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1
I
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
ccurate
mm
VOL. 72. NO. 65
NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1952
TEN CENTS
Launch RKO \Frisch Is Elected
MMPTA President
Radio Meet \Rosen Heads Board
Here Today
Stolkin Due in; Expect
Management Decisions
With Ralph Stolkin, head of the
syndicate which last week pur-
chased the controlling- stock interest
in RKO Pictures from Howard
Hughes scheduled to arrive here to-
day from Chicago, preparations were
made yesterday for a full-scale meet-
ing of company heads with the new
owners today and tomorrow.
Presumably the meetings will be ot
an executive nature inasmuch as no
notice of a meeting of the board of
directors had gone out up to last night.
One explanation offered was that the
new owners, under their purchase
agreement with Hughes, will not have
voting rights to the stock until early
next week— two weeks after the clos-
ing of the deal.
Nevertheless, an RKO Pictures
spokesman indicated yesterday that a
statement probably will be issued fol-
lowing the close of the meeting to-
morrow.
Meanwhile, unofficial reports con-
{Continued on page 4)
AT&T Promises TV
Cost Data by Dec. 31
Washington, Sept. 30. — Officials
of the American Telephone and Tele-
graph Co. promised to try to have
ready "before the end of the year"
detailed theatre television cost fig-
ures long sought by the film industry.
The promise was made at a lengthy
afternoon meeting today between offi-
cials of A. T. and T.'s long lines divi-
sion and spokesmen for the Motion
Picture Association and the National
{Continued on page 4)
Aylesworth Dies
After Long Illness
Merlin Hall Aylesworth, 66, former
president and chairman of Radio-
Keith- Orpheum Corp. and Radio Pic-
tures, Inc., first president of National
Broadcasting Co., and former pub
lisher of the New York World. Tele
gram, died here yesterday after a long
illness, at St. Luke's Hospital.
Aylesworth was president and chair
man of RKO in 1937-38 after 10 years
{Continued on page 2)
Emanuel Frisch of Randforce
Amusement Co.
yesterday was
elected presi-
dent of the
Metropol-
itan Motion
Picture Thea-
tres Asso-
ciation at the
annual meeting
of the organiza-
tion's member-
ship and board
at the St. Mo-
ritz Hotel here.
His term of
office will be two years.
Frisch succeeds the late Edward N.
Rugoff, whose duties as president
were handled since his death on Sept.
17 by Solomon M. Strausberg, first
{Continued on page S)
Emanuel Frisch
STARR'S AIM: ONE
EXHIBITOR * FORUM*
2 -Theatre Premiere
Set for 'Andersen'
Completion of arrangements for a
two-theatre world premiere here of
Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans Christian
Andersen" at the Criterion and Paris
theatres around Thanksgiving time
was announced yesterday.
The simultaneous pre-release en-
gagements will be on a continuous
performance policy at both theatres.
According to spokesmen for the the-
atres, regular admission scales will be
{Continued on page 4)
'Because,' 'Loves,'
'Widow'OpenStrong
At B'way lst-runs
Strong openings for "Because You're
Mine," "Somebody Loves Me" and
"The Merry Widow" featured this
week's grosses at New York first-run
theatres
At Radio City Music Hall, a fine
$145,000 is forecast for the first seven
days of "Because You're Mine," while
a solid $90,000 is indicated in the ini-
tial week of "Somebody Loves Me" at
the Roxy. Both the Hall and Roxy
feature stage shows.
"The Merry Widow" at Loew's
State is expected to hit a healthy
{Continued on page 4)
Says Films Ignore
Vast Patronage
The industry is overlooking a "gold
mine" by not acting to get an esti-
mated 25,000,000 persons in towns
with populations under 200,000 to at-
tend theatres, Alfred Starr, Theatre
Owners of America president, said
here yesterday. He said these persons
are in the "over age 30" group.
They are the kind of persons, Starr
said, who seem to be unable to deter-
mine whether pictures showing in their
{Continued on page 5)
DECIDE NOT TO ASK N. Y.
TRIAL OF 16mm. SUIT
Production-distribution company defendants in the govern-
ment's anti-trust suit to compel the licensing of 16mm. feature
films to television and other non-theatrical users have decided
not to ask for a change of venue which would transfer trial
of the suit from the Los Angeles Federal District court, where
it was filed, to the New York Federal court, in whose jurisdic-
tion the defendants have their principal places of business.
The matter has been under study by the defendants since
the filing of the suit last July. A much earlier trial of the
government action is now in prospect as a result of the decision
not to request the transfer. The Federal court docket in New
York is the most congested of any in the country and predic-
tions had been made that the case might not be tried for
several years if it were to be transferred here.
While there are no reliable estimates of when the case might
come to trial in Los Angeles, it is generally believed that it
might be anywhere from a year to two years earlier than in
New York.
Says He Will Meet With
Allied Leaders Soon to
Discuss Exhibitor Unity
Alfred Starr, newly-elected The-
atre Owners of America president,
yesterday said he will take steps to
bring about the formation of a
single, all-embracing exhibitor organi-
zation or "forum."
Here from Nashville, where
he makes his business head-
quarters, Starr told trade press
reporters in his first interview
since his election on Sept. 15
that the day when exhibitors
are thus united for the purpose
of solving common problems
"can't come too soon."
The TOA chief executive indicated
that the first step he will take in the
direction of achieving this goal will
be to confer with such Allied leaders
as Abram F. Myers, board chairman ;
Wilbur Snaper, president, and True-
man T. Rembusch, ex-president.
Starr said he expected to be invited
to attend Allied's national convention
{Continued on page 5)
Film Anti-Trust
Cases on the Rise
Washington, Sept. 30. — Henry P.
Chandler, director of the administra-
tive office of the Federal courts, noted
in his annual report that the number
of private anti-trust suits increased to
the greatest figure in recent years and
"a considerable proportion of private
cases were brought against motion pic-
ture companies."
Chandler cited a study in the Yale
Law Review of June- July which
shows the large percentage of film in-
dustry private anti-trust suits.
TOA Poll on 16mm.
Suit Starts Soon
TOA within a week will
send its member units a bul-
letin asking them to vote on
whether the organization
should seek defendant status
in the government's 16mm.
anti-trust suit, Alfred Starr,
president, said here yester-
day. The complaint dubbed
TOA a "co-conspirator."
2
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, October 1, 1952
Personal
Mention
Construction Controls Cut
Pushed Back to May 1
SAMUEL GOLDWYN and Mrs.
Goldwyn plan to leave here for
Hollywood tomorrow night.
•
William W. Howard, RKO The-
atres vice-president in charge of op-
eration, accompanied by Edmund
Grainger, head of RKO Theatres film
buying and booking, and Harry
Mandel, national director of adver-
tising-publicity, will leave here tomor-
row for the Coast by plane.
•
Harding Macdona has been ap-
pointed account executive and con-
tact man on most of the major motion
picture accounts for Cosmopolitan
magazine. He will make his office
here.
Samuel Pinanski, president of
American Theatres Corp. of Boston,
has been reelected chairman of the
board of trustees of the Lowell Tex-
tile School, at Lowell, Mass.
•
Aubrey C. Couch, Wilby-Kincey
Knoxville, Tenn., city manager, has
been discharged from the hospital
there after treatment for a hand in-
jury.
•
Seymore Mayer, Loew's Interna-
tional regional director for the Far
East, returned yesterday from a three-
week visit to his territory.
•
Robert H. O'Brien, United Para-
mount Theatres secretary-treasurer, is
in Greenbrier, W. Va., and will re-
turn to New York next Monday.
John Wolfberg, head of Wolfberg
Theatres, with headquarters in Den-
ver, arrived here yesterday en route to
Washington.
Max E. Youngstein, United Art-
ists vice-president, has returned to
New York from a swing around the
country.
•
Kenneth Grossman, assistant to
L. K. Sydney, M-G-M studio ex-
ecutive, is in New York from the
Coast.
•
E. S. Gregg, vice-president and gen-
eral manager of Westrex Corp., left
here yesterday for Hollywood.
Disney to Represent
Independent Artists
Frederick Brisson and Roy Disney
have completed negotiations whereby
Walt Disney Productions will be the
world sales representatives for Bris-
son's Independent Artists Pictures,
Inc.
"Never Wave at A WAC," which
producer Brisson has just completed,
with Rosalind Russell, Marie Wilson
and Paul Douglas, will be the first
of the Independent Artists films to
be handled by the Disney organiza-
tion. The arrangement marks the first
time Disney has accepted the sales
representation for an independent.
RKO Radio is distributing "Never
Wave at A WAC."
Washington, Sept. 30. — National
Production Authority officials have
made a surprise decision to push back
to May 1 the proposed relaxation of
theatre construction curbs.
Earlier, this relaxation had been
promised for April 1. NPA was sup-
posed to issue tomorrow the order
making this relaxation official. Now
the date for issuing the order is Fri-
day, and NPA officials said one rea-
son for the delay was that the effec-
tive date has been shoved back and
this required some last-minute changes
in the order.
The May 1 date is still tentative,
and it might be April 1 again by the
time the order is isued. But NPA
officials said they doubted this. They
declared that the reason for pushing
the date back was that they felt it
better to be safe and put the proposed
relexation further off, and then move
it up later, rather than to put it too
early and have to postpone it later.
They pointed out that a meeting of
construction industry officials has been
called for Oct. 29, and that this meet-
ing might recommend an earlier re-
laxation of theatre construction curbs,
possibly as early as Jan. 1 or Feb. 1.
Under the proposed relaxation, per-
sons planning to build theatres could
self-authorize — write their own priori-
ties— for limited amounts of steel, cop-
per and aluminum, and would stand
a far better chance of getting NPA
allotments of even larger amounts.
AM PA Class In
Larger Quarters
The Associated Motion Picture Ad-
vertisers classes on advertising and
promotion has been required to find
larger quarters for the weekly ses-
sions. Tomorrow evening's class will
meet at six o'clock at the 20th Cen-
tury-Fox Little Theatre.
Paul N. Lazarus, Jr., Columbia
executive, will discuss the home office
advertising and publicity operations
of a motion picture company at this
second lecture in the ten-week course.
Small, Todd to Make
Second Joint Film
"Sodom and Gomorrah," to be
filmed in color, has been chosen as tine
second of three pictures which Ed-
ward Small and Mike Todd will make
in association abroad for United Art-
ists release, UA announced.
The film is on the producers' com-
bined slate for late in 1953, after com-
pletion of "The Vikings," their first
joint color picture for which Todd
is now in Europe organizing facilities.
First Drive for Audio
Audio Pictures has started its first
sales drive, during which it will honor
its president, Arthur Gottlieb. The
drive is to run through Dec. 11, and
has as its goal a quota of $150,000 in
screen advertising rentals for the 400
theatres with which Audio holds
agreements.
Cinerama Process
Found Impressive
"This Is Cinerama" premiered be-
fore a packed audience of notables at
the Broadway Theatre here last night
and revealed itself as an amazing
process capable of capturing audiences
hitherto untouched or television-bound.
At its best in breath-taking pano-
ramas and startling close-ups, this
process enrapts an audience with its
three-dimensional effect. The color by
Technicolor film opened with a roller
coaster ride that elicited excited mur-
murs and spontaneous applause, as did
the sequences that followed.
The two-hour program included
films of a prologue by Lowell Thomas ;
a dance of the priestesses from
"Aida" ; a helicopter view of Niagara
Falls ; the Long Island Choral So-
ciety singing- Handel's "The Mes-
siah" ; Venetian boatmen in gondolas ;
the Gathering of the Clans in Scot-
Ian ; a bullfight and native dances in
Spain ; the triumphal march from
"Aida," performed by the La Scala
Opera Company in Milan; the Vien-
na Boys Choir singing ; a tour of the
Tyrol in Wolfgang; the Water Car-
nival at Cypress Gardens in Florida ;
and "America the Beautiful," sung
by the Salt Lake City Tabernacle
Choir while an aerial tour of U. S. A.
landmarks is shown.
For the special process William
Lescaze Associates, architects, de-
signed mechanical construction for the
Broadway Theatre. Three projection
booths were set into the balcony, each
projector filling one third of the Cin-
erama screen, which is 51 feet wide
and 26 feet high. The curved screen
was specially designed by Fred Wal-
ler, inventor of the process, and is
not one great sheet, but consists of
1,100 vertical strips of perforated tape
set at angles like louvres of a side-
ways Venetian blind. The stereo-
phonic sound effect is obtained with
the placement of five speakers behind
the screen, one on each sound wall,
and one at the rear of the theatre.
These speakers convey the sounds as
recorded at similar positions by the
same number of microphones during
the original shooting.
William R. Latady, vice-president
of Cinerama, Inc., expects that in
future theatre design the projection
booths can be built directly into the
balcony. Estimates of installation
costs vary from $35,000 to $70,000
with an average of about $50,000. All
equipment is designed to be portable
and plug-in, and will be leased to
theatre owners by Cinerama. The
second Cinerama camera has been
completed and projection equipment
is ready for installation in theatres
in the United States and England.
Kearney Promoted
The appointment of Don L. Kearney
as national sales manager of Ameri-
can Broadcasting Co.'s television sta-
tions was announced by Slocum
Chapin, vice-president.
Newsreel
Parade
A LL current newsreels except Tele-
-fl news Digest offer an identical
special feature on Gen. Eisenhower,
compiled from the footage of the par-
ticipating companies. It is to be fol-
loivcd with a similar feature on Adlai
Stevenson. The listing follows:
FOX MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 80.— The
Eisenhower Story.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 210.— The
Eisenhower Story.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 13. — The
Eisenhower Story.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 40A.— French
troops drop behind Red lines. Cattle round-
up by helicopter. New diving- bell tries for
record. Eden visits Figl in Vienna. Chur-
chill ends vacation. John Cobb killed test-
ing new jet boat. Michigan State 27—
Michigan, 13. International sailing regatta.
UNIVERSAL NEWS, No. 600. — The
"Ike" Story.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 15.— The
Eisenhower Story.
Three 20th-Fox Films
Set for Roxy Here
Three of 20th Century-Fox's top
color in Technicolor productions of
the year have been dated into the
Roxy Theatre, it was revealed by the
company yesterday.
The pictures, which will be shown
at the house starting in late October
or early November, are "Way of A
Gaucho," produced by Philip Dunne
and directed by Jacques Tourneur ;
Damon Runyon's "Bloodhounds of
Broadway," produced by George Jes-
sel and directed by Harmon Jones,
and "Pony Soldier," produced by
Samuel G. Engel and directed by Jo-
seph M. Newman.
Aylesworth
{Continued- from page 1)
as president of NBC beginning in
1926. Aylesworth left RKO to join
the Scripps-Howard newspapers man-
agement and was named publisher of
the World-Telegram in 1938. He was
a lawyer by profession but was active
for most of his life in radio, motion
pictures and public utilities.
From 1934 to 1945 he was board
chairman of Radio City Music Hall.
In 1941 he was appointed chief of the
radio section of the Office of the Co-
ordinator of Inter-American Affairs
and its executive consultant. Ayles-
worth was the first to lease a theatre
for the "live" presentation of radio
programs before an audience.
From 1914-18 he was chairman of
the Colorado Public Utilities Com-
mission and then was executive vice-
president of the Utah Power & Light
Co. Later he was managing director
of the National Electric Light Asso-
ciation and toward the close of his
career was chairman of the executive
committee of Ellington & Co., Inc., an
advertising firm.
Mrs. Gala Levy, 84
Mrs. Gala Levy, 84, mother of Joel
Levy of Loew's Theatres film booking
department here, died Monday after
a long illness. The funeral, held yes-
terday, was private.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel Production Manager: Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine
Building, William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11
North Clark Street, FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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; International Motion Picture 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
SELL
your
SHOWS
DISPLAYAWAY
mmmi,\Ciee/i service
\_J PR/zeaasy of memousmv
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, October 1, 1952
RKO Meeting
(Continued from page 1)
N.Y. Grosses
(Continued from page 1)
cerning the company's future executive
set-up increased by the hour. One,
widely circulated, but lacking con-
firmation, was that Arnold Grant, one
of the attorneys who acted for the
Stolkin group in the purchase nego-
tiations, would become chairman of
the board; Stolkin would assume the
presidency and Sherrill Corwin, Los
Angeles exhibitor and a member of
the purchasing group, would head the
studio.
Earlier reports were that Stolkin
would be named board chairman and
Ned E. Depinet would continue _ as
president. Queried yesterday, Depinet
said he had no information concerning
the plans of the new owners.
Arrived Yesterday
Arriving here yesterday from the
Coast for the sessions were Grant,
Sidney Korshak and Gordon Young-
man, Hollywood attorneys who rep-
resented the Stolkin group in the ne-
gotiations. Arriving today in addition
to Stolkin will be Corwin and Greg
Bautzer, the latter also of counsel for
Stolkin.
Advance reports on the meetings
included one that RKO Pictures'
financing will be given extended and
immediate attention by the new own-
ers. The company has a $5,000,000
revolving credit with Bankers Trust
Co. here, which reportedly is shared
by the Mellon Bank of Pittsburgh.
Re-negotiation of the credit by the
new owners may be necessary, accord-
ing to one report. In this connection,
Hughes confirmed last week that if
called upon to do so by the new own-
ers, he is committeed to making an
$8,000,000 loan to RKO Pictures.
Milton Pickman, vice-president of
Wald-Krasna Prod., arrived here from
trie Coast yesterday in connection with
an approach made to Jerry Wald by
Corwin for the former to head pro-
duction at the RKO Pictures studio.
Pickman returned to the Coast last
night. Before his departure he _ indi-
cated that it was premature to discuss
such a deal at this time but might re-
turn here later, pending future devel-
opments.
W.C. Stober Leaves
General Register
$35,000 for its first week. ; At the
Rivoli, a strong $68,000 was indicated
for the second week of "Snows of
Kilimanjaro."
"Son of Paleface" opens today at
the Paramount Theatre and the pre-
miere will be highlighted throughout
the day by personal appearances of
Bob Hope, who recently returned
from Europe. The second and final
week of "Big Jim McLane" 'at .the
Paramount was due to hit $53,UUU.
The second inning of "One Minute
to Zero" at the Criterion is forecast
to hit an excellent $27,000, while a
nice $36,000 is seen for the sixth week
of "The Quiet Man" at the Capitol.
"Lure of the Wilderness" replaces
"You for Me" on Friday at the Globe,
which is expected to register a rather
weak $8,500 for its seven-day engage-
ment.
'Noon' in 10th Week
TV Cost Data
(Continued, from page 1)
A good $17,500 is indicated for the
10th week of "High Noon" at the
Mayfair. "World in His Arms ' bows
there Oct 9. For the sixth stanza
of "Miracie of Our Lady of Fatima"
a nice $15,000 is forecast by the Astor.
"Affair in Trinidad" at the Victoria
is expected to hit a more than satis-
factory $13,000 for its ninth week.
Among off-Broadway houses, "The
Magic Box" opened to a healthy
$10,400 for its first seven days at the
Normandie. Still doing well is "Ivory
Hunter" at the 52nd Street Trans-
Lux where $5,200 is seen for the pic-
ture's sixth week. At the Park Ave-
nue, a robust $6,000 is estimated for
the third inning of "The Amazing
Monsieur Fabre."
The long-standing hold-over, Man
in the White Suit," at the Sutton is
expected to do a fine $5,400 for its
26th week, while the seventh round
of "Stranger in Between" at the Fine
Arts is due to register a nice $4,000.
"This is Cinerama" opened last
night at the Broadway Theatre to a
capacity audience and the advance
two-a-day sale of tickets indicates an
eight-week sell-out. The advance sale
for "Limelight," which will open on
a roadshow basis at the 60th Street
Trans-Lux on Oct. 23, was described
yesterday as "excellent."
Exhibitors Theatre Television Com-
mittee.
MPAA and NETTC have been
prodding A. T. and T. for months for
detailed transmission cost figures, for
use in the coming Federal Communi-
cations Commission hearings on the-
atre television. The A. T. and T.
people have been saying that all their
cost data is based on a four megacycle
transmission band, and that they can't
supply financial information on the
10 mc band that the film industry
wants to use.
The meeting was set up today
to try and work out a middle
ground, and was apparently
successful. Participants said the
session, held at MPAA head-
quarters, had been "very pleas-
ant" and that "a very helpful
exchange of ideas on engineer-
ing problems" had taken place.
The upshot of the meeting was
that the A. T. and T. people said
they would "make every effort"
to have ready by Dec. 31 the
financial data sought by the film
industry.
W. C. Stober, general sales man-
ager of General Register Corp. for
the past six years, has resigned as
of today. Saul Hammer, officer of
the General Register Corp. for many
years, now heads the sales depart-
ment.
Stober has accepted a position with
the Burroughs Adding Machine in the
transportation division. He plans to
reside in Chicago, and have head-
quarters there.
All of Stober's employment has been
in the theatre equipment field begin-
ning in 1934 as shipping clerk for
National Theatre Supply Co.'s Seattle
branch.
Industry officials said the delay in
getting information from the phone
company would not interfere with
plans to start the FCC hearings on
Oct. 20. They pointed out that the
FCC had specified that the week or
so of hearings starting Oct. 20 was
to be devoted to a presentation of the
film industry's own engineering and
cost plans, and that the phone com-
pany testimony could well come later,
in the lengthier hearings scheduled to
start Jan. 12.
'Andersen'
(Continued, from page 1)
No Further Meetings
No further meetings are scheduled
at this time between the two groups,
officials said.
The A. T. and T. delegation con
sisted of six men, headed by Ernest
North, general counsel of the long
lines division, and Frank A. Cowan,
top engineer for the division. NETTC
was represented by attorney Marcus
Cohn and engineer Stuart Bailey.
MPAA was represented by attorneys
James L. Fly and Vincent Welch, en-
gineering adviser Andrew Inglis, Ed
Cooper of the MPAA staff, Earl
Sponable of 20th Century-Fox, Frank
Cahill of Warner Brothers, Lester
Isaac of Loew's and Richard Hod-
son of Paramount.
National
Pre-Selling
/COSMOPOLITAN for October
W faces a strong four-color, full-
page advertisement for "The Snows
of Kilimanjaro" opposite Louella
Parson's equally strong praise for
"Hemingway's Magic Touch," with
a following page of pictures and argu-
ment to support her theory. She says,
"All the romance, poetry, and thrill-
ing action of one of the great stories
of our time is faithfully translated to
the screen." Continuing, she gives
caption credit to "A musical comedy
— 'Just for You'," "an operatta, 'The
Merry Widow'," and "the inspiring-
story of a miracle, 'The Miracle of
Our Lady of Fatima'," which are
rated this month's best . . . Redbook
has a fine cover portrait of Kathryn
Grayson, and the caption, "the story
of an amazing girl who has solved,
all her problems but one — men." And,
inside Redbook, a color spread in
which she says, "I don't have dates
with men ; I marry them"— an unusual
statement from an unusual girl. Movie
editor Florence Somers' selection as
Redbook's Picture-of-the-Month is
"Sudden Fear."
•
American Legion Magazine for
October tells the story of how the
Reds made a sucker of Edward G.
Robinson, and gives the screen
star's view-point to its 3,600,000
readers: "If any man is accused
of Communism falsely, he owes it
to himself and the nation to make
a statement of his true position.
If he will not do so, I for one would
take the charges against him seri-
ously." Life carries a striking two-
color ad from RKO Radio on "The
Lusty Men"— "a fast buck, a fast
bronc, a fast thrill." And another
feature article on "The Shrinking
of Jose Ferrer," showing how the
actor is shortened 15 inches to play
the dwarfed Lautrec, a role that
will be more talked about than
"The Hunchback of Notre Dame."
in effect for the premiere engage-
ments. While terms were not dis-
closed, it was reported that the high-
est guarantees ever given a picture
by comparable Broadway houses are
involved. In the case of the Paris,
for example, the guarantee is under-
stood to be a minimum of $150,000,
with provisions which could boost the
producer's take well above that
amount.
Prior commitments of Radio City
Music Hall left it with no open date
earlier than around Jan. 15. With
Goldwyn aiming for a pre-Christmas
premiere, a Music Haill engagement
had to be ruled out.
"Andersen," in color by Techni-
color, stars Danny Kaye, with Jean-
maire and Farley Granger co-starred.
Moss Hart wrote the screenplay in
conjunction with Frank Loesser, who
composed the musical score. Charles
Vidor directed. Goldwyn told a press
conference here last week that the
picture will have to gross $8,000,000
to break even.
Schlanger Returns
Ben Schlanger, New York theatre
architect, and William A. Hoffberg,
engineer associated with him, have
returned here from a six-week visit
to Europe where many installations
of their synchronous-surround motion
picture screen are in progress. RCA
Photophone, Ltd., recently took over
distribution of the screen in Europe,
marketing it, as RCA does in the
U. S., under the name of "Synchro-
creen.
Milland Air Promotion
Ray Milland will make a series of
three taped broadcasts for the U. S.
State Department's "Voice of Amer-
ica" series about his latest starring
vehicle, "The Thief," for Central
Europe and Germany. "The Thief"
will have its world premiere at the
New York Roxy Theatre following
the current feature, "Somebody Loves
Me."
Ruth Harbert in Good Housekeep-
ing's November issue tells zvhy history
teachers are going to have a tall job
explaining when "Plymouth Adven-
ture" comes to both city and town
theatres. Helen Deutsch, who wrote
the screenplay after two years of
research here and in England, has
challenged many of our favorite fables
about passengers on the Mayflower's
heroic voyage. You'll be stunned to
learn what caused the loudest com-
plaints during the damp, 96-day^ jour-
ney over the winter seas! It's not
surprising that Dore Schary, producer
of the picture, says that 102 passen-
gers and 33 sailors were "Men and
Women of flesh and blood, with just
the' same outlooks and foibles as we
have today."
Life is giving interesting coverage
on the "The Snows of Kilimanjaro"
in its issue coming up this Friday,
and for the first time in history, Wide
World Photos, the syndicated picture
service originating with the New
York Times, is servicing a total of
six photographs taken at the world
premiere, to its syndicate list of 1,100
newspapers. . . . Stars of two RKO
pictures will appear on two covers
of the New York Sunday News roto-
gravure color magazine, first, Janis
Carter, and next week, Gloria Gra-
hame. Walter Brooks
When 1/cu Weed a
SPECIAL TRAILER
'GOOD' and FAST
GOOD OLD DEPENDABLE
FILM AC K
CHICAGO 5, 1327 S. WABASH AVE.
NEW YORK 36, 630 NINTH AVE.
Wednesday, October 1, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
One Exhibitor Forum
(Continued from page 1)
about the establishment of an
arbitration system that would
be universally satisfactory, re-
peated this opinion yesterday.
He said that no exhibitor or
distributor could expect to see
a workable system if he seeks
to get "undue advantage" in
proceedings. He said that ar-
bitration can minimize the
number of industry suits, not
do away with them entirely.
The exercise of goodwill, he
added, will spell the success of
a system.
Starr credited Myers with having
made many valuable contributions _ to
the establishment of an arbitration
system.
The conciliation provisions of the
arbitration plan have been approved
by all parties, Starr said. He re-
minded that conciliation first will be
essayed before any case goes to arbi-
tration.
Will Not Take Action
Elect Frisch
(Continued from page 1)
vice-president. The latter was re-
elected first vice-president.
Other officers elected for the next
two years are: Samuel Rosen, board
chairman; Robert Weitman, second
vice-president, and Russell V. Down-
ing, treasurer. Oscar A. Doob was
reelected chairman of the executive
committee for a fourth successive
term. D. John Phillips continues as
executive director.
New Executive Committee
The new executive committee in-
cludes : Samual Rinzler, Rosen, Sol
Schwartz, Strausberg and Weitman.
The board for the next two years
will consist of Herman Becker, Leo
Brecher, Doob, Downing, Harry
Goldberg, Julius Joelson, David C.
Katz, Rinzler, Fred J. Schwartz, Sol
Schwartz, Strausberg and Weitman.
Strausberg at the meeting eulogized
Rugoff as having been one of the or-
ganization's "best beloved and most
valued members."
Films Ignore
(Continued- from page 1 )
towns are of the intellectual quality
they demand. He said they are poten-
tial film-goers who would enjoy
"High Noon" while disdaining an or-
dinary Western. But, he asked, how
are they to know that "High Noon"
is not an ordinary Western ?_ They are
not persons who necessarily would
patronize "art" pictures, Starr empha-
sized.
'Pet Project'
The job of educating this potential
audience to the existence of intelli-
gent, artistically significant product,
Star said, is one for distributors, ex-
hibitors, small city film critics and any
others who can be recruited for the
task. He described the job as his own
"pet project."
These 25,000,000 non-film goers,
Starr held, are individuals who are not
to be seduced by television, the comics,
or other such media of entertainment.
They are people who read good books
and lean to other intellectual pur-
suits, he said.
Could Achieve Improvement
Starr believes also that the difficul-
ties that distributors experience in
supplying prints can be solved by
"mathematical algebraic logic" as per-
formed by outside independent an-
alysts. A 20 per cent improvement in
the print situation could be achieved
by such analysts, he claimed. A sur-
vey "wouldn't cost the distributors a
nickel," he said. Starr, who is_ re-
puted to be a "mathematical genius,"
had trade press reporters straining to
understand his theory.
in Chicago, Nov. 17-19, thus implying
that he would broach the subject to
Allied leaders at that time._
Commensurate with his visions of a
single, nationwide exhibitor organiza-
tion, or "forum," or "conference" (he
appeared to regard the terms as inter-
changeable), Starr said he is "banking
on greatly improved exhibitor-distrib-
utor relations" in the not-too-distant
future.
Such improved relations, he con-
tended, would be inherent in an indus-
try system of arbitration. But, he re-
minded, arbitration, "which can result
in an entirely new era for the indus-
try," must be built "on the good faith
of all sides." He added : "We all are
in the same industry, and we know
we can't succeed in the job unless all
segments cooperate."
Starr and Herman M. Levy, TO A
general counsel, who sat in on the
interview, told the reporters that the
arbitration draft amending work cur-
rently being done by distributor law-
yers was approved by both Myers and
Levy at the recent arbitration parley
in Washington among distributor,
Allied, and TOA officials.
The lawyers' task, it was deter-
mined yesterday, will be completed in
time to allow the presidents of the
distribution companies to act on the
amendments at a meeting around the
middle of next week. Upon approval
by the presidents, the draft will be
turned over to Allied and TOA for
action, Levy assumed.
Starr, who told the TOA
convention he was optimistic
TOA will not take any action on
the General Mills Corp. proposal at
the convention to give away theatre
passes along with distribution of free
samples of the company's products.
Levy interjected that it was likely that
individual exhibitor members of TOA
may try out the idea.
Herman Hunt, Cincinnati theatre
owner, has indicated to Starr that he
will sponsor a luncheon of Southern
Ohio exhibitors in that city with a
view to forming a Southern Ohio
TOA unit. Starr said that this TOA
convention development is expected to
bear fruit "in a few weeks." Both
Starr and Levy said TOA has opened
its doors to any Western Theatre
Owners units who wish to join. WTO
is leaderless at present.
Starr left here last evening by plane
for Kansas City. He will attend the
meeting next week in St. Louis of
the MPTO of St. Louis, Eastern Mis-
souri and Southern Illinois. Starr
said he will attend many TOA re-
gional and unit meetings during the
coming months.
CITY PLACE OF SCREENING TIME
ALBANY FOX SCREENING ROOM, 1052 Broadway 2.30 P.M.
ATLANTA PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 154 Walton St., N. W 2 P.M.
BOSTON PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 58-62 Berkeley Street 2 P.M.
BUFFALO PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 464 Franklin Street 2 P.M.
CHARLOTTE PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 305-7 South Church Street 10 A.M.
CHICAGO PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1306 South Michigan Avenue 3 P.M.
CINCINNATI FOX SCREENING ROOM, 1638 Central Parkway 2:30 P.M.
CLEVELAND PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1735 East 23rd Street 8.-J5 P.M.
DALLAS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 401 N. Pearl Expressway 2 P.M.
DENVER PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 2100 Stout Street 2 P.M.
DES MOINES PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1125 High Street ' P-M.
DETROIT PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 479 Ledyard Avenue 2 P.M.
INDIANAPOLIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 116 West Michigan Street ' P-M-
JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA THEATRES SCREENING ROOM, Florida Thea. Bldg 2 P.M.
KANSAS CITY PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1800 Wyandotte Street 2 P.M.
LOS ANGELES PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1613 West 20th Street J-30 P.M.
MEMPHIS. PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 362 South Second Street J2.I5 NOON
MILWAUKEE ...PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1121 North Eighth Street 2 P.M.
MINNEAPOLIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1201 Currie Avenue 8 P.M.
NEW HAVEN PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 82 State Street 2 P.M.
NEW ORLEANS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 215 South Liberty Street 2 P.M.
NEW YORK CITY. . .PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1501 Broadway (9th Fl.) 2:30 P.M.
OKLAHOMA CITY. .PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 701 West Grand Avenue T0:30 A.M.
OMAHA FOX SCREENING ROOM, 1502 Davenport Street 2 P.M.
PHILADELPHIA PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 248 North 12th Street 2 P.M.
PITTSBURGH. . PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1727 Boulevard of Allies 2 P.M.
PORTLAND PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 909 N. W. 19th Avenue 2 P.M.
ST. LOUIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 2949-2953 Olive Street 3 P.M.
SALT LAKE CITY PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 270 East 1st South Street 7:30 P.M.
SAN FRANCISCO. . .PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 205 Golden Gate Ave 2 P.M.
SEATTLE MODERN THEATRE SUPPLY PROJ. ROOM, 2400 Third Ave 1:30 P.M
WASHINGTON PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 306 H Street, N.W 2:30 P.M.
1
PARAMOUNT
Monday, October 6, 1952
• • •
DEAN JERRY
MARTIN - LEWIS
In HAL W ALUS' Production
THE
Co-starring
MARION MARSHALL • EDDIE MAYEHOFF
POLLY BERGEN
Directed by NORMAN TAUROG
Screenplay by FRED F. FINKLEHOFFE
and MARTIN RACKIN
Additional Dialogue by ELWOOD ULLMAN
From a story by
Fred F. Finklehoffe and Sid Silvers
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, October 1, 1952
Institutional Air
Series for ATC
Boston, Sept. 30.— American
Theatres Corp. will sponsor a
radio program to promote
current attractions at all of
its Greater Boston theatres.
The program will be in the
form of a "movie bulletin of
the air" and will be called
' Movie Tonight." It will be
broadcast over Station
WHDH five times a week,
Monday - through - Friday, at
3:55 to 4:00 P.M., effective to-
morrow. The program will
run indefinitely.
Review
it
Walcott Bout Set
Attendance Record
An all-time paid attendance record
for any sporting event was set by the
recent Walcott-Marciano bout, accord-
ing to figures compiled by Theatre
Network Television, the agency which
booked the bout for theatre television.
Over 120,000 fight fans saw the
heavyweight title bout in 50 TV-
equipped theatres stretched across the
country, while 41,000 persons were at
Philadelphia's Municipal Stadium, the
site of the match, bringing the total
attendance for the event to 161,000,
according to TNT. The old attend-
ance record, TNT stated, was set by
the second Dempsey-Tunney match in
Philadelphia more than two decades
ago, which attracted 122,000 persons.
TNT added that the total theatre
- TV gross, including Federal admission
taxes, was in excess of $400,000, with
an average gross of $8,000 per theatre.
Captive Women
{RKO Pictures)
DEMOLISHED New York City, in the post-Atomic war year of 3,000
AD is the setting of this minor entry that has ample exploitation
features "'The populace lives mostly in caves underground and » divided
nto three groups the evil Uprivcrmen, led by power-mad Stuart Randal
1 e devil-worsh pping Norms, led by Robert Clarke in exile when Randall
overthrows the Norm leadership by treachery, and the Mutations who are
physically disfigured from the atomic radiation let loose in the 20th Century,
leThereR<is ^three-minute documentary introduction in which a serious
voiced narrator warns that this is what might occur in. the future while
familiar foota-e of the United Nations building, the atomic _ explosions and
Hi oh im i " used. The film is on the familiar melodramatic level and the
title is derived from the attempts of the Mutations to propagate healthy
r-Viilrlren hv stealing Norm women.
Clarke and aide Robert Bice flee Randall and are caught by Ron Randell
and the Mutations who force them to live across the river. William Seha lert
a Mutation seeking Randell's throne, stirs up discontent and has a fight foi
the kade ship with Randell. When defeated, he is allowed to leave and
deserts to Stuart Randall, giving him the secret of the under-river cave
whS had guaranteed the Mutations' safety Randell is captured by Randall
but later freed by Clarke and Bice while the pursuing Uprivermen are
destroyed when the Mutations flood the under river cave All ends happily
when one of the Norm women, agrees to marry Randell out of love, and
thus the God-worshipping Mutations are assured of a healthy propagation
Margaret Field and Gloria Saunders provide the feminine attraction. This
wis written and produced by Aubrey Wisberg and Jack Pollexfen.
Running time, 65 minutes. General audience classification. Release date
not set.
Program Completed
For St. Louis Meet
High Attendance
Marks K-MTA Meet
Crouse Suit Goes
To Federal Judge
Minneapolis, Sept. 30. — The suit
of William Crouse of Eveleth, Minn.,
charging Minnesota Amusement Co.
and distributors with conspiracy, has
been transferred from a slated jury
trial to judgment by the Federal Dis-
trict Court here.
Crouse charges the Maco circuit
conspired with film companies to keep
product away from his Eveleth thea-
tres in favor of Maco's nearby Vir-
ginia, Minn., houses.
Stan Kane is counsel for Crouse,
while David Shearer represents the
distributors, except Paramount, which
is represented along with Maco by
Mandt Torrison.
Cite Ornstein Stories
Four of the 20 stories which Wil-
liam Ornstein, M-G-M home office
trade press liaison, included in his
book, "Ma and Me," just published
by Story Book Press of Dallas, are
given "Distinctive Mention" by
Martha Foley in the 1952 edition of
"Best American Short Stories." The
four originally were published in the
American Jewish Times Outlook and
are as follows: "The Apprentice,"
"Eventide Song," "Badge of Honor"
and "Tea on Wednesday." In addition
to this group, Miss Foley also mentions
in her anthology six other stories
by the same author: "The Crime of
These Corners," "Fun, Fast and
Feast," "Harold (The Sham us)
Klein," "Ocarina Nocturne," "Family
Tree" and "Same Line, Old Tune."
St Louis, Sept. 30.— Hotel reser-
vations and banquet ticket sales indi-
cate a record annual meeting for the
Motion Picture Theatre Owners of
St Louis, Eastern Missouri and
Southern Illinois when the organiza-
tion gathers Monday and Tuesday at
the Chase Hotel here.
General chairman Tom Edwards,
and co-chairmen William H. Waring,
Jr., and Bill Williams, along with the
program committee have laid out a
busy schedule for the gathering.
Open Forums Featured
Open forums will be featured
throughout the sessions. Speakers will
include : Herman Levy, general coun-
sel, Theatre Owners of America, on
"Industry Arbitration," "The 16-mm.
Lawsuit" and "Possibilities of lax
Reduction in the Next Congress ;
Ray Colvin, executive director, the-
atre Equipment Dealers Association
of St. Louis, on "The Motion Picture
Industry as a Business, Art and So-
cial Force"; Leon Bamberger, RKO
Radio, on "Public Relations and Your
Public" ; Herb Bennin, M-G-M man-
ager, St. Louis, on "Movietime U.S.A.
in 1952-53." 1 ,.
Also, Jack Keiler of the Columbia
Amusement Co., Paducah, Ky., on
"Exploitation and Publicity" ; Al Rey-
nolds of Claude Ezell and Associates
Dallas, on "Drive In Concesions and
Operations"; Pat Magee, Denver, on
"COMPO and the 16-mm. Anti-Trust
Suit" ; Larry W. Davee, Century Pro-
jector, New York City, "Third Di-
mensional Projection"; Senn Lawler,
Fox Midwest, Kansas City, "Publicity
That Produces."
The program will also include trail-
ers of top pictures to be released dur-
ing the coming season with explana-
tory talks by advertising and publicity
representatives of film companies. The
latest developments in theatre equip-
ment, appliances and supplies will be
on display at the trade show to be
conducted in conjunction with the
meeting.
Kansas City, Sept. 30.— The 34th
annual convention of the Kansas-Mis-
souri Theatre Association opened to-
day with registration like that of the
best attended meetings of recent years.
The afternoon was devoted to pres-
entations by branch managers of cur-
rent and new product. Several showed
trailers and some talked on product,
explaining the background of the pic-
tures or phases of them that offered
particularly good exploitation values.
It was noted that the exhibitors re-
sponded to the trailers and to special
stunts with spontaneous exclamations
much as the patrons in their theatres
are likely to do.
C. E. Cook, president of the Asso-
ciation, opened the convention.
There will be further product pres-
entations tomorrow, as well as the
business session with elections, ad-
dresses and discussions.
The convention ends with the ban-
quet tomorrow night, honoring R. R.
Biechele.
Sharp Decrease in
Tax Collections for
August Reported
Washington, Sept. 30. — General
admission tax collections for August,
reflecting July box-office business,
were $6,000,000 below those for Aug.,
1951, the Bureau of Internal Revenue
reported today.
Most industry officials had expected
these figures to show a large increase,
reflecting a box-office upturn that
reportedly started in July. The Bu-
reau's figures indicate one of two
things : either reports of the motion
picture box-office upturn were exag-
gerated, or admission tax returns are
no longer very good indicators of
theatre business. This latter would
be due to the fact that theatre taxes
might be accounting for a smaller
percentage of the total general ad-
mission taxes, and that taxes on
admissions to such events as ball
games and prize fights might be
throwing a proportionately greater
weight in the total.
The Bureau's figures put general
admission tax collections for August
at $28,067,623, compared to $34,142,-
531 for the previous August.
The August figures were down
slightly from collections in the pre-
vious month, when the total was $28,-
369,934. However, in recent years,
collections have risen seasonally from
July to August, frequently by large
amounts.
The drop from August this year
against last August was the sharpest
drop compared with 1951 for any
month this year. .
General admission tax collections
include taxes on admissions to sports
events, concerts, legitimate theatre and
other general entertainment events,
as well as to motion picture theatres.
Hold Shipboard
Bow of 4Gaucho'
The shipboard world premiere of
20th Century-Fox's "Way of A
Gaucho" was held here last night
aboard the Moore-McCormack liner,
the 5.5". Argentina, before an invited
audience of 500 guests.
The notables, which included offi-
cials of New York City, the United
Nations and Argentina, in addition to
newspapermen, were met at the pier
by 20th-Fox representatives and the
vessel's captain.
The evening's entertainment fea-
tured a fashion show, the staging of a
King Neptune ceremony, and a special
drawing among newspapermen for a
free South American cruise. There
were also deck games, dancing and a
buffet dinner.
Lasky, Blaustein,
Kramer to Lecture
Hollywood. Sept. 30.— Jesse Lasky,
Julian Blaustein and Stanley Kramer
have been named the first three Screen
Producers Guild members to deliver
lectures, which will be photographed
on sound film before the Cinema De-
partment of the University of Southern
California. Lasky will tee off the
.cries Thursday evening, with A
History of the Film Industry" as his
topic. Blaustein will speak on Oct. 16
on "The Basic Idea" (the film sub-
ject followed from its inception to its
final screenplay). Kramer follows next
on Oct. 30 with a discussion of "Pre-
Production and Its Problems."
Top SMPTETAward
To Kodak's Crahtree
Rochester, N. Y., Sept. 30.— John
I. Crabtree, Eastman Kodak research
chemist, has been named as the 1952
recipient of the "Progress Medal"
award of the Society of Motion Pic-
ture and Television Engineers.
Crabtree was selected for his con-
tributions in the fields of photographic
chemistry, motion picture film proc-
essing and film processing equipment.
He will receive the award at a dinner
during the Society's annual convention
in Washington next week.
The Progress Medal is the Society's
highest award. It is given annually
to the individual whose work has re-
sulted in significant advances in the
development of motion-picture tech-
nology.
NEWS
WHILE
MOTION PICTURE
AIR |
MAIL
EDITION
VOL. 72. NO. 65
NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1952
TEN CENTS
Launch RKO
Radio Meet
Here Today
Stolkin Due in; Expect
Management Decisions
With Ralph Stolkin, head of the
syndicate which last week pur-
chased the controlling stock interest
in RKO Pictures from Howard
Hughes, scheduled to arrive here to-
day from Chicago, preparations were
made yesterday for a full-scale meet-
ing of company heads with the new
owners today and tomorrow.
Presumably the meetings will be of
an executive nature inasmuch as no
notice of a meeting of the board of
directors had gone out up to last night.
One explanation offered was that the
new owners, under their purchase
agreement with Hughes, will not have
voting rights to the stock until early
next week— two weeks after the clos-
ing of the deal.
Nevertheless, an RKO Pictures
spokesman indicated yesterday that a
statement probably will be issued fol-
lowing the close of the meeting to-
morrow.
Meanwhile, unofficial reports con-
(Continued on page 4)
AT&T Promises TV
Cost Data by Dec. 31
Washington, Sept. 30. — Officials
of the American Telephone and Tele-
graph Co. promised to try to have
ready "before the end of the year"
detailed theatre television cost fig-
ures long sought by the film industry.
The promise was made at a lengthy
afternoon meeting today between offi
cials of A. T. and T.'s long lines divi
sion and spokesmen for the Motion
Picture Association and the National
(Continued on page 4)
Fritzs /^ec^ STARR'S AIM: ONE
MMPTA President; g^JJJgJTQR 'FORUM'
Rosen Heads Board
Aylesworth Dies
After Long Illness
Merlin Hall Aylesworth, 66, former
president and chairman of Radio-
Keith-Orpheum Corp. and Radio Pic-
tures, Inc., first president of National
Broadcasting Co., and former pub-
lisher of the New York World. Tele-
gram, died here yesterday after a long
illness, at St. Luke's Hospital.
AylesWorth was president and chair-
man of RKO in 1937-38 after 10 years
(Continued on page 2)
mm,
% 4
Emanuel Frisch of Randforce
Amusement Co.
yesterday was
elected presi-
dent of the
Metropol-
itan Motion
Picture Thea-
tres Asso-
ciation at the
annual meeting
of the organiza-
tion's member-
ship and board
at the St. Mo-
ritz Hotel here.
His term of
office will be two years.
Frisch succeeds the late Edward N.
Rugoff, whose duties as president
were handled since his death on Sept.
17 by Solomon M. Strausberg, first
(Continued on page 5)
Emanuel Frisch
2 -Theatre Premiere
Set for 'Andersen'
Completion of arrangements for a
two-theatre world premiere here of
Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans Christian
Andersen" at the Criterion and Paris
theatres around Thanksgiving time
was announced yesterday.
The simultaneous pre-release en-
gagements will be on a continuous
performance policy at both theatres.
According to spokesmen for the the-
atres, regular admission scales will be
(Continued on page, 4)
'Because,' 'Loves,'
'Widow'OpenStrong
At B'way lst-runs
Strong openings for "Because You're
Mine," "Somebody Loves Me" and
"The Merry Widow" featured this
week's grosses at New York first-run
theatres.
At Radio City Music Hall, a fine
$145,000 is forecast for the first seven
days of "Because You're Mine," while
a solid $90,000 is indicated in the ini-
tial week of "Somebody Loves Me" at
the Roxy. Both the Hall and Roxy
feature stage shows.
"The Merry Widow" at Loew's
State is expected to hit a healthy
(Continued on page 4)
Says Films Ignore
Vast Patronage
The industry is overlooking a "gold
mine" by not acting to get an esti-
mated 25,000,000 persons in towns
with populations under 200,000 to at-
tend theatres, Alfred Starr, Theatre
Owners of America president, said
here yesterday. He said these persons
are in the "over age 30" group.
They are the kind of persons, Starr
said, who seem to be unable to deter-
mine whether pictures showing in their
(Continued on page 5)
DECIDE NOT TO ASK N. Y.
TRIAL OF 16mm. SUIT
Production-distribution company defendants in the govern-
ment's anti-trust suit to compel the licensing of 16mm. feature
films to television and other non-theatrical users have decided
not to ask for a change of venue which would transfer trial
of the suit from the Los Angeles Federal District court, where
it was filed, to the New York Federal court, in whose jurisdic-
tion the defendants have their principal places of business.
The matter has been under study by the defendants since
the filing of the suit last July. A much earlier trial of the
government action is now in prospect as a result of the decision
not to request the transfer. The Federal court docket in New
York is the most congested of any in the country and predic-
tions had been made that the case might not be tried for
several years if it were to be transferred here.
While there are no reliable estimates of when the case might
come to trial in Los Angeles, it is generally believed that it
might be anywhere from a year to two years earlier than in
New York.
Says He Will Meet With
Allied Leaders Soon to
Discuss Exhibitor Unity
Alfred Starr, newly-elected The-
atre Owners of America president,
yesterday said he will take steps to
bring about the formation of a
single, all-embracing exhibitor organi-
zation or "forum."
Here from Nashville, where
he makes his business head-
quarters, Starr told trade press
reporters in his first interview
since his election on Sept. 15
that the day when exhibitors
are thus united for the purpose
of solving common problems
"can't come too soon."
The TOA chief executive indicated
that the first step he will take in the
direction of achieving this goal will
be to confer with such Allied leaders
as Abram F. Myers, board chairman ;
Wilbur Snaper, president, and True-
man T. Rembusch, ex-president.
Starr said he expected to be invited
to attend Allied's national convention
(Continued on page 5)
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30.--
Private anti-trust suits
increased to the great-
est figure in recent years
with "a considerable por-
tion" of these cases
brought against the mo-
tion picture companies,
Henry P. Chandler, direc-
tor of the administrative
office of the Federal
courts, noted in his an-
nual report.
•
Alfred Starr, Theatre
Owners of America presi-
dent, said here yesterday
that within a week TOA
will send its member units
a bulletin asking them to
vote on whether the organ-
ization should seek de- . •
f endant status in the
government's 16mm. anti-
trust suit. TOA was dubbed
a "co-conspirator."
MOTION PICTURE DAILY
Personal
Mention
SAMUEL GOLDWYN and Mrs.
Goldwyn plan to leave here for
Hollywood tomorrow night.
•
William W. Howard, RKO The-
atres vice-president in charge of op-
eration, accompanied by Edmund
Grainger, head of RKO Theatres film
buying and booking, and Harry
Mandel, national director of adver-
tising-publicity, will leave here tomor-
row for the Coast by plane.
•
Harding Macdona has been ap-
pointed account executive and con-
tact man on most of the major motion
picture accounts for Cosmopolitan
magazine. He will make his office
here.
Samuel Pinanski, president of
American Theatres Corp. of Boston,
has been reelected chairman of the
board of trustees of the Lowell Tex-
tile School, at Lowell, Mass.
•
Aubrey C. Couch, Wilby-Kincey
Knoxville, Tenn., city manager, has
been discharged from the hospital
there after treatment for a hand in-
jury.
Seymore Mayer, Loew's Interna-
tional regional director for the Far
East, returned yesterday from a three-
week visit to his territory.
•
Robert H. O'Brien, United Para-
mount Theatres secretary-treasurer, is
in Greenbrier, W. Va., and will re
turn to New York next Monday.
•
John Wolfberg, head of Wolfberg
Theatres, with headquarters in Den-
ver, arrived here yesterday en route to
Washington.
•
Max E. Youngstein, United Art
ists vice-president, has returned to
New York from a swing around the
country,
Kenneth Grossman, assistant to
L. K. Sydney, M-G-M studio ex-
ecutive, is in New York from the
Coast
•
E. S. Gregg, vice-president and gen-
eral manager of Westrex Corp., left
here yesterday for Hollywood.
Disney to Represent
Independent Artists
Frederick Brisson and Roy Disney
have completed negotiations whereby
Walt Disney Productions will be the
world sales representatives for Bris-
son's Independent Artists Pictures,
Inc.
"Never Wave at A WAC," which
producer Brisson has just completed,
with Rosalind Russell, Marie Wilson
and Paul Douglas, will be the first
of the Independent Artists films to
be handled by the Disney organiza-
tion. The arrangement marks the first
time Disney has accepted the sales
representation for an independent.
RKO Radio is distributing "Never
Wave at A WAC."
Construction Controls
Pushed Back to May 1
Cut
Washington, Sept. 30. — National
Production Authority officials have
made a surprise decision to push back
to May 1 the proposed relaxation of
theatre construction curbs.
Earlier, this relaxation had been
promised for April 1. NPA was sup-
posed to issue tomorrow the order
making this relaxation official. Now
the date for issuing the order is Fri-
day, and NPA officials said one rea-
son' for the delay was that the effec-
tive date has been shoved back and
this required some last-minute changes
in the order.
The May 1 date is still tentative,
and it might be April 1 again by the
time the order is isued. But NPA
officials said they doubted this. They
declared that the reason for pushing
the date back was that they felt it
better to be safe and put the proposed
relexation further off, and then move
it up later, rather than to put it too
early and have to postpone it later.
They pointed out that a meeting of
construction industry officials has been
called for Oct. 29, and that this meet-
ing might recommend an earlier re-
laxation of theatre construction curbs,
possibly as early as Jan. 1 or Feb. 1.
Under the proposed relaxation, per-
sons planning to build theatres could
self-authorize — write their own priori-
ties— for limited amounts of steel, cop-
per and aluminum, and would stand
a far better chance of getting NPA
allotments of even larger amounts.
Cinerama Process
Found Impressive
Wednesday, October 1, 1952
Newsreel
Parade
ALL current newsreels except Tele-
Si news Digest offer an identical
special feature on Gen. Eisenhower,
compiled from the footage of the par-
ticipating companies. It is to be fol-
lowed with a similar feature on Adlai
Stevenson. The listing follows:
AMP A Class In
Larger Quarters
The Associated Motion Picture Ad-
vertisers classes on advertising and
promotion has been required to find
larger quarters for the weekly ses-
sions. Tomorrow evening's class will
meet at six o'clock at the 20th Cen
tury-Fox Little Theatre.
Paul N. Lazarus, Jr., Columbia
executive, will discuss the home office
advertising and publicity operations
of a motion picture company at this
second lecture in the ten-week course.
Small, Todd to Make
Second Joint Film
"Sodom and Gomorrah," to be
filmed in color, has been chosen as the
second of three pictures which Ed-
ward Small and Mike Todd will make
in association abroad for United Art-
ists release, UA announced.
The film is on the producers' com-
bined slate for late in 1953, after com-
pletion of "The Vikings," their first
joint color picture for which Todd
is now in Europe organizing facilities.
First Drive for Audio
Audio Pictures has started its first
sales drive, during which it will honor
its president, Arthur Gottlieb. The
drive is to run through Dec. 11, and
has as its goal a quota of $150,000 in
screen advertising rentals for the 400
theatres with which Audio holds
agreements.
"This Is Cinerama" premiered be-
fore a packed audience of notables at
the Broadway Theatre here last night
and revealed itself as an amazing-
process capable of capturing audiences
hitherto untouched or television-bound.
At its best, in breath-taking pano-
ramas and startling close-ups, this
process enrapts an audience with its
three-dimensional effect. The color by
Technicolor film opened with a roller
coaster ride that elicited excited mur-
murs and spontaneous applause, as did
the sequences that followed.
The two-hour program included
films of a prologue by Lowell Thomas ;
a dance of the priestesses from
"Aida" ; a helicopter view of Niagara
Falls ; the Long Island Choral So-
ciety singing Handel's "The Mes-
siah" ; Venetian boatmen in gondolas ;
the Gathering of the Clans in Scot-
Ian ; a bullfight and native dances in
Spain ; the triumphal march from
"Aida," performed by the La Scala
Opera Company in Milan; the Vien-
na Boys Choir singing ; a tour of the
Tyrol in Wolfgang; the Water Car-
nival at Cypress Gardens in Florida ;
and "America the Beautiful," sung
by the Salt Lake City Tabernacle
Choir while an aerial tour of U. S. A.
landmarks is shown.
For the special process William
Lescaze Associates, architects, de-
signed mechanical construction for the
Broadway Theatre. Three projection
booths were set into the balcony, each
projector filling one third of the Cin-
erama screen, which is 51 feet wide
and 26 feet high. The curved screen
was specially designed by Fred Wal-
ler, inventor of the process, and is
not one great sheet, but consists of
1,100 vertical strips of perforated tape
set at angles like louvres of a side
ways Venetian blind. The stereo
phonic sound effect is obtained with
the placement of five speakers behind
the screen, one on each sound wall,
and one at the rear of the theatre.
These speakers convey the sounds as
recorded at similar positions by the
same number of microphones during
the original shooting.
William R. Latady, vice-president
of Cinerama, Inc., expects that _ in
future theatre design the projection
booths can be built directly into the
balcony. Estimates of installation
costs vary from $35,000 to $70,000
with an average of about $50,000. All
equipment is designed to be portable
and plug-in, and will be leased to
theatre owners by Cinerama. The
second Cinerama camera has been
completed and projection equipment
is ready for installation in theatres
in the United States and England
FOX MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 80.— The
Eisenhower Story.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 210.— The
Eisenhower Story.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 13. — The
Eisenhower Story.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 4CA.— French
troops drop behind Red lines. Cattle round-
up by helicopter. New diving- bell tries for
record. Eden visits Figl in Vienna. Chur-
chill ends vacation. John Cobb killed test-
ing new jet boat. Michigan State 27—
Michigan, 13. International sailing regatta.
UNIVERSAL NEWS, No. 600. — The
"Ike" Story.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 15. — The
Eisenhower Story.
Kearney Promoted
The appointment of Don L. Kearney
as national sales manager of Ameri-
can Broadcasting Co.'s television, sta-
tions was announced by Slocum
Chapin, vice-president.
Three 20th-Fox Films
Set for Roxy Here
Three of 20th Century-Fox's top
color in Technicolor productions of
the year have been dated into the
Roxy Theatre, it was revealed by the
company yesterday.
The pictures, which will be shown
at the house starting in late October
or early November, are "Way of A
Gaucho," produced by Philip Dunne
and directed by Jacques Tourneur;
Damon Runyon's "Bloodhounds of
Broadway," produced by George Jes-
sel and directed by Harmon Jones,
and "Ponv Soldier," produced by
Samuel G. Engel and directed by Jo-
seph M. Newman.
Aylesworth
{Continued- from page 1)
as president of NBC beginning in
1926. Aylesworth left RKO to join
the Scripps-Howard newspapers man-
agement and was named publisher of
the World-Telegram in 1938. He was
a lawyer by profession but was active
for most of his life in radio, motion
pictures and public utilities.
t rom 1934 to 1945 he was board
chairman of Radio City Music Hall.
In 1941 he was appointed chief of the
radio section of the Office of the Co-
ordinator of Inter- American Affairs
and its executive consultant. Ayles-
worth was the first to lease a theatre
for the "live" presentation of radio
programs before an audience.
From 1914-18 he was chairman of
the Colorado Public Utilities Com-
mission and then was executive vice-
president of the Utah Power & Light
Co. Later he was managing director
of the National Electric Light Asso-
ciation and toward the close of his
career was chairman of the executive
committee of Ellington & Co., Inc., an
advertising firm.
Mrs. Gala Levy, 84
Mrs. Gala Levy, 84, mother of Joel
Levy of Loew's Theatres film booking
department here, died Monday after
a long .illness. The funeral, held yes-
terday, was private.
VVaVC elL v»n.^. - -j. » _ -
MOTION PICTURE DAILY Martin Quigley. Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane . Editor; ^L^Ty^T^L^IU y^lO^^^^'Q^^
Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing Company Inc. 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center New _York 20, N Y. ^lepnone c^ce Vice-President; Leo J.
New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin Quigley, Jr. , Vice-President ; Theo. J. SuH.van Vice-President and ^casu^- Hollywood Bureau, Yucca- Vine
Brady, Secretary; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; _ Gus ^^-J^f^^l^?,.1^^ Trinz Editorial Representative, 11
Building, William R. Weaver, Editor Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle ^Street Urben .Farley Advertising Represe ntative FI 6 '307^J^cew^ope Burnup, Manager; Peter
North Clark Street, FR-2-2843. Washington J. A. Otten National Press C ub Washington D C London Bureau 4 Wto ^ £ g , 'each p blished u times a year as
Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald, Better theatres and ineatre . i under
a section of Motion Picture Herald; International Motion Picture Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter, Sept. 21, ty.58, at tne post omce at
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, October 1, 1952
RKO Meeting
(Continued, from page 1)
N.Y. Grosses
(Continued from page 1)
ceniing the company's future executive
set-up increased by the hour. One,
widely circulated, but lacking con-
firmation, was that Arnold Grant, one
of the attorneys who acted for the
Stolkin group in the purchase nego-
tiations, would become chairman of
the board ; Stolkin would assume the
presidency and Sherrill Corwin, Los
Angeles exhibitor and a member of
the purchasing group, would head the
studio.
Earlier reports were that Stolkin
would he named board chairman and
Ned E. Depinet would continue _ as
president. Queried yesterday, Depinet
said he had no information concerning
the plans of the new owners.
Arrived Yesterday
Arriving here yesterday from the
Coast for the sessions were Grant,
Sidney Korshak and Gordon Young-
man, Hollywood attorneys who rep-
resented the Stolkin group in the ne-
gotiations. Arriving today in addition
to Stolkin will be Corwin and Greg
Bautzer, the latter also of counsel for
Stolkin.
Advance reports on the meetings
included one that RKO Pictures'
financing will be given extended and
immediate attention by the new own-
ers. The company has a $5,000,000
revolving credit with Bankers Trust
Co. here, which reportedly is shared
by the Mellon Bank of Pittsburgh.
Re-negotiation of the credit by the
new owners may be necessary, accord-
ing to one report. In this connection,
Hughes confirmed last week that if
called upon to do so by the new own-
ers, he is committeed to making an
$8,000,000 loan to RKO Pictures.
Milton Pickman, vice-president of
Wald-Krasna Prod., arrived here from
the Coast yesterday in connection with
an approach made to Jerry Wald by
Corwin for the former to head pro-
duction at the RKO Pictures studio.
Pickman returned to the Coast _ last
night. Before his departure he _ indi-
cated that it was premature to discuss
such a deal at this time but might re-
turn here later, pending future devel-
opments.
$35,000 for its first week. At the
Rivoli, a strong $68,000 was indicated
for the second week of "Snows of
Kilimanjaro."
"Son of Paleface" opens today at
the Paramount Theatre and the pre-
miere will be highlighted throughout
the day by personal appearances of
Bob Hope, who recently returned
from Europe. The second and final
week of "Big Jim McLaire" at the
Paramount was due to hit $53,000.
The second inning of "One Minute
to Zero" at the Criterion is forecast
to hit an excellent $27,000, while a
nice $36,000 is seen for the sixth week
of "The Quiet Man" at the Capitol.
"Lure of the Wilderness" replaces
"You for Me" on Friday at the Globe,
which is expected to register a rather
weak $8,500 for its seven-day engage-
ment.
'Noon' in 10th Week
TV Cost Data
(Continued, from page 1)
W.C. Stober Leaves
General Register
W. C. Stober, general sales man-
ager of General Register Corp. for
the past six years, has resigned as
of today. Saul Hammer, officer of
the General Register Corp. for many
years, now heads the sales depart-
ment.
Stober has accepted a position with
the Burroughs Adding Machine in the
transportation division. He plans to
reside in Chicago, and have head-
quarters there.
All of Stober's employment has been
in the theatre equipment field begin-
ning in 1934 as shipping clerk for
National Theatre Supply Co.'s Seattle
branch.
A good $17,500 is indicated for the
10th week of "High Noon" at the
Mayfair. "World in His Arms ' bows
there Oct. 9. For the sixth stanza
of "Miracie of Our Lady of Fatima"
a nice $15,000 is forecast by the Astor.
"Affair in Trinidad" at the Victoria
is expected to hit a more than satis-
factory $13,000 for its ninth week.
Among off-Broadway houses, "The
Magic Box" opened to a healthy
$10,400 for its first seven days at the
Normandie. Still doing well is "Ivory
Hunter" at the 52nd Street Trans-
Lux, where $5,200 is seen for the pic-
ture's sixth week. At the Park Ave-
nue, a robust $6,000 is estimated for
the third inning of "The Amazing
Monsieur Fabre."
The long-standing hold-over, "Man
in the White Suit," at the Sutton is
expected to do a fine $5,400 for its
26th week, while the seventh round
of "Stranger in Between" at the Fine
Arts is due to register a nice $4,000.
"This is Cinerama" opened last
night at the Broadway Theatre to a
capacity audience and the advance
two-a-day sale of tickets indicates an
eight-week sell-out. The advance sale
for "Limelight," which will open on
a roadshow basis at the 60th Street
Trans-Lux on Oct. 23, was described
yesterday as "excellent."
Exhibitors Theatre Television Com-
mittee.
MPAA and NETTC have been
prodding A. T. and T. for months for
detailed transmission cost figures, for
use in the coming Federal Communi-
cations Commission hearings on the-
atre television. The A. T. and T.
people have been saying that all their
cost data is based on a four megacycle
transmission band, and that they can't
supply financial information on the
10 mc band that the film industry
wants to use.
The meeting was set up today
to try and work out a middle
ground, and was apparently
successful. Participants said the
session, held at MPAA head-
quarters, had been "very pleas-
ant" and that "a very helpful
exchange of ideas on engineer-
ing problems" had taken place.
The upshot of the meeting was
that the A. T. and T. people said
they would ' make every effort"
to have ready by Dec. 31 the
financial data sought by the film
industry.
National
Pre-Selling
'Andersen'
(Continued, from page 1 )
Industry officials said the delay in
getting information from the phone
company would not interfere with
plans to start the FCC hearings on
Oct. 20. They, pointed out that the
FCC had specified that the week or
so of hearings starting Oct. 20 was
to' be devoted to a presentation of the
film industry's own engineering and
cost plans, and that the phone com-
pany testimony could well come later,
in the lengthier hearings scheduled to
start Jan. 12.
No Further Meetings
No further meetings are scheduled
at this time between the two groups,
officials said.
The A. T. and T. delegation con-
sisted of six men, headed by Ernest
North, general counsel of the long
lines division, and Frank A. Cowan,
top engineer for the division. NETTC
was represented by attorney Marcus
Cohn and engineer Stuart Bailey.
MPAA was represented by attorneys
James L. Fly and Vincent Welch, en-
gineering adviser Andrew Inglis, Ed
Cooper of the MPAA staff, Earl
Sponable of 20th Century-Fox, Frank
Cahill of Warner Brothers, Lester
Isaac of Loew's and Richard Hod-
son of Paramount.
in effect for the premiere engage-
ments. While terms were not dis-
closed, it was reported that the high-
est guarantees ever given a picture
by comparable Broadway houses are
involved. In the case of the Paris,
for example, the guarantee is under-
stood to be a minimum of $150,000,
with provisions which could boost the
producer's take well above that
amount.
Prior commitments of Radio City
Music Hall left it with no open date
earlier than around Jan. 15. With
Goldwyn aiming for a pre-Christmas
premiere, a Music Haill engagement
had to be ruled out.
"Andersen," in color by Techni-
color, stars Danny Kaye, with Jean-
maire and Farley Granger co-starred.
Moss Hart wrote the screenplay in
conjunction with Frank Loesser, who
composed the musical score. Charles
Vidor directed. Goldwyn told a press
conference here last week that the
picture will have to gross $8,000,000
to break even.
Schlanger Returns
Ben Schlanger, New York theatre
architect, and William A. Hoffberg,
engineer associated with him, have
returned here from a six-week visit
to Europe where many installations
of their synchronous-surround motion
picture screen are in progress. RCA
Photophone, Ltd., recently took over
distribution of the screen in Europe,
marketing it, as RCA does in the
U. S., under the name of "Synchro-
Screen."
COSMOPOLITAN for October
(_V faces a strong four-color, full-
page advertisement for "The Snows
of Kilimanjaro" opposite Louella
Parson's equally strong praise for
"Hemingway's Magic Touch," with
a following page of pictures and argu-
ment to support her theory. She says,
"All the romance, poetry, and thrill-
ing action of one of the great stories
of our time is faithfully translated to
the screen." Continuing, she gives
caption credit to "A musical comedy
—'Just for You'," "an operatta, 'The
Merry Widow'," and "the inspiring
story of a miracle, 'The Miracle of
Our Lady of Fatima'," which are
rated this month's best . . . Redbook
has a fine cover portrait of Kathryn
Grayson, and the caption, "the story
of an amazing girl who has solved
all her problems but one — men." And,
inside Redbook, a color spread in
which she says, "I don't have dates
with men ; I marry them" — an unusual
statement from an unusual girl. Movie
editor Florence Somers' selection as
Rea'book's Picture-ol-the-Month is
"Sudden Fear."
•
American Legion Magazine for
October tells the story of how the
Reds made a sucker of Edward G.
Robinson, and gives the screen
star's view-point to its 3,690,000
readers: "If any man is accused
of Communism falsely, he owes it
to himself and the nation to make
a statement of his true position.
If he will not do so, I for one would
take the charges against him seri-
ously." Life carries a striking two-
color ad from RKO Radio on "The
Lusty Men"— "a fast buck, a fast
bronc, a fast thrill." And another
feature article on "The Shrinking
of Jose Ferrer," showing how the
actor is shortened 15 inches to play
the dwarfed Lautrec, a role that
will be more talked about than
"The Hunchback of Notre Dame."
•
Ruth Harbert in Good Housekeep-
ing's November issue tells tvhy history
teachers are going to have a tall job
explaining when "Plymouth Adven-
ture" comes to both city and town
theatres. Helen Deutsch, who wrote
the screenplay after two years of
research here' and in England, has
challenged many of our favorite fables
about passengers on the Mayflower's
heroic voyage. You'll be stunned to
learn what caused the loudest com-
plaints during the damp, 96-day^ jour-
ney over the winter seas! It's not
surprising that Dore Schary, producer
of the picture, says that 102 passen-
gers and 33 sailors zvere "Men and
Women of flesh and blood, ivith just
the same outlooks and foibles as tve
have today."
Milland Air Promotion
Ray Milland will make a series of
three taped broadcasts for the U. S.
State Department's "Voice of Amer-
ica" series about his latest starring
vehicle, "The Thief," for Central
Europe and Germany. "The Thief"
will have its world premiere at the
New York Roxy Theatre following
the current feature, "Somebody Loves
Me."
Life is giving interesting coverage
on the "The Snows of Kilimanjaro"
in its issue coming up this Friday,
and for the first time in history, Wide
World Photos, the syndicated picture
service originating with the Nczv
York Times, is servicing a total of
six photographs taken at _ the world
premiere, to its syndicate list of 1,100
newspapers. . . . Stars of two RKO
pictures will appear on two covers
of the New York Sunday News roto-
gravure color magazine, first, Janis
Carter, and next week, Gloria Gra-
hame_ Walter Brooks
Wednesday, October 1, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5;
Films Ignore One Exhibitor Forum
(Continued, from page 1)
towns are of the intellectual quality
they demand. He said they are poten-
tial" film-goers who would enjoy
"High Noon" while disdaining an or-
dinary Western. But, he asked, how
are they to know that "High Noon"
is not an ordinary Western? They are
not persons who necessarily would
patronize "art" pictures, Starr empha-
sized.
'Pet Project'
The job of educating this potential
audience to the existence of intelli-
gent, artistically significant product,
Star said, is one for distributors, ex-
hibitors, small city film critics and any
others who can be recruited for the
task. He described the job as his own
"pet project."
These 25,000,000 non-film goers,
Starr held, are individuals who are not
to be seduced by television, the comics,
or other such media of entertainment.
They are people who read good books
and lean to other intellectual pur-
suits, he said.
Could Achieve Improvement
Starr believes also that the difficul-
ties that distributors experience in
supplying prints can be solved by
"mathematical algebraic logic" as per-
formed by outside independent an-
alysts. A 20 per cent improvement in
the print situation could be achieved
by such analysts, he claimed. A sur-
vey "wouldn't cost the distributors a
nickel," he said. Starr, who is re-
puted to be a "mathematical genius,"
had trade press reporters straining to
understand his theory.
{Continued from page 1)
in Chicago, Nov. 17-19, thus implying
that he would broach the subject to
Allied leaders at that time.
Commensurate with his visions of a
single, nationwide exhibitor organiza-
tion, or "forum," or "conference" (he
appeared to regard the terms as inter-
changeable), Starr said he is "banking
on greatly improved exhibitor-distrib-
utor relations" in the not-too-distant
future.
Such improved relations, he con-
tended, would be inherent in an indus-
try system of arbitration. But, he re-
minded, arbitration, "which can result
in an entirely new era for the indust-
ry," must be built "on the good faith
of all sides." He added : "We all are
in the same industry, and we know
we can't succeed in the job unless all
segments cooperate."
Starr and Herman M. Levy, TOA
general counsel, who sat in on the
interview, told the reporters that the
arbitration draft amending work cur-
rently being done by distributor law-
yers was approved by both Myers and
Levy at the recent arbitration parley
in Washington among distributor,
Allied, and TOA officials.
The lawyers' task, it was deter-
mined yesterday, will be completed in
time to allow the presidents of the
distribution companies to act on the
amendments at a meeting around the
middle of next week. Upon approval
by the presidents, the draft will be
turned over to Allied and TOA for
action, Levy assumed.
Starr, who told the TOA
convention he was optimistic
about the establishment of an
arbitration system that would
be universally satisfactory, re-
peated this opinion yesterday.
He said that no exhibitor or
distributor could expect to see
a workable system if he seeks
to get "undue advantage" in
proceedings. He said that ar-
bitration can minimize the
number of industry suits, not
do away with them entirely.
The exercise of goodwill, he
added, will spell the success of
a system.
Starr credited Myers with having
made many valuable contributions _ to
the establishment of an arbitration
system.
The conciliation provisions of the
arbitration plan have been approved
by all parties, Starr said. He re-
minded that conciliation first will be
essayed before any case goes to arbi-
tration.
Will Not Take Action
TOA will not take any action on
the General Mills Corp. proposal at
the convention to give away theatre
passes along with distribution of free
samples of the company's products.
Levy interjected that it was likely that
individual exhibitor members of TOA
may try out the idea.
Herman Hunt, Cincinnati theatre
owner, has indicated to Starr that he
will sponsor a luncheon of Southern
Ohio exhibitors in that city with a
view to forming a Southern Ohio
TOA unit. Starr said that this TOA
Elect Frisch
(Continued from page 1)
vice-president. The latter was re-
elected first vice-president.
Other officers elected for the next
two years are : Samuel Rosen, board
chairman ; Robert Weitman, second
vice-president, and Russell V. Down-
ing, treasurer. Oscar A. Doob was
reelected chairman of the executive
committee for a fourth successive
term. D. John Phillips continues as
executive director.
New Executive Committee
The new executive committee in-
cludes : Samual Rinzler, Rosen, Sol
Schwartz, Strausberg and Weitman.
The board for the next two years
will consist of Herman Becker, Leo
Brecher, Doob, Downing, Harry
Goldberg, Julius Joelson, David C.
Katz, Rinzler, Fred J. Schwartz, Sol
Schwartz, Strausberg and Weitman.
Strausberg at the meeting eulogized
Rugoff as having been one of the or-
ganization's "best beloved and most
valued members."
convention development is expected to
bear fruit "in a few weeks." Both
Starr and Levy said TOA has opened
its doors to any Western Theatre
Owners units who wish to join. WTO
is leaderless at present.
Starr left here last evening by plane
for Kansas City. He will attend the
meeting next week in St. Louis of
the M'PTO of St. Louis, Eastern Mis-
souri and Southern Illinois. Starr
said he will attend many TOA re-
gional and unit meetings during the
coming months.
CITY PLACE OF SCREENING TIME
ALBANY FOX SCREENING ROOM, 1052 Broadway 2.30 P.M.
ATLANTA PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 154 Walton St., N. W 2 P.M.
BOSTON PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 58-62 Berkeley Street 2 P.M.
BUFFALO PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 464 Franklin Street 2 P.M.
CHARLOTTE PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 305-7 South Church Street 70 A.M.
CHICAGO PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1306 South Michigan Avenue 3 P.M.
CINCINNATI FOX SCREENING ROOM, 1638 Central Parkway 2:30 P.M.
CLEVELAND PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1735 East 23rd Street 8.75 P.M.
DALLAS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 401 N. Pearl Expressway 2 P.M.
DENVER PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 2100 Stout Street 2 P.M.
DES MOINES PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1125 High Street I P.M.
DETROIT PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 479 Ledyard Avenue 2 P.M.
INDIANAPOLIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 116 West Michigan Street J P.M.
JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA THEATRES SCREENING ROOM, Florida Thea. Bldg 2 P.M.
KANSAS CITY PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1800 Wyandotte Street 2 P.M.
I LOS ANGELES PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1613 West 20th Street 7:30 P.M.
MEMPHIS. PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 362 South Second Street 12:75 NOON
MILWAUKEE .. .PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1121 North Eighth Street 2 P.M.
MINNEAPOLIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1201 Currie Avenue 8 P.M.
NEW HAVEN PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 82 State Street 2 P.M.
NEW ORLEANS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 215 South Liberty Street 2 P.M.
NEW YORK CITY. . .PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1501 Broadway (9th Fl.) 2:30 P.M.
OKLAHOMA CITY. .PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 701 West Grand Avenue 10:30 A.M.
OMAHA FOX SCREENING ROOM, 1502 Davenport Street 2 P.M.
PHILADELPHIA PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 248 North 12th Street 2 P.M.
PITTSBURGH. .... .PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1727 Boulevard of Allies 2 P.M.
PORTLAND PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 909 N. W. 19th Avenue 2 P.M.
ST. LOUIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 2949-2953 Olive Street 3 P.M.
SALT LAKE CITY PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 270 East 1st South Street 7:30 P.M.
SAN FRANCISCO... PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 205 Golden Gate Ave 2 P.M.
SEATTLE MODERN THEATRE SUPPLY PROJ. ROOM, 2400 Third Ave 7:30 P.M
WASHINGTON PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 306 H Street, N.W 2:30 P.M.
PARAMOUNT
Monday, October 6, 1952
• • •
DEAN JERRY
MARTIN r LEWIS
In HAL WALLIS' Production
Co-starring
MARION MARSHALL - EDDIE MAYEHOFF
POLLY BERGEN
; Directed by NORMAN TAUROG
Screenplay by FRED F. FINKLEHOFFE
and MARTIN RACKIN
Additional Dialogue by ELWOOD ULLMAN
From a story by
Fred F. Finklehoffe and Sid Silvers
i
6
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, October 1, 1952
Institutional Air
Series for ATC
Boston, Sept. 30.— American
Theatres Corp. will sponsor a
radio program to promote
current attractions at all of
its Greater Boston theatres.
The program will be in the
form of a "movie bulletin of
the air" and will be called
' Movie Tonight." It will be
broadcast over Station
WHDH five times a week,
Monday - through - Friday, at
3:55 to 4:00 P.M., effective to-
morrow. The program will
run indefinitely.
Review
"Captive Women"
Walcott Bout Set
Attendance Record
An all-time paid attendance record
for any sporting event was set by the
recent Walcott- Marciano bout, accord-
ing to figures compiled by Theatre
Network Television, the agency which
booked the bout for theatre television.
Over 120,000 fight fans saw the
heavyweight title bout in 50 TV-
equipped theatres stretched across the
country, while 41,000 persons were at
Philadelphia's Municipal Stadium, the
site of the match, bringing the total
attendance for the event to 161,000,
according to TNT. The old attend-
ance record, TNT stated, was set by
the second Dempsey-Tunney match in
Philadelphia more than two decades
ago, which attracted 122,000 persons.
TNT added that the total theatre
TV gross, including Federal admission
taxes, was in excess of $400,000, with
an average gross of $8,000 per theatre.
(RKO Pictures)
DEMOLISHED New York City, in the post-Atomic war year oi_ 3,000
AD is the setting of this minor entry that has ample exploitation
features ''The populace lives mostly in caves underground and »s divided
into three groups : the evil Uprivermen, led by power-mad Stuart Randal
the devil-worshipping Norms, led by Robert Clarke in exile when Randall
overthrows the Norm leadership by treachery, and the Mutations who are
physically disfigured from the atomic radiation let loose in the 20th Century,
led by Ron Randell. . . . ...
There is a three-minute documentary introduction in which a serious
voiced narrator warns that this is what might occur in _ the future while
familiar footage of the United Nations building, the atomic explosions and
Hiroshima is used. The film is on the familiar melodramatic level and the
title is derived from the attempts of the Mutations to propagate healthy
children by stealing Norm women. _ .
Clarke and aide Robert Bice flee Randall and are caught by Ron Randell
and the Mutations who force them to live across the river. Wi ham Schallert,
a Mutation seeking Randell's throne, stirs up discontent and has a fight for
the leadership with Randell. When defeated, he is allowed to leave and
deserts to Stuart Randall, giving him the secret of the under-nver cave
which had guaranteed the Mutations' safety. Randell is captured by Randall
hut later freed by Clarke and Bice while the pursuing Uprivermen are
destroyed when the Mutations flood the under river cave All ends happily
when one of the Norm women, agrees to marry Randell out of love, and
thus the God-worshipping Mutations are assured of a healthy propagation
Margaret Field and Gloria Saunders provide the feminine attraction. This
was written and produced by Aubrey Wisberg and Jack Pollexfen.
Running time, 65 minutes. General audience classification. Release date
not set.
Crouse Suit Goes
To Federal Judge
Minneapolis, Sept. 30. — The suit
of William Crouse of Eveleth, Minn.,
charging Minnesota Amusement Co.
and distributors with conspiracy, has
been transferred from a slated jury
trial to judgment by the Federal Dis-
trict Court here.
Crouse charges the Maco circuit
conspired with film companies to keep
product away from his Eveleth thea-
tres in favor of Maco's nearby Vir-
ginia, Minn., houses.
Stan Kane is counsel for Crouse,
while David Shearer represents the
distributors, except Paramount, which
is represented along with Maco by
Mandt Torrison.
Cite Ornstein Stories
Four of the 20 stories which Wil-
liam Ornstein, M-G-M home _ office
trade press liaison, included in his
book, "Ma and Me," just published
by Story Book Press of Dallas, are
given "Distinctive Mention" by
Martha Foley in the 1952 edition of
"Best American Short Stories." The
four originally were published in the
American Jezvish Times Outlook and
are as follows: "The Apprentice,"
"Eventide Song," "Badge of Honor"
and "Tea on Wednesday." In addition
to this group, Miss Foley also mentions
in her anthology six other stories
by the same author: "The Crime of
These Corners," "Fun, Fast and
Feast," "Harold (The Sham us)
Klein," "Ocarina Nocturne," "Family
Tree" and "Same Line, Old Tune."
Program Completed
For St. Louis Meet
St. Louis, Sept. 30.— Hotel reser-
vations and banquet ticket sales indi-
cate a record annual meeting for the
Motion Picture Theatre Owners of
St Louis, Eastern Missouri and
Southern Illinois when the organiza-
tion gathers Monday and Tuesday at
the Chase Hotel here.
General chairman Tom Edwards,
and co-chairmen William H. Waring,
Jr., and Bill Williams, along with the
program committee have laid out a
busy schedule for the gathering.
Open Forums Featured
Open forums will be featured
throughout the sessions. Speakers will
include : Herman Levy, general coun-
sel Theatre Owners of America, on
"Industry Arbitration," "The 16-mm.
Lawsuit" and "Possibilities of Tax
Reduction in the Next Congress ;
Ray Colvin, executive director, the-
atre Equipment Dealers Association
of St. Louis, on "The Motion Picture
Industry as a Business, Art and So-
cial Force"; Leon Bamberger, RKO
Radio, on "Public Relations and Your
Public" ; Herb Bennin, M-G-M man-
ager, St. Louis, on "Movietime U.S.A.
in 1952-53." , _ , ...
Also, Jack Keiler of the Columbia
Amusement Co., Paducah, Ky., on
"Exploitation and Publicity" ; Al Rey-
nolds of Claude Ezell and Associates,
Dallas, on "Drive In Concesions and
Operations" ; Pat Magee, Denver, on
"COMPO and the 16-mm. Anti-Trust
Suit" ; Larry W. Davee, Century Pro-
jector, New York City, "Third Di-
mensional Projection"; Senn Lawler,
Fox Midwest, Kansas City, "Publicity
That Produces."
The program will also include trail-
ers of top pictures to be released dur-
ing the coming season with explana-
tory talks by advertising and publicity
representatives of film companies. The
latest developments in theatre equip-
ment, appliances and supplies will be
on display at the trade show to be
conducted in conjunction with the
meeting.
High Attendance
Marks K-MTA Meet
Kansas City, Sept. 30.— The 34th
annual convention of the Kansas-Mis-
souri Theatre Association opened to-
day with registration like that of the
best attended meetings of recent years.
The afternoon was devoted to pres-
entations by branch managers of cur-
rent and new product. Several showed
trailers and some talked on product,
explaining the background of the pic-
tures or phases of them that offered
particularly good exploitation values.
It was noted that the exhibitors re-
sponded to the trailers and to special
stunts with spontaneous exclamations
much as the patrons in their theatres
are likely to do.
C. E. Cook, president of the Asso-
ciation, opened the convention.
There will be further product pres-
entations tomorrow, as well as the
business session with elections, ad-
dresses and discussions.
The convention ends with the ban-
quet tomorrow night, honoring R. R.
Biechele.
Sharp Decrease in
Tax Collections for
August Reported
Washington, Sept. 30. — General
admission tax collections for August,
reflecting July box-office business,
were $6,000,000 below those for Aug.,
1951, the Bureau of Internal Revenue
reported today.
Most industry officials had expected
these figures to show a large increase,
reflecting a box-office upturn that
reportedly started in July. The Bu-
reau's figures indicate one of two
things : either reports of the motion
picture box-office upturn were exag-
gerated, or admission tax returns are
no longer very good indicators of
theatre business. This latter would
be due to the fact that theatre taxes
might be accounting for a smaller
percentage of the total general ad-
mission taxes, and that taxes on
admissions to such events as ball
games and prize fights might be
throwing a proportionately greater
weight in the total.
The Bureau's figures put general
admission tax collections for August
at $28,067,623, compared to $34,142,-
531 for the previous August.
The August figures were down
slightly from collections in the pre-
vious month, when the total was $28,-
369,934. However, in recent years,
collections have risen seasonally from
July to August, frequently by large
amounts.
The drop from August this year
against last August was the sharpest
drop compared with 1951 for any
month this year.
General admission tax collections
include taxes on admissions to sports
events, concerts, legitimate theatre and
other general entertainment events,
as well as to motion picture theatres.
Hold Shipboard
Bow of 'Gaucho'
The shipboard world premiere of
20th Century-Fox's "Way of A
Gaucho" was held here last night
aboard the Moore-McCormack liner,
the ■S'.-S". Argentina, before an invited
audience of 500 guests.
The notables, which included offi-
cials of New York City, the United
Nations and Argentina, in addition to
newspapermen, were met at the pier
by 20th-Fox representatives and the
vessel's captain.
The evening's entertainment fea-
tured a fashion show, the staging of a
King Neptune ceremony, and a special
drawing among newspapermen for a
free South American cruise. There
were also deck games, dancing and a
buffet dinner.
Lasky, Blaustein,
Kramer to Lecture
Hollywood, Sept. 30.— Jesse Lasky,
Julian Blaustein and Stanley Kramer
have been named the first three Screen
Producers Guild members to deliver
lectures, which will be photographed
on sound film before the Cinema De-
partment of the University of Southern
California. Lasky will tee off the
-eries Thursday • evening, with "A
History of the Film Industry" as his
topic. Blaustein will speak on Oct. 16
on "The Basic Idea" (the film sub-
ject followed from its inception to its
final screenplay). Kramer follow^ next
on Oct. 30 with a discussion of "Pre-
Production and Its Problems."
Top SMPTE Award
To Kodak' s Crabtree
Rochester, N. Y., Sept. 30.— John
I. Crabtree, Eastman Kodak research
chemist, has been named as the 1952
recipient of the "Progress Medal"
award of the Society of Motion Pic-
ture and Television Engineers.
Crabtree was selected for his con-
tributions in the fields of photographic
chemistry, motion picture film proc-
essing and film processing equipment.
He will receive the award at a dinner
during the Society's annual convention
in Washington next week.
The Progress Medal is the Society's
highest award. It is given annually
to the individual whose work has re-
sulted in significant advances in the
development of motion-picture tech-
nology.
NEWS
WHILE
IT |S
NEWS
MOTION PICTURE
VOL. 72. NO. 66
NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1952
TEN CENTS
Universal Net
Up $625,290,
To $1,752,472
39-Week Profit Equal
To $1.63 Per Share
A $625,290 increase in profit for
Universal Pictures and subsidiary
companies was reported yesterday
for the 39 weeks ended Aug. 2, on
consolidated net earnings of $1,752,472.
The net was after provision of
$2,650,000 for estimated Federal in-
come and excess profits taxes and
after provision of $250,000 for con-
tingencies, the company stated, com-
paring the net with consolidated earn-
ings of $1,127,182 for the corresponding
39 weeks of the previous fiscal year,
after provision of $1,675,000 for esti-
mated Federal taxes and after provi-
sion of $400,000 for contingencies.
After deducting dividends on the
preferred stock, consolidated net earn-
ings for the 39 weeks ended Aug. 2
are equivalent to $1.63 per share on
the 961,698 shares of common stock
outstanding. For the corresponding
period of the previous fiscal year,
{Continued on page 7)
K-MTA Reelects
Cook President
Kansas City, Oct. 1. — C. E. Cook
Maryville, Missouri, exhibitor, was re-
elected president of the Kansas-Mis-
souri Theatre Association at the an-
nual business meeting here today at
the President Hotel.
H. B. Doering, exhibitor for 30
years at Garnett, Kan., and represen-
tative in the State Legislature, was
elected vice-president. Doering is un-
opposed for reelection to the legisla-
ture this fall. George Baker was
elected secretary and Homer Strow-
ing, treasurer.
Most directors were reelected but
{Continued on page 2)
Skouras to Survey
Far East Interests
Company interests in Australia,
including Hoyts Theatres, which 20th
Century-Fox controls, will be the sub
ject of a survey to be undertaken
by Spyros P. Skouras, 20th-Fox presi-
dent, who is scheduled to leave here
tomorrow night by plane on the first
leg of a journey to the Far East.
Skouras will make his first stop
in Los Angeles over the weekend,
flying to Honolulu on Tuesday. He
(Continued on page 7)
Continue to
Work Through
COMPO: Myers
Washington, Oct. 1. — Abram F.
Myers, general counsel of Allied
States Association, said today exhibi-
tor organizations should continue to
work on common problems through
the Council of Motion Picture Or-
ganizations, rather than attempt to set
up new exhibitor groups.
This was Myers' comment on the
proposal made yesterday in New York
by Alfred Starr, president of the The-
atre Owners of America, who sug-
gested that a single unified exhibitor
(Continued on page 7)
Let Ad Men Advise
Producers: Bergman
The time has come for advertising
and publicity personnel to be consulted
about motion pictures before they are
produced, Maurice Bergman, assistant
to the president
of Universal-
Interna-
tional, declared
here yesterday
in an address
before a lunch-
eon-meeting of
the Associated
Motion Picture
Advertisers a t
the Hotel
Piccadilly.
Bergman told
the gather
ing, which as
sembled in trib
ute to the motion picture critics of
the Metropolitan New York news
(Continued on page 7)
Maurice Bergman
Meet Here Today on
Japanese Licenses
Motion Picture Export Association
member companies' presidents and
foreign managers at their meeting
here today will wrestle with the
admittedly difficult problem of divid-
ing among their companies the 59
Japanese import licenses which have
been allocated to them, for the second
half of the fiscal year ending next
March.
Additionally, the meeting, which
will be attended by Eric A. Johnston,
Motion Picture Association of Amer-
ica president, will decide when it
would be advisable for Johnston to
(Continued on page 7)
New RKO Pictures'lCiner a m a Is
Heads Name Board
And Officers Today
Meetings of the new RKO Pictures'
controlling stockholders were begun
here yesterday and will continue to-
day.
The company issued no official
statement following yesterday's meet-
ing but it was reported that members
of the board submitted their resigna-
tions and that a new board of direc-
tors will be elected at today's session.
The board subsequently is expected
to elect officers.
Members of the old board are :
Noah Dietrich, chairman ; Ned E.
Depinet, Howard Hughes, Francis J.
(Continued on page 2)
Big Question
For Industry
Pre-release 4Pan' in
200-300 Situations
"Peter Pan," the new Walt Disney
feature production, will be pre-released
in 200 to 300 situations throughout
the country, beginning in about Febru-
ary, before the
color by Tech
nicolor film is
generally re-
leased, Roy
Disney, pres-
ident of Walt
Disney Produc-
tions, disclosed
here yesterday.
He said the
film, which
Disney hopes to
world premiere
during the
Christmas holi-
days, costs in
excess of $4,000,000, the most expen-
sive picture ever made by the Disney
(Continued on page 7)
Roy Disney
Executives Wonder If It
Has Commercial Future
By C. L. FRANKE
Cinerama, the triple-projection,
huge screen, three-dimensional "ef-
fect" system which made its public
debut at the Broadway Theatre
here Wednesday evening, has left the
impress of a big question mark on the
motion picture industry.
The enthusiastic respect for Cine-
rama's achievement both visually and
sound-wise which was voiced yester-
day by industry executives was tem-
pered somewhat by their acknowledged
inability to speculate on the system's
commercial possibilities.
Some industry leaders who were
present at the Broadway's "This Is
Cinerama" premiere, such as Louis B.
Mayer, were enthusiastic in general
terms about the innovation's commer-
cial future. Others who have seen it
said they were overwhelmed by its
accomplishments, but had reservations
concerning its possible impact in a
(Continued on page 7)
May Ask More Time
For 16mm. Replies
With answers of defendant
companies to the govern-
ment's suit to force the sale
of 16mm. feature films to
television and other non-
theatrical users due in an-
other two weeks, attorneys
yesterday expressed the
opinion that more time will
be required and that another
extension of the time for
filing may have to be re-
quested.
The time for filing answers
was extended in mid-August
for 60 days to Oct. 15.
DETROIT, Oct. l.~Earl
J. Hudson, president of
United Detroit Theatres
and a member of the De-
troit exhibitor committee
surveying future c o n -
ditions, reported that
this city's showmen are
enthusiastic about the
number and quality of
top -flight films avail-
able from the studios in
Hollywood for the coming
year.
•
BUFFALO , Oct. 1. — A
meeting of the directors
of MPT0 of New York has
been called for Monday
here by George Gammel,
president of the Western
zone. Plans will be dis-
cussed for aiding the
fight to repeal the 20 per
cent Federal admissions
tax.
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, October 2, 1952
Personal
Mention
JOHN C. FLINN, Allied Artists
advertising-publicity director, is in
New York following the company s
Chicago sales convention and plans to
return to the Coast tomorrow.
Clyde Gilmour, motion picture edi-
tor of the Vancouver, B. C, Sun,
Canadian "Broadcasting System film
commentator and entertainment editor
of MacLean's "'magazine, is in New
York from Vancouver.
Harold Wirthwein, Allied Artists
Western sales manager, has left Chi-
cago for Hollywood.
Joseph Sistrom, - Paramount pro-
ducer, left here yesterday for London.
Arthur Willi, RKO Radio East-
ern talent chief, is in Chicago.
'Flat Top' Promotion
Gets Navy Support
'Washington, Oct. 1.— Navy ap-
proval has been given for collabora-
tion with Allied Artists in promoting
"Flat Top," Walter Mirisch produc-
tion filmed in cooperation with the
Navy, highlighted by a world premiere
aboard the U.S.S. Princeton off San
Diego on Armistice Day, it was dis-
closed here today by Capt. Lewis S.
Parks, USN.
In addition, Navy recruiting sta-
tions throughout the country will aid
directly in exploiting the film by the
use of banners and full line acces-
sories, at no cost to the Navy. Naval
and military dignitaries, civil leaders
and state officials, in addition to the
press, will attend the premiere.
Following the premiere, the picture,
which co-stars Sterling Hayden and
Richard Carlson, will open day and
date in three Fox-West-Coast theatres
in San Diego.
Half of Mexican Screen Time
Must Now Go to Home Films
The Mexican Congress yesterday passed a new film industry law that
requires every Mexican theatre to devote at least half of its annual screen
time to Mexican-made films, accord- >
mgT£niawws SS? 'Solomon' First UA
theatres in Mexico City and other #,
large cities which feature American Cma|l H l I|T1 111 DO
films almost exclusively all year. uma"
■ American film spokesmen in Mexico
immediately described the law as "dis- Hollywood, Oct. 1.— United Artists
criminatory." announced today that Edward Small's
The law placed all phases of the 1953 production program will be
industry under Federal Government headed by "King Solomon's Wives,"
regulations and established the Min- a "color spectacle" to be filmed in
ister of the Interior as the industry's this country. Six black-and-white
boss, with what was described by productions remain on Small's 1952
an American spokesman as "enough program of which "Kansas City Con-
power to put us out of business in fidential," is completed, and "Bandits
a week.'
Rogers 'Salute' to
Open on Nov. 1
The annual "National Christmas
Reelect Cook
(Continued from page 1)
of Corsica" is nearly completed
"King Solomon's Wives" is inde
pendent of Small's arrangement with
Mike Todd to film "The Viking" in
Europe, where Todd is currently
making preparations for production. -
The remaining films on Small's
, 1952 program are "Barbarossa,"
, ... Christmas , R; „ «Crosst0Wn," and
Salute" to the Will Rogers Memorial | £1JScree^ing Eagies.»
Hospital will open on Nov. 1 and
continue through Jan. 1, Abe Monta-
gue and R. J. O'Donnell, president
and chairman, respectively, of the
Tt^TZ^Z^l I the following are new on the board:
Xrino the Sg&u Salute" Glen Hall, Don Burnett, and Stanley
members' of the amusement industry Durwood.
wiTsiVn the five-mile-long Christmas Alfred Starr Theatre Owners oi
greeting to patients at the hospital at America, president the main speaker
Saranac Lake N. Y., and will contrib- emphasized the desperate need for
baranac L.aKe in , organ zation in the motion picture
the §3 "Salu S 150 000 liners industry lest its hostile critics destroy
1 it entirely.
He said : "It is a crying shame that
other industries are able so effectively
to protect and publicize their interests
while the motion picture industry
continues to be the target of crack-
pots and self aggrandizing publicity
seekers."
'Free Riders'
He characterized as "free riders
and $200,000 in contributions.
Jack L. Warner
Leaves Academy
Aylesworth Services
Set for Tomorrow
Funeral services for Merlin Hall
Aylesworth, who died here Tuesday,
will be conducted at 11 A. M. tomor-
row in the Frank E. Campbell Fun-
eral Home, Madison Ave. and 81st
Street.
Aylesworth, former president and
chairman of Radio-Keith- Orpheum
Corp. and Radio Pictures, Inc., first
president of National Broadcasting,
and a former publisher of the New
York World Telegram, is survived by
the widow, Caroline, and two children
by his first wife.
Grace Goldberg Barber
Funeral services were held at
Riverside Memorial Chapel here Sun
day for Grace Goldberg Barber, wife
of Frank C. Barber of the Music
Publishers Holding Corp., who died
at her home on Friday. For the past
20 years Mrs. Barber had been as-
sistant at the Warner Brothers story
department here.
Wolfbergs, UA
Named in Suit
Denver, Oct. 1— Suit for $100,000
damages, to be trebled if won, has
been filed in TJ. S. District Court by
Kar-Vue Theatres, headed by Lem '
Lee, against United Artists and thea-
tre companies headed by Harris and
John Wolfberg, father and son. The
suit alleges that Kar-Vue was unable
to buy a proper run at proper prices
of United Artists films for the Monaco
drive-in, Denver.
The Wolfbergs have six theatres
in Denver, including four drive-ins.
They recently won a $300', 000 judg-
ment against RKO Radio, Loew's and
20th-Fox and have another suit pend-
ing asking for $1,000,000 from the
same companies for alleged inability
to buy films, at proper .runs and prices-
for the Broadway.
RKO Pictures
(Continued from page 1)
Hollywood, Oct. 1.— Jack L. War
ner has tendered his personal resigna
tion from the Academy of Motion , ^ exhibito7S"who"rnake no finan-
Picture Arts and Sciences which he ^ contribution o{ any kind to their
had maintained since the orgamza- regional or nationai trade association
tion's inception. ^n though it is obvious that no
He said, m a statement, 1 have exhibitor is in a position to
resigned from the Academy because single ^ ^
the demands of my production duties Seyeral speakers emphasized the
and my efforts on behalf of various q{ jects and pr0posals ema
charities leave me no turn : to main- {rom ^ ience of exhibi
tarn active membership. When such ^ ^ ^ seyeral regionS) for thelr
active membership is no longer ■ pos- advancement and for guidance
sible, I do not believe m membership ow ^ ^ f
in any organization just tor saKe oi | rplations^ or000sals were devel-
belonging.'
public relations, proposals were devel
oped and put into specific outline by
Senn Lawler of Fox Midwest. _ He
quoted several proposals made in a
Chicago conference four years ago,
and then set up these fields of effort :
one, an exhibit; two, visits to com-
Italian Film Group
Meets Impellitteri
Mavor Vincent Impellitteri will , .
meet top executives of the Italian munities by industry representatives
film industry today at City Hall and including actors who have been briefed
officially proclaim Oct. 6-12 as "Salute carefully by a representative commit-
to Italian Films Week." Included in tee for talks and interviews; three, a
the delegation will be Dr. Renato centrally located source of information
Gaulino general director of Italian from which anybody m . the industry
Films Export • Dr. Emanuele Cassuto, might get promptly desired material
managing director of Unitalia; E. R. for meeting a trend against films or
Zore-niotti U S. representative of for promoting a project benefiting the
IFE and Jonas Rosenfield, Jr., industry ; four, a series of industry
executive director of "Salute Week." I newspaper advertisements; five, tran-
O'Hara and J. Miller Walker. The
new board will include members of
the Ralph Stolkin purchasing syndi-
cate and their representatives. _
The preponderance of opinion in
trade and financial circles yesterday
was that Depinet will be reelected
president and that RKO Pictures'
management will be left intact. Stol-
kin is expected to become chairman
of the board.
It was learned yesterday that the
Stolkin syndicate under its, stock pur-
chase agreement with Hughes can
acquire the 1,050,000-share block for
$6.50 per share by completing pay-
ment in less than the two years al-
lotted to it. The $7 per share price
remains if the purchasing group avails
itself of the full two-year period.
No Conversations Held
Meanwhile, officials of Bankers
Trust Co. here stated that no con-
versations whatever had been held
with the Stolkin group concerning
financing for RKO Pictures. The
statement was in reply to reports
that a first order of business for the
new owners might be the re-negotia-
tion of the company's revolving credit
with Bankers Trust and the Mellon
Bank of Pittsburgh.
The new owners have scheduled a
reception for members of the new
board and of management at the 21
Club here today, following the election
meeting. Tomorrow, they will meet
with press representatives at Toots
Shor's restaurant.
At yesterday's meeting in addition
to Stolkin were A. L. Koolish, Sher-
rill Corwin, E. J. Burke, Ray Ryan,
Greg Bautzer, Arnold Grant, Gordon
Youngman, Sidney Korshak, all of
the purchasing group, and representa-
tives of management and Hughes.
scriptions on the industry for local use
with local theatre managers adding
comment or mention of current pro-
grams ; six, a nation-wide radio and
perhaps a television show, by and for
the industry, as a whole, with it doing
for itself what several prominent com-
mercial sponsored programs have
done.
I^HON PICTURE DAILY. Martin ^f^^^^^^^^^F^^^^ P^^^Sl^
avs by Uuig ey ruousnms ^um^nuj, «~y — ■-. „ . , . mt -. t CuMWoti V re- President and Treasurer; naymunu ^tv;, -i
tfn Quigley 5 President; Martin Quigley, Jr. Vxce-President ; J^-J:^^'^1^^^^0 Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine
prtiqinff KeDresentati ve rl o-ju/t; .di uuc j. j. m*., * — vy -ri j.
^ctVMaST^ -d $12 f™ Singl£ C°PieS- 10C"
ANNOUNCING 20th CENTURY-FOX'S
SHOWM
mo {or tfce Bird,
.a
starring
VICTOR PATRICIA EDMUND
MATURE • NEAL • GWENN
with Larry Keating • Gladys Hurlbut • Hugh Sanders • Christian Rub
Produced by Directed by Screen Play by
SAMUEL G. ENGEL * ROBERT WISE • I. A. L. DIAMOND and BORIS INGSTER
Open to any manager and/or advertising
manager of a motion picture theatre any-
funnier -/„ J „
plaY SOMETHING FOR THE BIRDS before February 1st, 1953.
O
Start planning your prize-winning Showmanship campaign immediately. Here's what
you can do now!— Arrange for full- page cooperative ads with this slogan to tie up
with the title: "SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY". . . News-
paper letter-writing contest on the theme: "WHAT I'D LIKE TO SEE MOST ON
A TRIP TO WASHINGTON, D.C.". . . Tie up with libraries on books on bird life
. . . Contact local chapter of Audubon Society . . . Join in the Red Cross Blood Donor
Drive, with the slogan: "SOMETHING FOR THE SERVICEMEN."
First Prize $1#000
Second Prize
Third Prize
5 Prizes
10 Prizes
50 Prizes
80 Prizes
$
$
$
$
U. S. SAVINGS BOND
500
U. S. SAVINGS BOND
250
U. S. SAVINGS BOND
100
U. S. SAVINGS BONDS
75
U. S. SAVINGS BONDS
50
U. S. SAVINGS BONDS
25
U. S. SAVINGS BONDS
In the event of ties, duplicate prizes will be awar
rOTALING
o
o
Wire or call today for your free Showmanship Kit. Chockful of ideas and material
to help you plan a hard-hitting Selling Campaign! See below.
Send your complete campaign to SOMETHING FOR THE BIRDS Showmanship
Contest Committee, 444 West 56th Street, New York 19, N.Y., postmarked no later
than midnight Saturday, February 21st, 1953. Consideration will be given to the nature
of the run, type of theatre, location, etc. GET GOING EARLY!
» 1 1
PLUS
f 1 1
Write or wire
EXPLOITATION DEPT.
20th Century-Fox Film Corp.
444 West 56th Street
New York 19, N. Y*
ENTRY DATE: All entries must be postmarked on or before midnight of February 21, 1953.
THE JUDGING: Judging will be based upon the best and most productive advertising,
exploitation and publicity campaigns for "SOMETHING FOR THE BIRDS/'
In judging winners, consideration will be given to the nature of the run, the class of
house, its location and business produced, in order to permit equal competition between small
town theatres, neighborhood houses and downtown de luxe theatres.
HOW TO ENTER: 1 . Submit a written summary of the advertising,exploitation and publicity
campaign you stage for your engagement of "SOMETHING FOR THE BIRDS/' documented
with newspaper tear sheets, photos and other specimens.
This summary may be in any form you elect, whether letter, memo, scrapbook, folder,
etc., and may be of any length or dimension. However, judging will be done solely on the
basis of the factors outlined in these Rules. Elaborateness of campaign books or of presenta-
tions will have no bearing whatever on the decision of the judges.
2. This summary must in all instances include
the following specific information, in addi-
tion to an outline of the campaign activities
themselves : *s^fi
a. Size of theatre (seats) ^ ^
b. Population
and type of community
c. Run given "SOMETHING FOR THE BIRDS"
d. Percentage of normal business
e. Receipts for engagement (optional)
3. Send your summary by first class mail to
"SOMETHING FOR THE BIRDS"
SHOWMANSHIP CONTEST
Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corp.
444 West 56th Street, New York 19, N.Y.
There's No Showmanship Like
Printed in U
Thursday, October 2, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
7
'Peter Pan'
(Continued from page 1)
organization. Disney said his firm was
"marking time" on future commit-
ments with RKO Pictures, pending-
clarification of the new management's
policy. "Peter Pan" marks the last
feature commitment under the present
pact between Disney and RKO Pic-
tures, while Disney's last short to be
distributed by RKO Pictures under
the current contract is due in May of
next year. :■■
"We have a great admiration for
RKO distribution personnel," said
Disney, "and everything else being-
equal, we would like to stay with
them." He added that the Disney
organization at this time was not
shopping around for any new distribu-
tion outlets.
Here 2 or 3 Weeks
Disney said he expected to remain
in New York about two or three
weeks to set up a sales policy for
"Peter Pan" and co-ordinate the _ ex-
tensive advertising, publicity and tie-in
campaign. He would not comment
whether advanced admission prices
would be sought for the pre-release
engagements.
Disney, although he saw the use of
the TV medium for exploitation pur-
poses, reiterated his belief that TV
offers a very poor market for theatri-
cal films and motion picture theatres
are the best medium for such films.
He said the same views apply_ to sub-
scription home television, adding that
home TV interests "would fall down
dead" if they had to pay $4,000,000 for
such a film as "Peter Pan."
It was also disclosed that a new
True-Life Adventure film, the first
one described to be "on the comic
side," will be released about the same
time as "Peter Pan." Its title is "Bear
Country."
Plans for an extensive "Peter Pan"
advertising campaign, to be launched
Nov. 17 in Look magazine, were also
disclosed.
Presidents Meeting
(Continued from page 1)
go to Paris to resume negotiations
for a Franco- American film pact. The
first effort at negotiation collapsed
a few weeks ago.
The Japanese licenses for the first
half of the year, numbering 63, were
shared by the companies as follows
Loew's, nine ; 20th- Fox, eight ; Para
mount, seven ; Warner, seven ; Colum
bia, six ; RKO Radio, six ; Universal
six ; Republic, five ; United Artists
five, Allied Artists, four. The Society
of Independent Motion Picture Pro
ducers companies will share 15, the
same number they received for the
first half.
The MPEA companies agreed at
the time they divided the first half"
allotment that the ratio was not to
become a precedent for the second
half's allocations. Last Sept. 24 they
failed at a special meeting to reach
an agreement, but resolved that each
company be permitted to release two
pictures in Japan pending the final
decision on the allocation by the
presidents today.
. MPEA unsuccessfully opposed Ja
pan's formula based on the number
of domestically-produced pictures in
the fiscal year 1951, which signifie
only 59 permits for the MPEA com
panies for the second half of this
year.
Cinerama A Question
(Continued from page 1)
broad, commercial sense.
However, it was evident that the
scores of top industry executives who
attended private demonstrations of
Cinerama at the Oyster Bay, L. I.,
experimental laboratories during _ the
past 18 months, and whose opinions
of it ranged from strong interest to
enthusiasm at the time, now are doubly
interested in the system in light of the
favorable audience reaction at the
Broadway.
Sol Schwartz, RKO Theatres presi-
dent, said yesterday that the public re-
ception given Cinerama did not sur-
prise him. The question now, he added,
is' not whether a circuit could afford
the $50,000 to put Cinerama in a thea-
tre— "it can." Rather, the question is
whether it will be advisable for the
entire theatre industry to invest mil-
lions of dollars in converting from
conventional projection to Cinerama,
Schwartz said.
Schwartz said he would have been
more than willing to have the Cine-
rama premiere at one of the RKO
theatres here, if only for the sake of
the showmanship it represented. _ He
described Cinerama as "a very exciting
thing." But, he wondered, "will it be-
come reality" for the industry ?
This is what Mayer had to say fol-
lowing the premiere : "I consider Cine-
rama a more important advancement
than either the advent of sound or
color. This is the 'shot in the arm'
that the motion picture business so
badly needs. This is not simply a new
kind of motion picture — it is a revolu-
tion!"
The commercial possibilities of Cine-
rama have been studied by major film
companies over the past 18 months
following the demonstrations by the
inventor, Fred Waller, at Oyster Bay.
J. Robert Rubin, Loew's vice-presi-
dent, told company stockholders last
spring that Loew's engineers who ex-
amined the process, did not think that
it was economically feasible for thea-
tres at that time. About a month ago,
Paul Raibourn, Paramount vice-presi-
dent, commented that he was "im-
pressed" with Cinerama, but that its
economic feasibility for the industry
has to be proven
Neither Joseph R. Vogel, Loew's
vice-president and general manager of
its theatres, nor Harry M. Kalmine,
president and general manager of
Warner Theatres, have seen Cinerama,
they acknowledged yesterday. Leonard
Goldenson, United. Paramount Thea-
tres president, who is in New York,
could not be reached at his office for
comment on Cinerama.
Adolph Zukor, Paramount Pictures
board chairman, was quoted as having
remarked following the premiere that
it would 'be profitable to make Cine-
rama films for distribution to only
40 or 50 theatres throughout the coun-
try, "because they would run almost
indefinitely."
There appeared to be general agree-
ment in the industry that Cinerama
exceeds in many respects the achieve-
ments of Magnascreen and other ear-
lier large screen and tri-dimensional
processes. But a question raised by
many was : "Is Cinerama good for all
types of films or just special kinds,
like action or panoramic pictures?"
Another was : "Is Cinerama for one
or two big, or small, theatres to each
city, or for all theatres?"
Obviously, Lowell Thomas and Me-
rian C. Cooper, who head the firm
sponsoring the system, will have to
supply the answers to all the questions
before the shrewd minds of most in-
dustry leaders are convinced that
Cinerama is commercially practicable.
In the meantime, it is virtually certain
that enthusiasm, however qualified,
will continue to be expressed concern-
ing, the process as it now stands.
Let Ad Men Advise
(Continued from page 1)
papers, he believes that "if the sub-
ject matter of a picture represents an
advertising problem, then that picture
should not be made unless the particu-
lar company can offord to make it for
the sake of making it."
He added: "Let us keep in mind
that solvency in our business depends
upon mass acceptance of our pictures.
If we can make sufficient commercial
succeses, then we can afford to gamble
on selective subjects. Whether we like
it or not, the cultural level of the mo-
tion picture can only be raised in ratio
to the profit level. 'Red Badge of
Courage' and 'Bright Victory' were
box-office failures, but thank goodness,
Metro and Universal could afford
such glorious failures."
Bergman and Harry K. McWil-
liams, AMPA persident, who presided
at the luncheon, praised the pro-indus-
try efforts of the film critics, who
were represented by Kate Cameron,
Daily News; Jim O'Connor, Journal-
American; Leo Mishkin, Morning
Telegraph; Milton Shapiro, The Com-
pass, and Oscar Goodman, Times.
■ McWilliams, in a financial report on
AMPA's showmanship courses, said
tuition receipts totaled $1,700. Gen-
eral expenses were $300, rent for hotel
"classroom" space came to $60, and
$100 has been paid to 20th _ Century-
Fox for the use of its screening room.
Through Compo
(Continued from page 1)
organization be created or, if this
could not be done, that at least a
working arrangement be set up among
exhibitor groups to handle common
problems.
"COMPO was created," Myers said,
"as the medium of cooperation among
all elements in the industry on those
matters in which all had an interest.
Trueman Rembusch, Col. H. A. Cole
and other Allied leaders are doing
their utmost to make COMPO the
success it deserves to be. Until all
others in the industry match their
zeal in the common cause, I do not
think anything would be gained by
planning additional organization."
Universal Net
(Continued from page 1)
Cinerama Future,
Box-office, Strong
Cinerama, the newest motion pic-
ture invention that some believe may
create a boxoffice resurgence, marked
a milestone in film history Tuesday
with the opening of "This Is Cine-
rama," a Lowell Thomas-Merian C.
Cooper presentation, at the Broadway
Theatre, now showing on a two-a-day
reserved seat basis at advanced prices.
Press, radio and television reviews
roused the public which stood in line
yesterday from 10 A. M. until even-
ing purchasing tickets, so that there
is a sell out for approximately the
next eight weeks.
The process is still being perfected
and the enthusiastic premiere audience
occasionally noticed the merging of
the three images thrown on the over-
sized curved screen by the three pro-
jectors. A slight, vertical shadow gap
appeared at the joining point of the
images but Cinerama experts advised
that this is a since-remedied condition
inherent in the original camera and
was not due to the projection equip-
ment.
Aside from the different size equip-
ment including reels, sprockets, cam-
era, projectors and screen, Cinerama
offers a technical challenge to the
industry. While its visual range is
almost as far as the human eye and
the illusion of depth is greatly en-
chanced thus making for unsurpassed
panorama views, it will require dis-
cretion and skill for the depiction
of dramatic continuity with human
beings instead of mountains as the
objects viewed.
Best Moments
In "This Is Cinerama" the best
moments were those in which vast
landscapes or spectacles were shown
or in which the camera "participated"
in thrilling atcion. Thus, the final
sequence viewing such scenic beauties
of the United States as Crater Lake,
Yellowstone National Park, Bridal
Veil Falls, Yosemite National Park,
and including a thrilling airplane ride
through Zion National Park, was the
best.
The opening roller-coaster ride was
most realistic and the Saragossa bull
fight with the roaring crowd sound
enveloping- the audience was extreme-
ly effective. On the other hand, the
Vienna Boys Choir singing showed
to no especial advantage as they just
stood and sang. An airplane landing
and a speedboat going through a
sheet of flame pointed up the value
of rapid motion.
Therefore, it could be that even-
tually outdoor adventure pictures,
musicals and westerns could be made
in Cinerama, and any spectacle would
be greatly effective. Sporting events
and musical pagents in the new proc-
ess would have an immense presence
of reality. However, it remains to
be seen how this process would be
used in dramas.
Walter P'ashkin
consolidated earnings were the equiva-
lent of 98 cents per share on the
960,498 shares of common stock then
outstanding.
The figures are preliminary and
subject to verification by independent
auditors and to year-end adjustments.
UA Tribute to Cohen
Sam Cohen, United Artists foreign
publicity manager celebrating his 20th
anniversary with the company, is being
paid tribute this week by UA.
Skouras to Survey
(Continued from page 1)
is scheduled to arrive in Tokyo on
Thursday, leaving from there on a
journey through the Far East and
the Antipodes.
Skouras will confer with 20th Cenr
tury-Fpx representatives throughout
his trip on forthcoming product, as
well as meet with exhibitors and gov-
ernment officials in the various nations
to discuss mutual cooperation of the
American and foreign film industries.
ALBANY
Warner Sueening Room
HON. Pearl Si. • 17:30 P.M.
ATLANTA
20th Century-fox Screening Room
197 Walton St. N.W • 2:00 P.M.
BOSTON
RKO Screening Room
122 Arlington St. • 2:30 P.M.
BUFFALO
Paramount Screening Room
464 Franklin St. ' 8:00 P.M.
CHARLOTTE
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
308 S. Church SI. • 2 00 P.M.
CHICAGO
Warner Screening Room
1307 So. Wabash Ave. ■ 1 30 P.M.
CINCINNATI
RKO Palace Th. Screening Room
Palace Th. Bldg E. 6th ■ 8 00 P.M.
CLEVELAND
Warner Screening Room
2300 Payne Ave ' 8 30 P.M.
DALLAS
Republic Screening Room
410 So. HarwooSl. • 2 00 P M.
DENVER
Paramount Screening Room
2100 Stout St. ■ 2:00 P.M.
DES MOINES
Poramount Screening Room
1 12S High St. • 12:45P.M.
DETROIT
Film Exchange Building
2310 Con Ave. • 2:00 P.M.
INDIANAPOLIS
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
326 No. Illinois St. • 1 00 P.M.
JACKSONVILLE
Florido Theatre Bldg. Sc. Rm.
1 28 E. Forsyth St. • 2 00 P.M.
KANSAS CITY
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
1720 Wyandotte SI. • 1 30 P.M.
LOS ANGELES
Warner Screening Room
2025 S. Vermont Ave. • 2 00 P M
MEMPHIS
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
151 Vance Ave. • 12:15 P.M.
MILWAUKEE
Warner Theatre Screening Room
212 W. Wisconsin Ave. ■ 2 00 P.M.
MINNEAPOLIS
Warner Scceening Room
1000 Currie Ave. ■ 2 00 P.M.
NEW HAVEN
Warner Theatre Projection Room
70 College St. • 2:00 P.M.
NEW ORLEANS
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
200 S. liberty St. • 8:00 P.M.
NEW YORK
Home Office
321 W. 44th SI. • 2:15 P.M.
OKLAHOMA
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
10 North lee St. • 1-30 P.M.
OMAHA
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
1S02 Davenport St. • 1:30 P.M.
PHILADELPHIA
Warner Screening Room
230 No. 13th St. • 2:30 P.M.
PITTSBURGH
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
1715 Blvd. of Allies • 1:30 P.M.
PORTLAND
Jewel Box Screening Room
1947 N.W.Kearney St. ' 2:00 P.M.
SALT LAKE
20th Century-ton Screening Room
216 East 1st South • 2:00 P.M.
SAN FRANCISCO
Paramount Screening Roam
205 Golden Cate Ave. • 1:30 P.M.
SEATTLE
Modern Theatre
2400 Third Ave. • 10:30 A.M
ST. LOUIS
S'renco Screening Room
3143 Olive St. • 1: P.M.
WASHINGTON
Warner Theatre Building
UlhSE.Sts.N.W. • 7:30 P.M.
KARL MAUN
.thPAUL PICERNI - LESTER MATTHEWS
DAN O'HERLIH Y • 1AY NOVELLO
SCREEN PLAY BY
JAMES R.WEBB and HAROLD MEDFORD
HENRY BLANKE
DIRECTED BY LEWIS SEILER
PRODUCED BY
NEWS
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
Accurate
Concise
Impartial
VOL. 72. NO. 66
NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1952
TEN CENTS
Universal Net
Up $625,290,
To $1,752,472
39-Week Profit Equal
To $1.63 Per Share
A $625,290 increase in profit for
Universal Pictures and subsidiary
companies was reported yesterday
for the 39 weeks ended Aug. 2, on
consolidated net earnings of $1,752,472.
The net was after provision of
$2,650,000 for estimated Federal in-
come and excess profits taxes and
after provision of $250,000 for con-
tingencies, the company stated, com-
paring the net with consolidated earn-
ings of $1,127,182 for the corresponding
39 weeks of the previous fiscal year,
after provision of $1,675,000 for esti-
mated Federal taxes and after provi-
sion of $400,000 for contingencies.
After deducting dividends on the
preferred stock, consolidated net earn-
ings for the 39 weeks ended Aug. 2
are equivalent to $1.63 per share on
the 961,698 shares of common stock
outstanding. For the corresponding
period of the previous fiscal year,
(Continued on page 7)
K-MTA Reelects
Cook President
Kansas City, Oct. 1. — C. E. Cook,
Maryville, Missouri, exhibitor, was re-
elected president of the Kansas-Mis-
souri Theatre Association at the an-
nual business meeting here today at
the President Hotel.
H. B. Doering, exhibitor for 30
years at Garnett, Kan., and represen-
tative in the State Legislature, was
elected vice-president. Doering is un-
opposed for reelection to the legisla-
ture this fall. George Baker was
elected secretary and Homer Strow-
ing, treasurer.
Most directors were reelected but
(Continued on page 2)
Skouras to Survey
Far East Interests
Company interests in Australia,
including Hoyts Theatres, which 20th
Century-Fox controls, will be the sub-
ject of a survey to be undertaken
by Spyros P. Skouras, 20th-Fox presi-
dent, who is scheduled to leave here
tomorrow night by plane on the first
leg of a journey to the Far East.
Skouras will make his first stop
in- Los Angeles over the weekend,
flying to Honolulu on Tuesday. He
(Continued on page 7)
Continue to
Work Through
COMPO: Myers
Washington, Oct. 1. — Abram F.
Myers, general counsel of Allied
States Association, said today exhibi-
tor organizations should continue to
work on common problems through
the Council of Motion Picture Or-
ganizations, rather than attempt to set
up new exhibitor groups.
This was Myers' comment on the
proposal made yesterday in New York
by Alfred Starr, president of the The-
atre Owners of America, who sug-
gested that a single unified exhibitor
(Continued on page 7)
Let Ad Men Advise
Producers: Bergman
The time has come for advertising
and publicity personnel to be consulted
about motion pictures before they are
produced, Maurice Bergman, assistant
to the president
of Universal-
Interna-
tional, declared
here yesterday
in an address
before a lunch-
eon-meeting of
the Associated
Motion Picture
Advertisers a t
the Hotel
Piccadilly.
Bergman told
the gather-
ing, which as-
sembled in trib-
ute to the motion picture critics of
the Metropolitan New York news-
(Continncd on page 7)
few
Maurice Bergman
New RKO Pictures '
Heads Name Board
And Officers Today
Meetings of the new RKO Pictures'
controlling stockholders were begun
here yesterday and will continue to-
day.
The company issued no official
statement following yesterday's meet-
ing but it was reported that members
of the board submitted their resigna-
tions and that a new board of direc-
tors will be elected at today's session.
The board subsequently is expected
to elect officers.
Members of the old board are :
Noah Dietrich, chairman ; Ned E.
Depinet, Howard Hughes, Francis J.
(Continued on page 2)
Pre-release 'Pan' in
200-300 Situations
"Peter Pan," the new Walt Disney
feature production, will be pre-released
in 200 to 300 situations throughout
the country, beginning in about Febru-
ary, before the
color by Tech-
nicolor film is
generally re-
leased, Roy
Disney, pres-
ident of Walt
Disney Produc-
tions, disclosed
here yesterday.
He said the
film, which
Disney hopes to
world premiere
during the
Christmas holi-
days, costs in
excess of $4,000,000, the most expen-
sive picture ever made by the Disney
(Continued on page. 7-)
Roy Disney
Meet Here Today on
Japanese Licenses
Motion. Picture Export Association
member companies' presidents and
foreign managers at their meeting
here today will - wrestle with the
admittedly difficult problem of divid-
ing among their companies the .59
Japanese import licenses which have
been allocated to them for the second
half of the fiscal year ending -next
March.
Additionally, the meeting, which
will be attended by Eric A. Johnston,
Motion Picture Association of Amer-
ica president, will decide when it
would be advisable for Johnston to
(Continued on page 7)
May Ask More Time
For 16mm. Replies
With answers of defendant
companies to the govern-
ment's suit to force the sale
of 16mm. feature films to
television and other non-
theatrical users due in an-
other two weeks, attorneys
yesterday expressed the
opinion that more time will
be required and that another
extension of the time for
filing may have to be re-
quested.
The time for filing answers
was extended in mid-August
for 60 days to Oct. 15.
Cinerama Is
Big Question
For Industry
Executives Wonder If It
Has Commercial Future
By C. L. FRANKE
Cinerama, the triple-projection,
huge screen, three-dimensional "ef-
fect" system which made its public
debut at the Broadway Theatre
here Wednesday evening, has left the
impress of a big question mark on the
motion picture industry.
The enthusiastic respect for Cine-
rama's achievement both visually and
sound-wise which was voiced yester-
day by industry executives was tem-
pered somewhat by their acknowledged
inability to speculate on the system's
commercial possibilities.
Some industry leaders who "were
present at the Broadway's "This Is
Cinerama" premiere, such as Louis B.
Mayer, were enthusiastic in general
terms about the innovation's commer-
cial future. Others who have seen it
said they were overwhelmed by its
accomplishments, but had reservations
concerning its possible impact in a
(Continued on page 7)
Detroit Exhibitors
Happy About Quality
Detroit, Oct. 1. — Detroit showmen
are enthusiastic about the number and
quality of top-flight pictures available
from Hollywood- for the coming year,
"Under long-range production plan-
ning, the studios have announced a
record lineup of scripts already as-
signed to producers, designed to carry
through 1953," said Earl J. Hudson,
president of United Detroit Theatres,
member of the Detroit exhibitor com-
mittee surveying future prospects.
"This will further stimulate the up-
ward box-office trend which has been
in evidence in recent months. In some
studios the percentage of films to be
made in color is as high as 82 per
cent, and in no major instance is it
less than 50 per cent."
Anti- Admission Tax
Buffalo Meet Oct. 6
Buffalo, Oct. 1. — George Gammel,
president of the Motion Pictures
Theatre Owners of Western N. Y.,
has called a directors meeting Monday
to discuss plans for aiding the fight
to abolish the 20 per cent U. S. ad-
mission tax.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, October 2, 1952
Personal
Mention
JOHN C. FLINN, Allied Artists
J advertising-publicity director, is in
New York following the company's
Chicago sales convention and plans to
return to the Coast tomorrow.
•
. Clyde Gilmour,- motion picture edi-
tor of the Vancouver, B. C, Sun,
Canadian Broadcasting System film
commentator and entertainment editor
of MacLean's magazine, is in New
York from Vancouver.
Harold Wirthwein, Allied Artists
Western sales manager, has left Chi-
cago for Hollywood.
9
Joseph Sistrom, Paramount pro-
ducer, left here yesterday for London.
•
Arthur Willi, RKO Radio East-
ern talent chief, is in Chicago.
'Flat Top' Promotion
Gets Navy Support
' Washington, Oct. 1.— Navy ap-
proval has been given for collabora-
tion with Allied Artists in promoting
"Flat Top," Walter Mirisch produc-
tion filmed in cooperation with the
Navy, highlighted by a world premiere
aboard the U'.S.S. Princeton off San
Diego on Armistice Day, it was_ dis-
closed here today by Capt. Lewis S.
Parks, USN.
In addition, Navy recruiting sta-
tions throughout the country will aid
directly in exploiting the film by the
use of banners and full line acces-
sories, at no cost to the Navy. Naval
and military dignitaries, civil leaders
and state officials, in addition to the
press, will attend the premiere.
Following the premiere, the picture,
which co-stars Sterling Hayden and
Richard Carlson, will open day and
date in three Fox- West-Coast theatres
in San Diego.
Half of Mexican Screen Time
Must Now Go to Home Films
The Mexican Congress yesterday passed a new film industry law that
requires every Mexican theatre to devote at least half of its annual screen
time to Mexican-made- films, accord-
ing to news reports from that country.
The law would affect particularly
theatres in Mexico City and other
large cities which feature American
films almost exclusively all year.
American film spokesmen in Mexico
immediately described the law as "dis-
criminatory."
The law placed all phases of the
industry under Federal Government
regulations and established the Min-
ister of the Interior as the industry's
boss, with what was described by
an American spokesman as "enough
power to put us out of business in
a week."
'Solomon' First UA
Small Film in '53
Aylesworth Services
Set for Tomorrow
Funeral services for Merlin Hall
Aylesworth, who died here Tuesday,
will be conducted at 11 A. M. tomor-
row in the Frank E. Campbell Fun-
eral Home, Madison Ave. and 81st
Street.
Aylesworth, former president and
chairman of Radio-Keith-Orpheum
Corp. and Radio Pictures, Inc., first
president of National Broadcasting,
and a former publisher of the New
York World Telegram, is survived by
the widow, Caroline, and two children
by his first wife.
Rogers 'Salute' to
Open on Nov. 1
The annual "National Christmas
Salute" to the Will Rogers Memorial
Hospital will open on Nov. 1 and
continue through Jan. 1, Abe Monta-
gue and R. J. O'Donnell, president
and chairman, respectively, of the
Will Rogers Memorial Hospital Fund
board, disclosed yesterday.
During the "Christmas Salute
members of the amusement industry
will sign the five-mile-long Christmas
o-reeting to patients at the hospital at
Saranac Lake, N. Y., and will contrib-
ute toward its support. The goal of
the 1952 "Salute" is 150,000 ..signers
and $200,000 in contributions.
Jack L. Warner
Leaves Academy
Hollywood, Oct. 1.— Jack L. War-
ner has tendered his personal resigna-
tion from the Academy of Motion
Picture Arts and Sciences which _ he
had maintained since the organiza-
tion's inception.
He said, in a statement, I have
resigned from the Academy because
the demands of my production duties
and my efforts on behalf of various
charities leave me no time to main-
tain active membership. When such
active membership is no longer pos-
sible, I do not believe in membership
in any organization just for sake of
belonging."
Hollywood, Oct. 1. — United Artists
announced today that Edward Small's
1953 production program will be
headed by "King Solomon's Wives,"
a "color spectacle" to be filmed in
this country. Six black-and-white
productions remain on Small's 1952
program of which "Kansas City Con-
fidential," is completed, and "Bandits
of Corsica" is nearly completed.
"King Solomon's Wives" is inde-
pendent of Small's arrangement with
Mike Todd to film "The Viking" in
Europe, where Todd is currently
making preparations for production.
The remaining- films on Small's
1952 program are "Barbarossa,"
'Johnny Ringo," "Crosstown," and
Screening Eagles."
Wolfbergs, UA
Named in Suit
Denver, Oct. 1— Suit for $100,000
damages, to be trebled if won, has
been filed in U. S. District Court by
Kar-Vue Theatres, headed by Lem
Lee, against United Artists and thea-
tre companies headed by Harris and
John Wolfberg, father and son. The
suit alleges that Kar-Vue was unable
to buy a proper run at proper prices
of United Artists films for the Monaco
drive-in, Denver.
The Wolfbergs have six theatres
in Denver, including four drive-ins.
They recently won a $300,000 judg-
ment against RKO Radio, Loew's and
20th-Fox and have another suit pend-
ing asking for $1,000,000 from the
same companies for alleged inability
to buy films at proper runs and prices
for the Broadway.
Reelect Cook
(Continued from page 1)
Italian Film Group
Meets Impellitteri
Mayor Vincent Impellitteri will
meet top executives of the Italian
film industry today at City Hall and
officially proclaim Oct. 6-12 as "Salute
to Italian Films Week." Included in
the delegation will be Dr. Renato
Gaulino, general director of Italian
Films Export ; Dr. Emanuele Cassuto,
managing director of Unitalia ; E. R.
Zorgniotti, U. S. representative of
I.F.E. ; and Jonas Rosenfield, Jr.^
executive director of "Salute Week."
RKO Pictures
(Continued from page 1)
the following are new on the board:
Glen Hall, Don Burnett, and Stanley
Durwood.
Alfred Starr, Theatre Owners of
America, president, the main speaker,
emphasized the desperate need for
organization in the motion picture
industry lest its hostile critics destroy
it entirely.
He said: "It is a crying shame that
other industries are able so effectively
to protect and publicize their interests
while the motion picture industry
continues to be the target of crack-
pots and self aggrandizing publicity
seekers."
'Free Riders'
He characterized as "free riders"
those exhibitors who make no finan-
cial contribution of any kind to their
regional or national trade association
even though it is obvious that no
single exhibitor is in a position to
defend himself and his industry.
Several speakers emphasized the
value of projects and proposals ema-
nating from the experience of exhibi-
tors in the several regions, for their
own advancement and for guidance
of national groups. In discussions of
public relations, proposals were devel-
oped and put into specific outline by
Senn Lawler of Fox Midwest. _ He
quoted several proposals made in a
Chicago conference four years ago,
and then set up these fields of effort:
one, an exhibit; two, visits to com-
munities by industry representatives,
including actors who have been briefed
carefully by a representative commit-
tee for talks and interviews ; three, a
centrally located source of information
from which anybody in the industry
might get promptly desired material
for meeting a trend against films or
for promoting a project benefiting the
industry ; four, a series of industry
newspaper advertisements; five, tran
O'Hara and J. Miller Walker. The
new board will include members of
the Ralph Stolkin purchasing syndi-
cate and their representatives. _
The preponderance of opinion in
trade and financial circles yesterday
was that Depinet will be reelected
president and that RKO Pictures'
management will be left intact. Stol-
kin is expected to become chairman
of the board.
It was learned yesterday that the
Stolkin syndicate under its stock pur-
chase agreement with Hughes can
acquire the 1,050,000-share block for
$6.50 per share by completing pay-
ment in less than the two years al-
lotted to it. The $7 per share price
remains if the purchasing group avails
itself of the full two-year period.
No Conversations Held
Meanwhile, officials of Bankers
Trust Co. here stated that no con-
versations whatever had been held
with the Stolkin group concerning
financing for RKO Pictures. The
statement was in reply to reports
that a first order of business for the
new owners might be the re-negotia-
tion of the company's revolving credit
with Bankers Trust and the Mellon
Bank of Pittsburgh.
The new owners have scheduled a
reception for members of the new
board and of management at the 21
Club here today, following the election
meeting. Tomorrow, they will meet
with press representatives at Toots
Shor's restaurant.
At yesterday's meeting in addition
to Stolkin were A. L. Koolish, Sher-
rill Corwin, E. J. Burke, Ray Ryan,
Greg Bautzer, Arnold Grant, Gordon
Youngman, Sidney Korshak, all of
the purchasing group, and representa-
tives of management and Hughes.
Grace Goldberg Barber
Funeral services were held at
Riverside Memorial Chapel here Sun-
day for Grace Goldberg Barber, wife
of Frank C. Barber of the Music
Publishers Holding Corp., who died
at her home on Friday. For the past
20 years Mrs. Barber had been as-
sistant at the Warner Brothers story
department here . ~ — . ■ ^
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley. Editor- j^-Chief an<^ Pub^
Brady, Secretary; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V- Fec^e ^^"'l^ey AXertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Tr.nz, Editorial Representative 1 1
the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas ana j>i^ loremii, e c
scriptions on the industry for local use
with local theatre managers adding
comment or mention of current pro-
grams ; six, a nation-wide radio and
perhaps a television show, by and for
the industry, as a whole, with it doing
for itself what several prominent com-
mercial sponsored programs have
done.
ANNOUNCING 20.x CENTURY-FOX'S
f
SHOWN
Open to any manager and/or advertising
manaaer of n motion nicfure theatre anv-
Hm'S ALL YOU HAVE TO
DO!
O
o
Play SOMETHING FOR THE BIRDS before February 1st, 1953.
Start planning your prize-winning Showmanship campaign immediately. Here's what
you can do now!— Arrange for full-page cooperative ads with this slogan to tie up
with the title: "SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY". . . News-
paper letter-writing contest on the theme: "WHAT I'D LIKE TO SEE MOST ON
A TRIP TO WASHINGTON, D.C.". . . Tie up with libraries on books on bird life
Contact local chapter of Audubon Society . . . Join in the Red Cross Blood Donor
Drive, with the slogan: "SOMETHING FOR THE SERVICEMEN."
First Prize
Second Prize
Third Prize
5 Prizes
10 Prizes
50 Prizes
80 Prizes
In ffip pvp
1,000
$
U. S. SAVINGS BOND
500
U. S. SAVINGS BOND
250
$
U. S. SAVINGS BOND
100
$
$
$
U. S. SAVINGS BONDS
75
U. S. SAVINGS BONDS
50
U. S. SAVINGS BONDS
25
>>*y oft g/c "
ft big
i
U. S. SAVINGS BONDS
nt of ties, duplicate prizes will be awarded.
tifill,
TOTALING
o
o
Wire or call today for your free Showmanship Kit. Chockful of ideas and material
to help you plan a hard-hitting Selling Campaign! See below.
Send your complete campaign to SOMETHING FOR THE BIRDS Showmanship
Contest Committee, 444 West 56th Street, New York 19, N.Y., postmarked no later
than midnight Saturday, February 21st, 1953. Consideration will be given to the nature
of the run, type of theatre, location, etc. GET GOING EARLY!
PWS
1 1
I'll
Write or wire
EXPLOITATION DEPT.
20th Century-Fox Film Corp.
444 West 56th Street
New York 19, N. Y.
ENTRY DATE: All entries must be postmarked on or before midnight of February 21, 1953.
THE JUDGING: Judging will be based upon the best and most productive advertising,
exploitation and publicity campaigns for "SOMETHING FOR THE BIRDS."
In judging winners, consideration will be given to the nature of the run, the class of
house, its location and business produced, in order to permit equal competition between small
town theatres, neighborhood houses and downtown de luxe theatres.
HOW TO ENTER: 1 . Submit a written summary of the advertising,exploitation and publicity
campaign you stage for your engagement of "SOMETHING FOR THE BIRDS/' documented
with newspaper tear sheets, photos and other specimens.
This summary may be in any form you elect, whether letter, memo, scrapbook, folder,
etc., and may be of any length or dimension. However, judging will be done solely on the
basis of the factors outlined in these Rules. Elaborateness of campaign books or of presenta-
tions will have no bearing whatever on the decision of the judges.
2. This summary must in all instances include
the following specific information, in addi-
tion to an outline of the campaign activities
themselves: Sf^^i
a. Size of theatre (seats) ^
b. Population
and type of community
c. Run given "SOMETHING FOR THE BIRDS"
d. Percentage of normal business
e. Receipts for engagement (optional)
3. Send your summary by first class mail to
"SOMETHING FOR THE BIRDS"
SHOWMANSHIP CONTEST
Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corp.
444 West 56th Street, New York 19, N.Y.
There's No Showmanshio Like
Printed in
Thursday, October 2, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
7
Teter Pan'
(Continued from page 1)
organization. Disney said his firm was
"marking time" on future commit-
ments with RKO Pictures, pending-
clarification of the new management's
policy. "Peter Pan" marks the last
feature commitment under the present
pact between Disney and RKO Pic-
tures, while Disney's last short to be
distributed by RKO Pictures under
the current contract is due in May of
next year.
"We have a great admiration tor
RKO distribution personnel," said
Disney, "and everything else being-
equal," we would like to stay with
them." He added that the Disney
organization at this time was not
shopping around for any new distribu-
tion outlets.
Here 2 or 3 Weeks
Disney said he expected to remain
in New York about two or three
weeks to set up a sales policy for
"Peter Pan" and co-ordinate the _ ex-
tensive advertising, publicity and tie-in
campaign. He would not comment
whether advanced admission prices
would be sought for the pre-release
engagements.
Disney, although he saw the use of
the TV medium for exploitation pur-
poses, reiterated his belief that TV
offers a very poor market for theatri-
cal films and motion picture theatres
are the best medium for such films.
He said the same views apply to sub-
scription home television, adding that
home TV interests "would fall down
dead" if they had to pay $4,000,000 for
such a film as "Peter Pan."
It was also disclosed that a new
True-Life Adventure film, the first
one described to be "on the comic
side," will be released about the same
time as "Peter Pan." Its title is "Bear
Country."
Plans for an extensive "Peter Pan'
advertising campaign, to be launched
Nov. 17 in Look magazine, were also
disclosed.
Presidents Meeting
(Continued from page 1)
go to Paris to resume negotiations
for a Franco-American film pact. The
first effort at negotiation collapsed
a few weeks ago.
The Japanese licenses for the first
half of the year, numbering 63, were
shared, by the companies as follows
Loew's, nine; 20th- Fox, eight; Para
mount, seven ; Warner, seven ; Colum
bia, six ; RKO Radio, six ; Universal
six; Republic, five; United Artists
five, Allied Artists, four. The Society
of Independent Motion Picture Pro-
ducers companies will share 15, the
same number they received for the
first half.
The MPEA companies agreed at
the time they divided the first half
allotment that the ratio was not to
become a precedent for the second
half's allocations. Last Sept. 24 they
failed at a special meeting to reach
an agreement, but resolved that each
company be permitted to release two
pictures in Japan pending the final
decision on the allocation by the
presidents today.
MPEA unsuccessfully opposed Ja
pan's formula based on the number
of domestically-produced pictures in
the fiscal year 1951, which signified
only 59 permits for the MPEA com
panies for the second half of thi
year.
Cinerama A Question
(Continued from page 1)
broad commercial sense.
However, it was evident that the
cores of top industry executives who
attended private demonstrations of
Cinerama at the Oyster Bay, L. L,
experimental laboratories during the
past 18 months, and whose opinions
of it ranged from strong interest to
enthusiasm at the time, now are doubly
interested in the system in light of the
favorable audience reaction at the
Broadway.
Sol Schwartz, RKO Theatres presi-
dent, said yesterday that the public re-
ception given Cinerama did not sur-
prise him. The question now, he added,
is not whether a circuit could afford
the $50,000 to put Cinerama in a thea-
tre— "it can." Rather, the question is
whether it will be advisable for the
entire theatre industry to invest mil-
lions of dollars in converting from
conventional projection to Cinerama,
Schwartz said.
Schwartz said he would have been
more than willing to have the Cine-
rama premiere at one of the RKO
theatres here, if only for the sake of
the showmanship it represented. He
described Cinerama as "a very exciting-
thing." But, he wondered, "will it be-
come reality" for the industry?
This is what Mayer had to say fol-
lowing the premiere : "I consider Cine-
rama a more important advancement
than either the advent of sound or
color. This is the 'shot in the arm'
that the motion picture business so
badly needs. This is not simply a new
kind of motion picture— it is a revolu-
tion !"
The commercial possibilities of Cine-
rama have been studied by major film
companies over the past 18 months
following the demonstrations by the
inventor, Fred Waller, at Oyster Bay.
J. Robert Rubin, Loew's vice-presi-
dent, told company stockholders last
spring that Loew's engineers who ex-
amined the process, did not think that
it was economically feasible for thea-
tres at that time. About a month ago,
Paul Raibourn, Paramount vice-presi-
dent, commented that he was "im-
pressed" with Cinerama, but that its
economic feasibility for the industry
has to be proven
Neither Joseph R. Vogel, Loew's
vice-president and general manager of
its theatres, nor Harry M. Kalmine,
president and general manager of
Warner Theatres, have seen Cinerama,
they acknowledged yesterday. Leonard
Goldenson, United Paramount Thea-
tres president, who is in New York,
could not be reached at his office for
comment on Cinerama.
Adolph Zukor, Paramount Pictures
board chairman, was quoted as having
remarked following the premiere that
it would 'be profitable to make Cine-
rama films for distribution to only
40 or 50 theatres throughout the coun-
try, "because they would run almost
indefinitely."
There appeared to be general agree-
ment in the industry that Cinerama
exceeds in many respects the achieve-
ments of Magnascreen and other ear-
lier large screen and tri-dimensional
processes. But a question raised by
many was : "Is Cinerama good for all
types of films or just special kinds,
like action or panoramic pictures?"
Another was : "Is Cinerama for one
or two big, or small, theatres to each
city, or for all theatres?"
Obviously, Lowell Thomas and Me-
rian C. Cooper, who head the firm
sponsoring the system, will have to
supply the answers to all the questions
before the shrewd minds of most in-
dustry leaders are convinced that
Cinerama is commercially practicable.
In the meantime, it is virtually certain
that enthusiasm, however qualified,
will continue to be expressed concern-
ing the process as it now stands.
Let Ad Men Advise
(Continued from page 1)
Through Compo
(Continued from page 1)
papers, he believes that "if the sub-
ject matter of a picture represents an
advertising problem, then that picture
should not be made unless the particu-
lar company can offord to make it for
the sake of making it."
He added: "Let us keep in mind
that solvency in our business depends
upon mass acceptance of our pictures.
If we can make sufficient commercial
succeses, then we can afford to gamble
on selective subjects. Whether we like
it or not, the cultural level of the mo-
tion picture can only be raised in ratio
to the profit level. 'Red Badge of
Courage' and 'Bright Victory' were
box-office failures, but thank goodness,
Metro and Universal could afford
such glorious failures."
Bergman and Harry K. McWil-
liams, AMPA persident, who presided
at the luncheon, praised the pro-indus-
try efforts of the film critics, who
were represented by Kate Cameron,
Daily Nezvs; Jim O'Connor, Journal-
American; Leo Mishkin, Morning
Telegraph; Milton Shapiro, The Com-
pass, and Oscar Goodman, Times.
McWilliams, in a financial report on
AMPA's showmanship courses, said
tuition receipts totaled $1,700. Gen-
eral expenses were $300, rent for hotel
"classroom" space came to $60, and
$100 has been paid to 20th Century-
Fox for the use of its screening room.
organization be created or, if this
could not be done, that at least a
working arrangement be set up among
exhibitor groups to handle common
problems.
"COMPO was created," Myers said,
"as the medium of cooperation among
all elements in the industry on those
matters in which all had an interest.
Trueman Rembusch, Col. H. A. Cole
and other Allied leaders are doing
their utmost to make COMPO the
success it deserves to be. Until all
others in the industry match their
zeal in the common cause, I do not
think anything would be gained by
planning additional organization."
Universal Net
(Continued from page 1)
Cinerama Future,
Box-office, Strong
Cinerama, the newest motion pic-
ture invention that some believe may
create a boxoffice resurgence, marked
a milestone in film history Tuesday
with the opening of "This Is^ Cine-
rama," a Lowell Thomas-Merian C.
Cooper presentation, at the Broadway
Theatre, now showing on a two-a-day
reserved seat basis at advanced prices.
Press, radio and television reviews
roused the public which stood in line
yesterday from 10 A. M. until even-
ing- purchasing tickets, SO' that there
is a sell out for approximately the
next eight weeks.
The process is still being perfected
and the enthusiastic premiere audience
occasionally noticed the merging of
the three images thrown on the over-
sized curved screen by the three pro-
jectors. A slight, vertical shadow gap
appeared at the joining point of the
images but Cinerama experts advised
that this is a since-remedied condition
inherent in the original camera and
was not due to the projection equip-
ment.
Aside from the different size equip-
ment including reels, sprockets, cam-
era, projectors and screen, Cinerama
offers a technical challenge to the
industry. While its visual range is
almost as far as the human eye and
the -illusion of depth is greatly en-
chanced thus making for unsurpassed
panorama views, it will require dis-
cretion and skill for the depiction
of dramatic continuity with human
beings instead of mountains as the
obj ects viewed.
Best Moments
In "This Is Cinerama" the best
moments were those in which vast
landscapes or spectacles were shown
or in which the camera "participated"
in thrilling atcion. Thus, the final
sequence viewing such scenic beauties
of the United States as Crater Lake,
Yellowstone National Park, Bridal
Veil Falls, Yosemite National Park,
and including a thrilling airplane ride
through Zion National Park, was the
best.
The opening roller-coaster ride was
most realistic and the Saragossa bull
fight with the roaring crowd sound
enveloping- the audience was extreme-
ly effective. On the other hand, the
Vienna Boys Choir singing showed
to no especial advantage as they just
stood and sang. An airplane landing
and a speedboat going through a
sheet of flame pointed up the value
of rapid motion.
Therefore, it could be that even-
tually outdoor adventure pictures,
musicals and westerns could be made
in Cinerama, and any spectacle would
be greatly effective. Sporting events
and musical pagents in the new proc-
ess would have an immense presence
of reality. However, it remains to
be seen how this process would be
used in dramas.
Walter Pashkin
consolidated earnings were the equiva-
lent of 98 cents per share on the
960,498 shares of common stock then
outstanding.
The figures are preliminary and
subject to verification by independent
auditors and to year-end adjustments.
UA Tribute to Cohen
Sam Cohen, United Artists foreign
publicity manager celebrating his 20th
anniversary with the company, is being
paid tribute this week by UA.
Skouras to Survey
(Continued from page 1)
is scheduled to arrive in Tokyo on
Thursday, leaving from there on a
journey through the Far East and
the Antipodes.
Skouras will confer with 20th Cen-
tury-Fox representatives throughout
his trip on forthcoming product, as
well as meet with exhibitors and gov-
ernment officials in the various nations
to discuss mutual cooperation of the
American and foreign film industries.
ALBANY
Warner Screening Room
110 N. Pearl St • 12:30 P M.
ATLANTA
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
197 Walton St. N W • 2 00 P.M.
BOSTON
RKO Screening Room
122 Arlington St. • 2:30 P.M.
BUFFALO
Paramount Screening Room
464 Franklin St. ' 8:00 P.M.
CHARLOTTE
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
308 S Church St ■ 2 00 P.M.
CHICAGO
Warner Screening Room
1307 So Wabash Ave • 1 30 P.M.
CINCINNATI
RKO Polace Th. Screening Room
Palace Ih. Bldg. E. 6th • 8:00 P.M.
CLEVELAND
Warner Screening Room
2300 Payne Ave. • 8:30 P.M.
DALLAS
Republic Screening Room
4l0So.HarwooSt. • 2:00 P.M.
DENVER
Poromount Screening Room
2100 Stout SI. • 2:00 P.M.
DES MOINES
Paramount Screening Room
1125 High St. • 12:45 P.M.
DETROIT
Film Exchange Building
2310 Cass Ave. • 2 00 P.M.
INDIANAPOLIS
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
326 No Illinois St. • 100 P.M.
JACKSONVILLE
Florida theatre Bldg. Sc. Rm.
I28E. Forsyth St. • 2:00 P.M.
KANSAS CITY
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
1 720 Wyandotte St. ■ 1 30 P.M.
LOS ANGELES
Warner Screening Room
2025 S Vermont Ave • 2 00 P M.
MEMPHIS
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
151 Vance Ave. • 12:15 P.M.
MILWAUKEE
Warner Theatre Screening Room
212 W.Wisconsin Ave. • 2-00 P.M.
MINNEAPOLIS
Warner Screening Room
1000 Currie Ave. ' 2 00 P.M.
NEW HAVEN
Warner Theatre Projection Room
70 College St. ■ 2:00 P.M.
NEW ORLEANS
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
200 S. liberty St. • 8:00 P.M.
NEW YORK
Home Office
321 W. 44th St. • 2:1 S P.M.
OKLAHOMA
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
10 North Lee St. • 1:30 P.M.
OMAHA
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
1S02 Davenport St. • 1:30 P.M.
PHILADELPHIA
Warner Screening Room
230 No. 13th St. • 2:30 P.M.
PITTSBURGH
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
1715 Blvd. of Allies • 1:30 P.M.
PORTLAND
Jewel Box Screening Room
1947 N.W. Kearney SI. • 2:00 P.M.
SALT LAKE
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
216EostlstSouth • 2:00P.M.
SAN FRANCISCO
Paramount Screening Room
205 Golden Gate Ave. • 1:30 P.M.
SEATTLE
Modern Theatre
2400 Third Ave. • 10:30 A.M.
ST. LOUIS
S'renco Screening Room
3143 Olive St. • 1:P.M.
WASHINGTON
Warner Theatre Building
UthSE.Sts.N.W. • 7:30 P.M.
withPAOL PICERNI- LESTER MATTHEWS
DAN O'HERLIHY - JAY NOVELLO
SCREEN PLAY BY
JAMES H. WEBB ... HAROLD MEDFORD
„JENRY BLANKE
DIRECTED BY LEWIS SEILER
FIRST
IN
FILM
NEWS
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
VOL. 72. NO. 67
Presidents to
ActWednesday
On Arbitration
Johnston Foregoes Trips
Until Issue Is Settled
Eric A. Johnston, Motion Pic-
ture Association of America presi-
dent, yesterday told distributor
company presidents that he plans
to forego overseas trips pending the
arrival at a final exhibition-distribu-
tion agreement on the question of ar-
bitration. Johnston said arbitration is
the number one subject on his agenda.
The company presidents, who
met at MPAA headquarters
here with Johnston and foreign
managers, have scheduled a
meeting on arbitration for next
Wednesday. At that time they
will act on distributor at-
torneys' proposals for changes
in the draft of a projected in-
dustry system.
Johnston told yesterday's meeting
that he expected to receive from
American diplomatic sources in Paris
(Continued on page 6)
NEW YORK, U.S.A., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1952
TEN CENTS
NPA Officially Sets
May 1 Controls Cut
Stolkin Succeeds Depinet
As RKO Radio President
Depinet Resignation
Stirs Widespread
Regret in Industry
Expressions of surprise and regret
throughout the
industry met the
announce-
ment yesterday
that Ned E. De-
pinet's resigna-
tion as presi-
dent of RKO
Pictures Corp.
had been ac-
cepted by the
new owners of
the controlling-
stock interest in
the company.
One of the
best known, and
best liked chief executives in the in-
(Continued on page 4)
Ned Depinet
Washington, Oct 2.— The antici
pated National Production Authority
order officially relaxing theatre con-
struction controls, effective May 1,
was announced here today by Richard
McDonald, new NPA director.
The relaxation will permit thea-
tre builders to self-authorize up to.
five tons of carbon steel per quarter
per project, up to 500 pounds of cop-
per and up to 300 pounds of aluminum.
At present, no self-authorization is
(Continued on page 4)
Bid Dozier to Head
RKO Production
William Dozier, executive-producer
of CBS-TV dramatic shows, yesterday
confirmed reports that he had received
overtures to head production at the
RKO Pictures studio.
Dozier, who has a long backlog of
(Continued on page 4)
Arnold Grant Is New Board Chairman and
General Counsel; Sherrill Cor win, Vice
President in Charge of Studio; Board Named
Big Drop in '51-52
Ticket Tax Income
Washington, Oct. 2. — General ad-
mission tax collections during fiscal
1951-1952 dropped more than $15,-
000,000 from the previous fiscal total,
the Bureau of tnternal Revenue re-
ported today.
The 1952 collections for general
admissions were reported at $330,-
782,072. This compares with the 1951
figure of $346,491,715.
The figures for general admissions
(Continued on page 6)
The resignation of Ned E. Depinet as president and member of
the board of directors of RKO Radio Pictures Corp. was accepted
yesterday by the Ralph Stolkin syndicate, which last week acquired
the controlling stock interest in the company from Howard Hughes.
Stolkin, the syndicate's head, took over the presidency.
The action by the new owners came as a shock to the industry
which had regarded such a move earlier as unlikely to occur. Depi-
net, one of the best liked and most experienced executives in the
industry, likewise had not been apprised in advance that the action
was contemplated, although rumors to that effect had circulated in
the trade on Tuesday and were re-
ported in Motion Picture Daily
on Wednesday. It was stated that
Depinet will act as "consultant arid
adviser to the corporation."
The other executive changes an-
nounced yesterday at the conclusion of
two days of meetings of the new con-
trolling group were, as reported in
Motion Picture Daily Wednesday :
Arnold Grant, attorney for the new
group, becomes chairman of the board,
succeeding Noah Dietrich, and also
was named general counsel of the com-
pany ; Sherrill Corwin, Los Angeles
exhibitor and a member of the syndi-
date, was named vice-president and
will supervise studio operations.
Corwin will not head production.
The new group still is looking over the
field for a new head of production
and this week approached Jerry: Wald
and William Dozier, among others,
for that post.
The new members of the RKO
Pictures board elected yesterday are :
Stolkin, Corwin, Grant, Edward
Burke and A. L. Koolish, members of
(Continued on page 4)
Ralph Stolkin
SA YS SALE OF RKO FILMS TO TV
IS NOW MATTER FOR STUDY
Reversing the positive statement it made in Hollywood last
week that it had no intention of releasing RKO Radio films to
television, the Ralph Stolkin syndicate in control of the com-
pany yesterday stated that the matter will be determined "with
unprejudiced minds which will seek solutions looking to the
future unbound by any dedication to the past."
"Solutions which seem the best answer for the benefit of the
corporation will be adopted," the statement continued. "Specu-
lation as to the ultimate results of such approach is futile.
There has been no pre-determination thereof."
The statement issued by the Stolkin group in Hollywood last
week on closing the deal for the purchase of the Howard Hughes
controlling stock interest in RKO Pictures was:
"We want to make it clear that at this time we have no inten-
tion of releasing any of the studio's stock of films for the use
of television. Such a move is a part of a much broader economic
question involving a tremendous investment on the part of
theatre owners, and it is our intention to assist exhibitors in
every way possible to protect such investments."
New RKO Owners to
'Screen' Executives
The new RKO Pictures
owners announced yesterday
that they would begin an im-
mediate "screening" of all ex-
ecutives in the distribution
operations of the company,
including exchanges, with the
hope that it could be com-
pleted "in the very near fu-
ture."
Thereafter, it was stated, a
similar screening of studio
executives will be under-
taken.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Friday, October 3, 1952
Personal
Mention
CECIL B. DeMILLE will be in
San Francisco today from Holly-
wood to attend the sixth annual meet-
ing of the American Cancer Society.
•
Martin Quigley, Jr., editor of
Motion Picture Herald, is a contrib-
utor to the book, "Off the Record,"
written by members of the Overseas
Press Club of America and published
yesterday by Doubleday.
Max E. Youngstein, United Ar-
tists vice-president, and Mrs. Young-
stein, will leave here Oct. 10 by plane
for London. They will visit the Con-
tinent before returning.
•
Tess Williams, press editor of
Seventeen magazine, will return here
Monday on the S.S". C aroma from a
three-month vacation and honeymoon
in Europe.
e
William Bendix will be a guest
at the annual convention of the
MPTO of St. Louis, Eastern Missouri
and Southern Illinois in St. Louis on
Tuesday.
•
Allen M. Widem, Hartford Times
motion picture editor, will return to
his desk Monday following a vacation
in Connecticut and New York.
•
John P.' Byrne, Eastern M-G-M
sales manager, will return to New
York from New Haven today.
•
George Glass, Stanley Kramer Co.
vice-president, will arrive in New
York today from the Coast.
•
Norman Gluck, vice-president of
United World Films, left here last
night for the Coast.
Attendance of U. S. Films
Abroad Attains New Peak
Despite certain trade obstacles that still exist, the foreign market has
not reached its full potential yet and global theatre expansion and world-
wide attendance of American films have reached new highs during the
past year it was disclosed in the annual "The World Market" section
of the Motion Picture Herald issue
W. M. Richardson, president
Astor Pictures of Georgia, was
New Orleans from Atlanta.
Chaplin 'Must Meet
Re-entry Standards'
Washington, Oct. 2. — At-
torney-General James P. Mc-
Granery said today that if
Charles Chaplin can satisfy
the immigration authorities
that he can "meet the stand-
ards for re-entry" to this
country, he will be admitted
on his return from Europe.
McGranery told a press
conference that when the
public knows the facts on
Chaplin "my action will be
justified." He said Chaplin
has been accused "in the
newspapers" of Communism
and "of grave moral charges."
Several Holdovers
For WB's 'Fatima'
Warner Brothers' "The Miracle of
Our Lady of Fatima,"following three
weeks in each city, begins a fourth
week today at the Allen Theatre in
Cleveland and the Warner in Pitts-
burgh.
Second week holdovers have been
set at the Blue Mouse, Seattle ; Cen-
ter, Buffalo ; Madison, Detroit ; Boyd,
Philadelphia; Astor, Boston; St.
Francis, San Francisco, and the
Broadway, Denver.
The picture is currently in its sev-
enth week at the Astor on Broadway.
In New Bedford, Mass., it moves
over from the State to the New Bed-
ford.
Memphis Censors
Ban 'Limelight'
Memphis, Oct. 2.— The refusal of
a permit for even an exhibitors' trade
screening in Memphis of Charlie
Chaplin's new picture, "Limelight,"
was disclosed here today. Lloyd T.
Binford is chairman of the Memphis
and Shelby County Board of Cen-
sors. Any public screening of the
film was also banned.
In his decision, Binford excoriated
Chaplin personally. In past rulings,
Binford had made his views on Chap-
lin clear by banning the comedian's
"Monsieur Verdoux" in 1947 and a
revival of his "City Lights" in 1951.
A second action by the board re-
sulted in the shift of a film from one
theatre to another.
Refusal of the censors to permit
white and Negro patrons to see at
the same showing newsreels of the
recent Rocky Marciano-Joe Walcott
heavyweight championship fight re-
sulted in the film being shown at
the theatre which offered the second
highest bid— but had no seating ar-
rangement for Negroes.
Carroll Beasley, manager of the
Strand, where the fight films were
shown, and James McCarthy, man
ager of the high-bidding but unsuc
cessful Warner (which has a Negro
gallery), agreed that the Warner out
bid the Strand, and that the Warner's
Negro gallery was the reason its bid
was rejected.
$1.0S Columbia Dividend
Columbia Pictures' board of direc-
tors has declared a quarterly dividend
out today. It further revealed that
production in many countries_ is re-
turning to pre-war levels and in some
cases exceeding them despite rising
costs and high taxes.
"The World Market" appraises mo-
tion picture activities for the past year
and the future prospects in the impor-
tant nations in the world in text and
photographs by Herald correspond-
ents. Special attention has been de-
voted to Italian Films Export and
Italian films, currently of considerable
fgnificance in the United States. The
usual thorough listing of supply
dealers is included.
Among the many countries reported
on are : Great Britain by Peter
Burnup ; France by Henry Kahn ;
Italy by Argeo Santucci ; Germany
by Bolkmar Zuehlsdorff ; Belgium by
Marc Turfkruyer; Scandinavia by
Lars-Eric Svensson ; Switzerland by
Arthur Goepfert ; Holland by Philip
De Schaap; Spain by Joseph E. Dor-
rell ; India by V. Doraiswamy ; Aus-
tralia by Frank O'Connell ; New Zea-
land by R. A. Usmar; Japan by Jo-
seph Webster J Mexico by Louis
Becerra Celis ; Brazil by R. Ekerman ;
Argentina by Natalio Bruski; Vene-
zuela by Mona London Caldwell ; and
South Africa by S. M. Kirsch.
Included in the feature articles are :
a pictorial display on "Production
Around the World" ; a picture and
text feature -on "New Theatres
Abroad" ; "Equipment Abroad" ; a
feature saluting Italian Films contain-
ing an Eric A. Johnston statement in
which he greets the Italian motion
picture industry on the occasion of
"Salute to Italian Films Week," Oct.
6-12; and the "World Market Buyers
Index," a classified directory of manu-
facturers and distributors who are
leading sources of motion picture
equipment and supplies.
Harold Cohen, 51, Dies
Harold Cohen, 51, Warner Brothers
home office projectionist for the past
LUi 3 J. id 3 utLiai ^u. a, ijuai iti ij ui v iu^iiu uv»"v- wm.^^ j^1 J
of $1.06^4 per share on the $4.25 cum- 28 years, died here yesterday at Beth
ulative preferred stock, payable on David Hospital. Services will be held
Nov. 15, to stockholders of record today at the Parke West Memorial
on Oct. 31. I Chapel.
ANNOUNCEMENT
CHARLES S. AARONSON, who
has been a member of the edi-
torial staff of Quigley Publications
since 1930, has been appointed
editor of
Motion Pic-
t ur e and
Televi s i o n
Almanac,
succ e e d i n g
the late
Maurice
D. Kann. Mr.
Aaronson i s
Prod u c t i o n
Editor of Mo-
tion Picture
Herald and assumes in addition
to the duties of that post the edi-
torship of the annual motion pic-
ture and television reference book,
which is expected to be available
for distribution some time later
this month.
He was born in New York City
and is a graduate of the School
of Journalism of Columbia Uni-
versity.
— MARTIN QUIGLEY
Charles Aaronson
'Thief Will Premiere
At Roxy Oct, 15
"The Thief" will have its world pre-
miere at the Roxy Theatre here on
Wednesday, Oct. 15, it was announced
yesterday by William J. Heineman,
distribution vice-president of United
Artists
"The Thief," a Harry M. Popkin
production, is the first release to be
shown at the Roxy under the theatre's
new policy of presenting films of all
companies, not only those of 20th
Century-Fox.
Sarah Eidelsherg, 72
Sarah Eidelsberg, 72, mother of
Fredrica Eidelsberg, Council of Mo-
tion Picture Organizations secretary,
died yesterday of a heart ailment.
Funeral services are being held to-
day. Other daughters surviving are
Mrs. Rose Schmeltzer, Mrs. Mary
Rosenzweig and Mrs. Ethel Apple-
man.
Ranger Addresses Meet
Richard H. Ranger, president of
Rangertone, Inc., last night addressed
the Atlantic Coast section of the So-
ciety of Motion Picture and Televi-
sion Engineers at the Henry Hudson
Hotel here on the subject of "Portable
Magnetic Sound Recording Equip-
ment."
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center
MARIO LANZA in
"BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE"
introducing DORETTA MORROW
Color by TECHNICOLOR - Are IH-G-IM Picture
plus
SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION
BOB
JAMS
ROY
■nd
» I
A fanmwnl Pjdura ** TfediniCOj»
lidnigM Foohir*
Nightly
howard «0NE MINUTE
HUGHES V"U
presents JQ ZERO"
Starring ROBERT M ITCH UM - AN N BLYTH
BROADWAY
AND 45th SC.
CRITERION
MOTION PICTURF DAI I Y Martin Oui«tey Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting Editor. Published daily, except Saturdays,
Sundays and hollys, V^^^AS^^ Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue Rockefeller Center New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100 Cable ^^[^f^j-
York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice- President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy ^^e-Presiden^ 1^ o j
Bradv Secretary James P Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. I-ausel Production Manager ; Hollywood Buieau, Yucca Vine
BuMing Willfarn'R. Weaver. Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley Advertising Representative FI 6-3074; Eruce Tnnz J%t0"au/Xnager Petl
North Clark Street FR-2-^843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq, London WI; Hcpe Burnup Manager Petei
Burnup Editor; cable address. "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications; Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres and Theatre Sales each pub ^hed 13 , tunes a year as
a section of Motion Picture Herald; International Motion Picture Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter. Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, JN, Y ., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies. 10c.
They're Standing on Line for M-G
BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE
Getting the dough
like "Ivanhoe
99
M-G-M presents Mario Lanza in "BECAUSE
YOU'RE MINE" ■ Introducing Doretta Morrow with
James Whitmore • Color by Technicolor • Screen Play
by Karl Tunberg and Leonard Spigelgass • Based on a
Story by Ruth Brooks Flippen and Sy Gomberg
Directed by Alexander Hall • Produced by Joe Pasternak
ANOTHER M-G-M LION-UP AT RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Typical audience reaction reflected by
newspaper acclaim: "DROVES WHO
FLOCK TO SEE AND HEAR MARIO
LANZA SHOULD DO SO AGAIN
. . . BEST YET ... A BOXOFFICE
BONANZA, AN ENTERTAINMENT
WHIZBANG!"
MIAMI BEACH BONANZA1.
Second highest M-G-M opening in more than two years!
DAYTONA BONANZA!
Best M-G-M week-day opening in more than a year!
ROYAL COMMAND CHOICE"
Chosen for the Royal Film Performance in London,
October 27. Great Britain's highest film honor!
Remember "The
Great Caruso"!
SAVE TOP PLAYING TIME! M-G-M
4
Motion Picture Daily
Friday, October 3, 1952
Depinet
{Continued from page 1)
dustry, Depinet's friends in every
branch and nook of the industry,
throughout the .country and around
the world, are legion. He is highly
respected by those in modest as well as
high positions and is as well known
for his untiring efforts on behalf of
the industry as a whole as he is for
his many years of distinguished ser-
vice to his company.
Depinet, who sold his own stock,
some 36,000 shares, to the Ralph Stol-
kin syndicate, along with Howard
Hughes last week, will continue as
adviser and consultant to the com-
pany, the new owners said yesterday.
Depinet's most recent service to the
improvement of internal and external
industry welfare was the leadership he
gave to the Council of Motion Picture
Organizations, whose president he was
for the first three years of its exis-
tence. Only recently he was chosen
toastmaster to preside at the annual
Picture Pioneers dinner here next
month.
All of Depinet's business life has been
spent in the industry. Pie started in
1907 with Imported Film & Supply Co.
as New Orleans booker and salesman
immediately upon leaving high school.
Now 62 years old, Depinet became
Southern division manager when his
company was taken over by General
Film. He joined Universal Pictures
in 1911 and in 1924 was made one of
the company's three home office sales
directors. Later he joined First Na-
tional as a member of its sales cabinet,
soon becoming general sales manager.
With First National's merger with
Pathe, he became identified with the
company and, through it, with RKO.
He was elected president of RKO
Distributing Corp. in 1934 ; vice-presi-
dent of RKO Radio and Pathe News
in 1937; executive vice-president and
vice-chairman of the board of RKO,
the parent company, and in 1942 was
named president of that company.
Prior to divorcement, he also was
president and chairman of the board of
RKO Theatre Corp.
Stolkin Succeeds Depinet
{Continued from page 1)
'CompoDay'Monday
At Texas Fair
Dallas, Oct. 2. — The Texas State
Fair has designated Monday as
"Texas COMPO Day" in "honor of
a great industry," James Stewart,
executive vice-president and general
manager of the fair, disclosed here.
The fair, which will open Saturday,
runs through Oct. 19.
In designating a day for the state's
Council of Motion Picture Organiza-
tions, Stewart listed many of the
benefits offered by the industry and
derived by the state from, motion
picture theatres. Among those listed
were :
"Approximately 3,500,000 persons
go to films in Texas every week,
attending 1,485 conventional and 375
drive-in theatres. These theatres em-
ploy more than 15,000 people, and
their combined weekly payroll is more
than $650,000.
"The average price of admission
to a Texas theatre is only 36 cents.
Since most of these theatres show
single features and the average pro-
gram, lasts two hours and eight min-
utes, Texans are enjoying the world's
finest entertainment for only 17 cents
an hour."
the syndicate ; Gordon Youngman, a
member of the New York and Los
Angeles law firm of Bautzer, Grant,
Youngman and Silbert, and William
Gorman, an associate of Stolkin's.
W. H. Clark, RKO Pictures
treasurer, was the only member
of the old board reelected.
Those going off the board, in
addition to Depinet and Die-
trich, were: Robert Mochrie,
vice-president and general sales
manager; J. Miller Walker,
secretary and former general
counsel, Francis O'Hara and
Hughes.
The company's announcement cov-
ered only the board and executive
changes in RKO Radio Pictures, Inc.,
which is the producing and distribut-
ing subsidiary of RKO Pictures Corp.,
parent company. Absence of any ref-
erence in the statement to changes in
the board of the parent company was
ascribed unofficially to technical rea-
sons. A formal explanation could not
be obtained as all officials of the com-
pany, both new and old, repaired to
the 21 Club for a reception following
yesterday's business meeting and were
not available to reporters.
Meet Press Today
The new slate will meet press rep-
resentatives today at a reception at
Toots Shor's restaurant.
It was also announced that the
Bautzer, Grant, Youngman and Sil-
bert law firm was appointed counsel
for the company in California, suc-
ceeding the firm of Mitchell, Silber-
berg and Knupp. That change will not
be effective until next Dec. 31, it was
stated, and the latter firm also will
conclude litigation being handled by it
which still is pending after that date.
In addition, it was announced that
Sidney Korshak, Chicago attorney
who also participated in the Stolkin
negotiations with Hughes, had been
retained as labor counsel for RKO
Radio.
No Other Changes
No other executive changes or ap-
pointments were announced, leaving a
number of question marks in the ex^
ecutive set-up of RKO Radio as well
as RKO Pictures Corp.
Perhaps referring to that circum
stance, a "message to employes," the
text of which was included in the
company's press statement, said :
"Of necessity, a number of
executive changes will be made
to bring in and promote youth
with its vitality, fresh approach
and aggressive thinking.
Changes below the executive
level will be kept to a mini-
mum."
The message to employes also said
that "It is not their (the purchasers)
intent, and they do not believe it the
desire of the majority of the stock-
holders, to liquidate or destroy.
Rather, the objective is to revitalize
and build.
"A realistic approach," the message
continued, "must recognize the com-
pany's large losses and the urgent
need for sure steps to stem and turn
the tide."
The press statement announced that
an immediate screening of all execu-
tives in the "sales and distribution
offices" will be undertaken and will
be followed by "a similar job" in the
exchanges and at the studio. It is
hoped, the statement said, that all
"major" changes may be consummated
in the "very near future."
Look to the Future
The statement then said that the
problem of "the use of television as
a film outlet" will be determined "with
unprejudiced minds which will seek
solutions looking to the future un-
bound by any dedication to the past."
Text of the statement follows :
"The problems of the company are
manifold and extremely difficult but
not insoluble or insurmountable. The
job at hand is a careful screening of
all executives in the sales and distri-
bution offices. This will be done im-
mediately and on a daily basis in the
hope that all major changes may be
determined and consummated within
the very near future. Thereafter, a
similar job will be undertaken in the
exchanges and at the studio. From
this reshuffling the rebuilding process
will go forward, perhaps not with the
speed that those who do not have the
job to do like but with all the speed
that thoughtful, unhurried judgment
will allow.
"While production of new film
is of major importance, because
it is so important, deals for
product and personnel will
proceed slowly and carefully.
The studio problems cannot
and will not be solved overnight.
"Problems that have plagued the
industry as a whole for a long time,
such as the use of television as a film
outlet, will be approached, analyzed,
and determined with unprejudiced
minds which will seek solutions look
ing to the future unbound by any
dedication to the past, and such solu-
tions which seem the best answer for
the benefit of the corporation will be
adopted. Speculation as to the ulti-
mate results of such approach is futile.
There has been no predetermination
thereof.
"It is and will be impossible to
listen to, deny, or comment on all
the rumors and gossip that flow from
a change such as this. Stockholders,
employees, and the public to the ex
tent that it has any proper interest
therein, will be promptly notified by
the board of directors of the corpora
lion as soon as further changes of
policy or personnel are decided upon."
Was With RKO Before
Youngman, one of the new board
members, is a former vice-president
and general counsel of RKO Pictures.
He was transferred from New York
to the studio by Hughes and resigned
from the company early last year to
join the Gregson Bautzer law firm in
Hollywood. Grant also has been iden-
tified with the industry for many years
as attorney for David Selznick and
Mary Pickford and until recently was
a member of the board of Columbia
Pictures.
Dozier
{Continued from page 1)
experience as a production executive
in Hollywood, said the overtures came
from a "purported representative" of
the Stolkin group. He declined to
give any further details, explaining
that, as yet, there has not been any se-
rious discussion on the offer.
Dozier's experience encompasses the
post of general production aide to the
vice-president in charge of production
of RKO in 1944. Two years later he
joined Universal-International as vice-
president and associate head of pro-
duction. His association with CBS-
TV began in Oct., 1951.
The approach to Dozier is the sec-
ond such move made by representa-
tives of the Stolkin group. Jerry Wald
was approached recently by Sherrill
Corwin, a member of the Stolkin
group.
May 1 Controls Cut
{Continued from page 1)
allowed except minimum amounts for
maintainance, repair and operating
work. In addition to the self-author-
izations under the new order, would-
be theatre builders can now apply for
NPA allotments of additional amounts
of the three metals with much better
chances of success than heretofore.
Upholds Lobby Firm
A Supreme Court ruling has upheld
the claim of the Lobby Display Frame
Corp. to compel Nat Steinberg of
the Square Theatre, Bronx, to defend
in court an action based on a judg-
ment for $6,750 against the West-
chester Square Theatre Corp.
STATEMENT REQUIRED BY THE ACT
OF CONGRESS 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
O'WNERSHIP, MANAGE-
MENT AND CIRCULATION.
Of Motion Picture Daily, published daily
(except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays),
at New York, New York, for October 1,
1952.
1. The names and addresses of the pub-
lisher, editor, managing editor, and business
managers are: Publisher, and Editor-in-
Chief, Martin Quigley, 1270 Sixth Ave.,
New York City; Editor, Sherwin Kane,
1270 Sixth Avenue, New York City; Man-
aging Editor, Sherwin Kane, 1270 Sixth
Avenue, New York City; Business Man-
ager, 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 one per cent or more of total
amount of stock. If not owned by a corpor-
ation, the names and addresses of the
individual owners must be given. If owned
by a partnership 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 Avenue, New York City; Martin J.
Quigley, 1270 Sixth Avenue, New York
City; Gertrude S. Quigley, 1270 Sixth Ave-
nue, New York City; Martin Quigley, Jr.,
1270 Sixth Avenue, New York City.
3. The known bondholders mortgagees,
and other security holders owning or hold-
ing one 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
statements in the two paragraphs show the
affiant'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 secur-
ities 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 dis-
tributed, through the mails or otherwise, to
paid subscribers during the twelve months
preceding the date shown above was: (This
information is required from daily, weekly,
semi-weekly and tri-weekly newspapers
only.) 5,322.
(Signed) Theo. J. Sullivan,
Business Manager
Sworn to and subscribed before me this
29th day of September, 1952.
(seal) Rose W. Hornstein.
(My commission expires March 30, 1953.)
M'-G-M presents Lana Turner
as "THE MERRY WIDOW"
co-starring Fernando Lamas
with Una Merkel • Richard
Haydn • Thomas Gomez • Color
by Technicolor • Screen Play
by Sonya Levien and William
Ludwig • Based on the Operetta
Written by Composer Franz
Lehar and Authors Victor Leon
and Leo Stein • Directed by
Curtis Bernhardt • Produced by
Joe Pasternak
LANA
TURNER
as "THE
MERRY
WIDOW"
is giving
box-offices
from Coast
to Coast the
BUSINESS!
Hold Lana!
That's what
theatres are
doing
everywhere !
And the
Second Week
biz equals
"Singin' In
The Rain"!
For merry
box-offices play
"THE MERRY
WIDOW"
(M-G-M and Technicolor
make happy music!)
6
Motion Picture Daily
Friday, October 3, 1952
Eidophor and
'Snows' Cited
Twentieth Century-Fox' Eidophor,
the large-screen color television proc-
ess, and Darryl F. Zanuck's "The
Snows of Kilimanjaro" are featured
in the Oct. 6 issue of Life magazine.
The publication, which hits the
newsstands today, devotes two illus-
trated pages to the television process
which was demonstrated recently. A
full-color photograph showing an
audience watching an experimental
Eidophor program and a diagram ex-
plaining how the system brings stage
images to theatre screens illustrate
the text.
"The Snows of Kilimanjaro" is
given three picture pages. They pre-
sent the story line of the color in
Technicolor adaptation of Ernest
Hemingway's short story. Stars Greg-
ory Peck, Susan Hayward and Ava
Gardner are pictured in key scenes
from the story in the layout drama-
tizing how Hollywood adapts a Hem-
ingway work.
Engineers Will Map
Technical Advances
Hollywood, Oct. 2. — Approxi-
mately 100 to 150 industry engineers
who serve on Society of Motion Pic-
ture and Television Engineers' techni-
cal committees will confer on ways to
improve theatre exhibition of films
through better sound, screen bright-
ness, improved film laboratory prac-
tices and release print inspection, at
the forthcoming 72nd semi-annual
convention in Washington all next
week, stated Peter Mole, president of
SMPTE, prior to his leaving here
for the meetings.
The committee meetings, 14 in all,
will be open to the press and to others
in the trade who have interest in the
subjects. All will be arranged by
Hank Kogel, SMPTE staff engineer
from the New York office.
Scheduled subjects are the follow-
ing, with other meetings also on the
agenda: film projection practice, un-
der the direction of Ralph Heacock
of RCA ; screen brightness, led by
Wallace Lozier of National Carbon,
and theatre engineering, conducted
by Jack Servies of National Theatre
Supply.
Says Italian Films'
Popularity Rising
"Italian pictures are constantly in-
creasing in popularity in the United
States," Eric Johnston, president of
the Motion Picture Association of
America, declared in a letter to Win-
throp W. Aldrich, honorary chairman
of "Salute to Italian Films Week"
which will begin on Monday.
Johnston will honor Nicola De Pir-
ro, director general of Italy's Enter-
tainment Industry Bureau ; Eitel
Monaco, president of the National
Association of the Motion Picture
and Allied Industries of Italy and of
Italian Films Export, and other mem-
bers of the delegation of film stars,
directors and executives who arrive
this weekend from Rome at a lunch-
eon at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel
on Tuesdav.
In his letter to Aldrich, the MPAA
head who is a member of the "Salute
Week" sponsoring committee, said :
"It is a pleasure to greet the Ita-
lian motion picture industry on the
occasion. Italian producers are mak-
ing pictures that Americans audiences
like. . -
"Good pictures are good for every-
one. They are good for the producer,
wherever he lives, and they are good
for his competitors as well. Good
pictures bring audiences into the thea-
tres, just as poor pictures keep people
away from theatres. Good pictures
enrich the ' cultural experience and
the enjoyment of movie-goers every-
where."
Zukor Feted Oct. 6
By Midwest Owners
Adolph Zukor, chairman of the
board of Paramount Pictures, will be
paid tribute at a luncheon to be given
him by more than 100 Midwestern ex-
hibitors on Oct. 6 at the Bismarck
Hotel, Chicago.
Zukor and other Paramount home
office executives will also attend the
company's three-day division sales
managers meeting.
HAS 30 SWELL BUS
for Selling Your
tySJMUOWE'EN
~ SHOW! "7
Alwayt UM riLMACK For All Your irallur 8 oqu Ire manic
fIlmack TRAILER COMPANY
MGM Will Distribute
Cinema Prod. Film
Hollywood, Oct. 2.— M-G-M will
distribute Cinema Productions' "Main
Street to Broadway," CP president
M. A. Lightman told Motion Picture
Daily on his arrival here for a
fortnight's conferences with Lester
Cowan, who will produce the multi-
starred feature in cooperation with
the Council of Living Theatre.
Lightman said the deal with M-
G-M, which is tantamount to partner-
ship, was finalized with Nicholas
Schenck after conferences resulting
in complete agreement on all aspects
of the undertaking.
Brooklyn Theatre
Files Trust Suit
A triple-damage $375,000 anti-trust
suit against eight majors and a number
of exhibitor corporations was filed
here in Federal District Court by the
Charben Cinema Corp., which owns
the Jewel Theatre, Brooklyn, N. Y.
The Jewel claimed "discrimation"
by the defendants and complained of
its inability to procure feature films.
The period of its alleged damages
runs from Aug. 13, 1951 to the pres-
ent, according to the suit. Others
named include Randforce Amusement
Corp., Metropolitan Playhouses Inc.
Rantru Operating Corp., and Springer
Theatres Inc.,
Chi. Tax Collections
Show Summer Gains
Chicago, Oct. 2.— The city of
Chicago's three per cent city
amusement tax collections for
September (on August re-
ceipts) reflect the upsurge of
business experienced by the-
atres here from midsummer
to Labor Day, showing an in-
crease of approximately 20
per cent over the previous
month's collections (on July
receipts).
September collections this
year were $93,939, a drop of
roughly 10 per cent from the
corresponding month last
year, when collections were
$104,868. The year to date also
shows a drop of 10 per cent
with collections down about
$76,000 from 1951 to $758,000
in 1952. Part of this drop un-
doubtedly is due to a large
number of theatre closings in
1951 and early 1952.
Enrollment Heavy
For Rogers Drive
Enrollments of individual theatres
and circuits in the Will Rogers Mem
orial Hospital collection-can campaign
have now passed the 3,000-mark, na-
tionally, according to drive officials
The mark was topped by the addition
of Schine's 91 houses. Other new
additions include : The Trueman Rem-
busch circuit in Indiana, Penn-Para
mount's theatres and the Los Angeles
Paramount Theatres.
100% Circuits Listed
Circuits now enrolled 100 per cent
in the hospital campaign include the
following :
Affiliated Theatres, Basil Enterprises, Bi-
jou Amusement Co., Comerford Circuit,
Commonwealth Amusement Corp., Commun-
ity Theatre Circuit, Dipson Theatres. Florida
State Theatres, Fox Intermountain Theatres,
Fox Midwest Circuit, Fox Wisconsin Cir-
cuit, Intermountain Theatres, Interstate Cir-
cuit, Kerasotes Theatres, Loew's Theatres,
E. M. Loew Theatre Circuit, Malco Thea-
tres, Neighborhood Theatres, Northio Thea-
tres, Paramount Buffalo Theatres, United
Paramount Theatres, Penn-Paramount Corp.
Also, RKO Theatres, Rowley-United Thea-
tres, Schine Circuit, Strand Amusement Co.,
Syndicate Theatres of Indiana, Tenarken-
Paramount Corp., Warner Brothers, Yamins
Theatrical Enterprises, Brandt Circuit, Leo
Brecher Theatres Century Circuit, Inter-
boro Circuit, Randforce Circuit, Walter
Reade Theatres.
Arbitration
(Continued from page 1)
Reports on OMPI Today
An 18-month report on progress
achieved by the Organization of the
Motion Picture Industry of New York
City will be delivered by Fred J.
Schwartz, OMPI executive, at a
meeting of the organization here to-
day. Following the meeting, which
will be held at the Hotel A s t o r.
Schwartz will hold a press conference.
'V Branch Managers
To Tour Coast Studio
Albany, N. Y., Oct. 2. — Universal
is sending branch managers in groups
of 10 to Hollywood for tours of its
studios, the company here discloses.
Leo Greenfield of Albany is _ flying-
tomorrow with the second contingent,
which will remain on the Coast for
a! week.
within the next few days advice re-
garding "the best time" for him to ar-
rive in the French capital to reopen
negotiations for a new Franco- Ameri-
can film pact. Negotiations between
French and U. S. government officials
collapsed a few weeks ago.
Unless such advice bespoke genuine
urgency, Johnston said, he would not
make the trip until the arbitration sit-
uation had been settled to the satisfac-
tion of all parties to the drafting.
The presidents' meeting failed to
solve the problem of dividing among
their companies the 59 Japanese im-
port permits which have been allocated
to them for the second half of the fis-
cal year ending next March. They
decided to tackle the problem again at
a meeting scheduled for Oct. 14, if,
in the meantime, efforts to get the
Japanese to raise the allotment to 63,
the first half's quota, do not meet with
success.
Col. Richard T. McDonnell, MPAA
foreign remittances expert, was re-
ported to be en route to Tokyo where
he will join with Irving Maas, Mo-
tion Picture Export Association offi-
cial, in pressing for the higher allot-
ment. Maas has been in Tokyo
several weeks.
The presidents were informed by
Johnston, who previously conferred
with government officials in Washing-
ton, that Western Europe's economic
position is at present at a low ebb and
the outlook is not bright. Johnston
did not refer specifically to theatre
business prospects in Europe, but his
listeners were not optimistic about
them after hearing the MPAA presi-
dent's over-all report.
Johnston reported that MPAA
efforts to win repeal of Brazil's
restrictions on American films
have not been successful. He
said he still intended to go to
Rio de Janeiro in the not-too-
distant future.
The meeting yesterday did not
touch on the reports from Mexico
City about Mexico's efforts to limit the
screening time of foreign films to half
of the usual time. When questioned
about this, John G. McCarthy, MPAA
international division chief, explained
that only the lower house of the Mexi-
can Congress has voted the action,
and the Senate has yet to act. Other
sources said there apparently was not
much chance of heading" off Senate ap-
proval of the measure, since the in-
cumbent Mexican president, whose
term expires on Nov. 30, has backed it.
A similar bill was defeated last year
when Mexican exhibitors secured a
court injunction against it and later
won a ruling that the measure was un-
constitutional. The MPAA is ex-
pected to throw its weight behind the
exhibitors this time if there is any
threat of a reverse decision.
Ticket Tax
(Continued from page 1)
reported by the Bureau have shown a
steady annual drop during the past
six or seven years
The general admissions category
includes taxes on admissions to motion
picture theatres, legitimate theatres,
concerts, sports events and other
general amusement events.
Sidney Wins MGM
Promotion Prize
Jack Sidney, manager of Loew's
Century Theatre in Baltimore, has
been named winner of M-G-M's first
prize of $500 for his "Promotion-
Prize - of - the - Month" campaign on
"When in Rome." The judges were
Walter Brooks, conductor of the Mo-
tion Picture Herald's Round Table ;
Tom Kennedy, executive editor of
Shoimncn' s Trade Reviezu; and Ches-
ter Friedman, of Boxoffice.
Of especial
significance
at this time . . .
WORLD MARKET
MOTION PICTURE HERALD presents its annual
World Market Section, dedicated to individuals
and firms concerned with international trade in
motion pictures, theatre equipment and supplies.
In this week's issue of
MOTION PICTURE
HERALD
By National
Magazine ads
to the more
than 66,000,000
readers of 14
of the Nation's
Leading
Women's
Publications.
ft ilfi !hoM>
tfiilitrtinji;
w<»r<|> her
vinm- hack
to (i«-s(r«s\
>t'r iiornr.
»rr lovr. ;ui<f
to brand her
S3J8S
/eft
CO-STARRiR,G
AIEX Afjrnr
VOL. 72. NO. 68
DAILY
NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1952
TEN CENTS
Tradewise . . .
By SHERWIN KANE
THE ACCENT on youth pro-
gram which the Ralph Stolkin
syndicate last week said would
guide it in making executive
changes in RKO Pictures will be
an experience which, if carried to a
conclusion, will be watched with
the utmost interest by every com-
pany in the industry.
In recent years, when problem
was added to problem in a seem-
ingly endless succession and it often
appeared to responsible observers
that the industry lacked the deter-
mined leadership and agressiveness
that is commonly associated with
the young, who perhaps have it
because they are untamed by expe-
rience, there was a widespread be-
lief that the industry was sorely in
need of new blood.
It was voiced not only by the
"outs" but also by many who were
"in." The criticism that too many
in high places in the industry had
served their best days and there
were too few capable of succeeding
them or in training to replace them
was to be heard at representative
industry meetings of many kinds.
Generally, it appeared to be agreed
that, at least, the industry had not
encouraged promising, new execu-
tive blood and had given little
thought to providing its leadership
of tomorrow.
New blood in any industry is a
good thing but free-running sap m
the veins is not the only requisite
(Continued on page 7)
RKO Radio Board Members
NEW RKO RADIO board members: (Left to right) A. L.
Koolish, Ralph E. Stolkin, new president of RKO Radio;
Arnold Grant, chairman of the board and Sherrill Corwin,
vice-president who will supervise studio operations. Gregson
Bautzer (right) is a member of the law firm of Bautzer, Grant,
Youngman and Silbert, which has been appointed counsel for the
company in California. Members of the board not appearing in
the photo are Edward Burke, Gordon Youngman, William Gor-
man and William Clark.
Product Seen
First Problem
By RKO Group
Financing , Executive
Plans in Fore, Also
The most pressing problems con-
fronting the new RKO Pictures
owners are product supply and
long-range financing, in that order,
according" to a consensus of views of
members of the Ralph Stolkin syndi-
cate expressed at a press reception
here on Friday.
The company has no plans for
any attempt to buy a block of
completed pictures from an-
other company to tide it over
future months until the studio
again is in full activity, it was
stated. Instead, it will rely on
available product, either new
and unreleased, or reissues to
tide it over what might be an
18-month period when it ex-
pects to have a steady flow of
pictures coming from the studio
again.
It was estimated by members of
(Continued on page 7)
FCC Bureau Calls
UPT, Para. Station
Ownership 'Illegal'
Washington, Oct. 5.— The Broad-
cast Bureau of the Federal Communi-
cations Commission told the FCC at
the weekend that Paramount Pictures
and United Paramount Theatres have
been operating their radio and tele-
vision stations illegally and said that
if their licenses were not surrendered
the FCC may have to seek injunctive
relief.
The broadcast bureau also asked
the FCC not to approve the UPT-
American Broadcasting Co. merger on
the grounds that a grant of the mer-
ger might lead to monopolistic pat-
terns within the TV industry.
The broadcast bureau made these
allegations in the proposed findings
relating to the issues involved in the
(Continued on page 7)
800 At SMPTE Meeting
Opening in Capital Today
Washington, Oct. 5.— The Society of Motion Picture and Television
Engineers' 72nd' semi-annual convention will open here tomorrow with
a luncheon in the Congressional Room of the Statler Hotel at which
guest speakers will be Major General George I. Back, Chief Signal
Officer of the United States Army;
Brigadier General Brooke E. Allen,
Commanding General of the Air Pho-
tographic and Charting Service, U. S.
Air Force, and Captain A. D. Fraser,
Chief of Naval Photography.
Approximately 800 members from
all parts of the U. S. and several for-
eign countries — a record registration —
are expected. During the week-long
convention 93 papers and reports on
equipment and technical advancement
in motion pictures and television will
be presented by leading scientists,
engineers and industry leaders from
England, France, Germany, Canada,
and the U. S.
The new SMPTE president will be
announced at the luncheon. Newly
elected officers and governors of the
(Continued on page 6)
Disney, Goldwyn
Await RKO Changes
Roy Disney, president of Walt Dis-
ney Productions, at the weekend ex-
pressed "shock" at the resignation of
Ned E. Depinet as president of RKO
Radio Pictures Corp., but added that
it would be "premature" now to com-
ment on the future relationship of
his company with RKO.
Meanwhile, Ralph Stolkin, the new
RKO Radio Pictures president, visited
and conferred with Samuel Goldwyn,
another leading independent producer
releasing through RKO. Neither
(Continued on page 7)
Distributors have aban-
doned the proposal that
newsreels be produced in
color, it was learned here
at the weekend.
The reasons given for
dropping the idea were
that it would prove too
costly in light of what
the newsreels earn and
that the mechanical dif-
ficulties pose too big a
hurdle .
CHICAGO , Oct. 5. —Three
trust suits brought by the
Wicker Park Amusement Co.
against the major film
companies, Balaban & Katz
Theatres, Warner Brothers
Theatres and Warner
Brothers Circuit Manage-
ment were settled out of
court here through nego-
tiations between opposing
attorneys .
2
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, October 6, 1952
Personal
Mention
FCC Sets Agenda For
Theatre TV Hearing
ARTHUR DE BRA, director of I Washington, Oct. 5. — The Federal
community relations of the Mo- Communications Commission over the
tion Picture Association of America, week-end made formal announcement
and Martorie Dawson, assistant di- of the time and place for the Oct. 20
rector on Friday will address the hearing on the engineering- and ac-
Films' Councils of Chicago and De- counting phases of the theatre televi
troit, respectively. sion case.
• This portion of the hearing is not
Lt Col. Vincent G. Hart, who for expected to last over a week, with the
10 years headed the Eastern office of major portion of the case to be pre
the Production Code for the former sented beginning Jan. 12'. The Com
Motion Picture Producers and Dis- mission noted that the Oct. 20 session
tributors of America, will be awarded would cover only direct testimony
the de°ree of Doctor of Laws for out- | cross-questioning put off to _the Janu-
Myers Tells Allied
TOA Meet Tailed'
OMPI May Extend
Its Air Promotions
Over N.Y. Stations
standing Americanism, at St. Bona-
venture University, on Saturday.
•
Edward L. Hyman, United Para-
mount Theatres vice-president, and as-
sistants Bernard Levy and Al Sicig-
nano, will be in Buffalo today, from
here.
Irving Sochin, Universal short
ary portion of the hearing. The Com-
mission asked that a list of witnesses
and a summary of their testimony be
filed by Oct. 9.
Attorneys for the Motion Picture
Association of America and the Na-
tional Exhibitors Theatre Television
Committee, who will present the in-
dustry's coordinated case to the Com-
mission, have estimated that there will
subjects sales manager, left here last | probably be less than a dozen
night for a trip through the Midwest
and South.
•
David Lipton, Universal advertis-
ing-publicity vice-persident, is due to
arrive here from the Coast on
Wednesday.
•
John P. Byrne, M-G-M Eastern
sales manager, will be in Buffalo to-
day from New York.
•
Sam Shain, Council of Motion Pic-
ture Organizations field officer, will be
in Buffalo today from New York.
wit-
nesses at the Oct. 20 phase. These
will include among the engineering
witnesses Earl Sponable, Stuart
Bailey, Andrew Inglis and a witness
on tubes. In addition, there will be
several occounting witnesses.
'Price Quotations'
The FCC included in its list of mat-
ters on which it expects to hear testi-
mony "price quotations" from the
American Telephone and Telegraph
Company. It said the list had been
tentatively outlined" by MPAA and
NETTC in their joint petition, filed
last summer, requesting an early date
Donald A. Henderson, 20th Cen- for the technical phase of the _ case.
tury-Fox secretary-treasurer, is vaca-
tioning this week.
Paramount Chicago
Sales Meet Opens
. Chicago, Oct. 5. — A. W. Schwal
berg, president of Paramount Film
Distributing Corp., will preside at the
special three-day division sales mana
ger meeting that opens at the Bis
marck Hotel here tomorrow. The
meeting will be devoted to a. discussion
of the company's sales and merchan
dising plans for forthcoming product. I vision ;
At that time attorneys and engineers
for NETTC and MPAA expected that
A. T. and T. would be able to supply
the data by Oct. 20.
Last week, however, A. T. and T.
said it would be unable to supply the
information before the end of the year.
NETTC attorney Marcus Cohn said
over the week-end that the theatre
television attorneys would inform the
Commission of the delay on the part
of A. T. and T. and that they would
present the A. T. and T. data during
the January phase of the hearing.
Among the other points on which
the Commission said it expects to hear
testimony were : technical require-
ments and standards for theatre tele-
sample theatre television
Washington, Oct. 5. — In a special
bulletin setting forth plans for Allied' s
national convention next month in
Chicago, Abram F. Myers, Allied
board chairman and general counsel,
has cautioned the organization's lead-
ers in various parts of the country
against the pitfalls which he said con-
tributed to the "failure" of the Theatre
Owners of America's recent national
convention in Washington.
Myers said the TOA convention
was a "fiasco" and that "the whole
advertised program blew up" because
of "TOA's weak and vacillating per-
formance" at that time in handling
"the larger issues — arbitration, the
16mm. case and the tax campaign."
Wrote Myers: "We do not gloat
over the failure of TOA's 'national'
convention, nor do we delight in its
present difficulties. On the contrary,
we sincerely smpathize with those in-
dependent exhibitors who joined TOA
in good faith and relied on it for pro-
tection. Their disillusionment follow-
ing the fiasco in Washington must be
very great. Perhaps it is just as well
so few of them were on hand to wit-
ness the dismal proceedings."
He added that Allied now has a
"great opportunity and a grave re-
sponsibility" to see that it stages "a
truly great convention."
The Allied convention plans, ac-
cording to Myers, "contemplate a
minimum of set speeches and ample
time for open discussion. Instead of
another of those boring first sessions
with a lot of hot air from the dais,
there will be only a short prayer, the
Mayor's address of welcome and the
keynote address. The session will then
adjourn so that the exhibitors can at-
tend the (trade practice film) clinics.
In this way they can become ac-
quainted,-can 'loosen up' and gain the
necessary confidence to plunge into the
discussion at the next general session."
Division managers who will attend I microwave distribution systems ; mat
include J. J. Donohue, Central ; A. M. ters relating to the accounting phase
Kane, South Central ; Howard Min- 0f the theatre television hearing,
sky, Mideastern; Hugh Owen, East- The FCC said the hearing would be
ern-Southern ; George A. Smith, held before the Commission en ban
Western, and Gordon Livingstone, | and would open at 10 A.M. on Oct. 20
Canadian general manager.
Home office officials who will be
present include Adolph Zukor, chair
man of the board; E. K. O'Shea, vice
president of Paramount Film Distrib
uting Corp. ; Jerry Pickman, vice
president and director of advertising,
publicity and exploitation; Oscar A.
Morgan, general sales manager
in the auditorium of the National Mu-
seum here.
Ambrose Guest of Tent
Cincinnati, Oct.- 5. — James S.
(Jimmy) Ambrose will be honor guest
at a testimonial dinner to be given by
of I the Cincinnati Variety Club, Tent No,
short subjects and Paramount News ; I 3, here at the Netherland_ Plaza,
Sid Blumenstock, advertising manager tomorrow, in recognition of his recent
and assistant to Pickman; Robert J. promotion from local Warner Broth-
Rubin, assistant to Barney Balaban ; ers branch manager to district man-
and Monroe R. Goodman, executive ager. He will continue to make his
assistant to Schwalberg. I headquarters here.
Bezel Now Operates
Branch in Chicago
Chicago, Oct. 5. — Albert Dezel to-
morrow will start operating the
Lippert exchange here. Contracts were
executed between Dezel and Eid Baum-
garten, representing Lippert Produc-
tions. Harris Dudelson remains as
district manager for Lippert, supervis-
ing the Midwest territory, and will
also have charge of the Chicago ex-
change. Sam Kaplan takes over as
booker and office manager and Jack
Rubin has been added to the sales
staff.
Further tie-ups with other radio-
TV stations by the Organization of
Motion Picture Industries here m
publicizing good motion pictures, sim-
ilar to the current three-program deal
with National Broadcasting, are a
definite possibility in the near future,
it was revealed by OMPI chairman
Fred Schwartz, after his organization
reported to exhibitor members on
Friday.
No Deals Yet
Schwartz emphasized that no com-
mitments had been made but that in-
terest had been evinced by other air
chains. He said the general reaction
to the five-minute "plugs" on the
Skitch Henderson, Herb Sheldon, and
Conrad Nagel daily programs was ex-
tremely favorable. Within the next
week or two the theatres involved will
start showing a trailer with every
program plugging the programs and
display posters doing likewise.
An unfriendly press, quick to print
film industry stories without checking
the accuracy of facts, caused the for-
mation of the organization. Its policy
of only checking facts without at-
tempting to sway opinion is said to
account for the organization's con-
tinued existence. The membership
is comprised of exhibitors and the
MPAA. Close touch has been main-
tained with the Council of Motion
Picture Organizations.
OMPI has provided the information
on films for use in the NBC-NBT
tie-up ; special care has been taken to
plug only pictures of merit.
Intentions of holding the long-
planned Grand Central Palace exposi-
tion were proclaimed by Schwartz.
The contemplated date is Dec. 1953
for when a commitment is held on the
Palace. However, this will be dis-
cussed at the next seminar in January
or February and it is hoped that plans
may be finalized thereafter.
Exposition Plans
Exposition plans originally called
for the transporting from Hollywood
of actors, technicians and equipment
for public display. The idea was to
inform the public of the various oper-
ations involved in producing and dis-
tributing motion pictures and produce
more goodwill thereby.
OMPI is participating in the cur-
rent campaign against the admission
tax. Morton Sunshine of the ITOA
and D. John Philips, of MMPTA
have been in charge of OMPI pub-
licity.
Traub's Name on Seal
Baltimore, Oct. 5. — The name of
Sydney Traub, Maryland State Board
of Motion Picture Censors chairman,
has been ordered returned to the cen-
sor board seal after it had been
omitted since last July.
Harry H. Seal, 63
Hollywood, Oct. 5. — Harry Ham-
mond Beal, 63, veteran film publicity,
died unexpectedly at home here
Thursday afternoon. One time a lead-
ing independent publicist he had been
active in other fields for the past
number of years.
Snaper Press Confab
Wilbur Snaper, president of national
Allied, today will hold a trade press
conference at his office here.
MOTION PTCTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley- Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane. Editor; Terry Ramsaye. Consulting 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager: Gus H. Fausel Production Manager: Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine
Building, William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11
North Clark Street, FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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: International Motion Picture 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, October 6, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
Pathe - Loew's - RKO
Trial in $15,000,000
Suit in 3 Months
Reviews
The $15,000,000 triple-damage anti-
trust suit which Chesapeake Industries
''formerly Pathe Industries) filed in
U S. District Court here against
Loew's and RKO Theatres will come
to trial in three months, according
to William C. MacMillen, Jr., Chesa-
peake president.
The action, filed over a year ago,
charged that the defendants conspired
to exclude independently-produced
pictures from the Metropolitan New
York market. Pathe Industries was
at the time the parent company of
Eagle Lion Classics, distributor of
independently-produced films, whose
physical assets were acquired in the
interim by United Artists.
MacMillen said that pre-trial hear-
ings have been completed so far as
Chesapeake is concerned. Whether
depositions will be sought between
now and the end of the year by the
defendants remains to be seen.
Raibourn Sees Bright
Future for Cinerama
Paul Raibourn, Paramount Pictures
vice-president, who on Sept. 12 told
the Centennial of Engineering Sym-
posium in Chicago concerning Cine-
rama that "public response in revenue
as compared with costs incurred will
determine the final acceptance of the
idea," at the weekend declared in New
York that he considers the triple-pro-
jection, three-dimensional "effect" sys-
tem to be economically feasible for
the motion picture industry.
Cinerama was introduced to. the
public last Tueseday evening at the
Broadway Theatre here.
13 U-I Exploitation
Men on 'Willie'
Thirteen exploitation representatives
have been assigned by Universal-In-
ternational to help promote "Willie
and Joe Back At the Front" in
key dates when it opens Coast to
Coast on Oct. 15. Included are Ben
Katz, Robert Ungerfeld, A. Mike
Vogel, Guy Biondi, John McGrail,
Ben Hill, Julian Bowes, Duke Hickey,
David Pollard, Maurice (Bucky)
Harris, Ed Borgan, William Gandall
and Joe Blaufox.
The film is slated to play more
than 1,000 dates in the 30-day period
starting Oct. 15.
"The Stooge"
(Wallis-Paramouiit) Hollyivood, Oct. 5
THIS vehicle for the dynamic Dean Martin-Jerry Lewis duo happens to
have beeiTmade before some of their pictures that hold house records
throughout the country, but that's no reason why it shouldn't better even
the standing Martin-Lewis marks. As a matter of fact, it has more of story
and a deal more of heart than the boys' later productions, and these points
could make a difference in the attitude of the middle-aged toward these young
men's robust talents, if that attitude isn't already perfect. It is a favorable
circumstance, too, that the picture is beneficiary of a more orthodox structure
and development than some of their others, with the result that it builds more
steadily and satisfyingly from a relatively moderate beginning to a powerful
finish in which a tear divides importance with the laughs. The attraction is as
nearly failure-proof as a picture can be.
Eight songs from various sources are handled in the course of a story (by
Fred F. Finklehoffe and Sid Silvers, scripted by Finkelhoffe and Martin
Rackin) of the days when vaudeville was in its prime and playing the Palace
was the professional's loftiest ambition, unless it were starring for Ziegfeld
in a Follies. The story has Martin marrying Polly Bergen at the opening and
setting out to do a single in vaudeville, against the advice of his agent and
former partner. He flops, and is persuaded to pick up a song-plugger (Lewis)
to be used as a stooge in the audience. (With Martin using an accordion m
his singing act, this gets to look very similar to the Phil Baker routine, but
that does it no damage.) From this start the story follows plausible and
logical lines, with Lewis faithfully sticking to Martin through adversity and
fame despite Martin's neglect, until each comes into his own finally in an
all-around happy ending. Marion Marshall, Eddie Mayehoff, Richard Erdman
and Frances Bavier lead the supporting cast.
The attraction appears certain to add another box-office smash to producer
Hal B. Wallis' long list of successes, and it is a notoble directorial credit for
Norman Taurog.
Running time, 100 minutes. General audience classification. Release date
not set.
Manny Wolfe Story
Editor for Small
Hollywood, Oct. 5.— Manny Wolfe
has been named story editor for Ed-
ward Small Productions. He was for-
merly story editor and head of the
writing staff at Paramount and subse-
quently at RKO Radio.
Wolfe will primarily scout material
William R. Weaver
"My Wife's Best Friend'
(20th Century-Fox)
ANNE BAXTER and MacDonald Carey are the stars of this amusing
comedy built around the novel situation in which a husband confesses to
his wife a slight affair with her best friend several years before, because the
plane carrying them to a wedding anniversary vacation seems destined to
crash.
The engine trouble that caused the plane to turn back is remedied before
the safe landing and wife Baxter, a domineering shrew, goes into a raging-
silence although Carey assures her that "nothing happened" outside of a few
Martinis Best friend Catherine McLeod is unaware of the damaging revela-
tion and when Miss Baxter becomes sickeninglv noble and forgives everyone
ceaselessly, Miss McLeod suffers barbed taunts and Miss Baxter twice spills
coffee on her hand.
Richard Sale directed with an eye toward broad comedy which should
please some audiences. There are fantasy sequences in which Miss Baxter
thinks herself Joan of Arc, a medieval slaving wife, and character switches
accordingly. While this ensues Carey tries to put over a lumber deal with
cash-needing sophisticate "millionaire" Leif Erickson. Miss Baxter as the plain
wife almost ruins the deal but when she becomes her sophisticated, well-
dressed self the deal is consummated.
When Carey and Miss McLeod get caught in a rainstorm and go to his
house to change clothes separately, the wife catches them as Carey emerges
from the shower wearing a bathrobe and Miss McLeod is putting on stockings
Miss Baxter assumes the worst, quarrels vulgarly with her best friend and
takes up with Erickson. The final complication has Miss Baxter leaving for a
weekend with Erickson but changing her mind, only to come back to an empty
house. She traces Carey to a sanitarium, and he happily accepts her back.
Robert Bassler produced and Isobel Lennart wrote the screenplay, based
on a story by John Briard Harding. The story sometimes becomes con-
fusingly serious but is usually overcome by the fine performances of the stars
and a "supporting cast headed by Cecil Kellaway Casey Adams and Miss
McLeod, that includes Frances Bavier, Mary Sullivan, Martin Milner and
Billie Bird. , . _ _ x ,
Running time, 87 minutes. General audience classification. For October
release.
Boston Astor Books
'Hans' on Pre-release
Samuel Goldwyn's Technicolor pro-
duction "Hans Christian Andersen"
has been booked into the Astor Thea-
tre in Boston for a pre-release en-
gagement starting Dec. 26, James A.
Mulvey, president of Samuel Goldwyn
productions, announced.
Army Support for
'Rifle' Premiere
Springfield, Mass., Oct. 5— The
United States Army is lending its sup-
port to the world premiere of "Spring-
field Rifle," WarnerColor production
starring Gary Cooper, Phyllis Thax-
ter and David Brian, at the Capitol
Theatre here Tuesday evening. The
picture will begin regular perform-
ances at the Capitol and Art theatres
on the following day. A contingent
of stars will participate in the cere-
monies.
Texas Compo In
'Ivanhoe' Drive
Dallas, Oct. 5. — "Ivanhoe" mer-
chandising in Texas is being handled
jointly by M-G-M, the Council of
Motion Picture Organizations and
National Screen. Circuit heads and
advertising directors have pledged
complete support in the merchanising
of the film.
Raymond Willie, Jr., M-G-M ex-
ploitation director for the Southwest,
announced the details at a special
luncheon. '
Lists Kodak as 50-
Yr. Dividend-Payer
Eastman Kodak is listed in
the 50th anniversary number
of Financial World as a mem-
ber of the "Fifty-Plus Club"
of stocks listed on the New
York Stock Exchange or New
York Curb Exchange that
have paid dividends for 50
years or more. According to
the list, which cites 81 com-
mon stocks, Eastman has
been paying dividends since
1902.
The company is said to have
increased its stockholders
from 39,014 to 69,510 and its
employes from 21,100 to 49,400
in the 20 years from 1931 to
1951.
Skouras Honored on
10th Anniversary
Honoring Spyros P. Skouras, on
his 10th anniversary as president of
20th Century-Fox, and wishing him
a bon voyage on the eve of his trip
to the Far East and Australia, 20th
Century-Fox executives feted the
company head on Friday at a lunch-
eon held at the home office.
The luncheon also served as an
advance bow to Skouras whose name
will be given to the week of Oct. 12-
18 in the key period of the company's
current "Branch Managers' Testi-
monial," annual sales drive salute to
the exchange heads by distribution
department personnel.
Skouras departed for the Far East
Friday evening on a trip which will
take him to the West Coast, then to
Honolulu and Tokyo, before visits
to the Far East and the Antipodes.
He is expected to be away at least
five weeks.
On his tour Skouras will survey
company interests and confer with
exhibitors and government officials
on strengthening film industry ties
with the United States.
Attending the luncheon on Friday
were W. C. Michel, Murray Silver-
stone, Al Litchtman, Charles Einfeld,
Donald Henderson, W. C. Gehring,
Toseph Pincus, Emanuel Silevrstone,
Edwin W. Aaron, Arthur Silverstone,
Spyros Skouras, Jr., Plato Skouras,
Allan Freedman, Edmund Reek, Peter
Levathes, Edward Cohen, Ulric Bell,
Leslie AVhelan, Roger Ferri, ; Otto
Koegel, and Earl Sponable.
20th- Fox's Zanuck
'Plugs' 'Paleface'
Paramount's "Son of Paleface,"
starring Bob Hope, Jane Russell,
Roy Rogers, and Trigger, gets an
unprecedented "plug" from Darryl F.
Zanuck, vice-president in charge of
production for 20th Century-Fox, in
the October issue of Coronet Maga-
zine.
As guest reviewer for the publica-
tion, Zanuck writes: "A welcome
sequel to the Bob Hope-Jane Russell
satire on the Old West, 'Son of Pale-
face' adds Roy Rogers to the fun-
making. With Bob as the offspring
of a legendary Indian fighter, Jane
as the head of a robber band, and all
hands contributing a laugh a minute,
Paramount has another winner."
The
Wh en Kearny
came back
he came behind
the Springfield,
and only a fool
would stand
in front of him!
ALSO STARRING
PHYLLIS THAXTER DAV
Rl AN
'ITH
J
PAUL KELLY-LON CHANEY- PHILIP CAREY james millican guinn big boy williams alan haleji.
SCREEN PLAY BY
CHARLES MARQUIS WARREN 8 FRANK DAVIS »«».«!■
PRODUCED BY
LOUIS F.EDELMAN
DIRECTED BY
ANDRE DeTOTH
Varner Bros, spring it first in springfield mass, oct.7/
Vatch for the big coverage of the Spectacular World Premiere activities,^
BEN KAIMENSOH
DRIVE
6
Motion picture Daily
Monday, October 6, 1952
In the THEATRE
Equipment
World . • •
with RAY GALLO
Reviews
"Tropical Heat Wave"
WASHINGTON, Oct. 5— It s the
Eall meeting of the Society_oi
Motion . Picture and Television En-
gineers that's on our mind as we put
paper in typewriter for this column.
This convention, opening at the riotei
Statler in Washington tomorrow tor
a five-day run, is the 72nd, a number
that means the Society has figured
in a lot of motion picture history.
•
More than 300 wives of attending
members will have tea at the White
House Wednesday afternoon with
the First Lady of the land. . . •
Rose Golden, wife of N. D. Golden,
government motion picture chiet,
and Mrs. Joseph E. Aiken are re-
sponsible for arranging the ladies
program. ... The wives will also
be feted at a reception to be given
by the Greek Ambassador at the
Embassy Friday afternoon.
•
Bill Kunzmann, who has handled
alt conventions since the Society be-
gan is making his farewell appear-
ance in that role this week. _ He is
retiring from his positron ivith Na-
tional Carbon as well as <f
convention vice-president. {Well all
be missing you, Bill.)
•
Another familiar face at Society
conventions, H. F. Heidegger of In-
ternational Projector is on) hand to
handle the motion picture projection,
with capable aides and fine equipment.
If you like the pictures he projects,
thank Jack McCullough of the Eric
Johnston office and Emerson Yorke.
jn,± ...
A lapel pin of the Society's in-
signe is now available to all ac-
credited members.
Those desiring to
purchase one may
do so by sending
a check or money
order for $4 to
the Society's
headquarters; or,
better still, pick
up one at the con-
vention this week.
It will be on display at the mem-
bership and subscription committee
desk.
A. V. Loughren of Hazeltinc cor-
poration reports tomorrow evening
on the accomplishments and recom-
mendations of the NTSC in the field
of theatre, color television. . . . East-
man Korak's new 16mm, projector
for optical and magnetic sound will
be described on Thursday morning
by John R. Rodgers. . . . Proper main-
tenance of equipment in the fast-de-
veloping 16mm. market will be an
interesting report to hear from Ber-
nard A. Cousino Thursday night. . . .
And don't miss John J. Fraynes' dis-
cussion on Friday evening of the
dual photomagnetic intermediate studio
recording.
(Republic Pictures) .
ESTELITA portrays a fiery singer in. a nightclub - owned by her uncle,
Martin Garralaga, in this better-than-average production. Robert Hutton,
as the handsome college professor gathering data for a doctorate's thesis m
criminal psychology, "anti Grant Withers, as a criminal big shot who muscles
his way into a half interest in the club, provide veteran support.
Between dodging the passes of Withers and trying to wrest Hutton's atten-
tions from his fiancee, Kristine Miller, Estelita sings three songs m pleasant
style. They are "My Lonely Heart and I." "I Want To Be Kissed, and
"What Should Happen to You." Her performance -follows the successful
broad comedy style of the late Lupe Velez. She bounces her way' through a
melodramatic plot deftly spiced with slapstick. R. G. Springsteen s direction
keeps the pace going rapidly."
When Hutton's naive efforts to quiz criminals, in jail fail, Estelita prevents
his return to college with Miss Miller by spreading word arotrnd that a new-
bio- shot is moving in on the town hoodlums. She fronts as hi.s moll and
works a tape recorder while Hutton puts over the impersonation and 'gets
much material. He is so successful he is jailed but' released when he promises
to turn over the recordings to imprison the crooks.
Withers is accidentally k.o.'d by Hutton in the first show-down but comes
back with new hoods who mistakenly imprison Miss Miller and her dad. In
the final showdown which evolves into a rooftop chase Withers and most of
his gano- follow the thread unravelling from Estelita's skirt and walk into the
police station. Hutton and Estelita clinch for the happy ending.
Edwin Max, Lou Lubin, Lennie Bremen, Jack Kruschen and Earl Lee aid
in comedy roles. The story was written by Arthur T. Horman. Sidney Picker
was associate producer.
Running time, 74 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Oct. 1.
SMPTE
(Continued from page 1)
"Strange Fascination"
(Columbia Pictures) • : ' ■/" ,
HUGO HAAS has directed and produced this unimpressive drama aft. which
he stars as- a talented European pianist whose passion for an umntellec-
tual night club dancer causes his undoing. The emphasis is on the tragedy of
the romance ot the middle-aged pianist for the physically amply endowed Cleo
Moore, who -is half his age, but Haas' screenplay does little to evolve charac-
terization or make the story credible.
-Haas' talent and personality attract wealthy widow Mona Barrie ■ who
brinoVhim to the United States to further his career. He is progressively
successful in the concert field until he meet,s and marries the blonde Miss
Moore His jealousy of his wife and fate combine to cause Haas various set-
backs, including the loss .of Miss Barries friendship and sponsorship Even-
tually his wife leaves him and Haas' effort to mangle his hand for $10U,U0U
insurance fails, leaving him a crippled, piano-playing bum on the Bowery.
An abundant amount of concert pieces are played throughout the film and
the proceedings are also aided by the eye-arresting presence of Miss Moore
and the acting of Miss Barrie. Also in the cast are Rick Vallin Karen
Sharpe, Marc Krah, Genevieve Aumont, Maura Murphy, and Patrick Holmes.
Running time, 80 minutes. Adult audience classification. September
. release.
organization who will take office Jan.
1 will be introduced at the Wednesday
night banquet.
At that time also, distinguished
technical leaders will receive the
SMPTE engineers' award, and fel-
lowships will be awarded to 15 mem-
bers of the,Society.
Recipients of the Society's an-
nual award will be: "Progress
Medal Award," John I. Crab-
tree, Eastman Kodak; "David
Sarnoff Gold Medal Award" for
; outstanding achievement in
televisipn engineering, Axel G.
Jensen, Bell Telephone Labora-
tories; "Samuel L. , Warner
Memorial Award" for outstand-
ing achievement in motion pic-
ture engineering, Herbert T.
Kalmus, Technicolor Motion
Picture Corp.; "Journal Award"
for the outstanding technical
. paper published in the SMPTE
Journal during the preceding
year, D. I. MacAdam, Eastman
Kodak. Honorable mentions in
the latter category go to F. C.
Williams, Kodak, and to Otto
H. Schade, RCA.
Tomorrow afternoon and evening
and Tuesday morning and afternoon
sessions 'dealing .with television equip-
ment and technique "will be held. At
the luncheon Wednesday afternoon
A. C. Keller of Bell Telephone, will
speak on high-speed photography.
Have you seen Bill Kunzmann or
lack Servies about your banquet
ticket yet? . . • Ben Schlanger will
be made a Fellow at the banquet in
recognition of his many contribu-
tions to theatre design. ... We
hope that at the fall convention
many non-members attending this
one will have become full-fledged
members. Stop by the membership
desk and ask Gerald Badgley how
to go about it.
•
// you haven't seen Cinerama yet,
ask Larry Davee of Century Projec-
tor Corp., or "Buzz" Reeves for fur-
ther information on Fred Wallers
invention. They are pretty proud of
the Broadway reception. . . - And
speaking of Cinerama, Earl V alien
supplied a special kind of curtain track
for the Broadway theatre presenta-
tion.
Coast Charity Continues
Hollywood, -Oct. 5. — A large
group of Hollywood stars served as
hosts and hostesses at the Holy Fam-
ily Adoption Service Festival today,
held Sunday at Gilmore Field, it was
announced by Mrs. Bob Hope who
was general chairman of the charity
affair.
Subscription TV
Needed: McDonald
Chicago, Oct. 5. — Hopes for _ the
expansion of theatre television
throughout the country were coupled
with enthusiasm for subscription home
television in an address by Comman-
der E. F. McDonald, Jr., president
of Zenith Radio Corp., owner of the
Phonevision "pay -as -you -see" TV
system.
McDonald, speaking before a meet-
ing of Zenith distributors at the week-
end, said it would be "unfair and
legally impossible to force sports or
other producers to put their important
spectacles on home TV at a financial
disadvantage to themselves.
"Home television is a world's cham-
pion wrecker of box-office attendance,"
he added, explaining that home TV
cannot reverse the trend until it can
compete with theatres on a pay-per-
viewer basis with subscription TV.
He said with the advent of subcrip-
tion TV, promoters and producers
will find it advantageous to put top
events on both home and theatre, TV
so that practically everybody will have
an opportunity to view them.
Revenue Bureau
Lists Tax Refunds
Washington, Oct. 5. — The Bureau
of Internal Revenue has issued a list
of companies in the industry which
during the 1951-52 fiscal year got ac-
tion on claims for relief from taxes
levied under the World War II excess
profits tax. The claims were all based
on a contention that the government
had not allowed the taxpayers suffi-
ciently high excess profits credit.
List Firms
Firms receiving tax refunds of more
than $5,000 follow: Paramount Hol-
lywood Theatre Corp., 21,943; Shea
Theatre Corp., $28,823; Parkchester
Amusement Corp., $61,610; St. Louis
Orpheum Corp, $28,936; Northwest
Automatic Candy Corp., $14,651;
Michigan Newsreel Co., $9,823; Buf-
falo 20th Century, Inc., $16,292; All-
ston Theatres, Inc., $10,861 ; United
Theatre Enterprises, $6,256, and Pal-
metto Theatre Co, $7,518.
Says TV Production
In August High
Washington, Oct. 5. — Production
of television receivers in August of
this year was 171 per cent higher than
production in August of 1951, the
Radio-Television Manufacturers Asso-
ciation said over the week-end.
RTMA said that 397,769 television
sets were manufactured in August of
this year as against 146,705 units in
August of the previous year.
The total number of television sets
produced through August of this year
was set at 2,914,926 by the RTMA.
Monday, October 6, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
7
RKO Pictures
(Continued from page 1)
FCC Bureau Calls
(Continued from page 1)
the group that within three months
time the executive set-up at the studio
will have been determined and full-
scale production planning can be
launched.
It was conceded by members ot the
syndicate that renegotiation of the
RKO Pictures open loan with Bank-
ers Trust Co. and the Mellon Bank
of Pittsburgh will be necessary. How-
ever, it was stated, the company's cur-
rent cash position is not strained and
the new owners expressed the opinion
that the company is qualified to obtain
much larger bank credits than are
available to it now.
It was made clear by several of the
group that RKO Pictures' foreign
income will be subjected to close scru-
tiny with the idea of establishing pos-
sibilities of increased revenue from
the foreign markets.
Present at the press meeting, held at
Toots Shor's restaurant, were : Stol-
kin, new RKO Pictures president;
Arnold Grant, board chairman and
general counsel ; Sherrill Corwin, vice-
president and head of studio opera-
tions ; Edward Burke and A. L. KooL
ish, board members and members qf
the purchasing syndicate ; Gordon
Youngman, attorney and director;
William Gorman of Evansville, Ind.,
who is the representative on the board
of Ray Ryan, Texas oil operator and
member of the syndicate, and William
H. Clark, RKO Pictures treasurer
and the only member of the old board
to be reelected.
Stolkin said he would spend
approximately half his time in
New York at the home office
and the other half in Holly-
wood. He has no immediate
plans to establish residence
here. Grant and Burke are
scheduled to make New York
their headquarters, devoting
virtually all of their time to the
company here. The three will
be the most active of the new
group in administrative opera-
tions of the company here.
Members of the syndicate declined
comment on further executive changes
in RKO Radio, explaining that_ the
operations of individual executives,
both in distribution and production,
will be studied carefully before deci-
sions are made either on their reten-
tion or replacement. The home office
and distribution organization in the
field, both domestic and foreign, will
be surveyed first and every effort will
be made to complete the work in as
short a time as possible, perhaps one
month, it was stated. Thereafter, a
similar survey will be made of studio
operations.
Burke will devote particular atten-
tion to the foreign operations, it was
indicated.
Members of the syndicate de-
clined to be drawn out on the
possibilities of the sale of RKO
Radio's backlog films for tele-
vision use. They rested on the
statement issued Thursday
which said that no pre-deter-
mination of the question has
been made and that after
thorough study they will do
what is best for the company
and stockholders in the best
judgment of minds "unbound by
any dedication to the past."
Grant explained restriction of the
company's announcement of a new
catch-all UPT-ABC merger hearings.
At the same time, Allen B. DuMont
Laboratories Inc., in its proposed find-
ings, asked the commission not to
approve the merger because the
merged companies would be in viola-
tion of the Clayton Anti-Trust Act
and would be "an overwhelming dan-
ger to the public interest."
In addition to declaring that the
Paramount companies have been and
were still operating their stations
illegally, the broadcast bureau main-
tained that neither UPT nor Para-
mount "possessed the necessary char-
acter and conduct to be a licensee."
The bureau's 345 page-findings ap-
plied to KTLA, Paramount Television
Productions' Los Angeles station ;
WBKB, Balaban and Katz' Chicago
TV station; three DuMont Television
network stations— WDTE, Pittsburgh,
WTTG, Washington, WABD, New
York, and WSMB, Paramount Gulf
Theatres, New Orleans, AM and FM
stations.
Next Step
The next step will be the examiners'
initial decision, which will probably
come down in about a month. Follow-
ing that the commision will put out
its final decision. Since the commis-
sion has indicated that it would like
a speedy determination on the merger
case the period for filing objections
to the proposed findings will probably
be quite short.
The bureau based its charge that
Paramount and UPT were operat-
ing their stations illegally on the
grounds that although the companies
characterized as "involuntary" the
transfer of control of the stations
from the parent company to Para-
mount Pictures Corp. and UPT, the
bureau found the transfer in fact
"voluntary." As such, it pointed out,
the rules set down by the commission
for a voluntary transfer have not been
observed by the transferor or the
transferee.
"The applicant in this proceeding
has committed clear and absolute vio-
lation of the commission's rules and
regulations," the bureau said, "in con-
nection with the unauthorized transfer
of control involved in these proceed-
ings for which there appeared to be
no condonation."
To grant the merger, the bureau
said, would "sow the seeds in the same
fertile grounds from which sprung
monopoly in the Paramount case — ■
namely, concentration of the produc-
tion, distribution and exhibition phases
of network theatre television pro-
grams in the hands of a few large
companies.
DuMont Says
Much of the DuMont proposed find-
ings attacked the commision's August
1 order, declaring that the order "pre-
vents a fair determination of the rec-
ord and perverts the entire record."
With the order, DuMont said, "the
commission chose to aid a competitor
of DuMont" by ignoring 35 years of
"activities constituting anti-trust vio-
lations" on the part of "individuals
constituting the top management of
the merged company." In addition,
DuMont said, by making a finding of
financial difficulty on the. part of ABC
in the August 1 order, the commission
prejudiced the record.
If the commission carries out the
order, DuMont declared, the result
will be "an arbitrary distortion of
essential evidence designed under the
stated issues solely to qualify the
merged company as a licensee and
would be in disregard for the public
interest."
Hits Order
Coming
Events
Oct. 6-7 — Motion Picture Theatre
Owners of St. Louis, Eastern
Missouri and Southern Illinois
annual meeting, Chase Hotel, St.
Louis.
Oct. 6-10' — Society of Motion Picture
and Television Engineers 72nd
semi-annual convention, Hotel
Statler, Washington.
Oct. 19-21 — Motion Picture Exhibi-
tors of Florida annual convention,
Jacksonville.
Oct. 20-22 — Allied Theatres of
Michigan annual convention, Tul-
ler Hotel, Detroit.
Oct. 27-29 — Motion Picture Thea-
tre Owners of Tennessee, Arkan-
sas and Mississippi annual con-
vention, Hotel Gayoso, Memphis.
Oct. 27-29 — Motion Picture Indus-
try Council of Canada and na-
tional committee of the Motion
Picture Exhibitors' Association of
Canada joint annual conventions,
Chateau Laurier, Ottawa.
board of directors last Thursday to
RKO ' Radio Pictures, the operating
subsidiary, rather than to RKO Pic-
tures Corp., the parent company, as a
consequence of a decision of the new
owners to regard the subsidiary as the
important functioning company and
the parent as a technical holding com-
pany which owes its existence only^ to
Securities and Exchange Commission
requirements.
Members of the syndicate showed
reluctance to discuss the commitment
by Howard Hughes to loan the cor-
poration $8,000,000 if called upon to
do so. They left the impression that
it was bound up with supplementary
conditions and would not be resorted
to under normal circumstances.
All of the partners appeared agreed
that young blood is desired in the com-
pany, with or without experience in
motion pictures.
"The personal traits that make for
successful administration in one in-
dustry," one said, "are equally useful
in the motion picture industry. The
same basic, general problems are pres-
ent in all industry."
Most members of the group, other
than Stolkin, Grant and Burke, plan
to leave here early this week for their
respective headquarters in the West
and on the Coast.
Characterizing the order as "a re-
traction of the courageous anti-trust
policy which the commission promul-
gated one year ago," DuMont declared
that the order was "a scheme designed
to white-wash the qualifications of the
merged company and foreclose the
thorough investigation to which the
merged company would ordinarily be
subjected after January 1953.
DuMont attacked UPT as well, de
claring that "the record makes it ex
tremely doubtful that the management
of the home office of United Para
mount Theatres has any desire to
cleanse itself of its dangerous proclivi-
ties," and adding that UPT's New
York management "failed to sustain
its burden of proving that it has
purged itself of unlawful proclivities."
Tradewise...
(Continued from page 1)
Disney-Goldwyn
(Continued from page 1)
Stolkin nor Goldwyn, who left for
the Coast at the weekend, would com-
ment on the meeting.
Under his contract, Goldwyn's
"Hans Christian Andersen" is believed
to be committed to RKO, but he has
an option to cancel before the next
picture is due. Presumably, Goldwyn
will await the results of any changes
the Stolkin group will make in its
distribution organization before tak-
ing any action.
Praises Depinet
Disney praised Depinet, not only
for his successful handling of person-
nel, but his long leadership in the
industry. The Disney contract with
RKO Radio Pictures expires in May
of next year. Disney, who is due to
remain in New York for the next
two weeks, may confer with Stolkin
before leaving for the Coast.
of success. There are young fail-
ures, too.
Of late, the industry has been ob-
serving the brilliant handling of at
least two important companies by
sons of its younger generation —
United Artists, headed by Arthur
Krim, and United Paramount The-
tres, under Leonard Goldenson.
Both have weathered some very
trying times with a full measure of
distinction. While young, the execu-
tive personnel of both companies
was well trained and thoroughly
experienced in the complexities of
this sometimes baffling industry
when it took over.
The Stolkin group would be well-
advised to look for know-how as
well as youth. One is as important
as the other. And they are not
always found together.
Reade Will Continue
Foreign Film Plan
"Curtain at 8 :40," the program de-
vised last year by the Walter Reade
Theatres to bring key foreign films
to smaller communities which nor-
mally could not support such pictures,
will be a part of the circuit's program
this fall.
Walter Reade Jr. announced that a
fall series of four evenings of such
films will be started this month at
the four theatres which tested the
program last year — the Carlton in
Red Bank, N. J., Paramount in Plain-
field, N. J., Kingston, Kingston, N. Y.,
and the Community in Saratoga
Springs, N. Y.
Contest Promotion Kit
A promotional setup designed to
power campaigns in the $7,500 ex-
hibitor showmanship contest for
"Something for the Birds" will be
made available shortly by 20th Cen-
tury-Fox in an advertising, publicity
and exploitation kit.
D
1
J
D
Presenting seven
important new italian
motion pictures
which will soon
be available for
American exhibition!
ORGANIZED WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE
HON. ALBERTO TARCHIAIII#ltalion Ambassador to the United Statei
PRESENTED UNDER THE SPONSORSHIP OF:
WINTHROP W. ALDRICH, Honorary Chairman
RALPH BELLAMY, Pres. Actors Equity • RUDOLPH BING, Director of Metropolitan Opera Association Inc
FLOYD BLAIR, Pres. Philharmonic Symphony Society of N . Y. • DR. CLEMENTE BONIVER, Commercial
Counsellor Italian Embassy • CHARLES BRACKET!", Pres. Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences
GEORGE BRAGALINI, Acting Postmaster ol New York - HARRY BRANDT, P.es. Independent Theatre Owners
Assn. • VALENTINE DAVIES, Pres. Screen Writers Guild • BARON CARLO de FERRARIIS SALZANO
Consul General of Italy RENE D'HARNONCOURT, Director of Board. Museum of Modern An
MRS. MANOLITA DOELGER, U.S. Director, Italian Stale Tourist Office - DR. MARCELLO EGIDI, Italiar
Commercial Attache - MOSS HART, Pres. Dramatists Guild • HELEN HAYES. Pres. American Theatre Wing
QUINCY HOWE, Pres. National Board of Review HON. VINCENT R. I M PELLITTERI, Mayor, New York Citl
HON. IRVING IVES, U. S. Senator, N. Y. ■ ERIC JOHNSTON, Pres. Motion Picture Association of Americi
■jf MERLE MILLER, Pres. Authors Guild • RONALD REAGAN, Pres. Screen Actors Guilt
ROLAND REDMOND, Pres. Metropolitan Museum of Art • GEORGE SIDNEY, Pres. Screen Directors Guilt
WILBUR SNAPER, Pres. Allied State Assn. ol Motion Picture Exhibitors ■ REX STOUT, Pre!
J^rfe Authors League of America • FRANCIS HENRY TAYLOR, Director of Metropolitan Museum olAr
MOTION PICTURE
Tradewise . . .
By SHERWIN KANE
THE ACCENT on youth pro-
gram which the Ralph Stolkin
syndicate last week said would
°-uide it in making executive
changes in RKO Pictures will be
an experience which, if carried to a
conclusion, will be watched with
the utmost interest by every com-
pany in the industry.
In recent years, when problem
was added to problem in a seem-
ingly endless succession and it often
appeared to responsible observers
that the industry lacked the deter-
mined leadership and agressiveness
that is commonly associated with
the young, who perhaps have it
because they are untamed by expe-
rience, there was a widespread be-
lief that the industry was sorely m
need of new blood.
It was voiced not only by the
"outs" but also by many who were
"in." The criticism that too many
in high places in the industry had
served their best days and there
were too few capable of succeeding
them or in training to replace them
was to be heard at representative
industry meetings of many kinds.
Generally, it appeared to be agreed
that, at least, the industry had not
encouraged promising, new execu-
tive blood and had given little
thought to providing its leadership
of tomorrow.
New blood in any industry is a
good thing but free-running sap in
the veins is not the only requisite
(Continued on page 7)
FCC Bureau Calls
UPT, Para. Station
Ownership 'Illegal'
Washington, Oct. 5.— The Broad-
cast Bureau of the Federal Communi-
cations Commission told the FCC at
the weekend that Paramount Pictures
and United Paramount Theatres have
been operating their radio and tele-
vision stations illegally and said that
if their licenses were not surrendered
the FCC may have to seek injunctive
relief.
The broadcast bureau also asked
the FCC not to approve the UPT-
American Broadcasting Co. merger on
the grounds that a grant of the mer
ger might lead to monopolistic pat
terns within the TV industry.
The broadcast bureau made these
allegations in the proposed findings
relating to the issues involved in the
(Continued on page 7)
RKO Radio Board Members
NEW RKO RADIO board members: (Left to right) A. L.
Koolish, Ralph E. Stolkin, new president of RKO Radio ;
Arnold Grant, chairman of the board and Shernll Corwin,
vice-president who will supervise studio operations. Gregson
Bautzer (right) is a member of the law firm of Bautzer Grant,
Youneman and Silbert, which has been appointed counsel for the
company in California. Members of the board not appearing in
the photo are Edward Burke, Gordon Youngman, William Gor-
man and William Clark.
Product Seen
First Problem
By RKO Group
Financing, Executive
Plans in Fore, Also
The most pressing problems con-
fronting the new RKO Pictures
owners are product supply and
long-range financing, in that order,
according to a consensus of views of
members of the Ralph Stolkin syndi-
cate expressed at a press reception
here on Friday.
The company has no plans for
any attempt to buy a block of
completed pictures from an-
other company to tide it over
future months until the studio
again is in full activity, it was
stated. Instead, it will rely on
available product, either new
and unreleased, or reissues to
tide it over what might be an
18-month period when it ex-
pects to have a steady flow of
pictures coming from the studio
again.
It was estimated by members of
(Continued on page 7)
800 At SMPTE Meeting
Opening in Capital Today
Washington, Oct. 5.— The Society of Motion Picture and Television
Engineers' 72nd semi-annual convention will open here tomorrow with
a luncheon in the Congressional Room of the Statler Hotel at which
guest speakers will be Major General George I. Back, Chief Signal
Officer of the United States Army;
Brigadier General Brooke E. Allen,
Commanding General of the Air Pho-
tographic and Charting Service, U. b.
Air Force, and Captain A. D. Fraser,
Chief of Naval Photography.
Approximately 800 members from
all parts of the U. S. and several for-
eign countries— a record registration-
are expected. During the week-long
convention 93 papers and reports on
equipment and technical advancement
in motion pictures and television will
be presented by leading scientists,
engineers and industry leaders from
England, France, Germany, Canada,
and the U. S.
The new SMPTE president will be
announced at the luncheon. Newly
elected officers and governors of the
(Continued on page 6)
Newsreels in Color
Plan Abandoned
Disney, Goldwyn
Await RKO Changes
Roy Disney, president of Walt Dis-
ney Productions, at the weekend ex-
pressed "shock" at the resignation of
Ned E. Depinet as president of RKO
Radio Pictures Corp., but added that
it would be "premature" now to com-
ment on the future relationship of
his company with RKO.
Meanwhile, Ralph Stolkin, the new
RKO Radio Pictures president, visited
and conferred with Samuel Goldwyn.
another leading independent producer
releasing through RKO. Neither
(Continued on page 7)
The proposal that newsreels be
produced in color has been abandoned
by the distributors, it was learned
here at the weekend. Two reasons
were given for dropping the idea : ( 1 )
color would prove to be too costly
in light of what the newsreels earn,
(2) mechanical difficulties pose too
big a hurdle.
The mechanical difficulties which
were foreseen for production of news-
reels in color relate to the additional
time and effort which would be re-
quired to turn out such reels.
Settle 3 Chicago
Anti-Trust Suits
Chicago, Oct. 5.— Three theatre
anti-trust suits against the major film
companies, Balaban & Katz Theatres,
Warner Brothers Theatres, and War-
ner Brothers Circuit Management
were settled out of court here through
negotiations between attorneys for the
plaintiffs and defendants.
The three suits were brought by
the Wicker Park Amusement Co.
(operating the Royal Theatre) ask-
ing $750,000 damages, after trebling.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, October 6, 1952
Personal
Mention
ARTHUR DE BRA, director of
community relations of the Mo-
tion Picture Association of America,
and Maetorie Dawson, assistant di-
rector, on Friday will address the
Films Councils of Chicago and De-
troit, respectively.
•
Lt. Col. Vincent G. Hart, who for
10 years headed the Eastern office of
the Production Code for the former
Motion Picture Producers and Dis-
tributors of America, will be awarded
the degree of Doctor of Laws for out-
standing Americanism, at St. Bona-
venture University, on Saturday.
•
Edward L. Hyman, United Para-
mount Theatres vice-president, and as-
sistants Bernard Levy and Al Sicig-
nano, will be in Buffalo today, from
here.
•
Irving Sochin, Universal short
subjects sales manager, left here last
night for a trip through the Midwest
and South.
•
David Lipton, Universal advertis-
ing-publicity vice-persident, is due to
arrive here from the Coast on
Wednesday.
•
John P. Byrne, M-G-M Eastern
sales manager, will be in Buffalo to-
day from New York.
•
Sam Shain, Council of Motion Pic
ture Organizations field officer, will be
in Buffalo today from New York.
•
Donald A. Henderson, 20th Cen-
tury-Fox secretary-treasurer, is vaca-
tioning this week.
FCC Sets Agenda For
Theatre TV Hearing
Paramount Chicago
Sales Meet Opens
Chicago, Oct. 5. — A. W. Schwal
berg, president of Paramount Film
Distributing Corp., will preside at the
special three-day division sales mana-
ger meeting that opens at the Bis
marck Hotel here tomorrow. The
meeting will be devoted to a discussion
of the company's sales and merchan-
dising plans for forthcoming product.
Division managers who will attend
include J. J. Donohue, Central ; A. M.
Kane, South Central ; Howard Min-
sky, Mideastern ; Hugh Owen, East-
ern-Southern ; George A. Smith
Western, and Gordon Livingstone
Canadian general manager.
Home office officials who will be
present include Adolph Zukor, chair-
man of the board; E. K. O'Shea, vice-
president of Paramount Film Distrib
uting Corp. ; Jerry Pickman, vice-
president and director of advertising
publicity and exploitation ; Oscar A
Morgan, general sales manager of
short subjects and Paramount News.
Sid Blumenstock, advertising manager
and assistant to Pickman ; Robert J
Rubin, assistant to Barney Balaban
and Monroe R. Goodman, executive
assistant to Schwalberg.
Washington, Oct. 5. — The Federal
Communications Commission over the
week-end made formal announcement
of the time and place for the Oct. 20
hearing on the engineering and ac-
counting phases of the theatre televi-
sion case.
This portion of the hearing is not
expected to last over a week, with the
major portion of the case to be pre-
sented beginning Jan. 12'. The Com-
mission noted that the Oct. 20 session
would cover only direct testimony,
cross-questioning put off to the Janu-
ary portion of the hearing. The Com-
mission asked that a list of witnesses
and a summary of their testimony be
filed by Oct. 9.
Attorneys for the Motion Picture
Association of America and the Na-
tional Exhibitors Theatre Television
Committee, who will present the in-
dustry's coordinated case to the Com-
mission, have estimated that there will
probably be less than a dozen wit-
nesses at the Oct. 20 phase. These
will include among the engineering
witnesses Earl Sponable, Stuart
Bailey, Andrew Inglis and a witness
on tubes. In addition, there will be
several occounting witnesses.
'Price Quotations'
The FCC included in its list of mat-
ters on which it expects to hear testi-
mony "price quotations" from the
American Telephone and Telegraph
Company. It said the list had been
'tentatively outlined" by MPAA and
NETTC in their joint petition, filed
last summer, requesting an early date
for the technical phase of the case.
At that time attorneys and engineers
for NETTC and MPAA expected that
A. T. and T. would be able to supply
the data by Oct. 20.
Last week, however, A. T. and T.
said it would be unable to supply the
information before the end of the year.
NETTC attorney Marcus Cohn said
over the week-end that the theatre
television attorneys would inform the
Commission of the delay on the part
of A. T. and T. and that they would
present the A. T. and T. data during
the January phase of the hearing.
Among the other points on which
the Commission said it expects to hear
testimony were : technical require-
ments and standards for theatre tele
vision ; sample theatre television
microwave distribution systems ; mat-
ters relating to the accounting phase
of the theatre television hearing".
The FCC said the hearing would be
held before the Commission en banc
and would open at 10 A.M. on Oct. 20
in the auditorium of the National Mu
seum here.
Myers Tells Allied
TOA Meet Tailed'
OMPI May Extend
Its Air Promotions
Over N.Y. Stations
Washington, Oct. 5. — In a special
bulletin setting forth plans for Allied' s
national convention next month in
Chicago, Abram F. Myers, Allied
board chairman and general counsel,
has cautioned the organization's lead-
ers in various parts of the country
against the pitfalls which he said con-
tributed to the "failure" of the Theatre
Owners of America's recent national
convention in Washington,
Myers said the TOA convention
was a "fiasco" and that "the whole
advertised program blew up" because
of "TOA's weak and vacillating per-
formance" at that time in handling
"the larger issues — arbitration, the
16mm. case and the tax campaign."
W rote Myers : "We do not gloat
over the failure of TOA's 'national'
convention, nor do we delight in its
present difficulties. On the contrary,
we sincerely smpathize with those in-
dependent exhibitors who joined TOA
in good faith and relied on it for pro-
tection. Their disillusionment follow-
ing the fiasco in Washington must be
very great. Perhaps it is just as well
so few of them' were on hand to wit-
ness the dismal proceedings."
He added that Allied now has a
"great opportunity and a grave re-
sponsibility" to see that it stages "a
truly great convention."
The Allied convention plans, ac-
cording to Myers, "contemplate a
minimum of set speeches and ample
time for open discussion. Instead of
another of those boring first sessions
with a lot of hot air from the dais,
there will be only a short prayer, the
Mayor's address of welcome and the
keynote address. The session will then
adjourn so that the exhibitors can at-
tend the (trade practice film) clinics.
In this way they can become ac-
quainted,-can 'loosen up' and gain the
necessary confidence to plunge into the
discussion at the next general session."
Ambrose Guest of Tent
Cincinnati, Oct. S. — James S.
(Jimmy) Ambrose will be honor guest
at a testimonial dinner to be given by
the Cincinnati Variety Club, Tent No.
3, here at the Netherland Plaza,
tomorrow, in recognition of his recent
promotion from local Warner Broth-
ers branch manager to district man-
ager. He will continue to make his
headquarters here.
Bezel Now Operates
Branch in Chicago
Chicago, Oct. 5. — Albert Dezel to-
morrow will start operating the
Lippert exchange here. Contracts were
executed between Dezel and Ed Baum-
garten, representing Lippert Produc-
tions. Harris Dudelson remains as
district manager for Lippert, supervis-
ing the Midwest territory, and will
also have charge of the Chicago ex-
change. Sam Kaplan takes over as
booker and office manager and Jack
Rubin has been added to the sales
staff.
Further tie-ups with other radio-
TV stations by the Organization of
Motion Picture Industries here in
publicizing good motion pictures, sim-
ilar to the current three-program deal
with National Broadcasting, are a
definite possibility in the near future,
it was revealed by OMPI chairman
Fred Schwartz after his organization
reported to exhibitor members on
Friday.
No Deals Yet
Schwartz emphasized that no com-
mitments had been made but that in-
terest had been evinced by other air
chains. He said the general reaction
to the five-minute "plugs" on the
Skitch Henderson, Herb Sheldon, and
Conrad Nagel daily programs was ex-
tremely favorable. Within the next
week or two the theatres involved will
start showing a trailer with every
program plugging the programs and
display posters doing likewise.
An unfriendly press, quick to print
film industry stories without checking
the accuracy of facts, caused the for-
mation of the organization. Its policy
of only checking facts without at-
tempting to sway opinion is said to
account for the organization's con-
tinued existence. The membership
is comprised of exhibitors and the
MPAA. Close touch has been main-
tained with the Council of Motion
Picture Organizations.
OMPI has provided the information
on films for use in the NBC-NBT
tie-up ; special care has been taken to
plug only pictures of merit.
Intentions of holding the long-
planned Grand Central Palace exposi-
tion were proclaimed by Schwartz.
The contemplated date is Dec. 1953
for when a commitment is held on the
Palace. However, this will be dis-
cussed at the next seminar in January
or February and it is hoped that plans
may be finalized thereafter.
Exposition Plans
Exposition plans originally called
for the transporting from Hollywood
of actors, technicians and equipment
for public display. The idea was to
inform the public of the various oper-
ations involved in producing and dis-
tributing motion pictures and produce
more goodwill thereby.
OMPI is participating in the cur-
rent campaign against the admission
tax. Morton Sunshine of the IT OA
and D. John Philips, of MMPTA
have been in charge of OMPI pub-
licity.
Traub's Name on Seal
Baltimore, Oct. 5. — The name of
Sydney_ Traub, Maryland State Board
of Motion Picture Censors chairman,
has been ordered returned to the cen-
sor board seal after it had been
omitted since last Julv.
Harry H. Beat, 63
Hollywood, Oct. 5. — Harry Ham-
mond Beal, 63, veteran film publicity,
died unexpectedly at home here
Thursday afternoon. One time a lead-
ing independent publicist he had been
active in other fields for the past
number of years.
Snaper Press Confab
Wilbur Snaper, president of national
Allied, today will hold a trade press
conference at his office here.
MOTION PICTURE £AII.Y Martm Quigley. Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane Editor: Terry Ramsaye. Consulting 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V Fecke, Advertising Manager: Gus H. Fausel Production Manager: Hollywood Bureau, Yucca- Vine
Building, William R Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street. Urben Farley Advertising Representative. FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz Editorial Representative 11
North Clark Street. FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq. Londor " WI ; Hope Burnup Manager Peter
Hurnup, Editor; cable address. Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres and Theatre Sales each published 13 ti
a section of Motion Picture Herald; International Motion Picture Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter, Sept. 21, 1938, at the post' office at New York
the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies, 10c.
mes a year as
N. Y., under
Monday, October 6, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
Reviews
"The Stooge"
(Wallis-Paramount) Hollywood, Oct. 5
THIS vehicle for the dynamic Dean Martin-Jerry Lewis duo happens to
have been made before some of their pictures that hold house records
throughout the country, but that's no reason why it shouldn't better even
the standing Martin-Lewis marks. As a matter of fact, it has more of story
and a deal more of heart than the boys' later productions, and these points
could make a difference in the attitude of the middle-aged toward these young-
men's robust talents, if that attitude isn't already perfect. It is a favorable
circumstance, too, that the picture is beneficiary of a more orthodox structure
and development than some of their others, with the result that it builds more
steadily and satisfyingly from a relatively moderate beginning to a powerful
finish in which a tear divides importance with the laughs. The attraction is as
nearly failure-proof as a picture can be.
Eight songs from various sources are handled in the course of a story (by
Fred F. Finklehoffe and Sid Silvers, scripted by Finkelhoffe and Martin
Rackin) of the days when vaudeville was in its prime and playing the Palace
was the professional's loftiest ambition, unless it were starring for Ziegfeld
in a Follies. The story has Martin marrying Polly Bergen at the opening and
setting out to do a single in vaudeville, against the advice of his agent and
former partner. He flops, and is persuaded to pick up a song-plugger (Lewis)
to be used as a stooge in the audience. (With Martin using an accordion m
his singing act, this gets to look very similar to the Phil Baker routine, but
that does it no damage.) From this start the story follows plausible and
logical lines, with Lewis faithfully sticking to Martin through adversity and
fame, despite Martin's neglect, until each comes into his own finally in an
all-around happy ending. Marion Marshall, Eddie Mayehoff, Richard Erdman
and Frances Bavier lead the supporting cast.
The attraction appears certain to add another box-office smash to producer
Hal B. Wallis' long list of successes, and it is a notoble directorial credit for
Norman Taurog.
Running time, 100 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
not set_ William R. Weaver
"My Wife's Best Friend'9
(20th Century-Fox)
ANNE BAXTER and MacDonald Carey are the stars of this amusing
comedy built around the novel situation in which a husband confesses to
his wife a slight affair with her best friend several years before, because the
plane carrying them to a wedding anniversary vacation seems destined to
crash.
The engine trouble that caused the plane to turn back is remedied before
the safe landing and wife Baxter, a domineering shrew, goes into a raging
silence although Carey assures her that "nothing happened" outside of a few
Martinis. Best friend Catherine McLeod is unaware of the damaging revela-
tion and when Miss Baxter becomes sickeningly noble and forgives everyone
ceaselessly, Miss McLeod suffers barbed taunts and Miss Baxter twice spills
coffee on her hand.
Richard Sale directed with an eye toward broad comedy which should
please some audiences. There are fantasy sequences in which Miss Baxter
thinks herself Joan of Arc, a medieval slaving wife, and character switches
accordingly. While this ensues Carey tries to put over a lumber deal with
cash-needing sophisticate "millionaire" Leif Erickson. Miss Baxter as the plain
wife almost ruins the deal but Hvhen she becomes her sophisticated, well-
dressed self the deal is consummated.
When Carey and Miss McLeod get caught in a rainstorm and go to his
house to change clothes separately, the wife catches them as Carey emerges
from the shower wearing a bathrobe and Miss McLeod is putting on stockings.
Miss Baxter assumes the worst, quarrels vulgarly with her best friend and
takes up with Erickson. The final complication has Miss Baxter leaving for a
weekend with Erickson but changing her mind, only to come back to an empty
house. She traces Carey to a sanitarium, and he happily accepts her back.
Robert Bassler produced and Isobel Lennart wrote the screenplay, based
on a story by John Briard Harding. The story sometimes becomes con-
fusinsrly serious but is usually overcome by the fine performances of the stars
and a 'supporting cast headed by Cecil Kellaway, Casey Adams and Miss
McLeod, that includes Frances Bavier, Mary Sullivan, Martin Milner and
Billie Bird.
Running time, 87 minutes. General audience classification. For October
release.
Lists Kodak as 50-
Yr. Dividend-Payer
Eastman Kodak is listed in
the 50th anniversary number
of Financial World as a mem-
ber of the "Fifty-Plus Club"
of stocks listed on the New
York Stock Exchange or New
York Curb Exchange that
have paid dividends for 50
years or more. According to
the list, which cites 81 com-
mon stocks, Eastman has
been paying dividends since
1902.
The company is said to have
increased its stockholders
from 39,014 to 69,510 and its
employes from 21,100 to 49,400
in the 20 years from 1931 to
1951.
Pathe - Loew's - RKO
Trial in $15,000,000
Suit in 3 Months
The $15,000,000 triple-damage anti-
trust suit which Chesapeake Industries
''formerly Pathe Industries) filed in
U S. District Court here against
Loew's and RKO Theatres will come
to trial in three months, according
to William C. MacMillen, Jr., Chesa-
peake president.
The action, filed over a year ago,
charged that the defendants conspired
to exclude independently-produced
pictures from the Metropolitan New
York market. Pathe Industries was
at the time the parent company of
Eagle Lion Classics, distributor of
independently-produced films, whose
physical assets were acquired in the
interim by United Artists.
MacMillen said that pre-trial hear-
ings have been completed so far as
Chesapeake is concerned. Whether
depositions will be sought between
now and the end of the year by the
defendants remains to be seen.
Raihourn Sees Bright
Future for Cinerama
Paul Raibourn, Paramount Pictures
vice-president, who on Sept. 12 told
the Centennial of Engineering Sym-
posium in Chicago concerning Cine-
rama that "public response in revenue
as compared with costs incurred will
determine the final acceptance of the
idea," at the weekend declared in New
York that he considers the triple-pro-
iection, three-dimensional "effect" sys-
tem to be economically feasible for
the motion picture industry.
Cinerama was introduced to the
public last Tueseday evening at the
Broadway Theatre here.
13 I - 1 Exploitation
Men on 'Willie'
Thirteen exploitation representatives
have been assigned by Universal-In-
ternational to help promote "Willie
and Joe Back At the Front" in
key dates when it opens Coast to
Coast on Oct. IS. Included are Ben
Katz, Robert Ungerfeld, A. Mike
Vogel, Guy Biondi, John McGrail,
Ben Hill, Julian Bowes, Duke Hickey,
David Pollard, Maurice (Bucky)
Harris, Ed Borgan, William Gandall
and Joe Blaufox.
The film is slated to play more
than 1,000 dates in the 30-day period
starting Oct. 15.
Manny Wolfe Story
Editor for Small
Hollywood, Oct. 5.— Manny Wolfe
has been named story editor for Ed-
ward Small Productions. ■ He was for-
merly story editor and head of the
writing staff at Paramount and subse-
quently at RKO Radio.
Wolfe will primarily scout material.
Boston Astor Books
'Hans' on Pre-release
Samuel Goldwyn's Technicolor pro-
duction "Hans Christian Andersen"
has been booked into the Astor Thea-
tre in Boston for a pre-release en-
gagement starting Dec. 26, James A.
Mulvey, president of Samuel Goldwyn
productions, announced.
Army Support for
'Ride' Premiere
Springfield, Mass., Oct. 5— The
United States Army is lending^ its sup-
port to the world premiere of "Spring-
field Rifle," WarnerColor production
starring Gary Cooper, Phyllis Thax-
ter and David Brian, at the Capitol
Theatre here Tuesday evening. The
picture will begin regular perform-
ances at the Capitol and Art theatres
on the following day. A contingent
of stars will participate in the cere-
monies.
Texas Compo In
'Ivanhoe' Drive
Dallas, Oct. 5. — "Ivanhoe" mer-
chandising in Texas, is being handled
jointly by M-G-M, the Council of
Motion Picture Organizations and
National Screen. Circuit heads and
advertising directors have pledged
complete support in the merchanising
of the film.
Raymond Willie, Jr., M-G-M ex-
ploitation director for the Southwest,
announced the details at a special
luncheon. '
Skouras Honored on
10th Anniversary
Honoring Spyros P. Skouras, on
his 10th anniversary as , president of
20th Century-Fox, and wishing him
a bon voyage on the eve of his trip
to the Far East and Australia, 20th
Century-Fox executives feted the
company head on Friday at a lunch-
eon held at the home office.
The luncheon also served as an
advance bow to Skouras whose name
will be given to the week of Oct. 12-
18 in the key period of the company's
current "Branch Managers' Testi-
monial," annual sales drive salute to
the exchange heads by distribution
department personnel.
Skouras departed for the Far East
Friday evening on a trip which will
take him to the West Coast, then to
Honolulu and Tokyo, before visits
to the Far East and the Antipodes.
He is expected to be away at least
five weeks.
On his tour Skouras will survey
company interests and confer with
exhibitors and government Officials
on strengthening film industry ties
with the United States.
Attending" the luncheon on Friday
were W. C. Michel, Murray Silver-
stone, Al Litchtman, Charles Einfeld,
Donald Henderson, W. C. Gehring,
Toseph Pincus, Emanuel Silevrstone,
Edwin W. Aaron, Arthur Silverstone,
Spyros Skouras, Jr., Plato Skouras,
Allan Freedman, Edmund Reek, Peter
Levathes, Edward Cohen, Ulric Bell,
Leslie Whelan, Roger Ferri, Otto
Koegel, and Earl Sponable.
20th- Fox's Zanuck
'Plugs' 'Paleface'
Paramount's "Son of Paleface,"
starring Bob Hope, Jane Russell,
Roy Rogers and Trigger, gets an
unprecedented "plug" from Darryl F.
Zanuck, vice-president in charge of
production for 20th Century-Fox, in
the October issue of Coronet Maga-
zine.
As guest reviewer for the publica-
tion, Zanuck writes : "A welcome
sequel to the Bob Hope-Jane Russell
satire on the Old West, 'Son of Pale-
face' adds Roy Rogers to the fun-
making. With Bob as the offspring
of a legendary Indian fighter, Jane
as the head of a robber band, and all
hands contributing a laugh a minute,
Paramount has another winner,"
I HE bCI*
Ian pcipi
Wh en Kearny
came back
he came behind
the Springfield,
and only a fool
%^ would stand
in front of him!
m
COLOR BY
ALSO STARRING
D
YLL I S THAXTER
3®R
Rl AN
PAUL KELLY-LON CHANEY- PHILIP CAREY jamesmillican guinn big boy williams alan hale.
CHARLES MARQUIS WARREN 8 FRANK DAVIS ,KX,V.. — LOUIS F.EOELMAN — ANDRE DeTOTH
SCREEN PLAY 8Y
Warner Bros, spring it first in springfield mass, oct.7/
Vatch for the big coverage of the Spectacular World Premiere activities,^
BEN KAIMENSON
DRIVE
6
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, October 6, 1952
In the THEATRE
Equipment
World • . •
with RAY GALLO
WASHINGTON, Oct. 5— It s the
Eall meeting of the Society of
Motion Picture and Television En-
gineers that's on our mind as we put
paper in typewriter for this column.
This convention, opening at the Hotel
Statler in Washington tomorrow for
a five-day run, is the 72nd, a number
that means the Society has figured
in a lot of motion picture history.
•
More than 300 wives of attending
members will have tea at the White
House Wednesday afternoon with
the First Lady of the land. . . -
Rose Golden, wife of N. D. Golden,
government motion picture chiet,
and Mrs. Joseph E. Aiken are re-
sponsible for arranging the ladies
program. . . . The wives will also
be feted at a reception to be given
by the Greek Ambassador at the
Embassy Friday afternoon.
•
Bill Kunzmann, who has handled
all conventions since the Society be-
gan, is making hisK farezvell appear-
and in that role this week. He is
retiring from his position with Na-
tional Carbon as well as his post as
convention vice-president. ( We U all
be" missing you, Bill.)
•
Another familiar face at Society
conventions, H. F. Heidegger of In-
ternational Projector is on hand to
handle the motion picture projection,
with capable aides and fine equipment.
If you like the pictures he projects,
thank Jack McCullough of the Eric
Johnston office and Emerson Yorke.
e
A lapel pin of the Society's in-
signe is now available to all ac-
credited members.
Those desiring to
purchase one may
do so by sending
a check or money
order for $4 to
the Society's
headquarters; or,
better still, pick
up one at the con-
vention this week.
It will be on display at the mem-
bership and subscription committee
desk.
A. V. Loughren of Hazeltine cor-
poration • reports tomorrow evening
on the accomplishments and recom-
mendations of the NTSC in the field
of theatre color television. . . . East-
man Korak's new \6mm. projector
for optical and magnetic sound will
be described on Thursday morning
by John R. Rodgers. . . . Proper main-
tenance of equipment in the fast-de-
veloping 16mm. market will be an
interesting report to hear from Ber-
nard A. Cousino Thursday night. . . .
And don't miss John J. Fraynes' dis-
cussion on Friday evening of the
dual photomagnetic intermediate studio
recording.
Reviews
it
Tropical Heat Wave"
(Republic Pictures)
ESTELITA portrays a fiery singer in a nightclub owned by her uncle,
Martin Garralaga, in this better-than-average production. Robert Hutton,
as the handsome college professor gathering data for a doctorate's thesis in
criminal psychology, and Grant Withers, as a criminal big shot who muscles
his way into a half interest in the club, provide veteran support.
Between dodging the passes of Withers and trying to wrest Hutton' s atten-
tions from his fiancee, Kristine Miller, Estelita sings three songs in pleasant
style. They are "My Lonely Heart and I," "I Want To Be Kissed," and
"What Should Happen to You." Her performance follows the successful
broad comedy style of the late Lupe Velez. She bounces her way through a
melodramatic plot deftly spiced with slapstick. R. G. Springsteen's direction
keeps the pace going rapidly.
When Hutton's naive efforts to quiz criminals in jail fail, Estelita prevents
his return to college with Miss Miller by spreading word around that a new-
big shot is moving in on the town hoodlums. She fronts as his "moll" and
works a tape recorder while Hutton puts over the impersonation and gets
much material. He is so successful he is jailed but released when he promises
to turn over the recordings to imprison the crooks.
Withers is accidentally k.o.'d by Hutton in the first show-down but comes
back with new hoods who mistakenly imprison Miss Miller and her dad. In
the final showdown which evolves into a rooftop chase Withers and most of
his gang follow the thread unravelling from Estelita's skirt and walk into the
police station. Hutton and Estelita clinch for the happy ending.
Edwin Max, Lou Lubin, Lennie Bremen, Jack Kruschen and Earl Lee aid
in comedy roles. The story was written by Arthur T. Horman. Sidney Picker
was associate producer.
Running time, 74 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Oct. 1.
"Strange Fascination"
(Columbia Pictures)
HUGO HAAS has directed and produced this unimpressive drama in which
he stars as a talented European, pianist whose passion for an unintellec-
tual night club dancer causes his utpbing. , The emphasis is on the tragedy of
the romance ot the middle-aged pianist for the physically amply endowed Cleo
Moore, who is half his age, but Haas' screenplay does little to evolve charac-
terization or make the story credible.
Haas' talent and personality attract wealthy widow Mona Barrie who
brings him to the United States to further his career. He is progressively
successful in the concert field until he meets and marries the blonde Miss
Moore. His jealousy of his wife and fate combine to cause Haas various set-
backs, including the loss of Miss Barrie' s friendship and sponsorship. Even-
tually' his wife leaves him and Haas' effort to mangle his hand for $100,000
insurance fails, leaving him a crippled, piano-playing bum on the Bowery.
An abundant amount of concert pieces are played throughout the film and
the proceedings are also aided by the eye-arresting presence of Miss Moore
and the acting of Miss Barrie. Also in the cast are Rick Vallin, Karen
Sharpe, Marc Krah, Genevieve Aumont, Maura Murphy, and Patrick Holmes.
Running time, 80 minutes. Adult audience classification. September
release.
SMPTE
(Continued from page 1)
Have you seen Bill Kunzmann or
Tack Servies about your banquet
ticket yet? . . . Ben SchWhger will
be made a Fellow at the banquet in
recognition of his many contribu-
tions to theatre design. ... We
hope that at the fall convention
many non-members attending this
one will have become full-fledged
members. Stop by the membership
desk and ask Gerald Badgley how
to go about it.
•
If you haven't seen Cinerama yet,
ask Larry Davee of Century Projec-
tor Corp., or "Buzz" Reeves for fur-
ther information on Fred Waller's
invention. They arc pretty proud of
the Broadway reception And
speaking of Cinerama, Earl Fallen
supplied a special kind of curtain track
for the Broadway theatre presenta-
tion.
Coast Charity Continues
Hollywood, Oct. 5. — A large
group of Hollywood stars served as
hosts and hostesses at the Holy Fam-
ily Adoption Service Festival today,
held Sunday at Gilmore Field, it was
announced by Mrs. Bob Hope who
was general chairman of the charity
affair.
Subscription TV
Needed: McDonald
Chicago, Oct. 5. — Hopes for the
expansion of theatre television
throughout the country were coupled
with enthusiasm for subscription home
television in an address by Comman-
der E. F. McDonald, Jr., president
of Zenith Radio Corp., owner of the
Phonevision "pay -as -you -see" TV
system.
McDonald, speaking before a meet-
ing of Zenith distributors at the week-
end, said it would be "unfair and
legally impossible to force sports or
other producers to put their important
spectacles on home TV at a financial
disadvantage to themselves.
"Home television is a world's cham-
pion wrecker of box-office attendance,"
he added, explaining that home TV
cannot reverse the trend until it can
compete with theatres on a pay-per-
viewer basis with subscription TV.
He said with the advent of subcrip-
tion TV, ' promoters and producers
will find it advantageous to put top
events on both home and theatre TV
so that practically everybody will have
an opportunity to view them.
organization who will take office Jan.
1 will be introduced at the Wednesday
night banquet.
At that time also, distinguished
technical leaders will receive the
SMPTE engineers' award, and fel-
lowships will be awarded to IS mem-
bers of the Society.
Recipients of the Society's an-
nual award will be: "Progress
Medal Award," John I. Crab-
tree, Eastman Kodak; "David
Sarnoff Gold Medal Award" for
outstanding achievement in
television engineering, Axel G.
Jensen, Bell Telephone Labora-
tories; "Samuel L. Warner
Memorial Award" for outstand-
ing achievement in motion pic-
ture engineering, Herbert T.
Kalmus, Technicolor Motion
Picture Corp.; "Journal Award"
for the outstanding technical
paper published in the SMPTE
Journal during the preceding
year, D. I. MacAdam, Eastman
Kodak. Honorable mentions in
the latter category go to F. C.
Williams, Kodak, and to Otto
H. Schade, RCA.
Tomorrow afternoon and evening
and Tuesday morning and afternoon
sessions dealing with television equip-
ment and technique will be held. At
the luncheon Wednesday afternoon
A. C. Keller of Bell Telephone, will
speak on high-speed photography.
Revenue Bureau
Lists Tax Refunds
Washington, Oct. 5. — The Bureau
of Internal Revenue has issued a list
of companies in the industry which
during the 1951-52 fiscal year got ac-
tion on claims for relief from taxes
levied under the World War II excess
profits tax. The claims were all based
on a contention that the government
had not allowed the taxpayers suffi-
ciently high excess profits credit.
List Firms
Firms receiving tax refunds of more
than $5,000 follow: Paramount Hol-
lywood Theatre Corp., 21,943 ; Shea
Theatre Corp., $28,823; Parkchester
Amusement Corp., $61,610; St. Louis
Orpheum Corp., $28,936; Northwest
Automatic Candy Corp., $14,651;
Michigan Newsreel Co, $9,823; Buf-
falo 20th Century, Inc., $16,292; All-
ston Theatres, Inc., $10,861 ; United
Theatre Enterprises, $6,256, and Pal-
metto Theatre Co, $7,518.
Says TV Production
In August High
Washington, Oct. 5. — Production
of television receivers in August of
this year was 171 per cent higher than
production in August of 1951, the
Radio-Television Manufacturers Asso-
ciation said over the week-end.
RTMA said that 397,769 television
sets were manufactured in August of
this year as against 146,705 units in
August of the previous year.
The total number of television sets
produced through August of this year
was set at 2,914,926 by the RTMA.
Monday, October 6, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
7
RKO Pictures
FCC Bureau Calls
{Continued from page 1)
(Continued from page 1)
the group that within three months
time the executive set-up at the studio
will have been determined and full-
scale production planning can be
launched.
It was conceded by members of the
syndicate that renegotiation of the
RKO Pictures open loan with Bank-
ers Trust Co. and the Mellon Bank
of Pittsburgh will be necessary. How-
ever, it was stated, the company's cur-
rent cash position is not strained and
the new owners expressed the opinion
that the company is qualified to obtain
much larger bank credits than are
available to it now.
It was made clear by several of the
group that RKO Pictures' foreign
income will be subjected to close scru-
tiny with the idea of establishing pos-
sibilities of increased revenue from
the foreign markets.
Present at the press meeting, held at
Toots Shor's restaurant, were: Stol-
kin, new RKO Pictures president;
Arnold Grant, board chairman and
general counsel ; Sherrill Corwin, vice-
president and head of studio opera-
tions; Edward Burke and A. L, Kool-
ish, board members and members of
the purchasing syndicate ; Gordon
Youngman, attorney and director;
William Gorman of Evansville, Ind.,
who is the representative on the board
of Ray Ryan, Texas oil operator and
member of the syndicate, and William
H. Clark, RKO Pictures treasurer
and the only member of the old board
to be reelected.
Stolkin said he would spend
approximately half his time in
New York at the home office
and the other half in Holly-
wood. He has no immediate
plans to establish residence
here. Grant and Burke are
scheduled to make New York
their headquarters, devoting
virtually all of their time to the
company here. The three will
be the most active of the new
group in administrative opera-
tions of the company here.
Members of the syndicate declined
comment on further executive changes
in RKO Radio, explaining that the
operations of individual executives,
both in distribution and production,
will be studied carefully before deci-
sions are made either on their reten-
tion or replacement. The home office
and distribution organization in the
field, both domestic and foreign, will
be surveyed first and every effort will
be made to complete the work in as
short a time as possible, perhaps one
month, it was stated. Thereafter, a
similar survey will be made of studio
operations.
Burke will devote particular atten-
tion to the foreign operations, it was
indicated.
Members of the syndicate de-
clined to be drawn out on the
possibilities of the sale of RKO
Radio's backlog films for tele-
vision use. They rested on the
statement issued Thursday
which said that no pre-deter-
mination of the question has
been made and that after
thorough study they will do
what is best for the company
and stockholders in the best
judgment of minds "unbound by
any dedication to the past."
Grant explained restriction of the
company's announcement of a new
catch-all UPT-ABC merger hearings.
At the same time, Allen B. DuMont
Laboratories Inc., in its proposed find-
ings, asked the commission not to
approve the merger because the
merged companies would be in viola-
tion of the Clayton Anti-Trust Act
and would be "an overwhelming dan-
ger to the public interest."
In addition to declaring that the
Paramount companies have been and
were still operating their stations
illegally, the broadcast bureau main-
tained that neither UPT nor Para-
mount "possessed the necessary char-
acter and conduct to be a licensee."
The bureau's 345 page-findings ap-
plied to KTLA, Paramount Television
Productions' Los Angeles station ;
WBKB, Balaban and Katz' Chicago
TV station; three DuMont Television
network stations— WDTE, Pittsburgh,
WTTG, Washington, WABD, New
York, and WSMB, Paramount Gulf
Theatres, New Orleans, AM and FM
stations.
Next Step
The next step will be the examiners'
initial decision, which will probably
come down in about a month. Follow-
ing that the commision will put out
its final decision. Since the commis-
sion has indicated that it would like
a speedy determination on the merger
case the period for filing objections
to the proposed findings will probably
be quite short.
The bureau based its charge that
Paramount and UPT were operat-
ing their stations illegally on the
grounds that although the companies
characterized as "involuntary" the
transfer of control of the stations
from the parent company to Para-
mount Pictures Corp. and UPT, the
bureau found the transfer in fact
"voluntary." As such, it pointed out,
the rules set down by the commission
for a voluntary transfer have not been
observed by the transferor or the
transferee.
"The applicant in this proceeding
has committed clear and absolute vio-
lation of the commission's rules and
board of directors last Thursday to
RKO Radio Pictures, the operating-
subsidiary, rather than to RKO Pic-
tures Corp., the parent company, as a
consequence of a decision of the new
owners to regard the subsidiary as the
important functioning company and
the parent as a technical holding corii
pany which owes its existence only to
Securities and Exchange Commission
requirements.
Members of the syndicate showed
reluctance to discuss the commitment
by Howard Hughes to loan the cor
poration $8,000,000 if called upon to
do so. They left the impression that
it was bound up with supplementary
conditions and would not be resorted
to under normal circumstances.
All of the partners appeared agreed
that young blood is desired in the com-
pany, with or without experience in
motion pictures.
"The personal traits that make for
successful administration in one in-
dustry," one said, "are equally useful
in the motion picture industry. The
same basic, general problems are pres-
ent in all industry."
Most members of the group, other
than Stolkin, Grant and Burke, plan
to leave here early this week for their
respective headquarters in the West
and on the Coast.
regulations," the bureau said, "in con-
nection with the unauthorized transfer
of control involved in these proceed-
ings for which there appeared to be
no condonation."
To grant the merger, the bureau
said, would "sow the seeds in the same
fertile grounds from which sprung
monopoly in the Paramount case —
namely, concentration of the produc-
tion, distribution and exhibition phases
of network theatre television pro-
grams in the hands of a few large
companies.
DuMont Says
Much of the DuMont proposed find-
ings attacked the commision's August
1 order, declaring that the order "pre-
vents a fair determination of the rec-
ord and perverts the entire record."
With the order, DuMont said, "the
commission chose to aid a competitor
of DuMont" by ignoring 35 years of
'activities constituting anti-trust vio-
lations" on the part of "individuals
constituting the top management of
the merged company." In addition,
DuMont said, by making a finding of
financial difficulty on the part of ABC
in the August 1 order, the commission
prejudiced the record.
If the commission carries out the
order, DuMont declared, the result
will be "an arbitrary distortion of
essential evidence designed under the
stated issues solely to qualify the
merged company as a licensee and
would be in disregard for the public
interest."
Hits Order
Characterizing the order as "a re-
traction of the courageous anti-trust
policy which the commission promul-
gated one year ago," DuMont declared
that the order was "a scheme designed
to white-wash the qualifications of the
merged company and foreclose the
thorough investigation to which the
merged company would ordinarily be
subjected after January 1953.
DuMont attacked UPT as well, de-
claring that "the record makes it ex-
tremely doubtful that the management
of the home office of United Para-
mount Theatres has any desire to
cleanse itself of its dangerous proclivi-
ties," and adding that UPT's New
York management "failed to sustain
its burden of proving that it has
purged itself of unlawful proclivities."
Coming
Events
Oct. 6-7 — Motion Picture Theatre
Owners of St. Louis, Eastern
Missouri and Southern Illinois
annual meeting, Chase Hotel, St.
Louis.
Oct. 6-10' — Society of Motion Picture
and Television Engineers 72nd
semi-annual convention, Hotel
Statler, Washington.
Oct. 19-21 — Motion Picture Exhibi-
tors of Florida annual convention,
Jacksonville.
Oct. 20-22 — Allied Theatres of
Michigan annual convention, Tul-
• ler Hotel, Detroit.
Oct. 27-29 — Motion Picture Thea-
tre Owners of Tennessee, Arkan-
sas and Mississippi annual con-
vention, Hotel Gayoso, Memphis.
Oct. 27-29 — Motion Picture Indus-
try Council of Canada and na-
tional committee of the Motion
Picture Exhibitors' Association of
Canada joint annual conventions,
Chateau Laurier, Ottawa.
Disney-Goldwyn
(Continued from page 1)
Stolkin nor Goldwyn, who left for
the Coast at the weekend, would com-
ment on the meeting.
Under his contract, Goldwyn's
"Hans Christian Andersen" is believed
to be committed to RKO, but he has
an option to cancel before the next
picture is due. Presumably, Goldwyn
will await the results of any changes
the Stolkin group will make in its
distribution organization before tak-
ing any action.
Praises Depinet
Disney praised Depinet, not only
for his successful handling of person-
nel, but his long leadership in the
industry. The Disney contract with
RKO Radio Pictures expires in May
of next year. Disney, who is due to
remain in New York for the next
two weeks, may confer with Stolkin
before leaving for the Coast.
Tradewise . . .
(Continued from page 1)
of success. There are young fail-
ures, too.
Of late, the industry has been ob-
serving the brilliant handling of at
least two important companies by
sons of its younger generation —
United Artists, headed by Arthur
Krim, and United Paramount The-
tres, under Leonard Goldenson.
Both have weathered some very
trying times with a full measure of
distinction. While young, the execu-
tive personnel of both companies
was well trained and thoroughly
experienced in the complexities of
this sometimes baffling industry
when it took over.
The Stolkin group would be well-
advised to look for know-how as
well as youth. One is as important
as the other. And they are not
always found together.
Reade Will Continue
Foreign Film Plan
"Curtain at 8 :40," the program de-
vised last year by the Walter Reade
Theatres to bring key foreign films
to smaller communities which nor-
mally could not support such pictures,
will be a part of the circuit's program
this fall.
Walter Reade Jr. announced that a
fall series of four evenings of such
films will be started this month at
the four theatres which tested the
program last year — the Carlton in
Red Bank, N. J., Paramount in Plain-
field, N. J., Kingston, Kingston, N. Y.,
and the Community in Saratoga
Springs, N. Y.
Contest Promotion Kit
A promotional setup designed to
power campaigns in the $7,500 ex-
hibitor showmanship contest for
"Something for the Birds" will be
made available shortly by 20th Cen-
tury-Fox in an advertising, publicity
and exploitation kit.
D
mi
J
or
j.
Q
It
October
6th THROUGH 12th
PRESENTING SEVEN
IMPORTANT NEW ITALIAN
MOTION PICTURES
WHICH WILL SOON
BE AVAILABLE FOR
AMFRIPAN FYHIRITiniM I
ORGANIZED WITH THE COOPERATION OF TH
HON* ALBERTO TARCHIANI#H°lion Ambosiodorlo the United Slat
PRESENTED UNDER THE SPONSORSHIP Ol
WINTHROP W. ALDRICH, Honorary Choi™
RALPH BELLAMY, Pres. Actors Equity • RUDOLPH BING, Director of Metropolitan Opera Association I
FLOYD BLAIR, Pres. Philharmonic Symphony Society of N. Y. ■ DR. CLEMENTE BONIVER, Commerc
Counsellor Italian Embassy • CHARLES BRACKETT, Pres. Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciencl
GEORGE BRAGALINI, Acting Poslmaster of New York • HARRY BRANDT, Pes. Independent Theatre Own,
Assn. ■ VALENTINE DAV1ES, Pres. Screen Writers Guild • BARON CARLO de FERRARI IS SALZA'W
Consul General of Italy'; RENE D'HARNONCOURT, Director of Board. Museum of Modern
MRS. MANOLITA DOELGER, u. S. Director, Italian Stale Tourist Office • DR. MARCELLO EGIDI, Ital,
Commercial Attache • MOSS HART, Pres. Dramatists Guild • HELEN HAYES, Pres. American Theatre W-j
QUINCY HOWE, Pres. National Board of Review • HON. VINCENT R. IMPELLITTERI, Mayor, New York (.
HON. IRVING IVES, U.S. Senator, N. Y. ■ ER IC JOH NSTON, Pres. Motion Picture Association of Amen
-Jr MERLE MILLER, Pres. Authors Guild ■ RONALD REAGAN, Pres. Screen Actors Gl
ROLAND REDMOND, Pres. Metropolitan Museum of Art • GEORGE SIDNEY, Pres. Screen Directors Gij
WILBUR SNAPER, Pres. Allied State Assn. ol Motion Picture Exhibitors ■ REX STOUT, Pj
l~h Authors League of America • FRANCIS HENRY TAYLOR, Director of Metropolitan Museum of
ROBERT WHITEHEAD, Director of American National Theatre and Academy MITCHELL WOLFS,1.
I . . r- n 7nnr>HinTTI it r n ..t.t:„. ri.ll.H C;lm dil
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
AIR
MAIL
EDITION
VOL. 72. NO. 69
NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1952
TEN CENTS
Films' Future
Is Assured,
Zukor Asserts
'Rebuild Confidence/ He
Urges Midwest Showmen
Chicago, Oct. 6. — "Motion pic-
tures will live forever," Adolph
Zukor, chairman of the board of
Paramount Pictures, today told the
special Para-
mount division
managers meet-
ing in his honor
at the Bismark
Hotel. He called
for more show-
manship so that
"the public will
know in ad-
vance what is to
come to their
theatres and not
after the prod-
uct has come
and gone."
Adolph Zukor After reciting
his experiences as a boy in Chicago
where he was born, lived, and mar-
ried, Zukor stated : "I have not
{Continued on page 3)
Barnett Is Named
SMPTE President;
Frayne, Top VP'
Washington, Oct. 6. — Herbert
Barnett, assistant to the president of
General Precision Equipment Corp.,
has been elected president of the So-
ciety of Motion
Picture and
Television En-
gineers for a
two-year term,
it was an-
nounced today
at the organi-
zation's 72nd
convention at
the Statler
Hotel here.
Other officers
elected for the
same term
were : executive
vice-president,
Dr. John G. Frayne, Westrex Corp. ;
editorial vice-president, Dr. Norwood
L. Simmons, Eastman Kodak Co. ;
(Continued on page 6)
ALLIED DECLARES
WAR ON SALESMEN
Cinerama Pays for
Four Installations
Boston, Oct. 6. — Costs for the first
four theatre installations of Cinerama
equipment and a part of film produc-
tion costs are to be borne by Cine-
rama, according to a report on the
company just issued by Lamont &
Co., local investment firm.
The report, written since the open-
ing of the "This Is Cinerama" pro-
gram at the Broadway Theatre in
j New York, also states that Cinerama's
. share in exhibition receipts is 25 per
(Continued on page 3)
N.Y. First-Runs
Firm; 'Paleface,'
Cinerama Bow Big
Herbert Barnett
MPTO of St. Louis
Meet Big Success
St. Louis, Oct. 6. — The annual
meeting of the Motion Picture Thea-
tre Owners St. Louis, Eastern Mis-
souri and Southern Illinois got under
way here at the Chase Hotel today in
what promises to be the most success-
ful meeting in the unit's history.
A kickoff luncheon followed by
important trade speeches by visiting
(Continued on page 3")
With hold-overs predominating,
New York's first-run theatres _ this
week are enjoying good business.
Newcomers "Son of Paleface" and
accompanying stage show at the
Paramount, and "This Is Cinerama"
at the Broadway bowed to strong-
grosses, the former indicated as draw-
ing $75,000 for the first week, and
the latter $3,500 for advanced-sale,
capacity-house revenue. "Cinerama"
was said to be assured of that figure
each week for at least six weeks.
Strong in their second weeks are
"Because You're Mine" at Radio City
(Continued on page 3)
Italian Films Week
Festivities Begin
"Salute to Italian Films Week,"
the first film festival of its kind to
be held in the United States, was
officially proclaimed here last night
by Mayor Vicent M. Impellitteri at
the Little Carnegie Theatre before
an audience of American motion pic-
ture executives, Italian government
and film notables, United Nations
(Continued on page 3)
Rackmil Buys 1,000
Universal Shares
Washington, Oct. 6. — Milton R.
Rackmil, president of Decca Records,
which owns 43 per cent of Universal
Pictures, and also president of the
latter company, has personally pur-
chased his first 1,000 shares of Uni-
versal common, according to a Securi-
ties and Exchange Commission report
today.
An SEC report on stock trading
by company officers and directors,
(Continued on page 3)
'MOVIE TIME U.S.A.9 TOURS
ARE ONE YEAR OLD TODAY
Today is the first birthday of the Council of Motion Picture Organiza-
tions' "Movietime U.S.A." tours. Since they were launched, 360 Holly-
wood personalities have each given a week's time to make 38 tours to
1,300 cities and towns from Coast to Coast to promote industry goodwill.
Movietime U.S.A. is the first public
relations operation of its kind ever
undertaken by the industry in its 50
years of existence.
Many advances have been made in
the operation during the year. Under
the guidance of national chairman
R. J. _ O'Donnell and- Hollywood
chairman Marvin Schenck, the tours
have been -streamlined and perfected.
Launched with no precedent or pat-
tern'fori a 'guide, the tours had1 to pro-
ceed by a trial and error method. The
original plan of blanketing the U. S.
in one week with the tours was re-
placed by a policy of staggered tours
sent out weekly during the spring and
fall '
Both chairmen urge the need for
more active participation on the part
of players in giving a week for the
tours.
"If every actor on the- rolls of the
Screen Actors Guild' would .give one
week to Movietime," Schenck stated,
"the list would 'not be exhausted for
four years.;,The:re are , many towns and
cities. -yet in the; United States which
have not had these tours. Exhibitors
want them. They help the industry
(Continued on page 6)
Would Expose Managers,
Too, Who Offend in
Dealings, Snaper Says
One of the bitterest public blasts
at distributor sales policies to come
from an exhibitor leader in recent
memory was issued here yesterday
by Wilbur
Snaper, na-
tional Allied
president, with
a warning that
"if exhibitor-
distributor rela-
tions don't im-
prove" the or-
ganization will
publicize the
names of
branch man-
agers and sales-
m e n w ho, he
charged, have
been using
questionable tactics in dealing with
theatremen.
At a trade press conference de-
signed to provide reporters with a
(Continued on page 2)
Wilbur Snaper
LOUISVILLE, Oct. 6. —
Kentucky Association of
Theatre Owners has dis-
closed plans to prepare a
film for showing in the
state's theatres, much
like the one made several
years ago, which will em-
phasize the hardship
forced upon theatre own-
ers by Federal and state
admission taxes . This was
decided at a meeting here
to discuss ways of aiding
COMPO's tax fight.
•
HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 6. ~
The first meeting of the
board of directors of Na-
tional Theatres since its
divorcement f r o m 20th
Century-Fox will be held
at company headquarters
here on Oct. 23, it was
disclosed by NT president
Charles Skouras.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, October 7, 1952
Personal
Mention
PHIL REISMAN, head of RKO
Radio foreign distribution, is
scheduled to return here tomorrow
from Europe.
•
Charles J. Feldman, Universal
general sales manager, and F. J. A.
McCarthy, Southern and Canadian
sales manager, left here yesterday for
Cincinnati.
Harold Boxall, director of Lon-
don Film Productions, will arrive here
today from Europe aboard the S.S.
Queen Mary.
John Ford, M-G-M director, is due
here today from the Coast en route
to Nairobi, Africa, tomorrow via
London.
Arthur Willi, RKO Radio's East-
ern talent head, has returned here
from Chicago.
New Jersey Allied
To Elect Oct. 14
Allied Declares War
{Continued from page 1)
A one-day meeting highlighted by
election of officers will be held by
New Jersey Allied on Oct. 14 at the
Hotel Astor here, Wilbur Snaper,
national Allied president who also
heads the New Jersey unit, announced
yesterday.
Asked if he is a candidate for re-
election to the unit's presidency,
Snaper said he had not given the
matter consideration. At present, he
said, "there are no candidates."
The meeting will feature a luncheon
at the Astor for members and a din-
ner following adjournment for mem-
bers and their wives at the Latin
Quarter here.
Snaper, as national Allied president,
will address the annual convention
of Allied Theatres of Michigan at the
Tuller Hotel, Detroit, Oct. 20-22, _ he
said. His topic will be arbitration,
he added, if the final draft of an in-
dustry system of arbitration is in
shape by that time.
Depinet Gets New
RKO Radio Office
Ned E. Depinet, former RKO
Radio president, now adviser and
consultant to the new management
group, has been given a 14th floor
office at the company's headquarters
in the RKO Building, Rockefeller
Center.
Depinet's former office on the 16th
floor is being used by Ralph Stolkin,
the new president.
L. A. Date for 'Hans'
Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans Christian
Andersen" has been set for a Los An-
geles pre-release engagement at the
Warner Beverly Theatre on Dec. 26,
according to an announcement by
James A. Mulvey, president of the
company.
preview of the tone which could be
expected at Allied's annual convention
in Chicago, Nov. 17-19, Snaper spoke
also in terms of "going to the govern-
ment for regulations" to restrict cer-
tain sales practices.
These were two of three steps he
indicated Allied was in a mood to
take against distributors. The third
would be "a stronger set-up for the
interchange of information among ex-
hibitors," with the specific aim of
"deterring over-aggressive salesmen."
This third step, Snaper said, envis-
aged the broadening of the scope of
Allied's "Caravan," a vehicle for dis-
seminating information on rentals and
other sales policies among Allied and
non-Allied exhibitors.
Snaper said that during the
past eight months he, in his
capacity as Allied film commit-
tee co-ordinator, has been
"overwhelmed by a deluge of
exhibitor complaints and re-
quests for solutions" in the
area of trade practices. He
said distributors "have lost
sight of the fact that they're
dealing with customers." Ac-
knowledging that as co-ordi-
nator he has been "criticized by
some members for trying to
work out a broad, national
basis for settling difficulties in-
stead of narrowing down the
issues," Snaper said the criti-
cism was justified.
"There's no sense kidding any
more," Snaper exclaimed. He said
distribution home offices disavow
charges against practices, attribute
difficulties to "over-aggressive sales-
men," and the practices continue.
The practices he chose to specify
were "advanced admission pictures on
which exhibitors can't make a profit,"
percentage selling, "exorbitant rentals,
such as 60-40," and "specializing pic-
tures out of existence."
Snaper said distributors regard per-
centage selling as a "panacea" in deal-
ing with exhibitors and "as the only
logical, businesslike way of merchan-
dising." Taking exception to this ap-
proach, he said "certain heads of dis-
tribution have agreed with me — but
what do they do about it ?" He added
that while big key runs do lend them-
selves to percentage deals, the vast
majority of small independents "would
do better, from a profit and loss
standpoint, to close down Monday
through Thursday" in the absence of
a sliding-scale "incentive" selling ap-
proach which would allow them a
larger margin of profit after grosses
reach a certain figure.
The Allied president con-
tended that some salesmen have
"personal" policies in dealing
with exhibitors. The salesmen
have a "get-even-with-the-ex-
hibitor" attitude, he maintained.
"Allied doesn't want government
control in the industry," Snaper said.
"That would be an extreme measure,"
he acknowledged when reminded by
a reporter that Abram F. Myers, Al-
lied general counsel, admonished last
year's convention that government
control of the industry was to be
disdained.
When asked if his proposal for "a
stronger set-up for the interchange of
information among exhibitors" fitted
in with the recently-announced inten-
tion of Alfred Starr, Theatre Owners
of America president, to strive for an
all-embracing single exhibitor organi-
zation or "forum," Snaper said he
had no comment on Starr's plan.
Asked also if he did not think arbi-
tration would be the solution to some
of the problems he enumerated, Sna-
per replied that he believed Myers was
"conservative" in estimating that "it
would be a matter of months" before
an arbitration system was agreed
upon. Snaper said he would advise
that distributors "go in for some soul-
searching." "Frankly," he added, "we
don't care who gets hurt — when
branch managers and salesmen are
proven to have injured exhibitors they
should be discharged or pensioned
off."
In the Allied president's
opinion producers "need ex-
hibitor advice" in making pic-
tures. He claimed that re-
makes and biographical pictures
seldom succeed at the box-of-
fice. When exhibitors partici-
pate in conferences with pro-
ducers, such as those sponsored
by the Council of Motion Pic-
ture Organizations, "it's like
talking to a blank wall," he
said.
However, he said he was pleased
to note the naming of Sherrill Cor-
win, West Coast circuit owner, as
head of the RKO Radio studio under
the new management arrangement.
"That's what I mean is needed," he
said. Corwin is a member of TOA.
Snaper said that perhaps many an
exhibitor's financial problems would
be solved if top pictures were provided
for mid-week showings as well as on
week-ends. However, he added de-
spairingly that "when we pleaded for
big pictures in September with the
return of top TV shows we didn't
get them."
The convention, Snaper said, is ex-
pected to set forth "concrete action
against the policies" in consequence of
meetings of trade practice film clinics
which will be a part of the annual
meeting. Convention clinics will be
staffed as follows, he announced :
small-towns of 3,500 population or
less — Charles Niles (chairman), Col.
H. A. Cole, John Mohrstadt, A. B.
Jeffries and J. R. Smith ; large towns
up to 25,000 population — Ben Marcus
(chairman), Trueman T. Rembusch,
Snaper, Fred Beedle and Max Matz ;
large cities — John Wolfberg (chair-
man), Nathan Yamins, Ben Berger,
Alan Johnson and Henry Green -
berger ; key neighborhood and sub-
runs — Morris Finkle (chairman), Leon
Back, Norman Glassman, Louis Gold
and S. G. Prat ; outdoor theatres —
Rube Shor (chairman), C. Elmer
Nolte, O. F. Sullivan, Jay Wooten
and Leo T. Jones ; circuit buyers and
bidding — Irving Dollinger (chairman),
A. Berenson, Jack Kirsch and Arthur
Howard.
100 Booths Rented
For TESMA Show
The Theatre Equipment
Supply Manufacturers Asso-
ciation trade show, which will
be held in conjunction with
the national Allied convention
in Chicago, Nov. 17-19, al-
ready has rented space for
100 booths and more space
will be rented before conven-
tion time, Wilbur Snaper, Al-
lied president, reported here
yesterday.
4 Wide Open' Allied
Meeting for Press
The national Allied convention in
Chicago, Nov. 17-19, will be "wide
open" to the trade press, Wilbur
Snaper, president of the exhibitor
organization, declared here yesterday.
He pointed out that it has been
customary for Allied conventions to
exclude the press from trade practice
film clinic sessions, although he
ackowledged that at last year's con-
vention in New York "a few" re-
porters were permitted to sit in on
these meetings for background pur-
poses.
At the private board meeting which
will precede the Chicago convention,
Snaper will recommend that this
year's clinics be opened to all trade
press repersentatives on an off-the-
record basis so that when the same
subjects are taken up on the floor
of the convention proper the reporters
will have a fuller grasp of what
transpires. Floor proceedings, he ad-
ded, will be open to unqualified press
coverage.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center
MARIO LANZA in
"BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE"
introducing DORETTA MORROW
Color by TECHNICOLOR - An M-G-M Picture
plus
SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION
Midnight FMtvf*
Nighlly
HOWARD
HUGHES
presents
Starring ROBERT M ITCH UM - ANN BLYTH
BROADWAY
ONE MINUTE
TO ZERO"
CRITERION
AND 45th ST.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigtey. Editor-in-Chief and Publisher: Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting- 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager: Gus H. Fausel Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine
Building, William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11
North Clark Street, FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club. Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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; International Motion Picture 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 7, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
NY First-runs
(Continued from page 1)
Music Hall with $132,000 indicated,
and "Somebody Loves Me" at the
Roxy with $75,000. Both houses are
presenting spectacular stage shows as
well. The Roxy has "The Thief"
scheduled to open Oct. IS.
Still doing big business at the
Rivoli is "Snows of Kilimanjaro,"
the third stanza being on the way
to $57,000. "The Merry Widow" is
in store for a hefty $35,000 for the
second week.
"Just for You" is scheduled to bow
tomorrow at the Capitol, replacing
"The Quiet Man," for which a solid
$30,000 is being chalked up for the
seventh frame. The Criterion still is
going strong with "One Minute to
Zero," with $20,000 indicated for the
third week. "Lure of the Wilderness"
is seen grossing a nice $15,000 in its
initial week at the Globe.
Thursday will see "The World In
His Arms" taking over at the May-
fair where "High Noon" is bringing
$15,000 for the 11th and final seven
days. At the Astor, "The Miracle
of Our Lady of Fatima" is holding
firm with $15,000 due for the seventh
week. Tenth week of "Affair in
Trinidad" is giving the Victoria a
satisfactory $11,000.
The off-Broadway houses are con-
tinuing to do nicely with their hold-
overs : "The Amazing M. Fabre,"
Park Avenue, fourth week, $4,700 ;
"Man In the White Suit," Sutton,
27th week, $5,000; "Stranger in Be-
tween," Fine Arts, eighth week,
$3,900; "Ivory Hunter," 52nd Street
Trans-Lux, seventh week, $4,900. "O.
Henry's Full House" will take over
at the 52nd Street house on Oct. 16.
Review
Zukor Asserts
Way of a Gaucho
(20th Century-Fox)
TWENTIETH CENTURY-FOX and the Moore-McCormack Lines com-
bined to present the world premiere of "Way of a Gaucho" in a fine
festive Oriental-lantern-lighted setting with loads of fun and food aboard the
deck of the South American plying steamer S. S. Argentine, tied to a dock in
New York's North River.
The production is a very robust "Western"-type affair produced in the
Argentine in color by Technicolor with the Pampas and the Andes in beau-
teous display for background. As a matter of fact one of the main achieve-
ments of producer Philip Dunne and director Jacques Tourneur is the scenic
splendor which at times resembles fine pastel etchings. Then, too, there are
remarkable native horses who streak over the plains guided by the thrilling
horsemanship of scads of Argentians who are known far and wide for their
prowess in the saddle.
Except for some slowly-paced intervals the production is pretty good en-
tertainment which could be improved by cutting a bit from its 91 minutes.
The marketable names of Rory Calhoun and Gene Tierney are at hand
for the use of the showman, capably aided and abetted by the leading sup-
port of Richard Boone, Hugh Marlowe and Everett Sloane, with hundreds of
extras lending impressive color in their many hued native costumes.
The screenplay by producer Dunne, based on the novel by Herbert Childs,
is explained in a foreword and tells about how, "three quarters of a century
ago, the Argentine Pampas still lay virtually unfenced, the free preserve of
those spirits who for many generations had called it their own — the gauchos.
As a special breed of men, answering only to their own laws and codes, they
have vanished. The pampa they knew is fenced and cultivated. The lean
cattle they herded have been replaced by blooded stock of modern Argentina.
But the memory of the gauchos still lives — enshrined forever in the heart of
the nation."
It is against this invasion by modern men that head gaucho Rory Calhoun
rides with his roaring fellow horsemen in some mighty bloody and at times
intriguing fighting. Calhoun and Miss Tierney are the principals in a ro-
mance that is threaded through the tale and results in her being with child
as the gauchos all around them in the over-long tale-telling live gaily and
freely with utter disregard and contempt for established 1 government. Many
capable Argentine performers helped to put on the show.
Runnino- time, 91 minutes. Adult classification. For October release,
James P. Cunningham
(Continued from page 1)
MPTO of St. Louis
(Continued, from page 1)
Rackmil Buys
■ (Continued from page 1)
dignitaries paved the way. Leon
Bamberger, sales promotion manager
for RKO Radio, spoke on film ad-
vertising in newspapers, stating that
in some parts of the country news-
papers were taking advantage of the
exhibitor. While stressing the^ im-
portance of newspaper advertising,
the speaker spotlighted the fair _ and
desirable insertion rate advertising-
extended by some newspapers.
Larry W. Davee, sales manager-
engineer for the Century Projecto
Corp. of New York, spoke on "three
dimensional projection/' Davee point-
ed to the recent successful debut
of Cinerama — the three camera, three
projector — process in the Broadway
Theatre in New York as a sign of
the future.
Also on today's program were Wil-
liam Powell, district manager for the
Mid-West Drive-in Theatres, speak-
ing on "new product" of the major
film companies, illustrating his talk
with trailers of forthcoming pictures ;
Herman Levy, general counsel of
Theatre Owners of America, on "in-
dustry arbitration ;" and Ray Colvin,
executive director of Theatre Equip-
ment Dealers Association, who talked
on "The Motion Picture Industry as
A Business, An Art and A Socia'
Force."
The estimated 500 guests in at-
tendance were invited to a cocktail
party at the close of business. '"The
Way of The Gaucho" was screened
for the gathering in the evening.
Tuesday's program, which gets
under way at 10 A. M. will feature
the election of officers.
also noted that the David J. Greene
Trust had acquired 5,000 shares of
RKO Theatres common, bringing its
holdings to 30,800. Besides this,
Greene holds 10,000 shares in partner-
ship and 3,600 with members of his
family.
Steve Broidy, Monogram president,
purchased 2,000 shares of common,
bringing his holdings to 45,299, in
addition to the options which he holds
for 2,000 shares. Norton V. Ritchey
gave away 1,000 shares of Monogram
common, reducing his holdings to
2,594.
Other SEC transactions reported
were: Austin Keough's acquisition of
100 shares of Paramount Pictures
common, bringing his holding,s to
350 shares ; the acquisition of 750
shares of Trans-Lux common, his
entire holdings, by Joseph M. Viertel ;
and Loew's, Inc. acquisition of 57
shares of Loew's Boston Theatres
common, making total holdings of
129,991 shares.
Services Held for
James G. Doyle
Boston, Oct. 6. — Funeral services
were held today in Jamaica Plain,
Mass., for James G. Doyle, theatre
owner and ex-state Senator, who died
there at his home on Friday at the
age of 85.
Owner of the Broadway Theatre
in South Boston, he was a partner
of the American Theatres Corp. of
Boston in the Embassy and Central
Square theatres in Waltham, and
the Newton in West Newton. Doyle,
who retired from public life 40 years
ago after serving three terms in the
State Senate, is survived by a son
and two daughters.
Italian Film Week
(Continued from page 1)
officials, and cultural, economic and
civic leaders of New York.
Floyd Blair, president of the Phil-
harmonic Symphony Society, accepted
the scroll of proclamation, on behalf
of honorary chairman Winthrop W.
Aldrich, after the Mayor noted that
"it was the critics and public of the
city of New York who first acclaimed
and popularized the merits of post-
war Italian films, inspiring a group
of representative citizens to organize
a city-wide tribute to honor and en-
courage these achievements." Noted
arrivals were interviewed in the lobby
by Martin Starr on a live WINS
broadcast while WOV and the Voice
of America tape-recorded interviews.
The opening night film was "The
Overcoat."
Earlier in the day the first event
of the Festival was the presentation
of two stones from the ancient Forum
of Rome by the Italian motion picture
industry to the people of New York
"as a symbol of the cultural and
democratic heritage that America and
contemporary Italy share." Nelson
A. Rockefeller and Deputy Mayor
Charles Horowitz acknowledged the
gift on the roof of the Palazzo d'ltalia
building in Rockefeller Center.
changed my opinion about motion pic-
tures since it all began 50 years ago.
I feel as strongly today about the fu-
ture of our business as I did when I
financed, caused to be produced and
distributed the first feature length
motion picture, 'Queen Elizabeth,' 40
years ago"
Zukor told the more than 100 Mid-
western exhibitors present that "every-
one must devote all their time and en-
ergy to rebuild the public's confidence
in motion pictures. We must work
harder in this transition period until
the public is sold on the idea that mo-
tion picture entertainment is worth-
while."
He closed by stating, "If exhibitors
expect pictures of the size, scope, and
quality of those that are now being-
turned out by all Hollywood studios,
which are proving their ability to at-
tract the public, you must put forth
extra effort and employ all your in-
genuity in presenting these pictures to
the public."
Zukor expressed considerable inter-
est in doing everything possible "to
get the widest possible support by the
industry for smaller theatres in
smaller communities."
James J. Donohue, Central division
manager, presided over the special
meeting. Donohue introduced A. W.
Schwalberg, president of Paramount
Film Distributing Co., who in turn
introduced Zukor at the luncheon.
Schwalberg and Jerry Pickman, vice-
president in charge of advertising-
publicity, conducted discussions on
product and promotion later in the
day.
Also present at the meetings were
E. K. O'Shea, vice-president of Para-
mount Film Distributing Corp., and
Oscar A. Morgan, general sales man-
ager of short subjects and Paramount
News.
Zukor returned to New_ York late
tonight, accompanied by Sid Blumen-
stock, advertising manager and as-
sistant to Pickman.
Cinerama
(Continued from page 1)
Lipton to Confer on
Four New Releases
David A. Lipton, Universal Pictures
vice-president in charge of advertising
and publicity, will arrive here tomor-
row for 10 days of conferences with
home office executives on promotion
plans on four releases for the coming-
three months.
He will outline promotional plans
on "Because of You," starring Loretta
Young and Jeff Chandler ; 'Against
cent, after certain operating costs but
before taxes, under its agreement with
Thomas-Todd Productions, w h i c h
runs to Dec. 31, 1956. After the first
$1,000,000 gross, Cinerama's percen-
tage declines gradually to 10 per
cent, the report states.
Thomas-Todd Productions and /or
Reeves Soundcraft Corp. owned about
53 per cent of Cinerama's common
stock as last reported in March, 1952,
according to the report. Cinerama
does not own the patents to the three-
dimensional process, but is licensed
by their owner, Vitarama Corp. Roy-
alties- payable range from five to 10
per cent of Cinerama's gross income,
the report states.
The report concludes that Cinerama
would have to gross approximately
$35,000,000 to earn $1 per share on
its presently outstanding common
stock, and if outstanding debentures
were converted and all stock options
and stock purchase warrents were
exercised, the gross wou'd have to
be approximately $50,000,000 to_ as-
sure the same $1 per share earnings.
All Flags," starring Errol Flynn and
Maureen O'Hara ; "It Grows on
Trees," starring Irene Dunne, and
"Meet Me at the Fair," starring Dan
Dailey and Diana Lynn.
I
Outgrossing'Song In My Heart"!
C£NTURY^F^
LURE OF THE
WILDERNESS
Technicolor
Jean Peters • Jeffrey Hunter
Constance Smith
Based on a Story by Vereen Bell
Hew Record, Los Angeles!
0. Henry's
FULL HOUSE
12 GREAT STARS!
5 GREAT DIRECTORS!
5 GREAT WRITERS!
Top Money Everywhere!
MONKEY
BUSINESS
Cary Grant • Ginger Rogers
Charles Coburn • Marilyn Monroe
Super-Tension!
THE STEEL
TRAP
Joseph Cotten * Teresa Wright
A Bert Friedlob Production
Released by 20th Century-Fox
The Year's
Hottest Musical!
Damon Runyon's
BLOODHOUNDS
OF BROADWAY
Technicolor
Mitzi Gaynor • Scott Brady
Spectacle . . . Adventure!
THE THIEF
OF VENICE
Maria Montez • Paul Christian
A Robert Haggiog Production
Released by 20th Century-Fox
There's No Business Life
7
liMftl
TheyllJ^oveThisOne!
MY WIFE'S
BEST FRIEND
Anne
Baxter
Macdonald
Carey
Your Thanksgiving Date!
PONY
SOLDIER
Technicolor
Tyrone Power
Cameron Mitchell
Big In 3 -Theatre
Miami Premiere!
WAY OF A
GAUCHO
Technicolor
Rory Gene
Calhoun • Tierney
Mr. 880 Is Back -
881 Times Funnier!
SOMETHING
FOR THE BIRDS
Victor Mature • Patricia Neal
Edmund Gwenn
Boxoffice Excitement!
NIGHT WITHOUT
SLEEP
Linda Darnell * Gary Merrill
Hildegarde Neff
It'll Steal Your Heart!
MY PAL GUS
Richard Widmark
Joanne Dru
Audrey Totter
George (Foghorn) Winslow
Your Big One For Christmas !
CLIFTON WEBB in
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA'S
STARS AND
STRIPES FOREVER
Technicolor
Debra Paget • Robert Wagner
Ruth Hussey
ERNEST HEMINGWAY'S
THE SNOWS OF
KILIMANJARO
Technicolor
Gregory Peck • Susan Hayward • Ava Gardner
Produced by Directed by Screen Play by
Darryl F. Zanuck • Henry King • Casey Robinson
m)* Century-fox B
usmess:
P
Branch Managers' Testimonial Sept. 28 - Dec. 21
HP
0
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, October 7, 1952
Harriett
(Continued from page 1)
convention vice-president, John W.
Servies, vice-president, National The-
atre Supply ; secretary, Edward S.
Seeley, Altec ; governors — East, Gor-
don A. Chambers and Charles L.
Townsend; governors — Central, Frank
E. Carlson and Malcolm. G. Towns-
ley ; governors — West, William A.
Mueller and Leroy M. Dearing".
Assuming the office of engineering
vice-president today, to serve through
Dec. 31, 1953, is Henry J. Hood, East-
man Kodak. He was appointed last
July to fill a vacancy.
All officers will start their terms on
Jan. 1.
Televised to Pentagon
At today's luncheon, opening the
convention, members heard three high
level Army, Navy and Air Force offi
cers discuss communications and pho
tography in the service. The program
was televised to a specially selected
audience in the Pentagon by the
Army. Captain A. D. Fraser, of the
office of the chief of naval operations
and chief of naval photography, told
the group that the Navy was depend-
ent on the motion picture films shown
to its forces. "The entertainment mo-
tion pictures provide is probably our
greatest morale booster," he said. He
pointed out that the motion picture
industry "very generously operates a
comprehensive on-the-job training
course for selected personnel," with a
"completeness of instruction" that
could not be given by a service
school."
Major General George I. Back,
chief signal officer of the Army, asked
the group for its continued coopera
tion in the research and development
of motion pictures and television. He
emphasized the importance of sound
motion picture films in training, in
public information and as a means
of "pictorially documenting military
history," calling motion pictures "an
irreplaceable tool." Television has
become available as another medium
of communications, he said, "which
offers tremendous possibilities with its
potential of speed and accuracy."
11 Branch Managers
At U-I Studio
Hollywood, Oct. 6. — Universal Pic-
tures' new program to acquaint its
field sales executives with forthcom-
ing product and studio operations is
slated to get under way tomorrow
when 11 branch managers from all
sections of the country attend a series
of conferences.
Besides viewing new films and get-
ting a closeup of studio functions, the
branch managers will meet with stu-
dio executives headed by N. J. Blum-
berg, chairman of the board; Mil-
ton R. Rackmil, president; William
Goetz, in charge of production ; Ed-
ward Muhl, vice-president and gen-
eral manager of the studio.
HAS SO SWELL IDEAS
for Selling Your _^>—
Ouod %h\iiM3jjyrC . . Select cvrilciea
woyi Uj* FILMACK For All Tour Trailer CIc qulrcmsrvic
Ff LM AC K TRAILER CO AT PANSY
Television--Radio
with Pinky Herman
O ALLOTS FOR Motion Picture Daily — FAME poll (15th
*-* radio and fourth television, respectively) have already been sent
out to more than 800 radio and TV editors, columnists and critics
of newspapers, magazines and periodicals all over the country. This
exclusive audit of personalities survey is more important today than
ever clue to the rapidly expanding- TV field and the ever-increasing
interdependence of both the motion picture and television industries
upon each other. The winners and runners-up, based upon the com-
bined opinions and votes of impartial judges, best qualified to pass
on the merits of performers and programs, will be revealed near the
end of the year. To all candidates we say, "Good Luck" and to our
hundreds of friends who year after year have taken the time and
trouble to fill out and mail in to us their selections, "Thanks
again." . . .
In a most unusual step local 411, Bethlehem, Pa., of the
American Federation of Musicians, has voted Charles San-
ford, musical director of "Your Show of Shows" 'the man
responsible for the finest music heard on TV today.' He
will be feted next Monday with a testimo-
nial dinner at the American Legion Hall
in nearby Hellertown, Pa. and will be pre-
sented with a plaque. . . . Segmentation of
the "Mike & Buff" 45-minute CBSeries of
telecasts into three different 15-minute stan-
zas has resulted in a vast improvement.
Change should attract a larger share of the
3:15 to 4:00 P.M. viewers. . . . Bill Slater's
sparkling WABDuMontage, "Broadway To
Hollywood," has been renewed for the
tenth time by Tidewater Associated Oil Co.
Agency is Lennen & Mitchell. ... In the year
since he started his WPTZippy series, "Let
George Do It," emcee George Skinner has
sold the good citizens of Philadelphia and
environs a variety of household items. However, last Wednes-
day morning on his (9:00-10:00 A.M.) program George added
another co-op sponsor, the Pineway Stables of Pineville, Pa.
Believe it or not, he is SELLING thoroughbred race horses
on easy payment terms. His punchline? "Skinner never skins
you." ...
ik
After a couple of semesters on- his new CBSaturday (8:00 P.M.)
telecasts, comic Jackie Gleason has definitely established himself
as a formidable foe to NBC's "All-Star Revue." If lie can ■main-
tain the pace he's been setting week in and week out, the initials
'J.G.' will also mean 'Just Great.' . . . Energetic and lovable Bob
Ring of the Newark Public Safety Commission has recovered
from ' a severe illness and his radio and TV performer pals
(who've helped him countless times to put on successful shows
for the PAL and other worthy causes) are much happier. . . .
Sid Feller, Capitol Records A & R exec, who is responsible for
the Jane Froman orchestral arrangements for her wax sessions,
will likewise make all special arrangements for the thrush's new
TVehich "Canteen USA" which CBStarts next Tuesday. . . .
This scribbler is neither a Yankee nor a Dodger Fan but rather
a baseball fan so we've just got to bow low to the producers and
cameramen for transmitting via WOR-TV practically every im-
portant bit of acton in the fifth World Series game Sunday at
the Stadium. The stellar roles portrayed by Duke Snider, Andy
Pafko, Bill Cox, Carl Erskine and Johnny Mize, were matched
by Mutual's TV WORkers. . . .
Charles Sanford
ft
LOTSA DOTS . . . Ventriloquist "Skeets" Minton will star on
a new_ series of TV shows, "All Aboard," starting CBSunday, Oct.
19. Lionel (Trains) Corp. will sponsor the Lester Lewis Package,
scripted by Lawrence Markes and Mort Lewis. . . . Football WAB-
Dopesters Win Elliot and Denny Meyer have teamed up to present
an interesting series every Sunday following the pro games.
Former movie star Jeffrey Lynn's performance Sunday on Phiko's
"The Black Sheep," was a masterpiece of underplaying a difficult
role. Jeff, who's been out of town playing stock, should be seen more
often on TV. . . . Paula Stone, Mike Sloane and Jack Donohue, "Top
Banana," execs have formed a company to discover new talent. . . .
i\ehvs
in Brief ...
Washington, Oct. 6. — Atlantic
Video was granted a permit for the
construction of a commercial tele-
vision station at Asbury Park, by the
Federal Communications Commission.
President and majority stockholder
of Atlantic Video is Walter Reade,
Jr., head of Walter Reade Theatres.
•
Springfield, Mass., Oct. 6. — A
sellout at the Capitol and Art thea-
tres here and a turnout of approxi-
mately 100,000 are expected at the
world premiere of Warner's "Spring-
field Rifle" tomorrow night. Mayor
Daniel Brunton has honored the Gary
Cooper-starrer by declaring "Spring-
field Rifle Week." Cast notables on
hand for the festivities are David
Brian, Guinn (Big Boy) Williams
and Phyllis Kirk.
•
The Century Room of the Hotel
Woodstock here will become the
permanent home for the Associated
Motion Picture Advertisers' class in
showmanship starting Thursday, ac-
cording to Harry K. McWilliams,
AMPA president. S. Barret McCor-
mick, advertising director of RKO
Radio, will be the guest lecturer
for that, the third meeting.
•
M. R. (Duke) Clark, formerly
Central South and Southwest division
manager for Paramount Pictures,
has been appointed special representa-
tive for the Council of Motion Picture
Organizations, it was announced by
Robert W. Coyne, COMPO special
counsel.
Oct. 14 Pre-H earing
On Theatre TV
Washington, Oct. 6. — A prehear-
ing conference for attorneys at the
theatre television hearing on Oct. 20
will be held on Oct. 14 to establish
procedure and order of testimony at
the hearing, the Federal Communica-
tions Commission announced today.
The main portion of the theatre
TV hearing will commence on Jan.
12 but the first phase of the hearing,
on engineering and accounting aspects,
is slated to open here on Oct. 20
and run for about a week.
'Movietime' Tours
(Continued from page 1)
and stimulate business. This has been
proven."
Movietime has not set any definite
schedule for the number of tours to be
sent out during the coming year,
O'Donnell stated.
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
FIRST
IN
FILM
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
Accurate
Conci!
and
Imparti
VOL. 72. NO. 69
NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1952
TEN CENTS
Films' Future
Is Assured,
Zukor Asserts
'Rebuild Confidence/ He
Urges Midwest Showmen
Chicago, Oct. 6.— "Motion pic-
tures will live forever," Adolph
Zukor, chairman of the board of
Paramount Pictures, today told the
special Para-
mount division
managers meet-
ing in his honor
at the Bismark
Hotel. He called
for more show-
manship so that
"the public will
know in ad-
vance what is to
come to their
theatres and not
after the prod-
uct has come
and gone."
After reciting
boy in Chicago
mm
fa' "1
I
Bar net t Is Named
SMPTE President;
Frayne, Top VP'
Washington, Oct. 6. — Herbert
Barnett, assistant to the president of
General Precision Equipment Corp.,
has been elected president of the So-
ciety of Motion
Picture and
Television En-
gineers for a
two-year term,
it was an-
nounced today
at the organi-
zation's 72nd
convention at
the Statler
Hotel here.
Other officers
elected for the
same term
were : executive
vice-president,
Dr. John G. Frayne, Westrex Corp.;
editorial vice-president, Dr. Norwood
L. Simmons, Eastman Kodak Co. ;
{Continued on page 6)
ALLIED DECLARES
WAR ON SALESMEN
N.Y. First-Runs
Firm; 'Paleface,'
Cinerama Bow Big
Herbert Barnett
Adolph Zukor
his experiences as
where he was born, lived, and mar
ried, Zukor stated : "I have not
{Continued on page 3)
Cinerama Pays for
Four Installations
Boston, Oct. 6. — Costs for the first
four theatre installations of Cinerama
equipment and a part of film produc-
tion costs are to be borne by Cine-
rama, according to a report on the
company just issued by Lamont &
Co., local investment firm.
The report, written since the open-
ing of the "This Is Cinerama" pro-
gram at the Broadway Theatre in
New York, also states that Cinerama's
share in exhibition receipts is 25 per
(Continued on page 3)
Rackmil Buys 1,000
Universal Shares
Washington, Oct. 6. — Milton R.
Rackmil, president of Decca Records,
which owns 43 per cent of Universal
Pictures, and also president of the
latter company, has personally pur-
chased his first 1,000 shares of Uni-
versal common, according to a Securi-
ties and Exchange Commission report
today.
An SEC report on stock trading
by company officers and directors,
(Continued on page 3)
MPTO of St. Louis
Meet Big Success
St. Louis, Oct. 6. — The annual
meeting of the Motion Picture Thea-
tre Owners St. Louis, Eastern Mis-
souri and Southern Illinois got under
way here at the Chase Hotel today in
what promises to be the most success-
ful meeting in the unit's history.
A kickoff luncheon followed by
important trade speeches by visiting
(Continued on page 3)
With hold-overs predominating,
New York's first-run theatres this
week are enjoying good business.
Newcomers "Son of Paleface" and
accompanying stage show at the
Paramount, and "This Is Cinerama"
at the Broadway bowed to strong
grosses, the former indicated as draw-
ing $75,000 for the first week, and
the latter $3,500 for advanced-sale,
capacity-house revenue. "Cinerama"
was said to be assured of that figure
each week for at least six weeks.
Strong in their second weeks are
"Because You're Mine" at Radio City
(Continued on page 3)
Italian Films Week
Festivities Begin
"Salute to Italian Films Week,"
the first film festival of its kind to
be held in the United States, was
officially proclaimed here last night
by Mayor Vicent M. Impellitteri at
the Little Carnegie Theatre before
an audience of American motion pic-
ture executives, Italian government
and film notables, United Nations
(Continued on page 3)
Would Expose Managers,
Too, Who Offend in
Dealings, Snaper Says
One of the bitterest public blasts
at distributor sales policies to come
from an exhibitor leader in recent
memory was issued here yesterday
by Wilbur
Snaper, na-
tional Allied
president, with
a warning that
"if exhibitor-
distributor rela-
tions don't im-
prove" the or-
ganization will
publicize the
names of
branch man-
agers and sales-
m e n w ho, he
charged, have
been using
questionable tactics in dealing with
theatremen.
At a trade press conference de-
signed to provide reporters with a
(Continued on page 2)
Wilbur Snaper
MOVIETIME U.S.A.9 TOURS
ARE ONE YEAR OLD TODAY
Today is the first birthday of the Council of Motion Picture Organiza-
tions' "Movietime U.S.A." tours. Since they were launched, 360 Holly-
wood personalities have each given a week's time to make 38 tours to
1,300 cities and towns from Coast to Coast to promote industry goodwill.
'Movietime U.S.A. is the first public
relations operation of its kind ever
undertaken by the industry in its 50
years of existence.
Many advances have been made in
the operation during the year. Under
the guidance of national chairman
R. J. O'DonnelL - and Hollywood
chairman- Marvin Schenck, the tours
have been streamlined and perfected.
Launched with no precedent or pat-
tern for a guide,' the tours had to pro-
ceed by a trial and error method. The
original plan of blanketing the U. S.
in one week with the tours was re-
placed by a policy of staggered tours
sent out weekly during the spring and
fall.
Both chairmen urge the need for
more active participation on the part
of players in giving a week for the
tours.
"If every actor on the rolls of the
Screen Actors Guild would give one
week to Movietime," Schenck stated,
"the list would not be exhausted for
four years. There are many towns and
cities yet in the United States which
have not had these tours. Exhibitors
want them. They help the industry
(Continued on page 6)
KATO to Make Film
Aiding Tax Fight
Louisville, Oct. 6. — Noting that
Kentucky and Federal amusement
taxes together total about 30 per cent
of the gross box-office collections in
the state, the Kentucky Association
of Theatre Owners has disclosed plans
to prepare a film for showing in the
state's theatres, much like one made
several years ago, which will empha-
size the hardship forced upon theatre
owners by these taxes. This was de-
cided at a meeting held to discuss
ways of aiding COMPO's tax fight.
1st NT Post-divorce
Board Meet Oct. 23
Hollywood, Oct. 6. — Na-
tional Theatres president
Charles Skouras today an-
nounced that the first meet-
ing of the board of directors
of the newly organized com-
pany since its divorcement
from 20th Century-Fox Film
Corp. will be held at company
headquarters here Oct. 23j
2
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, October 7, 1952
Personal
Mention
PHIL REISMAN, head of RKO
Radio foreign distribution, is
scheduled to return here tomorrow
from Europe.
•
Charles J. Feldman, Universal
general sales manager, and F. J. A.
McCarthy, Southern and Canadian
sales manager, left here yesterday for
Cincinnati.
•
Harold Boxall, director of Lon-
don Film Productions, will arrive here
today from Europe aboard the SrS:
Queen Mary.
John Ford, M-G-M director, is due
here today from the Coast en route
to Nairobi, Africa, tomorrow via
London.
Arthur Willi, RKO Radio's East-
ern talent head, has returned here
from Chicago.
New Jersey Allied
To Elect Oct. 14
A one-day meeting highlighted by
election of officers will be held by
New Jersey Allied on Oct. 14 at the
Hotel Astor here, Wilbur Snaper,
national Allied president who also
heads the New Jersey unit, announced
yesterday.
Asked if he is a candidate for re-
election to the unit's presidency,
Snaper said he had not given the
matter consideration. At present, he
said, "there are no candidates."
The meeting will feature a luncheon
at the Astor for members and a din-
ner following adjournment for mem-
bers and their wives at the Latin
Quarter here.
Snaper, as national Allied president,
will address the annual convention
of Allied Theatres of Michigan at the
Tuller Hotel, Detroit, Oct. 20-22, he
said. His topic will be arbitration,
he added, if the final draft of an in-
dustry system of arbitration is in
shape by that time.
Depinet Gets New
RKO Radio Office
Ned E. Depinet, former RKO
Radio president, now adviser and
consultant to the new management
group, has been given a 14th floor
office at the company's headquarters
in the RKO Building, Rockefeller
Center.
Depinet's former office on the 16th
floor is being used by Ralph Stolkin,
the new president.
L. A. Date for 'Hans'
Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans Christian
Andersen" has been set for a Los An-
geles pre-release engagement at the
Warner Beverly Theatre on Dec. 26,
according to an announcement by
James A. Mulvey, president of the
company.
Allied Declares War
(Contimi.ed from page 1)
preview of the tone which could be
expected at Allied's annual convention
in Chicago, Nov. 17-19, Snaper spoke
also in terms of "going to the govern-
ment for regulations" to restrict cer-
tain sales practices.
These were two of three steps he
indicated Allied was in a mood to
take against distributors. The third
would be "a stronger set-up for the
interchange of information among ex-
hibitors," with the specific aim of
"deterring over-aggressive salesmen."
This third step, Snaper said, envis-
aged the broadening of the scope of
Allied's "Caravan," a vehicle for dis-
seminating information on rentals and
other sales policies among Allied and
non-Allied exhibitors.
Snaper said that during the
past eight months he, in his
capacity as Allied film commit-
tee co-ordinator, has been
"overwhelmed by a deluge of
exhibitor complaints and re-
quests for solutions" in the
area of trade practices. He
said distributors "have lost
sight of the fact that they're
dealing with customers." Ac-
knowledging that as co-ordi-
nator he has been "criticized by
some members for trying to
work out a broad, national
basis for settling difficulties in-
stead of narrowing down the
issues," Snaper said the criti-
cism was justified.
"There's no sense kidding any
more," Snaper exclaimed. He said
distribution home offices disavow
charges against practices, attribute
difficulties to "over-aggressive sales-
men," and the practices continue.
The practices he chose to specify
were "advanced admission pictures on
which exhibitors can't make a profit,"
percentage selling, "exorbitant rentals,
such as 60-40," and "specializing pic-
tures out of existence."
Snaper said distributors regard per-
centage selling as a "panacea" in deal-
ing with exhibitors and "as the only
logical, businesslike way of merchan-
dising." Taking exception to this ap-
proach, he said "certain heads of dis-
tribution have agreed with me — but
what do they do about it ?" He added
that while big key runs do lend them-
selves to percentage deals, the vast
majority of small independents "would
do better, from a profit and loss
standpoint, to close down Monday
through Thursday" in the absence of
a sliding-scale "incentive" selling ap-
proach which would allow them a
larger margin of profit after grosses
reach a certain figure.
The Allied president con-
tended that some salesmen have
"personal" policies in dealing
with exhibitors. The salesmen
have a "get-even-with-the-ex-
hibitor" attitude, he maintained.
"Allied doesn't want government
control in the industry," Snaper said.
"That would be an extreme measure,"
he acknowledged when reminded by
a reporter that Abram F. Myers, Al-
lied general counsel, admonished last
year's convention that government
control of the industry was to be
disdained.
When asked if his proposal for "a
stronger set-up for the interchange of
information among exhibitors" fitted
in with the recently-announced inten-
tion of Alfred Starr, Theatre Owners
of America president, to strive for an
all-embracing single exhibitor organi-
zation or "forum," Snaper said he
had no comment on Starr's plan.
Asked also if he did not think arbi-
tration would be the solution to some
of the problems he enumerated, Sna-
per replied that he believed Myers was
"conservative" in estimating that "it
would be a matter of months" before
an arbitration system was agreed
upon. Snaper said he would advise
that distributors "go in for some soul-
searching." "Frankly," he added, "we
don't care who gets hurt — when
branch managers and salesmen are
proven to have injured exhibitors they
should be discharged or pensioned
off."
In the Allied president's
opinion producers "need ex-
hibitor advice" in making pic-
tures. He claimed that re-
makes and biographical pictures
seldom succeed at the box-of-
fice. When exhibitors partici-
pate in conferences with pro-
ducers, such as those sponsored
by the Council of Motion Pic-
ture Organizations, "it's like
talking to a blank wall," he
said.
However, he said he was pleased
to note the naming of Sherrill Cor-
win, West Coast circuit owner, as
head of the RKO Radio studio under
the new management arrangement.
"That's what I mean is needed," he
said. Corwin is a member of TOA.
Snaper said that perhaps many an
exhibitor's financial problems would
be solved if top pictures were provided
for mid-week showings as well as on
week-ends. However, he added de-
spairingly that "when we pleaded for
big pictures in September with the
return of top TV shows we didn't
get them."
The convention, Snaper said, is ex-
pected to set forth "concrete action
against the policies" in consequence of
meetings of trade practice film clinics
which will be a part of the annual
meeting. Convention clinics will be
staffed as follows, he announced :
small-towns of 3,500 population or
less — Charles Niles (chairman), Col.
H. A. Cole, John Mohrstadt, A. B.
Jeffries and J. R. Smith; large towns
up to 25,000 population — Ben Marcus
(chairman), Trueman T. Rembusch,
Snaper, Fred Beedle and Max Matz ;
large cities — John Wolf berg (chair-
man), Nathan Yamins, Ben Berger,
Alan Johnson and Henry Green-
berger ; key neighborhood and sub-
runs — Morris Finkle (chairman), Leon
Back, Norman Glassman, Louis Gold
and S. G. Prat ; outdoor theatres —
Rube Shor (chairman), C. Elmer
Nolte, O. F. Sullivan, Jay Wooten
and Leo T. Jones ; circuit buyers and
bidding — Irving Dollinger (chairman),
A. Berenson, Jack Kirsch and Arthur
Howard.
100 Booths Rented
For TESMA Show
The Theatre Equipment
Supply Manufacturers Asso-
ciation trade show, which will
be held in conjunction with
the national Allied convention
in Chicago, Nov. 17-19, al-
ready has rented space for
100 booths and more space
will be rented before conven-
tion time, Wilbur Snaper, Al-
lied president, reported here
yesterday.
'Wide Open' Allied
Meeting for Press
The national Allied convention in
Chicago, Nov. 17-19, will be "wide
open" to the trade press, Wilbur
Snaper, president of the exhibitor
organization, declared here yesterday.
He pointed out that it has been
customary for Allied conventions to
exclude the press from trade practice
film clinic sessions, although he
ackowledged that at last year's con-
vention in New York "a few" re-
porters were permitted to sit in on
these meetings for background pur-
poses.
At the private board meeting which
will precede the Chicago convention,
Snaper will recommend that this
year's clinics be opened to all trade
press repersentatives on an off-the-
record basis so that when the same
subjects are taken up on the floor
of^ the convention proper the reporters
will have a fuller grasp of what
transpires. Floor proceedings, he ad-
ded, will be open to unqualified press
coverage.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center — —
MARIO LANZA in
"BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE"
introducing DORETTA MORROW
Color by TECHNICOLOR - An M-G-M Picture
plus
SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION
SOB
JAMS
EOY
A Paramajnt Prturt TfechlUCcJt*"
Midnight Faotvr*
Nightly
HUGHB "0NE MINUTE
presents JQ ZERO"
Starring ROBERT M1TCHUM - ANN BLYTH
BROADWAY
CRITERION
AND 45th ST.
Brady, Secretary; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager: Gus H. Fausel Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine
Building, William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11
North Clark Street, FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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; International Motion Picture 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 7, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
NY First-runs
Review
(Continued from page 1)
Music Hall with $132,000 indicated,
and "Somebody Loves Me" at the
Roxy with $75,000. Both houses are
presenting spectacular stage shows as
well. The Roxy has "The Thief"
scheduled to open Oct. 15.
Still doing big business at the
Rivoli is "Snows of Kilimanjaro,"
the third stanza being on the way
to $57,000. "The Merry Widow" is
in store for a hefty $35,000 for the
second week.
"Just for You" is scheduled to bow
tomorrow at the Capitol, replacing
"The Quiet Man," for which a solid
$30,000 is being chalked up for the
seventh frame. The Criterion still is
going strong with "One Minute to
Zero," with $20,000 indicated for the
third week. "Lure of the Wilderness"
is seen grossing a nice $15,000 in its
initial week at the Globe.
Thursday will see "The World In
His Arms" taking over at the May-
fair where "High Noon" is bringing
$15,000 for the 11th and final seven
days. At the Astor, "The Miracle
of Our Lady of Fatima" is holding
firm with $15,000 due for the seventh
week. Tenth week of "Affair in
Trinidad" is giving the Victoria a
satisfactory $11,000.
The off-Broadway houses are con-
tinuing to do nicely with their hold-
overs: "The Amazing M. Fabre,"
Park Avenue, fourth week, $4,700 ;
"Man In the White Suit," Sutton,
27th week, $5,000; "Stranger .in Be-
tween," Fine Arts, eighth week,
$3,900; "Ivory Hunter," 52nd Street
Trans-Lux, seventh week, $4,900. "O.
Henry's Full House" will take over
at the 52nd Street house on Oct. 16.
Zukor Asserts
Way of a Gaucho
{20th Century-Fox)
T' WENTIETH CENTURY-FOX and the Moore-McCormack Lines com-
bined to present the world premiere of "Way of a Gaucho" in a fine
festive Oriental-lantern-lighted setting with loads of fun and food aboard the
deck of the South American plying steamer 6". 5. Argentine, tied to a dock in
New York's North River.
The production is a very robust "Western"-type affair produced in the
Argentine in color by Technicolor with the Pampas and the Andes in beau-
teous display for background. As a matter of fact one of the main achieve-
ments of producer Philip Dunne and director Jacques Tourneur is the scenic
splendor which at times resembles fine pastel etchings. Then, too, there are
remarkable native horses who streak over the plains guided by the thrilling
horsemanship of scads of Argentians who are known far and wide for their
prowess in the saddle.
Except for some slowly-paced intervals the production is pretty good en-
tertainment which could be improved by cutting a bit from its 91 minutes.
The marketable names of Rory Calhoun and Gene Tierney are at hand
for the use of the showman, capably aided and abetted by the leading sup-
port of Richard Boone, Hugh Marlowe and Everett Sloane, with hundreds of
extras lending impressive color in their many hued native costumes.
The screenplay by producer Dunne, based on the novel by Herbert Childs,
is explained in a foreword and tells about how, "three quarters of a century
ago, the Argentine Pampas still lay virtually unfenced, the free preserve of
those spirits who for many generations had called it their own — the gauchos.
As a special breed of men, answering only to their own laws and codes, they
have vanished. The pampa they knew is fenced and cultivated. The lean
cattle they herded have been replaced by blooded stock of modern Argentina.
But the memory of the gauchos still lives— enshrined forever in the heart of
the nation." ,,-■<, , n ^ «
It is against this invasion by modern men that head gaucho Rory Lalhoun
rides with his roaring fellow horsemen in some mighty bloody and at times
intriguing fighting. Calhoun and Miss Tierney are the principals in a ro-
mance that is threaded through the tale and results in her being with child
as the gauchos all around them in the over-long tale-telling live gaily and
freely with utter disregard and contempt for established government. Many
capable Argentine performers helped to put on the show.
Runnino- time, 91 minutes. Adult classification. For October release.
James P. Cunningham
(Continued from page 1)
MPTO of St. Louis
(Continued from page 1)
Rackmil Buys
(Continued from page 1)
dignitaries paved the way. Leon
Bamberger, sales promotion manager
for RKO Radio, spoke on film ad-
vertising in newspapers, stating that
in some parts of the country news-
papers were taking advantage of the
exhibitor. While stressing the im-
portance of newspaper advertising,
the speaker spotlighted the fair and
desirable insertion rate advertising
extended by some newspapers.
Larry W. Davee, sales manager
engineer for the Century Projecto
Corp. of New York, spoke on "three
dimensional projection." Davee point-
ed to the recent successful debut
of Cinerama — the three camera, three
projector — process in the Broadway
Theatre in New York as a sign of
the future.
Also on today's program were Wil-
liam Powell, district manager for the
Mid-West Drive-in Theatres, speak-
ing on "new product" of the major
film companies, illustrating his talk
with trailers of forthcoming pictures ;
Herman Levy, general counsel of
Theatre Owners of America, on "in-
dustry arbitration ;" and Ray Colvin,
executive director of Theatre Equip-
ment Dealers Association, who talked
on "The Motion Picture Industry as
A Business, An Art and A Social
Force."
The estimated 500 guests in at-
tendance were invited to a cocktail
party at the close of business. "The
Way of The Gaucho" was screened
for the gathering in the evening.
Tuesday's program, which gets
under way at 10 A. M. will feature
the election of officers.
also noted that the David J. Greene
Trust had acquired 5,000 shares of
RKO Theatres common, bringing its
holdings to 30,800. Besides this,
Greene holds 10,000 shares in partner-
ship and 3,600 with members of his
family.
Steve Broidy, Monogram president,
purchased 2,000 shares of common,
bringing his holdings to 45,299, in
addition to the options which he holds
for 2,000 shares. Norton V. Ritchey
gave away 1,000 shares of Monogram
common, reducing his holdings to
2,594.
' Other SEC transactions reported
were: Austin Keough's acquisition of
100 shares of Paramount Pictures
common, bringing his holdings to
350 shares; the acquisition of 750
shares of Trans-Lux common, his
entire holdings, by Joseph M. Viertel ;
and Loew's, Inc. acquisition of 57
shares of Loew's Boston Theatres
common, making total holdings of
129,991 shares.
Italian Film Week
(Continued from page 1)
Services Held for
James G. Doyle
Boston, Oct. 6.— Funeral services
were held today in Jamaica Plain,
Mass., for James G. Doyle, theatre
owner and ex-state Senator, who died
there at his home on Friday at the
age of 85.
Owner of the Broadway Theatre
in South Boston, he was a partner
of the American Theatres Corp. of
Boston in the Embassy and Central
Square theatres in Waltham, and
the Newton in West Newton. Doyle,
who retired from public life 40 years
ago after serving three terms in the
State Senate, is survived by a son
and two daughters.
officials, and cultural, economic and
civic leaders of New York.
Floyd Blair, president of the Phil-
harmonic Symphony Society, accepted
the scroll of proclamation, on behalf
of honorary chairman Winthrop W.
Aldrich, after the Mayor noted that
"it was the critics and public of the
city of New York who first acclaimed
and popularized the merits of post-
war Italian films, inspiring a group
of representative citizens to organize
a city-wide tribute to honor and en-
courage these achievements." Noted
arrivals were interviewed in the lobby
by Martin Starr on a live WINS
broadcast while WOV and the Voice,
of America tape-recorded interviews.
The opening night film was "The
Overcoat."
Earlier in the day the first event
of the Festival was the presentation
of two stones from the ancient Forum
of Rome by the Italian motion picture
industry to the people of New York
"as a symbol of the cultural and
democratic heritage that America and
contemporary Italy share." Nelson
A. Rockefeller and Deputy Mayor
Charles Horowitz acknowledged the
gift on the roof of the Palazzo d'ltalia
building in Rockefeller Center.
changed my opinion about motion pic-
tures since it all began 50 years ago.
I feel as strongly today about the fu-
ture of our business as I did when I
financed, caused to be produced and
distributed the first feature length
motion picture, 'Queen Elizabeth,' 40
years ago"
Zukor told the more than 100 Mid-
western exhibitors present that "every-
one must devote all their time and en-
ergy to rebuild the public's confidence
in motion pictures. We must work
harder in this transition period until
the public is sold on the idea that mo-
tion picture entertainment is worth-
while."
He closed by stating, "If exhibitors
expect pictures of the size, scope, and
quality of those that are now being
turned out by all Hollywood studios,
which are proving their ability to at-
tract the public, you must put forth
extra effort and employ all your in-
genuity in presenting these pictures to
the public."
Zukor expressed considerable inter-
est in doing everything possible "to
get the widest possible support by the
industry for smaller theatres in
smaller communities."
James J. Donohue, Central division
manager, presided over the special
meeting. Donohue introduced A. W.
Schwalberg, president of Paramount
Film Distributing Co., who in turn
introduced Zukor at the luncheon.
Schwalberg and Jerry Pickman, vice-
president in charge of advertising-
publicity, conducted discussions on
product and promotion later in the
day.
Also present at the meetings were
E. K. O'Shea, vice-president of Para-
mount Film Distributing Corp., and
Oscar A. Morgan, general sales man-
ager of short subjects and Paramount
News.
Zukor returned to New York late
tonight, accompanied by Sid Blumen-
stock, advertising manager and as-
sistant to Pickman.
Lipton to Confer on
Four New Releases
David A. Lipton, Universal Pictures
vice-president in charge of advertising
and publicity, will arrive here tomor-
row for 10 days of conferences with
home office executives on promotion
plans on four releases for the coming
three months.
He will outline promotional plans
on "Because of You," starring Loretta
Young and Jeff Chandler; "Against
Cinerama
(Continued from page 1)
cent, after certain operating costs but
before taxes, under its agreement with
Thomas-Todd Productions, w h i c h
runs to Dec. 31, 1956. After the first
$1,000,000 gross, Cinerama's percen-
tage declines gradually to 10 per
cent, the report states.
Thomas-Todd Productions and /or
Reeves Soundcraft Corp. owned about
53 per cent of Cinerama's common
stock as last reported in March, 1952,
according to the report. Cinerama
does not own the patents to the three-
dimensional process, but is licensed
by their owner, Vitarama Corp. Roy-
alties- payable range from five to 10
per cent of Cinerama's gross income,
the report states.
The report concludes that Cinerama
would have to gross approximately
$35,000,000 to earn $1 per share on
its presently outstanding common
stock, and if outstanding debentures
were converted and all stock options
and stock purchase warrents were
exercised, the gross wou1d have to
be approximatelv $50,000,000 to_ as-
sure the same $1 per share earnings.
All Flags," starring Errol Flynn and
Maureen O'Hara; "It Grows on
Trees," starring Irene Dunne, and
"Meet Me at the Fair," starring Dan
Dailey and Diana Lynn.
Outgrossing'Song In My Heart"!
LURE OF THE
WILDERNESS
Technicolor
Jean Peters • Jeffrey Hunter
Constance Smith
Based on a Story by Vereen Bell
Hew Record, Los Angeles!
0. Henry's
FULL HOUSE
12 GREAT STARS!
5 GREAT DIRECTORS!
5 GREAT WRITERS!
Top Money Everywhere!
MONKEY
BUSINESS
Cary Grant • Ginger Rogers
Charles Coburn • Marilyn Monroe
O
' y :" ',: -,\ /<i-:y. ■ ■ ; : ::t*£M- -k^kFkMtM^MlM^^MS^^^^^^^?-
Super-Tension!
The Year's
Hottest Musical!
THE STEEL
Damon Runyon's
TRAP
BLOODHOUNDS
Joseph Cotten • Teresa Wright
OF BROADWAY
A Bert Friedlob Production
Technicolor
Released by 20th Century-Fox
Mitzi Gaynor • Scott Brady
Spectacle... Adventure!
THE THIEF
OF VENICE
Maria Montez • Paul Christian
A Robert Haggiag Production
Released by 20th Century-Fox
There's No Business Ufo
They'll Love This One!
MY WIFE'S
BEST FRIEND
Anne
Baxter
Macdonald
Carey
Your Thanksgiving Date!
PONY
SOLDIER
Technicolor
Tyrone Power
Cameron Mitchell
Big In 3-Theatre
Miami Premiere!
WAY OF A
GAUCHO
Technicolor
Rory Gene
Calhoun • Tierney
Mr. 880 Is Back -
881 Times Funnier!
SOMETHING
FOR THE BIRDS
Victor Mature • Patricia Neal
Edmund Gwenn
Boxoffice Excitement!
NIGHT WITHOUT
SLEEP
Linda Darnell * Gary Merrill
Hildegarde Neff
It'll Steal Your Heart!
MY PAL 6US
Richard Widmark
Joanne Dru
Audrey Totter
George (Foghorn) Winslow
Your Big One For Christmas !
CLIFTON WEBB in
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA'S
STARS AND
STRIPES FOREVER
Technicolor
Debra Paget • Robert Wagner
Ruth Hussey
ERNEST HEMINGWAY'S
THE SNOWS OF
KILIMANJARO
Technicolor
Gregory Peck • Susan Hayward * Ava Gardner
Produced by
Darryl F. Zanuck
Directed by
Henry King
Screen Play by
Casey Robinson
$0* Century-Fox 6
usiness:
P
Branch Managers' Testimonial Sept. 28 Dec. 11
I
6
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, October 7, 1952
Barnett
{Continued from page 1)
convention vice-president, John W.
Servies, vice-president, National The-
atre Supply ; secretary, Edward S.
Seeley, Altec; governors — East, Gor-
don A. Chambers and Charles L.
Townsend; governors — Central, Frank
E. Carlson and Malcolm G. Towns-
ley; governors — West, William A.
Mueller and Leroy M. Dearing.
Assuming the office of engineering
vice-president today, to serve through
Dec. 31, 1953, is Henry J. Hood, East-
man Kodak. He was appointed last
July to fill a vacancy.
All officers will start their terms on
Jan. 1.
Televised to Pentagon
At today's luncheon, opening the
convention, members heard three high
level Army, Navy and Air Force offi-
cers discuss communications and pho-
tography in the service. The program
was televised to a specially selected
audience in the Pentagon by the
Army. Captain A. D. Fraser, of the
office of the chief of naval operations
and chief of naval photography, told
the group that the Navy was depend-
ent on the motion picture films shown
to its forces. "The entertainment mo-
tion pictures provide is probably our
greatest morale booster," he said. He
pointed out that the motion picture
industry "very generously operates a
comprehensive on-the-job training
course for selected personnel," with a
"completeness of instruction" that
could not be given by a service
school."
Major General George I. Back,
chief signal officer of the Army, asked
the group for its continued coopera-
tion in the research and development
of motion pictures and television. He
emphasized the importance of sound
motion picture films in training, in
public information and as a means
of "pictorially documenting military
history," calling motion pictures "an
irreplaceable tool." Television has
become available as another medium
of communications, he said, "which
offers tremendous possibilities with its
potential of speed and accuracy."
11 Branch Managers
At U-I Studio
Hollywood, Oct. 6. — Universal Pic-
tures' new program to acquaint its
field sales executives with forthcom-
ing product and studio operations is
slated to get under way tomorrow
when 11 branch managers from all
sections of the country attend a series
of conferences.
Besides viewing new films and get-
ting a closeup of studio functions, the
branch managers will meet with stu-
dio executives headed by N. J. Blum-
berg, chairman of the board; Mil-
ton R. Rackmil, president ; William
Goetz, in charge of production ; Ed-
ward Muhl, vice-president and gen-
eral manager of the studio.
HAS SO SWELL IDEAS
for Selling Your
SHOW! ~T
For All Tour Tralltr Requirement?
FILM A C K. TRAIL Eft CO MP ANY
Television Radio
with Pinky Herman
BALLOTS FOR Motion Picture Daily— FAME poll (15th
radio and fourth television, respectively) have already been sent
out to more than 800 radio and TV editors, columnists and critics
of newspapers, magazines and periodicals all over the country. This
exclusive audit of personalities survey is more important today than
ever due to the rapidly expanding TV field and the ever^increasing
interdependence of both the motion picture and television industries
upon each other. The winners and runners-up, based upon the com-
bined opinions and votes of impartial judges, best qualified to pass
on the merits of performers and programs, will be revealed near the
end of the year. To all candidates we say, "Good Luck" and to our
hundreds of friends who year after year have taken the time and
trouble to fill out and mail in to us their selections, "Thanks
again.
ft ft
In a most unusual step local 411, Bethlehem, Pa., of the
American Federation of Musicians, has voted Charles San-
ford, musical director of "Your Show of Shows" 'the man
responsible for the finest music heard on TV today.' He
will be feted next Monday with a testimo-
nial dinner at the American Legion Hall
in nearby Hellertown, Pa. and will be pre-
sented with a plaque. . . . Segmentation of
the "Mike & Buff" 45-minute CBSeries of
telecasts into three different 15-minute stan-
zas has resulted in a vast improvement.
Change should attract a larger share of the
3:15 to 4:00 P.M. viewers. . . . Bill Slater's
sparkling WABDuMontage, "Broadway To
Hollywood," has been renewed for the
tenth time by Tidewater Associated Oil Co.
Agency is Lennen & Mitchell. ... In the year
since he started his WPTZippy series, "Let
George Do It," emcee George Skinner has
sold the good citizens of Philadelphia and
environs a variety of household items. However, last Wednes-
day morning on his (9:00-10:00 A.M.) program George added
another co-op sponsor, the Pineway Stables of Pineville, Pa.
Believe it or not, he is SELLING thoroughbred race horses
on easy payment terms. His punchline? "Skinner never skins
you." . . .
Charles Sanford
ft
ft
ft
After a couple of semesters on his new CBSaturday (8:00 P.M.)
telecasts, comic Jackie Gleasoii has definitely established himself
as a formidable foe to NBC's "All-Star Revue." If he can main-
tain the pace he's been setting week in and week out, the initials
'J.G.' will also mean 'Just Great.' . . . Energetic and lovable Bob
Ring of the Newark Public Safety Commission lias recovered
from a severe illness and his radio and TV performer pals
{who've helped him countless times to put on successful shozvs
for the PAL and other worthy causes) are much happier. . . .
Sid Feller, Capitol Records A & R exec, who is responsible for
the Jane Froman orchestral arrangements for her wax sessions,
will likewise make all special arrangements for the thrush's new
TVehicle "Canteen USA" which CBStarts next Tuesday. . . .
This scribbler is neither a Yankee nor a Dodger Fan but rather
a baseball fan so we've just got to bow low to the producers and
cameramen for transmitting via WOR-TV practically every im-
portant bit of acton in the fifth World Series game Sunday at
the Stadium. The stellar roles portrayed by Duke Snider, Andy
Pafko, Bill Cox, Carl Erskine and Johnny Mize, were matched
by Mutual's TV WORkers. ...
ft
ft ft
LOTSA DOTS . . . Ventriloquist "Skeets" Minton will star on
a new series of TV shows, "All Aboard," starting CBSunday, Oct.
19. Lionel (Trains) Corp. will sponsor the Lester Lewis Package,
scripted by Lawrence Markes and Mort Lewis. . . . Football WAB-
Dopesters Win Elliot and Denny Meyer have teamed up to present
an interesting series every Sunday following the pro games. . . .
Former movie star Jeffrey Lynn's performance Sunday on Philco's
"The Black Sheep," was a masterpiece of underplaying a difficult
role. Jeff, who's been out of town playing stock, should be seen more
often on TV. . . . Paula Stone, Mike Sloane and Jack Donohue, "Top
Banana," execs have formed a company to discover new talent. . . .
NEWS
in Brief . .
Washington, Oct. 6. — Atlantic
Video was granted a permit for the
construction of a commercial tele-
vision station at Asbury Park, by the
Federal Communications Commission.
President and majority stockholder
of Atlantic Video is Walter Reade,
Jr., head of Walter Reade Theatres.
•
Springfield, Mass., Oct. 6. — A
sellout at the Capitol and Art thea-
tres here and a turnout of approxi-
mately 100,000 are expected at the
world premiere of Warner's "Spring-
field Rifle" tomorrow night. Mayor
Daniel Brunton has honored the Gary
Cooper-starrer by declaring "Spring-
field Rifle Week." Cast notables on
hand for the festivities are David
Brian, Guinn (Big Boy) Williams
and Phyllis Kirk.
•
The Century Room of the Hotel
Woodstock here will become the
permanent home for the Associated
Motion Picture Advertisers' class in
showmanship starting Thursday, ac-
cording to Harry K. McWilliams,
AMPA president. S. Barret McCor-
mick, advertising director of RKO
Radio, will be the guest lecturer
for that, the third meeting.
•
M. R. (Duke) Clark, formerly
Central South and Southwest division
manager for Paramount Pictures,
has been appointed special representa-
tive for the Council of Motion Picture
Organizations, it was announced bv
Robert W. Coyne, COMPO special
counsel.
Oct. 14 Pre-Hearing
On Theatre TV
Washington, Oct. 6. — A prehear-
ing conference for attorneys at the
theatre television hearing on Oct. 20
will be held on Oct. 14 to establish
procedure and order of testimony at
the hearing, the Federal Communica-
tions Commission announced today.
The main portion of the theatre
TV hearing will commence on Jan.
12 but the first phase of the hearing,
on engineering and accounting aspects,
is slated to open here on Oct. 20
and run for about a week.
'Movietime' Tours
{Continued from page 1)
and stimulate business. This has been
proven."
Movietime has not set any definite
schedule for the number of tours to be
sent out during the coming year,
O'Donnell stated.
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
FIRST
IN
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
Accurate
i
Concise
VOL. 72. NO. 70
NEW YORK, U. S. A., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1952
TEN CENTS
Sharp Rise in
Payrolls of
Film Industry
Reflected in 1st Quarter
Labor Department Report
Washington, Oct. 7. — Industry
payrolls for employes covered by
unemployment insurance were more
than $7,000,000 higher in the first
quarter of 1952 than in the same quar-
ter of 1951, the Department of Labor
reported today.
The over-all industry figure
for the first quarter of 1952 was
$163,161,000, compared with a
1951 first quarter figure of
$155,875,000.
First quarter payrolls for produc-
tion and distribution were $79,467,000
in 1952 and $71,811,000 in 1951, show-
ing an increase of more than $7,500,-
000. Payrolls in the service category
also showed an increase— $9,847,000
for 1952, against $8,825,000 for 1951.
Payrolls in the category of theatres,
including vaudeville, dropped slightly,
however, with $73,847,000 for the first
1952 quarter and $75,239,000 for the
(Continued on page 5)
Extension to 16mm.
Suit Defendants
Arnold Picker Is Named
RKO Radio Executive V-P
Arbitration Kills
Need for Fair
Trade Code: Levy
St. Louis, Oct. 7. — Since "almost
all trade practice grievances are ar-
bitrable" under the pending draft of
an industry arbitration system, the
industry for the first time in its his-
tory will not need a code of fair
trade practices, Herman M. Levy,
Theatre Owners of America general
counsel, today told the convention of
M. P. T. O. of St. Louis, Eastern
Missouri and Southern Illinois at the
Chase Hotel here.
Said Levy : "I sincerely believe that
{Continued on page 5)
Daff Cites Injury
From French Crisis
Hollywood, Oct. 7. —Defendants in
the Government's suit charging con-
spiracy in withholding 16 mm. prints
from television and other outlets today
were given a month's extension of
date for filing answer in Federal Court
here, W. C. Dixon, West Coast chief
of the. anti-trust division of the De-
partment of Justice, told Motion Pic-
ture Daily today. The original an-
swer date was Oct. 15.
Dixon said the extension was grant-
ed under the stipulation that defend-
ants would not seek to transfer the
case from here to the East for trial.
Sees New Color TV
System by Mid-1953
Washington, Oct. 7. — The National
Television System Committee will
probably have a new color television
system to demonstrate to the Federal
Communications Commission by mid-
1953, an NTSC officer told the So-
ciety of Motion Picture and Television
Engineers.
A. V. Lougtigren told some 500
(Continued on page 5)
"Limelight
99
Ohio Reels Action
Appeal Still Pends
Toledo, O., Oct. 7.— If the
City of Toledo does not file
an appeal by Friday in the in-
dustry's Ohio newsreel cen-
sorship case, or does not ask
meanwhile for a deadline ex-
tension, an appeal cannot be
taken.
c
United Artists' Foreign Distribution
Head Will Direct Worldwide Sales for
Stolkin's Group; Choice a Popular One
Arnold Picker, vice-president in charge of foreign distribution for
United Artists, and a partner in that company, will become executive
vice-president of RKO Radio Pictures on Nov. 15, it was announced
yesterday. The post, a new one, will place Picker in charge of all
RKO Radio sales and distribution
operations.
The appointment, made from in-
dustry ranks, is a popular one with
the trade. It
was viewed as
particularly sig-
nificant because
of the impor-
tance of the po-
sition, the first
of its kind to
be filled by the
new manage-
ment since tak-
ing over admin-
istration of the
company last
Week, and for
the insight it
provided into
the thinking of the new owners of the
controlling stock interest in RKO
Pictures.
Company officials indicated that de-
cisions as to executive personnel in
RKO Radio's distribution organiza-
tion, both domestic and foreign, will
be entirely Picker's responsibility.
Robert Mochrie heads RKO Radio's
domestic sales and Phil Reisman, due
here today from a European business
trip, heads the foreign.
According, to sources outside RKO
Radio, the offer which tempted Picker
to leave U. A. includes a block of
(Continued on page 5)
American distributing companies in
France will suf-
fer an irretriev-
able loss this
season due to
the delay in
Franco - Ameri-
can negotia-
tions, namely,
"one -half the
season will be
gone before any
new American
films will be
played there,
excluding one
or two left over
from last year,"
it was disclosed here yesterday by Al
Daff, executive vice-president of Uni-
versal, following his return from a
(Continued on page 5)
Alfred Daff
[United Artists]
HARLES CHAPLIN'S first film in exactly five years is an
enthralling- emotional experience that harkens back to his earlier
great films for much superb stylized comedy that made Chaplin
one of the greatest boxoffice draws in motion picture history. This is a
simple, appealing tale about a young ballet dancer who falls in love with
an aged, once-famous, English music hall clown that for the greater
part of two hours and twenty-one minutes should prove immensely enter-
taining- for any audience.
A continuous juxtaposition of sequences of success and failure, joy
and sorrow, results in the remarkable illusion of the tragi-comic aspects
of life, as one minute you howl at the pantomime of a tramp-clown not
unlike the old Charlie and the next are saddened by the protagonist's
realization that his once great fame is gone.
While the story is effective the great moments of the film are those in
which Chaplin's comic genius is evident, such as the1 clown's' drunken,
rolling ascendance of the stairs, his perplexed sniffing of cigar, and shoes
while the suicide-by-gas is being attempted by dancer Claire Bloom, his
rising to the occasion by determinedly battering the door down, and his later
imitation of flowers, and playing up to the landlady when the rent is overdue.
Chaplin's low comedy monologue with fleas, "The Animal Trainer," and
(Continued on page 4)
Arnold Picker
A MP A Enlists Four
More for Faculty
Four more industry promotional ex-
ecutives have joined the faculty of the
Associated Motion Picture Advertis-
ers' school in showmanship, Harry K.
McWilliams, AMPA president, an-
nounced here yesterday.
