'

The National Board of Review of
Motion Pictures has chosen "On the
Waterfront" as the best film of 1954,
it was announced by Henry Hart,
chairman of the committee on ex-
ceptional films.

Hart termed the selection of the
board, which inaugurated the practice
of choosing each year's ten best mo-
tion pictures 34 years ago, the result
of the film's expert dramatization of
an important sociological problem in
wholly cinematic terms. Directed by
Elia Kazan and starring Marlon
Brando, "On the Waterfront" deals
with racketeering in and around the
port of New York.

The board's list of 1954's ten best
follows: 1) "On the Waterfront;"
2) "Seven Brides for Seven Broth-
ers;" 3) "The Country Girl": 4) "A
Star Is Born;" 5) "Executive Suite;"
6) "The Vanishing Prairie;" 7) "Sa-
brina;" &) "20,000 Leagues Under the
Sea;" 9) "The Unconquered" (a film
(Continued on page 6)

To Entertain Rogers
Hospital Tonight

An entertainment unit of six spe-
cialty acts and a pianist left New
York last night for Saranac Lake
where tonight they will put on the
first annual Christmas show sponsored
by New York's Cinema Lodge oi
B'nai B'rith for the patients of the
entertainment industry's Will Rogers
Memorial Hospital.

Milton ' Livingston, vice-president
and publicity chairman of Cinema
Lodge, is accompanying the unit to
Saranac Lake where it will be met
by Burton E. Robbins, president of
the Lodge, and Dr. George E. Wilson,
medical director of the hospital and
his staff who are acting as hosts to
the troupe. Ned E. Shugrue, executive
(Continued on page 6)

Col. Picketing
Case Dropped

special to The Daily

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec.20.— A stipu-
lation dismissing wtihout prejudice the
injunctive proceeding brought by Co-
lumbia Pictures against North Central
Allied and its 30-man board of di-
rectors was filed in Minneapolis Fed-
eral Court. The stipulation was signed
by Davis Shearer, attorney for Co-
(Continued on page 6)

Balaban Chairman of
Brotherhood Dinner

Barney Balaban has been named
chairman and 152 other executives and
representatives of the amusement in-
dustry have accepted posts as sponsors
of the Brotherhood Week dinner
launching the National Conference's
drive for 1955, it was announced by
John H. Harris, national chairman of
the organization's amusement division.

The dinner, which will be held at
(Continued on page 3)

Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, December 21, 1954

Personal
Mention

EDWARD L. HYMAN, vice-presi-
dent of American Broadcasting-
Paramount Theatres, has returned to
New York from Detroit and Buffalo.
•

Mike Todd, chairman of Milce Todd
Productions, has left here for the
Coast upon returning from Europe.
He is due to return here on Friday.
•

Hannah Pellen, secretary to
Martin Quigley, Jr., editor of "Mo-
tion Picture Herald," has announced
her marriage to John A. Mattutat.
•

Sidney Urbach, dough guy of the
Albany (N.Y.) Variety Club, is re-
covering from surgery performed at
Albany Hospital. ^

Walter Hyland, head booker for
Universal-International in Chicago, is
observing his 40th anniversary- with
the company.

•

Richard Ci-OONAn, of Capitol Films,
Chicago, is the father of a daughter
born there to Mrs. Cloonan last
week.

•

Robert I. Kronenberg, president of
Manhattan Films International has
returned to the Coast from New York.
- •

Robert Helpmann, British actor,
will return to London from New York
tomorrow via B.O.A.C. Monarch.
•

Harold Hecht and James Hill,
producers, will arrive in New York
from Hollywood on Sunday.

•

Mark Robson, director, will arrive
m New York from Europe today
aboard the "He de France."

•

F Borden Mace, president of- Louis
de Rochemont Associates, has lett
New York for London.

Polio Foundation
Expands Amuse. Div,

An enlarged radio, television and
motion picture department of the Na-
tional Foundation for Infantile Paral-
ysis will handle the 1955 March of
Dimes campaign, it was announced by
Howard J. London, director of the
department.

With a $64,000,000 goal for the
campaign, which will be held Jan.
3-31 the accelerated operation includes
the 'addition of 15 people in the New
York headquarters, two to the Holly-
wood division, and one in Chicago.

GrimthMitcheil/IO

ROCHESTER, N. Y., Dec. 20.—
W Griffith Mitchell, 70, veteran the-
atre manager, died here. Mitchell, a
native of Kalamazoo, Mich., managed
theatres after leaving his home town.
In addition to managing the Capitol,
in Kalamazoo, he managed the Majes-
tic Gardens and other theatres in
Toronto. He is survived by his wid-
ow the former Vivian Longton, and a
son. Major W. H. Mitchell, with the
Canadian Army in Germany.

New Book Reveals
Complete Data on
Business Films

The average over-all cost of a busi-
ness film produced today is $87,264, it
is, revealed in "The Dollars and Sense
of Business Films," a 128- page book
just published by The Association of
National Advertisers, Inc.

Prepared by the A.N. .A.. Films
Steering Committee, the book is a re-
port on the production and distribution
costs of representative advertising and
public relations motion pictures, based
on a study of 157 such business films.
Representatives of companies which
are large users of business films are
members of the steering committee, of
which John Flory of Eastman Kodak
Co. is chairman.

Breakdown of Cost Given

The survey showed that the overall
cost - of a business film is divided as
follows : 55.3 per cent for production ;
26.3 per cent for prints, and 18.4 per
cent for distribution. The study showed
that a business film has 1,268,851 (me-
dian) viewers, excluding TV, and
about three times that number, includ-
ing TV.

Major audience targets, the report
saySi consist of the following : schools
and colleges, 89 per cent ; clubs, etc.,
81 per cent ; business and industry, 79
per cent ; company employes, 62 per
cent; churches and synagogues, 61 per
tent, and company management, 56
per cent.

This is the first time some of the
hitherto confidential data has been
published.

Tells of Big
Exploitation Push

The greatest concentration of field
promotional activity in the history of
Universal-International was claimed
here by the company yesterday, with
20 field exploitation representatives
already assigned to cover key city
openings of "Sign of the Pagan" and
"So This Is Paris" and the New Eng-
land territorial launching of "Six
Bridges to Cross."

The 20 field men, who will be joined
by others during the coming weeks,
will be directed by a task force of
executives headed by Charles Simo-
nelli, Eastern advertising and publicity
department manager ; Philip Gerard,
Eastern publicity manager ; Jeff Liv-
ingston, Eastern advertising manager,
and Herman Kass, Eastern exploita-
tion manager.

39 'U' Foreign
Branches in Drive

Thirty-nine Universal-International
branches and distributors around the
world will compete in the 1955 Daff
Drive, annual overseas - sales push, it
was announced here yesterday by
Americo Aboaf, foreign general man-
ager.

Ben M. Cohn, assistant foreign sales
manager, has been named captain of
the drive, which will run for a 17
week period beginning Jan. 3 and con-
cluding on April 30, and which has
as its slogan "Everyone A Winner."

Six Home Offices to
Be Closed Friday

Six home offices will close all
day on Friday, one has made no
decision as yet and the others
will start the holidays around
noon on that day. Most of the
companies will be open until
1:00 P.M. on Dec. 31.

Closing all day on Friday are
United Artists, Columbia,
M-G-M, RKO Radio, Allied
Artists and 20th Century-Fox.
Operating half-day on Friday
are Republic, Universal, War-
ner Brothers and the Motion
Picture Association of America.
Paramount has not announced
its intentions.

Damis Quits SW for
Candy, Drive-ins

Frank J. Damis, zone manager, who
has supervised the Stanley Warner
North Jersey theatres for the past 10
years and is leaving that organization
on Jan. 1, has joined Confection Cabi-
net Corp. as a vice-president with
headquarters in Newark, N. J. Con-
fection Cabinet specializes in the ser-
vicing of vending machines and in the
operation of candy counter conces-
sions in theatres throughout the
United States.

In his new association, Damis also
has combined with Ben, Manuel and
Sheldon Smerling and Charles Stern
of Confection Cabinet in the purchase
of the Eastern Drive-In Corp., a cir-
cuit of seven drive-in theatres in the
Jersey area, consisting of Route 22
Union, Route 10 Morris Plains, Route
46 Totowa, Route 1 New Brunswick,
Route 4 Paramus, the Shore and Fly
In, Farmingdale.

Damis will head the management
and operation of the drive-in chain in
addition to his over-all activities with
Confection Cabinet.

Italy in Co-Producing
Deals With 7 Nations

With the renewal last week of the
Italian-Spanish co-production agree-
ment, Italy now has pacts with seven
nations. Agreements, in addition to
Spain, have been closed with Germany,
England, Japan, Argentina, France
and Egypt.

Agreements with other nations, in-
cluding the United States, are being
sought and negotiated. During his re-
cent visit to this country. Dr. Eitel
Monaco, president of ANICA, invited
the American film industry to sign
an accord for Italo- American co-pro-
duction, with financial, technical and
artistic participation of producers
from both countries.

Feinhlum Rites Today

Funeral services will be held today
at "The Riverside" for Sam Feinblum,
59, for many years head booker in
New York for Columbia Pictures,
who died suddenly at his home in the
Bronx on Saturday. He is survived by
his wife, Betty, two sons, Gerald and
Ivan, and a daughter, Mrs. Frances
Kaufman.

MPA Dinner
Chairmen Set

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 20.— Dis-
trict chairmen in charge of ticket sales
for the dinner of the Motion Picture
Associates on Jan. 18, at the Bellevue-
Stratford Hotel, were appointed at a
membership meeting of the MPA
here. The appointments were an-
nounced by Sam Diamond, president.

The dinner, honoring pioneers of
the motion picture industry, will be
held in conjunction with the dedica-
tion of The Nickelodeon in Franklin
Institute, the "shrine to the movie in-
dustry," donated to the Institute by
William Goldman, Philadelphia mo-
tion picture executive.

The chairmen and their areas are :

Tom Noble (Warners), Harris-
burg ; Bill Hopkins (Metro-Goldvryn-
Mayer), New Jersey; Jack Berger
(United Artists), Scranton-Wilkes-
barre ; Bud Bache (Metro), Philadel-
phia, and Eli Ginsburg (Republic),
Delaware.

The $25-a-plate dinner will honor
William C. Hunt, Abraham Sablosky,
Benjamin Amsterdam and Albert R.
Boyd. Each of these men, with an
aggregate of 200 years in the industry,
has played an important role in the
development of the motion picture in-
dustry in the Philadelphia area.

George Jessel will be toastmaster of
the dinner.

William Smitfi, 55

PASCO, Wash. Dec. 20.— William
S. Smith, 55, one of the best known
theatre technicians in the Pacific
Northwest and special installation man
for B. F. Shearer Co. of Portland-
Seattle, died of a heart attack while
hanging draperies in a local theatre.

NEW YORK THEATRES

2 GREAT I.F.E. HITS

1 4th WEEK

5lh AVE.ii 58lh ST. ; |^,^j,jj> ■

6TH RECORD BREAKING WEEK
112,564 New Yorkers have seen it!

S. HUROK

presents
VERDI'S

CARNEGIE

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

Rockefeller Center

"DEEP IN MY HEART"

In Glorious COLOR starring
JOSE MERLE HELEN

FERRER • OBERON • TRAUBEL

An M-G-M Picture
& The Music Hall's Great Christmas Stage Show \

Advertising _ . _ _ ,

Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washirigton, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; P^ete.r Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald ; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13' tirjies a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at NeW York, ■ N. 'Y.y under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

Tuesday, December 21, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Brotherhood

{Continued from page 1)

the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New
York on Jan. 13, will honor J. Robert
Rubin, permanent chairman of the
:anusements division 'jf the National
Conference.

Industry executives sponsoring tlie affair
are Stanley Adams. Charles A. Alicoate,
Richard W. Altschuler, Chester B. Bahn,
Herman Becker. .Tack Beresin, Maurice A.
Bergman, Ted Bergman, Charles l3ernes,
Kenneth Bilbv, Charles Boasberg, Harry
Brandt, Richard Brandt, Walter Branson,
Leo Brecher. Francis X. Carroll, Charles L.
Casanave, Leonard Case, Jlax A. Cohen,
Leonard Coulter and Robert W. Coyne.

Also George F. Dembow, Sam Dembow,
Tr Ned E. Depinet, Howard Dietz, Oscar
A 'Ooob, Russell V. Downing, George W.
kby Charles Einfeld, Jay Emanuel, Ernest
Emerling, C. J. Feldman. Max Fellerman,
Herman Finklestein, Leopold Friedman, Al-
bert Floerschimer, Jr., Emil Friedlander,
Emanuel Frisch, W. C. Gehring, William
J German, Harry Goldberg, Leon Goldberg,
Gil Golden, Leonard H. Goldenson, Monroe
R Goodman, Louis M. Gordon, Max Gor-
don Morey Goldstein, John Golden, James
Gould, James R. Grainger, Abel Green ana
Walter E. Green.

Also Oscar Hammerstein II, Jack Harri-
son William J. Heineman, Donald A. Hen-
derson, Walter Higgins, I. J. Hoffman, L.
•\ Hoilingsworth, Russell Holman, George
Hoover, William W. Howard, Arthur Israel,
Ir. James D. Ivers, James J. Jerauld, Sher-
"win Kane, S. E. Kassel, Tom Kennedy,
Austin C. Keough, Gen. John R. Kilpatrick,
Malcolm Kinsberg, Stanley Kolbert. Bernard
G. Kranze, Arthur Krim, Edward Lachman,
Nat Lefkowitz, Irving M. Lesser, Jules
Levy, Herman M. Levy, Mrs. Charles E.
Lewis, Henry A. Linet, Arthur H. Lock-
wood, Milton M. Maier, Harry Mandel, Ben
Marcus and Joseph M. McConville.

Also Tea Mead, Donald Mersereau, Mau-
.•ice J. Miller, Robert Mochrie, A. Mon-
tague, Edward Morey, John H. Mitchell,
Charles C. Moskowitz, M. J. Mullm, Louis
Nizer, Louis A. Novins, J. P. O'Connor,
Thomas F. O'Connor, Robert O'Donnell, E.
K. O'Shea, Charles Okun, Louis Phillips,
Al Picault, Eugene Picker, Seymour Poe,
Martin Quigley, Martin Quigley, Jr., Walter
Reade, Chanes M. Reagan, Irving Renner,
Ivan Reiner, Al Richard, Harold Rmzler,
Samuel Rinzler, Burton E. Robbins, Herman
Robbins, William F. Rodgers and Samuel
Rosen.

Also C. Salander, Monty Salmon, Robert
Sarnoff, George J. Schaefer, Herbert
Scheftel, A. W. Schwalberg, Arthur H.
Schwartz, Charles Schwartz, Sol A.
Schwartz, Adolf Schimel, Herman Schleier,
Silas F. Seadler, Joseph M. Seider, Gerald
J. Shea, Sam Shain, Murray Silverstone,
Spyros S, Skouras, David Snaper, Wilbur
Sn'aper, Pincus Sober, Solomon M. Straus-
berg, Morton Sunshine, Joseph R. Vogel,
J. Miller Walker, Richard F. Walsh, Ed
Walton, Jack Warner, Mo Wax, Robert M.
Weitman, Archie Weltmaii, Francis M.
Winikus, Marc J. Wolf and Max E. Young-
stein.

Tax Take Short of Estimate

(Continued from page 1)

Agree to Flat Rental

{Continued from page 1)

contributing- an approximate $750,000
to the total impost of which an ap-
proximate $150,000 was withheld as
tax breakage.

Five major circuits represent-
ing 143 theatres reported on
Sept. 20 an approximate tax
revenue of $494,000 which in-
cluded a tax breakage figure of
$87,000 for the July and August
summer period. The circuits
represented were: RKO The-
atres, Loew's Theatres, Skouras
Theatres, Century Theatres and
Brandt Theatres.
The 88 theatres admission tax fig-
ure of $391,775, plus the $69,200 tax
breakage withheld, were termed by an
exhibition spokesman as "representa-
tive of the slack business felt here."
These houses, located on Broadway
and in suburban areas, 'are part of the
Loew's, Skouras or Century circuits.
The circuits, collectors of the tax for
the city, have posted bonds as security
for the tax breakage per court instruc-
tion.

The Loew's Theatres circuit with
45 houses around New York City re-
ported a total tax on admissions dur-
ing the September, October and No-
vember period totaling $262,000.
Computed against an un disclosed gross,
the admission tax exceeded the au-
thorized five per cent allowed by the
State Enabling Act of 1947, a Loew's
representative said. Loew's forwarded
$217,000 to the city tax collector re-
taining $45,000 as the tax breakage
amount.

Two Were Partially Operated

It was also disclosed by the circuit
official that two of the top houses had
not operated for the full 90-day period
as they were leased or sold to other
interests.

During the July and August period,
the same nuinber of Loew's theatres
reported a tax of $188,400 collected
and a tax breakage of $31,000.

The 21 Skouras Theatres forwarded
an approximate $50,450 as their sec-
ond tax payment and retained a tax
breakage of $12,325 for the 90-day

period. These houses, on Sept. 20, re-
ported to the city tax collector, a rev-
enue of $48,000 minus a tax breakage
of $8,200.

The 22 Century theatres forwarded
an approximate $55,125 for the second
payment retaining $11,875 as their tax
breakage. This compared to $38,600
which Century forwarded in late Sep-
tember to the tax collector, while
keeping $8,400 as the tax breakage
upon posting of a bond.

Most of these circuit theatres, play-
ing first, second and third runs on
films had an excellent summer busi-
ness, but usually slack off considerably
during the remaining 10 months of the
year despite Easter and the Christmas-
New Year uplifts, a representative
said.

Wagner Seeks Cooperation

In the meantime, Mayor Robert
Wagner of New York City said in a
radio interview that "with the help of
a more sympathetic understanding
from the incoming Democratic admin-
istration in Albany, the city's financial
needs can probably be met without re-
sort to additional taxes." He also
stated that there may be some change
in the present tax program.

Also, City Controller Lawrence E.
Gerosa has recommended that the city
establish a sort of rainy-day fund for
emergency use in the event that tax
receipts fall off. "The fund would be
pegged at between 10 and 30 per cent
of the current real estate tax levy," he
said. "Each year the city must esti-
mate its general fund receipts in ad-
vance and the new estimate method
will take us out of the realm of guess
work, partisan politics and crystal ball
gazing. In case of any sudden eco-
nomic reversal, it will give the Board
of Estimate at least a whole year to
provide remedial measures and the
necessity for levying any new taxes
until they are necessary," Gerosa said.

Transfer from Fund Provided

Any falling off of estimated receipts,
he said, "will be made good by the
transfer from the fund."

News
Roundup

the four companies which have joined
20th-Fox, which earlier declared itself
agreeable to flat rentals for small
situations with the exception of "The
Robe."

According to Berger, M-G-M will
sell flat to theatres paying under $200
top ; Columbia will sell flat to theatres
under a $100 top; Warner Bros, has
agreed to a small-town flat rental for
all pictures with the exception of "A
Star Is Born." Universal, which has
no national sales policy, will leave the
question of flat rentals to the judg-
ment of the local branch manager.

Berger added that Paramount made
no firm commitment on a flat rental
policy but agreed to accept Berger's
intercession in behalf of small-town
theatre owners who can prove loss on
the company's percentage pictures.
Berger said that all of the promises
were backed up by statements from
top executives of the four film com-
panies.

Harlan, Ky,, Council
Okays Censor Bill

HARLAN, Ky., Dec. 20.— In what
was believed to be the first such action
by any Kentucky municipality, the
Harlan City Council approved on first
reading an ordinance to create a mo-
tion picture censorship board.

Mayor Roscoe Petery, who sug-
gested the local ordinance to regulate
or censor "objectionable" motion pic-
tures, said its purpose was not "to
interfere with the theatre business"
but to give the city authority to ban
pictures deemed "unfit to be shown
to general audiences." A final vote on
the proposal is scheduled for January.

Ind. Tent Produces
Short on Palsy

INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 20. — Va-
riety Club Tent No. 10 here has just
completed a ninety-minute television
report to the Indianapolis Community
concerning its activities in the field
of Cerebral Palsy.

A year ago this tent handled the
C. P. telethon which resulted in the
raising of $264,000 to be used for the
benefit of those stricken with the
disease.

DC A to Swerdlove
In N,E, Territory

BOSTON, Dec. 20.— Al Swerdlove
has been appointed New England
representative for Distributors Corp.
of America, adding this company to
his current line of product from
Screen Guild, Lippert and Filmakers.

The first DCA release, "Long John
Silver," will have a mass territorial
booking backed by a TV and radio
campaign. For the trade screening of
the film, Charles Boasberg, vice-presi-
dent in charge of world-wide distribu-
tion, and Irving Wormser, vice-presi-
dent and general sales manager, came
on from New York to address the
exhibitors and buyers and bookers.

Auction Order Asked
For Goldwyn Studio

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 20.— Superi-
or Court Judge Paul Nourse today
instructed attorneys for Mary Pick-
ford and Samuel Goldwyn, co-owners
of the Goldwyn Studio to draw up,
within five days, an order for the
court's signature which would compel
the owners to permit the sale of the
property at auction to the highest
bidder.

"Golden Age" Series Opens

Fritz Lang's two-part saga of the
Nibelungen legends has opened at the
55th St. Playhouse as the first part of
a 10-picture series entitled "The
Golden Age of the Cinema," presented
by Thomas J. Brandon and with musi-
cal settings by Herman G. Weinberg.
The UFA productions, "Siegfried"
and "Kriemhild's Revenge," made mo-
tion picture history in the 1920' s. They
are based on ancient Teutonic myths
which served as inspiration for several
Wagnerian operas.

To Show "Lili"

In an unusual booking policy, thrg,e
Ohio theatres, Loew's State, Cleve-
land ; Loew's, Akron ; and Loew's,
Canton, is showing "Lili" at the first
morning performance during this
Christmas week, allowing patrons of
the show to remain for the regular bill
featuring "Three Ring Circus." This
is the first time that first-run down-
town houses have offered a picture
that played the entire area, except in
the case of reissues.

Turner to Speak

Terry Turner, veteran industry ex-
ploitation executive, will be the speak-
er at a Connecticut exhibitors lunch-
eon at Kasey's Restaurant, New
Haven, today. Joe Levine, president
of Embassy Pictures Corp., is host.

Booked Fourth Time

Joe Shagrin of the Foster Theatre,
Youngstown, O., has booked "Roman
Holiday" and "Lili" for the fourth
time. He previously played the combi-
nation in April, June and July.

Drive-ins Still Open

Only two drive-in theatres, the Pike
in Newington and the Blue Hills,
Bloomfield, are still operating in Con-
necticut, on a Friday through Sunday
policy. About 95 per cent of the
state's outdoor theatres have already
closed for the winter.

Theatre Ordered Closed

The Rivoli Theatre in Seattle \vas
ordered closed for ten days by the city
council for permitting minors to view
stage productions.

Ga. Theatre Reopens

The Franklin Theatre in Lavonia,
Ga., which had been closed for some
time, reopened to better business.

Corporate Stock Change

Box Office Television, Inc., has reg-
istered a certificate of change in cor-
porate stock. It now has 3,175 shares,
of which 2,000 have a par value of $10
and 1,175 have no par value.

THE PHENOMENAL

''RECORD-BREAKING

S BEING followed;

BY BIG-TIME DATI

LONG-RUN IN NEW YORK

NG IN:

ALBANY • ATLANTA • BOSTON • CHARLOTTE • CHICAGO • CINCINNATI

CLEVELAND • DENVER • DETROIT • INDIANAPOLIS • KANSAS CITY • LOS ANGELES

MEMPHIS • MILWAUKEE • MINNEAPOLIS • NEW HAVEN • NEW ORLEANS

NEW YORK * OMAHA • PHILADELPHIA • PITTSBURGH • PORTLAND

SALT LAKE CITY • SAN FRANCISCO • ST. LOUIS • WASHINGTON, D. C.

BINGHAMTON • ROCHESTER, N. Y. • DAYTON • COLUMBUS • BALTIMORE

CUMBERLAND, MD. • SALISBURY • GRAND RAPIDS • CHAMPAIGN

SOUTH BEND • MADISON • ST. PAUL • MIAMI BEACH • ST. PETERSBURG

PALM BEACH • FORT LAUDERDALE • RALEIGH

FORT WORTH • ALEXANDRIA, LA. • TUCSON

PHOENIX • ITHACA • BUTTERFIELD CIRCUIT, MICH.

WHODUNIT?

COMERFORD CIRCUIT, PENN.

DONE IT!

Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, December 21, 1954

10 From 20th

{Continued from page 1)

Jacks and directed by Robert Webb ;
"The Racers" in CinemaScope and
color by De Luxe, starring Kirk
Douglas, Bella Darvi and Gilbert Ro-
land, produced by Julian Blaustein and
directed by Henry Hathaway ; and
Panoramic Productions' "A Life in
the Balance," a standard picture, pro-
duced by Leonard Goldstein and di-
rected by Harry Horner.

March releases are "Untamed" in
CinemaScope and color by De Luxe,
starring Tyrone Power, Susan Hay-
ward and Richard Egan, produced by
Bert E. Friedlob and William A.
Bacher and directed by Henry King ;
"That Lady" in CinemaScope and
color by Technicolor, starring Olivia
deHavilland and Gilbert Roland, pro-
duced by Sy Bartlett and directed by
Terence Young ; and "Our Girl Fri-
day," a standard release in color, star-
ring Joan Collins, Kenneth More and
George Cole, produced by George
Minter and directed by Noel Langely.

Two in April

April releases are "A Man Called
Peter" in CinemaScope and color by
De Luxe, starring Jean Peters, Rich-
ard Todd, Gill Esmond and Robert
Burton, produced by Samuel G. Engel
and directed by Henry Koster ; and
"Violent Saturday" in CinemaScope
and color by Technicolor, starring
Victor Mature, Sylvia Sydney,
Stephen McNally and J. Carroll
Naish, produced by Buddy Adler and
directed by Robert Fleisher.

New *IA' Pact

(Continued from page 1)

M. M. Rosen, Loew's, Inc., chairman ;
C. A. Hill, 20th Century-Fox ; Arthur
Israel, Jr., and George Schur, Para-
mount ; F. T. Murray, Universal ; L.
Leshansky, Warner Brothers ; Eli J.
Drexler, National Screen Service ;
Joseph E. McMahon and Albert E.
Schiller, Republic ; H. C. Kaufman,
Columbia ; J. K. Chapman, United
Artists, and Frank E. Rosenfelt and
William McShea, RKO Radio Pic-
tures, Inc.

Columbia Picketing

(Continued from page 1)

lumbia, and Stanley Kane, NCA ex-
ecutive counsel.

In correspondence accompanying
the stipulation, Kane told Shearer
that there was no intent of resuming
the picketing of the Minneapolis Co-
lumbia branch "in the foreseeable
future."

* Animal Farm' Bow
Slated for Dec, 29

The world premiere of "Animal
Farm," the animated cartoon Techni-
color feature produced by Halas and
Batchelor for Louis de Rochemont,
will be held at the Paris Theatre here
on Dec. 29.

Televisinn-'Railio

iWith Pinky Herman-,

THE new British-produced radio series, "Adventures of Sherlock
Holmes," which NBCommences Sunday (9:30-10:00 P.M.), Jan.
2, features Sir John Gielgud (Sherlock Holmes) and Sir Ralph
Richardson (Dr. Watson). Sticklers for detail, the producers not
only have gone to great length to re-create the atmosphere and music
of the times but they've likewise come up with a perfect piece of
casting in the naming of Val Gielgud (Sir John's brother) to por-
tray Sherlock's brother, "Mycroft." . . . Producer Mike Curtiz caught
Jack Lord's performance recently in the Broadway production of
"The Traveling Lady" and signed the TV actor forthwith for a
featured role in the forthcoming Paramount VistaVision musical,
"The Vagabond King," skedded to roll next week. . . . "Bob &
Ray," radio's clever (t)WINS, will co-star in a special CBS-TV
"New Year's Eve Party," sponsored by Piel's beer. . . . Former NBC
Producer Laurence Schwab, Jr., will take a crew to Paris in the
spring where he'll produce a full-length motion picture, "The Story
of Louis Braille." We've read the shooting script based on J. Alvin
Kugelmass' original story and feel satisfied that the film, based on
the life of the blind, gentle and inspired young Frenchman, is a
cinch to cop awards.

Mercury Records lias just released a timely album featuring
Jack Sliaiiidlin's orchestrafs presentation of 12 Academy Award-
zviniiing popular songs. A miist item for radio and TV record
libraries. . . . After seven years as WNEWsca-ster and deejay,
Lonny Starr has been given another five-year
contract and has also been named to succeed
Bert Wayne for the commershills on Jerry
Marshall's "Make Believe Ballroom." . . .
Ted. Ashley Associates is now Asliley-Steiner,
Inc. . . . Martin Block's "Christmas Party"
for New Yorkids yesterday at Manhattan
Centre was 'heaven for autograph-seekers.'
The zt'iug-ding zuas so successful W ABC will
undoubtedly make tliis an- annual event. . . .
Tennessee Ernie will head a new musical
across-the-board TV series to replace "The
Betty White Show" over NBC starting Jan.
2. . . . Musical director Virginia Byrd Rech-
toris of WISH-TV , one of the finest organists
in the Hoosier country, has added a daily
series of organ music to her busy schedule. . . . Bill Holden will
be seen in his TV debut on the Monday, Feb. 7 stanza of "I Love
Lucy."

it -A

TV producer Peter Arnell will deliver three lectures before
radio and TV students at the University of Michigan during
the coming spring semester. The whiz of the quiz programs
is an alumnus of the Ann Arbor seat of learning. . . . Bob
White, WMCA's genial, energetic and
talented record librarian, is rounding out
his 15th year of program building. (He
spent four years as an officer in the U. S.
Army during World War IL) . . . Alex
Segal's (he's director of "U. S. Steel Hour"
ABC-TVehicle) unusual camera technique,
is high-lighted in an interesting article in
next month's issue of Modern Photog-
raphy. . . . Guild Films' newest telefilm
series, "It's Fun to Reduce" goes into pro-
duction Saturday at the Biltmore Studios
in Gotham femceed by Margaret Firth.
An appropriate slogan — "lose girth with
firth." (no dearth of mirth — no girth is
worth — ) . . . Milton Douglas, formerly
executive producer at ABC, has joined Barry, Enright &
Friendly, Inc.

ir it

Stiano Braggiotti, who'll be seen in a featured role in the "Kraft
Television Theatre" ABCast of "Death Takes a Holiday," Thurs-
day, Dec. 30, is a brother of concert-pianist Mario Braggiotti and
Francesca Braggiotti (wife of Connecticut Governor John Cabot
Lodge). . . . Larry Bloom, side man with Michael Zarin's Waldorf-
Astoria Hotel dance band, has tooted his sax with Maestro Zarin's
aggregation ever since they started there 22 years ago. . . . Bill
Haley's Comets, new Decca recording star quartet, signed by Univer-
sal Pix.

Jack Shaindlin

Peter Arnell

Waterfront

(Continued from page 1)

record of the life of Helen Keller) ;
10) "Beat the Devil."

The board chose "Romeo and
Juliet" as the best foreign film shown,
in the U.S. during 1954. The other
nine pictures on its list of the ten
best foreign films, were 2) "Heart of
the Matter;" 3) "The Gate of Hell;"
4) "Diary of a Country Priest;" 5)
"The Little Kidnappers;" 6) "Gene-
vieve;" 7) "Beauties of the Night;"
8) "M. Hulot's Holiday;" 9) "The
Detective;" 10) "Bread, Love and
Dreams."

Renato Castellani was named the
year's best director for "Romeo and
Juliet."

Grace Kelly Best Actress

Grace Kelly was chosen the year's
best film actress primarily for her
performance in "The Country Girl,"
but also for her work in "Dial M for
Murder" and "Rear Window." Bing
Crosby was voted the year's best film
actor for his performance in "The
Country Girl." Nina Foch was voted
the best supporting actress for "Ex-
ecutive Suite," and John Williams the
best supporting actor for "Dial M for
Murder" and "Sabrina."

The board also cited as outstand-
ing examples of creativeness during
1954 : the choreography of "Seven
Brides for Seven Brothers" by
Alicahel Kidd ; the modernization of
traditional Japanese acting techniques
by Machiko Kyo in "The Gate of
Hell" and "Ugetsu", and the new
methods of moving puppets employed
in "Hansel and Gretel."

Rogers Hospital

(Continued from page 1)

director of the Will Rogers Memorial
Hospital, who has coordinated this
first annual entertainment junket, is
also making the trip.

The Christmas show is being made
possible through the participation and
cooperation of the American Guild of
Variety Artists (AGVA), Theatre
Authority and the American Federa-
tion of Musicians' Local 802. Robert
K. Shapiro, managing director of the
New York Paramount Theatre, is
chairman of this Cinema Lodge proj-
ect which was developed by the Lodge
as a special industry project.

Among the performers making the
trip under the direction of Marge
Coates, AGVA's national director of
sick and relief, are Bob Coffey, Fred
Hallette, Buddy Roth, Dario Cassini,
the Two Zephyrs and pianist Irving
Sacher, and Mr. Ballantine — Carl Bal-
lantine.

As part of the industry-wide co-
operatian making the trip possible,
Lindy's Restaurant has contributed
sandwiches for the performers enroute
and International Liquors has provided
liquid refreshments. Cinema Lodge is
underwriting the entire transportation
cost.

Will Rogers Hospital authorities
have invited the ambulatory patients
of the nearby Raybrook Veterans
Hospital.

'Americano' Jan. 26

"The Americano," RKO's Techni-
color production starring Glenn Ford,
Ursula Thiess, Cesar Romero and
Frank Lovejoy, will go into release
Jan. 26, it was announced by Walter
Branson, world-wide sales manager.

YOU CAN ALWAYS DEPEND ON

FOR THE BEST

SPECIAL
TRAILERS

CAPTIVE

h;\d'emfA/swayl

You don't have to resort to
thumbscrews to get your pa-
trons' attention . . . you've got it.
And in their attention you
have what other advertising
media spend thousands for
every year.

But are you exploiting the attention of this "captive
audience" to your profit? Are you selUng all your shows
in advance? Are you putting over your contests and
special events from your screen? Are you getting the
most out of merchant tie-ups? Make sure by getting in
touch with your local N.S.S. Office today I

THIS way!

mmmi^^C^e^ service

i^J pfnitBOBY Of memmsmy

are y[ou equipped for
CinemaScoprosperity

IN 19^51

\'OL. 76. NO. 119

NEW YORK, U. S. A., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1954

TEN CENTS

Franchises Set

DCA Unveils
Distribution
Formula Here

75% of Major Markets
To Be Handled in N.Y.

In unveiling distribution plans of
Distributors Corp. of America here
yesterday, it was pointed out that 75
per cent of the major markets will be
handled by the
home office and
the remaining
25 per cent will
be sold under
state right f ran-
ch(ises, operat-
ing under the
supervision of
D C A's New
York headquar-
ters.

At a press
conference
conducted b y
Charles Boas-
berg, vice-pres-
ident and general manager, and Irving
{Continued on page 6)

Charles Boasberg

AMPA in Salute
To Trade Press
Of the Industry

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

A salute to the industry trade press
was rendered here yesterday at the
annual Christmas party of Associated
Motion Picture Advertisers, held at
the Hotel Piccadilly.

The trade press was lauded by
Martin Starr, former AMPA presi-
dent who acted as master of ceremony
at the luncheon affair, for aiding the
advertising organization since its in-
ception 38 years ago. Starr, in addi-
tion, paid tribute to the individual
editors sitting on the dais.

AMPA president David Bader
(Continued on page 4)

Chamie Chairman of
Trade Pension Plan

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 21.— Alfred
P. Chamie, of the Association of Mo-
tion Picture Producers, today was
elected chairman of the motion picture
industry pension plan for 1955, suc-
ceeding George Flaherty, of the
lATSE.

Under the system set up at the
(Continued on page 6)

Rank's First VV
To Be 'Money'

J. Arthur Rank Organization's
first VistaVision production will
be "Value for Money," which
will go before the cameras at
Pinewood Studios in London
early next year, it was an-
nounced here.

This will be followed by the
"Spanish Gardener," based on A.
J. Cronin novel, also to be done
in VistaVision, and a number of
other as yet unnamed pictures
in the medium, according to
John Davis, managing director
for the J. Arthur Rank Organ-
ization.

Club Women Pick
Waterfront,' ^GirF

"The Country Girl" and "On the
Waterfront" tied for top honors in
the annual "best" selections of the
editorial committee of the General
Federation of Women's Clubs, it was
announced yesterday.

Top acting awards of 1954 went to
Bing Crosby in "The Country Girl"
and Grace Kelly in "Rear Window"
and "The Country Girl."

The Federation with a total mem-
bership of more than 11 million
women, also announced that Elia
Kazan was selected as "best director"
in 1954 for his direction of "On the
Waterfront." "Best Children's Per-
formance" went to Jon Whiteley and
Vincent Winter in "The Little Kid-
nappers."