The new lecturers are : Maurice
Bergman, assistant to the president
of Universal-International ; Seymour
Morris, director of advertising-pub-
licity-exploitation for the Schine Cir-
cuit, Gloversville; Sid Mesibov, Para-
(Continued on page 5)
2
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, October 8, 1952
Personal
Mention
HOWARD DEITZ, advertis-
ing - publicity vice-president of
M-G-M, will be guest speaker at the
Boston Advertising Club weekly
luncheon meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
•
James R. Grainger, Republic exe-
cutive vice-president in charge of dis-
tribution, will leave here today for
New Orleans, the first stop on a trip
through the West and Southwest. He
will return to New York on Oct. 27.
•
Mannie A. Brown arrived in Buf-
falo Monday from Cleveland to take
over as United Artists manager there
succeeding Dave Leff, who will man-
age the UA branch in Cleveland.
Betty Barnstead, secretary to
Charles M. Reagan, M-G-M general
sales manager, will be married Nov. 8
to Thomas Bernard Rice at bt.
Agnes Church here.
John Schlesinger, executive of the
Schlesinger film interests in bouth
Africa, and Dick Harmel, general
manager, were in Hollywood from
that country.
e
Pandro S. Bekman, M-G-M pro-
ducer, and Richard Thorpe, direc-
tor, are due in New York from the
Coast Friday en route to Jamaica,
B. W. I.
e
Samuel N. Burger, Loew's Inter-
national sales manager, will leave here
by plane today on an around-the-world
inspection tour of approximately 10
weeks.
Sid Goldstein of M-G-M's publi
city department yesterday became the
father of a girl, born to Mrs. Gold-
stein at Brooklyn Women's Hospital.
•
Harry Fellerman, Universal spe
cial films division sales head, has re
turned to New York from a three-
week tour of exchanges.
Edward L. Hyman, United Para
mount Theatres vice-president, and his
assistant, Bernard Levy, are in Det
roit from New York.
Richard Brandt, Brandt Theatres
executive, and Mrs. Brandt, have left
New York for a two-week Florida
vacation.
John Parsons, division manager,
Telenews Theatres, San Francisco, is
a father for the first time.
Helen Deutsch, M-G-M screen
writer, will leave here for the Coast
by plane Sunday.
Frank H. McCormick of DuPont
has announced his retirement from the
company.
Harold G. Harris, Detroit booker
for M-G-M, is in town vacationing.
Joseph Kaufman, producer, has
left here for the Coast.
IFE May Set up Distribution
Firm for Italian Films
Newsreel
Parade
Tentative plans to establish a U.S.
distribution agency for Italian films by
the Italian Film Export organization
were disclosed here yesterday by Dr.
Eitel Monaco, president of the Na-
tional Association of Motion Picture
and Allied Industries of Italy, and Dr.
Renato Gualino, general director of
IFE.
Gualino said the decision _ on IFE
setting up its own distribution com-
pany for the American market would
be made within the next two weeks,
before his return to Rome. Both
Gualino and Monaco saw the necessity
of broadening the American market
for Italian product.
The IFE director acknowledged
that other avenues for distribution are
also being explored. He said explora-
tory talks have been held with United
Artists and new Lippert franchise
holders, among other distribution com-
panies.
The main stress, however, was put
on the possibility of the IFE establish-
ing its own agency, with funds accru-
ing to the IFE under the Italo- Ameri-
can film agreement. If the IFE takes
such a step, Gualino said that the Lux
Film Distribution Co., which handles
Italian films in the American market
and which is headed by Gualino, would
cease operation.
Implementation of IFE's ear-
lier decision to provide English-
dubbed Italian films for the
American market was also dis-
closed. A sound-recording cor-
poration, capitalized at $200,-
000, will begin operation here
within the next few months, it
was stated.
The tentative plans of the projected
distributing organization, which would
be operated on a commercial basis in
competition with other distribution
corporations, Gualino said, calls for the
setting up of from five to seven ex-
change offices in the U.S. He said the
aim of the new agency would be to
distribute about 25 films designed for
the Italian-speaking public per year
and from six to 12 "major" Italian
pictures for the general public yearly.
Gualino said Italian producers would
be free to distribute through the IFE
or American distribution agencies
under the projected set-up. The pur-
pose of the IFE organization would
be to group Italian product in an
effort to gain a greater penetration of
the American market he said. The
dubbing program of the IFE was also
cited by Gualino as an effort to ex-
pand in the American market.
The possibility of independent film
importers launching an Italian picture
in the New York market, with the
IFE distributing elsewhere, was ac-
knowledged by Gualino and Monaco.
The IFE president said that no films
have as yet been committed to the pro-
j ected organization, but during his stay
here he will confer with major Italian
producers, currently visiting New
York in conjunction with "balute to
Italian Films Week."
Also present at the press conference
was Nicoli de Pirro, director general
of the Entertainment Industry Bureau
Sullivan Is Named
20th Publicity Head
Edward E. bullivan has been named
publicity manager of 20th Century-
Fox, by Charles Einfeld, vice-presi-
dent, bullivan replaces btirling Silli-
phant, who re-
signed to pro-
duce.
bullivan, who
has been with
20th Century-
Fox since 1946
following five
years of service
with the Eighth
Air Force in
Europe, has
been assistant
publicity man-
ager of the
company for the
past three years.
During that period he has been on
the national committees of the Cancer
Fund Drive, the Heart Fund and the
American Red Cross.
billiphant, who will start produc-
tion on "The Joe Louis Story" in
January, will remain with the com-
pany until that time in an advisory
capacity.
Edward Sullivan
of the Italian government, who stress
ed the "dollar situation" _ in future
negotiations for a new Italian-Ameri
can film agreement. While here, he
said he would talk with Motion Pic
ture Association of America officials,
but added that it would be "pre-
mature" to describe such talks as
negotiations. The current agreement
expires in June, 1953.
Italo Gemini, president of the Ital-
ian exhibitors organization, and E. R.
Zorgniotti, U.S. representative of IFE,
were also present.
Johnston Stresses
Reciprocity in Trade
Reciprocity in international trade
was underscored here yesterday by
Eric Johnston, president of the Motion
Picture Association of America, in a
luncheon address at the Waldorf As
toria before top representatives of the
American and Italian film industries.
The necessity of increased buying
abroad was also stressed by Johnston,
who was host at the luncheon in honor
of the visiting leaders of the Italian
industry.
Dr. Clemente Boniver, consular of
the Italian Embassy, one of the three
guest speakers of the Italian industry,
said that Italy is counting on increased
film business in the United States as
one of the ways of reducing its sizable
gap in dollar balances. He praised the
support given to Italian films by the
American public and the American
industry.
Nicoli de Pirro, director general of
the Entertainment Industry Bureau of
the Italian Government, said the suc-
cess of Italian films in this country
rHE WORLD SERIES is the'
highlight of all current newsreels,
.eatured along with the Presidential
"whistle-stop" war, the death of speed- .
king John Cobb, Tito and his new
wife. Complete contents follow:
FOX MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 82—
U. S. unveils first atomic artillery. Speed-
king Cobb dies in explosion. Tito shows off
new bride. Football. World's Series.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 212— Green-
land rescue drama. Gales battle ship. Tito's
wife makes debut. First atomic gun. Foot-
ball. Cobb meets death beating speed record.
World's Series.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. IS — The
World's Series. Soviet vs. Ambassador
Kennan. Football game of the week: Wis-
consin beats Illinois.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 41A— Steven-
son scores Republicans. Italian film stars
arrive. Films of Tito and wife. Italian
peasants get reclaimed land. NATO com-
manders meeting. Roller skating. World's
Series.
UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL, No. 402—
Truman, Stevenson and Eisenhower on
whistle stops. Greenland rescue. John Cobb's
boat crackup. Football highlights. Yanks
the new world champions.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 17—
Death of John Cobb. Amazing Arctic res-
cue. Army unveils atomic cannon. Eisen-
hower on Midwest swing. Stevenson in
Midwest. Truman on whistle-stop tour.
Lippert Franchise
In N.Y, to Favorite
Favorite Pictures, owned by Moe
Kerman and Joe Felder, has taken a
three-year franchise on the Lippert
Pictures exchange in New York, it
was disclosed here yesterday with the
resignation of D. M. Swhmer as branch
manager of the exchange as of Oct. 25. .
Sohmer, who resigned after five
years in the post, has no immediate
plans ; he will vacation for three to
four months. No successor has yet
been named.
Promoting 'Louis Story'
National magazine publicity cam-
paign for "The Joe Louis Story"
kicKed off yesterday with a color cover
and a story in Ebony, it was an-
nounced by Stirling Silliphant, the
film's producer. As producer-publicist
of the Louis screen biography, Silli-
phant has planned a two-phase na-
tional magazine campaign for the pic-
ture, with breaks now, in advance of
production, concentrating on Louis, to
be followed by breaks just prior to
and with the July release covering the
film itself.
will insure "a continued open door"
for American films in Italy.
Among those on the dais, besides
the speakers, were : Arthur B. Krim,
president of United Artists ; Barney
Balaban, president of Paramount Pic-
tures ; Dr. Renato Gualino, general di-
rector of Italian Film Exports ; Italo
Gemino, head of the Italian exhibitors'
organization ; Baron Carlo de Fer-
rariis, Italian consul general, and John
McCarthy, MPAA vice-president.
In conjunction with "Salute to Ital-
ian Films Week," independent pro-
ducer and importer Jules Levey was
host at a supper last night to Italian
film executives at the Plaza Hotel.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley. Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting Editor Published daily, except Saturdays,
Sundays and holiday! by Quigley Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address : "Qmgpubco,
New York" Slartfn Quigley, President; Martin Quigley. Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J.
BrTdy Secretary; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-V.ne
Building? William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley Advertising Representative FI 6-3074; Bruce Trin
North Clark Street, FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington D C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq , London Wl
Burnup Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres and Iheatre Sales
a section of Motion Picture Herald; International Motion Picture Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter, bept. <il
the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies. 10c
z. Editorial Representative, 11
, Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter
„, each published 13 times a year as
1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y.. under
Wednesday, October 8, 1952
3
National
Pre-Selling
Review
r OP-SIDE national pre-selling for
this week is the double-truck
in Look, dated Oct. 21, now on the
news stands, which features Univer-
sale "Back at the Front"— and lists
all the runs starting Oct. 15— from
Anniston, Alabama, to Anchorage,
\laska, with theatre names and play-
dates. This is David E. Lipton's
policy, which is worth more in na-
tional pre-selling than tons of national
magazine space four or five months
removed from any theatre playdate
outside of pre-release engagements.
We hope that theatre managers will
buy several copies of this week's Look,
make a lobby display of the advertis-
ing, and show it as proof of the fact
that you are running a first-string
picture. Don't wait for your patrons
to ask for it; the risks are against
you. The same issue has a five-page
pictorial story on Audrey Hepburn—
"the new Hepburn"— whom, they say,
"capitivated Paramount executives
with the same puckish charm that
brought bravos from Broadway."
•
Seventeen, magazine for teen-agers,
has sent copies of the issue which re
viewed "The Big Sky" to 600 exhxbi
tors, with a folder offering free tieup
promotional material to the theatres. . . .
The October issue of The fSign, a
Catholic publication, reviews "Because
You're Mine" and says in parts "A
Technicolor musical rich in entertain-
ment value for all -the family." The
picture is also selected by American
magazine as its "Picture - of - the-
Month" for October. . . . A special
photographic layout in the November
Pageant lists "the beauties of four
nations," including Elizabeth Taylor,
Leslie Car on, Marilyn Monroe, Greta
Garbo, Jean Simmons and Sarah
Churchill.
American Weekly, next Sunday,
will have a four-color, center-double
truck, reproducing the 24 - sheet
poster for "The Snows of Kiliman-
jaro" which may be displayed in
theatre lobbies to advertise the
coming attraction. It has real poster
quality. . . . Photoplay is advertis-
ing in the New York Daily News to
sell its November issue to the
public, with an exclusive story, "Liz
Taylor Tells All," as the lead arti-
cle. . . . Coronet for October does
the unusual by using an article on
Marilyn Monroe without a picture
of "the blowtorch blonde." Tag line
of the piece is "Don't believe those
stories you hear— she's a good girl."
. . . Pictorial Review, next Sunday,
will have a political interview by
Louella Parsons with Clare Boothe
Luce, who believes that all good
Republicans should come to the aid
of their party.
Something for the Birds
(20th Century-Fox)
A BRIGHT, though unpretentious comedy about Washington lobbyists
has been tailored by script-writer I. A. L. Diamond and Boris Ingster
to accommodate the whimsical histrionics of Edmund Gwenn, the pattern for
whose future screen performances was set several years ago in "The Miracle
on 34th Street." Herein he emerges as an obscure engraver of invitations to
gay Capital parties who pockets copies of his handiwork and, attired in dinner
jacket, joins in the affairs in the guise of a retired Navy admiral with a
bit of influence to peddle.
Co-starring are Victor Mature and Patricia Neal, the former as a pro-
fessional utilities lobbyist and the latter an amateur at the game who was
sent by a committee of California bird-lovers to persuade Congressmen to
vote against a Continental Gas Co. project which threatens the California
Condor with extermination. Gwenn, who develops affection for both, soon
finds himself drawn into the antagonism their respective aims engender. After
Mature, over Gwenn's protest, sends the latter's landlady one of several
new refrigerators he is at liberty to dispose of as gifts, Congressional probers
gleefully find themselves conducting a spectacular hearing, replete with TV
cameras. At this point audience snickers mount into belly laughs, for pro-
ducer Samuel G. Engel and director Robert Wise forego no opportunity to
put TV and hearing techniques "on the pan."
Gwenn is exposed as a fraud, of course, but still is welcomed in Washing-
ton society because he has become so beloved for himself. Mature and Miss
Neal, by now very much in love, arrive at a happy ending compromise. Others
who contribute to the farcical proceedings are Larry Keating, Gladys Hurlbut,
Hugh Sanders and Christian Rub. Based on stories by Alvin M. Josephy,
Joseph Petracca and Ingster; "Something for the Birds" should fare well at
the box-office under a promotional campaign that capitalizes on the public
interest Congressional investigations have excited of late.
Runnino- time, 81 minutes. General audience classification. October release.
Charles L. Franke
'Fun vs. Vandalism'
Show at Ohio House
Cleveland, Oct. 7.— A "Fun
vs. Vandalism" show will be
presented Friday, Oct. 31 at
the Hilliard Square Theatre
by manager Sam Fritz in co-
operation with a group of
merchants, the Lakewood
school board and PTA and
the Palewood police and lire
departments, with intent to
keep as many youngsters as
possible off the streets on
Hallowe'en.
Merchants are providing
free doughnuts and cider to
the youngsters, served by
PTA members. They are also
providing prizes for contests
involving costumes, pie eating
and apple ducking. All school
bulletin boards will carry an-
nouncements of the special
"spook" show which manager
Fritz has promoted without
any cost to the theatre other
than the cost of a couple of
"horror" features to be flashed
on the screen at 10:30 P.M.
4IA' Poll Underway
On Exchange Pacts
Fla. Theatre Files
Trust Action Here
Ebony magazine for November has
a cover picture of Joe Lewis and an
inside story which proves that promo-
tion for "The Joe Lewis Story" has
really started. . . . About six months
ago, a man walked into the office of
Dan Terrell, M-G-M's exploitation
director, placed a strip of clear plastic
on the window and there it stuck, no
tape, no gum, no glue! Since that
day, Morris Frisch public relations
man, has produced these stickons for
industry use. •
Walter Brooks
IATSE exchange locals represent-
ing front office and back room "white
collar" employes yesterday began to
receive from "IA" headquarters here
ballots to be used in a national re-
ferendum on the question whether the
union's headquarters or the locals in-
dividually should negotiate with the
companies for contracts which will be
effective Dec. 1.
Present contracts were negotiated
two years ago by the "IA" headquar-
ters following a similar referendum.
Excepted were the New York ex-
change workers whose contracts here-
tofore have been negotiated by "IA"
Home Office Employes Local No.
H-63 under the guidance of Russell
M. Moss, H-63 executive vice-presi-
dent. That local this year will par-
ticipate in the ballotting for the first
time.
The referendum, covering some
5,000 members of 65 locals in 33 ex-
change cities, is being conducted on
the principle of majority rule. Thus,
if a majority of the 65 locals vote
for a particular negotiating procedure,
all others are bound by this result.
At the "IA's" recent biennial con-
vention a resolution, yet to be acted
upon, asked the union's executive
board to rule whether committees rep-
resenting the individual locals could
join in talks if the national vote re-
sults in the designation of headquar-
ters as the negotiating principal. _
The 1951 negotiations resulted in a
$1,000,000 per year pay raise for the
5,000 workers.
John J. and Agnes Gillooly, oper-
ators of the Capital Theatre, St.
Petersburg, Fla., yesterday filed a
$1,800,000 triple-damage anti-trust suit
against eight major distributors in
U. S. District Court here. Florida
Coastal Theatres also was named a
defendant.
Asks Injunction
The complaint asked for a court in-
junction to enjoin the defendants from
"allocating first and subsequent runs
to affiliated theatres, and to enjoin
defendants from granting any clear-
ance to affiliated theatres competing
| with the Capital.
Charging discrimination against the
Capital in allocating product, the com-
plaint asserts that the location and size
of the St. Petersburg house entitles it
to product that is superior to what
it has been getting.
4 M -G-M Foreign
Managers Promoted
The retirement of Luis Sarmiento
as manager for Metro-Goldwyn-
Mayer in Peru after 19 years, has
resulted in four company promotions
in the foreign field, it was disclosed
here yesterday by Morton A. Spring,
first vice-president of Loew's Interna-
tional Corp.
The Peruvian post will be taken by
Alberto Walker, who moves from the
top post in Colombia. Robert Schmitt
will become manager in Colombia,
vacating the top position in Austria.
Wolfgang Wolf will go from manager
of Venezuela to manager of Austria.
Bernard Blair of the M-G-M office
in Sao Paulo, Brazil, has been named
manager in Venezuela.
Gem Theatre Destroyed
Boston, Oct. 7— The Gem Theatre
in East Boston was completely de-
stroyed by a fire started by an ex-
plosion of an oil tank. Damage to the
house was estimated at $45,000.
Akron House Reopens
Akron, O., Oct. 7.— The Liberty
Theatre, dark for the past year, will
shortly be reopened with Ray Brown
as managing director in charge of buy-
ing, booking and management. Brown,
former manager of the State Theatre,
Cuyahoga Falls, is currently in the
advertising business. His theatre ac-
tivities will be in addition to this.
AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL SHOWMEN!
REMEMBER THE GOOD OLD DAYS?
Back in early 1933, we started Astor on the big- re-
issue road which resulted in a great success for us and
our franchise distributors. As a result, the reissue was
born and other Independents followed suit tabbing Astor,
the "Father of the Reissue."
A great part of this success stemmed from the good
old showmanship days! . . . How many of you showmen
remember the thrill it was to plan a small exploitation
campaign and be rewarded with above normal business —
and the cost of this campaign — practically nil compared
to the grosses. Believe me, we are not preaching, but
bringing back fond memories of days gone by that can
verv well be again.
Back in those days, copy like— "Back BY POPULAR
REQUEST . . . HUNDREDS OF PATRONS DE-
MANDED THE RETURN OF THIS GREAT MOTION
PICTURE" — and backed by a little honest showmanship,
ALWAYS scored top results at your boxofnee! IT CAN
HAPPEN AGAIN— AGAIN and AGAIN. Good motion
pictures, like good stage plays, are worth repeating over
and over again, especially when you can snare a big
R. M. SAVIN
reissue at a fair rental leaving a larger profit
Sincerely,
R. M. Savini, President
ASTOR PICTURES CORP.
ISO West 46th St., N.Y.C.
Advt.
4
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, October 8, 1952
"Limelight^
{Continued from page 1)
his delightful reaction to love, in "Spring Is Here," are memorable and his
rendering of "The Sardine Song" is good, but perhaps the most hilarious is
his finale with Buster Keaton in which they satirize a violinist and pianist
playing classical music.
THE story, which Chaplin wrote in addition to directing, producing and
composing a hauntingly sad musical theme, musical score and ballet, has the
comedian save the dancer and infuse in her a will to live and dance. The
setting is London in 1917. Sidney Chaplin portrays a poverty-stricken com-
poser whom Miss Bloom as a store clerk, had aided by giving extra
music sheets and change. Their love is unconsummated as Miss Bloom is
discharged by her employer for aiding Chaplin and he goes on to symphony
hall success. .
Although suffering from a heart condition brought on by alcoholism, Chap-
lin's mental and emotional support help Miss Bloom overcome a psychosomatic
leg paralysis and she goes on to become a prima ballerina, maintaining her
affection for him. Sidney Chaplin shows up as composer for the new ballet
in which Miss Bloom is to star and Charlie is to play the clown. Miss Bloom
suffers opening night jitters but Charlie slaps her out of a temporary paralysis
and into a great debut. Sidney Chaplin declares his love before being drafted
into the army but Miss Bloom maintains she loves Charlie, whose performance
is unsatisfactory to impresario Conrad Nagel. Charlie is replaced and bows
out sure that Sidney Chaplin and Miss Bloom will fulfill their love.
CHARLIE is reduced to performing for donations in various taverns but
is accidentally found by Sidney, Nagel and Miss Bloom and they bring him
back to open a benefit for himself. Charlie's performance is sensationally
received but his fade-out tumble into a drum in the orchestra pit causes an
aggravation of his heart condition and he dies in the wings watching Miss
Bloom dance.
Charlie's performance is superb and he is ably supported by the competent
and attractive Miss Bloom, Sidney Chaplin, Nigel Bruce, Norman Lloyd,
Buster Keaton and Marjorie Bennett. Andre Eglevsky and Melissa Hayden
dance the ballet. While this starts slowly and is overlong, it is an outstanding
production. Those worried about a Chaplin message will find one but it is
that although life is often painful, cruel and bitter, it is nevertheless amazing
and wonderful and should be lived fully.
Runnino- time, 141 minutes. General audience classification. For November
t-plpasp ° Walter Pashkin
Sees TV Closing
6-10,000 Theatres
In Next Few Years
Washington, Oct. 7. — Ted Gamble,
former exhibitor and currently a large
stockholder in two corporations ap-
plying for television stations, said to-
day that the impact of television
would force about half of the theatres
in the country to close.
Estimating that there are
now about 18,000 theatres in
operation, Gamble told a Fed-
eral Communications Commis-
sion hearing examiner that he
thought between 6,500 and 10,-
000 of them would be closed
within the next few years as a
result of television.
, Gamble testified as a 20 per cent
stockholder and a director of Aladdin
Radio and Television Co., which now
operates radio station KLZ in Denver
and is an applicant for a Denver tele-
vision station on channel 7. Compet-
ing with Aladdin for channel 7 is the
Denver Television Co., in which Den-
ver exhibitors Harris and John Wolf-
berg are principal stockholders.
Following Gamble's appearance,
Harry A. Huffman, former Denver
district manager for Fox Intermoun-
tain theatres, testified briefly. Huff-
man is chairman of the board of Alad-
din, with a 13 per cent interest in the
company. Frank A. Ricketson, presi-
dent of Fox Intermountain, and a
13.7 per cent stockholder in Aladdin,
is due to testify tomorrow, at the com-
pletion of Huffman's testimony.
Decided in 1949
Gamble told hearing examiner
James Cunningham that he decided in
1949 to "get out of the motion picture
theatre business" and into radio and
television because he was "quite con-
cerned about television and its impact
on a great many theatres." Although
he was not very specific about the
type of theatre he thought would be
affected, he included in those which
would be forced to close "some mar-
ginal theatres, most subsequent-run
theatres and some multiple first-run
theatres in small towns." He said that
although some of his theatres were
"good" theatres, he had an interest in
many in the category which he
thought would be "permanently" af-
fected by television.
He had about a $2,500,000 in-
vestment in theatres in 1949,
Gamble said, which he began to
liquidate. At the present time,
he continued, he has roughly
$400,000 invested in theatres
and he expects to have liqui-
dated that within six months.
He now holds substantial interests
in four radio stations, he said, with a
43.5 per cent interest in a Seattle and
a Portland station, and a 49 per cent
interest in a Palm Springs, Cal., sta-
tion, and his interest in Aladdin. Both
Aladdin and the Mount Hood Radio
and Television Co., operator of the
Portland station, are now involved in
FCC hearings for television stations.
Asked by his attorney how he would
vote as a director if the Aladdin board
had to make a decision about the "ac-
quisition of product which would be
adverse to motion picture interests,"
Gamble replied that he would "vote to
protect KLZ because my investment
will be in radio and television and I
will have no interest in theatres."
S chine Enterprises
To Include Video
Albany, N. Y., Oct. 7.— Schine
Chain Theatres of Gloversville, has
registered a certificate amending its
corporate powers to include the con-
duct of a general radio and televi-
sion broadcasting business, a _ hotel
business and a candy-confectionery
vending business.
John A. May, vice-president _ of
Caroga Corp., and Louis W. Schine,
secretary-treasurer of Schineboro,
Inc., as holders of record of out-
standing shares of Schine Theatres,
executed the certificate.
The Schines now operate, through
subsidiaries, a hotel chain, including
,the Ten Eyck, Albany, and a theatre
concession business. The Schine-
controlled Patroon Broadcasting Corp.,
managing radio station WPTR here,
has applied for a television station
license.
Howard Antevil, Schine attorney,
recorded the change of purposes for
the company.
$20,000 Repayment
In Columbia Suit
Judge Morris Eder of the New
York Supreme Court yesterday ap-
proved the repayment of $20,000 by
Harry Cohn, president of Columbia,
to the company in settlement of a
minority stockholders suit alleging
waste by various officers and directors
of the corporation.
The payment of $20,000 was pro-
posed as a settlement by Cohn and
approved by Referee Arthur G. Klein.
The sum of $40,000 requested as re-
payment by one of the suing stock-
holders was rejected by the court.
The suit charged directors were
India-US Codes'
Similarity Cited
Hollywood, Oct. 7. — Chandulal
Shah, president of India's Motion Pic-
ture Producers Association, cited
India's practice of film censorship as
similar to American adherence to the
Production Code, before a dinner au-
dience of 300 at the Beverly Hills
Hotel last night.
Shah declared, "Voluntary censor-
ship is strict among producers be-
cause of the influence our films have
on the great rural public. W,e think
we have reached a point in our in-
dustry's development where we can
produce films which project our non-
violence philosophy and culture to the
film audience of all other countries."
The dinner was given in honor of
the visiting delegation from India's
motion picture industry.
Ned Pines Acquires
2 Fan Magazines
Two motion picture fan magazines,
Screen-land and Silver Screen, have
been purchased by Ned L. Pines, New
York publisher, from the Henry Pub-
lishing Co. No changes in policy or
personnel are contemplated, the new
management stated. The magazines
will continue to be sold to advertisers
as a group, without any changes in
current guaranteed circulation or ad-
vertising rates, it was said.
Pines last month launched a new
monthly for men, Real.
dominated by Cohn when they ap-
proved an employment contract for
him in 1949 and that the company had
paid legal fees of $40,000 which should
have been paid by Cohn.
State Department
Will Act Strongly
In Mexican Crisis
The U. S. State Department has
promised to make strong representa-
tions in behalf of the Motion Picture
Association of America to the Mexi-
can government against the latter's
moves to establish a screen quota
which would cut showings of Ameri-
can pictures in that country.
A quota bill has passed the Mexi-
can Congress and is being considered
by the Senate. If passed by the latter
it will go to President Aleman for
approval.
The State Department has informed
the MPAA that protests on legal
grounds cannot be made to the Mexi-
can government since there is no
reciprocal trade agreement between
the two countries. This fact is un-
derstood to weigh against the pos-
sibility for success of U. S. govern-
ment protests.
Meanwhile, Mexican exhibitors
were said to be preparing to move for
a court injunction against the meas-
ure if Aleman signs the bill. The
Mexican Supreme Court has before
it at present an action relating to the
constitutionality of a similar bill which
was passed by the Mexican legislature
last year.
32 Pre-release Dates
For 'Kilimanjaro'
Darryl F. Zanuck's "The Snows of
Kilimanjaro" will open in 32 key cit-
ies this month, launching its national
pre-release run.
The 20th Century-Fox version of
the Ernest Hemingway story will
start this month at the Paramount,
Atlanta ; Hippodrome, Cleveland ;
Midtown, Philadelphia ; Des Moines,
Des Moines; St. Louis, St. Louis;
Orpheum, Kansas City ; Fifth Avenue,
Seattle ; Paramount, Toledo ; Colum-
bia, Washington ; Fox, San Fran-
cisco; Rialto, Salt Lake City; Para-
mount, Syracuse ; Criterion, Okla-
homa City.
Also, the Fulton, Pittsburgh; Lyric,
Minneapolis ; Riviera, St. Paul ; Cali-
fornia, San Diego; Los Angeles and
Chinese, Los Angeles; Ritz, Birm-
ingham ; Orpheum, Spokane ; Or-
pheum, Portland; Circle, Indianapo-
lis; Omaha, Omaha; United Artists,
Detroit; Colonial, Akron; Para-
mount, Youngstown ; New, Baltimore ;
Fox, Phoenix ; Rogers, Chattanooga ;
Lincoln, Lincoln ; State-Lake, Chi-
cago; and the Paramount, Rochester.
$10,000 Profit to
TO A on Convention
Theatre Owners of America's profit
on its recent national convention and
trade show was approximately $10,000
against a profit of $20,000 on last
year's convention and trade show, it
was learned here yesterday.
The difference in the figures was
accounted for by the fact that trade
show booths at the convention last
month in Washington numbered only
60 compared to the 80 which carried
displays at the 1951 convention in
New York. Moreover, it was said, the
social events which marked this year's
convention were larger and more ex-
pensive than those held in conjunction
with the New York event.
Wednesday, October 8, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
Arbitration
Picker to RKO Radio
(Continued from page 1)
arbitration is here. The plan needs
only the finishing touches. There are
no suggested changes important
enough to become roadblocks to com-
pletion. The vast majority of exhib-
itors in this country want arbitration.
That voice must and will be heard."
He added that "much credit must
go to distribution for the great effort
it expended in the formulation of the
plan." If accepted by all parties to
the industry arbitration conference,
the plan will be explained to TOA
member units "the country over" by
TOA officers in person, Levy said.
Levy discussed in strong terms the
need for moral and financial support
of exhibitor associations by memhers.
He derided "gravy-train riders" as
cowards who "sit idly by accepting
benefits without paying their part of
the toll." He noted that, despite the
problems that face exhibitors at pres-
ent, showmen in general "are becom-
ing a bit lax in the proffer of moral
and financial support. It is the old
story of cancelling an insurance policy
either because no accident has hap-
pened in years, or because at times it
becomes a bit difficult to meet the
premiums."
Continued support of trade associa-
tions at local and national levels "is
most essential," Levy said.
Tom Bloomer Reelected President
Of MPTO of St, Louis
St. Louis, Oct. 7. — A committee
resolution to approve a recent Theatre
Owners of America suggestion for ar-
bitration and election of officers for
1952-1953 were the high lights of the
closing day's activities of the annual
meeting of the Motion Picture Theatre
Owners of St. Louis, Eastern Mis
souri and Southern Illinois.
The resolution concerns the approval
of TOA's plan of arbitration of in-
dustry problems. At the Washington
convention it was suggested that all
regional groups approve the plan, sub-
ject of course to any changes which
come about by TOA and regional
group talks. The regional group meet-
ing here was the first approval of the
plan though it is expected others will
follow suit.
Officers elected at today's session are
Tom Bloomer of Belleville, 111., re-
elected president ; Tom Edwards of
Farmington, Mo., past president elected
as ex-officio member of all boards of
the organization; Louis K. Ansell of
St. Louis, chairman ; Thomas James
of St. Louis, vice-president ; Joseph C.
Ansell, treasurer; Lester R. Kropp ;
secretary. L. J. Williams of Union,
Mo. was elected Missouri regional
vice-president and William E. War-
ing, Jr. of Cobden, III, regional vice-
president for Illinois.
(Continued from page 1)
RKO Pictures stock and a salary of
around $1,500 weekly, on a five-year
contract with options. His contract at
U.A. had about four years to go and
also included options.
The new RKO Radio board, after
electing Ralph Stolkin, head of the
syndicate which purchased stock con-
trol from Howard Hughes, president
last week; Arnold Grant chairman of
the board, and Sherrill Corwin vice-
president in charge of studio opera-
tions, said: "Of necessity, a number
of executive changes will be made to
bring in and promote youth with its
vitality, fresh approach and aggressive
thinking."
The statement provoked wide-
spread interest in the industry
and the new management's first
appointment was awaited with
genuine curiosity. Its revela-
tion yesterday was greeted with
commendation mixed with re-
lief.
Picker is 39 years old. Before join-
ing United Artists last year, he had
been with Columbia's foreign distribu-
tion department since 1935, and at the
time of his resignation was vice-presi-
dent of Columbia International.
Agreed to Release Picker
On joining United Artists he was
given a contract and a block of stock
in' the company, sharing in the 50 per
cent interest in U.A. held by five
others. Arthur Krim, U.A. president
said yesterday that the company had
agreed to release Picker from his con-
tract in order to accept the RKO
Radio offer. He will leave here on
Friday for Europe in the company ot
Max E. Youngstein, U.A. vice-presi-
dent, for a business trip of approxi-
mately two weeks.
On his return, Picker will divide
his time between U.A. and RKO Ra-
dio until Nov. 15 "to effect an orderly
transition of business." His U.A. stock
will revert to the company on that
date.
U.A. officials said that no successor
to Picker would be named immedi-
ately. The company's foreign distribu-
tion is well organized at this time,
they pointed out, and Lou Lober, as-
sistant to Picker, is well qualified to
direct it.
That Picker's parting with U.A.
was wholly amicable was clear from
Krim's statement. He said "the com-
pany is releasing Picker with sincere
regret, but it was the unanimous opi-
nion of United Artists' board of di-
rectors that they did not want the
company's contract with Picker to
stand in the way of his accepting the
offer. Our association has been a most
happy one and all of the U.A. part
ners join me in wishing Arnold every
success in his new assignment."
The statement from the RKO Radio
board said it was "extremely grati-
fied" to acquire the services of Picker
who "has done an outstanding job (at
U.A.) and has been one of that group
of executives which have made such
a dramatic change in the affairs of
United Artists over the last two years.
"This move," the board's statement
continued, "together with all other
moves being made by the board, is
for the purpose of strengthening and
revitalizing the affairs of RKO in
order to bring it to the position of
eminence which it once occupied. The
board is extremely appreciative of the
wonderful attitude of the heads of
United Artists who so graciously re-
leased Mr. Picker to undertake this
challenging opportunity."
Picker's appointment parallels that
of Al Daff, who became executive
vice-president of Universal in charge
of worldwide distribution last sum-
mer when Decca Records acquired
stock control of that company and its
president, Milton Rackmil, became
president of Universal.
Color TV
(Continued from page 1)
AMPA Enlists Four
(Continued from page 1)
mount exploitation director, and Dan
S. Terrell, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ex-
ploitation manager.
Bergman will speak on public rela-
tions at the final Thursday evening
session on Dec. 18, sharing the pro-
gram with Arthur DeBra and Gordon
White of the Motion Picture Asso-
ciation of America.
Morris will lecture on Oct. 16 with
Ernest Emerling of Loew's, Walter
Brooks, of Motion Picture Herald's
Managers Round Table, and Al Floer-
sheimer of Walter Reade Theatres.
Cerebral Palsy Unit
Appeals for Drivers
United Cerebral Palsy of New York
City, Inc., has issued an appeal for
volunteer drivers to supply transporta-
tion of children to and from clinics.
The children are unable to receive
treatment unless such transportation
can be supplied. Last winter, reports
Mrs. Harry Fellerman, chairman at
transportation, the women's division,
volunteers made 1,500 trips a month
in New York City. .
Those wishing to help must use their
own cars, carry minimum New York
State insurance, and be able to offer
at least one hour per week. They are
asked to call PL 3-3005, and ask for
"Motor Corps," or write to U.C.F.A.,
of NYC, 47 W. 57th Street, "Motor
Corps."
Sharp Rise
(Continued from page 1)
comparable 1951 quarter.
Labor defines the service category
as including miscellaneous items such
as film processing, repair and rental
of equipment and casting bureau ex-
penses. The theatre category covers
all motion picture theatres, including
vaudeville expenses.
The figures include all industry em-
ployes covered by state unemploy-
ment insurance.
Daff Cites Injury
(Continued from page 1)
tour of France, England, and Holland.
Daff noted : "This happens at a time
when quite a few very important, very
good American films would have been
available and could have done very
strong. The people of France will suf-
fer a great loss of entertainment for
American films are gaining in pop-
ularity there but the exhibitors will
probably resort to reissues or inferior
products."
He did not think French film pro-
duction could take up much, if any
of the slack and noted that the French
patrons suffer unjustly for they are
supporting their own films even with
American films playing.
Business is generally holding up
very well elsewhere, Daff said, but
noted that an unusually hot summer
had brought England's box-office
down. It has now bounced back.
In Holland a reconstruction program
on damaged theatres is in progress.
SMPTE members gathered here for
their semi-annual convention that the
NTSC has tested and worked out an
all-electronic compatible system signal
which will be "adequate for all com-
mercial color television."
Minor Improvements
There will be minor improvements
made on the system, Loughgren said,
and the committee will make further
tests to determine what improvements
can possibly be made. Then, by mid-
1953, he continued, the individual com-
panies that have worked on the system,
Loughgren said, and the committee
will make further tests to determine
what improvements can possibly be
made. Then, by mid-1953, he con-
tinued, the individual companies that
have worked on the system will be
able to petition the Commission for a
hearing.
Loughgren touched on the Eidophor
theatre television system and told the
group that the system appears to pro-
vide "better color." He said it may be
that the system will present the best
theatre size color print, but added that
"from the long range consideration
the system may be more important
than the apparatus.
Cautions Industry
He cautioned the motion picture in-
dustry not to select a system with
"inherent limitations."
The add-a-unit approach to film pro-
cessing machines was presented to the
meet today. The need for a reasonably
priced, quickly accessible, self-con-
tained developer for television stations
and small laboratories was emphasized.
This need led to the design of the
Bridgamatic.
This device, it was shown, embodies
standard commercial design plus^ a
continuous overdrive, tension-relieving
clutches, straight-line film flow and
ease of handling; 16mm. and 35mm.
negative/positive, also reversal models
were described. The presentation was
made by Joseph A. Tanney and Ed-
ward B. Krause of S.O.S. Cinema
Supply Corp., who explained how the
add-a-unit idea was adopted, permit-
ting the purchase of the. basic Bridga-
matic machine with its bare essentials,
to which recirculation, replenishment,
aeration, filtration, refrigeration and
other refinements could be added as
desired.
Manley's Plant Burns
Kansas City, Oct. 7.— The North
Kansas City popcorn processing plant
of Manley, Inc., selling popcorn mate-
rials and machines to theartes and
other places, has been completely de-
stroyed by fire, with an estimated
damage of' $90,000. A new crop of
popcorn escaped destruction, however,
as it had not arrived at the plant.
only $626* for a
10-DAY
HAWAIIAN
VACATION!
Includes Mainliner transportation, hotel
accommodations and sightseeing.
That's just one of United Air Lines'
low-expense Hawaiian Air Vacations.
There are six others from which to
choose, lasting up to 23 days. Call or
write for a free descriptive folder.
* From New York
UNITED AIR LINES
(Fares plus tax.)
star's best friend ...
Pictures take months to make . . .
may be unmade in split seconds.
For the superlative showings of which
modern projection equipment is capable
depend upon superlative film care.
Film coating, for example, lubrication,
and inspection— all require precise
knowledge, expert handling. And in
cleaning, splicing, and winding, the film
must be held "just so" in hands wearing
the right type of glove; here, the
slightest scratch means trouble.
On subjects such as these— ranging
from choice of film to projection and
film storage — representatives of the
Eastman Technical Service for
Motion Picture Film are trained to advise
and work with the industry.
To maintain this service, the Eastman
Kodak Company has branches at strategic
centers . . . invites inquiry on all phases
of film use from all members of the
industry. 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, 137 North Wabash Avenue,
Chicago 2, Illinois. West Coast
Division, 6706 Santa Monica Blvd.,
Hollywood 3.8, California.
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
AIR
MAIL
EDITION!
VOL. 72. NO. 70
NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1952
TEN CENTS
Sharp Rise in
Payrolls of
Film Industry
Reflected in 1st Quarter
Labor Department Report
Washington, Oct. 7. — -Industry
payrolls for employes covered by
unemployment insurance were more
than $7,000,000 higher in the first
quarter of 1952 than in the same quar-
ter of ,1951, the Department of Labor
reported today.
The over-all industry figure
for the first quarter of 1952 was
$163,161,000, compared with a
1951 first quarter figure of
$155,875,000.
First quarter payrolls for produc-
tion and distribution were $79,467,000
in 1952 and $71,811,000 in 1951, show-
ing an increase of more than $7,500,-
000. Payrolls in the service category
also showed an increase — $9,847,000
for 1952, against $8,825,000 for 1951.
Payrolls in the category of theatres,
including vaudeville, dropped slightly,
however, with $73,847,000 for the first
1952 quarter and $75,239,000 for the
(Continued on page 5)
Arnold Picker Is Named
RKO Radio Executive V-P
Arbitration Kills
Need for Fair
Trade Code: Levy
St. Louis, Oct.. 7. — Since "almost
all trade practice grievances are ar-
bitrable" under the pending draft of
an industry arbitration system, the
industry for the first time in its his-
tory will not need a code of fair
trade practices, Herman M. ■ Levy,
Theatre Owners of America general
counsel, today told the convention of
M. P. T. O. of St. Louis, Eastern
Missouri and Southern Illinois at the
Chase Hotel here.
Said Levy : "I sincerely believe that
(Continued on page S)
Daff Cites Injury
From French Crisis
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 7.-
Under the stipulation
that no transfer of the
U.S. 16mm. suit to the
East for trial would be
sought, the government
gave the defendants a
month extension of the
date for filing answer in
Federal Court here, it was
learned. The original an-
swer date was Oct. 15.
•
TOLEDO, 0. , Oct. 7. -If by
Friday the City of Toledo
does not file an appeal in
the industry's Ohio news-
reel censorship case, or
does not ask meanwhile for
a decline extension, an
appeal cannot be taken.
The state is still re-
ceiving reels for ap-
proval, despite the in-
dustry's victory in the
Toledo court fight.
Sees New Color TV
System by Mid-1953
Washington, Oct. 7. — The National
Television System Committee will
probably have a new color television
system to demonstrate to the Federal
Communications Commission by mid-
1953, an NTSC officer told the So-
ciety of Motion Picture and Television
Engineers.
A. V. Loughgren told some 500
(Continued on page S)
"Limelight
United Artists* Foreign Distribution
Head Will Direct Worldwide Sales for
Stolkin's Group; Choice a Popular One
Arnold Picker, vice-president in charge of foreign distribution for
United Artists, and a partner in that company, will become- executive
vice-president of RKO Radio Pictures on Nov. 15, it was announced
yesterday. The post, a new one, will place Picker in charge of all
RKO Radio sales and distribution
operations. ,
The appointment, made from in-
dustry ranks,- is a popular one with
the trade. It
was viewed as
particularly sig-
nificant because
of the impor-
tance of the po-
sition, the first
of . its kind to
be filled by .the
new manage-
ment since tak-
ing" over admin-
istration of the
company last
w'eek, and for
the insight it
provided into
the thinking of the new owners of the
controlling stock interest in RKO
Pictures.
Company officials indicated that de-
cisions as to executive personnel in
RKO Radio's distribution organiza-
tion, both domestic and foreign, will
be entirely Picker's responsibility.
Robert Mochrie heads RKO Radio's
domestic sales and Phil Reisman, due
here today from a European business
trip, heads the foreign.
According to sources -outside RKO
Radio, the offer which tempted Picker
to' leave U. A. includes a block of
(Continued on page -5) ■
American distributing companies in
France will suf-
fer an irretriev-
able loss this
season due to
the delay in
Franco - Ameri-
can negotia-
tions, namely,
"one<-half the
season will be
gone before any
new American
films w ill be
played there,
e x c 1 uding one
or two left over
from last year,"
it was disclosed here yesterday by Al
Daff, executive vice-president of Uni-
versal, following his return from a
(Continued on page 5)
Alfred Daff
[United Artists]
C>t HARLES CHAPLIN'S first film in exactly five years is an
j, enthralling emotional experience that harkens back to his earlier
great films ' for much superb stylized comedy that made Chaplin
one of the greatest boxoffice draws in motion picture history. This is a
simple, appealing tale about a young ballet dancer who falls in love with
an aged, once-famous, English music hall clown that for the greater
part, of two hours and twenty-one minutes should prove immensely enter-
taining for any audience.
A continuous juxtaposition of sequences of success and failure, joy
and sorrow, results in the remarkable illusion of the tragi-comic aspects
of life, as one minute you howl at the pantomime of ?i tramp-clown not
unlike the old Charlie and the next are saddened by the protagonist's
realization that his once great fame is gone.
While the- story- is effective the great moments- of the film are those in
which Chaplin's comic genius is evident, 'such as the clown's, drunken,
rolling ascendance of the stairs, his perplexed sniffing of cigar and shoes
while the suicide-by-gas is being attempted, by dancer Claire Bloom, his
risin°' to the occasion by determinedly battering. the door down, and his later
imitation of flowers, and playing up to the landlady when the rent is overdue.
Chaplin's low comedy monologue with fleas, "The Ammal Trainer/'.'and
(Continued on page 4)
Arnold Picker
AMPA Enlists Four
More for Faculty
Four more industry promotional ex-
ecutives have joined the faculty of the
Associated Motion Picture Advertis-
ers' school in showmanship, Harry K.
McWilliams, AMPA president, an-
nounced here yesterday.
The new lecturers arc: Maurice
Bergman, assistant to the president
of Hniversal-International ; Seymour!
Morris,' director of advertising-pub-
licity-exploitation for the Schirie: QJ^
cuit, Gloversville; Sid Mesibov, PaEa-
(Continiied on page 5)
2
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, October 8, 1952
Personal
Mention
HOWARD DEITZ, advertis-
ing - publicity vice-president of
M-G-M, will be guest speaker at the
Boston Advertising Club weekly
luncheon meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
•
James R. Grainger, Republic exe-
cutive vice-president in charge of dis-
tribution, will leave here today for
New Orleans, the first stop on a trip
through the West and Southwest. He
will return to New York on Oct. 27.
•
Mannie A. Brown arrived in Buf-
falo Monday from Cleveland to take
over as United Artists manager there
succeeding Dave Leff, who will man-
age the UA branch in Cleveland.
•
Betty Barnstead, secretary to
Charles M. Reagan, M-G-M general
sales manager, will be married Nov 8
to Thomas Bernard Rice at St.
Agnes Church here.
•
John Schlesinger, executive of the
Schlesinger film interests in South
Africa, and Dick Harmel, general
manager, were in Hollywood from
that country.
o
Pandro S. Berman, M-G-M pro-
ducer, and Richard Thorpe, direc-
tor, are due in New York from the
Coast Friday en route to Jamaica,
B. W. I.
Samuel N. Burger, Loew's Inter-
national sales manager, will leave here
by plane today on an around-the-world
inspection tour of approximately 10
weeks.
Sid Goldstein of M-G-M's publi-
city department yesterday became the
father of a girl, born to Mrs. Gold-
stein at Brooklyn Women's Hospital.
•
Harry Fellerman, Universal spe-
cial films division sales head, has re-
turned to New York from a three-
week tour of exchanges.
Edward L. Hyman, United Para-
mount Theatres vice-president, and his
assistant, Bernard Levy, are in Det-
roit from New York.
Richard Brandt, Brandt Theatres
executive, and Mrs. Brandt, have left
New York for a two-week Florida
vacation.
John Parsons, division manager,
Telenews Theatres, San Francisco, is
a father for the first time.
Helen Deutsch, M-G-M screen
writer, will leave here for the Coast
by plane Sunday.
Frank H. McCormick of DuPont
has announced his retirement from the
company.
Harold G. Harris, Detroit booker
for M-G-M, is in town vacationing.
Joseph Kaufman, producer, has
left here for the Coast.
IFE May Set up Distribution
Firm for Italian Films
Tentative plans to establish a U.S.
distribution agency for Italian films by
the Italian Film Export organization
were disclosed here yesterday by Dr.
Eitel Monaco, president of the Na-
tional Association of Motion Picture
and Allied Industries of Italy, and Dr.
Renato Gualino, general director of
IFE.
Gualino said the decision on IFE
setting up its own distribution com-
pany for the American market would
be made within the next two weeks,
before his return to Rome. Both
Gualino and Monaco saw the necessity
of broadening the American market
for Italian product.
The IFE director acknowledged
that other avenues for distribution are
also being explored. He said explora-
tory talks have been held with United
Artists and new Lippert franchise
holders, among other distribution com-
panies.
The main stress, however, was put
on the possibility of the IFE establish-
ing its own agency, with funds accru-
ing to the IFE under the Italo- Ameri-
can film agreement. If the IFE takes
such a step, Gualino said that the Lux
Film Distribution Co., which handles
Italian films in the American market
and which is headed by Gualino, would
cease operation.
Implementation of IFE's ear-
lier decision to provide English-
dubbed Italian films for the
American market was also dis-
closed. A sound-recording cor-
poration, capitalized at $200,-
000, will begin operation here
within the next few months, it
was stated.
The tentative plans of the projected
distributing organization, which would
be operated on a commercial basis in
competition with other distribution
corporations, Gualino said, calls for the
setting up of from five to seven ex-
change offices in the U.S. He said the
aim of the new agency would be to
distribute about 25 films designed for
the Italian-speaking public per year
and from six to 12 "major" Italian
pictures for the general public yearly.
Gualino said Italian producers would
be free to distribute through the IFE
or American distribution agencies
under the projected set-up. The pur-
pose of the IFE organization would
be to group Italian product in an
effort to gain a greater penetration of
the American market he said. The
dubbing program of the IFE was also
cited by Gualino as an effort to ex-
pand in the American market.
The possibility of independent film
importers launching an Italian picture
in the New York market, with the
IFE distributing elsewhere, was ac-
knowledged by Gualino and Monaco.
The IFE president said that no films
have as yet been committed to the pro-
jected organization, but during his stay
here he will confer with major Italian
producers, currently visiting New
York in conjunction with "Salute to
Italian Films Week."
Also present at the press conference
was Nicoli de Pirro, director general
of the Entertainment Industry Bureau
Sullivan Is Named
20th Publicity Head
Edward E. Sullivan has been named
publicity manager of 20th Century-
Fox, by Charles Einfeld, vice-presi-
dent. Sullivan replaces Stirling Silli-
phant, who re-
signed to pro-
duce.
Sullivan, who
has been with
20th Century-
Fox since 1946
following five
years of service
with the Eighth
Air Force in
Europe, has
been assistant
publicity man-
ager of the
company for the
past three years.
During that period he has been on
the national committees of the Cancer
Fund Drive, the Heart Fund and the
American Red Cross.
Silliphant, who will start produc-
tion on "The Joe Louis Story" in
January, will remain with the com-
pany until that time in an advisory
capacity.
Edward Sullivan
of the Italian government, who stress-
ed the "dollar situation" in future
negotiations for a new Italian-Ameri-
can film agreement. While here, he
said he would talk with Motion Pic-
ture Association of America officials,
but added that it would be "pre-
mature" to describe such talks as
negotiations. The current agreement
expires in June, 1953.
Italo Gemini, president of the Ital-
ian exhibitors organization, and E. R.
Zorgniotti, U.S. representative of IFE,
were also present.
Johnston Stresses
Reciprocity in Trade
Reciprocity in international trade
was underscored here yesterday by
Eric Johnston, president of the Motion
Picture Association of America, in a
luncheon address at the Waldorf As-
toria before top representatives of the
American and Italian film industries.
The necessity of increased buying
abroad was also stressed by Johnston,
who was host at the luncheon in honor
of the visiting leaders of the Italian
industry.
Dr. Clemente Boniver, consular of
the Italian Embassy, one of the three
guest speakers of the Italian industry,
said that Italy is counting on increased
film business in the United States as
one of the ways of reducing its sizable
gap in dollar balances. He praised the
support given to Italian films by the
American public and the American
industry.
Nicoli de Pirro, director general of
the Entertainment Industry Bureau of
the Italian Government, said the suc-
cess of Italian films in this country
Newsreel
Parade
rHE WORLD SERIES is the
highlight of all current newsreels,
featured along with the Presidential
"whistle-stop" war, the death of speed-
king John Cobb, Tito and his new
wife. Complete contents follow:
FOX MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 82—
U. S. unveils first atomic artillery. Speed-
king Cobb dies in explosion. Tito shows off
new bride. Football. World's Series.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 212— Green-
land rescue drama. Gales battle ship. Tito's
wife makes debut. First atomic gun. Foot-
ball. Cobb meets death beating speed record.
World's Series.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. IS — The
World's Series. Soviet vs. Ambassador
Kennan. Football game of the week: Wis-
consin beats Illinois.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 41A— Steven-
son scores Republicans. Italian film stars
arrive. Films of Tito and wife. Italian
peasants get reclaimed land. NATO com-
manders meeting. Roller skating. World's
Series.
UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL, No. 402—
Truman, Stevenson and Eisenhower on
whistle stops. Greenland rescue. John Cobb's
boat crackup. Football highlights. Yanks
the new world champions.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 17—
Death of John Cobb. Amazing Arctic res-
cue. Army unveils atomic cannon. Eisen-
hower on Midwest swing. Stevenson in
Midwest. Truman on whistle-stop tour.
Lippert Franchise
In N.Y. to Favorite
Favorite Pictures, owned by Moe
Kerman and Joe Felder, has taken a
three-year franchise on the Lippert
Pictures exchange in New York, it
was disclosed here yesterday with the
resignation of D. M. Sohmer as branch
manager of the. exchange as of Oct. 25.
Sohmer, who resigned after five
years in the post, has no immediate
plans ; he will vacation for three to
four months. No successor has yet
been named.
Promoting 'Louis Story'
National magazine publicity cam-
paign for "The Joe Louis Story"
kicKed off yesterday with a color cover
and a story in Ebony, it was an-
nounced by Stirling Silliphant, the
film's producer. As producer-publicist
of the Louis screen biography, Silli-
phant has planned a two-phase na-
tional magazine campaign for the pic-
ture, with breaks now, in advance of
production, concentrating on Louis, to
be followed by breaks just prior to
and with the July release covering the
film itself.
will insure "a continued open door"
for American films in Italy.
Among those on the dais, besides
the speakers, were : Arthur B. Krim,
president of United Artists ; Barney
Balaban, president of Paramount Pic-
tures ; Dr. Renato Gualino, general di-
rector of Italian Film Exports ; Italo
Gemino, head of the Italian exhibitors'
organization ; Baron Carlo de Fer-
rariis, Italian consul general, and John
McCarthy, MPAA vice-president.
In conjunction with "Salute to Ital-
ian Films Week," independent pro-
ducer and importer Jules Levey was
host at a supper last night to Italian
film executives at the Plaza Hotel.
Leo
Yucca-Vine
MHTlfiN PITTTIRTT DATI Y Martin Ouielev. Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting Editor. Published daily, except Saturdays,
Sundays and holidfys, 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 Quiglev, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J.
Brady, Secretary; James P. 'Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus_ H. Fausel Production Manager^ Hollywood Bureau
Building, W
North Clark
a section ^Motion" Pict^ 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, October 8, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
National
Pre-Selling
Review
r OP -SIDE national pre-selling for
this week is the double-truck
in Look, dated Oct. 21, now on the
news stands, which features Univer-
sal's "Back at the Front"— and lists
all the runs starting Oct. 15— from
Anniston, Alabama, to Anchorage,
Alaska, with theatre names and play-
dates. This is David E. Lipton's
policy, which is worth more in na-
tional pre-selling than tons of national
magazine space four or five months
removed from any theatre playdate
outside of pre-release engagements.
We hope that theatre managers will
buy several copies of this week's Look,
make a lobby display of the advertis-
ing, and show it as proof of the fact
that you are running- a first-string
picture. Don't wait for your patrons
to ask iov it; the risks are against
you. The same issue has a five-page
pictorial story on Audrey Hepburn—
"the new Hepburn" — whom, they say,
"capitivated Paramount executives
With the same puckish charm that
brought bravos from Broadway."
•
Seventeen, magazine for teen-agers,
has sent copies of the issue which re-
viewed "The Big Sky" to 600 exhibi-
tors, with a folder offering free tieup
promotional material to the theatres. . .
The October issw of The Sign, a
Catholic publication, reviews "Because
You're Mine" and says in parts "A
Technicolor musical rich in entertain-
ment value for all the family." The
picture is also selected by American
magazine as its "Picture - of - the-
Month" for October. . . . A special
photographic layout in. the November
Pageant lists "the beauties of four
nations," including Elisabeth Taylor,
Leslie Caron, Marilyn Monroe, Greta
Garbo, Jean Simmons and Sarah
Churchill.
American Weekly, next Sunday
will have a four-color, center-double
truck, reproducing the 24 - sheet
poster for "The Snows of Kiliman-
jaro" which may be displayed in
theatre lobbies to advertise the
coming attraction. It has real poster
quality. . . . Photoplay is advertis
ing in the New York Daily News to
sell its November issue to the
public, with an exclusive story, "Liz
Taylor Tells All," as the lead arti-
cle. . . . Coronet for October does
the unusual by using an article on
Marilyn Monroe without a picture
of "the blowtorch blonde." Tag line
of the piece is "Don't believe those
stories you hear — she's a good girl."
. . . Pictorial Review, next Sunday,
will have a political interview by
Louella Parsons with Clare Boothe
Luce, who believes that all good
Republicans should come to the aid
of their party.
Something for the Birds'
( 20th Century-Fox)
A BRIGHT, though unpretentious comedy about Washington lobbyists
has been tailored by script-writer I. A. L. Diamond and Boris Ingster
to accommodate the whimsical histrionics of Edmund Gwenn, the pattern for
hose future screen performances was set several years ago in "The Miracle
on 34th Street." Herein he emerges as an obscure engraver of invitations to
gay Capital parties who pockets copies of his handiwork and, attired in dinner
jacket, joins in. the affairs in the guise of a retired Navy admiral with a
bit of influence to peddle.
Co-starring are Victor Mature and Patricia Neal, the former as a pro-
fessional utilities lobbyist and the latter an amateur at the game who was
sent by a committee of California bird-lovers to persuade Congressmen to
vote against a Continental Gas Co. project which threatens the California
Condor with extermination. Gwenn, who develops affection for both, soon
finds himself drawn into the antagonism their respective aims engender. After
Mature, over Gvvenn's protest, sends the latter's landlady ' one . of several
new refrigerators he is at liberty to dispose of as gifts, Congressional probers
gleefully find themselves conducting a spectacular hearing, replete with TV
cameras. At this point audience snickers mount into belly laughs, for pro-
ducer Samuel G. Engel and director Robert Wise forego no opportunity " to
put TV and hearing techniques "on the pan."
Gwenn is exposed as a fraud, of course, but still is welcomed in Washing-
ton society because he has become so beloved for himself. Mature and Miss
Neal, by now very much in love, arrive. at a happy ending compromise. Others
who contribute to the farcical proceedings are Larry Keating, Gladys Hurlbut,
Hugh Sanders and Christian Rub. Based on stories by Alvin M. Josephy,
Joseph Petracca and Ingster, "Something for the Birds" should fare well at
the box-office under a promotional campaign that capitalizes on the public
interest Congressional investigations have excited of late.
Running time, 81 minutes. General audience classification. October release
Charles L. Franke
IA' Poll Underway Fla. Theatre Files
On Exchange Pacts Trust Action Here
Ebony magazine for November has
a cover picture of Joe Lewis and an
inside story which proves that promo-
tion for "The Joe Lewis Story" has
really started. . . . About six months
ago, a man walked into the office of
Dan Terrell, M-G-M's exploitation
director, placed a strip of clear plastic
on the window and there it stuck, no
tape, no gum, no glue ! Since that
day, Morris Frisch public relations
man, has produced these stickons for
industry use.
Walter Brooks
IATSE exchange locals represent-
ing front office and back room "white
collar" employes yesterday began to
receive from "IA" headquarters here
ballots to be used in a national re-
ferendum on the question whether the
union's headquarters or the locals in-
dividually should negotiate with the
companies for contracts which will be
effective Dec. 1. -
Present contracts were negotiated
two years ago by the "IA" headquar-
ters following a similar referendum.
Excepted were ■ the New York ex-
change workers whose contracts here-
tofore have been negotiated by "IA"
Home Office Employes Local No.
H-63 under the guidance of Russell
M. Moss, H-63 executive vice-presi-
dent. That local this year will par-
ticipate in the ballotting for the first
time.
The referendum, covering some
5,000 members of 65 locals in 33 ex-
change cities, is being conducted on
the principle of majority rule. Thus,
if a majority of the 65 locals vote
for a particular negotiating procedure,
all others are bound by this result.
At the "IA's" recent biennial con-
vention a resolution, yet to be acted
upon, asked the union's executive
board to rule whether committees rep-
resenting the individual locals could
join in talks if the national vote re-
sults in the designation of headquar-
ters as the negotiating principal.
The 1951 negotiations resulted in a
$1,000,000 per year pay raise for the
5,000 workers.
Akron House Reopens
Akron, O., Oct. 7.— The Liberty
Theatre, dark- for the .past ■ year, will
shortly be reopened with Ray Brown
as managing director in charge of buy-
ing, booking and management. Brown,
former manager of the State Theatre,
Cuyahoga Falls, is currently in the
advertising business. His theatre ac-
tivities will be in addition to this.
John J. and Agnes Gillooly, oper
ators of the Capital Theatre, St
Petersburg, Fla., yesterday filed
$1,800,000 triple-damage anti-trust suit
against eight major distributors, in
U. S. District Court here. Florida
Coastal Theatres also was named
defendant.
Asks Injunction
The complaint asked for a court in
junction to enjoin the defendants from
"allocating first and subsequent runs
to affiliated theatres, and to enjoin
defendants from granting any clear
ance to affiliated theatres competin
with the Capital.
Charging discrimination against th
Capital in allocating product, the com
plaint asserts that the location and size
of the St. Petersburg house entitles
to product that is superior to what
it has been getting.
'Fun vs. Vandalism'
Show at Ohio House
Cleveland, Oct. 7.— A "Fun
vs. Vandalism" show will be
presented Friday, Oct. 31 at
the Hilliard Square Theatre
by manager Sam Fritz in co-
operation with a group of
merchants, the Lake wood
school board and PTA and
the Palewood police and fire
departments, with intent to
keep as many youngsters as
possible off the streets on
Hallowe'en.
Merchants are providing
free doughnuts and cider to
the youngsters, served by
PTA members. They are also
providing prizes for contests
involving costumes, pie eating
and apple ducking. All school
bulletin boards will carry an-
nouncements of the special
"spook" show which manager
Fritz has promoted without
any cost to the theatre other
than the cost of a couple of
"horror" features to be flashed
on the screen at 10:30 P.M.
4 M-G-M Foreign
Managers Promoted
The retirement of . Luis Sarmieuto
as manager for Metro-Goldwyn-
Mayer in Peru after 19 years, , has
resulted in four company promotions
in the foreign field, it was disclosed
here yesterday by Morton A. Spring,
first vice-president of LPew's Interna-
tional Corp.
The Peruvian post will be taken by
Alberto Walker, who moves from the
top post in Colombia. Robert Schmitt
will ' become manager in : Colombia,
vacating the top position in Austria.
Wolfgang Wolf will go from manager
of Venezuela to manager of Austria.
Bernard Blair of the M-G-M office
in Sao Paulo, Brazil, has been named
manager in Venezuela.
Gem Theatre Destroyed
Boston, Oct. 7.— The Gem Theatre
in East Boston was completely , de-
stroyed by a fire started by an ex-
plosion of an oil tank.. Damage to the
house was estimated at $45,000.
AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL SHOWMEN!
REMEMBER THE GOOD OLD DAYS?
R. M. SAVINI
Back in early; 1933, we started Asfor on the big" re-
issue road which' resulted in a great success for us and
our franchise , distributors." As' a result, the reissue' was
born and other Independents followed, suit tabbing Astor, .
the "Father of the Reissue." , .
A' great part ;of this success stemmed from the good
old showmanship, days!'. . . How many of you showmen*
remember the thrill it was to plan a -small exploitation'
campaign and .be rewarded with above .normal business—
and the cost of this campaign — practically . nil compared,
to the grosses. I Believe me, we- are riot" 'preaching, but
bringing . back- fond memories of -days gone by that can::"
verv well be again.- ... ' •
Back in those days, copy like— "Back BY POPULAR .
REQUEST ... HUNDREDS OF '-PATRONS DE-
MANDED THE. RETURN OF THIS GREAT MOTION
PICTURE" — and backed by. a little honest showmanship,,.
ALWAYS scored top results at your boxoffice! IT CAN
HAPPEN AGAIN— AGAIN arid AGAIN. ' Good 'motion
pictures, like good stage plays, are worth repeating over
and . over again, especially - when you can. snare a -big.-
issue at a fair rental leaving a larger profit.
Sincerely, i
R. M. Swvini, President
ASTOR PICTURES CORP:
ISO. West 46th. St., N.Y..C.
Advt: ■
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, October 8, 1952
Sees TV Closing
6-10,000 Theatres
In Next Few Years
"Limelight
95
(Continued from page 1)
Washington, Oct. 7. — Ted Gamble,
former exhibitor and currently a large
stockholder in two corporations ap-
plying for television stations, said to-
day that the , impact of television
would force about half of the theatres
in the country to close.
Estimating that there are
now about 18,000 theatres in
operation, Gamble told a Fed-
eral Communications Commis-
sion hearing examiner that he
thought between 6,500 and 10,-
000 of them would be closed
within the next few years as a
result of television.
Gamble testified as a 20 per cent
stockholder and a director of Aladdin
Radio and Television Co., which now
operates radio station KLZ in Denver
and is an applicant for a Denver tele-
vision station on channel 7. Compet-
ing with Aladdin for channel s is the
Denver Television Co., in which Den-
ver exhibitors Harris and John Wolf-
berg are principal stockholders.
Following Gamble's appearance,
Harry A. Huffman, former Denver
district manager for Fox Intermoun-
tain theatres, testified briefly. Huff-
man is chairman of the board of Alad-
din, with a 13 per cent interest in the
company. Frank A. Ricketson, presi-
dent of Fox Intermountain, and a
13.7 per cent stockholder in Aladdin,
is due to testify tomorrow, at the com-
pletion of Huffman's testimony.
Decided in 1949
Gamble told hearing examiner
James Cunningham that he decided in
1949 to "get out of the motion picture
theatre business" and into radio and
television because he was "quite con-
cerned about television and its impact
on a great many theatres." Although
he was not very specific about the
type of theatre he thought would be
affected, he included in those which
would be forced to close "some mar-
ginal theatres, most subsequent-run
theatres and some multiple first-run
theatres in small towns." He said that
although some of his theatres were
"good" theatres, he had an interest in
many in the category which he
thought would be "permanently" af-
fected by television.
He had about a $2,500,000 in-
vestment in theatres in 1949,
Gamble said, which he began to
liquidate. At the present time,
he continued, he has roughly
$400,000 invested in theatres
and he expects to have liqui-
dated that within six months.
He now holds substantial interests
in four radio stations, he said, with a
43.5 per cent interest in a Seattle and
a Portland station, and a 49 per cent
interest in a Palm Springs, Cal., sta-
tion, and his interest in Aladdin. Both
Aladdin and the Mount Hood Radio
and Television Co., operator of the
Portland station, are now involved in
FCC hearings for television stations
Asked by his attorney how he would
vote as a director if the Aladdin board
had to make a decision about the "ac
quisition of product which would be
adverse to motion picture interests
Gamble replied that he would "vote to
protect KLZ because my investment
will be in radio and television and I
will have no interest in theatres."
his delightful reaction to love, in "Spring Is Here," are rnemorable and his
rendering of "The Sardine Song" is good, but perhaps the most hilarious is
his finale with Buster Keaton in which they satirize a violinist and pianist
playing classical music.
THE story, which Chaplin wrote in addition to directing, producing, and
composing a hauntingly sad musical theme, musical score and ballet, has the
comedian save the dancer and infuse in her a will to live and dance. The
setting is London in 1917. Sidney Chaplin portrays a poverty-stricken com-
poser whom Miss Bloom as a store clerk, had aided by giving extra
music sheets and change. Their love is unconsummated as Miss Bloom is
discharged by her employer for aiding Chaplin and he goes on to symphony
hcill success.
Although suffering from a heart condition 'brought on by alcoholism, Chap-
lin's mental and emotional support help Miss Bloom overcome a psychosomatic
leg paralysis and she goes on to become a prima ballerina, maintaining her
affection for him. Sidney Chaplin shows up as composer for the new ballet
in which Miss Bloom is to star and Charlie is to play the clown. Miss Bloom
suffers opening night jitters but Charlie slaps her out of a temporary paralysis
and into a great debut. Sidney Chaplin declares his love before being drafted
into the army but Miss Bloom maintains she loves Charlie, whose performance
is unsatisfactory to impresario Conrad Nagel. Charlie is replaced and bows
out sure that Sidney Chaplin and Miss Bloom will fulfill their love.
CHARLIE is reduced to performing for donations in various taverns but
is accidentally found by Sidney, Nagel and Miss Bloom and they bring him
back to open a benefit for himself. Charlie's performance is sensationally
received but his fade-out tumble into a drum in the orchestra pit causes an
aggravation of his heart condition and he dies in the wings watching Miss
Bloom dance. . , ,
Charlie's performance is superb and he is ably supported by the competent
and attractive Miss Bloom, Sidney Chaplin, Nigel Bruce, Norman Lloyd,
Buster Keaton and Marjorie Bennett. Andre Eglevsky and Melissa Hayden
dance the ballet. While this starts slowly and is overlong, it is an outstanding
production Those worried about a Chaplin message will find one but it is
that although life is often painful, cruel and bitter, it is nevertheless amazing
and wonderful and should be lived fully. _ . , _ ; _ '
Running time 141 minutes. General audience classification. For November
release ' Walter Pashkin
S chine Enterprises
To Include Video
Albany, N. Y., Oct. 7.— Schine
Chain Theatres of Gloversville, has
registered a certificate amending its
corporate powers to include the con-
duct of a general radio and televi-
sion broadcasting business, a hotel
business and a candy-confectionery
vending business.
John A. May, vice-president of
Caroga Corp., and Louis W. Schine,
secretary-treasurer of Schineboro,
Inc., as holders of record of out-
standing shares of Schine Theatres,
executed the certificate.
The Schines now operate, through
subsidiaries, a hotel chain, including
,the Ten Eyck, Albany, and a theatre
concession business. The Schine-
controlled Patroon Broadcasting Corp.,
managing radio station WPTR here,
has applied for a television station
license.
Howard Antevil, Schine attorney,
recorded the change of purposes for
the company.
India-US Codes'
Similarity Cited
Hollywood, Oct. 7. — Chandulal
Shah, president of India's Motion Pic
ture Producers Association, cited
India's practice of film censorship as
similar to American adherence to the
Production Code, before a dinner au-
dience of 300 at the Beverly Hills
Hotel last night.
Shah declared, "Voluntary censor-
ship is strict among producers be
cause of the influence our films have
on the great rural public. We think
we have reached a point in our in-
dustry's development where we can
produce films which project our non-
violence philosophy and culture to the
film audience of all other countries."
The dinner was given in honor of
the visiting delegation from India's
motion picture industry.
$20,000 Repayment
In Columbia Suit
Judge Morris Eder of the New
York Supreme Court yesterday ap-
proved the repayment of $20,000 by
Harry Cohn, president of Columbia,
to the company in settlement of a
minority stockholders suit alleging
waste by various officers and directors
of the corporation.
The payment of $20,000 was pro-
posed as a settlement by Cohn and
approved by Referee Arthur G. Klein.
The sum of $40,000 requested as re-
payment by one of the suing stock-
holders was rejected by the court.
The suit charged directors were
State Department
Will Act Strongly
In Mexican Crisis
The U. S. State Department has
promised to make strong representa-
tions in behalf of the Motion Picture
Association of America to the Mexi-
can government against the latter's
moves to establish a screen quota
which would cut showings of Ameri-
can pictures in that country.
A quota bill has passed the Mexi-
can Congress and is being considered
by the Senate. If passed by the latter
it will go to President Aleman for
approval.
The State Department has informed
the MPAA that protests on legal
grounds cannot be made to the Mexi-
can government since there is no
reciprocal trade agreement between
the two countries. This fact is un-
derstood to weigh against the pos-
sibility for success of U. S. govern-
ment protests.
Meanwhile, Mexican exhibitors
were said to be preparing to move for
a court injunction against the meas-
ure if Aleman signs the bill. The
Mexican Supreme Court has before
it at present an action relating to the
constitutionality of a similar bill which
was passed by the Mexican legislature
last year.
Ned Pines Acquires
2 Fan Magazines
Two motion picture fan magazines,
Screenland and Silver Screen, have
been purchased by Ned L. Pines, New
York publisher, from the Henry Pub-
lishing Co. No changes in policy or
personnel are contemplated, the new
management stated. The magazines
will continue to be sold to advertisers
as a group, without any changes in
current guaranteed circulation or ad-
vertising rates, it was said.
Pines last month launched a new
monthly for men, Real.
32 Pre-release Dates
For 'Kilimanjaro'
Darryl F. Zanuck's "The Snows of
Kilimanjaro" will open in 32 key cit-
ies this month, launching its national
pre-release run.
The 20th Century-Fox version of
the Ernest Hemingway story will
start this month at the Paramount,
Atlanta ; Hippodrome, Cleveland ;
Midtown, Philadelphia; Des Moines,
Des Moines ; St. Louis, St. Louis ;
Orpheum, Kansas City ; Fifth Avenue.
Seattle; Paramount, Toledo; Colum-
bia, Washington ; Fox, San Fran-
cisco ; Rialto, Salt Lake City ; Para-
mount, Syracuse ; Criterion, Okla-
homa City.
Also, the Fulton, Pittsburgh; Lyric,
Minneapolis ; Riviera, St. Paul ; Cali-
fornia, San Diego; Los Angeles and
Chinese, Los Angeles ; Ritz, Birm-
ingham ; Orpheum, Spokane ; Or-
pheum, Portland; Circle, Indianapo-
lis; Omaha, Omaha; United Artists,
Detroit ; Colonial, Akron ; Para-
mount, Youngstown ; New, Baltimore ;
Fox, Phoenix ; Rogers, Chattanooga ;
Lincoln, Lincoln; State-Lake, Chi-
cago; and the Paramount, Rochester.
dominated by Cohn when they ap-
proved an employment contract for
him in 1949 and that the company had
paid legal fees of $40,000 which should
have been paid by Cohn.
$10,000 Profit to
TO A on Convention
Theatre Owners of America's profit
on its recent national convention and
trade show was approximately $10,000
against a profit of $20,000 on last
year's convention and trade show, it
was learned here yesterday.
The difference in the figures was
accounted for by the fact that trade
show booths at the convention last
month in Washington numbered only
60 compared to the 80 which carried
displays at the 1951 convention in
New York. Moreover, it was said, the
social events which marked this year's
convention were larger and more ex-
pensive than those held in conjunction
with the New York event.
Wednesday, October 8, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
Arbitration
{Continued from page 1)
arbitration is here. The plan needs
only the finishing touches. There are
no suggested changes important
enough to become roadblocks to com-
pletion. The vast majority of exhib-
itors in this country want arbitration.
That voice must and will be heard."
He added that "much credit must
go to distribution for the great effort
it expended in the formulation of the
plan." If accepted by all parties to
the industry arbitration conference,
the plan will be explained to TOA
member units "the country over" by
TOA officers in person, Levy said.
Levy discussed in strong terms the
need for moral and financial support
of exhibitor associations by members.
He derided "gravy-train riders" as
cowards who "sit idly by _ accepting
benefits without paying their part of
the toll." He noted that, despite the
problems that face exhibitors at pres-
ent, showmen in general "are becom-
ing a bit lax in the proffer of moral
and financial support. It is the old
story of cancelling an insurance policy
either because no accident has hap-
pened in years, or because at times it
becomes a bit difficult to meet the
premiums."
Continued support of trade associa-
tions at local and national levels "is
most essential," Levy said.
Tom Bloomer Reelected President
Of MPTO of St. Louis
St. Louis, Oct. 7. — A committee
resolution to approve a recent Theatre
Owners of America suggestion for ar-
bitration and election of officers for
1952-1953 were the high lights of the
closing day's activities of the annual
meeting of the Motion Picture Theatre
Owners of St. Louis, Eastern Mis-
souri and Southern Illinois.
The resolution concerns the approval
of TOA's plan of arbitration of in-
dustry problems. At the Washington
convention it was suggested that all
regional groups approve the plan, sub
ject of course to any changes which
come about by TOA and regional
group talks. The regional group meet-
ing here was the first approval of the
plan though it is expected others will
follow suit.
Officers elected at today's session are
Tom Bloomer of Belleville, 111., re
elected president ; Tom Edwards of
Farmington, Mo., past president elected
as ex-officio member of all boards of
the organization ; Louis K. Ansell of
St. Louis, chairman ; Thomas James
of St. Louis, vice-president ; Joseph C.
Ansell, treasurer ; Lester R. Kropp ;
secretary. L. J. Williams of Union,
Mo. was elected Missouri regional
vice-president and William E. War-
ing, Jr. of Cobden, III, regional vice-
president for Illinois.
Picker to RKO Radio
{Continued from page 1)
RKO Pictures stock and a salary of
around $1,500 weekly, on a five-year
contract with options. His contract at
U.A. had about four years to go and
also included options.
The new RKO Radio board, after
electing Ralph Stolkin, head of the
syndicate which purchased stock con-
trol from Howard Hughes, president
last week; Arnold Grant chairman of
the board, and Sherrill Corwin vice-
president in charge of studio opera-
tions, said: "Of necessity, a number
of executive changes will be made to
bring in and promote youth with its
vitality, fresh approach and aggressive
thinking."
The statement provoked wide-
spread interest in the industry
and the new management's first
appointment was awaited with
genuine curiosity. Its revela-
tion yesterday was greeted with
commendation mixed with re-
lief.
Picker is 39 years old. Before join-
ing United Artists last year, he had
been with Columbia's foreign distribu-
tion department since 1935, and at the
time of his resignation was vice-presi-
dent of Columbia International.
Agreed to Release Picker
On joining United Artists he was
given a contract and a block of stock
in the company, sharing in the 50 per
cent interest in U.A. held by five
others. Arthur Krim, U.A. president,
said yesterday that the company had
agreed to release Picker from his con-
tract in order to accept the RKO
Radio offer. He will leave here on
Friday for Europe in the company of
Max E. Youngstein, U.A. vice-presi-
dent, for a business trip of approxi-
mately two weeks. _ .
On his return, Picker will divide
his time between U.A. and RKO Ra-
dio until Nov. 15 "to effect an orderly
transition of business." His U.A. stock
will revert to the company on that
date.
U.A. officials said that no successor
to Picker would be named immedi-
ately. The company's foreign distribu-
tion is well organized at this time,
they pointed out, and Lou Lober, as-
sistant to Picker, is well qualified to
direct it.
That Picker's parting with U.A.
was wholly amicable was clear" from
Krim's statement. He said "the com-
pany is releasing Picker with sincere
regret, but it was the unanimous opi-
nion of United Artists' board of di-
rectors that they did not want the
company's contract with Picker to
stand in the way of his accepting the
offer. Our association has been a most
happy one and all of the U.A. part-
ners join me in wishing Arnold every
success in his new assignment."
The statement from the RKO Radio
board said it was "extremely grati-
fied" to acquire the services of Picker
who "has done an outstanding job (at
U.A.) and has been one of that group
of executives which have made such
a dramatic change in the affairs of
United Artists over the last two years.
"This move," the board's statement
continued, "together with all other
moves being made by the board, is
for the purpose of strengthening and
revitalizing the affairs of RKO in
order to bring it to the position of
eminence which it once occupied. The
board is extremely appreciative of the
wonderful attitude of the heads of
United Artists who so graciously re-
leased Mr. Picker to undertake this
challenging opportunity."
Picker's appointment parallels that
of Al Daff, who became executive
vice-president of Universal in charge
of worldwide distribution last sum-
mer when Decca Records acquired
stock control of that company and its
president, Milton Rackmil, became
president of Universal.
Color TV
{Continued from page 1)
AMPA Enlists Four
{Continued from page 1)
mount exploitation director, and Dan
S. Terrell, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ex-
ploitation manager.
Bergman will speak on public rela-
tions at the final Thursday evening
session on Dec. 18, sharing the pro-
gram with Arthur DeBra and Gordon
White of the Motion Picture Asso-
ciation of America.
Morris will lecture on Oct. 16 with
Ernest Emerling of Loew's, Walter
Brooks, of Motion Picture Herald's
Managers Round Table, and Al Floer-
sheimer of Walter Reade Theatres.
Cerebral Palsy Unit
Appeals for Drivers
United Cerebral Palsy of New York
City, Inc., has issued an appeal tor
volunteer drivers to supply transporta-
tion of children to and from clinics.
The children are unable to receive
treatment unless such transportation
can be supplied. Last winter, reports
Mrs. Harry Fellerman, chairman of
transportation, the women's division
volunteers made 1,500 trips a month
in New York City.
Those wishing to help must use their
own cars, carry minimum New York
State insurance, and be able to offer
at least one hour per week. They are
asked to call PL 3-3005, and ask for
"Motor Corps," or write to U.C.P.A.,
of NYC, 47 W. 57th Street, "Motor
Corps."
Sharp Rise
{Continued from page 1)
comparable 1951 quarter.
Labor defines the service category
as including miscellaneous items such
as film processing, repair and rental
of equipment and casting bureau ex-
penses. The theatre category covers
all motion picture theatres, including
vaudeville expenses.
The figures include all industry em-
ployes covered by state unemploy-
ment insurance.
Daff Cites Injury
{Continued from page 1)
tour of France, England, and Holland.
Daff noted : "This happens at a time
when quite a few very important, very
good American films would have been
available and could have done very
strong. The people of France will suf-
fer a great loss of entertainment for
American films are gaining in pop-
ularity there but the exhibitors will
probably resort to reissues or inferior
products."
He did not think French film pro-
duction could take up much, if any
of the slack and noted that the French
patrons suffer unjustly for they are
supporting their own films even with
American films playing.
Business is generally holding up
very well elsewhere, Daff said, but
noted that an unusually hot summer
had brought England's box-office
down. It has now bounced back.
In Holland a reconstruction program
on damaged theatres is in progress.
SMPTE members gathered here for
their semi-annual convention that the
NTSC has tested and worked out an
all-electronic compatible system signal
which will be "adequate for all com-
mercial color television."
Minor Improvements
There will be minor improvements
made on the system, Loughgren said,
and the committee will make further
tests to determine what improvements
can possibly be made. Then, by mid-
1953, he continued, the individual com-
panies that have worked on the system,
Loughgren said, and the committee
will make further tests to determine
what improvements can possibly be
made. Then, by mid- 1953, he con-
tinued, the individual companies that
have worked on the system will be
able to petition the Commission for a
hearing.
Loughgren touched on the Eidophor
theatre television system and told the
group that the system appears, to pro-
vide "better color." He said it may be
that the system will present the best
theatre size color print, but added that
"from the long range, consideration
the system may be more important
than the apparatus.
Cautions Industry
He cautioned the motion picture in-
dustry not to select a system with
"inherent limitations."
The add-a-unit approach to film pro-
cessing machines was presented to the
meet today. The need for a reasonably
priced, quickly accessible, self-con-
tained developer for television stations
and small laboratories was emphasized.
This need led to the design of the
Bridgamatic.
This device, it was shown, embodies
standard commercial design plus a
continuous overdrive, tension-relieving
clutches, straight-line film flow and
ease of handling; 16mm. and 35mm.
negative/positive, also reversal models
were described. The presentation was
made by Joseph A. Tanney and Ed-
ward B. Krause of S.O.S. Cinema
Supply Corp., who explained how the
add-a-unit idea was adopted, permit-
ting the purchase of the basic Bridga-
matic machine with its bare essentials,
to which recirculation, replenishment,
aeration, filtration, refrigeration and
other refinements could be added as
desired.
only $626* for a
10-DAY
HAWAIIAN
VACATION!
Manley's Plant Burns
Kansas City, Oct. 7.— The North
Kansas City popcorn processing plant
of Manley, Inc., selling popcorn mate-
rials and machines to theartes and
other places, has been completely de-
stroyed by fire, with an estimated
damage of $90,000. A new crop of
popcorn escaped destruction, however,
as it had not arrived at the plant.
Includes Mainliner transportation, hotel
accommodations and sightseeing.
That's just one of United Air Lines'
low-expense Hawaiian Air Vacations.
There are six others from which to
choose, lasting up to 23 days. Call or
write for a free descriptive folder.
* From New York
UNITED AIR LINES
( Fares plus fox.)
star's best friend ...
Pictures take months to make . . .
may be unmade in split seconds.
For the superlative showings of which
modern projection equipment is capable
depend upon superlative film care.
Film coating, for example, lubrication,
and inspection — all require precise
knowledge, expert handling. And in
cleaning, splicing, and winding, the film
must be held "just so" in hands wearing
the right type of glove; here, the
slightest scratch means trouble.
Oh subjects such as these- — ranging
from choice of film to projection and
film storage — representatives of the
Eastman Technical Service for
Motion Picture Film are trained to advise
and work with the industry.
To maintain this service, the Eastman
Kodak Company has branches at strategic
centers . . . invites inquiry on all phases
of film use from all members of the
industry. 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, 137 North Wabash Avenue,
Chicago 2, Illinois. West Coast
Division, 6706 Santa Monica Blvd.,
Hollywood 38, California.
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
VOL. 72. NO. 71
NEW YORK, U. S. A., THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1952
TEN CENTS
Italians Told
Code Helped
Block Censors
Self -Regulation Need
Explained by Spaeth
Tribute to the Hollywood Pro-
duction code as an instrument
which blocked the growth of "po-
litical censorship" in the United
States was paid here yesterday by Dr.
Sigmund Spaeth, motion picture chair-
man of the National Federation of
Music Clubs, -. ,
Spaeth's address was the highlight
of a luncheon at the Hotel Plaza
given by the Film Estimate Board oi
National Organizations, claiming to
represent 40,000,000 American club-
women, in honor of the Italian film
industry. It was delivered by. Mrs.
Jessie M. Bader, national chairman of
the Protestant Motion Picture Coun-
cil, due to Spaeth's illness.
In his observations, Spaeth explored
the historical background of the Code,
which he said, "reflects the composite
entertainment taste and moral stan-
dards of our complex population.
He added that it would be "consum-
(Continued on page 3)
From Cincinnati, Louis-
ville and Hartford,
Conn., come additional
reports that the business
upswing continues . Louis-
ville and Cincinnati ex-
hibitors were said to be
more confident of future
business than they had
been in a long time, while
a survey of key cities
throughout the Connecti-
cut area by the Bridgeport
"Herald" shows that films
are "making a strong come-
back" and that "the TV
bugaboo is fading."
•
HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 8. ~
There were 14 features in
color by Technicolor in
release, ready for re-
lease, in production or
preparation in June,
1939. A week ago there
were 185.
Mayer Again Puts
On COMPO Harness
Arthur L. Mayer, former
executive vice - president of
the Council of Motion Picture
Organizations, yesterday in-
formed the industry agency
that he was ready again to
contribute his time and effort
to the advancement of its
aims and purposes. Mayer
recently completed a book
which will be published short-
ly by Simon & Schuster.
COMPO promptly accepted
Mayer's offer, and in conse-
quence he will discuss the or-
ganization in an address be-
fore the Film Council of
Springfield, Mass., on Oct. 16.
COMPANIES 'OK'
ARBITRATION
25 States Now in
Rogers Campaign
Theatres in 25 states are now par-
ticipating in the Will Rogers Hospital
fund drive.
Signing up for the Rogers Memo-
rial Hospital collection-can-on-candy-
stand project every theatre in the
state of Rhode Island is the goal of
Maurice Druker, manager of Loew's
State in Providence. Druker yester-
day sent into the fund headquarters
names of 22 additional Rhode Island
theatres. There are about 63 houses in
the state.
With the enrollment by Henry G.
Plitt of the Paramount Gulf Theatres
(Continued on page 5)
Distributor Revisions Set; Now Goes to
Exhibitors Who Are Free to Suggest
Changes; Republic, Monogram Reservation
Following a meeting here yesterday of distributor presidents,
other top executives and attorneys, Eric A. Johnston, Motion Pic-
ture Association of America president, reported they approved an
industry arbitration system draft which will be submitted promptly
to exhibitor organization represen-
tatives for action.
The draft will not be handed to
the exhibitor representatives on a
"take-it-or-leave-it" basis, it was em-
phasized. Said Johnston: "The door
is open for changes in the draft which
may be requested by exhibitors."
Any proposed changes in the draft
on which distributor attorneys have
worked steadily during the past few
weeks "will be fully considered by the
distributing companies so that an arbi-
tration system can be established as
speedily as possible," Johnston said.
Participants in yesterday's meeting
freely admitted that distributors' ap-
proval of the draft was not reached
without a few "uprisings" against
some of its provisions. It was pointed
out that Monogram and Republic still
want Department of Justice assur-
ances that they will not be bound by
the industry anti-trust suit decrees if
they become signatories to any arbi-
tration system agreement.
The distributors were reported to
be satisfied that they have complied
with the request of Abram F. Myers,
Allied States Association general
counsel, "for something I can react
to and submit to my organization."
It is expected the distributors' draft,
which actually is a distributor-
amended version of a document drawn
up originally by exhibitor as well as
(Continued on page 5)
Cox, Wesco V P,'
Signs 5-Year Pact
Los Angeles, Oct. 8.— A new em-
ployment contract covering the period
Dec. 1, 1952 to Dec. 31, 1957 has been
signed by Henry C. Cox as Wesco
Theatres vice-president, it was learned
here yesterday.
Under the agreement, which re-
places one for the period Nov., 1945
to Nov., 1952, Cox will receive a
weekly salary of $1,000, plus weekly
expenses of $100. He makes his
headquarters in Los Angeles, and any
expenses for traveling on business are
to be repaid apart from the regular
allowance.
In the event of the executive's death
during the term of the contract, his
wife, Mrs. Jesse L. Cox, will receive
$300 weekly for five years. If, for
reasons of health, Cox should be un-
able to perform his duties and the
(Continued on page 5)
Says Video Is Spurring
Film Theatres' Gains
Toronto, Oct. 8. — The coming
the r challenge of TV is helping to
films, according
of radio helped bring "talkies" and
speed the arrival of third dimensional
to N. A. Tay-
lor, president of
20th Century
Theatres.
"I am excited
at what is hap-
pening and what
can happen," he
told those par-
ticipating in the
last of a series
of company re-
gional meetings
held in a num-
ber of Ontario
cities.
"You can't sit on your status quo,
Taylor advised his managers, execu-
tives and head office department heads.
N. A. Taylor
"This business cannot remain static.
That fact is the life-blood of our busi-
ness. And if you believe that, say so.
When a man asks you if television
will put you out of business, tell him
that his grandchildren will be going
to the movies. Talk on the upbeat, not
the downbeat."
Taylor, whose company operates 70
theatres in Ontario and recently added
several in the West, declared: "If
you don't think that the motion pic-
ture theatre will survive television,
then now is the time to get out of it
for your own sake and for the sake
of your families," he advised, adding :
"I'm sticking." .
Not only change was normal, he
(Continued on page 5)
Cravath Law Firm
Advises RKO Radio
The retention of the law
firm of Cravath, Swaine &
Moore as special counsel was
disclosed here yesterday by
the board of directors of RKO
Radio Pictures.
The firm will represent the
corporation in its Stock Ex-
change, Securities Exchange
Commission, corporate and
financial matters, it was add-
ed. Thomas Halleran, a part-
ner in the Cravath firm, will
be consultant to the board of
directors.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, October 9, 1952
Canadian Theatre Receipts
Increased 11% Last Year
Ottawa, Oct. 8. — Total receipts of Canadian motion picture exhibi-
tors, exclusive of taxes, rose 11 per cent in 1951 to $96,319,580 from
$86,713,357 in the previous year, the
government reveals in a preliminary
report.
Paid admissions increased four per
cent from $242,396,679 in 1950 to
$252,159,125 last year; 2,180 exhibi-
tors collected $11,887,226 in amuse-
ment taxes.
Eighty-two drive-in theatres ac-
counted for $3,347,670 of the total
receipts, $6,554,572 of the paid ad-
missions and $406,611 of the total
amusement taxes.
Salaries and wages of regular film
theatres reached $17,137,276 last year.
Corwin, Wald Confer,
No Disclosures Yet
Hollywood, Oct. 8.— Sherrill Cor-
win arrived here today from New
York, where he attended organiza-
tional meetings of the Ralph Stolkin
group which recently acquired the
controlling interest in RKO Pictures,
and went into conferences with Jerry
Wald, whose contract with the studio
expires Dec. 31, and who has been
frequently mentioned as most likely
choice of the new management for
production head, but it was under-
stood no disclosure of developments of
any kind will be made before the
weekend.
Hutner Promoted to
20th Publicity Aide
Meyer Hutner has been named as-
sociate publicity manager of 20th Cen-
tury-Fox, by
Edward E. Sul-
livan, publicity
manager.
Hutner, who
joined 20th
C entury-Fox
four years ago
as newspaper
contact, was ap-
pointed special
events director
last year. Be-
fore joining the
company he
was publicity
manager for
Billy Rose, Kate Smith and Mickey
Rooney. Prior to his entry into the
publicity field, Hutner had been on the
editorial staffs of the New York
Journal American and the New York
Post.
He succeeds Sullivan, who was
named publicity manager on Tuesday.
Meyer Hutner
Personal
Mention
ELLIS G. ARNALL, president of
the Society of Independent Mo-
tion Picture Producers, arrived here
yesterday from Atlanta for three days
of conferences with SIMPP members.
•
John R. Patno has been named
manager of the New England Cir-
cuit's Empress at Norwalk, Conn.,
replacing John Hassett, resigned.
Patno was formerly assistant man-
ager of the circuit's Allyn, Hartford.
•
John del Valle, former Nat Holt
Productions director of publicity, has
been named editor of TV Family^ a
new national weekly magazine which
will be launched later this month.
•
Mike Spanagel, formerly vice-
president and assistant general man-
ager of Mid-States Theatres, has
joined radio station WCKY in Cin-
cinnati as an account executive.
•
Norman Friedman of M-G-M's art
department, became a father for the
second time Monday with the birth
of a boy, Lawrence Paul, to his wife
at Brooklyn Women's Hospital.
•
William Dullum has been named
manager of the Regent Theatre in Ot-
tawa, replacing Henry Marshall,
who was transferred to the Capital in
Toronto.
•
Charles Boasberg, RKO Radio
North-South division sales manager,
"is in Toronto and will return here
over the weekend.
•
Alva E. Smith, radio installation
supervisor of Westrex Corp., has re-
turned here from a three months trip
to Venezuela.
•
Charles McLeary, formerly with
Loew's in Baltimore, is the new man-
ager of Shea's Elmwood, Buffalo.
•
Boyd Sparrow, manager of the
Loew's Warfield in San Francisco,
is" in Los Angeles this week.
•
Philip Gerard, Universal Eastern
publicity manager, will return here
today from Philadelphia.
•
D. C. Collins, Westrex Corp. vice-
president, has returned to New York
from Hollywood.
•
Frank Rosenberg, 20th Century-
Fox producer, is in New York from
the Coast.
Greshler Here on Deal
Hollywood, Oct. 8. — Abner Gresh-
ler is en route to New York from
here for executive huddles to finalize
a deal for RKO Radio release of
"Emergency Call," British film to
which he recently acquired global
rights. Greshler revealed before he
left here that Freddie Mills, British
light-heavyweight champion, is com-
ing to this country to make a series
of radio and TV shots as part of an
exploitation campaign for this Butcher
Productions, Ltd., feature, in which
Mills stars.
'Howdy Doody' Radio
Show to 'Plug9 Films
In furtherance of the mutual pro-
motion pact between the Organization
of the Motion Picture Industry of
New York and the National Broad-
casting Co., a one-minute spot an-
nouncement listing recommended films
for children which are playing in the
Metropolitan area will be incorporated
in the "Howdy Doody" radio show on
WNBC Saturday mornings, OMPI
reported here yesterday.
OMPI said other program spots
currently are in preparation and will
be announced as activated.
Spring to Address
NTFC Wednesday
Samuel Spring, attorney and author
of the book, "Risks and Rights," will
address the membership of the Na-
tional Television Film Council at its
first fall luncheon meeting in the War-
wick Hotel on Wednesday.
Spring, will discuss "The Laws of
Privacy and the Laws of Libel" as
they pertain to the telecasting of films,
according to Melvin L. Gold, NTFC
president.
Criterion Holds 'Zero'
Edmund Grainger's "One Minute to
Zero," starring Robert Mitchum and
Ann Blyth, will gross $19,500 in its
third week at the Criterion here and
will hold for a fourth week, theatre
officials announced. The picture will
begin its fourth week tomorrow.
'Limelight' Music
On Radio Tonight
Charles Chaplin's musical score for
"Limelight" will have its radio pre-
miere tonight at 9:05 over station
WQXR as the highlight of the first
all-Chaplin musical program on the
air, entitled "Charles Chaplin — the
tramp Who Made Music." The pro-
gram had been announced earlier for
airing tomorrow night. Excerpts from
the scores of "City Lights" and "Mod-
ern Times" will be included.
"Limelight," a United Artists re-
lease, will open on Oct. 23 in continu-
ous performances at the Astor Thea-
tre and on a reserved-seat twice-daily
schedule at the Trans-Lux. Advance
reserved-seat tickets go on sale to-
day at the Trans-Lux. Priced at $2.40
for all performances except $1.80 for
week-day matinees, the film will be
shown at 2:30 and 8:30 P.M. daily,
with extra matinees at 5 :30 P.M. on
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, and
special Saturday night 11:30 show-
ings.
MPAA, Distributors
Take 3-Day Holiday
Most major film company home of-
fices will remain closed on Monday
in observance of the Columbus Day
holiday. Companies closing include
Columbia, M-G-M, Monogram, Para-
mount, RKO Pictures, RKO Thea-
tres, 20th Century-Fox, United Art-
ists, United Paramount Theatres, Uni-
versal-International, Warner and the
Motion Picture Association of Amer-
ica. Republic will close at 1.00 P.M.
Mail Orders Heavy
For Cinerama Here
Testifying to the spread of
interest in Cinerama, one
day's mail received at the
box-office of the Broadway
Theatre here yesterday, where
the process and program is
in its exclusive premiere en-
gagement, included more than
1,100 orders for tickets, ac-
cording to a Cinerama spokes-
man. The mail came from
many sections of the country
as well as from nearby.
The public response has
extended the advance sale in-
definitely. It had been set
originally for an eight-week
minimum.
Photoplay Poll Won
By Hunter, Nelson
Photoplay Magazine's annual
"Choose Your Stars" poll has been
won by Lori Nelson, 19-year-old Uni-
versal-International actress, and Tab
Hunter, 21-year-old ice skater who has
appeared in only one picture. The
winners and the runners-up were
honored at a Photoplay reception in
Hollywood last week-end at which
Tyrone Power officiated.
Fred Sammis, vice-president of Mc-
Fadden Publications, and Photoplay
editor Tony Gray attended the event.
It was disclosed that Miss Nelson
triumphed over the nearest actress
chosen by a margin of three to one,
one of the highest ever made. Past
winners of the poll have usually at-
tained Hollywood stardom. In the
last two years the winners were Mitzi
Gaynor and Anthony Dexter, and
Sally Forrest and Howard Keel.
List Runners-up
Runners-up in the poll for the femi-
nine stars were Ursula Theiss, Elaine
Stewart, Hildegarde Neff, Dawn Ad-
dams, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Barbara Ruick,
Joan Taylor, Helene Stanley, Joan
Rice and Beverly Michaels. Male run-
ners-up were Arthur Franz, Oskar
Werner, Johnny Stewart, Robert Hor-
ton, Keith Andes, Michael Moore,
Gene Barry, John Forsyth, Rusty
Tamblyn and Dean Miller.
Haber RCA Victor
Publicity Director
Camden, N. J., Oct. 8. — Julius
Haber has been appointed director of
public relations for the Victor Divi-
sion of RCA, effective Nov. 1, C. M.
Odorizzi, operating vice-president of
the division announced. Haber, whose
career has been in public relations,
publicity and advertising, joined RCA
in 1922. He succeeds James M. Toney
who has been appointed director of
consumer products distribution.
Haber is now serving as director of
advertising and sales promotion for
RCA Technical Products. He has
served as publicity chairman for the
Institute of Radio Engineers, the Ra-
dio Club of America, and the Society
of Motion Picture and Television En-
gineers.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley. Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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 Quiglev, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J.
Brady, Secretary; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine
Building, William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trmz, Editorial Representative, 11
North Clark Street, FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI ; 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; International Motion Picture 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 9, 1952
Motion Picture daily
Intermountain 9s
Ricketson Before
FCC on Video Bid
Code Helped Block Censors
{Continued from page 1)
Washington, Oct. 8. — Frank Ric-
ketson, president of Fox Intermoun-
tain Theatres, told the Federal Com-
munications Commission today that he
was never named as a defendant in an
anti-trust suit.
Ricketson declared that he didn't
believe he had ever been an officer of
a company named as an anti-trust de-
fendant and said that to the best of
his knowledge Fox Intermountain had
never been an anti-trust defendant.
Ricketson made these statements in
testimony at an FCC hearing on two
applicants competing for a television
station on channel 7 in Denver. Ric-
ketson is an officer of Aladdin Radio
and Television Co., one of the appli-
cants, and holds 13.7 percent of the
company's stock. The competing ap-
plicant is Denver Television Co., in
which the principal stockholders are
Harris and John Wolfberg.
Asked by counsel for Denver Tele-
vision if Fox Intermountain had ever
violated the 1940 consent decree, Ric-
ketson replied that it had not. He
admitted that the company had entered
into franchise deals with Columbia,
Universal and Republic after the 1940
consent decree, but said that his coun-
sel had advised him such franchise
deals were legal. Ricketson's attorney
explained that the 1940 decree pro-
hibited franchise deals with major
companies, but did not outlaw them
with non-majors.
Ricketson said that Columbia, Uni-
versal and Republic were all "small,
struggling companies" at the time,
and that it was Fox Intermountain' s
policy to help such companies in their
financial "problems."
Ricketson told hearing examiner
James Cunningham that he foresaw
the day when motion pictures "would
complement" television and television
would "complement" motion pictures
Schine Theatres Bid for TV
Station in Rochester
Washington, Oct. 8.— The Schine
Chain Theatres have applied to the
Federal Communications Commission
for a television station on channel 27
in Rochester, N. Y., the FCC an-
nounced today.
Gardner at MGM
'Frisco Exchange
San Francisco, Oct. 8.— Sam Gard-
ner, assistant M-G-M West Coast
sales manager with headquarters in
Los Angeles, will remain at the
M-G-M exchange here until a suc-
cessor to the late manager L. C.
Wingham has been appointed.
Charles Reagen, M-G-M sales head,
is expected to arrive in San Fran-
cisco from New York this month to
make an appointment.
B'nai B'rith Award
To Jimmy Durante
Boston, Oct. 8.— Jimmy Durante
will be honored by the B'nai B'rith
lodges of America Sunday, Nov. 16
on a special radio program to be
broadcast coast-to-coast by National
Broadcasting.' The citation to be pre-
sented to Durante will read : "For his
outstanding efforts in behalf of broth-
erhood and for his fine work in pro-
moting good will between all faiths."
mate impudence" to impose the Code
on foreign producers, but that they
should understand the reasons for self-
censorship in the United States.
Spaeth pointed out that between
1926 and 1940, 42 proposals for Feder-
al censorship of films were introduced
in the United States and in the House
of Representatives. "None passed,"
he added, "and no new state effective
censorship was enacted into law after
1922."
Credit for this accomplishment,
Spaeth said, is due to the industry's
voluntary code and national organiza-
tions, such as the Film Estimate
Board of National Organizations,
which previews new films and ac-
quaints its membership with their
content.
Spaeth called the current censor-
ship laws of six states and some 200
cities "repugnant" to American pro-
ducers and the American people. He
also paid tribute, in conjunction with
the "Salute to Italian Films" week, to
the many Italian films imported into
this country. He also told his audience
that Americans were not interested in
"propaganda" films.
Mrs. Arthur Mayer, acting chair-
man of the American Jewish Commit-
tee, presented a scroll, acclaiming the
renaissance of Italian films , to Eitel
Monaco, president of the National
Association of Motion Picture and
Allied Industries.
Representatives of the Italian indus-
try attending the luncheon included :
Renato Gualino, general director of
the Italian Film Export organization ;
Nicoli de Pirro, director general of
the Entertainment Industry Bureau of
the Italian Government ; Luigi Zampa,
director ; Dino de Laurentiis, pro-
ducer; Sylvana Mangano, Renato
Rascel and Sondra Pallavichini.
Zampa told the gathering of his
plans to direct a film in New York
about a family of Italian extraction, a
film, he added, which would strengthen
the ties between the two countries.
Foreign Press Critics
Honor Italian Industry
The Foreign Language Press Film
Critics Circle last night presented to
the Italian film industry its scroll of
"Highest Merit" for "the deep enter-
tainment satisfaction, they have given
peoples throughout the world, and in
acknowledgment of the contributions
that Italian films have made towards'
understanding among nations."
The presentation was made from
the stage of the Little Carnegie Thea-
tre, prior to the performance of "Um-
berto D," the new De Sica film, one
of the seven festival films of "Salute
to Italian Films Week." The scroll
was presented to Nicola de Pirro,
director general of the Italian Govern-
ent's Entertainment Industries Bureau
by Sigmund Gottlober, executive sec-
retary of the Foreign Language Press
Critics Circle.
20th-Fox Executives
Fete Italian Officials
Twentieth Century-Fox will fete
representatives of the Italian industry
in conjunction with "Salute to Italian
Films Week," at the Latin Quarter
here tomorrow night.
Hosting the party will be Mr. and
Mrs. Murray Silverstone, Miss Mari-
lyn Silverstone, Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Einfeld, Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel Sil-
verstone, and Mr. and Mrs. Leslie
Whelan.
Balaban Hosts Italians
At Supper This Evening
Barney Balaban, Paramount Pic-
tures president, will be host to the
visiting Italian film delegation at a
private supper this evening at the
Sherry Netherland Hotel here.
Screen 'Miracle' in
Chi. Reversal Bid
Chicago, Oct. 8.— "The Miracle,"
banned by the Chicago police censor
board for exhibition here, is being-
screened today for Mayor Kennally
and corporation counsel John J. Mor-
timer by the American Civil Liberties
Union in an attempt to have the
Mayor reverse the censor board's de-
cision, which was upheld by Police
Commissioner O'Connor when the
ACLU first appealed the banning.
The print, which had been sent back
to New York after a private invita-
tional showing sponsored by the
ACLU, for a representative group of
civic, religious, and educational lead-
ers 'in Chicago in the campaign to
have the picture shown publicly here,
was brought in especially for today's
screening.
Legion Puts French
Film in Class C
"Savage Triangle," a French film dis-
tributed here, by Joseph Burstyn, Inc.,
was placed in Class C (condemned)
in this week's Legion of Decency re-
port.
The report also places the following
four films in Class B "Captive Wom-
en," RKO Radio ; "Limelight," United
Artists ; "Father's Dilemma" (Italian),
Arthur Davis Associates, and "Night
Without Sleep." 20th Century-Fox.
New 20th-Fox Firm
Files With NY State
Albany, N. Y.,Oct. 8:— ^Twentieth
Century-Fox Film Corp., incorporated
under the laws of Delaware, July 18,
1952, filed a statement with the Sec-
retary of State that its capital stock
is $3,000,000, $1 par. The certificate,
executed by W. C. Michel, executive
vice-president, stated that the new
corporation is "acquiring the assets
and good will of 20th Century-Fox
Film Corp., a New York corporation
now in the process of dissolution."
One of its purposes is "carrying on
the business formerly conducted by
that concern."
'Downbeat' Films
Don't Pay: Harvey
San Francisco, Oct. 8. — Rotus
Harvey has suggested that producers
ask stars who have toured the country
and talked with movie-goers what
kind of films the public wants. Harvey
opined that the consensus of what
films pay off at the box-office would
not be "somber pictures, psycholo-
gical dramas, or anything on the
'downbeat'."
"For years exhibitors have been 'yell-
ing' for entertaining pictures and for
years have deplored the making of
those pictures whose sole aim is to
preach, sell an idea, or to spread
propaganda.
rom
: the
\ Studio
: that
: brought
;you
about Mrs. Baxters ; trees
that ^rowfI))and\^bills
and start a RIOT that wrecks
a town— and rocks the
nation with hilarity
V.
SO HAPPY- IT SHOULD HAPPEN Tq
that
rees
rows
on
CO-STARRING
DEAN JAGGER * JOAN EVANS * * richard crenna
by ARTHUR LUBIN • story ano screenplay By Leonard praskins ano barney slater • produced by Leonard golostein • a universal-international
2 the Money Makers f
Thursday, October 9, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
14 Reissue Duals
Set by Realart
Hollywood, Oct. 8.— The first in a
series of 14 re-issue combinations for
1953 has been announced here by Jack
Broker, president of Realart Pictures.
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez are
featured in the initial program, which
consists of "Lucy Goes Wild" and
"Cuban Pete." Both were released
originally by Universal. The other
combinations include : "Inside Job"
and "Mug Town"; "The Body Van-
ishes" and "Calling Dr. Death";
"When Johny Comes Marching-
Home" and "Private Buckeroo" ;
"Dark Streets of Cairo" and "China-
town Squad"; "Tiger Island" and
"Strange Conquest" ; "Song of the
Sarong" and "Rhythm of the Islands.
Fear TV Will Injure
Theatres in Portland
Portland, Ore., Oct. 8.— Predic-
tions that IS of Portlands 50 the-
atres will be closed by television com-
petition and values of the others will
be considerably lowered are reflected
in figures submitted by Oregon s as-
sessors Kermit M. Carson, chief
deputy assessor for Multnomah
County, made these predictions m
commenting at the 40th annual as-
sessors' convention on assessment
problems in the state's largest county.
He said the theatres which will be
hardest hit will be those in the sub-
urbs. Also, TV competition in two
or three years will likely bring a 20
per cent depreciation in the value of
the better downtown theatres, he said.
Portland theatre owners agreed
with Carson's forecast and explained
that suburban theatres will be hard-
est hit because "their customers are
the people who will be looking at TV."
Says TV Does Not
Keep People Home
London, Oct. 8. — "Television's
power to keep people at home is much
less than has sometimes been sug-
gested," the annual report of British
Broadcasting Corp. asserts.
Discussing the increase in time
devoted to home viewing on this side,
the report says : "Most of this time,
it is believed, was found by rearrang-
ing home life. Comparatively little
of it came from reducing activities
outside the home."
The BBC report noted that tele
vision reception licenses almost doub
led in the past year— from 764,000
to 1,457,000, but at the same time
there was a slight decline in the
extent to which Britons listened to
sound broadcasts.
UK to Make Films
For Canadian TV
London, Oct. 8— High Definition
Films will start production of pictures
for Canadian television use as soon
as the Highbury studio here is ready,
Norman Collins, company chief, said
on his return from Canada where he
conferred with Davidson Duncan,
chairman of Canadian Broadcasting
Corp.
Collins said there is a big market
for TV films in Canada because dis-
tances there are such that radio links
are not practicable and film accord-
ingly is the answer. However, he said,
the film programs must be offered
at economic prices.
TV Spurring
(Continued from page 1)
Drive-in Clinic at
Mich. Allied Meet
Arbitration
(Continued from page 1)
pointed out, but also opposition in old
and new forms. "The public will put
its money down for whatever inter-
ests it, whether it's Bingo, night base-
ball, stock car races or anything else,"
he said. "We have survived them all
and we will survive television."
He reviewed the effect of TV
in the two Canadian test cities,
Windsor and Chatham, report-
ing that business was down un-
til installment payments on TV
sets had been completed, after
which it returned to something
approaching the pre-TV level.
The fact that Canada had not
been invaded rapidly by TV
made it possible to utilize the
experience of U. S. operators
with it.
"We need a new approach to 'Show-
manship,' " Taylor contended, advis-
ing that the public ought to be re-
minded frequently of how little an
evening's film entertainment cost, the
average admission being 50 cents. All
other forms of entertainment were
higher and even a TV set costs as
much to maintain as the average
yearly expenditures on films, he stated.
"Any business that doesn't meet its
opposition goes out," he warned. "Res-
taurants, shoe stores and others meet
it. It all boils down to this : Give
good entertainment, better service and
more comfort and keep telling the pub-
lic about them. You may not always
pack your theatre but you'll stay in
business and progress as well," Taylor
concluded.
Detroit, Oct. 8. — A special drive-
in theatre program has been arranged
by Allied Theatres of Michigan dur-
ing its annual convention to be held
at the Tuller Hotel, Oct. 20-22.
Special displays will be set up in
the Variety clubrooms. A chartered
bus will leave Oct. 22 with Ted Rog-
voy and several exhibitors, for the
Bel-Air Drive-in Theatre operated by
Charles Komer and Adolph and Irv-
ing Goldberg, of Community Theatres.
Rogvoy, theatre architect, will lead
a panel discussion on the grounds
of the drive-in. A landscape artist,
sound man, plumber and a conces-
sionair will be on hand to answer
questions. The group will be guests
of the Goldbergs and Komer.
The delegates to the convention
will hear addresses by Wilbur Snaper
national Allied president; Leon Bam-
berger, RKO Radio public relations,
director; Abram Myers, Allied gen-
eral counsel; Sam Pinanski, COMPO
co-chairman ; Trueman Rembusch,
president of Allied of Indiana; Allen
Johnson, Michigan Allied's national
representative, and Lawrence Griffin
of Manton, Mich.
Rogers Campaign
(Continued from page 1)
distributor attorneys, will be the one
Myers will submit to the Allied na-
tional convention in Chicago, Nov. 17-
19. It is likely that the Theatre Own-
ers of America board, and the boards
of the Independent Theatre Owners
Association of New York, Metro-
politan Motion Picture Theatres As-
sociation and Western Theatre Own-
ers, will act on the distributor-ap-
proved draft at meetings soon.
"Before an arbitration system
is finally set up," Johnston re-
minded, "it of course must be
approved by the court and the
Department of Justice as well
as by the exhibitor organiza-
tions and the boards of direc-
tors of each of the participat-
ing distributor companies."
Johnston said also that "final agree-
ment on arrangements for financing
the system await further discussions
with exhibitor representatives." In
Johnston's opinion the distributors'
favorable action on the draft meant
that "setting up of an industry arbi-
tration system moved a major step
forward." He said approval of the
terms of the draft by the distributors
"is in line with exhibitor requests for
such action."
Mutual Rights to
Lippert Franchiser
San Francisco, Oct. 8.— An agree-
ment has been concluded between Mu-
tual Productions of the West, headed
by Irving Levin, and Al Grubstick,
the Robert Lippert franchise holder in
San Francisco, for Grubstick to han-
dle the sales and distribution of Mu-
tual features in the San Francisco
territory.
Pictures now in release which
Grubstick will handle include "Models,
Inc." and "Nightmare in Red China."
Doug fair to Cull
Museum Footage
Hollywood, Oct. 8. — Dougfair
Corp. has disclosed an arrangement
with the American Museum of Nat-
ural History, New York, under which
Douglas Fairbanks' staff will comb
the 2,000,000 feet of film acanired bv
the museum over the past 30 years,
se'ectinsr material for theatre and
other use.
Fairbanks also will collaborate with
the museum in planning future ex-
peditions.
Dual Lessor's 'Red
S<>a' and 'Tarzan'
Sol Lesser's new documentary,
"Under the Red Sea" will be com-
bined with the producer's "Tarzan's
Savage Furv" in dual-run houses,
Robert Mochrie, RKO Radio sales
vice-president, announced.
"Tarzan's Savage Fury" was re-
leased last spring to single-run houses,
but has been held up for double-bill
theatres pending preparation of "Un-
der the Red Sea."
Circuit, 31 additional Southern houses
have joined the campaign. In addi-
tion, more than 100 of Rowley United
theatres, Dallas, have enlisted. This
brings the Lone Star State participa
tion to nearly 300 theatres, including
Interstate.
About 50 Indiana theatres have
joined the collection project, accord
ing to Howard Rutherford, Loew's
manager in Indianapolis. Among the
latter city's downtown houses enrolled
are the Indiana, Circle, Lyric and
Keith's of the Greater Indianapolis
Amusement Co. Cantor Amusement's
four neighborhood-houses signed up
with the M. Marcus circuit. Marc J.
Wolf, president of Y. & W. Manage
ment Co., gave approval for his 31
houses in Northern Indiana.
Mexican Ruling
Saves Heavy Taxes
Mexico City, Oct. 8. — American
and Mexican distributors, headed by
Warner Brothers, won from the Fed-
eral Supreme Court a decision that
it is estimated will save them $396,000
yearly in taxes. The distributors ap-
pealed to the court against the ruling
of the Ministry of Finance that
they must be included for taxation
purposes among those subject to the
Mercantile Incomes Law. The court
agreed with the distributors that the
Ministry had erred in thus classify-
ing them as they are commercial not
industrial enterprises. The law speci-
fies that it covers industrialists only.
Weinberg Titles 3
New Foreign Films
Herman G. Weinberg has completed
the English titles for three new Euro-
pean films, Rossellini's "Flowers of
St. Francis," filmed in Italy, and two
French pictures, "Forbidden Games "
grand prize winner of this year's
Venice Film Festival, and "Ladies
Hair-Dresser," starring FernandeL
"Flowers of St. Francis" is a Joseph
Burstyn release.
Cox Signs Pact
(Continued from page 1)
company therefore should elect to ter-
minate the pact, he .would receive
$400 weekly for two years commenc-
ing with the date of termination.
Under the agreement, Cox is not
bared from participating in any bonus
or stock option plans the company
may put into effect.
Tie-up Lectures Set
For AMP A Tonight
This evening's roster of lecturers at
the Associated Motion Picture Adver-
tisers' class in showmanship at the
Woodstock Hotel here will include
Lou Brown, director of advertising-
publicity for the Loew Poli Theatres
in Connecticut and Massachusetts ;
Lige Brien, United Artists' national
director of special events, and Harry
K. McWilliams, Columbia Pictures'
exploitation manager and AMPA
president.
The three will discuss motion pic-
ture tie-ups.
Columbia Winner Here
A. P. Rose, Columbia Pictures In-
ternational Corp. manager in New-
castle-on-Tyne, England, has arrived
in New York as the winner of the
British Isles division of the recent
"Round-the- World" sales drive. Rose,
accompanied by his wife, is the second
of the International division winners
to take advantage of his prize of a trip
to a foreign country.
TO A 16mm. Poll Starts
Theatre Owners of America bulle-
tins polling member units on the ques-
tion whether the organization should
or should not seek defendant status in
the government's 16mm. anti-trust suit
have been mailed. Dick Pitts, TOA
administrative assistant, reported here.
The government's complaint labeled
TOA a "co-conspirator" but not a
defendant.
6
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, October 9, 1952
Motion Picture Daily Feature Reviews
Because of You
( U niversal-International)
GOOD performances by Loretta Young and Jeff Chandler, together with
the marquee value of their names, are the chief assets of this drama of a
wrecked marriage and frustrated mother love. The Ketti Frings screenplay,
based on a story by Thelma Robinson, is more devious and complex than it is
original. What fresh lustre the stars impart to familiar plot situations ac-
counts in large measure for some better than average box-office possibilities.
It is not to be overlooked that the plight of a woman who loses both husband
and child through misinterpreted transgression is a box-office lure to many
another woman. If you have made note of some of Universal' s trade advertis-
ing of the picture, it will be apparent why many husbands may accompany
them when they see it.
Miss Young is sentenced to prison for a loosely defined part in a crime com-
mitted by her fiance, Alex Nicol. Released on parole, she becomes a nurse
in a veterans' hospital where she meets the wealthy Chandler. They fall in
lcve and are married without Miss Young having confessed her prison back-
ground. Nicol returns to force her to drive him to Mexico, presumably on a
dope-running mission and, in an accident which occurs when they are pursued
by police, both Miss Young and her daughter, played by Gayle Reed, are
injured and the story, including Miss Young's background, becomes public.
Chandler gets a divorce and custody of the child, believing that his wife
had .been keeping a tryst with her ex-lover. Circumstances bring Miss
Young and the child together again at the home of Chandler's sister, played
by Francis Dee, where the mother, unrecognized by the child, cures her by
love and attention of a melancholia. Chandler returns from abroad unex-
pectedly and, unrelenting, causes Miss Young to leave the household. Even-
tually, the child's melancholia returns and leads to a reconciliation between
Miss Young and Chandler.
Albert J. Cohen produced with a keen sense of economic short-cuts which
do not detract from the story-telling. Joseph Pevney's direction places em-
phasis on what action the story affords and on scenes of courtship and marital
intimacies.
Running time, 95 minutes. Adult classification. For November release.
Sherwin Kane
"Operation Secret"
{Warner Brothers)
WORLD WAR II underground operations are the background of this
fast-moving, exciting feature that contains considerable action and stars
Cornel Wilde, Karl Maiden, Steve Cochran and Phyllis Thaxter. It is sus-
penseful although there is slight variation from anticipated developments. It
should fare well at the box-office.
The story by Alvin Josephy and John Twist is revealed in a series of flash-
backs beginning with an investigation by the French secret police of the
murder during the war of. an underground agent. Subsequent disclosures
incriminate the guilty ones and show the workings of the group headed by
French leader Maiden and including the heroic but reckless Wilde, a former
French Legionnaire escaped from Nazi imprisonment and in the employ of
the U. S. Marines. Miss Thaxter is on hand and supplies the romantic interest
with Wilde.
There are manv clashes with the Nazis. Steve Cochran performs various
villanies, including murder, as a Russian agent intent upon stealing German
jet plane plans which the group has captured, and shipping them to Russia.
His efforts are foiled and the investigating police, after piecing together the
evidence, punish him. Wilde is reunited with Miss Thaxter for the happy
romantic ending.
This was produced by Henry Blanke and directed by Lewis Seiler. Harold
Medford and James R. Webb wrote the screenplay. Included in the cast are
Dan O'Herlihy, Jay Novello, Paul Picerni, Lester Matthews, Dan Riss,
Wilton Graff, Harlan Warde, Kenneth Patterson, Gayle Kellogg, Wayne
Taylor and William Leicester.
Running time, 108 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Nov. 8.
"Desperadoes' Outpost"
(Republic Pictures)
ALAN (ROCKY) LANE'S large following should be well pleased with
this latest of .his series, offering an actionful Western with several
novel plot twists. There's plenty of hard riding and fighting to go along with
a story about a California mercury mine in the days of the Spanish- Ameri-
can war.
Lane is a U. S. agent who arrives ! to investigate interruption of the mail
service in the area. Although no actual robberies have been committeed, he
discovers the continual sabotage of the mail coaches have forced Postmaster
Eddy Waller to mortage his home to replace wrecked coaches. Waller's home
contains a kitchen sink connected directly to the mine water supply and when
Lane accidentally discovers mercury pouring through the faucet he gets onto
an attempt to smuggle mercury away from the miltiary by an unscrupulous
mine foreman. After plenty of shooting and fighting Lane restores order.
Philip Ford directed and got the maximum 'action and suspense out of the
Arthur Orloff- Albert DeMond story. Lane registers strongly and as usual,
Waller provides comedy support. Roy Barcroft/ Myron Healey, Lyle Talbot,
Claudia Barrett and Lane Bradford are also in the cast.
Running time, 54 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Oct. 8.
The Four Poster
(Columbia)
A WARM, appealing comedy that deals with familiar marriage crises and
is expertly performed by Lilli Palmer and Rex Harrison, this Stanley
Kramer production, based on the successful Jan de Hartog play currently on
Broadway, should do solid box-office business. The stars comprise the entire
cast and the bed of the title is the setting of some of the situations, but the
performances are so fine and the direction is so skillful that neither of these
facts is noted during the viewing. Since the incidents of the film occur over a
wide period of years, there are some fine and witty animated interscenes
created by United Productions of America that serve well as continuity
bridges.
The story opens in 1897 when Harrison and Miss Palmer arrive in their
apartment on their wedding night. The prospect of sharing the four-poster
causes them much embarrassment from which Harrison recovers first but
Miss Palmer finds innumerable excuses for delay, all of which are humorous.
Harrison overcomes these obstacles. A year later Harrison is an ex-school
teacher whose book of poetry has just come back from the last publisher to
reject it. His wife is well along in pregnancy and convinces him to forego
the poetry and write about that which he is familiar. A careless Harrison
shove results in his running five blocks barefoot for the doctor.
Ten years later Harrison is a successful novelist and lecturer with a swelled
head and "another woman" who "understands" him. Miss Palmer's indiffer-
ence and implication of her own amours causes Harrison to change his mind
and reclaim his husband's rights. In 1916 it is Harrison's discovery of a full
whiskey bottle hidden in his son's closet that has him in an uproar but it turns
out the boy is innocent. Soon after the boy goes off to war and is killed.
In the jazz era it is Miss Palmer who feels she must leave and it is a
young poet who sets her pining for her youth. Harrison talks her out of it.
In a touching scene that, like the final one, is a departure from the play,
Harrison tries to poison Miss Palmer who has contracted a fatal ailment,
but can not do it. The last scene is, an imaginative bit of fantasy in which
Miss Palmer's ghost comes to take Harrison to an afterlife in which their
joyous moments .are relived.
, Allan Scott wrote the screenplay and a good musical score was composed
by Dimitri Tiomkin. The use of Garutso Balanced lenses kept the setting
in focus even on. medium and long shots, abetting the illusion of intimacy.
This, is a comedy on a sure-fire theme that should attract much of the family
trade.
Running time, 103 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
not set. Walter Pashkin
99
The Raiders
( U niversal-International)
RICHARD CONTE and Viveca Lindfors star in this superior Western
that boasts credible characterizations, good performances, fine photog-
graphy, knowing direction by Lesley Selander, and color by Technicolor. Set
in lawless California in 1849, this has Conte, a hard-panning gold miner, lose
his fortune, his wife and brother to the vicious methods of gun-slingers forcibly
building a land empire for powerful Morris Ankrum. He turns outlaw to
overthrow Ankrum.
This is made possible by a banding together of all of the land owners whose
claims were stolen, under the leadership of Richard Martin. Ankrum wants
California to remain independent and not become a part of the Union to gain
him even greater power. He runs gold mines full blast to get money to
influence Congressional action.
U. S. Marshal William Bishop arrives to look into the outbreak of crime
and Ankrum enlists his efforts to capture Conte's gang, who have stolen his
horses and held up his stage coaches. The Conte gang sets up an honest land
office in opposition to Ankrum's. During a holdup Conte spots one of the
murderers of his wife. Threatened with hanging, the desperado confesses
the murder and reveals the names of his confederates. Conte leads a raid on
the mine and gets the rest of the killers.
Bishop has Ankrum apply for a loan to Conte's company and trails the
clerk back to the hideout. Conte escapes the ensuing ambush and in at-
tempting to force a confession from Ankrum personally, kills him in self-
defense. Conte is convicted at his trial but is freed as California becomes a
state and general amnesty is declared. Conte chooses Miss Lindfors at the
fade-out instead of Ankrum's daughter, Barbara Britton.
This was neatly produced by William Alland and the above-par screenplay
is by Pollie James and'Lillie Hay ward, from a story by Lyn Crost Kennedy.
Also in the supporting cast are Hugh O'Brien, Palmer Lee, Dennis Weaver,
Margaret Field, John Kellog, Lane Bradford and Francis MacDonald.
Running time, 80 minutes. General audience classification. For November
release.
Shane Due Here Today
Accompanied by Vittorio Gassman,
Maxwell Shane is expected to arrive
in New York from Hollywood today
to complete details for a special pre-
view showing before United Nations!
employes of "The Glass Wall," Shane-!
Tors - Production for - United Artists
release. Gassman, who co-stars; with
Gloria Grahame, is set for a series of
press interviews.
Long Run for Silent Bill
The silent film reissue of "The Last
Laugh" and "The Cabinet of Dr. Cali-
gari," now playing at Walter Reade's
Baronet Theatre here, is expected to
remain there until Christmas, Max
Sanders, manager of the house, dis-
closed here yesterday. The program,
released, by Famous Films Produc-
tions, opened Monday and a first
week's gross of $7,000 is indicated.
FIRST
IN
FILM
NEWS
h
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
Impartial
VOL. 72. NO. 71
NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1952
TEN CENTS
Italians Told
Code Helped
Block Censors
Self -Regulation Need
Explained by Spaeth
Tribute to the Hollywood Pro-
duction code as an instrument
which blocked the growth of "po-
litical censorship" in the United
States was paid here yesterday by Dr.
Sigmund Spaeth, motion picture chair-
man of the National Federation of
Music Clubs.
Spaeth's address was the highlight
of a luncheon at the Hotel Plaza
o-iven by the Film Estimate Board of
National Organizations, claiming to
represent 40,000,000 American club-
women, in honor of the Italian film
industry. It was delivered by Mrs.
Jessie M. Bader, national chairman ot
the Protestant Motion Picture Coun-
cil, due to Spaeth's illness.
In his observations, Spaeth explored
the historical background of the Code,
which he said, "reflects the composite
entertainment taste and moral stan-
dards of our complex population.
He added that it would be "consum-
(Continued on page 3)
Report Continued
Gross Upswing
Additional reports of an upswing
in box-office grosses are in from Cin-
cinnati, Louisville and Hartford, Conn.
From Cincinnati, it was reported
that the uptrend in grosses at first-run
houses, which became manifest there
several weeks ago, is continuing un-
abated.
Louisville exhibitors and _ those m
neighboring areas were said to be
more optimistic currently than they
have been in a long time regarding
future business.
A survey of key cities throughout
the Connecticut area by the Bridge-
port Herald shows that motion pic-
tures are "making a strong come-
back."
Mayer Again Puts
On COMPO Harness
Arthur L. Mayer, former
executive vice - president of
the Council of Motion Picture
Organizations, yesterday in-
formed the industry agency
that he was ready again to
contribute his time and effort
to the advancement of its
aims and purposes. Mayer
recently completed a book
which will be published short-
ly by Simon & Schuster.
COMPO promptly accepted
Mayer's offer, and in conse-
quence he will discuss the or-
ganization in an address be-
fore the Film Council of
Springfield, Mass., on Oct. 16.
COMPANIES 'OK'
ARBITRATION
25 States Now in
Rogers Campaign
Theatres in 25 states are now par-
ticipating in the Will Rogers Hospital
fund drive.
Signing up for the Rogers Memo-
rial Hospital collection-can-on-candy-
stand project every theatre in the
state of Rhode Island is the goal of
Maurice Druker, manager of Loew's
State in Providence. Druker yester-
day sent into the fund headquarters
names of 22 additional Rhode Island
theatres. There are about 63 houses in
the state.
With the enrollment by Henry G.
Plitt of the Paramount Gulf Theatres
(Continued on page 5)
14 Technicolor Films
In '39; 185 Now
Hollywood, Oct. 8.— In June,
1939, there were 14 features
in color by Technicolor in re-
lease, ready for release, in
production or preparation; a
week ago there were 185
Cox, Wesco 'V-P,'
Signs 5-Year Pact
Los Angeles, Oct. 8— A new em-
ployment contract covering the period
Dec. 1, 1952 to Dec. 31, 1957 has been
signed by Henry C. Cox as Wesco
Theatres vice-president, it was learned
here yesterday.
Under the agreement, which re-
places one for the period Nov., 1945
to Nov., 1952, Cox will receive a
weekly salary Of $1,000, plus weekly
expenses of $100. He makes his
headquarters in Los Angeles, and any
expenses for traveling on business are
to be repaid apart from the regular
allowance.
In the event of the executive's death
during the term of the contract, his
wife, Mrs. Jesse L. Cox, will receive
$300 weekly for five years. If, for
reasons of health, Cox should be un-
able to perform his duties and the
(Continued on page 5)
Distributor Revisions Set; Now Goes to
Exhibitors Who Are Free to Suggest
Changes; Republic, Monogram Reservation
Following a meeting here yesterday of distributor presidents,
other top executives and attorneys, Eric A. Johnston, Motion Pic-
ture Association of America president, reported they approved an
industry arbitration system draft which will be submitted promptly
to exhibitor organization represen-
tatives for action.
The draft will not be handed to
the exhibitor representatives on a
"take-it-or-leave-it" basis, it was em-
phasized. Said Johnston: "The door
is open for changes in the draft which
may be requested by exhibitors."
Any proposed changes in the draft
on which distributor attorneys have
worked steadily during the past few
weeks "will be fully considered by the
distributing companies so that an arbi-
tration system can be established as
speedily as possible," Johnston said.
Participants in yesterday's meeting
freely admitted that distributors' ap-
proval of the draft was not reached
without a few "uprisings" against
some of its provisions. It was pointed
out that Monogram and Republic still
want Department of Justice assur-
ances that they will not be bound by
the industry anti-trust suit decrees if
they become signatories to any arbi-
tration system agreement.
The distributors were reported to
be satisfied that they have complied
with the request of Abram F. Myers,
Allied States Association general
counsel, "for something I can react
to and submit to my organization."
It is expected the distributors' draft,
which actually is a distributor-
amended version of a document drawn
up originally by exhibitor as well as
Says Video Is Spurring
Film Theatres' Gains
Toronto, Oct. 8.— The coming of radio helped bring "talkies" and
speed the arrival of third dimensional
the challenge of TV is helping to
films, according
to N. A. Tay-
lor, president of
20th Century
Theatres.
"I am excited
at what is hap-
pening and what
can happen," he
told those par-
ticipating in the
last of a series
of company re-
gional meetings
held in a num-
ber of Ontario
cities.
"You can't sit on your status quo,
Taylor advised his managers, execu-
tives and head office department heads.
N. A. Taylor
"This business cannot remain static.
That fact is the life-blood of our busi-
ness. And if you believe that, say so.
When a man asks you if television
will put you out of business, tell him
that his grandchildren will be going
to the movies. Talk on the upbeat, not
the downbeat."
Taylor, whose company operates 70
theatres in Ontario and recently added
several in the West, declared: "If
you don't think that the motion pic-
ture theatre will survive television,
then now is the time to get out of it
for your own sake and for the sake
of your families," he advised, adding:
"I'm sticking."
Not only change was normal, he
(Continued on page 5)
(Continued on page 5)
Cravath Law Firm
Advises RKO Radio
The retention of the law
firm of Cravath, Swaine &
Moore as special counsel was
disclosed here yesterday by
the board of directors of RKO
Radio Pictures.
The firm will represent the
corporation in its Stock Ex-
change, Securities Exchange
Commission, corporate and
financial matters, it was add-
ed. Thomas Halleran, a part-
ner in the Cravath firm, will
be consultant to the board of
directors.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, October 9, 1952
Canadian Theatre Receipts
Increased 11% Last Year
Ottawa, Oct. 8. — Total receipts of Canadian motion picture exhibi-
tors, exclusive of taxes, rose 11 per cent in 1951 to $96,319,580 from
713,357 in the previous year, the
government reveals in a preliminary
report.
Paid admissions increased four per
cent from $242,396,679 in 1950 to
$252,159,125 last year; 2,180 exhibi-
tors collected $11,887,226 in amuse-
ment taxes.
Eighty-two drive-in theatres ac-
counted for $3,347,670 of the total
receipts, $6,554,572 of the paid ad-
missions and $406,611 of the total
amusement taxes.
Salaries and wages of regular film
theatres reached $17,137,276 last year.
Corwin, Wald Confer,
No Disclosures Yet
Hollywood, Oct. 8.— Sherrill Cor-
win. arrived here today from New
York, where he attended organiza-
tional meetings of the Ralph Stolkin
group which recently acquired the
controlling interest in RKO Pictures,
and went into conferences with Jerry
Wald, whose contract with the studio
expires Dec. 31, and who has been
frequently mentioned , as most likely
choice of the new management for
production head, but it was under-
stood no disclosure of developments of
any kind will be made before- the
weekend.
Hutner Promoted to
20th Publicity Aide
Meyer Hutner has been named as-
sociate publicity manager of 20th Cen-
tury-Fox, by
Edward E. Sul-
livan, publicity
manager.
Hutner, who
joined 20th
C entury-Fox
four years ago
as newspaper
contact, was ap-
pointed special
events director
last year. Be-
fore joining the
company he
was publicity
manager for
Billy Rose, Kate Smith and Mickey
Rooney. Prior to his entry into the
publicity field, Hutner had been on the
editorial staffs of the New York
Journal American and the New York
Post,
He succeeds Sullivan, who was
named publicity manager on Tuesday.
Meyer Hutner
Personal
Mention
ELLIS G- ARNALL, .president of
the Society of Independent Mo-
tion Picture Producers, arrived here
yesterday from Atlanta for three days
of conferences with SIMPP members.
•
John R. Patno has been named
manager of the New England Cir-
cuit's Empress at Norwalk, Conn.,
replacing John Hassett, resigned.
Patno was formerly assistant man-
ager of the circuit's Allyn, Hartford.
•
John del Valle, former Nat Holt
Productions director of publicity, has
been named editor of TV Family,^ a
new national weekly magazine which
will be launched later this month.
•
Mike Spanagel, formerly vice-
president and assistant general man-
ager of Mid-States Theatres, has
joined radio station WCKY_ in Cin-
cinnati as an account executive.
•
Norman Friedman of M-G-M's art
department, became a father for the
second time Monday with the birth
of a boy, Lawrence Paul, to his wife
at Brooklyn Women's Hospital.
•
William Dullum has been named
manager of the Regent Theatre in Ot-
tawa, replacing Henry Marshall,
who was transferred to the Capital in
Toronto.
•
Charles Boasberg, RKO Radio
North- South division sales manager,
is in Toronto and will return here
over the weekend.
Alva E. , Smith, radio installation
supervisor of Westrex Corp., has re-
turned here from a three months trip
to Venezuela.
•
Charles McLeary, formerly with
Loew's in Baltimore, is the new man-
ager of Shea's Elmwood, Buffalo.
•
Boyd Sparrow, manager of the
Loew's Warfield in San Francisco,
is in Los Angeles this week.
•
Philip Gerard, Universal Eastern
publicity manager, will return here
today from Philadelphia.
D. C. Collins, Westrex Corp. vice-
president, has returned to New York
from Hollywood.
•
Frank Rosenberg, 20th Century-
Fox producer, is in New York from
the Coast.
Greshler Here on Deal
Hollywood, Oct. 8. — Abner Gresh-
ler is en route to New York from
here for executive huddles to finalize
a deal for RKO Radio release of
"Emergency Call," British film to
which he recently acquired global
rights. Greshler revealed before he
left here that Freddie Mills, British
light-heavyweight champion, is com-
ing to this country to make a series
of radio and TV shots as part of an
exploitation campaign for this Butcher
Productions, Ltd., feature, in which
Mills stars.
'Howdy Doody' Radio
Show to 'Plug' Films
In furtherance of the mutual pro-
motion pact between the Organization
of the Motion Picture Industry of
New York and the National Broad-
casting Co., a one-minute spot an-
nouncement listing recommended films
for children which are playing in the
Metropolitan area will be incorporated
in the "Howdy Doody" radio show on
WNBC Saturday mornings, OMPI
reported here yesterday.
OMPI said other program spots
currently are in preparation and will
be announced as activated.
Spring to Address
NTFC Wednesday
Samuel Spring, attorney and author
of the book, "Risks and Rights," will
address the membership of the Na-
tional Television Film Council at its
first fall luncheon meeting in the War-
wick Hotel on Wednesday.
Spring, will discuss "The Laws of
Privacy and the Laws of Libel" as
they pertain to the telecasting of films,
according to Melvin L. Gold, NTFC
president.
Criterion Holds 'Zero'
Edmund Grainger's "One Minute to
Zero," starring Robert Mitchum and
Ann Blyth, will gross $19,500 in its
third week at the Criterion here and
will hold for a fourth week, theatre
officials announced. The picture will
begin its fourth week tomorrow.
'Limelight9 Music
On Radio Tonight
Charles Chaplin's musical score for
"Limelight" will have its radio pre-
miere tonight at 9:05 over station
WQXR as the highlight of the first
all-Chaplin musical program on the
air, entitled "Charles Chaplin — the
tramp Who Made Music." The pro-
gram had been announced earlier for
airing -tomorrow night. Excerpts from
the scores of "City Lights" and "Mod-
ern Times" will be included.
"Limelight," a United Artists re-
lease, will open on Oct. 23 in continu-
ous performances at the Astor Thea-
tre and on a reserved-seat twice-daily
schedule at the Trans-Lux. Advance
reserved-seat tickets go on sale to-
day at the Trans-Lux. Priced at $2.40
for all performances except $1.80 for
week-day matinees, the film will be
shown at 2:30 and 8:30 P.M. daily,
with extra matinees at 5:30 P.M. on
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, and
special Saturday night 11 :30 show-
ings.
MPAA, Distributors
Take 3-Day Holiday
Most major film company home of-
fices will remain closed on Monday
in observance of the Columbus Day
holiday. Companies closing include
Columbia, M-G-M, Monogram, Para-
mount, RKO Pictures, RKO Thea-
tres, 20th Century-Fox, United Art-
ists, United Paramount Theatres, Uni-
versal-International, Warner and the
Motion Picture Association of Amer-
ica. Republic will close at 1.00 P.M.
Mail Orders Heavy
For Cinerama Here
Testifying to the spread of
interest in Cinerama, one
day's mail received at the
box-office of the Broadway
Theatre here yesterday, where
the process and program is
in its exclusive premiere en-
gagement, included more than
1,100 orders for tickets, ac-
cording to a Cinerama spokes-
man. The mail came from
many sections of the country
as well as from nearby.
The public response has
extended the advance sale in-
definitely. It had been set
originally for an eight-week
minimum.
Photoplay Poll Won
By Hunter, Nelson
Photoplay Magazine's annual
"Choose Your Stars" poll has been
won by Lori Nelson, 19-year-old Uni-
versal-International actress, and Tab
Hunter, 21-year-old ice skater who has
appeared in only one picture. The
winners and the runners-up were
honored at a Photoplay reception in
Hollywood last week-end at which
Tyrone Power officiated.
Fred Sammis, vice-president of Mc-
Fadden Publications, and Photoplay
editor Tony Gray attended the event
It was disclosed that Miss Nelson
triumphed over the nearest actress
chosen by a margin of three to one,
one of the highest ever made. Past
winners of the poll have usually at-
tained Hollywood stardom. In the
last two years the winners were Mitzi
Gaynor and Anthony Dexter, and
Sally Forrest and Howard Keel.
List Runners-up
Runners-up in the poll for the femi-
nine stars were Ursula Theiss, Elaine
Stewart, Hildegarde Neff, Dawn Ad-
dams, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Barbara Ruick,
Joan Taylor, Helene Stanley, Joan
Rice and Beverly Michaels. Male run-
ners-up were Arthur Franz, Oskar
Werner, Johnny Stewart, Robert Hor-
ton, Keith Andes, Michael Moore,
Gene Barry, John Forsyth, Rusty
Tamblyn and Dean Miller.
Haber RCA Victor
Publicity Director
Camden, N. J., Oct. 8. — Julius
Haber has been appointed director of
public relations for the Victor Divi-
sion of RCA, effective Nov. 1, C. M.
Odorizzi, operating vice-president of
the division announced. Haber, whose
career has been in public relations,
publicity and advertising, joined RCA
in 1922. He succeeds James M. Toney
who has been appointed director of
consumer products distribution.
Haber is now serving as director of
advertising and sales promotion for
RCA Technical Products. He has
served as publicity chairman for the
Institute of Radio Engineers, the Ra-
dio Club of America, and the Society
of Motion Picture and Television En-
gineers.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Ouigley. Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor'; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca- Vine
Building, William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11
North Clark Street, FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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; International Motion Picture 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 9, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
Intermountain 9s
Ricketson Before
FCC on Video Bid
Code Helped Block Censors
Washington, Oct. 8. — Frank Ric-
ketson, president of Fox Intermoun-
tain Theatres, told the Federal Com-
munications Commission today that he
was never named as a defendant in an
anti-trust suit.
Ricketson declared that he didn't
believe he had ever been an officer of
a company named as an anti-trust de-
fendant and said that to the best of
his knowledge Fox Intermountain had
never been an anti-trust defendant.
Ricketson made these statements in
testimony at an FCC hearing on two
applicants competing for a television
station on channel 7 in Denver. Ric-
ketson is an officer of Aladdin Radio
and Television Co., one of the appli-
cants, and holds 13.7 percent of the
company's stock. The competing ap-
plicant is Denver Television Co., in
which the principal stockholders are
Harris and John Wolfberg.
Asked by counsel for Denver Tele
vision if Fox Intermountain had ever
violated the 1940 consent decree, Ric-
ketson replied that it had not. He
admitted that the company had entered
into franchise deals with Columbia,
Universal and Republic after the 1940
consent decree, but said that his coun-
sel had advised him such franchise
deals were legal. Ricketson's attorney
explained that the 1940 decree pro-
hibited franchise deals with major
companies, but did not outlaw them
with non-majors.
Ricketson said that Columbia, Uni
versal and Republic were all "small,
struggling companies" at the time,
and that it was Fox Intermountain' s
policy to help such companies in their
financial "problems."
Ricketson told hearing examiner
James Cunningham that he foresaw
the day when motion pictures "would
complement" television and television
would "complement" motion pictures.
Schine Theatres Bid for TV
Station in Rochester
Washington, Oct. 8.— The Schine
Chain Theatres have applied to the
Federal Communications Commission
for a television station on channel 27
in Rochester, N. Y., the FCC an-
nounced today.
Gardner at MGM
'Frisco Exchange
San Francisco, Oct. 8. — Sam Gard-
ner, assistant M-G-M West Coast
sales manager with headquarters in
Los Angeles, will remain at the
M-G-M exchange here until a suc-
cessor to the late manager L. C.
Wingham has been appointed.
Charles Reagen, M-G-M sales head,
is expected to arrive in San Fran-
cisco from New York this month to
make an appointment.
B'nai B'rith Award
To Jimmy Durante
Boston, Oct. 8.— Jimmy Durante
will be honored by the B'nai B'rith
lodges of America Sunday, Nov. 16
on a special radio program to be
broadcast coast-to-coast by National
Broadcasting. The citation to be pre-
sented to Durante will read : "For his
outstanding efforts in behalf of_ broth-
erhood and for his fine work-in pro-
moting good will between all faiths."
(Continued from page 1)
mate impudence" to impose the Code
on foreign producers, but that they
should understand the reasons for self-
censorship in the United States.
Spaeth pointed out that between
1926 and 1940, 42 proposals for Feder-
al censorship of films were introduced
in the United States and in the House
of Representatives. "None passed,"
he added, "and no new state effective
censorship was enacted into law after
1922."
Credit for this accomplishment,
Spaeth said, is due to the industry's
voluntary code and national organiza-
tions, such as the Film Estimate
Board of National Organizations,
which previews new films and ac-
quaints its membership with their
content.
Spaeth called the current censor-
ship laws of six states and some 200
cities "repugnant" to American pro-
ducers and the American people. He
also paid tribute, in conjunction with
the "Salute to Italian Films" week, to
the many Italian films imported into
this country. He also told his audience
that Americans were not interested in
'propaganda" films.
Mrs. Arthur Mayer, acting chair-
man of the American Jewish Commit-
tee, presented a scroll, acclaiming the
renaissance of Italian films to Eitel
Monaco, president of the National
Association of Motion Picture and
Allied Industries.
Representatives of the Italian indus
try attending the luncheon included
Renato Gualino, general director of
the Italian Film Export organization ;
Nicoli de Pirro, director general of
the Entertainment Industry Bureau of
the Italian Government ; Luigi Zampa
director; Dino de Laurentiis, pro-
ducer; Sylvana Mangano, Renato
Rascel and Sondra Pallavichini.
Zampa told the gathering of his
plans to direct a film in New York
about a family of Italian extraction, a
film, he added, which would strengthen
the ties between the two countries.
Foreign Press Critics
Honor Italian Industry
The Foreign Language Press Film
Critics Circle last night presented to
the Italian film industry its scroll of
"Highest Merit" for "the deep enter-
tainment satisfaction they have given
peoples throughout the world, and in
acknowledgment of the contributions
that Italian films have made towards
understanding among nations."
The presentation was made from
the stage of the Little Carnegie Thea-
tre, prior to the performance of "Um-
berto D," the new De Sica film, one
of the seven festival films of "Salute
to Italian Films Week." The scroll
was presented to Nicola de Pirro,
director general of the Italian Govern-
ent's Entertainment Industries Bureau
by Sigmund Gottlober, executive sec-
retary of the Foreign Language Press
Critics Circle.
20th-Fox Executives
Fete Italian Officials
Twentieth Century-Fox will fete
representatives of the Italian industry
in conjunction with "Salute to Italian
Films Week," at the Latin Quarter
here tomorrow night.
Hosting the party will be Mr. and
Mrs. Murray Silverstone, Miss Mari-
lyn Silverstone, Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Einfeld, Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel Sil-
verstone, and Mr. and Mrs. Leslie
Whelan.
Balaban Hosts Italians
At Supper This Evening
Barney Balaban, Paramount Pic-
tures president, will be host to the
visiting Italian film delegation at a
private supper this evening at the
Sherry Netherland Hotel here.
Screen 'Miracle* in
Chi. Reversal Bid
Chicago, Oct. 8.— "The Miracle,"
banned by the Chicago police censor
board for exhibition here, is being
screened today for Mayor Kennally
and corporation counsel John J. Mor-
timer by the American Civil Liberties
Union in an attempt to have the
Mayor reverse the censor board's de-
cision, which was upheld by Police
Commissioner O'Connor when the
ACLU first appealed the banning.
The print, which had been sent back
to New York after a private invita-
tional showing sponsored by the
ACLU, for a representative group of
civic, . religious, and educational lead-
ers in Chicago in the campaign to
have the picture shown publicly here,
was brought in especially for today's
screening.
Legion Puts French
Film in Class C
"Savage Triangle," a French film dis-
tributed here, by Joseph Burstyn, Inc.,
was placed in Class C (condemned)
in this week's Legion of Decency re-
port.
The report also places the following
four films in Class B "Captive Wom-
en," RKO Radio ; "Limelight," United
Artists; "Father's Dilemma" (Italian),
Arthur Davis Associates, and "Night
Without Sleep." 20th Century-Fox.
New 20th-Fox Firm
Files With NY State
Albany, N. Y.,Oct. 8.— Twentieth
Century-Fox Film Corp., incorporated
under the laws of Delaware, July 18,
1952, filed a statement with the Sec-
retary of State that its capital stock
is $3,000,000, $1 par. The certificate,
executed by W. C. Michel, executive
vice-president, stated that the new
corporation is "acquiring the assets
and good will of 20th Century-Fox
Film Corp., a New York corporation
now in the process of dissolution."
One of its purposes is "carrying on
the business formerly conducted by
that concern."
'Downbeat* Films
Don't Pay: Harvey
San Francisco, Oct. 8. — Rotus
Harvey has suggested that producers
ask stars who have toured the country
and talked with movie-goers what
kind of films the public wants. Harvey
opined that the consensus of what
films pay off at the box-office would
not be "somber pictures, psycholo-
gical dramas, or anything on the
'downbeat'."
"For years exhibitors have been 'yell-
ing' for entertaining pictures and for
years have deplored the making of
those pictures whose sole aim is to
preach, sell an idea, or to spread
propaganda.
from
the
Studio
that
brought
you
Fmntis
4T
about Mrs. Baxters trees
that grow^andf>#bills
and start a RIOT that wrecks
a town— and rocks the
nation with hilarity/
SO HAPPY" IT SHOULD HAPP£N 7-Q
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CO-STARRING
DEAN JAGGER ★ JOAN EVANS . * richard crenna
flEONARO GOLDSTEIN - A UNIVERSAL- INTERNATIONAL
Thursday, October 9, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
14 Reissue Duals
Set by Realart
Hollywood, Oct. 8.— The first in a
series of 14 re-issue combinations for
1953 has been announced here by Jack
Broker, president of Realart Pictures.
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez are
featured in the initial program, which
consists of "Lucy Goes Wild" and
"Cuban Pete." Both were released
originally by Universal. The other
combinations include: "Inside Job"
and "Mug Town"; "The Body Van-
ishes" and "Calling Dr. Death";
"When Johny Comes Marching
Home" and "Private Buckeroo" ;
"Dark Streets of Cairo" and "China-
town Squad"; "Tiger Island" and
"Strange Conquest" ; "Song of the
Sarong" and "Rhythm of the Islands.
Fear TV Will Injure
Theatres in Portland
Portland, Ore., Oct. 8.— Predic-
tions that 15 of Portlands 50 the-
atres will be closed by television com-
petition and values of the others will
be considerably lowered are reflected
in figures submitted by Oregon s as-
sessors. Kermit M. Carson, chief
deputy assessor for Multnomah
County, made these predictions m
commenting at the 40th annual as-
sessors' convention on assessment
problems in the state's largest county.
He said the theatres which will be
hardest hit will be those in the sub-
urbs. Also, TV competition in two
or three years will likely bring a 20
per cent depreciation in the value of
the better downtown theatres, he said.
Portland theatre owners agreed
with Carson's forecast and explained
that suburban theatres will be hard-
est hit because "their customers are
the people who will be looking at TV."
Says TV Does Not
Keep People Home
London, Oct. 8. — "Television's
power to keep people at home is much
less than has sometimes been sug-
gested," the artnual report of British
Broadcasting Corp. asserts.
Discussing the increase in time
devoted to home viewing on this side,
the report says: "Most of this time,
it is believed, was found by rearrang-
ing home life. Comparatively _ little
of it came from reducing activities
outside the home."
The BBC report noted that tele-
vision reception licenses almost doub-
led in the past year— from 764,000
to 1,457,000, but at the same time
there was a slight decline in the
extent to which Britons listened to
sound broadcasts.
TV Spurring
(Continued from page 1)
Drive-in Clinic at\ Arbitration
Mich. Allied Meet {Cmtinued jrom page 1}
pointed out, but also opposition in old
and new forms. "The public will put
its money down for whatever inter-
ests it, whether it's Bingo, night base-
ball, stock car races or anything else,"
he said. "We have survived them all
and we will survive television."
He reviewed the effect of TV
in the two Canadian test cities,
Windsor and Chatham, report-
ing that business was down un-
til installment payments on TV
sets had been completed, after
which it returned to something
approaching the pre-TV level.
The fact that Canada had not
been invaded rapidly by TV
made it possible to utilize the
experience of U. S. operators
with it.
"We need a new approach to 'Show-
manship,' " Taylor contended, advis-
ing that the public ought to be re-
minded frequently of how little an
evening's film entertainment cost, the
average admission being 50 cents. All
other forms of entertainment were
higher and even a TV set costs as
much to maintain as the average
yearly expenditures on films, he stated.
"Any business that doesn't meet its
opposition goes out," he warned. "Res-
taurants, shoe stores and others meet
it. It all boils down to this : Give
good entertainment, better service and
more comfort and keep telling the pub-
lic about them. You may not always
pack your theatre but you'll stay in
business and progress as well," Taylor
concluded.
Detroit, Oct. 8. — A special drive-
in theatre program has been arranged
by Allied Theatres of Michigan dur-
ing its annual convention to be held
at the Tuller Hotel, Oct. 20-22.
Special displays will be set up in
the Variety clubrooms. A chartered
bus will leave Oct. 22 with Ted Rog-
voy and several exhibitors, for the
Bel-Air Drive-in Theatre operated by
Charles Komer and Adolph and Irv-
ing Goldberg, of Community Theatres.
Rogvoy, theatre architect, will lead
a panel discussion on the grounds
of the drive-in. A landscape artist,
sound man, plumber and a conces-
sionair will be on hand to answer
questions. The group will be guests
of the Goldbergs and Komer.
The delegates to the convention
will hear addresses by Wilbur Snaper,
national Allied president; Leon Bam-
berger, RKO Radio public relations,
director; Abram Myers, Allied gen-
eral counsel; Sam Pinanski, COMPO
co-chairman ; Trueman Rembusch,
president of Allied of Indiana; Allen
Johnson, Michigan Allied's national
representative, and Lawrence Griffin
of Manton, Mich.
Rogers Campaign
(Continued from page 1)
Mutual Rights to
Lippert Franchiser
San Francisco, Oct. 8— An agree-
ment has been concluded between Mu-
tual Productions of the West, headed
by Irving Levin, and Al Grubstick,
the Robert Lippert franchise holder in
San Francisco, for Grubstick to han-
dle the sales and distribution of Mu-
tual features in the San Francisco
territory-
Pictures now in release which
Grubstick will handle include "Models,
Inc." and "Nightmare in Red China."
distributor attorneys, will be the one
Myers will submit to the Allied na-
tional convention in Chicago, Nov. 17-
19. It is likely that the Theatre Own-
ers of America board, and the boards
of the Independent Theatre Owners
Association of New York, Metro-
politan Motion Picture Theatres As-
sociation and Western Theatre Own-
ers, will act on the distributor-ap-
proved draft at meetings soon.
"Before an arbitration system
is finally set up," Johnston re-
minded, "it of course must be
approved by the court and the
Department of Justice as well
as by the exhibitor organiza-
tions and the boards of direc-
tors of each of the participat-
ing distributor companies."
Johnston said also that "final agree-
ment on arrangements for financing
the system await further discussions
with exhibitor representatives." In
Johnston's opinion the distributors'
favorable action on the draft meant
that "setting up of an industry arbi-
tration system moved a major step
forward." He said approval of the
terms of the draft by the distributors
"is in line with exhibitor requests for
such action."
Circuit, 31 additional Southern houses
have joined the campaign. In addi-
tion, more than 100 of Rowley United
theatres, Dallas, have enlisted. This
brings the Lone Star State participa-
tion to nearly 300 theatres, including
Interstate.
About 50 Indiana theatres have
joined the collection project, accord-
ing to Howard Rutherford, Loew's
manager in Indianapolis. Among the
latter city's downtown houses enrolled
are the Indiana, Circle, Lyric and
Keith's of the Greater Indianapolis
Amusement Co. Cantor Amusement's
four neighborhood-houses signed up
with the M. Marcus circuit. Marc J.
Wolf, president of Y. & W. Manage-
ment Co., gave approval for his 31
houses in Northern Indiana.
Cox Signs Pact
(Continued from page 1)
UK to Make Films
For Canadian TV
London, Oct. 8.— High Definition
Films will start production of pictures
for Canadian television use as soon
as the Highbury studio here is ready,
Norman Collins, company chief, said
on his return from Canada where he
conferred with Davidson Duncan,
chairman of Canadian Broadcasting
Corp.
Collins said there is a big market
for TV films in Canada because dis-
tances there are such that radio links
are not practicable and film accord-
ingly is the answer. However, he said,
the film programs must be offered
at economic prices.
Doug fair to Cull
Museum Footage
Hollywood, Oct. 8. ■ Dougfair
Corp. has disclosed an arrangement
with the American Museum of Nat-
ural History, New York, under which
Douglas Fairbanks' staff will comb
the 2,000,000 feet of film acanired bv
the museum over the past 30 years,
selecting material for theatre and
other use.
Fairbanks also will collaborate with
the museum in planning future ex-
peditions.
Dual Lesser' s (Red
Sea* and 'Tarzan'
Sol Lesser's new documentary,
"Under the Red Sea" will be com-
bined with the producer's "Tarzan's
Savage Furv" in dual-run houses,
Robert Mochrie, RKO Radio sales
vice-president, announced.
"Tarzan's Savage Fury" was re-
leased last spring to single-run houses,
but has been held up for double-bill
theatres pending preparation of "Un-
der the Red Sea."
Mexican Ruling
Saves Heavy Taxes
Mexico City, Oct. 8. — American
and Mexican distributors, headed by
Warner Brothers, won from the Fed-
eral Supreme Court a decision that
it is estimated will save them $396,000
yearly in taxes. The distributors ap-
pealed to the court against the ruling
of the Ministry of Finance that
they must be included for taxation
purposes among those subject to the
Mercantile Incomes Law. The court
agreed with the distributors that the
Ministry had erred in thus classify-
ing them as they are commercial not
industrial enterprises. The law speci-
fies that it covers industrialists only.
company therefore should elect to ter-
minate the pact, he would receive
$400 weekly for two years commenc-
ing with the date of termination.
Under the agreement, _ Cox is not
bared from participating in any bonus
or stock option plans the company
may put into effect.
Tie-up Lectures Set
For AM PA Tonight
This evening's roster of lecturers at
the Associated Motion Picture Adver-
tisers' class in showmanship at the
Woodstock Hotel here will include
Lou Brown, director of advertising-
publicity for the Loew Poli Theatres
in Connecticut and Massachusetts;
Lige Brien, United Artists' national
director of special events, and Harry
K. McWilliams, Columbia Pictures'
exploitation manager and AM PA
president.
The three will discuss motion pic-
ture tie-ups.
Weinberg Titles 3
New Foreign Films
Herman G. Weinberg has completed
the English titles for three new Euro-
pean films, Rossellini's "Flowers of
St. Francis," filmed in Italy, and two
French pictures, "Forbidden _ Games,"
grand prize winner of this vear's
Venice Film Festival, and "Ladies
Hair-Dresser," starring Fernandel.
"Flowers of St. Francis" is a Joseph
Burstyn release.
Columbia Winner Here
A. P. Rose, Columbia Pictures In-
ternational Corp. manager in New-
castle-on-Tyne, England, has arrived
in New York as the winner of the
British Isles division of the recent
"Round-the- World" sales drive. Rose,
accompanied by his w^e> is the second
of the International division winners
to take advantage of his prize of a trip
to a foreign country.
TO A 16mm. Poll Starts
Theatre Owners of America bulle-
tins polling member units on the ques-
tion whether the organization should
or should not seek defendant status in
the government's 16mm. anti-trust suit
have been mailed. Dick Pitts, TOA
administrative assistant, reported here.
The government's complaint labeled
TOA a "co-conspirator" but not a
defendant.
6
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, October 9, 1952
Motion Picture Daily Feature Reviews
Because of You
( Universal-Inter national)
GOOD performances by Loretta Young and Jeff Chandler, together with
the marquee value of their names, are the chief assets of this drama of a
wrecked marriage and frustrated mother love. The Ketti Frings screenplay,
based on a story by Thelma Robinson, is more devious and complex than it is
original. What fresh lustre the stars impart to familiar plot situations ac-
counts in large measure for some better than average box-office possibilities.
It is not to be overlooked that the plight of a woman who loses both husband
and child through misinterpreted transgression is a box-office lure to many
another woman. If you have made note of some of Universal's trade advertis-
ing of the picture, it will be apparent why many husbands may accompany
them when they see it.
Miss Young is sentenced to prison for a loosely defined part in a crime com-
mitted by her fiance, Alex Nicol. Released on parole, she becomes a nurse
in a veterans' hospital where she meets the wealthy Chandler. They fall in
love and are married without Miss Young having confessed her prison back-
ground. Nicol returns to force her to drive him to Mexico, presumably on a
dope-running mission and, in an accident which occurs when they are pursued
by police, both Miss Young and her daughter, played by Gayle Reed, are
injured and the story, including Miss Young's background, becomes public.
Chandler gets a divorce and custody of the child, believing that_ his wife
had been keeping a tryst with her ex-lover. Circumstances bring Miss
Young and the child together again at the home of Chandler's sister, played
by Francis Dee, where the mother, unrecognized by the child, cures her by
love and attention of a melancholia. Chandler returns from abroad unex-
pectedly and, unrelenting, causes Miss Young to leave the household. Even-
tually, the child's melancholia returns and leads to a reconciliation between
Miss Young and Chandler.
Albert J. Cohen produced with a keen sense of economic short-cuts which
do not detract from the story-telling. Joseph Pevney's direction places em-
phasis on what action the story affords and on scenes of courtship and marital
intimacies.
Running time, 95 minutes. Adult classification. For November release.
Sherwin Kane
"Operation Secret"
(Warner Brothers)
WORLD WAR II underground operations are the background of this
fast-moving, exciting feature that contains considerable action and stars
Cornel Wilde, Karl Maiden, Steve Cochran and Phyllis Thaxter. It is sus-
penseful although there is slight variation from anticipated developments. It
should fare well at the box-office.
The story by Alvin Josephy and John Twist is revealed in a series of flash-
backs beginning with an investigation by the French secret police of the
murder during the- war- of~an underground agent.- ■ Subsequent disclosures
incriminate the guilty ones and show the workings of the group headed by
French leader Maiden and including the heroic but reckless Wilde, a former
French Legionnaire escaped from Nazi imprisonment and in the employ of
the U. S. Marines. Miss Thaxter is on hand and supplies the romantic interest
with Wilde.
There are many clashes with the Nazis. Steve Cochran performs various
villanies, including murder, as a Russian agent intent upon stealing German
jet plane plans which the group has captured, and shipping them to Russia.
His efforts are foiled and the investigating police, after piecing together the
evidence, punish him. Wilde is reunited with Miss Thaxter for the happy
romantic ending.
This was produced by Henry Blanke and directed by Lewis Seiler. Harold
Medford and James R. Webb wrote the screenplay. Included in the cast are
Dan O'Herlihy, Jay Novello, Paul Picerni, Lester Matthews, Dan Riss,
Wilton Graff, Harlan Warde, Kenneth Patterson, Gayle Kellogg, Wayne
Taylor and William Leicester.
Running time, 108 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Nov. 8.
"Desperadoes' OutposV
(Republic Pictures)
ALAN (ROCKY) LANE'S large following should be well pleased with
this latest of his series, offering an actionful Western with several
novel plot twists. There's plenty of hard riding and fighting to go along with
a story about a California mercury mine in the days of the Spanish-Ameri-
can war.
Lane is a U. S. agent who arrives to investigate interruption of the mail
service in the area. Although no actual robberies have been committeed, he
discovers the continual sabotage of the mail coaches have forced Postmaster
Eddy Waller to mortage his home to replace wrecked coaches. Waller's home
contains a kitchen sink connected directly to the mine Water supply and when
Lane accidentally discovers mercury pouring through the faucet he gets onto
an attempt to smuggle mercury away from the miltiary by an unscrupulous
mine foreman. After plenty of shooting and fighting Lane restores order.
Philip Ford directed and got the maximum action and suspense out of the
Arthur Orloff-Albert DeMond story. Lane registers strongly and as usual,
Waller provides comedy support. Roy Barcroft, Myron Healey, Lyle Talbot,
Claudia Barrett and Lane Bradford are also in the cast.
Running time, 54 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Oct. 8.
The Four Poster
(Columbia)
A WARM, appealing comedy that deals with familiar marriage crises and
is expertly performed by Lilli Palmer and Rex Harrison, this Stanley
Kramer production, based on the successful Jan de Hartog play currently on
Broadway, should do solid box-office business. The stars comprise the entire
cast and the bed of the title is the setting of some of the situations, but the
performances are so fine and the direction is so skillful that neither of these
facts is noted during the viewing. Since the incidents of the film occur over a
wide period of years, there are some fine and witty animated interscenes
created by United Productions of America that serve well as continuity
bridges.
The story opens in 1897 when Harrison and Miss Palmer arrive in their
apartment on their wedding night. The prospect of sharing the four-poster
causes them much embarrassment from which Harrison recovers first but
Miss Palmer finds innumerable excuses for delay, all of which are humorous.
Harrison overcomes these obstacles. A year later Harrison is an ex-school
teacher whose book of poetry has just come back from the last publisher to
reject it. His wife is well along in pregnancy and convinces him to forego
the poetry and write about that which he is familiar. A careless Harrison
shove results in his running five blocks barefoot for the doctor.
Ten years later Harrison is a successful novelist and lecturer with a swelled
head and "another woman" who "understands" him. Miss Palmer's indiffer-
ence and implication of her own amours causes Harrison to change his mind
and reclaim his husband's rights. In 1916 it is Harrison's discovery of a full
whiskey bottle hidden in his son's closet that has him in an uproar but it turns
out the boy is innocent. Soon after the boy goes off to war and is killed.
In the jazz era it is Miss Palmer who feels she must leave and it is a
young poet who sets her pining for her youth. Harrison talks her out of it.
In a touching scene that, like the final one, is a departure from the play,
Harrison tries to poison Miss Palmer who has contracted a fatal ailment,
but can not do it. The last scene is. an imaginative bit of fantasy in which
Miss Palmer's ghost comes to take Harrison to an afterlife in which their
joyous moments are relived.
Allan Scott' wrote the screenplay and a good musical score was composed
by Dimitri Tiomkin. The use of Garutso Balanced lenses kept the setting
in focus even on medium and long shots, abetting the illusion of intimacy.
This is a comedy on a sure-fire theme that should attract much of the family
trade.
Running time, 103 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
not set. Walter Pashkin
The Raiders
( Universal-In ternatio nal).
RICHARD CONTE and Viveca Lindfors star in this superior Western
that boasts credible- characterizations, good performances, fine photog-
graphy, knowing direction by Lesley Selander, and color by Technicolor. Set
in lawless California in 1849, this has Conte, a hard-panning gold miner, lose
his fortune, his wife and brother to the vicious methods of gun-slingers forcibly
building a land empire for powerful Morris Ankrum. He turns outlaw to
overthrow Ankrum.
This is made possible by a banding together of all of the land owners whose
claims were stolen, under the leadership of Richard Martin. Ankrum wants
California to remain independent and not become a part of the Union to gain
him even greater power. He runs gold mines full blast to get money to
influence Congressional action.
U. S. Marshal William Bishop arrives to look into the outbreak of crime
and Ankrum enlists his efforts to capture Conte's gang, who have stolen his
horses and held up his stage coaches. The Conte gang sets up an honest land
office in opposition to Ankrum's. During a holdup Conte spots one of the
murderers of his wife. Threatened with hanging, the desperado confesses
the murder and reveals the names of his confederates. Conte leads a raid on
the mine and gets the rest of the killers.
Bishop has Ankrum apply for a loan to Conte's company and trails the
clerk back to the hideout. Conte escapes the ensuing ambush and in at-
tempting to force a confession from Ankrum personally, kills him in self-
defense. Conte is convicted at his trial but is freed as California becomes a
state and general amnesty is declared. Conte chooses Miss Lindfors at the
fade-out instead of Ankrum's daughter, Barbara Britton.
This was neatly produced by William Alland and the above-par screenplay
is by Pollie James and Lillie Hay ward, from a story by Lyn Crost Kennedy.
Also in the supporting cast are Hugh O'Brien, Palmer Lee, Dennis Weaver,
Margaret Field, John Kellog, Lane Bradford and Francis MacDonald.
Running time, 80 minutes. General audience classification. For November
release.'
Shane Due Here Today
Accompanied by Vittorio Gassman,
Maxwell Shane is expected to arrive
in New York from Hollywood today
to complete details for a special pre-
view showing before United Nations
employes of "The Glass Wall," Shane-
Tors Production for United Artists
release. Gassman, who co-stars with
Gloria Grahame, is set for a series of
press interviews.
Long Run for Silent Bill
The silent film reissue of "The Last
Laugh" and "The Cabinet of Dr. Cali-
gari," now playing at Walter Reade's
Baronet Theatre here, is expected to
remain there until Christmas, Max
Sanders, manager of the house, dis-
closed here yesterday. The program,
released by Famous Films Produc-
tions, opened Monday and a first
week's gross of $7,000 is indicated.
VOL. 72. NO. 72
NEW YORK, U. S. A., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1952
TEN CENTS
Arbitration
Okay Greeted
With Caution
Optimism Is Tempered by
Draft Change Prospects
Exhibition representatives and
distribution officials, by now accus-
tomed to the "off again— on again"
reports during the past year or so
concerning prospects for an industry
system of arbitration, yesterday re-
fused to become more than mildly
elated about the fact that distribution
heads have approved an arbitration
draft and will submit it to exhibition
representatives for action.
While conceding that distribution s
action could safely be called a step to-
ward the establishment of a system,
observers reminded that how long or
short a step this was would not be
determined until after Allied and the
Theatre Owners of America have in-
dicated whether one or both want fur-
ther changes made in the draft.
At the recent TO A convention in
(Continued on page 4)
Sponable,Raibourn
Are Theatre TV
Hearing Witnesses
Washington, Oct. 9.— The Motion
Picture Association of America and
the National Exhibitors Theatre Tele-
vision Committee told the Federal
Communications Commission today
that seven witnesses will present en-
gineering and accounting facts in the
first phase of the theatre television
hearing which opens Oct. 20.
Among them will be Earl Sponable,
who will give a description of the
Eidophor method and equipment and
(Continued on page 4)
New Storey Circuit
In Atlanta Area
Better Theatres!
by MARTIN QUIGLEY
THE coveted goal of progress and betterment in the affairs
of the industry faces a formidable challenge due to the
hopeless obsolescence of large numbers of the theatres
that seek to cater to the leisure hours of the theatre-going
public.
At one time in the history of the industry it could well be
said that the motion picture theatre was an acknowledged sym-
bol of attractiveness, comfort and service. The physical environ-
ment offered to patrons was a magnet to which millions were
drawn to revel in an unaccustomed luxury and comfort. The
theatre was a precious escape from the dinginess of the work-
a-day world and even, in many cases, from a pervading drab-
ness of the surroundings of the home.
No such condition continues generally as the rule of theatre
environment. It is true indeed that the nation boasts of thou-
sands of beautifully designed, appointed and functioning the-
atre structures which serve a great public attractively and
efficiently in cities, towns and even in villages. But in sharp
contrast to such play-houses there are far too many, dotting
the whole map of the country, which, in effect, are dragging
their feet in the industry's march of progress and betterment.
Such theatres have been for some time and are continuing to
be a darkening shadow on the prestige of motion picture
entertainment.
The plain fact is that large numbers of the nation's theatres
are out-dated and out-moded and are no longer able to allure
and delight the amusement-seeking public. It is to be realized
that much of the existing exhibition plant in the United States
was constructed in the Nineteen Twenties ; a considerable por-
tion of it is a carry-over from even earlier decades. Some of it
consists of what was merely emergency adaptation of structures
which were originally designed for the stage play and for
(Continued on page 4)
U. S. Sees 'No
Problem' in
RKO Changes
Decree Doesn't Cover
Corwin's Theatre Ties
Washington, Oct. 9. — The Jus-
tice Department sees almost no
major problems growing out of the
sale of Howard Hughes' RKO Pic-
tures stock to the syndicate headed by
Ralph Stolkin as long as Hughes'
RKO Theatres stock remains in a
trusteeship, a Department official said
today.
He would not say whether the De-
partment would regard it as a viola-
tion of the RKO consent decree if
Hughes were to recover his RKO
Theatres stock from the Irving Trust
Company, which now holds it. Such
an act would pose problems which the
Department would have to study, he
said, but added that the Department
felt there was "no problem" as long
as the theatre stock remains in trust.
The official said there were "quite
(Continued on page 4)
Atlanta, Oct. 9.— Storey Theatres,
Inc., has. been formed to operate a cir-
cuit of 11 suburban theatres here and
in the Decatur, Ga., area by Frederick
G. Storey, president, formerly general
manager of Community Theatres, Inc.,
and prior to that vice-president and
assistant general manager of Georgia
Theatre Co. According to Storey, the
new company is not limited by its
(Continued on page 4)
U-I Has A Record
Backlog of 22
With the windup of shooting on
Universal - International's "Law and
Order" this week, the studio has 22
pictures in various phases of editing
or awaiting release. This is the largest
backlog the studio has had m several
years. Fourteen of the completed films
are in color by Technicolor.
In addition, Universal currently has
five ' pictures before the cameras, four
in Technicolor.
Technicolor films now m cutting-
rooms or awaiting release are : "Hori-
zons West," "The, Raiders," Against
(Continued on page 4)
Says Subject Sets
0\ erseasProduction
American firms determine overseas
production on the basis of subject mat-
ter, rather than the amount of frozen
funds in a particular country, Dore
Schary, M-G-M vice-president in
charge of production, yesterday told
Italian industry representatives at a
luncheon here at the Hotel Pierre.
Schary told the luncheon, given by
the Salute to Italian Films Week
committee to newspaper and magazine
editors of New York, that overseas
production by M-G-M is "part of a
long range and long term policy that
• . (Continued on page 4)
Says 20th-Fox Will
Disclose High Bids;
Some Restrictions
Columbus, O., Oct. 9.— Under given
conditions, 20th Century-Fox will dis-
close winning bids for films to losers
where the company has invited com-
petitive bidding. The ITO of Ohio
advises members in a current bulletin
it has been so informed by Al Licht-
man, head of 20th- Fox distribution.
The bulletin quotes Lichtman as say-
ing that offers will not be opened until
14 days after the invitation date for
bids, and that only on that date and
(Continued, on page 2)
S. S. Skouras Heads
Skouras Theatres
Spyros S. Skouras, formerly execu-
tive vice-president of Skouras The-
atres Corp. here, has been elected
president of the company ta succeed
George P. Skouras, his uncle. Spyros
S. is the son of Spyros P. Skouras,.
president of 20th Century-Fox.
George Skouras, who is president
of United Artists Theatre Circuit; is
expected to be named chairman of , the
(Continued on page 4) .. •
2
Motion Picture Daily
Friday, October 10, 1952
Personal
Mention
RUSSELL DOWNING, president
and managing director of Radio
City Music Hall, is due here from
Hollywood on Monday.
•
Miss Gene Johnson, secretary to
Nathan Halpern, president of The-
atre Network Television, will be mar-
ried to William Edward Howard of
the Clark Equipment Co., on Nov. 1
at the Chapel of St. Bartholomew
Church here. She plans to reside in
Battle Creek, Mich.
•
Fred J. Schwartz, chairman of the
Organization of the Motion Picture
Industry of New York and head of
Century Circuit, will be a goiest on
the Herb Sheldon TV show Monday
at noon.
•
Adolph Zukor, Paramount board
chairman, will appear on the ABC
radio show, "Time Capsule," Sunday
at 10:30 P.M.
•
N. A. Taylor, president of 20th
Century Theatres, Toronto, is in New
York.
Quigley to Address
R. H. Macy Employes
Martin Quigley will address the
members of Our Lady of Fatima
League of Macy Employes at a Com-
munion Breakfast at the Hotel Astor
on Sunday, at 10:30 A.M. His subject
will be "Entertainment and the Moral
Law." An attendance of 2,200 is ex-
pected at the event, including ecclesi-
astical representatives and the officials
of Macy's.
Indiana Allied Wants
Showmanship Title
Indianapolis, Oct. 9. — The show-
manship "crown" of the U. S., cur-
rently in the hands of Texas, is being
sought by the board of directors of
Allied Theatre Owners of Indiana, on
the basis of its successfully staged
exhibit at the Indiana State Fair and
its recent "Movietime, U. S. A." tours.
The Allied board has instructed its
officers to notify the Texas Council
of Motion Pictures Organizations and
Allied of Texas to immediately ship
the "crown" to Indiana.
Arrange Loesser Concert
Chicago, Oct. 9. — Terry Turner,
RKO Radio director of exploitation,
and Dave Golding, Samuel Goldwyn's
publicity director, are here setting
arrangements for a concert by Frank
Loesser at the Blackstone Hotel Mon-
day of the songs he wrote for "Hans
Christian Anderson."
No Paper Monday
Motion Picture Daily will
not be published Monday, a
legal holiday, in observance of
Columbus Day.
'Take 16mm. TV Fight to
Public, ' Exhibitor Urges
Indianapolis, Oct. 9. — Take the fight against the government's suit
to force the sale of 16mm. films to television direct to the people by
pointing out to them that, if successful, it will only perpetuate TV pro-
grams of inferior quality, the current bulletin of Allied Theatre Owners
of Indiana reports one of its members ,
is urging.
"Most exhibitors attack the govern-
ment suit on the basis of its unfair-
ness to the motion picture industry,"
the ATOI bulletin observes. Here is
the suggestion for "an attack from a
new angle— how the public will be
adversely affected if the government
is successful :
"Why doesn't our industry get
smart, quit howling with pain and
appeal directly to the American peo-
ple pointing out the manner in which
television network monopolies _ have
conspired with the politicians in big
government to keep fresh, new enter-
tainment off TV screens?
"By forcing the sale of old movies
of the 16mm. 'free show' variety to
TV, the set owners face the inevitable
prospect of sitting at home night after
night and viewing entertainment they
already have seen at movie theatres.
Not only that, but the reception will
be poor and the TV screen too small
to capture vividly all the action.
"The public has cried long and loud
about the ancient films now being
shown over TV. If big government
and their conspirators, the TV net-
work moguls, win this suit, TV set
owners might as well face the pro-
spect of fewer and fewer live shows,
new faces and fresh entertainment.
They will see hour and hour upon
end of old movies interrupted every
15 minutes with a hopped-up huckster
selling beer, wine and cigarettes.
"Why doesn't big government out-
law old, second-run movies on TV
and force the TV network monopolies
to give the American people more
live, new programs? Why can't the
TV moguls dig down in their pockets,
fat with big advertising coin, and pro-
duce their own shows with their own
talent and their own money?"
20th-Fox Bids
{Continued from page 1)
at the distributor's office to which the
bids were mailed will the offers be dis-
closed. Moreover, any affected exhibi-
tor who desires the information, must
have requested in writing at the time
of making an offer that such procedure
be followed.
The bulletin comments : "While this
offer is hedged with restrictions, it is
nevertheless a step in the right direc-
tion."
Several months ago United Artists
agreed to disclose terms of winning
bids when requested to do so.
Rogers for Tax Repeal
Boston, Oct. 9. — Rep. Edith Mourse
Rogers (R.-Mass.) stated in an in-
terview here that "I am in favor of
the repeal of the 20 per cent Federal
admission tax to motion picture
theatres."
Cinerama Plans 4
Feature Films
HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 9. —
Cinerama Corp. is planning
the production of four fea-
ture-length films, and Meriam
C. Cooper, who helped the
company put together the
experimental program now
showing in New York, has
been signed to a five-year
contract as general manager
in charge of production.
Arrangements are under
way to transfer from New
York to Hollywood the spe-
cial three-headed Cinerama
camera and other equipment
used by the process as pre-
liminary to starting produc-
tion activity here early next
year. The Cinerama features,
to be made with color in
Technicolor, will be filmed
simultaneously by the new
process and by standard 35-
mm. cameras for exhibition
on normal theatre screens as
well.
Holdovers Continue
On 'Fatima'
Warner Brothers' "The Miracle of
Our Lady of Fatima," WarnerColor
production, continues to pile up hold-
overs and extended runs. Second week
holdovers have been set in such recent
playdates as the Warner, Beverly Hills
and Downtown theatres in Los An-
geles ; the Warner, Wilmington, and
the Warner at Youngstown.
Mohr Gets Para. Post
Vacated by Goldberg
Milt Mohr, veteran newspaperman
and film industry publicist, has been
appointed New York newspaper con-
tact for Paramount Pictures, effective
Tuesday, it was announced yesterday
by Jerry Pickman, vice-president in
charge of advertising-publicity. Mohr
succeeds Fred Goldberg.
200 at AMP A Class
An SRO crowd of 200 last night
attended the Associated Motion Pic-
ture Advertisers' showmanship course
in the Century Room of the Hotel
Woodstock here— now the permanent
home of the class — to hear Lou
Brown, advertising-publicity director
of Loew's Poli circuit in Connecticut,
Lige Brien, exploitation manager of
United Artists, and Joyce Selznick,
special representative of the Stanley
Kramer Co.
NEWS
Brief ...
in
Hermann G. Place has become
chairman of the board of General Pre-
cision Equipment Corp., in addition to
being president and chief executive of-
ficer of the firm. Earle G. Hines, for-
mer board chairman, will serve the
company as a consultant.
•
Columbus, O., Oct. 9. — Four more
Ohio congressional candidates, re-
sponding to inquiries from members
of the ITO of Ohio have expressed
themselves either as in favor of re-
peal of the 20 per cent Federal admis-
sion, tax or not in sympathy with its
continuance, the organization reports..
•
The first combined showing of five
of 20th Century-Fox's art film releases
was held here yesterday at the home
office before an audience composed of
heads of New York's museum and art
gallery staffs, artists and art directors,
top illustrators and art and motion
picture critics.
On view were a series of films made
by Art Films Productions.
•
Baltimore, Oct. 9. — Funeral serv-
ices will be held in Philadelphia to-
morrow for Mrs. Louella Ward, wife
of Sam Ward, manager of the Royal
Theatre here.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center
MARIO LANZA in
"BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE"
introducing DORETTA MORROW
Color by TECHNICOLOR - An M-G-IM Picture
plus
SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION
SOB
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ROY
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A Pinmwnt Picture
ghi Faatvr*
HOWARD it
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Starring ROBERT M1TCHUM - ANN BLYTH
CRITERION
BROADWAY
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MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Ouigley. Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye Consulting Editor Published daily except Saturdays,
Sundays and holidays b Quigley Publishing Company. Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center New York 20, N Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: Qu.gpubco
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Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald;
a section of Motion Picture Herald; International Motion Picture Almanac; Fame.
the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies. 10c.
Levy, Vice-President; Leo J.
Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca- Vine
FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11
4 Golden Sq., London WI; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter
Better Theatres and Theatre Sales, each published 13 times a year as
Entered as second-class matter, Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York. N. Y., under
M9YWS ARE HERE AGAIN 7
Memphis Commercial Appeal 9-3-52
'QUO VADIS' OWN ANSWER
Crowds Reply To Famed W
Query With 'The Ritz'
The current showing of "Que**.— .
Vadis" at the Ritz on its first \
popular price engagement in the
city "is breaking all existing house
records," Joe Simon, theater man-
ager, happily reported yesterday.
"It's wonderful," he said. "All
we do is open the doors, let a
house-full in, then stop selling
tickets."
The M-G-M Technicolor epic of
military Christianity and pagan
imperial Rome features Robert
Taylor, Deborah Kerr, Peter Us-
tinov, Leo Genn and Buddy Baer.
'All we do is open
the doors, let a
house-full in, then
stop selling tickets!"
Compaq •
AND LISTEN TO THIS POEM!
(Poem he calls it!)
They're standing on line
For "BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE"
A BIG bonanza
From Mr. Lanza
This musical will
Top "Caruso"
The trade predicts
That it will do so! * v '**0^?T
Motion Picture Daily
Friday, October 10, 1952
Theatre TV
(Continued from page 1)
Paul Raibourn, who will describe the
film storage method and equipment.
Also testifying in the equipment field
will be Herbert Barnett, who will de-
scribe the kinescope projection method
and equipment.
Andrew Inglis and Frank H. Mc-
intosh, of the firm of Mcintosh and
Inglis, MPAA theatre television engi-
neers,'will testify on technical require-
ments and standards for theatre tele-
vision. Another witness in this phase
will be Stuart I. Bailey, whose en-
gineering firm of Ransky and Bailey
has been retained by NETTC.
Bailey will also go into technical
limitations on the choice of frequen-
cies, the possible location of a theatre
television service in the spectrum and
a design for a representative inter-
city theatre television system.
Bailey, Mcintosh and Manfred K.
Toeppeii will testify on costs for an
inter-city relay, an inter-city multiple
address and an intra-city system for
theatre television.
Schary Says
(Continued from page 1)
Better Theatres!
(Continued from page 1)
began almost as soon as the company
was organized." One major reason
for such thinking, Schary pointed out,
"is that Hollywood has always recog-
nized the need for a world market for
its films."
Paying tribute to Italian films, he
called upon Italian film-makers to
emulate the international flavor of
Hollywood, which hires talent from all
over the world, by hiring artists from
other parts of the globe to work on
and in Italian films. While Schary
praised the realism in Italian films, he
suggested that Italian producers need
not be "afraid" or "ashamed" of the
escapist film.
Among Italian film industry repre-
sentatives attending were: Nicola de
Pirro, director general of the Enter-
tainment Industry Bureau of the Ital-
ian government; Dr. Renato Gualino,
general director of the Italian Film
Export organization; Eitel Monaco,
president of the National Association
of Motion Picture and Allied Indus-
tries ; Sylvana Mangano and directors
Luigi Zampa, Alberto Lattuada and
Luciano Emmer.
Arbitration
(Continued from page 1)
Washington that organization's mem-
bers recommended changes in the
original draft. At a special exhibi-
tion-distribution attorney's meeting in
the Capital at that time, distribution
also called for changes in the docu-
ment. It remains to be seen whether
TO A suggestions were included by the
distribution lawyers in amending it.
Abram F. Myers, Allied general
counsel, indicated at the time that he
was certain Allied members would
want to make some changes, but it
would be necessary to poll the mem-
bers in that connection.
Allied Artists Sales
Drive Is Extended
Hollywood, Oct. 9. — Allied Artists
vice-president Harold Mirisch _ today
announced a nine-week extension of
the Morey Goldstein testimonial sales
drive, which now will begin with the
week ending Nov. 7 and run through
' Jan. 30.
vaudeville and never rightly suited the purposes of the Screen.
Others were designed and arranged by architects and showmen
who were just taking their first, faltering steps in the art and
business of theatre design and arrangement.
IN the intervening years architecture and the decorative arts
have changed drastically with respect to every type of
building. Besides general influences from these changes
theatre design itself has developed methods by which the physi-
cal provisions for motion picture exhibition can be made more
efficient and effective. The dominant note today is a basic
approach to the problem of theatre design under which the
objective is the creation of a smoothly operating exhibition
machine with an environment that expresses a community rec-
reational service.
There is no doubt that the obsolete character of a substantial
part of the American exhibition plant has been a critical factor
in tipping the scale of popular interest in favor of competing
forms of amusements. There is likewise no doubt that many
excellent motion picture productions, exhibited in the frame of
a theatre building that is obsolete, with tawdry and old-fash-
ioned appointments and time-worn equipment, have gone to bat
with two strikes already called.
Several important circuits have been conspicuous laggards in
the maintenance and modernization of physical properties. In
the case of one group of forty theatres there has been no new
purchase of projection equipment since 1938. Another circuit,
selling a theatre to an independent operator, left booth equip-
ment that received an allowance of just $100 on the purchase
of new equipment. But failure to keep abreast of the march of
time has not been confined to any particular category of theatre
operation. Both independent operation, large and small, as well
as circuit operation are to be found in that unenviable company.
THE condition herein referred to is well-known to all in-
formed persons. The unpleasant facts of the situation
have long been either glossed over or just ignored. The
time, however, has definitely arrived at which plans should be
put in work to provide re-construction, remodelling, re-decorat-
ing and re-equipment that are imperatively needed. In some
situations the problem may only be solved by a completely new
structure, perhaps constructed at a new and more logical
location.
There is of course an alternative, but it is none other than
the exceedingly distasteful one of surrender to the march of
progress — an acknowledgment of inglorious defeat. In a poorly
equipped operation, to point to competing attractions as wholly
accounting for poor business is an excuse, not a reason.
But the acceptance of no such alternative is to be expected.
The spirit of enterprise, courage and determination that made
the exhibition branch of the American industry the greatest
theatrical institution in the history of entertainment is not
dead. It has merely been heavily burdened and its pace slowed
by a multitude of difficulties in the past decade of war and post-
war disturbances in the nation's economy.
But the time is here for realistic appraisal of what the public
now expects from the motion picture theatre and then — resolute
action to put the theatre back in the running against whatever
competing attractions may appear.
RKO Changes
(Continued from page 1)
a few facets about the whole situa-
tion" on which the Department will
have to inform itself, but declared that
"there is not too much that would
have to be upset with regard to essen-
tial developments."
Corwin A Question
One question which the Department
is currently studying, he said, is the
fact that Sherrill Corwin, who will
head the RKO studio .for the new con-
trolling group, has large theatre in-
terests in Southern California. If the
company involved in the stock trans-
action were Warner Brothers, 20th
Century-Fox or Loew's, he explained,
there would be "an easy answer" to
that question. The Consent decrees of
those companies, he pointed out, con-
tain a provision prohibiting anyone
with an interest in the exhibition phase
of the industry from retaining an in-
terest in the production-distribution
phase, and anyone with an interest in
production-distribution from holding
an interest in exhibition — even though
the two interests may not be in the
same company.
The RKO decree has no such pro-
vision, he said, and the Department
must therefore study Corwin's dual
role.
Storey Circuit
(Continued from page 1)
charter to theatres and is planning to
enter other fields of entertainment, in-
cluding television.
Other officers include T. R. Jones,
vice-president, also formerly of Geor-
gia Theatre Co. and whose past expe-
rience includes affiliations with the
Roxy and Radio City Music Hall in
New York, as well as with houses in
Raleigh, N. C, and Columbus, Ga.,
and F. M. Bird, secretary, who is a
widely known Atlanta attorney and
immediate past-president of the Geor-
gia Bar Association.
Record Backlog
(Continued from page 1)
All Flags," "The Lawless Breed,"
"City Beneath the Sea," "Meet Me at
the Fair," "A Man's Country," "The
Redhead from Wyoming," "Missis-
sippi Gambler," "Seminole," "Desert
Legion," "Column South," "Law and
Order," and "Lone Hand."
Black and white films in the backlog
are: Bill Mauldin's Willie and Joe in
"Back at the Front," "Ma and Pa
Kettle Go to Paris," "It Grows on
Trees," "Abbott and Costello Go to
Mars," "Because of You," "The Black
Castle," "Ma and Pa Kettle at Wai-
kiki," and "Francis Covers the Big
Town."
S. S. Skouras
(Continued from page 1)
Skouras Theatres board, but any an-
nouncement to that effect was said to
be likely to be withheld until his re-
turn to New York from the Coast
early next month.
The new Skouras Theatres presi-
dent, 28 years old, graduated from
Yale University in 1945 and joined the
company in 1948. He served in the
U. S. Armed Forces here and abroad
between 1943 and 1946. As president
of the company he will guide the oper-
ation of some 52 theatres located
within the 50-mile radius of the New
York Metropolitan area.
REPORT ON
IVANHOE
Sets 8-week world's record
gross at Radio City Music Hall!
★
Tops "QUO VADIS" total attendance figures
in test runs -Houston (4 weeks), Evansville p. week),
Atlanta (4 weeks), San Francisco (? weeks), and
Cleveland (10 weeks-still running at press time) .
★
NATION-WIDE CLEAN-UP in Boston, Buffalo, New Haven,
Nashville, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Indianapolis,
Kansas City, Memphis, Dallas, San Antonio, Des Moines,
Birmingham, Washington, D. C.
and
A Holdover in All Engagements!
BIGGEST SHOW-BIGGEST DOUGH
M-G-M's "IVANHOE"!
Paramount Continues Your Box- Office
Build-Up With Its Power-Charged Story Of
The Big Crackdown On Big-Time Crime !
"Where'd I get the money. . .
from fellers... where else?"
The hold, arrogant mobsters ... and their brazen women! The xjjjjy witnesses who
wouldn't talk ... the ones who didn't dare! . . . Now you see the story of how they got
away with anything until they killed a cop. That was "THE TURNING POINT"
WILLIAM
EDMOND
ALEXIS
HOLDEN - O'BRIEN - SMITH.
THE TURNING POINT
Produced by IRVING ASHER • Directed by WILLIAM DIETERLE ^tt
NEWS
WHILE
IT |S
NEWS
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
VOL. 72. NO. 73
NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1952
TEN CENTS
Boasberg General Sales
Manager of RKO Radio
SMPTE Engineers
Seek to Heighten
Screen Brightness
Washington, Oct. 13. — In a re-
port made public over the weekend
The Society of Motion Picture and
Television Engineers asked for the
manufacture of light measuring in-
struments which would make possible
the maintenance of better screen
brightness standards.
The SMPTE screen brightness
committee included in its report — the
result of several years of study— spec-
ifications for two inexpensive instru-
ments which could be used by the
exhibitor himself to test, and there-
fore to maintain effective brightness
of his theatre screen.
The report made clear that opti-
mum screen brightness wasn't merely
a matter of how much light was put
on the screen but depended upon the
distribution of light across the screen.
Each point on the screen, the report
(Continued on page 4)
Succeeds Mochrie, Resigned; Branson Is
Named Assistant General Sales Manager;
Zimmerman, Pimstein Are Advanced
Charles Boasberg, for the past five years North-South division
manager for RKO Radio, was appointed general sales manager of
the company, succeeding Robert Mochrie, resigned, on Friday, the
company's new board of directors announced.
Moving swiftly in the executive realignment of the company following
the appointment last week of Arnold Picker as executive vice-president,
the new RKO Radio management
Broader Field for
Foreign Films Seen
A broader market for foreign films
in the United States and Canada was
envisioned here at the weekend by
N. A. Taylor, president of 20th Cen-
tury Theatres of Canada, Toronto,
who saw foreign films filling the prod-
uct gap as Hollywood concentrates on
bigger, but fewer pictures.
Taylor, who is also president of In-
(Continued on page 7)
CONDON TO HEAD
RKO AD-PUBLICITY
Former 20th-Fox, Disney Publicity Chief Takes
Over Oct. 25; To Coordinate 3 Departments
Richard Condon, former publicity manager for 20th Century-Fox and
Walt Disney Productions, was named director of advertising, publicity
and exploitation for RKO Radio Pictures by the company's new man-
agement last Friday. He is scheduled to assume the post about Oct. 25.
The post of
the
following
also announced
changes :
Walter Branson. RKO Radio
Western sales manager, was
named assistant general sales
manager, a new post;
William Zimmerman, formerly
assistant to Mochrie, was named
head of the legal department,
succeeding J. Miller Walker, re-
signed ;
Harry Pimstein of the home
office legal staff was named as-
sistant to Arnold Grant, chair-
man of the board;
Richard Condon, former pub-
licity director for 20th Century-
Fox and Walt Disney Prod., was
named national director of ad-
vertising, publicity and exploit-
ation, a post which has been
vacant for the past four years.
(See separate story.)
Don Prince, publicity manager, has
resigned. The post will be filled when
Condon takes over in about two
weeks. The company's statement
said : "Reorganization of said depart-
ments (advertising, publicity and ex-
ploitation) and the people therein will
(Continued on page 41
Tradewise...
By SHERWIN KANE
T^HE Allied States national con-
vention and the Tesma annual
trade show, to be held jointly in
Chicago next month, afford oppor-
tunity for a worthwhile public re-
lations accomplishment for theatres
generally and, therefore, for the in-
dustry.
With a little astute planning and
no extraordinary effort, press con-
tacts should be able to "suggest" to
reporters for the lay press who
cover the event that this first great
theatre equipment trade show to be
held in conjunction with a national
exhibitor convention is a fresher
and far better story than the one
about the omnipresent popcorn,
confections and soft drink dis-
pensers dominating an exhibitor
meeting, to the exclusion of motion
pictures, equipment and the "mer-
chandise" which is Hollywood per-
sonalities.
Every exhibitor who in recent
years has attended a theatre own-
ers convention of any size has been
made aware that local newspaper
coverage of the event all too often
is confined to the "popcorn" story.
Important as are the concessions to
(Continued on page 2)
director of
RKO Radio's
advertising, pub-
licity and ex-
ploitation de-
partments was
dispensed with
shortly after
Howard Hughes
acquired the
controlling
stock interest
in the company
several years
ago. It was last
held by S. Barret McCormick,
has been advertising director
At that time Don Prince was named
publicity director and Terry Turner
exploitation director. Prince resigned
on Friday.
Condon's appointment by the new
RKO Radio management came as un-
expectedly as that of Arnold Picker,
who last week was named executive
vice-president of the company ii
charge of distribution. According tc
a reliable version reported _ in the
trade, Condon returned to his home
after midnight last Thursday, having
attended a theatre performance, anc
found a message awaiting him to call
Arnold Grant, new chairman of RKO
(.Continued on page 4)
SIMPP Will Attend
Next French Talks
The Society of Independent Motion
Picture Producers intends to be repre-
sented at any future negotiations for
a new Franco-American film agree-
ment, Ellis G. Arnall, SIMPP presi-
dent, said here at the weekend.
Asked if he planned to accompany
Eric A. Johnston, Motion Picture
Association of America president, on
a trip to Paris in the near future, Ar-
nall replied in the negative, adding
that he assumed any such trip by
Johnston would be an exploratory one
and not for the purpose of "negotiat-
(Continued on page 7)
WASHINGTON, Oct. 13.—
The Department of Com-
merce discloses that pub-
licly - reported cash
dividends paid by motion
picture companies for
September amounted to
$2,371,000. This repre-
sents a drop of more than
$2,000,000 from the Sep-
tember, 1951, figure of
$4,545,000.
•
HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 13. —
The annual Monogram Pic-
tures Corp. fiscal re-
port, released here at
the weekend, discloses
that the company's net
profit for the fiscal year
ended June 28 was $589,-
259, which compares with
$1,061,648 for the pre-
ceding year. The profit
is equal to 76 cents per
share.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, October 14, 1952 \
Personal
Mention
DORE SCHARY, vice-president in
charge of M-G-M production, left
here for Washington yesterday and is
due back today.
Michael Mayer*" son of Arthur
_L. Mayer, former executive vice-presi-
dent of the Council of Motion Picture
Organizations, is running on the
Democratic and Liberal Party tickets
for District Attorney of Westchester
County, N. Y.
•
Morris Alin, editor of Progress,
Universal house organ, became a
father for the second time on Friday
when his wife, Sylvia, gave birth to a
son, Robert David, at the Mt. Ver-
non Hospital, Mt. Vernon, N. Y.
•
Phil Reisman, RKO Radio Pic-
tures vice-president in charge of for-
eign distribution, is due here from Eu-
rope today. Originally he was sched-
uled to arrive last Wednesday.
•
Ellis G. Arnall, president of the
Society of Independent Motion Pic-
ture Producers, who returned to At-
lanta from New York at the weekend,
is due back here in about a week.
•
Sallyann Wakefield, secretary to
the comptroller of Walter Reade The-
atres, has become engaged to Paul
Baise, assistant advertising-publicity
director of Reade Theatres.
Jack Davis, British film executive,
will sail for England from, here to-
morrow aboard the SS. Queen Eliza-
beth after four months in the U. S.
and Canada.
•
Edward L. Hyman, vice-president
of United Paramount Theatres, and
his assistant, Bernard Levy, have re-
turned here from Buffalo, Rochester
and Detroit.
•
William Pine, Paramount pro-
ducer, will leave here tomorrow for
Europe aboard the 5.5". Queen Eliza-
beth, accompanied by Mrs. Pine.
•
Edwin W. Aaron, Western sales
manager for 20th Century-Fox, will
return here today from Gloversville,
N. Y.
Cecil B. DeMille has been re-
elected to the board of directors of the
American Cancer Society.
•
Floyd E. Stone has been promoted
to photo editor of Motion Picture
Herald.
e
Carl Post, Hollywood publicist has
arrived here from the Coast.
Cole Warns of Defeatism in
Fight to Repeal 20% Tax
Trade wise . . .
{Continued from page 1 )
present day theatre operations, it is
exasperating to most exhibitors
who spend convention days win-
nowing new ideas for improving
their theatres and their service to
the public to pick up a local news-
paper and read that his major in-
terest is pushing more popcorn into
patrons while cutting down on the
seasoning.
With more than 100 of the avail-
able 150 exhibit booths at the Tes-
ma trade show already reserved,
and the opening more than a month
away, the success and impressive-
ness of the Chicago show already
is assured. Without doubt, it will
be the largest such exhibit in the
industry's history.
Any lay reporter worthy of the
name, properly conducted through
that exhibit, cannot escape without
a better understanding of the com-
plex and costly equipment and sup-
plies essential to the best enjoyment
of the theatre's entertainment. Nor
can he escape an impression of the
investment involved.
The reporter will know, from his
own observation, that the "pop-
corn" story coverage of an exhibi-
tor convention is a worn-out satire
and that, therein, lies a new, a
truer and better story.
It is an opportunity for Allied's
and Tesma's convention and show
leaders which can pay fine divi-
dends in constructive publicity. It
should not be overlooked.
News reel
Parade
Crosby Crew Returning
With location shooting in France
completed for "Little Boy Lost," star
Bing Crosby and producers William
Perlberg and George Seaton head the
unit of players and crew members
who will head back to the United
States beginning this week.
Dallas, Oct. 13. — At a meeting
here of exhibitor chairman of the tax
repeal campaign in Texas Col. H. A.
Cole, national chairman of the Council
of Motion Picture Organizations tax
repeal campaign, warned of the two
elements to guard against to insure
the repeal of the Federal 20 per cent
amusement tax : defeatism among the
leaders and other exhibitors and
neglecting to follow the pattern laid
down by the COMPO committee.
"Too many leaders," he said, refer-
ring to the second point, "are prone
to take the "'political wire-pulling' atti-
tude in this campaign instead of the
factual business meeting with their
Congressman with several exhibitors
present to put across the acuteness of
the situation."
Reports were heard from the fol-
lowing district chairmen : Sidney Met-
calf, Texarkana ; J. Wood Fain,
Woodville ; R. D. Leatherman, Tyler ;
Leaman Marshall, Terrell; J. O.
Cherry, Dallas; A. P. Boyette, Jr.,
College Station; J. F. Jones, Pales-
tine ; Al Lever, Houston ; Mart Cole,
Rosenberg ; Louie Novy, Austin ;
C. H. Stewart, Waco ; Frank Weath-
erford, Ft. Worth; J. E. Unger,
Wichita Falls ; Bruce Collins, Corpus
Christi ; Will Pence, Anson ; Jack
King, Amarillo ; Royce Blankenship,
Lubbock; George Watson, San An-
tonio, Henry Reeve, Menard ; Rubin
Frels, Victoria.
Others attending the luncheon were :
Phil Isley, Paul Short, William Mc-
Craw, Don Douglas, R. I. Payne, John
Adams, Raymond Willie, William
O'Donnell, Sam Landrum, Duke Clark,
Alfred Delcambre, Kyle Rorex, Frank
Bradley, Claude C. Ezell and Robert
J. O'Donnell.
Fine Arts Theatre
Sues Over 'O. Henry9
Hearing in a suit brought against
20th Century-Fox and the Trans-Lux
Lexington Corp. by the Fine Arts
Theatre here concerning exhibition
rights to "O. Henry's Full House," is
scheduled to be held today in New
York Supreme Court. The suit was
filed Friday by Monroe E. Stein, at-
torney representing the Fine Arts
Theatre, which sought injunctive re-
lief, seeking to bar the opening of the
film at the Trans-Lux 52nd Street on
Thursday.
The complaint alleged that 20th-Fox
contracted with the plaintiff for a first-
run engagement of the picture in New
York. It further stated that the Fine
Arts put up an advance of $25,000 as
a guarantee of at least a 12-week run.
Neither 20th-Fox nor Trans-Lux
executives would comment on the suit.
rHE PRESIDENTIAL campaign
is the highlight of current news*
reels, featured along with a three-
train crash in Great Britain, election
returns in Japan and Chile, and the
Korean War. Complete contents fol-
low:
FOX MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 83 — 150,-
030 hail 'Ike' in San Francisco. Stevenson
talks on subversives to Detroiters. Three;
train crash near London. Premiere on
ocean liner. Olympic star wins 100-mile
walk. Convict cowboys in rough rodeo.
NEWS O'F THE DAY, No. 213-War in
Korea. Campaign in home stretch. Bri-
tain's worst disaster in 35 years. Duke of
Windsor golfing. Ocean volcano keeps
roaring. Persimmon festival.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 16— Cam-
paign roars into final week. Election re-
turns from Japan and Chile. Three-train
crash. UN troops regain hill.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 41B— English
train crash. Japanese election returns.
Canadian record wheat crop. German
mono-rail train unveiled. Italian new
Boys-town dedicated. Texas convict rodeo.
Korean helicopter airlift.
UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL, No. 4<W-
Train wreck in England. Reds leave and
Japanese elect. New president in Chile.
Commando memorial in England. Wing-
less plane. Korea.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 1S-
Three-train British wreck. The campaign.
Flight of fashion aboard sky-liner. Cards
upset Bears in pro football thriller.
Ind. Allied Meets Dec. 1-3
Indianapolis, Oct. 13. — The Allied
Theatre Owners of Indiana, Inc., will
hold its 26th annual convention on
Dec. 1-3 at the Hotel Lincoln in In-
dianapolis, it was announced.
Critics Hear Loesser
On 'Andersen' Score
Chicago, Oct. 13.— More than 70
representatives of Midwestern news-
papers were here today to hear Frank
Loesser discuss the music in Samuel
Goldwyn's new production, "Hans
Christian Andersen." Arrangements
for the event were made by David
Golding, Goldwyn Productions adver-
tising-publicity director.
Golding, Martin Davis of his staff,
and Terry Turner, RKO Radio ex-
ploitation manager, were on hand from
New York. Golding returned to New
York over the weekend, Turner will
leave here tomorrow.
Ahrams in Charge of
NY NSS Branch
Leo Abrams, National Screen Serv-
ice district manager here, will handle
the New York office, following the
transfer of manager Harold Bennett,
to Buffalo. The Buffalo office now
becomes a full-fledged branch from
where all trailers soon will be distrib-
uted directly in the exchange area in-
stead of from New York.
Jack Goldstein, who had been man-
ager of the Buffalo office, has been
appointed sales manager there.
Filmaek Promotion Head
Chicago, Oct. 13. — Larry Goodman,
former staff writer for Film Daily,
has been appointed promotion man-
ager for Filmaek Trailer Co. here,
president Irving Mack disclosed.
Goodman, a World War II veteran,
will assist Lou Kravitz, advertising
manager, in the company's advertising-
sales division.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center
© LANZA in
"BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE"
introducing DOR ETTA MORROW
Color by TECHNICOLOR - Are M-G-M Picture
plus
SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION
SOB
cXAHE
Midnight Faolur*
Nightly
HOWARD iiAM
HUGHES U
presents
MINUTE
Starring ROBERT MITCHUM - ANN BLYTH
BROADWAY
AND 45th ST.
CRITERION
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Ouigley- Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane. Editor; Terrv Ramsaye. Consulting 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 Quiglev, Tr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J.
Brady, Secretary; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine
Building, William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz. Editorial Representative, 11
North Clark Street, FR-2-2843. Washington," J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; Hcpe 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; International Motion Picture 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
4
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, October 14, 1952
IN NEW RKO RADIO POSTS
CHARLES BOASBERG WALTER BRANSON WM. ZIMMERMAN
RKO Radio Sales Changes
{Continued from page 1)
in nun miii :m«Miiam^ga
In the THEATRE
Equipment
World . . .
with RAY GALLO
AN opportunity to boost popcorn
sales at refreshment stands
through tie-ins with a $1,000,000 na-
tional advertising campaign is now
being offered theatre operators. The
Popcorn Institute of Chicago is spon-
soring the huge promotional program,
which will utilize magazines, news-
papers, television and radio in a full-
scale campaign designed to increase
popcorn sales. Under a plan sub-
mitted to theatres by the Institute, ex-
hibitors are asked to pay a tax of
five-cents per hundredweight on their
corn purchases. This amount will be
matched by the Institute and the total
used for the specific promotion of pop-
corn sales in theatres. Says the Insti-
tute to theatremen : "Make popcorn
as much a part of movies as peanuts
are at the circus !"
•
"Pop-Set" is the tradename of a
new, quick-erecting popcorn con-
tainer devised for theatre refresh-
ment stands by the Andre Paper
Box Co. of San Francisco. The box
is designed to allow the operator to
pop it open and scoop it full of hot
popcorn in a single motion for fast
service during rush periods. De-
livered to the user in flat, glued
and pre-scored form, the containers
are erected by applying pressure
with the thumb and middle finger
of one hand to the lower edges of
the sides, about an inch from the
bottom. This makes the box pop
open along scored lines. Made of
pure Potlatch solid bleached sul-
phate, the "Pop-Sets" have a design
of red, blue and yellow against the
white of the basic board.
•
Installation of Motiograph "Trad"
large screen theatre television equip-
ment in Milton Schwaber's new Met
theatre at Baltimore, has been an-
nounced by Henry C. Dusman of the
J. F. Dusman Co., Baltimore distribu-
tors for Motiograph, Inc., Chicago.
Electrical vaporizing units designed
to destroy flies, mosquitoes and other
insects have, been coming on the
market in substantial numbers in con-
sequence of the development of chemi-
cals which have been found effective
for this method of insect control.
Mounted on the wall, they are plugged
into an ordinary electric light outlet
and the heat generated by the simple
electrical unit enclosed vaporizes an
insecticide supplied by the manufac-
turer. Use of such devices is espe-
cially indicated for refreshment rooms,
possibly also rest rooms of drive-in
theatres. One such unit recently in-
troduced is the "Mortron Vaporizer,"
a product of the Bedford Co., New
York City. The insecticide used is
Mortane crystal, which does not harm
food or plants, according to the manu-
facturer. The unit is designed to
operate in an area up to 10,000 cubic
feet.
await his having undertaken and com-
pleted a thorough study of the opera-
tions and the personnal."
The company also announced that
the Eastern talent scout, story and
research departments at the home of-
fice will be discontinued and their
functions assigned to the studio. In
line with the decision, Arthur Willi,
talent scout ; Leda Bauer, story de-
partment, and Harold Hendee, re-
search department, have resigned.
Richard Gavin, head of the purchas-
ing department, also resigned.
Awaits Reisman Arrival
The company stated that personnel
in the foreign department will be re-
viewed with the arrival here today
from Europe of Phil Reisman, foreign
distribution chief. "Announcements in
respect thereto will follow as soon as
possible thereafter," the company said.
The statement issued on behalf of
the new owners of the controlling
stock interest in the company said of
the changes which were announced :
"It is regretted that a thor-
ough consideration of the com-
pany's affairs requires the elim-
ination of persons who have
served the company faithfully.
It is a source of satisfaction,
however, that the board has
been able to promote many em-
ployes from within the ranks.
"The board has been required
to meet the problem of the
company and it has done so
squarely. It is the board's firm
belief that those who have been
advanced will prove the sound-
ness of the judgment exercised
and will inspire all personnel to
a realization of the opportunity
that exists for them. It is an-
ticipated that over the coming
months additional promotions
may be made of persons to
whom it is not possible to give
immediate recognition," the
statement concluded.
Boasberg, new general sales mana-
ger, has been with RKO Radio since
1930, when he joined the company as
a salesman in the Buffalo exchange.
Prior to that he was a special repre-
sentative for MGM for three years.
In 1937 Boasberg was named Buffalo
branch manager for RKO Radio; in
1940, district manager with headquar-
ters at Cleveland; in 1944, Metropoli-
tan district manager in New York,
and in 1947, North-South division
manager.
Branson, new assistant general sales
manager, likewise has been with RKO
for many years. He rose from the
sales ranks to Midwest district mana-
ger with headquarters in Chicago in
the mid-1930s and has been Western
division manager for the past five
years. 1
Boasberg and Branson to-
gether will be charged with re-
organizing RKO Radio's domes-
tic sales department, the new
board of directors said, "in ac-
cordance with their own
thoughts and ideas."
Zimmerman, new head of the legal
department, has been a member of
RKO Radio's home office legal staff
for many years and only recently had
been given the title of assistant to the
general sales manager. Pimstein like-
wise has been a member of the home
office legal staff for many years. His
post as assistant to the chairman of
the board, Grant, is a newly created
one.
Walker, who resigned, entered RKO
in the course of the company's receiv-
ership and reorganization in 1932 as
an attorney. Prior to his resignation
he was secretary, general counsel and
a member of the board.
Condon to RKO
{Continued from page 1)
Radio. On communicating with Grant,
the two arranged an immediate meet-
ing and the deal with Condon was
concluded about 2 :30 A.M.
This also was in the pattern of the
Ralph Stolkin syndicate's closing of
the deal for the purchase of Hughes'
controlling stock interest in RKO
Pictures three weeks ago in the early
hours of the morning. The Condon
appointment, too, is in keeping with
the new RKO Radio management's
announced intention to make executive
appointments which will bring into the
company "youth with its vitality, fresh
approach and aggressive thinking."
Like the 39-year old Picker, Condon
is not yet 40. He was 37 last May.
After a period in the Merchant Mar-
ine, he entered the advertising agency
field and in 1938 was named publicity
director of Walt Disney Productions.
In 1941 lie joined the Hal Home
Organization, which at the time was in
charge of advertising, publicity and
Mochrie in Sales
For 27 Years
Robert Mochrie, who resigned Fri-
day as vice-president in charge of
domestic distribution for RKO Radio
Pictures, has been well known in
distribution and
manager at Al^ ^^^^^^^^^^^
bany, PittS- Robert Mochrie
burg and Phila-
delphia. He then was Philadelphia
branch manager for Warners, becom-
ing assistant sales manager at the
home office in 1934. In 1937 he be-
came Southern sales manager for
United Artists and joined RKO Radio
in 1939 as Southern district mana-
ger. Subsequently he was made East-
ern and Southern sales manager, and
has been general sales manager for
the past 10 years.
He was selected a director of RKO
Radio and vice-president in charge of
domestic distribution in 1946.
SMPTE Engineers
{Continued from page 1)
said, should have proper relative bril-
liance from every seat in the house.
The screen brightness committee's
report was one of the final papers de-
livered during the closing sessions of
the SMPTE's 72nd Convention, which
was attended by more than 800 mem-
bers. Among the reports given in the
closing sessions on high-speed pho-
tography was one on a high-speed
35mm. camera with a magazine ca-
pacity of 1,000 feet and another on a
newly designed series of highly cor-
rected lenses for high-speed 35mm.
motion picture photography.
One of the highlights of the con-
vention's last day was a luncheon
given to retiring convention vice-pres-
ident William C. Kunzmann.
exploitation for 20 th Century-Fox.
Subsequently, he became publicity di-
rector of 20th-Fox under the aegis of
Max E. Youngstein, who now is a
vice-president and partner in United
Artists.
In 1943 Condon formed his own
public relations organization here and
in recent years also was active in the
legitimate stage, both as producer and
playwright. When Youngstein was
vice-president of Paramount Pictures
Distributing, in charge of advertising,
publicity and exploitation, Condon
handled special campaigns on "Sam-
son and Delilah" and "Sunset Boule-
vard." He was also national coordina-
tor for Stanley Kramer Productions
on the campaign for "Cyrano de Ber-
gerac."
More recently, Condon was associ-
ate producer of the stage play, "Sta-
lag 17," and co-producer of the play
"20th Century." He is the author of
the stage farce, "How to Fly with
One Feather," to be produced this
season by Chandler Cowles and Ben
Segal.
"SUPBEX"
TRADE-MARK
CARBON
NATIONAL CARBON
PRESENTS:
• Amazing New Light-Efficiency
• Lower Current Consume-
^"sumption
• improved Arr c, ,.,
Arc-Stability
AT LOWER
CARBON
COST!
Not just claims but VISIBLE improve-
ments distinguish the NEW 9 mm
"Suprex" projector carbon in any 9-8 mm
copper-coated high-intensity trim.
AND THAT'S NOT ALL! With an opti-
mum current range of 65-75 amperes, the
new 9 mm "Suprex" carbon and the 8 mm
"Orotip" C negative carbon can be sub-
stituted directly for the 8 mm-7 mm car-
bon trim up to 70 amperes*. Merely install
appropriate holders and guides in your
present equipment and get:
• More light at slightly increased current
• Equal light at same current
• Lower carbon consumption and cost
• Better light distribution at all currents
• Above 70 amperes, see your theatre supply dealer
for his equipment recommendations.
BUY WISE-
DEMAND
TO
SEE THE DIFFE
The terms "Suprex" and "Orotifi" are trade - marks
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.
District Sales Offices: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City,
New York, Pittsburgh, San Francisco
In Canada: National Carbon Limited, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg
6
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, October 14, 1952
Says Conventions
Are Primary Field
For Theatre TV
Washington, Oct. 13. — Denver
exhibitor John Wolfberg told the
Federal Communications Commission
today that a primary field for thea-
tre television would be in connection
with "unassembled industry conven-
tions" in the morning hours.
"If we could tap the convention
business, it would be wonderful,"
Wolfberg said. "I can't see anything
else that would provide a steady flow
of product."
Wolfberg's idea has previously been
expressed in other terms by officials
of United Paramount Theatres, who
told the Commission that they saw
closed-circuit sales meetings as the
best use of theatre television. With
salespeople all over the country sit-
ting in theatres equipped with theatre
television, a company's home office
could address all at the same time,
the UPT people said, over the closed
circuit.
Wolfberg also told the Commission
he thought that the simultaneous re-
lease of a motion picture through each
of the country's exchange centers and
fanning out over a local theatre tele-
vision network would result in great
savings of time and money for the
industry. The Denver exhibitor made
these statements in an FCC hearing
on two stations competing for the
same Denver television channel: Wolf-
berg owns 21 per cent of the stock
in the Denver Television Co., a com-
peting applicant with Aladdin Radio
and Television Co. for channel 7 in
Denver.
Questioned at length by Aladdin at-
torney W. Theodore Pierson on his
membership in Allied States Associa-
tion and Allied's theatre television
policy, Wolfberg said he couldn't re-
call that Allied had any policy on the
subject.
Pierson also asked Wolfberg if
there hadn't been "considerable man-
to-man wagering" during the telecast
of the Walcott-Marciano fight at
Wolfberg's Paramount theatre in
Denver. Wolfberg replied that he
hadn't seen any betting nor would he
have condoned it if he had seen it.
Sees Dim Future for
Educational TV
Washington, Oct. 13. — Unless edu-
cators exert more activity in the next
few months in acquiring and using the
television channels now set aside for
them, there will be "slight basis" for
continuing to reserve those channels,
Federal Communications Commissioner
Robert Bartley said over the weekend.
Bartley told a group of Alabama
broadcasters that educators "failed to
avail themselves" of the opportunities
given to them in the AM and FM
fields and it didn't appear to him "that
the pattern has changed very much
during the past six months under the
television allocation plan."
Under the current allocation plan
the FCC has set aside 242 channels
for educational television stations.
Television--Radio
Applies for FCC Permit
Baltimore, Oct. 13. — Leon Back,
general manager for Rome Theatre
Enterprises here, has applied to the
Federal Communications Commission
for a permit to operate a television
station in Norfolk, Va.
with Pinky Herman
Pinky Herman
THE HALL OF FAME . . . more important than ever before in
the comparatively young record of TV— and of particular signi-
ficance at this stage in the history of radio entertainment — is the cur-
rent poll of those most competent to evaluate the merits of program
and performers in behalf of the public — the TV
and radio editors, and columnists of the nation.
These people of the press have no axe to grind,
and it is their daily job to concentrate upon objec-
tive and unbiased reviewing of TV and radio pro-
grams. Nothing could be fairer or more construc-
tive than the combined opinion of the men and
women whose only vested interest is the welfare
of the industry in terms of service to its audience.
Their columns in the press are read regularly
by upwards of a hundred million people. Their
.ndividual variance of opinion is, in itself, assur-
ance of independent thinking; and that is what
makes the results of the ballot so democratic, and
so reliable. To the nation's TV and radio editors
and columnists whosf ballots have already been returned to us, and
to those who are now; Weighing their verdicts in preparation for send-
ing- in their ballots, a vote of sincere, thanks in behalf of the TV and
radio industries.
Judging from the number of inquiries we have received as to the
publication date for the professional, poll results, advance interest has
reached a new high for the 17-year-period since Motion Picture
Daily established this critics' poll.
The results will be published in Motion Picture Daily after the
ballots from all parts of the nation have been received and every vote
in each category has been entered and the final tabulation thoroughly
rechecked. Then comes the complete deluxe presentation in the
HALL OF FAME — the official, ornate record in FAME magazine
for reference by sponsors, agencies, stations and publications every-
where. The 21st edition of FAME will be considerably expanded
editorially and pictorially, with a number of innovations.
So inter-related, talent-wise, nowadays are the fields of motion
pictures, TV andlradio that the progress of talent in any of the three
fields is of significant interest to each. Within separate sections of
a single book, FAME sets forth the popularity status of programs
and talent in each, of the three fields.
■A ft ft ft
Producer George F. Foley heads overseas Saturday to set
up production units in Paris and Rome for 13 full-hour and
26 half-hour TV films. . . . WOR's "The Answer Man/'
marked his 15th consecutive year on the air yesterday and
during that period answered about 8 million questions. ( Won-
der it he ever answered the proverbial "How High is Up?")
. . . Sheldon Music is reviving "Walkin' By The River,"
penned by Robert Sour and Una Mae Carlisle which topped
the "Hit Parade" for 17 consecutive weeks back in 1940. . . .
Eddie Albert's new NBComedy TV series, "Leave It To
Lester," bows in Saturday (9:00-9:30 P.M.). Scripts are by
Leo Solomon, Vinnie Bogert and Billie Friedberg. . . . After
two months in Hollywood on a business-vacation trip, Vic
McCleod, formerly producer of the "James Melton Show," is
back in New York with a new TV package. . . . Genial Mort
Barron has been named ass't. sales promotion mgr. by prexy
David H. Cogan of CBS-Columbia. . . . Back from the coast
where he did the announcing chores for several Jerry Fair-
banks telefilms and narration for two Kiddie Record series, is
Leon Lederer. . . . To insure authenticity to DuMont's "Cap-
tain Video" series, Dr. R. S. Richardson of the Mt. Wilson and
Palomar observatories in California, has been added to the
writing staff by Producer Olga Druce. . . .
■>v ■><■ &
A new book, "Chap pell Television Book," containing sugges-
tions for dramatic treatment for telecasting 40' standard-popular
musical zvorks published during the past 30 years by Chappell &
Co., DeSylvia, Brozvn & Henderson, Inc. and T. B. Harms, Inc.,
has been printed by Chappell & Co. Compiled, and edited by Perry
Lafferty, who had been associated zvith such TV programs as
"Freddy Martin Show," "Kay Kyser Show," "Victor Borgc
Show" and others, this collection of ditties offers unusual ideas
for the staging and presentation of many favorites of the past and
is a MUST for TV producers and directors. In a bid to obtain
greater use of its music and yet, too, as a service to TV execs,
the publisher is offering this valuable book to them FREE.
Work on Theatre
TV Facilities
Reported by AT&T
Washington, Oct. 13. — The Amer-
ican Telephone and Telegraph Co.
said over the week-end that it was
continuing development and research
to make the facilities for theatre tele-
vision transmission available when
needed.
In a letter' to James Fly and Vin-
cent Welch, theatre television attor-
neys for the Motion Picture Associa-
tion of America, and to Marcus Cohn,
attorney for the National Exhibitors
Theatre Television Committee, A T
and T said it believed the attorneys
would agree that "the actual provision
of the facilities was of the utmost
importance."
Work is proceeding as rapidly as
possible, the company informed the at-
torneys, on the board band service for
theatre television transmission which
A T and T hoped "will meet or
Closely approach the transmission
characteristics" specified by industry
theatre television engineers.
A T and T expressed its hope that
it could continue to work closely with
industry theatre television experts and
repeated its statement that it would
make every effort to have the cost
figures available by the end of the
year.
Delay NFL Phila.
Trial to Jan. 26
Wa shington, Oct. 13. — The trial in
the government's suit against the Na-
tional Football League and its member
companies has been postponed until
Jan. 26, the Department of Justice
said.
The original date for the trial, which
will be held in Philadelphia, was Nov.
6. Attorneys for the League had sev-
eral times requested postponements,
which the Department opposed. A
crowded Philadelphia court calendar
necessitated the postponement, how-
ever. Justice brought the suit against
the League last October because mem-
ber companies had adopted restrictions
against broadcasts and telecasts of
football games.
WNBC Show Set to
Promote N. Y. Films
Another radio program, WNBC's
"First Nighter," has been enlisted for
the publicizing of motion pictures un-
der the mutual promotion pact between
the Organization of the Motion Pic-
ture Industry of New York and Na-
tional Broadcasting, the OMPI an-
nounced.
The Tuesday evening programs will
incorporate one-minute spot announce-
ments listing recommended films cur-
rently playing in theatres here.
New Para, TV Sales
Paramount Television Productions
has sold its syndicated film programs
in the nation's two newest television
markets. Bob Clampett's "Time for
Beany" has been sold for 39 weeks,
five times a week, to the Franz Bakery
in Portland, Ore., where it will appear
on the country's first UHF television
station, KPTV, beginning Oct. 20.
KPTV will also telecast Paramount's
"Wrestling from Hollywood," which
has been sold for 26 weeks, beginning-
Thursday to the Blitz Weinhard Brew-
ing Co.
Tuesday, October 14, 1952
Foreign Field
Motion Picture Daily
(Continued from page 1)
ternational Film Distributors, Ltd.,
tone of the largest independent distri-
butors in Canada, was in New York
[to confer with Italian film industry
officials, here in conjunction with the
"Salute to Italian Films Week." Fol-
lowing a conference with Dr. Renato
Gualino, general director of the Italian
Film Export organization, Taylor ex-
' pressed hope that his company would
continue its alliance with Italian films
I in Canada. .
Taylor said it is "inevitable that
j fewer, but bigger pictures will come
out in Hollywood. This, he said, will
create a "vacuum" which could be
filled by good, off-beat foreign pic-
■! tures, properly dubbed.
Taylor, whose company operates 70
theatres in Ontario and recently added
several in the West, said a good for-
1 ei°-n film is better than "a carbon
copy" uninspired, low-budgeted pic-
j ture. The public, he continued, does
not care where the picture is made as
\ long as it has the necessary entertain-
ment qualities. .
The trouble with most foreign films,
he continued, is that they lack suffi-
cient action, deadening their interest
with unexciting talk. A suitable for-
eign film, he added however, properly
dubbed has a growing market.
Italian Dignitaries
At Ship Reception
In honor of the official Italian mo-
tion picture industry delegation recent-
ly arrived in New York for "Salute
to Italian Films Week," a reception
will be held this afternoon aboard the
55 Conte Biancamano, docked here.
The Italian Line and the America-
Italy Society, are hosts for the occa-
sion. . ,
Winthrop W. Aldrich, president ot
the America-Italy Society, will pre-
sent an illuminated scroll to Nicola
De Pirro, Italian government official
leading the visiting dignitaries, in rec-
ognition of the Italian postwar motion
picture industry's contribution to im-
proved U.S.-Italy cultural relations.
'American Weekly'
Contest on 'Snows'
Exhibitors who put on the best job
of retail co-operative tie-in advertising
in connection with the playing of 20th
Century-Fox's "The Snows of Kili-
manjaro" will receive an American
Weekly showmanship award consist-
ing of six cash prizes totaling $1,000.
Local newspapers carrying the Ameri-
can Weekly in their Sunday editions
will work with the exhibitors. Entries
must be postmarked no later than Jan.
1, 1953 and winners will be announced
shortly thereafter.
Walter Brooks, Motion Picture
Herald; Chester Friedman, Boxoffice;
and Al Lichtman, 20th-Fox director
of distribution, will serve as judges for
the contest. The prizes are broken
down to $500 for first place and $100
apiece to the next five places.
20th-Fox Art Films
Have Wide Appeal
SIMPP
(Continued from page 1)
Bids for Pioneers
Heaviest This Year
Five of the seven one-reel art films
which 20th Century-Fox is putting
into worldwide distribution were pre-
viewed here at the weekend. Made
in color by Technicolor, the^ shorts
deal with world renowned artists and
their work. Exhibitors can show them
with pride and profit for they at once
have a high degree of quality and are
designed for widest popular appeal.
Arrangements for distribution of the
films were made about a year ago by
20th Century-Fox with Art Films
Productions. Following this a unit
headed by Marilyn Silverstone, went
abroad to make the films in France,
Italy, England and Holland.
The films previewed were "Light in
the Window," by Vermeer ; "Curtain
Call" Degas; "I Remember the
Glory" Botticelli; "Joy of Living,"
Renoir, and "The Young Immortal,
"Raphael." The others are "The
Night Watch," Rembrandt; and
"Birth of Venus, Art of the Renais-
sance." ,
Each film harks back to the time
and locale of the painter with a slen-
der story serving as an mtroductory
framework. The color is strikingly
effective. , _ .
The series was produced by boris
Vermont from scenarios by Mildred
B. Vermont, based on research by-
Miss Silverstone. .
Exploitation-minded exhibitors will
find the subjects endowed with special
qualities that can be capitalized at the
box-office.
ing." Johnston was tentatively sche-
duled to fly to Paris the end of this
week.
Actual negotiations, Arnall remind-
ed, have been and must continue to be
handled by officials of the French and
American governments. However,
MPAA and SIMPP representatives
are entitled to "sit in" on the official
talks. An MPAA representative said
here at the weekend that it was his
understanding Johnston would seek to
"negotiate" during his Paris visit.
SIMPP's policy with respect to the
negotiation of foreign trade agree-
ments has been to favor dealings on
the inter-government level, while the
MPAA has taken the position that
quicker results are to be gotten when
the American industry itself negotiates
with foreign governments. The Anglo-
US film pacts are reached between
the American industry and British
government. Franco - American film
agreements, on the other hand, are
governmental pacts.
Rogers Sets Theatre
Contests for Kiddies
\ nationwide series of contests for
children will be sponsored by cowboy-
star Roy Rogers in theatres, depart-
ment stores, drive-ins and state and
county fairs, he announced at the
weekend at Madison Square Garden
here where he is appearing in a rodeo.
The contests, to be known as the
"Roy Rogers Trick Lasso Contest,
will commence Nov. 15 and continue
for four weeks in each situation,
Rogers said. Weekly prizes and a
o-rand prize will be awarded. A cow-
boy personality will be master-of-cere-
monies for each contest. Abe I. .Wein-
berg- of New York is contest represen-
tative for Rogers.
Elmer Lux Takes
Over Lazar Theatres
Buffalo, Oct. 13.— Management and
operation of the Lazar circuit in New
York, Ohio, Virginia, Maryland and
Kentucky have been taken over by
Elmart Theatres, Inc., Elmer F. Lux,
president and general manager of the
new corporation, said.
Lux formerly was vice-president
and general manager for Lazar. '-'The
new organization's other officers are :
vice - president, Howard Antevil,
Gloversville, and secretary-treasurer,
George Kubick of Albany.
Applications for membership in the
Motion Picture Pioneers here are
coming in from all parts of the coun-
try at a much more rapid pace than
in any previous year since the Pio-
neers was formed 13 years ago, Jack
Cohn, president, reports.
Strict adherence to eligibility rules
which require that a candidate for
membership must have 25 active years
in the industry to his credit, has led
to the reluctant rejection of a number
of applicants by the Pioneers' board
of directors, Cohn pointed out. He
explained that the term "active years"
did not necessarily mean continuous
years but the aggregate had to be a
quarter of a century. Cohn also points
out that new applications for member-
ship cannot be serviced after Nov. 15,
due to pressure of activity during the
last 10 days before the "Jubilee Din-
ner."
Candidates accepted for membership
will be inducted at the "Dinner" of
the organization at the Hotel Astor
on Tuesday evening, Nov. 25 at which
N. J. Blumberg, chairman of the
board of Universal, will be honored
as the "Motion Picture Pioneer of
1952," with George Jessel acting as
toastmaster and Ned E. Depinet serv-
ing as chairman.
N.E. Independents'
Convention Dec, 9
Boston, Oct. 13. — The annual con-
vention of the Independent Exhibitors,
Inc. of New England has been set for
Dec. 9. It will be held at the Shera-
ton-Plaza Hotel, Boston.
HAS B0 SMIL IDEAS
for Selling Your
I
(Read InAfunation'. . Sdlectom.'ld&a.
IIHACK for All Tour Trailer Bx)ulf» "will
Para. Cost Saving
Focuses on Cutting
Hollywood, Oct. 13.— In line with
his previously announced policy aim-
ing at "greater economy and efficiency
without sacrificing quality," Don
Hartman, head of Paramount produc-
tion, has begun a survey among stu-
dio department heads to discover the
most effective means for elimmating
waste film footage.
Hartman said he believes waste
footage can be eliminated by "care-
ful pre-editing and planning long in
advance."
GREAT MOTION PICTURES ARE PROCESSED BY PATHE
BEN PIVAK, Independent Film Library
President says :
" Our very survival is
often dependent upon lab service.
Pathe has never let us down."
When the lab work can make or break
a picture, don't take chances. Specify
Pathe because Pathe produces the
highest-quality work with best service
available anywhere.
FILMACK T R All** X j> M^RA N.V
Audrey Hepburn Feted
Paramount Pictures was host to
\udrey Hepburn at a champagne re-
ception at the Sherry - Netherland
Hotel here last Friday. Miss Hep-
burn recently completed her first
American film, "Roman Holiday," for
Paramount. She is co-starred with
Gregory -Peck in the William Wyler
production.
Both New York and Hollywood Have Complete Pathe Laboratory Facilities:
35MM • l6MM • COLOR • BLACK AND WHITE_
Pathe Laboratories, Inc. is a subsidiary "of Chesapeake Industries, Inc.
UMOWS UF KILIMANJARO
STOPS the PRESSES !
This report was set at 12:45 o'clock
Tuesday morning to bring you an up-
to-the-minute flash on 20th Century-
Fox's sensation of the industry!
SOK IN ATLANTA!
First six days topped everything in years at the Paramount!
SOK IN CLEVELAND!
Opening week-end outgrossed full week of "David and Bathsheba" at
the Hippodrome!
SOK IN NEW YORK!
Fifth SRO week! Still smashing every record in the history of the Rivoli!
SOK EVEN IN ALASKA!
Better than "David and Bathsheba" in first week at the Lacey, Fairbanks!
THERE'S HO BUSIHESS LIKE 'SHOWS' BOSIHESS!
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
FT
Accurate
Concise
and
Impartial
VOL. 72. NO. 73
NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1952
TEN CENTS
Tradewise . . .
By SHERWIN KANE
THE Allied States national con-
vention and the Tesma annual
trade show, to be held jointly in
Chicago next month, afford oppor-
tunity for a worthwhile public re-
lations accomplishment for theatres
generally and, therefore, for the in-
dustry.
With a little astute planning and
no extraordinary effort, press con-
tacts should be able to "suggest" to
reporters for the lay press who
cover the event that this first great
theatre equipment trade show to be
held in conjunction with a national
exhibitor convention is a fresher
and far better story than the one
about the omnipresent popcorn,
confections and soft drink dis-
pensers dominating an exhibitor
meeting, to the exclusion of motion
pictures, equipment and the "mer-
chandise" which is Hollywood per-
sonalities.
Every exhibitor who in recent
years has attended a theatre own-
ers convention of any size has been
made aware that local newspaper
coverage of the event all too often
is confined to the "popcorn" story.
Important as are the concessions to
(Continued on page 2)
Boasberg General Sales
Manager of RKO Radio
2,000,000 Drop
In Film Dividends
Washington, Oct. 13. — Publicly-
reported cash dividends paid by mo-
tion picture companies for September
amounted to $2,371,000, the Depart-
ment of Commerce said.
This represents a drop of more than
$2,000,000 from the September 1951
figure of $4,545,000.
The major portion of the drop is
due to the fact that 20th Century-Fox,
which paid a Sept. 1951 dividend of
$1,384,000, planned to pay its dividend
this year in October because of the
company's reorganization under the
terms of its consent decree.
SMPTE Engineers
Seek to Heighten
Screen Brightness
Washington, Oct. 13. — In a re-
port made public over the weekend
The Society of Motion Picture and
Television Engineers asked for the
manufacture of light measuring in-
struments which would make possible
the maintenance of better screen
brightness standards.
The SMPTE screen brightness
committee included in its report — the
result of several years of study — spec-
ifications for two inexpensive instru-
ments which could be used by the
exhibitor himself to test, and there-
fore to maintain effective brightness
of his theatre screen.
The report made clear that opti-
mum screen brightness wasn't merely
a matter of how much light was put
on the screen but depended upon the
distribution of light across the screen.
Each point on the screen, the report
(Continued on page 4)
Succeeds Mochrie, Resigned; Branson Is
Named Assistant General Sales Manager;
Zimmerman, Pimstein Are Advanced
changes :
Charles Boasberg, for the past five years North-South division
manager for RKO Radio, was appointed general sales manager of
the company, succeeding Robert Mochrie, resigned, on Friday, the
company's new board of directors announced.
Moving swiftly in the executive realignment of the company following
the appointment last week of Arnold Picker as executive vice-president,
. the new RKO Radio management
, also announced the following
Broader Field for
Foreign Films Seen
A broader market for foreign films
in the United States and Canada was
envisioned here at the weekend by
N. A. Taylor, president of 20th Cen-
tury Theatres of Canada, Toronto,
who saw foreign films filling the prod-
uct gap as Hollywood concentrates on
bigger, but fewer pictures.
Taylor, who is also president of In-
(Continucd on page 7)
CONDON TO HEAD
RKO AD-PUBLICITY
Monogram Profit
For Year: $589,259
Hollywood, Oct. 13.—
The net profit of Monogram
Pictures Corp. for the fiscal
year ended June 28 was $589,-
259, president Steve Broidy
announced. Figure compares
with $1,061,648 for the pre-
ceding fiscal year.
Former 20th-Fox, Disney Publicity Chief Takes
Over Oct. 25; To Coordinate 3 Depar
Richard Condon, former publicity manager for 20th Century-Fox and
Walt Disney Productions, was named director of advertising, publicity
and exploitation for RKO Radio Pictures by the company's new man-
agement last Friday. He is scheduled to assume the post about Oct. 25.
The post of
director of
RKO Radio's
advertising, pub-
licity and ex-
ploitation de-
partments was
dispensed with
shortly after
Howard Hughes
acquired the
controlling
stock interest
in the company
several years
ago. It was last
held by S. Barret McCormick, who
has been advertising director since.
iMiSili iH
Richard Condon
At that time Don Prince was named
publicity director and Terry Turner
exploitation director. Prince resigned
on Friday.
Condon's appointment by the new
RKO Radio management came as un-
expectedly as that of Arnold Picker,
who last week was named executive
vice-president of the company ir
charge of distribution. According to
a reliable version reported in the
trade, Condon returned to his hope
after midnight last Thursday, having
attended a theatre performance, and
found a message awaiting him to call
Arnold Grant, new chairman of RKO
(.Continued on page 4)
Walter Branson, RKO Radio
Western sales manager, was
named assistant general sales
manager, a new post;
William Zimmerman, formerly
assistant to Mochrie, was named
head of the legal department,
succeeding J. Miller Walker, re-
signed ;
Harry Pimstein of the home
office legal staff was named as-
sistant to Arnold Grant, chair-
man of the board;
Richard Condon, former pub-
licity director for 20th Century-
Fox and Walt Disney Prod., was
named national director of ad-
vertising, publicity and exploit-
ation, a post which has been
vacant for the past four years.
(See separate story.)
Don Prince, publicity manager, has
resigned. The post will be filled when
Condon takes over in about two
weeks. The company's statement
said : "Reorganization of said depart-
ments (advertising, publicity and ex-
ploitation) and the people therein will
(Continued on page 4)
SIMPP Will Attend
Next French Talks
The Society of Independent Motion
Picture Producers intends to be repre-
sented at any future negotiations for
a new Franco- American film agree-
ment, Ellis G. Arnall, SIMPP presi-
dent, said here at the weekend.
Asked if he planned to accompany
Eric A. Johnston, Motion Picture
Association of America president, on
a trip to Paris in the near future, Ar-
nall replied in the negative, adding
that he assumed any such trip by
Johnston would be an exploratory one
and not for the purpose of "negotiat-
(Continued on page 7)
2
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, October 14, 1952 i
Personal
Mention
Cole Warns of Defeatism in
Fight to Repeal 20% Tax
DORE SCHARY, vice-president in
charge of M-G-M production, left
here for Washington yesterday and is
due back today.
Michael Mayer, son of Arthur
L. Mayer, former executive vice-presi-
dent of the Council of Motion Picture
Organizations, is running on the
Democratic and Liberal Party tickets
for District Attorney of Westchester
County, N. Y.
Morris Alin, editor of Progress,
Universal house organ, became a
father for the second time on Friday
when his wife, Sylvia, gave birth to a
son, Robert David, at the Mt. Ver-
non Hospital, Mt. Vernon, N. Y.
•
Phil Reisman", RKO Radio Pic-
tures vice-president in charge of for-
eign distribution, is due here from Eu-
rope today. Originally he was sched-
uled to arrive last Wednesday.
•
Ellis G. Arnall, president of the
Society of Independent Motion Pic-
ture Producers, who returned to At-
lanta from New York at the weekend,
is due back here in about a week.
•
Sallyann Wakefield, secretary to
the comptroller of Walter Reade The-
atres, has become engaged to Paul
Baise, assistant advertising-publicity
director of Reade Theatres.
•
Jack Davis, British film executive,
will sail for England from here to-
morrow aboard the Queen Eliza-
beth after four months in the U. S.
and Canada.
•
Edward L. Hyman, vice-president
of United Paramount Theatres, and
his assistant, Bernard Levy, have re-
turned here from Buffalo, Rochester
and Detroit.
•
William Pine, Paramount pro-
ducer, will leave here tomorrow for
Europe aboard the 5\.S\ Queen Eliza-
beth, accompanied by Mrs. Pine.
•
Edwin W. Aaron, Western sales
manager for 20th Century-Fox, will
return here today from Gloversville,
N. Y.
•
Cecil B. DeMille has been re-
elected to the board of directors of the
American Cancer Society.
•
Floyd E. Stone has been promoted
to photo editor of Motion Picture
Herald.
•
Carl Post, Hollywood publicist has
arrived here from the Coast.
Tradewise . . .
(Continued from page 1)
present day theatre operations, it is
exasperating to most exhibitors
who spend convention days win-
nowing new ideas for improving
their theatres and their service to
the public to pick up a local news-
paper and read that his major_ in-
terest is pushing more popcorn into
patrons while cutting down on the
seasoning.
With more than 100 of the avail-
able 150 exhibit booths at the Tes-
ma trade show already reserved,
and the opening more than a month
away, the success and impressive-
ness of the Chicago show already
is assured. Without doubt, it will
be the largest such exhibit in the
industry's history.
Any lay reporter worthy of the
name, properly conducted through
that exhibit, cannot escape without
a better understanding of the com-
plex and costly equipment and sup-
plies essential to the best enjoyment
of the theatre's entertainment. Nor
can he escape an impression of the
investment involved.
The reporter will know, from his
own observation, that the "pop-
corn" story coverage of an exhibi-
tor convention is a worn-out satire
and that, therein, lies a new, a
truer and better story.
It is an opportunity for Allied's
and Tesma's convention and show
leaders which can pay fine divi-
dends in constructive publicity. It
should not be overlooked.
Newsreel
Parade
Dallas, Oct. 13. — At a meeting
here of exhibitor chairman of the tax
repeal campaign in Texas Col. H. A.
Cole, national chairman of the Council
of Motion Picture Organizations tax
repeal campaign, warned of the two
elements to guard against to insure
the repeal of the Federal 20 per cent
amusement tax : defeatism among the
leaders and other exhibitors and
neglecting to follow the pattern laid
down by the COMPO committee.
"Too many leaders," he said, refer-
ring to the second point, "are prone
to take the 'political wire-pulling' atti-
tude in this campaign instead of the
factual business meeting with_ their
Congressman with several exhibitors
present to put across the acuteness of
the situation."
Reports were heard from the fol-
lowing district chairmen: Sidney Met-
calf, Texarkana; J. Wood Fain,
Woodville; R. D. Leatherman, Tyler;
Leaman Marshall, Terrell ; J. O.
Cherry, Dallas; A. P. Boyette, Jr.,
College Station; J. F. Jones, Pales-
tine; Al Lever, Houston; Mart Cole,
Rosenberg; Louie Novy, Austin;
C. H. Stewart, Waco ; Frank Weath-
erford, Ft. Worth; J. E. Unger,
Wichita Falls ; Bruce Collins, Corpus
Christi; Will Pence, Anson; Jack
King, Amarillo; Royce Blankenship,
Lubbock; George Watson, San An-
tonio, Henry Reeve, Menard; Rubin
Frels, Victoria.
Others attending the luncheon were :
Phil Isley, Paul Short, William Mc-
Craw, Don Douglas, R. I. Payne, John
Adams, Raymond Willie, William
O'Donnell, Sam Landrum, Duke Clark,
Alfred Delcambre, Kyle Rorex, Frank
Bradley, Claude C. Ezell and Robert
J. O'Donnell.
Crosby Crew Returning
With location shooting in France
completed for "Little Boy Lost," star
Bing Crosby and producers William
Perlberg and George Seaton head the
unit of players and crew members
who will head back to the United
States beginning this week.
Fine Arts Theatre
Sues Over 'O. Henry'
Hearing in a suit brought against
20th Century-Fox and the Trans-Lux
Lexington Corp. by the Fine Arts
Theatre here concerning exhibition
rights to "O. Henry's Full House," is
scheduled to be held today in New
York Supreme Court. The suit was
filed Friday by Monroe E. Stein, at-
torney representing the Fine Arts
Theatre, which sought injunctive re-
lief, seeking to bar the opening of the
film at the Trans-Lux 52nd Street on
Thursday.
The complaint alleged that 20th-Fox
contracted with the plaintiff for a first-
run engagement of the picture in New
York. It further stated that the Fine
Arts put up an advance of $25,000 as
a guarantee of at least a 12-week run.
Neither 20th-Fox nor Trans-Lux
executives would comment on the suit.
rHE PRESIDENTIAL campaign
is the highlight of current news-
reels, featured along with a three-
train crash in Great Britain, election
returns in Japan and Chile, and the
Korean War. Complete contents fol-
low:
FOX MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 83—150,-
000 hail 'Ike' in San Francisco. Stevenson
talks on subversives to Detroiters. Three-
train crash near London. Premiere on
ocean liner. Olympic star wins 100-mile
walk. Convict cowboys in rough rodeo.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 213^War in
Korea. Campaign in home stretch. Bri-
tain's worst disaster in 35 years. Duke of
Windsor golfing. Ocean volcano keeps
roaring. Persimmon festival.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 16— Cam-
paign roars into final week. Election re-
turns from Japan and Chile. Three-train
crash. UN troops regain hill.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 41B— English
train crash. Japanese election returns.
Canadian record wheat crop. German
mono-rail train unveiled. Italian new
Boys-town dedicated. Texas convict rodeo.
Korean helicopter airlift.
UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL, No. 403-
Train wreck in England. Reds leave and
Japanese elect. New president in Chile.
Commando memorial in England. Wing-
less plane. Korea.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 18—
Three-train British wreck. The campaign.
Flight of fashion aboard sky-liner. Cards
upset Bears in pro football thriller.
Critics Hear Loesser
On 'Andersen' Score
Chicago, Oct. 13.— More than 70
representatives of Midwestern news-
papers were here today to hear Frank
Loesser discuss the music in Samuel
Goldwyn's new production, "Hans
Christian Andersen." Arrangements
for the event were made by David
Golding, Goldwyn Productions adver-
tising-publicity director.
Golding, Martin Davis of his staff,
and Terry Turner, RKO Radio ex-
ploitation manager, were on hand from
New York. Golding returned to New
York over the weekend, Turner will
leave here tomorrow.
Filmack Promotion Head
Chicago, Oct. 13. — Larry Goodman,
former staff writer for Film Daily,
has been appointed promotion man-
ager for Filmack Trailer Co. here,
president Irving Mack disclosed.
Goodman, a World War II veteran,
will assist Lou Kravitz, advertising
manager, in the company's advertising-
sales division.
Ind. Allied Meets Dec. 1-3
Indianapolis, Oct. 13. — The Allied
Theatre Owners of Indiana, Inc., will
hold its 26th annual convention on
Dec. 1-3 at the Hotel Lincoln in In-
dianapolis, it was announced.
Abrams in Charge of
NY NSS Branch
Leo Abrams, National Screen Serv-
ice district manager here, will handle
the New York office, following the
transfer of manager Harold Bennett,
to Buffalo. The Buffalo office now
becomes a full-fledged branch from
where all trailers soon will be distrib-
uted directly in the exchange area in-
stead of from New York.
Jack Goldstein, who had been man-
ager of the Buffalo office, has been
appointed sales manager there.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center — —
MARIO LANZA in
"BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE"
introducing DORETTA MORROW
Color by TECHNICOLOR - All M-G-M Picture
plus
SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION
BOB
JAMB
ROY
A Paramount Picluie TfeghniCOtf^
Midnight Fiotur*
Nightly
HOWARD uabj
E MINUTE
HUGHES m
presents TQ
ZERO"
Starring ROBERT MITCHUM - ANN BLYTH
CRITERION
BROADWAY
AND 45th ST.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Ouigley. Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane. Editor; Terrv Ramsaye. Consulting 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 QmVley, President; Martin Quiglev, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-J resident; Leo J,
Brady, Secretary; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel Production Manager; Hollywood _ Bureau, Yucca-Vine
Building, William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trmz, Editorial Representative, 11
North Clark Street, FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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; International Motion Picture 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.
4
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, October 14, 1952
In the THEATRE
Equipment
World . . .
with RAY GALLO
AN opportunity to boost popcorn
sales at refreshment stands
through tie-ins with a $1,000,000 na-
tional advertising campaign is now
being offered theatre operators. The
Popcorn Institute of Chicago is spon-
soring the huge promotional program,
which will utilize magazines, news-
papers, television and radio in a full-
scale campaign designed to increase
popcorn sales. Under a plan sub-
mitted to theatres by the Institute, ex-
hibitors are asked to pay a tax of
five-cents per hundredweight on their
corn purchases. This amount will be
matched by the Institute and the total
used for the specific promotion of pop-
corn sales in theatres. Says the Insti-
tute to theatremen : "Make popcorn
as much a part of movies as peanuts
are at the circus !"
"Pop-Set" is the tradename of a
new, quick-erecting popcorn con-
tainer devised for theatre refresh-
ment stands by the Andre Paper
Box Co. of San Francisco. The box
is designed to allow the operator to
pop it open and scoop it full of hot
popcorn in a single motion for fast
service during rush periods. De-
livered to the user in flat, glued
and pre-scored form, the containers
are erected by applying pressure
with the thumb and middle finger
of one hand to the lower edges of
the sides, about an inch from the
bottom. This makes the box pop
open along scored lines. Made of
pure Potlatch solid bleached sul-
phate, the "Pop-Sets" have a design
of red, blue and yellow against the
white of the basic board.
Installation of Motiograph "Trad"
large screen theatre television equip-
ment in Milton Schwaber's new Met
theatre at Baltimore, has been an-
nounced by Henry C. Dusman of the
J. F. Dusman Co., Baltimore distribu-
tors for Motiograph, Inc., Chicago.
Electrical vaporizing units designed
to destroy flies, mosquitoes and other
insects have been coming on the
market in substantial numbers in con
sequence of'the development of chemi-
cals which have been found effective
for this method of insect control.
Mounted on the wall, they are plugged
into an ordinary electric light outlet
and the heat generated by the simple
electrical unit enclosed vaporizes an
insecticide supplied by the manufac
turer. Use of such devices is espe-
cially indicated for refreshment rooms,
possibly also rest rooms of drive-in
theatres. One such unit recently in-
troduced is the "Mortron Vaporizer,'
a product of the Bedford Co., New
York City. The insecticide used is
Mortane crystal, which does not harm
food or plants, according to the manu-
facturer. The unit is designed to
operate in an area up to 10,000 cubic
feet.
IN NEW RKO RADIO POSTS
Mochrie in Sales
For 27 Years
CHARLES BOASBERG
WALTER BRANSON
WM. ZIMMERMAN
RKO Radio Sales Changes
{Continued from page 1)
await his having undertaken and com-
pleted a thorough study of the opera-
tions and the personnal."
The company also announced that
the Eastern talent scout, story and
esearch departments at the home of-
fice will be discontinued and their
functions assigned to the studio. _ In
ine with the decision, Arthur Willi,
talent scout ; Leda Bauer, story de-
partment, and Harold Hendee, re-
search department, have resigned.
Richard Gavin, head of the purchas-
ing department, also resigned.
Awaits Reisman Arrival
The company stated that personnel
in the foreign department will be re-
viewed with the arrival here today
from Europe of Phil Reisman, foreign
distribution chief. "Announcements in
respect thereto will follow as soon as
possible thereafter," the company said.
The statement issued on behalf of
the new owners of the controlling
stock interest in the company said of
the changes which were announced:
"It is regretted that a thor-
ough consideration of the com-
pany's affairs requires the elim-
ination of persons who have
served the company faithfully.
It is a source of satisfaction,
however, that the board has
been able to promote many em-
ployes from within the ranks.
"The board has been required
to meet the problem of the
company and it has done so
squarely. It is the board's firm
belief that those who have been
advanced will prove the sound-
ness of the judgment exercised
and will inspire all personnel to
a realization of the opportunity
that exists for them. It is an-
ticipated that over the coming
months additional promotions
may be made of persons to
whom it is not possible to give
immediate recognition," the
statement concluded.
Boasberg, new general sales mana-
ger, has been with RKO Radio since
1930, when he joined the company as
a salesman in the Buffalo exchange.
Prior to that he was a special repre-
sentative for MGM for three years.
In 1937 Boasberg was named Buffalo
branch manager for RKO Radio; in
1940, district manager with headquar-
ters at Cleveland ; in 1944, Metropoli-
tan district manager in New York,
and in 1947, North-South division
manager.
Branson, new assistant general sales
manager, likewise has been with RKO
for many years. He rose from the
sales ranks to Midwest district mana-
ger with headquarters in Chicago in
the mid-1930's and has been Western
division manager for the past five
years.
Boasberg and Branson to-
gether will be charged with re-
organizing RKO Radio's domes-
tic sales department, the new
board of directors said, "in ac-
cordance with their own
thoughts and ideas."
Zimmerman, new head of the legal
department, has been a member of
RKO Radio's home office legal staff
for many years and only recently had
been given the title of assistant to the
general sales manager. Pimstein like-
wise has been a member of the home
office legal staff for many years. His
post as assistant to the chairman of
the board, Grant, is a newly created
one.
Walker, who resigned, entered RKO
in the course of the company's receiv-
ership and reorganization in 1932 as
an attorney. Prior to his resignation
he was secretary, general counsel and
a member of the board.
Robert Mochrie, who resigned Fri-
day as vice-president in charge of
domestic distribution for RKO Radio
Pictures, has been well known in
distribution and
exhibition
circles in the in-
dustry for the
j greater part of
his 27 years as
sales executive.
He started
ith Producers
Distribut-
ing Corp. in
Cleveland, be-
coming success-
ively branch
manager at Al-
bany, PittS- Robert Mochrie
burg and Phila-
delphia. He then was Philadelphia
branch manager for Warners, becom-
ing assistant sales manager at the
home office in 1934. In 1937 he be-
came Southern sales manager for
United Artists and joined RKO Radio
in 1939 as Southern district mana-
ger. Subsequently he was made East-
ern and Southern sales manager, and
has been general sales manager for
the past 10 years.
He was selected a director of RKO
Radio and vice-president in charge of
domestic distribution in 1946.
Condon to RKO
{Continued from page 1)
Radio. On communicating with Grant,
the two arranged an immediate meet-
ing and the deal with Condon was
concluded about 2 :30 A.M.
This also was in the pattern of the
Ralph Stolkin syndicate's closing of
the deal for the purchase of Hughes'
controlling stock interest in RKO
Pictures three weeks ago in the early
hours of the morning". The Condon
appointment, too, is in keeping with
the new RKO Radio management's
announced intention to make executive
appointments which will bring into the
company "youth with its vitality, fresh
approach and aggressive thinking."
Like the 39-year old Picker, Condon
is not yet 40. He was 37 last May.
After a period in the Merchant Mar-
ine, he entered the advertising agency
field and in 1938 was named publicity
director of Walt Disney Productions.
In 1941 he joined the Hal Home
Organization, which at the time was in
charge of advertising, publicity and
SMPTE Engineers
{Continued from page 1)
said, should have proper relative bril-
liance from every seat in the house.
The screen brightness committee's
report was one of the final papers de-
livered during the closing sessions of
the SMPTE's 72nd Convention, which
was attended by more than 800 mem-
bers. Among the reports given in the
closing sessions on high-speed pho-
tography was one on a high-speed
35mm. camera with a magazine ca-
pacity of 1,000 feet and another on a
newly designed series of highly cor-
rected lenses for high-speed 35mm.
motion picture photography.
One of the highlights of the con-
vention's last day was a luncheon
given to retiring convention vice-pres-
ident William C. Kunzmann.
exploitation for 20th Century-Fox.
Subsequently, he became publicity di-
rector of 20th-Fox under the aegis of
Max E. Youngstein, who now is a
vice-president and partner in United
Artists.
In 1943 Condon formed his own
public relations organization here and
in recent years also was active in the
legitimate stage, both as producer and
playwright. When Youngstein was
vice-president of Paramount Pictures
Distributing, in charge of advertising,
publicity and exploitation, Condon
handled special campaigns on "Sam-
son and Delilah" and "Sunset Boule-
vard." He was also national coordina-
tor for Stanley Kramer Productions
on the campaign for "Cyrano de Ber-
gerac."
More recently, Condon was associ-
ate producer of the stage play, "Sta-
lag 17," and co-producer of the play
"20th Century." He is the author of
the stage farce, "How to Fly with
One Feather," to be produced this
season by Chandler Cowles and Ben
Segal.
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6
Motion Picture daily
Tuesday, October 14, 1952
Says Conventions
Are Primary Field
For Theatre TV
Washington, Oct. 13. - - Denver
exhibitor John Wolfberg told the
Federal Communications Commission
today that a primary field for thea-
tre television would be in connection
with "unassembled industry conven-
tions" in the morning hours.
"If we could tap the convention
business, it would be wonderful,"
Wolfberg said. "I can't see anything
else that would provide a steady flow
of product."
Wolfberg's idea has previously been
expressed in other terms by officials
of United Paramount Theatres, who
told the Commission that they saw
closed-circuit sales meetings as the
best use of theatre television. With
salespeople all over the country sit-
ting in theatres equipped with theatre
television, a company's home office
could address all at the same time,
the UPT people said, over the closed
circuit.
Wolfberg also told the Commission
he thought that the simultaneous re-
lease of a motion picture through each
of the country's exchange centers and
fanning out over a local theatre tele-
vision network would result in great
savings of time and money for the
industry. The Denver exhibitor made
these statements in an FCC hearing
on two stations competing for the
same Denver television channel. Wolf-
berg owns 21 per cent of the stock
in the Denver Television Co., a com-
peting applicant with Aladdin Radio
and Television Co. for channel 7 in
Denver.
Questioned at length by Aladdin at-
torney W. Theodore Pierson on his
membership in Allied States Associa-
tion and Allied's theatre television
policy, Wolfberg said he couldn't re-
call that Allied had any policy on the
subject.
Pierson also asked Wolfberg if
there hadn't been "considerable man-
to-man wagering" during the telecast
of the Walcott-Marciano fight at
Wolfberg's Paramount theatre in
Denver. Wolfberg replied that he
hadn't seen any betting nor would he
have condoned it if he had seen it.
Sees Dim Future for
Educational TV
Washington, Oct. 13. — Unless edu-
cators exert more activity in the next
few months in acquiring and using the
television channels now set aside for
them, there will be "slight basis" for
continuing to reserve those channels,
Federal Communications Commissioner
Robert Bartley said over the weekend.
Bartley told a group of Alabama
broadcasters that educators "failed to
avail themselves" of the opportunities
given to them in the AM and FM
fields and it didn't appear to him "that
the pattern has changed very much
during the past six months under the
television allocation plan."
Under the current allocation plan
the FCC has set aside 242 channels
for educational television stations.
Applies for FCC Permit
Baltimore, Oct. 13. — Leon Back,
general manager for Rome Theatre
Enterprises here, has applied to the
Federal Communications Commission
for a permit to operate a television
station in Norfolk, Va.
Television-Radio
with Pinky Herman
Pinky Herman
THE HALL OF FAME . . . more important than ever before in
the comparatively young record of TV — and of particular signi-
ficance at this stage in" the history of radio entertainment — is the cur-
rent poll of those most competent to evaluate the merits of program
and performers in behalf of the public — the TV
and radio editors, and columnists of the nation.
These people of the press have no axe to grind,
and it is their daily job to concentrate upon objec-
tive and unbiased reviewing of TV and radio pro-
grams. Nothing could be fairer or more construc-
tive than the combined opinion of the men and
women whose only vested interest is the welfare
of the industry in terms of service to its audience.
Their columns in the press are read regularly
by upwards of a hundred million people. Their
individual variance of opinion is, in itself, assur-
ance of independent thinking; and that is what
makes the results of the ballot so democratic, and
ft so reliable. To the nation's TV and radio editors
and columnists whose ballots have already been returned to us, and
to those who are how weighing their verdicts in preparation for send-
ing in their ballotl, a vote of sincere thanks in behalf of the TV and
radio industries. jj
Judging from the number of inquiries we have received as to the
publication date for the professional poll results, advance interest has
reached a new high for the 17-year-period since Motion Picture
Daily established: this critics' poll.
The results will be published in Motion Picture Daily after the
ballots from all parts of the nation have been received and every vote
in each category has been entered and the final tabulation thoroughly
rechecked. Them comes the complete deluxe presentation in the
HALL OF FAME — the official, ornate record in FAME magazine
for reference by sponsors, agencies, stations and publications every-
where. The 21st. edition of FAME will be considerably expanded
editorially and pictorially, with a number of innovations.
So inter-related, talent-wise, nowadays are the fields of motion
pictures, TV and radio that the progress of talent in any of the three
fields is of significant interest to each. Within separate sections of
a single book, FAME sets forth the popularity status of programs
and talent in each of the three fields.
-k "fr "ft
Producer George F. Foley heads overseas Saturday to set
up production units in Paris and Rome for 13 full-hour and
26 half-hour TV films. . . . WOR's "The Answer Man,"
marked his 15th consecutive year on the air yesterday and
during that period answered about 8 million questions. (Won-
der if he ever answered the proverbial "How High is Up?")
. . . Sheldon Music is reviving "Walkin' By The River,"
penned by Robert Sour and Una Mae Carlisle which topped
the "Hit Parade" for 17 consecutive weeks back in 1940. . . .
Eddie Albert's new NBComedy TV series, "Leave It To
Lester," bows in Saturday (9:00-9:30 P.M.). Scripts are by
Leo Solomon, Vinnie Bogert and Billie Friedberg. . . . After
two months in Hollywood on a business-vacation trip, Vic
McCleod, formerly producer of the "James Melton Show," is
back in New York with a new TV package. . . . Genial Mort
Barron has been named ass't. sales promotion mgr. by prexy
David H. Cogan of CBS-Columbia. . . . Back from the coast
where he did the announcing chores for several Jerry Fair-
banks telefilms and narration for two Kiddie Record series, is
Leon Lederer. . . . To insure authenticity to DuMont's "Cap-
tain Video" series, Dr. R. S. Richardson of the Mt. Wilson and
Palomar observatories in California, has been added to the
writing staff by Producer Olga Druce. . . .
# "fr #
A new book, "Chappell Television Book," containing sugges-
tions for dramatic treatment for telecasting 40' standard-popular
musical works published during the past 30 years by Chappell &
Co., DeSylvia, Brozvn & Henderson, Inc. and T. B. Harms, Inc.,
has been printed by Chappell & Co. Compiled and edited by Perry
Lafferty, who had been associated with such TV programs as
"Freddy Martin Show," "Kay Kyser Show," "Victor Borge
Show" and others, this collection of ditties offers unusual ideas
for the staging and presentation of many favorites of the past and
is a MUST for TV producers and directors. In a bid to obtain
greater rise of its music and yet, too, as a service to TV execs,
the publisher is offering this valuable book ta them FREE.
Work on Theatre
TV Facilities
Reported by A T&T
Washington, Oct. 13. — The Amer-
ican Telephone and Telegraph Co.
said over the week-end that it was
continuing development and research
to make the facilities for theatre tele-
vision transmission available when
needed.
In a letter to James Fly and Vin-
cent Welch, theatre television attor-
neys for the Motion Picture Associa-
tion of America, and to Marcus Cohn,
attorney for the National Exhibitors
Theatre Television Committee, A T
and T said it believed the attorneys
would agree that "the actual provision
of the facilities was of the utmost
importance."
Work is proceeding as rapidly as
possible, the company informed the at-
torneys, on the board band service for
theatre television transmission which
A T and T hoped "will meet or
closely approach the transmission
characteristics" specified by industry
theatre television engineers.
A T and T expressed its hope that
it could continue to work closely with
industry theatre television experts and
repeated its statement that it would
make every effort to have the cost
figures available by the end of the
year.
Delay NFL Phila.
Trial to Jan. 26
Washington, Oct. 13. — The trial in
the government's suit against the Na-
tional Football League and its member
companies has been postponed until
Jan. 26, the Department of Justice
said.
The original date for the trial, which
will be held in Philadelphia, was Nov.
6. Attorneys for the League had sev-
eral times requested postponements,
which the Department opposed. A
crowded Philadelphia court calendar
necessitated the postponement, how-
ever. Justice brought the suit against
the League last October because mem-
ber companies had adopted restrictions
against broadcasts and telecasts of
football games.
WNBC Show Set to
Promote N. Y. Films
Another radio program, WNBC's
"First Nighter," has been enlisted for
the publicizing of motion pictures un-
der the mutual promotion pact between
the Organization of the Motion Pic-
ture Industry of New York and Na-
tional Broadcasting, the OMPI an-
nounced.
The Tuesday evening programs will
incorporate one-minute spot announce-
ments listing recommended films cur-
rently playing in theatres here.
New Para. TV Sales
Paramount Television Productions
has sold its syndicated film programs
in the nation's two newest television
markets. Bob Clampett's "Time for
Beany" has been sold for 39 weeks,
five times a week, to the Franz Bakery
in Portland, Ore., where it will appear
on the country's first UHF television
station, KPTV, beginning Oct. 20.
KPTV will also telecast Paramount's
"Wrestling from Hollywood," which
has been sold for 26 weeks, beginning
Thursday to the Blitz Weinhard Brew-
ing Co.
Tuesday, October 14, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
7
Foreign Field
(Continued from page 1)
ternational Film Distributors, Ltd.,
one of the largest independent distri-
butors in Canada, was in New York
to confer with Italian film industry
officials, here in conjunction with the
"Salute to Italian Films Week." Fol-
lowing a conference with Dr. Renato
Gualino, general director of the Italian
Film Export organization, Taylor ex-
pressed hope that his company would
continue its alliance with Italian films
in Canada. .
Taylor said it is "inevitable that
fewer, but bigger pictures will come
out in Hollywood. This, he said, will
create a "vacuum" which could be
filled by good, off-beat foreign pic-
tures, properly dubbed.
Taylor, whose company operates 7U
theatres in Ontario and recently added
several in the West, said a good for-
eign film is better than "a carbon
copy" uninspired, low-budgeted pic-
ture. The public, he continued, does
not care where the picture is made as
long as it has the necessary entertain-
ment qualities. .
The trouble with most foreign films,
he continued, is that they lack suffi-
cient action, deadening their interest
with unexciting talk. A suitable for-
eign film, he added however, properly
dubbed has a growing market.
Italian Dignitaries
At Ship Reception
In honor of the official Italian mo-
tion picture industry delegation recent-
ly arrived in New York for ' Salute
to Italian Films Week," a reception
will be held this afternoon aboard the
S'.S' Conte Biancamano, docked here.
The Italian Line and the America-
Italy Society, are hosts for the occa-
E sion. - - . f
Winthrop W. Aldrich, president of
the America-Italy Society, will pre-
sent an illuminated scroll to Nicola
De Pirro, Italian government official
leading the visiting dignitaries, .in rec-
ognition of the Italian postwar motion
picture industry's contribution to im-
proved U.S.-Italy cultural relations.
'American Weekly'
Contest on 'Snows9
Exhibitors who put on the best job
of retail co-operative tie-in advertising
in connection with the playing of 20th
Century-Fox's "The Snows of Kili-
manjaro" will receive art American
Weekly showmanship award consist-
ing of six cash prizes totaling $1,000.
Local newspapers carrying the Ameri-
can Weekly in their Sunday editions
will work with the exhibitors. Entries
must be postmarked no later than Jan.
1, 1953 and winners will be announced
shortly thereafter.
Walter Brooks,, Motion Picture
Herald; Chester Friedman, Bo.voffice;
and Al Lichtman, 20th,-Fox director
of distribution, will- serve as judges for
the contest. The prizes" are broken
down to $500 for' first place and $103
apiece to the next five places.
20th-Fox Art Films
Have Wide Appeal
Five of the seven one-reel art films
which 20th Century-Fox is putting
into worldwide distribution were pre-
viewed here at the weekend. Made
in color by Technicolor, the shorts
deal with world renowned artists and
their work. Exhibitors can show them
with pride and profit for they at once
have a high degree of quality and are
designed for widest popular appeal.
Arrangements for distribution of the
films were made about a year ago by
20th Century-Fox with Art Films
Productions. Following this a unit
headed by Marilyn Silverstone, went
abroad to make the films in France,
Italy, England and Holland. t
The films previewed were "Light m
the Window," by Vermeer ; "Curtain
Call," Degas; "I Remember the
Glory" Botticelli; "Joy of Living,"
Renoir, and "The Young Immortal,
"Raphael." The others are "The
Night Watch," Rembrandt; and
"Bnrth of Venus, Art of the Renais-
sance." ,
Each film harks back to the time
and locale of the painter with a slen-
der story serving as an introductory
framework. The color is strikingly
effective.
The series was. produced by Boris
Vermont from scenarios by Mildred
B. Vermont, based on research by
Miss Silverstone. .
Exploitation-minded exhibitors will
find the subjects endowed with special
qualities that can be capitalized at the
box-office.
SIMPP
(Continued from page 1)
Bids for Pioneers
Heaviest This Year
ing." • Johnston was tentatively sche-
duled to fly to Paris the end of this
week.
Actual negotiations, Arnall remind-
ed, have been and must continue to be
handled by officials of the French and
American governments. However,
MPAA and SIMPP representatives
are entitled to "sit in" on the official
talks. An MPAA representative said
here at the weekend that it was his
understanding Johnston would seek to
"negotiate" during his Paris visit.
SIMPP's policy with respect to the
negotiation of foreign trade agree-
ments has been to favor dealings on
the inter-government level, while the
MPAA has taken the position that
quicker results are to be gotten when
the American industry itself negotiates
with foreign governments. The Anglo-
US film pacts are reached between
the American industry and British
government. Franco - American film
agreements, on the other hand, are
governmental pacts.
Rogers Sets Theatre
Contests for Kiddies
A nationwide series of contests for
children will be sponsored by cowboy
star Roy Rogers in theatres, depart-
ment stores, drive-ins and state and
county fairs, he announced at the
weekend at Madison Square Garden
here where he is appearing in a rodeo.
Tire contests, 'to be known as the
"Roy Rogers Trick Lasso Contest, '
will commence Nov. 15 and continue
for four weeks in each situation,
Rogers said. Weekly prizes and a
o-rand prize will be. awarded. A cow-
boy personality will be master-of-cere-
monies for each contest. Abe I. Wein-
berg of New York is contest represen-
tative for Rogers.
Elmer Lux Takes
Over Lazar Theatres
Buffalo, Oct. 13.— Management and
operation of the Lazar circuit in New
York, Ohio, Virginia, Maryland and
Kentucky have been taken over by
Elmart theatres, Inc., Elmer F. Lux,
president and general manager of the
new corporation, said.
Lux formerly was vice-president
and general manager for Lazar. The
new organization's other officers are :
vice - president, Howard Antevil,
Gloversville, and secretary-treasurer,
George Kubick of Albany.
Applications for membership in the
Motion Picture Pioneers here are
coming in from all parts of the coun-
try at a much more rapid pace than
in any previous year since the Pio-
neers was formed 13 years ago, Jack
Cohn, president, reports.
Strict adherence to eligibility rules
which require that a candidate for
membership must have 25 active years
in the industry to his credit, has led
to the reluctant rejection of a number
of applicants by the Pioneers' board
of directors, Cohn pointed out. He
explained that the term "active years"
did not necessarily mean continuous
years but the aggregate had to be a
quarter of a century. Cohn also points
out that new applications for member-
ship cannot be serviced after Nov. 15,
due to pressure of activity during the
last 10 days before the "Jubilee Din-
ner."
Candidates accepted for membership
will be inducted at the "Dinner" of
the organization at the Hotel Astor
on Tuesday evening, Nov. 25 at which
N. J. Blumberg, chairman of the
board of Universal, will be honored
as the "Motion Picture Pioneer of
1952," with George Jessel acting as
toastmaster and Ned E. Depinet serv-
ing as chairman.
N.E. Independents'
Convention Dec. 9
Boston, Oct. 13. — The annual con-
vention of the Independent Exhibitors,
Inc. of New England has been set for
Dec. 9. It will be held at the. Shera-
ton-Plaza Hotel, Boston.
iS W SWEll IDEAS
tot Selling Your
is FIIMACK For All Teur TrelUr B.qulrsmoni.
' Mi a TRAP 1. E.R J O Mr* MY
Para. Cost Saving
Focuses on Cutting
Hollywood, Oct. 13.— In line with
his previously announced policy aim-
ing at "greater economy and efficiency
without sacrificing quality," Don
Hartman, head of Paramount produc-
tion, has begun a survey among stu-
dio department heads to discover the
most effective means for eliminating
waste film footage.
Hartman said he believes waste
footage can be eliminated by "care-
ful pre-editing and planning long m
advance."
GREAT MOTION PICTURES ARE PROCESSED BY PAT H E
BEN nVAH± Independent Film Library
President says:
66 Our very survival is
often dependent upon lab service.
Pathe has never let us down."
When the lab work can make or break
a picture, don't take chances. Specify
Pathe because Pathe produces the
highesi-qudity work with best service
available anywhere.
Audrey Hepburn Feted
Paramount Pictures was host to
Audrey Hepburn at a champagne re-
ception at the Sherry - Netherland
Hotel here last Friday. Miss Hep-
burn recently completed her first
American film, "Roman Holiday," for
Paramount. She is co-starred with
Gregory Peck in the William Wyler
production.
Both New York and Hollywood Have Complete Pathe Laboratory Facilities:
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Pathe Laboratories, Inc. is a subsidiary of Chesapeake Industries, Inc.
UNOWS UF KILIMANJARO
STOPS the PRESSES !
This report was set at 12:45 o'clock
Tuesday morning to bring you an up-
to-the-minute flash on 20th Century-
Fox's sensation of the industry!
SOK IN ATLANTA!
First six days topped everything in years at the Paramount!
SOK IN CLEVELAND!
Opening week-end outgrossed full week of "David and Bathsheba" at
the Hippodrome!
SOK IN NEW YORK!
Fifth SRO week! Still smashing every record in the history of the Rivoli!
SOK EVEN IN ALASKA!
Better than "David and Bathsheba" in first week at the Lacey, Fairbanks!
THERE'S HO BUSIHESS LIKE 'SHOWS' BUSINESS!
I
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
VOL. 72. NO. 74
NEW YORK, U. S. A., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1952
TEN CENTS
RKO Foreign
Changes Due;
Talks Opened
Tevlin's Resignation
Tops Moves at Studio
Negotiations are underway be-
tween the new management group
at RKO Radio Pictures prepara-
tory to naming a new foreign sales
manager.
Among those to whom overtures
have been made is Alfred Crown,
vice-president in charge of foreign
distribution for Samuel Goldwyn Pro-
ductions, Inc.
Officially, the post is still occupied
by Phil Reisman, who returned to his
desk at the home office yesterday upon
his arrival from Europe. Reisman de-
clined comment on his reported re-
signation, indicating that his status
remained unclarified as of yesterday.
Indications are a company announce-
ment will be made today.
If it is, chances are that a new ap-
pointment to the foreign sales post
will not be exactly that of a successor
to Reisman, since Arnold Picker, new
executive vice-president in charge of
(Continued on page 4)
Report Columbia
Net of $803,000
Columbia Pictures' net profit for the
fiscal year ended June 30 was $803,000
compared to $1,498,000 for the previ-
ous year, Harry Colin, president, re-
ported yesterday.
Earnings per share of common stock
this past year were 80' cents as against
$1.81 in the prior year. Comparative
earnings per share of common after
preferred stock dividends are calcu-
lated on the increased amount of com-
mon which was outstanding on June
30, 1952. The number of shares out-
standing on that date was 670,669, the
(Continued on page 4)
Holiday, Product
Up 1st -run Grosses
The combination of the Columbus
Day holiday weekend and strong
product in many first-run Broadway
situations served to boost grosses to
healthy proportions.
Outstanding were the holdovers
"Because You're Mine," at Radio City
Music Hall, and "Somebody Loves
Me" at the Roxy, as both pictures
(Continued on page 4)
Exhibitor Ends
Ticket Tax By
Accepting 'Gifts'
Portland, Ore., Oct. 14. — Loren
A. Gillespie, exhibitor at Okanogan,
Wash., is so irritated by the Federal
admission tax he decided to take mat-
ters into his own hands and do away
with it now, instead of waiting for a
successful outcome of COMPO's tax
repeal campaign.
Gillespie stopped charging admis-
sion and asked patrons instead to do-
nate any amount they like as they en-
ter the theatre. He says he has the
advice of an Internal Revenue deputy
that he need pay no national tax as
long as the contributions are not in
specified sums.
Gillespie says the plan is working
fine. Average donations are about
one-third less than the previous es-
tablished price with tax included. But,
says Gillespie, refreshment sales have
boomed. Patrons are diverting more
to the concessions stand than they de-
duct from the old admission charge.
Reelect Snaper to
Head N. J. Allied
Wilburn Snaper, national Allied
president, yesterday was reelected
president of New Jersey Allied at a
meeting of the unit at the Hotel Astor
here.
Reelected also were Louis Gold and
John Harwan, vice-presidents, and A.
Louis Martin, treasurer. William
Basil was elected secretary, succeed-
ing Haskell Block.
The new board of directors con-
(Continued on page 5)
NEW UNIV. CREDIT
OF $ 1 7,000,000
Initial Borrowing Under an Agreement With
New York, Boston Banks Is $3,800,000
Universal Pictures has concluded with two banks a new loan agree-
ment establishing a four-year revolving credit of $17,000,000, the com-
pany disclosed here yesterday in a report filed with the Securities &
; Exchange Commission.
The agreement, made with First Na-
tional Bank of Boston and Guaranty
Trust Co. of New York, followed can-
cellation of a 1950 credit contract with
those two banks and the Bank of the
Manhattan Co.
The company promptly borrowed
under the new pact $3,800,000, which
was used to liquidate borrowings of
$2,800,000 under the 1950 agreement
and to add $1,000,000 to working cap-
ital for general corporate purposes.
This initial loan was part of $5,000,-
000 which the company is entitled to
borrow during the first year, ending
Sept. 14, 1953, under the agreement.
The breakdown of future loans is as
follows : second loan year, beginning-
Sept. 15, 1953, $4,500,000; third loan
year, beginning Sept. 15, 1954, $4,000,-
000 ; fourth loan year, beginning Sept.
15, 1955, $3,500,000.
Of the $3,800,000 borrowed initi-
{Continued on page 4)
Goldsmith to RKO
As TV Consultant
Dr. Alfred N. Goldsmith, engineer^
and inventor in the motion picture and
television field, has joined RKO The-
atres as a consultant, Sol. A. Schwartz,
president, an-
nounced here
yesterday.
A former
vice - president
and general en-
gineer of Radio
Corp. of Amer-
ica, Dr. Gold-
smith will un-
dertake for
RKO "detailed
studies of pos-
sible technical
and industrial
Dr. A. Goldsmith improve-
ments and addi-
tions in motion picture and television
exhibition in theatres," Schwartz said.
Dr. Goldsmith was described as hav-
ing been intimately connected with the
development and growth of television
and was credited with having made
numerous inventions in black-and-
white and color TV. His past service
(Continued on page 4)
Allied Board to Act on Arbitration
Draft at Regular Meeting Next Month
Washington, Oct. 14. — There will be no call for a special meeting
of Allied States' board of directors to act on the draft of an indus-
try arbitration plan completed by distribution attorneys last week,
Abram F. Myers, Allied chairman and general counsel, states. The
plan will go before the regularly scheduled meeting of the board
on Nov. 15-16, Myers said.
Myers' statement, in full, follows.
"Allied cannot act on the plan until the middle of November.
There has been so much delay that a special session of the Allied
board is out of the question. A call for the regular fall meeting,
to be held in Chicago on Nov. 15 and 16, already has been issued.
I hope Allied's arbitration committee will be prepared to make
suitable recommendations to the board at that time.
"It goes without saying that a mishmash of the Aug. 20 draft
contrived by film company attorneys behind closed doors and issued
under Eric Johnston's imprimatur will be carefully scrutinized by
Allied's committee and the board of directors before they reach a
conclusion.
"I hope it will be found worthy."
It was indicated here
yesterday that the result
of Theatre Owners of Amer-
ica's poll of its member
units to determine
whether the organization
should seek defendant
status in the Govern-
ment's 16mm. anti-trust
suit is expected to be an-
nounced on or shortly
after Nov. 1. This date
was made the deadline for
filing ballots.
•
KN0XVILLE, Tenn., Oct.
14. — Following a protest
by the local American Le-
gion, this city and the
University of Tennessee
will not show any of Char-
lie Chaplin's films. This
action follows the recent
banning of Chaplin's lat-
est film, "Limelight," by
the Memphis Censor Board.
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, October 15, 1952
Personal
Mention
FRANK L. NEWMAN, SR., presi-
dent of the Evergreen circuit in
Portland, Ore., who is celebrating his
45th anniversary in the motion picture
business, was honored last week by
his managers with a special Banner
Week."
•
Otto A. Harbach, ASCAP presi-
dent • George Hoffman, comptroller,
and Irving Caesar of the executive
committee, are in Hollywood from
New York to attend the ASCAF
semi-annual West Coast membership
meeting today at the Beverly Wil-
shire Hotel.
•
M. L. Simons, assistant to H. M.
Richey at M-G-M, will address the
convention of the Motion Picture Ex-
hibitors of Florida at the Roosevelt
Hotel, Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday
through Tuesday.
•
Madeleine Carroll has been pre-
sented with the 1952 Americas Award
by the Americas Foundation for her
work in promoting a closer under-
standing between the various Ameri-
can countries.
•
Harry Mandel, national director
of advertising-publicity for RKO The-
atres, will leave here tomorrow with
Mrs. Mandel for Europe aboard the
S.S. Nieuw Amsterdam.
•
H. M. Richey, M-G-M exhibitor
relations head, will attend the Allied
Theatres of Michigan convention at
Detroit next Monday through Wed-
nesday.
Douglas T. Yates, Republic Pic-
tures International vice-president, is
in Winnipeg and will stop in other
Canadian cities before returning here
Oct. 28.
•
Edward Lachman, president of
Carbons, Inc., will leave here at the
weekend for Detroit.
•
D. A. Doran, executive assistant to
Don Hartman, Paramount produc-
tion head, has returned to Hollywood
from Honolulu.
•
Frank Lloyd, producer-director
will leave here for Europe today
aboard the 5.5". Liberie.
Clay Hake, Paramount's managing
director for Australia and New Zea-
land, has arrived in New York.
High Court to Hear 3 Film
Cases; Rejects 3 Others
Beresin to Promote
Variety Meeting
Jack Beresin, chief barker of Variety
Clubs, will visit a number of tents to
stimulate interest in the coming mid-
winter meeting scheduled for Nov. 21-
23 in Pittsburgh, the. birthplace of
Variety Clubs International.
John H. Harris, chairman of the
25th anniversary banquet on Nov." 23,
is one of the original founders of Tent
No. 1, Pittsburgh. All of the 11
original founders will be present at
the dinner.
Washington, Oct. 14.— The Su-
preme Court yesterday agreed to
hear the government's appeal from
a Nashville District court decision
dismissing civil contempt charges
against Crescent Amusement Co.
The decision to review the Crescent
case was one of six actions on in-
dustry cases taken by the Court "on
the first business session of the new
term. Justices Black and Clark took
no part in the consideration or the
decision in the Crescent case.
The Court also agreed to hear argu-
ment in two other industry cases — a
lower court decision which said that
motion picture advertising companies
are not in restraint of trade when they
enter into long-term contracts with
exhibitors ; and a decision declaring
that the American Federation of Mu-
sicians had engaged in unlawful feath-
erbedding against the Palace Theatre
in Akron, Ohio.
Argument in the three cases will
probably be heard by the court late
this year or early next year. The
court placed the Palace Theatre case
on the summary docket, indicating it
would allow only half an hour to each
side for argument.
The Court refused to review three
other industry cases. Two involved a
complicated legal squabble over the
U. S. copyrights to the film "Ecstacy.
The other was a tax claim brought
against the Internal Revenue Bureau
by Jeanette Brecher, owner of the
Plaza Theatre in New York.
The Court gave no reason for
refusing to review the two cases,
merely noting them in a list of orders.
Started in May, 1950
The history of the current Crescent
suit started in May, 1950, when the
Department of Justice brought both
civil and criminal contempt of court
actions against Crescent, four allied
circuits and three circuit officers. It
charged that they had violated the
terms of the earlier consent decree and
asked the court not only to find them
in contempt, but also to modify the
original decree in various respects to
safeguard against further violations.
The U. S. District court at Nash-
ville dismissed the charges against all
defendants and refused to modify the
decree except with regard to three
instances where the court had earlier
given Crescent the right to build thea-
tres at Cleveland, Alcoa and Morris-
town, Tenn. In these three cases the
court said it would listen to the Jus-
tice Department's allegations that the
companies had been deceptive in their
applications to build the theatres.
The Justice Department appealed
the civil contempt proceedings directly
to the Supreme Court and has ap-
pealed the criminal contempt charges
to the Sixth Circuit court.
Defendants with Crescent are Rock-
wood Amusements, Inc., Muscle Shoals
Theatres, Cherokee Amusement, Inc.,
Lyric Amusement Co., Louis Rosen-
baum, Kermit C. Stengel and R. E.
Baulch. f
In the case of the Motion Pic-
ture Advertising Service Co., the
Studios Boost Top
Product: Downing
Hollywood studios are turning out
more top product today than in previ-
ous years, ac-
cording to Rus-
sell V. Down-
ing, president
and managing
director of Ra-
dio City Music
Hall, who re-
turned here yes-
terday from a
two - week visit
to the Coast
where he had a
look-see at pic-
tures in produc-
tion.
Encouraged
by his visit, Downing commented, "I
think they are all concentrating on
top product, rather than just turning
out another picture." He said he saw
19 pictures during his stay, visiting
the studios of M-G-M, Warner, Para-
mount, 20th Century-Fox and Co-
lumbia.
He said tha't studio personnel have
made strides in their thinking, com-
pared to what he found on previous
annual trips.
Russell Downing:
Presidents Meet Again
Presidents and foreign managers of
Motion Picture Association of Amer-
ica member companies will meet here
again tomorrow to attempt to settle
the sharing of Japanese import licenses
for the coming fiscal half-year.
News reel
Parade
PRESIDENTIAL campaign activ-,
ity continues to highlight news-
reels. Also featured are the Korean air
strike, the U.N., ct» nezu German train,
the Holy Rosary celebration and col-
lege football. Complete contents fol-
low:
FOX MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 84—
Gen. Eisenhower on South Western tour.
Stevenson talks about Tidelands in Louisi-
ana. Germans show train of future. Hindu
film stars visit Hollywood. 76,000 attend
New York Rosary Crusade. Penn-Prince-
ton and Ohio State-Wisconsin football
games.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 214— Cam-
paign spotlight. Korean Reds blasted.
Russiaons here for U.N. meeting-. M-G-M
stars greet India film leaders. Ohio State-
Wisconsin and Penn. Princeton football
games.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 17— A special
editorial entitled "Let's All Vote'' com-
prises the news portion. Football games
include Ohio State- Wisconsin, and Penu-
Prir.ceton.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 42A— Truman
tour nears end. Adlai's campaign gains
speed. New Chilean president. D'ucks and
bugs destroy plants. New .jet-booster assists
cargo plane. General Naguib tours Egypt.
UNIVERSAL NEWS REEL, No. 404—
Truman gets award. "Ike" speaks in West.
Air strike over Korea. Speedy German
train. Rosary celebration at the Polo
Grounds. U^.C'.L. A. -Rice, Georgia T'ech-
Tulane, and Penn-Princeton football games.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 19—
Korean air strike. LTnited Nations. New
train. Stevenson. Eisenhower. Penn-Prince-
ton, Ohio* State- Wisconsin football games.
Remember to vote.
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals had
thrown out a Federal Trade Com-
mission order which found the com-
pany had violated the anti-trust laws
by entering into five-year exclusive
screening contracts with exhibitors.
The FTC then appealed to the Su-
preme Court. While only one firm is
involved in the appeal, the practice of
making long-term contracts has been
a common one, and many other film
advertising companies will undoubted-
ly be affected by the final decision.
The featherbedding- case arose from
an unfair labor practice charge brought
by the Palace Theatre against the
A. F. of M. The Palace had at-
tempted to book a name band into the
theatre and had also rejected requests
from the local union that it hire local
musicians to play in addition. When
A. F. of M. head James C. Petrillo
ordered the name band not to play
the Palace, the theatre brought the
charges.
The National Labor Relations Board
threw out the unfair labor practice
charges, saying that since the local
musicians actually wanted to work it
wasn't a case of featherbedding. The
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, how-
ever, upheld the Palace charges and
the NLRB took the case to the Su-
preme Court.
'Mirror' Starts A
Theatre Directory
Starting today, the New York Daily
Mirror will feature a classified motion
picture theatre directory similar to the
one which has been appearing in the
New York Post since last April, the
Independent Theatre Owners Associa-
tion of New York disclosed yesterday.
The directory was established fol-
lowing a series of conferences between
representatives of the ITOA's busi-
ness promotions committee and offi-
cials of the Mirror's advertising de-
partment.
The directory will enable local thea-
tres to advertise their attractions on
a daily basis at special rates. At the
outset, more than 40 theatres are ex-
pected to participate. The format will
give each theatre two lines across two
columns daily under a banner heading
titled, "Neighborhood Movies." The
P.ost's directory now has 90 theatre
listings in its directory, or double the
number that subscribed at the begin-
ning.
The ITOA said discussions are
underway with other local dailies with
a view to securing the adoption of
similar directories.
To Aid UJA Benefit
George Jessel and Ed Sullivan have
accepted invitations to act as masters-
of-ceremonies for the forthcoming 19th
annual "Night of Stars," United Jew-
ish Appeal benefit show, which will
be held at Madison Square Garden on
Monday evening, Nov. 24.
tne dinner. mi^ ^^.^ ..& . . . — . ; „ ,
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley. Editor-in-Chief and P^
Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Pubhshmg Company Inc. 12^f'x'^A;„ n^h,fCf su Uivan Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J
New York." Martin Quigley. President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vic e-Pres.dent , i**^^^™^ Gus H. Fausel Production Manager; Hollywood. Bureau. Yucca-Vine
Bradv, Secretary; James P. Cunningham. News Editor ■; Herbert V . Fecke ^J^^^jS&i^ Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz. Editorial Representative 1
Building, William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle .street, ^rben raney Aavert s i London WI; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter
North Clark Street. FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten National Press O Theatres andqfheatre Sales, each published 13 times a year as
Burnup. Editor; cable address. "Qmgpubco, ^^'^S^8^^1^^ Entered as second-class matter. Sept. 21. 1938. at the post office at New York. N. Y.. under
^oflia^T ^SuKion-rate^^ ™™ *** ^
Wednesday, October 15, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
Says Cinerama Is
Bigger Than Sound
Hollywood, Oct. 14. — Ciner-
ama's beneficial effect on film
theatres' future will exceed
that of the transition from
silent pictures to sound,
chairman Roy Brewer told
the AFL Film Council at its
regular meeting today in re-
porting on his inspection of
Cinerama during his New
York visit.
Brewer, who is also the in-
ternational representative of
IATSE, revealed, in explain-
ing Cinerama workings to the
Council, that the operation
requires the employment of
17 projectionists.
Says U. S. Firms Can Take
$20,000,000 Out of U.K.
May Hold Italian
Film Fete in '53
The possibility , of holding another
Italian film festival, again in New
York, next year, was held out here
yesterday by the Italian Film Export
organization.
The IFE, commenting on the re-
cently concluded "Salute to Italian
Films Week," said that its success
motivated the hope to hold another
festival in New York and elsewhere
next year. As previously reported, the
IFE said it is planning to set up a
distribution organization for Italian
films in the U.S.
Newman IsGoldwyn's
New Studio Head
Hollywood, Oct. 14. — Robert V.
Newman has been ^appointed vice-
president of Samuel Goldwyn Produc-
tions and studio manager. Newman
joined the Goldwyn company in 1951.
He succeeds Marvin A. Ezzell, who
resigned.
Ezzell, who had been with Goldwyn
Productions since 1926, said that he
will take a long vacation before an-
nouncing his future plans.
ITOA to Honor
RKO Radio Heads
The .New York Independent Thea-
tre Owners Association has set aside
the agenda of its regular luncheon
meeting at the Hotel Astor tomorrow
and instead will honor a group of
RKO Radio Pictures' newly-appointed
executives at the luncheon, it was an-
nounced by Harry Brandt, ITOA
President.
Among those invited were Charles
Boasberg, general sales manager, and
Walter Branson, assistant general
sales manager,
London, Oct. 14. — American film
companies operating here will be
allowed to convert approximately
$20,000,000 of their earnings here
during the year ending Sept. 30, 1953,
Henry Strauss, Parliamentary secre-
tary of the Board of Trade, told ques-
tioners in Commons today.
The amount is slightly more than
half the anticipated total earnings of
the American companies here for the
year, and represents somethings less
than two per cent of the dollar ex-
penditure of imports from the United
States.
The Parliamentary questioning of
Strauss was addressed to the recently
concluded Anglo-American film agree-
ment.
Earlier, the Board of Trade had
called a press conference to clarify
misunderstandings which arose here
over the terms and intentions of the
revised agreement.
The Board's spokesman emphasized
that the £2,100,000 ($5,900,000) which
the American companies agreed to
treat as non-convertible related only
to additional film rentals arising from
seat price increases in the recent re-
vision of the Eady Plan. It does not
imply, he said, that, at the end of the
agreement next September there will
be a balance of unremittable earnings.
The British government's sole con-
cern, the spokesman added, was to en-
sure that the utilization of American
earnings here did not create an undue
drain on Britain's dollars. Whitehall
wants the dollars set to work in this
country, either bv spending, or invest-
ment. There- is nothing in the agree-
ment to prevent one American com-
pany transferring unremittable sterl-
ing to another.
Zukor Honored by
N.Y. State Masons
Adolph Zukor, chairman of the
board of Paramount Pictures, was
honored by members of the Centen-
nial Lodge No. 763, Free and Accept-
ed Masons of New York State, at a
special meeting held yesterday at the
Pythian Headquarters here. Zukor
was presented the Grand Lodge 50-
year service award medal by Ray-
mond C. Ellis, deputy grand master
of the Masons of New York.
Dr. Robert M. Cushing, worshipful
master of the Lodge, presided. Will
H. Hays, former president of the Mo-
tion Picture Association of America's
predecessor organization, served as
master of ceremonies. Louis Nizer,
industry attorney also spoke. The
meeting was attended by Blossom
Seeley and Benny Fields.
Stars Start Nov. 9
On Carolina Tours
Charlotte, Oct. 14. — The annual
"Movietime U.S.A." tour, in the Caro-
linas will get under way here Nov. 9
with the opening of the 40th annual
convention of the Theatre Owners As-
sociation of North and South Caro-
lina.
Lou Smith, executive director of
"Movietime," came here last week to
confer with Mrs. Walter .Griffith", rex-
ecutive secretary of the theatre own-
ers. He said that from six- to eight
Hollywood personalities will arrive
on Nov. 9, and the group will split
■into two units, one going to North
Carolina towns and one to South
Carolina.
Smith said stars; writers and others
engaged in motion picture production
will be asked to go on the tour but
that the names will not.be divulged
untd about ten days before the con-
vention.
National
Pre- Selling
Columbia Promotes
Herbert L. Smith
Herbert L. Smith, former assistant
director of purchases for Columbia Pic-
tures, has been promoted to the post
of director of purchases. Smith re-
places Max Seligman, former direc-
tor, who will remain with the pur-
chasing department in an advisory,
executive capacity.
The appointment of Fred Izze to
the post of assistant director of pur-
chases was also announced.
'Four Poster' Stars
At Cocktail Party
Lilli Palmer and Rex Harrison,
stars of "The Four Poster," Columbia
Pictures-Stanley Kramer production,
observed their 10th wedding anniver-
sary last night at a cocktail party at
the Hotel Pierre, attended by more
than 300 representatives from the
newspaper, magazine, -television and
radio fields attended.
Among those invited were Sid
Caesar, Arthur Godfrey, Milton Berle,
Skitch Henderson, Faye Emerson,
Jinx Falkenberg, Tex McCrary, Rob-
ert Montgomery, John Mason Brown
and Columbia Pictures' Jack Cohn,
Joseph McConville, Abe Montague,
Rube Jackter, Paul Lazarus, Jr., How-
ard. LaSieur, Lawrence Lipskin, Hor-
tense- Schorr, Al Rylander, Abe
Schneider and Leo Jaffe.
Smith, A Mai co
Manager, Killed
Hot Springs. Ark., Oct. 14.— W.
Clyde Smith, 49, manager of -a circuit
of theatres here was killed early today
when his car crashed into a bridge
on Highway 88. Smith had been man-
ager of Malco Theatres here for 15
years.
State Trooper Jack McKinley, said
Smith was driving toward Hot Springs
when he failed to. negotiate a curve,
crashed into a bridge abutment and
plunged into a creek. He died shortly
after being admitted to,, the Army-
Navy Hospital.
Coast Services Today
For Jack Conway
Hollywood, Oct. 14. — Funeral
services will be held tomorrow at
the Church of the Recessional, Forest
Lawn, for Jack Conway, veteran
M-G-M director who died on Satur-
day. Said to be the star of the first
picture made in Hollywod — a two-
reeler called "Her Indian Hero"—
Conway appeared in many early films
until 1913, when he directed his first
film, "The Old Armchair." Conway's
last picture before becoming ill in
1948 was "Julia Misbehaves."
Surviving are his widow, the for-
mer Virginia Bushman, daughter of
silent star Francis X. Bushman, two
sons and a daughter.
Harry Yette Dies
Buffalo, Oct. 14. — Harry P. Yette,
48, with the Schine circuit for 25 years
and manager, for 21 years, of the Riv-
erside Theatre here, died Sunday after
suffering a stroke while returning to
his home from the theatre. He is sur-
vived by the widow, Eva, two daugh-
ters, a brother and four sisters.
DHOTOPLAY for November has a
* full-page, four-color, three-di-
mensional, pin-up portrait of. Marilyn
Monroe,: which carries the headlines
''I Want Women to. Like Me," and is.
guaranteed to do no such thing. The
same issue has a similar color page
and stories on Susan Hayward and
Jane Powell, and a double color page
on Rock Hudson and Pier Angeli.
Photoplay applauds "Assignment
Paris" in this thriving fan magazine,
and M-G-M, Warner, 20th Century-
Fox, Universal, RKO Radio and
Paramount carry pages of advertising.
. . . Trans- World Airlines carried on
a postcard campaign on "Assignment
Paris'.' for the benefit of the Or-
pheum in Minneapolis. . The airline
provided and mailed the cards, from
Paris to the theatre's mailing list.
. . . What may well be the. longest
greeting on record is being tape-re-
corded in the. lobby of the Capitol
Theatre on Broadway, to be sent to
Bing Crosby with the compliments of
his patrons who are. enjoying "Just
for You" and want . to "say a few
words to Bing." It can be done else-
where, with the tape used on. local sta-
tions as a 15-minute broadcast, . and
the voices identified. ■
! :..- ■-(;;- , r >L<h'S.-u: :<:!>' 'Y.ijj
Heads of museum and gallery
staffs, nationally famous artists and
art directors, America's top illus-
trators and both art and motion
picture critics of the country's
newspaper, magazine and trade
press witnessed the combined show-
ing of five of 20th Century's new
art-film series in New York last
week. . . . Integration of program
material centering around the life
and works of O. Henry on four
major television quiz and panel
shows will chalk up publicity for
the O. Henry Omnibus produc-
tion. . . *-. The intensive use of
TV is also planned to promote
RKO Radio's "The Lusty Men" in
New England, beginning yesterday,
where the picture opened at the
Empire Theatre, New Bedford. To-
day it will open at the Metropoli-
tan in Boston, and immediately fol-
lowing, in 14 other New England
towns with bookings set to obtain
full benefit of the TV broadcasts
from key situations. . . . The
Chicago Herald- American is run-
ning a full-week serialization and
picture layout on Warner's "Miracle
of Our Lady of Fatima."
•
M-G-M will hold the world pre-
miere of "Plymouth Adventure" at
the Old Colony Theatre, Plymouth,
Mass., on Nov. 24, and- theatre mana-
gers may be thankful for the exploi-
tation and promotion benefits for the
picture which are already underway.
N ezvspaper and trade press representa-
tives will attend the opening. At the
recent convention of Westinghouse
and. New Home sewing machine deal-
ers, a $50,000 nationwide contest was
set, on how to dress the . "Modern
Priscilla." ... Darryl Zanuc.k is the
guest reviewer for Coronet magazine's
October issue, and he picks "The
Merry Widow" and "Son of Paleface"
with a mere . mention of "Snows of
Y ' ou-Know-Where." The -magazine
boasts a new all-time high in oir adap-
tion— 2,762.830 copies, \ with the cus-
tomary five readers for each. copy.
; Walter Brooks
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, October 15, 1952
N. Y. Grosses
(Continued from page 1)
Reviews
either topped or equalled first week
grosses.
At the Roxy, which also features a
stage show, a robust $82,000 is in-
dicated for the third and final week of
"Somebody Loves Me," which was
ushered in with an initial seven-day
gross of $77,000. Opening today at
the Roxy is "The Thief."
A fine . $145,000 seen for the third
inning of "Because You're Mine" at
Radio City Music Hall, which features
a stage show, about equals the pic-
ture's take for its first week.
'Paleface' Solid
"Son of Paleface" at the Paramount
is expected to hit a solid $70,000 for
its second week. The current Para-
mount stage headliner is Louis Prima
and his band.
Holding up strong at the Rivoh is
"Snows of Kilimanjaro," with $53,000
estimated for the fourth week. Also
doing well is "The Merry Widow" at
Loew's State, where $27,000 is fore-
cast for the third round.
Among the new films, "The World
in His Arms" bowed to a good $30,-
000 at the Mayfair for its first seven
days. At the Capitol, a fairly nice
$43,000 was registered for the initial
week of "Just for You."
The fourth week of "One Minute to
Zero" at the Criterion is expected to
hit a satisfactory $15,000, while the
second week of "Lure of the Wilder-
ness" at the Globe is due to gross a
moderate $9,500. "The Miracle of Our
Lady of Fatima" at the Astor is fore-
cast to do a nice $13,000 for its eighth
week. A fairly good $10,500 is seen
for the 11th inning of "Affair in Trin-
idad" at the Victoria.
Among off - Broadway houses, a
healthy $9,700 was racked up by "The
Magic Box" in its third week at the
Normandie. "The Four Poster" will
premiere today at the Sutton, replac-
ing "The Man in the White Suit,"
which ended its long engagement with
$4,700 for its 28th week.
"The Amazing Monsieur Fabre"
continues strong at the Park Avenue,
with $4,600 indicated for its fifth
stanza. The second week of "Savage
Triangle" is expected to do a nice $7,
000 at the Paris. The ninth week of
"Stranger in Between" at the Fine
Arts is due to rack up a good $4,000.
"The Promoter" will premiere at the
Fine Arts Oct. 28.
New 'IP Credit
"The Prisoner Of Zenda"
(Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)
STUART GRANGER and James Mason are the dashing principals who
register strongly in this lush adventure story m resplendant color by
Technicolor, based on the captivating Anthony Hope novel that served as
1 ighly popular screen fare in prior silent and talkie versions. It is an especially
appealing story that has been enhanced m this impressive Pandro S. German
productiSn by colorful settings and costumes, and. some modernization in p ot
Sard Thorpe's fine direction has kept the action moving at an absorbing
pace This should be one of the better box-office films of the year.
The adaptation by Wells Root, from the. novel and the Edward Rose drama-
tization establishes Granger as a vacationing Englishman arriving m the
ouSy o which hfs cousin8 a physical double, overly fond of wine and whiskey,
is soon to be crowned king. Granger performs both roles with proper chanc-
er differentiation which is especially notable when the. cousins drink together
the night before the coronation. The real king outdnnks everyone and Ins
wine r fs drugged by order of his throne-seeking brother, Robert Douglas.
The king's adviser/Louis Calhern, has the Englishman impersonate the King
at the Coronation, and Douglas' coup d'etat, engineered by the superbly
villainous James Mason, is foiled. .
When Mason finds the real king and imprisons him, Granger is forced to
continue the impersonation, but his newly-found love for the intended queen
Deborah Kerr, causes him to attempt finding the king. A Mason ambush does
not succeed as Granger is- aided by Jane Greer, jealous girl, friend of Douglas,
who fears the latter's throne ascendance and marriage to Miss Kerr.
It is Miss Greer who later arranges to have Granger swim the moat to the
castle in which the king is imprisoned and let down the drawbridge for Calhern
and hi soldiers to take over. Douglas is stabbed in a battle with Mason over
Miss Greer's affections and after a tremendous sword battle with Granger, m
which hardly any cinema trick is omitted, Mason escapes by diving into the
moat With the proper king restored to the throne and newly cognizant of his
duties the Englishman regretfully leaves Miss Kerr and rides away.
John L. Balderston and Noel Langley wrote the screen play. Capable support
is given by Lewis Stone, Robert Coote, Peter . Brocco and Francs Pierlot.
Alfred Newman composed the appropriate musical score
Running time, 101 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Nov. 14.
(Continued from page 1)
$70,000 for 'Ivanhoe'
Chicago, Oct. 14. — The Oriental
Theatre did better, Friday and Sun
day with "Ivanhoe" than with the cor-
responding days of the first week with
"Quo Vadis." Saturday was almost
as good as the first Saturday of "Quo
Vadis." The. management predicts that
the first week will go over $70,000, a
terrific figure for the House.
$19,500 for 'Snows'
Cleveland, Oct. 14. — Darryl F
Zanuck's "The Snows of Killiman
jaro" is running more than $4,000
ahead of "David and Bathsheba" with
a gross, for its first six days, of $19,
500 at the Hippodrome Theatre.
Goldsmith to RKO
(Continued from page 1)
includes employment as a consultant
-to General Electric, Marconi Wire
less and Telegraph Co., National
Broadcasting, and other corporations.
Battle Zone"
ally, $1,300,000 went to the com-
pany's wholly-owned subsidiary, United
World Films. Repayment on the UW
notes will be in the amount of $175,000
in March and Sept., 1953 ; $175,000 in
March and Sept., 1954; $150,000 in
March and Sept., 1955, and $150,000
in the same two months of 1956. The
UW notes bear interest at the rate
of 3y2 per cent per annum.
Repayment interest under the gen-
eral revolving credit was agreed upon
as follows : "payment on the last day
of each calendar month beginning last
month an amount calculated at the rate
of 1/24 of one per cent per month of
the difference between the average
daily amount of advances under the re-
volving credit outstanding during such
calendar month and the average daily
maximum amount of advances under
the revolving credit that could prop-
erly have been outstanding during
such month."
By-laws Amended
The company also notified the SEC
tat by-laws were amended to. estab-
lish the date for annual meetings of
stockholders as the second Wednes-
day in March instead of the second
Tuesday in July as previously stipu-
lated. Other by-law amendments es-
tablish the office of board chairman,
and assign to the executive vice-presi-
dent powers and duties vested also in
the company president.
RKO Foreign Post
(Allied Artists) Hollywood, Oct. 14
WALTER WANGER'S best production for AA to date is a fine repre
Mentation of the Korean War that is authentic . compelling and bears
rare conviction John Hodiak, Stephen McNally and Linda Christian perform
well under he excellent direction of Lesley Selander. An unusually credible
rcreenplav by Steve Fisher has avoided mock heroics and romantic banalities
and mates for an impressive story. This appears to be a money-maker for
al Fiimed°with Marine Corps cooperation, Hodiak and McNally appear as
Ma ne "non-coms" in the combat photography division. They continue the r
WorM War II rivalry in the Korean War, competing for the love of. Miss
Christian I Red Cross nurse, who switches her affections from Hodiak to
McNahv Meanwhile, the Marines move from training at Camp Pendleton
to the Inchon tending up to the reservoir area. For the finale, a large
offensive made possible by intelligence work by Hodiak, McNally and others
in the combat photographic division, gets underway.
Ther is Plenty of action in this neatly balanced producton which has
effectively emphasized a genuine and plausible story. William A. Caiman,
Ir earned a solid credit as associate producer
Included in the cast are Dave Willock, Martin Milner, Jack Larson,
Richard Emory, Philip Ahn, John Fontaine, Carleton Young, Todd Karnes
^Runluifg^tim0"' 82* minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Sept. 28. &
(Continued from page 1)
Albany TOA Lists
Oct. 22 Agenda
Albany, N. Y., Oct. 14.— The na-
tional Theatre Owners of Americas
position in the Department of Justice
16mm. suit, the Council of Motion
Picture Organizations, campaign to
eliminate the 20 per cent Federal ad-
mission tax, arbitration and state leg-
islation will be on the agenda of the
Albany TOA meeting on Oct. 22, it
was announced here today by presi-
dent Harry LaMont and executive di-
rector Lewis A. Sumberg.
'Coronet' Features 'Hans'
The November issue of Coronet
magazine, which reaches newsstands
Oct 27, will carry a 15-page feature
on Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans Christian
Andersen."
Reade's Park Avenue
Is Leased to Bank
The Park Avenue Theatre, here
has been leased on a short-term basis
to an undisclosed local banking insti-
tution, it was announced by Walter
Reade Theatres.
The lease is for a period of two
years commencing Nov. 1, and pro-
vides for the conversion of the theatre
into banking quarters and office space
for the lessee until a new building is
erected for the bank. There will be
no structural alterations to the thea-
tre, it being contemplated that at the
completion of the lease the premises
will again be utilized for theatrical
purposes. Walter Reade, Jr., president
of Reade Theatres, Inc., declared that
terms of the lease include an annual
-rental for the theatre "in excess of
$100,000."
worldwide distribution for RKO Ra-
dio, will assume many of Reisman's
functions when he takes over his new
duties around Nov. 15. The appoint-
ment to be made, it is believed more
likely, will be that of a foreign sales
head who will operate under Picker's
direction.
Meanwhile on the Coast, the resig-
nation of C. J. Tevlin, studio head
under Howard Hughes, topped a num-
ber of changes there. Also resigning
were J. Kneeland Nunan and Joseph
Rivkin, assistants to Tevlin, and sev-
eral members of the studio publicity
and other departments.
Columbia Net
(Continued from page 1)
number outstanding on June 30, 1951,
was 654,311.
Operating profit for the year was
$1,563,000, against the previous year's
$2,668,000, and estimated provision for
Federal taxes in the respective years
was $760,000 and $1,170,000.
Merrill Sworn As
FCC Commissioner
Washington, Oct. 14.— Eugene. H.
Merrill was sworn in today as an FCC
commissioner, replacing by appoint-
ment of President Truman, Robert F.
Jones, who resigned last month.
Merrill is a native of Utah and has
been with the Defense' Production Ad-
ministration and the National Produc-
tion Authority for the past two years.
Prior to that he was chief of com-
munications in the American zone of
occupation in Germany. Merrill has
a wide background in Public Utilities
and for some time, was a consulting
engineer to the Utah Public Service
Commission.
Wednesday, October 15, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
Weather a Boon to
Oregon Drive-Ins
Portland, Ore., Oct. 14. —
Drive-in theatres in this area
have had a dividend in the
form of fine weather this fall
that is keeping attendance at
midsummer peaks. There has
been no general rainfall for
57 days.
Despite the good weather
for the outdoors theatres,
"Ivanhoe" drew capacity busi-
ness at $1.25 top for its first
week at Hamrick's Liberty
here.
New Five-year Pact
For Muhl at U-I
Hollywood, Oct. 14.— A new five-
year employment contract has been
signed by Edward Muhl as general
manager of operations at the Universal-
International studio.
The pact, which will become effec-
tive next Jan. 1, is a replacement for
an existing agreement signed Oct. 16,
1951.
Beginning Jan. 1, Muni's salary will
be $1,200 per week. Under the agree-
ment, it will increase to $1,300 for the
second year, and to $1,400 for the
third year. At the beginning of the
fourth year his salary will rise to $1,-
500 per week and continue at that
figure for the duration of the con-
tract.
Para. Mideast Group
Leading Sales Drive
Paramount's Mideastern division,
headed by Howard Minsky, occupies
the number one position in the com-
pany's "Greater Confidence Parade of
1952" sales drive, according to a tabu-
lation of the first month's figures.
Detroit, under branch manager Mike
Simon, leads all other exchange cities,
but is closely followed by quota-top-
ping Kansas City, Washington, Omaha,
Denver, Des Moines and Milwaukee.
Winners of the drive, which will
continue, for 13 weeks, through Nov.
29th, will share $40,000 in prize money.
An additional $5,000 will be_ split
among members of non-winning
branches who display outstanding in-
dividual effort.
Among the top productions included
in the drive period are : "Just for
You," "Caribbean," "The Turning
Point," "The Savage," "Somebody
Loves Me" and "Hurricane Smith."
Owen Opens Para.
Meeting in Atlanta
Atlanta, Oct. 14. — Hugh Owen,
Paramount's Eastern - Southern di-
vision manager, is here from New
York to conduct a week-long series
of meetings with branch, sales and
booking managers of the company's
Atlanta, New Orleans, Jacksonville
and Charlotte exchanges. He is ac-
companied to the meeting by his as-
sistant, Al Fitter.
The meetings will be a follow-up
to Paramount's recent division sales
managers conclave in Chicago.
Univ. Stockholder
Sues on Decca Deal
Universal Pictures, Decca Records,
General Cinema Finance Corp., Real-
art Pictures and certain "U" employes
have been named defendants in an
action filed in New York Supreme
Court by "U" minority stockholder
Bertha T. Aine, charging that com-
mon stock and warrants of Universal
were sold to Decca at prices greater
than their market value and that Mil-
ton R. Rackmil, "U" and Decca pres-
ident, and Nate J. Blumberg, "U"
board chairman, were given employ-
ment contracts at excessive salaries
and carrying other allegedly unreason-
able benefits.
It was also alleged that other offi-
cers and employes of Universal were
given employment contracts at exces-
sive salaries, and that some of the
defendants conceived of a plan and
scheme whereby Universal would ac-
quire the assets and assume the liabil-
ities of Decca in exchange for Univer-
sal stock at a ratio advantageous to
the Decca stockholders.
Neither Decca nor Rackmil is
named as a defendant to a second
cause of action, which alleges a plan
and scheme involving a license for the
reissuance of certain of Universal's
pictures for an allegedly inadequate
consideration:
Relief sought by the plaintiff is for
an accounting of profits and damages ;
for a judgment declaring certain con-
tracts to be unfair and inequitable, and
for an injunction.
Stage for Theatre
TV Hearing Set
Washington, Oct. 14. — James Fly,
attorney for the Motion Picture Asso-
ciation of America, and Marcus Cohn,
attorney for the National Exhibitors
Theatre Television Committee, will
make the opening statements at the
engineering and accounting phase of
the Federal Communications Commis-
sion's theatre television hearing sched-
uled to open here next Monday.
Fly and Cohn told this to the FCC
today at a pre-hearing conference at
which some 40 or 50 attorneys were
present. Original estimate of this
phase of the hearing was that it would
last one week. But the attorneys to-
day agreed that it would take two.
Part of the reason for the extended
estimate is that the hearing won't
meet on Thursdays, when the Com-
mission transacts FCC business. An-
other reason is that although cross-
questioning won't take place until the
hearing re-opens Jan. 12, clarifying
questions may be asked during this
phase. All questions must be submit-
ted in writing, the attorneys agreed,
to Benedict Cottone, FCC general
counsel. Cottone will represent the
Commission at the hearing, along with
four or five other FCC attorneys.
Mexican Import Duty
On Film Increased
Mexico City, Oct. 14.— American
pictures are affected in particular by
increased import duties that have just
been enforced by the Mexican govern-
ment. Hollywood provides most for-
eign pictures played in this country.
The duties "now are $4.62, plus 10
per cent per kilogram (2% lbs.) in-
stead of $2.89 per kilogram.
Calls Snaper Sales
Charges Political
Milwaukee, Oct. 14. — Commenting
today on recent statements by Wil-
bur Snaper, national Allied president,
impugning film salesmen's methods in
dealing with exhibitors, David Beznoi'j
general counsel for the Colosseum of
Motion Picture Salesman of America,
said :
"What a melancholy commentary
upon Mr. Snaper's sense of decency
and fair play that he should stoop to
hurling invectives upon the hard
working salesmen who have done more
tnan any other group to cement rela-
tionships between exhibitor and dis-
tributor and whose very livelihood de-
pends upon their success in this un-
dertaking.
"It is a hoary political maneuver
to lash out and malign another's repu-
tation to cover up personal short-
comings.
"When the duties of a man's position
are so onerous as to overwhelm him
with their complexities, he has indi-
cated his inadequacy to hold a posi-
tion with the responsibilities that the
president of Allied is called upon to
perform.
"Apparently, Mr. Snaper has cracked
under the burden of operating an or-
ganization in an orderly fashion.
Surely, the embarrassment to which
he has subjected Allied members is
such as to place Wilbur Snaper in an
untenable position.
"His gratuitous outburst was com-
pletely incompatible with, the sane, re-
sponsible viewpoint of the great ma-
jority of the Allied membership.
"For his difficulty in keeping pace
with his mamlold responsibilities, he
has our deepest sympathy. For his
unwarranted vituperation, Wilbur
Snaper has our unmitigated contempt."
Wurtzel Films Go
Into TV Release
Sol M. Wurtzel, veteran Holly-
wood producer, has leased his entire
group of productions to Major At-
tractions, Inc. for a number of years
and simultaneously approved distribu-
tion through United Television Corp.
The deal, as disclosed here in a joint
statement by Wurtzel, who is here
from the Coast, and Arche Mayer,
United President, not only includes
existing pictures, but provides for new
productions as well.
In the first group, produced in
Hollywood as recently as 1949, the
release schedule will include: "Dan-
gerous Years," "Strange Journey,^
-Rendezvous 24," "Roses Are Red,"
"Crimson Key," "Deadline for Mur-
der," "Back Lash," "Dangerous Mil-
lions," "Trouble Preferred," "Night
Wind," "Fighting Back," "Arthur
Takes Over," "Half-past Midnight,"
"Invisible Wall" and "Second Chance."
Reelect Snaper
(Continued from page 1)
sists of Irving Dollinger, Ralph Wil-
kins, Maurice Spewak, Howard Her-
man, Harwan, John Fioranavanzi,
Herb Lukin, Jacob Unger, David
Snaper and Henry Brown. Board ex-
officio members are Gold, Lee New-
berry, Harry N. Lowenstein, Sidney
Samuelson and Edward Lachman. _
Following the meeting the unit's
members and their wives met at the
Latin Quarter here for dinner.
Relief Fund Offers
New Christmas Card
A Christmas card for the
exclusive use of persons in
the industry has been added
to the list of cards put on
sale this year by the Motion
Picture Relief Fund in Holly-
wood.
The card, entitled "Christ-
mas at the Bijou," is being
offered for sale exclusively to
exhibitors and personnel of
the distributing companies.
Printed in full color, it shows
a typical American theatre,
elaborately decorated for
Christmas.
Miss. Exhibitors
Map Tax Battle
Jackson, Miss., Oct. 14.— Meetings
between Mississippi exhibitors and
Congressmen will be held shortly
under a plan to help repeal the 20
per cent Federal admission tax. The
plan was adopted recently by the
board of directors of the Mississippi
Theatre Owners.
The board agreed that Congress-
men and Senators would be pressed
for an answer to two questions :
(1.) If a bill to eliminate the tax
is introduced and brought to the floor,
will he vote for it and work for its
passage?
(2.) Will he use his influence to
have the bill reported favorably to the
Ways and Means Committee and to
the floor?
The board meeting, attended by
Duke Clark of the Council of Motion
Picture Organizations, also decided to
use the argument of "sound business"
in its anti-tax battle, emphasizing the
need of small exhibitors to be saved
from ruinous taxation.
Reserves Decision
On 'O.Henry' Suit
New York Supreme Court Justice
Morris Elder yesterday reserved deci-
sion on the Fine Arts Theatre suit
brought against 20th Century-Fox and
the Trans-Lux Lexington Corp., seek-
ing injunctive relief which would bar
"O. Henry's Full House" from open-
ing at the Trans-Lux 52nd Street to-
morrow. A decision is expected today.
The defense claimed that the owner
of the Fine Arts had repudiated the
contract for the picture. In addition,
the defense asked that the case be
brought to trial, declaring that the
suit should not be decided by affi-
davits. Fine Arts counsel claimed that
even if there was an oral release from
the contract, as a matter of law, such
a release was in operatum.
20th-Fox to Meet
On 'My Pal Gusy
A series of conferences to be held
during the next week at the 20th Cen-
tury-Fox home office will aid in the
decision to give the company's forth-
coming release, "My Pal Gus," un-
usual distribution handling, it was an-
nounced by Al Lichtman, director of
distribution.
The film is set to get a top adver-
tising, publicity and exploitation pro-
motion for its debut nationally in De-
cember.
Currently advertised
in the COMPANION
Because of You. ...Universal-International
The Prisoner of Zenda MGM
The Merry Widow MGM
Plymouth Adventure MGM
Because You're Mine MGM
Companion -approved" is a sure sign of good enter-
tainment to over 4,250,000 women. That's
why Hollywood has invested more money in
the Companion during the past six years than
in any other monthly magazine.*
*Except of course the fan magazines.
THE CROWELL-COLLIER PUBLISHING COMPANY-
PUBLISHERS OF COLLIER'S, THE AMERICAN MAGAZINE, WOMAN'S HOME COMPANION
mm." 'mil
FIRST
MOTION PICTURE
Accurate
IN
TT% ATT
Concise |
FILM
DAILY
and
NEWS
VOL. 72. NO. 74
NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1952
TEN CENTS
RKO Foreign
Changes Due;
Talks Opened
Tevlin's Resignation
Tops Moves at Studio
Negotiations are underway be-
tween the new management group
at RKO Radio Pictures prepara-
tory to naming a new foreign sales
manager.
Among those to whom overtures
have been made is Alfred Crown,
vice-president in charge of foreign
distribution for Samuel Goldwyn Pro-
ductions, Inc.
Officially, the post is still occupied
by Phil Reisman, who returned to his
desk at the home office yesterday upon
his arrival from Europe. Reisman de-
clined comment on his reported re-
signation, indicating that his status
remained unclarified as of yesterday.
Indications are a company announce-
ment will be made today.
If it is, chances are that a new ap-
pointment to the foreign sales post
will not be exactly that of a successor
to Reisman, since Arnold Picker, new
executive vice-president in charge of
{Continued on page 4)
Report Columbia
Net of $803,000
Columbia Pictures' net profit for the
fiscal year ended June 30 was $803,000
compared to $1,498,000 for the previ-
ous year, Harry Cohn, president, re
ported yesterday.
Earnings per share of common stock
this past year were 80 cents as against
$1.81 in the prior year. Comparative
earnings per share of common after
preferred stock dividends are calcu-
lated on the increased amount of com-
mon which was outstanding on June
30, 1952. The number of shares out-
standing on that date was 670,669, the
(Continued on page 4)
Exhibitor Ends
Ticket Tax By
Accepting 'Gifts'
Portland, Ore., Oct. 14. — Loren
A. Gillespie, exhibitor at Okanogan,
Wash., is so irritated by the Federal
admission tax he decided to take mat-
ters into his own hands and do away
with it now, instead of waiting for a
successful outcome of COMPO's tax
repeal campaign.
Gillespie stopped charging admis-
sion and asked patrons instead to do-
nate any amount they like as they en-
ter the theatre. He says he has the
advice of an Internal Revenue deputy
that he need pay no national tax as
long as the contributions are not in
specified sums.
Gillespie says the plan is working-
fine. Average donations are about
one-third less than the previous es-
tablished price with tax included. But,
says Gillespie, refreshment sales have
boomed. Patrons are diverting more
to the concessions stand than they de-
duct from the old admission charge.
Reelect Snaper to
Head N. J. Allied
Wilburn Snaper, national Allied
president, yesterday was reelected
president of New Jersey Allied at a
meeting of the unit at the Hotel Astor
here.
Reelected also were Louis Gold and
John Harwan, vice-presidents, and A.
Louis Martin, treasurer. William
Basil was elected secretary, succeed-
ing Haskell Block.
The new board of directors con-
(Continued on page 5)
|NEW UNIV. CREDIT
OF $ 1 7,000,000
Initial Borrowing Under an Agreement With
New York, Boston Banks Is $3,800,000
Universal Pictures has concluded with two banks a new loan agree-
ment establishing a four -year revolving credit of $17,000,000, the com-
pany disclosed here yesterday in a report filed with the Securities &
, Exchange Commission.
The agreement, made with First Na-
tional Bank of Boston and Guaranty
Trust Co. of New York, followed can-
cellation of a 1950 credit contract with
those two banks and the Bank of the
Manhattan Co.
The company promptly borrowed
under the new pact $3,800,000, which
was used to liquidate borrowings of
$2,800,000 under the 1950 agreement
and to add $1,000,000 to working cap-
ital for general corporate purposes.
This initial loan was part of $5,000,-
000 which the company is entitled to
borrow during the first year, ending
Sept 14, 1953, under the agreement.
The breakdown of future loans is as
follows : second loan year, beginning
Sept. 15, 1953, $4,500,000; third loan
year, beginning Sept. 15, 1954, $4,000,-
000 ; fourth loan year, beginning Sept.
15, 1955, $3,500,000.
Of the $3,800,000 borrowed initi-
( Continued on page 4)
Goldsmith to RKO
As TV Consultant
Dr. Alfred N. Goldsmith,_ engineer
and inventor in the motion picture and
television field, has joined RKO The-
atres as a consultant, Sol. A. Schwartz,
president, an-
nounced here
yesterday.
A former
vice - president
and general en-
gineer of Radio
Corp. of Amer-
ica, Dr. Gold-
smith will un-
dertake for
RKO "detailed
studies of pos-
sible technical
and industrial
Dr. A. Goldsmith improve-
ments and addi-
tions in motion picture and television
exhibition in theatres," Schwartz said.
Dr. Goldsmith was described as hav-
ing been intimately connected with the
development and growth of television
and was credited with having made
numerous inventions in black-and-
white and color TV. His past service
(Continued on page 4)
Holiday, Product
Up 1st -run Grosses
The combination of the Columbus
Day holiday weekend and strong
product in many first-run Broadway
situations served to boost grosses to
healthy proportions.
Outstanding were the holdovers
"Because You're Mine," at Radio City
Music Hall, and "Somebody Loves
Me" at the Roxy, as both pictures
(Continued on page 4)
Allied Board to Act on Arbitration
Draft at Regular Meeting Next Month
Washington, Oct. 14— There will be no call for a special meeting
of Allied States' board of directors to act on the draft of an indus-
try arbitration plan completed by distribution attorneys last week,
Abram F. Myers, Allied chairman and general counsel, states. The
plan will go before the regularly scheduled meeting of the board
on Nov. 15-16, Myers said.
Myers' statement, in full, follows.
"Allied cannot act on the plan until the middle of November.
There has been so much delay that a special session of the Allied
board is out of the question. A call for the regular fall meeting,
to be held in Chicago on Nov. 15 and 16, already has been issued.
I hope Allied's arbitration committee will be prepared to make
suitable recommendations to the board at that time.
"It goes without saying that a mishmash of the Aug. 20 draft
contrived by film company attorneys behind closed doors and issued
under Eric Johnston's imprimatur will be carefully scrutinized by
Allied's committee and the board of directors before they reach a
conclusion.
"I hope it will be found worthy."
TOA 16mm. Poll
Result Due Nov. 1
The result of the Theatre Owners
of America's poll of its member units
to determine whether the organization
should seek defendant status in the
government's 16mm. anti-trust suit is
expected to be announced on or
shortly after Nov. 1, it was indicated
here yesterday. Nov. 1 is the dead-
line for filing replies.
TOA was labeled a co-conspirator
in the government's complaint, but not
a defendant. Named defendants were
major film companies, the charge be-
ing refusal to release product in 16mm.
to TV and other outlets.
Knoxville Bans All
Of Chaplin's Films
Knoxville, Tenn., Oct. 14. — Charlie
Chaplin's films will not be shown in
any Knoxville theatre or at the Uni-
versity of Tennessee, following a pro-
test by the local American Legion,
which, also expressed objection to the
showing of Russian-made films. C. E.
Brehm, U. of T. president, pledged
to recognize the protest.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, October 15, 1952
Personal
Mention
FJRANK L. NEWMAN, SR., presi-
dent of the Evergreen circuit in
Portland, Ore., who is celebrating his
4§fh anniversary in the motion picture
business, was honored last week by
his managers with a special "Banner
Week."
•
Otto A. Harbach, ASCAP presi-
dent; George Hoffman, comptroller,
and Irving Caesar of the executive
committee, are in Hollywood from
New York to attend the ASCAP
semi-annual West Coast membership
meeting today at the Beverly Wil-
shire Hotel.
•
M. L. Simons, assistant to H. M.
Richey at M-G-M, will address the
convention of the Motion Picture Ex-
hibitors of Florida at the Roosevelt
Hotel, Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday
through Tuesday.
•
Madeleine Carroll has been pre-
sented with the 1952 Americas Award
by the Americas Foundation for her
work in promoting a closer under-
standing between the various Ameri-
can countries.
•
Harry Mandel, national director
of advertising-publicity for RKO The-
atres, will leave here tomorrow with
Mrs. Mandel for Europe aboard the
S.S. Nieuw Amsterdam.
•
: H. M. Richey, M-G-M exhibitor
relations head, will attend the Allied
Theatres of Michigan convention at
Detroit next Monday through Wed-
nesday.
•
Douglas T. Yates, Republic Pic-
tures International vice-president, is
in Winnipeg and will stop in other
Canadian cities before returning here
Oct. 28.
Edward Lachman, president of
Carbons, Inc., will leave here at the
weekend for Detroit.
•
D. A. Doran, executive assistant to
Don Hartman, Paramount produc-
tion head, has returned to Hollywood
from Honolulu.
Frank Lloyd, producer-director,
will leave here for Europe today
aboard the .S"..?. Liberte.
•
Clay Hake, Paramount's managing
director for Australia and New Zea-
land, has arrived in New York.
High Court to Hear 3 Film
Cases; Rejects 3 Others
News reel
Parade
Washington, Oct. 14. — The Su-
preme Court yesterday agreed to
hear the government's appeal from
a Nashville District court decision
dismissing civil contempt charges
against Crescent Amusement Co.
The decision to review the Crescent
case was one of six actions on in-
dustry cases taken by the Court "on
the first business session of the new
term. Justices Black and Clark took
no part in the consideration or the
decision in the Crescent case.
The Court also agreed to hear argu-
ment in two other industry cases — a
lower court decision which said that
motion picture advertising companies
are not in restraint of trade when they
enter into long-term contracts with
exhibitors ; and a decision declaring
that the American Federation of Mu-
sicians had engaged in unlawful feath-
erbedding against the Palace Theatre
in Akron, Ohio.
Argument in the three cases will
probably be heard by the court late
this year or early next year. The
court placed the Palace Theatre case
on the summary docket, indicating it
would allow only half an hour to each
side for argument.
The Court refused to review three
other industry cases. Two involved a
complicated legal squabble over the
U. S. copyrights to the film "Ecstacy."
The other was a tax claim brought
against the Internal Revenue Bureau
by Jeanette Brecher, owner of the
Plaza Theatre in New York.
The Court gave no reason for
refusing to review the two cases,
merely noting them in a list of orders.
Started in May, 1950
The history of the current Crescent
suit started in May, 1950, when the
Department of Justice brought both
civil and criminal contempt of court
actions against Crescent, four allied
circuits and three circuit officers. It
charged that they had violated the
terms of the earlier consent decree and
asked the court not only to find them
in contempt, but also to modify the
original decree in .various respects to
safeguard against further violations.
The U. S. District court at_ Nash-
ville dismissed the charges against all
defendants and refused to modify the
decree except with regard to three
instances where the court had earlier
given Crescent the right to build thea-
tres at Cleveland, Alcoa and Morris-
town, Tenn. In these three cases the
court said it would listen 'to the Jus-
tice Department's allegations that the
companies had been deceptive in their
applications to build the theatres.
The Justice Department appealed
the civil contempt proceedings directly
to the Supreme Court and has ap-
pealed the criminal contempt charges
to the Sixth Circuit court.
Defendants with Crescent are Rock-
wood Amusements, Inc., Muscle Shoals
Theatres, Cherokee Amusement, Inc.,
Lyric Amusement Co., Louis Rosen-
baum, Kermit C. Stengel and R. E.
Baulch.
In the case of the Motion Pic-
ture Advertising Service Co.. the
Studios Boost Top
Product: Downing
Hollywood studios are turning out
more top product today than in previ-
ous years, ac-
cording to Rus-
sell V. Down-
ing, president
and managing
director of Ra-
dio City Music
Hall, who re-
turned here yes-
terday from a
two - week visit
to the Coast
where he had a
look-see at pic-
tures in produc-
tion.
Encouraged
by his visit, Downing commented, "I
think they are all concentrating on
top product, rather than just turning
out another picture." He said he saw
19 pictures during his stay, visiting
the studios of M-G-M, Warner, Para-
mount, 20th Century-Fox and Co-
lumbia, v
He said that studio personnel have
made strides in their thinking, com-
pared to what he found on previous
annual trips.
Russell Downing-
Presidents Meet Again
Presidents and foreign managers of
Motion Picture Association of Amer-
ica member companies will meet here
again tomorrow to attempt to settle
the sharing of Japanese import licenses
for the. coming fiscal half-year.
Beresin to Promote
Variety Meeting
Jack Beresin, chief barker of Variety
Clubs, will visit a number of tents to
stimulate interest in the coming mid-
winter meeting scheduled for Nov. 21-
23 in Pittsburgh, the. birthplace of
Variety Clubs International.
John H. Harris, chairman of the
25th anniversary banquet on Nov. 23,
is one of the original founders of Tent
No. 1, Pittsburgh. All of the 11
original founders will be present at
the dinner. ^ - ■. —
MOTION PICTURE DAILY Martin. Quigley. Editor-in-Chief and^lUher^ ^|^»!
Brady, Secretary; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V Fecke, ^^^^^^^^^J^lOvt, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 1 1
Building. William R. Weaver. Editor Chicago Bureau ,,120 South ,^S^e^e%-^^^%^ ra^don ^Lv^ 4 Golden Sq., London WI; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter
North Clark Street. FR-2-2843. Washington J. A. Otter f. National Press C ^hlffinDp^XSd; Better Theatres and Theatre Sales, each published 13 times a year as
§aP^dW matter. Sept. 21. 1938. at the post office at New York. N. Y.. under
Uie act of March >T 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 fore.gn: single copies. 10c
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals had
thrown out a Federal Trade Com-
mission order which found the com-
pany had violated the anti-trust laws
by entering into five-year exclusive
screening contracts with exhibitors.
The FTC then appealed to the Su-
preme Court. While only one firm is
involved in the appeal, the practice of
making long-term contracts has been
a common one, and many other film
advertising companies will undoubted-
ly be affected by the final decision.
The featherbedding case arose from
an unfair labor practice charge brought
by the Palace Theatre against the
A. F. of M. The Palace had at-
tempted to book a name band into the
theatre and had also rejected requests
from the local union that it hire local
musicians to play in addition. When
A. F. of M. head James C. Petrillo
ordered the name band not to play
the Palace, the theatre brought the
charges.
The National Labor Relations Board
threw out the unfair labor practice
charges, saying that since the local
musicians actually wanted to work it
wasn't a case of featherbedding. The
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, how-
ever, upheld the Palace charges and
the NLRB took the case to the Su-
preme Court
PRESIDENTIAL campaign activ-
ity continues to highlight news-
reels. Also featured are the Korean air
strike, the U.N., a> new German train,
the Holy Rosary celebration and col-
lege football. Complete contents fol-
low:
FOX MOVIETONE NEWS, Na 84—
Gen. Eisenhower on South Western tour.
Stevenson talks about Tidelands in Louisi-
ana. Germans show train of future. Hindu
film stars visit Hollywood. 76,000 attend
New York Rosary Crusade. Penn-Prince-
ton and Ohio State-Wisconsin iootball
games.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 214— Cam-
paign spotlight. Korean Reds blasted.
Russiaons here for U.N. meeting. M-G-M
stars greet India film leaders. Ohio State-
Wisconsin and Penn. Princeton football
games.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 17— A special
editorial entitled "Let's All Vote'' com-
prises the news portion. Football games
include O'hio State- Wisconsin, and Penn-
Princeton.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 4ZA— Truman
tour nears end. Adlai's campaign gains
speed. New Chilean president. Ducks and
bugs destroy plants. New jet-booster assists
cargo plane. General Naguib tours Egypt.
UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL, No. 404—
Truman gets award. "Ike" speaks in West.
Air strike over Korea. Speedy German
train. Rosary celebration at the Polo
Grounds. U.CL.A.-Rice, Georgia Tech-
Tulane, and Penn- Princeton football games.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 19-
Korean air strike. United Nations. New
train. Stevenson. Eisenhower. Penn-Prince-
ton, Ohio State- Wisconsin football games.
Remember to vote.
'Mirror' Starts A
Theatre Directory
Starting today, the New York Daily
Mirror will feature a classified motion
picture theatre directory similar to the
one which has been appearing in the
New York Post since last April, the
Independent Theatre Owners Associa-
tion of New York disclosed yesterday.
The directory was established fol-
lowing a series of conferences between
representatives of the ITOA's busi-
ness promotions committee and offi-
cials of the Mirror's advertising de-
partment.
The directory will enable local thea-
tres to advertise their attractions on
a daily basis at special rates. At the
outset, more than 40 theatres are ex-
pected to participate. The format will
give each theatre two lines across two
columns daily under a banner heading
titled, "Neighborhood Movies." The
Post's directory now has 90 theatre
listings in its directory, or double the
number that subscribed at the begin-
ning.
The ITOA said discussions are
underway with other local dailies with
a view to securing the adoption of
similar directories.
To AidUJA Benefit
George Jessel and Ed Sullivan have
accepted invitations to act as masters-
of-ceremonies for the forthcoming 19th
annual "Night of Stars," United Jew-
ish Appeal benefit show, which will
be held at Madison Square Garden on
Monday evening, Nov. 24.
Wednesday, October 15, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
Says Cinerama Is
Bigger Than Sound
Hollywood, Oct. 14.— Ciner-
ama's beneficial effect on film
theatres' future will exceed
that of the transition from
silent pictures to sound,
chairman Roy Brewer told
the AFL Film Council at its
regular meeting today in re-
porting on his inspection of
Cinerama during his New
York visit.
Brewer, who is also the in-
ternational representative of
IATSE, revealed, in explain-
ing Cinerama workings to the
Council, that the operation
requires the employment of
17 projectionists.
Says U. S. Firms Can Take
$20,000,000 Out of U. K.
May Hold Italian
Film Fete in '53
The possibility of holding another
Italian film festival, again in New
York, next year, was held out here
yesterday by the Italian Film Export
organization.
The IFE, commenting on the re-
cently concluded "Salute to Italian
Films Week," said that its success
motivated the hope to hold another
festival in New York and elsewhere
next year. As previously reported, the
IFE said it is planning to set up a
distribution organization for Italian
films in the U.S.
Newman IsGoldwyn's
New Studio Head
Hollywood, Oct. 14. — Robert V.
Newman has been appointed vice-
president of Samuel Goldwyn Produc-
tions and studio manager. Newman
joined the Goldwyn company in 1951.
He succeeds Marvin A. Ezzell, who
resigned.
Ezzell, who had been with Goldwyn
Productions since 1926, said that he
will take a long vacation before an-
nouncing his future plans.
ITOA to Honor
RKO Radio Heads
The New York Independent Thea-
tre Owners Association has set aside
the agenda of its -regular luncheon
meeting at the Hotel Astor tomorrow
and instead will honor a group of
RKO Radio Pictures' newly-appointed
executives at the luncheon, it was an-
nounced by Harry Brandt, ITOA
President.
Among those invited were Charles
Boasberg, general sales manager, and
Walter Branson, assistant general
sales manager.
Columbia Promotes
Herbert L. Smith
Herbert L. Smith, former assistant
director of purchases for Columbia Pic-
tures, has been promoted to the post
of director of purchases. Smith re-
places Max Seligman, former direc-
tor, who will remain with the _ pur-
chasing department in an advisory,
executive capacity.
The appointment of Fred Izze to
the post of assistant director of pur-
chases was also announced.
London, Oct. 14. — American film
companies operating here will be
allowed to convert approximately
$20,000,000 of their earnings here
during the year ending Sept. 30, 1953,
Henry Strauss, Parliamentary secre-
tary of the Board of Trade, told ques-
tioners in Commons today.
The amount is slightly more than
half the anticipated total earnings of
the American companies here for the
year, and represents something less
than two per cent of the dollar ex-
penditure of imports from the United
States.
The Parliamentary questioning of
Strauss was addressed to the recently
concluded Anglo-American film agree-
ment.
Earlier, the Board of Trade had
called a press conference to clarify
misunderstandings which arose here
over the terms and intentions of the
revised agreement.
The Board's spokesman emphasized
that the £2,100,000 ($5,900,000) which
the American companies agreed to
treat as non-convertible related only
to additional film rentals arising from
seat price increases in the recent re-
vision of the Eady Plan. It does not
imply, he said, that at the end of the
agreement next September there will
be a balance of unremittable earnings.
The British government's sole con-
cern, the spokesman added, was to en-
sure that the utilization of American
earnings here did not create an undue
drain on Britain's dollars. Whitehall
wants the dollars set to work in this
country, either by spending or invest
ment. There is nothing in the agree
ment to prevent one American com-
pany transferring unremittable sterl-
ing to another.
Zukor Honored by
N.Y. State Masons
Adolph Zukor, chairman of the
board of Paramount Pictures, was
honored by members of the Centen-
nial Lodge No. 763, Free and Accept-
ed Masons of New York State, at a
special meeting held yesterday at the
Pythian Headquarters here. Zukor
was presented the Grand Lodge 50-
year service award medal by Ray-
mond C. Ellis, deputy grand master
of the Masons of New York.
Dr. Robert M. Cushing, worshipful
master of the Lodge, presided. Will
H. Hays, former president of the Mo-
tion Picture Association of America's
predecessor organization, served as
master of ceremonies. Louis Nizer,
industry attorney also spoke. The
meeting was attended by Blossom
Seeley and Benny Fields.
Smifh^A Malco
Manager, Killed
Hot Springs, Ark., Oct. 14.— W.
Clyde Smith, 49, manager of a circuit
of theatres here was killed early today
when his car crashed into a bridge
on Highway 88. Smith had been man-
ager of Malco Theatres here for 15
Stars Start Nov. 9
On Carolina Tours
National
Pre-Selling
Charlotte, Oct. 14. — The annual
"Movietime U.S.A." tour in the Caro-
linas will get under way here Nov. 9
with the opening of the 40th annual
convention of the Theatre Owners As-
sociation of North and South Caro-
ina.
Lou Smith, executive director of
'Movietime," came here last week to
confer with Mrs. Walter Griffith, ex-
ecutive secretary of the theatre own-
ers. He said that from six to eight
Hollywood personalities will arrive
on Nov. 9, and the group will split
into two units, one going to North
Carolina towns and one to South
Carolina.
Smith said stars, writers and others
engaged in motion picture production
will be asked to go on the tour but
that the names will not be divulged
until about ten days before the con-
vention.
'Four Poster' Stars
At Cocktail Party
Lilli Palmer and Rex Harrison,
stars of "The Four Poster," Columbia
Pictures-Stanley Kramer production,
observed their 10th wedding anniver-
sary last night at a cocktail party at
the Hotel Pierre, attended by more
than 300 representatives from the
newspaper, magazine, television and
radio fields attended.
Among those invited were Sid
Caesar, Arthur Godfrey, Milton Berle,
Skitch Henderson, Faye Emerson,
Jinx Falkenberg, Tex McCrary, Rob-
ert Montgomery, John Mason Brown
and Columbia Pictures' Jack Cohn,
Joseph McConville, Abe Montague,
Rube Jackter, Paul Lazarus, Jr., How-
ard. LaSieur, Lawrence Lipskin, Hor-
tense Schorr, Al Rylander, Abe
Schneider and Leo Jaffe.
PHOTOPLAY for November has a
full-page, four-color, three-di-
mensional, pin-up portrait of Marilyn
Monroe, which carries the headlines
"I Want Women to Like Me," and is
guaranteed to do no such thing. The
same issue has a similar color page
and stories on Susan Hayward and
Jane Powell, and a double color page
on Rock Hudson and Pier Angeli.
Photoplay applauds "Assignment
Paris" in this thriving fan magazine,
and M-G-M, Warner, 20th Century-
Fox, Universal, RKO Radio and
Paramount carry pages of advertising.
. .'. Trans-World Airlines carried on
a postcard campaign on "Assignment
Paris" for the benefit of the Or-
pheum in Minneapolis. The airline
provided and mailed the cards from
Paris to the theatre's mailing list.
. . . What may well be the longest
greeting on record is being tape-re-
corded in the lobby of the Capitol
Theatre on Broadway, to be sent to
Bing Crosby with the compliments of
his patrons who are enjoying "Just
for You" and want to "say a few
words to Bing." It can be done else-
where, with the tape used on local sta-
tions as a 15-minute broadcast, and
the voices identified.
years.
State Trooper Jack McKinley said
Smith was driving toward Hot Springs
when he failed to negotiate a curve,
crashed into a bridge abutment and
plunged into a creek. He died shortly
Coast Services Today
For Jack Conway
Hollywood, Oct. 14. — ■ Funeral
services will be held tomorrow at
the Church of the Recessional, Forest
Lawn, for Jack Conway, veteran
M-G-M director who died on Satur-
day. Said to be the star of the first
picture made in Hollywod — a two-
reeler called "Her Indian Hero" —
Conway appeared in many early films
until 1913, when he directed his first
film, "The Old Armchair." Conway's
last picture before becoming ill in
1948 was "Julia Misbehaves."
Surviving are his widow, the for-
mer Virginia Bushman, daughter of
silent star Francis X. Bushman, two
sons and a daughter.
Harry Yette Dies
Buffalo, Oct. 14. — Harry P. Yette,
48, with the Schine circuit for 25 years
and manager, for 21 years, of the Riv-
erside Theatre here, died Sunday after
suffering a stroke while returning to
his home from the theatre. He is sur-
after& being admitted to the Army- vived by the widow, Eva, two daugh
Navy Hospital.
ters, a brother and four sisters.
Heads of museum and gallery
staffs, nationally famous artists and
art directors, America's top illus-
trators and both art and motion
picture critics of the country's
newspaper, magazine and trade
press witnessed the combined show-
ing of five of 20th Century's new
art-film series in New York last
week. . . . Integration of program
material centering around the life
and works of O. Henry on four
major television quiz and panel
shows will chalk up publicity for
the O. Henry omnibus produc-
tion. . . . The intensive use of
TV is also planned to promote
RKO Radio's "The Lusty Men" in
New England, beginning yesterday,
where the picture opened at the
Empire Theatre, New Bedford. To-
day it will open at the Metropoli-
tan in Boston, and immediately fol-
lowing, in 14 other New England
towns with bookings set to obtain
full benefit of the TV broadcasts
from key situations. . . „ The
Chicago Herald-American is run-
ning a full-week serialization and
picture layout on Warner's "Miracle
of Our Lady of Fatima."
•
M-G-M will hold the world pre-
miere of "Plymouth Adventure" at
the Old Colony Theatre, Plymouth,
Mass., on Nov. 24, and theatre mana-
gers may be thankful for the exploi-
tation and promotion benefits for the
picture which are already underway.
Newspaper and trade p-ress representa-
tives will attend the opening. At the
recent convention of W estinghouse
and New Home seizing machine deal-
ers, a $50,000 nationwide contest was
set, on how to dress the "Modern
Priscilta." . . . Darryl Zanuck is the
guest reviewer for Coronet magazine's
October issue, and he picks "The
Merry Widow" and "Son of Paleface"
with a mere mention of "Snows of
You-Know-Where." The magazine
boasts a new alt-time high in circula-
tion— 2,762,830 copies, ztnth the cus-
tomary five readers for each copy.
Walter Brooks
4
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, October 15, 1952
INL V. Grosses
(Continued from page 1)
either topped or equalled first week
grosses.
At the Roxy, which also feature's a
stage show, a robust $82,000 is in-
dicated for the third and final week of
"Somebody Loves Me," which was
ushered in with an initial seven-day
gross of $77,000. Opening today at
the Roxy is "The Thief."
A fine $145,000 seen for the third
inning of "Because You're Mine" at
Radio City Music Hall, which features
a stage show, about equals the pic-
ture's take for its first week.
'Paleface' Solid
"Son of Paleface" at the Paramount
is expected to hit a solid $70,000 for
its second week. The current Para-
mount stage headliner is Louis Prima
and his band.
Holding up strong.at the Rivoli is
"Snows of Kilimanjaro," with $53,000
estimated for the fourth week. Also
doing well is "The Merry Widow" at
Loew's State, where $27,000 is fore-
cast for the third round.
Among the new films, "The World
in His Arms" bowed to a good $30,-
000 at the Mayfair for its first seven
days. At the Capitol, a fairly nice
$43,000 was registered for the initial
week of "Just for You."
The fourth week of "One Minute to
Zero" at the Criterion is expected to
hit a satisfactory $15,000, while the
second week of "Lure of the Wilder-
ness" at the Globe is due to gross a
moderate $9,500. "The Miracle of Our
Lady of Fatima" at the Astor is fore-
cast to do a nice $13,000 for its eighth
week. A fairly good $10,500 is seen
for the 11th inning of "Affair in Trin-
idad" at the Victoria.
Among off - Broadway houses, a
healthy $9,700 was racked up by "The
Magic Box" in its third week at the
Normandie. "The Four Poster" will
.premiere today at the Sutton, replac-
ing "The Man in the White Suit,"
which ended its long engagement with
$4,700 for its 28th week.
"The Amazing Monsieur Fabre'
continues strong at the Park Avenue,
with $4,600 indicated for its fifth
stanza. The second week of "Savage
Triangle" is expected to do a nice $7,-
000 at the Paris. The ninth week of
"Stranger in Between" at the Fine
Arts is due to rack up a good $4,000.
"The Promoter" will premiere at the
Fine Arts Oct. 28.
Reviews
New 'IT Credit
"The Prisoner Of Zenda"
(M etro-Goldwyn-Mayer)
STUART GRANGER and James Mason are the dashing principals who
register strongly in this lush adventure story in resplendant color by
Technicolor, based on the captivating Anthony Hope novel that served as
highly popular screen fare in prior silent and talkie versions. It is an especially
appealing story that has been enhanced in this impressive Pandro p. Berman
production by colorful settings and costumes, and some modernization in plot.
Richard Thorpe's fine direction has kept the action moving at an absorbing
pace. This should be one of the better box-office films of the year.
The adaptation by Wells Root, from the novel and the Edward Rose drama-
tization, establishes Granger • as a vacationing Englishman arriving in the
country of which his cousin, a physical double, overly fond of wine and whiskey,
is soon to be crowned king. Granger performs both roles with proper charac-
ter differentiation which is especially notable when the cousins drink together
the night before the coronation. The real king outdrmks everyone, and his
wine is drugged by order of his throne-seeking brother, Robert Douglas.
The king's adviser, Louis Calhern, has the Englishman impersonate the King
at the coronation, and Douglas' coup d'etat, engineered by the superbly
villainous James Mason, is foiled. ;. .
When Mason finds the real king and imprisons him, Granger is forced to
continue the impersonation, but his - newly-found love for the intended queen,
Deborah Kerr, causes him to attempt finding the king. A Mason ambush does
not succeed as Granger is aided by Jane Greer, jealous girl friend of Douglas,
who fears the latter's throne ascendance and marriage to Miss Kerr.
It is Miss Greer who later arranges to have Granger swim the moat to the
castle in which the king is imprisoned and let down the drawbridge for Calhern
and his soldiers to take over. Douglas is stabbed in a battle with Mason over
Miss Greer's affections and after a tremendous sword battle with Granger, m
which hardly any cinema trick is omitted, Mason escapes by diving into the
moat With the proper king restored to the throne and newly cognizant of his
duties, the Englishman regretfully leaves Miss Kerr and rides away.
Tohn L Balderston and Noel Langley wrote the screen play. Capable support
is given by Lewis Stone, Robert Coote, Peter Brocco and Francis Pierlot.
Alfred Newman composed the appropriate musical score. _
Running time, 101 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Nov. 14. &
ally, $1,300,000 went to the com-
pany's wholly-owned subsidiary, United
World Films. Repayment on the UW
notes will be in the amount of $175,000
in March and Sept., 1953 ; $175,000 in
March and Sept., 1954; $150,000 in
March and Sept., 1955, and $150,000
in the same two months of 1956. The
UW notes bear interest at the rate
of 3yi ■ per cent per annum.
Repayment interest under the gen-
eral revolving credit was agreed upon
as follows : "payment on the last day
of each calendar month beginning last
month an amount calculated at the rate
of 1/24 of one per cent per month of
the difference between the average
daily amount of advances under the re-
volving credit outstanding during such
calendar month and the average daily
maximum amount of advances under
the revolving credit that could prop-
erly have been outstanding during
such month."
By-laws Amended
The company also notified the SEC
tat by-laws were amended to estab-
lish the date for annual meetings of
stockholders as the second Wednes--
day in March instead of the second
Tuesday in July as previously stipu-
lated. Other by-law amendments es-
tablish the office of board chairman,
and assign to the executive vice-presi-
dent powers and duties vested also in
the company president.
$70,009 for 'Ivanhoe'
Chicago, Oct. 14. — The Oriental
Theatre did better, Friday and Sun-
day with "Ivanhoe" than with the cor-
responding days of the first week with
"Quo Vadis." Saturday was almost
as good as the first Saturday of "Quo
Vadis." The management predicts that
.the first week will go over $70,000, a
terrific figure for the House.
Battle Zone
(Allied Artists) Hollywood, Oct. 14
WALTER WANGER'S best production for AA to date is a fine repre
sentation of the Korean War that is authentic, compelling and bears
rare conviction. John Hodiak, Stephen McNally and Linda Christian perform
well under the excellent direction of Lesley Selander. An unusually credible
screenplay bv Steve Fisher has avoided mock heroics and romantic banalities
and makes for an impressive story. This appears to be a money-maker for
alFnmed°with Marine Corps cooperation, Hodiak and McNally appear as
Marine "non-coms" in the combat photography division. They continue their
World War II rivalry in the Korean War, competing for the love of Miss
Christian a Red Cross nurse, who switches her affections from Hodiak to
McNally' Meanwhile the Marines move from training at Camp Pendleton
to the Inchon landing, up to the reservoir area. For the finale, a large
offensive, made possible by intelligence work by Hodiak, McNally and others
in the combat photographic division, gets underway _
There is plenty of action in this neatly balanced producton which has
effectively emphasized a genuine and plausible story. William A. Cahhan,
Jr., earned a solid credit as associate producer
Included in the cast are Dave Willock, Martin Milner, Jack Larson,
Richard Emory, Philip Ahn, John Fontaine, Carleton Young, Todd Karnes
^Ru^nin^time,' 82 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Sept. 28. °
$19,500 for 'Snows'
Cleveland, Oct. 14. — Darryl F.
Zanuck's "The Snows of Kiliman-
jaro" is running more than $4,000
ahead of "David and Bathsheba" with
a gross, for its first six days, of $19,-
500 at the Hippodrome Theatre.
Goldsmith to RKO
(Continued from page 1)
includes employment as a consultant
A.o General Electric, Marconi Wire-
less and Telegraph Co., National
Broadcasting, and other corporations.
Albany TO A Lists
Oct 22 Agenda
Albany, N. Y., Oct. 14.— The na-
tional Theatre Owners of America's
position in the Department of Justice
16mm. suit, the Council of Motion
Picture Organizations, campaign to
eliminate the 20 per cent Federal ad-
mission tax, arbitration and state leg-
islation will be on the agenda of the
Albany TOA meeting on Oct. 22, it
was announced here today by presi-
dent Harry LaMont and executive di-
rector Lewis A. Sumberg.
'Coronet' Features 'Hans'
The November issue of Coronet
magazine, which reaches newsstands
Oct. 27, will carry a 15-page feature
on Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans Christian
Andersen."
Reade' s Park Avenue
Is Leased to Bank
The Park Avenue Theatre, here
has been leased on a short-term basis
to an undisclosed local banking insti-
tution, it was announced by Walter
Reade Theatres.
The lease is for a period of two
years commencing Nov. 1, and pro
vides for the conversion of the theatre
into banking quarters and office space
for the lessee until a new building is
erected for the bank. There will be
no structural alterations to the thea
tre, it being contemplated that at the
completion of the lease the premises
will again be utilized for theatrical
purposes. Walter Reade, Jr., president
of Reade Theatres, Inc., declared that
terms of the lease include an annual
rental for the theatre "in excess of
$100,000."
(Continued from page 1)
RKO Foreign Post
(Continued from page 1)
worldwide distribution for RKO Ra-
dio, will assume many of Reisman's
functions when he takes over his new
duties around Nov. 15. The appoint-
ment to be made, it is believed more
likely, will be that of a foreign sales
head who will operate under Picker's
direction.
Meanwhile on the Coast, the resig-
nation of C. J. Tevlin, studio head
under Howard Hughes, topped a num-
ber of changes there. Also resigning
were J. Kneeland Nunan and Joseph
Rivkin, assistants to Tevlin, and sev-
eral members of the studio publicity
and other departments.
Columbia Net
(Continued from page 1)
number outstanding on June 30, 1951,
was 654,311.
Operating profit for the year was
$1,563,000, against the previous year's
$2,668,000, and estimated provision for
Federal taxes in the respective years
was $760,000 and $1,170,000.
Merrill Sworn As
FCC Commissioner
Washington, Oct. 14.— Eugene. H.
Merrill was sworn in today as an FCC
commissioner, replacing by appoint-
ment of President Truman, Robert F.
Jones, who resigned last month.
Merrill is a native of Utah and has
been with the Defense. Production Ad-
ministration and the National Produc-
tion Authority for the past two years.
Prior to that he was chief of com-
munications in the American zone of
occupation in Germany. Merrill has
a wide background in Public Utilities
and for some time was a consulting
engineer to the Utah Public Service
Commission.
Wednesday, October 15, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
Weather a Boon to
Oregon Drive-Ins
Portland, Ore., Oct. 14. —
Drive-in theatres in this area
have had a dividend in the
form of fine weather this fall
that is keeping attendance at
midsummer peaks. There has
been no general rainfall for
57 days.
Despite the good weather
for the outdoors theatres,
"Ivanhoe" drew capacity busi-
ness at $1.25 top for its first
week at Hamrick's Liberty
here.
Univ. Stockholder
Sues on Decca Deal
New Five-year Pact
For Muhl at U-I
Hollywood, Oct. 14.— A new five-
year employment contract has been
signed by Edward Muhl as general
manager of operations at the Universal-
International studio.
The pact, which will become effec-
tive next Jan. 1, is a replacement for
an existing agreement signed Oct. 16,
1951.
Beginning Jan. 1, Muhl's salary will
be $1,200 per week. Under the agree-
ment, it will increase to $1,300 for the
second year, and to $1,400 for the
third year. At the beginning of the
fourth year his salary will rise to $1,-
500 per week and continue at that
figure for the duration of the con-
tract.
Universal Pictures, Decca Records,
General Cinema Finance Corp., Real-
art Pictures and certain "U" employes
have been named defendants in an
action filed in New York Supreme
Court by "U" minority stockholder
Bertha T. Aine, charging that com-
mon stock and warrants of Universal
were sold to Decca at prices greater
than their market value and that Mil-
ton R. Rackmil, "U" and Decca pres-
ident, and Nate J. Blumberg, "U"
board chairman, were given employ-
ment contracts at excessive salaries
and carrying other allegedly unreason-
able benefits.
It was also alleged that other offi-
cers and employes of Universal were
given employment contracts at exces-
sive salaries, and that some of the
defendants conceived of a plan and
scheme whereby Universal would ac-
quire the assets and assume the liabil-
ities of Decca in exchange for Univer-
sal stock at a ratio advantageous to
the Decca stockholders.
Neither Decca nor Rackmil is
named as a defendant to a second
cause of action, which alleges a plan
and scheme involving a license for the
reissuance of certain of Universal s
pictures for an allegedly inadequate
consideration.
Relief sought by the plaintiff is for
an accounting of profits and damages ;
for a judgment declaring- certain con-
tracts to be unfair and inequitable, and
for an injunction.
Para. Mideast Group
Leading Sales Drive
Paramount's Mideastern division,
headed by Howard Minsky, occupies
the number one position in the com-
pany's "Greater Confidence Parade of
1952" sales drive, according to a tabu-
lation of the first month's figures.
Detroit, under branch manager Mike
Simon, leads all other exchange cities,
but is closely followed by quota-top-
ping Kansas City, Washington, Omaha,
Denver, Des Moines and Milwaukee.
Winners of the drive, which will
continue for 13 weeks, through Nov.
29th, will share $40,000 in prize money.
An additional $5,000 will be split
among members of non-winning
branches who display outstanding in-
dividual effort.
Among the top productions included
in the drive period are : "Just for
You," "Caribbean," "The Turning
Point," "The Savage," "Somebody
Loves Me" and "Hurricane Smith."
Owen Opens Para.
Meeting in Atlanta
Atlanta, Oct. 14. — Hugh Owen
Paramount's Eastern - Southern di-
vision manager, is here from New
York to conduct a week-long series
of meetings with branch, sales and
booking managers of the company's
Atlanta, New Orleans, Jacksonville
and Charlotte exchanges. He is ac-
companied to the meeting by his as-
sistant, Al Fitter.
The meetings will be a follow-up
to Paramount's recent division sales
managers conclave in Chicago.
Stage for Theatre
TV Hearing Set
Washington, Oct. 14.— James Fly,
attorney for the Motion Picture Asso-
ciation of America, and Marcus Cohn,
attorney for the National Exhibitors
Theatre Television Committee, will
make the opening statements at the
engineering and accounting phase of
the Federal Communications Commis-
sion's theatre television hearing sched-
uled to open here next Monday.
Fly and Cohn told this to the FCC
today at a pre-hearing conference at
which some 40 or 50 attorneys were
present. Original estimate of this
phase of the hearing was that it would
last one week. But the attorneys to-
day agreed that it would take two.
Part of the reason for the extended
estimate is that the hearing won't
meet on Thursdays, when the Com-
mission transacts FCC business. An-
other reason is that although cross-
questioning won't take place until the
hearing re-opens Jan. 12, clarifying
questions may be asked during this
phase. All questions must be submit-
ted in writing, the attorneys agreed,
to Benedict Cottone, FCC general
counsel. Cottone will represent the
Commission at the hearing, along with
four or five other FCC attorneys.
Mexican Import Duty
On Film Increased
Mexico City, Oct. 14.— American
pictures are affected in particular by
increased import duties that have just
been enforced by the Mexican govern-
ment. Hollywood provides most for-
eign pictures played in this country.
The duties now are $4.62, plus 10
per cent per kilogram (2%. lbs.) in-
stead of $2.89 per kilogram.
Calls Snaper Sales
Charges Political
Milwaukee, Oct. 14. — Commenting
today on recent statements by Wil-
bur Snaper, national Allied president,
impugning film salesmen's methods in
dealing with exhibitors, David Beznor,
general counsel for the Colosseum of
Motion Picture Salesman of America,
said :
'What a melancholy commentary
upon Mr. Snaper's sense of decency
and fair play that he should stoop to
hurling invectives upon the hard
working salesmen who have done more
than any other group to cement rela-
tionships between exhibitor and dis-
tributor and whose very livelihood de-
pends upon their success in this un-
dertaking.
"It is a hoary political maneuver
to lash out and malign another's repu-
tation to cover up personal short-
comings.
"When the duties of a man's position
are so onerous as to overwhelm him
with their complexities, he has indi-
cated his inadequacy to hold a posi-
tion with the responsibilities that the
president of Allied is called upon to
perform.
"Apparently, Mr. Snaper has cracked
under the burden of operating an or-
ganization in an orderly fashion.
Surely, the embarrassment to which
he has subjected Allied members is
such as to place Wilbur Snaper in an
untenable position.
"His gratuitous outburst was com-
pletely incompatible witti the sane, re-
sponsible viewpoint of the great ma-
jority of the Allied membership.
"For his difficulty in keeping pace
with his manifold responsibilities, he
has our deepest sympathy. For his
unwarranted vituperation, Wilbur
Snaper has our unmitigated contempt."
Wurtzel Films Go
Into TV Release
Relief Fund Offers
New Christmas Card
A Christmas card for the
exclusive use of persons in
the industry has been added
to the list of cards put on
sale this year by the Motion
Picture Relief Fund in Holly-
wood.
The card, entitled "Christ-
mas at the Bijou," is being
offered for sale exclusively to
exhibitors and personnel of
the distributing companies.
Printed in full color, it shows
a typical American theatre,
elaborately decorated for
Christmas.
Miss. Exhibitors
Map Tax Battle
Jackson, Miss., Oct. 14.— Meetings
between Mississippi exhibitors and
Congressmen will be held shortly
under a plan to help repeal the 20
per cent Federal admission tax. The
plan was adopted recently by the
board of directors of the Mississippi
Theatre Owners.
The board agreed that Congress-
men and Senators would be pressed
for an answer to two questions :
(1.) If a bill to eliminate the tax
is introduced and brought to the floor,
will he vote for it and work for its
passage ?
(2.) Will he use his influence to
have the bill reported favorably to the
Ways and Means Committee and to
the floor?
The board meeting, attended by
Duke Clark of the Council of Motion
Picture Organizations, also decided to
use the argument of "sound business"
in its anti-tax battle, emphasizing the
need of small exhibitors to be saved
from ruinous taxation.
Sol M. Wurtzel, veteran Holly-
wood producer, has leased his entire
group of productions to Major At-
tractions, Inc. for a number of years
and simultaneously approved distribu-
tion through United Television Corp.
The deal, as disclosed here in a joint
statement by Wurtzel, who is here
from the Coast, and Arche Mayer,
United President, not only includes
existing pictures, but provides for new
productions as well.
In the first group, produced in
Hollywood as recently as 1949, the
release schedule will include: "Dan-
gerous Years," "Strange Journey,"
-Rendezvous 24," "Roses Are Red,
"Crimson Key," "Deadline for Mur-
der," "Back Lash," "Dangerous Mil-
lions," "Trouble Preferred," "Night
Wind," "Fighting Back," "Arthur
Takes Over," "Half-past Midnight,"
"Invisible Wall" and "Second Chance."
Reelect Snaper
(Continued from page 1)
sists of Irving Dollinger, Ralph Wil-
kins, Maurice Spewak, Howard Her-
man, Harwan, John Fioranavanzi,
Herb Lukin, Jacob Unger, David
Snaper and Henry Brown. Board ex-
officio members are Gold, Lee New-
berry, Harry N. Lowenstein, Sidney
Samuelson and Edward Lachman.
Following the meeting the unit's
members and their wives met at the
Latin Quarter here for dinner.
Reserves Decision
On 'O.Henry' Suit
New York Supreme Court Justice
Morris Elder yesterday reserved deci-
sion on the Fine Arts Theatre suit
brought against 20th Century-Fox and
the Trans-Lux Lexington Corp., seek-
ing injunctive relief which would bar
"O. Henry's Full House" from open-
ing at the Trans-Lux 52nd Street to-
morrow. A decision is expected today.
The defense claimed that the owner
of the Fine Arts had repudiated the
contract for the picture. In addition,
the defense asked that the case be
brought to trial, declaring that the
suit should not be decided by affi-
davits. Fine Arts counsel claimed that
even if there was an oral release from
the contract, as a matter of law, such
a release was in operatum.
20th- Fox to Meet
On 'My Pal Gus'
A series of conferences to be held
during the next week at the 20th Cen-
tury-Fox home office will aid in the
decision to give the company's forth-
coming release, "My Pal Gus," un-
usual distribution handling, it was an-
nounced by Al Lichtman, director of
distribution.
The film is set to get a top adver-
tising, publicity and exploitation pro-
motion for its debut nationally in De-
cember.
Currently advertised
in the COMPANION
Because of You. ...Universal-International
The Prisoner of Zenda MGM
The Merry Widow. MGM
Plymouth Adventure MGM
Because You're Mine MGM
"Companion -approved" is a sure sign of good enter-
tainment to over 4,250,000 women. That's
why Hollywood has invested more money in
the Companion during the past six years than
in any other monthly magazine.*
*Except of course the fan magazines.
Current Circulation over 4,250,000
THE CROWELL-COLLIER PUBLISHING COMPANY— PUBLISHERS OF COLLIER'S, THE AMERICAN MAGAZINE, WOMAN'S HOME COMPANION
VOL. 72. NO. 75
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
NEW YORK, U. S. A., THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1952
TEN CENTS
Theatres In
COMPO Now
Total 11,695
Governing Trio Expects
Even Higher Figure Soon
The number of theatres which
have become members in the Coun-
cil of Motion Picture Organiza-
tions has reached 11,695, it was
disclosed here yesterday by Trueman
T. Rembusch, Samuel Pinanski and
Al Lichtman, governing' co-chairmen
of the industry agency.
The triumvirate issued the
membership report, which indi-
cated that returns still are
being received and that the
final membership figure may be
considerably larger, following a
meeting in New York.
With Lichtman presiding and Rob-
ert W. Coyne, special counsel ; Her-
man Robbins, treasurer, and Charles
E. McCarthy, information director,
(Continued on page 4)
Set $20,000,000 Goal
For Italian Films Here
A goal of $20,000,000 per year for Italian films in the American mar-
ket was set here last night by Dr. Renato Gualino, director general of
Italian Films Export. In order to achieve this goal, Gualino added, the
IFE will organize its own distribution company here.
Speaking at a farewell dinner at the
Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, Gualino dis
closed that the IFE has already filed
the necessary papers to establish a
separate distribution corporation which
will handle Italian films in the Ameri-
can market. The dinner was tendered
by the Italian film delegation in honor
of the sponsoring committee of the
recently-concluded "Salute to Italian
Films Week."
Declared Gualino: "IFE will have
established before the end of this year
the nucleus of a national distribution
company with five division offices in
New York, Chicago, Cleveland, Los
Angeles and Atlanta.
"We are ready to offer the services
of our national organization to those
independent distributors of Italian
films who lack such national outlets,"
he added.
The $20,000,000 sought in the Amer-
ican market, Gualino observed, equals
the gross revenue of American mo-
tion pictures in Italy, and the speedy
achievement of this goal will eliminate
the "film dollar gap." The IFE di-
rector expressed the view that dubbed
Italian films can compete on equal
terms with Hollywood films in the
United States.
The Italian-American market will
not be neglected either, Gualino said,
adding that the IFE would offer from
25 to 30 films per year for audiences
of Italian extraction.
Next month, Gualino told the as-
(Continued on page 4)
Elect 10-Man Mono.
Board on Nov. 12
Hollywood, Oct. 15. — Monogram-
Allied Artists' stockholders will meet
here Nov. 12 to elect a board of di-
rectors.
Management nominees for board
membership are W. Ray Johnston,
Steve Broidy, George D. Burrows,
(Continued on page 4)
Canadians to Honor
Industry Pioneers
Toronto, Oct. 15.— Six vet-
erans of the industry in the
Dominion who made their
start prior to 1910 have been
picked by a committee to re-
ceive special honors at a 50th
anniversary banquet of the
Canadian Picture Pioneers in
the Royal York Hotel here on
Nov. 5.
Guests will be Jule Al-
len, Premier Theatres, Tor-
onto; G. N. Ganetakos, United
Amusement Corp., Montreal;
F. G. Spencer, Saint John,
N. B.; A. J. Mason, Springhill,
N. S.; John Schuberg, exhibi-
tor of Vancouver, and L. Ern-
est Ouimet of Montreal.
1,300 N. Y. Theatres
Aid Rogers Drive
Over $300,000 annually is expected
to be collected by the more than 1,300
theatres of New York State which
will participate in the Will Rogers
Memorial Hospital collection-can-on-
candy project, according to Joseph R.
Vogel, chairman of the campaign.
Among the circuits already signed
are : RKO, Warner, Schine, Loew's,
Fabian, Brandt, William Berinstein,
Buffalo Paramount, Leo Brecher,
Cinema Circuit, Dipson, Interboro,
Harris, J. J. Theatres, Kallet, Kay-
bern, Randforce, Raybond, Walter
Reade, Rugoff & Becker, and others.
4Ivanhoe' Chosen for
Christopher Award
M-G-M's "Ivanhoe" was yesterday
designated as one of the winners of
the monthly Christopher Awards "for
the inspiration and high quality enter-
tainment (that it provides) to a vast
audience."
Father James Keller, M.M., founder
and director of the Christophers, dis-
closed that the winners for October
in other media are "Karen," the bi-
ography of a youthful victim of cere-
bral palsy, and the "I Love Lucy"
TV show.
Bronze medallions will be presented
to the winners for their contribution
that represents "a significant step in
the direction of providing the public
with entertainment of enduring spir-
itual value," it was said.
Weiner, Marcus and
Wurtele Honored
Three of Columbia's sales execu-
tives, with a combined total of 75
years association with the company,
were honored at a luncheon yesterday
at the 21 Club. The guests of honor,
each of whom has been with Columbia
for 25 years, were H. E. Weiner, divi-
sion manager for Eastern Pennsyl-
vania and Southern New Jersey; B.
C. Marcus, Midwestern division man-
ager, and Lester Wurtele, Philadel-
phia branch manager.
Present at the luncheon were Jack
Cohn, A. Montague, N. B. Spingold,
(Continued on page 4)
Crown Is RKO
Radio Foreign
Sales Manager
Takes New Post at Once;
Reisman Resigns as V-P
Alfred W. Crown, vice-president
in charge of worldwide sales for
Sarnuel Goldwyn Productions, yes-
terday was named by the new RKO
Radio manage-
ment as foreign
sales manager.
Crown will
wind up his du-
ties with Gold-
wyn Produc-
tions as soon as
possible and will
join RKO
Radio probably
in a matter of
days. .-. 1
Crown's post,
a new one in
the company,
marks a re-
alignment of RKO Radio's foreign
distribution executive setup. Super-
vision of worldwide sales, both for-
(Continued on page 4)
Bingo A Violation,
Ohio Court Rules
Columbus, O., Oct. 15. — Bingo,
whether conducted for charity or
profit, violates the state constitution,
according to a decision by the Second
District Court of Appeals. The un-
animous decision upheld the opinion
last December by Common Pleas
Judge Cecil J. Randall of Franklin
County, who held that bingo is a lot-
tery, whether conducted for profit or
charity.
The Court of Appeals decision was
written by Judges Roscoe G. Horn-
beck, William C. Wiseman and Fred
J. Miller.
Safety director Donald Cook of
Columbus and sheriff Ralph J. Paul of
(Continued on page 5)
Alfred Crown
Jack Kirsch, Allied
convention chairman, who
is here from Chicago, re-
port ed yesterday that
some 400 Allied members
and others have regis-
tered so far for the or-
ganization's annual con-
vention Nov. 15-17 at the
Hotel Morrison in Chi-
cago. Kirsch is here for
talks with Wilbur Snaper.
COLUMBUS, 0., Oct. 15.—
The latest effort to test,
the constitutionality of
Ohio film censorship was
blocked by the State's
Supreme Court when it
turned down a petition of
Classic Pictures of New
York which sought to force
the censor board to take
another look at "Native
Son," previously re-
j ected.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, October 16, 1952
Personal
Mention
WILLIAM M. PIZOR of Lippert
Pictures has returned here from
a three- month European trip and will
shortly leave for the Coast for con-
ferences with Robert L. Lippert, com-
pany head.
•
Ben Kalmenson, Warner Brothers
distribution vice-president, became a
grandfather for the second time on
Sunday with the birth of a son, Don-
ald, to his daughter, Mrs. Bert
Levine, at Mt. Vernon Hospital, Mt.
Vernon, N. Y.
•
Eric A. Johnston, Motion Picture
Association of America president, and
Joyce O'Hara, vice-president, will be
here today from Washington for a
meeting with distribution presidents
and foreign managers.
Dore Schary, M-G-M vice-presi-
dent in charge of production, returned
here from Washington yesterday ac-
companied by Howard Strickling,
studio publicity head. Schary will
leave for the Coast on Oct. 26.
•
William B. Zoellner, head of
M-G-M's short subject and newsreel
sales, will be in Jacksonville from
New York Monday and then head for
Atlanta, Charlotte and Washington.
•
Robert W. Coyne, Council of
Motion Picture Organizations special
counsel, and Sam Shain, field repre-
sentative, will leave here today for
Philadelphia.
•
Leon Bamberger, RKO Radio sales
promotion head, will address the an-
nual convention of Allied Theatre
Owners of Michigan in Detroit Mon-
day through Wednesday.
•
C. J. Latta, Warner Brothers rep-
resentative on the Associated British
Pictures Corp. board, is here from
England.
•
Bert Orde, manager of the motion
picture department of Rcdbook maga-
zine, will leave here tomorrow to visit
the Coast studios.
•
Herman Ripps, assistant to John
P. Byrne, M-G-M Eastern sales man-
ager, will be in Albany and Glovers-
ville for the remainder of this week.
•
Roy Disney, president of Walt Dis-
ney Productions, and Card Walker,
advertising - publicity manager, have
left here for the Coast.
•
Arthur Jeffrey has been appointed
public relations director of Magazine
Management Co.
•
Silas F. Seadler, M-G-M adver
tising head, is due back Monday from
a vacation abroad.
•
Arthur B. Krim, United Artists
president, has left here for Hollywood
and will return in about two weeks.
•
Nate J. Blumberg, Universal board
chairman, is due here from the Coast
around Nov. 1.
Chairmen Are Named for
Chicago Charity Campaign
Chicago, III., Oct. 15.— The local
Amusement Activities Committee has
endorsed several charity campaigns
for local theatre participation and
named chairmen to head the amuse-
ment divisions for the various drives.
Jack Rose of Indiana-Illinois Thea-
tres will head the Will Rogers Hos-
pital campaign, for which theatres are
asked to place collection cans on their
candy counters and ask for donations
from their employes. Herb Sheeler of
Warner Brothers Theatres will be
chairman of the Community Fund;
David B. Wallerstein, general man-
ager of Balaban and Katz, will be in
charge of the March of Dimes cam-
paign, for which a lobby collection
was approved by the committee.
Ralph Smith, general manager of
Essaness Theatres, will serve as chair-
man of the Variety Club-Laravida
Jackson Park Sanitarium annual audi-
ence collection, which raised a total
of over $64,000 last year. Smith will
be assisted by William K. Hollander,
Balaban and Katz advertising and
publicity head, and Irving Mack,
President of Filmack Corp.
Kunzmann Honored
By the SMPTE
Washington, Oct. 15. — William C.
Kunzmann, retiring vice-president of
the Society of Motion Picture and
Television Engineers, was presented
with a solid gold life membership card
by the newly elected executive vice-
president, John G. Frayne, of West-
rex, at a reception held in the Statler
Hotel.
Kunzmann is also retiring from his
position with National Carbon and
may locate on the West Coast where
he hopes to operate a combination
drive-in and motel.
'Limelight' Opening
On BBC Tonight
London, Oct. 15. — Tomorrow eve-
ning's world premiere of Charles
Chaplin's "Limelight" at the Odeon
Theatre, Leicester Square, will be
televised by the British Broadcasting's
television network. In addition to
showing the arrival of audience dig-
nitaries, a precedent will be set in
BBC televising excerpts from the film
at the close of the program.
Princess Margaret will attend the
premiere. The leading lady of Chap-
lin's 40th anniversary film is Claire
Bloom, currently portraying Juliet in
the new stage production here of
Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet."
'Sudden Fear' Big
At NY RKO Houses
Joseph Kaufman's "Sudden Fear,"
RKO Radio release currently playing
at Metropolitan RKO houses, is un-
derstood to have grossed $165,000 in
five days at 19 theatres, out-grossing
any previous production to play the
circuit in the past year and a half.
Tatima' Extensions
In Additional Spots
Warner Brothers "The Miracle of
Fatima" continues piling up holdovers
and extended runs in its early play-
dates throughout the country, the com-
pany reports.
Extended run engagements include
the Astor Theatre, New York, where
it enters its ninth week today; the
Astor, Boston ; Madison, Detroit ;
Boyd, Philadelphia and the Center,
Buffalo, all in fourth weeks, and the
St. Francis, San Francisco, three
weeks.
Second-week holdovers have been
set at the Strand, Albany ; Strand,
Hartford; Roger Sherman, New Ha-
ven ; Strand, Scranton ; Paramount,
Wilkes Barre ; Stanley, Utica ; May-
fair, Trenton ; Palace, Stamford ;
Strand, Akron ; Victory, Dayton ;
Strand, Erie and the Majestic, Provi-
dence.
Normal split-week situations where
the picture has been held over for a
minimum of seven days include Ritz,
Clarksburg; Strand, Greensburg ;
Havens, Olean ; Capitol, Dunkirk;
Strand, Shenandoah; Capitol, Hazel-
ton; Hollywood, Pottsville, and the
State, Waterbury.
Loew's 'Big Five'
Promotion Starts
"Loew's Big Five New Movie Sea-
son" will be launched at noon tomor-
row with a Broadway, send-off from
in front of Loew's State Theatre. A
caravan of floats, with girls in cos-
tume, will be greeted by city officials
and stage and screen celebrities, after
which they will tour the city.
Each float will represent one of
the screen programs in "Loew's Big
Five," the first of which is Stanley
Kramer's "High Noon," starring Gary
Cooper, opening at Loew's today. The
second attraction is John Ford's "The
Quiet Man," with John Wayne and
Maureen O'Hara. Following will be
the Rita Hayworth-Glenn Ford star-
rer, "Affair in Trinidad" ; the new
Betty Hutton musical, "Somebody
Loves, Me," and M-G-M's "The
Merry Widow," with Lana Turner
and Fernando Lamas.
Grainger Reports
'Quiet' Holdovers
James R. Grainger, Republic execu-
tive vice-president in charge of sales
and distribution, yesterday declared
that heavy holdover business and many
extended runs have been reported on
pre-release openings on "The Quiet
Man," John Ford's Technicolor pro-
duction.
The picture is going into its ninth
week in Atlantic City ; its fifth week
in Miami, Baltimore, Minneapolis, St,
Louis, and Philadelphia ; its fourth
week in Pittsburgh, and its third week
in Washington.
New 'U' Bank Loan
Is for $6,300,000
The new loan agreement
concluded by Universal Pic-
tures with the First National
Bank of Boston and Guaranty
Trust Co. of New York pro-
vides for a maximum credit
of $6,300,000, Leon Goldberg,
Universal treasurer, said yes-
terday. Due to an inadver-
tent error, Motion Picture
Daily had reported that the
new loan amounted to $17,-
000,000.
Goldberg said the bank
agreement consists of a $5,-
000,000 revolving fund for
Universal, to be reduced at
the rate of $500,000 annually
for four years, plus a $1,300,-
000 credit for the Universal
subsidiary, United World, on
which there are repayments
of $175,000 annually for the
first two years and $150,000
annually in the third and
fourth years.
'V Tells of End of
Decca Merger Plans
Universal Pictures Co., in its an-
swer to the minority stockholders suit
brought by Florence Long, said that
it has abandoned all plans to merge
with Decca Records, Inc., the com-
pany which bought a controlling in-
terest in Universal.
The plaintiff's attorney disclosed
that in its answer Universal said
merger plans were discarded in June,
1952. The Long suit was brought in
March of this year in New York
Supreme Court. It charged that Decca
acquired the stock of Universal in
order to gain control of the corpora-
tion and pass on the assets of Decca
to Universal at an excessive price.
Services Tomorrow
For Frederick Ryan
Frederick R. Ryan, a member of the
board of directors of Republic Pic-
tures Corp. for many years, died yes-
terday at his home here at the age
of 73.
Ryan, who in addition to the general
practice of law, had been a specialist
in corporation law and in the fields
of petroleum and motion pictures. A
Requiem Mass will be offered at St.
Vincent Ferrer Church, tomorrow at
10 A.M. Burial will be in Calvary
Cemetery.
Wife of A.H. Blank
Dies in Des Moines
Des Moines, Oct. 15.— Mrs. A. H.
Blank, 70, wife of the president of
Tri-States Theatre Corp., died here
today. She had been ill since March.
Other survivors are a son, Myron,
and a sister, Mrs. B. W. Prusiner of
Springfield, Ohio. Services will be
held Friday at Dunn Funeral Home.
Burial will be at Glendale Cemetery,
both in this city.
vrnTTON PTPTTIRF DAILY Martin Quigley. Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting Editor. Published daily, except Saturdays,
MUiiuiN rn-iu Quigley Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: Quigpubco,
Martin Quiglev, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J.
News Editor"; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager: Gus H. Fausel Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine
Sundays and holidays,
New York." Martin Quigley, President
BundVngSwflHarm RJ NVelveY, EdrtOT^Wcago^Bur^I'lVo South" La Salle" Striet, "Urben Farley AdvVrtisinY Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, "Editorial Representative, 1 1
North Clark Street FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington D. C. Loudo '
Burnup Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications:
a section of Motion Picture Herald; International t
the act of March 3. 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies. 10c.
Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London Wl; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter
Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres ami Theatre Sales, each published 13 times a year as
International Motion Picture Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter, Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York. N. Y., under
4
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, October 16, 1952
Mono. Board
{Continued, from page 1)
Reviews
Howard Stubbins, G. Ralph Branton,
Herman Rifkin, Harold J. Minsch,
Arthur C. Bromberg, Edward Morey
and Norton V. Ritchey.
The official notice of the annual
meeting discloses that directors or of-
ficers of the company during the fiscal
year ended June 28 received fees and
salaries totaling $348,580 and bonuses
totaling $38,925, the total of these
amounts having exceeded by $17,378
the sum paid to the group during the
previous fiscal year.
The following individual compensa-
tion information also was set forth
in the notice :
Johnston, board chairman, received
$35,440 in fees and salary. Broidy,
president, received $94,582 in salary
and an $8,650 bonus, the total of these
being less by $7,236 than the amount
he- received in the previous year. Bur-
rows, executive vice-president and
treasurer, got $26,597 in salary, or
less by $13,776 than the previous
year's amount. Mirisch, vice-president,
received a salary of $32,200 and bonus
of $8,650, the total of the two exceed-
ing by $10,476 the prior years' re-
muneration. Ritchey, vice-president,
received $27,300, plus $4,325 bonus, or
$1,251 more than previously. Bran-
ton, vice-president, received $29,400
salary and $8,650 bonus, his previous
remuneration having been nothing.
Morey, vice-president, received $27,-
625 salary and $4,325 bonus, or $2,876
more than previously.
According to the notice, the direc-
tors having interests in exchanges re-
ported exchange gross sales commis-
sions received for the fiscal year as
follows :
Johnston, Cincinnati, 50 per cent
owned, $21,379; Stubbins, Los An-
geles, 50 per cent owned, $226,948;
Stubbins, Seattle, 25 per cent owned,
$85,572; Hurlbut, Detroit, 33-1/3 per
cent owned, $72,653 ; Rifkin, Boston,
100 per cent owned, $123,489; Brom-
berg, Atlanta, 85 per cent owned,
$418,687.
Johnston sold his interest in the
Cincinnati exchange a year ago, and
the commissions indicated were for
the period from July 1, 1951, to Sept.
30, 1951, it was explained.
"The Iron Mistress"
{Warner Brothers)
ACTION AND ROMANCE are neatly blended in this exciting screen
adaptation of the best-selling novel of recent years by Paul Wellman
that stars Alan Ladd and Virginia Mayo in enhancing color by Technicolor.
In addition to their marquee lure the stars offer one of their better per-
formances as they make the most out of a James Webb screenplay that traces
the rise of backwoodsman Jim Bowie to wealth and notoriety in New
Orleans.
Miss Mayo portrays the belle with an appreciation of men and money
who inspires Ladd with a desire for better things. After several thrilling
knife and sword duels in which Ladd vanquishes numerous romantic rivals,
a picturesque horse race and a high-stakes card game, Miss Mayo's weakling
husband, well performed by Alf Kjellin, is disposed of, but Ladd's love for her
has ended. He returns to the strikingly beautiful Phyllis Kirk, who had saved
his life when he was wounded in an ambush. He discards his Bowie knife and
forswears killing.
Henry Blanke's production is notable in its successful impression of lush
settings. Gordon Douglas directed ably, emphasizing the impressive action and
romance. A large and capable cast that lends support is headed by Joseph
Calleia, Tony Caruso and Douglas Dick, and includes Ned Young, George
Voskovic, Richard Carlyle, Donald Beddoe, Sarah Selby, Dick Paxton, Ed-
ward Colmans and Daria Massey.
Running time, 110 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Nov. 22. Walter Pashkin
Crown to RKO
.ft
Toughest Man In Arizona
{Republic Pictures)
VAUGHN MONROE is one of the big names of the popular music field
and this follow-up to his Western debut box-office success of two years
ago in "Singing Guns," is a well-performed Trucolor entry calculated to
please. Monroe is notably credible as the hombre of the title, a Deputy
Marshal who tracks down vicious desperado Victor Jory, fights off Indians
and shyly romances Joan Leslie in the process. He pleasantly sings three
songs: "A Man's Best Friend .Is His Horse," "Hound Dog (Bay at the
Moon)" and "The Man Don't Live Who Can Die Alone."
John K. Butler wrote the screenplay which provides Monroe ample oppor-
tunity to impress. He has a fine fist fight with Jory in mud and water,
dives head-first out of a locked hearse to grab and fire discarded guns, and
figures in the finale, a gun-battle showdown in a stable full of prancing
horses. Miss Leslie is ably cast as the wife of telegrapher Henry Morgan,
and is thought to be the sole survivor of an Indian massacre. Actually,
Morgan is a moral coward desirous of making quick money and after escap-
ing the Indians he joins forces with Jory's bandit brothers and aids in
Jory's escape.
Morgan's telegraph wire tapping aids the Jory gang rob a stagecoach
bearino- a fortune in silver. Monroe recovers from wounds suffered in the
Jory escape and by deduction and close querying of Jory's dance-hall girl
friend, Jean Parker, establishes the gang's whereabouts. The gang is shot
down and Morgan stands trial for the shooting of sheriff Edgar Buchanan,
allowing thus the future marriage of Monroe and Miss Leslie.
Sidney Picker was the associate producer and R. G. Springsteen directed.
Also in the cast are Ian MacDonald, Lee MacGregor, Bobby Hyatt, Charlita
and Diana Christian.
Running time 90 minutes. General audience classification. Release date
Oct. 10. W. P,
{Continued from page 1)
eign and domestic, will be in the hands
of Arnold Picker, executive vice-
president, who takes over around
Nov. 15. Crown will direct foreign
sales under Picker. Heretofore, RKO
Radio's foreign distribution has been
handled by Phil Reisman as vice-
president, with R. K. Hawkinson as
assistant foreign manager. Both of
the latter posts will be dispensed with
under the new arrangement. Reisman's
resignation has been accepted by the
board. Whether Hawkinson will con-
tinue in a new capacity appeared not
to have been determined as of yes-
terday.
20 Years in Industry
Crown has been in the industry
more than 20 years. He represented
M-G-M in South America in the
early 1930's. From 1935 to 1938 he
was foreign manager of the old Grand
National Pictures. He was co-ordina-
tor of Inter-American Affairs in 1939
and 1940 and served in the Army for
two years thereafter. Returning to
the industry, he was with Charles K.
Feldman in Hollywood and then
joined Film Classics. In 1945,
Crown was appointed worldwide sales
manager for Goldwyn and was elected
a vice-president in 1950. Last sum-
mer he was the representative of the
Society of Independent Motion Pic-
ture Producers at negotiations in
Paris on a new film import and mone-
tary agreement for American dis-
tributors with the French.
Indications are that no successor to
Crown will be appointed immediately
by Goldwyn Productions.
Weiner, Marcus
{Continued from page 1)
Leo Jaffe, Rube Jackter, Louis As-
tor, Irving Wormser, Maurice Grad,
Paul Lazarus, Jr., H. C. Kaufman,
Jo.e Freiberg, Seth Raisler and Vin-
cent Borelli.
' Cohn and Montague presented each
of the guests with a silver bowl, suit-
ably inscribed. Facsimile signatures
of all those attending the luncheon
were also engraved.
The trio are the first of the sales
heads to reach the quarter-century
mark with the company, although more
than a score of Columbia's sales staff
has been with the company more than
20 years.
Greshler Promoting Star
Hollywood, Oct. 15. — Abner Gresh-
ler has launched a quest for stories in
which to star Anthony Steele, one of
the stars of "Emergency Call," made
in England by Butcher Films, Ltd.,
and recently acquired by Greshler.
. The producer plans to build the star
up with U. S. audiences in a series of
starring vehicles. "Emergency Call"
is set for early release in this country.
Italian Films
( Continued from page 1 )
sembled group, the IFE sound studios
in the Skouras Theatre Building here
will be available to all importers of
Italian films for dubbing purposes. In
seeking what Gualino described as a
four per cent share of the American
box-office dollar, a strong reliance will
be placed on the consistent release of
Italian films in American language
versions, he said.
Addressing the many exhibitors at-
tending the luncheon, Gualino said the
IFE would seek their skill and ex-
perience in launching Italian films.
"We are ready to stand with the pro-
motional and advertising dollars neces-
sary to achieve this result," Gualino
declared. He also replied to Mayor
Impellitteri's previous invitation to the
Italians to make pictures in New York,
declaring that already several pro-
ducers and directors have intentions
of making films in the city.
Gualino, who returns to Rome to-
morrow, expressed gratitude to the
sponsoring committee, headed by Win-
throp- W. Aldrich, Eric Johnston,
president of the Motion Picture As-
'Life' Issue Boosts
Italian Pictures
Italian pictures get a big boost in
the current issue of Life, on news-
stands today.
The cover is devoted to Italian
actress Lucia Boce, under the head-
ing, of "New Crop of Beauties in
Italy." The seven-page article, which
comes following the end of "Salute to
Italian Films Week," covers such
topics as realism in Italian films; a
run-down of new product, the grow-
ing popularity of Italian films in the
American market and arguments pro
and con on dubbing,.
sociation of America; John McCarthy,
vice-president of MPAA; E. R. Zorg-
niotti, U. S. representative of IFE ;
and Jonas Rosenfield, executive di-
rector of the "Salute" committee.
Among American industry leaders
on the dais were : Barney Balaban,
president of Paramount Pictures ;
Murray Silverstone, 20th Century-
Fox International president ; George
Weltner, president of Paramount In-
ternational Films ; and McCarthy.
COMPO Theatres
( Continued from page 1 )
also attending, the meeting reviewed
COMPO's activities since June. The
governing trio .expressed satisfaction
with both the results of the member-
ship, drive and the progress of the
campaign for repeal of the Federal 20
per cent admission tax.
"The COMPO finance committee
and the various exhibitor committees
and sales personnel that conducted
the membership drive," said the tri-
umvirate in a statement issued after
the meeting, "performed a magnifi-
cent job. It was an unprecedented
example of what can be done by in-
dustry organization and coopera-
tion."
The co-chairmen made it plain that
the COMPO staff, headed by Coyne,
is to devote all of its activities, if
necessary, to the prosecution of the
industry's tax repeal campaign, which
is being conducted under the direc-
tion of Col. H. A. Cole of Dallas
and Pat McGee of Denver, co-chair-
men of the national tax repeal cam-
paign committee.
The co-chairmen also placed on the
record their thanks to the trade press
for its cooperation in the membership
drive and in the tax repeal campaign.
Peterson Is Named
Altec Division Head
Los Angeles, Oct. 15. — D. A.
Peterson, who was with Altec Serv-
ice Corp. in Philadelphia, has arrived
here to take over the post of Altec
Western division manager, left vacant
by the sudden death of Stanley M.
Pariseau on Oct. 7.
Thursday, October 16, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
Pimstein Active
At RKO Radio
Harry Pimstein's duties are in
full swing as assistant to Arnold
Grant, chairman of the board of
RKO Radio Pictures. Pimstein
started w i t h
RKO in 1927,
the year he
was graduated
from Syracuse
University Law
School. He
joined B. F.
Keith Theatres'
legal depart-
ment, transfer-
ring to the
picture com-
pany in 1939.
Pimstein has
served in vari-
ous capacities
in the legal departments of RKO
Radio.
He is a member of the Motion
Picture Pioneers, Variety, Syracuse
University Club of New York, Syra-
cuse University Law Association,
and a trustee of the Bancroft
School in Haddonfield, N. J.
Harry Pimstein
FP A-S AG Talks Will
Resume Here Today
Counter-proposals will be sub-
mitted by the Film Producers As-
sociation to the Screen Actors Guild
today when negotiations between rep-
resentatives of the two groups resume
here, Mel Gold, president of the Na-
tional Television Film Council, dis-
closed yesterday.
Gold, who is also a member of the
producers' negotiating committee, in-
dicated that a wide gap currently
exists on provisions governing spot
announcements.
The status of SAG negotiations was
revealed by Gold at an NTFC
luncheon at the Hotel Warwick.
Samuel Spring, prominent attorney
and author of the book, "Rights and
Risks," warned TV producers about
the legal dangers involved in the in-
vasion of privacy. Spring, who was
a guest speaker, advised those at-
tending to seek the aid of counsel
before deciding on whether or not
someone's privacy had been invaded in
a TV show. He explored the com-
plexity of the law in regard to the
problem, both in New York and else-
where in the country.
Memphis Ruling
Makes 'Bank
Nights7 Legal
42 Pictures Are
Now in Production
FCC Okays Missouri
Television Station
Washington, Oct. 15.— The Federal
Communications Commission author-
ized construction of the first post-
freeze commercial television station in
Missouri with a grant to the Inde-
pendent Broadcasting Co. in Spring-
field.
The Commission made four other
commercial television grants. They
were: Bryant Radio and Television,
Inc., and" Texas Telecasting, Inc.,
Lubbock, Tex.; the Plains Radio
Broadcasting; Co., Amarillo, Tex., and
the City of St. Petersburg, St. Peters-
burg, Fla.
of
Cornell Films Gets 2
J. Milton Salzburg, president
Cornell Films, announces the acquisi-
tion of worldwide distribution rights
to two films, "High Calling" and
"Pocahontas." Both films will be re-
leased theatrically early in 1953 and
subsequently released for non-theatri-
cal and television use. "High Calling,"
produced by Missionary Films, follows
the travels of Paul Miller and his wife
to their mission in Tibet.
PSI - TV Opens an
Office in Boston
PSI-TV, Inc., producer-distributor,
has opened a Boston office to service
New England, it was announced by
Manny Reiner, vice-president in
charge of sales.
This marks PSI-TV's third regional
office opening in the past two months,
the others being in Chicago and
Hollywood. Edward Ruff and Irv-
ing M. Farber will be in charge at
Boston.
Memphis, Oct. 15. — "Bank nights,"
as presently operated in Memphis
film houses, are legal, according to a
decision by City Commissioner Claude
A. Armour, rendered after an investi-
gation by the city police and receipt
of legal advice from city attorney
Frank B. Giannoti, Jr. Such give-
away schemes were banned in De-
cember, 1936, on the grounds that
they were common gambling.
"We have asked theatres to refrain
from the use of loudspeakers on the
outside and the gathering of crowds
to listen to drawing results," the
commissioner said.
Giannoti said he based his legal
opinion on a Tennessee Supreme
Court ruling in 1936 in the Crescent
Amusement case, originating in Nash-
ville, where the "bank night" in-
volved was similar to those now con-
ducted jointly at four houses here
owned by M. A. Lightman, Sr., and
where the court held there was not a
lottery. He pointed out that Mem-
phis theatres are going one step fur-
ther from a lottery by allowing regis-
iistration for the drawings without
buying a ticket. In the Nashville
case, it was held theatre patrons got
full money's worth from the film.
Hollywood, Oct. 15. — With another
one point increase in production, the
total number of pictures in work
reached 42. Nine new pictures were
started and eight were finished.
Started were : "Timber Wolf," Al-
lied Artists ; "Love Song," "Pack
Train" and "Slaves of Babylon," Co-
lumbia; "Invaders from Mars" (No-
tional Pictures), 20th Century Fox;
"Miss Robinson Crusoe," Motion Pic-
ture Artists ; "Toilers of the Sea"
(Coronado), RKO Radio; "Sioux
Uprising" and "Vermillion O'Toole,"
Universal.
Completed were : "Return to Para-
dise," Aspen Productions ; "Dangerous
When Wet," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ;
"Jamaica," Paramount ; "Silver Ship,"
20th Century-Fox ; "Law and Order,"
Universal-International ; "By the Light
of the Silvery Moon," "The Jazz
Singer" and "Sea Rogue," Warner
Brothers.
Brandts Buy Club
Albany, N. Y., Oct. 15.— Harry
and William Brandt, New York thea-
tre owners, have purchased the Arcady
Club at the Hague-on-Lake George,
an Albany realty firm announced. The
club includes a golf course, and is 16
miles from the Sagamore Hotel en
Lake George, which the Brandts ac-
quired several years ago. The Arcady
Club may be used for a boys' club, it
has been reported.
WICC-TV With ABC
Station WICC-TV in Bridgeport,
Conn., New England's first ultra-
high frequency television station and
the second such station to sign a net-
work affiliation, will join the ABC-
TV network on or about Jan. 1, it
was announced by Alfred R. Beck-
man, national director of ABC's radio
and television station relations de-
partments. In August of this year,
ABC announced the first UHF net-
work affiliation with the signing of
station WSBA-TV in York, Pa., as
a basic ABC-TV affiliate, effective
Nov. 1. The addition of station
WICC-TV to the ABC-TV network
will bring the total number of net-
work affiliates to 66.
Delay Towne Hearings
Chicago, Oct. 15. — Hearings on a
change of venue from Chicago to Mil-
waukee by defendants in the Towne
Theatre case (in which attorney
Thomas C. McConnell is asking addi-
tional attorney fees to cover the peri-
od of the appeal from the original
decision) and the Viking Theatre case
have been postponed to Monday.
India Film Heads Feted
Hollywood, Oct. 15. — Stars, direc-
tors and producers of India attended
a luncheon with Hollywood counter-
parts at which Jack L. W'arner was
host. This was the final formal studio
function held for the Indian visitors
during their week here. The Indian
notables included Chadulal Shah, Raj
Kapoor, B. N. Sircar and D. Subra-
manyam.
Name Kaiser-Frazer,
'U' Prize Winners
Winners of five Henry J. Corsair
cars and $2,000 in cash prizes posted
by Universal Pictures and the Kaiser-
Frazer Corp. for the best promotional
campaigns developed by showmen for
"Steel Town," were announced by the
two companies.
Five sets of prizes were awarded to
theatremen in five population classifi-
cations : theatres in cities over 500,-
000 ; 100,000 to 500,000 ; 50,000 to 100,-
000 ; 25,000 to 50,000 and under 25,000.
Group one first prize winner of a
Henry J. was Jack Silverthorne of the
Hippodrome in Cleveland ; second
prize of $250 went to Jack Sydney of
Loew's Century in Baltimore and third
prize of $150 went to Ken Hoel of
the J. P. Harris Theatre in Pitts-
burgh.
On Kodak U.K. Board
London, Oct. 15. — Denis Wratten,
head of Eastman Kodak's motion pic-
ture division here, has been appointed
to the company's board of directors.
Wratten served as president of the
British Kinematograph Society for
two years and lately was made presi-
dent of the Royal Photographic
Society.
McCarthy, Italians Meet
. Various trade problems, including
rental ceilings, will be discussed to-
day at a meeting- here between John
G. McCarthy, Motion Picture _ As-
sociation of America international
division chief, and Eitel Monaco and
Renato Gualino, Italian Film Export
officials.
Ohio Atty. Gen. Seen
Behind Appeal Pass
Toledo, Oct. 15. — The City of
Toledo declined to appeal the indus-
try's victory in the Ohio newsreel
censorship case on the advice of the
state's attorney-general, William C.
O'Neil, according to defense sources.
The deadline to appeal, last Friday,
passed without the city taking any
action.
Toledo exhibitor Martin G. Smith,
backed by the Motion Picture Asso-
ciation of America and Allied Inde-
pendent Theatre Owners of Ohio,
several weeks ago won a decision by
Municipal Judge Wiley that censor-
ship of newsreels by the state was un-
constitutional. Failure of the city to
appeal means that the industry loses
the chance to take the case to the
state or U. S. Supreme Court for a
decision which could have made the
Toledo ruling mandatory across the
entire state.
Article on George Sidney
The Sunday issue of Pictorial Re-
view will feature an article by Louella
O. Parsons on George Sidney, Metro-
Goldwyn-Mayer director. The story
will trace Sidney's career with M-G-M
and include his theories about making
motion pictures. The next Sidney-
directed film will be "Young Bess."
Tenn. Theatre Burned
Dover, Tenn., Oct. 15. — Fire de-
stroyed the Dover Theatre, and three
business houses. The loss, estimated
at $20,000, was covered by insurance.
Owners J. T. Scurlock and Leroy
Cherry expect to rebuild as soon as
possible.
$19,350 for 'Snows'
Atlanta, Oct. 15. — Topping last
year's box-office "champ," "David and
Bathsheba," by a wide margin at the
Paramount Theatre here is Darryl F.
Zanuck's "The Snows of Kiliman-
jaro,"" which racked up $19,350 in its
first six days.
ITOA Lunch Oct. 30
Date for the luncheon to be given
by the Independent Theatre Owners
Association of New York to recently
apointed RKO Radio sales executives
is Thursday, Oct. 30. It was incor-
rectly reported here yesterday that the
luncheon was scheduled for today.
Charlotte Reopens Soon
Charlotte, Oct. 15. — The Charlotte
theatre here will reopen soon. It has
been closed since May 17. Owner
S. W. Craver said it will operate on
a policy of double feature bills with
second-run pictures for family enter-
tainment.
Bingo
(Continued from page 1)
Franklin County said the current ban-
ning of bingo games would be con-
tinued.
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MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
Accurate
Concise
and
Impartial
VOL. 72. NO. 75
NEW YORK, U. S. A., THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1952
TEN CENTS
Theatres In
COMPO Now
Total 11,695
Governing Trio Expects
Even Higher Figure Soon
The number of theatres which
have become members in the Coun-
cil of Motion Picture Organiza-
tions has reached 11,695, it was
disclosed here yesterday by Trueman
T. Rembusch, Samuel Pinanski and
Al Lichtman, governing co-chairmen
of the industry agency.
The triumvirate issued the
membership report, which indi-
cated that returns still are
being received and that the
final membership figure may be
considerably larger, following a
meeting in New York.
With Lichtman presiding and Rob-
ert W. Coyne, special counsel ; Her-
man Robbins, treasurer, and Charles
E. McCarthy, information director,
(Continued on page 4)
Set $20,000,000 Goal
For Italian Films Here
A goal of $20,000,000 per year for Italian films in the American mar-
ket was set here last night by Dr. Renato Gualino, director general of
Italian Films Export. In order to achieve this goal, Gualino added, the
IFE will organize its own distribution company here.
Speaking at a farewell dinner at the
Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, Gualino dis-
closed that the IFE has already filed
the necessary papers to establish a
separate distribution corporation which
will handle Italian films in the Ameri-
can market. The dinner was tendered
by the Italian film delegation in honor
of the sponsoring committee of the
recently-concluded "Salute to Italian
Films Week."
Declared Gualino: "IFE will have
established before the end of this year
the nucleus of a national distribution
company with five division offices in
New York, Chicago, Cleveland, Los
Angeles and Atlanta.
"We are ready to offer the services
of our national organization to those
independent distributors of Italian
Elect 10-Man Mono.
Board on Nov. 12
Hollywood, Oct. IS. — Monogram-
Allied Artists' stockholders will meet
here Nov. 12 to elect a board of di-
rectors.
Management nominees for board
membership are W. Ray Johnston,
Steve Broidy, George D. Burrows,
(Continued on page 4)
Canadians to Honor
Industry Pioneers
Toronto, Oct. 15.— Six vet-
erans of the industry in the
Dominion who made their
start prior to 1910 have been
picked by a committee to re-
ceive special honors at a 50th
anniversary banquet of the
Canadian Picture Pioneers in
the Royal York Hotel here on
Nov. 5.
Guests will be Jule Al-
len, Premier Theatres, Tor-
onto; G. N. Ganetakos, United
Amusement Corp., Montreal;
F. G. Spencer, Saint John,
N. B. ; A. J. Mason, Springhill,
N. S.; John Schuberg, exhibi-
tor of Vancouver, and L. Ern-
est Ouimet of Montreal.
films who lack such national outlets,'
he added.
The $20,000,000 sought in the Amer-
ican market, Gualino observed, equals
the gross revenue of American mo-
tion pictures in Italy, and the speedy
achievement of this goal will eliminate
the "film dollar gap." The IFE di-
rector expressed the view that dubbed
Italian films can compete on equal
terms with Hollywood films in the
United States.
The Italian-American market will
not be neglected either, Gualino said,
adding that the IFE would offer from
25 to 30 films per year for audiences
of Italian extraction.
Next month, Gualino told the as-
(Continued on page 4)
1,300 N. Y. Theatres
Aid Rogers Drive
Over $300,000 annually is expected
to be collected by the more than 1,300
theatres of New York State which
will participate in the Will Rogers
Memorial Hospital collection-can-on-
candy project, according to Joseph R.
Vogel, chairman of the campaign.
Among the circuits already signed
are : RKO, Warner, Schine, Loew's,
Fabian, Brandt, William Berinstein,
Buffalo Paramount, Leo Brecher,
Cinema Circuit, Dipson, Interboro,
Harris, J. J. Theatres, Kallet, Kay-
bern, Randforce, Raybond, Walter
Reade, Rugoff & Becker, and others.
Weiner, Marcus and
Wurtele Honored
'Ivanhoe' Chosen for
Christopher Award
M-G-M's "Ivanhoe" was yesterday
designated as one of the winners of
the monthly Christopher Awards "for
the inspiration and high quality enter-
tainment (that it provides) to a vast
audience."
Father James Keller, M.M., founder
and director of the Christophers, dis-
closed that the winners for October
in other media are "Karen," the bi-
ography of a youthful victim of cere-
bral palsy, and the "I Love Lucy"
TV show.
Bronze medallions will be presented
to the winners for their contribution
that represents "a significant step in
the direction of providing the public
with entertainment of enduring spir-
itual value," it was said.
Three of Columbia's sales execu-
tives, with a combined total of 75
years association with the company,
were honored at a luncheon yesterday
at the 21 Club. The guests of honor,
each of whom has been with Columbia
for 25 years, were H. E. Weiner, divi-
sion manager for Eastern Pennsyl-
vania and Southern New Jersey; B.
C. Marcus, Midwestern division man-
ager, and Lester Wurtele, Philadel-
phia branch manager.
Present at the luncheon were Jack
Cohn, A. Montague, N. B. Spingold,
(Continued on page 4)
Crown Is RKO
Radio Foreign
Sales Manager
Takes New Post at Once;
Reisman Resigns as V-P
Alfred W. Crown, vice-president
in charge of worldwide sales for
Samuel Goldwyn Productions, yes-
terday was named by the new RKO
Radio manage-
ment as foreign
sales manager.
Crown will
wind up his du-
ties with Gold-
wyn Produc-
tions as soon as
possible and will
join RKO
Radio probably
in a matter of
days.
Crown's post,
a new one in
the company,
marks a re-
alignment of RKO Radio's foreign
distribution executive setup. Super-
vision of worldwide sales, both for-
(Continued on page 4)
Bingo A Violation,
Ohio Court Rules
Columbus, O., Oct. 15. — Bingo,
whether conducted for charity or
profit, violates the state constitution,
according to a decision by the Second
District Court of Appeals. The un-
animous decision upheld the opinion
last December by Common Pleas
Judge Cecil J. Randall of Franklin
County, who held that bingo is a lot-
tery, whether conducted for profit or
charity.
The Court of Appeals decision was
written by Judges Roscoe G. Horn-
beck, William C. Wiseman and Fred
J. Miller.
Safety director Donald Cook of
Columbus and sheriff Ralph J. Paul of
(Continued on page 51
Alfred Crown
Allied Convention
Roll Reaches 400
Some 400 Allied members and others
have registered to date for the organ-
ization's annual convention, Nov. 15-
17, at the Hotel Morrison in Chicago,
Jack Kirsch, convention chairman,
who has arrived here from that city,
reports.
Kirsch, who arrived yesterday for
three days of convention planning
talks with Wilbur Snaper, Allied
president, foresaw the possibility of
the "greatest" convention in Allied' s
history.
'Son' Ohio Censor
Appeal Is Beaten
Columbus, O., Oct. 15. —
Ohio's Supreme Court has
blocked the latest effort to
test the constitutionality of
Ohio film censorship by turn-
ing down a petition of Classic
Pictures of New York which
sought to force the censor
board to take another look at
"Native Son," previously re-
jected.
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, October 16, 1952
Personal
Mention
WILLIAM M. PIZOR of Lippert
Pictures has returned here from
a three- month European trip and will
shortly leave for the Coast for con-
ferences with Robert L. Lippert, com-
pany head.
•
Ben Kalmenson, Warner Brothers
distribution vice-president, became a
grandfather for the second time on
Sunday with the birth of a son, Don-
ald, to his daughter, Mrs. Bert
Levine, at Mt. Vernon Hospital, Mt.
Vernon, N. Y.
•
Eric A. Johnston, Motion Picture
Association of America president, and
Joyce O'Hara, vice-president, will be
here today from Washington for a
meeting with distribution presidents
and foreign managers.
•
Dore Schary, M-G-M vice-presi-
dent in charge of production, returned
here from Washington yesterday ac-
companied by Howard Strickling,
studio publicity head. Schary will
leave for the Coast on Oct. 26.
•
William B. Zoellner, head of
M-G-M's. short subject and newsreel
sales, will be in Jacksonville from
New York Monday and then head for
Atlanta, Charlotte and Washington.
•
Robert W. Coyne, Council of
Motion Picture Organizations special
counsel, and Sam Shain, field repre-
sentative, will leave here today for
Philadelphia.
•
Leon Bamberger, RKO Radio sales
promotion head, will address the an-
nual convention of Allied Theatre
Owners of Michigan in Detroit Mon-
day through Wednesday.
•
C. J. Latta, Warner Brothers rep-
resentative on the Associated British
Pictures Corp. board, is here from
England.
•
Bert Orde, manager of the motion
picture department of Redbook maga-
zine, will leave here tomorrow to visit
the Coast studios.
•
Herman Ripps, assistant to John
P. Byrne, M-G-M Eastern sales man-
ager, will be in Albany and Glover s-
ville for the remainder of this week.
•
Roy Disney, president of Walt Dis-
ney Productions, and Card Walker,
advertising - publicity manager, have
left here for the Coast.
•
Arthur Jeffrey has been appointed
public relations director of Magazine
Management Co.
•
Silas F. Seadler, M-G-M adver-
tising head, is due back Monday from
a vacation abroad.
•
Arthur B. Krim, United Artists
president, has left here for Hollywood
and will return in about two weeks.
•
Nate J. Blumberg, Universal board
chairman, is due here from the Coast
around Nov. 1.
Chairmen Are Named for
Chicago Charity Campaign
Chicago, III., Oct. 15.— The local
Amusement Activities Committee has
endorsed several charity campaigns
for local theatre participation and
named chairmen to head the amuse-
ment divisions for the various drives.
Jack Rose of Indiana-Illinois Thea-
tres will head the Will Rogers Hos-
pital campaign, for which theatres are
asked to place collection cans on their
candy counters and ask for donations
from their employes. Herb Sheeler of
Warner Brothers Theatres will be
chairman of the Community Fund;
David B. Wallerstein, general man-
ager of Balaban and Katz, will be in
charge of the March of Dimes cam-
paign, for which a lobby _ collection
was approved by the committee.
Ralph Smith, general manager of
Essaness Theatres, will serve as chair-
man of the Variety Club-Laravida
Jackson Park Sanitarium annual audi-
ence collection, which raised a total
of over $64,000 last year. Smith will
be assisted by William K. Hollander,
Balaban and Katz advertising and
publicity head, and Irving Mack,
President of Filmack Corp.
Kunzmann Honored
By the SMPTE
Washington, Oct. 15. — William C.
Kunzmann, retiring vice-president of
the Society of Motion Picture and
Television Engineers, was presented
with a solid gold life membership card
by the newly elected executive vice-
president, John G. Frayne, of West-
rex, at a reception held in the Statler
Hotel.
Kunzmann is also retiring from his
position with National Carbon and
may locate on the West Coast where
he hopes to operate a combination
drive-in and motel.
'Limelight' Opening
On BBC Tonight
London, Oct. 15. — Tomorrow eve-
ning's world premiere of Charles
Chaplin's "Limelight" at the Odeon
Theatre, Leicester Square, will be
televised by the British Broadcasting's
television network. In addition to
showing the arrival of audience dig-
nitaries, a precedent will be set in
BBC televising excerpts from the film
at the close of the program.
Princess Margaret will attend the
premiere. The leading lady of Chap-
lin's 40th anniversary film is Claire
Bloom, currently portraying Juliet in
the new stage production here of
Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet."
'Sudden Fear' Big
At NY RKO Houses
Joseph Kaufman's "Sudden Fear,"
RKO Radio release currently playing
at Metropolitan RKO houses, is un-
derstood to have grossed $165,000 in
five days at 19 theatres, out-grossing
any previous production to play the
circuit in the past year and a half.
'Fatima' Extensions
In Additional Spots
Warner Brothers "The Miracle of
Fatima" continues piling up holdovers
and extended runs in its early play-
dates throughout the country, the com-
pany reports.
Extended run engagements include
the Astor Theatre, New York, where
it enters its ninth week today ; the
Astor, Boston ; Madison, Detroit ;
Boyd, Philadelphia and the Center,
Buffalo, all in fourth weeks, and the
St. Francis, San Francisco, three
weeks.
Second-week holdovers have been
set at the Strand, Albany ; Strand,
Hartford ; Roger Sherman, New Ha-
ven; Strand, Scranton; Paramount,
Wilkes Barre ; Stanley, ■ Utic'a ; , May-
fair, Trenton ; Palace, Stamford ;
Strand, Akron ; Victory, Dayton ;
Strand, Erie and the Majestic, Provi-
dence.
Normal split-week situations where
the picture has been held over for a
minimum of seven days include Ritz,
Clarksburg; Strand, Greensburg ;
Havens, Olean; Capitol, Dunkirk;
Strand, Shenandoah ; Capitol, Hazel-
ton ; Hollywood, Pottsville, and the
State, Waterbury.
Loew's 'Big Five'
Promotion Starts
"Loew's Big Five New Movie Sea-
son" will be launched at noon tomor-
row with a Broadway send-off from
in front of Loew's State Theatre. A
caravan of floats, with girls in cos-
tume, will be greeted by city officials
and stage and screen celebrities, after
which they will tour the city.
Each float will represent one of
the screen programs in "Loew's Big
Five," the first of which is Stanley
Kramer's "High Noon," starring Gary
Cooper, opening at Loew's today. The
second attraction is John Ford's "The
Quiet Man," with John Wayne and
Maureen O'Hara. Following will be
the Rita Hayworth-Glenn Ford star-
rer, "Affair in Trinidad" ; the new
Betty Hutton musical, "Somebody
Loves, Me," and _ M-G-M's "The
Merry Widow," with Lana Turner
and Fernando Lamas.
Grainger Reports
'Quiet' Holdovers
James R. Grainger, Republic execu-
tive vice-president in charge of sales
and distribution, yesterday declared
that heavy holdover business and many
extended runs have been reported on
pre-release openings on "The Quiet
Man," John Ford's Technicolor pro-
duction.
The picture is going into its ninth
week in Atlantic City ; its fifth _ week
in Miami, Baltimore, Minneapolis, St.
Louis, and Philadelphia ; its fourth
week in Pittsburgh, and its third week
in Washington.
New 'U' Bank Loan
Is for $6,300,000
The new loan agreement
rcn?!uded by Universal Pic-
tures with the First National
Bank of Boston and Guaranty
Trust Co. of New York pro-
vides for a maximum credit
of $6,300,000, Leon Goldberg,
Universal treasurer, said yes-
terday. Due to an inadver-
tent error, Motion Picture
Daily had reported that the
new loan amounted to $17,-
000,000.
Goldberg said the bank
agreement consists of a $5,-
000,000 revolving fund for
Universal, to be reduced at
the rate of $500,000 annually
for four years, plus a $1,300,-
000 credit for the Universal
subsidiary, United World, on
which there are repayments
of $175,000 annually for the
first two years and $150,000
annually in the third and
fourth years.
'V Tells of End of
Decca Merger Plans
Universal Pictures Co., in its an-
swer to the minority stockholders suit
brought by Florence Long, said that
it has abandoned all plans to merge
with Decca Records, Inc., the com-
pany which bought a controlling in-
terest in Universal.
The plaintiff's attorney disclosed
that in its answer Universal said
merger plans were discarded in June,
1952. The Long suit was brought in
March of this year in New York
Supreme Court. It charged that Decca
acquired the stock of Universal in
order to gain control of the corpora-
tion and pass on the assets of Decca
to Universal at an excessive price.
Services Tomorrow
For Frederick Ryan
Frederick R. Ryan, a member of the
board of directors of Republic Pic-
tures Corp. for many years, died yes-
terday at his home here at the age
of 73.
Ryan, who in addition to the general
practice of law, had been a specialist
in corporation law and in the fields
of petroleum and motion pictures. A
Requiem Mass will be offered at St.
Vincent Ferrer Church, tomorrow at
10 A.M. Burial will be in Calvary
Cemetery.
Wife of A. H. Blank
Dies in Des Moines
Des Moines, Oct. 15.— Mrs. A. H.
Blank, 70, wife of the president of
Tri-States Theatre Corp., died here
today. She had been ill since March.
Other survivors are a son, Myron,
and a sister, Mrs. B. W. Prusiner of
Springfield, Ohio. Services will be
held Friday at Dunn Funeral Home.
Burial will be at Glendale Cemetery,
both in this city.
motion PICTURE DAILY Martin Ouigley. Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting Editor. Published daily, except Saturdays,
Snndavs 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.
Rrl Secretary James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine
BuUding William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11
North Clark Street FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq. " ' " "
Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London.'' Other Quigley Publications : Motion_ Picture Herald; Better Theatres an
London Wl; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter
Theatre Sales, each published 13 times a year as
section of Motion Picture Herald; "international Motion Picture" 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. lu<_.
WARNER BROS!
Operation
I .
>
An Undercover U. S. Marine -
and the 7-year manhunt that
zigzagged across the globe!
i
SET TO FOLLOW
SPRINGFIELD RIFLE'
AT THE PARAMOUNT, N. Y.
-AND NATIONALLY
ON ARMISTICE DAY
PHYLLIS THAXTER
PAUL PICERNI- LESTER MATTHEWS • DAN O'HERLIHY • IAY NOVELLO
liLSFJJJ
4
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, October 16, 1952
Mono. Board
Reviews
(Continued from page 1)
Howard Stub-bins, G. Ralph Branton,
Herman Rifkin, Harold J. Mirisch,
Arthur C. Bromberg, Edward Morey
and Norton V. Ritchey.
The official notice of the annual
meeting discloses that directors or of-
ficers of the company during the fiscal
year ended June 28 received fees and
salaries totaling $348,580 and bonuses
totaling $38,925, the total of these
amounts having exceeded by $17,378
the sum paid to the group during the
previous fiscal year.
The following individual compensa-
tion information also was set forth
in the notice :
Johnston, board chairman, received
$35,440 in fees and salary. Broidy,
president, received $94,582 in salary
and an $8,650 bonus, the total of these
being less by $7,236 than the amount
he received in the previous year. Bur-
rows, executive vice-president and
treasurer, got $26,597 in salary, or
less by $13,776 than the previous
year's amount. Mirisch, vice-president,
received a salary of $32,200 and bonus
of $8,650, the total of the two exceed-
ing by $10,476 the prior years' re-
muneration. Ritchey, vice-president,
received $27,300, plus $4,325 bonus, or
$1,251 more than previously. Bran-
ton, vice-president, received $29,400
salary and $8,650 bonus, his previous
remuneration having been nothing.
Morey, vice-president, received $27,-
625 salary and $4,325 bonus, or $2,876
more than previously.
According to the "notice, the direc-
tors having interests in exchanges re-
ported exchange gross sales commis-
sions received for the fiscal year as
follows :
Johnston, Cincinnati, 50 per cent
owned, $21,379; Stubbins, Los An-
geles, 50 per cent owned, $226,948;
Stubbins, Seattle, 25 per cent owned,
$85,572; Hurlbut, Detroit, 33-1/3 per
cent owned, $72,653 ; Rifkin, Boston,
100 per cent owned, $123,489; Brom-
berg, Atlanta, 85 per cent owned,
$418,687.
Johnston sold his interest in the
Cincinnati exchange a year ago, and
the commissions indicated were for
the period from July 1, 1951, to Sept.
30, 1951, it was explained.
The Iron Mistress
( W arnef Brothers)
ACTION AND ROMANCE are neatly blended in this exciting screen
adaptation of the best-selling novel of recent years by Paul Wellman
that stars Alan Ladd and Virginia Mayo in enhancing color by Technicolor.
In addition to their marquee lure the stars offer one of their better per-
formances as they make the most out of a James Webb screenplay that traces
the rise of backwoodsman Jim Bowie to wealth and notoriety in New
Orleans.
Miss Mayo portrays the belle with an appreciation of men and money
who inspires Ladd with a desire for better things. After several thrilling
knife and sword duels in which Ladd vanquishes numerous romantic rivals,
a picturesque horse race and a high-stakes card game, Miss Mayo's weakling-
husband, well performed by Alf Kjellin, is disposed of, but Ladd's love for her
has ended. He returns to the strikingly beautiful Phyllis Kirk, who had saved
his life when he was wounded in an ambush. He discards his Bowie knife and
forswears killing.
Henry Blanke's production is notable in its successful impression of lush
settings. Gordon Douglas directed ably, emphasizing the impressive action and
romance. A large and capable cast that lends support is headed by Joseph
Calleia, Tony Caruso and Douglas Dick, and includes Ned Young, George
Voskovic, Richard Carlyle, Donald Beddoe, Sarah Selby, Dick Paxton, Ed-
ward Colmans and Daria Massey.
Running" time, 110 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Nov. 22. Walter Pashkin
Crown to RKO
.ft
Weiner, Marcus
(Continued from page 1)
Leo Jaffe, Rube Jackter, Louis As-
tor, Irving Wormser, Maurice Grad,
Paul Lazarus, Jr., H. C. Kaufman,
Joe Freiberg, Seth Raisler and Vin-
cent Borelli.
Cohn and Montague presented each
of the guests with a silver bowl, suit-
ably inscribed. Facsimile signatures
of all those attending the luncheon
were also engraved.
The trio are the first of the sales
heads to reach the quarter-century
mark with the company, although more
than a score of Columbia's sales staff
has been with the company more than
20 years.
Toughest Man In Arizona
(Republic Pictures)
VAUGHN MONROE is one of the big names of the popular music field
and this follow-up to his Western debut box-office success of two years
ago in "Singing Guns," is a well-performed Trucolor entry calculated to
please. Monroe is notably credible as the hombre of the title, a Deputy
Marshal who tracks down vicious desperado Victor Jory, fights off Indians
and shyly romances Joan Leslie in the process. He pleasantly sings three
songs: "A Man's Best Friend Is His Horse," "Hound Dog (Bay at the
Moon)" and "The Man Don't Live Who Can Die Alone."
John K. Butler wrote the screenplay which provides Monroe ample oppor-
tunity to impress. He has a fine fist fight with Jory in mud and water,
dives head-first out of a locked hearse to grab and fire discarded guns, and
figures in the finale, a gun-battle showdown in a stable full of prancing
horses. Miss Leslie is ably cast as the wife of telegrapher Henry Morgan,
and is thought to be the sole survivor of an Indian massacre. Actually,
Morgan is a moral coward desirous of making quick money and after escap-
ing the Indians he joins forces with Jory's bandit brothers and aids in
Jory's escape.
Morgan's telegraph wire tapping aids the Jory gang rob a stagecoach
bearing a fortune in silver. Monroe recovers from wounds suffered in the
Jory escape and by deduction and close querying of Jory's dance-hall girl
friend, Jean Parker, establishes the gang's whereabouts. The gang is shot
down and Morgan stands trial for the shooting of sheriff Edgar Buchanan,
allowing thus the future marriage of Monroe and Miss Leslie.
Sidney Picker was the associate producer and R. G. Springsteen directed.
Also in the cast are Ian MacDonald, Lee MacGregor, Bobby Hyatt, Charlita
and Diana Christian.
Running time, 90 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Oct. 10. ° W. P.
(Continued from page 1)
eign and domestic, will be in the hands
of Arnold Picker, executive vice-
president, who takes over around
Nov. 15. Crown will direct foreign
sales under Picker. Heretofore, RKO
Radio's foreign distribution has been
handled by Phil Reisman as vice-
president, with R. K. Hawkinson as
assistant foreign manager. Both of
the latter posts will be dispensed with
under the new arrangement. Reisman's
resignation has been accepted by the
board. Whether Hawkinson will con-
tinue in a new capacity appeared not
to have been determined as of yes-
terday.
20 Years in Industry
Crown has been in the industry
more than 20 years. He represented
M-G-M in South America in the
early 1930's. From 1935 to 1938 he
was foreign manager of the old Grand
National Pictures. He was co-ordina-
tor of Inter-American Affairs in 1939
and 1940 and served in the Army for
two years thereafter. Returning to
the industry, he was with Charles K.
Feldman in Hollywood and then
joined Film Classics. In 1945,
Crown was appointed worldwide sales
manager for Goldwyn and was elected
a vice-president in 1950. Last sum-
mer he was the representative of the
Society of Independent Motion Pic-
ture Producers at negotiations in
Paris on a new film import and mone-
tary agreement for American dis-
tributors with the French.
Indications are that no successor to
Crown will be appointed immediately
by Goldwyn Productions.
Italian Films
(Continued from page 1)
Greshler Promoting Star
Hollywood, Oct. 15. — Abner Gresh-
ler has launched a quest for stories in
which to star Anthony Steele, one of
the stars of "Emergency Call," made
in England by Butcher Films, Ltd.,
and recently acquired by Greshler.
The producer plans to build the star
up with U. S. audiences in a series of
starring vehicles. "Emergency Call"
is set for early release in this country.
sembled group, the IFE sound studios
in the Skouras Theatre Building here
will be available to all importers of
Italian films for dubbing purposes. In
seeking what Gualino described as a
four per cent share of the American
box-office dollar, a strong reliance will
be placed on the consistent release of
Italian films in American language
versions, he said.
Addressing the many exhibitors at-
tending the luncheon, Gualino said the
IFE would seek their skill and ex-
perience in launching" Italian films.
"We are ready to stand with the pro-
motional and advertising dollars neces-
sary to achieve this result," Gualino
declared. He also replied to Mayor
Impellitteri's previous invitation to the
Italians to make pictures in New York,
declaring that already several pro-
ducers and directors have intentions
of making films in the city.
Gualino, who returns to Rome to-
morrow, expressed gratitude to the
sponsoring committee, headed by Win-
throp. W. Aldrich, Eric Johnston,
president of the Motion Picture As-
'Life' Issue Boosts
Italian Pictures
Italian pictures get a big boost in
the current issue of Life, on news-
stands today.
The cover is devoted to- Italian
actress Lucia Boce, under the head-
ing, of "New Crop of Beauties in
Italy." The seven-page article, which
comes following the end of "Salute to
Italian Films Week," covers such
topics as realism in Italian films, a
run-down of new product, the grow-
ing popularity of Italian films in the
American market and arguments pro
and con on dubbing.
sociation of America ; John McCarthy,
vice-president of MPAA ; E. R. Zorg-
niotti, U. S. representative of IFE ;
and Jonas Rosenfield, executive di-
rector of the "Salute" committee.
Among American industry leaders
on the dais were : Barney Balaban,
president of Paramount Pictures ;
Murray Silverstone, 20th Century-
Fox International president ; George
Weltner, president of Paramount In-
ternational Films ; and McCarthy.
COMPO Theatres
(Continued from page 1)
also attending, the meeting reviewed
COMPO's activities since June. The
governing trio expressed satisfaction
with both the results of the member-
ship drive and the progress of the
campaign for repeal of the Federal 20
per cent admission tax.
"The COMPO finance committee
and the various exhibitor committees
and sales personnel that conducted
the membership drive," said the tri-
umvirate in a statement issued after
the meeting, "performed a magnifi-
cent job. It was an unprecedented
example of what can be done by in-
dustry organization and coopera-
tion."
The co-chairmen made it plain that
the COMPO staff, headed by Coyne,
is to devote all of its activities, if
necessary, to the prosecution of the
industry's tax repeal campaign, which
is being conducted under the direc-
tion of Col. H. A. Cole of Dallas
and Pat McGee of Denver, co-chair-
men of the national tax repeal cam-
paign committee.
The co-chairmen also placed on the
record their thanks to the trade press
for its cooperation in the membership
drive and in the tax repeal campaign.
Peterson Is Named
Altec Division Head
Los Angeles, Oct. 15. — D. A.
Peterson, who was with Altec Serv-
ice Corp. in Philadelphia, has arrived
here to take over the post of Altec
Western division manager, left vacant
by the sudden death of Stanley M.
Pariseau on Oct. 7.
Thursday, October 16, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
Pimstein Active
At RKO Radio
Harry Pimstein's duties are in
full swing as assistant to Arnold
Grant, chairman of the board of
RKO Radio Pictures. Pimstein
started with
RKO in 1927,
the year he
was graduated
from Syracuse
University Law
School. He
joined B. F.
Keith Theatres'
legal depart-
ment, transfer-
ring to the
picture com-
pany in 1939.
Pimstein has
served in vari-
ous capacities
in the legal departments of RKO
Radio.
He is a member of the Motion
Picture Pioneers, Variety, Syracuse
University Club of New York, Syra-
cuse University Law Association,
and a trustee of the Bancroft
School in Haddonfield, N. J.
Harry Pimstein
FPA-SAG Talks Will
Resume Here Today
Counter-proposals will be sub-
mitted by the Film Producers As-
sociation to the Screen Actors Guild
today when negotiations between rep-
resentatives of the two groups resume
here, Mel Gold, president of the Na-
tional Television Film Council, dis-
closed yesterday.
Gold, who is also a member of the
producers' negotiating committee, in-
dicated that a wide gap currently
exists on provisions governing spot
announcements.
The status of SAG negotiations was
revealed by Gold at an NTFC
luncheon at the Hotel Warwick.
Samuel Spring, prominent attorney
and author of the book, "Rights and
Risks," warned TV producers about
the legal dangers involved in the in-
vasion of privacy. Spring, who was
a guest speaker, advised those at-
tending to seek the aid of counsel
before deciding on whether or not
someone's privacy had been invaded in
a TV show. He explored the com-
plexity of the law in regard to the
problem, both in New York and else-
where in the country.
Memphis Ruling
Makes 'Bank
Nights9 Legal
42 Pictures Are
Now in Production
FCC Okays Missouri
Television Station
Washington, Oct. 15.— The Federal
Communications Commission author-
ized construction of the first post-
freeze commercial television station in
Missouri with a grant to the Inde-
pendent Broadcasting Co. in Spring-
field.
The Commission made four other
commercial television grants. They
were: Bryant Radio and Television,
Inc., and Texas Telecasting, Inc.,
Lubbock, Tex.; the Plains Radio
Broadcasting Co., Amarillo, Tex., and
the City of St. Petersburg, St. Peters-
burg, Fla.
Cornell Films Gets 2
J. Milton Salzburg, president _ of
Cornell Films, announces the acquisi-
tion of worldwide distribution rights
to two films, "High Calling" and
"Pocahontas." Both films will be re-
leased theatrically early in 1953 and
subsequently released for non-theatri-
cal and television use. "High Calling,"
produced by Missionary Films, follows
the travels of Paul Miller and his wife
to their mission in Tibet.
PSI-TV Opens an
Office in Boston
P SI-TV, Inc., producer-distributor,
has opened a Boston office to service
New England, it was announced by
Manny Reiner, vice-president in
charge of sales.
This marks PSI-TV's third regional
office opening in the past two months,
the others being in Chicago and
Hollywood. Edward Ruff and Irv-
ing M. Farber will be in charge at
Boston.
Memphis, Oct. 15. — "Bank nights,"
as presently operated in Memphis
film houses, are legal, according to a
decision by City Commissioner Claude
A. Armour, rendered after an investi-
gation by the city police and receipt
of legal advice from city attorney
Frank B. Giannoti, Jr. Such give-
away schemes were banned in De-
cember, 1936, on the grounds that
they were common gambling.
"We have asked theatres to refrain
from the use of loudspeakers on the
outside and the gathering of crowds
to listen to drawing results," the
commissioner said.
Giannoti said he based his legal
opinion on a Tennessee Supreme
Court ruling in 1936 in the Crescent
Amusement case, originating in Nash-
ville, where the "bank night" in-
volved was similar to those now con-
ducted jointly at four houses here
owned by M. A. Lightman, Sr., and
where the court held there was not a
lottery. He pointed out that Mem-
phis theatres are going one step fur-
ther from a lottery by allowing regis-
istration for the drawings without
buying a ticket. In the Nashville
case, it was held theatre patrons got
full money's worth from the film.
Hollywood, Oct. 15. — With another
one point increase in production, the
total number of pictures in work
reached 42. Nine new pictures were
started and eight were finished.
Started were : "Timber Wolf," Al-
lied Artists; "Love Song," "Pack
Train" and "Slaves of Babylon," Co-
lumbia; "Invaders from Mars" (No-
tional Pictures), 20th Century Fox;
"Miss Robinson Crusoe," Motion Pic-
ture Artists ; "Toilers of the Sea"
(Coronado), RKO Radio; "Sioux
Uprising" and "Vermillion O'Toole,"
Universal.
Completed were : "Return to Para-
dise," Aspen Productions ; "Dangerous
When Wet," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ;
"Jamaica," Paramount ; "Silver Ship,"
20th Century-Fox ; "Law and Order,"
Universal-International ; "By the Light
of the Silvery Moon," "The Jazz
Singer" and "Sea Rogue," Warner
Brothers.
Brandts Buy Club
Albany, N. Y., Oct. 15.— Harry
and William Brandt, New York thea-
tre owners, have purchased the Arcady
Club at the Hague-on-Lake George,
an Albany realty firm announced. The
club includes a golf course, and is 16
miles from the Sagamore Hotel on
Lake George, which the Brandts ac-
quired several years ago. The Arcady
Club may be used for a boys' club, it
has been reported.
WICC-TV With ABC
Station WICC-TV in Bridgeport,
Conn., New England's first ultra-
high frequency television station and
the second such station to sign a net-
work affiliation, will join the ABC-
TV network on or about Jan. 1, it
was announced by Alfred R. Beck-
man, national director of ABC's radio
and television station relations de-
partments. In August of this year,
ABC announced the first UHF net-
work affiliation with the signing of
station WSBA-TV in York, Pa., as
a basic ABC-TV affiliate, effective
Nov. 1. The addition of station
WICC-TV to the ABC-TV network
will bring the total number of net-
work affiliates to 66.
Delay Towne Hearings
Chicago, Oct. 15. — Hearings on a
change of venue from Chicago to Mil-
waukee by defendants in the Towne
Theatre case (in which attorney
Thomas C. McConnell is asking addi-
tional attorney fees to cover the peri-
od of the appeal from the original
decision) and the Viking Theatre case
have been postponed to Monday.
India Film Heads Feted
Hollywood, Oct. 15. — Stars, direc-
tors and producers of India attended
a luncheon with Hollywood counter-
parts at which Jack L. Warner was
host. This was the final formal studio
function held for the Indian visitors
during their week here. The Indian
notables included Chadulal Shah, Raj
Kapoor, B. N. Sircar and D. Subra-
m any am.
Name Kaiser-Frazer,
'U' Prize Winners
Winners of five Henry J. Corsair
cars and $2,000 in cash prizes posted
by Universal Pictures and the Kaiser-
Frazer Corp. for the best promotional
campaigns developed by showmen for
"Steel Town," were announced by the
two companies.
Five sets of prizes were awarded to
theatremen in five population classifi-
cations : theatres in cities over 500,-
000 ; 100,000 to 500,000 ; 50,000 to 100,-
000 ; 25,000 to 50,000 and under 25,000.
Group one first prize winner of a
Henry J. was Jack Silverthorne of the
Hippodrome in Cleveland ; second
prize of $250 went to Jack Sydney of
Loew's Century in Baltimore and third
prize of $150 went to Ken Hoel of
the J. P. Harris Theatre in Pitts-
burgh.
Ohio Atty. Gen. Seen
Behind Appeal Pass
Toledo, Oct. 15. — The City, of
Toledo declined to appeal the indus-
try's victory in the Ohio newsreel
censorship case on the advice of the
state's attorney-general, William C.
O'Neil, according to defense sources.
The deadline to appeal, last Friday,
passed without the city taking any
action.
Toledo exhibitor Martin G. Smith,
backed by the Motion Picture Asso-
ciation of America and Allied Inde-
pendent Theatre Owners of Ohio,
several weeks ago won a decision by
Municipal Judge Wiley that censor-
ship of newsreels by the state was un-
constitutional. Failure of the city to
appeal means that the industry loses
the chance to take the case to the
state or U. S. Supreme Court for a
decision which could have made the
Toledo ruling mandatory across the
entire state.
On Kodak U.K. Board
London, Oct. 15. — Denis Wratten,
head of Eastman Kodak's motion pic-
ture division here, has been appointed
to the company's board of directors.
Wratten served as president of the
British Kinematograph Society for
two years and lately was made presi-
dent of the Royal Photographic
Society.
McCarthy, Italians Meet
Various trade problems, including
rental ceilings, will be discussed to-
day at a meeting- here between John
G. McCarthy, Motion Picture As-
sociation of America international
division chief, and Eitel Monaco and
Renato Gualino, Italian Film Export
officials.
Tenn. Theatre Burned
Dover, Tenn., Oct. 15. — Fire de-
stroyed the Dover Theatre, and three
business houses. The loss, estimated
at $20,000, was covered by insurance.
Owners J. T. Scurlock and Leroy
Cherry expect to rebuild as soon as
possible.
$19,350 for 'Snows'
Atlanta, Oct. 15. — Topping last
year's box-office "champ," "David and
Bathsheba," by a wide margin at the
Paramount Theatre here is Darryl F.
Zanuck's "The Snows of Kiliman-
jaro," which racked up $19,350 in its
first six days.
Article on George Sidney
The Sunday issue of Pictorial Re-
view will feature an article by Louella
Q.Parsons on George Sidney, Metro-
Goldwyn-Mayer director. The story
will trace Sidney's career with M-G-M
and include his theories about making
motion pictures. The next Sidney-
directed film will be "Young Bess."
ITOA Lunch Oct 30
Date for the luncheon to be given
by the Independent Theatre Owners
Association of New York to recently
apointed RKO Radio sales executives
is Thursday, Oct. 30. It was incor-
rectly reported here yesterday that the
luncheon was scheduled for today.
Charlotte Reopens Soon
Charlotte, Oct. 15. — The Charlotte
theatre here will reopen soon. It has
been closed since May 17. Owner
S. W. Craver said it will operate on
a policy of double feature bills with
second-run pictures for family enter-
tainment.
Bingo
(Continued from page 1)
Franklin County said the current ban-
ning of bingo games would be con-
tinued.
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RCPUBLIC
TROPICAL HEAT
WAVE
Estelita
Robert Hutton
CM — 74 min. (5126)
(Rev. 10/6/52)
DESPERADOES
OUTPOST
Alan "Roeky" Lane
O — 54 min. (5174)
(Rev. 10/9/52)
THE WAC FROM
WALLA WALLA
Judy Canova
Stephen Dunne
0—83 min. (5123)
TOUGHEST MAN
IN ARIZONA
(Color)
Vaughn Monroe
Joan Leslie
O— 90 min. (5109)
SOUTH PACIFIC
TRAIL '
Rex Allen
O
PARA.
(Sept. Releases)
JUST FOR YOU
(Color)
Bing Crosby
Jane Wyman
(5201)
CD — M — 104 min.
(Rev. 7/31/52)
CARIBBEAN
(Color)
John Payne
Arlene Dahl
D— 97 min. (5202)
(Rev. 8/4/52)
(Oct. Releases)
SOMEBODY
LOVES ME
(Color)
Betty Hutton
Ralph Meeker
M— 95 min. (5203)
(Rev. 8/20/52)
HURRICANE
SM ITH
(Color)
Yvonne DeCarlo
John Ireland
D— 90 min. (5204)
(Rev. 9/12/52)
(Nov. Releases)
THE TURNING
POINT
William Holden
Alexis Smith
D — 85 min. (5205)
(Rev. 9/18/52)
THE SAVAGE
(Color)
Charlton Heston
Susan Morrow
OD— 95 min. (5206)
(Rev. 9/18/52)
MONO.
FARGO
Wild Bill Elliott
0— 69 min. (5226)
(Rev. 9/4/52)
!
FEUDIN' FOOLS
Leo Gorcey
C— 63 min. (5213)
(Allied Artists)
BATTLE ZONE
John Hodiak
Linda Christian
D— 82 min. (AA22)
(Rev. 10/15/52)
ARMY BOUND
Stanley Clements
D — 61 min. (5216)
CANYON AMBUSH
Johnny Mack Brown
O — 53 min. (5244)
ARCTIC FLIGHT
Wayne Morris
D — 78 min. (5210)
(Rev. 8/5/52)
WYOMING
ROUNDUP
Whip Wilson
O — 53 min. (5254)
FLAT TOP
(Color)
Sterling Hayden
Richard Carlson
D— 87 min. (5201)
M-G-M
THE DEVIL
MAKES THREE
Gene Kelly
Pier Angeli
D — 91 min.
(Rev. 8/13/52)
MY MAN AND 1
Shelley Winters
Ricardo Montalhan
D — 99 min.
(Rev. 8/19/52)
BECAUSE YOU'RE
MINE
(Color)
Mario Lanza
M^103 min.
(Rev. 8/29/52)
APACHE WAR
SMOKE
Gilbert Rolrnd
Glenda Farrell
O — 67 min.
(Rev. 9/29/52)
EVERYTHING 1
HAVE IS YOURS
(Color)
Marge & Gower
Champion
Dennis O'Keefe
M — 96 min.
(Rev. 9/25/52)
THE PRISONER
OF ZENDA
(Color)
Stewart Granger
James Mason
Deborah Kerr
D— 101 min.
(Rev. 10/15/52)
THE HOUR OF 13
Peter Lawford
D — 79 min.
(Rev. 9/30/52)
LIPPERT
SCOTLAND YARD
INSPECTOR
Cesar Romero
Lois Maxwell
D (5202)
TROMBA, THE
TIGER MAN
Speci-I Cast
D — 63 min. (5201)
MR. WALKIE
TALKIE
William Tracy
Joe Sawyer
C (5203)
COLUMBIA
(Sept. Releases)
RAINBOW 'ROUND
MY SHOULDER
(Color)
Frankie Lane
Billy Daniels
M — 78 min.
(Rev. 8/8/52)
AFFAIR IN
TRINIDAD
Rita Hayworth
Glenn Ford
D — 98 min.
(Rev. 7/30/52)
WAGON TEAM
Gene Autry
0 — 61 min.
(Rev. 9/5/52)
(Re-Release)
THE MINE WITH
THE IRON DOOR
Richard Arien
Cecilia Parker
D — 66 min.
(Rev. 4/20/36)
(Oct. Releases)
ASSIGNMENT-
PARIS
Dana Andrews
Marta Toren
D — 85 min.
(Rev. 9/4/52)
THE GOLDEN
HAWK
(Color)
Rhonda Fleminq
Sterling Hayden
D— 83 min.
(Rev. 9/10/52)
(Nov. Releases)
HANGMAN'S
KNOT
(Color)
Randolph Scott
Donna Reed
OD
VOODOO TIGER
Jehnny Weismuller
D— 67 min.
BLUE CANADIAN
ROCKIES
Gene Autry
O — 58 min.
(Re-Release)
LADIES OF
THE CHORUS
Marilyn Monroe
Adele Jergens
D — 61 min.
UJ u.
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CO
Sept.
14
Sept.
21
Sept.
28
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MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
Accurate
Con
VOL. 72. NO. 76
NEW YORK, U.S.A., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1952
TEN CENTS
Star Tours Up
Ind. Business,
SaysRembusch
Cites Aid from Indiana
Battle with Texas
Theatre business has improved
and remained good in practically
every Indiana community visited by
the recent "Movietime" tours spon-
sored by exhib-
itors of that
state, Trueman
T. Rembusch,
Indiana Allied
president, re-
ported here yes-
terday.
On the other
hand, he said,
there has been
no comparable
improvement in
business in
theatres in
towns which
were not in-
cluded in the itinerary of the group
(Continued on page 3)
Trueman Rembusch
$5,435,000 Earned
By UPT in First
Nine Months of '52
Estimated earnings of United Para-
mount Theatres for the first nine
months of 1952 amounted to $5,435
000, including capital gains of $1,465
000, compared with earnings of $9
537,000, including capital gains of $3
483,000 for the same period in 1951,
Leonard H. Goldenson, UPT presi-
dent, reported to stockholders yester-
day.
Estimated consolidated earnings for
the third quarter of this year were put
at $1,627,000, compared with estimated
(Continued on page 6)
Withdrawal
lustrv Work
Cole Recommends Allied Members Resign
From Arbitration, COMPO Jobs to Devote
Full Time to Fight Against Sales Policies
Dallas, Oct. 16. — A recommendation that members of Allied
States withdraw from such all-industry endeavors as the preparation
of a plan of industry arbitration, direction of the campaign for
elimination of the 20 per cent Federal amusement tax and the
administration of the Council of Motion Picture Organizations is
advanced by H. A. Cole, president of Texas Allied and a director
- of the national organization, in a
Hawkinson in New
RKO Foreign Post
Robert K. Hawkinson, former
assistant foreign sales manager of
RKO Radio, yesterday was named
foreign administration manager for the
company by the new management.
In the post, a newly created one,
Hawkinson will work under Alfred
W. Crown, RKO Radio's new foreign
sales manager. Both assume their new
duties at once.
The RKO Radio board in making
the announcement said it believes that
(Continued on page 6)
Mexican Film Quota
Bill Becomes Law
N. J. Allied Surveys
Operating Houses
Allied of New Jersey decided to
compile a statistical survey on whether
theatres in that area are open, par-
tially open, or closed, at their meet-
ing Tuesday, it was revealed yester-
day by Wilbur Snaper, New Jersey
Allied and National Allied president.
One hundred and thirteen New Jersey
theatres were represented at the meet-
ing.
According to Snaper a thorough
(Continued on page 3)
Says Ampa School
Aids Youngsters
Barret S. McCormick, advertising-
director of RKO Radio Pictures Corp.,
addressing an
audience of
young industry
workers enrolled
for the Asso-
ciated Motion
Picture Adver-
tisers' show-
manship course
last night at the
Hotel Wood-
stock, empha-
sized the high
value to the in-
dustry and the
individual of the
course, which
acquaints industryites with the rarni-
(Continued on page 3)
Barret McCormick
PHIL REISMAN NAMED V-P OF
JOSEPH KENNEDY INDUSTRIES
Mexico City, Oct. 16.— The Mexi-
can cinematograph quota bill, regarded
as a sledge-hammer blow to American
distributors, has passed both houses
of this country's legislature, and now
is virtually law. The Senate passed
the bill yesterday following similar
action a counle of weeks ago bv Con-
gress. President Aleman's signature
is assured since he has openly favored
the measure which would cut by about
50 per cent the screening time_ of
American-made pictures in Mexican
theatres.
Phil Reisman, whose resignation as
vice-president in charge of foreign
distribution for
RKO Radio
was accepted by
the new man-
agement of the
company this
week, has been
named vice-
president of Jo-
seph P. Ken-
nedy Industries.
Reisman also
will act as con-
sultant to RKO,
as required, the
company stated
yesterday.
Kennedy, who
Phil Keisman
heads the company,
was a dominant figure in the old FBO
and Pathe companies and was instru-
mental in the consolidation of both
with other units to make up the pres-
ent RKO corporation. With Guy
Currier, Boston attorney, Kennedy
effected a merger of FBO with
Keith-Albee-Orpheum in 1927, which
gave the present company its first in-
terests in exhibition. In 1930, Ken-
nedy was instrumental in bringing
Pathe into the RKO fold. In all of
these ventures Reisman was closely
associated with Kennedy.
Kennedy, a former U. S. Ambassa-
dor to Great Britain, has been inactive
in the industry for the past 20 years.
He has extensive real estate holdings
in . New York, Chicago and Boston,
(Continued on page 6)
letter to Allied president Wilbur
Snaper.
The letter, dated Oct. 9, and re-
leased for pub-
lication tomor-
row, refers to
the role of
A b r a m F.
Myers, Allied
chairman and
general counsel,
in the drafting
of an arbitra-
tion plan ; to
that of True-
man Rembusch,
former Allied
president, as a
member of the
three-man gov-
erning board of
Cole's own role as co-chairman of the
COMPO campaign for admission tax
repeal.
The recommendation is made,
Cole states in his letter, be-
cause he feels that Allied lead-
(Continued on page 3)
H. A. Colo
COMPO, and
to
Cole Proposal On
Meet Agenda: Myers
Washington, Oct. 16. — Allied
States Association general counsel
Abram F. Myers said that Colonel
F. H. A. Cole's proposal "has already
been placed on the agenda" for the
Allied board meeting in Chicago next
month.
Col. Cole proposed that all Allied
officials withdraw from all industry-
wide organizations and campaigns as
an answer to what he claimed were
distributor price-raising tactics en-
gaged in while the Allied leaders were
busv on the all-industry matters.
Myers refused to comment on the
Co1e proposal in the meantime. He
said Cole's letter was formally ad-
(Continued on page 3)
2
Motion Picture Daily
Friday, October 17, 1952
Personal
Mention
DAVID LIPTON, Universal ad-
vertising-publicity director, will
leave here today for the Coast.
•
Charles Schlaifer, president of
the advertising agency of the same
name and co-chairman of the Na-
tional' Mental Health Committee, has
returned from Washington where he
addressed the Community Services
Council of the National Institute of
Mental Health on "The Layman's and
the Professional's Role m Mental
Health."
•
Edwin W. Aaron, Western sales
manager for 20th Century-Fox, is in
Chicago and will return to New York
on Monday.
•
Abe Fein berg, artists representa-
tive, has been cited by the Eastern
Paralyzed Veterans Association for
his work on its behalf.
Jack Harris, Walter Reade The-
atres film buyer, and Mrs. Harris,
will return from a Bermuda vacation
on Monday.
•
Loren Ryder, head of Paramount
sound and technical developments, will
return to Hollywood over the weekend
from here.
•
Al Chiarpotti, Universal booker in
San Francisco, will be inducted into
the Army today.
Rejects Injunction
In 0. Henry' Case
The injunctive relief sought by the
Fine Arts Theatre was denied here
yesterday by New York Supreme
Court Justice Morris Elder.
Justice Elder, in rejecting the plain-
tiff's petition which sought to bar
yesterday's opening of "O. Henry's
Full House" at the Trans-Lux 52nd
Street, said the plaintiff failed to es-
tablish a clear and sufficient case. The
dispute involved first-run rights to
the film, made by 20th Century-Fox,
which was one of the defendants in the
suit.
Counsel for the Fine Arts said that
his client would continue the claim for
damages against 20th-Fox and the
Trans-Lux Lexington Corp., operators
of the 52nd Street house.
Files $1,530,000
Trust Suit Here
A $1,530,000 triple damage trust
suit against the majors and others
was filed here yesterday in Federal
Court by the trustees of the defunct
Tower Amusement Corp. and Tri-
umph Amusement Corp., operators of
the Tower Theatre, Bronx. The trus-
tees in dissolution were identified as
Abraham Leff and Samuel Straus-
berg. Besides the distributors, Metro-
politan Playhouses and Skouras Thea-
tres were named as defendants. The
plaintiff charged the theatre closed
due to its failure to obtain product.
Unreasonable clearances and discrimi-
natory practices were also alleged.
Compo Board Sets Chicago
Meeting for December
The annual Council of Motion Picture Organizations board of direc-
tors meeting has been set tentatively for the second week in December
in Chicago. . ' .. . - , ,
Approximately two months later, in February, there will be held in
Hollywood another COMPO "round- —
Walsh Gets Bid for
Pathe Strike Here
table" conference of exhibitors and
producers on production problems.
Distribution also may be represented
at this conference, although hereto-
fore it has not been a "round-table"
participant.
Virtually the entire Chicago board
meeting will be devoted to discussing
and analyzing the campaign for repeal
of the 20 per cent Federal admission
tax, according to those who have been
planning the parley. Congress will
convene a few weeks after the meet-
ing and COMPO's tax fighting ma-
chinery will have to be in perfect
working order for the Congressional
assault which will climax the months
of local anti-admission tax activity
that will have occupied practically all
of the industry agency's attention.
The board meeting will be presided
over by Trueman T. Rembusch, Al
Lichtman and Samuel Pinanski,
COMPO's governing chairmen. _
Chicago was selected as the site of
the meeting at the request of Mid-
west and Far West board members
who hitherto have had to travel to
New York for such gatherings.
NSS Exchange Help
Move to Join 'I A'
National Screen Service has been
informed by IATSE Motion Picture
Home Office Employes Local No.
H-63 here that the "white collar" em-
ployes at the company's New York
exchange have asked the union to
represent them in collective bargain-
ing, according to Russell M. Moss,
H-63 executive vice-president.
Moss said the local's attorneys will
petition the National Labor Relations
Board for an election among the ex-
change workers to determine if the
union is to represent them.
Win Appeal on Md.
Censoring of 'Lives9
Baltimore, Oct. 16. — The City
Court has ruled that deletions ordered
in "Damaged Lives" by the Maryland
State Board of Censors were unjusti-
fied.
This was the first appeal m this
court on a censorship decision since
the ruling of the Supreme Court in
the "Miracle" and "Pinky" cases and
the first time since Sidney R. Traub
assumed chairmanship of the State
Board that the board has been re-
versed on appeal.
The appeal was taken by John Rose
of Rose Road Shows of Washington,
owners of the film.
After negotiating without success
since last July for a new union con-
tract for the Pathe Industries "white
collar" employes here, IATSE Motion
Picture Home Office Employes Local
No. H-63 has petitioned Richard F.
Walsh, "IA" international president,
for permission to strike, Russell M.
Moss, H-63 executive vice-president,
reported yesterday.
The local's contract with Pathe ex-
pired Sept. 30. It was signed last year
following months of negotiations
which ended in a strike of one-half
day's duration.
Upon receiving the H-63 petition,
Walsh at once appointed Joseph Bas-
son, international representative, to
confer with the local and the company
to see if a strike could be avoided.
Basson, currently out of town, is ex-
pected to arrange a meeting in about
10 days.
Moss said the local is demanding
wage increases and certain extra bene-
fits, such as free hospitalization and
insurance. Management negotiators
have been David Malamed and Leon-
ard Cooper. Moss described the latter
as a former business agent for the
Screen Office and Professional Em-
ployes Guild, erstwhile CIO affiliate
which now is allied with the Distribu-
tive, Processing and Office Workers
of America.
A "white collar" workers' strike at
Pathe could shut down the film
processing plant since it is held un-
likely that members of other "IA"
locals represented there would cross
picket lines. None crossed the lines
when they were formed by H-63 in
the dispute last year.
Canada Exports Down
Ottawa, Oct. 16. — Exports of films
declined to $3,202,000 in the first eight
months of this year, compared with
$3,679,000 a year ago, the Canadian
government reports.
'The Thief Opens
To A Big $13,242
"The Thief" opened to a big $13,-
242 at the Roxy here, topping previ-
ous mid-week opening grosses, David
T. Katz, Roxy managing director, dis-
closed yesterday.
The picture, which opened Wednes-
day, is the first United Artists release
at the Roxy under the theatre's new
policy of presenting films from all
motion picture companies.
Tassos in New Post
John Tassos, former Paramount
Pictures publicist, has been named
director of public relations and publi-
city of the Roney Plaza and Gulf
Stream Hotels in Miami Beach, the
McAllister in Miami, and the Boca
Raton Hotel and Club at Boca Raton,
it was announced here by G. David
Schine, president and general manager
of Schine Hotels.
Arnall Opens Tour
For Dem. Candidates
Washington, Oct. 16.— Ellis
Arnall, president of the So-
ciety of Independent Motion
Picture Producers, revealed
he will start out tomorrow
on 10 days of speech-making
on behalf of Democratic can-
didates Adlai Stevenson and
John Sparkman. His tour,
arranged by the Democratic
national committee, will take
him into Ohio, Michigan,
Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin,
Iowa, West Virginia and
Georgia.
Para. Division Heads
Holding 5 Meetings
All five of Paramount's domestic
division sales managers are currently
holding meetings with branch and
booking managers and salesmen as a
follow-up to the company's recent
special three-day conclave in Chicago,
which was presided over by A. W.
Schwalberg, president of Paramount
Film Distributing Corp.
Principal topics for discussion are
sales and merchandising plans for the
balance of this year's releases and an
appraisal of the top product being-
readied for 1953.
Hugh Owen, Eastern- Southern div-
ision manager, today winds up a week-
long session with the Southern por-
tion of his division in Atlanta, and will
meet with the Eastern portion start-
ing Tuesday
Al Kane, South Central division
manager, is huddling with his sales
team in Dallas, while J. J. Donohue.
Central division manager, and Howard
Minsky, Mid-Eastern division man-
ager, are holding meetings in Chicago
and Philadelphia, respectively.
George Smith, Western division
manager, is presiding in Los Angeles
at the first of four meetings. Later
he will travel to San Francisco, Salt
Lake and Seattle for similar sessions.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center — ^—
MARIO LANZA in
"BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE"
introducing DOR ETTA MORROW
Color by TECHNICOLOR - An M-G-IW Picture
plus
SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION
SOB
JAMS
ROY erf
ight F«otwr*
MOTION PICTURE DAILY.
Martin Ouiglev Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane. Editor; Terry Ramsaye. Consulting Editor. Published daily, except Saturdays.
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Friday, October 17, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
McCormick; Trade
Press Unequalled
"Our industry is fortunate
in having a group of trade
papers unequalled in any
other industry," Barrett S.
McCormick told the enroll-
ment of the showmanship
course conducted by the Asso-
ciated Motion Picture Adver-
tisers at the Hotel Wood-
stock, last night.
He noted, "Trade advertis-
ing has a very important
place in the motion picture
business. It informs the re-
tailer, the theatre man, about
new product. It does, or
should, present in one way or
another the selling possibili-
ties of the subject and stimu-
late his imagination and
sense of showmanship."
Asks Allied Withdrawal
(Continued from page 1)
Ampa School
(Continued from page 1)
fications of advertising, publicity and
promotion. . ,
He noted, "In these days of special-
ization one can become a little too
specialized. There are too many
people working in the business who
know but one phase of it and they
should know all three, because they
are inseparably joined in the work
that we do, and will continue to do,
as long- as show business survives.
Citing the growth of motion pic-
ture advertising over the past 40
years, McCormick opined that film
advertisers have done more to influ-
ence all advertising than any other
group.
McCormick noted, "This is a great
business and I think it will continue
to be a great business for a long time
to come, with plenty of opportunity
for those with initiative, imagination
and ambition." He called for the
group to "know your audience, feel
with them in their interests and de-
sires and never be superior. Remem-
ber, the great mass of people are, in
one way or another, specialists in their
own line of work or knowledge but
are not in yours."
N. J. Allied Survey
(Continued from page 1)
discussion took place revolving around
everyday problems in distributor rela-
tions. He noted that the delegate to
the national Allied convention, Irving
Dollinger, was instructed on the sub-
ject matter to be presented at the
board meeting. Considerable discus-
sion was held with an equal expres-
sion of opinion concerning an appeal
for further government intervention.
Particular expression was made
about the availability of pictures clas
sified as specials where theatres
charge the same admission prices, in
the belief that if admission prices
were matched, availability should be
day and date.
When 1/cu Tjeed a
PECIAL TRAILER
500D' and FAST
CHICAGO 5, 1327 S. WABA5H AV£.
NEW YORK 36, 630 NINTH AVE.
ers, preoccupied with such re-
sponsibilities, have neglected
the interests of independent ex-
hibitors with the result that
"other elements in our indus-
try have taken advantage of our
preoccupation and through one
means or another are short-
sightedly doing the industry a
great disservice."
Amplifying on that charge, Cole's
letter cites a number of alleged trade
practice abuses in the realms of com-
petitive bidding, sales terms, advanced
admission prices, clearance and cir-
cumvention of some Federal consent
decree injunctions.
"To anyone who desires a bill of
particulars," Cole's letter says, "it will
be easy to furnish."
The letter reviews some Allied his-
tory and organization policies, citing
its role in the bringing of the U. S.
vs Paramount et al anti-trust suit and
the results of the suit, including thea-
tre divorcement, which it terms "a
travesty of justice" which left the
"large chain operations in a sounder,
more powerful position than they ever
enjoyed before."
"The injunctive relief granted by
the courts in some particulars were
good," the letter continues, "and some
good results have been obtained.
However, the film companies and
their attorneys with customary adroit-
ness have seized on some issues and
some court decisions, to themselves
introduce such abortions, not a part
of the immediate court decision, as
bidding.
Evaded Rules
"Through various devices they have
also gotten around the court injunc-
tion against forcing higher admission
prices. Using their bidding system in
exactly the manner the court said that
system would be used they have
forced up terms and prices for their
film, they have evaded the rules as
to clearance. . . ."
The Cole letter complains of sales
policies "forcing thousands of theatres
out of business" and making it impos-
sible for others to show "many worth-
while films" profitably. It mentions
"Greatest Show on Earth," "Son of
Paleface," "Jumping Jacks," "Quo
Vadis" and "Ivanhoe."
"With the government suit in back
of them," the Cole letter continues,
"Allied to some extent abandoned its
traditional militant leadership. Our
leaders thought the time had come
when we should build rather than tear
down. With that thought in mind Al-
lied gave its heartiest support to
COMPO. . . our general counsel, Mr.
Myers, was drafted and instructed by
us to undertake the long, tedious job
of formulating a plan for arbitration.
Our former president, Trueman Rem-
busch, was drafted to became one of
the three co-leaders of COMPO. For
myself, I received instructions from
our board of directors last spring to
undertake the drive for repeal of the
20 per cent admission tax."
"I think the time has come,"
the Cole letter concludes, "when
we in Allied must recognize the
fact that we stand almost alone
in an unselfish attempt to do
an all-industry job and that in
doing this we have sacrificed
the interests of thousands of
exhibitors because other ele-
ments in our industry have
taken advantage of our preoccu-
pation and through one means
or another are shortsightedly
doing the industry a great dis-
service."
"In view of all this, I have the
following recommendation : That Al-
lied free its personnel from their obli-
gation to do these outside jobs. That
Allied recommend to those of its
members who have unselfishly taken
these various jobs and obligations that
they withdraw from them and resign
from such positions. This recommen
dation is made with the greatest of
reluctance because those jobs have
not been completed and, while others
probably can and will take over, the
causes themselves will inevitably suf
fer. However, we can see no other
conclusion."
Clarifying Statement
To eliminate an impression gained
by trade press reporters that Cole's
recommendation could be construed
to mean that Allied exhibitor mem
bers should withdraw from the Fed
eral tax repeal campaign, in the event
the Allied board accepts his proposal
Cole issued the following clarifying
statement :
"I do not advocate the with-
drawal of all Allied members
from the tax fight. I merely
recommend to the Allied board
that their three leaders, whom
Allied had loaned to COMPO
and the industry at large to do
ipecial jobs, be freed from their
obligation to do those jobs.
"There is no implication in my let-
ter that the Allied individual exhibi-
tors should cease from their efforts
to get their Congressmen pledged to
tax repeal. I as an individual expect
to do that part of our job and to per-
sonally contact my own Congressman
in a continued effort for tax repeal.
The tax fight must go on."
Cole's recommendation is scheduled
to be submitted to the meeting of the
Allied board of directors in Chicago,
Nov. 15-16. If approved, it is gen-
erally anticipated that further Allied
participation in either arbitration or
COMPO, if not ruled out entirely,
would be on an individual rather than
an organizational basis.
Arbitration Draft
In the Mail Today
The distributor - amended
draft of a projected industry
arbitration system will be
mailed today by the Motion
Picture Association of Amer-
ica to representatives of
Allied States Association,
Theatre Owners of America,
Metropolitan Motion Picture
Theatres Association, West-
ern Theatre Owners and the
Independent Theatre Owners
Association of New York, it
was indicated here yesterday
by an MPAA spokesman.
Rembusch Says
(Continued from page 1)
Myers
(Continued from page 1)
dressed to Allied president Wilbur
Snaper, but that actually it was meant
for the Allied board "which commis-
sioned all of us working on these in-
dustry matters." He said it would
definitely be on the board agenda, and
that he would be a fool to "attempt
to predict or discuss what the board
will do."
If the board should approve Cole's
proposal, Myers made clear, all Al-
lied officers working on industry-wide
campaigns would have to quit. "There's
no individual authority in such mat-
ters," he declared. "Every bit of
authority that Cole or Trueman Rem-
busch or myself or Snaper wields in
these undertakings springs from the
board. The board designated us as its
representatives. When it withdraws
that designation, our power ends."
of touring stars, headed by Forrest
Tucker.
Here from Franklin, Ind., on busi-
ness for the Council of Motion Pic-
ture Organizations, one of whose three
governing chairmen he is, Rembusch
took time out yesterday to lunch with
trade press representatives and dis-
cuss with them the showmanship ri-
valry that has developed between
Texas COMPO and the Indiana thea-
tremen.
In Rembusch's opinion the friendly
inter-state competition will serve to
benefit the cause of showmanship in
both states. Moreover, he said, the
prospect of other states entering into
the competition is good, with the re-
sult that exhibitors united under state
banners all across the country may
soon be racing each other for supre-
macy in showmanship.
Recently Indiana theatremen chal-
lenged the Texans for the "Show-
manship Crown of the Entire World."
Yesterday, in a telegram to Rem-
busch and Marc Wolfe, also an In-
diana Allied leader, Kyle Rorex of
Texas COMPO accepted the challenge
and derided, in humorous vein, the
Indiana claims to having surpassed
the accomplishments of exhibitors in
the Lone Star State. Rembusch
laughingly labeled the wire "just an-
other tornado out of Texas."
'Noxious Assignment'
The Rorex wire, sent in behalf of
R. J. O'Donnell, H. A. Cole, Edward
H. Rowley, H. J. Griffith, Claude
Ezell and others, stated that "Texas
regrets that the gentlemen from In-
diana leave no alternative other than
the noxious assignment of comparison
in the clarification of the triple claims
made by the esteemed Indianians."
The wire then made comparisons of
showmanship accomplishments along
the lines of "anything you can do we
Texans can do better — and bigger."
"While Texas regrets calling atten-
tion to the obvious conclusion," the
wire read, "it must be guided by the
record which reveals that Indiana
must first emerge from her amateur
status before her contention for the
showmanship crown can become va-
lid."
Rembusch departed for Franklin
yesterday afternoon.
In New York yesterday, Snaper and
Rembusch, interviewed individually,
each commented on the Cole proposal
in the same vein as Myers.
German-made Film Here
"The Berliner," a German-made
political comedy about life in the Ger-
man capital amid diplomatic storms
from the West and East, will have its
American premiere at the Beekman
Theatre here on Monday, Oct. 27, dis-
tributor Joseph Burstyn announced.
Start the New Year
with a
MILLION
DOLLAR
MERMAID
Plan NOW because
there is positively no
attraction for the
holidays to equal
the spectacular
TECHNICOLOR
beauty, fun
and music of
M-G-M's
Gala
Show! - '
with
f TRADE SHOWS OCT. 30
M-G-M's MIRACLE MUSICAL ~»
ESTHER WILLIAMS
VICTOR MATURE
WALTER PIDGEON
DAVID BRIAN
Screen Play by
EVERETT FREEMAN
Directed by
WIERVYN LeROY
Produced by
JR.
ALBANY 20th- Fox Screen Room
ATLANTA 20th- Fox Screen Room
BOSTON M-G-M Screen Room
BUFFALO 20th-Fox Screen Room
CHARLOTTE 20th- Fox Screen Room
CHICAGO H. C. Igel's Screen Room
CINCINNATI RKO Palace Bldg. Sc. Rm.
CLEVELAND 20th-Fox Screen Room
DALLAS 20th- Fox Screen Room
DENVER Paramount Screen Room
OES MOINES 20th- Fox Screen Room
DETROIT Max Blumenthal's Sc. Rm.
INDIANAPOLIS 20th- Fox Screen Room
JACKSONVILLE Florida State Screen Room
VAMCAC PITV on+U Cw Cr.oun Rnnm
1052 Broadway 10/30
197 Walton St., N. W. 10/30
46 Church Street 10/30
290 Franklin Street 10/30
308 S. Church Street 10/30
1301 S. Wabash Ave. 10/30
16 East Sixth Street 10/30
2219 Payne Avenue 10/30
1803 Wood Street 10/30
2100 Stout Street 10/30
1300 High Street 10/30
2311 Cass Avenue 10/30
326 No. Illinois St. 10/30
128 East Forsyth St. 10/30
i7on wv^>i^t. g* m/^n
2
2
2
2
:30
P.M.
P.M.
P.M.
P M.
P.M.
:30 P.M.
8 P.M.
1 P.M.
10:30 A.M.
2 P.M.
1 P.M.
1 :30 P.M.
10:30 A.M.
2 P.M.
1 .Qfl P M
MEMPHIS
MILWAUKEE
MINNEAPOLIS
NEW HAVEN
NEW ORLEANS
NEW YORK
OKLAHOMA CITY
OMAHA
PHILADELPHIA
PITTSBURGH
PORTLAND
ST. LOUIS
SALT LAKE CITY
SAN FRANCISCO
_
20th-Fox Screen Room
Warner Screen Room
20th-Fox Screen Room
20th-Fox Screen Room
20th-Fox Screen Room
M-G-M Screen Room
20th- Fox Screen Room
20th-Fox Screen Room
M-G-M Screen Room
M-G-M Screen Room
B. F. Shearer Screen Rr
S'Renco Art Theatre
20th- Fox Screen Room
20th- Fox Screen Room
m
151 Vance Avenue 10/30 12Nodn
212 W. Wisconsin Ave. 10/30 1:30 P.M.
1015 Currie Avenue 10/30 8 P.M.
40 Whiting Street 10/30 2 P.M.
200 S. Liberty St. 10/30 1:30 P.M.
630 Ninth Avenue 10/30 2:30 P.M.
10 North Lee Street 10/30 1 P.M.
1502 Davenport St. 10/30 1 P.M.
1233 Summer Street 10/30 2 P.M.
1623 Blvd. of Allies 10/30 2 P.M.
1947 N. W. Kearney St. 10/30 2 P.M.
3143 Olive Street 10/30 1P.M.
216 E. First St., So. 10/30 1 P.M.
245 Hyde Street 10/30 1:30 P.M.
oo*_o o
6
Motion Picture Daily
Friday, October 17, 1952
Companies Adopt Split-up of
Japanese Import Licenses
NEWS
in Brief
Phil Reisman
(Continued from page 1)
his home, and numerous other com-
mercial investments.
Reisman, one of the real veterans of
the industry, well known and highly
regarded in film circles throughout the
world, started his career in 1917 as a
salesman for the old Triangle Film
Co. After a year with Samuel Gold-
wyn he became Milwaukee manager
for Triangle, then joined the old Hod-
kinson Film Co. in Minneapolis. He
switched to Paramount there and in
1920 was named Minneapolis branch
manager, and in 1922 was appointed
district manager.
To Paramount in 1924
In 1924 he was transferred to Can-
ada as Paramount general manager.
The following year he was named
Eastern division manager and assis-
tant to the late Sidney R. Kent. From
1927 to 1930 he was general sales
manager of Pathe, and from 1930 to
1932 was general sales manager of
Universal. After one year as film
buyer and booker for RKO Theatres
he was named vice-president and gen-
eral manager of RKO's export divi-
sion in 1934. He was appointed for-
eign sales manager in 1939 and vice-
president in charge of foreign dis-
tribution in 1942.
During the war he was in South
America for the Coordinator of In-
ter-American Affairs and was active
in the foreign distribution division of
the industry War Activities Commit-
tee. He is the recipient of numerous
foreign decorations.
Hawkinson
(Continued from page 1)
"the combination of Arnold Picker,
executive vice-president, Crown and
Hawkinson gives the company one of
the best informed and most able group
of foreign department executives in
the industry."
The board also expressed its grati-
tude to Samuel Goldwyn "for the gra-
cious manner in which he acceded to
the company's request that he release
Mr. Crown from his current contract
so that his services could be available
to RKO Radio.
Crown was vice-president in charge
of worldwide sales for Goldwyn.
Italian Film Group
To Visit Hollywood
A contingent of Italian film repre-
sentatives, headed by Nicola de Pirro,
director of the Italian Government's
Entertainment Industry Bureau, will
leave here for Hollywood by plane to-
morrow as guests of Arthur M. Loew,
president of Loew's International
Corp.
The group includes Dr. Eitel Mon-
aco, president of the National Asso-
ciation of Motion Picture and Allied
Industries ; Italo Gemini, president of
the Italian General Association of
Show Business ; Giuseppe La Guardia,
banker, and Renzo Rufini, secretary-
general of Italian Films Export.
While on the Coast, they will ex-
amine the techniques and organization
of the Hollywood studios.
Another contingent, topped by Sil-
vana Mangano and her husband, pro-
ducer Dino de Laurentiis, will be the
guests of Paramount Pictures. They,
too, will fly from here tomorrow.
Motion Picture Export Association
member companies' presidents and
foreign managers yesterday arrived at
a tentative agreement on the spht-up
of import licenses which have been
allocated for the second half of the
current fiscal year by the Japanese
government.
The 10 companies agreed to take
one less license each than they had for
the first half when the overall allo-
cation was 63. Thus, with 59 permits
to share in the second half under the
slicing made by the Japanese, the
companies are sharing 53, which
means that six licenses are being held
in abeyance until a decision can_ be
made concerning their distribution.
The companies gave themselves 30
days to reach such a decision.
Under the tentative arrangement
the licenses are shared as follows:
Loew's, eight ; 20th-Fox, seven ; Para-
mount, six; Warner, six; Columbia,
five; RKO Radio, five; Universal,
five; Republic, four; United Artists,
four; Allied Artists, three.
Meanwhile, the MPEA will con-
tinue to press the Japanese govern-
ment for an allocation at least equal
to that for the first half, it was re-
ported.
Australian and U. S.
Tastes Held Alike
The film tastes of most Australians
closely parallel those of Americans,
according to Marshall Palmer, Aus-
tralian exhibitor, currently visiting
here. The similarity, explained
Palmer, is one reason for the popu-
larity of Hollywood films in Australia.
Palmer, owner of two theatres on
the outskirts of Brisbane, said about
85. per cent of the films shown in
Australia are American and approxi-
mately 10 per cent are British. The
preference of Australian audiences, he
added, are Westerns and musicals.
The Australian exhibitor blamed
government restrictions for the dearth
of native films. Also, he said, it is
almost impossible to build a new the-
atre due to government control of
materials. Palmer said that grosses
on the whole have improved through
the years. He added, though, that
Australian exhibitors are worried
about the possible introduction of TV
there.
Palmer plans to leave here tomor-
row for Montreal enroute home fol-
lowing a three-day visit here. He is
on a seven-month trip around the
world.
Says Zenith Has 3
Methods of Pay TV
Chicago, Oct. 16. — Zenith Radio
Corp. today made public the contents
of a letter sent by Commander Eu-
gene F. McDonald, Jr., Zenith presi-
dent, to leaders of the motion picture
industry in which he claims that
Zenith is prepared to service all home
subscribers within range of a tele-
vision station by using three different
collection methods : collection on the
phone bill, selling code cards at retail
outlets, and use of coin slots on the
sets themselves. The firm is plan-
ning a demonstration shortly, he wrote.
UPT Earns
(Continued from page 1)
consolidated earnings of $2,391,000 for
the third quarter in 1951. Capital gains
net for the third quarter amounted to
$30l',000 while the capital gains net
for the same quarter last year was
$2,297,000, it was stated.
49 Cents Per Share
Goldenson said that consolidated
earnings, excluding capital gains, rep-
resent 49 cents per share for the third
quarter and $1.20 per share for the
nine months of 1952 on 3,300,830
shares outstanding as compared with
69 cents and $1.73 per share, respec-
tively, on 3,260,213 shares for the'eor-
responding periods of 1951. Consoli-
dated earnings including capital gains
amounted to 58 cents for the third
quarter of 1952 and $1.65 for the nine
months of 1952 as compared to $1.39
and $2.80 for the same periods of 1951.
During the third quarter, the UPT
president reported, the company dis-
posed of 24 theatres, 10 of which were
by termination of joint interests, pre-
sumably in line with the consent
decree.
Theatre television installations have
been added in UPT operating com-
panies in Dallas and Houston, while
other installations are underway in
Los Angeles, Salt Lake City and Buf-
falo, he disclosed.
The statement to stockholders put
profits before Federal income tax and
other items at $8,339,000 for the first
nine months of 1952, compared to $10,-
944,000 for the same period in 1951.
Third quarter profits before Federal
taxes and other items for 1952 were
$3,564,000, compared to $4,251,000 for
1951.
In the disposal of 24 theatres, the
company received a net of $446,023 in
cash and $212,850 in notes.
Additional $875,000
Goldenson stated that shortly after
the end of the third quarter, UPT pre-
paid an additional $875,000 to the
three banks which hold the two-and-a-
half per cent notes issued under the
company's loan agreement. Payments
and prepayments now comprise ma-
turities to and including Jan. 1, 1954,
leaving a $3,500,000 balance of two-
and-a-half per cent notes outstanding,
it was added. Semi-annual principal
payments on the $36,250,000 of three-
and-a-half per cent notes which are
still outstanding will, under the agree-
ment, commence on July 1, 1956 and
continue for 15 years, the company
stated.
18 More Pre-release
Dates for 'Snows'
Eighteen key playdates have been
added to the pre-release engagements
being set for Darryl F. Zanuck's "The
Snows of Kilimanjaro," 20th Century-
Fox reports.
The screen version of Ernest Hem-
ingway's story will open next at the
Colonial, Dayton ; Poli, Waterbury ;
Towne, Milwaukee; Norva, Norfolk;
Ritz, Albany ; Rialto, Wilmington ;
State, Harrisburgh ; Poli, Hartford ;
Albee, Cincinnati ; Poli, Bridgeport ;
Palace, Wichita ; Grand, Topeka ; Al-
bee, Providence ; Florida, Jackson-
ville ; Mt. Union. Alliance, Ohio ; Pal-
ace, Tampa ; Paramount, Ft. Wayne,
and the Empire, Portland, Maine.
Chicago, Oct. 16. — Federal Judge
Igoe today turned down the request
of the Winston Theatre Corp., oper-
ating the Grand Theatre in the Loop
here, that they be exempted from lim-
itations of the Jackson Park decree.
The requested exemption would have
permitted them to play first run pic-
tures for extended runs (of more than
two weeks) without being required to
seek permission from the court.
In the Essaness case, Federal Judge
Walter La Buy today is hearing tesi-
mony of Mrs. Mervyn Leroy, widow
of Sidney M. Spiegel, Jr., one of the
original partners of Essaness theatres.
•
Katharine Cornell, chairman of the
Council of Living Theatre, has re-
ceived a check for $25,000 from
Nicholas M. Schenck, president of
Loew's, a second payment on the
Council's film, "Main Street to Broad-
way," which is being produced by
Lester Cowan and which will be re-
leased by M-G-M. This money, and
other monies accruing from the film,
will be used by the Council to in-
crease subscription memberships in
"road show" cities throughout the
country, and to further interest in gen-
eral in the legitimate theatre.
•
Cleveland, Oct. 16. — Henry Green-
berger, Variety Club chief barker, and
M. B. Horwitz, chairman of the Heart
Committee report that the club has
assumed the sponsorship of the Cere-
bral Palsy Foundation School of
Cleveland, with the initial donation of
$10,000 to be applied to the purchase
of a location at Cleveland Heights.
The school is a non-profit organiza-
tion.
SAG Signs With TV,
Theatrical Producers
Hollywood, Oct. 16. — Screen Actors
Guild announced today the recent
signing of collective bargaining con-
tracts with 11 theatrical film producers
and 19 television film producers.
Columbia Pictures Corp. and Univer-
sal Pictures, long time contractees as
theatrical producers, are included in
this listing of television film producers.
On another TV front, Screen Writ-
ers Guild announced that its members
voted 236 to four in favor of approv-
ing the proposed free lance television
contract with major networks and
agencies, following a mail ballot ref-
erendum.
Beresin Honored by
Chicago Variety
Chicago, Oct. 16. — Variety Club
International chief barker Jack Bere-
sin was guest of honor at a luncheon
in the Congress Hotel here today.
Beresin, Col. William McCraw, and
Richard Finnegan, consulting editor
of the Sun-Times, were introduced by
Joe Berenson, chief barker of Variety
Club of Illinois. Other speakers were
Jack Rose, John J. Jones, and Mrs.
Meyer Gold, president of Variety
women of Chicago. Finnegan also is
chairman of the board of La Rabida
Jackson Park sanitarium, which re-
ceived over $64,000 from the Variety
theatre audience collections this year.
The luncheon was followed by a
board meeting, and a general meeting
of the local talent has been called for
Saturday.
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
VOL. 72. NO. 77
NEW YORK, U. S. A., MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1952
TEN CENTS
Tradewise . . .
By SHERWIN KANE
THE proposal made by H. A.
Cole that Allied States' repre-
sentatives withdraw from their
roles in such all-industry endeavors
as the establishment of an arbitra-
tion plan, administration of the
Council of Motion Picture Organ-
izations and direction of the cam-
paign for elimination of the 20 per
cent Federal admissions tax, when
taken at face value, appears to be
a course of action more drastic
than called for by the circumstances
he recites.
Cole's contention is that while
Allied leaders were thus engaged
in activities for the good of the in-
dustry, some elements therein were
taking advantage of Allied's pre-
occupation by resorting to objec-
tionable sales practices and impos-
ing sales terms which put a num-
ber of top productions out of the
reach of independent exhibitors.
His letter, to Allied president Wil-
bur Snaper, cited alleged deviations
on the part of distributors from the
spirit if not the letter of the Para-
mount decree and named a half-
dozen pictures to which special
sales policies applied.
The practices related to the con-
sent decree, of which Cole com-
plains, and the sales policies ap-
plicable to the films he cites had
their beginnings long before Abram
Myers, Trueman Rembusch and
Cole began devoting so much of
their time to industry arbitration,
administration of COMPO and the
industry tax repeal campaign.
If, as Cole feels, sales policies
and practices inimical to independ-
ent exhibitors as a body, increased
(Continued on page 2)
To Tell FCC of
'Great Service'
Of Theatre TV
Many Ask: Whose
Axe Is Wall St.
Journal Grinding?
Washington, Oct. 19. — The
Federal Communications Commis-
sion will be told tomorrow that
theatre television is part of the
technological progress of the motion
picture industry and as such can be
of great service to the people.
In addition, as the long-await-
ed theatre television hearings
open tomorrow, the FCC will
hear that existing common car-
rier facilities can't provide the
wide band service which the in-
dustry feels is necessary to put
a high-standard image on the
theatre television screen.
These and other statements were
made over the weekend at a back-
ground press conference by James
Lawrence Fly and Vincent B. Welch,
attorneys for the Motion Picture As-
(Continned on page 5)
Top level executives in the industry
are expressing grave concern over the
possible effects of the current Wall
Street Journal expose of some mem-
bers of the new controlling syndicate
in RKO Pictures on the investing
public's confidence in all motion pic-
ture securities.
The Journal's articles, begun last
Thursday, already have taken on the
coloration of a "crusade" and strike
most readers within the industry as
(Continued on page 5)
Mayer Board
Chairman
Of Cinerama
Succeeds Thomas, Who
Becomes Vice-Chairman
FP-C Meeting at
Niagara Falls Today
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Oct.
19. — A two-day fall showman-
ship meeting of the Eastern
division of Famous Players-
Canadian Corp. will open at
the General Brock Hotel here
tomorrow, with approxi-
mately 125 managers and cir-
cuit executives present.
James R. Nairn, director of
advertising - publicity, will
conduct the meeting. Walter
Brooks, director of the Man-
agers' Round Table of Motion
Picture Herald, will be a
guest speaker.
Express Regret at
Cole's Proposal
The proposal of Col. H. A. Cole,
Texas Allied president, for the na-
tional Allied board's consideration that
Allied withdraw from all-industry en-
deavors and hereafter devote its time
and effort exclusively to combating
alleged trade practice abuses drew ex-
pressions of surprise and regret from
many industry leaders here at the
weekend.
There was general reluctance in the
(Continued on page 5)
Name Kay Norton
RKO Publicity Head
Kay Norton, who has handled spe-
cial national and New York campaigns
for major companies, has been ap-
pointed publicity manager of RKO
Radio Pictures,
I n c, Richard
Condon, direc-
tor of advertis-
publicity
exploita-
disclosed
at the
i n g ,
and
t i o n,
here
weekend.
It w as also
learned that
Fred Goldberg,
who was em-
ployed at Sam-
u e 1 Goldwyn
Productions as
a publicist for
four days following his resignation
from Paramount, has joined the pub-
(Continued On page 5)
Kay Norton
"Plymouth Adventure"
[Dore Schary — Metro-Golduyn-Mayer']
DORE SCHARY'S personal production is possibly the best film
ever made about the founding fathers of America and certainly
is one of the finer pictures of the year. An extremely absorbing,
progressively powerful and entirely credible historical drama, this looms
as one of M-G-M's top grossers. Filmed expertly in unusually well-
shaded color by Technicolor, the engrossing story evolves with a rare
naturalness as neither loose ends nor knotty tyings are evident. Clarence
Brown's direction is excellent and the flawless performance of Spencer
Tracy is matched in lesser roles by stars Van Johnson, Gene Tierney,
Leo Genn and Lloyd Bridges.
The screenplay by Helen Deutsch, based on the novel by Ernest
Gebler, completely ignores the stereotyped concept of the Pilgrims and
the hoary and hallowed myth of their crossing. Director Brown has
achieved 'perfect balance of the exciting, realistic adventure episodes and
the interwoven moments of romance. The characterizations are of gen-
uine people reacting in a thoroughly human way to the crowded condi-
(Continued on page 5)
Louis B. Mayer will become
chairman of the board of directors
of Cinerama Productions Corp., ac-
cording to an announcement made
at the weekend
by Dudley Rob-
erts, Jr., presi-
dent of the cor-
poration. Lowell
Thomas, whom
he succeeds, will
become vice-
chairman, and
will continue his
active participa-
tion in all the
a ff a i r s of the
company. All of
the other officers
of the corporation
will also continue
in their present posts, retaining their
l.vesent financial interest and control
(Continued on pa'je 4)
Ijouis B. Mayer
DALLAS , Oct. 19. — Don
Douglas, chairman of the
Texas COMPO finance com-
mittee, has disclosed
that more than $15,000 in
dues from theatres in
Texas has been forwarded
to New York COMPO head-
quarters by Texas COMPO,
representing approxi-
mately $2,000 over the
quota set .
WASHINGTON, Oct. 19.—
The Census Bureau report-
ed over the weekend that
amusement tax collections
in several large cities
throughout the country in
1951 dropped by more than
nine per cent from the
comparable 1950 figure.
The 1951 12-city figure
was $8,104,000, compared
with $9,070,000 collected
in 1950.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, October 20, 1952
Personal
Mention
pvR J. G. FRAYNE, development
\~) engineering manager of the
Westrex Corp.'s Hollywood division,
is in New York. ^
Art Moger, Warner Brothers
Northeastern director of advertising-
publicity, will address the- Woman s
Scholarship Association of Boston at
the New England Mutual Hall there
on Wednesday on the topic of 'Mo-
tion Pictures vs. Television."
•
Irving Dollinger, New Jersey Al-
lied board chairman, has been elected
to represent the unit on the national
Allied board, and Harry H. Lowen-
stein has been named alternate.
•
Max Lefkowich, president of Com-
munity Circuit in Cleveland, and Mrs.
Lefkowich announce the marriage of
their daughter, Lois, to Dan Butler,
DDS has been set for Nov. 6 at the
Beachmont Country Club in that city.
•
Sperie Perakos, general manager
of Perakos Theatres, New Britain,
Conn., and Mrs. Perakos are on
their honeymoon following their mar-
riage in Detroit.
Russell Holman, Paramount' s
Eastern production manager, left over
the weekend by plane for Europe and
will be gone for approximately three
weeks.
•
Robert Holland of the Jack L
Gertz Enterprises and Mrs. Holland
announce the birth of their first child,
Susan Sydney, in Cleveland.
•
Maurice Bergman, Universal pub-
lic relations executive, is scheduled to
return to his office today after a
week's confinement with the grippe
•
Irving Sochin, Universal short
subjects sales manager, will return
here today following a three-week
trip to various parts of the country.
•
Jerome M. Evans, Universal home
office promotion representative, is vis-
iting Syracuse, Buffalo, Rochester and
Erie, and will return here tomorrow.
Joseph Sistrom, Paramount pro-
ducer, has returned to Hollywood
from New York.
William Perlberg, Paramount pro-
ducer, has returned to the Coast from
New York.
Walter H. Grosselfinge'r of the
Westrex Corp. has returned to New
York from Europe.
Kenneth McKenna, M-G-M stu-
dio story head, is due here from the
Coast on Nov. 26.
Harold Maloney, manager of
Loew's Poli, Worcester, Mass., is
marking his 17th year at that theatre.
•
Maxwell Shane, director, left here
at the weekend for Hollywood.
MP A Plans Extension of
Ohio Censorship Fight
to
the
The Motion Picture Association
of America has "in the works" a
plan for uprooting film censorship
elsewhere in Ohio now that the in-
dustry's victory in Toledo has been
underscored by the city's failure
appeal, it was learned here at
weekend.
Allied Independent Theatres
of Ohio, meanwhile, has sent a
bulletin to all theatres in To-
ledo suggesting that newsreel
leaders signifying that the state
board of censors has approved
the footage be snipped from the
reels before they are run.
Robert Wile, Ohio ITO executive
secretary, pointed out in the bulletin
that Municipal Court Judge Wiley's
decision that the state's censorship of
newsreels is unconstitutional is the ex-
hibitors' authority for exhibiting the
news footage without the leaders.
The exact nature of the MPAA
plan for extending the battle against
Ohio film censorship was not revealed.
However, it is understood that the
next attack could be a repeat of the
Toledo litigation in other cities or a
direct bid for an Ohio Supreme Court
ruling covering all of Ohio in light
of the Toledo decision, or both.
Within the next two weeks, attor-
neys for MPAA member-companies
will confer on the new Ohio plan. It
is expected that shortly thereafter ex-
hibitors in Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleve-
land and other Ohio cities will be in-
vited to follow the example set by
Martin G. Smith in Toledo and de-
liberately show uncensored newsreels
in their theatres to force other munici-
pal courts to rule.
FDR, Jr. - McCrary
Debate Thursday
Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr. and Tex
McCrary will head an open discus-
sion of the issues involved in the com-
ing Presidential election at the forth-
coming meeting of New York's
Cinema Lodge of B'nai B'rith, Thurs-
day at the Hotel Astor, C. L. presi-
dent Martin Levine announced.
All members of the entertainment
industry are invited to attend the
meeting. The speakers are actively
associated with the campaigns of Gov.
Adlai Stevenson and Gen. Dwight D,
Eisenhower, respectively.
Tradewise . . .
(Continued from page 1)
Services Held for
MGM's Dewey Bloom
Toronto, Oct. 19. — Funeral services
were held today at Holy Blossom
Temple for Dewey Bloom, S3, M-G-M
field1 representative since 1927, who
died Thursday in. a local hospital after
a long illness. A Canadian by birth,
he had been with several independent
film companies before j oining Regal
Films and M-G-M. He spent four
years at the company's headquarters
in New York before shifting his office
to this city. He is survived by his
widow.
or were in some way accentuated
while Myers, Rembusch and him-
self were occupied with their all-
industry endeavors, it is a matter
of fact that Allied ranks boast
other capable and vocal champions
of the independent exhibitors' cause
— including its president, Snaper —
who were not pre-occupied with
all-industry assignments.
Therefore, it would seem, the
cause cited by Cole is not substan-
tially related to the effect he com-
plains of, and for that reason his
recommendation, on the basis of
available facts, appears uncalled
for.
It is inconceivable that Allied,
if it is so minded, cannot prosecute
its complaints as effectively with
three men contributing to all-indus-
try endeavors as it can without.
Nor is there much reason to be-
lieve that Allied, by forsaking the
course of industry unity to espouse
the other course exclusively, is bet-
ter serving its members and the
cause of the independent exhibitors.
If Cole feels that Allied has been
poorly repaid for its valuable con-
tributions to recent industry en-
deavors, he need only reflect that
the realization of arbitration, an
effective COMPO and tax repeal,
each holds its own promise of re-
ward. Those rewards need not be
jeopardized simply because, as Cole
sees it, there are other jobs to be
done.
[Sews reel
Parnrle
'Fatima' Holdovers
Set Several 'Firsts'
Warner Brothers' "The Miracle, of
Fatima" is setting new "firsts" in
many of its holdover engagements re-
corded to date, the company reports.
The picture is holding over for a
second week at the Strand, Scranton,
and the Paramount, Wilkesbarre,
marking the first time in five years
that any attraction has been held over
at either houses. The picture's fourth
week holdover at the Center Theatre,
Buffalo, is also the first time in five
years for a fourth week in this situa-
tion. The holding of "Fatima" for a
second week at the Stanley in Utica is
the first time in the history of the
house that any picture played a full
second week.
nnHE breaking of the Arctic record
1 by the U. S. Coast Guard, ship
East Wind in Greenland is the high-
light of most newsreels. Also featured
are the return of Korean wounded,
the wedding of a Japanese Princess to
a commoner, the opening of the Unit-
ed Nations in new quarters, and. a
speech by Pope Pious.
FOX MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 85— U.N.
^ssembly opens in New York. Action on
Korean front. Nippon Princess weds com-
moner. 503,000 hail Pope Pius. Coast Guard"
ship cracks Polar ice.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 215— Korea
issue stirs U. N. Vast multitude cheers
Pope: Egyptians hail "Strong man." Jap
Emperor's daughter a bride. TJ. S. Coast
Guard sets Arctic record.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. IT— N. Y.
Giants topple Cleveland Browns. Multitude
hears Pope. Wounded Korean heroes home.
Korean front aflame. U.N. search for peace
continues.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 42B— "Ike"
speaks in Texas. Hiss deposition becomes
campaign issue. Haile Selassie visits new
domain. Malan open Uranium city, Juin in-
spects war games. U.N. in new quarters.
Korean ground fighting hotter. French
cyclist spills.
UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL, No. 40S -
U.N. Assembly seventh session opens.
Maguib. Korean wounded return. Catholic
meeting. International delegates. Choose a
star. Princess weds. Ice breaker sets new
Polar mark.
WARNER PATHE, NEWS, No. 20—
Amazing Arctic voyage "East Wind."
Bitter battle for ridges. Mickey Rooney en-
tertains troops. U.N. General Assembly
opens. Eisenhower in the South. Stevenson
in the West. Gen. Naguib tours Nile for
support. Haile Selassie unites two nations.
N. Y. Giants beat Browns. Motorcycle
crosses English channel.
Meet With Rep. Boiling
Kansas City, Oct. 19. — Congress-
man Richard Boiling, representing the
district including this city, was the
luncheon guest of the committee desig-
nated to make contact with him in
behalf of the admission tax repeal
proposal .
Third Set of 4IP
Managers to Coast
The third and final of a series of
visits of Universal's 32 branch man-
agers to the company's studios for
conferences with studio executives on
current conditions in their territories
and for a first-hand view of new prod-
uct and production activities, will get
underway today, Charles J. Feldman,
general sales manager, announced at
the weekend as the final group of 11
branch managers left for the Coast.
Participants in the conferences have
been Milton R. Rackmil, president ;
N. J. Blumberg, chairman of the
board ; William Goetz4 in charge of
production ; Edward Muhl, vice-pres-
ident and general manager of the stu-
dio, and David A. Lipton, vice-pres-
ident in charge of advertising and pub-
licity. Alfred E. Daff, executive vice-
president, and Feldman participated in
the initial sessions.
Attending the third and final series
of meetings will be Joseph Leon from
Philadelphia; Dave" Miller, Buffalo;
Ben Robins, Detroit ; Samuel Oshry,
Inrliananolis ; William Blum, Cincin-
nati ; Charles Hudgens, Oklahoma
City ; David Goldman, Milwaukee ;
Leroy J. Miller, Minneapolis; Abe
Swerdlow, Los Angeles; Arthur
Greenfield, Seattle, and Ernest J. Piro,
Portland.
Terry Ramsaye, Consulting Editor. Published daily, except Saturdays,
MOTION PICTURE DAILY.
Sund
Nev
Brady,
Building, ( * , «
North Clark Street. FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London Wl, ti_„ a ve.r as
Burnup. Editor; cable address. "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres and Theatre Sales each pubhshed U times a ye»M
a section of Motion Picture Herald; International Motion Picture Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter, Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York. JN. Y.. under
the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign: single copies. 10c
They pays their money. . .
LIFE
See for
example h
ow LIFE can
build
the
box
office
in these cities:
No. of
Seating
.IFE audience —
theaters**
capacity**
single issue*
Boston
167
177,097
741,730
Chicago
418
418,301
848,150
Houston
67
57,201
129,800
San Francisco
215
207,274
478,280
That's why, to promote the picture you show, the
motion picture industry invests more dollars in
LIFE than in any other magazine.
*From A Study of the Accumulative Audience of LIFE, by Alfred
Politz Research, Inc. A "LIFE reader" is any person age 10
or over who has read one or more of 13 issues.
**1951, 33rd Edition of the Film Daily Year Book of Motion
Pictures.
makes their choice
Films advertised in LIFE help boost the take at
your box office. For no other magazine wields such
influence over so vast an audience.
In the course of 13 issues, 62,600,000 people-
over half the nation— read LIFE.*
It's true in most cases that LIFE's local audience
in city after city across the country is greater than
the seating capacities of all the theaters in them.
LIFE
9 Rockefeller Plaza, New York 20, N. Y.
First in circulation
First in readership
First in advertising
revenue
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, October 20, 1952
Cinerama
(Continued from page 1)
of the corporation, the announcement
revealed.
Roberts pointed out that Mayers
association is with the production
company, which is currently present-
ing "This Is Cinerama" at the Broad-
way Theatre and which controls the
licensing company, Cinerama, Inc.
Merian C. Cooper's position as gen-
eral manager in charge of the corpo-
ration's production program is un-
changed, said Roberts. Mayer referred
to Cooper's position in the new organi-
zation as being essentially the same
as that of the late Irving Thalberg,
who was executive producer while
Mayer was the head of producation
at M-G-M.
Mayer's new association with Cin-
erama, Roberts said, "will bring to
that organization the benefits oi the
veteran producer's many years of prac-
tical showmanship, valuable alike in
the ambitious production plans of the
sponsors of the new entertainment
medium, and in its plans for the in-
stallation of Cinerama equipment in
many of the key cities of this coun-
try and in the capitals of Europe."
Since it opened at the Broadway
Theatre on Sept. .30, the company's
first production, "This Is Cinerama,"
has played to more than capacity at
every performance. Press coverage
that hailed the process as a revolu-
tion in entertainment has resulted in
a mail demand from out-of-town that
averages close to 1,000 letters a day,
it was stated.
Beginning immediately, Mayer
will devote himself to the com-
pany's production plans in asso-
ciation with Merian C. Cooper,
and the expansion of its ex-
hibition to cities other than
New York. He will divide his
time between the New York
and the Hollywood headquarters
of Cinerama, the latter to be
opened soon, Roberts disclosed.
"Cinerama is as new and challeng-
ing as sound was," said Mayer. "It
opens a whole new world to us. I am
proud to join Lowell Thomas, Merian
C. Cooper, Dudley Roberts, Frank
Smith and their associates in an ef
fort to realize the almost limitless
possibilities of Cinerama as a. medium
of story telling, and in expanding its
audience from one theatre to many
theatres across America and in the
capitals of the world."
Cinerama is the invention of Fred
Waller. Fifteen years were spent in
its development, and an investment
estimated at $12,000,000. The adapta-
tion of stereophonic sound was large-
ly the work of Hazard Reeves.
17 Projectionists at Salaries Totaling
$2,000 Weekly Used in Cinerama Show
The extent to which Cinerama can benefit projectionists, and at
the same time add substantially to theatre operating costs, was
brought out here with the disclosure that each day's performance
of "This Is Cinerama" at the Broadway Theatre requires the ser-
vice of 17 members of IATSE New York Projectionists Local
No. 306.
The salaries of these 17 come to approximately $2,000 per week.
The triple-projection, three dimensional effect system called for
the installation of three booths at the theatre with two projection
machines in each booth. Each booth is manned during each of
two seven-hour shifts by two "306" members. The six operators
on each shift are supervised by a foreman projectionist. In
addition to the two foremen there are three other "306" members
who during the two performances watch the functioning of the
sound equipment.
The weekly gross at the Broadway since the Cinerama showings
commenced on Sept. 30, reportedly has been $35,000.
Two Charged with
NPA Violations
Says British Hold
US Firms in Esteem
Washington, Oct. 19.— The Na-
tional Production Authority reports
hearing commissioner H. Bascom
Thomas has ruled that two partners
in a Texas drive-in theatre violated
NPA orders and regulations by con-
structing the theatre early this year
with more copper than permitted
under government construction con-
trols.
The partners are W. O. Beardon of
Lubbock and I. R. Doyal of the Tas-
cosa Drive-in Theatre in Amarillo.
The original NPA complaint charged
the partners with furnishing false in-
formation regarding the amount of
copper wire used in building the the-
atre, but Thomas found that the vio-
lations were not accompanied by fraud
or fraudulent representation on the
part of either man.
However, Thomas directed that all
priority assistance and allocations as
well as authority to use controlled
materials to build additional drive-ins
be withdrawn from the partners for
the duration of the Defense Produc-
tion Act, now slated to expire June
30, 1953. He also ordered all privi-
leges of self-authorization and auto-
matic allotments be denied the two as
long as the Act is on the books. He
said that if controls are relaxed later
and theatre builders are allowed some
copper, the two men could obtain any
further copper needed for the Tascosa
Drive-in, provided the amount which
be required, plus the 230 pounds al-
ready used do not exceed the NPA
limit.
In the THEATRE
Equipment
World . . .
with RAY GALLO
Teamsters Hit U. S.
On 16mm. TV Suit
Hollywood, Oct. 19. — International
Brotherhood of Teamsters in national
convention here resolved against the
government's 16mm. suit seeking to
compel film companies to supply thea-
trical films to television and also
against "runaway" production prac-
tice by which American theatrical
and television film producers produce
abroad films to be exhibited here.
Teamsters also awarded national thea-
tres president Charles Skouras a gold
membership card in token apprecia-
tion of long-time employer-employee
relations.
Mexican Exhibitors
Hit Distributors
Mexico City, Oct. 19. — Charges of
monopoly against exhibitors by the
Producers and Distributors Associa-
tion appearing in full-page newspaper
advertisements addressed to the Sen-
ate were rebutted in like form by the
Cinema Impresarios Association and
the National Exhibitors Union.
Panther Sets 4 Films
Panther Productions, Inc. has com-
pleted shooting on "Violated," a fea-
ture made in and around New York
City, and plans to produce three addi-
tional features for theatrical release
during 1953. The first will be "The
Male Urge," scheduled to go before
the cameras Jan 15.
Never in the history of the industry
has the standing of American distri-
butors in England been better, both
with exhibitors and the public, accord-
ing to Douglas Granville, Universal's
special representative for the United
Kingdom and Ireland, who is here
from London for home office confer-
ences.
Granville said that despite adverse
economic conditions in Britain, there
is only a slight drop in theatre grosses.
However, he added, "big pictures'"
will gross more today than in previous
years.
At its present stage, TV in Britain
has virtually no effect on the box-
office, Granville said, adding that there
are currently about 5,000,000 home
television sets in Britain with a net
work of relay stations covering ap
proximately 80 per cent of the popu-
lation. The lack of TV competition
was attributed to many factors, in-
cluding the. operation of only one sta-
tion by the government, a station
which goes on the air only a few
hours during the evening. Commercial
sponsored TV in Britain was seen by
Granville from four to five years
away.
Granville and Alfred E. Daff, Uni-
versal executive vice-president, who
also attended the press conference, ex-
pressed complete satisfaction with the
J. Arthur Rank Organization, which
handles the distribution of Universal
films in the United Kingdom. Daff
added that Universal expects to retain
its association with Rank many more
years.
Due to construction restrictions.
Granville saw little possibility for new
theatres being built in England. H'
reported British exhibitors are fight-
ing the entertainment tax which, he
said, amounts to an over-all average
of 39 per cent. Granville said that
Rank is continuing his experimental
utilization of theatre television equio-
ment which is installed in a number
of Rank theatres.
While in New York, Granville paid
a visit to the Broadway Theatre and
saw Cinerama for the first time. He
orophesized that Cinerama "will com-
pletely revolutionize the industry" in
time, and expressed hone that it would
be shown in London shortly.
Granville, following his home ofnc°
conferences, plans to visit Hollywood
in about another two weeks.
ROUNDING up highlights of the
recent meeting of the Society of
Motion Picture and Television En-
gineers in Washington, we believe it
worth noting that this convention at-
tracted nearly 1,000 delegates from all
over the world, the largest SMPTE
attendance ever in the East.
»
Stepping into the shoes of Bill
Kunzmann, who resigned as conven-
tion vice-president, is John W.
Servies of National Theatre Supply.
Servies arranged a surprise testi-
monial luncheon for Bill at which
he was presented with a gold key
chain and money clip, along with a
scroll signed by friends who at-
tended the affair. Oscar Neu of
Neumade Products was the M. C.
•
At the banquet, special tribute was
paid to Dr. John I. Crabtree, former
SMPTE president, and recipient of
the Progress Medal Award. Dave
Joy of National Carbon read the cita-
tion. . . . Peter Mole, retiring presi-
dent, presented Dr. Herbert T. Kal-
mus with the Samuel Warner Me- ,
morial Award. . . . Axel G. Jensen
of Bell Laboratories received both the
David Sarnoff Gold Medal and the
Society's Fellowship. . . . Henry
Hood, another recipient of the Fel-
lowship, was appointed engineering-
vice-president to fill the vacancy left
by the resignation of F. T. Bowditch.
•
Many persons from abroad at-
tended the convention, among them
Gilbert Ruellan of Andre DeBre,
Paris, and Gustav Jirouch of Cine-
Television, Kent, England.
•
One of the major highlights of the
convention was a Coffee Clubroom
provided by RCA Victor in a separate
room and foyer near the main meet-
ing hall. Here conventioneers met
friends and secured refreshments at
any time during session hours. Nearly
50,000 cups of coffee were consumed,
plus 100 gallons of citrus juice and
200 dozen doughnuts and rolls. RCA
and its public relations man, Dick
Hooper, originator of the idea, cer-
tainly installed a popular service.
Shown below enjoying a "coffee
klatch" are Jack O'Brien, Wally
Wolf, and Barton Kreuzer, all of
RCA, and Nate Golden, chief motion
picture officer of the NPA.
Monday, October 20, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
To Tell FCC
(Continued from page 1)
'Plymouth Adventure
9?
(Continued from- page 1)
sociation of America, and Marcus
Cohn, attorney for the National Ex-
hibitors Theatre Television Commit-
tee. The three attorneys will present
the industry's theatre television case
to the Commission — both at the engi-
neering and accounting phase of the
hearing, which is due to run for about
two weeks starting tomorrow, and at
the major presentation of the case,
which is scheduled to open Jan. 12.
Bid for Space on Spectrum
The attorneys stressed the fact that
the industry will not ask for licenses,
but will merely ask that the FCC
set aside space on the spectrum for
eventual industry use for a theatre
television service. They would not
specify exactly how the industry
would transmit theatre television pro-
grams, they said, because they wanted
to be "free to adapt ourselves to what-
ever the Commission decides" should
be done in the way of carrying the
service.
All three attorneys declared that the
industry was not "fighting" broadcast-
ing or home television. Cohn main-
tained that "the technique of theatre
television, particularly in color, can
bring a new type of entertainment to
the people." He said that theatre
television was part of the development
of "the logical, technological prog-
ress of the theatre industry," and that
it was "to the credit" of the industry
that it was making theatre television
available to the public. Although home
television was of great service to the
people, he said, it had certain limita-
tions which theatre television didn't
• have.
Welch emphasized his belief that
theatre television programming would
not conflict with home television pro-
gramming.
Want Better Service
In discussing the present common
carrier faciilties which theatre televi-
sion could use, Fly said that the
industry wanted a "more extensive and
continuous service which presumably
would overload the current A. T.
and T. facilities." In addition, he de-
clared, the industry "wanted a better
type of service" than that provided by
A. T. and T.'s current band width
and its location in the spectrum.
Fly pointed out that even if A. T.
and T. should establish the fact that
it can render the service contemplated
by the industry, that wouldn't neces-
' sarily mean that the Commission
would authorize the company to do it.
A. T. and T. "has no legal right to
furnish all the required services in this
field," he said. The Commission could
authorize Western Union to do it, he
went on, or it could authorize the in-
dustry to organize a company to pro-
vide the facilities.
Present at the conference along with
Fly, Welch and Cohn was Ed Cooper,
MPAA theatre te'evision specialist.
'In addition to MPAA and NETTC,
almost 50 notices of appearances in
the hearing have been filed with the
Commission.
'Journal'
(Continued, from page 1)
tions aboard ship, the overwhelming battering of the storming sea, long days
without sufficient food and water, and the growing animosity between crew
and passengers. Historical fact is followed in intensely dramatic terms and
the film opens with the machinations behind the real estate swindle that
resulted in the Pilgrims being landed in New England instead of their
desired Virginia. The Pilgrims are shown to include business-seeking mer-
chants and adventurers as well as those fleeing religious oppression.
The major fictional invention is the pivotal characterization of the May-
flower's captain, which Tracy brilliantly portrays as a fine but hard-bitten
ruler, forsaking yet desperately searching for the goodness of heart and peace
of mind which Miss Tierney so winningly exhibits as the wife of pious Pil-
grim Genn Tracy saves Genn's life when he is washed overboard in a storm
but otherwise continues his efforts to win Miss Tierney's affection. When
Tracy does so after the ship has safely reached port and Genn is surveying
the land Miss Tierney cannot choose between them and drowns herself.
Tracy' quells a mutiny led by vicious mate Lloyd Bridges after he decides
to keep the ship off shore as a shelter rather than return, while the Pilgrims
build houses Eventually he is won over to the Pilgrims' morality and leaves
after aiding them much. Johnston and Dawn Addams are the supplementary
romantic interest as John Alden and Priscilla but the poetic invention of
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow which has no basis in fact is not used. In-
cluded in a large and competent cast are Barry Jones, John Dehner, Noel
Drayton, Tommy Ivo and Lowell Gilmore. Miklos Rozsa wrote an appro-
priate musical score.
This is a rare film that holds appeal for every type of moviegoer and con-
descends to none Avid viewers of spectacle, romance or drama will find
this rewarding fare. Marquee-wise this is loaded, for Tracy, Johnson, Tierney
and Genn attract a large following. The intelligent treatment of the Tracy-
Tierney romance is in good taste and should prove no deterrent to exploita-
tion tie-ups with schools because of the historical accuracy of the film.
Toward this end there are the signing of the Mayflower Compact, the flight
of William Brewster of the Separatist Church, the aforementioned facts
concerning the trip and a wealth of detail as to instruments and clothing
It is a production that involved the labor of some 1,200 men and the personal
supervision of Schary. The result is well worthwhile.
Running time 104 minutes. General audience classification. Release
date, Nov. 28. Walter Pashkin
RKO to Release
15 in Six Months
RKO Radio Pictures, under the
new Stolkin management group, will
have at least 15 pictures to release
over a six-month period, it was
learned here at the weekend. Most
of the films were produced by inde-
pendents releasing through RKO.
The 15 include: "Under the Red
Sea," a Sol Lesser production ; "Mon-
tana Belle"; "Androcles and the
Lion," Gabriel Pascal; "Face to
Face," Huntington Hartford; "Never
Wave at a Wac," Independent Art-
ists; "Blackbird, the Pirate," Grain-
ger ; "Beautiful But Dangerous" ;
"Hans Christian Anderson," Samuel
Goldwyn; "Jet Pilot," "The Differ-
ence," Filmakers; "Break Up"; "No
Time for Flowers," Mort Briskin ;
"Peter Pan," Walt Disney Produc-
tions ; "The Murder," (tentative title) ;
and "The Sea Devils."
Companies Willing
To Confer on Draft
Distributors "stand ready" to meet
with exhibitors on any disputed points
of the arbitration draft, drawn up by
the arbitration committee of the dis-
tributing- companies and sent out to
exhibitor organizations, Eric John-
ston, president of the Motion Picture
Association of America, declared here
at the weekend.
Added Johnston: "Let me repeat
again what I have said before— the
motion picture producing and distri-
buting companies want to set up an
arbitration system in cooperation with
exhibitors. There is no other industry
project in which our companies have
invested more time and effort during
the year. They are prepared to invest
as much more as may be necessary to
reach agreement in a spirit of earnest
goodwill."
Name Kay Norton
(Continued from page 1)
To Show German Films
The Franklin Theatre in Detroit has
initiated a pobcy of showing German
features exclusively, Friday through
Monday, it was reported here by
Munio Podhorzer, president of Casino
Film Fxch?ng°, specializing in the
distribution of German films.
licity department of RKO Radio.
Other publicists hired by the company
'nclude Murray Segal, who will leave
his trade press contact post with Para-
mount in two weeks, and Ruth Cos-
grove, formerly with Eagle-Lion, who
will begin her duties with RKO at
once. Goldberg, too, will assume his
RKO duties immediately.
Miss Norton succeeds Don Prince,
resigned. Before accepting the RKO
post, she headed her own publicity
organization.
William Fadiman Named Story
Head at RKO Radio Studio
Hollywood, Oct. 19. — William
Fadiman, with RKO studio since 1947,
has been assigned story editorship by
Cole's Proposal
(Continued from page 1)
industry here tc speculate on the pur-
nose or implications of Cole's pro-
posal and on the consequences such
an action would have if approved by
the Allied board next month.
One who indicated his name could
be used in connection with his com-
ment was Samuel Pinanski, one of the
three members of the Council of Mo-
tion Picture Organizations' governing
committee. "No single individual or
group is more important than the in-
dustry's campaign for repeal of the
Federal admission tax," Pinanski said
as he left here Friday for his Boston
headquarters.
being alien to the usual editorial char- '
acter of the paper.
The documented files on individuals
within the Ralph Stolkin syndicate re-
veal more than reportorial purposeful-
ness in the combing of 20-year or more
old files of the Federal Trade Com-
mission, the Chicago Better Business
Bureau and last year's transcripts of
the Kefauver hearings. What the pur-
pose may be has many in the industry
guessing.
Touches Animosities
The speculation touches personal
and business animosities ; the possibil-
ity of a bid for a proxy fight on be-
half of individuals friendly to the pa-
per to wrest control of RKO Pictures
from the owners of the 29 per cent
interest, or the expression of a con-
tinuing editorial disdain for the mo-
tion picture industry on the part of
the Journal.
In connection with the latter, the
Journal's uncomplimentary national
"roundup" of the economic state of
the industry at a time last summer
when theatre attendance was on the
increase for the first time in months
is recalled by many.
Whatever the purpose, and company
executives throughout the industry are
convinced the Journal is going out of
its way in an endeavor to "prove
something," rather than simply pre-
sent a story, the feeling is widespread
that the attack upon the RKO Pic-
tures group not only does that com-
pany incalculable harm but injures
every other motion picture, company
as well.
No Parallels
Citing their reasons for believing
the Journal's articles are not journal-
istic solely, executives point out not
only that they have few, if anv, par-
allels in Journal reporting, but that the
first two were given the lead news
position on the paper's page one, ord-
inarily reserved for spot news devel-
opments. A serialized expose of busi-
ness histories of individuals, they con-
tend, would not be given that position
had the Journal no axe to erind.
In addition, derisive references to
members of the new RKO Pictures
management whose business and pro-
fessional character withstood the Jour-
nal's investigation, would not have
been included either in an objective
expose or in a wholly unbiased news
storv, industry executives contend.
Many are anxious to «ee the Jour-
nal's suspected motive exposed, con-
fident that if it is the investing public
will be able properly to evaluate it
without further loss of confidence in
motion picture securities.
S.K.
Sherrill Corwin, succeeding Harry
Tatelman, who has been assigned
other work.
Johnston Paris Trip
Put Off Temporarily
Eric A. Johnston, Motion Picture
Association of America president, who
was scheduled to leave here Saturday
by plane for Paris, postponed his de-
parture indefinitely. Johnston decided
to put the trip off until he has recov-
ered from a cold he contracted earlier
last week.
Johnston was to have conferred this
week in Paris with French govern-
ment and film industry officials with a
view to finding a basis for a resump-
tion in negotiations for a new Franco-
American film pact.
dough
I is
WHY ARE SO MANY
HOLLYWOOD PRODUCERS
ASKING TO SEE IT
IN ADVANCE?
■ — because preview re-
ports are simply sen-
sational — because
it's different, with a
brand new twist in
mystery stories! See it
immediately for your-
self and come pre-
pared to jump out of
your seat!
starring
JOSEPH
f% JOSEPH
COTTEN
TERESA
Music written
and directed by
DIMITRI TIOMKIN
Produced by
BERT E. FRIEDLOB
Written and directed by
ANDREW STONE
A BERT E. FRIEDLOB
Production
Releared by
20th Century-Fox
Branch Managers' Testimonial Sept. 28— Dec. 27
r IKo 1
MOTION PICTURE
Accurate
IN
f i w
Concise
FILM
■
and
NEWS
DAILY
Impartial
VOL. 72. NO. 77
NEW YORK, U. S. A., MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1952
TT^TVT PT7MTO
TEN CEN1S
Tradewise . . .
By SHERWIN KANE
THE proposal made by H. A.
Cole that Allied States' repre-
sentatives withdraw from their
roles in such all-industry endeavors
as the establishment of an arbitra-
tion plan, administration of the
Council of Motion Picture Organ-
izations and direction of the cam-
paign for elimination of the 20 per
cent Federal admissions tax, when
taken at face value, appears to be
a course of action more drastic
than called for by the circumstances
he recites.
Cole's contention is that while
Allied leaders were thus engaged
in activities for the good of the in-
dustry, some elements therein were
taking advantage of Allied's pre-
occupation by resorting to objec-
tionable sales practices and impos-
ing sales terms which put a num-
ber of top productions out of the
reach of independent exhibitors.
His letter, to Allied president Wil-
bur Snaper, cited alleged deviations
on the part of distributors from the
spirit if not the letter of the Para
mount decree and named a half
dozen pictures to which special
sales policies applied.
The practices related to the con
sent decree, of which Cole com
plains, and the sales policies ap
plicable to the films he cites had
their beginnings long before Abram
Myers, Trueman Rembusch and
Cole began devoting so much of
their time to industry arbitration,
administration of COMPO and the
industry tax repeal campaign.
If, as Cole feels, sales policies
and practices inimical to independ-
ent exhibitors as a body, increased
(Continued on page 2)
To Tell FCC of
'Great Service'
Of Theatre TV
FP-C Meeting at
Niagara Falls Today
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Oct.
19.— A two-day fall showman-
ship meeting of the Eastern
division of Famous Players-
Canadian Corp. will open at
the General Brock Hotel here
tomorrow, with approxi-
mately 125 managers and cir-
cuit executives present.
James R. Nairn, director of
advertising - publicity, will
conduct the meeting. Walter
Brooks, director of the Man-
agers' Round Table of Motion
Picture Herald, will be a
guest speaker.
Washington, Oct. 19. — The
Federal Communications Commis-
sion will be told tomorrow that
theatre television is part of the
technological progress of the motion
picture industry and as such can be
of great service to the people.
In addition, as the long-await-
ed theatre television hearings
open tomorrow, the FCC will
hear that existing common car-
rier facilities can't provide the
wide band service which the in-
dustry feels is necessary to put
a high-standard image on the
theatre television screen.
These and other statements were
made over the weekend at a back-
ground press conference by James
Lawrence Fly and Vincent B. Welch,
attorneys for the Motion Picture As-
(Continued on page 5)
Express Regret at
Cole's Proposal
The proposal of Col. H. A. Cole,
Texas Allied president, for the na-
tional Allied board's consideration that
Allied withdraw from all-industry en-
deavors and hereafter devote its time
and effort exclusively to combating
alleged trade practice abuses drew ex-
pressions of surprise and regret from
many industry leaders here at the
weekend.
There was general reluctance in the
(Continued on page 5)
Many Ask: Whose
Axe Is Wall St.
Journal Grinding?
Top level executives in the industry
are expressing grave concern over the
possible effects of the current Wall
Street Journal expose of some mem-
bers of the new controlling syndicate
in RKO Pictures on the investing
public's confidence in all motion pic-
ture securities.
The Journal's articles, begun last
Thursday, already have taken on the
coloration of a "crusade" and strike
most readers within the industry as
(Continued on page 5)
Mayer Board
Chairman
Of Cinerama
Name Kay Norton
RKO Publicity Head
Kay Norton, who has handled spe-
cial national and New York campaigns
for major companies, has been ap-
pointed publicity manager of RKO
Radio Pictures,
I n c, Richard
Condon, direc-
tor of advertis-
publicity
exploita-
disclosed
at the
Succeeds Thomas, Who
Becomes Vice-Chairman
m g,
and
t i o n,
here
weekend.
It was also
learned that
Fred Goldberg,
who was em-
ployed at Sam-
u e 1 Goldwyn
Productions as
a publicist for
four days following his resignation
from Paramount, has joined the pub-
(Continued on page 5)
Louis B. Mayer will become
chairman of the board of directors
of Cinerama Productions Corp., ac-
cording to an announcement made
at the weekend
by Dudley Rob-
erts, Jr., presi-
dent of the cor-
poration. Lowell
Thomas, whom
he succeeds, will
become vice-
chairman, and
will continue his
active participa-
tion in all the
a ff a i r s of the
company. All of
the other officers
of the corporation
will also continue
in their present posts, retaining their
present financial interest and control
(Continued on page 4)
Kay Norton
99
"Plymouth Adventure
[Dore Schary — Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]
DORE SCHARY'S personal production is possibly the best film
ever made about the founding fathers of America and certainly
is one of the finer pictures of the year. An extremely absorbing,
progressively powerful and entirely credible historical drama, this looms
as one of M-G-M's top grossers. Filmed expertly in unusually well-
shaded color by Technicolor, the engrossing story evolves with a rare
naturalness as neither loose ends nor knotty tyings are evident. Clarence
Brown's direction is excellent and the flawless performance of Spencer
Tracy is matched in lesser roles by stars Van Johnson, Gene Tierney,
Leo Genn and Lloyd Bridges. , , '_
The screenplay by Helen Deutsch, based on the novel by _ Ernest
Gebler completely ignores the stereotyped concept of the Pilgrims and
the hoary and hallowed myth of their crossing. Director Brown has
achieved perfect balance of the exciting, realistic adventure episodes and
the interwoven moments of romance. The characterizations are of gen-
people reacting in a thoroughly human way to the crowded condi-
(Continued on page 5)
uine
I^ouis B. Mayer
15,000 in Compo
Dues from Texas
Dallas, Oct. 19.— More than $15,-
000 in dues from theatres in Texas
has been forwarded to the Council of
Motion Picture Organizations' head-
quarters in New York by Texas
COMPO. This represents approxi-
mately $2,000 over the quota set up
at the beginning of the recent drive,
it was disclosed by Don Douglas,
chairman of the Texas COMPO fi-
nance committee. Film salesmen from
Dallas exchanges made the collec-
tions.
Circuit theatres paid in more than
$6,500, and independents contributed
more than $8,500.
L ar g e - C it y Tax
Take Down 9% in '51
Washington, Oct. 19.— Amusement
tax collections in several large cities
throughout the country in 1951 drop-
ped by more than 9 per cent from the
comparable 1950 figure, the Census
Bureau disclosed here over the week-
end.
The 1951 figure for collections in
12 cities was $8,104,000, compared
with the $9,070,000 that was collected
during 1950.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, October 20, 1952
Personal
Mention
DR.J-
G. FRAYNE, development
engineering manager of the
Westrex Corp.'s Hollywood division,
is in N.ew York.
•
Art Moger, Warner Brothers
Northeastern director of advertising-
publicity, will address the Woman s
Scholarship Association of Boston at
the New England Mutual Hall there
on Wednesday on the topic of "Mo-
tion Pictures vs. Television."
•
Irving Dollinger, New Jersey Al-
lied board chairman, has been elected
to represent the unit on the national
Allied board, and Harry H. Lowen-
stein has been named alternate.
•
Max Lefkowich, president of Com-
munity Circuit in Cleveland, and Mrs.
Lefkowich announce the marriage of
their daughter, Lois, to Dan Butler,
DDS has been set for Nov. 6 at the
Beachmont Country Club in that city.
•
Sperie Perakos, general manager
of Perakos Theatres, New Britain,
Conn., and Mrs. Perakos are on
their honeymoon following their mar
riage in Detroit.
Russell Holman, Paramount' s
Eastern production manager, left over
the weekend by plane for Europe and
will be gone for approximately three
weeks.
•
Robert Holland of the Jack L.
Gertz Enterprises and Mrs. Holland
announce the birth of their first child,
Susan Sydney, in Cleveland.
•
Maurice Bergman, Universal pub-
lic relations executive, is scheduled to
return to his office today after a
week's confinement with the grippe.
•
Irving Sochin, Universal short
subjects sales manager, will return
here today following a three-week
trip to various parts of the country.
•
Jerome M. Evans, Universal home
office promotion representative, is vis-
iting Syracuse, Buffalo, Rochester and
Erie, and will return here tomorrow.
Joseph Sistrom, Paramount pro-
ducer, has returned to Hollywood
from New York.
William Perlberg, Paramount pro-
ducer, has returned to the Coast from
New York.
Walter H. Grosselfinger of the
Westrex Corp. has returned to New
York from Europe.
Kenneth McKenna, M-G-M stu-
dio story head, is due here from the
Coast on Nov. 26.
Harold Maloney, manager of
Loew's Poli, Worcester, Mass., is
marking his 17th year at that theatre.
•
Maxwell Shane, director, left here
at the weekend for Hollywood.
MP A Plans Extension of
Ohio Censorship Fight
The Motion Picture Association
of America has "in the works" a
plan for uprooting film censorship
elsewhere in Ohio now that the in-
dustry's victory in Toledo has been
underscored by the city's failure to
appeal, it was learned here at the
weekend.
Allied Independent Theatres
of Ohio, meanwhile, has sent a
bulletin to all theatres in To-
ledo suggesting that newsreel
leaders signifying that the state
board of censors has approved
the footage be snipped from the
reels before they are run.
Robert Wile, Ohio ITO executive
secretary, pointed out in the bulletin
that Municipal Court Judge Wiley's
decision that the state's censorship of
newsreels is unconstitutional is the ex-
hibitors' authority for exhibiting the
news footage without the leaders.
The exact nature of the MPAA
plan for extending the battle against
Ohio film censorship was not revealed.
However, it is understood that the
next attack could be a repeat of the
Toledo litigation in other cities or a
direct bid for an Ohio Supreme Court
ruling covering all of Ohio in light
of the Toledo decision, or both.
Within the next two weeks, attor-
neys for MPAA member-companies
will confer on the new Ohio plan. It
is expected that shortly thereafter ex-
hibitors in Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleve-
land and other Ohio cities will be in-
vited to follow the example set by
Martin G. Smith in Toledo and de-
liberately show uncensored newsreels
in their theatres to force other munici-
pal courts to rule.
FDR, Jr. - McCrary
Debate Thursday
Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr. and Tex
McCrary will head an open discus-
sion of the issues involved in the com-
ing Presidential election at the forth-
coming meeting of New York's
Cinema Lodge of B'nai B'rith, Thurs-
day at the Hotel Astor, C. L. presi-
dent Martin Levine announced.
All members of the entertainment
industry are invited to attend _ the
meeting. The speakers are actively
associated with the campaigns of Gov.
Adlai Stevenson and Gen. Dwight D.
Eisenhower, respectively.
Tradewise .
{Continued from page 1)
Services Held for
MGM's Dewey Bloom
Toronto, Oct. 19. — Funeral services
were held today at Holy Blossom
Temple for Dewey Bloom, 53, M-G-M
field representative since 1927, who
died Thursday in a local hospital after
a long illness. A Canadian by birth,
he had been with several independent
film companies before joining Regal
Films and M-G-M. He spent four
years at the company's headquarters
in New York before shifting his office
to this city. He is survived by his
widow.
or were in some way accentuated
while Myers, Rembusch and him-
self were occupied with their all-
industry endeavors, it is a matter
of fact that Allied ranks boast
other capable and vocal champions
of the independent exhibitors' cause
— including its president, Snaper —
who were not pre-occupied with
all-industry assignments.
Therefore, it would seem, the
cause cited by Cole is not substan-
tially related to the effect he com-
plains of, and for that reason his
recommendation, on the basis of
available facts, appears uncalled
for.
It is inconceivable that Allied,
if it is so minded, cannot prosecute
its complaints as effectively with
three men contributing to all-indus-
try endeavors as it can without.
Nor is there much reason to be-
lieve that Allied, by forsaking the
course of industry unity to espouse
the other course exclusively, is bet-
ter serving its members and the
cause of the independent exhibitors.
If Cole feels that Allied has been
poorly repaid for its valuable con-
tributions to recent industry en-
deavors, he need only reflect that
the realization of arbitration, an
effective COMPO and tax repeal,
each holds its own promise of re-
ward. Those rewards need not be
jeopardized simply because, as Cole
sees it, there are other jobs to be
done.
Newsreel
Parade
'Fatima' Holdovers
Set Several 'Firsts'
Warner Brothers' "The Miracle of
Fatima" is setting new "firsts" in
many of its holdover engagements re-
corded to date, the company reports.
The picture is holding over for a
second week at the Strand, Scranton,
and the Paramount, Wilkesbarre,
marking the first time in five years
that any attraction has been held over
at either houses. The picture's fourth
week holdover at the Center Theatre,
Buffalo, is also the first time in five
years for a fourth week in this situa-
tion. The holding of "Fatima" for a
second week at the Stanley in Utica is
the first time in the history of the
house that any picture played a full
second week.
Meet With Rep. Boiling
Kansas City, Oct. 19. — Congress-
man Richard Boiling, representing the
district including this city, was the
luncheon guest of the committee desig-
nated to make contact with him in
behalf of the admission tax repeal
proposal.
rHE breaking of the Arctic record
by the U. S. Coast Guard- ship
East Wind in Greenland is the high-
light of most newsreels. Also featured
are the return of Korean wounded,
the wedding of a Japanese Princess to
a commoner, the opening of the Unit'
ed Nations in new quarters, and. a
speech by Pope Pious.
FOX MOVIETONE NEWS, No. »5— U.N.
Assembly opens in Now York. Action on
Korean front. Nippon Princess weds com-
moner. 500,000 hail Pope Pius. Coast Guard
ship cracks Polar ice.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 215— Korea
issue stirs U. N. Vast multitude cheers
Pope. Egyptians hail "Strong' man." Jap
Emperor's daughter a bride. U. S. Coast
Guard sets Arctic record.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 17— N. Y.
Giants topple Cleveland Browns. Multitude
hears Pope. Wounded Korean heroes home.
Korean front aflame. U.N. search for peace
continues.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 42B — "Ike"
speaks in Texas. Hiss deposition becomes
campaign issue. Haile Selassie visits new
domain. Malan open Uranium city, Tuin in-
spects war games. U.N. in new quarters.
Korean ground fighting hotter. French
cyclist spills.
UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL, No. 405—
U.N. Assembly seventh session opens.
Maguib. Korean wounded return. Catholic
meeting. International delegates. Choose a
star. Princess weds. Ice breaker sets new
Polar mark.
WARNER PATHE, NEWS, No. 20—
Amazing Arctic voyage "East Wind."
Bitter battle for ridges. Mickey Rooney en-
tertains troops. U.N. General Assembly
opens. Eisenhower in the South. Stevenson
in the West. Gen. Naguib tours Nile for
support. Haile Selassie unites two nations.
N. Y. Giants beat Browns. Motorcycle
crosses English channel.
Third Set of 4U'
Managers to Coast
The third and final of a series of
visits of Universal's 32 branch man-
agers to the company's studios for
conferences with studio executives on
current conditions in their territories
and for a first-hand view of new prod-
uct and production activities, will get
underway today, Charles J. Feldman,
general sales manager, announced at
the weekend as the final group of 11
branch managers left for the Coast.
Participants in the conferences have
been Milton R. Rackmil, president ;
N. J. Blumberg, chairman of the
board ; William Goetz, in charge of
production ; Edward Muhl, vice-pres-
ident and general manager of the stu-
dio, and David A. Lipton, vice-pres-
ident in charge of advertising and pub-
licity. Alfred E. Daff, executive vice-
president, and Feldman participated in
the initial sessions.
Attending the third and final series
of meetings will be Joseph Leon from
Philadelphia ; Dave Miller, Buffalo ;
Ben Robins, Detroit; Samuel Oshry,
Inrhananolis ; William Blum, Cincin-
nati; Charles Hudgens, Oklahoma
City; David Goldman, Milwaukee;
Leroy J. Miller, Minneapolis; Abe
Swerdlow, Los Angeles; Arthur
Greenfield, Seattle, and Ernest J. Piro,
Portland.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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. Uuigpuoco,
New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice- reside n^ Leo .
Bradv, Secretary; James P. Cunningham. News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager: Gus H. Fausel Production Manager: Hollywood Bureau. Yucca-Vine
Building, William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley Advertising Representative. FI 6-3074; Bruce Tnnz. Edrtorial Representative. 11
North Clark Street. FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club. Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; Hope . turnup, Manager, reter
Burmip. 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; International Motion Picture Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter, Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, IN. unaer
the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year; $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies. 10c
They pays their money. . .
LIFE
See for
example h
ow LIFE can
build
the
box
office
in these cities:
No. of
Seating
.IFE audience —
theaters**
capacity**
single issue*
Boston
167
177,097
741,730
Chicago
418
418,301
848,150
Houston
67
57,201
129,800
San Francisco
215
207,274
478,280
That's why, to promote the picture you show, the
motion picture industry invests more dollars in
LIFE than in any other magazine.
*From A Study of the Accumulative Audience of LIFE, by Alfred
Politz Research, Inc. A " LIFE reader" is any person age 10
or over who has read one or more of 13 issues.
**1951, 33rd Edition of the Film Daily Year Book of Motion
Pictures.
makes their choice
Films advertised in LIFE help boost the take at
your box office. For no other magazine wields such
influence over so vast an audience.
In the course of 13 issues, 62,600,000 people-
over half the nation— read LIFE.*
It's true in most cases that LIFE'S local audience
in city after city across the country is greater than
the seating capacities of all the theaters in them.
LIFE
9 Rockefeller Plaza, New York 20, N. Y.
First in circulation
First in readership
First in advertising
revenue
4
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, October 20, 1952
Cinerama
(Continued from, page 1)
of the corporation, the announcement
revealed.
Roberts pointed out that Mayers
association is with the production
company, which is currently present-
ing "This Is Cinerama" at the Broad-
way Theatre and which controls the
licensing company, Cinerama, Inc.
Merian C. Cooper's position as gen-
eral manager in charge of the corpo-
ration's production program is un-
changed, said Roberts. Mayer referred
to Cooper's position in the new organi-
zation as being essentially the same
as that of the late Irving Thalberg,
who was executive producer while
Mayer was the head of producation
at M-G-M.
Mayer's new association with Cin-
erama, Roberts said, "will bring to
that organization the benefits ot the
veteran producer's many years of prac-
tical showmanship, valuable alike in
the ambitious production plans of the
sponsors of the new entertainment
medium, and in its plans for the in-
stallation of Cinerama equipment in
many of the key cities of this coun-
try and in the capitals of Europe."
Since it opened at the Broadway
Theatre on Sept. 30, the company's
first production, "This Is Cinerama,"
has played to more than capacity at
every performance. Press coverage
that hailed the process as a revolu-
tion in entertainment has resulted in
a mail demand from out-of-town that
averages close to 1,000 letters a day,
it was stated.
Beginning immediately, Mayer
will devote himself to the com-
pany's production plans in asso-
ciation with Merian C. Cooper,
and the expansion of its ex-
hibition to cities other than
New York. He will divide his
time between the New York
and the Hollywood headquarters
of Cinerama, the latter to be
opened soon, Roberts disclosed.
"Cinerama is as new and challeng-
ing as sound was," said Mayer. "It
opens a whole new world to us. I am
proud to join Lowell Thomas, Merian
C. Cooper, Dudley Roberts, Frank
Smith and their associates in an ef-
fort to realize the almost limitless
possibilities of Cinerama as a medium
of story telling, and in expanding its
audience from one theatre to many
theatres across America and in the
capitals of the world."
Cinerama is the invention of Fred
Waller. Fifteen years were spent in
its development, and an investment
estimated at $12,000,000. The adapta-
tion of stereophonic sound was large-
ly the work of Hazard Reeves.
17 Projectionists at Salaries Totaling
$2,000 Weekly Used in Cinerama Show
The extent to which Cinerama can benefit projectionists, and at
the same time add substantially to theatre operating costs, was
brought out here with the disclosure that each day's performance
of "This Is Cinerama" at the Broadway Theatre requires the ser-
vice of 17 members of IATSE New York Projectionists Local
No. 306.
The salaries of these 17 come to approximately $2,000 per week.
The triple-projection, three dimensional effect system called for
the installation of three booths at the theatre with two projection
machines in each booth. Each booth is manned during each of
two seven-hour shifts by two "306" members. The six operators
on each shift are supervised by a foreman projectionist. In
addition to the two foremen there are three other "306" members
who during the two performances watch the functioning of the
sound equipment.
The weekly gross at the Broadway since the Cinerama showings
commenced on Sept. 30, reportedly has been $35,000.
In the THEATRE
Equipment
World . . .
with RAY GALLO
Two Charged with
NPA Violations
Says British Hold
US Firms in Esteem
Teamsters Hit U. S.
On 16mm. TV Suit
Hollywood, Oct. 19. — International
Brotherhood of Teamsters in national
convention here resolved against the
government's 16mm. suit seeking to
compel film companies to supply thea-
trical films to television and also
against "runaway" production prac
tice by which American theatrical
and television film producers produce
abroad films to be exhibited here
Teamsters also awarded national thea
tres president Charles Skouras a gold
membership card in token apprecia-
tion of long-time employer-employee
relations.
Washington, Oct. 19.— The Na-
tional Production Authority reports
hearing commissioner H. Bascom
Thomas has ruled that two partners
in a Texas drive-in theatre violated
NPA orders and regulations by con-
structing the theatre early this year
with more copper than permitted
under government construction con-
trols.
The partners are W. O. Beardon of
Lubbock and I. R. Doyal of the Tas-
cosa Drive-in Theatre in Amarillo.
The original NPA complaint charged
the partners with furnishing false in-
formation regarding the _ amount of
copper wire used in building the the-
atre, but Thomas found that the vio-
lations were not accompanied by fraud
or fraudulent representation on the
part of either man.
However, Thomas directed that all
priority assistance and allocations as
well as authority to use controlled
materials to build. additional drive-ins
be withdrawn from the partners for
the duration of the Defense Produc-
tion Act, now slated to expire June
30, 1953. He also ordered all privi-
leges of self-authorization and auto-
matic allotments be denied the two as
long as the Act is on the books. He
said that if controls are relaxed later
and theatre builders are allowed some
copper, the two men could obtain any
further copper needed for the Tascosa
Drive-in, provided the amount which
be required, plus the 230 pounds al-
ready used do not exceed the NPA
limit.
Mexican Exhibitors
Hit Distributors
Mexico City, Oct. 19. — Charges of
monopoly against exhibitors by the
Producers and Distributors Associa-
tion appearing in full-page newspaper
advertisements addressed to the Sen-
ate were rebutted in like form by the
Cinema Impresarios Association and
the National Exhibitors Union.
Panther Sets 4 Films
Panther Productions, Inc. has com-
pleted shooting on "Violated," a fea-
ture made in and around New York
City, and plans to produce three addi-
tional features for theatrical release
during 1953. The first will be "The
Male Urge," scheduled to go before
the cameras Jan 15.
Never in the history of the industry
has the standing of American distri
butors in England been better, both
with exhibitors and the public, accord
ing to Douglas Granville, Universal's
special representative for the United
Kingdom and Ireland, who is here
from London for home office confer
ences.
Granville said that despite adverse
economic conditions in Britain, there
is only a slight drop in theatre grosses
However, he added, "big pictures'
will gross more today than in previous
years.
At its present stage, TV in Britain
has virtually no effect on the box-
office, Granville said, adding that there
are currently about 5,000^000 home
television sets in Britain with a net-
work of relay stations covering ap-
proximately 80 per cent of the popu-
lation. The lack of TV competition
was attributed to many factors, in-
cluding the. operation of only one sta-
tion by the government, a station
which goes on the air only a few
hours during the evening. Commercial
sponsored TV in Britain was seen by
Granville from four to five years
away.
Granville and Alfred E. Daff, Uni-
versal executive vice-president, who
also attended the press conference, ex-
pressed complete satisfaction with the
J. Arthur Rank Organization, which
handles the distribution of Universal
films in the United Kingdom. Daff
added that Universal expects to retain
its association with Rank many more
years.
Due to construction restrictions.
Granville saw little possibility for new
theatres being built in England. H°
reported British exhibitors are fight-
ing the entertainment tax which, he
said, amounts to an over-all average
of 39 per cent. Granville said that
Rank is continuing his experimental
utilization of theatre television equip-
ment which is installed in a number
of Rank theatres.
While in New York, Granville paid
a visit to the Broadway Theatre and
saw Cinerama for the first time. He
orophesized that Cinerama "will com
pletely revolutionize the industry" in
time, and expressed hone that it would
be shown in London shortly.
Granville, following his home offic
conferences, plans to visit Hollywood
in about another two weeks.
ROUNDING up highlights of the
recent meeting of the Society of
Motion Picture and Television En-
gineers in Washington, we believe it
worth noting that this convention at-
tracted nearly 1,000 delegates from all
over the world, the largest SMPTE
attendance ever in the East.
»
Stepping into the shoes of Bill
Kunzmann, who resigned as conven-
tion vice-president, is John W.
Servies of National Theatre Supply.
Servies arranged a surprise testi-
monial luncheon for Bill at which
he was presented with a gold key
chain and money clip, along with a
scroll signed by friends who at-
tended the affair. Oscar Neu of
Neumade Products was the M. C.
•
At the banquet, special tribute was
paid to Dr. John I. Crabtree, former
SMPTE president, and recipient of
the Progress Medal Award. Dave
Joy of National Carbon read the cita-
tion. . . . Peter Mole, retiring presi-
dent, presented Dr. Herbert T. Kal-
mus with the Samuel Warner Me-
morial Award. . . . Axel G. Jensen
of Bell Laboratories received both the
David Sarnoff Gold Medal and the
Society's Fellowship. . . . Henry
Hood, another recipient of the Fel-
lowship, was appointed engineering-
vice-president to fill the vacancy left
by the resignation of F. T. Bowditch.
•
Many persons from abroad at-
tended the convention, among them
Gilbert Ruellan of Andre DeBre,
Paris, and Gustav Jirouch of Cine-
Television, Kent, England.
•
One of the major highlights of the
convention was a Coffee Clubroom
provided by RCA Victor in a separate
room and foyer near the main meet-
ing hall. Here conventioneers met
friends and secured refreshments at
any time during session hours. Nearly
50,000 cups of coffee were consumed,
plus 100 gallons of citrus juice and
200 dozen doughnuts and rolls. RCA
and its public relations man, Dick
Hooper, originator of the idea, cer-
tainly installed a popular service.
Shown below enjoying a "coffee
klatch" are Jack O'Brien, Wally
Wolf, and Barton Kreuzer, all of
RCA, and Nate Golden, chief motion
picture officer of the NPA.
Monday, October 20, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
To Tell FCC
(Continued from page 1)
'Plymouth Adventure
99
(Continued from page 1)
sociation of America, and Marcus
Cohn, attorney for the National Ex-
hibitors Theatre Television Commit-
tee. The three attorneys will present
the industry's theatre television case
to the Commission — both at the engi-
neering and accounting phase of the
hearing, which is due to run for about
two weeks starting tomorrow, and at
the major presentation of the case,
which is scheduled to open Jan. 12.
Bid for Space on Spectrum
The attorneys stressed the fact that
the industry will not ask for licenses,
but will merely ask that the FCC
set aside space on the spectrum for
eventual industry use for a theatre
television service. They would not
specify exactly how the industry
would transmit theatre television pro-
grams, they said, because they wanted
to be "free to adapt ourselves to what-
ever the Commission decides" should
be done in the way of carrying the
service.
All three attorneys declared that the
industry was not "fighting" broadcast-
ing or home television. Cohn main-
tained that "the technique of theatre
television, particularly in color, can
bring a new type of entertainment to
the people." He said that theatre
television was part of the development
of "the logical, technological prog-
ress of the theatre industry," and that
it was "to the credit" of the industry
that it was making theatre television
available to the public. Although home
television was of great service to the
people, he said, it had certain limita-
tions which theatre television didn't
have.
Welch emphasized his belief that
theatre television programming would
not conflict with home television pro-
gramming.
Want Better Service
In discussing the present common
carrier faciilties which theatre televi-
sion could use, Fly said that the
industry wanted a "more extensive and
continuous service which presumably
would overload the current A. T.
f and T. facilities." In addition, he de-
i clared, the industry "wanted a better
type of service" than that provided by
A. T. and T.'s current band width
and its location in the spectrum.
Fly pointed out that even if A. T.
and T. should establish the fact that
it can render the service contemplated
by the industry, that wouldn't neces-
sarily mean that the Commission
would authorize the company to do it.
A. T. and T. "has no legal right to
furnish all the required services in this
field," he said. The Commission could
authorize Western Union to do it, he
went on, or it could authorize the in-
dustry to organize a company to pro-
vide the facilities.
Present at the conference along with
Fly, Welch and Cohn was Ed Cooper,
MPAA theatre te'evision specialist.
In addition to MPAA and NETTC,
almost SO notices of appearances in
the hearing have been filed with the
Commission.
'Journal'
(Continued from page 1)
tions aboard ship, the overwhelming battering of the storming sea, long days
without sufficient food and water, and the growing animosity between crew
and passengers. Historical fact is followed in intensely dramatic terms and
the film opens with the machinations behind the real estate swindle that
resulted in the Pilgrims being landed in New England instead of their
desired Virginia. The Pilgrims are shown to include business-seeking mer-
chants and adventurers as well as those fleeing religious oppression.
The major fictional invention is the pivotal characterization of the May-
flower's captain, which Tracy brilliantly portrays as a fine but hard-bitten
ruler, forsaking yet desperately searching for the goodness of heart and peace
of mind which Miss Tierney so winningly exhibits as the wife of pious Pil-
grim Genn. Tracy saves Genn's life when he is washed overboard in a storm
but otherwise continues his efforts to win Miss Tierney's affection. When
Tracy does so after the ship has safely reached port and Genn is surveying
the land, Miss Tierney cannot choose between them and drowns herself.
Tracy' quells a mutiny led by vicious mate Lloyd Bridges after he decides
to keep the ship off shore as a shelter rather than return, while the Pilgrims
build houses. Eventually he is won over to the Pilgrims' morality and leaves
after aiding them much. Johnston and Dawn Addams are the supplementary
romantic interest as John Alden and Priscilla but the poetic invention of
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow which has no basis in fact is not used. In-
cluded in a large and competent cast are Barry Jones, John Dehner, Noel
Drayton, Tommy Ivo and Lowell Gilmore. Miklos Rozsa wrote an appro-
priate musical score. .
This is a rare film that holds appeal for every type of moviegoer and con-
descends to none. Avid viewers of spectacle, romance or drama will find
this rewarding fare. Marquee-wise this is loaded, for Tracy, Johnson, Tierney
and Genn attract a large following. The intelligent treatment of the Tracy-
Tierney romance is in good taste and should prove no deterrent to exploita-
tion tie-ups with schools because of the historical accuracy of the film.
Toward this end there are the signing of the Mayflower Compact, the flight
of William Brewster of the Separatist Church, the aforementioned facts
concerning the trip, and a wealth of detail as to instruments and clothing.
It is a production that involved the labor of some 1,200 men and the personal
supervision of Schary. The result is well worthwhile. .
Running time 104 minutes. General audience classification. Release
date, Nov. 28. Walter Pashkin
RKO to Release
15 in Six Months
RKO Radio Pictures, under the
new Stolkin management group, will
have at least 15 pictures to release
over a six-month period, it was
learned here at the weekend. Most
of the films were produced by inde-
pendents releasing through RKO.
The IS include: "Under the Red
Sea," a Sol Lesser production ; "Mon-
tana Belle"; "Androcles and the
Lion," Gabriel Pascal; "Face to
Face," Huntington Hartford; "Never
Wave at a Wac," Independent Art-
ists; "Blackbird, the Pirate," Grain-
ger ; "Beautiful But Dangerous" ;
"Hans Christian Anderson," Samuel
Goldwyn; "Jet Pilot," "The Differ-
ence," Filmakers; "Break Up"; "No
Time for Flowers," Mort Briskin ;
"Peter Pan," Walt Disney Produc-
tions ; "The Murder," (tentative title) ;
and "The Sea Devils."
Name Kay Norton
(Continued from page 1)
Companies Willing
To Confer on Draft
Distributors "stand ready" to meet
with exhibitors on any disputed points
of the arbitration draft, drawn up by
the arbitration committee of the dis-
tributing companies and sent out to
exhibitor organizations, Eric John-
ston, president of the Motion Picture
Association of America, declared here
at the weekend.
Added Johnston: "Let me repeat
again what I have said before— the
motion picture producing and distri-
buting companies want to set up an
arbitration system in cooperation with
exhibitors. There is no other industry
project in which our companies have
invested more time and effort during
the year. They are prepared to invest
as much more as may be necessary to
reach agreement in a spirit of earnest
goodwill."
To Show German Films
The Franklin Theatre in Detroit has
initiated a policy of showing German
features exclusively, Friday through
Monday, it was reported here by
Munio Podhorzer, president of Casino
Film Exchange, specializing in the
distribution of German films.
licity department of RKO Radio.
Other publicists hired by the company
'nclude Murray Segal, who will leave
his trade press contact post with Para-
mount in two weeks, and Ruth Cos-
grove, formerly with Eagle-Lion, who
will begin her duties with RKO at
once. Goldberg, too, will assume his
RKO duties immediately.
Miss Norton succeeds Don Prince,
resigned. Before accepting the RKO
post, she headed her own publicity
organization.
William Fadiman Named Story
Head at RKO Radio Studio
Hollywood, Oct. 19. — William
Fadiman, with RKO studio since 1947,
has been assigned story editorship by
Cole's Proposal
(Continued from page 1)
industry here tc speculate on the pur-
nose or implications of Cole's pro-
posal and on the consequences such
an action would have if approved by
the Allied board next month.
One who indicated his name could
be used in connection with his com-
ment was Samuel Pinanski, one of the
three members of the Council of Mo-
tion Picture Organizations' governing
committee. "No single individual or
group is more important than the in-
dustry's campaign for repeal of the
Federal admission tax," Pinanski said
as he left here Friday for his Boston
headquarters.
being alien to the usual editorial char- j
acter of the paper. _ !
The documented files on individuals :
within the Ralph Stolkin syndicate re-
veal more than reportorial purposeful-
ness in the combing of 20-year or more
old files of the Federal Trade Com-
mission, the Chicago Better Business
Bureau and last year's transcripts of
the Kefauver hearings. What the pur-
pose may be has many in the industry
guessing.
Touches Animosities
The speculation touches personal
and business animosities ; the possibil-
ity of a bid for a proxy fight on be-
half of individuals friendly to the pa-
per to wrest control of RKO Pictures
from the owners of the 29 per cent
interest, or the expression of a con-
tinuing editorial disdain for the mo-
tion picture industry on the part of
the Journal.
In connection with the latter, the
Journal's uncomplimentary national
"roundup" of the economic state of
the industry at a time last summer
when theatre attendance was on the
increase for the first time in months
is recalled by many.
Whatever the purpose, and company
executives throughout the industry are
convinced the Journal is going out of
its way in an endeavor to "prove
something," rather than simply pre-
sent a story, the feeling is widespread
that the attack upon the RKO Pic-
tures group not only does that com-
pany incalculable harm but injures
every other motion picture company
as well.
No Parallels
Citing their reasons for believing
the Journal's articles are not journal-
istic solely, executives point out not
only that they have few, if any, par-
allels in Journal reporting, but that the
first two were given the lead news
position on the paper's page one, ord-
inarily reserved for spot news devel-
opments. A serialized expose of busi-
ness histories of individuals, they con-
tend, would not be given that position
had the Journal no axe to grind.
In addition, derisive references to
members of the new RKO Pictures
management whose business and pro-
fessional character withstood the Jour-
nal's investigation, would not have
been included either in an objective
expose or in a wholly unbiased news
storv, industry executives contend.
Many are anxious to <=ee the Jour-
nal's suspected motive exposed, con-
fident that if it is the investing public
will be able properly to evaluate it
without further loss of confidence in
motion picture securities.
S.K.
Sherrill Corwin, succeeding Harry
Tatelman, who has been assigned
other work.
Johnston Paris Trip
Put Off Temporarily
Eric A. Johnston, Motion Picture
Association of America president, who
was scheduled to leave here Saturday
by plane for Paris, postponed his de-
parture indefinitely. Johnston decided
to put the trip off until he has recov-
ered from a cold he contracted earlier
last week.
Johnston was to have conferred this
week in Paris with French govern-
ment and film industry officials with a
view to finding a basis for a resump-
tion in negotiations for a new Franco-
American film pact.
WHY ARE SO MANY
HOLLYWOOD PRODUCERS
ASKING TO SEE IT
IN ADVANCE?
— because preview re-
ports are simply sen-
sational — because
it's different, with a
brand new twist in
mystery stories! See it
immediately for your-
self and come pre-
pared to jump out of
your seat!
- - - take it
from 20th!
Music written
and directed by
DIMITRI TIOMKIN
Produced by
BERT E. FRIEDLOB
Written and directed by
ANDREW STONE
A BERT E. FRIEDL03
Production
Released by
20th Century-Fox
Branch Managers' Testimonial Sept. 28 — Dec. 27
VOL. 72. NO. 78
wwi lum rivi vi\i»
DAILY
NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1952
TEN CENTS
'ITGrantsMore
Autonomy to
Local Sections
Zucker Promoted to Head
New District in K.C.
Universal has realigned its sales
districts in a move to provide more
effective service by the delegation
of greater authority to the local
level, it was
disclosed here
yesterday by
Charles J. Feld-
man, general
sales manager.
Lester Zuck-
er, branch man-
ager in Cleve-
land, has been
promoted to
head a new dis-
trict which will
include the
Kansas City,
Omaha, Des
Moines, Salt
Lake City and Denver branches with
headquarters in Kansas City.
In making known the reallocation
(Continued on page 3)
U.S. May Protest
Mexican Cutbacks
Washington, Oct. 20.— There
is a "very good possibility"
that the State Department
will protest Mexico's recent-
ly - imposed restrictions on
American films, a top depart-
ment official declared.
He said it would be "pre-
mature" to say that such a
protest has already been
made, but that the depart-
ment "is examining and work-
ing on the problem, and there
is a very good possibility we
will want to make some rep-
resentations to the Mexican
Government on it."
McCormick Leaves
RKO Radio Ad Post
tester Zucker
SALEM, Ore., Oct. 20.—
Employes of the Portland
Meadows race track have
filed with the state elec-
tion bureau here an ini-
tiative measure that
would outlaw the showing
of motion pictures in Ore-
gon on Sundays.
•
ALBANY, N. Y. , Oct. 20.
—Lewis A. Sumberg, exec-
utive director of the Al-
bany Theatre Owners of
America, in a call to mem-
bers to attend a meeting
here on Wednesday, stated
that the regional unit is
priming its guns on "the
serious shortage of
prints" and proposes to
take the situation up with
local branch managers
"and then carry on at a
national level" to deal
with the question.
The resignation of S. Barret Mc
Cormick as advertising director of
RKO Radio Pictures was announced
here yesterday by the company's new
board of directors.
The board expressed regret at Mc-
Cormick's resignation, which ended a
20 year association with the company
as advertising director. Richard Con-
don, recently named director of adver-
tising, publicity and exploitation, com-
mented: Both Arnold Picker, execu-
tive vice-president of the company,
and I recognize McCormick as an out-
standing advertising executive in this
industry and we hoped that he would
be able to fit into the reorganized ad-
vertising, publicity and exploitation
departments."
McCormick will continue at his
office for several weeks to complete
work on campaigns already started
and to transfer to his successor, not
(Continued on page 3)
4The Thief Bows
| To $95,000; Grosses
At Weekend Sturdy
A robust $95,000' for the first week
of "The Thief" at the Roxy, which
also features a stage show, paced New
York first-run theatres this week.
Among off-Broadway theatres, "O.
Henry's Full House" at the 52nd
Street Trans-Lux is expected to hit
a big $16,000 for its opening seven
days, breaking '. the house's previous
record, set by "Seven Days to Noon"
during Christmas week of 1950.
At most Broadway situations, week-
end grosses remained sturdy. Thea-
tremen, asked to comment on the box-
office affect of the wide interest in
the current Presidential campaign, ex-
pressed the view, in the main, that the
affect was negligible. However, as
Election Day draws closer, its con-
sequence on the box-office will bear
watching, most circuit executives felt.
"Because You're Mine" continued
strong at Radio City Music Hall, with
(Continued on page 3)
240 at Convention
Of MPE of Florida
IFCC's Walker
| Hits Theatre
TV of Fights
'Monopoly' Is Scored
As Hearings Open
Washington, Oct. 20. — Federal
Communications Commission chair-!
man Paul Walker scored the ex-
clusive theatre telecasts of fights at
the opening session of the theatre tele-
vision hearing, which today began two
weeks of testimony on engineering and
accounting phases.
Walker declared the Commis-
sion had received many com-
plaints about theatre televi-
sion's "monopoly" of telecast
fights and said the public was
"worried" about not getting
them on home television sets.
In addition, at today's kick-off ses-
sion, attorneys and witnesses, for the
Motion Picture Association of Amer-
ica and the National Exhibitors Thea-
tre Television Committee were forced
to give more detailed information than
they planned to divulge at this time in
(Continued on page. 2)
Fitzgibbons Opens
FP-C Eastern Meet
Niagara Falls, Ont, Oct. 20.— J.
Fitzgibbons, president and managing
director of Famous Players-Canadian
Corp-, opened a two-day meeting of
managers and theatre executives of the
the circuit's Eastern division, with a
keynote message in which he urged a
careful file of business building sug-
gestions and ideas from the trade.
Morris Stein, Eastern general mana-
ger, outlined new product and the new
opportunity ahead, which he termed
the greatest the company has ever
known. . .
R. W. Bolstad, vice-president and
treasurer, said business has quad-
(Continued on page 2)
Jacksonville, Fla., Oct. 20. — Pres-
ident Maurice E. Hensler opened the
1952 convention of the Motion Picture
Exhibitors of Florida in the Roosevelt
Hotel here this morning, and intro-
duced Mayor W. Hay don Burns, who
gave an address of welcome to the
240 registered members in attendance.
A general business session followed,
with committee reports and brief talks
by these officers : Boliver Hyde, Jr.,
chairman of the board ; Bob Cannon,
treasurer; Hugh Martin, Sr., first
vice-president; Horace Denning, sec-
(Continued on page 2)
Balaban, Raibourn
On DuMont's Board
200 Register at
Mich. Allied Meet
Detroit, Oct. 20. — Allied Theatres
of Michigan opened its three-day an-
nual convention at the Hotel Tuller
today, devoting the entire day to reg-
istration. More than 200 had reg-
istered by the end of the day.
Wilbur Snaper, national Allied
president, arrived to deliver an ad-
dress on "Arbitration" tomorrow.
Leon J. Bamberger, RKO Radio
sales promotion manager, will be pres-
ent tomorrow to give an address. At
the Congressional luncheon, tomorrow,
Charles Potter, Congressman, and
Abram Myers will deliver speeches on
"Tax Repeal" and the "16mm Anti-
(Continued on page 2)
Clifton, N. J., Oct. 20'.— Paramount
Pictures, voting at a special meeting
here today of Allen B. DuMont Lab-
oratories stockholders, elected to "the"
eight-man DuMont board Barney
Balaban, Paul Raibourn and Edwin
Weisl. Paramount, as sole owner of
DuMont Class B common stock, was
entitled to elect three members of the
board, the secretary, treasurer and as-
sistant treasurer.
Elected to the board also were the
following DuMont nominees for Class
(Continued on page 3)
Republic Profits
Climb to $807,447
A net profit of $807,447, after taxes,
for the 39 weeks ended July 26, 1952
was reported here yesterday by Re-
public Pictures Corp. The estimated
Federal normal and surtaxes for the
39 weeks was listed at $870,000.
For the 39 weeks ended July 28,
1951, the company reported a net
profit of $728,270, after taxes of;
$630,000.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, October 21, 1952
Personal
Mention
JACK COHN, Columbia executive
vice-president, is in Miami to attend
the current convention of Columbia
International.
John Davis, managing director of
the J. Arthur Rank Organization,
London, is in Chicago and will return
to New York later in the week.
•
Silas Seadler, M-G-M advertis-
ing head, will return here from Eu-
rope today. He had been expected to
return yesterday.
•
Arthur Canton, Eastern M-G-M
press representative, returned here
yesterday from several weeks in
Canada.
Florida Meet
{Continued from page 1)
ond vice-president; and Bill P. Cum-
baa, secretary.
At a luncheon meeting, Mike Simon
of M-G-M spoke.
Lamar Sarra, attorney and public
relations chief for the Florida State
Theatre circuit of 70-plus houses,
opened the afternoon conclave with an
address on existing taxes and prob-
lems facing exhibitors at the next
Florida legislative session in 1953.
Next, Nat Williams, Thomasville,
Ga., noted raconteur and theatre oper-
ator, served as moderator for a panel
discussion on exhibitor problems ver-
sus distributor policies.
The principal discussion speaker,
Hugh Martin, Sr., head of a 15-house
Central Florida circuit, stated the
"chances of survival of small town
exhibitors" and said that his "main
fear was not of television but of pro-
ducing companies in Hollywood." He
asked branch exchange managers at
the meeting- to relay to distributors
the information that rural exhibitors
need new pictures 30 days, more or
less, after Florida release dates,_ before
country people see the pictures in pop-
ulation centers and the small towners
get ''a dried-up cow."
FP-C Meet
{Continued from page- 1)
rupled in 20 years and that more than
twice as many tickets are being sold
today. Famous leads in book ticket
sales, now established 11 years, it was
reported. One manager sold 35,000
tickets to one industrial concern, it
was said.
Walter Brooks, director of the Man-
agers' Round Table of Motion Pic-
ture Herald, was a guest speaker.
Michigan Allied
(Continued from page 1)
Trust Government Lawsuit." Sam
Pinanski will talk on "COMPO's na-
tional tax repeal program." "Business
Topics" will be discussed by William
Gehring, 20th-Fox sales executive.
Theatre TV of Fights Hit
(Continued from page 1)
the hearing on band widths and spec-
trum location for theatre television
transmissions channels. The informa-
tion was given after repeated requests
from FCC general counsel Benedict
Cottone and Commissioner Frieda
Hennock and Walker.
MPAA counsel James Fly and
NETTC counsel Marcus Cohn opened
the hearing, held in the auditorium of
the National Museum here, with brief
statements. Fly told the Commission
an "extensive theatre television serv-
ice" was "certain." The problem of
the hearing, he continued, was to find
"ways and means" of realizing "the
public potential in a widespread the-
atre television service in harmony with
the public interest."
In their simplest terms, Fly
said, the industry's petitions
before the FCC "seek the allo-
cation of adequate frequencies
for the use of the industry in
transmitting television pro-
grams and in distributing them
to theatres."
Cohn declared the industry didn't
propose "to take away any frequen-
cies presently allocated to broadcasting
services." He told the Commission
that theatre television "fulfills a new
need" not competitive with other
broadcasting. Theatre television, he
said, was the "natural continuation of
the technical advances made by motion
pictures in the last 50 years."
It was during the testimony of Earl
Sponable, director of research for 20th
Century-Fox, that Walker made his
blast at exclusive theatre telecasts of
fights. Interrupting Sponable's an-
alysis of qualities of the screen im-
ages during fight telecasts, Walker
said he had received many complaints
from Congress and from the public
about "your monopoly of fights," and
said that "the public can't get them
until they go to a theatre." The
public "wants to know," he said,
what's going to happen to fight tele-
casts.
Vincent Welch, MPAA attorney,
told Walker there would be discussion
on the point in the major portion of
the hearing, due to start Jan. 12.
"It's going to take more than dis-
cussion," Walker replied. He went
on to say that some complaints have
particularly mentioned that the the-
atres "had not been large enough for
all the people who wanted to get in."
Welch answered that the industry
would be happy to install theatre tele-
vision equipment in more theatres.
"I think the public isn't worrying
too much about not getting into the
theatres," Walker said. "I think
they're woried about not getting fights
on the home sets." He went on to say
that if the same exclusive theatre tele-
cast policy was followed for future
fights, "the home viewers won't have
a chance to see a fight."
Fly pointed out to Walker
that MPAA and NETTC "didn't
initiate the projects and carry
on their network operation
and they shouldn't have to ac-
count for it." He added that
fights would be "a very minor
segment" of theatre television
in its future program.
Stuart Bailey, NETTC theatre tele-
vision engineer, followed Sponable,
giving brief testimony on the me-
chanics of a theatre television sys-
tem and the quality of the image. A
theatre television circuit, he said,
"should be of sufficiently high quality
to "allow the maintenance of the illu-
sion" that the viewer was "immersed
in the original scene." A truly com-
petitive system, he continued, would
ultimately require a total of six sepa-
rate program distribution systems,
"particularly between and within the
larger centers of population."
When MPAA theatre television en-
gineer Andrew Inglis took the stand
with a 75-page exhibit of technical
specifications for theatre television
transmission systems, Cottone and
Commissioners Walker and Hennock
immediately pinned him down for
more details. Commissioner Hennock
questioned Inglis repeatedly until he
declared that in order to transmit the
10 mc. bandwidth specified in the ex-
hibit a channel of 30 inc. would really
be needed. The 10 mc. band width
would actually transmit, he explained,
but it would be necessary to have an
additional 10 mc. as a buffer on each
side of it.
Welch then told the Commis-
sion that two 30 mc. channels
would provide a theatre televi-
sion system — and that six chan-
nels of 60 mc. each would sup-
ply a complete nation-wide
competitive theatre television
service. When the theatre
television case was finished, he
said, the industry's overall re-
quirements would "prove out
to be 400 mc."
Cottone pointed out that the hy-
pothesis on which the industry based
its specifications — the necessity of a
technically superior screen image in
theatre telecasting — "was not neces-
sarily accepted."
Cottone then went on to ask Inglis
where in the spectrum the industry
though the 400 mc. should be located.
Fly and Welch answered that such
information was not part of Inglis'
testimony but that a subsequent wit-
ness would deal with it. Commissioner
Walker declared he though the in-
formation about location in the spec-
trum should have been part of the
opening statement, and that he wanted
the details. Walker, Cottone and the
industry attorneys argued the point
back and forth, until Walker sug-
gested that perhaps the attorneys
"didn't want to give the information
to the Commission."
Following this Cohn gave the
Commission as suggested loca-
tions for the theatre television
channels the 5,925 band to the
6,875 band; the 3,500 band to
the 3,700 band; and the 10,700
to the 11,700 band.
It was decided to postpone cross-
questioning by previous agreement
from attorneys on this phase of the
testimony until the January hearing.
U.K. 9s Tri-Opticon
Three-Dimensional
Process to Lesser
Hollywood, Oct. 20. — Sol Lesser
today announced the acquisition of the
U. S. rights to the British developed
Tri-Opticon process which imparts a
third dimensional illusion to films.
Raymond Spottiswoode, technical di-
rector for Stero-Techniques, Ltd., a
British company, is here now with
film and projection equipment for
trade and press showings.
Lesser plans launching 10 road show
units to cover every major city short-
ly. Tri-Opticon has a revolutionary
camera mount and a mechanical calcu-
lator developed by Stero-Technique,
with the calculator correlating vari-
able factors involved and coming up
with mathematically and optically pre-
cise readings which the mount trans-
lates into the position of cameras. All
other photographic equipment — cam-
eras, lenses and films — are standard.
Special glasses such as those made by
Polaroid are required for viewing.
Elect Wolcott Pathe
Executive V.P.'
James L. Wolcott, sales vice-presi-
dent of Pathe Laboratories, was
elected executive vice-president yester-
day at a meeting- of the board of di-
rectors.
Wolcott joined the organization in
Sept., 1949, having previously been an
executive of Audience Research for
four years and prior to that for six
years production manager of the
March of Time.
The Commissioners, however, asked
repeated questions throughout the day.
Present on the dais were Commission-
ers Eugene Merrill, Rosel Hyde,
George Sterling, Hennock and Walker.
In addition to Cottone, the FCC at-
torneys who will handle the case are
Mary Jane Morris, Stratford Smith
and Jack Warner.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center
MARIO LANZA in
"BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE"
introducing DORETTA MORROW
Color by TECHNICOLOR - An M-G-IH Picture
plus
SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION
BOB
WWS PRIMA
k pmmwn! picture ** Tfeehnicxiflf
ORCHESTRA
'KEEL V SMITH
GAT0S
ffuf/o — The FIVE
Of MARCO SISTERS.
Aidnight faatvf
Nighlly
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley. Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine
Building, William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11
North Clark Street, FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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; international Motion Picture 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 21, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
'U' Grants More Autonomy
(Continued from page 1)
DuMont
(Continued from page 1)
N.Y. Grosses
(Continued from page 1)
$128,000 indicated for its fourth in-
ning. The Hall's next attraction, for
which a date is yet to be set, is "The
Happv Time."
At the Rivoli, a sturdy $48,000 is
forecast for the fifth week of "Snows
of Kilimanjaro," while a nice $57,000
is seen for the third and final week
of "Son of Paleface" at the Para-
mount. "Springfield Rifle" on the
screen and Duke Ellington on stage
move into the Paramount tomorrow.
Moderate was the word used to
describe the twin opening of "Four
Poster" at the Victoria and the off-
Broadway Sutton. The Victoria ex-
pects $22,000 for the first seven days,
while the Sutton sees $11,500 for the
same period.
'Limelight' Premiere Thursday
"Limelight'' will have its premiere
here Thursday at the continuous run
Astor and the two-a-day 60th Street
Trans-Lux. The last week of "The
Miracle of Fatima" at the Astor is
forecast to do an excellent $14,000,
aided by parochial school children who
flocked to the. theatre during the ninth
and final week.
Holding up strong is "The Merry
Widow" at Loew's State, where $21,-
000 is seen for the fourth week.
"Everything I Have Is Yours" opens
there Oct. 29. A fair $30,000 is pre-
dicted for the second week of "Just
for You" at the Capitol.
"The World in His Arms" at the
Mayfair dropped to $17,500 for a sec-
ond inning at the Mayfair. The fifth
and final week of "One Minute to
Zero" at the Criterion is expected to
of the company's sales districts and
the promotion of Zucker, Feldman
said, "The change in districts will en-
large the responsibilities of district
and branch managers, thus accom-
plishing a further decentralization of
sales policies in line with the com-
pany's grass roots policies inaugurated
two years ago."
Heiber Appointed
Feldman also announced the ap-
pointment of Edward Heiber as
branch manager in Cleveland to suc-
ceed Zucker. Heiber had been with
Universal for 20 years in various ca-
pacities of branch and district man-
ager until he resigned in 1947 to enter
his own business.
Zucker joined Universal in Oct.,
1946 as a special sales representative
hit a fairly good $14,000. The Cri-
terion's next attraction is "The Lusty
Man," which opens Friday.
"Cairo Road" is set to open Oct.
31 at the Globe, currently playing
"Lure of the Wilderness," now in its
third week ; only a satisfactory $8,500
is indicated.
At the Normandie, a good $6,700 is
due for the fourth week of "The
Magic Box." Next Tuesday, "The
Promoter" will replace "Stranger in
Between" at the Fine Arts, with a
fair $3,500 indicated for the picture's
current 10th week. The sixth week of
"The Amazing Monsieur Fabre"_ at
the Park Avenue is expected to yield
a good $3,800.
for the company's J. Arthur Rank
pictures, following posts with other
film companies. In June 1947 he was
named branch manager in Cleveland.
Comprises 3 Districts
Under the new aligment of the com-
pany's 32 branch offices, the Western
division under Foster M. Blake will
now comprise three districts. In addi-
tion to Zucker's district they will be
Barney Rose's district, which includes
the Los Angeles, San Francisco, Port-
land and Seattle exchanges with head-
quarters in San Francisco, and M. M.
Gottlieb's district which will include
the Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis
and Indianapolis branches with head-
quarters in Chicago.
The Southern division under F. J.
A. McCarthy comprises James V.
Frew's district which includes the
Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Mem-
phis and Jacksonville branches with
headquarters in Atlanta, and Henry
H. Martin's district comprising the
Dallas, New Orleans, Oklahoma City
and St. Louis branches, with head-
quarters in Dallas.
Includes Rosian's
A stockholders' votes : Allen B. Du-
Mont, Bruce T. DuMont, Thomas T.
Goldsmith, Jr., Stanley F. Patten and
Percy M. Stewart. All were incum-
bent board members.
Balaban is president, Raibourn is
vice-president, and Weisl is a member
of the board of Paramount.
The following were reelected as "of-
ficers of DuMont at the meeting,
which was held in lieu of the annual
meeting which was not held last May
5 : Allen B. DuMont, president ; Stan-
ley S. Patten, vice-president ; Rai-
bourn, treasurer ; Bernard Goodwin,
secretary; Irving Singer, assistant
treasurer.
DuMont reported a net profit of
$359,000 for the 40 weeks ended Oct.
5, 1952, against a loss of $320,000 for
the corresponding period of 1951. The
profit figure is equal to 11 cents per
share after a dividend on preferred
stock, while an 18-cent loss per share
was represented in the loss figure.
Sales for the respective periods were
$52,128,000 and $37,537,000. Common
shares outstanding at the end of both
years' periods totaled 2,361,054.
The three districts in the Eastern
division headed by P. T. Dana include
P. F. Rosian's district comprising the
Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and
Washington branches with headquar-
ters in Cleveland; John J. Scully's
district which will include the Boston,
New Haven, Albany, Buffalo and
Philadelphia branches and the Metro-
politan New York district which is
headed by David A. Levy.
McCormick Resigns
(Continued from page 1)
yet named, the operations of his office.
It is understood that the board
sought to retain McCormick, but he
refused to remain at a financial sacri-
fice. He is leaving RKO under ami-
cable terms with members of the new
management.
PARAMOUNT
TRADE SHOWS
Monday, October 27, 1952
ALAN
DEBORAH
LADD KERR
CHARLES
CORINNE
B0YER CALVET
THUNDER IN
THE EAST
Produced by EVERETT RISKIN
Directed by CHARLES VIDOR
Screenplay by JO SWERLING • Adaptation by
GEORGE TABORI and FREDERICK HAZLITT BRENNAN
From the novel by Alan Moorehead
CITY PLACE OF SCREENING TIME
ALBANY FOX SCREENING ROOM, 1052 Broadway 2:30 P.M.
ATLANTA PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 154 Walton St., N. W 2 P.M.
BOSTON PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 58-62 Berkeley Street 2 P.M.
BUFFALO PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 464 Franklin Street 2 P.M.
CHARLOTTE PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 305-7 South Church Street JO A.M.
CHICAGO PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1306 South Michigan Avenue f 30 P.M.
CINCINNATI FOX SCREENING ROOM, 1638 Central Parkway 2:30 P.M.
CLEVELAND PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1735 East 23rd Street 8.15 P.M.
DALLAS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 401 N. Pearl Expressway 2 P.M.
DENVER PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 2100 Stout Street 2 P.M.
DES MOINES PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1125 High Street 1 P M'
DETROIT PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 479 Ledyard Avenue 2 P.M.
INDIANAPOLIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 116 West Michigan Street 10:30 A.M.
JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA THEATRES SCREENING ROOM, Florida Theo. Bldg 2 P.M.
KANSAS CITY PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1800 Wyandotte Street 2 P.M
LOS ANGELES PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1613 West 20th Street 130 P.M.
MEMPHIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 362 South Second Street 12.15 NOON
MILWAUKEE PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1121 North Eighth Street 2 P.M.
MINNEAPOLIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1201 Currie Avenue 8 P.M.
NEW HAVEN PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 82 State Street 2 P.M.
NEW ORLEANS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 215 South Liberty Street 2 P.M.
NEW YORK CITY. . .PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1501 Broadway (9th Fl.) H A.M.
OKLAHOMA CITY. .PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 701 West Grand Avenue 10:30 A.M.
OMAHA FOX SCREENING ROOM, 1502 Davenport Street 1:30 P.M.
PHILADELPHIA PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 248 North 12th Street 2 P.M.
PITTSBURGH PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1727 Boulevard of Allies 2 P.M.
PORTLAND PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 909 N. W. 19th Avenue 2 P.M.
ST. LOUIS .PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 2949-2953 Olive Street I P.M.
SALT LAKE CITY PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 270 East 1st South Street 1:30 P.M.
SAN FRANCISCO. . .PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 205 Golden Gate Ave 2 P.M.
SEATTLE MODERN THEATRE SUPPLY PROJ. ROOM, 2400 Third Ave J:30 P.M.
WASHINGTON. . . .PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 306 H Street, N.W 2-30 P.M.
i EE?***'
COLOR BY
TECHNICOLOF
PICTlRFSl
Written and ifkied lis HOY H
6
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, October 21, 1952
20th -Fox Clarifies
Zanuck's Future
Status in Company
A clarification of Darryl F. Zan-
uck's contract with 20th Century-Fox,
with particular reference to the cir-
cumstances under which he can enter
upon part time, advisory service dur-
ing the second decade of the agree-
ment, starting Sept. 28, 1959, has been
filed with the Securities & Exchange
Commission.
The clarification stipulates that
Zanuck could go on an advisory serv-
ice basis prior to the end of the first
10 years of the agreement should he
determine that, because of incapacita-
tion or inability to perform the serv-
ices required of him, that step should
be necessary.
Should Zanuck enter upon part time
employment with 20th-Fox he will
have the right to produce two pictures
annually as an independent. In that
event production and distribution
terms for the pictures so made are to
be indicated to 20th-Fox, which may
accept, reject or modify them. There-
after, Zanuck may negotiate with
other companies, and if a firm pro-
posal is received 20th-Fox must be
notified and has 30 days in which to
accept or reject the terms. If re-
jected, Zanuck may engage in inde-
pendent production after first termin-
ating his part time employment with
the company and freeing it of all obli-
gations.
Levinson Services
On Coast Today
Hollywood, Oct. 20. — Funeral serv-
ices for Col Nathan Levinson, 64, film
sound pioneer and head of the Warner
Brothers sound department who died
in his sleep.at home Saturday, will be
held tomorrow at the Hollywood
Cemetery Chapel. He is survived by
his widow, the former Edna Irene
Bradford, and three sons, Edwin, John
and Robert.
Levinson worked with the late Sam
Warner in bringing the first sound, a
musical score to "Don Juan," which
was presented to a New York audience
on Aug. 6, 1926.
Basil Radford Dies
London, Oct. 20. — British film star
Basil Radford, 55, died here today fol-
lowing a stroke. Radford, who was
also a stage performer, had his first
film role in 1929 in "Barnum Was
Right." Other films include : "The
Lady Vanishes," "Tight Little Island,"
"Passport to Pimlico," "The Winslow
Boy" and "Quartet."
Veteran U.K. Exhibitor
London, Oct. 20. — John George
Wainwright, veteran London exhibi-
tor, is dead here at the age of 89. He
operated the London and District
was sold to the Granada group in
Cinemas chain for many years, which
1946. A son, Richard Wainwright, is
active in film production here.
Television-- Radio
with Pinky Herman
DON'T let anyone tell you different but the customers always
write. And he's wrong whoever said, "Go fight City Hall.
When the powers that be decide, that's the end-all and be-all."
When the TVehicle "Mr. Peepers" completed its summer-replace-
ment stint Sept. 26 on NBC, there were hundreds of letters from
disappointed fans, asking that Wally Cox and his co-workers in-
cluding Gage Clark, Pat Benoit, Tony Randall, Marion Lome and
Joseph Foley, be reinstated. Their appeal fell on responsive ears with
the result that the David Swift-Jim Fritzell series resumes Sunday
in the 7:30 P.M. slot and sponsored by Reynolds Metal Co. . . .
Sylvania Radio & TV Execs will make some interesting observations
on TV at a news conference tomorrow afternoon at the Hotel Pierre.
. . . RKO's new publicity director Kay Norton has appointed Ruth
Cosgrove in charge of TV & radio publicity and promotion with
Walter Wood, her assistant. Kay plans to utilize TV more exten-
sively in selling RKO flickers to the public "because television spot
announcements have done a terrific job for us on the revival of
'King Kong'.". . . Trade still talking about the big time job Fred
Vandeventer turned in as a last-minute replacement last week for
ailing Bill Slater on "20 Questions.". . . Short story: In 1947;
16,500 TV receivers. 1952; 18,500,000.
# ik #
20th Century-Fox has just screen-tested one of the prettiest,
nicest and most talented gals we know, Barbara Barnes, who with
her famous dad, Patt, is heard and seen daily
in a "Father & Daughter Team' MBSeries.
. . Fred Waring' s hubby and wife piano
act, Morley & Gearhart, have a keen sense
of humor. A sign posted on their home situ-
ated on a hill in Shawnee -O n- Delaware reads,
"Sheer Bluff," (but their music is sheer ma-
gic). . . .We like Harry Wismer's expert
analysis and breezy style Monday nites on
his D it Mont "Football Sidelines" Wismcr-
merings: . . . Sophie Tucker will sing "Some
Of These Days" on Arthur Van Horn's
"Time ABCapsule Show" next week to be
sealed and opened in the year 2052. (and if
La Tucker is still booked locally ye scribbler
will go listen). . . . TV's newest luminary as
of Saturday, Nov. 8 (7:30 P.M.) should be
Robert Cummings. whose situation comedy, "My Hero," is sched-
uled to NBCommence with Dunhill Cigarettes picking up tin-
tabs. Agency is Biozv. . . . Tom Slater has succeeded his brother
Bill as emcee of WOR's popular "Luncheon At Sardi'.". . .
Tenoriole Dick Paige, who won last week's "Talent CBScouts"
contest, is the same lad who sang with Percy Faith's "NBCarna.-
Hon Contented Hour" for 3 years and had his own program via
WGN in Chicago. . . . Maurice Corelli, librettist of "Carmen's
Daughter," is back after three years in Europe with a TV pack-
age, "The King's Jester," a comic-tragic theme with a medieval
setting. . . .
it it it
Royal Dano, who scored in John Huston's "Red Badge of
Courage," will portray Abraham Lincoln in the Ford Omni-
bus Theatre's Telefilm series which will be CBScreened next
month. . . . Adding a thrice weekly telecast of "Double Or
Nothing" to his six times a week "Strike It Rich" and five
times a week "The Big Payoff," just about makes Walt
Framer the busiest producer in TV. . . . Peter Lawford has
come East from MGM's Culver City environs for a fling at
TV with an assist by the Wm. Morris Agency. . . . The sing-
ing star of Max Liebman's "Your Show of Shows," will be
seen and heard in the Warner Bros, soon due flicker, "Stop,
You're Killing Me," with Claire Trevor and Broderick Craw-
ford. . . . Members of the radio and TV fields will hold their
annual Corporate Communion Breakfast, Sunday, Nov. 23,
at ten o'clock in the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria
Hotel following 9 o'clock Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral. . . .
Returning from a New England honeymoon, Michael Fitz-
maurice added two additional announcing chores to his sched-
ule, "The Right To Happiness," (NBC) and Arthur Murray's
"WABDance Party.". . . We thrilled to "Your Show of
Shows" NBConductor Charles Sanford's forty-minute dis-
course at the testimonial dinner tossed in his honor by AFM
Local 411 of Bethlehem, Pa., last week when he was awarded
a plaque for the 'best live music presented on television'.
Barbara Barnes
JVEJVS
in MMrief .
Boston, Oct. 20. — Major distri-
butors were named co-defendants in
three anti-trust damage suits filed in
U. S. District Court here by three
separate exhibitor interests. In all
three suits the charge was "a com-
bination and conspiracy of the defen-
dants to restrain and monopolize trade
by maintaining an illegal structure of
runs, clearances and admission prices"
in and near the cities involved, result-
ing in "unreasonable clearances" and
damages from other "wrongful prac-
tices."
Walter E. Mitchell, Morse Theatre,
Franklin, Mass. filed a $2,000,000
action ; Herbert I. Brown, for himself
and as assignee of Louis Rosenzweig,
operators of the Victoria Theatre,
Greenfield, Mass., filed a $2,000,000
action ; The Park Neponset Corp.
filed a $1,000,000 action as operators
of the Park Theatre, East Walpole,
Mass.
•
Hollywood, Oct. 20. — Jack L.
Warner hailed 2,000 representatives of
the automobile and motion picture in-
dustries as "close allies for the better-
ing of service to humanity" in a joint
meeting over the weekend at the War-
ner studio. Warner and Benson Ford,
vice-president of Ford Motor Co. and
general manager of the Lincoln-Mer-
cury division, were hosts.
•
Detroit, Oct. 20.— The local Vari-
ety Club was host in the Tuller Hotel
to international chief barker Jack
Beresin and international executive di-
rector Col. William McCraw.
•
MONTPELIER, Vt., Oct. 20. — A
special state legislative interim com-
mission has recommended that no con-
sideration be given by the state at this
time to enactment of an amusement
tax. •
Pizor Sets Lippert
Franchises Abroad
William M. Pizor, vice-president of
Lippert Pictures, disclosed here yes-
terday that he had set up new Lippert
franchises in Germany, France, Italy,
Denmark, Sweden and Finland and in-
spected various sites for production
possibilities during his three-month
tour of Europe from which he re-
turned late last week.
Kulick Services at
Riverside Chapel
Funeral services for Bert Kulick,
52, president of Bell Pictures Corp.,
will be held at 2:15 P.M. today at
The Riverside Chapel. Kulick's death
was caused by a blood clot. He is
survived by three brothers, Sidney,
Paul and Lawrence, and a sister,
Frances Frank.
David Smart Dies
Chicago, Oct. 20'. — David A. Smart,
60, publisher of Esquire and Coronet
magazines, and owner of Coronet
Films, distributor of 16mm. motion
pictures, died here in Wesley Memo-
rial Hospital on Friday. Smart, one-
time advertising salesman for the Chi-
cago Tribune, became president of the
publishing firm that bears his name in
1921. He is survived by his widow,
Gaby, a brother, John, two sisters, and
his father.
MOTION PICTURE r
Accurate
Concise
and
mpartial
VOL. 72. NO. 78
NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1952
TEN CENTS
6IP Grants More
Autonomy to
Local Sections
Zucker Promoted to Head
New District in K.C.
Universal has realigned its sales
districts in a move to provide more
effective service by the delegation
of greater authority to the local
level, it was
disclosed here
yesterday by
Charles J. Feld-
man, general
sales manager.
Lester Zuck-
er, branch man-
ager in Cleve-
land, has been
promoted to
head a new dis-
trict which will
include the
Kansas City,
Omaha, Des
Moines, Salt
Lake City and Denver branches with
headquarters in Kansas City.
In making known the reallocation
(Continued on page 3)
Lester Zucker
Fight on in Oregon
Over Sunday Films
Salem, Ore., Oct. 20.— An initiative
measure that would outlaw the show-
ing of motion pictures in Oregon on
Sundays has been filed with the state
election bureau here by employes of
the Portland Meadows race track.
Edward C. Foss, Portland, advises
he represents the track employes, who
resent the action of theatre operators
who are supporting a measure on the
November ballot to repeal pari-mu-
tuel wagering in Oregon.
Albany TO A in Arms
Over Print Shortage
Albany, N. Y., Oct. 20.— The re-
gional Theatre Owners of America
here is priming its guns on "the seri-
ous shortage of prints" and proposes
to take up this situation with local
branch managers "and then carry on
at a national level."
This was the keynote of a call to
members to attend a joint meeting of
the board of directors and all mem-
bers in the Albany area on Wednes-
day, issued by Lewis Sumberg.
U.S. May Protest
Mexican Cutbacks
Washington, Oct. 20.— There
is a "very good possibility"
that the State Department
will protest Mexico's recent-
ly - imposed restrictions on
American films, a top depart-
ment official declared.
He said it would be "pre-
mature" to say that such a
protest has already been
made, but that the depart-
ment "is examining and work-
ing on the problem, and there
is a very good possibility we
will want to make some rep-
resentations to the Mexican
Government on it."
McCormick Leaves
RKO Radio Ad Post
The resignation of S. Barret Mc-
Cormick as advertising director of
RKO Radio Pictures was announced
here yesterday by the company's new
board of directors.
The board expressed regret at Mc-
Cormick's resignation, which ended a
20 year association with the company
as advertising director. Richard Con-
don, recently named director of adver-
tising, publicity and exploitation, com-
mented : Both Arnold Picker, execu-
tive vice-president of the company,
and I recognize McCormick as an out-
standing advertising executive in this
industry and we hoped that he would
be able to fit into the reorganized ad-
vertising, publicity and exploitation
departments."
McCormick will continue at his
office for several weeks to complete
work on campaigns already started
and to transfer to his successor, not
(Continued on page 3)
Fitzgibbons Opens
FP-C Eastern Meet
Niagara Falls, Ont, Oct. 20.— J.
Fitzgibbons, president and managing
director of Famous Players-Canadian
Corp., opened a two-day meeting of
managers and theatre executives of the
the circuit's Eastern division, with a
keynote message in which he urged a
careful file of business building sug-
gestions and ideas from the trade.
Morris Stein, Eastern general mana-
ger, outlined new product and the new
opportunity ahead, which he termed
the greatest the company has ever
known.
R. W. Bolstad, vice-president and
treasurer, said business has quad-
(Continued on page 2)
The Thief Bows
To $95,000; Grosses
At Weekend Sturdy
A robust $95,000 for the first week
of "The Thief" at the Roxy, which
also features a stage show, paced New
York first-run theatres this week.
Among off-Broadway theatres, "O.
Henry's Full House" at the 52nd
Street Trans-Lux is expected to hit
a big $16,000 for its opening seven
days, breaking the house's previous
record, set by "Seven Days to Noon"
during Christmas week of 1950.
At most Broadway situations, week-
end grosses remained sturdy. Thea-
tremen, asked to comment on the box-
office affect of the wide interest in
the current Presidential campaign, ex-
pressed the view, in the main, that the
affect was negligible. However, as
Election Day draws closer, its con-
sequence on the box-office will bear
watching, most circuit executives felt.
"Because You're Mine" continued
strong at Radio City Music Hall, with
(Continued on page 3)
240 at Convention
Of MPE of Florida
Jacksonville, Fla., Oct. 20. — Pres-
ident Maurice E. Hensler opened the
1952 convention of the Motion Picture
Exhibitors of Florida in the Roosevelt
Hotel here this morning, and intro-
duced Mayor W. Haydon Burns, w1k>
gave an address of welcome to the
240 registered members in attendance.
A general business session followed,
with committee reports and brief talks
by these officers : Boliver Hyde, Jr.,
chairman of the board ; Bob Cannon,
treasurer ; Hugh Martin, Sr., first
vice-president ; Horace Denning, sec-
(Continued on page 2)
200 Register at
Mich. Allied Meet
Detroit, Oct. 20. — Allied Theatres
of Michigan opened its three-day an-
nual convention at the Hotel Tuller
today, devoting the entire day to reg-
istration. More than 200 had reg-
istered by the end of the day.
Wilbur Snaper, national Allied
president, arrived to deliver an ad-
dress on "Arbitration" tomorrow.
Leon J. Bamberger, RKO Radio
sales promotion manager, will be pres-
ent tomorrow to give an address. At
the Congressional luncheon, tomorrow,
Charles Potter, Congressman, and
z\bram Myers will deliver speeches on
"Tax Repeal" and the "16mm Anti-
(Continued on page 2)
FCC's Walker
Hits Theatre
TV of Fights
'Monopoly' Is Scored
As Hearings Open
Washington, Oct. 20. — Federal
Communications Commission chair-
man Paul Walker scored the ex-
clusive theatre telecasts of fights at
the opening session of the theatre tele-
vision hearing, which today began two
weeks of testimony on engineering and
accounting phases.
Walker declared the Commis-
sion had received many com-
plaints about theatre televi-
sion's "monopoly" of telecast
fights and said the public was
"worried" about not getting
them on home television sets.
In addition, at today's kick-off ses-
sion, attorneys and witnesses for the
Motion Picture Association of Amer-
ica and the National Exhibitors Thea-
tre Television Committee were forced
to give more detailed information than
they planned to divulge at this time in
(Continued on page 2)
Balaban, Raibourn
On DuMonfs Board
Clifton, N. J., Oct. 20. — Paramount
Pictures, voting at a special meeting
here today of Allen B. DuMont Lab-
oratories stockholders, elected to the
eight-man DuMont board Barney
Balaban, Paul Raibourn and Edwin
Weisl. Paramount, as sole owner of
DuMont Class B common stock, was
entitled to elect three members of the
board, the secretary, treasurer and as-
sistant treasurer.
Elected to the board also were the
following DuMont nominees for Class
(Continued on page 3)
Republic Profits
Climb to $807,447
A net profit of $807,447, after taxes,
for the 39 weeks ended July 26, 1952
was reported here yesterday by Re-
public Pictures Corp. The estimated
Federal normal and surtaxes for the
39 weeks was listed at $870,000.
For the 39 weeks ended July 28,
1951, the companv reported a net
profit of $728,270, after taxes of
$630,000.
Motion Picture Daily
Personal
Mention
JACK COHN, Columbia executive
vice-president, is in Miami to attend
the current convention of Columbia
International.
John Davis, managing director of
the J. Arthur Rank Organization,
London, is in Chicago and will return
to New York later in the week.
•
' Silas Seadler, M-G-M advertis-
ing head, will return here from Eu-
rope today. He had been expected to
return yesterday.
•
Arthur Canton, Eastern M-G-M
press representative, returned here
yesterday from several weeks in
Canada.
Florida Meet
{Continued from page 1)
Theatre TV of Fights Hit
{Continued from page 1)
ond vice-president; and Bill P. Cum
bets, secretary.
At a luncheon meeting, Mike Simon
of M-G-M spoke.
Lamar Sarra, attorney and public
relations chief for the Florida State
Theatre circuit of 70-plus houses,
opened the afternoon conclave with an
address on existing taxes and prob-
lems facing exhibitors at the next
Florida legislative session in 1953.
Next, Nat Williams, Thomasville,
Ga., noted raconteur and theatre oper-
ator, served as moderator for a panel
discussion on exhibitor problems ver-
sus distributor policies.
The principal discussion speaker,
Hugh Martin, Sr., head of a 15-house
Central Florida circuit, stated the
"chances of survival of small town
exhibitors" and said that his "mam
fear was not of television but of pro-
ducing companies in Hollywood." He
asked branch exchange managers at
the meeting to relay to distributors
the information that rural exhibitors
need new pictures 30 days, more or
less, after Florida release dates,_ before
country people see the pictures in pop-
ulation centers and the small towners
get "a dried-up cow."
FP-C Meet
{Continued from page 1)
rupled in 20 years and that more than
twice as many tickets are being sold
today. Famous leads in book ticket
sales, now established 11 years, it was
reported. One manager sold 35,000
tickets to one industrial concern, it
was said.
Walter Brooks, director of the Man
agers' Round Table of Motion Pic
ture Herald, was a guest speaker.
Michigan Allied
{Continued from page 1)
Trust Government Lawsuit." Sam
Pinanski will talk on "COMPO's na-
tional tax repeal program." "Business
Topics" will be discussed by William
Gehring, 20th-Fox sales executive.
the hearing on band widths and spec-
trum location for theatre television
transmissions channels. The informa-
tion was given after repeated requests
from FCC general counsel Benedict
Cottone and Commissioner Frieda
Hennock and Walker.
MPAA counsel James Fly and
NETTC counsel Marcus Colin opened
the hearing, held in the auditorium of
the National Museum here, with brief
statements. Fly told the Commission
an "extensive theatre television serv-
ice" was "certain." The problem of
the hearing, he continued, was to find
"ways and means" of realizing "the
public potential in a widespread the-
atre television service in harmony with
the public interest."
In their simplest terms, Fly
said, the industry's petitions
before the FCC "seek the allo-
cation of adequate frequencies
for the use of the industry in
transmitting television pro-
grams and in distributing them
to theatres."
Cohn declared the industry didn't
propose "to take away any frequen-
cies presently allocated to broadcasting
services." He told the Commission
that theatre television "fulfills a new
need" not competitive with_ other
broadcasting. Theatre television, he
said, was the "natural continuation of
the technical advances made by motion
pictures in the last 50 years."
It was during the testimony of Earl
Sponable, director of research for 20th
Century-Fox, that Walker made his
blast at exclusive theatre telecasts of
fights. Interrupting Sponable's an-
alysis of qualities of the screen im-
ages during fight telecasts, Walker
said he had received many complaints
from Congress and from the public
about "your monopoly of fights," and
said that "the public can't get them
until they go to a theatre." The
public "wants to know," he said,
what's going to happen to fight tele-
casts.
Vincent Welch, MPAA attorney,
told Walker there would be discussion
on the point in. the major portion of
the hearing, due to start Jan. 12.
"It's going to take more than dis-
cussion," Walker replied. He went
on to say that some complaints have
particularly mentioned that the the-
atres "had not been large enough for
all the people who wanted to get in."
Welch answered that the industry
would be happy to install theatre tele-
vision equipment in more theatres.
"I think the public isn't worrying
too much about not getting into the
theatres," Walker said. "I think
they're woried about not getting fights
on the home sets." He went on to say
that if the same .exclusive theatre tele-
cast policy was followed for future
fights, "the home viewers won't have
a chance to see a fight."
Fly pointed out to Walker
that MPAA and NETTC "didn't
initiate the projects and carry
on their network operation
and they shouldn't have to ac-
count for it." He added that
fights would be "a very minor
segment" of theatre television
in its future program.
Stuart Bailey, NETTC theatre tele-
vision engineer, followed Sponable,
giving brief testimony on the me-
chanics of a theatre television sys-
tem and the quality of the image. A
theatre television circuit, he said,
"should be of sufficiently high quality
to "allow the maintenance of the illu-
sion" that the viewer was "immersed
in the original scene." A truly com-
petitive system, he continued, would
ultimately require a total of six sepa-
rate program distribution systems,
"particularly between and within the
larger centers of population."
When MPAA theatre television en-
gineer Andrew Inglis took the stand
with a 75-page exhibit of technical
specifications for theatre television
transmission systems, Cottone and
Commissioners Walker and Hennock
immediately pinned him down for
more details. Commissioner Hennock
questioned Inglis repeatedly until he
declared that in order to transmit the
10 mc. bandwidth specified in the ex-
hibit a channel of 30 mc. would really
be needed. The 10 mc. band width
would actually transmit, he explained,
but it would be necessary to have an
additional 10 mc. as a buffer on each
side of it.
Welch then told the Commis-
sion that two 30 mc. channels
would provide a theatre televi-
sion system — and that six chan-
nels of 60 mc. each would sup-
ply a complete nation-wide
competitive theatre television
service. When the theatre
television case was finished, he
said, the industry's overall re-
quirements would "prove out
to be 400 mc."
Cottone pointed out that the hy-
pothesis on which the industry based
its specifications — the necessity of a
technically superior screen image in
theatre telecasting — "was not neces-
sarily accepted."
Cottone then went on to ask Inglis
where in the spectrum the industry
though the 400 mc. should be located.
Fly and Welch answered that such
information was not part of Inglis'
testimony but that a subsequent wit-
ness would deal with it. Commissioner
Walker declared he though the in-
formation about location in the spec-
trum should have been part of the
opening statement, and that he wanted
the details. Walker, Cottone and the
industry attorneys argued the point
back and forth, until Walker sug-
gested that perhaps the attorneys
"didn't want to give the information
to the Commission."
Following this Cohn gave the
Commission as suggested loca-
tions for the theatre television
channels the 5,925 band to the
6,875 band; the 3,500 band to
the 3,700 band; and the 10,700
to the 11,700 band.
It was decided to postpone cross-
questioning by previous agreement
from attorneys on this phase of the
testimony until the January hearing.
Tuesday, October 21, 1952
U.K. 's Tri-Opticon
Three-Dimensional
Process to Lesser
Hollywood, Oct. 20. — Sol Lesser
today announced the acquisition of the
U. S. rights to the British developed
Tri-Opticon process which imparts a
third dimensional illusion to films.
Raymond Spottiswoode, technical di-
rector for Stero-Techniques, Ltd., a
British company, is here now with
film and projection equipment for
trade and press showings.
Lesser plans launching 10 road show
units to cover every major city short-
ly. Tri-Opticon has a revolutionary
camera mount and a mechanical calcu-
lator developed by Stero-Technique,
with the calculator correlating vari-
able factors involved and coming up
with mathematically and optically pre-
cise readings which the mount trans-
lates into the position of cameras. All
other photographic equipment — cam-
eras, lenses and films — are standard.
Special glasses such as those made by
Polaroid are required for viewing.
Elect Wolcott Pathe
Executive V.P.'
James L. Wolcott, sales vice-presi-
dent of Pathe Laboratories, was
elected executive vice-president yester-
day at a meeting of the board of di-
rectors.
Wolcott joined the organization in
Sept., 1949, having previously been an
executive of Audience Research for
four years and prior to that for six
years production manager of the
March of Time.
The Commissioners, however, asked
repeated questions throughout the day.
Present on the dais were Commission-
ers Eugene Merrill, Rosel Hyde,
George Sterling, Hennock and Walker.
In addition to Cottone, the FCC at-
torneys who will handle the case are
Mary Jane Morris, Stratford Smith
and Jack Warner.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center — —
MARIO LANZA in
"BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE"
introducing DOR ETTA MORROW
Color by TECHNICOLOR - An M-G-M Picture
plus
SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION
SOB
JAME
idnigM Faotyf*
Nightly
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Ouiglev. Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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.
Bradv Secretary; Tames P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca- Vine
Building William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11
North Clark Street, FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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; International Motion Picture 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 21, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
N.Y. Grosses
(Continued from page 1)
$128,000 indicated for its fourth in-
ning. The Hall's next attraction, for
which a date is yet to be set, is "The
Happy Time."
At the Rivoli,- a sturdy $48,000 is
forecast for the fifth week of "Snows
of Kilimanjaro," while a nice $57,000
is seen for the third and final week
of "Son of Paleface" at the Para-
mount. "Springfield Rifle" on the
screen and Duke Ellington on stage
move into the Paramount tomorrow.
Moderate was the word used to
describe the twin opening of "Four
Poster" at the Victoria and the off-
Broadway Sutton. The Victoria ex-
pects $22,000 for the first seven days,
while the Sutton sees $11,500 for the
same period.
'Limelight' Premiere Thursday
"Limelight" will have its premiere
here Thursday at the continuous run
Astor and the two-a-day 60th Street
Trans-Lux. The last week of "The
Miracle of Fatima" at the Astor is
forecast to do an excellent $14,000,
aided by parochial school children who
flocked to the theatre during the ninth
and final week.
Holding up strong is "The Merry
Widow" at Loew's State, where $21,-
000 is seen for the fourth week.
"Everything I Have Is Yours" opens
there Oct. 29. A fair $30,000 is pre-
dicted for the second week of "Just
for You" at the Capitol.
"The World in His Arms" at the
Mayfair dropped to $17,500 for a sec-
ond inning at the Mayfair. The fifth
and final week of "One Minute to
Zero" at the Criterion is expected to
'U\ Grants More Autonomy
(Continued from page{ 1)
of the company's sales districts and
the promotion of Zucker, Feldman
said, "The change in districts will en-
large the responsibilities of district
and branch managers, thus accom-
plishing a further decentralization of
sales policies in line with the com-
pany's grass roots policies inaugurated
two years ago."
Heiber Appointed
Feldman also announced the ap-
pointment of Edward Heiber as
branch manager in Cleveland to suc-
ceed Zucker. Heiber had been with
Universal for 20 years in various ca-
pacities of branch and district man-
ager until he resigned in 1947 to enter
his own business.
Zucker joined Universal in Oct.,
1946 as a special sales representative
hit a fairly good $14,000. The Cri-
terion's next attraction is "The Lusty
Man," which opens Friday.
"Cairo Road" is set to open Oct.
31 at the Globe, currently playing
"Lure of the Wilderness," now in its
third week ; only a satisfactory $8,500
is indicated.
At the Normandie, a good $6,700 is
due for the fourth week of "The
Magic Box." Next Tuesday, "The
Promoter" will replace "Stranger in
Between" at the Fine Arts, with a
fair $3,500 indicated for the picture's
current 10th week. The sixth week of
"The Amazing Monsieur Fabre" at
the Park Avenue is expected to yield
a good $3,800.
for the; company's J. Arthur Rank
pictures, following posts with other
film companies. In June 1947 he was
named branch manager in Cleveland.
Comprises 3 Districts
Under the new aligment of the com-
pany's 32 branch offices, the Western
division under Foster M. Blake will
now comprise three districts. In addi-
tion to Zucker's district they will be
Barney Rose's district, which includes
the Los Angeles, San Francisco, Port-
land and Seattle exchanges with head-
quarters in San Francisco, and M. M.
Gottlieb's district which will include
the Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis
and Indianapolis branches with head
quarters in Chicago.
The Southern division under F. J.
A. McCarthy comprises James V.
Frew's district which includes the
Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Mem
phis and Jacksonville branches with
headquarters in Atlanta, and Henry
H. Martin's district comprising the
Dallas, New Orleans, Oklahoma City
and St. Louis branches, with head
quarters in Dallas.
Includes Rosian's
The three districts in the Eastern
division headed by P. T. Dana include
P. F. Rosian's district comprising the
Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and
Washington branches with headquar
ters in Cleveland; John J. Scully's
district which will include the Boston
New Haven, Albany, Buffalo and
Philadelphia branches and the Metro
politan New York district which is
headed by David A. Levy.
DuMont
(Continued frdm page 1)
A stockholders' vote's : Allen B. Du-
Mont, Bruce T. DuMont, Thomas T.
Goldsmith, Jr., Stanley F. Patten and
Percy M. Stewart. All were incum-
bent board members.
Balaban is president, Raibourn is
ice-president, and Weisl is a member
of the board of Paramount.
The following were reelected as of-
ficers of DuMont at the meeting,
which was held in lieu of the annual
meeting which was not held last May
5 : Allen B. DuMont, president ; Stan-
ley S. Patten, vice-president ; Rai-
bourn, treasurer ; Bernard Goodwin,
secretary ; Irving Singer, assistant
treasurer.
DuMont reported a net profit of
$359,000 for the 40 weeks ended Oct.
5, 1952, against a loss of $320,000 for
the corresponding period of 1951. The
profit figure is equal to 11 cents per
share after a dividend on preferred
stock, while an 18-cent loss per share
was represented in the loss figure.
Sales for the respective periods were
$52,128,000 and $37,537,000. Common
shares outstanding at the end of both
years' periods totaled 2,361,054.
McCormick Resigns
(Continued from page 1)
yet named, the operations of his office.
It is understood that the board
sought to retain McCormick, but he
refused to remain at a financial sacri-
fice. He is leaving RKO under ami-
cable terms with members of the new
management.
PARAMOUNT
TRADE SHOWS
Monday, October 27, 1952
ALAN
DEBORAH
LADD • KERR
CHARLES
CORINNE
BOYER CALVET
THUNDER IN
THE EAST
Produced by EVERETT RISKIN
Directed by CHARLES VIDOR
Screenplay by JO SWERLING • Adaptation by ;
GEORGE TABORI and FREDERICK HAZLITT BRENNAN J
From the novel by Alan Moorehead M
CITY
PLACE OF SCREENING
TIME
.2.30 P.M.
ALBANY FOX SCREENING ROOM, 1052 Broadway
ATLANTA PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 154 Walton St., N. W 2 P.M.
BOSTON PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 58-62 Berkeley Street 2 P.M.
BUFFALO PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 464 Franklin Street 2 P.M.
CHARLOTTE PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 305-7 South Church Street 10 A.M.
CHICAGO PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1306 South Michigan Avenue 1 30 P.M.
CINCINNATI FOX SCREENING ROOM, 1638 Central Parkway 2:30 P.M.
CLEVELAND PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1735 East 23rd Street 8.15 P.M.
DALLAS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 401 N. Pearl Expressway 2 P.M.
DENVER PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 2100 Stout Street 2 P.M.
DES MOINES PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1125 High Street ' PM.
DETROIT PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 479 Ledyard Avenue 2 P.M.
INDIANAPOLIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 116 West Michigan Street 10:30 A.M.
JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA THEATRES SCREENING ROOM, Florida Thea. Bldg 2 P.M.
KANSAS CITY PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1800 Wyandotte Street .2 P.M.
LOS ANGELES PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1613 West 20th Street 130 P.M.
MEMPHIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 362 South Second Street 12:15 NOON
MILWAUKEE PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1121 North Eighth Street. 2 P.M.
MINNEAPOLIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1201 Currie Avenue 8 P.M.
NEW HAVEN PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 82 State Street 2 P.M.
NEW ORLEANS. . . .PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 215 South Liberty Street 2 P.M.
NEW YORK CITY. . .PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1501 Broadway (9th Fl.) W A.M.
OKLAHOMA CITY. .PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 701 West Grand Avenue . 10:30 A.M.
OMAHA. FOX SCREENING ROOM, 1502 Davenport Street ... f ........ . 1:30 P.M.
PHILADELPHIA PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 248 North 12th Street 2 P.M.
PITTSBURGH PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1727 Boulevard of Allies . 2 P.M.
PORTLAND PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 909 N. W. 19th Avenue 2 P.M.
ST. LOUIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 2949-2953 Olive Street 1 P.M.
SALT LAKE CITY PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 270 East 1st South Street J.-30 P.M.
SAN FRANCISCO... PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 205 Golden Gate Ave 2 P.M.
SEATTLE MODERN THEATRE SUPPLY PROJ. ROOM, 2400 Third Ave J.-30 P.M.
WASHINGTON PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 306 H Street, N.W 2:30 P.M.
OLUMBIA
1CTURES
presents
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JSP9
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6
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, October 21, 1952
20th -Fox Clarifies
Zanuck's Future
Status in Company
A clarification of Darryl F. Zan-
uck's contract with 20th Century-Fox,
with particular reference to the cir-
cumstances under which he can enter
upon part time, advisory service dur-
ing- the second decade of the agree-
ment, starting Sept. 28, 1959, has been
filed with the Securities & Exchange
Commission.
The clarification stipulates that
Zanuck could go on an advisory serv-
ice basis prior to the end of the first
10 years of the agreement should he
determine that, because of incapacita-
tion or inability to perform the serv-
ices required of him, that step should
be necessary.
Should Zanuck enter upon part time
employment with 20th-Fox he will
have the right to produce two pictures
annually as an independent. In that
event production and distribution
terms for the pictures so made are to
be indicated to 20th-Fox, which may
accept, reject or modify them. There-
after, Zanuck may negotiate with
other companies, and if a firm pro-
posal is received 20th-Fox must be
notified and has 30 days in which to
accept or reject the terms. If re-
jected, Zanuck may engage in inde-
pendent production after first termin-
ating his part time employment with
the company and freeing.it of all obli-
gations. 1
Levinson Services
On Coast Today
Hollywood, Oct. 20. — Funeral serv-
ices for Col Nathan Levinson, 64, film
sound pioneer and head of the Warner
Brothers sound department who died
in his sleep at home Saturday, will be
held tomorrow at the Hollywood
Cemetery Chapel. He is survived by
his widow, the former Edna Irene
Bradford, and three sons, Edwin, John
and Robert.
Levinson worked with the late Sam
Warner in bringing the first sound, a
musical score to "Don Juan," which
was presented to a New York audience
on Aug. 6, 1926.
Basil Radford Dies
London, Oct. 20. — British film star
Basil Radford, 55, died here today fol-
lowing a stroke. Radford, who was
also a stage performer, had his first
film role in 1929 in "Barnum Was
Right." Other films include: "The
Lady Vanishes," "Tight Little Island,"
"Passport to Pimlico," "The Winslow
Boy" and "Quartet."
Veteran U.K. Exhibitor
London, Oct. 20. — John George
Wainwright, veteran London exhibi-
tor, is dead here at the age of 89. He
operated the London and District
was sold to the Granada group in
Cinemas chain for many years, which
1946. A son, Richard Wainwright, is
active in film production here: "
Television-- Radio
with Pinky Herman
DON'T let anyone tell you different but the customers always
write. And he's wrong whoever said, "Go fight City HalL
When the powers that be decide, that's the end-all and be-all."
When the TVehicle "Mr. Peepers" completed its summer-replace-
ment stint Sept. 26 on NBC, there were hundreds of letters from
disappointed fans, asking that Wally Cox and his co-workers in-
cluding Gage Clark, Pat Benoit, Tony Randall, Marion Lome and
Joseph Foley, be reinstated. Their appeal fell on responsive ears with
the result that the David Swift-Jim Fritzell series resumes Sunday
in the 7:30 P.M. slot and sponsored by Reynolds Metal Co. . . .
Sylvania Radio & TV Execs will make some interesting observations
on TV at a news conference tomorrow afternoon at the Hotel Pierre.
. . . RKO's new publicity director Kay Norton has appointed Ruth
Cosgrove in charge of TV & radio publicity and promotion with
Walter Wood, her assistant. Kay plans to utilize TV more exten-
sively in selling RKO flickers to the public "because television spot
announcements have done a terrific job for us on the revival of
'King Kong'.". . . Trade still talking about the big time job Fred
Vandeventer turned in as a last-minute replacement last week for
ailing Bill Slater on "20 Ouestions.". . . Short story: In 1947;
16,500 TV receivers. 1952; 18,500,000.
20th Century-Fox has just screen-tested one of the prettiest,
nicest and most talented gals we know, Barbara Barnes, who with
her famous dad, Patt, is heard and seen daily
in a "Father & Daughter Team" MBSeries.
. . . Fred Waring' s hubby and zvife piano
act, Morley & Gearhart, have a keen sense
of humor. A sign posted on their home situ-
ated on a hill in Shawnee -On- Delaware reads,
"Sheer Bluff" (but their music is sheer ma-
gic). . ...We like Harry Wism-er's expert
analysis and breezy style Monday nites on
his DuMont "Football Sidelines" Wismer-
merings. . . . Sophie Tucker will sing "'Sonw
Of These Days" on Arthur ■ Van Horn's
"Time 'ABCapsule Show" next week to be
sealed and opened in the year 2052. (and if
La Tucker is still booked locally ye scribbler
will go listen). . . . TV's newest luminary as
of Saturday, Nov. 8 (7:30 P.M.) should be
Robert Cummings, zvhose situation comedy, "My Hero " is sched-
uled to NBCommence zvith Dunhitt Cigarettes picking up the
tabs. Agency is Blow. . . . Tom Slater has succeeded his brother
Bill as emcee of WOR's popular "Luncheon At Sardi'.". . .
Tenoriole Dick Paige, who won last week's "Talent CBScouts"
contest, is the same lad who sang with Percy Faith's "NBCarna-
tion Contented Hour" for 3 years and had his own program via
WGN in Chicago. . . . Maurice CorelU, librettist of "Carmen's
Daughter," is back after three years in Europe with a TV pack-
age, "The King's Jester " a comic-tragic theme zvith a medieval
setting. . . .
it ik
Royal Dano, who scored in John Huston's "Red Badge of
Courage," will portray Abraham Lincoln in the Ford Omni-
bus Theatre's Telefilm series which will be CBScreened next
month. . . . Adding a thrice weekly telecast of "Double Or
Nothing" to his six times a week "Strike It Rich" and five
times a week "The Big Payoff," just about makes Walt
Framer the busiest producer in TV. . . . Peter Lawford has
come East from MGM's Culver City environs for a fling at
TV with an assist by the Wm. Morris Agency. . . . The sing-
ing star of Max Liebman's "Your Show of Shows," will be
seen and heard in the Warner Bros, soon due flicker, "Stop,
You're Killing Me," with Claire Trevor and Broderick Craw-
ford. . . . Members of the radio and TV fields will hold their
annual Corporate Communion Breakfast, Sunday, Nov. 23,
at ten o'clock in the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria
Hotel following 9 o'clock Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral. ...
Returning from a New England honeymoon, Michael Fitz-
maurice added two additional announcing chores to his sched-
ule, "The Right To Happiness," (NBC) and Arthur Murray's
"WABDance Party.". . . We thrilled to "Your Show of
Shows" NBConductor Charles Sanford's forty-minute dis-
course at the testimonial dinner tossed in his honor by AFM
Local 411 of Bethlehem, Pa., last week when he was awarded
a plaque for the 'best live music presented on television'.
Barbara Barnes
NEWS
in Mtrief .
Boston, Oct. 20. — Major distri-
butors were named co-defendants in
three anti-trust damage suits filed in
U. S. District Court here by three
separate ■ exhibitor interests. In all
three suits the charge was "a com-
bination and conspiracy of the defen-
dants to restrain and monopolize trade
by maintaining an illegal structure of
runs, clearances and admission prices"
in and near the cities involved, result-
ing in "unreasonable clearances" and
damages frdrfi /Other "wrongful prac-
tices." ' k=£fc.
Walter E. Mitchell, Morse Theatre,
Franklin, Mass. filed a $2,000,000
action ; Herbert I. Brown, for himself
and as assignee of Louis Rosenzweig,
operators of the Victoria Theatre,
Greenfield, Mass., filed a $2,000,000
action ; The Park Neponset Corp.
filed a $1,000,000 action as operators
of the Park Theatre, East Walpole,
Mass.
•
Hollywood, Oct. 20, — Jack L.
Warner hailed 2,000 representatives of
the automobile and motion picture in-
dustries as "close allies for the better-
ing of. service to humanity" in a joint
meeting over the weekend at the War-
ner studio. Warner and Benson Ford,
vice-president of Ford Motor Co. and
general manager of the Lincoln-Mer-
cury division, were hosts.
0
Detroit, Oct. 20. — The local Vari-
ety Club was host in the Tuller Hotel
to international chief barker Jack
Beresin and international executive di-
rector Col. William McCraw.
•'
Montpelier, Vt., Oct. 20. — A
special state legislative interim com-
mission has recommended that no con-
sideration be given by the state at this
time to enactment of an amusement
tax.
Pizor Sets Lippert
Franchises Abroad
William M. Pizor, vice-president of
Lippert Pictures, disclosed here yes-
terday that he had set up new Lippert
franchises in Germany, France, Italy,
Denmark, Sweden and Finland and in-
spected various sites for production
possibilities during his three-month
tour of Europe from'- which he re-
turned late last week.
Kulick Services at
Riverside Chapel
Funeral services for Bert Kulick,
52, president of Bell Pictures Corp.,
will be held at 2:15 P.M. today at
The Riverside Chapel. Kulick's death
was caused by a blood clot. He is
survived by three brothers, Sidney,
Paul and Lawrence, and a sister,
Frances Frank.
David Smart Dies
Chicago, Oct. 20.— David A. Smart,
60, publisher of Esquire and Coronet
magazines, and owner of Coronet
Films, distributor of 16mm. motion
pictures, died here in Wesley Memo-
rial Hospital on Friday. Smart, one-
time advertising salesman for the Chi-
cago Tribune, became president of the
publishing firm that bears his name in
1921. He is survived by his widow,
Gaby, a brother, John, two sisters, and
his father.
When 1/eu 7\ee4 a
SPECIAL TRAILER
'GOOD' and FAST
GOOD OLD DEPENDABLE
FILM ACK
CHICAGO 5, 1 327 S. WABASH AVE.
NEW YORK 36, 630 NINTH AVE.
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MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
AIR i
MAIL
EDITION
VOL. 72. NO. 79
NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22 1952
TEN CENTS
Tax Payments
Top Theatres'
Profit: Myers
20% Levy Hit Also by
Mich. Solon, Candidate
Detroit, Oct. 21. — In a bitter
blast against the 20 per cent Fed-
eral admission tax before today's
luncheon session of the Allied The-
atres of Michigan convention here,
Abram F. Myers, Allied States gen-
eral counsel, contended that with the
possible exception of "a few great
theatres like Radio City Music Hall
there is not a movie house in the
U. S. with net earnings even approx-
imating the sums they turn into the
Treasury in the form of admissions
taxes."
At the same session, Charles E. Pot-
ter, Republican candidate for U. S.
Senator from this state, and Congress-
man John Dingell, a member of the
House Ways and Means Committee,
also spoke against the tax. The latter
said he was contemplating the intro-
duction of a bill to exclude the film
industry from the admission tax. The
Michigan exhibitor organization, which
{Continued on page 5)
lOmc. Signal
Is Essential,
Says Raibourn
Washington, Oct. 21. — Theatre
television will be "degraded" to
the level of 16 mm. motion pictures
unless its sig-nal can be transmitted
over a 10 megacycle bandwidth, Paul
Rairbourn told the Federal Commu-
nications Commission today.
Testifying on the second day
of the FCC's hearing on the
engineering and accounting
phases of theatre television,
Raibourn said that the long-
term success of theatre televi-
sion depended a great deal on
(Continued on page S)
AIM TO REBUILD
RKO, GRANT SAYS
Foreign Business
Excellent: Seadler
Zanuck Intends to
Remain with 20th
Darryl F. Zanuck, 20th Century-
Fox vice-president in charge of pro-
duction, commenting yesterday on
rumors concerning his future activities,
made it clear in a statement issued at
the home office that he has no inten-
tions of leaving 20th Century Fox.
His statement follows :
"I have not signed a new contract
with 20th Century-Fox.
"As the largest single stockholder
in the 20th Century-Fox company my
interests are concentrated exclusively
(Continued on page 4)
M-G-M business in the international
market was de-
scribed as "ex-
cellent" by Silas
F. Seadler, M-
G-M advertis-
ing manager,
who returned
here yesterday
from Paris af-
ter an extended
trip abroad.
France, he
said, had its
best years ever,
listing that
country as one
of the top coun-
tries for MGM.
He reported that David Lewis, direc-
(Continued on page 4)
Silas Seadler
Arbitration Will
Cost Very Little,
Says TO As Levy
Jacksonville, Fla., Oct. 21. — Under
the proposed system of industry arbi-
tration an exhibitor will be able to ob-
tain speedy and effective relief of any
or most of his problems for less than
$100, Herman M. Levy, Theatre Own-
ers of America general counsel, today
told the annual convention of the Mo-
tion Picture Exhibitors of Florida at
the Roosevelt Hotel here.
The Florida organization, following-
Levy's address, unanimously resolved
that it favors the principle of arbitra-
tion for the industry and that it en-
dorses and approves the plan of arbi-
tration ultimately to be agreed upon
and approved by TOA or by TOA
arbitration committee.
This prospect, Levy declared, makes
(Continued on page 5)
Florida Unit Names
Cumbaa President
Jacksonville, Oct. 21. — Bill P.
Cumbaa, Leesburg exhibitor, was
named president of the Motion Picture
Exhibitors of Florida at the final
meeting of the annual convention here.
He is the group's former secretary.
Others elected were Horace Denning,
Jacksonville, first vice-president ; Bob
Cannon, Live Ooak, second vice-presi-
dent ; B. B. Garner, Lakeland, treas-
(Continued on page 5)
Turner Leaves RKO
Exploitation Post
Terry Turner, director of exploita-
tion for RKO Radio Pictures, has
resigned his post, effective imme-
diately, Richard Condon, national di-
rector of advertising, publicity and
exploitation, disclosed here yesterday.
No. successor was named.
Turner, who is accredited with
many promotional innovations during
(Continued on page 4^
To Theatre Telecast Nat l
Sales Conference Dec. 8
A national sales conference in 15 key cities from Coast-to-Coast will
be theatre televised on Dec. 8, Nathan L. Halpern, president of Theatre
Network Television, disclosed here yesterday. The sponsor for the first
"off-hour" commercial utilization of theatre television is the James Lees
and Sons Co., carpet manufacturing ; "
receive a flat rental sum from 1 M 1 .
Asked if theatres will make a profit
on the deal, Halpern responded, "I
expect so."
The contract with Lees was sparked
by Victor M. Ratner, director of
Theatre Tele-Sessions, a subsidiary of
TNT. Paul Lewis, vice-president in
charge of radio and TV for the
(Continued on page 5)
firm.
Negotiations are currently under-
way for the renting of TV-equipped
theatres in 15 cities from New York
to Los Angeles, Halpern stated. Un-
der tb*: arrangement, Halpern ex-
plained, TNT will rent one theatre
in each city for the telecast, which
will be paid by TNT, it was ex-
plained, while selected theatres will
To Seek Profit Basis in
Two Years; Liquidation
Rumors Held 'Nonsense'
The rebuilding of RKO Radio
and the production of good films
for theatres are the basic aims, of
the company's new management,
Arnold Grant, chairman of the board
and chief executive officer, told a lun-
cheon gathering of about 50 press rep-
resentatives here yesterday.
In reiterating, with deliber-
ate emphasis, these previously
stated objectives of the Ralph
Stolkin syndicate, Grant dis-
missed as "nonsense" all ru-
mors that the purchasers of
Howard Hughes' controlling
stock interest in RKO Radio
planned to liquidate company
assets and bow out with some
"quick capital gains."
At no time did Grant refer to the
several articles published by the Wall
Street Journal delineating alleged
brushes with the Federal Trade Com-
(Continued on page 4)
With the subject of ar-
bitration temporarily-
removed from the MPAA
agenda, the companies
have resumed high level
discussions on the
streamlining of distri-
bution facilities. Meet-
ings have already been
held on the subject, it
was learned yesterday,
and decisions on a "test"
company and city may be
made shortly.
•
AKRON, 0., Oct. 21. — A
report released here by
Vallen, Inc., covering
the export business for
the first nine months of
1952, shows considerable
activity of theatres
abroad towards moderniza-
tion. The report was op-
timistic about the im-
pact of U.S. theatre
equipment abroad.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, October 22, 1952
Personal
Mention
WILLIAM B. ZOELLNER, head
of M-G-M's short subject and
newsreel sales, arrived in Jacksonville
yesterday and will go to Atlanta to-
morrow.
•
Hugh Owen, Paramount's East-
ern-Southern division manager, and
his assistant, Al Fitter, will be in
Boston from New York all this week
for meetings.
•
John Balaban, head of Balaban
and Katz, Chicago, and Nate Platt,
in charge of stage productions, were
visitors at the Paramount studio in
Hollywood recently.
•
Jack Arthur, Famous Players' ex-
ecutive in Toronto, is making per-
sonal appearances in a Tuesday night
series of "Mr. Showbusiness" on the
Canadian Broadcasting network.
•
Russell Holman, Paramount's
Eastern production manager, has ar-
rived in London from here, on the
first stop of a three-week European
trip.
•
Arthur C. Bromberg, president of
Monogram Southern Exchanges, was
in Jacksonville, Fla., attending the
Motion Picture Exhibitors of Florida
convention.
•
Robert H. Rhodes, Allied Artists
publicity manager, has returned to his
desk in Hollywood following a two-
week vacation in the Sierras.
•
Foster M. Blake, Universal West-
ern sales manager, has left here for
Kansas City, Des Moines, Omaha and
Denver.
Bernard Smith and Charles
Vidor, Paramount producer and di-
rector, are in New York from the
Coast.
Jack Sidney, manager of Loew's
Century Theatre in Baltimore, is ex-
pected to leave St. Agnes Hospital
this week following surgery.
•
Harold Boxall, director of London
Film Productions, and Mrs. Boxall,
will leave here today for Europe
aboard the 5.5". Queen Mary.
•
Al Schuman, general manager of
the Hartford Theatre Circuit, and
Mrs. Schuman have left Hartford
for Miami on a vacation.
Nat D. Fellman, chief film buyer
for Warner Theatres, has arrived in
Hollywood from New York.
Dick Cook, head of the motion pic-
ture department of Pictorial Review,
left here yesterday for Boston.
•
Max Birnbaum, Warner Brothers
branch manager in New Haven, is
recuperating from illness.
Arch Oboler, producer is due here
from Hollywood.
INDUSTRY SET
FOR ROGERS
FUND SALUTE
Edward Lachman Is
Nominated to Head
N.Y. Variety Club
The Variety Club of New York will
hold its annual election meeting on
Nov. 10 at the Paramount Caterers
here, for which the nominating com-
mittee, headed by Martin Levine, has
selected the following candidates : Ed-
Universal Pictures, distributor chair- j ward Lachman, chief barker ; Edward
L. Fabian, first assistant chief barker;
Levine, second assistant ; Ira Mein-
hardt, property master, Harold L.
Klein, dough guy. William J. German
The national personnel structure for
the 1952 "Christmas Salute" to the
Variety Clubs-Memorial Hospital has
been completed, it was disclosed here
yesterday by Charles Feldman of
man for the campaign.
The holiday scrolls, which constitute
the backbone of the Christmas Salute,
Have been shipped, with all other cam-
paign material, to exchange area i is the present chief barker
chairmen for distribution to theatres
through all company branch mana-
gers and their salesmen.
In 1951 over 98,000 persons em-
ployed in the industry signed the
scrolls and contributed in excess of
$95,000. In this year's Salute the
goal is 150,000 signatures and $200,000,
said Feldman.
The Salute will begin officially on
Nov. 1, and continue through Jan. 1.
The distribution committee chairmen
follow : Albany, Leo Greenfield ; At-
lanta, E. H. Brauer; Boston, Frank
P. Dervin ; Buffalo, John G. Chinell ;
Charlotte, Jack Reville ; Chicago, Sam
Gorelick; Cincinnati, Phil Fox;
Cleveland, Lester Zucker ; Dallas, R.
N. Wilkinson ; Denver, Bud Austin ;
Des Moines, Leon Mendelson ; Detroit,
J. J. Lee.
Indianapolis, Foster B. Gaucker ;
Jacksonville, E. G. Chumley ; Kansas
City, William D. Gaddoni ; Los An-
geles, Alfred R. Taylor ; Memphis, Joe
Young; Milwaukee, J. H. Lorentz ;
Minneapolis, Leroy J. Miller; New-
Haven, John Pavone ; New Orleans,
William Holliday ; New York, Myron
Sattler ; Oklahoma City, C. A. Gibbs ;
Omaha, J. A. Scott.
Philadelphia, Ulrik F. Smith;
Pittsburgh, D. C. Silverman; Port-
land, Charles F. Powers; St. Louis,
Lester J. Bona ; Salt Lake City, Wil-
liam F. Gordon; San Francisco, J. C.
Emerson; Seattle, Neal Walton;
Tampa, Harold E. Laird; Washing-
ton, D. C, Jerome A. Adams.
The committee has also named the
following canvassmen candidates :
Bernard Brooks, Russell Downing,
Nathan Furst, Jack Hoffberg, Martin
Kornbluth, Jack Levin, Charles E.
Lewis, Harold Newman, Walter
Reade Jr., Harold Rinzler, Burt Rob-
bins, Morris Sanders, Bert Sanford,
Cy Seymour, David Snaper, Saul
Trauner, George Waldman, Max
Wolff.
Nominations may also be made, in
writing, if endorsed with the names of
not less than 10 members in good
standing and delivered to the property
master at least seven days prior to the
election.
The meeting will convene at noon
and the polls will be open until six
P.M. Other matters on the agenda
include club quarters, a progress re-
port, financial report and plans for the
future of the tent. Lunch will be
served at one o'clock.
Book 20th's 'Sing'
For Jan. at Hall
Twentieth Century-Fox's "Tonight
We Sing," musical biography of the
career of S. Hurok, will open at Radio
City Music Hall in January, it was
disclosed here yesterday by Al Licht-
man, 20th's distribution director. Pro-
duced by George Jessel and directed
by Mitchell Leisen in color by Tech-
nicolor, a total of 18 concert, operatic
and ballet numbers are featured in the
film.
Again Put Off Ascap,
Dubonnet Case
Yesterday's scheduled hearing here
in Federal Court of the Dubonnet
Music Publishing Co. action to amend
the Ascap consent decree to prevent,
among other things, motion picture
companies from engaging in music
publishing, was put off until Oct. 28.
Yesterday's hearing date was set
last June after the case had been re-
ferred to Judge Goddard by Judge
Edelstein. Judge Goddard stated in
June that an adjournment at that time
was not to be construed as implying
any recognition by the court that
Dubonnet has any standing in a case
involving amendment of the Ascap
consent decree.
Earlier court rulings have been that
Ascap members have no right to
appeal for amendment of the decree.
Their procedure can only be through
complaint to the Justice Department
which can move for amendment of
the decree if it decides the circum-
stances warrant.
Newsreel
Parade
T
HE Presidential campaign in the
homestretch is the highlight of
most newsreels. Also featured are
"space suits" for the stratosphere, the
Lincoln pageant at Gettysburg, King
Farouk moves again, and a diamond
display.
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 86— Eisen-
hower says he is a "No-Deal" candidate.
Gov. Stevenson hits "Ike" and Taft in Los
Angeles. Princess Margaret goes to the
movies. King Farouk moves again. College
football games: Notre Dame-P'urdue, Mary-
land-Navy.
NEWS O'F THE DAY, No. 216— Cam-
paign homestretch. Farouk keeps moving.
Mme. Chiang leaves hospital. Dazzling dis-
play of diamonds worth millions. Maryland-
Navy, Pittsburgh- Army football games.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 19— Farouk
moves again. New York salutes Italian
films. Bing Crosby aids Versailles cam-
paign. Bop Hope honored by President Tru-
man. Maryland-Navy football.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 43A— Army
accepts first helicopters. Marshall Juin
visits hometown. Madame Chiang welcomed.
Farouk moves to new home. Korean fight-
ing furious. Japanese safety corps troops.
Pittsburgh-Army football.
UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL, No. 406—
Presidential campaign. Pressure suits. Lin-
coln pageant. Diamonds, U.S.A. Football
games, including Pittsburgh-Army, Notre
Dame-Navy, and Michigan State-Syracuse.
WARNER PATHF. NEWS, No. 21—
Lincoln at Gettysburg. Presidential cam-
paign reaches height. New vaccine may aid
Polio fight. Space suits for stratosphere.
Maryland-Navy. Pittsburgh- Army football
games.
Manny Wolfe Dies
On Coast at 48
Hollywood, Ott. 21. — Manny Wolfe,
48, recently named story editor for
Edward Small Productions, died last
night of a heart attack. He was to be
married Thursday to Dr. Zelda Wolfe.
Two sisters survive.
Wolfe, who entered the industry in
1931, became Paramount story editor
in 1939. In 1944, after going on his
own, he was named head of the story
and writing department of RKO Ra-
dio, and in 1947 he was named assist-
ant to William Dozier, associate head
of production at Universal. Before
taking the Small post, he freelanced.
Joseph Holman, Sr.
Nashville, Oct. 21. — Joseph W.
Holman, Sr., a director of Crescent
Amusement Co. and a large stock-
holder, died of a heart attack in a
hotel in Zurich, Switzerland, it was
learned here. He was on a combined
business and pleasure trip with his
son, Joseph Jr. Holman was also in
the architectural firm of Marr & Hol-
man, which designed more than 100
theatres for Crescent Amusement Co.
Set Shea Circuit
Meet in Pittsburgh
A general meeting of Shea Circuit
home office executives and all Shea
managers will be convened in Pitts-
burgh at the Hotel Roosevelt, Oct.
28-29, it was disclosed here yesterday.
The following home office execu-
tives will accompany Gerald J. Shea,
president, to the meeting : Richard A.
Harper, George Goett, William E.
Barry, M. A. Shea, Jr., Raymond E.
Smith and Carroll J. Lawler.
Coast Services Held
For Abraham Lehr
Hollywood, Oct. 21. — Funeral ser-
vices were held yesterday for Abra-
ham Lehr, 72', film pioneer and one-
time vice-president of Samuel Gold-
wyn Productions. Surviving are a
son, Neill, a daughter, Helen Frances,
and a brother, Theodore.
A former vice-president of United
Artists Studios, Inc., Lehr entered the
industry in 1917. He had previously
been an executive in a manufacturing
concern.
Colony, Fla. House,
Files vs. 20th-Fox
Miami, Oct. 21.— A $50,000 damage
suit against 20th Century-Fox has
been filed in Federal Court here by
the Colony Thatre of Palm Beach, al-
leging that the theatre could not ob-
tain first-run pictures.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Ouigley. Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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 Quisrley, President; Martin Quiglev, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J.
Brady, Secretary; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager: Gus H. Fausel. Production Manager: Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine
Building, William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz. Editorial Representative, 11
North Clark Street, FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI ; Hcpe 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; International Motion Picture Almanac: Fame. Entered as second-class matter, Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, IN. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies. 10c
JANE RUSSELL
Montana Belle
CO-STARRING
GEORGE BRENT
SCOTT BRADY • FORREST TUCKER ANDY DEVINE
-nTRUCOLOR
ALBANY
Fox Screening Room
1052 Broadway
ATLANTA
RKO Screening Room
195 Luckie St., N. W.
BOSTON
RKO Screening Room
122-28 Arlington St.
BUFFALO
Mo. Pic. Oper. Scr. Rm
498 Pearl Street
CHARLOTTE
Fox Screening Room
308 S. Church Street
CHICAGO
RKO Screening Room
1300 S. Wabash Ave.
CINCINNATI
Palace Screen. Rm.
12 East 6th Street
CLEVELAND
Fox Screening Room
2219 Payne Avenue
DALLAS
Republic Screen. Rm.
412 S. Harwod St.
DENVER
Paramount Scr. Rm.
2100 Stout Street
DES MOINES
Fox Screening Room
1300 High Street
Tues. 10/28 10:30 A.M.
Tues. 10/28 2:30 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 10:30 A.M.
Tues. 10/28 2:30 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 2:00 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 2:00 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 8:00 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 2:30 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 2:30 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 2:00 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 1:30 P.M.
DETROIT
Blumenthals Scr. Rm.
2310 Cass Avenue
INDIANAPOLIS
Universal Scr. Rm.
517 N. Illinois St.
KANSAS CITY
Paramount Scr. Rm.
1800 Wyandotte St.
LOS ANGELES
RKO Screening Room
1930 S. Vermont Ave.
MEMPHIS
Fox Screening Room
151 Vance Avenue
MILWAUKEE
Warner Screen. Room
212 W. Wisconsin Ave
MINNEAPOLIS
Fox Screening Room
1015 Currie Avenue
NEW HAVEN
Fox Screening Room
40 Whiting Street
NEW ORLEANS
Fox Screening Room
200 S. Liberty Street
NEW YORK
RKO Screening Room
630 Ninth Avenue
TRADE SHOWINGS
Tues
Tues.
Tues
Tues
Film Center Scr. Rm.
932 New Jersey Ave.
ALLaTdWAN • HOWARD WELSCH • ROBERT PETERS • HORACE McCOY I NORMAN S. HALL
RKO
RADIO
4
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, October 22, 1952
Year to Study Sale
Of RKO Films to TV
Nine months to a year will
be required for RKO Radio's
new management to complete
its study of the advisability of
selling its film backlog to tel-
evision, Arnold Grant, chair-
man of the board, said yester-
day.
"No one has been assigned
to the task yet," he said.
"When we are ready to under-
take it we will have to employ
experts on the subject. There
are too many more pressing
problems than that still be-
fore us."
Aim Is to Re-Build RKO
(Continued from page 1)
Zanuck Intends
(Continued from page 1)
with this studio and will not deviate
for the 17 years that my contract calls
for.
"But I have more than a financial
attachment to the interests of the 20th
Century-Fox company. I have devoted
the major part of my career and abili-
ties to its service. The success of the
company has been my life's work and
will so continue.
No Outside Pictures
"I therefore have no intention of
making outside pictures. I can elect
to change my status from active pro-
duction to an advisory capacity. This
stipulation was made at the time the
question of temporary salary reduc-
tions arose last year, in order to clarify
certain phases of the existing con-
tract.
"There is no basis for any rumors
of my leaving' the company or of mak-
ing pictures independently. Moreover,
I have no idea of what such rumors
are based on, as I have never been
contacted by anyone seeking to verify
them."
mission, municipal better business bu-
reaus and other groups by businesses
with which members of the syndicate
were associated during the past 20
years. It was clear, however, that
Grant's remarks and, his willingness
to submit to questions concerning
RKO Radio management's policies
and aims were designed to counteract
inferences injurious to the company
which those articles could arouse.
Grant stressed that the new man-
agement, pursuing its course of re-
building for the future, gave its first
attention to distribution manpower, se-
lecting what it regards as the "ablest,
most capable executives" obtainable to
market the 15 completed and unre-
leased pictures in the company's back-
log and to liquidate profitably the
product already in release.
This step was considered of
prime importance, Grant said,
in order to stem current RKO
Radio losses of $100,000 weekly.
Production is a long range prob-
lem and nothing is to be gained
by hasty action, he observed.
The new management is well satis-
fied with the executive manpower al-
ready obtained for distribution and
believes that it is capable of getting
the company back into the black in a
vear or two and "keeping it there,"
Grant said.
The search is continuing for a "top
level" production head, he reported,
and when one has been found a studio
organization capable of turning out a.
full schedule of expensive pictures will
be built around him.
Replying to questions, Grant said
there have been no resignations from
the board but did not rule out the
possibility of some changes later on.
He said he felt it desirable to have
some top executives on the board, such
as Arnold Picker, executive vice-presi-
dent, and perhaps neutral members.
Among the new executives, only Pick-
National
Seadler
(Continued from page
er and himself have been given con-
tracts, Grant said.
He revealed that Stolkin, new RKO
Radio president, does not plan to give
full time to the company and, in fact,
may be primarily concerned, together
with other members of the controlling
syndicate, only on the policy level.
Grant described himself as the chief
executive officer.
Answering another questioner, he
said the company has not yet executed
the $8,000,000 loan which, as a part
of the stock sale agreement, Howard
Hughes will make available to it. It
is the company's intention, he said, to
take down the loan at such time that
it finds the greatest use for it.
Grant said the economies
which have been effected in
RKO Radio by the new manage-
ment are not the answer to its
problem and not too much em-
phasis is being placed thereon.
He explained that economy mea-
sures are limited and could
amount at best to about $750,-
000 annually in savings.
"That's not too important when your
losses are running around $5,000,000
a year," Grant remarked.
He said that a full report on the
interests of members of the board in
other motion picture or theatre oper-
ations has been made to the Depart-
ment of Justice in a conscious effort
to avoid any possible anti-trust law
violations and that, if any are believed
to be present, the individuals concerned
will take the several courses of action
open to them.
Richard Condon, new RKO Radio
director of advertising, publicity and
exploitation, said that press gather-
ings, such as yesterday's, would be
weekly events to give reporters an op-
portunity to meet the new executives.
He said there would be no discussion
"now or later" of the Wall Street
Journal's articles.
Pre-Selling
i)
tor of Continental activities in Paris,
was in the midst of an extensive cam-
paign for "An American in Paris"
while he was there.
He visited M-G-M offices in Italy,
Barcelona, Madrid, Seville and Na-
ples, conferring with publicity staffs
on the publicity campaigns for "Quo
Vadis" and "Ivanhoe." In Barcelona,
Seadler reported, the new M-G-M
studio to be devoted particularly to
synchronization has gotten under con-
struction.
Gunzburg Here on
3rd Dimension Plans
Milton Gunzburg, president of Nat-
ural Vision, third dimensional film
medium, arrived in New York yester-
day and after discussions with George
J. Schaefer, who is associated with
him, will discuss with major compa-
nies and independent producers fur-
ther licensing of the third dimension
medium. First licensing of Natural
Vision was given by Gunzburg to
Arch Oboler's "Bwana Devil," which
will be released in late November.
Gunzburg also will arrange for li-
censing of Natural Vision for other
productions and will investigate the
transposing of stage plays to films
using the new medium.
Allied Meet to Show
RCA Theatre TV
Chicago, Oct. 21.— The RCA large
screen theatre television will be de-
monstrated over a special closed cir-
cuit into the Terrace Casino of the
Morrison Hotel for the Allied na-
tional convention on Nov. 18, the sec-
ond day of the meeting, it was an-
nounced here by Jack Kirsch, general
convention chairman.
The demonstration will originate
from a local TV studio and will be
in the form of a round-table panel
discussion of theatre television by the
National Allied -Theatre Committee
with Nathan L. Halpern. Members of
the committee are Trueman T. Rem-
busch, chairman ; Kirsch, Leon R.
Black, Wilbur Snaper, John Wolf-
berg and Nathan Yamins.
Turner Leaves RKO
(Continued from page 1)
his tenure with RKO, expects to enter
the television field.
As RKO Radio publicity director
he is said to have introduced what is
now known as area premieres, a pol-
icy which was used on such films as
"Hitler's Children" and "Back to Ba-
taan." He is also credited with ap-
plying television promotion with good
results to the recent reissuance of
"King Kong."
Candy Sales Topic
At FPC Convention
Niagara Falls, Ont., Oct. 21. — A
special edition of the Toronto Globe
and Mail with a headline welcoming
the delegates to Famous Players East-
ern division convention here featured
a morning meeting devoted to candy
sales.
The meeting was led by Jack Fitz-
gibbons, Jr., president of Theatre Con-
fections, Ltd., who arranged the special
edition.
Fitzgibbons introduced a new ice
cream confection being introduced by
FPC theatres called 'Bon Bons.'
JIT OMAN'S HOME COMPAN-
W ION, Cosmpolitan, McCall's
and Redbook magazines have adver-
tisements for Universal-International's
"Because of You" in their November
issues, all on newsstands this week.
"Because of You" stars Loretta
Young and Jeff Chandler. It is being
highly recommended to the member-
ship of the General Federation of
Women's Clubs by Dean Gray Ed-
wards, chairman of the motion pic-
tures committee. Mrs. Edwards has
sent letters to 700 district chairmen of
the clubs suggesting that they see
"Because of You" and then recom-
mend it to fellow club members and
friends. "Because of You" will have
its world premiere at the Randolph
Theatre in Philadelphia late this
month.
•
Redbook has chosen "The Four
Poster," with Lili Palmer and Rex
Harrison, as the "Picture of the
Month," in the November issue.
Also named are "Under the Red
Sea," "Because You're Mine" and
"The Miracle of Our Lady of Fa-
tima."
•
Ruth Harbert of Good Housekeep-
ing explains in the November issue
hozv Universal-International received
special permission from the Treasury
Department to show slowly disin-
tegrating United States currency. For
the sake of realism, a closeup was
made of the currency. It is used in an
important sequence of "It Grows on
Trees," starring Irene Dunne.
•
In the issue of Life magazine on the
newsstands Friday the technical proc-
esses of Cinerama are graphically
shown in drawings and photographs.
An enlargement of the roller-coaster
scene fills up a good part of a page.
Also in this issue, a number of pages
are devoted to M-G-M's "Small Time
Girl," starring Ann Miller. A danc-
ing platform is pictured, an orchestra
is placed under the platform and Ann
Miller uses it as a dance floor.
•
Woman's Home Companion is
running a Lux ad featuring Gene
Tierney, starring in "Way of A
Gaucho," a 20th Century-Fox pic-
ture. Adding a new dimension to
"Way of A Gaucho" promotion, the
ad offers a film-inspired scarf to
readers of the magazine by asking
them to mail a coupon and some
small pieces of silver to the Lux
soap people.
Says TV Station
Boom a Year Away
Boston, Oct. 21.— Harold E. Fel-
lows, president of the National As-
sociation of Radio and Television
Broadcasters, guest speaker at the two-
day meeting of New England district
members of that association, predicts
that the big increase expected in the
number of television stations after the
Federal Communications Commission
lifted its "freeze" on the construction
of television stations last summer will
not materialize for more than a year.
He said that he does not believe that
there will be more than "100 additional
television stations in operation by the
end of 1953,
RKO Pictures announces the plac-
ing of ads in Life, Look, Collier's,
Time and Newsweek for "Blackbeard,
the Pirate," starring Linda Darnell,
Robert Newton and William Bendix.
In addition to the zveeklies carry-
ing advertising , newspaper supplements
will also be used. The supplements
include American Weekly, circulated
in 23 major cities, and seven inde-
pendent supplements located in large
cities.
Cinerama Plans Up
Lynn Farnol, public relations ex-
ecutive, left here for Hollywood last
night for a week of conferences with
Merian C. Cooper, Louis B. Mayer
and others on Cinerama production
plans. Farnol handles Cinerama ad-
vertising and publicity.
Wednesday, October 22, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
s
Invites Film Firms
To TV Meetings
Victor Ratner, Theatre Tele-
Sessions director, was asked
yesterday whether motion pic-
ture companies have been
asked to theatre telecast their
regional or national sales
meetings, similar to the tele-
cast set by the James Lees
carpet firm.
Ratner said he discussed
the idea unofficially with one
of his distribution friends, but
no formal approach to a film
company has been made as
yet. He said he thought it was
a good idea, however.
Top Theatres' Profit
(Continued from page 1)
Theatre Telecast
(Continued from- page 1)
D'Arcy Advertising Agency, was also
a principal in the negotiations.
Halpern declined to disclose the
budget allocated by Lees for the one-
hour theatre TV program, nor would
he comment on the amount participat-
ing theatres will receive from TNT.
It will be on a flat rental basis, rather
than on a per seat basis as in fight
telecasts, however, he stated.
The program, which will originate
from the NBC-TV studios in New
York, will be aimed at an invited au-
dience which will include top retail
executives, architects and contractors,
home economists for local newspapers,
stockholders and community leaders.
The merchandising message, which
will feature two-way talks between
the field and the studio, will include
a statement of policy by Lees presi-
dent. Other facets of the theatre TV
show will include the showing of fab-
rics and a new approach to carpet
merchandising.
Tele- Sessions director Ratner said
he expects to announce a number of
similar deals within the next six
months. Halpern stated that the suc-
cess of the first commercial use of the
medium will influence other business
organizations.
The following cities are slated for
the telecast: Boston, Chicago, Cincin-
nati, St. Louis, Cleveland, Denver,
St. Paul, New York, Philadelphia,
pittsburgn, Washington, Detroit, Salt
Lake City, San Francisco and Los
Angeles. Halpern said clearances for
cable facilities have already been
cleared by the American Telephone
and Telegraph Co. He said he ex-
pects to have a list of theatres carry-
ing the telecast in about a week.
Selection of the theatres, he added,
will be governed by the requirements
of the sponsor. Under the terms, he
stated, concession stands during the
telecast will not be operated.
AMP A Meet Today
The board and trustees of the Asso-
ciated Motion Picture Advertisers
will hold a luncheon-meeting today at
the Blue Ribbon Restaurant here,
Harry K. McWilliams, AM PA presi-
dent, announced.
is conducting- a strong anti-tax cam-
paign, heard Dingel urge that all ex-
hibitors everywhere band together to
fight for repeal.
Potter declared that all taxes are
too high and pledged a fight for re-
duction if elected to the Senate.
Myers in his address also assailed
the government for attempting, in its
anti-trust suit, to force distributors to
sell 16mm. films to TV and other out-
lets competing with regular theatres.
He predicted that theatres will fare
increasingly better in the competition
with TV. 'Yes," he said, "television
has hurt the movies, no question about
that. But please bear in mind that
the movies during the last half century
have survived automobiles, radio, mah
jongg, canasta and a thousand time-
consuming fads."
On the tax subject, Myers said the
"cruel fact" was that American exhibi-
tors are "caught in a vise. Mounting
costs are crushing them against an un-
yielding wall of fixed admission prices
— fixed because with the 20 per cent
tax, they cannot be increased. They
have endured this pressure to the
breaking point, they cannut stand any
more and some, as you know, have
already been forced to close their the-
atres."
He added : "While Congress cannot
undertake to bail out every individual
business man who is down in his luck,
it is no new thing for Congress to
come to the aid of a whole industry,
to grant it relief from the general tax
laws and even to t subsidize its oper-
ations."
The Arabian Room of the Hotel
Tuller was packed to capacity for the
Congressional luncheon. Also attend-
ing were Rep. Tohn Machrowicz ; Con-
director spoke of the newspaper as
"our greatest ally," he also pleaded
for support of the Will Rogers fund.
"The idea of newspapers charging
a higher rate for amusement advertis-
ing than commercial advertising is
out-of-tune with current times and we
must all seek to eradicate it. The
higher rate stems from the time, long
before movies were born, when shows
were provided only by traveling
troups," Bamberger said.
"In the present movement among
newspapers to assist our industry, the
advertising managers of a number of
them have lately offered exhibitors
their general advertising rate," he
noted.
Truman Rembusch was on hand to
explain the Council of Motion Picture
Organizations' nationwide battle for
the repeal of the admission tax.
Wilbur Snaper, president of national
Allied told those attending to give full
support to the battle against the tax.
When asked if the federal tax was re-
pealed wouldn't the exhibitors face city
and municipal taxes ?, Snaper replied :
"Let's get this one out of the way first.
When we do I'm sure we have nothing
to fear as far as other taxes being im-
posed on the exhibitor are concerned."
Raibourn
(Continued from page 1)
Arbitration
(Continued from page 1)
inconsequential "irresponsible shout-
ing, threatening and cajoling" in con-
nection with planning an arbitration
system. "I state with confidence that
arbitration is a reality," he said. "It is
here, and will stay here, despite at-
tempts at sabotage by certain short-
sighted individuals. You see, the prin-
gressman George Dondero; Frank X. ] ciple of arbitration is a much stronger
its ability to produce a large
screen television picture that
will compare favorably with the
35mm. motion picture image to
which the public is accustomed.
Raibourn, president of Paramount
Television Productions Inc., declared
that on the basis of Paramount's stu-
dies in theatre television he would
recommend, in addition to the 10 mc.
bandwidth, 725 lines definition to pro-
vide quality comparable to a 35 mm.
film.
In his opinion, Raibourn said, these
standards would not equal 35 mm.
quality, but would merely represent
"a suitable compromise of all the fac-
tors" to allow a comparable image on
the motion picture screen.
Other witnesses today who but-
tressed Raibourn's recommendation of
a 10 mc. bandwidth and 725 lines
definition for theatre television were
Andrew F. Inglis and Frank H. Mc-
intosh, engineers for the Motion Pic-
ture Association of America and the
National exhibitors Theatre Televi-
sion Committee. All witnesses came in
for considerable questioning on the
part of the Commissioners and of
FCC general counsel Benedict Cot-
tone as to whether a 10 mc. bandwidth
was really necessary.
Chairman Paul Walker point-
ed out that the Commission had
limited color television demon-
strations to a six mc. band-
with, and said that the indus-
try was asking for a 10 mc.
bandwidth for black and white
transmission.
Martel, president of the W ayne County
AFL; Congressman Louis Rabaut, and
Congressman John Lesinski, Jr.
In the early morning sessions Leon
J. Bamberger, RKO public relations
Cumbaa President
(Continued from page 1)
EXCHANGE BOOKER
EXPERIENCED
Phone DORIS WISHMAN
PLazo 7-1726 for appointment
urer ; Pete Lucas, Kissimmee, secre-
tary ; Maurice Hensler, Auburndale,
chairman of the board ; Mitchell Wolf-
son, Miami, Florida Theatre Owners
of America director ; and Hugh Mar-
tin, Sr., Clermont, regional TOA
director.
Garner was made chairman of the
financial committee ; Lamar Sarra,
Jacksonville, became head of the legis-
lative committee ; Mark Chartand,
Miami, was selected to direct public
relations ; and Nat Williams, Quincy,
was chosen conciliator.
The morning meeting opened with
Roy Smith, Jacksonville, giving a talk-
on concession business. Jack Braun-
agel of Commonwealth Theatres, Kan-
sas City, followed with an account of
"The Operation of America's Drive-
ins." Alfred Starr, TOA president,
gave the main address at the luncheon
session for members and guests.
During the afternoon, Braunagel
conducted a three-hour "school for
managers," going into all phases of
theatre operations. More than 75 man-
agers and district supervisors were
present.
The convention closed with a ban-
quet, at which Bill McCraw of Texas,
representing Variety Clubs Interna-
tional, served as toastmaster at the
Roosevelt Hotel.
force than the people against or for
it."
He said TOA had received copies
of the industry arbitration plan ap-
proved, by distribution, but that he had
not had time to examine the document
carefully. "After a preliminary read-
ing, however, and based on the state-
ment of Mr. Eric Johnston that the
draft has not been submitted to exhi-
bition on a take-it-or-leave-it basis,
and based, further, on my personal
knowledge of what obstacles have al-
ready been overcome, I state with con-
fidence that arbitration is a reality."
'Most Welcome'
"Most welcome," Levy said, "will be
the restrictions which the plan places
on distributors' employment of com-
petitive bidding, and, further, the use
of competitive bidding only in accord-
ance with a set of 'Rules of the Game'
which have been so sorely needed for
so long. If these rules are abided by
there should be no more haphazard
competitive bidding, and there should
be an end to under-the-counter she-
nanigans. And if there be not then the
aggrieved person will find satisfactory
avenues of relief in this system of arbi-
tration," Levy said.
"Guided by the principle that exhibi-
tors must not be deprived of their
right and privilege to go to litigation,
if they so choose, the various Drafting
Committees have preserved this pre-
rogative for exhibitors. Under the
plan, only distributors will be com-
pelled to submit to arbitration. The
exhibitor will be able to seek relief
either in arbitration or in litigation.
And, before going to either, he will
be able to attempt to settle his prob-
lem under a system of Conciliation,
which is part and parcel of the arbi-
tration plan," according to Levy.
The TOA attorney observed that
the "long, difficult, back-breaking task
of compromise and sacrifice is behind
us." i]
"True," he acknowledged, "there re-
main matters to be amicably adjusted
before signature, but, as I have stated
before, I am familiar with all sugges-
tions of change and of additions made
to date, and I cannot see how any one
of them will be, or can be, permitted
to become an insurmountable obstacle,
if the approach to them is made in
good faith by men of good will."
SAVE $4B ON
EXCURSION
FARES TO
HAWAII!
ONLY $438 ROUND TRIP!*
Luxury flights from California to
Hawaii have been substantially reduced
in fare during United's Excursion pe-
riod of Oct. 1 to Dec. 10, 1952.
1st class comfort, service, meals.
"Package" tours available, too.
UNITED AIR LINES
One of The Scheduled Airlines of fhe U. S.
80 E. 42nd St., call MUrray Hill 2-7300.
*From New York. Via Air Tourist to California.
16-day limit on Excursion tickets. Fares plus
fed. tax.
6
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, October 22, 1952
Review
"The Steel Trap"
(20th Century-Fox)
BERT FRIEDLOB has produced and Andrew Stone has written and
directed a gripping thriller that piles suspense on suspense as Joseph
Cotton, portraying an assistant bank manager who has stolen $1,000,000,
tries to leave the country and avoid police detection. Although the story
becomes implausible in spots, such as the credulity of Cotton's wife, Teresa
Wright, who doesn't discover the theft until late in the film, every plot
twist that can generate a bit more suspense is utilized. This is a well-made,
well acted film that should prove a solid box-office attraction.
The story opens with Cotton tiring of his good but monotonous life after
11 years employment in a bank. At first he only thinks about the million
dollar theft but it becomes an obsession when he learns there is no extradi-
tion law in Brazil. Since but one weekend remains before he is scheduled
to work Saturdays, Cotton acts immediately. All of his carefully planned
details go awry just a bit and he is forced to adopt high-pressure, aggressive
methods.
There are several brushes with the law, including a customs inspector in
New Orleans who checks his suitcase containing the money but is unable to
check Cotton's tale about carrying the bank's money on a mission since bank
president Jonathan Hale is out playing golf, it being Sunday. However, they
fail to get plane reservations to Brazil and Cotton knows that the next
morning the bank will discover the loss. Miss Wright decides she cannot
condone the theft nor accompany Cotton. She returns home. After missing
his home and wife, Cotton returns and barely manages to return the
money, happy to resume his normal life.
Running time, 85 minutes. General audience classification. For November
release. Walter Pashkin
Short
Subject
"I Remember the Glory"
(Art Films — 20th Century-Fox)
Botticelli, the Italian master of
brush and canvas, and his great art,
typified by portrayals of the Madonna,
are treated with consummate photo-
graphic skill in a short subject any
exhibitor should be proud to offer his
customers. Here is a 10-minute treat
which, apart from what it reveals con-
cerning the artist and the magnificent
color and detail of his masterpieces,
provides stirring glimpses of the beau-
tiful city of Florence, Botticelli's
birthplace, and the captivating Italian
countryside. The catalyst is a "story"
concerning a young war veteran who
on a visit to a Washington museum,
recalls the thrill he experienced when
he first saw one of Botticelli's master- |
pieces in Italy.
Produced in color by Technicolor
by Marilyn Silverstone and Boris
Vermont, and offering background
music written by Jacques Belasco,_"I
Remember the Glory" is a glowing-
symphony of color, art and life that
should leave theatre patrons eager to
see the others in this Art Films series.
Running time, 10 minutes.
IFE Expanding
Foreign Markets
Jurisdiction of the American divi-
sion of Italian Films Export has been
extended to cover all of Canada and
the Far East, with the exception of
Japan which has a separate agreement
with Rome, IFE disclosed here.
It was reported also that a five-man
board of directors composed of three
Americans and two Italians will di-
rect the new distributing corporation
which is being established by IFE.
The directors will be named following
the return here early next month from
Rome of Dr. Renato Gualino, IFE
general director, who flew to Rome
last weekend for consultation with
Italian producers, according to a
spokesman for the organization. Gua-
lino was named chief executive of the
pending new corporation by IFE
board members at a meeting here last
week.
IFE stated that the top personnel
of the distribution company has been
set following discussions held here
during the last two weeks ; that the
names of the executives will be dis-
closed shortly upon the signing- of
final papers, and that Gualino indi-
cated the chairmanship of the board
was being offered to one of the leading
producers in Italy with announcement
of his acceptance to be confirmed from
Rome later this month.
Independent American distributors
of Italian films will continue to nego-
tiate directly with Italian producers
for individual properties. Although
these independents will have no or-
ganic tie-up with the new set-up, the
facilities of the new division distribu-
tion offices and sound studios will be
available to them as well as other al-
ready established IFE services.
Italian Delegation Received
By Hartman at Para. Studio
Hollywood, Oct. 21. — Members of
the Italian film delegation which at-
tended the "Salute to Italian Films
Week" in New York, were welcomed
NPA Approves 11
Theatre Projects
Washington, Oct. 21. — The Na-
tional Production Authority has au-
thorized the construction of 11 more
theatres. Nine are drive-ins. NPA
also authorized the remodeling of two
theatres. In most cases the agency
made official allotments of construction
materials ; in some cases it merely au-
thorized the use of materials already
in the builder's possession.
The approved drive-ins are : Brooks
Drive-in Theatre Corp., Presque Isle,
Me., with an estimated construction
cost of $32,580; Vance W. Haar,
Dillsburg, Pa., $41,200 ; Pitts Kilmar-
nock Drive-in Theatre Corp., Kilmar-
nock, Va, $20,100; Black Hills
Amusement Co., Rapid City, S. D.,
$110,000; Central States Theatre
Corp, Charles City, la., $35,000;
Claude Parrish, Topeka, Kans, $220,-
071 ; Lee E. Wilson, Shattuck, Okla,
$10,000; Walter Matnev, Decatur,
Tex., $10,480; W. O. Woody, Boli-
var, Mo, no amount given.
Two indoor theatres okayed were
proposed by Martin Martell, Hato
Rey, Puerto Rico, $79,000, and W. F.
Aydelotte and R. H. Dowdy, Ft. Col-
lins, Colo., $35,000.
Remodeling was okayed for The-
atrical Enterprises Corp, San Diego,
Cal, $12,000, and Washington Theatre
Co, Washington, D. C, $10,000. The
latter company has just remodeled the
Gayety Theatre into the Sam S. Shu-
bert Theatre, for stage productions.
here at a Paramount studio reception
by Don Hartman, production execu-
tive. The delegation includes : Dr.
Dino de Laurentiis and Dr. Carlo
Ponti, producers, and their wives ;
actress Silvana Mangana, and Capt.
Pilade Levi, manager of Paramount
Films of Italy.
Ponti and de Laurentiis produced
the new picture, "Sensualita," which
Paramount International will distri-
bute throughout its world-wide terri-
tory. The delegation also was honored
at a cocktail party given by the Italian
consul of Los Angeles, Dr. Mario
Ungaro.
Feature from Rank
Set on Coronation
The New York office of the J. Ar-
thur Rank Organization yesterday dis-
closed that there will be a full length
feature film of the Coronation made,
for the first time, in color by Techni-
color that will include the actual cere-
mony in Westminster Abbey. Ar-
rangements have been made with
Technicolor, Ltd, giving the Rank or-
ganization all available facilities for
the film, which will have global dis-
tribution.
The Rank organization said that
considerable preparation and partial
production has been in progress for
sometime. The film will show in de-
tail all events leading up to the cere-
mony as well as the actual crowning
itself, it was said. Plans are being
made for worldwide distribution
shortly after the event thus requiring
the expansion of Technicolor facili-
ties in London for the handling of the
necessary hundreds of prints, it was
said.
The film is being produced by
Castleton Knight whose earlier pic-
tures include "Victory Parade," "The
Royal Wedding Presents," "Royal
Wedding" and "14th Olympiad— The
Glory of Sport."
Says 'Greatest Show9
Small-Town Topper
Los Angeles, Oct. 21. — Cecil B.
DeMille's "The Greatest Show on
Earth" is the most successful small
town attraction in Paramount's his-
tory, George A. Smith, the company's
Western division manager, told 21
representatives of the Denver, Salt
Lake City and Los Angeles branches
during a three-day sales meeting held
here.
'Snows' in 'Frisco Mark
San Fancisco, Oct. 21. — "The
Snows of Kilimanjaro" grossed $27,-
698 in its first three days here at the
Fox Theatre and has broken all house
records for 23 years, it is understood.
Exhibitors Seek
Injunction vs.
Mexican Import Law
Mexico City, Oct. 21. — An injunc-
tion against enactment of President
Miguel Aleman's new law for the an-
nounced purpose of "aiding and moral-
izing" the film industry which the Sen-
ate approved after considerable debate,
has been asked of a local Federal
Court by the National Cinema Im-
presarios Association and the Mexican
Exhibitors Association. The exhib-
itors contend the law establishes a
state monopoly for distribution, elimi-
nates private enterprise from film pro-
duction and interferes with exhibition
in that it dictates the number and kind
of films that can be screened.
Forty-two Senators asserted the law
does not establish a monopoly. The '
Senators were heckled from the gal-
leries until they yelled that the heck-
lers were a claque paid by exhibitors.
An exhibitor spokesman asserted that
they had not hired the hecklers.
Enactment of the law now rests with
President Aleman. His six-year term
expires on Nov. 30.
Pioneers to Induct
Eckman, Curtis
Samuel Eckman, Jr., managing di-
rector of M-G-M in Great Britain;
Samuel Rosen, executive of Fabian
Theatres, and Fred Quimby, short sub-
jects executive producer for M-G-M,
are among those who will be inducted
at the Motion Picture Pioneers Jubilee
Dinner, set for Nov. 25 at the Hotel
Astor.
Other new members already ac-
cepted for induction include : Ed-
ward P. (Ted) Curtis, Eastman
Kodak ; Harold Fitzgerald of Fox-
Wisconsin Theatres ; Martin Levine,
of Brandt Theatres ; Will J. Comer of
John Hamrick Theatres, Seattle, and
Norman E. Gluck, of United World
Films.
A large number of additional appli-
cations are currently being certified so
that the new members can be inducted
at the dinner at which N. J. Blum-
berg, chairman of the board of direc-
tors of Universal Pictures will be
honored as the "Motion Picture
Pioneer of 1952." George Jessel will
act as toastmaster and Ned E. Depi-
rtet as chairman.
Philippine Notables
To Honor Skouras
Spyros P. Skouras, president of
20th Century-Fox, will be honored to-
day at a dinner in Manila by officials
of the Philippine , government and
members of the local film industry,
it was announced here yesterday.
Skouras is on a trip to the Far East
and Australia surveying film condi-
tions.
Skouras has been fostering world
brotherhood during the trip. He has
made numerous speeches in its behalf
in Hawaii and Japan and toured the
Korean battlefront with Gen. James
^Van Fleet during which he spoke with
hundreds of American soldiers and-
members of the Greek Battalion of
the U.N. forces. Skouras is slated to:
leave Manila Saturday for Hong
Kong from where he will go to Bang-
kok and Djakarta before continuing
to Australia in early November.
FIRST
FILM
NEWS
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
VOL. 72. NO. 79
NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22 1952
TEN CENTS
Tax Payments
Top Theatres'
Profit: Myers
, Levy Hit Also by
Mich. Solon, Candidate
Detroit, Oct. 21. — In a bitter
blast against the 20 per cent Fed-
eral admission tax before today's
luncheon session of the Allied The-
atres of Michigan convention here,
Abram F. Myers, Allied States gen-
eral counsel, contended that with the
possible exception of "a few great
theatres like Radio City Music Hall
there is not a movie house in the
U. S. with net earnings even approx-
imating the sums they turn into _ the
Treasury in the form of admissions
taxes."
At the same session, Charles E. Pot-
ter, Republican candidate for U. S.
Senator from this state, and Congress-
man John Dingell, a member of the
House Ways and Means Committee,
also spoke against the tax. The latter
said he was contemplating the intro-
duction of a bill to exclude the film
industry from the admission tax. The
Michigan exhibitor organization, which
{Continued on page S)
10mc. Signal
Is Essential,
Says Raibourn
Washington, Oct. 21. — Theatre
television will be "degraded" to
the level of 16 mm. motion pictures
unless its signal can be transmitted
over a 10 megacycle bandwidth, Paul
Rairbourn told the Federal Commu-
nications Commission today.
Testifying on the second day
of the FCC's hearing on the
engineering and accounting
phases of theatre television,
Raibourn said that the long-
term success of theatre televi-
sion depended a great deal on
{Continued on page 5)
Foreign Business
Excellent: Seadler
Zanuck Intends to
Remain with 20th
Darryl F. Zanuck, 20th Century-
Fox vice-president in charge of pro-
duction, commenting yesterday on
rumors concerning his future activities,
made it clear in a statement issued at
the home office that he has no inten-
tions of leaving 20th Century Fox.
His statement follows :
"I have not signed a new contract
with 20th Century-Fox.
"As the largest single stockholder
in the 20th Century-Fox company my
interests are concentrated exclusively
(Continued on page 4)
M-G-M business ill the international
market was de-
scribed as "ex-
cellent" by Silas
F. Seadler, M-
G-M advertis-
ing manager,
who returned
here yesterday
from Paris af-
ter an extended
trip abroad.
France, he
said, had its
best years ever,
listing that
country as one
of the top coun-
tries for MGM.
He reported that David Lewis, direc-
(Continued on page 4)
AIM TO REBUILD
RKO, GRANT SAYS
Arbitration Will
Cost Very Little,
Says TO As Levy
Jacksonville, Fla., Oct. 21. — Under
the proposed system of industry arbi-
tration an exhibitor will be able to ob-
tain speedy and effective relief of any
or most of his problems for less than
$100, Herman M. Levy, Theatre Own-
ers of America general counsel, today
told the annual convention of the Mo-
tion Picture Exhibitors of Florida at
the Roosevelt Hotel here.
The Florida organization, following
Levy's address, unanimously resolved
that it favors the principle of arbitra-
tion for the industry and that it en-
dorses and approves the plan of arbi-
tration ultimately to be agreed upon
and approved by TOA or by TOA
arbitration committee.
This prospect, Levy declared, makes
(Continued on page 5)
Florida Unit Names
Cumbaa President
Silas Seadler
Jacksonville, Oct. 21. — Bill P.
Cumbaa, Leesburg exhibitor, was
named president of the Motion Picture
Exhibitors of Florida at the final
meeting of the annual convention here.
He is the group's former secretary.
Others elected were Horace Denning,
Jacksonville, first vice-president ; Bob
Cannon, Live Ooak, second vice-presi-
dent ; B. B. Garner, Lakeland, treas-
(Continued on page 51
To Theatre Telecast NatH
Sales Conference Dec. 8
Turner Leaves RKO
Exploitation Post
Terry Turner, director of exploita-
tion for RKO Radio Pictures, has
resigned his post, effective imme-
diately, Richard Condon, national di-
rector of advertising, publicity and
exploitation, disclosed here yesterday.
No successor was named.
Turner, who is accredited with
many promotional innovations during
(Continued on page 4)
A national sales conference in 15 key cities from Coast-to-Coast will
be theatre televised on Dec. 8, Nathan L. Halpern, president of Theatre
Network Television, disclosed here yesterday. The sponsor for the first
"off-hour" commercial utilization of theatre television is the James Lees
and Sons Co., carpet manufacturing -
firm.
Negotiations are currently under-
way for the renting of TV-equipped
theatres in 15 cities from New York
to Los Angeles, Halpern stated. Un-
der dr: arrangement, Halpern ex-
plained, TNT will rent one theatre
in each city for the telecast, which
will be paid by TNT, it was ex-
plained, while selected theatres will
receive a flat rental sum from TNT.
Asked if theatres will make a profit
on the deal, Halpern responded, "I
expect so."
The contract with Lees was sparked
by Victor M. Ratner, director of
Theatre Tele-Sessions, a subsidiary of
TNT. Paul Lewis, vice-president in
charge, of radio and TV for the
(Continued on page 5)
To Seek Profit Basis in
Two Years; Liquidation
Rumors Held 'Nonsense'
The rebuilding of RKO Radio
and the production of good films
for theatres are the basic aims of
the company's new management,
Arnold Grant, chairman of the board
and chief executive officer, told a lun-
cheon gathering of about 50 press rep-
resentatives here yesterday.
In reiterating, with deliber-
ate emphasis, these previously
stated objectives of the Ralph
Stolkin syndicate, Grant dis-
missed as "nonsense" all ru-
mors that the purchasers of
Howard Hughes' controlling
stock interest in RKO Radio
planned to liquidate company
assets and bow out with some
"quick capital gains."
At no time did Grant refer to the
several articles published by the Wall
Street Journal delineating alleged
brushes with the Federal Trade Com-
(Continued on page 4)
Distributors Again
Talk Streamlining
Now that the subject of arbitration
has been removed temporarily from
the Motion Picture Association of
America's agenda with submission of
an amended draft of an arbitration
system to exhibitors, the companies
have resumed high level discussions
on streamlining of distribution facili-
ties. In recent days, Eric A. Johnston,
MPAA president, and Alfred W.
Schwalberg, chairman of the MRAA
sales managers committee, have con-
ferred on streamlining and the com-
mittee has met on the subject.
Equipment Exports
Are on the Rise
Akron, O., Oct. 21. — Considerable
activity of theatres ■ abroad towards
modernization, especially in South
America, was evident from a report
released by Vallen, Inc., covering the
export business for the first nine
months of 1952.
E. J. Vallen was optimistic about
the impact of American theatre equip-
ment on theatres around the world.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, October 22, 1952
Personal
Mention
WILLIAM B. ZOELLNER, head
of M-G-M's short subject and
newsreel sales, arrived in Jacksonville
yesterday and will go to Atlanta to-
morrow.
•
Hugh Owen, Paramount' s East-
ern-Southern division manager, and
his assistant, Al Fitter, will be in
Boston from New York all this week
for meetings.
•
John Balaban, head of Balaban
and Katz, Chicago, and Nate Platt,
in charge of stage productions, were
visitors at the Paramount studio in
Hollywood recently.
•
Jack Arthur, Famous Players' ex-
ecutive in Toronto, is making per-
sonal appearances in a Tuesday night
series of "Mr. Showbusiness" on the
Canadian Broadcasting network.
•
Russell Holman, Paramount's
Eastern production manager, has ar-
rived in London from here, on the
first stop of a three-week European
trip.
•
Arthur C. Bromberg, president of
Monogram Southern Exchanges, was
in Jacksonville, Fla., attending the
Motion Picture Exhibitors of Florida
convention.
•
Robert H. Rhodes, Allied Artists
publicity manager, has returned to his
desk in Hollywood following a two-
week vacation in the Sierras.
•
Foster M. Blake, Universal West-
ern sales manager, has left here for
Kansas City, Des Moines, Omaha and
Denver.
Bernard Smith and Charles
Vidor, Paramount producer and di-
rector, are in New York from the
Coast.
Jack Sidney, manager of Loew's
Century Theatre in Baltimore, is ex-
pected to leave St. Agnes Hospital
this week following surgery.
•
Haroldi Boxall, director of London
Film Productions, and Mrs. Boxall,
will leave here today for Europe
aboard the Queen Mary.
•
Al Schuman, general manager of
the Hartford Theatre Circuit, and
Mrs. Schuman have left Hartford
for Miami on a vacation.
®
Nat D. Fellman, chief film buyer
for Warner Theatres, has arrived in
Hollywood from New York.
•
Dick Cook, head of the motion pic-
ture department of Pictorial Review,
left here yesterday for Boston.
•
Max Birnbaum, Warner Brothers
branch manager in New Haven, is
recuperating from illness.
Arch Oboler, producer is due here
from Hollywood.
INDUSTRY SET
FOR ROGERS
FUND SALUTE
The national personnel structure for
the 1952 "Christmas Salute" to the
Variety Clubs-Memorial Hospital has
been completed, it was disclosed here
yesterday by Charles Feldman of
Universal Pictures, distributor chair- j
man for the campaign.
The holiday scrolls, which constitute
the backbone of the Christmas Salute,
have been shipped, with all other cam-
paign material, to exchange area
chairmen for distribution to theatres
through all company branch mana-
gers and their salesmen.
In 1951 over 98,000 persons em-
ployed in the industry signed the
scrolls and contributed in excess of
$95,000. In this year's Salute the
goal is 150,000 signatures and $200,000,
said Feldman.
The Salute will begin officially on
Nov. 1, and continue through Jan. 1.
The distribution committee chairmen
follow : Albany, Leo Greenfield ; At-
lanta, E. H. Brauer; Boston, Frank
P. Dervin ; Buffalo, John G. Chinell ;
Charlotte, Jack Reville ; Chicago, Sam
Gorelick ; Cincinnati, Phil Fox ;
Cleveland, Lester Zucker ; Dallas, R.
N. Wilkinson ; Denver, Bud Austin ;
Des Moines, Leon Mendelson ; Detroit,
J. J. Lee.
Indianapolis, Foster B. Gaucker ;
Jacksonville, E. G. Chumley ; Kansas
City, William D. Gaddoni ; Los An-
geles, Alfred R. Taylor ; Memphis, Joe
Young ; Milwaukee, J. H. Lorentz ;
Minneapolis, Leroy J. Miller ; New
Haven, John Pavone; New Orleans,
William Holliday ; New York, Myron
Sattler ; Oklahoma City, C. A. Gibbs ;
Omaha, J. A. Scott.
Philadelphia, Ulrik F. Smith;
Pittsburgh, D. C. Silverman ; Port-
land, Charles F. Powers; St. Louis,
Lester J. Bona; Salt Lake City, Wil-
liam F. Gordon; San Francisco, J. C.
Emerson; Seattle, Neal Walton;
Tampa, Harold E. Laird; Washing-
ton, D. C, Jerome A. Adams.
Edward Lachman Is
[Nominated to Head
N.Y. Variety Club
The Variety Club of New York will
hold its annual election meeting on
Nov. 10 at the Paramount Caterers
here, for which the nominating com-
mittee, headed by Martin Levine, has
selected the following candidates : Ed-
ward Lachman, chief barker ; Edward
L. Fabian, first assistant chief barker;
Levine, second assistant ; Ira Mein-
hardt, property master, Harold L.
Klein, dough guy. William J. German
is the present chief barker.
The committee has also named the
following canvassmen candidates :
Bernard Brooks, Russell Downing,
Nathan Furst, Jack Hoffberg, Martin
Kornbluth, Jack Levin, Charles E.
Lewis, Harold Newman, Walter
Reade Jr., Harold Rinzler, Burt Rob-
bins,- Morris Sanders, Bert Sanford,
Cy Seymour, David Snaper, Saul
Trauner, George Waldman, Max
Wolff.
Nominations may also be made, in
writing, if endorsed with the names of
not less than 10 members in good
standing and delivered to the property
master at least seven days prior to the
election. ■
The meeting will convene at noon
and the polls will be open until six
P.M. Other matters on the agenda
include club quarters, a progress re-
port, financial report and plans for the
future of the tent. Lunch will be
served at one o'clock.
Newsreel
Parade
Book 20th's 'Sing*
For Jan. at Hall
Twentieth Century-Fox's "Tonight
We Sing," musical biography of the
career of S. Hurok, will open at Radio
City Music Hall in January, it was
disclosed here yesterday by Al Licht-
man, 20th's distribution director. Pro-
duced by George Jessel and directed
by Mitchell Leisen in color by Tech-
nicolor, a total of 18 concert, operatic
and ballet numbers are featured in the
film.
Joseph Holman, Sr.
Nashville, Oct. 21. — Joseph W.
Holman, Sr., a director of Crescent
Amusement Co. and a large stock-
holder, died of a heart attack in a
hotel in Zurich, Switzerland, it was
learned here. He was on a combined
business and pleasure trip with his
son, Joseph Jr. Holman was also in
the architectural firm of Marr & Hol-
man, which designed more than 100
theatres for Crescent Amusement Co.
Again Put Off Ascap,
Dubonnet Case
Yesterday's scheduled hearing here
in Federal Court of the Dubonnet
Music Publishing Co. action to amend
the Ascap consent decree to prevent,
among other things, motion picture
companies from engaging in music
publishing, was put off until Oct. 28.
Yesterday's hearing date was set
last June after the case had been re-
ferred to Judge Goddard by Judge
Edelstein. Judge Goddard stated in
June that an adjournment at that time
was not to be construed as implying
any recognition by the court that
Dubonnet has any standing in a case
involving amendment of the Ascap
consent decree.
Earlier court rulings have been that
Ascap members have no right to
appeal for amendment of the decree.
Their procedure can only be through
complaint to the Justice Department
which can move for amendment of
the decree if it decides the circum-
stances warrant.
Manny Wolfe Dies
On Coast at 48
Hollywood, Ott. 21. — Manny Wolfe,
48, recently named story editor for
Edward Small Productions, died last
night of a heart attack. He was to be
married Thursday to Dr. Zelda Wolfe.
Two sisters survive.
Wolfe, who entered the industry in
1931, became Paramount story editor
in 1939. In 1944, after going- on his
own, he was named head of the story
and writing department of RKO Ra-
dio, and in 1947 he was named assist-
ant to William Dozier, associate head
of production at Universal. Before
taking the Small post, he freelanced.
Set Shea Circuit
Meet in Pittsburgh
A general meeting of Shea Circuit
home office executives and all Shea
managers will be convened in Pitts-
burgh at the Hotel Roosevelt, Oct.
28-29, it was disclosed here yesterday.
The following home office execu-
tives will accompany Gerald J. Shea,
president, to the meeting : Richard A.
Harper, George Goett, William E.
Barry, M. A. Shea, Jr., Raymond E.
Smith and Carroll J. Lawler.
Coast Services Held
For Abraham Lehr
Hollywood, Oct. 21. — Funeral ser-
vices were held yesterday for Abra-
ham Lehr, 72, film pioneer and one-
time vice-president of Samuel Gold-
wyn Productions. Surviving are a
son, Neill, a daughter, Helen Frances,
and a brother, Theodore.
A former vice-president of United
Artists Studios, Inc., Lehr entered the
industry in 1917. He had previously
been an executive in a manufacturing
concern.
Colony, Fla. House,
Files vs. 20th-Fox
Miami, Oct. 21.— A $50,000 damage
suit against 20th Century-Fox has
been filed in Federal Court here by
the Colony Thatre of Palm Beach, al-
leging that the theatre could not ob-
tain first-run pictures.
rHE Presidential campaign in the
homestretch is the highlight of
most newsreels. Also featured are
"space suits" for the stratosphere, the
Lincoln pageant at Gettysburg, King
Farouk moves again, and a diamond
display.
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 86— Eisen-
hower says he is a "No-Deal" candidate.
Gov. Stevenson hits "Ike" and Taft in Los
Angeles. Princess Margaret goes to the
movies. King Farouk moves again. College
football games: Notre Dame-P'urdue, Mary-
land-Navy.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 216— Cam-
paign homestretch. Farouk keeps moving.
Mme. Chiang leaves hospital. Dazzling dis-
play of diamonds worth millions. Maryland-
Navy, Pittsburgh-Army football games.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 19— Farouk
moves again. New York salutes Italian I
films. Bing Crosby aids Versailles cam- j
paign. Bop Hope honored by President Tru- ;
man. Maryland- Navy football.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 43A— Army
accepts first helicopters. Marshall Juin
visits hometown. Madame Chiang welcomed.
Farouk moves to new home. Korean fight-
ing furious. Japanese safety corps troops.
Pittsburgh-Army football.
UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL, No. 406—
Presidential campaign. Pressure suits. Lin-
coln pageant. Diamonds, U.S.A. Football
games, including Pittsburgh-Army, Notre
Dame-Navy, and Michigan State-Syracuse.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 21—
Lincoln at Gettysburg. Presidential cam-
paign reaches height. New vaccine may aid
Polio fight. Space suits for stratosphere.
Maryland-Navy, Pittsburgh-Army football
games.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY Martin Quigley. Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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.'
Brady, Secretary;
Building, Willia
Burnup^Editor1;^^ "QurgpubcoT'London/r' Otne7"Qu7gfey~ Publications : Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres and 'theatre Sales, each published 13 times a year as
a section of Motion Picture Herald; International Motion Picture Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter, Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, IN. Y ., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign: single copies. 10c
JANE RUSSELL
Montana Belle
CO-STARRING
GEORGE BRENT
SCOTT BRADY • FORREST TUCKER • ANDY OEVINE
in TRUCO LOR
TRADE SHOWINGS
ALBANY
Fox Screening Room
1052 Broadway
ATLANTA
RKO Screening Room
195 Luckie St., N. W.
BOSTON
RKO Screening Room
122-28 Arlington St.
BUFFALO
Mo. Pic. Oper. Scr. Rra.
498 Pearl Street
CHARLOTTE
Fox Screening Room
308 S. Church Street
CHICAGO
RKO Screening Room
1300 S. Wabash Ave.
CINCENNATI
Palace Screen. Rm.
12 East 6th Street
CLEVELAND
Fox Screening Room
2219 Payne Avenue
DALLAS
Republic Screen. Rm.
412 S. Harwod St.
DENVER
Paramount Scr. Rm.
2100 Stout Street
DES MOINES
Fox Screening Room
1300 High Street
Tues. 10/28 10:30 A.M.
Tues.
Tues.
Tues.
Tues.
Tues.
Tues.
Tues.
Tues.
Tues.
Tues.
10/28 2:30 P.M.
10/28 10:30 A.M.
10/28 2:30 P.M.
10/28 2:00 P.M.
10/28 2:00 P.M.
10/28 8:00 P.M.
10/28 2:30 P.M.
10/28 2:30 P.M.
10/28 2:00 P.M.
10/28 1:30 P.M.
DETROIT
Blumenthals Scr. Rm.
2310 Cass Avenue
INDIANAPOLIS
Universal Scr. Rm.
517 N. Illinois St.
KANSAS CITY
Paramount Scr. Rm.
1800 Wyandotte St.
LOS ANGELES
RKO Screening Room
1980 S. Vermont Ave.
MEMPHIS
Fox Screening Room
151 Vance Avenue
MILWAUKEE
Warner Screen. Room
212 W. Wisconsin Ave
MINNEAPOLIS
Fox Screening Room
1015 Currie Avenue
NEW HAVEN
Fox Screening Room
40 Whiting Street
NEW ORLEANS
Fox Screening Room
200 S. Liberty Street
NEW YORK
RKO Screening Room
630 Ninth Avenue
Tues. 10/28 2:30 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 1:00 P.M.
Wed. 10/29 2:30 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 2:00 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 12:15 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 2:00 P.M
Tues. 10/28 1:30 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 2:00 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 10:30 A.M.
Tues. 10/28 2:30 P.M.
ALLAN DWAN • HOWArFwELSCH • ROBERT PETERS • HORACE McCOY- NORMAN S. HALL
Produced by
Associate Producer
Fox Screening Room
10 North Lee Street
OMAHA
Fox Screening Room
1502 Davenport St.
PHILADELPHIA
RKO Screening Room
250 North 13th Street
PITTSBURGH
RKO Screening Room
1809-13 Blvd. of Allies
PORTLAND
Star Screening Room
925 N. W. 19th Ave.
ST. LOUIS
RKO Screening Room
3143 Olive Street
SALT LAKE CITY
216 E. 1st St. South
SAN FRANCISCO
Fox Screening Room
245 Hyde Street
SEATTLE
Jewel Box Scr. Rm.
2318 Second Ave.
SIOUX FALLS
Hollywood Theatre
212 N. Philips Ave.
WASHINGTON
Film Center Scr. Rm.
932 New Jersey Ave.
Screenplay by
4
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, October 22, 1952
Year to Study Sale
Of RKO Films to TV
Nine months to a year will
be required for RKO Radio's
new management to complete
its study of the advisability of
selling its film backlog to tel-
evision, Arnold Grant, chair-
man of the board, said yester-
day.
"No one has been assigned
to the task yet," he said.
"When we are ready to under-
take it we will have to employ
experts on the subject. There
are too many more pressing
problems than that still be-
fore us."
Aim Is to Re-Build RKO
(Continued from page 1)
Zanuck Intends
(Continued from page 1)
with this studio and will not deviate
for the 17 years that my contract calls
for.
"But I have more than a financial
attachment to the interests of the 20th
Century-Fox company. I have devoted
the major part of my career and abili-
ties to its service. The success of the
company has been my life's work and
will so continue.
No Outside Pictures
"I therefore have no intention of
making outside pictures. I can elect
to change my status from active pro-
duction to an advisory capacity. This
stipulation was made at the time the
question of temporary salary reduc-
tions arose last year, in order to clarify
certain phases of the existing con-
tract.
"There is no basis for any rumors
of my leaving the company or of mak-
ing pictures independently. Moreover,
I have no idea of what such rumors
are based on, as I have never been
contacted by anyone seeking to verify
them."
mission, municipal better business bu-
reaus and other groups by businesses
with which members of the syndicate
were associated during the past 20
years. It was clear, however, that
Grant's remarks and his willingness
to submit to questions concerning
RKO Radio management's policies
and aims were designed to counteract
inferences injurious to the company
which those articles could arouse.
Grant stressed that the new man-
agement, pursuing its course _ of re-
building for the future, gave its first
attention to distribution manpower, se-
lecting what it regards as the "ablest,
most capable executives" obtainable to
market the 15 completed and unre-
leased pictures in the company's back-
log and to liquidate profitably the
product already in release.
This step was considered of
prime importance, Grant said,
in order to stem current RKO
Radio losses of $100,000 weekly.
Production is a long range prob-
lem and nothing is to be gained
by hasty action, he observed.
The new management is well satis-
fied with the executive manpower al-
ready obtained for distribution and
believes that it is capable' of getting
the company back into the black in a
year or two and "keeping it there,"
Grant said.
The search is continuing for a "top
level" production head, he reported,
and when one has been found a studio
organization capable of turning out a
full schedule of expensive pictures will
be built around him.
Replying to questions, Grant said
there have been no resignations from
the board but did not rule out the
possibility of some changes later on.
He said he felt it desirable to have
some top executives on the board, such
as Arnold Picker, executive vice-presi-
dent, and perhaps neutral members.
Among the new executives, only Pick-
National
Seadler
(Continued from page 1)
tor of Continental activities in Paris,
was in the midst of an extensive cam-
paign for "An American in Paris"
while he was there.
He visited M-G-M offices in Italy,
Barcelona, Madrid, Seville and Na-
ples, conferring with publicity staffs
on the publicity campaigns for "Quo
Vadis" and "Ivanhoe." In Barcelona,
Seadler reported, the new M-G-M
studio to be devoted particularly to
synchronization has gotten under con-
struction.
er and himself have been given con-
tracts, Grant said.
He revealed that Stolkin, new RKO
Radio president, does not plan to give
full time to the company and, in fact,
may be primarily concerned, together
with other members of the controlling
syndicate, only on the policy level.
Grant described himself as the chief
executive officer.
Answering another questioner, he
said the company has not yet executed
the $8,000,000 loan which, as a part
of the stock sale agreement, Howard
Hughes will make available to it. It
is the company's intention, he said, to
take down the loan at such time that
it finds the greatest use for it.
Grant said the economies
which have been effected in
RKO Radio by the new manage-
ment are not the answer to its
problem and not too much em-
phasis is being placed thereon.
He explained that economy mea-
sures are limited and could
amount at best to about $750,-
000 annually in savings.
"That's not too important when your
losses are running around $5,000,000
a year," Grant remarked.
He said that a full report on the
interests of members of the board in
other motion picture or theatre oper-
ations has been made to the Depart-
ment of Justice in a conscious effort
to avoid any possible anti-trust law
violations and that, if any are believed
to be present, the individuals concerned
will take the several courses of action
open to them.
Richard Condon, new RKO Radio
director of advertising, publicity and
exploitation, said that press gather-
ings, such as yesterday's, would be
weekly events to give reporters an op-
portunity to meet the new executives.
He said there would be no discussion
"now or later" of the Wall Street
Journal's articles.
Pre-Selling
Gunzburg Here on
3rd Dimension Plans
Milton Gunzburg, president of Nat-
ural Vision, third dimensional film
medium, arrived in New York yester-
day and after discussions with George
J. Schaefer, who is associated with
him, will discuss with major compa-
nies and independent producers fur-
ther licensing of the third dimension
medium. First licensing of Natural
Vision was given by Gunzburg to
Arch Oboler's "Bwana Devil," which
will be released in late November. _
Gunzburg also will arrange for li-
censing of Natural Vision for other
productions and will investigate the
transposing of stage plays to films
using the new medium.
Allied Meet to Show
RCA Theatre TV
Chicago, Oct. 21.— The RCA large
screen theatre television will be de-
monstrated over a special closed cir-
cuit into the Terrace Casino of the
Morrison Hotel for the Allied na-
tional convention on Nov. 18, the sec-
ond day of the meeting, it was an-
nounced here by Jack Kirsch, general
convention chairman.
The demonstration will originate
from a local TV studio and will be
in the form of a round-table panel
discussion of theatre television by the
National Allied Theatre Committee
with Nathan L. Halpern. Members of
the committee are Trueman T. Rem-
busch, chairman; Kirsch, Leon R.
Black, Wilbur Snaper, John Wolf-
berg and Nathan Yamins.
Turner Leaves RKO
(Continued from page 1)
his tenure with RKO, expects to enter
the television field.
As RKO Radio publicity director
he is said to have introduced what is
now known as area premieres, a pol-
icy which was used on such films as
"Hitler's Children" and "Back to Ba-
taan." He is also credited with ap-
plying television promotion with good
results to the recent reissuance of
"King Kong."
Candy Sales Topic
At FPC Convention
Niagara Falls, Ont., Oct. 21. — A
special edition of the Toronto Globe
and Mail with a headline welcoming
the delegates to Famous Players East
ern division convention here featured
a morning meeting devoted to candy
sales.
The meeting was led by Jack Fitz
gibbons, Jr., president of Theatre Con
fections, Ltd., who arranged the special
edition.
Fitzgibbons introduced a new ice
cream confection being introduced by
FPC theatres called 'Bon Bons.'
JT/OMAN'S HOME COMPAN-
rr ION, Cosmpolitan, McCall's
and Redbook magazines have adver-
tisements for Universal-International's
"Because of You" in their November
issues, all on newsstands this week.
"Because of You" stars Loretta
Young and Jeff Chandler. It is being
highly recommended to the member-
ship of the General Federation of
Women's Clubs by Dean Gray Ed-
wards, chairman of the motion pic-
tures committee. Mrs. Edwards has
sent letters to 700 district chairmen of
the clubs suggesting that they see
"Because of You" and then recom-
mend it to fellow club members and
friends. "Because of You" will have
its world premiere at the Randolph
Theatre in Philadelphia late this
month.
•
Redbook has chosen "The Four i
Poster," with Lili Palmer and Rex
Harrison, as the "Picture of the
Month," in the November issue.
Also named are "Under the Red
Sea," "Because You're Mine" and
The Miracle of Our Lady of Fa-
tima."
•
Ruth Harbert of Good Housekeep-
ing explains in the November issue
how Universal-International received
special permission from the Treasury
Department to show slowly disin-
tegrating United States currency. For
the sake of realism, a closeup was
made of the currency. It is used in an
important sequence of "It Grows on
Trees,'' starring Irene Dunne.
•
In the issue of Life magazine on the
newsstands Friday the technical proc-
esses of Cinerama are graphically
shown in drawings and photographs.
An enlargement of the roller-coaster
scene fills up a good part of a page.
Also in this issue, a number of pages
are devoted to M-G-M's "Small Time
Girl," starring Ann Miller. A danc-
ng platform is pictured, an orchestra
is placed under the platform and Ann
Miller uses it as a dance floor.
•
Woman's Home Companion is
running a Lux ad featuring Gene
Tierney, starring in "Way of A
Gaucho," a 20th Century-Fox pic-
ture. Adding a new dimension to
"Way of A Gaucho" promotion, the
ad offers a film-inspired scarf to
readers of the magazine by asking
them to mail a coupon and some
small pieces of silver to the Lux
soap people.
Says TV Station
Boom a Year Away
Boston, Oct. 21. — Harold E. Fel
lows, president of the National As
sociation of Radio and Television
Broadcasters, guest speaker at the two
day meeting of New England district
members of that association, predicts
that the big increase expected in the
number of television stations after the
Federal Communications Commission
lifted its "freeze" on the construction
of television stations last summer will
not materialize for more than a year
He said that he does not believe that
there will be more than 100 additional
television stations in operation by the
end of 1953.
RKO Pictures announces the plac-
ing of ads in Life, Look, Collier's,
Time and Newsweek for "Blackbeard,
the Pirate," starring Linda Darnell,
Robert Nezvton and William Bendix.
In addition to the weeklies carry-
ing advertising, newspaper supplements
will also be used. The supplements
include American Weekly, circidated
in 23 major cities, and seven inde-
pendent supplements located in large
cities.
Cinerama Plans Up
Lynn Farnol, public relations ex-
ecutive, left here for Hollywood last
night for a week of conferences with
Merian C. Cooper, Louis B. Mayer
and others on Cinerama production
plans. Farnol handles Cinerama ad-
vertising and publicity.
Wednesday, October 22, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
Invites Film Firms
To TV Meetings
Victor Ratner, Theatre Tele-
Sessions director, was asked
yesterday whether motion pic-
ture companies have been
asked to theatre telecast their
regional or national sales
meetings, similar to the tele-
cast set by the James Lees
carpet firm.
Ratner said he discussed
the idea unofficially with one
of his distribution friends, but
no formal approach to a film
company has been made as
yet. He said he thought it was
a good idea, however.
Theatre Telecast
(Continued from page 1)
Top Theatres' Profit
(Continued from page 1)
D'Arcy Advertising Agency, was also
a principal in the negotiations.
Halpern declined to disclose the
budget allocated by Lees for the one-
hour theatre TV program, nor would
he comment on the amount participat-
ing theatres will receive from TNT.
It will be on a flat rental basis, rather
than on a per seat basis as in fight
telecasts, however, he stated.
The program, which will originate
from the NBC-TV studios in New
York, will be aimed at an invited au-
dience which will include top retail
executives, architects and contractors,
home economists for local newspapers,
stockholders and community leaders.
The merchandising message, which
will feature two-way talks between
the field and the studio, will include
a statement of policy by Lees presi-
dent. Other facets of the theatre TV
show will include the showing of fab-
rics and a new approach to carpet
merchandising.
Tele- Sessions director Ratner said
he expects to announce a number of
similar deals within the next six
months. Halpern stated that the suc-
cess of the first commercial use of the
medium will influence other business
organizations.
The following cities are slated for
the telecast: Boston, Chicago, Cincin-
nati, St. Louis, Cleveland, Denver,
St. Paul, New York, Philadelphia,
Pittsburgh, Washington, Detroit, Salt
Lake City, San Francisco and Los
Angeles. Halpern said clearances for
cable facilities have already been
cleared by the American Telephone
and Telegraph Co. He said he ex-
pects to have a list of theatres carry-
ing the telecast in about a week.
Selection of the theatres, he added,
will be governed by the requirements
of the sponsor. Under the terms, he
stated, concession stands during the
telecast will not be operated.
is conducting a strong anti-tax cam-
paign, heard Dingel urge that all ex-
hibitors everywhere band together to
fight for repeal.
Potter declared that all taxes are
too high and pledged a fight for re-
duction if elected to the Senate.
Myers in his address also assailed
the government for attempting, in its
anti-trust suit, to force distributors to
sell 16mm. films to TV and other out-
lets competing with regular theatres.
He predicted that theatres will fare
increasingly better in the competition
with TV. 'Yes," he said, "television
has hurt the movies, no question about
that. But please bear in mind that
the movies during the last half century
have survived automobiles, radio, mah
jongg, canasta and a thousand time-
consuming fads."
On the tax subject, Myers said the
"cruel fact" was that American exhibi-
tors are "caught in a vise. Mounting
costs are crushing them against an un-
yielding wall of fixed admission prices
— fixed because with the 20 per cent
tax, they cannot be increased. They
have endured this pressure to the
breaking point, they cannot stand any
more and some, as you know, have
already been forced to close their the-
atres."
He added : "While Congress cannot
undertake to bail out every individual
business man who is down in his luck,
it is no new thing for Congress to
come to the aid of a whole industry,
to grant it relief from the general tax
laws and even to subsidize its oper-
ations."
The Arabian Room of the Hotel
Tuller was packed to capacity for the
Congressional luncheon. Also attend-
ing were Rep. John Machrowicz ; Con-
gressman George Dondero; Frank X.
Martel, president of the Wayne County
AFL; Congressman Louis Rabaut, and
Congressman John Lesinski, Jr.
In the early morning sessions Leon
J. Bamberger, RKO public relations
Cumbaa President
(Continued from page 1)
director spoke of the newspaper as
"our greatest ally," he also pleaded
for support of the Will Rogers fund.
"The idea of newspapers charging
a higher rate for amusement advertis-
ing than commercial advertising is
out-of-tune with current times and we
must all seek to eradicate it. The
higher rate stems from the time, long
before movies were born, when shows
were provided only by traveling
troups," Bamberger said.
"In the present movement among
newspapers to assist our industry, the
advertising managers of a number of
them have lately offered exhibitors
their general advertising rate," he
noted.
Truman Rembusch was on hand to
explain the Council of Motion Picture
Organizations' nationwide battle for
the repeal of the admission tax.
Wilbur Snaper, president of national
Allied told those attending to give full
support to the battle against the tax.
When asked if the federal tax was re-
pealed wouldn't the exhibitors face city
and municipal taxes?, Snaper replied:
"Let's get this one out of the way first.
When we do I'm sure we have nothing
to fear as far as other taxes being im-
posed on the exhibitor are concerned."
Raibourn
(Continued from page 1)
AMP A Meet Today
The board and trustees of the Asso-
ciated Motion Picture Advertisers
will hold a luncheon-meeting today at
the Blue Ribbon Restaurant here,
Harry K. McWilliams, AMPA presi-
dent, announced.
EXCHANGE BOOKER
EXPERIENCED
Phone DORIS WISHMAN
PLazo 7-1726 for appointment
urer ; Pete Lucas, Kissimmee, secre-
tary ; Maurice Hensler, Auburndale,
chairman of the board ; Mitchell W olf-
son, Miami, Florida Theatre Owners
of America director ; and Hugh Mar-
tin, Sr., Clermont, regional TOA
director.
Garner was made chairman of the
financial committee ; Lamar Sarra,
Jacksonville, became head of the legis-
lative committee; Mark Chartand,
Miami, was selected to direct public
relations ; and Nat Williams, Quincy,
was chosen conciliator.
The morning meeting opened with
Roy Smith, Jacksonville, giving a talk
on concession business. Jack Braun-
agel of Commonwealth Theatres, Kan-
sas City, followed with an account of
"The Operation of America's Drive-
ins." Alfred Starr, TOA president,
gave the main address at the luncheon
session for members and guests.
During the afternoon, Braunagel
conducted a three-hour "school for
managers," going into all phases of
theatre operations. More than 75 man-
agers and district supervisors were
present.
The convention closed with a ban-
quet, at which Bill McCraw of Texas,
representing Variety Clubs Interna-
tional, served as toastmaster at the
Roosevelt Hotel.
Arbitration
(Continued from page 1)
inconsequential "irresponsible shout-
ing, threatening and cajoling" in con-
nection with planning an arbitration
system. "I state with confidence that
arbitration is a reality," he said. "It is
here, and will stay here, despite at-
tempts at sabotage by certain short-
sighted individuals. You see, the prin-
ciple of arbitration is a much stronger
force than the people against or for
it."
He said TOA had received copies
of the industry arbitration plan ap-
proved by distribution, but that he had
not had time to examine the document
carefully. "After a preliminary read-
ing, however, and based on the state-
ment of Mr. Eric Johnston that the
draft has not been submitted to exhi-
bition on a take-it-or-leave-it basis,
and based, further, on my personal
knowledge of what obstacles have al-
ready been overcome, I state with con-
fidence that arbitration is a reality."
'Most Welcome'
"Most welcome," Levy said, "will be
the restrictions which the plan places
on distributors' employment of com-
petitive bidding, and, further, the use
of competitive bidding only in accord-
ance with a set of 'Rules of the Game'
which have been so sorely needed for
so long. If these rules are abided by
there should be no more haphazard
competitive bidding, and there should
be an end to under-the-counter she-
nanigans. And if there be not then the
aggrieved person will find satisfactory
avenues of relief in this system of arbi-
tration," Levy said.
"Guided by the principle that exhibi-
tors must not be deprived of their
right and privilege to go to litigation,
if they so choose, the various Drafting
Committees have preserved this pre-
rogative for exhibitors. Under the
plan, only distributors will be com-
pelled to submit to arbitration. The
exhibitor will be able to seek relief
either in arbitration or in litigation.
And, before going to either, he will
be able to attempt to settle his prob-
its ability to produce a large
screen television picture that
will compare favorably with the
35mm. motion picture image to
which the public is accustomed.
Raibourn, president of Paramount
Television Productions Inc., declared
that on the basis of Paramount's stu-
dies in theatre television he would
recommend, in addition to the 10 mc.
bandwidth, 725 lines definition to pro-
vide quality comparable to a 35 mm.
film.
In his opinion, Raibourn said, these
standards would not equal 35 mm.
quality, but would merely represent
"a suitable compromise of all the fac-
tors" to allow a comparable image on
the motion picture screen.
Other witnesses today who but-
tressed Raibourn's recommendation of
a 10 mc. bandwidth and 725 lines
definition for theatre television were
Andrew F. Inglis and Frank H. Mc-
intosh, engineers for the Motion Pic-
ture Association of America and the
National exhibitors Theatre Televi-
sion Committee. All witnesses came in
for considerable questioning on the
part of the Commissioners and .of
FCC general counsel Benedict Cot-
tone as to whether a 10 mc. bandwidth
was really necessary.
Chairman Paul Walker point-
ed out that the Commission had
limited color television demon-
strations to a six mc. band-
with, and said that the indus-
try was asking for a 10 mc.
bandwidth for black and white
transmission.
lem under a system of Conciliation,
which is part and parcel of the arbi-
tration plan," according to Levy.
The TOA attorney observed that
the "long, difficult, back-breaking task
of compromise and sacrifice is behind
us."
"True," he acknowledged, "there re-
main matters to be amicably adjusted
before signature, but, as I have stated
before, I am familiar with all sugges-
tions of change and of additions made
to date, and I cannot see how any_ one
of them will be, or can be, permitted
to become an insurmountable obstacle,
if the approach to them is made in
good faith by men of good will."
SAVE $48 ON
EXCURSION
FARES TO
HAWAII!
ONLY $438 ROUND TRIP!*
Luxury flights from California to
Hawaii have been substantially reduced
in fare during United's Excursion pe-
riod of Oct. 1 to Dec. 10, 1952.
1st class comfort, service, meals.
"Package" tours available, too.
UNITED AIR LINES
One of The Scheduled Airlines of the U. S.
80 E. 42nd St., call MUrray Hill 2-7300.
*From New York. Via Air Tourist to California.
16-day limit on Excursion tickets. Fares plus
fed. tax.
6
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, October 22, 1952
Short
Subject
"I Remember the Glory"
(Art Films— 20th Century-Fox)
Botticelli, the Italian master of
brush and canvas, and his great art,
typified by portrayals of the Madonna,
are treated with consummate photo-
graphic skill in a short subject any
exhibitor should be proud to offer his
customers. Here is a 10-minute treat
which, apart from what it reveals con-
cerning the artist and the magnificent
color and detail of his masterpieces,
provides stirring glimpses of the beau-
tiful city of Florence, Botticelli's
birthplace, and the captivating Italian
countryside. The catalyst is a "story"
concerning a young war veteran who
on a visit to a Washington museum,
recalls the thrill he experienced when
he first saw one of Botticelli's master-
pieces in Italy.
Produced in color by Technicolor
by Marilyn Silverstone and Boris
Vermont, and offering background
music written by Jacques Belasco, "I
Remember the Glory" is a glowing-
symphony of color, art and life that
should leave theatre patrons eager to
see the others in this Art Films series.
Running time, 10 minutes.
IFE Expanding
Foreign Markets
Jurisdiction of the American divi-
sion of Italian Films Export has been
extended to cover all of Canada and
the Far East, with the exception of
Japan which has a separate agreement
with Rome, IFE disclosed here.
It was reported also that a five-man
board of directors composed of _ three
Americans and two Italians will di-
rect the new distributing corporation
which is being established by IFE.
The directors will be named following
the return here early next month from
Rome of Dr. Renato Gualino, IFE
general director, who flew to Rome
last weekend for consultation with
Italian producers, according to a
spokesman for the organization. Gua-
lino was named chief executive of the
pending new corporation by IFE
board members at a meeting here last
week.
IFE stated that the top personnel
of the distribution company has been
set following discussions held here
during the last two weeks ; that the
names of the executives will be dis-
closed shortly upon the signing of
final papers, and that Gualino indi-
cated the chairmanship of the board
was being offered to one of the leading
producers in Italy with announcement
of his acceptance to be confirmed from
Rome later this month.
Independent American distributors
of Italian films will continue to nego-
tiate directly with Italian producers
for individual properties. Although
these independents will have no or-
ganic tie-up with the new set-up, the
facilities of the new division distribu-
tion offices and sound studios will be
available to them as well as other al-
ready established IFE services.
Italian Delegation Received
By Hartman at Para. Studio
Hollywood, Oct. 21. — Members of
the Italian film delegation which at-
tended the "Salute to Italian Films
Week" in New York, were welcomed
Review
The Steel Trap
(20th Century-Fox)
BERT FRIEDLOB has produced and Andrew Stone has written and
directed a gripping thriller that piles suspense on suspense as Joseph
Cotton, portraying an assistant bank manager who has stolen $1,000,000,
tries to leave the country and avoid police detection. Although the story
becomes implausible in spots, such as the credulity of Cotton's wife, Teresa
Wright, who doesn't discover the theft until late in the film, every plot
twist that can generate a bit more suspense is utilized. This is a well-made,
well acted film that should prove a solid box-office attraction.
The story opens with Cotton tiring of his good but monotonous life after
11 years employment in a bank. At first he only thinks about the million
dollar theft but it becomes an obsession when he learns there is no extradi-
tion law in Brazil. Since but one weekend remains before he is scheduled
to work Saturdays, Cotton acts immediately. All of his carefully planned
details go awry just a bit and he is forced to adopt high-pressure, aggressive
methods.
There are several brushes with the law, including a customs inspector in
New Orleans who checks his suitcase containing the money but is unable to
check Cotton's tale about carrying the bank's money on a mission since bank
president Jonathan Hale is out playing golf, it being Sunday. However, they
fail to get plane reservations to Brazil and Cotton knows that the next
morning the bank will discover the loss. Miss Wright decides she cannot
condone the theft nor accompany Cotton. She returns home. After missing
his home and wife, Cotton returns and barely manages to return the
money, happy to resume his normal life.
Running time, 85 minutes. General audience classification. For November
release. Walter P'ashkin
NPA Approves 11
Theatre Projects
Washington, Oct. 21.— The Na-
tional Production Authority has au-
thorized the construction of 11 more
theatres. Nine are drive-ins. NPA
also authorized the remodeling of two
theatres. In most cases the agency
made official allotments of construction
materials ; in some cases it merely au-
thorized the use of materials already
in the builder's possession.
The approved drive-ins are : Brooks
Drive-in Theatre Corp., Presque Isle,
Me., with an estimated construction
cost of $32,580; Vance W. Haar,
Dillsburg, Pa., $41,200; Pitts Kilmar-
nock Drive-in Theatre Corp., Kilmar-
nock, Va., $20,100 Black Hills
Amusement Co., Rapid City, S. D.,
$110,000; Central States Theatre
Corp., Charles City, la., $35,000;
Claude Parrish, Topeka, Kans., $220,-
071 ; Lee E. Wilson, Shattuck, Okla.,
$10,000; Walter Matney, Decatur,
Tex., $10,480; W. O. Woody, Boli-
var, Mo., no amount given.
Two indoor theatres okayed were
proposed by Martin Martell, Hato
Rey, Puerto Rico, $79,000, and W. F.
Aydelotte and R. H Dowdy, Ft. Col-
lins, Colo., _ $35,000.
Remodeling was okayed for The-
atrical Enterprises Corp., San Diego,
Cal., $12,000, and Washington Theatre
Co., Washington, D. C, $10,000. The
latter company has just remodeled the
Gayety Theatre into the Sam S. Shu-
bert Theatre, for stage productions.