In addition to "The Country Girl"
and "On the Waterfront," otiier mo-
tion pictures selected as the "10 best
films of 1954" by the Federation were :

"Rear Window," "Executive Suite,"
(Continued on page 6)

Roy Disney Opinion

New Releasing Pattern Seen
In Buena Vista-NFS Deal

By AL STEEN

A new distribution pattern may emerge as the result of a two-year
deal signed, with National Film Service by Walt Disney's Buena Vista
Distributing Corp. whereby NFS will perform all exchange services with

the exception of selling and booking.
The Buena Vista-NFS contract, which
becomes effective Feb. 1, is the result
of a test period during which the lat-
ter company experimented in the han-
dling of a company's product on a
national basis.

In the past. National Film Service
has handled the backroom functions
for several major distributors, includ-
ing United Artists, Paramount and
Warner Brothers. For Buena Vista,
NFS, for the first time, also handled
billing and collections, as well as ship-
ments and inspections.

When the deal was closed in Chi-
cago, Roy Disney, president of Walt
Disney Productions, said that the ar-
rangement "could change the whole
pattern of distribution," Chet Ross,
executive vice-president of National
Film Service, said here yesterday. It
was pointed out that the setup per-
mitted the company to concentrate on
the maximum potentials at a minimum
expense, giving full attention to large
(Continued on page 6)

Dispute Schine
Tie-up in Suit

By Staff Correspondent

BUFFALO, Dec. 21.— A retired
executive of the Hildemart Corp.
testified today in the Schine contempt
of court case in Federal Court here
before Judge John Knight that while
manager of Hildemart he received his
instructions from J. Myer Schine,
president of Schine Chain Theatres
Inc. The defense has disputed the
governments claim that Hildemart
was the "alter ego" of Schine Chain
Theatres.

Ernest D. Leishman, another man-
ager of Hildemart and prior to his
association with that corporation an
executive of Schine Corp., testified
that he has "no specific knowledge"
(Continued on page 6)

Whitney Adds Nine
To Executive Staff

From THE DAILY Burccut

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 21. — C. V.
Whitney Pictures, Inc., vice-president
Merian C. Cooper today announced
the following staff personnel for the
company : H. Lee Van Hoozer, ex-
ecutive administrative assistant to the
vice-president ; George M. Francis,
(Continued on page 6)

Vera Cruz

[Hccht-Lancastcr — U ititcd Artists]

(SuperScope) Hollyivood, Dec. 21

^rT TERA CRUZ" is a Page One picture. In the strictest journal-
V/ istic sense, it's Page One news for every exhibitor's newspaper
^ that this is the first picture to come to market bearing the im-
print of SuperScope, a process about which the public has read so much
as to be eager to examine its wonders at first hand.

In a slightly less strict interpretation of the phrase, it's a Page One
story (the overthrow of Emperor Maximilian by Mexican revolutionists)
that factually backgrounds a fictional foreground story that would have
been Page One news at the time of that conflict if the war correspondents
of the period had been as accomplished as today's. .But in the biggest
and best sense "Vera Cruz" is a Page One picture because it's tip-top
melodramatic entertainment headed up by a finely matched pair of box
office stars — Gary Cooper and Burt Lancaster — who compete nip-and-
tuck, tooth-and-nail and no-holds-barred through a headlong succession of
outrightly lawless adventures as sharp-shooting mercenaries in the hu'e,

(Continued on page 6)

Blumofe Says Banks
Now More Helpful
To ^Independents'

By LESTER DINOFF

Due to the industry's healthy eco-
nomic situation today and the success
at the box office of top-flight indepen-
dently produced pictures, finance-lend-
ing agencies are
more lenient in
aiding indepen-
dent producers,
especially those
affiliated with
United Artists,
than ever be-
fore, according
to Robert F.
Blumofe, UA
vice - president
in charge of
West Coast
operations.

Preparing to
leave here to-
morrow for a six to eight-week busi-
ness and vacation tour of Europe,
Blumofe said that banks and other
institutions are generally more helpful
provided a producer has surrounded
himself with good creative talent and
(Continued on page 4)

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, December 22, 1954

Personal
Mention

NICHOLAS M. SCHENCK, pres-
ident of Loew's, Inc., has re-
turned to New York from the Coast
•

Lem Jones, 20th Century-Fox short
subjects sales manager, has returned
to New York following a trip to key

cities of the West.

•

H. M. Bessey, executive vice-pres-
ident of Altec Service Corp., has re-
turned to New York from Chicago,
Minneapolis and Denver.

•

M. J. Daly, of the Blue Hills
Drive-in Theatre, Bloomfield, Conn.,
has returned to Hartford from Boca
Raton, Fla.

•

LuiGi LuRAscHi, head of censor-
ship at the Paramount studio, is
marking his 25th anniversary with the
company.

•

Leonard Hirsch, home office as-
sistant to Rudy Berger, M-G-M
Southern sales manager, has returned
to New York from Atlanta, Jackson-
ville and Charlotte.

•

George D. Burrows, executive vice-
president of Allied Artists, left the
Coast by plane yesterday for New
York.

•

Jack J. Gross and Philip N.
Krasne, producers, left Hollywood
yesterday for New York.

•

Paul Raibourn, Paramount vice-
president, has returned to New York
from Hollywood.

•

Arthur Davis, of Davis Releasing
Corp., will leave New York today for
Chicago.

•

Brian Mickey, British talent agent,
will leave here for London Thursday
via B.O.A.C.

Rathvon to Produce
'1984' at Elstree

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 21.— Under
the co-production deal worked out
last week in New York with director
Robert Clark of Associated British
Picture Corp., N. Peter Rathvon's
producing company, known as Rath-
von Overseas, Ltd., will produce
George Orwell's "1984," commencing
in April or May at ABP's Elstree
Studios, London. Rathvon and Clark
held preliminary conferences recently
when the latter spent several days in
Hollywood.

Rathvon's company is now produc-
ing "Special Delivery" in Germany,

James Hilton Dead

LONG BEACH, Cal., Dec. 21. —
James Hilton, 54, author of "Goodbye,
Mr. Chips" and "Lost Horizon," died
here today at the age of 54. A native
of England, Hilton came to Holly-
wood to work on the script of "Lost
Horizon" and had been a prominent
figure in the writing colony since that
time.

MGM to Outline Its
'Theatre Celebration*
In Denver Jan, 12

With two exhibitor representatives
set for the panel of the fourth "ticket
selling work-
shop," _ M-G-M
executives con-
ducting the
meeting at the
C o s m o p o 1 i tan
Hotel in Den-
ver, Jan. 12,
will outline in
detail the nu-
merous facets of
"M:-G-M's 1955
Motion Picture
Theatre Cele-
bration" and
discuss ways
and means of
utilizing to best
advantage the
slogan adopted for the occasion ;
namely, "There's More Fun At The
Movies !" The celebration starts with
the turn of the year.

Al Reynolds, general manager for
Claude Ezell and Associates of Dallas,
will be guest drive-in theatre panelist,
and L. J. (Bill) Williams, operator
of theatres at Union, Owensville, and
Herman, Mo., will be the small town
theatre guest speaker, according to
Mike Simons, customer relations di-
rector for M-G-M. Williams spoke
at the company's second workshop
held in Indianapolis, on Nov. 16, and
was immediately booked for the Col-
orado meet.

Al Reynolds

Offer ^Comparable'
Proof in Chi. Suit

special to THE DAILY
CHICAGO, Dec. 21.— A ruling
handed down today in the Monroe
Theatres case by Judge Julius Hof¥-
man in Federal Court here stated that
the Monroe Theatre could offer proof
that the Grand and Monroe Theatres,
both Loop houses, are comparable for
the purpose of proving damages.

The Monroe claims that if it had
been able to play first-run pictures
during the period of Nov. 1, 1947 to
Tuly 1, 1949, its receipts would have
been comparable to the Grand's
grosses.

The defendants, B & K Theatres,
Universal, Paramount, RKO, Colum-
bia, United Artists and Warner
Brothers had contended that the plain-
tiff should use his figures when he
was able to get first-run pictures as a
major of damages.

m Dates for
'Paaan' and 'Paris'

LTniversal-International's "Sign of
the Pagan" in CinemaScope and Tech-
nicolor and "So This Is Paris," gay
Technicolor musical, will open in more
than 400 key and sub-key situations
from Coast to Coast for the Christ-
mas-NewYear's holidays.

A "record" national magazine ad-
vertising campaigns on both pictures
have been timed to break in conjunc-
tion with these initial openings of both
pictures, the company announced.

20th-Fox Offers 26
C'Scope Shorts

Nine CinemaScope short subjects,
all in color, will be released by 20th
Century-Fox between January and
April, 1955, the company announced
yesterday. A total of 26 shorts iri
CinemaScope will be offered by the
company in the coming year.

The short subjects program, which
will also see 26 Terrytoons released
during 1955, will see a monthly aver-
age of two shorts placed in release
accompanying the company's Cinema-
Scope feature productions.

Three CinemaScope shorts are
listed for January. Titles are "Super-
sonic Age," "Birthday Parade" and
"Tuna Clipper Ship." In February,
CinemaScope short subject releases
are "5th Avenue to Fujiyama" and
"Stampede City."

March releases are "Land of the
Nile" and "Tears of the Moon." April
releases are "Isle of Lore" and "Punts
and Stunts."

Studios Start Seven
And Finish Five

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 21. — The
studios started seven new pictures and
completed camera work on five, wind-
ing up the past week with 36 pictures
in progress here and elsewhere.

Started were: "Duel On The Mis-
sissippi," Technicolor, and "Terror in
the Night," A, L. Stone Inc. (Colum-
bia) ; "Hold Back Tomorrow" HH
Prods. (Independent) ; "The Cobweb,"
CinemaScope, Eastman Color (Metro-
Goldwyn-Mayer) ; "I Cover The Un-
derworld," (Republic) ; "Violent Sat-
urday," CinemaScope, De Luxe Color
(20th Century-Fox) ; "Canada's Great
M^anhunt," BischofT-Diamond (Unit-
ed Artists).

Completed were : "Girl Murdered,"
Burt Kaiser Prods,, and "Oklahoma,"
R & H, Todd-AO, CinemaScope,
Eastman (Independent) ; "Interrupted
Melody," CinemaScope, color (Metro-
Goldwyn-Mayer) ; "A Man Called
Peter," CinemaScope, color (20th
Century- Fox) ; "Not As A Stranger,"
Stanley Kramer (United Artists).

Eastman Agrees to
Outside Processing

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21.^East-
man Kodak Co. agreed to let indepen-
dent processors develop and print
Eastman color film used by amateur
photographers.

The Justice Department announced
that the company had agreed to this
as an immediate settlement of an
anti-trust complaint filed today in
District Court in Buffalo, N. Y. The
government had notified the company
last summer of its intention to file the
complaint, and the settlement was
worked out to be entered simultane-
ously with the filing of the complaint,
which charged the company with a
monopoly of the color film processing
field.

The suit and the settlement deal
only with amateur use of color film.
Eastman color films for professional
motion pictures are already entirely
processed by laboratories in the mo-
tion picture industry.

Newspaper Business
Told of COMPO's
Audience Poll Plan

The upcoming audience poll of the
Council of Motion Picture Organiza-
tions is the subject of COMPO's new
ad in the current issue of "Editor and
Publisher," which points out that co-
operation between newspapers and lo-
cal theatres involved in the poll ap-
pears to be a "natural."

The advertisement emphasizes that
the public poll "will in no way replace
or interfere with the annual 'Oscar'
awards made in March by the Acad-
emy of Motion Picture Arts and Sci-
ences in Hollywood." Pointing out
that the Academy awards are voted by
studio production workers and conse-
quently reflect professional prefer-
ences, the ad says, "The public poll
we _ have in work will be aimed at
registering the people's choice."

Date Still Unconfirmed

The ad says that the date of the
poll and many of its other details have
not yet been definitely determined.
COMPO's audience poll committee,
consisting of several theatre advertis-
ing directors, met in New York Dec.
11 and voted to recommend to the
COMPO triumvirate that the poll be
held between next Thanksgiving and
the following Dec. 7. This date is
yet to be confirmed by the COMPO
governing committee, which is made
up of Sam Pinanski, Al Lichtman and
Wilbur Snaper.

Neil Agnew to Head
Sales for 'Triumph'

The appointment of Neil Agnew as
national sales manager of the Eastman
Color feature film "Day of Triumph,"
was announced yesterday by George J.
Schaefer, distributor of the picture.
Agnew's duties will start immediately
with headquarters at the Schaefer
office.

Agnew formally was sales manager
of Paramount Pictures, and before
that was division manager of the
Western division and district manager
in the Chicago area for Paramount.
He also headed the sales organization
for the Selznick Releasing Organiza-
tion in the distribution of "Duel in the
Sun". For the past year Agnew has
been operating in an executive capac-
ity with the Bureau of Information,
Motion Picture Division in Washing-
ton.

Stevedore Files
'Waterfront' Suit

A former Hoboken waterfront hir-
ing boss filed a $1,000,000 suit in New
York Federal Court, charging that
"On the Waterfront" was "unlawfully"
based on his life. Named as defendants
were producer Sam Spiegel and Co-
lumbia Pictures.

Plaintiff Anthony DeVincenzo, who
claimed in his suit that he acted as
location advisor to director Elia
Kazan and author Budd Schulberg,
charged "as part of a scheme to de-
ceive" him, his rights of privacy were
violated when his life was depicted in
the film.

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishnig
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center. New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President: Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. .1. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke,
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca- Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Wasliington, J. A. Otten. National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald ; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, lOc.

"F^om'Deep In My Heart
I wfeh you a very

and a Happy
Box-otfrce New Yea

BOX-OFFICE KISSES!

"DEEP IN MY HEART'

Biggest 1st Week Gross of Any
Xmas Picture in Music Hall
History! {Nationwide til) -off:
Paul Hochuli of Houston Press has
revised his 10 BEST list to include
it! Watch for more!)

"THE LAST TIME
I SAW PARIS "

Great Business Coast-to-Coast!
"BAD DAY AT
BLACK ROCK "

Audience Preview Sensational!

Start the
New Yew
Right! Join'.

JUST A
FEW OF
M-G-M's
CELEBRA-
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RELEASES!

Ask your
Branch for
other fine films
available!

"BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK" (January)

(CinemaScope — Color) . starring Spencer Tracy . Robert Ryan
co-starring Anne Francis • Dean Jagger . Walter Brennan • John
Ericson • Ernest Borgnine • Lee Marvin . Russell Collins

"GREEN FIRE" (January)

{CinemaScope — Color) . starring Stewart Granger . Grace Kelly
Paul Douglas • co-starring John Ericson • with Murvyn Vye

"MANY RIVERS TO CROSS" (February)

(CinemaScope— Color) . starring Robert Taylor . Eleanor Parker
with Victor McLaglen • Russ Tamblyn • Jeff Richards . James Arness

"JUPITER'S DARLING" (February)

{CinemaScope — Color) • starring Esther Williams • Howard Keel
Marge and Gower Champion • George Sanders • with Richard
Haydn • William Demarest

"HIT THE DECK" (March)

{CinemaScope —Color) . starring Jane Powell • Tony Martin
IDebbie Reynolds - Walter Pidgeon . Vic Damone . Gene Raymond
Ann Miller • Russ Tamblyn • with Kay Armen . J. Carrol Naish
Richard Anderson . Jane Darwell

"INTERRUPTED MELODY" (March)

{CinemaScope — Color) • starring Glenn Ford
with Roger Moore • Cecil Kellaway

"THE GLASS SLIPPER" fApn/j

(Color) ' starring Leslie Caron • Michael

Eleanor

Wynn • Estelle Winwood

Wilding . with Keenan
Elsa Lanchester . Barry Jones

"BEDEVILLED" (April) (CinemaScope- Color)

starring Anne Baxter • Steve Forrest • with Simone Renant • Maurice
Teynac • Robert Christopher • Joseph Tomelty and Victor Francen

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, December 22, 1954

New York Welcomes ''Romeo and Juliet^

The American premiere of United Artists' "Romeo and Juliet,"
which was held here last night at the Sutton Theatre, drew an im-
pressive audience which included society figures and business leaders
as well as top stars of the entertainment world. The entire proceeds
of the benefit opening will go to the Mary MacArthur Fund of the
March of Dimes for that organization's fight against infantile

paralysis. Shown above at the Sutton are, left to right, first photo:
Robert S. Benjamin, chairman of the board of United Artists, and
Mrs. Benjamin. Second photo: Mrs. Alan G. Kirk, chairman of the
Women's Division of the March of Dimes, and Admiral Kirk, former
Ambassador to Russia. Third photo: Grace Kelly and Oleg Cassini,
designer.

Blumofe

{Continued from page 1)

a story which promises a fair return.

"The industry is also becoming
more and more cognizant that inde-
pendent producers are turning out
good, quality pictures," Blumofe
stated. "Quality is more important
than quantity and this can be attested
by UA's efforts to supply a program
of good picures to exhibitors," he said.

Cites Four Films

During the past month, four top-
budget films in which UA has 100 per
cent investments totaling $8,000,000
have been completed or are in the
fir.al stages of production, he said.
These pictures, which will be distrib-
uted by UA in 1955, are "The Ken-
tuckian," a Hecht-Lancaster Cinema-
Scope production ; "Gentlemen Marry
Brunettes," a Russfield CinemaScope
production ; "Not as a Stranger," a
Stanley Kramer production, and
"Night of the Hunter," a Paul Greg-
ory presentation.

In the market for motion pictures,
there presently is "no limit" to a good
film's gross, Blumofe asserted. "How-
ever, there is also no limit to how a
bad filrn will flop," he said.

One of the major programs in Hol-
lywood presently is the shortage of
top-flight actors and actresses,
Blumofe said. "Casting films properly
is very difficult as the 10 to 15 good
box-office names are tied up for
lengthy periods in advance and they
usually have 20 or more scripts back-
to-back offered them," the film execu-
tive said.

Praises 'Talent Schools'

However, Blumofe reported, the in-
dependent producers and a number of
the major studios have inaugurated
"talent schools" in order to develop
new creative talent, behind and in
front of the cameras. Among the in-
dependent producing organizations
which have instituted such programs
are Hecht - Lancaster Productions,
Stanley Kramer and Russfield Pro-
ductions.

Commenting on the 1955 release
program by UA, Blumofe said that
40 films are definitely set for distribu-
tion, but before the end of the year
"an additional 10 or so pictures will

Robert S. Benjamin, chairman of
the board of United Artists, today will
present to officials of the March of
Dimes a check for the proceeds of last
night's benefit American premiere of
J. Arthur Rank's "Romeo and Juliet."
A distinguished, capacity audience wit-
nessed the showing of the filmed treat-
ment of William Shakespeare's trag-
edy at the Sutton Theatre here.

A United Artists release, "Romeo
and Juliet" was awarded the coveted

Golden Lion of St. Mark in Venice,
Italy, as the best motion picture shown
at the 16-day Film Festival there this
year. Filmed in Verona, Italy, and at
locations mentioned in the original
play, "Romeo and Juliet" was adapted
for the screen and directed by Renato
Castellani. It is Castellani's first film
in English.

Laurence Harvey and Susan Shen-
tall portray the title roles of Romeo
and Juliet.

Para. Plans Special
^Bridges' Screenings

Paramount's "The Bridges At
Toko-Ri" has been slated for the
most comprehensive series of special
national preview showings for ex-
hibitors and public opinion moulders
in the company's history, A. W.
Schwalberg, president of Paramount
Film Distributing Corp., announced
yesterday.

"The Bridges At Toko-Ri" will
have its world premiere in January
at Radio City Music Hall here.

The special previews were blue-
printed at meetings which the division
managers held around the country
with their respective branch managers
following the recent week-long meet-
ings of key distribution and advertis-
ing-publicity personnel at the Holly-
wood Studio.

Independent exhibitors and circuit
operators, U. S. Navy officials, rep-
resentatives of newspapers and their
publishers, columnists, magazine writ-
ers, television and radio commentators,
civic leaders and others in a position
to discuss the picture publicly will
be invited to the previews, which will
commence after the first of the year
in branch cities. Regular theatres in
these cities will be utilized for the
special showings.

be ' added to the UA lineup." Many
of the 1955 pictures which UA will
distribute will be 100 per cent financed
by the company, a number of them
will be partially financed by UA and
some will be just straight distribution
arrangements, Blumofe said.

While in Europe, Blumofe has plans
to confer with UA heads and pro-
ducers preparing films for the com-
pany's lineup. He also "will be on
the lookout for co-productions deals."

Glowmeter Given
Six-Month Extension

BUFFALO, Dec. 21.— Attempts to
revive the Glowmeter Corp. of North
Tonawanda, manufacturers of picture
screens, have been given an additional
six months by Federal Judge John
Knight in U.S. District court here.

He also granted the new manage-
ment permission to borrow and spend
$75,000 in its efi^orts to produce and
market motion picture screens.

The corporation is in the process of
being reorganized through an ar-
rangement permitted under the Fed-
eral Bankruptcy Act. The corpora-
tion petitioned for reorganization in
October, listing debts $973,558 and
assets of $408,239.

The resignation of Harold A. Tracy
of Norwich, as executive vice-presi-
dent and general manager, was an-
nounced in court. He will be replaced
temporarily by Isadore Morrison,
president of Morrison Steel Products,
Inc., and will draw no salary.

Attorney Owen B. Augspurger, Jr.,
reported that the corporation was able
to raise $75,000 by turning over to
75 persons willing to advance the
money 100,000 shares of stock held in
trust for the former president, Agis
Mihalakis. He held 100,000 of 493,000
shares of stock issued.

Judge Knight granted the corpora-
tion permission to borrow the money
needed and set May 15 for the next
meeting of creditors.

AMPA

Warner Signs Lanza

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 21.— Mario
Lanza has been signed by Warner
Brothers to star in James F. Cain's
"Serenade" which will be prepared
for production early next year, it was
announced here today by Jack L.
Warner, executive producer.

(Continued from page 1)

opened the ceremonies, which was con-
cluded with door prizes being awarded
to all those attending. Bader, in his
brief opening comments paid his re-
spects to the departing president Lige
Brien and those who served under him
the past year. The festivities were
punctuated by a round of applause for
industry veteran Robert Savini, presi-
dent of Astor Pictures, and other
long-time members of the industry.
Screen star Ilona Massey aided in the
awarding of prizes. Toba Brill, pian-
ist, entertained the gathering with a
selection from Brahms.

Nine Editors Introduced

Trade press representatives on the
dais, in order of their introduction,
were : Leonard Coulter, of "Film
Bulletin" ; Al Picoult, of "Harrison's
Reports" ; Mel Konicoflf, of "The Ex-
hibitor" ; Jack Harrison, of "Holly-
wood Reporter" ; Mort Sunshine, of
"Independent Film Journal" ; Sherwin
Kane, Motion Picture Daily ;
Charles Aaronson, "Motion Picture
Herald" ; Chet Bahn, of "Film Daily"
and Tom Kennedy, "Showmen's Trade
Review."

A A to Start Seven
January to April

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 21.— Seven
films, including one in CinemaScope,
will roll for Allied Artists during the
first quarter of 1955, it was announced
by Walter Mirisch, executive pro-
ducer. Four of these films will go be-
fore the cameras in January, two will
roll in February and one has been
given a March starting date, he dis-
closed.

The first to go into production will
be "Wichita," a Joel McCrea starrer
which Mirisch personally will pro-
duce. It will be a CinemaScope pro-,
duction and has been given a Jan. 10
starting date. Another to be launched
is "Hold Back the Night," which
Hayes Goetz will produce. This is
set for Feb. 12.

A third important film, "Phenix City,"
based on the exposure of corruption
in Phenix City, Ala., has been given
a March 10 starting date.

35;o

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^ "«'^^«^t.'«r,««,,o,,^ • "^^-^^^ ALBERT J. COHEN

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, December 22, 1S>54

'Vera Cruz^

{Continued from page 1)

alternately, of the highest bidder. It's a cinch to he a Page One item
in the bank book of every exhibitor who plays it.

The closely matched Cooper and Lancaster, adventuring Americans who
have dropped down into Mexico in the year 1866 to pick up whatever quick
money there is to be got by helping Juarez fight Maximilian, or vice versa,
whichever pays best, are accompanied, cast-wise, by Denise Darccl, a lady of
the Maximilian court who likes money even better than the two Americans
do ; by Oscar Romero, a uniformed dandy who tries to protect the Emperor's
gold and almost succeeds ; by Sarita Monticl, a local lovely with a penchant
for picking pockets; by George Macready as the Emperor, and by the dozens,
scores, hundreds and thousands of secondary characters, supporting players
and background actors — soldiers, citizens, horsemen, revolutionaries — who
crowd the screen to the utmost capacity of its SuperScope extremities in scene
after scene.

The picture was produced in Mexico (which never looked better, be it
mentioned) by James Hill, for Hecht-Lancaster Productions, and it's not
for stay-at-homes to say whether producer Hill, director Robert Aldrich or
the company that assigned both of them and screenplaywrights Roland Kibbee
and James R. Webb to the project, rates primary responsibility for the balance,
the sustained tempo, the hair-trigger suspense, the emotional tension and the
steadily surprising sequence of story developments, that make the 94 minutes
of the production seem less than half that m.any. It is as if all of these, and
Borden Chase, whose story furnished the foundation or the whole, together
with Ernest Laszlo, whose Technicolor photography glorifies the Mexican
scene and the eye-stunning costuming of the cast, worked as a team dedicated
to living up to the literally Titanic example being set by the two leading men,
each accustomed bv conditions of career and expectation of exacting public
to coming off best in every role by dint of valor or virtue. In this instance
they were portraying equally culpable brigands competing in a struggle only
one of them could win. There is more than enough credit in the end result
of everybody's contributions to go all the way 'round, plentifully.

The SuperScope laboratory process is given an altogether pleasing introduc-
tion; the Mexican locales and sweeping scenes of action against which the
story was photographed being happily suited to demonstration purposes.
SuperScope, of course, can be projected through a CinemaScope lens.

Runnino- time 94 minutes. General audience classification. Release, not set.

W. R. WEAVER

National
Pre-Selling

FULL color ads on RKO's "Un-
derwater!" will appear in "Life,"
"Look," "Saturday Evening Post,"
"Collier's," "This Week," "Amer-
ican Weekly" and "Parade."
•

"Life" in the current issue devoted
a two-page spread to photos of appall-
ing falls made from horseback and
from roof tops which took place in
the Cuernavaca Valley, Mexico, dur-
ing the filming of U.A.'s "Vera Cruz."
On another page there are photos
made on location of the picture's
stars : Gary Cooper, Burt Lancaster
and Sarita Montiel, the Mexican film
star. In the same issue is a striking
full color ad on U.I.'s "The Sign of
the Pagan."

•

A considerable portion of the De-
cember issue of "Woman's Home
Companion" is related to motion
pictures. The front cover features
Joan Crawford, and she is the au-
thor of an article within the issue
titled "The Story I Never Told."
Joan's next starring picture is U.I.'s
"Female on the Beach."

Also in the same issue is a con-
densation of the novel "Desiree" up-
on which the 20th Century-Fox pic-
ture was based. There is a full-page
illustrated review in the "Compan-
ion" approved movie section of the
issue. The illustrated review is on
Paramount's "Country Girl."
•

The January issue of "Seventeen"
has five striking motion picture ads ;
they are on Paramount's "Three Ring
Circus," Warner's "Young at Heart,"
U.I.'s "So This Is Paris," U.A.'s
"Vera Cruz" and a table of contents
ad on M-G-M's "Jupiter's Darling."
•

In "This Week's" December 19
issue Louis Berg, motion picture
editor, reports how the motion pic-
ture industry has licked the TV
threat. In an article titled "Merry
Christmas, Hollywood!", Berg listed
a large number of pictures that
proved to be box office champions.
The article was illustrated with stills
from some of these films namely:
"Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,"
"The Caine Mutiny," "Dial M for
Murder," "On the Waterfront,"
"Three Coins in a Fountain" and "A
Star Is Born."

•

"Tonight Is the Night," starring
David Niven, Yvonne De Carlo and
Barry Fitzgerald, had its premiere in
the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St.
Paul, Minnesota, at the Radio City
and Paramount Theatres. Miss De

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Schine Suit

(Continued from page 1)

that two persons named by a previous
witness as president and secretary of
Hildemart were officers.

The witness, questioned by Joseph
E. McDowell, Justice Department
trial attorney, traced his work for
Schine Chain Theatres Inc. from his
employment in Nov. 1936 through Oct.
1947 and for Hildemart from Oct.
1947 to July 1950, after it allegedly
had given up theatre operations and
was devoted to Hotel operations.

Leishman testified that he was di-
rector of personnel and policed the
Schine theatres in connection with
their revenues and expenses while em-
ployed for Schine Theatres Inc.

He said he went to Hildemart as
controller of expenses in the hotels
and supervisor of purchases.

McDowell's reference to his "trans-
fer" brought an objection from de-
fense attorney Frank G. Raichle who
held the word "transfer" should not
be used. "He left one job and took
another," said Mr. Raichle.

Carlo made a two-day visit to the
area, and made personal appearances
on opening night at both theatres.
Miss De Carlo's appearance was well
exploited by local newspapers, four
local TV stations and five radio sta-
tions. Minneapolis' leading department
store and the St. Paul's Women's City
Club helped to exploit the .\.A. film.
•

Florence Somers, motion picture
editor of "Redbook," reviews and
recommends M-G-M's "Deep in My
Heart," U.I.'s "Sign of the Pagan"
o„H TT A "Twist of Fate" in the
January issue.

•

Collier's current issue has a stirring
four-color, full-page ad on Disney's
"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea."

WALTER HAAS

Whitney Staff

(Continued from page 1)

treasurer ; William A. Cameron, sec-
retary;' Lowell Farrell, production
manager ; Nancy Wilson Ross, story
editor ; Ed Boerger, comptroller ; Zoe
Porter, executive secretary to the
vice-president ; Ann Harris, research
editor, and Frank Perrett, publicity
director.

Club Women

(Continued from page 1)

"Broken Lance," "A Star Is Born,"
"Sabrina," "White Christmas," "Night
People" and "Deep in My Heart."

Other awards went to "The Van-
ishing Prairie" as the best documen-
tary film of 1954, and to "The Little
Kidnappers" and "Hobson's Choice"
as the best foreign films of the year.

Buena Vista

(Continued from page 1)

and small situations alike on the local
level.

Ross said that his company had been
"approached" by other distributors to
perform a similar function and that his
organization was being expanded to
meet the probable demands.

Charlotte, Calgary,
N, Y. Lead UA Drive

United Artists' New York, Char-
lotte and Calgary branches have cap-
tured first place in their respective
groups in the second week of the third
lap of the Robert S. Benjamin Drive,
it was announced by William J.
Heineman, vice president in charge of
distribution, and B. G. Kranze, gen-
eral sales manager, who are serving as
co-captains of the push saluting the
company's Chairman of the Board.

DCA Plan

(Continued from page 1)

Wormser, vice-president and general
sales manager, it was stated that re-
gional offices would be established
shortly for "top-selling" to the major
circuits. It was estimated that ap-
proximately 3,500 of such accounts
exist in the U. S. and Canada.

This division of the country into
home office and branch operations fol-
lows the pattern used by other major
distributors, Boasberg and Wormser
said. Within this framework, it was
revealed that the foreign market will
remain open and separate distribution
deals will be made picture by picture
and country by country.

"DCA, with its concentration on
one film at a time," said Boasberg
and Wormser, "is in a position to
generally distribute film at a 25 per
cent distribution fee."

Exploitation Planned

Discussing exploitation, the two of-
ficials pointed to their first film in
release, "Long John Silver," and said
that exhibitor stockholders joining
with other exhibitors will have more
than 400 theatres in the metropolitan
area sponsor a "treasure hunt" tieup
with Macy's department store in
which treasure keys will be given
away at theatres for which merchan-
dise will be obtained at the depart-
ment store.

Currently in release by DCA, in
addition to "Long John Silver," is
"Hunters of the Deep," underwater
documentary which won an Edinburgh
Film Festival Award.

Currently in production are "I Am
a Camera" and "Finian's Rainbow."

Casting at the present time are
"Lelia" and "The Viking" while in
pre-production status are "The Sur-
vivors" and "The Way We Are." The
ninth film scheduled by DCA is an
original comedy to be written by Sam
and Bella Spewack.

Franchise Holders Listed

Franchise holders have been signed
as follows : Buffalo and Albany, N. Y.,
Leiser Film Distribution Co. ; Atlanta,
Jacksonville, Charlotte and Memphis,
Frank White's Howco Productions ;
Chicago, Realart Films ; Cincinnati
and Indianapolis, Safer Film Distribu-
tors ; Cleveland, Imperial Pictures ;
Dallas and Oklahoma City, Herman
Beiersdorf.

Also, Denver and Salt Lake City,
Dimension Pictures ; Los Angeles,
Realart Pictures of California ; Min-
neapolis, Independent-Lippert Distrib-
utors ; New Orleans. Lippert Pictures
of Louisiana ; Philadelphia, Screen
Guild Productions ; Pittsburgh, Co-
operative Theatre Service ; San Fran-
cisco, Seattle and Portland, Favorite
Films of California.

And, Washington, D. C, Equity
Film Exchange ; Omaha and Des
Moines, William Feid ; St. Louis,
Herman Gorelick; Boston, Screen
Guild Productions; New York, Fa-
vorite Pictures Exchange ; Canada,
.'Vlliance Films, Ltd., of Toronto.

Trade Pension Plan

(Continued from page 1)

founding of the plan, labor and man-
agement alternate annually in supply-
ing the chairman.

Other officers unanimously elected
are Fred S. Meyer, vice-chairman ;
Herbert Aller, secretary, and Henry
Wadsworth, vice-secretary.

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• • •

usic is heard and enjoyed everywhere
and just about all the time. It is hard to imagine what
ife would be like without music.

It is equally difficult to conceive of any well-balanced
program of music without hearing tunes that
are licensed for performance through BMI.

For BMI has added immeasurably to the public's
enjoyment of music during its 1 5 years of service to
music and broadcasting. BMI, through its
affiliated composers and publishers, continues to make
available to the world a widely diversified music
repertoire— popular, folk, standard, symphonic,
operatic, educational— that fills every music need.

BMI-licensed music is heard everywhere, all the time
—on radio and TV, in the home, the church,
restaurants, night clubs, ballrooms, hotels, skating
rinks, amusement parks, concert halls, juke boxes,
motion picture theaters and wherever there's music.

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NEW YORK • CHICAGO • HOLLYWOOD • TORONTO • MONTREAL

VOL. 76. NO. 120

MOTION PICTURE

DAILY

NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1954

TEN CENTS

'55 Plans

See Midwinter
Conference of
State Censors

Dr. Flick Sees No Change
In N.Y. Censorship Laws

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

A mid-winter meeting of state film
censors in the U. S. was indicated
here yesterday by Dr. Hugh M. Flick,
director of the motion picture division
of tlie New York Education Depart-
ment, the state's film censorship board.

Dr. Flick, stating that communica-
tions about the meeting are now being
forwarded to state censors, said it has
been suggested that the conference be
held in January or February of next
year, possibly in Virginia.

Participating in the meeting, Dr.
Flick said, would be representatives
of the following state censor boards,
in addition to New York : Pennsyl-
vania, Virginia, Maryland and Kansas.
Dr. Flick indicated confusion about
the possible presence of representa-
tives from Ohio, saying that due to
a recent State Supreme Court deci-
sion there, Ohio censorship is prac-
{Confinucd on pat/c 6)

21,000 'Scope
By April Seen

With 59 per cent of the total dcjmes-
tic feature sales possibilities already
equipped for Cinema Scope presenta-
tions, Twentieth Century-Fox's top
executives anticipate, on the basis of
information received from ec|uipment
dealers, 21,000 world-wide houses
equipped for the wide-screen medium
by .A.pril 1. As of Dec. 11, company
statistical reports show that 10,057
U. S. and Canadian theatres and 4,797
overseas houses have installed Cinema-
Scope equipment.

.According to the 20th-Fox tabula-
tion of domestic CinemaScope installa-
tions, 8,569 houses are "four-wall"
theatres, 1,332 are drive-ins, 154 are
.Army theatres, and two are non-
theatrical situations.

Company executives, elated at the
{Continued on pac/c 6)

FCC Defers Action
On Subscription TV

WASHINGTON, Dec. 22. —
The Federal Communication
Commission has informally as-
sured the exhibitors committee
which is fighting subscription
television that the commission
will take no action on pending
subscription TV petitions until
some time early next year, it
was learned today.

Accordingly the exhibitor com-
mittee will wait until early in
January to file its detailed ob-
jections to the request of Zenith
and other companies seeking
authorization of toll-TV.

Para, Defers Stand
On Toll TV; Is
Revising Telemeter

Paramount Pictures has made no
decision yet regarding the position it
will take in the event the Federal
Communications Commission sets
hearings or calls for briefs from in-
terested parties on the subject of sub-
scription television, company officials
told trade press representatives at a
luncheon in the home office yesterday.

"The next move (in the toll TV
picture) is up to the FCC," Paul
Raibourn, Paramount vice-president,
observed. "Time will determine our
position."