Feature from Rank
Set on Coronation
The New York office of the J. Ar
thur Rank Organization yesterday dis-
closed that there will be a full length
feature film of the Coronation made,
for the first time, in color by Techni-
color that will include the actual cere-
mony in Westminster Abbey. Ar-
rangements have been made with
Technicolor, Ltd., giving the Rank or-
ganization all available facilities for
the film, which will have global dis-
tribution.
The Rank organization said that
considerable preparation and partial
production has been in progress for
sometime. The film will show in de-
tail all events leading up to the cere-
mony as well as the actual crowning
itself, it was said. Plans are being
made for worldwide distribution
shortly after the event thus requiring
the expansion of Technicolor facili-
ties in London for the handling of the
necessary hundreds of prints, it was
said.
The film is being produced by
Castleton Knight whose earlier pic-
tures include "Victory Parade," "The
Royal Wedding Presents," "Royal
Wedding" and "14th Olympiad — The
Glory of Sport."
Exhibitors Seek
Injunction vs.
Mexican Import Law
Mexico City, Oct. 21. — An injunc-
tion against enactment of President
Miguel Aleman's new law for the an-
nounced purpose of "aiding and moral-
izing" the film industry which the Sen-
ate approved after considerable debate,
has been asked of a local Federal
Court by the National Cinema Im-
presarios Association and the Mexican
Exhibitors Association. The exhib-
itors contend the law establishes a
state monopoly for distribution, elimi-
nates private enterprise from film pro-
duction and interferes with exhibition
in that it dictates the number and kind
of films that can be screened.
Forty-two Senators asserted the law
does not establish a monopoly. The
Senators were heckled from the gal-
leries until they yelled that the heck-
lers were a claque paid by exhibitors.
An exhibitor spokesman asserted that
they had not hired the hecklers.
Enactment of the law now rests with
President Aleman. His six-year term
expires on Nov. 30.
Pioneers to Induct
Eckman, Curtis
here at a Paramount studio reception
by Don Hartman, production execu-
tive. The delegation includes : Dr.
Dino de Laurentiis and Dr. Carlo
Ponti, producers, and their wives ;
actress Silvana Mangana, and Capt.
Pilade Levi, manager of Paramount
Films of Italy.
Ponti and de Laurentiis produced
the new picture, "Sensualita," which
Paramount International will distri-
bute throughout its world-wide terri-
tory. The delegation also was honored
at a cocktail party given by the Italian
consul of Los Angeles, Dr. Mario
Ungaro.
Says 'Greatest Show'
Small-Town Topper
Los Angeles, Oct. 21. — Cecil B.
DeMille's "The Greatest Show on
Earth" is the most successful small
town attraction in Paramount's his-
tory, George A. Smith, the company's
Western division manager, told 21
representatives of the Denver, Salt
Lake City and Los Angeles branches
during a three-day sales meeting held
here.
Samuel Eckman, Jr., managing di-
rector of M-G-M in Great Britain;
Samuel Rosen, executive of Fabian
Theatres, and Fred Quimby, short sub-
jects executive producer for M-G-M,
are among those who will be inducted
at the Motion Picture Pioneers Jubilee
Dinner, set for Nov. 25 at the Hotel
Astor.
Other new members already ac-
cepted for induction include : Ed-
ward P. (Ted) Curtis, Eastman
Kodak ; Harold Fitzgerald of Fox-
Wisconsin Theatres; Martin Levine,
of Brandt Theatres ; Will J. Comer of
John Hamrick Theatres, Seattle, and
Norman E. Gluck, of United World
Films.
A large number of additional appli-
cations are currently being certified so
that the new members can be inducted
at the dinner at which N. J. Blum-
berg, chairman of the board of direc-
tors of Universal Pictures will be
honored as the "Motion Picture
Pioneer of 1952." George Jessel will
act as toastmaster and Ned E. Depi-
net as chairman. .
'Snows' in 'Frisco Mark
San Fancisco, Oct. 21. — "The
Snows of Kilimanjaro" grossed $27,-
698 in its first three days here at the
Fox Theatre and has broken all house
records for 23 years, it is understood.
Philippine Notables
To Honor Skouras
Spyros P. Skouras, president of
20th Century-Fox, will be honored to-
day at a dinner in Manila by officials
of the Philippine government and
members of the local film industry,
it was announced here yesterday.
Skouras is on a trip to the Far East
and Australia surveying film condi-
tions.
Skouras has been fostering world
brotherhood during the trip. He has
made numerous speeches in its behalf
in Hawaii and Japan and toured the
Korean battlefront with Gen. James
Van Fleet during which he spoke with
hundreds of American soldiers and
members of the Greek Battalion of
the U.N. forces. Skouras is slated to
leave Manila Saturday for Hong
Kong from where he will go to Bang-
kok and Djakarta before continuing
to Australia in early November.
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
VOL. 72. NO. 80
NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1952
TEN CENTS
Urge Michigan
Law to Outlaw
Free Pictures
Griffin Attacks Practice,
Cites Theatre Importance
Detroit, Oct. 22. — Lawrence
Griffin, who recently became an ex-
hibitor following his retirement
from an executive post with a
grocery chain, today attacked before a
morning meeting today of Allied The-
atres of Michigan the practice of free
motion picture showings by business
concerns and others.
Griffin emphasized in his ad-
dress before the convention
delegates the importance of the
motion picture theatre to a
community, no matter how
large or how small.
During a discussion on the topic
Griffin chose, a suggestion was made
to appeal to the Michigan legislature
to have laws passed which would make
free motion pictures unlawful, even to
the extent that exhibitors would be
prohibited from constructing drive-ins
(Continued on page 5)
HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 22. —
Collective bargaining ne-
gotiations with the Amer-
ican Association of Ad-
vertising Agencies and
New York film producers
who make filmed commer-
cials were broken off by
the Screen Actors Guild,
it was announced here , and
strike action is expected
to be voted on at once.
MEMPHIS , Oct. 22. —
Theatre Owners of America
president Alfred Starr
will be one of the fea-
tured speakers at the an-
nual convention of the
Motion Picture Theatre
Owners of Arkansas, Ten-
nessee and Mississippi
which opens here on Mon-
day. Other speakers in-
clude M. A. Lightman, Sr. ,
and Jack Braunagel.
Stolkin, Koolish, Gorman
Resign RKO Radio Posts
Columbia Pictures
Gets Larger Loan
Columbia Pictures Corp. yesterday
revealed completion of agreements for
$15,000,000 in credits with the First
National Bank of Boston, the Bank
of America, and the Bank of Manhat-
tan, to replace financial arrangements
made with the same banks in Aug.
19S0 for $12,000,000.
The new agreement stipulates that
(Continued on page 5)
Name Brandt RKO
Exploitation Head
Leon Brandt was named exploitation
manager of RKO Radio. Pictures yes-
terday by Rich-
BHM— P1 " ard Condon, na-
tional director
of advertising,
publicity and
exploitation. He
succeeds Terry
Turner, re-
signed.
Brandt, na-
tional director
of advertising,
publicity and
exploitation for
Lopert Films,
will assume his
new duties on
began his industry
on page 5 )
Presidency, Board Vacancies to Be Filled
In 10 Days; Resignations Follow 'Wall St.
Journal' Articles on Business Backgrounds
one
month ago
Ralph E. Stolkin, head of the syndicate which
today bought Howard Hughes' controlling stock interest in RKO
Pictures, and who three weeks ago today was elected president of
the company, resigned that post and also withdrew from the com-
pany's board of directors yesterday.
Leon Br
Nov.
ndt
3. Brandt
(Continued
RALPH STOLKIN A. L. KOOLISH
Equal Arbitration
Cost-Sharing Seen
Financing of an industry system of
arbitration, the only subject not dealt
with in the distributor-amended arbi-
tration draft which has been circu-
lating in the industry, is expected to
be shared equally by distributors and
exhibitors, according to observers
here.
If the draft meets with exhibitions
approval in its present form or with
(Continued on page 5)
Tells FCC of Industry 's
Need for Exclusive Band
Washington, Oct. 22.— The indus-
try today asked the Federal Com-
munications Commission to allocate for
the exclusive use of theatre television
the frequencies from 5,925 to 6,285
megacycles, which are currently allo-
cated as common carrier frequencies.
This portion of the spectrum must
be the "backbone" of theatre television
distribution systems, National Exhibi-
tor Theatre Television Committee
consulting engineer Stuart Bailey told
the FCC, enabling the extension of
service over long distances.
This contention was the nub of to-
day's testimony in the FCC hearings
on the engineering and accounting-
phases of the theatre television hear-
ing. Bailey told the , commission that
in the event the FCC considered ex-
clusive allocation of these frequencies
to theatre television undesirable, com-
mon carriers and others could use
the frequencies on a non-interfering
basis, with theatre television, the pri-
mary user. Other suggestions made
by Bailey in case the FCC did not
want to make exclusive allocation of
frequencies included classifying theatre
television as an industrial radio ser-
vice on a frequency-sharing basis with
(Continued on page 4)
Resigning from the board with
Stolkin were A. L. Koolish, his
father-in-law and a member of the
purchasing syndicate, and William
Gorman, the representative on the
board of Ray Ryan, another member
of the syndicate. The latter two were
not officers of RKO Pictures.
That the resignations were the
direct result of the series of articles
published by the Wall Street Journal
during the past week detailing past
business and other activities of the
three was clear from the statement
issued announcing their resignations,
although the Journal was not men-
tioned by name. The statement of the
three said :
"Our only interest in acquiring
stcck of RKO Pictures Corp. was our
belief that the company can be, under
able and independent management,
brought to the full realization of its
great potential.
"We recognize that a volume
of unfavorable publicity direct-
ed against us as individuals has
been or can be damaging to the
company.
"Consistent with our original intent
doing that which is best for the
of
company, and for
we have submitted
(Continued ,
that reason only,
our resignations."
>n page 5)
Minimum of 15,000
To See Lees TV
At least 15,000 persons are
expected to view the closed
circuit theatre telecast of the
James Lees and Sons national
sales convention on Dec. 8, a
spokesman for the carpet
manufacturing firm disclosed
here yesterday.
The spokesman estimated a
minimum audience of 1,000
persons in each of the 15
cities slated to carry the tele-
cast, contracted for by The-
atre Network Television, «V,j,
2
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, October 23, 1952
Personal
Mention
MAX E. YOUNGSTEIN, United
Artists vice-president, is due to
return to New York on Monday from
London.
•
James H. Eshelman, former city
manager for United Paramount Thea-
tres in Buffalo and Rochester, is now
manager of the Gopher Theatre in
Minneapolis.
•
Mrs. Luke Stkager, wife of the
Universal traveling auditor visiting in
San Francisco, is at St. Mary's Hos-
pital there recuperating from surgery,
o
Lee J. Hofheimer of H. and S.
Theatres in Columbus, announces the
engagement of his daughter, Joyce,
to Leonard Strelitz of Norfolk, Va.
•
Bernard Seaman, manager of the
Beacon Theatre in Baltimore, and
Mrs. Seaman are honeymooning in
Europe.
•
Jeff Livingston, Universal East-
ern advertising manager, will be in
New Haven today and will return
here tomorrow.
Milton R. Rackmil, Universal
president, is due here from the Coast
tomorrow.
Bill Kelly and Buford Styles of
the Universal branch in Jacksonville
have returned there from Hollywood.
Henderson M. Richey, M-G-M
exhibitor relations head, will return
here today from Detroit.
Albany Unit Bids
TOA Become A
Defendant in Suit
Emerling, Morris at
Ampa School Tonight
Ernest Emerling and Seymour Mor-
ris, directors of advertising-publicity-
exploitation for Loew's and Schine
Theatres, respectively, will be guest
lecturers at the Associated Motion
Picture Advertisers' showmanship
course tonight. Al Floersheimer, ad-
vertising-publicity-exploitation direc-
tor of Walter Reade Theatres, is
chairman for the program which will
take place at the Woodstock Hotel
here.
Following the class, SO of the stu-
dents will accompany AMPA presi-
dent Harry K. McWilliams on the
first showmanship tour to the Filmack
Trailer Co. The Filmack plant will be
open and working to enable the class
to see film trailers in actual produc-
tion.
Albany, Oct. 22.— Albany Theatre
Owners of America, at a meeting to-
day, voted to recommend that national
TOA be made a party defendant in
the Department of Justice anti-trust
suit for the release of 16mm. pictures
to TV stations.
The unit also reacted favorably to a
report by executive director-counsel
Lewis A. Sumberg on the arbitration
plan considered at the recent national
convention in Washington. Members
agreed that it would be "particularly
helpful to independent exhibitors."
Sumberg described the proposal as one
that would give "speedy and econom-
ical relief" to exhibitors.
Members reported that the local ex-
change area is suffering "dispropor-
tionately" from a print shortage. They
believe the number should be increased
by 50 per cent. The matter will first
be discussed with branch managers.
Sumberg and president Harry Lamont
promised that if they do not get ac-
tion "within a reasonable time" TOA
will follow through on the national
level.
Saul J. Ullman, distributor chair-
man for the Council of Motion Pic-
ture Organizations in the drive to
repeal the 20 per cent Federal admis-
sion tax, reported on conferences he
had held with elected representatives
from. this area.
Members were warned against play-
ing ASCAP music unless they have
signed the new licensing agreement.
They will also ask to hold themselves
in readiness for swift action if any
bills "harmful" to the industry are
presented at the next session of the
legislature convening in January.
Sam Davis of Phoenicia was elected
to the board of directors.
A luncheon meeting wll be
here Nov. 17.
INS Election Service
Seen in N.Y. Houses
Chicago, Oct. 22.— Interna-
tional News Service is offer-
ing a special election night
service to theatres and other
public gathering places to
enable them to bring results
of the election to their audi-
ences. The service consists of
installation of a high-speed
INS teletype printer to be in-
stalled for the day and night
of Nov. 4 in a place desig-
nated by the customer. INS
claims that the service is go-
ing to be used on election
night at the Paramount, Capi-
tol, and Palace in New York,
as well as at other theatres
there and throughout the
country.
Claims Costs Low to
Show Natural Vision
held
'Limelight' U. S.
Premiere Today
Charles Chaplin's "Limelight,"
which will have its American pre-
miere today at the Astor and Trans-
Lux 60th St. theatres, in New York,
will have its West Coast premiere on
Nov. 13 at the United Artists Thea-
tre in San Francisco and its first Can-
adian engagements during the follow-
ing week on the Odeon circuit in
Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Winni-
peg, Calgary and Edmonton. All of
the engagements will be on a con-
tinuous-run schedule.
First of the Odeon bookings will be
in Vancouver, where "Limelight" will
open on Nov. 20 in 11 theatres. The
other engagements will begin on Nov.
21, except at Edmont, where the open-
ing will be on Nov. 28.
Theatre alteration costs for the
presentation of Natural Vision films
would be a maximum of $1,000 for a
first-run house and from $200 to $300
for a subsequent run, it was estimated
yesterday by Milton Gunzburg, presi
dent of Natural Vision, third dimen
sional film company. The alteration
costs, which he considered low, would
mainly consist of coupling two projec-
tors, attaching 5,500-foot magazines
and using a reflective type screen.
Gunzburg noted that many small
town theatres already have a reflec-
tive type screen and thought that the
magazines could be easily rented.
Otherwise all other equipment is stan
dard. He said the $1,000 figure is
based on alterations done by the
Hollywood and Paramount Theatres
in Hollywood for the premiere show-
ing of Arch Obler's "Bwana Devil,"
on Nov. 27, but emphasized these were
rather extensive alterations and the
figure might be even lower.
Gunzburg, who is associated with
George J. Schaefer, revealed the firm
has contracts for four more Natural
Vision films, all in color. Obler has
a one-picture-a-year contract with the
company. Of the other three films,
one is expected to be ready for late
1953 release. While here Gunzburg
is i investigating the possibility of
processing stage plays in Natural
Vision.
Franke Joins Paramount
Charles Franke, a member of the
staff of Motion Picture Daily for
the past eight years, has been named
trade press publicity contact for Para-
mount Pictures, effective in two
weeks. He replaces Murray Segal,
who takes a similar post with RKO
Radio.
WELFARE FUN
IS PLANNED
LN ST. LOUIS
St. Louis, Oct. 22. — Plans for a
permanent welfare fund for men and
women in the amusement and enter-
tainment fields, including all channels
of the motion picture business are
scheduled for discussion at a special
meeting to be held in the Paramount
exchange screening room on Friday.
At a meeting held last week, at
which representatives from all
branches of the St. Louis film indus-
try were present, affirmation of the
need for such a plan was voiced. The
drive for a special fund has been in-
tensified by recent examples of people
in the industry brought to severe
financial plights by accidents and ill-
ness.
A temporary organization commit-
tee to consider possibilities of such a
fund consist of Tom Bloomer, pres-
ident, MPTO of Eastern Missouri,
St. Louis and Southern Illinois ; Betty
Wendt, business agent, Film Ex-
change Employes Union, Local No.
Bl ; Leroy Upton, president, Stage
Hands Union Local No. 8 ; Ed Butler,
Ticket Sellers; Harry Yaeger, Mo-
tion Picture Cameramen ; Tony Blust,
president, Moving Picture Machine
Operators Local No. 143 ; Lou Layat-
ta, business agent, Ushers Union;
James Gately business agent, Film
Exchange Employes Union Local No.
Fl ; F. J. (Mike) Lee, manager,
United Artists, for film exchange
managers ; George Ware, for the St.
Louis Loge of the Colosseum of Mo-
tion Picture Salesmen of America, and
Marcella Devinney and Marjorie
Glynn, Republic Pictures, temporary
secretaries.
William W. Young, 84
William Wesley Young, 84, pro-
ducer and director of the silent films
"Alice in Wonderland" and "Alice
Through the Looking Glass," died
here Tuesday in St. Barnabas Hos-
pital. Also a co-producer with Clar-
ence Darrow, the major part of his
career was spent as a writer and edi-
tor on various newspapers and peri-
odicals. He was a brother of the late
cartoonist Art Young.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley. Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane Editor; Terry Ramsaye Consulting JrTcL 7^00 ^Cablf addres^^Quigpubca:
Sundays and holidays, bv Quigley Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center New YorU 20. N Y. 1 elephone CI rcl ! 7-31 ?°- La,Hy^f,Ydent- Lm J
Ne" York." Martin Quigley. President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J Sullivan, Vice- Prudent and Treasurer; R; mor. 1 Levy Vice -\ re fn\;
Bradv Secretary; Tames P. Cunningham. News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fause! Production ^^"^.^^^^f^^^^11^
Building; William R. Weaver. Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street Urben Farley Advertising Representative Fl 6-3074; Bruce T nnz Ednor.al Representative^ n
North Clark Street FR-2-2843. Washington, T. A. Otten, National Press Club. Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq London Wl, Hope »"">UP. ' ^ ' "
R rm,' Editor cable address. "Quigpubco, London " .Other Quigley Publications; Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatre, and Theatre Sales each Parted U t mes a ye.r as
a section of Motion Picture Herald; International Motion Picture Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter. Sept. 21. 1938. at the post nmre at .xe
the ac< of March 3. 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreiun; sin-le comes in,
Clark in Chicago
Sets 2nd Film Fete
Chicago, Oct. 22. — Thirty of Ho
lywood's top films of the last 20 years
will be presented during the second
"Great Films Festival" at the Clark
Theatre from Sunday, Nov. 9 through
Sunday, Nov. 23.
Response to the first festival last
February was such, according to gen-
eral manager Bruce Trinz, that the
theatre has adopted a policy of peri-
odic film revivals based on requests
of its patrons. Two pictures will be
shown daily for 15 days on an around-
the-clock basis. The Clark is open
daily from 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 A.M.
HumanitarianAward
FromChicago Lodge
Chicago, Oct. 22. — A dinner-meet-
ing of a committee of leading mem-
bers of the local industry has been
called for Monday night at the Cove-
nant Club by Sam Levinson, chairman
of the Chicago Cinema Lodge of B'nai
B'rith, in order to start selecting an
outstanding "humanitarian" engaged
in the industry here for an award.
The award is to be presented at a
lodge dinner in February and is ex-
pected to become an annual event.
Although the award will be made
on behalf of the Cinema Lodge, non-
members have been asked to serve on
the selection committee.
Among those who have been invited
to the meeting are Nat Nathanson,
who will serve as temporary chair-
man ; Howard and Robert Lubliner,
Mannie Gottlieb, Ben Lourie, Jack
Rose, John, Harry and Elmer Bala-
ban, Arthur Schoenstadt, Robert V.
Harrison, Paul Marr ; Joe Berenson,
John J. Jones, Herbert Greenblatt,
Jack Kirsch, David B. Wallerstein,
Edwin Silverman, Joseph and Meyer
Stern, Irving Mack, Sam Gorelick
and Bruce Trinz.
NEW OPENINGS,
NEW MIRACLES!
V
Every new day
brings more great ,
news of fhe \
box-office power-house
Warners have
delivered! ^
Capacity houses,
waiting lines,
figures that arh
a ioy to heho
THE READY AUDIENCE
is tremendous: Wl
DATE IT BACK IT- >
AND WATCH
THE MIRACLE!
MIRACLE
i
starring GILBERT ROLAND -ANGELA CLARK S
SUSAN WHITNEY - SHERRY JACKSON • SAMMY OGG
WRITTEN FOR THE SCREEN BY
CRANE WILBUR and JAMES O'HANLON
music er max steineb
PRODUCED BY BRYAN EOY
d,rectedbyJOHN BRAHM
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, October 23, 1952
I
Butterfield Requests
New TV Channel
Washington, Oct. 22.— W. S. But-
terfield Theatres has requested the
Federal Communications Commission
to grant it a television station license
in Grand Rapids and changed an
earlier application for a TV channel in
Flint, in the hope of obtaining quicker
action.
Butterfield Theatres had applied for
VHF channel 16 in Flint shortly after
die TV freeze was lifted this year.
'^However, another firm, Trendle Camp-
f bell Broadcasting Corp., also applied
for this channel. Recently the FCC
indicated it would hold a hearing on
these applications at which it would
study, among other things, the anti-
trust record of Butterfield Theatres.
In its request to switch its Flint ap-
plication to VHF channel 12, Butter-
field noted that this would leave only
one firm applying for VHF channel
16 and one for VHF channel 12, thus
both Flint applications could be grant-
ed promptly without any need for
hearings.
Tells FCC^
(Continued from page 1)
Reviews
other operational services.
In addition, Bailey said, if the fre-
quencies desired are not available on
an exclusive basis, extra frequencies
above the 10,700 mc band should be
provided for short-haul local service,
in order to relieve possible congestion
in Metropolitan centers.
Motion Picture Association of
America engineer Andrew F. Inglis
estimated that a theatre television dis-
tribution service would need a total of
420 mc, regardless of whether the ser-
vice was furnished by common car-
riers or operated by the motion picture
industry. This number, he said, would
provide for 14 channels, each 30 mc
wide, with two of the 14 channels
used for remote pick-up.
MPAA engineer Frank H. Mclin-
tosh told the commission that the in-
dustry could begin immediate con-
struction of microwave relay facilities
upon allocation of the channels, if
equipment were available.
The hearing recessed today until
Friday, to allow the commision to
conduct routine business tomorrow.
Eight Iron Men
( Stanley Kramer-Columbia)
VA/AR at its unglamorous worst and the impact of ugly battle on the per-
*> sonalities of fighting men are dealt with in alternately incisive, humor-
ous and bitter terms in producer Stanley Kramer's "Eight Iron Men." With
Edward Dmytryk at the directorial helm and a handful of little-known male
actors underplaying their American soldier roles for maximum effect against
the backdrop of the rain-soaked ruin and rubble of an embattled European town
in World War II, Kramer's latest not only continues, but underscores the
tradition of realism-plus-production economy associated with his name.
Exhibitors have here an often tense, continually absorbing drama to offer
their patrons. Of course, each showman is, or should be, cognizant of the
popularity rating of war films in his bailiwick. Where they rate high, "Eight
Iron Men" certainly will click solidly. Where they are less popular, an
all-out selling job, coupled with the magic of the Kramer reputation, should
spell good business.
This story of the unwritten law of comradery which the travail of battle
imposes was converted into a more conversational than active screenplay by
Harry Brown from his own play, "A Sound of Hunting." Here we meet
Bonar Colleano, the platoon's light-hearted member whose slumberland adven-
tures as a civilian Casanova introduce on the screen at intervals some wonder-
fully funny sequences that come as welcome relief from the unhappy
atmosphere of the blasted building wherein he and his fellow soldiers are
holed up. Present also is staff sergeant Lee Marvin, a man agonized in decid-
ing how and when an attempt is to be made to rescue a platoon member who is
up to his ears in the water of a nearby foxhole that comes under the constant
raking of German machine gun fire. Too, there is Richard Kiley, somewhat
psychologically affected by the knowledge of the unfortunate soldier's predica-
ment and who would throw caution to the winds in attempting a rescue
Arthur Franz, Nick Dennis, James Griffith and Dick Moore also register
importantly in G.I. roles. Credited as associate producers are
Edward Anhalt. .... „ ,
Running time 80 minutes. General audience classification. For December
release. Charles L. Franke
Short
Subject
"The Wac from Walla Walla
(Republic Pictures)
JUDY CANOVA'S portrayal of the backwoods girl whose ignorance of
big city customs is monumental follows the pattern of others of this series
and should prove appealing to the Canova following. This issue has the usual
elements of slapstick comedy and picks up in pace and interest when Miss
Canova enlists in the Women's Army Corps. The star is at her best when
she gets mixed up with a soldiers' platoon going over an obstacle course
'Miracle of Fatima'
Holdovers Increase
Extended run engagements for "The
Miracle of Fatima" continue at the
Astor, Boston, and Boyd, Philadelphia,
for fifth weeks in both situations, and
for third weeks at the Downtown,
Los Angeles, and Warner, Beverly
Hills.
Second week holdovers have been
set at the Mary Anderson, Louisville ;
Orpheum, New Orleans; Center, Fall
River ; Strand, Lowell ; Palace, Ro-
chester ; Keith's, Syracuse ; Missouri,
Kansas City ; Keith's, Indianapolis,
and Olympia, Miami. After two weeks
at the Majestic in Providence, "Fa-
tima" moves over to the Carlton ;
after one week at the Palace, the pic-
ture moves over to the Grand in Col-
umbus. In normal split-week situa-
tions at the Garde, New London, and
Palace, Norwich, it holds for a week
or more. "Fatima" has also been
held for a third week at the Lyric
Theatre in Manila, Philippines, it was
reported here by Warner Brothers.
This is the first engagement for the
film outside the United States.
and later in a chase with some spies who seek a guided missile A runnm
o-ao- throughout the film concerns the efforts of Miss Canova s father to patch
together the statue of her heroic grandfather, and its subsequent breaking
through various mishaps. ; T
The story was written by Arthur Horman and has Miss Canova and June
Vincent join the Army in an attempt to win the affection of Army hero Ste
phen Dunne. Miss Vincent is the scheming blonde who attempts to outshine
the simple but sincere Miss Canova
backwoods family feuds combine to have her foil the efforts of spies Roy
Barcroft and Allen Jenkins to obtain the guided missile and diagrams. During
the proceedings Miss Canova sings four songs ' Lovey If Only Dreams
Came True " "Boy, Oh Boy" and "Song of the Women s Army Corps.
S dney Picker was associate producer and William Witney directed. Others
ir the cast are Irene Ryan, George Cleveland, George Chandler, Thurston
Hall Dick Wessel, Sarah Spencer and The Reoublic Rhythm Riders
Running time, 83 minutes. General audience ^^X^^S^
Oct. 10.
Curtain Call"
(Art Films — 20th Century-Fox)
A singularly enthralling short sub-
ject is 20th Century-Fox's "Curtain
Call" which provides a 10-minute ex-
amination of the art of Edgar Degas,
world-famous French painter of the
19th Century. One of seven films
photographed in color by Technicolor
in great museums and on location in
Europe, under the production aegis of
Boris Vermont and Marilyn Silver-
stone, this short is indeed a distinct
credit to the motion picture screen and
one which should generate profound
audience enthusiasm.
A specialist in portraying on canvas
the grace and charm of ballet girls,
the vivid excitement of the racetrack
and the meditative human countenance,
Degas emerges here in all his great-
ness through the recollections of an
art shop proprietor. The camera re-
calls from time to time the Parisian
atmosphere wherein the artist lived
and worked, thus merging in superb
fashion glimpses of his famous paint-
ings and the very life that inspired
them. Jacques Belasco's beautiful mu-
sic score complements the loveliness
brought to the screen by Art Films
Productions. Running time, 10 min-
utes.
Release date,
Ricketts Assumes
Para. Branch Post
James Ricketts has been > named
branch manager of Paramount's Den-
ver exchange, effective immediately,
it was disclosed yesterday by A. W.
Schwalberg, president of Paramount
Film Distributing Corp.
Former office booking manager in
Denver, Ricketts was appointed act-
ing branch manager there last July.
He joined Paramount in 1946.
UA Will Release 4
Films in Nov., Dec.
Name McCrork Altec
Eastern Manager
C. A. McCrork, of Pennsylvania,
has been chosen to succeed Dave
Peterson as branch manager of Al-
tec's Eastern division, with headquar-
ters in Philadelphia. Peterson _ last
week was appointed Western division
manager, with offices in Los Angeles.
Four productions : "The Glass
Wall," "Monsoon," "Outpost in Ma-
laya" and "Kansas City Confidential,"
will be released by United Artists dur-
ing November and December, it was
announced by William J. Heineman,
UA vice-president in charge of dis-
tribution.
"Kansas City Confidential' is sched-
uled for pre-release engagements,
while the other three will be placed in
general release.
UA to Re-release
'Christmas Carol'
United Artists will re-release "A
Christmas Carol," film version of the
Charles Dickens story, for the holiday
season, distribution vice-president Wil-
liam. J. Heinman disclosed. More than
100 bookings have already been set, it
was said.
Fitzgibbons Cited by
Canadian Council
Toronto, Oct. 22.— President J. J.
Fitzgibbons of Famous Players Cana-
dian Corp. is one of six who have
been named for citations to be
awarded by the Canadian Council of
Christians and Jews, of which he is
a past national president. The award
recognizes outstanding service in the
promotion of friendship among races
and creeds.
At the end of World War II, Fitz-
gibbons was decorated by King
George VI with the award of Com-
mander of the Order of the British
Empire for meritorious work in the
patriotic cause.
TO A Issues Digest
Of 1952 Convention
Theatre Owners of America has
sent to members a 22-page "1952 Con-
vention Digest," covering all matters
dealt with at the organization's annual
convention in Washington last month.
In addition to exerpts from speeches
made at the convention by Eric A.
Johnston, Alfred Starr, Elmer C.
Rhoden, Mitchell Wolf son and others,
the digest sets forth statements of
policy with respect to the govern-
ment's 16mm. anti-trust suit, arbitra-
tion, taxation, theatre TV, etc. The
data was assembled and compiled by
Dick Pitts, TOA administrative assis-
tant.
Put Off Biberman Bid
Hollywood, Oct. 22, — The Screen
Directors Guild directors have post-
poned for two weeks the appearance
before it of Herbert Biberman, a mem-
ber of the "Unfriendly Nine," who
seeks reinstatement. A board repre-
sentative said the directors want more
time to study the case. Biberman will
have to sign a SDG loyalty oath be-
fore readmission.
Thursday, October 23, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
Mich. Allied Re-elects
Vlachos President
Detroit, Oct. 22. — Allied
Theatres of Michigan mem-
bers unanimously re-elected
the same officers for a second
term. John Vlachos remains
as president; E. J. Pennell,
vice-president; Irving Belin-
sky, secretary-treasurer, and
Allan Johnson, national Allied
director. Mrs. Dolores Cassidy
of Midland was chosen as
a'ternate national director.
Ernest T. Conlon, remains
executive-secretary.
RKO Radio Resignations
(Continued from page 1)
Michigan Law
(Continued from page 1)
in such a manner that the screens
would face the highway.
Adolph and Irving Goldberg and
Charles Komer of the Community
Theatre were hosts to the attending
exhibitors at their Bel-Air Drive-In
for a special discussion on drive-in
theatres. Ted Rogvy, theatre archi-
tect, was on hand to answer any ques-
tions pertaining to drive-ins.
Allen Johnson, Allied national
representative, gave the meeting a
report on Council of Motion Picture
Organizations activities.
At a board of directors meeting the
following were elected by districts :
district one, Al Ackerman, Detroit;
two, Joseph Denniston, Monroe;
three, C. J. Beechler, Charlotte; four,
Henry Carlev, Holland; five, Allen
Johnson, Grand Rapids; six, Herbert
Fox, Mason; seven, R. Ashmun,
Caro; eight, Wayne Chase, Lake
Odess; nine, Glenn Wallace, Scott-
ville; 10, Ed Johnson, Bay City; 11,
Martin Thomas, Menominee ; 12, John
Schuyler, Marquette; 13, Lew Wisper,
Detroit; 14, Emerson Wood, Harbor
Springs'; 15, Elliot Cohen, Detroit;
16, John Vlachos, Flat Rock; 17,
Adolph Goldberg, Detroit; 18, Irving
Belinski ; two, Rene Germani, Mon-
roe ; three, E. J. Pennell, Bronson ;
four, Harry Burin, Benton Harbor;
five, Marti Christiansen, Muskegon;
six' E. P. Dalton, Flushing; seven,
N.' Stafford, Cass City; eight. Stan-
ley Marz, Saginaw ; nine, Ed Loomis,
Elk Rapids; 10, W. James Olson,
Clare; 11, Joseph DePaul, Sault Ste.
Marie ; 12, Ben Grobaski, Lanse ; 13,
Racy 'Sch'reiber, Detroit; 14, Fred
Delodder, Detroit; 15, Lou Mitchell,
Detroit: 16. Roger Robinson, Detroit;
17, Irving Goldberg, Detroit; 18, Roy
Hardy, Pontiac. Griffin was elected
director at large for three years term
to succeed Ray Branch of Hastings.
The three-dav convention ended
with a banquet in the Tuller Hotel.
The resignations also apply to the
chief operating subsidiary of RKO
Pictures, RKO Radio, and to all other
subsidiaries with which the three were
identified.
Neither Stolkin, Koolish nor
Gorman could be reached for
questioning last night but indi-
viduals close to the RKO Pic-
tures' scene indicated that Stol-
kin, Koolish and Ryan have not
sold or otherwise disposed of
their individual stock holdings
in the company and, so far as
was known, have no intention
of so doing at this time.
The Wall Street Journal had pub-
lished three articles on members of the
Stolkin syndicate, devoting one apiece
to each of the three whose resigna-
tions were accepted yesterday. The
first article dealt with business activi-
ties of Koolish, going back about 20
years, and including alleged brushes
with better business bureaus, the Fed-
eral Trade Commission and other
agencies over methods of business con-
duct. The second dealt with Ryan's
alleged heavy wagering on sports and
other events and testimony in last
year's Kefauver Senate Crime In-
vestigating Committee hearings link-
ing him with professional gamblers
as an acquaintance of theirs.
The third article dealt with Stolkin
and repeated much of the history of
the Koolish article, due to the fact
that Stolkin had been associated with
his father-in-law in some of the busi-
ness ventures which allegedly won the
disapproval of civic and Federal
agencies.
Also reuorted to havp ended
his association with RKO Pic-
tures, althoueh the company did
not con<irm it, is Sidnev Kor-
shak, Chicago attorney, who had
been appointed "labor counsel"
for the companv bv the new
manaff^ment. Korshak had a
part in the Stolkin syndicate's
negotiations for the purchase of
the Hughes' stock. He was
identified in the Wall Street
Journal's articles as an attorney
at one time for "Cherry Nose"
Gioe, a Chicago gangster who
was convicted of extortion for
his part in the blackmailing of
motion picture executives who
dominated projectionists' and
other industry unions in the
1930s.
Members of the Stolkin syndicate
remaining on the RKO Pictures board
are : Edward G. Burke and Sherrill
C. Corwin, vice-president and studio
representative. Also remaining are :
Arnold Grant, chairman and chief ex-
ecutive officer William H. Clark,
treasurer; and Gordon Youngman,
member of the Bautzer, Grant,
Youngman and Silbert law firm of
Beverly Hills.
Grant said yesterday that "It is the
intention of the board as soon as pos-
sible to fill the vacancies with men of
outstanding calibre, who will be well
qualified to represent the interests of
all stockholders of RKO. It is hoped
that this can be accomplished within
the next 10 days."
Presumably, the post of president,
when filled, will not include the chief
executive duties held by Grant, unless
h= creeds to the title and relin-
quishes the board chairmanship to
another. Grant has been given com-
plete administrative authority by the
board.
Goldberg to
Assist Norton
Fred Goldberg was yesterday named
assistant publicity manager and head
of the special events unit of RKO
Radio Pictures by Kay Norton, pub-
licity manager.
Goldberg formerly was newspaper
contact for Paramount Pictures. He
resigned recently to work with the
Samuel Goldwyn organization- on
"Hans Christian Andersen."
Other staff positions announced
were: Ruth Cosgrove to head the ra-
dio—TV and music department, as-
sisted by Walter Wood. Al Stern,
formerly trade paper contact, will join
Jack Lewis in the writing department.
John Springer and Betty Folker will
handle magazines. Bob Boehnel will
remain in his post as daily press con-
tact and Jerry Cooper remains in
charge of promotions. Frank Petra-
glia has been assigned to syndicate
contact and handling of class "B"
magazines.
Columbia Loan
(Continued from page 1)
the full sum to mature in five years
provides $10,000,000 in fixed credits
and $5,000,000 in open credits with
amortization of both at the rate of
10 per cent annually. The increases in
the company's borrowing facilities is
a reflection of "intensified plans for
the production of (Columbia's) future
schedule of films for worldwide dis-
tribution," the company stated.
Pittsburgh Variety
Elects a New Crew
Pittsburgh, Oct. 22.— At a meet-
ing- held in the Variety Club the fol-
lowing were named as the 1953 crew
for Tent No. 1.:
Harold Lund, Carl Doser, Norman
Mervis, Sam Speranza, Bob Prince,
Elmer Ecker, Al Weiblinger, Jimmy
Klingensmith, Ray Downey, Ray
Scott and Harry Kodinsky. They will
meet within two weeks to name of-
ficers.
Arbitration Cost
(Continued from page 1)
further changes that met with dis-
tribution's approval all that would re-
main to be decided would be a for-
mula for financing.
Distributor representatives, in dis-
cussing among themselves recently the
amended draft, are understood to have
expressed the opinion that neither ex-
hibition nor distribution would want
the other to carry more than its share
of financial responsibility for an arbi-
tration system.
It was expected that the cost of
operating a system would, not be ex-
cessive.
Install Theatre TV
In ChL's Telenews
Chicago, Oct. 22.— The Telenews
Theatre in the Loop here is installing
a Motiograph Trad large screen tele-
vision system, according to division
manager Sylvan Goldfinger. This will
bring the number of theatres in Chi-
cago with large-screen television to
Name Brandt
(Continued from page I)
career 17 years ago with Fox Thea-
tres. Following that he joined United
Artists as director of advertising, pub-
licity and exploitation for Eagle-Lion
films, and then Lopert.
ANSWER
TO YOUR
TECHNICAL
PROBLEMS . . .
The Altec
Service Man and
the organization
behind him
161 Sixth Avenue,
New York 13, N. Y.
PROTECTING THE THEATRE - FIRST PLACE IN ENTERTAINMENT
•m the Philadelphia
J?l haven't aire.* , wve. for
tpace as this one!"
HE'S OFF---
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all openingjngagen^
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sftLT I* C^- Center-nnR^
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dates coming up- THE '"
heading foMheJugJ^
i Another
J BIG ONE
Harry M. Popkin presents RAY MILLAND as "THE THIEF" with Martin Gabel and introducing Rita Gam '
Executive Producer Harry M. Popkin • Written for the screen by Clarence Greene & Russell Rouse • Music by j til HI ■ M JRL
~J u. . p.. r>-
»« n i.:- n 1.
MOTION PICTURE
Accurate
Concise
and
Impartial
VOL. 72. NO. 80
NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1952
TEN CENTS
Urge Michigan
Law to Outlaw
Free Pictures
Griffin Attacks Practice,
Cites Theatre Importance
Detroit, Oct. 22. — Lawrence
Griffin, who recently became an ex-
hibitor following his retirement
from an executive post with a
grocery chain, today attacked before a
morning meeting today of Allied The-
atres of Michigan the practice of free
motion picture showings by business
concerns and others.
Griffin emphasized in his ad-
dress before the convention
delegates the importance of the
motion picture theatre to a
community, no matter how
large or how small.
During a discussion on the topic
Griffin chose, a suggestion was made
to appeal to the Michigan legislature
to have laws passed which would make
free motion pictures unlawful, even to
the extent that exhibitors would be
prohibited from constructing drive-ins
(Continued on page 5)
Stolkin, Koolish, Gorman
Resign RKO Radio Posts
Columbia Pictures
Gets Larger Loan
Columbia Pictures Corp. yesterday
revealed completion of agreements for
$15,000,000 in credits with the First
National Bank of Boston, the Bank
of America, and the Bank of Manhat-
tan, to replace financial arrangements
made with the same banks in Aug.
1950 for $12,000,000.
The new agreement stipulates that
(Continued on page 5)
SAG Negotiations
Are Broken Off
Hollywood, Oct. 22.— Screen Ac-
tors Guild has broken off collective
bargaining negotiations with the
American Association of Advertising-
Agencies and New York film pro-
ducers who make filmed commercials,
it was announced today, and strike
action is expected to be voted imme-
diately.
Negotiations broke down completely
over the agencies insistence on the
right to televise filmed commercial
spots without limitation throughout
the nation for a period of 13 weeks.
Name Brandt RKO
Exploitation Head
Leon Brandt was named exploitation
manager of RKO Radio Pictures yes-
terday by Rich-
ard Condon, na-
tional director
of advertising,
publicity and
exploitation. He
succeeds Terry
T u r n e r , re-
signed.
Brandt, na-
tional director
of advertising,
publicity and
exploitation for
Lopert Films,
will assume his
new duties on
3. Brandt began his industry
(Continued on page 5)
Leon Brandt
Nov.
Presidency, Board Vacancies to Be Filled
In 10 Days; Resignations Follow 'Wall St.
Journal' Articles on Business Backgrounds
Ralph E. Stolkin, head of the syndicate which one month ago
today bought Howard Hughes' controlling stock interest in RKO
Pictures, and who three weeks ago today was elected president of
the company, resigned that post and also withdrew from the com-
pany's board of directors yesterday.
Resigning from the board with
Stolkin were A. L. Koolish, his
father-in-law and a member of the
purchasing syndicate, and William
Gorman, the representative on the
board of Ray Ryan, another member
of the syndicate. The latter two were
not officers of RKO Pictures.
That the resignations were the
direct result of the series of articles
published by the Wall Street Journal
during the past week detailing past
business and other activities of the
three was clear from the statement
issued announcing their resignations,
although the Journal was not men-
tioned by name. The statement of the
three said :
"Our only interest in acquiring
stcck of RKO Pictures Corp. was our
belief that the company can be, under
able and independent management,
brought to the full realization of its
great potential.
"We recognize that a volume
of unfavorable publicity direct-
ed against us as individuals has
been or can be damaging to the
company.
"Consistent with our original intent
doing that which is best for the
^^^^
RALPH STOLKIN
A. L. KOOLISH
Equal Arbitration
Cost-Sharing Seen
Financing of an industry system of
arbitration, the only subject not dealt
with in the distributor-amended arbi-
tration draft which has been circu-
lating in the industry, is expected to
be shared equally by distributors and
exhibitors, according to observers
here. ,
If the draft meets with exhibition s
approval in its present form or
(Continued on page S)
ith
Starr to Address
Memphis Convention
Memphis, Oct. 22. — Alfred
Starr, president of the The-
atre Owners of America, will
be one of the speakers at the
annual convention of the Mo-
tion Picture Theatre Owners
of Arkansas, Tennessee and
Mississippi. The three-day
meeting will open here on
Monday.
Tells FCC of Industry's
Need for Exclusive Band
of
company, and for that reason only,
we have submitted our resignations."
(Continued on page 5)
Washington, Oct. 22.— The indus-
try today asked the Federal Com-
munications Commission to allocate for
the exclusive use of theatre television
the frequencies from 5,925 to 6,285
megacycles, which are currently allo-
cated as common carrier frequencies.
This portion of the spectrum must
be the "backbone" of theatre television
distribution systems, National Exhibi-
tor Theatre Television Committee
consulting engineer Stuart Bailey told
the FCC, enabling the extension of
service over long distances.
This contention was the nub of to-
day's testimony in the FCC hearings
on the engineering and accounting-
phases of the theatre television hear-
ing. Bailey told the commission that
in the event the FCC considered ex-
clusive allocation of these frequencies
to theatre television undesirable, com-
mon carriers and others could use
the frequencies on a non-interfering
basis, with theatre television the pri-
mary user. Other suggestions made
by Bailey in case the FCC did not
want to make exclusive allocation of
frequencies included classifying theatre
television as an industrial radio ser-
vice on a frequency-sharing basis with
(Continued on page 4)
Minimum of 15,000
To See Lees TV
At least 15,000 persons are
expected to view the closed
circuit theatre telecast of the
James Lees and Sons national
sales convention on Dec. 8, a
spokesman for the carpet
manufacturing firm disclosed
here yesterday.
The spokesman estimated a
minimum audience of 1,003
persons in each of the 15
cities slated to carry the tele-
cast, contracted for by The-
atre Network Television.
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday; October 23, 1952
Personal
Mention
\ ,\ AX E. YOUNGSTEIN, United
1V1 Artists vice-president, is due to
return to New York on Monday from
London.
•
James H. Eshelman, former city
manager for United Paramount Thea-
tres in Buffalo and Rochester, is now
manager of the Gopher Theatre in
Minneapolis.
•
Mrs. Luke Strager, wife of the
Universal traveling auditor visiting in
San Francisco, is at St. Mary's Hos-
pital there recuperating from surgery.
Lee J. Hofheimer of H. and S.
Theatres in Columbus, announces the
engagement of his daughter, Joyce,
to Leonard Strelitz of Norfolk, Va.
•
Bernard Seaman, manager of the
Beacon Theatre in Baltimore, and
Mrs. Seaman are honeymooning in
Europe.
Jeff Livingston, Universal East-
ern advertising manager, will be in
New Haven today and will return
here tomorrow.
Milton R. Rackmil, Universal
president, is due here from the Coast
tomorrow.
Bill Kelly and Buford Styles of
the Universal branch in Jacksonville
have returned there from Hollywood.
Henderson M. Richey,_ M-G-M
exhibitor relations head, will return
here today from Detroit.
Albany Unit Bids
TOA Become A
Defendant in Suit
Emerling, Morris at
Ampa School Tonight
Ernest Emerling and Seymour Mor-
ris, directors of advertising-publicity-
exploitation for Loew's and Schine
Theatres, respectively, will be guest
lecturers at the Associated Motion
Picture Advertisers' showmanship
course tonight. Al Floersheimer, ad-
vertising-publicity-exploitation direc-
tor of Walter Reade Theatres, is
chairman for the program which will
take place at the Woodstock Hotel
here.
Following the class, SO of the stu-
dents will accompany AMPA presi-
dent Harry K. McWilliams on the
first showmanship tour to the Filmack
Trailer Co. The Filmack plant will be
open and working to enable the class
to see film trailers in actual produc-
tion.
Albany, Oct. 22.— Albany Theatre
Owners of America, at a meeting to-
day, voted to recommend that national
TOA be made a party defendant m
the Department of Justice anti-trust
suit for the release of 16mm. pictures
to TV stations.
The unit also reacted favorably to a
report by executive director-counsel
Lewis A. Sumherg on the arbitration
plan considered at the recent national
convention in Washington. Members
agreed that it would be "particularly
helpful to independent exhibitors.'
Sumberg described the proposal as one
that would give "speedy and econom-
ical relief" to exhibitors.
Members reported that the local ex-
change area is suffering "dispropor-
tionately" from a print shortage. They
believe the number should be increased
by 50 per cent. The matter will first
be discussed with branch managers.
Sumberg and president Harry Lamont
promised that if they do not get ac-
tion "within a reasonable time" TOA
will follow through on the national
level.
Saul J. Ullman, distributor chair-
man for the Council of Motion Pic-
ture Organizations in the drive to
repeal the 20 per cent Federal admis-
sion tax, reported on conferences he
had held with elected representatives
from this area.
Members were warned against play-
ing ASCAP music unless they have
signed the new licensing agreement.
They will also ask to hold themselves
in readiness for swift action if any
bills "harmful" to the industry are
presented at the next session of the
legislature convening in January.
Sam Davis of Phoenicia was elected
to the board of directors.
A luncheon meeting wll be held
here Nov. 17.
INS Election Service
Seen in N.Y. Houses
Chicago, Oct. 22— Interna-
tional News Service is offer-
ing a special election night
service to theatres and other
public gathering places to
enable them to bring results
of the election to their audi-
ences. The service consists of
installation of a high-speed
INS teletype printer to be in-
stalled for the day and night
of Nov. 4 in a place desig-
nated by the customer. INS
claims that the service is go-
ing to be used on election
night at the Paramount, Capi-
tol, and Palace in New York,
as well as at other theatres
there and throughout the
country.
WELFARE FUN
IS PLANNED
IN ST. LOUIS
Claims Costs Low to
Show Natural Vision
'Limelight' U. S.
Premiere Today
Charles Chaplin's "Limelight,"
which will have its American pre-
miere today at the Astor and Trans-
Lux 60th St. theatres, in New York,
will have its West Coast premiere on
Nov. 13 at the United Artists Thea-
tre in San Francisco and its first Can-
adian engagements during the follow-
ing week on the Odeon circuit in
Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Winni-
peg, Calgary and Edmonton. All of
the engagements will be on a con-
tinuous-run schedule.
First of the Odeon bookings will be
in Vancouver, where "Limelight" will
open on Nov. 20 in 11 theatres. The
other engagements will begin on Nov.
21, except at Edmont, where the open-
ing will be on Nov. 28.
Theatre alteration costs for the
presentation of Natural Vision films
would be a maximum of $1,000 for a
first-run house and from $200 to $300
for a subsequent run, it was estimated
yesterday by Milton Gunzburg, presi-
dent of Natural Vision, third dimen-
sional film company. The alteration
costs, which he considered low, would
mainly consist of coupling two projec-
tors, attaching 5,500-foot magazines,
and using a reflective type screen.
Gunzburg noted that many small
town theatres already have a reflec-
tive type screen and thought that the
magazines could be easily rented.
Otherwise all other equipment is stan-
dard. He said the $1,000 figure is
based on alterations done by the
Hollywood and Paramount Theatres
in Hollywood for the premiere show-
ing of Arch Obler's "Bwana Devil,"
on Nov. 27, but emphasized these were
rather extensive alterations and the
figure might be even lower.
Gunzburg, who is associated with
George J. Schaefer, revealed the firm
has contracts for four more Natural
Vision films, all in color. Obler has
a one-picture-a-year contract with the
company. Of the other three films,
one is expected to be ready for late
1953 release. While here Gunzburg
is investigating the possibility of
processing stage plays in Natural
Vision.
St. Louis, Oct. 22.— Plans for a
permanent welfare fund for men and
women in the amusement and enter-
tainment fields, including all channels
of the motion picture business are
scheduled for discussion at a special
meeting to be held in the Paramount
exchange screening room on Friday.
At a meeting held last week, at
which representatives from all
branches of the St. Louis film indus-
try were present, affirmation of the
need for such a plan was voiced. The
drive for a special fund has been in-
tensified by recent examples of people
in the industry brought to severe
financial plights by accidents and ill-
ness.
A temporary organization commit-
tee to consider possibilities of such a
fund consist of Tom Bloomer, pres-
ident, MPTO of Eastern Missouri,
St. Louis and Southern Illinois ; Betty
Wendt, business agent, Film Ex-
change Employes Union, Local No.
Bl ; Leroy Upton, president, Stage
Hands Union Local No. 8 ; Ed Butler,
Ticket Sellers; Harry Yaeger, Mo-
tion Picture Cameramen ; Tony Blust,
president, Moving Picture Machine
Operators Local No. 143 ; Lou Layat-
ta, business agent, Ushers Union;
James Gately business agent, Film
Exchange Employes Union Local No.
Fl ; F. J. (Mike) Lee, manager,
United Artists, for film exchange
managers ; George Ware, for the St.
Louis Loge of the Colosseum of Mo-
tion Picture Salesmen of America, and
Marcella Devinney and Marjorie
Glynn, Republic Pictures, temporary
secretaries.
Franke Joins Paramount
Charles Franke, a member of the
staff of Motion Picture Daily for
the past eight years, has been named
trade press publicity contact for Para-
mount Pictures, effective in two
weeks. He replaces Murray Segal,
who takes a similar post with RKO
Radio.
William W. Young, 84
William Wesley Young, 84, pro-
ducer and director of the silent films
"Alice in Wonderland" and "Alice
Through the Looking Glass," died
here Tuesday in St. Barnabas Hos-
pital. Also a co-producer with Clar-
ence Darrow, the major part of his
career was spent as a writer and edi-
tor on various newspapers and peri-
odicals. He was a brother of the late
cartoonist Art Young.
North Clark Street, FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club. Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq London \\ 1 , Kcpe 11 u™"P. a *n*°"\, " as
B , IT Editor cable address. "Quigpubco, London " .Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatre, and Theatre S le . each «
a section of Motion Picture Herald; International Motion Picture Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter, bept. 21. IV48. at the post orme at
the act of March 3. 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreiirn; single comes in,
Clark in Chicago
Sets 2nd Film Fete
Chicago, Oct. 22.— Thirty of Hol-
lywood's top films of the last 20 years
will be presented during the second
"Great Films Festival" at the Clark
Theatre from Sunday, Nov. 9 through
Sunday, Nov. 23.
Response to the first festival last
February was such, according to gen-
eral manager Bruce Trinz, that the
theatre has adopted a policy of peri-
odic film revivals based on requests
of its patrons. Two pictures will be
shown daily for 15 days on an around-
the-clock basis. The Clark is open
daily from 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 A.M.
HumanitarianAward
From Chicago Lodge
Chicago, Oct. 22. — A dinner-meet-
ing of a committee of leading mem-
bers of the local industry has been
called for Monday night at the Cove-
nant Club by Sam Levinson, chairman
of the Chicago Cinema Lodge of B'nai
B'rith, in order to start selecting an
outstanding "humanitarian" engaged
in the industry here for an award.
The award is to be presented_ at a
lodge dinner in February and is ex-
pected to become an annual event.
Although the award will be made
on behalf of the Cinema Lodge, non-
members have been asked to serve on
the selection 'committee.
Among those who have been invited
to the meeting are Nat Nathanson,
who will serve as temporary chair-
man ; Howard and Robert Lubliner,
Mannie Gottlieb, Ben Lourie, Jack
Rose. John, Harry and Elmer Bala-
ban, Arthur Schoenstadt, Robert V.
Harrison, Paul Marr ; Joe Berenson,
John J. Jones, Herbert Greenblatt,
Jack Kitsch, David B. Wallerstein,
Edwin Silverman, Joseph and Meyer
Stern, Irving Mack, Sam Gorelick
and Bruce Trinz.
1
I1
X
NEW OPENINGS,
NEW MIRACLES!
Every new day
brings more great
news of the
box-office power-house
Warners have^t^^ H
delivered!
Capatity houses,
waiting lines,
figures that are
a joy to beho
THE READY AUDIENCE
IS TREMENDOUS f
PATE IT BACK IT-
AND WATCH
THE MIRACLE!
: ;
KANSAS
CITY!
STA.BNO GILBERT KOIAND - ftNCEU CLARK ,".",K'.
SUSAN WHITNEY ■ SHERRY JACKSON • SAMMY OGG
WRITTEN FOR THE SCREEN BY
CRANE WILBUR and JAMES O'HANLON
MUSIC BY MAX S1EINER
PRODUCED BY BRYAN FOY
DIRECTED BY JOHN BRAHM
4
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, October 23, 1952
Butterfield Requests
New TV Channel
Washington, Oct. 22. — W. S. But-
terfield Theatres has requested the
Federal Communications Commission
to grant it a television station license
in Grand Rapids and changed an
earlier application for a TV channel in
Flint, in the hope of obtaining quicker
action.
Butterfield Theatres had applied for
VHF channel 16 in Flint shortly after
the TV freeze was lifted this year.
However, another firm, Trendle Camp-
bell Broadcasting Corp., also applied
for this channel. Recently the FCC
indicated it would hold a hearing on
these applications at which it would
study, among other things, the anti-
trust record of Butterfield Theatres.
In its request to switch its Flint ap-
plication to VHF channel 12, Butter-
field noted that this would leave only
one firm applying for VHF channel
16 and one for VHF channel 12, thus
both Flint applications could be grant-
ed promptly without any need for
hearings.
Reviews
it
Tells FCC
(Continued from page 1)
other operational services.
In addition, Bailey said, if the fre-
quencies desired are not available on
an exclusive basis, extra frequencies
above the 10,700 mc band should be
provided for short-haul local service,
in order to relieve possible congestion
in Metropolitan centers.
Motion Picture Association of
America engineer Andrew F. Inglis
estimated that a theatre television dis-
tribution service would need a total of
420 mc, regardless of whether the ser-
vice was furnished by common car-
riers or operated by the motion picture
industry. This number, he said, would
provide for 14 channels, each 30 mc
wide, with two of the 14 channels
used for remote pick-up.
MPAA engineer Frank H. Mclin-
tosh told the commission that the in-
dustry could begin immediate con-
struction of microwave relay facilities
upon allocation of the channels, if
equipment were available.
The hearing recessed today until
Friday, to allow the commision to
conduct routine business tomorrow.
Eight Iron Men
(Sta nl ey Kramer- Co htnib ia )
\ A/AR at its unglamorous worst and the impact of ugly battle on the per-
W sonalities of fighting men are dealt with in alternately incisive, humor-
ous and bitter terms in producer Stanley Kramer's "Eight Iron Men." With
Edward Dmytryk at the directorial helm and a handful of little-known male
actors underplaying their American soldier roles for maximum effect against
the backdrop of the rain-soaked ruin and rubble of an embattled European town
in World War II, Kramer's latest not only continues, but underscores the
tradition of realism-plus-production economy associated with his name.
Exhibitors have here an often tense, continually absorbing drama to offer
their patrons. Of course, each showman is, or should be, cognizant of the
popularity rating of war films in his bailiwick. Where they rate high, "Eight
Iron Men" certainly will click solidly. Where they are less popular, an
all-out selling job, coupled with the magic of the Kramer reputation, should
spell good business.
This story of the unwritten law of comradery which the travail of battle
imposes was converted into a more conversational than active screenplay by
Harry Brown from his own play, "A Sound of Hunting." Here we meet
Bonar Colleano, the platoon's light-hearted member whose slumberland adven-
tures as a civilian Casanova introduce on the screen at intervals some wonder-
fully funny sequences that come as welcome relief from the unhappy
atmosphere of the blasted building wherein he and his fellow soldiers are
holed up. Present also is staff sergeant Lee Marvin, a man agonized in decid-
ing how and when an attempt is to be made to rescue a platoon member who is
up to his ears in the water of a nearby foxhole that comes under the constant
raking of German machine gun fire. Too, there is Richard Kiley, j somewhat
psychologically affected by the knowledge of the unfortunate soldier's predica-
ment and who would throw caution to the winds in attempting a rescue.
Arthur Franz, Nick Dennis, James Griffith and Dick Moore also register
importantly in G.I. roles. Credited as associate producers are Edna and
Edward Anhalt.
Runnino- time, 80 minutes. General audience classification. For December
release & Charles L. Franke
Short
Subject
9i>
'Miracle of Fatima'
Holdovers Increase
Extended run engagements for "The
Miracle of Fatima" continue at the
Astor, Boston, and Boyd, Philadelphia,
for fifth weeks in both situations, and
for third weeks at the Downtown,
Los Angeles, and Warner, Beverly
Hills.
Second week holdovers have been
set at the Mary Anderson, Louisville ;
Orpheum, New Orleans; Center, Fall
River ; Strand, Lowell ; Palace, Ro-
chester ; Keith's, Syracuse ; Missouri,
Kansas City ; Keith's, Indianapolis,
and Olympia, Miami. After two weeks
at the Majestic in Providence, "Fa-
tima" moves over to the Carlton ;
after one week at the Palace, the pic-
ture moves over to the Grand in Col-
umbus. In normal split-week situa-
tions at the Garde, New London, and
Palace, Norwich, it holds for a week
or more. "Fatima" has also been
held for a third week at the Lyric
Theatre in Manila, Philippines, it was
reported here by Warner Brothers.
This is the first engagement for the
film outside the United States.
"The Wac from Walla Walla
(Republic Pictures)
JUDY CANOVA'S portrayal of the backwoods girl whose ignorance of
big city customs is monumental follows the pattern of others of this series
and should prove appealing to the Canova following. This issue has the usual
elements of slapstick comedy and picks up in pace and interest when Miss
Canova enlists in the Women's Army Corps. The star is at her best when
she gets mixed up with a soldiers' platoon going over an obstacle course
and later in a chase with some spies who seek a guided missile. A running
crao- throughout the film concerns the efforts of Miss Canova s father to patch
together the statue of her heroic grandfather, and its subsequent breaking-
through various mishaps. '
The story was written by Arthur Horman and has Miss Canova and June
Vincent join the Army in an attempt to win the affection of Army hero Ste-
phen Dunne Miss Vincent is the scheming blonde who attempts to outshine
the simple but sincere Miss Canova. Luck and Miss Canova s knowledge of
backwoods family feuds combine to have her foil the efforts of spies Roy
Barcroft and Allen Jenkins to obtain the guided missile and diagrams. During
the proceedings Miss Canova sings four songs "Lovey If Only Dreams
Came True," "Boy, Oh Boy" and "Song of the Women s Army Corps.
Sidney Picker was associate producer and William Witney directed. Others
in the cast are Irene Ryan, George Cleveland, George Chandler, Thurston
Hall Dick Wessel, Sarah Spencer and The Reoubhc Rhythm Riders.
Running time, 83 minutes. General audience classification
Oct. 10.
Release date
Walter Pashkin
Curtain Call"
(Art Films — 20^ Century-Fox)
A singularly enthralling short sub-
ject is 20th Century-Fox's "Curtain
Call" which provides a 10-minute ex-
amination of the art of Edgar Degas,
world-famous French painter of the
19th Century. One of seven films
photographed in color by Technicolor
in great museums and on location in
Europe, under the production aegis of
Boris Vermont and Marilyn Silver-
stone, this short is indeed a distinct
credit to the motion picture screen and
one which should generate profound
audience enthusiasm.
A specialist in portraying on canvas
the grace and charm of ballet girls,
the vivid excitement of the racetrack
and the meditative human countenance,
Degas emerges here in all his great-
ness through the recollections of an
art shop proprietor. The camera re-
calls from time to time the Parisian
atmosphere wherein the artist lived
and worked, thus merging in superb
fashion glimpses of his famous paint-
ings and the very life that inspired
them. Jacques Belasco's beautiful mu-
sic score complements the loveliness
brought to the screen by Art Films
Productions. Running time, 10 min-
utes.
Fitzgibbons Cited by
Canadian Council
Toronto, Oct. 22. — President J. J.
Fitzgibbons of Famous Players Cana-
dian Corp. is one of six who have
been named for citations to be
awarded by the Canadian Council of
Christians and Jews, of which he is
a past national president. The award
recognizes outstanding service in the
promotion of friendship among races
and creeds.
At the end of World War II, Fitz-
gibbons was decorated by King
George VI with the award of Com-
mander of the Order of the British
Empire for meritorious work in the
patriotic cause.
Ricketts Assumes
Para. Branch Post
James Ricketts has been _ named
branch manager of Paramount's Den-
ver exchange, effective immediately,
it was disclosed yesterday by A. W.
Schwalberg, president of Paramount
Film Distributing Corp.
Former office booking manager in
Denver, Ricketts was appointed act-
ing branch manager there last July.
He joined Paramount in 1946.
Name McCrork Altec
Eastern Manager
C. A. McCrork, of Pennsylvania,
has been chosen to succeed Dave
Peterson as branch manager of Al-
tec's Eastern division, with headquar-
ters in Philadelphia. Peterson . last
week was appointed Western division
manager, with offices in Los Angeles.
UA Will Release 4
Films in Nov., Dec.
Four productions : "The Glass
Wall," "Monsoon," "Outpost in Ma-
laya" and "Kansas City Confidential,"
will be released by United Artists dur-
ing November and December, it was
announced by William J. Heineman,
UA vice-president in charge of dis-
tribution.
"Kansas City Confidential' is sched-
uled for pre-release engagements,
while the other three will be placed in
general release.
UA to Re-release
'Christmas Carol'
United Artists will re-release "A
Christmas Carol," film version of the
Charles Dickens story, for the holiday
season, distribution vice-president Wil-
liam J. Heinman disclosed. More than
100 bookings have already been set, it
was said.
TO A Issues Digest
Of 1952 Convention
Theatre Owners of America has
sent to members a 22-page "1952 Con-
vention Digest," covering all matters
dealt with at the organization's annual
convention in Washington last month.
In addition to exerpts from speeches
made at the convention by Eric A.
Johnston, Alfred Starr, Elmer C.
Rhoden, Mitchell Wolfson and others,
the digest sets forth statements of
policy with respect to the govern-
ment's 16mm. anti-trust suit, arbitra-
tion, taxation, theatre TV, etc. The
data was assembled and compiled by
Dick Pitts, TOA administrative assis-
tant.
Put Off Biberman Bid
Hollywood, Oct. 22. — The Screen
Directors Guild directors have post-
poned for two weeks the appearance
before it of Herbert Biberman, a mem-
ber of the "Unfriendly Nine," who
seeks reinstatement. A board repre-
sentative said the directors want more
time to study the case. Biberman will
have to sign a SDG loyalty oath be-
fore readmission.
Thursday, October 23, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
Mich. Allied Re-elects
Vlachos President
Detroit, Oct. 22. — Allied
Theatres of Michigan mem-
bers unanimously re-elected
the same officers for a second
term. John Vlachos remains
as president; E. J. Pennell,
vice-president; Irving Belin-
sky, secretary-treasurer, and
Allan Johnson, national Allied
director. Mrs. Dolores Cassidy
of Midland was chosen as
alternate national director.
Ernest T. Conlon, remains
executive-secretary.
RKO Radio Resignations
(Continued from page 1)
Michigan Law
(Continued from page 1)
in such a manner that the screens
would face the highway.
Adolph and Irving Goldberg and
Charles Komer of the Community
Theatre were hosts to the attending
exhibitors at their Bel-Air Drive-In
for a special discussion on drive-in
theatres. Ted Rogvy, theatre archi-
tect, was on hand to answer any ques-
tions pertaining to drive-ins.
Allen Johnson, Allied national
representative, gave the meeting a
report on Council of Motion Picture
Organizations activities.
At a board of directors meeting the
following were elected by districts:
district one, Al Ackerman, Detroit;
two, Joseph Denniston, Monroe;
three, C. J. Beechler, Charlotte; four,
Henry Carley, Holland; five, Allen
Johnson, Grand Rapids; six, Herbert
Fox, Mason; seven, R. Ashmun,
Caro; eight, Wayne Chase, Lake
Odess; nine, Glenn Wallace, Scott -
ville; 10, Ed Johnson, Bay City; 11,
Martin Thomas, Menominee ; 12, John
Schuyler, Marquette ; 13, Lew Wisper,
Detroit; 14, Emerson Wood, Harbor
Springs; IS, Elliot Cohen, Detroit;
16 John Vlachos, Flat Rock; 17,
Adolph Goldberg, Detroit; 18, Irving
Belinski; two, Rene Germani, Mon-
roe; three, E. J. Pennell, Bronson ;
four, Harry Burin, Benton Harbor ;
five, Marti Christiansen, Muskegon;
six' E. P. Dalton, Flushing; seven,
N. ' Stafford, Cass City; eight, Stan-
ley Marz, Saginaw ; nine, Ed Loomis,
Elk Rapids; 10, W. James Olson,
Clare; 11, Joseph DePaul, Sault Ste.
Marie ; 12, Ben Grobaski, Lanse ; 13,
Racy 'Schreiber, Detroit; 14, Fred
Delodder, Detroit; 15, Lou Mitchell,
Detroit; 16, Roger Robinson, Detroit;
17, Irving Goldberg, Detroit; 18, Roy
Hardy, Pontiac. Griffin was elected
director at large for three years term
to succeed Ray Branch of Hastings.
The three-day convention ended
with a banquet in the Tuller Hotel.
The resignations also _ apply to the
chief operating subsidiary of RKO
Pictures, RKO Radio, and to all other
subsidiaries with which the three were
identified.
Neither Stolkin, Koolish nor
Gorman could be reached for
questioning last night but indi-
viduals close to the RKO Pic-
tures' scene indicated that Stol-
kin, Koolish and Ryan have not
sold or otherwise disposed of
their individual stock holdings
in the company and, so far as
was known, have no intention
of so doing at this time.
The Wall Street Journal had pub-
lished three articles on members of the
Stolkin syndicate, devoting one apiece
to each of the three whose resigna-
tions were accepted yesterday. The
first article dealt with business activi-
ties of Koolish, going back about 20
years, and including alleged brushes
with better business bureaus, the Fed-
eral Trade Commission and other
agencies over methods of business con-
duct. The second dealt with Ryan's
alleged heavy wagering on sports and
other events and testimony in. last
year's Kefauver . Senate Crime In-
vestigating Committee hearings link-
ing him with professional gamblers
as an acquaintance of theirs.
The third article dealt with Stolkin
and repeated much of the history of
the Koolish article, due to the fact
that Stolkin had been associated with
his father-in-law in some of the busi-
ness ventures which allegedly won the
disapproval of civic and Federal
agencies.
Also reuorted to have ended
his association with RKO Pic-
tures, although the companv did
not confirm it is Sidnev Kor-
shak, Chicago attorney, who had
been appointed "labor counsel"
for the companv by the new
management. Korshak had a
part in the Stolkin syndicate's
negotiations for the purchase of
the Hughes' stock. He was
identified in the Wall Street
Journal's articles as an attorney
at one time for "Cherry Nose"
Gioe, a Chicago gangster who
was convicted of extortion for
his part in the blackmailing of
motion picture executives who
dominated projectionists' and
other industry unions in the
1930s.
Members, of the Stolkin syndicate
remaining on the RKO Pictures board
are: Edward G. Burke and Sherrill
C. Corwin, vice-president and studio
representative. Also remaining are :
Arnold Grant, chairman and chief ex-
ecutive officer William H. Clark,
treasurer ; and Gordon Youngman,
member of the Bautzer, Grant,
Youngman and Silbert law firm of
Beverly Hills.
Grant said yesterday that "It is the
intention of the board as soon as pos-
sible to fill the vacancies with men of
outstanding calibre, who will be well
qualified to represent the interests of
all stockholders of RKO. It is hoped
that this can be accomplished within
the next 10 days."
Presumably, the post of president,
when filled, will not include the chief
executive duties held by Grant, unless
he succeeds to the title and relin-
quishes.... the board chairmanship to
another:' Grant has been given com-
plete administrative authority by the
board.
Goldberg to
Assist Norton
Fred Goldberg was yesterday named
assistant publicity manager and head
of the special events unit of RKO
Radio Pictures by Kay Norton, pub-
licity manager.
Goldberg formerly was newspaper
contact for Paramount Pictures. He
resigned recently to work with the
Samuel Goldwyn organization on
"Hans Christian Andersen."
Other staff positions announced
were: Ruth Cosgrove to head the ra-
dio—TV and music department, as-
sisted by Walter Wood. Al Stern,
formerly trade paper contact, will join
Jack Lewis in the writing department.
John Springer and Betty Folker will
handle magazines. Bob Boehnel will
remain in his post as daily press con-
tact and Jerry Cooper remains in
charge of promotions. Frank Petra-
glia has been assigned to syndicate
contact and handling of class "B"
magazines.
Columbia Loan
(Continued from page 1)
the full sum to mature in five years
provides $10,000,000 in fixed credits
and $5,000,000 in open credits with
amortization of both at the rate of
10 per cent annually. The increases in
the company's borrowing facilities is
a reflection of "intensified plans for
the production of (Columbia's) future
schedule of films for worldwide dis-
tribution," the company stated.
Pittsburgh Variety
Elects a New Crew
Pittsburgh, Oct. 22.— At a meet-
ing held in the Variety Club the fol-
lowing were named as the 1953 crew
for Tent No. 1.:
Harold Lund, Carl Doser, Norman
Mervis, Sam Speranza, Bob Prince,
Elmer Ecker, Al Weiblinger, Jimmy
Klingensmith, Ray Downey, Ray-
Scott and Harry Kodinsky. They will
meet within two weeks to name of-
ficers.
Arbitration Cost
(Continued from page I)
further changes that met with dis-
tribution's approval all that would re-
main to be decided would be a for-
mula for financing.
Distributor representatives, in dis-
cussing among themselves recently the
amended draft, are understood to have
expressed the opinion that neither ex-
hibition nor distribution would want
the other to carry more than its share
of financial responsibility for an arbi-
tration system.
It was expected that the cost of
operating a system would not be ex-
cessive.
Install Theatre TV
In ChL's Telenews
Chicago, Oct. 22.— The Telenews
Theatre in the Loop here is installing
a Motiograp'h Trad large screen tele-
vision system, according to division
manager Sylvan Goldfinger. This will
bring the number of theatres in Chi-
cago with large-screen television to
six.
Name Brandt
(Continued from page 1)
career 17 years ago with Fox Thea-
tres. Following that he joined United
Artists as director of advertising, pub-
licity and exploitation for Eagle-Lion
films, and then Lopert.
ANSWER
TO YOUR
TECHNICAL
PROBLEMS . .
The Altec
Service Man and
the organisation
behind him
161 Sixth Avenue,
New York 13, N. Y.
PROTECTING THE THEATRE - FIRST PLACE IN ENTERTAINMENT
k1
HE'S OFF ■■■
THE ROXY THBTRt, H. V.1
BIGGEST MIS
^^FTJIEYERRI
L0S ANGatS-^ese L • ^
;« the Philadelphia
^ace as one!"
dates coming up- THE ,n
heading iotJ^^L
i mm
i Another .
! BIG ONE
Harry M. Popkin presents RAY MILLAND as "THE THIEF" with Martin Gabel and introducing Rita Gam j
Executive Producer Harry M. Popkin • Written for the screen by Clarence Greene & Russell Rouse • Music by | tlirU 11^ J
Uorcrhal
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
Accurate
Concise
and
Impartial
VOL. 72. NO. 81
NEW YORK, U. S. A., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1952
TEN CENTS
Tradewise . . .
By SHERWIN KANE
THE difficult and urgent task of
reorganizing RKO Radio and
restoring its operations to a
smoothly functioning and commer-
cially healthy state were interrupted
this week by forces beyond the con-
trol of management. In the resig-
nations from the board of directors
of Ralph Stolkin, A. L. Koolish and
William Gorman, and of Stolkin
from the presidency, there was a
major diversion which is of more
consequence as an immediately de-
laying factor in the re-building of a
working company than any other
influence it may exert on the future
of RKO Radio.
That is because much of the im-
mediate reorganizing work and
planning of Arnold Grant, board
chairman and chief executive offi-
cer, and his staff necessarily has
been interrupted and diverted by the
circumstances leading up to the
resignations and by the basic task
of filling the vacancies. The diver-
sion is of less consequence insofar
as the future is concerned because
none of the three, Stolkin, Koolish
and Gorman, was slated for any
vitally active role in the manage-
ment of the company.
The significance of the added
trial imposed upon the company and
Grant's management is to be meas-
ured for the most part in time lost.
It is to be assumed that the setback
will be overcome as swiftly as pos-
(Continued on page 2)
Eyssell to Head 'Andersen'
Benefit for Rogers Hospital
Technicolor Set for
3 AA Features
Hollywood, Oct. 23.— Allied Artists
and Technicolor, Inc., have completed
negotiations under which the former
obtains three Technicolor feature com-
mitments for the 1953 schedule, not
counting the previously announced
"Affair in Monte Carlo" made in
England with Associated British-
Pathe.
The three films, as announced by
president Steve Broidy, and to be made
here are "Wichita," "The Annapolis
Story" and "The Black Knight," all
under the personal supervision of
Walter Mirisch.
This marks the first time Techni-
color will be used in the history _ of
the company, in line with the studio's
new policy of upgrading product wher-
ever possible.
"Affair in Monte Carlo" stars Merle
Oberon, Richard Todd, Leo Genn and
was produced by Victor Saville.
G. S. Eyssell, president of Rocke-
feller Center, Inc., has accepted the
chairmanship of the world premiere
benefit performance of Samuel Gold-
wyn's "Hans
Christian
Andersen" for
the Variety
Clubs Will Ro-
gers Memorial
Hospital at
New York's
Criterion Thea-
tre on the .eve-
ning of Nov 24,
it was an-
nounced here
yesterday by A.
Montague, Col-
umbia Pictures
vice - president,
and president of the Memorial Hos-
Cr. S. Eyssell
pital organization.
"In establishing
the premiere, the
trustees of the Will Rogers Memorial
Hospital said it was their intention to
make this an annual event which not
only would raise money for the insti-
tution but also create a traditional
hallmark for the motion picture indus-
try," said the announcement of the
benefit performance.
"The selection of "Hans Christian
Andersen," according to the trustees,
was made because it is an American
motion picture of special merit which
carries with it a great deal of inter-
national significance," it was stated.
Eyssell has appointed the following
to the executive committee of the in-
augural Memorial Hospital premiere :
Ned E. Depinet; Montague; Joseph
Vogel, Loew's Theatres ; Harry Kal-
mine, Warner Theatres ; Leonard
Goldenson, United Paramount Thea-
tres ; Sol A. Schwartz, RKO Thea-
tres ; Al Lichtman, 20th Century-Fox ;
(Continued on page 6)
TOA Asks for
Arbitration
Meet at Once
Emerling Stresses
Promotion to Ampa
Theatre promotion provides the op-
portunity for a manager to become
better acquainted with his newspaper
editors, merchants and civic leaders,
Ernest Emerling, advertising and pro-
motion director of Loew's Theatres,
told the fifth meeting of the Associ-
ated Motion Picture Advertisers'
showmanship school last night, held at
the Woodstock Hotel.
Without the cooperation of such
persons, Emerling cautioned, the the-
(Continued on page 6)
Production Resumes
At RKO Monday
The resumption of produc-
tion at the RKO Radio studios
in Hollywood, with the sched-
uling of "Split Second" to
start on Monday, was dis-
closed here yesterday. The
picture marks the first to go
before the cameras since the
new management took over
three weeks ago.
"Split Second" will be pro-
duced by Edmund Grainger
and directed by Dick Powell.
Stars include Stephen Mc-
Nally, Alexis Smith, Jan Ster-
ling, Keith Andes and Arthur
Hunnicutt. The story is an
original by William Bowers.
Ackery, Standisch
Win QP Awards
Ivan Ackery of the Orpheum Thea-
tre, Vancouver, and A. W. Standisch
of the Kentucky Theatre in Louisville,
are the third-quarter winners of Mo-
tion Picture Herald's Managers'
Round Table "Showmanship Awards,"
as selected by Judges, Arthur Pincus,
of Loew's International Corp. ; Harry
McWilliams, AMPA president and
exploitation manager for Columbia
Pictures, and David T. Katz, execu-
tive director of the New York Roxy
Theatre. Oswaldo Leite Rocha of
Brazil was the overseas award winner.
The "Scroll of Honor" winners
were as follows :
Al Camillo, Modjeska Theatre, Mil-
(Continued on page 6)
1st Post-divorce NT
Board Meet Held
Hollywood, Oct. 23. — The first
meeting of the board of directors of
National Theatres, Inc., since its di-
vorcement from 20th Century-Fox
postponed consideration of declaration
of a dividend until the next meeting.
Earle G. Hines of New York, who
lately retired as board chairman of
General Precision Equipment Corp.
and who was for 18 years on the
board of Wesco Theatres Corp., the
principal subsidiary of National Thea-
tres, Inc., was made a board member.
In addition to the president, Charles
P. Skouras, the following directors
(Continued on page 6)
Has 'a Few' Changes In
Draft to Suggest: Starr
Alfred Starr, Theatre Owners
of America president, yesterday in
a statement to the press called on
all parties to the planning for arbi-
tration to set
up forthwith a
meeting at
which consider-
ation could be
given to ' ' a
few" changes
TOA would
like to make in
the existing ar-
bitration draft.
Regarding
the draft as
amended by
d i stributors,
Starr said that
"with the ex-
ception of a few matters which we
feel will need changing, the basic me-
chanics of operation and the substance
have remained almost intact."
Starr, here from Nashville, was
(Continued on page 6)
Alfred Starr
Allied May Suggest
ConciliationChanges
Allied, at its national convention in
Chicago next month, "very likely"
will approve the arbitration draft as
amended by the distributors, but may
offer suggestions for changes designed
to strengthen and clarify the concilia-
tion provisions of the plan, according
to reports of opinions held by Allied
members in various parts of the
country.
In the view of these members, the
draft as submitted by the distributors
(Continued on page 6)
2 More TOA Units
Okay Arbitration
Two more Theatre Owners of
America units have indicated they en-
dorse and approve the plan of arbitra-
tion ultimately to be agreed upon and
approved by TOA or by the TOA
arbitration committee.
The two are the Theatre Owners
of Albany, N. Y., and the Motion Pic-
(Continued on page 6)
2
Motion Picture Daily
Friday, October 24, 1952
Personal
Mention
TAMES A. MULVEY, president
«J of Samuel Goldwyn Productions,
left here for the Coast last night,
o
Irving Sochin, Universal short
subjects sales manager, will leave
New York for Des Moines on Sun-
day on the first stop of a three week
trip to the company's Midwestern and
Western branch offices. After a visit
to the studio, he will return here
around Nov. 17.
•
James M. Connolly, 20th Century-
Fox branch manager in Boston, has
been named chairman of the motion
picture distribution division of the
1952 Greater Boston Community Fund
of the Red Feather campaign,
e
Dore Schary, M-G-M vice-presi-
dent in charge of production, and
Howard Strickling, studio publicity
head, will leave here for the Coast
Sunday, Schary by train and Strick-
ling by plane.
•
Mrs. Leonard Liss, the former
Sylvia Gold, secretary to Louis
Brandt of Brandt Theatres, gave
birth yesterday to a boy, James
David, at Brooklyn Jewish Hospital.
•
M. L. Simons, assistant to H. M.
Richey, M-G-M exhibitor relations
head, returned here yesterday from
the Jacksonville convention of the
Motion Picture Exhibitors of Florida.
•
Patsy Kellenberger and Char-
lyne Brown of the M-G-M exchange
in Atlanta will this month marry
Bobby Ferris and Lynwood Roberts,
respectively.
Robert Newhook, formerly with
Loew's Boston theatres, has been ap-
pointed director of public relations for
the Dade County Community Chest of
Florida, with headquarters in Miami.
•
Abram F. Myers, Allied general
counsel, was in New York yesterday
following his attendance at the recent
Michigan Allied convention in De-
troit.
John Davis, managing director of
the J. Arthur Rank Organization,
London, has returned to New York
after visiting Toronto and Chicago.
•
W. Gillespie Milwain, . National
Theatre Supply manager in New
Haven, has returned there from a
Kentucky vacation.
•
Thelma Chasin of the 20th Cen-
tury-Fox exchange in New Haven,
has become engaged to Gil Stricker.
•
Al Lewin, M-G-M producer, left
here for the Coast yesterday.
Sunny Greenwood is the new Uni-
versal booker in Jacksonville, Fla.,
replacing Jon Rogers.
•
Harry Colburn, Columbia home
office representative, is in San Fran-
cisco from New York.
Italian Film Exports And
Production Have Increased
Exportation of Italian films has in-
creased 683.4 percent since 1946 with
62 countries now distributing Italian
product, compared to 16 in '46, and
film production almost quadrupled,
from 32 in 1945 to 112 in 1951, accord-
ing to "The Italian Motion Picture
Industry — 1952," an 18-page brochure
on all phases of the Italian post-war
film industry just issued by Italian
Films Export. It is available for
distribution to exhibitors, distributors,
libraries, universities and the press.
Jonas Rosenfield, Jr., IFE public re-
lations director here, edited the bro-
chure and Dr. Leandro Forno, head of
IFE's bureau of information, did the
research for what is reputedly the first
compilation of such data to be pub-
lished here.
Production figures show a steady in-
crease. For 1952 it is estimated 130
films will be completed. At present,
180 firms are producing films.
Italian imports declined 50 per cent
from 1947 to 1951; 790 films were
given permits in 1947 and only 342
last year. Over the same period, box-
office grosses in the 2,000 regular mo-
tion picture theatres, plus the 5,300
houses which exhibit films twice a
week or less, increased approximately
$45,000,000, to a total of $117,000,000.
The report also notes the increase
in government-encouraged, bi-national
co-productions combining Italian and
foreign capital and talent.
Tradewise . . .
(Continued from page 1)
sible, very likely in less time than
the 10 days the company has indi-
cated.
It is to be hoped that despite its
extraordinary trials in recent
weeks, RKO Radio will emerge from
this critical period stronger because
of them. Evidence that that is the
wish of every branch of the indus-
try is to be found on all sides.
There is widespread regret over the
company's tribulations, delaying its
quick return to the business of mak-
ing and marketing good product.
There is a sincere desire to help it
overcome its setbacks and to see it
solidly on its feet again.
Morale within the company is
good and was wholly unaffected by
this week's resignations from the
board, because the working people
of RKO Radio are fully aware that
the future of the company depends
less on who sits on its board than
it does on how well each and every
employee performs his daily tasks.
They know, as Grant said, the
vacancies will be filled "as soon as
possible with men of outstanding
calibre who will be well qualified
to represent the interests of all
stockholders of RKO."
. Meanwhile, there is work to be
done and they are hard at it.
More N. J. Houses
In Rogers Project
The enlistment of 87 theatres of
Allied Theatre Owners of New Jersey
in the Will Rogers Memorial collec-
tion-can-on-candy-stand project, was
disclosed here by William Phillips,
Loew's division manager. This brings
New Jersey representation in the plan
above 50 per cent of the state's 330
theatres.
E. D. Martin, head of Martin The-
atres in Georgia, Alabama, Florida
and Tennessee, has notified J. R.
Vogel, chairman of the collection-can
projects, that his 103 theatres have
joined the campaign. Also in the
South, M. A. Lightman's 36 Malco
theatres in the Memphis area joined
up.
In Chicago, David Wallerstein re-
ported that Chicago theatres had en-
dorsed the plan. Jack Rose was named
city chairman of the project. The
first batch of Chicago theatres to send
in an official list was the Balaban and
Katz and the Great States circuits,
for a total of 94 theatres.
Legion Report Puts
4 Films in Class A
The Legion of Decency has placed
four films in Class A. In Class A,
Section I are "Blue Canadian Rock-
ies," Columbia ; "Desperadoes Out-
post," Republic, and "It Grows on
Trees," Universal. In Section II is
M-G-M's "Everything I Have Is
Yours."
H. Eager, 'Traveler'
Film Editor, Dies
Boston, Oct. 23. — Helen Eager, mo-
tion picture and drama editor of the
Boston Traveler, died here today in
the Phillips House of the Massachu-
setts General Hospital, where she en-
tered a few days ago. Miss Eager
became film editor of the Traveler in
1927.
She is survived by a brother, Henry,
and her stepfather, George F. Bond.
Leah Astor Rites Today
Leah Astor, wife of Louis Astor,
Columbia Pictures executive, died yes-
terday at her Mt. Vernon home. Ser-
vices will be held this afternoon at
2:45 at the Park West Memorial
Chapel. She is also survived by two
sons, Gerald and Burton.
SEG Supports SAG
Hollywood, Oct. 23. — The Screen
Extras Guild board today voted to
support the Screen Actors Guild in
breaking off negotiations with the
American Association of Advertising
Agencies and New York film pro-
ducers over the issue of added pay-
ments to actors for the reuse of tele-
vised film commercials.
So. Dakota Tax
May Hit Theatres
South Dakota's State Legis-
lative Research Council has
recommended that if addi-
tional revenue is needed, the
sales tax be broadened to in-
clude amusements and other
items now exempt.
Budget requests leave no
doubt that additional reve-
nues will be sought by the
State when the 1953 legisla-
ture convenes.
'Limelight' Bows to
Good Business
Charles Chaplin's "Limelight" U.S.
premiere opened to good business at
the Astor and the two-a-day Trans-
Lux 60th Street theatres here yester-
day. At the Astor, where a continu-
ous run policy is in force, a nice $17,-
000 was estimated up to 6:00 P.M.
Business at the Trans-Lux 60th Street
was near capacity, with $1,400 racked
up for the day. The maximum which
the theatre could gross under the two-
a-day policy is $1,575.
NCCJ Drive Meet
Set for Wednesday
Plans for industry participation in
the next annual campaign of the Na-
tional Conference of Christians and
Jews will be discussed at a luncheon-
meeting next Wednesday at the Wal-
dorf-Astoria, called by J. Robert Ru-
bin of Loew's.
George Skouras, industry chairman
for the 1952 NCCJ campaign, will
make a report at the meeting.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center
MARIO LANZA in
"BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE"
introducing DORETTA MORROW
Color by TECHNICOLOR ■ An M-G-M Picture
plus
SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION
M
Springfield
RHIE
Midnight F.oiu<*
Nightly
Susan HAY WARD — Robert M1TCHUM
Arthur KENNEDY— Arthur HUNNICUTT
The LUSTY MEN
CRITERION anRd°45°Wst
Distributed by RKO RADIO PICTURES
MOTION PICTURE DATT.Y. Martin Ouigley. Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane. Editor: Terrv Ramsaye, Consulting Editor. Published daily, except Saturdays.
Sundays and holidays, bv Quigley Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue. Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco.
New York." Martin Quisrlev, President; Martin Quiglev, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J.
Brady, Secretary; James P. Cunningham, News Editor'; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca- Vine
Building, William R. Weaver. Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley Advertising Representative, Fl 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11
North Clark Street, FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club. Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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; International Motion Picture 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
(4
HAPPY
It started with Columbus Day
BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE
Mario Lanza in "Because You're Mine" introducing Doretta Morrow
with James Whitmore; color by Technicolor; screen play by
Karl Tunberg and Leonard Spigelgass; based on a story
by Ruth Brooks Flippen and Sy Gomberg; directed by
Alexander Hall; produced by Joe Pasternak
For a bountiful Thanksgiving
PLYMOUTH ADVENTURE
"Plymouth Adventure" starring Spencer Tracy, Gene Tiemey,
Van Johnson, Leo Genn, with Dawn Addams, Lloyd Bridges;
color by Technicolor; screen play by Helen Deutsch;
from the novel by Ernest Gebler; directed by
Clarence Brown; produced by Dore Schary
For a Merry Xmas
MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID
"Million Dollar Mermaid" starring Esther Williams, Victor
Mature, Walter Pidgeon, David Brian with Donna Corcoran;
color by Technicolor; screen play by Everett Freeman;
directed by Mervyn LeRoy; produced by Arthur Hornblow, Jr.
rr
For a Happy New Year
THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
Lana Turner, Kirk Douglas, Walter Pidgeon, Dick Powell in "The
Bad and The Beautiful" co-starring Barry Sullivan, Gloria
Grahame, Gilbert Roland with Leo G. Carroll, Vanessa Brown;
screen play by Charles Schnee; based on a story by George
Bradshaw; directed by Vincente Minnelli;
produced by John Houseman
ff
IT'S ALWAYS "HOLIDAY" BUSINESS WHEN YOU PLAY M-G-Mi
More Holiday Playing Time In
And Paramount Has The Picturi
• - — -" ™
1
4
Election Day
Thanksgiving Day
V
BING CROSBY • BOB HOPE • DOROTH
THEIR NEWEST AND FUNNIEST "ROAE^
vember Than Any Other Month
That Can Cash In On It Best!
1M0UR m ROAD TO BALI
I0W! FIRST IN Color by TECHNICOLOR.
6
Motion Picture Daily
Friday, October 24, 1952
TOA Asks
(Continued from page 1)
Reviews
scheduled to depart today for Mem-
phis to attend conventions of the Ten-
nessee Theatre Owners Association
and the Tennessee, Mississippi and
Arkansas Theatres Association. It
could not be learned yesterday
whether he had or would file a for-
mal request with Arbitration Confer-
ence officials for the meeting TOA is
seeking.
The TOA president's statement dis-
closed that "the available members of
the TOA arbitration committee have
discussed the arbitration plan as ap-
proved by distribution and submitted
to TOA." He added that as to the
"few matters" TOA would like to
change "and as to the suggestions
made by our membership from the
floor of our recent annual convention,
we of TOA stand ready for a call
for group analysis, stud)' and dis-
cussion."
Starr continued : "We feel confident
as we felt right along that based on
previous drafting history no major
obstacles will stand in the way of in-
dustry acceptance of the plan. We call
on all parties in interest to give the
subject immediate attention whether
it be by convening of the (10-mem-
ber) drafting committee or of the en-
tire industry arbitration conference."
Allied States Association also has
received a copy of the distributor-
amended draft and has made plans to
discuss and act on it at the organiza-
tion's national convention in Chicago,
Nov. 17-19. The other smaller ex-
hibitor associations likewise have been
supplied with copies of the draft, but
have not yet acted on the document
N. E. Representatives
Set for Allied Meet
Boston, Oct. 23. — The Independent
Exhibitors of New England reports
that the following members will rep-
resent it at the annual convention of
national Allied 'to be held in Chicago
next month :
Norman Classman, president ; Nate
Yamins, national delegate ; Theodore
Rosenblatt, Melvin Safner and Meyer
Stanzler of Rhode Island, Walter
Littlefield and Julian Rifkin of
Massachusetts, Kenneth Forkey of
Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Accompanying the representatives will
be Ray Feeley, business manager of
the organization.
"The Black Castle
( U nivcr sal-International)
AS THE TITLE INDICATES, this is a melodrama about the frightening
violent events that occur in the castle of horrors of a crafty but vicious
Count far from the realms of justice. In this case Stephen McNally is the
thoroughly hateful one-eyed villain to whose castle Richard Greene goes
seeking word about two tormer soldier friends, whom he rightfully believes
have been murdered by McNally. This is a solidly made, creditably per-
formed "meller" that can be ably exploited.
Boris Karloff is on hand as a doctor and confidant of McNally s attractive
wife Paula Corday, and Lon Chaney, Jr. stomps around the castle as a mute
muscle man of McNally's. Nathan Juran directed this neat William Alland
production and has pointed up the mysterious atmosphere in all possible ways,
besides heavy, creaking doors the action includes the usual sudden entrances
and exits, foreboding looks, an underground jail, an alligator pit, and a con-
siderable amount of sword-play. . . u ,T „ ,
The story and screenplay by Jerry Sackheim eventually explains McJNallys
evil as due to the loss of an eye he suffered while trying to take over some
African territory. His effort was foiled by Greene-led natives. Greene gets
evidence of the murder of his friends but returns to the castle when Miss
Corday with whom he is in love, is imprisoned after admitting her love for
Greene in order to hide his true identity from McNally. Greene is captured
and he and Miss Corday are given a drug by Karloff that makes them appear
dead. Although McNally discovers this plan, Greene and Miss Corday escape
interment in coffins with the aid of a loyal servant ; McNally is kil ed.
In the supporting cast are Michael Pate, ludor Owen, Otto Waldis, John
Hoyt and rienry Corden.
Running time, 81 minutes. General audience classification. For December
release. Walter Pashkin
"The Promoter"
(Universal-International)
ALEC GUINNESS reputedly is one of the strongest box-office attractions
that the British screen has to offer American patrons with a taste for
sophisticated comedy and subtle characterizations and his latest film is a
highly entertaining comedy. It is a droll tale of the blithe daring by which
Guinness starts out as a solicitor's clerk and rises up the ladder of social and
business success that is in the excellent tradition of his Kind Hearts and
Coronets " "The Lavender Hill Mob," and "The Man in he White Suit.
Undoubtedly, this J. Arthur Rank presentation will be well received at the
art houses, and it has general release potentialities too.
Glynis Johns and Valerie Hobson are charming and turn m good perform-
ances as two of the main women in Guinness' life. Miss Hobson, a Countess
who is instrumental in his rise, sponsors a ball and clerk Guinness, mailing
the invitations, sends one to himself. He establishes various contacts at the
ball in a thoroughly amusing manner. Miss Johns is a dancing instructress
also seeking a fortune. Guinness is enamored of her, but she leaves him for
a wealthy man. In later years she returns to a financially successful Guinness
but he ignores her and chooses her friend, Petula Clark instead
This is a Ronald Neame production that was produced by John Bryan and
directed by Neame from an Eric Ambler screenplay. Included in the support
are Edward Chapman, Veronica Turleigh, George Devine, Gibb McLaughlin,
Frank PetLgell Joan Hickson, Michael Hordern, Alison Leggatt, Peter
C°£n?n^ General audience classification. October release.
Eyssell Heads
(Continued from page 1)
Fred Schwartz, Century Circuit; Si
H. Fabian, Fabian Theatres ; Richard
Walsh, IATSE; Arthur Schwartz,
composer; Walter Vincent, theatrical
executive ; Herman Robbins, National
Screen Service, and Maurice Berg-
man, Universal Pictures, who will
also serve as publicity chairman.
Goldwyn, who is contributing the
motion picture for the premiere, made
the following comment on the work
of the organization :
"I started Will Rogers on his film
career by giving him his first job in
motion pictures. Naturally, _ I would
feel very close to any charitable or-
ganization bearing his name. But
more than that, I think it is very im-
portant that the motion picture indus-
try take care of its own. I hope this
event will call attention to the fine
work the Will Rogers Memorial Hos-
pital is doing and the urgent need of
its continual support by our people."
Charles B. Moss, executive director
of the Criterion, is donating the facili-
ties of the theatre for the premiere.
Now in its 27th year of service, the
Will Rogers Memorial Hospital at
Saranac Lake is dedicated to the re-
lief of suffering of tuberculosis free
to anyone in the entertainment indus-
try. The hospital, which has main-
tained an average of more than 90
per cent in cures, is building up a
modern and highly-specialized re-
search laboratory to aid in the pre-
vention and cure of tuberculosis.
Officers of the Rogers Hospital, be-
sides Montague, are: R. J. O'Donnell,
chairman of the board; Chick Lewis,
executive vice-president ; Walsh, vice-
president ; Harry Brandt, vice-presi-
dent; Robert Mochrie, vice-president;
Robbins, vice-president; Max A. Co-
hen, secretary, and Fabian, treasurer.
NT Board Meet
(Continued from page 1)
were elected to the finance committee :
General B. F. Giles, U.S.A. retired,
Earle G. Hines, Willard Keith, Rich-
ard W. Millar, John B. Bertero and
H. C. Cox.
Party for Huntz Hall
Allied Artists will give, a cocktail
party today at the Warwick Hotel for
Huntz Hall, star of the "Bowery Boy"
series, who will make his TV debut
on Milton Berle's show on Tuesday.
Allied May Suggest
(Continued from page 1)
is substantially the same document
which Abram F. Myers, Allied general
counsel, drew up following meetings
of the industry lawyers' drafting com-
mittee. Myers wrote that draft on the
basis of recommendations made by
himself and the other attorneys.
The distribution attorneys and sales
managers, meeting subsequently, made
in the Myers draft what are generally
regarded as minor changes "here and
there" in phrasing, punctuation, etc.
It is understood that if the Allied
board and convention next month
recommends changes in the draft's
format for conciliation, it will do so
on the basis of the organization's long
experience in the conciliation of trade
practice problems and disputes with
distributors. The Allied film commit-
tee, for which Wilbur Snaper, Allied
president, serves as coordinator in
New York, has for a number of years
engaged in conciliation activity. Re-
cently, however, the committee has
found the distributors increasing diffi-
cult to deal with and may take "dras-
tic" steps in this connection, according
to a recent statement by Snaper.
TOA Units Okay
(Continued from page 1)
ture Owners of St. Louis, Eastern
Missouri and Southern Illinois. TOA
headquarters here yesterday announced
their action.
Earlier this week the Motion Pic-
ture Exhibitors of Florida (TOA) an-
nounced at its convention in Jackson-
ville that it "endorses and approves"
whatever arbitration plan TOA ulti-
mately sanctions.
'Snows' Tops 'David'
Darryl F. Zanuck's "The Snows of
Kilimanjaro," now in its sixth week
at the Rivoli Theatre here, beat the
record mark of "David and Bath-
sheba's" fifth week with a gross of
$45,(X)0, it was revealed yesterday by
the theatre's Montague Salmon.
'Promoter' Benefit Show
A special benefit premiere of "The
Promoter," J. Arthur Rank comedy
starring Alec Guinness, Valerie Hob-
son, Glynis Johns and Petula Clark,
will be held at the Fine Arts Theatre
here on Monday evening, under the
auspices of the Fresh Air Fund.
QP Awards
(Continued from page 1)
waukee; Rod Gurr, Sydney, Austra-
lia; Sidney Kleper, College Theatre,
New Haven; Vic Nowe, Hyland
Theatre, Toronto; Jack Sidney, Cen-
tury Theatre, Baltimore ; D. V. Simp-
son, Metro Theatre, Johannesburg,
South Africa, and Jerry B. Walden,
Crest Theatre, Seagoville, Texas.
The judges, who have served on
previous panels, observed that there
were more fine campaigns in this
quarter than usual.
Emerling Stresses
(Continued from page 1)
atre manager has little chance of suc-
cess. Emerling's observations cov-
ered the four facets of theatre promo-
tion, including promotion inside the
theatre, away from the theatre, news-
paper publicity and newspaper adver-
tising.
Other speakers were Seymour
Morris, advertising director of the
Schine Circuit, and Al Floersheimer,
chairman of the program and adver-
tising-publicity-exploitation manager
of Walter Reade Theatres.
THE SAN FRANCISCO
TRADE SHOWING OF
"MONTANA BELLE"
will take place at the Fox San Francisco
Exchange at 3:00 P.M., Tuesday, Oct. 28,
and not at 2:00 P.M., as announced pre-
viously.
RKO RADIO PICTURES, Inc.
When 1fcu fleetfa
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Film coating, for example, lubrication,
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On subjects such as these — ranging
from choice of film to projection and
film storage- — representatives of the
Eastman Technical Service for
Motion Picture Film are trained to advise
and work with the industry.
To maintain this service, the Eastman
Kodak Company has branches at strategic
centers ... invites inquiry on all phases
of film use from all members of the
industry. 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, 137 North Wabash Avenue,
Chicago 2, Illinois. West Coast
Division, 6706 Santa Monica Blvd.,
Hollywood 38, California.
Pie asure-
lome
scarlet symbol of history's most sin-swept
era ...comes to wicked life again !
GABRIEL PASCAL BERNARD SHAW'S
ANDROCLES
AND THE LION
JEAN SIMMONS VICTOR MATURE
ROBERT NEWTON • MAURICE EVANS
and AlAN YOUNG as Androcles
Produced by GABRIEL PASCAL
Directed by CHESTER ERSKINE
Screen Adaptation by
CHESTER ERSKINE and KEN ENGLUND
TRADE SHOWINGS
ALBANY
Fox Screening Room
1052 Broadway
ATLANTA
RKO Screening Room
195 Luckie St. N. W.
BOSTON
RKO Screening Room
122-28 Arlington St.
BUFFALO
Mo. Pic. Oper. Scr. Rm.
498 Pearl Street
CHARLOTTE
:rFox Screening Room
'308 S. Church Street
CHICAGO
RKO Screening Room
1300 S. W.abash Ave.
CINCINNATI
Palace Screening Rm.
12 East 6th Street
CLEVELAND
Fox Screening Room
2219 Payne Avenue
DALLAS
Paramount Scr. Rm.
412 S. Harwood Street
DENVER
Paramount Scr. Rm.
2100 Stout Street
D1S MOINES
Fox Screening Room
1300 High Street
Tues. 10/28 12:30 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 10:30 A.M.
Tues. 10/28 2:30 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 10:30 A.M.
Tues. 10/28 3:20 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 11:00 A.M.
Tues. 10/28 9:30 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 10:30 A.M.
Tues. 10/28 10:30 A.M.
Tues. 10/28 3:30 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 10:30 A.M.
DETROIT
Blumenthals Scr. Rm.
2310 Cass Avenue
INDIANAPOLIS
Universal Scr. Room
517 N. Illinois St.
KANSAS CITY
Paramount Scr. Rm.
1800 Wyandotte St.
LOS ANGELES
RKO Screening Room
1980 S. Vermont Ave.
MEMPHIS
Fox Screening Room
151 Vance Avenue
MILWAUKEE
Warner Screen. Rm.
212 W. Wisconsin Ave.
MINNEAPOLIS
Fox Screening Room
1015 Currie Avenue
NEW HAVEN
Fox Screening Room
40 Whiting Street
NEW ORLEANS
Fox Screening Room
200 S. Liberty Street
MEW YORK
RKO Screening Room
630 Ninth Avenue
Tues.. 10/28 12:30 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 2:30 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 2:30 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 10:30 A.M.
Tues. 10/28 2:30 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 10:30 A.M.
Tues. 10/28 2:50 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 3:30 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 2:30 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 11 :00 A.M.
OKLAHOMA
Fox Screening Room
10 North Lee Street
OMAHA
Fox Screening Room
1502 Davenport St.
PHILADELPHIA
RKO Screening Room
250 North 13th Street
PITTSBURGH
RKO Screening Room
1809-13 Blvd. of Allies
PORTLAND
Star Screening Room
925 N. W. 19th Ave.
ST. LOUIS
RKO Screening Room
3143 Olive Street
SALT LAKE CITY
Fox Screening Room
216 E. 1st St. South
SAN FRANCISCO
Fox Screening Room
245 Hyde Street
SEATTLE
jewel Box Scr. Rm.
2318 Second Ave.
WASHINGTON
Film Center Scr. Rm.
932 New Jersey Ave.
Tues. 10/28 2:30 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 10:30 A.M.
Tues. 10/28 10:30 A.M.
Tues. 10/28 3:00 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 10:30 A.M.
Tues. 10/28 2:00 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 3:00 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 1:00 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 2:30 P.M.
Tues. 10/28 10:30 A.M.
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
VOL. 72. NO. 82
NEW YORK, U. S. A., MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1952
TEN CENTS
Salesmen Will
Skip Raise for
More Expenses
Prefer Higher Allowance
For Costs to More Wages
Minneapolis, Oct. 26.— Expense
allowance increases rather than
wage raises will be the goal of the
Colosseum of Motion Picture Sales-
men of America in the negotiations
which will be held this winter for new
contracts effective next February, it
was learned here at the weekend.
The 1,000-member Colosseum,
apparently willing to forego
wage increases if higher ex-
pense allowances can be won,
will hold its annual convention
in Atlanta on Nov. 21-23. It re-
mains to be seen whether the
expenses -over -wages approach
will prevail when the subject
comes up at the convention. At
any rate, this approach appears
to represent the consensus of
the Colosseum membership at
this time.
The Colosseum members now re-
( Continued on page 3)
Five Myths About Industry
\Are Scored by Arthur Mayer
Five misconceptions or "myths" concerning the motion picture indus-
try were listed by Arthur L. Mayer, former executive vice-president of
the Council of Motion Picture Organizations on Saturday in an address
before the Women's Press Club at the Hotel Statler here.
. Mayer's address was the second he
has made recently for COMPO in be-
half of the industry. He spoke sev-
eral days previously before the Film
Council of Springfield, Mass.
The beliefs that Mayer attacked
Saturday were: (1) that the public is
hungry for mature pictures with mes-
sages but is deprived of them by un-
educated Hollywood "tycoons," _ (2)
that the motion picture industry is on
the verge of bankruptcy, (3) that it is
now being replaced in the affections
of the American people by television,
(4) that foreign films are superior to
(Continued on page 3)
RKO Radio's Grant
Named for MPAA
Switow Completes
Rogers Fund Group
The national exhibitors committee
which will spark this year's "Christ-
mas Salute" to aid the Will Rogers
Memorial Hospital, has been com-
pleted, it was disclosed at the weekend
by Sam J. Switow, national exhibitor
committee chairman, of Louisville,
through the Rogers drive headquarters
here. The committee follows :
Albany, Saul Ullman ; Atlanta, E.
E. Whitaker and John W. Harrell ;
(Continued on page 3)
Arnold M. Grant, chairman of the
board of RKO Pictures, was elected
a member of the executive committee
of the Motion Picture Association of
America on
Friday. He be-
comes the rep-
resentative of
that company in
MPAA, suc-
ceeding Ned E.
Depinet, former
RKO Pictures
president.
In announcing
Grant's election,
Eric Johnston,
MPAA presi-
dent and chair-
man, said :
"It is a pleas-
ure to welcome Mr. Grant to our ex-
(Continued on Page 3)
Arnold Grant
O'Donnell Tribute
On Air, In Print
Dallas, Oct. 26.— The life story ot
R. J. O'Donnell, circuit operator and
Texas COMPO executive, will be
narrated by Evelyn Oppenheimer on
radio station WFAA, Dallas, next
Sunday. Miss Oppenheimer is also
preparing a Saturday Evening Post
feature story using additional details
of O'Donnell's life.
She will further expand this mate-
rial and form the basis of a book-
(Continued on page 3)
'Movie Guide' in
N.Y. Sunday 'News'
Beginning with next Sunday's
News, a "Movie Guide" classified di-
rectory will appear listing the pro-
grams for the entire following week
at Metropolitan New York theatres,
it was disclosed here by the Independ-
ent Theatre Owners Association. Its
business promotion committee set the
arrangements as it did with the New
York Post and the New York Daily
Mirror.
The listing in the News will have a
(Continued on page 3)
Schlanger to Lead
'Showmanship' Meet
Philadelphia, Oct. 26. — Ted
Schlanger,. Warner Theatres Phila-
delphia zone manager, will preside at
a meeting of 120 of the circuits' man-
agers and field
and home office r ■ * _____
executives, to
be held Tues-
day and Wed-
nesday at the
Bellevue- Strat-
ford Hotel.
Harry Kal-
mine, president
and general
manager of
Warner Thea-
tres, will head
a delegation of
home office ex-
ecutives from
New York and will address the meet-
ing. He will be accompanied by Ben
(Continued on Page 3)
Pre-Election
Tax Repeal
Effort Urged
Cole, McGee Bidding for
Pressure on Candidates
All state and Congressional dis-
trict committees in the industry's
national tax repeal campaign were
urged at the weekend by H. A.
Cole and Pat McGee, campaign co-
chairmen, to make special efforts be-
fore Election Day, Nov. 4, to hold
meetings between Congressional can-
didates anl exhibitors for discussion of
repeal.
"These meetings," according to a
statement issued by the co-chairmen
through the Council of Motion Pic-
ture Organizations office here, "should .
be arranged so that several exhibitors,
especially those smaller exhibitors who
are in distress, can meet the Congres-
sional candidate and tell him their
story."
The chairmen said they have found
it is not enough for one exhibitor,
however important he may be, to talk
to a Congressman on the subject.
"Indeed," Cole and McGee went on,
(Continued on page 3)
Wometco's Capitol
Now a TV Station
Miami, Oct. 26.— Wometco
Theatres' Capitol, pioneer
motion picture showplace of
this area, has been converted
into a complete television
plant for station WTVJ-TV.
Mitchell Wolfson, former
Theatre Owners of America
president, is president and
co-owner of the station.
Opening ceremonies for the
plant will be held Nov. 5-15.
Ted Schlanger
No Myers Comment
On Arbitration
Washington, Oct. 26.— Abram F.
Myers, general counsel of Allied
States Association, said over the week-
end that it would probably be some
time before he could comment on the
revised arbitration draft "or anything
connected with it."
Myers said he had just returned
from out i of town and had not as yet
read the new draft. When he read it,
he said, he would go over it "with a
(Continued on page 3)
Theatres in Compo
Rise to 13,000
The number of theatres which have
become members in the Council of
Motion Picture Organizations has
jumped from 11,695 to approximately
13,000 in the past week, it was re-
vealed here at the weekend.
COMPO officials are said to expect
that there will be no let up in filings
for membership and payment of dues
until virtually the entire potential of
theatres in the U. S. has joined. The
organization is in process of determin-
ing exactly what that potential was.
Costs Up, Receipts
Down — Taxes Hurt
Jackson, Miss., Oct. 26.—
Pointing up the necessity of
repealing the Federal 20 per
cent admission tax, in order
to keep theatres open, the
Mississippi Theatre Owners
notes that there has been a
20 per cent rise in the cost of
theatre operation and a 22
per cent drop in gross re-
ceipts.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, October 27, 1952
Personal
Mention
ARNOLD PICKER, executive
vice-president of RKO Radio, is
scheduled to arrive here from Europe
by boat tomorrow.
•
Mrs. Henry Dawson, associate
director of community relations of the
Motion Picture Association of Amer-
ica will speak on "The Movies and
Their Public" tonight at the New
School for Social Research here.
•
Norman Barnett, vice-president
of Barnett International Forwarders,
Inc., will return here today from Eu-
rope aboard the S.-S". Constitution-
•
Max E. Youngstein, United Art-
■ ists vice-president, arrived in New
York from Europe by plane last Fri-
day.
•
Dick Cook, head of the motion pic-
ture department of Pictorial Review,
will return here today from Boston.
•
Wesley Baily, promotion manager
of Good Housekeeping magazine,_ left
here over the weekend for Miami.
Theatre TV Hearings May
End Today or Tomorrow
Washington, Oct. 26. — The first phase of the theatre television
hearings will probably wind up tomorrow or Tuesday, according- to
Motion Picture Association of America and National Exhibitors Theatre
Television committee attorneys, who are presenting the industry's case
to the Commission.
'Moulin Rouge' for
Easter '53 Release
"Moulin Rouge," made abroad by
John Huston for United Artists re-
lease at Eastertime in 1953, will open
at the Los Angeles Wilshire Theatre
on Dec. 26 in order to be eligible for
the Academy Award, it was revealed
Friday by the film's star, Jose Ferrer,
who also has a profit-sharing arrange-
ment on the picture.
Ferrer expects his working relation-
ship with John Huston to resolve
shortly into a partnership for the
making of "Matador," the Barnaby
Conrad novel, in Technicolor, in
Spain, in May. No release deal has
been made as yet. Ferrer plans a
public appearance tour with "Rouge"
similar to his efforts for "Cyrano."
The actor revealed Huston had been
responsible for an altered shooting
process in Technicolor which attains
hitherto unachieved affects while
working on a film.
WNBC Runs Film
'Plugs' on Saturdays
Station WNBC, key radio station
of the National Broadcasting network,
on Saturday began presenting spot an-
nouncements during the afternoon foot-
ball broadcasts, to run weekly, to pro-
mote movie - going generally and
recommend outstanding films to lis-
teners. This is in furtherance of the
mutual promotion pact with the Or-
ganization of. the Motion Picture In-
dustry of the City of New York.
Theatres in the Metropolitan area
will display specially prepared posters
and exhibit special trailers urging
theatre audiences to listen to Sketch
Henderson's programs on WNBC and
WNBT for recommended films
It was thought the hearings
would run for two weeks, but
the postponement of cross-ex-
amination until January and an
apparent Commission desire for
a speedy wind-up of the en-
gineering and accounting phase
of the hearing account for the
early closing date.
At one point in last week's final
session it seemed likely that there
might be cross - examination, when
Ernest D. North, general attorney for
the long lines division of the Ameri-
can Telephone, and Telegraph Co.,
asked chairman Walker to delay the
admission of three MPAA-NETTC
exhibits dealing with theatre televi-
sion cost information.
In the course of the hearing 22 ex-
hibits have been accepted without ob-
jection, but when these three were
offered North declared that AT and
T would like to study them carefully
and asked that Walker postpone ad-
mitting them until after cross-ex-
amination in January.
James Fly, MPAA attorney, sug-
gested that Stuart Bailev and Frank
Mcintosh MPAA-NETTC engineers
who had offered and discussed the_ ex-
hibits in question, be cross-examined
on them immediately, but Walker
granted North's request and post-
poned admission of the cost exhibits
until the January portion of the hear-
ing.
The Mcintosh and Bailey cost
figures were broken down into minute
details for inter-and intra-city theatre
television transmission, covering items
for each point on the relay system
which ranged from the cost of land
to the cost of gasoline for maintenance
trucks. The figures will be totalled
and correlated on Monday, MPAA-
NETTC attorneys said, when cost
expert Manfred K. Toeppen will take
the. stand. Only remaining witness in
the hearing will be John W. Clark,
tube expert.
Earlier in the session the Commis-
sion heard brief but technically de-
tailed descriptions of three methods of
theatre television projection. Richard
Hodgson described the film storage
method; Skipwith W. Athey, the
direct projection method; and Earl
Sponable, the Eidophor system. Spon-
able also detailed a series of cross-
polarization tests in relation to con-
serving available space on the spec-
trum.
To: Anonymous 'RKO
Radio Employee'
Motion Picture Daily does not
publish anonymous letters nor
obscenities. Otherwise its col-
umns are open to the expression
of individual opinions such as
yours. If you will reveal your
identity, which will be kept in
confidence if you prefer, your
letter will be published subject
only to deletions required by
good taste and Postal Regula-
tions. Ed.
Newsreel
Parade
Joseph Leaving
Publicity Post
John Joseph, M-G-M's Eastern pub-
licity manager, has resigned. He will
relinquish his
post at the end
of the year but
will probably
leave the M-G-
M home office
before that time
for a vacation.
Joseph has
been with M-
G-M for about
four years, go-
ing to the or-
ganization from
Universal,
where he had
been national
director of ad-
vertising and publicity for 12 years.
The chief factor in his leaving M-G-M
was his wish — and that of his family
— to live in Los Angeles, where he
still maintains his home, he stated.
Howard Dietz, M-G-M's vice-presi-
dent in charge of advertising, pub-
licity and promotion, in commenting
upon Joseph's resignation said: "It is
with considerable regret that we have
accepted Joseph's resignation. He has
always been a valuable asset to our
organization."
.loli n Joseph
rHE last lap of the Presidential
campaign is highlighted in cur-
rent newsreels. Also featured are the
Korean fighting, the Japanese Safety
Corps army, the Japanese Emperor's
shrine visit, the weather, and a new
nnsinkable swimming suit.
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 87— Stevenson
talks in Chicago on government and the
people. Eisenhower attracts throngs in
Boston and New York. Storm warnings
around the world. Ava Gardner is honored.
Unsinkable swim suits. German police dog
captures crooks.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 217— Last lap
of the Presidential campaign. War's toll
mounts in Korea. New York subway crash.
Japanese armed forces. Mechanical marvels.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 20— "Sugar
Ray" in dancing debut. U. S- jets in record
hop. Emperor leads homage to war dead.
Japan's Safety Corps in first review.
United Nations debate on truce deadlock.
Iron Horse Mountain in Korea under
assault.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 43B — Final
week of campaign nears. Marshal Tito
aboard carrier Coral Sea. Franco visits
Granada. Santa's pack pre-viewed.
UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL, No. 407—
Bloody battles rage for strategic Korean
ridges. Japanese Emperor visits shrine.
Merry musical mechanics. Winter's coming
and birds know it.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 22—
Campaign nears close. New Japanese army
in first parade. Ambassador Kennan in
Heidelberg. Spain honors Ferdinand and
Isabella. New bathing suit won't sink. Cool
weather fashions. Giants -Cards football.
A A Star in TV Pact
Huntz Hall, star of Allied Artists
"Bowery Boys" series, will make, his
television debut tomorrow night on
the Milton Berle show, with whom he
has a seven-week option agreement.
Allied Artists hosted a cocktail party
in honor of the arrangement Friday
evening at the Hotel Warwick.
Back Pay to Extras
Hollywood, Oct. 26. — A million
dollars in back pay for film extras
will be distributed shortly by the
major and independent producers, as
a result of the regional WSB approv-
ing contracts with the SEG.
Pidgeon Next SAG Head
Hollywood, Oct. 26.— Walter Pidg-
eon is next president of Screen Actors
Guild succeeding Ronald Reagon, who
served for five years. This was de-
termined over the weekend as _ the
deadline for nominations by petition
passed. Pidgeon is unanimous choice
of nominating committee for post.
Election takes place Nov. 9.
13 'Uf Exploiteers
On 'Because of You'
Universal-International will use an
augmented national exploitation force
to promote initial key city openings of
"Because of You," which will have
its world premiere at the Randolph
Theatre in Philadelphia Wednesday.
The. 13 field representatives assigned
are Ben Katz, Robert Ungerfeld,
Maurice (Bucky) Harris, John Mc-
Grail, A-Mike Vogel, William Gand-
all, Duke Hickey, Ben Hill, Julian
Bowes, David Polland, Guy Biondi,
Ed Borgan and Joe Blaufox
EXPERIENCED SECRETARY
in Theatre and film work of all kinds
seeking position in New York. Ex-
ecutive ability and able to assume
responsibility.
Call PLaza 7-4285
RKO RADIO PICTURES. Inc.
CHANCE IN
TRADE SHOW DATES:
"MONTANA BELLE": The SIOUX
FALLS trade showing will be held at
9:30 A.M., Mon., Oct. 27, and not on
Tues., Oct. 28.
"ANDROCLES AND THE LION":
The SIOUX FALLS trade showing
will be held at the Hollywood Thea-
tre, 212 No. Philips Ave., at 10 A.M.,
lues., Uct. 28. . . . The DALLAS
trade showing will be held at the
Republic Projection Room, and not
at the Paramount Projection Room,
at 10:30 A.M., Tues., Oct. 28.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley. Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Jane .Editor; ^^k^^VC^££Jc&5e SttA^^Zl^l',
Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing Company Inc 1270 Sixth Avenue^ Rockefeller Center, ^ Y» ^ ™ &d Levy, Vice-President; Leo J.
New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan Vice-President and J measurer , Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine
Bradv Secretary; Tames P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. lausel. Froauction ^/y^^T^r-„°i%Aitorial Representative, 11
Building 7 William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley Advertising Representative FI 6-3074 Bruce T rinz t d^°7nau KXnager Peter
North Clark Street, FR-2-2843. Washington;;. A. Often National Press Club Washington D C. London Bureau 4 Golden , Sq. &£lJ™-J£^£g>{3 Umes'a 'year as
Burnup, Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture ! Herald. Better Theatres and 1 neatre Sale . eac P under
a section of Motion Picture Herald; International Motion Picture Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter, bept. 21, lyJS, at tne post omce at
the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign: single copies. 10c
Monday, October 27, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
Grant to MPA
Rogers Fund Group
(Continued from page 1)
ecutive committee, and I know that a
man of his ability and integrity will
make constructive contributions to
the advancement of the entire motion
picture industry.
"Mr. Grant has an intimate and ex-
pert knowledge of the motion picture
business and its problems gained
through his long association with
various phases of the industry in ad-
dition to his service on the boards of
directors of Columbia Pictures and
United Artists. . .
"This experience will stand him in
good stead as the directing head of
RKO, one of the leading companies
in the business. In his new task he
is bringing to the company a group
of young, talented executives who are
determined to advance the best inter-
ests not only of RKO but of the in-
dustry as a whole.
"In these times the industry faces
new and perplexing problems and
must adjust and adapt itself to chang-
ing conditions. I have no doubt what-
ever that the industry, all branches
of it, will meet the new challenges
with great success. Mr. Grant will
be of inestimable help in making this
a certainty."
Grant to Meet Press on
•Dramatic Developments'
The second of what is planned as
a series of weekly luncheon meetings
of RKO Radio's new executives with
press representatives will be held at
the Hotel Warwick here today, at
which Arnold Grant, RKO Radio
board chairman, will further discuss
the operating policy for the company.
The company's announcement, say-
ing that "several dramatic develop-
ments" are to be expected at the
luncheon, touched off speculation that
the company may be prepared to an-
nounce acquisition of a new studio
head, president and board members,
although no board meeting has been
held for the election of the latter.
Speculation places the name of Arn-
old Picker, RKO Radio executive
vice-president, who is due here to-
morrow from Europe, near the top
of the list as probable choice for pres-
ident and the board of directors.
Coast reports have R. J. O'Donnell,
Interstate circuit head, also under con-
sideration for the presidency.
Held, Norman Leave
RKO Publicity Staff
George Held, assistant to the for-
mer publicity manager of RKO Radio
Pictures, Don Prince, and Fred Nor-
man, in charge of radio and music
activities, have resigned. Held had
been with the company for six years
and Norman for seven years.
RKO Radio Confirms
Korshak Resignation
RKO Radio on Friday confirmed
termination of the services of Sidney
Korshak, Chicago attorney, who earlier
had been retained as labor counsel for
the company. Korshak's withdrawal
was reported in Motion Picture
Daily last Thursday.
(Continued from page 1)
Boston, Benjamin Damingo ; Buffalo,
Elmer Lux and Myron Gross ; Char-
lotte, Scott Lett ; Chicago, Jack Rose ;
Cincinnati, Van Schwartz ; Cleveland,
Frank Murphy ; Dallas, John Rowley ;
Denver, Pat McGee ; Des Moines,
Charles Niles ; Detroit, Jim Sharkey
and Art Robinson ; Indianapolis, E. L.
Ornstein ; Jacksonville - Tampa, Guy
A. Kenimer; Kansas City, Elmer
Rhoden, Jr. ; Los Angeles, Al O'Keefe ;
Memphis, Herbert Kohn ; Milwaukee,
Hugo Vogel ; Minneapolis, Ben Ber-
ger; New Haven, Harry Feinstein;
New Orleans, Henry Plitt ; Oklahoma
City, Morris Loewenstein and J. C.
Hunter ; Philadelphia, Alfred J. Davis
and Jack Greenberg ; Pittsburgh, Moe
Silver; Portland, Art Adamson ; St.
Louis, Joseph C. Ansell ; Salt Lake
City, George Smith; San Francisco,
Rotus Harvey; Seattle, Fred Mercy;
Washington, D. C, Morton Gerber.
According to Switow, the "gener-
ous cooperation of exhibition and dis-
tribution is expected to bring gratify-
ing results in realizing our goal for
the Christmas Salute. That goal is
150,000 signers of scrolls, and $200,000
in contributions."
This week in every exchange city
distributor and exhibitor chairmen
will meet with branch managers to
set up the distribution of the Christ-
mas scrolls to all theatres, radio and
TV stations, and to all companies
throughout the country which are
allied with the amusement industry.
During the period of the campaign,
November and December, Switow will
make his headquarters at the national
office of the Variety Clubs — Will
Rogers Hospital, New York City.
In the THEATRE
Equipment
World . . .
. with RAY GALLO
Schlanger to Head
(Continued from page 1)
Wirth, home office real estate head;
Carl Siegel ; vice-president of Warner
Brothers Service Corp.; W. Stewart
McDonald, assistant treasurer of
Warner Brothers Pictures, and Harry
Goldberg, director of advertising of
Warner Theatres.
The keynote of this year's meeting
will be "showmanship," at which time
the Philadelphia zone will launch a
six-months' "Showmanship Crusade,"
devoted to the selling of pictures and
promotional stunts.
During the afternoon session of the
first day, the group will be addressed
by Jerry Pickman, in charge of ad-
vertising, publicity and exploitation of
Paramount, and Sterling Silliphant,
publicity director of 20th Century-
Fox. On Wednesday, Robert W.
Coyne, special counsel of the Council
of Motion Picture Organizations, will
speak on COMPO and general indus-
try problems.
No Myers Comment
(Continued from page 1)
microscope" and would confer with
Allied's arbitration committee before
making any statements.
Because of the importance of the
arbitration question, Myers said, it
couldn't be "sloughed off" by telephone
conversations, and it would therefore
be necessary to confer with the arbi-
tration committee members by mail,
a time-consuming process.
Myers also refused to comment on a
recent proposal by the Theatre Own-
ers of America that the industry arbi-
tration drafting committee be recon
vened to consider minor changes pro
posed in the draft by TOA.
Five Myths
Tax Repeal
(Continued from page 1)
we have come across several in-
stances which show that a commit-
ment made by a Congressional candi-
date to an individual may be misunder-
stood or completely forgotten. When
a group of exhibitors, however, either
at a luncheon or some other sort of
meeting, present their case and get a
statement from the candidate that com-
mitment sticks, because the candidate
knows he is on record before several
people from his district."
(Continued from page 1)
American pictures, and (5) that Holly-
wood is dominated by a crew of Com-
munists and fellow travelers."
Quoting from his experience of more
than 30 years in the business, Mayer
gave facts and figures to prove that
none of these beliefs has any basis in
fact.
A LARGE VARIETY of food and
beverage equipment and products
for refreshment vending continues to
arrive on the market. Here are a few
of the latest :
A new electric grill which rolls and
self-bastes frankfurters in a continu-
ous action designed to eliminate the
necessity of greasing rollers, has been
marketed by J. J. Connolly, Inc., of
New York. Models of varying capac-
ity are available, including those which
cook 10, 20 or 40 franks at a time.
Constructed of stainless steel, the units
have both high and low heat control,
the first for continuous serving during
rush periods and the latter for keeping
the franks hot and ready for serving.
Glass guards are provided at an extra
cost.
•
"The Coffee Bar," an automatic
dispenser of hot coffee, is a product
of the Bert Mills Corp., Lombard,
111. It is equipped to provide the
beverage black, with sugar, with
cream, or both. Coffee used is es-
pecially made for the company by
Maxwell House. The cream is a
dehydrated powder with approxi-
mately 50% butterfat. An auto-
matic changer maker accepts
nickels, dimes and quarters.
•
A new hot-fudge pump designed to
provide adjustable portion control and
elimination of the use of ladles has
been developed by Helmco-Lacy, Chi-
cago. Constructed of heavy stainless
steel, the unit operates by a simple
lever action. It will also handle most
cold fudges.
IATSE and Chicago
Houses in Stalemate
Chicago, Oct. 26. — Negotiations be-
tween the stage hands union, IATSE,
and the motion picture theatres that
employ stage hands have broken down
in the attempt to set up a contract to
replace the present one, which expires
the first of the year. The stage-hands,
now receiving $2.09 per hour, are seek-
ing a raise to $2.40.
Salesmen's Expenses
(Continued from page 1)
Susan Peters Dies
Hollywood, Oct. 26.— Susan Peters,
31, the actress who suffered a paraly-
sis from the waist down in 1945 as
the result of shooting accident, died in
Visalia, Cal., on Friday of kidney
failure.
ceive nine dollars a day total expense
allowance, and all majors except
United Artists and Monogram furnish
salesmen with automobiles The latter
company reportedly has decided to in-
stitute a car fleet arrangement.
It is generally believed that ex-
change bookers would like to with-
draw from the IATSE and join the
Colosseum because of their close asso-
ciation with salesmen, and that the
Colosseum would welcome the bookers.
However, that situation still is touch-
and-go and any overture looking to
affiliation would have to come from
the bookers, whose contract with the
"IA" is said to be ironbound.
'Movie Guide'
(Continued from page 1)
run-of-paper position and will appear
under the heading: "Your Neighbor
hood Movie Guide, Clip and Save:
It will run across the five columns of
the paper. Rates are : $13 per theatre
for Manhattan, Bronx, and Staten Is-
land; $9.80 for Brooklyn; $6.80 for
Queens, and $5 for Nassau.
O'Donnell Tribute
(Continued from page 1)
length biography entitled "The Silver
Fox," to be published in 1953. Paul
Short will collaborate on a screen play
of the same name as the book.
Two new chocolate products, both of
which are packed in a duplex cello-
phane, heat-sealed bag with a trans-
parent window, have been announced
by the Nestle Co., White Plains, N. Y.
One of the candies is called "Nibbles,"
which are small pieces of milk choco-
late, about 60 to the package. The
other is "Semi-Sweets," also small
pieces of a dark, stronger chocolate,
70 to the package. Both items come
in 100-bag shipping cases. Although
designed to sell at 10 cents each, the
individual packages are not marked
for price.
•
An automatic multiple food ven-
der which dispenses hot coffee, hot
and cold sandwiches, pies, pastries,
milk and juices, has been marketed
by the Lunch-O-Mat Corp. of Amer-
ica, New York City. Called the
"Lunch-O-Mat," the vender consists
of seven divisions. Standard opera-
tion permits vending of 30 contain-
ers of milk in one; 30 containers of
chocolate milk in another; 50 hot
sandwiches (with a choice of two
kinds, 25 of each); 50 cold sand-
wiches (also a choice of two);
50 pies and pastries (choice of
two); 150 cups of hot coffee and 88
cans of juice (choice of two). Ex-
cept for coffee, all divisions are in-
terchangeable. For example, more
sections can be devoted to milk and
less to sandwiches.
Produced by HARRY TUGEND • Directed by HAL WALKER • Screenplay by FRANK BUTLER, HAL K
HTS/
H E M ARRY - GO - RUN ARO U N D CHICAGO STYLE MOONF
ing, Bob and Dottie are
ittin'the road again. ..in
ieir latest, greatest Yoad'
how of all . . . and their
rst in TECHNICOLOR!
To
OROfHIT
in
1
mr
«Mo ro
mo
1 J
' / 1 /
[ill]
1 j
TER and WILLIAM MORROW - New Songs-Lyrics by JOHNNY BURKE • Music by JAMES VAN HEUSEN
WERS THE ROAD TO BALI TO SEE YOU HOOT MON
' 1 HP
2
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, October 27, 1952
Personal
Mention
ARNOLD PICKER, executive
vice-president of RKO Radio, is
scheduled to arrive here from Europe
by boat tomorrow.
•
Mrs. Henry Dawson, associate
director of community relations of the
Motion Picture Association of Amer-
ica will speak on "The Movies and
Their Public" tonight at the New
School for Social Research here.
•
Norman Barnett, vice-president
of Barnett International Forwarders,
Inc., will return here today from Eu-
rope aboard the S.S. Constitution.
•
Max E. Yo'Ungstein, United Art-
ists vice-president, arrived in New
York from Europe by plane last Fri-
day.
•
Dick Cook, head of the motion pic-
ture department of Pictorial Review,
will return here today from Boston.
•
Wesley Baily, promotion manager
of Good Housekeeping magazine,_ left
here over the weekend for Miami.
'Moulin Rouge' for
Easter '53 Release
"Moulin Rouge," made abroad by
John Huston for United Artists re-
lease at Eastertime in 1953, will open
at the Los Angeles Wilshire Theatre
on Dec. 26 in order to be eligible for
the Academy Award, it was revealed
Friday by the film's star, Jose Ferrer,
who also has a profit-sharing arrange-
ment on the picture.
Ferrer expects his working relation-
ship with John Huston to resolve
shortly into a partnership for the
making of "Matador," the Barnaby
Conrad novel, in Technicolor, in
Spain, in May. No release deal has
been made as yet. Ferrer plans a
public appearance tour with "Rouge"
similar to his efforts for "Cyrano."
The- actor revealed Huston had been
responsible for an altered shooting
process in Technicolor which attains
hitherto unachieved affects while
working on a film.
WNBC Runs Film
'Plugs' on Saturdays
Station WNBC, key radio station
of the National Broadcasting network,
on Saturday began presenting spot an-
nouncements during the afternoon foot-
ball broadcasts, to run weekly, to pro-
mote movie - going generally and
recommend outstanding films to lis-
teners. This is in furtherance of the
mutual promotion pact with the Or-
ganization of the Motion Picture In-
dustry of the City of New York.
Theatres in the Metropolitan area
will display specially prepared posters
and exhibit special trailers urging
theatre audiences to listen to Sketch
Henderson's programs on WNBC and
WNBT for recommended films
To: Anonymous 'RKO
Radio Employee'
Motion Picture Daily does not
publish anonymous letters nor
obscenities. Otherwise its col-
umns are open to the expression
of individual opinions such as
yours. If you will reveal your
identity, which will be kept in
confidence if you prefer, your
letter will be published subject
only to deletions required by
good taste and Postal Regula-
tions. Ed.
Theatre TV Hearings May
End Today or Tomorrow
Washington, Oct. 26. — The first phase of the theatre television
hearing's will probably wind up tomorrow or Tuesday, according to
Motion Picture Association of America and National Exhibitors Theatre
Television committee attorneys, who are presenting the industry's case
to the Commission.
It was thought the hearings
would run for two weeks, but
the postponement of cross-ex-
amination until January and an
apparent Commission desire for
a speedy wind-up of the en-
gineering and accounting phase
of the hearing account for the
early closing date.
At one point in last week's final
session it seemed likely that there
might be cross - examination, when
Ernest D. North, general attorney for
the long lines division of the Ameri-
can Telephone and Telegraph Co.,
asked chairman Walker to delay the
admission of three MPAA-NETTC
exhibits dealing with theatre televi-
sion cost information.
In the course of the hearing 22 ex-
hibits have been accepted without ob-
jection, but when these three were
offered North declared that AT and
T would like to study them carefully
and asked that Walker postpone ad-
mitting them until after cross-ex-
amination in January.
James Fly, MPAA attorney, sug-
gested that Stuart Bailev and Frank
Mcintosh MPAA-NETTC engineers
who had offered and discussed the_ ex-
hibits in question, be cross-examined
on them immediately, but Walker
granted North's request and post-
poned admission of the cost exhibits
until the January portion of the hear-
ing.
The Mcintosh and Bailey cost
figures were broken down into minute
details for inter-and intra-city theatre
television transmission, covering items
for each point on the relay system
which ranged from the cost of land
to the cost of gasoline for maintenance
trucks. The figures will be totalled
and correlated on Monday, MPAA-
NETTC attorneys said, when cost
expert Manfred K. Toeppen will take
the stand. Only remaining witness in
the hearing will be John W. Clark,
tube expert.
Earlier in the session the Commis-
sion heard brief but technically de-
tailed descriptions of three methods of
theatre television projection. Richard
Hodgson described the film storage
method; Skipwith W. Athey, the
direct proj ection method ; and Earl
Sponable, the Eidophor system. Spon-
able also detailed a series of cross-
polarization tests in relation to con-
serving available space on the spec-
trum.
Joseph Leaving
Publicity Post
John Joseph, M-G-M's Eastern pub-
licity manager, has resigned. He will
relinquish his
post at the end
of the year but
will probably
leave the M-G-
M home office
before that time
for a vacation.
Joseph has
been with M-
G-M for about
four years, go-
ing to the or-
ganization from
Universal,
where he had
been national
director of ad-
vertising and publicity for 12 years.
The chief factor in his leaving M-G-M
was his wish — and that of his family
— to live in Los Angeles, where he
still maintains his home, he stated.
Howard Dietz, M-G-M's vice-presi-
dent in charge of advertising, pub-
licity and promotion, in commenting
upon Joseph's resignation said : "It is
with considerable regret that we have
accepted Joseph's resignation. He has
always been a valuable asset to our
organization."
Newsreel
Parade
John Joseph
Pidgeon Next SAG Head
Hollywood, Oct. 26. — Walter Pidg-
eon is next president of Screen Actors
Guild succeeding Ronald Reagon, who
served for five years. This was de-
termined over the weekend as the
deadline for nominations by petition
passed. Pidgeon is unanimous choice
of nominating committee for post.
Election takes place Nov. 9.
13 'U' Exploiteers
On 'Because of You'
Universal-International will use an
augmented national exploitation force
to promote initial key city openings of
"Because of You," which will have
its world premiere at the Randolph
Theatre in Philadelphia Wednesday.
The 13 field representatives assigned
are Ben Katz, Robert Ungerfeld,
Maurice (Bucky) Harris, John Mc-
Grail, A-Mike Vogel, William Gand-
all, Duke Hickey, Ben Hill, Julian
Bowes, David Polland, Guy Biondi,
Ed Borgan and Joe Blaufox.
rHE last lap of the Presidential
campaign is highlighted in cur-
rent nezvsreels. Also featured are the
Korean fighting, the Japanese Safety
Corps army, the Japanese Emperor's
shrine visit, the weather, and a new
unsinkable szvimnving suit.
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 87— Stevenson
talks in Chicago on government and the
people. Eisenhower attracts throngs in
Boston and New York. Storm warnings
around the world. Ava Gardner is honored.
Unsinkable swim suits. German police dog
captures crooks.
NEWS OF THE DAY, Nou 217— Last lap
of the Presidential campaign. War's toll
mounts in Korea. New York subway crash.
Japanese armed forces. Mechanical marvels.
PARAMOUNT NEWS^ No. 20— "Sugar
Ray" in dancing debut. U. S. jets in record
hop. Emperor leads homage to war dead.
Japan's Safety Corps in first review.
United Nations debate on truce deadlock.
Iron Horse Mountain in Korea under
assault.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 43B — Final
week of campaign nears. Marshal Tito
aboard carrier Coral Sea. Franco visits
Granada. Santa's pack pre-viewed.
UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL, No. 407—
Bloody battles rage for strategic Korean
ridges. Japanese Emperor visits shrine.
Merry musical mechanics. Winter's corning
and birds know it.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 22—
Campaign nears close. New Japanese army
in first parade. Ambassador Kennan in
Heidelberg. Spain honors Ferdinand and
Isabella. New bathing suit won't sink. Cool
weather fashions. Giants-Cards football.
AA Star in TV Pact
Huntz Hall, star of Allied Artists
"Bowery Boys" series, will make his
television debut tomorrow night on
the Milton Berle show, with whom he
has a seven-week option agreement.
Allied Artists hosted a cocktail party
in honor of the arrangement Friday
evening at the Hotel Warwick.
Back Pay to Extras
Hollywood, Oct. 26. — A million
dollars in back pay for film extras
will be distributed shortly by the
major and independent producers, as.
a result of the regional WSB approv-
ing contracts with the SEG.
EXPERIENCED SECRETARY
in Theatre and film work of all kinds
seeking position in New York. Ex-
ecutive ability and able to assume
responsibility.
Call Plaza 7-4285
RKO RADIO PICTURES. Inc.
CHANCE IN
TRADE SHOW DATES:
"MONTANA BELLE": The SIOUX
FALLS trade showing will be held at
9:30 A.M., Mon., Oct. 27, and not on
Tues., Oct. 28.
"ANDROCLES AND THE LION":
The SIOUX FALLS trade showing
will be held at the Hollywood Thea-
tre, 212 No. Philips Ave., at 10 A.M.,
I ues., Oct. 28. . . . The DALLAS
trade showing will be held at the
Republic Projection Room, and not
at the Paramount Projection Room,
at 10:30 A.M., Tues., Oct. 28.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley. Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; SH^wto. Kaa«. ^i^^Y(5^aI^e 7M/ Cablf lad^tt^
Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue Rockefeller Center New York 20, N. Y Tdephone {^™e ' ''T"- Vke President? Leo J
New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo J. Sun. van V.ce-Pres.dent and Treasurer, Raymond
^^^^ .SK'^n^thT1 S^Stil-f^P^re^^p each times a year as
a section of Motion Picture Herald; International Motion Picture Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter. Sept. 21. 1938. at the post otnee at iMew Yorx. in.
tbe act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign: single copies. 10c
Monday, October 27, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
Grant to MPA
(Continued from page 1)
Rogers Fund Group
ecutive committee, and I know that a
man of his ability and integrity will
make constructive contributions to
the advancement of the entire motion
picture industry.
"Mr. Grant has an intimate and ex-
pert knowledge of the motion picture
business and its problems gamed
through his long association with
various phases of the industry in ad-
dition to his service on the boards of
directors of Columbia Pictures and
United Artists.
"This experience will stand him in
good stead as the directing head of
RKO, one of the leading companies
in the business. In his new task he
is bringing to the company a group
of young, talented executives who are
determined to advance the best inter-
ests not only of RKO but of the in-
dustry as a whole.
"In these times the industry faces
new and perplexing problems and
must adjust and adapt itself to chang-
ing conditions. I have no doubt what-
ever that the industry, all branches
of it, will meet the new challenges
with great success. Mr. Grant will
be of inestimable help in making this
a certainty."
Grant to Meet Press on
'Dramatic Developments'
The second of what is planned as
a series of weekly luncheon meetings
of RKO Radio's new executives with
press representatives will be held at
the Hotel Warwick here today, at
which Arnold Grant, RKO Radio
board chairman, will further discuss
the operating policy for the company.
The company's announcement, say-
ing that "several dramatic develop-
ments" are to be expected at the
luncheon, touched off speculation that
the company may be prepared to an-
nounce acquisition of a new studio
head, president and board members,
although no board meeting has been
held for the election of the latter.
Speculation places the name of Arn-
old Picker, RKO Radio executive
vice-president, who is due here to-
morrow from Europe, near the top
of the list as probable choice for pres-
ident and the board of directors.
Coast reports have R. J. O'Donnell,
Interstate circuit head, also under con-
sideration fbr the presidency.
(Continued from page 1)
Boston, Benjamin Damingo ; Buffalo,
Elmer Lux and Myron Gross; Char-
lotte, Scott Lett ; Chicago, Jack Rose ;
Cincinnati, Van Schwartz ; Cleveland,
Frank Murphy ; Dallas, John Rowley ;
Denver, Pat McGee ; Des Moines,
Charles Niles ; Detroit, Jim Sharkey
and Art Robinson ; Indianapolis, E. L.
Ornstein ; Jacksonville - Tampa, Guy
A. Kenimer; Kansas City, Elmer
Rhoden, Jr. ; Los Angeles, Al O'Keefe ;
Memphis, Herbert Kohn ; Milwaukee,
Hugo Vogel ; Minneapolis, Ben Ber-
ger; New Haven, Harry Feinstein ;
New Orleans, Henry Plitt ; Oklahoma
City, Morris Loewenstein and J. C.
Hunter ; Philadelphia, Alfred J. Davis
and Tack Greenberg ; Pittsburgh, Moe
Silver; Portland, Art Adamson ; St.
Louis, Joseph C. Ansell ; Salt Lake
City, George Smith; San Francisco,
Rotus Harvey; Seattle, Fred Mercy;
Washington, D. C, Morton Gerber.
According to Switow, the "gener-
ous cooperation of exhibition and dis-
tribution is expected to bring gratify-
ing results in realizing our goal for
the Christmas Salute. That goal is
150,000 signers of scrolls, and $200,000
in contributions."
This week in every exchange city
distributor and exhibitor chairmen
will meet with branch managers to
set up the distribution of the Christ-
mas scrolls to all theatres, radio and
TV stations, and to all companies
throughout the country which are
allied with the amusement industry.
During the period of the campaign,
November and December, Switow will
make his headquarters at the national
office of the Variety Clubs — Will
Rogers Hospital, New York City.
In the THEATRE
Equipment
World . . .
. . with RAY GALLO
Schlanger to Head
( Continued from page 1 )
Wirth, home office real estate head;
Carl Siegel ; vice-president of Warner
Brothers Service Corp.; W. Stewart
McDonald, assistant treasurer of
Warner Brothers Pictures, and Harry
Goldberg, director of advertising of
Warner Theatres.
The keynote of this year's meeting
will be "showmanship," at which time
the Philadelphia zone will launch a
six-months' "Showmanship Crusade,"
devoted to the selling of pictures and
promotional stunts.
During the afternoon session of the
first day, the group will be addressed
by Jerry Pickman, in charge of ad-
vertising, publicity and exploitation of
Paramount, and Sterling Silliphant,
publicity director of 20th Century-
Fox. On Wednesday, Robert W.
Coyne, special counsel of the Council
of Motion Picture Organizations, will
speak on COMPO and general indus-
try problems.
No Myers Comment
(Continued from page 1)
microscope" and would confer with
Allied's arbitration committee before
making any statements.
Because of the importance of the
arbitration question, Myers said, it
couldn't be "sloughed off" by telephone
conversations, and it would therefore
be necessary to confer with the arbi-
tration committee members by mail,
a time-consuming process.
Myers also refused to comment on a
recent proposal by the Theatre Own-
ers of America that the industry arbi-
tration drafting committee be recon-
vened to consider minor changes pro-
posed in the draft by TOA.
Five Myths
(Continued from page 1)
Tax Repeal
(Continued from page 1)
Held, Norman Leave
RKO Publicity Staff
George Held, assistant to the for
mer publicity manager of RKO Radio
Pictures, Don Prince, and Fred Nor-
man, in charge of radio and music
activities, have resigned. Held had
been with the company for six years
and Norman for seven years.
RKO Radio Confirms
Korshak Resignation
RKO Radio on Friday confirmed
termination of the services of Sidney
Korshak, Chicago attorney, who earlier
had been retained as labor counsel for
the company. Korshak's withdrawal
was reported in Motion Picture
Daily last Thursday.
Susan Peters Dies
Hollywood, Oct. 26.— Susan Peters,
31, the actress who suffered a paraly-
sis from the waist down in 1945 as
the result of shooting accident, died in
Visalia, Cal., on Friday of kidney-
failure.
"we have come across several in-
stances which show that a commit-
ment made by a Congressional candi-
date to an individual may be misunder-
stood or completely forgotten. When
a group of exhibitors, however, either
at°a luncheon or some other sort of
meeting, present their case and get a
statement from the candidate that com-
mitment sticks, because the candidate
knows he is on record before several
people from his district."
American pictures, and (5) that Holly-
wood is dominated by a crew of Com-
munists and fellow travelers."
Quoting from his experience of more
than 30 years in the business, Mayer
gave facts and figures to prove that
none of these beliefs has any basis in
fact.
A LARGE VARIETY of food and
beverage equipment and products
for refreshment vending continues to
arrive on the market. Here are a few
of the latest :
A new electric grill which rolls and
self-bastes frankfurters in a continu-
ous action designed to eliminate the
necessity of greasing rollers, has been
marketed by J. J. Connolly, Inc., of
New York. Models of varying capac-
ity are available, including those which
cook 10, 20 or 40 franks at a time.
Constructed of stainless steel, the units
have both high and low heat control,
the first for continuous serving during
rush periods and the latter for keeping
the franks hot and ready for serving.
Glass guards are provided at an extra
cost.
•
"The Coffee Bar," an automatic
dispenser of hot coffee, is a product
of the Bert Mills Corp., Lombard,
111. It is equipped to provide the
beverage black, with sugar, with
cream, or both. Coffee used is es-
pecially made for the company by
Maxwell House. The cream is a
dehydrated powder with approxi-
mately 50% butterfat. An auto-
matic changer maker accepts
nickels, dimes and quarters.
•
A new hot-fudge pump designed to
provide adjustable portion control and
elimination of the use of ladles has
been developed by Helmco-Lacy, Chi-
cago. Constructed of heavy stainless
steel, the unit operates by a simple
lever action. It will also handle most
cold fudges.
IATSE and Chicago
Houses in Stalemate
Chicago, Oct. 26. — Negotiations be-
tween the stage hands union, IATSE,
and the motion picture theatres that
employ stage hands have broken down
in the attempt to set up a contract to
replace the present one, which expires
the first of the year. The stage-hands,
now receiving $2.09 per hour, are seek-
ing a raise to $2.40.
Salesmen's Expenses
( Continued from page 1)
ceive nine dollars a day total expense
allowance, and all majors except
United Artists and Monogram furnish
salesmen with automobiles The latter
company reportedly has decided to in-
stitute a car fleet arrangement.
It is generally believed that ex-
change bookers would like to with-
draw from the IATSE and join the
Colosseum because of their close asso-
ciation with salesmen, and that the
Colosseum would welcome the bookers.
However, that situation still is touch-
and-go and any overture looking to
affiliation would have to come from
the bookers, whose contract with the
"IA" is said to be ironbound.
'Movie Guide'
(Continued from page 1)
run-of-paper position and will appear
under the heading: "Your Neighbor-
hood Movie Guide, Clip and Save."
It will run across the five columns of
the paper. Rates are : $13 per theatre
for Manhattan, Bronx, and Staten Is-
land; $9.80 for Brooklyn; $6.80 for
Queens, and $5 for Nassau.
O'Donnell Tribute
(Continued from page 1)
length biography entitled "The Silver
Fox," to be published in 1953. Paul
Short will collaborate on a screen play
of the same name as the book.
Two new chocolate products, both of
which are packed in a duplex cello-
phane, heat-sealed bag with a trans-
parent window, have been announced
by the Nestle Co., White Plains, N. Y.
One of the candies is called "Nibbles,"
which are small pieces of milk choco-
late, about 60 to the package. The
other is "Semi-Sweets," also small
pieces of a dark, stronger chocolate,
70 to the package. Both items come
in 100-bag shipping cases. Although
designed to sell at 10 cents each, the
individual packages are not marked
for price.
•
An automatic multiple food ven-
der which dispenses hot coffee, hot
and cold sandwiches, pies, pastries,
milk and juices, has been marketed
by the Lunch-O-Mat Corp. of Amer-
ica, New York City. Called the
"Lunch-O-Mat," the vender consists
of seven divisions. Standard opera-
tion permits vending of 30 contain-
ers of milk in one; 30 containers of
chocolate milk in another; 50 hot
sandwiches (with a choice of two
kinds, 25 of each); 50 cold sand-
wiches (also a choice of two);
50 pies and pastries (choice of
two); 150 cups of hot coffee and 88
cans of juice (choice of two). Ex-
cept for coffee, all divisions are in-
terchangeable. For example, more
sections can be devoted to milk and
less to sandwiches.
Produced by HARRY TUGEND • Directed by HAL WALKER • Screenplay by FRANK BUTLER, HAL Kl
HE MARRY - GO - RUNAROUND CHICAGO STYLE MOONF
fER and WILLIAM MORROW - New Songs-Lyrics by JOHNNY BURKE • Music by JAMES VAN HEUSEN
r
if
f
W
J'i
Check tUt
of recent or forthcoming
releases featured in advertising in
MOTION PICTURE DAILY *
(alphabetically by title)
f 0
w
At? #
if #
0
.J.«'»
Title
Distr$u$r
—
■.it-'
LION RKOr *F
ia
.Universal
J^M
JrKO
ANDROCLES AND THE
ASSIGNMENT PARIS C|fun&i
BECAUSE OF YOU
BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE (3 Pages
BEWARE MY LOVELY.
BIG JIM McLAIN (5 Pages)
CAIRO ROAD
HANGMAN'S KNOT (2 Pages) .
HORIZONS WEST
ISLAND OF DESIRE (2 Pages) . . .
IT GROWS ON TREES ( 1 Page) . . .
IVANHOE (23 Pages)
MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID (2 Pj^es) MGjM fj
MIRACLE OF F ATI MA (4 Pages)'
J'
- "C
##*-.#1,mversa, 4>
. . .
. United Artists 0
. Universal'1'
■ •J'1
ft
.4
MONTANA BELLE
OPERATION SECRET (2 Pages)
PLYMOUTH ADVENTURE jgT.^ACM
SOMEBODY LOVES ME (2 Pages
Wc
..Warner
Paramount
20th -Fox
SOMETHING FOR THE BIRDS (4 Pages)^ . |r,
(2 Pages) Warner
RKO
SPRINGFIELD RIFLE
THE CRIMSON PI RAT < Pages
THE LUSTY MEN
THE QUIET MAN (15 Pag
THE MERRY WIDOW (3 PageJ^ Jjf
2 Pages )..... f.M
;i5 Pages) . .M. A
Warner
Republic
MGM
THE SNOWS OF KILIMANl|^O^Il2 Pages) 20th-Fox
THE STEEL TRAP M -M 20th -Fox
/#■
iv. . . . .
THE STOOGE if . . Paramount
if A-1
THE THIEF ^ . fSf! United Artists
THE TURNING POINf il|page) Paramount
THUNDER IN TH
WILLIE AND JOe|
£ EAST
Mm?
Paramount
tor**
AT THE FRONT U niversal
The VUal Spark that ignites the
interest of exhibitors for specific pic-
tures, so that it can flame into that
enthusiasm which inspires real showmanship,
is a soundly planned program of trade adver-
tising. Without that, no exhibitor can be
blamed for lacking in excitement over pictures
which are offered to him virtually "cold'*.
It is obvious that the extent of a distributor's
confidence in product he has available is gen-
erally indicated by either the telling — or lack
of telling about it — in trade paper messages.
There never was a greater need for good
product. There never was a greater interest
among exhibitors to know about the product
they should plan to obtain and exploit. There
never was a keener readership of trade paper
messages.
Requisites for successful motion picture
trade paper advertising of good product are:
(1) Start it soon enough; (2) Make it effec-
tively proclaim the box-office values of the
picture; (3) Publish a sufficient continuity of
sales messages to impress and remind.
Soundly planned trade advertising is the
basic telling that leads to successful selling.
Its cost is dimes that bring dollars. It is the
vital spark for the power that produces great-
est results!
H* Pictures featured in M. P. Daily
advertising during past 6 weeks.
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
NEWS
WHILE
IT IS
NEWS
VOL. 72. NO. 83
NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1952
TEN CENTS
RKO Pictures
Will Recover,
Grant Avers
Says New Directors Will
Be Named in 48 Hours
Confidence that RKO Radio will
recover from its current ills was
expressed here yesterday by Arnold
Grant, chairman of the board, at a
second press luncheon, held at the
Warwick Hotel to introduce the "ex-
ecutive team" of the company.
It is his judgment, Grant
said, that while RKO Radio Pic-
tures is a "sick company," it
should "not die from the ail-
ment." On the contrary, Grant
predicted that "the patient will
live for many, many years and
recover."
Grant, who has been functioning as
chief executive of the company since
Howard Hughes sold his controlling
stock interest, said the board is meet-
ing daily in an attempt to fill the
(Continued on page 6)
Wald-Krasna, RKO
Terminate Contract
The RKO Radio distribution con-
tract with Wald-Krasna Productions,
covering the period from Aug. 14,
1950 to Dec. 31, 1952, yesterday was
terminated by mutual agreement, it
was reported here by sources close to
Wald-Krasna. The contract cancella-
tion resulted from negotiations during
the past week in Hollywood between
Sherrill Corwin, RKO Radio board
(Continued on page 6)
Confabs on Hughes
Loan Underway
Talks to effect the $8,000,000
Howard Hughes' loan, nego-
tiated by the Stolkin syndi-
cate when it acquired Hughes'
controlling stock interest in
RKO Pictures, are proceeding
in New York, Arnold Grant,
board chairman, revealed here
yesterday.
He said those participating
in the talks are Thomas Slack,
Hughes' attorney, William
Zimmerman, head of RKO
Pictures' legal department,
and William Clark, the com-
pany's treasurer.
Goldenson Has A
Public Relations Plan
Hollywood, Oct. 27.— The Mo-
tion Picture Industry Council
has set up
ma c h i ner y
for cooperat-
ing in a plan
conceived by
Leonard
G oldenson,
president of
United Para-
mount The-
atres, through
which exhibi-
tors national-
ly will be pro-
v i d e d with
Leonard Goldenson material for
local public
relations use. Lou Greenspan,
former publicist and trade paper
editor, has been appointed to
coordinate material for exhibi-
tors' use, including news stories,
special features, speeches and
radio-TV data.
THEATRE TV COST IN
EAST 160-MILLION
Ruffin President of
Tennessee Unit
Name Solomon 20th
Assistant Ad Head
Edward Solomon has been named to
the newly-created post of assistant ad-
vertising director of 20th Century-Fox,
it was announced by Abe Goodman,
advertis-
ing manager.
With experi-
ence in theatre
operation, man-
agement, adver-
tising, publicity
and e x p 1 o i t a -
tion, Solomon
has been a mem-
ber of 20th-Fox
since 1 940.
Prior to joining
the company he
was on the ad-
vertising staff
of Balaban and
Katz in Chicago.
20th he was assigned to the Chicago
(Continued on page .6)
Memphis, Oct. 27. — Tennessee
Theatre Owners today elected W. F.
Ruffin, Jr., Covington, as president to
succeed Jay Solomon.
J. A. West, Memphis ; Earl Hen-
drew, Erwin; and Cowan Oldham,
McMinnville, were elected vice-presi-
dents. Emil Bernstecker, Atlanta, was
named secretary and Charles A. Simp-
son, Chattanooga, treasurer. Solomon
was elected national Theatre Owners
of America director.
The Tennessee convention adopted
resolutions favoring arbitration "in
principal," and directing the TOA ex-
ecutive committee to use. its own dis-
cretion in the 16 mm. suit.
Tennessee's one-day meeting was
(Continued on page 6)
Johnston to N. Y.,
Weighs Paris Trip
Eric A. Johnston, Motion Picture
Association of America president, who
is scheduled to be in New York today
from Washington, yesterday still had
not made up his mind on when to fly
to Paris for talks looking to negotia-
tion of a Franco- American film agree-
ment.
MPAA officials in France have been
observing closely economic and politi-
cal developments there with the inten-
tion of signaling Johnston when the
Lime for talks appears propitious, it
was indicated here.
Johnston had scheduled a plane trip
(Continued on page 6)
Edward Solomon
When he j oined
20th-Fox Product
Meeting Nov. 12
A schedule of releases for the first
nine months of 1953 will be announced
by 20th Century-Fox at a special divi-
sion managers meeting here Nov. 12-
13, Al Lichtman, director of distribu-
tion, who will preside, announced
yesterday.
The managers also will hear an out-
line of sales and advertising plans for
pictures set through the remainder of
(Continued on page 6)
Name FP-C s Stein
Canadian Unit Head
Ottawa, Oct. 27. — Morris Stein,
division manager of Famous Players
Canadian Corp., Toronto, was re-
elected president of the National Com-
mittee of Motion Picture Exhibitors
Association of Canada at its fourth
annual convention today in the Cha
teau Laurier Hotel here, with up
wards of 25 delegates present from
provincial groups across Canada.
The discussions by the theatre offi-
cials were preliminary to the two-day
convention tomorrow and Wednesday
(Continued on page 6)
Figure Covers Building
Costs Only, Film
Industry Sources Reveal
Washington, Oct. 27. — It would
cost about $60,000,000 to build a
system that would supply virtually
all the indoor theatres in nine large
Eastern cities with competing theatre
television programs, industry sources
said today.
The figure applies only to
building costs. It covers the ex-
expense of setting up a New
York City-Washington inter-
city relay system which would
carry three simultaneously
competing circuits in the nine
cities. However, for the $60,000.-
000 figure, theatres would be
able to choose from six com-
peting circuits, each with a
different program.
It was expected that this informa-
tion would be part of testimony to be
given to the Federal Communications
Commission's theatre television hear-
(Continued on page 6)
TORONTO, Oct. 27. —With
the Ontario government
moving for a complete re-
vision of censorship and
theatre inspection regu-
lations, the Motion Pic-
ture Theatres Association
of Ontario has called for
the submission of sugges-
tions by exhibitors to be
incorporated in the brief
for presentation to the
government .
•
COLUMBUS, 0., Oct. 27.
— In replies to questions
by Robert Wile, secretary
of the ITO of Ohio, about
their attitudes on repeal
of the Federal admission
tax, four Congressional
candidates in the State
declared in favor of re-
peal and three said they
were favorably disposed
to tax reduction.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, October 28, 1952
Personal
Mention
NATE J. BLUMBERG, Universa
board chairman
New York from the
has arrived
Coast.
UK Wage Dispute Threatens
Shutdown of Production
James R. Grainger, Republic ex-
ecutive vice-president in charge of
sales, returned to New York yester-
day following a three-week's trip to
New Orleans, Dallas, Los Angeles,
San Francisco and Chicago.
•
Leon Bamberger, RKO Radio sales
promotion chief, is in Memphis to ad-
dress the annual convention of the
MPTO of Tennessee, Arkansas and
Mississippi. He will return on Friday.
Hugh Owen, Paramount's East-
ern-Southern division manager, is in
Buffalo today, and tomorrow he will
be in Albany.
e
Robert Dowling, head of City In-
vesting Corp., will return here from
London today.
Philip Gerard, Universal Eastern
publicity manager, was in Philadelphia
yesterday from New York.
Sam Shain is in Buffalo today on
a COMPO assignment.
United Paramount
Meets Tomorrow
London, Oct. 27. — A meeting of
producers with studio union heads to-
day, called to attempt to prevent a
shutdown of production because of in-
ability to make progress in negotia-
tions for wage increases, was ad-
journed until Wednesday by mutual
consent.
The meeting had been requested by
Tom O'Brien, head of the National
Association of Theatrical and Kine
Employes, one of the unions involved
in the negotiations, after an unauthor-
ized work stoppage had been staged at
J. Arthur Rank's Pinewood studio
last week. Similar tactics were
adopted at other motion picture studios
subsequently.
O'Brien, George Elvin of the Asso-
ciation of Cine and Allied Technicians,
and Frank Haxell of the Electrical
Trades Union attended today's meeting
with leading producers. The British
Film Producers Association consid-
ered closing down all studios on the
theory that it would be impossible to
arrange shooting schedules in the
event the impromptu work stoppages
continue.
Among productions held up are
Walt Disney's "Sword and the Rose"
at Pinewood, and "The Red Beret," in
which Alan Ladd is starring at Shep-
perton.
Negotiations between the producers
and studio unions have been in prog-
ress for more than a year. Producers
are demanding relaxation in what they
call restrictive practices as the price
of pay-rises.
IName Chairmen for
Pioneers Dinner
The third annual meeting of United
Paramount Theatres, Inc., will be held
tomorrow and Thursday at the Green-
briar Hotel, White Sulpher Springs,
West Virginia.
Attending will be the following
from the home office: Leonard H.
Goldenson, Robert M. Weitman, Ed-
ward L. Hyman, Robert O'Brien,
Walter Gross, Sidney M. Markley,
Simon B. Siegel, Herbert Lazarus
and Harry Levine.
The following will attend from the
field : Karl Hoblitzelle, Robert O'Don-
nell, Robert Wilby, H. F. Kincey,
John Balaban, Dave Wallerstein, A.
H. Blank, Kermitt Carr, Martin J.
Mullin, Earl J. Hudson, Harry B.
French, Leon Netter and Louis
Finske.
Also, Gaston Dureau, Henry Plitt,
John Adams, Raymond Willie, James
Harrison, Emil Bernsteeker, Roy
Smart, Ray Hendry, George Aure-
lius, Arthur Krolick, Eugene Street,
Ben Rosenberg, Selig Seligman, Jerry
Zigmond, William O'Donnell, Jack
Katz and James Redd.
Committee chairmen for the Motion
Picture Pioneers "Jubilee Dinner" at
the Hotel Astor here on Tuesday,
Nov. 25, were announced yesterday by
Jack Cohn, president of the Pioneers,
and Ned E. Depinet, chairman of the
dinner, which will honor N. J. Blum-
berg, chairman of the board of Uni-
versal Pictures, as the Motion Picture
Pioneer of 1952.
Harry J. Takiff, secretary-treasurer
of the Pioneers, and Marvin Kirsch,
vice-president, have been appointed
administrators for the dinner. John J.
O'Connor, vice-president of Universal,
will be in charge of honored guests.
Gilbert Josephson, exhibitor, will be
in charge of physical arrangements
for the dinner and reception. Charles
Alicoate of Film Daily, and Ray Gal-
lagher of Motion Picture Herald, will
be in charge of admissions and new
member inductions. David A. Bader
will be in charge of new members,
and George Jessel will serve as toast-
master.
Royal Performance
Aids UK Trade Fund
London, Oct. 27. — Total proceeds
of the annual Royal Film Perform-
ance, held at M-G-M's Leicester
Square Empire Theatre here tonight
with "Because You're Mine" as the
feature attraction, will amount to ap-
proximately £30,000 ($84,000), includ-
ing Wednesday receipts from a replica
performance at Leeds, Thursday at
Liverpool, and revenue from program
advertising. Proceeds are contributed
to the Cinematograph Trade Benevo
lent Fund.
Present at the performance were the
Queen, her husband, the Duke of
Edinburgh, and Princess Margaret. A
60-minute stage presentation followed
the film, with Charles Chaplin, Sir
Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh
Yvonne de Carlo, Gene Kelly, Doug-
las Fairbanks, Kirk Douglas, Evelyn
Keyes, Rock Hudson and others par-
ticipating.
Rogers to Make More
Films for Theatres
Columbus, O., Oct. 27.— Roy Ro
gers, performing with Dale Evans and
a large company in the Hobart Arena
at Troy, O., disclosed that he plans
to make another series of films for
theatre distribution. Rogers' manager
Arthur Rush, stated that an an-
nouncement would be made shortly
from Rogers' Hollywood office on the
distributor and production schedule.
Technicolor9-Month
Net Is $1,499,507
Consolidated net profit after taxes
on Technicolor's income for the nine
months ending Sept. 30, is estimated
to be $1,499,507, equivalent to $1.60
per share.
This compares to a net of $1,561,525,
equivalent to $1.68 per share for the
corresponding nine months of 1951,
with taxes for that period adjusted to
the effective rate paid for the entire
year.
The estimated consolidated net profit
after taxes on income for the quarter
ending Sept. 30, 1952 is $474,087,
which is equivalent to 50 cents per
share. This compares to a net of
$500,131 which is equivalent to 54
cents a share, for the corresponding-
quarter in 1951.
First TV Saturation
Set by 'U' for 'Trees'
Universal w ill use a saturation tele-
vision spot campaign for the first time
in connection, with the world premiere
of "It Grows on Trees" at the Para-
mount Theatre in New Haven on
Wednesday, Nov. 5, the company dis-
closes.
The spots, which will be used dur-
ing station breaks on the New Haven
television station, will range from 20
seconds to one minute.
TV of Coronation
To Be Restricted
London, Oct. 27.— The Coro-
nation Commission has ruled
against television being per-
mitted to cover the actual
ceremony. Newsreels, how-
ever, including color films, are
authorized to provide com-
plete coverage.
The J. Arthur Rank Organi-
zation has completed arrange-
ments for a full length pic-
ture in Technicolor and As-
sociated British-Pathe will
have a full-length picture.
Protests against the TV
ceremonial ban have caused
Prime Minister Churchill to
call a special Cabinet meeting
to help him draft a statement
on the issue to be read to the
House of Commons tomorrow.
Seadler Heads MPA
Ad-Publicity Group
Silas F. Seadler, director of adver-
tising of M-G-M, has been named
chairman of the Advertising and Pub-
licity Directors Committee of the Mo-
tion Picture Association of America.
He succeeds Charles Simonelli, East-
ern ad-publicity manager and national
exploitation chief of Universal.
The committee chairmanship is a
rotating post involving a minimum
tenure of six months.
Simonelli, who served as chairman
for nine months, won a unanimous
vote of thanks from the committee for
his "able guidance" of the group's ac-
tivities since the first of the year.
NEW YORK THEATRES
,/. H. Moskowitz Returns
Joseph H. Moskowitz, vice-presi-
dent and special studio representative
of 20th Century-Fox, returned to his
New York office yesterday after a
five-month visit to the Coast.
Susan HAYWARD — Robert MITCHUM
Arthur KENNEDY— Arthur HUNNICUTT
ii
Rackmil to Leave Today
Milton R. Rackmil, president of
Universal Pictures and of Decca, re-
turned here yesterday from the Coast,
where he conferred with "U" studio
executives. He will leave today for
England mainly on Decca business,
according to a spokesman for Decca.
Rackmil is due back in about two
weeks. .
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Ouigley. Editor-in-Chief and. Publisher: Sh™ ^
Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing Company Inc. 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center. ^ -TrS feyraolld Levy. Vice-President; Leo J.
New York." Martin Quigley President; Martin Ouigley. Jr.. V,ce-Pres.dent ; Tfe°Y-tisine Manager ■ Gus H. Pause! Production Manager: Holly wood . Bureau. . Yucca-Vine
Brady, Secretary; James P. Cunningham. News Editor: Herbert V Fee ke Advert W J™^uffiR^ r ^ F1 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11
Building, William R. Weaver, Editor Chicago Bureau, 1 20 South I-aSalle : Street Lrben . Farley Adxertmn Keju-wenjatiye _ L l o , Bumnv. M r. peter
North Clark Street. FR-2-2843. Washington J. A. Otten National Press C ub. Washmgton D C • Jr^X. ^etwr Theatre* and Theatre Sales, each published 13 times a year as
Burnup, Editor; cable address^ "Quigpubco, London.' Other Quigley ^Publications Mr ^»f™ld- »«*r Sep? 21. 1938, at the post office at New York. N. Y.. under
a section of Motion Picture Herald; International Motion Picture Almanac, hme. Entered as seconaciass mane . i .
the act of March 3. 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single cop.es. 10c
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center
MARIO LANZA in
"BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE"
introducing DORETTA MORROW
An M-G-M Picture
Color by TECHNICOLOR •
plus
SPECTACULAR STAGE
PRESENTATION
SPRIllffl
BHE
Midnight Fcoiyf ■
9k. Nightly
The LUSTY MEN
CRITERION 5»d°$3hw&
Distributed by RKO RADIO PICTURES
Happy JOHN BALABAN
Happy SI FABIAN
Happy SAM GOLDFINGER
Happy JOHN HARRIS
if
Happy I. J. HOFFMAN
Happy EDWARD HYMAN
Happy WILLIAM JENKINS
Happy HARRY KALMINE
Happy GUS METZGER
Happy FRANK NEWMAN
Happy BOB O'DONNELL
Happy EDWARD PRINSEN
is
Happy FRANK RICKETSON
Happy SOL SCHWARTZ
Happy WILLIAM SKIRBALL
Happy EDWIN SILVERMAN
Happy GEORGE KERASOTES Happy RALPH SNIDER
Happy ELMER LUX
Happy JOE VOGEL
THE GREATEST THEATER
IS VERDICT AFTE
FOR THE FIRST TIME in memory a motion picture has been
sneak previewed in 51 DIFFERENT CITIES. The picture? STANLEY
KRAMER'S "THE HAPPY TIME." The reactions? BREATHTAK-
ING! Who said so? They are listed on the previous page.
O ur reasons for this HISTORY-MAKING PROCEDURE were
simple: we wanted to prove unequivocally to exhibitors what
we already knew about this picture; we wanted them to have
the full appreciation of the picture's potentialities which could
only come from a theater screening; we knew that its ROLLICK-
ING, INFECTIOUS, DELIGHTFUL GAIETY would be enjoyed ten-
fold when seen with an audience; we knew that every person
in each of the 51 audiences would become a press agent for
"THE HAPPY TIME."
A II of that happened.
NCE REACTION EVER SEEN
1 SNEAK PREVIEWS!
11
This, then, is our grateful acknowledgment to our exhibitor
friends for their cooperation in arranging the previews — and
for their expressions of tremendous enthusiasm afterwards.
urn! teta'4
6
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, October 28, 1952
Eastern Theatre TV Cost
{Continued from page 1)
RKO Pictures
{Continued from page 1)
20th Meet
{Continued from page 1)
this year and the beginning of 1953.
Lichtman as chairman will be aided
by W. C. Gehring, executive assistant
general sales manager ; Edwin W.
Aaron, Western sales manager, and
Arthur Silverstone, Eastern and Can-
adian sales manager.
Charles Einfeld, ad-publicity vice-
president, will outline advertising,
publicity and exploitation plans and
discuss the line-up of pictures being-
offered during the branch managers'
testimonial which will end Dec. 27.
Also to be discussed are plans for
the company's "Anniversary Week"
which is to be celebrated over Thanks-
giving.
Pictures for the remainder of 1952
which will be included in the discus-
sions are Darryl F. Zanuck's "The
Snows of Kilimanjaro," "The Stars
and Stripes Forever," "Bloodhounds
of Broadway," "The Steel Trap,"
"The Thief of Venice," "Pony Sol-
dier" and "My Pal Gus."
Division managers scheduled to at-
tend the meeting are: Herman Wob-
ber, Western ; Harry Ballance, South-
. ern; Martin Moskowitz, Empire
State; M. A. Levy, Midwest; Glenn
Norris, Atlantic; Tom McCleaster,
Central and Peter Myers, Canadian.
Also on hand will be Buck Stoner and
Paul Wilson, assistant division man-
agers in the Western and Southern
territories, respectively.
Branch managers Jim Connolly,
Boston; Ben Simon, New Haven, and
Tom Gilliam, Chicago will also be in
attendance since their exchanges are
now supervised by the home office.
Wald-Krasna, RKO
{Continued from page 1)
member, and David Tannenbaum,
Wald-Krasna president.
A principal consideration of the ter-
mination was Jerry Wald's agreement
to continue, on a non-exclusive basis,
as production advisor in connection
with RKO's planned production of
"High Heels" and "Size 12," both of
which Harriet Parsons will produce.
Miss Parsons' contract with Wajd-
Krasna has been taken over by RKO.
Milton Pickman will continue as
Wald-Krasna vice-president and gen-
eral manager.
Tannenbaum said negotiations which
Wald-Krasna has been conducting
with another studio "will be concluded
at once."
Under the RKO deal, Wald-Krasna
produced four pictures which the dis-
tributing company will continue to
handle: "The Blue Veil," "Clash by
Night," "Behave Yourself" and "The
Lusty Men."
Solomon
{Continued from page 1)
office where he was in charge of ad-
vertising, publicity and field exploita-
tion forces in the Midwest.
ing today by Manfred Toeppen, but
due to an accounting error in the ex-
hibits which were part of Toeppen's
presentation, and which was just dis-
covered over the week-end, his ap-
pearance was postponed until the Jan.
12 portion of the hearing.
Due to the fact that Toeppen's ap-
pearance was canceled, the engineer-
ing and cost phase of the hearing-
ended early today, after testimony by
John W. Clark. Following- the close
of the hearing, a reliable industry in-
formant gave reporters the figures on
construction and operating costs of the
New York City- Washington theatre
television system, which Toeppen will
present in January. Toeppen is the
cost analyst for the Motion Picture
Association of America and the Na-
tional Exhibitors Theatre Television
Committee.
In the $60,000,000 figure there
are three definite construction
figures, the spokesman said, in-
cluding $1,500,000 as the cost of
constructing an intra-city relay
system for Washington, which
would service 93 theatres in the
metropolitan area; and $650,000
for building the necessary pro-
gram source links, both mobile
and fixed, to pick up programs.
The third definite figure, $3,300,
000, covers the cost of con-
structing the New York-Wash-
ington inter-city relay system,
which will supply the nine cities.
According to the industry source,
the specific Washington figures, taking
into account differing engineering and
cost problems presented by each city,
and including the $3,300,000 figure,
can be extended to total the $60,000,-
000 for over-all capital costs. Eighty
per cent of the total $60,000,000 figure
will go into the costs of intra-city dis-
tribution for theatres within the nine
cities.
Besides New York and Washington,
the cities that would be covered by
the projected system are Trenton,
Philadelphia, Atlantic City, Reading,
Allentown, Wilmington and Baltimore.
Operating costs for the sys-
tem as revealed by qualified
industry experts, are based on
a three-year amortization pe-
riod for the capital costs. They
stress the fact that a high rate
of amortization was chosen be-
cause some of the equipment
will probably wear out rapidly
— and that the operating costs
will therefore be comparatively
high during the three-year
amortization period.
Johnston to N.Y.
{Continued from page 1)
to Paris last weekend but called it off
because he had developed a cold.
Since Franco-American negotiations
broke off several weeks ago no Ameri-
can pictures have been sent to France.
The talks between the two govern-
ments ended abruptly when the French
withdrew a previous offer to permit
the bulk of some $6,000,000 in blocked
earnings to be remitted forthwith _ at
the capital account rate. Meanwhile,
France, in what was interpreted here
as a goodwill gesture, remitted at the
official rate $1,200,000, a sum which
had been tagged for remittance for
quite some time.
The cost of operating the inter-city
transmission will run at about $1,600,-
000 a year ; the cost of the Washing-
ton intra-city system at $580,000 year-
ly ; and the cost of the program source
link operation at $250,000 a year.
The operating cost figures cover six
hours of operation daily, but the
spokesman said that the costs would
not vary too much for three, nine or
12 operating hours.
Industry Attorneys Satisfied With
Progress of Theatre TV Hearing
Washington, Oct. 27. — Industry
attorneys expressed themselves as
completely satisfied with the progress
of the industry's theatre television case
today, as the hearing before the Fed-
eral Communications Commission on
the engineering and cost phases of
theatre television recessed until Jan. 12.
They cited Commissioners, Com-
mission staffers and attorneys for
parties in the case, who told them
that the presentation of the industry's
case had been "impressive" and "bul-
let-proof." One non-industry attorney
said the industry's case had .been "the
best presentation" in any allocations
proceeding before the FCC.
Vincent Welch, attorney for the
Motion Picture Association of Amer-
ica, and Marcus Cohn, attorney for
the National , Exhibitors Theatre tele-
vision Committee, declared that al-
though progress would be slow all
along the way in the presentation of
the theatre television case., mainly due
to the great bulk of testimony, they
thought that the first week of hearing
had come off very well.
They also noted that the atti-
tude of the commission and the
FCC staff, sparked by chairman
Paul Walker's opening day blast
at exclusive theatre telecasts of
fights, had "improved as the
case went along."
Final witness today was John W.
Clark, who told the Commission that
the. Klystron tube was high-powered
enough to provide 900D UHF micro-
wave transmission as well as to pro-
vide transmission over the broad band
which the industry thinks is necessary
for theatre television transmission.
Answering some doubts expressed by
Commissioners and the staff as to
whether there was equipment available
today to do the job the industry wants
done, Clark said the Klystron tube
was actually in effective use today.
It was expensive, he pointed out, but
he added that Varian Associates were
continuing with research which would
eventually cut the price.
Name Stein
{Continued from page 1)
of the Motion Picture Industry Coun-
cil of Canada.
Sitting in camera,, the delegates drew
up resolutions on television in rela-
tions to theatres, admission of 16mm.
exhibitors to membership, protective
musical copyright measures, and the
proposed overhaul of the theatre regu-
lations by the Ontario Government.
Other officers are F. Gordon Spen-
cer of Saint John, N. B. and K. H.
Leach of Calgary, vice-presidents ;
Dick Main of Sutton, Out. secretary-
treasurer, and Arch H. Jolley, of Tor-
onto, executive secretary.
vacancies caused by the resignation of j
Ralph E. Stolkin, A. L. Koolish and
William Gorman from the board of
the operating company, RKO Radio
Pictures. Grant said that he expects
to be able to announce the board's
selections within 24 or 48 hours.
Grant said it would take some, time
before a new president is selected by
the board, replacing Stolkin. The
chief executive explained that, barring
the appointment of an interim presi-
dent, he thought it advisable for the*
company to first fill board vacancies.
The new directors, he added, would
then be able to choose a president
after obtaining experience in operat-
ing the company.
The major problem of select-
ing a studio head and getting
the studio back in full scale
production will be attacked by
Grant on his trip to the West
Coast, which he plans in an-
other week or so, it was re- '
vealed.
The second in a series of weekly
press conferences highlighted the in-
troduction of the "executive team" in
the East, composed of 16 department
heads. Grant said the eventual depart-
ment executives, including those at
the studio, will number 25.
Picker Absent
Absent from the luncheon was Ar-
nold Picker, newly-appointed execu-
tive vice-president of the company,
who is due here today from Europe.
Grant said that Picker while abroad
suggested a number of minor changes
in RKO's foreign operations.
Grant said he did not know the in-
tentions of the Stolkin syndicate,
whether members of the group would
sell their 26 per cent stock interest
purchased from Hughes. Grant added
that he acted as an attorney for the
purchasing group, but was not familiar
with the background of each member.
The board chairman held that the
Stolkin group's voice in management
would be no different from the in-
fluence of any group of minority stock-
holders. Grant denied that R. J.
O'Donnell, head of Interstate circuit,
had been approached for the presi-
dency of RKO.
The following were introduced by
Grant as part of the "executive team"
which would be in charge of sales and
distribution of RKO product. In order
of their introduction, they are :
Jay Bonafield, executive vice-presi-
dent and general manager of RKO
Pathe ; Garrett Van Wagner, comp-
troller ; William Zimmerman, head of
the legal department ; Robert K.
Hawkinson, foreign administration
manager ; Alfred Crown, foreign sales
manager ; Richard Condon, advertis-
ing-publicity director ; William Clark,
treasurer ; Charles Boasberg, general
sales manager ; Walter Branson, assis-
tant general sales manager, and Harry
Pimstein, assistant to Grant.
Ruffin President
{Continued from page 1)
the starter for the Motion Picture
Theatre Owners of Arkansas, Missis-
sippi and Tennessee which opened a
three day convention here tonight at
the Hotel Gayoso. Leon Roundtree,
Holly Springs, Miss., is being boomed
for president of the Tri- States, which
will elect officers Wednesday.
When 1/cu Weed a
SPECIAL TRAILER
'GOOD' and FAST
GOOD OLD DEPENDABLE
FILM ACK
CHICAGO 5, 1327 5. WABASH AVE.
NEW YORK 36, 630 NINTH AVE.
:uesday, October 28, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
Television-Radio
with Pinky Herman
ur\EAR Mr. Anthony," is the way this gag has started for
"my wife went out for a loaf of bread seven years as
George Ansbro
years,
'my wite went out tor a Joat ot Dread seven years ago and
hasn't returned yet. My problem is, shall I still wait or shall I go out
for the bread myself?" On his return from service in the Pacific, late
in 1945, Sgt. Harry S. Miller and NBC staffer Leo Russotto composed
a beautiful ballad, "Your Love," which they showed to Jan Pearce who
promised to record the tune. For any number of reasons, busy sched-
ule, out-of-town engagements, Metropolitan Opera commitments, etc.,
Jan has been unable to do the number. Yesterday, in front of the
RKO Bldg., Miller asked ye scribbler, "Shall Leo and I still wait or
shall we take our song to Tony Martin?" .... CBStarting Nov. 1,
Jack Lescoulie will announce the "Jackie Gleason Show." . . . Atlas
TV Corp. has completed five one-reel Football Hi-Lites narrated by
Ford Bond. . . . Frank Bunetta, producer-director of DuMont's new
dramatic series, "Dark of Night," acquires new laurels for his effective
lights and shadows technique plus the imaginative location selections.
. . . Peter Arnell sez, and we quote : "It won't do those flying saucers
any good to come to earth because they won't find a space to park."
Unquote. . . . The song, "Lights On — Votes Out," used extensively on
WOR-Mutual's campaign to get people to vote this year, was com-
posed by Nick and Charles Kenny. . . .
ft ft ' ft
George Ansbro, ABC staff announcer, who zuas granted special
permission to continue on "Young Widder Brown" at the time
when the Red and Blue Networks were di-
vorced, is NB Celebrating his 15 th year on that
program. . . . Rated-, and deservedly so, as one
of the best-liked performers in night clubs, Joe
E. Lewis, Sunday night on Ed Sullivan's
"T oast of the Town," might have chosen material
better suited for the home 'viewers. . . . NBC's
second telefilm of the scries of conversations
with elder ivise men, will feature Robert Frost,
four-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for
poetry. Produced by Richard deRochemont and
filmed at Frost's home in Ripton, Vt., the sub-
ject will be seen Sunday, Nov. 23, at 5 :30 P.M.
ft ' ft ft
General Foods (Jello) has signed Bob Hope to star in two
new programs involving lots of moolah. Both shows will be
aired via NBC, one series to be heard across the board morn-
ings from 9:30-9:45 A.M., starting Nov. 10, and the second
program a half-hour deal set for every Wednesday evening
with the launching taking place next January 7. . . . Important
advances and new methods in black and white and color film
processing and printing will be discussed by Eastman Kodak
engineers at the next SMPTE meeting, Thursday, at the Henry
Hudson Hotel in New York City. ... In an endeavor to clear
up misunderstandings in the exchange of actors here and
abroad, Actor's Equity prexy Ralph Bellamy will film the next
13 chapters of his "Man Against Crime," CBS-TV series so
he can spend a month in Europe for direct meetings with
European artist reps. . . . "Stage a Number," produced every
Wednesday at 9 P.M. via DuMont by Roger Gerry, is an hour
of diversified entertainment. It also serves as a "showcase"
not only for new talent but likewise tosses a spotlight directly
on new directors, producers and purveyors of talent. . . .
Beauteous Rebel Randall, the Hollywood Deejay, whose phone
calls every CBSunday at 4:00 P.M. on the Regent cigarette-
sponsored program, "America Calling," permits GFs stationed
all over the globe to speak to their families, is a former model
and film actress. (Rebel? her first name should be Patriot.)
ft ft K
Jack Kirkwood, whose MBScintillating wit is beamed daily from
Hollywood, has been named "Mr. Entertainment." During his long
and varied career, Jack appeared in dramatic stock, vaudeville, musical
comedy, sang in light and comic opera, was an orchestra manager,
plays the trumpet, cello and drums and write :he scripts, gags, black-
outs for his programs. . . . Dr. Gino Hamilton's "Jazz Arts Concerts,"
heard every Saturday at 10 :30 P.M. via NBC, sounds to us like a
newer and better version of the original "Basin St. Chamber Music
Society" doings. In fact, the series stacks up like fine TV material.
. . . Alice J. Heinecke's words about music, published in Sesac's
Monthly Journal, are highly interesting and informative accounts of
people and their adventures with the musical muse.
teen-age fans
ill-
MUX "
Hill
IEM0N
November
seventeen
"THE
LUSTY
MEN"
WALD-KRASNA
Production:
distributed by
RK0-RADI0 PICTURES
] MOTION PICTURE TT
DAILY
Accun
Concise
Impartial
VOL. 72. NO. 83
NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1952
TEN CENTS
RKO Pictures
Will Recover,
Grant Avers
Says New Directors Will
Be Named in 48 Hours
Confidence that RKO Radio will
recover from its current ills was
expressed here yesterday by Arnold
Grant, chairman of the board, at a
second press luncheon, held at the
Warwick Hotel to introduce the "ex-
ecutive team" of the company.
It is his judgment, Grant
said, that while RKO Radio Pic-
tures is a "sick company," it
should "not die from the ail-
ment." On the contrary, Grant
predicted that "the patient will
live for many, many years and
recover."
Grant, who has been functioning as
chief executive of the company since
Howard Hughes sold his controlling
stock interest, said the board is meet-
ing daily in an attempt to fill the
(Continued on page 6)
Goldenson Has A
Public Relations Plan
Hollywood, Oct. 27.— The Mo-
tion Picture Industry Council
has set up
machinery
for cooperat-
ing in a plan
conceived by
Leonard
G oldenson,
president of
United Para-
mount The-
atres, through
which exhibi-
tors national-
ly will be pro-
v i d e d with
Leonard Goldenson material for
local public
relations use. Lou Greenspan,
former publicist and trade paper
editor, has been appointed to
coordinate material for exhibi-
tors' use, including news stories,
special features, speeches and
radio-TV data.
Wald-Krasna, RKO
Terminate Contract
The RKO Radio distribution con-
tract with Wald-Krasna Productions,
covering the period from Aug. 14,
1950 to Dec. 31, 1952, yesterday was
terminated by mutual agreement, it
was reported here by sources close to
Wald-Krasna. The contract cancella-
tion resulted from negotiations during
the past week in Hollywood between
Sherrill Corwin, RKO Radio board
(Continued on page 6)
Confabs on Hughes
Loan Underway
Talks to effect the $8,000,000
Howard Hughes' loan, nego-
tiated by the Stolkin syndi-
cate when it acquired Hughes'
controlling stock interest in
RKO Pictures, are proceeding
in New York, Arnold Grant,
board chairman, revealed here
yesterday.
He said those participating
in the talks are Thomas Slack,
Hughes' attorney, William
Zimmerman, head of RKO
Pictures' legal department,
and William Clark, the com-
pany's treasurer.
THEATRE TV COST IN
EAST 160-MILLION
Ruffin President of
Tennessee Unit
Name Solomon 20th
Assistant Ad Head
Edward Solomon has been named to
the newly-created post of assistant ad-
vertising director of 20th Century-Fox,
it was announced by Abe Goodman,
advertis-
ing manager.
With experi-
ence in theatre
operation, man-
agement, adver-
tising, publicity
and exploita-
tion, Solomon
has been a mem-
ber of 20th-Fox
since 1 940.
Prior to joining
the company he
was on the ad-
vertising staff
of Balaban and
Katz in Chicago.
20th he was assigned to the Chicago
(Continued on page 6)
Memphis, Oct! 27. — Tennessee
Theatre Owners today elected W. F.
Ruffin, Jr., Covington, as president to
succeed Jay Solomon.
J. A. West, Memphis ; Earl Hen-
drew, Erwin; and Cowan Oldham,
McMinnville, were elected vice-presi-
dents. Emil Bernstecker, Atlanta, was
named secretary and Charles A. Simp-
son, Chattanooga, treasurer. Solomon
was elected national Theatre Owners
of America director.
The Tennessee convention adopted
resolutions favoring arbitration "in
principal," and directing the TOA ex-
ecutive committee to use. its own dis-
cretion in the 16 mm. suit.
Tennessee's one-day meeting was
(Continued on page 6)
Edward Solomon
When he joined
20th-Fox Product
Meeting Nov. 12
A schedule of releases for the first
nine months of 1953 will be announced
by 20th Century-Fox at a special divi-
sion managers meeting here Nov. 12-
13, Al Lichtman, director of distribu-
tion, who will preside, announced
yesterday.
The managers also will hear an out-
line of sales and advertising plans for
pictures set through the remainder of
(Continued on page 6)
Johnston to N. Y.,
Weighs Paris Trip
Eric A. Johnston, Motion Picture
Association of America president, who
is scheduled to be in New York today
from Washington, yesterday still had
not made up his mind on when to fly
to Paris for talks looking to negotia-
tion of a Franco- American film agree-
ment.
MPAA officials in France have been
observing closely economic and politi-
cal developments there with the inten-
tion of signaling Johnston when the
ame for talks appears propitious, it
was indicated here.
Johnston had scheduled a plane trip
(Continued on page 6)
Figure Covers Building
Costs Only, Film
Industry Sources Reveal
Washington, Oct. 27. — It would
cost about $60,000,000 to build a
system that would supply virtually
all the indoor theatres in nine large
Eastern cities with competing theatre
television programs, industry sources
said today.
The figure applies only to
building costs. It covers the ex-
expense of setting up a New
York City-Washington inter-
city relay system which would
carry three simultaneously
competing circuits in the nine
cities. However, for the $60,000.-
000 figure, theatres would be
able to choose from six com-
peting circuits, each with a
different program.
It was expected that this informa-
tion would be part of testimony to be
given to the Federal Communications
Commission's theatre television hear-
(Continued on page 6)
Name FP-Cs Stein
Canadian Unit Head
Ottawa, Oct. 27. — Morris Stein,
division manager of Famous Players
Canadian Corp., Toronto, was re-
elected president of the National Com-
mittee of Motion Picture Exhibitors
Association of Canada at its fourth
annual convention today in the Cha-
teau Laurier Hotel here, with up-
wards of 25 delegates present from
provincial groups across Canada.
The discussions by the theatre offi-
cials were preliminary to the two-day
convention tomorrow and Wednesday
(Continued on page 6)
Ontario Moves to
Revise Censorship
Toronto, Oct. 27. — A move by the
Ontario government for complete re-
vision of censorship and theatre in-
spection regulations has brought a
call to all exhibitors in the Province
by the Motion Picture Theatres As-
sociation of Ontario for the submission
of suggestions to be incorporated in a
brief for presentation to director O. J.
Silverthorne of the government's
theatre branch.
More Support for
U.S. Tax Repeal
Columbus, O., Oct. 27. —
Seven additional Congres-
sional candidates in Ohio
have given replies to ques-
tions by Robert Wile, secre-
tary of the Independent Thea-
tre Owners of Ohio, about
their attitudes on repeal of
the Federal admission tax.
Four declared in favor of re-
peal and three said they are
favorably disposed to tax re-
duction.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, October 28, 1952
Personal
Mention
BLUMBERG, Universal
has arrived in
New York from the Coast.
NATE J.
board chairman,
James R. Grainger, Republic ex-
ecutive vice-president in charge of
sales, returned to New York yester-
day following a three-week's trip to
New Orleans, Dallas, Los Angeles,
San Francisco and Chicago.
•
Leon Bamberger, RKO Radio sales
promotion chief, is in Memphis to ad-
dress the annual convention of the
MPTO of Tennessee, Arkansas and
Mississippi. He will return on Friday.
Hugh Owen, Paramount's East-
ern-Southern division manager, is in
Buffalo today, and tomorrow he will
be in Albany.
Robert Dowling, head of City In-
vesting Corp., will return here from
London today.
c
Philip Gerard, Universal Eastern
publicity manager, was in Philadelphia
yesterdav from New York.
Sam Shain is in Buffalo today on
a COMPO assignment.
United Paramount
Meets Tomorrow
The third annual meeting of United
Paramount Theatres, Inc., will be held
tomorrow and Thursday at the Green-
briar Hotel, White Sulpher Springs,
West Virginia.
Attending will be the following
from the home office: Leonard H.
Goldenson, Robert M. Weitman, Ed-
ward L. Hyman, Robert O'Brien,
Walter Gross, Sidney M. Markley,
Simon B. Siegel, Herbert Lazarus
and Harry Levine.
The following will attend from the
field : Karl Hoblitzelle, Robert O'Don-
nell, Robert Wilby, H. F. Kincey,
John Balaban, Dave Wallerstein, A.
H. Blank, Kermitt Carr, Martin J.
Mullin, Earl J. Hudson, Harry B.
French, Leon Netter and Louis
Finske.
Also, Gaston Dureau, Henry Plitt,
John Adams, Raymond Willie, James
Harrison, Emil Bernstecker, Roy
Smart, Ray Hendry, George Aure-
lius, Arthur Krolick, Eugene Street,
Ben Rosenberg, Selig Seligman, Jerry
Zigmond, William O'Donnell, Jack
Katz and James Redd.
Rackmil to Leave Today
Milton R. Rackmil, president of
Universal Pictures and of Decca, re-
turned here yesterday from the Coast,
where he conferred with "U" studio
executives. He will leave today for
England mainly on Decca business,
according to a spokesman for Decca.
Rackmil is due back in about two
weeks.
UK Wage Dispute Threatens
Shutdown of Production
London, Oct. 27. — A meeting of
producers with studio union heads to-
day, called to attempt to prevent a
shutdown of production because of in-
ability to make progress in negotia-
tions for wage increases, was ad-
journed until Wednesday by mutual
consent.
The meeting had been requested by
Tom O'Brien, head of the National
Association of Theatrical and Kine
Employes, one of the unions involved
in the negotiations, after an unauthor-
ized work stoppage had been staged at
J. Arthur Rank's Pinewood studio
last week. Similar tactics were
adopted at other motion picture studios
subsequently.
O'Brien, George Elvin of the Asso-
ciation of Cine and Allied Technicians,
and Frank Haxell of the Electrical
Trades Union attended today's meeting
with leading producers. The British
Film Producers Association consid-
ered closing down all studios on the
theory that it would be impossible to
arrange shooting schedules in the
event the impromptu work stoppages
continue.
Among pr'oductions held up are
Walt Disney's "Sword and the Rose"
at Pinewood, and "The Red Beret," in
which Alan Ladd is starring at Shep-
perton.
Negotiations between the producers
and studio unions have been in prog-
ress for more than a year. Producers
are demanding relaxation in what they
call restrictive practices as the price
of pay-rises.
Royal Performance
Aids UK Trade Fund
London, Oct. 27. — Total proceeds
of the annual Royal Film Perform-
ance, held at M-G-M's Leicester
Square Empire Theatre here tonight
with "Because You're Mine" as the
feature attraction, will amount to ap-
proximately £30,000 ($84,000), includ-
ing Wednesday receipts from a replica
performance at Leeds, Thursday at
Liverpool, and revenue from program
advertising. Proceeds are contributed
to the Cinematograph Trade Benevo-
lent Fund.
Present at the performance were the
Queen, her husband, the Duke of
Edinburgh, and Princess Margaret. A
60-minute stage presentation followed
the film, with Charles Chaplin, Sir
Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh,
Yvonne de Carlo, Gene Kelly, Doug-
las Fairbanks, Kirk Douglas, Evelyn
Keyes, Rock Hudson and others par-
ticipating.
IName Chairmen for
Pioneers Dinner
Rogers to Make More
Films for Theatres
Columbus, O., Oct. 27.— Roy Ro-
gers, performing with Dale Evans and
a large company in the Hobart Arena
at Troy, O., disclosed that he plans
to make another series of films for
theatre distribution. Rogers' manager,
Arthur Rush, stated that an an-
nouncement would be made shortly
from Rogers' Hollywood office on the
distributor and production schedule.
Committee chairmen for the Motion
Picture Pioneers "Jubilee Dinner" at
the Hotel Astor here on Tuesday,
Nov. 25, were announced yesterday by
Jack Cohn, president of the Pioneers,
and Ned E. Depinet, chairman of the
dinner, which will honor N. J. Blum-
berg, chairman of the board of Uni-
versal Pictures, as the Motion Picture
Pioneer of 1952.
Harry J. Takiff, secretary-treasurer
of the Pioneers, and Marvin Kirsch,
vice-president, have been appointed
administrators for the dinner. John J.
O'Connor, vice-president of Universal,
will be in charge of honored guests.
Gilbert Josephson, exhibitor, will be
in charge of physical arrangements
for the dinner and reception. Charles
Alicoate of Film Daily, and Ray Gal-
lagher of Motion Picture Herald, will
be in charge of admissions and new
member inductions. David A. Bader
will be in charge of new members,
and George Jessel will serve as toast-
master.
Technicolor9-Month
Net Is $1,499,507
Consolidated net profit after taxes
on Technicolor's income for the nine
months ending Sept. 30, is estimated
to be $1,499,507, equivalent to $1.60
per share.
This compares to a net of $1,561,525,
equivalent to $1.68 per share for the
corresponding nine months of 1951,
with taxes for that period adjusted to
the effective rate paid for the entire
year.
The estimated consolidated net profit
after taxes on income for the quarter
ending Sept. 30, 1952 is $474,087,
which is equivalent to 50 cents per
share. This compares to a net of
$500,131 which is equivalent to 54
cents a share, for the corresponding
quarter in 1951.
First TV Saturation
Set by 'U' for 'Trees9
Universal will use a saturation tele-
vision spot campaign for the first time
in connection with the world premiere
of "It Grows on Trees" at the Para-
mount Theatre in New Haven on
Wednesday, Nov. 5, the company dis-
closes.
The spots, which will be used dur-
ing station breaks on the New Haven
television station, will range from 20
seconds to one minute.
/. H. Moskowitz Returns
Joseph H. Moskowitz, vice-presi-
dent and special studio representative
of 20th Century-Fox, returned to his
New York office yesterday after a
five-month visit to the Coast.
TV of Coronation
To Be Restricted
London, Oct. 27.— The Coro-
nation Commission has ruled
against television being per-
mitted to cover the actual
ceremony. Newsreels, how-
ever, including color films, are
authorized to provide com-
plete coverage.
The J. Arthur Rank Organi-
zation has completed arrange-
ments for a full length pic-
ture in Technicolor and As-
sociated British-Pathe will
have a full-length picture.
Protests against the TV
ceremonial ban have caused
Prime Minister Churchill to
call a special Cabinet meeting
to help him draft a statement
on the issue to be read to the
House of Commons tomorrow.
Seadler Heads MPA
Ad-Publicity Group
Silas F. Seadler, director of adver-
tising of M-G-M, has been named
chairman of the Advertising and Pub-
licity Directors Committee of the Mo-
tion Picture Association of America.
He succeeds Charles Simonelli, East-
ern ad-publicity manager and national
exploitation chief of Universal.
The committee chairmanship is a
rotating post involving a minimum
tenure of six months.
Simonelli, who served as chairman
for nine months, won a unanimous
vote of thanks from the committee for
his "able guidance" of the group's ac-
tivities since the first of the year.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center —
MARIO LANZA in
"BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE"
introducing DORETTA MORROW
Color by TECHNICOLOR -
plus
SPECTACULAR STAGE
An M-G-M Picture
PRESENTATION
Smumi
HI,
SUHNy
stra
B0WS£R
JME RAVENS
Midnight feoluf*
Nighlly
it
Susan HAYWARD— Robert MITCHUM
Arthur KENNEDY— Arthur HUNNICUTT
The LUSTY MEN'
CRITERION
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1938
Happy GUS METZGER
ft
Happy FRANK NEWMAN
ft
Happy BOB O'DONNELL
ft
Happy EDWARD PRINSEN
ft
Happy JOHN BALABAN
ft
Happy SI FABIAN
ft
Happy SAM GOLDFINGER
ft
Happy JOHN HARRIS
ft
Happy I. J. HOFFMAN
ft
Happy EDWARD HYMAN
ft
Happy WILLIAM JENKINS
ft
Happy HARRY KALMINE
ft *
Happy GEORGE KERASOTES Happy RALPH SNIDER
Happy FRANK RICKETSON
ft
Happy SOL SCHWARTZ
ft
Happy WILLIAM SKIRBALL
ft
Happy EDWIN SILVERMAN
ft
ft
Happy ELMER LUX
Happy JOE VOGEL
"THE GREATEST THEATER
IS VERDICT AFTE
F OR THE FIRST TIME in memory a motion picture has been
sneak previewed in 51 DIFFERENT CITIES. The picture? STANLEY
KRAMER'S "THE HAPPY TIME." The reactions? BREATHTAK-
ING! Who said so? They are listed on the previous page.
O ur reasons for this HISTORY-MAKING PROCEDURE were
simple: we wanted to prove unequivocally to exhibitors what
we already knew about this picture; we wanted them to have
the full appreciation of the picture's potentialities which could
only come from a theater screening; we knew that its ROLLICK-
ING, INFECTIOUS, DELIGHTFUL GAIETY would be enjoyed ten-
fold when seen with an audience; we knew that every person
in each of the 51 audiences would become a press agent for
"THE HAPPY TIME."
A II of that happened.
NCE REACTION EVER SEEN
il SNEAK PREVIEWS!
This, then, is our grateful acknowledgment to our exhibitor
friends for their cooperation in arranging the previews— -and
for their expressions of tremendous enthusiasm afterwards.
6
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, October 28, 1952
Eastern Theatre TV Cost
(Continued from page 1)
RKO Pictures
(Continued from page 1)
20th Meet
(Continued from page 1)
this year and the beginning of 1953.
Lichtman as chairman will be aided
by W. C. Gehring, executive assistant
general sales manager ; Edwin W.
Aaron, Western sales manager, and
Arthur Silverstone, Eastern and Can-
adian sales manager.
Charles Einfeld, ad-publicity vice-
president, will outline advertising,
publicity and exploitation plans and
discuss the line-up of pictures being-
offered during the branch managers'
testimonial which will end Dec. 27.
Also to be discussed are plans for
the company's "Anniversary Week"
which is to be celebrated over Thanks-
giving.
Pictures for the remainder of 1952
which will be included in the discus-
sions are Darryl F. Zanuck's "The
Snows of Kilimanjaro," "The Stars
and Stripes Forever," "Bloodhounds
of Broadway," "The Steel Trap,"
"The Thief of Venice," "Pony Sol-
dier" and "My Pal Gus."
Division managers scheduled to at-
tend the meeting are: Herman Wob-
ber, Western ; Harry Ballance, South-
ern; Martin Moskowitz, Empire
State; M. A. Levy, Midwest; Glenn
Norris, Atlantic ; Tom McCleaster,
Central and Peter Myers, Canadian.
Also on hand will be Buck Stoner and
Paul Wilson, assistant division man-
agers in the Western and Southern
territories, respectively.
Branch managers Jim Connolly,
Boston ; Ben Simon, New Haven, and
Tom Gilliam, Chicago will also be in
attendance since their exchanges are
now supervised by the home office.
Wald-Krasna, RKO
(Continued from page 1)
member, and David Tannenbaum,
Wald-Krasna president.
A principal consideration of the ter-
mination was Jerry Wald's agreement
to continue, on a non-exclusive basis,
as production advisor in connection
with RKO's planned production of
"High Heels" and "Size 12," both of
which Harriet Parsons will produce.
Miss Parsons' contract with Wald-
Krasna has been taken over by RKO.
Milton Pickman will continue as
Wald-Krasna vice-president and gen-
eral manager.
Tannenbaum said negotiations which
Wald-Krasna has been conducting
with another studio "will be concluded
at once."
Under the RKO deal, Wald-Krasna
produced four pictures which the dis-
tributing company will continue to
handle: "The Blue Veil," "Clash by
Night," "Behave Yourself" and "The
Lusty Men."
Solomon
(Continued from page 1)
office where he was in charge of ad-
vertising, publicity and field exploita-
tion forces in the Midwest.
ing today by Manfred Toeppen, but
due to an accounting error in the ex-
hibits which were part of Toeppen's
presentation, and which was just dis-
covered over the week-end, his ap-
pearance was postponed until the Jan.
12 portion of the hearing.
Due to the fact that Toeppen's ap-
pearance was canceled, the engineer-
ing and cost phase of the hearing
ended early today, after testimony by
John W. Clark. Following the close
of the hearing, a reliable industry in-
formant gave reporters the figures on
construction and operating costs of the
New York City-Washington theatre
television system, which Toeppen will
present in January. Toeppen is the
cost analyst for the Motion Picture
Association of America and the Na-
tional Exhibitors Theatre Television
Committee.
In the $60,000,000 figure there
are three definite construction
figures, the spokesman said, in-
cluding $1,500,000 as the cost of
constructing an intra-city relay
system for Washington, which
would service 93 theatres in the
metropolitan area; and $650,000
for building the necessary pro-
gram source links, both mobile
and fixed, to pick up programs.
The third definite figure, $3,300,
000, covers the cost of con-
structing the New York-Wash-
ington inter-city relay system,
which will supply the nine cities.
According to the industry source,
the specific Washington figures, taking
into account differing engineering and
cost problems presented by each city,
and including the $3,300,000 figure,
can be extended to total the $60,000,-
000 for over-all capital costs. Eighty
per cent of the total $60,000,000 figure
will go into the costs of intra-city dis-
tribution for theatres within the nine
cities.
Besides New York and Washington,
the cities that would be covered by
the projected system are Trenton,
Philadelphia, Atlantic City, Reading,
Allentown, Wilmington and Baltimore.
Operating costs for the sys-
tem as revealed by qualified
industry experts, are based on
a three-year amortization pe-
riod for the capital costs. They
stress the fact that a high rate
of amortization was chosen be-
cause some of the equipment
will probably wear out rapidly
— and that the operating costs
will therefore be comparatively
high during the three-year
amortization period.
Johnston to N.Y.
(Continued from page 1)
to Paris last weekend but called it off
because he had developed a cold.
Since Franco- American negotiations
broke off several weeks ago no Ameri-
can pictures have been sent to France.
The talks between the two govern-
ments ended abruptly when the French
withdrew a previous offer to permit
the bulk of some $6,000,000 in blocked
earnings to be remitted forthwith at
the capital account rate. Meanwhile,
France, in what was interpreted here
as a goodwill gesture, remitted at the
official rate $1,200,000, a sum which
had been tagged for remittance for
quite some time.
The cost of operating the inter-city
transmission will run at about $1,600,-
000 a year ; the cost of the Washing-
ton intra-city system at $580,000 year-
ly ; and the cost of the program source
link operation at $250,000 a year.
The operating cost figures cover six
hours of operation daily, but the
spokesman said that the costs would
not vary too much for three, nine or
12 operating hours.
Industry Attorneys Satisfied With
Progress of Theatre TV Hearing
Washington, Oct. 27. — Industry
attorneys expressed themselves as
completely satisfied with the progress
of the industry's theatre television case
today, as the hearing before the Fed-
eral Communications Commission on
the engineering and cost phases of
theatre television recessed until Jan. 12.
They cited Commissioners, Com-
mission staffers and attorneys for
parties in the case, who told them
that the presentation of the industry's
case had been "impressive" and "bul-
let-proof." One non-industry attorney
said the industry's case had been "the
best presentation" in any allocations
proceeding before the FCC.
Vincent Welch, attorney for the
Motion Picture Association of Amer-
ica, and Marcus Cohn, attorney for
the National Exhibitors Theatre tele-
vision Committee, declared that al-
though progress would be slow all
along the way in the presentation of
the theatre television ca.se, mainly due
to the great bulk of testimony, they
thought that the first week of hearing-
had come off very well.
They also noted that the atti-
tude of the commission and the
FCC staff, sparked by chairman
Paul Walker's opening day blast
at exclusive theatre telecasts of
fights, had "improved as the
case went along."
Final witness today was John W.
Clark, who told the Commission that
the Klystron tube was high-powered
enough to provide 900D UHF micro-
wave transmission as well as to pro-
vide transmission over the broad band
which the industry thinks is necessary
for theatre television transmission.
Answering some doubts expressed by
Commissioners and the staff as to
whether there was equipment available
today to do the job the industry wants
done, Clark said the Klystron tube
was actually in effective use today.
It was expensive, he pointed out, but
he added that Varian Associates were
continuing with research which would
eventually cut the price.
Name Stein
(Continued from page 1)
of the Motion Picture Industry Coun-
cil of Canada.
Sitting in camera*, the delegates drew
up resolutions on television in rela-
tions to theatres, admission of 16mm.
exhibitors to membership, protective
musical copyright measures, and the
proposed overhaul of the theatre regu-
lations by the Ontario Government.
Other officers are F. Gordon Spen-
cer of Saint John, N. B. and K. H.
Leach of Calgary, vice-presidents ;
Dick Main of Sutton, Ont. secretary-
treasurer, and Arch H. Jolley, of Tor-
onto, executive secretary.
vacancies caused by the resignation of j
Ralph E. Stolkin, A. L. Koolish and j
William Gorman from the board of j
the operating company, RKO Radio
Pictures. Grant said that he expects j
to be able to announce the board's
selections within 24 or 48 hours.
Grant said it would take some, time j
before a new president is selected by
the board, replacing Stolkin. The
chief executive explained that, barring
the appointment of an interim presi-
dent, he thought it advisable for the
company to first fill board vacancies.
The new directors, he added, would
then be able to choose a president
after obtaining experience in operat-
ing the company.
The major problem of select-
ing a studio head and getting
the studio back in full scale
production will be attacked by
Grant on his trip to the West
Coast, which he plans in an-
other week or so, it was re-
vealed.
The second in a series of weekly
press conferences highlighted the in-
troduction of the "executive, team" in
the East, composed of 16 department
heads. Grant said the eventual depart-
ment executives, including those at
the studio, will number 25.
Picker Absent
Absent from the luncheon was Ar-
nold Picker, newly-appointed execu-
tive vice-president of the company,
who is due here today from Europe.
Grant said that Picker while abroad
suggested a number of minor changes
in RKO's foreign operations.
Grant said he did not know the in-
tentions of the Stolkin syndicate,
whether members of the group would
sell their 26 per cent stock interest
purchased from Hughes. Grant added
that he acted as an attorney for the
purchasing group, but was not familiar
with the background of each member.
The board chairman held that the
Stolkin group's voice in management
would be no different from the in-
fluence of any group of minority stock-
holders. Grant denied that R. J.
O'Donnell, head of Interstate circuit,
had been approached for the presi-
dency of RKO.
The following were introduced by
Grant as part of the "executive team"
which would be in charge of sales and
distribution of RKO product. In order
of their introduction, they are :
Jay Bonafield, executive vice-presi-
dent and general manager of RKO
Pathe ; Garrett Van Wagner, comp-
troller ; William Zimmerman, head of
the legal department ; Robert K.
Hawkinson, foreign administration
manager ; Alfred Crown, foreign sales
manager ; Richard Condon, advertis-
ing-publicity director ; William Clark,
treasurer ; Charles Boasberg, general
sales manager ; Walter Branson, assis-
tant general sales manager, and Harry
Pimstein, assistant to Grant.
Ruffin President
(Continued from page 1)
the starter for the Motion Picture
Theatre. Owners of Arkansas, Missis-
sippi and Tennessee which opened a
three day convention here tonight at
the Hotel Gayoso. Leon Roundtree,
Flolly Springs, Miss., is being boomed
for president of the Tri-States, which
I will elect officers Wednesday.
When Ijcu 7jeec( a
SPECIAL TRAILER
'GOOD' and FAST
GOOD OLD DEPENDABLE
FILM ACK
CHICAGO 5, 1 327 5. WABASH AVE.
NEW YORK 36, 630 NINTH AVE.
Tuesday, October 28, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
7
Television-Radio
with Pinky Herman
George Ansbro
<<r"\EAR Mr. Anthony," is the way this gag has started for years,
"my wife went out for a loaf of bread seven years ago and
hasn't returned yet. My problem is, shall I still wait or shall I go out
for the bread myself?" On his return from service in the Pacific, late
in 1945, Sgt. Harry S. Miller and NBC staffer Leo Russotto composed
a beautiful ballad, "Your Love," which they showed to Jan Pearce who
promised to record the tune. For any number of reasons, busy sched-
ule, out-of-town engagements, Metropolitan Opera commitments, etc.,
Jan has been unable to do the number. Yesterday, in front of the
RKO Bldg., Miller asked ye scribbler, "Shall Leo and I still wait or
shall we take our song to Tony Martin?" .... CBStarting Nov. 1,
Jack Lescoulie will announce the "Jackie Gleason Show." . . . Atlas
TV Corp. has completed five one-reel Football Hi-Lites narrated by
Ford Bond. . . . Frank Bunetta, producer-director of DuMont's new
dramatic series, "Dark of Night," acquires new laurels for his effective
lights and shadows technique plus the imaginative location selections.
. . . Peter Arnell sez, and we quote: "It won't do those flying saucers
any good to come to earth because they won't find a space to park."
Unquote. . . . The song, "Lights On— Votes Out," used extensively on
WOR-Mutual's campaign to get people to vote this year, was com-
posed by Nick and Charles Kenny. . . .
ix ix ik
George Ansbro, ABC staff announcer, who was granted special
permission to continue on "Young Widder Brown" at the time
when the Red and Blue Networks were di-
vorced, is NBCelebrating his \Sth year on that
program. . . . Rated, and deservedly so, as one
of the best-liked performers in night clubs, Joe
E. Lewis, Sunday night on Ed Sullivan's
" Toast of the Town," might have chosen material-
better suited for the home vieivers. . . . NBC's
second .telefilm of the series of conversations
u>ith elder wise men, will feature Robert Frost,
four-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for
poetry. Produced by Richard deRochemont and
filmed at Frosfs home in Ripton, Vt., the sub-
ject will be seen Sunday, Nov. 23, at 5 :30 P.M.
# #
General Foods (Jello) has signed Bob Hope to star in two
new programs involving lots of moolah. Both shows will be
aired via NBC, one series to be heard across the board morn-
ings from 9:30-9:45 A.M., starting Nov. 10, and the second
program a half-hour deal set for every Wednesday evening
with the launching taking place next January 7. . . . Important
advances and new methods in black and white and color film
processing and printing will be discussed by Eastman Kodak
engineers at the next SMPTE meeting, Thursday, at the Henry
Hudson Hotel in New York City. ... In an endeavor to clear
up misunderstandings in the exchange of actors here and
abroad, Actor's Equity prexy Ralph Bellamy will film the next
13 chapters of his "Man Against Crime," CBS-TV series so
he can spend a month in Europe for direct meetings with
European artist reps. . . . "Stage a Number," produced every
Wednesday at 9 P.M. via DuMont by Roger Gerry, is an hour
of diversified entertainment. It also serves as a "showcase"
not only for new talent but likewise tosses a spotlight directly
on new directors, producers and purveyors of talent. . . .
Beauteous Rebel Randall, the Hollywood Deejay, whose phone
calls every CBSunday at 4:00 P.M. on the Regent cigarette-
sponsored program, "America Calling," permits GI's stationed
all over the globe to speak to their families, is a former model
and film actress. (Rebel? her first name should be Patriot.)
Jack Kirkwood, whose MB Scintillating wit is beamed daily from
Hollywood, has been named "Mr. Entertainment." During his long
and varied career, Jack appeared in dramatic stock, vaudeville, musical
comedy, sang in light and comic opera, was an orchestra manager,
plays the trumpet, cello and drums and write the scripts, gags,' black-
outs for his programs. . . . Dr. Gino Hamilton's "Jazz Arts Concerts,"
heard every Saturday at 10:30 P.M. via NBC, sounds to us like a
newer and better version of the original "Basin St. Chamber Music
Society" doings. In fact, the series stacks up like fine TV material.
. . . Alice J. Heinecke's words about music, published in Sesac's
Monthly Journal, are highly interesting and informative accounts of
people and their adventures with the musical muse.
for
millions
of
teen-age fans
November
seventeen
WALD-KRASNA
Production;
distributed by
RK0-RADI0 PICTURES
• • •
• • •
news) MOTION PICTURE
" DAI LY
VOL. 72. NO. 84
NEW YORK, U. S. A., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1952
TEN CENTS
Davis Cites
Rank Films'
Advances Here
Says 'U' Board Changes
Are Up to Directors
J. Arthur Rank British produc-
tions have made good progress in
the American market in the past
year and prospects for continued
advances are bright, John Davis, Rank
Organization managing director, de-
clared here yesterday as he prepared
to leave for London today by plane
following business conferences in New
York, Chicago and Toronto.
Davis could offer no information
concerning" possible changes in the
make-up of the Universal-Interna-
tional board in consequence of Rank's
having sold his stock in the company
to Decca Records, whose president,
Milton R. Rackmil, now is president
of U-I also. "That would be entirely
up to the Universal board," Davis
said.
Rank organization representatives
on the U-I board include J. Arthur
Rank, G. I. Woodham-Smith and
Robert S. Benjamin, president of the
Rank Organization of the U. S. U-I
{Continued on page 3)
UA Has a Record
Backlog, Krim Says
Hollywood, Oct. 28.— United
Artists has a record backlog
of product sufficient to carry
the company through most of
next year, and now is lining
up pictures for 1954 release,
Arthur B. Krim, UA presi-
dent, announced here today.
Krim will leave tomorrow
for New York following two
weeks of conferences with
producers.
Appoint Grimm Ad
Manager of RKO
Radio Pictures
Roundtree Elected
Head of Tri-states
Name Jerry Wald a
4V-P' of Columbia
Memphis, Oct. 28. — Leon Round-
tree, of Holly Springs, Miss., today
was elected president of the Tri-States
Theatre Owners of Mississippi, Ar-
kansas and Tennessee to succeed M.
A. Lightman, Jr. of Memphis.
Elections were held at the Gayoso
Hotel where a three-day annual con-
vention ends tomorrow. Roundtree
was formerly secretary - treasurer.
(Continued on page 2)
Shea Presiding at
Circuit Meeting
Pittsburgh, Oct. 28. — House poli-
cies and film advertising were the
topics discussed at the Shea Circuit
managers' opening session of a two-
day convention at the Roosevelt Hotel
here today. Gerald Shea, president of
the organization, is presiding, as ways
and means are discussed to boost
grosses and to offer the type of pic-
tures the public desires. At tomor-
row's session, exploitation, concessions
(Continued on page 3)
Producer Jerry Wald yesterday was
named vice-president and executive
producer of
Columbia Pic-
tures, Harry
Cohn, president,
announced in a
statement re-
leased by the
home office.
Wald-Krasna
Pro ductions
two days ago
. terminated by
mutual agree-
ment its pro-
duction-distrib-
ution pact with
RKO Radio.
The cancelled contract had two months
to' run. Wald, under the cancellation
agreement, will serve RKO Radio in
an advisory capacity on certain pro-
ductions for an indefinite period.
Wald will fill at once his new posi-
tion with Columbia.
Although only 40 years old, Wald
(Continued on page 3)
Ben H. Grimm has been promoted
to advertising manager of RKO Ra-
dio Pictures, it
was announced
here yesterday
by Richard
Condon, n a-
tional advertis-
ing, publicity
and exploitation
director. He
s u c c e e d s S .
Barret McCor-
mick, who re-
cently resigned
from that' post.
Grimm had
been assistant
to McCormick
for several years, handling many of
the top showmanship campaigns con-
ducted by RKO. He entered the mo-
tion picture industry as a unit pub-
licist for M-G-M, after several years
with the New York Journal. Grimm
(Continued on page, 3)
RKO Radio
Sets Release
Dates of Nine
'Androcles' Kicks Off 5 —
Month Product Line-up
Ben Grimm
Jerry Wald
Little Fear of TV
At Canadian Meet
Pillot Promoted to
Exploitation Post
Leo Pillot has been promoted to
the post of assistant exploitation man-
ager at 20th Century-Fox, it was an-
nounced by Rodney Bush, exploita-
tion manager. Pillot succeeds Edward
Solomon who on Monday was named
assistant advertising manager. Pillot
has been with 20th for the past year
and one-half.
He first joined Paramount Pictures
and was sent to the Paramount Publix
Managers Training School, graduat-
ing in 1933. He resigned to become
Gaumont British Pictures exploitation
manager in America. When 1 the or-
ganization was dissolved a few years
later, he did free-lance exploitation
for RKO Radio, Columbia and United
(Continued on page 3)
Ottawa, Ont, Oct. 28.— Little fear
over competition of television was
evident at the annual convention of
the Motion Picture Industry Council
of Canada, which opened its two-day
session at Chateau Laurier Hotel to-
day with doors closed to the press.
J. J. Fitzgibbons, chairman of the
Council, expressed the view that tele-
vision was not a direct competitor to
the film industry in Canada but would
serve to encourage the exhibitors to
greater effort in the matter of public
service.
Television has its place in the com-
munity, he said, but it was recognized
(Continued on page 2)
Release dates for nine produc-
tions from RKO Radio Pictures,
described by the company as top
attractions, were disclosed here yes-
terday by Charles Boasberg, general
sales manager.
Boasberg cited "Androcles and the
Lion," "Blackbeard the Pirate," "Hans
Christian Andersen," "Never Wave at
a Wac," "The Bystander," "Beautiful
but Dangerous," "Peter" Pan," "Mon-
tana Belle," and "Face to Face."
These are the nine pictures set for
release or pre-release engagements
from now through February.
"Androcles and the Lion," Gabriel
Pascal's interpretation of the George
Bernard Shaw comedy, went into na-
tional release yesterday. The stars in
the picture include Jean Simmons,
Victor Mature, Alan Young, Robert
Newton, and Maurice Evans.
"Montana Belle," in Trucolor, star-
(Continued on page 3)
Para. Sets 6 More
For LA Ist-run Plan
Paramount's expanded first-run re-
leasing plan for the Los Angeles area,
which was put into operation three
months ago with the "The Greatest
Show on Earth," will be continued for
an additional six pictures, according
to A. W. Schwalberg, president of
Paramount Film Distributing Corp.
Availabilities for the six produc-
tions which are being offered in com-
petitive negotiation for day-and-date
engagements in the seven L. A. areas
(Continued on page 3)
Hope that Mexico may
yet forego adoption of a
screening quota which
would cut by half the num-
ber of U.S. pictures sent
to that country each year
was expressed here yes-
terday by American dis-
tribution officials, who
point out that President
Aleman has not signed the
quota bill which recently
passed both houses of the
Mexican legislature.
•
MEMPHIS, Oct. 28.— TOA
president Alfred Starr
told the convention of the
Theatre Owners of Missis-
sippi, Arkansas and Ten-
nessee here today that "we
are the target of every
taxing agency in the na-
tion" and consequently
need a "super-organiza-
tion to protect us."
2
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, October 29, 1952
Personal
Mention
PANDRO BERMAN, M-G-M pro-
ducer, left here for the Coast yes-
terady following his recent return
from England.
•
Irving Maas, Motion Picture Ex-
port Association representative who
has been in Tokyo during the past
several weeks, yesterday was due to
fly from there to Indonesia and Pak-
istan.
•
William B. Zoellner, head of
M-G-M's short subject and newsreel
sales will arrive in Washington today
from Charlotte and will return to New
York on Friday.
•
Charles P. Skouras, John Ber-
tero and John Lavery, Wesco Thea-
tres executives, left Hollywood for
New York by plane yesterday tor a
two-week stay.
•
Arnold Picker, executive vice-
president of RKO Radio, arrived here
yesterday from Europe aboard the
5". 5. United States.
'Limelight' Strong
As N. Y. Ist-Runs
Feature Holdovers
Roundtree Elected
(Continued from page 1)
Lig'htman was named chairman of the
board. , .. „ , -r,
Other officers elected include: Koy
Cochran of North Little Rock vice-
president for Arkansas ; R. B. Cox ot
Batesville, vice-president for Missis-
sippi; Nathan Flexer of Waverly,
vice-president for Tennessee; Jim
Carbery of Little Rock, secretary-
treasurer; national representatives to
the Theatre Owners of America, Jack
Bomar of Little Rock, Max Connett
of Newton, Miss, and M. A. Light-
man, Sr. of Memphis.
Elected to the board of directors,
besides Lightman, were K. K. King,
Bill Sockwell, Mrs. Jesse Howe,
Louis Haven, Jr., Gordon Hutchins
Miss Nona White, Orris Collins Bert
Bays, E. W. Clinton, Charles Eudy,
Ben Jackson, Earl Elkins, R. X. Wil-
liams, T. M. Jourdan, Norman B.
Fair, Mrs. H. A. Fitch, W. E. Ruffin,
Jr" Mrs. Louise Mask, Lipe Hensley,
Jack Marshall and E. P. Sapmsley.
'Movie advertisements have three
or four times the readership of any
other ads of comparable size in news-
paper," Leon Bamberger of RKO Ra-
dio, New York, told the convention.
"We must all work to eradicate 'pre-
mium' rates which newspapers charge
us for our advertising. There is no
intelligent reason why we should be
required to spend one cent _ more than
any other business," he said.
Exhibitor leaders here for the con-
vention condemned in interviews the
20 per cent Federal admission tax.
Col H. A. Cole, Dallas; Pat McGee,
Denver, and Duke Clark, Dallas, all
said that the tax was "discriminatory"
and was ruining the business.
Alfred Starr, Nashville, TOA pres-
ident, called the fears that television
will put theatres out of business "non-
sense." . „
"Television's principal function, he
said, "is to sell soap."
"Limelight" opened strong at the
Astor and the two-a-day 60th Street
Trans-Lux in a seven-day period
marked by hold-overs in most first-
run situations in New York.
An excellent $37,000 was seen for
the initial week of the Charles Chap-
lin film at the Astor, which is main-
taining its continuous run policy,
while at the 60th Street Trans-Lux,
a near capacity $14,000 is expected for
the two-a-day performance. Tickets
for weekend nights at the Trans-Lux
house were reported sold out through
November.
A good $67,000 was forecast for the
opening week of "Springfield Rifle"
at the Paramount, which also features
Duke Ellington and his orchestra on
stage.
"The Thief" will be held over an-
other week at the Roxy, which sees a
fine $68,000 for the second _ inning.
"Snows of Kilimanjaro" is still hold-
ing up strong at the Rivoli, where
$36,000 is expected for the film's sixth
week./
The fifth and final week of "Be-
cause You're Mine" at Radio City
Music Hall is expected to do a nice
$115,000. "The Happy Time" will
have its premiere there tomorrow.
"Everything I Have Is Yours"
moves into Loew's State today, re-
placing "The Merry Widow," which
is expected to do a very good $20,000
for its fifth and final week.
"Prisoner of Zenda" bows in at the
Capitol on Tuesday. The third and
final week of "Just for You," the
Capitol current attraction, is forecast
to hit a satisfactory $21,000. "The
Lusty Men" at the Criterion is due to
rack up a fairly good $22,000 for its
opening stanza.
The fourth and final week of "Lure
of the Wilderness" at the Globe is
predicted to do a moderate $8,500. It
will be replaced on Friday by "Cairo
Road." Indications are that "World
in His Arms" at the Mayfair will do
a satisfactory $15,500 for its third
week. At the Victoria, a moderately
fair $14,000 is seen for the second
week of "Fourposter."
Among off-Broadway houses, a nice
$3,400 is forecast for the seventh and
final week of "The Amazing Monsieur
Fabre" at the Park Avenue. "The
Promoter" will move into the Fine
Arts tomorrow, replacing "Stranger
in Between," which is expected to do
a fair $2,900 in its final six days of
its 11th week.
Reno's Crest Says 'Snows'
Breaks 'David's' Record
Reno, Oct. 28.— The Crest Theatre
here reports its all-time opening day
record was smashed by Darryl F.
Zanuck's "The Snows of Kiliman-
jaro. The film grossed $1,800 dur-
ing its first day's showing, eclipsing
"David and Bathsheba's" $1,550 gross.
Report Record Grosses for
'Snows' in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, Oct. 28.— Darryl F.
Zanuck's "The Snows of Kiliman-
jaro," which had a premiere here, is
Sen. Lodge Favors
20% Tax Repeal
Boston, Oct. 28.— Sen. Henry
Cabot Lodge, Jr. (R. Mass.)
stated that he will support
legislation for the repeal of
the 20 per cent Federal ad-
mission tax to motion picture
theatres. He declared that
the tax is discriminatory and
is the primary cause for the
closing of many theatres.
Lodge is up for reelection.
Canadian Meet
(Continued from page 1)
Newsreel
Parade
as a challenge to the film industry to
do a better job. He also felt that
TV would lead to new personalities
in pictures.
Taking up this cue, the meeting dis-
cussed a proposal for a "National
Moving Picture Week" in Canada,
which would feature the personal ap-
pearance of screen stars from both
Hollywood and England. The Council
also sought friendly support from the
daily press. In this connection a press
relations committee was appointed, in-
cluding James Nairn, publicity di-
rector, Famous Players, Toronto ;
H. C. D. Main, Sutton, Ontario;
Hye Bossin, Toronto, and Ray Lewis.
Toronto. More than 30 delegates
from all industry branches were wel-
comed to Ottawa by Mayor Charlotte
Whitton, who noted that women's or-
ganizations had been receiving more
cooperation from distributors and ex-
hibitors.
The day's program concluded with
a banquet following which a planning
committee dealt with important meas-
ures for consideration tomorrow.
Delegates to the annual meeting in-
cluded Maritime Motion Exhibitors
Association's F. G. Spencer and A. J.
Mason; Alberta Theatres Associa-
tion's Ken M. Leach and Roy Chown ;
Quebec Allied Theatrical Industries'
William Lester and Charles Bourassa ;
Manitoba Motion Picture Exhibitors'
David Rothstein and Robert Hurwitz ;
Saskatchewan Motion Picture Exhi-
bitors' Wilbur Winterton and George
R. Miller; Motion Picture Associa-
tion of Ontario's Morris Stein and
Main, and British Columbia Exhibi-
tors Association's Len B. Johnson.
Guests included Ben Norrish, presi-
dent of Associated Screen News,
Montreal ; N. A. Taylor, president of
20th Century Theatres, Toronto ;
Leonard Brockington, president, Odeon
Theatres, and J. J. Chisholm, Toronto.
7 HE test flight of the world.' s
largest helicopter is highlighted
in current newsreels. Also featured
arc the wedding- of an American heir-
ess and an English nobleman, Marshal
Tito's visit to a United States carrier,
college football games, and more Pres-
idential campaign oratory.
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 88— Eisen-
hower says he will go to Korea. Stevenson
says Moscow can end Korean War. Battle
on Korean front. Tito is visitor to U. S.
carrier. U. S. heiress weds British noble-
man. U.S.C.-Califonia and Michigan -Minne-
sota football games.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. Z18— Acheson
tells UN Reds block UN peace. World's
biggest helicopter. U. S. Navy carrier and
Tito. U. S. heiress bride of a Lord.
Fashion parade at historic Versailles.
U.S. C. -California and Michigan-Minnesota
football games.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 21 — Test
flight of world's largest helicopter. U. S.
heiress weds nobleman. American wins
Nobel Prize in Medicine. Tito aboard U. S.
carrier. Harness champion attends luncheon.
U.S. C. -California and Virginia-Duke foot-
ball games.
TELENEWS DIGEST, Noi. 44A— Eleventh
Airborne drops heavy equipment by chute.
Biologist wins Nobel Prize. Royalty attends
London wedding. Korea makes first motion
picture since war began. Election day draws
near. Duke-Virginia football game.
UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL, No. 408—
United Nations assembly. Hurricane in
Cuba. Hughes helicopter. Universal board
chairman Nate Blumberg accepts award for
film "Bright Victory." Flower fantasia.
U.S.C-California, U.C.L.A.-Wisconsin foot-
ball games.
WARNER PATHE, No. 23:— Campaign
climax. Lewis orders miners back to work.
Tito sees airshow aboard U. Si. carrier.
World's biggest helicopter in first flight.
N. Y. Navy firefighters do job in IS seconds.
Michigan State-Penn State, Duke -Virginia,
U.S.C. -California football games.
Blumenthal Memorial
The unveiling of a memorial for the
late Harold Blumenthal, former divi-
sion manager for Fabian New Jersey
theatres, will take place on Sunday
at 2-00 P.M. at the Riverside Ceme-
tery, Zion Walk, Rochelle Park, N. J.
drawing record grosses at the Chinese
and Los Angeles theatres, it was
stated. Saturday figures at the Chinese
were said to show a total of $3,650,
with the Los Angeles reporting $4,500,
following $2,100 for Thursday's pre-
miere performance.
Rena Theatre Files
Suit in Chicago
Chicago, Oct. 28.— Rena Theatre,
formerly operated by Leonard Gross-
man and his wife from 1949 to Janu-
ary, 1951, filed a triple damage suit
against the majors, except 20th Cen-
tury Fox and RKO Pictures, Balaban
and Katz, and 20th Century Theatre,
operated by Jack Kirsch.
The suit, filed in Judge Sam Perry's
Federal District Court here, claimed
the plaintiffs were forced out after
two years because B and K Theatres
and Kirsch got prior product and they
have been unable to operate at a profit.
'Fatima' in 88 NYC
Spots Thanksgiving
"The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima"
has been booked as the Thanksgiving
period picture in 88 theatres in the
Metropolitan area, it was announced
by Warner Brothers. It will be
shown at the first-run RKO, Skouras,
Century, Randforce and Brandt thea-
tres in Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn,
Queens, Westchester and Long Island.
Vidor Here from Coast
Charles Vidor, director of Samuel
Goldwyn's "Hans Christian Ander-
sen," color in Technicolor production,
is in New York from Hollywood to
participate in promotions on the film.
at„,*;„ n„,vio„ Traitor in Thief and Publisher" Sherwin Kane. Editor; Terrv Ramsave, Consulting Editor. Published daily, except Saturdays,
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Q.ulf ^' Edrtor-m-Unet and ru^ . / - Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco,
Sundays and holidays, by Quigley PubhshmgC^^^ Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J.
New York." Martin Quigley Pres fj"*- %a for^' Herbert V Fecke Advertising Manager: Gus H. Fausel Production Manager: Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine
Brady, Secretary ; James P. Cunningham . News Editor Herbert V * ecKe a e g * : Representative. FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz. Editorial Representative, 11
Building. William R. ^ London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq.. London \VI; Hcpe Burnup. Manager; Peter
North Clark Street, FR-2-2843. Washing °%J; ^; U"en- Picture Herald; Better Theatres and Theatre Sales, each published 13 times a year as
Brc«Pon» ^ 3 second-class' matter. Sept. 21. 1938. at the post office at New York. N. Y.. under
thfact of March 3? 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign: single copies. 10c.
Wednesday, October 29, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
RKO Radio
Review
(Continued from page 1)
ring Jane Russell, is set for national
release on Nov. 11. The cast also in-
cludes George Brent, Scott Brady,
and Forrest Tucker.
"Face to Face," Huntington Hart-
ford's omnibus picture containing two
short stories, Joseph Conrad's "The
Secret Sharer" and Stephen Crane's
"The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky,"
will be released on Nov. 14. The stars
include James Mason, Robert Pres-
ton, Gene Lockhart, Marjorie Steele,
and Minor Watson.
"Blackbeard the Pirate," color in
Technicolor, is set for release Dec. 25.
Linda Darnell, Robert Newton, and
William Bendix are starred.
Samuel Goldwyn's Technicolor pro-
duction of "Hans Christian Ander-
sen," starring Danny Kaye, Jean-
maire, and Farley Granger, will have
several pre-release engagements dur-
ing Christmas. The world premiere of
the film will take place on Nov. 24
at the Criterion Theatre in New
York, and will play a joint engage-
ment at the Paris Theatre, New
York, starting Nov. 25.
"Never Wave at a Wac," Inde-
pendent Artist's production, starring
Rosalind Russell, Paul Douglas, and
Marie Wilson, will be released na-
tionally on Jan. 16.
"The Bystander," starring Robert
Mitchum and Jean Simmons, is an-
nounced for release on Jan. 23.
Walt Disney's "Peter Pan," Tech-
nicolor all-cartoon feature, will be
pre-released in several key situations
on Feb. 13.
Stars Robert Mitchum and Jean
Simmons, will be offered again in
"Beautiful but Dangerous," set for
release on Feb. 27.
National
"Androcles and the Lion"
(RKO Radio Pictures)
GEORGE BERNARD SHAW's drama about early Christianity has been
faithfully translated to the screen by Gabriel Pascal. There is much in
the film to commend it as good entertainment, an excellent cast, spectacular
scenes, beautiful women and Shavian wit.
Sophisticated audiences should revel in the many twists and turns in the
clash of personalities and ideas presented in the picture, which despite its
spectacular overtones, remains a pictorial and dramatic articulation of ideas.
But less sophisticated audiences may feel the picture's interest ebbing some-
what by overlong debate. A rich vein of humor is presented, however, for all
levels — for those who enjoy a belly laugh and for those who prefer intellectual
shafts of wit for humor.
In Shaw's work, as in Shakespeare's, every Roman is an Englishman and
it will take a few moments before an audience accepts the events portrayed as
credible. Those that jump the hurdle sooner will enjoy the picture more fully.
Such salable names as Jean Simmons, Victor Mature and Maurice Evans
play feature roles. Alan Young, Robert Newton, Elsa Lanchester and Regi-
nald Gardiner are among those who fill out the competent cast.
The story line concerns a group of persecuted Christians who are about to
be thrown to the lions, to feed the passions of the Roman mob, to die so that
Caesar and his decadent courtesans can be entertained. In the group is Alan
Young, who portrays Androcles, the meek, warm-hearted man whose Chris-
tianity extends to animals. There is beautiful Jean Simmons who falls in love
with the heathen Roman captain, Victor Mature. Also in the band is Robert
Newton as Ferrovius, a giant whose Christian soul struggles to keep his
strength in check.
Adversaries who are won over, if not out of conviction then out of expe-
diency, include Maurice Evans as Caesar, who ordains Christianity for all
the Empire, overwhelmed by the strength of Newton and fear of the lion, and
overwhelmed by a religion which makes men stronger than his soldiers.
Lewis J. Rachmil was associate producer to Pascal, while Chester Erskine
directed, from a screen adaptation by Erskine and Ken Englund. Harry Horner
designed the production. Others in the cast include Reginald Gardiner, Gene
Lockhart, Alan Mowbray, Noel William, John Hoyt, Jim Backus and Lowell
Gilmore.
Running time 98 minutes. General audience classification. For October
release. Murray Horowitz
Pre-Selling
Industry Leaders to
Honor RKO Heads
Industry executives have been in-
vited to sit on the dais at the testi-
monial luncheon honoring RKO Radio
executives Arnold Picker, Charles
Boasberg and Walter Branson, to be
given by the Independent Theatre
Owners Association of New York,
tomorrow at the Hotel Astor. The
ITOA reports the following were
invited :
Theodore Black, Harry Brandt, Leo
Brecher, William H. Clark, Max A.
Cohen, Richard Condon, S. H. Fabian,
Charles J. Feldman, Emanuel Frisch,
William J. German, Morey Goldstein,
Arnold Grant, Llarry M. Kalmine.
Also Maury Miller, Walter Reade,
Jr., Sam Rinzler, Herman Robbins,
Fred J. Schwartz, Sol A. Schwartz,
Al Schwalberg, Spyros S. Skouras
Wilbur Snaper, Solomon Strausberg
Joseph Vogel, Richard F. Walsh,
David Weinstock, Milton C. Weisman
Shea Presiding
(Continued from page D
and theater television are on the
agenda.
Also attending the meeting' are
Richard Harper, assistant to Shea ;
Ray Smith, film buyer; Carroll Law-
ler, booker, and Frank King, field
manager.
Among managers on hand are John
D. Walsh and Edward Mason, Pitts-
burgh; Ed Fahey, Manchester, N.
H. ; Fenton Scribner, Moshan, N. H. ;
Armand Papin, W estfield, Mass. ;
William Kibridge, Amherst, Mass. ;
Joe Scanlon, Zanesville, O. ; Dale Mc-
Coy, Cambridge, O. ; Bill Gillame,
Newark, O. ; Durward Duty, Mari-
etta, .0.; Bernie Hickey, Greenfield,
Mass. ; Dale Tysinger, Ashtabula, O. ;
Bob Limbaugh, Conneaut, O. ; Ray
McNealy, Geneva, O. ; Harold Snyd-
er, New Philadelphia, O. ; Clayton
Gillam, Dover, O. ; Dan Gilhula,
Jamestown, N. Y. ; Jack Baumgardt,
Lancaster, O. ; Vance Minton, Erie,
Pa.
Pillot Promoted
(Continued from page 1 )
Appoint Grimm
(Continued from page 1)
Artists, and was personal representa-
tive for Armand Denis and Leila
Roosevelt.
In 1942 Pillot enlisted in the Air
Force and remained for three years.
Upon his discharge he became special
events director for Columbia. In 1948
he became personal manager for come-
dian Sid Caesar. In 1951, Pillot re-
turned to the industry with 2(Jth Cen-
tury-Fox, handling the exploitation
tour of Walter Talun for "David and
Bathsheba." He was then assigned
to the publicity department helping to
arrange "The Snows of Kilmanjaro"
premiere in New York.
L.A. lst-Runs
(Continued from page 1)
CORONET'S November issue has
a 15-page picture and text layout
on Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans Chris-
tian Andersen." The entire story of
"The Ugly Duckling" is in print and
pictures of Danny Kaye telling the
story to youngsters are attractively
displayed.
•
Rutgers Neilson of RKO Pictures
has arranged for an imposing list
of speakers to cover the full field
of printed publicity and advertising
for the AMPA showmanship course
here tomorrow evening, according
to an announcement by Harry K.
Mc Williams, AMPA president. Ralph
Martin, of Seventeen magazine, will
talk on "How One Magazine Helps
Exhibitors Promote Pictures." Au-
drey Soracco, handling film promo-
tions for Look and Quick maga-
zines, will talk on "The Power and
Effectiveness of Magazines in Pre-
Selling Pictures." John Crockett,
advertising manager of Coronet
magazine, will tell the class what
magazines are doing to pre-sell
films.
•
Life zvill have a picture and text
story on Samuel Goldzvyn's "Hans
Christian Andersen" in its issue on
nezvsstands Friday. The pictures are
in full color and were photographed
by Jon Mili.
•
American Weekly's issue of Nov. 2
has a biographic sketch of Hilde-
garde Neff, who is featured in "The
Snows of Kilimanjaro." Miss Neff
was born in Germany. She tells of
her experiences during the blitz of
Berlin, where she lived and worked.
•
The current issue of Look has a
three-page layout on the Wald-
Krasna RKO Radio production,
"The Lusty Men." Action and com-
edy shots are shown of the picture's
stars, Susan Hayward and Robert
Mitchum.
•
Good Housekeeping has a full-page
tie-up ad in the November issue fea-
turing Loretta Young, the star of
Universal-International's "Because of
You." The ad zvas placed by Avon
cosmetics but more than half of the
page is given over to a color picture
of Miss Young.
Davis Cites
(Continued from page 1)
will continue to release Rank product
in the U. S.
"I'm not one to use superlatives,"
Davis said when he described the
progress of Rank pictures here as
"good."
Among the Rank pictures he said
were making good records here are
"The Lavender Hill Mob," "The Man
in the White Suit" and "Ivory
Hunter."
also held various posts with Colum-
bia, Associated Exhibitors, David
Selznick and Universal Pictures. He
was at one time associate editor and
advertising manager of the old Mov-
ing Picture World.
The appointment is effective imme-
diately.
McDaniel Services Sat.
Hollywood, Oct. 28. — Funeral serv-
ices for Hattie McDaniel, Academy
Award-winning Ne_gro actress who
died here on Sunday of cancer, will be
held on Saturday at the Angelus Fun-
eral home. She is survived by a
brother, Sam McDaniel, also an actor.
range from late in November through
early February. The deadline for bids
is today. The films and the scheduled
opening dates are : "The Savage,"
Nov. 26; Pine-Thomas' "The Blazing-
Forest," Nov. 26 ; re-release of Cecil
B. DeMille's "Cleopatra," Dec. 3;
"The Turning Point," Dec. 10 ; "Road
to Bali," Dec. 25; Hal Wallis' "The
Stooge," Feb. 4. Preceding general
release, "The Stooge" will be avail-
able for special New Year's eve en-
gagements. Bids for two January re-
leases, "Thunder in the East" and
Pine-Thomas' "Tropic Zone," will be
invited later.
Name Jerry Wald
(Continued from page 1)
is a veteran of 20 years in the indus-
try. He started as a writer at War-
ner Brothers and was a winner of the
Irving Thalberg Memorial Award of
the Academy of Motion Picture Arts
and Sciences.
Pictorial Review/ 's cover for Nov.
16 will be given over to M-G-M's
"Plymouth Adventure." It will be a
full color caricature showing the May-
flower and picturing the stars of the
film, Gene Tierney, Van Johnson and
Leo Genn, seated on the promenade
deck of the Mayfloz&er.
•
Seventeen in its November issue
has a page tie-up ad featuring
Marge and Gower Champion, stars
of M-G-M's "Everything I Have Is
Yours." The ad was placed for
Cameo Stockings. However, the two
M-G-M stars, along with Monica
Lewis, take up most of the page.
•
McCall's in its current issue has a
detailed story on Imogene Coca. Pic-
tures are used of Sid Caesar and
Imogene Coca to illustrate the text.
A motion picture with these tzm art-
ists is planned: for production during
the summer months.
— Walter Haas
20th DELIVERS A DOUBLE-BA
TO HELP YOU SELL A GRE
■
NATIONAL
MAGAZINE ADS!
20th lists your theatre
and your town in power-
ful two-page spreads in
Look
Collier's
on "THE THIEF OF VENICE
to pre-sell every reader of
these multi-million circu-
lation magazines in your
entire territory — at no
cost to you.1
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO :
Set your booking of "THIEF OF
VENICE" to play before Mar. 1, 1953.
(Deadline for listing your engagement
in our national ads is Dec. 20, 1952).
ROBERT HAGGSAG presents "THE THIEF OF VENICE" starring MARIA MONTEZ . PAUL CHRISTIAN . FAYE ^SSHnh
HAGGIAG \ Directed by JOHN BRAHM ♦ Screenplay fay JESSE I. LASKY, JR. • From original story by MICHAEL PERTWEE ■ Mus.c by ALESSANDl
There's No Showmanship Like ^Cenfiwy-Fo;
MrifD SHOWMANSHIP PUNCH
OWMANSHIP PICTURE!
I FREE 10-DAY,
ALL-EXPENSE TRIP
FOR TWO -TO ITALY!
for the best and most
productive advertising,
publicity and exploitation
campaign on THE THIEF
OF VENICE."
If ASSIMO SERATO • Produced by ROBERT
DllCOGNINI • Released thru 20th Century-Fox
Showmanship!
You'll be flown to Venice via Italian
Airlines! Live like a king! See the
celebrated Bridge of Sighs ... re-
lax on a gondola on the famous
canals of this romantic city!
This contest is open to all theatres playing
"THIEF OF VENICE" before June 7, 7 953.
START PLANNING YOUR PRIZE-
WINNING SHOWMANSHIP
CAMPAIGN IMMEDIATELY!
In the event of ties, duplicate prizes will be awarded.
SEND YOUR COMPi etc ^, . ~~ ■
z^v&r - :;;r - « >■ -
HOW ro ENTER- , , ,. . "••«">■ " ""<■" '»»" ">eolfes
The committee of iudges w,, . "° beo""9 whatever on
regulations. ^ f° fede^ state and locaT ^ by °r fhr°^h said corp0rati0n °' 'deas
THE OLDEST THEATRE OWNERS ORGANIZATION IN THE WORLD
THEATRE OWNERS <</
NORTH AND SOUTH
CAROLINA
ORGANIZED MAY, 1912
th
Anniversary Convention
NOVEMBER 9-11-52 CH=TE EMRLOTTE, Hf. E
It's Lovely in The Carolinas in November
HERE ARE A EEW*
CINERAMA? — ASCAP? — U.S. vs. US?
SALES POLICIES? — HOW'S TELEVISION?
ARBITRATION-CONCILIATION? — MOVIETIME?
Unusual Social Events with Specials for Our Ladies. We are
Promised a World's Premiere, with Real Stars. (But We Have Had
Promises Before.)
There are More than 1,000 Theatre Operations in the Carolinas
(and More on the Make) of this Number, 80% are Members of the
T. O. of N. and S. Carolina.
You are Always Welcome in the "Land of the Long Leaf Pines."
For Reservations or Other Information Address
CONVENTION COM. P.O. BOX 1606
CHARLOTTE, N.C.
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
Accurate
Concise
Impartial
VOL. 72. NO. 84
NEW YORK, U. S. A., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1952
TEN CENTS
Davis Cites
Rank Films'
Advances Here
Says 'W Board Changes
Are Up to Directors
J. Arthur Rank British produc-
tions have made good progress m
the American market in the past
year and prospects for continued
advances are bright, John Davis, Rank
Organization managing director, de-
clared here yesterday as he prepared
to leave for London today by plane
following business conferences in New
York, Chicago and Toronto.
Davis could offer no information
concerning possible changes in the
make-up of the Universal-Interna-
tional board in consequence of Rank's
having sold his stock in the company
to Decca Records, whose president,
Milton R. Rackmil, now is president
of U-I also. "That would be entirely
up to the Universal board," Davis
said.
Rank organization representatives
on the U-I board include J. Arthur
Rank, G. I. Woodham-Smith and
Robert S. Benjamin, president of the
Rank Organization of the U. S. U-I
{Continued on page 3)
Roundtree Elected
Head of Tri-states
UA Has a Record
Backlog, Krim Says
Hollywood, Oct. 28.— United
Artists has a record backlog
of product sufficient to carry
the company through most of
next year, and now is lining
up pictures for 1954 release,
Arthur B. Krim, UA presi-
dent, announced here today.
Krim will leave tomorrow
for New York following two
weeks of conferences with
producers.
Appoint Grimm Ad R £ Q Radio
Manager of RKO ~ 13 l
Radio PicturespetS KeleaSe
Dates of Nine
Name Jerry Wald a
fcV-P' of Columbia
Memphis, Oct. 28.— Leon Round-
tree, of Holly Springs, Miss., today
was elected president of the Tri-States
Theatre Owners of Mississippi, Ar-
kansas and Tennessee to succeed M.
A. Lightman, Jr. of Memphis.
Elections were held at the Gayoso
Hotel where a three-day annual con-
vention ends tomorrow. Roundtree
was formerly secretary - treasurer.
(Continued on page 2)
Producer Jerry Wald yesterday was
named vice-president and executive
producer of
Columbia Pic-
tures, Harry
Cohn, president,
announced in a
statement re-
leased by the
home office.
Wald-Krasna
Pro cluctions
two days ago
terminated by
mutual agree-
ment its pro-
duction - distrib-
ution pact with
RKO Radio.
The cancelled contract had two months
to run. Wald, under the cancellation
agreement, will serve RKO Radio in
an advisory capacity on certain pro-
ductions for an indefinite period.
Wald will fill at once his new posi-
tion with Columbia.
Although only 40 years old, Wald
y (Continued on page 3)
Ben H. Grimm has been promoted
to advertising manager of RKO Ra-
dio Pictures, it
was announced
here yesterday
by Richard
Condon, na-
tional advertis-
ing, publicity
and exploitation
director. He
succeeds S.
Barret McCor-
mick, who re-
cently resigned
from that post.
Grimm had
been assistant
to McCormick
for several years,
the top showmanship campaigns con-
ducted by RKO. He entered the mo-
tion picture industry as a unit pub-
licist for M-G-M, after several years
with the New York Journal. Grimm
(Continued on page 3)
'Androcles' Kicks Off 5 —
Month Product Line-up
Ben Grimm
handling many of
Jerry Wald
Little Fear of TV
At Canadian Meet
Release dates for nine produc-
tions from RKO Radio Pictures,
described by the company as top
attractions, were disclosed here yes-
terday by Charles Boasberg, general
sales manager.
Boasberg cited 'Androcles and the
Lion," "Blackbeard the Pirate," "Hans
Christian Andersen," "Never Wave at
a Wac," "The Bystander," "Beautiful
but Dangerous," "Peter Pan," "Mon-
tana Belle," and "Face to Face."
These are the nine pictures set for
release or pre-release engagements
from now through February.
"Androcles and the Lion," Gabriel
Pascal's interpretation of the George
Bernard Shaw comedy, went into na-
tional release yesterday. The stars in
the picture include Jean Simmons,
Victor Mature, Alan Young, Robert
Newton, and Maurice Evans.
"Montana Belle," in Trucolor, star-
(Continued on page 3)
Shea Presiding at
Circuit Meeting
Pittsburgh, Oct. 28. — House poli-
cies and film advertising were the
topics discussed at the_ Shea Circuit
managers' opening session of a two-
day convention at the Roosevelt Hotel
here today. Gerald Shea, president of
the organization, is presiding, as ways
and means are discussed to boost
grosses ; and to offer the type of pic-
tures the public desires. At tomor-
row's session, exploitation, concessions
(Continued on page 3)
Pillot Promoted to
Exploitation Post
Leo Pillot has been promoted to
the post of assistant exploitation man-
ager at 20th Century-Fox, it was an-
nounced by Rodney Bush, exploita-
tion manager. Pillot succeeds Edward
Solomon who on Monday was named
assistant advertising manager. Pillot
has been with 20th for the past year
and one-half.
He first joined Paramount Pictures
and was sent to the Paramount Publix
Managers Training School, graduat-
ing in 1933. He resigned to become
Gaumont British Pictures exploitation
manager in America. When the or-
ganization was dissolved a few years
later, he did free-lance exploitation
for RKO Radio, Columbia and United
(Continued on page 3)
Ottawa, Ont, Oct. 28.— Little fear
over competition of television was
evident at the annual convention of
the Motion Picture Industry Council
of Canada, which opened its two-day
session at Chateau Laurier Hotel to-
day with doors closed to the press.
J. J. Fitzgibbons, chairman of the
Council, expressed the view that tele-
vision was not a direct competitor to
the film industry in Canada but would
serve to encourage the exhibitors to
greater effort in the matter of public
service.
Television has its place in the com-
munity, he said, but it was recognized
(Continued on page 2)
Para. Sets 6 More
For LA Ist-run Plan
Hope Rising That
Mexican Quota Dies
American distribution officials here
are hopeful that Mexico may yet fore-
go adoption of a screening quota
which would cut by half the number
of U.S. pictures sent to that country
each year.
It was pointed out here yesterday
that President Aleman has not signed
the quota bill which recently passed
both houses of the Mexican Congress.
Paramount's expanded first-run re-
leasing plan for the Los Angeles area,
which was. put into operation three
months ago with the "The Greatest
Show on Earth," will be continued for
an additional six pictures, according
to A. W. Schwalberg, president of
Paramount Film Distributing Corp.
Availabilities for the six produc-
tions which are being offered in com-
petitive negotiation for day-and-date
engagements in the seven L. A. areas
(Continued on page 3)
'Super-organization'
Is Needed: Starr
Memphis, Oct. 28.— "It takes
a super-organization to pro-
tect us from crackpots and
people who attack us to serve
selfish interests," Theatre
Owners of America president
Alfred Starr of Nashville, to-
day told delegates to the con-
vention of the Theatre Own-
ers of Mississippi, Arkansas
and Tennessee. "We are the
target of every taxing agency
in the nation," he added.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, October 29, 1952
Personal
Mention
P ANDRO BERMAN, M-G-M pro-
* ducer, left here for the Coast yes-
terady following his recent return
from England.
•
Irving Maas, Motion Picture Ex-
port Association representative who
has been in Tokyo during the past
several weeks, yesterday was due to
fly from there to Indonesia and Pak-
istan.
•
William B. Zoellner, head of
M-G-M's short subject and newsreel
sales, will arrive in Washington today
from Charlotte and will return to New
York on Friday.
•
Charles P. Skouras, John Ber-
tero and John Lavery, Wesco Thea-
tres' executives, left Hollywood for
New York by plane yesterday for a
two-week stay.
•
Arnold Picker, executive vice-
president of RKO Radio, arrived here
yesterday from Europe aboard the
6". 5". United States.
'Limelight9 Strong
As N. Y. Ist-Runs
Feature Holdovers
Roundtree Elected
{Continued from page 1)
Lightman was named chairman of the
b°Other officers elected include: Roy
Cochran of North Little Rock vice-
president for Arkansas ; R. B. Cox ol
Batesville, vice-president for Missis-
sippi; Nathan Flexer of Waverly,
vice-president for Tennessee; J mi
Carbery of Little Rock, secretary-
treasurer; national representatives to
the Theatre Owners of America, Jack
Bomar of Little Rock, Max Connett
of Newton, Miss, and M. A. Light
man, Sr. of Memphis.
Elected to the board of directors,
besides Lightman, were K. K. King,
Bill Sockwell, Mrs. Jesse Howe,
Louis Haven, Jr., Gordon Hutchms,
Miss Nona White, Orris Collins, Bert
Bays E. W. Clinton, Charles Eudy,
Ben Jackson, Earl Elkins, R. X. Wil-
liams, T. M. Jourdan, Norman B.
Fair, Mrs. H. A. Fitch, W. E. Ruffin,
Jr Mrs Louise Mask, Lipe Hensley
Jack Marshall and E. P. Sapinsley.
'Movie advertisements have three
or four times the readership of any
other ads of comparable size in news-
paper," Leon Bamberger of RKO Ra
dio, New York, told the convention.
"We must all work to eradicate 'pre-
mium' rates which newspapers charge
us for our advertising. There is no
intelligent reason why we should be
required to spend one cent more than
any other business," he said.
Exhibitor leaders here for the con
vention condemned in interviews the
20 per cent Federal admission tax.
Col. H. A. Cole, Dallas ; Pat McGee,
Denver, and Duke Clark, Dallas, all
said that the tax was "discriminatory'
and was ruining the business.
Alfred Starr, Nashville, TOA pres
ident, called the fears that television
will put theatres out of business "non-
sense.
"Television's principal function," he
said, "is to sell soap."
"Limelight" opened strong at the
Astor and the two-a-day 60th Street
Trans-Lux in a seven-day period
marked by hold-overs in most first-
run situations in New York.
An excellent $37,000 was seen for
the initial week of the Charles Chap-
in film at the Astor, which is main-
taining its continuous run policy,
while at the 60th Street Trans-Lux,
a near capacity $14,000 is expected for
the two-a-day performance. Tickets
for weekend nights at the Trans-Lux
house were reported sold out through
November.
A good $67,000 was forecast for the
opening week of "Springfield Rifle"
at the Paramount, which also features
Duke Ellington and his orchestra on
stage.
"The Thief" will be held _ over an-
other week at the Roxy, which sees a
fine $68,000 for the second inning.
"Snows of Kilimanjaro" is still hold-
ing up strong at the Rivoli, where
$36,000 is expected for the film's sixth
week.
The fifth and final week of "Be-
cause You're Mine" at Radio City
Music Hall is expected to do a nice
$115,000. "The Happy Time" will
have its premiere there tomorrow.
"Everything I Have ' Is Yours"
moves into Loew's State today, re-
placing "The Merry Widow," which
is expected to do a very good $20,000
for its fifth and final week.
"Prisoner of Zenda" bows in at the
Capitol on Tuesday. The third and
final week of "Just for You," the
Capitol current attraction, is forecast
to hit a satisfactory $21,000. "The
Lusty Men" at the Criterion is due to
rack up a fairly good $22,000 for its
opening stanza.
The fourth and final week of "Lure
of the Wilderness" at the Globe is
predicted to do a moderate $8,500. It
will be replaced on Friday by "Cairo
Road." Indications are that "World
in His Arms" at the Mayfair will do
a satisfactory $15,500 for its third
week. At the Victoria, a moderately
fair $14,000 is seen for the second
week of "Fourposter."
Among off-Broadway houses, a nice
$3,400 is forecast for the seventh and
final week of "The Amazing Monsieur
Fabre" at the Park Avenue. "The
Promoter" will move into the Fine
Arts tomorrow, replacing "Stranger
in Between," which is expected to do
a fair $2,900 in its final six days of
its 11th week.
Sen. Lodge Favors
20% Tax Repeal
Boston, Oct. 28. — Sen. Henry
Cabot Lodge, Jr. (R. Mass.)
stated that he will support
legislation for the repeal of
the 20 per cent Federal ad-
mission tax to motion picture
theatres. He declared that
the tax is discriminatory and
is the primary cause for the
closing of many theatres.
Lodge is up for reelection.
Newsreel
Parade
'J HE test flight of the
Canadian Meet
{Continued from page 1)
as a challenge to the film industry to
do a better job. He also felt that
TV would lead to new personalities
in pictures.
Taking up this cue, the meeting dis-
cussed a proposal for a "National
Moving Picture Week" in Canada,
which would feature the personal ap-
pearance of screen stars from both
Hollywood and England. The Council
also sought friendly support from the
daily press. In this connection a press
relations committee was appointed, in-
cluding James Nairn, publicity di-
rector, Famous Players, Toronto ;
H. C. D. Main, Sutton, Ontario;
Hye Bossin, Toronto, and Ray Lewis.
Toronto. More than 30 delegates
from all industry branches were wel-
comed to Ottawa by Mayor Charlotte
Whitton, who noted that women's or-
ganizations had been receiving more
cooperation from distributors and ex-
hibitors.
The day's program concluded with
a banquet following which a planning
committee dealt with important meas-
ures for consideration tomorrow.
Delegates to the annual meeting in-
cluded Maritime Motion Exhibitors
Association's F. G. Spencer and A. J.
Mason; Alberta Theatres Associa-
tion's Ken M. Leach and Roy Chown ;
Quebec Allied Theatrical Industries'
William Lester and Charles Bourassa ;
Manitoba Motion Picture Exhibitors'
David Rothstein and Robert Hurwitz;
Saskatchewan Motion Picture Exhi-
bitors' Wilbur Winterton and George
R. Miller; Motion Picture Associa-
tion of Ontario's Morris Stein and
Main, and British Columbia Exhibi-
tors Association's Len B. Johnson.
Guests included Ben Norrish, presi-
dent of Associated Screen News,
Montreal ; N. A. Taylor, president of
20th Century Theatres, Toronto;
Leonard Brockington, president, Odeon
Theatres, and J. J. Chisholm, Toronto.
zvorld.'s
largest helicopter is highlighted
in current newsreels. Also featured
are the wedding of an American heir-
ess and an English nobleman, Marshal
Tito's visit to a United States carrier,
college football games, and more Pres-
idential campaign oratory.
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. ^^Eisen-
hower says he will go to Korea. Stevenson
says Moscow can end Korean War. Battle
on Korean front. Tito is visitor to U. S.
carrier. U. S- heiress weds Britisli noble-
man. U.S.C.-Califonia and Michigan-Minne-
sota football g"ames.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. Z18-Acheson
tells UN Reds block UN peace. World's
biggest helicopter. U. S. Navy carrier and
Tito. U. S. heiress bride of a Lord.
Fashion parade at historic Versailles.
U.S.C. -California and Michigan-Minnesota
football games.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 21 — Test
flight of world's largest helicopter. U. S.
heiress weds nobleman. American wins
Nobel Prize in Medicine. Tito aboard U. S.
carrier. Harness champion attends luncheon.
U.S.C. -California and Virginia-Duke foot-
ball games.
TELENEWS DIGEST, Nol 44A— Eleventh
Airborne drops heavy equipment by chute.
Biologist wins Nobel Prize. Royalty attends
London wedding. Korea makes first motion
picture since war began. Election day draws
near. Duke-Virginia football game.
UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL, No. 408—
United Nations assembly. Hurricane in
Cuba. Hughes helicopter. Universal board
chairman Nate Blumberg accepts award for
film "Bright Victory." Flower fantasia.
U.S.C. -California, U.C.L.A.-Wisconsin foot-
ball games.
WARNER PATHE, No. 23 — Campaign
climax. Lewis orders miners back to work.
Tito sees airshow aboard U. St. carrier.
World's biggest helicopter in first flight-
N. Y. Navy firefighters do job in 15 seconds.
Michigan State-Penn State, Duke-Virginia,
U.S.C. -California football games.
Reno's Crest Says 'Snows'
Breaks 'David's' Record
Reno, Oct. 28.— The Crest Theatre
here reports its all-time opening day
record was smashed by Darryl F.
Zanuck's "The Snows of Kiliman-
jaro." The film grossed $1,800 dur-
ing its first day's showing, eclipsing
"David and Bathsheba's" $1,550 gross.
Report Record Grosses for
'Snows' in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, Oct. 28.— Darryl F.
Zanuck's "The Snows of Kiliman-
jaro," which had a premiere here, is
Blumenthal Memorial
The unveiling of a memorial for the
late Harold Blumenthal, former divi-
sion manager for Fabian New Jersey
theatres, will take place on Sunday
at 2:00 P.M. at the Riverside Ceme-
tery, Zion Walk, Rochelle Park, N. J.
drawing record grosses at the Chinese
and Los Angeles theatres, it was
stated. Saturday figures at the Chinese
were said to show a total of $3,650,
with the Los Angeles reporting $4,500,
following $2,100 for Thursday's pre-
miere performance.
Rena Theatre Files
Suit in Chicago
Chicago, Oct. 28.— Rena Theatre,
formerly operated by Leonard Gross-
man and his wife from 1949 to Janu-
ary, 1951, filed a triple damage suit
against the majors, except 20th Cen-
tury Fox and RKO Pictures, Balaban
and Katz, and 20th Century Theatre,
operated by Jack Kirsch.
The suit, filed in Judge Sam Perry's
Federal District Court here, claimed
the plaintiffs were forced out after
two years because B and K Theatres
and Kirsch got prior product and they
have been unable to operate at a profit.
'Fatima* in WnYC
Spots Thanksgiving
"The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima"
has been booked as the Thanksgiving
period picture in 88 theatres in the
Metropolitan area, it was announced
by Warner Brothers. It will be
shown at the first-run RKO, Skouras,
Century, Randforce and Brandt thea-
tres in Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn,
Queens, Westchester and Long Island.
Vidor Here from Coast
Charles Vidor, director of Samuel
Goldwyn's "Hans Christian Ander-
sen," color in Technicolor production,
is in New York from Hollywood to
participate in promotions on the film.
i^t-t^m mrTTTTJF D ATT Y Martin Oui^ley. Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane. Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting Editor. Published daily, except Saturdays,
MOTION PICTURE DAILY - Martin « j 1270 S;xth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address; "Qu.gpubco,
Sundays and ho .days, ^.^'^ Xt Martin Qu g ev, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Leyy, Vice-President; Leo J.
£eW, %,rrf.Jrl- Tames P ^ V- Fecke, Advertising Manager: Gus H. Fausel Production Manager: Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-V.ne
Brady, Secretary , James F cunmngnam in ews , LaSalle Street, Urben Farley Advertising Representative. FI 6-3074; Bruce Tnnz. Editorial Representative, 11
SU'lt,n^rk Street S^?2»i^^5K. Naffl P^ii Qub. Washington D. C. London Bureau 4 Golden Sq London VVT; Hope Burnup Manager; Peter
B^^mm^:^^' "QuigPufco, 'London " . Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres and^ Theatre Sales, each published^ J.mes
INortn ^iar^.1^c=L',|^^7e;;' •<b^i«Dubco''LWdonr'' " Other Quiglev Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres and Theatre Sales, each published 13 times a year as
Burnup. Editor <^%™^e^}^Z^%££ Motion Picture Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter. Sept. 21. 1938, at the post ofhee at New York. N, Y.. under
H,ract0of March ,3, 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies. 10c
Wednesday, October 29, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
RKO Radio
(Continued from page 1)
Review
ring Jane Russell, is set for national
release on Nov. 11. The cast also in-
cludes George Brent, Scott Brady,
and Forrest Tucker.
"Face to Face," Huntington Hart-
ford's omnibus picture containing two
short stories, Joseph Conrad's "The
Secret Sharer" and Stephen Crane's
"The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky,"
will be released on Nov. 14. The stars
include James Mason, Robert Pres-
ton, Gene Lockhart, Marjorie Steele,
and Minor Watson.
"Blackbeard the Pirate," color in
Technicolor, is set for release Dec. 25.
Linda Darnell, Robert Newton, and
William Bendix are starred.
Samuel Goldwyn's Technicolor pro-
duction of "Hans Christian Ander-
sen," starring Danny Kaye, Jean-
maire, and Farley Granger, will have
several pre-release engagements dur-
ing Christmas. The world premiere of
the film will take place on Nov. 24
at the Criterion Theatre in New
York, and will play a joint engage-
ment at the Paris Theatre, New
York, starting Nov. 25.
"Never Wave at a Wac," Inde-
pendent Artist's production, starring
Rosalind Russell, Paul Douglas, and
Marie Wilson, will be released na-
tionally on Jan. 16.
"The Bystander," starring Robert
Mitchum and ' Jean Simmons, is an-
nounced for release on Jan. 23.
Walt Disney's "Peter Pan," Tech-
nicolor all-cartoon feature, will be
pre-released in several key situations
on Feb. 13.
Stars Robert Mitchum and Jean
Simmons, will be offered again in
"Beautiful but Dangerous," set for
release on Feb. 27.
National
"Androcles and the Lion"
(RKO Radio Pictures)
GEORGE BERNARD SHAWs drama about early Christianity has been
faithfully translated to the screen by Gabriel Pascal. There is much in
the film to commend it as good entertainment, an excellent cast, spectacular
scenes, beautiful women and Shavian wit.
Sophisticated audiences should revel in the many twists and turns in the
clash of personalities and ideas presented in the picture, which despite its
spectacular overtones, remains a pictorial and dramatic articulation of ideas.
But less sophisticated audiences may feel the picture's interest ebbing some-
what by overlong debate. A rich vein of humor is presented, however, for all
levels — for those who enjoy a belly laugh and for those who prefer intellectual
shafts of wit for humor.
In Shaw's work, as in Shakespeare's, every Roman is an Englishman and
it will take a few moments before an audience accepts the events portrayed as
credible. Those that jump the hurdle sooner will enjoy the picture more fully.
Such salable names as Jean Simmons, Victor Mature and Maurice Evans
play feature roles. Alan Young, Robert Newton, Elsa Lanchester and Regi-
nald Gardiner are among those who fill out the competent cast.
The story line concerns a group of persecuted Christians who are about to
be thrown to the lions, to feed the passions of the Roman mob, to die. so that
Caesar and his decadent courtesans can be entertained. In the group is Alan
Young, who portrays Androcles, the meek, warm-hearted man whose Chris-
tianity extends to animals. There is beautiful Jean Simmons who falls in love
with the heathen Roman captain, Victor Mature. Also in the band is Robert
Newton as Ferrovius, a giant whose Christian soul struggles to keep his
strength in check.
Adversaries who are won over, if not out of conviction then out of expe-
diency, include Maurice Evans as Caesar, who ordains Christianity for all
the Empire, overwhelmed by the strength of Newton and fear of the lion, and
overwhelmed by a religion which makes men stronger than his soldiers.
Lewis J. Rachmil was associate producer to Pascal, while Chester Erskine
directed, from a screen adaptation by Erskine and Ken Englund. Harry Horner
designed the production. Others in the cast include Reginald Gardiner, Gene
Lockhart, Alan Mowbray, Noel William, John Hoyt, Jim Backus and Lowell
Gilmore.
Running time 98 minutes. General audience classification. For October
release. Murray Horowitz
Pre-Selling
Industry Leaders to
Honor RKO Heads
Shea Presiding
(Continued from page 1)
Industry executives have been in-
vited to sit on the dais at the testi-
monial luncheon honoring RKO Radio
executives Arnold Picker, Charles
Boasberg and Walter Branson, to be
given by the Independent Theatre
Owners Association of New York,
tomorrow at the Hotel Astor. The
ITOA reports the following were
invited :
Theodore Black, Harry Brandt, Leo
Brecher, William H. Clark, Max A.
Cohen, Richard Condon, S. H. Fabian,
Charles J. Feldman, Emanuel Frisch,
William J. German, Morey Goldstein,
Arnold Grant, Harry M. Kalmine.
Also Maury Miller, Walter Reade,
Jr., Sam Rinzler, Herman Robbins,
Fred J. Schwartz, Sol A. Schwartz,
Al Schwalberg, Spyros S. Skouras,
Wilbur Snaper, Solomon Strausberg,
Joseph Vogel, Richard F. Walsh,
David Weinstock, Milton C. Weisman.
Davis Cites
(Continued from page 1)
will continue to release Rank product
in the U. S.
"I'm not one to use superlatives,"
Davis said when he described the
progress of Rank pictures here as
"good."
Among the Rank pictures he said
were making good records here are
"The Lavender Hill Mob," "The Man
in the White Suit" and "Ivory
Hunter."
and theater television are on the
agenda.
Also attending the meeting are
Richard Harper, assistant to Shea ;
Ray Smith, film buyer; Carroll Law-
ler, booker, and Frank King, field
manager.
Among managers on hand are John
D. Walsh and Edward Mason, Pitts-
burgh; Ed Fahey, Manchester, N.
H. ; Fenton Scribner, Moshan, N. H. ;
Armand Papin, Westfield, Mass. ;
William Kibridge, Amherst, Mass.;
Joe Scanlon, Zanesville, O. ; Dale Mc-
Coy, Cambridge, O. ; Bill Gillame,
Newark, O. ; Durward Duty, Mari-
etta, O.; Bernie Hickey, Greenfield,
Mass. ; Dale Tysinger, Ashtabula, O. ;
Bob Limbaugh, Conneaut, O. ; Ray
McNealy, Geneva, O. ; Harold Snyd-
er, New Philadelphia, O. ; Clayton
Gillam, Dover, O. ; Dan Gilhula,
Jamestown, N. Y. ; Jack Baumgardt,
Lancaster, O. ; Vance Minton, Erie,
Pa.
Pillot Promoted
(Continued from page 1)
Appoint Grimm
(Continued from page 1)
also held various posts with Colum-
bia, Associated Exhibitors, David
Selznick and Universal Pictures. He
was at one time associate editor and
advertising manager of the old Mov-
ing Picture World.
The appointment is effective imme-
diately.
Artists, and was personal representa-
tive for Armand Denis and Leila
Roosevelt.
In 1942 Pillot enlisted in the Air
Force and remained for three years.
Upon his discharge he became special
events director for Columbia. In 1948
he became personal manager for come-
dian Sid Caesar. In 1951, Pillot re-
turned to the industry with 20th Cen-
tury-Fox, handling the exploitation
tour of Walter Talun for "David and
Bathsheba." He was then assigned
to the publicity department helping to
arrange "The Snows of Kilmanjaro"
premiere in New York.
L.A. lst-Runs
(Continued from page 1)
CORONET'S November issue has
a 15-page picture and text layout
on Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans Chris-
tian Andersen." The entire story of
"The Ugly Duckling" is in print and
pictures of Danny Kaye telling the
story to youngsters are attractively
displayed.
•
Rutgers Neilson of RKO Pictures
has arranged for an imposing list
of speakers to cover the full field
of printed publicity and advertising
for the AMPA showmanship course
here tomorrow evening, according
to an announcement by Harry K.
McWilliams, AMPA president. Ralph
Martin, of Seventeen magazine, will
talk on "How One Magazine Helps
Exhibitors Promote Pictures." Au-
drey Soracco, handling film promo-
tions for Look and Quick maga-
zines, will talk on "The Power and
Effectiveness of Magazines in Pre-
Selling Pictures." John Crockett,
advertising manager of Coronet
magazine, will tell the class what
magazines are doing to pre-sell
films.
•
Life will have a picture and text
story on Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans
Christian Andersen" in its issue on
newsstands Friday. The pictures are
in full color and were photographed
by Jon Mili.
•
American Weekly's issue of Nov. 2
has a biographic sketch of Hilde-
garde Neff, who is featured in "The
Snows of Kilimanjaro." Miss Neff
was born in Germany. She tells of
her experiences during the blitz of
Berlin, where she lived and worked.
•
The current issue of Look has a
three-page layout on the Wald-
Krasna RKO Radio production,
"The Lusty Men." Action and com-
edy shots are shown of the picture's
stars, Susan Hayward and Robert
Mitchum.
Good Housekeeping has a full-page
tie-up ad in the November issue fea-
turing Loretta Young, the star of
Universal-International's "Because of
You." The ad was placed by Avon
cosmetics but more than half of the
page is given over to a color picture
of Miss Young.
McDaniel Services Sat.
Hollywood, Oct. 28. — Funeral serv-
ices for Hattie McDaniel, Academy
Award-winning Nejro actress who
died here on Sunday of cancer, will be
held on Saturday at the Angelus Fun-
eral home. She is survived by a
brother, Sam McDaniel, also an actor.
range from late in November through
early February. The deadline for bids
is today. The films and the scheduled
opening dates are : "The Savage,"
Nov. 26; Pine-Thomas' "The Blazing
Forest," Nov. 26; re-release of Cecil
B. DeMille's "Cleopatra," Dec. 3;
"The Turning Point," Dec. 10 ; "Road
to Bali," Dec. 25; Hal Wallis' "The
Stooge," Feb. 4. Preceding general
release, "The Stooge" will be avail-
able for special New Year's eve en-
gagements. Bids for two January re-
leases, "Thunder in the East" and
Pine-Thomas' "Tropic Zone," will be
invited later.
Name Jerry Wald
(Continued from page 1)
is a veteran of 20 years in the indus-
try. He started as a writer at War-
ner Brothers and was a winner of the
Irving Thalberg Memorial Award of
the Academy of Motion Picture Arts
and Sciences.
Pictorial Reviezv's cover for Nov.
16 will be given over to M-G-M's
"Plymouth Adventure." It will be a
full color caricature showing the May-
flozver and picturing the stars of the
film, Gene Tierney, Van Johnson and
Leo Genn, seated on the promenade
deck of the Mayflozver.
•
Seventeen in its November issue
has a page tie-up ad featuring
Marge and Gower Champion, stars
of M-G-M's "Everything I Have Is
Yours." The ad was placed for
Cameo Stockings. However, the two
M-G-M stars, along with Monica
Lewis, take up most of the page.
•
McCall's in its current issue has a
detailed story on Imogene Coca. Pic-
tures arc used of Sid Caesar and
Imogene Coca to illustrate the text.
A motion picture with these two' art-
ists is planned, for production during
the summer months.
— Walter Haas
Lfl
20ih DELIVERS A DOUBLE-BA
:
SELL
■
NATIONAL d
MAGAZINE ADS!
20th lists your theatre
and your town in power-
ful two-page spreads in
Look
Collier's
on "THE THIEF OF VENICE
to pre-sell every reader of
these multi-million circu-
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entire territory— at no
cost to you!
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO :
Set your booking of VVTHIEF OF
VENICE" to play before Mar. 1, 1953.
(Deadline for listing your engagement
in our national ads is Dec. 20, 1952).
ROBERT HAGGIAG presents "THE THIEF OF VENICE" starring MARIA MONTEZ • PAUL CHRISTIAN * FAYE MARLOWM
HAGGIAG • Directed by JOHN BRAHM • Screenplay by JESSE L. LASKY, JR. • From original story by MICHAEL PERTWEE ■ Music by ALESSAND1
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for the best and most
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You'll be flown to Venice via Italian
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celebrated Bridge of Sighs ... re-
lax on a gondola on the famous I
canals of this romantic city!
This contest is open fo all theatres playing
"THIEF OF VENICE" before June 7, 1953.
START PLANNING YOUR PRIZE-
WINNING SHOWMANSHIP
CAMPAIGN IMMEDIATELY!
In the event of ties, duplicate prizes will be awarded.
5NTRV hate. ... RULES* ^'
entrv DATE. RULES:
All entries must be "
»OW TO ENTER' , , . . ">»"
™e committee of iudges w,„ , m9 who'ever on
regulations. t0 federa'- state and locaT d 6y °r thr°"8h said wrSSjJ 'dea$
THE OLDEST THEATRE OWNERS ORGANIZATION IN THE WORLD
THEATRE OWNERS »/
NORTH AND SOUTH
CAROLINA
ORGANIZED MAY, 1912
th
Anniversary Convention
NOVEMBER 9-11-52 ouSSri EHARLOTTE, IV. E
It's Lovely in The Carolinas in November
INDUSTRY PROBLEMS
HERE ARE A FEW
CINERAMA? — ASCAP? — U. S. vs. US?
SALES POLICIES? — HOW'S TELEVISION?
ARBITRATION-CONCILIATION? — MOVIETIME?
Unusual Social Events with Specials for Our Ladies. We are
Promised a World's Premiere, with Real Stars. (But We Have Had
Promises Before.)
There are More than 1,000 Theatre Operations in the Carolinas
(and More on the Make) of this Number, 80% are Members of the
T. O. of N. and S. Carolina.
You are Always Welcome in the "Land of the Long Leaf Pines."
For Reservations or Other Information Address
CONVENTION COM. P.O. BOX 1606
CHARLOTTE, N.C.
NEWS
WHILE
IT |S
NEWS
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
AIR I
MAIL!
EDITION
VOL. 72. NO. 85
NEW YORK, U. S. A., THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1952
TEN CENTS
NCCJ's 25thl
Anniversary
To Be Feted
| Sol Schwartz Named '53
Industry Drive Chairman
Sol Schwartz, president of the
RKO Theatres, will be the motion
picture chairman for the 1953 Na-
tional Conference of Christians and
Jews campaign,
it was an-
nounced at a
luncheon meet-
ing yesterday at
the Waldorf-
Astoria, at
which industry
representatives
agreed to hold
an annual din-
ner commemo-
rating the
NCCJ 25th an-
niversary. The
campaign ex-
tends from Lin-
coln's Birthday to about Washington's
Birthday annually. _
Charles Reagan, M-G-M distnbu-
(Continued on page S)
4. '
ml
Sol Schwartz
Tri-States Okays
Arbitration Draft
Memphis. Oct. 29.— Theatre Own-
ers of Arkansas, Mississippi and Ten-
nessee closed its three-day convention
here today with approval of Theatre
Owners of America's position on the
government's 16mm. suit and the plan
of industry arbitration. This is the
{Continued on page 5)
Shea Forecasts
Business Upswing
Pittsburgh, Oct. 29.— A good
business period was forecast
here today by Gerald Shea,
president of the Shea Circuit,
as the two-day convention of
Shea Circuit managers ended
in the Hotel Roosevelt.
Shea told the managers
that grosses soon would be
on the upswing, especially
since many excellent pictures
have been booked by the cir-
cuit. He also said that econ-
omy must be the watch-word
of successful theatre opera-
tion.
Exhibitor Meetings With Congressmen
Said to Be Best Bet in Tax Fight
The only one safe rule to follow in seeking commitments from
Congressmen to vote for repeal of the Federal 20 per cent admis-
sion tax is for several exhibitors, properly armed with facts and
figures, to sit down with the Congressman from their district and
present their case. This was emphasized here yesterday by Col.
H. A. Cole and Pat McGee, co-chairmen of the National Tax Repeal
Committee, in a statement released through the Council of Motion
Picture Organizations.
The co-chairmen stated that experience in the campaign has
shown such procedure to be invariably productive of results. They
said it also prevents future misunderstanding, either by the Con-
gressman or the exhibitors. They urge all Congressional district
campaign committees to follow this procedure in the future.
Production Methods Scored
As Antiquated by Schary
Detroit, Oct. 29.— "The greatest need of the industry is for new
methods of film production," according to Dore Schary, executive vice-
president in charge of production at M-G-M.
"Hollywood," Schary told a luncheon group of Chrysler Corp. exec-
utives, "is using the same methods it
used 20 years ago," and much saving
in time and money and a resultant
improvement in picture quality could
be had if new engineering technics
were applied to the making of pic-
tures.
The guest of L. L. Colbert, presi-
dent of Chrysler, and K. T. Keller,
chairman of the board, Schary said
also "that it wouldn't make economic
sense for Hollywood to sell its large
backlog of films to television."
"We would be removing ourselves
from our greatest source of revenue,
theatre exhibition to a mass audi-
ence," he declared.
It was Schary's belief, based(( on
single - bill experiments, that "the
double feature is here to stay." The
mass audience wants it and feels it
would not be getting it's money's
worth" from a single bill program.
His studio, he said, does not, how-
ever, prefer to exhibit its product that
way.
Schary said motion picture reve-
(Continued 011 page S)
Name Mochrie VP'
Of Goldwyn Prod.
Hollywood, Oct. 29.— Robert Moch-
rie, until recently distribution vice-
president of
RKO Radio,
today was
named vice-
president of
Samuel Gold-
wyn Produc-
tions, by Samuel
Goldwyn.
Mochrie, well
known in dis-
tribution and
exhibition cir-
cles for the
greater part of
his 27 years as
sales executive,
will assume his new duties imme-
(Continued on page 51
Don't 'Shrug
Off Cole's
Stand: Myers
Says Distributors Should
Heed Cole's Warning
Washington, Oct. 29. — Abram
F. Myers, Allied States Association
general counsel, today warned dis-
tributors not to "shrug off" the
proposal of Col. H. A. Cole that
Allied leaders withdraw from all-in-
dustry efforts in order to devote their
time to Allied exhibitors' problems in
obtaining films.
In a bulletin to Allied mem-
bers, Myers advised "our friends
in New York" not to under-
estimate the feeling among ex-
hibitors on the issue of in-
creased prices for pictures. In
addition, Myers said, "Don't
shrug off Col. Cole's sincere
warning and don't attempt to
deride him or others who are
trying to impress you with the
gravity of the situation."
Myers told Allied members that
Cole's suggestion was on the agenda
{Continued on page 5)
A. J. Mason Heads
MPIC of Canada
Ottawa, Oct. 29. — J. J. Fitzgibbons
at the final session today of the Motion
Picture Industry Council of Canada
convention was succeeded as president
by Mayor A. J. Mason of Springhill,
Nova Scotia.
The 35 delegates gave an ovation to
the Famous Players president as he
retired from office in the Association
(Continued on page S)
Robert Mochrie
F. Schwartz to Aid
Hospital Campaign
Fred Schwartz, president of Century
Theatres, has been named chairman of
the ticket committee for the "Hans
Christian Andersen" premiere for the
benefit of the Variety Clubs Will
Rogers Memorial Hospital, by G. S.
Eyssell, premiere committee chairman
and president of Rockefeller Center.
Other members of the committee in-
(Continued on page 5)
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29.--
Pointing out that the
small amounts of materi-
als concerned in recrea-
tional construction are
normally warehouse sup-
plies, which are now re-
ported to be "in good
supply," a building in-
dustry committee today
recommended to the NPA
that the May 1 date for re-
laxation of controls be
advanced to Jan. 1.
•
SALT LAKE CITY, Oct.
29. — Ray M. Hendry, vice-
president and general
manager of Intermountain
Theatres, which operates
the Utah Theatre here,
reports that the house
will have theatre TV with-
in 30 days. It will be
the first house in the
state to have theatre TV.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, October 30, 1952
Personal
Mention
NATE SPINGOLD, Columbia
vice-president, and Paul Laza-
rus, Jr., New York representative for
the 'studio, are due to return here on
Mohday from the Coast.
•
Mrs. Henry Dawson, associate di-
rector of community relations of the
Motion Picture Association of Amer-
ica, who was scheduled to speak this
week on "The Movies and Their Pub-
lic," will speak instead on Monday
night at the New School for Social
Research here.
•
Sol Gordon, Monogram salesman
in Cleveland, announces the birth of
twins, a boy and a girl, to Mrs. Gor-
don in Mt. Sinai Hospital in that
city.
Ray Moon, assistant general sales
manager for Universal Pictures, and
P. T. Dana, Eastern division manager,
are in Philadelphia and will return to
New York tomorrow.
•
Jesse L. Lasky, accompanied by
his recently appointed executive as-
sistant, John Wilson Gregory, is m
New York from the Coast.
•
Max Melincoff, formerly with
Warner Brothers in Massachusetts,
has joined the publicity staff of Allied
Artists in Hollywood.
«
Morton Downey will entertain at
the national Allied States convention
banquet at the Morrison Hotel in Chi-
cago on Nov. 19.
•
Seymour Moses, M-G-M's man-
ager for the Netherlands, is the father
of a son, born to Mrs. Moses in
Amsterdam.
e
F. J. A. McCarthy, Universal
Southern and Canadian sales man-
ager, is in New Orleans from. New
York.
•
Arthur Ehrlich, Warner Brothers
booker in Cleveland, is back at his
desk after a three-month sick leave
•
Charles Schnee, M-G-M studio
executive, and his wife will leave for
a Honolulu vacation on Nov. 7.
•
Munio Podhorzer, president of
Casino Film Exchange, has left here
for Cincinnati and St. Louis.
•
Ben Thau, M-G-M studio execu-
tive, is due here from the Coast Nov.
5 for a 10-day visit.
•
Ben Lober, head of Universal's in-
surance department, has returned here
from California.
e
Bernard Smith, Paramount pro-
ducer, has arrived in New York from
Hollywood.
•
Joseph Mankiewicz, M-G-M di-
rector, has returned here from the
Coast.
o
Walter Thomas, M-G-M booker
in Charlotte, is here on vacation.
Editorials Hit
U.S. 16mm. Suit
Editorials condemning the
government suit to force the
sale of 16mm. films to tele-
vision and other non-theatri-
cal users have appeared in 33
newspapers in all parts of the
country, according to an in-
complete check - up by the
Motion Picture Association of
America. A number of na-
tional magazines, not in-
cluded in the survey, also
have criticized the govern-
ment action.
The survey failed to un-
cover any editorials support-
ing the government suit.
Companies to Close
On Election Day
Most film company home offices will
remain closed all day Tuesday, Elec-
tion Day, and will close half a day
on Armistice Day, Nov. 11. Com-
panies closing Election Day are:
Columbia, M-G-M, RKO Pictures,
RKO Theatres, 20th Century-Fox,
United Artists, United Paramount
Theatres, Universal-International and
Warner. Paramount Pictures and Re-
public will close at 1 :00 P.M. Allied
Artists and the Motion Picture Asso
ciation are undecided.
Companies closing at 1 :00 P.M. on
Armistice Day are: M-G-M, RKO
Pictures, RKO Theatres, 20th Cen-
tury-Fox, Universal-International and
Warner's. Other companies have not
yet decided on their closing hour for
that day.
$197,600 Salary for
Columbia Pictures'
Harry Cohn in '51-52
Washington, Oct. 29. — Harry
Cohn earned $197,600 as president of
Columbia Pictures for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1952, the Securities
and Exchange Commission was in-
formed today.
The company's annual report cited
the following salaries of executives ;
Jack Cohn, executive vice-president,
$145,000; A. Schneider, vice-president
and treasurer, $130,000; N. B. Spin-
gold, vice-president in charge of ad-
vertising and publicity, $94,600; A.
Montague, vice-president in charge of
domestic sales, $130,000.
The figures, it was explained, in-
clude expense allowances which are
not required to be accounted for, of
$15,600 for Harry Cohn, $15,600 for
Jack Cohn and $8,600 for Spingold.
Directors and officers as a group dur-
ing the year earned $1,148,000, the
report stated.
A comparison of salaries between
the fiscal years 1951 and 1952 discloses
that of the five executives listed the
remuneration of only Harry Cohn and
Spingold differed in the two years,
with Spingold taking the heavier cut.
In 1951, Cohn's salary was listed at
$201,400 compared to $197,600 in 1952,
while Spingold in 1951 earned $108,-
000 compared tp $94,600 in 1952.
P. White to Europe
On Distribution Deal
Paul White, president of P SI-TV.
Inc., has left here for Paris, Berlin
and London and in the latter city will
arrange for theatrical distribution of
six features produced by his firm, in
addition to the theatrical, non-thea-
trical, and television distribution of
half-hour television films either pro
duced or financed by PSI-TV.
White divulged that the company
currently is negotiating for studios in
New York and Hollywood, the ac-
quisition of which would complete
PSI-TV's physical organization. He
further revealed, 'We have set up
sizeable revolving production funds
from private groups for TV fihn
financing and we have separate bank-
ing arrangements for two new series."
Five Features, Ten
Shorts, Free Eats!
Norwalk, O., Oct. 29. — The
ultimate in entertainment
value for this area, if not the
state, is being offered by the
nearby Starview Drive-in on
Saturday nights in a dusk-to-
dawn program which consists
of five full-length features,
five comedies, five cartoons,
free coffee, doughnuts and
cider, with "side-dishes" of
candy and chewing gum at
the conclusion of the program.
The regular admission scale
prevails.
Elect Pries Head of
Philadelphia Tent
Philadelphia, Oct. 29. — Ralph
Pries of the Berlo Vending Co., was
elected chief barker of Variety Club,
Tent No. 13. Norman Silverman of
Republic was named first assistant
chief barker, and Maxwell Gillis of
Monogram second assistant. Other of-
ficers elected were Ben Biben of
RCA, dough guy, and Mickey Lewis,
National Theatre Supply, property
master.
Pries stated that the current heart
fund drive would be accelerated in
order to meet the goal of $60,000 by
Jan. 1.
Award to Chaplin
Hollywood, Oct. 29.— The Holly-
wood Foreign Correspondents, organ-
ization of reporters covering the film
capital for foreign newspapers and
press services, will present a special
award to Charles Chaplin for his
"Limelight," at a luncheon tomor-
row at Ciro's. The award will be
accepted for Chaplin by his son,
Charles Chaplin, Jr. The presenta-
tion will be made by Bert Reisfeld,
president of the correspondents' group.
Anthony J. Xydias
Dies on the Coast
Los Angeles, Oct. 29. — Anthony J.
Xydias, pioneer film exhibitor, distri-
butor and producer, died here Mon-
day at the age of 72.
Xydias, who began his career in
1906 with the purchase of a theatre in
Dallas, sold his theatre circuit after
the first world war to enter distribu-
tion in New York. He went to Holly-
wood in 1921, where he independently
produced films until 1931. He is sur-
vived by his widow, Rose, and two
children.
Name Tulipan 20th
Newspaper Contact
Ira Tulipan, trade press contact at
20th Century-Fox's home office, has
been promoted to newspaper publicity
contact, it was announced here yester-
day by Edward E. Sullivan, publicity
manager. Tulipan succeeds Meyer
Hutner, who was recently named as-
sociate publicity manager.
A member of the publicity and ad-
vertising staffs of the company since
1942, Tulipan was previously with
Warner Brothers, following entry into
the industry through exhibition. He
initially managed the Majestic The-
atre in Boston when it was a show-
case for foreign films.
Joining Warner Brothers, he served
on the trade paper and short subjects
publicity staffs until he left to become
promotion manager of Dome Chemi-
cals Co. Returning to the industry in
1942, he joined 20th Century-Fox's
press book staff where he remained
until 1943 when he entered the Army.
Returning to 20th Century-Fox in a
writing capacity, he subsequently be-
came press book editor before assum-
ing his post as trade press contact.
In 1950 he was responsible for intra-
industry publicity arising from the
national showmanship campaign spon-
sored by 20th Century-Fox launched
in Chicago under the slogan of "Mov-
ies Are Better Than Ever." He has
at various times done graduate work
in films at Columbia University, New
York University and the New School
for Social Research.
'Newsweek' Cites Loesser
In the current Newsweek magazine
there is a two-page article on Frank
Loesser, who composed the score for
Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans Christian
Andersen." And in the latest issue of
Life there are six full pages in color
on the color in Technicolor production.
Milton Pickman to
Assist Wald at CoL
Hollywood, Oct. 29.— Milton Pick-
man, vice-president of Wald-Krasna
Productions, will move over to Colum-
bia as Jerry Wald's assistant, it is
reported. Wald yesterday was named
vice-president and executive producer
of the company. Pickman will also
administrate the wind-up of the affairs
of W-K Productions.
Gets Maugham Story
Hollywood, Oct. 29.— Hugo _ Fre-
gonese disclosed here that while in
England directing Mike Frankovich's
"Decameron Nights" he personally
acquired rights to the Somerest Maug-
ham story, "Catalina."
MOTION PICTURE DAILY Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting Editor Published daily, except Saturdays.
Sunday^ and E by Quigley Publishing f Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: Qmgpubco,
New York '' MarUn' Ouiglev President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President Leo J.
Secretpfv Tames P Cunningham News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood, Bureau, Yucca- Vine
lutknkg SWa f™R^ Weaver, Edita * CWcago Burelu, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley Advertising Representative FI 6-3074: Bruce , Trms J^ial K^^Pere
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£urnu P Edito cabfe address' •'KK'Cond^^^^ Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres and Theatre Sales each published 13 times a year as
a section of Motion !^ Pirture Herald ; International Motion Picture 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.
PAUL PICERNI - LESTER MATTHEWS • DAN O HERLIHY • IAY NOVELLO
* SCREEN PLAY BV
JAMES R.WEBB and HAROLD MEDFORD
PRODUCED BY
• PHYLLIS THAXTER
HENRY BLANKE
DIRECTED BY
LEWIS SEILER
&
AND FOLLOWS
SPRINGFIELD RIFLE*
AT THE
N. Y. PARAMOUNT S
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, October 30, 1952
Liberalized Rental
Pact Seen in Italy
Conferences in Rome between Ital-
ian production and exhibition leaders
on that country's rental ceiling law
appear to have taken a turn favorable
to the American position that the ceil-
ing should be raised, it was indicated
yesterday in film export circles here.
The talks are centering around Ar-
ticle X of the Italian film law. They
are preliminary discussions which in
due course will give way to Italo-
American meetings on the subject.
The direction of the preliminary
talks, it was reported here, seems to
be toward favoring the substitution
of a voluntary production-exhibition
agreement for the present ceiling law.
The Motion Picture Association of
America, which will be represented m
the final talks on the subject of Italian
rental ceilings, always has taken a
strong position against the imposition
of such ceilings by any country
Italo-American Co-Production
Envisioned by Italian Film Men
Negotiation of co-production agree-
ments between the U.S. and Italian
motion picture industries is definitely
possible, it was revealed by Nicola De
Pirro, director of the Italian Govern-
ment's Entertainment Industry, on the
eve of the Italian Film Delegations
department for Rome yesterday on the
Queen Elisabeth.
The party included Eitel Monaco,
president of the National Association
of Motion Picture and Allied Indus-
tries of Italy ; Italo Gemini, president
of the Italian General Association of
Show Business ; Guiseppe La Guardia,
prominant Italian banker; and Renzo
Rufini, secretary-general of Italian
Films Export. (1
De Pirro and Monaco agreed co-
Production agreements would-be of
mutual economic usefulness' and
would also "be helpful to the further
development of cultural relations be-
tween the two countries."
UN Names 3rd Lap
Sales Drive Winners
United Artists' Los Angeles, Cleve-
land and New Haven exchanges have
taken first-prize money in the third
six-week lap of the company s Bill
Heineman Sales Drive," it was an-
nounced by vice-president Max E.
Youngstein, who is serving as drive
captain.
The drive now is in the first week
of its home stretch, at the conclusion
of which, on Dec. 6, grand prizes will
be awarded for best showings over
the entire drive period, which began
on June 15.
British Films Screened
The first private showing of new
British documentary films will take
place at an invitational showing here
this evening at the Museum of Mod-
ern Art, under the auspices of British
Information Services. The event will
also serve to introduce Charles Dand,
newly appointed films director of the
BIS.
$1,994 for 'Promoter'
"The Promoter," being released by
Universal, reportedly set a new open-
ing—day house record at the Fine
Arts Theatre here on Tuesday, the
$1,994 figure surpassing by more than
$100, the previous high of
Lavender Hill Mob."
2 Suits Ask
$2, 730^000
Two operating companies of the
Elmwood Theatre, Queens, yesterday
filed a triple-damage anti-trust suit for
damages totaling $2,730,000 in Federal
District Court here against eight ma-
jors and some circuits.
Sogmore Realty Inc., current oper-
ator of the Elmwood, sued for $1,080,-
000 while Copark Inc., which operated
the theatre from 1946 to 1949, sued for
$1,650,000. j ^ j
Besides the majors, defendants in the
suit also include the United Artists
Theatre Circuit, Randforce Amuse-
ment Corp., Skouras Theatres Corp.
and Metropolitan Playhouses, Inc.
The action charges discriminatory
trade practices in violation of the U. b.
anti-trust laws. .
William Gold represents the plain-
tiffs.
S. Arthur Glixon
Honored Dec. 7
F. J. Herrington of
Pa. Allied Resigns
Washington, Oct. 29.— Fred _ J.
Herrington, secretary of Allied Motion
Picture Theatre Owners of Western
Pennsylvania, has resigned after more
than 40 years of service to Pennsyl-
vania exhibitors, Abram F. Myers,
Allied general counsel, disclosed here
today.
The veteran theatreman was a na-
tional director of Allied from 1928 to
1938, after retiring as an exhibitor in
1919. In 1909, he organized and was
elected president of the Motion Picture
Exhibitors League of Pennsylvania
and in 1915 was elected national presi-
dent of the MPELA, with headquar
ters in San Francisco.
Short
Subjects
S. Arthur Glixon, motion picture
industry attorney and a B'nai B'nth
leader, will be honored for "his out-
standing services to community wel-
fare and human rights," at a testi-
monial breakfast on Sunday, Dec. /
at the Hotel Delmonico here.
Announcement of the event, which
will be held in conjunction with the
Joint Defense Appeal campaign ot
Cardozo Lodge of B'nai B'rith, was
made by Karl Tausig, who is serving
as chairman of the Lodges J DA
activities.
Glixon has produced several motion
pictures for B'nai B'rith, including
"There Is So Much to Do," "When
Freedom Calls," "This Is B'nai
B'rith," "Door to Hope" and Dealing
in Futures."
AMP A Students Will
Tour N.Y. Paramount
Following the Associated Motion
Picture Advertisers showmanship class
this evening at the Woodstock Hotel
here, a group of the students will be
taken on a tour of the New York
Paramount Theatre by its managing
director, Robert K. Shapiro, it was
announced by Harry K. McWilhams,
AM PA president.
SAG Strike us, TV
Producers Advances
Hollywood, Ott. 29.— Screen Actors
Guild board today recommended to
the membership authorization of strike
against producers of television film
commercials, including the American
Association of Advertising Agencies.
A Guild membership meeting will be
held here on Nov. 9 and a New York
membership session is set for the
Hotel Astor on Nov. 16.
The Young Immortal
(Art Films-2Qth Centwy-Fox)
Four hundred years ago there lived
in Rome a young painter named
Raphael whose masterpieces include
the "Sistine Madonna" and murals
such as "The Escape of Saint Peter"
and "Fire in the Borgo," both painted
in the Vatican. In this short subject,
producers Marilyn Silverstone and
Boris Vermont have used a modern-
day youth forum on great names of
the past as the starting point for a
thrilling examination of Raphael's
great works. The famous subjects
executed by the artist rise upon the
screen in vivid color by Technicolor to
provide art-oriented audiences, and
even those whose interest in great
paintings is only casual, with a wealth
of eye-stimulating enjoyment. An in-
spiring music score, written by
Jacques Belasco, is included. Running
time, 10 minutes.
Minneapolis Loge
Reelects Murphy
Minneapolis, Oct. 29— Reel-Fel-
lows—social organization which also
is the local loge of the Colosseum-
has reelected Joe Murphy president.
Harold Lundquist was named vice-
president and George Fosdick, secre-
tary-treasurer. The group also named
the following as delegates to the na-
tional Colosseum annual convention to
b? held at Atlanta on Nov. 21-23:
Murphy, Lundquist, and Paul Weiss,
with Bill Winter as alternate.
Schwalb to Produce
A A 'Bowery' Films
Hollywood, Oct. 29— Ben Schwalb
has been assigned to produce future
pictures in the "Bowery Boys" com-
edy series by Walter _ Mirisch, Allied
Artists production chief.
Schwalb, who joined Allied Artists
as a producer three years ago, was
associated with Frank Capra imme-
diately prior to joining Allied Artists.
He has been producing films starring
Stanley Clements, and will cntinue to
do so.
"Light in the Window"
(Art Films-20th Century-Fox)
The art of Jan Vermeer, famous
Dutch painter, is presented in radiant
color by Technicolor in this 10-mm-
ute production of Marilyn Silverstone
and Boris Vermont. No series of
films on art, such as these two_ have
produced, would be complete without
according treatment to the works of
this Dutchman who put on canvas
with genuine warmth the plainer as-
pects of life in his native land. "Light
in the Window" stands as a superior
short subject that will lend just the
right amount of cultural tone to any
theatre's program, and certainly will
command the plaudits of audiences
who look for a dash of the educational
when they go to the theatre.
The famous paintings of the artist
are introduced in conjunction with a
"story" about a man of Dutch origin
and his son who spend an afternoon
in a museum. Also brought to life on
the screen is the city of Delft in Hol-
land, where Vermeer was born and
where he produced his masterpieces.
The soundtrack carries a fine music
score by Jacques Belasco. Running
time, 10 minutes.
3 Pre-release Dates
Set for 'Andr odes'
Three simultaneous pre-release en-
o-agements were announced by RKO
Radio for Gabriel Pascal's "Androcles
and the Lion," based on the George
Bernard Shaw comedy.
The premiere opening will be held
at the Four Star Theatre in Los An-
geles today. The picture will also
open at the Paramount, Denver, and
the Utah, Salt Lake City. It will open
at the Ambassador, St. Louis, tomor-
row.
SDG Awards to Four
Hollywood, Oct. 29.— The Screen
Directors Guild quarterly awards, an-
nounced by George Sidney, president,
go to "The Big Sky," directed by
Howard Hawks ; "The Greatest Show
on Earth," Cecil B. DeMille ; "High
Noon," Fred Zinnemann ; and "Scara-
mouche," George Sidney.
Sign Robinson
Hollywood, Oct. 29.— Edward G.
Robinson was signed today by Sol
Lesser to star in "Harness Bull" for
Sequoia Productions. Jules Levy and
Arthur Gardner will produce, while
Arnold Laven will direct.
SMPTE Meets Today
Eastman Kodak engineers will ad-
dress a meeting of the Atlantic Coast
section of the Society of Motion Pic-
ture and Television Engineers today,
E. M. Stifle, chairman, announced
here. The meeting will be held at
New York's Henry Hudson Hotel.
Ask Drive-in Law
Oklahoma City, Oct. 29.— Enact-
ment of legislation prohibiting the
construction of drive-in theatres where
screens are visible from highways has
been recommended to the Oklahoma
legislative council by its public safety
committee.
'Hollywood in Dallas*
Selections Are Made
Dallas, Oct. 29.— Robert J. O'Don-
nell co-chairman of the Texas Coun-
cil of Motion Picture Organizations,
has completed the selection of eight
pictures from which scenes will be
prepared by Virgil Miers for the
"Hollywood in Dallas" ice extrava-
ganza, for a pre-selling campaign of
individual pictures on which the
Adolphus Hotel here will spend ap-
proximately $50,000. Scheduled to
open at the hotel about Dec. 1, the
show will be produced by Dorothy
Franey and feature the theme of
"Movietime" which was successfully
staged by Texas COMPO last year.
O'Donnell selected scenes from the
following: "Salome," "Million Dol-
lar Mermaid," "Road to Bah,"
"Hans Christian Andersen, "Call Me
Madam," "Moulin Rouge," "Missis-
sippi Gambler" and "April in Pans.'
On another Texas COMPO front,
Kyle Rorex, executive director, dis-
closed that 3,123 "Get Out the Vote"
trailer packages made by the organi-
zation were ordered by exhibitors
from every state in the country.
Thursday, October 30, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
Tri-States
(Continued from page 1)
fifth TOA unit to signify approval of
the arbitration plan.
M. A. Lightman, Jr., chairman of
the unit's board, said the action
amounted to a vote of confidence in
TOA and left the two matters to the
discretion of TOA. Tennessee's ex-
hibitors had taken this action Monday
and Arkansas' exhibitors Tuesday.
Second, Tri-States set in motion a
plan to take its fight against the 20
per cent Federal admission tax direct
to Congress. .
Congressman Clifford Davis ot
Memphis, in a speech to the conven-
tion, said the tax was discriminatory
and he had always been against it and
would continue to fight it.
Congressman Wilbur Mills of Ar-
kansas, whose House committee passes
on all tax bills, said he would arrange
for a committee from Tri-States to
have a hearing before his committee,
if they wanted to come to Washington
and present their case. They agreed
they would do this.
Congressman Mills told how his
committee once had the 20 per cent tax
cut to 10 per cent in a bill that passed
the House only to have the 20 per cent
tax restored in the Senate.
Mills said he was convinced that the
tax was too high and kept down atten-
dance at theatres. He told how atten-
dance had fallen off in his district m
Arkansas where there was no tele-
vision. He said he had been convinced
that admission prices could not be cut
and theatres kept open so the tax had
to be reduced to keep many theatres
in operation.
Lightman, Jr., of Memphis, and
Kermit Stengel of Nashville, were
named as a committee to get Tennes-
see Congressmen and exhibitors to-
gether to "open the theatres' books
and show the tax must be repealed or
reduced. '
M. B. Smith, theatre advertising-
expert, and Jack Braunagel, circuit
executive, spoke at today's closing-
sessions suggesting methods of im-
proving theatre advertising and drive-
in operations.
Mochrie Is Named
(Continued from page 1)
NCCJ's 23th Anniversary
(Continued from page 1)
diately upon his return to New York.
Following meetings with Goldwyn and
James A. Mulvey, company president,
he will leave here tonight by plane
for the East. He succeeds Alfred
W. Crown, who resigned as Goldwyn
vice-president in charge of worldwide
sales to join RKO Radio as foreign
sales manager.
The new Goldwyn vice-president
started his sales career with Pro-
ducers Distributors Corp. in 1925._ He
then became associated successively
with Warner Brothers and United
Artists, joining RKO Radio in 1939.
In quick succession he was appointed
RKO Eastern sales manager, general
sales manager and in 1946, vice-presi-
dent and board member.
tion vice-president, was awarded a
plaque for his chairmanship of the
1951 campaign when collections total-
led $104,100. This amount exceeded
the 1952 total which was $81,198. The
presentation was made by Ned E. De-
pinet who urged that the brotherhood
spirit be gotten "into our hearts" and
recalled his onetime NCCJ chairman-
ship and the outstanding collection of
a small local suburban theatre which
was greater than some large theatres.
In accepting the award Reagan
spoke of the help he received from
"the boys in the field" and such ex-
ecutives as Schwartz and Henderson
Richey.
Medal to Salmon
Montague Salmon, Rivoli Theatre
manager, received a Silver Brother-
hood Medal for his efforts which for
the past seven years have resulted in
average annual collections of $1,000.
In explaining his success Salmon cited
the encouragement given him by
George Skouras and urged circuit
representatives to give similar encour-
agement to their theatre managers.
J. Robert Rubin of Loew's, NCCJ
general counsel, presided over the
meeting, at which it was decided to
have a dinner celebration rather than
a luncheon. Suggestions were offered
to make the dinner an unusual event
with possible participation by other
industries and famed personalites, such
as the presidential candidates.
Youngstein Reports
Max Youngstein, United Artists
vice-president and NCCJ public rela-
tions chairman, read a report on the
1952 campaign in the absence of chair-
man George Skouras. The report re-
vealed the collections had not come up
to expectations or to the preceding-
year's total but reviewed the difficul-
ties of the campaign. These included
the unavoidable absence of George
Skouras at the campaign's beginning,
the illness of Maurice Bergman which
kept him out for almost the entire
campaign, and the short-notice fill-in
job "well performed" by Hank Linnet.
According to the report the collec-
tions decline was also due to the "fai-
lure to organize the exhibition field"
for with the exception of several cir-
cuits most quotas were not met. He
noted that only 400 out of 16,000 thea-
tres had contributed and emphasized
that only $10 or $15 per theatre in
the U. S. is needed to surpass the
collection record. However, the mo-
tion picture industry publicity job for
the NCCJ was termed the greatest
of any field, as it has been for the
last five years.
Lauds Industry
Dr. Everett R. Clinchy, NCCJ pres-
ident, lauded the industry's past work,
including trade press coverage, to-
wards achieving- brotherhood and enu-
merated some of the organization's
achievements with the monies col-
lected. He observed that most of the
work is preventive and explained that
cultural interchange had been in-
creased with such groups as the Japa-
nese-American Cultural Society. To-
wards that end he praised the current
tour of Spyros Skouras, 20th Century-
Fox president, over Europe and the
Far East during which Skouras is
working for brotherhood by meeting
and talking with many peoples.
New Chapters Set
Several new chapters have been set
up, including one in Manila. Follow-
ers of Buddhism, Hinduism and Shin-
toism have been welcomed to parti-
cipate in working with Catholics,
Jews, and Protestants towards broth-
erhood. Dr. Clinchy revealed progress
had been made towards better human
relations by interchange of teachers of
different faiths and deleting bigotries
from certain religious textbooks. Ef-
forts are now being made by the
NCCJ to work with the various
unions and having them initiate
Brotherhood movements.
On the dais at the luncheon were :
Rubin, Depinet, Reagan, Youngstein,
Dr. Clinchy, William F. Rodgers and
Ed Churchill. Others present in-
cluded: Russell Downing, William
German, Richard Walsh, Austin
Keough, Herman Robbins, Taylor
Mills, Edmund Reek, Mike Clofine,
Walton Anient, Tom Mead, A. J.
Richard, William Gehring, William
White, Sam Rinzler, Ed Lachman, Si
Seadler, Harry Goldberg, Jerry Pick-
man, Arthur Israel, Monroe Good-
man, Sid Blumenstock, Emanuel
Frisch, Fred Schwartz, Gil Golden,
Walter Reade, Jr., and trade press
representatives.
Myers Says
(Continued from page D
for the November Allied board meet-
ing, along with the distributors' draft
of an arbitration system, which had
just been received.
Myers said Cole was "accused of
engaging in a hollow gesture as bally-
hoo for Allied's 1952 convention"
when he made his proposal after
"viewing the present desperate condi-
tion of independent exhibitors and the
treatment accorded them by the film
companies."
Myers said that it was "a very seri-
ous matter when exhibitors report
that that they are not benefiting and
cannot benefit from the current crop
of good pictures" because they can't
afford to exhibit them "on the terms
demanded."
'All-around Gouging'
One might expect to find all ele-
ments in the industry united in an
attempt to "pull the movie business
out of the current depression, intact,"
Myers declared, yet there was never
so much "all-around gouging."
The prevalent belief among Allied
exhibitors, he said, is that while their
leaders were engaged in a sincere
effort to aid the whole industry," the
film companies, like weasels, have been
getting into the exhibitors' chicken
coops and have now grown so bold
that it will require a strenuous con-
certed effort to save, the remaining
chickens — that is, unless the com-
panies heed the Colonel's warning and
voluntarily mend their ways."
F. Schwartz to Aid
(Continued from page 1)
Award to Fitzgibbons
Toronto, Oct. 29. — J. J. Fitzgib-
bons, president of Famous Players
Canadian, received a citation for meri-
torious efforts for world brotherhood
from the Canadian Council of Chris-
tians and Jews at a banquet attended
by 600 persons here. Fitzgibbons was
one of six outstanding Canadians to
be so honored.
elude Si Fabian, president of Fabian
Theatres ; Manny Frisch, treasurer of
Randforce Theatres; Harry Brandt,
president of Brandt Theatres ; Charles
Moss, managing director of the Cri-
terion Theatre; A. W. Schwalberg,
president of Paramount Film Distrib-
uting Corp., and Al Clary, boxoffice
treasurer of the Radio City Music
Hall.
Davis Appointed
Martin Davis of the Goldwyn office
has been appointed coordinator for the
premiere..
Tickets for the premiere, which will
take place on the evening of Nov. 24
at the Criterion Theatre, will be scaled
at $5, $10, $15 and $25.
In establishing the premiere, the
trustees of the hospital will make this
an annual event aimed not only at
raising money for the institution but
to create a traditional hallmark for the
motion picture industry.
A. J. Mason Heads
(Continued from page 1)
which he founded and promptly cre-
ated the new office of honorary Presi-
dent for him.
Other officers are: vice-president,
Dave G. Griesdorf of Canadian Odeon ;
secretary-treasurer, R. W. Bolstad of
Famous Players, and executive-secre-
tary, Arch H. Jolley, all of Toronto.
As an outcome of discussions on
television and other developments the
Council moved to form a Canadian
film institute for the good of public
relations, and J. Arthur Hirsch of
Montreal was named chairman of the
special planning committee.
Minister Robert Winters told the
conference films are next in usefulness
only to church and school. Mayor
Charlotte Whitton said theatres are
cooperating much better now _ with
authorities to give suitable children
programs.
The Council will meet next year at
Toronto.
Schary Scores
(Continued from page 1)
nue was only 15 per cent off from its
peak year, but that rising costs of
film production has cut into film earn-
ings. The total yearly revenue of the
industry is $3,000,000,000, Schary said,
adding that half the total this year
would come from overseas.
50% Financial Failures
Of the. 400 films Hollywood pro-
duces each year, Schary numbered 60
as of recognized quality and about 50
per cent as financial failures. "Of the
200 plays produced on Broadway last
year only five per cent were success-
ful and 75 to 78 per cent were finan-
cial failures," Schary said.
Schary was optimistic in regard to
television competition. He said the
newcomer reaches into the theatre
medium for the mediocre and that
people who had the film-going habit
before television are going back to
film houses, but will be more selec-
tive in their choice of films.
"Hollywood pictures," he declared,
"will have to be bigger and better.
Eventually, Schary believes, Holly-
wood will make only top pictures." _
"Cinerama," the producer said, "is
mechanically years away from prac-
tical theatre use. It is wonderfully
effective for big scenes but violates
the truth of intimacy on which movie
story-telling relies," he added.
To Reopen Smalley
Albany, N. Y., Oct. 29.— With
community financial support, Carl Bo-
vee, one time Warner manager in
Albany and former Schine circuit as-
sistant manager,, has leased the closed
Smalley Theatre in St. Johnsville,
Montgomery County. He will reopen
it as the Community this week, after
painting and refurbishing. Bovee lives
in Gloversville.
6
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, October 30, 1952
Motion Picture Daily Feature Reviews
"Breaking Through the Sound Barrier9'
(London Films-United Artists)
B' REATHTAKING aerial photography, of jet planes in the sky is included
in this exploitable drama about pioneering in the building of planes that
travel at supersonic speed, but the emphasis in this English import is on
rather slow-paced drama. The Terence Rattigan story and screenplay is too
concerned with the psychological difficulties undergone by the family of plane
manufacturer Ralph Richardson, whose vision of jet planes drives him on
despite the deaths of his son and son-in-law in plane crashes.
There is a stiff-upper-lip quality about the dramatic situations that may
have been immensely popular with British audiences but may prove tedious
and repititious to American patrons. Marquee-wise this stacks up well with
Richardson, Ann Todd and Nigel Patrick of recent "Encore' fame. Exhibi-
tors can exploit the outstanding action footage and the inherent drama
Patrick is presented as an RAF flier who marries Miss Todd and is
chosen by Richardson, his father-in-law, to be the test pilot of a new model
jet plane. Richardson's son, Denholm Elliot, is not interested in flying but
takes lessons in an attempt to satisfy Richardson. His solo test ends m a
fatal crash before the eyes of his family. Patrick carries on his jet tests
although a rival firm's ace flier is killed testing a jet. Eventually Patrick
is killed but his recorded reactions aid in designing a new model. Before
his death Patrick had induced friend John Justin to test jets for Richardson.
Justin's theory about pushing the throttle forward while m a ; dive rather
than pulling it back is the correct one, and the "sound barrier' is broken.
Miss Todd then comes to better understand Richardson and his unceasing
striving for airplane progress. T.. , C1 . ,
David Lean produced and directed. Also in the cast are Dinah Sheridan,
Joseph Tomelty, Jack Allen, Ralph Michael, Vincent Holman, Douglas Muir
and Leslie Phillips. . .... „ , , .
Running time, 109 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
t et Walter Pashkin
"Montana Belle
(RKO Radio Pictures)
JANE RUSSELL's marquee lure is well known and this Western in Tru-
color serves as little more than a vehicle to display her talents. The Dal-
ton Gang has been highly serviceable story-wise and the screenplay by Nor-
man S Hall and Horace McCoy links Miss Russell as an outlaws widow
who joins the four Daltons, but what should have been an explosive combina-
tion just never is, although at one time Miss Russell even heads a rival
gang. She is more at home in figure-emphasizing costumes in some brief
scenes as a saloon entertainer, swaying, strutting and throatily singing 'Ihe
Gilded Lily" and "My Sweetheart, the Man in the Moon." Forrest Tucker
is the most convincing of the cast. Both story and performances are rarely
credible. C-;>\ '■ ' r , , ,
The film opens with Miss Russell joining the gang alter she has been
saved from a hanging by Scott Brady. Miss Russell's affections are fought
over by Brady and gang assistant Tucker, but an impending robbery of the
saloon of George Brent causes the brothers to leave Tucker and Miss Russell
in their cabin hideout. Unknown to them, Brent has agreed to trap the gang
for a $100,000 fee to be paid by the Bankers' Protective Association, headed
by John Litel.
During the absence of the Daltons some gun practice results in a posse
raiding the hideout. Miss Russell and Tucker escape, assume they have been
double crossed, and form their own gang. They arrive early at Brent's
saloon and rob it while the Daltons are ambushed but get little money. Then-
further efforts are successful and Miss Russell gambles her way into a
partnership with Brent, who realizes her identity, but hopes to trap the
Daltons. Eventually he succeeds and the Daltons are eliminated. Miss Russell
is forced into a bank job and is wounded. She promises to wait for Brent,
to whom she had confessed all.
This was produced by Howard Welsch and directed by Robert Peters.
Others in the cast are Andy Devine, Jack Lambert, Ray Teal, Rory Mallin-
son, Roy Barcroft, Holly Bane and Ned Davenport.
Running time, 81 minutes. General audience classification. For November
release. W. P.
'Barrier' to 11 A; Will
Open in N.Y. Nov. 6
Producer - director David Lean's
British-made "Breaking Through the
Sound Barrier," starring Ann Todd,
has been acquired from Lopert Films
by United Artists and will open at the
Victoria Theatre here Nov. 6, William
J. Heineman, UA distribution vice-
president, announced.
Bloom in New Post
Minneapolis, Oct. 29— Al Bloom,
former manager of the 7-Hi Drive-in
Theatre in suburban Minneapolis, has
joined the staff of Greater Amuse-
ments. Bloom is a former film and
drama critic for the old Minneapolis
Times.
"Bloodhounds of Broadway"
(20th Century-Fox)
DAMON RUNYON's distinctive type of Broadway citizens are amusingly
set forth in this musical adaptation in color by Technicolor which is
an effective combination of music and story that features the sparkling talents
of Mitzi Gaynor. A George Jessel production, this has several fresh _ and
appealing production numbers that are attractively mounted and engagingly
performed. In addition to Miss Gaynor, who is equally adept in rendering
a sweet lullaby, "Bye Low," and slinking her way through a spicy finale
titled "Jack Of Diamonds," there is a remarkable moppet, Sharon Baird,
who does a fine tap-dance, and Mitzi Green, who ably handles a comedy role
and some dance sequences.
Scott Brady is starred as a Broadway bookie with an unusual ability for
numerical computations who flees a gambling investigation. He is saved by
the false testimony of his girl friend, singer Marguerite Chapman, and^ returns
from a Florida hide-out with Miss Gaynor, a simple hill-billy girl who
offered him hospitality when his car broke down in the mountains and sub-
sequently saved his life. Brady has Miss Gaynor tutored in song and dance
but arouses the jealousy of Miss Chapman.
Michael O'Shea, a boyhood pal of Brady's who became a cop after reform
school, is appointed to supply evidence at a new crime committee's hearing.
After Miss Gaynor captivates Hollywood and record talent scouts, Miss
Chapman has a showdown with her. Miss Chapman loses and runs off to
inform the police. Brady departs for a hideout but is tracked down by Miss
Gaynor and her two bloodhounds. She convinces him to give himself up,
pay off back taxes, and serve a year's sentence. At the end of that time
Brady is working at the club at which Miss Gaynor sings, as a cashier, and
other members of the gang are employed honestly too.
The two bloodhounds and Wally Vernon, Edwin Max, and George E.
Stone supply comedy relief. Others in the cast are Henry Slate, Richard
Allan, Ralph Volkie, Charles Buchinski, and Timothy Carey. Other songs
include "I Wish I Knew," "I've Got A Feeling You're Foolin'," and "80
Miles Outside of Atlanta." Harmon Jones directed, from a screen play by
Sy Gomberg and an adaptation by Albert Mannheimer.
Running time, 90 minutes. General audience classification. For November
release. W. P.
Martin-Lewis, Ladd
Cited by Magazine
Hollywood, Oct. 29. — The Hal
Wallis-Paramount comedy team of
Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, and
Alan Ladd have received top honors
in Modern Screen magazine's 10th an-
nual "Popularity Awards," Paramount
reported.
Ladd, who stars in Paramount's
"Thunder in the East," "Botany Bay"
and George Stevens' "Shane," received
the "All-Time Ten-Year Popularity
Champion Award." Martin and Lewis,
currently in Hal Wallis' "Jumping
Jacks" and the soon-to-be-seen "The
Stooge," were given a plaque as
"Hollywood's All-Time Champion
Comedy Team."
Ride the Man Down
(Republic Pictures)
A LAVISH PRODUCTION has been accorded this actionful Western in
Trucolor. With the aid of star names for the marquee it should do well
at the box-office. Rod Cameron, Brian Donlevy and Ella Raines are starred;
also present are Forrest Tucker, Barbara Britton, Chill Wills, and J. Carrol
Naish. It is set in the days when cattle empires were built by strong-muscled
and strong-willed men and contains a good deal of fighting and shooting.
Assistant producer Joseph Kane directed and has balanced the •action with
a well-developed romance. Donlevy is an unscrupulous ranchman intent
upon taking over much of the ranch left in the weak hands of Miss Raines'
uncle after the death of her father. She is the spit-fire type, a chip-off-the-
olld-block but sorely needs the aid which is given her by loyal ranch fore-
man Rod Cameron. Cameron is romantically inclined to homebody type
Barbara Britton but her dislike of his efforts to block the dangerous Donlevy's
manceuvers result in his attraction to Miss Raines. Despite murder and
treachery, Cameron succeeds in foiling Donlevy's plans and establishes Miss
Raines as the ranch owner. At the finale Cameron chooses Miss Raines.
This is based on a Saturday Evening Post story by Luke Short. The
screen play was written by Mary McCall Jr. Others in a competent cast
include Jim Davis, Taylor Holmes, James Bell, Paul Fix, Jack LaRue, Roy
Barcroft, Claire Carleton, Al Caudebec and Roydon Clark.
Running time 90 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Nov. IS.
"Voodoo Tiger"
(Columbia Pictures)
JOHNNY WEISSMULLER stars as "Jungle Jim" in this mediocre series
entry that offers the usual amount of fighting, dangerous animals and
menacing natives in haphazard fashion that may please the adventure fans,
especially among the younger set. In tracking down a former SS officer who
alone knows the locale of lost art treasures and a trio of crooks also desirmg
the paintings, Weissmuller frequently battles numerous natives, exhibits his
swimming prowess, and vanquishes a lion although armed only with a knife.
Spencer G. Bennet directed this economical Sam Katzman production and
emphasized action. The story and screenplay were written by Samual New-
man and are routine. The natives in Weissmuller's territory are depicted as
voodoo worshipers of the tiger. It develops that the SS officer escaping a
pursuing U. S. Army officer aided by Weissmuller, commandeers an airplane
containing night club entertainer Jeanne Dean and her trained tiger. When
the ex-Nazi Michael Fox, orders the plane inland it crashes in the jungle
where the natives capture all but venerate Miss Dean, who performs a torrid
Weissmuller and his party containing the U. S. officer, among others, track-
down the three crooks chasing Fox but they are ambushed and captured by the
natives Weissmuller kills a lion in a test for his life and escapes with his
party and Fox. The pursuing natives kill the crooks and are killed when
Weissmuller dynamites a lone exit. „ - *T ,
Running time, 67 minutes. General audience classification, hor November
release. ^'
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
iVOL. 72. NO. 85
NEW YORK, U. S. A., THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1952
TEN CENTS
NCCJ's 25th
(Anniversary
Wo Be Feted
Sol Schwartz Named '53
Industry Drive Chairman
Sol Schwartz, president of the
RKO Theatres, will be the motion
picture chairman for the 1953 Na-
tional Conference of Christians and
Jews campaign,
it was an-
nounced at a
luncheon meet-
ing yesterday at
the Waldorf-
Astoria, at
which industry
representatives
agreed to hold
an annual din-
ner commemo-
rating the
NCCJ 25th an-
niversary. The
campaign ex-
tends from Lin-
coln's Birthday to about Washington's
Birthday annually.
Charles Reagan, M-G-M distnbu-
(Continued on page 5)
Sol Schwartz
Tri-States Okays
Arbitration Draft
Memphis, Oct. 29.— Theatre Own-
ers of Arkansas, Mississippi and Ten-
nessee closed its three-day convention
here today with approval of Theatre
Owners of America's position on the
government's 16mm. suit and the plan
of industry arbitration. This is the
(Continued on page 5)
Shea Forecasts
Business Upswing
Pittsburgh, Oct. 29.— A good
business period was forecast
here today by Gerald Shea,
president of the Shea Circuit,
as the two-day convention of
Shea Circuit managers ended
in the Hotel Roosevelt.
Shea told the managers
that grosses soon would be
on the upswing, especially
since many excellent pictures
have been booked by the cir-
cuit. He also said that econ-
omy must be the watch-word
of successful theatre opera-
tion.
Exhibitor Meetings With Congressmen
Said to Be Best Bet in Tax Fight
The only one safe rule to follow in seeking commitments from
Congressmen to vote for repeal of the Federal 20 per cent admis-
sion tax is for several exhibitors, properly armed with facts and
figures, to sit down with the Congressman from their district and
present their case. This was emphasized here yesterday by Col.
H. A. Cole and Pat McGee, co-chairmen of the National Tax Repeal
Committee, in a statement released through the Council of Motion
Picture Organizations.
The co-chairmen stated that experience in the campaign has
shown such procedure to be invariably productive of results. They
said it also prevents future misunderstanding, either by the Con-
gressman or the exhibitors. They urge all Congressional district
campaign committees to follow this procedure in the future.
Don't 'Shrug
Off Cole's
Stand: Myers
Says Distributors Should
Heed Cole's Warning
Production Methods Scored
As Antiquated by Schary
Detroit Oct. 29.— "The greatest need of the industry is for new
methods of film production," according to Dore Schary, executive vice-
president in charge of production at M-G-M.
"Hollywood," Schary told a luncheon group of Chrysler Corp. exec-
utives, "is using the same methods it
Name Mochrie 6V-P'
Of Goldwyn Prod.
used 20 years ago," and much saving
in time and money and a resultant
improvement in picture quality could
be had if new engineering technics
were applied to the making of pic-
tures.
The guest of L. L. Colbert, presi-
dent of Chrysler, and K. T. Keller,
chairman of the board, Schary said
also "that it wouldn't make economic
sense for Hollywood to sell its large
backlog of films to television."
"We would be removing ourselves
from our greatest source of revenue,
theatre exhibition to a mass audi-
ence," he declared.
It was Schary's belief, based on
single - bill experiments, that "the
double feature, is here to stay." The
mass audience wants it and feels it
would not be getting it's money's
worth" from a single bill program.
His studio, he said, does not, how-
ever, prefer to exhibit its product that
way.
Schary said motion picture reve-
(Continued on page 5)
Washington, Oct. 29. — Abram
F. Myers, Allied States Association
general counsel, today warned dis-
tributors not to "shrug off" the
proposal of Col. H. A. Cole that
Allied leaders withdraw from all-in-
dustry efforts in order to devote their
time to Allied exhibitors' problems in
obtaining films.
In a bulletin to Allied mem-
bers, Myers advised "our friends
in New York" not to under-
estimate the feeling among ex-
hibitors on the issue of in-
creased prices for pictures. In
addition, Myers said, "Don't
shrug off Col. Cole's sincere
warning and don't attempt to
deride him or others who are
trying to impress you with the
gravity of the situation."
Myers told Allied members that
Cole's suggestion was on the agenda
(Continued on page 5)
A. J. Mason Heads
MPIC of Canada
Ottawa, Oct. 29— J. J. Fitzgibbons
at the final session today of the Motion
Picture Industry Council of Canada
convention was succeeded as president
by Mayor A. J. Mason of Springhill,
Nova Scotia.
The 35 delegates gave an ovation to
the Famous Players president as he
retired from office in the Association
(Continued on page 5)
Hollywood, Oct. 29.— Robert Moch-
rie, until recently distribution vice-
president of
RKO Radio,
today was
named vice-
president of
Samuel Gold-
wyn Produc-
tions, by Samuel
Goldwyn.
Mochrie, well
known in dis-
tribution and
exhibition cir-
cles for the
greater part of
his 27 years as
sales executive,
will assume his new duties imme-
(Continued on page 5)
Robert. Mochrie
F. Schwartz to Aid
Hospital Campaign
Fred Schwartz, president of Century
Theatres, has been named chairman of
the ticket committee for the "Hans
Christian Andersen" premiere for the
benefit of the Variety Clubs Will
Rogers Memorial Hospital, by G. S.
Eyssell, premiere committee chairman
and president of Rockefeller Center.
Other members of the committee in-
(Continued on page 5)
Urges NPA to Ease
Building Ban Soon
Washington, Oct. 29.— A construc-
tion industry advisory committee task
force today recommended to the
National Production Authority that
the May 1 effective date for the re-
laxation of the ban on recreational
construction be advanced to Jan. 1.
The task force pointed out that the
effective date could "easily" be ad-
vanced to Jan. 1 because the small
amounts of materials concerned are
normally warehouse supplies, which
are now reported to be "in good
supply."
First Theatre TV
Is Set for Utah
Salt Lake City, Oct. 29. — The
Utah Theatre in this city is expected
to have theatre TV within 30 days,
reports Ray M. Hendry, vice-presi-
dent and general manager of Inter-
mountain Theatres, which operates the
Utah. This will be the first theatre
TV in the state.
Also, KSL-TV expects to have an
antenna on a mountain top 30 ■ miles
west of here within operation by the
weekend. This will increase the range
by 50 miles, the station says.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, October 30, 1952
Five Features, Ten
Shorts, Free Eats!
Norwalk, O., Oct. 29. — The
ultimate in entertainment
value for this area, if not the
state, is being offered by the
nearby Starview Drive-in on
Saturday nights in a dusk-to-
dawn program which consists
of five full-length features,
five comedies, five cartoons,
free coffee, doughnuts and
cider, with "side-dishes" of
candy and chewing gum at
the conclusion of the program.
The regular admission scale
prevails.
Personal
Mention
NATE SPINGOLD, Columbia
vice-president, and Paul Laza-
rus, Jr., New York representative for
the studio, are due to return here on
Monday from the Coast.
•
Mrs. Henry Dawson, associate di-
rector of community relations of the
Motion Picture Association of Amer-
ica, who was scheduled to speak this
week on "The Movies and Their Pub-
lic," will speak instead on- Monday
night at the New School for Social
Research here.
•
Sol Gordon, Monogram salesman
in Cleveland, announces the birth of
twins, a boy and a girl, to Mrs. Gor-
don in Mt. Sinai Hospital in that
city.
•
Ray Moon, assistant general sales
manager for Universal Pictures, and
P. T. Dana, Eastern division manager,
are in Philadelphia and will return to
New York tomorrow.
•
Jesse L. Lasky, accompanied by
his- recently appointed executive as-
sistant, John Wilson Gregory, is in
New York from the Coast.
•
Max Melincoff, formerly with
Warner Brothers in Massachusetts,
has joined the publicity staff of Allied
Artists in Hollywood.
•
Morton Downey will entertain at
the national Allied States convention
banquet at the Morrison Hotel in Chi-
cago on Nov. 19.
•
Seymour Moses, M-G-M's man-
ager for the Netherlands, is the father
of a son, born to Mrs. Moses in
Amsterdam.
o
F. J. A. McCarthy, Universal
Southern and Canadian sales man-
ager, is in New Orleans from New
York.
•
Arthur Ehrlich, Warner Brothers
booker in Cleveland, is back at his
desk after a three-month sick leave.
•
Charles Schnee, M-G-M studio
executive, and his wife will leave for
a Honolulu vacation on Nov. 7.
•
Munio Podhorzer, president of
Casino Film Exchange, has left here
for Cincinnati and St. Louis.
•
Ben Thau, M-G-M studio execu-
tive, is due here from the Coast Nov.
5 for a 10-day visit.
o
Ben Lober, head of Universal's in-
surance department, has returned here
from California.
Bernard Smith, Paramount pro-
ducer, has arrived in New York from
Hollywood.
•
Joseph Mankiewicz, M-G-M di-
rector, has returned here from the
Coast.
•
Walter Thomas, M-G-M booker
in Charlotte, is here on vacation.
Editorials Hit
U.S. 16mm. Suit
Editorials condemning the
government suit to force the
sale of 16mm. films to tele-
vision and other non-theatri-
cal users have appeared in 33
newspapers in all parts of the
country, according to an in-
complete check - up by the
Motion Picture Association of
America. A number of na-
tional magazines, not in-
cluded in the survey, also
have criticized the govern-
ment action.
The survey failed to un-
cover any editorials support-
ing the government suit.
Companies to Close
On Election Day
Most film company home offices will
remain closed all day Tuesday, Elec-
tion Day, and will close half a day
on Armistice Day, Nov. 11. Com-
panies closing Election Day are :
Columbia, M-G-M, RKO Pictures,
RKO Theatres, 20th Century-Fox,
United Artists, United Paramount
Theatres, Universal-International and
Warner. Paramount Pictures and Re-
public will close at 1 :00 P.M. Allied
Artists and the Motion Picture Asso-
ciation are undecided.
Companies closing at 1 :00 P.M. on
Armistice Day are: M-G-M, RKO
Pictures, RKO Theatres, 20th Cen-
tury-Fox, Universal-International and
Warner's. Other companies have not
yet decided on their closing hour for
that day.
P. White to Europe
On Distribution Deal
Paul White, president of PSI-TV,
Inc., has left here for Paris, Berlin
and London and in the latter city will
arrange for theatrical distribution of
six features produced by his firm, in
addition to the theatrical, non-thea-
trical, and television distribution of
half-hour television films either pro-
duced or financed by PSI-TV.
White divulged that the company
currently is negotiating for studios in
New York and Hollywood, the ac-
quisition of which would complete
PSI-TV's physical organization. He
further revealed, "We have set up
sizeable revolving production funds
from private groups for TV film
financing and we have, separate bank-
ing arrangements for two new series."
Award to Chaplin
Hollywood, Oct. 29.— The Holly-
wood Foreign Correspondents, organ-
ization of reporters covering the film
capital for foreign newspapers and
press' services, will present a special
award to Charles Chaplin for his
"Limelight," at a luncheon tomor-
row at Ciro's. The award will be
accepted for Chaplin by his son,
Charles Chaplin, Jr. The presenta-
tion will be made by Bert Reisfeld,
president of the correspondents' group.
$197,600 Salary for
Columbia Pictures'
Harry Cohn in '51-52
Washington, Oct. 29. — Harry
Cohn earned $197,600 as president of
Columbia Pictures for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1952, _ the Securities
and Exchange Commission was in-
formed today.
The company's annual report cited
the following salaries of executives ;
Jack Cohn, executive vice-president,
$145,000; A. Schneider, vice-president
and treasurer, $130,000; N. B. Spin-
gold, vice-president in charge of ad-
vertising and publicity, $94,600 ; A.
Montague, vice-president in charge of
domestic sales, $130,000.
The figures, it was explained, in-
clude expense allowances which are
not required to be accounted for, of
$15,600 for Harry Cohn, $15,600 for
Jack Cohn and $8,600 for Spingold.
Directors and officers as a group dur-
ing the year earned $1,148,000, the
report stated.
A comparison of salaries between
the fiscal years 1951 and 1952 discloses
that of the five executives listed the
remuneration of only Harry Cohn and
Spingold differed in the two years,
with Spingold taking the heavier cut.
In 1951, Cohn's salary was listed at
$201,400 compared to $197,600 in 1952,
while Spingold in 1951 earned $108,-
000 compared 'to $94,600 in 1952.
Elect Pries Head of
Philadelphia Tent
Philadelphia, Oct. 29. — Ralph
Pries of the Berlo Vending Co., was
elected chief barker of Variety Club,
Tent No. 13. Norman Silverman of
Republic was named first assistant
chief barker, and Maxwell Gillis of
Monogram second assistant. Other of-
ficers elected were Ben Biben of
RCA, dough guy, and Mickey Lewis,
National Theatre Supply, property
master.
Pries stated that the current heart
fund drive would he accelerated in
order to meet the goal of $60,000 by
Jan. 1.
Anthony J. Xydias
Dies on the Coast
Los Angeles, Oct. 29. — Anthony J.
Xydias, pioneer film exhibitor, distri-
butor and producer, died here Mon-
day at the age of 72.
Xydias, who began his career in
1906 with the purchase of a theatre in
Dallas, sold his theatre circuit after
the first world war to enter distribu-
tion in New York. He went to Holly-
wood in 1921, where he independently
produced films until 1931. He is sur-
vived by his widow, Rose, and two
children.
'Newsweek* Cites Loesser
In the current Newsweek magazine
there is a two-page article on Frank
Loesser, who composed the score for
Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans Christian
Andersen." And in the latest issue of
Life there are six full pages in color
on the color in Technicolor production.
Name Tulipan 20th
Newspaper Contact
Ira Tulipan, trade press contact at
20th Century-Fox's home office, has
been promoted to newspaper publicity
contact, it was announced here yester-
day by Edward E. Sullivan, publicity
manager. Tulipan succeeds Meyer
Hutner, who was recently named as-
sociate publicity manager.
A member of the publicity and ad-
vertising staffs of the company since
1942, Tulipan was previously with
Warner Brothers, following entry into-
the industry through exhibition. He
initially managed the Majestic The-
atre in Boston when it was a show-
case for foreign films.
Joining Warner Brothers, he served
on the trade paper and short subjects
publicity staffs until he left to become
promotion manager of Dome Chemi-
cals Co. Returning to the industry in
1942, he joined 20th Century-Fox's
press book staff where he remained
until 1943 when he entered the Army.
Returning to 20th Century-Fox in a
writing capacity, he subsequently be-
came press book editor before assum-
ing his post as trade press contact.
In 1950 he was responsible for intra-
industry publicity arising from the
national showmanship campaign spon-
sored by 20th Century-Fox launched
in Chicago under the slogan of "Mov-
ies Are Better Than Ever." He has
at various times done graduate work
in films at Columbia University, New
York University and the New School
for Social Research.
Milton Pickman to
Assist Wald at Col,
Hollywood, Oct. 29— Milton Pick-
man, vice-president of Wald-Krasna
Productions, will move over to Colum-
bia as Jerry Wald's assistant, it is
reported. Wald yesterday was named
vice-president and executive producer
of the company. Pickman will also
administrate the wind-up of the affairs
of W-K Productions.
Gets Maugham Story
Hollywood, Oct. 29. — Hugo Fre-
gonese disclosed here that while in
England directing Mike Frankovich's
"Decameron Nights" he personally
acquired rights to the Somerest Maug-
ham story, "Catalina."
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsave, Consulting 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.
Bradv Secretary; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca- Vine
Build'ing William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley Advertising Representative. FI 6-3074: Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative. 11
North Clark Street, FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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; International Motion Picture 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.
SORNELlLDE KARL 1ALDEN • STEVE f OMAN ; nub mb
PAUL P1CERN1 - LESTER MATTHEWS ■ DAN O'HERIIHY • JAY NOVELLO • screen ^ bJAMES R.WEBB and HAROLD MEDFORD •
PRODUCED BY
* DIRECTED BV
LEWIS SEILER
AND FOLLOWS
'SPRINGFIELD RIFLE'
AT THE
N. Y. PARAMOUNT S
4
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, October 30, 1952
Liberalized Rental
Pact Seen in Italy
Conferences in Rome between Ital-
ian production and exhibition leaders
on that country's rental ceiling law
appear to have taken a turn favorable
to the American position that -the ceil-
ing should be raised, it was indicated
yesterday in film export circles here.
The talks are centering around Ar-
ticle X of the Italian film law. They
are preliminary discussions which in
due course will give way to Italo-
American meetings on the subject.
The direction of the preliminary
talks, it was reported here, seems to
be toward favoring the substitution
of a voluntary production-exhibition
agreement for the present ceiling law.
The Motion Picture Association of
America, which will be represented in
the final talks on the subject of Italian
rental ceilings, always has taken a
strong position against the imposition
of such ceilings by any country.
2 Suits Ask
$2,730,000
Two operating companies of the
Elmwood Theatre, Queens, yesterday
filed a triple-damage anti-trust suit for
damages totaling $2,730,000 in Federal
District Court here against eight ma-
jors and some circuits.
Sogmore Realty Inc., current oper-
ator of the Elmwood, sued for $1,080,-
000, while Copark Inc., which operated
the theatre from 1946 to 1949, sued for
$1,650,000.
Besides the majors, defendants in the
suit also include the United Artists
Theatre Circuit, Randforce Amuse-
ment Corp., Skouras Theatres Corp.
and Metropolitan Playhouses, Inc.
The action charges discriminatory
trade practices in violation of the U. S.
anti-trust laws.
William Gold represents the plain-
tiffs.
Italo-American Co-Production
Envisioned by Italian Film Men
Negotiation of co-production agree-
ments between the U.S. and Italian
motion picture industries is definitely
possible, it was revealed by Nicola De
Pirro, director of the Italian Govern-
ment's Entertainment Industry, on the
eve of the Italian Film Delegation's
department for Rome yesterday on the
Queen Elizabeth.
The party included Eitel Monaco,
president of the National Association
of Motion Picture and Allied Indus-
tries of Italy ; Italo Gemini, president
of the Italian General Association of
Show Business ; Guiseppe La Guardia.
prominant Italian banker ; and Renzo
Rufini, secretary-general of Italian
Films Export.
De Pirro and Monaco agreed "co
Production agreements would be of
mutual economic usefulness" and
would also "be helpful to the further
development of cultural relations be
tween the two countries."
UN Names 3rd Lap
Sales Drive Winners
United Artists' Los Angeles, Cleve-
land and New Haven exchanges have
taken first-prize money in the third
six-week lap of the company's "Bill
Heineman Sales Drive," it was an-
nounced by vice-president Max E.
Youngstein, who is serving as drive
captain.
The drive now is in the first week
of its home stretch, at the conclusion
of which, on Dec. 6, grand prizes will
be awarded for best showings over
the entire drive period, which began
on June 15.
British Films Screened
The first private showing of new
British documentary films will take
place at an invitational showing here
this evening at the Museum of Mod-
ern Art, under the auspices of British
Information Services. The event will
also serve to introduce Charles Dand
newly appointed films director of the
BIS.
$1,994 for 'Promoter'
"The Promoter," being released by
Universal, reportedly set a new open-
ing— day house record at the Fine
Arts Theatre here on Tuesday, the
$1,994 figure surpassing by more than
$100, the previous high of "The
Lavender Hill Mob."
S. Arthur Glixon
Honored Dec. 7
S. Arthur Glixon, motion picture
industry attorney and a B'nai B'rith
leader, will be honored for "his out-
standing services to community wel-
fare and human rights," at a testi-
monial breakfast on Sunday, Dec. 7,
at the Hotel Delmonico here.
Announcement of the event, which
will be held in conjunction with the
Joint Defense Appeal campaign of
Cardozo Lodge of B'nai B'rith, was
made by Karl Tausig, who is serving
as chairman of the Lodge's JDA
activities.
Glixon has produced several motion
pictures for B'nai B'rith, including
"There Is So Much to Do," "When
Freedom Calls," "This Is B'nai
B'rith," "Door to Hope" and "Dealing
in Futures."
F. J. Herrington of
Pa. Allied Resigns
Washington, Oct. 29. — Fred _ J.
Herrington, secretary of Allied Motion
Picture Theatre Owners of Western
Pennsylvania, has resigned after more
than 40 years of service to Pennsyl-
vania exhibitors, Abram F. Myers,
Allied general counsel, disclosed here
today.
The veteran theatreman was a na-
tional director of Allied from 1928 to
1938, after retiring as an exhibitor in
1919. In 1909, he organized and was
elected president of the Motion Picture
Exhibitors League of Pennsylvania
and in 1915 was elected national presi-
dent of the MPELA, with headquar-
ters in San Francisco.
Minneapolis Loge
Reelects Murphy
Minnneapolis, Oct. 29. — Reel-Fel-
lows — social organization which also
is the local loge of the Colosseum —
has reelected Joe Murphy president.
Harold Lundquist was named vice-
president and George Fosdick, secre-
tary-treasurer. The group also named
the following as delegates to the na-
tional Colosseum annual convention to
b- held at Atlanta on Nov. 21-23 :
Murphy, Lundquist, and Paul Weiss,
with Bill Winter as alternate.
3 Pre-release Dates
Set for 'Androcles*
Three simultaneous pre-release en-
gagements were announced by RKO
Radio for Gabriel Pascal's "Androcles
and the Lion," based on the George
Bernard Shaw comedy.
The premiere opening will be held
at the Four Star Theatre in Los An-
geles today. The picture will also
open at the Paramount, Denver, and
the Utah, Salt Lake City. It will open
at the Ambassador, St. Louis, tomor-
SMPTE Meets Today
Eastman Kodak engineers will ad-
dress a meeting of the Atlantic Coast
section of the Society of Motion Pic-
ture and Television Engineers today,
E. M. Stifle, chairman, announced
here. The meeting will be held at
New York's Henry Hudson Hotel.
AM PA Students Will
Tour N.Y. Paramount
Following the Associated Motion
Picture Advertisers showmanship class
this evening at the Woodstock Hotel
here, a group of the students will be
taken on a tour of the New York
Paramount Theatre by its managing-
director, Robert K. Shapiro, it was
announced by Harry K. McWilliams,
AM PA president.
SAG Strike vs. TV
Producers Advances
Hollywood, (jet. 29. — Screen Actors
Guild board today recommended to
the membership authorization of strike
against producers of television film
commercials, including the American
Association of Advertising Agencies.
A Guild membership meeting will be
held here on Nov. 9 and a New York
membership session is set for the
Hotel Astor on Nov. 16.
Short
Subjects
Schwalb to Produce
A A 'Bowery' Films
Hollywood, Oct. 29. — Ben Schwalb
has been assigned to produce future
pictures in the "Bowery Boys" com-
edy series by Walter Mirisch, Allied
Artists production chief.
Schwalb, who joined Allied Artists
as a producer three years ago, was
associated with Frank Capra imme-
diately prior to joining Allied Artists.
He has been producing films starring
Stanley Clements, and will cntinue to
do so.
SDG Awards to Four
Hollywood, Oct. 29. — The Screen
Directors Guild quarterly awards, an-
nounced by George Sidney, president,
go to "The Big Sky," directed by
Howard Hawks ; "The Greatest Show
on Earth," Cecil B. DeMille; "High
Noon," Fred Zinnemann ; and "Scara-
mouche," George Sidney.
Sign Robinson
Hollywood, Oct. 29. — Edward G.
Robinson was signed today by Sol
Lesser to star in "Harness Bull" for
Sequoia Productions. Jules Levy and
Arthur Gardner will produce, while
Arnold Laven will direct.
"The Young Immortal"
(Art Films-20th Century-Fox)
Four hundred years ago there lived
in Rome a young painter named
Raphael whose masterpieces include
the "Sistine Madonna" and murals
such as "The Escape of Saint Peter"
and "Fire in the Borgo," both painted
in the Vatican. In this short subject,
producers Marilyn Silverstone and
Boris Vermont have used a modern-
day youth forum on great names of
the past as the starting point for a
thrilling examination of Raphael's
great works. The famous subjects
executed by the artist rise upon the
screen in vivid color by Technicolor to
provide art-oriented audiences, and
even those whose interest in great
paintings is only casual, with a wealth
of eye-stimulating enjoyment. An in-
spiring music score, written by
Jacques Belasco, is included. Running
time, 10 minutes.
Ask Drive-in Law
Oklahoma City, Oct. 29. — Enact-
ment of legislation prohibiting the
construction of drive-in theatres where
screens are visible from highways has
been recommended to the Oklahoma
legislative council by its public safety
committee.
"Light in the Window"
(Art Films-20th Century-Fox)
The art of Jan Vermeer, famous
Dutch painter, is presented in radiant
color by Technicolor in this 10-min-
ute production of Marilyn Silverstone
and Boris Vermont. No series of
films on art, such as these two have
produced, would be complete without
according treatment to the works of
this Dutchman who put on canvas
with genuine warmth the plainer as-
pects of life in his native land. "Light
in the Window" stands as a superior
short subject that will lend just the
right amount of cultural tone to any
theatre's program, and certainly will
command the plaudits of audiences
who look for a dash of the educational
when they go to the theatre.
The famous paintings of the artist
are introduced in conjunction with a
"story" about a man of Dutch origin
and his son who spend an afternoon
in a museum. Also brought to_ life on
the screen is the city of Delft in Hol-
land, where Vermeer was born and
where he produced his masterpieces.
The soundtrack carries a fine music
score by Jacques Belasco. Running
time, 10 minutes.
'Hollywood in Dallas'
Selections Are Made
Dallas, Oct. 29.— Robert J. O'Don-
nell, co-chairman of the Texas Coun-
cil of Motion Picture Organizations,
has completed the selection of _ eight
pictures from which scenes will be
prepared by Virgil Miers for the
"Hollywood in Dallas" ice extrava-
ganza, for a pre-selling campaign of
individual pictures on which the
Adolphus Hotel here will spend ap-
proximately $50,000. Scheduled to
open at the hotel about Dec. 1, the
show will be produced by Dorothy
Franey and feature the theme of
"Movietime" which was successfully
staged by Texas COMPO last year.
O'Donnell selected scenes from the
following: "Salome," "Million Dol-
lar Mermaid," "Road to Bali,"
"Hans Christian Andersen, "Call Me
Madam," "Moulin Rouge," "Missis-
sippi Gambler" and "April in Paris."
On another Texas COMPO front,
Kyle Rorex, executive director, dis-
closed that 3,123 "Get Out the Vote"
trailer packages made by the organi-
zation were ordered by exhibitors
from every state in the country.
Thursday, October 30, 1952
Tri-States
(Continued from page 1)
Motion Picture Daily
NCCJ's 23th Anniversary
(Continued from page 1)
fifth TOA unit to signify approval of
the arbitration plan. _
M A. Lightman, Jr., chairman ot
the unit's board, said the action
amounted to a vote of confidence in
TOA. and left the two matters to the
discretion of TOA. Tennessee's ex-
hibitors had taken this action Monday
and Arkansas' exhibitors Tuesday.
Second, Tri-States set in motion a
plan to take its fight against the 20
per cent Federal admission tax direct
to Congress. , _ . ,
Congressman Clifford Davis ot
Memphis, in a speech to the conven-
tion said the tax was discriminatory
and 'he had always been against it and
would continue to fight it.
Congressman Wilbur Mills of Ar-
kansas, whose House committee passes
on all tax bills, said he would arrange
for a committee from Tri-States to
have a hearing before his committee,
if they wanted to come to Washington
and present their case. They agreed
thev would do this.
Congressman Mills told how his
committee once had the 20 per cent tax
cut to 10 per cent in a bill that passed
the House only to have the 20 per cent
tax restored in the Senate.
Mills said he was convinced that the
tax was too high and kept down atten-
dance at theatres. He told how atten-
dance had fallen oft" in his district in
Arkansas where there was no tele-
vision. He said he had been convinced
that admission prices could not be cut
and theatres kept open so the tax had
to be reduced to keep many theatres
in operation.
Lightman, Jr., of Memphis, and
Kermit Stengel of Nashville, were
named as a committee to get Tennes-
see Congressmen and exhibitors to-
gether to "open the theatres' books
and show the tax must be repealed or
reduced."
M. B. Smith, theatre advertising-
expert, and Jack Braunagel, circuit
executive, spoke at today's closing-
sessions suggesting methods of im-
proving theatre advertising and drive-
in operations.
Mochrie Is Named
(Continued from page 1)
tion vice-president, was awarded a
plaque for his chairmanship of the
1951 campaign when collections total-
led $104,100. This amount exceeded
the 1952 total which was $81,198. The
presentation was made by Ned E. De-
pinet who urged that the brotherhood
spirit be gotten "into our hearts" and
recalled his onetime NCCJ chairman-
ship and the outstanding collection of
a small local suburban theatre which
was greater than some large theatres.
In accepting the award Reagan
spoke of the help he received from
"the boys in the field" and such ex-
ecutives as Schwartz and Henderson
Richey.
Medal to Salmon
Myers Says
(Continued from page D
diately upon his return to New York-
Following meetings with Goldwyn and
James A. Mulvey, company president,
he will leave here tonight by plane
for the East. He succeeds Alfred
W. Crown, who resigned as Goldwyn
vice-president in charge of worldwide
sales to join RKO Radio as foreign
sales manager.
The new Goldwyn vice-president
started his sales career with Pro-
ducers Distributors Corp. in 1925. He
then became associated successively
with Warner Brothers and United
Artists, joining RKO Radio in 1939
In quick succession he was appointed
RKO Eastern sales manager, general
sales manager and in 1946, vice-presi-
dent and board member.
Award to Fitzgibbons
Toronto, Oct. 29. — J. J- Fitzgib-
bons, president of Famous Players
Canadian, received a citation for meri-
torious efforts for world brotherhood
from the Canadian Council of Chris-
tians and Jews at a banquet attended
by 600 persons here. Fitzgibbons was
one of six outstanding Canadians to
be so honored.
Montague Salmon, Rivoli Theatre
manager, received a Silver Brother-
hood Medal for his efforts which for
the past seven years have resulted in
average annual collections of $1,000.
In explaining his success Salmon cited
the encouragement given him by
George Skouras and urged circuit
representatives to give similar encour-
agement to their theatre managers.