He .'^aid that Telemeter, the home
pay TV system in which Paramount
holds a half interest, is presently in
(Continued on page 6)

'Fewer and Better' Succeeds

PARA. PRODUCTION
POLICY RETAINED

Balaban Says Physical Limitations Prohibit
Increase, But More Films Are Available

By SHERWIN KANE

Physical limitations of both production and distribution in all likelihood will
limit Paramount Pictures' releases in 1955 to the 20 features which have been
an.nounced, Barney Balaban, president, told trade press representatives at a

luncheon at the company's offices

'White Christmas'
Spectacular Draw

Establishing what is probably
an all-time record of its kind in
the annals of film distribution,
Paramount's "White Christmas"
will have grossed more than
$7,000,000 at the end of its first
seven weeks in release, Dec. 31,
company officials disclosed yes-
terday.

Blumberg to Coast
After Hospital Stay

Nate J. Blumberg, chairman of the
board of Universal Pictures, left Doc-
tors Hospital here last night after
having been confined there for more
than a month following a mild heart
attack.

Blumberg left last night by train
for his home in California.

Tax Cut, 'Scope Credited

Net of National Theatres
For Year Is $2,856,860

From THE DAILY Bureau

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 22.— In his annual report to National Theatres, Inc.,
stockholders, president Elmer C. Rhoden disclosed consolidated net earnings
for the fiscal year ended Sept. 24 as $2,856,860, or $1.03 per share, an increase
of 12 cents over the 91 cents per share

earned in the corresponding period
last year. Rhoden said theatre income
was $61,915,000, which is $558,000 in
excess of the previous year. He said
the increase was due primarily to the
decrease in Federal taxes and to favor-
able public reaction to CinemaScope

pictures. Rhoden cited impending films
of quality and said, "We believe this
outstanding product will bring about
a definite step-up in attendance."

National Theatres subsidiary, Fox
West Coast Theatres, disbursed a
(Continued on page 6)

yesterday.

However, Balaban added, more pic-
tures are available and, if it appears
possible to handle additional ones with-
out sacrifice of their values it will be
done. From the company's experience
in recent years, such a possibility ap-
pears remote, it was indicated.

All of the 20 pictures an-
nounced for next year are com-
pleted and their worth in the
prevailing market raises the
question whether even that
many can be properly liqui-
dated within the 12 months'
period, Balaban said.

Paramount executives attending the
luncheon gave no encouragement to
exhibitors urging major studios to re-
instate production of the modest-
budget, program picture. Many ex-
hibitors contend that despite produc-
tion-distribution statements to the
contrary, there is a profitable market
for sucb pictures.

Adolph Zukor, chairman of the
Paramount board ; Paul Raibourn,
(Continued on page 3)

Divest Final
Loew Houses

Loew's Theatres, with two more
theatres to dispose of, expects to ful-
fill its divestiture of theatres under the
Loew's consent decree by the end of
the year, or shortly thereafter, it was
learned here yesterday from a top
Loew's official.

The two remaining Loew's Theatres
to be divested are the Melba in New
York and the Bridgeport, Bridgeport,
Conn., it vi'as stated, negotiations for
which are now going on. The most
recent Loew's theatre to be sold was
(Continued on page 6)

Motion Picture Daily

Thursday, December 23, 1954

Personal
Mention

REGINALD ARMOUR, head of
Republic Pictures for Britain and
the Continent, has left Europe for
New York to spend Christmas here.
•

Richard Mealand, head of pro-
duction for Paramount Film Services,
Ltd., and Mrs. Meal-^nd will arrive
in New York from England today
aboard the "Mauretania."

•

Monty Salmon, managing director
of the Rivoli Theatre here, will leave
New Y'ork by plane today to spend
the holidays in London.

•

G. F. Sanger, director of British
Movietonews, Ltd., arrived in New
York from London yesterday via

B.O.A.C. Monarch.

•

Sol Hurok will sail from New
York today on the "He de France"
for a 12-day cruise to the Caribbean
and South America.

Irving Sochin, Universal Pictures
short subjects sales manager, left New
York yesterday for Jamaica, B. W. I.
•

Sam Bekeris, United Artists super-
visor in Latin America, has arrived
in New York from Mexico City.
•

Peter Riethof, president of Amer-
ican Dubbing Co., has left New York
by plane for Paris and Rome.
•

Kenneth MacKenna, M-G-M stu-
dio story head, has returned to Holly-
wood from New York.

Harry Browning, of New England
Theatres, has returned to Boston from
Hartford.

Philip Dunne, writer, will arrive
here from Hollywood next week.

Myron McCormick has arrived in
New York from Hollywood.

^GirV Olympic Fund
Donations at $11,000

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 22. — Pro-
ceeds from last night's premiere of
"The Country Girl" here, added to
the proceeds from the picture's New-
York premiere last week, and to
volunteer donations received today,
lifted the Olympic Games expense-
fund contribution by about $11,000.

An amount in excess of $100,000 is
expected to result from other "The
Country Girl" premieres throughout
the nation.

Robert North Dead

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 22.— Robert
North, who produced the Thailand
film, "Santi Vina," died Tuesday at
Bangkok, Thailand, of poliomyelitis, it
was learned here today.

"Santi Vina" had been honored at
the Southeast Asia Film Festival as
the film most succesful in the promo-
tion of understanding" between the
East and the West.

*Liir Ends 95-Week
Run at Trans Lux;
700,000 Viewed It

Approximately 700,000 patrons paid
more than $700,000 to see M-G-M's
"Lili" at the Trans Lux S2nd St. The-
atre here where the picture this week
completed a 95-week run. It is one of
the few pictures to play more than a
3'ear and a half in one theatre in the
Broadway area.

"Lili" now will begin its runs in the
independent and circuit houses in
Greater New York.

Fire Damages Hub's
Kenmore Theatre

BOSTON, Dec. 22.— A three-alarm
fire causing damages estimated at
more than $12,000 at the 700-seat
Kenmore Theatre forced 100 patrons
to leave. There was no panic and none
was hurt as the audience filed out in
orderly fashion.

Of an unknown source, the fire
started in the ceiling of the stage end
of the theatre, discounting any possi-
bility of trouble from the heating sys-
tem or the projection booth, as the
equipment for both is in the front end
of the house.

Louis W. Richmond, who owns the
theatre property and operates the Ken-
more as an art house, has closed it for
renovations until after the first of the
year. He had booked the IFF opera
film "Aida" for the Christmas presen-
tation which will be given later when
the theatre reopens. The manager is
Albert Donovan.

Shea Appeal Denied;
Grainger Is Upheld

The motion of Shea Enterprises to
re-argue the court case in which fees
due E. C. Grainger were ordered
arbitrated has been denied by Supreme
Court Justice Joseph Gavagan. Thus
the former decision of the court will
stand.

Grainger's services were terminated
by Shea in 1951, at which time he
requested arbitration. Shea countered
with charges of mismanagement
against Grainger and contended that
Grainger's contract was invalid. Arbi-
tration was deferred but the court re-
cently found that the Grainger con-
tract was valid. However, Judge
Gavagan upheld Shea's claim that the
statute o£ limitations applied, thereby
limiting Grainger's possible recovery
to six years.

^Conqueror' Ready
For Preview in Jan,

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 22. — With
dubbing operations nearly completed,
Producer-director Dick Powell ex-
pects to have "The Conqueror,"
RKO's $6,000,000 film starring John
Wayne, Susan Hayward and Pedro
Armendariz, ready for previewing by
mid-Januarjr.

Claimed to be the biggest produc-
tion in RKO history and one of Hol-
lywood's all-time biggest, "The Con-
queror" is slated for national release
1 next May.

Winchell Items QP's
Hollywood Manager

Walter Winchell's column yes-
terday included this item: "Mo-
tion Picture Daily's S. D. Berns
calls him Darryl Zanucklaus."

The item, of course, referred
to the rhyme at the head of the
column by Quigley Publications'
Hollywood manager, Samuel D.
Berns, in the Dec. 13 issue of
Motion Picture Daily in which
the writer expressed his appre-
ciation of the entertainment
qualities of "There's No Busi-
ness Like Show Business," re-
ferring to "ZanucKlaus" as the
person who presented the at-
tractive package.

Jubilee Staged by
Loew's Theatres

Loew's Theatres played host last
night to 268 couples who have com-
pleted fifty or more years of marriage
at a giant Loew's "Golden Jubilee
Party" staged here in the Hotel
Sheraton-Astor.

The event was conceived and exe-
cuted by Loew's publicity director
Ernest Emerling and his staff as a
good will gesture, and as part of the
promotional activities for coming Ju-
bilee attractions. What began as a
simple newspaper story plant snow-
balled into the biggest affair of its
kind ever held.

Awards were made to the couple
longest married, the pair with the
greatest number of children and of
grandchildren. Music and entertain-
ment was of the 1904 era and was
highlighted by audience-participation
stunts including the Cake Walk, a
grandfathers' Diapering Derby, a
Beauty Contest, Balloon Dance, and a
blind-date competition. Joey Adams
and Harry Hershfield were masters of
ceremonies, with Emerling and his
home office staff acting as coordi-
nators. Frank Silvers and orchestra
furnished the music.

Congratulation a n d benedictions
were bestowed upon the gathering in
telegrams from Dr. Norman Vincent
Peale, Rabbi Jonah Wise, and Rev.
Thos. F. Little, S.T.L., executive sec-
retary of the Legion of Decency.

A BC -Southampton
Deal for 'Scope

LONDON, Dec. 22.— Special ar-
rangements for CinemaScope screen-
ings in the dockside town of South-
ampton (population 180,000) have
been concluded between 2Gth-Fox and
Associated British Cinemas.

Following the breakaway of 20th-
Fox from the J. Arthur Rank group,
the people of Southampton have seen
no CinemaScope subject since the
screening of "How to Marry a Mil-
lionaire" at their Gaumont in April.

ABC's key theatre in the town, the
2,000-seated Forum, is showing "Be-
neath the Twelve Mile Reef" during
the Christmas holidays. "Prince Val-
iant" has been booked into the Cir-
cuit's neighborhood house, the 1,500-
seated Broadway.

Columbia Pictures
And Otto Preminger
In 'GhandV Deal

Columbia Pictures has completed
arrangements with Otto Preminger
to produce and direct "The Wheel,"
a film dealing with the life of Mahat-
ma Gandhi, it was announced here
yesterday by Harry Cohn, president
of Columbia.

Preminger plans on shooting only
one version of "The Wheel," which
will serve not only the Western world,
but the huge Indian market as well,
it was stated. Thus, all of those char-
acters, both British and Indian, who
normally would speak English will do
so in the film, while those who would
be expected to speak Hindustani in
life will do so in the film, it was ex-
plained.

The Indian government, as pre-
viously reported, has indicated its co-
operation.

Children Enlisted
In Vandalism Fight

BOSTON, Dec. 22. — Manager
Maurice Sidman of the State Theatre
in East Milton and the local teen-age
group's Shamrock Athletic Club have
become partners in a joint effort to
eliminate vandalism and destruction in
the sub-run situation.

Sidman attended a meeting of the
teenager's club and offered them a
deal — they should make an effort to
cut out the physical destruction in the
theatres and he would donate to the
Shamrock Club the proceeds of a spe-
cial show which will be held in two
weeks.

"It has been my experience that if
the theatre manager works closely
with a leading high school organized
group, much can be done to do away
with this headache of all managers,"
Sidman said.

Sinatra, Levenson
In 'Parade of Stars'

Frank Sinatra and Sam Levenson
head the initial list of stars in the
"Parade of Stars" for the benefit of
the Jewish National Home for Asth-
matic Children that will be held at
Town Hall on Jan. 8, it was an-
nounced by Max E. Youngstein, vice-
president of United Artists, who is
serving as chairman of the home's first
benefit show.

In addition to Sinatra and Leven-
son, other Broadway stars whose ac-
ceptances of invitations to appear were
announced here are : Myron Cohen,
the Mariners Quartet, the Chordettes,
Jaye P. Morgan, Jan Arden, Lois
Hunt, Earl Wrightson, Don Liberto,
Bobby Hackett and Lanny Ross. Rob-
ert Q. Lewis, honorary chairman of
the benefit, will be master of cere-
monies.

RKO Theatres Dividend

At a meeting of the board of direc-
tors of RKO Theatres Corp. here
yesterday, a dividend of 20 cents per
share was declared, payable Jan. 14,
1955 to holders of record at the close
of business on January 6, 1955.

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidavs, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubcc, New York." Martin Ouigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Bradv, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke.
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca- Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, UrBen Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. OttenJ National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnvp,-sManager; Peter Burnup, Editofe cable address, "Quigpubqo, London." Other feuiglev Publications; Motion Picture Herald ; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising,; each published 13 times a year Ss a section of Motion Pitture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

Thursday, December 23, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Tonight^s the Night Bows in New York

Among those seen at last night's premiere performance of "To-
night's the Night" at the 52nd Street Trans-Lux Theatre here were,
left to right, first photo: Tex and Jinx McCrary, radio and television

luminaries, and Harry Brandt, president of Brandt Theatres. Second
photo: Celeste Holm and Mrs. Cornelia Otis Skinner. Third photo:
Nina Foch and her husband, James Lipton.

People

Herbert Larson, veteran motion
picture editor of "The Oregonian"
in Portland, Ore., is back at his desk
after a siege of pneumonia.

Jack Kirsch, president of Allied
Theatres of Illinois, has announced
that Joe E. Lewis and Peggy Lee

will head the floor show at Chez
Paree, Chicago, when Allied cele-
brates its 24th anniversary there on
Dec. 29.

George Planck, veteran film show-
man, has sold the Ohio Theatre,
Cleveland, to Irving Mumper. He
will devote all his time to his ice
cream business.

Morris Wolf, prominent Philadel-
phia attorney, will speak on his ex-
periences as special representative
of the Foreign Operations Admin-
istration at the annual dinner of
Variety Club's Tent 13 on Jan. 10.
The dinner, which will honor retir-
ing chief barker Norman Silverman
and welcome Louis Goffman, the
incoming chief barker, will be held
at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in
Philadelphia.

Ernest A. Grecula has joined
Walter Reade Theatres as manager
of the Paramount in Plainfield, N. J.
He was formerly advertising and
publicity director of the Hartford
Theatres Circuit.

Sam Germaine, salesman, has been
elected president of the 20th Cen-
tury-Fox Family Club at the New
Haven exchange.

The New York Foundling Hospital
benefitted last night by the premiere
performance of Allied Artists' "To-
night's the Night," which was held
here at the 52nd Street Trans-Lux
Theatre. The lobby ceremonies pre-
ceding the performance were directed
by Jinx and Tex McCrary and were
televised live over WPIX. Addition-

ally, portions were re-broadcast on the
regularly-scheduled Tex and Jinx pro-
gram over WRCA later last night.
The hospital was represented by the
Rt. Rev. Mons. John E. Reilly.

"Tonight's the Night" stars Barry
Fitzgerald, along with Yvonne de
Carlo and David Niven. It was pro-
duced and directed by Mario Zampi.

Paramount Production

(Continued from page 1)

vice-president ; Russell Holman, East-
ern studio representative ; A. W.
Schwalberg, distribution head, E. K.
O'Shea and other company executives

Paramount appraisals of its
completed product for 1955 re-
leases indicate the "highest
gross on the fewest pictures
(20) in the history of the com-
pany," according to Barney
Balaban, president.

present were agreed that even if it
were physically possible for distribu-
tion to properly market more product
than now scheduled, a supposition
none of them would concede, the
scarcity of material for production
would soon reduce the output once
more.

"As long as the exhibitor wants
quantity, he's on the wrong track,"
said Zukor. "People do not go to the
theatre today from habit. They go
because they've read or heard of the
picture they intend to see, and they
leave free entertainment at home."

"We've tried the quantity policy and

Women's Clubs Cite
'Sign of the Pagan'

Universal Pictures was presented
with a testimonial saluting its forth-
coming "Sign of the Pagan," by Mrs.
Charlotte Baruth, national chairman
of the Motion Picture Division of the
General Federation of Women's Clubs,
at a luncheon here yesterday.

Evidence that the Paramount
studio is working at capacity is
Y. Frank Freeman's report that
when Cecil B. DeMille's "Ten
Commandments" goes before
the cameras in March, outside
space may have to be rented, as
all home stages will be occu-
pied.

went broke on it," Zukor declared.

There is no real product scarcity, he
added. "All companies are making
more good pictures than ever, so there
is no shortage of good pictures. If
there was money to be made in the
low budget pictures, the studios would
make them."

Balaban said he thought the entry

of exhibitors into production activity
is a "healthy thing for the industry."

"It is good for them to be in pro-
duction," he said. "That is where they
will learn the answers."

Schwalberg said Paramount's re-
lease schedule to June 30, 1955, has
been set now and consists of 12 pic-
tures. Release will be at the rate of
two a month and the company is now
waiting on prints of the scheduled
releases.

Balaban said an estimate of the pro-
duction cost of the new year's schedule
would be meaningless because about

"Paramount Presents Vista-
Vision," containing excerpts
from 10 forthcoming releases,
will be offered by the company
to theatres early in the new
year. Originally it was intended
for trade showings in exchange
centers but its entertainment
content was deemed high
enough to make it a theatre
attraction.

half of it involved participation deals
and final costs will be affected by
those pay-offs.

Other company officials at the
luncheon were Sid Blumenstock, ad-
vertising manager; Herb Steinberg,
exploitation; Burt Champion, public-
ity, and Charles Franke, trade press
contact.

UTP Personnel to MCA

David V. Sutton, vice-president and
member of the board of MCA-TV,
announced yesterday in New York
that effective immediately, all United
Television Programs, Inc., personnel
has joined MCA-TV. MCA-TV has
acquired all UTP film properties.

"UTP now becomes a part of
MCA-TV film syndication division,"

News
Roundup

Extra Shows at Music Hall

Radio City Music Hall will open its
doors at 7 :30 a.m. from next Monday,
through Thursday, Dec. 30, to accom-
modate holiday audiences. An extra
performance will also be given at mid-
night on Dec. 31.

Get Acquainted Week

In Haines City, Fla., the Florida
and Haines City theatres gave a pass
with each paid admission during Get
Acquainted Week, a promotion de-
signed to encourage newcomers as
well as regular patrons to become bet-
ter acquainted with theatre personnel.
Steve Barker is manager of the
Florida, and Roy Williams of the
Haines City.

Buys Conn. Auditorium

George Comden, former owner of
the Fine Arts Theatre in Westport,
Conn., has purchased the Country
Barn in Monroe. He plans to continue
Saturday night square dancing in the
auditorium, and will make it available
for rental by social and civic groups.

Durango Woos Producers

Durango, mining center of north
central Mexico, is bidding strongly for
studio and location business of both
U.S. and Mexican producers with the
inducement of a 20-year exemption
from state taxes. The only condition
is the employment of as many Mex-
icans as possible.

Cohen Aids Camp Funds

Lou Cohen of Loew's Poli Theatre
in Hartford presented checks for
$261.55 each to the summer under-
privileged children camp funds of the
"Hartford Times" and the "Hartford
Courant." The checks represented the
purse given to the veteran theatre
executive at a testimonial dinner
marking his 35th year in motion

Sutton said.

pictures.

Warn

■■ir ■m

Nine G^^JlT£^ND ALREADY TWO d 'HOLD ME IN YOUR ARMS' d 'READY, Wl

ON THE UST OF SONGS WITH THE BIGGEST RADIO AUDIENCE! d JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS' d 'SOMEC

ALSO STARRING

GIG YOUNG • ETHEL BARRYMORE- DOROTHY MALONE

WITH

ROBERT KEITH • ELISABETH ERASER -ALAN HALEJP

ROS.PRESENT

NDABLE' cf 'YOU MY LOVE' d 'TIL MY LOVE COMES TO ME' cl" 'ONE FOR MY BABY'
WATCH OVER ME' d 'YOUNG AT HEART' d 'THERE'S A RISING MOON'

ECHNICOLOR

SCREEN PLAY BY

JULIUS J. EPSTEIN AND LENORE COFFEE PROOUCIION

PRESENTED BY

PRODUCED BY DIRECTED BY

HENRY BLANKE- GORDON douglas -WARNER BROS.

HOLIDAY
CHEERS
FROM THE
TRADE
PRESS!

"This is just wliatthe
box-office ordered!
Everyone should fall in
love with its warm
human family life
appeal. Warner Bros,
have every right to
burst a vest button for
styling the story to suit
the personable talents
of its stars. They had the
preview audience in the
palms of their hands."

M. P. DAILY

"Highly entertaining!
Solid family
entertainment and fine
performances that
combine humor and
pathos- with hit
songs added!"

FILM DAILY

"Ticket-buyers should
enthusiastically
patronize this one! Has
numerous assets to
generate business-
attracting word-of-
mouth reaction!"

BOXOFFICE

"It's headed for
prosperous box-office!
For both Miss Day and
Sinatra "Young At
Heart" is a topflight
credit. They give the
songs the vocal touch
that makes them solid
listening, and score just
as strongly on the
dramatics,
complementing each
other to make tlie
heart-tugs all the
more effective!"

VARIETY also
DAILY VARIETY

"A picture to delight and
entertain! Will build
top business!"

SHOWMEN'S
TRADE REVIEW

"Box-office gold in all
situations! Excellent!"

M. P. HERALD

Motion Picture Daily

Reviews

"Quest for the Lost City''

(RKOSol Lesser) Hollyivood, Dec. 22

THE Sol Lesser presentation of this non-fiction account of exploratory
travels, such as nearly everybody dreams of but almost nobody under-
takes, comes to market at a time when the lengthening and broadening of
top-strata features have created a critical problem for the exhibitor whose
customers decline to settle for less than two features. The Lesser presenta-
tion, originally filmed in 16 mm. Kodachrome under conditions of hazard and
stepped up to 3Smm. Eastman-color for commercial use, is a direct and
satisfying solution of that problem — could, if as successful as seems promised,
turn out to be the first in a train of hour-long features designed for precisely
that purpose. Its running-time is by no means a measure of its merit.

The picture is simply a camera record, made by themselves, of a journey
from Southern California through Mexico to Guatemala by Dana and Ginger
Lamb, professional adventurers, making their way afoot and with aid of only
such equipment as they carried on their backs — a 40-pound pack on hers,
a 60-pound pack on his. Those statistics include the time-set camera with
which they photographed themselves, their surroundings, their discoveries
and their conclusions, together with their bug-proof tent, their emergency
rations, all and everything they lived by and with. There is no gimmicking
of the footage, no faked-up perils, and no token-plot about seeking a legendery
city, no artificiality of any kind — just plain photographic records of a not-at-
all plain venturing into jungle and mountain by two people who make that
kind of venturing their business. (A goodly part of the survival-knowhow
that saved the lives of soldiers shot down behind enemy lines in World War II
was supplied by the Lambs ; ex-pilot Tom Harmon speaks a prologue stating
they saved his life twice.)

The photography, naturally, is less perfect than the Academy issues awards
for, and there is no dialogue, just narration and music score, but these facts
add to the effectiveness of the picture rather than detract.

Running time, 64 minutes. General audience classification. Release date not
set.

W. R. WEAVER

''The Beachcomber"

(Rank-U.A.)

PATRONS of British motion picture fare as well as other types of dis-
criminating audiences will be amused by this J. Arthur Rank remake of
the fine old Charles Laughton film, "The Beachcomber," from an interesting
and colorful W. Somerset Maugham story. Good film making is employed
here and Robert Newton, an impeccable English performer, portrays the
liquor-logged outcast who spends his days on a tropical island doing nothing
more strenuous than popping the corks out of bottles and drinking the con-
tents.

Disliked immensely by other British residents of the Isle, a missionary
and his sister, Newton, who arouses the ire of a new Colonial officer placed
in charge of the island, is sentenced to hard labor for his drunken outbursts.
Circumstances throw him and Glynis Johns together and she, for the first
time, gets a modicum of respect for him. But no sooner does Newton get
pardoned, another drunken spree causes a deportation sentence to be levied,
but a cholera epidemic strikes and he is allowed to help Miss Johns combat it.
Admiration and then love accompany their perilous adventures together and
in the end. Miss Johns is less prudish and Newton more of a man.

Sydney Box's screenplay moves forward at a leisurely pace, perhaps syn-
chronizing life in the tropics. The lush and authentic settings are always a
joy to behold in color by Technicolor which aids the film's overall quality.
William MacQuitty produced and Muriel Box directed this film which is
basically a character study of two offbeat characters, similar in many ways
to those in a previous United Artists release, "The African Queen." It has
a few bursts of violence, a smattering of sentiment and wonderful scenery.

Running time, 82 minutes. General audience classification. Release, in
January.

NT's Net

(Continued from page 1)

bonus and other avi'ards to employees
today in the Los Angeles and San
Francisco headquarters of the South-
ern and Northern California divisions.

In Los Angeles, where 180 man-
agers, division managers and depart-
ment heads attended the annual get-
together at the Ambassador Hotel,
FWC general manager Edwin F.
Zabel distributed $65,858, including
sales-drive awards and Christmas
bonuses.

In San Francisco $27,890 was dis-
tributed similarly.

Para. Toll TV

{Continued from page 1)

the process of being "re-designed" in
line with experience gained in the
Palm Springs, Calif., experiments
with it a year ago.

Asked whether Paramount's interest
in pay TV has altered of late, Barney
Balaban, president, replied : "We are
in it deeper and more enthusiastic
than ever before."

"Whether we want to or not, we
cannot ignore a box office in the
home," Balaban said. "It may be in-
evitable."

Questioned concerning his views of
Iirogram material for subscription TV,
Balaban said that it could call for a
"different type of product, apart from
old films, than that provided for
theatres."

Loew to Divest

{Continued jrom page 1)

the Ave. B Theatre here which was
acquired by Jay Emanuel Theatres,
bringing the total number of Loew's
houses divested to 23 over a period of
a year and a half.

Under terms of its consent decree,
Loew's was to dispose of 25 theatres,
the majority of which were in the
New York area. Under its latest ex-
tension, Loew's was given until Feb.
6 to fulfill the terms of the decree.

'Wages of Fear'
Here in February

"The Wages of Fear," which won
the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film
Festival, will be launched in the
United States early in 1955 by Inter-
national Affiliates, Inc., representing
Filmsonor of France. This is reported
to be the only foreign-language film
which has ever secured major circuit
booking in England.

John G. McCarthy, president of In-
ternational Affiliates, Inc., announced
that the prize-winning picture will
have its American premiere at a top
New York art house in February.

'Prince' Bows Jan. 11

Twentieth Century-Fox's Cinema-
Scope production of "Prince of Play-
ers" will open at the Rivoli Theatre
here on Jan. 11, the film company
announced.

^Dimes' Trailer Now
Being Distributed

The 1955 March of Dimes motion
picture trailer, explaining the bigger
job the nation's polio-fighting organi-
zation faces in the new year, is now
being distributed, it was announced by
the National Foundation for Infantile
Paralysis.

This 60-second March of Dimes ap-
peal is being distributed free of charge
to more than 10,000 theatres through-
out the country by local March of
Dimes chairmen.

Motion picture houses from coast to
coast are designating special weeks in
January to show the trailer at the
same time that local March of Dimes
volunteers make audience collections,
lobby collections and/or arrange for
special benefit performances.

33 Films in Work
At Coast Studios

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 22. — Only
one picture started and four pictures
were completed, this week, for a total
of 33 pictures in work. Started was
"Devil Goddess," (Columbia).

Completed were : "Twilight Alley,"
(Allied Artists) ; "Five Guns West,"
Palo Alto, Eastman Color (American
Releasing Corporation.) ; "Duel On
the Mississippi," Technicolor (Colum-
bia) ; "The Scarlet Coat," Cinema-
Scope color (Independent).

Produce Polio Short

RKO-Pathe, Inc., is producing a
number of one-minute TV spots for
the National Foundation for Infantile
Paralysis.

Thursday, December 23, 1954

'Scope

(Continued from page 1)

rapid pace in which exhibitors are in-
stalling CinemaScope equipment, ex-
pect that by the end of March, 13,000
domestic theatres will be equipped for
the medium. The foreign organization
anticipates that at least 10,500 of its
overseas accounts will have converted
and be regularly presenting Cinema-
Scape pictures by the end of next
year.

Broken Down Nationally

At present, the 20th-Fox statistical
survey reveals the number of houses
equipped for CinemaScope about the
globe are : 10,057, U. S. and Canada ;
244, Latin America ; 294, South Amer-
ica ; 495, Great Britain ; 2,940, Euro-
pean continent ; 30, Africa ; 488, Far
East; 278, Australia; 28, New
Zealand.

Grosses of CinemaScope presenta-
tions, as reported to 20th-Fox sales
officials by theatre managers, begin-
ning with "The Robe" proved 211.47
per cent greater than the total box
office return on prior standard releases
of the same types of stories and played
in a corresponding number of book-
ings.

In the initial 6.591 bookings of "The
Robe," the first wide-screen feature
outgrossed a corresponding playoff on
"David and Bathsheba" by 331.51 per
cent, 20th-Fox reports. Succeeding
CinemaScope productions also have
shown their outgrossing ability when
compared to similar-type films, the
company said. In the initial 14-months,
CinemaScope productions have more
than doubled the patronage of com-
parable standard features in corre-
sponding number of bookings, the dis-
tribution organization reported.
Stereo Seen Popular

Officials of 20th-Fox also report
that information received irom the
overseas markets indicate that installa-
tions of four-track stereophonic sound
CinemaScope equipment outnumber
other sound methods better than two-
to-one. That was the conclusion which
was drawn by 20th-Fox international
executives. Every free nation in the
world has been introduced to Cinema-
Scope attractions, the 20th-Fox execu-
tives report, except Soviet Russia,
China and other Iron Curtain coun-
tries.

State Censors

{Continued from page 1)

tically null and void until new legisla-
tion is passed.

In addition to the five remaining
states where state censorship still
exists, Dr. Flick said that representa-
tives from Massachusetts, where there
is censorship on films shown on Sun-
day, and Boston also may attend.

Last winter, state censors of the
U. S. met in New York, issuing a
statement following the conference
upholding the rights of film censor--
ship, despite then-recent U. S. Su-
preme Court decisions.

Asked if he foresaw any changes
in New York State censorship in 1955
in light of the change-over from a
Republican to a Democratic state ad-
ministration led by Governor-elect
Harriman, Dr. Flick said that "brutal-
ity" and "morality" know no politi-
cal parties. He added that although
the state administration will change,
the legislature remains the same.
There is no contemplated legislation
on state censorship) in New York, Dr.
Flick added.

YOU CAN ALWAYS DEPEND ON \

FOR THE BEST

SPECIAL
TRAILERS

to a.11 ouir rriends in tlie
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The Yeai^s TOP HONORS will go to

The Word is Flashing across America from the ^
Most Famous Typewriters Reporting Pictures!

"George Seaton and crew may get
trampled in stampede of Oscars
in direction of 'The Country

Girl ' . " -ALTON COOK, New York World-Telegram

* 4e- 4e-

"One of the fine, forceful pic-
tures of the year. Mr. Seaton
wrote and directed it with a
hand as firm as iron. "

-BOSLEY CROWTHER, New York Times

* * *

"May win Bing another Oscar! "

—LIFE MAGAZINE

-jf -X-

"Until I saw this picture, I
thought (another actor) would
walk off with the Academy Award.
Now he'll have to heat Mr.
Croshy . " -sheilah graham, abc-tv

* -x- *

"Highest Rating!"

-KATE CAMERON, Daily News
^ -X- -X-

"Croshy may very well win an
Oscar. . .one of the most compel-
ling movies of the year. "

—LEO MISHKIN, Morning Telegraph
•X- * -x-

"A likely competitor for

Oscars ! " -jane CORBY, Brooklyn Eagle

"Crosby hailed for top male per-
formance of year. Grace Kelly
gives "best female performance of

year . " -frank QUINN, Daily Mirror

* -x -x-

"Sure to "be one of the most talked
ahout pictures, one of year's

best." -ROSE PELSWICK, N. Y. Journal-American

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"Don't miss 'The Country Girl'—
a 4-Oscar filming."

—FRANK FARRELL, Scripps Howard Columnist
X- * ^

"Crosby gives performance of a
lifetime. Holden hurtles thru
the film in staccato fashion."

-OTIS L. GUERNSEY, Jr., N .Y. Herald Tribune

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"Excellent! Exciting . . . when
performers break their personal
sound-and-sight barriers while

you watch . " -archer WINSTEN, N. Y. Post

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"'The Country Girl' will knock
you right out of your theatre

seat . " -LOUELLA O. PARSONS

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"The dramatic
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thunderbolt of

-LOOK MAGAZINE

PARAMOUNT presents

BING GRACE WILLIAM a PERLBERG-SEATON Production

CROSBY- KELLY • HOLDEN OIL

/ILLIAM PERLBERG • Written for the Screen and Directed by GEORGE SEATON . From the play by Clifford Odets

M Mtrvp, Mtvtp Cijristmas

MOTION PICTURE

Is News

VOL. 76. NO. 121

NEW YORK, U. S. A., FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1954

TEN CENTS

20th Estimate

'55 Releases
In Scope Put
At Over 125

Skouras Also Reports on
Scope Activity in Europe

Releases in the CinemaScope medi-
um will number 125 in 1955, repre-
senting the releases of all major com-
panies in the U>S., it was estimated
here yesterday by 20th Century-Fox,
the company which introduced the
medium.

Twentieth-Fox in its regular report
to stockholders signed by president
Spyros P. Skouras, reported that in
addition to the 125 of U.S. companies,
production in Europe has been greatly
accelerated.

Continued the report : "England
alone presently has 16 pictures under
production and many others in prepa-
ration ; France has three pictures un-
der production and in preparation ;
Italy and Spain have more than 15
{Continued on page 6)

Film Centre
For Jamaica

After several months of discussions,
surveys and negotiations contracts are
signed setting up Jamaican Film Cen-
tre, Ltd., a film production organiza-
tion located in Kingston, Jamaica,
B. W. L Principals in the signing
were Americans Martin Jones, Henry
Olmsted and Gordon Knox, and the
Industrial Development Corp., a stat-
utory corporation established under
the Industrial Development Law of
Jamaica.

In announcing the formation of
Jamaican Film Centre, Ltd., Jones
revealed that the telefilm and feature
film production organization has been
initially financed at close to $1,000,000,
with the American and Jamaican
groups each putting up half the total
amount and jointly owning the com-
pany.

The Industrial Development Corp.,
whose membership is composed of
most of the large industrialists of the
British West Indies island, was
formed recently to foster industrial
expansion and encourage the intro-
duction to Jamaica of new industry.

U.S. Newspapers
Editorially Praise
Film Industry

The New Year is being ushered in
with a backlog of upbeat editorials on
the motion picture industry in news-
papers throughout the country, it was
revealed here yesterday by the Mo-
tion Picture Association of America,
which compiled the clippings.

Typical was the comment of the
"Times-Dispatch," Richmond, Va.,
which said, "Motion picture theatres,
which only a few months ago were
reported ailing financially, have ex-
perienced a therapeutic shot in the
arm in the form of greatly increased
attendance."

Said the "Observer-Dispatch,"
Utica, N. Y., "Most of us are happy
that those entertainment friends of our
youth, the movies, are getting their
business back. . . . Behind this in-
creased interest you'll find better mo-
tion pictures produced in new and
better screening processes."

The upbeat editorials, the MPAA
{Continued on page 6)

All UP A '55 Shorts
Available in 'Scope

From THE DAILY Bureau

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 23.— United
Productions of America will make its
entire 1955 short subjects program
available in CinemaScope, as well as
in standard media, president Stephen
Bosustow announced here today.

Continued Upturn
Seen for New Year

ALBANY, Dec. 23.— A con-
tinuation of the "upgrade" trend
in motion picture patronage is
expected for the new year by
two local industry leaders,
Harry Lament, of Lament The-
atres, and Charles A. Smakwitz,
Stanley Warner zone manager.
Both men believe that strong
product and other favorable fac-
tors will be reflected in substan-
tial grosses.

Neither cared te predict what
the percentage ef increase in
1955 will be, but each thought
one will be registered.

51 at Paramount
To 25-Year Club

Fifty-one Paramount employes from
various departments, branches and af-
filiates who this year completed a
quarter of a century of service will
be inducted into the Paramount 25-
Year Club today at home office cere-
monies conducted by Barney Balaban,
president, and Adolph Zukor, chair-
man of the board of directors. For the
past several years, 25-Year Club in-
duction ceremonies have highlighted
Yuletide observances at Paramount.

The company's chief executives will
mark the occasion with the presenta-
tion to the inductees of gold watches,
{Continued on page 6)

Compete for Acreage

Location^ High Costs Face
New Drive-in Projects

Established drive-in operators who plan to expand as well as prospec-
tive drive-in builders are faced with mounting real estate costs, with shop-
ping centers competing for acreage, according to some outdoor theatre
owners in the Eastern states. Exhibi-

tors seeking new locations also are find-
ing themselves bidding against home
builders. This means that many drive-
ins are being forced farther away
from city and suburban areas, the ex-
hibitors say.

Land-costs alone in various Eastern
areas are as high as $10,000 an acre,
it is claimed, while the minimum ap-
pears to be about $4,000 an acre_ in
areas fairly close to communities.
Some operators, it is said, are_ start-
ing to explore swamp areas, with the
idea of filling in the ground if suffi-
cient and acceptable land-fill is avail-

able. Based on 1,000-car capacities,
it is estimated that a modern drive-
in, including acreage, construction and
equipment will cost in excess of $250,-
000, according to those who have had
recent experiences in obtaining infor-
mation.

Screen costs are reported to be
adding 10 to 15 per cent to the over-
all investment and larger concession
booths with modern equipment also
add to costs, it is said. A modern con-
cession booth with increased service
equipment is reported to hit close to
{Continued on page 6)

Ahead of '53

Pre-Releases
Aiding Holiday
AB-PT Gross

Traditional Bad Period
Offset, Ed Hyman Says

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

A number of pre-releases have
pushed the grosses of affiliate Amer-
ican Broadcasting-Paramount Thea-
tres "substantially ahead" of the pre-
Christmas holiday business which was
done last year, Edward L. Hyman,
vice-president of AB-PT, declared
here yesterday.

Hyman, long an advocate of an
even, year-round release pattern, con-
tended that the business done by the
pre-releases one week before Christ-
mas, traditionally the w^orst period for
theatre business, proves that top prod-
uct will draw no matter what the
season.

The AB-PT vice-president, saying
that he did not want to single out in-
dividual companies, declined to state
the titles of the pre-releases in ques-
tion. From field reports, however, it
was learned that "Three Ring Circus"
opened strong in San Francisco on
Wednesday and "Young in Heart" big
{Continued on page 6)

Cites Rise of
Closed Circuit

"Closed circuit television has come
of age in the past 12 months as a
potent selling tool for American in-
dustry," according to William P. Ro-
sensohn, newly elected president of
Box Office Television, Inc., in a year-
end report to company stockholders.

In reviewing the company activities
for 1954, Rosensohn reported an aver-
age of one closed circuit coast-to-coast
meeting per month for a top rated in-
dustrial concern with a total gross
volume of close to $1,000,000.

The 12 closed circuit meetings pro-
duced by BOTV during 1954 include
two shows each for Ford, Chrysler
and Pan American World Airways.
In addition, BOTV's facilities were
used by the American Management
Association, Dow Chemical Co.,
Wyeth Laboratories and Kaiser-
{Contimied on page 3)

Motion Picture Daily

Friday, December 24, 1954

Personal
Mention

FRANK KING, of King Brothers,
and Harry Franklin, writer,
left here yesterday by plane for Spain.
•

Elizabeth Stari*, daughter of Al-
fred Starr, past president of Theatre
Owners of America, was married in
Nashville to George Manly Joseph,
of Boise, Ida.

LiLLi Rose Brunner was married
here yesterday to Howard Allen
Kalmenson_, son of Ben Kalmenson,
Warner Brothers vice-president.

Sandra Kuritsky, of the 20th Cen-
tury-Fox duplicating department, has
announced her engagement to Jerry
Kassler of New York.

Muriel Kirsch, office manager at
Madison Pictures, will be married
Jan 9 to Jack Sperling of New
York.

Margaret Webster, British actress,
will leave New York tomorrow for
England via B.O.A.C. Mayflower.
•

Robert G. Maurello, of Commu-
nity Amusement Corp., Hartford, has
left there for a vacation in the South.
•

Charles Cooper, of Cooper-Kirsch
Theatres, Chicago, has left there for
the Coast.

Double Taxation in
Germany, U.S. Ends

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23.— A con-
vention ending double income taxation
in Germany and the United States
went into effect Monday, with the
exchange of instruments of ratification
at Bonn, the State Department an-
nounced.

The convention will free film com-
panies from double taxation in both
Germany and the U.S. of their Ger-
man earnings. Involved are income
taxes — not various special excise or
other taxes.

M-G-M to Produce
Life of Buddlia

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 23.— The life
of Gautama Buddha will be brought
to the screen as the most important
international motion picture in
M-G-M's history, it was announced
today by studio head Dore Schary.

To be produced in color and
CinemaScope by Edwin H. Knopf, the
story of Buddha was prepared and
written by Robert Llardy Andrews
after more than two years research.
Andrews, who will be associate pro-
ducer with Knopf, recently returned
from his second fact-finding tour of
India and the Orient. He visited
Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos,
Burma, Ceylon and India, his 15,000-
mile "pilgrimage" retracing the orig-
inal Buddhist "curve," and following
its growth from India to Japan and
back.

New UA Managers
In Two Countries
Of South America

Alvaro Rey has been named man-
ager of United Artists' office in Co-
lombia and Nauni Lefcovich has been
appointed the company's representative
in Uruguay, it was announced here
yesterday by Arnold M. Picker, UA
vice president in charge of foreig)i
distribution.

Rey formerly served with RKO
Pictures in Colombia as sales man-
ager. Lefcovich was previously as-
sociated with RKO and Eagle-Lion in
.-\rgentina. He succeeds Adolfo Fried-
man, who resigned from the company
last week.

Pre-TV Showing of
4 Religious Films

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 23.— In an
expiinsion move augmenting the "fam-
ily theatre of air" radio-television
programs, four religious feature films
were acquired in Spain bv Rev. Pat-
rick Peyton, CSC, for theatrical re-
lease before television airings.

Joseph Breen, Jr., has been engaged
to DUt the films into shape for theatri-
cal release. All films are to be dubbed
in English. Two will be based on the
'ife of Christ. One modem film tenta-
tivelv titled, "Delinquent." and a
dubbed Eng'ish version of "The Lady
•-f Fatima." were acquired from
Ceasere Gonzalez, Suevia Films, Ma-
drid, in an arrangement with William
Marshall, who held rights to an Eng-
lish version.

Four Directors Set
For 'Seven Wonders*

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 23, — Four
or more directors will direct the third
Cinerama production, "Seven Won-
ders of the World," co-producer
Merian C. Cooper today disclosed, an-
nouncing the contracting of Tay Gar-
"ett to rlirect the Asiatic segment.
Andrew Marton, Paul Mantz and Ted
Tetzlafl^ will direct the other seg-
mfnts, and it is possible that John
Farrow, who has been engaged as
p'^rsonal consultant to Cooper, may
direct another segment.

Garnett will leave bv plane for Asia
tomorrow night, and Farrow will
ipciA^e here on New Year's Eve for
Africa.

Parsons Slates Five
For A A During 1955

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 23— Linds-
ley Parsons has scheduled five films
for production in 1955 for Allied Art-
ists, with John H. Burrows slated to
be associate producer on three of
them. These three will be "The Hi-
jackers," scheduled to roll Jan. 10;
"The Intruder," now being written by
Cyril Hume from the Helen Fowler
novel of the same title, and "Son of
Jack Slade," a sequel to "Jack Slade,"
which starred Mark Stevens.

"The Desperate Women," from the
James D. Horan novel, and "Massacre
at Dragoon Wells," to star Barry
Sullivan, comprise the balance of his
1955 pro^rram for Allied Artists.

Elect Wm. Kelley
A Du Mont V-P

Major organization changes by Al-
len B. Du Mont Laboratories, Inc.,
have resulted in the election of Wil-
liam H. Kelley as vice-president and
general manager of all manufacturing
and sales divisions, and the appoint-
ment of William C. Scales as manager
of the receiver sales division, it was
announced by Dr. Allen B. Du Mont,
president.

Under the new alignment, the com-
pany's instrument, cathode-ray tube,
communication products, international,
government contracts, and receiver
manufacturing and sales divisions will
report to Kelley.

Scales moves into his new post after
serving as sales manager for Du
Mont's cathode-ray tube division since
1950.

A A to Have 10 Films
As Year -end Backlog

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 23.— Allied
Artists will have a backlog of 10 pic-
tures at the close of the current year,
it was disclosed today by Walter
Mirisch, executive producer. The
films include "The Warriors," in
CinemaScope, starring Errol Flynn,
Joanne Dru and Peter Finch ; "The
Annapolis Story," starring John Der-
ek, Diana Lynn and Kevin McCarthy,
and "Shotgun," with Sterling Hayden
and Yvonne De Carlo starred, each
with color in Technicolor ; "The Big
Combo," starring Cornel Wilde, Jean
Wallace and Richard Conte, and
"God's Angry Man," with Raymond
Alassey, Debra Paget and Jeffrey
Flunter.

The others are "Treasure of Ruby
Hills," starring Zachary Scott and
Carole Mathews ; "Twilight Alley,"
starring Conte, Constance Smith and
Bruce Bennett ; "Code 3," starring
Bill Elliott ; "High Society," starring
Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall, and
"Murder Is My Beat," with Barbara
Payton and Paul Langton in the lead-
ing roles.

Campaign Launches
'Cruz' Opening Here

A campaign combining a city-wide
retail store promotion, radio and TV
plugs blanketing every major New
York outlet, a newspaper ad cam-
paign and street bally covering both
the metropolitan and suburban areas
is backing the Broadway premiere to-
morrow of United Artists' "Vera
Cruz," first Superscope production, at
the Capitol Theatre.

The promotion program, said to be
the most extensive ever mounted by
UA to spotlight a New York opening,
will reach an estimated 15,000,000
people.

The campaign drum-beating the
Christmas Day opening kicked off 1-^'
days in advance with a round-the-
clock disc jockey salute exploiting the
six recordings of the "Vera Cruz"
title song.

The retail store exploitation spotted
more than 1,500 theatres on the con-
tinent showing CinemaScope produc-
tions with more than 1,200 orders for
additional installations pending, the
company announced.

News
Roundup

U.S. Title Announced

The J. Arthur Rank Organization
has announced that "The Young Lov-
ers," produced by Anthony Havelock-
Allan, will be distributed in the United
States under the title of "Chance
Meeting." The film stars Odile \ er-
sois and David Knight.

Hot Chocolate Units

Cointeria, Inc., has started to place
its hot chocolate units in theatres, Al
Miller, president, announced in Chi-
cago. The company's automatic coffee
machines are already a common sight
in theatres throughout the Chicago
area.

European Bow for 'Star'

"A Star Is Born" will have its first
European performance in London in
February, with many British and
American stars in attendance. The
opening, a benefit for the Actors'
Orphanage, is being planned by the
Variety Club of Great Britain in col-
laboration with Warner Bros.

'Moby Dick' Completed

Al Crown, president of Moulin Pro-
ductions, has announced that both lo-
cation and interior filming of "Moby
Dick" have been completed. John
Huston is now in the Canary Islands
winding up the exterior shooting for
the film.

Auction at Ottawa House

The Roxy Theatre in Ottawa,
closed for some time, reopened for
three days for a public auction of an-
tiques in a bid for Christmas business.
No films were shown during the auc-
tion, and the theatre closed again
Dec. 18.

Ohio House to Reopen

The Standard Theatre in Cleveland,
owned by the Community Circuit, will
be reopened in January after having
been closed for six months. It was
the first theatre built in Cleveland ex-
pressly for tile showing of motion
pictures.

NEW YORK THEATRES

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

» Rockefeller Center 1

\ "DEEP IN MY HEART"

, In Glorious COLOR starring i

' JOSE MERLE HELEN \

• FERRER • OBERON • TRAUBEL 1

An M-G-M Picture J
1 &. The Music Hall's Great Christmas Stage Show <

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Qui?lev, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center. New York 20. N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubcc, New York." Martin Quigley, President: Martin
Quigley Tr , Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer: R.iymond Levy. Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke.
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2I4d;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq.. London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald ; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a vear as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

Friday, December 24, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Reviews

''Green Fire''

(M-G-M)
{CinemuScope)

Z\ N adventure melodrama designed to entertain large mass audiences, "Green
Fire" is a conventionally plotted production with particular appeal drawn
from its stars, Stewart Granger, Paul Douglas and Grace Kelly, as well as
the South American location filming for which the CinemaScope cameras are
admirably fitted. The story deals with a search for emeralds in the rugged,
bandit-infested mountains of Colombia.

The story and screenplay, by Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts, tell of a couple
of rough and tumble mining engineers, Granger and Douglas, who happen
onto a long-forgotten emerald mine of the old Spanish conquistadores. They
parlay their meagre capital into enough money to buy equipment to reopen
the mine, which they do against the advice of the local priest and to the ac-
companiment of the wry interest of Miss Kelly who, with her weak-willed
brother, John Ericson, runs a nearby coffee plantation.

Complications arise with troubles among the native workers and the col-
lapsing of a mine shaft, the intervention of a venal bandit chief who wants
his share of the take, and in the blooming of love between Miss Kelly
and Granger. The love afifair suffers a decided set-back when the oppor-
tunistic Granger induces Miss Kelly's brother, Ericson, to join in the mining
operation, thus putting their feeble coffee plantation in jeopardy, both economic
and geological. The "step-dig'' mining technique changes the course of a
river which then threatens to wash away the plantation.

All wrongs — or most of them, anyway — are set aright and true love put
hack on the track as a result of a smashing climactic incident involving
Granger, Douglas and Miss Kelly in a mountainside battle with the bandits.
The cinematic topper is the dynamiting of the whole mountain which knocks
off the bandit gang, restores the river to its proper course and leaves a re-
formed Granger with but one path, that of coffee planter with Miss Kelly.

Director Andrew Marton has seen to it that sentimentality and the oc-
casionally bright small-talk never get in the way of the action in the fore-
ground. The varied colors of the backgrounds, ranging from mountain vistas
to broad views of tropic rivers and adjacent villages and the activities in-
digenous to a coffee plantation, are beautifully caught in Eastman Color and
CinemaScope. The performances fill the requirements of the script, with talent
to spare in the cases of the three stars. In supporting roles are Murvyn Vye,
as the bandit chief; Jose Torvay, as a mine foreman, and Robert Tafur, as
the priest. Armand Deutsch produced.

Running time, 100 minutes. General classification. For January release.

''Black Tuesday''

(Goldstein-UA)

THE first United Artists release under that company's agreement with the
late Leonard Goldstein production unit, now headed by Robert Goldstein,
makes an auspicious beginning. Here is a tight, tough little melodrama star-
ring Edward G. Robinson in the kind of hoodlum role which brought him fame.
The picture is a very satisfactory one for adults.

The screenplay by Sidney Boehm, from his own original story, exhibits the
virtues of logical progression of events, clarity of motives and ingenuity in
plot detail. The story is simple : Robinson, a hated hoodlum and murderer
awaiting execution in the Big House, with the help of his girl friend and some
eld pals, engineers a brilliant escape from the death chamber, taking with him
Peter Graves, a convicted bank-robber and killer, whose loot Robinson would
like to get his hands on. Holed up in a deserted warehouse, the hoodlurns
and their hostages, including a newspaperman, a priest and a jail guard's
daughter, are besieged by the police. The ending is not hard to guess, but
it comes only after some mighty grim and tense minutes of mounting sus-
pense, to point one of filmdom's oldest morals, that money can be the root
of all evil.

The picture, directed by Hugo Fregonese, gets off to a whiz-bang start
with the cleverly staged prison break and hardly slows for a minute in the
concise 80-minute running time.

RolDinson is fine in his familiar role, alternating razor-sharp scenes of
violence with a couple of unexpectedly tender moments with his battered girl
friend. In the latter role, Jean Parker is excellent, turning her long-familiar
beauty into the mask of an appealing, brow-beaten, eager-to-please doxy. She's
a good actress and ought to be around more often. Also seen to advantage
are Graves, as the hood whose heart is not so black; Milburn Stone as the
courageous 'priest, and Warren Stevens, whose heart is very black, indeed.

Robert Goldstein, who produced, knows his action-exploitation market for
which this was designed. It will pay off. The title, incidentally, refers to the
day the prison summarily dispatches its toughest customers.

Running time, 80 minutes. Adult classification. December release.

Closed Circuit

(Continued from page 1)

Willys, among others, this year, he
said.

The dozen closed circuit programs
carried via BOTV's facilities were
witnessed by over 300,000 people, Ro-
sensohn said. In one instance, a two-
hour program produced for Ford,
35,000 people viewed the telecast, the
largest audience ever to be joined to-
gether by large screen closed circuit
video, it was asserted.

"The coming year will see even
greater activity in this field as more
and more industries realize its time
and money saving potential," con-
tinued Rosensohn in his stockholder
report. Rosensohn pointed out that
this medium no longer makes it man-
datory for sales people to assemble at
one central point, nor even at regional
meetings. "Businessmen no longer
have to travel a great distance to go
to sales meetings and conventions,"
added the BOTV president. "Now
every representative of a company can
attend a national convention in his
own home town — or a nearby city."

For the coming year, Rosensohn
confidently expects his company to
double the number of closed circuit
TV business meetings and conven-
tions to a total of SO with an increased
income of $2,500,000.

Four Signed for 1955

Four multiple city shows have al-
ready been contracted for by BOTV
for the first two months of 1955, he
said. Two of these are repeat users
of BOTV's facilities.

Rosensohn also pointed out that
BOTV now has a network of more
than 220 cities available for meetings.

In the field of technical advances,
Rosensohn told his stockholders that
the coming year should see the begin-
nings of widespread use of color TV
in the closed circuit field. Also, his
research department is experimenting
with the possibilities of a third dimen-
sional type of TV similar in design to
CinemaScope.

Skouras Returns
From Europe Today

Spyros P. Skouras, president of
20th Century-Fox, will return to New
York from Europe today by plane fol-
lowing an extended European business
trip surveying current film industry
conditions and the progress of
CinemaScope overseas.

Impact of CinemaScope on Euro-
pean exhibition is pointed up in latest
theatre installation figures showing
more than 1,500 theatres on the con-
tinent showing CinemaScope produc-
tions with more than 1,200 orders
pending, the company announced.

Home Offices Start
Holidays Early

With six home offices and the
Motion Picture Association of
America closed all day today
and the others suspending oper-
ations at noon, the industry is
starting its holiday season a day
earlier than usual this year.

Christmas parties were given
yesterday by United Artists,
20th Century-Fox, M-G-M and
Allied Artists. Others had in-
formal affairs and more Yule-
tide events will be held today.

Grand Rapids V. C,
Elects '55 Officers

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Dec 23.
—Martin Giaimo, manager of radio
station WJEF here, has been elected
chief barker of Variety Club of Grand
Rapids.

Other officers elected are: William
Freck, first assistant; Phil Oster-
house, second assistant ; Joseph Busic,
dough guy, and Clive R. Waxman,
property master.

Panavision Coast
Sales Meet Monday

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 23. — First
annual sales meeting of Panavision
Corp. will open here on Monday,
president Robert Gottschalk an-
nounced. Radiant Screen Corp. presi-
dent Harry Filer and executive vice-
president Adolph Wertheimer are
scheduled to arrive here tomorrow to
begin conferences with Panavision
executives.

Bank Records
Are Shown at
Schine Trial

BUFFALO, Dec. 23. - Federal
Judge John Knight has adjourned the
Schine Theatres contempt of court
trial for the Christmas holidays. It
will resume Jan. 3. The recess is to
enable witnesses and attorneys to
spend the holidays at home. The trial
opened Dec. 9.

In late developments, presidents of
two Gloversville banks took the stand
to identify bank records of business
loans to Darnell Theatres, Inc., and
other financial records of the corpora-
tion which the government has sub-
poenaed.

The witnesses were Leon V. Baird,
president and treasurer of the Trust
Company of Fulton County, and
Harry Vill, president of the Fulton
National Bank Trust Co. Justice De-
partment Attorney Joseph E. Mc-
Dowell, in charge of the government's
case, said he didn't present the wit-
nesses for questioning about the rec-
ords but only to identify them.

Link to Schine Charged

The government contends that Dar-
nell is an adjunct to Schine Chain
Theatres, Inc., of which J. Myer
Schine and Louis W. Schine, broth-
ers, are president and operations man-
ager, respectively. It charges that
Darnell has been used by the Schine
interests to continue the Schine con-
trol over certain theatres, forbidden
under Judge Knight's 1949 anti trust
decree.

They testified that two Schine offi-
cers had been officers of their banks.
Defense attorney Frank G. Raichle
objected to admission in evidence of
an alleged five-page history of loans
to Darnell.

William B. Malioney, attorney for
common council president Elmer F.
Lux, former vice president and gen-
eral manager of Darnell and presi-
dent of Elmart, Inc., joined in Raich-
le's objections. He added that neither
e.xhibit involves Lux. Judge Knight
said he would receive the challenged
exhibit for identification, but would
withhold decision on the objectives.

Reopen Mass. House

HARTFORD, Dec._ 23.— Perakos
Theatre Associates will reopen the
downtown Arcade Theatre, Spring-
field, Mass., tomorrow, following ex-
tensive remodeling.

Italian Card on
Ill-Fated Airliner

A water - soaked Christmas
greeting card was received here
yesterday from Umberto Or-
landi, managing director for
Warner Brothers in Italy. The
card had been sent on the ill-
fated Italian airliner that
crashed at Idlewild Airport and
was addressed to Martin Quig-
ley, Jr., editor of "Motion Pic-
ture Herald." The Post Office
Department had salvaged the
mail from the wreckage and for-
warded it, although the writing
on the envelope was barely
visible.

Hearts are always young

Oldsters come — and recall, tearfully, the days of their youth.
Youngsters come and find themselves heart and soul in the good old
days when bicycles were built for two — and more. That's today's
wide-screen entertainment as it thrills the audience — entertainment
based on new technics in production, processing, projection. The Eastman
Technical Service for Motion Picture Film is helping the industry master
these technics. Branches at strategic centers. Inquiries invited.

and g^y — ^'^ new, wide, wide screen

Address: Motion Picture Film Department
EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY, Rochester 4, N Y.

East Coast Division
342 Madison Avenue
New York 17, N. Y.

Midwest Division West Coast Division

137 North Wabash Avenue 6706 Sdnta Monica Blvd.
Chicago 2, Illinois Holly v/ood 38, California

Motion Picture Daily

Friday, December 24, 1954

Holly WD 0 d

Bu Samuel D. Bf rnsi — —

INCIDENTALLY: Hollywood Foreign Correspondents greeted
Otto Preminger on his return from India with a surprise plaque
for ''Carmen Jones." . . . The Mike Curtiz Christmas Eve birthday
party just happens to coincide with the national release date of Para-
mount's "White Christmas." . . . According to an SAG report, actors
earning up to $15,000 yearly are getting close to 45 per cent of their
income from TV films and filmed commercials. . . . Richard Quine's
"So This Is Paris" megging for U-I prompted Harry Cohn into
signing him to a long-termer. . . . Texas towns are bidding for the
right to offer location hospitality to Henry Ginsberg and George
Stevens during the shooting of Edna Ferber's "Giant." . . . Kurt
Neumann, just back from Europe, will stay around for the holidays
and the openings of Lippert's "They Were So Young" before check-
ing back to the Continent to direct "Star of Rio."

n n n

1955 will wind up a seven-year hitch at U-I for Tony Curtis.
Tony will branch out with his own company, but will no
doubt pledge allegiance to the studio for at least one a year.
. . . Joanne Jordan's commercial spots for Hazel Bishop on
This Is our Life won her a co-starring role at Republic in
"I Cover the Underworld." . . . Victor Young completed scor-
ing the music for Herbert Yates' "Timberjack," pogo'd to
Paramount to pre-record the songs for Pat Duggan's version
of the "Vagabond King," while Bakaleinikoff was conducting
Young's musical score for RKO's next biggie, "The Con-
queror" at the lot next door. Still looking for that answer
on how to stay Young. . . . Sam Bischoff is almost ready with
a budget breakdown on Crane Wilbur's final shooting script,
"The Phenix Story," for the producer's first at Allied Artists.

n n n

Phil Waxman is angling for alt those "Sliane" ciistomers with
his new UA "Pistolero" package starring Jack Palmice. . . . Joy
Houck and Francis White, those two exhibitor gentlemen from
the South, will be back in- February for another production fling
with "Buckskin Lady." . . . With all that activity going on in
the Hecht-Lancaster camp, it's no wonder they bought the William
Morris Bldg. in Beverly Hills. They'll move in zvhcn the agency
moves into its own newer building quarters in April. Burt should
be able to buy the whole block by then. . . . Doris Day has lier
Arwin Production off to the races with "Young At Heart," and
is moving right into preparation for her senii-auto-biographical
musical "Rhythm and the Blues." . . . Frank Scltscr is back in
action zvith the nezvly formed Sabre Productions. Vic Orsatti and
director Joe Nezvman are partnered in the unit.

n n n

Dana Andrews' keynote address at Sportsmen's Club dinner helped
raise close to $200,000 for the City of Hope and earned him the
"Nurse of Mercy" award from the National Medical Fotmdation.
. . . Anthony Mann's director contract is money in the bank for
Columbia. . . . The King Brothers' budget on "The Boy and the
Bull" to be filmed in Madrid, includes taking- Hollywood restaurateur
Lon Sternberger to set up a traveling commissary to feed 500 during
the 60-day schedule. . . . Keefe Brasselle will canter to the Columbia
lot for the shooting of his Frankie Laine co-starrer" "Here Comes
the Bride." . . . The TV watchers will catch a closeup of Dale Evans
and Roy Rogers in the New Year's Day "Tournament of Roses"
parade from Pasadena. . . . Bill Lundigan is carving a new career
for himself in TV with Chrysler paying him $1,750 weekly for 46
weeks to announce the product — plus two new Chrysler cars every
year, for him and the Mrs. And, complete yearly wardrobe.

U. S. Papers

(Continued from, page 1)

reported, still are coming in at a
rapid rate.

Other typical editorial comments in-
clude :

Toledo, O. "Times"— "Our field
operatives^ '-inform us that American
movies have had an enormous come-
back. ■'. . . This has the movie makers
and the theatre owners much happier
than the3' were a year ago. Indeed, it
has them looking forward to bigger
-things, both in entertainment and
business, and that is good news."

'Definite Resurgence'

Beavrmont, Texas "Journal" — "Com-
prehensive figures on movie attend-
ance for the first six months of 1954
show a definite resurgence of the
film business."

VVilkes-Barre, Pa. "Record"— "In-
creased use of deep-perception films
has been one of the hopes of the_ mov-
ing picture industry for staging a
comeback after the impact of televi-
sion. . . . But whatever the cause, this
increase of more than one-third in so
short a period is one of the most
striking in the history of the movie
business."

Rochester, N. Y. "Democrat &
Chronicle" — "Not so long ago, the
movies appeared to be following the
dodo toward extinction. Not so now.
Figures are in on an amazing about-
face in the industry . . . the general
quality level has soared sky-high."

'Despite Boom in TV

"New York Mirror" — ^"Paradoxi-
cally, perhaps, the movie industry is
showing signs of robust health despite
the boom in TV set sales. Box office
, receipts are up — proof, we think, of
two things: That the motion picture
makers are turning out a generally
superlative product and that Amer-
icans are learning to 'live with TV,'
take it in their stride."

Drive-ins

{Continued from page 1)

$50,000. New improvements, such as
in-car heaters, add at least another 20
per cent, it is claimed.

As one drive-in operator said, "The
day of the small outdoor theatre has
passed, and so is the day of the
moderate investment. The modern
drive-in is grossing more in both box-
office returns and concession volume,
which indicate that patrons are mak-
ing more demands on the operators
than they did a few years ago. How-
ever, the added size of the unit makes
larger grosses possible."

Radio and TV Drive
For 'The Big Combo'

A special television and radio cam-
paign has been set for Allied Artists'
"The Big Combo," starring Cornel
Wilde, Jean Wallace and Richard
Conte, which goes into national re-
lease on Feb. 13.

At the same time, plans are being
made for Wilde and Miss Wallace,
if their film commitments permit, to
make personal appearances with the
opening of the picture in all principal
cities.

The format for the TV and radio
campaign, is similar to that which was
successfully employed in launching
Walter Wanger's "Roit In Cell Block
U" and "The Human Jungle," which
Hayes Goetz produced.

A A and Consolidated
Close Hawaii Deal

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 23.— Mel
Hulling, co-owner of Allied Artists'
West Coast franchise, and Harold
Wirthwein, western division sales
manager, have closed a deal for the
company's entire 1954-55 product with
Consolidated Amusement Co., which
operates theatres in the Hawaiian
Islands.

Cold Wave in Tenn.
Hits Yule Grosses

NASHVILLE, Dec. 23.— The 75
theatres of Crescent Amusement Co.
as well as the rural Rockwood houses
are not enjoying the expected Christ-
mas business, a situation caused prin-
cipally by a cold wave in which tem-
peratures are averaging 10 degrees
below normal for the season. Drive-
ins are particularly hard hit.

Pre-releases

(Continued from page 1)

in Chicago in AB-PT affiliate theatres.

The film companies that took the
unconventional step of releasing their
big pictures immediately before the
holidays were praised by Hyman for
their boldness, a boldness, he added,
which has paid off. Expressing hope
for future progress in the same direc-
tion next year, Hyman contended that
it is unwise for each company to hold
their product back for so-called top
seasons, hoping to reach the ultimate
in grossing potential. With each com-
pany pursuing such a course, he con-
tended, "the patron cannot possibly
go into 10 theatres at one time."

In addition, Hyman argued, the
theatre loses patronage weeks before
the on-rush of top product and it takes
the theatre quite a while to break the
momentum of not going to see films.

Two Films Cited

A seasoned Broadway manager
here appeared to support Hyman's
contention. He pointed to the strong
openings of "The Country Girl" and
"There's No Business Like Show
Business" at the Criterion and Roxy
respectively in this pre-Christmas
period. The advantage of such open-
ings, he argued, is that the strong
business done in the pre-Christmas
period is accentuated by the holidays.
He posed this situation in contrast
to the cricumstances surrounding a
Broadway house with a weak picture,
or a long hold-over, conditions, said
he, which result in a comparative
empty house before the holidays.

25-Year Club

{Continued from page 1)

25-year service pins and scrolls citing
their loyalty and devotion to Para-
mount.

The employes who will be inducted are
as follows: Mary R. Marmion, home office
playdate department; Alwin Beers and
Charles Rapp, Long Island laboratory;
Ralph Amato, Anna R. Andersen, August
Keuhn, Paul Pagano, Stanley W. Phillips,
Robert Shields and Murray Wacke, all of
the Paramount News laboratory; George
Fineman and George E. Westbrook, Para-
mount News; Leopold Weiner, Paramount
International Films, Inc.; George A. Barry
and Catherine E. Moore, legal department;
Mary A. Mahoney, budget & statistical;
Baruch Negrin, projection; Robert R. Mc-
Keown and Albert E. Michel, messenger &
reception; Arthur L. Clements and! Charles
Urling, janitorial & maintenance; Richard
Bennett and John M. Fuchs, accounting;
Hiller Innes, production; Constance Bach-
mann and John Cicero, advertising-publicity,
and John A, Hammer, Chromatic Television
Laboratories, Inc., Emeryville, Cal.

Also, Eugene Newman and George M.
Perry, New York branch; Viola M. Mc-
Kosky, Albany; John W. Brown, Margaret
T. Cleary, Evelyn M. Hollis and Horace O.
Lewis, Boston ; Richard F. Carroll, Anna
C Fitzpatrick, Margaret F. McKinnon and
William F. Nutile, New Haven; Gordon
Bradley, Atlanta; Jack E. Thompson, De-
troit; Grace M. IJenitz, Pittsburgh; Ida
Green, Washington; Olivia C. Kennedy,
Chicago ; Louise C. Pfarrer, Indianapolis ;
Ernest B. Lund and Forrest C. Myers,
Minneapolis; Tom W. Bridge and M. Ethel
Hodge, Dallas, and Henry T. Bahner, Earl
G. Gardner and William W. Sharpe, St.
Louis.

Estimates Scope

{Continued from page 1)

pictures in preparation and this in-
cludes some co-productions between
the two countries.

Regarding the oil situation at 20th-
Fox studios, Skouras stated "we are
happy to report the successful comple--
tion of the third oil well. . . . The
fourth well was commenced Nov. 18
and is now at a depth of 6,600 feet,"

All

The News

That
Is News

MOTION PICTURE

VOL. 76. NO. 122.

NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1954

TEN CENTS

EDITORIAL.

The Future of
Program Pictures

Tiy Sherwin Kane

PERHAPS one of the sharpest
cleavages in industry views to
develop in many a month is
that which has been in evidence
for some time over the practicabil-
ity of continued production of low
budget films, or program pictures.

The industry's largest producers-
distributors say they are convinced
that such pictures cannot be pro-
duced profitably in today's market
and at today's general level of
costs.

More, they assert that such pic-
tures were responsible for large
losses in operations when they
were being produced and that,
since their elimination in favor of
quality in place of quantity, red
ink has been turned to black — and
plenty of it — and customers have
been drawn away from television
sets in the homes to theatre seats
all over the land.

There is a radically opposite
view throughout not only exhibition
but also in sound and solid pro-
ducer and distributor areas.

The dissenters contend that
there is a genuine economic place
and need for the program pic-
ture in the operations of virtually
all theatres in medium and small-
size cities and in metropolitan
neighborhoods.

Many such situations, they be-
lieve, cannot exist for long with-
out the program picture and the
industry, as now constituted, can-
not exist for long without the small
city and neighborhood theatres.

There is a real demand among
patrons of such theatres for the
program fare and that demand
(Continued on page 2)

Wants More Films U, A. Board Chairman

Rosen Scores CALLS FOR MORE

Fewer-Bigger | 'SMALL' PICTURES
Studio Policy

By MARTIN QUIGLEY, Jr.

The fewer, but bigger pictures ap-
proach of many producers-distributors
to the product problem is attacked as

fallacious b y

Sam Rosen,
vice - president
of Stanley
W arner.

Viewing the
problem in
terms of indus-
try as a whole,
Rosen warned
that the medi-
um-sized cities
throughout the
country cannot
support the hig-
her - but - fewer
production poli-
cy. And without those cities, he con-
tinued, the motion picture industry in
the long run cannot exist.

Rosen, interspersing his remarks
(Continued on page 3)

Sam Rosen

Networks Disagree
on Color TV Status

RCA and CBS officials predicted a
huge increase in the production of
color television sets in 1955, while
ABC and DuMont expressed doubts
that color-TV will become "economic-
ally feasible"' next year.

These network forecasts of the
status of color television are made in
(Continued on page 3)

Benjamin Backs Exhibitors' Stand; Sees
Biggest Market Today for 'Biggest' Films
But Says Public and Theatre Needs Both

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

The contention of many producers
is a market for low-budget pictures
Robert S. Benjamin, chairman of the

and distributors that there no longer
was strongly rejected last week by
board of directors of United Artists.

Benjamin em-

BO Tradition
Upset in Chi.

special to THE DAILY

CHICAGO, Dec. 26.— Both Loop
and neighborhood theatres here ex-
perienced one of their best pre-
Christmas business' weeks _ on record,
in the past seven-day period, tabula-
tions over the weekend revealed.

The reaction of many of the show-
men is that there need not be any
seasonal or periodic lulls for theatres
when the product is strong and there
is enough of it to go around.

Most Loop theatre operators re-
ported business for last week as "ex-
cellent," contrasted with traditional
experience with pre-Christmas weeks
which found business in the doldrums
as families concentrated on shopping
and other preparations for the holiday,
and before most schools had closed.

Several neighborhood operators re-
ported a 40 per cent increase in busi-
ness last week, whereas in previous
(Continued on page 3)

Sees 1955 As 'One of Greatest Years'

A forecast that 1955 will be "one of the greatest years" for the
motion picture business was made here at the weekend by Sam Rosen,
vice-president of Stanley Warner.

Rosen, in his optimistic prediction, paid his respects to home tele-
vision for keeping the motion picture industry on its toes, stimulating
the industry to turn out better product and adding new techniques.
Another factor, Rosen continued, is the virtual "saturation point
reached in the construction of new TV stations. ...

However, he added, television should and can be used by the indus-
try to exploit and promote motion pictures profitably.

phatically ex-
pressed the
opinion that in
today's market
what is needed
is both "big,"
expensive pic-
_ tures and low-
i budget produc-

k tions. Benja-

™ ^jm^ ^^j^ ^j^^^ sided

A ^^^^ ^^'^'^^ ^'^^ great

Bri^^K majority of

^^^^ hibitors, w h o
make the same
contention.
The LTA board chairman prefaced
his remarks with the statement that
UA in 1955 will have one of its big-
(Continued on page 5}

Robert Benjamin

3 Cartoon Features
By Hecht-Lancaster

From THE DAILY Bureau

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 26.— Hecht-
Lancaster Corp. announced completion
of arrangements by which H-L will
finance and arrange for distribution of
three full-length color cartoon features
to be produced by United Productions
of America.

First to be produced is James
Thurber's "White Deer," which Ste-
phen Bosustow will produce with
Robert Cannon directing. These two
men won Academy Awards for their
UPA "Gerald McBoing Boing."

H-L association with UPA is in
line with the recently announced
Hecht-lLancaster policy to include
other independent productions and
producers under their corporate ban-

HAROLD HECHT presents

GARY COOPER ★ BURT LANG
"VERH CRU

Pi;

thru

ADVERTISED
IN WE
DEC. 26
ISSUE OF

METRO

COMICS

For more than
48,000,000
readers
to see!