J. Robert Rubin of Loew's, NCCJ
general counsel, presided over the
meeting, at which it was decided to
have a dinner celebration rather than
a luncheon. Suggestions were offered
to make the dinner an unusual event
with possible participation by other
industries and famed personalites, such
as the presidential candidates.
Youngstein Reports
Max Youngstein, United Artists
vice-president and NCCJ public rela-
tions chairman, read a report on the
1952 campaign in the absence of chair-
man George Skouras. The report re-
vealed the collections had not come up
to expectations or to the preceding-
year's total but reviewed the difficul-
ties of the campaign. These included
the unavoidable absence of George
Skouras at the campaign's beginning,
the illness of Maurice Bergman which
kept him out for almost the entire
campaign, and the short-notice fill-in
job "well performed" by Hank Linnet.
According to the report the collec-
tions decline was also due to the "fai-
lure to organize the exhibition field'
for with the exception of several cir-
cuits most quotas were not met. He
noted that only 400 out of 16,000 thea-
tres had contributed and emphasized
that only $10 or $15 per theatre in
the U. S. is needed to surpass the
collection record. However, the mo-
tion picture industry publicity job for
the NCCJ was termed the greatest
of any field, as it has been for the
last five years.
Lauds Industry
Dr. Everett R. Clinchy, NCCJ pres-
ident, lauded the industry's past work,
including trade press coverage, to-
wards achieving brotherhood and enu-
merated some of the organization's
achievements with the monies col-
lected. He observed that most of the
work is preventive and explained that
cultural interchange had been in-
creased with such groups as the Japa-
nese-American Cultural Society. To-
wards that end he praised the current
tour of Spyros Skouras, 20th Century-
Fox president, over Europe and the
Far East during which Skouras is
working for brotherhood by meeting
and talking with many peoples.
New Chapters Set
Several new chapters have been set
up, including one in Manila. Follow-
ers of Buddhism, Hinduism and Shin-
toism have been welcomed to parti-
cipate in working with Catholics,
Jews, and Protestants towards broth-
erhood. Dr. Clinchy revealed progress
had been made towards better human
relations by interchange of teachers of
different faiths and deleting bigotries
from certain religious textbooks. Ef-
forts are now being made by the
NCCJ to work with the various
unions and having them initiate
Brotherhood movements.
On the dais at the luncheon were:
Rubin, Depinet, Reagan, Youngstein,
Dr. Clinchy, William F. Rodgers and
Ed Churchill. Others present in-
cluded: Russell Downing, William
German, Richard Walsh, Austin
Keough, Herman Robbins, Taylor
Mills, Edmund Reek, Mike Clofine,
Walton Anient, Tom Mead, A. J.
Richard, William Gehring, William
White, Sam Rinzler, Ed Lachman, Si
Seadler, Harry Goldberg, Jerry Pick-
man, Arthur Israel, Monroe Good-
man, Sid Blumenstock, Emanuel
Frisch, Fred Schwartz, Gil Golden,
Walter Reade, Jr., and trade press
representatives.
for the November Allied board meet-
ing, along with the distributors' draft
of an arbitration system, which had
just been received.
Myers said Cole was "accused of
engaging in a hollow gesture as bally-
hoo for Allied's 1952 convention"
when he made his proposal after
"viewing the present desperate condi-
tion of independent exhibitors and the
treatment accorded them by the film
companies."
Myers said that it was "a very seri-
ous matter when exhibitors report
that that they are not benefiting and
cannot benefit from the current crop
of good pictures" because they can't
afford to exhibit them "on the terms
demanded."
'All-around Gouging'
One might expect to find all ele-
ments in the industry united in an
attempt to "pull the movie business
out of the current depression, intact,"
Myers declared, yet there was never
so much "all-around gouging."
The prevalent belief among Allied
exhibitors, he said, is that while their
leaders were engaged in a sincere
effort to aid the whole industry," the
film companies, like weasels, have been
getting into the exhibitors' chicken
coops and have now grown so bold
that it will require a strenuous con-
certed effort to save the remaining
chickens — that is, unless the com-
panies heed the Colonel's warning and
voluntarily mend their ways."
Schary Scores
(Continued from page 1)
F. Schwartz to Aid
(Continued from page 1)
elude Si Fabian, president of Fabian
Theatres ; Manny Frisch, treasurer of
Randforce Theatres; Harry Brandt,
president of Brandt Theatres ; Charles
Moss, managing director of the Cri-
terion Theatre; A. W. Schwalberg,
president of Paramount Film Distrib-
uting Corp., and Al Clary, boxoffice
treasurer of the Radio City Music
Hall.
Davis Appointed
Martin Davis of the Goldwyn office
has been appointed coordinator for the
premiere. .
Tickets for the premiere, which will
take place on the evening of Nov. 24
at the Criterion Theatre, will be scaled
at $5, $10, $15 and $25.
In establishing the premiere, the
trustees of the hospital will make this
an annual event aimed not only at
raising money for the institution but
to create a traditional hallmark for the
motion picture industry.
A. J. Mason Heads
(Continued from page 1)
which he founded and promptly cre-
ated the new office of honorary Presi-
dent for him.
Other officers are: vice-president,
Dave G. Griesdorf of Canadian Odeon ;
secretary-treasurer, R. W. Bolstad of
Famous Players, and executive-secre-
tary, Arch H. Jolley, all of Toronto.
As an outcome of discussions on
television and other developments the
Council moved to form a Canadian
film institute for the good of public
relations, and J. Arthur Hirsch of
Montreal was named chairman of the
special planning committee.
Minister Robert Winters told the
conference films are next in usefulness
only to church and school. Mayor
Charlotte Whitton said theatres are
cooperating- much better now _ with
authorities to give suitable children
programs.
The Council will meet next year at
Toronto.
nue was only 15 per cent off from its
peak year, but that rising costs of
film production has cut into film earn-
ings. The total yearly revenue of the
industry is $3,000,000,000, Schary said,
adding that half the total this year
would come from overseas.
50% Financial Failures
Of the 400 films Hollywood pro-
duces each year, Schary numbered 60
as of recognized quality and about 50
per cent as financial failures. "Of the
200 plays produced on Broadway last
year only five per cent were success-
ful and 75 to 78 per cent were finan-
cial failures," Schary said.
Schary was optimistic in regard to
television competition. He said the
newcomer reaches into the theatre
medium for the mediocre and that
people who had the film-going habit
before television are going back to
film houses, but will be more selec-
tive in their choice of films.
"Hollywood pictures," he declared,
"will have to be bigger and better.
Eventually, Schary believes, Holly-
wood will make only top pictures."^
"Cinerama," the producer said, "is
mechanically years away from prac-
tical theatre use. It is wonderfully
effective for big scenes but violates
the truth of intimacy on which movie
story-telling relies," he added.
To Reopen Smalley
Albany, N. Y., Oct. 29.— With
community financial support, Carl Bo-
vee, one time Warner manager in
Albany and former Schine circuit as-
sistant manager,, has leased the closed
Smalley Theatre in St. Johnsville,
Montgomery County. He will reopen
it as the Community this week, after
painting and refurbishing. Bovee lives
in Gloversville.
6
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, October 30, 1952
Motion Picture Daily Feature Reviews
"Breaking Through the Sound Barrier"
(London Films-United Artists)
BREATHTAKING aerial photography of jet planes in the sky is included
in this exploitable drama about pioneering in the building of planes that
travel at supersonic speed, but the emphasis in this English import is on
rather slow-paced drama. The Terence Rattigan story and screenplay is too
concerned with the psychological difficulties undergone by the family of plane
manufacturer Ralph Richardson, whose vision of jet planes drives him on
despite the deaths of his son and son-in-law in plane crashes.
There is a stiff -upper-lip quality about the dramatic situations that may
have been immensely popular with British audiences but may prove tedious
and repititious to American patrons. Marquee-wise this stacks up well with
Richardson, Ann Todd and Nigel Patrick of recent "Encore" fame. Exhibi-
tors can exploit the outstanding action footage and the inherent drama.
Patrick is presented as an RAF flier who marries Miss Todd and is
chosen by Richardson, his father-in-law, to be the test pilot of a new model
jet plane. Richardson's son, Denholm Elliot, is not interested in flying but
takes lessons in an attempt to satisfy Richardson. His solo test ends in a
fatal crash before the eyes of his . family. Patrick carries on his jet tests
although a rival firm's ace flier is killed testing a jet. Eventually Patrick
is killed but his recorded reactions aid in designing a new model. Before
his death Patrick had induced friend John Justin to test jets for Richardson.
Justin's theory about pushing the throttle forward while in a dive rather
than pulling it back is the correct one, and the "sound barrier" is broken.
Miss Todd then comes to better understand Richardson and his unceasing-
striving for airplane progress.
David Lean produced and directed. Also in the cast are Dinah Sheridan,
Joseph Tomelty, Jack Allen, Ralph Michael, Vincent Holman, Douglas Muir
and Leslie Phillips.
Running time, 109 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
not set. Walter Pas h kin
ft
99
Montana Belle
(RKO Radio Pictures)
JANE RUSSELL's marquee lure is well known and this Western in Tru-
color serves as little more than a vehicle to display her talents. The Dal-
ton Gang has been highly serviceable story-wise and the screenplay by Nor-
man S. Hall and Horace McCoy links Miss Russell as an outlaw's widow
who joins the four Daltons, but what should have been an explosive combina-
tion just never is, although at one time Miss Russell even heads a rival
gang. She is more at home in figure-emphasizing costumes in some brief
scenes as a saloon entertainer, swaying, strutting and throatily singing "The
Gilded Lily" and "My Sweetheart, the Man in the Moon." Forrest Tucker
is the most convincing of the cast. Both story and performances are rarely
credible.
The film opens with Miss Russell joining the gang after she has been
saved from a hanging by Scott Brady. Miss Russell's affections are fought
over by Brady and gang assistant Tucker, but an impending robbery of the
saloon of George Brent causes the brothers to leave Tucker and Miss Russell
in their cabin hideout. Unknown to them, Brent has agreed to trap the gang
for a $100,000 fee to be paid by the Bankers' Protective Association, headed
by John Litel.
During the absence of the Daltons some gun practice results in a posse
raiding the hideout. Miss Russell and Tucker escape, assume they have been
double crossed, and form their own gang. They arrive early at Brent's
saloon and rob it while the Daltons are ambushed but get little money. Their
further efforts are successful and Miss Russell gambles her way into a
partnership with Brent, who realizes her identity, but hopes to trap the
Daltons. Eventually he succeeds and the Daltons are eliminated. Miss Russell
is forced into a bank job and is wounded. She promises to wait for Brent,
to whom she had confessed all.
This was produced by Howard Welsch and directed by Robert Peters.
Others in the cast are Andy Devine, Jack Lambert, Ray Teal, Rory Mallin-
son, Roy Barcroft, Holly Bane and Ned Davenport.
Running time, 81 minutes. General audience classification. For November
release. W. P.
'Barrier' to UA; Will
Open in N.Y. Nov. 6
Producer - director David Lean's
British-made "Breaking Through the
Sound Barrier," starring Ann Todd,
has been acquired from Lopert Films
by United Artists and will open at the
Victoria Theatre here Nov. 6, William
J. Heineman, UA distribution vice-
president, announced.
Bloom in New Post
Minneapolis, Oct. 29. — Al Bloom,
former manager of the 7-Hi Drive-in
Theatre in suburban Minneapolis, has
joined the staff of Greater Amuse-
r.-.ents. Bloom is a former film and
drama critic for the old Minneapolis
Times.
Martin-Lewis, Ladd
Cited by Magazine
Hollywood, Oct. 29. — The Hal
Wallis-Paramount comedy team of
Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, and
Alan Ladd have received top honors
in Modern Screen magazine's 10th an-
nual "Popularity Awards," Paramount
reported.
Ladd, who stars in Paramount's
"Thunder in the East," "Botany Bay"
and George Stevens' "Shane," received
the "All-Time Ten-Year Popularity
Champion Award." Martin and Lewis,
currently in Hal Wallis' "Jumping
Jacks" and the soon-to-be-seen "The
Stooge," were given a plaque as
"Hollywood's All-Time Champion
Comedy Team."
Bloodhounds of Broadway'
(20th Centiury-Fox)
AMON RUNYON's distinctive type of Broadway citizens are amusingly
set forth in this musical adaptation in color by Technicolor which is
an effective combination of music and story that features the sparkling talents
of Mitzi Gaynor. A George Jessel production, this has several fresh and
appealing production numbers that are attractively mounted and engagingly
performed. In addition to Miss Gaynor, who is equally adept in rendering
a sweet lullaby, "Bye Low," and slinking her way through a spicy finale
titled "Jack Of Diamonds," there is a remarkable moppet, Sharon Baird,
who does a fine tap-dance, and Mitzi Green, who ably handles a comedy role
and some dance sequences.
Scott Brady is starred as a Broadway bookie with an unusual ability for
numerical computations who flees a gambling investigation. He is saved by
the false testimony of his girl friend, singer Marguerite Chapman, and returns
from a Florida hide-out with Miss Gaynor, a simple hill-billy girl who
offered him hospitality when his car broke down in the mountains and sub-
sequently saved his life. Brady has Miss Gaynor tutored in song and dance
but arouses the jealousy of Miss Chapman.
Michael O'Shea, a boyhood pal of Brady's who became a cop after reform
school, is_ appointed to supply evidence at a new crime committee's hearing.
After Miss Gaynor captivates Hollywood and record talent scouts, Miss
Chapman has a showdown with her. Miss Chapman loses and runs off to
inform the police. Brady departs for a hideout but is tracked down by Miss
Gaynor and her two bloodhounds. She convinces him to give himself up,
pay off back taxes, and serve a year's sentence. At the end of that time
Brady is working at the club at which Miss Gaynor sings, as a cashier, and
other members of the gang are employed honestly too.
The two bloodhounds and Wally Vernon, Edwin Max, and George E.
Stone supply comedy relief. Others in the cast are Henry Slate, Richard
Allan, Ralph Volkie, Charles Buchinski, and Timothy Carey. Other songs
include "I Wish I Knew," "I've Got A Feeling You're Foolin'," and "80
Miles Outside of Atlanta." Harmon Jones directed, from a screen play by
Sy Gomberg and an adaptation by Albert Mannheimer.
Running time, 90 minutes. General audience classification. For November
release. W. P.
Ride the Man Down"
(Republic Pictures)
A LAVISH PRODUCTION has been accorded this actionful Western in
Trucolor. With the aid of star names for the marquee it should do well
at the box-office. Rod Cameron, Brian Donlevy and Ella Raines are starred;
also present are Forrest Tucker, Barbara Britton, Chill Wills, and J. Carrol
Naish. It is set in the days when cattle empires were built by strong-muscled
and strong-willed men and contains a good deal of fighting and shooting.
Assistant producer Joseph Kane directed and has balanced the action with
a well-developed romance. Donlevy is an unscrupulous ranchman intent
upon taking over much of the ranch left in the weak hands of Miss Raines'
uncle after the death of her father. She is the spit-fire type, a chip-off-the-
olld-block but sorely needs the aid which is given her by loyal ranch fore-
man Rod Cameron. Cameron is romantically inclined to homebody type
Barbara Britton but her dislike of his efforts to block the dangerous Donlevy's
manceuvers result in his attraction to Miss Raines. Despite murder and
treachery, Cameron succeeds in foiling Donlevy's plans and establishes Miss
Raines as the ranch owner. At the finale Cameron chooses Miss Raines.
This is based on a Saturday Evening Post story by Luke Short. The
screen play was written by Mary McCall Jr. Others in a competent cast
include Jim Davis, Taylor Holmes, James Bell, Paul Fix, Jack LaRue, Roy
Barcroft, Claire Carleton, Al Caudebec and Roydon Clark.
Running time 90 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Nov. 15.
Voodoo Tiger"
( Co Iwnbia P ic hires )
I OHNNY WEISSMULLER stars as "Jungle Jim" in this mediocre series
«J entry that offers the usual amount of fighting, dangerous animals and
menacing natives in haphazard fashion that may please the adventure fans,
especially among the younger set. In tracking down a former SS officer who
alone knows the locale of lost art treasures and a trio of crooks also desiring
the paintings, Weissmuller frequently battles numerous natives, exhibits his
swimming prowess, and vanquishes a lion although armed only with a knife.
Spencer G. Bennet directed this economical Sam Katzman production and
emphasized action. The story and screenplay were written by Samual New-
man and are routine. The natives in Weissmuller's territory are depicted as
voodoo worshipers of the tiger. It develops that the SS officer escaping a
pursuing U. S. Army officer aided by Weissmuller, commandeers an airplane
containing night club entertainer Jeanne Dean and her trained tiger. When
the ex-Nazi, Michael Fox, orders the plane inland it crashes in the jungle
where the natives capture all but venerate Miss Dean, who performs a torrid
dance.
Weissmuller and his party containing the U. S. officer, among others, track
down the three crooks chasing Fox but they are ambushed and captured by the
natives. Weissmuller kills a lion in a test for his life and escapes with his
party and Fox. The pursuing natives kill the crooks and are killed when
Weissmuller dynamites a lone exit.
Running time, 67 minutes. General audience classification. For November
release. W. P.
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
"
y
n
nd
Impartk
VOL. 72. NO. 86
NEW YORK, U.S.A., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1952
TEN CENTS
TO A s Bid for
Arbitration
Meet Declined
'Christmas Salute' Drive Grant Foresees
To Be Launched Tomorrow No RKO Film
Allied Wants Members
To Consider Draft First
Theatre Owners of America's
bid for an immediate conference on
arbitration has been declined by Al-
lied States on the ground that the
latter wants to submit the distributor-
amended draft of an industry system
to its annual convention in Chicago
next month before participating in any
further industry conferences on the
subject.
This was learned here yester-
day, a week after Alfred Starr,
TOA president, announced that
his organization had "a few"
changes it would like to make
in the draft and called on all
parties to the Industry Arbitra-
tion Conference to set up at
once a meeting at which the
changes could be suggested and
acted upon.
It was also learned yesterday that
(Continued cm page 4)
Abbot and Costello
Dismiss 6IT Suit
The Variety Clubs-Will Rogers Memorial Hospital's annual "Christ- MNy o 1 p g t Q TP \
mas Salute" will be officially launched tomorrow by Abe Montague of 1
Columbia Pictures, president of the hospital.
Cooperating with Montague are Charles Feldman, of Universal, who
heads the na-
Disney Termed A
Great Educator
By U. S. Official
Hollywood, Oct. 30. — The comedy
team of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello
today announced dismissal of their
multi-million dollar suit against Uni-
versal Pictures, the company revealed.
Termination of the suit by a judg-
ment in favor of Universal was an-
nounced by the comedians in a state-
ment which said in effect they had
found after a complete examination
of all the facts that the evidence did
not support the charges contained m
(Continued on page 4)
N. Amsterdam Files
$11,895,000 Suit
Operators of the New Amsterdam
Theatre, Manhattan, yesterday filed a
triple-damage anti-trust suit for $11,-
895,000 in Federal District Court here.
Named as defendants were RKO Pic-
tures and its subsidiaries, Warner
Brothers and its subsidiaries, United
Paramount Theatres, United Artists,
Columbia and Paramount and its sub-
sidiaries.
The suit was brought by Ansco En-
(Continued on page 4)
Boston, Oct. 30.— Walt Disney was
described today by a U. S. Office of
Education offi-
cial as one of
the greatest
educators of
the 20th Cen-
tury because of
his direct ap-
peal to children
in his full-
length motion
picture car-
toons.
The tribute
was paid by Dr.
Franklin Dun-
ham, chief of
Walt Disney radio and tele-
vision of the Education Office, who
came here from Washington to ad-
dress the Massachusetts Association
for Better Radio and Television.
Dunham also praised the motion
picture industry in general for what
it has done as an educational medium.
He pointed out that many pictures
have brought history and events to
many millions and have done much to
(Continued on page 4)
Sullivan to Telecast
'The Goldwyn Story'
Ed Sullivan's TV "Toast of the
Town" show will bring to television
the life story of Samuel Goldwyn, he
revealed last night as he returned to
New York after Coast conferences
with Goldwyn.
To be called "The Goldwyn Story,"
the program will be televised in two
successive installments, on Dec. 14 and
21, and will cover Goldwyn's life and
career up to and including the making
of "Hans Christian Andersen." "Toast
of the Town" is heard over the CBS
TV network Sunday nights from 8 :00
to 9 :00 P.M.
Plans for the telecast include ap-
pearances by Goldwyn star discoveries
on the "live" portions of the shows,
with film flash-backs carrying the
story from Goldwyn's adventures as
a film pioneer to the current era.
tional distribu-
tion committee,
and Sam J .
S w i t o w of
Louisville, head
of the national
exhibitors unit.
During the
Christmas
Salute everyone
in the amuse-
ment industry,
or allied to it,
will be asked to
sign the now Abe Montagne
famous live-
mile-long "Christmas Greeting" to pa-
tients at the hospital, and to contribute
"a dime, a dollar, or an endowment."
As in previous years these greetings
will be extended to the patients at
their Christmas Party.
"The need for intensified effort to
(Continued on page 4)
Tells ITOA Guests of
Theatrical Film Plans
Loew's-U.A.T.C. Split
May Be Settled
The possibility that the Loew's-
United Artists Theatre Circuit joint-
interest case may be settled out of
court was held out yesterday by a
source close to one of the principals
in the dispute.
The spokesman said negotiations
may result in an amicable settlement
despite the action of Loew's seeking
a court-appointed referee to dissolve
the eight jointly-held interests. The
case is currently in Federal Court
here, awaiting a hearing date on the
petition filed by Loew's.
The new management of RKO
Radio Pictures has "no plans to sell
(its films) to television now or in
the forseeable future," Arnold
Grant, chairman of the board of RKO
Radio Pictures, yesterday assured a
luncheon meeting of exhibitors at the
Hotel Astor here, given by the In-
dependent Theatre Owners Association
of New York.
Grant told the gathering of
over 250 exhibitor and industry
leaders that "as long as we are
in the company ... it will be
engaged in the manufacture of
motion pictures for motion pic-
ture theatres."
His "we" included Arnold Picker,
RKO's executive vice-president;
Charles Boasberg, general sales man-
ager, and Walter Branson, assistant
general sales manager, the three new
(Continued on page 4)
* F eatherbedding'
Case Upon Nov. 17
Washington, Oct. 30. — The
U. S. Supreme Court has set
the week of Nov. 17 for argu-
ment in an industry case in-
volving "f eatherbedding"
charges against a union.
The National Labor Rela-
tions Board took the case to
the high court after the Sixth
Circuit Court of Appeals up-
held the charge brought by
Gamble Enterprises' Palace
Theatre in Akron, Ohio,
against the American Federa-
tion of Musicians.
Burkett Cinecolor
Sales Manager
Hollywood, Oct. 30. — James S.
(Sam) Burkett, veteran producer-dis-
tributor, has been named general sales
manager of Cinecolor Corp., with
headquarters in Burbank, effective
Monday, the company announced today.
It was also disclosed that David
Griffith has been named executive
officer for Cinecolor plants in England.
Burkett's last pictures, made for
Monogram, include the "Charlie
Chan" features and "18 Fathoms
Deep."
Ampa Hears About
'Printed Publicity'
The creation, planting, publication
and merchandising of local and na-
tional printed publicity was the topic
of last night's showmanship course
given by the Associated Motion Pic-
ture Advertisers at the Hotel Wood-
stock. The first. igroup of speakers
covered the home qffice publicity crea-
tion and a second group represented-
national magazines:
Introduced by Rutgers Neilson of
(Continued on page 4)
2
Motion Picture Daily
Friday, October 31, 1952
Personal
Mention
JAMES A. MULVEY, president of
Samuel Goldwyn Productions, is
scheduled to return here from the
Coast today.
•
Bernard A. Grossman, theatrical
attorney, has been elected president of
the Federal Bar Association of New
York. Theodore R. Kupferman of
the National Broadcasting legal de-
partment has been elected secretary.
Adolph Stuber, vice-president in
charge of sales and advertising for
Eastman Kodak, Rochester, N. Y., is
celebrating his 40th anniversary with
the company.
•
Robert Mochrie, vice-president of
Samuel Goldwyn Productions, re-
turned to New York yesterday from
Hollywood.
•
Jess Lausman, manager of the
Broadway Theatre in Louisville, has
been elected president of the newly
formed Loyal Republican Club there.
•
John Lee, at one time San Fran-
cisco district manager for Eagle Lion,
is now a salesman with Lippert Pic-
tures of Northern California.
•
Bob Kaufmann, formerly with
Paramount here, will leave for Holly-
wood today to take over the Coast
office of Endorsements, Inc.
•
Leo Samuels, Walt Disney sales
manager, and Charles Levy, Eastern
publicity representative, left here last
night for Chicago.
•
Charles Chaplin, now in Paris,
has been made an officer of the French
Legion of Honor.
•
Mori Krushen, United Artists ex-
ploitation manager, has arrived in Chi-
cago from New York.
Drive-ins Now Total 3,483,
M. P. Almanac Reports
U. S. and Canadian drive-in theatres number 3,483, their car capacity
total being- 4,702,050, it is reported in the 1952-53 edition of Motion
Picture and Telez'ision Almanac, pub-
lished today.
The total compares with 820 in
1948. The Almanac estimates 1952
receipts for all theatres at $1,225,000,-
000, including earnings of drive-ins,
which return approximately 20 per
cent of the gross revenue.
This year the Almanac, a Quigley
publication, contains 1,062 pages, al-
most 350 of them devoted to biog-
raphies in a section titled "Who's
Who in Motion Pictures and Televi-
sion." Other sections, which indicate
the scope of the coverage included in
the volume, pertain to corporations,
theatre circuits, television and radio,
drive-ins, services, theatre equipment
and materials, organizations, codes and
censorship, the world market, the
press and non-theatrical motion pic-
tures.
The book this year contains consid-
erable added detailed information on
the television industry, hence the
change in title from Motion Picture
Almanac which the volumes of pre-
vious years carried.
In a foreword to this 24th edition,
Martin Quigley points out that it ap-
pears in "the midst of an array of
changing conditions and new develop-
ments that affect the art and business
of public entertainment the world over.
These conditions and developments en-
tail an imperative and an increasing
need for authoritative information and
statistics concerning the events, insti-
tutions and personnel of the entertain-
ment world. . . ."
Joseph Kaufman, producer,
here last night for Hollywood.
left
20th Holders Get
Tax-Free Exchange
Twentieth Century-Fox stockholders
were notified yesterday that the split-
up of the company as required by the
consent decree "did not result in a tax-
able gain or loss" to them in the ex-
change of stock, according to a ruling
by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
Donald A. Henderson, secretary of
the company, informed stockholders
that the Internal Revenue Bureau has
ruled that the cost or other tax basis
in the old stock should be allocated to
the stock in the two new companies
as follows: 74.1445 per cent to the
holders' stock in 20th Century-Fox
Film Corp. and 25.8555 per cent to
the holders' stock in National Thea-
tres, Inc.
The notification also carried a state-
ment of 20th-Fox president Spyros P.
Skouras condemning the 16 mm. suit
Name Herman Maier
Warner Club Head
Herman Maier, chief construction
engineer and general purchasing agent
for Warner Brothers, has been elected
president of the Warner Club, suc-
ceeding Bernard Rosenzweig.
Other officers elected include Tom
O'Sullivan, vice-president ; Frank
Kiernan, vice-president in charge_ of
membership ; Ruth Weisberg, vice-
president in charge of welfare ; Fred
Stengel, vice-president in charge of
claims ; Harry Mayer, vice-president
:n charge of social activities ; John
Holmes, treasurer ; Barry O'Connor,
assistant treasurer ; Harry Olsson,
secretary.
Rowley United Meet
In Dallas Tuesday
Dallas, Oct. 30.— Rowley United
Theatres, Inc., will hold its semi-an-
nual convention for partners and man-
agers at the Adolphus Hotel here on
Tuesday and Wednesday, with mes-
sages from leading industry merchan-
dising and advertising men as high-
lights.
The following have already accepted
invitations to address the convention :
William Brumberg, Warner Brothers ;
Max Youngstein, United Artists ;
Jerome Pickman, Paramount ; Jeffer-
son Livingston, Universal-Interna-
tional ; Stirling Silliphant, 20th Cen-
tury-Fox.
Executives from other circuits in
Dallas who have been invited are :
From Interstate Circuit, R. J. O'Don-
nell, Raymond Willie, William O'Don-
nell, and Frank Starz ; from Theatre
Enterprises, H. J. Griffith, R. I.
Payne, Eddie Forrester, F. L. Stocker,
Harold Harris and Arlie Crites; from
Jefferson Amusement, Julius Gordon,
Sam Landrum and Fred Minton.
Publicists Party Thurs.
The Publicists Guild, professional
organization of New York independent
publicists, will hold its second annual
press reception at the Vanderbilt
Hotel on Thursday afternoon.
NT Board Meet Nov. 20
Hollywood, Oct. 30. — The next
board meeting of National Theatres
has been set tentatively for Nov. 20.
TV for the State-Lake
Chicago, Oct. 30.— Balaban & Katz
is purchasing RCA-Victor equipment
for theatre TV for its State-Lake.
Texas Compo Award
To Joan Crawford
Dallas, Oct. 30.— The Texas Coun-
cil of Motion Picture Organizations
will on Wednesday tender a testi-
monial dinner at the Brook Hollow
Golf Club here to Texas-born Joan
Crawford for her contribution to the
1952 Texas Theatres Crippled Chil-
dren's Fund for the Gonzales Warm
Springs Foundation. Miss Crawford
appealed to Texas theatre patrons for
funds in a trailer shown throughout
the state during August.
There will be a surprise award
given to the theatre manager who
waged the most outstanding individual
effort in the campaign. David Miller
of Hollywood, who directed the trailer
in which Miss Crawford appeared,
will also receive an award.
Showmen who are scheduled to at-
tend include Karl Hoblitzelle, Col. H.
A. Cole, Phil Isley, Claude Ezell, Ed
Rowly, Julius Gordon, H. J. Griffith
and Henry Reeve. Theatremen from
throughout the state who participated
in the drive have been invited. Ray
Beall and Paul Short are in charge
of arrangements.
Guild to Carry TV
Of Lees Convention
New York's 50th Street
Guild Theatre will carry the
Dec. 8 theatre telecast of the
James Lees and Sons sales
conference.
A second theatre, besides
the Guild, may be selected in
New York to participate in
the first "off-hour" commer-
cial utilization of theatre TV,
set for 12:00 noon to 1 :00 P.M.
Other theatres included in the
Theatre Network Television
program are RKO Keith's,
Washington, and the RKO
Albee, Cincinnati.
Election Returns to
Be Flashed at Para.
Election returns will be flashed to
audiences at the New York Para-
mount Theatre on Election Night,
Robert M. Weitman, vice-president of
United Paramount Theatres, disclosed
here yesterday.
Under the plan, the theatre will be
serviced by a special teletype ticker
of International News Service, and
election returns will be flashed on the
screen during the showing of "Spring-
field Rifle." Announcements will also
be made from the stage during the
Duke Ellington stage show.
Rand Named 20th's
Trade Press Contact
Harold Rand has been named 20th
Century-Fox home office trade press
contact, it was announced yesterday
by Edward E. Sullivan, publicity man-
ager. He succeeds Ira Tulipan, who
has been named newspaper contact.
Rand, who has been assistant trade
paper contact, for the past 13 months,
joined the company in May, 1950.
Assigned initially to the press book
department, Rand spent one year there
and was then transferred to the pub-
licity department. He also heads the
service newspaper department.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center
Dubonnet Hearing Thurs.
A hearing in the action of the Du-
bonnet Music Publishing Co. seeking
to amend the AS CAP decree has been
scheduled in Federal District Court
here for Thursday. This is the second
hearing postponement stemming from
the action which seeks to prevent
among other things, motion picture
companies from engaging in music
publishing.
"THE HAPPY TIME
starring
Charles BOYER e Louis JOURQAN
A Columbia Picture
plus
SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION
SPRM6HP
RljU ^1
MOTION PICTURE DAILY.
Martin Quigley, Editors-Chief and P^r^^^ ^ft^^'tt^
Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing J^paay, fee., »2'0 ^^a^^^K^ VS^deit ind Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J.
New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vic e-f resv den t, ineo j. G jj Fausel Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau. Yucca-Vine
Bradv, Secretary; James P. Cunningham. News Editor; : Hertert V- Jecke - ™^f&A?%^r&^3R ^^v^. FI 6-3074: Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative 11
Building, William R^Weaver, Editor,^ Chicago ^aeMMTc London* Bureau, 4 ^^l^ ^J^J^ ^sTyelX
1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y., under
WHAT HAVE I GOT
THAT NOBODY ELSE HAS?"
(Exhibitors know the answer. "Here's what you've got, Leo!")
You've got 1VANHOE' fiechj
The Picture of the Century!
You've got THE MERRY WIDOW (Tech.)
The saucy musical that gets the gravy !
You've got BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE mj
The show for which they stand on line !
You've got PLYMOUTH ADVENTURE rech)
The Thanksgiving spectacle for a holiday clean-up !
And MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID (Tech.)
The Miracle Musical to celebrate New Years!
You've got THE PRISONER OF ZENDA" (Tech)
Another Action-Attraction from the "Ivanhoe" company!
And THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
The All-Star Triumph headed for the 10-Best list!
You've got "LI LI" (Tech )
The Picture of Enchantment !
You've got ABOVE AND BEYOND
The love story behind The Billion Dollar Secret!
You've got "THE NAKED SPUR" and "THE STORY OF THREE LOVES" and "SOMBRERO"
and "NEVER LET ME GO" and more BIG ONES than there's space for!
YES LEO, YOU'VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES!
4
Motion Picture Daily
Friday, October 31, 1952
AMPA Hears
(Continued from page 1)
evieiv
RKO Radio Pictures, speakers in-
cluded Miriam Brandon, press book
and feature writer for RKO Radio;
Vivian Moses, RKO press book ed-
itor; John Springer, RKO magazine
contact; Ralph Martin, promotion
manager of Seventeen; Audrey So-
racco, Cowles promotion department
representative for Look and Quick;
John Crockett, advertising manager of
Coronet, and William J. Reilly, public
relations director of American Weekly.
The topics discussed were: "How
To Write All Types Of Publicity
Stories" ; "The Function and Uses of a
Press Book" ; "Contacting the National
Magazines for Mutual Interest" ;
"How One National Magazine Helps
Promote Pictures" ; "The Power and
Effectiveness of Magazine Promo-
tions in Pre-Selling Pictures ;" "What
Magazines Are Doing in Pre-Sellmg
Films" ; "The Importance of the Mo-
tion Picture Industry to the Sunday
Supplement."
Crockett, presented a study made
by Coronet's research department
showing that four out of five adult
film goers are magazine readers.
Newspaper advertising is the time-
table of the motion picture industry,
he said, but magazines tell you where
to go in advance.
Jesse L. Lasky addressed the class
on the subject of "A^ Producer's Ap-
preciation of Promotions."
Martin discussed the film habits of
Seventeen's market, girls of 13 to 19,
who, he said, had been forced into a
semi-adult status because of world
conditions and a more complex
society. They are not interested in
"kid type pictures, adolescent type
pictures, adolescent type stories but
real life dramas, comedies, musicals,
romances — and, yes, even problem
pictures." He revealed that a recent
A. J. Wood & Co. poll of over 2,200
teen-age girls showed that films
ranked first on the list of items they
buy. He opined that these girls, about
7y2 million of them who have about
3.7 billion dollars a year > to spend, are
the "No. 1 movie fans."
Miss Soracco detailed Look Maga-
zine's exploitation of films, using post-
ers, banners, Look covers,_ tearsheets,
trade releases and other displays.
N. Amsterdam Suit
(Continued from page 1)
"Million Dollar Mermaid"
(Metro-Goldzoyn-Mayer)
L'STHER WILLIAMS stars in this resplendent swimming extravaganza
which utilizes a fictionalized Annette Kellerman story and opulent color
bv Technicolor and should prove an immense success at the box-office. A
stellar cast, including Victor Mature, Walter Pidgeon, and David Brian, per-
form well under the excellent direction of Mervyn LeRoy, and the overwhelm-
ing swimming numbers are set off by proper emphasis of ' the drama and
romance in the Everett Freeman screenplay.
The impact of spectacle is attained without sacrificing pace or interest and
the production numbers, especially the Busby Berkeley-staged fountain and
smoke number, have rarely been matched in their color, imagination, size, and
splendor. Arthur Hornblow, Jr. rates kudos for the production.
Miss Williams, who swims, dives, and does undewater ballet as superbly as
ever and looks beautiful in a variety of form-caressing bathing suits is pre-
sented as an Australian girl who became a champion swimmer after suc-
cessfully battling physically handicapped legs in her youth. With her father,
Walter Pidgeon, she goes to London by boat when poverty causes him to
seek employment there with a music conservatory. En route she meets Mature,
a fast-talking promoter, and his assistant, Jesse White, who have a kangaroo
that boxes to promote. _ •
When the employment opportunity disappears and Pidgeon is forced to work
in a saloon, Miss Williams agrees to swim the Thames as a publicity stunt
for Mature's kangaroo. She succeeds while crowds cheer her on and she
goes to New York with Mature to gain employment at the Hippodrome.
Hippodrome impresario Brian cannot use her so she and Mature agree to
ballvhoo a resort but Miss Williams appears in a one-piece suit which results
in her arrest for "indecent exposure." This turns out to be a boon for she is
acquitted and then stars in Mature's own aqua show.
Complications arise which cause a rift between Mature and Miss Williams.
She ooes on to star for Brian and eventually agrees to marry him after making
a Hollywood film. However, a production catastrophe causes her hospitaliza-
tion with a spine injury and Mature, newly successful as the manager of Rm-
Tin-Tin, finally wins her. .
Tesse White provides some fine comic relief. Maria Tallchief contributes
some ballet as Pavlova. Others in the cast include Howard Freeman, Charles
Watts, Wilton Graff, Donna Corcoran, James Bell, Frank Ferguson, James
Flavin, and William Bouchey.
Runnino time, 115 minutes. General audience classification For December
. ° Walter Pashkin
release.
RKO's Grant
(Continued from page 1)
TOA's Bid
(Continued from page 1)
terprises, Inc., which acquired owner-
ship of the theatre in 1937, the And-
well Amusement Corp., which leased
it from 1937 to 1947, and the Aiicore
Amusement Corp., which leased the
theatre from 1947 to the present. In
the complaint, Ansco seeks damages
of $1,332,000, Andwell, $7,755,000, and
Ancore, $2,808,000.
Among other measures of relief
sought, the suit asked the court for a
permanent and temporary injunction
to distributor defendants, barring them
from the "unnatural scarcity of first-
rate features." Representing the plain-
tiff was the law firm of Weisman,
Celler, Quinn, Allen and Spett.
neither Eric A. Johnston, Motion Pic-
ture Association of America president
and Arbitration Conference host, nor
Henderson Richey, Conference secre-
tary, received from Starr a formal re-
quest for a meeting to consider the
TOA recomendations. Thus, it turned
out, Starr's bid was made only in the
form of a statement to the press.
January Likely
It appears now, according to indus-
try observers, that another all-indus-
try conference on arbitration or a
meeting of the arbitration drafting
committee will not take place until
December or January, most likely in
the latter month in view of the possi-
bility that each and every TOA and
Allied unit will want time to meet and
act on the draft individually. Thus
far, five of TOA's 20 units have ap-
proved whatever arbitration plan
TOA leaders ultimately sanction. No
Allied units have acted in this con-
nection.
Christmas Salute'
(Continued from page 1)
Walt Disney
(Continued from page 1)
enlighten and educate these film-goers.
In his address, Dunham defended
Westerns as depicting a part of the
American way of life. On the subject
of television programs, Dunham ob-
served that there is considerable room
for improvement from a quality stand-
point. He foresaw much groping by
TV for the kind of educational pro-
gram that would continually interest
televiewers and he warned that such
programs "must never attempt to go
commercial as their aims would be
lost."
increase the yield in this year's cam-
paign," said Montague, "is immedi-
ately understandable when one exam-
ines the mounting costs of operating
such an institution.
"We are proud that the hospital
management still is able to maintain
its low per-case cost, which is almost
half that of the national average. This
is indeed a tribute to the technical
skill and the executive management
to be found at Will Rogers.
"It is gratifying to know that when
one contributes to this cause he can
be assured that his money will be put
to maximum good use in the battle
against tuberculosis, and that the bene-
fits are concentrated on 'our own' in
the entertainment field.
"But costs are rising, and_ everyone
who has any kind of a job in the in-
dustry must deem it his personal obli-
gation to give more than before. M\
employes have a stake in the Variety
Clubs-Will Rogers Memorial Hos-
pital, and all share its success, its
protection, and its responsibility,"
Montague concluded.
The goal of the 1952 Christmas
Salute is 150,000 signers of the scroll,
to produce more than $200,000.
Avalon to Green Group
Berk and Krumgold, in association
with George A. Bowman and Co.,
Inc., brokers, have consummated a
long term lease with an aggregate
rental of $200,000 for the 1500-seat
Avalon Theatre in the Bronx, N. Y.
The lessee is a corporation headed by
Joseph Green, New York circuit op-
erator. The theatre is presently being
completely rehabilitated, and will open
with a policy of vaudeville and pic-
tures.
RKO executives in whose honor the
luncheon was given.
Grant, one of the two main speak-
ers at the luncheon, said that he could
not assure exhibitors that RKO's films
would not be sold to home TV "for-
ever in the future," claiming that new
innovations two to ten years hence
may make such sales non-competitive
to motion picture theatres. He cited
Cinerama as one of a number of pos-
sible art forms which may develop so
extensively in theatres across the
country that the sale of current theat-
rical films to TV would not be com-
petitive.
Elucidating on the television
theme, the RKO board chair-
man expressed confidence that
the industry, which had sur-
vived many competitive med-
iums in the past will meet the
current competition of home
television.
The highlights of Grant's remarks
were in answer to a series of ques-
tions propounded to him by Harry
Brandt, president of ITOA, in his in-
vitation. Similar questions were raised
by trade reporters in the past and
brought forth similar responses from
the RKO chief executive.
No Liquidation
He again scotched reports of any in-
tention to liquidate the assets of RKO,
stressing that the job of the new man-
agement was to revitalize the com-
pany. Grant acknowledged the com-
pany was in "temporary distress" and
called upon exhibitor support during
the current period, which he saw last-
ing from six months to a year.
Another speaker, Emanuel Frisch,
president of the Metropolitan Motion
Picture Theatres Association, ex-
pressed confidence in the team of
Grant, Picker, Boasberg, and Bran-
son. Such a team, Frisch predicted,
will produce, distribute and publicize
the kind of product needed by ex-
hibitors.
Brandt presented an album to the
three RKO executives, containing
congratulatory wires and letters from
exhibitor leaders throughout the coun-
try.
Besides the above-mentioned speakers,
the following guests were on the dais:
Charles Skouras, Harry Arthur, Gordon
Youngman, Bernard Kranze, Ted O'Shea,
Bert Stern, William Namenson, J. Joshua
Goldberg, Bert M. Stearn, Morey Goldstein,
Sidney Lust, Solomon Strausberg, Spyros
S. Skouras, Jr., William J. German, Wil-
liam H. Clark, Wilbur Snaper, Harry M.
Kalmine, Richard F. Walsh. Herman Rob-
bins, Fred J. Schwartz, Samuel Pinanski,
Walter E. Branson, Charles J. Feldman,
Arnold M. Grant,, Harry Brandt, Arnold
M. Picker. Joseph R. Vogel. Al Schwalberg,
Charles Boasberg, Sol A. Schwartz, S. H.
Fabian, Milton C. Weisman, David Wein-
stock, Richard Condon, Walter Reade Jr.,
Maury Miller, Samuel Rinzler, Leo Brecher,
J. J. O'Leary, Theodore Black, Leon Rosen-
blatt, Julius Sanders.
Dismiss 'IP Suit
(Continued from page 1)
their action, according to the company.
At the same time, it was added, Ab-
bott and Costello expressed regret
over any injury that might have been
caused Universal by charges made
during the litigation.
The suit was filed in Nov., 1951. It
asked damages and abrogation of their
contract with the company, question-
ing the accounting methods used and
the company's right to reissue A. and
C. films through Re.alart.
WHEN YOUR
SHIP COMES IN!
If you are one of the 400 Showmen playing M-G~M's
"PLYMOUTH ADVENTURE" at Thanksgiving, con-
gratulations to you.
Did you read what the trade critics wrote this past
week? Rave notices.
Keep an eye on the newspapers, magazines, Sunday
supplements. A giant ad campaign.
"PLYMOUTH ADVENTURE" is 100% pre-sold! It's
a natural for publicity with great stars, Spencer Tracy,
Gene Tierney, Van Johnson, Leo Genn, and a superb
cast of thousands.
Whether you re playing it at Thanksgiving or later,
it's a holiday when you play it.
How true, what the fans are saying: "If it's M-G-M,
it's BIG."
M-G-M presents "PLYMOUTH ADVENTURE" starring Spencer Tracy • Gene Tierney • Van Johnson
Leo Genn • with Dawn Addams • Lloyd Bridges • Color by Technicolor • Screen Play by Helen
Deutsch • From the Novel by Ernest Gebler • Directed by Clarence Brown • Produced by Dore Schary
Now in Distribution . . .
The Industry's Most-Wanted,
Most-Often-Used Reference Book
Revised E-x-p-a-n-d-e-d 1952-33 Edition
No other
publication
contains this
valuable
information*
The WHO'S WHO section alone— *
which is but one of the 15 thumb-
indexed sections of the ALMANAC —
is worth several times the price of the
complete volume of highly useful in-
formation. The WHO'S WHO section
contains over 12,000 concise biogra-
phies of executives, producers, per-
formers and other personalities, cover-
ing the fields of both motion pictures
and television.
* It is the ONLY WHO'S WHO in
these fields, and it is being consider-
ably enlarged for the 1952-53 edition of
the ALMANAC, to include hundreds
of additional names, with up-to-date
biographies and career credits.
Also, the separately thumb-indexed
TV data section has been expanded to
include a wealth of additional informa-
tion for many purposes, in —
The 1952-53
Motion Picture
and Television
ALMANAC
Thumb
Indexed . . .
Who's Who
Corps.
Codes
Circuits
Gov. Case
Drive-Ins
Television
and Radio
Pictures
Great
Britain
Services
Press
Equipment
Organizations
World
Market
Price $5 Postpaid
A QUIGLEY
PUBLICATION
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QUIGLEY PUBLICATIONS 1270 Sixth Ave., New York, N. Y.
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
Accurate
Concise
and
Impartial
VOL. 72. NO. 87
Tradewise . . .
By SHERWIN KANE
A serious Federal offense, pre-
sumably equal in heinousness
to counterfeiting, has been devel-
oped by some jurists, with the en-
couragement of the Attorney Gen-
eral's prosecutors. In their parlance
it has become known as "conscious
parallelism of action."
The offense is committed when
more than one business man, bow-
ing to the dictates of his market,
sells his service or commodity on
the same basis as does his com-
petitors. It has loomed large in the
trial of a number of motion picture
anti-trust suits for treble damages
in recent years.
It is, therefore, interesting to
note what the Hon. Lowell B. Ma-
son of the U. S. Federal Trade
Commission had to say on the sub-
ject in a recent speech before the
23rd annual meeting of the Cana-
dian Chamber of Commerce in
Toronto.
Commissioner Mason, comment-
ing on the governmental and legal
theories being applied to industry,
assumed he was regarding then-
inevitable aftermath from the van-
{Continued on page 2)
NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1952
TEN CENTS
Newsreel Crews Poised /orEastern Film
Election Day Activities Labor Council
The newsreel companies today are
spot coverage of the events of tomor
7 from Paramount in
1st Quarter of '53
Paramount will release seven pro-
ductions in the first three months of
1953, according to A. W. Schwalberg,
president of Paramount Film Distrib-
uting Corp. Four of the seven will
have color by Technicolor.
Hal Wallis' "Come Back, Little
Sheba," which is listed for February,
will be available only for special pre-
release engagements, while the same
{Continued on page 3)
Johnston to South
America on Point 4
Washington, Nov. 2. — Eric
Johnston will leave here next
Saturday for South America
on Point Four business, the
State Department announced.
Johnston, chairman of the
International Development
Advisory Board, will visit
Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina,
Uruguay, Chile, Bolivia, Peru
and Columbia to make per-
sonal observations of Point
Four. He is due back here on
Dec. 7.
Allied Convention
3rogram All Set;
Snaper to Preside
Chicago, Nov. 2. — The program for
the three-day Allied States Associa-
tion convention to be held in conjunc-
tion with the Theatre Equipment Sup-
ply Dealers Association meeting be-
ginning Monday, Nov. 17 at the Mor-
rison Hotel here was disclosed at the
weekend by Jack Kirsch, general con-
vention chairman and Illinois Allied
president. Wilbur Snaper, national
Allied president, will be permanent
chairman of the convention.
Trade practice complaints, the draft
of an industry system of arbitration,
{Continued on page 7)
Allied Arbitration
Group Meet Slated
Washington, Nov. 2— Allied States
Association will make no comment on
the revised arbitration draft until after
the Allied arbitration committee meets
in Chicago, at the end of next week,
general counsel Abram F. Myers said
over the weekend.
Myers had thought that he would
be able to consult with the arbitration
committee by mail, well in advance of
the Nov. 15 Allied Board meeting
which will go over the draft.
He said over the weekend, however,
that due to the importance of the sub-
{Continued on page 7)
81 Short Subjects
From RKO Pictures
completing preparations for on-the-
row, Election Day, when the nation
will go to - the polls to signify
whether Gen. D wight D. Eisen-
hower or Gov. Adlai E. Stevenson
will succeed Harry S. Truman as
President of the United States.
When the candidates themselves cast
their votes, when one concedes vic-
tory to the other, when victory cele-
brations commence in New York's
Times Square and other spots, news-
reel camera and sound men will be on
hand to record the reactions for the-
atre audiences.
Camera crews have been assigned
to the headquarters of both Presiden-
tial candidates ; to Independence, Mo.,
where President Truman will cast his
ballot, and to cities around the coun-
try where controversial figures com-
peting in Congressional contests will
go to the polling booths.
Newsreel processors and editors
will start to work on the reels early
Wednesday morning and the editions
{Continued on page 3)
Theatres Ready to
Report Vote Results
Being Set Up
Coast Group Is Pattern;
Basic Agreement Sought
A Motion Picture Labor Council
of New York, paralleling in form
and purpose the Hollywood A.F.L.
Film Council, soon will be set up
by a number of leaders of IATSE
Eastern locals, the "IA" international
office indicated here at the weekend.
The new organization's prim-
ary goal will be the signing of
a basic agreement with Eastern
film producers, such agreement
to be patterned after the so-
called Hollywood basic agree-
ment.
John J. Francavilla has been named
by "IA" international president Rich-
ard F. Walsh to serve as chairman of
the Eastern Council. Steve D'Inzilla,
business agent of Projectionists Local
No. 306, was elected to function as the
council's temporary secretary and also
as chairman of a committee to formu-
late a constitution and by-laws and
{Continued on page 7)
Loew's Theatres and houses of the
Fox West Coast circuit have joined
the growing list of theatres which
have disclosed plans to make special
announcements on Election Night on
the progress of returns in the Presi-
dential race.
In the East, Loew's Theatres in
Manhattan will brief its audience by
way of loud speakers during the lat-
ter part of the evening. Similar plans
have been announced by RKO The-
atres here, which has negotiated _ a
mutual promotion campaign with
{Continued on page 3)
Eighty-one short subjects will sup-
plement RKO Radio Pictures' feature
line-up in 1952-53, Sidney Kramer,
RKO short subjects sales manager,
disclosed here at the weekend.
Currently, Kramer added, "we are
formulating a program for production
and distribution in the 1953-54 season.
This planning will continue for several
months."
The 1952-53 schedule, which ends^m
August of next year, includes 13 RKO
Pathe specials, four two-reel Gil Lamb
comedies, two two-reel Newlywed
{Continued on page 7)
20th-Fox Meet to
Hear Field Reports
The 2'0th Century- Fox division man-
agers who will be in session in New
York Nov. 12-13, will report on con-
ditions in their respective areas with
a view towards "planning strategy en-
abling exhibitors to extract maximum
showmanship values on company at-
tractions going into release this year
and the first nine months of 1953,"
AX Lichtman, director of distribution,
announced over the weekend.
The merchandsing analysis, to be
coupled with advertising, publicity,
and exploitation plans on upcoming
(Continued on page 7)
932,219 Assets
Reported by 6IA'
Total assets of the IATSE
amounted to $932,219 and liabilities
totaled $30,987, according to the in-
dustry union's financial statement for
the year ended last July 31.
The statement listed total cash re-
ceipts for the year as $671,354, and
total cash disbursements as $566,541.
A special listing of convention
transportation and per diem funds in-
dicate that cash receipts for these pur-
poses totaled $123,036 and cash dis-
bursements totaled $14,436.
Local Level Accent
Put on MPIC Drive
An effort to place news-worthy
stories about the industry in local
newspapers throughout the country
highlights the public relations plan
adopted last week by the Motion Pic-
ture Industry Council in Hollywood,
Leonard Goldenson, president of United
Paramount Theatres and author of the
plan, explained here.
Goldenson said that under the plan,
local theatre managers will be fed
news stories about the industry which
they will be asked to pass on to their
local newspaper editors.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, November 3, 1952
Personal
Mention
ARNOLD GRANT, RKO Radio
XjL board chairman, is scheduled to
leave here for the Coast tomorrow or
Wednesday.
•
Clifford I. Cane, Eastern business
manager of Universal's advertising-
publicity department, became the
father of a second son, Robert Ed-
ward, born at Lenox Hill Hospital
here to Mrs. Cane.
•
James E. Tibbetts, managing direc-
tor of Loew's Orpheum Theatre in
Boston, has been installed as com-
mander of the Lt. A. Vernon Mac-
Cauley Post of the American Legion
there.
•
Mrs. A. N. Miles, wife of the
owner of the Eminence Theatre, Emi-
nence, Ky., is convalescing from a
heart attack in the King's Daughters
Hospital in Shelbyville, Ky.
•
Willis Hopewell, chief sound en-
gineer for the Switow Amusement Co.
in Louisville, has returned to that city
from a Florida vacation.
•
Linda Christian will be guest star
at the Press Club's silver anniversary
ball at the Chateau Laurier Hotel in
Ottawa.
•
Americo Aboaf, Universal's for-
eign sales manager, returned to New
York over the weekend from a nine-
week business trip around the world.
•
R. M. Savini, president of Astor
Pictures, will attend the Theatre Own-
ers of North and South Carolina con-
vention, Nov. 9-11.
•
Howard Schuessler, formerly with
Lam Amusement Co., Rome, Ga., has
been named head booker for Realart
Pictures, Atlanta.
•
Michael Havas, Latin American
supervisor for RKO Radio Pictures, is
in New York.
Ike Katz, president of the Kay Ex-
change, Atlanta, has returned here
from New Orleans.
•
J. E. Hobbs, Monogram Southern
Exchanges branch manager in At-
lanta, has returned there from Florida.
•
Irving Pichel, director-producer,
will arrive here today from Europe
aboard the 6".6". Liberte.
Ed Stevens, president of Stevens
Pictures, has returned to his Atlanta
office from Chicago.
•
Lynn Farnol returned to New
York from the Coast at the weekend.
No Paper Tomorrow
Motion Picture Daily will
not be published tomorrow,
Election Day, a legal holiday.
Tradewise . . .
(Continued from page 1)
tage point of the year 2052. Said
he:
"It must be borne in mind that
as early as 1953 the following
things were declared illegal- — -mind
you, only on paper. No one could
charge or quote the same price as
his competitors because, if he did,
he was guilty of 'conscious paral-
lelism of action.'
"Hence, all businessmen were
malefactors if they were smart
enough to know they couldn't get
more for their wares than their
competitors, and weren't dumb
enough to take less.
"If, when hailed before a court,
a defendant endeavored to prove
his prices were not frozen by con-
scious parallelism but fluctuated
with the exigencies of the competi-
tive market, then his evidences of
price dissimilarities would land him
in jail for illegal price discrimina-
tion.
"On March 8, 2003, the Depart-
ment of Justice sued 50,000 busi-
nessmen for pricing their goods by
conscious parallelism, and the Fed-
eral Trade Commission sued 50,000
for quoting different prices (to
wholesalers and retailers). No one
dared any longer to sell anything
at any price without first receiving
clearance from the Bureau of Eco-
nomic Control."
o
And of triple damages, the Fed-
eral Trade Commissioner had this
to say :
"The American CongTess supple-
mented its own enforcement (of the
anti-trust laws) by the offer of tre-
ble damages to any one who could
prove injury . . . beside which there
was an allowance of comfortable
attorneys' fees and costs as an add-
ed attraction, so lawyers got into
the game, too.
"No one could complain of this
technique as long as the govern-
ment was inadequately prepared to
enforce the laws for the public wel-
fare; but when the regulations
against all interstate commerce be-
came so ambivalent that whatever
you did was illegal, and govern-
ment proceeded to move into the
enforcement stage, private triple
damage suits lost moral justifica-
tion and became the happy hunting
ground for the reincarnations of
Black Beard, Jean Lafitte, Captain
Kidd and Long Ben.
"Private treble damage suits were
so profitable to lawyers during the
year 2003 that three Supreme Court
Justices, six Appeals Judges, and
932 other Federal officials resigned
to enter the field.
"But by the year 2001 so many
treble damages had been assessed
against companies that marshall's
levies and court sales shifted the
Texas COMPO Offers
Drought Prayer
Dallas, Nov. 2. — With
drought-stricken Texas and
the Southwest confronted
with a water supply adequate
for less than four months,
Texas COMPO has provided
theatres with a trailer, pre-
pared by Paul Short, Avhich
features a prayer for Divine
intervention to relieve the
emergency.
Kyle Rorex, Texas COMPO
executive director, reports
that showing of the trailer
in Texas theatres has brought
widespread commendation
from clergymen's organiza-
tions throughout the state.
Denies Report on
Salesmen's Expenses
Milwaukee, Nov. 2. — David Bez-
nor, general counsel of the Colosseum
of Motion Picture Salesmen of Amer-
ica, at the weekend "completely and
categorically" denied reports published
under a Minneapolis dateline that the
union members apparently were will-
ing to forego wage increases for
higher expense allowances.
"The Colosseum," Beznor said, "is
fully aware of the financial hardships
imposed upon the film salesmen by in-
adequate salaries and expense allow-
ances. Any effort to thwart the legiti-
mate aspirations of the film salesmen
will be vigorously resisted."
Danny Kaye Forms
Production Company
Hollywood, Nov. 2. — Film star
Danny Kaye has formed an independ-
ent production company with Norman
Panama and Melvin Frank, who re-
cently left Metro - Goldwyn - Mayer
where they had contracts as producer-
writer-directors.
Kaye will star in a musical titled
"Knock on Wood," which is to be
made in England next spring, as the
firm's first production.
Natural Vision Deal
Set By Gunzburg
Hollywood, Nov. 2. ■ — Milton L.
Gunzburg, president of Natural Vision
Corp., and Bob Clampitt have com-
pleted arrangements for production by
Clampitt of a feature film in the three-
dimensional process using characters
of the television show, "Time For
Beany."
entire corporate structure of Amer-
ican business from the entrepen-
nuers who had started companies to
industrial cuckoo birds — so-called
because they never built nests them-
selves but merely moved into pos-
session of going concerns through
treble damage ligitation."
Many in this industry will right-
fully regard Commissioner Mason's
remarks as more prophetic than
fanciful.
Newsreel
Parade
-DITTER FIGHTING for ridges in
J-) Korea is highlighted in current
newsreels. Also featured, are raging
typhoons in Indo-China, Illinois pris-
on rioting, Germany's donation of
bells for Hiroshima, Vishinsky's speech
at the UN, the French TV A dam,
and a szveepstakes winner.
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 8S-Typhoons
in Indo-China and the Philippines. Prison
rioters hold hostages. Battle, for ridges
rages in Korea. British naval manoeuvers
filmed for the motion picture "Single
Handed." Army helicopter assists "In-
vasion" manoeuvers. French motor maniacs
"on the ball." How it feels to win a $140,000
sweepstake.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 219— Des-
perate fighting on Korean hills. Command
performance of M-G-M's "Because You're
Mine." Prison mutiny. Flood in Venice.
Philadelphia Eagles -New York Giants foot-
ball game. Sweepstakes winner. New dare-
devil sport, "Moto-Polo." Presidential
oratory.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 22 — Prison
drama in Illinois. French TVA dam dedi-
cated. Royal film performance. Forest fires
out of control. Wrestling a-la-Paris. "Your
birthright to vote."
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 44B — Cam-
paign wind-up in New York. Forest fires
in Kentucky. Rioting convicts seize guards
in Illinois. Nehru visits dam construction.
Kenya police quell riots.
UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL, No. 409—
UN Assembly. Vishinsky orates as Korean
battle rages. Kesselring released in Ger-
many. Typhoon in Indo-China. New French
plane. German bells for Japan. New
sweaters and old yarn. Basketball benefit
for Hearst Free Milk Fund, College All
Stars vs. New York Knickerbockers.
WARNER PATHE, No. 24-Battle of the
ridges in Korea. Vishinsky in UN attacks
on Korea. Gen Kesselring freed from war
crimes prison. French open own TVA dam
in Rhone Valley. Queen and Philip open
dam in Wales. Ruhr sends bells to Hiro-
shima. Doris Day sparks Korean gift lift.
The political campaign winds up. Maryland
grid stars bar hribe attempt. San Francisco
49ers vs. Dallas football game.
New RKO Documentary
"The Sea Around Us" has been
completed as a feature-length docu-
mentary with color in Technicolor by
RKO Radio, and will have a special
release in December in order to
qualify for Academy Awards. Irwin
Allen both wrote and produced the
film.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center
THE HAPPY TIME"
starring
Charles BOYER • Louis JOURDAN
A Columbia Picture
plus
SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION
aitffl
SMKHBI
MldnlgM F«olv<»
Nightly
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsave, Consulting 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; Ravmond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J.
Brady, Secretary; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine
Building, William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074: Bruce Trinz. Editorial Representative. 11
North Clark Street, FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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; International Motion Picture 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. November 3, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
Vote Results
(Continued from page 1)
Reviews
radio station WINS. The Embassy
Newsreel Theatres will feature TV
sets in its lobbies. Most other cir-
cuits and independents also expect to
brief their audiences via loudspeakers.
Important returns, unless a land-
slide develops, are not expected until
late, in the evening. In New York,
patrons are being advised by news
stories that they will be out of the
theatre and back home to get the sig-
nificant results by TV.
Loew's Theatres in Manhattan will
be serviced by radio station WMGM,
those in Queens by the Long Island
Press and the Long Island Star-Jour-
nal, while those in Brooklyn will be
serviced by the Brooklyn Eagle. The
Paramount on Broadway will be ser-
viced by a special ticker supplied by
International News Service. An INS
spokesman said the Paramount was
the only theatre to contract for the
service in New York. It will feature
the use of special flashes on the screen.
Fox West Coast Theatres has made
arrangements for all of its houses
to announce late returns at intervals
or by slides.
The same practice will prevail
pretty much in most key theatres
throughout the country.
A. T. & T., Bell Allot More
Facilities for Election
The long lines department of the
American Telephone and Telegraph
Co., in co-operation with the Bell Sys-
tem, will make additional communica-
tions facilities available to the nation's
television, radio and press association
networks for Election Day news cov-
erage.
A. F. Jacobson, long lines director
of operations pointed out that the addi-
tion of these facilities would enable
the broadcasters and news agencies
to bring to the public the fastest, most
comprehensive news report of any
Presidential election in history.
The announcement said that on-the-
spot election programs would be trans-
mitted over almost 30,000 miles of
inter-city television channels and would
be available to 110 television stations
in 67 cities. It is estimated that of the
more than 18,700,000 television sets
now in use, 99 per cent of them would
be able to receive Election Day pro-
grams over the network.
"It Grows on Trees"
(Universal -International)
A NOVEL IDEA has been cleverly developed into a highly exploitable,
x amusing comedy that was heartily enjoyed by a sneak preview audience
and should be similarly received wherever it plays. Money, as exhibitors well
know, does not grow on trees, but it does in this Leonard Goldstein produc-
tion that was smartly directed by Arthur Lubin and is very engagingly played
by a cast headed by Irene Dunne.
The story and screenplay by Leonard Praskins and Barney Slater, based on
a Cosmopolitan magazine story, presents Miss Dunne as the wife of Dean
Jagger, a struggling accountant. Her impractical purchase of two young trees
turns into a gold mine when the trees start bearing five and ten dollar bills
Jagger is a very honest fellow and brushes off his wife's efforts to inform him
about the trees. She collects the bills in her coffee and sugar jars and writes
to Washington concerning their legality.
Convinced it is a gag, Treasury Department official Les Tremayne replies
that the money is legal and convinces other officials to write her similarly.
Miss Dunne believes the letters and gives Jagger $100 for expense money for
a business trip. She also refurnishes her home and pays off the mortgage,
giving the money to bank teller Richard Crenna, who is engaged to Miss
Dunne's daughter, Joan Evans.
Unknown to Miss Dunne, the money has other characteristics of leaves,
such as fading and crumbling. Jagger returns after having been arrested for
passing counterfeit money and Crenna is demoted after he refuses to remember
who gave him the money. Miss Dunne's neighbor, Edith Meiser, who had
stolen the money from the coffee and sugar jars, is arrested making a bank-
deposit. Miss Dunne reveals all to the newspapers, government officials inves-
tigate as the trees are dying and all ends happily as a new bud reveals money.
Miss Dunne's performance is adroit and bulwarks the cast, which includes
Frank Ferguson, Malcolm Lee Beggs, Forrest Lewis, Sandy Descher, Dee
Pollack, and Bob Sweeney.
Running time, 84 minutes. General audience classification. November release.
Walter Pashkin
Short
Subject
Newsreel Crews
(Continued from page 1)
will be shipped out the evening of that
day instead of on Thursday as nor-
mally.
Virtually all of the reels shipped
Wednesday will be devoted exclusively
to the Election Day events. This
definitely applies to Warner Pathe
Newsreel and Paramount Newsreel.
It very likely will be the case with
Fox Movietone News, Universal
Newsreel and News of the Day, al-
though these companies released no
information on that point at the week-
end.
Since the reels will not be made up
until the new President and Vice-
President are elected beyond all doubt,
the companies concede that crews,
processors and editors are in for some
hectic last minute action, particularly
if the returns show a neck-and-neck
race throughout the day and evening.
Negatives will be shipped to labora-
tories by plane and the prints will be
delivered in the same fashion when
they are ready.
Hangman's Knot
( Columbia Pictures)
RANDOLPH SCOTT stars in this unusually fine Western that is loaded
with suspense, has been finely photographed in color by Technicolor, and
has first-rate production values. Scott was associate producer with Harry Joe
Brown and with the considerable aid of writer-director Roy Huggms, an
immensely entertaining outdoor drama that is long on action and short on
words has been fashioned. It should keep box-offices busy.
The story concerns a band of Confederate soldiers, led by Scott in 1865
who achieve their mission of ambushing and. capturing a Union shipment of
oold only to discover the Civil War had ended a month previous. They are
beset by local Yankees seeking the gold who have a legitimate excuse for
eliminating them.
Eventually the Rebels are surrounded in a mountain stage station. The gold
causes lust and dissension within their ranks, as the vigilantes await outside
the station. An additional irritant is a party of four hostages, including nurse
Donna Reed and cowardly trader Richard Denning. An escape is planned and
culminates in the dynamiting and burning of the station,, furious gunplay, and
the death of just about everyone but Scott, Miss Reed and one or two others.
Performances are uniformly good. In notable support of the stars are
Claude Jarman, Jr., Ray Teal, Frank Faylen, Glenn Langan and Lee Marvin.
Also in the cast are Jeanette Nolan, Clem Bevans, Guinn (Big Boy) Williams,
Monte Blue, John Call and Reed Howes. .
Running time, 84' minutes. General audience classification. For November
release.
"Thunder in the East"
(Paramount)
THE LAND OF INDIA is the locale of this melodrama, starring the
marquee names of Alan Ladd, Deborah Kerr, Charles Boyer and Cormne
Calvet. Best results in selling "Thunder in the East should be found in
accenting the action highlights in the film, for it falls short m other depart-
ments. The cast, headed by Ladd, should also help the box-office. .
The tale which runs along formula lines, finds Ladd, a free-booting Ameri-
can adventurer in India on a munitions selling mission. He tries to sell guns
to the Maharajah of an Indian province, threatened by nefarious bandits feed-
ino- on the unrest caused by India's independence from Britam. The Mahara-
jah's secretary, Charles Boyer, turns him down on the philosophical grounds
that the only means to quell unrest is by non-violence. The duel between the
conflicting philosophies of fighting fire-with-fire and non-violence represents
the crux of the problem posed by the picture. In a contrived climax, Ladd s
viewpoint of striking back wins out. ■
The love interest is supplied bv Deborah Kerr, who plays the part ot a
young blind Englishwoman caught with her countrymen m the midst of Indian
^Everett Riskin produced, while Charles Vidor directed from a screenplay
bv Toe Swerling, based on a novel by Alan Moorehead. Others m the cast
include Cecil Kellaway, Mark Cavell, John Abbott, Philip Bourneuf and John
WRu™in°- time 98 minutes. General audience classification. For January
release " ' Murray Horowitz
"Joy of Living"
(Art Films-20th Century-Fox) _
Renoir's distinctive style of painting,
which is familiar to multitudes, even
to those who give only casual atten-
tion to art shop windows, is given
intimate attention in this, one of 20th-
Fox's short subject series on great
masterpieces. Producers Marilyn Sil-
verstone and Boris Vermont have put
on the screen in color by Technicolor
numbers of famous Renoir works deal-
ing with the enchantment of Paris in
springtime, with its sidewalk cafes,
flower markets, handsome men and
beautiful women, and many other sub-
jects. The life and beauty which the
great artist put on canvas is brought
to the fore by the camera as a young
man walking in New York's Central
Park calls to mind the Paris of
Renoir.
This film manifestly is a most desir-
able item for any theatre's program.
Certainly it deserves to be advertised
along with the feature, not only for
the entertainment value it carries but
because pictures of this quality tend
to add to a theatre's reputation as a
center of enlightenment as well as of
amusement. Running time, 10 min-
utes.
7 From Paramount
(Continued from page 1)
producer's "The Stooge," set for gen-
eral release also in February, is being-
offered for special pre-release New
Year's Eve showings.
Three releases are scheduled for
January. They include: "Road to
Ball," Technicolor, starring- Bing
Crosby, Bob Hope and Dorothy La-
mour ; "Thunder in the East," starring
Alan Ladd, Charles Boyer, Deborah
Kerr and Corinne Calvet, and "Tropic
Zone," Technicolor, with a cast headed
by Ronald Reagan, Rhonda Fleming
and Estelita.
For February: "Come Back, Little
Sheba," starring Burt Lancaster and
Shirley Booth, and "The Stooge,"
Dean Martin-Jerry Lewis comedy
with Marion Marshall, Polly Bergen
and Eddie Mayehoff.
Set for March are : "The Stars Are
Singing," Technicolor musical mark-
ing the screen debut of Rosemary
Clooney, and starring also Anna
Maria Alberghetti and Lauritz Mel-
chior, and "Pleasure Island," Tech-
nicolor, with a cast' headed by Don
Taylor, Leo Genn, Elsa Lanchester,
Joan Elan, Audrey Dalton and Dor-
othy Bromiley.
Astor Upstate N. Y.
Rights to Sylvan Left
Sylvan Leff, head of Realart Pic-
tures of Albany, N. Y., has acquired
exclusive theatrical distribution rights
to all Astor Pictures product for up-
state New York, which includes the
Albany and Buffalo territories, it was
reported here by R. M. Savini, Astor
president.
With this addition, Astor's franchise
holders in the U. S. and Canada now
total 31.
Charles S hour as Lunch
Charles Skouras, head of Wesco
Theatres, who is here from Los An-
geles, will be host to the trade press at
luncheon today at the St. Moritz
Hotel.
PARAMOUNT HAS SOMETHING SO HQ
ALL OTHER FIRE PICTURES OUT OF
"Maybe because it's a genuine
forest fire in the Nevada
Sierras, maybe because Tech-
nicolor and technology have
never collaborated more con-
genially in the interests of
melodrama, the fire section of
the film is THE BEST EVER
SEEN. Figures to draw like a—
what else?— forest fire."
— M. P. Herald
"Audiences can almost
feel the heat of the
blaze. Terrific forest
fire can be exploited
to strong returns."
— Boxoffice
"Lusty, action - packed
drama . . . excellent
Technicolor and heli-
copter rescue in
burning forest."
— Film Daily
"Definitely a boxoffice success.
A big, handsome outdoor adven-
ture saga that because of its
spectacular trappings, plentiful
action and Technicolor should
attract capacity audiences."
— Showmen's Trade Review
IHAT "IT BURNS
IMORY!" says Motion
oaded with exploita-
ion possibilities. Has
ne of most exciting
orest fires on record,
oth in spectacle and
ealism."
— Independent
"Payne and Miss Morrow
team excellently. He
puts over the rugged
requirements and she
treats the eye."
'—Daily Variety
JOHN PAYNE
WILLIAM
AGNES
RICHARD
SUSAN
DEMUREST
Directed by EDWARD LUDWIG • Written
and WINSTON MILLER - Produced by
MOOREHEADARLEN MORROW
for the Screen by EEWIS R. FOSTER
H.PINE and WILLIAM C.T
6
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, November 3, 1952
FCC Authorizes 10
More TV Stations
Washington, Nov. 2.— The Fed-
eral Communications Commission has
authorized Great Plains Television
Properties, Inc., to build two commer-
cial television stations — one in Sioux
City, la., and one in Little Rock,
Ark.
Great Plains, which has already re-
ceived a grant for a television station
in Duluth, is owned by Transconti-
nental Properties, Inc. Largest stock-
holders in Transcontinental are Al-
fred Berger and Herbert Scheftel,
who operate newsreel theatres in the
Midwest, Florida and the West Coast.
The Commission also authorized the
construction of eight additional com-
mercial television stations. They are :
Star Broadcasting Co., Pueblo, Colo. ;
WATR, Inc., Waterbury, Conn. ; Tri-
City Radio Corp., Muncie, Ind. ;
Booth Radio and Television Stations,
Inc., Battle Creek, Mich. ; radio sta-
tion WISE, Inc., Ashville, N. C. ;
Neptune Broadcasting Corp. ; Atlantic
City, N. J.; WCSC, Inc., Charleston,
S. C, and Associated Broadcasters,
Inc., Bethlehem, Pa.
In all, the FCC has made 92 tele-
vision station grants since the "freeze"
was lifted last July. Five of these
stations are already in operation — two
in Denver ; one in Lubbock, Tex. ; one
in Austin, Tex. and one in Portland,
Ore. There were 108 stations in oper-
ation before the freeze was lifted.
There are almost 900 television ap-
plications still pending before the
Commission.
Asks NCAA to Probe
Basketball TV
Chicago, Nov. 2.— De Paul Uni-
versity has petitioned the National
Collegiate Athletic Association to in-
vestigate detrimental effects of the
televising of basketball games on at-
tendance, Walter Byers, executive di-
rector of the NCCA revealed here.
The matter has been turned over to
the NCAA TV committee for study
and consideration.
De Paul, which uses the Chicago
Stadium, with a seating capacity of
over 20,000, as its home court, claims
that attendance at its games was down
materially during the past season on
nights when other major games were
telecast, citing attendance of only
10,000 at a double header last Feb. 23
when the Illinois-Iowa game at Cham-
paign was televised over a Chicago
station on the same night.
Broderick Crawford
Forms Film Firm
Hollywood, Nov. 2. — Broderick
Crawford Enterprises has been formed
for the purpose of packaging, produc-
ing and developing motion picture and
television properties.
Crawford will function as president,
Milton Cashy as vice-president and
treasurer, and Robert L. Cashy as
secretary and general manager in
charge of production.
Get Your Special XMAS
^Trailers On GREEN FILM
From Good Old Dependable
FILMACK
You Can Always Count On Us
For Top Quality and Fast Service
1557 S. WABASH 630 NINTH AVfNUE
CHICAGO 5, ILL, NIW YORK 36, N.Y
Television — Radio
— with Pinky Herman --
John Gart
CBS' new series of "Omnibus" Telecasts, which debuts Sunday
(4:30-6:00 P.M.) will feature Maxwell Anderson's dramatic
"The Trial of Anne Boleyn," and William Saroyan's one-act play,
"The Bad Men.". . . An experimental presentation of "Bob & Ray"
on Dave Garroway's "Today" series last August proved so success-
ful that the NB Comedy team starts as regulars on the TV program
Thursday. . . . Our idea of a natural for motion pictures is Jack
Lescoulie, whose style and delivery has rewarded him with the an-
nouncing chores on the "Jackie Gleason CBS-TV Show.". . . Adolphe
Menjou is due back from a European picture assignment to star in
and narrate the new series of telefilms, "Favorite Story," for Ziv
TV Productions, Inc. . . . The late Jerome Kern composed scores
for 76 musicals. ... A medallion of honor for bravery will be
awarded by the Women's National Institute to Jane Froman, CBStar
of "U.S.A. Canteen," TV programs.
_A_ _A_
The clever special music for the dance team of Sinclair &
Spaulding, featured Monday nights on the NBC-TV "Paul
Winchell Show," is composed by the pro-
gram's musical director, John Gart, who
for many years has also composed and pro-
vided mood and theme music on the organ
for daily soaperas. . . . Alice J. Heinecke's
words about music, published regularly in
Sesac's Monthly Journal, are highly in-
formative and most interesting accounts of
people behind the musical scene. . . . Pub-
licists Guild, now in its third year, will hold
its second annual press party, Thursday,
Nov. 6, at the Vanderbilt Hotel in N. Y.
This org's adherence to the lofty ideals and
noble purposes embodied in the preamble
to its constitution, enhances the members'
worth to themselves, their clients and the press. ... Ed CBSul-
livan's "Toast of the Town" will televise the "Samuel Gold-
wyn Story" in two instalments, Dec. 14 and 21. . . . Paula Stone
rocks us with the sage, safe and sane observation, "America
will always be as sturdy as an oak as long as it has branches
like the Army, Navy and Marines.". . .
Two new advertisers, Block Drug Co. and James Lees & Sons
Co.' will be added to the "Kate Smith Hour" TVehicle's group
of co-op sponsors. The former will pick up the tab for the 4:30-
4:45 P.M. slot every Tuesday, beginning Nov. 25, and the latter
will occupy the 4:15-4:30 P.M. segment every Monday, teeing off
Dec. 8. . . . That grand old man of music, the famous W . C.
Handy, whose "St. Louis Blues," is immortal, will be honored
with a birthday dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New
York, Nov. 13. . . . Following in the footsteps of his illustrious
dad, Dr. Edwin Franko {America's March King) Goldman, is
Richard Franko Goldman, facidty member of the Juilliard School
of Music, who has been named visiting lecturer at Princeton Uni-
versity's Dep't. of Music. He'll also conduct the university baud.
. . . Her Derby waxing of "Wheel Of Fortune," proved a personal
disc of destiny to chantootsie Sunny Gale who makes her Broad-
way debut Wednesday at the Paramount Theatre. . . . Mike Pin-
gatore, for 30 years a featured banjoist with Pops Whit email's
orchestra, died, Thursday in Hollywod. . . . After seven years as
Harry Wismer's gal Friday, Catherine (Kay) Ross has resigned.
ft ft ft
LOTS A DOTS. . . . The Dennis Days (Peggy Almquist) became
the parents of their fourth child, Margaret, Tuesday. The other
three children, all boys, are named Patrick, Dennis and Michael. . . .
Composer-conductor Dimitri Tiomkin's theme song, "High Noon,"
of Stanley Kramer's hit flicker of the same name, has just been
recorded by Fred Waring and Billy May orks on Decca and Capitol
records, respectively. . . . ABC has until Dec. 26 to sell "The Adven-
tures of Ellery Queen" to another sponsor else the popular whodunit
may go to any sponsor on any network via Norman & Irving Pincus,
owners and producers of the package. . . . Starting her 20th anni-
versary on the air is Susan Cost, whose "Mary Lee Taylor" series
was launched back in 1930. NBCurrently sponsored by Pet Milk,
the program originated from St. Louis. . . . Short story: 1947,
16,500 TV receiving sets. 1952, 18,500,000. . . . Titus Moody,
WORacle has a friend who is positive there is no life on the planet
Mars. For proof he declares, "Mars has never asked the U. S. for
a loan."
$2,890,000 Mexican
Production Subsidy
Mexico City, Nov. 2. — Use
of $2,890,000 which the gov-
ernment has provided to fi-
nance production has been
started by the trade's own
bank, the semi-official Banco
Nacional Cinematografico.
Among the first benefactors
were Argel Films, Produc-
ciones Miguel Zacarias and
Fernando Soler y Sanchez
Tello, who hitherto were in-
dependent of the bank. They
were financed for one picture
each. Others receiving aid are
regular clients of the bank.
The bank, in its latest bal-
ance sheet, announced loans,
credits and discounts totaling
$1,389,453, and $1,900,000 of its
bonds in circulation.
Tulsa Theatre Post
To Ralph Drewry
Tulsa, Nov. 2. — Ralph Drewry has
been named general manager of Tulsa
Downtown Theatres, effective Dec. 1.
He will succeed J. C. Hunter, who is
resigning to operate the New Yorker
Hotel at Ft.. Lauderdale, Fla., which
he has purchased.
Both Hunter and Drewry have been
with Tulsa Downtown Theatres — the
Ritz, Rialto, Orpheum and Majestic —
for more than 20 years. Both started
in the theatre business as ushers. Tulsa
Downtown is operated by Majestic
Amusement Co. and Ritz Theatre,
Inc., of which J. Harold Harris of
Dallas, is president. The houses were
formerly owned by Ralph Talbot.
Hunter is a director of the Theatre
Owners of Oklahoma.
Buffalo Tent Will
Toast Leff Today
Buffalo, Nov. 2. — Tent No. 7,
Variety Club of Buffalo, will give
a testimonial luncheon tomorrow for
David Leff, United Artists branch
manager here for several years who
has been transferred to a similar post
in Cleveland.
Mannie A. Brown is now manager
of the local UA office, coming here
from Cleveland. Brown for many
years was manager of the local Para-
mount exchange and also was man-
ager of the same company's branch in
Toronto before coming to Buffalo.
Alma Theatre Destroyed
Atlanta, Nov. 2— A fire of un-
determined origin destroyed the Alma
Theatre, Alma, Ga., a unit of Stein
Theatres. Damage was estimated at
between $75,000 and $100,000.
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
Monday, November 3, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
7
In the THEATRE
Equipment
World . . .
. . with RAY GALLO
ANEW metering device for count-
ing the number of automobiles
passing over any designated location
has been announced by Mobile Wash-
O-Matic and Engineering Co., Bur-
bank, Cal. The unit can be placed on
the ground at a drive-in entrance or
any other desired area. Called the
"Carometer," it is constructed of heavy
gauge steel. It is available in two
models, one with a locked counter and
readily visible ; the other model has
the metering device in a locked box.
•
A new line of rubber tile flooring
designed for commercial installa-
tion has been introduced by Congo-
leum-Nairn, Inc., Kearney, N. J.
Marketed under the "Gold Seal"
label, the product is available in
tiles 6 by 6, 9 by 9, 12 by 12 and 18
by 27 inches. There are 20 patterns
in the '/8 -hitch thick tiles, 10 of
which are available also in 3/32-inch
thickness. A descriptive folder in
color can be secured from the com-
pany.
•
A four-page technical bulletin (No.
23-2) describing its expanded line of
series No. 23 gas-fired unit heaters
has been issued by the United States
Air Conditioning Corp. of Minne-
polis. The new line includes a num-
ber of sizes with B. T. U. capacities
from 55,000 to 400,000 per hour and
burns all types of gas at the rated ca-
pacities. Included in the booklet arc
capacity tables and roughing-in di-
mensions for the complete unit heater
line. The literature can be obtained
by writing to the company at 33rd
and Como Avenue, S. E., Minneapolis.
•
Visitors to the Theatre Seat Service
Co.'s booth (No. 50) at the TESMA-
TEDA-Allied States trade show in
Chicago Nov. 17-19 will be given a
chance to win a deluxe electric alarm
radio by guessing the age of a rehabili-
tated theatre seat which will be on
display. All unsuccessful participants
will be given a souvenir. Staffing the
booth will be Fred H. Massey, presi-
dent of the company, and F. S. Law-
rence, production manager.
•
Stewart E. Lauer, president of
the York Corp., York, Pa., manufac-
turers of air conditioning equip-
ment, and a national vice-president
of the National Association of Man-
ufacturers, has been presented with
an honorary doctor of laws degree
by Ursinus College at Collegeville,
Pa. Lauer received the degree for
his "outstanding work as an engi-
neer, industrialist and citizen," ac-
cording to N. E. McClure, president
of the college.
•
Election of Hubert J. Schlafly, Jr..
as vice-president in charge of engi-
neering for the TelePrompter Corp.,
New York City, has been announced
by Irving B. Kahn, executive vice-
president. The corporation manufac-
tures and leases an electronically syn-
chronised and controlled prompting
device widely used in motion pictures
and television.
Allied Meet
(Continued from page 1)
the government's 16mm. anti-trust
suit, theatre television, the Council of
Motion Picture Organizations' cam-
paign for repeal of the Federal ad-
mission tax and numerous other trade
developments will be discussed and
acted upon by the delegates.
Film clinics, beginning in the after-
noon following welcoming and keynote
speeches in the morning by Snaper
and Kirsch, respectively, will high-
light the first day's activities. There
will be six clinics held under coordi-
nator William A. Carroll: (1) For
small towns, (3,500 or less), Charles
Niles, chairman ; (2) large towns, (up
to 25,000), Ben Marcus, chairman;
(3) large cities, John Wolf berg,
chairman; (4) key neighborhood and
sub runs, Morris Finkel, chairman;
(5) outdoor theatres, Rube Shor,
chairman; (6) circuit buyers and bid-
ding, Irving Dollinger, chairman. The
film clinics will be carried over into
the morning session on Tuesday.
Monday evening will feature a re-
view of the TESMA trade show.
Demonstration of RCA's large
screen television will highlight the
Tuesday afternoon session. N. L.
Halpern, president of Theatre Net-
work Television, will lead a panel dis-
cussion over the closed circuit. Others
participating will be Trueman Rem-
busch, chairman, Kirsch, Leon R.
Back, Snaper, Wolfberg and Nathan
Yamins, all of the Allied television
committee.
Late Tuesdav afternoon an open
forum will be held.
Another review of the TESMA
trade show and committee meetings
will dominate the morning session on
Wednesday, with a second open forum
set for the afternoon. An industry
banquet will be held in the evening, to
end the three-day meeting.
Slight Decrease in
Coast Production
Hollywood, Nov. 2. — The produc-
tion index shows a decrease of two
points, for a total of 34 pictures in
work. Four new pictures were started
and six finished.
Started were : "The Roar of the
Crowd," Allied Artists ; "Fast Com-
pany," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ; "Split
Second," RKO Radio; "Nearer My
God to Thee," 20 th Century-Fox.
Completed were : "Star of Texas," Al-
lied Artists ; "Houdini," Paramount ;
"Man on a Tight Rope," "Baptism of
Fire," and "The President's Lady,"
20th Century-Fox; "I Confess," War-
ner Brothers.
Film Council
(Continued from page 1)
Legion Places Four
Films in Class B
The Legion of Decency has placed
four films in Class B and 10 in Class
A, Sections I and II.
The Class B films are: "The Steel
Trap" and "Bloodhounds of Broad-
way," 20th Century- Fox; "Every-
thing I Have Is Yours," M-G-M, and
"The Iron Mistress," Warner
Brothers.
plans for financing.
Roy M. Brewer, IATSE Coast rep-
resentative, recently came East to as-
sist in planning what is described as
a superstructure for locals here. He
explained what the locals on the Coast
have accomplished, with special _ em-
phasis on the contracts between inde-
pendent producers and the IATSE.
Participants in the Hollywood coun-
cil include such non-IATSE unions
as the Screen Actors Guild and
Screen Extras Guild. Whether the
Eastern council ultimately will include
other than "IA" locals is not yet
known.
In addition to Walsh, Francavilla
and D'Inzilla, New York Council
planners include :
Daniel Doran, Studio Mechanics
Local 52; James DiGangi, Assistant
Directors Local 161 ; Herman Gelber
and Harry Garfman, Local 306 ; Jay
Rescher and Fred Fordham, Camera-
men's Local 644; George Waugh and
Paul D. Press, Laboratory Techni-
cians Local 702; Maurice Scanlan,
Wardrobe Attendants Local 764 ; Fred
Jacobs, Film Editors Local 771, and
Herman Buckman, Make-Up Artists
and Hair Stylists Local 798.
Allied Arbitration
(Continued from page 1)
ject the Allied arbitration committee
had given up the idea of analyzing the
arbitration draft by mail and had de-
cided instead to meet as soon as the
members arrive in Chicago, prior to
the board meeting.
Md. Censor Reversed
Baltimore, Nov. 2.— Three of four
sequences which the Maryland film
censor board had ordered deleted from
the film "Damaged Lives" were or-
dered restored by Judge S. Ralph
Warnken in City Court here on ap-
peal.
81 Short Subjects
(Continued from page 1)
comedies, six two-reel Leon Errol
comedies, in re-release, six Edgar
Kennedy comedies, in re-release, two
musical two-reel re-releases, 13 one-
reel RKO Pathe Sportscopes and 13
one-reel RKO Pathe Screenliners, all
in black and white.
In addition, there will be 18 new
Walt Disney Technicolor one-reelers,
two True-Life Adventures, and a
special short program entitled "Mickey
Mouse's Birthdav Party," celebrating
the 25th birthday anniversary of
Mickey.
A special RKO Pathe film will be
"Operation A-Bomb," first film show-
ing the explosion of one of the bombs
in color. Done in Eastman color, it is
scheduled for January release.
20th-Fox Meet
(Continued from page 1)
product presented by vice-president
Charles Einfeld and members of his
staff, will be aimed at pinpointing
national campaigns to fit regional
and local conditions.
Special emphasis will be placed on
the releases scheduled during the
branch managers' testimonial in effect
through Dec. 27 of this year. The
slate, headed by Darryl F. Zanuck's
"The Snows of Kilimanjaro," in-
cludes "Stars and Stripes Forever,"
Damon Runyon's "Bloodhounds of
Broadway," "The Steel Trap," "The
Thief of Venice," "Pony Soldier," and
"My Pal Gus."
GREAT MOTION PICTURES ARE PROCESSED BY PATHE
PAUL WHITE, President of P SI -TV, Inc.,
Producers and Distributors of TV-Films, says:
"It takes a highly skilled laboratory to
perform our many varied and exacting
technical requirements plus a depend-
able organization to meet daily program
deadlines. We use Pathe Labs."
If your films, too, are different
and need the most versatile
laboratory treatment—
creative ability, high quality and
speed— we invite your inquiry.
PSI-TV's Pathe-processed pro-
grams include: "China Smith?
"Playhouse of Stars" and other
outstanding television series in
addition to 68 current full-
length features.
Both New York and Hollywood Have Complete Pathe Laboratory Facilities:
35MM • l6MM • COLOR • BLACK AND WHITE
Pathe Laboratories, Inc. is a subsidiary of Chesapeake Industries, Inc.
52 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS
ALL THESE GREAT 20th ATTRACTIONS AVAILABLE FOR THE HOLIDAYS
The Greatest Musical Show on Earth!
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CO-STARRING
DEBRA PAGET • ROBERT WAGNER
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Sensation of the Industry!
ERNEST HEMINGWAY'S
THE SNOWS OF
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MOTION PICTURE H^H
"™ ^ A — — MAIL
EMTIOMl
VOL. 72. NO. 87
NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1952
TEN CENTS
Tradewise . . .
By SHERWIN KANE
A serious Federal offense, pre-
sumably equal in heinousness
to counterfeiting, has been devel-
oped by some jurists, with the en-
couragement of the Attorney Gen-
eral's prosecutors. In their parlance
it has become known as "conscious
parallelism of action."
The offense is committed when
more than one business man, bow-
ing to the dictates of his market,
sells his service or commodity on
the same basis as does his com-
petitors. It has loomed large in the
trial of a number of motion picture
anti-trust suits for treble damages
in recent years.
It is, therefore, interesting to
note what the Hon. Lowell B. Ma-
son of the U. S. Federal Trade
Commission had to say on the sub-
ject in a recent speech before the
23rd annual meeting of the Cana-
dian Chamber of Commerce in
Toronto.
Commissioner Mason, comment-
ing on the governmental and legal
theories being applied to industry,
assumed he was regarding their
inevitable aftermath from the van-
(Continued on page 2)
7 from Paramount in
1st Quarter of '53
Paramount will release seven pro-
ductions in the first three months of
1953, according to A. W. Schwalberg,
president of Paramount Film Distrib-
uting Corp. Four of the seven will
have color by Technicolor.
Hal Wallis' "Come Back, Little
Sheba," which is listed for February,
will be available only for special pre-
release engagements, while the same
(Continued on page 3)
Newsreel Crews Poised for
Election Day Activities
The newsreel companies today are completing preparations for on-the-
spot coverage of the events of tomorrow, Election Day, when the nation
will go to the polls to signify
Allied Convention
Program All Set;
Snaper to Preside
Chicago, Nov. 2. — The program for
the three-day Allied States Associa-
tion convention to be held in conjunc-
tion with the Theatre Equipment Sup-
ply Dealers Association meeting be-
ginning Monday, Nov. 17 at the Mor-
rison Hotel here was disclosed at the
weekend by Jack Kirsch, general con-
vention chairman and Illinois Allied
president. Wilbur Snaper, national
Allied president, will be permanent
chairman of the convention.
Trade practice complaints, the draft
of an industry system of arbitration,
(Continued on page 7)
Johnston to South
America on Point 4
Washington, Nov. 2.— Eric
Johnston will leave here next
Saturday for South America
on Point Four business, the
State Department announced.
Johnston, chairman of the
International Development
Advisory Board, will visit
Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina,
Uruguay, Chile, Bolivia, Peru
and Columbia to make per-
sonal observations of Point
Four. He is due back here on
Dec. 7.
Allied Arbitration
Group Meet Slated
Washington, Nov. 2. — Allied States
Association will make no comment on
the revised arbitration draft until after
the Allied arbitration committee meets
in Chicago, at the end of next week,
general counsel Abram F. Myers said
over the weekend.
Myers had thought that he would
be able to consult with the arbitration
committee by mail, well in advance oi
the Nov. 15 Allied Board meeting
which will go over the draft.
He said over the weekend, however,
that due to the importance of the sub
(Continued on page 7)
81 Short Subjects
From RKO Pictures
Eighty-one short subjects will sup
plement RKO Radio Pictures' feature
line-up in 1952-53, Sidney Kramer,
RKO short subjects sales manager,
disclosed here at the weekend.
Currently, Kramer added, "we are
formulating a program for production
and distribution in the 1953-54 season.
This planning will continue for several
months."
The 1952-53 schedule^ which ends in
August of next year, includes 13 RKO
Pathe specials, four two-reel Gil Lamb
comedies, two two-reel Newlywed
(Continued on page 7)
whether Gen. Dwight D. Eisen-
hower or Gov. Adlai E. Stevenson
will succeed Harry S. Truman as
President of the United States.
When the candidates themselves cast
their votes, when one concedes vic-
tory to the other, when victory cele-
brations commence in New York's
Times Square and other spots, news-
reel camera and sound men will be on
hand to record the reactions for the-
atre audiences.
Camera crews have been assigned
to the headquarters of both Presiden-
tial candidates ; to Independence, Mo.,
where President Truman will cast his
ballot, and to cities around the coun-
try where controversial figures com-
peting in Congressional contests will
go to the polling booths.
Newsreel processors and editors
will start to work on the reels early
Wednesday morning and the editions
(Continued on page 3)
Theatres Ready to
Report Vote Results
Loew's Theatres and houses of the
Fox West Coast circuit have joined
the growing list of theatres which
have disclosed plans to make special
announcements on Election Night on
the progress of returns in the Presi-
dential race.
In the East, Loew's Theatres in
Manhattan will brief its audience by
way of loud speakers during the lat-
ter part of the evening. Similar plans
have been announced by RKO The-
atres here, which has negotiated a
mutual promotion campaign with
(Continued on page 3)
Eastern Film
Labor Council
Being Set Up
Coast Group Is Pattern;
Basic Agreement Sought
A Motion Picture Labor Council
of New York, paralleling in form
and purpose the Hollywood A.F.L.
Film Council, soon will be set up
by a number of leaders of IATSE
Eastern locals, the "IA" international
office indicated here at the weekend.
The new organization's prim-
ary goal will be the signing of
a basic agreement with Eastern
film producers, such agreement
to be patterned after the so-
called Hollywood basic agree-
ment.
John J. Francavilla has been named
by "IA" international president Rich-
ard F. Walsh to serve as chairman of
the Eastern Council. Steve D'Inzilla,
business agent of Projectionists Local
No. 306, was elected to function as the
council's temporary secretary and also
as chairman of a committee to formu-
late a constitution and by-laws and
(Continued on page 7)
20th-Fox Meet to
Hear Field Reports
The 20th Century-Fox division man-
agers who will be in session in New
York Nov. 12-13, will report on con-
ditions in their respective areas with
a view towards "planning strategy en-
abling exhibitors to extract maximum
showmanship values on company at-
tractions going into release this year
and the first nine months of 1953,"
Al Lichtman, director of distribution,
announced over the weekend.
The merchandsing analysis, to be
coupled with, advertising, publicity,
and exploitation plans on upcoming
(Continued on page 7)
IATSE 1 s financial
statement for the year
ended last July 31 dis-
closes total assets of the
union amounted to $932,-
219 and liabilities to-
taled $30,987. The state-
ment listed total cash
receipts as $671,354, and
total cash disbursements
as $566,541.
Under the public rela-
tions plan adopted by the
MPIC in Hollywood last:
week, Leonard Goldenson,
UPT head and author of the
plan, explained here that
local theatre managers
will be fed news stories
about the industry which
they will be asked to pass
on to local papers and ra-
dio and TV stations. All
UPT houses will cooperate
in the plan, he said.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, November 3, 1952
Personal
Mention
ARNOLD GRANT, RKO Radio
board chairman, is scheduled to
leave here for the Coast tomorrow or
Wednesday.
Clifford I. Cane, Eastern business
manager of Universal's advertising-
publicity department, became the
father of a second son, Robert Ed-
ward, born at Lenox Hill Hospital
here to Mrs. Cane.
•
James E. Tibbetts, managing direc-
tor of Loew's Orpheum Theatre in
Boston, has been installed as com-
mander of the Lt. A. Vernon Mac-
Cauley Post of the American Legion
there.
•
Mrs. A. N. Miles, wife of the
owner of the Eminence Theatre, Emi-
nence, Ky., is convalescing from a
heart attack in the King's Daughters
Hospital in Shelbyville, Ky.
•
Willis Hopewell, chief sound en-
gineer for the Switow Amusement Co.
in Louisville, has returned to that city
from a Florida vacation.
•
Linda Christian will be guest star
at the Press Club's silver anniversary
ball at the Chateau Laurier Hotel in
Ottawa.
•
Americo Aboaf, Universal's for-
eign sales manager, returned to New
York over the weekend from a nine-
week business trip around the world.
•
R. M. Savini, president of Astor
Pictures, will attend the Theatre Own-
ers of North and South Carolina con-
vention, Nov. 9-11.
•
Howard Schuessler, formerly with
Lam Amusement Co., Rome, Ga., has
been named head booker for Realart
Pictures, Atlanta.
•
Michael Havas, Latin American
supervisor for RKO Radio Pictures, is
in New York.
•
Ike Katz, president of the Kay Ex-
change, Atlanta, has returned here
from New Orleans.
•
J. E. Hobbs, Monogram Southern
Exchanges branch manager in At-
lanta, has returned there from Florida.
Irving Pichel, director-producer,
will arrive here today from Europe
aboard the 5. 5". Liberte.
•
Ed Stevens, president of Stevens
Pictures, has returned to his Atlanta
office from Chicago.
•
Lynn Farnol returned to New
York from the Coast at the weekend.
Tradewise . . .
(Continued from page 1)
No Paper Tomorrow
Motion Picture Daily will
not be published tomorrow,
Election Day, a legal holiday.
tage point of the year 2052. Said
he:
"It must be borne in mind that
as early as 1953 the following
things were declared illegal — mind
you, only on paper. No one could
charge or quote the same price as
his competitors because, if he did,
he was guilty of 'conscious paral-
lelism of action.'
"Hence, all businessmen were
malefactors if they were smart
enough to know they couldn't get
more for their wares than their
competitors, and weren't dumb
enough to take less.
"If, when hailed before a court,
a defendant endeavored to prove
his prices were not frozen by con-
scious parallelism but fluctuated
with the exigencies of the competi-
tive market, then his evidences of
price dissimilarities would land him
in jail for illegal price discrimina-
tion.
"On March 8, 2003, the Depart-
ment of Justice sued 50,000 busi-
nessmen for pricing their goods by
conscious parallelism, and the Fed-
eral Trade Commission sued 50,000
for quoting different prices (to
wholesalers and retailers). No one
dared any longer to sell anything
at any price without first receiving
clearance from the Bureau of Eco-
nomic Control."
•
And of triple damages, the Fed-
eral Trade Commissioner had this
to say :
"The American Congress supple-
mented its own enforcement (of the
anti-trust laws) by the offer of tre-
ble damages to any one who could
prove injury . . . beside which there
was an allowance of comfortable
attorneys' fees and costs as an add-
ed attraction, so lawyers got into
the game, too.
"No one could complain of this
technique as long as the govern-
ment was inadequately prepared to
enforce the laws for the public wel-
fare ; but when the regulations
against all interstate commerce be-
came so ambivalent that whatever
you did was illegal, and govern-
ment proceeded to move into the
enforcement stage, private triple
damage suits lost moral justifica-
tion and became the happy hunting
ground for the reincarnations of
Black Beard, Jean Lafitte, Captain
Kidd and Long Ben.
"Private treble damage suits were
so profitable to lawyers during the
year 2003 that three Supreme Court
Justices, six Appeals Judges, and
932 other Federal officials resigned
to enter the field.
"But by the year 2001 so many
treble damages had been assessed
against companies that marshall's
levies and court sales shifted the
Texas COMPO Offers
Drought Prayer
Dallas, Nov. 2. — With
drought-stricken Texas and
the Southwest confronted
with a water supply adequate
for less than four months,
Texas COMPO has provided
theatres with a trailer, pre-
pared by Paul Short, which
features a prayer for Divine
intervention to relieve the
emergency.
Kyle Rorex, Texas COMPO
executive director, reports
that showing of the trailer
in Texas theatres has brought
widespread commendation
from clergymen's organiza-
tions throughout the state.
Denies Report on
Salesmen's Expenses
Milwaukee, Nov. 2. — David Bez-
nor, general counsel of the Colosseum
of Motion Picture Salesmen of Amer-
ica, at the weekend "completely and
categorically" denied reports published
under a Minneapolis dateline that the
union members apparently were will-
ing to forego wage increases for
higher expense allowances.
"The Colosseum," Beznor said, "is
fully aware of, the financial hardships
imposed upon the film salesmen by in
adequate salaries and expense allow
ances. Any effort to thwart the legiti
mate aspirations of the film salesmen
will be vigorously resisted."
Danny Kaye Forms
Production Company
Hollywood, Nov. 2. — Film star
Danny Kaye has formed an independ
ent production company with Norman
Panama and Melvin Frank, who re
cently left Metro - Goldwyn - Mayer
where they had contracts as producer
writer-directors.
Kaye will star in a musical titled
"Knock on Wood," which is to be
made in England next spring, as the
firm's first production.
Natural Vision Deal
Set By Gunzburg
Hollywood, Nov. 2. — Milton L.
Gunzburg, president of Natural Vision
Corp., and Bob Clampitt have com
pleted arrangements for production by
Clampitt of a feature film in the three
dimensional process using characters
of the television show, "Time For
Beany."
Newsreel
Parade
JJITTER FIGHTING for ridges in
-d Korea is highlighted in current
ewsreels. Also featured, are raging
typhoons in Indo-China, Illinois pris-
on rioting, Germany's donation of
bells for Hiroshima, Vishinsky's speech
at the UN, the French TV A dam,
and a sweepstakes winner.
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 88— Typhoons
in Indo-China and the Philippines. Prison
rioters hold hostages. Battle for ridges
rages in Korea. British naval manoeuvers
filmed for the motion picture "Single
Handed." Army helicopter assists "In-
vasion" manoeuvers. French motor maniacs
on the ball." How it feels to win a $140,000
weepstake.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 219-Des-
perate fighting on Korean hills. Command
performance of M-G-M's "Because You're
Mine." Prison mutiny. Flood in Venice.
Philadelphia Eagles -New York Giants foot-
ball game. Sweepstakes winner. New dare-
devil sport, "Moto-Polo." Presidential
oratory.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 22 — Prison
drama in Illinois. French TVA dam dedi-
cated. Royal film performance. Forest fires
out of control. Wrestling a-la-Paris. "Your
birthright to vote."
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 44B — Cam-
paign wind-up in New York. Forest fires
in Kentucky. Rioting convicts seize guards
in Illinois. Nehru visits dam construction.
Kenya police quell riots.
UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL, No. 4109^.
UN Assembly. Vishinsky orates as Korean
battle rages. Kesselring released in Ger-
many. Typhoon in Indo-China. New French
plane. German bells for Japan. New
sweaters and old yarn. Basketball benefit
for Hearst Free Milk Fund, College All
Stars vs. New York Knickerbockers.
WARNER PATHE, No. 24^Battle of the
ridges in Korea. Vishinsky in UN attacks
on Korea. Gen Kesselring freed from war
crimes prison. French open own TVA dam
in Rhone Valley. Queen and Philip open
dam in Wales. Ruhr sends bells to Hiro-
shima. Doris Day sparks Korean gift lift.
The political campaign winds up. Maryland
grid stars bar bribe attempt. San Francisco
49ers vs. Dallas football game.
New RKO Documentary
"The Sea Around Us" has been
completed as a feature-length docu-
mentary with color in Technicolor by
RKO Radio, and will have a special
release in December in order to
qualify for Academy Awards. Irwin
Allen both wrote and produced the
film.
NEW YORK THEATRES
entire corporate structure of Amer
ican business from the entrepen-
nuers who had started companies to
industrial cuckoo birds — so-called
because they never built nests them-
selves but merely moved into pos-
session of going concerns through
treble damage ligitation."
Many in this industry will right-
fully regard Commissioner Mason's
remarks as more prophetic than
fanciful.
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center ^— ^—
"THE HAPPY TIME"
starring
Charles BOYER * Louis JOURDAN
A Columbia Picture
plus
SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION
RULE*
0
RAVENS
Midnight f «o!ur»
NlgMly
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsave, Consulting 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood _ Bureau, Yucca-Vine
Building, William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley Advertising Representative. FI 6-3074: Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative. 11
North Clark Street, FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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; International Motion Picture 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. November 3, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
Vote Results
(Continued from page 1)
radio station WINS. The Embassy
Newsreel Theatres will feature TV
sets in its lobbies. Most other cir-
cuits and independents also expect to
brief their audiences via loudspeakers.
Important returns, unless a land-
slide develops, are not expected until
late in the evening. In New York,
patrons are being advised by news
stories that they will be out of the
theatre and back home to get the sig-
nificant results by TV.
Loew's Theatres in Manhattan will
be serviced by radio station WMGM,
those in Queens by the Long Island
Press and the Long Island Star-Jour-
nal, while those in Brooklyn will be
serviced by the Brooklyn Eagle. The
Paramount on Broadway will be ser-
viced by a special ticker supplied by
International News Service. An INS
spokesman said the Paramount was
the only theatre to contract for the
service in New York. It will feature
the use of special flashes on the screen.
Fox West Coast Theatres has made
arrangements for all of its houses
to announce late returns at intervals
or by slides.
The same practice will prevail
pretty much in most key theatres
throughout the country.
A. T. & T., Bell Allot More
Facilities for Election
The long lines department of the
American Telephone and Telegraph
Co., in co-operation with the Bell Sys-
tem, will make additional communica-
tions facilities available to the nation's
television, radio and press association
networks for Election Day news cov-
erage.
A. F. Jacobson, long lines director
of operations pointed out that the addi-
tion of these facilities would enable
the broadcasters and news agencies
to bring to the public the fastest, most
comprehensive news report of any
Presidential election in history.
The announcement said that on-the-
spot election programs would be trans-
mitted over almost 30,000 miles of
inter-city television channels and would
be available to 110 television stations
in 67 cities. It is estimated that of the
more than 18,700,000 television sets
now in use, 99 per cent of them would
be able to receive Election Day pro-
grams over the network.
Reviews
Newsreel Crews
(Continued from page 1)
will be shipped out the evening of that
day instead of on Thursday as nor-
mally.
Virtually all of the reels shipped
Wednesday will be devoted exclusively
to the Election Day events. This
definitely applies to Warner Pathe
Newsreel and Paramount Newsreel.
It very likely will be the case with
Fox Movietone News, Universal
Newsreel and News of the Day, al-
though these companies released no
information on that point at the week-
end.
Since the reels will not be made up
until the new President and Vice-
President are elected beyond all doubt,
the companies concede that crews,
processors and editors are in for some
hectic last minute action, particularly
if the returns show a neck-and-neck
race throughout the day and evening.
Negatives will be shipped to labora-
tories by plane and the prints will be
delivered in the same fashion when
they are ready.
"It Grows on Trees
( Universal-International)
A NOVEL IDEA has been cleverly developed into a highly exploitable,
x amusing comedy that was heartily enjoyed by a sneak preview audience
and should be similarly received wherever it plays. Money, as exhibitors well
know, does not grow on trees, but it does in this Leonard Goldstein produc-
tion that was smartly directed by Arthur Lubin and is very engagingly played
by a cast headed by Irene Dunne.
The story and screenplay by Leonard Praskins and Barney Slater, based on
a Cosmopolitan magazine story, presents Miss Dunne as the wife of Dean
Jagger, a struggling accountant. Her impractical purchase of two young trees
turns into a gold mine when the trees start bearing five and ten dollar bills
Jagger is a very honest fellow and brushes off his wife's efforts to inform him
about the trees. She collects the bills in her coffee and sugar jars and writes
to Washington concerning their legality.
Convinced it is a gag, Treasury Department official Les Tremayne replies
that the money is legal and convinces other officials to write her similarly.
Miss Dunne believes the letters and gives Jagger $100 for expense money for
a business trip. She also refurnishes her home and pays off the mortgage,
giving the money to bank teller Richard Crenna, who is engaged to Miss
Dunne's daughter, Joan Evans.
Unknown to Miss Dunne, the money has other characteristics of leaves,
such as fading and crumbling. Jagger returns after having been arrested for
passing counterfeit money and Crenna is demoted after he refuses to remember
who gave him the money. Miss Dunne's neighbor, Edith Meiser, who had
stolen the money from the coffee and sugar jars, is arrested making a _ bank
deposit. Miss Dunne reveals all to the newspapers, government officials inves-
tigate as the trees are dying and all ends happily as a new bud reveals money.
Miss Dunne's performance is adroit and bulwarks the cast, which includes
Frank Ferguson, Malcolm Lee Beggs, Forrest Lewis, Sandy Descher, Dee
Pollack, and Bob Sweeney.
Running time, 84 minutes. General audience classification. November release.
Walter Pashkin
Short
Subject
Hangman's Knot
(Columbia Pictures)
RANDOLPH SCOTT stars in this unusually fine Western that is loaded
with suspense, has been finely photographed in color by Technicolor, and
has first-rate production values. Scott was associate producer with Harry Joe
Brown and with the considerable aid of writer-director Roy Huggins, an
immensely entertaining outdoor drama that is long on action and short on
words has been fashioned. It should keep box-offices busy.
The story concerns a band of Confederate soldiers, led by Scott in 1865,
who achieve their mission of ambushing and capturing a Union shipment of
gold, only to discover the Civil War had ended a month previous. They are
beset by local Yankees seeking the gold who have a legitimate excuse for
eliminating them.
Eventually the Rebels are surrounded in a mountain stage station. The gold
causes lust and dissension within their ranks, as the vigilantes await outside
the station. An additional irritant is a party of four hostages, including nurse
Donna Reed and cowardly trader Richard Denning. An escape is planned and
culminates in the dynamiting and burning of the station, furious gunplay, and
the death of just about everyone but Scott, Miss Reed and one or two others.
Performances are uniformly good. In notable support of the stars are
Claude Jarman, Jr., Ray Teal, Frank Faylen, Glenn Langan and Lee Marvin.
Also in the cast are Jeanette Nolan, Clem Bevans, Guinn (Big Boy) Williams,
Monte Blue, John Call and Reed Howes.
Running time, 84 minutes. General audience classification. For November
release.
Thunder in the East
(Paramount)
THE LAND OF INDIA is the locale of this melodrama, starring the
marquee names of Alan Ladd, Deborah Kerr, Charles Boyer and Corinne
Calvet. Best results in selling "Thunder in the East" should be found in
accenting the action highlights in the film, for it falls short m other depart-
ments. The cast, headed by Ladd, should also help the box-office.
The tale, which runs along formula lines, finds Ladd, a free-booting Ameri-
can adventurer in India on a munitions selling mission. He tries to sell guns
to the Maharajah of an Indian province, threatened by nefarious bandits feed-
ing on the unrest caused by India's independence from Britain. The Mahara-
jah's secretary, Charles Boyer, turns him down on the philosophical grounds
that the only means to quell unrest is by non-violence. The duel between the
conflicting philosophies of fighting fire-with-fire and non-violence represents
the crux of the problem posed by the picture. In a contrived climax, Ladd's
viewpoint of striking back wins out.
The love interest is supplied by Deborah Kerr, who plays the part of a
young blind Englishwoman caught with her countrymen in the midst of Indian
unrest.
Everett Riskin produced, while Charles Vidor directed from a screenplay
by Joe Swerling, based on a novel by Alan Moorehead. Others in the cast
include Cecil Kellaway, Mark Cavell, John Abbott, Philip Bourneuf and John
Williams. .... _
Running time, 98 minutes. General audience classification, bor January
release. Murray Horowitz
"Joy of Living"
(Art Films-20th Century-Fox)
Renoir's distinctive style of painting,
which is familiar to multitudes, even
to those who give only casual atten-
tion to art shop windows, is given
intimate attention in this, one of 20th-
Fox's short subject series on great
masterpieces. Producers Marilyn Sil-
ver stone and Boris Vermont have put
on the screen in color by Technicolor
numbers of famous Renoir works deal-
ing' with the enchantment of Paris in
springtime, with its sidewalk cafes,
flower markets, handsome men and
beautiful women, and many other sub-
jects. The life and beauty which the
great artist put on canvas is brought
to the fore by the camera as a young
man walking in New York's Central
Park calls to mind the Paris of
Renoir.
This film manifestly is a most desir-
able item for any theatre's program.
Certainly it deserves to be advertised
along with the feature, not only for
the entertainment value it carries but
because pictures of this quality tend
to add to a theatre's reputation as a
center of enlightenment as well as of
amusement. Running time, 10 min-
utes.
7 From Paramount
(Continued from page 1)
producer's "The Stooge," set for gen-
eral release also in February, is being
offered for special pre-release New
Year's Eve showings.
Three releases are scheduled for
January. They include : "Road to
Bali," Technicolor, starring Bing
Crosby, Bob Hope and Dorothy La-
mour ; "Thunder in the East," starring
Alan Ladd, Charles Boyer, Deborah
Kerr and Corinne Calvet, and "Tropic
Zone," Technicolor, with a cast headed
by Ronald Reagan, Rhonda Fleming
and Estelita.
For February : "Come Back, Little
Sheba," starring Burt Lancaster and
Shirley Booth, and "The Stooge,"
Dean Martin-Jerry Lewis comedy
with Marion Marshall, Polly Bergen
and Eddie Mayehoff.
Set for March are : "The Stars Are
Singing," Technicolor musical mark-
ing the screen debut of Rosemary
Clooney, and starring also Anna
Maria Alberghetti and Lauritz Mel-
chior, and "Pleasure Island," Tech-
nicolor, with a cast headed by Don
Taylor, Leo Genu, Elsa Lanchester,
Joan Elan, Audrey Dalton and Dor-
othy Bromiley.
Astor Upstate N. Y.
Rights to Sylvan Leff
Sylvan Leff, head of Realart Pic-
tures of Albany, N. Y., has acquired
exclusive theatrical distribution rights
to all Astor Pictures product for up-
state New York, which includes the
Albany and Buffalo territories, it was
reported here by R. M. Savini, Astor
president.
With this addition, Astor's franchise
holders in the U. S. and Canada now
total 31.
Charles S hour as Lunch
Charles Skouras, head of Wesco
Theatres, who is here from Los An-
geles, will be host to the trade press at
luncheon today at the St. Moritz
Hotel.
PARAMOUNT HAS SOMETHING SO HOT
ALL OTHER FIRE PICTURES OUT OF
"Maybe because it's a genuine
forest fire in the Nevada
Sierras, maybe because Tech-
nicolor and technology have
never collaborated more con-
genially in the interests of
melodrama, the fire section of
the film is THE BEST EVER
SEEN. Figures to draw like a—
what else?— forest fire."
— M. P. Herald
"Audiences can almost
feel the heat of the
blaze. Terrific forest
fire can be exploited
to strong returns."
— Boxoff/ce
"Lusty, action - packed
drama . . . excellent
Technicolor and heli-
copter rescue in
burning forest."
— Film Daily
"Definitely a boxoffice success.
A big, handsome outdoor adven-
ture saga that because of its
spectacular trappings, plentiful
action and Technicolor should
attract capacity audiences."
— Showmen's Trade Review
starring
JOHN PAYNE
WILLIAM AGNES RICHARD SUSAN
DEMARESTMOOREHEAD-ARLEN MORROW
Directed by EDWARD LUDWiG • Written for the Screen by LEWIS R. FOSTER
and WINSTON MILLER • Produced by WILLIAM H. PINE and WILLIAM C. THOMAS
oaded with exploita-
on possibilities. Has
ne of most exciting
jrest fires on record,
oth in spectacle and
ealism."
— Independent
"Payne and Miss Morrow
team excellently. He
puts over the rugged
requirements and she
treats the eye."
—Daily Variety
6
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, November 3, 1952
FCC Authorizes 10
More TV Stations
Washington, Nov. 2.— The Fed-
eral Communications Commission has
authorized Great Plains Television
Properties, Inc., to build two commer-
cial television stations — one in Sioux
City, la., and one in Little Rock,
Ark.
Great Plains, which has already re-
ceived a grant for a television station
in Duluth, is owned by Transconti-
nental Properties, Inc. Largest stock-
holders in Transcontinental are Al-
fred Berger and Herbert Scheftel,
who operate newsreel theatres in the
Midwest, Florida and the West Coast.
The Commission also authorized the
construction of eight additional com-
mercial television stations. They are:
Star Broadcasting Co., Pueblo, Colo. ;
WATR, Inc., Waterbury, Conn. ; Tri-
City Radio Corp., Muncie, Ind. ;
Booth Radio and Television Stations,
Inc, Battle Creek, Mich.; radio sta-
tion WISE, Inc., Ashville, N. C. ;
Neptune Broadcasting Corp, ; Atlantic
City, N. J.; WCSC, Inc., Charleston,
S. C, and Associated Broadcasters,
Inc., Bethlehem, Pa.
In all, the FCC has made 92 tele-
vision station grants since the "freeze"
was lifted last July. Five of these
stations are already in operation — two
in Denver ; one in Lubbock, Tex. ; one
in Austin, Tex. and one in Portland,
Ore. There were 108 stations in oper-
ation before the freeze was lifted.
There are almost 900 television ap-
plications still pending before the
Commission.
Asks NCAA to Probe
Basketball TV
Chicago, Nov. 2.— De Paul Uni-
versity has petitioned the National
Collegiate Athletic Association to in-
vestigate detrimental effects of the
televising of basketball games on at-
tendance, Walter Byers, executive di-
rector of the NCCA revealed here.
The matter has been turned over to
the NCAA TV committee for study
and consideration.
De Paul, which uses the Chicago
Stadium, with a seating capacity _ of
over 20,000, as its home court, claims
that attendance at its games was down
materially during the past season on
nights when other major games were
telecast, citing attendance of only
10,000 at a double header last Feb. 23
when the Illinois-Iowa game at Cham-
paign was televised over a Chicago
station on the same night.
Broderick Crawford
Forms Film Firm
Hollywood, Nov. 2. — Broderick
Crawford Enterprises has been formed
for the purpose of packaging, produc-
ing and developing motion picture and
television properties.
Crawford will function as president,
Milton Cashy as vice-president and
treasurer, and Robert L. Cashy as
secretary and general manager in
charge of production.
Get Your Special X MAS
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CBS' new series of "Omnibus" Telecasts, which debuts Sunday
(4:30-6:00 P.M.) will feature Maxwell Anderson's dramatic
"The Trial of Anne Boleyn," and William Saroyan's one-act play,
"The Bad Men.". . . An experimental presentation of "Bob & Ray"
on Dave Garroway's "Today" series last August proved so success-
ful that the NBComedy team starts as regulars on the TV, program
Thursday. . . . Our idea of a natural for motion pictures is Jack
Lescoulie, whose style and delivery has rewarded him with the an-
nouncing'chores on the "Jackie Gleason CBS-TV Show.". . . Adolphe
Menjou is due back from a European picture assignment to star in
and narrate the new series of telefilms, "Favorite Story," Tor Ziv
TV Productions, Inc. . . . The late Jerome Kern composed scores
for 76 musicals. ... A medallion of honor for bravery will be
awarded by the Women's National Institute to Jane Froman, CBStar
of "U.S.A. Canteen," TV programs.
& * * r c- , • »
The clever special music for the dance team of Sinclair &
Spaulding, featured Monday nights on the NBC-TV "Paul
Winchell Show," is composed by the pro-
gram's musical director, John Gart, who
for many years has also composed and pro-
vided mood and theme music on the organ
for daily soaperas. . . . Alice J. Heinecke's
words about music, published regularly in
Sesac's Monthly Journal, are highly in-
formative and most interesting accounts of
people behind the musical scene. . . . Pub-
licists Guild, now in its third year, will hold
its second annual press party, Thursday,
Nov. 6, at the Vanderbilt Hotel in N. Y.
This org's adherence to the lofty ideals and
noble purposes embodied in the preamble
John Gart tQ -tg constitutiori) enhances the members'
worth to themselves, their clients and the press. ... Ed CBSul-
livan's "Toast of the Town" will televise the "Samuel Gold-
wyn Story" "in two instalments, Dec. 14 and 21. . . . Paula Stone
rocks us with the sage, safe and sane observation, "America
will always be as sturdy as an oak as long as it has branches
like the Army, Navy and Marines.". . .
ft -ft ft
Two new advertisers, Block Drug Co. and James Lees & Sons
Co. will be added to the "Kate Smith Hour" TVehicle's group
of co-op sponsors. The former will pick up the tab for the 4:30-
4:45 P.M. slot every Tuesday, beginning Nov. 25, and the latter
will occupy the 4:15"-4:30 P.M. segment every Monday, teeing off
Dec. 8. . . . That grand old man of music, the famous W . C
Handy, whose "St. Louis Blues," is immortal, will be honored
with a birthday dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New
York, Nov. 13. . . . Following in the footsteps of his illustrious
dad, Dr. Edwin Franko {America's March King) Goldman, is
Richard Franko Goldman, faculty member of the Juilliard School
of Music, who has been named visiting lecturer at Princeton Uni-
versity's Dep't. of Music. He'll also conduct the university band.
. . . Her Derby waxing of "Wheel Of Fortune," proved a personal
disc of destiny to chantootsie Sunny Gale who makes her Broad-
way debut Wednesday at the Paramount Theatre. . . . Mike Pin-
gatore, for 30 years a featured banjoist with Pops Whiteman's
orchestra, died,' Thursday in Hollywod. . . . After seven years as
Harry Wismer's gal Friday, Catherine (Kay) Ross has resigned.
ft ft ft
LOTSA DOTS. . . . The Dennis Days (Peggy Almquist) became
the parents of their fourth child, Margaret, Tuesday. The other
three children, all boys, are named Patrick, Dennis and Michael. . . .
Composer-conductor Dimitri Tiomkin's theme song, "High Noon,"
of Stanley Kramer's hit flicker of the same name, has just been
recorded by Fred Waring and Billy May orks on Decca and Capitol
records, respectively. . . . ABC has until Dec. 26 to sell "The Adven-
tures of Ellery Queen" to another sponsor else the popular whodunit
may go to any sponsor on any network via Norman & Irving Pincus,
owners and producers of the package. . . . Starting her 20th anni-
versary on the air is Susan Cost, whose "Mary Lee Taylor" series
was launched back in 1930. NBCurrently sponsored by Pet Milk,
the program originated from St. Louis. . . . Short story: 1947,
16,500 TV receiving sets. 1952, 18,500,000. . . . Titus Moody,
WORacle has a friend who is positive there is no life on the planet
Mars. For proof he declares, "Mars has never asked the U. S. for
a loan."
$2,890,000 Mexican
Production Subsidy
Mexico City, Nov. 2. — Use
of $2,890,000 which the gov-
ernment has provided to fi-
nance production has been
started by the trade's own
bank, the semi-official Banco
Nacional Cinematografico.
Among the first benefactors
were Argel Films, Produc-
eiones Miguel Zacarias and
Fernando Soler y Sanchez
Tello, who hitherto were in-
dependent of the bank. They
were financed for one picture
each. Others receiving aid are
regular clients of the bank.
The bank, in its latest bal-
ance sheet, announced loans,
credits and discounts totaling
$1,389,453, and $1,900,000 of its
bonds in circulation.
Tulsa Theatre Post
To Ralph Drewry
Tulsa, Nov. 2. — Ralph Drewry has
been named general manager of Tulsa
Downtown Theatres, effective Dec. 1.
He will succeed J. C. Hunter, who is
resigning to operate the New Yorker
Hotel at Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., which
he has purchased.
Both Hunter and Drewry have been
with Tulsa Downtown Theatres — the
Ritz, Rialto, Orpheum and Majestic —
for more than 20 years. Both started
in the theatre business as ushers. Tulsa
Downtown is operated by Majestic
Amusement Co. and Ritz Theatre,
Inc., of which J. Harold Harris of
Dallas, is president. The houses were
formerly owned by Ralph Talbot.
Hunter is a director of the Theatre
Owners of Oklahoma.
Buffalo Tent Will
Toast Leff Today
Buffalo, Nov. 2. — Tent No._ 7,
Variety Club of Buffalo, will give
a testimonial luncheon tomorrow for
David Leff, United Artists branch
manager here for several years who
has been transferred to a similar post
in Cleveland.
Mannie A. Brown is now manager
of the local UA office, coming here
from Cleveland. Brown for many
years was manager of the local Para-
mount exchange and also was man-
ager of the same company's branch in
Toronto before coming to Buffalo.
Alma Theatre Destroyed
Atlanta, Nov. 2. — A fire of un-
determined origin destroyed the Alma
Theatre, Alma, Ga., a unit of Stein
Theatres. Damage was estimated at
between $75,000 and $100,000.
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
Monday, November 3, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
i
In the THEATRE
Equipment
World . . .
. . with RAY GALLO
Allied Meet
{Continued from page 1)
ANEW metering device for count-
ing the number of automobiles
passing over any designated location
has been announced by Mobile Wash-
O-Matic and Engineering Co., Bur-
bank, Cal. The unit can be placed on
the ground at a drive-in entrance or
any other desired area. Called the
"Carometer," it is constructed of heavy
gauge steel. It is available in two
models, one with a locked counter and
readily visible ; the other model has
the metering device in a locked box.
•
A new line of rubber tile flooring
designed for commercial installa-
tion has been introduced by Congo-
leum-Nairn, Inc., Kearney, N. J.
Marketed under the "Gold Seal"
label, the product is available in
tiles 6 by 6, 9 by 9, 12 by 12 and 18
by 27 inches. There are 20 patterns
in the Vs-inch thick tiles, 10 of
which are available also in 3/32-inch
thickness. A descriptive folder in
color can be secured from the com-
pany.
•
A four-page technical bulletin (No.
23-2) describing its expanded line of
series No. 23 gas-fired unit heaters
has been issued by the United States
Air Conditioning Corp. of Minne-
polis. The new line includes a num-
ber of sizes with B. T. U. capacities
from 55,000 to 400,000 per hour and
bums all types of gas at the rated ca-
pacities, included in the booklet arc
capacity tables and roughing-in di-
mensions for the complete unit heater
line. The literature can be obtained
by writing to the company at 33rd
and Como Avenue, S. E., Minneapolis.
•
Visitors to the Theatre Seat Service
Co.'s booth (No. 50) at the TESMA-
TEDA-Allied States trade show in
Chicago Nov. 17-19 will be given a
chance to win a deluxe electric alarm
radio by guessing the age of a rehabili-
tated theatre seat which will be on
display. All unsuccessful participants
will be given a souvenir. Staffing the
booth will be Fred H. Massey, presi-
dent of the company, and F. S. Law-
rence, production manager.
•
Stewart E. Lauer, president of
the York Corp., York, Pa., manufac
turers of air conditioning equip-
ment, and a national vice-president
of the National Association of Man
ufacturers, has been presented with
an honorary doctor of laws degree
by Ursinus College at Collegeville,
Pa. Lauer received the degree for
his "outstanding work as an engi
neer, industrialist and citizen," ac-
cording to N. E. McClure, president
of the college.
•
Election of Hubert J. Schlafly, Jr.,
as vice-president in charge of engi-
neering for the TelePrompter Corp.
New York City, has been announced
by Irving B. Kahn, executive vice-
president. The corporation manufac-
tures and leases an electronically syn-
chronised and controlled prompting
device widely used in motion pictures
and television.
Slight Decrease in
Coast Production
the government's 16mm. anti-trust
suit, theatre television, the Council of
Motion Picture Organizations' cam-
paign for repeal of the Federal ad-
mission tax and numerous other trade
developments will be discussed and
acted upon by the delegates.
Film clinics, beginning in the after-
noon following welcoming and keynote
speeches in the morning by Snaper
and Kirsch, respectively, will high-
light the first day's activities. There
will be six clinics held under coordi-
nator William A. Carroll: (1) For
small towns, (3,500 or less), Charles
Niles, chairman; (2) large towns, (up
to 25,000), Ben Marcus, chairman;
(3) large cities, John Wolf berg,
chairman; (4) key neighborhood and
sub runs, Morris Finkel, chairman;
(5) outdoor theatres, Rube Shor,
chairman; (6) circuit buyers and bid-
ding, Irving Dollinger, chairman. The
film clinics will be carried over into
the morning session on Tuesday.
Monday evening will feature a re-
view of the TESMA trade show.
Demonstration of RCA's large
screen television will highlight the
Tuesday afternoon session. N. L.
Halpern, president of Theatre Net-
work Television, will lead a panel dis-
cussion over the closed circuit. Others
participating will be Trueman Rem-
busch, chairman, Kirsch, Leon R.
Back, Snaper, Wolfberg and Nathan
Yamins, all of the Allied television
committee.
Late Tuesday afternoon an open
forum will be held.
Another review of the TESMA
trade show and committee meetings
will dominate the morning session on
Wednesday, with a second open forum
set for the afternoon. An industry
banquet will be held in the evening, to
end the three-day meeting.
Hollywood, Nov. 2. — The produc-
tion index shows a decrease of two
points, for a total of 34 pictures in
work. Four new pictures were started
and six finished.
Started were : "The Roar of the
Crowd," Allied Artists ; "Fast Com-
pany," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ; "Split
Second," RKO Radio; "Nearer My
God to Thee," 20th Century-Fox.
Completed were: "Star of Texas," Al-
lied Artists ; "Houdini," Paramount ;
"Man on a Tight Rope," "Baptism of
Fire," and "The President's Lady,"
20th Century-Fox; "I Confess," War-
ner Brothers.
Legion Places Four
Films in Class B
The Legion of Decency has placed
four films in Class B and 10 in Class
A, Sections I and II.
The Class B films are: "The Steel
Trap" and "Bloodhounds of Broad-
way," 20th Century-Fox; "Every-
thing I Have Is Yours," M-G-M, and
"The Iron Mistress," Warner
Brothers.
Film Council
(Continued from page 1)
81 Short Subjects
(Continued from page 1)
comedies, six two-reel Leon Errol
comedies, in re-release, six Edgar
Kennedy comedies, in re-release, two
musical two-reel re-releases, 13 one-
reel RKO Pathe Sportscopes and 13
one-reel RKO Pathe Screenliners, all
in black and white.
In addition, there will be 18 new
Walt Disney Technicolor one-reelers,
two True-Life Adventures, and a
special short program entitled "Mickey
Mouse's Birthday Party," celebrating
the 25th birthday anniversary of
Mickey.
A special RKO Pathe film will be
"Operation A-Bomb," first film show
ing the explosion of one of the bombs
in color. Done in Eastman color, it i
scheduled for January release.
20th-Fox Meet
(Continued from page 1)
product presented by vice-president
Charles Einfeld and members of his
staff, will be aimed at pinpointin.
national campaigns to fit regional
and local conditions.
Special emphasis will be placed on
the releases scheduled during the
branch managers' testimonial in effect
through Dec. 27 of this year. The
slate, headed by Darryl F. Zanuck's
"The Snows of Kilimanjaro," in
eludes "Stars and Stripes Forever,"
Damon Runyon's "Bloodhounds of
Broadway," "The Steel Trap," "The
Thief of Venice," "Pony Soldier," and
"My Pal Gus."
plans for financing.
Roy M. Brewer, IATSE Coast rep-
resentative, recently came East to as-
sist in planning what is described as
a superstructure for locals here. He
explained what the locals on the Coast
have accomplished, with special _ em-
phasis on the contracts between inde-
pendent producers and the IATSE.
Participants in the Hollywood coun-
cil include such non-IATSE unions
as the Screen Actors Guild and
Screen Extras Guild. Whether the
Eastern council ultimately will include
other than "IA" locals is not yet
known.
In addition to Walsh, Francavilla
and D'Inzilla, New York Council
planners include :
Daniel Doran, Studio Mechanics
Local 52; James DiGangi, Assistant
Directors Local 161 ; Herman Gelber
and Harry Garfman, Local 306 ; Jay
Rescher and Fred Fordham, Camera-
men's Local 644; George Waugh and
Paul D. Press, Laboratory Techni-
cians Local 702 ; Maurice Scanlan,
Wardrobe Attendants Local 764; Fred
Jacobs, Film Editors Local 771, and
Herman Buckman, Make-Up Artists
and Hair Stylists Local 798.
Allied Arbitration
(Continued from page 1)
ject the Allied arbitration committee
had given up the idea of analyzing the
arbitration draft by mail and had de-
cided instead to meet as soon as the
members arrive in Chicago, prior to
the board meeting.
Md. Censor Reversed
Baltimore, Nov. 2. — Three of four
sequences which the Maryland film
censor board had ordered deleted from
the film "Damaged Lives" were or-
dered restored by Judge S. Ralph
Warnken in City Court here on ap-
peal.
GREAT MOTION PICTURES ARE PROCESSED BY PATHE
PAUL WHITE, President of P SI -TV, Inc.,
Producers a?id Distributors of TV-Films, says:
"It takes a highly skilled laboratory to
perform our many varied and exacting
technical requirements plus a depend-
able organization to meet daily program
deadlines. We use Pathe Labs."
If your films, too, are different
and need the most versatile
laboratory treatment— plus
creative ability, high quality and
speed— we invite your inquiry.
PSI-TV's Pathe-processed pro-
grams include : "China Smithf
"Playhouse of Stars" and other
outstanding television series in
addition to 68 current full-
length features.
Both New York and Hollywood Have Complete Pathe Laboratory Facilities:
3JMM • l6MM • COLOR • BLACK AND WHITE
Pathe Laboratories, Inc. is a subsidiary of Chesapeake Industries, Inc.
52 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!
ALL THESE GREAT 20th ATTRACTIONS AVAILABLE FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
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The Greatest Musical Show on Earth!
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA'S
STARS AND
STRIPES
FOREVER
TECHNICOLOR
STARRING
CLIFTON WEBB
CO-STARRING
DEBRA PAGET • ROBERT WAGNER
Starring
Sensation of the Industry!
ERNEST HEMINGWAY'S
THE SNOWS OF
KILIMANJARO
TECHNICOLOR
Gregory Susan Ava
PECK- HAYWARD- GARDNER
Another Great Story
by the Author of "Rebecca"!
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OLIVIA de HAVILLAND
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MY COUSIN
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—and wait till you discover
RICHARD BURTON
The Big Musical About The
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THE
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Jennifer Jones' Biggest Smash
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MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
VOL. 72. NO. 88
NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1952
TEN CENTS
Says Foreign
Problems Call
For Firmness
Aboaf Urges 'Aggressive'
Stand By U. S. Industry
By WALTER PASHKIN
The Motion Picture Association
was strongly urged to deal with
and present "an aggressive atti-
tude" towards growing problems oi
a currently
highly lucrative
foreign market,
by Americo
Aboaf, Univer-
sal-I nterna-
tional foreign
sales manager,
on Monday.
Over-protec-
tion by for-
eign govern-
m e n t s in the
form of tariffs,
bans, and per-
mits and sub
s i d i z e d i n-
creased production which is in a
large measure dependent upon funds
(Continued on page 5)
Americo Aboaf
$1,000,000 Rise in
Sept. Collections
Washington, Nov. 4. — General ad-
mission tax collections for September,
reflecting August business, were more
than $1,000,000 higher than the Sept.
' 1951 collections, the Bureau of In-
ternal Revenue announced.
This is the first time since February
of this year that a 1952 monthly col-
lection has been higher than the figure
for the comparable 1951 month. In-
dustry officials have been expecting
(Continued on page 4)
Producers, Theatres
In TV Promotion
Cleveland, Nov. 4. — For the first
time, a group of first-run theatres
here are sponsors of a weekly half-
hour TV program to promote attend-
ance in theatres.
Co-sponsors of the program, which
starts Sunday, Nov. 16 and will be
heard each Sunday for 13 weeks from
1 :00 to 1 :30 P.M., are M-G-M, War-
ner. Brothers, Paramount, 20th-Cen-
tury-Fox, United Artists, Universal-
(Continued on page 5)
To Map Cinerama
Plans Here Today
A conference on Cinerama
production plans and the set-
ting of more theatres in key
situations to show Cinerama
product is scheduled to be
held here today.
Slated to attend are Louis
B. Mayer, board chairman of
Cinerama Productions Corp.;
Dudley Roberts, president,
Merian C. Cooper, general
manager in charge of the pro-
gram of production, and
others.
Key NT Houses May
Adopt Ice Shows
The projected ice show stage policy
at the Roxy, if successful in New
York, will be inaugurated in key
houses of National Theatres through-
out the coun-
try, Charles P.
Skouras, NT
president, dis-
closed here
Monday at a
trade press
luncheon at the
St. M o r i t z
Hotel.
Skouras said
that one key
NT theatre in
Detroit, St.
Louis, Denver,
San Francisco
and Los An-
geles, would adopt an ice show stage
(Continued on page 4)
RKO Theatres' Net
For 9 Months Is
Listed at $623,411
Consolidated net profit of RKO
Theatres and subsidiaries for the first
nine months of 1952 was $623,411,
after taxes and all other charges, (in-
cluding a loss of $157,121 on the sale
of capital assets), compared with a
consolidated net profit for the first
nine months of 1951 of $1,053,844,
after taxes and all other charges, in-
cluding a profit of $380,577 on the sale
of capital assets, before taxes).
Consolidated net profit for the third
quarter of 1952 was $448,608, after
(Continued on page 4)
Jaffe Named 4V.P.' of
Col. International
Charles Skouras
Election of Leo Jaffe as a vice-
president of Columbia Pictures Inter-
national Corp.
was announced
here following a
meeting of the
board of direc-
tors. Jaffe is
also assistant
treasurer of
Columbia Pic-
tures Corp., the
parent company.
Herman
Golden, comp-
troller of Co-
lumbia Interna-
t i o n a 1 , was
promoted to as-
sistant treasurer, succeeding Bernard
(Continued on page 4)
I.eo Jaffe
RKO Radio to Follow Policy
Of Test Runs on New Films
RKO Radio Pictures plans to follow a policy of test engagements on
several of its forthcoming pictures in order to determine the type of
campaigns that will be most beneficial to exhibitors. This plan was
announced here Monday by Charles Boasberg-, general sales manager,
a luncheon for the trade
at a luncheon for the trade press.
Boasberg pointed out that the test
runs would enable the sales depart-
ment to determine audience reaction
and the extent of patronage based on
advertising and promotion. Cam-
paigns then can be revised, Boasberg
said. He added that it was not the
intention of the company to hold back
on releases, but rather to help theatres
to cash in to a greater extent on RKO
product.
Greater freedom of movement in de-
fining new sales plans was envisioned
by Boasberg, who said that in cooper-
ation with Arnold Picker, new execu-
tive vice-president in charge of
distribution, quicker decisions were
now possible. For example, Boas-
berg said while "Androcoles and the
Lion" was scheduled to go into general
release last weekend, the picture has
been withdrawn until after Jan. 1 in
order to prepare a new advertising-
campaign. The RKO sales manager
said he felt the company had a big
money picture in "Androcoles," as a
result of a weekend opening in Denver
where it did record business at the
Paramount Theatre. The film also
(Continued on page 4)
RKO Radio
Plans Cut to
Two Divisions
North-South Unit To Be
Dropped in New Setup
By AL STEEN
Plans for the realignment of
RKO Radio Pictures' sales depart-
ment call for the reduction of the
present three-division setup to a
two-division arrangement, it was re-
ported here. RKO currently maintains
Eastern, Western and North-South di-
visions, but it is understood that the
latter unit will be eliminated and in-
tegrated with the other two divisions.
The Canadian district now is
a part of the North-South divi-
sion, with Carl Peppercorn
heading the Dominion branches.
It is understood that the Ca-
nadian offices will be split geo-
graphically into the Eastern
and Western divisions.
Other districts now. within the
North- South scope and which will be
affected by the proposed switch to two
divisions are the Southeastern, under
(Continued on page 4)
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 4. -The
U. S. has granted the de-
fendants in the 16mm. suit
a postponement in their
answer-date from Nov. 15
to Dec. 15. This is the
second 30-day extension
granted. It is understood
the case will not go to
trial for six or more
months following filing
of answers.
•
COLUMBUS, Nov. 4. -In a
bulletin to members of the
IT0 of Ohio sent by secre-
tary Robert Wile, Ohio ex-
hibitors were urged to
follow up on their fight
for repeal of the Federal
20 per cent tax by remind-
ing victorious candidates
in the Senatorial and Con-
gressional races that
they now have an opportun-
ity to vote for repeal.
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, November 5, 1952
Personal
Mention
STANLEY KRAMER has arrived
in New York from the Coast.
•
George Schur, assistant to Joe
Walsh, head of Paramount' s branch
operations, has returned to his desk
following six weeks recuperation from
an operation.
•
Art Anderson, Warner Brothers
Midwest district manager, is recover-
ing at St. Mary's Hospital in Milwau-
kee from gun shot wounds suffered in
a hunting accident.
•
Hugh Owen, Paramount Eastern
and Southern division manager, will
conduct sales conferences in Boston
today and in New Haven tomorrow.
Morgan Hudgins, M-G-M studio
publicist, left here yesterday by plane,
accompanying Ava Gardner to Eng-
land and Nairobi, Africa.
•
Eric Johnston, MPAA president
will be the guest on the CBS-TV
"Chronoscope" program tonight.
•
P. T. Dana, Universal Eastern
sales manager, is on an up-state New
York business trip this week.
•
Bernard Smith, Paramount pro-
ducer, has returned to Hollywood from
New York.
Talk of Prejudice Toward
Theatre TV^Silly': FCC
Washington Nov. 4.— The Federal Communications Commission
today derided talk from some segments of the industry which labeled as
Di-eiudiced the Commission's attitude toward theatre television.
Both Commissioners and staffers said that it was "silly" to accuse the
FCC of prejudice against theatre tele-
See Post-Election
Upswing on B'way
17 from MGM
In Six Months
Dixie Lee Crosby
Funeral Rites Held
Hollywood, Nov. 4.— Funeral ser-
vices for Dixie Lee Crosby, wife of
Bing Crosby, who died of cancer
Saturday, were held yesterday in
Beverly Hills. A Requiem mass was
offered at the Roman Catholic Church
of the Good Shepherd with Msgr.
Patrick J. Concannon officiating.
The former singing and dancing
star is also survived by four sons:
Gary Evan, twins Philip Land and
Dennis Michael, and Lindsay Harry.
Funeral Services
For Thomas Spry
Boston, Nov. 4.— Funeral services
for Thomas B. Spry, who died at his
home in Scituate, Mass., were held
today at the Crosby Memorial Fun-
eral Home. Spry died last Friday.
He was for many years the Bos-
ton franchise holder for First Na-
tional Pictures. He then became the
first Boston branch manager for
Warner Brothers. He resigned that
position because of ill health about 15
years ago. He is survived by his
widow, Elizabeth.
vision in view of the fact that the
Commission authorized channels for
theatre television service some time
ago. The channels are allocated on a
common carrier basis, they said, but
are available to theatre television.
All pointed out that the theatre tele-
vision hearings had hardly started and
that the bulk of the evidence was still
to come. "The Commission always
keeps an open mind until it reaches
a decision," one Commissioner said.
A different Commissioner added that
"we have no view one way or the
other and won't have any until we
have heard the evidence and see what
the situation is."
"Nobody in the Commission,
including the chairman, is going
to make up his mind until the
record is completed," another
said, "and then we'll make a de-
cision based on the record."
Still another maintained that "there
isn't any question about prejudice be-
cause theatre television is here already.
It's just a question of who is going
to be licensed for the theatre television
service." .
The attitude of Commission officials
agreed with the opinion of lawyers,
both in and out of the industry, who
sat through the portion of the theatre
television hearing that ended last week.
The consensus of the attorneys who
represent parties to the case was that
the Commission had "bent over back
wards to be fair."
Henry Edwards Dies
London, Eng., Nov. 4.— British film
actor and director Henry Edwards
died Sunday. He is featured in the
Herbert Wilcox production, "Trent's
Last Case," with Orson Welles and
Margaret Lockwood, which premiered
here Friday. He also appeared in
"The Magic Bow," "Green for Dan-
ger" and "Dear Mr. Prohack."
Fabian Optimistic
On FCC Sentiment
Optimism that the Federal Com-
munications Commission will grant
the industry theatre television fre-
quencies was expressed here by Si
Fabian, chairman of the National Ex-
hibitors Theatre Television Commit-
tee.
Fabian scored reports that the
FCC, which has just completed the
first phase of its theatre TV hear-
ings, has been unreceptive to the in-
dustry's bid for channels.
Services Held for James
Milwaukee, Nov. 4. — Services
were held in Flint, Mich., for Wallace
O. James, former theatre operator
here, who died in Flint last week.
Burial was in Arlington National
Cemetery. At the time of his death he
managed a drive-in near Flint.
James, who also managed theatres
in Chicago, Detroit and New York, is
survived by his widow, a daughter and
two sons.
Fred Girtanner Dies
Tacoma, Wash., Nov. 4.— Fred T_
Girtanner, 67, for 15 years owner of
suburban theatres in Pierce County,
died at his home of a heart attack.
He was a native of Columbus, Nebr.
With the elections over, Broadway
theatremen look forward to a boost at
the box-office. This week, business at
most New York first-runs was spotty
and the drop in some situations was
attributed to people staying at home
keyed to radio and television sets to
follow campaign developments.
Last night, in an effort to buoy the
box-office, many Broadway theatres
featured announcements of important
election returns.
'The Happy Time" at Radio City
Music Hall hit a nice $128,000 for its
opening week. At Loew's State,
"Everything I Have Is Yours" opened
to a fair $20,000 for its first seven
days. A house record for the off-
Broadway Fine Arts Theatre was
broken by "The Promoter," a robust
$15,000 having been chalked up for its
first seven days, beating the previous
high set by "The Lavender Hill Mob"
in Oct., 1951.
Election returns were broadcast to
theatre audiences by the Paramount,
Roxy, Criterion, Loew's State and the
Capitol, with most houses following
the policy of not interrupting the fea-
ture for announcements. Radio City
Music Hall utilized its TV set in the
main lounge for keeping patrons
posted on the progress of returns.
'Limelight' Strong
Holding up strong is "Limelight" at
the Astor, where a fine $35,000 was
seen for the second week. At the
two-day Trans-Lux 60th Street, fea-
turing the same film, a solid $12,300
is indicated for the second stanza.
"Operation Secret" will have a pre-
miere today at the Paramount, replac-
ing "Springfield Rifle," which bowed
out at a pretty good $55,000 for its
second week. A steady $32,000 is
forecast for the seventh week of
"Snows of Kilimanjaro" at the Rivoli
The fourth and final week of "Just for
You" at the Capitol registered a sat-
isfactory $21,000. "Prisoner of
Zenda" opened there yesterday.
Another Election Day opening was
"Way of a Gaucho" at the Roxy.
"The Thief" closed there with a fairly
good $44,000 realized in the last six
days of its third week. The second
week of "The Lusty Men" at the Cri
terion did a fair $15,000. "Cairo Road"
at the Globe opened to a moderate
$12,000 for its initial seven days.
"Breaking Through the Sound Bar
rier" will open at the Victoria tomor
row. "The Fourposter" wound up its
engagement there with a moderate
$12,000 for its third week. "The Four
poster" is remaining at the off-Broad
way Sutton, which expects a steady
$9,000 for the film's third stanza.
A fairly nice $15,000 is indicated for
M-G-M has set 12 pictures for ten-
tative release for the four months
starting Jan. 1. These, in addition to
the five scheduled for November and
December, will give exhibitors 17 pro-
ductions from M-G-M, during the six-
month period.
Pictures announced for January to
the end of April are scheduled at three
a month. There will also be two others
for special handling. They are "Lili,"
with Leslie Caron, Mel Ferrer, Jean
Pierre Aumont, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and
Kurt Kasznar, and "The Story of
Three Loves," starring Leslie Caron,
Farley Granger, Ethel Barrymore,
James Mason, Moira Shearer, Kirk
Douglas and Pier Angeli.
For January, the releases will be
"Above and Beyond," starring Robert
Taylor, Eleanor Parker and James
Whitmore; "The Desperate Search,"
with Howard Keel, Jane Greer, and
Patricia Medina ; "The Bad and the
Beautiful," with Lana Turner, Kirk
Douglas, Walter Pidgeon, Dick Pow-
ell, Barry Sullivan and Gloria Gra-
hame.
For February, the pictures will be
"The Clown," " starring Red Skelton
and Timmy Considine ; "Jeopardy,"
with Barbara Stanwyck, Barry Sulli-
van and Ralph Meeker ; and "The
Naked Spur," with color in Techni-
color, featuring James Stewart, Janet
Leigh, Robert Ryan, Ralph Meeker
and Millard Mitchell.
'Sombrero," in Technicolor, will be
the first picture in March and will
have Ricardo Montalban, Pier Angeli,
Vittorio Gassman, Cyd Charisse, and
Yvonne DeCarlo. Two others in
March, are "Rogue's March," starring
Peter Lawford, Richard Greene and
Janice Rule, and "I Love Melvin,"
Technicolor, starring Donald O'Con-
ner and Debbie Reynolds.
For April, "Dream Wife" will be
the first, with Cary Grant, Deborah
Kerr, Walter Pidgeon and Betta St.
John. This will be followed by "Small
Town Girl," in Technicolor, starring
Jane Powell and Farley Granger, and
"Connie" with Van Johnson and Janet
Leigh.
Spinrad to Start
Consulting Firm
Leonard Spinrad, news and feature
editor of Warner Brothers' home of-
fice publicity department, has resigned,
effective next month, to become an
independent consultant. A successor
will be appointed later.
Spinrad, who joined the company
as a feature writer in 1940, will advise
editorial and industrial clients on mo-
tion picture matters.
the fourth week of "The World in His
Arms" at the Mayfair. Holding up
strongly is "O Henry's Full House
at the 52nd Street Trans-Lux, where
the picture is due to hit $10,000 for its
third week. A satisfactory $4 500 is
forecast for the sixth inning of I he
Magic Box" at the Normandie, which
has scheduled "Angel Street for a
Nov. 10 opening.
MOTION PI^TURe' DAILy" Martin Quigley, ™to,.in-C^^^ y^^Sg^t
Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Polishing Company Inc 12^°. f^gi^^ ^^Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy Vice ™>ae v-ne
JNortn L-iark street, r ^ * f-° _ •m..: u-.. t •> ntW DniuW Publications: Motion I
SPf?S'^Slt, 1938. at the post office at New YoH, N. Y..
^fact of MarthT 18 79 Subscription^ rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single cop.es. 10c.
TO THE LIST OF BIG HITS
PLAYIHG THE NATION'S TOP THEATRES
starring JOHN HODIAK • STEPHEN McNALLY • LINDA CHRISTIAN
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, November 5, 1952
NT Houses
(Continued from page 1)
policy if it pays off at NT's Roxy.
The Roxy will inaugurate its year-
round ice show policy a few days be-
fore Christmas, Skouras said, reopen-
ing- the house after a two-week altera-
tion period. Skouras estimated that
stage alterations and marquee changes
will cost an estimated $85,000. The ice
show, which will feature a cast num-
bering between 85 to 90 persons, will
last from 45 minutes to an hour
Skouras added.
Stage production, the NT president
explained, will be under the general
direction of Arthur Knorr, while
David T. Katz will remain as Roxy
executive director. The purpose of the
change in policy, Skouras explained,
is to make the Roxy a show-case,
similar in stature to Radio City Music
Hall. No decision, he said, has been
made as to pricing.
Skouras said the new board of N 1
will meet again on the Coast Nov. 20
to decide on a dividend declaration.
He reported NT business in some
areas better as compared to last year
and in other territories worse. He
added that the decrease was felt in the
TV areas.
NT has divested itself of 45 per cent
of the 90 theatres required to be sold
under the terms of the consent decree,
Skouras reported. He added that NT
would go into drive-in operation if
approval is gained from the govern-
ment.
Skouras, as chairman of the re
search committee of the Theatre Own
ers of America, said that little has
been accomplished by the group in the
way of third-dimension films, explain-
ing the millions needed for research is
unavailable. He praised the Cinerama
process, adding that a number of an-
gles still must be worked out before
its widespread adoption.
Coast Wages Up,
Hours Are Down
Hollywood, Nov. 4. — Aver-
age weekly earnings of film
workers during September
climbed to a new high of
$112.48, compared to $111.57 in
August and $103.47 for Sept.,
1951, according to the State
Division of Labor Statistics
and research.
Average hours per week
worked decreased to 41.3 from
42 in August, thus bringing
the average hourly earnings
to $2.72 for September, six
cents more than during Aug-
ust and 20 cents more than
Sept., 1951.
Test Runs
(Continued from page 1)
National
N. Y. Variety Lunch
And Election Nov. 10
Variety Club of New York, Tent
No. 35, will hold its annual mem-
bership luncheon-meeting Monday at
the Paramount Caterers. The agenda
will include a complete report on the
year's activities, discussion of new club
quarters, projects for the next year
and election of officers. Candidates are :
Chief barker, Edward Lachman ;
first assistant chief barker, Edward L.
Fabian ; second assistant chief barker,
Martin Levine ; property master, Ira
Meinhardt; dough guy, Harold J.
Klein ; canvassmen, Bernard Brooks,
Russell Downing, Nathan Furst, Jack
Hoffberg, Martin Kornbluth, Jack
Levin, Charles B. Lewis, Harold
Newman, Walter Reade, Jr., Harold
Rinzler, Burt Robbins, Morris San-
ders, Bert J. Sanford, Cy Seymour,
David Snaper, SauL Trauner, George
Waldman and Max Wolff.
opened in St. Louis, Salt Lake City
and Los Angeles, but there will be no
more bookings until early 1953.
Another example of greater freedom
was the determination at the first
screening of "The Murder" to change
the title to "The Bystander." The
decision was made, Boasberg said,
after a brief conference, whereas for-
merly such a move would have re-
quired considerable contact with the
studio.
Boasberg announced that the Hunt-
ington Hartford omnibus picture con-
taining two short stories, "Face to
Face," would be released in three ver-
sions. The picture will be available
as a single release, or may be booked
separately. Theatres with double fea-
ture policies may book each of the two
stories as a single feature at different
times, one being Joseph Conrad's "The
Secret Sharer" and the other, "The
Bride Comes to Yellow Sky," by Ste-
phen Crane. Together, the two stories
run 92 minutes. Separately, the for-
mer runs 50 minutes and the latter 42
minutes. . .
Boasberg said RKO had fortified its
position with the strongest lineup in
its history. The nine productions slated
for release between now and Feb. 1
represent a combined negative cost of
$18,000,000, he said. Scheduled for
test runs are "Blackbeard and the
Pirate," "Andrbcoles and the Lion"
and "Montana Belle." Pre-release
engagements are being set for Samuel
Goldwyn's "Hans Christian Ander-
sen" and Walt Disney's "Peter Pan."
The press luncheon was attended
also by Walter Branson, assistant
general sales manager; Kay Norton,
publicity director; Maury Segal,
trade press contact, and Fred Gold
berg, assistant to Miss Norton.
Pre-Selling
Jesse Lasky
Ticket Tax Take
(Continued from page 1)
an increase in fall admission tax col
lections since mid-summer, when re
ports of a box-office upturn began
coming in.
Collections for September were
$32,174,968, compared with $31,021,105
for the comparable 1951 month. This
year's September collections rose more
than $4,000,000 over the August col-
lections, which were $28,067,623
only $626* for a
10-DAY
HAWAIIAN
VACATION!
Goldwyn Coming to
Promote 'Andersen'
Samuel Goldwyn, producer of "Hans
Christian Andersen," to be released by
RKO Radio Pictures, will arrive here
tomorrow from the Coast to parti-
cipate in the publicity and exploita-
tion campaigns currently in progress
for the dual engagement of the pic-
ture at the Paris and Criterion thea-
tres on Nov. 25. The world premiere
will be held the preceeding evening at
the Criterion.
Motion picture critics and column-
ists from seven cities will be brought
to New York by RKO to see special
screenings of the picture and for inter-
views with Goldwyn.
Doser Chief Barker
Of Pittsburgh Tent
Pittsburgh, Nov. 4— The follow-
ing crew for 1953 was elected by
Variety Club, Tent No. 1 : Carl Doser,
chief barker; Norman Mervis, first
assistant ; Harold Lund, second assis-
tant ; Al Weiblinger, property master,
and Sam Speranza, doughboy.
RKO Radio Plans
(Con tinned from page 1)
Dave Prince ; Southwestern, under
Ben Cammack, and Metropolitan,
under L. S. Gruenberg.
The Eastern division now has two
districts, Eastern and East Central,
With R. J. Folliard in charge of the
former and M. E. Lefko heading the
latter. Nat Levy is division chief.
The Western division, headed by
Walter Branson until his appointment
as assistant to general sales manager
Charles Boasberg, currently is split in-
to three districts : Midwest, under
Herbert Greenblatt ; Rocky Moun-
tain, under A. L. Kolitz, and West-
ern, under J. H. Maclntyre.
Boasberg, prior to his recent ap-
pointment as sales chief, headed the
North- South district.
Includes Mainliner transportation, hotel
accommodations and sightseeing.
That's just one of United Air Lines'
low-expense Hawaiian Air Vacations.
There are six others from which to
choose, lasting up to 23 days. Call or
write for a free descriptive folder.
* From New York
UNITED AIR LINES
(Fares plus tax.) %
Jaffe Named
(Continued from page 1
E. Zeeman, recently named treasurer
of Columbia International.
Jaffe's election will involve new re-
sponsibilities for him in the foreign
field. For. a number of years he has
been assisti% A. Schneider, Columbia
vice-pre'sfdejSjt and treasurer, in mat-
ters involving both domestic and for-
eign activities of the company.
RKO Theatres
(Continued from page 1)
taxes and all other charges, (including
a loss of $173,640 on the sale of cap-
ital assets). This compares with a
consolidated net profit for the third
quarter of 1951 of $502,205, after
taxes and all other charges, (including
profit of $1,690.49 on the sale of
capital assets, before taxes).
Profit from actual operations— be-
fore deductions for charges and taxes
—were better in the third quarter of
1952, ending on Sept. 27, than in the
same period in 1951, totaling $1,474,-
843 in the 1952 quarter, against
$1 424,688 in the 1951 quarter.
There were 3,914,913 shares of com
mon stock outstanding last Sept. 27.
PRODUCER JESSE LASKY, who
is planning a new picture to be
titled "The Big Brass Band," ad-
dressing last week's showmanship
class of the As-
sociated Motion
Picture Adver-
tisers, cited the
help given to
film picture
companies by
national maga-
z i n e s . He
called to the
group's a t -
tention the fea-
ture stories of
pictures in pro-
duction and
their stars that
are run by na-
tional magazines, and how these stories
condition the minds of prospective
movie-goers for the time when the pic-
tures arrive in theatres.
•
Charlie Chaplin's "Limelight," re-
leased through United Artists, is
reviewed in the current issue of
Look magazine. A two-page spread
and two one-half pages are used by
Look for pictures and text.
•
Woman's Home Companion in its
current issue has five full color pic-
tures of Marge Champion, star of
M-G-M's "Everything I Have Is
Yours." Miss Champion wears gowns
created for the picture by Helen Rose,
top M-G-M designer. The layout for
the picture is on a two-page spread.
Captions describe how the gowns can
be made inexpensively a)t home.
•'Everything I have Is Yours" is play-
ing at Loe'w's State in this city.
Rcdbook in its issue now on news-
stands has a feature on Jane Greer
entitled "Love Has to Come First.
The article is illustrated with stills
from the M-G-M's "Prisoner of Zen-
da" and "The Desperate Search."
•
Twentieth Century-Fox is offer-
ing a 10-day all-expense trip for
two to Italy for the best and most
productive advertising, publicity
and exploitation campaign on "The
Thief of Venice." Any theatre in the
United States that plays "Thief of
Venice" before June 1, 1953 is elig-
ible. The contest is being launched
by two-page ads in Look and Col-
lier's. The ads will list the play-
dates of "Thief" in first-run the-
atres in the United States.
•
Edwin Miller, motion picture editor
of Seventeen, reviewed six pictures
for the current issue. These pictures
are M-G-M's "Because You're Mine"
and "The Devil Makes Three," Colum-
bia's "The Four Poster," RKO
Radio's "Under the Red Sea," 20th
Century-Fox's "Monkey Bmmess'
and Walter putter's "the Amazing
Monsieur Fabre."
"The President's Lady," Irving-
Stone's novel being filmed by 20th
Century-Fox, has has been selected by
Reader's Digest to appear in its quar-
terly volume of special book conden-
sations. The story is based on the life
of Rachel and Andrew Jackson. Su-
san Hayward and Charlton Heston
will be starred. Walter Haas
Wednesday, November 5, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
s
Promotion
(Continued from page 1)
International, and Columbia. Others
are expected to participate at a later
date.
Theatres involved are Loevv's State,
Ohio and Stillman ; RKO's Palace
and Warner's Allen, Hippodrome,
Tower, Lower Mall and Fairmount.
With the exception of the Fairmount,
all are downtown houses.
Produced by MCA
The half-hour "live" program will
be produced by MCA with Bill Gordon
as master of ceremonies. Local film
men will form a rotating panel to give
information about current and coming
attractions and to participate in a quiz
for which prizes will be free admission
tickets to the theatre of the winner's
choice. Also appearing on the program
will be any film personalities— stars,
.producers, directors, or publicity men
— who happen to be in town. Whenever
possible, clips from pictures will also
be used.
It is estimated that the cost of the
film-TV program, shared by the pro-
ducer-theatre sponsors, will approxi-
mate $1,000 a week.
Lesser in New Deal
Hollywood, Nov. 4. — Sol Lesser
and Olle Nordemar, president of Art
Films, Sweden, jointly announced the
formation of Aurora Productions, to
produce features in Scandinavia and
handle the distribution of certain
Lesser productions there. Nordeman,
who produced "Kon-Tiki," will make
two features annually.
Problems Call for Firmness
(Continued from page 1)
supplied by American aid, were cited
as the "difficulties which face us that
could be surmounted if we keep a
united front."
Recently returned from a nine-week
global business tour that covered 30,-
000 miles and included visits to 20
countries and 25 cities in the Near
East, Far East and Europe, Aboaf
found that "no matter what the con-
ditions are, war, pestilence or pov-
erty, the people are desirous of en-
tertainment."
Production is on the upswing
in Italy, Germany, France, Jap-
an, and India and in some cases
has cost American films pre-
ferred playing time and a sub-
sequent slight loss of revenue,
according to Aboaf. He said.
"The foreign market is there in
a healthy condition and it is for
us to do what we can to keep
our business there in the face
of local production and protec-
tion."
Aboaf revealed that the recent mis-
sions by Hindu and Italian dignitaries
had not been favorably looked upon
in those countries because of what
was deemed unflattering coverage by
the American press. He felt that
Italy's currency head, Jaschi, might
resort to restrictive measures if more
satisfactory business arrangements re-
sulting in greater Italian monies were
not forthcoming. He noted the first
Indian Technicolor film, "Aan," is a
great success and that there is an
Indian-Pakistan feud going on over
Kashmir and also distribution rights.
This has resulted in a ban on foreign
importations primarily aimed at In-
dian films, but it is not expected to
long hamper American film exhibi-
tion. He approvingly termed the re-
,cent French negotiations offer of $1,-
200,000 a good-will gesture.
Aboaf said that Universal-Interna-
tional was doing particularly well
with its films and that the type of pic-
ture desired varied with the country-
Theatre building or reconstruction is
going on in many places. In Cairo the
theatres burned during the January
riots have been beautifully recon-
structed and frequently enlarged with
the aid of government finances. These
are reopening within the next few
weeks. In Israel where there is a
stark food shortage a new 1,600 seat
theatre has been built by an Amer-
ican firm.
Theatres Run Down
Exhibition in Japan is thriving but
many of the theatres are being run
down due to lack of care. The U. S.
Army has released all theatres in the
country except the "Ernie Pyle". Of
the 3,600 theatres, 10 per cent play
American films, 30 per cent play Jap-
anese films, and the remaining 60 per
cent play a mixed program. Aboaf de-
clared conditions were "potentially
extremely good" although at present
there is an importation limitation due
to disagreement over distribution
rights by distributors. There is a
great sum of money spent on the
"Kachicko" or pin ball machine craze
and Sunday baseball draws huge
Palm Springs Will
Start Telemeter Use
Palm Springs, Cal., Nov. 4. —
General use of Telemeter's
television reception facilities
by the residents of this here-
tofore video-less community
will commence late this week,
according to Telemeter execu-
tives, with residents tapping
the coaxial cable connecting
with giant receiving antennae
erected on a mountain nine
miles distant.
Racing against the calendar,
Telemeter Corp. flew four-
one-ton reels of coaxial cable
from New York last Saturday
to set up multiple-set recep-
tion of election results at the
Racquet Club tonight.
2 Dividends Declared
By Univ. Pictures
A semi-annual dividend of 50 cents
per share on the common stock was
declared here Monday by the board
of directors of Universal Pictures
Corp. It is payable Dec. 5 to stock-
holders of record on Nov. 20.
The board also declared a quarter-
ly dividend of $1.06 per share on the
four and one-quarter per cent cumula-
tive preferred stock of the company,
pavable Dec. 1 to stockholders of rec-
ord on Nov. 17, 1952.
crowds but as the ball games begin
early many in attendance go to see a
motion picture afterward.
WA N T E D !
SALES
EXPLOITATION
For Specialized
SHOWMEN
AMERICAN DIALOGUE and/or SUBTITLED VERSIONS
of
Commercial-Art and Foreign Attractions
Division Managers for
- ATLANTA
Sales Exploitation Representatives for
Boston
New Haven
Washington
Philadelphia
Charlotte
New Orleans ]
Memphis )
Denver
Salt Lake City
j Cincinnati
( Indianapolis
■ San Francisco
< Portland
( Seattle
Dallas
Oklahoma City
Kansas City
St. Louis
Omaha
Des Moines
EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY:
For the Live-wire with Ambition — Knowledge of
Territory. Contact with Circuits and Independents.
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I. F. E
DEPT. X
CONFIDENTIAL
1501 Broadway, N. Y. 36, N. Y.
lis
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111
attip
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mi
3 si s
r^i"iTnfiYi^iiiinw"T^HTO^
'SNOWS'
OF KILIMANJARO
IN LANDSLIDE!
O HENRYS
FULL HOUSE'
TAKES IT ALL!
STEEL TRAP'
BIG WINNER!
LURE'
OF THE WILDERNESS
IS TICKET-TOPPER!
WAY OF A
GAUCHO
OUT IN FRONT!
DREAMBOAT
SAILS IN!
MONKEY
BUSINESS'
LEADS FIELD!
m
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THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE 2cA BUSINESS
CENTURY- FOX
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
Accurate
Jllicise
Impai
VOL. 72. NO.
NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1952
TEN CENTS
Says Foreign
Problems Call
For Firmness
Aboaf Urges 'Aggressive'
Stand By U. S. Industry
By WALTER PASHKIN
The Motion Picture Association
was strongly urged to deal with
and present "an aggressive atti-
tude" towards growing problems of
a currently
highly lucrative
foreign market,
b y Am e r i c o
Aboaf, Univer-
sal-I nterna-
tional foreign
sales manager,
on Monday.
Over-protec-
tion by for-
eign govern-
ments in the
form of tariffs,
bans, and per-
mits and sub-
s i d i z e d i n-
creased production which is in a
large measure dependent upon funds
{Continued on page 5)
Americo Aboaf
$1,000,000 Rise in
Sept. Collections
Washington, Nov. 4. — General ad-
mission tax collections for September,
reflecting August business, were more
than $1,000,000 higher than the Sept.
1951 collections, the Bureau of In-
ternal Revenue announced.
This is the first time since February
of this year that a 1952 monthly col-
lection has been higher than the figure
for the comparable 1951 month. In-
dustry officials have been expecting
(Continued on page 4)
Producers, Theatres
In TV Promotion
To Map Cinerama
Plans Here Today
A conference on Cinerama
production plans and the set-
ting of more theatres in key
situations to show Cinerama
product is scheduled to be
held here today.
Slated to attend are Louis
B. Mayer, board chairman of
Cinerama Productions Corp.;
Dudley Roberts, president,
Merian C. Cooper, general
manager in charge of the pro-
gram of production, and
others.
Key NT Houses May
Adopt Ice Shows
The projected ice show stage policy
at the Roxy, if successful in New
York, will be inaugurated in key
houses of National Theatres through-
out the coun-
try, Charles P.
Skouras, NT
president, dis-
ci os e d here
Monday at a
trade press
luncheon at the
St. Moritz
Hotel.
Skouras said
that one key
NT theatre in
Detroit, St.
Louis, Denver,
San Francisco
and Los An-
geles, would adopt an ice show stage
(Continued on page 4)
RKO Theatres' Net \
For 9 Months Is
Listed at $623,411
Consolidated net profit of RKO
Theatres and subsidiaries for the first
nine months of 1952 was $623,411,
after taxes and all other charges, (in-
cluding a loss of $157,121 on the sale
of capital assets), compared with a
consolidated net profit for the first
nine months of 1951 of $1,053,844,
after taxes and all other charges, in-
cluding a profit of $380,577 on the sale
of capital assets, before taxes).
Consolidated net profit for the third
quarter of 1952 was $448,608, after
(Continued on page 4)
Jaffe Named 4VJV of
Col. International
Charles Skouras
Election of Leo Jaffe as a vice-
president of Columbia Pictures Inter-
national Corp.
was announced
here following a
meeting of the
board of direc-
tors. Jaffe is
also assistant
treasurer of
Columbia Pic-
tures Corp., the
parent company.
Herman
Golden, comp-
troller of Co-
lumbia Interna-
t i o n a 1 , was
promoted to as
RKO Radio
Plans Cut to
Two Divisions
Leo Jaff e
sistant treasurer, succeeding Bernard
North-South Unit To Be
Dropped in New Setup
By AL STEEN
Plans for the realignment of
RKO Radio Pictures' sales depart-
ment call for the reduction of the
present three-division setup to a
two-division arrangement, it was re-
ported here. RKO currently maintains
Eastern, Western and North-South di-
visions, but it is understood that the
latter unit will be eliminated and in-
tegrated with the other two divisions.
The Canadian district now is
a part of the North-South divi-
sion, with Carl Peppercorn
heading the Dominion branches.
It is understood that the Ca-
nadian offices will be split geo-
graphically into the Eastern
and Western divisions.
Other districts now within the
North-South scope and which will be
affected by the proposed switch to two
divisions are the Southeastern, under
(Continued on page 4)
(Continued on page 4)
Cleveland, Nov. 4. — For the first
time, a group of first-run theatres
here are sponsors of a weekly half-
hour TV program to promote attend-
ance in theatres.
Co-sponsors of the program, which
starts' ' Sunday, Nov. 16 and will be
heard each Sunday for 13 weeks from
1 :00 to 1 :30 P.M., are M-G-M, War-
ner Brothers, Paramount, 20th-Cen-
tury-Fox, United Artists, Universal-
(Continued on page 5)
RKO Radio to Follow Policy
Of Test Runs on New Films
RKO Radio Pictures plans to follow a policy of test engagements on
several of its forthcoming pictures in order to determine the type of
campaigns that will be most beneficial to exhibitors. This plan was
announced here Monday by Charles Boasberg, general sales manager,
trade
at a luncheon for the trade press
Boasberg pointed out that the test
runs would enable the sales depart-
ment to determine audience reaction
and the extent of patronage based on
advertising and promotion. Cam-
paigns then can be revised, Boasberg
said. He added that it was not the
intention of the company to hold back
on releases, but rather to help theatres
to cash in to a greater extent on RKO
product.
Greater freedom of movement in de-
fining new sales plans was envisioned
by Boasberg, who said that in cooper-
ation with Arnold Picker, new execu-
tive vice-president in charge ; of
distribution, quicker decisions were
now possible. For example, Boas-
berg said while "Androcoles and the
Lion" was scheduled to go into general
release last weekend, the picture has
been withdrawn until after Jan. 1 in.
order to prepare a new advertising-
campaign. The RKO sales manager
said he felt the company had a big
money picture in "Androcoles," as a
result of a weekend opening in Denver
where it did record business at the
Paramount Theatre. The film also
(Continued on page 4)
16mm. Defendants
Get Postponement
Los Angeles, Nov. 4. — Defendants
in the Government's 16mm. case were
granted a postponement of their an-
swer-date from Nov. 15 to Dec, 15
by William C. Dixon, chief of the
West Coast anti-trust division of the
Department of Justice. This is the
second 30-day extension granted by
the Government. It is understood the
case will not go to trial for six or
more months following filing of
answers.
Urges Follow-ups
On Candidates
_ Columbus, O., Nov. 4. — Ohio ex-
hibitors are urged to remind victorious
candidates in the Ohio Senatorial and
Congressional races that now they
have an opportunity to vote for repeal
of the Federal admission tax, in an
ITO of Ohio bulletin by secretary
Robert Wile.
"This is vital to the success of the
campaign," said Wile, who asked ex-
hibitors to send congratulatory wires
and to include the repeal reminder.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, November 5, 1952
Personal
Mention
STANLEY KRAMER has arrived
in New York from the Coast.
•
George Schur, assistant to Joe
Walsh, head of Paramount's branch
operations, has returned to his desk
following six weeks recuperation from
an operation.
•
Art Anderson, Warner Brothers
Midwest district manager, is recover-
ing at St. Mary's Hospital in Milwau-
kee from gun shot wounds suffered in
a hunting accident.
•
Hugh Owen, Paramount Eastern
and Southern division manager, will
conduct sales conferences in Boston
today and in New Haven tomorrow.
• .
Morgan Hudgins, M-G-M studio
publicist, left here yesterday by plane,
accompanying Ava Gardner to Eng-
land and Nairobi, Africa.
•
Eric Johnston, MPAA president,
will be the guest on the CBS-TV
"Chronoscope" program tonight.
•
p. x. Dana, Universal Eastern
sales manager, is on an up-state New
York business trip this week.
•
Bernard Smith, Paramount pro-
ducer, has returned to Hollywood from
New York.
Dixie Lee Crosby
Funeral Rites Held
Hollywood, Nov. 4.— Funeral ser-
vices for Dixie Lee Crosby, wife of
Bing Crosby, who died of cancer
Saturday, were held yesterday in
Beverly Hills. A Requiem mass was
offered at the Roman Catholic Church
of the Good Shepherd with Msgr.
Patrick J. Concannon officiating.
The former singing and dancing
star is also survived by four sons:
Gary Evan, twins Philip Land and
Dennis Michael, and Lindsay Harry.
Funeral Services
For Thomas Spry
Boston, Nov. 4. — Funeral services
for Thomas B. Spry, who died at his
home in Scituate, Mass., were held
today at the Crosby Memorial Fun-
eral Home. Spry died last Friday.
He was for many years the Bos-
ton franchise holder for First Na-
tional Pictures. He then became the
first Boston branch manager for
Warner Brothers. He resigned that
position because of ill health about 15
years ago. He is survived by his
widow, Elizabeth.
Henry Edwards Dies
London, Eng., Nov. 4.— British film
actor and director Henry Edwards
died Sunday. He is featured in the
Herbert Wilcox production, "Trent's
Last Case," with Orson Welles and
Margaret Lockwood, which premiered
here Friday. He also appeared in
"The Magic Bow," "Green for Dan-
ger" and "Dear Mr. Prohack."
Talk of Prejudice Toward
Theatre TV 'Silly': FCC
Washington, Nov. 4. — The Federal Communications Commission
today derided talk from some segments of the industry which labeled as
prejudiced the Commission's attitude toward theatre television.
Both Commissioners and staffers said that it was "silly" to accuse the
FCC of prejudice against theatre tele
17 from MGM
In Six Months
vision in view of the fact that the
Commission authorized channels for
theatre television service some time
ago.' The channels are allocated on a
common carrier basis, they said, but
are available to theatre television.
All pointed out that the theatre tele-
vision hearings had hardly started and
that the bulk of the evidence was still
to come. "The Commission always
keeps an open mind until it reaches
a decision," one Commissioner said.
A different Commissioner added that
"we have no view one way or the
other and won't have any until we
have heard the evidence and see what
the situation is."
"Nobody in the Commission,
including the chairman, is going
to make up his mind until the
record is completed," another
said, "and then we'll make a de-
cision based on the record."
Still another maintained that "there
isn't any question about prejudice be-
cause theatre television is herealready.
It's just a question of who is going
to be licensed for the theatre television
service."
The attitude of Commission officials
agreed with the opinion of lawyers,
both in and out of the industry, who
sat through the portion of the theatre
television hearing that ended last week.
The consensus of the attorneys who
represent parties to the case was that
the Commission had "bent over back
wards to be fair."
Fabian Optimistic
On FCC Sentiment
Optimism that the Federal Com-
munications Commission will grant
the industry theatre television fre
quencies was expressed here by Si
Fabian, chairman of the National Ex-
hibitors Theatre Television Commit-
tee.
Fabian scored reports that the
FCC, which has just completed the
first phase of its theatre TV hear
ings, has been unreceptive to the in
dustry's bid for channels.
Services Held for James
Milwaukee, Nov. 4. — Services
were held in Flint, Mich., for Wallace
O. James, former theatre operator
here, who died in Flint last week.
Burial was in Arlington National
Cemetery. At the time of his death he
managed a drive-in near Flint.
James, who also managed theatres
in Chicago, Detroit and New York, is
survived by his widow, a daughter and
two sons.
Fred Girtanner Dies
Tacoma, Wash., Nov. 4.— Fred T.
Girtanner, 67, for 15 years owner of
suburban theatres in Pierce County,
died at his home of a heart attack.
He was a native of Columbus, Nebr.
See Post-Election
Upswing on B'way
With the elections over, Broadway
theatremen look forward to a boost at
the box-office. This week, business at
most New York first-runs was spotty
and the drop in some situations was
attributed to people staying at home
keyed to radio and television sets to
follow campaign developments.
Last night, in an effort to buoy the
box-office, many Broadway theatres
featured announcements of important
election returns.
"The Happy Time" at Radio City
Music Hall hit a nice $128,000 for its
opening week. At Loew's State,
Everything I Have Is Yours" opened
to a fair $20,000 for its first seven
days. A house record for the off-
Broadway Fine Arts Theatre was
broken by "The Promoter," a robust
$15,000 having been chalked up for its
first seven days, beating the previous
high set by "The Lavender Hill Mob"
in Oct., 1951.
Election returns were broadcast to
theatre audiences by the Paramount,
Roxy, Criterion, Loew's State and the
Capitol, with most houses following
the policy of not interrupting the fea-
ture for announcements. Radio City
Music Hall utilized its TV set in the
main lounge for keeping patrons
posted on the progress of returns.
'Limelight' Strong
Holding up strong is "Limelight" at
the Astor, where a fine $35,000 was
seen for the second week. At the
two-day Trans-Lux 60th Street, fea
turing the same film, a solid $12,300
is indicated for the second stanza.
"Operation Secret" will have a pre
miere today at the Paramount, replac
ing "Springfield Rifle," which bowed
out at a pretty good $55,000 for its
second week. A steady $32,000 is
forecast for the seventh week of
"Snows of Kilimanjaro" at the Rivoli
The fourth and final week of "Just for
You" at the Capitol registered a sat-
isfactory $21,000. "Prisoner of
Zenda" opened there yesterday.
Another Election Day opening was
"Way of a Gaucho" at the Roxy.
"The Thief" closed there with a fairly
good $44,000 realized in the last six
davs of its third week. The second
week of "The Lusty Men" at the Cri
terion did a fair $15,000. "Cairo Road"
at the Globe opened to a moderate
$12,000 for its initial seven days.
"Breaking Through the Sound Bar
rier" will open at the Victoria tomor
row. "The Fourposter" wound up its
engagement there with a moderate
$12,000 for its third week. "The Four
poster" is remaining at the off -Broad
way Sutton, which expects a steady
$9,000 for the film's third stanza.
A fairly nice $15,000 is indicated for
M-G-M has set 12 pictures for ten-
tative release for the four months
starting Jan. 1. These, in addition to
the five scheduled for November and
December, will give exhibitors 17 pro-
ductions from M-G-M, during the six-
month period.
Pictures announced for January to
the end of April are scheduled at three
a month. There will also be two others
for special handling. They are "Lili,"
with Leslie Caron, Mel Ferrer, Jean
Pierre Aumont, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and
Kurt Kasznar, and "The Story of
Three Loves," starring Leslie Caron,
Farley Granger, Ethel Barrymore,
James Mason, Moira Shearer, Kirk
Douglas and Pier Angeli.
For January, the releases will be
"Above and Beyond," starring Robert
Taylor, Eleanor Parker and James
Whitmore; "The Desperate Search,"
with Howard Keel, Jane Greer, and
Patricia Medina; "The Bad and the
Beautiful," with Lana Turner, Kirk
Douglas, Walter Pidgeon, Dick Pow-
ell, Barry Sullivan and Gloria Gra-
hame.
For February, the pictures will be
The Clown," starring Red Skelton
and Timmy Considine; "Jeopardy,"
with Barbara Stanwyck, Barry Sulli-
van and Ralph Meeker ; and "The
Naked Spur," with color in Techni-
color, featuring James Stewart, Janet
Leigh, Robert Ryan, Ralph Meeker
and Millard Mitchell.
"Sombrero," in Technicolor, will be
the first picture in March and will
have Ricardo Montalban, Pier Angeli,
Vittorio Gassman, Cyd Charisse, and
Yvonne DeCarlo. Two others in
March, are "Rogue's March," starring
Peter Lawford, Richard Greene and
Janice Rule, and "I Love Melvin,"
Technicolor, starring Donald O'Con-
ner and Debbie Reynolds.
For April, "Dream Wife" will be
the first, with Cary Grant, Deborah
Kerr, Walter Pidgeon and Betta St.
John. This will be followed by "Small
Town Girl," in Technicolor, starring
Jane Powell and Farley Granger, and
"Connie" with Van Johnson and Janet
Leigh.
Spinrad to Start
Consulting Firm
Leonard Spinrad, news and feature
editor of Warner Brothers' home of-
fice publicity department, has resigned,
effective next month, to become an
independent consultant. A successor
will be appointed later.
Spinrad, who joined the company
as a feature writer in 1940, will advise
editorial and industrial clients on mo-
tion picture matters.
the fourth week of "The World in His
Arms" at the Mayfair. Holding up
strongly is "O Henry's Full House
at the 52nd Street Trans-Lux, where
the picture is due to hit $10,000 for its
third week: A satisfactory $4,500 is
forecast for the sixth inning of The
Magic Box" at the Normandie, which
has scheduled 'Angel Street" for a
Nov. 10 opening.
„ Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and PubH^
North C ark Street, FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington D C. London Bureau 4W4^W^ , published 13 times a year as
thl act of MaVchTl879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies. 10c.
TO THE LIST OF BIG HITS
PLAYING THE NATION'S TOP THEATRES
starring JOHN HODIAK • STEPHEN McNALLY • LINDA CHRISTIAN
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, November 5, 1952
NT Houses
(Continued from page 1)
policy if it pays off at NT's Roxy.
The Roxy will inaugurate its year-
rOund ice show policy a few days be-
fore Christmas, Skouras said, reopen-
ing the house after a two-week altera-
tion period. Skouras estimated that
stage alterations and marquee changes
will cost an estimated $85,000. The ice
show, which will feature a cast num-
bering between 85 to 90 persons, will
last from 45 minutes to an hour,
Skouras added.
Stage production, the NT president
explained, will be under the general
direction of Arthur Knorr, while
David T. Katz will remain as Roxy
executive director. The purpose of the
change in policy, Skouras explained,
is to make the Roxy a show-case,
similar in stature to Radio City Music
Hall. No decision, he said, has been
made as to pricing.
Skouras said the new board of NT
will meet again on the Coast Nov. 20
to decide on a dividend declaration.
He reported NT business in some
areas better as compared to last year
and in other territories worse. He
added that the decrease was felt in the
TV areas.
NT has divested itself of 45 per cent
of the 90 theatres required to be sold
under the terms of the consent decree,
Skouras reported. He added that NT
would go into drive-in operation if
approval is gained from the govern-
ment.
Skouras, as chairman of the re-
search committee of the Theatre Own-
ers of America, said that little has
been accomplished by the group in the
way of third-dimension films, explain-
ing the millions needed for research is
unavailable. He praised the Cinerama
process, adding that a number of an-
gles still must be worked out before
its widespread adoption.
Coast Wages Up,
Hours Are Down
Hollywood, Nov. 4. — Aver-
age weekly earnings of film
workers during September
climbed to a new high of
$112.48, compared to $111.57 in
August and $103.47 for Sept.,
1951, according to the State
Division of Labor Statistics
and research.
Average hours per week
worked decreased to 41.3 from
42 in August, thus bringing
the average hourly earnings
to $2.72 for September, six
cents more than during Aug-
ust and 20 cents more than
Sept., 1951.
Test Runs
(Continued from page 1)
National
N. Y. Variety Lunch
And Election Nov. 10
Variety Club of New York, Tent
No. 35, will hold its annual mem-
bership luncheon-meeting Monday at
the Paramount Caterers. The agenda
will include a complete report on the
year's activities, discussion of new club
quarters, projects for the next year
and election of officers. Candidates are :
Chief barker, Edward Lachman ;
first assistant chief barker, Edward L.
Fabian; second assistant chief barker,
Martin Levine ; property master, Ira
Meinhardt; dough guy, Harold J.
Klein ; canvassmen, Bernard Brooks,
Russell Downing, Nathan Furst, Jack
Hoffberg, Martin Kornbluth, Jack
Levin, Charles B. Lewis, Harold
Newman, Walter Reade, Jr., Harold
Rinzler, Burt Robbins, Morris San-
ders, Bert J. Sanford, Cy Seymour,
David Snaper, Saul Trauner, George
Waldman and Max Wolff.
Ticket Tax Take
(Continued from page 1)
opened in St. Louis, Salt Lake City
and Los Angeles, but there will be no
more bookings until early 1953.
Another example of greater freedom
was the determination at the first
screening of "The Murder" to change
the title to "The Bystander." The
decision was made, Boasberg said,
after a brief conference, whereas for-
merly such a move would have re-
quired considerable contact with the
studio.
Boasberg announced that the Hunt
ington Hartford omnibus picture con
taining two short stories, "Face to
Face," would be released in three ver-
sions. The picture will be available
as a single release, or may be booked
separately. Theatres with double fea-
ture policies may book each of the two
stories as a single feature at different
times, one being Joseph Conrad's "The
Secret Sharer" and the other, "The
Bride Comes to Yellow Sky," by Ste
phen Crane. Together, the two stories
run 92 minutes. Separately, the for-
mer runs 50 minutes and the latter 42
minutes.
Boasberg said RKO had fortified its
position with the strongest lineup m
its history. The nine productions slated
for release between now and Feb. 1
represent a combined negative cost of
$18,000,000, he said. Scheduled for
test runs are( "Blackbeard and the
Pirate," "Androcoles and the Lion"
and "Montana Belle." Pre-release
engagements are being set for Samuel
Goldwyn's "Hans Christian Ander-
sen" and Walt Disney's "Peter Pan."
The press luncheon was attended
also by Walter Branson, assistant
general sales manager; Kay Norton,
publicity director; Maury Segal,
trade press contact, and Fred Gold
berg, assistant to Miss Norton.
Pre-Selling
Jesse Lasky
an increase in fall admission tax col-
lections since mid-summer, when re-
ports of a box-office upturn began
coming in.
Collections for September were
$32,174,968, compared with $31,021,105
for the comparable 1951 month. This
year's September collections rose more
than $4,000,000 over the August col-
lections, which were $28,067,623
Goldwyn Coming to
Promote 'Andersen9
Samuel Goldwyn, producer of "Hans
Christian Andersen," to be released by
RKO Radio Pictures, will arrive here
tomorrow from the Coast to parti-
cipate in the publicity and exploita-
tion campaigns currently in progress
for the dual engagement of the pic-
ture at the Paris and Criterion thea-
tres on Nov. 25. The world premiere
will be held the preceeding evening at
the Criterion.
Motion picture critics and column-
ists from seven cities will be brought
to New York by RKO to see special
screenings of the picture and for inter-
views with Goldwyn.
only $626* for a
10-DAY
HAWAIIAN
VACATION!
Includes Mainliner transportation, hotel
accommodations and sightseeing.
That's just one of United Air Lines'
low-expense Hawaiian Air Vacations.
There are six others from which to
choose, lasting up to 23 days. Call or
write for a free descriptive folder.
* From New York
UNITED AIR LINES
(Fares plus tax.)
RKO Radio Plans
(Continued from page 1)
Doser Chief Barker
Of Pittsburgh Tent
Pittsburgh, Nov. 4.— The follow-
ing crew for 1953 was elected by
Variety Club, Tent No. 1 : Carl Doser,
chief barker; Norman Mervis, first
assistant; Harold Lund, second assis-
tant ; Al Weiblinger, property master,
and Sam Speranza, doughboy.
Jaffe Named
(Continued from page 1)
Dave Prince ; Southwestern, under
Ben Cammack, and Metropolitan
under L. S. Gruenberg.
The Eastern division now has two
districts, Eastern and East Central,
With R. J. Folliard in charge of the
former and M. E. Lefko heading the
latter. Nat Levy is division chief.
The Western division, headed by
Walter Branson until his appointment
as assistant to general sales manager
Charles Boasberg, currently is split in-
to three districts: Midwest, under
Herbert Greenblatt ; Rocky Moun
tain, under A. L. Kolitz, and West
ern, under J. H. Maclntyre.
Boasberg, prior to his recent ap
pointment as sales chief, headed the
North-South district.
PRODUCER JESSE LASKY, who
is planning a new picture to be
titled "The Big Brass Band," ad-
dressing last week's showmanship
class of the As-
sociated Motion
Picture Adver-
tisers, cited the
help given to
film picture
companies by
national maga-
z i n e s . He
called to the
group's a t -
tention the fea-
ture stories of
pictures in pro-
duction and
their stars that
are run by na-
tional magazines, and how these stories
condition the minds of prospective
movie-goers for the time when the pic-
tures arrive in theatres.
•
Charlie Chaplin's "Limelight," re-
leased through United Artists, is
reviewed in the current issue of
Look magazine. A two-page spread
and two one-half pages are used by
Look for pictures and text.
•
Woman's Home Companion in its
current issue has five full color pic-
tures of Marge Champion, star of
i M-G-M's "Everything I Have Is
Yours." Miss Champion wears gowns
created for the picture by Helen Rose,
,top M-G-M designer. The layout for
the picture is on a two-page spread.
Captions describe how the gowns can
be made inexpensively at _ home.
'Everything I have Is Yours" Js play-
ing at Loezv's State in this city.
Redbook in its issue now on news-
stands has a feature on Jane Greer
entitled "Love Has to Come First
The article is illustrated with stills
from the M-G-M's "Prisoner of Zen-
da" and "The Desperate Search."
E. Zeeman, recently named treasurer
of Columbia International.
Jaffe' s election will involve, new re-
sponsibilities for him in the foreign
field. For a number of years he has
been assisting A. Schneider, Columbia
vice-president and treasurer, in mat-
ters involving both domestic and for-
eign activities of the company.
RKO Theatres
(Continued from page 1)
taxes and all other charges, (including
a loss of $173,640 on the sale of cap-
ital assets). This compares with a
consolidated net profit for the third
quarter of 1951 of $502,205, after
taxes and all other charges, (including
profit of $1,690.49 on the sale of
capital assets, before taxes).
Profit from actual operations— be-
fore deductions for charges and taxes
—were better in the third quarter of
1952, ending on Sept. 27, than in the
same period in 1951, totaling $1,474,-
843 in the 1952 quarter, against
$1,424,688 in the 1951 quarter.
There were 3,914,913 shares of com-
mon stock outstanding last Sept. 27.
Twentieth Century-Fox is offer-
ing a 10-day all-expense trip for
two to Italy for the best and most
productive advertising, publicity
and exploitation campaign on "The
Thief of Venice." Any theatre in the
United States that plays "Thief of
Venice" before June 1, 1953 is elig-
ible. The contest is being launched
by two-page ads in Look and Col-
lier's. The ads will list the play-
dates of "Thief" in first-run the-
atres in the United States.
•
Edwin Miller, motion picture editor
of Seventeen, reviewed six pictures
for the current issue. These pictures
[are M-G-M's "Because You're Mine"
and "The Devil Makes Three," Colum-
Ibia's "The Four Poster" RKO
Radio's "Under the Red Sea," 20th
Century-Fox's "Monkey Business"
and Walter Putter's "The Amazing
Monsieur Fabre."
'The President's Lady," Irving
Stone's novel being filmed by 20th
Century-Fox, has has been selected by
Reader's Digest to appear in its quar-
terly volume of special book conden-
sations. The story is based on the life
of Rachel and Andrew Jackson. Su-
san Hayward and Charlton Heston
will be starred. Walter Haas
Wednesday, November 5, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
Promotion
{Continued from page 1)
International, and Columbia. Others
are expected to participate at a later
date.
Theatres involved are Loevv's State,
Ohio and Stillman ; RKO's Palace
and Warner's Allen, Hippodrome,
Tower, Lower Mall and Fairmount.
With the exception of the Fairmount,
all are downtown houses.
Produced by MCA
The half-hour "live" program will
be produced by MCA with Bill Gordon
as master of ceremonies. Local film
men will form a rotating panel to give
information about current and coming
attractions and to participate in a quiz
for which prizes will be free admission
tickets to the theatre of the winner's
choice. Also appearing on the program
will be any film personalities — stars,
producers, directors, or publicity men
— who happen to be in town. Whenever
possible, clips from pictures will also
be used.
It is estimated that the cost of the
film-TV program, shared by the pro-
ducer-theatre sponsors, will approxi-
mate $1,000 a week.
Problems Call for Firmness
(Continued from page 1)
Lesser in New Deal
Hollywood, Nov. 4. — Sol Lesser
and Olle Nordemar, president of Art
Films, Sweden, jointly announced the
formation of Aurora Productions, to
produce features in Scandinavia and
handle the distribution of certain
Lesser productions there. Nordeman,
who produced "Kon-Tiki," will make
two features annually.
supplied by American aid, were cited
as the "difficulties which face us that
could be surmounted if we keep a
united front."
Recently returned from a nine-week
global business tour that covered 30,-
000 miles and included visits to 20
countries and 25 cities in the Near
East, Far East and Europe, Aboaf
found that "no matter what the con-
ditions are, war, pestilence or pov-
erty, the people are desirous of en-
tertainment."
Production is on the upswing
in Italy, Germany, France, Jap-
an, and India and in some cases
has cost American films pre-
ferred playing time and a sub-
sequent slight loss of revenue,
according to Aboaf. He said,
"The foreign market is there in
a healthy condition and it is for
us to do what we can to keep
our business there in the face
of local production and protec-
tion."
Aboaf revealed that the recent mis-
sions by Hindu and Italian dignitaries
had not been favorably looked upon
in those countries because of what
was deemed unflattering coverage by
the American press. He felt that
Italy's currency head, Jaschi, might
resort to restrictive measures if more
satisfactory business arrangements re-
sulting in greater Italian monies were
not forthcoming. He noted the first
Indian Technicolor film, "Aan,"_ is a
great success and that there is an
Indian-Pakistan feud going on over
Kashmir and also distribution rights.
This has resulted in a ban on foreign
importations primarily aimed at In-
dian films, but it is not expected to
long hamper American film exhibi-
tion. He approvingly termed the re-
cent French negotiations offer of $1,-
200,000 a good-will gesture.
Aboaf said that Universal-Interna-
tional was doing particularly well
with its films and that the type of pic-
ture desired varied with the country-
Theatre building or reconstruction is
going on in many places. In Cairo the
theatres burned during the January
riots have been beautifully recon-
structed and frequently enlarged with
the aid of government finances. These
are reopening within the next few
weeks. In Israel where there is a
stark food shortage a new 1,600 seat
theatre has been built by an Amer-
ican firm.
Theatres Run Down
Exhibition in Japan is thriving but
many of the theatres are being run
down due to lack of care. The U. S.
Army has released all theatres in the
country except the "Ernie Pyle". Of
the 3,600 theatres, 10 p<er cent play
American films, 30 per cent play Jap-
anese films, and the remaining 60 per
cent play a mixed program. Aboaf de-
clared conditions were "potentially
extremely good" although at present
there is an importation limitation due
to disagreement over distribution
rights by distributors. There is a
great sum of money spent on the
"Kachicko" or pin ball machine craze
and Sunday baseball draws huge
Palm Springs Will
Start Telemeter Use
Palm Springs, Cal., Nov. 4.—
General use of Telemeter's
television reception facilities
by the residents of this here-
tofore video-less community
will commence late this week,
according to Telemeter execu-
tives, with residents tapping
the coaxial cable connecting
with giant receiving antennae
erected on a mountain nine
miles distant.
Racing against the calendar,
Telemeter Corp. flew four-
one-ton reels of coaxial cable
from New York last Saturday
to set up multiple-set recep-
tion of election results at the
Racquet Club tonight.
2 Dividends Declared
By Univ. Pictures
A semi-annual dividend of 50 cents
per share on the common stock was
declared here Monday by the board
of directors of Universal Pictures
Corp. It is payable Dec. 5 to stock-
holders of record on Nov. 20.
The board also declared a quarter-
ly dividend of $1.06 per share on the
four and one-quarter per cent cumula-
tive preferred stock of the company,
pavable Dec. 1 to stockholders of rec-
ord on Nov. 17, 1952.
crowds but as the ball games begin
early many in attendance go to see a
motion picture afterward.
W A NTED!
SALES
EXPLOITATION
SHOWMEN
For Specialized
AMERICAN DIALOGUE and/or SUBTITLED VERSIONS
of
Commercial-Art and
Division Managers for
- CLEVELAND - ATLANTA
Sales Exploitation Representatives for
( Boston | { New Orleans
\ New Haven ) 1 Memphis
Washington | / Denver
Philadelphia > [ Sa(t Lake City
Charlotte )
EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY:
Cincinnati
Indianapolis
San Francisco
Portland
Seattle
Dallas
Oklahoma City
/ Kansas City
S St. Louis
) Omaha
' Des Moines
For the Live-wire with Ambition — Knowledge of
Territory. Contact with Circuits and Independents.
Please Provide Complete Resume of Background-Photograph-Compensation Expected and any other Pertinent Information,
your vtpp/icaf/on and Resume Shall Be Held Confidential By This Company.
I. F. E
DEPT. X
CONFIDENTIAL
1501 Broadway, N Y. 36, N. Y.
t : Hit
I
Ill 1} Ipt
IPS'
'SNOWS'
OF KILIMANJARO
IN LANDSLIDE!
O.HENRYS
FULL HOUSE'
TAKES IT ALL!
'STEEL TRAP'
BIG WINNER!
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§g; S'V.;.::<<: i.* :„ii};'5i }S;}S)5 *is
LURE'
OF THE WILDERNESS
IS TICKET-TOPPER!
WAY OF A
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THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE <2Ql BUSINESS!
CENTURY-FOX
MOTION PICTURE
AIR
MAIL
EDITION
VOL. 72. NO. 89
NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1952
TEN CENTS
Interest Grows
For AAA Hand
In Arbitration
Proponents Say Ass'n
Could Be Cost-Saver
Federal Policies Toward
Business Due for Change
A growing interest in having the
American Arbitration Association
administer the industry's proposed
arbitration system is indicated in
both exhibition and distribution
circles. A sharp difference of opinion
over the possibility of having- the
AAA in the picture prevailed in the
early days of arbitration discussions,
but it is reported that opponents and
proponents of AAA participation are
getting closer together, in favor of the
association. As yet, no overtures have
been made to the AAA nor has any
advice been sought from the organiza-
tion as to operational procedure.
Meanwhile, a pattern for the financ-
ing of a new arbitration system for the
motion picture industry is reported to
have been drawn up and to be under
consideration. One of the principal
obstacles in blueprinting a new system
has been the matter of costs. Some
{Continued on page 4)
Edward Small, who dis-
tributes through United
Artists, has closed a new
financing deal with the
Bankers Trust Co. of New
York. While the amount of
the finances involved was
not revealed, the bank's
Harry Watkins said the
deal indicated the bank's
confidence in the UA man-
agement .
•
TORONTO, Nov. 5. — Six
Canadian film leaders
were honored tonight by
the Canadian Picture Pio-
neers. Scrolls went to
John Chuberg of Vancou-
ver ; George Anetakos and
L. E. Ouimet of Montreal,
Jule Allen of this city;
Arch J. Mason of Spring-
hill, N.S., and the late
P. G. Spencer of Saint
John, N. B.
Texas COMPO Seeks
State Tax Change
Dallas, Nov. 5. — T e x a s
COMPO tomorrow will launch
a campaign to have the state
admission tax made applicable
to prices of $1 instead of the
51 cents and over level now
in effect. A 10-page booklet
has been prepared to guide
exhibitors in their approach
to state legislators for su-
port of the change.
Eisenhower Administration Leans to Lower
Taxes, Fewer Controls, Less Interference,
But Tariff Policy Could Bring Retaliation
Find Election Night
Ballyhoo No Help
Despite the ballyhoo devoted to the
message that important election re-
turns would be broadcast to theatre pa-
irons, New York theatres, in the main,
suffered a dip at the box-office Elec-
tion Night, a poll of circuits disclosed
here yesterday.
Along Broadway, most first-run
houses reported business good for
matinees while grosses declined dur-
ing the evening. With the exception
of RKO Theatres, most other cir-
cuits reported neighborhood business
down Election Night. RKO Theatres
said that the box-office was lively both
during the day and evening.
Educators to Honor
Film Studio Heads
Hollywood, . Nov. 5. — A group of
nationally known educators will honor
studio heads tomorrow with a dinner
and reception at the Beverly Hills
Hotel for "the significant contribu-
tions" Hollywood films are making
as teaching aids in schools through-
out the United States.
Dr. Roy E. Simpson, California
Superintendent of Public Instruction,
will be host and will be joined in the
tribute by many prominent educators,
including Dr. Willard E. Givens, for-
mer executive secretary of the Na-
tional Education Association; Dr.
Mark May of Yale University ; Dr.
A. J. Stoddard, superintendent of Los
Angeles schools ; Roger Albright, di-
rector of educational services of the
Motion Picture Association ; members
of the state board of education, and
(Continued on page 4)
By J. A. OTTEN
Washington, Nov. 5. — Barring an all-out war, business gener-
ally— and including the motion picture industry — can look for a
slightly easier time at the hands of the Federal Government dur-
ing the next few years. How this will be translated into specific acts
affecting the film industry is still too early to say.
An Eisenhower Administration — regardless of how the still un-
certain struggle for control of Con-
gress goes — will probably mean
lower taxes over the next few
years, though not necessarily a cut
in the admission tax. It will mean a
more lenient anti-trust policy, though
not necessarily any dropping of the
16mm. case. It will mean fewer con-
trols on business, though not neces-
sarily the complete ending right now
of theatre construction controls.
An admission tax cut, a dropping'
of the 16mm. suit, ending of theatre
construction controls are all definite
possibilities — they're just not certain,
part of the difficulty of translating
broad trends into specific instances.
For example, a Republican admin-
istration will probably mean an initial
economy wave. This, plus a natural
tapering-off in defense spending to-
ward the end of 1954, should make
possible some small tax cuts. At this
point, it looks almost certain that
both the new administration and Con-
gress will let the excess profits tax
expire next June 30, on schedule. But
not too many film industry firms have
been affected by this tax.
There'll have to be a tax bill next
(Continued on page 4)
Blame Rising Costs
For Col. Profit Dip
Increased costs of production and
general operations were blamed for
the dip in Columbia Pictures Corp.
profits for the year ended June 30,
1952, despite the record income real-
ized by the company in the 12 month
period, according to a letter to stock-
holders by Harry Cohn, president.
Comparing the current year's oper-
ation with previous years, Cohn
pointed out that gross income for 1952
was $59,081,213, the largest in the
company's 30-year history. However,
the net profit for 1952, it was re-
ported, was $802,872, compared to
$1,497,814 in 1951 when the gross in-
come was $55,368,284.
Cohn cited the increase in labor
costs as an example. Said he : "The
added labor costs in the industry in
Hollywood alone amount to $13,000,-
000 annually, of which our share has
amounted to $1,400,000. Unlike many
other industries, an increased cost is
(Continued on page 4)
Public Relations
Group for Canada
Toronto, Nov. 5. — Formal start was
made on a proposed motion picture in-
stitute of Canada as suggested by the
Motion Picture Industry Council last
week in Ottawa when the Motion Pic-
ture Theatres Association of Ontario
in convention here enthusiastically en-
dorsed the project, in which a prime
mover is Nat Taylor of Toronto, head
of 20th Century Theatres.
Plans call for a central bureau
which would work for better boxrOf-
fice and improved public relations on
a cooperative basis to meet the new
threat of Canadian television.
Grant to Coast on
Studio Problems
Arnold Grant, chairman of the board
of directors of RKO Radio Pictures,
is expected to fly to the Coast today
on RKO studio plans immediately fol-
lowing this afternoon's scheduled
meeting of the RKO board here.
The board today is expected to ap-
point, three new directors, filling the .
vacancies caused by the recent resig-
nations of Ralph Stolkin, Abraham L.
Koolish and William Gorman. Grant's
mission to the Coast, delayed by the
internal problems of the company in
the East, is a two-fold one, to find
a studio head and to map the.resump-
(Continued on page 4)
2
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, November 6, 1952
Myers Charges FCC Is Not
Encouraging to Theatre TV
Washington, Nov. 5. — The Fed-
eral Communications Commission did
not give the industry much encourage-
ment in its hopes for theatre television
channels during the course of the re-
cent theatre television hearing, Allied
States Association general counsel
Abram F. Myers said today.
In a bulletin to Allied members,
Myers declared he must report that in
his judgment "nothing occurred to in-
dicate that the commissioners are in-
clined to allocate channels for theatre
television."
On the contrary, Myers went on,
"most of the questions propounded
and observations made seemed to be
quite discouraging."
Myers said he had carefully ob-
served the first phase of the hearing
and complimented the National Ex-
hibitors Theatre Television Commit-
tee on an "excellent job." He added,
however, that "the fight is not lost by
any means" and that the Commission
would be presented in the January por-
tion of the hearing with facts "calcu-
lated to overcome" Commission objec-
tions.
Earlier this week the FCC derided
talk from some segments of the indus-
try which labeled as prejudiced the
Commission's attitude toward theatre
television.
Spyros Skouras in
Sydney from Tokyo
Spyros P. Skouras, 20th Century-
Fox president, has arrived in Sydney,
Australia, from Tokyo for a three-
week survey of company interests and
industry conditions in Australia and
New Zealand, the company reported
here yesterday.
Skouras is expected to meet with
Ernest Turnbull of Hoyt's Theatres,
in which 20th Century-Fox has in-
terests, and other leading Australian
theatremen and government officials.
Discussions are also slated with
Michael Moodabe of New Zeland's
Amalgamated Theatres. Additionally,
Skouras will address groups in his
capacity as chairman of the exten-
sion committee of the World Brother-
hood Movement. Following his stay
in Sydney, Skouras will return to the
United States by way of Europe,
with a stopover in India.
S t o I kin , C or win
Sell Radio Interest
Portland, Ore., Nov. 5. — Ralph
Stolkin, Edward G. Burke and Sher-
rill Corwin, members of the syndicate
which bought Howard Hughes' con-
trolling stock interest in RKO Pic-
tures, have sold their 33 per cent in-
terest in the Portland and Seattle
radio stations to employes of station
KOIN, Portland, and to Ted R. Gam-
ble, chairman and partner in the oper-
ations, and Arch Morton, Seattle sta-
tion manager.
An amended application for televi-
sion channel No. 6 has been filed with
the Federal Communications Commis-
sion announcing the sale of the stock,
Gamble said. Stolkin recently resigned
as president and a director of RKO
Pictures following unfavorable pub-
licity in the Wall Street Journal con-
cerning his past business activities.
Los Angeles Leading
'Heineman Drive'
United Artists' "Bill Heineman
Sales Drive" has moved into its home
stretch, with the Los Angeles, New
Orleans and New Haven exchanges
holding down' first places in the three
exchange groups into which the com-
pany's branches have been divided for
purposes of the drive, it was an-
nounced here by UA vice-president
Max E. Youngstein, who is drive
captain. Chicago, Cleveland and Van-
couver, are the runners-up in the
three groups, respectively.
The drive will end on Dec. 6. It
began on June 15.
'Andersen* Premiere
For Children Nov. 15
RKO Radio will stage a special in-
vitational premiere of Samuel Gold-
wyn's "Hans Christian Andersen" at
the Paris Theatre here on Nov. 15
for youngsters between the ages of six
and 14, children of celebrities, press,
radio, magazine and TV representa-
tives.
Plans call for a full-scale premiere,
with NBC's TV puppet personality,
"Rootie Kazootie," as host and master
of ceremonies. The regular premiere
of the film will be held Nov. 24 at
New York's Criterion Theatre.
Personal
Mention
DON HARTMAN, Paramount
production chief, is due in New
York from Hollywood Monday for
10 days of home office conferences.
•
Jack S. Connolly, chief of the
newsreel and special events branch of
the U. S. Department of State, has
been given the Superior Service
Award, second highest decoration that
a civilian can obtain in government.
•
Harold Wirthwein, Allied Artists
Western sales manager, has returned
to Hollywood from San Francisco,
accompanied by Mel Hulling, West
Coast franchise owner.
•
Jerry Pickman, Paramount vice-
president in charge of advertising and
publicity, will return here today from
the Rowley United Theatres conven-
tion in Dallas.
•
Berry Greenberg, Warner Brothers
home office foreign department repre-
sentative, has returned from a trip
through the Far East.
•
F. J. A. McCarthy, Universal
Southern and Canadian sales man-
ager, left New York yesterday for
Houston.
•
Bert Orde, head of the motion pic-
ture department of Redbook maga-
zine, has returned here from the
Coast.
•
Charles P. Skouras, president of
National Theatres, is scheduled to
leave here for the Coast tomorrow.
•
Ben Thau, M-G-M studio execu-
tive, has delayed his arrival here from
the Coast until tomorrow.
•
George Stevens, Paramount pro-
ducer-director, has arrived in New
York from Hollywood.
•
Arthur Canton, M-G-M Eastern
field press representative, is in Bos-
ton from New York.
•
Edward L. Fabian of Fabian
Theatres has returned to New York
from Albany.
Sennett, Ritzes in Deal
Hollywood, Nov. 5. — Mack Sen-
nett and the Ritz brothers have com-
bined in a package deal centered on
a story titled "Galloping Geese,"
which will be offered to a major
studio. This would bring Sennett back
to active production as a director.
The story, to star Harry, Al and
Jimmy Ritz, is backgrounded in Los
Angeles.
Lesser Bringing Print
Julian Lesser, president of Royal
Productions, is scheduled to arrive in
New York tomorrow from Hollywood
with a print of his latest picture, "The
Lost Hours." Distribution plans will
be discussed with Seymour Poe, Les-
ser's New York representative. No
release deal has been set. Made in
England, the film stars Mark Stevens.
Disney Sets 65 16mm.
Distribution Units
Walt Disney Productions has li-
censed 65 distribution units across the
country to handle the 16mm. films for
educational, church, club and other
non-theatrical users that Disney will
make available shortly after Jan. 1,
according" to Roy Disney, company
president. Carl Nater, head of Dis-
ney's non-theatrical department, will
be in charge of the setup.
Four subjects running from 18 to 27
minutes in length, as well as three
separate comedy shorts, are included
in the first list of releases. All will be
in color.
V. J. Orsinger Heads
Variety in Capital
Washhington, Nov. 5. — Victor J.
Orsinger, Washington attorney and
former general manager of Lopert
Theatres here, has been elected chief
barker of the Variety Club of Wash-
ington. Also elected were Jerry Price,
first assistant chief barker ; Jack
Fruchtman, second assistant ; Alvin
Q. Ehrlich, property master, and Sam
Galanty, dough guy.
Delegates to Variety International's
Mexico City meeting will be Nate
Golden and Jake Flax, with Jerry
Adams international canvasman.
Newsreel
Parade
CORONATION preparations in
England are highlighted in cur-
rent newsreels. Also featured are for-
est fires in the East, bitter fighting in
Korea, prison riots in Ohio, a British
jet plane crash, and college football
games.
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 90— Leather-
necks in bitter fight for Korean hill. Bos-
ton battles a big pier blaze. British jet
liner crashes in Rome. Fires menacing for-
ests in East. Fashions in wool. Georgia
Tech-Duke, Michigan State-Purdue football
games.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 22»— UN and
Reds locked in deadly see-saw battle. Cpro-
nation preview. Borneo greets duchess.
Police perform for Egypt's strong-man.
Michigan State -Purdue, U.C.L.A.-Califor-
nia football games.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 23— Corona-
tion preparations in England. With Uncle
Sam's Leathernecks in Korea. Aftermath
of tension behind prison bars at Menard
State Prison, Illinois and Ohio State Peni-
tentiary in Ohio. Michigan State-Purdue,
Texas-Southern Methodist football games.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 45A^Presi-
dential campaign ends. Disputed air bases
in Morocco. Latest test for RCAF fliers.
Illinois-Michigan football game.
UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL, No. 410^-
Spectacular blaze in New York. Berlin
blockade. Plane crash in France. Replica
of crown jewels. Georgia Tech-Duke, Mi-
chigan State-Purdue, Yale-Dartmouth foot-
ball games.
WARNER PATHE, No. 2S— Ohio prison
riot. Britain plans coronation. Egypt's
strong- man reviews troops. Seal hunt on
island off Australia. Los Angeles: around
the clock fashions. UCLA-California, Geor-
gia Tech-Duke football games.
Hold Meeting on
Cinerama Plans
A meeting on Cinerama plans was
held here yesterday attended by Louis
B. Mayer, board chairman of Cine-
rama Productions Corp. ; Dudley
Roberts, president, and Merian C.
Cooper, general manager in charge
of the program of production. A
Cinerama spokesman said that no de-
cisions had been reached on Cinerama
production plans or on the selection
of theatres for Cinerama exhibition.
TV. Y. Bijou to Para.
For "Bali" Preview
Paramount has taken over the
Bijou Theatre, New York, for a full
day of special press and trade pre-
views of "Road to Bali" on Nov. 14.
Patterned after the Bijou previews
of Cecil B. DeMille's "Greatest Show
on Earth," the showings of the Bing
Crosby-Bob Hope-Dorothy Lamour
comedy will be held at 10 :30 A.M.
and at 2:30, 5:30 and 8:30 P.M.
Dempsey at Teda Party
Chicago, Nov. 5. — Former heavy-
weight champion Jack Dempsey will
be one of the attractions at the night
club party to be held here Tuesday
evening, Nov. 18, by the Theatre
Equipment Dealers Association in
connection with the joint TEDA-
Theatre Equipment Supply Manufac-
turers trade show and convention to
be held in association with the na-
tional Allied meeting at the Morrison
Hotel here starting Saturday, Nov. 15.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca- Vine
Building, William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley Advertising Representative. FI 6-3074: Bruce Trinz.. Editorial Representative. 11
North Clark Street, FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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; International Motion Picture 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.
^^^<r*^r;r--~*~~...,,^ m„.
<m COLOR BY
ECHNICOLOR
WITH
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JOSEPH CAILEIA screen play by JAMES R. WEBB from the novel by paui i. weuman (ftpl) music bvmax stiiher produced by HENRY BLANKE directed by GORDON DOUGLAS
This week the World Premiere
chicago theatre, chicago! over
400 houses for thanksgiving!
MOTION PICTURE DAILY
Thursday, November 6, 1952
Arbitration
{Continued from page 1)
distribution heads have claimed that
they would not give their approval to
assessments similar to those specified
by the court during the three-year
period of the original consent decree,
stemming from the case of U. S. vs.
Paramount, et al. At that time, the
court ruled that the involved distribu-
tors should pay up to $340,000 a year
for the operation of the system.
Proponents of AAA administration
point out, however, that certain fac-
tors involved in the system prescribed
under the consent decree would not be
included in the new and proposed plan.
One of these would be no provision
for an appeal board. This board cost
the distributors $90,000 a year. AAA
advocates also assert that there would
be no need for 31 arbitration offices, a
costly item in the original setup. The
AAA now operates 12 offices, eight on
a full-time basis and four part time.
These regional headquarters could
handle film cases in the various terri-
tories, it is claimed. This would elimi-
nate the need for arbitration offices in
each of the exchange cities. Under
consent decree arbitration, 31 full-
time offices were in operation, al-
though some branches, such as Seattle,
never had a single case_ filed during
the entire three-year period.
While the court-decreed budget for
arbitration under the anti-trust case
was $340,000, the AAA did not ex-
pend more than $200,000 a year. With
the appeal board tapping the till for
$90,000, actual operation costs were
only around $110,000 yearlv.
Some leaders of both Allied States
and Theatre Owners of America have
shown, unofficially, a leaning toward
AAA as the administrative agency, but
so far they have not been able to get
together on a definite formula.
Federal Business Policies
(Continued from page 1)
Atkinson on His Own
Atlanta, Nov. 5. — Eddie Atkin-
son, formerly in Atlanta with RKO
Radio and other exchanges, will open
a buying and booking office in Jack-
sonville, it is understood.
year, because the increases in the in-
dividual income tax authorized by
Congress in 1951 expire Dec. 31, 1953.
These increases will have to be re-
newed at their present levels or very
ctose to them, to keep the budget
remotely near balance. A tax bill, even
if it deals with individual income
taxes, would give the film industry a
chance to lobby for a cut in the ad-
missions tax next year. How much
success this would have is uncertain
—largely because the government
would be losing enough revenue with
the ending of the excess profits tax.
A better bet for an admission tax cut
would be in 1954, when Congress will
have to consider what to do about
various other excises which the 1956
tax law increased and which are to
expire March 31, 1954.
Better Leverage
The fact that 1954 is an election
year would give the film industry even
better leverage in its campaign.
Present increases in the corporate
income tax rates don't expire until
Tune 30, 1954. The outlook there
would be for very slight reductions
if any.
If as appears likely at this
writing, the Republicans con-
trol the House, chairman ot the
tax-writing Ways and Means
Committee would be Rep. Dan
Reed of New York who, gener-
ally, has favored excise and
corporate tax cuts. If, as also
seems likely today, the Repub-
licans take the Senate, too,
Senator Millikin of Colorado
would head the Finance Com-
mittee. He would probably favor
tax cuts at the earliest oppor-
tunity.
dustry will be continued, no matter
which party controls the Senate. The
top Republican on the committee,
Senator Tobey of New Hampshire,
views these problems not much dif-
ferently from Democratic chairman
Sparkman.
The Eisenhower Administration will
probably move to kill or weaken price
and wage and other controls, but allo-
cation controls, which form the basis
of theatre construction controls, might
be the last to go. However, these,
too, might go early in 1953, especially
if the Republicans control Congress.
In any event, they'll certainly be re-
laxed rapidly and progressively.
One of the places where
party control could make the
most difference is in the House
Un-American Activities Com-
mittee. A Republican House
would give the committee to
Rep. Velde of Illinois, who has
been one of the most outspoken
critics of the film industry and
the leader in the fight to con-
tinue the Hollywood investiga-
tion.
Col. Profit
(Continued from page 1)
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FLY S
If the Democrats take the Senate,
Finance Committee chairman George
might move over to head the Foreign
Relations committee, making Sen. Byrd
of Virginia chairman of the finance
group. Sen. Millikin of Colorado
would head the committee in a Re-
publican senate. All three senators
would probably favor tax cuts at the
earliest opportunity.
An Eisenhower Administration
would probably try to avoid bothering
business with a flood of anti-trust
suits and control measures. Certainly,
new anti-trust suits would be fewer
for a long while, both because of the
fact that the Republicans would be
less likely to institute them and be-
cause it would take time for a new
group of officials to get their teeth
•into the running of the Justice De-
partment. But whether the Depart-
ment could risk dropping suits already
brought, such as the 16mm. suit, is
hard to say. Certainly such a course
would lav the Republicans open to
sharp criticism from the Democrats.
One of the names most fre-
quently mentioned for the post
of Attorney General is Gov-
ernor Earl Warren of Cali-
fornia, whose current job has
made him very familiar with
the problems of the film in-
dustry.
A Republican House would un-
doubtedly put a damper on the House
Judiciary Committee's repeated_ in-
vestigations of monopoly. It is likely
that the Senate Small Business Com-
mittee's investigation of the film in-
The Eisenhower Administration, re-
gardless of the control of Congress,
would probably move toward a more
protectionist tariff policy, which could
very well set off retaliatory steps
abroad harmful to the film industry.
The Reciprocal Trade Agreement Act
comes up for renewal next year, and
further strings will probably be put
on the program.
Changes in such business regulatory
commissions as the Federal Communi-
cations Commission, the Securities and
Exchange Commission and others will
probably be gradual. Most of the
commissioners have terms running for
several years, and will probably hang
on until the end. But some will go
soon. For example, it is expected that
FCC chairman Paul A. Walker, who
is getting' on in years, will quit at the
end of this year. What sort of men
General Eisenhower will pick to re-
place them is impossible to say.
Because of the continuing
terms of most FCC members
there is little reason to believe
the election will have any mate-
rial effect on such pending mat-
ters as industry applications for
theatre TV channels and the
proposed merger of United
Paramount Theatres and Amer-
ican Broadcasting Co.
A Republican Senate might mean
trouble for the film industry in one
respect. Chairman of the Senate Com-
merce Committee would be Sen. To-
bey, who has repeatedly criticized
motion picture "monopolies," has at-
tacked exclusive theatre telecasts, and
put pressure on the Justice Depart-
ment to get films for Phonevision.
There'll probably be some revision
of the Taft-Hartley law at the com-
ing Congress, and it's not unlikely that
the new law will include a change
long sought by the Hollywood unions
—shortening the waiting period with-
in which new workers must join the
unions in union shop studios.
one that cannot be passed on to the
consumer. It does point out, how-
ever, the importance of the most
aggressive policy possible, consistent
with good management in the produc-
tion, Sale and merchandising of our
product."
The Columbia president pointed out
these significant factors which affected
the industry during the year : The
more successful motion pictures have
reached unexpectedly high grosses in
contrast with an economic trend that
has lessened the available pocket
money of the "man in the street ;" the
summer months witnessed a business
upsurge ; there has been a mounting
"grass roots" effort to eliminate the
20 per cent Federal admission tax ;
strong newspaper editorial opposition
to the government's 16 mm. suit has
been voiced ; there has been a notable
increase in the foreign business of
the industry.
The policy of Columbia, the presi-
dent said, would be to continue the
presentation of pictures in all cate-
gories— high, medium and low nega-
tive costs. He also stressed the grow-
ing importance of drive-ins as a
source of revenue, pointing out that
currently in excess of 20 . per cent of
all theatres are drive-ins. Colin ^ cited
the possibility that the subscription
television medium at some future time
may become an adjunct to the corpor-
ation's business.
Educators to Honor
(Continued from page 1)
leading school administrators.
Y. Frank Freeman, vice-president
of Paramount Pictures and chairman
of the board of the Association of
Motion Picture Producers, and Dore
Schary, M-G-M vice - president in
charge of production, will respond for
the industry.
Through Teaching Film Custo-
dians, a non-profit educational affili-
ate of the MPAA, formed in 1937,
some of Hollywood's finest films are
circulated after commercial showings
are completed.
NT Pfd. Dividend
Los Angeles, Nov. 5. — National
Theatres has announced a quarterly
cash dividend of 2>7l/2 cents per share
on outstanding preferred stock, pay-
able Dec. 1 to holders of record on
Nov. 14.
Grant to Coast
(Continued from page 1)
tion of full-scale production. While
on the Coast he will confer with Sher-
rill C. Corwin, the company's board
representative in Hollywood.
Meanwhile it was learned that Hal
Olver, field exploiteer in New York,
has resigned to take a position in the
legitimate stage field. No successor
has been named as yet.
Elect Harold Tyler
To State Legislature
Albany, N. Y., Nov. 5. — Harold I.
Tyler, owner of the Delphia, Chit-
tenango, was elected Assemblyman on
the Republican ticket from Madison
County yesterday. A former supervi-
sor, he is the first exhibitor sent to
the state legislature in recent years.
Dobson Dies, 20th
Atlanta Manager
Atlanta, Nov. 5. — Fred W. Dob-
son, 20th Century-Fox branch man-
ager here for the past 20 years, died
of a heart attack Monday night. He
had been ill for several months.
.1*1 Pl^lW"
'Ml
ti
•1
11
■i
m^mmmm
WOUt ONCE-A-YEAR CONTRIBUTION TO THE
CHRISTMAS SALUTE
PUTS YOU IN THE BIG LEAGUE IN THE ~f @Cfttl&
Owned & operated by the amusement industry
Once a year, and only once, your WILL
ROGERS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL comes to
you with the request for funds to main-
tain the institution for the ensuing fifty-
two weeks... And this is it for 1952-53.
That your hospital is worthy of support
is proved by the success it has achieved
in fighting TB . . . by the services it has
rendered to your fellow man dur-
ing the twenty-six years you've
owned it.
Its enviable record of over
90^ of cases CURED ... its aver-
age per-case cost of almost HALF
the National estimated average
These are the things well worth
THE SALUTE SCROLL
"A DIME, A DOLLAR,
OR AN ENDOWMENT"
doing! Saving lives, preventing the spread,
and healing the otherwise helpless. And
this at no cost to the afflicted.
These are the things you are doing
through your hospital. Yes, if you have
any kind of job in the amusement
industry, or allied to it, you share this
glory. You share the protection and the
responsibility too.
So, sign the Christmas Salute
Scroll where you work. Get
others to do it too, and give a
"dime, a dollar, or an endow-
ment." The Christmas Salute is
NOW ON -Give a lift in No-
vember and December.
You share the glory, the protection, and the responsibility.
WILL ROGERS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
National Office: 1501 Broadway, Room 1309, New York 36, N.Y. \^}&/Zfl/p(jCld
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, November 6, 1952
RKO RADIO PICTURES, Inc.
TRADE SHOWINGS of
Huntington Hartford's
"FACE TO FACE
11
COMPRISING
The Secret Sharer" and "The
Bride Comes to Yellow Sky"
ALBANY
Fox Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
1052 B'way
ATLANTA
RKO Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
195 Luckie St., N.W.
BOSTON
RKO Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
122-28 Arlington St.
BUFFALO
Mo. Pic. Oper.
Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
498 Pearl St.
CHARLOTTE
Fox Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
308 S. Church St.
CHICAGO
RKO Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
1300 S. Wabash Ave.
CINCINNATI
Palace Scr. Rm.
12 East 6th St. Thurs. 11/13
CLEVELAND
Fox Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
2219 Payne Ave.
DALLAS ,
Rep. Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
412 S. Harwood St.
DENVER,, • ,.„
Para. Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
2100 Stout St.
DES MOINES
Fox Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
1300 High St.
DETROIT
Blumenthals Scr.
Rm. Thurs. 11/13
2310 Cass Ave.
INDIANAPOLIS
Univ. Scr.
Rm. Thurs. 11/13
517 N. Illinois St.
KANSAS CITY
Para. scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
1800 Wyandotte St.
LOS ANGELES
RKO Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
1980 S. Vermont Ave.
MEMPHIS
Fox Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
151 Vance Ave.
MILWAUKEE
Warner Scr.
Rm. Thurs. 11/13
212 N. Wisconsin Ave.
MINNEAPOLIS
Fox Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
1015 Currie Ave.
NEW HAVEN
Fox Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
40 Whiting St.
NEW ORLEANS
Fox Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
200 S. Liberty St.
NEW YORK
RKO Scr. Rm. Thursi 11/13
630 Ninth Ave.
OKLAHOMA
Fox Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
10 North Lee St.
OMAHA
Fox Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
1502 Davenport St.
PHILADELPHIA
RKO Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
250 N. 13th St.
PITTSBURGH
RKO Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
1809-13 Blvd. of Allies
PORTLAND
Star Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
925 N.W. 19th Ave.
ST. LOUIS
RKO Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
3143 Olive St.
SALT LAKE CITY
Fox Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
216 E. 1st St. South
SAN FRANCISCO
Fox Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
245 Hyde St.
SEATTLE
Jewel Box Scr.
Rm. Thurs. 11/13
2318 2nd Ave.
SIOUX FALLS
Hollywood
Thea. Thurs. 11/13
212 N. Philips Ave.
WASHINGTON
Film Center Scr.
Rm. Thurs. 11/13
932 New Jersey Ave.
2:00 P.M.
10:30 A.M.
10:30 A.M.
2 :30 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
8:00 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
2:00 A.M.,
2:30 P.M.
1:00 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
12:15 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
1:30 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
10:30 A.M.
2 :30' P.M.
10:30 A.M.
1:30 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
1:30 P,M.
2:00 P.M.
11:30 A.M.
1:30 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
1:00 P.M.
10:00 A.M.
2:00 P.M.
Review
"Sky Full of Moon"
(Mctro-Goldivyn-Maycr)
CARLETON CARPENTER, Jan Sterling and Keenan Wynn are starred
in this unpretentious, off-trail tale about a callow cowpoke on his first
visit to Las Vegas that departs from a formula plot. It is well played by the
trio and has appeal but sometimes wallows in sentimentality.
Norman Foster wrote and directed this with an eye towards the talents
of the stars and featuring an anti-gambling slant. Carpenter comes to the
big gambling town to win some rodeo events. He is shy some eight dollars
for tine bronco riding event and in his search for work or money enters the
small gambling store owned by Wynn at which blonde and curvaceous Jan
Sterling works.
Carpenter has an unusual run of luck with the "one-armed bandit" and
Miss Sterling accompanies him while he tries to run up a big sum, half of
which is to go to her. Carpenter's luck changes and he loses almost all of
his money. Miss ' Sterling is fired by Wynn for reporting late to work and
she convinces Carpenter to try "taking" the jackpot machine with a special
drill. Carpenter cracks the machine honestly but drops the drill at Wynn's
feet in the excitement and he and Miss Sterling leave town in her old car.
Carpenter proposes to; her but she considerately leaves him and his money.
He returns, enters the contest and loses but goes back to work at a ranch,
sadder but wiser.
Sidney Franklin, Jr. produced economically but there is no detraction from
the story. It should be noted that drama rather- than action is emphasized and
at a slow pace.
Included in the cast are Elaine Stewart, Robert Burton, Emmett Lynn,
and Douglas Dumbrille.
Running time, 73 minutes. General audience classification. For December
release. Walter Pashkin
Wise. Allied Leads
Convention List
Milwaukee, Nov. 5. — With
106 listed thus far, Wisconsin
Allied is said to lead the res-
ervation list with the biggest
delegation to attend the na-
tional Allied convention in
Chicago, Nov. 15-17. They will
have their own hospitality
room at the convention,
through the courtesy of Fox-
Head Brewery, Waukesha.
12 More Apply to
Join Pioneers
Approval of a second group of 12
applicants for membership in the Mo-
tion Picture Pioneers "was announced
here by Jack Cohn, president, as the
committee rushed the processing of
applications in time for this year's
"Jubilee Dinner of the Pioneers" at the
Hotel Astor on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
New members will be inducted at the
dinner, which will honor N. J. Blum-
berg, chairman of the board of direc-
tors of Universal Pictures, as "The
Motion Picture Pioneer of 1952."
Included in the second group are
Robert J. Fannon, Republic Pictures ;
George Gullette and Henry W. Ho-
bart, both of New York and retired;
William Meinhardt, Tacme Film
Service; William Onie, Oxford
Amusement Co., Cincinnati ; : A. A.
(Jack) Renfro, Theatre Booking
Service, Omaha ; Edward Ruby," New
York;- William F. Ruffin/ Rufhn
Amusement Co., Covington, Tenn. ;
John A. Schnack, Electric. Theatre,
Larned, Kan. ; David M. Sohmer,
Lippert Pictures ; Dudley M. Willis-
ton, Williston Theatre, Indianapolis,
and Benjamin Wray of the Film De-
livery Service.
Eight Named for
4Movietime' Tours
Dawson Speaks On
Films, Audiences
The attitude of the upper _ cultural
level audience towards motion pic
tures was termed "The Great Mis
understanding" by Mrs. Henry Daw
son, who explained to an audience at
the New School for Social Research
here that ultra-sophisticated critics of
films have misapplied critical stand-
ards derived from older and different
cultures.
In her talk on "The Motion Pic
ture and'the Public," the associate di
rector of community relations for the
Motion Picture Association empha-
sized that American films reflect an
American culture which is young and
has different levels and needs.
Charlotte, Nov. .5. — Eight Holly-
wood personalities will visit scores of
Carolina communities in the annual
'Movietime, U.S.A." tours starting-
Sunday. They are stars Bill Lundigan,
Rod Cameron, Chill Wills, starlets
Kathleen Crowley, Alice Kelley,
Laura Elliott, and writers Douglas
Morrow and Robert Hardy Andrews.
The group will arrive here in the
afternoon and will remain in Charlotte
for the annual banquet and dance of
the 40th annual convention of the
Theatre Owners Association of North
and South Carolina. They will leave
Charlotte the next morning.
Walter Brecher to
N.Y. Rogers Post
Walter Brecher of Brecher Thea-
tres has been named exhibitor chair-
man of the New York area for this
year's "Christmas Salute," it was
jointly announced by Abe Montague,
president of Will Rogers Memorial
Hospital, and Sam Switow, national
exhibitor chairman.
In accepting the post, Brecher
pointed out that "the accomplishments
of the Will Rogers Memorial Hospi-
tal are attracting to it increasing and
widespread interest. This is evi-
denced by gratifying early returns in
the public-appeal coin-box operation.
While this is separate and distinct
from the industry's Christmas Salute,
it indicates that the public recognizes
the wonderful work of the Will
Rogers Hospital.
"Certainly we in the industry, es-
pecially in the New York area, can
do no less than give it our whole-
hearted support by seeing to it that
all in the amusement industry sign
the Christmas Salute scroll and make
a contribution to help 'Care for Our
Own' during the once-a-year cam-
paign now in progress."
AA's 'Goldstein
Drive' Extended
Hollywood, Nov. 5. — Sales results
in bulk exceeding print availability
has necessitated an extension of
Allied Artist's "Morey Goldstein Sales
Drive" through January. Goldstein
will ^confer with company executives
here next week.
Eastern members of Allied Artists'
board of directors will arrive over
the weekend to attend the meeting
which will follow a stockholders
meeting on Wednesday.
10 hrs<
55 min.
AMERICAN.
7b LOS ANGELES
THE MERCURY— DC-6 SKYSLEEPER SERVICE
Lv. 11:20 p.m. EST—Ar. 7:15 a.m. PST
Radi o-TV Panel
For Ampa Course
Tonight's subject for the Associ-
ated Motion Picture Advertisers' class
in the series of 12 showmanship lec-
tures will be "Publicity — Not the
Printed Word." Blanche Livingston,
in charge of publicity for RKO -out-
of-town theatres, will be chairman.
On the rostrum will be Harry
Rausch, vice-president of Young and
Rubicam in charge of radio and tele-
vision publicity and promotion ; Al
Hollander, production facilities man-
ager of DuMont Network; Gordon
Kinney, radio and TV manager of
the Advertising Council.
Arrangements have been made with
DuMont Television Network to have
the students make a tour of its studios.
MOTION PICTURE
VOL. 72. NO. 89
NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1952
TEN CENTS
Interest Grows
For AAA Hand
In Arbitration
Proponents Say Ass'n
Could Be Cost-Saver
A growing interest in having the
American Arbitration Association
administer the industry's proposed
arbitration system is indicated m
both exhibition and distribution
circles. A sharp difference of opinion
over the possibility of having- the
AAA in the picture prevailed in the
early days of arbitration discussions,
but it is reported that opponents and
proponents of AAA participation are
getting closer together, in favor of the
association. As yet, no overtures have
been made to the AAA nor has any
advice been sought from the organiza-
tion as to operational procedure.
Meanwhile, a pattern for the financ-
ing of a new arbitration system for the
motion picture industry is reported to
have been drawn up and to be under
consideration. One of the principal
obstacles in blueprinting a new system
has been the matter of costs. Some
(Continued on page 4)
Small,Bankers Trust
In New Finance Deal
Bankers Trust Co. of New York
has closed a new financing deal with
Edward Small, who releases through
United Artists.
While the amount involved was not
revealed, Harry Watkins, vice presi-
dent of Bankers Trust, said yester-
day that completion of the deal was
an indication of the bank's confidence
•in the management of UA.
Canadian Industry
Toasts Pioneers
Toronto, Nov. 5.— Representatives
of the Canadian film industry from all
parts of the country paid tribute to-
night at the 50th anniversary banquet
sponsored by the Canadian Picture
Pioneers to six early leaders of the
theatre world in the Dominion.
Those honored with special scrolls
were John Chuberg of Vancouver ;
George Anetakos and L. E. Ouimet of
Montreal; Jule Allen of Toronto;
Arch J. Mason of Springhill, N. S.,
and the late F. G. Spencer of St.
John, N. B.
Federal Policies Toward
Business Due for Change
Texas COMPO Seeks
State Tax Change
Dallas, Nov. 5. — T e x a s
COMPO tomorrow will launch
a campaign to have the state
admission tax made applicable
to prices of $1 instead of the
51 cents and over level now
in effect. A 10-page booklet
has been prepared to guide
exhibitors in their approach
to state legislators for su-
port of the change.
Find Election Night
Ballyhoo No Help
Despite the ballyhoo devoted to the
message that important election re-
turns would be broadcast to theatre pa-
trons, New York theatres, in the mam,
suffered a dip at the box-office Elec-
tion Night, a poll of circuits disclosed
here yesterday.
Along Broadway, most first-run
houses reported business good for
matinees while grosses declined dur-
ing the evening. With the exception
of RKO Theatres, most other cir-
cuits reported neighborhood business
down Election Night. RKO Theatres
said that the box-office was lively both
during the day and evening.
Educators to Honor
Film Studio Heads
Hollywood, Nov. 5. — A group of
nationally known educators will honor
studio heads tomorrow with a dinner
and reception at the Beverly Hills
Hotel for "the significant contribu-
tions" Hollywood films are making
as teaching aids in schools through-
out the United States.
Dr. Roy E. Simpson, California
Superintendent of Public Instruction,
will be host and will be joined in the
tribute by many prominent educators,
including Dr. Willard E. Givens, for-
mer executive secretary of the Na-
tional Education Association; Dr.
Mark May of Yale University ; Dr.
A. J. Stoddard, superintendent of Los
Angeles schools ; Roger Albright, di-
rector of educational services of the
Motion Picture Association; members
of the state board of education, and
(Continued on page 4)
Eisenhower Administration Leans to Lower
Taxes, Fewer Controls, Less Interference,
But Tariff Policy Could Bring Retaliation
Blame Rising Costs
For Col. Profit Dip
By J. A. OTTEN
Washington, Nov. 5. — Barring an all-out war, business gener-
ally— and including the motion picture industry — can look for a
slightly easier time at the hands of the Federal Government dur-
ing the next few years. How this will be translated into specific acts
affecting the film industry is still too early to say.
An Eisenhower Administration — regardless of how the still un-
certain struggle for control of Con-
gress goes — ■ will probably mean
lower taxes over the next few
years, though not necessarily a cut
in the admission tax. It will mean a
more lenient anti-trust policy, though
not necessarily any dropping of the
16mm. case. It will mean fewer con-
trols on business, though not neces-
sarily the complete ending right now
of theatre construction controls.
An admission tax cut, a dropping
of the 16mm. suit, ending of theatre
construction controls are all definite
possibilities — they're just not certain,
part of the difficulty of translating
broad trends into specific instances.
For example, a Republican admin-
istration will probably mean an initial
economy wave. This, plus a natural
tapering-off in defense spending to-
ward the end of 1954, should make
possible some small tax cuts. At this
point, it looks almost certain that
both the new administration and Con-
gress will let the excess profits tax
expire next June 30, on schedule. But
not too many film industry firms have
been affected by this tax.
There'll have to be a tax bill next
(Continued on page 4)
Increased costs of production and
general operations were blamed for
the dip in Columbia Pictures Corp.
profits for the year ended June 30,
1952, despite the record income real-
ized by the company in the 12 month
period, according to a letter to stock-
holders by Harry Cohn, president.
Comparing- the current year's oper-
ation with previous years, Cohn
pointed out that gross income for 1952
was $59,081,213, the largest in the
company's 30-year history. However,
the net profit for 1952, it was re-
ported, was $802,872, compared to
$1,497,814 in 1951 when the gross in-
come was $55,368,284.
Cohn cited the increase in labor
costs as an example. Said he : "The
added labor costs in the industry in
Hollywood alone amount to $13,000,-
000 annually, of which our share has
amounted to $1,400,000. Unlike many
other industries, an increased cost is
(Continued on page 4)
Public Relations
Group for Canada
Toronto, Nov. 5. — Formal start was
made on a proposed motion picture in-
stitute of Canada as suggested by the
Motion Picture Industry Council last
week in Ottawa when the Motion Pic-
ture Theatres Association of Ontario
in convention here enthusiastically en-
dorsed the project, in which a prime
mover is Nat Taylor of Toronto, head
of 20th Century Theatres.
Plans call for a central bureau
which would work for better box-of-
fice and improved public relations on
a cooperative basis to meet the new
threat of Canadian television.
Grant to Coast on
Studio Problems
Arnold Grant, chairman of the board
of directors of RKO Radio Pictures,
is expected to fly to the Coast today
on RKO studio plans immediately fol-
lowing this afternoon's scheduled
meeting of the RKO board here.
The board today is expected to ap-
point three new directors, filling the
vacancies caused by the recent resig-
nations of Ralph Stolkin, Abraham L.
Koolish and William Gorman. Grant's
mission to the Coast, delayed by the
internal problems of the company in
the East, is a two-fold one, to find
a studio head and to map the resump-
(Continued on page 4)
2
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, November 6, 1952
Personal
Mention
DON HART MAN, Paramount
production chief, is due in New
York from Hollywood Monday for
10 days of home office conferences,
c
Jack S. Connolly, chief of the
newsreel and special events branch of
the U. S. Department of State, has
been given the Superior Service
Award, second highest decoration that
a civilian can obtain in government.
•
Harold Wirthwein, Allied Artists
Western sales manager, has returned
to Hollywood from San Francisco,
accompanied by Mel Hulling, West
Coast franchise owner.
•
Jerry Pickman, Paramount vice-
president in charge of advertising and
publicity, will return here today from
the Rowley United Theatres conven-
tion in Dallas.
•
Berry Greenberg, Warner Brothers
home office foreign department repre-
sentative, has returned from a trip
through the Far East.
•
F. J. A. McCarthy, Universal
Southern and Canadian sales man-
ager, left New York yesterday for
Houston.
•
Bert Orde, head of the motion pic-
ture department of Redbook maga-
zine, has returned here from the
Coast.
•
Charles P. Skouras, president of
National Theatres, is scheduled to
leave here for the Coast tomorrow.
•
Ben Thau, M-G-M studio execu-
tive, has delayed his arrival here from
the Coast until tomorrow.
•
George Stevens, Paramount pro-
ducer-director, has arrived in New
York from Hollywood.
•
Arthur Canton, M-G-M Eastern
field press representative, is in Bos-
ton from New York.
•
Edward L. Fabian of Fabian
Theatres has returned to New York
from Albany.
Myers Charges FCC Is Not
Encouraging to Theatre TV
Washington, Nov. 5. — The Fed-
eral Communications Commission did
not give the industry much encourage-
ment in its hopes for theatre television
channels during the course of the re-
cent theatre television hearing, Allied
States Association general counsel
Abram F. Myers said today.
In a bulletin to Allied members,
Myers declared he must report that in
his judgment "nothing occurred to in-
dicate that the commissioners are in-
clined to allocate channels for theatre
television."
On the contrary, Myers went on,
"most of the questions propounded
and observations made seemed to be
quite discouraging."
Myers said he had carefully ob-
served the first phase of the hearing
and complimented the National Ex-
hibitors Theatre Television Commit-
tee on an "excellent job." He added,
however, that "the fight is not lost by
any means" and that the Commission
would be presented in the January por-
tion of the hearing with facts "calcu-
lated to overcome" Commission objec-
tions.
Earlier this week the FCC derided
talk from some segments of the indus-
try which labeled as prejudiced the
Commission's attitude toward theatre
television.
Sennett, Ritzes in Deal
Hollywood, Nov. 5. — Mack Sen-
nett and the Ritz brothers have com-
bined in a package deal centered on
a story titled "Galloping Geese,"
which will be offered to a major
studio. This would bring Sennett back
to active production as a director.
The story, to star Harry, Al and
Jimmy Ritz, is backgrounded in Los
Angeles.
Lesser Bringing Print
Julian Lesser, president of Royal
Productions, is scheduled to arrive in
New York tomorrow from Hollywood
with a print of his latest picture, "The
Lost Hours." Distribution plans will
be discussed with Seymour Poe, Les-
ser's New York representative. No
release deal has been set. Made in
England, the film stars Mark Stevens.
Spyros Skouras in
Sydney from Tokyo
Spyros P. Skouras, 20th Century-
Fox president, has arrived in Sydney,
Australia, from Tokyo for a three-
week survey of company interests and
industry conditions in Australia and
New Zealand, the company reported
here yesterday.
Skouras is expected to meet with
Ernest Turnbull of Hoyt's Theatres,
in which 20th Century-Fox has in-
terests, and other leading Australian
theatremen and government officials.
Discussions are also slated with
Michael Moodabe of New Zeland's
Amalgamated Theatres. Additionally,
Skouras will address groups in his
capacity as chairman of the exten-
sion committee of the World Brother-
hood Movement. Following his stay
in Sydney, Skouras will return to the
United States by way of Europe,
with a stopover in India.
Stolkin, C or win
Sell Radio Interest
Portland, Ore., Nov. S. — Ralph
Stolkin, Edward G. Burke and Sher-
rill Corwin, members of the syndicate
which bought Howard Hughes' con-
trolling stock interest in RKO Pic-
tures, have "sold their 33 per cent in-
terest in the Portland and Seattle
radio stations to employes of station
KOIN, Portland, and to Ted R. Gam-
ble, chairman and partner In the oper-
ations, and Arch Morton, Seattle sta-
tion manager.
An amended application for televi-
sion channel No. 6 has been filed with
the Federal Communications Commis-
sion announcing the sale of the stock,
Gamble said. Stolkin recently resigned
as president and a director of RKO
Pictures following unfavorable pub-
licity in the Wall Street Journal con-
cerning his past business activities.
Los Angeles Leading
'Heineman Drive'
United Artists' "Bill Heineman
Sales Drive" has moved into its home
stretch, with the Los Angeles, New
Orleans and , New Haven exchanges
holding down first places in the three
exchange groups into which the com-
pany's branches have been divided for
purposes of the drive, it was an-
nounced here by UA vice-president
Max E. Youngstein, who is drive
captain. Chicago, Cleveland and Van-
couver, are the runners-up in the
three groups, respectively.
The drive will end on Dec. 6. It
began on June 15.
Newsreel
Parade
CORONATION _ preparations in
England are highlighted in cur-
rent newsreels. Also featured are for-
est fires in the East, bitter fighting in
Korea, prison riots in Ohio, a British
jet plane crash, and college football
games.
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 90-^Leather-
necks in bitter fight for Korean hill. Bos-
ton battles a big- pier blaze. British jet
liner crashes in Rome. Fires menacing- for-
ests in East. Fashions in wool. Georgia
Tech-Duke, Michigan State-Purdue football
games.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 22tt— UN and
Reds locked in deadly see-saw battle. Coro-
nation preview. Borneo greets duchess.
Police perform for Egypt's strong-man.
Michigan State-Purdue, U.C.L.A.-Califor-
nia football games.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 23— Corona-
tion preparations in England. With Uncle
Sam's Leathernecks in Korea. Aftermath
of tension behind prison bars at Menard
State Prison, Illinois and Ohio State Peni-
tentiary in Ohio. Michigan State-Purdue,
Texas-Southern Methodist football games.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 45A;-Presi-
dential campaign ends. Disputed air bases
in Morocco. Latest test for RCAF fliers.
Illinois-Michigan football game.
UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL, No. 410—
Spectacular blaze in New York. Berlin
blockade. Plane crash in France. Replica
of crown jewels. Georgia Tech-Duke, Mi-
chigan State-Purdue, Yale-Dartmouth foot-
ball games.
WARNER PATHE, No. 25— Ohio prison
riot. Britain plans coronation. Egypt's
strong-man reviews troops. Seal hunt on
island off Australia. Los Angeles: around
the clock fashions. UCLA-California, Geor-
gia Tech-Dtike football games.
Disney Sets 65 16mm.
Distribution Units
Walt Disney Productions has li-
censed 65 distribution units across the
country to handle the 16mm. films for
educational, church, club and other
non-theatrical users that Disney will
make available shortly after Jan. 1,
according to Roy Disney, company
president. Carl Nater, head of Dis-
ney's non-theatrical department, will
be in charge of the setup.
Four subjects running from 18 to 27
minutes in length, as well as three
separate comedy shorts, are included
in the first list of releases. All will be
in color.
'Andersen' Premiere
For Children Nov. 15
RKO Radio will stage a special in-
vitational premiere of Samuel Gold-
wyn's "Hans Christian Andersen" at
the Paris Theatre here on Nov. 15
for youngsters between the ages of six
and 14, children of celebrities, press,
radio, magazine and TV representa-
tives.
Plans call for a full-scale premiere,
with NBC's TV puppet personality,
"Roo-tie Kazootie," as host and master
of ceremonies. The regular premiere
of the film will be held Nov. 24 at
New York's Criterion Theatre.
V. J. Orsinger Heads
Variety in Capital
Washhington, Nov. 5. — Victor J.
Orsinger, Washington attorney and
former general manager of Lopert
Theatres here, has been elected chief
barker of the Variety Club of Wash-
ington. Also elected were Jerry Price,
first assistant chief barker ; Jack
Fruchtman, second assistant ; Alvin
Q. Ehrlich, property master, and Sam
Galanty, dough guy.
Delegates to Variety International's
Mexico City meeting will be Nate
Golden and Jake Flax, with Jerry
Adams international canvasman.
Hold Meeting on
Cinerama Plans
A meeting on Cinerama plans was
held here yesterday attended by Louis
B. Mayer,> board chairman of Cine-
rama Productions Corp. ; Dudley
Roberts, president, and Merian C.
Cooper, general manager in charge
of the program of production. A
Cinerama spokesman said that no de-
cisions had been reached on Cinerama
production plans or on the selection
of theatres for Cinerama exhibition.
N. Y. Bijou to Para.
For "Bali" Preview
Paramount has taken over the
Bijou Theatre, New York, for a full
day of special press and trade pre-
views of "Road to Bali" on Nov. 14.
Patterned after the Bijou previews
of Cecil B. DeMille's "Greatest Show
on Earth," the showings of the Bing
Crosby-Bob Hope-Dorothy Lamour
comedy will be held at 10:30 A.M.
and at 2:30, 5:30 and 8:30 P.M.
Dempsey at Teda Party
Chicago, Nov. 5. — Former heavy-
weight champion Jack Dempsey will
be one of the attractions at the night
club party to be held here Tuesday
evening, Nov. 18, by the Theatre
Equipment Dealers Association in
connection with the joint TEDA-
Theatre Equipment Supply Manufac-
turers trade show and convention to
be held in association with the na-
tional Allied meeting at the Morrison
Hotel here starting Saturday, Nov. 15.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine
Building, William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley Advertising Representative. FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative. 11
North Clark Street, FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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; International Motion Picture 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.
ECHNICOLOR
WITH
fiti
i
JOSEPH CALLEIA screen play by JAMES R. WEBB "om the novel by pair i. weilman (|fp3) music by max steiner produced by HENRY B LA N K E directed BY GORDON DOUGLAS
This week the World Premiere
chicago theatre.chicago! over
400 houses for thanksgiving!
mam?***"
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, November 6, 1952
Arbitration
(Continued from page 1)
Federal Business Policies
(Continued from page 1)
Col. Profit
(Continued from page 1)
distribution heads have claimed that
they would not give their approval to
assessments similar to those specified
by the court during the three-year
period of the original consent decree,
stemming from the case of U. S. vs.
Paramount, et al. At that time, the
court ruled that the involved distribu-
tors should pay up to $340,000 a year
for the operation of the system.
Proponents of AAA administration
point out, however, that certain fac-
tors involved in the system prescribed
under the consent decree would not be
included in the new and proposed plan.
One of these would be no provision
for an appeal board. This board cost
the distributors $90,000 a year. AAA
advocates also assert that there would
he no need for 31 arbitration offices, a
costly item in the original setup. The
AAA now operates 12 offices, eight on
a full-time basis and four part time.
These regional headquarters could
handle film cases in the various terri-
tories, it is claimed. This would elimi-
nate the need for arbitration offices in
each of the exchange cities. Under
consent decree arbitration, 31 full-
time offices were in operation, al-
though some branches, such as Seattle,
never had a single case filed during
the entire three-year period.
While the court-decreed budget for
arbitration under the anti-trust case
was $340,000, the AAA did not ex-
pend more than $200,000 a year._ With
the appeal board tapping the till for
$90,000, actual operation costs were
only around $110,000 yearlv.
Some leaders of both Allied States
and Theatre Owners of America have
shown, unofficially, a leaning toward
AAA as the administrative agency, but
so far they have not been able to get
together on a definite formula.
Atkinson on His Own
Atlanta, Nov. 5.— Eddie Atkin-
son, formerly in Atlanta with RKO
Radio and other exchanges, will open
a buying and booking office in Jack-
sonville, it is understood.
year, because the increases in the in-
dividual income tax authorized by
Congress in 1951 expire Dec. 31, 1953.
These increases will have to be re-
newed at their present levels or very
close to them, to keep the budget
remotely near balance. A tax bill, even
if it deals with individual income
taxes, would give the film industry a
chance to lobby for a cut m the ad-
missions tax next year. How much
success this would have is uncertain
—largely because the government
would be losing enough revenue with
the ending of the excess profits tax.
A better bet for an admission tax cut
would be in 1954, when Congress will
have to consider what to do about
various other excises which the 1956
tax law increased and which are to
expire March 31, 1954.
Better Leverage
The fact that 1954 is an election
year would give the film industry even
better leverage in its campaign.
Present increases in the corporate
income tax rates don't expire until
Tune 30, 1954. The outlook there
would be for very slight reductions
if any.
If as appears likely at this
writing, the Republicans con-
trol the House, chairman of the
tax-writing Ways and Means
Committee would be Rep. Dan
Reed of New York who, gener-
ally, has favored excise and
corporate tax cuts. If, as also
seems likely today, the Repub-
licans take the Senate, too,
Senator Millikin of Colorado
would head the Finance Com-
mittee. He would probably favor
tax cuts at the earliest oppor-
tunity.
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If the Democrats take the Senate,
Finance Committee chairman George
might move over to head the Foreign
Relations committee, making Sen. Byrd
of Virginia chairman of the finance
group. Sen. Millikin of Colorado
would head the committee in a Re-
publican senate. All three senators
would probably favor tax cuts at the
earliest opportunity.
An Eisenhower Administration
would probably try to avoid bothering
business with a flood of anti-trust
suits and control measures. Certainly,
new anti-trust suits would be fewer
for a long while, both because of the
fact that the Republicans would be
less likely to institute them and be-
cause it would take time for a new
group of officials to get their teeth
into the running of the Justice De-
partment. But whether the Depart-
ment could risk dropping suits already
brought, such as the 16mm. suit, is
hard to say. Certainly such a course
would lay the Republicans open to
sharp criticism from the Democrats.
One of the names most fre-
quently mentioned for the post
of Attorney General is Gov-
ernor Earl Warren of Cali-
fornia, whose current job has
made him very familiar with
the problems of the film in-
dustry.
A Republican House would un-
doubtedly put a damper on the House
Judiciary Committee's repeated in-
vestigations of monopoly. It is likely
that the Senate Small Business Com-
mittee's investigation of the film in-
dustry will be continued, no matter
which party controls the Senate. The
top Republican on the committee,
Senator Tobey of New Hampshire,
views these problems not much dif-
ferently from Democratic chairman
Sparkman.
The Eisenhower Administration will
probably move to kill or weaken price
and wage and other controls, but allo-
cation controls, which form the basis
of theatre construction controls, might
be the last to go. However, these,
too, might go early in 1953, especially
if the Republicans control Congress.
In any event, they'll certainly be re-
laxed rapidly and progressively.
One of the places where
party control could make the
most difference is in the House
Un-American Activities Com-
mittee. A Republican House
would give the committee to
Rep. Velde of Illinois, who has
been one of the most outspoken
critics of the film industry and
the leader in the fight to con-
tinue the Hollywood investiga-
tion.
The Eisenhower Administration, re-
gardless of the control of Congress,
would probably move toward a more
protectionist tariff policy, which could
very well set off retaliatory steps
abroad harmful to the film industry.
The Reciprocal Trade Agreement Act
comes up for renewal next year, and
further strings will probably be put
on the program.
Changes in such business regulatory
commissions as the Federal Communi
cations Commission, the Securities and
Exchange Commission and others will
probably be gradual. Most of the
commissioners have terms running for
several years, and will probably hang
on until the end. But some will go
soon. For example, it is expected that
FCC chairman Paul A. Walker, who
is getting on in years, will quit at the
end of this year. What sort of men
General Eisenhower will pick to re
place them is impossible to say.
Because of the continuing
terms of most FCC members
there is little reason to believe
the election will have any mate-
rial effect on such pending mat-
ters as industry applications for
theatre TV channels and the
proposed merger of United
Paramount Theatres and Amer-
ican Broadcasting Co.
one that cannot be passed on to the
consumer. It does point out, how-
ever, the importance of the most
aggressive policy possible, consistent
with good management in the produc-
tion, -sale and merchandising of our
product."
The Columbia president pointed out
these significant factors which affected
the industry during the year : The
more successful motion pictures have
reached unexpectedly high grosses in
contrast with an economic trend that
has lessened the available pocket
money of the "man in the street ;" the
summer months witnessed a business
upsurge ; there has been a mounting
"grass roots" effort to eliminate the
20 per cent Federal admission tax;
strong newspaper editorial opposition
to the government's 16 mm. suit has
been voiced ; there has been a notable
increase in the foreign business of
the industry.
The policy of Columbia, the presi-
dent said, would be to continue the
presentation of pictures in all cate-
gories— high, medium and low nega-
tive costs. He also stressed the grow-
ing importance of drive-ins as a
source of revenue, pointing out that
currently in excess of 20 per cent of
all theatres are drive-ins. Cohn cited
the possibility that the subscription
television medium at some future time
may become an adjunct to the corpor-
ation's business.
Educators to Honor
(Continued from page 1)
leading school administrators.
Y. Frank Freeman, vice-president
of Paramount Pictures and chairman
of the board of the Association of
Motion Picture Producers, and Dore
Schary, M-G-M vice - president in
charge of production, will respond for
the industry.
Through Teaching Film Custo-
dians, a non-profit educational affili-
ate of the MPAA, formed in 1937,
some of Hollywood's finest films are
circulated after commercial showings
are completed.
A Republican Senate might mean
trouble for the film industry in one
respect. Chairman of the Senate Com-
merce Committee would be Sen. To-
bey, who has repeatedly criticized
motion picture "monopolies," has at-
tacked exclusive theatre telecasts, and
put pressure on the Justice Depart-
ment to get films for Phonevision.
There'll probably be some revision
of the Taft-Hartley law at the com-
ing Congress, and it's not unlikely that
the new law will include a change
long sought by the Hollywood unions
—shortening the waiting period with-
in which new workers must join the
unions in union shop studios.
Grant to Coast
(Continued from page 1)
tion of full-scale production. While
on the Coast he will confer with Sher-
rill C. Corwin, the company's board
representative in Hollywood.
Meanwhile it was learned that Hal
Olver, field exploiteer in New York,
has resigned to take a position in the
legitimate stage field. No successor
has been named as yet.
NT Pfd. Dividend
Los Angeles, Nov. 5. — National
Theatres has announced a quarterly
cash dividend of 37^ cents per share
on outstanding preferred stock, pay-
able Dec. 1 to holders of record on
Nov. 14.
Elect Harold Tyler
To State Legislature
Albany, N. Y., Nov. 5. — Harold I.
Tyler, owner of the Delphia, Chit-
tenango, was elected Assemblyman on
the Republican ticket from Madison
County yesterday. A former supervi-
sor, he is the first exhibitor sent to
the state legislature in recent years.
Dobson Dies, 20th
Atlanta Manager
Atlanta, Nov. 5.— Fred W. Dob-
son, 20th Century-Fox branch man-
ager here for the past 20 years, died
of a heart attack Monday night. He
had been ill for several months.
IK 'l
OUt ONCE-A-YEAR CONTRIBUTION TO THE
HRISTMAS SALUTE
PUTS YOU IN THE BIG LEAGUE IN THE
Once a year, and only once, your WILL
ROGERS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL comes to
you with the request for funds to main-
tain the institution for the ensuing fifty-
two weeks... And this is it for 1952-53.
That your hospital is worthy of support
is proved by the success it has achieved
in fighting TB ... by the services it has
rendered to your fellow man dur-
ing the twenty-six years you've
owned it.
Its enviable record of over
90% of cases CURED ... its aver-
age per-case cost of almost HALF
the National estimated average
. . . These are the things well worth
THE SALUTE SCROLL
"A DIME, A DOLLAR,
OR AN ENDOWMENT"
doing! Saving lives, preventing the spread,
and healing the otherwise helpless. And
this at no cost to the afflicted.
These are the things you are doing
through your hospital. Yes, if you have
any kind of job in the amusement
industry, or allied to it, you share this
glory. You share the protection and the
responsibility too.
So, sign the Christmas Salute
Scroll where you work. Get
others to do it too, and give a
"dime, a dollar, or an endow-
ment." The Christmas Salute is
NOW ON -Give a lift in No-
vember and December.
You share the glory, the protection, and the responsibility.
Owned & operated by the amusement industry
WILL ROGERS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
National Office: 1501 Broadway, Room 1309, New York 36, N.Y. \^d&&0fCCiC
6
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, November 6, 1952
RKO RADIO PICTURES, Inc.
TRADE SHOWINGS of
Huntington Hartford's
"FACE TO FACE
11
COMPRISING
'The Secret Sharer" and "The
Bride Comes to Yellow Sky"
Thurs. 11/13 2:00 P.M.
ALBANY
Fox Scr. Rm
1052 B'way
A RKOS™ Rm. Thurs. 11/13 10:30 A.M
195 Luckie St., N.W.
ROSTON '
RKO Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13 10:30 A.M
122-28 Arlington St.
BUFFALO
Mo. Pic. Oper.
Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
498 Pearl St.
CHARLOTTE
Fox Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
308 S. Church St.
CHICAGO
RKO Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
1300 S. Wabash Ave.
CINCINNATI
Palace Scr. Rm.
12 East 6th St. Thurs. 11/13
CLEVELAND
Fox Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
2219 Payne Ave.
DALLAS
Rep. Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
412 S. Harwood St.
DENVER
Thurs. 11/13
2:30 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
8:00 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
Thurs. 11/13 2:00 A.M.
2:30 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
1:30 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
Para. Scr. Rm
2100 Stout St.
DES MOINES
Fox Scr. Rm.
1300 High St.
DETROIT
Blumenthals Scr.
Rm. Thurs. 11/13 2:30 P.M
2310 Cass Ave.
INDIANAPOLIS
Univ. Scr.
Rm. Thurs. 11/13 1:00 P.M
517 N. Illinois St.
KANSAS CITY
Para. Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
1800 Wyandotte St.
LOS ANGELES
RKO Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
1980 S. Vermont Ave.
MEMPHIS
Fox Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13 12 :15 P.M.
151 Vance Ave.
MILWAUKEE
Warner Scr.
Rm. Thurs. 11/13
212 N. Wisconsin Ave.
MINNEAPOLIS
Fox Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
1015 Currie Ave.
NEW HAVEN
Fox Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
40 Whiting St.
NEW ORLEANS
Fox Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13 10:30 A.M.
200 S. Liberty St.
NEW YORK
RKO Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13 2:30 P.M.
630 Ninth Ave.
OKLAHOMA
Fox Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13 10:30 A.M.
10 North Lee St.
OMAHA
Fox Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
1502 Davenport St.
PHILADELPHIA
RKO Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
250 N. 13th St.
PITTSBURGH
RKO Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
1809-13 Blvd. of Allies
PORTLAND
Star Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13
925 N.W. 19th Ave.
ST. LOUIS
RKO Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13 11:30 A.M.
3143 Olive St.
SALT LAKE CITY
Fox Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13 1:30 P.M.
216 E. 1st St. South
SAN FRANCISCO
Fox Scr. Rm. Thurs. 11/13 2:00 P.M.
245 Hyde St.
SEATTLE
Jewel Box Scr,
Rm.
2318 2nd Ave.
SIOUX FALLS
Hollywood
Thea.
212 N. Philips Ave,
WASHINGTON
Film Center Scr.
Rm. Thurs. 11/13
932 New Jersey Ave.
1:30 P.M.
2:30 P.M
1:30 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
Thurs. 11/13 1:00 P.M.
Thurs. 11/13 10:00 A.M.
Review
Sky Full of Moon
(M etro-G oldwyn-M ayer)
CARLETON CARPENTER, Jan Sterling and Keenan Wynn are starred
in this unpretentious, off-trail tale about a callow cowpoke on his first
visit to Las Vegas that departs from a formula plot. It is well played by the
trio and has appeal but sometimes wallows in sentimentality.
Norman Foster wrote and directed this with an eye towards the talents
of the stars and featuring an anti-gambling slant. Carpenter comes to the
big gambling town to win some rodeo events. He is shy some eight dollars
for the bronco riding event and in his search for work or money enters the
small gambling store owned by Wynn at which blonde and curvaceous Jan
Sterling works.
Carpenter has an unusual run of luck with the "one-armed bandit" and
Miss Sterling accompanies him while he tries to run up a big sum, half of
which is to go to her. Carpenter's luck changes and he loses almost all of
his money. Miss Sterling is fired by Wynn for reporting late to work and
she convinces Carpenter to try "taking" the jackpot machine with a special
drill. Carpenter cracks the machine honestly but drops the drill at Wynn's
feet in the excitement and he and Miss Sterling leave town in her old car.
Carpenter proposes to her but she considerately leaves him and his money.
He returns, enters the contest and loses but goes back to work at a ranch,
sadder but wiser.
Sidney Franklin, Jr. produced economically but there is no detraction from
the story. It should be noted that drama rather than action is emphasized and
at a slow pace.
Included in the cast are Elaine Stewart, Robert Burton, Emmett Lynn,
and Douglas Dumbrille.
Running time, 73 minutes. General audience classification. For December
release. Walter Pashkin
12 More Apply to
Join Pioneers
Approval of a second group of 12
applicants for membership in the Mo-
tion Picture Pioneers was announced
here by Jack Cohn, president, as the
committee rushed the processing of
applications in time for this year's
"Jubilee Dinner of the Pioneers" at the
Hotel Astor on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
New members will be inducted at the
dinner, which will honor N. J. Blum-
berg, chairman of the board of direc-
tors of Universal Pictures, as "The
Motion Picture Pioneer of 1952."
Included in the second group are
Robert J. Fannon, Republic Pictures ;
George Gullette and Henry W. Ho-
bart, both of New York and retired;
William Meinhardt, Tacme Film
Service; William Onie, Oxford
Amusement Co., Cincinnati ; A. A.
(Jack) Renfro, Theatre Booking
Service, Omaha ; Edward Ruby, New
York; William F. Ruffin, Ruin
Amusement Co., Covington, Tenn. ;
John A. Schnack, Electric Theatre,
Larned, Kan. ; David M. Sohmer,
Lippert Pictures ; Dudley M. Willis-
ton, Williston Theatre, Indianapolis,
and Benjamin Wray of the Film De-
livery Service.
Eight Named for
4Movietime' Tours
Charlotte, Nov. 5. — Eight Holly-
wood personalities will visit scores of
Carolina communities in the annual
"Movietime, U.S.A." tours starting
Sunday. They are stars Bill Lundigan,
Rod Cameron, Chill Wills, starlets
Kathleen Crowley, Alice Kelley,
Laura Elliott, and writers Douglas
Morrow and Robert Hardy Andrews.
The group will arrive here in the
afternoon and will remain in Charlotte
for the annual banquet and dance of
the 40th annual convention of the
Theatre Owners Association of North
and South Carolina. They will leave
Charlotte the next morning.
2:00 P.M.
Dawson Speaks On
Films, Audiences
The attitude of the upper cultural
level audience towards motion pic-
tures was termed "The Great Mis-
understanding" by Mrs. Henry Daw-
son, who explained to an audience at
the New School for Social Research
here that ultra-sophisticated critics of
films have misapplied critical stand-
ards derived from older and different
cultures.
In her talk on "The Motion Pic-
ture and the Public," the associate di-
rector of community relations for the
Motion Picture Association empha-
sized that American films reflect an
American culture which is young and
has different levels and needs.
AA's 'Goldstein
Drive' Extended
Hollywood, Nov. 5. — Sales results
in bulk exceeding print availability
has necessitated an extension of
Allied Artist's "Morey Goldstein Sales
Drive" through January. Goldstein
will confer with company executives
here next week.
Eastern members of Allied Artists'
board of directors will arrive over
the weekend to attend the meeting
which will follow a stockholders
meeting on Wednesday.
Wise. Allied Leads
Convention List
Milwaukee, Nov. 5. — With
106 listed thus far, Wisconsin
Allied is said to lead the res-
ervation list with the biggest
delegation to attend the na-
tional Allied convention in
Chicago, Nov. 15-17. They will
have their own hospitality
room at the convention,
through the courtesy of Fox-
Head Brewery, Waukesha.
Walter Brecher to
N.Y. Rogers Post
Walter Brecher of Brecher Thea-
tres has been named exhibitor chair-
man of the New York area for this
year's "Christmas Salute," it was
jointly announced by Abe Montague,
president of Will Rogers Memorial
Hospital, and Sam Switow, national
exhibitor chairman.
In accepting the post, Brecher
pointed out that "the accomplishments
of the Will Rogers Memorial Hospi-
tal are attracting to it increasing and
widespread interest. This is evi-
denced by gratifying early returns in
the public-appeal coin-box operation.
While this is separate and distinct
from the industry's Christmas Salute,
it indicates that the public recognizes
the wonderful work of the Will
Rogers Hospital.
"Certainly we in the industry, es-
pecially in the New York area, can
do no less than give it our whole-
hearted support by seeing to it that
all in the amusement industry sign
the Christmas Salute scroll and make
a contribution to help 'Care for Our
Own' during the once-a-year cam-
paign now in progress."
Radi o-TV Panel
For Ampa Course
Tonight's subject for the Associ-
ated Motion Picture Advertisers' class
in the series of 12 showmanship lec-
tures will be "Publicity — Not the
Printed Word." Blanche Livingston,
in charge of publicity for RKO out-
of-town theatres, will be chairman.
On the rostrum will be Harry
Rausch, vice-president of Young and
Rubicam in charge of radio and tele-
vision publicity and promotion ; Al
Hollander, production facilities man-
ager of DuMont Network ; Gordon
Kinney, radio and TV manager of
the Advertising Council.
Arrangements have been made with
DuMont Television Network to have
the students make a tour of its studios.
AMERICAN
*> ias/weass
THE MERCURY— DC-6 SKYSLEEPER SERVICE
Lv. 11:20 p.m. EST—Ar. 7:15 a.m. PST
FIRST
IN
FILM
NEWS
VOL. 72. NO. 90
MOTION PICTURE
NEW YORK, U. S. A., FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1952
TEN CENTS
Para. Reports
9 Months Net
Is Up $458,000
Third Quarter Earnings
Estimated at$4,663,000
Paramount Pictures' net profit
for the first nine months of 1952
increased $458,000 over the same
period one year ago, the company's
board of directors was told at a meet-
ing held here yesterday.
Consolidated earnings for the
nine months ended Sept. 27,
after taxes, are estimated at
$4,663,000 and include non-re-
curring capital gains of $500,-
000. The earnings are equal to
$1.99 per share and, excluding
the capital gains, to $1.78 per
share. Consolidated earnings
for the first nine months of 1951
were estimated at $4,205,000
and represented $1.83 per share.
Paramount estimates earnings for
the third quarter ended Sept. 27 at
$1,878,000 after provision for income
(Ccmtinued on page 4)
Distributors Irked By Low
Attendance at Trade Shows
Exhibitor attendance at trade showings has dropped to a new low and
unless the screenings get greater support some distributors may drop
them completely, it was indicated here yesterday. One major company
executive said that less than 50 exhibitors nationally are attending the
showings and that this lack of interest
Plan K. C.-St. Louis
Television Channel
might be the cause of adverse business
in some localities. Current attendance,
he said, is far below that of a year ago
which, even then, was disappointing.
It is estimated that a national
screening costs between $5,000' and
$6,000, which includes screening room
rentals, projectionists and publicity. In
many cases, not a single exhibitor
shows up.
At a recent meeting of executives
of one large circuit, attended by more
than 200 persons, a major company
advertising manager asked how many
in the room had been to the distribu-
tor's last screening. Only three men
raised their hands. The advertising
chief argued that it was conducive to
good business to see all forthcoming
product in order to prepare campaigns
effectively.
Two years ago, Paramount dropped
trade screenings for lack of attendance
(Continued on page 4)
Exhibitor Forums
For 20th,s 'Venice'
Dismisses Dubonnet
Suit Versus ASCAP
Plans for a microwave radio-relay
route between Kansas City and St.
Louis, supplying television channels,
were disclosed here by the American
Telephone & Telegraph Co., which
has filed its application incorporating
such plans with the Federal Com-
munications Commission.
The proposed link would augment
existing cable facilities, interconnect-
ing Kansas City with Omaha and a
new radio-relay route stretching
South to Texas. At St. Louis it would
tie in with coaxial cables extending
(Continued on page 4)
Record Turnout Due
At Variety Luncheon
A record turnout is ex-
pected at the Variety Club of
New York annual luncheon-
meeting at the Paramount
Caterers on Monday, chief
barker William J. German re-
ports. Close to 200 accept-
ances are already in. Interna-
tional chief barker Jack Bere-
sin will be a guest speaker.
Federal Judge Henry Goddard yes-
terday dismissed the application of the
Dubonnet Music Publishing Co., seek-
ing to amend the ASCAP decree so
as to bar motion picture companies
from the music publishing field.
Harold Lasser of the Department
of Justice had informed the court dur-
ing yesterday's hearing here that Du-
bonnet had failed to submit any evi-
dence to him, supporting its appli-
cation. The submission of such evi-
dence had been requested by the
court.
FWC Operators
Get Welfare Plan
San Francisco, Nov. 6. — Fox
West Coast Theatres has agreed to a
new contract with IATSE projection
ists Local No. 162 which calls for in
elusion of a health and welfare plan.
George Bowser, Spence Leve (North-
ern California manager), and Joe
Tuohey represented FWC. The pro-
jectionists were represented by John
Forde, Abe Lubfin, Merv Wagner and
Steve B. Newman.
At the meeting, requested by FWC,
which averted strike action, it was
also agreed that all FWC theatres of
Northern California would grant to
the various locals of the "IA" the
same health and welfare benefits.
A series of promotional briefings
in every 20th Century-Fox exchange
in the country has been launched by
the company in cooperation with
Collier's and Look magazines on be-
half of "The Thief of Venice" na-
tional advertising campaign, it was
announced here by Al Lichtman, di-
rector of distribution.
The meetings, to which scores of
exhibitors have been invited, will de-
tail information on the advertising
barrage to be used in both magazines
and explain how exhibitors may have
their playdates listed in the ads to
pinpoint local engagements.
Following preliminary meetings in
Cincinnati, Indianapolis and St. Louis,
sessions will be held Monday at New
Haven, Boston, Buffalo, Albany,
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Fran-
cisco, Washington, Kansas City,
Cleveland Chicago and Detroit.
Representatives of the magazines
(Continued on page 4)
Hughes' RKO
Theatre Stock
Out of Trust
End Harry Cohn's
Cancellation Clause
Recent settlement of the Columbia
minority stockholders suit in New
York Supreme Court contained a pro-
vision striking out the six-month can-
cellation clause between Harry Cohn,
president, and the corporation, Charles
Schwartz, secretary, has reported to
stockholders.
A provision making Cohn's contract
binding upon both parties until Feb.
10, 1955 has been substituted in its
place, Schwartz, stated. Other provi-
sions in the settlement had been re-
ported previously.
Two Provisions Govern
Stipulation with Gov't
Under a stipulation between
Howard Hughes and the Depart-
ment of Justice, Hughes yesterday
was permitted to take his RKO
Theatres stock out of trust, with two
provisions. The theatres stock has
been in trusteeship with the Irving
Trust Co. since January, 1951.
One provision requires Hughes
to put the theatres stock back
into trust if he re-takes the
stock of RKO Radio Pictures or
if the new purchasers of the
company's control don't pay for
the stock. Under this provision,
if Hughes re-takes the pictures
stock, he must put that stock or
the theatres stock back into
trust.
The second provision stipulates that
if Hughes becomes a creditor to the
(Continued on page 4)
Confer on Skouras
Theatres' Complaint
Discussions between distributor at-
torneys and counsel for Skouras The-
atres on alleged complaints of the
latter were held here yesterday.
The conference, it was learned,
stemmed from Skouras Theatres'
long-standing threat to file a multi-
million dollar suit against major dis-
tributors, RKO Theatres and Metro-
politan Playhouses, Inc. Named in the
threatened action are all major dis-
(Continued on page 4)
To Begin Alterations
At Roxy Dec. 1
The Roxy, National Theatres'
Broadway showcase, will close for
alterations on Dec. 1 and reopen on
Dec. 18, with "Stars and Stripes For-
ever" and an ice show stage attrac-
tion. Prices at the box-office will
remain the same as those prevailing
currently.
These decisions were reached in a
series of conferences attended by
Charles P. Skouras, NT president ;
(Continued on page 4)
Downing on Board of
Rockefeller Center
Russell V. Downing, presi-
dent and managing director
of Radio City Music Hall, was
elected yesterday to the board
of directors of Rockefeller
Center, Inc., it was announced
by Nelson A. Rockefeller,
chairman of the board.
Downing joined the Music
Hall as treasurer in 1933,
was named executive vice-
president in 1948 and ap-
pointed president on March
12 of this year.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Friday, November 7, 1952
Personal
Mention
T MILTON SALZBURG, presi-
J « dent of Pictorial and Cornell
Films, has returned here from a six-
week tour of Europe.
•
Charles C. Moskowitz, Loew's
vice-president and treasurer, will be
guest of honor at a dinner given by
the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity of
New York University at the Hotel
Pierre on Thursday.
•
Eric Johnston, president of the
Motion Picture Association of Amer-
ica, returned to Washington yester-
day after meeting here with the
MPAA executive committee.
•
Jack ReVille, M-G-M Charlotte
branch manager, who has been ill for
several weeks, has taken a vacation to
further recuperate before resuming
his duties.
•
Ben Thau, M-G-M studio exec-
utive, who was scheduled to arrive
here from the Coast today, has in-
definitely delayed his trip East.
•
Julius Lamm, manager of War-
ner's Uptown Theatre in Cleveland,
is recuperating from removal of a
cataract.
•
Doug Amos, Hartford division man-
ager of Lockwood and Gordon The-
atres, will leave for a Florida vacation
next month.
•
Hugh Owen, Paramount Eastern
and Southern division manager, is
back in New York from Boston and
New Haven.
•
George Weltner, president of
Paramount International, will leave
New York today for a five- week tour
of Europe.
Says Other Industries Adopt
Film Promotional Ideas
A wealth of promotional ideas now
being used in many other industries,
particularly in radio and television,
have been taken from the motion
picture industry, Harry Rauch, Young
and Rubican advertising agency vice-
president, declared here last night at
the weekly showmanship course held
by the Associated Motion Picture Ad-
vertisers at the Hotel Woodstock.
Rauch, who is in charge of radio
and television publicity and promo-
tions, stated that in his belief radio
and TV are not competitive to mo-
tion pictures, but are compatible, and
they can be used to sell tickets at the
box-office. Rauch stated that a mil-
lion-dollar idea can be carried on a
post-card, and gave as an example the
recent Joan Davis junket to Holly-
wood— nothing new about it, he said,
but it resolved into thousands and
thousands of dollars worth of pub-
licity.
Allowing the class to participate m
an unexpected deal between radio and
a picture company, Rauch spotted
Sid Mesibov, exploitation director of
Paramount Pictures in the audience,
and on the spot conducted a tie-up
with him on Bob Hope who is on
radio for Jello via Young and Rubi-
cam, and in pictures for Paramount.
Gordon Kinney, radio and TV man-
ager for the Advertising Council,
explained visually how advertising
works on TV; Al Hollander, promo-
tion facilities manager of DuMont
was another speaker; and Ira Morais
of RKO Theatres answered questions
on the theatre side.
Blanche Livingston, in charge of
publicity for RKO Theatres out-of-
town, was chairman of the event.
Max Bercutt,
exploiteer, is in
Francisco.
Warner Brothers
Denver from San
James C. Shanklin, Ronceverte,
W. Va., exhibitor, is vacationing at
Hot Spring's, Ark.
Raoul Walsh, Warner Brothers
director, will return this week to
Hollywood from England .
Joseph A. Walsh, head of Para-
mount branch operations, will return
here today from Cincinnati.
•
Max Birnbaum, manager of the
Warner Brothers New Haven ex-
change, is recovering from illness.
David J. Lustig of the Columbia
exploitation department is in Hart-
ford from New York.
Harold J. Mirisch, Allied Artists
vice-president, is in Chicago from
Hollywood.
R. J. Ingram, Columbia Southern
district manager, has returned to At-
lanta from Jacksonville.
Lapinere to Foreign
MGM Publicity Post
Elias Lapinere will rejoin Loew's
International Corp. on Jan. 1 as spe-
cial publicity representative in Europe,
working on top pictures only, David
Lewis, regional director of Continental
Europe, reports. Lapinere was with
the organization before World War
II. His first assignment will probably
be on "Quo Vadis," it was sajd.
Ready San Diego for
'Flat Top' Opening
San Diego, Nov. 6. — A campaign
pronounced the most comprehensive in
this town's history is whetting antici-
pation of the tri-theatre premiere of
Allied Artists' "Flat Top" at the Fox,
State and Loma Theatres on Wednes-
day.
The triple opening will follow the
world premiere aboard the aircraft
carrier U.S.S. Princeton in San Diego
Bay Armistice Day, with a special
train bringing 100 guests from Holly-
wood to join Navy personnel and civic
officials in ceremonies to be broadcast
and televised coastwide. An exploita-
tion crew under John C. Flinn has the
town plastered with billboards, pla-
cards, factory pay envelopes stuffed
with heralds, local press conducting
contests linked to picture, and com-
plete news coverage of "Flat Top"
events set for press, radio and video.
Jules Buck Forms
Production Firm
Hollywood, Nov. 6. — The forma-
tion of G-B Productions, Inc. in Paris
and a production schedule calling for
a minimum o£ two top-budget films
within the next six months was an-
nounced by Jules Buck, recently re-
signed from 20th Century-Fox as a
producer, and by David Getz and M.
A. Getz. Buck will produce all of the
films, which will be financed by the
company itself.
The first production is scheduled to
start in Germany in January.
WB Troy House Reopens
Albany, N. Y., Nov. 6. — Warners'
American in Troy will be reopened
tomorrow as a first run. The theatre,
dark since June, featured subsequent
run engagements for several years, but
last spring it presented primary show-
ings of foreign and exploitation films.
Currently, the other Warner Troy
houses, the Troy and Lincoln, are first
runs.
WB to Reopen Utica
Albany, N. Y., Nov. 6. — Warner
Brothers will reopen the Utica, a
Utica second run, Sunday. The thea-
tre, which has been darkened and re-
lighted several times in past two years,
played art and first-run exploitation
pictures last spring.
Tent to Honor Zucker
Cleveland, Nov. 6. — The local Va-
riety Club is sponsoring a testimonial
dinner on Monday in the Hollenden
Hotel here in honor of Lester Zucker,
former local Universal manager, re-
cently promoted to Central division
manager.
Memorial for Stoneman
Boston, Nov. 6. — The unveiling of
a memorial to the late E. Harold
Stoneman will be held at 2:00 P. M.
Sunday at the Adath Jeshurun Ceme-
tery, West Roxbury, Mass. Stone-
man was former president of Inter-
state Theatres Corp., treasurer of the
"Jimmy Fund" and past chief barker
of Variety Club of New England.
W. R. Frank on Tour
Boston, Nov. 6. — W. R. Frank,
president of W. R. Frank Produc-
tions, is on a nationwide tour of all
offices of United Artists to acquaint
branch managers, salesmen and book-
ers with his forthcoming "Medal of
Honor" series of four half-hour films
to be released by UA.
350 at Publicists Party
Some 350 representatives of the
press attended the second annual party
yesterday at the Vanderbilt Hotel here
given by the Publicists Guild.
RKO Pictures Board
Meet Adjourns
Due to unfinished business,
the meeting of RKO Radio
Pictures board of directors
yesterday adjourned until next
week. Arnold Grant, board
chairman, in the meantime
postponed his scheduled trip
to the Coast.
No decision as yet has been
reached on the appointment
of three directors to fill the
vacancies caused by the resig-
nations of Ralph Stolkin,
Abraham L. Koolish and Wil-
liam Gorman.
'Forest1 Premiere
In Reno Monday
Paramount's "The Blazing Forest,"
Pine-Thomas color production, will
have its premiere in Reno on Mon-
day at the Majestic Theatre. The
Reno New Golden Hotel will sponsor
the event with proceeds to be turned
over to the Reno Community Chest.
Film stars John Payne, Rhonda Flem-
ing, Richard Arlen, Susan Morrow,
Roscoe Ates, producer Bill Thomas
and members of the press will be
flown from Hollywood.
Close Half-a-Day
For Armistice
A half holiday has been declared by
several major film company home of-
fices in observance of Armistice Day
on Tuesday. Companies closing at
1 :00 P.M. are Allied Artists, M-G-M,
RKO Pictures, RKO Theatres, 20th
Century-Fox, Universal-International
and Warner Brothers. Columbia,
Paramount, Republic, United Artists,
United Paramount Theatres and the
MPAA are still undecided.
Herman Cohen Resigns
Hollywood, Nov. 6. — Herman
Cohen has announced his resignation
from the vice-presidency of Jack
Broder Productions and Realart Pic-
tures, effective Nov. 14.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center — —
THE HAPPY TIME"
starring
Charles BOYER • Louis JOURDAN
A Columbia Picture
plus
SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION
Operate
ess*.
CBMtl UBl Mill
In Person
THE FOUR ACE?
SUNNY GALE
.CHARLIE BARNET,
^ AND HIS ORCHESTRA
Midnight F«atwr»
New York." Martin Quigley President ; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; The J ; SttUivar ''r Y ^ " f1 H Fausel Production' Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine
ISf/ing^wS1 RJavveeSavePr-. S^&ST^rA foXUinlltlet, ^^^^p^S^J^M if^^-^^^U^^
a section of Motion Picture Herald; International Motion Picture Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter, Sept. 21, 1J38, at tne post omce
the act of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies. 10c.
M-G-M's NEW
BOX-OFFICE GIANT!
The producers of the screen's greatest spectacles have done it again!
puhlic which has packed theatres to see the wonders of "Quo Vadis,"
the magnitude of Tvanhoe," now will revel in the spectacular excite-
ment of the great adventure-romance "THE PRISONER OF ZEND A."
In presenting this masterpiece of intrigue, love and daring for the first
time in TECHNICOLOR, M-G-M stands ready to electrify the nations
movie-goers again with the hind of attraction they 1 ove I
M-G-M presents In Color By Technicolor "THE PRISONER OF ZEND A" starring STEWART GRANGER
DEBORAH KERR • Louis Calhem ' Jane Greer • Lewis Stone • Robert Douglas ' and JAMES MASON as Rupert of
Hent2.au • Screen Play by John L. Balderston and Noel Langley • Adaptation by Wells Root from the novel by
Anthonu Hove and the dramatization by Edward Rose • Directed by Richard Thorpe ' Produced by Pandro S. Bermav
Motion Picture Daily
Friday, November 7, 1952
Para. Net
(Continued from page 1)
taxes. These earnings include the
non-recurring capital gains of $500,000
after deducting taxes. These earnings
are equal to 80 cents per share and, ex-
cluding capital gains, to 59 cents per
share. Consolidated earnings for the
quarter ended Sept. 29, 1951 were esti-
mated at $1,373,000, equal to 60 cents
per share.
The consolidated earnings do not in-
clude Paramount's share of net undis-
tributed earnings of partially owned
non-consolidated subsidiaries.
The board voted a quarterly divi-
dend of 50 cents per share on the com-
mon stock, payable Dec. 20 to stock-
holders of record on Dec. 5.
Reviews
20th's 'Venice'
(Continued from page 1)
will outline the over-all campaign to
the showmen, and discuss mutual co-
operation plans. In addition, they will
present details of a contest for the
most productive campaign on the film
which will result in a first prize of
a 10-day trip to Venice for two.
Other dates are: Wednesday,
Omaha; Thursday, Denver; Friday,
Salt Lake City; Nov. 17, Milwaukee,
Minneapolis, Oklahoma City and Los
Angeles; Nov. 18, Dallas and Port-
land; Nov. 19, Seattle and New Or-
leans'- Nov. 20, Memphis; Nov. 21,
Atlanta; Nov. 23, Des Moines; Nov.
24, Charlotte; Nov. 25, Jacksonville.
Skouras Complaint
(Continued from page 1)
tributors with the exception of 20th
Century-Fox and Loew's, which re-
cently reached a settlement with
Skouras Theatres.
Milton Weisman, counsel for
Skouras Theatres, could not be
reached for comment.
TV Channel
(Continued from page 1)
East and South and with the planned
radio-relay system to Chicago.
At the same time, A. T. & T. dis-
closed plans for making microwave
facilities available to connect Holyoke
and Springfield, Mass., and New-
Britain, Conn., to the nationwide tele-
vision network.
Lurie Buys Curran
San Francisco, Nov. 6. — The 1,500-
seat Curran Theatre has been bought
by Louis R. Lurie at a cost of $800,
000 from the Homer Curran estate and
Wobber Brothers. The theatre will
continue to operate under the same
management.
My Pal Gus"
(20th Century-Fox) .
RICHARD WIDMARK, Joanne Dru and Audrey Totter are starred in
this highly engaging comedy that has the potentials of a box-office
sleeper While top billing goes to the stars, who do have considerable draw-
ing power, the best laugh-getting lines are delivered by the, Gus of the title
George Winslow, a little boy with an unchild-hke, big voice who registered
strongly in "Room for One More". _
He is the focal point of the proceedings which concern a mother-less father-
son relationship that has been appealingly set forth by writers Fay and
Michael Kanin. It is the kind of film that can be exploited for its comic
values, with the Winslow face and voice an asset, or for the serious side of
parent' relationships, which is stressed. . , ,
Director Robert Parrish has effectively interwoven a romantic sub-plot
with the story which deals with the efforts of Widmark, a successful, rags-
to-riches bon-bon manufacturer, to understand and love his son Winslow.
Both were left four years previous by money-hungry, brassy Miss letter.
She returns to "shake down" Widmark with the knowledge that his Mexican
divorce won't stand up in court. _
In the meantime Widmark has fallen in love with Miss Dru who runs a
school for children at which Winslow is happily enrolled. Widmark takes
Miss Totter to court and wins a divorce but Winslow is awarded to Miss
Totter and Miss Dru's reputation is besmirched by false charges and news-
paper headlines. Winslow's evolution from an ill-tempered brat to a pal ,
and Miss Dru's love, cause Widmark to give his fortune to Miss Totter in
exchange for her signing away any claim to Winslow. - .
Stanley Rubin produced and has cleverly utilized several smart-looking
exteriors while relying mainly on simple sets. The stars perform capably and
they are notably supported by Joan Banks and Regis Toomey. Included m the
cast are Ludwig Donath, Ann Morrison, and Lisa bolm. . .
A little exploitation should go a long way on this entertaining comedy that
will strongly appeal to the family trade.
Running° time, 83 minutes. General audience classification^ December
release.
Kansas City Confidential"
(Associated Players & Producers — U. A.)
A N action-melodrama dealing with a perfect $1,000,0 ^ tank rdAejj
A pianned by a retired police captain, this Edward Small production
contains an ample amount of physical violence and sufficient suspense for
the average action devotee. Its over-length detracts . from the proceedings,
which despite the colorful title, are of a rather routine underworld nature.
TohnPavne i starred as a florist delivery truck driver with a minor
poice record ? who becomes involved when the robbery .bandits get away in a
fac mile of the florist's wagon. Payne is given a vicious going over fre-
3 in the film and one is administered by the police who. pick him up
Upon . recovering he vows vengeance on the hold-up gang, mistakenly con-
vinced thev have deliberately framed him.
Retired police captain Preston Foster actually master-minded the robbery
His dau-hter Coleen Gray, is a law student. Payne's trail leads him to the
thieves" rendezvous at a Mexican resort town where they are to divide the
money It d<Sps that Foster actually staged the hold-up to double-cross
ti e thieve collect the reward, and make fools of the police force against
which l7e bore a grudge. Meanwhile Payne and Miss Gray have fal en in
which he bore a " rjrake complicates things but all ends happily for
Mis" Gray S Payne aft^ a gun battle at the finale in. which the gang
nerishel and Foster absolves Payne of any gangster connections.
P Phil Karlson directed, from a screenplay by George Bruce and Harry
i7 wtJ I nn a storv bv Harold R. Greene and Rowland Brown.
tt cast are Neville Brand, Lee Van Cleef, Jack Elam, Howard
Nile°y Mario SiUi, Helen Kleeb, Vivi Janis, Ted Ryan, George Wallace,
alRul?nmg0Sed0'98 minutes. General audience classification. November
release.
Hughes' Stock
(Continued from page 1)
purchasers or if he becomes a guar-
antor of any part of the $8,000,000
loan, which he agreed to make upon
the sale of the picture company stock
to the Ralph Stolkin group, then he
must put the theatre stock back into
trust.
In 1948, Hughes acquired 24 per
cent, or 929,020 shares, of RKO stock
from Atlas Corp. Upon the divorce-
ment of RKO's theatre and picture
operations in 1951, Hughes received
929,020 shares in both the picture and
the new theatre company, subsequently
adding almost 100,000 shares of RKO
Pictures stock. The theatre shares
were held in trust by the Irving Trust
Co., New York, under a restriction of
the RKO divorcement which, permit-
ted Hughes to retain ownership of his
stock in either, but not both firms.
Thaxter to Aid 'Dimes'
The Greater New York March of
Dimes committee has designated War
ner Brothers' star Phyllis Thaxter to
stimulate its recruiting drive for the
annual "Mothers' March on Polio"
the borough of Manhattan.
Get Your Special XMAS
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CHICAGO 5. Ill NlV"U" '
'Huge Potential' in
Arabian Countries
Hollywood, Nov. 6. — American-
made films are more popular than
ever in the Arab-speaking countries,
in the opinion of M-G-M producer
Albert Lewin, who has returned from
abroad.
"Hollywood films have a huge po-
tential market there," he reported on
his return from Marrakech, Casa-
blanca and Rabet, French Morocco.
Lewin completed six months' research
and location scouting for "Saadia" to
be filmed in North Africa early next
spring for M-G-M.
"At present, most U. S., British and
French companies do not dub their
films shown in the Middle and Near
East due to the expense involved but
use Arabic subtitles. However," he
said, "a very large proportion of the
Arabs cannot read."
Roxy Alterations
(Continued from page 1)
Lease Keith's in 'Cincy'
Cincinnati, Nov. 6.— Shor, Inc.,
consisting of Rube Shore, Peter. Pa-
lazzolo and associates, local circuit
operators, has negotiated a lease on
the currently dark 1,500-seat Keiths
Theatre in the downtown sector, at a
reported consideration of approxi-
mately $500,000. The house, on which
City Investing Co. and J. Clarence
Davies Realty Co., New York, hold
the leasehold, previously was operated
by Midstates Theatres. Shor, Inc.,
which operates the Twin Drive-m, the
only outdoor theatre in the city limits,
the Forest Drive-in, and the Esquire
and West Hills theatres, also has ac-
quired the suburban Westwood from
Louis Wiethe, operator of the Valley
Theatre in nearby Roselawn. Wiethe
will become a consultant with the Shor
interests. Keith's will be reopened
on Tuesday.
Ten Eyck Incorporates
Albany, N. Y., Nov. 6.— Ten Eyck
Television and Radio Corp. registered
a certificate of incorporation with the
Secretary of State to manufacture,
buy, sell, deal in and install radio and
TV equipment, including installations
in theatres and hotels, with three in-
corporators from the Schine circuit
offices in Gloversville. They are at-
torney Howard, M. Antevil, Alton
Dockstader and Jean Mettler.
WB's Strachan Quits
Cleveland, Nov. 6. — J. Knox
Strachan, affiliated with Warner The-
atres for the past 20 years, mostly as
■publicity director for theatres in the
Ohio zone and more recently district
manager in Lima, Sidney, Findlay
and Mansfield, has resigned, effective
Oct. 31, to become sales manager of
the Allerton Hotel in Cleveland.
David Katz, the theatre's executive
director ; Arthur Knorr, stage produc-
tion head, and others. The alteration
job, estimated to cost about $185,000,
will include the extension and piping
of the Roxy stage for the ice show
and changes in the marquee.
Katz will continue to buy and book
films for the theatre.
Trade Shows
(Continued from page 1)
and then restored them at exhibitor
request. However, support of the
showings lasted but a short time and
attendance again has hit bottom.
Academy Names Powell
Hollywood, Nov. 6. — Edward P.
Powell has been named chairman of
the music branch of the Academy of
Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Serving with him on the executive
committee of the branch will . be
Johnny Green, Louis Lipstone, Daniele
Amfitheatrof, Herschel Burke Gilbert,
Ned Washington, Victor Young,
Charles Wolcott and Jay Livingston.
CORRECTION
RKO-Radio Pictures, Inc. trade showing
of "FACE TO FACE" for Des Moines
will be held at the Fox Screening Room,
1300 High St., Nov. 13, at 10:30 A.M.
IF
IT'S
IT'S
BIG
Ml
TWO OF THE YEAR'S BIGGEST TRADE-SHOWS!
THE BAD AND
THE BEAUTIFUL
This mighty attraction is already spoken about
for the industry's highest awards, for Ten -Best
Lists, for box-office immortality. You MUST see it!
You'll see
STARS!
LANA TURNER
KIRK DOUGLAS
WALTER PIDGEON
DICK POWELL
Barry Sullivan
Gloria Grahame
Gilbert Roland
Leo G. Carroll
Vanessa Brown
M-G-M presents Lana Turner • Kirk Douglas • Walter Pidgeon-Dick Powell in "THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL"
co-starring Barry Sullivan • Gloria Grahame • Gilbert Roland • with Leo G. Carroll • Vanessa Brown • Screen Play by
Charles Schnee • Based on a story by George Bradshaw • Directed by Vincente Minnelli • Produced by John Houseman
ABOVE AND
This is the story, told for the first time, of Col.
Paul Tibbets. It is the love story behind the
Billion Dollar Secret, produced in spectacular
magnificence by M-G-M. You MUST see it!
ROBERT TAYLOR
(fresh from "Q. V." and
"Ivanhoe" triumphs) and
ELEANOR PARKER
make screen history
in the greatest love
story of our time !
M-G-M presents "ABOVE AND BEYOND" starring Robert Taylor • Eleanor Parker • with James Whitmore
Marilyn Erskine • Screen Play by Melvin Frank, Norman Panama and Beirne Lay, Jr. • Story by Beirne Lay, Jr.
Produced and Directed by Melvin Frank and Norman Panama
Cauldron boil . . . and kettle bubble . . .
Difficult though they may be, situations like these do come off; thanks to the care with
which film and chemicals are keyed to specific photographic situation and production methods;
thanks, also, to the rigid control of processing solution strength and temperature.
In this area — in production, distribution, and exhibition, too — representatives of the
Eastman Technical Service for Motion Picture Film are proud to serve the industry.
To maintain this service, the Eastman Kodak Company has branches at strategic centers
. . . invites inquiry from all members of the industry. 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, 137 North Wabash Avenue, Chicago 2, Illinois. West Coast
Division, 6706 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood 38, California.
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
AIR !
MAIL !
EDITION
VOL. 72. NO. 91
NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1952
TEN CENTS
Tradewise.. . 'Should Have Tax Relief,' See No Quick
Legislator Tells Owners Move to End
By SHERWIN KANE
REFERENCE here last week to
the remarks of Lowell Mason
of the Federal Trade Commission
on some absurdities inherent in ju-
dicial approaches to the subjects of
"conscious parallelism of action"
and treble damage suits, which have
loomed so large in motion picture
litigation, brought earnest comment
and nostalgic reflection from
Abram F. Myers, general counsel
and chairman of the board of Al-
lied States Association, no stran-
ger, it develops, to the topic.
"This may seem a dull subject,"
Mr. Myers observes, "in an indus-
try where the most important
events are as episodic as a frame
on a film, but I can think of no
more important issue for discus-
sion and such action as can be
taken."
He cites a speech he made before
the National Lime Association in
1949, relating to "conscious paral-
lelism" as applied to the pricing of
commodities by the basing point
system. "There is no legal differ-
ence," Myers writes, "between in-
ferring a conspiracy to fix prices
{Continued on page 2)
UA, Chemical Bank
Renew Finance Deal
Arthur B. Krim, United Artists
president, announced here Friday that
the Chemical Bank & Trust Co. and
UA had renewed its agreement pro-
viding primary financing for a pro
gram of 10 pictures.
During the last 18 months, Chemi
cal Bank has provided the financing
for approximately 10 independent pic-
tures released by UA and, according
to Edward Van Pelt, who represented
the bank in the, negotiations, the
arrangement will be continued. United
{Continued on page 2)
RKO UK Setup Will
Not Be Changed
RKO Radio Pictures is
highly pleased with the con-
duct of its United Kingdom
division by Robert S. Wolff,
UK managing director, and
there is no intention of mak-
ing any change in this man-
agement, New York corre-
spondents of the British trade
press were told at the week-
end by Alfred Crown, RKO
Radio foreign manager.
If the 20 per cent Federal admission tax •'means the closing of large JJu^Jl^S Tl*USt
and small theatres, you're going to see this tax taken off. It's as simple | ©
as that." Such was the reaction expressed by Colorado Congressman
Wayne N. Aspinall to the pleas of a group of Colorado exhibitors who
ohnston to Paris;
French Pact Seen
At Critical Stage
Washington, Nov. 9. — Motion
Picture Association of America pres-
ident Eric A. Johnston left here un-
expectedly yesterday for Paris to take
part in the negotiation of a new
French-American film agreement.
He had been scheduled to leave yes-
terday on a one month tour of seven
South American countries as chair-
man of the government's International
Development Advisory Board. The
State Department announced yester-
day morning that this tour had been
cancelled and that Johnston instead
was leaving for France "on urgent
business of the film industry."
This latter statement and the fact
that Johnston cancelled the South
American trip in favor of the Paris
trip gave rise to a feeling among some
observers that the French negotia-
tions, which have been stalled for the
{Continued on page 4)
met with him to ask for support in
their fight to obtain repeal of the levy.
Congressman Aspinall told the
showmen that repeal is the relief
"which I think you should have, be-
cause one of the integral parts of our
civilization — motion picture entertain-
ment— is going out the window."
Colorado exhibitors won the pledge
of a vote for repeal of the tax from
Aspinall as the result of the meeting
which was cited as an example of the
proper procedure exhibitors should use
in their campaign for repeal of the tax.
The meeting, described in a state-
ment issued through the Council of
Motion Picture Organizations here by
Col. H. A. Cole and Pat McGee, co-
chairmen of the National Tax Repeal
Campaign Committee, was held shortly
{Continued on page 4)
Cinerama Confabs to
Be Held on Coast
Conferences on Cinerama produc-
tion plans are slated to be continued
on the Coast next week, with the
scheduled arrival there of L. B.
Mayer, chairman of the board of
Cinerama Productions Corp., Dudley
Roberts, Jr., president, and Merian C.
Cooper, general manager in charge of
production.
Mayer left here Friday for Miami,
where he will receive a citation from
the Society of Industrial Realtors.
From Miami, he plans to leave for
the Coast.
Chicago Mayor Turns
Down 'Miracle' Plea
Chicago, Nov. 9. — Mayor Martin
Kennelley has rejected the plea of the
American Civil Liberties Union that
the "Miracle" ban here be reversed
and has upheld the decision of the
police censor board that the picture
is "immoral and obscene." ACLU at-
torneys have scheduled a meeting for
this .week to determine their next step
in the campaign to permit the picture
to be shown here.
Karl Herzog Resigns
As Cinecolor Head
Hollywood, Nov. 9. — Resignation
of Karl Herzog as president, treas-
urer and director of Cinecolor Corp.
was announced here today following
a meeting of the board of directors.
While no reason was given, it is un-
derstood that Herzog has been in ill
health in recent months and that his
retirement is due to doctor's orders.
Herzog also has resigned as presi-
dent and director of Cinecolor Realty
Corp. and chairman of the board and
a director of Cinecolor, Ltd., London.
Irving Trust Gets No
Hughes Communication
No indications that Howard
Hughes will move immediately to
take his RKO Theatres stock out
of trust, pursuant to the recent
stipulation with the Department of
justice, were discernible here at the
weekend.
A representative of Irving Trust
Co., trustee of Hughes' 929,020 shares
of RKO Theatres stock, said he has
received no communication from
Hughes as to his intentions.
Neither has any move to resign been
made by Ben-Fleming Sessel or Wil-
liam J. Wardall, two members of the
RKO Theatres board of directors, rep-
resenting Irving Trust Co. Thomas
Slack, Hughes' attorney, who was.
here recently for conferences with ex-
ecutives of RKO Radio Pictures on
Hughes' pledge to loan $8,000,000 to
the film firm, has left for the Coast.
It was learned that the next meet-
{Continued on page 4)
'Peter Pan' Gets 8
Weeks in Chi. Loop
Walt Disney's "Peter Pan"
has been awarded an ex-
tended run of eight weeks in
the Chicago Loop, according
to a decision rendered by Fed-
eral Judge Michael Igoe in
that city, it was disclosed
here at the weekend by RKO
Radio.
Attorney Aaron Stein rep-
resented Disney at the hear-
ing and presented as wit-
nesses Leo Samuels, Disney
sales supervisor; Charles
Levy, Eastern publicity di-
rector, and Sam Gorelick,
RKO Radio's Chicago branch
manager.
The theatre and opening
date for the Chicago run have
not been set.
MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 9,~
Under president Benjamin
Berger, a minimum of 40
members of North Central
Allied will carry the
fight against the "road-
showing" of product to the
floor of national Al-
lied's convention in Chi-
cago, Nov. 17-19. Berger
called the "road-show"
trend one of the most
"dangerous problems" fac-
ing exhibitors.
MADISON, Wis. , Nov. 9.—
Wisconsin has ruled that
drive-ins in construction
must be laid out to pro-
vide an area between the
boxoff ice and the highway
that can handle 10 per
cent of capacity and a
holdout area between the
boxoffice and the ramps
holding not less than 15
per cent of capacity.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, November 10, 1952
Personal
Mention
PVR. RBNATO GUALINO, direc-
U tor general of Italian Films Ex-
port and chief executive of the new
national distributing organization now
being set up by IFE, will fly to Rome
from here today.
•
Rotus Harvey, past president of
Western Theatre Owners, was pre-
sented with a life membership in the
Independent Theatre Owners of Mon-
tana by president Feed Arnst.
•
Larry Lapidus, formerly with
Warner Theatres in Albany, has
joined the circuit's New England zone
booking department in New Haven.
•
Mort Ehrman, New York Daily
Mirror news editor, and Mrs. Ehr-
man will arrive in Hollywood Wed-
nesday for a look at upcoming product.
•
Mort B lumen stock, Warner
Brothers vice-president in charge of
advertising-publicity, will arrive here
from Hollywood today.
•
B. B. Anderson and Mrs. Ander-
son, South Carolina theatre owners,
have returned home from a Florida
vacation.
William B. Zoellner, head of
M-G-M short subject and newsreel
sales, will leave here today for New
Orleans.
•
Bob Snell, with the United Artists
publicity department for seven years,
will leave for the Army on Nov. 17.
•
Bruce W. Odlum, on Frederick
Brisson's staff, has arrived in New
York en route to Madrid on Nov. 19.
•
Jack H. Wiener of M-G-M's field
press representative staff, arrived in
Atlanta yesterday from New York.
•
William Richardson, president of
Astor Pictures of Georsia, has left
for a fishing trip in Florida.
Zamah Cunningham
York from Hollywood.
New
UA, Chemical Bank
(Continued from page 1)
Artists spokesmen said Friday that the
company would have greater selectiv
ity and control of each production
project and that all details as to story
and production would be screened
first by UA before being submitted
to the bank.
The 10 pictures are expected to be
ready for release in the latter part
of 1953 and in 1954.
No Paper Tomorrow
Motion Picture Daily will
not be published tomorrow,
Armistice Day, a legal holiday.
Tradewise .
(Continued from page 1)
and a conspiracy not to license pictures to a particular exhibitor, based
on mere uniformity without any evidence of collusion."
In his speech of more than three years ago, Myers traced the begin-
ning of the doctrine to the appropriation by the Federal Trade Commis-
sion of the language of the Sherman Act in price fixing cases in the mid
1920s, one of which was upheld by the Supreme Court in 1927 (FTC v.
Pacific States Paper Trade Association.)
"Thus," he said, "there was imported into the Federal Trade Com-
mission Act what Mr. Justice Jackson has recently described as that
'elastic, sprawling and pervasive offense' of conspiracy."
Justice Jackson, Myers said, went on to say that the "modern crime
of conspiracy is so vague that it almost defies definition" and that "loose
practice as to this offense constitutes a serious threat to fairness in our
administration of justice." He also pointed out, Myers said, that by
charging conspiracy instead of the substantive offense the prosecutor is
relieved& of the necessity of proving a specific intent to commit that of-
fense; further, that it even dispenses with the "necessity ^ to infer any
definite agreement, although that is the gist of the offense."
"From the standpoint of the prosecutor," Myers said, "a conspiracy
charge greatly simplifies his problem. In administrative and civil pro-
ceedings he makes no effort to prove the conspiracy by direct evidence.
He merely dumps into the record everything the parties have done that
can have any possible relation to the charge; and if this evidence
shows that any two or more of them have been proceeding along parallel
lines, he will ask the Court or the Commission to infer that they were
engaged in a conspiracy. And if that inference is drawn, as it generally
is, then the overt acts and incriminating admissions of one conspirator,
even if committed without the knowledge or consent of the others, will
be accepted as proof against all. Against this background Justice Jack-
son concludes that 'A co-defendant in a conspiracy trial occupies an
uneasy seat.' For, as he points out, Tt is difficult for the individual to
make his own case stand on its own merits in the minds of jurors who
are ready to believe that birds of a feather are flocked together.' "
In his speech, Myers went on to cite paradoxes that developed as a
result of dispositions of various cases and concluded that "Parallel action
to be safe must be the result of sheer coincidence and then only when
it occurs among monks, hermits and denizens of the jungle with no
knowledge of what is going on in the outside world."
Myers writes: "I still hope that a case — not necessarily a motion
picture case— which squarely presents the issue, will reach the Supreme
Court and that counsel will attack the unwarranted expansion of the
offense of conspiracy along the lines of Justice Jackson's observations
in the Krulewitch case."
It would seem that in the voluminous litigation files of this industry
such a case might be found. If so, it would be well worth the test Myers
suggests for, if successful, it would result in confining the general law
of conspiracy to its originally intended function — to protect and pre-
serve competition. As Myers says, "That would afford industries that
want to obey the law all the protection they need."
Newsreel
Parade
Livingston to Aid
Pioneers Publicity
Milton Livingston, Universal trade
press contact here, has been appointed
to assist David A. Bader, national
publicity director of the Motion Pic-
ture Pioneers, on the publicity for this
year's "Jubilee Dinner" to be held at
the Hotel Astor on Tuesday, Nov. 24.
N. J. Blumberg, chairman of the
board of directors of Universal Pic-
tures, will be honored at the "Jubilee
Dinner" as the "Motion Picture Pio-
neer of 1952." George Jessel will be
toastmaster of the dinner and Ned E.
Depinet will be chairman.
Variety Meets Today
Election of officers and a general
discussion of new club quarters, proj-
ects for the forthcoming year, and a
report of the past year's activities, are
on the agenda for the annual luncheon
Illinois Drive - In
Files Equity Suit
Chicago, Nov. 9.— Attorney Sey-
mour Simon has filed an equity suit,
asking relief from alleged withholding
of pictures from the Family Drive-in,
Clinton, 111., until 30 days after they
have played the McCollum circuit's
Kaye and Clintonia, both also in Clin-
ton, in Judge Phillip Sullivan's Chi-
cago Federal District Court.
The suit, against the eight major
film companies, Arthur Nelson and
the McCollum circuit, asks no dam-
ages— merely a correction of the situ-
ation. The Family, owned by the Clin-
ton Theatre Corp., is operated by
Frank Stewart, who also operates the
Rivoli, Danville, 111., and the Family
Drive-in, Urbana, 111.
and membership meeting of the Vari-
ety Club of New York, Tent No. 35
today at the Paramount Caterers.
GENERAL Eisenhower's landside
Presidential election is highlight-
ed in all current newsreels. All fea-
ture various details of the election,
including coverage of the main candi-
dates, Congressional elections, and the
new President's leaving for a Georgia
vacation. The following is a general
summary of the reels:
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 91 — Eisen-
hower elected in a landslide. Voting by
Eisenhower, Nixon. Stevenson. Sparkman,
Hoover. Baruch, Farley. Democratic head-
quarters in Illinois. Republican head-
quarters in New York. Times Square sign
flashes results.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 221— Largest
popular vote for a President. At polling
places. Voting by Eisenhower, Nixon,
Stevenson, and Sparkman, Election returns.
Springfield concedes the election to Eisen-
hower. Truman calls for unity. "Ike" and
Mamie leave for vacation.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 24— Victory
for Eisenhower Day. Eisenhower looks to
unity for critical domestic and world prob-
lems. The candidates, other headline figures,
and a review of the issues. Stevenson
statement saluting the victor and reqeust-
ing unity. Eisenhower and his wife receive
returns in New York City.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 4SB— Voting
across the country. Overwhelming joy in
Republican National Headquarters. _ Gover-
nor Stevenson concedes in Springfield.
Eisenhower victory statement in New York.
UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL, No. 411—
Ike's Landslide. Presidential and Vice-
Presidential candidates casting their ballots.
Board of Elections meetings. Voting by
Truman, Hoover, Warren, Dewey, Lehman,
crippled people, mothers with children.
Armed Forces Services absentee ballots.
Democratic and Republican National Head-
quarters.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 26— Ike
wins. Ballot casting by President Truman
and all candidates. Early returns received
at Democratic and Republican headquarters.
Senatorial victors in their, home states.
Stevenson concedes at Springfield. Eisen-
hower victory speech. Eisenhower and his
family leave for vacation.
Para. Underscores Ads
Paramount is underscoring its trade
paper preselling of "Road to Bali,"
starring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and
Dorothy Lamour, by calling the atten-
tion of exhibitors to a two-page color
advertisement of the color in Techni-
color musical which trade publications
are running.
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4
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, November 10, 1952
Hughes' Trust \TNT Lists 15 Theatres
Taking Lees Telecast
{Continued from page 1)
ing of the board of RKO Theatres is
slated for December and, barring any
resignations, an earlier board meeting-
is not expected.
According to a report, yet uncon-
firmed, a provision in the recent Jus-
tice Department stipulation allows a
Hughes' loan to RKO Pictures and at
the°same time allows Hughes to take
his theatres' stock out of trust if the
loan is repaid within a certain period
of time, said to be within one or two
years.
In the .event Hughes chooses to re-
acquire his voting rights to his the-
atres' stock, two board members, re-
placing those representing the Irving-
Trust Co., would be selected by him,
it is pointed out. Of the six board
members, one is David J. Greene and
another A. Louis Oresman, a member
of the Greene group which staged a
lively proxy battle last January to gam
board representation. It is not known
at this point whether the Justice De-
partment would allow Hughes to ac-
quire additional shares in RKO The-
atres in the event another proxy
contest develops and he wishes to add
to his 24 per cent holdings in the
company. The Greene group at the
last proxy contest owned or controlled
350,000 shares. The two remaining
board members are Sol A. Schwartz,
president of the company, and Edward
C. Raftery, counsel to the company.
The recent Justice Department
stipulation which defines the conditions
under which Hughes can take out his
theatres stock from trusteeship was
not viewed in trade quarters as any
tip-off on the possible sale of the stock.
Although the stock was trusteed, it
was pointed out, since the divorcement
of the company, Hughes always had
the power to sell the stock and fought
and won a decision by the courts up-
holding that right, and denying it to
the trustee.
Hughes acquired 929,020 shares of
RKO stock from the Atlas Corp. m
1948 for approximately $9,000,000
and, upon divorcement, received 929,-
020 shares in both the new picture and
the new theatre company, subsequently
adding almost 100,000 shares of RKO
Pictures stock. He sold his interest in
the picture company for $7,040,000 to
the Ralph Stolkin group in September.
The theatre stock is currently quoted
on the New York stock exchange at
3%, but it is believed that Hughes
could receive about $5 per share for
his controlling interest, or approxi-
mately $5,000,000 for the entire block,
if he chooses to sell. In that event,
his $9,000,000 investment would result
in a $12,000,000 return, or an apnroxi-
mate profit of $3,000,000 on a four-
year investment.
The list of 15 theatres that will participate in the James Lees & Sons
national sales convention theatre telecast Dec. 8 was disclosed here at
the weekend by Theatre Network Television, the agency which booked
the event.
The following TV-equipped houses will join the first com-
. . mercial telecast, which will be held be-
In the THEATRE
Equipment
World . . .
. with RAY GALLO
'Andersen' Benefit
Entirely Cost-free
All organizations and individuals
participating in the benefit world pre-
miere of Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans
Christian Andersen" at the Criterion
Theatre here on Nov. 24 are donatmg
their services, according to Maurice
Bergman, publicity chairman for the
Variety Clubs Will Rogers Memorial
Hospital benefit committee.
"This is a unique benefit," said
Bergman, "in that the entire gross
proceeds will go to the hospital.
Every ticket will be paid for, and no
one is collecting a penny for his oi-
lier work in behalf of the premiere."
Goldwyn is donating the film, while
Charles B. Moss, managing director
of the Criterion, and his staff, are
giving their services free for the eve-
ning In addition, all members of
Richard Walsh's IATSE will work
without pay.
Among others who will contribute
their services are Radio City Music
Hall ushers; National Ticket Co.,
Donahue and Coe advertising agency ;
Morrill and McDermott, typogra-
phers; and Wilbar Photo Engraving.
"In addition," Bergman pointed out,
"members of the industry are buyihg
most of the tickets."
tween 12 :00 and 1 :00 P.M. :
RKO Keith's, Washington; War-
ner's Stanley, Philadelphia ; Guild,
New York ; Pilgrim, Boston ; Loew's
State, St. Louis; Harris, Pittsburgh;
Hollywood, Detroit ; RKO Albee, Cin-
cinnati; Hippodrome, Cleveland;
Gopher, Minneapolis ; Telenews, Chi-
cago ; Paramount, Denver ; Camark,
Salt Lake City; Telenews, San Fran-
cisco, and the Orpheum in Los An-
geles.
The programming and promotion of
the event, which will be seen by an
invited audience, mainly of Lees carpet
dealers, was developed by Victor M.
Ratner, director of Theatre Tele-Ses-
sions, a subsidiary of TNT.
Tax Relief
(Continued from page 1)
Goldwyn's Stand on
Subscription TV
Samuel Goldwyn declared in New
York on Friday that it would be at
least five years before subscription
TV was commercially feasible and
that then pay-as-you-go TV would
have a share 'of the motion picture
market.
He denied published reports that he
had said "within five years 50 per cent
of the nation's theatres will be closed
and the motion picture market will
be shared equally by pay-as-you-g
TV, regular TV and theatres."
the
OPENING Wednesday at
Salle Hotel in Chicago will
U-I Hosts Brazilian
Universal - International gave a
luncheon at the weekend in honor of
Dr. Adhemar de Barros, former gov-
ernor of the state of Sao Paulo,
Brazil. Hosts for U-I were Nate
Blumberg, Alfred E. Daff and Amel-
ia) Aboaf.
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before election at Grand Junction,
Colo., between Aspinall and 23 exhib-
itors, many of whom had traveled hun-
dreds of miles to be present. At the
end of the meeting, during which the
exhibitors presented facts and figures
about their operations to show the in-
justice of the tax, the Congressman
not only pledged himself to vote for
repeal but advised the exhibitors how
the industry should proceed after Con-
gress convenes to get the tax killed.
"This is the information I've been
waiting to have for some time," said
Aspinall after the theatre owners had
told individually of their plight. He
asked for financial affidavits, pledging
himself to take their case before the
House Ways and Means Committee.
The meeting was organized by Rob-
ert Walker, of Walker's Unitah The-
atre, Fruita, Colo. Walker had ob-
tained a commitment several weeks
ago from the Congressman, but when
Aspinall heard no complaints about
the tax from other exhibitors in his
district he indicated that he might not
consider the commitment bindin
Learning of the Congressman s
changed attitude, Walker traveled over
the district and explained to theatre
.owners that if the Congressman was to
be convinced of the inj ustice of the tax
he would have to be given facts and
figures in a meeting of several exhib-
itors.
Commenting on the meeting, the
statement from Cole and McGee said:
"This successful meeting in_ Colo
rado gives emphasis to something_ we
have recommended over and over since
Cohn Briefs NETTC
On FCC Meeting
Members of the National Exhibi-
tors Theatre Television Committee
were briefed on the recent Federal
Communications Commission hearings
here on Friday by Marcus Cohn,
NETTC attorney, at a meeting at the
Hotel Astor.
Sentiment was expressed that the
industry's case before the FCC seek-
ing theatre TV allocations was pre-
pared excellently and optimism of re-
ceiving channels was voiced.
Johnston to Paris
(Continued from page 1)
past few months, had reached a new
critical point. However, an MPAA
spokesman said he knew of no new
developments.
The State Department said John-
ston would be back from France
sometime within the next two weeks,
then would leave on a short visit to
several Latin American countries, but
would make this trip as MPAA presi-
dent rather than as chairman of the
Point Four board. Argentina and
Brazil, where the film industry has
been in trouble in recent years, are
almost certain to be visited by John-
ston.
Johnston was due to arrive in Paris
today. He is being accompanied by
MPAA vice president Joyce O'Hara.
La
be
the eighth annual convention of the
popcorn industry. The theme of the
three-day meeting will be "Popcorn,
America's Newest Big Business," ac-
cording to Thomas J. Sullivan, ex-
ecutive vice-president of the National
Association of Popcorn Manufactur-
ers. Of special interest to theatre-
men is a session set for Wednesday
built around the handling, merchan-
dising and selling of popcorn at thea-
tre refreshment stands. A panel dis-
cussion will be held on the subject,
"Getting Maximum Returns from
Concessions Operations." Participat-
ing will be Harold J. Fitzgerald, head
of the Fox Wisconsin Theatres, Mil-
waukee ; Abner Horn, Rainbow, Inc.,
Lake Charles, La. ; J. J. Fitzgibbons,
Jr., Theatre Confections, Ltd., Tor-
onto ; Charles Manley, Manley, Inc.,
Kansas City; L. A. (Skip) Dunn,
New England Theatres Service Corp.,
Boston.
Another feature of the popcorn
convention will be a display of late
developments in supplies, machinery
and equipment, arranged under the
supervision of Irving Singer of the
Rex Specialty Bag Co., Brooklyn,
N. Y. general chairman of the con-
vention will be Harry T. McNamara,
vice-president and sales manager of
Blue Star Foods, Inc., Rockford, 111.
Other officers include: Social chair-
man, Martin B. Coopersmith, Mar-
jack Co., Inc., Washington; chair-
man and toastmaster of the open-
ing luncheon, John J. Fitzgibbons,
Jr.; ladies' program planning chair-
man, Mrs. Harry T. McNamara.
A major advertising drive to be
centered around sponsorship of a new
television production of the comic
strip, "Terry and the Pirates," has
been signed for by Canada Dry Gin-
ger Ale, Inc., Nezv York. Extensive
use will also be made by the company
of the Terry group of characters in
newspaper and magazine advertising
and in merchandising . First telecast
of the nezv half-hour film ivill be aired
nationally during the zveek of Nov. 23
and zvill continue on alternate zveeks
for a year. The number of stations
carrying the shozv will increase
weekly, reaching a total of 50 to 60.
the start of this campaign. And that is
that the best and surest way to obtain
a commitment to vote for repeal is for
a group of exhibitors to meet the Con-
gressman and present their individual
experiences with this tax."
Appointment of two new officers of
the Mosler Safe Co., Hamilton, Ohio,
builders of safes and bank vaults, has
been announced by Edwin H. Mosler,
Jr., president of the firm. Elected
executive vice-president was John
Mosler, a vice-president since 1950.
He assumes the post recently vacated
by Harry H. Lynn, who was elected
chairman of the board last August.
Named as a vice-president was Mar-
tin S. Coleman, who will continue as
treasurer, a position he has held since
1950.
in 1915
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From A Study of the Accumulative Audi-
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NEWS
■■■■ '
JJ/V1 Lr I
VOL. 72. NO. 91
NEW YORK U S A., MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1952
TEN CENTS
Tradewise . . .
By SHERWIN KANE
REFERENCE here last week to
the remarks of Lowell Mason
of the Federal Trade Commission
on some absurdities inherent in ju-
dicial approaches to the subjects of
"conscious parallelism of action"
and treble damage suits, which have
loomed so large in motion picture
litigation, brought earnest comment
and nostalgic reflection from
Abram F. Myers, general counsel
and chairman of the board of Al-
lied States Association, no stran-
ger, it develops, to the topic.
"This may seem a dull subject,"
Mr. Myers observes, "in an indus-
try where the most important
events are as episodic as a frame
on a film, but I can think of no
more important issue for discus-
sion and such action as can be
taken."
He cites a speech he made before
the National Lime Association in
1949, relating to "conscious paral-
lelism" as applied to the pricing of
commodities by the basing point
system. "There is no legal differ-
ence," Myers writes, "between in-
ferring a conspiracy to fix prices
(Continued on page 2)
Should Have Tax Relief, ' See No Quick
UA, Chemical Bank
Renew Finance Deal
Arthur B. Krim, United Artists
president, announced here Friday that
the Chemical Bank & Trust Co. and
UA had renewed its agreement pro-
viding primary financing for a pro-
gram of 10 pictures.
During the last 18 months, Chemi-
cal Bank has provided the financing
for approximately 10 independent pic-
tures released by UA and, according
to Edward Van Pelt, who represented
the bank in the negotiations, the
arrangement will be continued. United
{Continued on page 2)
RKO UK Setup Will
Not Be Changed
RKO Radio Pictures is
highly pleased with the con-
duct of its United Kingdom
division by Robert S. Wolff,
UK managing director, and
there is no intention of mak-
ing any change in this man-
agement, New York corre-
spondents of the British trade
press were told at the week-
end by Alfred Crown, RKO
Radio foreign manager.
Legislator Tells Owners
If the 20 per cent Federal admission tax "means the closing of large
and small theatres, you're going to see this tax taken off. It's as simple
as that." Such was the reaction expressed by Colorado Congressman
Wayne N. Aspinall to the pleas of a group of Colorado exhibitors who
met with him to ask for support in
Johnston to Paris;
French Pact Seen
At Critical Stage
Washington, Nov. 9. — Motion
Picture Association of America pres-
ident Eric A. Johnston left here un-
expectedly yesterday for Paris to take
part in the negotiation of a new
French-American film agreement.
He had been scheduled to leave yes-
terday on a one month tour of seven
South American countries as chair-
man of the government's International
Development Advisory Board. The
State Department announced yester-
day morning that this tour had been
cancelled and that Johnston instead
was leaving, for France "on urgent
business of the film industry."
This latter statement and the fact
that Johnston cancelled the South
American trip in favor of the Paris
trip gave rise to a feeling among some
observers that the French negotia-
tions, which have been stalled for the
(Continued on page 4)
their fight to obtain repeal of the levy.
Congressman Aspinall told the
showmen that repeal is the relief
"which I think you should have, be-
cause one of the integral parts of our
civilization — motion picture entertain-
ment— is going out the window."
Colorado exhibitors won the pledge
of a vote for repeal of the tax from
Aspinall as the result of the meeting
which was cited as an example of the
proper procedure exhibitors should use
in their campaign for repeal of the tax:
The meeting, described in a state-
ment issued through the Council of
Motion Picture Organizations here by
Col. H. A. Cole and Pat McGee, co-
chairmen of the National Tax Repeal
Campaign Committee,, was held shortly
.(Continued on page 4)
Cinerama Confabs to
Be Held on Coast
Conferences on Cinerama produc-
tion plans are slated to be continued
on the Coast next week, with the
scheduled arrival there of L. B.
Mayer, chairman of the board of
Cinerama Productions Corp., Dudley
Roberts, Jr., president, and Merian C.
Cooper, general manager in charge of
production.
Mayer left here Friday for Miami,
where he will receive a citation from
the Society of Industrial Realtors.
From Miami, he plans to leave for
the Coast.
Chicago Mayor Turns
Down 'Miracle' Plea
Chicago, Nov. 9. — Mayor Martin
Kennelley has rejected the plea of the
American Civil Liberties Union that
the "Miracle" ban here be reversed
and has upheld the decision of the
police censor board that the picture
is "immoral and obscene." ACLU at-
torneys have scheduled a meeting for
this week to determine their next step
in the campaign to permit the picture
to be shown here.
Karl Herzog Resigns
As Cinecolor Head
Hollywood, Nov. 9. — Resignation
of Karl Herzog as president, treas-
urer and director of Cinecolor Corp.
was announced here today following
a meeting of the board of directors.
While no reason was given, it is un-
derstood that Herzog has been in ill
health in recent months and that his
retirement is due to doctor's orders.
Herzog also has resigned as presi-
dent and director of Cinecolor Realty
Corp. and chairman of the board and
a director of Cinecolor, Ltd., London.
Move to End
Hughes' Trust
Irving Trust Gets No
Hughes Communication
No indications . that Howard
Hughes will move immediately to
take his RKO Theatres stock out
of trust, pursuant, to the recent
stipulation with the- Department of
Justice, were discernible ■ here at the
weekend.
A representative of Irving' Trust
Co., trustee of Hughes' 929,020 shares
of RKO Theatres stock, said he has
received no communication from
Hughes as to his intentions.
Neither has any move to resign been
made by Ben-Fleming Sessel or Wil-
liam' J. Wardall, two' members of the
RKO Theatres board of directors,' rep-
resenting "Irving Trust ' Co. " Thomas
Slack, Hughes' attorney, who was
here recently for conferences "with ex-
ecutives of RKO Radio' Pictures on
Hughes'" pledge' to loan $8,000,000 to
the film firm, has left for the Coast.
It was learned" that the next meet-
(Continued on page 4) '! ■
'Peter Pan' Gets 8
Weeks in Chi. Loop
Walt Disney's "Peter Pan"
has been awarded an ex-
tended run of eight weeks in
the Chicago Loop, according
to a decision rendered by Fed-
era! Judge Michael Igoe in
that city, it was disclosed
here at the weekend by RKO
Radio.
Attorney Aaron Stein rep-
resented Disney at the hear-
ing and presented as wit-
nesses Leo Samuels, Disney
sales supervisor; Charles
Levy, Eastern publicity di-
rector, and Sam Gorelick,
RKO Radio's Chicago branch
manager.
The theatre and opening
date for the Chicago run have
not been set.
Allied Meet to Get
Roadshow Attack
Minneapolis, Nov. 9. — North Cen-
tral Allied will carry its fight against
the "road-showing" of product to the
floor of national Allied's convention
in Chicago, Nov. 17-19, with a min-
imum of 40 NCA members leading
the battle, under Benjamin Berger,
NCA president.
Berger called the "so-called road-
show" trend "one of the most dan-
gerous problems facing exhibitors to-
day." He said that exhibitors must
find' a way of convincing film com-
panies of the folly of the policy.
Wisconsin Tightens
Drive-in Operations
Madison, Wise, Nov. 9. — Stricter
regulations governing the operation of
drive-ins in this state have been
adopted and will be applied under the
authority of the state building.
Hereafter, drive-ins in construction
must be layed out to provide an area
between the highway and : the box-
office capable of handling 10 per cent
of capacity of the theatre and a hold-
out area between the ticket booth and
the ramps of not less than IS per cent
of capacity of the theatre.
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, November 10, 1952
Personal
Mention
"PVR. RENATQ GUALINO, direc-
tor general of Italian Films Ex-
port and chief executive of the new
national distributing organization now
being set up by IFE, will fly to Rome
from here today.
Rotus Harvey, past president of
Western Theatre Owners, was pre-
sented with a life membership in the
Independent Theatre Owners of Mon-
tana by president Fred Arnst.
•
Larry Lapidus, formerly with
Warner Theatres in Albany, has
joined the circuit's New England zone
booking department in New Haven.
•
Mort Ehrman, New York Daily
Mirror news editor, and Mrs. Ehr-
man will arrive in Hollywood Wed-
nesday for a look at upcoming product.
•
Mort Blumen stock, Warner
Brothers vice-president in charge of
advertising-publicity, will arrive here
from Hollywood today.
•
B. B. Anderson and Mrs. Ander-
son, South Carolina theatre owners,
have returned home from a Florida
vacation.
William B. Zoellner, head of
M-G-M short subject and newsreel
sales, will leave here today for New
Orleans.
Bob Snell, with the United Artists
publicity department for seven years,
will leave for the Army on Nov. 17.
•
Bruce W. Odlum, on Frederick
Brisson's staff, has arrived in New
York en route to Madrid on Nov. 19.
•
Jack H. Wiener of M-G-M's field
press representative staff, arrived in
Atlanta yesterday from New York.
•
William Richardson, president of
Astor Pictures of Georgia, has left
for a fishing trip in Florida.
•
Zamah Cunningham is in New
York from Hollywood.
UA, Chemical Bank
{Continued from page 1)
Tradewise
(Continued from page 1)
Artists spokesmen said Friday that the
company would have greater selectiv
ity and control of each production
project and that all details as to story
and production would be screened
first by UA before being submitted
to the bank.
The 10 pictures are expected to be
ready for release in the latter part
of 1953 and in 19S4.
No Paper Tomorrow
Motion Picture Daily will
not be published tomorrow,
Armistice Day, a legal holiday.
Newsreel
Parade
and a conspiracy not to license pictures to a particular exhibitor, based
on mere uniformity without anv evidence of collusion."
In his speech of more than three years ago, Myers traced the begin-
ning of the doctrine to the appropriation by the Federal Trade Commis-
sion of the language of the Sherman Act in price fixing cases in the mid
1920s, one of which was upheld by the Supreme Court m 1927 (FTC v.
Pacific States Paper Trade Association.)
"Thus," he said, "there was imported into the Federal Trade Com-
mission Act what Mr. Justice Jackson has recently described as that
'elastic, sprawling and pervasive offense' of conspiracy."
Justice Jackson, Myers said, went on to say that the modern crime
of conspiracy is so vague that it almost defies definition and that loose
practice as to this offense constitutes a serious threat to fairness m our
administration of justice." He also pointed out, Myers said, that by
charging conspiracy instead of the substantive offense the prosecutor is
relieved of the necessity of proving a specific intent to commit that of-
fense; further, that it even dispenses with the "necessity ^to infer any
definite agreement, although that is the gist of the offense."
"From the standpoint of the prosecutor," Myers said, "a conspiracy
charge greatly simplifies his problem. In administrative and civil pro-
ceedings he makes no effort to prove the conspiracy by direct evidence.
He merely dumps into the record everything the parties have done that
can have any possible relation to the charge; and if this evidence
shows that any two or more of them have been proceeding along parallel
lines he will ask the Court or the Commission to infer that they were
engaged in a conspiracy. And if that inference is drawn, as it generally
is, then the overt acts and incriminating admissions of one conspirator,
even if committed without the knowledge or consent of the others, will
be accepted as proof against all. Against this background Justice Jack-
son concludes that 'A co-defendant in a conspiracy trial occupies an
uneasy seat.' For, as he points out, 'It is difficult for the individual to
make his own case stand on its own merits in the minds of jurors who
are ready to believe that birds of a feather are flocked together.'
In his speech, Myers went on to cite paradoxes that developed as a
result of dispositions of various cases and concluded that "Parallel action
to be safe must be the result of sheer coincidence and then only when
it occurs among monks, hermits and denizens of the jungle with no
knowledge of what is going on in the outside world."
Myers writes: "I still hope that a case— not necessarily a motion
picture case— which squarely presents the issue, will reach the Supreme
Court and that counsel will attack the unwarranted expansion of the
offense of conspiracy along the lines of Justice Jackson's observations
in the Krulewitch case." _ _ . . ,
It would seem that in the voluminous litigation files of this industry
such a case might be found. If so, it would be well worth the test Myers
suggests for, if successful, it would result in confining the general law
of conspiracy to its originally intended function— to protect and pre-
serve competition. As Myers says, "That would afford industries that
want to obey the law all the protection they need."
GENERAL Eisenhower's landside
Presidential election is highlight-
ed in all current newsreels. All fea-
ture various details of the election,
including coverage of the main candi-
dates, Congressional elections, and the
new President's leaving for a Georgia
vacation. The following is a general
summary of the reels:
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 91 — Eisen-
hower elected in a landslide. Voting by-
Eisenhower, Nixon. Stevenson. Sparkman,
Hoover, Baruch, Farley. Democratic head-
quarters in Illinois. Republican head-
quarters in New York. Times Square sign
flashes results.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 221— Largest
popular vote for a President. At polling
places. Voting by Eisenhower, Nixon,
Stevenson, and Sparkman. Election returns.
Springfield concedes the election to Eisen-
hower. Truman calls for unity. "Ike" and
Mamie leave for vacation.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 24— Victory
for Eisenhower Day. Eisenhower looks to
unity for critical domestic and world prob-
lems. The candidates, other headline figures,
and a review of the issues. Stevenson
statement saluting the victor and reqeust-
ing unity. Eisenhower and his wife receive
returns in New York City. -;.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 45B— Voting
across the country. Overwhelming joy in
Republican National Headquarters. _ Gover-
nor Stevenson concedes in Springfield.
Eisenhower victory statement in New York.
UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL, No. 411—
Ike's Landslide. Presidential and Vice-
Presidential candidates casting their ballots.
Board of Elections meetings. Voting by
Truman, Hoover, Warren, Dewey, Lehman,
crippled people, mothers with children.
Armed Forces Services absentee ballots.
Democratic and Republican National Head-
quarters.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 26-Ike
wins. Ballot casting by President Truman
and all candidates. Early returns received
at Democratic and Republican headquarters.
Senatorial victors in their home states.
Stevenson concedes at Springfield. Eisen-
hower victory speech. Eisenhower and his
family leave for vacation.
Livingston to Aid
Pioneers Publicity
Milton Livingston, Universal trade
press contact here, has been appointed
to assist David A. Bader, national
publicity director of the Motion Pic-
ture Pioneers, on the publicity for this
year's "Jubilee Dinner" to be held at
the Hotel Astor on Tuesday, Nov. 24.
N. J. Blumberg, chairman of the
board of directors of Universal Pic-
tures, will be honored at the "Jubilee
Dinner" as the "Motion Picture Pio-
neer of 1952." George Jessel will be
toastmaster of the dinner and Ned E.
Depinet will be chairman.
Variety Meets Today
Election of officers and a general
discussion of new club quarters, proj-
ects for the forthcoming year, and a
report of the past year's activities, are
on the agenda for the annual luncheon
Illinois Drive - In
Files Equity Suit
Chicago, Nov. 9.— Attorney Sey-
mour Simon has filed an equity suit,
asking relief from alleged withholding
of pictures from the Family Drive-in,
Clinton, 111, until 30 days after they
have played the McCollum circuit's
Kaye and Clintonia, both also in Clin-
ton, in Judge Phillip Sullivan's Chi-
cago Federal District Court.
The suit, against the eight major
film companies, Arthur Nelson and
the McCollum circuit, asks no dam
ages — merely a correction of the situ
ation. The Family, owned by the Clin
ton Theatre Corp, is operated by
Frank Stewart, who also operates the
.Rivoli, Danville, 111, and the Family
Drive-in, Urbana, 111.
and membership meeting of the Vari-
ety Club of New York, Tent No. 35
today at the Paramount Caterers.
Para. Underscores Ads
Paramount is underscoring its trade
paper preselling of "Road to Bali,"
starring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and
Dorothy Lamour, by calling the atten-
tion of exhibitors to a two-page color
advertisement of the color in Techni-
color musical which trade publications
are running.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center — —
THE HAPPY TIME"
starring
Charles BOYER • Louis JOUROAN
A Columbia Picture
plus
SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION
Operate
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Wilde - maiden - Cochran
In Person ^
THE FOUR ACEy
SUNNY GALE i
^CHARLIE BARNETj
VaNOHIS ORCHESTRA
Midnight Fcotur*
,. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane -Editor; Terry V^T^^SSSSi^ClSrf-e " ^^tOT^^CaJ^^SAd^MT^-oSiOT*^!;
ISgS^SK b^Sl/pubHsSnl Company Inc 1270 : Sixth Ave *« RockefeUer ^r N„ f^^j^SS^ Levy, V^P^dcny^J.
New York" Martin Quigley, President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President, J- P^T~: ' Gus H Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine
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4
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, November 10, 1952
Hughes' Trust
(Continued from page 1)
ing of the board of RKO Theatres is
slated for December and, barring any
resignations, an earlier board meeting
is not expected.
According to a report, yet uncon-
firmed, a provision in the recent Jus-
tice Department stipulation allows a
Hughes' loan to RKO Pictures and at
the same time allows Hughes to take
his theatres' stock out of trust if the
loan is repaid within a certain period
of time, said to be within one or two
years.
In the event Hughes chooses to re-
acquire his voting rights to his the-
atres' stock, two board members, re-
placing those representing the Irving-
Trust Co., would be selected by him,
it is pointed out. Of the six board
members, one is David J. Greene and
another A. Louis Oresman, a member
of the Greene group which staged a
lively proxy battle last January to gam
board representation. It is not known
at this point whether the Justice De-
partment would allow Hughes to ac-
quire additional shares in RKO The-
atres in the event another proxy
contest develops and he wishes to add
to his 24 per cent holdings in the
company. The Greene group at the
last proxy contest owned or controlled
350,000 shares. The two remaining
board members are Sol A. Schwartz,
president of the company, and Edward
C. Raftery, counsel to the company.
The recent Justice Department
stipulation which defines the conditions
under which Hughes can take out his
theatres stock from trusteeship was
not viewed in trade quarters as any
tip-off on the possible sale of the stock.
Although the stock was trusteed, it
was pointed out, since the divorcement
of the company, Hughes always had
the power to sell the stock and fought
and won a decision by the courts up-
holding that right, and denying it to
the trustee.
Hughes acquired 929,020 shares of
RKO stock from the Atlas Corp. in
1948 for approximately $9,000,000
and, upon divorcement, received 929,-
020 shares in both the new picture and
the new theatre company, subsequently
adding almost 100,000 shares of RKO
Pictures stock. He sold his interest in
the picture company for $7,040,000 to
the Ralph Stolkin group in September.
The theatre stock is currently quoted
on the New York stock exchange at
3%, but it is believed that Hughes
could receive about $5 per share for
his controlling interest, or approxi-
mately $5,000,000 for the entire block,
if he chooses to sell. In that event,
his $9,000,000 investment would result
in a $12,000,000 return, or an approxi-
mate profit of $3,000,000 on a four-
year investment.
U-I Hosts Brazilian
Universal - International gave a
luncheon at the weekend in honor of
Dr. Adhemar de Barros, former gov-
ernor of the state of Sao Paulo,
Brazil. Hosts for U-I were Nate
Blumberg, Alfred E. Daff and Amer-
ico Aboaf.
TNT Lists 13 Theatres
leaking Lees Telecast
'Andersen' Benefit
Entirely Cost-free
The list of 15 theatres that will participate in the James Lees & Sons
national sales convention theatre telecast Dec. 8 was disclosed here at
the weekend by Theatre Network Television, the agency which booked
the event. The following TV-equipped houses will join the first com-
mercial telecast, which will be held be-
tween 12:00 and 1:00 P.M.:
RKO Keith's, Washington; War-
ner's Stanley, Philadelphia ; Guild,
New York; Pilgrim, Boston; Loew's
State, St. Louis; Harris, Pittsburgh;
Hollywood, Detroit ; RKO Albee, Cin-
cinnati; Hippodrome, Cleveland;
Gopher, Minneapolis ; Telenews, Chi-
cago ; Paramount, Denver ; Camark,
Salt Lake City; Telenews, San Fran-
cisco, and the Orpheum in Los An-
geles. .
The programming and promotion of
the event, which will be seen by an
invited audience, mainly of Lees carpet
dealers, was developed by Victor M.
Ratner, director of Theatre Tele-Ses-
sions, a subsidiary of TNT.
In the THEATRE
Equipment
World . . .
. . with RAY GALLO
All organizations and individuals
participating in the benefit world pre-
miere of Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans
Christian Andersen'' at the Criterion
Theatre here on Nov. 24 are donating
their services, according to Maurice
Bergman, publicity chairman for the
Variety Clubs Will Rogers Memorial
Hospital benefit committee.
"This is a unique benefit,' said
Bergman, "in that the entire gross
proceeds will go to the hospital.
Every ticket will be paid for, and no
one is collecting a penny for his oi-
lier work in behalf of the premiere.
Goldwyn is donating 'the film, while
Charles B. Moss, managing director
oi the Criterion, and his staff, are
giving their services free for the eve-
ning In addition, all members of
Richard Walsh's IATSE will work
without pay.
Among others who will contribute
their services are Radio City Music
Hall ushers ; National Ticket Co.,
Donahue and Coe advertising agency ;
Morrill and McDermott, typogra-
phers; and Wilbar Photo Engraving.
"In addition," Bergman pointed out,
"members of the industry are buying
most of the tickets."
Goldwyn's Stand on
Subscription TV
Samuel Goldwyn declared in New
York on Friday that it would be at
least five years before subscription
TV was commercially feasible and
that then pay-as-you-go TV would
have a share ,of the motion picture
market.
He denied published reports that he
had said "within five years 50 per cent
of the nation's theatres will be closed
and the motion picture market will
be shared equallv by pay-as-you-go
TV, regular TV and theatres."
Tax Relief
(Continued from page 1)
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before election at Grand Junction,
Colo., between Aspinall and 23 exhib-
itors, many of whom had traveled hun-
dreds of miles to be present. At the
end of the meeting, during which the
exhibitors presented facts and figures
about their operations to show the in-
justice of the tax, the Congressman
not only pledged himself to vote for
repeal but advised the exhibitors how
the industry should proceed after Con-
gress convenes to get the tax killed.
"This is the information I've been
waiting to have for some time," said
Aspinall after the theatre owners had
told individually of their plight. He
asked for financial affidavits, pledgmg
himself to take their case before the
House Ways and Means Committee.
The meeting was organized by Rob-
ert Walker, of Walker's Unitah The-
atre, Fruita, Colo. Walker had ob-
tained a commitment several weeks
ago from the Congressman, but when
Aspinall heard no complaints about
the tax from other exhibitors m his
district he indicated that he might not
consider the commitment binding".
Learning of the Congressman's
changed attitude, Walker traveled over
the district and explained to theatre
owners that if the Congressman was to
be convinced of the injustice of the tax
he would have to be given facts and
figures in a meeting of several exhib-
itors.
Commenting on the meeting, the
statement from Cole and McGee said:
"This successful meeting in_ Colo-
rado gives emphasis to something_ we
have recommended over and over since
Cohn Briefs NETTC
On FCC Meeting
Members of the National Exhibi-
tors Theatre Television Committee
were briefed on the recent Federal
Communications Commission hearings
here on Friday by Marcus Cohn,
NETTC attorney, at a meeting at the
Hotel Astor.
Sentiment was expressed that the
industry's case before the FCC seek-
ing theatre TV allocations was pre-
pared excellently and optimism of re
ceiving channels was voiced.
OPENING Wednesday at the La
Salle Hotel in Chicago will be
the eighth annual convention of the
popcorn industry. The theme of the
three-day meeting will be "Popcorn,
America's Newest Big Business," ac-
cording to Thomas J. Sullivan, ex-
ecutive vice-president of the National
Association of Popcorn Manufactur-
ers. Of special interest to theatre-
men is a session set for Wednesday
built around the handling, merchan-
dising and selling of popcorn at thea-
tre refreshment stands. A panel dis-
cussion will be held on the subject,
"Getting Maximum Returns from
Concessions Operations." Participat-
ing will be Harold J. Fitzgerald, head
of the Fox Wisconsin Theatres, Mil-
waukee ; Abner Horn, Rainbow, Inc.,
Lake Charles, La. ; J. J. Fitzgibbons,
Jr., Theatre Confections, Ltd., Tor-
onto ; Charles Manley, Manley, Inc.,
Kansas City; L. A. (Skip) Dunn,
New England Theatres Service Corp.,
Boston.
Another feature of the popcorn
convention will be a display of late
developments in supplies, machinery
and equipment, arranged under the
supervision of Irving Singer of the
Rex Specialty Bag Co., Brooklyn,
N. Y. general chairman of the con-
vention will be Harry T. McNamara,
vice-president and sales manager of
Blue Star Foods, Inc., Rockford, 111.
Other officers include: Social chair-
man, Martin B. Coopersmith, Mar-
jack Co., Inc., Washington; chair-
man and toastmaster of the open-
ing luncheon, John J. Fitzgibbons,
Jr.; ladies' program planning chair-
man, Mrs. Harry T. McNamara.
Johnston to Paris
(Continued from page 1)
past few months, had reached a new
critical point. However, an MPAA
spokesman said he knew of no new
developments.
The State Department said John-
ston would be back from France
sometime within the next two weeks,
then would leave on a short visit to
several Latin American countries, but
would make this trip as MPAA presi-
dent rather than as chairman of the
Point Four board. Argentina and
Brazil, where the film industry has
been in trouble in recent years, are
almost certain to be visited by John-
ston.
Johnston was due to arrive in Paris
today. He is being accompanied by
MPAA vice president Joyce O'Hara.
the start of this campaign. And that js
that the . best and- surest way to obtain
a commitment to vote for repeal is for
a group of exhibitors to meet the Con-
gressman and present their individual
experiences with this tax."
A major advertising drive to be
centered around sponsorship of a new
television production of the comic
strip, "Terry and the Pirates," has
been signed for by Canada Dry Gin-
ger Ale, Inc., Neiv York. Extensive
use infill also be made by the company
of the Terry group of characters in
newspaper and magazine advertising
and in merchandising. First telecast
of the nezv half-hour film zvill be aired
nationally during the week of Nov. 23
and zvill continue on alternate weeks
for a year. The number of stations
carrying the show zvill increase
weekly, reaching a total of 50 to 60.
Appointment of two new officers of
the Mosler Safe Co., Hamilton, Ohio,
builders of safes and bank vaults, has
been announced by Edwin H. Mosler,
Jr., president of the firm. Elected
executive vice-president was John
Mosler, a vice-president since 1950.
He assumes the post recently vacated
by Harry H. Lynn, who was elected
chairman of the board last August.
Named as a vice-president was Mar-
tin S. Coleman, who will continue as
treasurer, a position he has held since
1950.
GET IN THE SCRAP FOR DEFENSE
— SAVE YOUR COPPER DRIPPINGS!
THE "NATIONAL" CARBON ARC ... NOTHING BRIGHTER UNDER THE SUN
The terms "National" and "Suprex" are trade-marks of Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation
NATIONAL CARBON COMPANY
A Division of Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation
30 East 42nd Street, New York 77, New York
District Sales Offices: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, New York, Pittsburgh, San Francisco
IN CANADA: National Carbon Limited, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg
This is the house that
LIFE
builds
°* a" U'S* movie-goers read LIFE5
* From A Study of the Accumulative Audi-
ence of LIFE, by Alfred Politz Research,
Inc. Each week, 23,900,000 people read
LIFE. In the course of 13 issues, this
audience accumulates to 62,600,000. A
"LIFE reader" is a person who has read
one or more of 13 issues.
MOTION PICTURE
VOL. 72. NO. 92
NEW YORK, U. S. A., WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1952
TEN CENTS
Para, to Spend
$30-Millions
On 22 in '53
Hartman Says 4 Films
To Be Made Overseas
By AL STEEN
Paramount will produce 22 pic-
lures at a cost of approximately
$30,000,000 during- 1953, Don
Hartman, production head, said in
New York
Monday. Hart-
man is here for
home office con-
ferences in con-
nection with
product, promo-
tion, budgets
and an econo-
my program
that he expects
to result in bet-
ter picture qual-
ity. He may
hop to Europe
next Tuesday
for parleys in
London, Paris and Rome in regard
{Continued on page 6)
Don Hartman
RKO Board Meets,
Adjourns Again
The RKO Pictures board of direc-
tors met here yesterday and ad-
journed to an unspecified day later this
week. No statement was issued fol-
lowing yesterday's meeting.
It was ascertained that new direc-
tors have not been named yet to fill
the vacancies created by the resigna-
tions three weeks ago of Ralph Stol-
kin, A. H. Koolish and William Gor-
• man, and that Arnold Grant, RKO
Pictures board chairman, still has no
J definite date for a visit to Hollywood.
(Continued on page 2)
RKO Palace to
Book Danny Kaye
Plans to headline Danny
Kaye at the RKO Palace in
January for a two-a-day en-
gagement were disclosed here
as Sol Schwartz, president of
RKO Theatres, left New York
for Hollywood on Monday.
While on the Coast,
Schwartz is slated to com-
plete negotiations for the
booking.
Robert Benjamin
Heads UA Board
Robert S. Benjamin has been
elected chairman of the board of
directors of United Artists, it was
announced here by Arthur B. Krim,
president of
UA. The post
had been va-
cant.
Benjamin
will continue
as president
and a director
of the J. Ar-
thur Rank Or-
ganization and
as a senior
member of the
New York law
firm of Phil-
lips, Nizer,
Benjamin and
Krim. Benjamin has tendered his
resignation as a director of Uni-
versal Pictures.
Benjamin has been associated
with United Artists since Feb., 1951,
when Krim, his law partner, as-
sumed the UA presidency.
Robert Benjamin
Wanger Signs New
Allied Artists Pact
Hollywood, Nov. 11. — Producer
Walter Wanger today signed a new
contract with Allied Artists continu-
ing their association which was in-
augurated one year ago. During the
past year Wanger has produced four
pictures for AA.
Wanger's next production for AA
will be titled "Hajji Baba" and will
be about 19th century Persia. It will
have color by Technicolor.
A TO of Gulf States
Seeks Government
Aid on Film Deals
New Orleans, Nov. 11. — Govern-
ment aid and intervention to help
solve problems facing the small, inde-
pendent exhibitor in making film
deals will be sought by Allied Theatre
Owners of the Gulf States, it was
revealed here by Abe Berenson,
president of the ATOGS, who also
is a member of the Allied national
board.
Instead of the usual declarations of
policy and resolutions that have come
out of meetings in the past, Berenson
and the members of his executive
committee will ask for definite affirm-
ative action to save the small ex-
hibitor.
Berenson stated, "Very few pictures
that were box-office, regardless of
(Continued on page 2)
20th Meet
Here Today
Twentieth Century-Fox sales divi-
sion managers in the U. S. and Can-
ada will begin a two-day merchandis-
ing meeting here today to set plans
for productions slated for release later
this year and during the first nine
months of 1953. Al Lichtman, direc-
tor of distribution, will deliver a wel-
coming address this morning after
which a discussion of present condi-
tions in the field will be held.
Tomorrow's sessions will include
the announcement of a nine-month
(Continued on paqe 6)
Print Shortage Intolerable.
Starr Tells Carolina Meet
Fussell President
Of Carolinas TOA
Charlotte, Nov. 11. — The matter of print shortages is the "most
pressing and acute immediate problem facing us today," in the opinion
of Alfred Starr, president of the Theatre Owners of America. Speaking
at the annual convention of the Theatre Owners of North and South
Carolina, Starr said that print short-
ages were brought about chiefly by
multiple runs in a given area on the
same clearance, resulting in day-and-
date contracts which the distributor
finds impossible to fulfill.
"It is just too easy for the distribu-
tor to charge the exhibitor with being
the sole cause of this unhappy situa-
tion," Starr said. "It is true that
many exhibitors demand equal clear-
ance with other theatres over a wide
area, but this demand stems logically
from the fact that all exhibitors in
that area are required to pay the same
(Continued on page 6)
Charlotte, Nov. 11. — Delegates
to the 40th annual convention here
of the Theatre Owners of North
and South Carolina elected Wood-
row G. Fussell of Bladenboro, N. C.
president to succeed Robert Bryant
of Rock Hill. S. C. Bryant was
elected first vice-president. A. Fuller
(Continued on page 6)
Allied Compo
Renewal Tops
Board Agenda
Majors' Arbitration
Plan Also Featured
Washington, Nov. 11. ■ — Re-
newal of Allied States Associa-
tion's membership in the Council
of Motion Picture Organizations,
including length of time and condi-
tions, will be considered by the fall
board meeting in Chicago this week-
end.
General counsel Abram F. Myers
today released the agenda for the
meeting which starts Saturday morn-
ing, goes on all day Saturday and
Sunday and into Monday morning.
Meetings will be held at the Hotel
Morrison. Allied's 1952 convention
will start Monday, following the board
meeting.
Continuation of Allied's membership
in COMPO shares the board spot-
light with such previously announced
agenda items as a discussion of the
distributors' arbitration plan and of
Col. H. A. Cole's proposal that Allied
(Continued on page 3)
Would 'Minimize'
Coast 4Red' Probe
Washington, Nov. 11. — Rep.
Velde (R., 111.), who will be chairman
of the House Un-American Committee
in the new Congress, said today he
hopes to "minimize" any further com-
mittee investigations of Communism in
Hollywood. He declared they had
taken too much of the committee's
time which might have been better
spent elsewhere. He said the industry
had done fairly well in cleansing itself.
The committee announced that it
would hold further Communism in
Hollywood hearings here tomorrow
and Thursday, but did not reveal the
names of any witnesses.
FCC Decision Due
On UPT-ABC Case
Washington, Nov. 11. — Fed-
eral Communications Commis-
sion hearing examiner Leo
Resnick is expected to hand
down late this week or early
next his long-awaited decision
on the United Paramount-
American Broadcasting mer-
ger. . -
2
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, November 12, 1952
Personal
Mention
JEROME PICKMAN, Paramount
vice-president in charge of adver-
tising-publicity, will arrive in Holly-
wood today by plane from New York
and will return in a few days.
•
D. John Phillips, executive direc-
tor of Metropolitan Motion Picture
Theatres Association, announces the
birth of a son, Jonathan Wayne, to
Mrs. Phillips Sunday at New York
Hospital. Mrs. Phillips is an attor-
ney for United Paramount Theatres.