Motion Picture Daily

Monday, December 27, 1954

Personal
Mention

GEORGE D. BURROWS, Allied
Artists executive vice-president
and treasurer, has arrived in New
York from the West Coast.

•

John Halas and Joy Batchelor,
cartoon producers, will arrive in New
York from London to attend the pre-
miere of Louis De Rochemont's "Ani-
mal Farm" at the Paris Theatre here
on Wednesday.

•

Howard A. Kalmenson, son of Ben
Kalmensoii, Warner Brothers vice-
president, was married to Miss Lili
Rose Brunner of New Rochelle, N. Y.
•

Seymour Simon, industry attorney
in Chicago, has announced that he will
be a candidate for alderman of the
40th ward.

Mitchell Little, former office
manager for Republic Pictures in
Charlotte, has joined the sales staff
of Southeastern Theatre Equipment
Co.

•

Charles Cooper has been named
distributor for Broadway Road Show
Productions for the Chicago, Indian-
apolis and Milwaukee territories.
•

M. C. Moore is the new owner of
the Lake Theatre in Jacksonville.

Doris Moore of Howco Films in
Atlanta has resigned to move to
Miami.

TV is Blamed for
Ottawa Closings

TORONTO, Dec. 26.— The Cana-
dian Repertory Theatre, which has
presented stage productions for five
years in the LaSalle Playhouse, Ot-
tawa, has announced that it will cease
operations on Jan. 2. Previously two
independent neighborhood film the-
atres had been closed.

In making the CRT announcement,
president Charles Southgate stated :
"This is the first year that all forms
of entertainment in Ottawa have felt
the impact of government-subsidized
entertainment in the form of tele-
vision."

The repertory company had always
received generous newspaper support
but deficits had piled up.

Mexico Plans 15
Wide Screen Films

MEXICO CITY, Dec. 26.— At
least 15 pictures will be made wide
screen and in color next year in Mex-
ico, Cesar Santos Galindo, manager of
the Churubusco studios here, an-
nounced.

Churubusco takes delivery soon of
$150,000 worth of wide screen color
picture making equipment it bought in
the U.S. The Ministry of Finance, to
help the establishment of that picture
production system in Mexico, ex-
empted this lot from import duties,
which are very heavy on that material.

Expect 7,000,000 TV
Set Sales in 1955,
Says the RETMA

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.— Tele-
vision sales this year will hit a record
7,000,000 sets, according to a year-end
review by Ma.x F. Balcom, chairman
of the board of directors of the Radio-
Electronics-Television Manufacturers
.Association.

The previous peak was 6,370,500 in
1953. E.xact figures for 1954 will not
be available for several weeks, but
Balcom said it seemed safe to predict
that 1954 retail sales will be "about
7,000,000 units, perhaps more."

Factory Production Off

Factory production of TV sets for
the year will be slightly above
7,000,000 Balcom said, but added this
would be about 400,000 short of the
1950 record of 7,463,800 TV sets man-
ufactured and also under the 1953
output of 7,215,827. Set production
hit record heights this past fall, but
the total for the year was not a record
due to low output in the first half of
the year.

Balcom said he "confidently ex-
pected" another good year in 1955,
with the industry's total revenue
equalling and possibly exceeding that
of 1954. He said he expected a mild
decline in black and white TV set
sales, but that this would be more than
offset by a substantial rise in produc-
tion and sale of color TV sets.

25,000 Color Sets Made

Other higlilights of the Balcom
statement were these :

The first commercial sales of color
TV sets took place in 1954, but only
about 25,000 receivers were actually
produced during the year ;

Radio receiver production and sales
declined substantially from 1953
levels ;

The industry will fight in Congress
in 1955 to reduce from 10 per cent to
5 per cent the excise tax on radios
and black and white television sets
and to remove the tax eintirely on
color TV sets.

Col. Signs Yordan

Philip Yordan, playwright, screen
writer and producer, who wrote and
produced "Anna Lucasta" for Colum-
bia and more recently has "Detective
Story" and "Naked Jungle" among
his writing credits, has been signed
to a writer-producer contract at
Columbia, executive producer Jerry
Wald announced.

Program Pictures

{Contimtied from page 1)

can and should be satisfied prof-
itably for both theatre and pro-
ducer-distributors, the contra side
argues.

In adjoining columns in this is-
sue, Motion Picture Daily pre-
sents some of these latter views
held by well known, "solid" indus-
tryites. In subsequent issues, we
hope to present more views, from
both sides, in the belief that full
discussion of the subject may help
resolve the question more speedily
and satisfactorily for all concerned.

Certainly, the exhibitor view-
point in support of increased
rather than decreased production
of program pictures is deserving of
the most serious consideration.

They are backing their convic-
tions today with their money and
playdates in hopes of taking up
the slack as quickly as possible in
the production and delivery of
program pictures.

ThlE DAILY Invites correspond-
ence on the subject from advo-
cates on both sides of the ques-
tion.

Theatre Staffs Get
Christmas Eve Off

HARTFORD, Dec. 26.— This is
really observing a holiday :

Sampson-Spodick-Bialek Theatres
disclosed its first-run Lincoln, New
Haven, would be closed Wednesday
through Friday of last week "so that
the staff may be at home with their
families."

A number of independent circuits,
notably Lockwood & Gordon, closed
suburban houses around the state on
Christmas Eve.

Evelyn Atkinson, 54

SEATTLE, Dec. 26.— Mrs. Leroy
M. DeHan, 54, who as Evelyn At-
kinson was a well known stage and
screen actress in the 1920's, died in
Seattle after a brief illness. She was
native of Yankton, S. D.

All of Paramount' s
VistaVision Cameras
Are Now in Work

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 26.— Para-
mount's one-day production cost for
tomorrow is estimated at $200,000 as
the studio hits its preparation peak
for the past 10 years. All of the 14
VistaVision cameras on the lot will be
in action today on six shooting units,
and three large units are in rehearsal.

Every stage on the big lot is oc-
cupied in filming, rehearsals or set
construction, and work goes forward
on Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten Com-
mandments" and other pictures slated
for next year. Paramount during the
current period is as busy on its all-
VistaVision program of pictures as
it was years ago when it turned out
50 or more pictures a year. The dif-
ference is that the current pictures
are bigger, the studio said.

VistaVision cameras are in use for
two units of Danny Kaye's "The
Court Jester" ; "You're Never Too
Young," starring Dean Martin and
Jerry Lewis; Fred Brisson's "The
Girl Rush"; William Wyler's "The
Desperate Hours" and Hal Wallis's
"The Rose Tattoo." Rehearsing and
pre-recording is "The Vagabond
King," with Victor Young as music
director and Kathryn Grayson and
Oreste Kirkop starred.

Katzman to Produce
15 for Columbia

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 26. — Sam
Katzman's Clover Productions pro-
gram for Columbia Pictures will con-
sist of 15 feature films in 1955, seven
in color by Technicolor and the bal-
ance in black and white.

Katzman has already selected the
first six properties and will announce
nine more in January. The first six
are: "Jail Bait," a story of juvenile
delinquency ; "Ten Nights in a Ha-
rem," adventure story ; "The Hous-
ton Story," dealing with the back-
ground of oil strikes in Texas; "The
Attack of the Flying Saucers," a sci-
ence fiction subject; "Inside Detroit,"
a police yarn; and "Blackjack
Ketchum, Desperado," the real-life
story of one of the West's famed
badmen.

New Type Raw Stock
Used in CoL Film

LONDON, Dec. 26.— A new Brit-
ish black and white film stock, being"
used for the first time on Columbia's
"The Prisoner," co-starring Alec
Guinness and Jack Hawkins and being-
produced here by Sydney Box and
Vivian Co.x, may revolutionize black
and white photography, according to
director Peter Glenville.

Glenville is shooting a great part of
the film in low-key lighting in order
to obtain special deep-focus effects, and
he states the new Ilford "series 3"
stock being used is producing "won-
derful results."

"It has enabled us to achieve ef-
fects never believed possible with so
little lighting," said Glenville, and
cited "tremendous savings."

Holdovers May Mean No Replacement

Specml to THE DAILY

PORTLAND, ORE., Dec. 26.— While holdovers have been the rule
rather than exception at Portland first run theatres of late, it has not
always meant that the "draw" has been good or sustained. As often
as not nowadays,- the explanation, insofar as the exhibitors are con-
cerned, at least, is that ole debbil Product Shortage.

Some theatre operators also complain that when top quality, new
releases are offered, the asking terms for them are so steep the thea-
tre must think twice and figure several times before contracting for
them. And after that, bargain long.

Meanwhile, the "holdover" extends its run.

There are no denials, though, that when the big ones finally are
booked and opened, business is something.

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quiglev, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center. New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President: Martm
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke.
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca- Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertisini; Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club. Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald ; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

Monday, December 27, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Rosen Scores

{Continued from page 1)

with expressions of understanding of
the problem of producers, went on to
cite the experiences of Stanley War-
ner houses in such medium-sized cities
as Reading- and Scranton, Pa. Rosen
acknowledged that theatres in such
communities can extend their playing
time for the big pictures but, he added,
when "you extend the running _ time
from 10 days to four weeks it no
longer is profitable."

Asked if in his opinion the
product shortage has eased in
the past few months, Rosen
replied in the negative.

"I've seen too many theatres
in the last 30 days playing re-
issues," he declared, adding
that he's had to close a num-
ber of SW houses for lack of
product.

Sounded out on the needs of thea-
tres regarding low-budget pictures.
Rosen contended that the budget has
nothing to do with the draw of a
picture, pointing to "Hitler s Chil-
dren" as an example of a modestly-
budgeted picture which did extremely
well at the box-office.

I ike every other business engaged
in merchandising, the motion picture
industry needs all types of pictures,
the big, the small, the medium he
said However, he warned, ' today s
public will not respond to a 'quickie
as differentiated from a well-thought
out production" irrespective of cost.

Questioned as to what he proposed
as a solution of the product problem,
Rosen replied that SW is doing every-
thing it can to encourage all producers,
in addition to welcoming the advent
of new firms and plans which will
increase production.

HtBppy D€Bys Are Here AgtBun

Networks Disagree

{Continued from page 1)

the new "Predictions for '55" issue of
"Look" Magazine.

"Color will shine on 350,000^ tele-
vision sets by the end of 1955," offi-
cials from RCA-NBC predicted in
"Look."

At the same time, CBS-Columbia
revealed that its color-set production
alone will multiply ten times from
1954's 30,000 sets to 250,000 or 300,000
sets in 1955.

In the face of the optimistic out-
look of the two largest networks, Du-
Mont revealed in "Look" that it
"doubts that the entire industry's
production will exceed 100,000 color
sets in 1955."

The ABC network predicted "it
will take four years for color to re-
place black-and-white, set for set."

B. O. Tradition

{Continued from page 1)

years they had figured they might as
well close for the week and save heat-
ing bills, for all the business they ex-
pected to do, and usually did.

On the basis of last week's experi-
ence, all are expecting records to be
broken and new ones set.

IMPDA Luncheon Today

The luncheon of the Independent
Motion Picture Distributors Associa-
tion at which the annual Joseph Bur-
styn Award will be presented to "Gate
of Hell" will be held at Rosof?'s
Restaurant, here today.

"^YPICAL holiday throngs, at left, shown
waiting in line that winds over a five-
block course from the entrance to Radio
City Music Hall here, through Rockefeller
Center. The scene is repeated annually dur-
ing the Christmas to New Year's holiday
week. Huge crowds simultaneously storm
other Broadway and Times Square area the-
atres seeking holiday entertainment, and the
scene is repeated in many other cities across
the land.

After the slack week before Christmas,
attendance began to pick up Saturday after-
noon, continued strong yesterday and is ex-
pected to set all-time records throughout
the remainder of this week in first run
houses in all large cities.

*Man from Mars' Says

Product Was Year's Most
^Significant Factor'

The most significant factor at work in" the industry this year was the
product shortage and the most important single event was, perhaps, the tax
victory. But it was the shortage of films which will have the most marked
effect on all aspects of the industry in

the next 12 months.

These observations were made in
the current issue of "Motion Picture
Herald" in an article titled "Little
Man From Mars Looks at 1954— Is
Bullish." Referring to the "little ifi^n"
as the Herald's correspondent on the
red planet, the article quotes him as
saying he is "very bullish about the
industry this year-end."

In part, the article says :

"The product shortage, he contin-
ued, with the expert's impatience at
having to recount well known funda-
mentals, grew directly out of all the
hubbub, excitement and uncertainty
which followed the introduction of
the new screen techniques in 1953.

Cites Makelim Plan

"The primary effects, he said, of the
decline by 22 per cent of the number
of feature films offered by the major
companies were the formation of
new oroduction companies in which
exhibitors are playing a major part.
He mentioned the announcement in
.A.pril of producer Hal Makelini's plan
for the production of 12 films to be
financed in large measure by advances
on exhibitor rentals. 'Since April,'
said the Martian, 'Mr. Makelim has
criss-crossed back and forth across
the country, speaking to Allied States-
sponsored meetings, running up more
mileage than I have ! _ It appears.

however, that he v^w has enough ex-
hibitor contracts to proceed.'

"Also mentioned was the formation
in August of Distributors Corporation
of America, by Century Theatres'
head, Fred Schwartz. T see by the
papers,' said the Martian, 'that the
company already has its first release,
"Hunters of the Deep" in the thea-
tres, shortly to be followed by the
CinemaScope production, "Long John
Silver," and several others now shoot-
ing or in last stages of preparation.'
Nice work.' Awaited with keen in-
terest, he said, will be the first pro-
duction, "The Naked and the Dead,"
from the unit formed in August by
William Goldman, head of William
Goldman Theatres of Philadelphia,
and Paul Gregory, a young man with
large fame as a theatrical producer.

Gives Credit to TOA

"Members of Theatre Owners of
America were not just idling awav
the time either. Following their
November convention in Chicago, the
Exhibitors Film Financial Group.
Inc., was formed with capitalization
at $1,000,000 to sponsor indenendent
production for the hungry theatres.
Like the Makelim plan, this S;fpup
offers membership to any exhibitor no
matter what his affiliation.

"The little analvst, too. took note of
(Continued on page 5)

People

Joe Swedie, International Har-
vester employe who spends most
of his salary on taking a projector
to Chicago hospitals to entertain
sick kids, is the subject of a "Satur-
day Evening- Post" article by Joe
Bell. Swedie recently was cited by
the Variety Club 'of Illinois.

A. p. Waxman has been named
to handle the national publicity, ex-
ploitation and advertising for Car-
roll Pictures' "Princess Cinderella."

Michael Masselli, former manager
of the Plainfield Theatre, Plainfield,
Conn., has taken over the operation
of the Baltic Theatre, Baltic, Conn.,
owned by Ed Lord of Norwich.
0

Irwin Lang has been added to
the Walt Disney Productions book-
ing staff in Chicago.

Donald D. Summerville, manager
of the Prince of Wales Theatre in
Toronto, has been elected an alder-
man on his first bid for a seat on
the City Council.

Charles Laughton will be the
guest of honor at a luncheon spon-
sored by the Franklin Institute in
Philadelphia on Jan. 18. He is the
first non-scientist to receive a life
membership to the grouji).

Al Rook, owner of the Film
Booking Office in Atlanta, is open-
ing a Jacksonville branch early in
1955.

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Monday. December 27. 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Product

(Continued from page 3)

efforts made by the Hollywood side
to increase production, including the
announcements from \\'arners. Colum-
bia and especially United Artists as
to their present and future financial
investments in independently produced
films. Most heartening, he said, was
the ever continuing evolution of Allied
Artists into the ranks of major
suppliers.

"The Martian, who sometimes em-
ploys one of his three eyes watching
television (he listens to radio through
his molars), commented, 'I say, boy,
I say that company is growing!'
Almost as an aside he said he liked
the ettorts of the Collier Young-Ida
Lupino Filmakers company and
wished the Justice Department would
let National Theatres get into the
producing field.

Likes New Techniques

"Switching to the subject of the
screen techniques introduced in 1954,
the man from outer space crossed his
knobby knees and grew almost phos-
phorescent. The subject is one of his
favorites. 'Even here.' he said, "the
product shortage caused by the titanic
1953 innovations played a part, dic-
tating, as it were, that each of the
techniques introduced in 1954 be com-
patible, to allow as many exhibitors
as possible play the product no matter
what their equipment. I refer, of
course, to VistaMsion. Perspecta
Sound and SuperScope.'

"The existence of Paramount's
\ ista Vision was first hinted at —
while still unnamed — in a dispatch
from A. \\'. Schwalberg on the coast
in January. Great things were prom-
ised and were eventually realized in
the first demonstrations in March of
the double-frame, horizontal camera
technique, designed to give the great-
est clarity and definition to — in
Barney Balaban's words — 'the largest
picture in height and width.'

Points to Music Hall

"The new process, compatible with
an_\- projector and screen anywhere,
got off to a tremendous start with the
debut of "White Christmas' at the Xew
York Alusic Hall in October, which
at this writing promises to be one of
the biggest mone}' makers in Para-
mount history, he pointed out, that
the Music Hall snowmg utilized tor
the first time a "horizontally printed'
film.

"Perspecta stereophonic sound was
the move toward compatibilitN" in
sound techniques. First announced as
'Perspect-A Sound' by Loew's Inter-
national in January, it turned out to
be a single track optical system
which could be played 'directionally'
in conjunction with an integrator and
appropriate amplifiers and speakers,
or in the conventional single-horn
manner. First adopted by MGM for
its overseas product. Perspecta soon
was made the order of things for all
MGM product, as well as Paramount
product and eventually that of
Warners.

SuperScope Activity Growing

"SuperScope, developed by Joseph
and Irving Tushinsky at the RKO
studios and first demonstrated on the
coast in February, is a two-part
system in actuality. The first part
consists of a method of making
anamorphic prints from negatives shot
in the conventional manner. The
second part is a variable anamorphic

Review

The Violent Men

(Columbia i
(Cinemascope)

C■^ OLLMBIA Pictures has come forth with a big western production
J which has been designed by Lewis J. Rachmil to do equivalent business
at the box utrices of the nation. Filmed in color bv Technicolor and com-
bined with the grandeur, sweep and power as presented bv the CinemaScope
cumera, tnere is, m addition to the scenic splendor which make tlie bacK-
grounds especially ettective, interlaced a horse and cattle stampede which
are breath-taking, salable qualities of a high order. \\'here action is a
desired subject, ""the \ iolent Men" has it. Where dramatic plav is preferred,
this film aiso has it.

Besides providing a story loaded with action, violence, dramatic intensity
and western-style romance at an unflagging pace, an excellent cast headed
by Glenn Ford, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson, as the important
top names, with Diane Foster, Brian Keith and May Wynn in efifective
support, will also add much stature to the picture's value.

Harry Kleiner's screenplay, based on the novel by Donald Hamilton, has
developed three or four interwoven plots, but to his credit it must be said
that they dovetail handily, do not get in the way of each other or the basic
central theme, and work out logically and intelligently, if somewhat violently.
Rachmil endowed this film with sound and salable production values, while
Rudoiph Aiate held to the headlong pace the author of the original set,
with impressively eft'ective results.

Ford, a former Civil War cavalry officer, health recovered, wants to return
Ei,st. but suddenly finds himself in the middle of a range war started and
kept hot by cattle baron Robinson, whose brother. Keith, is the boss of his
gun-sling.ng crew since he himself is a cripple from an earlier battle. ^liss
Stanwyck, vicious, ambitious, is actually in love with her brother-in-law
Keith as well as power which is represented by the control and ownership
of the whole valley.

Ford tries to keep the peace, but when one of his men is killed by Robin-
son's crew in an attempt to force him to sell out cheaply, he uses his wartime
knowledge in the ensuing range war. Splendid use is made of the color and
the CinemaScope cameras in the western fighting scenes which follow. Robin-
son is painted in a rather sympathic light, the responsibility for the murder
and pillage resting on ^liss Stanwyck and Keith. Robinson's daughter. Miss
Foster, who hates her mother because she knows the truth about her but
loves her father, first taunts then comes to love Ford.

Eventually, seeking to murder her husband. Miss Stanwyck is herself killed,
and Robinson and Ford move together to bring peace to the valle.v. This is big
entertainment, handsomely mounted, and should be confidently played for big
returns.

Running time, 96 minutes. General audience classification. Release, not set.

'Small' Films

orojector lens that can be used with
all anamorphic prints having ratios up
to 3 to 1. Compounding SuperScope's
conqjatibility. the brothers Tushinsky-
announced in October that Super-
Scope prints, which will have a to
1 ratio, will be so printed that they
can be projected without distortion
through the CinemaScope projection
lens which ordinarily presents a pic-
ture in the ratio of 2.55 to 1. The
first picture in SuperScope will be
United Artists' Christmas release.
■\'era Cruz' to be followed by RKO's
"Underwater I'

Enthusiastic Regarding 'Scope

"The Martian was ecstatic in talk-
ing about -Oth-Fox and what it had
acnieved by Cinema Scope's first birth-
day in September. At that point
11.000 theatres in 40 countries were
equipped to show CinemaScope films
and the rentals on the first 17 Cinema-
Scope attractions were expected to
reach $62,000,000 by the end of the
year.

""Before touching on the subject of
trade practices and malpractices in
1954, the little man from Mars men-
tioned Michael Todd, whom he always
has regarded as a "colorful' character.
"Don't forget.' said the creature, hitch-
ing up one drooping- antenna, 'that
Mr. Todd has now completed shoot-
ing "Oklahoma I' the first production
in the Todd-AO process, and tliat it
will have its premiere at the Rivoli
in Xew York in ^March.

"The Martian analyst turned a little
blue in discussing the tuihappy trade
practice situation, another result of
the product shortage and what he
thouffht of as the seller's market. He

too had heard the rumblings out of
W est ^"irginia in August and sym-
pathized with the situation which had
prompted the Allied board to direct
.\bram F. Myers, general counsel, to
draw up the bill for Federal regula-
tion of the industry.

"He hoped, however, that some-
thing would come of the industry
round table proposed by Al Lichtman,
and of the renewed interest in, and
hope for, arbitration manifested in the
latter weeks of 1954. January 17, the
date when the distribution and ex-
hibition arbitration committees are to
meet jointly in Xew York, might well
be the most important industry event
m 1955. he said.

Praises Cole and McGee

""The little man began to get im-
patient with his interviewer — he had
a date at one of the home offices per-
taining to his becoming technical ad-
viser on a coming production. Thus
his views came forth in a torrent of
precise English somewhat telescoped
as to classification. The successful
culmination of the campaign, led bv
Col. H. A. Cole and Pat McGee',
against the Federal admission tax
brought praise for those two leaders
as well as for the Council of ^lotion
Picture Organizations.

""He said he had had "mixed' emo-
dons regarding the significance of the
Supreme Court decisions in January
on the cases of "M' in Ohio and 'La
Ronde' in New York, and was not at
all surprised when New York in July
passed a new censorship law defining
the terms 'immoral' and "incite to
crime' which had been found too
vague."

(Continued from l>a(je 1)

gest line-ups of "big" pictures in years.
However, in response to queries re-
garding the contention of other major
producers that only the big, expensive
pictures succeed in the current market,
Benjajnin spoke out against the
philosophy of fewer, but bigger pic-
tures.

Calls Them Profitable

'"The fact is," he declared, "we are
making money an practically every
low-budget picture we release."
""There is no question that there is a
market for lower cost pictures," he
went on.

Large and small exhibitors, Benja-
min continued, will tell you of the
need for more product, both big and
small-budget pictures. The exhibitor,
faced with a change of bill three
times a week, knows his product needs
m.ore than those who argue for fewer
but bigger pictures, he stated.

The fewer but bigger pictures
approach to the product situa-
ation, Benjamin contended,
grew out of the failure of many
him companies to bring out a
so-called low-budgeted picture
at a really low cost. For a
major studio, faced with over-
head, Benjamin added, from
$750,000 to $800,000 would have
to be allocated for most any
picture with today's costs. If
such a pictiu-e misses out as a
first feature, he continued, the
studio cannot recoup its costs.
These studios, therefore, by the
expenditure of more money
shoot for the "jack-pot" with
each production, economic ne-
cessity forcing them to con-
centrate on the few.

As opposed to this approach, Ben-
jamin stated, an independent producer
can bring out a picture at a cost of
from $300,000 to $350,000. Such a
producer, he went on, is most always
able to get back his costs plus a mar-
gin of profit if the picture misses out
as a first feature. He also has a
chance of hitting a bonanza, Benjamin
continued, citing the success of "Sud-
denly" and "'The Moon Is Blue."

The independent producer, not hav-
ing any large overhead, is in a posi-
tion to bring in a picture at the lowest
possible cost, making negligible the
element of gamble, he went on. The
UA board chairman acknowledged
there is a "reduced market" for the
action-type film, but, he added, there
still is room for such pictures. "'We'll
continue to make such pictures," he
declared, "since we're proving we can
release them profitably."

Benjamin, cautioning against
his views being misinterpreted,
restated his belief in the market
demand for "big pictures."

"There never was a time when there
was a greater market for the bigger
pictures." he declared, concluding that
there should be a dual approach to-
the product situation, the continued
making of both low-budget and "big"
pictures, for there is a need for both,
he emphasized.

Hartford House Reopens

HARTFORD. Dec. 26.— The 4.200-
seat State Theatre. Connecticut's only
combination film - vaudeville house,
closed for the past fortnight, reopened
Christmas Dav.

Irving Berlins

MHERFS NO BUSINESS
LIKE SHOW BUSINESS '

will prove the biggest
boxoff ice musical in the
history of Holly wood

^DREW PEARSON

. r . .

"It^s a pleasure to do business with lOthV^

Ail

The News

That
Is News

MOTION PICTURE

Concise
And
To The
Point

VOL. 76. NO. 123

NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1954

TEN CENTS

Picker Contends

Studios Must
Service Twin
Bill Market

Says Public Still Wants
Double Feature Program

The double feature market demands
the production of both big, expensive
productions and low-budgeted films,
Eugene Picker, vice-president of
Loew's Theatres, declared here yes-
terday, when questioned by Motion
Picture Daily on the product situa-
tion.

Picker, citing the needs of neigh-
borhood Loew's houses, said if "you
ran every picture one full week" on a
double-bill basis, "you still need 104
pictures per year." The opposition, he
went on, in the same areas would need
another 104 films, bringing the total
to 208. Not every double bill could
(Continued on page 6)

Arthur Kelly Dies;
Was UA Executive

Arthur W. Kelly, 64, former execu-
tive vice-president of United Artists,
passed away in Paris on Sunday while
recuperating from an operation which
was performed
on Nov. 16, ac-
cording to in-
formation re-
ceived here
yesterday from
the UA foreign
department.

Kelly, born in
London on
Sept. 7, 1890,
started his film
career at the
age of 21 when
he joined Frank
J. Gould Enter-
prises in the
U.S. Following

Arthur Kelly

World War I, in

(Continued on page 4)

M-G-M and Selznick
Conferring: Schary

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 27.— Re-
plying to reports that David O.
Selznick will join M-G-M, Dore
Schary, vice-president of the
producing organization, today
said:

"M-G-M has been, and still is,
discussing a producing and re-
leasing arrangement with David
O. Selznick."

Canada Film
Spending Up

special to THE DAILY

OTTA\yA, Dec. 27.— Despite the
admitted inroads of television, Can-
adians in all provinces spent more on
motion pictures this year than in 1953.
The per capita spending equalled
$8.30 against $8.21 for the previous
year, according to a report just issued
by the Canadian Government.

The regular theatres' average ad-
mission price, excluding taxes,
reached a new peak of 42 cents
against 40 cents for the previous year.

Theatre receipts rose three per cent,
but attendance dropped one per cent
from last year for 3,554 theatres and
halls, including- 1,906 regular theatres,
174 drive-ins, 669' community enter-
prises and 805 halls serving itinerant
operators.

Amusement taxes increased from
$12,308,148 dollars to $12,760,235.
Ontario was the only province show-
ing a decrease in total receipts, ex-
(Continiied on page 4)

Merry Christmas

Censor-Free Houses
Urged to *Go Easy'

COLUMBUS, O., Dec. 27.— The
elimination of compusory censorship
by the Ohio supreme court recently
puts it squarely up to the exhibitors
of the state to set the standard of en-
tertainment which the public can ex-
pect to find on their screens, Robert
Wile, executive secretary of the Inde-
pendent Theatre Owners of Ohio, says
in a current bulletin to members of
the organization.

Wile advises exhibitors to "take it
easy" in their newly granted liberty.

"By all means," he says, "play any
(Continued on page 4)

IsURun Holiday Business
Here Hits Healthy Pace

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

An upsurge of business along Broadway was ushered in by the Christ-
mas holidays, with most main stem houses enjoying land-office business.
Among the new attractions, outstanding grosses were registered by

"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,"
Vera

Studios Face
Challenge of
Product Needs

By SAMUEL D. BERNS

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 27.— Holly-
wood is meeting the challenge of the
proverbial "handwriting on the wall"
that had cast a pall over the produc-
tion scene when studios were engaged
in economy waves, dropping contract
people to reduce overheads. With the
looming increase in autonomous units
to fill the gap of films that are "found
to be wanting" by exhibitor demands,
a definite upsurge in both product and
quality will become appreciably evi-
dent in the year 1955.

In dropping big salaried contract
stars and production personnel from
their payrolls, the majors have given
plasma to the creative independent
producers, enabling them to develop
important story properties and "pack-
ages" with stars and directors, who
will gamble the greater portion ~ of
their established incomes for per-
centages of an attractive film project.
This approach not only creates a har-
(Continued on page 6)

The Bridges at Toko-Ri

(Paramount)

THIS, too, is a motion picture of distinction, one which will make
a deep impress on the majority of those who see it, v^diich will
inspire discussion and which will be remembered. It is the story
of a Denver lawyer, husband and father, a veteran of World War II,
who finds himself flying a Navy jet in the Korean conflict. William
Holden, the man, doesn't quite know why he's in it, while others he
knows are not, and he almost does not learn the answer before being

killed. ^ , , . ,

The excellent screenplay by Valentine Davies, from the novel of the
same title bv James A. Michener, makes a gripping, sometimes heart-
rending motion picture of this William Perlberg and George Seaton
production. With Grace Kelly as the pilot's wife ; Fredric March as the
admiral, and Mickev Rooney as a helicopter rescue pilot, top per-
formances are registered under the direction of Mark Robson, and mar-
quees are generously supplied with some very persuasive copy.

In color by Technicolor, the picture is distinguished not only by its

(Continued on page 4)

Cruz," "3-Ring Circus" and
"Romeo and Juliet."

Hold-overs hitting the giant box-
office stride at first-runs included
"Deep in My Heart," "There's No
Business Like Show Business," "Coun-
try Girl," "Gate of Hell" and "Aida."

Neighborhood situations in New
York, according to a Loew's spokes-
man, found the Christmas weekend
good despite the relatively weak start
Christmas Eve. One Loew's spokes-
man and a Trans-Lux executive said
it was unfortunate that Christmas Day
fell on a Saturday. An RKO Theatres
spokesman termed Christmas weekend
business on the whole "very good."

At the Astor, a tremendous $65,000
is seen for the first week of "20,000
Leagues Lender the Sea." For the first
week of "Vera Cruz" at the Capitol,
a robust $105,000 is estimated. An-

other

newcomer on Broadway,
(Continued on page 4)

Tulsa, Okla. City
Gird for Tax Fight

special to THE DAILY

OKLAHOMA CITY, Dec. 27.-
Oklahoma City and Tulsa exhibitors
have a fight ahead to keep the govern-
ments of the two cities from taxing
them further at the box office.

Both Oklahoma City and Tulsa
municipal governments are geared for
battle to obtain "home rule" enabling
legislation.

As a preview of what's to come
along this battle line, the two city
governments gave legislative delega-
tions, plus the press, from their two
(Continued on page 6)

Gov't Predicts Rise
In Popcorn Price

WASHINGTON, Dec. 27.—
Popcorn prices are likely to rise,
according to Agriculture De-
partment officials.

They say that drought has
cut the harvest this year by
approximately one-third below
1953 production. Output in the
major producing states was put
at about 222 million pounds this
year, compared with 322 million
pounds in 1953.

Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, December 28, 1954

Personal
Mention

SAM ROSEN, vice-president of
Stanley Warner; Lester Isaac,
in charge of S-W Cinerama exhibitor
operations, and Harry Goldberg, S-W
advertising and pubHcity manager, are
in Montreal from New York.

•

Leon J. Bamberger, RKO Radio
sales promotion manager, became a
grandfather for the fifth time on
Christmas Day when a child was
born to his daughter, Mrs. Leonard
Bloksberg.

•

E. C. Grainger, Jr., son of the well
known theatre executive and a mem-
ber of the U. S. Attorney General's
tax division staf¥, left Washington by
plane yesterday for the Coast.
•

Murray Scher, assistant print de-
partment manager of 2'Oth Century-
Fox, and Doris Gabor, of the com-
pany's contract department, were mar-
ried here over the weekend.

Jack H. Harris, Exploitation Pro-
ductions, Inc., vice-president in charge
of sales, returned to Philadelphia Sun-
day following a tour of Southern ex-
changes.

•

Herb Steinberg, Paramount na-
tional exploitation manager, will re-
turn to New York today from Wash-
ington.

•

D. A. Peterson, Altec Service
Corp. Western division manager, has
arrived in New York from San Fran-
cisco.

•

J. J. CoHN, M-G-M studio execu-
tive, is scheduled to arrive in New
York from Hollywood tomorrow.
•

Mike Todd, chairman of the board
of Mike Todd Productions, is back on
the Coast from New York.

Joan K. Philips, president of Teen-
age Public Relations, Inc., left here
yesterday for Hollywood.

Anton Dolin, British actor, will
arrive here tomorrow from London
via B.O.A..C. Monarch.

•

Harold Hecht and James Hill,
producers, will arrive liere today from
Hollywood.

M-G-M's Kessnich
Dies in Atlanta

ATLANTA, Dec. 27.— Col. Charles
E. Kessnich, Southeastern division
manager for M-G-M since 1925, died
at his home here yesterday after a
prolonged illness. He was 68.

In the early days he owned theatres
in Richmond, Va., Charlotte and
Lynchburg, Va. He came to Atlanta
in 1913 to work for Arthur Lucas
with the Mutual Film Co., then with
Samuel Goldwyn in 1918 and became
district manager. Kessnich was ap-
pointed Southeastern district manager
shortly after M-G-M was formed. He
organized the Atlanta Variety Club.

Funeral services were held today.

French Coin Good
For Free Tickets

PORTLAND, Ore., Dec. 27.—
Manager Herb Royster of Park-
er's Broadway Theatre during
the week's run of "So This Is
Paris" advised patrons that
there was a free admission for
them if they came supplied with
French currency. Fans who
proved that they were born in
France were also admitted free.

Give Burstyn Award
To *Gate of HelP

At luncheon yesterday the second
annual Joseph Burstyn award for the
best foreign language motion picture
of the year was presented to the Jap-
anese production "Gate of Hell," a
Daiei Studio-Masaichi Nagata pro-
duction. Presiding was Arthur Mayer,
president of the Independent Mo-
tion Picture Distributors Association,
who introduced Bosley Crowther,
critic of New York "Times," who
made the presentation of the award to
Jun Tsuchiya, Japanese consul general
in New York. On dais also were
James Mulvey, Mr. Madaki, Japanese
cultural attache ; Norman Elson (at
whose Guild theatre film is now play-
ing), and Irene Thirer, N. Y. Post
critic.

In his introductory remarks, Mayer
recalled Burstyn as "an indomitable
fighter against censorship and monop-
oly," and a "believer in the widest
possible circulation of films for the
greater understanding of all."

Sees 'Attitude of Tradition'

In his turn, Crowther noted that
with the presentation of the second
Burstyn award "an attitude of tradi-
tion is beginning to emerge." He cau-
tioned the IMPDA about becoming
"too rigid concerning the tradition of
the award" and said that Burstyn was
"a cynic about traditions too rigidly
imposed."

"Gate of Hell," he said, lived up to
Burstyn's standards of "beauty, imagi-
nation and pure sensuous excitement."
He spoke of the renaissance of the
Japanese film industry and said "we
are beholding an area of film experi-
ence that adds to our understanding."
The film, he added, "truly represents
an advancement of which we can be
proud," not only for the Japanese in-
dustry, but for the whole motion pic-
ture scene.

The consul accepted the award as
a "great honor" and said it indicated
the film had succeeded in "giving you
insight into the heart and mind of our
people."

Guiles Takes Over
Rep. Office in 0,C,

OKLAHOMA CITY, Dec. 27.— J.
L. "Jake" Guiles is the new Okla-
homa City branch manager for Re-
public Pictures. The former Republic
salesman here replaces Claude Atkin-
son who was transferred back to
Dallas as exchange chief. Everett
Mahaney, Warner Brothers booker,
joined the Republic stai? as office
manager and booker today.

Rank Lists
Initial 14

The J. Arthur Rank Organization
yesterday announced the first 14 pic-
tures on its 1955 production schedule
at Pinewood and Ealing Studios in
London. Included in this lineup are
the Rank Organization's initial two
pictures in VistaVision, "Value For
Money" and "The Spanish Gardener."

Location sites in several parts of the
world have been set for a number of
the forthcoming productions which
will run the gamut of entertainment
from comedy and romance to drama
and adventure.

Schedule Outlined

The production schedule at Pine-
wood consists of :

"Value For Money," in VistaVision,
starring John Gregson, last seen in
"Genevieve," Susan Stephen and Di-
ana Dors, Britain's answer to Marilyn
Monroe. Ken Annakin will direct the
Eastman Color picture for producer
Sergei Nolbandov whose most recent
film was the boxoffice hit "The Little
Kidnappers."

"Doctor At Sea,'' comedy sequel to
"Doctor in the House." Dirk Bogarde
will head the cast of the picture to be
produced in color by Betty Box ; "His
Lordship," comedian Norman Wis-
dom's third picture at Pinewood. John
Paddy Carstairs will direct ; "Alli-
gator Named Daisy," a musical com-
edy to be produced by Raymond
Stross ; "Wisdom's Way," based on
James Ramsey Ullman's novel of the
same name; "A Town Like Alice,"
filmization of Nevil Shute's novel of
Malaya ; "The Spanish Gardener," in
VistaVision, based on the novel by
A. J. Cronin ; "All For Mary," a cur-
rent hit comedy on the London stage
authored by Harold Brook and Kay
Bannerman, and "The Life of George
Wilson," tentative title of a new
screenplay by Neil Paterson, author
of "The Little Kidnappers."

Now Editing 22

The production schedule at Ealing
Studios is :

"Touch and Go," a comedy drama
in which Jack Hawkins will star ;
"The Ladykillers" ; "The Lamp is
Heavy"; "Who Done It?" tentative
title of a comedy by T.E.B. Clarke
to star the British comedian Benny
Hill ; "Skeleton Coast," and seventeen
other productions are currently in the
cutting and editing stage or already
screened in Britain.

Providence House to
Rogers, Levin, Cohen

PROVIDENCE, R. I., Dec. 27.—
The Westminster Playhouse, formerly
the Victory Theatre in downtown
Providence, has been taken over on a
long-term lease by Fred Rogers, How-
ard Levin and Joseph G. Cohen.

On Jan. 12, the Westminster will
reopen on a first run art policy with
UA's "Hobson's Choice" as the ini-
tial presentation. The theatre will be
managed by Rogers and Levin, with
Cohen of Boston handling the buying
and booking. It has approximately
900 seats.

Reappoints Benford
Memphis Censor

MEMPHIS, Dec. 27. — Mayor
Tobey said today he would re-
appoint Lloyd T. Binford, 88,
chairman of the board of cen-
sors for another year. Other
members of the board are Avery
Blakeney, Mrs. Walter Gray,
Mrs. St. Elmo Newtown and
Mrs. B. F. Edwards, all of
whom will also be re-appointed
for 1955. There had been some
question as to whether Binford
and his board would be named
for another year.

UK Unit to Handle
All Disney Product

From THE DAILY Bureau
LONDON, Dec. 27. — Reporting
back on the outcome of his talks in
America with Walt and Roy Disney,
Cyril Edgar, director of the British
Disney company, made it clear that
the latter will distribute through its
own resources all future Disney prod-
uct, live or cartoon, feature or short.

The decision, said Edgar, was taken
in New York following the distribu-
tion success of "The Living Desert."
He revealed that five other concerns
had made firm bids for the product
following the break-away from RKO-
Radio.

"Had we wanted other people to
market our goods we would have
stuck by RKO with which we were
always happy. But we prefer to go it
our own way and have proved we can
do that successfully," Edgar added.

New and larger London offices are
being sought for the company and its
staff will be greatly expanded. But
Edgar does not propose overloading
the organisation with the conventional
and costly provincial branch set-up.
He proposes appointing top sales ex-
ecutives in key situations and have the
detail work handled in LondoiL Edgar
has hopes, too, of following the 20th-
Fox pattern of insistence on extended
play-time for worthwhile product.
That, he says, will be a condition of
sale in regard to "20,000 Leagues
Under the Sea." Plans are to give
that picture a West End showing dur-
ing next Easter, with a general re-
lease starting in September, 1955.

S-W Sells Conn. Unit

W^illimantic, Conn., Dec. 27. —
Stanley Warner's Gem Theatre here,
has been sold by S-W under the gov-
ernment divestiture ruling to Jason
Theatrical Enterprises. Sale price was
not disclosed.

NEW YORK THEATRES

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

> Rockefeller Center

I "DEEP IN MY HEART"

In Glorious COLOR starring ,
' JOSE MERLE HELEN '

FERRER • OBERON • TRAUBEL ;

[ An M-G-M Picture '

, & TIte Music Kali's Great Ciiristmas Stage Show

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke,
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca- Vine Building. Samuel D. Herns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Often, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald ; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

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DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION OF AMERICAI

Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, December 28, 1954

N.Y. Grosses

(Continued from page 1)

Ring Circus," is expected to do a big
$68,000 for its first week. "Romeo and
Juliet," an oft'-Broadway opener, is
due to hit a fine $15,500 for its first
week at the Sutton. "The Silver
Chalice" in its first two days at the
Paramount — Saturday and Sunday —
grossed $25,000.

Among the hold-overs, a zooming
$188,000 is seen for the third week of
"Deep In My Heart" at the Radio
City Music Hall. "There's No Busi-
ness Like Show Business," now in its
second week at the Roxy, is forecast
to rack up a splendid $136,000 for the
week.

"Country Girl," another outstanding
holdover at the box-office, is expected
to register a giant $65,000 for its sec-
ond week at the Criterion. "Gate of
Hell," at the small Guild Theatre ol¥-
Broadway, is due to hit a tremendous
$23,000 for its second week, while
"Aida" at the Little Carnegie is said
to be heading for a fine $14,000 for its
seventh week.

'Star Is Born' Popular

The 12th week of "A Star Is Born"
at the Victoria is seen heading for a
fine $30,000, while a good $22,000 is
indicated for the ninth week of "Car-
men Jones" at the Rivoli. "This Is
Cinerama" is expected to hit its stride
once again at the Warner, with $40,-
000 forecast for its 82nd week.

"Athena" at the Globe opened to a
disappointing- estimated $17,500 for its
first week. A fair $30,000 is seen for
the initial week of "Green Fire" at
the Mayfair.

Among off - Broadway houses,
"Game of Love" at the Baronet is
doing fine, with $11,400 estimated for
its third week. A fair $6,000 is seen
for the eighth week of "The Detec-
tive" at the -Fine Arts. "Tonight's the
Night" at the Trans-Lux 52'nd Street
is due to register a pretty good $10,000
for its first week. "Hunters of the
Deep" at the Trans-Lux 60th Street
ran rather weak at its second week,
with $3,000 estimated. The 14th and
final week of "Bread, Love and
Dreams" at the Paris is expected to
hit a nice $5,500.

The Bridges at Toko-Ri

(Continued from page 1)

Washington Business
Generally Disappointing

WASHINGTON, Dec. 27.— Capi-
tal exhibitors generally found the
Christmas week-end business disap-
pointing. Except for one or two
bright spots, business was reported
"about the same or slightly ahead of
last year, but way behind what we ex-
pected."

Theatre owners said this week-end's
pictures were excellent, and that the
disappointing results must be blamed
on the fact that many VVashingtonians
left town for the week-end or were
too involved here with Xmas festivi-
ties.

Feels 'A Good Day' Was Lost

George Crouch, zone manager for
Stanlej'- Warner Theatres, said their
business was ahead of last Christmas,
but not nearly up to his expectations
in view of the top pictures being
shown. Moreover, he pointed out, the
theatres in effect lost a good day's
business because Christmas this year
fell on a Saturday.

Jerry Baker, manager of RKO
Keith's, reported "terrific" business
with Walt Disney's "20,000 Leagues
Under the Sea." He said one house
was "way ahead of last Christmas."

Jack Foxe of Loew's said that

forceful human drama but by its setting and background, as well. Expert
aerial photography presents the panoply of a task force on duty in Korean
waters ; life aboard a great carrier and ashore, and particularly the duties
and dangers of the jet pilots' operations and those of the helicopter rescue
service.

Returning from a mission, Holden is forced to ditch his plane in the sea
and is rescued by Rooney's 'copter. In a subsequent interview with the
Admiral, played by March, Holden expresses his bitterness about his fate
and March, struck by Holden's resemblance to the two sons he lost in
action, endeavors to impress upon him the nature of the sacrifice.

Holden's wife, Grace Kelly, and two daughters have arrived in Japan and
his reunion with them is interrupted by a call to help get Rooney out of the
brig where he was being held after a brawl over a Japenese girl. Indebted
to Rooney for having saved his life, Holden leaves his family and in his
absence March informs Miss Kelly of the dangerous bombing mission against
the strategic bridges of Toko-Ri, in which Holden will be engaged. The
Admiral's purpose in imparting the information is to prepare the girl for
any tragic eventuality and to encourage her to face reality, as his own
daughter-in-law had failed to do under similar circumstances, and with tragic
consequences.

BACK on duty, Holden has a second narrow-
aboard the carrier after

escape in landing his plane
a photo reconnaissance run over the Toko-Ri
objective, preliminary to the bombing mission. The experience, together
with his newly gained knowledge of the heavily defended target area, un-
nerves him. He regains control of himself in time tO' fly the bombing mission
with the squadron.

The first run over the target is only partially successful and a second is
made without mishap despite the heavy flak from Communist defenses. The
squadron proceeds to a secondary target and Holden's plane is hit. His fuel
lost, he crash lands his plane in the mountains and escapes from it uninjured.
He is spotted by Chinese Reds but his squadron, flying cover for him, succeeds
in keeping- them at a distance until Rooney can maneuver the rescue 'copter
alongside the crashed plane.

Rooney's crewman. Earl Holliman, is killed attempting to reach Holden.
Rooney leaps from the 'copter and makes a stand with Holden in a ditch
against the Reds. Both are killed.

The screenplay is faithful to the Michener novel and most will accept
the ine-vitability of the tragic ending, however much they may wish it might
have been otherwise. Considerable courage and integrity is apparent in this
production and the reviewer believes that audiences will recognize and ap-
preciate the fact and will give this fine motion picture their endorsement at
the boxoffice.

Running time, 103 minutes. General audience classification. Release, in
January. SHERWIN BCANE

Canada

(Continued from page 1)

eluding taxes, for regular theatres.
The total was down 2.2 per cent.

Seating capacity of regular theatres
increased 2.4 per cent while potential
capacity rose 1.7 per cent. Only 29.5
per cent of potential capacity was
used last year. The highest, 36.3 per
cent, was in Newfoundland, the low-
est, 27.1 per cent, in Quebec.

Employment was provided for 9,-
027 men and 6,723 women, with
salaries totalling $20,018,413.

Over 39 per cent of business last
year went to Ontario theatres, which
also had 35.5 per cent of the total
seating capacity.

Drive-ins jumped from 104 to 174,
car capacity total rising 47 per cent
and receipts up 33 per cent, with
drive-ins showing the biggest advance
in Western Canada.

Arthur Kelly

(Continued from page I)

"business was good, about the same as
last year." He declared that "houses
were full but not jammed," even at
the Palace where "There's No Busi-
ness Like Show Business" had just
opened.

Pat Notaro of Roth Theatres was
one of the happy exhibitors. He said
that business at the Plaza, which
opened "The Detective" on Christmas
Eve, exceeded all expectations, and
that the Silver Spring and the Little,
which opened "Trouble in the Glen"
on Christmas Day, were also running
well ahead of last year. Business at
the Chain's neighborhood theatres was
just about on a par with last year,
he said.

Sees 'Parties' a Factor

Lloyd Wineland, Jr., of Wineland
Theatres, said business was "just
about the same as last year, despite
good pictures." He declared that
"Christmas business is nothing for
theatres to get excited about any more
— people are just too busy opening
presents and going to parties."

A similar reaction came from Mar-
vin Goldman of K-B Theatres, who
said grosses were "infinitesimally
ahead" of last year. In view of the
pictures being shown this year, he de-
clared, he found this "disappointing."

vanced $1.10 top and "Three Ring
Circus" at the State at regular 90
cents top each reported $11,000 for the
weekend.

"Show Business" at $1.25 advanced
top hit $10,500 for the weekend at
the Hippodrome, "Deep In My Heart'"
had a disappointing $6,000 two-day
take at the Stillman at advanced $1.10
top. Neighborhood holiday weekend
business was reported fair to poor.

"20,000 Leagues" Top
Grosser in Cleveland

CLEVELAND, Dec. 27.— "Twenty
Thousand Leagues" at the Palace was
the top Saturday and Sunday down-
town grosser witli a near record of
$20,000 for two days at $1 adult tops
and 50 cents for children at all times.
"Silver Chalice" at the Allen at ad-

Conn. Christmas Business
Reported Below Expectations

HARTFORD, Dec. 27.— Connecti-
cut Christmas weekend trade was re-
ported disappointing in numerous
situations.

Some observers attributed the only
average-to-fair grosses to occurrence
of the holiday on a Saturday, thereby
decreasing weekend business to two
instead of a normal three days' take.

Majority of Connecticut dailies did
not publish Christmas Day, lessening
promotion impact.

First-runs around the state include
"Three-Ring Circus," "There's No
Business Like Show Business," "Han-
sel and Gretel" and numerous revival
bills.

which he rose to the rank of major in
the British Tank Corps, Kelly joined
UA as treasurer upon his return to
America.

In 1924, he was appointed supervisor
of foreign sales and later headed the
domestic sales force for UA in 1941.
Kelly was named a vice-president and
U.S. representative for Eagle-Lion
Films in 1944 and in 1946 was named
president of the General Motion Pic-
ture Corp. He rejoined UA in 1947
as executive vice-president and held
the executive post until 1950 when he
resigned to organize his own television
organization.

Early this year, Kelly, who repre-
sented Charles Chaplin in the U.S. for
many years, shifted his offices to Paris
where he was residing at the time of
his death.

Censor-Free Houses

(Continued from page 1)

picture with a Production Code seal—
we can then offer to screen such a
picture for a Legislative Committee
and not be afraid of reactions. Any
picture which was banned on grounds
other than obscenity or lewdness can
be played without fear.

"From now on, you must set the
standard. Please keep it high."

Oklahoma Allied
Convention Feb. 28

Atlanta Holiday Weekend
Better Than Last Year's

ATLANTA, Dec. 27. — Christmas
business was reported to have been
better than the Yuletide period of 1953
and managers said they were "very
happy" with the patronage.

"Desiree" at the Fox pulled a strong
$10,000 while "Sign of the Pagan" did
a hefty $9,500 at the Rialto. Others
reported excellent business, some say-
ing it was the best in two years.

Special to THE DAILY
OKLAHOMA CITY, Dec. 27.—
Allied of Oklahoma's third annual
convention will be held on Feb. 28-
March 1 at the Skirvin Hotel here.
Earl Snyder, Jr., Tulsa, president, is
general convention chairman.

The assistant convention chairman
for 1955 is Bernard McKenna Jr.,
Norman, -who will serve as general
chairman of the unit's 1956 conven-
tion.

Other newly-named committee chair-
men include Glen Thompson, Okla-
homa City, nominating ; Les Nordean,
Konawa, attendance ; McKenna, regis-
tration ; Athel Boyter, Oklahoma City,
and Eddie Jones, Sand Springs, booth
space, and Cliff Lance, of Ringling,
hospitality.

Further convention planning will be
done at the Jan. 3 board meeting in
the Variety Tent No. 22 clubrooms in
the Biltmore Hotel.

Tuesday, December 28, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

No Mention of Film
Industry in Hint of
Foreign Tax Relief

From THE DAILY Bureau

WASHINGTON, Dec. 27.— White
House and Treasury statements that
the Administration will again ask
Congress for tax relief for some com-
panies doing- business overseas have
carefully left up in the air the ques-
tion of interest to the film industry :
will motion picture companies be
among those nominated for the tax
breaks ?

Last year, the administration recom-
mended that certain firms be taxed
27 per cent less on income earned
overseas, and also be freed of any
responsibility for paying U.S. tax on
money earned overseas until the money
is actually remitted to this country.
The House-passed version of the
Technical Tax Relief Bill included
this provision, but film distributors
were not among the companies eligible
for the special tax treatment.

MPAA Made Plea

The Alotion Picture Association,
along with groups from other indus-
tries, protested to the Senate Finance
Committee, asking they be given the
same tax advantages. Instead, the
Finance Committee knocked out the
entire provision, which stayed out of
the final conference bill.

Over this past week-end, Treasury
officials and White House press secre-
tary James Hagerty said the Admin-
istration would again seek some such
provision from Congress. However,
they ■ did not indicate whether it had
been reworked to include film com-
panies, and this will probably have to
wait until the Administration submits
detailed recommendations to Congress
early next year.

The White House also officially an-
nounced that the President would re-
new his request that Congress extend
the reciprocal trade agreements pro-
gram for three years and give him
authority to cut tariffs an additional
15 per cent. Film companies are ex-
pected to back up this request, which
will likely get favorable action.
Democrats are expected to line up al-
most solidly behind this program, and
to be joined by a large number of
Republicans.

Bank Buys Bijou
Theatre, New Haven

HARTFORD, Dec. 27.— Loew's
Poli Bijou Theatre, New Haven,
closed for the past two years, has been
sold to the First National Bank of
that city for a reported $200,000. The
bank did not disclose its plans for the
property, which adjoins the present
First National building. The theatre
seats 1,700.

Ziv Buys Former
Eagle-Lion Studio

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 27. —
The American National Studios,
formerly the Eagle-Lion lot, has
been acquired by Ziv Television,
for $1,400,000, it was revealed at
the weekend. The studio has
been devoted principally in re-
cent years to the leasing of
stage space to television film
producers.

Television-'Hadia

-.with Pinky Herman^

Pinky Herman

'"pHIS reporter has always been an ardent adherent of the principle
^ of first things first, etc. However, in this instance we plan to
reverse the order because in last week's pillar
we ended our stint with the heart-warming
-i.l phrase, "A Merry Christmas to all." So wha-
* *| hoppen ? Just this. The column ran about 20
^Hfet I lines over and unable to make the proper dele-

^HE|"J^ jfT tions, the printer just ran what he could and
^^F^f^a I the last item, together with the seasonal greet-
■g, J i"g'' was left in the over-matter. Ergo, in order

to prevent a recurrence of another seasonal
phrase winding up in the o.m. we'll take no
chances. So — A HAPPY NEW YEAR to all.
... In order to insure national TV reception
of the panoramic pageantry of the colorful floats,
bands and novelty groups that will be featured
in the 66th annual Tournament of Roses at
Los Angeles New Year's Day (12 :15-1 :45 P.M.
EST), NBC will telecast the proceeding from a Goodyear dirigible
which will float 1000 feet overhead. Minute Maid will pick up the
tab.

■M- -^V i^r

With John Daly as quiz-master, "Who Said That?" heard
some few years ago over NBC, returns to TVia ABC. Skeded
in the 9:30-10:00 P.M. slot Wednesdays' program will be pro-
duced by Ann Gillis. . . . Come Sundays, portly 'schoolmaster-
comic' Sam Levenson, may well shed some of the avoirdupois.
He'll guest on the CBSullivan show at 8:00 P.M. and on
"What's My Line?" at 10:30 and with dress rehearsals and
shuttling between the two theatres Sam will be one busy
hombre. . . . The toy department of Lit's dep't store in Phila-
delphia last week attracted more than 4,000 moppets to its
"Ramar of the Jungle" display. This TPA telefilm series, star-
ring Jon Hall, is building a solid block of fans, both young
and adults.

^ -u:

Norm Prescott, whose platter chatter and music ken, which
he dispensed for the past few years over WORL in Boston, made
him, one of New England's top deejays, started a new week-end
record series over WNEW Christmas Day. He'll commute be-
tween Gotham and Beantown for several
weeks and sometime in February will move
to New York and a permcbnent daily WNEW
sked. . . . A new TV ABConntry series,
"0::ark Jubilee," with Red Foley as emcee
and featuring top-ranking cowboy. Western
and folk artists, zvill how in Saturday (9:00-
10:00 P.M.) January 22, and will originate
in Springfield, Mo. . . . Robert S. Finkel, di-
rector of legitimate productions and. TVehicles
including, "Biff Baker, U.S-A." "Ray Milland
Show," "Pride of the Famdlyf and "The
Ruggles" among others, has been signed to
an NBContract to produce "The Great Gil-
dersleeve" telefilm series. . . . In her Ford
Theatre TV debut NBC -TV Jan. 6, Claudette _
Colbert will portray the role of a famous movie star, zuhose career
clashes with that of her doctor-husband. In real life. Miss Colbert
is married to am, M.D., Doctor Joe Presstnan — BUT that's zvhere
the similarity ends for the Pressmans have long been regarded as
" Hollywood's ideal married couple."

Not only did Jackie Gleason hit the jackpot with that sensational
$11,000,000 Buick deal which starts next September, but the rotund
comedian's music firm, Songsmiths, likewise struck a rich vein of
gold with its ditty, "My Love Song to You"' which, in two weeks,
has become the top seller in the country, via Bob Manning's fine
Capitol recording. . . . Bill Stern, ABCopped a distinct beat when
he gave the broadcast (6:15 P.M.) the results of the Davis Cup
tennis matches in Sydney, Australia. . . . After 10 years as a featured
comic and singer with the Vaughn Monroe orchestra, Ziggy Talent
has formed his own novelty quintet and is a cinch for TV honors.
. . . Sotto voce to Don McNeill : ask Chicago deejays and especially
Howard Miller about Coral recording artist Jerry Martin to succeed
Johnny Desmond on "The Breakfast Club." . . . Mona Kent, scripter
of "Portia Faces Life" and "Woman with a Past," is in Kingston,
Jamaica, B. W. L, writing a new day time soapera teleseries.

Norm Prescott

News
Roundup

Kingston House Reopening

The theatre formerly known as the
Broadway, in Kingston, N. Y., now
remodeled by Walter Reade Theatres
and renamed the Community, will
open on Friday evening, Jan. 14. The
attraction will be M-G-M's Cinema-
Scope film, "Bad Day at Black Rock."
■

Milwaukee Theatre Bought

L. F. Gran, of Gran Enterprises,
Milwaukee, has purchased the bank-
rupt Century Theatre, in that city, for
a reported $92,500.

Move for Conn. Drive-in

The Glastonbury (Conn.) Zoning
Board of Appeals has tabled an appli-
cation by Jack Leitao, East Hartford
businessman, for approval of a drive-
in theatre project. The matter will be
taken up in January.

Charlotte V.C. Moves

The Charlotte Variety Club has
moved into its new quarters above the
Delmonico Restaurant on West Trade
Street. The quarters were opened
with a special program and party.

World Premiere in Missoula

The world premiere of Republic
Picture's "Timberjack" will be held
on Feb. 4 at the Fox Theatre in Mis-
soula, Mont. The affair will include
personal appearances of the stars who
were on location in Western Montana
last summer with the Republic crew.

Peru Offices Open Tomorrow

E. E. and H. R. Alger, Peru, III,
tomorrow will play host at a cocktail
party marking the opening of their
new Alger Theatre offices, which are
located in the Art Theatre Building.

Bridgeport House Closed

The Strand Amusement Co. has
closed its Mayfair Theatre, neighbor-
hood situation in Bridgeport, Conn.

Lockwood & Gordon
To Build Drive-in

HARTFORD, Dec. 27.— Lockwood
& Gordon Theatres, in association
with Seymour Levine of the Bowl
Drive-In Theatre, West Haven, Conn.,
will build the first drive-in theatre
at Bridgeport, Conn., third largest
city in the state, this spring.

Cost of the 500-car capacity unit is
estimated over the $250,000 mark by
Doug Amos, L&G's Hartford district
manager.

you CAN ALWAYS DEPEND ONi,

a\ SPECIAL fSf
» TRAILERS ^inir

Motion Picture Daily

Tuesday, December 28, 1954

Arthur Backs

Studios' Product Challenge

{Continued from page 1)

People

William T. German

Program Fare

From THE DAILY Bureau

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 27. — Harry
C. Arthur, Jr., chairman of Southern
CaHfornia Theatre Owners Associa-
tion, told Motion Picture Daily in an
interview here _3^^^^H

overtook the

Broadway stage Harry C. Arthur

after motion

pictures came in, and brought the
stage theatre down to the part-time,
over-priced business it is today, in-
capable of sustaining' more than a
liandful of theatres spread out through
the biggest key cities."

Calls Advantage Temporary

Arthur said, "the whole c|uestion
about program pictures depends on the
point of view. A scarcity of product
makes it a simple matter for anybody
with a big", stand-out picture to road-
show it on just about any percentage
terms he wishes to impose. This is fine
for such a producer, momentarily, but
if program-calibre product is done
away with, or reduced to an extreme
in number and budget, how long can
big studios continue in operation to
make big pictures, and how long can
the necessary number of theatres stay
in business ?"

Arthur said, "persistence in the few-
and-costlier policy would be eventually
disastrous. Already the habitual thea-
tregoers, the regulars who used to go
to program pictures, paying a reason-
able price and coming away satisfied,
are a vanishing population. Going to
the movies has taken on the nature
of a project, with the family setting
aside a budget to take care of the cost
of seeing a picture they've read or
heard about.

Wants More of All Types

"I think the industry ought to make
more pictures of all kinds — big, little
and in-between— for everybody's sake.
The best pattern to follow today is
the drive-in. If everybody would study
the operation of the drive-ins, how
they work and what they work with,
we would come closer to avoiding mis-
takes like the number of pictures a
showman can of¥er his patrons."

No Decision As Yet
On NYC Tax Appeal

A decision in the RKO-Keith-Or-
pheum Theatres, et al, five per cent
admission tax suit against the City of
New York has not been posted by the
five jurists which heard exhibitor and
city arguments in the Brooklyn Su-
preme Court on Dec. 2.

Monday is the court's customary
day for issuing opinions, one exhibitor
attorney said. Rulings on cages heard
the same day in the Appellate Divi-
sions have not been handed down
either, so it is possible that the tax
fi^^:cion may be given next week, he
said.

monious spirit in giving the best of
their respective talents, but afi^ords the
partners an opportunity of a better
return for their labor-risk via the
capital gains route.

This also places the majors in a
healthy position, concentrating on ex-
ploiting multi-million dollar produc-
tions, with the knowledge that it can
be selective in accepting outside in-
dependent productions to augment the
number of pictures necessary to satisfy
the operation of their exchange sys-
tems.

Among the leaders in this direction
are partners Harold Hecht and Burt
Lancaster with Columbia, Warner
Brothers, United Artists and Uni-
versal benefiting by their efforts. They

Twin Bills

{Continued from page 1)

stand a week's run, he said, adding
that only the rare, exceptional picture
can stand on its own in neighborhood
situations.

"I find the public still wants the
double feature," the Loew's executive
continued. "By and large where the
double feature has been in practice, it
must be retained," he added.

Picker said his views on the product
situation coincided in the main with
the views expressed by Sam Rosen,
vice-president of Stanley Warner, and
Robert Benjamin, chairman of the
board of United Artists. Both Rosen
and Benjamin took exception to the
bigger, but fewer approach to produc-
tion as advocated by many film com-
panies.

"We need more product," Picker
concluded, the low budgeted pictures
as well as the big productions.

Picker, like Rosen, expressed con-
cern of how the product situation is
hitting the smaller towns where, he
said, the public cannot support the
longer runs which distributors seek
and which the lack of product forces
at times.

Venice Film Festival
To Open on Aug. 25

The 1955 Venice Film Festival will
be launched on Aug. 25, according
to an announcement by the Sub-
Commission of the International Fes-
tival of Motion Picture Art of the
Venice Biennial.

This decision was reached at a
meeting in Rome by the committee,
which also decided to limit the num-
ber of films that each nation may en-
ter at Venice. This policy _ \yas
reached in the interest of maintaining
the artistic and cultural aspect of the
Festival at the highest possible level,
it was said.

It was further decided by the com-
mittee to sponsor a number of cul-
tural manifestations of international
interest during the period of the
Festival.

The Festival of Children's Films
and Documentaries will open a week
earlier, on Aug. '8

'Collier^T^ory to AA.

Walter Wanger, producer, has ac-
quired the screen rights to "The Body
Snatchers." "Collier's mystery serial
authored bv lack Finney, for produc-
tion by AUied Artists.

have now reached the successful posi-
tion of being able to finance other in-
dependents, notably the weekend an-
nouncement of sponsoring three-color
cartoon feature-length films made by
United Productions of America.

Wayne-Fellows Productions is an-
other of the more successful indepen-
ents, as witness Warner Brothers re-
lease of "The High and the Mighty."

Making its bid to join the ranks of
the completely independent units. Pine
and Thomas, oldest major-financed
producing team, last week decided to
go out on its own after 14 years.

Names like Cooper, Hope, Power
and Martin & Lewis, Ladd and Stew-
art indicate the caliber of talent at-
tracted to independent production.

Okla. Tax Fight

{Continued from page 1)

counties, a dinner, then an earful of
tax talk.

At this political roundup in Okla-
homa City, the officials of the two
cities suggested about five types of
taxes, including admission tax. Also
in the lineup are an occupation tax,
an earnings tax (which seemed to be
favored j, an automobile ta.x and an
insurance tax.

The proposed bill would provide
that cities could levy any tax — except
ad valorem, consumer's sales tax, in-
heritance, estate or gift tax — after a
vote of the people. Majority of the
people would have to vote approval ol
the tax question in a general or spe-
cial election.

Many Legislators in Favor

Mixed views greeted the tax sales-
men. However, some of the sena-
tors and legislators were strongly in
favor of the tax, while others in-
dicated an "open mind."

Both state associations — Allied of
Oklahoma, headed by Earl Snyder,
Jr., Tulsa, and Theatre Owners of
Oklahoma, headed by Ed Thorne,
Oklahoma City, will initiate plans to
combat this new tax threat at their
January 3 meetings here. Both units
will meet, ditterent hours, at Variety
Tent 22 clubrooms.

N.W. TOA Setting
Large Scale Plans

SEATTLE, Dec. 27.— The Theatre
Owners of Washington, Northern
Idaho' and Alaska, under the leader-
sliip of James H. Hone, executive
secretary, are making plans for 1955,
on a larger scale than in 1954. It
has been especially charged to watch
the legislature at Olympia, to curb
bills considered detrimental to the
industry.

At the annual meeting the associa-
tion reelected Hone, for the 2Sth term
as executive secretary and H. B
Sabottka of the John Hamrick thea-
tres as treasurer.

The following directors were
elected : Harry Wall, Lewiston, Ida ;
Erwin Fay, Renton ; Fred D. Nessel,
Walla Walla; Chester Nilson, Ta-
coma ; Gred Mercy, Jr., Yakima;
Mike Barovic, Puyallup ; Joseph Ros-
enfield, Spokane ; W. B. McDonald,
Olympia, and Dwight Spracher, B. F.
Shearer, Wm. Thedford, L. O. Lukan.
William J. Conner, Fred A. Danz, all
of Seattle.

, president of
W. J. German, Inc., has been named
chairman of the film laboratories
committee of the National Confer-
ence drive in

observance of
Brotherhood
Week for 1955.
Irving Lesser,
president of
Producers
Re p r esenta-
fives and of
Major Televi-
sion Produc-
tions, has ac-
cepted the post
of chairman of
the television

Wm. German films commit-
tee. Brother-
hood Week will be launched at the
Hotel Waldorf'.Astoria here on Jan.
13, honoring J. Robert Rubin, per-
manent general chairman of the
amusements division of the National
Conference. John H. Harris is na-
tional chairman of the amusements
division.

' n

Jack A. Simons, manager of the
Stanley Warner Palace, Norwich,
Conn., has shifted to the S-W Pal-
ace, South Norwich, with Phil Al-
laire, formerly of the Palace, Tor-
rington, replacing him in Norwich.

Bettie Gamble, LTniversal's head
booker in San Francisco, with 25
years of service, was released from
a hospital in time to attend a silver
anniversary Christmas party in her
honor. She was presented with a
bag of silver dollars contributed by
some 300 exhibitors.

Ben Marcus, president of Allied
States Association, is listed as the
agent of a new corporation, Star-
light Outdoor Theatre, Inc., which
will build a drive-in theatre in the
Milwaukee area.

Augustus F. Waldenburg has been
named manager of Ansco's San
Francisco sales district. He has been
with Ansco since 1938 except for the
period when he served in the Army
during World War II.

Boykin Pascall, through whose
efforts Savannah, Ga., theatres ob-
tained regular advertising rates in
newspapers, is retiring as vice-
president of the Savannah "Morn-
ing News and Press."

Mistletoe Kiss Gave
Free Admission

LEBANON, Ore., Dec. 27. —
Art Turner, Lebanon Theatre
manager here, announced that
those patrons who "kissed under
the mistletoe" at either of the
city's two playhouses, would be
admitted free. It was found that
more women than men were
anxious to live up to the old
custom of getting kissed under
the mistletoe.

MOTION PICTURE

DAILY

VOL. 76. NO. 124

NEW YORK, U. S. A., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1954

TEN CENTS

Feldman Points to

Small Market
Today for Low
Budget Films

Says Policy Dictated by
Public, Not the Studios

The possibility of making a profit
on low-budgeted pictures has been
considerably narrowed down in to-
day's market, Charles J. Feldman,
vice-president in
charge of dis-
tribution for
Universal Pic-
tures, declared
here yesterday.

Feldman, in-
terviewed on the
product situa-
t i o n, stressed
his belief that
the low-budg-
eted picture
has diminished
in quantity not
because of any
studio policy

but because of the public's dictate
and the competitive situation.

"It is stupid to say that any com-
pany limits its production only to
(Continued on page 5)

Charles Feldman

N.Y. Critics Select
Waterfront,' ^Gate'

Columbia's "On the Waterfront"
was selected as the best domestic pic-
ture of 1954 and "Gate of Hell" was
voted the best foreign language pro-
duction by the New York Film Critics
in the organization's 20th annual bal-
loting yesterday.

Elia Kazan was voted the best
director and Marlon Brando was
awarded the best actor honor, they
being the director and star, respec-
tively, of "On the Waterfront." For
(Continued on page 5)

Say Bogart Will Sell
Santana to Columbia

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 28.— Santana
Pictures Corp., organized by Hum-
phrey Bogart in 1947, will be sold by
the actor and his associates to Co-
lumbia Pictures for $1,000,000 if ne-
gotiations reported now in progress
here are consummated. A. Morgan
Maree, Jr., Santana vice-president,
is assisting Bogart in negotiations,
which are said to include, addition-
(Continued on page 5)

Skouras Favors
Industry Meet

Twentieth Century-Fox presi-
dent Spyros P. Skouras said he
surely would attend a round
table conference on industry
trade problems, a move sug-
gested by Al Lichtman, 20th-
Fox distribution director.

Skouras said 20th-Fox has al-
ways associated itself with "con-
structive" measures to solve
problems, stressing his belief
that such a conference would be
in the interests of the industry.

MGM Staging
'Gala ' Events

M-G-M has announced that it is
going "all out" in its effort to pay
tribute to its exhibitor customers by
holding special premieres and staging
unusual events in small towns as well
as large towns. A double celebration
has been set for Jan. 21 in Green
Bay, Wise, and two more towns are
being added to the Texas state pre-
mieres of "Bad Day at Black Rock"
for a total of seven.

A premiere and exhibitor conven-
tion aflrair scheduled for Denver, and
general celebration scheduled for the
opening of Walter Reade's new house
in Kingston, N. Y., in addition to the
world premiere of "Many Rivers to
Cross" in Loew's Poli Theatre in New
Haven, will round out the immediate
agenda planned by the company.

In Green Bay, where M-G-M has
set a premiere of "Bad Day at Black
Rock" at Standard Theatres' Bay
Theatre on Jan. 21 and the opening
of "Green Fire" at Russell Leddy's
Orpheum Theatre on the same date,
(Continued on page 2)

Skouras Looks at New Year

PROSPEROUS 1955
SEEN FORINDUSTRY

Reports European Business at High Level;
Credits New Techniques; Praises 'Scope

By MURRAY HOROWITZ

A more prosperous year in 1955 for the motion picture industry
throughout the free world was forecast here yesterday in a statement
by Spyros P. Skouras, president of 20th Century-Fox.

Skouras, who

Promotions in Six
Col. Sales Areas
Made by Montague

Sales department promotions affect-
ing six Columbia Pictures domestic
branches were
announced here
yesterday by A.
Montague, gen-
eral sales man-
ager.

Wayne Ball,
Los Angeles
branch m a n -
ager, has been
advanced to the
position of divi-
s i o n manager
for Southern
California and
the Rocky
Mountains, with
supervision of the Los Angeles, Den-
ver and Salt Lake City branches. Suc-
ceeding Ball as manager of the Los
Angeles branch will be Harold Green,
currently manager of Salt Lake City.
Montague also announced that Mel
(Continued on page 4)

A. Montague

20th-Fox Campaign Lauded

^ Scope Sold to Public By
Newspaper Advertising

LTsing newspaper advertising as the "backbone," 20th Century-Fox sold
CinemaScope to the American public and helped to "revive the movie industry's
confidence," according to the Bureau of Advertising of the American News-
paper Publishers Association

A dejected and worried Hollywood
has almost overnight regained much of
its old spirit and 'colossal' optimism,"
said the Bureau. "The arrival of
CinemaScope has undoubtedly played
a prominent role in this revival."