•
Harry M. Popkin, Raoul Walsh
and Mrs. Walsh, and David Rose,
chairman and managing director of
the Coronado Film Corp., and Mrs.
Rose, arrived here yesterday from
Europe aboard the Queen Elisa-
beth.
•
Eugene Arneel, trade paper re-
porter, will be married to Doris Ann
Kuthy on Saturday at the Holy Fam-
ily Roman Catholic Church in Flush-
ing, N. Y.
•
Milton R. Rackmil, president of
Universal, returned here yesterday
from Europe aboard the S\5~. United
States.
Hugh Owen, Paramount Eastern
and Southern division manager, is in
Charlotte from New York.
in
'Sound,' 'Secret
Good BVay Bows
"Breaking Through the Sound
Barrier*' and "Operation Secret"
opened to good business on Broadway
this week, marked by spotty box
office conditions at New York first
runs.
An excellent $37,000 is expected
for the initial seven days of "Break
ing Through the Sound Barrier" at
the Victoria. At the Paramount
which also features a stage show, a
pretty good $73,000 is seen for
"Operation Secret." A nice $42,000
is due for the initial week of "Pris
oner of Zenda" at the Capitol.
Holding up strong is "Limelight"
at the Astor and the two-a-day 60th
Street Trans-Lux. A fine $34,000_is
forecast at the Astor, while a nice
$10,900 is predicted for the 60th Street
Trans-Lux.
"Plymouth Adventure" will have
its premiere tomorrow at Radio City
Music Hall, replacing "The Happy
Time," which hit a fair $115,000 for
its second and final week.
Order Release of
Hughes RKO Trust
The Irving Trust Co. has
been ordered to release from
trust Howard Hughes' 929,020
shares of RKO Theatres stock,
under an agreement reached
between the Department of
Justice and Hughes.
Hughes can now, and as
long as he fulfills the stipu-
lations to the agreement, vote
his 24 per cent controlling in-
terest in RKO Theatres.
Lachman N.Y.
Chief Barker
RKO Board
(Continued from page 1)
Seadler at Ampa Class
Guest instructor at tomorrow
night's session of Associated Motion
Picture Advertisers' class in show-
manship here will be Si Seadler,
M-G-M advertising manager, it was
announced yesterday by Harry K.
McWilliams, AMPA president. The
class starts at six o'clock in the Hotel
W oodstock.
Consequently, appointment of a pro-
duction head and reactivation of the
RKO Radio studio necessarily are de-
ferred.
Meanwhile, reports persisted that
the Stolkin group is continuing con-
ferences with various individuals and
groups on the possibility of disposing
of the 24 per cent controlling stock
interest in RKO Pictures acquired
from Howard Hughes in September
for $7,340,000.
219,884 RKO Pictures Shares
Bought by Sherrill Corwin
Washington, Nov. 11. — Sherrill
C. Corwin, RKO Pictures vice-presi-
dent and studio head, bought 10,000
shares of RKO common and became
the beneficial owner of an additional
209,884 shares during September, ac-
cording to a report issued by the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
The beneficially owned shares came
from a total of 1,049,420 shares held
by the Bank of America, National
Trust and Savings Association,
pledgee for Screen Associates, Inc.,
acting as the nominee for Corwin and
others.
The transaction represented Cor-
win's share in the purchase by the
Ralph Stolkin group of Howard
Hughes' controlling interest in RKO
Pictures, sold at $7 per share. The
stock is held in escrow by the Bank
of America until payments to Hughes
are completed. The report said Cor-
win was listed for total RKO hold-
ings of 219,884 shares.
The report covers transactions by
industry officers and directors during
the period from Sept. 11 to Oct. 9.
During this period, according to the
SEC, Howard Hughes liquidated his
total RKO Pictures holdings with the
sale of 1,013,420 shares of common to
the Stolkin syndicate. Ned E. Depi-
net, former RKO president, also
liquidated his holdings, selling 35,000
shares in the same transaction.
At RKO Theatres, David J. Greene
added 1,500 shares of common to a
trust which held 32,300 shares^ at the
end of the period. In addition, he
listed 16,450 shares in his own name,
10,000 through partnerships, and 3,600
through members of his family. A.
Louis Oresman sold 1,000 shares of
RKO Theatres common, leaving his
holdings at 28,100; William F. Whit-
man and John E. Redmond each sold
1,200 shares, each retaining 1,300.
At Monogram W. Ray Johnston
sold 3,700 shares of common.
Newsreel
Parade
Edward Lachman
Edward Lachman was elected chief
barker and other officials were
selected without any opposition as
the Variety Club of New York, Tent
No. 35, held an
election of offi-
cers at its an-
nual member-
ship luncheon-
meeting on
Monday. Lach-
man urged that
Variety "serve
by performing
a public rela-
tions job for
show business,
being a super-
C O M P O in
doing welfare
activities."
Lachman outlined the main projects
for the new year in his acceptance
speech after being introduced by out-
going chief barker William German.
He agreed with Murray Weiss, Inter-
national Variety Club representative
who spoke in place of Jack Beresin,
that a charity and a clubhouse are
the two fundamental things "neces-
sary to keep interest in the (New
York) club and keep it alive."
A five-man Heart Committee is to
be formed to select a charity or chari-
ties.
Others elected were Edward L.
Fabian, first assistant chief barker ;
Martin Levine, second assistant ;
Meinhardt, property master; Harold
J. Klein, dough guy ; and the follow-
ing canvassmen : Bernard Brooks,
Russell Downing, Nathan Furst,
Jack Hoffberg, Martin Kornbluth,
Jack Levin, Charles Lewis, Harold
Newman, Walter Reade, Jr., Harold
Rinzler, Burt Robbins, Morris Sand-
ers, Sanford, Cy Seymour, David
Snaper, Saul Trauner, George Wald-
man and Max Wolff.
rRYGVE LIE'S resignation of his
United Nations position of Secre-
tary General is highlighted in current
nezvsreels. Also featured are Presi-
dent-elect Eisenhower's activities in
Georgia, Queen Elizabeth's first open-
ing of the British Parliament, and
U. S. Marines fighting in Korea.
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 92 — Eisen-
hower in Georgia names liaison aides.
Trygve Lie quits at U.N. assembly meeting
in New York. Queen Elizabeth opens
Parliament. March of Dimes poster girl.
Notre Dame-Oklahoma, Princeton-Harvard
football games.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 222U-Trygve
Lie quits U.N. to speed Korea peace.
Marines rout Reds in Korea hills. British
Queen's first opening of Parliament. World's
largest trailer. Israel loses its great leader.
Notre Dame-Oklahoma, Princeton-Harvard
football games.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 25 — Trygve
Lie resigns U.N. position. Red Embassy
party in Washington. Philip Murray dies.
Dr. Chaim Weizmann mourned. Eyes on
Eisenhower in Georgia. New York Giants -
San Francisco 49ers football game.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 46A— Eisen
hower relaxes in Georgia. Adlai assumes
party leadership in Springfield. Newly de-
veloped floating cement demonstrated. Gen-
eral Franco addresses first National Con-
gress of Spanish Civil War veterans. Two-
story mansion trailer. Princeton-Harvard
football game.
UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL, No. 412-
Trygve Lie resigns United Nations position.
Battlefront in Korea again ablaze. Queen
opens Parliament session. President-elect
picks administration aides in Georgia.
Notre Dame- Oklahoma, Georgia Tech -Army
football games.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 27-
Eisenhower and Nixon. Marines fight under
heavy shell fire in Korea. Mau crises rocks
Africa. _ Queens opens Parliament. New
York Giants- San Francisco 49ers, Southern
California-Stanford football games.
ATO of Gulf States
(Continued from page 1)
season or playing time, did the ex-
hibitor any good because of exorbi-
tant film rental and ridiculous playing
time. Despite the distributors' aware-
ness of the fallen box-office, they are
still gouging and crushing every drop
of life's blood from the independent
exhibitor."
Speaking for his executive com-
mittee on national policy, Berenson
further stated that the only salvation
for this phase of the motion picture
business would be to have government
control, such as is exercised today on
common carriers, public utilities and
other allegedly monopolistic enter-
prises.
Ted Mann Charges
Decree Violations
Blumenstock Here
Mort Blumenstock, Warner Broth-
ers vice-president in charge of adver-
tising and publicity, has arrived in
New York from Hollywood for home
office conferences with Albert War-
ner, Ben Kalmenson and Samuel
Schneider.
Washington, Nov. 11. — Alleged
malpractices in the Minneapolis area
were outlined in a letter by Ted Mann,
former president of North Central Al-
lied, to the Senate Sub-committee on
Small Business.
Mann charged that distributors were
violating the U. S. Supreme Court
order that pictures were to be bought
one by one and that the purchase of
one picture was not to be conditioned
on the purchase of another. He fur-
ther claimed that the distributors
were continuing to fix admission
prices, despite the fact that the Su-
preme Court had denied them that
right. Mann, in his letter, said un-
less an exhibitor agreed to an ad-
vanced admission price requested by
the distributor, the theatre owner was
not awarded the picture.
Linet to Prepare
Pioneers Program
Henry A. (Hank) Linet has been
appointed to create and produce a
souvenir program and other matter
for the "Jubilee Dinner" of the Mo-
tion Picture Pioneers to be held at the
Hotel Astor on Tuesday evening, Nov.
25, it was announced by Jack Cohn,
president of the Pioneers.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley Editor-in-Chie^
NewaYorkn" Marlm Qui£^ Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J.
New York Martin yui.,iey, rresmeru, wium u 'wt V VerV* Advertising Manager- Gus H Fausel, Product on Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine
&fcfif8SZ'^£ Representative^! t^lS^^^^L^^, »
43 Washingtonrj. A. Otten. NaS ^rClub. Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq London WI; Hope Burnup Manager; Pete
ss "Qm-puhco London." Other Ouiglev Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres and Theatre Sales, each published 1 3 times a year as
Herald ^ International Motion Picture Almanac ; Fame. Entered as second-class matter, Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York. N. Y.. under
North Clark Street, FR-2-2843.
Burnup, Editor; cable address,
a section of Motion Picture H-..
the act of March 3. 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 m the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies, 10c.
Wednesday, November 12, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
Allied Registrants
Now Total 575
Chicago, Nov. 11. — Registra-
tion for the national Allied
convention here starting Mon-
day has reached a total of 575
delegates, general convention
chairman Jack Kirsch reports.
A last minute rush from Chi-
cago and downstate Illinois
delegates is expected, he said.
Allied Board
(Continued from page 1)
leaders withdraw from all-industry
undertakings to concentrate on getting
better prices for Allied members. An-
other top agenda item will be a dis-
cussion of methods for increasing re-
venue of Allied regional units.
There is no telling the exact order
in which items will be considered.
Myers announced the less controver-
sial ones would be taken up early-
Saturday, when many members will
still be travelling to Chicago.
On arbitration, the board will hear
the report of Allied's arbitration com-
mittee and the draft of the distribu-
tors' plan, and will either approve or
reject the plan as submitted or give
new instructions to the Allied com-
mittee.
Myers pointed out that the question
of renewing Allied's membership in
COMPO comes up automatically be-
cause it was last renewed in Oct
1951 "until the next convention board
meeting to be held sometime in the
fall of 1952."
Ben Marcus, chairman of a special
committee, will make a report on
ways and means of increasing re
venues of regional units by distribut-
ing fan magazines or other activities.
Other items on the agenda include
Reports on distributor polices on
film prices in the various territories
along with consideration of proposed
remedies, "including appeals to appro
priate committees of Congress" ;
Discussion of Motion Picture Asso
ciation of America president Eric
Johnston's speech before the Theatre
Owners of America, in which he said
film companies would produce for
television ;
Discussion of the government's
16mm. suit and of the industry's ap
plication to the Federal Communica-
tion Commission for theatre television
frequencies ;
"Continuing complaints of hi,
prices and poor service" by National
Screen Service, including discussion
of a suggestion that film companies
guarantee or help in getting the de
livery of paper and trailers from
National Screen ;
Suggestions that Hollywood create
a permanent display for use at state
fairs and other exhibits ;
Discussion of ASCAP's demand
for royalty payments on public per
formances of copyrighted music not
recorded on entertainment film;
A report on Cinerama by Allied
president Wilbur Snaper ;
Proposals for the location of the
1953 Allied convention;
A report by Nathan Yamins on the
experience of New England exhibitor,
at a hearing before the Commissioner
of Public Safety on the use of acetate
film ; and
A discussion of methods employed
by a Kansas City exhibitor to main
tain order in his theatre.
Television — Radio
with Pinky Herman
HpHE rapid strides already made by Television in the American
scheme of things can best be realized in the light that this new
medium has closed a gap in less than four years which had taken
its older brother, radio, a decade to do. In the national coverage of
the Presidential election, the exciting descrip-
tions, analysis of the ever-changing tabulations
and the easy-to-follow charts and graphs depict-
ing the comparative gains not only of the Presi-
dential candidates but also the combatants for
the Congressional seats, proved that sound plus
sight, Television, is undoubtedly vastly superior
as an enlightening medium to radio. However,
i the malodorous repetition of commershills (in
this case that seems to be the correct spelling)
oftentimes breaking into the middle of important
sentences being uttered by John Cameron Swayze
g and John McCaffery, (NBC-TV) was downright
annoying. No one argues with the right of a
pinky Herman sponsor who lays down a bundle to take advan-
tage of an assured audience, but when a can of
Prestone is flashed on the screen incessantly and at most inopportune
moments, then the good-will it might have established runs the risk
of turning instead, into reverse reaction. In this case, instead of
"Presto, the commercial is gone," it unfortunately seemed to be,
"Prestone, it's here again." . . .
ft ft
ft
NBC, which made the first coast to coast broadcast of the Rose
Bozvl game back in 1927 (Alabama vs. Washington) and followed
suit until 1948, will televise the 1953 classic New Year's Day. Spon-
sor will be Gillette and it will be seen in the East at 4 :45 P.M. . . .
With the signing by Norman Cloutier of the "Planet Man" to tee
off Nov. 15 via WTAM, Cleveland, increasingly popular Palladium
Productions adventure series, will be heard via 100 key outlets.
. . . MBS Producer Larry Porn has just completed a new Bible
series of platters for Bibletonc Records with Jack Berch, narrating.
A 'natural' Larry shouldn't overlook is the standard, "Bible My
Mother Left To Me." . . . Charles D. Beelaud Co. and King
Film Prod, have consolidated and the new TV firm, Beeland-King
Film Productions will operate from Atlanta, Ga. . . . Melinda
Mar key, who recently scored in a "Dr. Christian" radio episode,
is the daughter of Joan Bennett. . . . Barbara ("Mr. & Mrs. North"
T Version) Britton, will be seen in three new flickers, "The
Raiders" (U.I.) "Ride the Man Down" (Republic) and Arch
Oboler's three-dimensional "Bzvana Devil." . . .
ft
ft ft
Mike Wallace and his wife Buff Cobb will add another chore
to their "Mike & Buff" duties. CBStarting Saturday they'll
emcee the audience-participation quiz "There's One in Every
Family" which becomes a six-time-a-week series. John Reed
King continues as emcee on the Monday thru Friday broad-
casts. . . . Fuller, Smith & Ross have signed Geo. F. Foley to
shoot a 16mm. color film for Plymouth Cordage Co. Produced
by John Ward, the flicker will be narrated by Thomas Mitchell.
. . . Bill Cullen points out that Manhattan Island was sold by
the Indians for only 24 dollars "BUT." stresses Bill, "in those
days a dollar was a Dollar." . . . And WOR's likeable Bill
Taylor comes up with a smart observation in "People are like
pins — absolutely useless when they lose their heads." . . . Harry
Wismer, the ace sportscaster, whose football radio and TV
coverage reveals plenty of technical and inside savvy, was a
star quarterback at Michigan State in his college days. . . .
Mayor Fletcher Bowron of Los Angeles has proclaimed Nov.
15 as "Television City Day," in recognition of the opening of
CBS' multi-million dollar TV plant there. . . . Perry Como
will attend a dinner in his honor to be given by the Variety
Club of Washington, D. C, Nov. 22, where a bust of the
crooner will be unveiled, designating him as "the Showman of
the Year." . . . "Your Show of Shows" will originate at the
NBColonial Theatre, Broadway & 62nd St., starting with
Saturday's program. The theatre has been completely renovated
and is considered by NBC execs a "marvel of electronic
progress in every aspect of engineering." . . . Bob Monroe's
"Titus Moody Speaks," currently heard on Mutual, may be-
come a television WORacle in January. . . .
National
Pre-Selling
DHOTOPLAY announces the win-
*■ ners of its annual "Choose Your
Star" contest in the December issue.
Lori Nelson was chosen by readers
as their favorite female star. She will
have a top role in Universal-Interna-
tional's "Nothing but the Blues." Tab
Hunter was the readers' choice for
the best-liked male star. He: played
opposite Linda Darnell in United Art-
ists' "Island of Desire."
•
M-G-M will go all out on its
newspaper advertising campaign for
"Plymouth Adventure," scheduled to
be re-released at Radio City Music
Hall tomorrow. It will open in all
other important situations during
Thanksgiving week. A total circula-
tion of almost 50,000,000 will be used
in the nationwide campaign. Pic-
torial Review, American Weekly,
This Week, Metropolitan Group and
Parade will have full color and
black-and-white ads on Nov. 16 and
23.
•
Paramount is arranging for intensi-
fied coverage of its pictures and its
stars in national magazines. The Nov.
23 issue of Parade magazine ivill de-
vote its cover to William H olden,
star of "The Turning Point." The
same issue zvill carry a feature story
on both the star and the Paramount
picture, which has been scheduled as
the Nezv York Globe Theatre's next
attraction.
•
Woman's Home Companion has a
four-page picture and editorial story
on Leslie Caron, the new M-G-M star.
She recently completed two pictures
for M-G-M, "The Story of Three
Loves" and "Lili."
•
Pictures taken on the set of Para-
mount's new picture, "Scared Stiff,"
starring Dean Martin and Jerry
Lewis, are used in a seven-page
story in the November issue of Red-
book. The lead paragraph in the
Martin and Lewis story tells of
their visit to Hal Wallis' office dur-
ing which one of the team used the
producer's phones and "intercom"
system while the other member of
the team kept the producer from
interfering with their fun.
•
The Rosemary Clooney story is told
in the current issue of Collier's. Full
color pictures are used along zvith text
in a three-page story. "The Stars Are
Singing" is her latest picture for
Paramount.
•
Mt. Kilimanjaro, which serves as
a focal point for "The Snows of Kili-
manjaro," is the subject of a special
story-and-picture layout in the De-
cember issue of Argosy. The narra-
tive of a five-man expedition storming
the peak in East Africa is presented
in a four-page spread with a full-page,
full color painting of the famed moun-
tain capping the article.
Walter Haas
Kreisler Heads IFA-TV
B. Bernard Kreisler, former direc-
tor of the advisory unit for foreign
films of the Motion Picture Associa-
tion of America, has been elected
president of International Film Asso-
ciates-Television.
Kreisler joined the organization last
spring on resigning from MP A A.
THE BIGGEST YOU'LL
NEVER Such Wild Pageantry...^
ALABAMA
ARIZONA
ARKANSAS
These are some of the leadii ei
will be playing "The Thief of Venice^
COLORADO
CONNECT
DIK3IIXJSE COWS
YOUR THEAT1
in this powerful 2- PAG
issue of Cottier9,
with a combined reac
IF YOU PLAY "
BEFORI
THERE'S NO SHOWMANSHIP LIKE ^
3 YEARS IN THE MAKING
. . . 3 MILLIONS TO MAKE
CAST OF TENS OF THOUSANDS
jsty Adventure... Glorious Romance!
:
71 _
t 7
WASHINGTON
SOUTH DAKOTA
eatres which
irting Jan. 31st, 1953.
NEW JM
mum
I NAME GOES HERE-
RE-SELLING AD in the JAN. 31
Sid the FEB. 10 issue of Look
hip of more than 35,000,000
E THIEF OF VENICE '
MR. 1, 1953*
ee your 20th representative for details
WEST VIRGINIA
WISCONSIN
..Ml ..
ALASKA
. .. ...
HAWAIi
ALL THIS...
And More!
THE RACE of the galley
slaves for Venice . . . under the
cruel lash of the whipmaster!
THE REVOLT of the rabble
against Prussian mercenaries!
MEDIEVAL TORTURE!
Tina-tortured on the wheel
The Thief-broken on the rack!
THE THIEVES against the
might of the Chief Inquisitor!
MARRIAGE PARADE OF
the Doge's daughter - tens of
thousands on the screen!
ANGEL'S R00ST fabu-
lous hideaway of the cut-throats
of Venice-where all law ends!
THE INNOCENTS swinging
from the gallows-for the secret
crimes of the Masked Assassins!
if
CENTURY-FOX SHOWMANSHIP !
6
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, November 12, 1952
Starr Tells
(Continued from page 1)
terms for the picture."
Starr said that any exhibitor had
the right to ask himself why he should
follow another theatre on a later run
when both were paying the same
terms. The TOA president asserted
that in many cases the exhibitor would
be glad to drop back to 60 days, 90
days or even six months if he were
given an incentive to do so by getting
lower film rentals.
"In my opinion," he said, "the dis-
tributor is almost entirely responsible
for the shortage of prints that result
from this unhappy condition, and it
seems perfectly obvious to me that a
change must be made lest the whole
system of clerance fall apart and
chaos replace it."
Starr accused the "senseless policy
of the distributors of maintaining a
uniform national policy as regards
each picture" as being at the bottom
of the situation. He said it was "fan-
tastic" to reason that a picture worth
40 per cent in a large metropolitan
theatre was also worth 40 per cent
in a small town theatre. By making
price and percentage concessions to
the smaller marginal theatres that
need help to survive, order can be re-
stored to the industry, he said. By
making similar concessions to subse-
quent run theatres, distributors can
relieve the pressure of simultaneous
demands for prints and at the same
time give the public a longer interval
of time in which to see a particular
picture, Starr added.
Starr declared that the existing con-
dition was almost intolerable and
growing worse daily.
Name Fussell President
(Continued from page 1)
Sams, Jr. of Statesville was named
second vice-president, and Mrs. Walter
Griffith was re-elected executive sec-
retary and treasurer for her 25th term.
Herman M. Levy, TOA general
counsel, thanked the Carolinas group
for its approval of the TOA principle
of arbitration. "It is most encourag-
ing," he said, "This is the sixth TOA
unit to take this action."
The theatre owners had voted to
approve any arbitration decision ap-
proved by the TOA. "The basic in-
tention of the proposed system was to
provide a speedy, effective, and inex-
pensive tribunal for exihibitors, large
and small, for grievances, large and
small," he added. "It may be that the
plan is subject to criticism for one
reason or another ; there may be room
for improvement ; it may be that, after
a period of trial and error, amend-
ments will be necessary or advisable.
None of this, however, detracts from
the justified conclusion that the plan
is a good one, worthy of immediate
approval by all segments of the in-
dustry."
Jack Braunagel, chairman of the
TOA's drive-in theatre committee,
said that one of the faults of drive-in
operation is over emphasis on the sale
of concessions rather than motion pic-
tures. "Exhibitors," he said, "should
know more about the product they
exhibit in order to do a better selling
job."
Bryant attacked the 20 per cent ad-
mission tax, describing it as a war-
time levy carried over into peace.
"It has almost become a permanent
emergency tax," Bryant said. "Only
Because of the overwhelming demand
for seats, Paramount has cancelled the
previously announced projection room
screening and has engaged the . . .
BIJOU THEATRE
209 West 45th Street • West of Broadway
for its
NEW YORK CITY TRADE SHOW
ROAD TO BALI
Color by TECHNICOLOR
starring BING CROSBY
BOB HOPE • DOROTHY LAMOUR
FRIDAY, NOV. 14th
there will be
4 SCREENINGS AT THE BIJOU THEATRE
10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Admission by Invitation Only
concerted and vigorous action by thea-
tre owners throughout the country
can bring about repeal of this dis-
criminatory tax."
Simons and Bernstecker Address
Carolinas TOA Meet
Charlotte, Nov. 11. — "Good pic-
tures are not the only answer to the
exhibitor's box office problem," Mike
Simons, Loew's public relations ex-
ecutive, said at the theatre trade school
here at the last day of the annual con-
vention of the Theatre Owners of
North and South Carolina. He said
more attention should be given to the
"once in a while patron."
"We must," he pointed out, "get
back to the day when the customer is
king."
Theatre advertising was discussed
by Emil Bernstecker of Wilby-Kincey
Theatres in Atlanta.
Para, to Spend
(Continued from page 1)
to the European production schedule
for next year.
Hartman said Paramount planned
four pictures for overseas production
in 1953. F. Scott Fitzgerald's "Baby-
lon Revisited" will start in Paris in
July or August, with William Wyler
producing and Gregory Peck in the
top role. Peck and Wyler have just
completed "Roman Holiday" in Rome,
and Hartman, if he goes overseas next
week, will sit in on the early cutting.
John Bolting's "Wings Across the
Sea" will be made mostly in England,
while "Elephant Walk" will be shot
in Ceylon. "Legend of the Incas" is
slated for production in Peru. Some
low-budget films may be made in
Italy under a co-production setup, but
these plans have not been finalized. If
the plan goes through, the pictures
will be distributed by Paramount only
in Europe.
Paramount will concentrate on the
exploitation of new faces during the
coming year. Hartman said the studio
would give new contract players im-
mediate opportunities for stardom,
rather than trying to build them up
over a five year period. Hartman
brought with him tests of new players
to show to home office executives.
Pitts Says Press Is
Favorable to Films
Charlotte, Nov. 11. — A survey of
83 leading U. S. newspapers revealed
that the ratio in favor of Hollywood,
its people and its product was better
than 10 to one, Dick Pitts, director of
public relations of the Theatre Own-
ers of America, told the 40th annual
convention of the Theatre Owners of
North and South Carolina here yes-
terday. Pitts said there was more
than 10 times as much space devoted
to the promotion of stars and pictures
than there was to the alleged ques-
tionable side of the industry.
"On the other hand," Pitts con-
tinued, "while many newspapers sur-
veyed were extremely generous with
space, the majority was not. And
that majority principally was in the
smaller cities. Too many of them
went for days and days with no men-
tion of motion pictures whatever. If
the space given by the minority was
matched by the majority, the ratio
in favor of motion pictures would be
50 to 1, or more," he added.
20th Meet
(Continued from page 1)
product schedule and vice-president
Charles Einf eld's outlining of cam-
paigns being developed for the films.
W. C. Gehring, executive assistant
general sales manager ; Edwin W.
Aaron, W estern sales manager, and
Arthur Silverstone, Eastern and Ca-
nadian sales manager, will join Licht-
man in leading the discussions.
Also on today's agenda are the set-
ting of plans for the handling of pro-
ductions 2'0th-Fox is offering" for
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New
Year's. Thanksgiving will bring
Damon Runyon's "Bloodhounds of
Broadway" and "Pony Soldier," while
John Philip Sousa's "Stars and
Stripes Forever" and Daphne du
Maurier's "My Cousin Rachel" are
scheduled as Yuletide attractions.
Ends Dec. 27
Plans for these pictures and the
continuing campaigns for Darryl F.
Zanuck's "The Snows of Kiliman-
jaro" will be the main productions for
20th Century - Fox's "Anniversary
Week" celebration to be held Thanks-
giving week, and the "Branch Man-
agers' Testimonial," which ends
Dec. 27.
Division managers attending the
meeting are Herman Wobber, West-
ern ; Harry Ballance, Southern ; Mar-
tin Moskowitz, Empire State ; M. A.
Levy, Midwest ; Glenn Norris, Atlan-
tic ; Tom McCleaster, Central and
Peter Myers, Canadian. Also on hand
will be Buck Stoner and Paul Wilson,
assistant division managers in the
Western and Southern territories, re-
spectively.
Branch managers Jim Connolly,
Boston ; Ben Simon, New Haven, and
Tom Gilliam, Chicago, will also be
in attendance since their exchanges
are now supervised by the home office.
Home office sales executives in at-
tendance include Alex Harrison,
Clarence Hill, Peter Levathes, Jack
Bloom, Lem Jones, Francis X. Car-
roll, Morris Kaplan, Roger Ferri,
Larry Ayers and Dave Ornstein.
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ACROSS THE U.S. AND OVERSEAS...
FLY-
MOTION PICTURE
VOL. 72. NO. 92
NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1952
TEN CENTS
Para, to Spend
$30-Millions
On 22 in '53
Hartman Says 4 Films
To Be Made Overseas
By AL STEEN
Paramount will produce 22 pic-
lures at a cost of approximately
$30,000,000 during 1953, Don
Hartman, production head, said in
New York
Monday. Hart-
man is here for
home office con-
ferences in con-
nection with
product, promo-
tion, budgets
and an econo-
my program
that he expects
to result in bet-
ter picture qual-
ity. He may
hop to Europe
next Tuesday
for parleys in
London, Paris and Rome in regard
(Continued on page 6)
Don Hurtnian
RKO Board Meets,
Adjourns Again
The RKO Pictures board of direc-
tors met here yesterday and ad-
journed to an unspecified day later this
week. No statement was issued fol-
lowing yesterday's meeting.
It was ascertained that new direc-
tors have not been named yet to fill
the vacancies created by the resigna-
tions three weeks ago of Ralph Stol-
kin, A. H. Koolish and William Gor-
man, and that Arnold Grant, RKO
Pictures board chairman, still has no
definite date for a visit to Hollywood.
(Continued on page 2)
RKO Palace to
Book Danny Kaye
Plans to headline Danny
Kaye at the RKO Palace in
January for a two-a-day en-
gagement were disclosed here
as Sol Schwartz, president of
RKO Theatres, left New York
for Hollywood on Monday.
While on the Coast,
Schwartz is slated to com-
plete negotiations for the
booking.
Robert Benjamin
Heads UA Board
Robert S. Benjamin has been
elected chairman of the board of
directors of United Artists, it was
announced here by Arthur B. Krim,
president of
UA. The post
had been va-
cant.
Benjamin
will continue
as president
and a director
of the J. Ar-
thur Rank Or-
ganization and
as a senior
member of the
New York law
firm of Phil-
lips, N i z e r ,
Benjamin and
Krim. Benjamin
resignation as a
versal Pictures.
Benjamin has
Robert Benjamin
has tendered his
director of Uni-
been associated
with United Artists since Feb., 1951,
when Krim, his law partner, as-
sumed the UA presidency.
Wanger Signs New
Allied Artists Pact
Hollywood, Nov. 11. — Producer
Walter Wanger today signed a new
contract with Allied Artists continu-
ing their association which was in-
augurated one year ago. During the
past year Wanger has produced four
pictures for A A.
Wanger's next production for AA
will be titled "Hajji Baba" and will
be about 19th century Persia. It will
have color by Technicolor.
A TO of Gulf States
Seeks Government
Aid on Film Deals
New Orleans, Nov. 11. — Govern-
ment aid and intervention to help
solve problems facing the small, inde-
pendent exhibitor in making film
deals will be sought by Allied Theatre
Owners of the Gulf States, it was
revealed here by Abe Berenson,
president of the ATOGS, who also
is a member of the Allied national
board.
Instead of the usual declarations of
policy and resolutions that have come
out of meetings in the past, Berenson
and the members of his executive
committee will ask for definite affirm-
ative action to save the small ex-
hibitor.
Berenson stated, "Very few pictures
that were box-office, regardless of
(Continued on page 2)
20th Meet
Here Today
_ Twentieth Century-Fox sales divi-
sion managers in the U. S. and Can-
ada will begin a two-day merchandis-
ing meeting here today to set plans
for productions slated for release later
this year and during the first nine
months of 1953. Al Lichtman, direc-
tor of distribution, will deliver a wel-
coming address this morning after
which a discussion of present condi-
tions in the field will be held.
Tomorrow's sessions will include
the announcement of a nine-month
(Continued on paqe 6)
Print Shortage Intolerable,
Starr Tells Carolina Meet
Charlotte, Nov. 11.— The matter of print shortages is the "most
pressing and acute immediate problem facing us today," in the opinion
of Alfred Starr, president of the Theatre Owners of America. Speaking
at the annual convention of the Theatre Owners of North and South
Carolina, Starr said that print short-
Fussell President
Of Carolinas TOA
Charlotte, Nov. 11. — Delegates
to the 40th annual convention here
of the Theatre Owners of North
and South Carolina elected Wood-
row1 G. Fussell of Bladenboro, N. C.
president to succeed Robert Bryant
of Rock Hill, S. C. Bryant was
elected first vice-president. A. Fuller
(Continued on page 6)
ages were brought about chiefly by
multiple runs in a given area on the
same clearance, resulting in day-and-
date contracts which the distributor
finds impossible to fulfill.
"It is just too easy for the distribu-
tor to charge the exhibitor with being
the sole cause of this unhappy situa-
tion," Starr said. "It is true that
many exhibitors demand equal clear-
ance with other theatres over a wide
area, but this demand stems logically
from the fact that all exhibitors in
that area are required to pay the same
(Continued on page 6)
Allied Compo
Renewal Tops
Board Agenda
Majors' Arbitration
Plan Also Featured
Washington, Nov. 11. — Re-
newal of Allied States Associa-
tion's membership in the Council
of Motion Picture Organizations,
including length of time and condi-
tions, will be considered by the fall
board meeting in Chicago this week-
end.
General counsel Abram F. Myers
today released the agenda for the
meeting which starts Saturday morn-
ing, goes on all day Saturday and
Sunday and into Monday morning.
Meetings will be held at the Hotel
Morrison. Allied' s 1952 convention
will start Monday, following the board
meeting.
Continuation of Allied's membership
in COMPO shares the board spot-
light with such previously announced
agenda items as a discussion of the
distributors' arbitration plan and of
Col. H. A. Cole's proposal that Allied
(Continued on page 3)
WASHINGTON , Nov. 11.—
Rep. Velde (R. 111. ) , in
announcing House Un-Amer-
ican Act ivities Committee
hearings here tomorrow
and Thursday on Communism
in Hollywood, said that he
hopes to "minimize" fur-
ther investigation of the
film industry, which he
felt had done a great deal
to clear itself. He said
the committee had spent
too much time investigat-
ing the industry.
•
WASHINGTON, Nov. 11.—
Leo Resnick, FCC hearing
examiner, is expected to
hand down late this week
or early next his decision
on the United Paramount-
American Broadcasting
merger and on the anti-
trust status of all Para-
mount companies applying
for television licenses.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, November 12, 1952
Personal
Mention
TEROME PICKMAN, Paramount
vJ vice-president in charge of adver-
tising-publicity, will arrive in Holly-
wood today by plane from New York
and will return in a few days.
•
D. John Phillips, executive direc-
tor of Metropolitan Motion Picture
Theatres Association, announces the
birth of a son, Jonathan Wayne, to
Mrs. Phillips Sunday at New York
Hospital. Mrs. Phillips is an attor-
ney for United Paramount Theatres.
•
Harry M. Pgpkin, Raoul Walsh
and Mrs. Walsh, and David Rose,
chairman and managing director of
the Coronado Film Corp., and Mrs.
Rose, arrived here yesterday from
Europe aboard the S.S. Queen Eliza-
beth.
•
Eugene Arneel, trade paper re-
porter, will be married to Doris Ann
Kuthy on Saturday at the Holy Fam-
ily Roman Catholic Church in Flush-
ing, N. Y.
•
Milton R. Rackmil, president of
Universal, returned here yesterday
from Europe aboard the United
States.
Hugh Owen, Paramount Eastern
and Southern division manager, is in
Charlotte from New York.
'Sound,' 'Secret,' in
Good B'way Bows
"Breaking Through the Sound
Barrier" and "Operation Secret"
opened to good business on Broadway
this week, marked by spotty box-
office conditions at New York first-
runs.
An excellent $37,000 is expected
for the initial seven days of "Break-
ing Through the Sound Barrier" at
the Victoria. At the Paramount,
which also features a stage show, a
pretty good $73,000 is seen for
"Operation Secret." A nice $42,000
is clue for the initial week of "Pris-
oner of Zenda" at the Capitol.
Holding up strong is "Limelight"
at the Astor and the two-a-day 60th
Street Trans-Lux. A fine $34,000 is
forecast at the Astor, while a nice
$10,900 is predicted for the 60th Street
Trans-Lux.
"Plymouth Adventure" will have
its premiere tomorrow at Radio City
Music Hall, replacing "The Happy
Time," which hit a fair $115,000 for
its second and final week.
Order Release of
Hughes RKO Trust
The Irving Trust Co. has
been ordered to release from
trust Howard Hughes' 929,020
shares of RKO Theatres stock,
under an agreement reached
between the Department of
Justice and Hughes.
Hughes can now, and as
long as he fulfills the stipu-
lations to the agreement, vote
his 24 per cent controlling in-
terest in RKO Theatres.
RKO Board
{Continued from page 1)
Seadler at Ampa Class
Guest instructor at tomorrow
night's session of Associated Motion
Picture Advertisers' class in show-
manship here will be Si Seadler,
M-G-M advertising manager, it was
announced yesterday by Harry K.
Mc Williams, AMPA president. The
class starts at six o'clock in the Hotel
W oodstock.
Consequently, appointment of a pro-
duction head and reactivation of the
RKO Radio studio necessarily are de-
ferred.
Meanwhile, reports persisted that
the Stolkin group is continuing con-
ferences with various individuals and
groups on the possibility of disposing
of the 24 per cent controlling stock
interest in RKO Pictures acquired
from Howard Hughes in September
for $7,340,000.
219,884 RKO Pictures Shares
Bought by Sherrill Corwin
Washington, Nov. 11.— Sherrill
C. Corwin, RKO Pictures vice-presi-
dent and studio head, bought 10,000
shares of RKO common and became
the beneficial owner of an additional
209,884 shares during September, ac-
cording to a report issued by the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
The beneficially owned shares came
from a total of 1,049,420 shares held
by the Bank of America, National
Trust and Savings Association,
pledgee for Screen Associates, Inc.,
acting as the nominee for Corwin and
others.
The transaction represented Cor-
win's share in the purchase by the
Ralph Stolkin group of Howard
Hughes' controlling interest in RKO
Pictures, sold at $7 per share. The
stock is held in escrow by the Bank
of America until payments to Hughes
are completed. The report said Cor-
win was listed for total RKO hold-
ings of 219,884 shares.
The report covers transactions by
industry officers and directors during
the period from Sept. 11 to Oct. 9.
During this period, according to the
SEC, Howard Hughes liquidated his
total RKO Pictures holdings with the
sale of 1,013,420 shares of common to
the Stolkin syndicate. Ned E. Depi-
net, former RKO president, also
liquidated his holdings, selling 35,000
shares in the same transaction.
At RKO Theatres, David J. Greene
added 1,500 shares of common to a
trust which held 32,300 shares at the
end of the period. In addition, he
listed 16,450 shares in his own name,
10,000 through partnerships, and 3,600
through members of his family. A.
Louis Oresman sold 1,000 shares of
RKO Theatres common, leaving his
holdings at 28,100; William F. Whit-
man and John E. Redmond each sold
1,200 shares, each retaining 1,300.
At Monogram W. Ray Johnston
sold 3,700 shares of common.
Lachman N.Y.
Chief Barker
Edward Jjaclimun
Edward Lachman was elected chief
barker and other officials were
selected without any opposition as
the Variety Club of New York, Tent
No. 35, held an
election of offi-
cers at its an-
nual member-
ship luncheon-
m e e t i n g on
Monday. Lach-
man urged that
V ariety "serve
by performing
a public rela-
tions job for
show business,
being a super-
C O M P O in
doing welfare
activities."
Lachman outlined the main projects
for the new year in his acceptance
speech after being introduced by out-
going chief barker William German.
He agreed with Murray Weiss, Inter-
national Variety Club representative
who spoke in place of Jack Beresin,
that a charity and a clubhouse are
the two fundamental things "neces-
sary to keep interest in the (New
York) club and keep it alive."
A five-man Heart Committee is to
be formed to select a charity or chari-
ties.
Others elected were Edward L.
Fabian, first assistant chief barker ;
Martin Levine, second assistant ;
Meinhardt, property master ; Harold
J. Klein, dough guy; and the follow-
ing canvassmen : Bernard Brooks,
Russell Downing, Nathan Furst,
Jack Hoffberg, Martin Kornbluth,
Jack Levin, Charles Lewis, Harold
Newman, Walter Reade, Jr., Harold
Rinzler, Burt Robbins, Morris Sand-
ers, Sanford, Cy Seymour, David
Snaper, Saul Trauner, George Wald-
man and Miax Wolff.
Newsreel
Parade
ATO of Gulf States
(Continued from page 1)
season or playing time, did the ex-
hibitor any good because of exorbi-
tant film rental and ridiculous playing
time. Despite the distributors' aware-
ness of the fallen box-office, they are
still gouging and crushing every drop
of life's blood from the independent
exhibitor."
Speaking for his executive com-
mittee on national policy, Berenson
further stated that the only salvation
for this phase of the motion picture
business would be to have government
control, such as is exercised today on
common carriers, public utilities and
other allegedly monopolistic enter-
prises.
rRYGVE LIE'S resignation of his
United Nations position of Secre-
tary General is highlighted in current
nezvsreels. Also featured are Presi-
dent-elect Eisenhowe/s activities in
Georgia, Queen Elizabeth's first open-
ing of the British Parliament, and
U . S. Marines fighting in Korea.
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 92 — Eisen-
hower in Georgia names liaison aides.
Trygve Lie quits at U.N. assembly meeting
in. New York. Queen Elizabeth opens
Parliament. March of Dimes poster girl.
Notre Dame-Oklahoma, Princeton-Harvard
football games.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 222—Trygve
Lie quits U.N. to speed Korea peace.
Marines rout Reds in Korea hills. British
Queen's first opening of Parliament. World's
largest trailer. Israel loses its great leader
Notre Dame-Oklahoma, Princeton-Harvard
football games.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 25 — Trygve
Lie resigns U.N. position. Red Embassy
party in Washington. Philip Murray dies.
Dr. Chaim Weizmann mourned. Eyes on
Eisenhower in Georgia. New York Giants-
San Francisco- 49ers football game.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 46A— Eisen
hower relaxes in Georgia. Adlai assumes
party leadership in Springfield. Newly de-
veloped floating cement demonstrated. Gen-
eral Franco addresses first National Con-
gress of Spanish Civil War veterans. Two-
story mansion trailer. Princeton-Harvard
football game.
UNIVERSAL NEWSREEL, No. 412
Trygve Lie resigns United Nations position.
Battlefront in Korea again ablaze. Queen
opens Parliament session. President-elect
picks administration aides in Georgia.
Notre Dame-Oklahoma, Georgia Tech-Army
football games.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 27—
Eisenhower and Nixon. Marines fight under
heavy shell fire in Korea. Mau crises rocks
Africa. Queens opens Parliament. New
York Giants-San Francisco 49ers, Southern
California -Stanford football games.
Ted Mann Charges
Decree Violations
Blumenstock Here
Mort Blumenstock, Warner Broth-
ers vice-president in charge of adver-
tising and publicity, has arrived in
New York from Hollywood for home
office conferences with Albert War-
ner, Ben Kalmenson and Samuel
Schneider.
Washington, Nov. 11. — Alleged
malpractices in the Minneapolis area
were outlined in a letter by Ted Mann,
former president of North Central Al-
lied, to the Senate Sub-committee on
Small Business.
Mann charged that distributors were
violating the U. S. Supreme Court
order that pictures were to be bought
one by one and that the purchase of
one picture was not to be conditioned
on the purchase of another. He fur-
ther claimed that the distributors
were continuing to fix admission
prices, despite the fact that the Su-
preme Court had denied them that
right. Mann, in his letter, said un-
less an exhibitor agreed to an ad-
vanced admission price requested by
the distributor, the theatre owner was
not awarded the picture.
Linet to Prepare
Pioneers Program
Henry A. (Hank) Linet has been
appointed to create and produce a
souvenir program and other matter
for the "Jubilee Dinner" of the Mo-
tion Picture Pioneers to be held at the
Hotel Astor on Tuesday evening, Nov.
25, it was announced by Jack Cohn,
president of the Pioneers.
AIOTION PICTURE D <\ 1 1 Y Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane. Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting Editor Published daily except Saturdays.
Sundavs and U d ays, hv Ouigley Publishing Company. Inc.. 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center New York 20, N Y Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address; "Qu.gpubcc,
New York" Martin QuigTey. President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J.
p„j„ w„rv. T-imes P Cunningham News Editor- Herbert V Fecke, Advert s ng Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager: Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine
Biilding raS'l K Edit Chkago Bureau 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley Advertising Representative FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz Editorial Representative 11
North Clark Street FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club. Washington D C. London Bureau 4 Golden Sq Lender, WI; Hope Burnup Manager; Peter
Burnup Editor; cable address. "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres and Theatre Sales each published U I times a year «
a section of Motion Picture Herald; "International Motion Picture Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter, Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York. N. Y., undei
the act of March 3. 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies. 10c.
Wednesday, November 12, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
Allied Registrants
Now Total 575
Chicago, Nov. 11. — Registra-
tion for the national Allied
convention here starting Mon-
day has reached a total of 575
delegates, general convention
chairman Jack Kirsch reports.
A last minute rush from Chi-
cago and downstate Illinois
delegates is expected, he said.
Allied Board
(Continued from page 1)
leaders withdraw from all-industry
undertakings to concentrate on getting
better prices for Allied members. An-
other top agenda item will be a dis-
cussion of methods for increasing re-
venue of Allied regional units.
There is no telling the exact order
in which items will be considered.
Myers announced the less controver-
sial ones would be taken up early
Saturday, when many members will
still be travelling to Chicago.
On arbitration, the board will hear
the report of Allied's arbitration com-
mittee and the draft of the distribu-
tors' plan, and will either approve or
reject the plan as submitted or give
new instructions to the Allied com-
mittee.
Myers pointed out that the question
of renewing Allied's membership in
COMPO comes up automatically be-
cause it was last renewed in Oct.
1951 "until the next convention board
meeting to be held sometime in the
fall of 1952."
Ben Marcus, chairman of a special
committee, will make a report on
ways and means of increasing re-
venues of regional units by distribut-
ing fan magazines or other activities.
Other items on the agenda include :
Reports on distributor polices on
film prices in the various territories,
along with consideration of proposed
remedies, "including appeals to appro-
priate committees of Congress" ;
Discussion of Motion Picture Asso-
ciation of America president Eric
Johnston's speech before the Theatre
Owners of America, in which he said
film companies would produce for
television ;
Discussion of the government's
16mm. suit and of the industry's ap-
plication to the Federal Communica-
tion Commission for theatre television
frequencies ;
"Continuing complaints of high
prices and poor service" by National
Screen Service, including discussion
of a suggestion that film companies
guarantee or help in getting- the de-
livery of paper and trailers from
National Screen ;
Suggestions that Hollywood create
a permanent display for use at state
fairs and other exhibits ;
Discussion of ASCAP's demands
for royalty payments on public per-
formances of copyrighted music not
recorded on entertainment film ;
A report on Cinerama by Allied
president Wilbur Snaper ;
Proposals for the location of the
1953 Allied convention ;
A report by Nathan Yamins on the
experience of New England exhibitors
at a hearing before the Commissioner
of Public Safety on the use of acetate
film ; and
A discussion of methods employed
by .a Kansas City exhibitor to main-
tain order in his theatre.
Television-Radio
with Pinky Herman
THE rapid strides already made by Television in the American
scheme of things can best be realized in the light that this new
medium has closed a gap in less than four years which had taken
its older brother, radio, a decade to do. In the national coverage of
the Presidential election, the exciting descrip-
tions, analysis of the ever-changing tabulations
and the easy-to-follow charts and graphs depict-
ing the comparative gains not only of the Presi-
dential candidates but also the combatants for
the Congressional seats, proved that sound plus
sight, Television, is undoubtedly vastly superior
as an enlightening medium to radio. However,
the malodorous repetition of commershills (in
this case that seems to be the correct spelling)
oftentimes breaking into the middle of important
sentences being uttered by John Cameron Swayze
and John McCaffery, (NBC-TV) was downright
annoying. No one argues with the right of a
sponsor who lays down a bundle to take advan-
tage of an assured audience, but when a can of
Prestone is flashed on the screen incessantly and at most inopportune
moments, then the good-will it might have established runs the risk
of turning instead, into reverse reaction. In this case, instead of
"Presto, the commercial is gone," it unfortunately seemed to be,
"Prestone, it's here again." . . .
Pinky Herman
ft ft
ft
NBC, which made the first coast to coast broadcast of the Rose
Bozvl game back in 1927 (Alabama vs. Washington) and followed
suit until 1948, will televise the 1953 classic New Year's Day. Spon-
sor will be Gillette and it will be seen in the East at 4 :45 P.M. . . .
With the signing by Norman Cloutier of the "Planet Man" to tee
off Nov. 15 via WTAM, Cleveland, increasingly popular Palladium
Productions adventure series, will be heard via 100 key outlets.
. . . MBS Producer Larry Dorn has just completed a new Bible
series of platters for Bibletone Records with Jack Bcrch, narrating.
A 'natural' Larry shouldn't overlook is the standard, "Bible My
Mother Left To Me." . . . Charles D. Beeland Co. and King
Film Prod, have consolidated and the new TV firm, Beeland-Kiug
Film Productions will operate from Atlanta, Ga. . . . Melinda
Markcy, who recently scored in a "Dr. Christian" radio episode,
is the daughter of Joan Bennett. . . . Barbara (('Mr. & Mrs. North"
TVersion) Britton, will be seen in three new flickers, "The
Raiders" (U.I.) "Ride the Man Down" (Republic) and Arch
Obolcr's three-dimensional "Bwana Devil." ....
ft ft
ft
Mike Wallace and his wife Buff Cobb will add another chore
to their "Mike & Buff" duties. CBStarting Saturday they'll
emcee the audience-participation quiz "There's One in Every
Family" which becomes a six-time-a-week series. John Reed
King continues as emcee on the Monday thru Friday broad-
casts. . . . Fuller, Smith & Ross have signed Geo. F. Foley to
shoot a 16mm. color film for Plymouth Cordage Co. Produced
by John Ward, the flicker will be narrated by Thomas Mitchell.
. . . Bill Cullen points out that Manhattan Island was sold by
the Indians for only 24 dollars "BUT," stresses Bill, "in those
days a dollar was a Dollar." . . . And WOR's likeable Bill
Taylor comes up with a smart observation in "People are like
pins — absolutely useless when they lose their heads." . . . Harry
Wismer, the ace sportscaster, whose football radio and TV
coverage reveals plenty of technical and inside savvy, was a
star quarterback at Michigan State in his college days. . . .
Mayor Fletcher Bowron of Los Angeles has proclaimed Nov.
15 as "Television City Day," in recognition of the opening of
CBS' multi-million dollar TV plant there. . . . Perry Como
will attend a dinner in his honor to be given by the Variety
Club of Washington, D. C, Nov. 22, where a bust of the
crooner will be unveiled, designating him as "the Showman of
the Year." . . . "Your Show of Shows" will originate at the
NBColonial Theatre, Broadway & 62nd St., starting with
Saturday's program. The theatre has been completely renovated
and is considered by NBC execs a "marvel of electronic
progress in every aspect of engineering." . . . Bob Monroe's
"Titus Moody Speaks," currently heard on Mutual, may be-
come a television WORacle in January. . . .
National
Pre-Selling
DHOTOPLAY announces the win-
*■ ners of its annual "Choose Your
Star" contest in the December issue.
Lori Nelson was chosen by readers
as their faVorite female star. She will
have a top role in Universal-Interna-
tional's "Nothing but the Blues." Tab
Hunter was the readers' choice for
the best-liked male star. He played
opposite Linda Darnell in United Art-
ists' "Island of Desire."
•
M-G-M will go all out on its
newspaper advertising campaign for
Plymouth Adventure," scheduled to
be re-released at Radio City Music
Hall tomorrow. It will open in all
other important situations during
Thanksgiving week. A total circula-
tion of almost 5(1,000,000 will be used
in the nationwide campaign. Pic-
torial Review, American Weekly,
This Week, Metropolitan Group and
Parade will have full color and
black-and-white ads on 3Jov. 16 and
23. j
•
Paramount is arranging for intensi-
fied coverage of its pictures and its
stars in national magazines. The Nov.
23 issue of Parade magazine zmll de-
vote its cover to William Holden,
star of "The Turning Point." The
same issue will carry a feature story
on both the star and the Paramount
picture, zvhich has been scheduled as
the Neiv York Globe Theatre's next
attraction.
•
Woman's Home Companion has a
four-page picture and editorial story
on Leslie Caron, the new M-G-M star.
She recently completed two pictures
for M-G-M, "The Story of Three
Loves" and "Lili."
•
Pictures taken on the set of Para-
mount's new picture, "Scared Stiff,"
starring Dean Martin and Jerry
Lewis, are used in a seven-page
story in the November issue of Red-
book. The lead paragraph in the
Martin and Lewis story tells of
their visit to Hal Wallis' office dur-
ing which one of the team used the
producer's phones and "intercom"
system while the other member of
the team kept the producer from
interfering with their fun.
•
The Rosemary Clooney story is told
in the current issue of Collier's. Full
color pictures are used along with text
in a three-page story. "The Stars Are
Singing" is her latest picture for
Paramount.
•
Mt. Kilimanjaro, which serves as
a focal point for "The Snows of Kili-
manjaro," is the subject of a special
story-and-picture layout in the De-
cember issue of Argosy. The narra-
tive of a five-man expedition storming
the peak in East Africa is presented
in a four-page spread with a full-page,
full color painting of the famed moun-
tain capping the article.
Walter Haas
Kreisler Heads IFA-TV
B. Bernard Kreisler, former direc-
tor of the advisory unit for foreign
films of the Motion Picture Associa-
tion of America, has been elected
president of International Film Asso-
ciates-Television.
Kreisler joined the organization last
spring on resigning from MPAA.
THE BIGGEST YOU'LL
NEVER Such Wild Pageantry..
THERE'S NO SHOWMANSHIP LIKE
WASHINGTON
SOUTH DAKOTA
hatres which
i -
Jrting Jan. 31st, 1953
I NEW
NAME GOES HERE-
JE-SELUNG AD in the JAN. 31
id the FEB. 10 issue of Look
lip of more than 35,000,000
E THIEF OF VENICE "
IAR* 1, 1953*
e your 20th representative for details
WEST VIRGINIA
ISCONSIN
ALASKA
HAWAII
ALL THIS...
And More!
THE RACE of the galley
slaves for Venice . . . under the
cruel lash of the whipmaster!
THE REVOLT of the rabble
against Prussian mercenaries!
f MEDIEVAL TORTURE!
> Tina-tortured on the wheel
I The Thief-broken on the rack!
THE THIEVES against the
/ might of the Chief Inquisitor!
MARRIAGE PARADE OF
the Doge's daughter - tens of
£^ thousands on the screen!
ANGEL'S ROOST ..fabu-
lous hideaway of the cut-throats
of Venice-where all law ends!
THE INNOCENTS swinging
from the gallows-for the secret
crimes of the Masked Assassins!
;altl
3«
:
^ CENTURY-FOX SHOWMANSHIP!
6
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, November 12, 1952
Starr Tells
{Continued from page 1)
terms for the picture."
Starr said that any exhibitor had
the right to ask himself why he should
follow another theatre on a later run
when both were paying' the same
terms. The TOA president asserted
that in many cases the exhibitor would
be glad to drop back to 60 days, 90
days or even six months if he were
given an incentive to do so by getting
lower film rentals.
"In my opinion," he said, "the dis-
tributor is almost entirely responsible
for the shortage of prints that result
from this unhappy condition, and it
seems perfectly obvious to me that a
change must be made lest the whole
system of clerance fall apart and
chaos replace it."
Starr accused the "senseless policy
of the distributors of maintaining a
uniform national policy as regards
each picture" as being at the bottom
of the situation. He said it was "fan-
tastic" to reason that a picture worth
40 per cent in a large metropolitan
theatre was also worth 40 per cent
in a small town theatre. By making-
price and percentage concessions to
the smaller marginal theatres that
need help to survive, order can be re-
stored to the industry, he said. By
making similar concessions to subse-
quent run theatres, distributors can
relieve the pressure of simultaneous
demands for prints and at the same
time give the public a longer interval
of time in which to see a particular
picture, Starr added.
Starr declared that the existing con-
dition was almost intolerable and
growing worse daily.
Name Fussell President
(Continued from page 1)
Sams, Jr. of Statesville was named
second vice-president, and Mrs. Walter
Griffith was re-elected executive sec-
retary and treasurer for her 25th term.
Herman M. Levy, TOA general
counsel, thanked the Carolinas group
for its approval of the TOA principle
of arbitration. "It is most encourag-
ing," he said, "This is the sixth TOA
unit to take this action."
The theatre owners had voted to
approve any arbitration decision ap-
proved by the TOA. "The basic in-
tention of the proposed system was to
provide a speedy, effective, and inex-
pensive tribunal for .exihibitors, large
and small, for grievances, large and
small," he added. "It may be that the
plan is subject to criticism for one
reason or another ; there may be room
for improvement ; it may be that, after
a period of trial and error, amend-
ments will be necessary or advisable.
None of this, however, detracts from
the justified conclusion that the plan
is a good one, .worthy of immediate
approval by all segments of the in-
dustry."
Jack Braunagel, chairman of the
TOA's drive-in theatre committee,
said that one of the faults of drive-in
operation is over emphasis on the sale
of concessions rather than motion pic-
tures. "Exhibitors," he said, "should
know more about the product they
exhibit in order to do a better selling-
job."
Bryant attacked the 20 per cent ad-
mission tax, describing it as a war-
time levy carried over into peace.
"It has almost become a permanent
emergency tax," Bryant said. "Only
Because of the overwhelming demand
for seats, Paramount has cancelled the
previously announced projection room
screening and has engaged the . . .
BIJOU THEATRE
209 West 45th Street • West of Broadway
for its
NEW YORK CITY TRADE SHOW
ROAD TO BALI
Color by TECHNICOLOR
starring BING CROSBY
BOB HOPE • DOROTHY LAMOUR
FRIDAY, NOV. 14*
there will be
4 SCREENINGS AT THE BIJOU THEATRE
10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. -8:30 p.m.
Admission by Invitation Only
concerted and vigorous action by thea-
tre owners throughout the country
can bring about repeal of this dis-
criminatory tax."
Simons and Bernstecker Address
Carolinas TOA Meet
Charlotte, Nov. 11. — "Good pic-
tures are not the only answer to the
exhibitor's box office problem," Mike
Simons, Loew's public relations ex-
ecutive, said at the theatre trade school
here at the last day of the annual con-
vention of the Theatre Owners of
North and South Carolina. He said
more attention should be given to the
"once in a while patron."
"We must," he pointed out, "get
back to the day when the customer is
king."
Theatre advertising was discussed
by Emil Bernstecker of Wilby-Kincey
Theatres in Atlanta.
Para, to Spend
(Continued from page 1)
to the European production schedule
for next year.
Hartman said Paramount planned
four pictures for overseas production
in 1953. F. Scott Fitzgerald's "Baby-
lon Revisited" will start in Paris in
July or August, with William Wyler
producing- and Gregory Peck in the
top role. Peck and Wyler have just
completed "Roman Holiday" in Rome,
and Hartman, if he goes overseas next
week, will sit in on the early cutting.
John Bolting's "Wings Across the
Sea" will be made mostly in England,
while "Elephant Walk" will be shot
in Ceylon. "Legend of the Incas" is
slated for production in Peru. Some
low-budget films may be made in
Italy under a co-production setup, but
these plans have not been finalized. If
the plan goes through, the pictures
will be distributed by Paramount only
in Europe.
Paramount will concentrate on the
exploitation of new faces during the
coming year. Hartman said the studio
would give new contract players im-
mediate opportunities for stardom,
rather than trying to build them up
over a five year period. Hartman
brought with him tests of new players
to show to home office executives.
Pitts Says Press Is
Favorable to Films
Charlotte, Nov. 11. — A survey of
83 leading U. S. newspapers revealed
that the ratio in favor of Hollywood,
its people and its product was better
than 10 to one, Dick Pitts, director of
public relations of the Theatre Own-
ers of America, told the 40th annual
convention of the Theatre Owners of
North and South Carolina here yes-
terday. Pitts said there was more
than 10 times as much space devoted
to the promotion of stars and pictures
than there was to the alleged ques
tionable side of the industry.
"On the other hand," Pitts con
tinned, "while many newspapers sur
veyed were extremely generous with
space, the majority was not. And
that majority principally was in the
smaller cities. Too many of them
went for days and days with no men-
tion of motion pictures whatever. If
the space given by the minority was
matched by the majority, the ratio
in favor of motion pictures would be
50 to 1, or more," he added.
20th Meet
(Continued from page 1)
product schedule and vice-president
Charles Einfeld's outlining of cam-
paigns being developed for the films.
W. C. Gehring, executive assistant
general sales manager ; Edwin W.
Aaron, Western sales manager, and
Arthur Silverstone, Eastern and Ca-
nadian sales manager, will join Licht-
man in leading the discussions.
Also on today's agenda are the set-
ting of plans for the handling of pro-
ductions 2'0th-Fox is offering for
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New
Year's. Thanksgiving will bring
Damon Runyon's "Bloodhounds of
Broadway" and "Pony Soldier," while
John Philip Sousa's "Stars and
Stripes Forever" and Daphne du
Maurier's "My Cousin Rachel" are
scheduled as Yuletide attractions.
Ends Dec. 27
Plans for these pictures and the '
continuing campaigns for Darryl F.
Zanuck's "The Snows of Kiliman-
jaro" will be the main productions for
20th Century - Fox's "Anniversary
Week" celebration to be held Thanks-
giving week, and the "Branch Man-
agers' Testimonial," which ends
Dec. 27.
Division managers attending the
meeting are Herman Wobber, West-
ern ; Harry Ballance, Southern ; Mar-
tin Moskowitz, Empire State ; M. A.
Levy, Midwest ; Glenn Norris, Atlan-
tic ; Tom McCleaster, . Central and
Peter Myers, Canadian. Also on hand
will be Buck Stoner and Paul Wilson,
assistant division managers in the
Western and Southern territories, re-
spectively.
Branch managers Jim Connolly,
Boston ; Ben Simon, New Haven, and
Tom Gilliam, Chicago, will also be
in attendance since their exchanges
are now supervised by the home office.
Home office sales executives in at-
tendance include Alex Harrison,
Clarence Hill, Peter Levathes, Jack
Bloom, Lem Jones, Francis X. Car-
roll, Morris Kaplan, Roger Ferri,
Larry Ayers and Dave Ornstein.
See more. ..do more-
enjoy the best for less!
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FILM
NEWS
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
Ac
VOL. 72. NO. 93
NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1952
TEN CENTS
French Pact
Is Near the
Closing Stage
Obtaining of 135 Dubbing
Permits Still Uncertain
A new French film agreement
with American major companies
was reported here yesterday to be
at the closing point, with an an-
nouncement of details forthcoming
within a few days. Eric Johnston,
president of Motion Picture Associa-
tion of America, and MPAA vice-
president Joyce O'Hara are in Paris
for the negotiations, having departed
suddenly from New York last week-
end for the parleys.
It was reported at the Motion Pic-
ture Export Association in New York
yesterday that the "stage was set" for
the culmination of the pact before the
•departure of Johnston and O'Hara for
Paris. It was still problematical
whether the American companies
would achieve their goal of obtaining
135 dubbing- permits, in view of the
fact that the French government last
summer cut the U. S. majors to z
total of 90 permits.
If the American companies should
(Continued on page 4)
Fox Talks Stymie
RKO Board Action
Another meeting of the RKO Radio
Pictures board of directors was held
here yesterday, but it was adjourned
without any action being taken on
pressing problems. Pending the out-
come of negotiations by a syndicate
headed by Matthew Fox to buy the
■company's controlling stock from the
Ralph Stolkin group in Chicago, no
major action by the board is antici-
pated.
The board is slated to meet here
again today. It is understood that
(Continued on page 4)
Honor Goldwyn for
'Andersen' Benefit
Samuel Goldwyn, whose "Hans
Christian Andersen" has been selected
by the trustees of the Will Rogers
Memorial Hospital for the first of an
annual world premiere to help raise
funds for the hospital, will be awarded
an honor scroll at a luncheon to be
given today at the Waldorf-Astoria
Hotel. G. S. Eyssell, president of
(Continued on page 4)
TNT Set to Enter Bid for
Marciano Return Bout
Theatre Network Television "will be in there pitching" in order to
get the projected return world heavyweight match between Rocky
Marciano and Jersey Joe Walcott on theatre TV, Nat Halpern, TNT
president, said here yesterday,
Premiere of 'Jazz
Singer' on Dec. 30
Hollywood, Nov. 12. — War-
ner Brothers has dated the
world premiere of "The Jazz
Singer" at the Fox Beverly
Theatre in Beverly Hills on
Tuesday night, Dec. 30.
The premiere will precede
the special engagement there
the next day on a continuous
basis. The production will be
nationally released early in
February.
Dietz to Cite Hearst
At AMPA Tribute
Howard Dietz, vice-president in
charge of advertising-publicity for
M-G-M, will be the principal speaker
at an Associated Motion Picture Ad-
vertisers' lunch-
eon honoring
the Hearst
publications at
the Piccadilly
Hotel on Nov.
20.
William Ran-
dolph Hearst,
Jr., publisher of
the New York
Journal Ameri-
can and Ameri-
can, Weekly and
Hearst newspapers, will be the honor
(Continued on page 4)
Howard Dietz
editor-in-chief of
$1,350 Weekly to
Daff from 'U'
Washington, Nov. 12. — A new
seven-year contract between Univer-
sal and Alfred E. Daff, executive
vice-president of the company, call-
ing for a weekly salary of $1,350 the
first year, was disclosed in a report
filed with the Securities and Ex-
change Commission.
Dated Oct. ' 28, the contract will
run from Jan. 1, 1953 to Dec. 1, 1959.
Under its terms, Daff will receive
$1,450 per week during the second
year and $1,500 per week thereafter.
It also calls for a month's vacation
per year, cumulative if not taken in
a 12-month period, and reimburse-
I ment for business expenses.
Halpern's statement came on the
heels of the opening of preliminary
talks between fight managers and the
International Boxing Club looking to-
ward a return bout. The first match,
which saw Marciano wrest the crown
from Walcott, drew an estimated
$400,000 box-office in 50 theatres when
it was telecast over a national closed
circuit last September.
A representative for the IBC said
it was still too early to tell whether
home television or theatre television
would be used for the return match.
It is underestood, however, that if it
is theatre-televised, the price which
will be sought by the IBC will be
greater than the reported minimum
guarantee of $105,000 for the Septem-
ber bout.
Discussions now underway with the
rianagers center around the selection
of a site and a date. Under considera-
(Continued on page 4)
Top Holiday
Attendance Is
20th-Fox Aim
Slates Christmas and
New Year's Releases
Rank Financing for
411 His Production
London, Nov, 12. — -Beginning Jan. 1
the J. Arthur Rank Organization will
.nitiate a production program backed
entirely by its own resources.
The announcement is accepted here
as. foreshadowing the end of the Na-
tional Film Finance Corp., the gov-
ernment agency which has assisted in
the financing of British production
through a group scheme under which
individual producers worked on a
salary basis. Of late, NFFC has ac-
corded such assistance to Rank's pro-
ducers but that will now cease, al-
though his producers will continue to
(Continued on page 4)
Harold Mirisch Is
Named to A A Board
Hollywood, Nov. 12. — Allied Ar-
tists' board of directors today elected
Harold Mirisch, company vice-presi
dent, to board membership, replacing
William Hurlbut, former owner of
the Detroit franchise, who recently
sold the franchise to the company.
AA directors were among 175 per-
sons, including company executives,
visiting franchise holders, players and
press people, who journeyed to San
Diego where they were guests of the
U. S. Navy aboard the aircraft car-
rier S.S. Princeton where "Flat Top"
was premiered.
In an effort to gain maximum
theatre attendance during- the
Christmas holidays, 20th Century-
Fox yesterday disclosed the holiday
release of four pictures, described as
top attractions. They are : "Stars
and Stripes Forever," "My Cousin
Rachel," "Ruby Gentry," and "The I
Don't Care Girl."
Al Lichtman, distribution di-
rector, led a discussion on the
merchandising plans for the
Christmas and New Year holi-
day releases at the opening
session of the two-day meeting
here of domestic and Canadian
division sales managers. Licht-
man said the four releases are
intended to offer exhibitors a
variety of entertainment to at-
tract maximum audiences.
Lichtman pointed out the heavy
musical and military backing being
(Continued on page 4)
Welfare Plan for
Coast Film Workers
Hollywood, Nov. 12. — A health and
welfare plan for the production
branch of the industry, worked on by
management and labor for more than
a year, has been declared in effect as
of last Friday following approval for
income tax purposes by the Depart-
ment of Internal Revenue.
The fund through which benefits
will be paid is provided by employers
who will contribute five cents per hour
for each straight hour of working-
time by employes. Benefits cover a
wide rang'e, scaling down from a
$1,000 group life insurance policy.
Yarnall President
Of Cinecolor
Hollywood, Nov. 12. — The Cine-
color board of directors elected W. R.
Yarnall president and general man-
ager succeeding Karl Herzog, who
resigned last week. O. W. Murray
was appointed vice-president and
assistant general manager ; H. B.
Bruggemann was named technical
director.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, November 13, 1952
Personal
Mention
COL SCHWARTZ, president of
O RKO Theatres Corp., is due back
here today from the Coast.
•
Mike Simons, home office assistant
to H. M. Richey, M-G-M exhibitor
relations head, is due back here today
from the Theatre Owners of North
and South Carolina convention in
Charlotte.
Hal Wallis and Joseph Hazen
are attending the Secretary of De-
fense's Joint Pavillion Orientation
conference which opened yesterday in
Washington and will run until Nov.
22.
Arthur W. Kelly, Charles
Chaplin's U. S. representative, has
flown to London from here for con-
ferences with Chaplin, and will re-
turn on Monday.
•
Maurice Silverstein, Loew's In-
ternational Latin America director,
will leave his Mexico City headquar-
ters tomorrow for a tour throughout
his territory.
William Melniker, head of Loew's
International theatre department, left
here yesterday for Australia to inspect
M-G-M theatres there.
Robert T. Oestreicher, brother of
Fred Oestreicher, Loew's publicity
manager in Columbus, was elected
Mayor of that city.
•
David Lipton, Universal vice-presi-
dent in charge of advertising-publicity,
will arrive here Monday from the
Coast.
Edward A. Wolpin, general pro-
fessional manager of Famous Music,
will leave here today for the Coast.
•
Russell Holman, Paramount East-
ern production head, has returned
here by plane from London.
Jack Warner, Warner Brothers
vice-president, is here from Holly-
wood.
Lee Koken, RKO Theatres vend
ing head, left here yesterday for Chi
cago.
Colosseum Plans
For Convention in
Atlanta Completed
Atlanta, Nov. 12. — Final plans for
the national convention of the Colos-
seum of Motion Picture Salesmen, to
be held here Nov. 21-23 have been
completed by Atlanta Loge No; 1. Be-
cause the salesmen's organization was
founded in Atlanta by the late Frank
W. Salley, a salesman for RKO Radio
Pictures, in 1945, the conclave this
year has been designated as the
"Salley Memorial Convention."
Approximately 150 delegates and al-
ternates are expected at the sessions
which will be held at the Ansley
Hotel. An executive committee meet-
ing has been scheduled for the after-
noon of Nov. 21.
Jim McCormick, president of the
Atlanta loge, has designated the fol-
lowing committee heads to handle con-
vention details : transportation, C. T.
Jordan, Sr. ; entertainment, Herb
Legg; information, Harris Winn;
credentials, Walt Walker ; secretarial,
Larry Terrell ; speakers, Sid Reams ;
publicity, Jim Cronin.
Meet Here Sunday
On TV Film Strike
Hollywood, Nov. 12. — A Screen
Actors Guild committee composed of
newly-elected president Walter Pid-
geon, executive secretary John Dales,
Jr., and counsel William Berger, will
leave for New York this week to
attend a meeting of New York mem-
bers of the SAG at the Hotel Astor
on Sunday, called for a vote on a
strike against television and commer-
cial producers, with whom contract
negotiations recently broke down.
Hollywood members of the SAG
have voted to strike against New
York tele-commercial producers but
left the date open pending the New
York meeting.
Heiher to Detroit
'U' Manager's Post
Cleveland, Nov. 12. — Universal-
International district manager Peter
Rosian reports that effective on a
temporary basis, Edward Heiber, re-
cently named Cleveland branch man-
ager to succeed Lester Zucker, goes
to Detroit as branch manager, and
Edward R. Bergman, city salesman,
is acting Cleveland branch manager.
The changes were necessitated by
the recent automobile accident that
befell Ben Robins, Universal Detroit
manager.
Griffis' Book Goes
On Stand Nov. 20
Stanton Griffis, chairman of
Paramount's executive com-
mittee, describes his experi-
ences as U. S. Ambassador to
Spain in his new book of rec-
ollections, "Lying in State,"
which Doubleday & Co. will
publish on Nov. 20. Griffis,
while Ambassador to Spain,
succeeded in breaking down
strong resistance to the im-
portation of American films.
Among the many industry
and international figures dis-
cussed are Cecil B. DeMille,
George Marshall, Dean Ache-
son, President Truman, Wins-
ton Churchill, Francisco
Franco, and others.
Griffis formerly headed the
American Red Cross in the
Pacific and has also served as
Ambassador to Poland, Egypt
and Argentina.
U.K. Studio Union
Head Visits Moscow
Associated With
'Reds' But Wasn't
One, Says Burrows
Cinerama Heads to
Coast for Meeting
Dudley Roberts, Cinerama president,
and Frank Smith, vice-president, will
leave here at the weekend for Holly-
wood to meet with Louis B. Mayer,
board chairman, and Merian C.
Cooper, general manager of produc-
tion. They will be joined in Holly-
wood Tuesday by Lynn Farnol, public
relations director.
Max Gendel, Cinerama theatre pub-
licity representative, has left here for
Chicago to explore theatre installation
possibilities there.
400 Openings in A
Week for 'Plymouth'
M-G-M has scheduled "Plymouth
Adventure" for approximately . 400
Thanksgiving week openings, said to
be the greatest number in any seven-
day period for a given picture in the
history of the company. The color in
Technicolor film will have its world
premiere at Radio City Music Hall
here today.
Howard Dietz, vice-president and
director of advertising-publicity, and
his staff are reportedly planning one
of the most comprehensive campaigns
for the film, to be highlighted by spe-
cial ads in newspapers with a total
circulation of close to 50,000,000.
London, Nov. 12. — George Elvin,
head of the left-wing anti-American
Association of Cine and Allied Tech-
nicians' studio union here, has left for
a month's visit to Moscow, with settle-
ment of the threatened studio work
stoppage due for final action here.
The trade's Joint Industrial Coun-
cil is scheduled to meet here to rat-
ify the Producers' Association offer
of wage increases involving members
of the National Association of The-
atrical and Kine Employes and Elec-
trical Trades Union, as well as the
ACT. The producers' offer came after
unauthorized work stoppages at stu-
dios which threatened a shutdown
because schedules could not be main-
tained.
Still to be decided is the producers'
demand that the unions refrain from
what is termed as restrictive prac-
tices, particularly those attaching to
foreign location work. Inter-union
differences may arise over the latter.
Elvin went to Moscow at the invita-
tion of the Russian Trades Unions
and under the auspices of the Society
of Cultural Relations with, the U.S.S.R.
It is understood he was strongly criti-
cized by sections of his union's mem-
bership who claimed, among other
things, that a month was too long for
him to be away on matters unrelated
to the union's interests.
Washington, Nov. 12. — Abe Bur-
rows, Broadway and Hollywoodl
writer, today denied to the House:
Un - American Activities Committee
that he had ever belonged to the
Communist Party.
Burrows admitted, however, he
used to associate with Communists,,
that he had attended front meet-
ings and had entertained and made-
contributions to various front organ-
izations. But he insisted that he had1
never paid dues to the party or held1-
a party card. "I have a stubborn;
pride in that I never took the finali
step," he declared.
Burrows later told the Committee
that "my own sloppiness of action, my'
own thoughtlessness gave them the
right to think I was a member."
Asked by Rep. Velde (R., 111.)'
whether he hadn't been "naive," Bur-
rows said he would go farther than
that "and say that I was stupid."
The writer appeared at his own re-
quest, to answer testimony given to
the Committee by Owen Vinson, a
one-time party member, who said he
had known Burrows as a party mem-
ber in Hollywood in 1945 and 1946.
The committee will meet again to-
morrow to take testimony from Karen
Morley. Miss Morley, identified fre-
quently in hearings as a leader in the
Communist movement in . Hollywood,
has been under subpoena for some
time, but was only recently located
and served.
PSI-TV $2,300,000
European Deals Set
Contracts for television film pro-
ductions to be made in Europe and
involving total budgets of $2,300,000
were disclosed here by Paul White,
president of PSI-TV, Inc., upon his
return from Europe.
He left last night for Mexico City
and Hollywood to complete further
production plans. These now encom-
pass half-a-dozen European countries
in addition to the films being made in
Hollywood and Mexico.
Coursey 20th's New
Atlanta Manager
Atlanta, Nov. 12. — Dan M. Cour-
sey, 20th Century-Fox sales manager
at the local branch, has been appointed
branch manager. The promotion was
made to fill a vacancy left by the
death last week of branch manager
Fred Dodson.
Coursey, a veteran of World Waar
II, has been with the company since
he began in the shipping department
in 1936.
Fete Lester Zucker,
U -/ Division Head
Cleveland, Nov. 12. — Lester Zuc-
ker, new Universal-International Mid-
west division manager, was given a
testimonial dinner at the Hollenden
Hotel with 125 attending. Sam Gaines,
attorney and close friend of Zucker's,
was master-of-ceremonies.
Home office officials who were pres-
ent included Ray Moon and P. T.
Dana.
Producer Rachmil
Leaves RKO Radio
Hollywood, Nov. 12. — Lewis J.
Rachmil, RKO Radio producer since
1949, has resigned and will announce
his new affiliation shortly. Prior to
joining RKO, Rachmil was in charge
of production at General Service
Studios.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY., Martin. Guifley,_EdUor-in-C^ CIrdg CaMe address;- <<Quigpubco>
Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J.
Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca- Vine
vin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting Editor. Published daily, except Saturdays.
Sundays ' anVhoUdayt, by^Quigle^Pubiishing Company, Inc., :
New York." Martin Quigley,„President; Martin Qmgley, Jr._ r Manager; Gus H. Fausel, .
Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11
Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WT; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter
" -«---•. r-- "Oniprmhen London" Other Quigley Publications: '"Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres and Theatre Sales, each published 13 times a year as
^section of Motion Pic^ 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,
in the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies, 10c.
m.
"■V I
when JKflpRL s
■1
lACTION-PACKE
TRADE SHOW
NOV. 20
ALBANY
Warner Screening Room
HON. Pearl Si. ■ 800 P.M.
ATLANTA
20th Century fox Screening Room
197 Walton St. N.W. • 2 00 P.M.
80STON
RKO Screening Room
1 22 Arlington St • 2.30 P.M.
BUFFALO
Puromounl Screening Room
464 franklin St. ' 8 00 P.M.
CHARLOTTE
20lh Century Fox Srreening Room
308 S. Church St. • 2:00 P M.
CHICAGO
Warner Screening Room
1 307 So. Wabash Ave. • 1 30 P.M.
CINCINNATI
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
1638 Central Parkway 8 00 P.M.
CLEVELAND
Warner Screening Room
2300 Payne Ave. - 2 00 P.M.
DALLAS
20lh Century-fox Screening Room
1803 Wood St. - 10:00 A.M.
DENVER
Paramount Screening Room
2100 Stout St. • 2 00 P.M.
DfS MOINES
Paramount Screening Room
1 1 ?S High St • l2.-4SP.rV.
DETROIT
film f xrhunge Building
2310 Cass Ave. • 2 00 P.M.
INDIANAPOLIS
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
326 No Illinois St. • I 00 P M.
JACKSONVILLE
florida Theutre Bldg Sc. Rm.
128 E. Forsyth St. • 2 00PM
KANSAS CITY
20th Century fox Srreening Room
1 720 Wyandotte St. • 1 30 P.M.
LOS ANGELES
Waraer Srreening Room
202S S Vermont Ave • 2 00 P.M.
MEMPHIS
20th Century Fox Screening Room
151 Vance Ave • I2 1SP.M
MILWAUKEE
Warner Theutre Screening Room
212 W Wisconsin Ave • 2 00 P M.
MINNEAPOLIS
Warner Screening Room
1000 Currie Ave. • 2 00 P.M.
NEW HAVEN
Warner Theatre Projection Room
70 College St. • 2 00 PM
NEW ORLEANS
20th Century-fox Screening Room
200 S liberty St ■ I 30 P.M
NEW YORK
Home Office
321 W. 44lh SI. • 2:1 S P.M.
OKLAHOMA
?0lh Ceotury fox Screening Room
10 North lee St • 1-30 P.M.
OMAHA
20lh Century-fox Screening Room
IS02 Ouvenporl St ' I 30 P.M.
PHILADELPHIA
Warner Screening Room
230 No l3thSl. • 2 30 P.M.
PITTSBURGH
20lh Century-fox Screening Room
1 71 S Blvd. of Allies • 1-30 P.M.
PORTLAND
lewel Box Screening Room
1947 N W Kearney St. • 2 00PM
SALT LAKE
20th Century-fox Srreening Room
216 fast 1st South • 2 00 P M.
SAN FRANCISCO
Paramount Screening Room
20S Golden Gale Ave. • I 30 P.M.
SEATTLE
Modern Theatre
2400 Third Ave. • 10 30 A.M.
ST. LOUIS
S rento Screening Room
3143 Olive St. • 1 P.M.
WASHINGTON
Warner Theatre Building
J3lhSI.Sls.H W. • 7 30 fSK
MOO - GEI
Written by
TOM BLACKBURN • BRYAN FOY
BLAKE - RAY TEAL
Directed by
NOEL SMITH
4
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, November 13, 1952
Review
"April in Paris"
{Warner Brothers)
HERE is the rare musical film in which the score is tuneful, the produc-
tion numbers are imaginative, enormously zestful, and appropriate with-
out being over-elaborate, and the comedy is consistently, genuinely funny.
It is a superlatively entertaining, gaily-mounted production in vivid color by
Technicolor in which Ray Bolger, Doris Day, and Claude Dauphin dance,
sing, and cavort in comic situations with wonderful ease and freshness. In
addition to the exploitable stars and title, this should receive plenty of word-
of-mouth advertising. It looms as one of the better box-office pictures of
the year.
Jack Rose and Melville Shavelson have written a gag-loaded script that
smartly spoofs such familiar targets as government bungling in administra-
tion, the amours of an ultra-romantic Frenchman, and gay Paris when it is
not gay. David Butler's direction is first-rate except for one or two situa-
tions that were excessively milked for laughs. But most of the 101 minutes
are deftly-paced grand fun. William Jacobs' tasteful and adroit production
has cleverly made use of Parisian backgrounds and shipboard interiors.
Bolger portrays a State Department official who mistakenly invites a
chorus girl, Miss Day, to the International Festival of Arts in Paris. The
invite stands when press and public favor the move. Bolger is engaged to his
boss' daughter, Eve Miller, a cold, domineering women. On the boat Bolger
falls in love with Miss Day and they have a wedding ceremony performed
but, unknown to them, it is not done by the true captain, so it is invalid.
Miss Miller is waiting when the boat docks but Bolger, fearing for his
career, doesn't acknowledge his kissless bride. He and Miss Day part
company but she arouses his jealousy by going around with Parisian enter-
tainment idol Dauphin, who after going broke in New York, had worked
his passage across as a ship's waiter. At the finale Bolger foregoes his diplo-
matic career and Miss Miller for Miss Day.
Dauphin's tongue-in-cheek performance as the amorous Frenchman who
turns out to be a happily-married homebody is immensely appealing and it
neatly serves to set up Bolger's dances and the songs by Miss Day. The
latter two are at their best in the numbers staged and directed by LeRoy
Prinz. Besides several fine versions of the title song, a top-notch job is done
on "I'm Gonna Ring the Bell Tonight." Other songs in the Sammy Cahn-
Vernon Duke score include "Give Me Your Lips," "It Must Be Good," "That's
What Makes Paris, Paree" and "Life Is Such a Pleasure."
Others in the cast are George Givot, Paul Harvey, Herbert Farjeon, Wilson
Millar, Raymond Largay, John Alvin, and Jack Lomas.
Running time, 101 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
jan- i. Walter Pashkin
20th-Fox Aim
{Continued from page 1)
given "Stars and Stripes Forever."
Premieres, he said, will spark the
openings across the country during
the Christmas period.
"My Cousin Rachel," starring
Olivia de Havilland and Richard Bur-
ton, based on the Daphne Du Maurier
novel, is being rushed into pre-release
before the end of 1952, Lichtman
said, in order to have it qualify for
Academy honors. Also being ad-
vanced in release to Christmas Day,
he added, is "Ruby Gentry," a Joseph
Bernhard - King Vidor production,
starring Jennifer Jones. "The I
Don't Care Girl" stars Mitzi Gaynor,
David Wayne and Oscar Levant and
was produced by George Jessel.
Led by Lichtman
The sales discussions yesterday
were led by Lichtman, W. C. Gehr-
ing, executive assistant general sales
manager; Edwin W. Aaron, Western
sales manager, and Arthur Silver-
stone, Eastern and Canadian sales
manager. Also developing portions
of the discussions were executive
vice-president W. C. Michel and vice-
president Charles Einfeld.
Lichtman will announce 20th-Fox's
product slate for the first nine months
of 1953 at today's meeting.
RKO Board
{Continued from page 1)
Arnold Grant, board chairman and
chief executive of the company, has
postponed his trip to the Coast until
current Chicago negotiations are cli-
maxed. Undetermined, as talks con-
tinue between Fox and the Stolkin
group, are the selection of a studio
head and the appointment of three
directors to the board, filling the va-
cancies created by the resignations of
Stolkin, Abraham L. Koolish, and
William Gorman.
In Chicago, Fox is heading the ne-
gotiations for the purchase of 1,048,-
420 shares of RKO Pictures, pur-
chased in September by the Stolkin
group for $7,345,940 from Howard
Hughes and Ned E. Depinet, former
president of the company, who owned
35,000 shares.
The current Chicago talks would
also suspend negotiations on Hughes'
commitment to loan RKO $8,000,000,
it is believed.
Late reports yesterday were that the
negotiations between Stolkin and Fox,
the latter a partner in United Artists
and head of Films for Television, had
reached no conclusive stage in Chi-
cago but could be climaxed or aban-
doned in short order, regardless. The
Stolkin group also has discussed sale
of its controlling stock interest in
RKO with other individuals and
groups.
Merge RKO Radio
Publicity Divisions
RKO Radio's foreign publicity de-
partment here will come under the
jurisdiction of the domestic advertis-
ing-publicity department in the near
future, it was reported yesterday. The
foreign publicity setup currently is a
part of the foreign department and
operates independently of the domestic
advertising-publicity personnel.
Rutgers Neilson heads the com-
pany's foreign publicity section, which
is slated to come under the direction
of Richard Condon, RKO Radio's
advertising-publicity director.
Honor Goldwyn
{Continued from page 1)
Rockefeller Center, Inc., is chairman
of the premiere event.
The hospital trustees are seeking to
create the same type of premiere
event as the annual British Royal
Command Performance in London.
Goldwyn is being honored as the first
producer to make a film available for
this purpose and for his help in es-
tablishing this American industry
event.
A. Montague, president of the Will
Rogers Memorial Hospital, will make
the presentation to Goldwyn.
"Hans Christian Andersen" will
have its 'Rogers Memorial -benefit
showing at the Criterion Theatre,
New York, on Monday evening, Nov.
24. The picture will have a dual
world premiere at both the Criterion
and Paris theatres on Nov. 25.
Rank Finance
{Continued from page 1)
work on terms at least equal to those
now obtaining.
Rank declares his assumption of all
production financial risks has been
made possible by operation of the
Eady plan.
He denies that any difference has
arisen between NFFC and his com-
pany, asserting that his organization
will continue to distribute product
from producers which received NFFC
aid.
Associated British Pictures Co. ac-
cepted the NFFC group financing
scheme reluctantly and should it bow
out of the plan along with Rank, little
further justification for its continuance
is seen. However, ABPC officials
had no comment to make today.
TNT Set
{Continued from page 1)
tion are New York, Chicago, San
Francisco and Philadelphia, while al-
ternate dates in February, March, or
June are being weighed. An IBC
spokesman said neither the networks,
film companies, or theatre TV agen-
cies have been sounded out as yet.
However, Al Weill, manager for
Marciano, expressed a preference for
the Yankee Stadium here and for the-
atre televising of the bout, which he
said should be fought in June. He
claimed that "we can get between
$250,000 and $300,000 for theatre tele-
vision, plus a percentage of the mo-
tion pictures" under such conditions.
He argued against holding the bout in
Chicago and home televising it in cities
other than Chicago.
Dietz to Cite
{Continued from page 1)
guest. AM PA will salute the Hearst
publications "in appreciation of the
cooperation which this organization
has extended to our industry through-
out the years," AMPA president
Harry K. McWilliams announced.
Dietz will pay tribute to Hearst on
behalf of AMPA. Many editorial and
business department heads of the
Hearst publications will be dais
guests.
Para. Theatre Birthday
The New York Paramount Theatre
will celebrate its 26th anniversary on
Wednesday, and in connection with a
special event planned for the occasion
the theatre is seeking men and women
who were born in this city on that date
in 1926.
NEWS
in Brief . . .
Washington, Nov. 12. — The Fed-
eral Trade Commission reports that
the Academy of Motion Picture Arts
and Sciences and the Bulova Watch
Co. have signed a stipulation to stop
using the words "Academy Award" or
"Oscar" in the advertising- of watches
or any other commodity, unless certain
conditions are fulfilled.
The nub of the FTC's objection
apparently was that the terms were
used in connection with items not ac-
tually given an award and were ad-
vertised in such a way as to leave the
impression they actually had received
an award from the Academy.
•
Hollywood, Nov. 12. — Plans to
produce a series of six color featur-
ettes in the Tri-Opticon third dimen-
sional process were disclosed here by
Sol Lesser, who holds all U. S. rights
to the British-developed process.
Production will start the first of
the year and the films will be ready
for road-showing by mid-1953.
•
Charles Alexander Moses has been
appointed special home office exploita-
tion representative for RKO Radio,
it was announced by Leon Brandt,
exploitation manager. He replaces
Hal Olver who resigned.
French Pact
{Continued from page 1)
get a hike in their permit quotas, there
is a possibility that they will be called
upon to leave a larger amount of their
earned revenues in France.
An MPEA spokesman said yester-
day that whatever negotiations John-
ston might conclude in France would
not bind the Society of Independent
Motion Picture Producers, which
probably will hold separate parleys.
Johnston would act only for MPEA
members, although during the previous
pact negotiations the SIMPP had its
representative, Alfred Crown, on the
scene. At last reports, SIMPP had
made no immediate plans to send a
representative to France. Crown now
is with RKO Radio and it is likely
that either James Mulvey, president
of Samuel Goldwyn Productions, or
Ellis Arnall, SIMPP president, or
both, will talk for the association in
Paris.
Majors Will Meet Monday
On Japanese Licenses
Although Eric Johnston, president
of the Motion Picture Association of
America, is in Paris on negotiations
for a new French film pact, it is ex-
pected that he will be back in New
York in time to hold a scheduled meet-
ing with major company executives
on the allocation of Japanese import
licenses on Monday. Johnston set a
Nov. 17 date for the meeting at which
the companies would announce their
decisions as to how they would split
up licenses for the second half of the
fiscal year.
The 10 member companies of the
Motion Picture Export Association
face the problem of sharing 53 licenses
and their decision as to distribution is
expected at Monday's meeting. In the
first half of the fiscal year, the com-
panies were allowed 63 permits and the
MPEA is pushing to have that num-
ber restored. Irving Maas, vice-
president of the MPEA, is in Tokyo
on negotiations for the increase.
Thursday, November 13, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
UNIVERSAL SETS 10 FOR RELEASE IN FOUR
MONTHS FROM DECEMBER THROUGH MARCH
Daff, Feldman
List Schedule
Universal-International will re-
lease 10 pictures during December,
January, February and March, eight
in color by Technicolor, Alfred E.
Daff, executive vice-president, and
Charles J. Feldman, general sales
manager, announce.
Detailing U-I's releases for De-
cember through March, they said
the company's Christmas release -will
be "Against All Flags," in color by
Technicolor, starring Errol Flynn
and Maureen O'Hara. Also slated
for December release is 'The Black
Castle," starring Richard Greene,
Stephen McNally, Boris Karloff, Lon
Chaney and Paula Corday, which
was given a Hallowe'en pre-release.
January will be U-I's "All Tech-
nicolor Month" highlighted by the
release of Raoul Walsh's "The Law-
less Breed," starring Rock Hudson
Alfred Daff
Charles J. Feldman
and Julia Adams; "Meet Me At the
Fair," starring Dan Dailey and
Diana Lynn and "The Redhead
From Wyoming," starring Maureen
O'Hara and Alex Nicol.
February will be headed by the
release of "Mississippi Gambler," in
color by Technicolor, starring Ty-
rone Power, Piper Laurie and Julia
Adams. "Girls in the Night," suc-
cessor to "City Across the River,"
and featuring Joyce Holden, Glenda
Farrell, Harvey Lembeck and Leon-
ard Freeman, and introducing Pa-
tricia Hardy, is the second February
release. "City Beneath the Sea" star-
ring Robert Ryan, Mala Powers,
Anthony Quinn and Suzan Ball will
have a series of pre-release openings
in February and a regular release
in March. It is in color by Tech
nicolor.
"Seminole" will be released in
March. It stars Rock Hudson, Bar
bara Hale, Anthony Quinn and Rich-
ard Carlson, and is in color by
Technicolor. The second Techni
color March release will be "Gun
smoke" starring Audie Murphy,
Susan Cabot and Paul Kelly.
SEE 'BRILLIANT' FUTURE FOR FILMS
mm
MILTON R. RACKMIL, president, and N. J. Blumberg,
chairman of the board of Universal Pictures Co., issued the
following joint statement as the company announced its releasing
plans for the coming months :
"Universal is inspired
more than ever by the
thought that the future of
the motion picture busi-
ness can be a brilliant one.
We are a company of
optimism and enthusiasm.
"However, we do not
mean that these attributes
make us unaware of the
many problems that con-
front this industry.
"We believe that if our
industry unites for the
general welfare and attacks its problems with concerted effort,
nothing but success can result.
"The main objective of Universal is to 'design its program of
pictures so that the theatres of this country can prosper with us.
"In the final analysis the major problem is to get more people
into the theatres by offering the public the best in entertainment
and the best in publicizing and promotion of good pictures which
will provide the entertainment the public seeks."
Milton R. RacUmil
N. >T. Blumberg
Universal Will Back Its New
Films With Top Showmanship
William Goetz
The pattern followed by Univer-
sal during the past year in pub-
licizing its pictures to provide ex-
hibitors with promotional impact
at the point of
sale will be ex-
tended during
the coming
months, David
A. Lipton, vice-
president in
charge of ad-
vertising and
publicity, an-
nounces.
U-I's adver-
tising and pro-
motional cam-
paigns for
David A. Xipton
1953, according to Lipton, will be
designed to achieve advance national
penetration on pictures and person-
alities, as well as extend the point
of sale activities at the theatre level.
"The extensive use of national
magazine and Sunday supplement
media to reach audiences, including
Look, the Saturday Evening Post,
Collier's, Cosmopolitan, McCall's,
Redbook, Woman's Home Compan-
ion, Seventeen, fan magazines, Amer-
ican Weekly, This Week and Pa-
rade, which were used by U-I
during the past year, will be con-
tinued and expanded where pictures
lend themselves to this type of ad-
vertising treatment," Lipton said.
"In this accelerated program, Uni-
versal-International will not over-
look the trade press, which we have
found to be so effective in alerting
the exhibitors of the nation to the
values inherent in our pictures. Like-
wise, we will use daily newspapers
to an even greater extent than in
the past to reach the general public
and to get them into the theatres
where our pictures are showing.
"National commercial tie-ups also
will be used to a greater extent to
achieve advance penetration on pic-
tures, with special emphasis being
given to advertisers who not only
use the national magazines but who
can provide access to network tele-
vision spots."
Universal - International, accord-
ing to Lipton, will continue to use
both television and radio for advance
penetration and point of sale selling.
"We believe in the policy of
launching our pictures aggressively
and backing them right down the
line," Lipton declared. He said U-I
will continue with promotional cam-
paigns in connection with key city
and territorial premieres, using per-
sonalities, special events and terri-
torial saturation advertising in the
newspapers and on radio. Person-
alities will not only be used in the
keys but in the sub-keys as well.
V Will Meet
Public Wants
"Universal-International will con-
tinue to cater to the public taste in
planning future productions and
will continue to rely on the public's
acceptance of
its pictures,"
states William
Goetz, produc-
tion head.
"It is not a
case of antici-
pated trends,"
Goetz declared,
"but merely
conforming to
the type of
films the public
wants and sup-
ports. It seems
to us that the movie audience looks
to Hollywood for entertainment and
our platform will be to present a
well-balanced program designed to
serve this purpose.
"We naturally will keep in mind
pleasing both the exhibitor and his
customer. If we please the patrons
we know we will please the exhib-
itor. We will make big pictures
with the biggest box office names
available. Jimmy Stewart, Alan
Ladd, Gregory Peck, Tyrone Power,
Victor Mature, Dan Dailey, Joel
McCrea, Robert Ryan, Barbara
Stanwyck, Loretta Young, Ann Blyth,
Maureen O'Hara and Ann Sheridan
will be seen in our pictures.
"We will also utilize the new stars
we have developed on our lot,
namely, Tony Curtis, Jeff Chandler,
Audie Murphy, Rock Hudson, Piper
Laurie, Shelley Winters and Suzan
Ball." Goetz said.
Ed Muhl Bolsters
Studio Operation
Hollywood, Nov. 12. — Edward
Muhl, Universal-International vice-
president and general manager of
tiie studio, is one of the key mem-
bers of the
studio execu-
tive staff which
is continuing
to turn out
popular box
office product
at realistic
present - day
budgets.
Muhl has
been with Uni-
versal since
1927, when he
joined the
c o m p a n y's
costs division
in the accounting department. He
was made business manager, then
studio general manager.
Edward Muhl
6
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, November 13, 1952
SCENES FROM NEW UNIVERSAL FILMS
AT right, a scene from "Mississippi Gambler," for
/ \ February release, and one of the most pretentious
on the company's forthcoming schedule. It stars Tyrone
Power, Piper Laurie and Julia Adams, and is in Tech-
nicolor. Above, a scene from "The Redhead from
Wyoming," starring Maureen O'Hara and Alex Nicol,
in a Technicolor outdoors production. Featured are
Robert Strauss and Alexander Scourby.
fr t »Y, "v'fiEi .'''5
ABOVE, a scene from the Technicolor
/ \ "Seminole," an action story of the
Everglades Indian wars in Technicolor,
starring Rock Hudson, Barbara Hale,
Anthony Quinn and Richard Carlson.
At right, from "Meet Me at the Fair,"
also in Technicolor, and starring Dan
Dailey and Diana Lynn. At left, scene
from Raoul Walsh's "The Lawless Breed,"
starring Rock Hudson and Julia Adams,
in color by Technicolor.
AGAINST Ali Flags," the Christmas-New Year's
release, at left, stars Errol Flynn and Maureen
O'Hara. A pirate adventure story, in Technicolor, U-l
rates it among its best. Above, a scene from "City
Beneath the Sea," starring Robert Ryan, Mala Powers,
Anthony Quinn and Susan Ball. In Technicolor.
EXHIBITORS OF NEW ENGLAND
are cordially invited to attend
the
ANNUAL CONVENTION
of
INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS, INC.
and
DRIVE-IN THEATRE ASSOCIATION
at the
SHERATON PLAZA HOTEL
Boston, Massachusetts
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1952
Program will consist of Business Meetings — Film Clinics —
Luncheon — Cocktail Party — Banquet
In attendance will be officers of National Allied-Civic
Leaders — Industry Personalities and Stars
MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND NOW!
Send requests for reservations to:
RAY FEE LEY, Executive Secretary
Independent Exhibitors, Inc.
36 Melrose Street Boston 16, Massachusetts
Re
Bl-
eat
mm*4
"One for the money! "-F;/m Daily
"Solid boXOffke attraction!"— Motion Picture Daily
"Suspense-laden! Exploitation material and marquee
value a-plenty!"— Boxoff/ce
"The Suspense is breathtaking!"— Mof/on Picture Heratd
"Gripping suspense mounting to the breaking point!'9
— Daily Variety
"Tense, fast-moving ! "— Hollywood Reporter
"Terrific, nerve-wracking tension!"— showmen's Trade Review
JOSEPH COTTEN ond TERESA WRIGHT in THE STEEL TRAP with Jonathan Hale • Walter Sonde • Music written and directed b
DIMITRI TIOMKIN • Written and directed by ANDREW STONE • A BERT E. FRIEDLOB Production • Released by 20th Century-To;
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
VOL. 72. NO. 93
NEW YORK, U. S. A., THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1952
TEN CENTS
French PactlTWT Set to Enter Bid for
Is Near the Marciano Return Bout
Closing Stage
Obtaining of 135 Dubbing
Permits Still Uncertain
A new French film agreement
with American major companies
was reported here yesterday to be
at the closing point, with an an-
nouncement of details forthcoming
within a few days. Eric Johnston,
president of Motion Picture Associa-
tion of America, and MPAA vice-
president Joyce O'Hara are in Paris
for the negotiations, having departed
suddenly from New York last week-
-end for the parleys.
It was reported at the Motion Pic-
ture Export Association in New York
.yesterday that the "stage was set" for
;the culmination of the pact before the
•departure of Johnston and O'Hara for
Paris. It was stiil problematical
whether the American companies
would achieve their goal of obtaining
135 dubbing permits, in view of the
fact that the French government last
summer cut the U. S. majors to
total of 90 permits.
If the American companies should
(Continued on page 4)
Theatre Network Television "will be in there pitching" in order to
get the projected return world heavyweight match between Rocky
Marciano and Jersey Joe Walcott on theatre TV, Nat Halpern, TNT
president, said here yesterday.
Premiere of 'Jazz
Singer' on Dec. 30
Hollywood, Nov. 12. — War-
ner Brothers has dated the
world premiere of "The Jazz
Singer" at the Fox Beverly
Theatre in Beverly Hills on
Tuesday night, Dec. 30.
The premiere will precede
the special engagement there
the next day on a continuous
basis. The production will be
nationally released early in
February.
Fox Talks Stymie
RKO Board Action
Another meeting of the 'RKO Radio
Pictures board of directors was held
here yesterday, but it was adjourned
without any action being taken on
pressing problems. Pending the out-
icome of negotiations by a syndicate
headed by Matthew Fox to buy the
^company's controlling stock from the
Ralph Stolkin group in Chicago, no
major action by the board is antici-
pated.
The board is slated to meet here
again today. It is understood that
(Continued on page 4)
Honor Goldwyn for
'Andersen' Benefit
Dietz to Cite Hearst
At AMPA Tribute
Howard Dietz, vice-president in
charge of advertising-publicity for
M-G-M, will be the principal speaker
at an Associated Motion Picture Ad-
vertisers' lunch-
eon honoring
the Hearst
publications at
t h e Piccadilly
Hotel on Nov.
20.
William Ran-
dolph Hearst,
Jr., publisher of
the New York
Journal Ameri-
can and Ameri-
can Weekly and editor-in-chief of
Hearst newspapers, will be the honor
(Continued on page 4)
Halpern' s statement came on the
heels of the opening of preliminary
talks between fight managers and the
International Boxing Club looking to-
ward a return bout. The first match,
which saw Marciano wrest the croW;
from Walcott, drew an estimated
$400,000 box-office in 50 theatres when
it was telecast over a national closec
circuit last September.
A representative for the IBC said
it was still too early to tell whether
home television or theatre television
would be used for the return match.
It is underestood, however, that if it
is theatre-televised, the price which
will be sought by the IBC will be
greater than the reported minimum
guarantee of $105,000 for the Septem-
ber bout.
Discussions now underway with the
n-.anagers center around the selection
of a site and a date. Under considera-
(Continued on page 4)
Top Holiday
Attendance Is
20th -Fox Aim
Slates Christmas and
New Year's Releases
Howard Dietz
Rank Financing for
411 His Production
Samuel Goldwyn, whose "Hans
Christian Andersen" has been selected
by the trustees of the Will Rogers
Memorial Hospital for the first of an
annual world premiere to help raise
funds for the hospital, will be awarded
an honor scroll at a luncheon to be
given today at the Waldorf-Astoria
Hotel. G. S. Eyssell, president of
(Continued on page 4)
$1,350 Weekly to
Daff from (U'
Washington, Nov. 12. — A new
seven-year contract between Univer-
sal and Alfred E. Daff, executive
vice-president of the company, call-
ing for a weekly salary of $1,350 the
first year, was disclosed in a report
filed with the Securities and Ex-
change Commission.
Dated Oct. 28, the contract will
run from Jan. 1, 1953 to Dec. 1, 1959.
Under its terms, Daff will receive
$1,450 per week during the second
year and $1,500 per week thereafter.
It also calls for a month's vacation
per year, cumulative if not taken "in
a 12-month period, and reimburse-
ment for business expenses.
London, Nov. 12. — Beginning Jan. 1
the J. Arthur Rank Organization will
initiate a production program backed
entirely by its own resources.
The announcement is accepted here
as foreshadowing the end of the Na-
tional Film Finance Corp., the gov-
ernment agency which has assisted in
the financing of British production
through a group scheme under which
individual producers worked on a
salary basis. Of late, NFFC has ac-
corded such assistance to Rank's pro-
ducers but that will now cease, al-
though his producers will continue to
(Continued on page 4)
In an effort to gain maximum
theatre attendance during the
Christmas holidays, 20th Century-
Fox yesterday disclosed the holiday
release of four pictures, described as
top attractions. They are: "Stars
and Stripes Forever," "My Cousin
Rachel," "Ruby Gentry," and "The I
Don't Care Girl."
Al Lichtman, distribution di-
rector, led a discussion on the
merchandising plans for the
Christmas and New Year holi-
day releases at the opening
session of the two-day meeting
here of domestic and Canadian
division sales managers. Licht-
man said the four releases are
intended to offer exhibitors a
variety of entertainment to at-
tract maximum audiences.
Lichtman pointed out the heavy
musical and military backing being
(Continued on page 4)
Harold Mirisch Is
Named to A A Board
Hollywood, Nov. 12. — Allied Ar-
tists' board of directors today elected
Harold Mirisch, company vice-presi-
dent, to board membership, replacing
William Hurlbut, former owner of
the Detroit franchise, who recently
sold the franchise to the company.
AA directors were among 175 per-
sons, including company executives,
visiting franchise holders, players and
press people, who journeyed to San
Diego where they were guests of the
U. S. Navy aboard the aircraft car-
rier 5.5". Princeton where "Flat Top"
1 was premiered.
HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 12. —
Production's health and
welfare plan, worked on by
management and labor for
more than a year, has been
declared in effect as of
last Friday following ap-
proval for income tax pur-
poses by the Department
of Internal Revenue. The
payment fund will be pro-
vided by employers.
•
HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 12. «
W. R. Yarnall was elected
president and general
manager of Cinecolor by
the board of directors to-
day, succeeding Karl Her-
zog, who resigned last
week. 0. W. M u r r a y was
appointed vice-president
and assistant general
manager; H. B. Bruggemann
was named technical di-
rector.
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, November 13, 1952
Personal
Mention
SOL SCHWARTZ, president of
RKO Theatres Corp., is due back
here today from the Coast.
•
Mike Simons, home office assistant
to H: M. ' Richey, M-G-M exhibitor
relations head, is due back here today
from the Theatre Owners of North
and South Carolina convention in
Charlotte.
•
Hal Wallis and Joseph Hazen;
are attending the Secretary of De-
fense's Joint Pavillion Orientation
conference which opened yesterday in
Washington and will run until Nov.
22.
Arthur W. Kelly, Charles
Chaplin's U. S. representative, has
flown to London from here for con-
ferences with Chaplin, and will re-
turn on Monday.
•
Maurice Silverstein, Loew's In-
ternational Latin America director,
will leave his Mexico City headquar-
ters tomorrow for a tour throughout
his territory.
•
William Melniker, head of Loew's
International theatre department, left
here yesterday for Australia to inspect
M-G-M theatres there.
Robert T. Oestreicher, brother of
Fred Oestreicher, Loew's publicity
manager in Columbus, was elected
Mayor of that city.
•
David Lhton, Universal vice-presi-
dent in charge, of advertising-publicity,
will arrive here Monday from the
Coast.
■Edward A. Wolpin, general pro-
fessional manager of Famous Music,
will leave here today for the Coast.
•
Russell Holman, Paramount East-
ern production head, has returned
here by. plane from London.
•
Jack Warner, Warner Brothers
vice-president, is here from Holly-
wood.
Lee Koken, RKO Theatres vend-
ing head, left here yesterday for Chi-
cago.
Meet Here Sunday
On TV Film Strike
Hollywood, Nov. 12. — A Screen
Actors ' Guild committee composed of
newly-elected president Walter Pid-
geon, executive secretary John Dales,
Jr., and counsel William Berger, will
leave for New York this week to
attend a meeting of New York mem-
bers of the SAG at the Hotel Astor
on Sunday, called for a vote on a
strike against television and commer-
cial producers, with whom contract
negotiations recently broke down.
Hollywood members of the SAG
have voted to strike against New
York tele-commercial producers but
left the date open pending the New
York meeting.
Colosseum Plans
For Convention in
Atlanta Completed
i Atlanta, Nov. ! 12. — -Final plans for
the national convention of the Colos-
seum of Motion Picture Salesmen, to
be held here Nov. 21-23 have been
completed by Atlanta Loge No. 1. Be-
cause the salesmen's organization was
founded in Atlanta by the late Frank
W. Salley, a salesman, for RKO Radio
Pictures, in 1945, the conclave this
year has been designated as the
"Salley Memorial Convention."
Approximately 150 delegates and al-
ternates are expected at the sessions
which will be held at the Ansley
Hotel. An executive committee meet-
ing has been scheduled for the after-
noon of Nov. 21.
Jim McCormick, president of the
Atlanta loge, has designated the fol-
lowing committee heads to handle con-
vention details : transportation, C. T.
Jordan, Sr. ; entertainment, Herb
Legg ; information, Harris Winn ;
credentials, Walt Walker ; secretarial,
Larry Terrell ; speakers, Sid Reams ;
publicity, Jim Cronin.
Heiher to Detroit
'U' Manager's Post
Cleveland, Nov. 12. — Universal-
International district manager Peter
Rosian reports that effective on a
temporary basis, Edward Heiber, re-
cently named Cleveland branch man-
ager to succeed Lester Zucker, goes
to Detroit as branch manager, and
Edward R. Bergman, city salesman,
is acting Cleveland branch manager.
The changes were necessitated by
the recent automobile accident that
befell Ben Robins, Universal Detroit
manager.
Cinerama Heads to
Coast for Meeting
Dudley Roberts, Cinerama president,
and Frank Smith, vice-president, will
leave here at the weekend for Holly-
wood to meet with Louis B. Mayer,
board chairman, and Merian C.
Cooper, general manager of produc-
tion. They will be joined in Holly-
wood Tuesday by Lynn Farnol, public
relations director.
Max Gendel, Cinerama theatre pub-
licity representative, has left here for
Chicago to explore theatre installation
possibilities there.
400 Openings in A
Week for 'Plymouth'
M-G-M has scheduled "Plymouth
Adventure" for approximately 400
Thanksgiving week openings, said to
be the greatest number in any seven-
day period for a given picture in the
history of the company. The color in
Technicolor film will have its world
premiere at Radio City Music Hall
here today.
Howard Dietz, vice-president and
director of advertising-publicity, and
his staff are reportedly planning one
of the most comprehensive campaigns
for the film, to be highlighted by spe-
cial ads in newspapers with a total
circulation of close to 50,000,000.
Griffis' Book Goes
On Stand Nov. 20
Stanton Griffis, chairman of
Paramount's executive com-
mittee, describes his experi-
ences as U. S. Ambassador to
Spain in his new book of rec-
ollections, "Lying in State,"
which Doubleday & Co. will
publish on Nov. 20. Griffis,
while Ambassador to Spain,
succeeded in breaking down
strong resistance to the im-
portation of American films.
Among the many industry
and international figures dis-
cussed are Cecil B. DeMille,
George Marshall, Dean Ache-
son, President Truman, Wins-
ton Churchill, Francisco
Franco, and others.
Griffis formerly headed the
American Red Cross in the
Pacific and has also served as
Ambassador to Poland, Egypt
and Argentina.
U.K. Studio Union
Head Visits Moscow
London, Nov. 12. — George Elvin,
head of the left-wing anti-American
Association of Cine and Allied Tech-
nicians' studio, union here, has left for
a month's visit to Moscow, with settle-
ment of the threatened studio work
stoppage due for final action here.
The trade's Joint Industrial Coun-
cil is scheduled to meet here to rat-
ify the Producers' Association offer
of wage increases involving members
of the National Association of The-
atrical and Kine Employes and Elec-
trical Trades Union, as well as the
ACT. The producers' offer came after
unauthorized work stoppages at stu-
dios which threatened a shutdown
because schedules could not be main-
tained.
Still to he decided is the producers'
demand that the unions refrain from
what is termed as restrictive prac-
tices, particularly those attaching to
foreign location work. Inter-union
differences may arise over the latter.
Elvin went to Moscow at the invita-
tion of the Russian Trades Unions
and under the auspices of the Society
of Cultural Relations with the U.S.S.R.
It is understood he was strongly criti-
cized by sections of his union's mem-
bership who claimed, among other
things, that a month was too long for
him to be away on matters unrelated
to the union's interests.
PSI-TV $2,300,000
European Deals Set
Contracts for television film pro-
ductions to be made in Europe and
involving total budgets of $2,300,000
were disclosed here by Paul White,
president of PSI-TV, Inc., upon his
return from Europe.
He left last night for Mexico City
and Hollywood to complete further
production plans. These now encom-
pass half-a-dozen European countries
in addition to the films being made in
Hollywood and Mexico.
Associated With
'Reds' But Wasn't
One, Says Burrows
Washington, Nov. 12. — Abe Bur-
rows, Broadway and Hollywood
writer, today denied to the House
Un - American Activities Committee
that he had ever belonged to the
Communist Party.
Burrows admitted, however, he
used to associate with Communists,
that he had attended front meet-
ings and had entertained and made
contributions to various front organ-
izations. But he insisted that he had
never paid dues to the party or held
a party card. "I have a stubborn
pride in that I never took the final
step," he declared.
Burrows later told the Committee
that "my own sloppiness of action, my
own thoughtlessness gave them the
right to think I was a member."
Asked by Rep. Velde (R., 111.)
whether he hadn't been "naive," Bur-
rows said he would go farther than
that "and say that I was stupid."
The writer appeared at his own re-
quest, to answer testimony given to
the Committee by Owen Vinson, a
one-time party member, who said he
had known Burrows as a party mem-
ber in Hollywood in 1945 and 1946.
The committee will meet again to-
morrow to take testimony from Karen
Morley. Miss Morley, identified fre-
quently in hearings as a leader in the
Communist movement in Hollywood,
has been under subpoena for some
time, but was only recently located
and served.
Coursey 20th's New
Atlanta Manager
Atlanta, Nov. 12. — Dan M. Cour-
sey, 20th Century-Fox sales manager
at the local branch, has been appointed
branch manager. The promotion was
made to fill a vacancy left by the
death last week of branch manager
Fred Dodson.
Coursey, a veteran of World War
II, has been with the company since
he began in the shipping department
in 1936.
Fete Lester Zucker,
U -I Division Head
Cleveland, Nov. 12. — Lester Zuc-
ker, new Universal-International Mid-
west division manager, was given a
testimonial dinner at the Hollenden
Hotel with 125 attending. Sam, Gaines,
attorney and close friend of Zucker's,
was master-of-ceremonies.
Home office officials who were pres-
ent included Ray Moon and P. T.
Dana.
Producer Rachmil
Leaves RKO Radio
Hollywood, Nov. 12. — Lewis J.
Rachmil, RKO Radio producer since
1949, has resigned and will announce
his new affiliation shortly. Prior to
joining RKO, Rachmil was in charge
of production at General Service
Studios.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine
Building William' R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074: Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative. 11
North Clark Street, FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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; International Motion Picture 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.
TARRING
with
DU
A
D
n
u
n
RN
Produced by
BLACKBURN • BRYAN FO!
RITA MORENO
BLAKE - RAY TEAL
Directed by
NOEL SMITH
I ACTION - PACKED
TRADE SHOW
NOV. 20 ;
ALBANY
Warner Screening Room
HON.PeurlSl • 8 00 P.M.
ATLANTA
20th Century-fox Screening Room
197 Wolton St. N.W. • 2 00 P.M.
BOSTON
RKO Screening Room
] 22 Arlington SI • 2:30 P.M.
BUFFALO
Paramount Screening Room
464 franklin St. ■ 8 00 P M.
CHARLOTTE
20th Century Fox Scceening Room
308 S Church SI. ■ 2:00 P.M.
CHICAGO
Warner Scceening Ronm
1307 So. WoboshAve. • 1.30 P.M.
CINCINNATI
20th Century-fox Screening Room
1638 Centrul Purkwuy 8.00 P.M.
CLEVELAND
Warner Screening Room
2300Pnyne Ave. • 2 00 P M,
DALLAS
20th Century fox Screening Room
1803 Wood SI. • 10 00A.M.
DENVER
Paramount Screening Room
2100 Stout St. • 2:00 P.M.
DES MOINES
Paramount Scceening Room
1 125 High SI • 12.45 P.M.
DETROIT
film Exchunge Building
2310 Cuss Ave. • 2 00 PM.
INDIANAPOLIS
20lh Century- fox Screening Room
326 No. Illinois SI. • 1 OOP M.
JACKSONVILLE
Florida Theutre Bldg. Sc. Rm.
128E.forsythSl • 2 00 PM.
KANSAS CITY
20th Century Fox Screening Room
1 720 Wyandotte St ' 1 30 P.M.
LOS ANGELES
Warner Screening Room
2025 S. Vermont Ave. • 2.00 P M.
MEMPHIS
20th Century fox Screening Room
151 Vance Ave ■ 12 15 P M
MILWAUKEE
Warner Theutre Screening Room
212 W Wisconsin Ave. • 2 00 P M.
MINNEAPOLIS
Warner Screening Room
1000 Curcie Ave ■ 2 00 P M.
NEW HAVEN
Warner Iheatre Projection Room
70 College St. • 2 00 P M.
NEW ORLEANS
20th Cenlucy Fox Screening Room
200 S. Liberty St • 1 30 P M
NEW YORK
Home Office
321 W 44th St. • 2 15 P.M.
OKLAHOMA
20lh Century Fox Scceening Room
10 North lee St • I 30 P M.
OMAHA
20th Century fox Screening Room
1502 Davenport St. • I 30 P.M.
PHILADELPHIA
Worner Screening Room
230 No. 1 3th St. • 2 30 P.M.
PITTSBURGH
20lh Century fox Screening Room
1/15 Blvd. of Allies ' 130PM.
PORTLAND
jewel Box Screening Room
1947 N W. Kearney SI ■ 2 00 P.M.
SALT LAKE
20th Century- fox Scceening Room
216 East 1st South • 2 00 PM.
SAN FRANCISCO
Pacamouot Scceening Room
205 Golden Cote Ave. • 1 30 P.M.
SEATTLE
Modern Theatre
2400 Third Ave. • 10 30 A.M.
ST. LOUIS
S renco Scceening Room
31 43 Olive Si. • I: P.M.
WASHINGTON
Warner Theatre Building
I3thSE.Sts.N W • 7 30 P.M.
4
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, November 13, 1952
20th-Fox Aim
(Continued from page 1)
given "Stars and Stripes Forever."
Premieres, he said, will spark the
opening's across the country during
the Christmas period.
"My Cousin Rachel," starring
Olivia de Havilland and Richard Bur-
ton, based on the Daphne Du Maurier
novel, is being rushed into pre-release
before the end of 1952, Lichtman
said, in order to have it qualify for
Academy honors. Also being ad-
vanced in release to Christmas Day,
he added, is "Ruby Gentry," a Joseph
Bernhard - King Vidor production,
starring Jennifer Jones. "The I
Don't Care Girl" stars Mitzi Gaynor,
David Wayne and Oscar Levant and
was produced by George Jessel.
Led by Lichtman
The sales discussions yesterday
were led by Lichtman, W. C. Gehr-
ing, executive assistant general sales
manager ; Edwin W. Aaron, Western
sales manager, and Arthur Silver-
stone, Eastern and Canadian sales
manager. Also developing portions
of the discussions were executive
vice-president W. C. Michel and vice-
president Charles Einfeld.
Lichtman will announce 20th-Fox's
product slate for the first nine months
of 1953 at today's meeting.
RKO Board
(Continued from page 1)
Arnold Grant, board chairman and
chief executive of the company, has
postponed his trip to the Coast until
current Chicago negotiations are cli-
maxed. Undetermined, as talks con-
tinue between Fox and the Stolkin
group, are the selection of a studio
head and the appointment of three
directors to the board, filling the va-
cancies created by the resignations of
Stolkin, Abraham L. Koolish, and
William Gorman.
In Chicago, Fox is heading the ne-
gotiations for the purchase of 1,048,-
420 shares of RKO Pictures, pur-
chased in September by the Stolkin
group for $7,345,940 from Howard
Hughes and Ned E. Depinet, former
president of the company, who owned
35,000 shares.
The current Chicago talks would
also suspend negotiations on Hughes'
commitment to loan RKO $8,000,000,
it is believed.
Late reports yesterday were that the
negotiations between Stolkin and Fox,
the latter a partner in United Artists
and head of Films for Television, had
reached no conclusive stage in Chi-
cago but could be climaxed or aban-
doned in short order, regardless. The
Stolkin group also has discussed sale
of its controlling stock interest in
RKO with other individuals and
groups.
Review
Merge RKO Radio
Publicity Divisions
RKO Radio's foreign publicity de-
partment here will come under the
jurisdiction of the domestic advertis-
ing-publicity department in the near
future, it was reported yesterday. The
foreign publicity setup currently is a
part of the foreign department and
operates independently of the domestic
advertising-publicity personnel.
Rutgers Neilson heads the com-
pany's foreign publicity section, which
is slated to come under the direction
of Richard Condon, RKO Radio's
advertising-publicity director.
April in Paris
(Warner Brothers)
HERE is the rare musical film in which the score is tuneful, the produc-
tion numbers are imaginative, enormously zestful, and appropriate with-
out being over-elaborate, and the comedy is consistently, genuinely funny.
It is a superlatively entertaining, gaily-mounted production in vivid color by
Technicolor in which Ray Bolger, Doris Day, and Claude Dauphin dance,
sing, and cavort in comic situations with wonderful ease and freshness. In
addition to the exploitable stars and title, this should receive plenty of word-
of-mouth advertising. It looms as one of the better box-office pictures of
the year.
Jack Rose and Melville Shavelson have written a gag-loaded script that
smartly spoofs such familiar targets as government bungling in administra-
tion, the amours of an ultra-romantic Frenchman, and gay Paris when it is
not gay. David Butler's direction is first-rate except for one or two situa-
tions that were excessively milked for laughs. But most of the 101 minutes
are deftly-paced grand fun. William Jacobs' tasteful and adroit production
has cleverly made use of Parisian backgrounds and shipboard interiors.
Bolger portrays a State Department official who mistakenly invites a
chorus girl, Miss Day, to the International Festival of Arts in Paris. The
invite stands when press and public favor the move. Bolger is engaged to his
boss' daughter, Eve Miller, a cold, domineering women. On the boat Bolger
falls in love with Miss Day and they have a wedding ceremony performed
but, unknown to them, it is not done by the true captain, so it is invalid.
Miss Miller is waiting when the boat docks but Bolger, fearing for his
career, doesn't acknowledge his kissless bride. He and Miss Day part
company but she arouses his jealousy by going around with Parisian enter-
tainment idol Dauphin, who after going broke in New York, had worked
his passage across as a ship's waiter. At the finale Bolger foregoes his diplo-
matic career and Miss Miller for Miss Day.
Dauphin's tongue-in-cheek performance as the amorous Frenchman who
turns out to be a happily-married homebody is immensely appealing and it
neatly serves to set up Bolger's dances and the songs by Miss Day. The
latter two are at their best in the numbers staged and directed by LeRoy
Prinz. Besides several fine versions of the title song, a top-notch job is done
on "I'm Gonna Ring the Bell Tonight." Other songs in the Sammy Cahn-
Vernon Duke score include "Give Me Your Lips," "It, Must Be Good," "That's
What Makes Paris, Paree" and "Life Is Such a Pleasure."
Others in the cast are George Givot, Paul Harvey, Herbert Farjeon, Wilson
Millar, Raymond Largay, John Alvin, and Jack Lomas.
Running time, 101 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
jaru i. Walter Pashkin
Honor Goldwyn
(Continued from page 1)
Rockefeller Center, Inc., is chairman
of the premiere event.
The hospital trustees are seeking to
create the same type of premiere
event as the annual British Royal
Command Performance in London.
Goldwyn is being honored as the first
producer to make a film available for
this purpose and for his help in es-
tablishing this American industry
event.
A. Montague, president of the Will
Rogers Memorial Hospital, will make
the presentation to Goldwyn.
"Hans Christian Andersen" will
have its Rogers Memorial {benefit
showing at the Criterion Theatre,
New York, on Monday evening, Nov.
24. The picture will have a dual
world premiere at both the Criterion
and Paris theatres on Nov. 25.
Rank Finance
(Continued from page 1)
work on terms at least equal to those
now obtaining.
Rank declares his assumption of all
production financial risks has been
made possible by operation of the
Eady plan.
He denies that any difference has
arisen between NFFC and his com-
pany, asserting that his organization
will continue to distribute product
from producers which received NFFC
aid.
Associated British Pictures Co. ac-
cepted the NFFC group financing
scheme reluctantly and should it bow
out of the plan along with Rank, little
further justification for its continuance
is seen. However, ABPC officials
had no comment to make today.
TNT Set
(Continued from page 1)
tion are New York, Chicago, San
Francisco and Philadelphia, while al-
ternate dates in February, March, or
June are being weighed. An IBC
spokesman said neither the networks,
film companies, or theatre TV agen-
cies have been sounded out as yet.
However, Al Weill, manager for
Marciano, expressed a preference for
the Yankee Stadium here and for the-
atre televising of the bout, which he
said should be fought in June. He
claimed that "we can get between
$250,000 and $300,000 for theatre tele-
vision, plus a percentage of the mo-
tion pictures" under such conditions.
He argued against holding the bout in
Chicago and home televising it in cities
other than Chicago.
Dietz to Cite
(Continued from page 1)
guest. AM PA will salute the Hearst
publications "in appreciation of the
cooperation which this organization
has extended to our industry through-
out the years," AM PA president
Harry K. McWilliams announced.
Dietz will pay tribute to Hearst on
behalf of AM PA. Many editorial and
business department heads of the
Hearst publications will be dais
guests.
Para. Theatre Birthday
The New York Paramount Theatre
will celebrate its 26th anniversary on
Wednesday, and in connection with a
special event planned for the occasion
the theatre is seeking men and women
who were born in this city on that date
in 1926.
NEWS
in Brief . .
Washington, Nov. 12. — The Fed-
eral Trade Commission reports that
the Academy of Motion Picture Arts
and Sciences and the Bulova Watch
Co. have signed a stipulation to stop
using the words "Academy Award" or
"Oscar" in the advertising of watches
or any other commodity, unless certain
conditions are fulfilled.
The nub of the FTC's objection
apparently was that the terms were
used in connection with items not ac-
tually given an award and were ad-
vertised in such a way as to leave the
impression they actually had received
an award from the Academy.
•
Hollywood, Nov. 12. — Plans to
produce a series of six color featur-
ettes in the Tri-Opticon third dimen-
sional process were disclosed here by
Sol Lesser, who holds all U. S. rights
to the British-developed process.
Production will start the first of
the year and the films will be ready
for road-showing by mid- 1953.
•
Charles Alexander Moses has been
appointed special home office exploita-
tion representative for RKO Radio,
it was announced by Leon Brandt,
exploitation manager. He replaces
Hal Olver who resigned.
French Pact
(Continued from page 1)
get a hike in their permit quotas, there
is a possibility that they will be called
upon to leave a larger amount of their
earned revenues in France.
An MPEA spokesman said yester-
day that whatever negotiations John-
ston might conclude in France would
not bind the Society of Independent
Motion Picture Producers, which
probably will hold separate parleys.
Johnston would act only for MPEA
members, although during the previous
pact negotiations the SIMPP had its
representative, Alfred Crown, on the .,
scene. At last reports, SIMPP had
made no immediate plans to send a
representative to France. Crown now
is with RKO Radio and it is likely
that either James Mulvey, president
of Samuel Goldwyn Productions, or
Ellis Arnall, SIMPP president, or
both; will talk for the association in
Paris.
Majors Will Meet Monday
On Japanese Licenses
Although Eric Johnston, president
of the Motion Picture Association of
America, is in Paris on negotiations
for a new French film pact, it is ex-
pected that he will be back in New
York' in time to hold a scheduled meet-
ing with major company executives
on the allocation of Japanese import
licenses on Monday. Johnston set a
Nov. 17 date for the meeting at which
the companies would announce their
decisions as to how they would split
up licenses for the second half of the
fiscal year.
The 10 member companies of the
Motion Picture Export Association
face the problem of sharing 53 licenses
and their decision as to distribution is
expected at Monday's meeting. In the
first half of the fiscal year, the com-
panies were allowed 63 permits and the
MPEA is pushing to have that num-
ber restored. Irving Maas, vice-
president of the MPEA, is in Tokyo
on negotiations for the increase.
Thursday, November 13, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
UNIVERSAL SETS 10 FOR RELEASE IN FOUR
MONTHS FROM DECEMBER THROUGH MARCH
Daff, Feldman
List Schedule
Universal-International will re-
lease 10 pictures during December.
January, February and March, eight
in color by Technicolor, Alfred E.
Daff, executive vice-president, and
Charles J. Feldman, general sales
manager, announce.
Detailing U-I's releases for De-
cember through March, they said
the company's Christmas release will
be "Against All Flags," in color by
Technicolor, starring Errol Flynn
and Maureen O'Hara. Also slated
for December release is 'The Black
Castle," starring Richard Greene,
Stephen McNally, Boris Karloff, Lon
Chaney and Paula Corday, which
was given a Hallowe'en pre-release.
January will be U-I's "All Tech-
nicolor Month" highlighted by the
release of Raoul Walsh's "The Law-
less Breed," starring Rock Hudson
Alfred Daff
Charles J. Feldman
and Julia Adams; "Meet Me At the
Fair," starring Dan Dailey and
Diana Lynn and "The Redhead
From Wyoming," starring Maureen
O'Hara and Alex Nicol.
February will be headed by the
release of "Mississippi Gambler," in
color by Technicolor, starring Ty-
rone Power, Piper Laurie and Julia
Adams. "Girls in the Night," suc-
cessor to "City Across the River,"
and featuring Joyce Holden, Glenda
Farrell, Harvey Lembeck and Leon-
ard Freeman, and introducing Pa
tricia Hardy, is the second February
release. "City Beneath the Sea" star-
ring Robert Ryan, Mala Powers,
Anthony Quinn and Suzan Ball will
have a series of pre-release openings
in February and a regular release
in March. It is in color by Tech-
nicolor.
"Seminole" will be released in
March. It stars Rock Hudson, Bar-
bara Hale, Anthony Quinn and Rich-
ard Carlson, and is in color by
Technicolor. The second Techni-
color March release will be "Gun-
smoke" starring Audie Murphy.
Susan Cabot and Paul Kelly.
SEE 'BRILLIANT' FUTURE FOR FILMS
MILTON R. RACKMIL. president, and N. J. Blumberg,
chairman of the board of Universal Pictures Co., issued the
following joint statement as the company announced its releasing
plans for the coming months :
"Universal is inspired
more than ever by the
thought that the future of
the motion picture busi-
ness can be a brilliant one.
JpjMf- ~ W We arc a company of
optimism and eulhu.siasm.
"However, we do not
mean that these attributes
make us unaware of the
many problems that con-
front this industry.
"We believe that if our
industry unites for the
general welfare and attacks its problems with concerted effort,
nothing but success can result.
"The main objective of Universal is to design its program of
pictures so that the theatres of this country can prosper with us.
"In the final analysis the major problem is to get more people
into the theatres by offering the public the best in entertainment
and the best in publicizing and promotion of good pictures which
will provide the entertainment the public seeks."
Milton K. Rackmil
X. -I. Blumberg
Universal Will Back Its New
Films With Top Showmanship
The pattern followed by Univer-
sal during the past year in pub-
licizing its pictures to provide ex-
hibitors with promotional impact
at the point of
sale will be ex-
tended during
the coming
months, David
A. Lipton, vice-
president in
charge of ad-
vertising and
publicity, an-
nounces.
U-I's adver-
tising and pro-
motional cam-
paigns for
1953. according to Lipton. will be
designed to achieve advance national
penetration on pictures and person-
alities, as well as extend the point
of sale activities at the theatre level.
"The extensive use of national
magazine and Sunday supplement
media to reach audiences, including
Look, the Saturday Evening Post,
Collier's, Cosmopolitan, McCall's,
Redbook, Woman s Home Compan-
ion, Seventeen, fan magazines, Amer-
ican Weekly, This Week and Pa-
rade, which were used by U-I
during the past year, will be con-
tinued and expanded where pictures
lend themselves to this type of ad-
David A. Lipton
vertising treatment." Lipton said.
"In this accelerated program. Uni-
versal-International will not over-
look the trade press, which we have
found to be so effective in alerting
the exhibitors of the nation to the
values inherent in our pictures. Like-
wise, we will use daily newspapers
to an even greater extent than in
the past to reach the general public
and to get them into the theatres
where our pictures are showing.
"National commercial tie-ups also
will be used to a greater extent to
achieve advance penetration on pic
tures, with special emphasis being
given to advertisers who not only
use the national magazines but who
can provide access to network tele-
vision spots."
Universal - International, accord-
ing to Lipton, will continue to use
both television and radio for advance
penetration and point of sale selling.
"We believe in the policy of
launching our pictures aggressively
and backing them right down the
line," Lipton declared. He said U-I
will continue with promotional cam-
paigns in connection with key city
and territorial premieres, using per-
sonalities, special events and terri-
torial saturation advertising in the
newspapers and on radio. Person-
alities will not only be used in the
keys but in the sub-keys as well.
V Will Meet
Public Wants
"Universal-International will con-
tinue to cater to the public taste in
planning future productions and
will continue to rely on the public's
acceptance of
its pictures,"
states William
Goetz, produc-
tion head.
"It is not a
case of antici-
pated trends,"
Goetz declared,
"but merely
conforming to
the type of
films the public
wants and sup-
ports. It seems
to us that the movie audience looks
to Hollywood for entertainment and
our platform will be to present a
well-balanced program designed to
serve this purpose.
"We naturally will keep in mind
pleasing both the exhibitor and his
customer. If we please the patrons
we know we will please the exhib-
itor. We will make big pictures
with the biggest box office names
available. Jimmy Stewart, Alan
Ladd. Gregory Peck, Tyrone Power,
Victor Mature, Dan Dailey, Joel
McCrea. Robert Ryan, Barbara
Stanwyck, Loretta Young, Ann Blyth.
Maureen O'Hara and Ann Sheridan
will be seen in our pictures.
"We will also utilize the new stars
we have developed on our lot.
namely, Tony Curtis, Jeff Chandler,
Audie Murphy, Rock Hudson, Piper
Laurie, Shelley Winters and. Suzan
Ball." Goetz said.
William Goetz
Ed Muhl Bolsters
Studio Operation
Hollywood, Nov. 12. — Edward
Muhl, Universal International vice-
president and general in an agar of
the studio, is one of the key mem-
bers of the
studio execu-
tive staff which
is continuing
to turn out
popular box
office product
at realistic
present - day
budgets.
Muhl has
been with Uni-
versal since
1927, when he
joined the
company's
costs division
in the a^eounUng department. He
was made business manager, then
studio general manager.
Edward Muhl
6
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, November 13, 1952
SCENES FROM NEW UNIVERSAL FILMS
AT right, a scene from "Mississippi Gambler," for
r\ February release, and one of the most pretentious
on the company's forthcoming schedule. It stars Tyrone
Power, Piper Laurie and Julia Adams, and is in Tech-
nicolor. Above, a scene from "The Redhead from
Wyoming," starring Maureen O'Hara and Alex Nicol,
in a Technicolor outdoors production. Featured are
Robert Strauss and Alexander Scourby.
ABOVE, a scene from the Technicolor
/\ "Seminole," an action story of the
Everglades Indian wars in Technicolor,
starring Rock Hudson, Barbara Hale,
Anthony Quinn and Richard Carlson.
At right, from "Meet Me at the Fair,"
also in Technicolor, and starring Dan
Dailey and Diana Lynn. At left, scene
from Raoul Walsh's "The Lawless Breed,"
starring Rock Hudson and Julia Adams,
color by Technicolor.
in
AGAINST All Flags," the Christmas-New Year's
release, at left, stars Errol Flynn and Maureen
O'Hara. A pirate adventure story, in Technicolor, U-l
rates it among its best. Above, a scene from "City
Beneath the Sea," starring Robert Ryan, Mala Powers,
Anthony Quinn and Susan Ball. In Technicolor.
EXHIBITORS OF NEW ENGLAND
are cordially invited to attend
the
ANNUAL CONVENTION
of
INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS, INC.
and
DRIVE-IN THEATRE ASSOCIATION
at the
SHERATON PLAZA HOTEL
Boston, Massachusetts
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1952
Program will consist of Business Meetings — Film Clinics —
Luncheon — Cocktail Party — Banquet
In attendance will be officers of National Allied-Civic
Leaders — Industry Personalities and Stars
MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND NOW!
Send requests for reservations to:
RAY FEELEY, Executive Secretary
Independent Exhibitors, Inc.
36 Melrose Street Boston 16, Massachusetts
It's
mm
i
i
S it
1 1 f
i
A
"One for the money!"— Film Daily
"Solid boXOffice attraction!"— Motion Picture Daily
"Suspense-laden! Exploitation material and marquee
value a-plenty!"— Boxo»»ce
"The SUSpenSe is breathtaking ! "—Motion Picture Herald
"Gripping suspense mounting to the breaking point!"
— Daily Variety
"Tense, fast-moving ! "— Hollywood Reporter
"Terrific, nerve-wracking tension!"— showmen's Trade Review
JOSEPH COHEN and TERESA WRIGHT in THE STEEL TRAP with Jonathan Hale • Walter Sonde • Music written and directed fcj
DIMITRI TIOMKIN • Written and directed by ANDREW. STONE • A BERT E. FRIEDLOB Production • Released by 20th Cenfury-Tc
FIRST
IN
NEWS
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
VOL. 72. NO. 94
NEW YORK, U.S.A., FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1952
TEN CENTS
$100-Million
20th-Fox Film
Investment
Grant, Picker Resign Top
RKO Executive Posts
Division Sales Managers
End Two-day Meeting
Twentieth Century-Fox will in-
vest $100,000,000 in 1953 in the
production, distribution and adver-
tising- of its films, Al Lichtman,
director of dis-
tribution, (1 i s-
closed here yes-
terday at the
conclusion of a
two - day meet-
ing' of the com-
pany's division
sales managers.
T h i s figure,
Lichtman de-
clared, "shows
the greatest pos-
sible faith in the
future of our in-
Al Lichtman dustry." At the
same time,
Lichtman announced a slate of 24 pic-
tures to be released in the period run-
(Contiuncd on page 6)
Johnston Back With
New French Offer
Goldwyn to Donate
25,000 to Rogers
Memorial Hospital
Samuel Goldwyn, who already has
given $5,000 to the Will Rogers Me-
morial Hospital, yesterday announced
that he would contribute $25,000 more
tu the project
and would make
provisions in his
will for addi-
tional support.
At a luncheon
in t h e Hotel
Waldorf - As-
toria here, given
to him by trus-
tees of the hos-
pital. Goldwyn
called on other
members of the
industry to re-
member the hos-
pital in their
wills, "regardless of the amount."
Goldwyn described the hospital as
the "soul of this industry" and urged
all segments of the business to con-
tinue their support of its operation.
Eric Johnston, president of the Mo-
tion Picture Association of America,
and Joyce O'Hara, MP A A vice-presi-
dent, are due here today from Paris
where they represented American film
companies in negotiations for a new
French film pact. While no an-
nouncement was made as to whether
an agreement had been made, it was
believed here yesterday that the re-
turn of the MPAA executives sig-
nalized completion of the negotiations.
The Society of Independent Motion
Picture Producers as yet has taken
(Continued on page 3)
Samuel Goldwyn
Theatre TV 4MetV
Carmen' on Dec. 11
Corwin Is Acting Chairman; Zimmerman,
Boasberg, Hastings Are Elected to Board;
Re-Sale of Hughes' Stock Brought Impasse
Arnold Grant resigned yesterday as chairman of the board and
chief executive officer of RKO Pictures Co. and subsidiaries, posts
he has held since Oct. 2, following the purchase of Howard Hughes'
controlling stock interest by the Ralph Stolkin syndicate.
Arnold Picker, next in command to Grant as executive vice-
president, also resigned yesterday.
Grant's resignation left four va-
cancies on the RKO Pictures board
of eight members. Three of the
vacancies were filled with the elec-
tion to the board later in the day of
Charles Boasberg, general sales man-
ager; William Zimmerman, company
attorney, and Ross Hastings, assist-
ant secretary of the company. The
latter is in charge of studio operation
at present.
Sherrill Corwin, studio vice-
president and one of the mem-
bers of the Stolkin syndicate,
was named acting chairman of
the board following Grant's
resignation and was directed by
the board to consult on the
company's current situation
with David Tannenbaum, West
Coast attorney, who is sched-
uled to arrive here today by
plane. Ned E. Depinet, former
RKO Pictures president, and
now a consultant to the com-
pany, also will be in on the con-
ference.
Grant's law firm, Bautzer, Grant,
(Continued on page 6)
The complete Metropolitan Opera
production of "Carmen" will be the-
atre televised from Coast-to-Coast on
Dec. 11 from the stage of the Metro-
politan Opera House in New York,
it was jointly disclosed here yesterday
by Rudolph Bing, general manager of
the Metropolitan Opera Association,
and Nathan Halpern, president of
Theatre Network Television.
The projected "Carmen" perform-
ance will mark the first entertainment
event to be seen by the public on larg.e-
(Continued on page 3)
UPT-ABC MERGER
IS RECOMMENDED
FCC Hearing Examiner Approves Consolidation;
Also Rules Para. Does Not Control DuMont
Short Asked to Head
Drive-in Combine
By J. A. OTTEN
Washington, Nov. 13. — In a sweeping victory for the film industry,
a Federal Communications Commission hearing examiner today ap-
proved the proposed United Paramount Theatres-American Broadcast-
ing Company merger and declared that UPT and Paramount Pictures
are qualified licensees for radio and
Dallas, Nov. 13. — A group of 22
drive-in theatre circuit owners _ oper-
ating more than 150 drive-ins in the
Southwest, and headed by E. L. Pack,
president and general manager of
Lone Star Drive-in Theatres, Inc., has
asked Paul Short to buy, book, man-
age and operate their drive-ins.
If a proposed consolidation mate-
rializes it will become the largest
drive-in theatre circuit in the world.
television stations.
Hearing examiner Leo Resmck
also found that Paramount Pictures
does not control Allen B. DuMont
Laboratories, Inc., opening the way
for both the DuMont network and
Paramount to apply for additional
TV stations. ';
Resnick's 139-page decision, which
gave a clean bill of health communi-
cations-wise to the industry and
granted all things sought by the vari-
ous companies, is not final. A final
decision will come from the full Com-
mission, although it is rather unlikely
that the FCC will overturn Resnick's
decision.
The Commission has allotted 20
days from today for requests_ for oral
argument opposing the initial de-
cision. Resnick's decision will doubt-
less satisfy all industry parties to the
case, but the FCC Broadcast Bureau,
which opposed the merger and de-
clared in its proposed findings that
both Paramount companies should be
deprived of their licenses, may request
(■Continued on page 3)
Asks Receiver
ForRKORadio
An order directing RKO Pictures
Corp. and its subsidiary RKO1 Radio
Pictures to show cause why a tem-
porary receiver of the property of
both companies should not be ^ap-
pointed has been signed by New York
Supreme Court Justice Henry Clay
Greenberg. A hearing on the order
was slated for Nov. 21.
The order stems from a minority
stockholders suit filed here yesterday
in New York Supreme Court by
Louis Kipnis, attorney representing
three stockholders claiming to own
(Continued on page 3)
2
Motion Picture Daily
Friday, November 14, 1952
Personal
Mention
ALFRED W. SCHWALBERG,
president of Paramount Film
Distributing Corp., will attend the in-
dustry banquet ending the national
Allied convention in Chicago next
W ednesday.
•
-William B. Zoellner, head of
M-G-M short subject and newsreel
sales, will he in Memphis today from
New Orleans, and tomorrow will be
in Dallas for three days.
•
Leon J. Bamberger, RKO Radio
sales promotion manager, will leave
over the weekend for the national Al-
lied convention in Chicago, Nov.
17-19.
•
Jerry Pickman, Paramount vice-
president in charge of advertising,
publicity and exploitation, will return
here from Hollywood on Sunday.
•
Hugh Owen, Paramount' s Eastern
and Southern division manager, has
returned to New York from Char-
lotte.
Says Moral Tone of
Films Is Improved
Washington, Nov. 13. — Holly-
wood motion pictures increased in
"wholesome and moral themes" dur-
ing the past year, the Catholic
Bishops' Committee on Motion Pic-
tures said today.
In a 1951-52 report, Most Rev.
Michael J. Ready, chairman of the
committee, declared that more than
45 per cent of the pictures made in
this country were classified as mor-
ally unobjectionable for general
patronage, and more than 38 per cent
as morally unobjectionable for
adults. "No picture made by the
organized industry was condemned,"
he said, and the single feature out
of a total of 370 which was con-
demned during the year was an inde-
pendent production.
In the field of foreign films, the
report stated, 24 per cent were classi-
fied as morally unobjectionable for
adults ; and more than 17 per cent
were condemned.
The report noted that "offensive-
ness" in both domestic and foreign
films showed a "slow decline from
the peak of 1950 when more than 20
per cent of all pictures were found
to be morally offensive." Slightly
more than 18 per cent of both foreign
and domestic pictures during the
period were classified as morally ob-
jectionable in part for all, the report
noted.
Bishop Manning on Committee
Washington, Nov. 13. — The Most
Reverend Joseph T. McGuckin,
Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles,
has completed his term as a member
of the Bishops' Committee on Motion
Pictures, and is being replaced by the
Most Reverened Timothy Manning,
also an Auxiliary Bishop of Los
Angeles.
High Navy Award
To E. V. Richards
New Orleans, Nov. 13. — On
a visit here Wednesday, Sec-
retary of the Navy Dan A.
Kimball will present the Sec-
retary of the Navy's Dis-
tinguished Service Award to
E. V. Richards, Jr., circuit
operator and regional vice-
president of the Eighth Naval
District region of the Navy
League of the United States.
The citation accompanying
the award will commend
Richards "for his untiring
efforts and unlimited co-oper-
ation with the United States
Navy in the fields of enter-
tainment, education and mo-
rale." As a loyal and active
friend of the Navy, Mr.
Richards has voluntarily and
generously given of his time,
energy and financial resources
for a period of many years."
Need More Spirited
Ads, Says Seadler
Silas F. Seadler, advertising mana-
ger of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, last
night addressed the Associated Mo-
tion Picture Advertisers showman-
ship class at the Hotel Woodstock on
"The Creation and Planning of Ad-
vertising" and recommended a more
spirited and informal approach to ad-
vertising as a means of bringing .at-
tention to newspapers, motion picture
pages. He urged that a similar en-
thusiastic and off-beat approach be
used in trade-paper advertising so that
the exhibitor would be aware far in
advance of the important coming prod-
uct and be in a position to enthusias-
tically sell it to his patrons.
He said, "There is a sort of hush-
hush that one mustn't mention to edi-
tors and publishers that the movie
people spend a lot of money in the
papers. It is supposed to be undigni-
fied. Maybe somebody would think
that we were trying to get space by
insinuating a money angle. I don't
go along with that reasoning.
"It is good business to give to news-
paper readers Hollywood glamour and
news of films and the film world.
Newspaper readers like to read about
the movies. The TV interests
wouldn't be so eager to get 16mm.
films on their screens if they didn't
realize that movies have always been
and will always be the national pas-
time."
Simonelli on Tour
For 'Mississippi'
Initial plans for the Mississippi
River saturation territorial world
premiere of Universal-International's
"Mississippi Gambler" will be set in
motion next week with the visit of
Charles Simonelli, U-I's Eastern ad-
vertising-publicity manager to St.
Louis, Memphis and New Orleans.
Plans are to kick off the picture with
a week of premieres in cities and
towns lining the Mississippi River.
Accompanied by Jerome M. Evans,
George Schutz
Cite Schutz on
Anniversary
A group of theatre equipment manu-
facturers, exhibitors and supply deal-
ers this week paid tribute to George
Schutz for his 25 years of service as
editor of Better
Theatres, Sec-
tion 2 of Motion
Picture Herald.
A "25th Anni-
versary Salute"
to Schutz was
prepared by a
committee of
leaders in the
exhibition and
equipment
fields with Os-
car Neu, foun-
der of TESMA,
as chairman. A
special section
honoring Schutz appears in this week's
Better Theatres.
A resolution of the "George Schutz
Salute" committee said, in part :
"In recognition of his consistent edi-
torial leadership in pioneering in the
interests of better standards of theatre
design, better equipment and better
theatre maintenance," and "in appre-
ciation of his continuous assistance in
the mutual interests of equipment
manufacturers and theatre operators
throughout a quarter of a century, this
citation, in honor of his 25th anniver-
sary as editor of Better Theatres, is
tendered to George Schutz."
Members of the committee were :
Ben Adler, Adler Silhouette Letter
Co. ; C. S. Ashcraft, Ashcraft Mfg.
Co.; Joseph Basson, IATSE and
MPMO; Martin Bennett, RCA;
Frank Cahill, Jr., Warner Bros. The-
atres ; George Carrington, Altec-Lans-
ing Corp. ; Ray Colvin, director of
TEDA ; Larry Davee, Century Pro-
jector Corp. ; John E. Devine, Alex-
ander-Smith, Inc. ; William DeVry,
DeVry Corp. ; John Eberson, archi-
tect ; James Elderkin, Forest-Har-
rison, Inc. ; Albert Floersheimer, Wal-
ter Reade Theatres; J. Robert Hoff,
Ballantyne Co. ; George Hornstein,
Joe Hornstein, Inc. ; Charles Horst-
man, RKO Theatres.
Also, Lester Isaac, Loew's The-
atres ; D. B. Joy, National Carbon
Co. ; Emil Kern, J. E. Robin, Inc. ;
Edward Lachman, New York Variety
Club ; Tom LaVezzi, La Vezzi Ma-
chine Works ; Fred Matthews, Motio-
graph, Inc. ; Arthur Meyer, Interna-
tional Projector Corp.; Boyce Nemec,
manager of SMPTE; Ben Perse,
Capitol Supply ; Harry Peterson,
Kroehler Mfg. Co. ; Harry Rubin,
United Paramount Theatres ; Leonard
Satz, Raytone Screen Corp. ; J. W.
Servies, National Theatre Supply ;
B. F. Shearer, B. F. Shearer Co. ;
Wilbur Snaper, Allied States Associ-
ation; W. C. Stober, Burroughs Add-
ing Machine Co. ; Harry Strong,
Strong Electric Corp. ; Earl J. Vallen,
V alien, Inc. ; and Erwin Wagner,
Wagner Sign Service.
U-I's home office exploitation repre-
sentative, Simonelli has left New
York for a series of conferences with
civic officials, circuit executives and
merchandising representatives in the
three cities.
Fraternity Honors
Charles Moskowitz
Charles C. Moskowitz, vice-presi-
dent and treasurer of Loew's, and
founder and first Supreme Master
of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity,
was honored
last night by
his fellow
alumni at a
testimo-
nial dinner at
the Hotel Pi-
erre, New
York. The
event marked
the beginning
of Moskowitz's
40th year of
service to the
national un-
dergrad-
uate frater-
nity. For outstanding alumnus
achievement, a scroll was presented
to him by the national president,
Sumiver Berenson.
Recently, Moskowitz, an alumnus
of New York University's School of
Commerce, received the annual
"John T. Madden Memorial Award"
for outstanding accomplishments in
business.
Charles Moskowitz
No- Admission House
Filled, Gross Is Up
Columbus, Nov. 13. — Lee J. Hof-
heimer and Albert L: Sugarman,
owners of the Little Theatre, a
neighborhood house, were "definitely
pleased" today with their adoption of
an admission-free policy to protest
that 20 per cent Federal amusement
tax. They declared last night's re-
ceipts from donations dropped into a
fishbowl in the lobby by a full house
audience brought in more than ticket
sales from a normal night.
No amounts were disclosed but
they said the popcorn and candy sales
were up twice as much as usual.
Patrons approved the management's
new policy which avoids payment of
the tax. Prior to last night the ad-
mission was 40 cents for adults and
20 cents for children.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center
"PLYMOUTH ADVENTURE"
Spencer TRACY . Gene TIERNEY
Van JOHNSON . Leo GENN
Color by TECHNICOLOR - An M-G-M Picture
plus GREAT HOLIDAY STAGE SPECTACLE
Opets&ss
Wiide malden Cochran
Midnight Ftatur*
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsave, Consulting 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine
Building, William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street. Urben Farley Advertising Representative. FI 6-3074: Bruce Trinz. Editorial Representative. 11
North Clark Street, FR-2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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; International Motion Picture 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 14, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
FCC Theatre TV
Hearings Delayed
Washington, Nov. 13. — Start
of the major phase of the the-
atre television hearings has
been postponed by the Fed-
eral Communications Com-
mission from Jan. 12 to Jan.
26, it was disclosed today.
FCC officials said the delay
was made necessary by the
fact that witnesses were
having trouble getting hotel
rooms here earlier due to the
flood of visitors coming in for
the Eisenhower inauguration
on Jan. 20.
Merger Is Recommended
{Continued from page 1)
Met's 'Carmen'
{Continued from page 1)
screen theatre television.
This performance, explained Bing
and Halpern, will be given nationally
as a benefit for the Metropolitan
Opera, with such artists as Rise
Stevens, Nadine Conner, Richard
Tucker and Robert Merrill contribut-
ing their services under the baton of
Fritz Reiner in the new production of
"Carmen."
The uncut three-hour performance,
it was explained, will be televised ex-
actly as it will be witnessed in New
York by the audience of the Metro-
politan Opera on the evening of
Dec. 11.
Sign Danny Kaye for
RKO Palace Theatre
Danny Kaye has been signed to
appear with his own all-star inter-
national variety show at the RKO
Palace here, starting Jan. 19, Sol A
Schwartz, president of RKO Thea-
tres, disclosed here yesterday.
Until Danny Kaye's show, the
Palace will continue with its policy of
vaudeville acts and first-run pictures.
Actress Refuses to
Answer 'Red' Query
Washington, Nov. 13.— As ex-
pected, actress Karen Morley refused
to tell the House Un-American Ac-
tivities Committee today whether she
is now or ever has been a member of
the Communist Party.
'Bali' to Set Pattern
The object of the invitational trade
showing and press review of Para-
mount's color in Technicolor "Road
to Bali" tonight at the Bijou Theatre
here is to set a pattern of exploitation
which can be followed by the exhibitor
at little or no expense, the company
states.
780 Reservations
For Allied Conclave
Chicago, Nov. 13.— Reserva-
tions for the national Allied
convention, which opens here
Monday, has reached the 780
mark. Convention chairman
Jack Kirsch predicted that
the meetings will have the
heaviest attendance in Allied
history, stating that despite
"depressed pocketbooks, ex-
hibitors find this meeting of
critical importance."
argument. In granting the merger,
Resnick stressed ABC's inability to
compete with NBC and CBS due to
lack of financial resources, and
asserted that UPT would be able to
strengthen ABC's competitive net-
work position.
Although he developed at length
possible adverse effects which might
evolve from a merger between a
theatre chain and a radio and tele-
vision network, his conclusions
showed clearly that he felt the net
effects of the merger would only be
beneficial.
'Will Promote Competition'
'In our opinion," he said, "the
merger will not only fail substantially
to lessen competition but will pro-
mote competition." Resnick declared
that "the merger may result in some
.essening of some aspects of the com-
petition that exists" between UPT
and ABC as separate companies, but
maintained that any lessening ^would
be "minor, limited and remote." On
the other hand, he said, "the in-
creased competition which the merger
will foster appears certain, substantial
and immediate."
Based on Resnick's decision, the
merged company would have one AM,
and one FM and one television sta-
tion in each of five cities — Los _ An-
geles, San Francisco, Detroit, Chicago
and New York. These are all presently
owned by ABC. In addition, it
would own half of AM and FM sta-
tions in New Orleans, which UPT
now has a 50 per cent interest in.
Resnick's decision also made firm
Balaban and Katz's licensing of
WBKB-TV in Chicago, but under
the terms of the merger agreement
that station is to be sold immediately
to the Columbia Broadcasting Sys-
tem for $6,000,000, since no company
can own two TV stations in the same
city under FCC rules. Resnick's de-
cision also approved the sale to CBS.
In ruling on the fitness of UPT
and Paramount Pictures to be radio
and television licensees, Resnick dis-
cussed their past anti-trust violations,
but declared finally that "we are im-
pressed by the progress that has been
made and we have a reasonable ex-
pectation that the anti-trust activities
which the Paramount people are
abandoning in the unregulated field of
motion picture distribution will not
be imported into the licensed field of
broadcasting." He went on to say
that their officers and directors had
shown during their testimony "that
they understood that broadcast sta-
tions are licensed to operate in the
public interest," and that free com-
petition is a basic principle of the
Communications Act. "They have
committed themselves on the record,"
he continued, "and we shall hold
them to it."
In considering the anti-trust
issue, Resnick's findings dealt
only with the period starting
Aug. 7, 1948. In a ruling issued
early last summer the FCC cut
out from consideration any tes-
timony on anti-trust violations
prior to that date.
Since the three year cut-off ruling
on anti-trust evidence was made
specifically by the Commission to ex-
pedite the progress of the merger
hearing, there is no way of telling
whether the Commission will follow
the -same rule .in other industry cases
it hears. Both Paramount companies
were affected by the cut-off ruling,
and doubtless protection under the
three-year cut-off ruling will be
claimed by attorneys for other indus-
try applicants with anti-trust records
— but whether or not the Commission
will grant this protection can't be
predicted now.
In finding Paramount Pic-
tures a qualified licensee, Res-
nick approved the transfer of
control of Paramount Tele-
vision Productions, Inc., oper-
ator of KTLA-TV in Los An-
geles, from the parent company
to Paramount Pictures Corp.
He also granted applications of
PTI for licenses to cover con-
struction or permits for KTLA
and auxiliary stations.
Resnick's ruling that Paramount
Pictures does not control DuMont
Laboratories knocks out a four year
old FCC proposed decision which
found control. It enables DuMont to
go ahead and apply for two additional
television stations besides the three
which it now operates. Until now
DuMont's three have been lumped in
FCC eyes together with KTLA and
Balaban and Katz's WBKB. FCC
rules prohibit any one licensee from
owning more than five television sta-
tions.
The control finding also has
the effect of permitting Para-
mount Pictures to apply for
four more television stations,
since it now will be charged
only with KTLA under the five
station rule.
Resnick found that "both on paper
and in fact Dr. DuMont, as president,
directs the activities of the company."
He admitted that Paramount does
have veto power over some corporate
actions, but concluded after examin-
ing the possibilities under which the
veto power could be used, that it was
actually "of little practical signifi-
cance in so far as control of the
five-station rule are concerned."
Recommendations on
UPT -ABC Merger
Washington, Nov. 13.— Here, in
capsule form, is what Federal Com-
munications Commission hearing
examiner Leo Resnick recommended
granting today:
The United Paramount Theatres-
American Broadcasting Co. merger,
which assigns to the merged com-
pany five AM stations, five FM sta-
tions and five television stations;
The applications of Paramount
Pictures Inc., and Paramount Pic-
tures Corp., for transfer of control
of Paramount Television Produc-
tions, Inc., and Balaban and Katz
Corp.;
Paramount Television Produc-
tions, Inc.'s, applications for KTLA-
TV in Los Angeles and auxiliary
stations ;
A finding that Paramount Pic-
tures does not control Allen B. Du-
Mont Laboratories, opening the way
for each to obtain additional tele-
vision stations.
The applications of Allen B. Du-
Mont network for the three tele-
vision stations it currently oper-
ates ;
The renewal of the license of
WSMB and WSMB-FM, New Or-
leans, and its transfer to the
merged company.
Sees RKO Receiver
(Continued from page 1)
ABC Official Sees Quick
Approval by the FCC
A spokesman for the American
Broadcasting Co. said here yesterday
that the company was pleased over
the opinion of the FCC's hearing ex-
aminer that ABC and United Para-
mount Theatres were qualified to
merge.
"Under the circumstances," he said,
"the fact that his findings are in
favor of the merger and he has rec-
ommended approval of the merger to
the FCC greatly fortifies our belief
that the FCC will make final dispo-
sition in the public interest as speedily
as possible. And under the merger,
it will permit us to put into effect
plans for both radio and television
broadcasting which will enable us to
serve the public better."
Johnston Back
(Continued from page 1)
no action in the parleys. James Mul-
vey, Eastern representative of
SIMPP, said here yesterday that the
society would await details before
deciding whether it would send a
representative overseas to negotiate
for the independents.
2,500 shares. It names Howard
Hughes, who sold his Controlling in-
terest in the company to the Ralph
Stolkin group and a former director
of the company, as defendant, charg-
ing him with "gross mismanagement"
and resultant losses "of many millions
of dollars."
In addition, the complaint also seeks
to recover for RKO the $3,000,000,
which the suit said that Hughes made
on the sale of his stock, charging that
the profit was derived from the al-
leged sale of the officerships and di-
rectorships in RKO.
Receivership was sought, according
to minority stockholders' counsel Kip-
nis, "in order to preserve and protect
the business and assets of the RKO
enterprise, "I desire to add," Kipnis
stated, "that the immediate solvency
of the companies is in no way in-
volved." The affidavit went on to say
that the only reason for naming the
Chase National Bank of the City of
New York as a party was that it is
RKO's stock transfer agent.
Fie cited the following allegations
in support of his request for the ap-
pointment of a receiver : the company
is losing money at the rate of $100,000
per week ; the board of directors is of
doubtful legal power ; experienced per-
sonnel are being lost; the studios are
at a standstill while the company has
an "unreleased inventory" of $35,000,-
000; anti-trust litigation endangers its
corporate life ; and it has "saddled
upon it" unfair contract commitments
by Hughes.
The complaint also referred to the
unfavorable articles on the Stolkin
group in the Wall Street Journal and
cited the unaudited net loss of $3,712,-
843 for the company for the first six
months of 1952.
The minority stockholders are iden-
tified as Eli B. Castleman and his
wife, Marion V. Castleman of Detroit,
Mich., and Louis Feuerman of this
city. RKO Radio Pictures officials
were unavailable for comment.
THE FABLE OF THE
FICKLE FELLOW-
Once upon a time there was a guy, even as you and 1,
who went overboard for a chick called "MILLION
THEN ONE DAY IT HAPPENED!
He met a shapely number called "THE
BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL." This
kid had fire and passion. When he
heard the STORY OF HER LIFE he
swore this was the ONLY GIRL!
"THE BAD AND
THE BEAUTIFUL"
had him in a
whirl — and you
couldn't blame him!
WHAT DID HE DO?
How does the Fable of
the Fickle Fellow end?
(The
facts
Gloria n~ 7 ^arrv a f,
^own . Carroll . rfo/and
houseman
THERE IS NO ENDING BECAUSE
THERE'S NO END TO THE
FLOW OF M-G-M HITS!
MOP A I • \\7tVK
TU.r^TU flickers kqu^c bomd £Q Uf* firkin
6
Motion Picture Daily
Friday, November 14, 1952 j
20th-Fox
{Continued from page 1)
ning from January to September 1953.
Thirteen of these pictures will be
filmed in color by Technicolor, he
added. .
The release line-up, he pointed out,
will be topped by Darryl F. Zanucks
personal production of "The Kobe,
Biblical drama to begin shooting m
January for release in September.
Lichtman announced the following-
product line-up : . , . „
January: "My Cousin Kacne ,
starring Olivia de Havilland and Rich-
ard Burton, produced by Nunnally
Johnson, directed by Henry Koster ;
"Ruby Gentry," Bernhard-Vidor pro-
duction starring Jennifer Jones, Charl-
ton Hest-on and Karl Maiden, pro-
duced by Joseph Bernhard and King
Vidor and directed by King Vidor ;
"The I Don't Care Girl," in color by
Technicolor, starring Mitzi Gaynor,
David Wayne and Oscar Levant, pro-
duced by George Jessel and directed
by Lloyd Bacon. .
February : "Taxi," starring Dan
Dailey and Constance Smith, produced
by Samuel G. Engel and directed by
Gregory Ratoff ; "Niagara," Techni-
color, starring Marilyn Monroe, Jos-
eph Cotten and Jean Peters, produced
by Charles Brackett and directed by
Henry Hathaway; "The Farmer
Takes a Wife," Technicolor, starring
Betty Grable, Dale Robertson, Thelma
Ritter and John Carroll, produced by
Frank P. Rosenberg and directed by
Henry Levin.
March: "Treasure of the Golden
Condor" Technicolor, starring Cornel
Wilde and Constance Smith, produced
by Jules Buck and directed by Delmar
Daves; "The Silver Whip," starring
Rory Calhoun and Dale Robertson,
produced by Robert Bassler and di-
rected by Harmon Jones.
April: "Tonight We Sing, lech-
nicolor, starring David Wayne, Ezio
Pinza, Roberta Peters, Tamara Tou-
manova, Anne Bancroft, Isaac Stern,
Byron Palmer; "The Presidents
Lady," starring Susan Hayward and
Charlton Heston, produced by Sol C.
Siegel and directed by Henry Levin;
"Destination Gobi," Technicolor, star-
rin°- Richard Widmark, Don Taylor
and Murvyn Vye, produced by Stanley
Rubin and directed by Robert Wise;
"The Desert Rats," starring Richard
Burton, Robert Newton, and James
Mason, produced by Robert L. Jacks
and directed by Samuel Fuller
May : "The Girl Next Door, Tech-
nicolor, starring June Haver, Dan
Dailey and Dennis Dav. produced by
Robert Bassler and directed by Rich-
ard Sale ; "Man on a Tightrope," star-
ring Frederic March, Terry Moore
and Gloria Grahame, produced by
Robert L. Jacks and directed by Eha
June: "Call Me Madam," Techni-
color, starring Ethel Merman, Donald
O'Connor, George Sanders and Vera-
Ellen, produced by Sol C. Siegel and
directed by Walter Lang; "Down
Among the Sheltering Palms," Tech-
nicolor, starring William Lundigan,
Jane Greer, Mitzi Gaynor, David
Wayne, Gloria De Haven, produced
Grant and Picker Resign
{Continued from page 1)
Get Your Special XMAS
^Trailers On GREEN FILM
Z From Good Old Dependable
i From wooa »»■«■ —
FILMACK
Youngman and Silbert of Hollywood,
also resigned yesterday as legal coun-
sel to the company, effective immedi-
ately. The firm had been retained by
the new stockholder group at a fee
of $75,000 annually. Grant also had
acted as attorney for the Stolkin
group in its negotiations for purchase
of the Howard Hughes stock in RKO
Pictures, consummated in late Sep-
tember. Reportedly, Gordon Young-
man, a partner in the law firm, also
resigned from the RKO Pictures
board yesterday.
Stolkin, A. L. Koolish and William
Gorman, the latter a representative of
Ray Ryan, one of the members of the
Stolkin syndicate, resigned from the
board, and Stolkin from the presi-
dency of RKO Pictures, on Oct. 22
following the publication of articles
in the Wall Street Journal revealing
unfavorable business backgrounds and
associations of the three syndicate
members.
Gives His Reason
Grant gave as the reason for his
resignation his inability to fill the
board vacancies and proceed with the
reorganization and reactivation of the
company. He said he was opposed in
his efforts to have new board mem-
bers elected by Corwin and Edward J.
Burke, the latter also a member of
the Stolkin syndicate, and both of
whom are members of the board.
The reluctance of Burke and
Corwin to proceed with elec-
tion of new directors was at-
tributed to the continuing nego-
tiations in Chicago for the sale
by the Stolkin group of its 29
per cent stock interest in RKO
Pictures to new owners. They
took the position that in the
event the company was sold, it
would most likely be necessary
to reconstitute the board again
and, therefore, they preferred
to wait upon the outcome of
the negotiations.
Grant said he believed the situation
to be urgent and proposed the elec-
tion to the board yesterday of Robert
You Can Always Count On Us
For Top Quality and Fast Service
by Fred Kohlmar and directed by Ed-
mund Goulding ; "Nearer My God to
Thee," starring Clifton Webb, Bar-
bara Stanwyck, Thelma Ritter and
Richard Basehart, produced by Charles
Brackett and directed by Jean Negu-
lesco.
July : "White Witch Doctor,"
Technicolor, starring uSsan Hayward
and Robert Mitchum, produced by
Otto Lang and directed by Henry
Hathaway; "Powder River," Techni-
color, starring Rory Calhoun, Corinne
Calvet and Cameron Mitchell, pro-
duced by Andre Hakim and directed
by Louis King ; C. S. Forester's
"Sailor of the King," starring Jeffrey
Hunter, Cameron Mitchell, and Mich-
ael Rennie.
August: "Gentlemen Prefer
Blondes," Technicolor, starring Mari-
lyn Monroe and Jane Russell, pro-
duced by Sol C. Siegel and directed
by Howard Hawks ; "Pickup on South
Street," starring Richard Widmark,
Jean Peters and Thelma Ritter, pro-
duced by Jules Schermer and directed
by Samuel Fuller ; "Baptism of Fire,"
starring Victor Mature, produced by
William Bloom and directed by Rob-
ert D. Webb.
September will be capped by the
first engagements of "The Robe," on a
pre-release basis.
Butler of St. Paul and Lawrence
Cowen of New York, in the absence
of nominations by Burke and Corwin.
Grant said he was unable to obtain
seconds for his nominations and, feel-
ing his "hands were manacled" and
that his continuance as "an officer, di-
rector or employee of the company
would be a false assurance to stock-
holders, employes and others that the
affairs of the corporation are moving
forward with reasonable satisfaction,"
he could not remain in "such a mis-
leading and futile position."
Remaining as directors apart from
those elected yesterday are : Burke,
Corwin and W. H. Clark, RKO Pic-
tures treasurer.
May Ask Depinet
There was some speculation that if
a sale of the Stolkin syndicate's stock
is not consummated within the next
day or two Depinet might be asked to
resume the helm, if only for an in-
terim period. Depinet declined to
comment on the report yesterday.
Grant's resignation was effective as
of yesterday and his statement issued
to the press made it clear that he had
also cancelled his employment con-
tract providing for a salary of $2,000
per week. Picker's resignation also
was effective immediately. He will
remain with United Artists as a vice-
president in charge of foreign distribu-
tion and a stockholder in the com-
pany. The U. A. board is scheduled
to meet within the next few days to
reinstate him, having released him at
his own request only six weeks ago
to accept the RKO Pictures executive
vice-presidency. Since then Picker has
been dividing his time between RKO
Pictures and U. A., not having been
scheduled to go to RKO1 on a full
time basis until next Monday.
No News from Chicago
Meanwhile, there was no official in-
dication from Chicago that a sale of
the Stolkin group's RKO Pictures
stock had been concluded. Negotia-
tions were said to be continuing there
with Matthew J. Fox, head of Films
for Television, a partner in U. A. and
a former vice-president and director
of Universal, and also with a syndi-
cate represented by Col. Henry Crown
of the Hilton Hotel interests. Conver-
sations also have been held by the
Stolkin syndicate with other individ-
uals and groups concerning a possible
sale of the stock.
Grant's statement to the press traced
the start of the present situation to
the publication by the Wall Street
Journal of the stories concerning the
business backgrounds of Stolkin,
Koolish and Ryan, which led to their
resignations from RKO.
Grant's statement said : "It was ob-
vious that the unfavorable publicity
which had been attached to Messrs.
Stolkin, Koolish and Gorman (the
latter only as representative of Mr.
Ryan) resulted in these three men be-
ing a detriment, rather than a posi-
tive contributing factor, to the future
welfare of RKO. Accordingly, I de-
manded and received their resignations
as officers and directors of RKO and
its subsidiaries."
Grant related that since those resig-
nations, on Oct. 22, he had made
"every effort" to obtain well qualified
men for the directorate and on Nov. 6
was prepared to nominate such men.
He said that Burke then informed him
that negotiations for the sale of the
syndicate's stock holdings were in
progress and that he, Burke, also was
Weitman to Head
'Palsy' Telethon
Robert M. Weitman, vice-presi-
dent of United Paramount Theatres,
yesterday was named to head the
talent committee of the "Celebrity
Parade for
Cerebral
Palsy" tele-
thon. The I81/2-
hour TV show,
originat-
ing over WJZ-
T V (Channel!
7) will be con-
tinuous from 8i
P.M. Dec. 6 toi
2:30 P.M. the
next day.
Weitman
said he was
confident that '
all branches of i
show business would cooperate as 4
willingly this year as they did for j
the same cause last year. It is ex-
pected that talent which would or- j
dinarily cost at least $1,250,000 will
volunteer their services to make
this the "most outstanding star-
studded entertainment event ever
presented," Weitman said.
Robert Weitman
searching for independent directors,
and requested a postponement to last:
Tuesday.
Grant said he acquiesced to the brief
delay and when no action was taken
at the Tuesday meeting he agreed to
a postponement until yesterday with,
the understanding that action would
have to be taken then. When Burke
and Corwin yesterday again said they
had no nominees, Grant said, he pro--
posed Butler and Cowen. The for-
mer is a member of the board of the
American National Bank, president
of Walter Butler Co., construction
engineers, and a former Ambassador
Extraordinary to Cuba. Cowen is
president of the Lionel Corp., toy train
manufacturer.
Grant's statement, which he is mail-
ing to RKO pictures stockholders,
continued :
"The action of the Board taken to-
day manacles my hands. It is evi-
dently impossible to reconstitute the
Board at this time with persons of
sufficient calibre to meet the corpora-
tion's problems. This in turn makes
it impossible to have within the cor-
porate structure the atmosphere of
strength and integrity which is so
necessary to attract and hold employ-
ees of outstanding calibre ; to interest
the investing community in acquiring
the stock and participating in the fu-
ture of your corporation ; to j ustify
banks in extending or enlarging credit
to the corporation, and to obtain and
maintain the faith and friendship of'
the industry in which we work, the,
theatres that buy our products, and
the competitors with whom we are.:
interdependent for friendly business
intercourse.
"It is my hope that this report of
the facts of the matter, which I am
sending to stockholders at my own
expense, and the action which I have
taken, may lead to an early solution
of the corporation's problems and
break the current impasse. I do not
doubt that there are a number of men
of outstanding abilitv and integrity,
capable of leading the corporation out
of its troubles, who would consider it
a privilege to undertake the challenge
and opportunity if invited to do so by
a soundly constituted, full and inde-
pendent board of directors," Grant
concluded.
/ y
r
4#
Check lUt
of recent or forthcoming
releases featured in advertising in
MOTION PICTURE DAILY
(alphabetically by title)
Title
— ' — w #
ANDROCLES AND THE LION RKjff £'
w &
.if #'
Dist
uior
CATTLE TOWN
HANGMAN'S KNOT (2 Pages)
IT CROWS ON TREES
IVANHOE (23 Pages)
MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID (
Y#ar*ier
,i!L
. ..Universal':
W M! -4?"
^ .A
3 pasMi ■#&a'f
MIRACLE OF F ATI MA (4 Pages) -f 0^ ^ "
MONTANA BELLE
OPERATION SECRET (3 Pages)
PLYMOUTH ADVENTURE
arner
RKO
. . Warner?,;
2 Pag#F. MGM' j|5
f ##
ROAD TO BALI (2 Pages) * JfraJjjrount
SPRINGFIELD RIFLE (2 Pages) Winer
THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL i#. j|MGM
THE BLAZING FOREST
THE HAPPY TIME (3 Pages)
THE MERRY WIDOW (3 Pages)
THE PRISONER OF ZENDA $
THE SNOWS OF KILIMANJAR^ (# Pages
Allied Artists
Columbia
MGM
MGM
20th-Fox
THE STEEL TRAP (2 Pages) $. . *jf 20th-Fox
THE IRON MISTRESS. . .if?
THE THIEF
THE THIEF OF VENI
THE TURNING PO
0'
iC ...
THUNDER IN TH
wm- ■ ■ ■
Warner
United Artists
fPages) 20th -Fox
..... Paramount
Paramount
H£ The Vital Spark
that ignites the
^1|t^ interest of exhibitors for specific pic-
tures, so that it can flame into that
enthusiasm which inspires real showmanship,
is a soundly planned program of trade adver-
tising. Without that, no exhibitor can be
blamed for lacking in excitement over pictures
which are offered to him virtually "cold".
It is obvious that the extent of a distributor's
confidence in product he has available is gen-
erally indicated by either the telling— or lack
of telling about it — in trade paper messages.
There never was a greater need for good
product. There never was a greater interest
among exhibitors to know about the product
they should plan to obtain and exploit. There
never was a keener readership of trade paper
messages.
Requisites for successful motion picture
trade paper advertising of good product are:
(1) Start it soon enough; (2) Make it effec-
tively proclaim the box-office values of the
picture; (3) Publish a sufficient continuity of
sales messages to impress and remind.
Soundly planned trade advertising is the
basic telling that leads to successful selling.
Its cost is dimes that bring dollars. It is the
vital spark for the power that produces great-
est results!
$ Pictures featured in M. P. Daily
advertising during past 6 weeks.
Motion Picture Daily
Friday, November 14, 1952
Mo tion Pictu re Da ilyFeatu re Revie ws
6 4
The Thief of Venice
(Robert Haggiag — 20tli Century-Fox)
VENICE, with its many famous landmarks, is the locale of this well-made
independent production that is an actionful costume drama containing
the necessary elements for a healthy box-office. The late Maria Montez is
the sole star name in the cast and she turned in a zestful performance as the
tempestuous, peasant girl in love with handsome Paul Christian, the leader
of an underground movement to thwart the cunning, power-mad "Great
Inquisitor," Massimo Serato.
The screenplay by Jesse L. Lasky, Jr. is of a familiar variety but John
Brahm's cognizant "direction has neatly emphasized the swordplay, and the
intrigue. Serato poisons the head of the government and has admiral Camillo
Pilotto killed in an ambush, thus destroying his main opposition, but Christian,
the admiral's main assistant, escapes. Christian falls into the hands of slaves
and becomes their leader against Serato.
Serato plans to marry Pilotto's daughter, Faye Marlowe, to gain prestige.
When Miss Montez is captured by Serato's men and tortured she refuses
to talk and to obtain her release, Christian kidnaps Miss Marlowe. He falls
in love with her rather than Miss Montez and foils the nuptial ceremony by
leading a revolt. This is successful through the bribing of Serato's guards'
commander, Aldo Silvani. Christian kills Serato in a duel and chooses Miss
Marlowe at the fadeout.
Robert Haggiag produced and made excellent use of the impressive Italian
scenery as well as cleverly combining long shots of the principals in action
with a minimum of dialogue. The result is an attractive, exciting film that
maintains pace and interest throughout, that lends itself to solid exploitation.
20th-Fox has indicated it intends to use a heavy advertising campaign and the
combination of Venice, lots of colorful swordplay, and Miss Montez should
prove alluring to ticket buyers.
A largely Italian cast, headed by Silvani who provides some fine comic
relief, includes Louis Saltamerenda, Guido Celano, Mario Tosi, Paul Stoppa
and Leon Renoir.
Running time, 91 minutes. General audience classification. For January
release Walter Pashkin
"Blue Canadian Rockies"
(Columbia Pictures)
GENE Autry stars in this Western entry that is routine except for the
inclusion of more songs than usual. Some of these are refreshingly
rendered by a yodel-type" singer, Carolina Cotton, who also effectively en-
gages in some comedy antics with Pat Buttram, a standard performer m
Autry films. v.
The story has Autry assigned by wealthy ranch o'wner Don Beddoe to
break up an impending marriage of Beddoe's dude-ranch owning daughter,
Gail Davis, to fortune hunter Ross Ford. There are fights with the adjacent
lumber camp men who are angry over the loss of work because Miss Davis
has built a game preserve and kept her trees intact.
Miss Davis' rule of not allowing her men to carry guns finds Autry and
Buttram in situations where they can only retreat. After a mysterious shoot-
ing and the subsequent murder of a Canadian Mountie, Autry establishes
that the real culprit is not Ford, but an aging caretaker, Tom London, a bit-
ter, one-time partner of Beddoe's, who desired revenge after being bought out.
Performances, production and direction are adequate. The Autry name is
a definite box-office attraction.
Armand Schaefer produced, George Archainbaud directed, and Gerald
Geraghty wrote the tale.
Others in the cast are Mauritz Hugo, Gene Roth, John Merton, David
Garcia, Bob Woodward and the Cass County Boys.
Running time, 58 minutes. General audience classification. November
release. W, P.
(i
South Pacific Trail
(Republic Pictures)
REX Allen and Estelita are the main performers of this ordinary Western
that haphazardly mixes outdoor action with songs and melodrama. There
is enough of the usual fisticuffs, skullduggery, shooting and hard riding to
please the Western fan and additional trappings may prove attractive to
others.
The screenplay by Arthur Orloff concerns the efforts of fortune-hunting
Douglas Evans to marry Estelita, who is the granddaughter of wealthy
rancher Nestor Paiva. Paiva's ranch foreman, Roy Barcroft, and outlaws
hijack an entire train for the gold it carries. Paiva, a scheduled passenger
on the train, is reported missing but actually stopped off to see Allen and his
friends.
Meanwhile, Evans has joined forces with Barcroft and both try to stop
Allen's investigation of the train's disappearance. Eventually, Allen convinces
Estelita of Evans' true nature and in a showdown battle in a dynamite-laden
mine shaft, Evans and Barcroft are killed. The rest of the gang is imprisoned,
the gold is salvaged and Allen is happily employed by Paiva.
The Rhythm Riders join in vocal renditions, songs heard are: "I'll Sing
A Love Song," "The Railroad Corral" and "Hide Away Your Troubles."
Slim Pickens, Allen's pal, provides some comic touches. The cast also in-
cludes Joe McGuinn and Forrest Taylor. Edward J. White was associate
producer and William Witney directed.
Running time, 60 minutes. General audience classification.
Pony Soldier
(20th Century-Fox)
A LUSTY outdoor action drama in color by Technicolor has been fashioned
by producer Samuel G. Engel. Starring Tyrone Power, the film should
find its most receptive audience among those who like their film fare packed
with fisticuffs, Indian raids and hand-to-hand battles unto death, all done
within formula lines.
Featured in "Pony Soldier" are the activities of the Canadian Royal
Mounted Police. Tyrone Power is given the task of tracking down the erring
Canadian Cree tribe. The Crees had gone over the border to hunt buffalo m
Montana and to war against their tribal enemies, the Blackfeet and Sioux.
In a rousing battle with U.S. troops, the Canadian Crees are driven back.
On their way home, they capture two white hostages, a young girl, Penny
Edwards, and a ranch-hand.
Humor is supplied by Thomas Gomez, who plays a half-breed Indian aidl
ing the Canadian "mounties". Among the most vivid scenes are those in the]
Cree camp, where the camera takes in the colorful tribal customs of the
people. Tyrone Power, after many set-backs and following numerous haira
raising fights, finally convinces the Crees to return to their reservation anJ
free the hostages.
Joseph M. Newman directed. John C. Higgins wrote the screenplay which
was based on a Saturday Evening Post story by Garnett Weston. Others
in the cast include Cameron Mitchell, Robert Horton, Anthony Earl Numkena
and Adeline De Walt Reynolds.
Running time, 82 minutes. General audience classification. November
release. Murray Horowitz
"Angel Street"
(Commercial Pictures)
THIS English version of the Patrick Hamilton play of the same name is an
adroit, suspenseful drama that is skillfully performed by a cast headed
by Anton Walbrook, Diana Wynyard and Robert Newton" The America^
version, under the title, "Gaslight," was released in 1944 and was a success!
The stars and the theme can well be exploited.
Set in the hansom-cab and gaslight days in England, almost all of the
action takes place outside and inside two small houses. There is plenty of
shadowy atmosphere and director Thorold Dickinson has utilized the usual
pulse-beating devices while maintaining pace and interest.
The screenplay by A. R. Rawlinson and Bridget Boland has emphasized'
the psychological .tricks played by Walbrook in an attempt to drive his]
wealthy wife, Miss- Wynyard, insane. Frank Pettingell, a retired police
inspector, remembers Walbrook as a young fellow who disappeared from thi
neighborhood 20 years previous when an old lady who possessed some!
famous rubies was murdered. The house Walbrook moves into is the saml
jn which the old lady was' -murdered ; her rubies were not recovered.
Newton appears but briefly as Miss Wynyard's brother who eventually
comes to town to see her and helps Pettingell gather evidence on Walbrook.
The. latter is trapped and taken by the police at the fade-out, after Misi
Wynyard accidentally uncovers the missing rubies.
Cathleen Cordell is properly saucy as the arrogant maid who catches Wal-
brook's eye. The cast includes Jimmy Hanley, Minnie Rayner, Marie Wright
and Mary Hin.ton. The Darmora Ballet perforins in a brief but arresting-
music hall -.sequence. John Corfield produced and there is an appropriate
musical score by Richard Addinsell.
Running time, 80 minutes. General audience classification. November
release. W. P.j
"Outpost in Malaya"
(/. Arthur Rank — United Artists)
BANDIT-RIDDLED present day Malaya is the background of this sus-
penseful drama that stars Claudette Colbert and Jack Hawkins as an
indomitable couple who run a rubber plantation. The plantation backgrounds,
natives, and an Indian musical background make for impressive authenticity.
Ken Annakin's direction has emphasized the mounting anguish of the people
awaiting an attack. It opens at a rather slow pace. However, there are
several exciting scenes such as a guerrilla being tracked down by the entire
plantation staff, and a close-up battle between a cobra and a mongoose, as
well as a thrill-packed finale when the bandits and Hawkins' men are engaged
in hand-to-hand combat.
There is a romantic problem as Miss Colbert thinks Hawkins' intensive
preparations are a threat to their marriage, for he has time for little else
and desires her to go to England with their son, Peter Asher. Before she
can leave, the bandits attack and in -the gruelling pitched battle that ensues,
she and Hawkins realize their love is greater than their fears. The bandits
are beaten off and their marriage is on more solid ground than ever.
Miss Colbert and Hawkins turn in solid performances and are adequately
supported by a British-native cast. Notable are. Anthony Steel, Ram Gopal,
Maria Baillie, Jeremy Spenser, Tom Macauley, and Victor Maddern. John
Stafford produced. The original story and screenplay were written by Peter
Proud and Guy Elmes.
This is a well-played drama set against a. background that is prominent in
the current news. The timeliness and the action are exploitation angles and the
Colbert name has marquee power.
Running- time, 88 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Nov. 21. W. P.
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
VOL. 72. NO. 95
NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1952
TEN CENTS
Tradewise .
By SHERWIN KANE
FROM the start of the industry's
campaign for repeal of the 20
per cent Federal admissions tax it
has been evident that Congressmen
are most readily interested, and
more disposed to help, whenever
they have been confronted with
actual dollars and cents proof that
the tax is injurious to theatre busi-
ness.
Especially has this been true
whenever such evidence has been
presented by groups of small exhib-
itors in meetings with their Con-
gressmen. Almost invariably, in
such instances, pledges by the legis-
lators to vote for repeal of the tax
are quickly forthcoming. More
over, such dollars and cents evi
clence of the crippling effects of the
tax on the exhibitor's business is
certain to play an important part in
the industry's arguments before the
House Ways and Means committee
when hearings are held on repeal
of the tax.
The fight for repeal may be won
or lost on the basis of the response
to the request of the National Tax
Repeal Campaign Committee for
this information. Any exhibitor
(Continued on page 2)
Opposition in Allied
Board to Arbitration
Einfeld Promotional
Program Evolved
On New 20th Films
Forty cents per seat
guarantee against 50 per
cent of the net box-office
receipts is the price
sought by TNT in its sale
to TV -equipped theatres
of the Metropolitan Opera
telecast of "Carmen" on
Dec. 11. TNT head Nathan
Halpern would not comment
on the formula, which was
learned from other quar-
ters here at the weekend.
Charles Einfeld, 20th Century-Fox
vice-president, developed a program
for future company product which
emphasizes increased regional and
point - of - play-
date charting
of advertising,
publicity a n d
exploitation at
the final ses-
sions of t h e
division man-
agers' meetings
here last week.
Einfeld un-
derscored di-
rector of dis-
tribution Al
L i-cfa t m an's
e a r 1 i e r an-
nouncement of
in the future of
110 Permits in
French Pact
Charles Einfeld
he company's "faith
(Continued on page 3)
Major RKO Changes
Await Stolkin Deal
The newly constituted RKO Radio
Pictures board of directors met here
on Friday with Sherrill Corwin as
acting chairman, but no major de-
cisions were made pending the out-
come of negotiations in Chicago for
the sale of stock owned by the Ralph
Stolkin group.
The previously reported resignation
of Gordon Youngman as a member
of the board was officially confirmed.
Youngman was a partner in the law
(Continued on page 3)
Convention May Be Asked to Decide Issue;
Cole's Proposal and Renewal with COMPO
Favored; An 'Anything Can Happen' Meet
By SHERWIN KANE
Chicago, Nov. 16. — The future role of Allied States in industry
efforts to complete an arbitration plan was still uncertain here today
as the Allied board of directors neared the end of two days of meet-
ings in the Morrison Hotel.
Reports were that the board was about evenly divided on Allied's
continued participation in the arbitration endeavor and that should
a deadlock be reached the! matter
could be referred by the board to
the general convention which opens
here tomorrow morning.
Should such a development occur,
it is freely predicted here that "any-
thing could happen." A large segment
of the delegates already on hand are
in a mood for spirited complaint and
rebellious proposals. At the root of it
are their charges that film terms con-
tinue to increase in severity on every
good picture while theatre attendance
evidences no sustained improvement.
Unofficially, it was reported
that considerable sentiment
within the board favored non-
participation by Allied without
new provisions being added to
the proposed arbitration draft
which would meet more fully
the current widespread trade
practice complaints of Allied
officers and members.
On the other hand, there is reported
to be strong sentiment also for pro-
posing minor changes in the draft and
(Continued on page 3)
A new one-year agreement, retro-
active to July 1, has been concluded
between the Motion Picture Export
Association and the French govern-
ment, and the number of import per-
mits to be issued to U. S. companies
remain at 110, the same as last year.
Eric Johnston, MPEA president, and
Joyce O'Hara, vice-president, re-
turned here from Paris negotiations
Friday and met immediately with the
association's executive board.
Member companies of the Society
of Independent Motion Picture Pro-
ducers will be allowed 11 permits,
also the same number as were per-
mitted for the year ended July 1.
While details on the matter of^ re-
mittances were not disclosed publicly,
it is understood that the pact does
(Continued on page 3)
Texas 'Star Tours'
Will Start Today
Dallas, Nov. 16. — Phil Isley, chair-
man of the 1952 "Movietime in Texas"
star tours, reports that 10 Hollywood
personalities are scheduled to visit
more than 40 cities in Texas, starting
tomorrow.
pHI Thp mpptins is snnn- The tours- which are sP°nsored hV
ine meeting is spon- , the Texas Councii of Motion Picture
sored by the Philadelphia organizations (COMPO) will in-
Theatre Association. (Continued on page 2)
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 16.
— On Tuesday there will be
a mass meeting of Phila-
delphia exhibitors to
formulate plans to aid in
the passage of an ordi-
nance providing that the
existing 10 per cent local
amusement tax be rescind-
Trade Press Cited
For Rogers Fund Aid
The trade
weekend by
press was cited at the
A. Montague, president
of the Will Rogers Memorial Hos-
pital, for contributions of display ad-
vertising space to aid the hospital in
conducting its annual "Christmas
Salute." Montague . also noted the
contributions by Universal, Columbia
and 20th Century-Fox of the art work
and production of the campaign.
Said Montague : "This is an indus-
try service that reaches out to all
mankind and bears with it the reward
of satisfaction in doing something-
well worthwhile for every employee
(Continued on page 3)
Allied, Tesma-Teda
Programs on Page 7
Complete programs of the
conventions of Allied States
Association and the Theatre
Equipment & Supply Manu-
facturers Association and
Theatre Equipment Dealers
Association, being held at the
Hotel Morrison in Chicago,
appear on page seven. Back-
ground on the two latter or-
ganizations appears on the
same uage, in the "Equipment
World" column. Floor plans
of booths at the TESMA
Trade Show being held in con-
junction with the conventions
appear on page six.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, November 17, 1952
'And the Rains Came' with a Flood of
Commendations for Film on Drought
Dallas, Nov. 16. — "And the rains came," stated executive director
of Texas COMPO, Kyle Rorex, speaking about the short feature
"Prayer for Rain" which was run a week in most Texas theatres
with such commendable response from civic, state, county and city
officials, members of the Ministerial Alliance, and hundreds of
appreciative Texans. He said "the great response in telegrams,
letters, and personal testimonials to theatre managers has been
greater than for any other COMPO activity."
Ed Rowley, president of Rowley United Theatres, stated at a
Texas COMPO executive board meeting that "our theatres have
frequently served the church, school, Red Cross and Community
Chest for their many worthy causes, and it is only natural for our
screens to be available for any condition such as the drought which
so vitally affects the community and the entire state."
Personal
Mention
ROY O. DISNEY, president of
Walt Disney Productions, and
Card Walker, advertising and exploi-
tation director, arrived here from
Hollywood over the weekend. They
will remain here approximately two
weeks.
•
Rosemary White, a member of
Paramount International's publicity
staff here for several years, left the
company Friday and will be married
next Saturday. She will reside in
Bermuda.
•
Edward L. Hyman, United Para-
mount Theatres vice-president, and his
assistant, Bernard Levy, are in Chi-
cago today, and will go to Minneapolis
and Des Moines from there.
•
B. G. Kranze, United Artists sales
executive, will represent the company
at the national Allied convention in
Chicago beginning tomorrow.
•
James R. Grainger, Republic ex-
ecutive vice-president in charge of
sales and distribution, will return
here today from Boston.
•
William R. Ferguson, former M-
G-M. exploitation head, has left here
for four months of car touring of
Europe.
•
John' Murphy, in charge of out-
of-town theatres for Loew's, is in Buf-
falo from New York.
•
Jack Kelly, M-G-M short subject
representative, is visiting the San
Francisco branch from New York.
Ampa Lists Hearst
Luncheon Notables
The Associated Motion Picture Ad-
vertisers reports that acceptances have
already been received from several in-
dustry executives and Hearst news-
paper notables to sit with William
Randolph Hearst, Jr., on the dais at
the luncheon saluting the Hearst or-
ganization on Thursday at the Hotel
Piccadilly, New York.
Among those who have accepted are
Mort Blumenstock, Charles Einfeld,
Paul Lazarus, Jr., Jerome Pickman,
Robert Weitman, and Max E. Young-
stein. Hearst officials slated to be
present are George Hearst, vice-presi-
dent ; John Hearst, assistant general
manager ; J. D. Gortatowsky, general
manager, and Martin I luberth, board
chairman.
Doris Schwartz Rites
Mrs. Doris Schwartz, 87, mother
of George Schwartz, operator of the
World and Little Carnegie theatres
here, died on Friday after a brief
illness at Beth Israel Hospital.
Funeral services were held Friday.
Schulman with Lakeside
Bernard Schulman, formerly with
Sterling Films, has joined the Lake-
side Television Co., Inc. here as ex-
ecutive vice-president.
Tradewise . . .
(Continued from page 1)
whose records show that the tax
has resulted in a loss to his opera-
tion, or whose tax payments exceed
the profits of such operations,
should gladly forego his natural re-
luctance and make such figures
available to the campaign commit-
tee for, in doing so, he is taking the
first and most effective step in rem-
edying an unjust situation and in
bringing about relief which rnay be
his business salvation.
Other evidence of great value to
the committee in its campaign is
that which demonstrates the tax
has prevented exhibitors from mak-
ing necessary or ordinary physical
improvements and replacements in
his theatre, and statements from
qualified . persons, such as realtors
and merchants, on the depreciation
of realty values and decline in shop-
ping in the vicinity of theatres al-
ready closed.
Such information is vital to the
successful prosecution of the tax
repeal campaign. Exhibitors who
have access to it will serve them-
selves and the campaign well by
making it available at once to their
state and Congressional District
tax campaign committees.
• •
CUBSTANTIAL evidence that
^ financing for independent pro-
duction, almost non-existent for
long, is again becoming available
under good auspices.
The recent arrangement between
Chemical Bank & Trust Co. and
United Artists, under which the
latter can put together its own
packages and make primary financ-
ing available for 10 such produc-
tions, is heartening evidence of the
trend, as is the completion of Ed-
ward Small's new financing agree-
ment with Bankers Trust Co.,
which was cited by the bank as an
indication of its confidence in the
management of UA, through which
Small releases. The developments
give independent production a big
lift.
'Sunday News' In
Industry Tribute
The New York Daily Neivs' fourth
annual coloroto section devoted en-
tirely to motion pictures ran 30 pages
and appeared in yesterday's paper.
Cinerama is the main topic of a fea-
ture by film critic Kate Cameron and
includes a preview of forthcoming
promising product. Keynote of the
section is noted on the center page
which carries the lines : "What's your
taste? Hollywood production sched-
ules aim to please with varied fare."
Ray Bolger, Doris Day and several
colored poodles appear on page one.
They are in the Warner color musical
"April in Paris," which is termed "a
sample of the fanciful film fare you'll
be served this season." Most of films
scenes are in color and all include
mention of the title, stars, type of films
and theme or setting.
Space is given to "Stars and Stripes
Forever," "Last of the Comanches,"
"Fair Wind to Java," "Stop, You're
Killing Me," "Pony Soldier," "My
Cousin Rachel," "Come Back, Little
Sheba," "The Stooge," "Against All
Flags," "Because of You," "I Con-
fess," "Beautiful But Dangerous,"
"Eight Iron Men," "The Savage,"
"The Blazing Forest," "Lili," "I Love
Melvin," "Horizons West," "The Im-
portance of Being- Earnest," "The
Story of Three Loves," "Plymouth
Adventure," "Blackbeard the Pirate."
Also, "Million Dollar Mermaid,"
"Hans Christian Andersen," "To-
night We Sing," "Botany Bay,"
"Peter Pan," "Mississippi Gambler,"
"The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T,"
"Bloodhound of Broadway," "The
Turning Point," "The Bad and the
Beautiful" and others.
Kean Would Probe
'U' Tax Claim
Washington, Nov. 16. — Rep. Rob-
ert Kean (R., N. J.), who is slated
to head a House Ways and Means
sub-committee investigation of tax
scandals in the new Republican Con-
gress, said he wanted to take an-
other look into a case in which Uni-
versal Pictures Co. claimed a multi-
million dollar excess profits tax re-
fund.
This case has already figured in
some testimony before the sub-com-
mittee, presently headed by Rep. King
(D., Cal.)
Newsreel
Parade
A WARDING of a speed trophy to
/I the S.S. United States for the
fastest ocean crossing is highlighted
in current neivsreels. Also featured
are "G.I.'s" preparing for the third
zvinter in Korea, the British Queen
paying tribute to heroes, India's faith-
ful bathing in the holy Ganges, and.
Japanese prince proclaimed an heir.
Complete contents follow:
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 93^Eden re-
plies to Vishinsky on prisoner of war issue.
Sen. McCarran blasts UN on Red employes.
Ike's son hears the good news. Defense Sec-
retary Mrs. Anna Rosenberg at the Korean
front. Korea "G'.I.'s" get set for winter.
United States gets speed trophy.
Japan's prince proclaimed heir. Pope ap-
points new archbishop.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 223— War's
third winter begins in Korea. Aircraft car-
rier Princeton returns to the U. S., S.S.
United States honored. Queen pays tribute
to Britain's heroes. India's faithful flock
to the Ganges. Japan's new navy. Tokio
hails next emperor. Hunting dog field
trials. Acrobats de luxe.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 26^ S.S
United States gets speed trophy. Half-
million bathe in holy Ganges. Styles gets
in milady's hair. Queen leads nation in
homage to heroes. Japanese proclaim Prince
heir to throne. Salute Maurice Richard,
hockey's Babe Ruth.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 47B— U. S.
air defense system speeded with new jet
hangers. Atlantic trophy to .S.-y. United
States. A nation mourns as Weizmann lies
in state. Panamanian freighter 5'.5'. Faustus
sinks in Rotterdam harbor. London hails
new Lord Mayor. Giant vacuum cleaner
sweeps highway. Fashion follies.
UNIVERSAL NEWS, No. 413— U. N.
meeting backs U. S. on Korean prisoners.
Freighter Faustus aground in Holland.
Spanish vets in Spain. Nobel prizes awarded
to Dr. Felix Block at Stanford University
and to Francois Mauroic in France. New
Japanese navy. U.C.L. A. -Oregon State foot-
ball game.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 28— Ike
aid Dodge begins budget talks. 5.5". United
States gets cup for fastest crossing.
UNESCO opens for seventh session in
France. Rome crowds greet "Jazz King"
Louie Armstrong. Latest fashions for after-
skiing. Abbott and Costello ride again.
Jumpers star in New York horse show.
World roller-skating championships.
Texas Star Tours
(Continued from page 1)
elude » the following personalities :
Keenarvt1 Wynn, Chill Wills, , John
Carroll,' Hugh O'Briah, Wayne Mor-
ris, Vera Ellen, Susan Cabot, Jean
Hagen, Alix Talton and Frederick
DeCordova.
Public performance will be given in
all cities visited with local and state
dignitaries participating before the
expected thousands who will jam
courthouse squares to see and hear
the visitors. Local theatre owners
and managers will be hosts to the
stars.
Co-workers Honor
Stirling Silliphant
Stirling Silliphant was honored at
a luncheon Friday given to him by
40 members of 20th Century-Fox's
home office publicity, advertising and
exploitation staffs. Silliphant is leav-
ing the company on Jan. 1 to produce
"The Joe Louis Story" and will con-
tinue with the company until then in
an advisory capacity.
He is currently casting the film
biography.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Oiief and Publisher; SherwiiV Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting Editor. Published daily, except Saturdays.
Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth A.venue, 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building.
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FT 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press .Club, Washington. D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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 a§ 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 17, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
RKO Changes
(Continued from page 1)
firm of Bautzer, Grant, Youngman
and Silbert of Hollywood. Arnold
Grant, who resigned as board chair-
man of the company last Thursday,
will return to the law firm and is not
expected to resume his post on the
board of directors of Columbia Pic-
tures, from which he resigned last
September.
Meanwhile, United Artists presi-
dent Arthur Krim officially confirmed
that Arnold Picker, who quit his post
as executive vice-president of RKO,
will continue as a stockholder and
vice-president of UA in charge of
foreign distribution. Picker resigned
just four days before he was slated
to assume his RKO post on a full-
time basis.
Tannenbaum Here
It was learned that David Tannen-
baum, West Coast attorney, has
arrived here for consultations with
Corwin. As far as could be ascer-
tained no conferences have been held
between the newly-constituted board
and Ned E. Depinet, former presi-
dent of the company who is now a
consultant.
It is understood that Harry Pim-
stein will continue in his post as
assistant to the board chairman and
a vice-president of the company.
The outcome of Chicago negotia-
tions for the Stolkin group's RKO
stock, by Matthew Fox, head of
Films for Television, a partner in
U.A. and a former vice-president and
director of Universal, will have an
important bearing on RKO's future,
as will the outcome of court proceed-
ings here next Friday. On that day,
RKO attorneys will be asked to show
cause why the company should not
be put in receivership as requested in
a minority stockholders' suit filed in
New York Supreme Court. Sale of
the stock could bring about an early
reorganization and reactivation of the
company.
Crown Group Interested
Among other groups sounding out
the possibilities of buying out the
Stolkin syndicate's controlling inter-
est is one headed by Col. Henry
[i, Crown, of the Hilton Hotel interests,
and others.
In the meantime, trading of RKO
j stock on the New York Stock Ex-
I change on Thursday and Friday was
heavy, with the stock declining a half
point in the two-day period. The
biggest drop occurred on Thursday,
with the stock opening at 3% and
closing at 3J/2, for a net loss of Y%.
On Friday, it dropped another eighth,
while the total number of shares
traded that day reached 16,700.
Fred Schaefer Leaving RKO;
Press Book Editor 21 Years
Fred Schaefer, press book editor for
RKO Radio Pictures for the last 21
years, left the company at the week-
end. Before joining RKO, Schaefer
was with United Artists for 10 years
and previously was with General Film
Co. and Vitagraph. No successor has
been named.
Fadiman Leaves RKO Radio
Pictures Executive Post
Hollywood, Nov. 16. — William J.
Fadiman has resigned his RKO Radio
executive post which he assumed in
1947. He had been M-G-M story
editor in New York and here 12 years
before joining RKO.
WHO STARTED THIS, ANYWAY?
Chicago, Nov. 16. — Adjudication of the rival claims of Texas
and Indiana exhibitors for the 1952 Showmanship Crown will
be attempted before a three-judge statutory court in the course
of the Allied States convention here this week.
William C. McCraw, bargain-rate attorney from Texas, his
opponents claim, will endeavor to represent showmen of that
state. Abram F. Myers, who refused a proffered Texas retainer
in favor of a more valuable one — a case of scotch — will try to
present Indiana's case— legal, not Scotch. Myers says, however,
he is open to a better offer and really thinks it would be nice to
be able "to represent someone with a semblance of justice on
his side — even a bare one."
Myers added that the oratory of the price-cutting "McCrawl
is as empty as the Trinity River, and you know how dry that is."
Texas has requested a change of venue on the grounds that
showmanship is an alien subject, entirely outside the jurisdiction
of Chicago exhibitors.
Allied Meet
Levy Blames Majors
For Industry's Ills
Washington, Nov. 16. — The major
fault for current industry problems
was laid in the laps of distribution at
the weekend by Herman M. Levy,
general counsel for the Theatre Own-
ers of America. Speaking at a meet-
ing of Motion Picture Theatre Owners
of Metropolitan District of Colum-
bia, Levy said "it would be most diffi-
cult to find an industry more bedev-
illed by intra-industry litigation and
more debilitated by internecine war-
fare than the motion picture industry."
These factors, Levy said, to a great
degree, have been responsible for its
vulnerability to attack from without,
adding that the "pity of the situation
is that while all segments have some
measure or consciousness of the situa-
tion, little or nothing (with the ex-
ception of the progress to date in
evolving a system of arbitration) has
been done to eliminate the source of
difficulty."
Levy said that some of the fault may
lie with exhibition, because a declining
box-office has impelled reckless and
unbusinesslike statements and actions
by exhibition. But Levy listed a num-
ber of reasons as to why he thought
distribution should take the brunt of
the blame for the situation. They
were: (1) the continued unnecessary
use of competitive bidding; (2)
maintaining of film rentals at high
levels not commensurate with the
quality of particular product, nor the
box-office receipts from that product;
(3) the insistence on adhering to a
so-called national policy concerning
film rental, without regard to specific
situations; (4) the policy of demand-
ing excessive terms for what are con-
sidered by distribution to be unusual
pictures, and thus indirectly compelling-
exhibitors to advance admission prices,
(5) encouraging exhibitors to move up
to prior runs and, thereupon, to em-
ploy competitive bidding.
French Pact
(Continued front page 1)
Trade Press
(Continued from page 1)
in the amusement industry. That
these messages should be carried to
every segment of the business and to
every worker__tlTereinv _at_no .cost to
the hospital management, and with
no deduction from the funds raised by
the Christmas Salute campaign em-
phasizes the true import of the pro-
gram and is accepted on behalf of
the Will Rogers Hospital with sin-
cere thanks !"
not call for subsidies to the French
industry, as was the case in the con-
summation of the Italian film agree-
ment which required a portion of
earned revenue to be diverted for
subsidy loans to Italian producers.
It is also reported that an agreement
was made for closer cooperation be-
tween American companies and the
French film industry, as well as the
French government.
Because of the absence of a subsidy
clause in the agreement, it is believed
here that the SIMPP will approve
the pact, although negotiations by
Johnston were only for MPEA mem-
bers. James Mulvey, Eastern repre-
sentative for SIMPP, said at the
weekend that he believed the pact
would be agreeable to the association,
although he had not read the text.
Johnston, after returning to Wash-
ington Friday afternoon, was slated
to come back to New York on Satur-
day and leave by plane for Rio de
Janeiro. He was accompanied by
Mrs. Johnston; his secretary, Mary
Smith, and Robert J. Corkery, a
member of the international depart-
ment of Motion Picture Association
of America. He will spend this week
in Rio and leave for Buenos Aires'
next Sunday. He will be gone ap-
proximately three weeks on associa-
tion business.
Einfeld Program
(Continued from page 1)
the motion picture industry" by
stressing that the advertising and ex-
ploitation segment of the $100,000,000
to be invested in production and dis-
tribution during 1953, will be spent,
for the greater part, in local point-
of-sale merchandising.
He disclosed greater emphasis will
be on intra-division campaign coor-
dination and integration in the months
to come, noting that field men can
guide alert showmen to larger gross
realities by carefully gauging ways
whereby advantages can be derived
from local exhibition conditions.
2,400 See Paramount' s
'Road to BalV Here
Approximately 2,400 theatre own-
ers and managers, newspapermen and
special guests from all branches of
show business attended the special
preview of Paramount's "Road to
Bali," at New York's Bijou Theatre
on Friday.
(Continued from page 1)
giving the resultant plan the minimum
18 months trial, during which Allied
members could resort to arbitration if
they wished or refrain from doing so,
and at the conclusion of the trial
period decide with other participants
whether or not arbitration should be
continued, revised or abandoned.
If the board is unable to reach a
clear-cut decision at its final meeting
tonight, indications are the convention
will be asked to express its wish on
the subject.
There was also reported to be
strong support within the board for
H. A. Cole's proposal that Allied of-
ficers withdraw from administrative
positions in such cooperative all-in-
dustry endeavors as the final prepara-
tion of the arbitration plan, the direc-
tion of the industry campaign for
admission tax repeal and executive
positions in the Council of Motion
Picture Organizations.
Stands Better Chance
Reports have it that Cole's proposal
stands an even better chance of being
accepted by the board than does the
industry arbitration plan, at least
without conditions attached, as they
probably will be to the latter if the
board goes for arbitration at all.
As previously explained by Allied,
Cole's proposal would not remove
Allied members from participation in
the tax repeal campaign, nor from
membership in COMPO. It would
simply terminate the services of Allied
leaders in executive positions in con-
nection with such activities. Cole is
co-chairman of the tax repeal cam-
paign ; Trueman Rembusch is one of
the co-administrators of COMPO and
Abram F. Myers is on the arbitration
drafting committee. These and others
would withdraw from such official
positions, while the Allied rank and
file could continue in unofficial work-
ing capacities, particularly in the tax
repeal campaign, as they saw fit.
In this connection, there ap-
peared to be no reason to be-
lieve that the Allied board will
not approve the organization's
renewed membership in COMPO
before it adjourns tonight.
Cole's proposal was made with the
idea in mind that Allied officers could
devote more time to prosecuting trade
practice complaints irking Allied
members if relieved of the all-industry
assignments.
Much about those complaints no
doubt will be heard on the floor of
the convention in the next three days
and in the film clinics, organized in-
dividually for the various classes of
theatre operations and situations rep-
resented here. The clinics will open
tomorrow afternoon and continue
through Tuesday morning.
Charles Niles will preside over the
small town clinics ; Ben Marcus, large
towns ; John Wolfberg, large cities ;
Morris Finkel, key neighborhood and
sub-runs ; Rube Shor, drive-ins, and
Irving Dollinger, circuit buyers and
bidding.
Nearly 800 persons are ex-
pected to register for the con-
vention, approximately 500 of
them for the Allied meetings
and 300 for the Theatre Equip-
ment Manufacturers Associa-
tion and Theatre Equipment
Dealers Association conventions
and trade show. The huge
(Continued on page 7)
TRADE SHOW NOV.19 "ABBOTT and COSTELLO MEET CAPTAIN KIDD
ALBANY
Warner Screening Room
HON. Pearl SI. • 8:00P.M.
ATLANTA
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
197 Walton St. N.W. • 2 00 P.M.
BOSTON
RKO Screening Room
122 Arlington St. • 2:30 P.M.
BUFFALO
Paramount Screening noom
464 Franklin St. • 0:00 P.M.
CHARLOTTE
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
308 S. Church St. • 2:00 P.M.
CHICAGO
Warner Screening Room
1307 So. Wabash Ave, • 1:30 P.M.
CINCINNATI
RKO Palace Ih. Screening Room
Polace Th. Bldg. E. 6th • 8:00 P.M.
CLEVELAND
Watnec Screening Room
2300 Payne Ave. • 8:30 P.M.
DALLAS
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
1803 Wood St. • 2:00 P.M.
DENVER
Paramount Screening Room
2100 Stout St. • 2:00 P.M.
DES MOINES
Paramount Screening Room
1 125 High St. • 12:4S P.M.
DETROIT
Film Exchange Building
2310 Coss Ave. • 2:00 P.M.
INDIANAPOLIS
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
326 No. Illinois St. • 1:00 P.M.
JACKSONVILLE
Florida Theatre Bldg. Sc. Rm
128E. Forsyth St. • 2:00 P.M.
KANSAS CITY
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
1720 Wyandotte SI. • 1:30 P.M.
LOS ANGELES
Warner Screening Room
2025 S. Vermont Ave. • 2:00 P.M.
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
151 Vance Ave. • 12:15 P.M.
MILWAUKEE
Warner Theatre Screening Room
212 W.Wisconsin Ave. • 2:00 P.M
MINNEAPOLIS
Warner Screening Room
1000 Currie Ave. • 2:00 P.M.
NEW HAVEN
Warner Theatre Projection Room
70 College St. • 2:00 P.M.
'TJEW ORLEANS
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
200 S. Liberty St. • 1:30 P:M.
NEW YORK
Home Office
321 W. 44th St. • 215 P.M.
OKLAHOMA
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
10 North lee St. • 1:30 P.M.
OMAHA
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
1502 Davenport St. • 1. 30 P.M.
PHILADELPHIA
Warner Screening Room
230 No. 13th St. • 2:30P.M.
PITTSBURGH
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
1715 Blvd. of Allies • 1:30 P.M.
PORTLAND
Jewel Box Screening Room
1947 N.W. Kearney St. • 2:00 P.M.
SALT LAKE
20lh Century-Fox Screening Room
216 East 1st South • 2:00 P.M.
SAN FRANCISCO
Paramount Screening Roor
205 Golden Gate Aye. • 1
SEATTLE
Modern Theatre
2400 Third Ave. • 10:30/
ST. LOUIS
S'renco Screening Room
3143 Olive St. • 1: P.M.
WASHINGTON
Warner Theatre Building
13th i I. Sts. N.W. • 73(1
ram
COLOR BY
Technicolor
with JOSEPH CALLEIA Directed by
Screen Play by JAMES R. WEBB 'From the Novel by Paul I. Wellman Music by Max Steiner • Produced by H LN KY bLAN ftt- GORDON DOUGLAS
1
osteilo
r
SUPER CINE COLOR
HILLARY BROOKE - BILL SHIRLEY • LEIF ERICKSON and Introducing FRAN WARREN
Written by HOWARD DIMSDALE and JOHN GRANT • Songs by Bob Russell and Lester Lee
Produced by ALEX GOTTLIEB • Directed by CHARLES LAMONT • A WOODLEY Production
Distributed by WAR N E R BROS.
CLAUDE DAUPHIN
and EVE MILLER • GEORGE GIVOT-PAUL HARVEY
Written by JACK ROSE and MELVILLE SHAVELSON ,.
Musical Numbers Staged and Directed byLeRoy PrinzJ
TECHNICOLOR
Song "APRIL IN PARIS" Lyrics by E. Y. Harburg, Music by Vernon Duke •
Original Songs -Lyrics by Sammy Cahn, Music by Vernon Duke Musical Direction
by Ray Heindorf ■ Produced by WILLIAM JACOBS • Directed by DAVID BUTLER
6
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, November 17, 1952
7952 Tesma Trade Sho
w
DIRECTORY
HOTEL MORRISON, CHICAGO, NOVEMBER 15-19
— 138 1 |37
io-o x i-sl IO I
?7 1 128 1 1291 1301 1
X60 1 0 0 1 6 0 I 90X6-0 1 8 QX6 o| A NlCHIKE
136
135
I 10 0 I 8 0
133
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
S 0 18-0
8-OXBO
SO 18 0
8-0X8-0
8 0X8 0
80X80
80X8 0
146
3 0X8-0
131
148
j 151
150
J 149
fQ 0 X 8 0
10 0X60
™ 80 IB 0
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
8-0 IS 0
8-0X8-0
80X8-0
3-0XB-0
80X8-0
80X8-0
8-0X8-0
8-QX80
8 0X8 0
0-0 X 8 0
a ox a-o
8 018-0
IO
8-0X80
39
80X8-0
38
8-0XB-0
37
8 0X8-0
36
8-0X8-0
35
8-0X8-0
40
80X80
41
8-0X8-0
42
8-0X8-0
43
8-0X8-0
44
B 0X8-0
60
8-0X8-0
59-
8-0X80
58
80X8-0
57
80X8-0
56
80X8-0
61
8-0X8-0
62
80X80
63
8 0X6-0
64
65
80X8-0
70
8418-0
69
80X80
68
8-0X8-0
67
8-0X8-0
66
80X80
71
8-0X80
72
8 0 X 8 1}
'73
80X80
74
8 0X8-0
75
80X80
4
8-0 X 8-0
3
8-0X8-0
2
8 018 0
1
8-0X8-0
(34
33 1
7 6 X 8-0
7 6 I 8-0
45
46
[ 7 618 0
7-6X80 J
28
80 1 80
31 ^30
48 49
8-0 X B-0 I 1 8-0X8-0
52
TESMA
OFFICE
SlNQUtl
ELEVATOS —
76 j
IB 0 X 6 0 j
■mi
SERVICE
RO0H
W0MEN5
UH 10 I
ROOK
/-
" liim FiJ
MENS
WASH R0
■d
SERVICE HULL
POIOEft
ftOON
98
12-0 1 6 »
114
0 X 8 -0
109
80 X 80
108
8-0 X 8 -0
113
8 0 18 0
103
8-018-0
110
8-0X8-0
107
8-0 X 8-0
112
8 0180
104
80X80
III
8 OX 8-0
106
105
99
1-0 ISO
102
80X8-0
101
8-0X8'
-f | LOBBY |
i mm
Right
Upper Level
Left
First Level
EXHIBIT BOOTH PLAN
EXHIBITORS LISTED ALPHABETICALLY
100
PISSEKSEI
(LEVATORS '
97
96
95
8 0 16 0
8 01 8 0
10 0 I 8 0
94
7 6 X 8-0 .
93
7 6 X 8-0 -
92
7 6>8 0 .
91
7 6X 8.-0 .
85
7-6 X 9-6
90
9 5 1 6-S
Firm
Booth
Number
Firm
Booth
Number
ABC Popcorn Co 102
Adler Silhouette Letter Co 43-44
American Seating Co 82
Anderson & Wagner, Inc II
Argus Mfg. Co M4
Ashcraft Mfg. Co., C. S 8-9
Associated T & R Co 58
Automatic Devices Co 140
Ballantyne Co., The 124-125-126-127
Bally Mfg. Co 104-105
Bausch & Lomb Optical Corp 25
Berlo Vending Co 69
Century Projector Corp. 10
Chicago Used Chair Mart 103
Coca-Cola Co., The. . . 56-57-64-65
Compco, Inc 42
Continental Electric Co 21
Cretors & Co., C 41
Dad's Root Beer Co 83
Dawo Corp 61
DeVry Corp 119
Diecast Aluminum Speakers 138
Drive-In Theatre Mfg. Co 26-27
Electric-Aire Engineering Co. . . 40
Eprad Co 144
General Register Corp 59
Globe Ticket Co 39
GoldE Mfg. Co.. . 52
Gordos Corp 60
Helios Carbons, Inc 115
Hewitt-Robins, Inc 77
Heywood-Wakefield Co 35-36
Hires Co., The, Charles 49
Hollywood Servemaster Co 62
Huff's Mfg. Co 76
Ideal Seating Co 12-13
Imperial Electric Co 63
International Projector Corp 79
International Seat Corp. 6
10 Irwin Seating Co 72
Karagheusian Co., A. & M 108
Knoxville Scenic Studios, Inc I
Kollmorgen Optical Corp ] 45
Krispy Kist Korn Machine 120
Kroehler Mfg. Co 66
Lawrence Metal Products, Inc 99
LaVezzi Machine Works 54-55
Leedom Carpet Co 7
Lorraine-Carbons, Inc 51
Majestic Enterprises, Inc 76
Manley, Inc 31-32
Master-Kraft Fixture Co 70
McAuley Mfg. Co., J. E 78
Miracle Whirl Power Rides. .95-96-97-100
Booth
Firm ~ Number
Mission Dry Corp 149
Motiograph, Inc 109-1 10-11 1
National Carbon Co., Inc.. 146-147
National In-Car Heaters 62
National Theatre Supply 80
Neumade Products Corp 14-15
Orange-Crush Co 121
Oxford Electric Co 46
Pepsi-Cola Co 112-113
Prince Castle Sales Div., Inc 129
Radio Corp. of America 5
Raytone Screen Corp 16
Rex Specialty Bag Co - 143
Robin, Inc., J. E 48
Ruben, Inc., Marcus 135
Shearer Co., B. F. 107
Star Mfg. Co 132
Strong Electric Corp 150-151
Superior Electric Co 141-142
Supurdisplay, Inc 67-68
Theatre Seat Service 50
Theatre Specialties, Inc.. .:. 81
Universal Corp. . . 139
Vocalite Screen Corp 99
Wagner Sign Service, Inc 28-29
Wenzel Projector Co 45
Whitney-Blake Co 106
Wolk Co., Edw 53
Monday, November 17, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
7
3. Robert Holt
In the THEATRE
Equipment
World . . .
. . with RAY GALLO
BY the time this column reaches
print, we'll be in the city of Mrs.
O'Leary's rambunctious cow, attend-
ing the seventh
annual joint
conventions of
the Theatre
Equipment &
Supply Manu-
facturers Asso-
ciation and the
Theatre Equip-
ment Dealers
Association,
with the big
event being the
TESMA Trade
Show, which
for the first
time is also a
feature of a national exhibitor con-
vention, the concurrent meeting of Al-
lied States.
The TESMA
Trade Show is
the sixth, the
exhibits hav-
ing started in
1946 with the
revival of
TESMA after
the war (none
was held last
year). TESMA
itself, how-
ever, is now 12
years old, hav-
ing been born
in Chicago when Oscar Neu, presi-
dent of Neumade Products, Inc.,
gathered a group of manufacturers
in a hotel
room to organ-
i z e it. He
headed it con-
tinuously from
that time until
last year, when
J. Robert Hoff
— Bob to you —
was voted to
the top from
the vice-presi-
dency.
Oscar Neu
TEDA is Ray Colvin
older than that
— in fact, TESMA zvas more or less
a result of the formation of the deal-
ers' association, the moving spirit of
which zvas the late Joe E. Robin
TEDA. is now a real factor in the
business, with Ray Colvin its execu
tive director for many years and still
in that post.
•
A new type of rubber lobby mat
ting, a variation of corrugated-perfo
rated mat, has been introduced by the
American Mat Corp., Toledo. In an
nouncing the new mat, D. W. Moor,
Jr., president, pointed out that it is
topped with a triple-ridged surface
identical to that of the company's
premium-priced link matting. The mat,
available in black or rose, is 5/16-
inch thick.
Convention Pr
ogram
Of National A
MM* f
BUSINESS
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17
9:00 A.M.— REGISTRATION — First
Floor, Morrison Hotel.
2:00 P.M.— OPENING CONVEN-
TION SESSION— Call to order
by Ben Marcus, National Treas-
urer. GREETING BY: Official
of the City of Chicago. WEL-
COME BY: Wilbur Snaper, Na-
tional Allied President. KEY-
NOTE: Jack Kirsch, General
Convention Chairman. PERMA-
NENT CHAIRMAN: Wilbur
Snaper.
3:00 P.M.— FILM CLINICS— Coordi-
nator: William A. Carroll. I.
Small Towns (3500 or Less) —
Chairman: Charles Niles. 2.
Large Towns (up to 25,000) —
Chairman: Ben Marcus. 3. Large
Cities — Chairman: John Wolf-
berg. 4. Key Neighborhood and
Sub Runs — Chairman: Morris
Finkel. 5. Outdoor Theatres —
Chairman: Rube Shor. 6. Cir-
cuit Buyers and Bidding — Chair-
man: Irving Dollinger.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18
9:00 A.M.— REGISTRATION — First
Floor, Morrison Hotel.
9:30 A.M.— FILM CLINICS (Con-
tinued ) .
12:30 P.M.— LUNCHEON FOR REG-
ISTERED DELEGATES— (Terrace
Casino, Lower Level).
2:15 P.M. — RCA LARGE SCREEN
TELEVISION DEMONSTRA-
TION (Terrace Casino)— N. L.
Halpern, President, Theatre
Network Television, will lead
panel discussion over closed cir-
cuit telecast with Trueman T.
Rembusch, Chairman, Jack
Kirsch, Leon R. Back, Wilbur
Snaper, John Wolfberg and
Nathan Yamins of the Allied
Television Committee.
2:45 P.M.— OPEN FORUM (Terrace
Casino) .
8:00 P.M.— NITE CLUB PARTY AT
CHEZ PAREE.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19
9:00 A.M.— REGISTRATION — First
Floor, Morrison Hotel.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
2:00 P.M.— OPEN FORUM (Terrace
Casino) .
6:30 P.M.— COCKTAIL PARTY—
(Terrace Casino).
8:00 P.M.— MOTION PICTURE IN-
DUSTRY BANQUET— (Terrace
Casino).
SOCIAL
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17
EVENING— Open House for Dele-
gates and Wives, Allied of Illi-
nois Hospitality Room.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18
10:30 A.M. — Ladies Sightseeing Tour
of North Shore with Stopover
for Lunch at the Fireside Res-
taurant.
12:30 P.M. — Luncheon for Registered
Delegates — (Terrace Casino).
8:00 P.M.— A Nite at the "Chez
Paree" with Sophie Tucker.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19
1:00 P.M. — Luncheon and Fashion
Show for Ladies at the Marshall
Field Department Store.
6:30-7:30 P.M.— Cocktail Hour —
(Monte Carlo Lounge). Spon-
sored by the National Carbon
Co.
8:00 P.M.— MOTION PICTURE IN-
DUSTRY BANQUET— (Terrace
Casino) — Entertainment by
Courtesy of Coca-Cola with
Morton Downey and Company.
Other Celebrities and Motion
Picture Personalities.
BUSINESS
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17
9:30 A.M. — Annual Meeting and
Breakfast of TESMA (Election
of Four New Members of Board
of Directors Will Be An-
nounced). Annual Meeting and
Breakfast of TEDA (Election of
Directors).
12:00 Noon-I0:00 P.M.— Trade Show.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18
9:00 A.M.- 1 1:00 A.M. — Trade Show
(Exhibiting Manufacturers and
Theatre Supply Dealers only).
I 1 .00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. — Trade Show
(General Attendance).
7:30 P.M. — TEDA Annual Cocktail
Hour, Dinner and Party for
TESMA and TEDA Members,
Ivanhoe Club.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19
10:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M.— Trade Show.
10:00 A.M.— TESMA Directors' Meet-
ing.
10:00 A.M.— TEDA Directors' Meet-
ing.
6:30 P.M. — National Carbon Com-
pany Cocktail Party.
8:00 P.M. — All-Industry Banquet,
Terrace Room, Hotel Morrison,
for TESMA, TEDA and Allied
States members and guests.
LADIES' PROGRAM
MONDAY
1:30 P.M. — Television Broadcast,
"Welcome Traveler."
TUESDAY
12:00 Noon — Luncheon and Bingo
Party, Gold Room, Sherman
Hotel.
WEDNESDAY
12:30 P.M. — Luncheon and Style
Show, Marshall Field's.
Mack Has Incentive
For Early Attendance
Chicago, Nov. 16. — Irving
Mack, president of Filmack
Trailers, is cooperating with
national Allied officials in
their efforts to have business
meetings of the convention
here start on time and have
full attendance.
Mack will award a prize to
a lucky ticket holder at every
business session. Only those
arriving within the first 30
minutes after the opening of
the meeting room doors will
receive tickets for the draw-
ing.
Allied Meet
(Continued from page 3)
trade show, first of its kind,
opened today and will be a fea-
ture next year of the Theatre
Owners of America convention,
alternating between the two na-
tional exhibitor organization
conventions annually thereafter.
Marcus will call the Allied conven-
tion to order tomorrow afternoon and
delegates will be welcomed in a speech
by Wilbur Snaper, Allied president
and convention chairman. Jack Kirsch,
head of Allied of Illinois and head of
convention arrangements, will make
the keynote address.
Tomorrow afternoon there will be
a demonstration of RCA large screen
television for delegates, consisting of
a panel discussion of theatre TV pros-
pects, opportunities and problems, by
Nathan Halpern, head of Theatre
Network Television ; and Rembusch,
Kirsch, Snaper, Wolfberg, Nathan
Yamins and Leon R. Back, all of the
Allied television committee.
An open forum will occupy the
afternoon following the demonstration.
On Wednesday morning convention
committees will hold their meetings
and will report back at an open forum
for the closing session Wednesday
afternoon.
Numerous social events for the la-
dies have been prepared and the con-
vention will close with the traditional
banquet Wednesday night.
Richey Says TEDA
Can Help Industry
Chicago, Nov. 16. — The equipment
field is a very definite part of the over-
all motion picture industry and it has
its role in revitalizing interest in the
theatre, H. M. Richey, exhibitor and
public relations director for M-G-M,
told the Theatrical Equipment Dealers
Association here today. Speaking at a
luncheon for members and guests of
the Theatrical Equipment and Supply
Manufacturers Association convention,
Richey said that if there can be added
to theatre-going that old-time glamor
and super-equipment that goes with
comfort, there is nothing that can
stop the public from realizing that
"motion pictures are your greatest en-
tertainment buy."
Richey said it was the equipment
men who fanned the enthusiasm of the
exhibitors to make theatres better. He
said that for too long the part played
by the equipment men in the transposi-
tion from nickelodeons to great the-
atres has been overlooked.
Get Set Now!
for this TV "First"
with RCA THEATRE TV
Present "CARMEN" Premiere December 11
direct from Metropolitan Opera House
Attract a brand-new audience
The December 11th presentation of the Metropolitan
Opera Company's production of Carmen now delivers a
tremendous new audience to television -equipped theatres
across the nation. With this important attraction, these
theatres will open their doors to the vast group who
have been waiting for years to see this lusty, action-
packed opera.
RCA Theatre Television
makes every seat a box at the "Met"
When you present this performance of Carmen, you
have an exclusive on the most popular opera of all time.
Only at the "Met" itself could your patrons match this
superb performance. And, with RCA Theatre TV, you'll
offer it to your patrons in all its beauty. Through RCA
engineering, you'll give your audience *(box-seat" clarity
of picture. And, with RCA Theatre TV, you can count
on your equipment to bring the show to your screen.
There's still time
to make your installation
for this Important Date
Contact us immediately, so we can arrange for installa-
tion of RCA Theatre Television in your theatre.
Pick up your phone now
Call your nearest RCA Theatre Supply Dealer or RCA
Theatre Equipment, Camden, New Jersey— or contact
RCA personnel at TESMA-TEDA-Allied Show.
THEATRE EQUIPMENT
RADIO CORPORATION of AMERICA
ENGINEERING PRODUCTS DEPARTMENT CAMDEN. N.J.
In Canada; RCA VICTOR Company Limited, Montreal
MOTION PICTURE
KAILY
VOL. 72. NO. 95
NEW YORK, U. S. A., MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1952
TEN CENTS
Tradewise . . .
By SHERWIN KANE
FROM the start of the industry's
campaign for repeal of the 20
per cent Federal admissions tax it
has been evident that Congressmen
are most readily interested, and
more disposed to help, whenever
they have been confronted with
actual dollars and cents proof that
the tax is injurious to theatre busi-
ness.
Especially has this been true
whenever such evidence has been
presented by groups of small exhib-
itors in meetings with their Con-
gressmen. Almost invariably, in
such instances, pledges by the legis-
lators to vote for repeal of the tax
are quickly forthcoming. More-
over, such dollars and cents evi-
dence of the crippling effects of the
tax on the exhibitor's business is
certain to play an important part in
the industry's arguments before the
House Ways and Means committee
when hearings are held on repeal
of the tax.
The fight for repeal may be won
or lost on the basis of the response
to the request of the National Tax
Repeal Campaign Committee for
this information. Any exhibitor
(Continued on page 2)
40$ Minimum Sought
By TNT on 'Carmen'
Theatre Network Television is
seeking a 40 cents per seat guarantee
against 50 per cent of the net box-
office receipts in its sale to TV-
equipped theatres of the Metropolitan
Opera telecast of "Carmen" on Dec.
11.
Announcement of the TNT event,
the first entertainment show to be
made available for theatre television,
was met with keen interest in exhi-
bition circles here, but in some quar-
ters opposition was voiced at the
price sought. Nathan Halpern, TNT
president, refused comment on the
minimum guarantee against the per-
centage figure, learned from other
quarters.
Opposition in Allied
Board to Arbitration
Einfeld Promotional
Program Evolved
On New 20th Films
Phila. Mass Meet on
Local Tax Cut
Philadelphia, Nov. 16. — Victor H.
Blanc, Councilman-at-Large of Phila-
delphia, has introduced an ordinance
in the City Council providing that the
existing 10 per cent local amusement
tax be rescinded.
On Tuesday, there will be a mass
meeting of Philadelphia exhibitors to
formulate plans to aid in the passage
of the ordinance.
Charles Einfeld, 20th Century-Fox
vice-president, developed a program
for future company product which
emphasizes increased regional and
point - of - play-
date charting
of advertising,
publicity a n d
exploitation at
the final ses-
sions of the
division man-
agers' meetings
here last week.
Einfeld un-
derscored di-
rector of dis-
tribution Al
L i c h t m a n ' s
earlier an-
nouncement of
the company's "faith in the future of
(Continued on page 3)
Charles Einfeld
Convention May Be Asked to Decide Issue;
Cole's Proposal and Renewal with COMPO
Favored; An 'Anything Can Happen' Meet
110 Permits in
French Pact
Major RKO Changes
Await Stolkin Deal
The newly constituted RKO Radio
Pictures board of directors met here
on Friday with Sherrill Corwin as
acting chairman, but no major de-
cisions were made pending the out-
come of negotiations in Chicago for
the sale of stock owned by the Ralph
Stolkin group.
The previously reported resignation
of Gordon Youngman as a member
of the board was officially confirmed.
Youngman was a partner in the law
(Continued on page 3)
By SHERWIN KANE
Chicago, Nov. 16. — The future role of Allied States in industry
efforts to complete an arbitration plan was still uncertain here today
as the Allied board of directors neared the end of two clays of meet-
ings in the Morrison Hotel.
Reports were that the board was about evenly divided on Allied's
continued participation in the arbitration endeavor and that should
a deadlock be reached the matter
could be referred by the board to
the general convention which opens
here tomorrow morning.
Should such a development occur,
it is freely predicted here that "any-
thing could happen." A large segment
of the delegates already on hand are
in a mood for spirited complaint and
rebellious proposals. At the root of it
are their charges that film terms con-
tinue to increase in severity on every
good picture while theatre attendance
evidences no sustained improvement.
Unofficially, it was reported
that considerable sentiment
within the board favored non-
participation by Allied without
new provisions being added to
the proposed arbitration draft
which would meet more fully
the current widespread trade
practice complaints of Allied
officers and members.
On the other hand, there is reported
be strong sentiment also for pro-
Texas 'Star Tours'
Will Start Today
Dallas, Nov. 16. — Phil Isley, chair-
man of the 1952 "Movietime in Texas"
star tours, reports that 10 Hollywood
personalities are scheduled to visit
more than 40 cities in Texas, starting
tomorrow.
The tours, which are sponsored by
the Texas Council of Motion Picture
Organizations (COMPO) will in-
(Continued on page 2)
A new one-year agreement, retro-
active to July 1, has been concluded
between the Motion Picture Export
Association and the French govern-
ment, and the number of import per-
mits to be issued to U. S. companies
remain at 110, the same as last year.
Eric Johnston, MPEA president, and
Joyce O'Hara, vice-president, re-
turned here from Paris negotiations
Friday and met immediately with the
association's executive board.
Member companies of the Society
of Independent Motion Picture Pro-
ducers will be allowed 11 permits,
also the same number as were per-
mitted for the year ended July 1.
While details on the matter of re-
mittances were not disclosed publicly,
it is understood that the pact does
(Continued on page 3)
Trade Press Cited
For Rogers Fund Aid
The trade press was cited at the
weekend by A. Montague, president
of the Will Rogers Memorial Hos-
pital, for contributions of display ad-
vertising space to aid the hospital in
conducting its annual "Christmas
Salute." Montague also noted the
contributions by Universal, Columbia
and 20th Century-Fox of the art work
and production of the campaign.
Said Montague : "This is an indus-
try service that reaches out to all
mankind and bears with it the reward
of satisfaction in doing something-
well worthwhile for every employee
(Continued on page 3)
to
posing minor changes in the draft and
(Continued on page 3)
Allied, Tesma-Teda
Programs on Page 7
Complete programs of the
conventions of Allied States
Association and the Theatre
Equipment & Supply Manu-
facturers Association and
Theatre Equipment Dealers
Association, being held at the
Hotel Morrison in Chicago,
appear on page seven. Back-
ground on the two latter or-
ganizations appears on the
same page, in the "Equipment
World" column. Floor plans
of booths at the TESMA
Trade Show being held in con-
junction with the conventions
appear on page six.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, November 17, 1952
'And the Rains Came' with a Flood of
Commendations for Film on Drought
Dallas, Nov. 16.— "And the rains came," stated executive director
of Texas COMPO, Kyle Rorex, speaking about the short feature
"Prayer for Rain" which was run a week in most Texas theatres
with such commendable response from civic, state, county and city
officials, members of the Ministerial Alliance, and hundreds of
appreciative Texans. He said "the great response in telegrams,
letters, and personal testimonials to theatre managers has been
greater than for any other COMPO activity."
Ed Rowley, president of Rowley United Theatres, stated at a
Texas COMPO executive board meeting that "our theatres have
frequently served the church, school, Red Cross and Community
Chest for their many worthy causes, and it is only natural for our
screens to be available for any condition such as the drought which
so vitally affects the community and the entire state."
Personal
Mention
ROY O. DISNEY, president of
Walt Disney Productions, and
Card Walker, advertising and exploi-
tation director, arrived' here from
Hollywood over the weekend. They
will remain here approximately two
weeks.
o
Rosemary White, a member of
Paramount International's publicity
staff here for several years, left the
company Friday and will be married
next Saturday. She will reside in
Bermuda.
•
Edward L. Hyman, United Para-
mount Theatres vice-president, and his
assistant, Bernard Levy, are in Chi-
cago today, and will go to Minneapolis
and Des Moines from there.
•
B. G. Kranze^ United Artists sales
executive, will represent the company
at the national Allied convention in
Chicago beginning tomorrow.
•
James R. Grainger, Republic ex-
ecutive vice-president in charge of
sales and distribution, will return
here today from Boston.
•
William R. Ferguson, former M-
G-M exploitation head, has left here
for four months of car touring of
Europe.
•
John Murphy, in charge of out-
of-town theatres for Loew's, is in Buf-
falo from New York.
•
Jack Kelly, M-G-M short subject
representative, is visiting the San
Francisco branch from New York.
Ampa Lists Hearst
Luncheon Notables
The Associated Motion Picture Ad-
vertisers reports that acceptances have
already been received from several in-
dustry executives and Hearst news-
paper notables to sit with William
Randolph Hearst, Jr., on the dais at
the luncheon saluting the Hearst or-
ganization on Thursday at the Hotel
Piccadilly, New York.
Among those who have accepted are
Mort Blumenstock, Charles Einfeld,
Paul Lazarus, Jr., Jerome Pickman,
Robert Weitman, and Max E. Young-
stein. Hearst officials slated to be
present are George Hearst, vice-presi-
dent ; John Hearst, assistant general
manager ; J. D. Gortatowsky, general
manager, and Martin Huberth, board
chairman.
Doris Schwartz Rites
Mrs. Doris Schwartz, 87, mother
of George Schwartz, operator of the
World and Little Carnegie theatres
here, died on Friday after a brief
illness at Beth Israel Hospital.
Funeral services were held Friday.
Schulman with Lakeside
Bernard Schulman, formerly with
Sterling Films, has joined the Lake-
side Television Co., Inc. here as ex-
ecutive vice-president.
Tradewise . . .
{Continued from page 1)
whose records show that the tax
has resulted in a loss to his opera-
tion, or whose tax payments exceed
the profits of such operations,
should gladly forego his natural re-
luctance and make such figures
available to the campaign commit-
tee for, in doing so, he is taking the
first and most effective step in rem-
edying an unjust situation and in
bringing about relief which may be
his business salvation.
Other evidence of great value to
the committee in its campaign is
that which demonstrates the tax
has prevented exhibitors from mak-
ing necessary or ordinary physical
improvements and replacements in
his theatre, and statements from
qualified persons, such as realtors
and merchants, on the depreciation
of realty values and decline in shop-
ping in the vicinity of theatres al-
ready closed.
Such information is vital to the
successful prosecution of the tax
repeal campaign. Exhibitors who
have access to it will serve them-
selves and the campaign well by
making it available at once to their
state and Congressional District
tax campaign committees.
• •
CUBSTANTIAL evidence that
^ financing for independent pro-
duction, almost non-existent for
long, is again becoming available
under good auspices.
The recent arrangement between
Chemical Bank & Trust Co. and
United Artists, under which the
latter can put together its own
packages and make primary financ-
ing available for 10 such produc-
tions, is heartening evidence of the
trend, as is the completion of Ed-
ward Small's new financing agree-
ment with Bankers Trust Co.,
which was cited by the bank as an
indication of its confidence in the
management of UA, through which
Small releases. The developments
give independent production a big
lift.
'Sunday News' In
Industry Tribute
The New York Daily News' fourth
annual coloroto section devoted en-
tirely to motion pictures ran 30 pages
and appeared in yesterday's paper.
Cinerama is the main topic of a fea-
ture by film critic Kate Cameron and
includes a preview of forthcoming
promising product. Keynote of the
section is noted on the center page
which carries the lines : "What's your
taste? Hollywood production sched-
ules aim to please with varied fare."
Ray Bolger, Doris Day and several
colored poodles appear on page one.
They are in the Warner color musical
"April in Paris," which is termed "a
sample of the fanciful film fare you'll
be served this season." Most of films
scenes are in color and all include
mention of the title, stars, type of films
and theme or setting.
Space is given to "Stars and Stripes
Forever," "Last of the Comanches,"
"Fair Wind to Java," "Stop, You're
Killing Me," "Pony Soldier," "My
Cousin Rachel," "Come Back, Little
Sheba," "The Stooge," "Against All
Flags," "Because of You," "I Con-
fess," "Beautiful But Dangerous,"
"Eight Iron Men," "The Savage,"
"The Blazing Forest," "Lili," "I Love
Melvin," "Horizons West," "The Im-
portance of Being Earnest," "The
Story of Three Loves," "Plymouth
Adventure," "Blackbeard the Pirate."
Also, "Million Dollar Mermaid,"
"Hans Christian Andersen," "To-
night We Sing," "Botany Bay,"
"Peter Pan," "Mississippi Gambler,"
"The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T,"
"Bloodhound of Broadway," "The
Turning Point," "The Bad and the
Beautiful" and others.
Kean Would Probe
'U' Tax Claim
Washington, Nov. 16. — Rep. Rob-
ert Kean (R., N. J.), who is slated
to head a House Ways and Means
sub-committee investigation of tax
scandals in the new Republican Con-
gress, said he wanted to take an-
other look into a case in which Uni-
versal Pictures Co. claimed a multi-
million dollar excess profits tax re-
fund.
This case has already figured in
some testimony before the sub-com-
mittee, presently headed by Rep. King
(D., Cal.) ■
Neivsreel
Parade
J WARDING of a speed trophy to
■/l the S.S. United States for the
fastest ocean crossing is highlighted
in current newsreels. Also featured
are "G.I.'s" preparing for the third
zvinter in Korea, the British Queen
paying tribute to heroes, India's faith-
ful bathing in the holy Ganges, and.
Japanese prince proclaimed an heir.
Complete contents follow:
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 93—Eden re-
plies to Vishinsky on prisoner of war issue.
Sen. McCarran blasts UN on Red employes.
Ike's son hears the good news. Defense Sec-
retary Mrs. Anna Rosenberg at the Korean
front. Korea "G'.I.'s" get set for winter.
5.5. United States ge.ts speed trophy.
Japan's prince proclaimed heir. Pope ap-
points new archbishop.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 223— War's
third winter begins in Korea. Aircraft car-
rier Princeton returns to the U. S., S.S.
United States honored. Queen pays tribute
to Britain's heroes. India's faithful flock
to the Ganges. Japan's new navy. Tokio
hails next emperor. Hunting dog field
trials. Acrobats de luxe.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 26 — S.S
United States gets speed trophy. Half-
million bathe in holy Ganges. Styles gets
in milady's hair. Queen leads nation in
homage to heroes. Japanese proclaim Prince
heir to throne. Salute Maurice Richard,
hockey's Babe Ruth.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 47B— U. S.
air defense system speeded with new jet
hangers. Atlantic trophy to 5.5. United
States. A nation mourns as Weizmann lies
in state. Panamanian freighter 5.5. Faastus
sinks in Rotterdam harbor. London hails
new Lord Mayor. Giant vacuum cleaner
sweeps highway. Fashion follies.
UNIVERSAL NEWS, No. 413— U. N.
meeting backs U. S. on Korean prisoners.
Freighter 5.5. Faustus aground in Holland.
.Spanish vets in Spain. Nobel prizes awarded
to Dr. Felix Block at Stanford University
and to Francois Mauroic in France. New
Japanese navy. U.C.L. A. -Oregon State foot-
ball game.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 28-Ike
aid Dodge begins budget talks. 5.5. United
States gets cup for fastest crossing.
UNESCO opens for seventh session in
France. Rome crowds greet "Jazz King"
Louie Armstrong. Latest fashions for after-
skiing. Abbott and Costello ride again.
Jumpers star in New York horse show.
World roller-skating championships.
Texas Star Tours
(Continued from page 1)
elude the following personalities :
Keenan Wynn, Chill Wills, John
Carroll, Hugh O'Brian, Wayne Mor-
ris, Vera Ellen, Susan Cabot, Jean
Hagen, Alix Talton and Frederick
DeCordova.
Public performance will be given in
all cities visited with local and state
dignitaries participating before the
expected thousands who will jam
courthouse squares to see and hear
the visitors. Local theatre owners
and managers will be hosts to the
stars.
Co-workers Honor
Stirling Silliphant
Stirling Silliphant was honored at
a luncheon Friday given to him by
40 members of 20th Century-Fox's
home office publicity, advertising and
exploitation staffs. Silliphant is leav-
ing the company on Jan. 1 to produce
"The Joe Louis Story" and will con-
tinue with the company until then in
an advisory capacity.
He is currently casting the film
biography.
MOTIO'N PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building.
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FT 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington. D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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.
Monday, November 17, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
RKO Changes
(Continued from page 1)
firm of Bautzer, Grant, Youngman
and Silbert of Hollywood. Arnold
Grant, who resigned as board chair-
man of the company last Thursday,
will return to the law firm and is not
expected to resume his post on the
board of directors of Columbia Pic-
tures," from which he resigned last
September.
Meanwhile, United Artists presi-
dent Arthur Krim officially confirmed
that Arnold Picker, who quit his post
as executive vice-president of RKO,
will continue as a stockholder and
vice-president of UA in charge of
foreign distribution. Picker resigned
just four days before he was slated
to assume his RKO post on a full-
time basis.
Tannenbaum Here
It was learned that David Tannen-
baum, West Coast attorney, has
arrived here for consultations with
Corwin. As far as could be ascer-
tained no conferences have been held
between the newly-constituted board
and Ned E. Depinet, former presi-
dent of the company who is now a
consultant.
It is understood that Harry Pim-
stein will continue in his post as
assistant to the board chairman and
a vice-president of the company.
The outcome of Chicago negotia-
tions for the Stolkin group's RKO
stock, by Matthew Fox, head of
Films for Television, a partner in
U.A. and a former vice-president and
director of Universal, will have an
important bearing on RKO's future,
as will the outcome of court proceed-
ings here next Friday. On that day,
RKO attorneys will be asked to show
cause why the company should not
be put in receivership as requested in
a minority stockholders' suit filed in
New York Supreme Court. Sale of
the stock could bring about an early
reorganization and reactivation of the
company.
Crown Group Interested
Among other groups sounding out
the possibilities of buying out the
Stolkin syndicate's controlling inter-
est is one headed by Col. Henry
Crown, of the Hilton Hotel interests,
and others.
In the meantime, trading of RKO
stock on the New York Stock Ex-
change on Thursday and Friday was
heavy, with the stock declining a half
point in the two-day period. The
biggest drop occurred on Thursday,
with the stock opening at 3% .and
closing at 3>4, for a net loss of Y%.
On Friday, it dropped another eighth,
while the total number of shares
traded that day reached 16,700.
Fred Schaefer Leaving RKO;
Press Book Editor 21 Years
Fred Schaefer, press book editor for
RKO Radio Pictures for the last 21
years, left the company at the week-
end. Before joining RKO, Schaefer
was with United Artists for 10 years
and previously was with General Film
Co. and Vitagraph. No successor has
been named.
WHO STARTED THIS, ANYWAY?
Fadiman Leaves RKO Radio
Pictures Executive Post
Hollywood, Nov. 16. — William J.
Fadiman has resigned his RKO Radio
executive post which he assumed in
1947. He had been M-G-M story
editor in New York and here 12 years
before joining RKO.
Chicago, Nov. 16. — Adjudication of the rival claims of Texas
and Indiana exhibitors for the 1952 Showmanship Crown will
be attempted before a three-judge statutory court in the course
of the Allied States convention here this week.
William C. McCraw, bargain-rate attorney from Texas, his
opponents claim, will endeavor to represent showmen of that
state. Abram F. Myers, who refused a proffered Texas retainer
in favor of a more valuable one — a case of scotch — will try to
present Indiana's case — legal, not Scotch. Myers says, however,
he is open to a better offer and really thinks it would be nice to
be able "to represent someone with a semblance of justice on
his side — even a bare one."
Myers added that the oratory of the price-cutting "McCrawl
is as empty as the Trinity River, and you know how dry that is."
Texas has requested a change of venue on the grounds that
showmanship is an alien subject, entirely outside the jurisdiction
of Chicago exhibitors.
Levy Blames Majors
For Industry's Ills
Washington, Nov. 16. — The major
fault for current industry problems
was laid in the laps of distribution at
the weekend by Herman M. Levy,
general counsel for the. Theatre Own-
ers of America. Speaking at a meet-
ing of Motion Picture Theatre Owners
of Metropolitan District of Colum-
bia, Levy said "it would be most diffi-
cult to find an industry more bedev-
illed by intra-industry litigation and
more debilitated by internecine war-
fare than the motion picture industry."
These factors, Levy said, to a great
degree, have been responsible for its
vulnerability to attack from without,
adding that the "pity of the situation
is that while all segments have some
measure or consciousness of the situa-
tion, little or nothing (with the ex-
ception of the progress to date in
evolving a system of arbitration) has
been done to eliminate the source of
difficulty."
Levy said that some of the fault may
lie with exhibition, because a declining
box-office has impelled reckless and
unbusinesslike statements and actions
by exhibition. But Levy listed a num-
ber of reasons as to why he thought
distribution should take the brunt of
the blame for the situation. They
were: (1) the continued unnecessary
use of competitive -bidding; (2)
maintaining of film' rentals at high
levels not commensurate with the
quality of 'particular product, nor the
box-office receipts from that product ;
( 3 ) the insistence on adhering to a
so-called national policy concerning
film rental, without regard to specific
situations ; (4) the policy of demand-
ing excessive terms for what are con-
sidered by distribution to be unusual
pictures, and thus indirectly compelling
exhibitors to advance admission prices,
(5) encouraging exhibitors to move up
to prior runs and, thereupon, to em-
ploy competitive bidding.
Trade Press
(Continued from page 1)
in the amusement industry. That
these messages should be carried to
every segment of the business and to
every worker therein, at no cost to
the hospital management, and with
no deduction from the funds raised by
the Christmas Salute campaign em-
phasizes the true import of the pro-
gram and is accepted on behalf of
the Will Rogers Hospital with sin-
cere thanks !"
French Pact
(Continued from page 1)
not call for subsidies to the French
industry, as was the case in the con-
summation of the Italian film agree-
ment which required a portion of
earned revenue to be diverted for
subsidy loans to Italian producers.
It is also reported that an agreement
was made for closer cooperation be-
tween American companies and the
French film industry, as well as the
French government.
Because of the absence of a subsidy
clause in the agreement, it is believed
here that the SIMPP will approve
the pact, although negotiations by
Johnston were only for MPEA mem-
bers. James Mulvey, Eastern repre-
sentative for SIMPP, said at the
weekend that he believed the pact
would be agreeable to the association,
although he had not read the text.
Johnston, after returning to Wash-
ington Friday afternoon, was slated
to come back to New York on Satur-
day and leave by plane for Rio de
Janeiro. He was accompanied by
Mrs. Johnston; his secretary, Mary
Smith, and Robert J. Corkery, a
member of the international depart-
ment of Motion Picture Association
of America. He will spend this week
in Rio and leave for Buenos Aires
next Sunday. He will be gone ap-
proximately three weeks on associa-
tion business.
Einfeld Program
(Continued from page 1)
the motion picture industry" by
stressing that the advertising and ex-
ploitation segment of the $100,000,000
to be invested in production and dis-
tribution during 1953, will be spent,
for the greater part, in local point-
of-sale merchandising.
He disclosed greater emphasis will
be on intra-division campaign coor-
dination and integration in the months
to come, noting that field men can
guide alert showmen to larger gross
realities by carefully gauging ways
whereby advantages can be derived
from local exhibition conditions.
2,400 See Paramount' s
'Road to BalV Here
Approximately 2,400 ' theatre own-
ers and managers, newspapermen and
special guests from all branches of
show business attended the special
preview of Paramount' s "Road to
Bali," at New York's Bijou Theatre
on Friday.
Allied Meet
(Continued from page 1)
giving the resultant plan the minimum
18 months trial, during which Allied
members could resort to arbitration if
they wished or refrain from doing so,
and at the conclusion of the trial
period decide with other participants
whether or not arbitration should be
continued, revised or abandoned.
If the board is unable to reach a
clear-cut decision at its final meeting
tonight, indications are the convention
will be asked to express its wish on
the subject.
There was also reported to be
strong support within the board for
H. A. Cole's proposal that Allied of-
ficers withdraw from administrative
positions in such cooperative all-in-
dustry endeavors as the final prepara-
tion of the arbitration plan, the direc-
tion of the industry campaign for
admission tax repeal and executive
positions in the Council of Motion
Picture Organizations.
Stands Better Chance
Reports have it that Cole's proposal
stands an even better chance of being
accepted by the board than does the
industry arbitration plan, at least
without conditions attached, as they
probably will be to the latter if the
board goes for arbitration at all.
As previously explained by Allied,
Cole's proposal would not remove
Allied members from participation in
the tax repeal campaign, nor from
membership in COMPO. It would
simply terminate the services of Allied
leaders in executive positions in con-
nection with such activities. Cole is
co-chairman of the tax repeal cam-
paign; Trueman Rembusch is one of
the co-administrators of COMPO and
Abram F. Myers is on the arbitration
drafting committee. These and others
would withdraw from such official
positions, while the Allied rank and
file could continue in unofficial work-
ing capacities, particularly in the tax
repeal campaign, as they saw fit.
In this connection, there ap-
peared to be no reason to be-
lieve that the Allied board will
not approve the organization's
renewed membership in COMPO
before it adjourns tonight.
Cole's proposal was made with the
idea in mind that Allied officers could
devote more time to prosecuting trade
practice complaints irking Allied
members if relieved of the all-industry
assignments.
Much about those complaints no
doubt will be heard on the floor of
the convention in the next three days
and in the film clinics, organized in-
dividually for the various classes of
theatre operations and situations rep-
resented here. The clinics will open
tomorrow afternoon and continue
through Tuesday morning.
Charles Niles will preside over the
small town clinics ; Ben Marcus, large
towns ; John Wolfberg, large cities ;
Morris Finkel, key neighborhood and
sub-runs ; Rube Shor, drive-ins, and
Irving Dollinger, circuit buyers and
bidding.
Nearly 800 persons are ex-
pected to register for the con-
vention, approximately 500 of
them for the Allied meetings
and 300 for the Theatre Equip-
ment Manufacturers Associa-
tion and Theatre Equipment
Dealers Association conventions
and trade show. The huge
(Continued on page 7)
TRADE SHOW NOV.19 "ABBOTT and COSTELLO MEET CAPTAIN KIDD"
ALBANY
Warner Screening Room
HON. PeorlSt. • 8:00 P.M.
ATLANTA
20th Century-fox Screening Room
197 Walton St. N.W. • 2:00 P.M.
BOSTON
RKO Screening Room
122 Arlington St. • 2:30 P.M.
BUFFALO
f aramoiinl Screening Koom
iki [,nr,M,n <1 • .' Ml P M
CHARLOTTE
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
308 S. Church St. • 2 00 P.M.
CHICAGO
Warner Screening Room
1307 So. Wabash Ave. • 1:30 P.M.
CINCINNATI
RKO Palace Ih. Screening Room
Palace Th. Bldg. E. 6th • 8:00 P.M.
CLEVELAND
Warner Screening Room
9300 Povne Ave. • 8:30 P.M.
DALLAS
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
1803 Wood St. • 2:00 P.M.
DENVER
Paramount Screening Room
2100 Stout St. • 2:00 P.M.
DES MOINES
Paramount Screening Room
1125 High St. • 12:45 P.M.
DETROIT
Film Exchange Building
2310 Cass Ave. • 2:00 P.M.
INDIANAPOLIS
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
326 No. Illinois St. • 1:00 P.M.
JACKSONVILLE
Florida Theatre Bldg. Sc. Rm.
128 E.Forsyth St. • 2:00 P.M.
KANSAS CITY
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
1720 Wyandotte St. • 1:30 P.M.
LOS ANGELES
Warner Screening Room
2025 S. Vermont Ave. ■ 2:00 P.M.
MEMPHIS
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
151 Vance Ave. • 12:15 P.M.
MILWAUKEE
Warner Theatre Screening Room
212 W.Wisconsin Ave. • 2:00 P.M.
MINNEAPOLIS
Warner Screening Room
1000 Currie Ave. • 2:00 P.M.
NEW HAVEN
Warner Theatre Projection Room
70 Colleae St. • 2:00 P.M.
NEW ORLEANS
20lh Century-Fox Screening Room
200 S. Liberty St. • 130 «*.M.
NEW YORK
Home Office
321 W. 44th St. • 2:15 P.M.
OKLAHOMA
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
10 North Lee St. • 1:30 P.M.
OMAHA
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
1 502 Davenport St. • 1:30 P.M.
PHILADELPHIA
Warner Screening Room
230 No. 13th St. • 2:30 P.M.
PITTSBURGH
20th Century-Fox Screening Room
1715 Blvd. of Allies • 1:30P.M.
PORTLAND
Jewel Box Screening Room -
1947 N.W.Kearney St. • 2:00 P.M.
SALT LAKE
20th Century-fox Screening Room
216 East 1st South • 7 00 PM
I
SAN FRANCISCO
Paramount Screening Room
205 Golden Gate Aye. • M
SEATTLE
Modern Theatre
2400 Third Ave. • 10:30 A
ST. LOUIS
S'renco Screening Room
3143 Olive St. • 1: P.M.
WASHINGTON
Warner Theatre Buildinj
nti.tm.iiw- 7301)
COLOR BY
Technicolor
with JOSEPH CALLEIA Directed by
Screen Play by JAMES R. WEBB •From the Novel by Paul I. Wellman Music by Max Steiner • Produced by H EN RY BLAN KE- GORDON DOUGLAS
CIAUDE DAUPHIN
and EVE MILLER • GEORGE GIVOT- PAUL HARVEY
Written by JACK ROSE and MELVILLE SHAVELSONv
Musical Numbers Staged and Directed byLeRoy Prinz|
Song "APRIL IN PARIS" Lyrics by E. Y. Harburg, Music by Vernon Duke ■
Original Songs -Lyrics by Sammy Cahn, Music by Vernon Duke Musical Direction
by Ray Heindorf ■ Produced by WILLIAM JACOBS • Directed by DAVID BUTLER
6
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, November 17, 1952
1952 Tesma Trade Show
DIRECTORY
HOTEL MORRISON, CHICAGO, NOVEMBER 15-19
EXHIBITORS LISTED ALPHABETICALLY
Booth
Firm Number
ABC Popcorn Co 102
Adler Silhouette Letter Co 43-44
American Seating Co 82
Anderson & Wagner, Inc II
Argus Mfg. Co 114
Ashcraft Mfg. Co., C. S 8-9
Associated T & R Co 58
Automatic Devices Co 140
Baliantyne Co., The 124-125-126-127
Bally Mfg. Co 104-105
Bausch & Lomb Optical Corp 25
Berlo Vending Co 69
Century Projector Corp 10
Chicago Used Chair Mart 103
Coca-Cola Co., The 56-57-64-65
Compco, Inc 42
Continental Electric Co 21
Cretors & Co., C 41
Dad's Root Beer Co 83
Dawo Corp 61
DeVry Corp 119
Diecast Aluminum Speakers 138
Drive-In Theatre Mfg. Co 26-27
Electric-Aire Engineering Co....... 40
Eprad Co 144
General Register Corp 59
Globe Ticket Co 39
Firm
Booth
Number
GoldE Mfg. Co 52
Gordos Corp 60
Helios Carbons, Inc 115
Hewitt-Robins, Inc 77
Heywood-Wakefield Co 35-36
Hires Co., The, Charles 49
Hollywood Servemaster Co. 62
Huff's Mfg. Co 76
Ideal Seating Co, 12-13
Imperial Electric Co 63
International Projector Corp 79
International Seat Corp 6
Irwin Seating Co 72
Karagheusian Co., A. & M 108
Knoxville Scenic Studios, Inc I
Kollmorgen Optical Corp 145
Krispy Kist Korn Machine 120
Kroehler Mfg. Co 66
Lawrence Metal Products, Inc 99
LaVezzi Machine Works 54-55
Leedom Carpet Co 7
Lorraine-Carbons, Inc 51
Majestic Enterprises, Inc 76
Manley, Inc. . , 31-32
Master-Kraft Fixture Co. ......... 70
McAuley Mfg. Co., J. E 78
Miracle Whirl Power Rides. .95-96-97-100
Booth
Firm Number
Mission Dry Corp 149
Motiograph, Inc 109-1 10-11 I
National Carbon Co., Inc.. ..... 146-147
National In-Car Heaters 62
National Theatre Supply 80
Neumade Products Corp 14-15
Orange-Crush Co 121
Oxford Electric Co 46
Pepsi-Cola Co 112-113
Prince Castle Sales Div., Inc 129
Radio Corp. of America 5
Raytone Screen Corp 16
Rex Specialty Bag Co 143
Robin, Inc., J. E.. . . r 48
Ruben, Inc., Marcus 135
Shearer Co., B. F 107
Star Mfg. Co.. . . . . 132
Strong Electric Corp 150-151
Superior Electric Co 141-142
Supurdisplay, Inc 67-68
Theatre Seat Service 50
Theatre Specialties, Inc.. . . ..... ... . 81
Universal Corp 139
Vocalite Screen Corp 99
Wagner Sign Service, Inc .28-29
Wenzel Projector Co 45
Whitney-Blake Co 106
Wolk Co., Edw 53
Monday, November 17, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
7
In the THEATRE
Equipment
World . . .
. . with RAY GALLO
J. Robert Hon"
Oscar Neu
D Y the time this column reaches
-D print, we'll be in the city of Mrs.
O'Leary's rambunctious cow, attend-
ing the seventh
annual joint
conventions of
the Theatre
Equipment &
Supply Manu-
facturers Asso-
ciation and the
Theatre Equip-
ment Dealers
Ass ociation,
with the big
event being the
TESMA Trade
Show, which
for the first
time is also a
feature of a national exhibitor con-
vention, the concurrent meeting of Al-
lied States.
The TESMA
Trade Show is
the sixth, the
exhibits hav-
ing started in
1946 with the
ok m# Bp -, ' revival of
» — - ft , TESMA after
■k, JrWm the war (none
was held last
year). TESMA
itself, how-
ever, is now 12
years old, hav-
ing been born
in Chicago when Oscar Neu, presi-
dent of Neumade Products, Inc.,
gathered a group of manufacturers
in a hotel
room to organ-
i z e it. He
headed it con-
tinuously from
that time until
last year, when
J. Robert Hoff
— Bob to you —
was voted to
the top from
the vice-presi-
dency.
T E D A is Ray Colvin
; older than that
— in fact, TESMA was more or less
; a result of the formation of the deal-
ers' association, the moving spirit of
which was the late Joe E. Robin.
TED A is now a real factor in the
business, with Ray Colvin its execu-
tive director for many years and still
in that post.
A new type of rubber lobby mat-
ting, a variation of corrugated-perfo-
rated mat, has been introduced by the
American Mat Corp., Toledo. In an-
nouncing the new mat, D. W. Moor,
Jr., president, pointed out that it is
topped with a triple-ridged surface
identical to that of the company's
premium-priced link matting. The mat,
available in black or rose, is 5/16-
inch thick. '
Convention Program
Of National Allied
BUSINESS
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17
9:00 A.M.— REGISTRATION — First
Floor, Morrison Hotel.
2:00 P.M.— OPENING CONVEN-
TION SESSION— Call to order
by Ben Marcus, National Treas-
urer. GREETING BY: Official
of the City of Chicago. WEL-
COME BY: Wilbur Snaper, Na-
tional Allied President. KEY-
NOTE: Jack Kirsch, General
Convention Chairman. PERMA-
NENT CHAIRMAN: Wilbur
Snaper.
3:00 P.M.— FILM CLINICS— Coordi-
nator: William A. Carroll. I.
Small Towns (3500 or Less) —
Chairman: Charles Niles. 2.
Large Towns (up to 25,000) —
Chairman: Ben Marcus. 3. Large
Cities — Chairman: John Wolf-
berg. 4. Key Neighborhood and
Sub Runs — Chairman: Morris
Finkel. 5. Outdoor Theatres —
Chairman: Rube Shor. 6. Cir-
cuit Buyers and Bidding — Chair-
man: Irving Dollinger.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18
9:00 A.M.— REGISTRATION — First
Floor, Morrison Hotel.
9:30 A.M.— FILM CLINICS (Con-
tinued ) .
12:30 P.M.— LUNCHEON FOR REG-
ISTERED DELEGATES— (Terrace
Casino, Lower Level).
2:15 P.M. — RCA LARGE SCREEN
TELEVISION DEMONSTRA-
TION (Terrace Casino) — N. L.
Halpern, President, Theatre
Network Television, will lead
panel discussion over closed cir-
cuit telecast with Trueman T.
Rembusch, Chairman, Jack
Kirsch, Leon R. Back, Wilbur
Snaper, John Wolfberg and
Nathan Yamins of the Allied
Television Committee.
2:45 P.M.— OPEN FORUM (Terrace
Casino) .
8:00 P.M.— NITE CLUB PARTY AT
CHEZ PAREE.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19
9:00 A.M.— REGISTRATION — First
Floor, Morrison Hotel.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
2:00 P.M.— OPEN FORUM (Terrace
Casino) .
6:30 P.M.— COCKTAIL PARTY—
(Terrace Casino).
8:00 P.M.— MOTION PICTURE IN-
DUSTRY BANOUET — (Terrace
Casino) .
SOCIAL
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17
EVENING— Open House for Dele-
gates and Wives, Allied of Illi-
nois Hospitality Room.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18
I 0:30 A.M. — Ladies Sightseeing Tour
of North Shore with Stopover
for Lunch at the Fireside Res-
taurant.
12:30 P.M. — Luncheon for Registered
Delegates — (Terrace Casino).
8:00 P.M.— A Nite at the "Chez
Paree" with Sophie Tucker.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19
1:00 P.M. — Luncheon and Fashion
Show for Ladies at the Marshall
Field Department Store.
6:30-7:30 P.M.— Cocktail Hour —
(Monte Carlo Lounge). Spon-
sored by the National Carbon
Co.
8:00 P.M.— MOTION PICTURE IN-
DUSTRY BANOUET— (Terrace
Casino) — Entertainment by
Courtesy of Coca-Cola with
Morton Downey and Company.
Other Celebrities and Motion
Picture Personalities.
TESMA, TED A Program
Mack Has Incentive
For Early Attendance
Chicago, Nov. 16. — Irving
Mack, president of Filmack
Trailers, is cooperating with
national Allied officials in
their efforts to have business
meetings of the convention
here start on time and have
full attendance.
Mack will award a prize to
a lucky ticket holder at every
business session. Only those
arriving within the first 30
minutes after the opening of
the meeting room doors will
receive tickets for the draw-
ing.
Allied Meet
(Continued from page 3)
trade show, first of its kind,
opened today and will be a fea-
ture next year of the Theatre
Owners of America convention,
alternating between the two na-
tional exhibitor organization
conventions annually thereafter.
Marcus will call the Allied conven-
tion to order tomorrow afternoon and
delegates will be welcomed in a speech
by Wilbur Snaper, Allied president
and convention chairman. Jack Kirsch,
head of Allied of Illinois and head of
convention arrangements, will make
the keynote address.
Tomorrow afternoon there will be
a demonstration of RCA large screen
television for delegates, consisting of
a panel discussion of theatre. TV pros-
pects, opportunities and problems, by
Nathan Halpern, head of Theatre
Network Television ; and Rembusch,
Kirsch, Snaper, Wolfberg, Nathan
Yamins and Leon R. Back, all of the
Allied television committee.
An open forum will occupy the
afternoon following the demonstration.
On Wednesday morning convention
committees will hold their meetings
and will report back at an open forum
for the closing session Wednesday
afternoon.
Numerous social events for the la-
dies have been prepared and the con-
vention will close with the traditional
banquet Wednesday night.
BUSINESS
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17
9:30A.M. — Annual Meeting and
Breakfast of TESMA (Election
of Four New Members of Board
of Directors Will Be An-
nounced). Annual Meeting and
Breakfast of TEDA (Election of
Directors).
12:00 Noon-I0:00 P.M.— Trade Show.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18
9:00 A.M.-I 1 :00 A.M. — Trade Show
(Exhibiting Manufacturers and
Theatre Supply Dealers only).
I 1 :00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. — Trade Show
(General Attendance).
7:30 P.M. — TEDA Annual Cocktail
Hour, Dinner and Party for
TESMA and TEDA Members,
Ivanhoe Club.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19
10:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M.— Trade Show.
10:00 A.M.— TESMA Directors' Meet-
ing.
10:00 A.M.— TEDA Directors' Meet-
ing.
6:30 P.M. — National Carbon Com-
pany Cocktail Party.
8:00 P.M. — All-Industry Banquet,
Terrace Room, Hotel Morrison,
for TESMA, TEDA and Allied
States members and guests.
LADIES' PROGRAM
MONDAY
1:30 P.M. — Television Broadcast,
"Welcome Traveler."
TUESDAY
12:00 Noon — Luncheon and Bingo
Party, Gold Room, Sherman
Hotel.
WEDNESDAY
12:30 P.M. — Luncheon and Style
Show, Marshall Field's.
Richey Says TEDA
Can Help Industry
Chicago, Nov. 16. — The equipment
field is a very definite part of the over-
all motion picture industry and it has
its role in revitalizing interest in the
theatre, H. M. Richey, exhibitor and
public relations director for M-G-M,
told the Theatrical Equipment Dealers
Association here today. Speaking at a
luncheon for members and guests of
the Theatrical Equipment and Supply
Manufacturers Association convention,
Richey said that if there can be added
to theatre-going that old-time glamor
and super-equipment that goes with
comfort, there is nothing that can
stop the public from realizing that
"motion pictures are your greatest en-
tertainment buy."
Richey said it was the equipment
men who fanned the enthusiasm of the
exhibitors to make theatres better. He
said that for too long the part played
by the equipment men in the transposi-
tion from nickelodeons to great the-
atres has been overlooked.
Get Set Now!
for this TV "First"
with RCA THEATRE TV
Present "CARMEN" Premiere December 11
direct from Metropolitan Opera House
Attract a brand-new audience
The December 11th presentation of the Metropolitan
Opera Company's production of Carmen now delivers a
tremendous new audience to television -equipped theatres
across the nation. With this important attraction, these
theatres will open their doors to the vast group who
have been waiting for years to see this lusty, action-
packed opera.
RCA Theatre Television
makes every seat a box at the "Met"
When you present this performance of Carmen, you
have an exclusive on the most popular opera of all time.
Only at the "Met" itself could your patrons match this
superb performance. And, with RCA Theatre TV, you'll
offer it to your patrons in all its beauty. Through RCA
engineering, you'll give your audience "box-seat" clarity
of picture. And, with RCA Theatre TV, you can count
on your equipment to bring the show to your screen.
There's still time
to make your installation
for this Important Date
Contact us immediately, so we can arrange for installa-
tion of RCA Theatre Television in your theatre.
Pick up your phone now
Call your nearest RCA Theatre Supply Dealer or RCA
Theatre Equipment, Camden, New Jersey— or contact
RCA personnel at TESMA-TEDA-Allied Show.
THEATRE EQUIPMENT
RADIO CORPORATION of AMERICA
ENGINEERING PRODUCTS DEPARTMENT. CAMDEN. N.J,
In Canada: RCA VICTOR Company Limited, Montreal
news MOTION PICTURE »ID
WHILE
IT |S
NEWS
DAILY
AIR
MAIL
EDITION
VOL. 72. NO. 96
NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1952
TEN CENTS
MGM Bid Plan
To Await Okay
Of Arbitration
Reagan Says Firm Will
Limit Bidding Situations
Because there is a specific de-
tailed plan for the disclosure of
bids before the deadline date in
the proposed arbitration agreement.
M-G-M has de-
cided "it would
be preferable to
await the final
approval of the
arbitration plan
rather than to
institute, in the
meantime, an
individual plan
of our own."
This was dis-
closed here yes-
terday by
Charles M .
Reagan,
M-G-M general
sales manager.
"While we have every reason to
believe that our system for handling
(Continued on page 6)
Myers Gives Allied Five
Arbitration Alternatives
Fox Says Talks
For RKO Stock
Are Continuing
Despite reports from Chicago to
the effect that Matthew Fox's ne-
gotiations for the purchase of the
Ralph Stolkin syndicate's interest
in RKO Pictures had become cold,
Fox said in New York yesterday that
discussions on the project were con-
tinuing. Fox, head of Films-for-Tele-
vision and a partner in United Artists,
said that it might be several days
before he would know the final out-
come of the parleys, "one way or the
other."
Fox said that he had not conferred
with the RKO board, all his talks
(Continued on page 6)
Indiana Allied to
Feature Film Clinics
Allied General Chairman Distributes A
Printed Report to Chicago Convention;
Delegates' Sentiment Leans to Deferment
By SHERWIN KANE
Chicago, Nov. 17. — The Allied States convention here has five
alternatives for dealing with the proposed industry plan of arbitra-
tion, according to a report on the plan by Abram F. Myers, chair-
man and general counsel, distrib-
uted in printed form to the conven-
tion delegates today.
The alternatives :
Allied Board Takes
Major Issues to
Full Convention
BOSTON, Nov. 17. -Attor-
ney Arthur L. Brown has
filed a 32-page report,
sitting as a master in the
Suffolk Superior Court
here, calling regulations
of the Commissioner of
Public Safety of Massa-
chusetts requiring two
licensed motion picture
operators in attendance
in booths "unreasonable
and arbitrary. " This find-
ing was made as to both
safety and nitrate film.
•
WASHINGTON, Nov. 17.--
The local motion picture
industry will honor A.
Julian Brylawski at a com-
bination birthday and
anniversary dinner at the
Shoreham Hotel on Dec. 1.
The dinner will mark his
70th birthday and his 30
years in the industry.
Indianapolis, Nov. 17. ■ — Film
clinics at which exhibitors will ex-
change ideas and information on mu-
tual problems are to be an important
feature of the Allied Theatre Owners
if Indiana convention program again
this year. They will have top priority
)n the mornings of both days of the
(Continued on page 5)
Chicago, Nov. 17. — Further em-
phasizing the combustible and unpre-
dictable nature of the Allied States
convention this year, the board of di-
rectors dodged the responsibility of
taking final action on major contro-
versial issues and decided at the last
of two-and-a-half days of meetings to
refer such subjects to the convention.
Among issues on which the
whole convention is being asked
to make final decisions are ap-
proval of the industry arbitra-
tion plan, the proposal of H. A.
Cole of Texas Allied to remove
Allied officers from all-industry
cooperative endeavors in order
to concentrate upon efforts to
(Continued on page 5)
'Road To Bali
99
[Paramount Pictures]
FIVE years have elapsed since the last "Road" picture with Bob Hope,
Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour was released and audiences
throughout the land were rolling in the aisles over the hilarious antics.
The sixth in the series is in color by Technicolor and is one of the best.
It should join its predecessors, each of which netted the company over
$4,000,000" and is listed among the top 100 money-making pictures of
all time.
Portraying a couple of broken down vaudevillians stranded in Aus-
tralia, Hope and Crosby happily accept a chance to go to Bah and dive
for sunken treasure. The screenplay, by Frank Butler, Hal Kanter and
William Morrow, virtually never takes itself seriously and sets up situa-
tions and props for the rapid-fire gags inimitably delivered by the stars.
There are several cleverly interspersed sequences where either one or
both of the principals address the audience, and surprise "visits" by such
stars as Jane Russell, Humphrey Bogart and Bob Crosby.
The humor is deftly unfurled in a progressively zany pattern that after
a while defies analysis or resistance and the audience is caught up in a
whirlpool of laughter. There are the usual laugh-getters involving dangerous
(Continued on page 6)
1) Approve the distributors'
draft in its present form and
authorize Allied's officers to
sign the compact.
2) Approve the draft in prin-
ciple and instruct Allied's nego-
tiating committee to seek the
further changes suggested by
this report or which the board
may stipulate, with authority to
the officers to act on the com-
mittee's final recommendation.
.3) Reject the draft either be-
cause (a) it contains no provi-
sions for arbitrating film rent-
als, or (b) it contains provisions
which are not deemed to be in
the exhibitors' interests.
4) Defer final action until the
(Continued on page 4)
Jack Kirsch Hints
UMPI Revival May
Aid Arbitration
Chicago, Nov. 17. — A veiled hint
that a revival of the United Motion
Picture Indus-
try (UMPI)
plan of 1942
m i g h t b e
worked out as a
solution to the
establishment of
an industry ar-
bitration system
was noted in the
keynote speech
of Jack Kirsch
at the opening
session of Al-
lied's national
convention here
y e s t erday.
Kirsch, convention chairman and presi-
dent of Allied Theatres of Illinois,
(Continued on page 6)
Jack Kirsch
2
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, November 18, 1952
Personal
Mention
'Plymouth Adventure ' Sets
Pace at New York lst-runs
NORTON V. RITCHEY, Mono-
gram International president, left
Hollywood yesterday to visit branch
offices in Mexico. He will make other
Latin American stops before returning
to New York on Dec. 15.
•
Capt. Harold Auten, foreign man-
ager for Greater Union Theatres,
Australia, has entered Mercy Hospital
in Scranton, Pa., for an eye operation.
He expects to remain there about two
weeks.
Edmund Grainger, RKO Radio
producer, has received a citation from
the Third Marine Division Associa-
tion for assistance rendered in organ-
izing a Marine show.
•
Wallace Levin, manager of the
Roosevelt Theatre, San Francisco,
and son of Jesse Levin, General The-
atrical executive, has enlisted in the
Army.
MO'Rey Goldstein, Allied Artists
vice-president and general sales mana-
ger, will leave here today for the na-
tional Allied convention in Chicago.
•
James Keefe, manager of the Or-
pheum Theatre in Spokane, has been
elected to the Washington State Sen-
ate for the third time.
•
Selig J. Seligman, vice-president
and general manager of Northio The-
atres, Cincinnati, announces the birth
of a girl, Dale.
David A. Lipton, Universal vice-
president in charge of advertising-pub-
licity, arrived here last night from
Hollywood.
Cyril Edgar of Walt Disney Pro-
ductions' London office, has arrived
here by plane from England and is
expected to remain for 10 days.
•
Charles Schlaifer, advertising-
agency head, is in Washington and is
expected back here Thursday.
•
John Debvin, Stratford Pictures
sales manager, flew to London yester-
day from New York.
L ynda Burnett, formerly a booker
with the Lippert Atlanta branch, has
joined United Artists in the same ca-
pacity.
Lou Cohen, manager of Loew's
Poli, Hartford, and Mrs. Cohen are
observing their 33rd wedding anniver-
sary.
William Goetz, Universal-Interna-
tional studio head, has arrived here
from Hollywood.
Harry Cohn, Columbia Pictures
president, has arrived here from the
Coast.
Business was spotty this week _in
New York first-run theatres, with
"Plymouth Adventure" at Radio City
Music Hall setting the pace with a
pretty good $123,000 for its first week.
At the Roxy, a fairly nice $55,000
was seen for the initial week of
"Bloodhounds of Broadway," while
"The Turning Point" at the Globe
opened to a fair $13,500. The first
seven days of "The Steel Trap" at
Loew's State is expected to rack up
a satisfactory $12,500.
A good $61,000 is estimated for the
second and final week of "Operation
Secret" at the Paramount, where
"Iron Mistress" will have its premiere
tomorrow in conjunction with the
26th anniversary of the house. Still
doing very well is "Breaking Through
the Sound Barrier" at the Victoria,
where $25,000 is seen for the second
week.
The record-breaking "The Pro-
moter" at the Fine Arts Theatre is
expected to hit a robust $12,500 for
its third week. Holding up strong is
"O. Henry's Full House" at the 52nd
Street Trans-Lux, where $9,300 is
forecast for the fifth inning.
For the ninth stanza of "Snows of
Kilimanjaro" at the Rivoli, a good
$20,000 is expected. "Prisoner of
Zenda" at the Capitol is due to reg-
ister a satisfactory $30,000. A fair
$9,000 is estimated for the fourth
week of "The Lusty Men" at the
Criterion.
"Limelight" at the Astor and the
two-a-day 60th Street Trans-Lux is
doing well, with $24,000 estimated for
the Astor and $10,500 for the Trans-
Lux. The picture is in its fourth week
at both houses. A steady $9,000 for
the fourth week of "The Fourposter"
at the Sutton is forecast.
"The World in His Arms" at the
Mayfair is expected to hit a moderate
$12,500 for its fifth week. The May-
fair's next attraction will be "The
Thief of Venice," which opens Nov.
27. a
"Under the Red Sea" will have its
premiere Tuesday at the Beekman
Theatre. "Angel Street" opened to a
fair $6,100 at the Normandie.
Total Industry Firms
Unchanged at 14,900
Washington, Nov. 17.— The
total number of firms in the
motion picture industry at
the end of the first quarter
of 1952 was 14,900, the De-
partment of Commerce re-
ports.
There has been no change
in the figure since Sept., 1951.
U.S. Firms Picking
Up Japanese Permits
Member companies of the Motion
Picture Export Association will con-
tinue to pick up Japanese import li-
censes even though the number to be
allotted to each distributor has not
been determined. Eric Johnston, pres-
ident of MPEA, was to have met with
foreign department managers here yes-
terday on the Japanese situation, but
his departure for South America Sat-
urday caused a postponement until
December.
The split-up of the licenses it not
sidered of such vital importance that- a
decision on their distribution must be
immediate. The companies will pick
up licenses from time to time in order
to keep their pictures in circulation in
Japan.
Under an agreement reached in Oc-
tober, the U. S. companies will share
59 permits during the second half of
the fiscal year.
Armand Deutsch,
ducer, plans to return
today by plane.
M-G-M pro-
to the Coast
Brisson Headquarters
At Disney Office
Producer Frederick Brisson, who is
in New York from Hollywood for
conferences with RKO Radio execu-
tives on distribution and promotion
plans for his comedy, "Never Wave
at A Wac," has established offices with
the Walt Disney organization, which
is his worldwide sales representative.
He was accompanied from the Coast
by RKO Radio publicist Phil Gers-
dorf, his publicity director.
Brisson expects to remain in New
York until after the launching of
"Wac" in January when he will de-
part for Madrid to arrange for the
filming there of his next Independent
Artists production, tentatively titled
"It Happened in Spain."
Notables at Variety
Meet in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Nov. 17. — The 25th
anniversary mid-winter meeting here
of Variety Clubs International begin-
ning Friday will conclude with a ban-
quet Sunday night with guests in-
cluding Gov. Harold Hoffman of
Pennsylvania, Mayor David Lawrence
of Pittsburgh, Paul Martin, Canadian
Minister of National Health and Wel-
fare, who is representing- Canada at
the United Nations Assembly, Branch
Rickey, C. J. Latta of London and
Luis Montes and other Mexican rep-
resentatives.
Business meetings, presided over by
international chief barker Jack Bere-
sin, will be held Friday, and will be
attended by delegates representing
every Tent in the country as well as
Tents in Ireland, England, Canada,
Japan and Mexico. On Saturday the
local Tent No. 1, originator of the
Variety Clubs idea, will stage a tele-
thon to raise money to erect a wing
on the Pittsburgh Memorial Hos-
pital. Stars and celebrities on the
telethon are Virginia Mayo, Michael
O'Shea, Janet Leigh, George Murphy,
Tony Curtis, Rhonda Fleming, Van
Heflin, Forrest Tucker, Tony Ro-
mano, Morton Downey and Dennis
James. A number of other Hollywood
personalities and executives are ex-
pected to arrive for the Sunday ban
quet as well as 85 executives from
New York.
Arnall to Coast Monday
Washington, Nov. 17. — Ellis
Arnall, president of the Society of
Independent Motion Picture Produc-
ers, said he will fly to the Coast Mon-
day to discuss SIMPP matters with
various members there.
'Look' Feature on
Picture Pioneers
Promoting the Motion Picture Pio-
neers' annual dinner which will be held
on Nov. 25 at the Hotel Astor here,
Look Magazine, issue of Dec. 2, which
is on newsstands today, carries a full
page feature on the organization which
includes photographs of 17 industry
leaders who are members.
It tells how the organization began
13 years ago, discusses the member-
ship growth to almost 1,000, and lists
some of the foundation's charity activi-
ties. A picture and a detailed account
of the rise of Nate Blumberg, "Pioneer
of 1952," and board chairman of Uni-
versal, appears in the feature.
$1,152 for 'Gus'
Indianapolis, Nov. 17. — Twentieth
Century-Fox's "My Pal Gus" is rack-
ing up an impressive first week's gross
at the Circle Theatre here. It beat
opening day totals of four other com-
pany toppers, according to the the-
atre's management. It opened on
Thursday and grossed $1,152, com-
pared to "Diplomatic Courier," $982 ;
"What Price Glory," $1,065:
"Dreamboat," $1,028, and "We're Not
Married," $1,030.
B'nai B'rith to Meet
New York's Cinema Lodge of
B'nai B'rith will hold an informal
business meeting and social evening
at the Hotel Warwick tonight with
president Marty Levine reporting on
current undertakings and Oscar Gold-
stein, national B'nai B'rith executive,
stressing the importance of the order
in American life today.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
— ^— Rockefeller Center ^— ^—
"PLYMOUTH ADVENTURE"
Spencer TRACY •
Van JOHNSON
Gene TIERNEY
. Leo GENN
Color by TECHNICOLOR - An M-G-M Picture J
plus GREAT HOLIDAY STAGE SPECTACLE !
Opet£&
am uii sun
11DE MAIDEN COCHRAI
In Person
THE FOUR ACEV
iCHARLIE BARNET.
Midnighl Feolwr*
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quig-ley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting Editor. Published 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: Quigpubco,
New York." Martin Ouigley. President; Martin Ouigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy. Vice- 1 resident; Leo J. Jiraqy,
Secretary Tames P. Cunningham, News Editorf Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel. Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building.
William R Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau. 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FT 6-3074; Bruce Trmz, Editorial Representative, 11 North
Clark Street FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington. D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; Hope Burnup, Manager; Peter Jiurnup
Editor- cable address, "Ouigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres and Theatre Sales, each published 13 times a year as
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, JN. i
of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies, 10c.
section
under the act
THE EYES OF
AMERICA WILL BE
ON CHICAGO FOR
THE NEXT 3 WEEKS!
NATIONAL ALLIED CONVENTION
NOVEMBER 15th to 19th
The Great Independent Theatre Event of the Year!
The largest assemblage of leading theatre owners
in the distinguished history of Allied!
THE PRISONER OF ZENDA"
NOVEMBER 21st
A natural to follow Allied's enthusiastic salute to
show business, M-G-M brings Chicago another big
Technicolor adventure spectacle!
^PLYMOUTH ADVENTURE"
NOVEMBER 24th
Chicago's big events launched by the National
Allied Convention continue as M-G-M presents
its famed Technicolor epic of the sea!
4
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, November 18, 1952
Myers Gives Allied Alternatives
(Continued from page 1)
January meeting of the Allied
board and instruct the negotiat-
ing committee in the meantime
to ascertain how far the dis-
tributors will go in developing
an effective conciliation or me-
diation plan and in meeting
other points in this report or
which the committee or the
board may raise.
5) Defer final action until
such time as the film committee
of Allied shall report that con-
ditions regarding film rentals,
terms and conditions which are
now giving rise to so many pro-
tests have eased to a point
where confidence and good will
among exhibitors has been re-
stored.
Sentiment among convention dele-
gates leans toward either of the last
two alternatives. Action on arbitra-
tion, however, may not be taken until
Wednesday, at which time it is ex-
pected whatever recommendation is
made by the Allied board will be
closely followed.
Myers' report on the distributors'
draft, although distributed generally
at the opening convention business ses-
sion today, also has not yet been offi-
cially discussed by him and may not
be until tomorrow's or Wednesday's
meeting".
Jack Kirsch's keynote address today
tipped the board's thinking on the
major controversial issues to be pre-
sented to the convention, including ar-
bitration. Kirsch reminded the con-
vention that the plan does not include
arbitration of film rentals, which Al-
lied's convention in New York last
year made a requisite of any plan
acceptable to it. Of conciliation,
Kirsch said it appeared only to accord
an open-door policy at film exchanges
which, he said, is nothing new. "Allied
has been using it- for years," he said.
His keynote also praised, COMPO's
tax repeal campaign and the COMPO
financing effort of the past summer,
indicating further that there is little
doubt Allied' s membership in COMPO
will be renewed for another year. He
set the stage for serious considera-
tion of H. A. Cole's proposal that
Allied officers withdraw from co-
operative industry endeavor and pre-
dicted the convention will launch a
campaign against exorbitant film ren-
tals which cannot be withstood. At
Sees Much Criticism, Little
Enthusiasm in Myers 'Report
Chicago, Nov. 17. — The neutral examiner of the report on the dis-
tributors' proposed industry arbitration draft prepared by Abram F.
Myers for the Allied States conven-
Myers Relinquishing
Some of His Duties
Chicago, Nov. 17. — Abram
F. Myers, Allied chairman and
general counsel, said today he
will endeavor to relinquish a
number of the routine duties
he has handled for the or-
ganization for many years in
order to "take things a little
easier."
Among the assignments he
is giving up first is that of
board and convention press
liaison, a function he has per-
formed for years. Wilbur
Snaper, Allied president, has
taken over that task from
Myers for the Allied sessions
here.
Allied Considering
Distribution of Fan
Magazine: 'Revue'
Chicago, Nov. 17. — The Allied
board: today considered distribution of
the new pocket-size fan magazine,
"Revue," by Allied units as a revenue
producer for regional organizations.
Allied would place the magazines in as
many theatres as possible, whether
members of Allied or not, and the dis-
tributing regionals would get a per-
centage of the sales. Price of the
magazine is 10' cents.
Final action on the proposal was
postponed until the board's winter
meeting in New Orleans, when- it will
be considered again, along with other
revenue producing plans for the re-
gional units. The magazine selling-
idea is not exclusively an Allied pro-
posal but is open to other theatres as
well.
the same time, Kirsch noted, many
are asking what has happened to^ Al-
lied's old militant stand and policies.
"We haven't retreated an
inch," he said. "Allied is still
doing business at the same old
stand."
He admonished the conven-
tion to "be bold in your think-
ing and action. Don't act like
whipped dogs."
Kirsch's keynote address was praised
to the convention by Wilbur Snaper,
■Allied president,
who endorsed it
as "setting the
tenor and tempo
of the conven
tion." Ben Mar
c u s , Allied
treasurer, open-
ed the conven-
tion. The first
session got un-
der way 50 min-
utes late but
some of the
fault lay with
the hotel ar-
rangements of-
fice which had rented the auditorium
for a Chicago Monday morning quar-
terbacks luncheon for sports writers,
who were shown films of last Satur-
day's Michigan . State-Notre Dame
football game. The auditorium had to
be cleared and rearranged after the
luncheon for the sports experts, which
ran late.
On the dais for the opening session,
which was well attended, were Mar-
cus, Snaper, permanent convention
chairman ; Kirsch, general chairman
of the convention ; Jack Rose of Illi-
nois Allied, and Stanley Kane of
North Central Allied. John Daly,
clerk of the city of Chicago, welcomed
the delegates.
The session adjourned till tomorrow
Wilbur Snaper
tion here will look in vain for evi-
dences of unqualified enthusiasm.
There is, however, no lack of criti-
cism of virtually all of the proposals
in the draft or, at least, expressed
disappointment in the language.
The proposals for abitration
of competitive bidding com-
plaints perhaps arouse the most
regret in Myers' report.
Myers notes that exhibitor members
of the drafting committee stood sol-
idly for curbing the use of competi-
tive bidding as much as possible. His
report to the convention says that that
aim was weakened "by the exceptions
upon which the distributors have in-
sisted."
By way of example he cites uncer-
tainty as to the definition of a pre-
release. He says that if distributors
claim, contrary to his own views, that
a pre-release means "after a pre-re-
lease first run in any city, the dis-
tributor is free to require bidding on
all subsequent engagements, then this
provision will afford no remedy for
one of the worst of the current
abuses."
Myers added that "under the dis-
tributors' wording they could, if so
minded, reject all offers first sub-
mitted and then bring all the the-
atres in the city into competition for
the picture."
'Cloak for Favoritism'
In discussing another proposal cov-
ering rejection of bids Myers says:
"We tried to limit the competition to
those who showed enough interest in
the pictures to make an initial offer ;
the distributors apparently want to
make the rejection of bids the occa-
sion for enlarging the competition and,
possibly, a cloak for favoritism and
discrimination."
Of awards in competitive bidding
cases, Myers' report says : "The clear
and simple language of the Aug. 20
draft has been supplanted by gobble-
degook and one important provision
has been mislaid. . . ."
Myers begins the report by
pointing out that the distribu-
tors' draft is not the "all-inclu-
sive plan" contemplated by the
Allied board "because it makes
no provision for the arbitration
of film rentals as stipulated by
Allied."
Taking up the subjects of arbitra-
tion individually, the report has little
Sees Less Sentiment
For Cole Proposal
Chicago, Nov. 17. — Con-
vention sentiment here is
veering away from support of
H. A. Cole's proposal that
Allied officers withdraw from
all-industry cooperative ef-
forts in favor of concentrat-
ing exclusively on handling
exhibitors' trade practice com-
plaints. Many feel that the
Cole proposal is needless and
that Allied officers can per-
form both functions. These
are predicting the Cole pro-
posal will be rejected.
William McCraw of Dallas
and Paul Short of National
Screen Service and Texas
COMPO spoke against the
Cole proposal at today's Al-
lied board meeting. They had
been invited to the meeting
by Cole, who also is from
Dallas.
I
following Kirsch's keynote address.
The Allied film clinics were in con-
tinuous session and will resume again
tomorrow morning. The first general
convention luncheon will be held to-
morrow, followed by a demonstration
of RCA large screen theatre television
and a convention open forum. In the
evening there will be a night club
party for the delegates at Chez Paree.
Meanwhile, visitors to the TESMA-
TEDA equipment exhibit and trade
show continue heavy.
criticism to make of the provisions
governing clearance disputes. The
second subject, runs, also gets off
with only minor comment. Myers
does point out that if alL of the nine
distributors subscribing to the arbitra-
tion plan availed themselves of the
provision permitting each of them
two pre-release pictures a year to
be sold on special terms, there would
be 18 such pictures annually. He
adds, however, that at present there is
no limitation on the number of such
pre-release pictures.
Doesn't Go Deep
On the subject of forcing pictures,
Myers says the proposal to curb the
abuse "does not go to the heart of
the evil. Salesmen," he says, "no long-
er condition the licensing of one pic-
ture on the licensing of additional
product." He asserts they raise the
price of the desirable pictures "to the
point where an exhibitor finds he can
make a more advantageous deal by
taking them all. In other words, in-
stead of direct forcing, we have forc-
ing by price differentials."
Myers said an Allied proposal
which attacked the practice "was re-
jected by the distributors." This
was resolved, he said, by distributors
writing in the words forcing "di-
rectly or by any means." Myers
said he feels that forcing by price
differentials is forcing "by any means"
and he would expect any "fair
minded arbitrators to accept that
view."
He adds: "I do not need to
remind you, however, that an
argument is an unsatisfactory
substitute for a clear-cut pro-
vision."
Contract violations in the draft and
the provisions governing them escape
Myers' criticism. However, in dis-
cussing damages, he indicates some
dissatisfaction, particularly with the
language, on the four-year limitation
period, or less. Distributors, he said,
have added to the provision language
"which will hardly prove enlightening
to the non-lawyers who will admin-
ister the system and serve as arbitra-
tors, not to mention the poor devils
whose interests will be at stake in the
(Continued on page 5)
Tuesday, November 18, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
Allied States Convention
Personality Notes* • •
/CHICAGO, Nov. 17. — Three Ohioan delegates to Allied States'
^ national convention at the Morrison Hotel here — Leo T. Jones,
of Upper Sandusky, Ernest Schwartz of Cleveland, and Martin G.
Smith of Toledo (who has written an article depicting his experi-
ences as a "guinea pig'' in an effort to break the power of the Ohio
State Censor Board, for the Convention Year Book) — all are attend-
ing their 19th national Allied convention, maintaining their perfect
records of never having missed one of these national gatherings since
Allied was organized. . . . Attending his first national Allied con-
vention is Marion F. Bodwell of Wyoming, 111., who started in the
theatre business at the age of 10 distributing handbills for the
old Lyceum Theatre at Wyoming, was promoted to ticket-taker
shortly thereafter, became projectionist at the age of 12, and opened
his own theatre (the Paramount) at the age of nineteen. Now only
49, Bodwell is a veteran of 39 years in show business. . . .
• • •
W. H. (Bill) Hoffman, owner of the Lamar, Arthur, 111.,
will have an opportunity to renew old acquaintances while
he's here for the convention. He used to be a featured vocalist
on Chicago radio stations KYW, WCFL, and WIBO. . . .
Charlie Jones, owner of the Dawn Theatre. Elma, Iowa, who
is attending his second national Allied convention, also is a
journalist, having written a series of articles on small town
theatres for Motion Picture Herald. ... A member of Allied
since its inception in the state of Wisconsin, C. L. Roser of
Baraboo began his career in show business as an auditor for
the old Ringling Brothers circus back in 1906. In 1915, Al
Ringling, eldest of the Ringling brothers, built the Al Ringling
Theatre in Baraboo, winter headquarters of the circus, and
put Roser in charge of it. Roser recalls that they used to
house the polar bears in heated brick buildings and let the
camels spend their daytimes in snow-covered barnyards. . . .
• • •
F. J. McWilliams, owner and operator of the Portage and Home
theatres. Portage, Wise., as well as the Drive-in on the outskirts of
Portage, opened his first theatre 46 years ago, charging five cents
admission, and has been an exhibitor ever since except for 18 months
in 1916 and 1917 when he travelled, for Mutual Film. . . . R. V .
McGinnis, chairman of the board of Allied of Oklahoma and owner
of McGinnis Theatres, is attending his first national Allied conven-
tion. He brings real political "savvy" to his position as a member
of COMPO of Oklahoma ; McGinnis at one time was secretary to
U.S. Congressman Wesley E. Disney and is a member of the public
affairs committee of the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce. . . . Another
Ohion also attending his 19th national Allied convention to main-
tain a perfect attendance record, is Roy E. Wells, former owner of
the Salem and Grand theatres, Dayton, 0., who nozv operates the
St. Paul at St. Paul, O.
Registrations Near
1,000 in Chicago
Chicago, Nov. 17. — The
combined registrations of the
Allied States and TESMA-
TEDA conventions may reach
1,000, it was evident here to-
day as the facilities of the
Morrison Hotel were over-
taxed in efforts to handle the
incoming crowds.
At least 100 more applica-
tions for tickets to the Wed-
nesday night Allied banquet
than the hall can accommo-
date have been received.
The TESMA-TEDA trade
show, most elaborate in the
history of the industry, ex-
tends over two exhibition
floors and is well attended.
The trade exhibit will be re-
peated here next year at the
Theatre Owners of America
convention in the Conrad
Hilton Hotel, and will be
alternated between the con-
ventions of the two national
exhibitor organizations there-
after.
Myers' Report
(Continued from page 4)
proceedings."
Myers said he warned the distribu-
tors that their aim of reducing anti-
trust litigation through arbitration
would succeed in large measure ac-
cording to their liberality in subject-
ing themselves to damage awards.
With double damages now the likely
amount that could be won by a com-
plainant, Myers says "it remains to
be seen whether aggrieved exhibitors
will resort to arbitration or continue
to go to court."
Least Enthusiastic Words
Perhaps his least enthusiastic words
are left to the conciliation proposals.
He said these were proposed when
distributors rejected Allied's requests
for arbitration of film rentals. De-
spite its "engaging language," Myers
said, the conciliation plan "provides
nothing more than that the distribu-
tors shall maintain an open-door pol-
icy, which some companies are doing
now." He says the plan does not go
as far as the old UMPI plan and that
based on Allied's experience and that
of its officers engaged in handling
trade practice complaints to date "I
have grave doubts as to whether the
plan now offered will solve the prob-
lems uppermost in the exhibitors'
minds, having to do with current sell-
ing policies and high film rentals."
On practices and procedure,
Myers has mild criticism of the
form of awards and appeals. On
the matter of obtaining Justice
Department and court approval
of the plan Myers says that if
"Allied elects to go along with
this arbitration movement I
would have to insist that the
negotiations with the attorney
general include counsel for all
the participating organizations
and be not limited to counsel
for the film companies.
He said a provision has been added
to the draft that, should the plan be
abandoned at the end of its 18 months
trial period, he thinks "outstanding-
cease and desist orders" would be in-
effective 12 months after but unpaid
damage awards could still be col-
lected."
Myers also says that the selection
of local exhibitor arbitrators should be
left to the local and regional exhibitor
associations and not chosen, as pro-
posed, by exhibitor members of the
national administrator of the plan.
Nothing in Myers' report to the
convention could be interpreted as an
endorsement in whole of the distribu-
tors' draft.
Indiana Allied
{Continued from page 1)
annual meeting at the Hotel Lincoln
here on Dec. 2-3.
A round-table discussion for ex-
hibitors from small and medium
towns will be led by E. L. Ornstein
and J. P. Finneran. A. H. Borken-
stein, E. L. Millee and D. Irving Long-
will preside at the clinic for city and
subsequent-run operators. J. R. Pell,
T. R. Mendelsohn and Jack Arm-
strong will be moderators for the
drive-in group.
Trueman Rembusch, president of the
Indiana Allied, announced that Wil-
bur Snaper, president of national Al-
lied ; Abram F. Myers, general counsel
of the national organization, and
Max E. Youngstein, vice-president of
United Artists, already have accepted
invitations to speak at the convention.
An ATOI directors' meeting will
precede the convention, on the night
of Dec. 1.
A party for exhibitors attending the
convention will be given by Indian-
apolis Tent No. 10 of Variety in the
Lincoln Hotel.
Pittsburgh Owners
Ask Tax Abolition
Pittsburgh, Nov. 17.—
Morris Finkel, chairman of
the board of Allied of West-
ern Pennsylvania, headed a
group that appeared before
the City Council here today
requesting that the city abol-
ish its 10 per cent amusement
tax.
He declared that the tax is
threatening the very exist-
ence of motion picture thea-
tres, and that many theatres
had been forced to close their
doors while others have been
operating on a part time basis
because of the "paralyzing ef-
fect" on business. The request
was referred to the Commit-
tee on Finance for discussion
tomorrow.
Allied Board
(Continued from page 1)
obtain better film prices and
terms for members, and to re-
new Allied's membership in the
Council of Motion Picture Or-
ganizations for another year.
Heretofore the Allied board habitu-
ally has taken final action on all such
policy matters and has presented them
to the convention for approval. Thus,
in asking the convention to make the
final decision now, Allied has inaugu-
rated a new board and convention
policy. Whether or not it will be con-
tinued in the future was not certain.
In asking the convention to decide
these issues, the Allied board will
make a report on the results of its
deliberations and probably will make
recommendations, it was said.
As of today, it appeared that the
board would recommend only condi-
tional approval of arbitration, depend-
ent upon changes and additions to the
proposed industry draft designed to
give small exhibitors a better break,
particularly in the area of film play-
ing conditions. It appeared today that
Cole's proposal would win the board's
recommendation but final action on it
would be up to the convention. Re-
newal of membership in COMPO also
appears to be favored by the board,
with the convention to have the last
word on that also.
The board approved a plan
and recommended its adoption
by the general convention under
which Allied regional units will
engage in an expanded inter-
change of film buying informa-
tion, including terms, alloca-
tions and prices. The plan in ef-
fect is an elaboration of the
work being done by "Caravan,"
but with added embellishments,
such as the exchange of ideas
and opinions on films.
Allied Will Hold 1953
Convention in Boston
Chicago, Nov. 17.— The Al-
lied board today approved
New England Allied's bid for
the 1953 national convention.
It will be held at the Shera-
ton Plaza Hotel, Boston; the
tentative dates being Nov. 7-
11.
Montgomery Wins
1st Filmack Prize
Chicago, Nov. 17. — L. C.
Montgomery of New Orleans
won the drawing at the open-
ing Allied convention session
today for early arrivals. Prizs
was a decorative desk clock,
donated by Irving Mack of
Filmack, to encourage early
arrivals at the business meet-
ings. A drawing will be held
daily, with only the first 50
arrivals eligible.
6
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, November 18, 1952
MGM Plan
(Continued from page 1)
bids has worked out well and _ has
gained the confidence and recognition
of exhibitors generally," Reagan said,
"we have no objection to the dis-
closure of bids after the deadline date
and before the award is made if this
is desired by our customers."
Reagan said that M-G-M had been
striving to further its policy of limit-
ing its competitive bidding situations
only where necessary to meet legal
requirements and it has to some ex-
extent been successful. Continuing, he
said :
Complicated Problems
"Naturally, bidding situations pre-
sent many complicated problems at
times not easy to solve. Where per-
formance in a given case points to a
division of product as a practical solu-
tion, we have done this where agree-
able to all concerned. We have little
doubt that the theatre-going public
prefers to have a theatre identified
with a particular producer's product
rather than the confusion which re-
sults when the public does not know
which' theatre will play a picture,
particularly our type of pictures.
"We shall continue to exert our
efforts to confine competitive bidding
to those situations where there is no
other alternative as we are fully
aware of the feelings of the rank and
file of exhibitors on this subject.
"In the meantime, we are hopeful
of the adoption of the proposed arbi-
tration and conciliation plan upon
which so much time and attention
have been given by all parties. I sin-
cerely hope and do believe that the
conciliation system to which I shall
personally devote myself, will effec-
tively deal with many of the exhibi-
tor-distributor problems now con-
fronting all of us, and that it will in
fact make arbitration in many cases
unnecessary."
44
Road To Bali
11
Levin Executives Meet
Chicago, Nov. 17. — A three-day
conference of divisional executives of
Jack H. Levin Associates, Inc., has
been scheduled for tomorrow through
Thursday in the Morrison Hotel here.
Jack Levin, president of the national
checking and survey organization; will
discuss with the heads of his various
offices operational plans for the com-
ing year.
Lenore Sanders Rites
Funeral services for Lenore R.
Sanders, United Artists pressbook de-
partment publicity writer who died
suddenly on Saturday, were held here
yesterday. The former writer and
editor for fan magazines had been on
a leave of absence from U.A. for
three months.
Congratulations to the Met.
We welcome to the magnificent Stage
of the Metropolitan
"LA FORZA DEL DESTINO"
NOW READY FOR RELEASE
Carmine Gallone's Motion Picture Version
"LA FORZA DEL DESTINO"
Featuring the World's Outstanding Singers
NELLY CARRADI TITO GOBBI
Cino Sinimberghi Giulio Neri
Mira Vargas Vito de Tarranto
Fausto Tomei
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1st week . . . Dallas
Next week . . . Denver, Los Angeles,
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SCREEN ART SALES CO.
Clr. 6-5883
(Continued from pane 1)
crocodiles, bears, and an octopus as well as a mistaken-identity wedding cere-
mony in spectacular headdresses. The best running gag in the film is a switch
on the snake-in-a-basket-charming by flute playing, which here involves beau-
tiful women emerging from an empty basket. Of course, the "patty-cake"
routine is included but with a twist.
THE story by Frank Butler and Harry Tugend has Hope and Crosby
recover the sunken treasure and escape the destructive traps of power-mad
prince Murvyn Vye, a close relative of Miss Lamour's. At the _ finale it
appears the boys are doomed to die and Miss Lamour is to be married off to
an old, greedy chief but a volcano erupts and the trio escapes with the treasure.
Johnny Burke and James Van Heusen provided a highly serviceable score
which is topped by a jazz number, "Chicago Style," and a lovely ballad,
"To See You," and includes "Hoot Mon," "Moonflowers," "The Merry-Go-
Runaround" and "The Road to Bali."
Tugend produced and liberally utilized process photography of some attrac-
tive island settings. Hal Walker's direction kept the gags and the proceedings
moving at a sharp pace. Others in the cast are Peter_ Coe, Ralph Moody and
Leon Askin as well as the usual bevy of beautiful girls.
This was viewed at a special trade preview at the Bijou Theatre in New
York and a packed audience of exhibitors and press representatives responded
in an extremely hearty fashion. Promotional possibilities of this were demon-
strated by Paramount in an impressive exploitation display as it could be
done by a typical theatre. Tie-ups were made at an insignificant cost with a
local pet shop for tropical animals and birds; a frozen fruit juice company
for "Bali Brew" ; a costume company for sarongs and costumes ; a fruit whole-
saler for tropical fruits and coconuts ; a record company for phonograph
records and albums ; a model agency for tropical beauties ; a sawdust company
for South Seas sand, sea shells, and tropical decorations ; and lobby displays
of color stills, blowups and posters from National Screen Service.
Few films come to the exhibitor with so much advance demand and properly
exploited, this very funny production should be one of the year's top grossers.
' Runnin'o- time, 90 minutes. General audience classification. For January
release ° Walter Pashkin
RKO Talks
Jack Kirsch Hints
(Continued from page 1)
touched on the suggestion lightly, but
the fact that he mentioned it at all
was taken as an indication that he saw
possibilities in the idea, especially in
regard to conciliation.
In his own words, Kirsch said,
speaking of efforts to achieve
results, "Possibly a more cer-
tain and detailed procedure
along the lines of the abortive
UMPI plan of 1942 can be
worked out. That must remain
for further discussion by those
who have given more time to
the proceedings than I have.
But do not delay any affirma-
tive action you may have in
mind in blind reliance on con-
ciliation as a solution of your
film problems. There are a lot
of characters among the film
companies, but I have never
met one who looked — or acted —
like Santa Claus."
(UMPI was set up by all segments
of the film industry to work out in-
tra-industry problems in 1942. The
various proposals ultimately were re-
jected by the Department of Justice
and, subsequently, the organization
was dissolved).
Kirsch's welcome address to the
delegates was sounded on a high note
of optimism. He expressed confidence
that present difficulties would be over-
come, adding that "my devotion to the
business is not so great, nor am I so
old, that I would not be out trying my
hand at some other line of endeavor if
I felt that the motion picture business
.is washed up and has no future." That,
he said, "goes for all of you."
The upsurge in business during the
summer months, Kirsch said, caused
an elation that now appears to be
premature, as receipts fell off after
Labor Day. He admitted that televi-
sion was a big factor in the slump, but
he insisted there were other problems
to cope with, declaring that he was
convinced that TV "is not a perma-
nent menace." The industry has with-
stood more serious challenges than
that offered by television, but TV
coupled with other existing and
threatened handicaps "might indeed
do the trick," he said.
Kirsch reviewed the efforts that had
been made by Allied leaders and the
Council of Motion Picture Organiza-
tions in seeking the repeal of the Fed-
eral admission tax, as well as their
fight against the bill to exempt non-
profit amusements from the tax. He
warned that a great deal is yet to be
done to offset the government's suit to
compel film companies to turn over
their choicest films for TV exhibition.
If this action should coast along to a
freak decision in favor of the govern-
ment, or should the companies tamely
submit to a consent decree, Kirsch
said it would not be an exaggeration
to say that "such a calamity would
spell ruin for every motion picture
theatre in the United States."
Kirsch charged that the At-
torney General had abused his
discretion as a prosecuting offi-
cer in filing this suit and that
the exhibitors were within their
rights in demanding that the
case be withdrawn and, if the
demand is unheeded, they will
be justified in carrying their
complaints even to Congress.
While exhibitors have shown good
faith in working with other branches
on matters adversely affecting the in-
dustry, Kirsch charged that the dis-
tributors have refused to throw the
exhibitors a lifesaver on matters con-
cerning film rental, pre-releases, must
percentages and other problems. He
claimed that the exhibitors "were in-
nocent enough to believe that this new
era of good feeling would extend all
down the line." Allied, Kirsch said,
may have changed its methods a little
in protecting the independent exhibitor,
but it has never deviated from its loy-
alty. He urged that the current con-
vention unite the exhibitors on a
course of affirmative action "that our
distributor friends can no longer ig-
1 nor.e."
(Continued from page 1)
having been with Stolkin in Chicago.
However, he said that he may go to
Chicago this week for further parleys
or Stolkin may come here to continue
the negotiations on the purchase by
Fox of the Stolkin group's 29 per
cent stock interest. He added that
there were so many ramifications to
the projected deal that he could not
make a flat statement as to the prog-
ress of the talks.
Unofficial Reports
From other sources yesterday it
was reported that Fox had returned
to New York from Chicago to get
commitments for further necessary
finances to complete the deal. Un-
official reports in Chicago were that
the price of the stock loomed as a
barrier to any early deal. The resig-
nations of Arnold Grant and Arnold
Picker as RKO's chief executive
officers last week sent the stock down
about one point at the time, although
it went up a quarter of a point yes-
terday to 3 and in a day that saw
10,200 shares traded.
Prospective purchasers, on the one
hand, are said to be angling to take
advantage of the lower quotation,
whereas the Stolkin group, on the
other hand, is not prepared to take
any heavy loss on its investment at
the moment.
Call Both Deals Cold
In Chicago, members of the Stolkin
syndicate declined to divulge details of
the Fox negotiations and, although
indicating that the deal was cold, ad-
mitted that it was not beyond the
possibility of being revived. It also
was indicated that talks concerning
sale of the stock to a group repre-
sented by Col. Henry Crown, of the
Hilton Hotel interests, also are. cold.
It could not be learned whether any
new group had entered the scene.
Meanwhile, the RKO board, which
met here daily last week, did not con-
vene yesterday. Sherrill Corwin, act-
ing board chairman, was reported to
have been in Chicago, as was Edward
J. Burke, board member from Chi-
cago, who attended last week's meet-
ings.
Reports circulating yesterday to the
effect that Walt Disney would with-
hold "Peter Pan" from RKO release
until internal difficulties were over-
come were scouted by company
spokesmen. It was pointed out that
the RKO promotional departments
were working on the picture's open-
ings. Roy Disney, president of Walt
Disney Productions, when asked
about the report said, "No comment."
Father Peyton Will
Address Pioneers
Father Patrick Peyton, of the Con-
gregation of the Holy Cross, will be
one of the principal speakers at the ,
"Jubilee Dinner" of the Motion Pic-
ture Pioneers at the Hotel Astor on
Nov. 25, it was disclosed here yester-
day by Jack Cohn, Pioneers president.
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Tuesday, November 18, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
7
High Court Refuses
Anti-trust Appeal
Washington, Nov. 17. — The Su-
preme Court today refused to hear an
appeal by two California exhibitors
against a lower court decision dis-
missing their anti-trust suit against
10 distributors and two other inde-
pendent exhibitors.
The suit was brought by Steve and
Emma M. Charak, owners of the
Puente Theatre in Puente, Cal. They
charged the defendants with conspir-
acy to give them inferior playing time
and unreasonably long clearances. The
California District Court and Court
of Appeals hold there was no conspir-
acy but that the distributors had acted
independently. The Choraks appealed
to the Supreme Court, but a majority
of the justices today indicated they
would not take the case. Only three
of the nine justices — Reed, Black and
Douglas — said they thought the case
should be heard.
Distributor defendants in the case
were RKO Radio, Columbia, Warner
Brothers, Paramount, 20th Century-
Fox, United Artists, Universal, Re-
public, Loew's and Monogram. Ex-
hibitor defendants were A. L. San-
born, owner of the El Monte theatre
in El Monte, Cal., and James Ed-
wards Jr., operator of the Valley and
Tumblewood theatres in El Monte.
"Andersen" to Net
$25,000 for Hospital
Indications are that the benefit
premiere of Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans
Christian Andersen" at the Criterion
Theatre here Nov. 24 will net approxi-
mately $25,000 for the Will Rogers
Memorial Hospital. All proceeds from
the premiere are to go to the Saranac
Lake institution. Tickets are now on
sale and a sellout is expected by mid-
week. Celebrities from all branches
of the entertainment world, along with
top civic officials, are to attend the
affair.
The premiere is the first in a con-
templated annual series of benefit
showings of important pictures aimed
to further the tuberculosis research
and treatment work performed at the
hospital.
The benefit will be televised by sta-
tion WPIX, with Tex McCrary and
Jinx interviewing celebrities who will
attend the opening. The program will
be aired from 8 :30 to 9:00 P.M., and
recordings will be made of the inter-
views for subsequent use by Tex and
Jinx on their Coast-to-Coast morning
radio show.
George Shupert Quits
Peerless TV Firm
George Shupert, vice-president of
Peerless Television Productions,
which handles Edward Small's film
sales to TV stations, has resigned. He
will announce a new affiliation shortly.
During the last year Shupert is
understood to have sold 26 Small pro-
ductions to television stations in 27
markets. Sales amounted to approxi-
mately $1,000,000, it was said.
Rachmil and F ad i man
In Columbia Posts
Hollywood, Nov. 17. — In unrelated
sniffings, Lewis Rachmil and William
Fadiman, who last week resigned from
RKO Radio production posts, have
joined Columbia Pictures in produc-
tion capacities.
Television-Radio
with Pinky Herman
A
Sid Caesar
SPECIAL TIE-UP between Universal-International Pictures
and Walt Framer's "The Big Pay-Off," Tviewed Coast-to-
Coast via NBC, has been effected to seek the "Because of You Girl."
The contest will be held in 22 cities and the winner will receive
an all-expense trip to New York and a modeling contract on "The
Big Pay-Off." . . . With the findings by the FCC "that Paramount
Pictures did not control the Allen B. 'DuMont Laboratories, Inc."
Dr. A. B. DuMont announced that this "Is a long step towards
better television service throughout the country." Look for increased
activity and further appropriations for development of the DuMont
Network, simultaneous with the completion of WABD's multi-
million-dollar tele-center in New York. . . . Jackie Gleason, rotund
comic of his own CBShow, has been named Grand Marshal of
Macv's 26th annual Thanksgiving Day Parade which will be telecast
exclusively via CBS, Thursday, Nov' 27 from 11:00 A.M. to noon.
Robert Trout will narrate the event, a chore he's handled since 1931.
ft # &
Mayer Kris Kristensen and the City of Yonkers, N. Y ., will
pay tribute tonight to Sid Caesar, half of the great comedy team
of "Caesar & Coca," starred every Saturday nite on Max Lieb-
man's "Your Show of Shows" via NBC. Besides top-ranking city
and Westchester County officials who have
designated Nov. 18 as "Sid Caesar Day," in
honor of a local boy who made good in a
big way, others who will attend the festivi-
ties include, Liebman, Charles San-ford,
Imogene Coca, Dave Tebet, Harry Forwood,
Bill Hobin, Carl Reiner and Howard Morris,
Prexy Joseph H. McConnell, Veep Pat
Weaver of NBC, NBC producers Hal Janis
and George McGarrett, Comics Jack Carter,
Morey Amsterdam and Jack E. Leonard,
Harry Kalcheim of the William Morris
Agency and, Rear Admiral Louis B. Olsen,
Commandant of the U. S. Coast Guard,
Eastern District. (Sid got his major league
start while an enlisted man, as featured comic in the Coast
Guard's feature film, "Tars and Spars:') The 2,000 assembled
guests at the Armory on North Broadway in Yonkers will hear
a variation of Bill Shakespeare's classic lines, said variation being,
"Friends, Yeomen, Countrymen, . . . I came to BURY Caesar
with PRAISE."
ix ik ik
We are happy to correct, via this pillar, an error that
appears in the current edition of the Motion Picture &
Television Almanac stating that Sesac, Inc., was organized
in 1951. In reality, Paul Heinecke formed Sesac, Inc., in 1931,
five years after he had founded Associated Music Publishers.
Acclaimed as a pioneer in popularizing classical music in
America, Heinecke recently celebrated his 50th anniversary
as head of Breitkopf Publications. . . . Abby Greshler, who has
just produced the second film of the new "Peck's Bad Boy"
TV series, starring Jimmy Boyd, is en route to New York to
complete a deal, probably with UA, for distribution of "Emer-
gency Call," full length flicker he acquired from Butcher
Films, Ltd., of London. . . . Next Saturday's "All-Star Revue,"
via NBC-TV, will feature the Ritz Brothers who will stop
clowning long enough to introduce their own composition,
"Get Out and Vote For Santa." Sid Kuller, who directs the
Eddie Cantor and Donald O'Connor shows, will handle
similar chores for this Bill Harmon production. . . .
•A- -k it
Several agencies have called Johnny Olsen for commercial films as
a result of the vet emcee's fine job in a special "Battle Cancer" film
just released nationally. . . . Ruth Cummings, wife of Roy Rowland
and niece of Louis B. Mayer, is in Gotham to arrange for publication
of several new original stories. Miss Cummings' articles and short
stories have appeared in numerous leading magazines. ... TV pro-
ducers and directors seek perfection in their story material and the
histrionics of their actors but often are careless or perhaps regard
musical background music as unimportant. Conversely, appropriate
mood music, does much to enhance the quality of dramatic programs,
a fact that was established way back in the nickelodeon clays. Ex-
amples of effective musical background that come to mind are heard
in the NBC-TVehicle, "The Doctor" on Sundays, and "Man Against
Crime," CBSeries, telecast every Wednesday.
Set 'Carmen' for
Fabian's Grand
Fabian's Grand, Albany, N. Y,
plans to carry the Dec. 11 telecast
of "Carmen," it was learned here
yesterday.
Meanwhile, negotiations between
Theatre Network Television, the
agency which has booked the first
theatre TV entertainment event, and
other circuits will resume tomorrow.
Today, Nathan Halpern, TNT presi-
dent, will be in Chicago to address
the national Allied convention.
Upon his return here, Halpern is
due to continue talks with various
circuit executives, including those of
Loew's, Warner Brothers, Shea En-
terprises, RKO Theatres and United
Paramount Theatres. For the Metro-
politan Opera production of "Car-
men," TNT is seeking 40 cents per
seat as a minimum against 50 per cent
of the net box-office receipts. It is
understood that TNT expects to line-
up from 40 to 50 theatres for the
cross-country three-hour telecast. Al-
though circuit executives are virtually
unanimous in their interest, some op-
pose the price being sought for the
event.
Deny Gamble Bid on
Ownership Change
Washington, Nov. 17. — A Federal
Communications Commission hearing
examiner today denied an application
by Ted Gamble to change a pending
appplication for a Portland television
station to take note of different own-
ership.
The application is by the Mt. Hood
Radio and Television Co. Ralph Stol-
kin, Sherrill Corwin, Edward Burke
and Harry Kahn recently sold their in-
terest in the company to the employes.
Gamble, a major stockholder in the
firm, was asking the examiner, dur-
ing a hearing on various Portland TV
applications, to amend the application
to take note of this change. The ex-
aminer denied the request, and Gamble
will appeal to the full Commission.
DuMont Hails FCCs
Resnick Findings
DuMont Laboratories hailed the
recommendations of Federal Com-
munications Commission examiner
Leo Resnick, which found that Para-
mount Pictures does not control Allen
B. DuMont Laboratories, Inc.
Resnick's findings, declared Dr. Al-
len B. DuMont, president, "is a long-
step towards better television service
throughout the nation. It removes all
questions as to the stability of our li-
censes in New York, Washington and
Pittsburgh, and will make it possible
for us to acquire additional stations."
Turn Down TV Set Tax
Boston, Nov. 17. — Massachusetts
legislators today turned down a sug-
gestion to tax all television sets $1.50
or $2.00 annually. Senator Ralph C.
Mahar, chairman of a legislative com-
mission studying the possibility of es-
tablishing a television channel in
Massachusetts for educational pur-
poses, ruled out a suggestion that in-
dividual television sets be taxed to pro-
vide money for a state owned station.
Harry Tugend to Write
Hollywood, Nov. 17. — Harry Tu-
gend has given up his Paramount
producership to concentrate exclu-
sively on writing.
these facts and figures from The Exhi-
bitors Digest". Look at the tremendous
increase in operating costs • . .
SUPPLIES-EQUIPMENT SINCE '40
The percentage of increase in prices of equipment
and supplies since 1940 is as follows:
Seats 143%
Box office 76%
Carpet . , 120%
Carpet padding , , 76%
Display frames ■ . . 166%
Draperies 79%
Projection equipment and supplies .... 115%
Stage equipment 110%
Furniture and miscellaneous 116%
Janitor and lavatory supplies ........ 106%
Miscellaneous . 35%
Ma rquee letters 126%
Carbons 33^%
Stationery supplies 93%
Printing 90%
SW*Pl4?6W0 ~ tne negligible increase, IF ANY, that
f you have paid N.S.S. during all these years of
rising costs!
j^/rM06W0~ AU y°ur costs
tA"r" with the LOW COST,
Service-with-a-Smile Policy of
MOTION PICTURE
VOL. 72. NO. 96
NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1952
TEN CENTS
MGM
Bid Plan My ers Gives Allied Five
To Await Okay
Of Arbitration
Reagan Says Firm Will
Limit Bidding Situations
Because there is a specific de-
tailed plan for the disclosure of
bids before the deadline date in
the proposed arbitration agreement,
M-G-M has de-
cided "it would
be preferable to
await the final
approval of the
arbitration plan
rather than to
institute, in the
meantime, an
individual plan
of our own."
This was dis-
closed here yes-
terday by
Charles M .
Reagan,
M-G-M general
sales manager.
"While we have every reason to
believe that our system for handling
{Continued on page 6)
Arbitration Alternatives
Fox Says Talks
For RKO Stock
Are Continuing
Despite reports from Chicago to
the effect that Matthew Fox's ne-
gotiations for the purchase of the
Ralph Stolkin syndicate's interest
in RKO Pictures had become cold,
Fox said in New York yesterday that
discussions on the project were con-
tinuing. Fox, head of Films-for-Tele-
vision and a partner in United Artists,
said that it might be several days
before he would know the final out-
come of the parleys, "one way or the
other."
Fox said that he had not conferred
with the RKO board, all his talks
(Continued on page 6)
Calls Mass. Safety
Rules 'Arbitrary'
Boston, Nov. 17. — Regulations of
the Commissioner of Public Safety of
Massachusetts requiring two licensed
motion picture operators in attend-
ance in booths was called "unreason-
able and arbitrary" in a 32-page re-
port, filed by attorney Arthur L.
Brown of Boston, sitting as a master
in the Suffolk Superior Court of this
city.
This finding was made as to both
safety and nitrate film. The report
also challenged the provision that the
operator shall not leave the operating-
side of the projector while it is in mo-
tion and that when only one licensed
operator is in attendance it shall be
necessary to "black out" during the
process of changing over.
Indiana Allied to
Feature Film Clinics
Indianapolis, Nov. 17. — Film
clinics at which exhibitors will ex-
change ideas and information on- mu-
tual problems are to be an important
feature of the Allied Theatre Owners
of Indiana convention program again
this year. They will have top priority
on the mornings of both days of the
(Continued on page 5)
Allied General Chairman Distributes A
Printed Report to Chicago Convention;
Delegates' Sentiment Leans to Deferment
Allied Board Takes
Major Issues to
Full Convention
By SHERWIN KANE
Chicago, Nov. 17. — The Allied States convention here has five
alternatives for dealing with the proposed industry plan of arbitra-
tion, according to a report on the plan by Abram F. Myers, chair-
man and general counsel, distrib-
uted in printed form to the conven-
tion delegates today.
The alternatives :
1) Approve the distributors'
draft in its present form and
authorize Allied's officers to
sign the compact.
2) Approve the draft in prin-
ciple and instruct Allied's nego-
tiating committee to seek the
further changes suggested by
this report or which the board
may stipulate, with authority to
the officers to act on the com-
mittee's final recommendation.
3) Reject the draft either be-
cause (a) it contains no provi-
sions for arbitrating film rent-
als, or (b) it contains provisions
which are not deemed to be in
the exhibitors' interests.
4) Defer final action until the
(Continued on page 4)
Chicago, Nov. 17. — Further em-
phasizing the combustible and unpre-
dictable nature of the Allied States
convention this year, the board of di-
rectors dodged the responsibility of
taking final action on major contro-
versial issues and decided at the last
of two-and-a-half days of meetings to
refer such subjects to the convention.
Among issues on which the
whole convention is being asked
to make final decisions are ap-
proval of the industry arbitra-
tion plan, the proposal of H. A.
Cole of Texas Allied to remove
Allied officers from all-industry
cooperative endeavors in order
to concentrate upon efforts to
(Continued on page 5)
Brylawski Honored
At Capital Dinner
Washington, Nov. 17. — A. Julian
Brylawski, a leader in the Washing-
ton motion picture industry, will be
honored at a combination birthday and
anniversary dinner at the Shoreham
Hotel on Dec. 1.
The dinner will mark Brylawski's
70th birthday and his 30 years in the
industry.
it
Road To Bali ?
[Paramount Pictures']
FIVE years have elapsed since the last "Road" picture with Bob Hope,
Bing' Crosby and Dorothy Lamour was released and audiences
throughout the land were rolling in the aisles over the hilarious antics.
The sixth in the series is in color by Technicolor and is one of the best.
It should join its predecessors, each of which netted the company over
$4,000,000 and is listed among the top 100 money-making pictures of
all time.
Portraying a couple of broken down vaudevillians stranded in Aus-
tralia, Hope and Crosby happily accept a chance to go to Bali and dive
for sunken treasure. The screenplay, by Frank Butler, Hal Kanter and
William Morrow, virtually never takes itself seriously and sets up situa-
tions and props for the rapid-fire gags inimitably delivered by the stars.
There are several cleverly interspersed sequences where either one or
both of the principals address the audience, and surprise "visits" by such
stars as Jane Russell, Humphrey Bogart and Bob Crosby.
The humor is deftly unfurled in a progressively zany pattern that after
a while defies analysis or resistance and the audience is caught up in a
whirlpool of laughter. There are the usual laugh-getters involving dangerous
(Continued on page 6)
Jack Kirsch Hints
UMP1 Revival May
Aid Arbitration
Chicago, Nov. 17. — A veiled hint
that a revival of the United Motion
Picture Indus-
try (UMPI)
plan of 1942
might be
worked out as a
solution to the
establishment of
an industry ar-
bitration system
was noted in the
keynote speech
of Jack Kirsch
at the opening"
session of Al-
lied's national
convention here
y e s t erday.
Kirsch, convention chairman and presi-
dent of Allied Theatres of Illinois,
(Continued on page 6)
Jack Kirsch
2
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, November 18, 1952
Personal
Mention
'Plymouth Adventure ' Sets
Pace at New York lst-runs
XJORTON V. RITCHEY, Mono-
id gram International president, left
Hollywood yesterday to visit branch
offices in Mexico. He will make other
Latin American stops before returning
to New York on Dec. 15.
•
Caft. Harold Auten, foreign man-
ager for Greater Union Theatres,
Australia, has entered Mercy Hospital
in Scranton, Pa., for an eye operation.
He expects to remain there about two
weeks.
Edmund Grainger, RKO Radio
producer, has received a citation from
the Third Marine Division _ Associa-
tion for assistance rendered in organ-
izing a Marine show.
•
Wallace Levin, manager of the
Roosevelt Theatre, San Francisco,
and son of Jesse Levin, General The-
atrical executive, has enlisted in the
Army.
Morey Goldstein, Allied Artists
vice-president and general sales mana-
ger, will leave here today for the na-
tional Allied convention in Chicago.
•
James Keefe, manager of the Or-
pheum Theatre in Spokane, has been
elected to the Washington State Sen-
ate for the third time.
•
Selig J. Seligman, vice-president
and general manager of Northio The-
atres, Cincinnati, announces the birth
of a girl, Dale.
David A. Lipton, Universal vice-
president in charge of advertising-pub-
licity, arrived here last night from
Hollywood.
Cyril Edgar of Walt Disney Pro-
ductions' London office, has arrived
here by plane from England and is
expected to remain for 10 days.
•
Charles Schlaifer, advertising-
agency head, is in Washington and is
expected back here Thursday.
•
John Dervin, Stratford Pictures
sales manager, flew to London yester-
day from New York.
Lvnda Burnett, formerly a booker
with the Lippert Atlanta branch, has
joined United Artists in the same ca-
pacity.
Lou Cohen, manager of Loew's
Poli, Hartford, and Mrs. Cohen are
observing their 33rd wedding anniver-
sary.
William Goetz, Universal-Interna-
tional studio head, has arrived here
from Hollywood.
Harry Cohn, Columbia Pictures
president, has arrived here from the
Coast.
0
Armand Deutsch, M-G-M pro-
ducer, plans to return to the Coast
today by plane.
Business was spotty this week in
New York first-run theatres, with
"Plymouth Adventure" at Radio City
Music Hall setting the pace with a
pretty good $123,000 for its first week.
At the Roxy, a fairly nice $55,000
was seen for the initial week of
"Bloodhounds of Broadway," while
"The Turning Point" at the Globe
opened to a fair $13,500. The first
seven days of "The Steel Trap" at
Loew's State is expected to rack up
a satisfactory $12,500.
A good $61,000 is estimated for the
second and final week of "Operation
Secret" at the Paramount, where
"Iron Mistress" will have its premiere
tomorrow in conjunction with the
26th anniversary of the house. Still
doing very well is "Breaking Through
the Sound Barrier" at the Victoria,
where $25,000 is seen for the second
week.
The record-breaking "The Pro-
moter" at the Fine Arts Theatre is
expected to hit a robust $12,500 for
its third week. Holding up strong is
"O. Henry's Full House" at the 52nd
Street Trans-Lux, where $9,300 is
forecast for the fifth inning.
For the ninth stanza of "Snows of
Kilimanjaro" at the Rivoli, a good
$20,000 is expected. "Prisoner of
Zenda" at the Capitol is due to reg-
ister a satisfactory $30,000. A fair
$9,000 is estimated for the fourth
week of "The Lusty Men" at the
Criterion.
"Limelight" at the Astor and the
two-a-day 60th Street Trans-Lux is
doing well, with $24,000 estimated for
the Astor and $10,500 for the Trans-
Lux. The picture is in its fourth week
at both houses. A steady $9,000 for
the fourth week of "The Fourposter"
at the Sutton is forecast.
"The World in His Arms" at the
Mayfair is expected to hit a moderate
$U500 for its fifth week. The May-
fair's next attraction will be "The
Thief of Venice," which opens Nov.
27.
"Under the Red Sea" will have its
premiere Tuesday at the Beekman
Theatre. "Angel Street" opened to a
fair $6,100 at the Normandie.
Total Industry Firms
Unchanged at 14,900
Washington, Nov. 17. — The
total number of firms in the
motion picture industry at
the end of the first quarter
of 1952 was 14,900, the De-
partment of Commerce re-
ports.
There has been no change
in the figure since Sept., 1951.
U.S. Firms Picking
Up Japanese Permits
Member companies of the Motion
Picture Export Association will con-
tinue to pick up Japanese import li-
censes even though the number to be
allotted to each distributor has not
been determined. Eric Johnston, pres-
ident of MPEA, was to have met with
foreign department managers here yes-
terday on the Japanese situation, but
his departure for South America Sat-
urday caused a postponement until
December.
The split-up of the licenses it not
sidered of such vital importance that a
decision on their distribution must be
immediate. The companies will pick
up licenses from time to time in order
to keep their pictures in circulation in
Japan.
Under an agreement reached in Oc-
tober, the U S. companies will share
59 permits during the second half of
the fiscal year.
Brisson Headquarters
At Disney Office
Producer Frederick Brisson, who is
in New York from Hollywood for
conferences with RKO Radio execu-
tives on distribution and promotion
plans for his comedy, "Never Wave
at A Wac," has established offices with
the Walt Disney organization, which
is his worldwide sales representative.
He was accompanied from the Coast
by RKO Radio publicist Phil Gers-
dorf, his publicity director.
Brisson expects to remain in New
York until after the launching of
"Wac" in January when he will de-
part for Madrid to arrange for the
filming there of his next Independent
Artists production, tentatively titled
"It Happened in Spain."
Notables at Variety
Meet in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Nov. 17. — The 25th
anniversary mid-winter meeting here
of Variety Clubs International begin-
ning Friday will conclude with a ban-
quet Sunday night with guests in-
cluding Gov. Harold Hoffman of
Pennsylvania, Mayor David Lawrence
of Pittsburgh, Paul Martin, Canadian
Minister of National Health and Wel-
fare, who is representing Canada at
the United Nations Assembly, Branch
Rickey, C. J. Latta of London and
Luis Montes and other Mexican rep-
resentatives.
Business meetings, presided over by
international chief barker Jack Bere-
sin, will be held Friday, and will be
attended by delegates representing
every Tent in the country as well as
Tents in Ireland, England, Canada,
Japan and Mexico. On Saturday the
local Tent No. 1, originator of the
Variety Clubs idea, will stage a tele-
thon to raise money to erect a wing
on the Pittsburgh Memorial Hos-
pital. Stars and celebrities on the
telethon are Virginia Mayo, Michael
O'Shea, Janet Leigh, George Murphy,
Tony Curtis, Rhonda Fleming, Van
Heflin, Forrest Tucker, Tony Ro-
mano, Morton Downey and Dennis
James. A number of other Hollywood
personalities and executives are ex-
pected to arrive for the Sunday ban-
quet as well as 85 executives from
New York.
'Look' Feature on
Picture Pioneers
Promoting the Motion Picture Pio-
neers' annual dinner which will be held
on Nov. 25 at the Hotel Astor here,
Look Magazine, issue of Dec. 2, which
is on newsstands today, carries a full
page feature on the organization which
includes photographs of 17 industry
leaders who are members.
It tells how the organization began
13 years ago, discusses the member-
ship growth to almost 1,000, and lists
some of the foundation's charity activi-
ties. A picture and a detailed account
of the rise of Nate Blumberg, "Pioneer
of 1952," and board chairman of Uni-
versal, appears in the feature.
Arnall to Coast Monday
Washington, Nov. 17. — Ellis
Arnall, president of the Society of
Independent Motion Picture Produc-
ers, said he will fly to the Coast Mon-
day to discuss SIMPP matters with
various members there.
$1,152 for 'Gus'
Indianapolis, Nov. 17. — Twentieth
Century-Fox's "My Pal Gus" is rack-
ing up an impressive first week's gross
at the Circle Theatre here. It beat
opening day totals of four other com-
pany toppers, according to the the-
atre's management. It opened on
Thursday and grossed $1,152, com-
pared to "Diplomatic Courier," $982 ;
"What Price Glory," $1,065;
"Dreamboat," $1,028, and "We're Not
Married," $1,030.
B'nai B'rith to Meet
New York's Cinema Lodge of
B'nai B'rith will hold an informal
business meeting and social evening
at the Hotel Warwick tonight with
president Marty Levine reporting on
current undertakings and Oscar Gold-
stein, national B'nai B'rith executive,
stressing the importance of the order
in American life todav.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center
"PLYMOUTH ADVENTURE"
Spencer TRACY . Gene TIERNEY
Van JOHNSON • Leo GENN
Color by TECHNICOLOR - An M-G-M Picture J
plus GREAT HOLIDAY STAGE SPECTACLE 1
THE FOUR ACE^
SUNNY GALE 1
Midnight Featvr*
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwm Kane, Editor; Terry Eamsaye, Consulting 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 Qi FSP«bco,
New York." Martin Quigley. President; Martin Ouigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan. Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy Vice-Piesident, Leo J. Brady,
SecVarV; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building.
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau. 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative FI 6-3074; Bruce Trmz, Editorial Representative " Noilh
Clark Street, FR 212843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington. D. C London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London ^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 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 Yolk, N. Y.. under the act
of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas- and $12 foreign; single copies, 10c.
THE EYES OF
AMERICA WILL BE
ON CHICAGO FOR
THE NEXT 3 WEEKS!
£Hk NATIONAL ALLIED CONVENTION
NOVEMBER 15th to 19th
The Great Independent Theatre Event of the Year!
The largest assemblage of leading theatre owners
in the distinguished history of Allied!
"THE PRISONER OF ZENDA"
F%H# NOVEMBER 21st
JT A natural to follow Allied's enthusiastic salute to
Jr show business, M-G-M brings Chicago another big
* Technicolor adventure spectacle!
"PLYMOUTH ADVENTURE"
NOVEMBER 24th
Chicago's big events launched by the National
Allied Convention continue as M-G-M presents
its famed Technicolor epic of the sea!
4
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, November 18, 1952
Myers Gives Allied Alternatives
(Continued from page 1)
January meeting of the Allied
board and instruct the negotiat-
ing committee in the meantime
to ascertain how far the dis-
tributors will go in developing
an effective conciliation or me-
diation plan and in meeting
other points in this report or
which the committee or the
board may raise.
5) Defer final action until
such time as the film committee
of Allied shall report that con-
ditions regarding film rentals,
terms and conditions which are
now giving rise to so many pro-
tests have eased to a point
where confidence and good will
among exhibitors has been re-
stored.
Sentiment among convention dele-
gates leans toward either of the last
two alternatives. Action on arbitra-
tion, however, may not be taken until
Wednesday, at which time it is ex-
pected whatever recommendation is
made by the Allied board will be
closely followed.
Myers' report on the distributors'
draft, although distributed generally
at the opening convention business ses-
sion today, also has not yet been offi-
cially discussed by him and may not
be until tomorrow's or Wednesday's
meeting.
Jack Kirsch's keynote address today
tipped the board's thinking on the
major controversial issues to be pre-
sented to the convention, including ar-
bitration. Kirsch reminded the con-
vention that the plan does not include
arbitration of film rentals, which Al-
lied's convention in New York last
year made a requisite of any plan
acceptable to it. Of conciliation,
Kirsch said it appeared only to accord
an open-door policy at film exchanges
which, he said, is nothing new. "Allied
has been using it for years," he said.
His keynote, also praised COMPO's
tax repeal campaign and the COMPO
financing effort of the past summer,
indicating further that there is little
doubt Allied's membership in COMPO
will be renewed for another year. He
set the stage for serious considera-
tion of H. A. Cole's proposal that
Allied officers withdraw from co-
operative industry endeavor and pre-
dicted the convention will launch a
campaign against exorbitant film ren-
tals which cannot be withstood. At
Myers Relinquishing
Some of His Duties
Chicago, Nov. 17. — Abram
F. Myers, Allied chairman and
general counsel, said today he
will endeavor to relinquish a
number of the routine duties
he has handled for the or-
ganization for many years in
order to "take things a little
easier."
Among the assignments he
is giving up first is that of
board and convention press
liaison, a function he has per-
formed for years. Wilbur
Snaper, Allied president, has
taken over that task from
Myers for the Allied sessions
here.
Sees Much Criticism, Little
Enthusiasm in Myers 'Report
Chicago, Nov. 17. — The neutral examiner of the report on the dis-
tributors' proposed industry arbitration draft prepared by Abram F.
Myers for the Allied States conven-
Allied Considering
Distribution of Fan
Magazine: 'Revue'
Chicago, Nov. 17. — The Allied
board today considered distribution of
the new pocket-size fan magazine,
"Revue," by Allied units as a revenue
producer for regional organizations.
Allied would place the magazines in as
many theatres as possible, whether
members of Allied or not, and the dis-
tributing regionals would get a per-
centage of the sales. Price of the
magazine is 10' cents.
Final action on the proposal was
postponed until the board's winter
meeting in New Orleans, when it will
be considered again, along" with other
revenue producing plans for the re-
gional units. The magazine selling-
idea is not exclusively an Allied pro-
posal but is open to other theatres as
well.
the same time, Kirsch noted, many
are asking what has happened to Al-
lied's old militant stand and policies.
"We haven't retreated an
inch," he said. "Allied is still
doing business at the same old
stand."
He admonished the conven-
tion to "be bold in your think-
ing and action. Don't act like
whipped dogs."
Kirsch's keynote address was praised
to the convention by Wilbur Snaper,
Allied president,
who endorsed it
as "setting the
tenor and tempo
of the conven-
tion." Ben Mar-
c u s , Allied
treasurer, open-
ed the conven-
tion. The first
session got un-
'If. A A\ ?() 111111
utes late but
some of the
fault lay with
the hotel ar-
rangements of-
fice which had rented the auditorium
for a Chicago Monday morning quar-
terbacks luncheon for sports writers,
who were shown films of last Satur-
day's Michigan State-Notre Dame
football game. The auditorium had to
be cleared and rearranged after the
luncheon for the sports experts, which
ran late.
On the dais for the opening session,
which was well attended, were Mar-
cus, Snaper, permanent convention
chairman ; Kirsch, general chairman
of the convention ; Jack Rose of Illi-
nois Allied, and Stanley Kane of
North Central Allied. John Daly,
clerk of the city of Chicago, welcomed
the delegates.
The session adjourned till tomorrow
Wilbur Snaper
tion here will look in vain for evi-
dences of unqualified enthusiasm.
There is, however, no lack of criti-
cism of virtually all of the proposals
in the draft or, at least, expressed
disappointment in the language.
The proposals for abitration
of competitive bidding com-
plaints perhaps arouse the most
regret in Myers' report.
Myers notes that exhibitor members
of the drafting committee stood sol-
idly for curbing the use of competi-
tive bidding as much as possible. His
report to the convention says that that
aim was weakened "by the exceptions
upon which the distributors have in-
sisted."
By way of example he cites uncer-
tainty as to the definition of a pre-
release. He says that if distributors
claim, contrary to his own views, that
a pre-release means "after a pre-re-
lease first run in any city, the dis-
tributor is free to require bidding on
all subsequent engagements, then this
provision will afford no remedy for
one of the worst of the current
abuses."
Myers added that "under the dis-
tributors' wording they could, if so
minded, reject all offers first sub-
mitted and then bring all the the-
atres in the city into competition for
the picture."
'Cloak for Favoritism'
In discussing another proposal cov-
ering rejection of bids Myers says:
"We tried to limit the competition to
those who showed enough interest in
the pictures to make an initial offer ;
the distributors apparently want to
make the rejection of bids the occa-
sion for enlarging the competition and,
possibly, a cloak for favoritism and
discrimination."
Of awards in competitive bidding
cases, Myers' report says : "The clear
and simple language of the Aug. 20
draft has been supplanted by gobble-
degook and one important provision
has been mislaid. . . ."
Myers begins the report by
pointing out that the distribu-
tors' draft is not the "all-inclu-
sive plan" contemplated by the
Allied board "because it makes
no provision for the arbitration
of film rentals as stipulated by
Allied."
Taking up the subjects of arbitra-
tion individually, the report has little
following Kirsch's keynote address.
The Allied film clinics were in con-
tinuous session and will resume again
tomorrow morning. The first general
convention luncheon will be held to-
morrow, followed by a demonstration
of RCA large screen theatre television
and a convention open forum. In the
evening there will be a night club
party for the delegates at Chez Paree.
Meanwhile, visitors to the TESMA-
TEDA equipment exhibit and trade
show continue heavy.
Sees Less Sentiment
For Cole Proposal
Chicago, Nov. 17. — Con-
vention sentiment here is
veering away from support of
H. A. Cole's proposal that
Allied officers withdraw from
all-industry cooperative ef-
forts in favor of concentrat-
ing exclusively on handling
exhibitors' trade practice com-
plaints. Many feel that the
Cole proposal is needless and
that Allied officers can per-
form both functions. These
are predicting the Cole pro-
posal will be rejected.
William McCraw of Dallas
and Paul Short of National
Screen Service and Texas
COMPO spoke against the
Cole proposal at today's Al-
lied board meeting. They had
been invited to the meeting
by Cole, who also is from
Dallas.
criticism to make of the provisions
governing clearance disputes. The
second subject, runs, also gets off
with only minor comment. Myers
does point out that if all of the nine
distributors subscribing to the arbitra-
tion plan availed themselves of the
provision permitting each of them
two pre-release pictures a year to
be sold on special terms, there would
be 18 such pictures annually. He
adds, however, that at present there is
no limitation on the number of such
pre-release pictures.
Doesn't Go Deep
On the subject of forcing pictures,
Myers says the proposal to curb the
abuse "does not go to the heart of
the evil. Salesmen," he says, "no long-
er condition the licensing of one pic-
ture on the licensing of additional
product." He asserts they raise the
price of the desirable pictures "to the
point where an exhibitor finds he can
make a more advantageous deal by
taking them all. In other words, in-
stead of direct forcing, we have forc-
ing by price differentials."
Myers said an Allied proposal
which attacked the practice "was re-
jected by the distributors." This
was resolved, he said, by distributors
writing in the words forcing "di
rectly or by any means." Myers
said he feels that forcing by price
differentials is forcing "by any means"
and he would expect any "fair
minded arbitrators to accept that
view."
He adds: "I do not need to
remind you, however, that an
argument is an unsatisfactory
substitute for a clear-cut pro-
vision."
Contract violations in the draft and
the provisions governing them escape
Myers' criticism. However, in dis-
cussing damages, he indicates some
dissatisfaction, particularly with the
language, on the four-year limitation
period, or less. Distributors, he said,
have added to the provision language
"which will hardly prove enlightening
to the non-lawyers who will admin-
ister the system and serve as arbitra-
tors, not to mention the poor devils
whose interests will be at stake in the
(Continued on page 5)
Tuesday, November 18, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
Registrations Near
1,000 in Chicago
Chicago, Nov. 17. — The
combined registrations of the
Allied States and TESMA-
TEDA conventions may reach
1,000, it was evident here to-
day as the facilities of the
Morrison Hotel were over-
taxed in efforts to handle the
incoming crowds.
At least 100 more applica-
tions for tickets to the Wed-
nesday night Allied banquet
than the hall can accommo-
date have been received.
The TESMA-TEDA trade
show, most elaborate in the
history of the industry, ex-
tends over two exhibition
floors and is well attended.
The trade exhibit will be re-
peated here next year at the
Theatre Owners of America
convention in the Conrad
Hilton Hotel, and will be
alternated between the con-
ventions of the two national
exhibitor organizations there-
after.
Myers' Report
(Continued from page 4)
proceedings."
Myers said he warned the distribu-
tors that their aim of reducing anti-
trust litigation through arbitration
would succeed in large measure ac-
cording to their liberality in subject-
ing themselves to damage awards.
With double damages now the likely
amount that could be won by a com-
plainant, Myers says "it remains to
be seen whether aggrieved exhibitors
will resort to arbitration or continue
to go to court."
Least Enthusiastic Words
Perhaps his least enthusiastic words
are left to the conciliation proposals.
He said these were proposed when
distributors rejected Allied's requests
for arbitration of film rentals. De-
spite its "engaging language," Myers
said, the conciliation plan "provides
nothing more than that the distribu-
tors shall maintain an open-door pol-
icy, which some companies are doing
now." He says the plan does not go
as far as the old UMPI plan and that
based on Allied's experience and that
of its officers engaged in handling
trade practice complaints to date "I
have grave doubts as to whether the
plan now offered will solve the prob-
lems uppermost in the exhibitors'
minds, having to do with current sell-
ing policies and high film rentals."
On practices and procedure,
Montgomery Wins
1st Filmack Prize
Chicago, Nov. 17. — L. C.
Montgomery of New Orleans
won the drawing at the open-
ing Allied convention session
today for early arrivals. Prize
was a decorative desk clock,
donated by Irving Mack of
Filmack, to encourage early
arrivals at the business meet-
ings. A drawing will be held
daily, with only the first 50
arrivals eligible.
Allied States Convention
Personality Notes* • •
/CHICAGO, Nov. 17. — Three Ohioan delegates to Allied States'
national convention at the Morrison Hotel here — Leo T. Jones,
of Upper Sandusky, Ernest Schwartz of Cleveland, and Martin G.
Smith of Toledo (who has written an article depicting his experi-
ences as a "guinea pig"'' in an effort to break the power of the Ohio
State Censor Board, for the Convention Year Book) — all are attend-
ing their 19th national Allied convention, maintaining their perfect
records of never having missed one of these national gatherings since
Allied was organized. . . . Attending his first national Allied con-
vention is Marion F. Bodwell of Wyoming, 111., who started in the
theatre business at the age of 10 distributing handbills for the
old Lyceum Theatre at Wyoming, was promoted to ticket-taker
shortly thereafter, became projectionist at the age of 12, and opened
his own theatre (the Paramount) at the age of nineteen. Now only
49, Bodwell is a veteran of 39 years in show business. . . .
• • •
W. H. (Bill) Hoffman, owner of the Lamar, Arthur, 111.,
will have an opportunity to renew old acquaintances while
he's here for the convention. He used to be a featured vocalist
on Chicago radio stations KYW, WCFL, and WIBO. . . .
Charlie Jones, owner of the Dawn Theatre, Elma, Iowa, who
is attending his second national Allied convention, also is a
journalist, having written a series of articles on small town
theatres for Motion Picture Herald. ... A member of Allied
since its inception in the state of Wisconsin, C. L. Roser of
Baraboo began his career in show business as an auditor for
the old Ringling Brothers circus back in 1906. In 1915, Al
Ringling, eldest of the Ringling brothers, built the Al Ringling
Theatre in Baraboo, winter headquarters of the circus, and
put Roser in charge of it. Roser recalls that they used to
house the polar bears in heated brick buildings and let the
camels spend their daytimes in snow-covered barnyards. . . .
• • •
F. J. McWilliams, owner and operator of the Portage and Home
theatres, Portage, Wise., as well as the Drive-in on the outskirts of
Portage, opened his first theatre 46 years ago, charging five cents
admission, and has been an exhibitor ever since except for 18 months
in 1916 and 1917 when he travelled for Mutual Film. . . . R. V.
McGinnis, chairman of the board of Allied of Oklahoma and owner
of McGinnis Theatres, is attending his first national Allied conven-
tion. He brings real political "savvy" to his position as a member
of COMPO of Oklahoma; McGinnis at one time zuas secretary to
U.S. Congressman Wesley E. Disney and is a member of the public
affairs committee of the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce. . . . Another
Ohion also attending his 19th national Allied convention to main-
tain a perfect attendance record, is Roy E. Wells, former owner of
the Salem and Grand theatres, Dayton. 0., who now operates the
St. Paul at St. Paul, O.
Myers has mild criticism of the
form of awards and appeals. On
the matter of obtaining Justice
Department and court approval
of the plan Myers says that if
"Allied elects to go along with
this arbitration movement I
would have to insist that the
negotiations with the attorney
general include counsel for all
the participating organizations
and be not limited to counsel
for the film companies.
He said a provision has been added
to the draft that, should the plan be
abandoned at the end of its 18 months
trial period, he thinks "outstanding
cease and desist orders" would be in-
effective 12 months after but unpaid
damage awards could still be col-
lected."
Myers also says that the selection
of local exhibitor arbitrators should be
left to the local and regional exhibitor
associations and not chosen, as pro-
posed, by exhibitor members of the
national administrator of the plan.
Nothing in Myers' report to the
convention could be interpreted as an
endorsement in whole of the distribu-
tors' draft.
Indiana Allied
(Continued from page 1)
annual meeting at the Hotel Lincoln
here on Dec. 2-3.
A round-table discussion for ex-
hibitors from small and medium
towns will be led by E. L. Ornstein
and J. P. Finneran. A. H. Borken-
stein, E. L. Millee and D. Irving Long
will preside at the clinic for city and
subsequent-run operators. J. R. Pell,
T. R. Mendelsohn and Jack Arm-
strong will be moderators for the
drive-in group.
Trueman Rembusch, president of the
Indiana Allied, announced that Wil-
bur Snaper, president of national Al-
lied ; Abram F. Myers, general counsel
of the national organization, and
Max E. Youngstein, vice-president of
United Artists, already have accepted
invitations to speak at the convention.
An ATOI directors' meeting will
precede the convention, on the night
of Dec. 1.
A party for exhibitors attending the
convention will be given by Indian-
apolis Tent No. 10 of Variety in the
Lincoln Hotel.
Pittsburgh Owners
Ask Tax Abolition
Pittsburgh, Nov. 17.—
Morris Finkel, chairman of
the board of Allied of West-
ern Pennsylvania, headed a
group that appeared before
the City Council here today
requesting that the city abol-
ish its 10 per cent amusement
tax.
He declared that the tax is
threatening the very exist-
ence of motion picture thea-
tres, and that many theatres
had been forced to close their
doors while others have been
operating on a part time basis
because of the "paralyzing ef-
fect" on business. The request
was referred to the Commit-
tee on Finance for discussion
tomorrow.
Allied Board
(Continued from page 1)
obtain better film prices and
terms for members, and to re-
new Allied's membership in the
Council of Motion Picture Or-
ganizations for another year.
Heretofore the Allied board habitu-
ally has taken final action on all such
policy matters and has presented them
to the convention for approval. Thus,
in asking the convention to make the
final decision now, Allied has inaugu-
rated a new board and convention
policy. Whether or not it will be con-
tinued in the future was not certain.
In asking the convention to decide
these issues, the Allied board will
make a report on the results of its
deliberations and probably will make
recommendations, it was said.
As of today, it appeared that the
board would recommend only condi-
tional approval of arbitration, depend-
ent upon changes and additions to the
proposed industry draft designed to
give small exhibitors a better break,
particularly in the area of film play-
ing conditions. It appeared today that
Cole's proposal would win the board's
recommendation but final action on it
would be up to the convention. Re-
newal of membership in COMPO also
appears to be favored by the board,
with the convention to have the last
word on that also.
The board approved a plan
and recommended its adoption
by the general convention under
which Allied regional units will
engage in an expanded inter-
change of film buying informa-
tion, including terms, alloca-
tions and prices. The plan in ef-
fect is an elaboration of the
work being done by "Caravan,"
but with added embellishments,
such as the exchange of ideas
and opinions on films.
Allied Will Hold 1953
Convention in Boston
Chicago, Nov. 17.— The Al-
lied board today approved
New England Allied's bid for
the 1953 national convention.
It will be held at the Shera-
ton Plaza Hotel, Boston; the
tentative dates being Nov. 7-
11.
6
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, November 18, 1952
MGM Plan
44
Road To Bali
99
(Continued from page 1)
bids has worked out well and has
gained the confidence and recognition
of exhibitors generally," Reagan said,
"we have no objection to the dis-
closure of bids after the deadline date
and before the award is made if this
is desired by our customers."