The statement accompanied release
by the Bureau of a brochure in color
detailing the growth of CinemaScope

from a "bright idea with lots of
promise to a new screen technique
which has built a notable success at
the box office."

Early m 1953, the Bureau's story
relates, after a highly successful first
showing of CinemaScope to a trade
audience, 20th Century-Fox's presi-
(Continiicd on page 4)

recently re-
turned from an
extended trip to
Europe, c o m -
mented on the
high level of in-
dustry prosper-
i t y he saw
everywhere h e
travelled. Cred-
i t i n g Cinema-
Scope for the
business up-
swing both in
the U.S. and
abroad, Skouras
cited the experience of his own com-
pany. Of the 18 CinemaScope pictures
released by his company, he related,
every one has been profitable, a situa-
tion unparalleled in the history of
20th-Fox.

Skouras held that the factors of a
"greater momentum'' in 1955 of the
(Continued on page 4)

Spyros Skouras

Promises Eidophor
Showing Next Year

Twentieth Century-Fox's Eidophor
color theatre TV program will "defi-
nitely" be under way in 1956, it was
announced here yesterday by 20th-
Fox president Spyros P. Skouras.

Skouras, in reply to a series of
questions, held out the possibility that
it may be launched in 1955. The
20th-Fox president, saying that he
stopped over in Zurich, Switzerland,
on his European trip to confer with
Swiss engineers, said he plans to hold
(Continued on page 4)

Name Bryan, Weber
Skouras Circuit V-Ps

The appointments of Frank Bryan
and Louis M. Weber to the offices of
vice-presidents of Skouras Theatres
Corp. were announced by president
Spyros S. Skouras.

Bryan and Weber have been active
memlDers of the Skouras organization
for the past several years.

Bryan, in addition to assuming the
(Continued on page 5)

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, December 29, 1954

M-G-M Staging 'Gala' Events

(Continued from page 1)

Says Many Offers
For 'Guys & Dolls'

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 28. —
More than a half-dozen distribu-
tion offers for handling the
forthcoming "Guys and Dolls"
have been made to Samuel Gold-
wyn, a spokesman said today,
but the producer is undecided
on a final plan. The spokesman
commented that chances that
RKO will distribute are slight.

Personal
Mention

JOSEPH H. WESTREICH, of
Warner Brothers International
Corp., has arrived in New York from
Paris.

Lester San.som, head of Allied Art-
ists editorial department, has been
moved to his home in Hollywood from
the Cedars of Lebanon Hospital,
where he underwent surgery.

•

Walter Ruckersberg, managing
director of Titra Sound Studios here,
is the father of a daughter born to
Mrs. Ruckersberg this week.
•

Stanley Hendel, of the I.F.E. Re-
leasing Corp. publicity department,
became a father recently when Mrs.
Hendel gave birth to a girl.

•

Harry Brandt, president of Brandt
Theatres, left here last night for the
Coast.

Garson Kanin, producer, will ar-
rive in New York from England to-
day aboard the "Queen Elizabeth."

Donald Hayne, writer, will arrive
here today on the "Queen Elizabeth"
from England.

Otto Ebert, branch manager for
RKO Radio in Detroit, has left there
for Lidianapolis.

•

Joseph Rosen, Universal Pictures
office manager in 'Detroit, will return
there on Jan. 3 from Miami.

VV Filming in '55 in
Many Areas Abroad

Filming in Paramount's VistaVision
will be conducted in 1955 in many
parts of the world by various produc-
tion companies, in addition to Para-
mount. VistaVision filming is sched-
uled for England, France, Italy, Mex-
ico, Hawaii and other areas.

Among those who will use the
medium are Titanus and Lux in Italy,
James A. FitzPatrick in Mexico, a
French group which has engaged
cinematographer Henri Alekan for
the purpose, Carl Dudley in Hawaii
and the J. Arthur Rank organization
in England.

All pictures being made by Para-
mount in Hollywood and abroad are
VistaVision productions.

Goldwyn, Jr,, Starts
First Film in March

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 28— Samuel
Goldwyn, Jr., announced today that
his first independent production for
United Artists release, "Sharkfight-
ers," will go before the cameras here
on March 1.

Later in the year, Goldwyn will film
two other pictures : "Linnett Moore,"
based on a story by James Edward
Grant which originally appeared in
"The Country Gentleman," and "The
Dancing Detective," a published story
b^ Cornell Woolrich, author of "Rear
Window."

civic associations, merchants and other
interests of the town are combining
their efforts to pay tribute to the
theatres for their all-year-round activ-
ities in bringing customers from sur-
rounding areas for shopping purposes
as well as, incidentally, to attend the
theatres.

To mark the event, Robert C. Zim-
merman, Secretary of State of Wis-
consin, has issued a proclamation de-
claring January the "go to the movies
month," and welcoming 1955 with
M-G-M's slogan "Forward in '55."
Herbert H. Graefe, manager of radio
station WOKW at Sturgeon Bay,
has volunteered special radio time to
promote the continued and increased
activity of the motion picture industry
in the county, focusing the attention
of the listeners on the key sentence,
"Let's all go forward in 1955."

In Texas the group of seven the-
atres and the opening dates of "Bad
Day at Black Rock" are as follows :
Austin, Jan. 12; San Antonio and
Dallas, Jan. 13; Fort Worth, Jan. 14;

3 N.Y. Cities Added
To Liss' S-W Area

ALBANY, Dec. 28. — Joseph Liss,
Massachusetts district manager for
Stanley Warner Corp., will also su-
pervise the circuit's seven theatres in
Albany, Troy and Utica after Jan. 1,
when zone manager Charles A. Smak-
witz takes over his new duties in
Newark, N. J.

Liss attended a meeting here, at
which arrangements to close the zone
offices on the second and third floors
of the Strand Theatre building were
made. They will be rented.

Part of the Albany zone operation
has been handled from New Haven
since 1952 ; a portion, from Newark.
Totman will make regular visits to
this section, too.

Production Drops
To 24 on Coast

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 28.— With
only two new pictures starting and
camera work being completed on 11
others, the total number of pictures in
work dropped to 24.

Stated were : "The King's Thief,"
CinemaScope, Eastman Color (Metro-
Goldwyn-Mayer) ; ^ "The Vagabond
King," VistaVision, Technicolor
(Paramount).

Completed were : "Devil Goddess,"
"Terror In The Night," A. L. Stone,
Inc., and "My Sister Eileen," Cinema-
Scope, Technicolor (Columbia) ;
"Hold Back Tomorrow," Hugo Haas
(Independent) ; "Blackboard Jungle"
(Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) ; "I Cover
The Underworld," (Republic) ;
"Magnificent Matador," National Pic-
tures-Primero, CinemaScope, Eastman
Color (20th Century-Fox) ; "Canada's
Great Manhunt," Bischoff-Diamond,
and "Kiss Me Deadly," Parklane-Vic-
tor Saville (United Artists) ; "Kiss
Of Fire," Technicolor (Universal-In-
ternational) ; "The Sea Chase," Cine-
maScope, WarnerColor (W a r n e r
Bros.).

El Paso, Jan. 15 ; Amarillo, Jan. 19,
and Lubbock, Jan. 20.

Anne Francis will visit each of the
seven theatres for personal appear-
ances the day before or on opening
day.

In Denver, the triple celebration will
be the opening of "Bad Day at Black
Rock" on Jan. 19 and the M-G-M
"Ticket Selling Workshop," Jan. 12
at the Cosmopolitan Hotel attended
bv members who will gather from the
surrounding areas for the convention
of the Rocky Mountain Council of
Motion Picture Organizations the
following day. For this occasion, John
Ericson, who also appears in "Bad
Day at Black Rock" will be on hand
for the dinner at which George
Murphy, M-G-M "Good Will Am-
bassador" and public relations head
at the studio will act as toastmaster.

A state-wide motion picture cele-
bration is scheduled for the New
Haven world premiere, Jan. 26, of
"Many Rivers to Cross" with Robert
Taylor appearing in person.

Italy Produced 152
Films This Year

The Italian motion picture industry
continued its growth in 1954 with the
production of 152 feature films during
the eleven months from Jan. 1 to Nov.
30, IFE has reported. Sixty-one
of these films, or more than half, were
filmed in color and 43 were filmed un-
der co-production agreements with the
film industries of other nations.

The year also saw the beginning of
the use of CinemaScope by the Italian
film makers, with the production of
three films utilizing that process. Six
films were made for projection on
panoramic screens and several produc-
tions are being readied for Vista-
Vision filming in 1955.

In the first 11 months of 1954, 43
co-productions went before the cam-
eras, France leading the field with 36
pictures, followed by Spain with three
films, two with Germany and one each
with Japan and Egypt.

Of the 61 films shot in color, 30
were in Ferraniacolor, fifteen in East-
mancolor, eleven in Technicolor, three
in Gevacolor and two in Warnercolor.

Mexican Distributor
Expanding Services

MEXICO CITY, Dec. 28.— Pelicu-
las Nacionales, independent distributor
of Mexican pictures in Mexico and
abroad, has been transformed into a
"company of public interest" (semi-
official) for the explained purpose of
permitting all producers who want
systematized distribution in Central
and South America to avail them-
selves of its services. Previously, only
producers who were stockholding
members enjoyed those services. Peli-
culas is inviting all producers to join
it, via stock subscription.

The new Peliculas will have an ulti-
mate capital of $1,280,000, of which
$720,000 has already been provided.

Folsom Cites Gains
Of TV; Hits Set-Tax

Television attained new heights in
1954 as more than 90 new stations
went on the air, according to the year-
end report of Radio Corporation of
America issued by Frank M. Folsom,
president, who pointed out that the
consumer demand for TV receivers
led to a 7,000,000 volume in set sales
for all manufacturers.

Regarding color TV, Folsom cited
the "many millions of dollars" used
in the development of this medium,
but stated that "it will cost the indus-
try many millions more to get color
television to an enlarged American
audience."

Folsom called the current tax on
color TV sets unfair, and declared,
"I think the Government would do
well not to try to harvest the field at
least until the industry has completed
sowing it."

Anti-Red Resolution
Loses in WGA Vote

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 28. — The
constitutional amendment barring
from membership Communists or
other persons who refused answers
to questions put by Congressional
committees investigating Communism
failed by three votes to obtain the
required two-thirds vote in the mail
referendum conducted by the Writers
Guild of America, a final audit of
ballots last night disclosed.

WGA East and WGA West_ had
voted separately on the proposition,
pooling their ballots for a combined
tally which was not broken down by
the auditors.

The same or a similar anti-Com-
munist resolution will be presented at
the membership meeting in April, it
is understood.

Both Sides Must List
16mm Case Witnesses

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 28.— Attor-
ney Samuel Flatow, who will conduct
the Government's prosecution of 12
defendants in the 16mm. case, which
goes to trial Sept. 6th, today disclosed
that a pre-trial order signed by Fed-
eral Judge Harry C. Westover two
weeks ago requires the Government
to furnish a list of its witnesses in
the case 30 days before the trial date
and that defendants furnish similar
lists 15 days before the trial.

As earlier reported, the Government
must disclose to defendants the docu-
ments it intends to use in the case on
or before March 10.

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke,
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollrwood 7-2H5;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications; Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

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BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK

THE STRANGER!

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Screen Play by MILLARD KAUFMAN • B^JoTX^VZI^foZsuri • Photographed in EASTMAN COLOR

Directed by JOHN STURGES • Produced by DORE SCHARY • An M-G-M Picture

Motion Picture Daily

Wednesday, December 29, 1954

EDITORIAL.

In Praise of
CinemaScope

fiy Sherwin Kane

QFFICIALS of 20th Century-Fox,
particularly Spyros Skouras, Al
Lichtman and Charles Einfeld, may
be pardoned should their justifi-
able pride and satisfaction in the
accolade handed them this week
by the American Newspaper Pub-
lishers Association Bureau of Ad-
vertising for the successful sales
campaign on CinemaScope show
through their customary restraint.

It Is not often that that particu-
lar source Is Inspired to encomiums
for achievements, however deserv-
ing, in the field of motion pictures.
In fact, this is the first time a mo-
tion picture company has been
singled out for praise of this kind
by the ANPA's Bureau of Adver-
tising.

The story of the Bureau's com-
mendation, reported in detail in
this issue of Motion Picture Dally,
pays special tribute to the show-
manly technique that not only
launched CinemaScope and "The
Robe" so successfully but also, in
the words of the Bureau, "helped
to revive the movie industry's con-
fidence" in itself at a time when it
was being sorely tried.

It is a fitting commendation, as
satisfying as It is genuinely de-
served.

Field Develops New
Variable Anamorphic

CLEVELAND, Dec. 28. — A new
variable ratio anamorphic lens which
is said to be adaptable to any front
shutter mechanism has been developed
by Irving" Field, in accordance to his
own original optical formula, it was
reported here.

To devote all of his time to the
manufacture and sale of the lenses,
Field is bowing out of the exhibition
field by not renewing his lease on the
Cortland Theatre in Cortland, O.

Field claims that the lens allows for
the penetration of superior light, depth
of focus and ease of operation. Also,
that it is fully adaptable to any front
shutter mechanism with no additional
attachments.

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adoption of new techniques, namely
CinemaScope, both by producers and
theatres, and better pictures will con-
tribute to the higher level of industry
prosperity next year.

Asked whether enough pictures now
are being produced, Skouras replied
in the negative. "We need more, but
better pictures," he declared, saying
that his company plans to release 30
"top grade" pictures next year, as
previously announced. With one or
two possible exceptions, he added, all
will be in CinemaScope. From 20 to
24 of the 30 releases, he explained,
will be done by the 20th-Fox studio.

'Scope Activity in Europe

Reporting on his European trip, the
purpose of which was to confer with
foreign producers, Skouras said the
results were far better than he ex-
pected. He estimated from SO to 75
motion pictures will be produced in
CinemaScope in 1955 in Europe, in-
cluding Great Britain, on the basis of
his conversations. Right now, he
added, there are from 12 to IS
CinemaScope productions being made
and another 15 to 20 in preparation.

Regarding theatre installations,
Skouras said stereophonic sound is
being installed with CinemaScope by a
proportionately larger number of the-
atres in Europe than in the U.S. He

held that the business done in stereo-
phonic sound equipped theatres both
here and abroad is greater than in
optically-equipped sound CinemaScope
theatres.

Visiting Britain, Sweden, France,
Germany, Italy and Spain, Skouras
stated that by the end of the year,
there will be over 3,000 theatre in-
stallations in Europe and he estimated
that by the end of July, 1955, the
number will grow to 7,500. In the
U.S., he went on, by the end of the
week there will be 10,500 theatre in-
stallations, 4,000 of which are equipped
with stereophonic sound.

Regarding technical improvements,
Skouras said progress is being made
to improve the CinemaScope taking
lens. He also said that the process in-
volving the use of a "dupe" negative
to ease the print shortage in England
has been worked out successfully.

Estimates Foreign Earnings

He estimated gross foreign earnings
this year for 20th-Fox will amount to
$41,400,000, compared to the foreign
gross of $38,000,000 in 1953. Domestic
gross for 1954 was estimated by
Skouras at over $65,000,000 compared
to $67,000,000 in 1953, when 40 pic-
tures were released, compared to the
31 this year.

Asked about his sentiments of sell-
ing the company's old releases to tele-
vision, Skouras replied that "our suc-

cess and future depends on the
prosperity of theatres." Until theatre
entertainment is so vastly superior to
what is offered on television, he did
not think film companies should take
such a step. Skouras indicated that
such a situation does not exist today.

He volunteered a similar response
to the toll TV question.

Returning to the foreign field,
Skouras said 20th-Fox has invested
$7,000,000 to stimulate by underwrit-
ing the production of CinemaScope
equipment abroad. He said by next
year, he hopes that the company will
be able to liquidate its investment.

Sees 'Second Best Year'

Twentieth-Fox, he continued, has a
financial interest in only five or six of
the CinemaScope productions planned
abroad. Asked how the company's
earnings are in England since 20th-
Fox decided to sell away from the J.
Arthur Rank Organization, Skouras
said at the beginning earnings were
adversely affected, but by 1955 he
foresaw the second best year for the
company there since 1946.

In England, Skouras estimated the
number of CinemaScope theatre in-
stallations at 500 and at the end of
July they will run to 1,500. He said
20th-Fox lawyers are continuing ne-
gotiations with the Gaumont board of
directors, opposing plans to alter Gau-
mont's articles of agreement.

'Scope Advertising Lauded

{Continued from page 1)

dent, Spyros Skouras, declared : _ "If
we want to help recreate the habit of
the public going to see good movies,
we've got to start now. As far as
I'm concerned, CinemaScope is it."

Despite its supreme confidence that
this was "it," the company had no
illusions that success would be auto-
matic. A 20th Century-Fox advertis-
ing man, quoted in the Bureau
pamphlet, said as he looked back at
Cinemascope's first big promotion
proj ect :

"Our job was cut out for us.
But what a job! Not only did
we have an expensive motion
picture to sell ('The Robe,' first
full-length CinemaScope pro-
duction), but we had to intro-
duce a new product, educate the
public to a new type of motion
picture screen, make them ac-
cept a sight-and-sound revolu-
tion that was the biggest thing
since the coming of the talkies."

Advertising — the bulk of it in news-
papers— was picked to carry the major
share of the promotional load.

Weeks before "The Robe's" formal
premiere in New York, the city's
newspapers "carried lavish advertise-
ments" heralding both the new picture
and the new photographic technique,
the Bureau's story relates. The
formula worked, new boxoffice records
were set for the industry, and "The
Robe" — ■ and CinemaScope ■ — were
smash hits, the story declares. "The
Robe" was promoted similarly across
the country when it opened in other
cities — and with similar success.

The same formula — heavy promo-
tional drives with powerful, carefully-
planned newspaper campaigns as the
spearhead — was applied to subsequent
CinemaScope productions, such as
"Prince Valiant," "The Egyptian,"

"Three Coins in the Fountain," and
"Woman's World." And all, says the
Bureau account, "achieved big grosses
in ever}' type of playdate.''

And Skouras, commenting in the
Bureau of Advertising's brochure on
the many factors behind Cinema-
Scope's success, placed newspaper ad-
vertising "at the top of our list."

Einfeld Is Quoted

Charles Einfeld, the company's ad-
vertising director, long experienced in
promotion and exploitation, saw the
year's success as a re-emphasis of the
power of newspaper advertising in the
motion picture business. The Bureau's
brochure quotes him thus :

"We learned our lesson with 'The
Robe.' We've been sticking to our
formula ever since. It recognizes the
fact that the newspaper is the back-
bone of any movie ad campaign. In
big cities and small towns alike, people
look to the amusement page of their
local paper before they go out to buy
a movie ticket. That's the big reason
why we depend so strongly on news-
papers."

This strong dependence on news-
papers, Einfeld added, is a major
factor in the current success of
"There's No Business Like Show
Business," and the same promotional
pattern "will be very much in the
picture" as new CinemaScope produc-
tions are released.

Eidophor

{Continued from page 1)

Lederer Promoted

Mort Blumenstock, Warner Broth-
ers vice-president in charge of adver-
tising and publicity, announces the
promotion of Dick Lederer, of the
company's advertising staff, to copy
chief of the department under Gil
Golden, advertising manager. Lederer
came to Warners in 1950 from Co-
lumbia Pictures copy department.

industry demonstrations of the new
Eidophor models next year.

The industry shows, he went on,
will be a sequel to private company
demonstrations to insure perfection of
the new prototype model, now being
worked out by engineers of General
Electric, the company which will
manufacture the equipment.

Skouras declined to spell out pro-
gramming plans that 20th-Fox may
have for the medium, other than to
throw out the question of "how won-
derful it would be if theatres could
receive a color telecast of the opera
in CinemaScope proportions in their
theatres."

Col. Promotions

{Continued from page 1)

Klein, for many years a salesman in
the San Francisco branch, has been
named manager of San Francisco, un-
der the supervision of Northwestern
division manager L. E. Tillman, and
that Sam McFadden, salesman in Salt
Lake City, has been named manager
of that branch, succeeding Green.

Whitcher, Safron Promoted

Mon Whitcher, salesman in the
Dallas exchange, has been named man-
ager of that branch, under the super-
vision of Southwestern division man-
ager Jack Underwood, and Jerome
Safron, salesman from the Minneap-
olis branch, has been named manager
of the Cleveland exchange, succeeding
the late Oscar Ruby. Safron will be
under the supervision of mid-Eastern
division manager Sam Galanty.

Concluding his announcement, Mon-
tague revealed that John Winberry,
for many years a salesman in New
Orleans, will be named manager of
the Houston branch which the com-
pany will establish shortly.

Wednesday, December 29, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

Critics Pick

(Continued from page 1)

Low-Budgeted

(Continued from page 1)

her performances in "The Country
Girl," "Rear Window" and "Dial M
for Alurder," Grace Kelly was voted
the year's best actress.

Sixteen critics voted in the poll and,
in all categories, a two-thirds major-
ity was necessary. The winning pic-
ture received 12 votes on the first
ballot, Brando received 11 on the first
ballot and Miss Kelly took 12' on the
second ballot.

Runiiers-up for the best picture
award were "Romeo and Juliet," "The
Country Girl" and "Carmen Jones."
Contenders for the director's honor
were Edward Dmytryk, Renato Cas-
tellani, Otto Preminger and Alfred
Hitchcock. Best actor runners-up
were James Mason, Edmond O'Brien
and Humphrey Bogart. June Allyson,
Audrey Hepburn, Eva Marie Saint
and Judy Garland were the runners-up
in the best actress category.

First Japanese Film to Win

It was the first time in the history
of the critics' society that a Japanese
picture, "Gate of Hell," took first
place in the foreign film bracket.

Participants in the poll were Bosley
Crowther, A. R. Weiler and Howard
Thompson, "Times" ; Otis Guernsey,
Jr., Joseph Tilpihodna and Paul Beck-
ley, "Herald Tribune" ; Leo Mishkin,
"Morning Telegraph" ; Kate Cameron,
Wanda Hale and Dorothy Masters,
"Daily News" ; Alton Cook, "Tele-
graph & Sun" ; Archer Winslen and
Irene Thirer, "Post" ; Jane Corby,
Brooklyn "Eagle" ; Rose Pelswick,
"Journal-American," and Frank Quinn,
"Daily Mirror."

The awards will be presented late
in January at Sardi's.

Toronto Critic Selects
Top Ten in Canada

TORONTO, Dec. 28. — Indicative
of Canadian taste is the publication of
the first list of the year's "Best 10"
features here, a compilation of Critic
Clyde Gilmour of the Toronto "Tele-
gram" for "MacLean's" Magazine.

Gilmour's selections are: 1. "A Star
Is Born" ; 2. "The Little Kidnappers" ;

3. "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" ;

4. "It Should Happen to You" ; 5.
"Knock on Wood" ; 6. "Executive
Suite"; 7. "On the Waterfront"; 8
"Romeo and Juliet"; 9. "The Joe
Louis Story" ; 10. "Riot in Cell Block
11."

His choice of best actress was Judy
Garland, for her performance in "A
Star Is Born," and for best actor
Humphrey Bogart in "The Caine Mu-
tiny."

cause a shortage. If I thought it
profitable for Universal to produce
two more pictures in 1955, wouldn't
I do everything in my power to add
the two films?" he questioned.

Costs of Universal pictures have
been raised materially in order to
hold and to improve "our position in
today's highly competitive market," he
continued, adding that never in the
history of the motion picture busi-
ness has there been such a supply of
good pictures in release as there is
now. It is in this market that you
must compete, he stressed.

There is no room for "quickies,"
he went on. On the contrary, he con-
tended, in the current market you
must start out with a story of sub-
stance and you can't purchase stories
as you would groceries, buying more
as you need them. The public has
set that policy, not the studios, he
declared.

Says Several Factors Enter

The factors limiting the possibility
of making a profit on low-budgeted
pictures, Feldman went on, are that
production costs are up and the mar-
ket for these pictures is narrow and
continues to grow narrower in propor-
tion to the big pictures being released.
And, he continued, the possibility of
liquidating costs on a small picture is
reduced in the Metropolitan centers
throughout the country where dis-
tributors ordinarily get the largest
amount of revenue. The big situations
in Metropolitan centers, he explained,
want the big picture, playing those
pictures single bill, depriving the
small picture of what used to be its
most lucrative market.

The product situation is de-
finitely a problem for those ex-
hibitors who have frequent
changes of bill during the week,
Feldman acknowledged. Asked
if in his opinion a product
shortage does exist, Feldman
responded that the question is
not whether "you have a prod-
uct shortage but whether you
can make more pictures at a
profit."

"I don't think there are any stories
not being made today that should or
could be made profitably," he declared.
In this business, he continued, there

Santana

(Continued from page 1)

ally, a contract for Bogart which
would call for his appearances in six
films to be made by Columbia.

Bogart today was signed by 20th
Century-Fox for the starring role in
"The Hand of God," to be produced
by Buddy Adler from the novel by
William E. Barrett. Edward Dmy-
tryk will direct the film.

Writer Sues Lippert
For Infringement

Claiming that Lippert Pictures and
Lippert Productions infringed on his
copyrighted story, "The Rocket," John
Welz, a writer, yesterday filed suit in
New York Federal Court. Welz
claimed that the Lippert companies
infringed on his material in the pro-
duction of "Rocket Ship XM."

An injunction, accounting and dam-
ages sustained are asked by the plain-
tiff.

Pictures

A-A Able to Make
More 'Big' Ones

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 28. —
Commenting on the fewer-but-
bigger production policy, Walter
Mirisch, Allied Artists executive
producer, pointed out that A-A
is producing "bigger pictures
and more of them than in for-
mer years, and is in a position
to increase the number if the
market demand warrants."

are many, many people who know the
market and every company knows the
possibilities. Anytime there's a gam-
bling chance to make a picture that
will show a profit, there are people
who will take that chance, he con-
tended.

Strict Attention to Grosses

All producers and their sales de-
partments are in constant discussion
on what's going on in the market, he
added. There never was a period
when grossing reports on pictures
were given more attention, he stressed.
It's a daily evaluation, not a six-
month get-to-together on pending
problems, he stated.

He went on to state that a pro-
ducer, unlike an individual exhibitor,
must think in terms of the general
market rather than his own particular
needs.

If there is a market for many more
pi tures, low budgeted ones in partic-
ular, Feldman stressed that the in-
dustry operates on a free enterprise
system and allows anyone to engage
in production and make the necessary
investment. He also inentioned the
current challenge to the "creative end
of our business to deliver great prop-
erties."

Cites 'Over-Seated' Cities

Returning to the question of wheth-
er there is a product shortage, Feld-
man said that description fits the
situation of a segment of exhibitors,
those in "over-seated" cities as well
as those faced with frequent changes.

With film companies currently of-
fering the best product in the history
of the business, Feldman said it was
his sentiment that "we should be
cheering" instead of engaging in re-
criminations.

Bryan, Weber

(Continued front page 1)

position of vice-president, will also
continue with his' duties as treasurer
of the corporation as will Weber with
his duties as corporation attorney,
assistant treasurer and assistant secre-
tary.

At the same time Skouras an-
nounced the appointment of Irving
Palace to the office of corporation
comptroller.

Republic Screening
'Doctor* on Jan. 5

The J. yVrthur Rank Organization
presentation, "Doctor in the House,"
which Republic is releasing early next
year, is being screened for exhibitors
at the company's home office projec-
tion room on Jan. 5 at 10 :00 a.m.,
2:30 and S:30 P.M.

"Doctor in the House," in color by
Technicolor, is an adaptation of his
own novel by Richard Gordon.

National
Pre-Selling

UNIVERSAL International has de-
veloped a joint prom.otion with
"Coronet" on "So This Is Paris," as
part of U-I's national magazine ad-
vertising campaign on the picture,
which included a full page color ad
in the January issue.

"Coronet" prepared special copies
of the January issue with a four-page
colored insert placed ahead of page
one. The front covers of the 20 na-
tional magazines used by U-I for their
campaign on "So This Is Paris" are
reproduced on the insert. These maga-
zines have a combined readership of
150,000,000. A special notation was
printed on the front cover calling at-
tention to the insert. Copies were
mailed to key exhibitors, bookers and
buyers across the nation.

•

"Life's" current issue devotes a
two-page spread to four musical pic-
tures now in release: "Deep In My
Heart," "So This Is Paris," "Three
for the Show" and "There's No
Business Like Show Business."
"Life" calls attention to the high-
lights of each of these pictures.
•

Paramount's "Three Ring Circus,"
starring Dean Martin and Jerry
Lewis, has been selected as "Seven-
teen's" picture of the month for Jan-
uary.

•

In the January issue of "Woman's
Home Companion," Philip Har-
tung's list of "Companion Family
Approved Movies" are: "The Coun-
try Girl," "Phffft," "Track of the
Cat," "The Beachcomber," "Ani-
mal Farm," "The Voice of Silence"
and "Black Widow."

McCall's starts off 1955 with two
different covers on its January issue :
a photo of Grace Kelly, star of "The
Country Girl," and a "Do-It-Your-
self" cartoon drawing. Half of the
issue was printed with the Grace Kelly
cover and the other half with the car-
toon. McCall's readers are asked to
vote for the one they like better.

In the same issue six pages are de-
voted to a personality story about the
star of "The Country Girl."

WALTER HAAS

flyBOM^

ARISTOCRAT OF THE AIR

^ I fi ii

Direct
New York • London

BRITISH OVERSEAS
AIRWAYS CORPORATION

Reservations through your travel agent
or call B.O.A.C. at 342 Madison Ave.,
New York 17. N. Y.. tel. MU 7-8900

Says Product for
Teen-Agers Needed

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 28.— Sid
Lehman, president of Exhibitors
Service Corp. here, which buys
and books for 52 theatres, told
Motion Picture Daily in an in-
terview that the fewer-but-big-
ger film production policy does
not adequately serve all patrons.

"We need all the A-minus and
B-plus product we can get," he
said. "In particular, we need
pictures that appeal strongly to
teen-age patrons, and we need
films with smart dialogue —
product that sends patrons
home in a happy frame of
mind."

"VERA CRUZ "

THE WORLD'S FIRS
MOTION PICTUR
IN SUPERSCOPE

SUPER-ENTERTAINMENT!

Add it up, Mr. Exhibitor: SUPERSCOPE- GARY COOPER-
BURT LANCASTER-TECHNICOLOR-GREAT ADVENTURE
-IVIAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE - CAST OF THOUSANDS-
2 YEARS IN THE IVIAKING - $4,000,000 TO PRODUCE.

Yes! Add it up-and it's certain to be
one of the all-time boxoffice greats!

HAROLD HECHT presents

GARY COOPER • BURT LANCASTER ."VERA CRUZ"

co-starring OENISEDARCEL and CESAR ROMERO GEORGE MACREADY- ERNEST BORGNINE and introducing SARITA MONTIEL

Screenplay by ROLAND KIBBEE and JAMES R. WEBB • Story by BORDEN CHASE • Produced by JAMES HILL- Directed by ROBERT ALDRICH TECHNICO LO R

A HECHT-LANCASTER PRODUCTION

All

The News

That
Is News

MOTION PICTURE

VOL. 76. NO. 125

NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1954

TEN CENTS

Explain Details

COMPO Poll
Group Report
DueNextWeek

Committee Members to
Meet With Triumvirate

Details in connection with the audi-
ence poll project of the Council of
Motion Picture Organizations will be
discussed with the COMPO trium-
virate, possibly next week, by a group
representing the poll committee. It is
not expected that the full poll com-
mittee will be present.

Mechanics of the audience survey
have been in the process of formation
since the committee met in New York
on Dec. 12 and the various aspects of
the project will be submitted to the
three-man directorate for approval or
amendments.

It was recommended that the poll
be held from next Thanksgiving Day
to Dec. 7. The pictures eligible for
vote will be those released and pub-
licly exhibited between Nov. 1, 1954,
and Nov. 1, 1955.

*Motion Picture Herald-Fame Poll'

Exhibitors Vote John Wayne
No. 1 'Money-Making Star'

The nation's exhibitors voted John Wayne the No. One "Money-Making
Star of 1954 in "Motion Picture Herald's" 23rd annual poll. The results of
the balloting are tabulated in the Jan. 1 issue of the "Herald."

It is a repeat

New Year's Eve

Big Broadway
Business Seen
For Weekend

Expect 'Country GirV to
Break Criterion Record

MGM Sets 14
'Workshops'

With 14 definite dates set, M-G-M's
"Ticket Selling Workshops" are gain-
ing momentum in the number of re-
quests for these institutional gather-
ings, not only in key city areas but
also in numerous other towns which
lend themselves to centralized points
of location for exhibitors unable to
conveniently meet at exchange points,
according to M-G-M. More than 5,000
exhibitors and affiliated interests _ are
expected to meet at the 14 meetings
now definitely scheduled by Mike
Simons, director of customer rela-
tions for M-G-M.

The program of meetings confirmed
so far 'begins Jan. 12 and continues
until June 13, with three Workshops
set for January, two for February,
three for March and as many for
April, two for May, and one in June.
The list is not conclusive by any
means, according to Simons, who adds
{Continued on page 4)

Hawkins Again
Wins UK Poll

By PETER BURNUP

LONDON, Dec. 29.— Jack Haw-
kins again took the top position in the
British field in "Motion Picture
Herald's" 1954
poll of Money-
Making Stars.
British exhibi-
tors put him on
the highest
perch last year,
too.

Immediately
following him
in the British
balloting were
Dirk Bogarde,
Norman Wis-
dom, G 1 y n i s
J ohns, Kenneth
More, Alec
Guinness, Anthony Steel, Ronald
{Continued on page 4)

Jack Hawkins

Status Quo for
RKO Pictures

RKO Pictures should enter the new
year as a shell of a corporation whose
only assets consist of cash, the residue
of the monies received from Howard
Hughes when he purchased RKO
Radio Pictures from the then parent
RKO Pictures company.^

At the end of the business day to-
morrow, the expiration period of the
{Continued on page 4)

performance for
Wayne. But it
took 23 years
for a No. One
w inner to
bounce back
after having
been displaced.
Wayne held the
peak position in
1950 and 1951.

The nine
runners-up (and
it was mighty
close in some
cases) were in
order: Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis,
Gary Cooper, James Stewart, Marilyn
Monroe, Alan Ladd, William Holden,
Bing Crosby, Jane Wyman, and Mar-
lon Brando.

It was the first appearance in the
poll for Holden, Miss Wyman and
{Continued on page 4)

John Wayne

Theatre Groups Now
Outside NLRB Orbit

From THE DAILY Bureau

WASHINGTON, Dec. 29. — The
general counsel of the National Labor
Relations Board has decided that the
board should no longer assert juris-
diction over the labor relations of an
association of motion picture theatre
owners because the pattern of bar-
gaining has changed from an asso-
ciation-wide one to one of individual
theatre contracts.

The counsel's decision, made public
today, did not name the association
involved. This is in keeping with a
long-standing policy.

According to the announcement, an
{Continued on page 6)

Continued robust business along
Broadway here for the New Year's
holiday weekend was seen in the ofl^-
ing yesterday as most first-run houses
along the main stem prepared to run
extra shows New Year's Eve, with
small increases in admission prices.

As the New Year approached, a
number of situations found their
earlier estimates of, Christmas busi-
ness too conservative. At the Crite-
rion, "Country Girl" for its second
week will break the 17-year grossing
record for the house with a fabulous
$67,000 registered. "There's No Busi-
ness Like Show Business'' at the
Roxy will hit a mamnioth $142,000
for the second week, instead of the
$136,000 previously estimated.

At Radio City Music Hall, lines of
hix blocks long have been forming
regularly each day of the Christmas
season, resulting in capacity business.
Hold-outs also mark the business at
the Criterion and Roxy and a few
other situations.

However, yesterday afternoon's rain
had a dampening effect on the hold-
{Contimied on page 3)

See 'Program
Film ' Wanted

From THE DAILY Bureau

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 29. — H. J.
Yates, Republic Pictures president,
and Hal R. Makelim, independent
producer, contribiited viewpoints to-
day to the industry-wide discussion
on whether or not there is a profitable
market today for so-called low-budget
or program pictures, for which all
classes of exhibitors are asking.

Yates said : "Republic has always
invited exhibitor cooperation, through
its exchange branch managers, in
planning its production program. This
arrangement has proven profitable
{Continued on page 2)

Motion Picture Daily

Thursday, December 30, 1954

Personal
Mention

JEROME PICKMAN, Paramount
advertising-publicity vice-president,
will return to New York tomorrow
from Hollywood.

•

Sam Rosen, vice-president of Stan-
ley Warner, and Harry Goldberg,
S-W advertising and publicity direc-
tor, returned here yesterday from
Montreal. Lester Isaac, S-W's di-
rector of Cinerama exhibition opera-
tions, is due here today from Mon-
treal.

•

Martha M. Quigley, daughter of
Martin Quigeey, was married yes-
terday to John BurlinsO'N, Jr., at
the Church of St. Thomas More in
New York City.

•

James M. Connolly, 20th Century-
Fox Northeastern division manager,
has been elected chairman of the
Boston Public Library System for
1955.

•

Richard Mealand, managing di-
rector of Paramount British Produc-
tions, Ltd., has arrived in New York
from London.

Program Films

{Continued from page 1)

to both parties. In 1955 Republic will
maintain a flexible policy, and will try
to produce pictures which will answer
exhibitor demands for specific types
of product."

Taking sharp issue with contentions
that "program" pictures no longer
earn their way or serve any useful
purpose in the industry, Makelim told
Motion Picture Daily : "In my per-
sonal contacts with more than 6,500
exhibitors this year it has been the
complete concensus that they need
more pictures — good pictures, that is,
not little, junk pictures, but not all
epics either. "

"Big, multi-mliiriion-dollar produc-
tions are indispensible, of course, and
they perform a vital function for the
industry, but there are 18,000 theatres
in the U. S. that can't survive on any
fewer-and-costlier system that can be
devised.

"There are 160,000,000 people in
this country to be entertained, and
they all are entitled to a steady sup-
ply of good, not strictly super-bud-
geted, motion pictures."

Operators' Strike
Settled in Albany

special to THE DAILY
ALBANY, Dec. 29.— The Grand is
scheduled to be reopened on Friday
by lessee-proprietor Paul V. Wallen,
after a 25-day darkout due to a strike
in which the projectionists supported
the stagehands. The agreement with
Stage Local No. 14, lATSE, pro-
vides that one man be employed, but
also conditions that the light board
be dismantled and the switching be
done from the front of the theatre
by other employees. It is understood
that rewiring will be required for this
operation.

Holding out for one man, rather
than the long-time two, Wallen re-
fused to take a replacement in the
switch-over that came in the wake
of Henry Harris' retirement at the
Strand. Harris had been a member
of the stage union 52 years, a number
of them as president and business
agent. The local claimed a lockout
and started to picket the "B" first-
run, which Wallen, ex-manager, leased
for 10 years from Fabian circuit last
September.

Originally, the projectionists passed
the pickets, but their local, 322, voted
to back up the stagehands, if the
controversy was not settled by the
deadline.

'Long Gray Line'
Set for D.C, Bow

Harry Cohn, president of Columbia
Pictures, and Sol A. Schwartz, presi-
dent of RKO Theatres, announced
jointly yesterday that the world pre-
miere of Columbia's Technicolor Cin-
emaScope production, John Ford's
"The Long Gray Line," starring
Tyrone Power and Maureen O'Hara,
will take place early in February at
the RKO Keith's Theatre in Wash-
ington.

Theatres Won't Pay
For *B's: Lippert

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 29. —
Producer Robert L. Lippert,
asked to comment on the fewer-
but-bigger film production pol-
icy, told Motion Picture Daily:
"Exhibitors say they want more
program pictures but they won't
pay for them, so nobody is go-
ing to produce them."

Commerce Dept. Post
To Thomas S. Mohr

From THE DAILY Bureau
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29. —
Thomas S. Mohr, administrative as-
sistant to the general manager of the
Taylor Instrument Companies of
Rochester, has been appointed deputy
director of the Scientific, Motion Pic-
ture and Photographic Products Divi-
sion of the Commerce Department's
Business and Defense Services Ad-
ministration.

This was announced by BDSA ad-
ministrator Charles F. Honeywell.
Nathan D. Golden is head of the
division.

Mohr will be on leave from his
Taylor position while he serves a
stint of some six months with the
government. He succeeds Richard G.
Woodbury, of the American Optical
Co., as deputy director of the film
division. Woodbury will continue to
act as a consultant to the division.

Matsoukas Ad Chief
For 'Oklahoma'

The appointment of Nicholas John
Matsoukas as national director of ad-
vertising, publicity and exploitation of
"Oklahoma !" in Todd-AO was an-
nounced yesterday by George Skouras,
president of Magna Theatre Corp.

Matsoukas is also director of adver-
tising for Skouras Theatres and
United Artists Theatre Circuit, Inc.

Following his appointment, Matsou-
kas left for Hollywood for a series of
conferences regarding the advertising
plans for "Oklahoma !"

Rodgers and Hammerstein's produc-
tion of "Oklahoma !" in Todd-AO,
will be world premiered in .New York
City in the early part of May.

All advertising will be placed
through Donahue & Coe, New York.

Ascher to Produce
2 Musicals Abroad

Stanley Ascher has scheduled two
film musicals for production in
Europe. The first will be "Rendez-
vous in Paris," the latest work from
the pen of Rudolph Friml. Production
will start in the late summer or early
fall.

This will be followed by Erich
Korngold's musical, "Silent Sere-
nade," with screenplay by Victor
Clement. Ascher plans to produce this
some time in the spring of 1956.

Ascher currently is arranging for
the production in Spain of Rouben
Mamoulian and Maxwell Anderson's
"Carmen and Jose," to be made in the
late spring of 1955.

News
Roundup

Royal Hosts

Two hundred members of New
York society were the guests of the
Duke and Duchess of Windsor and
20th Century-Fox last night at a
screening of "There's No Business
Like Show Business." The program
was held in the company's Little
Theatre.

New P.R. Company

A new public relations firm has
been formed on the Coast by Walter
Compton and Duf¥y Cornell. Compton,
a past president of the Publicists
Guild, formerly held publicity posts
with Republic, United Artists and
RKO. Cornell previously was man-
aging editor for Hearst newspapers
in Chicago and Los Angeles.

Set Industry Ads

The motion picture industry in gen-
eral and the Vista Vision camera in
particular has inaugurated a series of
large-space newspaper advertisements
by the California Bank calling atten-
tion to the state's vital industry.

ABC Modernizing

Sir Philip Warter, chairman of As-
sociated British Picture, has an-
nounced that the company's theatre
group — -Associated British Cinemas —
will spend i3,000,000 in three years to
modernize the circuit.

Canadian TV Expense

Canadians have spent more than
$200,000,000 for TV sets this year.
There are 1,000,000 sets in Canada,
according to Aurele Seguin, director
of the French Network for CBC.

Rudy Rudisill Dead

ATLANTA, Dec. 29. — Funeral
services for W. H. (Rudy) Rudisill,
Sr., 55, were held at College Park
Methodist Church yesterday. He was
a World War II veteran and active
member of the American Legion. He
had been associated with the film ex-
changes in Atlanta for the past 35
years. At the time of his death he was
branch manager of the Atlanta office
of Kay Film Co.

NEW YORK THEATRES

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

> Rockefeller Center

\ "DEEP IN MY HEART"

', In Glorious COLOR starring

' JOSE MERLE HELEN

FERRER • OBERON • TRAUBEL

\ An M-G-M Picture

' & Tlie Music Hall's Great Christmas Stage Show

Ernest Sand, Warner Brothers
branch manager in Cleveland, has
left there for Florida to rest up fol-
lowing surgery.

Sam Fritz, manager of the Hillard
Square Theatre, Cleveland, is the
father of a daughter born to Mrs.
Fritz on Christmas Day.

Hovi^ARD Minsky, Paramount Mid-
East division manager, was in New
York yesterday from Philadelphia.

John H. Burrows, producer, will
leave Hollywood by plane today for
New York.

Makelim' s Kaufman
Touring Key Cities

CHICAGO, Dec. 29. — Herbert
Kaufman, representative of Hal R.
Makelim, left here today for Cincin-
nati, New York, Boston and Wash-
ington for meetings with exhibitor
groups on the Makelim plan. He will
continue on later for a circuit of
Southern cities.

Nick Kounaris, 61

HARTFORD, Dec. 29. — Nick
Kounaris, 61, partner in the Kounaris-
Tolis Theatres, operating the Newing-
ton, Newington, Conn., and Meriden,
Meriden, Conn., is dead. Funeral serv-
ices 'Were held today at New Britain,
Conn.

No Paper Tomorrow

MOTION PICTURE DAILY
will not be published tomor-
row, Friday, due to office clos-
ings throughout the industry in
observance of New Year's.

MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Shcrwin Kane, Editor. Published daily except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing
Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin
Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke.
Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building. Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, Editor, Hollywood 7-2145;
Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau,
4 Golden Sq., London W. 1; Hope Bumup, Manager; Peter Burnup, Editor; ic^ble address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres
and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published 13 times a year as a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as
second-class matter Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single
copies, 10c.

Thursday, December 30, 1954

Motion Picture Daily

People

A. S. Moore, Jr., of the Texas
Theatre, Greenville, Tex., and Jack
Lilly, of the Palace, Commerce,
Tex., arranged a special welcome
and banquet for House speaker Sam
Rayburn in Greenville last week, as
part of Texas COMPO's policy of
maintaining active contact with
members of Congress.

R. C. Mann has purchased the
Allston Theatre property, Allston,
Mass., from American Theatres
Corp.

Irene Smith, secretary to Charles
A. Smakwitz for 14 years in Albany,
will continue in that post when
Smakwitz becomes Stanley Warner
zone manager in Newark.

Charles Sims, formerly with Stev-
ens Pictures in Atlanta, has joined
the Dixie Theatre Supply Co. there
as a sales and service representative.

Stanley Adams, president of
ASCAP, will discuss music activi-
ties for the blind as part of the
program, "The Living Blackboard,"
over Station WPIX on Jan. 4.

Horace Deming, Carl Floyd, Jim
Partlow, Sam Manning and Fred
Adams are partners in the Colonial
Plaza Drive-in, now under construc-
tion near Orlando, Fla.

Mack Jackson, theatre owner of
Alexander City, Ala., and a member
of the TOA board of directors, has
returned to his home from Birming-
ham where he underwent an opera-
tion on his eyes.

Rhoda Koret has resigned from
the Cleveland Columbia exchange to
join the newly opened Buena Vista
office headed by Leo Greenfield.

John Oliver has resigned as one
of the Paramount bookers in Cleve-
land to go into another business in
Miami. He has been replaced by
Sam Wyman.

Form Ardee Films
For Foreign Pictures

The formation of Ardee Films, Inc.,
which will distribute foreign pictures
in the United States and produce
English language pictures abroad, was
announced by Richard Davis, presi-
dent of the new company and owner
of the Fine Arts Theatre.

Initial film for release by Ardee,
which has already acquired a backlog
of foreign product for distribution
here, is "Holiday for Henrietta,"
French director Julien Duvivier's lat-
est production. Dany Robin, Hilde-
garde Neff and Michael Auclair star
in the picture which will have its
American premiere at the Fine Arts
Theatre following the current engage-
ment of "The Detective."

Field Reports 'Mixed' Grosses

The box-office in key U.S. cities set
a fairly healthy pace this Christmas
week, according to field reports re-
ceived from MorrioN Pictuee Daily
correspondents.

Business at Stanley Warner the-
atres in Albany, Troy and Utica,
where "3 Ring Circus" headed the
bills, was described as "wonderful and
amazing."

Patronage at Fabian's Palace in Al-
bany, where "Hansel and Gretel" was
the chief attraction, did not measure
up too well. However, the 3,660-seat
Albany Theatre expects a smashing
week with "There's No Business Like
Show Business," which opened yester-
day at special scale of $1 top.

Albany Dual Strong

The Albany Correspondent reported
that the Ritz, which takes "3 Ring
Circus" Friday, on a move-over at-
tracted surprising weekend trade with
"Port of Call" and "Bowery to
Bagdad."

The Delware, S-W art house, did
not pull Christmas Day with "Man
With a Million," but rebounded Sun-
day. The S-W second-run Madison
also came back after a so-so Saturday.

"3 Ring Circus" was also reported
to have clicked at Proctor's, Fabian
first-run in Schenectady, at Schine's

Glove in Gloversville, and elsewhere.
Weather during the holiday week has
been generally favorable.

CHARLOTTE, N. C.-Better than
average business was reported by
Charlotte theatres for the Christmas
weekend.

At both the Center and Manor the-
atres every seat was sold out for all
performances except the first one
Christmas afternoon. The Center is
playing "Vera Cruz," and the Manor
"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," both
films having very early engagements
here.

Top business was also reported at
the Carolina and Imperial theatres
where "Young at Heart" and "3 Ring
Circus" are showing.

The best pre-Christmas in history
was reported by the Plaza theatre
where "Destry" is playing.

CINCIN1\ATI— Figures for the cur-
rent Christmas week are well in the
upper brackets and exhibitors antici-
pate a continuance of even better busi-
ness in the weeks ahead. They base
their optimistic outlook on the favor-
able general economic improvement
predicted for the coming year by many
business analysts.

Estimated weekly grosses include a

nice $8,500 for "liansel and Gretel" at
the RKO Grand, a big $15,500 for
"3 Ring Circus" at RKO Albee, a
robust $20,000 for "20,000 Leagues
Under the Sea" at RKO Palace and
a healthy $19,000 for "Vera Cruz" at
Keith's.

PITTSBURGH— Business in the
first-run Pittsburgh houses ranged
from fair to good over the Christmas
weekend, with operators predicting
that the New Year weekend will clar-
ify the situation more accurately.

"There's No Business Like Show
Business" is headed for a great
$19,000 in the Harris, with manager
Bill Zeilor predicting at least four
weeks for the Berlin musical. "Car-
men Jones" indicated only $11,000 for
the week.

The Squirrel Hill art house had
reason to cheer for Alec Guinness,
always a tremendous draw here,
proved his mettle again with his "De-
tective" nearing $5,000, and may
threaten the house record here of
$5,300 held by "The^ Sea Around Us."
"This Is Cinerama," which is biding
time until "Cinerama Holiday" arrives
on Feb. 16, had an indifferent week-
end, but played to a capacity house at
Monday's matinee. The vacation peri-
od should help this one a lot.

Review

The Americano

(RKO)

{Print by Technicolor) Hollyzvood, Dec. 29

ROBERT STILLMAN'S plan to produce "The Americano" wdth authen-
tic, colorful Brazilian backgrounds, has paid off with an interesting yarn
about a Texas cowboy who runs an obstacle course in collecting his money
for three valuable Brahma bulls which he raised and delivered personally
to a cattle rancher in the South Americani interior.

Glenn Ford favors Guy Trosper's intriguing screen play with a sympathetic
portrayal of the Texan who gets caught in the middle of a feud between Frank
Lovejoy, a conniving rancher, and the beautiful Ursula Thiess, whose ranch
he is trying to steal.

Executive producer Sam Weisenthal added immeasurably to the produc-
tion value of the piece by having Xavier Cugat compose a title tune which
is well spotted and capably executed by Abbe Lane.

Casting of Cesar Romero as an ingratiating bandit-chaser, who is not
beyond engaging in some hi-jacking on his own, when necessity calls, was
a wise choice for sprucing the film, with excitement as well as some of its
lighter moments. William Castle's direction was well-paced for suspense and
action.

The original story by Leslie T. White gets under way when Glenn Ford
hires Romero to g-uide him and his three bulls to the cattle ranch, whose
owner was found murdered near a railroad siding in Brazil, where Ford
was to have been paid for his prized possession. He finds Lovejoy posing
as the rancher's partner. Lovejoy tries to tempt Ford into remaining in
Brazil and helping him raise cattle. Ford rejects the offer but is forced into
remaining at the ranch after being robbed of his payment for the bulls.

When Ford is apprised by Miss Lane, Lovejoy's housekeeper, of his
ruthless orders to kill the ranch owner so that he could take over, and his
plan to do Miss Thiess out of her ranch after placing the blame on Ford for
another of his ordered killings, and the fact that he was robbed by Lovejoy's
henchman of the money for the bulls, he goes into action. Glenn forces
Lovejoy's foreman to confess the murders to the police, and then evens the
score by killing Lovejoy in a gun duel finish.

Running time, 85 Vninutes. General classification. Release date not set.

SAMUEL D. BERNS

Jake Coolidge, 81,
Newsreel Veteran

ELLSWORTH, Me., Dec. 29.—
John E. (Jake) Coolidge, 81, retired
dean of New England newsreel cam-
eramen, is dead here.

He covered the Paris peace confer-
ence after World War II, the first air
flight from Europe to the U.S. and
scores of disasters, including sinking
of Submarine S-4.

R. D. Spierman V-P
Of National Pictures

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 29.— Edward
L. Alperson today announced the ap-
pointment of Richard D. Spierman as
vice-president in charge of National
Pictures Corp. activities in England
and Continental Europe.

Spierman, here for the past week
conferring with Alperson, will sail for
London at the weekend.

Broadway

(Continued from, page 1)

out situation generally, although box-
office business, in the main, continued
at a nice pace.

The Radio City Music Hall, whose
reserved seat section has long been
sold out at $3.60 per ticket, plans a
boost of 10 cents on regular admiss-
sions New Year's Eve. The regular
price of weekend reserved seat tickets
are $2.75.

The Roxy, which also plans an ex-
tra late show New Year's Eve, will
not raise its admission price for the
occasion, it was stated.

At the Paramount, a special
all-day preview of "Young at
Heart" has been set to start at
9:30 tomorrow morning and
continue until dawn of the New
Year, Robert K. Shapiro, man-
aging director, announced. The
engagement of the Paramount's
current attraction "Silver Chal-
ice" will be interrupted for
that one day and will be re-
sumed on Saturday morning, it
was said.

M'any other first-run situations, in-
cluding the Astor, Victoria and Cri-
terion, that already have adopted a
pricing policy for the eve of the New
Year announced increases of 30 cents
for admissions. It is expected that
regular prices will be retained at the
Rivoli.

Altec Service Sells
Altec Lansing Line

Altec Service Corp. has entered the
sound engineering contractor field in
behalf of certain products manufac-
tured by Altec Lansing Corp., a com-
pany subsidiary, it was announced by
H. M. Bessey, executive vice-presi-
dent.

Effective immediately, Altec Service
will sell public address systems manu-
factured by Altec Lansing to all types
a commercial users in the U.S.

Motion Picture Daily

Thursday, December 30, 1954

Bing Crosby Heads
Top Ten in Canada

Bing Crosby, who was last year's
runner-up, this year was chosen top
"Money - Mak-
ing Star" in pr w
the 23rd an-
nual "Motion
Picture Her-
ald" poll of
Canadian ex-
hibitors, whose
choices reveal,
as usual, slight
but not radical
d i f f er ences
from the pref-
e r e n c e s ex-
pressed by
American the-
atre men.

Second,
third, fourth and fifth, following
Crosby, went to Martin and Lewis,
Gary Cooper, Alan Ladd and
William Holden. Marilyn Mon-
roe was in sixth place, followed in
order by Humphrey Bogart, Danny
Kaye, John Wayne and Doris Day.

Bing Crosby

UK Winners

{Continued from page 1)

Shiner, Richard Todd and John Mills.

Hawkins is best remembered in his
role as the captain in "The Cruel
Sea," but he also registered strongly
in "Front Page Story" and "The
Seekers."

Dirk Bogarde, in just his second
appearance on the poll, moved up
three notches from last year, starring
in what was undoubtedly one of the
most popular films seen here in many
a moon, "Doctor in the House."

The sensation of this year's poll is
the emergence of Norman Wisdom
who rocketed to third place with just
one film comedy to his credit,
"Trouble in Store." The fact that he's
been a television personality for sev-
eral years was no detriment.

Miss Johns Versatile

The distinction of being the only
woman among men goes to Glynis
Johns, whose talents were demon-
strated most lucidly this past year.
From the love-sick high school girl
of "Personal Afl:'air" to the righteous
and proper missionary of "The Beach-
comber" to the dual role of an amor-
ous mermaid and a prim sports mis-
tress in "Mad About Men," Miss
Johns skipped with dexterity.

Kenneth More, another newcomer
this year, made his film debut just six
short years ago in "Scott of the
Antarctic." After playing minor roles
in major pictures, he really became a
screen personality when seen as the
frustrated bachelor in "Genevieve."

The next three gentlemen on the
list are old hands at this popularity
game. Alec Guinness appears for the
fourth straight year, while Anthony
Steel and Ronald Shiner are both
making their third consecutive go-

John Wayne Is Poll Victor

{Continued from page 1)

Brando. The three they replaced from
last year's Top Ten were Bob Hope,
Susan Hayward and Randolph Scott.
An interesting sidelight to the results
is the fact that Bing Crosby, who had
but one film in release in the period
covered by the poll, was able to main-
tain a place among the winners. He
and Gary Cooper are the only winners
this year to appear in the Money-
Makers fifteen times.

Martin & Lewis Hold Spot

Martin & Lewis, in runner-up posi-
tion in the 1954 poll, held that same
rank in 1953, behind Gary Cooper,
after finishing on the top rung, above
Cooper and Wayne, in that order, the
year before.

Gary Cooper, who took Number
One spot last year on his 14th appear-
ance in the Top Ten listing, is back
for a 15th listing that sets a record
of poll longevity matched by that of
only one other player.

James Stewart, who finished fourth
in 1954 on his fourth earning of Top
Ten rank, is sharply up in standing
from last year's seventh, and this can
be no surprise to folks who know
what a couple of his pictures, "The
Glenn Miller Story" and "Rear Win-
dow," earned for exhibitors during the
twelve-month.

Marilyn Monroe, a first-timer in
last year's poll, is up from sixth place
to fifth in the 1954 scale of personality
values, a rise that a superficial ob-
server of the young woman's progress
could comprehensibly regard as less
meteoric than was to be expected.
Alan Ladd Is Back Again

Alan Ladd, whose return to Top
Ten rank last year after an absence
since 1947, is present again, in sixth
place, in consequence of a steadily sus-
tained succession of appropriately
spaced releases keeping ever fresh in
popular mind the memory of "Shane."

William Holden, of "Stalag 17,"

which won him an Oscar, of "Execu-
tive Suite" and of "Sabrina," to name
but three in one of the longest lists of
successful pictures ever run up by an
actor of his career years, 15, took
down seventh place in his first appear-
ance in Top Ten company.

Crosby Included 15 Times

Bing Crosby, an undoubtedly undis-
turbed eighth in this year's poll, is the
only player in the 1954 leadership who
shares with Gary Cooper the distinc-
tion of 15 appearances in the Top Ten.
He's held, over the years, nearly all
the poll positions there are to hold, and
with "White Christmas" and "Country
Girl" on their way toward new box
office totals for him there's no reason
to be found in precedent why he
shouldn't one day duplicate Duke
Wayne's feat in returning to Number
One spot again.

Jane Wyman, an Oscar winner of
years standing, a first-flight actress
since 1936, and a Stars-of-Tomorrow
poll winner in 1942, is a newcomer to
Top Ten territory in the 1954 Money-
Making Stars poll, an arrival that
looks to the unexploring eye a bit
tardy.

'Waterfront' Boosted Brando

The third and final newcomer to the
Top Ten division of the Money-Mak-
ing Stars poll in 1945 is Marlon
Brando, who finished in 10th position.
Deductions, calculations and analyses
looking toward explanation of this
controversial young actor's leap from
commercial nowhere to drawing-
power rank among the topmost can
cover a wide range and prove nothing
so significant, trade-wise, as the fact
that the vote shows this to be the case.
If a single picture has had more than
his others to do with the Brando leap
to the top of the heap there is large
ground for belief that it would be "On
the Waterfront."

round. Guimiess, who is perhaps the
most popular British star in the
United States, recently cavorted as
"Father Brown" ("The Detective" to
our American readers), another one
in his delightful characterizations.

Anthony Steel has become one of
our most traveled stars in recent
years. His recent excursion to Africa
for "West of Zanzibar," the well re-
ceived sequel to the well received
"Where No Vultures Fly," was the
dominant factor in his being pushed
up several notches on this year's poll.
Ronald Shiner, who came from no-
where to capture the Number One
spot in 1952, was kept in the higher
echelon this year with "Innocents in
Paris" and "Up to His Neck."

Disney Work Helped Todd

Richard Todd, who returned to
America where he just completed "A
Man Called Peter," was able to re-
appear this year in the poll thanks
mainly to an American, Walt Disney
by name. His starring roles in Dis-
ney's recent live-action shows filmed
over here gave him the proper boost.

Last, but bromidically not least, is
everybody's favorite, John Mills. The
perpetually youthful Mills has been a
winner five previous times, but His
recent roles in "The Gentle Gunman,"
"The Long Memory" and especially
"Hobson's Choice" have once more
made him an exhibitor's delight.

In the International Poll, four of
last year's winners (all U. S. players)

RKO Status Quo

{Continued jrom page 1)

company's offer to purchase RKO
Pictures stock at $6 per share ter-
minates, as announced Dec. 16. The
offer was not applicable to Hughes,
owner ol 1,262,120 shares, for he al-
lowed a Dec. 15 expiration date for
him to pass. In addition. Atlas Corp.,
which claims to own or control be-
tween 900,000 and 1,000,000 shares,
has advised RKO Pictures that it will
not tender its stock on or before to-
morrow's experiation date.

A company spokesman, asked if
any of the stockholders took advan-
tage of the tender bid since the Dec.
16 announcement, replied in the nega-
tive, pointing out that the stock on
the New York Stock Exchange is
selling at over $8 per share. Between
700,000 and 800,000 shares of stock,
exclusive of the stock owned by
Hughes and Atlas, are still outstand-
ing, it was stated.

were replaced this year by two Ameri-
cans and two home-grown products.
Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, John Wayne
and Stewart Granger left in favor of
James Stewart, Burt Lancaster, Dirk
Bogarde and Norman Wisdom.

Of course, the phenomenal Danny
Kaye, who is worshipped by the Brit-
ons, merely had to bat his eye once
this year to be a winner and that one
flicker was "Knock on Wood."

Rogers in 12th Win
As Western Player

Roy Rogers, the perennial winner
as the best "Money-Making Star" in
the Western
field in the
"Motion Pic-
ture Herald"
annual poll of
American ex-
hibitors, has
scored his 12th
cons ecuti ve
victory in this
year's ballot-
ing, which is
the 23rd annual
poll of the
publication.

In second
place, behind
Rogers, was Gene Autry, his sixth
time in the runner-up position. In
third, fourth and fifth positions were
Rex Allen, Bill Elliott and George
"Gabby" Hayes.

Roy Rogers

M-G-M Sets

{Continued from page 1)

that as soon as details can be worked
out for the benefit of local exhibitors
and M-G-M, at least a dozen more
Workshops will be added to the pro-
gram. In each instance, Simons will
be accompanied by Emery Austin,
M-G-M exploitation manager.

Starts in Denver Jan. 12

The opening gun of the new six-
month program will be sparked off in
Denver at the Cosmopolitan Hotel on
Jan. 12. Members of the Rocky Moun-
tain COMPO will attend in full force,
according to Henry Friedel, branch
manager, -who has been assured that
every member who can attend will be
on band to hear first-hand the various
speakers expounding their beliefs and
accomplishments under the new trend
of show business. Pat McGee, leading
exhibitor in the territory, is cooperat-
ing with M-G-M, in this endeavor.

Already announced as the drive-in
theatre panelist is Al Reynolds, gen-
eral manager for Claude Ezell and
Associates of Dallas, and small town
theatre guest speaker L. J. (Bill)
Williams, operator of theatres at
Union, Owensville, and Herman, Mo.
These men will be supplemented by
another exhibitor to be announced
next week, as well as two other local
men of high standing in the Denver
area. No more than 300 theatre men
are expected to attend.

Jackson, Memphis Scheduled

The other two Workshops sched-
uled for January are those in Jackson,
Miss., on Jan. 24, and one in Memphis
on Jan. 27. In February, there will
be one in Richmond on Feb. 8, and
another in Detroit on Feb. 22. In
March, there will be one in Columbus,
O., March 1, another in Kansas City,
March 3 and the third in Dallas,
March 9.

In April, the list will be headed by
a meeting in Atlanta, on the 12th,
followed by one in Buffalo on the
18th, and a third session in Jackson-
ville on the 26th. For May the first
get-together will be held in Billings,
Mont., on the 10th of the month fol-
lowed by one in Charlotte on May 16.
For June 13, a Workshop is definitely
set for the Lafonda Hotel in Santa
Fe, N. M.

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Motion Picture Daily

Thursday, December 30, 1954

National
Pre-Selling

LOUIS BERG. "This Week's"
movie editor, traveled to Egypt to
gather material for a location story of
Warner's "Land of the Pharaohs." The
story appears in the Dec. 26th issue
on a two-page spread illustrated with
photos in full color on the site of the
great Pyramid. In the same issue
there is a striking color ad on "So
This Is Paris."

The Wichita "Kansas Eagle" will
be added to "This Week's" list of
newspapers on Feb. 6. This will bring
the total to 35. The present circulation
is 11,003,213.

Florence Somers has written laud-
atory reviews in "Redbook's" Jan-
uary issue for M-G-M's "Deep In
My Heart," U-I's "Sign of the Pa-
gan" and U.A.'s "Twist of Fate."
In the same issue there is an eye-
catching color ad on U-I's "So This
Is Paris."

Paramount's "The Country Gud"
was selected by "Coronet" as the best
picture of the month in the January
issue. In the same issue there is ticket
selling color ad on U.I.'s "So This
Is Paris."

"Look" has selected James Dean,
who has made only one picture for
Warner's ("East of Eden"), as a
bright new star of 1955. The story
on Dean appears in "Look's" cur-
rent issue.

Reviews

"Port of Hell'

(Allied Artists)

A GOOD, steady cast headed by Dane Clark and Wayne Morris help
sustain the dramatic and suspenseful mood in "Port of Hell," an Allied
Artists release which is a fairly good little picture. Producer William F.
Broidy has told the story here in a straight fashion with no frills attached,

but for a modest feature, it runs somewhat lengthy. ^

Clark, the port warden of Los Angeles harbor, is not well-liked by the
dockworkers as he adheres to the very letter of the law. The necessity for
this stringent over-protection is realized when a mysterious freighter docks.
The strange actions of its captain lead Clark to investigate and eventually
discover that the ship is carrying an atomic bomb which is to be electronically
detonated within 24 hours from, another ship at sea.

Not wanting to cause a panic ^among the citizens and not having time
to call for naval help, Clark enlists the aid of Morris, a tugboat captain and
one of his bitterest adversaries. The remainder of the film is a tense race
against time with Morris realizing for the first time the enormity of the
port warden's job.

Carole Mathews plays Morris' sister and the one escape from loneliness
that Clark has. Marshal Thompson is seen as Clark's crippled assistant and
the only one who understands him. All the actors, perform capably under
Harold Schuster's direction. The screenplay was written by Tom Hubbard,
Fred Eggers and Gil Doud from a story by Doud and D. D. Beauchamp.

Running time, 80 minutes. General audience classification. Release, in
December.

Perspecta Licenses
To More Producers

Two more European film makers
have received royalty-free licenses to
use Perspecta stereophonic sound in
all their productions. This followed
last week's announcement that two
studios in Paris and one in Rome
are now equipped to handle recording
of Perspecta sound tracks for Euro-
pean producers and that three more
sound studios in London, Berlin and
Barcelona will shortly complete in-
stallation of Perspecta recording
equipment.

The two producing companies, both
of Italy, are Incom and Thetis Films.
Thetis Films' most important picture,
"The King's Musketeers," is now hav
ing a Perspecta track recorded at
Suonitalia Studios in Rome. Incom
will shortly announce titles of its
pictures which will have Perspecta
stereophonic sound.

HelVs Outpost

{Republic)

BASED on Luke Short's novel, "Silver Jack," this is a fast-moving adven-
ture film that has been given a more intriguing title. A competent group
of players has been cast, including Rod Cameron, Joan Leslie and Chill Wills.
Good acting and plenty of action should provide favorable reaction from
general audiences, despite predictable events.

One of the most downright nasty characters to appear within recent memory
s the villain of the film, John Russell. He sneers and snarls and tries every
thing, including murder, to get his own way. He's almost too bad to be true.

Russell is, for all practical purposes, running the mining town of Azurite,
as the local banker and bully. Cameron, Korean veteran, comes to the town
ostensibly to pay his respects to Wills, father of his late buddy. His actual
purpose is to work his way into a partnership with Wills in the latter's
valuable tungsten mining claims

After accomplishing this, he then has to overcome the various treacheries
that Russell, who wants the mine for himself, attempts. The climax is reached
when Russell dynamites the mining road and tries to kill Cameron. His plot,
naturally, backfires and Cameron proves to be more of a hero than a heel.

Miss Leslie provides the love interest and one of the main reasons for battle
between the two adversaries. Prominent in support are Jim Davis as the local
newspaperman and Kristine Miller as his sweetheart and Russell's ill-treated
sister.

There are a couple of slam-bang fist fights and chases that should provide
the audience with sufficient thrills for an evening. Joe Kane did double duty
,is associate producer and director and Kenneth Gamet wrote the screenplay.

Running time, 90 minutes. General classification. For December release.

NLRB

(Continued from page 1)

individual filed unfair labor practice
charges against an association of mo-
tion picture theatre owners. In a
former case involving the same com-
panies, the board took jurisdiction on
the basis that bargaining was on a
multi-employer unit. Subsequently,
however, group bargaining was aban-
doned and the theatres or theatre cir-
cuits bargained on an individual basis.

The announcement said the evidence
disclosed that the contracts negotiated
by the theatres differed from case to
case, and that "apparently grievances
are now being handled on an individ-
ual theatre basis, rather than on an
association-wide basis."

Operations Considered Minor
Investigation also revealed, it was
said, that the largest operation in-
volved, a chain of 14 or 15 theatres,
annually paid only $300,000 in film
rentals. It was decided that the oper-
ations of the parties, considered on
a separate basis, would not warrant
the assertion of jurisdiction, and that
since association-wide bargaining had
been abandoned, "the size of the oper-
ations as it pertains to individual
chains is not such as to warrant as-
sertion of jurisdiction."

'Cinerama Holiday'
Set for Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, Dec. 29.— "Cine-
rama Holiday" will replace "This Is
Cinerama" on Feb. 16 at the local
Warner Theatre. The first Cinerama
opus will have enjoyed a 61-week
run in Pittsburgh for a record that
will probably never be topped here
again.

To Continue Imperial
Pictures in Cleve,

CLEVELAND, Dec. 29.— Imperial
Pictures, Inc., owned and operated by
the late Bernard Rubin, will continue
operation with Mrs. Rubin and Al
Sunshine at its head.

Announcement of the new partner-
ship was made yesterday. Sunshine,
who also owns Advanads, manufac-
turer of coming attraction strips,
states there will be no change in policy
or personnel. He will handle product
buying and picture selling, while Mrs.
Rubin will assist in the office of the
organization.

Imperial Pictures, Inc., is the only

Target Earth

(Abtcon-Allied Artists) Hollywood, Dec. 29

THE ticket-selling power in this science fiction melodrama appears to
depend on, Richard Denning, the single name of marquee meaning to
work with in straight billing, and on the devices of suspense promotion
which have been developed for purpose of this kind since the science fiction
cycle began. Audiences with tastes pertaining to science fiction and suspense,
mixed with a little action, will find this film getting off to a fast start
and then slowing down to a crawl which largely negates the suspenseful
beginning.

This is a picture that needs advance selling pointed toward getting the
right kind of audience to see it.

The excellent opening shows a large city on the morning after it has been
evacuated by civil defense authorities following an attack by robots which
arrive from an unknown source. Only a handful of people who slept through
the evacuation alarms are still in the city, and they realize, after seeing
one of the robots kill a man with a light-ray, that they probably can't escape.
The main thread of the story follows these people through their restricted
experiences, mostly with each other, and the secondary thread takes care
of the Army's attempts, finally successful, to stop the invading robots.

Others in the film, besides Denning, are Kathleen Crowley, Virginia Grey,
Richard Reeves, Robert Roark, Mort Marshall and Arthur Space. This film
is an Abtcon Pictures production produced by Herman Cohen and directed
by Sherman A. Rose. William Raynor wrote the screenplay from an original
story by Paul W. Fairman.

Running time, 75 minutes. General classification. W. R. W.

independent distributing organization
in Northern Ohio. It owns Lippert,
Filmakers, DCA and other important
franchises. Sunshine and Mrs. Rubin

will carry out Rubin's announced
plans to discontinue as rapidly as pos-
sible the reissue policy and go in for
the release of quality, new product.

Continue LJA Lead

United Artists' New York, Char-
lotte and Calgary branches have re-
tained first place in their respective
groups in the third week of the third
lap of the Robert S. Benjamin drive,
it was announced by William J.
Heineman, vice-president in charge of
distribution, and B. G. Kranze, gen-
eral sales manager, who are serving
as co-captains of the push saluting the
company's chairman of the board.

6 RKO Films Here

Six RKO pictures are playing in
various sections of the Metropolitan
area.

Theatres throughout the city are
playing Michael Myerberg's "Hansel
and Gretel." The RKO Palace is
currently running Allan Dowling's
"This Is My Love," and in other the-
atres, are "Passion," "Silver Lode,"
"Decameron Nights" and "Sins of
Rome."

Studios' $300,000
For Film Museum

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 29. —
Major studios have expressed
their willingness to subscribe
the $300,000 debentures re-
quired to finalize plans for the
construction of the Motion Pic-
ture Industry Museum, Motion
Picture Daily learned today.
The entire proceeds from the
museum's operations would go
toward maintenance of the Mo-
tion Picture Relief Fund.

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