Reagan said that M-G-M had been
striving to further its policy of limit-
ing its competitive bidding situations
only where necessary to meet legal
requirements and it has to some ex-
extent been successful. Continuing, he
said :
Complicated Problems
"Naturally, bidding situations pre-
sent many complicated problems at
times not easy to solve. Where per-
formance in a given case points to a
division of product as a practical solu-
tion, we have done this where agree-
able to all concerned. We have little
doubt that the theatre-going public
prefers to have a theatre identified
with a particular producer's product
rather than the confusion which re-
sults when the public does not know
which' theatre will play a picture,
particularly our type of pictures.
'We shall continue to exert our
efforts to confine competitive bidding
to those situations where there is no
other alternative as we are fully
aware of the feelings of the rank and
file of exhibitors on this subject.
"In the meantime, we are hopeful
of the adoption of the proposed arbi-
tration and conciliation plan upon
which so much time and attention
have been given by all parties. I sin-
cerely hope and do believe that the
conciliation system to which I shall
personally devote myself, will effec-
tively deal with many of the exhibi-
tor-distributor problems now con-
fronting all of us, and that it will in
fact make arbitration in many cases
unnecessary."
Levin Executives Meet
Chicago, Nov. 17. — A three-day
conference of divisional executives of
Jack H. Levin Associates, Inc., has
been scheduled for tomorrow through
Thursday in the Morrison Hotel here.
Jack Levin, president of the national
checking and survey organization, will
discuss with the heads of his various
offices operational plans for the com-
ing year.
Lenore Sanders Rites
Funeral services for Lenore R.
Sanders, United Artists pressbook de-
partment publicity writer who died
suddenly on Saturday, were held here
yesterday. The former writer and
editor for fan magazines had been on
a leave of absence from U.A. for
three months.
Congratulations to the Met.
We welcome to the magnificent Stage
of the Metropolitan
"LA FORZA DEL DESTINO"
NOW READY FOR RELEASE
Carmine Gallone's Motion Picture Version
"LA FORZA DEL DESTINO"
Featuring the World's Outstanding Singers
NELLY CARRADI TITO GOBBI
Cino Sinimberghi Giulio Neri
Mira Vargas Vito de Tarranto
Fausto Tomei
3 STARS ir ir -k New York Dai|y News
NOW in its big 6th week . . . New York City
1st week . . . Dallas
Next week . . . Denver, Los Angeles.
San Francisco and Baltimore
Contact Nathan Cy Braunstein
SCREEN ART SALES CO.
Clr. 6-5883
(Continued from page 1)
crocodiles, bears, and an octopus as well as a mistaken-identity wedding cere-
mony in spectacular headdresses. The best running gag in the film is a switch
on the snake-in-a-basket-charming by flute playing, which here involves beau-
tiful women emerging from an empty basket. Of course, the "patty-cake"
routine is included but with a twist.
THE story by Frank Butler and Harry Tugend has Hope and Crosby
recover the sunken treasure and escape the destructive traps of power-mad
prince Murvyn Vye, a close relative of Miss Lamour's. At the finale it
appears the boys are doomed to die and Miss Lamour is to be married off to
an old, greedy chief but a volcano erupts and the trio escapes with the treasure.
Johnny Burke and James Van Heusen provided a highly serviceable score
which is topped by a jazz number, "Chicago Style," and a lovely ballad,
"To See You," and includes "Hoot Mon," "Moonflowers," "The Merry-Go-
Runaround" and "The Road to Bali."
Tugend produced and liberally utilized process photography of some attrac-
tive island settings. Hal Walker's direction kept the gags and the proceedings
moving at a sharp pace. Others in the cast are Peter Coe, Ralph Moody and
Leon Askin as well as the usual bevy of beautiful girls.
This was viewed at a special trade preview at the Bijou Theatre in New
York and a packed audience of exhibitors and press representatives responded
in an extremely hearty fashion. Promotional possibilities of this were demon-
strated by Paramount in an impressive exploitation display as it could be
done by a typical theatre. Tie-ups were made at an insignificant cost with a
local pet shop for tropical animals and birds; a frozen fruit juice company
for "Bali Brew" ; a costume company for sarongs and costumes ; a fruit whole-
saler for tropical fruits and coconuts ; a record company for phonograph
records and albums ; a model agency for tropical beauties ; a sawdust company
for South Seas sand, sea shells, and tropical decorations ; and lobby displays
of color stills, blowups and posters from National Screen Service.
Few films come to the exhibitor with so much advance demand and properly
exploited, this very funny production should be one of the year's top grossers.
Running time, 90 minutes. General audience classification. For January
release.
Walter Pashkin
RKO Talks
Jack Kirsch Hints
(Continued from page 1)
touched on the suggestion lightly, but
the fact that he mentioned it at all
was taken as an indication that he saw
possibilities in the idea, especially in
regard to conciliation.
In his own words, Kirsch said,
speaking of efforts to achieve
results, "Possibly a more cer-
tain and detailed procedure
along the lines of the abortive
UMPI plan of 1942 can be
worked out. That must remain
for further discussion by those
who have given more time to
the proceedings than I have.
But do not delay any affirma-
tive action you may have in
mind in blind reliance on con-
ciliation as a solution of your
film problems. There are a lot
of characters among the film
companies, but I have never
met one who looked — or acted —
like Santa Claus."
(UMPI was set up by all segments
of the film industry to work out in-
tra-industry problems in 1942. The
various proposals ultimately were re-
jected by the Department of Justice
and, subsequently, the organization
was dissolved).
Kirsch's welcome address to the
delegates was sounded on a high note
of optimism. He expressed confidence
that present difficulties would be over-
come, adding that "my devotion to the
business is not so great, nor am I so
old, that I would not be out trying my
hand at some other line of endeavor if
I felt that the motion picture business
is washed up and has no future." That,
he said, "goes for all of you."
The upsurge in business during the
summer months, Kirsch said, caused
an elation that now appears to be
premature, as receipts fell off after
Labor Day. He admitted that televi-
sion was a big factor in the slump, but
he insisted there were other problems
to cope with, declaring that he was
convinced that TV "is not a perma-
nent menace." The industry has with-
stood more serious challenges than
that offered by television, but TV
coupled with other existing and
threatened handicaps "might indeed
do the trick," he said.
Kirsch reviewed the efforts that had
been made by Allied leaders and the
Council of Motion Picture Organiza-
tions in seeking the repeal of the Fed-
eral admission tax, as well as their
fight against the bill to exempt non-
profit amusements from the tax. He
warned that a great deal is yet to be
done to offset the government's suit to
compel film companies to turn over
their choicest films for TV exhibition.
If this action should coast along to a
freak decision in favor of the govern-
ment, or should the companies tamely
submit to a consent decree, Kirsch
said it would not be an exaggeration
to say that "such a calamity would
spell ruin for every motion picture
theatre in the United States."
Kirsch charged that the At-
torney General had abused his
discretion as a prosecuting offi-
cer in filing this suit and that
the exhibitors were within their
rights in demanding that the
case be withdrawn and, if the
demand is unheeded, they will
be justified in carrying their
complaints even to Congress.
While exhibitors have shown good
faith in working with other branches
on matters adversely affecting the in-
dustry, Kirsch charged that the dis-
tributors have refused to throw the
exhibitors a lifesaver on matters con-
cerning film rental, pre-releases, must
percentages and other problems. He
claimed that the exhibitors "were in-
nocent enough to believe that this new
era of good feeling would extend all
down the line." Allied, Kirsch said,
may have changed its methods a little
in protecting the independent exhibitor,
but it has never deviated from its loy-
alty. He urged that the current con-
vention unite the exhibitors on a
course of affirmative action "that our
distributor friends can no longer ig-
nore."
(Continued from page 1)
having been with Stolkin in Chicago.
However, he said that he may go to
Chicago this week for further parleys
or Stolkin may come here to continue
the negotiations on the purchase by
Fox of the Stolkin group's 29 per
cent stock interest. He added that
there were so many ramifications to
the projected deal that he could not
make a flat statement as to the prog-
ress of the talks.
Unofficial Reports
From other sources yesterday it
was reported that Fox had returned
to New York from Chicago to get
commitments for further necessary
finances to complete the deal. Un-
official reports in Chicago were that
the price of the stock loomed as a
barrier to any early deal. The resig-
nations of Arnold Grant and Arnold
Picker as RKO's chief executive
officers last week sent the stock down
about one point at the time, although
it went up a quarter of a point yes-
terday to 3 and fys, in a day that saw
10,200 shares traded.
Prospective purchasers, on the one
hand, are said to be angling to take
advantage of the lower quotation,
whereas the Stolkin group, on the
other hand, is not prepared to take
any heavy loss on its investment at
the moment.
Call Both Deals Cold
In Chicago, members of the Stolkin
syndicate declined to divulge details of
the Fox negotiations and, although
indicating that the deal was cold, ad-
mitted that it was not beyond the
possibility of being revived. It also
was indicated that talks concerning"
sale of the stock to a group repre-
sented by Col. Henry Crown, of the
Hilton Hotel interests, also are cold.
It could not be learned whether any
new group had entered the scene.
Meanwhile, the RKO board, which
met here daily last week, did not con-
vene yesterday. Sherrill Corwin, act-
ing board chairman, was reported to
have been in Chicago, as was Edward
J. Burke, board member from Chi-
cago, who attended last week's meet-
ings.
Reports circulating yesterday to the
effect that Walt Disney would with-
hold "Peter Pan" from RKO release
until internal difficulties were over-
come were scouted by company
spokesmen. It was pointed out that
the RKO promotional departments
were working on the picture's open-
ings. Roy Disney, president of Walt
Disney Productions, when asked
about the report said, "No comment."
Father Peyton Will
Address Pioneers
Father Patrick Peyton, of the Con-
gregation of the Holy Cross, will be
one of the principal speakers at the
"Jubilee Dinner" of the Motion Pic-
ture Pioneers at the Hotel Astor on
Nov. 25, it was disclosed here yester-
day by Jack Cohn, Pioneers president.
Tuesday, November 18, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
High Court Refuses
Anti-trust Appeal
Washington, Nov. 17. — The Su-
preme Court today refused to hear an
appeal by two California exhibitors
against a lower court decision dis-
missing their anti-trust suit against
10 distributors and two other inde-
pendent exhibitors.
The suit was brought by Steve and
Emma M. Chorak, owners of the
Puente Theatre in Puente, Cal. They
charged the defendants with conspir-
acy to give them inferior playing time
and unreasonably long clearances. The
California District Court and Court
of Appeals hold there was no conspir-
acy but that the distributors had acted
independently. The Choraks appealed
to the Supreme Court, but a majority
of the justices today indicated they
would not take the case. Only three
of the nine justices — Reed, Black and
Douglas — said they thought the case
should be heard.
Distributor defendants in the case
were RKO Radio, Columbia, Warner
Brothers, Paramount, 20th Century-
Fox, United Artists, Universal, Re-
public, Loew's and Monogram. Ex-
hibitor defendants were A. L. San-
born, owner of the El Monte theatre
in El Monte, Cal., and James Ed-
wards Jr., operator of the Valley and
Tumblewood" theatres in El Monte.
"Andersen" to Net
$25,000 for Hospital
Indications are that the benefit
premiere of Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans
Christian Andersen" at the Criterion
Theatre here Nov. 24 will net approxi-
mately $25,000 for the Will Rogers
Memorial Hospital. All proceeds from
the premiere are. to go to the Saranac
Lake institution. Tickets are now on
sale and a sellout is expected by mid-
week. Celebrities from all branches
of the. entertainment world, along with
top civic officials, are to attend the
affair.
The premiere is the first in a con-
templated annual series of benefit
showings of important pictures aimed
to further the tuberculosis research
and treatment work performed at the
hospital.
The benefit will be televised by sta-
tion WPIX, with Tex McCrary and
Jinx interviewing celebrities who will
attend the opening. The program will
be aired from 8 :30 to 9 :00 P.M., and
recordings will be made of the inter-
views for subsequent use by Tex and
Jinx on their Coast-to-Coast morning
radio show.
George Shupert Quits
Peerless TV Firm
George Shupert, vice-president of
Peerless Television Productions,
which handles Edward Small's film
sales to TV stations, has resigned. He
will announce a new affiliation shortly.
During the last year Shupert is
understood to have sold 26 Small pro-
ductions to television stations in 27
markets. Sales amounted to approxi-
mately $1,000,000, it was said.
Rachmil andFadiman
In Columbia Posts
Hollywood, Nov. 17. — In unrelated
shirtings, Lewis Rachmil and William
Fadiman, who last week resigned from
RKO Radio production posts, have
joined Columbia Pictures in produc-
tion capacities.
Television-Radio
with Pinky Herman
Sid Caesar
A SPECIAL TIE-UP between Universal-International Pictures
and Walt Framer's "The Big Pay-Off," Tviewed Coast-to-
Coast via NBC, has been effected to seek the "Because of You Girl."
The contest will be held in 22 cities and the winner will receive
an all-expense trip to New York and a modeling contract on "The
Big Pay-Off." . . . With the findings by the FCC "that Paramount
Pictures did not control the Allen B. 'DuMont Laboratories, Inc."
Dr. A. B. DuMont announced that this "Is a long step towards
better television service throughout the country." Look for increased
activity and further appropriations for development of the DuMont
Network, simultaneous with the completion of WABD's multi-
million-dollar tele-center in New York. . . . Jackie Gleason, rotund
comic of his own CBShow, has been named Grand Marshal of
Macy's 26th annual Thanksgiving Day Parade which will be telecast
exclusively via CBS, Thursday, Nov. 27 from 11:00 A.M. to noon.
Robert Trout will narrate the event, a chore he's handled since 1931.
ft ft ft
Mayer Kris Kristensen and the City of Yonkers, N. Y., will
pay tribute tonight to Sid Caesar, half of the great comedy team
of "Caesar & Coca," starred every Saturday nite on Max Lieb-
mau's "Your Show of Shows" via NBC. Besides top-ranking city
and Westchester County officials who have
designated Nov. 18 as "Sid Caesar Day," in
honor of a local boy who made good in a
big way, others who will attend the festivi-
ties include, Liebman, Charles Sanford,
Imogene Coca, Dave Tebet, Harry Forwood,
Bill Hobin, Carl Reiner and Howard Morris,
Prexy Joseph H. McConnell, Veep Pat
Weaver of NBC, NBC producers Hal Janis
and George McGarrctt, Comics Jack Carter,
Morey Amsterdam and Jack E. Leonard,
Harry Kalcheim of the William Morris
Agency and, Rear Admiral Louis B. Olsen,
Commandant of the U. S. Coast Guard,
Eastern District. (Sid got his major league
start while an enlisted man, as featured comic in the Coast
Guard's feature film, "Tars and Spars.") The 2,000 assembled
guests at the Armory on North Broadway in Yonkers will hear
a variation of Bill Shakespeare's classic lines, said variation being,
"Friends, Yeomen, Countrymen, . . . I came to BURY Caesar
with PRAISE."
ft ft ft
We are happy to correct, via this pillar, an error that
appears in the current edition of the Motion Picture &
Television Almanac stating that Sesac, Inc., was organized
in 1951. In reality, Paul Heinecke formed Sesac, Inc., in 1931,
five years after he had founded Associated Music Publishers.
Acclaimed as a pioneer in popularizing classical music in
America, Heinecke recently celebrated his 50th anniversary
as head of Breitkopf Publications. . . . Abby Greshler, who has
just produced the second film of the new "Peck's Bad Boy"
TV series, starring Jimmy Boyd, is en route to New York to
complete a deal, probably with UA, for distribution of "Emer-
gency Call," full length flicker he acquired from Butcher
Films, Ltd., of London. . . . Next Saturday's "All-Star Revue,"
via NBC-TV, will feature the Ritz Brothers who will stop
clowning long enough to introduce their own composition,
"Get Out and Vote For Santa." Sid Kuller, who directs the
Eddie Cantor and Donald O'Connor shows, will handle
similar chores for this Bill Harmon production. . . .
ft ft ft
Several agencies have called Johnny Olsen for commercial films as
a result of the vet emcee's fine job in a special "Battle Cancer" film
just released nationally. . . . Ruth Cummings, wife of Roy Rowland
and niece of Louis B. Mayer, is in Gotham to arrange for publication
of several new original stories. Miss Cummings' articles and short
stories have appeared in numerous leading magazines. . . . TV pro-
ducers and directors seek perfection in their story material and the
histrionics of their actors but often are careless or perhaps regard
musical background music as unimportant. Conversely, appropriate
mood music, does much to enhance the quality of dramatic programs,
a fact that was established way back in the nickelodeon days. Ex-
amples of effective musical background that come to mind are heard
in the NBC-TVehicle, "The Doctor" on Sundays, and "Man Against
Crime," CBSeries, telecast every Wednesday.
Set 'Carmen' for
Fabian's Grand
Fabian's Grand, Albany, N. Y.,
plans to carry the Dec. 11 telecast
of "Carmen," it was learned here
yesterday.
Meanwhile, negotiations between
Theatre Network Television, the
agency which has booked the first
theatre TV entertainment event, and
other circuits will resume tomorrow.
Today, Nathan Halpern, TNT presi-
dent, will be in Chicago to address
the national Allied convention.
Upon his return here, Halpern is
due to continue talks with various
circuit executives, including those of
Loew's, Warner Brothers, Shea En-
terprises, RKO Theatres and United
Paramount Theatres. For the Metro-
politan Opera production of "Car-
men," TNT is seeking 40 cents per
seat as a minimum against 50 per cent
of the net box-office receipts. It is
understood that TNT expects to line-
up from 40 to 50 theatres for the
cross-country three-hour telecast. Al-
though circuit executives are virtually
unanimous in their interest, some op-
pose the price being sought for the
event.
Deny Gamble Bid on
Ownership Change
Washington, Nov. 17. — A Federal
Communications Commission hearing-
examiner today denied an application
by Ted Gamble to change a pending
appplication for a Portland television
station to take note of different own-
ership.
The application is by the Mt. Hood
Radio and Television Co. Ralph Stol-
kin, Sherrill Corwin, Edward Burke
and Harry Kahn recently sold their in-
terest in the company to the employes.
Gamble, a major stockholder in the
firm, was asking the examiner, dur-
ing a hearing on various Portland TV
applications, to amend the application
to take note of this change. The ex-
aminer denied the request, and Gamble
will appeal to the full Commission.
DuMont Hails FCC's
Resnick Findings
DuMont Laboratories hailed the
recommendations of Federal Com-
munications Commission examiner
Leo Resnick, which found that Para-
mount Pictures does not control Allen
B. DuMont Laboratories, Inc.
Resnick's findings, declared Dr. Al-
len B. DuMont, president, "is a long-
step towards better television service
throughout the nation. It removes all
questions as to the stability of our li-
censes in New York, Washington and
Pittsburgh, and will make it possible
for us to acquire additional stations."
Turn Down TV Set Tax
Boston, Nov. 17. — Massachusetts
legislators today turned down a sug-
gestion to tax all television sets $1.50
or $2.00 annually. Senator Ralph C.
Mahar, chairman of a legislative com-
mission studying the possibility of es-
tablishing a television channel in
Massachusetts for educational pur-
poses, ruled out a suggestion that in-
dividual television sets be taxed to pro-
vide money for a state owned station.
Harry Tugend to Write
Hollywood, Nov. 17. — Harry Tu-
gend has given up his Paramount
producership to concentrate exclu-
sively on writing.
these facts and figures from "The Exhi-
bitors Digest". Look at the tremendous
increase in operating costs . .\.
SUPPLIES-EQUIPMENT SINCE '40
The percentage of increase in prices of equipment
and supplies since 1940 is as follows:
Seats 143%
Box office 76%
Carpet 120%
Carpet padding 76%
Display frames 166%
Draperies 79%
Projection equipment and supplies .... 115%
Stage equipment 110%
Furniture and miscellaneous 116%
Janitor and lavatory supplies 106%
Miscellaneous 35%
Marquee letters 126%
Carbons ZZx/i%
Stationery supplies 93%
Printing 90%
/"sri*&&&/Z£ ~~ the negligible increase, IF ANY, that
C/^ ' you have paid N.S.S. during all these years of
rising costs!
J^/rM#<&Z£ ~ AU y°ur costs
GU"V with the LOW COST,
Service-with-a-Smile Policy of
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
mpartia!
VOL. 72. NO. 97
NEW YORK, U. S .A., WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1952
TEN CENTS
Small Business
Group Future
Hangs in Doubt
Probe's Continuance to
Rest on New Committee
Washington, Nov. 18. — The
Senate Small Business Committee
in the new Congress will have to
make a new and fresh determina-
tion whether to continue its investiga-
tion of the motion picture industry,
informed observers believe.
It was also learned that the chances
now favor Sen. Thye (R., Minn.) to
head the group in the next Congress.
Sen. Tobey (R., N.H.) and Sen.
Saltonstall (R., Mass.) both outrank
Thye on the Republican side of the
committee, but observers believe that
both will decline the Small Business
Committee post to devote themselves
to jobs as chairmen of other higher-
ranking committees. Tobey is in line
to head the Interstate and Foreign
Commerce Committee, while Salton-
stall will probably head the Armed
Services Committee.
The investigation of distributor
trade practices, started earlier in the
(Continued on page 10)
No Action Taken on
Md.'s Censor Law
Baltimore, Nov. 18. — The Mary-
land State Board of Motion Picture
Censors and the State Legislature's
Judiciary Council today discussed re-
sponsibility for any changes in Mary-
land's censorship law and failed to
reach any decision.
The motion picture censorship prob-
lem was referred to the Council by
former Attorney General Hall Ham-
mond in a last summer ruling where-
in he stated the Board of Censors can
only ban indecent or obscene films.
National Conclave
For Drive-in Owners
Chicago, Nov. 18. — A na-
tional convention of drive-in
theatre operators has been
scheduled for March 23-25 in
Milwaukee by drive-in opera-
tors attending the annual Al-
lied convention here. The
drive-in meeting will be held
in conjunction with the an-
nual convention of Allied
Theatre Owners of Wisconsin.
Allied Votes to Renew
COMPO Membership
Program to Fight
Pricing Abuses
Approved by Allied
Chicago, Nov. 18. — A three-point
program for combatting alleged abuses
in film pricing practices drawn up by
the Allied States board of directors
was approved by the convention here
today.
Relief from the practices com-
plained of is to he sought by Allied
by any or all of the following means :
1) Instituting and conducting liti-
gation.
2) Petitioning the Department of
Justice and other executive and
(Continued on page 7)
Abbott, Costello Sign
4- Film U -I Contract
Universal - International reported
here yesterday the signing of a new
contract with Bud Abbott and Lou
Costello which calls for their services
through 1955 and provides that they
star in a minimum of four pictures
over that period.
The first of the four films will be
"Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll
and Mr. Hyde," slated to start in
(Continued on page 10)
Rembusch Gives Board's Report; Minority
Report by Yamins Touches Off Near
Revolt; See End of Arbitration Efforts
By SHERWIN KANE
Chicago, Nov. 18. — A near revolt of the xAllied States member-
ship against the majority report of the board of directors approving
Allied's continued membership in the Council of Motion Picture
Organizations for another year flared at the first open forum of the
convention here today, revealing the temper of the convention and
leading to predictions that Allied's participation in efforts to set
up an industry arbitration plan will
S k our as to Aid
Israel Fund Event
Spyros P. Skouras, president of 20th
Century-Fox, has been appointed hon-
orary chairman of the annual dinner
concert to be given by the American
Fund for Israel Institutions to be held
on the evening of Jan. 8 in New
York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.
At the affair tribute will be paid to
Sol Hurok for his work as a trustee
of the Fund. Edward A. Norman,
president of the Fund, has cited Hurok
for supporting the "artistic and cul-
tural development of Israel." Hurok,
whose career story is being brought to
the screen by 20th Century-Fox in
"Tonight We Sing," managed the first
American tour of the Israel Philhar-
monic Orchestra.
be terminated by
when the subject
morrow.
Allied Approaches Issue
Of Arbitration Critically
Chicago, Nov. 18. — With the Allied States convention here not yet
having taken action on the proposed industry arbitration plan, the
atmosphere is in sharp contrast to the open-arm welcome and flat
proclamations at the Theatre Owners of America convention in Wash-
ington last September that "arbitration
is here."
Apart from all other evidences of
the critical attitude with which Allied
is approaching the distributors' ar-
bitration draft, there is this excerpt
from a message in the convention
journal by Abram F. Myers, Allied
board chairman and general counsel :
"As this piece is being written the
prospects for the early establishment
of an arbitration system are dismal,
to say the least. The distributors are
working behind closed doors on a new
draft which will be unveiled in their
good time. Based on our experience
to date it Js not expected that this
draft will be wholly acceptable to ex-
hibitors and so there will be counter-
proposals and the thing may go on
indefinitely, unless Allied concludes
that the effort no longer justifies the
necessary expenditures of time and
money. _
"Perhaps the only justification for
mentioning arbitration is to point out
that here again Allied was able to
contribute the services of able, experi-
enced men to what in the early stages
was believed to be a bona fide effort
to benefit the entire industry. That
the negotiations degenerated into just
another film deal was not their fault."
Nathan Yamins
the convention
comes up to-
The one-year
renewal of Al-
lied's COMPO
membership was
carried only
after bitter de-
bate from the
floor following a
minority board
report read by
Nathan Yamins
of Massachu-
setts which
would have lim-
ited Allied's
continuation in
COMPO only
the fight for ad-
for the duration of
mission tax repeal.
Yamins scored distribution trade
practices in making the minority re-
port and said its purpose was to
(Continued on page 6)
Still Withhold Draft
Of Arbitration Plan
Chicago, Nov. 18. — Despite
the detailed, point-by-point
analysis of the distributors'
draft of the proposed indus-
try arbitration plan given to
the Allied convention here by
Abram F. Myers, chairman
and general counsel, the draft
will not be released here for
publication. Distributors have
declined again to authorize
its release.
Unsuccessful efforts to ob-
tain authorization for its re-
lease were also made by the
Theatre Owners of America
at its September convention
in Washington.
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, November 19, 1952
Personal
Mention
Y FRANK FREEMAN, Para-
• mount vice-president and studio
head, will arrive here today from the
Coast.
Elias Lapinere, who will rejoin the
M-G-M organization on Jan. 1 as spe-
cial publicity representative in Europe,
will arrive here tomorrow from Eu-
rope on the S.S. Liberie, accom-
panied by Mrs. Lapienere.
e
Leon J. Bamberger, RKO Radio
sales promotion manager, will speak
at the Allied of Indiana meeting in
Indinapolis Dec. 2-3 and at the In-
dependent Exhibitors of New England
meeting in Boston Dec. 9.
•
Bradford Cross, formerly an ac-
count executive at Gray and Rogers
Advertising Agency, Philadelphia, has
joined the staff of the Princeton Film
Center, Inc., Princeton, N. J.
e
. Irene Christman, of the title reg-
istration bureau of the Motion Pic-
ture Association of America, has be-
come the bride of Richard Stainkamp
of New York.
•
Edward Ruby, pioneer in the equip-
ment field, and head of Ruby Co., N.ew
York, is in Kevv Gardens General
Hospital, Queens, N. Y., following a
heart attack.
•
Felipe Mier, president of Mier and
Brooks, Mexican producers, is due
here tomorrow from a four-month stay
in Europe, en route to Mexico City.
•
Bella Kreisman, secretary to John
J. Glynn, Warner International
Corp. vice-president and treasurer, has
become engaged to Samuel Kandel.
•
Frank W. Phelps, head of Warner
Brothers Theatres labor department,
will be in Washington today and will
return here early next week.
•
Jesse L. Lasky and his executive
assistant, John Gregory, flew to the
Coast from here last night and will
return in 10 days.
•
Frank Saviola, Paramount sales-
man in the Rochester and Syracuse
territories, announces the birth of a
girl.
•
Sol Karp, formerly assistant mana-
ger at the State Theatre, Hartford, is
now overseas with the U. S. Navy.
•
Nunnally Johnson, 20th Century-
Fox writer-producer, arrived here yes-
terday from Hollywood.
•
William M. Pizor, Lippert Pic-
tures vice-president, is in Hollywood
from New York.
Review Group
Cites Goldwyn
An award honoring Samuel Gold-
wyn for his production of "Hans
Christian Andersen" was presented to
the producer here yesterday by the
New York City Federation of Wom-
en's Clubs and the Motion Picture
Councils of Greater New York at a
joint luncheon in the Plaza Hotel.
More than 150 representatives of the
national and local organizations which
preview and rate films for an aggre-
gate membership of 40,000,000 women
attended the event.
Mrs. Charlotte Baruth, president of
the New York City Federation of
Women's Clubs, said that in the long-
list of "distinguished" pictures pro-
duced by Goldwyn, none surpassed
"Andersen" as outstanding family en-
tertainment. In a brief address to
the luncheon guests, Goldwyn said his
decision to make the picture 16 years
ago stemmed from his conviction that
the "great Danish story-teller repre-
sents a wonderful and simple phil-
osophy of life."
Goldwyn said he had decided to
give at least one free performance in
each city throughout the world for
under-privileged children seeing it.
Goldwyn to Address SPG
Hollywood, Nov. 18. — The Screen
Publicists Guild announced today that
Samuel Goldwyn would be the prin-
cipal speaker at the Guild's annual
dinner, to be held here Dec. 10.
Sochin Lining Up Shorts
Irving Sochin, Universal Pictures'
short subjects sales manager, has re-
turned to New York from a three-
week trip to the company's Western
branches and a visit to the Coast stu-
dios setting up plans for the short
subjects program for 1952-53.
Three-monthCapitol
Line-up Is Set
The Capitol Theatre here yesterday
released its line-up of shows for De-
cember, January and February.
On Wednesday, Dec. 3, Universal's
"Because of You," starring Loretta
Young and Jeff Chandler, will open.
Johnny Ray with an in-person sup-
porting cast will bow in on Wednes-
day, Dec. 24 for the holiday, marking
the first in-person attraction at the
house in a year and a half. The holi-
day show will co-feature Universal's
"Against All Flags," starring Errol
Flynn and Maureen O'Hara.
RKO Radio's "Androcles and the
Lion," produced by Gabriel Pascal
and starring Jean Simmons, Robert
Newton, Victor Mature and Maurice
Evans, will be the third feature shown
during this period, early in January.
A Hollywood-style invitational pre-
miere is being prepared.
M-G-M's "Above and Beyond,"
with Robert Taylor and Eleanor
Parker playing the leads, completes
the three-month line-up.
Religious to See Film
Loew's Theatres, in conjunction
with the Motion Picture Department
of the International Federation of
Catholic Alumnae, will have special
showings here on Saturday for the
Sisters and others of religious orders,
of "Because You're Mine," which
stars Mario Lanza. The showings will
be held in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
WB Sales Meet Wwmei
Starts Today
Pittsburgh, Nov. 18.— Jules Lapi-
dus, Warner Brothers Eastern and
Canadian division sales manager, will
preside at a meeting of district and
branch managers of Central and. Mid-
Atlantic sales districts to begin to-
morrow at the Hotel Schenley here.
Robert Smeltzer, Mid-Atlantic dis-
trict manager ; J. S. Abrose, Central
district manager, and six branch man-
agers will meet with Lapidus, Nor-
man H. Moray, short subjects general
sales manager, I. F. Dolid, and Ber-
nard R. Goodman, supervisor of ex-
changes.
Branch managers who will attend
include William G. Mansell, Phila-
delphia; P. R. DeFazio, Washington;
R. H. Dunbar, Cincinnati ; J. M.
Wechsler, Cleveland ; C. W. McKean,
Indianapolis, and Jack Kalmenson,
Pittsburgh.
W. B. Midwest Zone
Meet in Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Nov. 18. — Warner
Brothers Midwest zone held its kick-
off showmanship drive meeting here
at the Schroeder Hotel. Mayor Ziedler
opened the conclave by applauding
the exhibitors for their assists in
their civic promotions.
The high light of the drive is an
exploitation contest conceived by Al
Kvool with prizes of $3000 in cash.
Exchange managers from Paramount,
Universal, 20th Century-Fox, M-G-M
and Warner Brothers told of the pic-
tures selected and prize offers.
Col. Stockholder
Files Trust Suit
A minority stockholders suit against
Columbia Pictures and its officers and
directors, seeking to enjoin the com-
pany from engaging in alleged anti-
trust trade practices, has been filed in
New York Supreme Court.
The suit was brought by William
B. Weinberger of New York, whose
attorney is Samuel H. Levinkind, also
of this city, Levinkind claimed that
his client owns more than 100 shares
and is in no way connected with
exhibition.
The complaint is due to be answered
by Columbia on Tuesday. The suit
charges Columbia with engaging in a
course of action in violation of Fed-
eral and state anti-trust laws in con-
nection with the production, distribu-
tion and exhibition of motion pictures.
Columbia Directors
Declare 2 Dividends
The directors of Columbia Pictures
here yesterday declared a dividend of
25 cents on the corporation's com-
mon stock and voting trust certificates
for common stock payable Dec. 18 to
stockholders of record on Dec. 4. They
also declared a two-and-a-half per cent
dividend on the common stock and vot-
ing trust certificates for common stock,
payable on Jan. 18 to stockholders of
record on Dec. 5.
A TOM IC Energy Commission head
■/l Gordon Dean's discussion of the
successful experiments of the Hydro-
gen Bomb highlights current news-
reels. Also featured- are the drive of
French forces to cut off Red units in
the Indo-China: war, the funeral of
Dr. Chaim Weizmann in Israel, Brit-
ain's Queen vievtiing Coronation fash-
ions, and President-elect Eisenhower
ending his Georgia vacation.
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. S4— Atomic
chairman talks of H-Bomb. Tanker rams
Navy ship in war drill off Cape Henry, Va.
Eisenhower ends Georgia vacation. Chaim
Weizmann laid to rest. Queen Elizabeth
sees fashions for coronation. Princeton-Yale,
Michigan State-Nctre Dame football games.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 224-U.S. re-
ports first test of H-Bomb. Birthday party
for Mamie Eisenhower. Jitterbug- cham-
pionship. Coronation fashions for Queen.
Michigan State-Notre Dame, A.rmy-Penn
football games.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 27— First H-
Borab experiments revealed. Weizmann rites
in Israel. Hamburg, Germany gets the
"jitters." Yale-Princeton, Notre Dame-
Michigan State football games.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 48A— Eisen-
hower's vacation ends. Stevenson relaxes
in Arizona. Landslide vote elects Field
Marshal Alexander Papagos in Greece.
General Naguib celebrates third month as
new Egyptian leader. French show new
baby jet. Michigan State-Notre Dame foot-
ball games.
I
UNIVERSAL NEWS, Nr.. 414— Atomic
Commission head tells of H-Bomb tests.
French forces drive to cut off Red units in
Indo-China. Eisenhower ends vacation in
Georgia. Picture Pioneers award to Nate
Blumberg, "Pioneer of 1952." Chaim Weiz-
maira funeral. Michigan State-Notre Dame.
Princeton-Yale football games.
i
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 29—
Gordon Dean talks on the H-Bomb. New
French drive in Indo-China war. Funeral
of Israel's president, Dr. Chaim Weizmann.
Wingless plane flies, but not for long.
France shows the world the first baby jet.
Marines launch toys for tots appeal in Los
Angeles. Princeton- Yale, Michigan State-
Notre Dame football games.
News re el Coverage
Of House Hearings
Washington, Nov. 18. — Newsreels
and television may be allowed to cover
some House Committee hearings in
the new Congress.
Rep. Martin ( R, Mass.), who is
slated to be the speaker of the new
House, is reported ready to leave up
to the individual committees the ques-
tion of whether their hearings should
be filmed and broadcast. In the pres-
ent Congress, cameras have been
banned under a ruling of the present
House speaker, Rep. Rayburn (D.,
Tex.). Martin opposed Rayburn's
ruling at the time it was made and
indications now are h,e will overrule
it when he is speaker.
Odeon Theatres Sets
Joint Dividend
London, Nov. 18. — Odeon Theatres
Ltd. announce that dividend arrears
on six per cent cumulative preference
shares that were due on last June 30
will be paid, less income tax, on Dec.
22 together with a dividend for the
half-year ending Dec. 31, bringing
payments up to date.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting Mtor Published 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: Quigpubco,
New York" Martin Ouigley, President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer: Raymond Levy Vice-President; Leo J. Brady.
SecTeta?v James P. Cunningham, News Editor;" Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel. Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca- Vine Buildup
William R Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau. 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative. FT 6-3074; Bruce Tnnz. Editorial Representative, 11 North
Hark Street FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington. D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London Wl ; Hope Burnup Manager , Peter Burnup,
Editor cable address, "QuigpubcoT 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,
of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies,
N. Y., under the act
10c.
Wednesday, November 19, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
Review
"Stars and Stripes Forever"
(20th Century-Fox)
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA's marches and band music have been and remain
enormously popular and this highly exploitable film tribute to him in
color by Technicolor contains a resoundingly played score of his composi-
tions. Clifton Webb delivers a brisk performance in whiskers-and-white-
gloves as Sousa but the story, based on Sousa's "Marching Along," is fami-
liar and incidental to the music.
It is the type of film which exhibitors can readily exploit, for the appeal
of the music, the military setting, and the name of the world-famous com-
poser-conductor is considerable. If properly backed, this should register
strong returns.
Colorful and rousing renditions of the following are included : "Semper
Fidelus," "The Stars and Stripes Forever," "Washington Post March,"
"Hail to the Chief," "El Capitan," "Light Cavalry Overture," "Presidential
Polinaise," "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Also heard are "The Bowery,"
"Springtime in New York," "Father's Got Him," "Sweet Marie," "I'm
Afraid" and a satiric vocalization of "Caro Nome," from "Rigoletto."
Debra Paget -is sparkling and attractive in some boisterous production
numbers as an oldtime burlesque house chorus girl and singer. Robert
Wagner portrays Miss Paget's fiance, a favorite with Webb from their
days at the Marine Corps barracks in Washington, when Wagner invented
a tuba-like instrument named the Sousaphone. Ruth Hussey is properly sweet
and wise as Webb's wife and the romantic adviser of Miss Paget and Wagner.
The Lamar Trotti screenplay, from a story by Ernest Vajda, follows the
success of the Sousa band. There are numerous scenes of humor and warm
sentiment as Wagner marries Miss Paget and they grow closer to Webb
and his wife. Wagner loses a leg in the Spanish- American War but returns
to his loving wife and plays the Sousaphone at a Webb Brooklyn Navy Yard
Concert at the finale.
Trotti produced economically yet utilized colorful settings. Henry Koster
directed ably. This is an attractive entertainment package containing the
necessary elements for good business almost everywhere.
Running time, 89 minutes. General audience classification. For December
release. Walter Pashkin
Report Stolkin
At Coast Meets
Ralph Stolkin, head of the syndicate
which bought out Howard Hughes'
controlling interest in RKO Radio
Pictures, was reported here yesterday
to have left Chicago for the Coast for
conferences with Sherrill Corwin, act-
ing board chairman of RKO Radio.
Meanwhile, Matthew Fox, head of
Films for Television and a partner in
United Artists, who heads a group
negotiating for the purchase of the
Stolkin syndicate interests, said there
are no new developments in the nego-
tiations. He spiked reports that Louis
R. Lurie, Coast real estate operator
who once sought to purchase control
of Warner Brothers, was a member of
the Fox syndicate. Fox said that he
did not know when he would confer
again with Stolkin, either here or in
Chicago.
Presumably, while on the Coast,
Corwin and Stolkin will confer on the
various offers received for the pur-
chase of their 29 per cent interest in
RKO and perhaps slate a meeting
with Hughes.
An unconfirmed Coast report has
the Stolkin group seeking a modifica-
tion of their purchase agreement with
Hughes, in order to eliminate certain
requirements blocking the deal by
which Fox would acquire RKO
control.
Jacon Heads Sales
Of Italian Films
Italian Films Export, the new
agency set up to distribute Italian
product in the U. S., moved nearer to
full organization yesterday with the
announcement here by Dr. Renato
Gualino, chief executive of the IFE,
that:
Bernard Jacon has been named
vice-president of sales and distribu-
tion ;
The IFE will be known as the IFE
Releasing Organization, will be offi-
cially established on Dec. 1 and will
be in full operation by the end of the
year ;
Regional offices are being established
in New York, Cleveland, Chicago, At-
lanta and Los Angeles, for which field
personnel is being established to cover
26 exchange areas ;
A release schedule is now being
prepared on product to play in all
types of theatres, as follows :
(1), Six to eight features with
general audience appeal, to be re-re-
corded in America with American
dialogue; (2), eight to 12 features to
be sub-titled for the more specialized
theatres, and (3), 20 to 30 films, also
subsided, for theatres catering to
Italian and Italo-American communi-
ties.
Entering the industry in 1921,
Jacon represented Small and Straus-
berg Theatres in New York as pro-
motion manager until 1928. For the
next six years he was buyer and gen-
eral manager of Mantell Theatres, and
then from 1934 until 1938, he served
as general manager for Rockaway
Beach Theatres. From 1938 to 1946
he was with Universal in an executive
capacity. In 1946 he joined Super-
films Distribution Corp. in New York,
as manager of sales and distribution.
Since 1949, he has been serving as
vice-president in charge of sales of
Lux Film Distributing- Corp.
Film Art Directors
To Address Ampa
The "Showmanship Class" of the
Associated Motion Pictures Adver-
tisers meeting at the Hotel Wood-
stock here tomorrow night will dis-
cuss "Displays" and will be addressed
by Vincent Trotta, Henry Spiegel and
Frank Adams, it was announced by
Harry K. McWilliams, AMPA presi-
dent.
Trotta was Paramount Pictures art
director for 26 years. He is currently
conducting his own art service to the
industry. Spiegel is director of adver-
tising, publicity and exploitation for
the New York and Brooklyn Para-
mount theatres. Adams is with the
American Display Co.
Terry Turner with
General Teleradio
Terry Turner, former director of
exploitation of RKO Radio Pictures,
will join the staff of General Tele-
radio, Inc., parent company for the
Mutual network, on Dec. 1. He will
direct his efforts toward accelerating-
attendance in motion picture theatres
with the heavy aid of radio and tele-
vision. As exploitation head of RKO
Radio, Turner in the past few years
has used radio and TV widely to
boost theatre attendance.
Turner is a former director of ad-
vertising and exploitation of Loew's
Theatres, and of Radio City Music
Hall and RKO Theatres.
AMPP Okays Program
Hollywood, Nov. 18. — The Associa-
tion of Motion Picture Producers'
board approved the continuation of the
organization's on-job training program
for U. S. Armed Forces technicians
for another year, Fred S. Meyer,
chairman of the military affairs corn-
year.
IRO Wins Guarantee
Suit vs. Holiday Here
A judgment in favor of Interna-
tional Releasing Organization has
been handed down here in IRO's suit
against I. Z. Amusement, Inc., lessee
of the Holiday Theatre, New York,
on charges that the defendant failed
to pay the agreed minimum guarantee
for playing "Kisenga, Man of Africa"
at the Holiday last March, according
to IRO.
Sol Edwards, IRO president, said
the case was important inasmuch as
I. Z. Amusement had tried to attack
the effect of the standard licensing
agreement. It was intimated by the
defendant that the standard contract
was not valid, Edwards said. IRO has
the U. S. distribution rights to 27
J. Arthur Rank pictures.
Efforts to reach the Holiday man-
agement were unsuccessful.
No 'Carmen' at ATC
Boston, Nov. 18. — The American
Theatre Corp. of Boston stated' today
that it does not contemplate presenting
the opera "Carmen" at the Pilgrim
Theatre here on Dec. 11.
No Fabian-TNT Deal
No deal has been set for theatre
televising "Carmen" in Fabian's
Grand, Albany, N. Y., a circuit
spokesman explained here yesterday.
He acknowledged the circuit's inter-
est in the Theatre Network Televi-
sion event, but stated negotiations
were still in progress and no actual
booking has been made for the Grand.
AA Signs Hayes Goetz
Hollywood, Nov. 18. — Allied Ar-
tists has signed Hayes Goetz to a
long term contract as producer.
Goetz, with M-G-M for the past IS
years, most recently produced "Hour
of 13" for that studio in England.
National
Pre-Selling
O UTH HARBERT has written an
interesting- story depicting how
some movie stars celebrate Christmas
Eve. This tale of Yultide appears in
Good Housekeeping's December issue
and is essentially a story about chil-
dren since most of the stars named in
the article have children. Miss Har-
bert takes the reader into the homes
of Esther Williams, Robert Ryan,
Jeanne Crain, William Holden,
Brenda Marshall and young stars
Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis. To
illustrate the article pictures are used
of Esther Williams, who is almost
crowded out of the scene by her two
sons and their pet puppy, and Robert
Ryan and his wife, Jessica, whose
living room is "knee-deep" with chil-
dren.
e
Life, in the issue now on the
newsstands, recreates for its
reader how the Mayflower storm
was filmed for "Plymouth Adven-
ture," M-G-M's feature. A four-
color picture of a full-scale replica
of the Mayflower showing 73 mem-
bers of the cast on board is part of
a two-page editorial spread. Also
reproduced is a model of the May-
flower's waist mounted on hydraulic
rocker and being tossed about by
powerful wave and wind machines.
A full page is devoted to Dawn Ad-
dams, the 22-year-old English star-
let who plays the part of Priscilla
Mullins. Spencer Tracey and Gene
Tierney are pictured in a tense
scene at the rail of the Mayflower.
•
Louella Parsons in Pictorial Re-
view, on nezvsstands Sunday, tells
about a telephone call she received
from Clark Gable while he was in
London. Gable went to England to
star in M-G-M's "Never Let Me
Dozvn." Louella reports that Clark is
"one of the most effective goodivill
ambassadors we ever sent to Britain."
The same issue of Pictorial Review
has a full-color ad for "Plymouth Ad-
venture" on its back page.
•
Claire Bloom appears on the cover
of Time, now on newsstands. In a
story of her career, the writers for
Time tell how Charles Chaplin chose
her for the feminine lead in "Lime-
light." In the same issue there are
full-color pictures of Marilyn Monroe
and Zsa Zsa Gabor. James Linen,
Time's publisher, tells how Daniele
Delorme, star of the French picture,
"Gigi," went to the Life-Time recep-
tion room and asked to speak with
an editor of Life. The three alert
and unhurried receptionists, Sallie
Harrington, Gwen Tremble and Ruth
Kenny, seeing Miss Delorme, thought
she was a high school girl and de-
duced that she was in quest of a still
of her favorite movie star. However,
she went to Life to thank the movie
editor for the "nice story" he had
done on "Gigi."
•
Elizabeth Taylor's life story is
told with pictures and text in the
issue of Look now on newsstands.
A four-color portrait is used along
with photographs taken in Europe.
Elizabeth Taylor's next feature to
be released is M-G-M's "The Girl
Who Had Everything."
Walter Haas
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Titles and Release Dates subject to change.
6
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, November 19, 1952
Allied Renews Compo Membership
(Continued from page 1)
make sure that no one would miscon-
strue Allied's continued membership
in COMPO as a sign of weakness or
indifference to the trade practice com-
plaints of Allied members.
The board's majority report was
read by Trueman Rembusch, one of
the triumvirate which heads COMPO.
The one-year renewal, he said, would
be subject to the same conditions as in
the past, which would give the board
authority to terminate it earlier for
cause.
The report
cited COMPO's
contribu-
tions and activi-
ties beneficial to
exhibitors, in-
cluding the tax
repeal cam-
p a i g n , the
H o 1 1 y w o o d
round tables on
production top-
ics and the
star tours. "If
there were no
COMPO to-
day," Rembusch
said, "we would have to organize one
just to conduct the tax fight."
Sig Goldberg of Wisconsin Allied
touched off the fireworks with an ex-
coriation of distribution practices, par-
ticularly advanced admission pictures.
He asserted he didn't think, nor
did the Wisconsin delegation, that
COMPO "has worked out." "It would
be dead as a dodo today," he said, "if
it were not for the admission tax
fight. We can carry on that fight
without renewing Allied's membership
in COMPO."
Goldberg then moved that
Allied withdraw from COMPO
at once, and the motion was
seconded by Ted Mann of Min-
neapolis.
Rembusch cautioned that the motion,
if adopted, would do "untold damage
Trueman Rembusch
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ACROSS THE
FLY-
U S AND OVERSEAS
Film Clinics Play
To SRO Attendance
Chicago, Nov. 18.— The six
Allied Film Clinics which
have been in almost continu-
ous session here since Sunday
are unusually well attended,
indicating the genuine inter-
est in film buying and book-
ing problems among the in-
dependent exhibitors in at-
tendance.
The clinics are specialized
according to theatre situa-
tions, so that exhibitors with
similar problems are congre-
gated together. All six of the
individual theatre clinic
groups have attracted crowds
which taxed the capacities of
their meeting rooms. The
session, except for the drive-
in clinics, have been closed to
the press.
Reelect Adler, Davee
To TESMA Board
to the tax campaign and would make
the work of your Col. Cole greatly
more complicated." H. A. Cole of
Texas Allied is co-chairman of the tax
campaign.
Finally Wins
The argument waxed back and forth
with ultimately more weight being-
thrown against the motion than for it.
Charles Blatt of Western Pennsyl-
vania Allied reminded the convention
that COMPO is not responsible for
trade practice abuses or sales policies
of any kind. Ben Cubby of Iowa-
Nebraska Allied said approval of the
motion would be a sign of Allied
weakness, evidence that in reversing
its board of directors it was divided
internally. Phil Isley of Texas Allied,
Ben Marcus of Wisconsin Allied and
Jack Kirsch of Illinois Allied and
general convention chairman, all ar-
gued against the resolution.
"There is $300,000,000 in tax
savings at stake," Kirsch
shouted. "If you overlook that
you're daffy."
The revolt on the floor simmered to
a murmur and Mann withdrew his sec-
ond of the motion, after which Gold-
berg withdrew the motion itself.
There was no mistaking the temper
of the convention, however, and lead-
ers of key delegations freely predicted
that Allied is definitely ready to with-
draw from the industry arbitration
movement completely — not merely con-
tent with reserving its decision pend-
ing further efforts to obtain arbitra-
tion provisions more to its liking.
The convention next turned to
reports of the film clinics, which
have been in continuous closed
sessions here since Sunday.
William Carroll of Indiana Al-
lied reported 12 complaints
which had developed in virtually
all of the six separate clinics,
representing individual types
of theatres and situations.
These most frequent complaints, he
said, were : advanced admission prices,
"bottlenecking" of pictures, clearances,
the "silent treatment" of exhibitors by
salesmen, competitive bidding abuses,
trailers, accessories, film costs, print
i shortages, film buying methods and
tie-in sales. Carroll said that discus-
Chicago, Nov. 18. — The following
have been elected to three-year terms
on the board of directors of the Thea-
tre Equipment Supply Manufacturers
Association at the annual convention
here : Ben H. Adler, Adler Silhouette
Letter Co., and Larry W. Davee, Cen-
tury Projector Corp., both reelected,
and Donald Hyndman, Eastman
Kodak Co., and Tom La Vezzi, La
Vezzi Machine Works, both new
members.
Reelected to the Theatre Equipment
Dealers Association board for three-
year terms were Joseph Cefrie, Bos-
ton, and Eldon Peek, Oklahoma Thea-
tre Supply Co., Denver. New direc-
tors elected for three-year terms are :
Solon Burns, Modern Theatre Supply
Co., Seattle, and Homer Teigmeier
of B. F. Shearer Co., San Francisco.
Tom Shearer of the latter company
continues as TEDA board chairman.
TESMA - TEDA confirmed the
dates Oct. 31-Nov. 4 for next year's
joint convention with the Theatre
Owners of America at the Conrad
Hilton Hotel here.
A new TESMA trade mark was
adopted embodying the slogan: "That
the Show May Go On," embodying
the basic creed of TESMA members.
Harry Strong, president of the
Strong Electric Co., was presented
with a placque by TESMA in appre-
ciation of his many years of service
to the organization.
sion at the clinics showed that vir-
tually every company on occasion en-
deavors either to force advanced ad-
missions bv demand or by terms ; that
"illegal, arbitrary clearances exist be-
tween theatres not in substantial com-
petition ; that salesmen frequently do
not call on some exhibitors for ex-
tended periods of time ; that bidding is
used by distributors largely to further
their own ends ; that trailers are ex-
cessively priced ; that accessories are
inadequate ; that film costs are con-
tinuing to increase and that the print
shortages are so bad "they put play-
dates on the auction block."
Thrown Open to Floor
The report was thrown open to dis-
cussion from the floor which was not
concluded by adjournment time.
The session
was opened at 3
P.M. by Wilbur
Snaper, Allied
president and
permanent con
vention chair
man. It led off
with reports by
Cole and Pat
McGee, c o
chairmen of the
industry tax re
peal campaign
on progress of
the fight. Cole
said that to date
195 Congressmen have been pledged as
favoring repeal of the tax and 60
others are on record as favoring a re
duction. Cole said he was not satis
fied with progress ; that a 218 majority
would be unsafe, since legislators
change their minds. He urged re
gional chairmen to do their jobs better
to insure success.
Cole said the campaign plan is to
H. A. Cole
Equipment Men Cite
Schutz for Service
Chicago, Nov. 18. — The com-
mittee in charge of memorial-
izing the 25th anniversary of
George Schutz as editor of
Quigley Publications' Better
Theatres presented Schutz
with a citation at a dinner at
the Iyanhoe Restaurant here
tonight. Oscar F. Neu was
chairman of the committee.
The citation, in part, as
quoted from a resolution on
Nov. 10 by the George Schutz
Salute Committee, reads: "In
recognition of his consistent
editorial leadership in pion-
eering in the interests of
better standards of theatre
design, better equipment and
better theatre maintenance"
and "in appreciation of his
continuous assistance in the
mutual interests of equip-
m e n t manufacturers and
theatre operators throughout
a quarter of a century of
progress, this citation, in
honor of his 25th anniversary
as editor of Better Theatres,
is tendered to George Schutz."
'Limelight' Sets Two
Records in Toronto
Toronto, Nov. 18. — Charles Chap-
lin's "Limelight" set all-time house
records with its opening-day and first-
weekend grosses at the Odeon Carlton
Theatre here, grossing $3,000 on Fri-
day and $5,500 on Saturday, it is
understood.
The premiere will be followed dur-
ing the next two weeks by 22 key
openings on the Odeon circuit across
Canada-
introduce a tax repeal measure on the
first day of the new session of Con-
gress in January. He asked all ex-
hibitors for the vital information on
the damage the tax is doing to their
business, to present to Congressmen
when hearings are held on the repeal
measure.
McGee amplified on Cole's re-
marks, urging exhibitors to stick to-
gether in the fight and insure its suc-
cess.
Snaper said "if we win this tax
repeal fight we go from 'red' to
'blacks.' "
Allied to Reaffirm
16mm. Suit Stand
Chicago, Nov. 18. — Little
time will be devoted by the
Allied convention here to the
Government's 16mm. suit to
force the sale of films to
television.
It's not that Allied is disin-
terested or unconcerned, it
was said. The board and
delegates will reaffirm solid
exhibitor opposition to the
suit. Beyond that, they feel,
all that can be done about it
has been done already or will
be done.
Wednesday, November 19, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
7
Seating Has Flavor
Of Political Meets
Chicago, Nov. 18.— The Al-
lied States convention audi-
torium here has seating
arrangements similar to those
employed by national political
conventions. State delega-
tions are seated together
under state banners. The
same seating arrangement
will prevail at the closing
banquet tomorrow night.
Largest state delegation is
claimed by Wisconsin with
over 100 delegates. Large
delegations also are here
from Ohio, Michigan and
other nearby Midwestern
states. The home delegation,
Illinois, also is very well
represented.
Allied Meet Sees Large
Screen TV Demonstration
Pricing Abuses
(Continued from page 1)
administrative agencies for action.
3) Appealing to appropriate Con-
gressional committees, such as the
Senate Small Business Committee
for relief.
In line with the resolution, Allied
is requesting its members to submit
all evidence of individual cases of al-
leged abuses to it for use in the three
avenues of action to be taken.
Most of the "abuses" complained
of by Allied center on high film prices
and terms requiring advanced ad-
missions.
The Allied board also gave
partial approval to the proposal
offered some time ago by H. A.
Cole of Dallas, asking that
Allied officers be relieved of
their assignments in all-indus-
try, cooperative endeavors in
order to concentrate upon trade
practice fights.
The directors decided "that for the
time being, and until the distributors
shall reform their destructive policies
' and practices, Allied leaders should
confine their participation in coopera-
tive undertakings to those projects
which promise direct, immediate and
substantial benefit to exhibitors, so
that they may be free to devote their
available time and energy to measures
for the protection of Allied members."
"To this end," the resolution con-
tinues, "the directors will re-examine
all such cooperative undertakings in
which Allied leaders are now engaged,
and will carefully screen all such
projects that may be hereafter pro-
I moted, to determine whether they
i meet this test."
Will Be Screened Later
Wilbur Snaper, Allied president, ex-
plained that the projects will be
screened by the board individually at
a later date. It was unofficially in-
dicated that Allied representation on
the industry arbitration drafting com-
mittee probably will be terminated but
that authorization will be given to
Allied officials to continue on the in-
dustry tax repeal campaign and, prob-
ably, in COMPO, although the lat-
ter was somewhat uncertain.
Submission of the resolution to the
' convention today touched off a spirited
discussion on the convention floor, al-
most wholly in support of it. Among
those individually endorsing it from
the floor were A. C. Myrick of Iowa-
Nebraska Allied, M. K. McDaniel,
Chicago, Nov. 18. — A demonstration of large screen television in the
Allied States convention auditorium here today held an audience of 400
exhibitors in wrapt attention for 45 minutes.
The demonstration was provided by RCA on a 12 x 15-foot screen.
The program originated in NBC's
local television studio, WNBQ, about
two miles from the convention hotel.
It consisted of a panel composed of
Jack O'Brien of RCA, Nathan Hal-
pern of Theatre Network Television,
Trueman Rembusch, Nathan Yamins,
A. R. Blocher, John Wolfberg and
Leon Back of Allied. Questions were
posed for Halpern to answer.
Among other things, Halpern
said that by the end of this
year theatre installations of
large screen TV will pass the
100 mark. There are about 90
now. He assured exhibitors
that there would be no accept-
able standard of color TV for
theatres within the next several
years, discounting concern
about obsolescence of equip-
ment bought today. He esti-
mated it would take about five
years on the average to liqui-
date the cost of equipment.
Halpern said 50 theatres showing
large screen TV of the Walcott-Mar-
ciano heavyweight championship fight
grossed $400,000; or an average of
slightly over $8,000 apiece. The aver-
age net profit was about $5,000 for
large theatres and $1,000 to $2,000
for small ones. He said the total
seating capacity of the theatres was
about 120,000.
Halpern also reported on the status
of the FCC hearings on applications
for exclusive theatre TV channels and
cited the programs, previously an-
nounced, for future theatre telecasts.
Texas Allied; J. B. Steadman, Ohio
Allied ; George Vallos, Illinois Allied ;
Siebert Wirley of Texas, and others.
Each recited particular instances of
alleged examples of trade practice
abuses, including advanced admission
requirements, encountered in their own
operations.
Harvey A Visitor
Rotus Harvey, former president of
Western Theatre Owners, a visitor at
the Allied convention, said that
W.T.O. also will meet with the Sen-
ate Small Business Committee and
will gather evidence, too, to present
in support of pricing and other trade
practice complaints. Harvey charged,
also, that the practice of extended
engagements is bringing about a seri-
ous artificial product shortage in his
territory.
Ben Berger
of Minneapolis
contended that
most companies
are concentrat-
ing their re-
sources on the
making of "B"
picture^, which
jjj^BfjJt JjH complaints. He
Bfit^JilB^H °f the theatres
would be out of
Ben Berger , business if it
were not for
concessions sales. "There is a creep-
ing paralysis in the business," he said.
"We must act to prevent our patrons
from being deprived because of price
from seeing the good pictures." Berger
said North Central Allied is planning
to retaliate in every way it can against
the conditions complained of. He said
he would urge NCA to petition the
Minnesota State Legislature to estab-
lish the distribution and exhibition of
films as a public utility, subject to fair
rate schedules.
Ben Marcus, moderator of the small
city film clinic ; Ted Mendelsohn of
Minneapolis and John Wolfberg of
Denver all attacked high film prices
and advanced admission pictures.
Mendelsohn suggested that all such
pictures be by-passed by exhibitors.
Charles Niles of Iowa-Nebraska
Allied offered the resolution in sup-
port of the board's - policy statement
and included a request to exhibitors
to make their personal negotiating
experiences available for use by Allied.
Rodgers Due Today
At Allied Meet
Chicago, Nov. 18. — W. F.
Rodgers, chairman of the dis-
tributors arbitration commit-
tee, is expected here tomor-
row, probably to make a last-
ditch battle to rescue the in-
dustry arbitration plan from
what appears tonight to be
an almost certain veto by the
Allied States convvention.
'5000 Fingers' Float
In Macy Parade
Columbia Pictures' national cam-
paign for "The 5000 Fingers of Dr.
T." will be kicked off Thanksgiving-
Day with a float in the annual Macy
parade here, which will be seen over
the Coast-to-Coast network of CBS-
TV.
Macy officials announced that the
"5000 Fingers" float will be the first
ever devoted to a Hollywood feature
in the 20-year history of the parade.
Jarrico Suit Opens
Hollywood, Nov. 18. — Counsel for
writer Paul Jarrico and RKO Radio
Pictures have agreed, at the opening
of the former's $350,000 suit against
company, to allow Superior Judge
Orlando H. Rhodes to try the case
without a jury. The suit arises from
cupied today's session. The suit arises
Howard Hughes' firing of Jarrico
when the writer refused to answer the
Un-American Activities Committee's
Committee's questions.
Refuse McConnell Bid
Chicago, Nov. 18. — ■ Attorney
Thomas C. McConnell's request for
interest on supplemental attorneys'
fees granted him to cover his activi-
ties during the period from the orig-
inal Towne decision to the time the
appeal was denied has been turned
down by the Seventh District Court
of Appeals.
Switow Asks Allied
Rogers Drive Aid
Chicago, Nov. 18. — Sam
Switow, national exhibitor
chairman of the Will Rogers
Memorial Hospital, urged the
Allied States convention dele-
gates here today to support
the hospital's annual Christ-
mas Salute and to place the
public coin collection con-
tainers in their theatres.
Switow said it is hoped that
200,000 signature may be ob-
tained for the Christmas Sa-
lute this year, with accom-
panying donations of $150,-
000. He said 3,600 coin con-
tainers are in theatres now.
Charge Rank Theatre
With Quota Default
Baltimore, Nov. 18.— In view of
Trade has issued a summons against
the Rank Organization's Haymarket
Gaumont Theatre for an alleged de-
fault in the 25 per cent supporting
program quota.
The action came as a surprise, the
general feeling in the trade being that
the supporting program quota is in-
effective. To date, there have been
only seven quota prosecutions for the
past year's alleged defaulters. All of
them were independent exhibitors in
"closed" situations, the theory appar-
ently being that absence of competi-
tion should permit an exhibitor to
book enough British features on fa-
vorable terms.
United Artists Opens
Branch in Albany
_ Buffalo, Nov. 18. — A United Ar-
tists sub-branch has been opened here
under the management of Buffalo
branch manager Mannie A. Brown,
and will be added to the territory
supervised by Moe Dudleson.
Michael Frashela has joined the
local UA sales staff, covering Roches-
ter and Syracuse. Selwyn Ginsler is
covering Buffalo.
Korda Film for India
London, Nov. 18. — Sir Alexander
Korda will make "Taj Mahal" in In-
dia with color as one of his "impor-
tant productions" for next year. His
London Films has had considerate
success here with the Indian-made
"Aan."
/TOO Board to Meet
Columbus, O., Nov. 18. — A meet-
ing of the board of directors of the
Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio
will be held here Dec. 2.
Allied Banquet to
Honor Greer Garson
Chicago, Nov. 18. — Greer
Garson will be guest of honor
at the Allied States conven-
tion banquet here tomorrow
night. Ronald Reagan will
be toastmaster and entertain-
ment will be provided by
Morton Downey. The banquet
will mark the close of the
convention.
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magazine
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■
During the first nine months of 1952,
movie advertisers invested a total of some $428,000
in Look -a good deal more than they spent in any
other magazine. In fact, in this nine-month period,
Look carried almost twice as many pages of movie
advertising as any other major magazine.
One reason is that Look does the greatest job
of pre-selling movies. Every issue carries exciting
articles on Hollywood productions and personalities,
and much-quoted reviews of new productions.
And, once each year, the coveted Look Motion
Picture Achievement Awards focus national
attention on the outstanding accomplishments
of the industry.
But an even more compelling reason is this:
Look reaches an audience of 20,650,000
movie-minded Americans — at the lowest cost
per thousand in the major magazine field.
Advertised in
Look in 1952
: ' : ;
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■ ■■■ ■ ■■
■ ■ ■. :-.
COLUMBIA
Ten Tall Men
Death of a Salesman
The Marrying Kind
The Sniper
Affair in Trinidad
LOEWS
Lone Star
Show Boat
An American in Paris
Singing in the Rain
Skirts Ahoy
Carbine Williams
The Washington Story
The Merry Widow
Because You're Mine
Prisoner of Zenda
Plymouth Adventure
Lovely to Look At
Scaramouche
j PARAMOUNT
Sailor Beware
Aaron Slick from
Punkin Crick
Red Mountain
The Atomic City
Come Back Little
Sheba
1 RKO
Snow White
1 lllllHi
Robin Hood
Peter Pan
Hans Christian Andersen
The Las Vegas Story
Rancho Notorious
Macao
Clash By Night
Blackbeard the Pirate
The Big Sky
One Minute to Zero
Androcles and the Lion
The Lusty Men
Double Dynamite
REPUBLIC
The Quiet Man
TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX
The Snows of Kilimanjaro
UNIVERSAL
Bend of the River
The Battle of Apache Pass
The World in His Arms
Back At The Front
Against All Flags
WARNER BROS.
The Iron Mistress
First with the movies.
Look
Motion Picture daily
Wednesday, November 19, 1952
Review
"The Bad and the Beautiful"
(Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) Hollywood, Nov. 18
'"PHIS big and skillful telling of an intimate story about Hollywood em-
A ploys a large and extremely capable cast topped by no less than seven
players whose names rate marquee billing, to wit: Lana Turner Kirk
Douglas, Dick Powell, Walter Pidgeon, Barry Sullivan, Gloria Grahame
and Gilbert Roland. These actors, and a great many others whose lesser
works match theirs in quality, turn in sparkling performances in a production
that is known hereabouts as "an actor's picture," if there ever was one.
So far as name power and player performance can be said to guarantee the
success of an attraction, this one manifestly is guaranteed, and maybe that
is far enough.
The story about Hollywood that this picture tells has nothing in common
with the homey, folksy little story which the COMPO tourists go about the
country telling the paying public for the purpose of offsetting the injurious
effects of unfavorable newspaper handling of Hollywood news. Whereas the
COMPO troupers tell of a Hollywood that is really just like any other
small town in the country, with its hardworking citizens running the usual
averages as to divorces, marriages, child-bearing and church attendance, "The
Bad and the Beautiful" tells of a Hollywood as ruthless, unbridled and barren
of _ ethics as its most fervent detractors have pictured it. The film presents
this kind of Hollywood so expertly and convincingly as to set the COMPO
educational efforts back to where they started. It is, intentionally or not,
a vivid expression of the viewpoint held by the no means minor segment of
Hollywood opinion which has contended all along that the homey, folksy
Hollywood story of the COMPO tourists has cost a lot of ticket sales by its
de-glamorizing influence. This is one of the mootest of the moot questions
around Hollywood, and is likely to stay that way.
Generically, "The Bad and the Beautiful" groups with "A Star Is Born,"
"Sunset Boulevard" and "All About Eve," and this certainly is not box-office
company to be scorned. It is as big as any of the trio, as nameful, as expert,
speaking roundly, and more outspoken, uninhibited and elemental than any
of them. Subjectively it is closest to "Sunset Boulevard," which is not to
say similar, and structurally it is closest to "All About Eve" in that it runs
out three story lines, inter-related, managing to keep each important inde-
pendently without cost to the over-all narrative. Charles Schnee rates rare
praise for an extraordinary job on the script.
Douglas plays the son of a hated Hollywood producer whose funeral
(attended only by extras paid to appear as mourners) keys the picture.
Douglas, who hated his father but learned from him the secrets of success-
at-any-price, determines to make Hollywood bow clown to the family name
again, and the picture records the double-crosses, steals, schemes, deceits
and frauds by which he does so. Miss Turner, as an actress, Powell as a
writer and Sullivan as a director portray the principal victims of his raging
ambition, although there are others, and Pidgeon enacts a producer who
(and this is the structural point on which the story hinges) attempts, with
seeming- success, to persuade them that by the acts with which Douglas
ruined their respective lives he made each of them so famous and rich, that
they should come now to his economic rescue by making for him a picture
that could put him on his feet. This cynical representation is probably the
most damaging single aspersion ever cast upon the ladies and gentlemen of
the motion picture producing profession.
Direction by Vincente Minnelli undoubtedly is accountable in large measure
for some of the splendid individual instances of superb performance, as well
as for the over-all excellence.
Producer John Houseman has a highly professional and clearly a thought-
ful achievement to his credit here.
Running time, 118 minutes. Adult audience classification. For January
release. William R. Weaver
20th Field Talks on
Product Promotions
Twentieth Century - Fox division
managers will hold strategy meetings
with branch heads during the next two
weeks to activate merchandising and
advertising plans that were set at the
two-day home office meeting last week.
Division managers who returned to
their offices at the weekend will start
visiting exchange centers this week to
discuss immediate plans for Thanks-
giving releases, "Pony Soldier" and
"Bloodhounds of Broadway." Plans
for campaigns will also be made for
Christmas and New Year's releases,
"Stars and Stripes Forever," "My
Cousin Rachel," "Ruby Gentry" and
"The I Don't Care Girl," as well as
the continued handling of Darryl F.
Zanuck's "The Snows of Kiliman-
jaro."
The coming year's product line-up
is slated for consideration with atten-
tion given to the use of special cam-
paign kits which were used as
blueprints at last week's confabs.
Small Business Group
(Continued from page 1)
year, is still continuing, officials said.
Committee investigator William D.
Amis is again on the W est Coast,
and, while he is there primarily on
other committee business, he is ex-
pected to devote at least some time to
talking to California exhibitors.
But the investigation will still be
only in its early stages when the year
ends, and the new committee there-
fore will have to make its own de-
cision as to whether to drop the probe
or develop it still further. "We don't
have nearly enough information for
a report with any sort of conclusions,"
says one committee staff member, "but
we will have plenty of information to
put before the committee in January
to permit them to make a very sound
determination as to whether to con-
tinue the investigation or drop it."
When the committee originally
voted the investigation last Spring,
it did not have any information of its
own on the subject, but merely com-
plaints from the Pacific Coast theatre
owners and other exhibitors. At that
time, committee members indicated
they had okayed the investigation
more because there was no committee
opposition to it rather than because of
any strong positive feeling for it.
— FLY TO
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COMPARE THE FARE AND
YOU'LL GO BY AIR
End SWG Strike vs.
TV Film Producers
Hollywood, Nov. 18. — The Screen
Writers Guild and the Authors
League of America have ended their
14- week strike against the Alliance
of Television Film Producers, which
makes 85 per cent of the television
films produced on the Coast, with the
producers winning an important con-
cession on royalties and granting the
two other original demands of the
writers involving the reservation of
rights by the author and the leasing
of stories Many details of the con-
tract remain to be worked out, it was
said, but there was agreement in prin-
ciple.
Eastern SAG Votes to
Authorize Strike Action
The Eastern membership of the
Screen Actors Guild, seeking to "curb
unlimited and repetitious televising
of filmed advertisements," has unani-
mously voted to authorize strike ac-
tion against producers of TV film
commercials and the American Asso-
Discuss Promotion
Of 'Theatre Week'
Hollywood, Nov. 18.— Plans are to
be discussed concerning the promo-
tion next year of "National Theatre
Week" by Lester Cowan with leaders
of both the motion picture industry
and the stage, it was announced as
Cowan left here for New York to
film scenes featuring stage players for
the Cinema Productions' feature,
"Main Street to Broadway."
Stage and screen players will work
together in the promotion which is to
be in ^ their common interest. "Main
Street" is an exhibitor-financed at-
traction to be released by M-G-M.
Cowan has stated the release should
coincide with "National Theatre
Week."
ciation of Advertising Agencies.
Walter Pidgeon, newly elected SAG
president, presented the strike pro-
posal to the membership, which may
bring^ the first work-stoppage in the
Guild's 19-year history.
Kodak 36- Week Net
Is $28,585,716
Rochester, N. Y., Nov. 18.— East-
man Kodak announced that net earn-
ings for the three-quarter year period
ending Sept. 7 were $28,585,716 or
$1.71 a share, as compared with $32,-
350,194 or $2.13 a share a year ago.
Seventeen cents of the per share
decrease is attributed to the 10 per
cent stock dividend in January. Sales
for the 36-week period were $388,-
859,261 against $384,243,040 for the
same period last year.
Company directors today voted a
wage dividend of an estimated $22,-
200,000 for more than 51,000 Kodak
personnel in the U. S., with payment
to be made on March 6, 1953, at the
rate of $27.50 per each $1,000 earned
at Kodak during the five years, 1948-
Salt Lake City Bans
"Everybody's Girl"
Salt Lake City, Nov. 18.— In an
unprecedented action, the police anti-
vice squad has ordered the banning of
the picture, "Everybody's Girl," from
showing at the State Theatre here.
While Salt Lake City has no censors
for motion pictures, the picture was
one of a very few to be banned by
police within the memory of local
showmen.
The film had played only one day
in the downtown house when Capt.
E. J. Steinfeldt, head of the anti-vice
bureau, ordered the ban. He described
the picture as "unfit for public view-
ing" and said it "fails to meet the
qualifications by which motion pic-
tures may be shown in Salt Lake
City."
Cohen to RKO Radio
As A Copywriter
Charles Cohen has joined RKO
Radio's advertising department here
as a copywriter, it was announced by
Richard Condon, director of advertis-
ing, publicity and exploitation.
_ Cohen, who last week resigned a
similar position at 20th Century-Fox,
entered the industry in 1929 with
M-G-M. He remained there until
1945, when he was named advertising-
manager for Berkely Industries in
New Jersey. He returned to the in-
dustry in 1948 at Universal-Interna-
tional, and two years later joined
20th Century-Fox.
Ehrlich, Boehnel
In New RKO Posts
Joe Ehrlich has been added to RKO
Radio's publicity department to handle
publicity and promotion of short sub-
jects. Bob Boehnel, who has been di-
viding his time between short subject
publicity and general newspaper con-
tacts, will devote his full time to
newspapers.
Ehrlich formerly was with 20th
Century-Fox, where he handled syn-
dicates and wire services.
Abbott, Costello
(Continued from page 1)
mid-January. Howard Christie will
produce and Charles Lamont will di-
rect the comedy which will be their
25th for U-I since the series began in
1940. John Grant will prepare the
screenplay.
Currently advertised
in the COMPANION
The Prisoner of Zenda MGM
Plymouth Adventure MGM
Because of You. ...Universal-International
Over 4,250,000 Companion readers
are equally choosy about their entertainment.
That's why Hollywood has invested more
money in the Companion during the past six years
than in any other monthly magazine.*
* Except of course the fan magazines.
THE CROWELL-COLLIER PUBLISHING COMPANY —
Current Circulation over 4,250,000
PUBLISHERS OF COLLIER'S, THE AMERICAN MAGAZINE, WOMAN'S HOME COMPANION
1 1 -
JENNIFER JONES' GREATEST SMASH SINCE "DUEL in the SUN
The story of a flame
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a whole town... SIN BY SIN...
JENNI
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CHARLTON
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A BERNHARD-VIDOR presentation - Released by 20th Century-Fox
Produced by JOSEPH BERNHARD and KING VI DOR • Directed by KING VIDOR • Screenplay by Silvia Richards- story byARTHUR fjtzrichard
MOTION PICTURE
m
MAIL I
EDITION I
VOL. 72. NO. 97
NEW YORK, U. S .A., WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1952
TEN CENTS
Small Business
Group Future
Hangs in Doubt
Probe's Continuance to
Rest on New Committee
Washington, Nov. 18. — The
Senate Small Business Committee
in the new Congress will have to
make a new and fresh determina-
tion whether to continue its investiga-
tion of the motion picture industry,
informed observers believe.
It was also learned that the chances
now favor Sen. Thye (R., Minn.) to
head the group in the next Congress.
Sen. Tobey (R., N.H.) and Sen.
Saltonstall (R., Mass.) both outrank
Thye on the Republican side of the
committee, but observers believe that
both will decline the Small Business
Committee post to devote themselves
to jobs as chairmen of other higher-
ranking committees. Tobey is in line
to head the Interstate and Foreign
Commerce Committee, while Salton-
stall will probably head the Armed
Services Committee.
The investigation of distributor
trade practices, started earlier in the
(Continued on page 10)
BALTIMORE, Nov. 18. —No
action was taken here to-
day in a meeting between
the State Legislature's
Judiciary Council and the
State Board of Motion Pic-
ture Censors held to ef-
fect changes in the Mary-
land censorship law. The
problem had been referred
to the Council following
the Supreme Court's deci-
sion last summer on the
"Miracle" case.
•
CHICAGO, Nov. 18. -Drive-
in operators attending
the annual Allied conven-
tion here have scheduled
a national convention of
drive-in theatre opera-
tors for March 23-25 in
Milwaukee in conjunction
with the convention of the
Allied Theatre Owners of
Wisconsin.
Allied Votes to Renew
COMPO Membership
Program to Fight
Pricing Abuses
Approved by Allied
Chicago, Nov. 18. — A three-point
program for combatting alleged abuses
in film pricing practices drawn up by
the Allied States board of directors
was approved by the convention here
today.
Relief from the practices com-
plained of is to he sought by Allied
by any or all of the following means :
1) Instituting and conducting liti-
gation.
2) Petitioning the Department of
Justice and other executive and
(Continued on page 7)
Abbott, Costello Sign
4- Film U-I Contract
Universal - International reported
here yesterday the signing of a new
contract with Bud Abbott and Lou
Costello which calls for their services
through 1955 and provides that they
star in a minimum of four pictures
over that period.
The first of the four films will be
"Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll
and Mr. Hyde," slated to start in
(Continued on page 10)
Rembusch Gives Board's Report; Minority
Report by Yamins Touches Off Near
Revolt; See End of Arbitration Efforts
By SHERWIN KANE
Chicago, Nov. 18. — A near revolt of the Allied States member-
ship against the majority report of the board of directors approving
Allied's continued membership in the Council of Motion Picture
Organizations for another year flared at the first open forum of the
convention here today, revealing the temper of the convention and
leading to predictions that Allied's participation in efforts to set
up an industry arbitration plan will
S hour as to Aid
Israel Fund Event
Spyros P. Skouras, president of 20th
Century-Fox, has been appointed hon-
orary chairman of the annual dinner
concert to be given by the American
Fund for Israel Institutions to be held
on the evening of Jan. 8 in New
York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.
At the affair tribute will be paid to
Sol Hurok for his work as a trustee
of the Fund. Edward A. Norman,
president of the Fund, has cited Hurok
for supporting the "artistic and cul-
tural development of Israel." Hurok,
whose career story is being brought to
the screen by 20th Century-Fox in
"Tonight We Sing," managed the first
American tour of the Israel Philhar-
monic Orchestra.
Allied Approaches Issue
Of Arbitration Critically
Chicago, Nov. 18.— With the Allied States convention here not yet
having taken action on the proposed industry arbitration plan, the
atmosphere is in sharp contrast to the open-arm welcome and flat
proclamations at the Theatre Owners of America convention in Wash-
ington last September that "arbitration
is here.''
Apart from all other evidences of
the critical attitude with which Allied
is approaching the distributors' ar-
bitration draft, there is this excerpt
from a message in the convention
journal by Abram F. Myers, Allied
board chairman and general counsel :
"As this piece is being written the
prospects for the early establishment
of an arbitration system are dismal,
to say the least. The distributors are
working behind closed doors on a new
draft which will be unveiled in their
good time. Based on our experience
to date . it is not expected that this
draft will be wholly acceptable to ex-
hibitors and so there will be counter-
proposals and the thing may go on
indefinitely, unless Allied concludes
that the effort no longer justifies the
necessary expenditures of time and
money. _
"Perhaps the only justification for
mentioning arbitration is to point out
that here again Allied was able to
contribute the services of able, experi-
enced men to what in the early stages
was believed to be a bona fide effort
to benefit the entire industry. That
the negotiations degenerated into just
another film deal was not their fault."
be terminated by
when the subject
morrow.
the convention
comes up to-
The one-year
renewal of Al-
lied's COMPO
membership was
carried only
after bitter de-
bate from the
floor following a
minority board
report read by
Nathan Yamins
of Massachu-
setts which
would have lim-
ited Allied's
continuation in
COMPO only
for the duration of the fight for ad-
mission tax repeal.
Yamins scored distribution trade
practices in making the minority re-
port and said its purpose was to
(Continued on page 6)
Nathan Yamins
Still Withhold Draft
Of Arbitration Plan
Chicago, Nov. 18. — Despite
the detailed, point-by-point
analysis of the distributors'
draft of the proposed indus-
try arbitration plan given to
the Allied convention here by
Abram F. Myers, chairman
and general counsel, the draft
will not be released here for
publication. Distributors have
declined again to authorize
its release.
Unsuccessful efforts to ob-
tain authorization for its re-
lease were also made by the
Theatre Owners of America
at its September convention
in Washington.
1
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, November 19, 1952
Personal
Mention
Y FRANK FREEMAN. Para-
• mount vice-president and studio
head, will arrive here today from the
Coast.
•
Elias Lapinere, who will rejoin the
M-G-M organization on Jan. 1 as spe-
■-c-ial publicity representative in Europe,
will arrive here tomorrow from Eu-
rope on the Liberie, accom-
panied by Mrs. Lapienere.
e
■ Leon J. Bamberger, RKO Radio
sales promotion manager, will speak
at the Allied "of Indiana meeting in
Indinapolis Dec. 2-3 and at the In-
dependent Exhibitors of New England
meeting in Boston Dec. 9.
•
Bradford Cross, formerly an ac-
count executive at Gray and Rogers
Advertising Agency, Philadelphia, has
joined the staff of the Princeton Film
Center, Inc., Princeton, N. J.
•
Irene Christman, of the title reg-
istration bureau of the Motion Pic-
ture Association of America, has be-
come the bride of Richard Stainkamp
of New York.
Edward Ruby, pioneer in the equip-
ment field, and head of Ruby Co., New
York, is in Kew Gardens General
Hospital, Queens, N. Y., following a
heart attack.
•
Felipe Mier, president of Mier and
Brooks, Mexican producers, is due
here tomorrow from a four-month stay
in Europe, en route to Mexico City.
•
Bella Kreisman, secretary to JohnI
J. Glynn, Warner International
Corp. vice-president and treasurer, has-
become engaged to Samuel Kandel.
•
Frank W. Phelps, head of Warner
Brothers Theatres labor department,
will be in Washington today and will
return here early next week.
Jesse L. Lasky and his executive
assistant, John Gregory, flew to the1
Coast from here last night and will
return in 10 days.
•
Frank Saviola, Paramount sales-
man in the Rochester and Syracuse
territories, announces the birth of a
girl.
•
Sol Karp, formerly assistant mana-
ger at the State Theatre, Hartford, is
now overseas with the U. S. Navy.
Nunnally Johnson, 20th Century-
Fox writer-producer, arrived here yes-
terday from Hollywood.
•
William M. Pizor, Lippert Pic-
tures vice-president, is in Hollywood
from New York.
Sochin Lining Up Shorts
Irving Sochin, Universal Pictures'
short subjects sales manager, has re-
turned to New York from a three-
week trip to the company's Western
branches and a visit to the Coast stu-
dios setting up plans for the short
subjects program for 1952-53.
Review Group
Cites Goldwyn
An award honoring Samuel Gold-
wyn for his production of "Hans
Christian Andersen" was presented to
the producer here yesterday by the
New York City Federation of Wom-
en's Clubs and the Motion Picture
Councils of Greater New York at a
joint luncheon in the Plaza Hotel.
More than 150 representatives of the
national and local organizations which
preview and rate films for an aggre-
gate membership of 40,000,000 women
attended the event.
Mrs. Charlotte Baruth, president of
the New York City Federation of
Women's Clubs, said that in the long-
list of "distinguished" pictures pro-
duced by Goldwyn, none surpassed
"Andersen" as outstanding family en-
tertainment. In a brief address to
the luncheon guests, Goldwyn said his
decision to make the picture 16 years
ago stemmed from his conviction that
the "great Danish story-teller repre-
sents a wonderful and simple phil-
osophy of life."
Goldwyn said he had decided to
give at least one free performance in
each city throughout the world for
under-privileged children seeing it.
Goldwyn to Address SPG
Hollywood, Nov. 18. — The Screen
Publicists Guild announced today that
Samuel Goldwyn would be the prin-
cipal speaker at the Guild's annual
dinner, to be held here Dec. 10.
Three-monthCapitol
Line-up Is Set
The Capitol Theatre here yesterday
released its line-up of shows for De-
cember, January and February.
On Wednesday, Dec. 3, Universal's
"Because of You," starring Loretta
Young and Jeff Chandler, will open.
Johnny Ray with an in-person sup-
porting cast will bow in on Wednes-
day, Dec. 24 for the holiday, marking
the first in-person attraction at the
house in a year and a half. The holi-
day show will co-feature Universal's
"Against All Flags," starring Errol
Flynn and Maureen O'Hara.
RKO Radio's "Androcles and the
Lion," produced by Gabriel Pascal
and starring Jean Simmons, Robert
Newton, Victor Mature and Maurice
Evans, will be the third feature shown
during this period, early in January.
A Hollywood-style invitational pre-
miere is being prepared.
M-G-M's "Above and Beyond,"
with Robert Taylor and Eleanor
Parker playing the leads, completes
the three-month line-up.
Religious to See Film
Loew's Theatres, in conjunction
with the Motion Picture Department
of the International Federation of
Catholic Alumnae, will have special
showings here on Saturday for the
Sisters and others of religious orders,
of "Because You're Mine," which
stars Mario Lanza. The showings will
be held in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
WB Sales Meet
Starts Today
Pittsburgh, Nov. 18. — Jules Lapi-
dus, Warner Brothers Eastern and
Canadian division sales manager, will
preside at a meeting of district and
branch managers of Central and Mid-
Atlantic sales districts to begin to-
morrow at the Hotel Schenley here.
Robert Smeltzer, Mid-Atlantic dis-
trict manager ; J. S. Abrose, Central
district manager, and six branch man-
agers will meet with Lapidus, Nor-
man H. Moray, short subjects general
sales manager, I. F. Dolid, and Ber-
nard R. Goodman, supervisor of ex-
changes.
Branch managers who will attend
include William G. Mansell, Phila-
delphia ; P. R. DeFazio, Washington ;
R. H. Dunbar, Cincinnati ; J . M.
Wechsler, Cleveland; C. W. McKean,
Indianapolis, and Jack Kalmenson,
Pittsburgh.
W. B. Midwest Zone
Meet in Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Nov. 18. — Warner
Brothers Midwest zone held its kick-
off showmanship drive meeting here
at the Schroeder Hotel. Mayor Ziedler
opened the conclave by applauding
the exhibitors for their assists in
their civic promotions.
The high light of the drive is an
exploitation contest conceived by Al
Kvool with prizes of $3000 in cash.
Exchange managers from Paramount,
Universal, 20th Century-Fox, M-G-M
and Warner Brothers told of the pic-
tures selected and prize offers.
Col. Stockholder
Files Trust Suit
A minority stockholders suit against
Columbia Pictures and its officers and
directors, seeking to enjoin the com-
pany from engaging in alleged anti-
trust trade practices, has been filed in
New York Supreme Court.
The suit was brought by William
B. Weinberger of New York, whose
attorney is Samuel H. Levinkind, also
of this city, Levinkind claimed that
his client owns more than 100 shares
and is in no way connected with
exhibition.
The complaint is due to be answered
by Columbia on Tuesday. The suit
charges Columbia with engaging in a
course of action in violation of Fed-
eral and state anti-trust laws in con-
nection with the production, distribu-
tion and exhibition of motion pictures.
Columbia Directors
Declare 2 Dividends
The directors of Columbia Pictures
here yesterday declared a dividend of
25 cents on the corporation's com-
mon stock and voting trust certificates
for common stock payable Dec. 18 to
stockholders of record on Dec. 4. They
also declared a two-and-a-half per cent
dividend on the common stock and vot-
ing trust certificates for common stock,
payable on Jan. 18 to stockholders of
record on Dec. 5.
Newsreel
Parade
/J TOMIC Energy Commission head
y± Gordon Dean's discussion of the
successful experiments of the Hydro-
gen Bomb highlights current news-
reels. Also featured- are the drive of
French forces to cut off Red units in
the Indo-China war, the funeral of
Dr. Chaim W eizmann in Israel, Brit-
ain's Queen viewing Coronation fash-
ions, and President-elect Eisenhower
ending his Georgia vacation.
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. S4— Atomic
chairman talks of H-Bomb. Tanker rams
Navy ship in war drill off Cape Henry, Va.
Eisenhower ends Georgia vacation. Chaim
Weizmann laid to rest. Queen Elizabeth
sees fashions for coronation. Princeton- Yale,
Michigan State-Nctre Dame football games.
NEWS OF THE DAY. No, 224-U.S. re
ports first test of H-Bomb. Birthday party
for Mamie Eisenhower. Jitterbug cham-
pionship. Coronation fashions for Queen.
Michigan State-Notre Dame, Army-Penn
football games.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 27— First H-
Bomb experiments revealed. Weizmann rites
in Israel. Hamburg, Germany gets the
"jitters." Yale-Princeton, Notre Dame-
Michigan State football games.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 48A— Eisen-
hower's vacation ends. Stevenson relaxes
in Arizona. Landslide vote elects Field
Marshal Alexander Papagos in Greece.
General Naguib celebrates third month as
new Egyptian leader. French show new
baby jet. Michigan State-Nctre Dame foot-
ball games.
UNIVERSAL NEWS, No. 414— Atomic
Commission head tells of H-Bomb tests.
French forces drive to cut off Red units in
Indo-China. Eisenhower ends vacation in
Georgia. Picture Pioneers award to Nate
Blumberg, -'Pioneer of 1952." Chaim Weiz-
mann funeral. Michigan State-Notre Dame.
Princeton-Yale football games.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 29^
Gordon Dear, talks on the H-Bomb. New
French drive in Indo-China war. Funeral
of Israel's president, Dr. Chaim Weizmann.
Wingless plane flies, but not for long.
France shows the world the first baby jet.
Marines launch toys for tots appeal in Los
Angeles. Princeton- Yale, Michigan Strite-
Notre Dame football games.
Newsreel Coverage
Of House Hearings
Washington, Nov. 18. — Newsreels
and television may be allowed to cover
some House Committee hearings in
the new Congress.
Rep. Martin (R., Mass.), who is
slated to be the speaker of the new
House, is reported ready to leave up
to the individual committees the ques-
tion of whether their hearings should
be filmed and broadcast. In the pres-
ent Congress, cameras have been
banned under a ruling of the present
House speaker, Rep. Rayburn (D.,
Tex.). Martin opposed Rayburn's
ruling at the time it was made and
indications now are he will overrule
it when he is speaker.
Odeon Theatres Sets
Joint Dividend
London, Nov. 18. — Odeon Theatres
Ltd. announce that dividend arrears
on six per cent cumulative preference
shares that were due on last June 30
will be paid, less income tax, on Dec.
22 together with a dividend for the
half-year ending Dec. 31, bringing
payments up to date.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor;" Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building.
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau. 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Often, National Press Club, Washington. D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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.
Wednesday, November 19, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
Review
"Stars and Stripes Forever"
(20th Century-Fox)
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA's marches and band music have been and remain
enormously popular and this highly exploitable film tribute to him in
color by Technicolor contains a resoundingly played score of his composi-
tions. Clifton Webb delivers a brisk performance in whiskers-and-white-
gloves as Sousa but the story, based on Sousa's "Marching Along," is fami-
liar and incidental to the music.
It is the type of film which exhibitors can readily exploit, for the appeal
of the music, the military setting, and the name of the world-famous com-
poser-conductor is considerable. If properly backed, this should register
strong returns.
Colorful and rousing renditions of the following are included: "Semper
Fidelus," "The Stars and Stripes Forever," "Washington Post March,"
"Hail to the Chief," "El Capitan," "Light Cavalry Overture," "Presidential
Polinaise," "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Also heard are "The Bowery,"
"Springtime in New York," "Father's Got Him," "Sweet Marie," "I'm
Afraid" and a satiric vocalization of "Caro Nome," from "Rigoletto."
Debra Paget is sparkling and attractive in some boisterous production
numbers as an oldtime burlesque house chorus girl and singer. Robert
Wagner portrays Miss Paget's fiance, a favorite with Webb from their
days at the Marine Corps barracks in Washington, when Wagner invented
a tuba-like instrument named the Sousaphone. Ruth Hussey is properly sweet
and wise as Webb's wife and the romantic adviser of Miss Paget and Wagner.
The Lamar Trotti screenplay, from a story by Ernest Vajda, follows the
success of the Sousa band. There are numerous scenes of humor and warm
sentiment as Wagner marries Miss Paget and they grow closer to Webb
and his wife. Wagner loses a leg in the Spanish- American War but returns
to his loving wife and plays the Sousaphone at a Webb Brooklyn Navy Yard
Concert at the finale.
Trotti produced economically yet utilized colorful settings. Henry Koster
directed ably. This is an attractive entertainment package containing the
necessary elements for good business almost everywhere.
Running time, 89 minutes. General audience classification. For December
release. Walter P'ashkin
Report Stolkin
At Coast Meets
Ralph Stolkin, head of the syndicate
which bought out Howard Hughes'
controlling interest in RKO Radio
Pictures, was reported here yesterday
to have left Chicago for the Coast for
conferences with Sherrill Corwin, act-
ing board chairman of RKO Radio.
Meanwhile, Matthew Fox, head of
Films for Television and a partner in
United Artists, who heads a group
negotiating for the purchase of the
Stolkin syndicate interests, said there
are no new developments in the nego-
tiations. He spiked reports that Louis
R. Lurie, Coast real estate operator
who once sought to purchase control
of Warner Brothers, was a member of
the Fox syndicate. Fox said that he
did not know when he would confer
again with Stolkin, either here or in
Chicago.
Presumably, while on the Coast,
Corwin and Stolkin will confer on the
various offers received for the pur-
chase of their 29 per cent interest in
RKO and perhaps slate a meeting
with Hughes.
An unconfirmed Coast report has
the Stolkin group seeking a modifica-
tion of their purchase agreement with
Hughes, in order to eliminate certain
requirements blocking the deal by
which Fox would acquire RKO
control.
Jacon Heads Sales
Of Italian Films
Italian Films Export, the new
agency set up to distribute Italian
product in the U. S., moved nearer to
full organization yesterday with the
announcement here by Dr. Renato
Gualino, chief executive of the IFE,
that:
Bernard Jacon has been named
vice-president of sales and distribu-
tion ;
The IFE will be known as the IFE
Releasing Organization, will be offi-
cially established on Dec. 1 and will
be in full operation by the end of the
year ;
Regional offices are being established
in New York, Cleveland, Chicago, At-
lanta and Los Angeles, for which field
personnel is being established to cover
26 exchange areas ;
A release schedule is now being
prepared on product to play in all
types of theatres, as follows :
(1), Six to eight features with
general audience appeal, to be re-re-
oorded in America with American
dialogue; (2), eight to 12 features to
be sub-titled for the more specialized
theatres, and (3), 20 to 30 films, also
sub-titled, for theatres catering to
Italian and Italo-American communi-
ties.
Entering the industry in 1921,
Jacon represented Small and Straus-
berg Theatres in New York as pro-
motion manager until 1928. For the
next six years he was buyer and gen-
eral manager of Mantell Theatres, and
then from 1934 until 1938, he served
as general manager for Rockaway
Beach Theatres. From 1938 to 1946
he was with Universal in an executive
capacity. In 1946 he joined Super-
films Distribution Corp. in New York,
as manager of sales and distribution.
Since 1949, he has been serving as
vice-president in charge of sales of
Lux Film Distributing Corp.
Film Art Directors
To Address Ampa
The "Showmanship Class" of the
Associated Motion Pictures Adver-
tisers meeting at the Hotel Wood-
stock here tomorrow night will dis-
cuss "Displays" and will be addressed
by Vincent Trotta, Henry Spiegel and
Frank Adams, it was announced by
Harry K. McWilliams, AMPA presi-
dent.
Trotta was Paramount Pictures art
director for 26 years. He is currently
conducting his own art service to the
industry. Spiegel is director of adver-
tising, publicity and exploitation for
the New York and Brooklyn Para-
mount theatres. Adams is with the
American Display Co.
Terry Turner with
General Teleradio
Terry Turner, former director of
exploitation of RKO Radio Pictures,
will join the staff of General Tele-
radio, Inc., parent company for the
Mutual network, on Dec. 1. He will
direct his efforts toward accelerating-
attendance in motion picture theatres
with the heavy aid of radio and tele-
vision. As exploitation head of RKO
Radio, Turner in the past few years
has used radio and TV widely to
boost theatre attendance.
Turner is a former director of ad-
vertising and exploitation of Loew's
Theatres, and of Radio City Music
Hall and RKO Theatres.
AMPP Okays Program
Hollywood, Nov. 18. — The Associa-
tion of Motion Picture Producers'
board approved the continuation of the
organization's on-job training program
for U. S. Armed Forces technicians
for another year, Fred S. Meyer,
chairman of the military affairs com-
year.
IRO Wins Guarantee
Suit vs. Holiday Here
A judgment in favor of Interna-
tional Releasing Organization has
been handed down here in IRO's suit
against I. Z. Amusement, Inc., lessee
of the Holiday Theatre, New York,
on charges that the defendant failed
to pay the agreed minimum guarantee
for playing "Kisenga, Man of Africa"
at the Holiday last March, ~ according
to IRO.
Sol Edwards, IRO president, said
the case was important inasmuch as
I. Z. Amusement had tried to attack
the effect of the standard licensing
agreement. It was intimated by the
defendant that the standard contract
was not valid, Edwards said. IRO has
the U. S. distribution rights to 27
J. Arthur Rank pictures.
Efforts to reach the Holiday man-
agement were unsuccessful.
No 'Carmen' at ATC
Boston, Nov. 18. — The American
Theatre Corp. of Boston stated today
that it does not contemplate presenting
the opera "Carmen" at the Pilgrim
Theatre here on Dec. 11.
No Fabian-TNT Deal
No deal has been set for theatre
televising "Carmen" in Fabian's
Grand, Albany, N. Y., a circuit
spokesman explained here yesterday.
He acknowledged the circuit's inter-
est in the Theatre Network Televi-
sion event, but stated negotiations
were still in progress and no actual
booking has been made for the Grand.
AA Signs Hayes Goetz
Hollywood, Nov. 18. — Allied Ar-
tists has signed Hayes Goetz to a
long term contract as producer.
Goetz, with M-G-M for the past 15
years, most recently produced "Hour
of 13" for that studio in England.
National
Pre-Selling
RUTH HARBERT has written an
interesting story depicting how
some movie stars celebrate Christmas
Eve. This tale of Yultide appears in
Good Housekeeping's December issue
and is essentially a story about chil-
dren since most of the stars named in
the article have children. Miss Har-
bert takes the reader into the homes
of Esther Williams, Robert Ryan,
Jeanne Crain, William Holden,
Brenda Marshall and young stars
Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis. To
illustrate the article pictures are used
of Esther Williams, who is almost
crowded out of the scene by her two
sons and their pet puppy, and Robert
Ryan and his wife, Jessica, whose
living room is "knee-deep" with chil-
dren.
•
Life, in the issue now on the
newsstands, recreates for its
reader how the Mayflower storm
was filmed for "Plymouth Adven-
ture," M-G-M's feature. A four-
color picture of a full-scale replica
of the Mayflower showing 73 mem-
bers of the cast on board is part of
a two-page editorial spread. Also
reproduced is a model of the May-
flower's waist mounted on hydraulic
rocker and being tossed about by
powerful wave and wind machines.
A full page is devoted to Dawn Ad-
dams, the 22-year-old English star-
let who plays the part of Priscilla
Mullins. Spencer Tracey and Gene
Tierney are pictured in a tense
scene at the rail of the Mayflower.
•
Louella Parsons in Pictorial Re-
view, on newsstands Sunday, tells
about a, telephone call she received
from Clark Gable while he was in
London. Gable went to England to
star in M-G-M's "Never Let Me
Dozvn." Louella reports that Clark is
"one of the most effective goodwill
ambassadors we ever sent to Britain."
The same issue of Pictorial Review
has a full-color ad for "Plymouth Ad-
venture" on its back page.
•
Claire Bloom appears on the cover
of Time, now on newsstands. In a
story of her career, the writers for
Time tell how Charles Chaplin chose
her for the feminine lead in "Lime-
light." In the same issue there are
full-color pictures of Marilyn Monroe
and Zsa Zsa Gabor. James Linen,
Time's publisher, tells how Daniele
Delorme, star of the French picture,
"Gigi," went to the Life-Time recep-
tion room and asked to speak with
an editor of Life. The three alert
and unhurried receptionists, Sallie
Harrington, Gwen Tremble and Ruth
Kenny, seeing Miss Delorme, thought
she was a high school girl and de-
duced that she was in quest of a still
of her favorite movie star. However,
she went to Life to thank the movie
editor for the "nice story" he had
done on "Gigi."
•
Elizabeth Taylor's life story is
told with pictures and text in the
issue of Look now on newsstands.
A four-color portrait is used along
with photographs taken in Europe.
Elizabeth Taylor's next feature to
be released is M-G-M's "The Girl
Who Had Everything."
Walter Haas
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i Walt Disney's
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6
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, November 19, 1952
Allied Renews Compo Membership
(Continued from page 1)
make sure that no one would miscon-
strue Allied's continued membership
in COMPO as a sign of weakness or
indifference to the trade practice com-
plaints of Allied members.
The board's majority report was
read by Trueman Rembusch, one of
the triumvirate which heads COMPO.
The one-year renewal, he said, would
be subject to the same conditions as in
the past, which would give the board
authority to terminate it earlier for
cause.
The report
cited COMPO's
contribu-
tions and activi-
ties beneficial to
exhibitors, in-
cluding the tax
repeal cam-
p a ign, the
Hollywood
round tables on
production top-
ics and the
star tours. "If
there were no
COMPO to-
day," Rembusch
said, "we would have to organize one
just to conduct the tax fight."
Sig Goldberg of Wisconsin Allied
touched off the fireworks with an ex-
coriation of distribution practices, par-
ticularly advanced admission pictures.
He asserted he didn't think, nor
did the Wisconsin delegation, that
COMPO "has worked out." "It would
be dead as a dodo today," he said, "if
it were not for the admission tax
fight. We can carry on that fight
without renewing Allied's membership
in COMPO."
Goldberg then moved that
Allied withdraw from COMPO
at once, and the motion was
seconded by Ted Mann of Min-
neapolis.
Rembusch cautioned that the motion,
if adopted, would do "untold damage
Trueman Rembusch
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Film Clinics Play
To SRO Attendance
Chicago, Nov. 18. — The six
Allied Film Clinics which
have been in almost continu-
ous session here since Sunday
are unusually well attended,
indicating the genuine inter-
est in film buying and book-
ing problems among the in-
dependent exhibitors in at-
tendance.
The clinics are specialized
according to theatre situa-
tions, so that exhibitors with
similar problems are congre-
gated together. All six of the
individual theatre clinic
groups have attracted crowds
which taxed the capacities of
their meeting rooms. The
session, except for the drive-
in clinics, have been closed to
the press.
Reelect Adler, Davee
To TESMA Board
to the tax campaign and would make
the work of your Col. Cole greatly
more complicated." H. A. Cole of
Texas Allied is co-chairman of the tax
campaign.
Finally Wins
The argument waxed back and forth
with ultimately more weight being-
thrown against the motion than for it.
Charles Blatt of Western Pennsyl-
vania Allied reminded the convention
that COMPO is not responsible for
trade practice abuses or sales policies
of any kind. Ben Cubby of Iowa-
Nebraska Allied said approval of the
motion would be a sign of Allied
weakness, evidence that in reversing
its board of directors it was divided
internally. Phil Isley of Texas Allied,
Ben Marcus of Wisconsin Allied and
Jack Kirsch of Illinois Allied and
general convention chairman, all ar-
gued against the resolution.
"There is $300,000,000 in tax
savings at stake," Kirsch
shouted. "If you overlook that
you're daffy."
The revolt on the floor simmered to
a murmur and Mann withdrew his sec-
ond of the motion, after which Gold-
berg withdrew the motion itself..
There was no mistaking the temper
of the convention, however, and lead-
ers of key delegations freely predicted
that Allied is definitely ready to with-
draw from the industry arbitration
movement completely — not merely con-
tent with reserving its decision pend-
ing further efforts to obtain arbitra-
tion provisions more to its liking.
The convention next turned to
reports of the film clinics, which
have been in continuous closed
sessions here since Sunday.
William Carroll of Indiana Al-
lied reported 12 complaints
which had developed in virtually
all of the six separate clinics,
representing individual types
of theatres and situations.
These most frequent complaints, he
said, were : advanced admission prices,
"bottlenecking" of pictures, clearances,
the "silent treatment" of exhibitors by
salesmen, competitive bidding abuses,
trailers, accessories, film costs, print
shortages, film buying methods and
tie-in sales. Carroll said that discus-
Chicago, Nov. 18. — The following
have been elected to three-year terms
on the board of directors of the Thea-
tre Equipment Supply Manufacturers
Association at the annual convention
here : Ben H. Adler, Adler Silhouette
Letter Co., and Larry W. Davee, Cen-
tury Projector Corp., both reelected,
and Donald Hyndman, Eastman
Kodak Co., and Tom La Vezzi, La
Vezzi Machine Works, both new
members.
Reelected to the Theatre Equipment
Dealers Association board for three-
year terms were Joseph Cefrie, Bos-
ton, and Eldon Peek, Oklahoma Thea-
tre Supply Co., Denver. New direc-
tors elected for three-year terms are :
Solon Burns, Modern Theatre Supply
Co., Seattle, and Homer Teigmeier
of B. F. Shearer Co., San Francisco.
Tom Shearer of the latter company
continues as TEDA board chairman.
TESMA - TEDA confirmed the
dates Oct. 31-Nov. 4 for next year's
joint convention with the Theatre
Owners of America at the Conrad
Hilton Hotel here.
A new TESMA trade mark was
adopted embodying the slogan : "That
the Show May Go On," embodying
the basic creed of TESMA members.
Harry Strong, president of the
Strong Electric Co., was presented
with a placque by TESMA in appre-
ciation of his many years of service
to the organization.
sion at the clinics showed that vir-
tually every company on occasion en-
deavors either to force advanced ad-
missions bv demand or by terms ; that
"illegal, arbitrary clearances exist be-
tween theatres not in substantial com-
petition ; that salesmen frequently do
not call on some exhibitors for ex-
tended periods of time ; that bidding is
used by distributors largely to further
their own ends ; that trailers are ex-
cessively priced ; that accessories are
inadequate ; that film costs are con-
tinuing- to increase and that the print
shortages are so bad "they put play-
dates on the auction block."
Thrown Open to Floor
The report was thrown open to dis-
cussion from the floor which was not
concluded by adjournment time.
The session
was opened at 3
P.M. by Wilbur
Snaper, Allied
president and
permanent con-
vention chair-
man. It led off
with reports by
Cole and Pat
McGee, c o -
chairmen of the
industry tax re-
peal campaign
on progress of
the fight. Cole
said that to date
195 Congressmen have been pledged as
favoring repeal of the tax and 60
others are on record as favoring a re-
duction. Cole said he was not satis-
fied with progress ; that a 218 majority
would be unsafe, since legislators
change their minds. He urged re-
gional chairmen to do their jobs better
to insure success.
Cole said the campaign plan is to
H. A. Cole
Equipment Men Cite
Schutz for Service
Chicago, Nov. 18. — The com-
mittee in charge of memorial-
izing the 25th anniversary of
George Schutz as editor of
Quigley Publications' Better
Theatres presented Schutz
with a citation at a dinner at
the Ivanhoe Restaurant here
tonight. Oscar F. Neu was
chairman of the committee.
The citation, in part, as
quoted from a resolution on
Nov. 10 by the George Schutz
Salute Committee, reads: "In
recognition of his consistent
editorial leadership in pion-
eering in the interests of
better standards of theatre
design, better equipment and
better theatre maintenance"
and "in appreciation of his
continuous assistance in the
mutual interests of equip-
ment manufacturers and
theatre operators throughout
a quarter of a century of
progress, this citation, in
honor of his 25th anniversary
as editor of Better Theatres,
is tendered to George Schutz."
'Limelight' Sets Two
Records in Toronto
Toronto, Nov. 18. — Charles Chap-
lin's "Limelight" set all-time house
records with its opening-day and first-
weekend grosses at the Odeon Carlton
Theatre here, grossing $3,000 on Fri-
day and $5,500 on Saturday, it is
understood.
The premiere will be followed dur-
ing the next two weeks by 22 key
openings on the Odeon circuit across
Canada.
introduce a tax repeal measure on the
first day of the new session of Con-
gress in January. He asked all ex-
hibitors for the vital information on
the damage the tax is doing to their
business, to present to Congressmen
when hearings are held on the repeal
measure.
McGee amplified on Cole's re-
marks, urging exhibitors to stick to-
gether in the fight and insure its suc-
cess.
Snaper said "if we win this tax
repeal fight we go from 'red' to
'blacks.' "
Allied to Reaffirm
16mm. Suit Stand
Chicago, Nov. 18. — Little
time will be devoted by the
Allied convention here to the
Government's 16mm. suit to
force the sale of films to
television.
It's not that Allied is disin-
terested or unconcerned, it
was said. The board and
delegates will reaffirm solid
exhibitor opposition to the
suit. Beyond that, they feel,
all that can be done about it
has been done already or will
be done.
Wednesday, November 19, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
7
Seating Has Flavor
Of Political Meets
Chicago, Nov. 18.— The Al-
lied States convention audi-
torium here has seating
arrangements similar to those
employed by national political
conventions. State delega-
tions are seated together
under state banners. The
same seating arrangement
will prevail at the closing
banquet tomorrow night.
Largest state delegation is
claimed by Wisconsin with
over 100 delegates. Large
delegations also are here
from Ohio, Michigan and
other nearby Midwestern
states. The home delegation,
Illinois, also is very well
represented.
Pricing Abuses
(Continued from page 1)
administrative agencies for action.
3) Appealing to appropriate Con-
gressional committees, such as the
Senate Small Business Committee
for relief.
In line with the resolution, Allied
is requesting its members to submit
all evidence of individual cases of al-
leged abuses to it for use in the three
avenues of action to be taken.
Most of the "abuses" complained
of by Allied center on high film prices
and terms requiring advanced ad-
missions.
The Allied board also gave
partial approval to the proposal
offered some time ago by H. A.
Cole of Dallas, asking that
Allied officers be relieved of
their assignments in all-indus-
try, cooperative endeavors in
order to concentrate upon trade
practice fights.
The directors decided "that for the
time being, and until the distributors
shall reform their destructive policies
and practices, Allied leaders should
confine their participation in coopera-
tive undertakings to those projects
which promise direct, immediate and
substantial benefit to exhibitors, so
that they may be free to devote then-
available time and energy to measures
for the protection of Allied members."
"To this end," the resolution con-
tinues, "the directors will re-examine
all such cooperative undertakings in
which Allied leaders are now engaged,
and will carefully screen all such
projects that may be hereafter pro-
moted, to determine whether they
meet this test."
Will Be Screened Later
Wilbur Snaper, Allied president, ex-
plained that the projects will be
screened by the board individually at
a later date. It was unofficially in-
dicated that Allied representation on
the industry arbitration drafting com-
mittee probably will be terminated but
that authorization will be given to
Allied officials to continue on the in-
dustry tax repeal campaign and, prob-
ably, "in COMPO, although the lat-
ter was somewhat uncertain.
Submission of the resolution to the
convention today touched off a spirited
discussion on the convention floor, al-
most wholly in support of it. Among
those individually endorsing it from
the floor were A. C. Myrick of Iowa-
Nebraska Allied, M. K. McDaniel,
Allied Meet Sees Large
Screen TV Demonstration
Chicago, Nov. 18. — A demonstration of large screen television in the
Allied States convention auditorium here today held an audience of 400
exhibitors in wrapt attention for 45 minutes.
The demonstration was provided by RCA on a 12 x 15-foot screen.
The program originated in NBC's
local television studio, WNBQ, about
Texas Allied; J. B. Steadman, Ohio
Allied ; George Vallos, Illinois Allied ;
Siebert Wirley of Texas, and others.
Each recited particular instances of
alleged examples of trade practice
abuses, including advanced admission
requirements, encountered in their own
operations.
Harvey A Visitor
Rotus Harvey, former president of
Western Theatre Owners, a visitor at
the Allied convention, said that
W.T.O. also will meet with the Sen-
ate Small Business Committee and
will gather evidence, too, to present
in support of pricing and other trade
practice complaints. Harvey charged,
also, that the practice of extended
engagements is bringing about a seri-
ous artificial product shortage in his
territory.
Ben Berger
of Minneapolis
contended that
most companies
are concentrat-
ing their re-
sources on the
making of "B"
pictures, which
leads to the
high film price
complaints. He
said 75 per cent
of the theatres
would be out of
business if it
were not for
concessions sales. "There is a creep-
ing paralysis in the business," he said.
"We must act to prevent our patrons
from being deprived because of price
from seeing the good pictures." Berger
said North Central Allied is planning
to retaliate in every way it can against
the conditions complained of. He said
he would urge NCA to petition the
Minnesota State Legislature to estab-
lish the distribution and exhibition of
films as a public utility, subject to fair
rate schedules.
Ben Marcus, moderator of the small
city film clinic ; Ted Mendelsohn of
Minneapolis and John Wolfberg of
Denver all attacked high film prices
and advanced admission pictures.
Mendelsohn suggested that all such
pictures be by-passed by exhibitors.
Charles Niles of Iowa-Nebraska
Allied offered the resolution in sup-
port of the board's policy statement
and included a request to exhibitors
to make their personal negotiating
experiences available for use by Allied.
Ben Berger
Rodgers Due Today
At Allied Meet
Chicago, Nov. 18. — W. F.
Rodgers, chairman of the dis-
tributors arbitration commit-
tee, is expected here tomor-
row, probably to make a last-
ditch battle to rescue the in-
dustry arbitration plan from
what appears tonight to be
an almost certain veto by the
Allied States convvention.
two miles from the convention hotel.
It consisted of a panel composed of
Jack O'Brien of RCA, Nathan Hal-
pern of Theatre Network Television,
Trueman Rembusch, Nathan Yamins,
A. R. Blocher, John Wolfberg and
Leon Back of Allied. Questions were
posed for Halpern to answer.
Among other things, Halpern
said that by the end of this
year theatre installations of
large screen TV will pass the
100 mark. There are about 90
now. He assured exhibitors
that there would be no accept-
able standard of color TV for
theatres within the next several
years, discounting concern
about obsolescence of equip-
ment bought today. He esti-
mated it would take about five
years on the average to liqui-
date the cost of equipment.
Halpern said 50 theatres showing
large screen TV of the Walcott-Mar-
ciano heavyweight championship fight
grossed $400,000, or an average of
slightly over $8,000 apiece. The aver-
age net profit was about $5,000 for
large theatres and $1,000 to $2,000
for small ones. He said the total
seating capacitv of the theatres was
about 120,000.
Halpern also reported on the status
of the FCC hearings on applications
for exclusive theatre TV channels and
cited the programs, previously an-
nounced, for future theatre telecasts.
'5000 Fingers1 Float
In Macy Parade
Columbia Pictures' national cam-
paign for "The 5000 Fingers of Dr.
T." will be kicked off Thanksgiving-
Day with a float in the annual Macy
parade here, which will be seen over
the Coast-to-Coast network of CBS-
TV.
Macy officials announced that the
"5000 Fingers" float will be the first
ever devoted to a Hollywood feature
in the 20-year history of the parade.
Jarrico Suit Opens
Hollywood, Nov. 18. — Counsel for
writer Paul Jarrico and RKO Radio
Pictures have agreed, at the opening
of the 'former's $350,000 suit against
company, to allow Superior Judge
Orlando H. Rhodes to try the case
without a jury. The suit arises from
cupied today's session. The suit arises
Howard Hughes' firing of Jarrico
when the writer refused to answer the
Un-American Activities Committee's
Committee's questions.
Refuse McConnell Bid
Chicago, Nov. 18. — Attorney
Thomas C. McConnell's request for
interest on supplemental attorneys'
fees granted him to cover his activi-
ties during the period from the orig-
inal Towne decision to the time the
appeal was denied has been turned
down by the Seventh District Court
of Appeals.
Switow Asks Allied
Rogers Drive Aid
Chicago, Nov. 18. — Sam
Switow, national exhibitor
chairman of the Will Rogers
Memorial Hospital, urged the
Allied States convention dele-
gates here today to support
the hospital's annual Christ-
mas Salute and to place the
public coin collection con-
tainers in their theatres.
Switow said it is hoped that
200,000 signature may be ob-
tained for the Christmas Sa-
lute this year, with accom-
panying donations of $150,-
000. He said 3,600 coin con-
tainers are in theatres now.
Charge Rank Theatre
With Quota Default
Baltimore, Nov. 18. — In view of
Trade has issued a summons against
the Rank Organization's Haymarket
Gaumont Theatre for an alleged de-
fault in the 25 per cent supporting-
program quota.
The action came as a surprise, the
general feeling in the trade being that
the supporting program quota is in-
effective. To date, there have been
only seven quota prosecutions for the
past year's alleged defaulters. All of
them were independent exhibitors in
"closed" situations, the theory appar-
ently being that absence of competi-
tion should permit an exhibitor to
book enough British features on fa-
vorable terms.
United Artists Opens
Branch in Albany
_ Buffalo, Nov. 18.— A United Ar-
tists sub-branch has been opened here
under the management of Buffalo
branch manager Mannie A. Brown,
and will be added to the territory
supervised by Moe Dudleson.
Michael Frashela has joined the
local UA sales staff, covering- Roches-
ter and Syracuse. Selwyn Ginsler is
covering Buffalo.
Korda Film for India
London, Nov. 18. — Sir Alexander
Korda will make "Taj Mahal" in In-
dia with color as one of his "impor-
tant productions" for next year. His
London Films has had considerable
success here with the Indian-made
"Aan."
ITOO Board to Meet
Columbus, O., Nov. 18. — A meet-
ing- of the board of directors of the
Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio
will be held here Dec. 2.
Allied Banquet to
Honor Greer Garson
Chicago, Nov. 18. — Greer
Garson will be guest of honor
at the Allied States conven-
tion banquet here tomorrow
night. Ronald Reagan will
be toastmaster and entertain-
ment will be provided by
Morton Downey. The banquet
will mark the close of the
convention.
"Sill
IS
Advertised in
Look in 1952
COLUMBIA
Ten Tall Men
Death of a Salesman
The Marrying Kind
The Sniper
Affair in Trinidad
LOEWS
Lone Star
Show Boat
An American in Paris
Singing in the Rain
Skirts Ahoy
Carbine Williams
The Washington Story
The Merry Widow
Because You're Mine
Prisoner of Zenda
Plymouth Adventure
Lovely to Look At
Scaramouche
PARAMOUNT
Sailor Beware
Aaron Slick from Punkin Crick
Red Mountain
The Atomic City
Come Back Little Sheba
During the first nine months of 1952,
movie advertisers invested a total of some $428,000
in Look - a good deal more than they spent in any
other magazine. In fact, in this nine-month period,
Look carried almost twice as many pages of movie
advertising as any other major magazine.
One reason is that Look does the greatest job
of pre-selling movies. Every issue carries exciting
articles on Hollywood productions and personalities,
and much-quoted reviews of new productions.
And, once each year, the coveted Look Motion
Picture Achievement Awards focus national
attention on the outstanding accomplishments
of the industry.
But an even more compelling reason is this:
Look reaches an audience of 20,650,000
movie-minded Americans — at the lowest cost
per thousand in the major magazine field.
mm
RKO
Snow White
Robin Hood
Peter Pan
Hans Christian Andersen
The Las Vegas Story
Rancho Notorious
Macao
Clash By Night
Blackbeard the Pirate
The Big Sky
One Minute to Zero
Androcles and the Lion
The Lusty Men
Double Dynamite
REPUBLIC
The Quiet Man
TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX
The Snows of Kilimanjaro
UNIVERSAL
Bend of the River
The Battle of Apache Pass
The World in His Arms
Back At The Front
Against All Flags
WARNER BROS.
The Iron Mistress
First with the movies...
mm
Look
10
Motion Picture daily
Wednesday, November 19, 1952
20th Field Talks on
Product Promotions
Twentieth Century - Fox division
managers will hold strategy meetings
with branch heads during the next two
weeks to activate merchandising and
advertising plans that were set at the
two-day home office meeting last week.
Division managers who returned to
their offices at the weekend will start
visiting exchange centers this week to
discuss immediate plans for Thanks-
giving releases, "Pony Soldier" and
"Bloodhounds of Broadway." Plans
for campaigns will also be made for
Christmas and New Year's releases,
"Stars and Stripes Forever," "My
Cousin Rachel," "Ruby Gentry" and
"The I Don't Care Girl," as well as
the continued handling of Darryl F.
Zanuck's "The Snows of Kiliman-
jaro."
The coming year's product line-up
is slated for consideration with atten-
tion given to the use of special cam-
paign kits which were used as
blueprints at last week's confabs.
Small Business Group
(Continued from page 1)
year, is still continuing, officials said.
Committee investigator William D.
Amis is again on the West Coast,
and, while he is there primarily on
other committee business, he is ex-
pected to devote at least some time to
talking to California exhibitors.
But the investigation will still be-
only in its early stages when the year
ends, and the new committee there-
fore will have to make its own de-
cision as to whether to drop the probe
or develop it still further. "We don't
have nearly enough information for
a report with any sort of conclusions,"
says one committee staff member, "but
we will have plenty of information to
put before the committee in January
to permit them to make a very sound
determination as to whether to con-
tinue the investigation or drop it."
When the committee originally
voted the investigation last Spring,
it did not have any information of its
own on the subject, but merely com-
plaints from the Pacific Coast theatre
owners and other exhibitors. At that
time, committee members indicated
they had okayed the investigation
more because there was no committee
opposition to it rather than because of
any strong positive feeling for it.
FLY TO— -
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on United's Luxurious
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Review
»4
The Bad and the Beautiful
(Metro-Go Idwyn-Mayer) Hollywood, Nov. 18
HP HIS big and skillful telling of an intimate story about Hollywood em-
A ploys a large and extremely capable cast topped by no less than seven
players whose names rate marquee billing, to wit : Lana Turner, Kirk
Douglas, Dick Powell, Walter Pidgeon, Barry Sullivan, Gloria Grahame
and Gilbert Roland. These actors, and a great many others whose lesser
works match theirs in quality, turn in sparkling- performances in a production
that is known hereabouts as "an actor's picture," if there ever was one.
So far as name power and player performance can be said to guarantee the
success of an attraction, this one manifestly is guaranteed, and maybe that
is far enough.
The story about Hollywood that this picture tells has nothing in common
with the homey, folksy little story which the COMPO tourists go about the
country telling the paying public for the purpose of offsetting the injurious
effects of unfavorable newspaper handling of Hollywood news. Whereas the
COMPO troupers tell of a Hollywood that is really just like any other
small town in the country, with its hardworking citizens running the usual
averages as to divorces, marriages, child-bearing- and church attendance, "The
Bad and the Beautiful" tells of a Hollywood as ruthless, unbridled and barren
of ethics as its most fervent detractors have pictured it. The film presents
this kind of Hollywood so expertly and convincingly as to set the COMPO
educational efforts back to where they started. It is, intentionally or not,
a vivid expression of the viewpoint held by the no means minor segment of
Hollywood opinion which has contended all along that the homey, folksy
Hollywood story of the COMPO tourists has cost a lot of ticket sales by its
de-glamorizing influence. This is one of the mootest of the moot questions
around Hollywood, and is likely to stay that way.
Generically, "The Bad and the Beautiful" groups with "A Star Is Born,"
"Sunset Boulevard" and "All About Eve," and this certainly is not box-office
company to be scorned. It is as big as any of the trio, as nameful, as expert,
speaking roundly, and more outspoken, uninhibited and elemental than any
of them. Subjectively it is closest to "Sunset Boulevard," which is not to
say similar, and structurally it is closest to "All About Eve" in that it runs
out three story lines, inter-related, managing to keep each important inde-
pendently without cost to the over-all narrative. Charles Schnee rates rare
praise for an extraordinary job on the script.
Douglas plays the son of a hated Hollywood producer whose funeral
(attended only by extras paid to appear as mourners) keys the picture.
Douglas, who hated his father but learned from him the secrets of success-
at-any-price, determines to make Hollywood bow down to the family name
again, and the picture records the double-crosses, steals, schemes, deceits
and frauds by which he does so. Miss Turner, as an actress, Powell as a
writer and Sullivan as a director portray the principal victims of his raging-
ambition, although there are others, and Pidgeon enacts a producer who
(and this is. the structural point on which the story hinges) attempts, with
seeming success, to persuade them that by the acts with which Douglas
ruined their respective lives he made each of them so famous and rich, that
they should come now to his economic rescue by making for him a picture
that could put him on his feet. This cynical representation is probably the
most damaging single aspersion ever cast upon the ladies and gentlemen of
the motion picture producing profession.
Direction by Vincente Minnelli undoubtedly is accountable in large measure
for some of the splendid individual instances of superb performance, as well
as for the over-all excellence.
Producer John Houseman has a highly professional and clearly a thought-
ful achievement to his credit here.
Running time, 118 minutes. Adult audience classification. For January
release. William R. Weaver
End SWG Strike vs.
TV Film Producers
Hollywood, Nov. 18. — The Screen
Writers Guild and the Authors
League of America have ended their
14-week strike against the Alliance
of Television Film Producers, which
makes 85 per cent of the television
films produced on the Coast, with the
producers winning an important con-
cession on royalties and granting the
two other original demands of the
writers involving the reservation of
rights by the author and the leasing
of stories Many details of the con-
tract remain to be worked out, it was
said, but there was agreement in prin-
ciple.
Eastern SAG Votes to
Authorize Strike Action
The Eastern membership of the
Screen Actors Guild, seeking to "curb
unlimited and repetitious televising
of filmed advertisements," has unani-
mously voted to authorize strike ac-
tion against producers of TV film
commercials and the American Asso-
Discuss Promotion
Of 'Theatre Week'
Hollywood, Nov. 18.— Plans are to
be discussed concerning the promo-
tion next year of "National Theatre
Week" by Lester Cowan with leaders
of both the motion picture industry
and the stage, it was announced as
Cowan left here for New York to
film scenes featuring stage players for
the Cinema Productions' feature,
"Main Street to Broadway."
Stage and screen players will work
together in the promotion which is to
be in their common interest. "Main
Street" is an exhibitor-financed at-
traction to be released by M-G-M.
Cowan has stated the release should
coincide with "National Theatre
Week."
ciation of Advertising Agencies.
Walter Pidgeon, newly elected SAG
president, presented the strike pro-
posal to the membership, which may
bring the first work-stoppage in the
Guild's 19-year history.
Kodak 36-Week Net |
Is $28,585,716
Rochester, N. Y., Nov. 18.— East-
man Kodak announced that net earn-
ings for the three-quarter year period
ending Sept. 7 were $28,585,716 or
$1.71 a share, as compared with $32,-
350,194 or $2.13 a share a year ago.
Seventeen cents of the per share
decrease is attributed to the 10 per
cent stock dividend in January. Sales
for the 36-we'ek period were $388,-
859,261 against $384,243,040 for the
same period last year.
Company directors today voted a
wage dividend of an estimated $22',-
200,000 for more than 51,000 Kodak
personnel in the U. S., with payment
to be made on March 6, 1953, at the
rate of $27.50 per each $1,000 earned
at Kodak during the five years, 1948-
1952.
Salt Lake City Bans
"Everybody's Girl"
Salt Lake City, Nov. 18.— In an
unprecedented action, the police anti-
vice squad has ordered the banning of
the picture, "Everybody's Girl," from
showing at the State Theatre here.
While Salt Lake City has no censors
for motion pictures, the picture was
one of a very few to be banned by
police within the memory of local
showmen.
The film had played only one day
in the downtown house- when Capt.
E. J. Steinfeldt, head of the anti-vice
bureau, ordered the ban. He described
the picture as "unfit for public view-
ing'^ and said it "fails to meet the
qualifications by which motion pic-
tures may be shown in Salt Lake
City."
Cohen to RKO Radio
As A Copywriter
Charles Cohen has joined RKO
Radio's advertising- department here
as a copywriter, it was announced by
Richard Condon, director of advertis-
ing, publicity and exploitation.
Cohen, who last week resigned a
similar position at 20th Century-Fox,
entered the industry in 1929 with
M-G-M. He remained there until
1945, when he was named advertising
manager for Berkely Industries in
New Jersey. He returned to the in-
dustry in 1948 at Universal-Interna-
tional, and two years later joined
20th Century-Fox.
Ehrlich, Boehnel
In New RKO Posts
Joe Ehrlich has been added to RKO
Radio's publicity department to handle
publicity and promotion of short sub-
jects. Bob Boehnel, who has been di-
viding his time between short subject
publicity and general newspaper con-
tacts, will devote his full time to
newspapers.
Ehrlich formerly was with 20th
Century-Fox, where he handled syn-
dicates and wire services.
Abbott, Costello
(Continued from page 1)
mid-January. Howard Christie will
produce and Charles Lamont will di-
rect the comedy which will be their
25th for U-I since the series began in
1940. John Grant will prepare the
screenplay.
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than in any other monthly magazine.*
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VOL. 72. NO. 98
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1952
I AIR
I MAIL
■edition
TEN CENTS
ALLIED REJECTS MAJORS'
ARBITRATION PLAN DRAFT
ITOA to Test
Arbitration on
Local Level
Whether an industry arbitration
system can be operated on a regional
basis may be tested by the Indepen-
dent Theatre Owners Association of
New York. Harry Brandt, ITOA
president, announced yesterday that
regardless of any action taken by
other exhibitor organizations, his
association was prepared to go ahead
with arbitration and establish the
necessary machinery and procedures
"for the peaceful settlement of trade
disputes within the City of New
York."
At mid-afternoon yesterday and
prior to Allied's action on arbitration
at its annual convention in Chicago,
Brandt stated that "ITOA believes
that it can make arbitration work in
New York and we are prepared to
go ahead with it, working out any
(Continued on page 6)
It was learned here yes-
terday that preliminary
talks between the Depart-
ment of Justice and repre-
sentatives and attorneys
for RKO Theatres on an ex-
tension of tims for the
disposition of RKO ' s
stock interests in Metro-
politan Playhouses are
underway. Under the terms
of RKO Theatres' consent
decree, the deadline for
the disposition of its
Metropolitan Playhouses
stock interest is Dec. 20.
•
The MPAA distributors'
committee will hold a
meeting within two weeks
to elect a chairman. The
term of A. W. Schwalberg
expires on Dec. 31.
Ampa Hearst
Tribute Today
William Randolph Hearst, Jr., pub-
lisher of the New York Journal-
American and American Weekly and
editor-in-chief of all Hearst news-
papers, will be
t h e principal
guest at a
luncheon today
to be sponsored
by the Associ-
ated Motion
Picture Adver-
tisers honoring
the H e a r s t
Publications at
the Picadilly
Hotel. Howard
Dietz will be
t h e principal
speaker a n d
will pay trib-
publications on be-
"in appreciation of
on page 10)
W. B. Hearst, -Jr.
ute to the Hearst
half of AMPA,
(Continued
Convention's Closing Session Approves
Myers' Board of Directors Report;
Action of Board, Convention Unanimous
I. E. Chadwick Dies
On Coast at 68
Hollywood, Nov. 19. — Services
will be held Friday at the Temple
Israel for Isaac E. Chadwick, 68,
president of Independent Motion Pic-
ture Producers Association since 1940
and recently appointed chairman of
the newly established labor-manage-
ment health and welfare fund, who
died this morning at Temple Hospital,
(Continued on page 10)
By SHERWIN KANE
Chicago, Nov. 19. — The Allied States convention at its closing
session here today unanimously approved the hoard of directors'
recommendation rejecting the distributors' draft of the proposed
industry arbitration plan.
The action followed a report to the convention by Abram F.
Myers, Allied chairman and general counsel, which listed the plus
and minus factors of the distribu-
tors' draft and concluded with the
board's recommendation that the
plan be rejected, on the grounds
that "it did not
promise direct,
immediate and
substantial
benefit to ex-
hibitors ; it con-
tains no provi-
sion for arbi-
t r a t i n g film
rentals, and it
contains provi-
sions which are
not deemed to
be in the ex-
hibitors' inter-
est."
Myers told
'neither the board
Allied Convention
Scores U.S. 16mm.
Suit vs. Distribution
Chicago, Nov. 19. — The Allied
board at its closing session here today
adopted a resolution condemning the
Department of Justice for instituting
the anti-trust suit against distributors
to force the sale of 16mm. films to
television.
Other resolutions adopted included
u\te calling for Allied cooperation with
the Crusade for Freedom ; commend-
ing Jack Kirsch of Illinois Allied for
convention arrangements ; Abram F.
Myers, Allied chairman, and VVilbur
Snaper, president, for their work for
the convention ; H. A. Cole and Pat
McGee, for their accomplishments as
co-chairmen of the industry's campaign
lor admissions tax repeal ; Trueman
Rembusch for his work as one of the
governing triumvirate of the Council
of Motion Picture Organizations, and
Martin G. Smith of Toledo, O., for
(Continued on page 7)
MPTO of District of Columbia is 7th
TO A Unit to Approve Arbitration Plan
Unanimous endorsement of the industry arbitration plan by the
Motion Picture Theatre Owners of the District of Columbia was
announced here yesterday by the Theatre Owners of America. This
makes the seventh TOA unit to approve the formula, which was
recently presented at a meeting of the association in Washington
by Herman M. Levy, TOA general counsel.
Other TOA units that have endorsed the plan are: Theatre
Owners of North and South Carolina; Motion Picture Theatre
Owners of Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee; Motion Picture
Exhibitors of Florida; Tennessee Theatre Owners Association;
Motion Picture Theatre Owners of St. Louis, Eastern Missouri and
Southern Illinois, and the TOA of the Albany Exchange Area.
Abram Myers
the convention that
as a whole nor any individual is op-
posed to arbitration. They yield to
(Continued on page 6)
High Film Prices,
Hiked Admissions
Draw Allied Fire
Chicago, Nov. 19. — Pursuing its
revived militant policy to the end,
Allied's annual convention here today
devoted much of the last session to
emphasizing it is out to battle high
film prices and advanced admission
pictures, among other things, with all
of the determination it can muster.
A resolution was offered from the
floor by John Vlachos of Michigan
Allied, and adopted unanimously by
the convention, endorsing the Allied
board's statement of policy concerning
Allied's militant attitude toward ob-
jectionable trade practices and its plan
to combat them by court and legisla-
tive means. Vlachos emphasized that
(Continued on page 6)
2
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, November 20, 1952
700 See 2nd Annual SPG
Award Go to Louis Mayer
5 UPT Affiliates,
Reade House To
Carry 'Carmen' TV
Personal
Mention
TT DWARD L, HYMAN, vice-
l-> president of United Paramount
Theatres, and his assistant, Bernard
Levy, will be in Des Moines today,
from New York.
•
Jean Benoit-Levy, French produc-
er, with Mrs. Benoit-Levy, and Bert
Garai, president of Keystone Pictures,
inc., will be aboard the SIS'. Liberte
arriving here from Europe today.
•
Charles K. Flint will retire from
active service as Eastman Kodak Co.
vice-president and general manager of
the company's Kodak Park Works,
Rochester, on Jan. 1.
•
Louis Alter, ASCAP composer,
and his wife Jean, have become par-
ents of a seven-pound nine-ounce baby
girl, Allison Ann, born at Leroy
Sanitarium here.
•
Edmond Turcotte, member of the
National Film Board of Canada from
1932 to 1947, has been appointed Ca-
nadian Ambassador to Colombia.
•
Howard Dietz, M-G-M advertis-
ing-publicity director, and Joseph R.
Vogel, in charge of Loew's theatres,
will leave here today for the Coast.
•
William F. Rodgers, M-G-M vice-
president and sales consultant, is_ due
back here tomorrow from the national
Allied convention banquet in Chicago.
•
George Weltner, Paramount Inter-
national president, will leave London
by plane for New York on Nov. 30.
•
Robert Perkins, Paramount Far
East district manager, will arrive in
New York on Dec. 1 from Tokyo.
•
Hugh Owen, Paramount's Eastern
and Southern division manager, will
leave here Sunday for Charlotte.
Barney Rose, Universal San Fran-
cisco district manager, is vacationing
in Honolulu.
Arthur Krim, president of United
Artists, left here by plane yesterday
for a month's business tour of Europe.
George Hendricks is the new man-
ager of the Mayfair Theatre in Balti-
more.
Dan S. Terrell, M-G-M exploita-
tion head, left here yesterday for
Boston.
•
Lynn Farnol left here yesterday
for the Coast.
o
Vincent Flynn, Omaha M-G-M
manager, is in New York on vacation.
20c Loew's Dividend
Loew's directors, at their regular
board meeting here yesterday, declared
a quarterly dividend of 20 cents a
share on the common stock, payable
Dec. 19 to stockholders of record on
Dec. 9.
Hollywood, Nov. 19. — With more
than 700 members of the production
branch of the industry attending its
second annual Milestone Dinner at
the Biltmore Hotel here, Screen Pro-
ducers Guild tonight paid its highest
honor to Louis B. Mayer. SPG
president Sol C. Siegel, introducing
the honor guest, said Mayer is more
to be credited than anybody else with
creating the "job of the producer as
it is known today."
In his address accepting the award
Mayer said, in part, "I saw silent
film grow from a few hundred feet
to multiple reel feature length — silent
film replaced by sound — and now I
am to be part of something I consider
tremendously thrilling in screen en-
tertainment— Cinerama." After recit-
ing present Cinerama achievements,
he went on, "Cinerama has a ceiling —
not in quality or imagination — but in
where and how it can be used. No
one knows for sure, but my guess is
that no more than 200' theatres will
have Cinerama within the next two
or three years. It is for selected the-
atres, for selective stories, for selective
audiences."
Touches on Television
Touching on television, Mayer said,
"Radio came along and we worried
for quite a while. But we found it
didn't hurt very much. Now we
have TV and we blame it for most
of our troubles. It hurts, of course.
So do night baseball, automobile rides,
Canasta and other things that claim
leisure time and dollars of the public.
Television will remain only a part
of the distractions employed by the
public for its diversions."
George Jessell was master of cere-
monies of the dinner, while Buddy
Adler was chairman, and Arthur
Freed produced the show featuring
Bob Hope, Jack Benny, George Burns,
Ethel Merman, Lena Home and
others.
Republic Opening
To Honor Guard
Washington, Nov. 19. — Frank
Pace, Jr., Secretary of the Army, and
Major General Raymond B. Fleming,
chief of the National Guard Bureau,
are expected to be among the notables
participating in premiere events here
tomorrow for Republic's "Thunder-
bird" at the Warner Theatre. The
film, a tribute to the National Guard,
will have a day-and-date opening at
the Warner and Ambassador Theatres.
Republic executives attending the
premiere will include William Saal,
president Herbert J. Yates' executive
assistant ; James R. Grainger, execu-
tive vice-president in charge of sales
and distribution ; James V. O'Gara,
district manager, and John H. Auer,
associate producer-director of the film.
The stars of the picture, John
Derek, Eileen Christy, John Barry-
more, Jr., Mona Freeman, Gene Evans
and Ward Bond, joined by Forrest
Tucker and Vic Damone, will also
take part in the proceedings.
GoldensonReelected
United Palsy Head
Leonard H. Goldenson, president of
United Paramount Theatres, has been
reelected to his fourth consecutive
term as president of United Cerebral
Palsy, of which he is a founder.
Several other industry leaders were
named national officers for the coming
year. Earl J. Hudson, president of
United Detroit Theatres, was re-
elected vice-president and also elected
to a new post as chairman of the board
for the United Cerebral Palsy-Chest-
nut Hill Center in Philadelphia. Hud-
son has long been active in the palsy
movement and is also president of
United Cerebral Palsy in Michigan.
Five New Posts
Two of five new posts as regional
vice-presidents also went to theatre-
men. Henry G. Plitt, of Paramount
Gulf Theatres, New Orleans, was
chosen regional vice-president for the
South, and Jerry Zigmond of Los An-
geles, West Coast manager of United
Paramount Theatres, and former
president of United Cerebral Palsy of
California, was elected regional vice-
president for the Pacific Coast.
Robert H. O'Brien, secretary-treas-
urer of United Paramount Theatres,
was reelected assistant treasurer.
Addressing 400 delegates from all
parts of the nation at United Cerebral
Palsy's recent third annual convention
here, Goldenson praised the motion
picture industry for outstanding co-
operation ever since the movement
started.
Contributions during the past year
totaled a record-breaking $4,062,143,
or nearly double last year's $2,133,000,
Goldenson reported.
Tribute also was paid by Goldenson
to Bob Hope, life chairman of UCP ;
his co-chairmen, Jack Benny, Milton
Berle, Bing Crosby, Arlene Francis,
Arthur Godfrey, Jerry Lewis, Jinx
Falkenburg McCrary, Dean Martin,
Jane Pickens, Kate Smith, John
Cameron Swayze, and the many vol-
unteers in the entertainment field who
assisted.
Quebec May Censor TV
Ottawa, Canada, Nov. 19. — The
Province of Quebec has proposed
placing television programs under the
control of the Quebec Board of Film
Censors, with a measure providing for
penalties for infractions similar to
those in effect on motion pictures
shown in theatres. Uncensored TV
film transmission would be punishable
by a $500 fine or a three-month jail
term.
DuMont Dividend
A regular quarterly dividend of 25
cents per share was declared here by
the board of directors of Allen B.
DuMont Laboratories, Inc., on its out-
standing shares of five per cent cumu-
lative convertible preferred stock. It
will be payable on Jan. 1, to preferred
stockholders of record on Dec. 15.
Five TV-equipped houses affiliated
with United Paramount Theatres
have set definite plans to carry the
Dec. 11 telecast of "Carmen," it was
disclosed here yesterday.
At the same time, Walter Reade
Theatres reported that the "Carmen"
telecast has been booked into the cir-
cuit's St. James Theatre at Asbury
Park, N. J.
The five UPT-affiliate theatres
planning to telecast the Theatre Net-
work Television event of the Metro-
politan Opera production are : Para-
mount, Des Moines ; Center, Buffalo ;
Utah, Salt Lake City ; Orpheum,
Omaha ; and the Paramount at Lynn,
Mass. Other UPT affiliates are cur-
rently weighing the TNT offer, in-
cluding Minnesota Amusement's
Radio City at Minneapolis.
Although UPT price scales for the
event have not been set locally, vari-
ous UPT affiliates are contemplating
a seat range from $1.80 to $3.60, with
the average popular price, including
tax, being $2.40. It is argued that
the public should not be confronted
with a price which is too high in the
first test of the drawing power of an
entertainment show on theatre tele-
vision. The terms sought by TNT
are a 40 cents per seat guarantee
against 50 per cent of the net box-
office receipts, whichever is higher.
SupremeCourtHears
Gamble-AFM Case
Washington, Nov. 19. — The U. S.
Supreme Court today heard an argu-
ment on, and then took under advise-
ment, an appeal as to whether the
American Federation of Musicians
can make theatre owners pay for local
musicians even when the exhibitors
do not want them.
The case involves unfair labor
charges brought against the union by
Gamble Enterprises' Palace Theatre
in Akron. The NLRB ruled the
AFM had not violated the Taft-
Hartley Law in its demands on the
Palace, but the U. S. Circuit Court
at Cincinnati ruled that the union was
guilty of a Taft-Hartley violation.
The union appealed to the high court.
The justices are considering the
musicians' case in conjunction with a
similar case involving newspaper
typographers.
Show 'Andersen' at
Bellevue Saturday
A screening of Samuel Goldwyn's
"Hans Christian Andersen" will be
held for the children at Bellevue Hos-
pital here on Saturday, with Danny
Kaye, star of the picture, highlighting
the entertainment with an in-person
performance for the shut-in young-
sters.
The showing will launch Goldwyn's
recently announced plan to screen the
film free of charge for special audi-
ences of children throughout the world
who normally might be deprived of
seeing" it.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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: "Ouigpubco,
New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan. Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy Vice-President; Leo *j. ' Bradv,
Secretary; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertisinsr Manager; Gus H. Fausel. Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building.
William K. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FT 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington. D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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.
Thursday, November 20, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
Reviews
"Face To Face"
{Huntington Hartford-RKO Pictures)
Y~\ UO-DRAM A is the classification of this fine feature that contains two
outstanding screen adaptations of long short stories by Joseph Conrad
and Stephen Crane. They are, respectively, "The Secret Sharer" and "The
Bride Comes to Yellow Creek." It is an excellent pairing for the rollicking
humor of the Western is highly welcome after the tension and excitement of
the sea drama. In certain situations exhibitors may be able to book these
separately and although it is a natural for art houses, the film is geared for.
and merits general release.
James Mason stars in the Conrad story as a captain on board his first
ship in the tropics and delivers a perceptive, sensitive performance. The adapta-
tion by Aeneas MacKenzie is a faithful one and John Brahm's direction has
emphasized the suspense and action while maintaining symbolic overtones.
The story involves Mason's sheltering and aiding the escape of a mate from
another ship, Michael Pate, who saved his ship in a storm but accidentally
killed a fear-crazed sailor. Mason runs his ship dangerously close to an
island but succeeds in getting Pate away and proving his ability to command.
The Crane story is an incisive satire on the disappearing wild-west at-
mosphere of a frontier town that has outgrown gunplay but is terrorized by
its beloved only old time, gun-toting, whiskey-guzzling resident in the absence
of its sheriff who has left town. Minor Watson is superb as the unregenerate
character, who sadly walks away and throws down his guns upon realizing the
returned unarmed sheriff, Robert Preston, has brought back a bride. Preston
is a perfect foil for Watson and Olive Carey is equally good as the saloon
keeper. Bretaigne Windust's direction is flawless. James Agee wrote the
adaptation. Agee also appears in the cast which includes Marjorie Steele and
Dan Seymour. Huntington Hartford produced expertly. The associate pro-
ducers were George Tobin and Norman A. Manning.
Running time, 92 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Nov i4 " Walter Pashkin
"Above and Beyond"
(M etro-Gohhvyn-Mayer)
THE long and arduous development of men and airplanes for the dropping
of the atomic bomb on Japan serves as the theme of this compelling
drama in which Robert Taylor stars as the man responsible for the major part
of the operation. It is a smooth-running film that after a slow opening
developes a good deal of tension and contains some fine flying and bombing
footage which can be exploited widely.
Melvin Frank and Norman Panama produced and directed and collaborated
with author Beirne Lay, Jr., on the screenplay. The result is the taut
telling in strong dramatic terms of the conflict of Taylor to achieve perfec-
tion in an airplane and maintain security on the ground without revealing
anything to his friends or family.
Eleanor Parker portrays the wife with a competent sweetness and James
Whitmore turns in a rock-ribbed performance as the exceedingly thorough
security officer. It is Whitmore who warns Taylor not to bring his wife out
to the air base and at first Taylor heeds him but later on she arrives. Their
happiness is soon diminished by Taylor's unceasing rigidity about discipline
and the tension makes him irritable. Miss Parker and Taylor quarrel at the
moment of his biggest decision, whether his men are ready to drop the bomb.
Taylor listens to Whitmore' s advice to have her leave the base and then
decides to drop the bomb from a fighter-less B-29 at a very high altitude.
It is after the successful dropping of the bomb and Taylor's return that
Miss Parker realizes his great mission and reunites with him.
This is a well-made picture that has stars and action and a story that can
be exploited for ample box-office returns.
Larry Keating heads an able supporting cast that includes Robert Burton,
Christie Olsen, Larry Gates, Marilyn Erskine, Stephen Dunne, John McKee,
Hayden Rorke, Larry Dobkin, Jack Raine Barbara Ruick and Jim Backus.
Running time, 122 minutes. General audience classification. For January
release. W. P.
Seeks Telemeter
In Hamilton, Ont.
Toronto, Nov. 19. — Famous
Players Canadian Corp. has
made a bid for an outlet at
Hamilton, Ont., for Telemeter,
for which the circuit holds a
25-year contract for Canada.
Harold Roberts, manager of
the FP-C head office real
estate department, and Mau-
rice Evans, Toronto lawyer,
appeared for the circuit be-
fore the Hamilton Board of
Control to ask for a permit
to erect necessary facilities
and for an exclusive franchise
in Hamilton to operate cables
and wires for "piped" TV over
a 15-year period.
Skiatron Resuming
Home Experiments
Following approval yesterday by
the Federal Communications Commis-
sion, Skiatron will resume its experi-
mental subscription television broad-
casts on WOR-TV here from sign-
off to sign-on, during the night. The
experimental telecasts will be under
FCC supervision and will start within
a few days. Skiatron experiments
were suspended about two months ago.
The 90-day experimental subscrip-
tion telecasts to homes are expected
to get under way" next May, according
to Arthur Levey, Skiatron president.
Theatre Guild Aids
Paramount' s 'Sheba'
The Theatre Guild's subscription
lists in 22 cities are being made avail-
able to Paramount for the promotion
of "Come Back, Little Sheba." This is
the first time that the Guild has co-
operated on a picture in which it has
not participated in local premieres.
The lists will be supplied prior to
each playdate. "Sheba" opens in New
York and Los Angeles in late Decem-
ber in order to qualify for Academy
honors. National release is set for
February.
Studies Republic
Production in U.K.
London, Nov. 19. — Jack E. Baker,
vice-president in charge of production
at Republic Studios, is here to confer
with Herbert Wilcox on the three
pictures the latter has contracted to
make jointly with Republic. First is
"Laughing Anne," starring Margaret
Lockwood.
Baker also will examine the possibil-
ity of making Republic pictures here
for American TV. He plans to visit
Paris, Rome, Milan and Berlin later.
Hughes on Stand Today
Hollywood, Nov. 19. — Howard
Hughes is expected to take the stand
tomorrow morning in the Superior
Court trial of Paul Jarrico's $350,000
suit against RKO Radio based on
his discharge following refusal to an-
swer Un-American Activities Com-
mittee questions.
Hornblow Leaving MGM
Hollywood, Nov. 19. — Producer
Arthur Hornblow, Jr. will leave
M-G-M on the expiration of his con-
tract next March, after 10 years with
the studio. He intends to enter inde-
pendent production.
Dmytryk Sees Israel
Supplying Scripts
Hollywood, Nov. 19. — Creative
writers of Israel will shortly augment
Hollywood's stockpile of stories,
director Edward Dmytryk predicted
here upon his arrival from a visit
abroad.
While he was in Israel for five
weeks filming Stanley Kramer's "The
Juggler" on location, Dmytryk said
he found a whole contingent of seri-
ous and promising writers, most of
them displaced persons who fled
European countries to find a haven
in Israel.
"They all have their eyes on Holly-
wood," the director stated, "and they
all feel that during the past decade
the screen has emerged as a much
more significant and valid art form
than it was at one time."
Reade Houses Book
Musical Attractions
Walter Reade Theatres in New Jer-
sey, continuing its policy of present-
ing stage attractions when available,
will offer three musical shows, each
with several bookings, for the period
between Dec. 4 and Dec. 19.
The attractions are the Trapp Fam-
ily Singers, the Jaroff Don Cossack
Male Chorus and Dancers and the
American Savoyards (Gilbert and
Sullivan interpreters).
'Weizmann' Film Deal
A contract for the exclusive U. S.
rights to a film featurette, "The Life
and Times of Chaim Weizmann" has
been signed between United Films of
Tel Aviv and Cornell Films, J. Mil-
ton Salzburg, Cornell president, dis-
closed here yesterday.
Impressive Dais Set
For Testimonial to
Blumberg Tuesday
The dais at the "Jubilee Dinner" of
the Motion Picture Pioneers, to be
held at the Hotel Astor Tuesday eve-
ning, is scheduled to feature one of the
most impressive lists of leaders of the
entertainment industry and representa-
tives of the financial world, the clergy
and civic affairs in the 13-year history
of the organization, Jack Cohn, Pio-
neers' president, and Ned Depinet, din-
ner chairman, reported here yesterday.
N. J. Blumberg, board chairman of
Universal Pictures, will be honored
at the dinner as the "Motion Picture
Pioneer of 1952."
Others scheduled to be on the dais :
Harry Cohn, president of Columbia
Pictures ; Harold J. Fitzgerald, presi-
dent, Fox Wisconsin Amusement
Corp. ; William German, president,
William German, Inc. ; William Goetz,
in charge of production for Universal-
International ; Leonard Goldenson,
.president, United Paramount The-
atres ; T. J. Hargrave, president, East-
man Kodak; George Jessel, toastmas-
ter ; Danny Kaye ; Judge Ferdinand
Pecora ; Father Patrick Peyton, who
will be one of the key speakers of the
evening; Milton R. Rackmil, president,
Universal Pictures ; J. Robert Rubin,
vice-president, Loew's, Inc.1; Serge Se-
menenko, senior vice-president of the
First National Bank of Boston ; Harry
M. Warner, president, Warner Broth-
ers Pictures ; Robert R. Young ;
Adolph Zukor, chairman of the board
of directors of Paramount Pictures,
and others.
Also, members of the board of di-
rectors of the Pioneers, headed by
Jack Cohn, and including Jack Ali-
coate, Barney Balaban, Harry Brandt,
Sam Dembow, Jr., G. S. Eyssell, S. H.
Fabian, James R. Grainger, Abel
Green, John J. O'Connor, Robert J.
O'Donnell, Martin Quigley, Herman
Robbins and Major Albert Warner.
Plan Celebration for
S. African Industry
Plans are now being set to mark
the "Golden Jubilee" of the motion
picture industry in South Africa, ac-
cording to Michael Silver, managing
director of Commercial Radio Corp.
of South Africa, Ltd. who is visiting
the Paramount studios in Hollywood.
The celebration will coincide with
the 50th anniversary of the Schlesin-
ger Group in South Africa, one of
the largest exhibitor and distribution
organizations in that area.
Snyder to Testify
On U' Tax Claim
Washington, Nov. 19. — Secretary
of the Treasury Snyder is now slated
to testify before a House Ways and
Means subcommittee early next month
on reports that he took an undue
interest in a huge tax refund claim
of Universal Pictures.
Correction
Loew's Theatres in Manhattan and
Brooklyn, in conjunction with the
Motion Picture Department of the
International Federation of Catholic
Alumnae, will have special showings
of "Because You're Mine" for Sis-
ters and others of religious orders, on
Saturday, Nov. 29, and not on Satur-
day, Nov. 22, as erroneously stated
here yesterday.
FOR THE BALANCE OF '52...
rofit
with Paramount
in Your Datebook!
ft
THE TURNING POINT
William Holden • Edmond O'Brien • Alexis Smith
Big-Time Gangland 's action-packed story that's draw-
ing big-time crowds...
JUST FOR YOU
Technicolor • Bing Crosby • Jane Wyman • Ethel Barrymore
The "Zing A Little Zong" picture has the cash register
zinging everywhere . . ,
Perlberg-Seaton's
SOMEBODY LOVES ME
Technicolor • Betty Hutton • Ralph Meeker
The "Greatest Show On Earth" girl is doing great
business in her brightest musical . . .
THE SAVAGE
Technicolor • Charlton Heston • Susan Morrow
Multiple-theatre kick-off in Detroit area is set for
Heston 's first since "Greatest Show". . .
9 out of 11 in
THE BLAZING FOREST
Technicolor • John Payne • William Demarest
Agnes Moorehead • Richard Arlen • Susan Morrow
'"Burns all other fire pictures out of memory." M.P#
Daily. "Best ever seen." M. P. Herald...
SON OF PALEFACE
Technicolor • Bob Hope • Jane Russell • Roy Rogers • Trigger
The stars of "Paleface," with Roy and Trigger added,
are packin' 'em in...
HURRICANE SMITH
Technicolor • Yvonne DeCarlo • John Ireland • James Craig
Forrest Tucker • Lyle Bettger
Just what Showmen's T. R. said it was: "A 'natural'
for all lovers of action!"...
CARIBBEAN
Technicolor • John Payne • Arlene Dahl • Sir Cedric Hardwicke
The sea saga that everybody, young and old, is
flocking to see. . ft
Hal Wallis'
JUMPING JACKS
Dean Martin • Jerry Lewis • Mono Freeman
The results are in, from all types of houses— and the
boys were never so boxoffice-hot . . .
Cecil B. DeMille's
Technicolor • Betty Hutton • Cornel Wilde * Charlton Heston
Dorothy Lam our • Gloria Grahame • and James Stewart
Don't wait to date the top money-making picture of '52
from any company. . .
And for the big year-end holiday time;
ROAD TO BALI
Technicolor • Bing Crosby • Bob Hope • Dorothy Lamour
Their last "Road" picture was the industry's biggest
grosser of its year and this is bigger, ♦ %
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, November 20, 1952
Allied Rejects Arbitration Draft
(Continued from page 1)
none in their devotion to that concept.
But they are convinced that the ideals
of arbitration will not be promoted
by the present plan or any plan which
the distributors in their present frame
or mind are willing to agree to."
The board's action, like that
of the convention, was unani-
mous.
In reporting to the convention,
Myers listed eight provisions in the
distributors' draft which, he said, if
put into effect, would be of "substan-
tial benefit" to exhibitors. They were :
1) One-way arbitration. Exhibitors
may initiate the complaints, as con-
trasted with the old Film Board of
Trade concept that distributors could
bring the complaints against exhibi-
tors.
2) Clearance. The provisions
of the draft on this subject
"are about as good as can be
devised," Myers said.
3 ) Runs. The provisions here have
both plus and minus factors but the
former are sufficient to include it
among the favorable ones, particularly
in that they give competing exhibitors
equal opportunity to find out which is
entitled to pictures on a particular run
without resorting to competitive bid-
ding.
4 ) Competitive bidding. These pro-
visions offer at least a partial remedy
for some of the hardships and abuses
exhibitors have encountered, Myers
said. He cited the fact that distribu-
tors would not institute bidding ex-
cept on the written request of com-
peting exhibitors for pictures which
the distributor is proposing to license
to another, and also that bids would
be revealed to the bidders who desire
to see them.
5) Forcing pictures. Myers
said he hesitated to include this
among the plus factors because
its provisions do not go to the
heart of the matter which, he
said, is forcing by price differ-
entials. However, he said, it
cannot fairly be called a minus.
6) Contract violations. He said few
exhibitors with whom he has discussed
the provision felt it would be of bene-
fit to them, explaining that he placed
it on the plus side because "it con-
tains nothing detrimental to exhibi-
tors."
7) Conciliation. While this prom-
ises an open-door policy by distribu-
tors, which some already have, Myers
said Allied experience has been that
little can be accomplished by this
means. He termed the conciliation
proposal "futile," "innocuous" and
"scarcely an innovation," but never-
theless listed it as a plus because it
insures complaining exhibitors an in-
terview with responsible sales officials.
8) Damages. Awarded in exhibitors
favor, they warrant listing the pro-
vision on the plus side.
Provisions of the distributors'
draft which Myers placed on
the minus side were:
1 ) Film rentals. Because Allied
had asked that these be included in
the proposals and distributors "flatly
refused." "We must face the fact,"
Myers said, "that the distributors will
not yield to the arbitrators any part
Arbitration Efforts Dead,
Is Feeling at Allied Meet
Chicago, Nov. 19. — Whether or not Allied States' action today in
rejecting the distributors' arbitration draft will write "finis" for the
time being-, at least, to industry efforts to establish an arbitraion sys-
tem was not entirely clear, although most observers here held that
impression.
Those who differed suggested that
an effort might be made to set up
arbitration without Allied and make
its facilities available to all exhibitors
who wished to make use of it. In line
with this, there was some speculation
that a meeting of interested parties
might be called in the near future to
discuss the possibilities.
However, even those who felt
that the end is not yet for arbi-
tration, were quick to concede
that it would be vastly less ef-
fective without Allied's partici-
pation, and that Allied's defec-
tion would undoubtedly lessen
the chances of the plan being
given the approval of the De-
partment of Justice and the
Federal Court.
William F. Rodgers, distributors'
chairman for arbitration, who was in
Chicago today, declined to comment
on Allied's action. Rodgers said he
might have something to say later,
but would not say it during his stay
here. When asked if he thought Allied
had killed arbitration's chances today,
Rodgers said : "It has for me," indi-
cating he would have no active part
in any further efforts to establish an
arbitration system which might be
made.
Rodgers and Charles M. Reagan,
M-G-M vice-president in charge of
distribution, attended the Allied con-
vention .banquet last night, at which
Greer Garson was a guest of honor.
At his request, Rodgers did not sit
at the banquet ,dais.
of their control over prices and it is
hopeless to pursue the subject further."
2) Pre-releases. Curbs the number
of "specials" that distributors can
designate as such, but still permits a
maximum of 18 such per year, on the
basis of two for each of the nine com-
panies which would be signatories of
the plan. Myers also pointed out that
in getting government and court ap-
proval of arbitration, with this pro-
vision in it, "distributors would re-
ceive left-handed judicial sanction for
such pictures as they have been and
are being sold, and the board was
dead set against that," wishing to be
free to oppose the "deluge of pre-
releases." Myers, however, pointed
out that such pictures also would be
exempted from the competitive bid-
ding" restrictions and that they force
the increasing of admissions.
3) Competitive bidding. Myers
said this, too, would get the
cloak of approval by the court
if arbitration were approved. He
also said it would permit dis-
tributors to enlarge bidding,
rather than restrict it.
4) Limitation on awards. In this
connection, Myers said Allied was
prepared to help distributors realize
their aim of reducing the heavy vol-
ume of anti-trust litigation in the in-
dustry and thought it could be helped
by liberality in the matter of financial
damages eligible in arbitration. How-
ever, he said, the distributors have
played their cards too close to their
vests on this subject and he feels
exhibitors with anti-trust complaints
may now find they can do better in
court.
ITOA Arbitration
(Continued from page 1)
Bruce Odium to Madrid
Bruce Odium, associate producer on
Frederick Brisson's forthcoming In-
dependent Artists' production, tenta-
tively titled "It Happened in Spain,"
left here for Madrid yesterday aboard
the -S.-S". Constitution to complete ar-
rangements there for filming of the
picture.
and all problems that may arise."
Brandt said that a trial period of
18 months, under a properly function-
ing arbitration system, should bring
decided improvement to all branches
of the industry and help create an
atmosphere of mutual understanding.
Necessary to Work Together
"There has never been a time," he
said, "when it was more necessary
for the industry to work together.
This is nonetheless true despite the
fact that theatre owners all over the
country have many things to gripe
about, notably the competitive bidding-
situation, the increasing number of
pre-releases and advanced admission
pictures, print shortages and high
film prices. However, it is foolhardy
to take the one medium — arbitration—
which can ultimately eradicate the in
ternal dissensions from the industry
and destroy it before it is given an
opportunity to prove itself. No ex-
hibitor can be worse off than he is
now."
New WB Incorporation
Albany, N. Y., Nov. 19.— Warner
Brothers Pictures Distributing Corp:
has registered a restated certicate of
incorporation, pursuant to section 40
of the stock corporation law. A state-
ment by Ben Kalmenson, president,
and E. K. Hessberg, assistant secre-
tary, said "the entire certificate of in-
corporation as now in force and effect
is hereby restated, without change in
the effect, meaning or substance
thereof."
Arbitration Plight
Blamed on Majors
Chicago, Nov. 19. — Numer-
ous Allied States and some
distribution officials here ex-
press the belief that the in-
dustry would have arbitration
today had distributors not
insisted upon changing the
Aug. 20 draft, which had been
prepared by Abram F. Myers,
Allied chairman and general
counsel.
They pointed out that the
draft had been agreed upon
and that the cooling off period
ensued only after distributors
insisted upon the further
changes. Their viewpoint, ob-
viously, places the responsibil-
ity for the seeming death of
the plan at this time square-
ly upon the distributors.
Film Prices
(Continued from page 1)
Hart on Columbia Board
Alfred Hart, president of Hart Dis-
tilleries, real estate developer and or-
ganizer of the philanthropic Hart
Foundation, has been elected to the
board of directors of Columbia Pic-
tures Corp., it was announced by
Harry Conn, president of Columbia.
his resolution was the result of a
spontaneous, grass roots movement
and, unlike the board resolution of the
previous day, did not come from "the
top."
Calls For Aid
Besides endorsing Allied's policy of
reducing the efforts of its officers in
the way of cooperative all-industry
endeavors to a minimum, and concen-
trating instead on the trade practice
battle, Ylachos's resolution called for
the active aid of every Allied member
in furnishing affidavits and other in-
formation and evidence of irregular
practices by distributors to Abram F.
Myers, Allied general counsel.
Myers is authorized to make
use of the material supplied in
either litigation, appeals to law-
making bodies or to Federal
agencies such as the Senate
Small Business Committee.
The resolution was supported by
H. A. Cole of Dallas, who said that
from now on he will turn down any-
thing proposed to him that does not
benefit exhibitors directly and will be
I, 000 per cent for anything "that will
make trouble for the distributors."
John Wolf-
berg of Denver
pledged his sup-
port to the re-
solution and
said he would
turn over every-
thing in his
possesion to
Myers for
whatever use
Myers m i g h t
see fit to make
of it. Wolfberg
urged all other
Allied members
to do the same.
Ted Mann of Minneapolis joined in
that pledge and also asked all Allied
members to do likewise. Trueman
Rembusch of Franklin, Ind., hit at the
distributors arbitration draft, pointing
out that Indiana Allied previously had ■
found it wanting in not dealing with
such problems as print shortages. "I
don't think the distributors are sin-
cere in their approach to arbitration,"
he said.
John Wolt'bergr
Thursday, November 20, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
7
Score Suit
(Continued from page 1)
his role as guinea pig in the industry
legal test of the constitutionality of
Ohio's newsreel censorship law.
Rembusch Reports
Rembusch reported to the convention
on the new ASCAP license fee for its
music used on non-theatrical film',
usually for intermissions and prior to
show starts at drive-ins. If ASCAP
music is used, Rembusch told the con-
vention, a license must he obtained
and trie fee paid. However, he pointed
out, there is a large library of as yet
untaxed music available from BMI,
in the public domain and from
SEEAC.
Snaper described Cinerama to
the convention, providing a gen-
erally laudatory account of its
showmanly qualities and ability
to attract the public, but with
occasional facetious or exagger-
ated references to its high cost
for equipment and installation.
In describing to the convention the
working of Allied's proposed new ex-
panded "Caravan" service, William
Carroll of Indiana Allied said a sales-
man could make a call at 10 A.M. on
a St. Louis exhibitor and before the
.day was out every Allied member in
the country could be informed of the
propositions made. He said details of
the system for gathering and dissem-
inating such information would be
ready for distribution to "Caravan"
members in about five weeks and the
success of the plan depended upon
how well individual members coop-
erated.
American Eagle
Suit Up in Feb.
The $6,000,000 law suit, charging
breach of trust, filed by American
Eagle Pictures against Jack Broder
three years ago, is slated to go to
trial in Los Angeles in February. Sam
Howard, co-plaintiff with Leo Mc-
Carthy, gave depositions in Los An-
geles last weekend. Howard and
McCarthy, partners in American
Eagle, brought the action when 340
Universal and United Artists pictures
were diverted from American Eagle
to Broder after the films allegedly had
been committed to Howard and Mc-
Carthy for reissue purposes.
The block of 40 UA films and 300
Universal productions had been ac-
quired by Jacques Grinieff who had
a deal pending for their delivery to
American Eagle. According to the
complaint, Broder, who ultimately
formed Realart Pictures, closed a deal
for the product on his own after How-
ard had discussed with Broder the
possibility of the latter joining the en-
terprise with Howard and McCarthy.
Move for Repeal of
Richmond, Va., Tax
Richmond, Nov. 19. — An ordinance
to repeal this city's five per cent tax
on motion picture theatre admissions
will be introduced in the City Coun-
cil, probably on Nov. 24, at the re-
quest of the Richmond Theatre Own-
ers Association.
Seymour Hoffman of the associa-
tion pointed out that the tax unfairly
favors drive-in theatres outside the
city limits, at the expense of regular
theatres. The present tax was en-
acted in 1946.
ARBITRATION ONLY FIELD HIT
BY APPROVAL OF COLE BID
Chicago, Nov. 19. — The proposal
of H. A. Cole of Dallas, made several
weeks ago, that Allied officers ter-
minate their posts in connection with
all-industry endeavors in order to con-
centrate exclusively on trade practice
battles, was accepted by the Allied
board and convention here only inso-
far as Allied's further participation in
efforts to set up an industry arbitra-
tion system is concerned.
Cole's proposal could have included
his own removal from the post of
co-chairman of the industry's tax re-
peal campaign and the termination of
Trueman Rembusch's tenure as Al-
lied's representative on the triumvirate
which administers the Council of Mo-
tion Picture Organizations.
The board directed that Cole
and Rembusch continue in those
posts and the convention ap-
proved.
Myers announced the board's deci-
sion to the convention. He said :
"When I first read Col. Cole's now
famous letter I began to wonder just
which cooperative undertakings would
or could be abandoned in order to re-
lease Allied manpower for work of
greater benefit to the members. I
knew we could not withdraw the Col-
onel from the tax campaign. ... I did
not see how we could completely with-
draw from COMPO at this time with-
out pulling the rug from under the
Colonel, so I concluded that Trueman
Rembusch's hobby was safe — for the
time being.
"Then a horrible light began to
dawn. It was my baby, little arby
(arbitration) on whom Wilbur Sna-
per, Nate Yamins and I had lavished
so much tender care, that was going
to be thrown to the wolves : and it
was even so. Arbitration was expend-
able. It did not meet the best of the
board's statement of policy. It did
not promise direct, immediate and
substantial benefit to the exhibitors,"
Myers concluded.
4 More Join MGM
Field Press Staff
M-G-M has added four more press
representatives to bring its total field
staff to 27. Assignment of the new
additions, John L. John, Thomas
Letcher, Alan Wiedner, and Jack
Weiner was announced by Howard
Dietz, vice-president and director of
advertising-publicity.
Six divisional press representatives,
appointed last March, will continue
to handle special advance publicity
and promotions. Operation of the field
force is under the supervision of Dan
Terrell, exploitation director.
As a result of the added manpower,
several exchange assignments have
been realigned to provide fuller cover-
age in each territory. A new field as-
signment has been made for the Se-
attle and Portland exchanges, which
will be handled by Wiedner. A second
new assignment will include New
Orleans and Memphis and will be cov-
ered by Weiner. Letcher has been
assigned to the Minneapolis exchange,
and John to Indianapolis.
Dezel Gets Rights
To Souvaine Films
Chicago, Nov. 19.— Albert Dezel
has concluded arrangements, effective
at once, with Harry Thomas, repre-
senting Souvaine Selective Pictures, to
handle distribution of Souvaine films
in the Detroit, Chicago and Milwau-
kee exchange areas.
Daylight Saving
Banned on Coast
Seattle, Nov. 19. — Daylight sav-
ing time has been outlawed by the
voters in both Washington and Ore-
gon. In Washington, the new meas-
ure adopted permits recourse to day-
light saving time under certain emer-
gency conditions.
Sioux Falls Branch
Wins 'Depinet Drive'
RKO Radio's "Ned Depinet Sales
Drive" was won by the Sioux Falls
exchange, headed by branch manager
Sherm Fitch, it was announced by
Charles Boasberg, general sales mana-
ger. The New Orleans branch, headed
by Roger Lamantia finished second ;
Portland, under Dick Lange, finished
third, and Sol Sach's Dallas branch
was fourth. Canadian results have
Montreal in first place, led by mana-
ger Harry Cohen, while Winnipeg,
under Meyer Nackimson, was second.
District standings were topped by
Canada, headed by Carl Peppercorn.
The Southeastern district under Dave
Prince was second, and Ben Cam-
mack's Southwestern district ran
third.
The 27-week drive began on Dec.
21, 1951 and ran to last June 26.
Exhibitors Rally
To Aid 'Dimes'
The worst polio year in U. S. his-
tory is inspiring the nation's show-
men to a record support of the March
of Dimes for its coming January cam-
paign, according to pledges obtained
by officials of the National Founda-
tion for Infantile Paralysis.
Starting with a national endorse-
ment from Theatre Owners of Amer-
ica, more than 12,000 theatres have
agreed to run March of Dimes trail-
ers and to take up collections of some
type, said the Foundation.
Arthur Davis Sets
Six More Imports
Six new foreign films have been
added to the already set roster of
eight features scheduled for national
release in 1953 by Arthur Davis As-
sociates. They include two Italian and
four French productions.
Coming
Events
Nov. 21-23 — Colosseum of Motion
Picture Salesmen's annual con-
vention, Ainsley Hotel, Atlanta.
Nov. 21-23 — Variety Clubs Interna-
tional 25th anniversary celebra-
tion, William Penn Hotel, Pitts-
burgh.
Nov. 25 — Motion Picture Pioneers
"Jubilee Dinner," Hotel Astor,
New York.
Dec. 1 — A. Julian Brylawski birth-
day and anniversary dinner,
Shoreham Hotel, Washington.
Dec. 1-3' — Allied Theatre Owners
of Indiana board meeting and
annual convention, Hotel Lincoln,
Indianapolis.
Dec. 2 — Independent Theatre Own-
ers of Ohio board meeting,
Columbus.
Dec. 9 — Independent Exhibitors,
Inc., of New England annual con-
vention, Sheraton-Plaza Hotel,
Boston.
Dec. 9-11 — Proposed joint seminar
of Allied Independent Theatre
Owners of the Mid-South and the
Tennessee Press Association,
Memphis.
4Aussie'Divorcement
Held to Be Unlikely
Efforts by an independent exhibitor
group in x'Vustralia to effect a theatre
divorcement law in the Commonwealth
are not likely to be successful, in the
opinion of Clay V. Hake, Para-
mount's managing director for Aus-
tralia and New Zealand, who is here
for home office conferences. Hake
pointed out that if the Australian Par-
liament should rule that distributors
must give up their theatres, then it
would have to break up alleged mon-
opolies of the steel, oil, brewing and
other industries of the country.
Hake said that monopolies of this
kind represent the basic economy of
the country and that it would seem
unlikely that the film industry would
be singled out for a split-up. M-G-M
has 11 theatres in Australia, with
Paramount owning one and 20th Cen-
tury-Fox holding an interest in ap-
proximately 180 houses.
Theatre business is holding up
strong in both Australia and New
Zealand, Hake said, although there
has been a drop from the peak years,
as in all other industries. The only
picture of local origin was in pro-
duction when he left Sydney three
weeks ago. This was "Jedda," pro-
duced by Charles Sharvell, who made
"40,000 Horsemen" several years ago.
The picture is being made entirely
with Australian capital, although
American financing was offered.
Hake will return to Australia next
week.
Gets 'Tales of Cairo'
Hollywood, Nov. 19. — Mitchell
Hamilburg has announced the acquisi-
tion of world distribution rights to
"Tales of Cairo," English language
feature produced in Egypt by Victor
Stoloff.
A REPUBLIC PICTURE
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EMI GENE EVANS EILEEN CHRISTY WARD BOND
Story By KENNETH GAMET • Associate Producer-Director JOHN H. AUER
Republic Pictures Corporation
10
Motion Picture daily
Thursday, November 20, 1952
RKO RADIO PICTURES, Inc.
TRADE SHOWINGS of
Howard Hughes' Presentation of
"ANGEL FACE"
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
N.W.
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
12/1
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
ALBANY
Fox Scr. Rm.
1052 BVay
ATLANTA
RKO Scr. Rm.
195 Luckie St.,
BOSTON
RKO Scr. Rm.
122-28 Arlington St.
BUFFALO
Mo. Pic. Oper
Screen. Rm.
498 Pearl St.
CHARLOTTE
Fox Scr. Rm.
308 S. Church St.
CHICAGO
RKO Scr. Rm. Mon
1300 S. Wabash Ave.
CINCINNATI
Palace Scr. Rm.
12 East 6th St.
CLEVELAND
Fox Scr. Rm.
2219 Payne Ave.
DALLAS
Rep. Scr. Rm.
412 S. Harwood St.
DENVER
Para. Scr. Rm.
2100 Stout St.
DES MOINES
Fox Scr. Rm.
1300 High St.
DETROIT
Blumenthals
Screen. Rm.
2310 Cass Ave.
INDIANAPOLIS
Univ. Scr. Rm.
517 N. Illinois St.
KANSAS CITY
Para. Scr. Rm. Mon. 12/1
1800 Wyandotte St.
LOS ANGELES
RKO Scr. Rm. Mon. 12/1
1980 S. Vermont Ave.
MEMPHIS
Fox Scr. Rm. Mon. 12/1
151 Vance Ave.
MILWAUKEE
Warner Scr. Rm. Mon. 12/1
212 W. Wisconsin Ave.
MINNEAPOLIS
Fox Scr. Rm.
1015 Currie Ave.
NEW HAVEN
Fox Scr. Rm.
40 Whiting St.
NEW ORLEANS
Fox Scr. Rm.
200 S. Liberty St.
NEW YORK
RKO Scr. Rm.
630 Ninth Ave.
OKLAHOMA
Fox Scr. Rm.
10 North Lee St.
OMAHA
Fox Scr. Rm.
1502 Davenport St.
PHILADELPHIA
RKO Scr. Rm.
250 N. 13th St.
PITTSBURGH
RKO Scr. Rm.
1809-13 Blvd. of Allies
PORTLAND
Star Film
Screen. Rm. Mon
925 N.W. 19th Ave.
ST. LOUIS
RKO Scr. Rm. Tues
3143 Olive St.
SALT LAKE CITY
Fox Scr. Rm. Mon
216 E. 1st St. So.
SAN FRANCISCO
10:30 A.M.
2:30 P.M.
10:30 A.M.
2:00 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
8:00 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
1:30 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
1:00 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
12:15 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
Mon. 12/1 1:30 P.M.
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
2:00 P.M.
10:30 A.M.
2:30 P.M.
Mon. 12/1 10:30 A.M.
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
12/1
12/2
12/1
10:30 A.M.
2:30 P.M.
1:30 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
1:30 P.M.
1:00 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
Fox Scr. Rm. Mon. 12/1
245 Hyde St.
SEATTLE
Jewel Box
Screen. Rm. Mon. 12/1 1:00 P.M.
2318 2nd Ave.
SIOUX FALLS
Hollyw'd Thea. Mon. 12/1 10:30 A.M.
212 N. Philips Ave.
WASHINGTON
Film Center
Screen. Rm. Mon. 12/1 10:00 A.M.
932 New Jersey Ave.
Review
Flat Top
(Allied Artists) Hollywood, Nov. 19
\ POWERFUL and brisk production in color by Cinecolor that vividly
deals with the various aspects of life in the Naval Air Corps has been
fashioned by executive producer Walter Mirisch with a maximum of authen-
ticity. Sterling Hayden and Richard Carlson head a fine cast which turns
in uniformily sound performances, under the steady direction of Lesley
Selander. It is a solid, stimulating picture that is mighty good entertainment
and appears to be a real money-maker.
The story provided by Steve Fisher adheres to the facts of this division
of Naval Service and avoids melodramatic distortions and over-bearing coin-
cidence. There is no bathos in the even development of the story about the
value of discipline and ,the inviolability of orders aboard an aircraft carrier
that served with the Third Fleet in the Philippines in the last war.
Hayden portrays an air group commander and Carlson the leader of re-
placement pilots who join the ship in 1943. Carlson is appointed executive
officer under Hayden and conflicts with the latter's authority several times
over minor infractions of the rules committed by group pilots. It is Carlson
who seeks leniency but Hayden insists on discipline. In the heat of battle
Carlson and his men realize Hayden's methods were necessary and correct
and come to respect him for maintaining discipline.
The U. S. carrier Princeton and members of its crew were used in the
production and authentic Naval battle footage is included in the film. Others
in the cast are Bill Phipps, John Bromfield, Keith Larsen, Todd Karns,
Dave Willock, Walter Coy and Phyllis Coates.
This is a fast-moving, actionful, highly credible film that contains the
proper elements for box-office success.
Running time, 85 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Nov. 11.
Chadwick
(Continued from page 1)
Ampa Tribute
(Continued from page 1)
the cooperation which this organiza-
tion has extended to our industry
throughout the years."
In his tribute to Hearst, Dietz will
tell how his own career was started
and encouraged by Justin McGrath,
Hearst city editor for the then New
York American, It was McGrath
who advised Dietz to go to the Co-
lumbia University School of Journal-
ism in pre-World War I days and
promised him a job reporting college
news. Dietz became a Hearst re-
porter and later joined the old Gold-
wyn Pictures Corp.
MeWilliams to Preside
Harry MeWilliams, AMPA presi-
dent, will preside over the proceed-
ings. Among those who are slated
to sit on the dais with Hearst are
Mort Blumenstock, Charles Einfeld,
Paul Lazarus, Jr., Jerome Pickman,
Sol Schwartz, Adolph Zukor and
Max E. Youngstein. Hearst officials
on the dais are expected to be George
Hearst, vice-president ; John Hearst,
assistant general manager, J. D. Gor-
tatowsky, general manager, and
Martin Huberth, board chairman.
Other Hearst executives who are
scheduled to be present are Sumner
Collins, promotion manager of the
N. Y. J owned- American; Jess Krue-
ger,- editorial director for Hearst
Newspapers ; Mel Heimer, King-
Features syndicate columnist ; Sam
H. Day, managing editor of the
Journal-American; Jim O'Connor,
J -A amusements editor ; Rose Pels-
wick, motion picture critic ; John
Newton, editor of the Brooklyn sec-
tion ; John R. Buckley, Good House-
keeping business manager ; Fred
Lewis, Hearst treasurer; Robert D.
Levitt, assistant publisher ; Thomas L.
Masson, House Beautiful advertising-
director ; Ernest W. Heyn, editor of
American Weekly; Fred I. Archibald,
publisher of the Times Union in
Albany, and Richard W. Cook, sales
representative of the Hearst Adver-
tising Service.
Fairbanks Ends Tie
Jerry Fairbanks, president of Tele-
vision Zoomar Corp., has sold his in-
terest in that' corporation to Jack
Pegler, general manager, and Dr.
Frank G. Back, the inventor of the
lens. Pegler will be president of the
newly-organized corporation and Back
will be vice-president, secretary and
treasurer.
which he entered a week ago for a
heart ailment.
Born in London, educated in Amer-
ica at Cornell and St. Lawrence Uni-
versities, the deceased entered the in-
dustry in 1910 as American agent for
Pathe Freres, France, and counsel
for Exclusive Pictures. He later
formed several producing companies,
including I. E. Chadwick Pictures,
and was a charter member of the
Film Club, New York, and president
from 1917 to 1922. He was among
the founders of Temple Israel here 27
years ago, a member of the board of
trustees since its founding, and presi-
dent in 1930 and 1948.
At the time of his death, Chadwick
was a member of the executive com-
mittee of the Motion Picture Indus-
try Council, and active in affairs of
the Permanent Charities Committee
and the Motion Picture Relief Fund.
The widow, a son, Major Lee K.
Chadwick, U. S. Air Force, and two
grandchildren survive.
Paramount's Welch
Joins NBC-TV
Robert L. Welch, for the past seven
years under contract as a producer
with Paramount, has signed a long-
term contract with National Broad-
casting, effective Jan. 1.
Welch will create for NBC new
TV properties, both "live" and on
film. Additionally, he will function as
producer-director of his own pro-
grams.
Associated Motion Picture Advertisers, Inc.
SALUTES
THE HEARST PUBLICATIONS
for the years of outstanding coopera-
tion with the motion picture industry
Georgian Room
HOTEL PICCADILLY
New York
Today, Thursday, Nov. 20, at 12:30 P.M.
WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST, JR.
Guest of Honor
HOWARD DIETZ
AMPA's speaker
HARRY K. McWILLIAMS
Presiding
Tickets — Al Floersheimer, Walter Reade Theatres, Circle 5-5250
4
The New BOXOFFICE Power is the New ALLIED ARTISTS!
"FLAT TOP" • A WALTER MIRISCH Production IN COLOR starring STERLING HAYDEN and RICHARD CARLSON with Keith Larsen
Bill Phipps • Phyllis Coates • John Bromfield • Directed by LESLEY SELANDER • Written by STEVE FISHER
7^
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MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
OIK
VOL. 72. NO. 98
NEW YORK, U. S. A., THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1952
TEN CENTS
ALLIED REJECTS MAJORS'
ARBITRATION PLAN DRAFT
ITOA to Test \Ampa Hearst
Arbitration on
Local Level
Whether an industry arbitration
system can be operated on a regional
basis may be tested by the Indepen-
dent Theatre Owners Association of
New York. Harry Brandt, ITOA
president, announced yesterday that
regardless of any action taken by
other exhibitor organizations, his
association was prepared to go ahead
With arbitration and establish the
necessary machinery and procedures
"for the peaceful settlement of trade
disputes within the City of New
York" j A
At mid-afternoon yesterday and
prior to Allied's action on arbitration
at its annual convention in Chicago,
Brandt stated that "ITOA believes
that it can make arbitration work in
New York and we are prepared to
go ahead with it, working out any
{Continued on page 6)
TributeToday
William Randolph Hearst, Jr., pub-
isher of the New York Journal-
merican and American Weekly and
iditor-in-ckief of all Hearst news-
papers, will be
the principal
guest at a
luncheon today
to be sponsored
by the Associ-
a t e d Motion
Picture Adver-
tisers honoring
the Hearst
Publications at
t h e Picadilly
Hotel. Howard
Dietz will be
t h e principal
W. R. Hearst, .Jr. speaker and
will pay trib-
ute to the Hearst publications on be-
half of AMPA, "in appreciation of
(Continued on page 10)
RKO Theatres Seeks
D. of J. Extension
Preliminary talks between the De-
partment of Justice and attorneys for
RKO Theatres on an extension of
time for the disposition of RKO's
stock interests in Metropolitan Play-
houses are underway, it was learned
here yesterday.
Under the terms of RKO Theatres
consent decree, the deadline for the
disposition of its Metropolitan Play
houses stock interest is Dec. 20. An
extension is sought due to the inability
of RKO Theatres to sell its 56,
488-4/5 shares of Class A stock in
Metropolitan, which operates over 100
theatres in this area.
Distributors' Group
To Meet in 2 Weeks
A meeting of the national distribu
tors' committee of the Motion Picture
Association of America will be held
here within the next two weeks to
elect a chairman for the new year.
The term of A. W. Schwalberg, pres-
ent chairman, will expire on Dec. 31
Convention's Closing Session Approves
Myers' Board of Directors Report;
Action of Board, Convention Unanimous
Allied Convention
Scores U.S. 16mm.
Suit vs. Distribution
I. E. Chad wick Dies
On Coast at 68
Hollywood, Nov. 19. — Services
will be held Friday at the Temple
Israel for Isaac E. Chadwick, 68,
president of Independent Motion Pic-
ture Producers Association since 1940
and recently appointed chairman of
the newly established labor-manage-
ment health and welfare fund, who
died this morning at Temple Hospital,
(Continued on page 10)
By SHERWIN KANE
Chicago, Nov. 19. — The Allied States convention at its closing
session here today unanimously approved the board of directors'
recommendation rejecting the distributors' draft of the proposed
industry arbitration plan.
The action followed a report to the convention' by Abram F.
Myers, Allied chairman and general counsel, whicb listed the plus
and minus factors of the distribu-
tors' draft and concluded with the
board's recommendation that the
plan be rejected, on the grounds
that "it did not
promise direct,
immediate' ;and
substantial
benefit to ex-
hibitors ; it- con-
tains,™ provi-
sion for arbi-
{rating film
rentals, and it
contains provi-
sions which are
not deemed to
be in the ex-
hibitors' inter-
est."
Myers told
the convention that "neither the board
as a whole nor any individual is op-
posed to arbitration1. They yield to
(Continued on page 6)
Chicago, Nov. 19.— The Allied
board at its closing session here today
adopted a resolution condemning the
Department of Justice for instituting
the anti-trust suit against distributors
to force the sale of 16mm. films to
television.
Other resolutions adopted included
one calling for Allied cooperation with
the Crusade for Freedom ; commend-
ing Jack Kirsch of Illinois Allied for
convention arrangements ; Abram F.
Myers, Allied chairman, and Wilbur
Snaper, president, for their work for
the convention ; H. A. Cole and Pat
McGee, for their accomplishments as
co-chairmen of the industry's campaign
for admissions tax repeal ; Trueman
Rembusch for his work as one of the
governing triumvirate of the Council
of Motion Picture Organizations,' and
Martin G. Smith of Toledo, O., for
(Continued on page 7)
Abram Myers
MPTO of District of Columbia is 7th
TO A Unit to Approve Arbitration Plan
Unanimous endorsement of the industry arbitration plan by the
Motion Picture Theatre Owners of the District of Columbia was
announced here yesterday by the Theatre Owners of America. This
makes the seventh TOA unit to approve the formula, which was
recently presented at a meeting of the association in Washington
by Herman M. Levy, TOA general counsel.
Other TOA units that have endorsed the plan are: Theatre
Owners of North and South Carolina; Motion Picture Theatre
Owners of Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee; Motion Picture
Exhibitors of Florida; Tennessee Theatre Owners Association;
Motion Picture Theatre Owners of St. Louis, Eastern Missouri and
Southern Illinois, and the TOA of the Albany Exchange Area.
High Film Prices,
Hiked Admissions
Draw Allied Fire
Chicago, Nov. 19. — Pursuing its
revived militant policy to the end,
Allied's annual convention here today
devoted much of the last session _ to
emphasizing it is out to battle high
film prices and advanced admission
pictures, among other things, with all
of the determination it can muster.
A resolution was offered from the
floor by John Vlachos of Michigan
Allied, and adopted unanimously by
the convention, endorsing the Allied
board's statement of policy concerning
Allied's militant attitude toward ob-
jectionable trade practices and its plan
to combat them by court and legisla-
tive means. Vlachos emphasized that
(Continued on page 6)
2
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, November 20, 1952
Personal
Mention
rp DWARD L. HYMAN, vice-
■I--' president of United Paramount
Theatres, and his assistant, Bernard
Levy, will be in Des Moines today,
from New York.
•
Jean Benoit-Levy, French produc-
er, with Mrs. Benoit-Levy, and Bert
Garai, president of Keystone Pictures,
Inc., will be aboard the S..S. Liberte
arriving here from Europe today.
•
Charles K. Flint will retire from
active service as Eastman Kodak Co.
vice-president and general manager of
the* company's Kodak Park Works,
Rochester, on Jan. 1.
Louis Alter, ASCAP composer,
and his wife Jean, have become par-
ents of a sfeven-pound nine-ounce baby
girl, Allison Ann, born at Leroy
Sanitarium; here.
•
Edmond 'Turcotte, member of the
National Film Board of Canada from
1932 to 1947, has been appointed Ca-
nadian Ambassador to Colombia.
•
Howard Dietz, M-G-M advertis-
ing-publicity director, and Joseph R.
Vogel, in charge of Loew's theatres,
will leave here today for the Coast.
•
William F. Rodgers, M-G-M vice-
president and sales consultant, is due
back here tomorrow from the national
Allied convention banquet in Chicago.
•
George Weltner, Paramount Inter-
national president, will leave London
by plane for New York on Nov. 30.
•
Robert Perkins, Paramount Far
East district manager, will arrive in
New York on Dec. 1 from Tokyo.
•
Hugh Owen, Paramount's Eastern
and Southern division manager, will
leave here Sunday for Charlotte.
Barney Rose, Universal San Fran-
cisco district manager, is vacationing
in Honolulu.
•
Arthur Krim, president of United
Artists, left here by plane yesterday
for a month's business tour of Europe.
\ •
George Hendricks is the new man-
ager of the Mayfair Theatre in Balti-
more.
•
Dan S. Terrell, M-G-M exploita-
tion head, left here yesterday for
Boston.
•
Lynn Farnol left here yesterday
for the Coast.
•
Vincent Flynn, Omaha M-G-M
manager, is in New York on vacation.
20c Loew's Dividend
Loew's directors, at their regular
board meeting here yesterday, declared
a quarterly dividend of 20 cents a
share on the common stock, payable
Dec. 19 to stockholders of record on
Dec. 9.
700 See 2nd Annual SPG
Award Go to Louis Mayer
Hollywood, Nov. 19. — With more
than 700 members of the production
branch of the industry attending its
second annual Milestone Dinner at
the Biltmore Hotel here, Screen Pro-
ducers Guild tonight paid its highest
honor to Louis B. Mayer. SPG
president Sol C. Siegel, introducing
the honor guest, said Mayer is more
to be credited than anybody else with
creating the "job of the producer as
it is known today."
In his address accepting the award
Mayer said, in part, "I saw silent
film grow from a few hundred feet
to multiple reel feature length — silent
film replaced by sound — and now I
am to be part of something I consider
tremendously thrilling in screen en-
tertainment— Cinerama." After recit-
ing present Cinerama achievements,
he went on, "Cinerama has a ceiling —
not in quality or imagination — but in
where and how it can be used. No
one knows for sure, but my guess is
that no more than 200' theatres will
have Cinerama within the next two
or three years. It is for selected the-
atres, for selective stories, for selective
audiences."
Touches on Television
Touching on television, Mayer said,
"Radio came along and we worried
for quite a while. But we found it
didn't hurt very much. Now we
have TV and we blame it for most
of our troubles. It hurts, of course.
So do night baseball, automobile rides,
Canasta and other things that claim
leisure time and dollars of the public.
Television will remain only a part
of the distractions employed by the
public for its diversions."
George Jessell was master of cere-
monies of the dinner, while Buddy
Adler was chairman, and Arthur
Freed produced the show featuring
Bob Hope, Jack Benny, George Burns,
Ethel Merman, Lena Home and
others.
Republic Opening
To Honor Guard
Washington, Nov. 19. — Frank
Pace, Jr., Secretary of the Army, and
Major General Raymond B. Fleming,
chief of the National Guard Bureau,
are expected to be among the notables
participating in premiere events here
tomorrow for Republic's "Thunder-
bird" at the Warner Theatre. The
film, a tribute to the National Guard,
will have a day-and-date opening at
the Warner and Ambassador Theatres.
Republic executives attending the
premiere will include William Saal,
president Herbert J. Yates' executive
assistant ; James R. Grainger, execu-
tive vice-president in charge of sales
and distribution ; James V. O'Gara,
district manager, and John H. Auer,
associate producer-director of the film.
The stars of the picture, John
Derek, Eileen Christy, John Barry-
more, Jr., Mona Freeman, Gene Evans
and Ward Bond, joined by Forrest
Tucker and Vic Damone, will also
take part in the proceedings.
GoldensonReelected
United Palsy Head
Leonard H. Goldenson, president of
United Paramount Theatres, has been
reelected to his fourth consecutive
term as president of United Cerebral
Palsy, of which he is a founder.
Several other industry leaders were
named national officers for the coming-
year. Earl J. Hudson, president of
United Detroit Theatres, was re-
elected vice-president and also elected
to a new post as chairman of the board
for the United Cerebral Palsy-Chest-
nut Hill Center in Philadelphia. Hud-
son has long been active in the palsy
movement and is also president of
United Cerebral Palsy in Michigan.
Five New Posts
Two of five new posts as regional
vice-presidents also went to theatre-
men. Henry G. Plitt, of Paramount
Gulf Theatres, New Orleans, was
chosen regional vice-president for the
South, and Jerry Zigmond of Los An-
geles, West Coast manager of United
Paramount Theatres, and former
president of United Cerebral Palsy of
California, was elected regional vice-
president for the Pacific Coast.
Robert H. O'Brien, secretary-treas-
urer of United Paramount Theatres,
was reelected assistant treasurer.
Addressing 400 delegates from all
parts of the nation at United Cerebral
Palsy's recent third annual convention
here, Goldenson praised the motion
picture industry for outstanding co-
operation ever since the movement
started.
Contributions during the past year
totaled a record-breaking $4,062,143,
or nearly double last year's $2,133,000,
Goldenson reported.
Tribute also was paid by Goldenson
to Bob Hope, life chairman of UCP ;
his co-chairmen, Jack Benny, Milton
Berle, Bing Crosby, Arlene Francis,
Arthur Godfrey, Jerry Lewis, Jinx
Falkenburg McCrary, Dean Martin,
Jane Pickens, Kate Smith, John
Cameron Swayze, and the many vol-
unteers in the entertainment field who
assisted.
Quebec May Censor TV
Ottawa, Canada, Nov. 19. — The
Province of Quebec has proposed
placing television programs under the
control of the Quebec Board of Film
Censors, with a measure providing for
penalties for infractions similar to
those in effect on motion pictures
shown in theatres. Uncensored TV
film transmission would be punishable
by a $500 fine or a three-month jail
term.
DuMont Dividend
A regular quarterly dividend of 25
cents per share was declared here by
the board of directors of Allen B.
DuMont Laboratories, Inc., on its out-
standing shares of five per cent cumu-
lative convertible preferred stock. It
will be payable on Jan. 1, to preferred
stockholders of. record on Dec. 15.
5 UPT Affiliates,
Reade House To
Carry 'Carmen' TV
Five TV-equipped houses affiliated
with United Paramount Theatres
have set definite plans to carry the
Dec. 11 telecast of "Carmen," it was
disclosed here yesterday.
At the same time, Walter Reade
Theatres reported that the "Carmen"
telecast has been booked into the cir-
cuit's St. James Theatre at Asbury
Park, N. J.
The five UPT-affiliate theatres
planning to telecast the Theatre Net-
work Television event of the Metro-
politan Opera production are : Para-
mount, Des Moines ; Center, Buffalo ;
Utah, Salt Lake City ; Orpheum,
Omaha ; and the Paramount at Lynn,
Mass. Other UPT affiliates are cur-
rently weighing the TNT offer, in-
cluding Minnesota Amusement's
Radio City at Minneapolis.
Although UPT price scales for the
event have not been set locally, vari-
ous UPT affiliates are contemplating
a seat range from $1.80 to $3.60, with
the average popular price, including
tax, being $2.40. It is argued that
the public should not be confronted
with a price which is too high in the
first test of the drawing power of an
entertainment show on theatre tele-
vision. The terms sought by TNT
are a 40 cents per seat guarantee
against 50 per cent of the net box-
office receipts, whichever is higher.
SupremeCourtHears
Gamble-AFM Case
Washington, Nov. 19. — The U. S.
Supreme Court today heard an argu-
ment on, and then took under advise-
ment, an appeal as to whether the
American Federation of Musicians
can make theatre owners pay for local
musicians even when the exhibitors
do not want them.
The case involves unfair labor
charges brought against the union by
Gamble Enterprises' Palace Theatre
in Akron. The NLRB ruled the
AFM had not violated the Taft-
Hartley Law in its demands on the
Palace, but the U. S. Circuit Court
at Cincinnati ruled that the union was
g"uilty of a Taft-Hartley violation.
The union appealed to the high court.
The justices are considering the
musicians' case in conjunction with a
similar case involving newspaper
typographers.
Show 'Andersen' at
Bellevue Saturday
A screening of Samuel Goldwyn's
"Hans Christian Andersen" will be
held for the children at Bellevue Hos-
pital here on Saturday, with Danny
Kaye, star of the picture, highlighting
the entertainment with an in-person
performance for the shut-in young-
sters.
The showing will launch Goldwyn's
recently announced plan to screen the
film free of charge for special audi-
ences of children throughout the world
who normally might be deprived of
seeing it.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting Editor Published dailv excent Saturdays
New York" Martin Qufgl?y 'fete V^rtnoT^T' V?° ^Xth^T«?i, *°f^f* Center. New York 20. N. Y. Telephone Circle ^wS^S^S^A
Secretary Tames P & ^ £ Sullivan. V.ee-Pres,dent and Treasurer; Raymond Levy. Vice-President; Leo L Brady
WiS r Weaver Adverting Manager; Gus H. Fausel. Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building
Clark "street VR \ 2-2M3 WashS T A ' (11 Sri ^l' S'rn'll,m\Mey' Advert.smg Representative, FT 6-3074; Bruce Trior, Editorial Representative, 11 North
SI H»HSSST i^^J^^J^X^^^J^X SC'S' matter" S6Pt- *' 1938' ^ ^ °ffiC£ - Nei York^-Y-unler K
Thursday, November 20, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
Seeks Telemeter
In Hamilton, Ont.
Toronto, Nov. 19. — Famous
Players Canadian Corp. has
made a bid for an outlet at
Hamilton, Ont., for Telemeter,
for which the circuit holds a
25-year contract for Canada.
Harold Roberts, manager of
the FP-C head office real
estate department, and Mau-
rice Evans, Toronto lawyer,
appeared for the circuit be-
fore the Hamilton Board of
Control to ask for a permit
to erect necessary facilities
and for an exclusive franchise
in Hamilton to operate cables
and wires for "piped" TV over
a 15-year period.
Skiatron Resuming
Home Experiments
Following approval yesterday by
the Federal Communications Commis-
sion, Skiatron will resume its experi-
mental subscription television broad-
casts on WOR-TV here from sign-
off to sign-on, during the night. The
experimental telecasts will be under
FCC supervision and will start within
a few days. Skiatron experiments
were suspended about two^ months ago.
The 90-day experimental subscrip-
tion telecasts to homes are expected
to get under way next May, according
to Arthur Levey, Skiatron president.
Reviews
Theatre Guild Aids
Paramount's 'Sheba'
The Theatre Guild's subscription
lists in 22 cities are being made avail-
able to Paramount for the promotion
of "Come Back, Little Sheba." This is
the first time that the Guild has co-
operated on a picture in which it has
not participated in local premieres.
The lists will be supplied prior to
each playdate. "Sheba" opens in New
York and Los Angeles in late Decem-
ber in order to qualify for Academy
honors. National release is set for
February.
Studies Republic
Production in U.K.
London, Nov. 19. — Jack E. Baker,
vice-president in charge of production
at Republic Studios, is here to confer
with Herbert Wilcox on the three
pictures the latter has contracted to
make jointly with Republic. First is
"Laughing Anne," starring Margaret
Lockwood.
Baker also will examine the possibil-
ity of making Republic pictures here
for American TV. He plans to visit
Paris, Rome, Milan and Berlin later.
Face To Face
{Huntington Hartford-RKO Pictures)
DUO-DRAMA is the classification of this fine feature that contains two
outstanding screen adaptations of long short stories by Joseph Conrad
and Stephen Crane. They are, respectively, "The Secret Sharer" and "The
Bride Comes to Yellow Creek." It is an excellent pairing for the rollicking
humor of the Western is highly welcome after the tension and excitement of
the sea drama. In certain situations exhibitors may be able to book these
separately and although it is a natural for art houses, the film is geared for
and merits general release. .
James Mason stars in the Conrad story as a captain on board his first
ship in the tropics and delivers a perceptive, sensitive performance. The adapta-
tion by Aeneas MacKenzie is a faithful one and John Brahm's direction has
emphasized the suspense and action while maintaining symbolic overtones.
The story involves Mason's sheltering and aiding the escape of a mate from
another ship, Michael Pate, who saved his ship in a storm but accidentally
killed a fear-crazed sailor. Mason runs his ship dangerously close to an
island but succeeds in getting Pate away and proving his ability to command.
The Crane story is an incisive satire on the disappearing wild-west at-
mosphere of a frontier town that has outgrown gunplay but is_ terrorized by
its beloved only old time, gun-toting, whiskey-guzzling resident m the absence
of its sheriff who has left town. Minor Watson is superb as the unregenerate
character, who sadly walks away and throws down his guns upon realizing the
returned unarmed sheriff, Robert Preston, has brought back a bride Preston
is a perfect foil for Watson and Olive Carey is equally good as the saloon
keeper. Bretaigne Windust's direction is flawless James Agee wrote the
adaptation. Agee also appears in the cast which includes Man one Steele and
Dan Seymour. Huntington Hartford produced expertly. The associate pro-
ducers were George Tobin and Norman A. Manning.
Running time, 92 minutes. General audience classification Release date,
Nov 14. Walter Pashkin
"Above and Beyond"
(Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)
THE long and arduous development of men and airplanes for the dropping
of the atomic bomb on Japan serves as the theme of this compelling
drama in which Robert Taylor stars as the man responsible for the major part
of the operation. It is a smooth-running film that after a slow opening
developes a good deal of tension and contains some fine flying and bombing-
footage which can be exploited widely.
Melvin Frank and Norman Panama produced and directed and collaborated
with author Beirne Lay, Jr., on the screenplay. The result is the taut
telling in strong dramatic terms of the conflict of Taylor to achieve perfec-
tion in an airplane and maintain security on the ground without revealing
anything to his friends or family.
Eleanor Parker portrays the wife with a competent sweetness and James
Whitmore turns in a rock-ribbed performance as the exceedingly thorough
security officer. It is Whitmore who warns Taylor not to bring his wife out
to the "air base and at first Taylor heeds him but later on she arrives. Their
happiness is soon diminished by Taylor's unceasing rigidity about discipline
and the tension makes him irritable. Miss Parker and Taylor quarrel at the
moment of his biggest decision, whether his men are ready to drop the bomb.
Taylor listens to Whitmore's advice to have her leave the base and then
decides to drop the bomb from a fighter-less B-29 at a very high altitude.
It is after the successful dropping of the bomb and _ Taylor's return that
Miss Parker realizes his great mission and reunites with him.
This is a well-made picture that has stars and action and a story that can
be exploited for ample box-office returns.
Larry Keating heads an able supporting cast that includes Robert Burton,
Christie Olsen, Larrv Gates, Marilyn Erskine, Stephen Dunne, John McKee,
Hayden Rorke, Larry Dobkin, Jack Raine Barbara Ruick and Jim Backus.
Running time, 122 minutes. General audience classification. For January
release.
Impressive Dais Set
For Testimonial to
Blumberg Tuesday
The dais at the "Jubilee Dinner" of
the Motion Picture Pioneers, to be
held at the Hotel Astor Tuesday eve-
ning, is scheduled to feature one of the
most impressive lists of leaders of the
entertainment industry and representa-
tives of the financial world, the clergy
and civic affairs in the 13-year history
of the organization, Jack Cohn, Pio-
neers' president, and Ned Depinet, din-
ner chairman, reported here yesterday.
N. J. Blumberg, board chairman of
Universal Pictures, will be honored
at the dinner as the "Motion Picture
Pioneer of 1952."
Others scheduled to be on the dais :
Harry Cohn, president of Columbia
Pictures; Harold J. Fitzgerald, presi-
dent, Fox Wisconsin Amusement
Corp. ; William German, president,
William German, Inc. ; William Goetz,
in charge of production for Uniyersal-
International ; Leonard Goldenson,
president, United Paramount The-
atres ; T. J. Hargrave, president, East-
man Kodak ; George Jessel, toastmas-
ter ; Danny Kaye ; Judge Ferdinand
Pecora ; Father Patrick Peyton, who
will be one of the-*key speakers of the
evening ; Milton R. Rackmil, president,
Universal Pictures ; J. Robert Rubin,
vice-president, Loew's, Inc. ; Serge Se-
menenko, senior vice-president of the
First National Bank of Boston ; Harry
M. Warner, president, Warner Broth-
ers Pictures ; Robert R. Young ;
Adolph Zukor, chairman of the board
of directors of Paramount Pictures,
and others.
Also, members of the board of di-
rectors of the Pioneers, headed by
Jack Cohn, and including Jack Ali-
coate, Barney Balaban, Harry Brandt,
Sam Dembow, Jr., G. S. Eyssell, S. H.
Fabian, James R. Grainger, Abel
Green, John J. O'Connor, Robert J.
O'Donnell, Martin Quigley, Herman
Robbins and Major Albert Warner.
Hughes on Stand Today
Hollywood, Nov. 19. — Howard
Hughes is expected to take the stand
tomorrow morning in the Superior
Court trial of Paul Jarrico's $350,000
suit against RKO Radio based on
his discharge following refusal to an-
swer -Un-American Activities Com-
mittee questions.
Hornblow Leaving MGM
Hollywood, Nov. 19. — Producer
Arthur Hornblow, Jr. will leave
M-G-M on the expiration of his con-
tract next March, after 10 years with
the studio. He intends to enter inde-
pendent production.
Dmytryk Sees Israel
Supplying Scripts
Hollywood, Nov. 19. — Creative
writers of Israel will shortly augment
Hollywood's stockpile of stories,
director Edward Dmytryk predicted
here upon his arrival from a visit
abroad.
While he was in Israel for five
weeks filming Stanley Kramer's "The
Juggler" on location, Dmytryk said
he found a whole contingent of seri-
ous and promising writers, most of
them displaced persons who fled
European countries to find a haven
in Israel.
"They all have their eyes on Holly-
wood," the director stated, "and they
all feel that during the past decade
the screen has emerged as a much
more significant and valid art form
than it was at one time."
Reade Houses Book
Musical Attractions
Walter Reade Theatres in New Jer-
sey, continuing its policy of present-
ing stage attractions when available,
will offer three musical shows, each
with several bookings, for the period
between Dec. 4 and Dec. 19.
The attractions are the Trapp Fam-
ily Singers, the Jaroff Don Cossack
Male Chorus and Dancers and the
American Savoyards (Gilbert and
Sullivan interpreters).
'Weizmann' Film Deal
A contract for the exclusive U. S.
rights to a film featurette, "The Life
and Times of Chaim Weizmann" has
been signed between United Films of
Tel Aviv and Cornell Films, J. Mil-
ton Salzburg, Cornell president, dis-
closed here yesterday.
Plan Celebration for
S. African Industry
Plans are now being set to mark
the "Golden Jubilee" of the motion
picture industry in South Africa, ac-
cording to Michael Silver,, managing
director of Commercial Radio . Corp.
of South Africa, Ltd. who is visiting
the Paramount studios in Hollywood.
The celebration will coincide with
the 50th anniversary of the Schlesin-
ger Group in South Africa, one of
the largest exhibitor and distribution
organizations in that area.
Snyder to Testify
On Tax Claim
Washington, Nov. 19. — Secretary
of the Treasury Snyder is now slated
to testify before a House Ways and
Means subcommittee early next month
on reports that he took an undue
interest in a huge tax refund claim
of Universal Pictures.
Correction
Loew's Theatres in Manhattan and
Brooklyn, in conjunction with the
Motion Picture Department of the
International Federation of Catholic
Alumnae, will have special showings
of "Because You're Mine" for Sis-
ters and others of religious orders, on
Saturday, Nov. 29, and not on Satur-
day, Nov. 22, as erroneously stated
here yesterday.
FOR THE BALANCE OF '52
• • •
ront
in Your Bankbook
in Your Datebook !
THE TURNING POINT
William Holden • Edmond O'Brien • Alexis Smith
Big-Time Gangland 's action-packed story that's draw-
ing big-time crowds...
JUST FOR YOU
Technicolor • Bing Crosby • Jane Wyman • Ethel Barrymore
The "Zing A Little Zong" picture has the cash register
zinging everywhere . . ,
Perlberg-Seaton's
SOMEBODY LOVES ME
Technicolor • Betty Hutton • Ralph Meeker
The "Greatest Show On Earth" girl is doing great
business in her brightest musical . . .
THE SAVAGE
Technicolor • Charlton Heston • Susan Morrow
Multiple-theatre kick-off in Detroit area is set for
Heston's first since "Greatest Show"...
9 out of 11 in
THE BLAZING FOREST
Technicolor • John Payne • William Demarest
Agnes Moorehead • Richard Arlen • Susan Morrow
'"Burns all other fire pictures out of memory." M.Pi
Daily. "Best ever seen." M. P. Herald...
SON OF PALEFACE
Technicolor • Bob Hope • Jane Russell • Roy Rogers ♦ Trigger
The stars of "Paleface," with Roy and Trigger added,
are packin' 'em in...
HURRICANE SMITH
Technicolor • Yvonne DeCarto • John Ireland ♦ James Craig
Forrest Tucker • Lyle Bettger
Just what Showmen's T. R. said it was: "A 'natural1
for all lovers of action!"...
CARIBBEAN
Hal Wallis'
JUMPING JACKS
Technicolor • John Payne • Arlene Dahl • Sir Cedric Hardwicke
The sea saga that everybody, young and old, is
flocking to see. . ,
Dean Martin • Jerry Lewis • Mona Freeman
The results are in, from all types of houses — and the
boys were never so boxoffice-hot . . .
Cecil B. DeMille's
Technicolor • Betty Hutton • Cornel Wilde • Charlton Heston
Dorothy Lamour • Gloria Grahame • and James Stewart
Don't wait to date the top money-making picture of '52
from any company. . .
k
And for the big year-end holiday time;
ROAD TO BALI
Technicolor • Bing Crosby • Bob Hope • Dorothy Lamour
Their last "Road" picture was the industry's biggest
grosser of its year and this is bigger***
()
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, November 20, 1952
Allied Rejects Arbitration Draft
. '(-Continued from page 1)
none in their devotion to that concept.
But they are convinced that the ideals
of arbitration will not be promoted
by the present plan or any plan which
the distributors in their present frame
or mind are willing to agree to."
The board's action, like that
of the convention, was unani-
mous..
In reporting ■ to the convention,
Myers listed eight provisions in the
distributors' draft which, he said, if
put into effect, would be of "substan-
tial benefit" to exhibitors. They were :
1 ) One-way arbitration. Exhibitors
may initiate the complaints, as con-
trasted with the old Film Board of
Trade concept that distributors could
bring the complaints against exhibi-
tors.
2) Clearance. The provisions
of the draft on this subject
"are about as good as can be
devised," Myers said.
3) Runs. The provisions here have
both plus and minus factors but the
former are sufficient to include it
among the favorable ones, particularly
in that they give competing exhibitors
equal opportunity to find out which is
entitled to pictures on a particular run
without resorting to competitive bid-
ding.
4) Competitive bidding. These pro-
visions offer at least a partial remedy
for some of the hardships and abuses
exhibitors have encountered, Myers
said. He cited the fact that distribu-
tors would not institute bidding ex-
cept on the written request of com-
peting exhibitors for pictures which
the distributor is proposing to license
to another, and also that bids would
be revealed to the bidders who desire
to see them.
5) Forcing pictures. Myers
said he hesitated to include this
among the plus factors because
its provisions do not go to the
heart of the matter which, he
said, is forcing by price differ-
entials. However, he said, it
cannot fairly be called a minus.
6) Contract violations. He said few
exhibitors with whom he has discussed
the provision felt it would be of bene-
fit to them, explaining that he placed
it on the plus side because "it con-
tains nothing detrimental to exhibi-
tors."
7) Conciliation. While this prom-
ises an open-door policy by distribu-
tors, which some already have, Myers
said Allied experience has been that
little can be accomplished by this
means. He termed the conciliation
proposal "futile," "innocuous" and
"scarcely an innovation," but never-
theless listed it as a plus because it
insures complaining exhibitors an in-
terview with responsible sales officials.
8) Damages. Awarded in exhibitors
favor, they warrant listing the pro-
vision on the plus side.
Provisions of the distributors'
draft which Myers placed on
the minus side were:
1) Film rentals. Because Allied
had asked that these be included in
the proposals and distributors "flatly
refused." "We must face the fact,"
Myers said, "that the distributors will
not yield to the arbitrators any part
Arbitration Efforts Dead,
Is Feeling at Allied Meet
Chicago, Nov. 19. — Whether or not Allied States' action today in
rejecting" the distributors' arbitration draft will write "finis" for the
time being, at least, to industry efforts to establish an arbitraion sys-
tem was not entirely clear, although most observers here held that
impression.
Those who differed suggested that
an effort might be made to set up
arbitration without Allied and make
its facilities available to all exhibitors
who wished to make use of it. In line
with this, there was some speculation
that a meeting of interested parties
might be called in the near future to
discuss the possibilities.
However, even those who felt
that the end is not yet for arbi-
tration, were quick to concede
that it would be vastly less ef-
fective without Allied's partici-
pation, and that Allied's defec-
tion would undoubtedly lessen
the chances of the plan being
given the approval of the De-
partment of Justice and the
Federal Court.
William F. Rodgers, distributors'
chairman for arbitration, who was in
Chicago today, declined to comment
on Allied's action. Rodgers said he
might have something to say later,
but would not say it during his stay
here. When asked if he thought Allied
had killed arbitration's chances today,
Rodgers said : "It has for me," indi-
cating he would have no active part
in any further efforts to establish an
arbitration system which might be
made.
Rodgers and Charles M. Reagan,
M-G-M vice-president in charge of
distribution, attended the Allied con-
vention banquet last night, at which
Greer Garson was a guest of honor.
At his request, Rodgers did not sit
at the banquet dais.
of their control over prices and it is
hopeless to pursue the subject further."
2) Pre-releases. Curbs the number
of "specials" that distributors can
designate as such, but still permits a
maximum of 18 such per year, on the
basis of two for each of the nine com-
panies which would be signatories of
the plan. Myers also pointed out that
in getting government and court ap-
proval of arbitration, with this pro-
vision in it, "distributors would re-
ceive left-handed judicial sanction for
such pictures as they have been and
are being sold, and the board was
dead set against that," wishing to be
free to oppose the "deluge of pre-
releases." Myers, however, pointed
out that such pictures also would be
exempted from the competitive bid-
ding restrictions and that they force
the increasing of admissions.
3) Competitive bidding. Myers
said this, too, would get the
cloak of approval by the court
if arbitration were approved. He
also said it would permit dis-
tributors to enlarge bidding,
rather than restrict it.
4) Limitation on awards. In this
connection, Myers said Allied was
prepared to help distributors realize
their aim of reducing the heavy vol-
ume of anti-trust litigation in the in-
dustry and thought it could be helped
by liberality in the matter of financial
damages eligible in arbitration. How-
ever, he said, the distributors have
played their cards too close to their
vests on this subject and he feels
exhibitors with anti-trust complaints
may now find they can do better in
court.
ITOA Arbitration
(Continued from page 1)
and all problems that may arise."
Brandt said that a trial period of
18 months, under a properly function-
ing arbitration system, should bring
decided improvement to all branches
of the industry and help create an
atmosphere of mutual understanding.
Necessary to Work Together
"There has never been a time," he
said, "when it was more necessary
for the industry to work together.
This is nonetheless true despite the
fact that theatre owners all over the
country have many things to gripe
about, notably the competitive bidding-
situation, the increasing number of
pre-releases and advanced admission
pictures, print shortages and high
film prices. However, it is foolhardy
to take the one medium — arbitration —
which can ultimately eradicate the in-
ternal dissensions from the industry
and destroy it before it is given an
opportunity to prove itself. No ex
hibitor can be worse off than he is
now."
Bruce Odium to Madrid
Bruce Odium, associate producer on
Frederick Brisson's forthcoming In-
dependent Artists' production, tenta-
tively titled "It Happened in Spain,"
left here for Madrid yesterday aboard
the -S'-S". C onstitution to complete ar-
rangements there for filming of the
picture.
New WB Incorporation
Albany, N. Y., Nov. 19. — Warner
Brothers Pictures Distributing Corp.
has registered a restated certicate of
incorporation, pursuant to section 40
of the stock corporation law. A state-
ment by Ben Kalmenson, president,
and E. K. Hessberg, assistant secre-
tary, said "the entire certificate of in-
corporation as now in force and effect
is hereby restated, without change in
the effect, meaning or substance
thereof."
Hart on Columbia Board
Alfred Hart, president of Hart Dis-
tilleries, real estate developer and or-
ganizer of the philanthropic Hart
Foundation, has been elected to the
board of directors of Columbia Pic-
tures Corp., it was announced by
Harry Conn, president of Columbia.
Arbitration Plight
Blamed on Majors
Chicago, Nov. 19. — Numer-
ous Allied States and some
distribution officials here ex-
press the belief that the in-
dustry would have arbitration
today had distributors not
insisted upon changing the
Aug. 20 draft, which had been
prepared by Abram F. Myers,
Allied chairman and general
counsel.
They pointed out that the
draft had been agreed upon
and that the cooling off period
ensued only after distributors
insisted upon the further
changes. Their viewpoint, ob-
viously, places the responsibil-
ity for the seeming death of
the plan at this time square-
ly upon the distributors.
Film Prices
(Continued from page 1)
his resolution was the result of a
spontaneous, grass roots movement
and, unlike the board resolution of the
previous day, did not come from "the
top."
Calls For Aid
Besides endorsing Allied's policy of
reducing the efforts of its officers in
the way of cooperative all-industry
endeavors to a minimum, and concen-
trating instead on the trade practice
battle, Vlachos's resolution called for
the active aid of every Allied member
in furnishing affidavits and other in-
formation and evidence of irregular
practices by distributors to Abram F.
Myers, Allied general counsel.
Myers is authorized to make
use of the material supplied in
either litigation, appeals to law-
making bodies or to Federal
agencies such as the Senate
Small Business Committee.
The resolution was supported by
H. A. Cole of Dallas, who said that
from now on he will turn down any-
thing proposed to him that does not
benefit exhibitors directly and will be
I, 000 per cent for anything "that will
make trouble for the distributors."
John Wolf-
berg of Denver
pledged his sup-
port to the re-
solution and
said he would
turn over every-
thing in his
possesion to
Myers for
whatever use
Myers might
see fit to make
of it. Wolfberg
urged all other
Allied members
to do the same.
Ted Mann of Minneapolis joined in
that pledge and also asked all Allied
members to do likewise. Trueman
Rembusch of Franklin, Ind., hit at the
distributors arbitration draft, pointing
out that Indiana Allied previously had
found it wanting in not dealing with
such problems as print shortages. "I
don't think the distributors are sin-
cere in their approach to arbitration,"
he said.
John Wolfberg:
Thursday, November 20, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
7
ARBITRATION ONLY FIELD HIT
BY APPROVAL OF COLE BID
Score Suit
{Continued from page 1)
his role as guinea pig in the industry
legal test of the constitutionality of
Ohio's newsreel censorship law.
Rembusch Reports
Rembusch reported to the convention
on the new AS CAP license fee for its
music used on non-theatrical film,
usually for intermissions and prior to
show starts at drive-ins. If ASCAP
music is used, Rembusch told the con-
vention, a license must he obtained
and the fee paid. However, he pointed
out, there is a large library of as yet
untaxed music available from BMI,
in the public domain and from
SEEAC.
Snaper described Cinerama to
the convention, providing a gen-
erally laudatory account of its
showmanly qualities and ability
to attract the public, but with
occasional facetious or exagger-
ated references to its high cost
for equipment and installation.
In describing to the convention the
working of Allied's proposed new ex-
panded "Caravan" service, William
Carroll of Indiana Allied said a sales-
man could make a call at 10' A.M. on
a St. Louis exhibitor and before the
day was out every Allied member in
the country could be informed of the
propositions made. He said details of
the system for gathering and dissem-
inating such information would be
ready for distribution to "Caravan"
members in about five weeks and the
success of the plan depended upon
how well individual members coop-
erated.
American Eagle
Suit Up in Feb.
The $6,000,000 law suit, charging
breach of trust, filed by American
Eagle Pictures against Jack Broder
three years ago, is slated to go to
trial in Los Angeles in February. Sam
Howard, co-plaintiff with Leo Mc-
Carthy, gave depositions in Los An-
geles last weekend. Howard and
McCarthy, partners in American
Eagle, brought the action when 340
Universal and United Artists pictures
were diverted from American Eagle
to Broder after the films allegedly had
been committed to Howard and Mc-
Carthy for reissue purposes.
The block of 40 UA films and 300
Universal productions had been ac-
quired by Jacques Grinieff who had
a deal pending for their delivery to
American Eagle. According to the
complaint, Broder, who ultimately
formed Realart Pictures, closed a deal
for the product on his own after How-
ard had discussed with Broder the
possibility of the latter joining the en-
terprise with Howard and McCarthy.
Move for Repeal of
Richmond, Va., Tax
Richmond, Nov. 19. — An ordinance
to repeal this city's five per cent tax
on motion picture theatre admissions
will be introduced in the City Coun-
cil, probably on Nov. 24, at the re-
quest of the Richmond Theatre Own-
ers Association.
Seymour Hoffman of the associa-
tion pointed out that the tax unfairly
favors drive-in theatres outside the
city limits, at the expense of regular
theatres. The present tax was en-
acted in 1946.
Chicago, Nov. 19. — The proposal
of H. A. Cole of Dallas, made several
weeks ago, that Allied officers ter-
minate their posts in connection with
all-industry endeavors in order to con-
centrate exclusively on trade practice
battles, was accepted by the Allied
board and convention here only inso-
far as Allied's further participation in
efforts to set up an industry arbitra-
tion system is concerned.
Cole's proposal could have included
his own removal from the post . of
co-chairman of the industry's tax re-
peal campaign and the termination of
Trueman Rembusch's tenure as Al-
lied's representative on the triumvirate
which administers the Council of Mo-
tion Pictures; Organizations.
The board directed that Cole
and Rembusch continue in those
posts and the convention ap-
proved.
Myers announced the board's deci-
sion to the convention. He said :
4 More Join MGM
Field Press Staff
M-G-M has added four more press
representatives to bring its total -field
staff to 27. Assignment of the new
additions, John L. John, Thomas
Letcher, Alan Wiedner, and Jack
W.einer was announced by Howard
Dietz, vice-president and director of
advertising-publicity.
Six divisional press representatives,
appointed last March, will continue
to handle special advance publicity
and promotions. Operation of the field
force is under the supervision of Dan
Terrell, exploitation director.
As a result of the added manpower,
several exchange assignments have
been realigned to provide fuller cover-
age in each territory. A new field as-
signment has been made for the Se-
attle and Portland exchanges, which
will be handled by Wiedner. A second
new assignment will include New
Orleans and Memphis and will be cov-
ered by Weiner. Letcher has been
assigned to the Minneapolis exchange,
and John to Indianapolis.
Bezel Gets Rights
To Souvaine Films
Chicago, Nov. 19.— Albert Dezel
has concluded arrangements, effective
at once, with Harry Thomas, repre-
senting Souvaine Selective Pictures, to
handle distribution of Souvaine films
in the Detroit, Chicago and Milwau-
kee exchange areas.
Daylight Saving
Banned on Coast
Seattle, Nov. 19. — Daylight sav-
ing time has been outlawed by the
voters in both Washington and Ore-
gon. In Washington, the new meas-
ure adopted permits recourse to day-
light saving time under certain emer-
gency conditions.
"When I first read Col. Cole's now
famous letter I began to wonder just
which cooperative undertakings would
or could be abandoned in order to re-
lease Allied manpower for work of
greater benefit to the members. I
knew we could not withdraw the Col-
onel from the tax campaign. ... I did
not see how we could completely with-
draw from COMPO at this time with-
out pulling the rug from under the
Colonel, so I concluded that Trueman
Rembusch's hobby was safe — for the
time being.
"Then a horrible light began to
dawn. It was my baby, little arby
(arbitration) on whom Wilbur Sna-
per, Nate Yamins and I had lavished
so much tender care, that was going
to be thrown to the wolves : and it
was even so. Arbitration was expend-
able. It did not meet the best of the
board's statement of policy. It did
not promise direct, immediate and
substantial benefit to the exhibitors,"
Myers concluded.
Sioux Falls Branch
Wins 'Depinet Drive'
RKO Radio's "Ned Depinet Sales
Drive" was won by the Sioux Falls
exchange, headed by branch manager
Sherm Fitch, it was announced by
Charles Boasberg, general sales mana-
ger. The New Orleans branch, headed
by Roger Lamantia finished second ;
Portland, under Dick Lange, finished
third, and Sol Sach's Dallas branch
was fourth. Canadian results have
Montreal in first place, led by mana-
ger Harry Cohen, while Winnipeg,
under Meyer Nackimson, was second.
District standings were topped by
Canada, headed by Carl Peppercorn.
The Southeastern district under Dave
Prince was second, and Ben Cam-
mack's Southwestern district ran
third.
The 27-week drive began on Dec.
21, 1951 and ran to last June 26.
Exhibitors Rally
To Aid 'Dimes'
The worst polio year in U. S. his-
tory is inspiring the nation's show-
men to a record support of the March
of Dimes for its coming January cam-
paign, according to pledges obtained
by officials of the National Founda-
tion for Infantile Paralysis.
Starting with a national endorse-
ment from Theatre Owners of Amer-
ica, more than 12,000 theatres have
agreed to run March of Dimes trail-
ers and to take up collections of some
type, said the Foundation.
Arthur Davis Sets
Six More Imports
Six new foreign films have been
added to the already set roster of
eight features scheduled for national
release in 1953 by Arthur Davis As-
sociates. They include two Italian and
four French productions.
Coming
Events
Nov. 21-23' — Colosseum of Motion
Picture Salesmen's annual con-
vention, Ainsley Hotel, Atlanta.
Nov. 21-23 — Variety Clubs Interna-
tional 25th anniversary celebra-
tion, William Penn Hotel, Pitts-
burgh.
Nov. 25 — Motion Picture Pioneers
"Jubilee Dinner," Hotel Astor.
New York.
Dec. 1 — A. Julian Brylawski birth-
day and anniversary dinner,
Shoreham Hotel, Washington.
Dec. l-3< — Allied Theatre Owners
of Indiana board meeting and
annual convention, Hotel Lincoln,
Indianapolis.
Dec. 2 — Independent Theatre Own-
ers of Ohio board meeting,
Columbus.
Dec. 9 — Independent Exhibitors,
Inc., of New England annual con-
vention, Sheraton-Plaza Hotel,
Boston.
Dec. 9-11 — Proposed joint seminar
of Allied Independent Theatre
Owners of the Mid-South and the
Tennessee Press Association,
Memphis.
'Aussie'Divorcement
Held to Be Unlikely
Efforts by an independent exhibitor
group in Australia to effect a theatre
divorcement law in the Commonwealth
ar,e not likely to be successful, in the
opinion of Clay V. Hake, Para-
mount's managing director for Aus-
tralia and New Zealand, who is here
for home office conferences. Hake
pointed out that if the Australian Par-
liament should rule that distributors
must give up their theatres, then it
would have to break up alleged mon-
opolies of the steel, oil, brewing and
other industries of the country.
Hake said that monopolies of this
kind represent the basic economy of
the country and that it would seem
unlikely that the film industry would
be singled out for a split-up. M-G-M
has 11 theatres in Australia, with
Paramount owning one and 20th Cen-
tury-Fox holding an interest in ap-
proximately 180 houses.
Theatre business is holding up
strong in both Australia and New
Zealand, Hake said, although there
has been a drop from the peak years,
as in all other industries. The only
picture of local origin was in pro-
duction when he left Sydney three
weeks ago. This was "Jedda," pro-
duced by Charles Sharvell, who made
"40,000 Horsemen" several years ago.
The picture is being made entirely
with Australian capital, although
American financing was offered.
Hake will return to Australia next
week.
Gets 'Tales of Cairo'
Hollywood, Nov. 19. — ■ Mitchell
Hamilburg has announced the acquisi-
tion of world distribution rights to
"Tales of Cairo," English language
feature produced in Egypt by Victor
Stoloff.
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Story By KENNETH GAMET • Associate Producer- Director JOHN H. AUER
Republic Pictures Corporation
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Motion Picture daily
Thursday, November 20, 1952
RKO RADIO PICTURES, Inc.
TRADE SHOWINGS of
Howard Hughes" Presentation of
"ANGEL FACE"
ALBANY
Fox Scr. Rm. Mon.
1052 B'way
ATLANTA
RKO Scr. Rm. Mon.
195 Luckie St., N.W.
BOSTON
RKO Scr. Rm. Mon.
122-28 Arlington St.
BUFFALO
Mo. Pic. Oper.
Screen. Rm. Mon.
498 Pearl St.
CHARLOTTE
Fox Scr. Rm. Mon.
308 S. Church St.
CHICAGO
RKO Scr. Rm. Mon.
1300 S. Wabash Ave.
CINCINNATI
Palace Scr. Rm. Mon.
12 East 6th St.
CLEVELAND
Fox Scr. Rm. Mon.
2219 Payne Ave.
DALLAS
Rep. Scr. Rm. Mon.
412 S. Harwood St.
DENVER
Para. Scr. Rm. Mon.
2100 Stout St.
DES MOINES
Fox Scr. Rm. Mon.
1300 High St.
DETROIT
Blumenthals
Screen. Rm. Mon.
2310 Cass Ave.
INDIANAPOLIS
Univ. Scr. Rm. Mon.
517 N. Illinois St.
KANSAS CITY
Para. Scr. Rm. Mon.
1800 Wyandotte St.
LOS ANGELES
RKO Scr. Rm. Mon.
1980 S. Vermont Ave.
MEMPHIS
Fox Scr. Rm. Mon.
151 Vance Ave.
MILWAUKEE
Warner Scr. Rm. Mon.
212 W. Wisconsin Ave.
MINNEAPOLIS
Fox Scr. Rm. Mon.
1015 Currie Ave.
NEW HAVEN
Fox Scr. Rm. Mon.
40 Whiting St.
NEW ORLEANS
Fox Scr. Rm. Mon.
200 S. Liberty St.
NEW YORK
RKO Scr. Rm. Mon.
630 Ninth Ave.
OKLAHOMA
Fox Scr. Rm. Mon.
10 North Lee St.
OMAHA
Fox Scr. Rm. Mon.
1502 Davenport St.
PHILADELPHIA
RKO Scr. Rm. Mon.
250 N. 13th St.
PITTSBURGH
RKO Scr. Rm. Mon.
1809-13 Blvd. of Allies
PORTLAND
Star Film
Screen. Rm. Mon.
925 N.W. 19th Ave.
ST. LOUIS
RKO Scr. Rm. Tues.
3143 Olive St.
SALT LAKE CITY
Fox Scr. Rm. Mon.
216 E. 1st St. So.
SAN FRANCISCO
Fox Scr. Rm. Mon.
245 Hyde St.
SEATTLE
Jewel Box
Screen. Rm. Mon.
2318 2nd Ave.
SIOUX FALLS
Hollyw'd Thea. Mon.
212 N. Philips Ave.
WASHINGTON
Film Center
Screen. Rm. Mon.
932 New Jersey Ave.
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Review
"Flat Top"
(Allied Artists) Hollywood, Nov. 19
A POWERFUL and brisk production in color by Cinecolor that vividly
deals with the various aspects of life in the Naval Air Corps has been
fashioned by executive producer Walter Mirisch with a maximum of authen-
ticity. Sterling Hayden and Richard Carlson head a fine cast which turns
in uniformily sound performances, under the steady direction of Lesley
Selander. It is a solid, stimulating picture that is mighty good entertainment
and appears to be a real money-maker.
The story provided by Steve Fisher adheres to the facts of this division
of Naval Service and avoids melodramatic distortions and over-bearing coin-
cidence. There is no bathos in the even development of the story about the
value of discipline and the inviolability of orders aboard an aircraft carrier
that served with the Third Fleet in the Philippines in the last war.
Flayden portrays an air group commander and Carlson the leader of re-
placement pilots who join the ship in 1943. Carlson is appointed executive
officer under Hayden and conflicts with the latter's authority several times
over minor infractions of the rules committed by group pilots. It is Carlson
ho seeks leniency but Hayden insists on discipline. In the heat of battle
Carlson and his men realize Hayden's methods were necessary and correct
and come to respect him for maintaining discipline.
The U. S. carrier Princeton and members of its crew were used in the
production and authentic Naval battle footage is included in the film. Others
in the cast are Bill Phipps, John Bromfield, Keith Larsen, Todd Karns,
Dave Willock, Walter Coy and Phyllis Coates.
This is a fast-moving, actionful, highly credible film that contains the
proper elements for box-office success.
Running time, 85 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Nov. 11. °
Chadwick
(Continued from page 1)
Ampa Tribute
(Continued from page 1)
the cooperation which this organiza-
tion has extended to our industry
throughout the years."
In his tribute to Hearst, Dietz will
tell how his own career was started
and encouraged by Justin McGrath,
Hearst city editor for the then New
York American. It was McGrath
who advised Dietz to go to the Co-
lumbia University School of Journal-
ism in pre- World War I days and
promised him a job reporting college
news. Dietz became a Hearst re-
porter and later joined the old Gold-
wyn Pictures Corp.
McWilliams to Preside
Harry McWilliams, AMPA presi-
dent, will preside over the proceed-
ings. Among those who are slated
to sit on the dais with Hearst are
Mort Blumenstock, Charles Einfeld,
Paul Lazarus, Jr., Jerome Pickman,
Sol Schwartz, Adolph Zukor and
Max E. Youngstein. Hearst officials
on the dais are expected to be George
Hearst, vice-president ; John Hearst,
assistant general manager, J. D. Gor-
tatowsky, general manager, and
Martin Huberth, board chairman.
Other Hearst executives who are
scheduled to be present are Sumner
Collins, promotion manager of the
N. Y. Journal- American; Jess Krue-
ger, editorial director for Hearst
Newspapers ; Mel Heimer, King
Features syndicate columnist ; Sam
H. Day, managing editor of the
Journal- American; Jim O'Connor,
J -A amusements editor ; Rose Pels-
wick, motion picture critic ; John
Newton, editor of the Brooklyn sec-
tion; John R. Buckley, Good House-
keeping business manager ; Fred
Lewis, Hearst treasurer; Robert D.
Levitt, assistant publisher ; Thomas_ L.
Masson, House Beautiful advertising
director ; Ernest W. Heyn, editor of
American Weekly; Fred I. Archibald,
publisher of the Times Union in
Albany, and Richard W. Cook, sales
representative of the Hearst Adver-
tising Service.
Fairbanks Ends Tie
Jerry Fairbanks, president of Tele
vision Zoomar ' Corp., has sold his in
terest in that corporation to Jack
Pegler, general manager, and Dr
Frank G. Back, the inventor of the
lens. Pegler will be president of the
newly-organized corporation and Back
will be vice-president, secretary and
treasurer.
which he entered a week ago for a
heart ailment.
Born in London, educated in Amer-
ica at Cornell and St. Lawrence Uni-
versities, the deceased entered the in-
dustry in 1910 as American agent for
Pathe Freres, France, and counsel
for Exclusive Pictures. He later
formed several producing companies,
including I. E. Chadwick Pictures,
and. was a charter member of the
Film Club, New York, and president,
from 1917 to 1922. He was among
the founders of Temple Israel here 27
years ago, a member of the board of
trustees since its founding, and presi-
dent in 1930 and 1948.
At the time of his death, Chadwick
was a member of the executive com-
mittee of the Motion Picture Indus-
try Council, and active in affairs of
the Permanent Charities Committee
and the Motion Picture Relief Fund.
The widow, a son, Major Lee K.
Chadwick, U. S. Air Force, and two
grandchildren survive.
Paramount's Welch
Joins NBC-TV
Robert L. Welch, for the past seven
years under contract as a producer
with Paramount, has signed a long-
term contract with National Broad-
casting, effective Jan. 1.
Welch will create for NBC new
TV properties, both "live" and on
film. Additionally, he will function as
producer-director of his own pro-
grams.
Associated Motion Picture Advertisers, Inc.
SALUTES
THE HEARST PUBLICATIONS
for the years of outstanding coopera-
tion with the motion picture industry
Georgian Room
HOTEL PICCADILLY
New York
Today, Thursday, Nov. 20, at 12:30 P.M.
WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST, JR.
Guest of Honor
HOWARD DIETZ
AMPA's speaker
HARRY K.
Presiding
McWilliams
Tickets — Al Floersheimer, Walter Reade Theatres, Circle 5-5250
lip:
The New BOXOFFICE Power is the New ALLIED ARTISTS!
"FLAT TOP" • A WALTER MIRISCH Production IN COLOR starring STERLING HAYDEN and RICHARD CARLSON with Keith La rsen
Bill Phipps • Phyllis Coates • John Bromfield • Directed by LESLEY SELANDER - Written by STEVE FISHER
Thunderous adventures of the
swashbuckling Sons of Satan...
produced by hit-after-hit maker
Edmund Grainger, who gave you
"Wake of the Red Witch," "Sands
of Iwo Jima," "Flying Leathernecks,"
"One Minute to Zero" and more!
color 6y TECIfNICOlOfi
--^ROBERT NEWTON A
LINDA DARNELL WILLIAM BENDIX
with KEITH ANDES • ALAN MOWBRAY j
an EDMUND GRAINGER production
Directed by RAOUL WALSH • Screenplay by ALAN LeMAY • Produced by EDMUND GRAINGER *
FULL-COLOR ADS SPEARHEAD
f GIANT NATIONAL CAMPAIGN!
Full-pages and fractional-pages in top-circulation ytfy
weeklies, Sunday newspaper supplements
and others for a sensational 50,000,000
circulation coverage!
r k o ;
RADIO I
FILM
NEWS
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
VOL. 72. NO. 99
NEW YORK, U.S.A., FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1952
TEN CENTS
27 Theatres Set
Deals to Take
4Carmen' TV
TNT Official Says 11
Others Agree on Terms
Deals with 27 television-equipped
theatres have been closed by The-
atre Network Television for the
Dec. 11 telecast of the Metropolitan
Opera's "Carmen," it was learned here
yesterday from a TNT official.
It was also stated that 11
additional theatres have accept-
ed TNT's terms for the Coast-
to-Coast event, but such prob-
lems as loop, cable facilities and
multiple installations still must
be worked out for the 11.
The signing up of 27 theatres and
an agreement on terms with 11 other
houses just six days after announce-
ment of the event was called "the
(Continued on page 12)
8 New York IA'
Locals Agree on
Council Plan Here
Eight New York local unions, affili-
ated with the International Alliance
of Theatrical Stage Employes, have
agreed to join in a plan for the for-
mation of a Motion Picture Council
of New York, similar to the Holly-
wood American Federation of Labor
Film Council, according to Steve
D'Inzilla, temporary secretary of the
proposed organization.
It will be the purpose of the East-
ern group to set up a basic agreement
with independent film producers in
the East, patterned after the Holly-
wood pact. A draft of a constitution
and by-laws for the NewYork council
(Continued on page '11)
COMPO Board to
Meet Dec. 10-11
The board of directors and
executive committee of the
Council of Motion Picture Or-
ganizations will meet in Chi-
cago on Dec. 10-11, it was dis-
closed here yesterday by
Robert W. Coyne, COMPO
special counsel. Sessions will
be held in the Blackstone
Hotel.
Hearst Pledges Industry-
Continued Cooperation
By WALTER PASHKIN
William Randolph Hearst, Jr. told an audience of motion picture
industry and publication representatives at a luncheon given in his honor
yesterday by the Associated Motion Picture Advertisers that, "I pledge
continued sympathetic understanding and support of all our organiza-
tions to the problem you may have."
Earlier, he said, "The friendship be-
tween the two industries is a heritage
I'm proud to continue and extend with
every facility at our command."
The publisher of the New York
Journal - A merican and American
Weekly and editor-in-chief of all
Hearst newspapers was greeted by a
solid round of applause by a standing
audience when he rose to speak. After
acknowledging the laudatory intro-
duction by Howard Dietz, master-of-
ceremonies, Hearst mentioned the vari-
ous Hearst enterprises that daily
reach an approximate audience of
25,000,000 and noted the close ties and
similarities of the motion picture and
newspaper industries.
He traced the almost simultaneous
rise of both the Hearst and film in-
dustries on the Coast 40 years ago
(Continued on page 11)
Richards Honored
By the U. S. Navy
New Orleans, Nov. 20. — Gov.
Robert Kennon of Louisiana and New
Orleans Mayor Chep deLesseps Mor-
rison, were among scores of notables
on hand at the Roosevelt Hotel here
to see Undersecretary of the Navy
Francis P. Whitehair, acting for Navy
Secretary Dan Kimball, present a
Distinguished Public Service Award
to E. V. Richards, Jr., circuit operator
and regional vice-president of the
Eighth Naval District region of the
Navy League of the United States.
The citation, which was presented
(Continued on page 11)
Telenews Features
Local TV Programs
San Francisco, Nov. 20. — Tele-
casts picked up from local TV sta-
tions are currently being featured on
the large-screen of the Telenews
Theatre here and according to district
manager John Parsons, the public re-
sponse is. highly encouraging.
Parsons is convinced that by cpn-
(Continued on page 12)
RKO Receivership
Hearing on Today
The hearing on the application of
three RKO Pictures minority stock-
holders seeking a court-appointed re-
ceiver to act as "caretaker" for the
company is scheduled to take place
here today in New York State Su-
preme Court.
The hearing on the show cause
(Continued on page 1 1 )
UPT Books 3 -Dimensional
'Bwana 9 for Its Circuit
United Paramount Theatres has booked the Natural Vision three-
dimensional feature, "Bwana Devil," over its entire circuit. The pre-
miere will be held at the Paramount Downtown and Paramount Holly-
wood theatres in Los Angeles on Thanksgiving Day, with subsequent
bookings to follow as quickly as prints
can be made available.
A deal also is in the making for
an across-the-board booking over the
RKO Theatres circuit.
Produced and directed by Arch
Oboler, "Bwana Devil" runs 90 min-
utes. Two projectors, hooked to-
gether, are necessary for the three-
dimensional effect, which also requires
viewers to wear special Polaroid
glasses. Previews for circuit buyers
have been held here during the last
two weeks.
National Theatres
Declares Dividend
Los Angeles. Nov. 20. — The Na-
tional Theatres board of directors at
a special meeting today declared a
dividend of 15 cents per share on
outstanding common stock payable on
Dec. 24 to stockholders of record on
Dec. 5. No policy as to a regular
dividend has been adopted, the board
(Continued on page 11)
AlliedPs Action
On Arbitration
Draws Fire
Talk Renewal Doubtful
Despite 'Open Door'
By AL STEEN
A mixed reaction here yesterday
greeted the news of Allied's rejec-
tion of the industry arbitration plan
Wednesday at the association's an-
nual convention in Chicago, but there
was a general feeling of disappoint-
ment right down the line. •
Some distribution leaders expressed
surprise at Allied's action, inasmuch
as Eric Johnston, president of the
Motion Picture Association of Amer-
ica, had written a letter to Allied
leaders, on the eve of its convention,
expressing the need for an arbitra-
tion plan and stating that the. door
was still open for further negotiations
in the event the independent owners
(Continued on page 11)
Variety Clubs Open
Two-day Meeting in
Pittsburgh Today
Pittsburgh,, Nov. 20. — Organiza-
tion "Big-Wigs," representing 39
Tents, were on hand today ready for
the Variety Clubs International two-
day mid-winter meeting which gets
underway in the William Penn Hotel
here tomorrow.
Heading the official family is chief
barker Jack Beresin, of Philadelphia,
ringmaster R. J. O'Donnell, of Dal-
(Continued on page 11)
'U's' World Forces
In Blumberg Tribute
Universal Pictures' execu-
tives will join with the com-
pany's foreign distribution
officials at a luncheon at The
Laurent today in a worldwide
tribute to N. J. Blumberg,
chairman of the board, who
is currently observing his
40th year in the entertain-
ment industry.
Blumberg is to be honored
as the "Motion Picture Pio-
neer of 1952" at the "Jubilee
Dinner" of the Pioneers at
the Hotel Astor Tuesday eve-
ning.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Friday, November 21, 1951
Personal
Mention
MAX E. YOUNGSTEIN, vice-
president of United Artists, will
leave here over the weekend for the
Variety Club's 25th anniversary din-
ner in Pittsburgh on Sunday.
•
Orton H. Hicks, director of Loew's
International 16mm. department, will
on Tuesday address the "Great Issues
Course" of the senior class of the
Great Neck High School, Great Neck,
L. I., on the subject, "Motion Pictures
and Their Effect on Public Opinion."
•
Jerome Pickman, Paramount vice-
president in charge of advertising-
publicity, will leave here today for
Pittsburgh to attend the 25th anniver-
sary celebration of the Variety Clubs
International. He will be back in New
York on Monday.
Marcia Miller, daughter of Rich-
ard Miller, formerly in theatre pro-
motions in Cleveland, and grand-
daughter of M. B. Horwitz, head of
the Washington Circuit, has become
engaged to Ernest Klein.
•
Lou Kaufman, Warner Theatres
executive, who has been confined to
Polyclinic Hospital here for surgery,
is expected to leave the hospital over
the weekend.
Roy Jones, formerly a Columbia
exploiteer, has been named company
manager of the legitimate show, "Rise
By Sin," due on Broadway next week.
•
Charles Simonelli, Universal's
Eastern advertising-publicity manager,
has returned here from a trip to St.
Louis, Memphis and New Orleans.
•
Harry Glenn, formerly with Geor-
gia Theatres in Atlanta, and now
with a Macon, Ga., circuit, recently
visited in the former city.
•
I. Allen, manager of the Bard
Theatre in Louisville, suffered a
broken arm in an automobile collision.
•
George M. Jones, Universal sales-
man in Atlanta, has returned to his
office after an illness.
•
Leonard Burch, Atlanta branch
manager of United World Films, was
a Memphis visitor.
•
Leon Brandt, RKO Radio's ex-
ploitation manager, will leave here for
Boston today.
•
Fred Hull, M-G-M's Jacksonville
branch manager, is vacationing in
Cuba.
Will Jason, PSI-TV director,
will fly to the Coast from here to-
row.
Hans Hass, RKO Radio producer,
will leave here for Boston on Mon-
day.
Bob Hope has received a citation
from the United Services Club.
Hartman to Leave Today on
European Production Tour
Don Hartman, in charge of produc-
tion for Paramount, will leave here
today by plane for Rome, on the first
stop of a tour that will involve dis-
cussions on future production in Eu-
rope. He will return to New York
about Dec. 1.
In Rome Hartman will meet with
producer-director William Wyler and
remain a week to view the assembled
footage of the latter's "Roman Holi-
day," which was filmed, scored, and
dubbed in its entirety in the Italian
capital.
Hartman will then fly to England
for several days of discussions on the
planned production of "Babylon Re-
visited," the F. Scott Fitzgerald short
story, in which Gregory Peck, now
in London, is expected to star. Wyler
will produce and direct the film.
In London, Hartman will confer
with Roy Boulting, English writer-
producer, about Paramount's produc-
tion, of "Wings Across the Sea."
Hartman also will discuss plans for
the production of "Elephant Walk" in
Ceylon with British authorities. After
his return to New York, the Para-
mount executive will return to Holly-
wood.
List Stars for UJA
Benefit on Monday
With the addition of the Andrews
Sisters to thp list of personalities
who will entertain at the "Night of
Stars" United Jewish Appeal benefit
Monday night at New York's Madi-
son Square Garden, the following
roster of talent was announced :
Joey Adams, Condos and Brandow,
Billy Daniels, Andre Eglevsky, Phil
Foster, Melissa Hayden, Harry
Hershfield, Al Kelly, Nick Kenny,
Jack E. Leonard, Bert Lytell, Los
Gatos, Dorothy Maynor, Frank Mar-
lowe, Lucy Monroe. Mrs. Arthur
Murray, Radio City Music Hall
Rockettes, Gertrude Ribler, Peggy
Ryan, Ray MacDonald, Ed Sullivan,
the Szonys and the Billy Williams
Quartette.
Margaret Truman will make her
first "Night of Stars" appearance, as
mistress-of-ceremonies.
6Ronde9 Hearing Off
At Least Until Jan.
Albany, N. Y., Nov. 20. — Failure
to file the printed record and briefs in
the appeal by Hakim Brothers' Com-
mercial Pictures Corp. from a 3-2
decision of the State Appellate Divi-
sion holding the French-made "La
Ronde" to be "immoral and tends to
corrupt morals," means that the case
cannot be heard by the Court of Ap-
peals until the January term, and then
only if given "preferred status."
A company spokesman announced in
New York last May, following the
adverse decision, that it would be im-
mediately appealed to the Court of
Appeals, and, if necessary, to the U. S.
Supreme Court. However, only a no-
tice of appeal has so far been filed.
Cummings, Thomas
Give SPG Lectures
Hollywood, Nov. 20. — Jack Cum-
mings and Bill Thomas will deliver
the two concluding lectures in the
Screen Producers Guild six-lecture
series which is being photographed on
sound by the cinema department of the
University of Southern California for
distribution to educational institutions
throughout the world.
Cummings will lecture on Dec. 4,
with "Post Production" as his topic.
Thomas winds up the series on Jan. 8
discussing "Exploitation and Distribu-
tion."
600 at Preview of
MGM's 'Plymouth'
Boston, Nov. 20. — Approximately
600 members of Plymouth, Mass., his-
torical societies were luncheon guests
of M-G-M and the Plymouth Cham-
ber of Commerce at the Plymouth
Memorial Hall today in conjunction
with a special pre-release showing of
"Plymouth Adventure," which was
held at the old Colony Theatre.
Helen Deut^ch, who wrote the
screenplay, was honor guest at the
luncheon and at the preview.
Program for Steel
Goes to NPA
Washington, Nov. 20. — Steel pro-
ducers and consumers today recom-
mended to the National Production
Authority a three-part program for
decontrolling steel production that
would wind up government allotments
of steel by next March 31.
NPA officials said they would con-
sider the plan. They have been push-
ing a plan of their own which would
keep controls on at least through the
third quarter of 1953.
Dorso, Girard Form
Production Firm
Hollywood, Nov. 20. — Richard
Dorso and Bernard Girard, who co-
produced several television film series
for Bing Crosby Enterprises, have
formed an independent Girard-Dorso
Productions, and will co-produce six
pictures in the next two years.
The first is titled "Jennifer," with
Ida Lupino and Howard Duff
starred, to be made in association
with Berman Swartz. Filming is
scheduled to begin on Jan. 3.
Wiesenthal, Goldberg
Handle Davis Films
Arthur Davis has consummated a
deal with Harold Wiesenthal, presi-
dent of Arlan Pictures, and Ben Gold-
berg, whereby they will serve as ex-
clusive sales representatives for the
importer's 10 foreign-language pic-
tures. Under the set-up the pictures,
which include 35mm. and sub-Standard
gauge rights, will be sold nationally.
KMT A to Sponsor
Drive-in Meeting
Kansas City, Nov. 20. — A
drive-in operators' meeting is
to be held March 4, 1953,
under the sponsorship of the
Kansas-Missouri Theatre As-
sociation.
Stanley D u r w o o d was
named chairman for the meet-
ing and Jack Braunagle vice-
chairman.
More Dais Guests
For Blumberg Fete
Additional dais guests for the
"Jubilee Dinner" of the Motion Pic-
ture Pioneers at the Hotel Astor on
Tuesday honoring N. J. Blumberg,
chairman of the board of Universal
Pictures as the "Motion Picture Pio-
neer of 1952," include Edward P.
(Ted) Curtis, vice-president of East-
man-Kodak; Al Lichtman, director
of distribution of 20th Century-Fox,
Louis Lurie ; Sam Pinanski, presi-
dent of American Theatres Corp. ;
Rabbi Ralph Silverstein, and George
Skouras, chairman of the board of
Skouras Theatres Corp.
Legion Puts Three
Films in Class B
The Legion of Decency has placed
three films in Class B and four in
Class A. In Class B are "Come Back
Little Sheba," Paramount ; "Kansas
City Confidential," United Artists, and
"Montana Belle," RKO Radio.
In Class A-I are "Flat Top,"
Monogram, and "Pony Soldier," 20th
Century-Fox. "Hangman's Knot,"
Columbia, and "Sky Full of Moon,"
M-G-M, were placed in Class A-II.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center
"PLYMOUTH ADVENTURE"
Spencer TRACY . Gene TIERNEY
Van JOHNSON . Leo GENN
Color by TECHNICOLOR - An M-G-M Picture
plus GREAT HOLIDAY STAGE SPECTACLE
_ ALAN _ —VIRGINIA
LADD MAYO/
Mistress JxRTM0(»
Color by TECHNICOLOR W
MidniQM Feolurt
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building.
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Often, National Press Club, Washington. D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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.
I'
Here's the Big Winter News trom
Universal-International . . . proudly proving once
again that all year . . . every year . . . U-l dehvers
,he pictures with the consistent Boxoffice power!
(»»' "MEET ME AT THE FAIR"
'ad
THE FIGHTING STORY OF CHIEF OSCEOLA
AND THE GREAT EVERGLADES INDIAN WARS!
Starring
HUDSON
HALE
QUINN
ARLSON
ANTHONY QUINN alice kelley-mildred natwick
T THE FABULOUS MAR
IS FANCY WO
JpOWER
Down the lusty,
rolling river he rode
. . . staking his
fortune or his life
... to win the taunting
lips of the New Orleans'
temptress who forever
lured him on !
V
XSSXSSIPPX
AMBLER
CO-STARRING
PIPER LAURIE * JULIA ADAMS
r
v
N RELEASE
J# CHANDLER
CO-STARRING m*r>m
ALEX NICOL • FRANCIS DEE
„,„ ALEXANDER SCOURBY
'mm
CO-STARRING
DEAiVJAGGERJOMEVMS
Mfik wtb RICHARD CRENM
wmmm\
- ~ .■. ■
Starring
RICHARD GREENE
BORIS KARLOFF
STEPHEN McNALLY
PAULA CORDAY
LON CHANEY
Friday, November 21, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
11
Ampa Coverage on
(J-A' 'Front Page'
Copies of a special "AMPA
Extra" of the New York Jour-
nal American, titled the "Pic-
cadilly Edition," and contain-
ing a special front page de-
voted entirely to pictures and
text of the history of the
Associated Motion Picture
Advertisers, and the Howard
Dietz tribute paid to William
Randolph Hearst, Jr., was
distributed at the AMPA-
Hearst luncheon here yester-
day at the Hotel Piccadilly.
The Hearst enterprises,
reaching an audience of 25,-
000,000 persons are listed.
AMPA's executive members
are featured, along with
photographs of Hearst, Jr.,
Dietz, AMPA's Harry K. Mc-
Williams, Lige Brien, Albert
Florsheimer, Jr., and Edgar
Goth and Jim O'Connor, Jour-
nal-American drama and
motion picture editor, who
bylined a detailed account of
"the oldest organization in
the cinema world."
RKO Hearings
(Continued from page 1)
order will be launched amid continued
rumors and reports concerning the
appointment of new RKO executives
and board members and in the midst
of reports concerning the possible sale
of the controlling interests of the
Ralph Stolkin syndicate.
Filed Last Friday
The show cause order stems from
a suit filed last Friday by Eli B.
Castleman and his wife, Marion V.
Castleman of Detroit, and Louis
Feuerman of this city, claiming to
own 2,500 shares. Louis Kipnis,
counsel for the minority stockholders,
sought receivership "in order to pro-
tect the business and assets of the
RKO enterprise." In an accompanying
suit, naming Howard Hughes as de-
fendant, the sum of $3,000,000, which
the suit said Hughes made on the sale
of his stock to the Stolkin group, is
asked for reimbursement to the com-
pany.
Meanwhile, the company yesterday
continued to be the subject of claims
and counter-claims as to new man-
agement, new prospective purchasers
of the Stolkin group's 29 per cent
interest and internal reorganiza-
tion. Reports that principals from the
Coast were converging on New York
for climactic meetings were described
as "conjecture" by company spokes-
men.
NT Dividend
(Continued from page 1)
stated.
This is the first dividend that Na
tional Theatres has declared on its
common stock since its divorcement
from 20th Century-Eox under the
terms of the consent decree.
New Filmack Unit
Chicago, Nov. 20.— With the addi-
tion of a new fully-equipped animation
department, Filmack Trailer Co. is
now concentrating on animated trailers
for special exploitation dates.
Hearst Pledges
(Continued from page 1)
when early two-reelers were being-
shown and the late William Ran-
dolph Hearst, Sr. was operating the
San Francisco Examiner. He referred
to an evening's conversation which
Hearst, Sr. had with Adolph Zukor
in which "Mr. Motion Pictures," as
Dietz had previously called Zukor,
stressed his confidence in the future
of films. This resulted in front-page
commendatory editorials by the late
Arthur Brisbane which forecast with
remarkable accuracy the growth of
the film industry.
Hearst stated, "Both industries have
drawn largely from life itself, a bid
for public favor with every issue,
and measure our success by box-office
returns." After comparing the staffs
of both industries, he said, "Both
must be constantly in touch with the
man in the street, his aspirations, his
fears, his desires. Our success will
reflect how well we maintain our con-
tact with him." He expressed the hope
that future joint endeavors would
strengthen ties between the industries.
AMPA president Harry Mc-
Williams read several wires re-
ceived from Coast notables ex-
pressing hearty agreement over
the cooperation which the Hearst
enterprises have accorded the
motion picture industry through
the years. They were too numer-
ous to read so McWilliams read
several while a teletype machine
was used to simulate the effect
of the sending. Among senders
mentioned were Joseph Schenck,
Herbert J. Yates, SAG head
Walter Pidgeon, stars Susan
Hayward, Betty Grable, Brod-
erick Crawford, and others.
In his introductory remarks, Dietz
recalled his debt of gratitude to Justin
McGrath, Hearst city editor for the
old New York American, who en-
couraged him to go to the Columbia
University School of Journalism. Dietz
recalled his beginning as an office boy
for Hearst, his later rise to reporter
and then magazine article writer for
Cosmopolitan. He related some humor-
ous incidents of his job at Cosmopoli-
tan Productions, working under
Hearst, Sr. Dietz emphasized the
friendship of the film industry with
Hearst enterprises and the mutual
aid which resulted. He lauded the
American Weekly motion picture edi-
tion of last August, handled by editor
Ernest W. Heyn.
McWilliams introduced Dietz as "a
most illustrious member of the pro-
fession" and spoke of his numerous
other activities, including his recent
writing of English lyrics for the opera
"La Boheme," which the Metropolitan
Opera House will present in De-
cember.
Variety Meet
(Continued from page 1)
Allied Action
(Continued from page 1)
Trotta, Spiegel and Adams
Address AMPA Class
Vincent Trotta, Henry Spiegel and
Frank Adams addressed the "Show-
manship Class" of the Associated Mo-
tion Picture Advertisers at the Hotel
Woodstock here last night, and Al
Katz of Max Fine Display demon-
strated low cost lobby displays.
Trotta, who was Paramount Pic-
tures art director for 26 years, is cur-
rently conducting his own art service
to the industry- Spiegel is director of
advertising, publicity and exploitation
for the New York and Brooklyn Para-
mount theatres. Adams is with the
American Display Co.
las ; main guy Marc Wolf, of Indian-
apolis, and first asistant George
Hoover, of Miami. They were wel-
comed by Mayor David L. Lawrence,
big boss, John H. Harris, dough guy
George Eby, and ceremonial officer
James Balmer, all of Pittsburgh.
In his opening address Beresin in-
tends to stress the need for all tents
in the organization to further their
humanitarian work and charity ac-
complishments. Hoover will discuss
plans for the staging of the annual
convention at Mexico City next year,
and Louis Montes and a group of
film stars from that country will be
on hand to add color to the invitation.
Murray Weiss, property master,
will report on the activities of the
various Tents and because of the jam-
packed agenda the visit of the dele-
gates to the Pitt-Penn State game has
been called off to give them two full
days of meetings.
To Appear on Telethon
Most of the international officers
will appear on the all-night telethon
on station WDTV Saturday night
when an array of stage and screen
talent is slated to be on hand.
Among those appearing will be
Morton Downey, Virginia Mayo,
Janet Leigh, George Murphy, Rhonda
Fleming, Forrest Tucker, Michael
O'Shea, Van Heflin and Tony Ro-
mano. Money raised from the tele-
thon will be used to build a wing on
the Rosalia Foundling Home to be
named the Catherine Variety Wing,
honoring the baby found in the lobby
of the Sheridan Square Theatre 25
years ago which led to the founding
of the organization.
Sunday night, Variety Club Tent
No. 1 will hold its 25th silver anni-
versary banquet in the hotel's ball-
room. The room has been turned into
a midway with animals, barkers and
side shows and the tent used for the
first banquet will be set up for the
800 guests.
The principal speaker will be Con-
gressman Dewey Short of Missouri,
chairman of the Armed Forces Com-
mittee, who recently returned from
Korea. John H. Harris and the other
10 original founders of the club will
be on hand.
Among the speakers will be former
Governor Harold Hoffman of New
Jersey : Paul Martin, Canadian Min-
ister of National Health and Wel-
fare ; C. J. Latta of the London's
Tent ; Branch Rickey, vice-president
of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Rosey Ros-
well will make the annual Humani-
tarian Award.
Art Feldman, director of special
events, has arranged for Mutual Net-
work to carry part of the speaking
program from the ballroom at 11.15
P.M. Sunday night. Universal and
Pathe News also will have camera-
men on hand for the affair.
objected to portions of the distribu-
tors' draft.
One question appeared to be
the most prevalent here yester-
day: Can other exhibition seg-
ments and distribution go ahead
on a plan without Allied?
Some distribution heads be-
lieved that it could be done;
others were doubtful in view of
the fact that such a move would
require approval of the Depart-
ment of Justice and that the
D. of J. would not give the
green light without Allied par-
ticipation.
There will be no official statement
from the MPAA on Allied's stand
until member company heads can dis-
cuss the matter "among themselves,"
a spokesman said. Herman Levy, gen-
eral counsel of the Theatre Owners
of America, who was contacted by
phone at his office in New Haven,
declined to comment until he had read
the trade press reports.
Harry Brandt, president of the In-
dependent Theatre Owners Associa-
tion of New York, said that regard-
less of what other organizations plan-
ned to do, the ITOA would lay plans
to set up its own arbitration system.
While the machinery for such a ven-
ture has not been worked out, Brandt
said his association would ask the
cooperation of distributing companies
in the project.
There was some speculation among
industry leaders as to whether a sin-
gle organization could establish an
arbitration system of its own with
Justice Department sanction or ap-
proval of the courts. Brandt said that
anything that would be required to
accomplish the project would be done.
One industry lawyer said, however,
that there would be nothing to pre-
vent the ITOA from entering into a
voluntary arbitration arrangement and
that court sanction would not be nec-
essary.
Whether Allied would accept
the "open door" proposal of the
MPAA and continue negotia-
tions was a subject for conjec-
ture yesterday. The concensus
was that arbitration as far as
Allied was concerned was
"dead," with only a few hold-
ing out that there was a glim-
mer of hope still visible.
Both the drafts of Allied and the
distributors have been kept under
wraps since their preparation, but
there seemed to be a move afoot yes-
terday to make the proposals public
and "to let the industry as a whole
decide whether Allied was right or
wrong," as one spokesman put it.
It is expected that it will be several
days before official statements will be
issued or whether Allied will make a
gesture toward further talks.
Richards Honored
(Continued from page 1)
at a testimonial luncheon yesterday,
commended Richards "for his untir-
ing efforts and unlimited co-operation
with the United States Navy in the
fields of entertainment, education and
morale. As a loyal and active friend
of the Navy, Mr. Richards has volun-
tarily and generously given of his
time, energy and financial resources
for a period of many years."
New York *IA' Locals
(Continued from page 1)
is Hearing completion and will be
ready for discussion in the near fu-
ture. When all details are completed,
the council will demand that all East-
ern producers use IATSE craftsmen.
Locals in Nassau and Westchester
counties and Jersey City have been in-
vited to a meeting Monday in New
York for the purpose of discussing
the projected setup.
12
Motion Picture Daily
Friday, November 21, 1951
RKO RADIO PICTURES, Inc.
TRADE SHOWINGS of
"MO TIME FOR FLOWERS"
A Mort Briskin Production
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
N.W.
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
ALBANY
Fox Scr. Rm.
1052 B'way
ATLANTA
RKO Scr. Rm.
195 Luckie St.,
BOSTON
RKO Scr. Rm.
122-28 Arlington St.
BUFFALO
Mo. Pic. Oper.
Screen. Rm.
498 Pearl St.
CHARLOTTE
Fox Scr. Rm.
308 S. Church St.
CHICAGO
RKO Scr. Rm. Mon. 12/1
1300 S. Wabash Ave.
CINCINNATI
Palace Scr. Rm.
12 East 6th St.
CLEVELAND
Fox Scr. Rm.
2219 Payne Ave.
DALLAS
Rep. Scr. Rm.
412 S. Harwood St.
DENVER
Para. Scr. Rm.
2100 Stout St.
DES MOINES
Fox Scr. Rm.
1300 High St.
DETROIT
Blumenthals
Screen. Rm.
2310 Cass Ave.
INDIANAPOLIS
Univ. Scr. Rm.
517 N. Illinois St.
KANSAS CITY
Para. Scr. Rm. Wed. 12/3
1800 Wyandotte St.
LOS ANGELES
RKO Scr. Rm. Mon. 12/1
1980 S. Vermont Ave.
MEMPHIS
Fox Scr. Rm. Mon. 12/1
151 Vance Ave.
MILWAUKEE
Warner Scr. Rm. Mon. 12/1
212 W. Wisconsin Ave.
MINNEAPOLIS
Fox Scr. Rm.
1015 Currie Ave.
NEW HAVEN
Fox Scr. Rm.
40 Whiting St.
NEW ORLEANS
Fox Scr. Rm.
200 S. Liberty St.
NEW YORK
RKO Scr. Rm.
630 Ninth Ave.
OKLAHOMA
Fox Scr. Rm.
10 North Lee St.
OMAHA
Fox Scr. Rm.
1502 Davenport St.
PHILADELPHIA
RKO Scr. Rm.
250 N. 13th St.
PITTSBURGH
RKO Scr. Rm.
1809-13 Blvd. of Allies
PORTLAND
Star Scr. Rm. Mon. 12/1
925 N.W. 19th Ave.
ST. LOUIS
RKO Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/2
3143 Olive St.
SALT LAKE CITY
Fox Scr. Rm. Mon. 12/1
216 E. 1st St. So.
SAN FRANCISCO
Fox Scr. Rm. Mon. 12/1
245 Hyde St.
SEATTLE
Jewel Box
Screen. Rm. Mon. 12/1
2318 2nd Ave.
SIOUX FALLS
Hollyw'd Thea. Mon. 12/1
. 212 N. Philips Ave.
i WASHINGTON
Film Center
Screen. Rm. Mon. 12/1
932 New Jersey Ave.
2:30 P.M.
10:30 A.M.
2:30 P.M.
3:30 P.M.
3:30 P.M.
11:00 A.M.
9:30 P.M.
10:30 A.M.
10 :30 A.M.
3:30 P.M.
10:30 A.M.
10:30 A.M.
2:30 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
10 :30 A.M.
2:30 P.M.
10:30 A.M.
Mon. 12/1 10:30 A.M.
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
3:30 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
11:00 A.M.
2:30 P.M.
Mon. 12/1 1:30 P.M.
Mon. 12/1
Mon. 12/1
10:30 A.M.
3:00 P.M.
10:30 A.M.
11:00 A.M.
2:30 P.M.
10:30 A.M.
2:30 P.M.
9:00 A.M.
2:00 P.M.
Television-Radio
with Pinky Herman
THE recently-concluded report, "Resources for Freedom," formu-
lated by the President's Materials Commission, headed by
William S. Paley, chairman of the board of CBS, will be made into
an hour-long- documentary film and will be telecast via CBS sometime
in March, 1953. Roy Lockwood, formerly production manager for
BBC during- the war, later associate producer at March of Time and
now an executive at CBS, will produce. . . . With George Jessel
emceeing festivities, NB Comedian Jerry Lewis was named honorary
Mayor of Pacific Palisades, Cal. His partner, Dean Martin, was like-
wise honored by the local Chamber of Commerce but on an 'if basis.
Dean was named Chief of Police, "if within 30 days he becomes a
resident of the town." . . Producer Richard DeRochemont's first of
six "Abe Lincoln" films which bowed on the TV scene last Sunday
on CBS' "Omnibus," is being acclaimed as a classic. Equally deserv-
ing of honors along with the star of the series, Royal Dano, director
Norman Lloyd and scripter James Agee (whose film "The African
Queen" won an Oscar) is film editor Morris Roizman, who delved
thru 100,000 feet of film before coming up with the 12,500 feet
comprising the series. The remaining five episodes will be seen on
alternate Sundays (4:30 to 6:00 P.M.).
ft
ft
"Gulf Playhouse" will be replaced NBCommencing Friday, Jan.
2 by "The Life of Riley," starring William Bendix. The TVersion
of the successful radio series of the same name will be filmed in
Hollywood and will include in the cast Marjorie Reynolds, Lugene
Sanders, Wesley Morgan and Tom D'Andrea. Gulf Oil will spon-
sor the new series via Young & Rubicam. . '. . Meg O'Shaugh-
nessy's warbling on the Pyramid record of Elmo Russ' novel
ditty, "Who Bothers 'Bout the Bad When the Good Is So Good,"
will get lots of deejay attention. ... It is natural to regard tele-
vision as a new medium and in truth the little 'Giant' only
emerged from the toddling stage directly after the end of the
World War II, yet Ireene Wicker, who for years was radio's
famed and beloved 'Singing Lady,' is a TVeteran, having appeared
as 'Pierrette' in Dr. Lee DeForest's experimental telecasts back
in 1934. Miss Wicker currently is seen Sundays at noon in "Little
Lady Party" via WABD. . . . Dick Dudley, NBC announcer, and
Howard Smith musical CBStaffer have collabbed on a timely
number, "It's Christmas Every Day" (When You're in Love)
which could very well 'ring the bell.'
Pare Jarrico Suit
Down to
Hollywood, Nov. 20. — Writer Paul
Jarrico's $350,000 suit against RKO
Radio Pictures was pared down to
$100,000 when Superior Judge Or-
lando Rhodes ruled today, following-
testimony given by Howard Hughes,
that Jarrico could not be entitled to
punitive damages.
Hughes testified he had been totally
responsible for the studio's discharge
of Jarrico and had ordered every
scrap of paper written by Jarrico de-
stroyed. Hughes also said it was he
who ordered Jarrico's name eliminated
from "The Las Vegas Story" screen
credits and instructed that a suit _ to
obtain court approval of that action
be instituted.
New WNBC 'Plug9
For Theatres Here
In furtherance of the Organization
of the Motion Picture Industry-Na-
tional Broadcasting mutual promotion
pact, there will be a one-minute spot
announcement included in the Gene
Rayburn program on the network's
New York flagship station, WNBC,
in the morning hours of 6:00 to 8:30
daily.
The announcement will incorporate
a list of recommended films currently
playing- in Metropolitan theatres.
Telenews Features
(Continued from page 1)
tinued televising of shows and billing
them on the marquee, "the man in the
street" will become not only a large-
screen television fan but a theatre
patron as well. Parsons' plans for the
future call for specially produced news
programs which will integrate up-to-
the-minute newsreel films as well as
spot news photos. He also will show
football games and other sports, as
well as any material which may be
of local interest, in addition to special
closed circuit attractions.
The invitational opening of the pro-
gram was launched recently with the
show, "What's Your Opinion," from
local station KPIX, preliminary to
the showing of the Walcott-Marciano
fight telecast. Parsons pointed out
that it is necessary to go through the
procedure of getting permission from
the network or sponsor as well as the
producer of each- show taken from
local stations because of legal tech-
nicalities involved.
Spiers in New Post
Indianapolis, Nov. 20. — Edward
Spiers, former city salesman for Al-
lied Artists in Chicago who was . re-
cently appointed manager of the Al-
lied Artists exchange here, has as-
sumed his new post. He succeeds A.
Glaubinger, resigned.
Reopen House Radio,
TV Hearings Dec. 3
Washington, Nov. 20.— The
House Commerce sub - com-
mittee studying the moral
standards of radio and tele-
vision programs will hold
hearings on Dec. 3-4, chair-
man Harris (D., Ark.) an-
nounced.
Witnesses will include mem-
bers of the Federal Commun-
ications Commission and
spokesmen for national ad-
vertisers. Harris said he
hoped the hearings would
wind up the testimony for
this year, leaving the com-
mittee free to get down to
writing a final report.
'Carmen'
(Continued from page 1)
most rapid conclusion of deals" for
any TNT event to date, including the
recent Walcott - Marciano heavy-
weight title bout. As further indica-
tion of exhibitor response, the TNT
official pointed out that within 24 hours
of the public announcement, 21 the-
atres indicated they wanted to book
the event, the first entertainment show
to be offered on large-screen televi-
sion. The TNT spokesman declined
comment on identifying the theatres
booking the event, stating that the an-
nouncements should come from the in-
dividual theatres.
Theatres in Smaller Circuits
It is understood that those theatres
which already have signed are mainly
owned by smaller circuit operators.
Of the larger circuits, only affiliates
of United Paramount Theatres have
set definite plans to book the event.
Five UPT theatres taking the tele-
cast have already been listed.
Negotiations, in the meantime,
are continuing with Warner
Brothers, Loew's and RKO The-
atres.
Locally, the "Carmen" telecast will
be carried in Century Circuit's Marine
Theatre, Brooklyn, in addition to New
York's 50th Street Guild Theatre.
The TNT official termed the dis-
tribution in New York as "limited,"
and said that another TV-equipped
theatre in New York may be signed
up, depending upon the Metropolitan
Opera's approval.
If coaxial cable clearances are pro-
cured from American Telephone and
Telegraph Co. for doubtful situations,
50 or more theatres may join the
"Carmen" net, the TNT official pre-
dicted. It was disclosed that TNT
is currently contemplating- setting some
deadline date in the near future for
the closing of deals in view of the
belief that the opera, unlike the fights,
will take more time to promote and
sell to the public.
The standard contract agreed upon
between TNT and the Metropolitan
Opera calls for a 40 cents per seat
minimum guarantee against 50 per
cent of the net box-office gross.
'Carmen' at Toledo Rivoli
Toledo, Nov. 20.— Skirball Broth-
ers' Rivoli Theatre here will present
the Metropolitan Opera's TV produc-
tion of "Carmen" on Dec. 11 on its
large-screen TV.
/k Makfnq 9 fiattff
BUSINESS WAY UP in early dates, with
Jane . . . the singing, hip-swinging, gun-
slinging terror of good men and bad...
making things jump! Ask them in New
York, Des Moines, Pittsburgh, Boston...
and soon in Kansas City, Minneapolis,
St. Paul, San Francisco, Oklahoma City,
and scores of key cities Coast to Coast!
Hotter than
Hot! The way
Jane sings "The
Gilded Lily!"
SCOTT BRADY • FORREST TUCKER • ANDY DEVINE
Produced by Associate Producer Directed by Screenplay by
HOWARD WELSCH • ROBERT PETERS • ALLAN DWAN • HORACE McCOY and NORMAN S. HALL
Look applauds . . .
(Issue of Dec. 2, 1952) J- JL
Nate Blumberg, named Pioneer of 1952.
MOTION PICTURE PIONEERS
Nicholas Schcnck
Sam Rinzlei
Ned Depinet
Si Fabian
Jack Cohn
Sam Dembow, Jr.
IT all started 13 years ago at the funeral of a movie
pioneer. A group of the motion-picture industry's
old-timers, including Jack Cohn (above, left), were
there and decided they'd like to meet now and then
under pleasanter circumstances. So they formed the
Motion Picture Pioneers, Inc. Cohn, one of the founders
of Columbia Pictures, was named permanent president.
Today, nearly a thousand men, among them pro-
ducers, distributors and exhibitors, belong to the Pio-
neers. The pictures on this page show a few of them.
Members are accepted only if they have been in the
industry for at least 25 years, and new members are
joining at the rate of about 100 a year. There are branch
offices in big cities all over the world.
To take care of people in the industry, outside Hol-
lywood, the Pioneers have established a foundation to
help their colleagues "who may have fallen upon evil
days through unemployment, illness or old age." The
foundation parallels the Motion Picture Relief Fund
which covers those in the production end in Hollywood.
Every year, the Pioneers get together and remi-
nisce about old times and name one man as Pioneer of
the Year. This year's Pioneer is Nate Blumberg (above,
right), board chairman of Universal Pictures. He and
his company are both celebrating their 40th year in
the motion-picture business. His career reflects the
color and chaos of early movie history.
At 12, Blumberg was carrying props at the famous
Alhambra Theater in Milwaukee, where stage names
like Jane Cowl and May Irwin played. At 18, he started
his movie career as an assistant shipper in a film ex-
change, at a time when boys on bicycles carried one
print from theater to theater. From there, he progressed
from salesman to theater owner-exhibitor and was one
of the first to play movies of the unknown Jack Benny.
the BIG
■ ■■■ ||V I
EVENT!
MOTION
PICTURE
PIONEERS
L. B. Mayer
Barney Balaban
Cecil DeMille
Bob O'Donnell
Spyros Skouras
Harry Warner
Sam Pinanski
Adolph Zukor
DINNER
GRAND BALLROOM
HOTEL ASTOR
TUESDAY
NOV. 25
•
MAKE YOUR
RESERVATIONS
A/OtV;
Send your cheek to
MOTION PICTURE
PIONEERS, Inc.
729 SEVENTH AVE.
New York, N. Y.
I
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
VOL. 72. NO. 100
NEW YORK, U. S. A., MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1952
TEN CENTS
Tradewise . . .
By SHERWIN KANE
BY the temper as well as the ac-
tions of the Allied States con-
vention in Chicago last week there
can be no doubt that Allied is back
again on the so-called "militant"
platform on which it was founded
some 24 years ago and which has
served it for so many years.
Many will regret it — -even some
within Allied ranks, for they are
the thoughtful ones whose memo-
ries are not too short to remember
that that policy has been futile in
many instances and has not always
served to improve the lot of Allied
members.
Allied's current return to that
policy is due to prevailing economic
conditions in the industry. The
exhibitor, the small one, especially,
has his back to the wall, if the wall
has not already caved in on him and
deprived him of his theatre. It is
a case of declining attendance and
climbing film prices, with the ex-
hibitor made desperate and com-
bative because he has found no
other answer to his grievous prob-
lems. In this situation the distribu-
tor is the most immediate target for
the exhibitor's anxiety and resent-
ment.
On the other hand, the producer-
(Continued on page 2)
WASHINGTON, Nov. 23.—
The Bureau of Labor Sta-
tistics reports that
theatre admission prices
in large cities dropped
during the third quarter
to 77.9 per cent above the
1935-39 base period, com-
pared with 79.6 per cent
at the end of June.
•
New wage agreements
covering all office em-
ployes of both Pathe and
Deluxe Laboratories, with
increases approximating
10 per cent, have been
reached here following
negotiations between the
managements and Local H-
63 of IATSE. Meanwhile,
Local No. H-63 has been
selected as bargaining
agent by the employes of
Columbia's exchange here.
Sees New RKO
Radio Board
In Two Weeks
By MURRAY HOROWITZ
The RKO Pictures and RKO
Radio Pictures boards are expected
to be reconstituted within two
weeks, the New York Supreme Court
was informed here on Friday by Al-
bert R. Connelly, attorney represent-
ing the parent and subsidiary compa-
nies in hearings on the receivership
application filed by three minority
stockholders.
Justice Henry Clay Greenberg
granted RKO Pictures a post-
ponement on the hearing of ar-
guments until Dec. 10 over the
opposition of Louis Kipnis, at-
torney representing the minor-
ity stockholders, who claim to
own 2,525 shares.
The plea for postponement was
joined by attorneys representing Sam-
uel Goldwyn Productions and Walt
(Continued on page 4)
Joseph Kaufman to
Cinerama Post
Hollywood, Nov. 23. — Joseph
Kaufman, who recently produced
"Sudden Fear," has been named to
direct the exhibition and theatre oper-
ations of Cinerama Productions, it
was disclosed here by Louis B. Mayer,
chairman of the board, and Dudley
Roberts, Jr., president. Kaufman will
make his headquarters in New York.
TOA TO MAP PLANS
ON ARBITRATION
Snaper Says Allied Has Not Closed the Door on
Arbitration; TOA Leaders Will Meet This Week
By AL STEEN
Theatre Owners of America's
future role in the evolvement of an
arbitration system will be discussed
here this week by Alfred Starr,
TOA president ; general counsel Her-
man M. Levy and Mitchell Wolfson,
TOA executive. Levy and Wolfson are
two of the organization's three mem-
bers on the Industry Arbitration Con-
ference. Si Fabian, the third member
of the group, is out of town and will
not be present at the sessions.
Calling of the meeting stems from
Allied's Chicago action last week on
the proposed industry arbitration sys-
tem, although in a prepared statement
from his home in Nashville, Starr does
not mention Allied. In announcing
this week's meeting, Starr said :
"I have stated on many occasions
(Continued on page 5)
2,537 Full-week
Bookings for 'Show'
"The Greatest Show on Earth,"
Cecil B. DeMille's Technicolor pro-
duction for Paramount, in 18 weeks
has attained an all-time company rec-
ord of 2,537 full-week or longer book-
ings, A. W. Schwalberg, head of Para-
mount Film Distributing Corp., re-
veals. Of the 2,537 theatres which have
(Continued on page 4)
Top Theatre Television
Price Ever: $ 7.20 Per
The 50th Street Guild Theatre here
is currently selling" reserved seat tick-
ets at $7.20 per seat for the Dec. 11
evening telecast of the Metropolitan
Opera Company's "Carmen," the high-
est box-office price ever set for a the-
atre television event.
Within seven days, 102 tickets were
sold, while a large block of tickets has
been reserved by the Metropolitan
Opera Association, the management
stated. The 450-seater is located in
Rockefeller Center.
The $7.20 scale includes the 20 per
cent Federal admission tax. The last
theatre television event at the Guild —
the Walcott-Marciano fight — brought
$4.80 at the box-office.
Meanwhile, according to reports
from Minneapolis, Benjamin Berger's
Gopher Theatre will carry the "Car-
men" telecast. The event will not be
telecast by Minnesota Amusement
Co.'s Radio City Theatre there. MA-
CO said it made that decision to
avoid a conflict with a scheduled con-
cert on the same night by the Minne-
apolis Symphony orchestra. The Go-
pher will use its theatre TV equip-
ment for the first time for the one-
hour Dec. 8 telecast of the James
Lees sales convention.
According to an official of Theatre
(Continued on page 5)
The opinion that Allied has
closed the door to further negotia-
tions for an industry arbitration
system and that the organization
had rejected the proposed formula at
its Chicago convention last 'week was
described as a fallacy at the weekend
here by Wilbur Snaper, Allied presi-
dent. Snaper said that Allied objected
only to those portions of the draft that
did not meet the needs of exhibitors
in overcoming their many problems.
He contended that the door was still
open for further conferences, indicat-
ing, however, that success hinged on
those points that the so-called indus-
try plan had side-stepped. These,
among other things, were film prices
and bidding as arbitable subjects.
Arbitration of film rentals continues
to be a questionable item in the ar-
ibtration picture. Allied contends that
the issue can be arbitrated, while the
distributors claim that it would not be
practicable. Association leaders base
their affirmative opinions on the mem-
orandum prepared almost a year ago
by Abram F. Myers, Allied general
(Continued on page 5)
Anniversary Fete
Tops Variety Meet
Pittsburgh, Pa., Nov. 23. — The
mid-winter meeting of Variety Club
International was brought to "a close
in the William Penn Hotel here yes-
terday with a banquet celebrating the
silver anniversary of Tent No. 1, at-
tended by delegates from 39 tents in
the United States, England, Ireland
and Canada.
The members of the international
helped to put over an all night tele-
thon on station WDTV which raised
(Continued on page 5)
No 'Undue Interest'
In 'IP Case: Snyder
Washington, Nov. 23. — Secretary
of the Treasury Snyder has denied
taking any "undue interest" in an ex-
cess profits tax refund claim of Uni-
versal Pictures Co., Inc.
The charge has, been made by some
members of a House Ways and Means
sub-committee investigating the In-
(Continued on page 4)
2
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, November 24, 1952
Personal
Mention
CHARLES M. REAGAN, M-G-M
sales manager, is due back here
todav from Chicago.
•
Dan S. Terrell, M-G-M exploita-
tion head, and Arthur Canton, East-
ern press representative, returned at
the weekend from Boston and Ply-
mouth, Mass.
Edward L. Hyman, vice-president
of United Paramount Theatres, and
his assistant, Bernard Levy, have re-
turned to New York from the Mid-
west.
Clifton Webb will be presented
with a special award by the Poor
Richard Club in Philadelphia on
Dec. 20.
Howard Dietz, M-G-M vice-presi-
dent and director of advertising-pub-
licity, will return here today from a
weekend on the Coast.
•
Joel Bezahler, in charge of bid-
ding at M-G-M, will return here
Wednesday from a Caribbean cruise.
9
Hugh Owen, Paramount's Eastern
and Southern division manager, will
be in Atlanta today from New York.
•
Henry Koster, 20th Century-Fox
director, will arrive here from Holly-
wood today.
•
Arthur Greenblatt, Lippert Pro-
ductions general sales manager, was
in Atlanta late last week.
•
Vincent J. Flynn, Omaha M-G-M
manager, left here at the weekend for
that city.
Tradewise . . .
Services for Jossey
Today in Cleveland
Cleveland, Nov. 23. — Funeral
Services will be held here today for
Julian (Jack) S. Jossey, veteran in-
dependent distributor and exhibitor,
who died in University Hospital on
Thursday. He had been suffering with
a heart ailment for several years. The
widow and two stepsons survive.
Renaud Hoffman Rites
Hollywood, Nov. 23. — Funeral
services were held here yesterday for
Renaud Hoffman, well-known pro-
ducer of silent movies, who died on
Wednesday. He produced the first
films featuring Clara Bow.
Reject Drive-in Bid
Baltimore, Nov. 23. — An applica-
tion for a special permit to erect a
large drive-in theatre along Old Har-
ford Road has been rejected by N. C.
Heinmuller, acting zoning commis-
sioner of Baltimore County. The
proposed project was protested by
home owners in the area who de-
clared the theatre would cause a
traffic hazard and create disturbing
noises in the neighborhood.
(Continued from page 1)
distributor is faced with the same
problems. Beset by increased costs
on all sides, higher prices for his
product are inescapable. The same
competitive and economic forces
which have reduced the theatres'
patronage affect the producer-dis-
tributor as seriously and as impar-
tially as they do the exhibitor. One
of the moves the producer-distribu-
tor has resorted to in order to re-
win patronage has been an in-
creased concentration on produc-
tion of high budget pictures, spe-
cials and super-specials which must
and can compete with rival forms
of entertainment and diversion.
For these, the price must be
higher or the producer-distributor
will not long survive.
In this conflict of costs versus
income, Allied's militant policy is
understandable, whether or not it
is justifiable.
It remains to be observed that
Allied has been down the same road
before and the proof that there is
no panacea at its end lies in the fact
that Allied today is fighting against
the same problems that beset it
prior to its embarkation on a pro-
gram in the 1930's which wound
through 13 years of Federal court
litigation, just ending, and returns
now to the point of departure.
As we have said, Allied has ex-
plored that road before. Its recent,
brief excursion on the other road—
that of cooperative, all-industry en-
deavor, has been pursued irreso-
lutely and to no conclusion. There
is much in that direction that re-
mains to be explored. This is not
to say that it unequivocally prom-
ises the answers Allied is seeking.
But it does seem preferable to a
repetition of an old and futile ad-
venture.
Kramer to Start
Work on 'Mutiny'
Stanley Kramer, after confabs at
Columbia here, at the weekend or-
dered "The Caine Mutiny" into im-
mediate production, and declared that
"all stops will be pulled on the pic-
ture." He said that he will devote
to it the bulk of his own efforts in
1953.
Only one picture will precede "The
Caine Mutiny," Kramer announced.
This is titled temporarily "The Cy-
clists' Raid." "Circle of Fire" has
gone on the shelf, Kramer disclosed,
clue to the illness of director Irving
Reis who cannot return to the studio
for many months.
Ontario Classifies Three
Toronto, Nov. 2'3. — Chairman O. J.
Silverthorne of the Ontario Board of
Censors, reports that three pictures
have been classified as "adult enter-
tainment." They are : "Hellgate,"
"Raiders" and the reissue of "The
Beast with Five Fingers."
R. M. Weitman Aids
N. Y.'s U.S.O. Fund
Robert M. Weitman, vice
president of United Para-
mount Theatres, has been
named chairman of the motion
pictures division of the New
York USO Defense Fund, it
was announced by Admiral
Oscar C. Badger, U. S. N.
(Ret.), chairman of the cam-
paign.
Weitman will direct fund
raising activities in his indus-
try's drive to help meet the
Fund's 1952 goal in New York
City of $2,500,000.
Name Youngstein
To NCCJ 'PR' Post
Max E. Youngstein, vice president
of United Artists, has been named
public relations
chairman of the
25th annivers-
ary committee
of the National
Conference of
Christians and
Jews, it was an-
aounced by
Roger W .
Straus, general
chairman of the
Committee.
Young-
stein will take
a leading role
in planning the
quarter-centennial celebration of the
National Conference next year, Straus
said. In addition, Youngstein will
head the work of interpreting to the
public the significance of the organi-
zation's history in building better un-
derstanding" among Protestants, Cath-
olics and Jews.
Youngstein served during 1950-51
as public relations chairman of "Broth-
erhood Week" for the NCCJ motion
picture division.
Max Yonnastein
Edwards to Direct
IFE News Division
A division of short subject and
newsreels has been established by
Italian Films Export here with Rob-
ert Gordon Edwards appointed direc-
tor, it was announced by Dr. Renato
Gualino, chief executive of IFE, at
the weekend.
Under the direction of Edwards, for
the past three years head of the U.S.
office of INCOM, one of Italy's larg-
est newsreel and short subjects pro-
ducers, the new IFE division will rep-
resent all of Italy's short subject pro-
ducers in the sales, distribution and
promotion of their product for both
the theatrical and 16 mm markets in
the U.S.
The sales of all Italian newsreel
films to American theatrical and tele-
vision newsreel companies will also be
handled by this department as well
as arrangements for adequate Ameri-
can news coverage for Italian news-
reels.
Newsreel
Parade
T) RESIDENT-ELECT DWIGHT
A EISENHOWER'S latest activities
are highlighted in all current nezvs-
recls. Featured' also are the inaugura-
tion of new Chilean president Carlos
Ibancs, Connie Mack honored at 90,
and a nezv jet plane speed record of
700 miles per hour.
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 95-Ike sees
Truman at the White House and holds New
York talks. Egypt's premiere Naguib sees
King Faisal of Iraq. Oona Chaplin back in
the U.S. Swedish beauty wins "Miss
World" contest. The1 Movietone News 1952
All-America football team.
NEWS O'F THE DAY, No. 225--Ike
names first three members of the Cabinet.
Korea prisoner-of-war issue stirs U.N.
Connie Mack at 90. Axeman's derby.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 28— First
names for Eisenhower Cabinet. Eden sup-
ports India "PW" plan. Inaugural Day in
Chile. Connie Mack honored. New jet plane
record. Airliner flies polar route.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 47B— New
technique used as oil fire is doused by air.
DuPont anti-trust suit. Holland's Prince
Bernhard visits Mexico1. Newly invented
fifth wheel aids parking. Airline links desert
outposts in Sahara. Cosmic rays studied in
new observatory in South France. Chilean
inauguration of new president.
UNIVERSAL NEWS, No. 415— Presi-
dent-elect: Eisenhower talks with Truman
at Capital. Harmon airplane trophy won by
Mtne. Jacqueline Auriol. President Truman
receives his Thanksgiving turkey. General
Carlos Ibanez inaugurated as new president
of Chile. Japanese crown prince in first
public appearance. Prince Charles cf Eng-
land celebrates his fourth birthday. Ski time
at Mt. Hood, Oregon.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 30^-
Eisenhower gets started on the job. Air-
plane flies Los Angeles -Copenhagen- North
Pole route. Jet plane sets speed record of
700 miles per hour. New Chilean president
inaugurated. San Francisco '49ers-Washing-
ton Redskins professional football game.
2 Minn. Trust Suits
Seek $2,418,000
Minneapolis, Nov. 23. — Two anti-
trust suits totaling $2,418,000 in dam-
ages have been filed here in U. S.
District Court.
The major one, seeking $2,250,000
in damages, was filed by Harold Field
and Harold Kaplan of the St. Louis
Park Theatres Co. Named as defend-
ants are the Minnesota Amusement
Co. and eight majors. Field and
Kaplan run the Park Theatre.
A conspiracy suit for $168,000
against seven major film companies
and Minnesota Amusement Co. was
filed by Charles Rubenstein, Inc., and
Rubenstein & Kaplan, operators of the
Hollywood, a 975-seat neighborhood
house in Northeast Minneapolis.
Queen Theatre in
Chicago Files Suit
Chicago, Nov. 23.— The 299-seat
Queen Theatre here has filed a triple-
damage suit totalling $108,000 against
the eight major film companies, Bala-
ban and Katz, and Warner Brothers
Theatres for alleged conspiracy to hold
the Queen back to a run no earlier
than 83 days after first Chicago run.
The suit, filed by attorney Seymour
Simon on behalf of Andrew Cuser,
who ran the house from Jan. 1, 1936
to Jan. 1, 1946, will be heard by Fed-
eral Judge Sam Perry.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel. Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FT 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington. D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq.. London WI; 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.
"When Joe Jackwood
Got T. B.-
If you're enjoying good health this Thanksgiving please listen to the story of Joe Jackwood.
When T.B. struck him down, there was panic in the Jackwood family. It's hard to put aside
savings these days and the prospect of hospital and doctor bills was frightening.
Thanks to a lot of warm-hearted people in film business Joe Jackwood is recovering at the
Variety Clubs-Will Rogers Memorial Hospital at Saranac Lake.
There are many other industry folk up there, some whose names you know. They are
getting the best of care. It can happen to anyone.
Tonight the good people of our business welcome the opportunity to do a fine thing and
to enjoy themselves at the same time.
Tonight is the World Premiere of Samuel Goldwyn's "HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN"
at the Criterion Theatre. It's a wonderful picture and a gala occasion with stars and
celebrities from East and West.
There are a few seats left. If you haven't bought tickets yet PLEASE give a thought to
the Joe Jackwoods of our industry. Phone Arthur Clary at Radio City Music Hall,
Circle 6-4600.
Your help makes the Will Rogers Memorial Hospital possible. It is a project that
merits the continued thought and support of all of us. There are many who are unable
to be at tonight's benefit. To them we say, join your friends in spirit, be part of this
wonderful enterprise. Send a check today to Abe Montagu, Will Rogers Memorial
Hospital, 1501 Broadway.
You'll have a happier Thanksgiving this way.
4
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, November 24, 1952
'Andersen' Benefit
Premiere Tonight
The Will Rogers Memorial Hospi-
tal benefit premiere of Samuel Gold-
wyn's "Hans Christian Andersen"
will be held here this evening at the
Criterion Theatre before a sell-out
celebrity-packed audience.
Television coverage of the event
will be provided by WPIX which
will have three cameras and a crew of
more than 20 on hand.
Samuel Goldwyn, producer, and
Danny Kaye and Jeanmaire, stars of
"Hans Christian Andersen," head the
list of celebrities who have purchased
tickets for the benefit. Others include :
Linda Christian, Tyrone Power. Lilli Pal-
mer, Rex Harrison, Rosalind Russell. Fred-
erick Brisson, Marlene Dietrich. Ave
Gabor, Clare Boothe Luce, Mr. and Mrs.
Richard Rodgers, Mr. and Mrs. Robert
Sterling;. Ralph Meeker, Lisa Ferraday,
Monica Lewis, Elizabeth Threatt, Nancy
Carroll, Louise Rainer, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd
Odium, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Murrow.
Also, Mr. and Mrs. Moss Hart. Miss
Sharman Douglas, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert
Miller, Dorothy Kilgallen, Richard Kollniar,
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sherwood. Mr. and
Mrs. Ed Sullivan, Mr. and Mrs. Bennett
Cerf, William Randolph Hearst, Albert
Lasker, Mrs. Jack Warner, Mr. and Mrs.
John Hertz, Mr. and Mrs. John Steinbeck.
Frank Loesser, Governor and Mrs. Sher-
man Adams, Mrs. David Sarnaff, Col. Serge
Obolensky and Ann Miller, and Mr. and
Mrs. Bernard Gimbel.
Also, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Goldwyn, Jr.,
Mr. and Mrs. Earl Wilson, Mrs. Dorothy
Schiff, Mrs. Helen Reid, Mr. and Mrs.
Leonard Lyons, Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon
Cooper, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Cowles, Mr.
and Mrs. Leland Hayward, Mr. and Mrs.
Ed Anthony, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Young,
Mr. and Mrs. William Bernie, Mr. and
Mrs. Bosley Crowther. Mr. and Mrs. Sid-
ney James, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Aanen-
berg, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lehman, Mr.
and Mrs. Jules Stein, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon
Manning, Mr. and Mrs. John O'Connell,
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Considine.
'Andersen' Shown to
New York Press
Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans Christian
Andersen" was screened for news-
paper, magazine and trade press rep-
resentatives Friday at the Paris The-
atre here, and was followed by a
luncheon for the critics at the Copen-
hagen Restaurant which was attended
by Goldwyn and Danny Kaye.
A collection of Andersen's fairy
tales was presented to the critics.
See New RKO Radio Board
{Continued from page 1)
Bookings for 'Show'
(Continued from page 1)
Disney Productions, releasing through
RKO ; Atlas Corp., one of RKO Pic-
tures' leading stockholders, and David
]. Greene, claiming to own and con-
trol more than 78,000 shares of RKO
Pictures stock.
Connelly, of the law firm of Cravath,
Cwaine and Moore, in arguing for a
delay, informed the court that the
two principal directors of the com-
pany were currently on the Coast
working on the reconstitution of the
board. Connelly apparently referred
to Sherrill Corwin, acting chairman
of the board, and Edward J. Burke,
the other director who is also a mem-
ber of the Ralph Stolkin syndicate
which bought controlling interest in
RKO from Howard Hughes. The
attorney added that he expects the two
directors in New York shortly.
"We have received a number of re-
quests to submit affidavits in opposi-
tion" to the appointment of a temporary
receiver, Connelly said, explaining
they came from producers, major
stockholders and bank representata-
ives. Continuing his argument, the
RKO attorney said all of them would
consider it "a tragedy" if a receiver
was appointed. He added that the
plaintiff had not proven any harm
to the corporation by the present man-
agement which, he said, is now in the
process of reorganization of its execu-
tive staff and continuing day-by-day
operations of the company as hereto-
fore.
In his ruling granting a 19-
day postponement, Justice
Greenberg pointed out that the
appointment of a temporary re-
ceiver is a "serious matter" and
"a drastic step," warranting a
full and complete hearing on
the arguments. He indicated
that if all the parties to the
dispute were not ready by that
date, he would consider a fur-
ther postponement.
Kipnis, representing minority stock-
holders Eli B. Castleman and his wife,
Marion V. Castleman of Detroit, and
Louis Feuerman of this city, argued
that if they agreed to an adjourn-
ment it might be "misconstrued" or
that "some misfortune" might occur
to the company in the interim.
played the DeMille circus story dur-
ing the 18-week period for a week or
longer, only about 900 of them nor-
mally would run a "smash attraction"
for a full week, it was said. "The
Greatest Show" went into general re-
lease last July following pre-release
engagements in 304 key situations
across the countrv.
FEATURE FILMS
WANTED FOR T.V.
Our company is one of the foremost
distributors of film properties for
television. We are open for feature
films suitable for television syndi-
cation. Please submit summary of
what you have or, if you prefer,
write for an appointment to discuss.
BOX 415
MOTION PICTURE DAILY
1270 Avenue of the Americas
New York 20, N. Y.
Whitney Seymour, of Simpson
Thacher and Bartlett, who represented
the Atlas Corp. and Walt Disney
Productions, joined in RKO's applica-
tion for adjournment and indicated
that his clients would file affidavits.
Atlas, according to its most recent re-
port, as of June 30, stated that it
owned 76,500 shares of RKO common.
Isadore J. Kresel, counsel for
Greene, also argued for a postpone-
ment and expressed his opposition to
the appointment of a receiver. Fol-
lowing the court session, Kresel de-
nied that he was forming any stock-
holders committee or had been ap-
proached to join such a committee for
a possible proxy contest.
A representative of the law firm of
Rosenman, Goldmark, Colin and Kaye
acted as an observer for Goldwyn.
Among others attending was Roy
Disney, president of Disney Produc-
tions. William Zimmerman, com-
pany attorney, who was recently
named to the board, was the attorney
of record.
The declaration that the re-
constitution of the RKO board
is currently being worked out
on the Coast appears to spike
claims and counter-claims that
a new board slate and president
have already1 been agreed upon.
Corwin, Burke and Stolkin were
reported meeting on the Coast
with Hughes on the problem of
interim leadership while nego-
tiations for the sale of the
Stolkin interests continue. On
the basis of RKO's information
to the court on Friday, it ap-
peared that a decision on in-
terim leadership still had to be
reached.
RKO Pictures executives declined
comment as to when Corwin and
Burke are expected here from the
Coast.
The application for the appointment
of a temporary receiver stemmed from
a suit filed by the same three minority
stockholders naming Hughes as prin-
cipal defendant, charging him with
mismanagement. It also seeks restitu-
tion to the corporation of $3,000,000
from Hughes, said to be his profit on
the sale of his 29 per cent interest
to the Stolkin group.
Pioneers Expect to
Induct 60 Tomorrow
The total of new inductees into the
Motion Picture Pioneers is expected
to excede 60 at the "Jubilee Dinner"
of the Pioneers tomorrow night at the
Hotel Astor. A last minute rush of
new applicants was recorded as the
deadline for filing neared at the week-
end.
The newest group of applications
include Benjamin Kalmenson, Warner
Brothers vice-president ; Edwin F.
Zabel, National Theatres, Los An-
geles; Peter Mole, SMPTE presi-
dent; William Blum, Universal Pic-
tures, Cincinnati ; Irving M. Green-
field, Loew's, New York ; William
HSssner, Academy Theatre, Lebanon,
Pa. ; Thomas di Lorenzo, Massapequa,
L. I., Drive-in ; Bennett Abdur, Gar-
den Theatre, Pittsburgh ; Louis A.
Bonn, of William J. German, Inc.;
Morris Dudelson, United Artists, De-
troit ; William Flemion, Studio and
Coronet theatres, Detroit.
Also, Hal Roach; J. Robert Rubin,
Loew's ; Lew Breyer, Universal, Mil-
waukee ; Carl Buermele, General The-
atres Service, Detroit ; Peter P. Hor-
ner, Union Film Distributors, New
York ; Harry W. Schroeder, Schroe-
der Associates, Inc. ; Fred G. Sliter,
20th Century-Fox, Albany ; L. J.
Duncan, Al Dunn Amusement Co.,
Lanette, Ala.;' Jules Lapidus, War-
ner Brothers Pictures; Raymond E.
Moon, Universal Pictures ; Alfred
Starr, Bijou Amusement, Nashville,
and Morris M. Wexler, Philadelphia.
N. J. Blumberg, chairman of the
board of Universal Pictures, will be
honored at the dinner as the "Motion
Picture Pioneer of 1952." George Jes-
sel will be toastmaster. Ned E. Depinet
is chairman of the dinner.
Yeoman Leaves RKO
For Own Business
Milton J. Yeoman, veteran ex-
changeman, resigned at the weekend
as RKO Radio's New York exchange
office manager, effective on Dec. 5,
to enter the business of Yeoman and
Smith, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., manu-
facturers of custom-built kitchens.
Previous to RKO Radio, Yeoman
was an executive in foreign branch
operations of Eagle-Lion, and earlier
was with Universal for 17 years in
various foreign and domestic sales
positions.
<U' Case
(Continued from page 1)
ternal Revenue Bureau. In a letter to
the sub-committee, Snyder said he did
not try to influence the decision one
way or the other but only tried to
expedite a decision. He said his in-
terest in this case "was no different
than I have displayed in many other
RKO Radio Will
Start Another Film
Hollywood, Nov. 23. — The first
production plans of RKO Radio Pic-
tures since the resignation of Arnold
Grant as board chairman were dis-
closed here at the weekend. "Gambler
Moon," an original by Thames Wil-
liamson who also wrote the screen-
play, will go into production the first
week in February.
Edmund Grainger will produce and
Robert Mitchum, Robert Ryan, Ar-
thur Hunnicutt and Ursula Thiess
will head the cast. Grainger is cur-
rently producing "Split Second" at
RKO.
cases where it seemed to me that the
taxpayer was entitled to call on the
government for a fair and reasonable
prompt consideration of its claim."
The sub-committee plans to hear
Snyder in person early next month on
the Universal and other cases.
Blumberg Honored
By U-I Associates
Nate J. Blumberg, Chairman of the
board of Universal Pictures, was paid
tribute by Universal-International ex-
ecutives in observance of his 40th an-
niversay in the motion picture indus-
try and his selection as "Motion Pic-
ture Pioneer of 1952" at a luncheon
on Friday at the Laurent Restaurant.
Alfred E. Daff, executive vice-pres-
ident who is completing 33 years with
the company, was toastmaster at the
affair which was given by U-I's for-
eign department and was attended by
representatives of the company's stu-
dio and U.S. and foreign distribution,
advertising and publicity departments.
Homage was paid to Blumberg's ac-
complishments in the industry and in
relationships in speeches by Milton
Rackmil, president ; William Goetz,
studio head ; Americo Aboaf, foreign
general sales manager, and Daff.
Among other domestic executives
present were David Lipton, Leon
Goldberg, Charles Feldman, John J.
O'Connor, Adolph Schimel, Maurice
Bergman, James Franey, Norman
Gluck, J. J. Jordan, Ray Moon, F. J.
A. McCarthy, Peter Dana, Foster
Blake, Harold Rubin, Irving Sochin,
Harry Fellerman, Al Horwits, Charles
Simonelli, Philip Gerard, Jeff Living-
ston, Eugene Walsh, Hank Linet,
Morris Alin, and Milt Livingston.
Foreign department representatives
present were Ben Cohen, Felix Som-
mer, Fortunat Baronat, Irving Weiss,
Joe Mazer, Free Rieger, Alex Black
and Maurice Myron. -
Monday, November 24, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
U. of Minn, to Cite
Northwest Variety
Minneapolis, Nov. 23. — The
governor of Minnesota and
the mayors of Minneapolis
and St. Paul will be among
the notables attending a din-
ner at the Nicollet Hotel here
Dec. 8 at which the regents
of the University of Min-
nesota will present a plaque
to the Northwest Variety
Club, as a tribute to the
showmen's group for sponsor-
ing and supporting the heart
hosital located on the univer-
sity campus.
Art Anderson, Warner
Brothers Midwest district
manager, and Col. William
McCraw of Variety Clubs In-
ternational will be among the
industry members attending
the affair.
In the THEATRE
Equipment
World . • .
with RAY GALLO
COATINGS and paints especially
designed for drive-in theatre
screens, speaker posts, towers, signs,
fences and other types of weather-ex-
posed equipment have been marketed
by the Vocalite Screen Corp., Roose-
velt, N. Y. Included is a white screen
coating (W-5623) of titanium pigment,
one gallon of which is designed to
cover about 300 square feet or more,
depending upon the condition of the
surface to be coated. A black paint
(FB-S913) for border masking and
a structural aluminum coating ( SA-
3933 ) are also available.
•
Prestoseal Manufacturing Corp.,
manufacturers of "Presto-Splicer,"
which splices films in a few seconds
without cement, has announced the
opening of new headquarters at 37-27
33rd Street, Long Island City, N. Y.
•
Purchase of chocolate coating equip-
ment ivhich is expected to effect sub-
stantial economics in operation, and
the closing of its branch plant at San
Jose, Cat., were simultaneously re-
vealed by Ralph A. Wenger, chairman
of the board of the Chase Candy Co.,
St. Louis. The company, which had
previously bought finished chocolate
for coating its candies, will now pro-
duce its own with equipment purchased
from the War field Chocolate Co., Chi-
cago. Seven Western states formerly
served by the San Jose factory will
nozv be covered from St. Louis.
•
A drum table of transparent Lucite
for use in theatre foyers and lounges
has been marketed by the Associated
Ticket & Register Co., New York.
The table is 18 inches in diameter and
20 inches high. In another form it
provides a smoking stand of the same
size and shape. The ash receiver,
which sets into the table, is of steel
construction with a black finish. It
is large enough to hold empty candy
•and popcorn boxes as well as stubs
and ashes.
•
The Thomas Theatre Co. of Iron
Mountain, Mich., has signed a ser-
vice contract for 12 of its theatres
with the RCA Service Co. The
contract was negotiated by Thomas
Renn, general manager of the
Thomas circuit. Theatres in Michi-
gan included in the new pact are the
Braumart, Colonial and Tri-City
drive-in in Iron Mountain; the
Kerredge and Orpheum, in Han-
cock; the Lode, in Houghton; the
Peoples, in Laurium; Calumet, in
Calumet, and the Lloyd, in Meno-
minee. Also included are the Rialto,
Fox and 64 drive-in in Marinette,
Wise.
SAG in Strike Plans
Hollywood, Nov. 23. — Screen Ac-
tor Guild will mail letters to all mem-
bers tomorrow instructing them not
to accept employment in television
film commercials after the following
Sunday ; also letters were sent to tele-
vision film commercial producers for-
merly notifying them that the strike
goes into effect Dec. 1.
UPT Circuit Heads
Optimistic: French
Minneapolis, Nov. 23. — Min-
nesota Amusement Co. presi-
dent Harry B. French reports
that optimism was the feeling
among heads of United Para-
mount circuit heads at the re-
cent meeting at White Sul-
phur Springs, W. Va. French
stated that while big city
houses are "as a whole" a
headache, outstate grosses
"are very good and have
shown a substantial increase"
recently.
Allied Door Open
(Continued from page 1)
counsel, as a basis for discussion of
an arbitration procedure. At that
time, Meyers claimed that a common
form of arbitration was one to fix the
value of goods delivered for which no
price was stipulated. Myers said that
the issue in such cases was the fair
market value. Pointing- out that films
never were priced on a cost-plus profit
basis but on their box office value
which was ascertainable, Myers said it
was common practice for some exhib-
itors to play pictures on open con-
tracts ; that is, with the film rental
to be determined later.
Myers' Argument
Myers' argument was that, in the
event the exhibitor and the distribu-
tor could not come to terms, there
was no question but that their dispute
could be arbitrated. Myers admitted
that if all or even a substantial num-
ber of film deals were submitted to
arbitration, the result would be dis-
astrous. However, he said he did not
think there would be as many such
arbitrations as some industry people
have feared. The fact that such ar-
bitration involves delays, initial de-
posits and full disclosure of operations,
many exhibitors would be reluctant
to institute such proceedings unless
they were in dire need of relief, as
well as confident of winning their
cases.
Myers said, however, that as a
safeguard against such factors, the
right of an exhibitor to invoke ar-
bitration might be made dependent
upon allegation and proof that he had
tried in good faith to negotiate with
the distributor and that he had ben
refused a license except on terms
that would not cover overhead and
operating expense, plus a fair profit.
It is his matter of arbitration of
film rentals that appears to be a prin-
cipal stumbling block in a plan's adop-
tion, with the general belief that
concessions must be made by both
sides before success can be achieved.
FCC Approves 14
New TV Stations
Washington, Nov. 23. — The Fed-
eral Communications Commission has
approved 14 new television sta-
tions, bringing to 122 the number of
new stations authorized since the lift-
ing of the freeze.
Two new stations were authorized
for Galveston, Tex., and one was
authorized for each of these 12 towns :
Colorado Springs, Colo. ; Decatur,
III; Belleville, III; Sioux City, la.;
Jackson, Mich.; Battle Creek, Mich.;
Flint, Mich. ; Greensboro, N. C. ;
Lima, O. ; Johnstown, Pa. ; Sioux
Falls, S. D., and Henderson, Ky.
TOA Plans
(Continued from page 1)
that I have dedicated my tenure of
office as president of TOA to the bet-
terment of distributor-exhibitor rela-
tions. I now want to reaffirm that
position.
"In an industry system of arbitra-
tion, I see a great step forward in
the process of improving distributor-
exhibitor relations. I feel, too, that
exhibitors have everything" to gain
from such a system and nothing what-
soever to lose, since there is no com-
pulsion on exhibitors to use it. It is
there if they wish it.
Substantial Concessions
"Distribution has made substantial
concessions in order to activate the
system. It is not good sense for any
exhibitor to reject those concessions."
Levy at the weekend declined to
make any comment on Allied's rejec-
tion of the industry plan in its present
form, preferring to wait until after
this week's meeting before making an
official statement.
Meanwhile, Allied's side-stepping of
the industry arbitration system, at
least for the present, continued to be a
chief conversation topic here within
the trade. While it was believed gen-
erally that Allied would eventually
come back into the conferences, the
necessary delay was bemoaned. One
distribution head said that "it is diffi-
cult to understand, with so many
'plus points' listed by Abram Myers,
Allied general counsel, in the industry
plan, why the association didn't per-
mit its members to take advantage of
those 'plus points' by rejecting the
plan. Allied has deprived its mem-
bers of the opportunity to iron out
their difficulties."
There was an opinion expressed that
other exhibitor organizations and the
distributors may go along on a system
without Allied's participation actively,
but no action along this line has been
initiated.
Theatre TV
(Continued from page 1)
Network Television — the agency
which booked the "Carmen" telecast —
27 theatres from Coast-to-Coast have
already joined the exclusive network,
while 11 others have agreed to terms
of the contract, but pending the solu-
tion of a number of problems, have
not signed up.
Portland, Ore., Nov. 23. — Theatre
TV equipment will be installed at
John Hamrick's Liberty Theatre here
by the first week of December, ac-
cording to Will J. Conner, executive
vice-president of Hamrick Theatres.
Variety Meet
(Continued from page 1)
pledges of better than $150,000 for
the erection of a hospital wing for
the Rosalia Foundling Home, to be
known as the Catherine Sheriden
Variety Wing.
Among the speakers at the banquet
were Congressman Dewey Short of
Missouri, chairman of the Armed
Forces Committee ; big boss John H.
Harris, ringmaster R. J. O'Donnell
of Dallas; main guy Marc J. Wolf
of Indianapolis ; first assistant George
Hoover of Miami, C. J. Latta of Lon-
don ; William McCraw of Dallas and
Nate Golden of Washington, chairman
of the Heart Fund.
At the business session Golden in-
formed the backers present that a
total of $21,000,000 had been raised
and given away in charity work by
the Variety Clubs in a quarter of a
century and that $3,000,000 was spent
this year..
Hoover told of the arrangements
that had been completed for the stag-
ing of the annual convention at Mex-
ico City next April 18-23 and stated
that the Mexican Government had ap-
propriated $50,000 to cover the ex-
penses of the event. A great spectacle
at the pyramids will be held for the
visiting barkers and their families.
A presentation was made at the
banquet to retiring chief barker Wil-
liam Finkel of Tent No. 1 and Carl
Doser, the incoming chief barker was
introduced.
In the absence of Mayor David L.
Lawrence, who was out of the city,
president of City Council Thomas E.
Gallagher welcomed the members of
the international at the initial session.
AMERICAN
10 hrs.
55 min.
it> LOSANGELES
THE MERCURY-DC-6 SKYSLEEPER SERVICE
Lv. 1 1 :20 p.mJ EST—Ar. 7.- 7 5 a.m. PST
WARNERS
THE MIRACLE OF
OUR LADY OF
FATIMA
(Color)
Gilbert Roland
Angela Clark
D — 102 min.
(Rev. 8/21/52)
SPRINGFIELD
RIFLE
(Color)
Gary Cooper
D — 93 min. (204)
(Rev. 9/25/52)
OPERATION
SECRET
Cornel Wilde
Steve Cochran
D— 108 min. (205)
(Rev. 10/9/52)
THE IRON
MISTRESS
Alan Ladd
Virginia Mayo
D— 110 mln. (20B)
(Rev. 10/16/52)
CATTLE TOWN
Dennis Morgan i
0—71 min (207)
I
UNIV.-INT'L
(Oct. Releases)
WILLIE AND JOE
BACK AT THE
FRONT
Tom Ewell
Mary Blanchard
(Rev. 9/29/52)
YANKEE
BUCCANEER
(Color)
Jeff Chandler
Scott Brady
D— 86 min. (234)
(Rev. 9/17/52)
HORIZONS WEST
(Color)
Robert Ryan
Julia Adanu
OD— 81 min. (235)
(Rev. 9/29/52)
(J. Arthur Rank)
THE PROMOTER
Alec Guinness
Glynis Johns
C— 88 min. (285)
(Rev. 10/24/52)
(Nov. Releases)
THE RAIDERS
(Color)
Richard Conte
Viveca Lindfors
C\T\ fln mln 1301 1
\JU QU Mill
(Rev. 10/9/52)
BECAUSE OF YOU
Loretta Young
Jeff Chandler
D— 95 min. (302)
(Rev. 10/9/52)
IT GROWS ON
TREES
Irene Dunne
Dean Jagger
C— 84 min. (303)
(Rev. 11/3/52)
(Dec. Releases)
THE BLACK
CASTLE
Richard Greene
Boris Karloff
D — SI min. (304)
(Rev. 10/24/52)
AGAINST ALL
FLAGS
(Color)
Errol Flynn
Maureen O'Hara
D — S3 min. (305)
UNITED
ARTISTS
(Harry M. Popkin)
THE THIEF
Ray Milland
Rita Gam
D — 85 min.
(Rev. 9/26/52)
(J. Arthur Rank)
OUTPOST IN
MALAYA
Clnudette Colbert
D — SR min.
(Rev. 11/14/52)
( Danziger Bros. )
BABES IN
BAGDAD
(Color)
Paulette Goddard
Gypsy Rose Lee
CD — 79 min.
(Film Group)
MONSOON
(Color)
Ursula Thiess
D — 79 min.
(Lopert)
BREAKING THE
SOUND BARRIER
Ralph Richardson
Ann Todd
D — 109 mln.
(Rev. 10/30/52)
X
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NEW YORK, U. S. A., MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1952
TEN CENTS
Sees New RKO
Radio Board
In Two Weeks
By MURRAY HOROWITZ
TOA TO MAP PLANS
ON ARBITRATION
Snaper Says Allied Has Not Closed the Door on
Arbitration; TOA Leaders Will Meet This Week
VOL. 72. NO. 100
Tradewise . . .
By SHERWIN KANE
BY the temper as well as the ac-
tions of the Allied States con-
vention in Chicago last week there
can be no doubt that Allied is back
again on the so-called "militant"
platform on which it was founded
some 24 years ago and which has
served it for so many years.
Many will regret it — even some
within Allied ranks, for they are
the thoughtful ones whose memo-
ries are not too short to remember
that that policy has been futile in
many instances and has not always
served to improve the lot of Allied
members.
Allied's current return, to that
policy is due to prevailing economic
conditions in the industry. The
exhibitor, the small one, especially,
has his back to the wall, if the wall
has not already caved in on him and
deprived him of his theatre. It is
a case of declining attendance and
climbing film prices, with the ex-
hibitor made desperate and com-
bative because he has found no
other answer to his grievous prob-
lems. In this situation the distribu-
tor is the most immediate target for
the exhibitor's anxiety and resent-
ment.
On the other hand, the producer-
(Continued on page 2)
Admission Prices
Drop, U.S. Reports
Washington, Nov. 23. — Theatre
admission prices in large cities dropped
during the third quarter, the Bureau
of Labor Statistics reports.
Adult admission prices at the end
.of September dropped to 77.9 per cent
;abov,e the 1935-39 base period, com-
-pared with 79.6 per cent at the end of
June.
Pathe, DeLuxe 'Labs'
In New IA Pacts
New wage agreements covering all
office employes of both Pathe and De-
ILuxe Laboratories here have been
reached following negotiations between
the managements and Local H-63 of
the International Alliance of The-
atrical Stage Employes. Increases_ ap-
proximating 10 per cent are provided
in both instances.
Meanwhile, Local No. H-63 has
been selected as bargaining agent by
the employes of Columbia Pictures'
[New York exchange.
The RKO Pictures and RKO
Radio Pictures boards are expected
to be reconstituted within two
weeks, the New York Supreme Court
was informed here on Friday by Al-
bert R. Connelly, attorney represent-
ing the parent and subsidiary compa-
nies in hearings on the receivership
application filed by three minority
stockholders.
Justice Henry Clay Greenberg
granted RKO Pictures a post-
ponement on the hearing of ar-
guments until Dec. 10 over the
opposition of Louis Kipnis, at-
torney representing the minor-
ity stockholders, who claim to
own 2,525 shares.
The plea for postponement was
joined by attorneys representing Sam-
uel Goldwyn Productions and Walt
{Continued on page 4)
Joseph Kaufman to
Cinerama Post
Hollywood, Nov. 23. — Joseph
Kaufman, who recently produced
"Sudden Fear," has been named to
direct the exhibition and theatre oper-
ations of Cinerama Productions, it
was disclosed here by Louis B. Mayer,
chairman of the board, and Dudley
Roberts, Jr., president. Kaufman will
make his headquarters in New York.
The 50th Street Guild Theatre here
is currently selling reserved seat tick-
ets at $7.20 per seat for the Dec. 11
evening telecast of the Metropolitan
Opera Company's "Carmen," the high-
est box-office price ever set for a the-
atre television event.
Within seven days, 102 tickets were
sold, while a large block of tickets has
been reserved by the Metropolitan
Opera Association, the management
stated. The 450-seater is located in
Rockefeller Center.
The $7.20 scale includes the 20 per
cent "Federal admission tax. The last
theatre television event at the Guild —
the Walcott-Marciano fight — brought
By AL
Theatre Owners of America's
future role in the evolvement of an
arbitration system will be discussed
here this week by Alfred Starr,
TOA president ; general counsel Her-
man M. Levy and Mitchell Wolfson,
TOA executive. Levy and Wolfson are
two of the organization's three mem-
bers on the Industry Arbitration Con-
ference. Si Fabian, the third member
of the group, is out of town and will
not be present at the sessions.
Calling of the meeting stems from
Allied's Chicago action last week on
the proposed industry arbitration sys-
tem, although in a prepared statement
from his home in Nashville, Starr does
not mention Allied. In announcing
this week's meeting, Starr said:
"I have stated on many occasions
(Continued on page 5)
2,537 Full-week
Bookings for 'Show'
"The Greatest Show on Earth,"
Cecil B. DeMille's Technicolor pro-
duction for Paramount, in 18 weeks
has attained an all-time company rec-
ord of 2,537 full-week or longer book-
ings, A. W. Schwalberg, head of Para-
mount Film Distributing Corp., re-
veals. Of the 2,537 theatres which have
(Continued on page 4)
$4.80 at the box-office.
Meanwhile, according to reports
from Minneapolis, Benjamin Berger's
Gopher Theatre will carry the "Car-
men" telecast. The event will not be
telecast by Minnesota Amusement
Co.'s Radio City Theatre there. MA-
CO said it made that decision to
avoid a conflict with a scheduled con-
cert on the same night by the Minne-
apolis Symphony orchestra. The Go-
pher will use its theatre TV equip-
ment for the first time for the one-
hour Dec. 8 telecast of the James
Lees sales convention.
According to an official of Theatre
(Continued on page 5)
STEEN
The opinion that Allied has
closed the door to further negotia-
tions for an industry arbitration
system and that the organization
had rejected the proposed formula at
its Chicago convention last week was
described as a fallacy at the weekend
here by Wilbur Snaper, Allied presi-
dent. Snaper said that Allied objected
only to those portions of the draft that
did not meet the needs of exhibitors
in overcoming their many problems.
He contended that the door was still
open for further conferences, indicat-
ing, however, that success hinged on
those points that the so-called indus-
try plan had side-stepped. These,
among other things, were film prices
and bidding as arbitable subjects.
Arbitration of film rentals continues
to be_ a questionable item in the ar-
ibtration picture. Allied contends that
the issue can be arbitrated, while the
distributors claim that it would not he
practicable. Association leaders base
their affirmative opinions on the mem-
orandum prepared almost a year ago
by Abram F. Myers, Allied general
(Continued on page 5)
Anniversary Fete
Tops Variety Meet
Pittsburgh, Pa., Nov. 23. — The
mid-winter meeting of Variety Club
International was brought to a close
in the William Penn Hotel here yes-
terday with a banquet celebrating the
silver anniversary of Tent No. 1, at-
tended by delegates from 39 tents in
the United States, England, Ireland
and Canada.
The members of the international
helped to put over an all night tele-
thon on station WDTV which raised
(Continued on page 5)
jNo 'Undue Interest'
In 'IP Case: Snyder
Washington, Nov. 23. — Secretary
of the Treasury Snyder has denied
taking any "undue interest" in an ex-
cess profits tax refund claim of Uni-
versal Pictures Co., Inc.
The charge has been made by some
members of a House Ways and Means
sub-committee investigating the In-
(Continued on page 4)
Top Theatre Television
Price Ever: $7.20 Per
2
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, November 24, 1952
Personal
Mention
CHARLES M. REAGAN, M-G-M
sales manager, is due back here
today from Chicago.
•
Dan S. Terrell, M-G-M exploita-
tion head, and Arthur Canton, East-
ern press representative, returned at
the weekend from Boston and Ply-
mouth, Mass.
Edward L. Hyman, vice-president
of United Paramount Theatres, and
his assistant, Bernard Levy, have re-
turned to New York from the Mid-
west.
Clifton Webb will be presented
with a special award by the Poor
Richard Club in Philadelphia on
Dec. 20.
c
Howard Dietz, M-G-M vice-presi-
dent and director of advertising-pub-
licity, will return here today from a
weekend on the Coast.
c
Joel Bezahler, in charge of bid-
ding- at M-G-M, will return here
Wednesday from a Caribbean cruise.
•
Hugh Owen, Paramount's Eastern
and Southern division manager, will
be in Atlanta today from New York.
•
Henry Koster, 20th Century-Fox
director, will arrive here from Holly-
wood today.
Arthur Greenblatt, Lippert Pro-
ductions general sales manager, was
in Atlanta late last week.
•
Vincent J. Flynn, Omaha M-G-M
manager, left here at the weekend for
that city.
Services for Jossey
Today in Cleveland
Cleveland, Nov. 23. ■ — Funeral
Services will be held here today for
Julian (Jack) S. Jossey, veteran in-
dependent distributor and exhibitor,
who died in University Hospital on
Thursday. He had been suffering with
a heart ailment for several years. The
widow and two stepsons survive.
Renaud Hoffman Rites
Hollywood, Nov. 23. ■ — Funeral
services were held here yesterday for
Renaud Hoffman, well-known p'ro-
ducer of silent movies, who died on
Wednesday. He produced the first
films featuring Clara Bow.
Reject Drive-in Bid
Baltimore, Nov. 23. — An applica-
tion for a special permit to erect a
large drive-in theatre along Old Har-
ford Road has been rejected by N. C.
Heinmuller, acting zoning commis-
sioner of Baltimore County. The
proposed project was protested by
home owners in the area who de-
clared the theatre would cause a
traffic hazard and create disturbing
noises in the neighborhood.
Tradewise . . .
{Continued from page 1)
distributor is faced with the same
problems. Beset by increased costs
on all sides, higher prices for his
product are inescapable. The same
competitive and economic forces
which have reduced the theatres'
patronage afreet the producer-dis-
tributor as seriously and as impar-
tially as they do the exhibitor. One
of the moves the producer-distribu-
tor has resorted to in order to re-
win patronage has been an in-
creased concentration on produc-
tion of high budget pictures, spe-
cials and super-specials which must
and can compete with rival forms
of entertainment and diversion.
For these, the price must be
higher or the producer-distributor
will not long survive.
In this conflict of costs versus
income, Allied's militant policy is
understandable, whether or not it
is justifiable.
It remains to be observed that
Allied has been down the same road
before and the proof that there is
no panacea at its end lies in the fact
that Allied today is fighting against
the same problems that beset it
prior to its embarkation on a pro-
gram in the 1930's which wound
through 13 years of Federal court
litigation, just ending, and returns
now to the point of departure.
As we have said, Allied has ex-
plored that road before. Its recent,
brief excursion on the other road —
that of cooperative, all-industry en-
deavor, has been pursued irreso-
lutely and to no conclusion. There
is much in that direction that re-
mains to be explored. This is not
to say that it unequivocally prom-
ises the answers Allied is seeking.
But it does seem preferable to a
repetition of an old and futile ad-
venture.
Kramer to Start
Work on 'Mutiny'
Stanley Kramer, after confabs at
Columbia here, at the weekend or-
dered "The Caine Mutiny" into im-
mediate production, and declared that
"all stops will be pulled on the pic-
ture." He said that he will devote
to it the bulk of his own efforts in
1953.
Only one picture will precede "The
Caine Mutiny," Kramer announced.
This is titled temporarily "The Cy-
clists' Raid." "Circle of Fire" has
gone on the shelf, Kramer disclosed,
due to the illness of director Irving
Reis who cannot return to the studio
for many months.
Ontario Classifies Three
Toronto, Nov. 23. — Chairman O. J.
Silverthorne of the Ontario Board of
Censors, reports that three pictures
have been classified as "adult enter-
tainment." They are : "Hellgate,"
"Raiders" and the reissue of "The
Beast with Five Fingers."
R. M. Weitman Aids
N. Y.'s U.S.O. Fund
Robert M. Weitman, vice
president of United Para-
mount Theatres, has been
named chairman of the motion
pictures division of the New
York USO Defense Fund, it
was announced by Admiral
Oscar C. Badger, U. S. N.
(Ret.), chairman of the cam-
paign.
Weitman will direct fund
raising activities in his indus-
try's drive to help meet the
Fund's 1952 goal in New York
City of $2,500,000.
Name Youngstein
To NCCJ 'PR' Post
Max E. Youngstein, vice president
of United Artists, has been named
public relations
chairman of the
25th annivers-
ary committee
of the National
Conference of
Christians and
Jews, it was an-
nounced by
Roger W .
Straus, general
chairman of the
Committee.
Young-
stein will take
a leading role
in planning the
quarter-centennial celebration of the
National Conference next year, Straus
said. In addition, Youngstein will
head the work of interpreting to the
public the significance of the organi-
zation's history in building better un-
derstanding among Protestants, Cath-
olics and Jews.
Youngstein served during 1950-51
as public relations chairman of "Broth-
erhood Week" for the NCCJ motion
picture division.
Max Youngstein
Edwards to Direct
IFE News Division
A division of short subject and
newsreels . has been established by
Italian Films Export here with Rob-
ert Gordon Edwards appointed direc-
tor, it was announced by Dr. Renato
Gualino, chief executive of IFE, at
the weekend.
Under the direction of Edwards, for
the past three years head of the U.S.
office of INCOM, one of Italy's larg-
est newsreel and short subjects pro-
ducers, the new IFE division will rep-
resent all of Italy's short subject pro-
ducers in the sales, distribution and
promotion of their product for both
the theatrical and 16 mm markets in
the U.S.
The sales of all Italian newsreel
films to American theatrical and tele-
vision newsreel companies will also be
handled by this department as well
as arrangements for adequate Ameri-
can news coverage for Italian news-
reels.
Newsreel
Parade
PRESIDENT-ELECT DW1GHT
EISENHOWER'S latest activities
are highlighted in all current nezvs-
reels. Featured, also are the inaugura-
tion of new Chilean president Carlos
Ibanez, Connie Mack honored at 90,
and a new jet plane speed record of
700 miles per hour.
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 95— Ike sees
Truman at the White House and holds New
York talks. Egypt's premiere Naguib sees
King- Faisal of Iraq. Oona Chaplin back in
the U.S. Swedish beauty wins "Miss
World" contest. The Movietone News 1952
All-America football team.
NEWS OF THE DAY, Not Z25^Ike
names first three members of the Cabinet.
Korea prisoner-of-war issue stirs U.N.
Connie Mack at 90. Axeman's derby.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 28_First
names for Eisenhower Cabinet. Eden sup-
ports India "PW" plan. Inaugural D'ay in
Chile. Connie Mack honored. New jet plane
record. Airliner flies polar route.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 47B— New
technique used as oil fire is doused by air.
DuPont anti-trust suit. Holland's Prince
Bernhard visits Mexico. Newly invented
fifth wheel aids parking. Airline links desert
outposts in Sahara. Cosmic rays studied in
new observatory in South France. Chilean
inauguration of new president.
UNIVERSAL NEWS, No. 415— Presi-
dent-elect Eisenhower talks with Truman
at Capital. Harmon airplane trophy won by
Mine, Jacqueline Auriol. President Truman
receives his Thanksgiving turkey. General
Carlos Ibanez inaugurated as new president
of Chile. Japanese crown prince in first
public appearance. Prince Charles of Eng-
land celebrates his fourth birthday. Ski time
at Mt. Hood, Oregon.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 3<S>—
Eisenhower gets started on the job. Air-
plane flies Los Angeles-Copenhagen-North
Pole route. Jet plane sets speed record of
700 miles per hour. New Chilean president
inaugurated. San Francisco '49ers-Washing-
ton Redskins professional football game.
2 Minn. Trust Suits
Seek $2,418,000
Minneapolis, Nov. 23. — Two anti-
trust suits totaling $2,418,000 in dam-
ages have been filed here in U. S.
District Court.
The major one, seeking $2,250,000
in damages, was filed by Harold Field
and Harold Kaplan of the St. Louis
Park Theatres Co. Named as defend-
ants are the Minnesota Amusement
Co. and eight majors. Field and
Kaplan run the Park Theatre.
A conspiracy suit for $168,000
against seven major film companies
and Minnesota Amusement Co. was
filed by Charles Rubenstein, Inc., and
Rubenstein & Kaplan, operators of the
Hollywood, a 975-seat neighborhood
house in Northeast Minneapolis.
Queen Theatre in
Chicago Files Suit
Chicago, Nov. 23.— The 299-seat
Queen Theatre here has filed a triple-
damage suit totalling $108,000 against
the eight major film companies, Bala-
ban and Katz, and Warner Brothers
Theatres for alleged conspiracy to hold
the Queen back to a run no earlier
than 83 days after first Chicago run.
The suit, filed by attorney Seymour
Simon on behalf of Andrew Cuser,
who ran the house from Jan. 1, 1936
to Jan. 1, 1946, will be heard by Fed-
eral Judge Sam Perry.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FT 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington. D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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.
"When Joe Jackwood
GotT.B.-
If you're enjoying good health this Thanksgiving please listen to the story of Joe Jackwood.
When T.B. struck him down, there was panic in the Jackwood family. It's hard to put aside
savings these days and the prospect of hospital and doctor bills was frightening.
Thanks to a lot of warm-hearted people in film business Joe Jackwood is recovering at the
Variety Clubs-Will Rogers Memorial Hospital at Saranac Lake.
There are many other industry folk up there, some whose names you know. They are
getting the best of care. It can happen to anyone.
Tonight the good people of our business welcome the opportunity to do a fine thing and
to enjoy themselves at the same time.
Tonight is the World Premiere of Samuel Goldwyn's "HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN"
at the Criterion Theatre. It's a wonderful picture and a gala occasion with stars and
celebrities from East and West.
There are a few seats left. If you haven't bought tickets yet PLEASE give a thought to
the Joe Jackwoods of our industry. Phone Arthur Clary at Radio City Music Hall,
Circle 6-4600.
Your help makes the Will Rogers Memorial Hospital possible. It is a project that
merits the continued thought and support of all of us. There are many who are unable
to be at tonight's benefit. To them we say, join your friends in spirit, be part of this
wonderful enterprise. Send a check today to Abe Montagu, Will Rogers Memorial
Hospital, 1501 Broadway.
You'll have a happier Thanksgiving this way.
4
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, November 24, 1952
"Andersen' Benefit
Premiere Tonight
The Will Rogers Memorial Hospi-
tal benefit premiere of Samuel Gold-
wyn's "Hans Christian Andersen"
will be held here this evening- at the
Criterion Theatre before a sell-out
celebrity-packed audience.
Television coverage of the event
will be provided by WPIX which
will have three cameras and a crew of
more than 20 on hand.
Samuel Goldwyn, producer, and
Danny Kaye and Jeanmaire, stars of
"Hans Christian Andersen," head the
list of celebrities who have purchased
tickets for the benefit. Others include:
Linda Christian, Tyrone Power. Lilli Pal-
mer, Rex Harrison, Rosalind Russell. Fred-
erick Brisson, Marlene Dietrich. Ave
Gabor, Clare Boothe Luce, Mr. and Mrs.
Richard Rodgers, Mr. and Mrs. Robert
Sterling, Ralph Meeker, Lisa Ferraday,
Monica Lewis, Elizabeth Threatt, Nancy
Carroll, Ixraise Rainer, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd
Odium, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Murrow.
Also, Mr. and Mrs. Moss Hart. Miss
Sharman Douglas. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert
Miller. Dorothy Kilgallen, Richard Kollmar,
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sherwood. Mr. and
Mrs. Ed Sullivan, Mr. and Mrs. Bennett
Cerf, William Randolph Hearst, Albert
Lasker, Mrs. Jack Warner, Mr. and Mrs.
John Hertz, Mr. and Mrs. John Steinbeck.
Frank Loesser, Governor and Mrs. Sher-
man Adams, Mrs. David Sarnorf, Col. Serge
Obolensky and Ann Miller, and Mr. and
Mrs. Bernard Gimbel.
Also, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Goldwyn, Jr.,
Mr. and Mrs. Earl Wilson, Mrs. Dorothy
Schiff, Mrs. Helen Reid, Mr. and Mrs.
Leonard Lyons, Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon
Cooper, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Cowles, Mr.
and Mrs. Leland Hayward, Mr. and Mrs.
Ed Anthonv, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Young,
Mr. and Mrs. William Bernie, Mr. and
Mrs. Bosley Crowther, Mr. and Mrs. Sid-
ney James, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Aanen-
berg, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lehman, Mr.
and Mrs. Jules Stein, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon
Manning, Mr. and Mrs. John O'Connell,
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Considine.
'Andersen' Shown to
New York Press
Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans Christian
Andersen" was screened for news-
paper, magazine and trade press rep-
resentatives Friday at the Paris The-
atre here, and was followed by a
luncheon for the critics at the Copen-
hagen Restaurant which was attended
by Goldwyn and Danny Kaye.
A collection of Andersen's fairy
tales was presented to the critics.
See New RKO Radio Board
{Continued from page 1)
Bookings for 'Show'
(Continued from page 1)
Disnev Productions, releasing through
RKO'; Atlas Corp., one of RKO Pic-
tures' leading stockholders, and David
J. Greene, claiming to own and con-
trol more than 78,000 shares of RKO
Pictures stock.
Connelly, of the law firm of Cravath,
Cwaine and Moore, in arguing for a
delay, informed the court that the
two principal directors of the com-
pany were currently on the Coast
working on the reconstitution of the
board. Connelly apparently referred
to Sherrill Corwin, acting chairman
of the board, and Edward J. Burke,
the other director who is also a mem-
ber of the Ralph Stolkin syndicate
which bought controlling interest in
RKO from Howard Hughes. The
attorney added that he expects the two
directors in New York shortly.
"We have received a number of re-
quests to submit affidavits in opposi-
tion" to the appointment of a temporary
receiver, Connelly said, explaining
they came from producers, major
stockholders and bank representata-
ives. Continuing his argument, the
RKO attorney said all of them would
consider it "a tragedy" if a receiver
was appointed. He added that the
plaintiff had not proven any harm
to the corporation by the present man-
agement which, he said, is now in the
process of reorganization of its execu-
tive staff and continuing day-by-day
operations of the company as hereto-
fore.
In his ruling granting a 19-
day postponement, Justice
Greenberg pointed out that the
appointment of a temporary re-
ceiver is a "serious matter" and
"a drastic step," warranting a
full and complete hearing on
the arguments. He indicated
that if all the parties to the
dispute were not ready by that
date, he would consider a fur-
ther postponement.
Kipnis, representing minority stock-
holders Eli B. Castleman and his wife,
Marion V. Castleman of Detroit, and
Louis Feuerman of this city, argued
that if they agreed to an adjourn-
ment it might be "misconstrued" or
that "some misfortune" might occur
to the company in the interim.
Pioneers Expect to
Induct 60 Tomorrow
played the DeMille circus story dur-
ing the 18-week period for a week or
longer, only about 900 of them nor-
mally would run a "smash attraction"
for a full week, it was said. "The
Greatest Show" went into general re-
lease last July following pre-release
engagements in 304 key situations
across the country.
Whitney Seymour, of Simpson
Thacher and Bartlett, who represented
the Atlas Corp. and Walt Disney
Productions, joined in RKO's applica-
tion for adjournment and indicated
that his clients would file affidavits.
Atlas, according to its most recent re-
port, as of June 30, stated that it
owned 76,500 shares of RKO common.
Isadore J. Kresel, counsel for
Greene, also argued for a postpone-
ment and expressed his opposition to
the appointment of a .receiver. Fol-
lowing the court session, Kresel de-
nied that he was forming any stock-
holders committee or had been ap-
proached to join such a committee for
a possible proxy contest.
A representative of the law firm of
Rosenman, Goldmark, Colin and Kaye
acted as an observer for Goldwyn.
Among others attending was Roy
Disney, president of Disney Produc-
tions. William Zimmerman, com-
pany attorney, who was recently
named to the board, was the attorney
of record.
The declaration that the re-
constitution of the RKO board
is currently being worked out
on the Coast appears to spike
claims and counter-claims that
a new board slate and president
have already been agreed upon.
Corwin, Burke and Stolkin were
reported meeting on the Coast
with Hughes on the problem of
interim leadership while nego-
tiations for the sale of the
Stolkin interests continue. On
the basis of RKO's information
to the court on Friday, it ap-
peared that a decision on in-
terim leadership still had to be
reached.
RKO Pictures executives declined
comment as to when Corwin and
Burke are expected here from the
Coast.
The application for the appointment
of a temporary receiver stemmed from
a suit filed by the same three minority
stockholders naming Hughes as prin-
cipal defendant, charging him with
mismanagement. It also seeks restitu-
tion to the corporation of $3,000,000
from Hughes, said to be his profit on
the sale of his 29 per cent interest
to the Stolkin group.
The total of new inductees into the
Motion Picture Pioneers is expected
to excede 60 at the "Jubilee Dinner"
of the Pioneers tomorrow night at the
Hotel Astor. A last minute rush of
new applicants was recorded as the
deadline for filing neared at the week-
end.
The newest group of applications
include Benjamin Kalmenson, Warner
Brothers vice-president ; Edwin F.
Zabel, National Theatres, Los An-
geles ; Peter Mole, SMPTE presi-
dent; William Blum, Universal Pic-
tures, Cincinnati ; Irving M. Green-
field, Loew's, New York ; William
HSssner, Academy Theatre, Lebanon,
Pa. ; Thomas di Lorenzo, Massapequa,
L. I., Drive-in ; Bennett Abdur, Gar-
den Theatre, Pittsburgh ; Louis A.
Bonn, of William J. German, Inc.;
Morris Dudelson, United Artists, De-
troit ; William Flemion, Studio and
Coronet theatres, Detroit.
Also, Hal Roach; J. Robert Rubin,
Loew's ; Lew Breyer, Universal, Mil-
waukee ; Carl Buermele, General The-
atres Service, Detroit ; Peter P. Hor-
ner, Union Film Distributors, New
York ; Harry W. Schroeder, Schroe-
der Associates, Inc. ; Fred G. Sliter,
20th Century-Fox, Albany ; L. J.
Duncan, Al Dunn Amusement Co.,
Lanette, Ala. ; Jules Lapidus, War-
ner Brothers Pictures; Raymond E.
Moon, Universal Pictures ; Alfred
Starr, Bijou Amusement, Nashville,
and Morris M. Wexler, Philadelphia.
N. J. Blumberg, chairman of the
board of Universal Pictures, will be
honored at the dinner as the "Motion
Picture Pioneer of 1952." George Jes-
sel will be toastmaster. Ned E. Depinet
is chairman of the dinner.
FEATURE FILMS
WANTED FOR T.V.
Our company is one of the foremost
distributors of film properties for
television. We are open for feature
films suitable for television syndi-
cation. Please submit summary of
what you have or, if you prefer,
write for an appointment to discuss.
BOX 415
MOTION PICTURE DAILY
1270 Avenue of the Americas
New York 20, N. Y.
Yeoman Leaves RKO
For Own Business
Milton J. Yeoman, veteran ex-
changeman, resigned at the weekend
as RKO Radio's New York exchange
office manager, effective on Dec. 5,
to enter the business of Yeoman and
Smith, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., manu-
facturers of custom-built kitchens.
Previous to RKO Radio, Yeoman
was an executive in foreign branch
operations of Eagle-Lion, and earlier
was with Universal for 17 years in
various foreign and domestic sales
positions.
'U' Case
(Continued from page 1)
ternal Revenue Bureau. In a letter tp
the sub-committee, Snyder said he did
not try to influence the decision one
way or the other but only tried to
expedite a decision. He said his in-
terest in this case "was no different
than I have displayed in many other
RKO Radio Will
Start Another Film
Hollywood, Nov. 23. — The first
production plans of RKO Radio Pic-
tures since the resignation of Arnold
Grant as board chairman were dis-
closed here at the weekend. "Gambler
Moon," an original by Thames Wil-
liamson who also wrote the screen-
play, will go into production the first
week in February.
Edmund Grainger will produce and
Robert Mitchum, Robert Ryan, Ar-
thur Hunnicutt and Ursula Thiess
will head the cast. Grainger is cur-
rently producing "Split Second" at
RKO.
cases where it seemed to me that the
taxpayer was entitled to call on the
government for a fair and reasonable
prompt consideration of its claim."
The sub-committee plans to hear
Snyder in person early next month on
the Universal and other cases.
Blumberg Honored
By U-I Associates
Nate J. Blumberg, Chairman of the
board of Universal Pictures, was paid
tribute by Universal-International ex-
ecutives in observance of his 40th an-
niversay in the motion picture indus-
try and his selection as "Motion Pic-
ture Pioneer of 1952" at a luncheon
on Friday at the Laurent Restaurant.
Alfred E. Daff, executive vice-pres-
ident who is completing 33 years with
the company, was toastmaster at the
affair which was given by U-I's for-
eign department and was attended by
representatives of the company's stu-
dio and U.S. and foreign distribution,
advertising and publicity departments.
Homage was paid to Blumberg's ac-
complishments in the industry and in
relationships in speeches by Milton
Rackmil, president ; William Goetz,
studio head ; Americo Aboaf, foreign
general sales manager, and Daff.
Among other domestic executives
present were David Lipton, Leon
Goldberg, Charles Feldman, John J.
O'Connor, Adolph Schimel, Maurice
Bergman, James Franey, Norman
Gluck, J. J. Jordan, Ray Moon, F. J.
A. McCarthy, Peter Dana, Foster
Blake, Harold Rubin, Irving Sochin,
Harry Fellerman, Al Horwits, Charles
Simonelli, Philip Gerard, Jeff Living-
ston, Eugene Walsh, Hank Linet,
Morris Alin, and Milt Livingston.
Foreign department representatives
present were Ben Cohen, Felix Som-
mer, Fortunat Baronat, Irving Weiss,
Joe Mazer, Free Rieger, Alex Black
and Maurice Myron.
Monday, November 24, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
s
U. of Minn, to Cite
Northwest Variety
Minneapolis, Nov. 23. — The
governor of Minnesota and
the mayors of Minneapolis
and St. Paul will be among
the notables attending a din-
ner at the Nicollet Hotel here
Dec. 8 at which the regents
of the University of Min-
nesota will present a plaque
to the Northwest Variety
Club, as a tribute to the
showmen's group for sponsor-
ing and supporting the heart
hosital located on the univer-
sity campus.
Art Anderson, Warner
Brothers Midwest district
manager, and Col. William
McCraw of Variety Clubs In-
ternational will be among the
industry members attending
the affair.
In the THEATRE
Equipment
World . . .
with RAY GALLO
COATINGS and paints especially
designed for drive-in theatre
screens, speaker posts, towers, signs,
fences and other types of weather-ex-
posed equipment have been marketed
by the Vocalite Screen Corp., Roose-
velt, N. Y. Included is a white screen
coating (W-S623) of titanium pigment,
one gallon of which is designed to
cover about 300 square feet or more,
depending upon the condition of the
surface to be coated. A black paint
(FB-5913) for border masking and
a structural aluminum coating (SA-
3933 ) are also available.
•
Prestoseal Manufacturing Corp.,
manufacturers of "Presto-Splicer,"
which splices films in a few seconds
without cement, has announced the
opening of new headquarters at 37-27
33rd Street, Long Island City, N. Y.
•
Purchase of chocolate coating equip-
ment which is expected to effect sub-
stantial economies in operation, and
the closing of its branch plant at San
Jose, Col., were simultaneously re-
vealed by Ralph A. Wenger, chairman
of the board of the Chase Candy Co.,
St. Louis. The company, which had
previously bought finished chocolate
for coating its candies, will now pro-
duce its own with equipment purchased
from the Warfield Chocolate Co., Chi-
cago. Seven Western states formerly
served by the San Jose factory will
now be covered from St. Louis.
•
A drum table of transparent Lucite
for use in theatre foyers and lounges
has been marketed by the Associated
Ticket & Register Co., New York.
The table is 18 inches in diameter and
20 inches high. In another form it
provides a smoking stand of the same
size and shape. The ash receiver,
which sets into the table, is of steel
construction with a black finish. It
is large enough to hold empty candy
and popcorn boxes as well as stubs
and ashes.
•
The Thomas Theatre Co. of Iron
Mountain, Mich., has signed a ser-
vice contract for 12 of its theatres
with the RCA Service Co. The
contract was negotiated by Thomas
Renn, general manager of the
Thomas circuit. Theatres in Michi-
gan included in the new pact are the
Braumart, Colonial and Tri-City
drive-in in Iron Mountain; the
Kerredge and Orpheum, in Han-
cock; the Lode, in Houghton; the
Peoples, in Laurium; Calumet, in
Calumet, and the Lloyd, in Meno-
minee. Also included are the Rialto,
Fox and 64 drive-in in Marinette,
Wise.
SAG in Strike Plans
Hollywood, Nov. 23. — Screen Ac-
tor Guild will mail letters to all mem-
bers tomorrow instructing them not
to accept employment in television
film commercials after the following
Sunday ; also letters were sent to tele-
vision film commercial producers for-
merly notifying them that the strike
goes into effect Dec. 1.
UPT Circuit Heads
Optimistic: French
Minneapolis, Nov. 23. — Min-
nesota Amusement Co. presi-
dent Harry B. French reports
that optimism was the feeling
among heads of United Para-
mount circuit heads at the re-
cent meeting at White Sul-
phur Springs, W. Va. French
stated that while big city
houses are "as a whole" a
headache, outstate grosses
"are very good and have
shown a substantial increase"
recently.
Allied Door Open
(Continued from page 1)
counsel, as a basis for discussion of
an arbitration procedure. At that
time, Meyers claimed that a common
form of arbitration was one to fix the
value of goods delivered for which no
price was stipulated. Myers said that
the issue in such cases was the fair
market value. Pointing out that films
never were priced on a cost-plus profit
basis but on their box office value
which was ascertainable, Myers said it
was common practice for some exhib-
itors to play pictures on open con-
tracts ; that is, with the film rental
to be determined later.
Myers' Argument
Myers' argument was that, in the
event the exhibitor and the distribu-
tor could not come to terms, there
was no question but that their dispute
could be arbitrated. Myers admitted
that if all or even a substantial num-
ber of film deals were submitted to
arbitration, the result would be dis-
astrous. However, he said he did not
think there would be as many such
arbitrations as some industry people
have feared. The fact that such ar-
bitration involves delays, initial de-
posits and full disclosure of operations,
many exhibitors would be reluctant
to institute such proceedings unless
they were in dire need of relief, as
well as confident of winning their
cases.
Myers said, however, that as a
safeguard against such factors, the
right of an exhibitor to invoke ar-
bitration might be made dependent
upon allegation and proof that he had
tried in good faith to negotiate with
the distributor and that he had ben
refused a license except on terms
that would not cover overhead and
operating expense, plus a fair profit.
It is his matter of arbitration of
film rentals that appears to be a prin-
cipal stumbling block in a plan's adop-
tion, with the general belief that
concessions must be made by both
sides before success can be achieved.
FCC Approves 14
New TV Stations
Washington, Nov. 23.— The Fed-
eral Communications Commission has
approved 14 new television sta-
tions, bringing to 122 the number of
new stations authorized since the lift-
ing of the freeze.
Two new stations were authorized
for Galveston, Tex., and one was
authorized for each of these 12 towns :
Colorado Springs, Colo. ; Decatur,
111.; Belleville, 111.; Sioux City, la.;
Jackson, Mich.; Battle Creek, Mich.;
Flint, Mich. ; Greensboro, N. C. ;
Lima, O. ; Johnstown, Pa. ; Sioux
Falls, S. D., and Henderson, Ky.
TOA Plans
(Continued from page 1)
that I have dedicated my tenure of
office as president of TOA to the bet-
terment of distributor-exhibitor rela-
tions. I now want to reaffirm that
position.
"In an industry system of arbitra-
tion, I see a great step forward in
the process of improving distributor-
exhibitor relations. I feel, too, that
exhibitors have everything to gain
from such a system and nothing what-
soever to lose, since there is no com-
pulsion on exhibitors to use it. It is
there if they wish it.
Substantial Concessions
"Distribution has made substantial
concessions in order to activate the
system. It is not good sense for any
exhibitor to reject those concessions."
Levy at the weekend declined to
make any comment on Allied's rejec-
tion of the industry plan in its present
form, preferring to wait until after
this week's meeting before making an
official statement.
Meanwhile, Allied's side-stepping of
the industry arbitration system, at
least for the present, continued to be a
chief conversation topic here within
the trade. While it was believed gen-
erally that Allied would eventually
come back into the conferences, the
necessary delay was bemoaned. One
distribution head said that "it is diffi-
cult to understand, with so many
'plus points' listed by Abram Myers,
Allied general counsel, in the industry
plan, why the association didn't per-
mit its members to take advantage of
those 'plus points' by rejecting the
plan. Allied has deprived its mem-
bers of the opportunity to iron out
their difficulties."
There was an opinion expressed that
other exhibitor organizations and the
distributors may go along on a system
without Allied's participation actively,
but no action along this line has been
initiated.
Theatre TV
(Continued from page 1)
Network Television — the agency
which booked the "Carmen" telecast —
27 theatres from Coast-to-Coast have
already joined the exclusive network,
while 11 others have agreed to terms
of the contract, but pending the solu-
tion of a number of problems, have
not signed up.
Portland, Ore., Nov. 23. — Theatre
TV equipment will be installed at
John Hamrick's Liberty Theatre here
by the first week of December, ac-
cording to Will J. Conner, executive
vice-president of Hamrick Theatres.
Variety Meet
(Continued from page 1)
pledges of better than $150,000 for
the erection of a hospital wing for
the Rosalia Foundling Home, to be
known as the Catherine Sheriden
Variety Wing.
Among the speakers at the banquet
were Congressman Dewey Short of
Missouri, chairman of the Armed
Forces Committee; big boss John H.
Harris, ringmaster R. J. O'Donnell
of Dallas; main guy Marc J. Wolf
of Indianapolis ; first assistant George
Hoover of Miami, C. J. Latta of Lon-
don ; William McCraw of Dallas and
Nate Golden of Washington, chairman
of the Heart Fund.
At the business session Golden in-
formed the backers present that a
total of $21,000,000 had been raised
and given away in charity work by
the, Variety Clubs in a quarter of a
century and that $3,000,000 was spent
this year-
Hoover told of the arrangements
that had been completed for the stag-
ing of the annual convention at Mex-
ico City next April 18-23 and stated
that the Mexican Government had ap-
propriated $50,000 to cover the ex-
penses of the event. A great spectacle
at the pyramids will be held for the
visiting barkers and their families.
A presentation was made at the
banquet to retiring chief barker Wil-
liam Finkel of Tent No. 1 and Carl
Doser, the incoming chief barker was
introduced.
In the absence of Mayor David L.
Lawrence, who was out of the city,
president of City Council Thomas E.
Gallagher welcomed the members of
the international at the initial session.
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MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
irn
VOL. 72. NO. 101
NEW YORK, U. S. A., TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1952
TEN CENTS
Para. Widens
Research in
3rd Dimension
Raibourn Says Cinerama
Stimulates Advances
Paramount Pictures has stepped
up its motion picture research pro-
gram, exploring the fields of third
dimensional films and stereophonic
sound more in-
tensely, Paul
Raibourn,
Paramount,
vice - president,
disclosed here
'yesterday
following his re-
cent return from
a four-day visit
on the Coast.
Larger sums
of money are
currently being
requested by
P aramount's
research depart- Paul Raibourn
ment, headed by Loren Ryder, to meet
the growing research demands, Rai-
bourn added. Ryder and Raibourn con-
(Continued on page S)
'Andersen' Benefit
Nets Fund $25,000
An overflow audience contributed
a total of $25,000 to the Will Rogers
Memorial Hospital by the benefit
premiere here last night of Samuel
Goldwyn's "Hans Christian Ander-
sen" at the Criterion Theatre. Ce-
lebrities from the entertainment world
and prominent civic, business and
society figures attended, attracting
huge crowds of onlookers to the
"black tie" affair.
WPIX televised the proceedings,
(Continued on page 5)
Colosseum Elects
Ray Wild President
Atlanta, Nov. 24. — The eighth an-
annual convention of the Colosseum of
Motion Picture Salesmen of America,
held here in. honor of the late Frank
W. Salley, who started the organiza-
tion, elected Ray Wild of Dallas presi-
dent, succeeding Ross Williams.
Eddie Askin was elected vice-presi-
dent; Floyd Klinger Smith, secretary ;
Leonard Appel, assistant secretary ;
Tom McKean, treasurer ; C. A.
(Continued on page 2)
500 at Pioneers'
Blumberg Tribute
At Astor Tonight
Five hundred members of the Mo-
tion Picture Pioneers from every
section of the U. S. and from coun-
tries all over the world will attend the
"Jubilee Dinner" of the Pioneers at
the Hotel Astor here tonight to join
in a tribute to N. J. Blumberg, chair-
man of the board of directors of Uni-
versal Pictures, as the "Motion Pic-
ture Pioneer of 1952."
Pioneer president Jack Cohn will
assemble the "Class of 1952" for in-
duction by Judge Ferdinand Pecora ;
60 to be inducted, including Bennett
Amdur, William Blum, Louis A.
Bonn, Lew Breyer, Carl Buermele,
Pedro Calderon, Will J. Conner, Ed-
ward P. Curtis, Thomas Di Lorenzo,
Morris Dudelson, L. J. Duncan, Sam-
uel Eckman, Jr., William Elson, Rob-
ert J. Fallon, Harold Fitzgerald,
William Flemion, Sr., Norman E.
Gluck, William Goldman, Irving H.
(Continued on page 5)
RKO Pictures Net
Loss $4,777,766
The operations of RKO Pictures
Corp. and subsidiary companies for the
nine months ended Sept. 27 resulted
in a net loss (unaudited), after all
charges, of $4,777,766, which compares
with a loss of $145,904 for the same
period of 1951.
RKO's loss for the three-month pe-
riod that ended on the same date was
$1,064,932, which compares with a
profit of $588,816 for the third quar-
ter of 1951.
Series of Shorts on
Para. Screen Tests
Paramount's plan to pro-
duce a featurette titled "How
to Break Into the Movies," to
show the screen tests of up-
coming Paramount stars, may
be revised so that the pro-
ject would become a series of
shorts instead of a single
subject. Company executives
are of the opinion that there
is too much interesting ma-
terial available from the
screen test to be crammed
into one featurette.
The tentative plan now is
to spread the subject matter
over a series of one-reelers,
each to be made available at
about the time that a feature
starring one or more of the
players whose screen test is
highlighted in the short, is
released.
WB Joins 'Carmen'
Telecast Line-up
Warner Brothers has joined the
Theatre Network Television "Car-
men" line-up, while RKO Theatres
plans to carry the Dec. 11 event in
two situations.
WB has booked the cross-country
theatre TV Metropolitan Opera pro-
duction in the Stanley, Philadelphia,
and Warner's Hollywood in Los An-
geles, bringing the number of theatres
already signed up for the event to at
least 30.
An RKO Theatres spokesman said
(Continued on page 4)
"Hans Christian Andersen"
[Samuel Goldwyn-RKO Pictures']
pHILDREN OF ALL AGES love fairy tales and this one about
^ the Danish writer in eye-caressing color by Technicolor reflects the
remarkable Goldwyn genius that combines genuine artistry with solid
commercial values. The peculiar magic that has been best exemplified
on the screen by the great Disney stories here is captured in the heart-
warming Moss Hart screenplay and enchantingly projected in a per-
formance by Danny Kaye that is eloquently simple.
Entwined with the cobbler-story-teller's appreciation of people and
children, is a sub-plot concerning his innocent affection for a beauteous
ballerina. Jeanmaire looks and dances the role admirably and her acting
is surprisingly sensitive despite an obvious if charming French accent.
Unknown to Kaye, she is happily married to a temperamental ballet
director, portrayed by Farley Granger with considerable glowering and
gesturing but little conviction. They quarrel and fight in front of Kaye
but kiss and make up later.
It is an exploitable angle of the film if a minor one and Kaye's shy
romance is touching. This part contains- a dream sequence, a charming
wedding fantasy and two opulent ballets, elaborately staged, and expertly
danced. Roland Petit, head of the Paris Ballet for which Jeanmarie starred,
(Continued on page 5)
Allied's Hands
On Arbitration
Tied Until Jan.
Next Move Up to Board;
Majors May Call Meet
Regardless of how Allied mem-
bers may feel about reopening dis-
cussions on a uniform arbitration
plan, nothing can be done about it
until after the association's board
meeting in New Orleans Jan. 12.
Even if the distributors should come
up with a plan that would be entirely
acceptable to Allied, no action could
be taken on it until the proposals were
placed before the directors at the Janu-
ary sessions. This was stated empha-
tically by Abram F. Myers, chairman
of the board, in Washington.
Meanwhile, it is reported here that
distribution leaders are giving some
thought to calling a meeting of Allied
chieftains for the purpose of discuss-
ing the Allied objections to the so-
called industry arbitration plan which
was turned down by Allied at its an-
nual convention in Chicago last week.
By taking the "minus" points one by
one, the distributors believe they may
(Continued on page 2)
Cut in Power Dims
Pacific Marquees
Portland, Ore., Nov. 24. — All the-
atres in the large centers of the Pacific
Northwest — principally in Portland
and Seattle — have agreed to cut their
electric power consumption 10 per
cent in accordance with a request
from the Defense Electric Power Ad-
ministration. A power shortage exists.
The Evergreen, Hamrick, J. J.
Parker and Sterling circuits will dim
their lights on their marquees and
darken display signs and spotlights.
Promotion Plan Is
Set by Cinerama
Cinerama Productions has a
plan to make use of the heavy
press attention given its new
dimensional process, accord-
ing to Dudley Roberts, com-
pany head. The stories car-
ried in key city newspapers
will be classified and grouped
in relation to the 200 cities in
which it is planned to show
Cinerama within the next
three years, in the form of
bound folders for theatres.
2
Motion Picture daily
Tuesday, November 25, 1952
Personal
Mention
KENNETH McKENNA, M-G-M
story head, will arrive here from
the Coast tomorrow.
•
Sperie Perakos, general manager
of the Perakos Theatres Circuit, New
Britain, Conn., and Mrs. Perakos are
due back from a European honey-
moon about Dec. 1.
•
Harold Postman, assistant to
Alan F. Cummings, in charge of
M-G-M exchange operations, will re-
turn here Friday from the Midwest.
•
James F. McCarthy, manager of
the Warner Strand Theatre at Hart-
ford, has returned there from a South-
ern vacation.
•
Francis M. Winikus, United Art-
ists advertising-publicity director, left
here last night for a week's vacation in
Miami.
•
William B. Zoellner, head of M-
G-M's short subject and newsreel
sales, returned here yesterday from a
two-week tour of branches.
•
Stanley Rubin, 20th Century-Fox
producer, arrived in New York yester-
day from Hollywood.
9
W. E. Carroll of the Falls City
Theatre Equipment Co., Louisville, has
returned to that city from Chicago.
•
Samuel Goldwyn will be guest-in-
terviewed on CBS radio's "In Town
Today" show on Friday morning.
•
Holland Smith, manager of the
Saenger Theatre in New Orleans, has
left there for Hollywood.
Tom Rodgers of Brandt Theatres
has returned here from a Nassau
honeymoon.
•
Arthur Manson of M-G-M's Ca-
nadian press field staff, will return to
Toronto today from New York.
•
O. O. Dull, M-G-M director, is in
New York from the Coast.
Raftery Testifies at
Chicago UA Hearing
Chicago, Nov. 24. — Edward Raft-
ery, New York attorney and former
president of United Artists, testified
here today in the Krinsley vs. United
Artists et al hearing before Special
Master William Saltiel, appointed by
Federal Judge William J. Campbell
to hear evidence.
The case involves splitting of the
"spoils" of the Towne case. United
Artists claiming they should share
in the damages awarded the theatre,
having been partners, and the owners
of the theatre claiming that UA was
admitted to partnership in the theatre
through coercion because of the
Towne's inability to buy first-run pic-
tures, which United Artists supplied
to the theatre after buying an inter-
est. The hearings before Saltiel prob-
ably will be concluded tomorrow.
State Department Pleased
By New French Film Pact
Washington, Nov. 24. — State De-
partment officials have expressed sat-
isfaction that the film industry itself
had negotiated the new French pact,
rather than continuing it as a gov-
ernment-to-government agreement.
They said that in the reports dis-
closing details of the new agreement,
this fact had generally been over-
looked. They said the previous
French-American film agreement,
which grew out of conversations be-
tween one-time Secretary of State
Byrnes and former French premier
Blum, was the only instance where
the U. S. government had negotiated
with a foreign government for finan-
cial terms for a particular industry-
All other film agreements, such as the
British, and all agreements governing
other products such as autos or steel,
are negotiated between the U. S. in-
dustry and the foreign government, it
was asserted.
"The French film agreement was
always an anomalous one, and we were
never very happy about it," one offi-
cial said. "Frequently, we had to veto
something that was for the good of the
industry because it conflicted with
over-all State D;epartment policy. It
is a fine thing that this situation has
been changed and that the new agree-
ment was negotiated by the industry
and that all future bargaining will be
done by the industry."
MPEA Seeking New
Terms in Pakistan
Washington, Nov. 24. — Industry
officials hope to get the Pakistan gov-
ernment to agree to better customs
terms for U.S. film imports.
Irving Maas of the Motion Picture
Export Association was reported to
be in Pakistan or en route there to
work on the problem.
Some time ago the Pakistan gov-
ernment raised its duties on all film
imports. This was designed to protect
the domestic industry mainly against
an influx of films from India. Re-
cently, however, the Pakistan govern-
ment banned Indian films outright,
thus reducing the need for the tariff
protection. U.S. officials are hopeful
the Pakistan government will agree
to a drawback provision under which
U.S. film imports would get a lower
duty.
Colosseum Elects
(Continued from page 1)
Blakely, assistant treasurer ; E. E.
Shinn, Southern regional vice-presi-
dent ; Dick Huffman, committeeman ;
Keith Godfrey, Eastern vice-president ;
Bill Wink and Bob Lightfoot, Mid-
west vice-presidents ; Williams and
Milt Simon, Central vice-presidents,
and Glen Haviland and Harry Swon-
son, Western vice-presidents.
The 100 attending salesmen ap-
proved resolutions demanding the lift-
ing of the 20 per cent Federal amuse-
ment tax and the withdrawal of the
suit forcing the sale of 16mm. films
to TV.
Next year's meeting will be held in
New Orleans.
SEC Reports RKO,
NT, Loew's Tradings
Washington, Nov. 24. ■ — Loew's,
National Theatres, RKO Pictures and
RKO Theatres figured in changes in
stock holdings during October, ac-
cording to a report made public by
the Securities and Exchanges Com-
mission.
Charles C. Moskowitz, vice-presi-
dent of Loew's, bought 1,000 shares
of Loew's common, increasing his di-
rect holdings to 4,500 shares. Elmer
C. Rhoden, vice-president of National
Theatres, purchased 2,100 shares of
common stock, bringing his direct
National holdings to 5,900 shares.
Rhoden also has indirect holdings of
2,025 common shares.
Sherrill C. Corwin, a director of
RKO Pictures and currently acting
chairman of the board, sold 10,000
shares of capital stock, decreasing his
direct RKO holdings to 200,884
shares. David J. Greene, director in
RKO Theatres, purchased 1,800 shares
of common stock through the Chem-
ical Bank & Trust Co. as trustee un-
der agreement 'with David Greene for
Dorothy G. Greene. Trust holdings
total 34,100 shares. Greene's direct
holdings amount to 16,450 shares of
common, with partnership holdings
totalling 10,000 shares. Dorothy
Greene owns 3,000 shares of common,
with Barbara Greene, daughter, and
Lawrence Greene, son, owning 300
shares each.
Perlmutter '53 Head
Of Albany Variety
Albany, N. Y., Nov. 24.— The local
Variety Club tonight elected Jules
Perlmutter, president of Perlmutter
Theatre Booking Service and owner
of the Watervliet and Lake George
Theatres, chief barker.
Leon Greenfield, Universal manager,
was chosen first assistant chief barker ;
Alan Iselin, operator of the Auto-
Vision, East Greenbush, second assis-
tant chief barker ; George Schenck,
Tri-State Automatic Candy Corp.
branch manager, property master ;
Aaron Wining, chief doughboy. They
will take office Dec. 1.
Allied's Hands Tied
(Continued from page 1)
be able to find a means of meeting Al-
lied's objections.
Because of Allied's position on the
issue, until after the board meeting,
it is obvious that an arbitration for-
mula which would include Allied could
not be operative at least until after
Jan. 12. While the reported distribu-
tors' desire for a roundtable conference
with Allied leaders might result in
a step toward ironing out some of
wrinkles which Allied believes to exist
in the present format, participants
could do nothing but report the efforts
to the board. Formal negotiations then
could follow.
Canadian Exhibitors
Pay $19,647,000 Tax
Ottawa, Nov. 24. — Canadian
government reports admis-
sion taxes collected by the
provincial governments across
the nation totalled $19,647,-
000 during the year ending
March 31, 1952, including, by
provinces, $10,329,000 in On-
tario, $3,618,000 in Quebec,
$2,620,000 in British Colum-
bia, $1,100,000 in Manitoba,
$955,000 in Alberta, $560,000
in Nova Scotia, $300,000 in
New Brunswick, $115,000 at
Prince Edward Island, and
$50,000 in Saskatchewan.
Rank Group Resigns
From 4U' Board
Directors of Universal Pictures
yesterday formally accepted the resig-
nations of J. Arthur Rank, Robert
Benjamin and G. I. Woodham-Smith
from the Universal board at a meet-
ing held here.
Rank had continued as a board
member following the sale of his
stock interest in Universal last spring,
while Benjamin and Woodham-Smith
had remained on the board by virtue
of their executive association with
Rank. Rank and Woodham-Smith
tendered their resignations recently,
in view of the fact that Rank's in-
terest had been sold to Decca Records.
Benjamin resigned when he became
chairman of the board of United
Artists.
The trio's places on the Universal
board will not be filled, according to
N. J. Blumberg, board chairman.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
— — — Rockefeller Center — —
"PLYMOUTH ADVENTURE"
Spencer TRACY . Gene TIERNEY
Van JOHNSON . Leo GENN
Color by TECHNICOLOR - An M-G-M Picture
plus GREAT HOLIDAY STAGE SPECTACLE
ALAN
VIRGINIA
"TheIroR
Mistress
Color by TECHNICOLOR
Midnight Ftotvr*
SAMUEL GOLDWYN presents
Hans Christian
Andersen
DANNY KAYEw
CRITERION • PARIS
. B'way & 45th St. 58th St. W. of 5th Ave.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherw.n Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting Editor. Published daily, except Saturdays,
Sundays and holidays by Quigley Pub ishing 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 T. Sullivan. V1Ce-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy. Vice-President; Leo J. Brady
Secretary * . . > >
w
Clark Street, FR 2-2843 Washington, J. A. Otten National Press Club, Washington. D C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq„ London WI; 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 m the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies, 10c.
ilding,
North
Tuesday, November 25, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
Reviews
"Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd
(Warner Brothers)
QHARLES LAUGHTON does slapstick comedy with alacrity in this
y amusing farce that features the formula antics of Bud Abbott and Lou
Costello and includes six songs zestfully rendered by a chorus and the prin-
cipals. Fran Warren is introduced in this satire on the famous pirate chief
and sings several of the Bob Russell-Lester Lee songs.
It is one of the better films coming from the team lately due largely to the
fine spoofing done by Laughton and Hillary Brooke, the latter as a beauteous
lady pirate.^ the color by Supercmecolor is rather garish, but, nevertheless
the production has the right elements for good box-office returns.
The story written by Howard Dimsdale and John Grant has tailor-made
situations for Abbott and Costello. It deals with Laughton, as Captain Kidd
having raided ships in Miss Brooke's territory and the latter demanding her
share of the treasure which is cached on Laughton's private island. Abbott
and Costello become involved when they accidentally gain possession of a
map showing where the treasure is buried.
_ Leif Erickson stolidly plays Morgan, Laughton's assistant. Miss Warren
is appealing as a lady taken off a vanquished merchant ship, and Bill Shirley
is handsome and sings with relish, as her boy friend who is shanghaied bv
Lrickson. When Laughton double-crosses Miss Brooke over the treasure she
joins forces with Abbott and Costello and when her own ship arrives they
destroy Laughton s gang. At the finale A. & C. sail off happily with the
treasure and Laughton hanging from the bowsprit by his toes.
Songs included are "North of Nowhere," "A Bachelor's Life," "Meet Cap-
tain Kidd, Speak To Me of the Tall Pine," "We Sail Tonight," and
Away, Aye, Ay, Aye, Oh!"
Alex Gottlieb produced and Charles Lamont directed. This is a broadlv
played comedy that contains names that can be exploited.
Running time, 70 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
c- '■ Walter Pashkin
"Thunderbirds"
(Republic)
A RESOUNDING tribute is paid to another branch of the Armed Forces
j the National Guard, in this ambitious Republic production. Oklahoma's
tamed and respected 45th Infantry Division, known as the "Thunderbirds "
is the focal point of the drama. Republic has given the picture a thorough-
going and competent production treatment and has assembled a large cast for
lts enactment. As a drama it moves along the familiar ground of war stories
As for good exploitation material, it abounds in it.
Starting early in 1940, when Congress called up the National Guard the
story traces the adventures and experiences of two buddies, John Derek' and
John Barrymore, Jr., both of whom are in love with the same girl Eileen
Christy.
Their first baptism of fire is a harrying one and the camera traces with
stark realism battle after battle in Sicily and Italy. A considerable amount
of actual combat footage has been inserted for authentic effect. Around the
main plot in which the two lads play the focal part, the screenplay by Mary
C. McCall, Jr. delineates several other subplots involving others in the unit.
Thus it has warmth, humor, pathos and sentiment.
News finally comes to the boys that Miss Christy has made her choice of
one to marry, Barrymore, thus leaving Derek crestfallen. It is not for long,
however, as he meets a pretty Army nurse, Mona Freeman. The boys are
separated, and tension grows as Barrymore is believed to have been killed.
In a storybook ending, both are happily united however. Ward Bond, a
veteran sergeant who turns out to be Barrymore's father, dies heroically,
thus erasing a court marshal from World War I.
John H. Auer was associate producer-director for this Herbert J. Yates
presentation, based on a story by Kenneth Garnet. Others in the cast are
Gene Evans and Barton MacLane, both as sergeants.
Running time, 98 minutes. General audience classification. Release date
Nov. 27.
Tromba, the Tiger Man
(Lippert Pictures) Hollywood, Nov. 24
TV/I ADE in Germany and in the German language but since dubbed in
English, this stacks up as a fair offering with subject matter that
allows for exploitation in certain situations. The clubbing is about average
and performances are ordinary.
The setting is the famous Krone circus in Europe and the story, by
Elizabeth Zimmermann and Helmut Weiss, deals with circus performers and
animals, thus providing circus promotional angles.
Tromba, who has a tiger act, is presented as the top attraction of the
circus. His way with women is persuasive, unprincipled, and usually tragic.
The circus is owned by a former trapeze artiste who was crippled in an
accident caused by Tromba. The same accident killed her husband. Tromba
becomes romantically entangled with the owner's daughter, who replaces
another trapeze artiste in his affections. Tromba's act with the tigers depends
upon a drug that keeps the tigers under control and when he runs out of
the drug, one of the tigers claws him to death.
Rene Deltgen portrays the title role and others in the cast include Ange-
line Hauff, Gustav Knuth, Hilde Weissner, Gretha Weiser, Gardy Granass,
and Adrian Hoven. Helmut Weiss directed.
Running time, 63 minutes. Adult audience classification. Release date
Nov. 14.
upon
a
time
or
til
ill
''5>-'; ■ /■■<■■' fl*
Ji
>•:■.:- IfiK
■{■''■M
':■■;.".. ':■#}&&■■
will become enchanting, roman-
tic now for millions of teen fans
when they see this tale about a
tall cobbler and a beautiful
dancer. And they'll see it, they'll
love it (make friends go, and
family too) because it's the Pic-
ture of the Month in December
menteen
ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE FOR
YOUNG WOMEN IN THEIR TEENS
IP
SAMUEL GOLDWYN's
Hans
Christian
Andersen
starring
DAWN Y KAY E
and
FARLEY GRANGER
introducing
JEANMAIRE
Directed by CHARLES VIDOR
Screen Play by MOSS HART
Words and Music by FRANK LOESSER
Color by Technicolor
Distributed by RKO Radio Pictures, Inc.
4
Motion Picture daily
Tuesday, November 25, 1952
OMPI Using NBC
Spot Announcements
Spot announcements over
WNBC here by the Organiza-
tion of the Motion Picture In-
dustry of the City of New
York are now being used on
the station's program, in a
deal between the OMPI and
the radio outlet. Besides pro-
moting current pictures, the
organization is building the
theatre as a community insti-
tution. The subjects will in-
clude matters of interest to
the public pertaining to
power of projection, light,
screen size, safety factors,
air conditioning and commun-
ity endeavors.
To Report on SAG
TV Negotiations
A detailed report on the breakdown
of negotiations between the Screen
Actors Guild and TV producers on
the use of actors in television film
commercials will be given here to-
morrow by Mel Gold, president of the
National Television Film Council,
who will address a luncheon meeting
of the NTFC at the Warwick Hotel.
In addition, nomination of officers
for 1953 will be discussed.
First Collections of
Will Rogers Drive
The Will Rogers Memorial Hospital
drive's first circuit wide report of col-
lections by boxes-on-candy-stands was
received from the Loew's circuit and
Joseph R. Vogel revealed that over a
varying period of time, from four to
eight weeks, the initial total was
$2,100.
This averages $1.65 per week per
theatre in the New York area and
$2.33 per week per out-of-town
theatre.
See more... do more-
enjoy the best for less!
FLY TWA
to EUROPE in
THRIFT SEASON
and SAVE!
You can save more than $100
on a TWA ticket to Europe
and return (th rough
March 31). See your travel
agent or call Trans World
% Airlines.
•i; ACItOSS THE US AND O VER SEA S
1 FLY-
Television--Radio
with Pinky Herman
WITH operations of KTSM-TV, El Paso, Tex., WFPG-TV,
Atlantic City; KTBC-TV, Austin, Tex., and KGMB-TV in
Honolulu, scheduled to NBCommence next month and seven addi-
tional TV outlets joining the NBChain early next year, NBC-
affiliated stations will total 77. . . . His name perhaps isn't Clancy
and it was undoubtedly an accident, nevertheless, the CB Sound man
lowered the boom on Gordon Goodman's head just as the tenor
completed his song last Sunday on Fred Waring's telecast. . . . Bob
Weitman, "V.P." of United Paramount Theatres, has set up a million
dollar array of talent for the "Celebrity Parade for Cerebral Palsy"
ABC telethon which will start at 8:00 P.M. Saturday, Dec. 6 and
continue until 2:30 P.M. the following day. Definite assurances to
attend have been received from Jackie Gleason, Robert Merrill.,
Dennis James, Dorothy Sarnoff, Marie Riva, Jane Pickens, Yul
B runner, Constance Carpenter, Johnny Johnston, Tex and Jinx
McCrary, Tony Bennett, Jack Carter, Faye Emerson, Jan Peerce,
Skitch Henderson, Toni Arden, Arlene Francis and Joey Adams.
& it ■&
TViewers of "Toast of the Town," (Sunday, Dec. 7) will
see how Samuel Goldwyn first entered the motion picture
business, back in 1913, when he formed the Jesse L. Lasky
Feature Play Co. with Lasky and A. S. Friend and signed a
young playwright named Cecil B. DeMille to direct the new
company's 'IThe Squaw Man," first full length film. The
Walter Camp All-American Football Team, sponsored by
Collier's Magazine, will line up on Ed Sullivan's "Toast of the
Town" telecast this CBSunday. Not to be outdone, Jackie
Gleason, who often referred to himself as the "All American
Drawback," will present on his own program the following
Saturday Look magazine's All-American Team. . . . Veepee
Sam Nathanson of the Helen Ainsworth Corp. has returned
to Hollywood from a countrywide sales tour after setting up
TV outlets for 52 quarter-hour "Hollywood Newsreel" films,
a series of quarter-hour films entitled "Adventures of Patches"
and 13 short musical shorts. . . . Alice Corey, who retired from
the stage when she married Wendell Corey, may accompany
him when he comes East. If so, look for La Corey to take a
fling at TV. . . . Bill Silbert, WABDisk Jockey, started as a
boy soprano at WWJ, Detroit. Later he joined the cast of a
daily radio program, "The Happy Hour," which included the
following names: Betty Darling, Harvey Lichtenstein and
Amos Jacobs. (Yes, they are famous. They have since changed
their names to Betty Hutton, Harvey Stone and Danny
Thomas.)
it it #
"This Is Shozv Business" will bow out in January and will be
replaced with a telefilm series, "Private Secretary," starring Ann
Sothern. Sponsor continues to be Lucky Strike Ciggies and. the
CBSunday series will be aired three successive weeks with Jack
Benny's antics taking over this time-slot every fourth week. . . .
Donald O'Connor's Dec. 14 NBColgate Comedy Hour stint will be
filmed by Ralph Staub for Columbia Pictures' Screen Snapshot series.
. . . Curt Massey, WOR-MB Singing emcee, spent 30 of his 42 years
in show business. He started his musical career at the age of 12
playing a piano in a theatre in Roswell, New Mexico. . . . The Fred
W. Amend Co. will return to ABC-TV Saturday. Dec. 27 to sponsor
a kideo sport series, "Hail, the Champ" which will alternate on the
11 :30 A.M. -12 noon slot with Derby Foods' Western film series,
"Sky King." The Saturday morning line-up of juve telecasts will be
completely sold out on this net, starting Jan. 3 when the Johnson
Candy Co. ushers in Todd Russell's "Rootie Kasootie" the former
NBCoca Cola series. . . . CBS will toss a cocktail party tomorrow
at the Ambassador Hotel here in honor of Jack (Range Rider)
Mahoney, Gene Autry's protege, who will ride in Macy's Thanks-
giving Day parade Thursday. . . .
iz it &
Hollywood's make believe can never match the thrilling official
pictures depicted in the "Battle of Coral Sea," episode of "Victory
at Sea," NBClassic Documentary, seen last Sunday on Channel 4.
. . . Motion Picture stars, who to date have steered clear of TV
appearances, were so thrilled at what they saw at the opening last
week of the Hollywood CBS-Television City that several expressed
intentions of an early TV invasion. . . . Another Bus will be added
to the 90 minutes "Omnibus" CB Series of telecasts Sunday, Dec. 28
when the Greyhound Bus becomes a participating sponsor.
Ill Stations Now in
A. T. & T. TV Link
Network television facilities
will be available for carrying
programs into Austin, Texas
starting Thursday, according
to the long lines department
of American Telephone and
Telegraph Co.
The addition of Austin to
the Bell network brings to
111 the total number of sta-
tions to which TV network
service is now available. The
network inter - connects 68
cities in the U.S.
'C armen' Telecast
(Continued from page 1)
that a TNT contract has yet to be
signed, but the circuit plans to carry
the telecast in two RKO theatres,
their location still undecided. The only
major circuit yet to publicly announce
a "Carmen" deal is Loew's. Five af-
filiated United Paramount Theatres
have joined the TNT network.
Meanwhile, TNT disclosed its se-
lection of Henry Souvaine as producer
of the "Carmen" telecast, the first en-
tertainment show in the history of the
theatre TV medium. Clark Jones was
selected as TV director for the three-
hour evening performance, starring
Rise Stevens, Nadine Conner, Rich-
ard Tucker and Robert Merrill.
Special Lighting
To get maximum effects for the
theatre audiences across the country,
the Metropolitan has agreed for the
first time to special television lighting
of its stage. TV cameras and techni-
cal crews of the DuMont Television
Network will be used for the .telecast,
with cameras located in the "Diamond
Horseshoe" boxes, in the orchestra
pit, and for special programming out-
side the auditorium of the Metropoli-
tan.
In Boston, the American Theatre
Corp. has announced that it has re-
considered and will definitely present
the "Carmen" telecast at the Pilgrim
Theatre.
.In Albany, N. Y., it was disclosed
that Fabian's Grand will present the
"Carmen" telecast. Prices will range
from $1.20 to $3.60 on a reserved seat
basis.
Manager Paul Wallen said that the
first seven rows of the orchestra will
be scaled at $2.50 and the remainder
at $3.60. Eight rows in the balcony
will be sold at $3.60 and six at $2.50.
Second balcony prices will be $1.50
and $1.20. The theatre seats 1,500.
Tickets will probably be placed on
sale the latter part of this week, coin-
cidental with the breaking of an ad-
vertising campaign.
VERDI was a PIONEER
Congratulations to the
MOTION PICTURE PIONEERS
We welcome you all to our magnificent
carousal at the HOTEL AST OR
NOW READY FOR RELEASE
Carmine Gallone's Motion Picture Version
"LA F0RZA DEL DESTIN0"
VERDI'S I M MORTAL OPERA
Featuring the World's Outstanding Singers
NELLY CARRADI TITO GOBBI
Cino Sinimberghi Giulio Neri
Mira Vargas Vito de Tarranto
3 STARS + -k New York Daily News
NOW in its big 6th week . . . New York City
1st week . . . Dallas
This week . . . Denver, Los Angeles,
San Francisco and Baltimore
Contact Nathan Cy Braunstein
SCREEN ART SALES CO.
723 7th Avenue, New York City
Clr. 6-5883
Tuesday, November 25, 1952
Motion picture daily
5
Blumberg
(Continued from page 1)
Greenfield, George S. Gullette, Wil-
liam Hissner, Henry M. Hobart.
Also, Peter P. Horner, Benjamin
Kalmenson, Jules Lapidus, Martin Le-
vine, Lewis Lieser, William Mein-
hardt, Peter Mole, Raymond E. Moon,
Milton A. Mooney, Edward E. Muhl,
J. J. O'Leary, William Onie, Fred-
erick C. Quimby, A. A. Renfro, Hal
Roach, Samuel Rosen, J. Robert
Rubin, Edward Ruby, William F. Ruf-
fin, John A. Schnack, Harry W.
Schroeder, Eddie Senz, Hyman Sil-
verman, Fred G. Sliter, Nathan So-
bel, David M. Sohmer, Alfred Starr,
Harold Sugarman, C. J. Tevlin, David
Weshner, Morris M. Wexler, Dudley
M. Williston, Benjamin Wray, Max
M. Yellen, Edward F. Zabel and
Adolph Zukor.
Ned E. Depinet is chairman of the
dinner, the 13th annual affair. George
Jessel will be toastmaster. The prin-
cipal speaker will be Father Patrick
Peyton. Scheduled to sit on the dais,
besides Blumberg, Depinet, Cohn, Jes-
sel, Father Peyton and Judge Pecora,
are Jack Alicoate, Barney Balaban,
Harry Brandt, Harry Cohn, Ted Cur-
tis, Sam Dembow, Jr., G. S. Eyssell,
Harold Fitzgerald, Frank Folsom,
William German, William Goetz,
Leonard Goldenson, James R. Grain-
ger, Abel Green, T. J. Hargrave,
Danny Kaye, Louis Lurie, John J.
O'Connor, Robert J. O'Donnell, Sam
Pinanski, Martin Quigley, Milton
Rackmil, Sam Rinzler, Herman Rob-
bins, J. Robert Rubin, Serge Semen-
enko, George Skouras, Albert Warner,
Harry Warner, Robert R. Young and
Zukor.
Harry Wismer will highlight a spe-
cial requiem for the industry leaders
who died during the past year, includ-
ing 20 Pioneer members. Rabbi Ralph
Silverstein of Temple Sinai of Brook-
lyn and former Chaplain of Cinema
Lodge of B'nai B'rith, will deliver the
invocation. Jane Pickens will sing the
"Star Spangled Banner" and the Radio
City Music Hall Glee Club and Al
Rickey and his orchestra will- provide
the music.
The committee handling the details
of the dinner include Harry Takiff,
Marvin Kirsch, Charles Alicoate, Gil
Josephson, David Bader, Ray Gal-
lagher and Leon Leonidoff. John J.
O'Connor is chairman of the honor
guests. Maurice Bergman, Hank
Linet and Milton Livingston have been
assisting the committee.
'Hans Christian Andersen"
New Balaban TV Station
Chicago, Nov. 24. — Harry and El-
mer Balaban, of the H. and E. Bala-
ban Circuit, owners and operators of
theatres here and in Detroit, have ap-
plied for their second television chan-
nel, this one in Milwaukee.
'Sheba' to Victoria
Hal Wallis' "Come Back, Little
Sheba" will have its world pre-release
opening at the Victoria Theatre here,
it was announced today by Paramount
and the management. The film will
be the next attraction at the Victoria.
(Continued from page 1)
did the choreography and dances with her in the "The Little Mermaid" ballet.
Erik Bruhn of the Ballet Theatre performs with her in the other.
Frank Loesser's fine score has been integrated with the story and it includes
several songs based on and containing the essence of several of Andersen's
tales. There are "The Ugly Duckling," "The King's New Clothes,"
"Thumbelina" and "Inch Worm," "Wonderful Copenhagen," "Anywhere I
Wander," "I'm Hans Christian Andersen," and the thoroughly modern and
delightful duet "No Two People."
Joey Walsh is outstanding among a group of pleasant youngsters as the
orphaned cobbler-apprentice more wise to society's vicious ways than his
kindly guardian. It is Walsh who talks Kaye into leaving his small town to
go to Copenhagen when he discovers the town is going to order Kaye to
leave for keeping the children from school with his tale-telling. Walsh also
tries to dissuade Kaye from his love for Jeanmarie.
But Kaye persists and writes the "Mermaid" book for the ballerina and it
is produced when the company returns from tour. Before the performance
Kaye is accidentally locked in the prop room by Granger and left there.
Next morning Jeanmarie discovers this and summons him. He declares his
love for her but Granger bursts in with a display of affection and an extrava-
gant gift of jewelry. Kaye realizes the truth and leaves Copenhagen, meeting
Walsh, whom he had broken relations with, on the way back to their small
town. Since he had achieved some fame from the publication of his tales, he is
welcomed back as a story-teller.
Charles Vidor's excellent direction has sustained the appealing mood and
maintained interest for the greater part of the production's 114 minutes.
Fifteen years of preparation have gone into this production which is said to
have cost $4,000,000 to make. The result is a unique film that offers tremen-
dous merchandising potential. There is an enormous attraction for the fairy
tale audience of children and their parents all over the world. The ballet
sequences which utilize the talents of top performers in the field and spec-
tacular settings comprise nearly 25 per cent of the film. Audience appreciation
of the ballet is probably currently at a peak but even if not, the ballets are
immense visual productions, the "Mermaid" alone costing $400,000. In addi-
tion there is the romantic triangle which can draw. The marquee lure of
Kaye and the Goldwyn trademark are strong assets, of course. The film
should prove a most potent package of entertainment at the box-office.
Others in a capable cast are John Qualen, Peter Votrian, John Brown,
Jeanne Lafayette, Robert Malcolm, George Chandler, Fred Kelsey, Gil
Perkins and Philip Tonge.
Running time, 114 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
not set. W. P.
Para. Research
(Continued from page 1)
ferred during the Paramount vice-
president's Hollywood trip.
The mushrooming interest in tech-
nological advancement throughout the
industry was attributed by Raibourn
to the current run of "This Is Cine-
rama" at the Broadway Theatre here.
Technologically, Raibourn said, the in-
dustry had been marking time until
the peripheral vision process which
gives a three-dimensional effect was
unveiled. Stereophonic sound — that
is, sound coming from a number of
directions — is also used in the Cine-
rama process.
The Paramount vice-president ex-
pressed the belief that technological
advances will untap a wide audience
for motion picture theatres. Ques-
tioned about the economic drawbacks
of Cinerama, Raibourn said he be-
lieved that those and problems of
other third - dimensional processes
would be solved over a period of time.
Raibourn said to expect an announce-
ment in the near future on Para-
mount's tri-color Chromatic TV tube.
He declined to say what the annuonce-
ment would be, but Dick Hodgson,
president of Chromatic, previously re-
ported on plans to hold demonstrations
of the home color TV tube in key
cities.
Raibourn acknowledged that Colum-
bia Broadcasting System's television
executives continue to express inter-
est in the possible purchase of Para-
mount's backlog of short subjects.
However, he made it clear that the
talks have never come close to the
consummation of a deal.
'Andersen' Benefit
(Continued from page 1)
utilizing three cameras and a crew of
20 with Tex and Jinx_ McCrary
conducting celebrity interviews. Pro-
ducer Goldwyn, stars Danny Kaye and
Jeanmaire, screenplay author Moss
Hart, composer Frank Loesser and
featured actor Joey Walsh were on
hand. Others were Lilli Palmer, Rex
Harrison, Rosalind Russell, Robert
Sherwood, Edward R. Murrow, John
Steinbeck, Robert Considine, Gover-
nor Sherman Adams, G. S. Eyssell,
president of Rockefeller Center, and
A. Montague, vice-president of Col-
umbia Pictures.
Eyssell, chairman of the benefit
committee ; Montague, president of the
Will Rogers Hospital at Saranac
Lake, N. Y., and Kaye thanked the
audience for their support in cere-
monies that preceded the screening
of the film. Montague expressed
special appreciation to the benefit
committee members.
Abstract Short on Program
"Color Rhapsodie," a short abstract
film produced by Mary Ellen Bute,
was on the program last night and
will accompany the world premiere
engagement of "Andersen" at the
Criterion. It is an interpretation of
what the eye sees when the ear hears
music, in this case Lizst's "Hungarian
Rhapsody."
Mrs. J. Stowell Rites
Albany, Nov. 24. — Funeral services
for Mrs. Joseph Stowell, 41, wife of
the manager of Warner's Lincoln
Theatre in Troy, N. Y., were held in
Utica yesterday. Mrs. Stowell died
suddenly on Friday.
GREAT MOTION PICTURES ARE PROCESSED BY PAT H E
Director HOWARD HAWKS says:
''''Every frame of every one of my
pictures must meet the most rigid
specifications in our industry. That's
why I insist on lab work by Pat he.
? 9
Pathe processed Mr. Hawks' latest
picture, "Big Sky.1' May we talk
about doing your next picture?
Both New York and Hollywood Have Complete Pathe Laboratory Facilities:
35MM • l6MM • COLOR • BLACK AND WHITE
Pathe Laboratories, Inc. is a subsidiary of Chesapeake Industries, Inc.
6
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, November 25, 1952
4 Iron Mistress' Bow
Good as Hold-overs
Reign on Broadway
"Iron Mistress" opened to a pretty
good $65,000 at the Paramount this
week, a seven-day period in which
hold-overs predominated in most New
York first-run situations.
The dual world premiere of "Hans
Christian Andersen" will take place
today at the Criterion and the off-
Broadway Paris Theatre. The last
three days of "The Lusty Men" at
the Criterion racked up a moderate
$5,000. At the Paris, "Young Wives'
Tale" bowed out in its third week
with a rather slow $3,800.
At the Radio City Music Hall, a
fairly nice $110,000 is seen for the
second week of "Plymouth Adven-
ture." The picture will hold over the
Thanksgiving weekend. "Bloodhounds
of Broadway" at the Roxy is due to
hit a satisfactory $50,000 for its sec-
ond week.
"Outpost in Malaya" will open to-
morrow at Loew's State, replacing
"The Steel Trap," which is expected
to do a moderate $14,000 for its sec-
ond and final week. A fair $17,000 is
seen for "Prisoner of Zenda," in its
third week, at the Capitol.
"Limelight" is holding up neatly
with $24,000 expected for the fifth
week of the film at the Astor and
$9,000 at the two-a-day 60th Street
Trans-Lux. "Breaking Through the
Sound Barrier," another good grosser,
is due to hit $20,000 for its third in-
ning at the Victoria.
Holding up fairly well is "Snows
of Kilimanjaro" at the Rivoli, where
$17,000 is estimated for the tenth
week. "The Turning Point" at the
Globe is expected to bow out with an
average $10,500 for its second and
final week. Opening- Friday at the
Globe will be "Kansas City Confiden-
tial."
"The Thief of Venice" will pre-
miere at the Mayfair on Thursday,
replacing "The World in His Arms,"
which is predicted to hit a rather
moderate $10,000 for its seventh week.
Among off-Broadway theatres, the
record-breaking "The Promoter'' at
the Fine Arts is expected to -register
a robust $11,500 for its fourth week.
A neat $8,500 is indicated for "The
Fourposter" at the Sutton, now in
its sixth inning. At the 52nd Street
Trans-Lux, a fine $9,000 is forecast
for the sixth week of "O. Henry's
Full House." "Under the Red Sea"
at the Beekman opened to a pretty
good $7,800 for its first week.
Asides & Interludes
— by James Cunningham
MGM Starts Appeal
Film for 'Dimes'
Hollywood, Nov. 24.— M-G-M to-
day began filming this year's March of
Dimes subject for the appeal on be-
half of the National Foundation for
Infantile Paralysis. The company is
making the short for the 12th year.
Starring Howard Keel for the sec-
ond time, the half-reel appeal will be
the largest scale production in the se-
ries. It will be made at Rancho Los
Amigos Hospital with 50 to 75 respi-
ratory cases appearing. As in previ-
ous years, Harry Loud will produce
and direct the short under the super-
vision of Frank Whitbeck. Sid Sid-
man is unit manager. The short will
be released in the near future with
14,000 prints being shown simultane
ously for one week throughout the
country.
TONIGHT, the Motion Picture Pioneers, in annual assembly, will mantle
Nathan Blumberg with the cloak of "Motion Picture Pioneer of 1952."
May he wear it well ; well does he deserve it.
Late one December afternoon in 1937, Nate, who was then happily engaged
as RKO Theatres' topper, invited a representative of each of the trade papers
to dinner at New York's 21 Club. There was no apparent connection at the
time to the rumors afoot and in print about the economic floundering of
Universal Pictures. Universal talk-to's generally were not available for
comment. Those who were, would not. Reporters on the Universal beat
were not happy.
Cherrystones, filet and cafe disposed of, up spoke mine host : "I am leaving
RKO Theatres." A shock. "Yes," added Nate, "I have been asked to take
over the operation of Universal Pictures."
Universal's home office payroll that day was obtained from the first day's
rental of the Roxy Theatre's smash opening of a new Universal star, .known
little then, but better now, as Deanna Durbin. Nate candidly explained the
plight of the company and as he let down the silvery locks atop that round
and likeable dome, he asked the guys for their support of "a terrific assign-
ment."
Nate met the same reporters on the same night annually, after steering
Universal from the "red" to the "black," for several years thereafter.
The "Motion Picture Pioneer of 1937"— in 1952.
ft ft ft
Drive-in theatres' counterpart of baseball's "rain checks": "Fog tick-
ets"; they're being issued in those sectors of these United States where
a condensed watery vapor suspended in th atmosphere obscures vision.
. . . A Washington tip indicates that Ike's new head-lawyer, Herb
Brownell, will not be a-pushing that government suit to compel picture
companies to release films to telecasters and juke-boxers. . . . "Doc"
Kalmus' linguistic experts now have Technicolor credits (you know,
"color-by-Technicolor") translated in 36 languages, from Afrikaaneze to
Urudeze. . . . The trial balloon business in the West has been soaring
and soring of late. One day last week, reporters chased the tail that
tied Ned Depinet back to the presidency of RKO Pictures and Howard
Hughes' Noah Dietrich to the company's board chairmanship; next day,
the tales and the balloons were reversed — Dietrich was reported to be
company president and Ned on top of the board.
ft ft ft
Nat Williams has some theatres down Georgia way, around Quitman
and Thomasville. And Nat has a problem. Being a member in good
standing on the books of the Theatre Owners of America, Nat sent an
S.O.S. to TOA legalistic sage Herman Levy, up Connecticut way, as
follows:
"I need help badly and immediately.
"Surely in some of your educational pursuits and charitable activities,
you have attached yourself in an official manner to some medical school
or hospital.
"I want a corpse. Well preserved, if possible, but a corpse. I'm in a
battle with the Railway Express Agency, and only with a corpse can I win.
"Quitman is 24 miles from here. They have set a $2.52 rate on a feature
film from here to there, or over 10 cents a mile. They will haul a corpse
for 2.6 cents per mile. If 1 can get a bow-legged corpse, I can set a film
can between his legs, and re-use indefinitely, saving 7.4 cents a mile on
hauls. Don't know life expectancy of a corpse, but should recover profit
before he wears out.
"For a reasonable fee, say a half-dozen Scotchs, could you advise if the
plan has any legal flaws? If not, see what COMPO will offer for the idea.
They could copyright, sell to exhibitors, and simplify their funding labors."
ft
ft ft
AN IDYLL ABOUT IDEALISTIC GREEKS :— Many years ago, after
the buffeting of oyster-opening in a St. Louis hash-house, and the many
harrowing experiences in building a circuit in and around that precinct,
George Skouras arrived in New York. He told me shortly thereafter that
his life's ambition was to buy a tiny island off the coast of his native Greece,
and to repose there to philosophize. Whether George ever did acquire that
island, we do not know. But we do know that George toured this country
in the interim to round up horses and cattle and pigs and whatnot and had
them shipped to replenish the farms of those parts of Greece which had been
devastated by war.
While George was collecting horses and theatres, his brother, Charles, was
shuffling about on the West Coast doing something or other about 450 thea-
tres of National Theatres. Apparently, Charles also had a dream.
His dream was realized only the other day when the Cathedral of Saint
Sophia was dedicated in Los Angeles. Charles personally raised the several
million dollars required for its construction. It is the most expensive Cathe-
dral in the world, we are told, costing $850 per seat, making it more costly
than St. Peter's in Rome and St. Sophia's in Constantinople.
"This is the church that Skouras built," said A.P.D. Valakis, in a gorgeous
brochure describing the imposing edifice rising in the middle of a large,
landscaped area on Normandie Avenue near Pico Boulevard, where Charles
Skouras plans to extend the arts and music, the liturgical and ritualistic
influences which the Orthodox Church has propagated through the long
centuries.
12 Films in Natural
Vision Will Be Made
In Next 15 Months
Hollywood, Nov. 24. — Twelve
major motion pictures will be pro-
duced in Natural Vision 3-dimension
process during the next 15 months,
M. L. Gunzburg, president of Natural
Vision Corp., announced today.
Among them will be "Spear in
Sand," another production by Arch
Oboler, whose "Bwana Devil," the
first feature filmed in NV, premieres
here Wednesday evening. Negotia-
tions are under way also for filming
the Broadway musical, "New Faces,"
on the stage, and for making a feature
using the "Cecil and Beany" puppets
from the television show of that
name.
Contracts Signed
Gunzburg said contracts for exhibi-
tion in 50 cities in the next six months
have been signed, with San Francisco
and New York following Los Angeles
in presenting the first attraction.
In response to questioning, Gunz-
burg said experiments have been made
to determine whether NV on tele-
vision is practicable, but "3-D on
television is not an immediate possi-
bility."
'Bwana Devil' Will Bow Without
PCA Seal of Approval
Hollywood, Nov. 24. — Arch Oboler's
"Bwana Devil" will be world pre-
miered Wednesday night at the Holly-
wood and Downtown Paramount
Theatres as the first feature ever
filmed with natural vision 3-dimension
process despite the fact that the Pro-
duction Code Administration has with-
held its seal of approval, Oboler told
the press today.
Oboler said PCA's objection to is-
suing the seal is based on a love
scene which, he said, looks "hotter"
in rounded form achieved by NV
than it might have looked in regular
two dimension medium.
PCA spokesman told Motion Pic-
ture Daily the sequence alluded to
would have been objectionable "in
two dimensions, one dimension, or
flat."
'3-Dimension Week'
Proclaimed in L.A.
Los Angeles, Nov. 24. — Mayor
Fletcher Bowron has issued a procla-
mation here declaring the seven days
starting Wednesday to be "Three Di-
mension Week" in honor of the world
premiere of "Bwana Devil" in the
Natural Vision process at two Para-
mount Theatres Wednesday evening.
According to the proclamation the
event "will have important repercus-
sions in the motion picture industry
and already has created widespread in-
terest throughout the U. S. and
abroad," because "final perfection of
the three dimensional film is the result
of over two decades of intensive ef-
forts and research."
KATO Meets Today
Louisville, Nov. 24. — A meeting
of the board of directors of the Ken-
tucky Association of Theatre Owners
has been called here for tomorrow to
discuss and set up definite plans for
luncheon or dinner meetings with Sen-
ators and Congressmen for repeal of
the 20 per cent admission tax.
NEWS
WHILE
IT |S
NEWS
MOTION PICTURE
AIR
MAIL
EDITION
VOL. 72. NO. 101
NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1952
TEN CENTS
Para. Widens
Research in
3rd Dimension
Raibourn Says Cinerama
Stimulates Advances
Paramount Pictures has stepped
up its motion picture research pro-
gram, exploring the fields of third
dimensional films and stereophonic
sound more in-
tensely, Paul
Raibourn,
Paramount,
vice - president,
disclosed here
yesterday
following his re-
cent return from
a four-day visit
on the Coast.
Larger sums
of money are
currently being
requested by
P aramount' s
research depart-
Paul Raibourn
ment, headed by Loren Ryder, to meet
the growing research demands, Rai-
bourn added. Ryder and Raibourn con-
(Continued on page S) ,
'Andersen' Benefit
Nets Fund $25,000
An overflow audience contributed
a total of $25,000 to the Will Rogers
Memorial Hospital by the benefit
premiere here last night of Samuel
Goldwyn's "Hans Christian Ander-
sen" at the Criterion Theatre. Ce-
lebrities from the entertainment world
and prominent civic, business and
society figures attended, attracting
huge crowds of onlookers to the
"black tie" affair.
WP'IX televised the proceedings,
(Continued on page 5)
Colosseum Elects
Ray Wild President
Atlanta, Nov. 24. — The eighth an-
annual convention of the Colosseum of
Motion Picture Salesmen of America,
held here in honor of the late Frank
W. Salley, who started the organiza-
tion, elected Ray Wild of Dallas presi-
dent, succeeding Ross Williams.
Eddie Askin was elected vice-presi-
dent ; Floyd Klinger Smith, secretary ;
Leonard Appel, assistant secretary ;
Tom McKean, treasurer ; C. A.
(Continued on page 2)
500 at Pioneers'
Blum berg Tribute
At As tor Tonight
Five hundred members of the Mo-
tion Picture Pioneers from every
section of the U. S. and from coun-
tries all over the world will attend the
"Jubilee Dinner" of the Pioneers at
the Hotel Astor here tonight to join
in a tribute to N. J. Blumberg, chair-
man of the board of directors of Uni-
versal Pictures, as the "Motion Pic-
ture Pioneer of 1952."
Pioneer president Jack Cohn will
assemble the "Class of 1952" for in-
duction by Judge Ferdinand Pecora ;
60 to be inducted, including Bennett
Amdur, William Blum, Louis A.
Bonn, Lew Breyer, Carl Buermele,
Pedro Calderon, Will J. Conner, Ed-
ward P. Curtis, Thomas Di Lorenzo,
Morris Dudelson, L. J. Duncan, Sam-
uel Eckman, Jr., William Elson, Rob-
ert J. Fallon, Harold Fitzgerald,
William Flemion, Sr., Norman E.
Gluck, William Goldman, Irving H.
(Continued on page 5)'
RKO Pictures Net
Loss $4,777,766
The operations of RKO Pictures
Corp. and subsidiary companies for the
nine months ended Sept. 27 resulted
in a net loss (unaudited), after all
charges, of $4,777,766, which compares
with a loss of $145,904 for the same
period of 1951.
RKO's loss for the three-month pe-
riod that ended on the same date was
$1,064,932, which compares with a
profit of $588,816 for the third quar-
ter of 1951.
Series of Shorts on
Para. Screen Tests
Paramount's plan to pro-
duce a featurette titled "How
to Break Into the Movies," to
show the screen tests of up-
coming Paramount stars, may
be revised so that the pro-
ject would become a series of
shorts instead of a single
subject. Company executives
are of the opinion that there
is too much interesting ma-
terial available from the
screen test to be crammed
into one featurette.
The tentative plan now is
to spread the subject matter
over a series of one-reelers,
each to be made available at
about the time that a feature
starring one or more of the
players whose screen test is
highlighted in the short, is
released.
WB Joins 'Carmen'
Telecast Line-up
Warner Brothers has joined the
Theatre Network Television "Car-
men" line-up, while RKO Theatres
plans to carry the Dec. 11 event in
two situations.
WB has booked the cross-country
theatre TV Metropolitan Opera pro-
duction in the Stanley, Philadelphia,
and Warner's Hollywood in Los An-
geles, bringing the number of theatres
already signed up for the event to at
least 30.
An RKO Theatres spokesman said
(Continued on page 4)
AlliecTs Hands
On Arbitration
Tied Until Jan.
Next Move Up to Board;
Majors May Call Meet
Regardless of how Allied mem-
bers may feel about reopening dis-
cussions on a uniform arbitration
plan, nothing- can be done about it
until after the association's board
meeting in New Orleans Jan. 12.
Even if the distributors should come
up with a plan that would be entirely
acceptable to Allied, no action could
be taken on it until the proposals were
placed before the directors at the Janu-
ary sessions. This was stated empha-
tically by Abram F. Myers, chairman
of the board, in Washington.
Meanwhile, it is reported here that
distribution leaders are giving some
thought to calling a meeting of Allied
chieftains for the purpose of discuss-
ing the Allied objections to the so-
called industry arbitration plan which
was turned down by Allied at its an-
nual convention in Chicago last week.
By taking the "minus" points one by
one, the distributors believe they may
(Continued on page 2)
"Hans Christian Andersen"
[Samuel Goldwyn-RKO Pictures']
CHILDREN OF ALL AGES love fairy tales and this one about
^ the Danish writer in eye-caressing color by Technicolor reflects the
remarkable Goldwyn genius that combines genuine artistry with solid
commercial values. The peculiar magic that has been best exemplified
on the screen by the great Disney stories here is captured in the heart-
warming Moss Hart screenplay and enchantingly projected in a per-
formance by Danny Kaye that is eloquently simple.
Entwined with the cobbler-story-teller's appreciation of people and
children, is a sub-plot concerning his innocent affection for a beauteous
ballerina. Jeanmaire looks and dances the role admirably and her acting
is surprisingly sensitive despite an obvious if charming French accent.
Unknown to Kaye, she is happily married to a temperamental ballet
director, portrayed by Farley Granger with considerable glowering and
gesturing but little conviction. They quarrel and fight in front of Kaye
but kiss and make up later.
It is an exploitable angle of the film if a minor one and Kaye's shy
romance is touching. This part contains a dream sequence, a charming
wedding fantasy and two opulent ballets, elaborately staged, and expertly
danced. Roland Petit, head of the Paris Ballet for which Jeanmarie starred,
(Continued on page 5)
PORTLAND, Ore. , Nov.
24. — A power shortage
exists here in the Pacific
Northwest and all thea-
tres in the large cen-
ters of the area — princi-
pally in Portland and
Seattle — have agreed to
■cut their electric power
consumption 10 per cent.
•
Dudley Roberts, presi-
dent of Cinerama Produc-
tions, reports a promo-
tion plan whereby all the
stories carried in key
city newspapers on Cine-
rama will be classified
and grouped in relation to
the 200 cities in which it
is planned to show Cine-
rama within the next three
years, in the form of
bound folders to be pre-
sented to theatres in-
stalling the process.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, November 25, 1952
Personal
Mention
KENNETH McKENNA, M-G-M
story head, will arrive here from
the Coast tomorrow.
•
Sperie Perakos, general manager
of the Perakos Theatres Circuit, New
Britain, Conn., and Mrs. Perakos are
due back from a European honey-
moon about Dec. 1.
•
Harold Postman, assistant to
Alan F. Cummings, in charge of
M-G-M exchange operations, will re-
turn here Friday from the Midwest.
•
James F. McCarthy, manager of
the Warner Strand Theatre at Hart-
ford, has returned there from a South-
ern vacation.
•
Francis M. Winikus, United Art-
ists advertising-publicity director, left
here last night for a week's vacation in
Miami.
•
William B. Zoellner, head of M-
G-M's short subject and newsreel
sales, returned here yesterday from a
two-week tour of branches.
•
Stanley Rubin, 20th Century-Fox
producer, arrived in New York yester-
day from Hollywood.
•
W. E. Carroll of the Falls City
Theatre Equipment Co., Louisville, has
returned to that city from Chicago.
•
Samuel Goldwyn will be guest-in-
terviewed on CBS radio's "In Town
Today" show on Friday morning.
•
Holland Smith, manager of the
Saenger Theatre in New Orleans, has
left there for Hollywood.
•
Tom Rodgers of Brandt Theatres
has returned here from a Nassau
honeymoon.
•
Arthur Manson of M-G-M's Ca-
nadian press field staff, will return to
Toronto today from New York.
•
O. O. Dull, M-G-M director, is in
New York from the Coast.
Raftery Testifies at
Chicago UA Hearing
Chicago, Nov. 24. — Edward Raft-
ery, New York attorney and former
president of United Artists, testified
here today in the Krinsley vs. United
Artists et al hearing before Special
Master William Saltiel, appointed by
Federal Judge William J. Campbell
to hear evidence.
The case involves splitting of the
"spoils" of the Towne case, United
Artists claiming they should share
in the damages awarded the theatre,
having been partners, and the owners
of the theatre claiming that UA was
admitted to partnership in the theatre
through coercion hecause of the
Towne's inability to buy first-run pic-
tures, which United Artists supplied
to the theatre after buying an inter-
est. The hearings before Saltiel prob-
ably will be concluded tomorrow.
State Department Pleased
By New French Film Pact
Washington, Nov. 24. — State De-
partment officials have expressed sat-
isfaction that the film industry itself
had negotiated the new French pact,
rather than continuing it as a gov-
ernment-to-government agreement.
They said that in the reports dis-
closing details of the new agreement,
this fact had generally been over-
looked. They said the previous
French-American film agreement,
which grew out of conversations be-
tween one-time Secretary of State
Byrnes and former French premier
Blum, was the only instance where
the U. S. government had negotiated
with a foreign government for finan-
cial terms for a particular industry.
All other film agreements, such as the
British, and all agreements governing
other products such as autos or steel,
are negotiated between the U. S. in-
dustry and the foreign government, it
was asserted.
"The French film agreement was
always an anomalous one, and we were
never very happy about it," one offi-
cial said. "Frequently, we had to veto
something that was for the good of the
industry because it conflicted with
over-all State Department policy. It
is a fine thing that this situation has
been changed and that the new agree-
ment was negotiated by the industry
and that all future bargaining will be
done by the industry."
MPEA Seeking New
Terms in Pakistan
Washington, Nov. 24. — Industry
officials hope to get the Pakistan gov-
ernment to agree to better customs
terms for U.S. film imports.
Irving Maas of the Motion Picture
Export Association was reported to
be in Pakistan or en route there to
work on the problem.
Some time ago the Pakistan gov-
ernment raised its duties on all film
imports. This was designed to protect
the domestic industry mainly against
an influx of films from India. Re-
cently, however, the Pakistan govern-
ment banned Indian films outright,
thus reducing the need for the tariff
protection. U.S. officials are hopeful
the Pakistan government will agree
to a drawback provision under which
U.S. film imports would get a lower
duty.
Colosseum Elects
(Continued from page 1)
Blakely, assistant treasurer ; E. E.
Shinn, Southern regional vice-presi-
dent ; Dick Huffman, committeeman ;
Keith Godfrey, Eastern vice-president ;
Bill Wink and Bob Lightfoot, Mid-
west vice-presidents ; Williams and
Milt Simon, Central vice-presidents,
and Glen Haviland and Harry Swon-
son, Western vice-presidents.
The 100 attending salesmen ap-
proved resolutions demanding the lift-
ing of the 20 per cent Federal amuse-
ment tax and the withdrawal of the
suit forcing the sale of 16mm. films
to TV.
Next year's meeting will be held in
New Orleans.
SEC Reports RKO,
NT, Loew's Tradings
Washington, Nov. 24. — Loew's,
National Theatres, RKO Pictures and
RKO Theatres figured in changes in
stock holdings during October, ac-
cording to a report made public by
the Securities and Exchanges Com-
mission.
Charles C. Moskowitz, vice-presi-
dent of Loew's, bought 1,000 shares
of Loew's common, increasing his di-
rect holdings to 4,500 shares. Elmer
C. Rhoden, vice-president of National
Theatres, purchased 2,100 shares of
common stock, bringing his direct
National holdings to 5,900 shares.
Rhoden also has indirect holdings of
2,025 common shares.
Sherrill C. Corwin, a director of
RKO Pictures and currently acting-
chairman of the board, sold 10,000
shares of capital stock, decreasing his
direct RKO holdings to 200,884
shares. David J. Greene, director in
RKO Theatres, purchased 1,800 shares
of common stock through the Chem-
ical Bank & Trust Co. as trustee un-
der agreement with David Greene for
Dorothy G. Greene. Trust holdings
total 34,100 shares. Greene's direct
holdings amount to 16,450 shares of
common, with partnership holdings
totalling 10,000 shares. Dorothy
Greene owns 3,000 shares of common,
with Barbara Greene, daughter, and
Lawrence Greene, son, owning 300
shares each.
Perlmutter '53 Head
Of Albany Variety
Albany, N. Y„ Nov. 24.— The local
Variety Club tonight elected Jules
Perlmutter, president of Perlmutter
Theatre Booking Service and owner
of the Watervliet and Lake George
Theatres, chief barker.
Leon Greenfield, Universal manager,
was chosen first assistant chief barker ;
Alan Iselin, operator of the Auto-
Vision, East Greenbush, second assis-
tant chief barker ; George Schenck,
Tri-State Automatic Candy Corp.
branch manager, property master ;
Aaron Wining, chief dougtiboy. They
will take office Dec. 1.
Allied's Hands Tied
(Continued from page 1)
be able to find a means of meeting Al-
lied's objections.
Because of Allied's position on the
issue, until after the board meeting,
it is obvious that an arbitration for-
mula which would include Allied could
not be^ operative at least until after
Jan. 12. While the reported distribu-
tors' desire for a roundtable conference
with Allied leaders might result in
a> step -toward ironing out some of
wrinkles which Allied believes to exist
in the present format, participants
could do nothing but report the efforts
to the board. Formal negotiations then
could follow.
Canadian Exhibitors
Pay $19,647,000 Tax
Ottawa, Nov. 24. — Canadian
government reports admis-
sion taxes collected by the
provincial governments across
the nation totalled $19,647,-
000 during the year ending
March 31, 1952, including, by
provinces, $10,329,000 in On-
tario, $3,618,000 in Quebec,
$2,620,000 in British Colum-
bia, $1,100,000 in Manitoba,
$955,000 in Alberta, $560,000
in Nova Scotia, $300,000 in
New Brunswick, $115,000 at
Prince Edward Island, and
$50,000 in Saskatchewan.
Rank Group Resigns
From 4U' Board
Directors of Universal Pictures
yesterday formally accepted the resig-
nations of J. Arthur Rank, Robert
Benjamin and G. I. Woodham-Smith
from the Universal board at a meet-
ing held here.
Rank had continued as a board
member following the sale of his
stock interest in Universal last spring,
while Benjamin and Woodham-Smith
had remained on the board by virtue
of their executive association with
Rank. Rank and Woodham-Smith
tendered their resignations recently,
in view of the fact that Rank's in-
terest had been sold to Decca Records.
Benjamin resigned when he became
chairman of the board of United
Artists.
The trio's places on the Universal
board will not be filled, according to
N. J. Blumberg, board chairman.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center
"PLYMOUTH ADVENTURE"
Spencer TRACY . Gene TIERNEY
Van JOHNSON . Leo GENN
Color by TECHNICOLOR - An M-G-M Picture
plus GREAT HOLIDAY STAGE SPECTACLE !
ALAN
"TheIroR
Mistress
Color by TECHNICOLOR
1
7?/lf?/iMO(//vr
Midnight ftetvrt
SAMUEL GOLDWYN presents
Hans Christian
Andersen
starring
DANNY KAYE%.
CRITERION • PARIS
B'way & 45th St. 58th St. W. of 5th Ave.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY Martin Quigley, Editor-in- Chief and Publisher; Sherwm Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting Editor. Published daily, except Saturdays,
Sundays and holidays by Quigley Pub ishinjr Company, Inc., 12/0 Sixth Avenue Rockefeller Center, New York 20. N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco,
New York.' Martm Quigley, President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. T. Sull.van. Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy. Vice-President; Leo J. Brady
wmv Yi Jw 65 ■ rCAnm°gr\am' iT ?Cr^ T ^' /ec*e' ^u'Sl% Manafej; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building
William R. Weaver .Editor. Chicago Bureau. 120 South LaSalle Street , Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FT 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843 Washington, J, A. Otten, National Press Club Washington. DC London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq.. London WI; 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 I 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, 18/9. subscription rates per year, $6 m the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies, 10c.
Tuesday, November 25, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
Reviews
"Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd"
{Warner Brothers)
QHARLES LAUGHTON does slapstick comedy with alacrity in this
y amusing tarce that features the formula antics of Bud Abbott and Lou
Costello and includes six songs zestfully rendered by a chorus and the prin-
cipals. Fran Warren is introduced in this satire on the famous pirate chief
and sings several of the Bob Russell-Lester Lee songs.
It is one of the better films coming from the team lately due largely to the
fine spoofing done by Laughton and Hillary Brooke, the latter as a beauteous
lady pirate._ The color by Supercinecolor is rather garish, but, nevertheless
the production has the right elements for good box-office returns.
The story written by Howard Dimsdale and John Grant has tailor-made
situations for Abbott and Costello. It deals with Laughton, as Captain Kidd
having raided ships in Miss Brooke's territory and the latter demanding her
share oi the treasure which is cached on Laughton's private island. Abbott
and Costello become involved when they accidentally gain possession of a
map showing where the treasure is buried.
_ Leif Erickson stolidly plays Morgan, Laughton's assistant. Miss Warren
is appealing as a lady taken off a vanquished merchant ship, and Bill Shirley
is handsome and sings with relish, as her boy friend who is shanghaied by
Lrickson. When Laughton double-crosses Miss Brooke over the treasure she
joins forces with Abbott and Costello and when her own ship arrives they
destroy Laughton s gang. At the finale A. & C. sail off happily with the
treasure and Laughton hanging from the bowsprit by his toes.
•SonTfsJi"?luied are "North of Nowhere," "A Bachelor's Life," "Meet Cap-
tain Kidd, Speak To Me of the Tall Pine," "We Sail Tonight," and
Away, Aye, Ay, Aye, Oh!"
Alex Gottlieb produced and Charles Lamont directed. This is a broadly
played comedy that contains names that can be exploited.
Running time, 70 minutes. General audience classification. Release date
Uec- Z/- Walter Pashkin
Thunderbirds
(Republic)
A RESOUNDING tribute is paid to another branch of the Armed Forces
f A the National Guard, in this ambitious Republic production. Oklahoma's
tamed and respected 45th Infantry Division, known as the "Thunderbirds,"
is the focal point of the drama. Republic has given the picture a thorough-
going and competent production treatment and has assembled a large cast for
lts enactment. As a drama it moves along the familiar ground of war stories
As for good exploitation material, it abounds in it.
Starting early in 1940, when Congress called up the National Guard, the
story traces the adventures and experiences of two buddies, John Derek and
John Barrymore, Jr., both of whom are in love with the same girl, Eileen
Christy.
Their first baptism of fire is a harrying one and the camera traces with
stark realism battle after battle in Sicily and Italy. A considerable amount
of actual combat footage has been inserted for authentic effect. Around the
main plot in which the two lads play the focal part, the screenplay by Mary
C. McCall, Jr. delineates several other subplots involving others in the unit.
Thus it has warmth, humor, pathos and sentiment.
News finally comes to the boys that Miss Christy has made her choice of
one to marry, Barrymore, thus leaving Derek crestfallen. It is not for long,
however, as he meets a pretty Army nurse, Mona Freeman. The boys are
separated, and tension grows as Barrymore is believed to have been killed.
In a storybook ending, both are happily united however. Ward Bond, a
veteran sergeant who turns out to be Barrymore's father, dies heroically,
thus erasing a court marshal from World War I.
John H. Auer was associate producer-director for this Herbert J. Yates
presentation, based on a story by Kenneth Garnet. Others in the cast are
Gene Evans and Barton MacLane, both as sergeants.
Running time, 98 minutes. General audience classification. Release date
Nov. 27.
"Tromha, the Tiger Man"
{Lippert Pictures) Hollyzvood, Nov. 24
TV/I ADE in Germany and in the German language but since dubbed in
English, this stacks up as a fair offering with subject matter that
allows for exploitation in certain situations. The dubbing is about average
and performances are ordinary.
The setting is the famous Krone circus in Europe and the story, by-
Elizabeth Zimmermann and Helmut Weiss, deals with circus performers and
animals, thus providing circus promotional angles.
Tromba, who has a tiger act, is presented as the top attraction of the
circus. His way with women is persuasive, unprincipled, and usually tragic.
The circus is owned by a former trapeze artiste who was crippled in an
accident caused by Tromba. The same accident killed her husband. Tromba
becomes romantically entangled with the owner's daughter, who replaces
another trapeze artiste in his affections. Tromba's act with the tigers depends
upon a drug that keeps the tigers under control and when he runs out of
the drug, one of the tigers claws him to death.
Rene Deltgen portrays the title role and others in the cast include Ange-
line Hauff, Gustav Knuth, Hilde Weissner, Gretha Weiser, Gardy Granass,
and Adrian Hoven. Helmut Weiss directed.
Running time, 63 minutes. Adult audience classification. Release date.
Nov. 14.
time
•'ft*-
V:^V^i;:*;:'::
/y.
will become enchanting, roman-
tic now for millions of teen fans
when they see this; tale about a
tall cobbler and a beautiful
dancer. And they'll see it, they'll
love it (make friends go, and
family too) because it's the Pic-
ture of the Month in December
mnttn
ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE FOR
YOUNG WOMEN IN THEIR TEENS
M
SAMUEL GOLDWYN's
Hans
Christian
Anderson
starring
\ ]\ Y KAY E
and
FARLEY GRANGER
introducing
JEANMAIRE
Directed by CHARLES VIDOR
Screen Play by MOSS HART
Words and Music by FRANK LOESSER
Color by Technicolor
Distributed by RKO Radio Pictures, Inc.
Motion Picture daily
Tuesday, November 25, 1952
OMPI Using NBC
Spot Announcements
Spot announcements over
WNBC here by the Organiza-
tion of the Motion Picture In-
dustry of the City of New
York are now being used on
the station's program, in a
deal between the OMPI and
the radio outlet. Besides pro-
moting current pictures, the
organization is building the
theatre as a community insti-
tution. The subjects will in-
clude matters of interest to
the public pertaining to
power of projection, light,
screen size, safety factors,
air conditioning and commun-
ity endeavors.
To Report on SAG
TV Negotiations
A detailed report on the breakdown
of negotiations between the Screen
Actors Guild and TV producers on
the use of actors in television film
commercials will be given here to-
morrow by Mel Gold, president of the
National Television Film Council,
who will address a luncheon meeting
of the NTFC at the Warwick Hotel.
In addition, nomination of officers
for 1953 will be discussed.
First Collections of
Will Rogers Drive
The Will Rogers Memorial Hospital
drive's first circuit wide report of col-
lections by boxes-on-candy-stands was
received from the Loew's circuit and
Joseph R. Vogel revealed that over a
varying period of time, from four to
eight weeks, the initial total was
$2,100.
This averages $1.65 per week per
theatre in the New York area and
$2.33 per week per out-of-town
theatre.
See more. ..do more-
enjoy the best for less!
FLY TWA
to EUROPE in
THRIFT SEASON
and SAVE!
You can save more than $1 00
on a TWA ticket to Europe
and return (through
March 31). See your travel
agent or call Trans World
Airlines.
ACROSS THE US AND OVERSEAS
FLY1
Television-Radio
with Pinky Herman
WITH operations of KTSM-TV, El Paso, Tex., WFPG-TV,
Atlantic City; KTBC-TV, Austin, Tex., and KGMB-TV in
Honolulu, scheduled to NBCominence next month and seven addi-
tional TV outlets joining the NBChain early next year, NBC-
affiliated stations will total 77. . . . His name perhaps isn't Clancy
and it was undoubtedly an accident, nevertheless, the CB Sound man
lowered the boom on Gordon Goodman's head just as the tenor
completed his song last Sunday on Fred Waring's telecast. . . . Bob
Weitman, "V.P." of United Paramount Theatres, has set up a million
dollar arrav of talent for the "Celebrity Parade for Cerebral Palsy"
ABC telethon which will start at 8:00 P.M. Saturday, Dec. 6 and
continue until 2:30 P.M. the following day. Definite assurances to
attend have been received from Jackie Gleason, Robert Merrill,,
Dennis James. Dorothy Sarnoff, Marie Riva, Jane Pickens, Yul
Brunner, Constance Carpenter, Johnny Johnston, Tex and Jinx
McCrary, Tony Bennett, Jack Carter, Faye Emerson, Jan Peerce,
Skitch Henderson, Toni Arden, Arlene Francis and Joey Adams.
ft ft ft
TViewers of "Toast of the Town," (Sunday, Dec. 7) will
see how Samuel Goldwyn first entered the motion picture
business, back in 1913, when he formed the Jesse L. Lasky
Feature Play Co. with Lasky and A. S. Friend and signed a
young playwright named Cecil B. DeMille to direct the new
company's "(The Squaw Man," first full length film. The
Walter Camp All-American Football Team, sponsored by
Collier's Magazine, will line up on Ed Sullivan's "Toast of the
Town" telecast this CBSunday. Not to be outdone, Jackie
Gleason, who often referred to himself as the "All American
Drawback," will present on his own program the following
Saturday Look magazine's All-American Team. . . . Veepee
Sam Nathanson of the Helen Ainsworth Corp. has returned
to Hollywood from a countrywide sales tour after setting up
TV outlets for 52 quarter-hour "Hollywood Newsreel" films,
a series of quarter-hour films entitled "Adventures of Patches"
and 13 short musical shorts. . . . Alice Corey, who retired from
the stage when she married Wendell Corey, may accompany
him when he comes East. If so, look for La Corey to take a
fling at TV. . . . Bill Silbert, WABDisk Jockey, started as a
boy soprano at WWJ, Detroit. Later he joined the cast of a
daily radio program, "The Happy Hour," which included the
following names: Betty Darling, Harvey Lichtenstein and
Amos Jacobs. (Yes, they are famous. They have since changed
their names to Betty Hutton, Harvey Stone and Danny
Thomas.)
ft ft ft
"This Is Show Business" will bow out in January and will be
replaced with a telefilm scries, "Private Secretary," starring Ann
Sothcrn. Sponsor continues to be Lucky Strike Ciggies and. the
CBSunday series will be aired three successive weeks with Jack
Benny's antics taking over this time-slot every fourth week. . . .
Donald O'Connor's Dec. 14 NBColgate Comedy Hour stint will be
filmed by Ralph Staub for Columbia Pictures' Screen Snapshot series.
. . . Curt Massey, WOR-MB Singing emcee, spent 30 of his 42 years
in show business. He started his musical career at the age of 12
playing a piano in a theatre in Roszvell, New Mexico. . . . The Fred
W. Amend Co. will return to ABC-TV Saturday. Dec. 27 to sponsor
a kideo sport series, "Hail, the Champ" which will alternate on the
11:30 A.M. -12 noon slot with Derby Foods' Western film series,
"Sky King." The Saturday morning line-up of juve telecasts will be
completely sold out on this net, starting Jan. 3 when the Johnson
Candy Co. ushers in Todd Russell's "Rootie Kasootie" the former
NBC oca. Cola series. . . . CBS will toss a cocktail party tomorrow
at the Ambassador Hotel here in honor of Jack (Range Rider)
Mahoney, Gene Autry's protege, who will ride in Macy's Thanks-
giving Day parade Thursday. . . .
ft ft ft
Hollywood's make believe can never match the thrilling official
pictures depicted in the "Battle of Coral Sea," episode of "Victory
at Sea," NBClassic Documentary, seen last Sunday on Channel 4.
. . . Motion Picture stars, who to date have steered clear of TV
appearances, were so thrilled at what they saw at the opening last
week of the Hollywood CBS-Television City that several expressed
intentions of an early TV invasion. . . . Another Bus will be added
to the 90 minutes "Omnibus" CBSeries of telecasts Sunday, Dec. 28
when the Greyhound Bus becomes a participating sponsor.
Ill Stations Now in
A. T. & T. TV Link
Network television facilities
will be available for carrying
programs into Austin, Texas
starting Thursday, according
to the long lines department
of American Telephone and
Telegraph Co.
The addition of Austin to
the Bell network brings to
111 the total number of sta-
tions to which TV network
service is now available. The
network inter - connects 68
cities in the U.S.
'Carmen' Telecast
(Continued from page 1)
that a TNT contract has yet to be
signed, but the circuit plans to carry
the telecast in two RKO theatres,
their location still undecided. The only
major circuit yet to publicly announce
a "Carmen" deal is Loew's. Five af-
filiated United Paramount Theatres
have joined the TNT network.
Meanwhile, TNT disclosed its se-
lection of Henry Souvaine as producer
of the "Carmen" telecast, the first en-
tertainment show in the history of the
theatre TV medium. Clark Jones was
selected as TV director for the three-
hour evening performance, starring
Rise Stevens, Nadine Conner, Rich-
ard Tucker and Robert Merrill.
Special Lighting
To get maximum effects for the
theatre audiences across the country,
the Metropolitan has agreed for the
first time to special television lighting
of its stage. TV cameras and techni-
cal crews of the DuMont Television
Network will be used for the telecast,
with cameras located in the "Diamond
Horseshoe" boxes, in the orchestra
pit, and for special programming out-
side the auditorium of the Metropoli-
tan.
In Boston, the American Theatre
Corp. has announced that it has re-
considered and will definitely present
the "Carmen" telecast at the Pilgrim
Theatre.
In Albany, N. Y., it was disclosed
that Fabian's Grand will present the
"Carmen" telecast. Prices will range
from $1.20 to $3.60 on a reserved seat
basis.
Manager Paul Wallen said that the
first seven rows of the orchestra will
be scaled at $2.50 and the remainder
at $3.60. Eight rows in the balcony
will be sold at $3.60 and six at $2.50.
Second balcony prices will be $1.50
and $1.20. The theatre seats 1,500.
Tickets will probably be placed on
sale the latter part of this week, coin-
cidental with the breaking of an ad-
vertising" campaign.
VERDI was a PIONEER
Congratulations to the
MOTION PICTURE PIONEERS
We welcome you all to our magnificent
carousal at the HOTEL ASTOR
NOW READY FOR RELEASE
Carmine Gallone's Motion Picture Version
"LA F0RZA DEL DESTIN0"
VERDI'S IMMORTAL OPERA
Featuring the World's Outstanding Singers
NELLY CARRADI TITO GOBBI
Cino Sinimberghi Giulio Neri
Mira Vargas Vito de Tarranto
3 STARS + + + New York Daily News
NOW in its big 6th week . . . New York City
1st week . . . Dallas
This week . . . Denver, Los Angeles,
San Francisco and Baltimore
Contact Nathan Cy Braunstein
SCREEN ART SALES CO.
723 7th Avenue, New York City
Clr. 6-5883
Tuesday, November 25, 1952
Motion Picture daily
5
Blumberg
(Continued from page 1)
Greenfield, George S. Gullette, Wil-
liam Hissner, Henry M. Hobart.
Also, Peter P. Horner, Benjamin
Kalmenson, Jules Lapidus, Martin Le-
vine, Lewis Lieser, William Mein-
hardt, Peter Mole, Raymond E. Moon,
Milton A. Mooney, Edward E. Muhl,
J. J. O'Leary, William Onie, Fred-
erick C. Quimby, A. A. Renfro, Hal
Roach, Samuel Rosen, J. Robert
Rubin, Edward Ruby, William F. Ruf-
fin, John A. Schnack, Harry W.
Schroeder, Eddie Senz, Hyman Sil-
verman, Fred G. Sliter, Nathan So-
bel, David M. Sohmer, Alfred Starr,
Harold Sugarman, C. J. Tevlin, David
Weshner, Morris M. Wexler, Dudley
M. Williston, Benjamin Wray, Max
M. Yellen, Edward F. Zabel and
Adolph Zukor.
Ned E. Depinet is chairman of the
dinner, the 13th annual affair. George
Jessel will be toastmaster. The prin-
cipal speaker will be Father Patrick
Peyton. Scheduled to sit on the dais,
besides Blumberg, Depinet, Cohn, Jes-
sel, Father Peyton and Judge Pecora,
are Jack Alicoate, Barney Balaban,
Harry Brandt, Harry Cohn, Ted Cur-
tis, Sam Dembow, Jr., G. S. Eyssell,
Harold Fitzgerald, Frank Folsom,
William German, William Goetz,
Leonard Goldenson, James R. Grain-
ger, Abel Green, T. J. Hargrave,
Danny Kaye, Louis Lurie, John J.
O'Connor, Robert J. O'Donnell, Sam
Pinanski, Martin Quigley, Milton
Rackmil, Sam Rinzler, Herman Rob-
bins, J. Robert Rubin, Serge Semen-
enko, George Skouras, Albert Warner,
Harry Warner, Robert R. Young and
Zukor.
Harry Wismer will highlight a spe-
cial requiem for the industry leaders
who died during the past year, includ-
ing 20 Pioneer members. Rabbi Ralph
Silverstein of Temple Sinai of Brook-
lyn and former Chaplain of Cinema
Lodge of B'nai B'rith, will deliver the
invocation. Jane Pickens will sing the
"Star Spangled Banner" and the Radio
City Music Hall Glee Club and A!
Rickey and his orchestra will provide
the music.
The committee handling the details
of the dinner include Harry Takiff,
Marvin Kirsch, Charles Alicoate, Gil
Josephson, David Bader, Ray Gal-
lagher and Leon Leonidoff. John J.
O'Connor is chairman of the honor
guests. Maurice Bergman, Hank
Linet and Milton Livingston have been
assisting the committee.
New Balaban TV Station
Chicago, Nov. 24. — Harry and El-
mer Balaban, of the H. and E. Bala-
ban Circuit, owners and operators of
theatres here and in Detroit, have ap-
plied for their second television chan-
nel, this one in Milwaukee.
'Sheba' to Victoria
Hal Wallis' "Come Back, Little
Sheba" will have its world pre-release
opening at the Victoria Theatre here,
it was announced today by Paramount
and the management. The film will
be the next attraction at the Victoria.
it
Hans Christian Andersen
{Continued from page 1)
did the choreography and dances with her in the "The Little Mermaid" ballet.
Erik Bruhn of the Ballet Theatre performs with her in the other.
Frank Loesser's fine score has been integrated with the story and it includes
several songs based on and containing the essence of several of Andersen's
tales. There are "The Ugly Duckling," "The King's New Clothes,"
"Thumbelina" and "Inch Worm," "Wonderful Copenhagen," "Anywhere I
Wander," "I'm Hans Christian Andersen," and the thoroughly modern and
delightful duet "No Two People."
Joey Walsh is outstanding among a group of pleasant youngsters as the
orphaned cobbler-apprentice more wise to society's vicious ways than his
kindly guardian. It is Walsh who talks Kaye into leaving his small town to
go to Copenhagen when he discovers the town is going to order Kaye to
leave for keeping the children from school with his tale-telling. Walsh also
tries to dissuade Kaye from his love for Jeanmarie.
But Kaye persists and writes the "Mermaid" book for the ballerina and it
is produced when the company returns from tour. Before the performance
Kaye is accidentally locked in the prop room by Granger and left there.
Next morning Jeanmarie discovers this and summons him. He declares his
love for her but Granger bursts in with a display of affection and an extrava-
gant gift of jewelry. Kaye realizes the truth and leaves Copenhagen, meeting
Walsh, whom he had broken relations with, on the way back to their small
town. Since he had achieved some fame from the publication of his tales, he is
welcomed back as a story-teller.
Charles Vidor's excellent direction has sustained the appealing mood and
maintained interest for the greater part of the production's 114 minutes.
Fifteen years of preparation have gone into this production which is said to
have cost $4,000,000 to make. The result is a unique film that offers tremen-
dous merchandising potential. There is an enormous attraction for the fairy
tale audience of children and their parents all over the world. The ballet
sequences which utilize the talents of top performers in the field and spec-
tacular settings comprise nearly 25 per cent of the film. Audience appreciation
of the ballet is probably currently at a peak but even if not, the ballets are
immense visual productions, the "Mermaid" alone costing $400,000. In addi-
tion there is the romantic triangle which can draw. The marquee lure of
Kaye and the Goldwyn trademark are strong assets, of course. The film
should prove a most potent package of entertainment at the box-office.
Others in a capable cast are John Qualen, Peter Votrian, John Brown,
Jeanne Lafayette, Robert Malcolm, George Chandler, Fred Kelsey, Gil
Perkins and Philip Tonge.
Running time, 114 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
not set. W. P.
Para. Research
(Continued from page 1 )
ferred during the Paramount vice-
president's Hollywood trip.
The mushrooming interest in tech-
nological advancement throughout the
industry was attributed by Raibourn
to the current run of "This Is Cine-
rama" at the Broadway Theatre here.
Technologically, Raibourn said, the in-
dustry had been marking time until
the peripheral vision process which
gives a three-dimensional effect was
unveiled. Stereophonic sound — that
is, sound coming from a number of
directions — is also used in the Cine-
rama process.
The Paramount vice-president ex-
pressed the belief that technological
advances will untap a wide audience
for motion picture theatres. Ques-
tioned about the economic drawbacks
of Cinerama, Raibourn said he be-
lieved that those and problems of
other third - dimensional processes
would be solved over a period of time.
Raibourn said to expect an announce-
ment in the near future on Para-
mount's tri-color Chromatic TV tube.
He declined to say what the annuonce-
ment would be, but Dick Hodgson,
president of Chromatic, previously re-
ported on plans to hold demonstrations
of the home color TV tube in key
cities.
Raibourn acknowledged that Colum-
bia Broadcasting System's television
executives continue to express inter-
est in the possible purchase of Para-
mount's backlog of short subjects.
However, he made it clear that the
talks have never come close to the
consummation of a deal.
'Andersen' Benefit
(Continued from page 1)
utilizing three cameras and a crew of
20 with Tex and jinx McCrary
conducting celebrity interviews. Pro-
ducer Goldwyn, stars Danny Kaye and
Jeanmaire, screenplay author Moss
Hart, composer Frank Loesser and
featured actor Joey Walsh were on
hand. Others were Lilli Palmer, Rex
Harrison, Rosalind Russell, Robert
Sherwood, Edward R. Murrow, John
Steinbeck, Robert Considine, Gover-
nor Sherman Adams, G. S. Eyssell,
president of Rockefeller Center, and
A. Montague, vice-president of Col-
umbia Pictures.
Eyssell, chairman of the benefit
committee ; Montague, president of the
Will Rogers Hospital at Saranac
Lake, N. Y., and Kaye thanked the
audience for their support in cere-
monies that preceded the screening
of the film. Montague expressed
special appreciation to the benefit
committee members.
Abstract Short on Program
"Color Rhapsodie," a short abstract
film produced by Mary Ellen Bute,
was on the program last night and
will accompany the world premiere
engagement of "Andersen" at the
Criterion. It is an interpretation of
what the eye sees when the ear hears
music, in this case Lizst's "Hungarian
Rhapsody."
Mrs. J. Stowell Rites
Albany, Nov. 24. — Funeral services
for Mrs. Joseph Stowell, 41, wife of
■the manager of Warner's Lincoln
Theatre in Troy, N. Y., were held in
Utica yesterday. Mrs. Stowell died
suddenly on Friday.
GREAT MOTION PICTURES ARE PROCESSED BY PATHE
Director HOWARD HAWKS says:
"Every frame of every one of my
pictures must meet the most rigid
specifications in our industry. Thafs
why I insist on lab work by Pat he. ' '
Pathe processed Mr. Hawks' latest
picture, "Big Sky." May we talk
about doing your next picture?
Both New York and Hollywood Have Complete Pathe Laboratory Facilities:
35MM • l6MM • COLOR • BLACK AND WHITE
Pathe Laboratories, Inc. is a subsidiary of Chesapeake Industries, Inc.
6
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, November 25, 1952
'Iron Mistress' Bow
Good as Hold-overs
Reign on Broadway
"Iron Mistress" opened to a pretty
good $65,000 at the Paramount this
week, a seven-day period in which
hold-overs predominated in most New
York first-run situations.
The dual world premiere of "Hans
Christian Andersen" will take place
todav at the Criterion and the off-
Broadway Paris Theatre. The last
three days of "The Lusty Men" at
the Criterion racked up a moderate
$5,000. At the Paris, "Young Wives'
Tale" bowed out in its third week
with a rather slow $3,800.
At the Radio City Music Hall, a
fairly nice $110,000 is seen for the
second week of "Plymouth Adven-
ture." The picture will hold over the
Thanksgiving weekend. "Bloodhounds
of Broadway" at the Roxy is due to
hit a satisfactory $50,000 for its sec-
ond week.
"Outpost in Malaya" will open to-
morrow at Loew's State, replacing
"The Steel Trap," which is expected
to do a moderate $14,000 for its sec-
ond and final week. A fair- $17,000 is
seen for "Prisoner of .Zenda," in its
third week, at the Capitol.
"Limelight" is holding up neatly
with $24,000 expected for the fifth
week of the film at the Astor and
$9,000 at the . twp-a-day 60th Street
Trans-Lux. "Breaking Through the
Sound Barrier," another good grosser,
is due to hit $20,000 for its third in-
ning at the Victoria.
Holding up fairly well is "Snows
of Kilimanjaro" at the Rivoli, where
$12,000 is estimated for the tenth
week. "The Turning Point" at the
Globe is expected to bow out with an
average $10,500 for its second and
final week. Opening Friday at the
Globe will be "Kansas City Confiden-
tial."
"The Thief of Venice" will pre-
miere at the Mayfair on Thursday,
replacing "The World in His Arms,"
which is predicted to hit a rather
moderate $10,000 for its seventh week.
Among off-Broadway theatres, the
record-breaking "The Promoter" at
the Fine Arts is expected to register
a robust $11,500 for its fourth week.
A neat $8,500 is indicated for "The
Fourposter" at the Sutton, now in
its sixth inning. At the 52nd Street
Trans-Lux, a fine $9,000 is forecast
for the sixth week of "O. Henry's
Full House." "Under the Red Sea"
at the Beekman opened to a pretty
good $7,800 for its first week.
MGM Starts Appeal
Film for 'Dimes'
Hollywood, Nov. 24. — M-G-M to-
day began filming this year's March of
Dimes subject for the appeal on be-
half of the National Foundation for
Infantile Paralysis. The company is
making the short for the 12th year.
Starring Howard Keel for the sec-
ond time, the half-reel appeal will be
the largest scale production in the se-
ries. It will be made at Rancho Los
Amigos Hospital with 50 to 75 respi-
ratory cases appearing. As in previ-
ous years, Harry Loud will produce
and direct the short under the super-
vision of Frank Whitbeck. Sid Sid-
man is unit manager. The short will
be released in the near future with
14,000 prints being shown simultane-
ously for one week throughout the
country.
Asides & Interludes
— by James Cunningham
TONIGHT, the Motion Picture Pioneers, in annual assembly, will mantle
Nathan Blumberg with the cloak of "Motion Picture Pioneer of 1952."
May he wear it well ; well does he deserve it.
Late one December afternoon in 1937, Nate, who was then happily engaged
as RKO Theatres' topper, invited a representative of each of the trade papers
to dinner at New York's 21 Club. There was no apparent connection at the
time to the rumors afoot and in print about the economic floundering of
Universal Pictures. Universal talk-to's generally were not available for
comment. Those who were, would not. Reporters on the Universal beat
were not happy.
Cherrystones, filet and cafe disposed of, up spoke mine host : "I am leaving
RKO Theatres." A shock. "Yes," added Nate, "I have been asked to take
over the operation of Universal Pictures."
Universal's home office payroll that day was obtained from the first day's
rental of the Roxy Theatre's smash opening of a new Universal star, known
little then, but better now, as Deanna Durbin. Nate candidly explained the
plight of the company and as he let down the silvery locks atop that round
and likeable dome, he asked the guys for their support of "a terrific assign-
ment."
Nate met the same reporters on the -same night annually, after steering
Universal from the "red" to the "black," for several years thereafter.
The "Motion Picture Pioneer of 1937" — in 1952.
ik ik
ik
Drive-in theatres' counterpart of baseball's "rain checks": "Fog tick-
ets"; they're being issued in those sectors of these United States where
a condensed watery vapor suspended in th atmosphere obscures vision.
. . . A Washington tip indicates that Ike's new head-lawyer, Herb
Brownell, will not be a-pushing that government suit to compel picture
companies to release films to telecasters and juke-boxers. . . . "Doc"
Kalmus' linguistic experts now have Technicolor credits (you know,
"color-by-Technicolor") translated in 36 languages, from Afrikaaneze to
Urudeze. . . . The trial balloon business in the West has been soaring
and soring of late. One day last week, reporters chased the tail that
tied Ned Depinet back to the presidency of RKO Pictures and Howard
Hughes' Noah Dietrich to the company's board chairmanship; next day,
the tales and the balloons were reversed — Dietrich was reported to be
company president and Ned on top of the board.
ik ik ik
Nat Williams has some theatres down Georgia way, around Quitman
and Thomasville. And Nat has a problem. Being a member in good
standing on the books of the Theatre Owners of America, Nat sent an
S.O.S. to TOA legalistic sage Herman Levy, up Connecticut way, as
follows:
"I need help badly and immediately.
"Surely in some of your educational pursuits and charitable activities,
you have attached yourself in an official manner to some medical school
or hospital.
"1 want a corpse. Well preserved, if possible, but a corpse. I'm in a
battle with the Railway Express Agency, and only with a corpse can I win.
"Quitman is 24 miles from here. They have set a $2.52 rate on a feature
film from here to there, or over 10 cents a mile. They will haul a corpse
for 2.6 cents per mile. If I can get a bow-legged corpse, I can set a film
can between his legs, and re-use indefinitely, saving 7.4 cents a mile on
hauls. Don't know life expectancy of a corpse, but should recover profit
before he wears out.
"For a reasonable fee, say a half-dozen Scotchs, could you advise if the
plan has any legal flaws? If not, see what COMPO will offer for the idea.
They could copyright, sell to exhibitors, and simplify their funding labors."
ik it ik
AN IDYLL ABOUT IDEALISTIC GREEKS : — Many years ago, after
the buffeting of oyster-opening in a St. Louis hash-house, and the many
harrowing experiences in building a circuit in and around that precinct,
George Skouras arrived in New York. He told me shortly thereafter that
his life's ambition was to buy a tiny island off the coast of his native Greece,
and to repose there to philosophize. Whether George ever did acquire that
island, we do .not know. But we do know that George toured this country
in the interim to round up horses and cattle and pigs and whatnot and had
them shipped to replenish the farms of those parts of Greece which had been
devastated by war.
While George was collecting horses and theatres, his brother, Charles, was
shuffling about on the West Coast doing something or other about 450 thea-
tres of National Theatres. Apparently, Charles also had a dream.
His dream was realized only the other day when the Cathedral of Saint
Sophia was dedicated in Los Angeles. Charles personally raised the several
million dollars required for its construction. It is the most expensive Cathe-
dral in the world, we are told, costing $850 per seat, making it more costly
than St. Peter's in Rome and St. Sophia's in Constantinople.
"This is the church that Skouras built," said A.P.D. Valakis, in a gorgeous
brochure describing the imposing edifice rising in the middle of large,
landscaped area on Normandie Avenue near Pico Boulevard, where Charles
Skouras plans to extend the arts and music, the liturgical and ritualistic
influences which the Orthodox Church has propagated through the long
centuries.
12 Films in Natural
Vision Will Be Made
In Next 15 Months
Hollywood, Nov. 24. — Twelve
major motion pictures will be pro-
duced in Natural Vision 3-dimension
process during the next 15 months,
M. L. Gunzburg, president of Natural
Vision Corp., announced today.
Among them will be "Spear in
Sand," another production by Arch
Oboler, whose "Bwana Devil," the
first feature filmed in NV, premieres
here Wednesday evening. Negotia-
tions are under way also for filming
the Broadway musical, "New Faces,"
on the stage, and for making a feature
using the "Cecil and Beany" puppets
from the television show of that
name.
Contracts Signed
Gunzburg said contracts for exhibi-
tion in 50 cities in the next six months
have been signed, with San Francisco
and New York following Los Angeles
in presenting the first attraction.
In response to questioning, Gunz-
burg said experiments have been made
to determine whether NV on tele-
vision is practicable, but "3-D on
television is not an immediate possi-
bility."
'Bwana Devil' Will Bow Without
PCA Seal of Approval
Hollywood, Nov. 24. — Arch Oboler's
"Bwana Devil" will be world pre-
miered Wednesday night at the Holly-
wood and Downtown Paramount
Theatres as the first feature ever
filmed with natural vision 3-dimension
process despite the fact that the Pro-
duction Code Administration has with-
held its seal of approval, Oboler told
the press today.
Oboler said PCA's objection to is-
suing the seal is based on a love
scene which, he said, looks "hotter"
in rounded form achieved by NV
than it might have looked in regular
two dimension medium.
PCA spokesman told Motion Pic-
ture Daily the sequence alluded to
would have been objectionable "in
two dimensions, one dimension, or
fiat."
'3-Dimension Week'
Proclaimed in L.A.
Los Angeles, Nov. 24. — Mayor
Fletcher Bowron has issued a procla-
mation here declaring the seven days
starting Wednesday to be "Three Di-
mension Week" in honor of the world
premiere of "Bwana Devil" in the
Natural Vision process at two Para-
mount Theatres Wednesday evening.
According to the proclamation the
event "will have important repercus-
sions in the motion picture industry
and already has created widespread in-
terest throughout the U. S. and
abroad," because "final perfection of
the three dimensional film is the result
of over two decades of intensive ef-
forts and research."
KATO Meets Today
Louisville, Nov. 24. — A meeting
of the board of directors of the Ken-
tucky Association of Theatre Owners
has been called here for tomorrow to
discuss and set up definite plans for
luncheon or dinner meetings with Sen-
ators and Congressmen for repeal of v
the 20 per cent admission tax.
NEWS
WHILE
IT IS
NEWS
MOTION PICTURE
AIR
MAIL
EDITION
VOL. 72. NO. 102
NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1952
TEN CENTS
INew Slant On
Programming
Aids Grosses
Morgan Says Format and
Advertising Big Factors
A sizeable segment of the so-
called "lost audience" is being re-
gained through a new approach to
programming as reflected in theatre
advertising, ac-
cording to Os-
car Morgan,
P a r a mount
short subjects
and newsreel
manager, who
has completed a
report on the
initial phase of
a personal in-
vestigation into
marketing con-
ditions. Morgan
will make fur-
ther field probes
before February
when the company's short subjects
program for 1953-54 will be deter-
mined.
Morgan said that the new approach
(Continued on- page 4)
Oscar Morgan
BOT Reports Dip
In UK Box-office
London, Nov. 25. — A six per cent
drop in Britain's box-office gross tak-
ings for the second quarter ended
June 28, was reported by the Board
of Trade.
Box-office grosses fell from £28,-
953,000 for the quarter ending March
29, 1952 to £27,208,000 for the sec-
ond quarter. The number of admis-
{Coniinued on page 5)
8 Weeks for 'Hans'
In Chicago's Loop
Chicago, Nov. 25. — Samuel
Goldwyn's "Hans Christian
Andersen" was awarded an
extended run of eight weeks
in the Chicago Loop, in a de-
cision by Federal Judge Mi-
chael Igoe. James A. Mulvey,
president of Samuel Goldwyn
Productions, was present at
the hearings.
The theatre and opening
date for the Chicago run
have not yet been set.
Photo by Cosmo-Sileo
JACK COHN, president of the Motion Picture Pioneers (left),
and Ned Depinet, chairman of the Pioneers' "Jubilee Dinner"
(right), presenting a plaque to Nate Blumberg, Universal Pictures'
board chairman, citing him as the "Pioneer of 1952" at New
York's Astor Hotel last night.
It Was Pioneers' Big Night
As Industry Hails Blumberg
It was "old timers' night" in the Grand Ballroom of New York's
Hotel Astor last night when the Motion Picture Pioneers gathered for
their annual banquet and to pay homage to N. J. Blumberg, who was
proclaimed the "Motion Picture Pioneer of 1952." Blumberg, chairman
of the board of directors of Universal
Pictures, is marking his 40th anniver-
sary in the motion picture business.
Some 500 Pioneers and their guests
attended the organization's "Jubilee
Dinner," which was highlighted by the
induction of 60 new members and ad-
dresses by Blumberg, dinner chairman
Ned E. Depinet and Father Patrick
Peyton, prominent Catholic clergyman.
Judge Ferdinand Pecora conducted the
induction ceremonies.
George Jessel, who has become al-
most a "regular" in toastmastering
Pioneer dinners, officiated again last
night and was presented with a plati-
num wrist watch by Depinet on behalf
of the Pioneers.
Upon receiving a citation plaque
from the Pioneers, Blumberg asserted
that the motion picture industry "is in
the beginnning of a new era and there
is no limit to the scientific advances
{Continued on page 4)
E. L. Scanlon Named
Cinerama Treasurer
Hollywood, Nov. 25. — Ernest L.
Scanlon has resigned as manager of
RKO Radio Pictures studio here to
become treasurer of Cinerama Pro-
ductions. Scanlon will be a member
of the executive board, joining Louis
B. Mayer, chairman; Merian C.
Cooper, chief of production ; Dudley
Roberts, president ; and Frank Smith,
vice-president.
Scanlon, who will make his head-
quarters in New York, was with
RKO in the early 30's as auditor, and
after a number of other industry posts
took the studio manager position last
year. In 1942-49 he was vice-president
of. Selznick Releasing Organization.
Before that he was executive vice-
president of Vanguard Films.
Set Worldwide
Celebration in
Zukor's Honor
Variety Clubs to Sponsor
Series of Events in '53
A worldwide celebration in honor
of Adolph Zukor, chairman of the
board of Paramount Pictures, will
be observed early next year in a
series of events
sponsored by
Variety Clubs
International
which has desig-
nated Zukor as
"the motion pic-
ture industry's
outstanding pio-
n e e r fi 1 m -
maker.''
The announce-
ment was made
officially here
yesterday
by Robert J.
O'Donnell, vice- Adolph Zukor
president of the Texas Interstate cir-
cuit, who will act as general chairman
of the committee in charge of the af-
(Continued on- page 4)
COLUMBUS, 0., Nov. 25.
— With Ohio education
officials "fairly con-
vinced" that censorship
is on the way out, chief
state film censor Dr.
Clyde Hissong and others
are exploring alternative
sources of revenue for
support of the audio-vis-
ual educational program
should present censorship
revenues be cut off.
•
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 25.
— Projectionists' Local
No. 150 has received IATSE
permission to strike
drive-ins within its jur-
isdiction if necessary
to enforce the terms of a
contract stymied by the
demand that drive-ins em-
ploy two men in the booth
when showing a first-run
picture .
2
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, November 26, 1952
Personal
Mention
JOHN SCHLESINGER, head of
»J Schlesinger Theatres in South
Africa, is in New York from Jo-
hannesburg.
•
William Perlberg, Paramount pro^
ducer, has been inducted into Delta
Kappa Alpha, the international hon-
orary motion picture fraternity, in'
Hollywood.
•
L. W. Brockington, president of
Odeon Theatres (Canada) Ltd., has
been appointed to the newly-created
Court-Martial Appeals Court in To-
ronto.
•
George L. Carrington, president of
Altec, has arrived in New York from
Beverly Hills.
Myron Sattler, Paramount's New
York branch manager, will begin a
two-week vacation today.
•
Terry Moore and Richard Jaeckel
have returned to Hollywood from New
York.
Louis R. Lurie is here from San
Francisco. ■
Kreisler's First Will
Open in January
"Ring Around the Clock," Italian-
made film, based on a factual story
from Time magazine, with an English
adaptation by A. J. Liebling of the
New Yorker magazine, will have its
U. S. premiere in January, it was an-
nounced here by B. Bernard Kreisler,
president of International Film As-
sociates, which is releasing the picture.
Arrangements are being made for the
premiere at one of the art theatres in
New York with a special charity
presentation sponsored by civic leaders
for the opening night, proceeds to be
turned over to Boys Town in Italy.
The film is the first independent re-
lease of IFA. Kreisler also announced
the appointment of Michael Hall as
publicity director for the film.
Danny Kaye Opens
At Palace Jan. 18
The opening date for Danny Kaye
and his "All-Star International Vari-
ety Show," at the RKO Palace here
has been changed to Jan. 18. The
opening date was originally Jan. 19.
During Kaye's limited Palace en-
gagement, 10 shows weekly will be
presented, three at matinees, on
Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday,
and every night, including Sunday.
Mail orders are currently being filled
on a reserve seat basis.
No Paper Tomorrow
Motion Picture Daily will
not be published tomorrow,
Thanksgiving Day, a legal
holiday.
Monogram Quarter
Net Profit Drops
Hollywood, Nov. 25. — Mono-
gram Pictures Corp. and sub-
sidiaries showed a net profit
of $125,897 for the quarter
ended Sept. 27, according to a
report by Steve Broidy, presi-
dent.
The figure compares with
$150,465 for the net in the
same period in the previous
year. Broidy said the seem-
ing decline in earnings actu-
ally is due to the fact that
the previous year's figure in-
cluded income from the li-
censing of certain pictures to
television, which policy was
discontinued.
Schwartz Names 3
To NCC J Committee
Appointment of three members to
the national committee for the film
industry's participation in the Na-
tional Conference of Christians and
Jews' "Brotherhood Week," Feb. 15-
?2, was reported here yesterday by
chairman Sol Schwartz, president of
R.KO Theatres.
j Ben Kalmenson, Warner Brothers'
general sales manager, will head the
distribution committee, Walter Reade,
Jr., president of Walter Reade Thea-
tres, will be .chairman of the exhibitor
committee and named to head the
advertising-publicity committee is Si
Seadler, in charge of advertising for
M-G-M.
Schwartz said that other committee
members will be announced within a
few days.
'Circus9 Will Open
Roxy 'Ice-Colorama'
"Crystal Circus" will be the first
Roxy "Ice-Colorama" show when the
theatre reopens Dec. 22 with "Stars
and Stripes Forever" featured on the
screen.
The Roxy will close Sunday for the
first time in its 25-year history, for
about three weeks in order to enlarge
its stage and effect other changes.
Total cost of alterations was esti-
mated at $200,000.
Gannaway to Filmcraft
Hollywood, Nov. 25. — Al Ganna-
way, TV producer-actor, has joined
Filmcraft Productions as director of
programming. A former special ma-
terial writer for Bob Hope, he pro-
duced several TV shows for ABC-
TV before being recalled to military
duty to produce a film series for the
Army. He was recently released.
Bandit Gets $3,000
Buffalo. Nov. 25. — A masked
bandit held up Edward Miller, man-
ager ; William D. Edler, assistant,
and Raymond F. Kuschel, usher, in
the Paramount Theatre and escaped
with $3,000, taken from a safe in the
manager's office.
IFE Sets Up
TV Division
Italian Films Export has set up a
Television division to be headed by
Ralph Serpe which will represent
Italian producers in developing co-
production deals with American tele-
vision producers, it was announced
here by Dr. Renato Gualino. Nego-
tiations are already under way with
two package agencies, it was revealed,
for co-production agreements involv-
ing major film series packages and
featuring top American film stars.
The division is planning to create
its own package shows, in addition,
for American distribution that would
draw on Italian short subjects and
utilize IFE sound studio facilities to
make them available in English. It is
expected that films will be expressly
designed for the world-wide television
market.
Prior to this appointment, Serpe
had represented the Marziale interests
in the financing of Italo-American co-
productions, and served as U. S. rep-
resentative for the Ponti-Di Laurentis
Studios in Rome.
Special Feature for
'Mickey's' Birthday
The 25th anniversary of Walt Dis-
ney's "Mickey Mouse" will be cele-
brated in 1953 with the release by
RKO Radio of a special feature pic-
ture entitled "Mickey Mouse's Birth-
day Party," it was announced here
yesetrday following a meeting of Dis-
ney and RKO sales and promotion
executives.
The film, which will go into na-
tional release on May 15, tacked by
a large advertising, publicity and ex-
ploitation campaign, will be made up
of the six "Mickey Mouse" short sub-
jects found to be most popular during
the past 25 years. RKO will urge ex-
hibitors to play it in its entirety as a
second feature, although the picture
will be arranged so that it can be
broken down into individual sequences.
Global promotion plans for the an-
niversary were discussed at an initial
meeting which was attended by Sid-
ney Kramer, short subjects sales
manager for RKO Radio ; Leo F.
Samuels, sales supervisor for Disney;
Irving Ludwig, domestic sales super-
visor ; Charles Levy, publicity direc-
tor; Card Walker, advertising and
exploitation director ; Pat Ryden, of
the Disney character merchandise
division, and Joe Erlich, supervisor of
shorts subjects publicity and exploita-
tion for RKO.
'Limelight', 'Stripes'
Are Set in Boston
Boston, Nov. 25. — Christmas Day
openings here have been set for
Charles Chaplin's "Limelight," United
Artists release, at the Esquire and
Mayflower theatres, and for 20th Cen-
tury-Fox's "Stars and Stripes For-
ever," at the Pilgrim. The Esquire
has been closed for several years.
Newsreel
Parade
D RESIDENT-ELECT D WIGHT
* EISENHOWER'S visit to the
United Nations is highlighted in cur-
rent neivsreels. Also featured are the
Variety Club's Anniversary, Nehru
honored by natives, and football high-
lights.
FOX MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 9«— Ike
and Dulles visit UN. Sen. Nixon calls on
Ike. Water famine in UN. Variety Club
anniversary. Indo-China Reds menace
French. Football highlights.
NEWS OF THE DAY, 226— Ike finds
inspiration in UN visit. NATO in war
games off Turkish coast. Life-termer
freed; found innocent. Variety Clubs' anni-
versary. Football.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 2S— Ike in
visit to UN. Message of faith from Presi-
dent Truman. Last rites for William
Green. Holiday treat. Football games of
the year.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 48A— Naval
powers in landing test. Milford, Tex. gets
new doctor. Nehru honored by natives.
Career girl fashion show. Red prisoners
reach safety. Football.
UNIVERSAL NEWS., No. 416 — NATO
naval maneuvers. Eisenhower at the UN.
Variety Clubs' anniversary. Underwater
camera. Football highlights.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 31—
Eisenhower visits UN. Turkey NATO
maneuvers. Iraq king in Baghdad. Big oil
fire extinguished in two minutes. V ariety
Club anniversary. British Parliament dedi-
cates memorial.
Washington Opening
Of 'Sound Barrier'
Washington, Nov. 25. — A star-
studded audience turned out here to-
night for the opening of "Breaking
the Sound Barrier" at the Playhouse
Theatre. The chairman of the British
Joint Services Mission, Air Chief
Marshal Sir William Elliot, and Lady
Elliot, sent out invitations in honor
of the U. S. Air Force.
Prior to the premiere, Supreme
Court Justice William Douglas was
host at a cocktail party in honor of
Uya E. Lopert, president of Lopert
Film Distributing Corp. and owner
of the Playhouse and Dupont The-
atres, both of which will play the
film.
ACLU Offers Aid
On Censor Problems
Service to exhibitors and distribu-
tors in combatting "pressure-group"
drives aimed at motion picture censor-
ship was offered here by the American
Civil Liberties Union.
In letters to more than 200 theatre-
men and distributors, the ACLU's Na-
tional Council on Freedom from
Censorship proposed a three-point
assistance program. It asked recipi-
ents to report to the ACLU all in-
stances in which films have either
been, by public officials, censored or
withdrawn from exhibition due to
pressure group action.
Firth Services Held
Services for Maurice Firth, a fund-
raiser of the United Jewish Appeal
of Greater New York in the motion
picture and entertainment industries,
were held here Monday at Riverside
Chapel. Firth died on Saturday.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington. D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London Wl: 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.
•7
Warner
Bros:
musical
Spree
your heart datvces'
M^hea they <}ance.
y°ur Heart
1
. A
COLOR BY
C NCLR
WITH
CLAUDE DAUPHIN
EVE MILLER -GEORGE GIVOT - PAUL HARVEY- JACK ROSE and MELVILLE SHAVELSON
Musical Numbers Staged and Directed by LeRoy Prinz • Sung "April in Pans", Lyrics by E. Y. Harburg,
Music by Vernon Duke • Original Songs, Lyrics by Sammy Cahn, Music by Vernon Duke • Musical Direction by Ray Heindorf produced Br WILLIAM JACOBS • directed bk QAVID BUTLER
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, November 26, 1952
Equip 3 WB Houses
With TV on Coast
Hollywood, Nov. 25.— Three
Warner Theatres, the Down-
town Los Angeles, the Holly-
wood, and the Huntington
Park, have been equipped for
big-screen television. Until
now, Sherrill Corwin's Or-
pheum, in the downtown area,
had been the only house here
with TV facilities.
To Honor Zukor
(Continued from page 1)
Pioneers' Big Night
(Continued from bage 1)
fair, on behalf of Variety Interna-
tional. The plan was discussed and
approved at Variety's mid-winter
meeting in Pittsburgh last weekend.
Extend Over Several Months
The testimonials, which are expected
to extend over several months, will
lead off with a celebration marking
Zukor's 80th birthday, Jan. 7. This
will be in the form of a dinner in
Hollywood, probably at the Ambassa-
dor Hotel, with all branches of the
industry represented, including many
persons who were associated with
Zukor in his enterprises in the past.
Another dinner, scheduled for March 4
at the Hotel Waldorf Astoria in New
York, will commemorate the 50th an-
niversary of Zukor's entrance into the
motion picture business in March,
1903. The guest list will include finan-
cial, business and political leaders of
the nation.
At a trade press conference here
yesterday, O'Donnell said that all
crafts, s'uilds, associations and organi-
zations within the industry, as well as
all other phases of the entertainment
world, will he invited to participate
with the Variety Clubs in honoring the
veteran film showman. Plans for the
events originated when O'Donnell
learned that Paramount executives
were contemplating a birthday dinner
in his honor.
In a telegram sent earlier to
the Paramount home office
from Dallas, O'Donnell de-
clared that Zukor's 80th birth-
day and his 50th anniversary
in the film business constituted
occasions deserving a celebra-
tion by the entire industry. Up-
on receiving the consent of
Paramount executives, O'Don-
nell went to Pittsburgh and
placed the idea before the Vari-
ety meeting.
"Adolph Zukor's life," O'Donnell
said yesterday, "is an example of the
American dream fulfilled. Coming to
America from his native Hungary as
a poor boy, he not only raised himself
to a position of honor, but in doing
so built an industry which has car-
ried the ideals of his adopted country
all over the world. His life is a saga
of Americanism at its best and I can
think of nothing more worthwhile for
our industry than to hold up Mr.
Zukor as a shining example of what
this business stands for."
Other events in honor of Zukor
will be held throughout the world
during 1953.
awaiting the development in this elec-
tronic age." He warned that "we of
the older generation, we who have seen
our business grow from an idea to a
fabulous institution, must not assume
the role of spectators," adding chat
"we must place accent on youth, but
we also must respect maturity."
Blumberg said he believed the Pio-
neers should enlarge its scope and as-
sume an obligation to help induct new
blood in the business. "Our maturity
plus youth should be a combination to
insure good health in our industry,"
he said.
The plaque presented to
Blumberg as the year's pioneer
of the industry read: "Motion
Picture Pioneers bestows its
highest honor upon Nate Blum-
berg, whose forty brilliant years
in the motion picture business
closely parallel the spectacu-
lar growth and tremendous
achievements of the industry
he has served so faithfully and
well. For enriching our indus-
try with his countless contri-
butions as exhibitor, producer
and distributor, for his sterling
attributes exemplified by his
devotion, his affection and his
feeling for his fellow man, we
acclaim him 'Pioneer of the
Year'."
In telling about the work of the
Foundation of the Motion Picture
Pioneers during the past year, Depinet
asked those Pioneers fortunate enough
to be able to leave an estate to con-
sider leaving some of the estate to the
Foundation. He said the Foundation
should be uppermost in their minds
because "the help we give these unfor-
tunate people is only a small token of
repayment for their great service in
building what we know as a success-
ful motion picture industry."
Depinet traced Blumberg's rise from
poster clerk to his present important
position, with proof of his humble be-
ginning supplied by Harold Fitzger-
ald, president of Fox-Wisconsin The-
atres, who gave Blumberg his start in
the film business in 1912.
Father Peyton, who achieved inter-
national fame through his Family
Rosary Crusade via radio, TV, films
and rallies, paid tribute to film indus-
try members who joined forces with
radio in bringing the messages of the
Crusade's Family Theatre to the
Gottlieb Signs Baxter
Hollywood, Nov. 25. — Anne Bax-
ter signed with Alex Gottlieb to star
in ;his "Blue Gardenia," which Fritz
Lang will direct.
people of America and the world.
Other speakers included Pioneers
president Jack Cohn, Danny Kaye and
Jesse Block. Plaques "for constructive
contributions in both thoughts and
deeds" were presented to Harry J.
Takiff, secretary-treasurer of the or-
ganization, and vice-president Marvin
Kirsch. Special thanks for helping to
make the "Jubilee Dinner" a success
were given to John J. O'Connor, Mau-
rice Bergman, Charles Alicoate, Gil-
bert Josephson, David Bader, Ray
Gallagher, Leon Leonidoff, Henry A.
Linet and Milton Livingston as mem-
bers of the working committee.
A telephone recording of greetings
from three Hollywood friends of
Blumberg was played over a loud
speaker. The salutes came from Jack
Benny, Jimmy Durante and James
Stewart. Harry Wismer read the
names of 36 industry representatives,
20 of them members of the Pioneers,
who died during the past year. Rabbi
Ralph Silverstein of Temple Sinai and
former Chaplain of the Cinema Lodge
of B'nai B'rith, delivered the invoca-
tion and participated in requiem cere-
monies for the departed members.
Jane Pickens Sings
Jane Pickens sang the national an-
them and entertainment was supplied
by Radio City Music Hall's Glee
Club, the latter through the courtesy
of G. S. Eyssell and Leon Leoni-
doff. Music was provided by Al
Rickey and his "Pioneer Orchestra."
Acknowledgments were made to Jake
Starr who, every year, has created and
contributed display decorations for the
dinners and to the trade press for its
help in publicizing the affair.
A special feature was a "Salute by
Look Magazine" to the Pioneers, fea-
tured in the Dec. 2 issue of the maga-
zine, now on newsstands.
Dais guests at the dinner were
Blumberg, Edward P. (Ted) Curtis,
Depinet, Fitzgerald, Frank Folsom,
William German, William Goetz,
Leonard Goldenson, T. J. Hargrave,
Jessel, Kaye, Louis Lurie, Judge Pe-
cora, Father Peyton, Sam Pinanski,
Milton R. Rackmil, J. Robert Rubin,
Serge Semenenko, Rabbi Silverstein,
George Skouras, Harry M. Warner,
Robert R. Young, Adolph Zukor,
Sam Dembow, Jr., Jack Alicoate,
Barney Balaban, Harry Brandt, O'Con-
nor, Robert J. O'Donnell, Martin
Quigley, James R. Grainger, Abel
Green, Herman Robbins and Major
Albert W arner.
'HalV Christmas
Show Opens Dec. 4
Radio City Music Hall's annual
Christmas stage program will be pre-
sented in two parts this year, opening
on Thursday, Dec. 4, co-featuring
the world premiere of M-G-M's "Mil-
lion Dollar Mermaid."
The stage program will comprise
the pageant, "The Nativity," pro-
duced by Leon Leonidoff, and "Sea-
son's Greetings," produced by Rus-
sell Markert.
"The Nativity" pageant, which tells
the story of the first Christmas, will
feature the Music Hall Choral En-
semble, under the direction of Ray-
mond Paige. Norman Wyatt will be
narrator.
The new "holiday spectacle," "Sea-
son's Greetings," will feature the
Rockettes, Corps de Ballet, Choral
ensemble and soloists.
'Peter Pan9 Float in
Philadelphia Parade
RKO Radio Pictures reported here
yesterday that the "Peter Pan" float
in tomorrow's Thanksgiving Day pa-
rade in Philadelphia will be the largest
float ever used to promote a motion
picture.
The float is 15 feet high and con-
tains all of the cartoon characters in
the picture. Parade officials have built
a publicity campaign around it, said
RKO.
'Free' Bingo Heads
For Ohio Court Test
Columbus, O., Nov. 25. — A
court test of the legality of
"free" bingo is seen following
the arrest of Paul (Slim)
Janes, operator of a no-ad-
mission bingo game here.
Jones was inspired to try the
free policy because of the
success of the donation policy
at the Little Theatre here.
Police confiscated $427 in
"contributions" which were
tossed into barrels placed
around the bingo hall.
Goldwyn Going to Boston
BosTO'N, Nov. 25. — Samuel Goldwyn
producer of "Hans Christian Ander-
sen," and his wife will arrive in Bos-
ton on Monday for a two-day stay
during which he will be host to mem-
bers of the press, radio and television.
He will return to the Coast on Wed-
nesday.
Programming Slant
(Continued from page 1)
to programming which hundreds of
exhibitors have adopted relates to for-
mat and advertising.
"No longer is programming a mere
matter of time-filling to these show-
men," Morgan said. "They have taken
cognizance of the great national maga-
zines' profound influence on public
entertainment values and tastes ; that
is to say, they have come to realize
that just as such magazines maintain
a proper balance of reading entertain-
ment and enlightenment in the form
of features, stories, serials, oddities,
news commentaries and special de-
partments and columns, so must the
motion picture theatre balance its pro-
gram instead of overweighing it with
features at the expense of such enter-
tainment as cartoons, newsreels and
other short subjects.
"The exhibitors realize, too, that to
deprive their patrons of the film coun-
terparts of magazine oddities, sports
items, news reports, etc., is to create
in the customers' subconscious minds
the feeling of having been cheated of
part of that to which theatre patrons
are entitled in return for the admis-
sion price paid. Thus, the content and
format of the great national maga-
zines now exercise an influence on
motion picture theatre programming,
according to numbers of independent
exhibitors and circuit operators.
New Attitude
"This new exhibitor attitude is re-
flected in theatre newspaper advertise-
ments as well as on the screen-. In
city after city which I visited I found
advertisements for features also list-
ing by title the short subjects on the
programs. Less and less do we find
merely the line : 'Also selected short
subjects.' And because the intelligent
exhibitor now knows his customers
regard newsreels as a necessary part
of the pattern of keeping well-in-
formed in these times, he is demand-
ing that his newsreels be new and not
two or more weeks old — this despite
the extent to which television can
provide quick news service."
Morgan said, "I have discovered
also two other important develop-
ments, ( 1 ) that motion picture adver-
tising in general by exhibitors is
showing a greater exercise of intelli-
gence and reflecting strong insights
into what sets the public's imagina-
tion afire, and, (2), that exhibitors in
general are using press books more
consistently than ever before."
Breen Succeeds McCall
Hollywood*, Nov. 25. — Screen
Writers Guild elected Richard Breen,
president, succeeding Mary C. Mc-
Call, Jr., whose term expired.
Wednesday, November 26, 1952
Motion Picture daily
s
National
Pre-Selling
Robust $6,500 for
'Christian Andersen'
A robust $6,500 was esti-
mated for yesterday's opening
of "Hans Christian Andersen"
at the Criterion here. Busi-
ness at the off - Broadway
Paris Theatre, where the
Samuel Goldwyn production
also had a premiere, was de-
scribed as fine.
The Criterion management
• reported that it had been
swamped with telephone calls
throughout the day, seeking
information on the time and
price schedule for evening
and Thanksgiving Day holi-
day performances.
Reviews
"Against All Flags"
( Universal-In temational)
\/f AUREEN O'HARA and ERROL FLYNN are as handsome a couple
as ever got mixed up with pirates in bright color by Technicolor in
this superior production that contains all the elements of a strong box-office
success. Anthony Quinn is on hand as a swaggering pirate captain whose
attentions are rejected by Miss O'Hara and who tries to do-in Flynn, a
government spy trying to break up the captains of the Coast pirate syndicate.
There is a sure-fire mixture of attractive romance and vigorous swash-
buckling- in a taut screenplay by Aeneas MacKenzie and Joseph Hoffman,
based on a MacKenzie story, that provides crisp and often humorous dialogue
for the principals. The island backgrounds are impressive and George Sher-
man's direction has kept the proceedings moving at a neat pace.
Producer Howard Christie has made good use of shipboard settings where
much of the action occurs. Flynn poses as an officer-deserter who escapes
with seamen Phil Tully and John Alderson. They are accepted by the pirates
after Flynn defeats a huge pirate in an exciting pike duel. Flynn becomes
navigator on Quinn's ship. Quinn vanquishes a ship on the high seas that
is the state ship of the Emperor of India and carries Alice Kelley, the em-
peror's daughter.
Flynn rescues Miss Kelley from the burning ship and later spikes the island's
fortification guns. He then signals the waiting government ship to attack
but is caught by Quinn and only saved from death by Miss O'Hara; who
loves him. Flynn boards Quinn's ship as it is escaping by using Miss Kelley
as a hostage. He kills Quinn in a duel, returns the ship to his superior
officers, obtains a pardon for Miss O'Hara, and happily chooses her at the
finale.
Flynn and Quinn are zestful derring-doers, Miss O'Hara registers strongly
as _ the spitfire pirate, Miss Kelley is notable as the pretty princess, and
Mildred Natwick supplies comedy as her governess. Others in the cast are
Michael Ross, Harry Cording and Paul Newlan. This production has names,
action, and spirit and should be a solid attraction.
Running time, 83^ minutes. General audience classification. For December
release. Walter Pasiikix
"The Desperate Search"
(Metro-Gold'zvyn-Mayer)
A SOLID cast featuring Howard Keel, Jane Greer, Patricia Medina,
r\ and Keenan Wynn is the main asset of this moderate entry that is
dramatically concerned with several routine domestic problems but suffers
from a rather incredible story. There is some attractive aerial footage since
the protagonists are bush flyers, and some suspense is generated in the climactic
search for survivors of a passenger plane crash.
The screenplay by Walter Doniger, based on a novel by Arthur Mayse,
presents Keel as a pilot married to Miss Greer and the father of two children,
Lee Aaker and Linda Lowell, by a previous marriage to domineering flyer,
Miss Medina. Aaker and young Miss Lowell spend some time with their
father and are on a plane slated to return them to their mother when it
crashes in a mountainous area.
The children, sole survivors, try to await rescue and avoid being killed by
a cougar while Keel is trying to convince the search party to follow his
hunch and search the crash area. They do not do so and Miss Medina
attempts to win back Keel but he remains true to Miss Greer and after a
few days follows his hunch and flies to the area alone, locating the youngsters.
After landing, he finds the children treed by the animal, which he clubs to
death and all ends happily as Miss Medina decides to leave the children
with him.
The children make a very appealing pair and perform capably, as do the
stars. Others in the cast are Robert Burton, Michael Dugan, Elaine Stewart,
Jonathan Cott, Jeff Richards ,and Dick Simmons. Production and direction
are adequate. Matthew Rapf produced and Joseph Lewis directed. The pro-
duction has several exploitation angles and some genuine appeal.
Running time, 73 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Jan. 16. W. P.
John Jones Heads
Chicago Variety
Chicago, Nov. 25. — New Variety
Club of Illinois officers for the com-
ing year were elected at a meeting
of the new board here today at the
Congress Hotel, site of the Club's
new quarters which are now under
construction. .
Elected were : John Jones of Jones,
Linick and Schaefer, chief barker ;
Nat Nathanson, district manager for
Allied Artists, first assistant chief
barker ; James E. Coston, president
of Indiana-Illinois Theatres and Cos-
ton enterprises, second assistant chief
barker ; Mannie Gottlieb, district
manager of Universal, property-
master, and Manny Smerling, head
of Confection Cabinet Corp., dough
guy.
Others Named
Also serving on the board are
James Donahue, district manager of
Paramount ; Tom Flannery, president
of the White Way Sign Co. ; Max
Rosenbaum, head of United Beverage
Co. ; Arthur Schoenstadt, head of
Schoenstadt Theatres ; Edwin Silver-
man, of Essaness Theatres ; Dave
Wallerstein, General Manager Bala-
ban and Katz and of Great States
Theatres, plus the ex-officio members,
former chief barkers Joe Berenson,
Jack Kirsch, Irving Mack, Irving
Mandel and Jack Rose, who is also
international representative. John
Jones and Joe Berenson have been
selected as official delegates from the
Local Tent to the 1953 convention in
Mexico City, with Jack Rose and
Sam Levensohn as alternates.
BOT Reports
(Continued from page 1)
sions decreased from 345,596,000 for
the first quarter to 326,447,000 for the
second quarter, representing a drop of
5.5 per cent. The average admission
price for the second quarter was 20
pence compared, to the first quarter's
of 20. 1 pence.
During the quarter ending June 28,
the entertainment tax amounted to
£9,471,000. The percentage of net
takings paid for film rentals fell from
35.4 to 35. The exhibitors' share of
the gross totaled £11,062,000, com-
pared to £11,662,000.
Production figures relating to the
quarter ending Sept. 30, 1952, in-
dicated that 25 films were in produc-
tion, compared to 16 at the end of
June, with 5,222 persons employed
Mt Hood Radio, TV
Appeals FCC Ruling
Washington, Nov. 25. — Mt. Hood
Radio and Television Broadcasting
Corp. attorneys have appealed to the
full Federal Communications Com-
mission from a hearing examiner's
decision that a pending application
for a Portland, Ore., television sta-
tion could not be changed to include
the liquidation of the holdings of
Ralph E. Stolkin and affiliated in-
vestors.
Stolkin, Edward G. Burke, Jr., and
full-time, compared with 4,356 three
months earlier. The number of days
worked by extras during the quarter
was 24,979, compared to 13,642 in the
previous quarter.
Sherrill C. Corwin formerly held 43^2
per cent of Mt. Hood stock, and Ted
Gamble owns 43^4 per cent of the
stock. Several weeks ago Stolkin,
Burke and Corwin sold their stock to
more than 30 employes of radio station
KOIN in Portland, which is con-
trolled by Mt. Hood.
The FCC has been holding hearings
on several competing applications for
Portland TV channels and Mt. Hood
is one of the applicants. Mt. Hood
asked permission to change its appli-
cations to conform to the stock sale,
but examiner Elizabeth C. Smith re-
fused the request, declaring it was too
late in the hearing to permit the
change.
Mt. Hood's appeal to the full Com-
mission stated Miss Smith's ruling-
was inconsistent with the law and pre-
vious FCC regulations and decisions.
HP HE advertising profession lost a
prospective account executive
when Alec Guiness, British star, re-
signed from an ad agency to become
an actor, according to a story in the
current issue of Life. Twelve por-
traits of Alec are reproduced in a
spread, each showing him in a differ-
ent character part. The author of
the article says it takes Alec up to
three hours to make up for each char-
acter role and transform himself into
his screen personality. It is rare
when a British film shows a sub-
stantial profit in the U. S. market.
However, Alec Guiness' last three
pictures, "The Lavender Hill Mob,"
"The Man in the White Suit" and
"The Promoter," all Universal-Inter-
national releases, are expected to
make a profit of over $2,000,000 in
this country.
•
Cameron Shipp has written his
impressions of Leslie Caron for the
issue of Woman's Home Companion
now on the newsstands. When read-
ing Shipp's article you get the feel-
ing that Miss Caron both astounded
and bewildered the author. Al-
though she is now a star at the
M-G-M studio and married to the
heir of the Hormel ham and meat
packing fortune, she still practices
the thrift taught to her by her
French parents. Quoting Leslie on
economy, she said, "I cook all the
time. I have to. We do not have
mooch money and we hate restau-
rants." M-G-M has scheduled her
for stardom. Her next pictures will
be "Glorv Alley," "Lili" and "The
Story of Three Loves."
•
John Wayne says "I don't act, I
react," according to Don Allen in a
story on this modest star which will
appear in Sunday's American Weekly.
This is John's quaint way of explain-
ing his acting ability, although he has
been voted the best box office star in
the Motion Picture Herald-Fa-me poll
for the past two years. He has been
leading man for Colbert, Dietrich and
Crawford. Their consensus of opin-
ion of John was, "He's so dependable."
Oddly enough, Wayne never worries
about his love scenes. Nor does he
try to be too adept. He thinks a little
clumsiness is better suited to the char-
acters he plays. On the "Jet Pilot"
set his co-star, Janet Leigh, was ribbed
about this. "The guy wasn't very ex-
pert in love interludes, was he?"
"Maybe not," said Janet seriously,
summing him up, "but he's very thor-
ough." Wayne's current picture is
"The Quiet Man," produced by John
Ford for Republic Pictures.
•
Louis Pollock's profile on Deborah
Kerr in December's Redbook gives
the reader the impression that her
life's story would make a rather
good movie script. Deborah was
born in Helensburgh, Scotland,
went to London in her early 'teens
to study the ballet and drama.
During the war, while part of a
theatrical troupe entertaining ser-
vicemen, she met an RAF fighter
pilot whom she married after the
European war had ended. Her
most recent picture is M-G-M's
"Prisoner of Zenda," now playing at
the Capitol Theatre here.
Walter Haas
A Bert E. Friedlob Production-Released by 20fh Century-Fox
VOL. 72. NO. 102
NEW YORK, U. S. A., WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1952
TEN CENTS
New Slant On
Programming
Aids Grosses
Morgan Says Format and
Advertising Big Factors
A sizeable segment of the so-
called "lost audience" is being re-
gained through a new approach to
programming as reflected in theatre
advertising, ac-
cording to Os-
car Morgan,
P a r amount
short subj ects
and newsreel
manager, who
has completed a
report on the
ij^^ a personal in-
vestigation into
marketing con-
^^9^ fl I ditions. Morgan
HnV.«l«iM wjjj make fur.
Oscar Morgan ther field probes
before February
when the company's short subjects
program for 1953-54 will be deter-
mined.
Morgan said that the new approach
(Continued on page 4)
BOT Reports Dip
In UK Box-office
Set Worldwide
Celebration in
Zukor's Honor
London, Nov. 25. — A six per cent
drop in Britain's box-office gross tak-
ings for the second quarter ended
June 28, was reported by the Board
of Trade.
Box-office grosses fell from £28,-
953,000 for the quarter ending March
29, 1952 to £27,208,000 for the sec-
ond quarter. The number of admis-
(Continaed on page 5)
8 Weeks for 'Hans'
In Chicago's Loop
Chicago, Nov. 25. — Samuel
Goldwyn's "Hans Christian
Andersen" was awarded an
extended run of eight weeks
in the Chicago Loop, in a de-
cision by Federal Judge Mi-
chael Igoe. James A. Mulvey,
president of Samuel Goldwyn
Productions, was present at
the hearings.
The theatre and opening
date for the Chicago run
have not yet been set.
Variety Clubs to Sponsor
Series of Events in '53
Photo by CosmO'Sileo
JACK COHN, president of the Motion Picture Pioneers (left),
and Ned Depinet, chairman of the Pioneers' "Jubilee Dinner"
(right), presenting a plaque to Nate Blumberg, Universal Pictures'
board chairman, citing him as the "Pioneer of 1952" at New
York's Astor Hotel last night.
It Was Pioneers' Big Night
As Industry Hails Blumberg
It was "old timers' night" in the Grand Ballroom of New York's
Hotel Astor last night when the Motion Picture Pioneers gathered for
their annual banquet and to pay homage to N. J. Blumberg, who was
proclaimed the "Motion Picture Pioneer of 1952." Blumberg, chairman
of the board of directors of Universal
Pictures, is marking his 40th anniver-
sary in the motion picture business.
Some 500 Pioneers and their guests
attended the organization's "Jubilee
Dinner," which was highlighted by the
induction of 60 new members and ad-
dresses by Blumberg, dinner chairman
Ned E. Depinet and Father Patrick
Peyton, prominent Catholic clergyman.
Judge Ferdinand Pecora conducted the
induction ceremonies.
George Jessel, who has become al-
most a "regular" in toastmastering
Pioneer dinners, officiated _ again last
night and was presented with a plati-
num wrist watch by Depinet on behalf
of the Pioneers.
Upon receiving a citation plaque
from the Pioneers, Blumberg asserted
that the motion picture industry "is in
the beginnning of a new era and there
is no limit to the scientific advances
(Continued on page 4)
E. L. Scanlon Named
Cinerama Treasurer
Hollywood, Nov. 25. — Ernest L.
Scanlon has resigned as manager of
RKO Radio Pictures studio here to
become treasurer of Cinerama Pro-
ductions. Scanlon will be a member
of the executive board, joining Louis
B. Mayer, chairman; Merian C.
Cooper, chief of production ; Dudley
Roberts, president ; and Frank Smith,
vice-president.
Scanlon, who will make his head-
quarters in New York, was with
RKO in the early 30's as auditor, and
after a number of other industry posts
took the studio manager position last
year. In 1942-49 he was vice-president
of Selznick Releasing Organization.
Before that he was executive vice-
president of Vanguard Films.
A worldwide celebration in honor
of Adolph Zukor, chairman of the
board of Paramount Pictures, will
be observed early next year in a
series of events
sponsored by
Variety Clubs
International
which has desig-
nated Zukor as
"the motion pic-
ture industry's
outstanding pio-
n e e r film-
maker."
The announce-
ment was made
officially here
yesterday
by Robert J.
O'Donnell, vioe-
Adolph Zukor
president of the Texas Interstate cir-
cuit, who will act as general chairman
of the committee in charge of the af-
(Continued on page 4)
Sees Ohio Censors
4On the Way Out'
Columbus, O., Nov. 25. — Dr. Clyde
Hissong, chief state film censor, and
representative Ohio citizens are ex-
ploring alternative sources of revenue
for the support of the state's audio-
visual educational program should
present revenues from film censorship
fees be cut off. The Columbus Dis-
patch states that Ohio education offi-
cials are "fairly convinced" that cen-
sorship is on the way out. The state
audio-visual program receives about
$100,000 annually from censor fees.
Coast Drive-ins Face
Operators' Strike
Los Angeles, Nov. 25. — The
IATSE has given Projection-
ists' Local No. 150 permission
to strike at drive-ins within
its jurisdiction if necessary
to enforce demands of a con-
tract stymied in negotiation.
The principal demand at issue
is that drive-ins employ two
men in a booth when present-
ing a first-run picture.
.2
Motion Picture daily
Wednesday, November 26, 1952
Personal
Mention
IOHN SCHLESINGER, head of
»J Schlesinger Theatres in South
Africa, is in New York from Jo-
hannesburg.
•
William Perlberg, Paramount pro-
ducer, has been inducted into Delta
Kappa Alpha, the international hon-
orary motion picture fraternity, in
Hollywood.
•
L. W. Brockington, president of
Odeon Theatres (Canada) Ltd., has
been appointed to the newly-created
Court-Martial Appeals Court in To-
ronto.
•
George L. Carrington, president of
Altec, has arrived in New York from
Beverly Hills.
•
Myron Sattler, Paramount's New
York branch manager, will begin a
two-week vacation today.
•
Terry Moore and Richard Jaeckel
have returned to Hollywood from New
York.
Louis R. Lurie is here from San
Francisco.
Kreisler' s First Will
Open in January
"Ring Around the Clock," Italian-
made film, based on a factual story
from Time magazine, with an English
adaptation by A. J. Liebling of the
New Yorker magazine, will have its
U. S. premiere in January, it was an-
nounced here by B. Bernard Kreisler,
president of International Film As-
sociates, which is releasing the picture.
Arrangements are being made for the
premiere at one of the art theatres in
New York with a special charity
presentation sponsored by civic leaders
for the opening night, proceeds to be
turned over to Boys Town in Italy.
The film is the first independent re-
lease of IFA. Kreisler also announced
the appointment of Michael Hall as
publicity director for the film.
Danny Kaye Opens
At Palace Jan. 18
The opening date for Danny Kaye
and his 'All-Star International Vari-
ety Show," at the RKO Palace here
has been changed to Jan. 18. The
opening date was originally Jan. 19.
During Kaye's limited Palace en-
gagement, 10 shows weekly will be
presented, three at matinees, on
Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday,
and every night, including Sunday.
Mail orders are currently being filled
on a reserve seat basis.
No Paper Tomorrow
Motion Picture Daily will
not be published tomorrow,
Thanksgiving Day, a legal
holiday.
Monogram Quarter
Net Profit Drops
Hollywood, Nov. 25. — Mono-
gram Pictures Corp. and sub-
sidiaries showed a net profit
of $125,897 for the quarter
ended Sept. 27, according to a
report by Steve Broidy, presi-
dent.
The figure compares with
$150,465 for the net in the
same period in the previous
year. Broidy said the seem-
ing decline in earnings actu-
ally is due to the fact that
the previous year's figure in-
cluded income from the li-
censing of certain pictures to
television, which policy was
discontinued.
Schwartz Names 3
To NCC J Committee
Appointment of three members to
the national committee for the film
industry's participation in the Na-
tional Conference of Christians and
Jews' "Brotherhood Week," Feb. 15-
22, was reported here yesterday by
chairman Sol Schwartz, president of
RKO Theatres.
Ben Kalmenson, Warner Brothers'
general sales manager, will head the
distribution committee, Walter Reade,
Jr., president of Walter Reade Thea-
tres, will be chairman of the exhibitor
committee and named to head the
advertising-publicity committee is Si
Seadler, in charge of advertising for
M-G-M.
Schwartz said that other committee
members will be announced within a
few days.
'Circus' Will Open
Roxy 'Ice-Colorama'
"Crystal Circus" will be the first
Roxy "Ice-Colorama" show when the
theatre reopens Dec. 22 with "Stars
and Stripes Forever" featured on the
screen.
The Roxy will close Sunday for the
first time in its 25-year history, for
about three weeks in order to enlarge
its stage and effect other changes.
Total cost of alterations was esti-
mated at $200,000.
Gannaway to Filmcraft
Hollywood, Nov. 25. — Al Ganna-
way, TV producer-actor, has joined
Filmcraft Productions as director of
programming. A former special ma-
terial writer for Bob Hope, he pro-
duced several TV shows for ABC-
TV before being recalled to military
duty to produce a film series for the
Army. He was recently released.
Bandit Gets $3,000
Buffalo, Nov. 25. — A masked
bandit held up Edward Miller, man-
ager ; William D. Edler, assistant,
and Raymond F. Kuschel, usher, in
the Paramount Theatre and escaped
with $3,000, taken from a safe in the
manager's office.
IFE Sets Up
TV Division
Italian Films Export has set up a
Television division to be headed by
Ralph Serpe which will represent
Italian producers in developing co-
production deals with American tele-
vision producers, it was announced
here by Dr. Renato Gualino. Nego-
tiations are already under way with
two package agencies, it was revealed,
for co-production agreements involv-
ing major film series packages and
featuring top. American film stars.
The division is planning to create
its own package shows, in addition,
for American distribution that would
draw on Italian short subjects and
utilize IFE sound studio facilities to
make them available in English. It is
expected that films will be expressly
designed for the world-wide television
market.
Prior to this appointment, Serpe
had represented the Marziale interests
in the financing of Italo-American co-
productions, and served as U. S. rep-
resentative for the Ponti-Di Laurentis
Studios in Rome.
Newsreel
Parade
DRESIDENT-ELECT DWIGHT
■L EISENHOWER'S visit to the
United Nations is highlighted in cur-
rent newsreels. Also featured are the
Variety Club's Anniversary, Nehru
honored by natives, and football high-
lights.
FOX MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 96— Ike
and Dulles visit UN. Sen. Nixon calls on
Ike. Water famine in UN. Variety Club
anniversary. Indo- China Reds menace
French. Football highlights.
NEWS OF THE DAY, 226— Ike finds
inspiration in UN visit. NATO in war
games off Turkish coast. Life- termer
freed; found innocent. Variety Clubs' anni-
versary. Football.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 2»-Ike in
visit to UN. Message of faith from Presi-
dent Truman. Last rites for William
Green. Holiday treat. Football games of
the year.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 48A—Naval
powers in landing test. Milford, Tex. gets
new doctor. Nehru honored by natives.
Career girl fashion show. Red prisoners
reach safety. Football.
UNIVERSAL NEWS, No. 416 — NATO
naval maneuvers. Eisenhower at the UN.
Variety Clubs' anniversary. Underwater
camera. Football highlights.
Special Feature for
'Mickey's' Birthday
The 25th anniversary of Walt Dis-
ney's "Mickey Mouse" will be cele-
brated in 1953 with the release by
RKO Radio of a special feature pic-
ture entitled "Mickey Mouse's Birth-
day Party," it was announced here
yesetrday following a meeting of Dis-
ney and RKO sales and promotion
executives.
The film, which will go into na-
tional release on May 15, backed by
a large advertising, publicity and ex-
ploitation campaign, will be made up
of the six "Mickey Mouse" short sub-
jects found to be most popular during
the past 25 years. RKO will urge ex-
hibitors to play it in its entirety as a
second feature, although the picture
will be arranged so that it can be
broken down into individual sequences.
Global promotion plans for the an-
niversary were discussed at an initial
meeting which was attended by Sid-
ney Kramer, short subjects sales
manager for RKO Radio ; Leo F.
Samuels, sales supervisor for Disney;
Irving Ludwig, domestic sales super-
visor; Charles Levy, publicity direc-
tor; Card Walker, advertising and
exploitation director ; Pat Ryden, of
the Disney character merchandise
division, and Joe Erlich, supervisor of
shorts subjects publicity and exploita-
tion for RKO.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 51—
Eisenhower visits UN. Turkey NATO
maneuvers. Iraq king in Baghdad. Big oil
fire extinguished in two minutes. Variety
Club anniversary. British Parliament dedi-
cates memorial.
Washington Opening
Of 'Sound Barrier'
Washington, Nov. 25. — A star-
studded audience turned out here to-
night for the opening of "Breaking
the Sound Barrier" at the Playhouse
Theatre. The chairman of the British
Joint Services Mission, Air Chief
Marshal Sir William Elliot, and Lady
Elliot, sent out invitations in honor
of the U. S. Air Force.
Prior to the premiere, Supreme
Court Justice William Douglas was
host at a cocktail party in honor of
Ilya E. Lopert, president of Lopert
Film Distributing Corp. and owner
of the Playhouse and Dupont The-
atres, both of which will play the
film.
'Limelight', 'Stripes'
Are Set in Boston
Boston, Nov. 25. — Christmas Day
openings here have been set for
Charles Chaplin's "Limelight," United
Artists release, at the Esquire and
Mayflower theatres, and for 20th Cen-
tury-Fox's "Stars and Stripes For-
ever," at the Pilgrim. The Esquire
has been closed for several years.
ACLU Offers Aid
On Censor Problems
Service to exhibitors and distribu-
tors in combatting "pressure-group"
drives aimed at motion picture censor-
ship was offered here by the American
Civil Liberties Union.
In letters to more than 200 theatre-
men and distributors, the ACLU's Na-
tional. Council on Freedom from
Censorship proposed a three-point
assistance program. It asked recipi-
ents to report to the ACLU all in-
stances in which films have either
been, by public officials, censored or
withdrawn from exhibition due to
pressure group action.
Firth Services Held
Services for Maurice Firth, a fund-
raiser of the United Jewish Appeal
of Greater New York in the motion
picture and entertainment industries,
were held here Monday at Riverside
Chapel. Firth died on Saturday.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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 Ouigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy. Vice-President; Leo J. Brady,
Secretary; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington. D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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.
Warner
Bros:
Musical
Spree
^hea they Sing, (
your heart dance*'
^Kea they dance.
yourHearUillgs!
trr \jit\v Tl ATTDUTM E,E miller -seorge moi-mul habvey - jack iose«,melville shavelson
I jf\ | j | /|j JUl/jLvJ X XX JLiAl Musical Numbers Staged and Directed by LeRoy Pnnz • Song -April in Paris", Lyrics by E. Y. Harburg,
Music by Vernon Duke • Original Songs, Lyrics by Sammy Cahn, Music by Vernon Duke . Musical Direction by Ray Heindorf produced by WILLIAM JACOBS - directed bv f)AVID BUTLER
4
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, November 26, 1952
Equip 3 WB Houses
With TV on Coast
Hollywood, Nov. 25.— Three
Warner Theatres, the Down-
town Los Angeles, the Holly-
wood, and the Huntington
Park, have been equipped for
big-screen television. Until
now, Sherrill Corwin's Or-
pheuni, in the downtown area,
had been the only house here
with TV facilities.
Pioneers' Big Night
To Honor Zukor
{Continued from page 1)
{Continued from Page 1)
fair, on behalf of Variety Interna-
tional. The plan was discussed and
approved at Variety's mid- winter
meeting- in Pittsburgh last weekend.
Extend Over Several Months
The testimonials, which are expected
to extend over several months, will
lead off with a celebration marking
Zukor's 80th birthday, Jan. 7. This
will be in the form of a dinner in
Hollywood, probably at the Ambassa-
dor Hotel, with all branches of the
industry represented, including many
persons who were associated with
Zukor in his enterprises in the past.
Another dinner, scheduled for March 4
at the Hotel Waldorf Astoria in New
York, will commemorate the 50th an-
niversary of Zukor's entrance into the
motion picture business in March,
1903. The guest list will include finan-
cial, business and political leaders of
the nation.
At a trade press conference here
yesterday, O'Donnell said that all
crafts, guilds, associations and organi-
zations within the industry, as well as
all other phases of the entertainment
world, will be invited to participate
with the Variety Clubs in honoring the
veteran film showman. Plans for the
events originated when O'Donnell
learned that Paramount executives
were contemplating a birthday dinner
in his honor.
In a telegram sent earlier to
the Paramount home office
from Dallas, O'Donnell de-
clared that Zukor's 80th birth-
day and his 50th anniversary
in the film business constituted
occasions deserving a celebra-
tion by the entire industry. Up-
on receiving the consent of
Paramount executives, O'Don-
nell went to Pittsburgh and
placed the idea before the Vari-
ety meeting.
"Adolph Zukor's life," O'Donnell
said yesterday, "is an example of the
American dream fulfilled. Coming to
America from his native Hungary as
a poor boy, he not only raised himself
to a position of honor, but in doing
so built an industry which has car-
ried the ideals of his adopted country
all over the world. His life is a saga
of Americanism at its best and I can
think of nothing more worthwhile for
our industry than to hold up Mr.
Zukor as a shining example of what
this business stands for."
Other events in honor of Zukor
will be held throughout the world
during 1953.
awaiting the development in this elec-
tronic age." He warned that "we of
the older generation, we who have seen
our business grow from an idea to a
fabulous institution, must not assume
the role of spectators," adding that
we must place accent on youth, but
we also must respect maturity."
Blumberg said he believed the Pio-
neers should enlarge its scope and as-
sume an obligation to help induct new
blood in the business. "Our maturity
plus youth should be a combination to
insure good health in our industry,"
he said.
The plaque presented to
Blumberg as the year's pioneer
of the industry read: "Motion
Picture Pioneers bestows its
highest honor upon Nate Blum-
berg, whose forty brilliant years
in the motion picture business
closely parallel the spectacu-
lar growth and tremendous
achievements of the industry
he has served so faithfully and
well. For enriching our indus-
try with his countless contri-
butions as exhibitor, producer
and distributor, for his sterling
attributes exemplified by his
devotion, his affection and his
feeling for his fellow man, we
acclaim him 'Pioneer of the
Year'."
In telling about the work of the
Foundation of the Motion Picture
Pioneers during the past year, Depinet
asked those Pioneers fortunate enough
to be able to leave an estate to con-
sider leaving some of the estate to the
Foundation. He said the Foundation
should be uppermost in their minds
because "the help we give these unfor-
tunate people is only a small token of
repayment for their great service in
building what we know as a success-
ful motion picture industry."
Depinet traced Blumberg's rise from
poster clerk to his present important
position, with proof of his humble be-
ginning supplied by Harold Fitzger-
ald, president of Fox- Wisconsin The-
atres, who gave Blumberg his start in
the film business in 1912.
Father Peyton, who achieved inter-
national fame through his Family
Rosary Crusade via radio, TV, films
and rallies, paid tribute to film indus-
try members who joined forces with
radio in bringing the messages of the
Crusade's Family Theatre to the
people of America and the world.
Other speakers included Pioneers
president Jack Cohn, Danny Kaye and
Jesse Block. Plaques "for constructive
contributions in both thoughts and
deeds" were presented to Harry J.
Takiff, secretary-treasurer of the or-
ganization, and vice-president Marvin
Kirsch. Special thanks for helping to
make the "Jubilee Dinner" a success
were given to John J. O'Connor, Mau-
rice Bergman, Charles Alicoate, Gil-
bert Josephson, David Bader, Ray
Gallagher, Leon Leonidoff, Henry A.
Linet and Milton Livingston as mem-
bers of the working committee.
A telephone recording of greetings
from three Hollywood friends of
Blumberg was played over a loud
speaker. The salutes came from Jack
Benny, Jimmy Durante and James
Stewart. Harry Wismer read the
names of 36 industry representatives,
20 of them members of the Pioneers,
who died during the past year. Rabbi
Ralph Silverstein of Temple Sinai and
former Chaplain of the Cinema Lodge
of B'nai B'rith, delivered the invoca-
tion and participated in requiem cere-
monies for the departed members.
Jane Pickens Sings
Jane Pickens sang the national an-
them and entertainment was supplied
by Radio City Music Hall's Glee
Club, the latter through the courtesy
of G. S. Eyssell and Leon Leoni-
doff. Music was provided by Al
Rickey and his "Pioneer Orchestra."
Acknowledgments were made to Jake
Starr who, every year, has created and
contributed display decorations for the
dinners and to the trade press for its
help in publicizing- the affair.
A special feature was a "Salute by
Look Magazine" to the Pioneers, fea-
tured in the Dec. 2 issue of the maga-
zine, now on newsstands.
Dais guests at the dinner were
Blumberg, Edward P. (Ted) Curtis,
Depinet, Fitzgerald, Frank Folsom,
William German, William Goetz,
Leonard Goldenson, T. J. Hargrave,
Jessel, Kaye, Louis Lurie, Judge Pe-
cora, Father Peyton, Sam Pinanski,
Milton R. Rackmil, J. Robert Rubin,
Serge Semenenko, Rabbi Silverstein,
George Skouras, Harry M. Warner,
Robert R. Young, Adolph Zukor,
Sam Dembow, Jr., Jack Alicoate,
Barney Balaban, Harry Brandt, O'Con-
nor, Robert J. O'Donnell, Martin
Quigley, James R. Grainger, Abel
Green, Herman Robbins and Major
Albert Warner.
'Free' Bingo Heads
For Ohio Court Test
Columbus, O., Nov. 25. — A
court test of the legality of
"free" bingo is seen following
the arrest of Paul (Slim)
Janes, operator of a no-ad-
mission bingo game here.
Jones was inspired to try the
free policy because of the
success of the donation policy
at the Little Theatre here.
Police confiscated $427 in
"contributions" which were
tossed into barrels placed
around the bingo hall.
Gottlieb Signs Baxter
Hollywood, Nov. 25. — Anne Bax-
ter signed with Alex Gottlieb to star
his "Blue Gardenia," which Fritz
in
Lang will direct.
'Hair Christmas
Show Opens Dec. 4
Radio City Music Hall's annual
Christmas stage program will be pre-
sented in two parts this year, opening
on Thursday, Dec. 4, co-featuring
the world premiere of M-G-M's "Mil-
lion Dollar Mermaid."
The stage program will comprise
the pageant, "The Nativity," pro-
duced by Leon Leonidoff, and "Sea-
son's Greetings," produced by Rus-
sell Markert.
"The Nativity" pageant, which tells
the story of the first Christmas, will
feature the Music Hall Choral En-
semble, under the direction of Ray-
mond Paige. Norman Wyatt will be
narrator.
The new "holiday spectacle," "Sea-
son's Greetings," will feature the
Rockettes, Corps de Ballet, Choral
ensemble and soloists.
'Peter Pan' Float in
Philadelphia Parade
RKO Radio Pictures reported here
yesterday that the "Peter Pan" float
in tomorrow's Thanksgiving Day pa-
rade in Philadelphia will be the largest
float ever used to promote a motion
picture.
The float is 15 feet high and con-
tains all of the cartoon characters in
the picture. Parade officials have built
a publicity campaign around it, said
RKO.
Goldwyn Going to Boston
Boston, Nov. 25. — Samuel Goldwyn,
producer of "Hans Christian Ander-
sen," and his wife will arrive in Bos-
ton on Monday for a two-day stay
during which he will be host to mem-
bers of the press, radio and television.
He will return to the Coast on Wed-
nesday.
Programming Slant
{Continued from page 1)
to programming which hundreds of
exhibitors have adopted relates to for-
mat and advertising.
'No longer is programming a mere
matter of time-filling to these show-
men," Morgan said. "They have taken
cognizance of the great national maga-
zines' profound influence on public
entertainment values and tastes ; that
is to say, they have come to realize
that just as such magazines maintain
a proper balance of reading entertain-
ment and enlightenment in the form
of features, stories, serials, oddities,
news commentaries and special de-
partments and columns, so must the
motion picture theatre balance its pro-
gram instead of overweighing- it with
features at the expense of such enter-
tainment as cartoons, newsreels and
other short subjects.
"The exhibitors realize, too, that to
deprive their patrons of the film coun-
terparts of magazine oddities, sports
items, news reports, etc., is to create
in the customers' subconscious minds
the feeling of having been cheated of
part of that to which theatre patrons
are entitled in return for the admis-
sion price paid. Thus, the content and
format of the great national maga-
zines now exercise an influence on
motion picture theatre programming,
according to numbers of independent
exhibitors and circuit operators.
New Attitude
"This new exhibitor attitude is re-
flected in theatre newspaper advertise-
ments as well as on the screen. In
city after city which I visited I found
advertisements for features also list-
ing by title the short subjects on the
programs. Less and less do we find
merely the line: 'Also selected short
subjects.' And because the intelligent
exhibitor now knows his customers
regard newsreels as a necessary part
of the pattern of keeping well-in-
formed in these times, he is demand-
ing that his newsreels be new and not
two or more weeks old — this despite
the extent to which television can
provide quick news service."
Morgan said, "I have discovered
also two other important develop-
ments, (1) that motion picture adver-
tising in general by exhibitors is
showing a greater exercise of intelli-
gence and reflecting strong insights
into what sets the public's imagina-
tion afire, and, (2), that exhibitors in
general are using press books more
consistently than ever before."
Breen Succeeds McCall
Hollywood, Nov. 25. — Screen
Writers Guild elected Richard Breen,
president, succeeding Mary C. Mc-
Call, Jr., whose term expired.
Wednesday, November 26, 1952
Motion Picture daily
5
Robust $6,500 for
'Christian Andersen'
A robust $6,500 was esti-
mated for yesterday's opening
of "Hans Christian Andersen"
at the Criterion here. Busi-
ness at the off - Broadway
Paris Theatre, where the
Samuel Goldwyn production
also had a premiere, was de-
scribed as fine.
The Criterion management
reported that it had been
swamped with telephone calls
throughout the day, seeking
information on the time and
price schedule for evening
and Thanksgiving Day holi-
day performances.
John Jones Heads
Chicago Variety
Chicago, Nov. 25. — New Variety
Club of Illinois officers for the com-
ing year were elected at a meeting
of the new board here today at the
Congress Hotel, site of the Club's
new quarters which are now under
construction..
Elected were: John Jones of Jones,
Linick and Schaefer, chief barker;
Nat Nathanson, district manager for
Allied Artists, first assistant chief
barker; James E. Coston, president
of Indiana-Illinois Theatres and Cos-
ton enterprises, second assistant chief
barker ; Mannie Gottlieb, district
manager of Universal, property-
master, and Manny Smerling, head
of Confection Cabinet Corp., dough
guy.-
Others Named
Also serving on the board are
James Donahue, district manager of
Paramount; Tom Flannery, president
of the White Way Sign Co.; Max
Rosenbaum, head of United Beverage
Co. ; Arthur Schoenstadt, head of
Schoenstadt Theatres ; Edwin Silver-
man, of Essaness Theatres ; Dave
Wallerstein, General Manager Bala-
ban and Katz and of Great States
Theatres, plus the ex-officio members
former chief barkers Joe Berenson,
Jack Kirsch, Irving Mack, Irving
Mandel and Jack Rose, who is also
international representative. John
Jones and Joe Berenson have been
selected as official delegates from the
Local Tent to the 1953 convention in
Mexico City, with Jack Rose and
Sam Levensohn as alternates.
Reviews
BOT Reports
(Continued from page 1)
"Against All Flags"
sions decreased from 345,596,000 for
the first quarter to 326,447,000 for the
second quarter, representing a drop of
5.5 per cent. The average admission
price for the second quarter was 20
pence compared, to the first quarter's
of 20.1 pence.
During the quarter ending June 28,
the entertainment tax amounted to
£9,471s000. The percentage of net
takings paid for film rentals fell from
35.4 to 35. The exhibitors' share of
the gross totaled £11,062,000, com-
pared to £11,662,000.
Production figures relating to the
quarter ending Sept. 30, 1952, in-
dicated that 25 films were in produc-
tion, compared to 16 at the end of
June, with 5,222 persons employed
( Universal-International)
MAUREEN O'HARA and ERROL FLYNN are as handsome a couple
as ever got mixed up with pirates in bright color by Technicolor in
this superior production that contains all the elements of a strong box-office
success. Anthony Quinn is on hand as a swaggering' pirate captain whose
attentions are rejected by Miss O'Hara and who tries to do-in Flynn, a
government spy trying to break up the captains of the Coast pirate syndicate.
There is a sure-fire mixture of attractive romance and vigorous swash-
buckling in a taut screenplay by Aeneas MacKenzie and Joseph Hoffman,
based on a MacKenzie story, that provides crisp and often humorous dialogue
for the principals. The island backgrounds are impressive and George Sher-
man's direction has kept the proceedings moving at a neat pace.
Producer Howard Christie has made good use of shipboard settings where
much of the action occurs. Flynn poses as an officer-deserter who escapes
with seamen Phil Tully and John Alderson. They are accepted by the pirates
after Flynn defeats a huge pirate in an exciting pike duel. Flynn becomes
navigator on Quinn's ship. Quinn vanquishes a ship on the high seas that
is the state ship of the Emperor of India and carries Alice Kelley, the em-
peror's daughter.
Flynn rescues Miss Kelley from the burning ship and later spikes the island's
fortification guns. He then signals the waiting government ship to attack
but is caught by Quinn and only saved from death by Miss O'Hara, who
loves him. Flynn boards Quinn's ship as it is escaping by using Miss Kelley
as a hostage. He kills Quinn in a duel, returns the ship to his superior
officers, obtains a pardon for Miss O'Hara, and happily chooses her at the
finale.
Flynn and Quinn are zestful derring-doers, Miss O'Hara registers strongly
as the spitfire pirate, Miss Kelley is notable as the pretty princess, and
Mildred Natwick supplies comedy as her governess. Others in the cast are
Michael Ross, Harry Cording and Paul Newlan. This production has names,
action, and spirit and should be a solid attraction.
Running time, 83l/2 minutes. General audience classification. For December
release. Walter Pashkin
National
Pre-Selling
The Desperate Search"
(Metro-Go Idkvy n- Mayer)
A SOLID cast featuring Howard Keel, Jane Greer, Patricia Medina,
and Keenan Wynn is the main asset of this moderate entry that is
dramatically, (concerned with several routine domestic problems but suffers
from a rather incredible story. There is some attractive aerial footage since
the protagonists are bush flyers, and some suspense is generated in the climactic
search for survivors of a passenger plane crash.
The screenplay by Walter Doniger, based on a novel by Arthur Mayse,
presents Keel as a pilot married to Miss Greer and the father of two_ children,
Lee Aaker and Linda Lowell, by a previous marriage to domineering flyer,
Miss Medina. Aaker and young Miss Lowell spend some time with their
father and are on a plane slated to return them to their mother when it
crashes in a mountainous area.
The children, sole survivors, try to await rescue and avoid being killed by
a cougar while Keel is trying to convince the search party to follow his
hunch and search the crash area. They do not do so and Miss Medina
attempts to win back Keel but he remains true to Miss Greer and after a
few days follows his hunch and flies to the area alone, locating the youngsters.
After landing, he finds the children treed by the animal, which he clubs to
death and all ends happily as Miss Medina decides to leave the children
with him.
The children make a very appealing pair and perform capably, as do the
stars Others in the cast are Robert Burton, Michael Dugan, Elaine Stewart,
Jonathan Cott, Jeff Richards ,and Dick Simmons. Production and direction
are adequate. Matthew Rapf produced and Joseph Lewis directed. The pro-
duction has several exploitation angles and some genuine appeal.
Running time, 73 minutes. General audience classification. Release date:
Jan. 16.
W. P.
Mt. Hood Radio, TV
Appeals FCC Ruling
Washington, Nov. 25.— Mt. Hood
Radio and Television Broadcasting
Corp. attorneys have appealed to the
full Federal Communications Com-
mission from a hearing examiner's
decision that a pending application
for a Portland, Ore., television sta-
tion could not be changed to include
the liquidation of the holdings of
Ralph E. Stolkin and affiliated in-
vestors.
Stolkin, Edward G. Burke, Jr., and
full-time, compared with 4,356 three
months earlier. The number of days
worked by extras during the quarter
was 24,979, compared to 13,642 in the
previous quarter.
Sherrill C. Corwin formerly held 43^
per cent of Mt. Hood stock, and Ted
Gamble owns 43J/2 per cent of the
stock. Several weeks ago Stolkin,
Burke and Corwin sold their stock to
more than 30 employes of radio station
KOIN in Portland, which is con-
trolled by Mt. Hood.
The FCC has been holding hearings
on several competing applications for
Portland TV channels and Mt. Hood
is one of the applicants. Mt. Hood
asked permission to change its appli-
cations to conform to the stock sale
but examiner Elizabeth C. Smith re-
fused the request, declaring it was too
late in the hearing to permit the
change.
Mt. Hood's appeal to the full Com-
mission stated Miss Smith's ruling
was inconsistent with the law and pre-
vious FCC regulations and decisions.
THE advertising profession lost a
prospective account executive
when Alec Guiness, British star, re-
signed from an ad agency to become
an actor, according to a story in the
current issue of Life. Twelve por-
traits of Alec are reproduced in a
spread, each showing him in a differ-
ent character part. The author of
the article says it takes Alec up to
three hours to make up for each char-
acter role and transform himself into
his screen personality. It is rare
when a British film shows a sub-
stantial profit in the U. S. market.
However, Alec Guiness' last three
pictures, "The Lavender Hill Mob,"
The Man in the White Suit" and
"The Promoter," all Universal-Inter-
national releases, are expected to
make a profit of over $2,000,000 in
this country.
Cameron Shipp has written his
impressions of Leslie Caron for the
issue of Woman's Home Companion
now on the newsstands. When read-
ing Shipp's article you get the feel-
ing that Miss Caron both astounded
and bewildered the author. Al-
though she is now a star at the
M-G-M studio and married to the
heir of the Hormel ham and meat
packing fortune, she still practices
the thrift taught to her by her
French parents. Quoting Leslie on
economy, she said, "I cook all the
time. I have to. We do not have
mooch money and we hate restau-
rants." M-G-M has scheduled her
for stardom. Her next pictures will
be "Glory Alley," "Lili" and "The
Story of Three Loves."
•
John Wayne says "I don't act, I
react," according to Don Allen in a
story on this modest star which will
appear in Sunday's American Weekly:
This is John's quaint way of explain-
ing his acting ability, although he has
been voted the best box office star in
the Motion Pichvre Herald-Fame poll
for the past two years. He has been
leading man for Colbert, Dietrich and
Crawford. Their consensus of opin-
ion of John was, "He's so dependable."
Oddly enough, Wayne never worries
about his love scenes. Nor does he
try to be too adept. He thinks a little
clumsiness is better suited to the char-
acters he plays. On the "Jet Pilot"
set his co-star, Janet Leigh, was ribbed
about this. "The guy wasn't very ex-
pert in love interludes, was he?"
"Maybe not," said Janet seriously,
summing him up, "but he's very thor-
ough." Wayne's current picture is
"The Quiet Man," produced by John
Ford for Republic Pictures.
•
Louis Pollock's profile on Deborah
Kerr in December's Redbook gives
the reader the impression that her
life's story would make a rather
good movie script. Deborah was
born in Helensburgh, Scotland,
went to London in her early 'teens
to study the ballet and drama.
During the war, while part of a
theatrical troupe entertaining ser-
vicemen, she met an RAF fighter
pilot whom she married after the
European war had ended. Her
most recent picture is M-G-M's
"Prisoner of Zenda," now playing at
the Capitol Theatre here.
Walter Haas
A Bert E. Friedlob Production-Released by Century-Fox
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
Accurate
mpartial
VOL. 72. NO. 103
NEW YORK, U.S.A., FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1952
TEN CENTS
20th Earned
$2,768,191
In 39 Weeks
Also Reports Special
Credit of $1,077,755
Consolidated net earnings of
$2,768,191 and a special credit of
$1,077,755 for the 39 weeks ended
Sept. 27, 1952, was reported here
by 20th Century-Fox Film Corp. and
all subsidiaries, including- Wesco The-
atres Corp. and Roxy Theatres, Inc.
This compares with net earnings of
$2,147,628 for the 39- week period end-
ed Sept. 29, 1951.
The $1,077,755 special credit, ac-
cording to the company report, arose
from a change of accounting pro-
cedure with respect to foreign opera-
tions. The earnings, together with the
special credit, for the period ended
Sept. 27 of this year amounted to
$3,845,946. This was equal to $1.39 per
share, 38 cents of which were derived
from the special credit, on the 2,769,
484 shares of common stock outstand-
ing.
The end of the current 39-week
(Continued on page 8)
Cole Touring
For Repeal
Col. H. A. Cole, national co-chair-
man of the Admission Tax Repeal
Committee of the Council of Motion
Picture Organizations, is travelling
the country in behalf of the industry's
effort to have the 20 per cent Federal
ticket levy repealed. He has attended
12 tax meetings during the past week
(Continued on page 8)
Seek Extension of
Toledo Censor Law
Columbus, Nov. 27.— While it
is legal to show newsreels in
Toledo without censorship,
the Independent Theatre
Owners of Ohio is taking
steps to apply the verdict of
the Toledo court to the entire
state through court action.
The state has decided that it
will not appeal the decision
which ruled that newsreels
were not subject to censor-
ship, the verdict applying
only to Toledo.
RECORD FOREIGN
FILM EARNINGS
Receipts Abroad LasTfear Were $160,000,000,
U.S. Reports; An Increase of $40,000,000
By J. A. OTTEN
Washington, Nov. 27. — The U. S. film industry's earnings overseas
hit a record $160,000,000 last year, the Commerce Department reports.
The previous high was in 1946 when the earnings were put at $142,-
000 000 They dropped to $124,000,000 in 1947, rose to $130,000,000 in
1948 and fell again to $120,000,000
Foreign Films Hit
U.S. Rental Record
Washington, Nov. 27. —
Rentals for foreign films in
the U.S. hit a record last
year, the Commerce Depart-
ment reports.
It estimated film rentals
paid in this country at $11,-
000,000, compared with $3,-
000,000 in 1947, $5,000,000 in
1948 and $4,000,000 each in
1949 and 1950.
each in 1949 and 1950
Commerce officials emphasized that
these figures do not represent amounts
actually remitted but rather total
earnings each year, whether remitted
or blocked abroad. However, they are
net earnings figures, after allowance
for foreign advertising and other dis-
tribution costs. Commerce officials
(Continued on page 3)
Zukor Jubilee Gets
COMPOs Support
The Council of Motion Picture Or-
ganizations has pledged its support
and cooperation in the Adolph Zukor
'Golden Jubilee" celebration, becom-
ing the first group to line up behind
the event.
In a telegram to Robert J. O'Don-
nell, international chairman of the
celebration, the three executive heads
of COMPO— Al Lichtman, Sam Pin-
anski and Trueman Rembusch— stated
that the organization would give full
support to the salute to Zukor.
"We can think of nobody in our
business more deserving of such trib-
(Continued on page 3)
20th to Open 4 In
NY Over Holidays
Twentieth Century-Fox will open
four pictures almost simultaneously on
Broadway during the holiday season.
Three of the films, including the com-
pany's contender for the Academy
Award, "My Cousin Rachel," will
open on Christmas Day, while "Stars
and Stripes Forever" will premiere
on Dec. 22 at the Roxy.
"Rachel" will open at the Rivoli
Theatre, "Pony Soldier," will be at
the Globe and "Ruby Gentry" will
open at the Mayfair.
Texas Compo Calls
'Incentive Selling'
Mutually Beneficial
Dallas, Nov. 27. — Texas Council
of Motion Picture Organizations offi-
cials are said to be highly gratified
with the reactions to their "Incentive
Selling" program which was expressly
designed to benefit the exhibitor and
the distributor, and they are strongly
recommending its initiation, states
Kyle Rorex, executive director for
Texas COMPO, who has announced
the plan's results.
The program was conducted by
Paul Short and involved a non-com-
petitive Texas town with a population
of 10,000 in which an independent
exhibitor operated an A and two B
houses (one part time), and a drive-in.
(Continued on page 3)
T O A Will Push
For New Talks
On Arbitration
Starr Warns of Dangers
If System Is Delayed
By AL STEEN
The distributors' draft of an in-
dustry arbitration plan is not en-
tirely satisfactory to the Theatre
Owners of America, especially the
non-inclusion of
film rentals as
a subject for
arbitration, but
the TOA will
not reject arbi-
tration, per se,
merely because
it cannot ob-
tain that con-
cession. This
TOA position
was stated
Wednesday in
New York by
Alfred Starr,
TOA president,
and affirmed by Mitchell Wolfson,
(Continued on page 3)
Alfred Starr
Col. Seeks Bond in
Minority Trust Suit
A hearing on a show cause order
calling upon Columbia minority stock-
holder William B. Weinberger of
New York to post a bond in connec-
tion with his anti-trust suit against
the company, has been set for Thurs-
day in New York Supreme Court.
Weinberger's attorney, Samuel H.
Levinkind, also of this city, on Wed-
nesday said he had been served with
papers, citing Section 61B of the gen-
eral corporation law. It was explained
that this section requests the plaintiff
in a minority suit to post a bond of
(Continued on page 3)
Starr Names
Committees
Chairmen of standing committees
of the Theatre Owners of America
for the next year were announced
here by Alfred Starr, TOA president,
as follows :
Concessions, Leon Levenson, Bos-
(Continued on page 3)
Says Rentals and
Tax Are Hardships
San Francisco, Nov. 27. —
"It's not TV that's killing us,"
charges Rotus Harvey in the
current issue of Western
Theatre Owners' Exhibitors'
Digest, "It is the 20 per cent
tax and distributors' exorbi-
tant film rentals coupled with
their short - sighted, asinine
releasing system. Were I in
charge of a production studio
responsible for the making of
pictures, I would be worried
to death over the actions and
poor business judgment of my
distributors," Harvey wrote.
2
Motion Picture daily
Friday, November 28, 1952
Personal
Mention
NICHOLAS M. SCHENCK,
president of Loew's ; Howard
Dietz, vice-president in charge of ad-
vertising-publicity, and Joseph R.
Vogel, vice-president, were scheduled
to arrive here yesterday from the
Coast. Charles C. Moskowitz, vice-
president and treasurer, arrived here
from the Coast earlier in the week.
•
Herman Rifkin, Allied Artists
franchise holder in Boston and a
member of the company's board of
directors, has returned to that city
from Hollywood.
•
C. J. Latta, managing director of
Associated British Pictures Corp.,
will sail from here today for England
aboard the 6". 6". Queen Elizabeth.
•
David Lipton, Universal vice-
president in charge of advertising-
publicity, returned to the Coast from
New York.
•
W. A. Scully spent Thanksgiving
with his family in Florida and will
leave there on Monday for Los An-
geles.
•
George Giroux, Technicolor field
representative, is in New York and
on Sunday will leave for Boston.
•
Noel Meadow, foreign film im-
porter, is in Washington from New
York.
•
Harold Mirisch, Allied Artists
vice-president, has returned to Holly-
wood from New York.
•
Albert Vermes, Cleveland exhi-
bitor, announces the birth of a third
daughter to Mrs. Vermes.
Picker Leaves on
Pacific Area Tour
Arnold M. Picker, vice-president of
United Artists in charge of foreign
distribution, left New York by plane
last night on a month's tour of New
Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Singa-
pore and the Philippines. The trip is
his first to the Southeast Asia and
Pacific areas.
Picker expects to return to New
York about Dec. 22. He plans to meet
personnel of United Artists and sur-
vey the company's Far Eastern opera-
tions. He will also bring the field
forces up to date on United Artists'
present situation and future plans.
Para. Offers Extra
Shows for Holiday
Extra stage and screen shows for
the Thanksgiving Day holiday will
continue today at the New York
Paramount, with the last in-person
show presented at 11:00 P.M. At the
Trans-Lux 60th Street, a special holi-
day matinee performance of "Lime-
light" was given at 5 :30 yesterday.
Most other Broadway first-run
theatres held no extra performances
on the holiday.
California - Nevada
Unit Changes Name
San Francisco, Nov. 27. —
The Independent Theatre
Owners of Northern Cali-
fornia and Nevada has had its
name changed to Northern
California Theatres Associa-
tion. Nevada is still a mem-
ber of the unit, however, the
name having been changed
because Nevada is part of the
Northern California exchange
territory.
Meet SAG Strike
With Unity: Gold
A plea for unity among all tele-
vision producers of filmed commer-
cials was sounded here by Mel Gold,
president of the National Television
Film Council, in the face of the
threatened Screen Actors Guild
strike, set for Monday.
Addressing Wednesday's NTFC
luncheon meeting here at the Hotel
Warwick, Gold warned against any
"private deals" when the strike goes
into effect. The following TV produc-
tion centers will be affected by the
strike, the first such action taken since
the inception of the SAG : New York,
Los Angeles, Chicago and Detroit.
Gold called SAG. wage proposals
"unfair" in his review of the pro-
tracted negotiations held in the East.
He said agreement could not be
reached on the principles of hiring
actors on a per spot basis rather than
per day, the present practice ; on the
SAG's demand for the limitation of
the use of the TV commercial, and
the payment to actors for additional
use. He said the SAG is seeking $70
per spot for the actor, in comparison
to the current scale of $70 per day
in which the actor can make a number
of spots.
The following slates were nomi-
nated to head the NTFC next year:
For president, Andrew Jaeger, Arch
Mayers, Sydney Mayers ; vice-presi-
dent, David Savage, Sally _ Perle;
secretary, David Bader, Bill Van
Praag, Sally Perle ; treasurer, Wil-
liam Reddick, Waldo Mayo ; direc-
tors, Mel Gold, Bill Holland, Henry
Brown, Gene Sharin, Sydney Mayers,
Lou Feldman, Arch Mayers, Bader,
Dr. Alfred Goldsmith, Jaeger, White,
Reddick, Connie Lazar and Savage.
New Roxy Lighting
To Cost $45,000
Work is now under way at the
Roxy Theatre here on the new "Ice-
Colorama" stage with some 5,000 feet
of neon tubing to be installed under
the ice surface, in addition to 3,000
feet of ultraviolet tubing to heighten
fluorescent costumes. Cost of the
lighting innovations will be about
$45,000.
The first "Ice-Colorama" show will
be introduced on Dec. 22, along with
the world premiere of "Stars and
Stripes Forever."
Paramount-Italian
Co-production Deal
Is Near Completion
Paramount' s plan for co-production
of features in Italy with Italian pro-
ducers is reported to have material-
ized to the point where an announce-
ment may be forthcoming shortly.
While there has been no confirmation
of the deal's completion, reports from
Rome indicate that George Weltner,
president of Paramount International,
who has been in the Italian capital
this week, has reached an agreement
with the principals On the project.
Under the plan, Paramount will
participate in the production of mod-
erately budgeted pictures for Euro-
pean distribution by Paramount.
However, the company will have an
option on American distribution of
those films which are believed suit-
able for the U. S. market.
Weltner was reported to have flown
to London from Rome and will return
to New York Monday, cutting short
a European tour that was to have
extended well into December. The
Italian deal is said to have been the
reason for his quick return to the
home office.
RKO Fordham Will
Carry 'Carmen' TV
The RKO Fordham will carry the
Dec. 11 telecast of "Carmen," making
it the third theatre in New York to
take the Theatre Network Television
event.
Another RKO house which has
booked the Metropolitan Opera pro-
duction is the Albee, Cincinnati. Both
the Fordham and Albee will charge
from $1.20 to $3.60, with all seats re-
served.
The two additional TV-equipped
houses in New York joining the
cross-country network of theatres are
the 50th Street Guild and the Marine,
Brooklyn. Already lined up for the
first theatre TV entertainment show
are 30 theatres, with an estimated
seating capacity of 70,000.
In Cleveland, the Hippodrome has
established a $2.40 to $3.60 scale for
the "Carmen" telecast, with no. re:
served seats. In Toledo, the Rivoli
has also set a $2.40 to $3.60 scale with
a reserved seat policy.
Ohio ITO Conclave
Set for April 7-8
Columbus, O., Nov. 27.— The
Independent Theatre Owners
of Ohio has set April 7-8 as
the dates for its annual con-
vention here. Sessions will
be held at the Deshler-Wal-
lick Hotel.
Daff Starts 4 - Week
Global Tour Dec. 19
Alfred E. Daff, Universal executive
vice-president, is finalizing plans for
a world tour to begin Dec. 19 and
last about a month that would include
a series of sales meetings with Uni-
versal personnel in Europe, the Far
East and Australia.
Daff is slated to leave for the Coast
Sunday where it is expected he will
remain for two weeks holding execu-
tive discussions about production,
sales and other matters.
Harry Gross Recovers
Harry Gross, former film theatre
financier in New York's Bronx, was
rushed to St. Clare's Hospital here
Tuesday evening from the Motion
Picture Pioneers annual dinner after
having been stricken with an attack
of indigestion. He was discharged
from the hospital that evening follow-
ing treatment.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
—^-^ Rockefeller Center
"PLYMOUTH ADVENTURE"
Spencer TRACY • Gene TIERNEY
Van JOHNSON . Leo GENN
Color by TECHNICOLOR • An M-G-M Picture
Ulus GREAT HOLIDAY STAGE SPECTACLE
_ ALAN VIRGINIA
Ladd Mayo
TheIroa
Mistress
Color by TECHNICOLOR
Cowan Arrives to
Finish 'Main Street'
Lester Cowan, producer ; Tay Gar-
nett, director, and James Wong Howe,
cameraman of the Council of the Liv-
ing Theatre's film production, "Main
Street to Broadway," have arrived in
New York in preparation for shoot-
ing final scenes of the film next week
in the theatrical district and in in-
teriors of several legitimate theatres.
"Main Street" is being produced
for release by M-G-M as the first
film to be made in collaboration be-
tween the legitimate stage and the
film industry. Profits will be turned
over to the Council of the Living
Theatre.
Midnight F«ot«r#
SAMUEL GOLDWYN presents
Hans Christian
Andersen
starring
DANNY KAYE
CRITERION • PARIS
B'way & 45th St. 58th St. W. of 5th Ave.
Get Your Special XMAS
J&Trailers On GREEN FILM
7 From Good Old Dependable
Ifilmack
You Can Always Count On Us
For Top Quality and Fast Service
Editor. Published daily, except Saturdays.
7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpnbco,
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwm Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsay e. Consulting Ed i ten
Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. \. lelepnone circle "vice- President; Leo J. Brady
New York." Martin Quigley. President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan. Vice-President and Tieasuier; Raymond. Levy. Vice fresiaent, tf°_J^™°l
James P. _Cunningham, News Editor ;~ Herbert. V. .Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus IL Fausel, Production ^Manager,
becretary ;
Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
Editorial Representative, 11 North
William "R. "Weaver, Editor. "Chicago Bureau. 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FT 6-3074; Bruce Trinz
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington. D. C London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq London Wl Ho^^^
Editor; cable address, "Quigpubcof London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres and Theatre Sales each .^^Vor™ N* ^^^der the' Lc
of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter, Sept. 21, 1938, at the post ottice at JNew *oik,
of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies, 10c.
Friday, November 28, 1952
Motion Picture daily
3
Arbitration
(Continued from page 1)
Review
"The Lawless Breed
(Un k 'ersa I- International)
ROCK HUDSON achieves stardom by combining a solid, convincing-
portrayal with his rugged good looks in this uncommonly good Western
that bears the brand of a smooth Raoul Walsh production.
There is plenty of quick-on-the-draw gunplay, exciting chases, and two
thrilling horse races. Two competent and extremely attractive young actresses,
Julia Adams and Mary Castle, turn in neat performances. Wrapped up in
flawless color by Technicolor, for which color-consultant William Frietzsche
rates special mention, this is a fine entertainment package that should result
in strong box-office returns.
Director Walsh obtained credible performances from the entire cast and
moved the story forward with a maximum of interest and suspense. The
screenplay by Bernard Gordon, from a story by William Alland, details the
constant moving which Hudson must do after killing a man in a poker fight
in a setting after the Civil War in a state occupied by the Northern army.
Hudson leaves his home because of a fanatically religious severe disciplinarian
father and lives with his kindly uncle. Both roles are well played by John
Mclntire.
In self defense, Hudson eventually kills two of the brothers of the man
he shot and he is wounded. Miss Castle, his sweetheart, is killed in one of
his narrow escapes but he is aided by Miss Adams, a gambling saloon girl.
The two live on his gambling earnings. Hudson marries Miss Adams but
Texas Rangers capture him and he spends 16 years in jail. Pardoned, he
returns to his family only to find his son a gun-slinging replica of his
adolescence. Hudson is shot in the back in a bar argument involving his
son but recovers and convinces his son living by the gun is not good, at the
happy ending.
William Alland produced and used serviceable Western backgrounds effec-
tively. This is a compact and skillfully-made entry that should account for
itself well at the box-office.
Others in the cast are Hugh O'Brien, William Pullen, Glenn Strange,
Lee Van Cleef, Michael Ansara, Race Gentry, Forrest Lewis, Bob Anderson
and Stephen Chase.
Running time, 83 minutes. General audience classification. For January
release. Walter Pashkin
past president, and Herman Levy,
general counsel.
Starr said that TOA was pleased
with the report that the Motion Pic-
ture Association of America may
initiate meetings among Allied, TOA
and distributors in order to determine
Allied objections to the draft, which
was turned down at its recent annual
convention in Chicago. However, it
was stressed that if the MPAA does
not sponsor such a meeting, the TOA
will do so on its own.
Starr said he did not believe that
the difference between Allied and the
distributors were irreconcilable. He
asserted that Allied objected only to
portions of the draft and that he was
confident of a renewal of negotiations.
TOA, too, has objections to the last
draft, Starr said, but the association
will not abandon hope for a formula
because of the objections, which can
be overcome. He warned that the in-
dustry must have some sort of an
unmpire to settle disputes and unless
the industry sets up a system, the
government could step in and dictate
one of its own. He described a gov-
ernment-sponsored system as having
"disastrous" possibilities.
Exhibitors, Starr said, have
not surrendered anything in
drafting an arbitration plan, but
the distributors surrendered
"plenty" in their proposals. The
agreement to arbitrate runs and
damages was a definite conces-
sion, he said, in view of the
fact that it was a "one way
street," meaning that the ex-
hibitor could bring an arbitra-
tion complaint but the distribu-
tor could not. Starr said he
agreed with Abram F. Myers,
Allied general counsel, in the
latter's pursuit of a provision
for arbitrating film rentals, also
as a "one way street." But
whether a workable plan could
be conceived is questionable, he
added.
Wolfson pointed out that if some-
thing desirable is left out of a final
draft, an exhibitor can still go to
court if he wishes. Arbitration is not
compulsory for the exhibitor, but it
is mandatory for the distributor if a
theatre operator registers a complaint.
Wolfson said that litigation was cost-
ly, but, on the other hand, whatever
is subject to litigation also can be
arbitrated. He said TOA wanted a
vehicle that was reasonable without
the necessity of "calling the cops."
Wolfson said a great deal of the dif-
ferences between exhibitor and dis-
tributor stemmed from a "lack of
communication" between the two. He
said distributors were not always un-
willing to settle a dispute, but often
were not aware of the situation.
Wolfson declared there was some
danger in an attempt to fix film
rentals. He said if the public should
become aware of film rental control,
it might seek to fix admission prices
through government agencies.
Starr emphasized the point that
TOA had not approved the distribu-
tors' arbitration plan. TOA, he said,
would like some changes, but the as-
sociation is willing and ready to sit
down and discuss the changes at any
time.
"If we don't have arbitration,"
Starr said, "the plight of the exhibitor
will worsen."
Starr Names
(Continued from page 1)
ton; Council of Motion Picture Or-
ganizations, Sam Pinanski, Boston;
theatre television, S. H. Fabian, New
York; drive-ins, Jack Braunagel,
Kansas City; public relations, Elmer
Rhoden, Kansas City; national legis-
lation, A. Julian Brylawski, Wash-
ington; state and local legislation,
Robert Bryant, Rock Hill, S. C, and
LaMar Sarra, Jacksonville; legal ad-
visory, Herman M. Levy, New
Haven ; organization and membership,
George Kerasbtes, Springfield, 111.,
and E. D. Martin, Columbus, Ga.;
theatre equipment and accessories,
Joseph J. Zaro, Nashville ; arbitration,
R. B. Wilby, Atlanta; building and
safety codes, Henry. Anderson, New
York; research, Myron Blank, Des
Moines.
Foreign Earnings
(Continued from page 1)
also emphasized that 1947 was the
last year for which absolutely com-
plete data was available and that the
later figures were all built up from
a large industry sampling.
Of the total $160,000,000 earned
overseas last year, $88,000,000 was
earned in Britain, France and other
North Atlantic Pact countries. An-
other $15,000,000 came from Canada
and about $26,000,000 from Latin
America. The remaining $31,000,000
came from the rest of the world.
FP-C Declares Dividend
Ottawa, Nov. 27.— Famous Play-
ers Canadian Corp., Ltd., has declared
a dividend of 35 cents on common
stock plus an extra 15 cents for the
quarter ending Dec. 31, payable on
Dec. 27 to shareholders of record
Dec. 12.
Col. Seeks Bond
(Continued from page 1)
$75,000 in cash or $50,000 worth of
the company's securities to cover legal
fees in case the suit is lost by the
plaintiff. Levinkind said other Colum-
bia minority stockholders would be
approached for support in the posting
of the bond. Weinberger, he added,
owns more than 100 shares.
The suit seeks to enjoin the com-
pany and its officers from engaging
in alleged anti-trust practices in con-
nection with the production, distribu-
tion and exhibition of motion pictures.
It also seeks an accounting of losses
allegedly sustained by the company
due to anti-trust suits.
Zukor Jubilee
(Continued from page 1)
ute and of no activity that will reflect
more honor and credit on our indus-
try than the birthday and jubilee ce-
lebration you contemplate," the wire
read. "Please count on COMPO and
on each of us individually for fullest
cooperation and support in your en-
deavor."
The lead-off event in the observance
of Zukor's 80th birthday and 50th
anniversary in the motion picture
business will be a dinner in Holly-
wood on Jan. 7.
McVeigh to Assist in
'Hiawatha' Promotion
Blake McVeigh, film publicist and
exploiteer who recently handled spe-
cial exploitation here for 20th Cen-
tury-Fox, has been retained to assist
Allied Artists' Eastern publicity rep-
resentative Harry Goldstein in a pro-
motion campaign for "Hiawatha," the
Walter Mirisch production which had
its premiere at the Bijou Theatre here
last Monday-
Texas Compo
( Continued from page 1 )
The A theatre was used for the test.
It had 750 seats, made three changes
weekly ( Sunday - Monday - Tuesday,
Wednesday- Thursday, and Friday-
Saturday) ; the admission price was
40 cents and the theatre played only
single features. There were no road-
show engagements and the theatre
played product from all major com-
panies, except one.
During the preferred time for 1951
the exhibitor did an average gross
business of $989 weekly, paid an aver-
age film rental of 35 per cent and
spent $45 for advertising.
The agreement between the exhib-
itor and the distributor was that the
exhibitor increase his film rental to
40 per cent on his last year's average
of $989 gross for his preferred time
change. The distributor would re-
ceive 25 per cent of any additional
gross over $989.
The picture which the exhibitor
selected grossed $1,960 which was
$971 over the previous year's average
of $989. But the theatre paid a film
rental of 32 per cent instead of an
average 35 per cent the year before.
The distributor last year received
$346 on the average of $989 gross,
while on the $1,960 gross he received
$638. The exhibitor spent $75 for
advertising against the $45 average
for last year. (On this particular
picture the distributor was asking
for a sliding scale of 40 per cent
through 50 per cent).
The picture chosen by the distribu-
tor grossed $1,680, which was $691
over the, previous year's average of
$989, but the exhibitor paid a film
rental of 33 per cent instead of the
average 35 per cent paid the previous
year. The distributor last year re-
ceived $346 average on the $989 av-
erage gross, while on the $1,680 he
received $568. The exhibitor spent
$70.50 for advertising against last
year's average of $45. (On this par-
ticular picture the distributor was
asking for a sliding scale of 37J4 per
cent through 50 per cent).
Observations disclosed that as a
result of the increased attendance
during the preferred time change, an
increase of 11.8 per cent was noted
for the two following changes of the
same week.
Colonel H. A. Cole, co-chairman of
Texas COMPO and chairman of the
board of Allied Theatre Owners of
Texas, commented on the plan as fol-
lows : "For practical purposes the
program needs clarification and qualifi-
cation. It can be enormously suc-
cessful if the exhibitor selects only
one picture from each film company
and the distributor selects only one
picture during a 12-month period. In
my opinion the average exhibitor dis-
sipates his efforts if he endeavors to
sell more than 16 pictures a year. The
superior and comprehensive selling of
16 pictures per year will carry the
routine merchandising of the other
pictues on the program to a substan-
tial profit."
Rorex stated that, "for obvious rea-
sons, due to the singular circum-
stances it would not be possible to
disclose the distributor, the exhibitor
and the two pictures involved."
Republic Dividend
A dividend of 25 cents a share on
preferred stock, payable Jan. 2, to
stockholders of record on Dec. 10, has
been declared by the board of direc-
tors of Republic Pictures.
"I'm quoting from
Variety, issue of
Nov. 12, 1952.
AT THE
MUSIC HALl
WHICH
PLAYS THE
BIGGEST
PICTURES
75%
OF THE
PLAYING
TIME THIS
l#E A W% fihe same as\
T fc/VK V last year! /
MGM
M-G-M presents "MILLION
DOLLAR MERMAID"
starring Esther Williams
Victor Mature • Walter Pidgeon
David Brian • with Donna
Corcoran • Color by Technicolor
Screen Play by Everett Freeman
Directed by Mervyn LeRoy • Pro-
duced by Arthur Hornblow, Jr.
M-G-M presents Lana Turner
Kirk Douglas • Walter Pidgeon
Dick Powell in "THE BAD
AND THE BEAUTIFUL"
co-starring Barry Sullivan
Gloria Grahame • Gilbert Roland
with Leo G. Carroll • Vanessa
Brown • Screen Play by Charles
Schnee • Based on a story by
George Bradshaw • Directed by
Vincente Minnelli • Produced
by John Houseman
i
w
Next at the Music Hall
MILLION DOLLAR
MERMAID
Si
"A solid hit! A big M-G-M Technicolor class
Show! It will clean Up!" — Hollywood Reporter
And next thereafter at the Music Hall
THE BAD AND
THE BEAUTIFUL
M-G-M's great drama, a sensation at this week's
Trade Shows ! Watch for the trade press raves !
Start the New Year in Big -Time
Style with M-G-M Attractions of
Music Hall Bigness!
A \ V
A REPUBLIC PICTURE
Republic Pictures Corporation
with
MILLIONS
great action adventure!
HERBERT J. YATES
Presents
VICTOR JORY JEAN PARKER - henry
H and Screenplay By JOHN K. BUTLER • Associate Producer SIDNEY PICKER • Directed By R. G. SPRINGSTEEN
8
Motion Picture daily
Friday, November 28, 1952
Jarrico Decision Is
Called Precedental
Hollywood, Nov. 27. — Su-
perior Judge Orlando H.
Rhodes' decision yesterday
finding RKO Pictures justi-
fied in refusing screen credit
to Paul Jarrico on "The Las
Vegas Story," following the
writer's discharge for refus-
ing to answer official Un-
American Activities Commit-
tee questions, is regarded here
as importantly precedental
with respect to the studio's
right to allot or withhold
screen credits.
As all talent guilds and
some unions have provisions
in their basic contracts with
studios governing the manner
in which screen credits may
be apportioned, the Jarrico
precedent apparently opens
the way for the reconsidera-
tion of these agreements. It
is believed, however, that stu-
dios would seek no more than
a provision for the elimina-
tion of discredited names or
similar limited modifications
in existing pacts.
Release Granted in
Jackson Pk. Decree
Review
"Blackbeard, the Pirate"
(RKO Pictures)
ROBERT NEWTON chews up the scenery in this pirate film that con-
tains more gore and violence than most vicious melodramas and which,
because of its comic-book story and performances, will appeal mainly to the
younger element.
It can be exploited for the leads, Linda Darnell and William Bendix, a
plethora of fighting and swordplay, and much intrigue. Miss Darnell's
beauty is breathtakingly displayed in lush color by Technicolor. The screen-
play "bv Alan LeMay,' from a story by DeVallon Scott, presents _ Newton
as the famed pirate escaping destruction by the government, which is repre-
sented by former pirate Sir Henry Morgan, as played by Torin Thatcher.
Newton has Miss Darnell, Morgan's intended bride, kidnapped as protection.
Young surgeon Keith Andes is a government spy who is supposed to prove
that Thatcher is still in league with buccaneers.
Miss Darnell has a fortune in jewels which is taken by Newton and
buried by him on an island. Thatcher arrives for combat and Newton is
defeated but escapes. Newton later captures a ship with Andes and Miss
Darnell aboard. His crew mutinies, demanding treasure shares. Andes and
Miss Darnell vow their mutual love and escape, while Newton is buried alive
on shore at the gruesome fadeout.
Edmund Grainger produced economically. Raoul Walsh's direction em-
phasized the action and allowed for broad performances. Andes turns in the
most solid acting job; others in the cast are Irene Ryan, Alan Mowbray,
Richard Egan, Skelton Knaggs, Dick Wessel, Anthony Caruso, Jack Lam-
bert, Noel Drayton and Pat Flaherty.
Running time, 99 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
£>ec_ 25. Walter Pashkin
Chicago, Nov. 27. — Some modifi-
cations of the Jackson Park decree
have been granted by Federal Judge
Michael Igoe, who handed down an
order; which read in part: "No doubt
the separation of interests required by
the Paramount decree will eventually
be effective to eradicate all illegal
concert between producer-distributors
and the exhibitor branch of the indus-
try.'"
The -court granted some modifica-
tion in regard to : Licensing of double
features in first-run houses, granting
the request in the Balaban and Katz
petition to eliminate the necessity for
getting specific permission from the
Jackson Park for each first-run double
feature booking ( which permission
had been granted tacitly on a blanket
basis by the Jackson Park) ; clear-
ance on pictures that are booked for
two weeks and pulled prior to the end
of the scheduled run because of poor
business shall be 10 days, to give the
film companies adequate time to get
the picture into release for subsequent
runs ; and the burden of enforcement
of the provision of the decree that
forbids booking of double features
"in such a manner as to deny prod-
uct at a reasonable price to the Jack-
son Park" shall be shifted from Bala-
ban and Katz to the distributors.
Requests were denied in the B. and
K. petition to eliminate the two-week
restriction on first-runs without spe-
cific exemption by the court on in-
dividual pictures, and to change the
present distribution set-up to provide
for "reasonable" clearance between
first Chicago runs and first subse-
quent run. The present distribution
set-up, which was continued, calls for
immediate release of pictures to first
outlying runs when they wind up their
first Chicago runs.
The order also stated that "we
think that completion of divestiture
did not result in such immediate
change in relationships between dis-
tributors and exhibitors as to require
Cole Touring
(Continued from page 1)
and he leaves Dallas tomorrow by
plane for San Francisco where he will
talk with H. V. (Rotus) Harvey,
Ben Levin, Homer I. Tegtmeier, and
Roy Cooper, state tax committee
chairman, to discuss the campaign.
He will leave San Francisco on Mon-
day for Seattle to confer with Wil-
liam J. Connor, Hamrick Theatres ;
George DeWaide, B. F. Shearer Co.,
and Fred Danz, Jr., state tax com-
mittee chairman, of Sterling The-
atres, Inc.
Will Leave Wednesday
He will leave Wednesday for Port-
land, Oregon, to talk with William
Graeper, state committee chairman,
and Art Adamson. He will arrive in
Los Angeles on Thursday where he
has arranged discussions with Charlie
Skouras and Bud Lowlier, of Na-
tional Theatres ; Burton Jones of La
Mesa Theatres ; Hugh Bruen, Al
O'Keefe and Harry Vinnicof of Vin-
nicof Theatres. He will depart for
Chicago on Dec. 9 to meet R. J.
O'Donnell and attend the national
CpMPO meetings.
Columbia Signs Sitwell
Columbia Pictures has signed Edith
Sitwell, British poetess, novelist, his-
torian and critic, to prepare for the
screen her own novel, "Fanfare for
Elizabeth," story of the life of Anne
Boleyn. Walter Reisch will collabo-
rate on the screenplay.
immediate relaxation of restraints in
an industry whose members have been
described (by the Supreme Court) as
having 'shown a marked proclivity for
unlawful conduct'."
Meanwhile, Judge Igoe granted a
first-run of up to eight weeks for
the RKO-Goldwyn release of "Hans
Christian Andersen," with an admoni-
tion to RKO Radio Pictures, whose
"Peter Pan" was granted an extended
run but will not be played here until
mid-February, that pictures must_ be
played off within a reasonable time
after they are granted extended run-
ning time.
20th Earned
(Continued from page 1)
period marked the division of the
company into separate production-
distribution and exhibition units, with
National Theatres, the new exhibition
company, taking over the operation
of the Roxy.
The $2,147,628 earnings of the cor-
poration for the same period in 1951
amounted to 69 cents per share, after
deduction of preferred dividends, on
the then outstanding 2,769,396 shares.
This compares with this year's $1.39
per share of common stock earned in
the 39-week period, when there was
no deduction for preferred dividends.
Total income for the 39 weeks in
1952 was $119,120,437, compared to
$119,120,446 for the same period of
1951. The company reported that
gross income from film rentals in the
1952 period totaled $67,1 49,364, against
$66,050,817 in 1951, and that theatre
receipts totaled $41,508,215 in the
1952 period, against $43,618,276 in
1951.
The change in accounting procedure
was made, it was explained, in order
to consolidate foreign operations for
the same periods as domestic opera-
tions. Foreign operations had pre
viously been consolidated five weeks
in arrears of domestic, but improved
airmail service now makes it feasible
to state them for the same dates, it
was stated.
It was also announced that a quar
terly cash dividend of 25 cents per
share on the outstanding common
stock had been declared payable Dec.
24 to stockholders of record on
Dec. 9.
Ampa Guests Talk
On Ad Mechanics
The Associated Motion Pictures
Advertisers showmanship course
which was cancelled last night be
cause of the holiday will be resumed
next Thursday evening at the Hotel
Woodstock. The topic will be "Me
chanics." William Boley, of the Buch
anan Advertising Co. will be chair
man for the session which will feature
Lists Tastes of
Hometowners
Trueman T. Rembusch, Indiana ex-
hibitor and one of the triumvirate
which heads the Council of Motion
Picture Organizations, has probed the
motion picture tastes of hometown
Americans in 32 states and his find-
ings appear in the December issue
of The American Magazine, on news-
stands today, in an article written by
Martin Bunn. Summarized, the
masses expressed their cinematic likes
and dislikes as follows :
We don't care much for present-
day Academy Award pictures. The
last five Oscar winners were superb
productions, technically, but most of
the folks who saw them found them
comparatively dull.
We aren't even slightly impressed
any more by super-productions cost-
ing $10,000,000.
We are losing our appetite for love.
At one time when the word "love"
was in the title, fans stormed the
doors. Now that word is poison.
We want no messages in our enter-
tainment.
Rembusch found that John Q. Pub-
ic, in his search for relaxation and
entertainment, is not serious-minded.
Sometimes we pass up first-class en-
tertainment because we suspect a
preachy picture. "My Son John," an
exposure of Communism, and "I Was
a Communist for the FBI" were great
shows, but they drew relatively slim
audiences.
Most of us don't go for "arty" or
longhair" pictures. As a rule we
don't like foreign productions.
We usually don't give a hoot, either,
for professional critics' opinions of a
picture.
We've had enough run-of-the-mine
Westerns.
We are sharply divided on double
bills.
We average people pick' our favor-
ite actors usually because they have
warm, lovable personalities.
We don't object to "cheesecake"
but we wonder why producers don't
spend more time developing another
Shirley Temple.
Most of us like drive-in theatres.
Here is the Rembusch list of stars
for whom most family people, old and
young, have "a real affection" :
Percy Kilbride and Marjorie Main,
Martin and Lewis, John Wayne, Ab-
bott and Costello, Francis the Talking
Mule, Alan Ladd, Esther Williams,
June Allyson, James Stewart, Doris
Day, the Bowery Boys, Susan Hay-
ward.
Idzal Sets New Scale
Detroit, Nov. 27. — Starting yester-
day, Dave Idzal, managing director
of the Fox Theatre here, introduced
a special family and shoppers bargain
price. The admission price for chil-
dren will be 21 cents, plus tax, and
for adults, 62 cents, plus tax, until
2 :00 P.M. The regular admission
price is 35 cents for children and 95
cents for adults.
speakers and a film on gravure printing.
Speakers slated are Benjamin Keen,
of Ad- Set Service, on typography ;
Tom Walsh, of Wilbar Photo En-
graving, on engraving ; Frank Neu-
bert, of Riley Electrotype Co., on
mats and types, and Richard T. Habel,
of Intaglio Printing, who will deliver
a lecture accompanying the film.
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
AIR
MAIL
EDITION
VOL. 72. NO. 104
NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1952
TEN CENTS
Tradewise . . .
By SHERWIN KANE
/"^URRENT consideration being
^J given to the convening of a
conference on arbitration to discuss
Allied States' objections to the dis-
tributors' proposed draft in order to
determine what, if anything, might
be done to meet those objections
appears to be a start in the right
direction.
The holding of such a meeting is
a logical first step, if industry arbi-
tration efforts are not to be sum-
marily abandoned. And without Al-
lied participation, the idea might
just as well be abandoned. Even
conceding the wholly questionable
possibility that the Department of
Justice and the Federal court would
sanction an arbitration plan which
did not have Allied approval, there
remains the plain fact that without
that large segment of independent
exhibition participating, any indus-
try arbitration system would be in-
complete and very likely ineffectual.
The main inducement to distribu-
tors of an arbitration system is the
promise it holds of reducing the
number of anti-trust actions insti-
gated by exhibitors. Without Allied
participation that aim never could
(Continued on page 2)
WASHINGTON, Nov. 30. ~
On Friday the FCC 1 s broad-
cast bureau asked that
the Commission throw out
hearing examiner Leo Res-
nick's approval of all
applications involved in
the catch-all UPT - ABC
proposed merger hearings
and further requested
oral arguments.
•
COLUMBUS, Nov. 30 — Ac-
cording to T. W. Kienlan
of the Treasury Depart-
ment in Washington,
should the free admission
policy as practiced by the
321-seat Little Theatre
here become widespread,
the Internal Revenue Bur-
eau would have to "work
out a regulation to cover
the situation." The plan
has been in effect for the
past two weeks.
Allied Willing To
Renew Arbitration
Plan Discussions
Allied leaders are willing to sit
down and discuss possible changes in
the distributors' arbitration formula
whenever such a meeting is called,
Wilbur Snaper, Allied president, said
here at the weekend. He pointed out,
however, that no official action could
be taken until after the Allied board
meets in New Orleans in January.
"We did not reject arbitration at
our convention in Chicago," Snaper
said. "We merely turned down the in-
dustry draft in its present form. It
is possible that we can straighten out
all the so-called minus points at the
proposed meeting" so that a revised
plan can be submitted to the di-
rectors."
Meanwhile, no parlays have been
(Continued on page 5)
Lou Smith Named
Zukor Jubilee Aide
61 New Canadian
Houses; 69 in Work
Toronto, Nov. 30. — A total of
61 new theatres have opened
in Canada since the beginning
of the year. Twenty-three
were drive-ins. Under con-
struction now are 32 stand-
ard-type houses and 12 drive-
ins. Work will continue as
long as weather permits on
the drive-ins and will be com-
pleted early next year in time
for spring opening.
On the planning boards are
14 indoor projects and 11
drive-ins.
Lou Smith, currently handling
"Movietime, U.S.A." for the Council
of Motion Picture Organizations in
Hollywood, has been named by R. J.
O'Donnell as his executive aide on
the Adolph Zukor "Golden Jubilee"
celebration which will be launched
early in 1953 under the auspices of
Variety Clubs International.
Smith will operate from Hollywood
and New York during the coming
(Continued on page 4)
Rogers, New Deputy
Attorney General,
Close to Industry
Washington, Nov. 30. — The ap-
pointment of William P. Rogers as
U. S. Deputy Attorney General in
the administration of President-elect
Eisenhower places a man close to the
motion picture industry in a key spot
in the Department of Justice. Rogers,
whose ■ home is in Baltimore, is the
Washington representative of the law
firm of Dwight, Royall, Harris, Koe-
gel and Caskey, legal counsel of 20th
Century-Fox. .
In his position as Deputy Attorney
General, Rogers is certain to be an
important factor in determining the
(Continued on page 5)
'Bwana' in Natural Vision
Breaks Records on Coast
Slate Bendix
Theatre TV
Meet Dec. 30
Col. Writes Off Color
Films At Slower Rate
By WILLIAM WEAVER
Hollywood, Nov. 30. — While the self-conscious local press and pro-
fession waged a heated debate over the present and future prospects of
Natural Vision 3-dimension process and Arch Oboler's "Bwana Devil,"
both of which world-premiered at Hollywood and Los Angeles Para-
mount theatres last Wednesday night,
plain citizens with ticket money in
hand queued up at both houses
throughout the biggest weekend busi-
ness in years, and practical exhibitors
began pressing for bookings and play-
dates. As has happened repeatedly
in the industry's history, the paying
public immediately placed its stamp of
approval on an innovation the trade
itself had regarded with diffidence.
The attraction shattered the open-
ing-day records of both houses in
spite of the fact that local newspaper
reviewers, who saw the picture for
the first time at the premiere, dis-
(Continued on page S)
Because foreign revenues and the
longevity of returns from a feature
production are materially different for
pictures in color as opposed to black-
and-white film's, Columbia Pictures
has revised its world amortization
tables for feature productions.
The new tables are segregated into
black-and-white and color features,
(Continued on page 5)
Teleconference Arranges
Cross-country Deal
A national dealers meeting, utiliz-
ing the medium of theatre televi-
sion, will be held on Dec. 30 by the
Bendix Home Appliances Division
of the Avco Manufacturing Co. The
telecast, arranged by the newly-or-
ganized firm of Teleconference, Inc.,
of New York, will be carried to every
key market area in the country, in at
least 42 theatres in 42 cities, it was
indicated.
The joint statement of Bendix
and Teleconference stated that
the one-hour program will orig-
inate in the Garrick Theatre,
Chicago, at about noon. An au-
dience potential of more than
100,000 of the company's distri-
butors, dealers, salesmen and
invited guests was envisioned.
The extensiveness of the second
deal for the commercial "off-hour"
utilization of theatre TV tops the first
(Continued on page 4)
Atlas Corp. Reported
Top Bidder forRKO
Atlas Corp. was reported at the
weekend to be the most important
bidder for the Ralph Stolkin group's
controlling interest in RKO Pictures.
Although other syndicates are still
angling for the deal, Atlas was said
to have the inside track.
If such a deal should be consum-
mated, control would pass back to the
organization that once held the stock.
Floyd Odium's Atlas Corp. sold its
major interest in RKO to Howard
(Continued on page 4)
MGM to Start 15
In Next 3 Months
Hollywood, Nov. 30. — Fifteen pic-
tures have been scheduled to start dur-
ing the coming three months, which
will maintain M-G-M's 1952-53 pro-
gram at an increasingly high level of
production well into the new year, it
has been announced by Dore Schary,
vice-president in charge of production.
Decisions on continued acceleration
of production and future planning
(Continued on page 4)
2
Motion Picture daily
Monday, December 1, 1952
Personal
Mention
/CHARLES EINFELD, 20th Cen-
\j tury-Fox vice-president, left here
over the weekend by plane for the
Coast. He plans to remain there a
week.
•
Robert H. O'Brien, secretary-
treasurer of United Paramount The-
atres, was due to arrive in Chicago
from New York at the weekend and
is expected to return here Wednes-
day.
•
Leon" Bamberger, RKO Radio
sales promotion manager, will address
the Allied Theatres of Indiana con-
vention being held in Indianapolis to-
day and tomorrow.
•
Grace Guillen, secretary in the
Universal foreign department, will be
married Dec. 13 to Arthur Anga-
role.
•
Ursula Rank, daughter of J. Ar-
thur Rank, was married to Robert
Lancelot Newton on Thursday in
London.
•
Lee R. Bobker, formerly with
Campus Film Productions, has joined
Dynamic Films here as executive pro-
ducer.
•
R. J. Ingram, Columbia Southern
district manager, and George Roscoe,
Atlanta branch manager, have returned
to that city from Chicago.
•
Malcom Johnson, formerly with
20th Century-Fox in Atlanta, has
joined Kay Exchanges there as a sales
representataive.
•
Harry Goldstein, Allied Artists
publicity representataive, left here at
the weekend for Chicago.
•
Lynn Farnol has left here on a
five-city tour ; he is due to return
here on Dec. 8.
•
Matthew Rapf, M-G-M producer,
has gone to Melbourne, Fla., from
Hollywood.
•
Albert Lewin, M-G-M producer,
will leave Hollywood by plane Dec. 9
for England and France.
Tradewise . .
Boston Notables At
Goldwyn Tribute
Boston, Nov. 30. — Prominent Bos
tonians have been invited to a luncheon
in honor of Samuel Goldwyn to be
given Tuesday at the Ritz Carlton, in
honor of his "consistent record of hold-
ing to the best traditions in bringing
the best films before the public."
Before the luncheon the guests will
attend a private showing of ''Hans
Christian Andersen." In addition to
Goldwyn and Mrs. Goldwyn, among
those who are slated to be present are
Governor Paul A. Dever, Governor
elect Christian A. Herter, Mayor John
B. Hynes, Danish consul Earle W
Eames, Serge Semenenko, vice-presi-
dent of the First National Bank of
Boston, and others.
Cites Industry for Aid
On Election Day Turnout
C. M. Vandeburg-, executive director of the American Heritage Foun-
dation, has cited the motion picture industry for the "monumental role"
t played in aiding the recent record-breaking 60,000,000 election-day
turnout.
He stated, "In an outstanding and
generous way, the Motion Picture As-
sociation of America, its member com-
panies and the exhibitors of the coun-
try turned their energies to the cause
of good citizenship in this election.
Without this signal devotion to better
citizenship, the unprecedented vote
could not have been achieved."
"Of the 51 national organizations
and industry groups which worked
with the American Heritage Founda-
tion to get out the vote," he said, "none
did more to convey the appeal to the
public than the country's mass com-
munications media. The unique power
and impact of the theatre screen and
its vast weekly attendance made the
contribution of the motion picture in-
dustry all the more significant and
valuable."
"The Motion Picture Association
of America and its member companies,
in cooperation with the exhibitors of
the nation actually did more than urge
movie-goers to register and vote,"
it was stated. "Through newsreels,
trailers and specially produced short
subjects, they acquainted the public
with the dominant issues of the cam-
paign and devoted two entire newsreel
editions to each of the Presidential
candidates."
From Aug. 4 to election day, the
film industry's five newsreels ran
more than 200 sequences highlighting
the candidates and their views as they
toured the nation. Trailers on every
newsreel issued for three months prior
to the election exhorted movie-goes to
register and vote. Motion picture
companies and hundreds of theatres
supplemented their efforts by inserting
register-and-vote appeals in their
newspaper ads. A few enthusiastic
exhibitors even went so far as to pro-
vide free admissions to people in their
community who voted, it was ex-
plained.
During the pre-election months, film
companies also made available to civic
and community organizations taking-
part in the register-and-vote campaign
specially prepared film shorts and
trailers that emphasized the impor-
tance of voting.
Big RCA Screen to
Bow at RKO Here
The world premiere of Syncro-
Screen, described as the largest screen
ever made by RCA, will be held here
at the RKO 58th Street Theatre on
Friday.
Projected on the big screen, which
is three times the size of regular one
at the theatre, will be the dual at-
traction "Way of a Gaucho" and
"Lure of the Wilderness." Before its
premiere, RKO has scheduled a series
of newspaper advertisements in local
papers heralding the event.
There will be a demonstration on
Wednesday for the trade press and
New York newspaper film editors.
(Continued from page 1)
be importantly realized. Moreover,
without Allied, the workings of the
system could be hamstrung by re-
fusals of many independent exhibi-
tors to intervene in or respond to
arbitration complaints involving
competitive situations of which they
are a part. Clearance and run, bid-
ding" and other complaints would be
particularly difficult to resolve if
they involved Allied members who
ignored them. Arbitration awards
made without the intervention of
Allied members who were affected
by them well might lead to more,
not less, litigation.
Therefore, if it is possible to
bring Allied back into the fold, and
the door does not appear to be for-
ever closed, a conference to deter-
mine when and how that might be
accomplished, would be eminently
worth the time and effort it re-
quires.
The Allied board at its Chicago
meeting emphasized that neither it
nor the organization as a whole is
"opposed to arbitration and yields
to no one in their devotion to that
concept."
In other words, the present op-
position within Allied is directed
only at the distributors' draft as it
now stands, and not to arbitration
per se.
What, then, must be clone to re-
move that opposition ?
First, of all, Allied has said, an
arbitration plan which it can ap-
prove must promise "direct, imme-
diate and substantial benefit to ex-
hibitors." If Allied can be con-
vinced that an industry arbitration
plan meets that basic requirement
and does not contain provisions
"which are not deemed to be in the
exhibitors' interest," it might then
be determined whether Allied would
not be willing to waive its only
other requisite — the arbitration of
film rentals.
These are matters requiring a
conference of the arbitration prin-
cipals. If they can be resolved, and
that does not seem beyond the realm
of possibility, it could well be that
a better arbitration plan than that
now proposed, could result. If so,
Allied's stand might become over
night a valuable contribution to the
industry at large, rather than the
negative obstruction which some
now hold it to be.
Newsreel
Parade
PARACHUTE air drop of supplies
in Korea is highlighted in current
newsreels. Featured also are George
M cony's appointment as new Ameri-
can Federation, of Labor president,
Eric Johnston's trip to Latin America,
President-Elcct Eisenhower's appoint-
nent to Government posts of two
women, and the Vishinsky rejection
of the Indian proposal on Korea at the
United Nations.
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 97— French
battle Red offensive in Tndo-China. Eisen-
hower names two women to jobs in Govern-
ment. Assam tribes honor Nehru. Para-
troops on alert in Korea. O'Dwyer quits
Mexico post. Marshall Tito is reelected.
Eric Johnston in Latin America. Florida
picks Miss Tangerine.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 227— Air
drops filmed in Korea. Vishinsky vs. Ache-
son at U.N. MPPA president Eric John-
ston in Rio meet with Brazilian president
Vargas. AFL elects George Meany. Bill
Stern's All-American stars and plays of
1953.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 30— George
Meany named AFL president. Vishinsky
says "No" to Indian proposed on Korea.
Eric Johnston in Brazil with Brazilian pres-
ident Vargas. Mrs. Eisenhower honored by
the' USO. Women appointees in new ad-
ministration. Paramount 1952 All-American
team.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 4*B — Air
Force "Flying Boxcars" supply troops in
Korea by air. Last rites paid to former
AFL president Green. One man crusade
against Communism waged by Ambrose P.
Salmini. Fiberfrax, new fiber that with-
stands extreme heat. British prepare for
coronation. Italian sportsmen go boar hunt-
ing in Tuscany. Tennis champion retains
title in ancient game.
UNIVERSAL NEWS No. 417 — Korea
paratroops. Motion Picture Pioneers choose
Nate J. Blumberg leader of the year. Brit-
ain's new amphibious jeep. Seattle's fourth
annual Santa Claus parade. French observa-
tory examines cosmic rays.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. SZ— Vis-
itors pour into President- Elect Eisenhower's
busy headquarters. Paradrop in Korea.
George Meany named new AFL chief.
Medal of Honor awarded to Korea hero.
Eric Johnston calls on president Vargas of
Brazil. Motion Picture Pioneers honor Nate
Blumberg. New designs in fashions for re-
sorts. Philadelphia Eagles -Cleveland Browns
football game.
SAG TV Commercial
Strike on Today
The Screen Actors Guild's strike
against producers of filmed television
commercials is scheduled to begin na-
tionally today.
On the eve of the strike, an SAG
representative in the East reported
that the Guild has been pledged full
cooperation from the "Four A's,"
Members of Actors Equity and the
American Federation of Television
and Radio Artists have been alerted
by mail about the strike. The SAG
spokesman added that TV commercial
producers have been warned that the
hiring of non-union talent would lead
to the advertised product being put
on the "unfair list" of the American
Federation of Labor.
The strike will not affect commer-
cial telecasts which already have been
produced. Such telecasts will con-
tinue to be seen on home television
sets.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting editor. 7^00 C^bfe^ a^'drM?" Quigpu^oi
Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue Rockefeller Center, New York 20 N. Y Telephone Circle 7-31 0a fd™s££
New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan. Vice-President and I Treasuier; Raymond Levy Vice ^es^nt , Leo ^?T^-
Secretary; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager, 5? : 1?^ : t? J; Rewres^rtati 11 North
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FT |-307|' ^r"ce Tr.nz ^ Editorial Q^H^«^«J«
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington. D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq London WI Hope Burnup • .^^af"' f
Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres and Theatre Sales each P«bh»hed ^ ^™es a under the a5
of Motion Picture Herald: Motion Picture and Television Almanac: Fame. Entered as second-class matter. Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at JNew xotr, i\. x., unaer
of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies, 10c.
Monday, December 1, 1952
Motion Picture daily
3
Cites 'Daily's' Aid
To 'Jimmy' Fund
Arthur H. Lockwood, gen-
eral chairman of the 1952
"Jimmy" Fund, the children's
cancer research foundation
sponsored by the Variety Club
of New England and the Bos-
ton Braves baseball team, has
expressed the appreciation of
the trustees of the Fund for
cooperation accorded by Mo-
tion Picture Daily.
In a letter to the editor,
Lockwood says: "We are fully
aware that the successful re-
sults of the 1952 'Jimmy'
Fund Drive would never have
been possible without the ex-
cellent cooperation we have
received from Motion Picture
Daily.
"During the course of our
campaign your fine publica-
tion has given most generous-
ly of space, and has been the
medium that brought the
'Jimmy' Fund to the atten-
tion of the people in the mo-
tion picture industry."
Heads of Universal
To Meet on Coast
Review
"Come Back, Little Sheba"
Universal Pictures' distribution and
promotion executives will join the
company's production heads at the
Universal-International Coast studios
for a week-long series of top level
policy and planning sessions starting
Monday, Dec. 8, covering production,
distribution and promotion for thi
coming year, Alfred E. Daff, ex.ecu
tive vice-president, announced at the
weekend.
The company's division and district
sales managers will participate in the
meetings as well as Eastern and West
em promotion executives. Among
studio executives at the meetings will
be William Goetz, in charge of pro-
duction; David A. Lipton, vice-presi-
dent in charge of advertising-publicity ;
Edward E. Muhl, vice-president and
general manager of the studios ; Al
Horwits, and others.
Milton R. Rackmil, president ; Daff
and Charles J. Feldman, general sales
manager, left New York over the
weekend for Hollywood in advance
of the meetings. N. J. Blumberg,
chairman of the board, and Adolph
Schimel, vice-president and general
counsel, will leave later this week.
Charles Simonelli, Eastern advertis-
ing-publicity department manager,
Philip Gerard, Eastern publicity man-
ager and Jeff Livingston, Eastern ad-
vertising manager, will leave New
York tomorrow. Ben Katz, Midwest
promotion representaative, will join
them.
Also scheduled to leave later this
week are Ray Moon, assistant general
sales manager: F. J. A. McCarthy,
Southern and Canadian sales manager ;
P. T. Dana. Eastern sales manager;
Foster M. Blake, Western sales man-
ager; James J. Jordan, circuit sales
manager: Harry Fellerman, sales
head of U-I's Special Films Division,
and A. W. Perry, head of Empire
Universal in Canada which distributes
Universal films there.
District managers will include
David A. Lew. from New York ;
James Frew, Atlanta ; Manie M. Gott
(Hal B. Wallis-Paramount) Hollywood, Nov. 30
THIS distinguished production by Hal B. Wallis of a stage play by Wil-
liam Inge which ran up a big Broadway success, both commercial and
artistic, is exceptional in so many ways, as a motion picture theatre attrac-
tion, as to present problems as well as promise of profit to the practical
showman.
Foremost on the plus side of . the picture's prospects is the brilliant per-
formance of Shirley Booth in the principal role, a performance already widely
described, quite properly, as an achievement of Academy Award calibre.
At the other pole of the property, concerning the considerations of a prac-
tical showman, is the drunk scene in which the alcoholic of the story shouts
accusations at his wife in which the word "slut," unfamiliar on the screen
and in most homes, is reiterated as a keynote.
High in the scale of assets is the presence of Burt Lancaster, the strongest
name in the cast and proving here that he's as fine an actor as he is an
athlete.
Less likely to startle cinema customers than the loose use of the word
'slut" are candid references by husband and wife to the unrestrained nature
of their courtship, the resultant necessity of their wedding, and the casual
candor of dialogue from beginning to the end of the picture — but likely enough.
Strictly plus values are Richard Jaeckel and Terry Moore, strikingly pro-
ficient young performers who make their portrayals of sex-happy college
students realistic beyond usual screen requirements.
Excellent direction by Daniel Mann, and fine supporting performances by
Philip Ober, Lisa Golm and Walter Kelley have much to do with making
the film a rounded, convincing drama.
In common with most other pictures made from stage plays, this one is
more mental than physical, more concerned with emotions than with motion,
and with character study, delineation, and dramatic observation. Miss Booth
plays the listless but loving wife of Lancaster, a chiropractor whom Alcoholics
Anonymous has kept sober for a year before the picture opens, and the issues
between them are too much for their mentalities to cope with. By the end
of the picture they appear to have got hold of their hopes again, as has
happened often during their 20 years together. The how, the why and so
forth are what the picture's about.
The picture is, quite completely, a filming of a stage play, rather than a
motion picture. There is no apparent intent to make it seem other than that.
In view of the success of the play, that doubtless is what it should be.
The production may be offered to the public, if an exhibitor choose to do
so, as evidence that the screen is becoming adult, as the saying goes. If it
becomes any more adult than "Come Back, Little Sheba" we're going to have
a new kind of motion picture business to deal with, and it won't be for the
kiddies, nor for the family audience, but rather for the patronage that sup
ports the Broadway stage.
"Come Back, Little Sheba" was produced originally by the Theatre Guild,
probably not this well.
Running time, 90 minutes. Adult audience classification. For February
release. William R. Weaver
'Little Sheba' Opens
Dec. 23 at Victoria
"Come Back, Little Sheba," Para-
mount's Hal Wallis production of the
Theatre Guild stage play, starring Burt
Lancaster and Shirley Booth, will
have a premiere at the Victoria The-
atre here on Dec. 23. The film of the
William Inge play marks the screen
debut of Miss Booth, who recreates
the role for which she won five the-
atrical and newspaper awards.
Stars from Broadway and Holly-
wood and celebrities from other fields
are to attend the premiere of the pre-
release world engagement.
Brandt Co-chairman
Of JDA Dinner
Harry Brandt, an honorary chair-
man of the current Joint Defense
Appeal campaign, and JDA national
treasurer Edmund Waterman will
serve jointlv as chairmen of a dinner
honoring Richard Rodgers and Oscar
Hammerstein 2nd, to be held Wed-
nesday evening at the Hotel Pierre
in behalf of the JDA's current drive.
lieb, Chicago; Henry J. Martin, Dal-
las ; P. F. Rosian, Cleveland ; Lester
Zucker, Kansas City; Tohn J. Scully.
Boston, and Barney Rose from San
Francisco.
Alex Gottlieb to
Make 5 for Warner
Hollywood, Nov. 30. — Warner
Brothers has completed negotiations
for the distribution of five feature pic-
tures to be delivered to the company
by producer Alex Gottlieb.
The first will be "The Blue Gar-
denia," starring Anne Baxter, Richard
Conte, Ann Sothern and Nat King
Cole. Filming of "Blue Gardenia"
will start this week with Fritz Lang
directing. Charles Hoffman wrote
the screenplay from Vera Caspary^s
original story.
4 UA Releases Now
At Broadway Houses
There are currently four United
Artists releases playing on Broadway.
Charles Chaplin's "Limelight" is at
the Astor, "Breaking the Sound Bar-
rier" is showing at the Victoria ;
"Kansas City Confidential" is on the
Globe screen, and "Outpost in Ma-
laya" is playing Loew's State.
Loew's, Ltd., Profit
Toronto. Nov. 30. — Marcus Loew's
Theatres, Ltd. of Canada reports a
net profit of $84,944, or $11.32 a share
for the year ended Aug. 28, compared
with a profit of $84,140, or $11.22 a
share in 1951.
RKO RADIO PICTURES, Inc.
TRADE SHOWINGS of
FREDERICK BRISSON'S
presentation of
"NEVER WAVE AT A WAC"
ALBANY
Fox Scr. Rm.
1052 B'way
ATLANTA
RKO Scr. Rm. Mon. 12/8
195 Luckie St., N.W.
BOSTON
RKO Scr. Rm. Mon
122-28 Arlington St.
BUFFALO
Mo. Pic. Oper.
Scr. Rm.
498 Pearl St.
CHARLOTTE
Fox Scr. Rm.
308 S. Church St
CHICAGO
RKO Scr. Rm.
1300 S. Wabash Ave.
CINCINNATI
Palace Scr. Rm.
12 East 6th St.
CLEVELAND
Fox Scr. Rm.
2219 Payne Ave.
DALLAS
Rep. Scr. Rm.
412 S. Harwood St.
DENVER
Para. Scr. Rm.
2100 Stout St.
DES MOINES
Fox. Scr. Rm.
1300 High St.
DETROIT
Blumenthals
Scr. Rm.
2310 Cass Ave.
INDIANAPOLIS
Univ. Scr. Rm.
517 N. Illinois St.
KANSAS CITY
Para. Scr. Rm. Wed. 12/10
1800 Wyandotte St.
LOS ANGELES
RKO Scr. Rm. Mon. 12/8
1980 S. Vermont Ave.
MEMPHIS
Fox Scr. Rm.
151 Vance Ave.
MILWAUKEE
Warner Scr.
Room
212 W. Wisconsin Ave.
MINNEAPOLIS
Fox Scr. Rm.
1015 Currie Ave.
NEW HAVEN
Fox Scr. Rm.
40 Whiting St.
NEW ORLEANS
Fox Scr. Rm.
200 S. Liberty St.
NEW YORK
RKO Scr. Rm.
630 Ninth Ave.
OKLAHOMA
Fox Scr. Rm.
10 North Lee St.
OMAHA
Fox Scr. Rm.
1502 Davenport St.
PHILADELPHIA
RKO Scr. Rm.
250 N. 13th St.
PITTSBURGH
RKO Scr. Rm.
1809-13 Blvd. of Allies
PORTLAND
Star Scr. Rm. Mon. 12/8
925 N.W. 19th Ave.
ST. LOUIS
RKO Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/9
3143 Olive St.
SALT LAKE CITY
Fox Scr. Rm. Mon. 12/8
216 E. 1st St. South
SAN FRANCISCO
Fox Scr. Rm. Mon. 12/8 2:00 P.M.
245 Hyde St.
SEATTLE
Jewel Box
Scr. Rm. Mon. 12/8 1:00 P.M.
2318 2nd Ave.
SIOUX FALLS
Hollyw'd Thea. Mon. 12/8 9:30 A.M.
212 N. Philips Ave.
WASHINGTON
Film Center
Scr. Rm. Mon. 12/8 10 :00 A.M.
932 New Jersey Ave.
Mon. 12/8 2:30 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
12/8 10:30 A.M.
Mon. 12/8 2:00 P.M.
Mon. 12/8 2:00 P.M.
Mon. 12/8 2:00 P.M.
Mon. 12/8 8:00 P.M.
Mon. 12/8 2:30 P.M.
Mon. 12/8 2:30 P.M.
Mon. 12/8 2:00 P.M.
Mon. 12/8 1:00 P.M.
Mon. 12/8 2:30 P.M.
Mon. 12/8 1:00 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
Mon. 12/8 12:15 P.M.
Mon. 12/8 2:00 P.M.
Mon. 12/8 1:30 P.M.
Mon. 12/8 2:00 P.M.
Mon. 12/8 2:30 P.M.
Mon. 12/8 2:30 P.M.
Mon. 12/8 10:30 A.M.
Mon. 12/8 1:30 P.M.
Mon. 12/8 2:30 P.M.
Mon. 12/8 1:30 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
1:00 P.M.
1:30 P.M.
Also Showing RKO Palhe's
"OPERATION A-BOMB" Eastman
Color
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 1, 1952
Business Telecasts,
Aim of New Firm
Teleconference, Inc., the newly-or-
ganized firm which has arranged for a
Dec. 30 Bendix telecast, will specialize
in closed-circuit theatre telecasts for
business and educational groups, Aaron
Feinsot, vice-president, said here at the
weekend.
He added, however, that the firm
would not limit itself. The future will
tell how the organization expands its
services, he indicated. Asked if Tele-
conference was in competition with
Theatre Network Television, Feinsot
said "we are already competing with
them."
Teleconference, he added, was or-
ganized about six months ago by a
group of men with long service in the
public relations field. The officers were
listed as follows : Stanley Baar, presi-
dent ; Thomas Casey, vice-president ;
Feinsot, vice-president ; Gerald Dickler
secretary and general counsel.
Bendix TV
(Continued from page 1)
Eisenhower On Palsy
Telethon Saturday
Lambs Club Salutes
Sousa on Dec, 14
The Lambs Club here will hold a
special salute to the memory of John
Philip Sousa on the night of Dec. 14,
it was announced by William Gaxton,
Shepherd of the Lambs. Sousa was a
former member of the Lambs and a
founder of the American Society of
Composers, Authors and Publishers.
Guest of the evening will be stage and
screen star Clifton Webb, who por-
trays Sousa in 20th Century-Fox's
"Stars and Stripes Forever."
Joining Webb, who will come from
Hollywood for the tribute, will be
prominent representatives of the Ma-
rine Corps, the Lambs, and ASCAP
MGM to Start 15
(Continued from page 1)
were outlined in meetings of East
West executives during the past 10
days.
Attending- the conferences were
Nicholas M. Schenck, president of
Loew's, vice-presidents Charles Mos-
kowitz, Joseph R. Vogel, Howard
Dietz and members of the studio ex-
ecutive board, E. J. Mannix, Ben
Thau, Louis K. Sidney, J. J. Cohn,
Lawrence Weingarten, Kenneth Mac-
Kenna, Marvin Schenck and Charles
Schnee.
In line with the company's policy
of long-range preparation, Schary
stated, 52 story properties are cur-
rently in active work. From these a
tentative 1953-54 schedule of films has
been outlined.
Thirteen pictures have been com
pleted since the beginning of the fiscal
year, Sept. 1, with five now before
the cameras.
The 15 pictures being readied for
production are :
"Latin Lovers," Technicolor musi
cal, starring Lana Turner, Ricardo
Montalban and John Lund, to be di-
rected by Mervyn LeRoy with Joe
Pasternak producing.
"Years Ago," co-starring Spencer
Tracy, Jean Simmons and Teresa
Wright, to be directed by George
Gukor with Lawrence Weingarten
producing.
"All the Brothers Were Valiant,"
in Technicolor, starring Robert Tay
lor, Stewart Granger and Elizabeth
Taylor, to be directed by Richard
Thorpe and produced by Pandro S.
Berman.
'■Blue Goddess," starring Red Skelton,
to be directed by Robert Z. Leonard and
one set by Theatre Network Televi-
sion, which has booked the national
sales convention of Lees Carpets on
Dec. 8 in 15 cities from coast-to-coast.
Among the circuits taking the Ben-
dix telecast are United Paramount
Theatres affiliates, Warner Brothers,
Loew's, RKO Theatres and Fabian
Theatres.
Commenting on the deal, Robert H.
O'Brien, secretary-treasurer of UPT,
said that the acceptance of closed cir-
cuit television by an industry leader
such as Bendix was an indication that
its commercial use would be accel-
erated. "We have always felt that
the real field for closed circuit tele-
vision is in its use by industry, and
we welcome this opportunity to test
in every key market area in the
United States the public's reaction to
such a presentation."
Judson S. Sayre, Avco vice-presi-
dent and general manager of Bendix,
said, "We feel that closed circuit tele-
casting possesses unlimited opportun-
ities tor presenting to the best pos-
sible advantage this great new appli-
ance our dealers will have on their
floors in a very few weeks." He
added that while the cost of the tele-
cast would be comparable to regional
dealer meetings, a great saving would
De effected in the hours and energy
spent by executives to travel to in-
dividual regional meetings.
bendix and Teleconference officials
have been working for weeks to clear
theatres and lines. Teleconference
said the cities which will be used in-
clude: Albany, Atlanta, Buffalo,
Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Co-
lumbus, Dayton, Detroit, New York,
Pittsburgh, Providence, Richmond,
Toledo, Jacksonville, Baltimore, Bos-
ton, Philadelphia, Washington, Chi-
cago, Des Moines, St. Louis, Dallas,
Birmingham, Houston, Milwaukee,
St. Paul, Kansas City, Memphis, New
Orleans, Omaha, Gary, Indianapolis,
Louisville, Denver, Phoenix, Salt
Lake City, Los Angeles, San Fran-
cisco, Seattle and Portland.
President-Elect Dwight D. Eisen-
hower will appear on the "Celebrity
Parade for Cerebral Palsy" telethon,
according to an announcement by Rob-
ert M. Weitman, vice-president of
United Paramount Theatres, who is
executive producer of the telethon.
The 18^-hour televised charity
show to be seen on Channel No. 7
beginning at 8:00 P.M. Saturday,
Dec. 6, and continuing until 2 :30 P.M.
the following afternoon, has been given
the support of all the crafts, guilds
and unions of show business and will
present talent estimated to be valued
in excess of $1,250,000.
Yul Brynner, who with Weitman
heads the talent committee, is said to
have commitments of appearance from
Jackie Gleason, Constance Carpenter,
Robert Merrill, Tan Peerce, Dorothy
Sarnoff, Johnny Johnston, Maria Riva,
Dennis James. Arlene Francis, Jack
Carter, Tony Bennett, Faye Emerson,
Skitch Henderson, Toni Arden, Irving
Fields Trio. George Shearing, Donald
Richards, Billy Gilbert, Jackie Miles
and Edward Arnold.
Also Eileen Barton, Sunny Gale,
Toey Adams, Chester Morris. Theresa
Breuer, Hazel Scott, Paul Winchell.
Frank Sinatra, Hy Gardner, Mel
Torme, Juanita Hall, Elliot Lawrence,
Tex and Jinx McCrarv. Martha
Wright, George Britton, Mindy Car-
bon, Ray Malone, Lanny Ross, Paul
Whiteman, Don Ameche, Fran War-
ren, Vivian Blaine, Nick Kenny. Ed
Sullivan. Leonard Lyons, Fred War-
ing, Molly Picon, Earl Wilson, Dan-
ton Walker, Janis Paige, the Black-
burn Twins, Frank Fontaine, and
others.
In the THEATRE
Equipment
World . . .
with RAY GALLO
To Reopen Cairo House
With Egypt's Premier, General Na-
guib, and other notables as sponsors,
Loew's International will reopen the
Metro Theatre in Cairo on Wednes-
day with a premiere of "Quo Vadis,"
it is reported here by Morton A.
Spring, vice-president of the company.
The house has been closed since the
political disturbances earlier this year
Atlas RKO Bidder
(Continued from page 1)
Hughes in 1948. Some observers be-
lieve that Atlas would be the logical
contender for the controlling interest
inasmuch as the financial company is
more familiar with RKO's operations.
Atlas, it is reported, has been buying
RKO stock in recent weeks.
Although Matthew Fox's negotia-
tions for the Stolkin syndicate stock
are said to have been terminated, one
source indicated at the weekend that
Fox still could swing the deal if he
raised the offered price.
Meanwhile, reports from the Coast
indicate that an announcement on new
RKO management will be forthcom
ing this week.
produced by Edwin H. Knopf.
"Easy to Love," Technicolor musical
starring Esther Williams with Busby
Berkeley directing the dance numbers and
Toe Pasternak producing.
"Interrupted Melody," story of Mar]orie
Lawrence, to be filmed in Technicolor
starring Greer Garson, with Jack Cum-
mings producing.
"Take the High Ground," to be produced
by Dore Schary, in the new Ansco Color
with a cast including James Whitmore,
Dean Miller, Richard Anderson and Wil-
liam Campbell; directed by Richard Brooks.
"Jefferson Selleck," to star Spencer
Tracy, with Joseph L. Mankiewicz as. pro-
ducer, director and writer.
"Kis^s Me Kate," Cole Porter's musical,
in Technicolor, starring Kathryn Grayson,
to be directed by George Sidney and pro-
duced by Jack Cummings.
"Affairs of Dobie Gillis," starring Debbie
Reynolds, to be directed by Don Weis. and
produced by Arthur Loew, Jr.
"Otte More Time," starring Lana Turner,
to be directed by George Cukor and pro-
duced by Armand Deutsch.
"I Married West Point," to be produced
by William Grady, Jr.
Also in the group of 15 are "Flight to
the Islands," "Big Leaguer," and "Scarlet
Coat," to be filmed in Ansco Color.
Zukor Jubilee
(Continued from page 1)
weeks in conjunction with the Variety
committees in charge of setting up the
arrangements for the celebrations. The
first celebration will be an industry
dinner in Hollywood honoring Zukor
on his 80th birthday, on Jan. 7.
Smith returned to Hollywood at the
weekend after conferring with O'Don-
nell on plans for the past week.
O'Donnell, international chairman
of the event, stated that Smith would
be on loan from COMPO for the
time required to complete and carry
through all Zukor Jubilee arrange-
ments.
FOR THE FIRST TIME since the
creation of the Tesma and Teda
organizations, a joint trade show con-
vention was held in conjunction with
theatre owners, and the value of that
policy was proved at Chicago. Among
the more than 2,100 delegates from
these organizations, including Allied
States, many hundreds were theatre
owners. And a number of products
were exhibited at a Tesma show for
the first time, among them White
Comb vending equipment, the Miracle
Whirl Whip ride for drive-in play-
grounds, Oxford electric in-car speak-
ers, Bally's space ship, Prince Castle's
new multimixer, ABC's French Boy's
popcorn warmer and Tripe-S change-
able letters, and Master-Kraft refresh-
ment stands.
Through the courtesy of Bill De
Vry, Jack Dempsey "headlined" the
Teda banquet at Chicago's famous
Ivanhoe night club. Festivities
paused briefly while the committee
for the 25th Anniversary Salute to
George Schutz presented a scroll to
the editor of Better Theatres. Jack
O'Brien of RCA was "M. C."
•
The all-industry banquet at the
Morrison Hotel on the last night of
the convention was completely sold
out the very first day of the conclave.
A top executive of each major film
company was on the dais, along with
Greer Garson, Ronald Reagan and
Morton Doicucy, representing the en-
tertainment division.
•
Roy Martin of Martin Theatres of
Columbus, Ga., won a combination
radio clock given by Theatre Seat
Service of Nashville. This was a prize
for guessing the age of a chair on
display at the Theatre Seat Service
booth. John Curry of National The-
atre Supply was runner-up.
•
Arsene Pernetti of Majestic En-
terprises, Los Angeles, announced
the opening of a new factory in
Rome, Italy.
•
Harry H. Strong of the Strong
Electric Corp., Toledo, was presented
with a plaque by Tesma in recogni-
tion of his many years of service to
the organisation of both Teda and
Tesma' actk'ities.
Renoir Due Here Soon
Director Jean Renoir is due here
from Paris within three weeks with
the first color in Technicolor print
of his latest film, "The Golden Coach."
The Ballantyne Company's buffet-
theatre party was a complete "sell-
out." Guests attended "Stalag 17"
at the Erlanger Theatre, then repaired
to the Ballantyne Hotel suite for re-
freshments.
•
The Philadelphia sales office of
A. & M. Karagheusian, Inc., New
York City, manufacturer of Gulis-
tan carpets, formerly located in the
Public Ledger Building, has moved
to larger quarters. The new address,
at 2006 Chestnut Street, provides
greater display space and is a more
convenient location, the company
announced. Rudy Grofsick is branch
I manager of the Philadelphia office.
Monday, December 1, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
'Bwana'
Reviews
(Continued from page 1)
played cautious coolness as well as
confusion in trying to evaluate the
process and the picture in a single
review.
Marco Wolff , co - owner of
the Hollywood Paramount, said,
"Arch Oboler's 'Bwana Devil' in
Natural Vision 3-dimension is a
big" step forward in motion pic-
ture production, and the public
knows it, as is evidenced by the
all-time record for an opening
day having been broken by
more than $2,000."
Jerry Zigmond, West Coast divi-
sion manager of UPT, operating the
downtown Paramount, said, "proof
that the public is movie theatre con-
scious cannot be better shown than
by the sensational business done. Op-
ening business at the downtown Para-
mount broke every record of any kind,
including stage shows with top per-
sonalities. Beyond the great business
the picture is doing, the industry as a
whole will benefit from this 3-dimen-
sion film, with the public again look-
ing at theatres as their number one
entertainment source."
Raymond Willey, assistant general
manager of Interstate Theatres, said,
"I flew in from Dallas to see Natural
Vision in action in 'Bwanna Devil.'
As a result I am determined to make
this picture our big Christmas attrac-
tion in Dallas and Fort Worth and,
if they'll give me enough prints, in
San Antonio and Houston. People
are going to want to see 3-dimension,
and theatres will have a long, big-
money run after the smash openings."
Holland Smith, managing director
of Saenger Theatres, New Orleans,
said, "the smart exhibitor is looking
for box office. Natural Vision's 3-di-
mension process, as shown by Oboler's
'Bwana Devil,' is going to be the
biggest thing since sound and color.
I'm glad I came to California to see
exactly how big this was going to be.
I'll book every picture made in Nat-
ural Vision."
Myer J. Schine, president of the
Schine Chain Theatres, Inc., said, "I
enjoyed the picture. I know glasses
cannot be avoided, and so we exhibi-
tors and public will live with them.
There is no question but that Natural
Vision will mean a great deal to the
box office. I like the whole idea very
much and know it will mean much to
the industry."
Both Natural Vision equip-
ment and "Bwana Devil," the
first feature produced for exhi-
bition in New York, are being
booked nationally by George J.
Schaefer, New York.
Robert Stack, Barbara Britton and
Nigel Bruce are principals in the
Oboler production, which will be re
viewed in an early issue.
"Angel Face"
(RKO Pictures)
THE hatred for and subsequent murder of a stepmother by a pretty young-
girl who adores her father serves as the mainspring of this interesting
drama that unfolds too slowly but builds towards a suspensful climax.
A competent cast includes such name performers as Robert Mitchum, Jean
Simmons, Mona Freeman and Herbert Marshall, but the idea of an inno-
cent bystander becoming romantically involved and hence blamed with the
murderess is not tautly enough developed.
Otto Breminger produced with a maximum of economy and directed it
with emphasis on the evolving dramatic suspense. The screenplay by Frank
Nugent and Oscar Millard, from a Chester Erskine story, presents Mitchum
as an ambulance driver who meets Miss Simmons on an emergency call to
..." mountain-top mansion when her stepmother, Barbara O'Neil, is over-
come by a mysteriously opened gas jet. Mitchum is a former racing car
driver and desires to open a garage for such cars. He quits his job to
become Miss Simmons' chauffeur and breaks off with his girl friend, Miss
Freeman.
Mitchum refuses to run away with Miss Simmons and the next day
Miss O'Neil and Herbert Marshall, her husband who had requested a ride
to town, go over a cliff when the car acts in reverse. Evidence implicates
Mitchum so legal-eagle Leon Ames convinces him to marry Miss Simmons,
and beat the murder charge. The latter half of the film concerning the trial
lS quite effective; Ames is especially convincing as the shrewd lawyer. They
are acquitted but Mitchum, although rejected by Miss Freeman refuses to
remain with Miss Simmons. He plans a Mexican divorce but Miss Sim-
mons, who had confessed her guilt to Ames to no avail, drives Mitchum
and herself over the cliff.
This has names and a theme to exploit and should gather fair returns at
^Othe^^the cast are Kenneth Tobey, Raymond Greenleaf, Griff Barnett,
Robert Gist, Morgan Farley and Jim Backus. ■ ,
Running time, 90 minutes. General audience
Jan. 23.
Rogers, New Deputy
(Continued from page 1)
government's policy in its 16mm. anti-
trust suit against the film companies.
As the Number Two man in the At-
torney General's office, it probably will
be up to him to decide whether the
case will be prosecuted or abandoned.
Rogers represented 20th-Fox on
several anti-trust matters in the past.
Observers here believe that the 16mm.
case will be given a more thorough
study before any attempt at litigation
is started.
Drive-inMembership
Plan Set in Mich.
"Cattle Town"
(Warner Brothers)
A HUSKY Western that develops along formula lines but contains an
ample amount of fighting and some vocalizing by Dennis Morgan this
picture stacks up fairly well for its type. An occasional note of fictionalized
history is mixed in, concerning the bickerings and battles between ranch
owners and squatters in Texas shortly after the Civil War.
The screenplay by Tom Blackburn has Morgan sent into the troubled
territory by a Texas governor to bring about peace. His efforts are opposed
by rancber Ray Teal who plans to fleece the squatters of their cattle in
addition to treating them inhumanly. . ,
There is excitement and intrigue and the usual rounds of gunplay and
hard riding building up to a climactic cattle stampede which causes the death
of Teal and gives Morgan a chance to rescue Amanda Blake. Miss Blake
and Rita Moreno vie for Morgan's affection in the romantic angle but at the
fadeout it is Miss Blake who Morgan chooses, and they ride off together
^Otrlrs in the cast are Philip Carey, Paul Picerni, Jay Novello, George
O'Hanlon Bob Wilke, Sheb Wooley, Charles Meredith, Merv Griffin, A.
Guy Teague, Boyd Morgan and Jack Kenney. Bryan Foy proddced and
Noel Smith directed. , . „ , , .
Running time, 71 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Dec. 6.
Detroit, Nov. 30. — The executive
committee of Allied Theatres of Mich-
igan has approved a new plan of
membership for drive-ins.
The recent Allied state convention
showed that drive-ins have much in
common with other theatres in regard
to film buying, arbitration, film deliv-
ery costs, free shows, the Federal ad-
missions tax and the constant threat
of a state amusement tax.
The major obstacle which prevented
drive-in owners from joining Allied
was the high rate of dues.
A plan worked out by .. the executive
committee consists of a seasonal mem-
bership for all drive-ins, regardless of
capacity, with free membership each
year for the months of January, Feb-
ruary, March, April, October, No-
vember and December. The exhibitors
would pay only for five months mem-
bership. Drive-ins would pay two
cents a month per speaker for the five
months, or a total of 10 cents per
speaker for the period.
Pierce Parkurst, of Lansing, drive-
in chairman, and Joe D. Kitchen,
drivesjn secretary, outlined the mem-
bership plan in a bulletin to exhibitors
in Michigan.
Under .(the new; prog ram, all due to
Allied would "pay* once and for all"
all assessments which would other-
wise be solicited from exhibitors by
salesmen or directly from the Council
f Motion Picture Organizations.
The plan, it was said, will provide
sufficient income to permit a bu'cjget to
handle all legislative problems apd tax
issues, both .state and national. Allied
would represent exhibitors in all finan-
cial payments in - the industry-
Chesapeake Files for
' Alice' Assignment
Chesapeake Industries has filed a
suit in Federal Court here against Lou
Bunin Productions and Souvaine Se-
lective Pictures, seeking an assignment
on "Alice in Wonderland," which
Bunin produced in France in 1949.
Chesapeake claims there is a balance
due of $24,626 on a promissory note
for $28,000.
The plaintiff asked the court to al-
low full rights to the picture to any-
body who buys the foreclosed mort-
gage. "Alice" originally was released
by Film Classics and was then taken
over by Souvaine. Chesapeake also
has pending a $27,000 suit against
Bunin for prints and laboratory work-
on the picture.
Free Passes for Plasma
Columbus, O., Nov. 30.— In a tieup
with the Red Cross, neighborhood the-
atres here have arranged to give a free
pass to every person who donates
blood to the plasma campaign.
' Andersen* Heading
For Records Here
The opening week's business of
Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans Christian
Andersen" at the Criterion and Paris
theatres here will shatter the box-of
fice records at both houses, according
to the managements.
A first week gross of $60,000 is
predicted for the Criterion, while
$24,000 is expected at the 572-seat
Paris, which has added some extra
shows.
Florida Firm Files
Trust Suit vs. 'U'
Miami, Nov. 30.— A $255,000 triple-
damage anti-trust suit has been filed
in Federal court here by a Miami
Beach firm against Universal and its
subsidiary, United World Films. The
suit, brought by Allied Motion Pic
tures and its officers individually
charges the defendants with monopo-
listic practices in failing to supply the
plaintiffs with products.
Allied Willing
(Contimted from page 1)
cheduled as yet. If the Motion Pic-
ture Association of America decides
to initiate the sessions, a date and
place probably will not be set until
after the return of MPAA president
Eric Johnston from his current South
American tour. Johnston is due back
early this month, but the MPAA of-
fice here did not know the exact date
at the weekend. On the other hand,
the distributors' arbitration committee
may set a schedule this week for fu-
ture roundtable discussions among the
film companies, Allied and the The-
atre Owners of America.
Col. Writes Off
( Contimted from page 1 )
with the write-off on color films run-
ning as high as six per cent behind
the amortization of black-and-white
pictures. Both categories, according"
to a report to the Securities and Ex-
change Commission, have a complete
write-off period of 104 weeks. How-
ever, the black-and-white features, un-
der the system instituted and reflected
in the company's last annual report,
are amortized at a greater percentage
rate than tinted films. The percent-
age varies from six per cent for the
first 13 weeks in release to one per
cent at the 91st week.
Burton, 20th Negotiating
Hollywood, Nov. 30. — Richard
Burton, new 20th Century-Fox star
from the British stage, is here nego-
tiating a "million dollar" contract call-
ing for a picture annually for 10 years,
said the studio.
I
IN
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
Impartial
VOL. 72. NO. 104
NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1952
TEN CENTS
Tradewise . . .
By SHERWIN KANE
CURRENT consideration being-
given to the convening of a
conference on arbitration to discuss
Allied States' objections to the dis-
tributors' proposed draft in order to
determine what, if anything, might
be done to meet those objections
appears to be a start in the right
direction.
The holding of such a meeting is
a logical first step, if industry arbi-
tration efforts are not to be sum-
marily abandoned. And without Al-
lied participation, the idea might
just as well be abandoned. Even
conceding the wholly questionable
possibility that the Department of
Justice and the Federal court would
sanction an arbitration plan which
did not have Allied approval, there
remains the plain fact that without
that large segment of independent
exhibition participating, any indus-
trv arbitration system would be in-
complete and very likely ineffectual.
The main inducement to distribu-
tors of an arbitration system is the
promise it holds of reducing the
number of anti-trust actions insti-
gated by exhibitors. Without Allied
participation that aim never could
{Continued on page 2)
Allied Willing To
Renew Arbitration
Plan Discussions
FCC Bureau Hits
Resnick Findings
Washington, Nov. 30— The Fed-
eral Communication Commission's
broadcast bureau on Friday asked that
the Commission throw out hearing ex-
aminer Leo Resnick' s approval of all
applications involved in the catch-all
United Paramount Theatres-American
Broadcasting proposed merger hear-
ings and further requested oral argu-
ments.
The report was entered by FCC
attorneys Frederick Ford, Max Pag-
lin and James Juntilla, acting for
Curtis B. Plummer, chief of the broad
cast bureau.
No- Admission Policy
May Start New Rule
Columbus, Ohio, Nov. 30.— Should
the free admission policy as practiced
by the 321 -seat Little Theatre here
become widespread, the Internal Rev-
enue Bureau would have "to work
out a regulation to cover the situa-
tion," according to T. W. Kienlan,
of Washington, special assistant to the
Under Secretary of the Treasury.
Allied leaders are willing to sit
down and discuss possible changes in
the distributors' arbitration formula
whenever such a meeting is called,
Wilbur Snaper, Allied president, said
here at the weekend. He pointed out,
however, that no official action could
be taken until after the Allied board
meets in New Orleans in January.
"We did not reject arbitration at
our convention in Chicago," Snaper
said. "We merely turned down the in-
dustry draft in its present form. It
is possible that we can straighten out
all the so-called minus points at the
proposed meeting so that a revised
plan can be submitted to the di-
rectors."
Meanwhile, no parlays have been
(Continued on page 5)
Lou Smith Named
Zukor Jubilee Aide
Lou Smith, currently handling
"Movietime, U.S.A." for the Council
of Motion Picture Organizations in
Hollywood, has been named by R. J.
O'Donnell as his executive aide on
the Adolph Zukor "Golden Jubilee"
celebration which will be launched
early in 1953 under the auspices of
Variety Clubs International.
Smith will operate from Hollywood
and New York during the coming
(Continued on page 4)
61 New Canadian
Houses; 69 in Work
Toronto, Nov. 30. — A total of
61 new theatres have opened
in Canada since the beginning
of the year. Twenty-three
were drive-ins. Under con-
struction now are 32 stand-
ard-type houses and 12 drive-
ins. Work will continue as
long as weather permits on
the drive-ins and will be com-
pleted early next year in time
for spring opening.
On the planning boards are
14 indoor projects and 11
drive-ins.
Slate Bendix
Theatre TV
Meet Dec. 30
Rogers, New Deputy
Attorney General,
Close to Industry
Washington, Nov. 30. — The ap-
pointment of William P. Rogers as
U. S. Deputy Attorney General in
the administration of President-elect
Eisenhower places a man close to the
motion picture industry in a key spot
in the Department of Justice. Rogers,
whose home is in Baltimore, is the
Washington representative of the law
firm of Dwight, Royall, Harris, Koe-
gel and Caskey, legal counsel of 20th
Century-Fox.
In his position as Deputy Attorney
General, Rogers is certain to be an
important factor in determining the
(Continued on page 5)
'Bwana' in Natural Vision
Breaks Records on Coast
Teleconference Arranges
Cross-country Deal
A national dealers meeting, utiliz-
ing the medium of theatre televi-
sion, will be held on Dec. 30 by the
Bendix Home Appliances Division
of the Avco Manufacturing Co. The
telecast, arranged by the newly-or-
ganized firm of Teleconference, Inc.,
of New York, will be carried to every
key market area in the country, in at
least 42 theatres in 42 cities, it was
indicated.
The joint statement of Bendix
and Teleconference stated that
the one-hour program will orig-
inate in the Garrick Theatre,
Chicago, at about noon. An au-
dience potential of more than
100,000 of the company's distri-
butors, dealers, salesmen and
invited guests was envisioned.
The extensiveness of the second
deal for the commercial "off-hour"
utilization of theatre TV tops the first
(Continued on page 4)
By WILLIAM WEAVER
Hollywood, Nov. 30. — While the self-conscious local press and pro-
fession waged' a heated debate over the present and future prospects of
Natural Vision 3-dimension process and Arch Oboler's "Bwana Devil,'
both of which world-premiered at Hollywood and Los Angeles Para-
mount theatres last Wednesday night,
plain citizens with ticket money in
hand queued up at both houses
throughout the biggest weekend_ busi-
ness in years, and practical exhibitors
began pressing for bookings and play-
dates. As has happened repeatedly
in the industry's history, the paying
public immediately placed its stamp of
approval on an innovation the trade
itself had regarded with diffidence.
The attraction shattered the open-
ing-day records of both houses in
spite of the fact that local newspaper
reviewers, who saw the picture for
the first time at the premiere, dis-
(Continued on page 5)
Col. Writes Off Color
Films At Slower Rate
Because foreign revenues and the
longevity of returns from a feature
production are materially different for
pictures in color as opposed to black-
and-white films, Columbia Pictures
has revised its world amortization
tables for feature productions.
The new tables are segregated into
black-and-white and color features,
(Continued on page 5)
Atlas Corp. Reported
Top Bidder forRKO
Atlas Corp. was reported at the
weekend to be the most important
bidder for the Ralph Stolkin group's
controlling interest in RKO Pictures.
Although other syndicates are still
angling for the deal, Atlas was said
to have the inside track.
If such a deal should be consum-
mated, control would pass back to the
organization that once held the stock.
Floyd Odium's Atlas Corp. sold its
major interest in RKO to Howard
(Continued art page 4)
MGM to Start 15
In Next 3 Months
Hollywood, Nov. 30. — Fifteen pic-
tures have been scheduled to start dur-
ing the coming three months, which
will maintain M-G-M's 1952-53 pro-
gram at an increasingly high level of
production well into the new year, it
has been announced by Dore Schary,
vice-president in charge of production.
Decisions on continued acceleration
of production and future planning
(Continued on page 4)
I
r
—
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
Concise
and
Impartial
VOL. 72. NO. 104
NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1952
TEN CENTS
Tra de wise . . .
By SHERWIN KANE
CURRENT consideration being-
given to the convening of a
conference on arbitration to discuss
Allied States' objections to the dis-
tributors' proposed draft in order to
determine what, if anything, might
be done to meet those objections
appears to be a start in the right
direction.
The holding of such a meeting is
a logical first step, if industry arbi-
tration efforts are not to be sum-
marily abandoned. And without^ Al-
lied participation, the idea might
just as well be abandoned. Even
conceding the wholly questionable
possibility that the Department of
Justice and the Federal court would
sanction an arbitration plan which
did not have Allied approval, there
remains the plain fact that without
that large segment of independent
exhibition participating, any indus-
trv arbitration system would be in-
complete and very likely ineffectual.
The main inducement to distribu-
tors of an arbitration system is the
promise it holds of reducing the
number of anti-trust actions insti-
gated by exhibitors. Without Allied
participation that aim never could
{Continued on page 2)
Allied Willing To
Renew Arbitration
Plan Discussions
Allied leaders are willing to sit
down and discuss possible changes in
the distributors' arbitration formula
whenever such a meeting is called,
Wilbur Snaper, Allied president, said
here at the weekend. He pointed out,
however, that no official action could
be taken until after the Allied board
meets in New Orleans in January.
"We did not reject arbitration at
our convention in Chicago," Snaper
said. "We merely turned down the in-
dustry draft in its present form. It
is possible that we can straighten out
all the so-called minus points at the
proposed meeting so that a revised
plan can be submitted to the di-
rectors."
Meanwhile, no parlays have been
(Continued on page 5)
Lou Smith Named
Zukor Jubilee Aide
FCC Bureau Hits
Resnick Findings
Washington, Nov. 30.— The Fed-
eral Communication Commission's
broadcast bureau on Friday asked that
the Commission throw out hearing ex-
aminer Leo Resnick's approval of all
applications involved in the catch-all
United Paramount Theatres- American
Broadcasting proposed merger hear-
ings and further requested oral argu-
ments.
The report was entered by FCC
attorneys Frederick Ford, Max Pag-
lin and James Juntilla, acting for
Curtis B. Plummer, chief of the broad-
cast bureau.
Lou Smith, currently handling
"Movietime, U.S.A." for the Council
of Motion Picture Organizations in
Hollywood, has been named by R. J.
O'Donnell as his executive aide on
the Adolph Zukor "Golden Jubilee"
celebration which will be launched
early in 1953 under the auspices of
Variety Clubs International.
Smith will operate from Hollywood
and New York during the coming
(Continued on page 4)
61 New Canadian
Houses; 69 in Work
Toronto, Nov. 30. — A total of
61 new theatres have opened
in Canada since the beginning
of the year. Twenty-three
were drive-ins. Under con-
struction now are 32 stand-
ard-type houses and 12 drive-
ins. Work will continue as
long as weather permits on
the drive-ins and will be com-
pleted early next year in time
for spring opening.
On the planning boards are
14 indoor projects and 11
drive-ins.
Rogers, New Deputy
Attorney General,
Close to Industry
Washington, Nov. 30. — The ap-
pointment of William P. Rogers as
U. S. Deputy Attorney General in
the administration of President-elect
Eisenhower places a man close to the
motion picture industry in a key spot
in the Department of Justice. Rogers,
whose home is in Baltimore, is the
Washington representative of the law
firm of Dwight, Royall, Harris, Koe-
gel and Caskey, legal counsel of 20th
Century-Fox.
In his position as Deputy Attorney
General, Rogers is certain to be an
important factor in determining the
(Continued on page 5)
Slate Bendix
Theatre TV
Meet Dec. 30
'Bwana' in Natural Vision
Breaks Records on Coast
No- Admission Policy
May Start New Rule
Columbus, Ohio, Nov. 30— Should
the free admission policy as practiced
by the 321-seat Little Theatre here
become widespread, the Internal Rev-
enue Bureau would have "to work
out a regulation to cover the situa-
tion," according to T. W. Kienlan,
of Washington, special assistant to the
Under Secretary of the Treasury.
Col. Writes Off Color
Films At Slower Rate
Because foreign revenues and the
longevity of returns from a feature
production are materially different for
pictures in color as opposed to black-
and-white films, Columbia Pictures
has revised its world amortization
tables for feature productions.
The new tables are segregated into
black-and-white and color features,
(Continued on page 5)
By WILLIAM WEAVER
Hollywood, Nov. 30. — While the self-conscious local press and pro-
fession waged a heated debate over the present and future prospects of
Natural Vision 3-dimension process and Arch Oboler's "Bwana Devil,"
both of which world-premiered at Hollywood and Los Angeles Para-
_ — mount theatres last Wednesday night,
plain citizens with ticket money in
hand queued up at both houses
throughout the biggest weekend busi-
ness in years, and practical exhibitors
began pressing for bookings and play-
dates. As has happened repeatedly
in the industry's history, the paying
public immediately placed its stamp of
approval on an innovation the trade
itself had regarded with diffidence.
The attraction shattered the open-
ing-day records of both houses in
spite of the fact that local newspaper
reviewers, who saw the picture for
the first time at the premiere, dis-
(Continued on page 5)
Teleconference Arranges
Cross-country Deal
A national dealers meeting, utiliz-
ing the medium of theatre televi-
sion, will be held on Dec. 30 by the
Bendix Home Appliances Division
of the Avco Manufacturing Co. The
telecast, arranged by the newly-or-
ganized firm of Teleconference, Inc.,
of New York, will be carried to every
key market area in the country, in at
least 42 theatres in 42- cities, it was
indicated.
The joint statement of Bendix
and Teleconference stated that
the one-hour program will orig-
inate in the Garrick Theatre,
Chicago, at about noon. An au-
dience potential of more than
100,000 of the company's distri-
butors, dealers, salesmen and
invited guests was envisioned.
The extensiveness of the second
deal for the commercial "off-hour"
utilization of theatre TV tops the first
(Continued on page 4)
Atlas Corp. Reported
Top Bidder for RKO
Atlas Corp. was reported at the
weekend to be the most important
bidder for the Ralph Stolkin group's
controlling interest in RKO Pictures.
Although other syndicates are still
angling for the deal, Atlas was said
to have the inside track.
If such a deal should be consum-
mated, control would pass back to the
organization that once held the stock.
Floyd Odium's Atlas Corp. sold its
major interest in RKO to Howard
(Continued on page 4)
MGM to Start 15
In Next 3 Months
Hollywood, Nov. 30. — Fifteen pic-
tures have been scheduled to start dur-
ing the coming three months, which
will maintain M-G-M's 1952-53 pro-
gram at an increasingly high level of
production well into the new year, it
has been announced by Dore Schary,
vice-president in charge of production.
Decisions on continued acceleration
of production and future planning
(Continued on page 4)
2
Motion Picture daily
Monday, December 1, 1952
Personal
Mention
CHARLES EINFELD, 20th Cen-
tury-Fox vice-president, left here
over the weekend by plane for the
Coast. He plans to remain there a
week.
•
Robert H. O'Brien, secretary-
treasurer of United Paramount T?he-
atres, was due to arrive in Chicago
from New York at the weekend and
is expected to return here Wednes-
day.
•
Leon Bamberger, RKO Radio
sales promotion manager, will address
the Allied Theatres of Indiana con-
vention being held in Indianapolis to-
day and tomorrow.
•
Grace Guillen, secretary in the
Universal foreign department, will be
married Dec. 13 to Arthur Anga-
ROLE.
•
Ursula Rank, daughter of J. Ar-
thur Rank, was married to Robert
Lancelot Newton on Thursday in
London.
•
Lee R. Bobker, formerly with
Campus Film Productions, has joined
Dynamic Films here as executive pro-
ducer.
•
R. J. Ingram, Columbia Southern
district manager, and George Roscoe,
Atlanta branch manager, have returned
to that city from Chicago.
•
Malcom Johnson, formerly with
20th Century-Fox in Atlanta, has
joined Kay Exchanges there as a sales
representataive.
•
Harry Goldstein, Allied Artists
publicity representataive, left here at
the weekend for Chicago.
•
Lynn Farnol has left here on a
five-city tour; he is due to return
here on Dec. 8.
•
Matthew Rape, M-G-M producer
has gone to Melbourne, Fla., from
Hollywood.
•
Albert Lewin, M-G-M producer,
will leave Hollywood by plane Dec.
for England and France.
Tradewise . .
(Continued from page 1)
Boston Notables At
Goldwyn Tribute
Boston, Nov. 30. — Prominent Bos-
tonians have been invited to a luncheon
in honor of Samuel Goldwyn to be
given Tuesday at the Ritz Carlton, in
honor of his "consistent record of hold-
ing to the best traditions in bringing
the best films before the public."
Before the luncheon the guests will
attend a private showing of "Hans
Christian Andersen." In addition to
Goldwyn and Mrs. Goldwyn, among
those who are slated to be present are
Governor Paul A. Dever, Governor-
elect Christian A. Herter, Mayor John
B. Hynes, Danish consul Earle W.
Eames, Serge Semenenko, vice-presi-
dent of the First National Bank of
Boston, and others.
Cites Industry for Aid
On Election Day Turnout
C. M. Vandeburg, executive director of the American Heritage Foun-
dation, has cited the motion picture industry for the "monumental role"
it played in aiding the recent record-breaking 60,000,000 election-day
turnout. n
He stated, "In an outstanding and
generous way, the Motion Picture As-
sociation of America, its member com-
panies and the exhibitors of the coun-
try turned their energies to the cause
of good citizenship in this election.
Without this signal devotion to better
citizenship, the unprecedented vote
could not have been achieved."
"Of the 51 national organizations
and industry groups which worked
with the American Heritage Founda-
tion to get out the vote," he said, "none
did more to convey the appeal to the
public than the country's mass com-
munications media. The unique power
and impact of the theatre screen and
its vast weekly attendance made the
contribution of the motion picture in-
dustry all the more significant and
valuable."
"The Motion Picture Association
of America and its member companies,
in cooperation with the exhibitors of
the nation actually did more than urge
movie-goers to register and vote,"
it was stated. "Through newsreels,
trailers and specially produced short
subjects, they acquainted the public
with the dominant issues of the cam-
paign and devoted two entire newsreel
editions to each of the Presidential
candidates."
From Aug. 4 to election day, the
film industry's five newsreels ran
more than 200 sequences highlighting
the candidates and their views as they
toured the nation. Trailers on every
newsreel issued for three months prior
to the election exhorted movie-goes to
register and vote. Motion picture
companies and hundreds of theatres
supplemented their efforts by inserting
register-and-vote appeals in their
newspaper ads. A few enthusiastic
exhibitors even went so far as to pro-
vide free admissions to people in their
community who voted, it was ex-
plained.
During the pre-election months, film
companies also made available to civic
and community organizations taking
part in the register-and-vote campaign
specially prepared film shorts and
trailers that emphasized the impor-
tance of voting.
Newsreel
Parade
Big RCA Screen to
Bow at RKO Here
The world premiere of Syncro-
Screen, described as the largest screen
ever made by RCA, will be held here
at the RKO 58th Street Theatre on
Friday.
Projected on the big screen, which
is three times the size of regular one
at the theatre, will be the dual at-
traction "Way of a Gaucho" and
"Lure of the Wilderness." Before its
premiere, RKO has scheduled a series
of newspaper advertisements in local
papers heralding the event.
There will be a demonstration on
Wednesday for the trade press and
New York newspaper film editors.
be importantly realized. Moreover,
without Allied, the workings of the
system could be hamstrung by re-
fusals of many independent exhibi-
tors to intervene in or respond to
arbitration complaints involving
competitive situations of which they
are a part. Clearance and run, bid-
ding and other complaints would be
particularly difficult to resolve if
they involved Allied members who
ignored them. Arbitration awards
made without the intervention of
Allied members who were affected
by them well might lead to more,
not less, litigation.
Therefore, if it is possible to
bring Allied back into the fold, and
the door does not appear to be for-
ever closed, a conference to deter-
mine when and how that might be
accomplished, would be eminently
worth the time and effort it re-
quires.
The Allied board at its Chicago
meeting emphasized that neither it
nor the organization as a whole is
"opposed to arbitration and yields
to no one in their devotion to that
concept."
In other words, the present op-
position within Allied is directed
only at the distributors' draft as it
now stands, and not to arbitration
per se.
What, then, must be done to re-
move that opposition?
First, of all, Allied has said, an
arbitration plan which it can ap-
prove must promise "direct, imme-
diate and substantial benefit to ex-
hibitors." If Allied can be con-
vinced that an industry arbitration
plan meets that basic requirement
and does not contain provisions
"which are not deemed to be in the
exhibitors' interest," it might then
be determined whether Allied would
not be willing to waive its only
other requisite — the arbitration of
film rentals.
These are matters requiring a
conference of the arbitration prin-
cipals. If they can be resolved, and
that does not seem beyond the realm
of possibility, it could well be that
a better arbitration plan than that
now proposed, could result. If so,
Allied's stand might become over-
night a valuable contribution to the
industry at large, rather than the
negative obstruction which some
now hold it to be.
pARACHUTE air drop of supplies
i in Korea is highlighted in current
newsreels. Featured also are George
Me amy's appointment as new Ameri-
can Federation of Labor president,
Eric Johnston's trip to Latin America,
President-Elect Eisenhower s appoint-
ment to Government posts of two
women, and the Vishinsky rejection
of the Indian proposal on Korea at the
United Nations.
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 97— French
battle Red offensive in Indo-China. Eisen-
hower names two women to jobs in Govern-
ment. Assam tribes honor Nehru. Para-
troops on alert in Korea. ODwyer quits
Mexico post. Marshall Tito is reelected.
Eric Johnston in Latin America. Florida
picks Miss Tangerine.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 227— Air
drops filmed in Korea. Vishinsky vs. Ache-
son at U.N. MP'PA president Erie John-
ston in Rio meet with Brazilian president
Vargas. AFL elects George Meany. Bill
Stern's All-American stars and plays of
1952.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 3»-Georjre
Meany named AFL president. Vishinsky
says "No" to Indian proposed on Korea.
Eric Johnston in Brazil with Brazilian pres-
ident Vargas. Mrs. Eisenhower honored by
the USO'. Women appointees in new ad-
ministration. Paramount 1952 All-American
team.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 4SB — Air
Force "Flying Boxcars" supply troops in
Korea by air. Last rites paid to former
AFL president Green. One man crusade
against Communism waged by Ambrose P.
Salmini. Fiberfrax, new fiber that with-
stands extreme heat. British prepare for
coronation. Italian sportsmen go boar hunt-
ing in Tuscany. Tennis champion retains
title in ancient game.
UNIVERSAL NEWS No. 417 — Korea
paratroops. Motion Picture Pioneers choose
Nate J. Blumberg leader of the year. Brit-
ain's new amphibious jeep. Seattle's fourth
annual Santa Claus parade. French observa-
tory examines cosmic rays.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 32— Vis-
itors pour into President-Elect Eisenhower's
busy headquarters. Paradrop in Korea.
George Meany named new AFL chief.
Medal of Honor awarded to Korea hero.
Eric Johnston calls on president Vargas of
Brazil. Motion Picture Pioneers honor Nate
Blumberg. New designs in fashions for re-
sorts. Philadelphia Eagles -Cleveland Browns
football game.
SAG TV Commercial
Strike on Today
The Screen Actors Guild's strike
against producers of filmed television
commercials is scheduled to begin na-
tionally today.
On the eve of the strike, an SAG
representative in the East reported
that the Guild has been pledged full
cooperation from the "Four A's,"
Members of Actors Equity and the
American Federation of Television
and Radio Artists have been alerted
by mail about the strike. The SAG
spokesman added that TV commercial
producers have been warned that the
hiring of non-union talent would lead
to the advertised product being put
on the "unfair list" of the American
Federation of Labor.
The strike will not affect commer-
cial telecasts which already have been
produced. Such telecasts will con-
tinue to be seen on home television
sets.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye ^lone OrSe" 7 3IO0 clbfe address? "Qui^nto
• Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue Rockefeller Center, New York 20 N Y. Telephony £ ev v V ice-Presidentf Leo J: Brady
New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan. Vice-Pr^es.dent and Treasurer; Raymond Lev^ Vice ^esmem, ^o maay,
Secretary; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager, S^"^taj^ 11 North
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau. 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trmz, Editorial Kepresentative,
Clark Street, FR 2-:
Editor; cable address,
of Motion Picture He.„.
of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies, 10c.
Monday, December 1, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
Cites 'Daily's' Aid
To 'Jimmy' Fund
Arthur H. Lockwood, gen-
eral chairman of the 1952
"Jimmy" Fund, the children's
cancer research foundation
sponsored by the Variety Club
of New England and the Bos-
ton Braves baseball team, has
expressed the appreciation of
the trustees of the Fund for
cooperation accorded by Mo-
tion Picture Daily.
In a letter to the editor,
Lockwood says: "We are fully
aware that the successful re-
sults of the 1952 'Jimmy'
Fund Drive would never have
been possible without the ex-
cellent cooperation we have
received from Motion Picture
Daily.
"During the course of our
campaign your fine publica-
tion has given most generous-
ly of space, and has been the
medium that brought the
'Jimmy' Fund to the atten-
tion of the people in the mo-
tion picture industry."
Heads of Universal
To Meet on Coast
Review
Hollywood, Nov. 30
a stage play by Wil-
Universal Pictures' distribution and
promotion executives will join the
company's production heads at the
Universal-International Coast studios
for a week-long series of top level
policy and planning sessions starting
Monday, Dec. 8, covering' production,
distribution and promotion for the
coming year, Alfred E. Daff, execu-
tive vice-president, announced at the
weekend.
The company's division and district
sales managers will participate in the
meetings as well as Eastern and West-
ern promotion executives. Among
studio executives at the meetings will
be William Goetz, in charge of pro-
duction; David A. Lipton, vice-presi-
dent in charge of advertising-publicity ;
Edward E. Muhl, vice-president and
general manager of the studios ; Al
Horwits, and others.
Milton R- Rackmil, president; Daff
and Charles J. Feldman, general sales
manager, left New York over the
weekend for Hollywood in advance
of the meetings. N. J. Blumberg,
chairman of the board, and Adolph
Schimel, vice-president and general
counsel, will leave later this week.
Charles Simonelli, Eastern advertis-
ling-publicity department manager,
Philip Gerard, Eastern publicity man-
ager and Jeff Livingston, Eastern ad-
vertising manager, will leave New
York tomorrow. Ben Katz, Midwest
promotion representaative, will join
them.
Also scheduled to leave later this
week are Ray Moon, assistant general
sales manager: F. J. A. McCarthy,
Southern and Canadian sales manager ;
P. T. Dana. Eastern sales manager;
Foster M. Blake, Western sales man-
ager; James J. Jordan, circuit sales
manager: Harrv Fellerman, sales
head of U-I's Special Films Division,
and A. W. Perry, head of Empire-
Universal in Canada which distributes
Universal films there.
District managers will include
David A. Lew. from New York;
James Frew, Atlanta ; Manic M. Gott-
Come Back, Little Sheba
(Hal B. Wallis-Par amount)
THIS distinguished production by Hal B. Wallis of
Ham Inge which ran up a big Broadway success, both commercial and
artistic, is exceptional in so many ways, as a motion picture theatre attrac-
tion, as to present problems as well as promise of profit to the practical
showman.
Foremost on the plus side of the picture's prospects is the brilliant per-
formance of Shirley Booth in the principal role, a performance already widely
described, quite properly, as an achievement of Academy Award calibre.
At the other pole of the property, concerning the considerations of a prac-
tical showman, is the drunk scene in which the alcoholic of the story shouts
accusations at his wife in which the word "slut," unfamiliar on the screen
and in most homes, is reiterated as a keynote.
High in the scale of assets is the presence of Burt Lancaster, the strongest
name in the cast and proving here that he's as fine an actor as he is an
athlete.
Less likely to startle cinema customers than the loose use of the word
"slut" are candid references by husband and wife to the unrestrained nature
of their courtship, the resultant necessity of their wedding, and the casual
candor of dialogue from beginning to the end of the picture— but likely enough.
Strictly plus values are Richard Jaeckel and Terry Moore, strikingly pro-
ficient young performers who make their portrayals of sex-happy college
students realistic beyond usual screen requirements.
Excellent direction by Daniel Mann, and fine supporting performances by
Philip Ober, Lisa Golm and Walter Kelley have much to do with making
the film a rounded, convincing drama.
In common with most other pictures made from stage plays, this one is
more mental than physical, more concerned with emotions than with motion
and with character study, delineation, and dramatic observation. Miss Booth
plays the listless but loving wife of Lancaster, a chiropractor whom Alcoholics
Anonymous has kept sober for a year before the picture opens, and the issues
between them are too much for their mentalities to cope with. By the end
of the picture they appear to have got hold of their hopes again, as has
happened often during their 20 years together. The how, the why and so
forth are what the picture's about.
The picture is, quite completely, a filming of a stage play, rather than a
motion picture. There is no apparent intent to make it seem other than that.
In view of the success of the play, that doubtless is what it should be.
The production may be offered to the public, if an exhibitor choose to do
so, as evidence that the screen is becoming adult, as the saying goes. If it
becomes any more adult than "Come Back, Little Sheba" we're going to have
a new kind of motion picture business to deal with, and it won't be for the
kiddies, nor for the family audience, but rather for the patronage that sup
ports the Broadway stage.
"Come Back, Little Sheba" was produced originally by the Theatre Guild,
probably not this well.
Running time, 90 minutes. Adult audience classification. For February
release. William R. Weaver
'Little Sheba' Opens
Dec. 23 at Victoria
"Come Back, Little Sheba," Para-
mount's Hal Wallis production of the
Theatre Guild stage play, starring Burt
Lancaster and Shirley Booth, will
have a premiere at the Victoria The-
atre here on Dec. 23. The film of the
William Inge play marks the screen
debut of Miss Booth, who recreates
the role for which she won five the-
atrical and newspaper awards.
Stars from Broadway and Holly-
wood and celebrities from other fields
are to attend the premiere of the pre-
release world engagement.
Brandt Co-chairman
Of JDA Dinner
Harry Brandt, an honorary chair-
man of the current Joint Defense
Appeal campaign, and JDA national
treasurer Edmund Waterman will
serve jointlv as chairmen of a dinner
honoring Richard Rodgers and Oscar
Hammerstein 2nd, to be held Wed-
nesday evening at the Hotel Pierre
in behalf of the JDA's current drive.
Alex Gottlieb to
Make 5 for Warner
Hollywood, Nov. 30. — Warner
Brothers has completed negotiations
for the distribution of five feature pic-
tures to be delivered to the company
by producer Alex Gottlieb.
The first will be "The Blue Gar-
denia," starring Anne Baxter, Richard
Conte, Ann Sothern and Nat King
Cole. Filming of "Blue Gardenia"
will start this week with Fritz Lang
directing. Charles Hoffman wrote
the screenplay from Vera Caspary's
original story.
lieb, Chicago; Henry J. Martin. Dal-
las ; P. F. Rosian, Cleveland ; Lester
Zucker, Kansas City; Tohn J. Scully.
Boston, and Barney Rose from San
Francisco.
4 UA Releases Now
At Broadway Houses
There are currently four United
Artists releases playing on Broadway
Charles Chaplin's "Limelight" is at
the Astor, "Breaking the Sound Bar-
rier" is showing at the Victoria ;
"Kansas City Confidential" is on th<
Globe screen, and "Outpost in Ma
laya" is playing Loew's State.
RKO RADIO PICTURES, Inc.
TRADE SHOWINGS of
FREDERICK BRISSON'S
presentation of
"NEVER WAVE AT A WAC"
Loew's, Ltd., Profit
Toronto, Nov. 30. — Marcus Loew's
Theatres, Ltd. of Canada reports a
net profit of $84,944, or $11.32 a share
for the year ended Aug. 28, compared
with a profit of $84,140, or $11.22 a
share in 1951.
ALBANY
Hon.
Mon.
, N.W.
Mon,
Mon.
Fox Scr. Rm
1052 B'way
ATLANTA
RKO Scr. Rm.
195 Luckie St.
BOSTON
RKO Scr. Rm.
122-28 Arlington St.
BUFFALO
Mo. Pic. Oper
Scr. Rm.
498 Pearl St.
CHARLOTTE
Fox Scr. Rm.
308 S. Church St
CHICAGO
RKO Scr. Rm.
1300 S. Wabash Ave.
CINCINNATI
Palace Scr. Rm.
12 East 6th St.
CLEVELAND
Fox Scr. Rm.
2219 Payne Ave.
DALLAS
Rep. Scr. Rm.
412 S. Harwood St
DENVER
Para. Scr. Rm.
2100 Stout St.
DES MOINES
Fox. Scr. Rm.
1300 High St.
DETROIT
Blumenthals
Scr. Rm.
2310 Cass Ave.
INDIANAPOLIS
Univ. Scr. Rm.
517 N. Illinois St
KANSAS CITY
Para. Scr. Rm.
1800 Wyandotte St.
LOS ANGELES
RKO Scr. Rm. Mon
1980 S. Vermont Ave.
MEMPHIS
Fox Scr. Rm.
151 Vance Ave
MILWAUKEE
Warner Scr.
Room
212 W. Wisconsin Ave.
MINNEAPOLIS
Fox Scr. Rm.
1015 Currie Ave
NEW HAVEN
Fox Scr. Rm.
40 Wbit:ng St.
NEW ORLEANS
Fox Sc*-. Rm.
200 S. Liberty St
NEW YORK
RKO Scr. Rm.
630 Nirth Ave.
OKLAHOMA
Fox Scr. Rm.
10 North Lee St.
OMAHA
Fox Scr. Rm.
1502 Davenport St.
PHILADELPHIA
RKO Scr. Rm.
250 N. 13th St.
PITTSBURGH
RKO Scr. Rm.
1809-13 Blvd. of Allies
PORTLAND
Star Scr. Rm. Mon.
925 N.W. 19th Ave.
ST. LOUIS
RKO Scr. Rm. Tues.
3143 Olive St.
SALT LAKE CITY
Fox Scr. Rm. Mon.
216 E. 1st St. South
SAN FRANCISCO
12/8 2:30 P.M.
12/8 2:30 P.M.
12/8 10:30 A.M.
Mon
Mon
Mon.
Mon
Mon.
Mon.
Mon
Mon.
Mon.
Wed
Mon
12/8 2:00 P.M.
12/8 2:00 P.M.
12/8 2:00 P.M.
12/8 8:00 P.M.
12/8 2:30 P.M.
12/8 2:30 P.M.
12/8 2:00 P.M.
12/8 1:00 P.M.
12/8 2:30 P.M.
12/8 1:00 P.M.
12/10 2:30 P.M
12/8 2:00 P.M
12/8 12:15 P.M
Mon.
Mon.
Mon.
Mon.
Mon
Mon
Mon.
Mon.
Mc
12/8 2:00 P.M
12/8 1:30 P.M
12/8 2:00 P.M
12/8 2:30 P.M
12/8 2:30 P.M
12/8 10:30A.M
12/8 1:30 P.M
12/8 2:30 P.M
12/8 1:30 P.M
12/8 2:00 P.M
12/9 1:00 P.M
12/8 1:30 P.M
12/8 2:00 P.M
Fox Scr. Rm. Mon.
245 Hyde St.
SEATTLE
Jewel Box
Scr. Rm. Mon. 12/8 1 :00 P.M
2318 2nd Ave.
SIOUX FALLS
Hollyw'd Thea. Mon. 12/8 9 :30 A.M
212 N. Philips Ave
WASHINGTON
Film Center
Scr. Rm. Mon. 12/8 10:00 A.M
932 New Jersey Ave.
Also Showing RKO Pathc
"OPERATION A-BOMB" Eastman Colo
i
Motion Picture daily
Monday, December 1, 1952
Business Telecasts,
Aim of New Firm
Teleconference, Inc., the newly-or-
ganized firm which has arranged for a
Dec. 30 Bendix telecast, will specialize
in closed-circuit theatre telecasts for
business and educational groups, Aaron
Feinsot, vice-president, said here at the
weekend.
He added, however, that the firm
would not limit itself. The future will
tell how the organization expands its
services, he indicated. Asked if Tele-
conference was in competition with
Theatre Network Television, Feinsot
said "we are already competing with
them."
Teleconference, he added, was or-
ganized about six months ago by a
group of men with long service in the
public relations field. The officers were
listed as follows : Stanley Baar, presi-
dent ; Thomas Casey, vice-president ;
Feinsot, vice-president ; Gerald Dickler,
secretary and general counsel.
Lambs Club Salutes
Sousa on Dec. 14
The Lambs Club here will hold a
special salute to the memory of John
Philip Sousa on the night of Dec. 14,
it was announced by William Gaxton,
Shepherd of the Lambs. Sousa was a
former member of the Lambs _ and a
founder of the American Society of
Composers, Authors and Publishers
Guest of the evening will be stage and
screen star Clifton Webb, who por
trays Sousa in 20th Century-Fox's
"Stars and Stripes Forever."
Joining Webb, who will come from
Hollywood for the tribute, will be
prominent representatives of the Ma-
rine Corps, the Lambs, and ASCAP.
Bendix TV
(Continued from page 1)
MGM to Start 15
(Continued from page 1)
were outlined in meetings of East-
West executives during the past 10
days.
Attending the conferences were
Nicholas M. Schenck, president of
Loew's, vice-presidents Charles Mos-
kowitz, Joseph R. Vogel, Howard
Dietz and members of the studio ex-
ecutive board, E. J. Mannix, Ben
Thau, Louis K. Sidney, J. J. Cohn,
Lawrence Weingarten, Kenneth Mac-
Kenna, Marvin Schenck and Charles
Schnee.
In line with the company's policy
of long-range preparation, Schary
stated, 52 story properties are cur-
rently in active work. From these a
tentative 1953-54 schedule of films has
been outlined.
Thirteen pictures have been com-
pleted since the beginning of the fiscal
year, Sept. 1, with five now before
the cameras.
The 15 pictures being readied for
production are:
"Latin Lovers," Technicolor musi-
cal, starring Lana Turner, Ricardo
Montalban and John Lund, to be di-
rected by Mervyn LeRoy with Joe
Pasternak producing.
"Years Ago," co-starring Spencer
Tracy, Jean Simmons and Teresa
Wright, to be directed by George
Cukor with Lawrence Weingarten
producing.
"All the Brothers Were Valiant,"
in Technicolor, starring Robert Tay-
lor, Stewart Granger and Elizabeth
Taylor, to be directed by Richard
Thorpe and produced by Pandro S.
Berman.
"Blue Goddess," starring Red Skelton,
to be directed by Robert Z. Leonard and
one set by Theatre Network Televi-
sion, which has booked the national
sales convention of Lees Carpets on
Dec. 8 in 15 cities from coast-to-coast.
Among the circuits taking the Ben-
dix telecast are United Paramount
Theatres affiliates, Warner Brothers,
Loew's, RKO Theatres and Fabian
Theatres.
Commenting on the deal, Robert H.
O'Brien, secretary-treasurer of UPT,
said that the acceptance of closed cir-
cuit television by an industry leader
such as Bendix was an indication that
its commercial use would be accel-
erated. "We have always felt that
the real field for closed circuit tele-
vision is in its use by industry, and
we welcome this opportunity to test
in every key market area in the
United States the public's reaction to
such a presentation."
Judson S. Sayre, Avco vice-presi-
dent and general manager of Bendix,
said, "We feel that closed circuit tele-
casting possesses unlimited opportun-
ities for presenting to the best pos-
sible advantage this great new appli-
ance our dealers will have on their
floors in a very few weeks." He
added that while the cost of the tele-
cast would be comparable to regional
dealer meetings, a great saving would
be effected in the hours and energy
spent by executives to travel to in
dividual regional meetings.
Bendix and Teleconference officials
have been working for weeks to clear
theatres and lines. Teleconference
said the cities which will be used in
elude: Albany, Atlanta, Buffalo,
Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Co
lumbus, Dayton, Detroit, New York,
Pittsburgh, Providence, Richmond,
Toledo, Jacksonville, Baltimore, Bos-
ton, Philadelphia, Washington, Chi
cago, Des Moines, St. Louis, Dallas,
Birmingham, Houston, Milwaukee,
St. Paul, Kansas City, Memphis, New
Orleans, Omaha, Gary, Indianapolis,
Louisville, Denver, Phoenix, Salt
Lake City, Los Angeles, San Fran
cisco, Seattle and Portland.
lisenhowerOnPalsyj/n the THEATRE
Telethon Saturday Equipment
World . . .
with RAY GALLO
To Reopen Cairo House
With Egypt's Premier, General Na
guib, and other notables as sponsors
Loew's International will reopen the
Metro Theatre in Cairo on Wednes
day with a premiere of "Quo Vadis,'
it is reported here by Morton A
Spring, vice-president of the company
The house has been closed since the
political disturbances earlier this year
President-Elect Dwight D. Eisen-
hower will appear on the "Celebrity
Parade for Cerebral Palsy" telethon,
according to an announcement by Rob-
ert M. Weitman, vice-president of
United Paramount Theatres, who is
executive producer of the telethon.
The 18% -hour televised charity
show to be seen on Channel No. 7
beginning at 8 :00 P.M. Saturday,
Dec. 6, and continuing until 2:30 P.M.
the following afternoon, has been given
the support of all the crafts, guilds
and unions of show business and will
present talent estimated to be valued
in excess of $1,250,000.
Yul Brynner, who with Weitman
heads the talent committee, is said to
have commitments of appearance from
Jackie Gleason, Constance Carpenter,
Robert Merrill, Tan Peerce, Dorothy
Sarnoff, Johnny Johnston, Maria Riva,
Dennis James. Arlene Francis, Jack
Carter, Tony Bennett, Faye Emerson,
Skitch Henderson, Toni Arden, Irving;
Fields Trio, George Shearing, Donald
Richards, Billy Gilbert, Jackie Miles
and Edward Arnold.
Also Eileen Barton, Sunny Gale,
Toey Adams, Chester Morris. Theresa
Breuer, Hazel Scott, Paul Winchell
Frank Sinatra, Hy Gardner, Mel
Torme, Juanita Hall, Elliot Lawrence,
Tex and Jinx McCrary. Martha
Wright, George Britton, Mindy Car
son, Ray Malone, Lanny Ross, Paul
Whiteman, Don Ameche, Fran War
ren, Vivian Blaine. Nick Kenny, Ed
Sullivan, Leonard Lyons, Fred War-
ing, Molly Picon, Earl Wilson, Dan
ton Walker, Janis Paige, the Black-
burn Twins, Frank Fontaine, and
others.
Atlas RKO Bidder
(Continued from page 1)
Hughes in 1948. Some observers be
lieve that Atlas would be the logical
contender for the controlling interest
inasmuch as the financial company is
more familiar with RKO's operations.
Atlas, it is reported, has been buying
RKO stock in recent weeks.
Although Matthew Fox's negotia-
tions for the Stolkin syndicate stock
are said to have been terminated, one
source indicated at the weekend that
Fox still could swing the deal if he
raised the offered price.
Meanwhile, reports from the Coast
indicate that an announcement on new
RKO management will be forthcom
ing this week.
produced by Edwin H. Knopf.
"Easy to Love," Technicolor musical
starring Esther Williams with Busby
Berkeley directing the dance numbers and
Toe Pasternak producing-. _ _
"Interrupted Melody," story of Marjorie
Lawrence, to be filmed in Technicolor
starring Greer Garson, with Tack Cum
mings producing.
"Take the High Ground," to be produced
by Dore Schary, in the new Ansco Color
with a cast including James Whitmore
Dean Miller, Richard Anderson and Wil
liam Campbell; directed by Richard Brooks
"Jefferson Selleck," to star Spencer
Tracy, with Joseph L. Mankiewicz as pro-
ducer, director and writer.
"Kiss Me Kate," Cole Porter's musical,
in Technicolor, starring Kathryn Grayson,
to be directed by George Sidney and pro-
duced by Jack Cummings.
"Affairs of Dobie Gillis," starring Debbie
Reynolds, to be directed by Don Weis and
produced by Arthur Loew, Jr.
"One More Time," starring Lana Turner,
to be directed by George Cukor and pro-
duced by Armand Deutsch.
"I Married West Point," to be produced
by William Grady, Jr.
Also in the group of 15 are "Flight to
the Islands," "Big Leaguer," and "Scarlet
Coat," to be filmed in Ansco Color.
Zukor Jubilee
(Continued from page 1)
weeks in conjunction with the Variety
committees in charge of setting up the
arrangements for the celebrations. The
first celebration will be an industry
dinner in Hollywood honoring Zukor
on his 80th birthday, on Jan. 7.
Smith returned to Hollywood at the
weekend after conferring with O'Don-
nell on plans for the past week. _
O'Donnell, international chairman
of the event, stated that Smith would
be on loan from COMPO for the
time required to complete and carry
through all Zukor Jubilee arrange-
ments.
Renoir Due Here Soon
Director Jean Renoir is due here
from Paris within three weeks with
the first color in Technicolor print
of his latest film, "The Golden Coach."
POR THE FIRST TIME since the
creation of the Tesma and Teda
organizations, a joint trade show con-
vention was held in conjunction with
theatre owners, and the value of that
policy was proved at Chicago. Among
the more than 2,100 delegates from
these organizations, including Allied
States, many hundreds were theatre
owners. And a number of products
were exhibited at a Tesma show for
the first time, among them White
Comb vending equipment, the Miracle
Whirl Whip ride for drive-in play-
grounds, Oxford electric in-car speak-
ers, Bally's space ship, Prince Castle's
new multimixer, ABC's French Boy's
popcorn warmer and Tripe- S change-
able letters, and Master-Kraft refresh-
ment stands.
•
Through the courtesy of Bill De
Vry, Jack Dempsey "headlined" the
Teda banquet at Chicago's famous
Ivanhoe night club. Festivities
paused briefly while the committee
for the 25th Anniversary Salute to
George Schutz presented a scroll to
the editor of Better Theatres. Jack
O'Brien of RCA was "M. C."
•
The all-industry banquet at the
Morrison Hotel on the last night of
the convention was co-mpletely sold
out the very first day of th-e conclave.
A top executive of each major film
company was on the dais, along with
Greer Garson, Ronald Reagan and
Morton Downey, representing the en-
tertainment division.
•
Roy Martin of Martin Theatres of
Columbus, Ga., won a combination
radio clock given by Theatre Seat
Service of Nashville. This was a prize
for guessing the age of a chair on
display at the Theatre Seat Service
booth. John Curry of National The-
atre Supply was runner-up.
Arsene Pernetti of Majestic En-
terprises, Los Angeles, announced
the opening of a new factory in
Rome, Italy.
•
Harry H. Strong of the Strong
Electric Corp., Toledo, was presented
with a plaque by Tesma in recogni-
tion of his many years of service to
the organisation of both Teda and
Tesma actiznties.
The Ballantyne Company's buffet-
theatre party was a complete "sell-
out." Guests attended "Stalag 17"
at the Erlanger Theatre, then repaired
to the Ballantyne Hotel suite for re-
freshments.
The Philadelphia sales office of
A. & M. Karagheusian, Inc., New
York City, manufacturer of Gulis-
tan carpets, formerly located in the
Public Ledger Building, has moved
to larger quarters. The new address,
at 2006 Chestnut Street, provides
greater display space and is a more
convenient location, the company
announced. Rudy Grofsick is branch
manager of the Philadelphia office.
Monday, December 1, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
'Bwana'
Reviews
(Continued from page 1)
played cautious coolness as well as
confusion in trying to evaluate the
process and the picture in a single
review.
Marco Wolff, co - owner of
the Hollywood Paramount, said,
"Arch Oboler's 'Bwana Devil' in
Natural Vision 3-dimension is a
big step forward in motion pic-
ture production, and the public
knows it, as is evidenced by the
all-time record for an opening
day having been broken by
more than $2,000."
Jerry Zigmond, West Coast divi-
sion manager of UPT, operating the
downtown Paramount, said, "proof
that the public is movie theatre con-
scious cannot be better shown than
by the sensational business done. Op-
ening business at the downtown Para-
mount broke every record of any kind,
including stage shows with top per-
sonalities. Beyond the great business
the picture is doing, the industry as a
whole will benefit from this 3-dimen-
sion film, with the public again look-
ing at theatres as their number one
entertainment source."
Raymond Willey, assistant general
manager of Interstate Theatres, said,
"I flew in from Dallas to see Natural
Vision in action in 'Bwanna Devil.'
As a result I am determined to make
this picture our big Christmas attrac-
tion in Dallas and Fort Worth and,
if they'll give me enough prints, in
San Antonio and Houston. People
are going to want to see 3-dimension,
and theatres will have a long, big-
money run after the smash openings."
Holland Smith, managing director
of Saenger Theatres, New Orleans,
said, "the smart exhibitor is looking
for box office. Natural Vision's 3-di-
mension process, as shown by Oboler's
'Bwana Devil,' is going to be the
biggest thing since sound and color.
I'm glad I came to California to see
exactly how big this was going to be.
I'll book every picture made in Nat-
ural Vision."
Myer J. Schine, president of the
Schine Chain Theatres, Inc., said, "I
enjoyed the picture. I know glasses
cannot be avoided, and so we exhibi-
tors and public will live with them.
There is no question but that Natural
Vision will mean a great deal to the
box office. I like the whole idea very
much and know it will mean much to
the industry."
Both Natural Vision equip-
ment and "Bwana Devil," the
first feature produced for exhi-
bition in New York, are being
booked nationally by George J.
Schaefer, New York.
Robert Stack. Barbara Britton and
Nigel Bruce are principals in the
Oboler production, which will be re-
viewed in an early issue.
Rogers, New Deputy
(Continued from page 1)
government's policy in its 16mm. anti-
trust suit against the film companies.
As the Number Two man in the At-
torney General's office, it probably will
be up to him to decide whether the
case will be prosecuted or abandoned.
Rogers represented 20th-Fox on
several anti-trust matters in the past.
Observers here believe that the 16mm.
case will be given a more thorough
study before any attempt at litigation
is started.
Drive-inMembership
Plan Set in Mich.
"Angel Face"
(RKO Pictures)
THE hatred for and subsequent murder of a stepmother by a pretty young-
girl who adores her father serves as the mainspring of this interesting
drama that unfolds too slowly but builds towards a suspensful climax.
A competent cast includes such name performers as Robert Mitchum, Jean
Simmons, Mona Freeman and Herbert Marshall, but the idea of an inno-
cent bystander becoming romantically involved and hence blamed with the
murderess is not tautly enough developed.
Otto Breminger produced with a maximum of economy and directed it
with emphasis on the evolving dramatic, suspense. The screenplay by Frank
Nugent and Oscar Millard, from a Chester Erskine story, presents Mitchum
as an ambulance driver who meets Miss Simmons on an emergency call to
her mountain-top mansion when her stepmother, Barbara O'Neil, is over-
come by a mysteriously opened gas jet. Mitchum is a former racing car
driver and desires to open a garage for such cars. He quits his job to
become Miss Simmons' chauffeur and breaks off with his girl friend, Miss
Freeman.
Mitchum refuses to run away with Miss Simmons and the next day
Miss O'Neil and Herbert Marshall, her husband who had requested a ride
to town, go over a cliff when the car acts in reverse. Evidence implicates
Mitchum so legal-eagle Leon Ames convinces him to marry Miss Simmons,
and beat the murder charge. The latter half of the film concerning the trial
is quite effective ; Ames is especially convincing as the shrewd lawyer. They
are acquitted but Mitchum, although rejected by Miss Freeman, refuses to
remain with Miss Simmons. He plans a Mexican divorce but Miss Sim-
mons, who had confessed her guilt to Ames to no avail, drives Mitchum
and herself over the cliff.
This has names and a theme to exploit and should gather fair returns at
^Others itfthe cast are Kenneth Tobey, Raymond Greenleaf, Griff Barnett,
Robert Gist, Morgan Farley and Jim Backus.
Running time, 90 minutes. General audience classification. Release __date
Jan. 23.
Walter Pashkin
"Cattle Town"
(Warner Brothers')
A HUSKY Western that develops along formula lines but contains an
ample amount of fighting and some vocalizing by Dennis Morgan, this
picture stacks up fairly well for its type An occasional note of fictionalized
history is mixed in, concerning the bickerings and battles between ranch
owners and squatters in Texas shortly after the Civil War
The screenplav by Tom Blackburn has Morgan sent into the troubled
territory by a Texas governor to bring about peace. His efforts are opposed
by rancher Ray Teal who plans to fleece the squatters of their cattle in
addition to treating them inhumanly. , ,
There is excitement and intrigue and the usual rounds of gunplay and
hard riding building up to a climactic cattle stampede which causes the death
of Teal and gives Morgan a chance to rescue Amanda Blake. Miss Blake
and Rita Moreno vie for Morgan's affection in the romantic angle but at the
fadeout it is Miss Blake who Morgan chooses, and they ride off together
^Others in the cast are Philip Carey, Paul Picerni, Jay Novello, George
OHanlon Bob Wilke, Sheb Wooley, Charles Meredith, Merv Griff m, A
Guy Teague, Boyd Morgan and Jack Kenney. Bryan Foy produced and
Noel Smith directed. .
Running time, 71 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Dec. 6.
Chesapeake Files for
'Alice' Assignment
Chesapeake Industries has filed a
suit in Federal Court here against Lou
Bunin Productions and Souvaine Se-
lective Pictures, seeking an assignment
on "Alice in Wonderland," which
Bunin produced in France in 1949.
Chesapeake claims there is a balance
due of $24,626 on a promissory note
for $28,000.
The plaintiff asked the court to al-
low full rights to the picture to any-
body who buys the foreclosed mort-
gage. "Alice" originally was released
by Film Classics and was then taken
over by Souvaine. Chesapeake also
has pending a $27,000 suit against
Bunin for prints and laboratory work-
on the picture.
Free Passes for Plasma
Columbus, O., Nov. 30.— In a tieup
with the Red Cross, neighborhood the-
atres here have arranged to give a free
pass to every person who donates
blood to the plasma campaign.
'Andersen* Heading
For Records Here
The opening week's business of
Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans Christian
Andersen" at the Criterion and Paris
theatres here will shatter the box-of
fice records at both houses, according
to the managements.
A first week gross of $60,000 is
predicted for the Criterion, while
$24,000 is expected at the 572-seat
Paris, which has added some extra
shows.
Florida Firm Files
Trust Suit vs. 'U'
Miami, Nov. 30.— A $255,000 triple
damage anti-trust suit has been filed
in Federal court here by a Miami
Beach firm against Universal and its
subsidiary, United World Films. The
suit, brought by Allied Motion Pic-
tures and its officers individually,
charges the defendants with monopo-
listic practices in failing to supply the
plaintiffs with products.
Detroit. Nov. 30. — The executive
committee of Allied Theatres of Mich-
an has approved a new plan of
membership for drive-ins.
The recent Allied state convention
showed that drive-ins have much in
common with other theatres in regard
to film buying, arbitration, film deliv-
ery costs, free shows, the Federal ad-
missions tax and the constant threat
of a state amusement tax.
The major obstacle which prevented
drive-in owners from joining Allied
was the high rate of dues.
A plan worked out by the executive
committee consists of a seasonal mem-
bership- for all drive-ins, regardless of
capacity, with free membership each
year for the months of January, Feb-
ruary, March, April, October, No-
ember and December. The exhibitors
would pay only for five months mem-
bership. Drive-ins would pay two
cents a month per speaker for the five
months, or a total of 10 cents per
speaker for the period.
Pierce Parkurst, of Lansing, drive-
in chairman, and Joe D. Kitchen,
drive-in secretary, outlined the mem-
bership plan in a bulletin to exhibitors
in Michigan.
Under the new program, all due to
Allied would "pay once and for all"
all assessments which would other-
wise be solicited from exhibitors by
salesmen or directly from the Council
of Motion Picture Organizations.
The plan, it was said, will provide
ufficient income to permit a budget to
handle all legislative problems and tax
issues, both state and national. Allied
would represent exhibitors in all finan-
cial payments in the industry.
Allied Willing
(Continued from page 1)
scheduled as yet. If the Motion Pic-
ture Association of America decides
to initiate the sessions, a date and
place probably will not be set until
after the return of MP A A president
Eric Johnston from his current South
American tour. Johnston is due back
early this month, but the MPAA of-
fice here did not know the exact date
at the weekend. On the other hand,
the distributors' arbitration committee
may set a schedule this week for fu-
ture roundtable discussions among the
film companies, Allied and the The-
atre Owners of America.
Col. Writes Off
(Continued from page 1)
with the write-off on color films run-
ning as high as six per cent behind
the amortization of black-and-white
pictures. Both categories, according
to a report to the Securities and Ex-
change Commission, have a complete
write-off period of 104 weeks. How-
ever, the black-and-white features, un-
der the system instituted and reflected
in the company's last annual report,
are amortized at a greater percentage
rate than tinted films. The percent-
age varies from six per cent for the
first 13 weeks in release to one per
cent at the 91st week.
Burton, 20th Negotiating
Hollywood, Nov. 30. — Richard
Burton, new 20th Century-Fox star
from the British stage, is here nego-
tiating a "million dollar" contract call-
ing for a picture annually for 10 years,
said the studio.
Motion Picture Film Department
EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
Rochester 4, N. Y.
East Coast Division
342 Madison Avenue
New York 17, N.Y.
Midwest Division
137 North Wabash Avenue
Chicago, Illinois
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
VOL. 72. NO. 105
NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1952
TEN CENTS
UPT's Bendix
Telecast Tops
Other Circuits
Company Will Have 17
Houses in Dealer Show
Seventeen affiliates of United
Paramount Theatres are slated to
carry Teleconference's Dec. 30 the-
atre telecast of the Bendix dealers
meeting, making UPT the circuit with
the largest number of TV-equipped
theatres ever to participate in a closed-
circuit event.
Five Warner Brothers Theatres are
also scheduled to join the Coast-to-
Coast Teleconference net, which will
be carried in 42 theatres in 41 cities.
The only city which will have two
TV-equipped houses participating will
be New York. A Teleconference
spokesman said that the list of theatres
taking the commercial "off-hour" tele-
cast, which will get underway from
Chicago at about noon, will be made
public shortly. Included in the circuit
line-up are Loew's and Fabian
theatres.
The 17 UPT houses scheduled to
take the Bendix program also points
(Continued on page 5)
Allied Production
Plan Under Study
Des Moines, Dec. 1.— Allied States'
cooperative ventures in film produc-
tion, buying and booking and film de-
livery have been advanced by the
board of directors of Iowa-Nebraska
Allied, members are advised m a cur-
rent organizational bulletin from
Charles Jones, secretary.
The bulletin states that the Iowa-
Nebraska board has been presented
with a plan under which national
Allied would enter film production
(Continued on page 4)
38 Personalities to
Entertain Overseas
Hollywood, Dec. 1.— Sixteen per-
formers have been added to the list
now totaling 38 volunteers to date
twho will go overseas to entertain
"GIs" stationed in the four corners
of the world during the Christmas-
New Year's season, it was announced
by the Hollywood Coordinating Com
mittee.
Six of the 16— Dawn Addams, Mo
vita Castaneda, Debbie Reynolds, Ros
(Continued on page 4)
'Andersen 'Smashes
Two House Records;
Ist-Run Grosses Up
"Hans Christian Andersen" broke
the 16-year gross record at the Cri-
terion here, racking up a terrific $64,-
000 for its initial week. Compara-
tively, the picture did just as well at
the off-Broadway Paris Theatre, pac-
ing New York first-run business,
swelled by the holiday crowds that
flocked to theatres during the long
Thanksgiving Day weekend.
At the Paris, "Hans Christian
Andersen" registered a sturdy
$24,000 for its opening week,
breaking the house record of
the five-year-old art theatre.
(Continued on page 4)
DEPINET,
SEEN RKO
Gualino Heads IFE
Distribution Unit
The IFE Releasing Corp. has com-
pleted its roster of top executive per-
sonnel with the designation of Dr.
Renato Gualino as president, E. R.
Zorgniotti as executive vice-president,
and Jonas Rosenfield, Jr., as vice-
(Continued on page 4)
Kranze Heads
U. A. Sales
Bernard G. Kranze has been ap-
pointed United Artists' general sales
manager for the U. S. and Canada,
it was announced here yesterday
by William J.
1 feineman, vice-
president in
charge of dis-
tribution. The
post is a new
one.
Krauze, who
has been serv-
ing as execu-
tive assistant to
Heineman since
April, 1951, be-
gan his career
in 1921 at the
Paramount stu-
dios in Astoria,
Long Island. He later served as sales-
man, branch manager and Eastern-
(Continued on page 4)
B. G. Kranze
Arbitration May Rest On
A Hied 's Stand on Rentals
By AL STEEN
Unless Allied is willing to go along on an arbitration system without
the inclusion of the right to arbitrate film rentals, the chances for an
industry formula for ironing out exhibitor-distributor problems are re-
mote, distribution sources indicated here yesterday. A major company
spokesman said he was certain the
distributors would not agree to film
rental arbitration, while Allied ap-
pears to be just as firm in its position
that it's a case of "that or else."
Resumption of talks among exhibi-
tion segments and distribution in re-
gard to revision of the distributors'
plan will depend on what action Eric
Johnston, president of the Motion Pic-
ture Association of America, will take
when he returns from South America
within the next 10 days. The dis-
tribution committee on arbitration was
set up by Johnston and the group
will not initiate further meetings un-
less the MPAA president so requests,
it was said yesterday.
There was a feeling among some
distribution executives that Allied
leaders had "mellowed" somewhat
from their vehement opposition to the
distributors' draft at Allied's conven-
tion in Chicago last month and that
Allied feels it should not have taken
(Continued on page 4)
Morgan in Western
Pa. Allied Post
Pittsburgh, Dec. 1. — Rich-
ard P. Morgan of New Jersey,
recently affiliated with the
Walter Reade and Consoli-
dated Theatres circuits in a
managerial capacity, has been
named executive secretary of
Allied of Western Pennsyl-
vania.
Morgan, who replaces Fred
Herrington, who held the
position for 20 years, also
worked for Paramount Pic-
tures in Philadelphia and
Kansas City. He was admit-
ted to the bar in 1934 and
joined the legal department
of Paramount in 1939.
HUGHES
SLATE
Say Dietrich Included in
New Executive Team as
Coast Confabs Continue
Conferences on the problem of
Interim leadership for RKO Radio
Pictures were reported yesterday to
be reaching their climactic stage on
the Coast, with the arrival there of
Ned E. Depinet, former president, now
company "consultant."
Depinet, according to informed
trade quarters here, was called
to the Coast by Howard Hughes
at the weekend to discuss a new
company executive slate, which
would include himself, Hughes
and Noah Dietrich, former
chairman of the board.
Spurring the selection of company
executives are the dual factors of the
court hearing here next week on the
receivership application pending against
the company and the need to. reestab-
lish the company on a sound basis so
that the Ralph Stolkin group can sell
its 29 per cent controlling interest
without incurring a severe financial
penalty.
Depinet, whose stewardship of RKO
(Continued on page' 4)
SAN FRANCISCO , Dec. 1.
— Western Theatre Owners
has rejected the distri-
butors' draft of the pro-
posed arbitration plan,
Rotus Harvey said here to-
day. The two reasons given
were: (1) It does not
carry out the format as
outlined at the original
arbitration meeting; (2)
It is too wordy and com-
plicated; any plan to be
agreeable to WTO must be
simpler, less expensive.
PORTLAND, Ore., Dec. 1.
— Indications are that
another half-dozen drive-
ins will open e^rly in
1953 in the State of Wash-
ington. Most of the drive-
ins in the state have
closed after a very suc-
cessful season.
2
Motion Picture daily
Tuesday, December 2, 1952
Personal
Mention
ROY O. DISNEY, president of
Walt Disney Productions, and
Card Walker, advertising director,
have returned to Hollywood from
New York.
•
Max E. Youngstein, United Art-
ists vice-president, left New York last
night to speak at the Indiana Allied
convention being held in Indianapolis
today and tomorrow.
•
Joseph A. Walsh, Paramount' s
branch operations manager, was in
Washington yesterday on the first
stop of a tour of the company's ex-
changes.
•
Francis M. Winikus, United Art-
ists advertising-publicity director, will
return here today from a Miami vaca-
tion.
•
Nat Levy, RKO Radio's Eastern
division manager, is in Boston today,
and will stop off in Cleveland before
returning here on Friday.
o
H. M. Richey, M-G-M exhibitor
relations head, will attend the New
England Independent Theatre Owners
convention in Boston on Dec. 9.
•
Mike Simons, assistant to H. M.
Richey at M-G-M, left last night by
plane to attend the Indiana Allied con-
vention starting today in Indianapolis.
•
Irving Sochin, Universal short
subject sales head, is visiting Dallas,
Oklahoma City and Cincinnati this
week.
•
Maurice Goodman of the 20th
Century-Fox home office art depart-
ment, announces the birth of a daugh-
ter, Judy Ann, to Mrs Goodman.
•
Jacqueline Maurer of Hal Roach
Studios has become engaged to Mil-
ton Macy.
•
George Weltner, president of Pa-
ramount International, returned here
yesterday from Europe.
•
James Perkins, Paramount's gen-
eral manager in England, is due in
New York from there on Dec. 13.
•
Hugh Owen, Eastern and Southern
division manager, has returned here
from a two-week Southern tour.
•
Martin Friedman, head of Para-
mount's playdate department, began a
two-week vacation yesterday.
Senator Urges Use of the
Screen in 20% Tax Fight
Denver, Dec. 1. — Plans are under way here to start what may well
be a deciding- factor in the figJit to get the 20 per cent Federal amuse-
ment tax lifted. The move resulted from suggestions made by United
States Senator Eugene D. Millikin (Rep. of Colorado), during a meet-
between him and a number of
Arthur Canton,
press representative
ing
Denver theatremen.
Pointing out that he was acting only
in an advisory capacity, since any tax-
cutting move would have to be started
in the House Ways and Means Com-
mittee, Millikin told the local group
to "Present your case through films.
Get Hollywood to use the best script
writers and the best talent in making
a convincing short that will present
the case of the discriminatory tax in
a manner that will be easily under-
stood. Make a succinct, entertaining-
film that will convey your point to
every Senator and Representative."
Denver theatremen are set to get ac-
tion on this move, which they acclaim
to be the best suggestion made to
date.
In presenting- arguments to the Sen-
ator, Robert Selig, executive vice-pres-
ident of Fox Intermountain Theatres,
pointed out that "the tax is discrimi-
natory. Many little theatres over the
country are closing because of the tax.
No other industry is taxed in this
manner. Department stores pay tax
on furs and cosmetics, but they have
much other merchandise for sale.
Theatres sell only entertainment, and
that is taxed. In many cases it means
the difference between profit and loss."
Set 'Rachel' Benefit
Pre-show for Dec. 16
"My Cousin Rachel," 20th Century-
Fox contender for the 1952 Academy
Award, will have a special benefit
pre-showing at the Academy of Music
here on Dec. 16 as part of a three-
hour performance to aid a Christmas
fund campaign for wounded service-
men hospitalized in this country and
overseas.
The world premiere is scheduled for
the Rivoli Theatre on Christmas Day.
Clifton Webb and Debra Paget will
appear on the program along with a
caravan of WNBC stars.
Eastern M-G-M
left here yester-
day on a tour of Eastern cities.
Ben Lorber, Universal insurance
department head, has returned to New
York from the Coast.
Harry M, Warner will leave here
for the Coast on Dec. 9.
Louis B. Mayer arrived here yes-
terday from the Coast.
Frisch to Preside
At FJP Meeting
Manny Frisch of Randforce Amuse-
ment Co., has called a meeting of top
industry leaders to be held tomorrow,
at the Astor Hotel here to prepare
plans for the 1952-53 campaign of the
amusement division of the Federation
of Jewish Philanthropies.
Frisch, who was chairman of last
year's Federation drive, will preside
over the meeting which will select
leadership for the current campaign
on behalf of the Federation's 116 hos-
pitals and institutions.
To Open Manos House
Cleveland, Dec. 1. — George Manos,
head of the Manos Circuit operating
20 theatres in Ohio, will open the
Manos in Columbiana after the first
of the year.
Lapidus to Preside
At WB Meet Today
Jules Lapidus, Warner Brothers
Eastern and Canadian division sales
manager, will preside over a meeting
of the company's Eastern district in
Boston beginning today.
Attending will be Norman Ayers,
Eastern district manager, and branch
managers Ray S. Smith, Albany ;
Ralph J. Iannuzzi, Boston; Clayton G.
Eastman, Buffalo ; Max Birnbaum,
New Haven, and Ben Abner, New
York. Home office executives pres-
ent will also include I. F. Dolid and
Bernard R. Goodman, supervisor of
exchanges.
Norman Bieringer
Feted in Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Dec. 1. — Norman S.
Bieringer was honored with a testi-
monial luncheon here in observance
of his 30 years in show business, the
last 25 of which were as a representa-
tive for Warner Brothers Pictures.
Seventy-five members of the Wiscon-
sin industry were present.
Dave Chapman, president of the
Reel Fellows Club of the Colosseum
of Motion Picture Salesmen, presided.
Speakers were Harold J. Fitzgerald
of Fox-Wisconsin Theatres, Ray
Trampe of Allied Artists Corp., Jack
Lorentz of 20th Century-Fox, and
Robert Baker, RKO Radio. The oc-
casion was his semi-retirement.
'Bwana' Distribution
Talks on This Week
Negotiations with distributing com-
panies for the release of Natural Vi-
sion's "Bwana Devil" are expected to
get under way this week. George
Schaefer, executive representative of
Natural Vision in New York, said
yesterday that talks with possible dis-
tributors of the three-dimensional pic-
ture would start in a few days.
Meanwhile, Schaefer has been dick-
ering with Warner Theatres for the
showing of the film in the Warner
Theatre on Broadway when that
house reopens. It has been closed since
early summer.
25-cent Warner Dividend
At a special meeting of the board
of directors of Warner Brothers Pic-
tures yesterday, a dividend of 25 cents
per share was declared on the com-
mon stock, payable on Jan. 5 to stock-
holders of record on Dec. 15.
'Kidd' Opens Dec. 17
The Midwest premiere of "Abbott
and Costello Meet Captain Kidd" will
be held at the Balaban and Katz
United Artists Theatre in Chicago on
Dec. 17, with the two stars set to
make a personal appearance.
Films' 'Golden Era/
Says N. Y. Mirror
The New York Daily Mir-
ror, which has been conduct-
ing a most enthusiastic pro-
motion in print in behalf of
motion pictures, hit a new
high note yesterday when it
told its reading public that
"Motion pictures have always
been wonderful entertainment
— but today they are super-
productions. This is the
golden era of technical genius,
camera magic, brilliant color
and a never-ending stream of
'hit' films. You're missing a
great deal unless you get out
of the stay-at-home rut and
go to the movies. You'll enjoy
life more if you do."
New Re-release Dual
Set by RKO Radio
"The Bachelor and the Bobby-
Soxer" and "Bachelor Mother," RKO
Radio pictures, will be re-released on
Friday.
They will be re-issued in combina-
tion under the title "RKO's Best
Sellers."
Traub Reappointed
Censor Board Head
Baltimore, Dec. 1. — Sydney R.
Traub was reappointed chairman of
the Maryland State Board of Motion
Picture Censors by Governor Theo-
dore McKeldin. Subject to Senate
confirmation, the appointment is a
three-year term that began last May.
Since that time the post has been the
subject of considerable political and
public controversy.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center — — —
"PLYMOUTH ADVENTURE"
Spencer TRACY •
Van JOHNSON
Gene TIERNEY
. Leo GENN
Color by TECHNICOLOR - An M-G-IH Picture
plus GREAT HOLIDAY STAGE SPECTACLE
.VIRGINIA
"Mron,
Mistress
Color by
1
TECHNICOLOR
Midnight Fcolur*
SAMUEL GOLDWYN presents
Hans Christian
starring
DANNY KAYE^
CRITERION • PARIS
_ B'way & 45th St. 58th St. W. ot 5th Ave.
MnrrTDW PICTURE DAILY Martin Ouigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting- Editor. Published daily, except Saturclays,
SunTa?s and hoHdays by Qu gley Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue. Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100 Cable address: '•Qu.gpubco,
Sundays and ™"^ys J£ preS;dent; Martin Ouigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan. Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy. Vice-President; Leo J. Brady,
New York. _ Martin yuigley , rresmem marim ^g&^J ^ Feck Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building
FI 6-307-4; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11 North
Secretary • Tames P. Cunningham, News Editor;
William R Weaver Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, „
O^l Street FR V.2843 Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq„ London, WI; Hope Burnup. Manager; Peter Burnup
Editor cable address "Quigpubco, London." Other Ouigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres and Theatre Sales, each published H times- a year as
f 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., unde
of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year, $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies, 10c.
section
the act
Tuesday, December 2, 1952
Motion Picture daily
s
Chicago Receipts for
October Same as '51
Chicago, Dec. 1. — Theatre
admission receipts here for
the month of October were
virtually the same as for Oc-
tober of last year, according
to figures released today by
the city tax collector's office.
The $88,957.96 collected dur-
ing the past month (on Octo-
ber receipts), although down
almost $12,000 from the previ-
ous month, was off onlyr $327.18
(or less than one half of one
per cent) from the corre-
sponding month last year.
Other amusements showed
a drop of approximately 16
per cent from October of last
year, falling from over $72,-
000 to less than $60,000. For
the year to date, theatre tax
collections are off approxi-
mately $87,000, while income
from other amusements has
dropped less than a thousand
dollars.
Review
20th-Fox May Open
Branch in Houston
Because of increased business pres-
sure on its Dallas branch, 20th Cen-
tury-Fox is considering the possibility
of opening an exchange in Houston.
The sales department plans to make
a comprehensive survey of the situa-
tion in the near future; a preliminary
study has been completed, but no defi-
nite decision has been made.
Whether the prospective Houston
office would be strictly a shipping
point or a full sales headquarters also
is a question still to be decided. It
is reported that other major distrib
utors also are eyeing Houston as a
possible key distribution city.
"No Time for Flowers"
(Mort Briskin-RKO Pictures)
FILMED in its entirety in occupied Austria, this amusing satire on Rus-
sian police tactics in present-day Prague is merchandiseable but will
need exploitation. Most audiences should enjoy the humorous situations but
there are not many strong names for the marquee and the title may be
inappropriate.
Viveca Lindfors and Paul Christian are starred as a secretary and a secret
police agent, respectively, with Christian posing as a pro-American comrade
in order to .test her loyalty prior to her assignment as an ambassador's sec-
retary in the U. S. The screenplay by Laslo Vadnay and Hans Wilhelm pro-
vides numerous jabs at Russian poverty.
Christian plies Miss Lindfors with American coffee, nylons, magazines, a
bubble bath, and takes her to an expensive restaurant. Miss Lindfors reports
all to police head, Peter Preses. But her love for Christian prevents her
informing on the final test which concerns a planned escape to an American
zone. Preses mistrusts her and Christian, and notifies personnel chief Frederick
Berger she is not loyal. However, it is Berger who actually is pro-American
and lie has Miss Lindfors phone in. Christian discovers this, "arrests" Miss
Lindfors, her family and Berger, and flees with them to the free American
zone.
All of the principal performers turn in convincing portrayals under the
incisive direction of Don Siegel. Manfred Inger supplies humor as a stolid
suitor of Miss Lindfors who gifts her with food instead of flowers. Others
noteworthy are Ludwig Stossel, Peter Czeyke and Adrienne Gessner.
Mort Briskin produced and made effective use of the Austrian streets and
backgrounds. While, this is a diverting satire on an almost-sure-fire topic,
it will need special effort. Given proper backing, it should account for itself
fairly well at the box-office.
Running time, 83 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Feb. 20, 1953. Walter Pashkin
N. Y. Variety Club
Sets Plans for '53
Canvasmen of the New York Vari-
ety Club met yesterday to outline
plans for the coming year and discuss
committee appointments. Plans for a
new club headquarters were consid-
ered and an announcement of the se-
lection of a site may be made shortly.
An active year, with specific char-
ities to be supported by the New
York Tent, was envisioned by Tent
leaders. Al Gorson was named to
handle public relations for the local
chapter.
Kramer, Selznick
Admitted to SPG
Hollywood, Dec. 1. — Admission" bf
four new members to the Screen Pro-
ducers Guild has been disclosed by
Arthur Hornblow, Jr., chairman of
the membership committee.
Admitted to full membership were
producers Stanley Kramer, David O.
Selznick and Harry Joe Brown. Ad-
mitted to associate membership was
Oscar Saul.
Closes House Till April
Albany, N. Y., Dec. 1. — Jules
Perlmutter of Albany has closed the
Lake, Lake George, until April.
Grosses Up,
Says Goldwyn
Boston, Dec. 1. — "Motion picture
theatres are doing better business than
they did a year ago, according to
gross reports that are coming into dis-
tributors' offices all over the country,"
it was stated here today by Samuel
Goldwyn at the Ritz Carlton Hotel
during a press interview.
Goldwyn said that television will
definitely help the motion picture in-
dustry as well as theatres. After af-
firming the importance of TV, he
noted, "The public is beginning to
realize that motion picture theatres
are offering better entertainment than
they are getting on television. He
said television has not helped "fringe"
houses or those in small towns.
'Sign' Award Goes
To WB for 'Fatima'
Jerry Cotter, motion picture editor
of The Sign, national Catholic month-
ly, reports that the publication's 11th
annual award for the outstanding mo-
tion picture of the year goes to W ar-
ner Brothers for "The Miracle of Our
Lady of Fatima."
In making the award The Sigw sin-
gled the picture out for being "dra-
matically powerful without sacrificing
dignity, . . . and produced with sin-1
cerity and understanding."
Canada 9-Month Film
Imports Increased
Ottawa, Dec. 1. — The Canadian
government reports that the value of
motion picture imports increased to
$4,718,000 in the first nine months of
1952, compared with $4,432,000 in the
same period of 1951.
Film imports for September rose to
$533,000, compared to $421,000 in the
same month last year.
'Peter Pan' in N. Y.,
Chicago, Premiere
"Peter Pan," Walt Disney's all
cartoon feature, will have a dual
world premiere at the Roxy Theatre
in New York and the State-Lake
Theatre in Chicago, it was announced
here by Charles Boasberg, general
sales manager for RKO Radio, which
is distributing" the picture.
Disney and RKO Radio sales, pub-
licity, and advertising executives last
week discussed preliminary plans for,
the New York opening.
To Sell (Ivanhoe'
Flat After Easter
Chicago, Dec. 1. — Independent ex-
hibitors have been informed that
M-G-M's "Ivanhoe" will be sold flat
when it goes into regular runs around
Easter time next year. The picture
will be continued on a pre-release
basis until about next Jan. 15, with
no policy having been disclosed for
the runs between that date and Easter.
Hartman Due From
Europe Saturday
Don Hartman, in charge of produc-
tion for Paramount, will arrive in
New York by plane from Paris Sat-
urday, following conferences in Rome
and London concerning" pictures which
have been completed or will be made
in the future overseas. He will take
a plane for Hollywood on Sunday.
In Rome, Hartman conferred with
producer-director William Wyler con-
cerning" "Roman Holiday," which
Wyler recently finished in the Italian
capital. In London, Hartman con-
ferred with Roy Boulting, writer-pro-
ducer, on plans for Paramount's pro-
duction of "Wings Across the Sea" ;
discussed with British authorities
plans for Paramount's., production, in
Ceylon of "Elephant Walk," and-made
preliminary arrangements for . the
making of "Babylon Revisited," the
F. Scott Fitzgerald story , which Wy-
ler will produce and direct. . i
Charity Drive Advances
Hollywood, Dec. 1,. — The Perma-
nent Charities Committee announced
that $992,156 has been pledged toward
the organization's campaign goal. The
figure is 81 per cent of the total.
NY Lodge Meets Tonight
New York's Cinema Lodge of B'nai
B'rith will hold a business meeting
at the Hotel Astor tonight, reports
Martin Levine, president.
It's a better
theatre with...
Loudspeaker Systems
161 Sixth Avenue
New York 13, NX
9356 Santa Monica Blvd.
Beverly Hills, Calif.
A LIMITED NUMBER ARE STILL AVAILABLE FROM THEATRE SUPPLY DEALERS
Motion Picture daily
Tuesday, December 2, 1952
N.Y. Grosses
(Continued from page 1)
Review
The previous Criterion record
of $60,000 was established 16
years ago by "Brute Force."
A fine $125,000 was forecast for the
third week of "Plymouth Adventure"
at Radio City Music Hall, which will
open its Christmas show on Thurs-
day with "Million Dollar Mermaid"
on the screen. "Kansas City Confi-
dential" is expected to do a fine $23,-
500 for its first seven days at the
Globe. Another opener, "The Thief
of Venice," is due to rack up a very
good $25,000 for its initial week at
the Mayfair.
Holding up strongly is "Limelight"
at the Astor and the two-a-day 60th
Street Trans-Lux. A robust $27,000
for the sixth week is seen at the Astor
and a nice $8,500 is indicated for the
picture at the off-Broadway house. At
the Paramount, a pretty good $64,000
is predicted for the second week of
"Iron Mistress."
'Sound Barrier' Healthy
The fourth week of "Breaking-
Through the Sound Barrier" at the
Victoria is due to hit a healthy $24,-
000. "Snows of Kilimanjaro," now
in its 11th week at the Rivoli," is ex-
pected to do a good $20,000. The
opening week of "Outpost in Malaya"
at Loew's State was a bit disappoint-
ing, with $18,000 indicated. At the
Capitol, a satisfactory $23,000 is indi-
cated for "Prisoner of Zenda." Week-
end business at the Roxy was fairly
good, with $29,500 grossed up for the
last three days of "Bloodhounds of
Broadway." The picture, in its third
week, was the last for the National
Theatres' house before its closing to
reopen on Dec. 22.
Among other off-Broadway houses,
"The Promoter" is still outstanding,
with the Fine Arts anticipating $13,-
800 for the film's fifth week. At the
Sutton, a steady $8,800 is forecast for
the seventh week of "The Four-
poster." "O. Henry's Full House" at
the 52nd Street Trans-Lux is ex-
pected to do a solid $8,500 for its
seventh week, while a good $7,200 is
seen for the second week of "Under
the Red Sea" at the Beekman.
Mr. W alkie Talkie
(Hal Roach, Jr.-Lippcrt Pictures)
Hollyzvood, Dec. 1
RKO Slate
THIS production involves the long-sputtering feud between Sergeant Joe
Sawyer and Sergeant William Tracy of the U. S. Infantry. It moves a
bit more slowly than usual but stacks up about par for the series as far as
commercial value is concerned.
The screenplay by Edward Seabrook and George Carleton Brown has
Tracy portray a walking-encyclopedia whose glib recitations of rare informa-
tion annoy the stolid Sawyer to the point of hysteria. However, it is Tracy's
photographic memory that extricates the infantry company from .a disastrous
position. . ,
At the opening of the film in a training- camp, Sawyer is so distraught
that he applies for a transfer. It is granted and he is sent to Korea. There
he is on front-line duty and is happy until Tracy arrives by parachute-drop,
to share his life again. There are further adventures under fire and away
from it, until the finale where Sawyer, fleeing Tracy's precocity, upsets his
colonel who is in the act of recommending him for a Congressional Medal
of Honor. Margia Dean supplies the feminine and musical touch as a volun-
teer entertainer. She sings a song number by Leon Klatzkin. Others in the
cast are Russell Hicks, Robert Shayne, Alan Hale, Jr., and Wong Artarne.
Hal Roach Jr., produced and Fred L. Guiol directed.
Running time, 65 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Nov. 28. °
'Bwana Devil' Breaks All Records
At Hollywood, L.A. Paramounts
Hollywood, Dec. 1. — Arch Oboler's
"Bwana Devil" in Milton Gunzburg's
Natural Vision 3-dimension grossed
$77,000 at the Hollywood and Los
Angeles Paramounts the first four
days, topping all previous records in
the history of both houses.
Set 'Sound' Opening
"Breaking The Sound Barrier," will
have its West Coast premiere on Dec.
17 in Los Angeles with simultaneous
openings in four theatres, headed by
the Chinese and Los Angeles, it was
announced by William J. Heineman,
UA distribution vice-president. The
Midwest premiere will be held Thurs
day at the Oriental in Chicago.
Palmer Park to Teicher
Detroit, Dec. 1. — Irving Teicher,
original owner of the Studio The
atre, is taking over the Palmer Park
Theatre for operation as a first-run
foreign and art film house. The the
atre is in the process of renovation.
When reopened it will have weekly
art exhibitions and a series of lec
tures and chamber music programs.
38 Personalities
(Continued from page 1)
coe Ates, Peter Lawford and Richard
Morris — have joined the troupe
scheduled to perform for military per-
sonnel stationed and hospitalized in
Korea.
Susan Morrow has been assigned
to the unit going to Alaska and nine
others compose the troupe slated to
visit isolated bases in the Northeast
Air Command, covering Greenland,
Baffinland, Newfoundland and Labra-
dor. They are Raymond Burr, Wanda
Curtis, Don Garner, Paul Garteiz,
Eve Halpern, Flo Ann Hedley, Mar-
ilyn Hedley, Jack Iversen and Evelyn
Russell.
"We are in the process of organ-
izing a fourth troupe which will en-
tertain Armed Forces in the Carib-
bean," said HCC president George
Murphy.
The four troupes will take off from
Burbank Airport Dec. 19, returning
on Jan. 4. The Department of De-
fense requested the HCC to organize
the project in cooperation with Army
Special Services and USO Camp
Shows.
Divided Into 3 Units
Twenty volunteers to date have
been divided into three units which
will tour Korea covering a 10-day
schedule of engagements. They are
Paul Douglas, Jan Sterling, Richard
Allen and Richard Morris in one
group ; Walter Pidgeon, Keenan
Wynn, Carleton Carpenter, Carolina
Cotton, Peggy King, Debbie Rey-
nolds, Movita Castaneda and Peter
Lawford in another group ; Dawn Ad-
dams, Roscoe Ates, Lita Baron, Rory
Calhoun, Jeanne Cooper, Virginia
Hall, Bill Shirley and Mark Stevens'
group.
The unit headed for Alaska will in-
clude Freddie Browne, Jean Fowler,
Jane Frazee, Johnny Grant, Ginny
Jackson, Tony Lovello, Susan Mor-
row, Eddie Samuels and Joy Windsor.
Gualino Heads
(Continued from page 1)
president in charge of advertising,
promotion and publicity.
All three will also continue as top
executives of Italian Films Export,
trade association of Italian producers,
Dr. Gualino being general director,
Zorgniotti, U, S. representative, _ and
Rosenfield, director of public relations
The parent organization (IFE) was
recently expanded by the addition of
two new departments, a division of
newsreels and short subjects headed
by Robert Gordon Edwards, and a
television division under the direction
of Ralph Serpe.
IFE Releasing Corp., national dis
tribution organization for Italian films
in the American market, begins its
official activity today, following two
months of organization and planning.
Previously announced was the ap-
pointment of Bernard Jacon as vice-
president in charge of sales.
Field staffs for the five regional of-
fices which IFE Releasing Corp. is
now setting up in New York, Cleve-
land, Chicago, Atlanta and Los An-
geles will be announced shortly, ac-
cording to Zorgniotti. Dr. Gualino
left here for Rome late last week.
To Show 'A-BomV
A series of special screenings for
more than 200 newspaper and trade
paper publishers and reporters, and
high ranking Marine Corps, officers
will be held for RKO-Pathe's "Oper
ation A-Bomb," the first motion pic
ture in color of an atomic bomb ex
plosion, on Friday, at the Johnny
Victor Theatre in the RCA Exhibi
tion Hall here.
(Continued from page 1)
Radio Pictures had encompassed many
years, was said to be closeted with
Hughes on the Coast over the week-
end. The projected executive slate of
Depinet, Hughes and Dietrich, it is
pointed out, would be agreed upon to
provide the leadership needed to pilot
the company through its interim
course, before a deal for the sale of
the Stolkin group's stock interest is
consummated.
The Stokin syndicate, which pur-
chased its controlling interest in the
company from Hughes, is finding it
difficult to get offers commensurate
with its investment, according to re-
ports. The Stolkin group paid $7 per
share for Hughes' 1,013,420 RKO Pic-
tures shares last September.
Follows Other Talks
The reported Depinet-Hughes talks
came on the heels of Coast conferences
between Hughes and members of the
Stolkin group, including Stolkin him-
self, on the selection of a company
president and the filling of board va-
cancies. Presently on the Coast are
Sherrill Corwin, acting chairman of
the board, and Edward Burke, direc-
tor, both members of the Stolkin
group.
The approaching hearing in New
York Supreme Court, slated for Dec.
10, on the receivership application filed
by three minority stockholders, was
seen as another strong factor pointing
to the selection of new company ex-
ecutives shortly. The filling of the
presidency and directorial vacancies, it
is stressed, would strengthen the com-
pany's arguments opposing the ap-
pointment of a receiver.
Kranze Heads
(Continued from page 1)
Central district manager for RKO
Pictures. He was assistant general
sales manager for the J. Arthur Rank
Organization in the United States and
in 1948 became vice-president in
charge of sales for Film Classics. He
was vice-president in charge of dis-
tribution for Eagle Lion Classics be-
fore joining United Artists.
Hollywood, Dec. 1. — Ned E. Depi-
net, former RKO Radio Pictures pres-
ident and currently company "consul-
tant," declined to comment today on
New York reports that he, Howard
Hughes and Noah Dietrich, were to
head up the new executive slate of the
company. He said he was here on per-
sonal business only.
Allied Plan
(Continued from page 1)
Arbitration
(Continued from page 1)
such a firm stand. While it appears
certain that Allied will participate in
new discussions, sales chiefs believe
that the talks will be fruitless unless
Allied takes a different attitude toward
the film rentals issue.
German Films in Toronto
Toronto, Dec. 1. — Practically all
theatre circuits and a number of inde-
pendent exhibitors in Canada are play-
ing post-war pictures of German
origin which are said to have met with
approval by theatre-goers.
"but the plan has not been sufficiently
developed to present to the general
assembly" yet.
Plans for the cooperative buying and
booking and the film delivery service
would be limited to the Iowa-Ne-
braska organization. Details of the
plans were not disclosed but commit-
tees have been appointed to investigate
their feasibility. Reports are scheduled
to be made at the January board
meeting.
Pine Extends Tour
Producer William Pine will extend
his current six-week European tour
another three weeks in order to dis-
cuss local audience film preferences
with more exhibitors of England,
France, Spain and Switzerland. Pine
is co-producer with William Thomas,
releasing through Paramount.
Thomas in 2nd WB Film
"Wonder Bar" is planned by War-
ner Bros, as a starring vehicle for
Danny Thomas, whose latest picture
is "The Jazz Singer," which will have
its world premiere at the Fox Beverly
Theatre in Beverly Hills, CaL, on
Dec. 30.
Tuesday, December 2, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
Canada Is Cool to
Quebec Censor Law
Ottawa, Dec. 1. — The Canadian
government is looking coolly on the
legislative move by the Quebec pro-
vincial government for the censoring
of films and live shows for television.
Federal comment was that control
of TV programs throughout the coun-
try is vested in the Canadian Broad-
casting Corp., which is the Dominion-
government agency for radio and tele-
vision. Premier Maurice Duplessis of
Quebec announced he would seek
agreement with the Ottawa govern-
ment on the subject of TV censor-
ship. Other provinces in Canada are
awaiting the outcome of negotiations.
The new Quebec law provides for a
penalty of $500 or three months in
jail for the TV exhibition of any un-
censored motion picture.
ISO FCC Television
Permits Granted
Washington, Dec. 1. — Eight new
television licenses have been granted
by the Federal Communications Com-
mission, bringing to 130 the number of
grants since the end of the freeze.
New permits went to Paper Broad-
casting, Mobile, Ala. ; Mid- American
Broadcasting, Louisville ; Howard D.
Steere, Kalamazoo, Mich. ; Skyland
Broadcasting, Dayton ; Pennsylvania
Broadcasting, Philadelphia ; Westex
Television, San Angelo, Tex. ; Osh-
kosh Broadcasting, Oshkosh, Wise,
and Mid-Hudson Broadcasting, Pough-
keepsie, N. Y.
Film Personalities to
Mexican Film Fete
Hollywood, Dec. 1. — Junket of top
personalities departed for Mexico
City tonight to appear at the annual
Mexican Film Festival, as guests of
the Mexican government and the
Mexican film industry.
Enroute are Gary Cooper, Celeste
Holm, Lex Barker, Hedda Hopper,
Debbie Raynolds, Virginia Gibson,
Rhonda Fleming, Dr. Lew Mornl,
Peter Lawford, Corinne Calvet, John
Bromfield, Ursula Theiss, and Arthur
Jacobs, public relations advisor.
New SAG Negotiations
Hollywood, Dec. 1.— Screen Actors
Guild, whose strike against television
film-commercial producers became ef-
fective today, announced the com-
mencement of negotiations with the
\lliance of Television Film Producers
and the "Hal Roach group," television
film, producers already signatory to the
SAG contract, for an additional con-
tract covering actors in film commer-
cials.
MITCHELL MAY, Jr.
CO., INC.
INSURANCE
Specializing
in requirements oj the
Motion Picture Industry
75 Maiden Lane, New York
3720 W. 6th St., Los Angeles
Television-- Radio
with Pinky Herman
Perry Como
ART LINKLETTER is en route East to emcee and officiate at
the annual Pillsbury Cake-baking- contest which will be decided
at the Waldorf-Astoria, Tues., Dec. 9. While here "The Link" Will
do his Dec. 6 and 13th radio and TV CBShows. . . . George F.
Foley's presentation of "The Glacier Giant," starring Chester Morris,
which will be ABChanneled Friday, calls for an eight-foot actor, so
Murray Tannenbaum, TV's tallest thespian, was fitted out with spe-
cial elevator shoes as he stands ONLY seven feet, four inches in
height. . . . CBS-TV press info occupied its temporary quarters at
51 E. 42nd St. yesterday while its radio contemporaries take over
its permanent abode at the CB Studio Bldg. on E. 52nd St. Friday.
Producer Abby Greshler, acutely aware of the influence TV
wields on impressionable youngsters, has switched the "Peck's Bad
Boy" gimmick and instead of permitting young "Peck" to get away
with his pranks and practical jokes, rather has them backfire on the
prankster. Thus he pleases parents and at the same time gets added
laughs from the Kideance.
# # V
Add the name of Perry Como to the tiny list of tunestars
who year in and year out remain favorites of John Q. Citizen.
Kate Smith and Bing Crosby first attracted attention back in
1930 and are tied for longevity of reign. About 1935 another
golden-voiced gal, Dinah Shore, graduated
from a local N. Y. station, WNEW, into
the big time where she's become a fixture,
while the Andrews Sisters, via a sensational
rendition of "Bei Mir Bist Du Schein,"
likewise zoomed into the rarified atmo-
sphere of musical leadership, remaining
there for almost two decades. Lanny Ross
and Frank Parker are still delighting their
many fans these past 20 years and must
be included in this charmed circle. . . .
Consolidated Television Sales has acquired
exclusive distribution rights to Tableau
Productions Ltd.'s "A Christmas Carol,"
starring Taylor Holmes as "Scrooge," with
narration by Vincent Price. . . . Handsome young lark, Paul
Darnay, featured in the Columbia filmusical, "Something To
Shout About," is an added starter in the national Baritone
Sweepstakes via his Brewster recording of the torchy "Don't
Cry, My Heart.". . . Al Johnston doing a great directorial job
on the "Bill Silbert" WABDisk Jockey evening series. . . .
& # <A
When John B. Gambling zvas a wireless operator, thirty years
ago, on a British Merchant vessel, he often contacted another
ship's "sparks" named Edmund Franke. Idly glancing thru the
Mutual Directory, John noticed such a name listed and picking
up the telephone, he learned that his co-WORker, the station's
Supervisor of Transmitters, zvas the one and the same Franke
of his sea-faring days, (yep, it's a small IV O Rid.). . . Samuel
Goldzvyn, who will be CBSaluted Sunday on Ed. Sullivan's "Toast
of the Town," has won the coveted "Oscar" 8 times and is recog-
nised in the film world as "All-time Champion of Champions."
Incidentally, ballots for the Motion Picture Daily- Fame annual
poll, are still coming in. TV-radio editors who haven't sent in
their selections have until Dec. 22. . . . Ethel Colby's WABDaily
"Broadway Matinee" series (12:30-12:45 P.M.) is a quarter hour
of interesting patter and chatter about and with Main Stem and
Hollywood personalities. . . . While emoting in the title role of
"Liliom" with an amateur troupe in San Diego, Bob Nelson's out-
standing performance cought the fancy of producer Romer Grey
who signed him for an- important part in the Zone Grey classic,
"Light of Western Stars," now on location at India, Cal. . . .
Zh & V
LOTSA DOTS. ... A TVersion of "My Little Margie'
"Racket Squad" for Philip Morris ciggies starting Jan. 1.
Benson's perennial audience-participation comedy series
Number" heard every morning via WOR, adds a Saturday nite at
8 :30 stanza as of January 3. . . . Richard LaMarr and Lester Wintz,
both vet theatrical agents have joined forces and the firm, LaMarr
& Wintz, will cover all showbiz for clients. . . . Dr. Renato Gualino,
head of Italian Films Export, has set up a special TV division to
develop co-production deals between Italian producers and American
TV producers. Ralph Serpe will be in charge of I.F.E.'s television
activities.
succeeds
, . . Red
Take A
Coast Production
Steady; 33 in Work
Hollywood, Dec. 1. — The produc-
tion chart remains the same as last
week, for a total of 33 pictures in
work. Six new ones were started
and six were finished.
Started were : "The Copperhead,"
Allied Artists ; "Harness Bull," Se-
quoia, "The Blue Gardenia" (Alex
Gottlieb), Warner Brothers; "A
Slight Case of Larceny," Metro-Gold-
wyn-Mayer ; untitled comedy, Para-
mount; "A Perilous Voyage," Re-
public. Completed were : "The Home-
steaders" and "White Lightning," Al-
lied Artists; "Billy Ringo" (Edward
Small) and "Tarzan and the She-
Devil" (Sol Lesser), independent;
"Forever Female," Paramount ; "Split
Second," RKO Radio.
Would Let TV-Radio
Cover Mass. Solons
Boston, Dec. 1. — A bill to give
Massachusetts radio and television
stations permission to broadcast and
televise the proceedings of the State
Legislature has been filed by Rep.
Harold Putnam of Needham, Mass.
The Putnam bill gives full permis-
sion to any licensed radio and tele-
vision station asking only a pledge
that equal time be given as far as
possible to spokesmen from each party
and that every effort be made to pre-
sent all points on subjects under de-
bate by both houses of legislature.
Salzburg Heads New
TV Film Company
Novel Films, Inc., has been formed
here for the purpose of producing in-
tegrated film programs for television.
Officers of the corporation are J. Mil-
ton Salzburg, president ; Frank Soule,
vice-president, and Jack H. Rosner,
treasurer.
The first series to be produced will
be a group of 13 stories from the
classics. The initial series is scheduled
for release early in 1953.
UPT-Bendix
(Continued from page 1)
up the circuit's predominance in the
number of theatres equipped with tele-
vision, topping the totals of all other
individual circuits.
Continue All-night Policy
Detroit, Dec. 1. — Rufus Shepherd,
manager of United Detroit Theatres'
:,900-seat Palms State here, says
the theatre's all-night policy will con-
tinue. It is the first first-run in De-
troit to operate all night.
BOOKER
Experienced booker desires position in the New
York Metropolitan area. Experience with both
exchange and major circuit. Familiar with
all type motion picture product. Native New
Yorker, desires to return to> this area. Inter-
ested in booking or selling position or booker
for TV network.
Bex 440, MOTION PICTURE DAILY
1270 Sixth Ave., New York 20, N. Y.
6
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, December 2, 1952
count your blessings
FOR THE HEALTH YOU HAVE
BY HELPING THOSE
WHO LACK IT
Jkomhiqimu? /95Z
Where the light of knowl-
edge, skill and brotherly
love combine to combat
mankind's ruthless ene-
my. . . . Here exhaustive
research never ends. The
best care — the best medi-
cal and surgical tech-
niques. This is your con-
tribution to mankind. All
this is your protection,
and your responsibility.
WE CARE FOR OUR OWN
Let us view with gratitude the
position we occupy as "stock-
holders" in the Will Rogers
Memorial Hospital . . .
Already we have restored 1109 persons to
useful lives, and we have the enviable record of
having cured more than 90% of all our cases of
tuberculosis.
Our hospital stands ready to help anyone in
the amusement industry who needs TB care . . .
without cost or obligation.
It's wonderful to have a part in such a benefi-
cent movement— and it's also gratifying to know
that the facilities, the skill, and the human un-
derstanding is there for our own use, too, should
we ever need it.
So, let's be thankful that there IS a Will
Rogers Hospital — grateful that we are part of it
. . . and let's be generous in our support of it. Give
gratefully to this year's Christmas Salute — give
"a dime, a dollar, or an endowment".
SIGN
llui CHRISTMAS
SALUTE
SCROLL
WILL ROGERS^
S ARAN AC LAKE
HOSPITAL
NEW YORK
New York Office: 15 01 Broadway, New York 36, N.Y. • BRyant 9-1046
US-Argentina Near
Accord: Johnston
Eric Johnston, president of the Mo-
tion Picture Association of America,
states he believed the financial prob-
lems between the Argentine govern-
ment and the American film industry
involving dollar remittances had been
resolved according to a news dispatch
from Buenos Aires. Johnston is re-
ported to have expressed this belief
following conferences in Buenos Aires
with Foreign Minister Jeronimo Re-
morino and Raul Apold, chief of the
sub-secretariat of information.
The industry has not been allowed
officially to transfer any earnings to
the U. S. since about 1947, although
Argentina ratified in July, 1951, an
agreement made with the industry in
May, 1950, that covered the remit-
tance of dollar earnings in this coun-
try.
Earnings frozen in Argentina as a
result of the government's failure to
implement the agreement are estimated
at more than $2,000,000. The govern-
ment ascribed its failure to act to a
dollar shortage.
Under the terms of a five-year
agreement, the industry was to be
permitted to remit profits up to $1,-
100,000 a year or 50 per cent of its
earnings at the official free rate of
14 pesos to the dollar. The remaining
50 percent was allowed to be invested
in local enterprises under the same
privileges granted other foreign cor-
porations.
Approximately 300 pictures have
been imported bv American companies
in Argentina during the last year and
a half. Of these, 178 are still waiting
approval by review boards for licenses
that would permit their exhibition.
UA-Heineman Sales
Drive in Last Week
United Artists' "Bill Heineman
Sales Drive" which began on June 15
is in its final week and will end on
Saturday. The home stretch follows
three previous laps of six weeks each.
Vice-president Max E. Youngstein,
serving as drive-captain, reports that
at the end of the fifth week of the
last lap, the Los Angeles, New Or-
leans and New Haven exchanges held
down first places in each of the three
groups into which the exchanges had
been divided for the drive. San Fran-
cisco, Charlotte and Vancouver are
the runners-up.
Mass. House Gets 2
Minimum Wage Bills
Boston, Dec. 1. — Two minimum
wage bills, one providing for 85 and
the other for 90 cents an hour, have
been filed in the Massachusetts House
of Representatives. The bills will be
heard by the joint legislative commit-
tee on Ways and Means before they
reach the floor of the House and
Senate for a vote.
Double Tribute to Webb
The Mugs Club, a fun-making or-
ganization within Philadelphia's Poor
Richard Club, will pav a double trib-
ute to Clifton Webb when the 20th
Century-Fox film star appears as
guest of honor at the annual Christ-
mas dinner on Dec. 20. Webb, who
will be installed as an "Honorary
Chief Mugman" at the affair, will be
presented with a plaque heralding his
contributions in the field of entertain-
ment.
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
VOL. 72. NO. 105
NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1952
TEN CENTS
UPTs Bendix
Telecast Tops
Other Circuits
Company Will Have 17
Houses in Dealer Show
Seventeen affiliates of United
Paramount Theatres are slated to
carry Teleconference's Dec. 30 the-
atre telecast of the Bendix dealers
meeting, making UPT the circuit with
the largest number of TV-equipped
theatres ever to participate in a closed-
circuit event.
Five Warner Brothers Theatres are
also scheduled to join the Coast-to-
Coast Teleconference net, which will
be carried in 42 theatres in 41 cities.
The only city which will have two
TV-equipped houses participating will
be New York. A Teleconference
spokesman said that the list of theatres
taking the commercial "off-hour ' tele-
cast, which will get underway from
Chicago at about noon, will be made
public shortly. Included in the circuit
line-up are Loew's and Fabian
theatres.
The 17 UPT houses scheduled to
take the Bendix program also points
{Continued on page 51
Allied Production
Plan Under Study
Des Moines, Dec. 1.— Allied States'
cooperative ventures in film produc-
tion, buying and booking and film de-
livery have been advanced by the
board of directors of Iowa-Nebraska
Allied, members are advised in a cur-
rent organizational bulletin from
Charles Jones, secretary.
The bulletin states that the Iowa-
Nebraska board has been presented
with a plan under which national
Allied would enter film production
(Continued on page 4)
38 Personalities to
Entertain Overseas
Hollywood, Dec. 1.— Sixteen per-
formers have been added to the list
now totaling 38 volunteers to date
who will go overseas to entertain
"GIs" stationed in the four corners
of the world during the Christmas-
New Year's season, it was announced
by the Hollywood Coordinating Com-
mittee. -
Six of the 16— Dawn Addams, Mo-
vita Castaneda, Debbie Reynolds, Ros-
(Continned on page 4)
'Andersen 'Smashes
Two Ho u se Records;
Ist-Run Grosses Up
"Hans Christian Andersen" broke
the 16-year gross record at the Cri-
terion here, racking up a terrific $64,-
000 for its initial week. Compara-
tively, the picture did just as well at
the off-Broadway Paris Theatre, pac^
ing New York first-run business,
swelled by the holiday crowds that
flocked to theatres during the long-
Thanksgiving Day weekend.
At the Paris, "Hans Christian
Andersen" registered a sturdy
$24,000 for its opening week,
breaking the house record of
the five-year-old art theatre.
(Continued on page 4)
Gualino Heads IFE
Distribution Unit
The IFE Releasing Corp. has com-
pleted its roster of top executive per-
sonnel with the designation of Dr.
Renato Gualino as president, E. R.
Zorgniotti as executive vice-president,
and Jonas Rosenfield, Jr., as vice-
(Continued on page 4)
DEPINET,
SEEN RKO
Krauze Heads
U. A. Sales
Bernard G. Kranze has been ap-
pointed United Artists' general sales
manager for the U. S. and Canada,
it was announced here yesterday
by William J.
JH ^'"~&M Heineman, vice-
president in
charge of dis-
tribution. The
post is a new
one.
Kranze, who
has been serv-
ing as execu-
tive assistant to
Heineman since
April, 1951, be-
gan his career
in 1921 at the
Paramount stu-
dios in Astoria,
Long Island. He later served as sales-
man, branch manager and Eastern-
(Continued on page 4)
B. G. Kranze
Arbitration May Rest On
Allied' s Stand on Rentals
By AL STEEN
Unless Allied is willing to go along on an arbitration system without
the inclusion of the right to arbitrate film rentals, the chances for an
industry formula for ironing out exhibitor-distributor problems are re-
mote, distribution sources indicated here yesterday. A major company
spokesman said he was certain the
distributors would not agree to film
rental arbitration, while Allied ap-
pears to be just as firm in its position
that it's a case of "that or else."
Resumption of talks among exhibi-
tion segments and distribution in re-
gard to revision of the distributors'
plan will depend on what action Eric
Johnston, president of the Motion Pic-
ture Association of America, will take
when he returns from South America
within the next 10 days. The dis-
tribution committee on arbitration was
set up by Johnston and the group
will not initiate further meetings un-
less the MPAA president so requests,
it was said yesterday.
There was a feeling among some
distribution executives that Allied
leaders had "mellowed" somewhat
from their vehement opposition to the
distributors' draft at Allied's conven-
tion in Chicago last month and that
Allied feels it should not have taken
(Continued on page 4)
Morgan in Western
Pa. Allied Post
Pittsburgh, Dec. 1. — Rich-
ard P. Morgan of New Jersey,
recently affiliated with the
Walter Reade and Consoli-
dated Theatres circuits in a
managerial capacity, has been
named executive secretary of
Allied of Western Pennsyl-
vania.
Morgan, who replaces Fred
Herrington, who held the
position for 20 years, also
worked for Paramount Pic-
tures in Philadelphia and
Kansas City. He was admit-
ted to the bar in 1934 and
joined the legal department
of Paramount in 1939.
HUGHES
SLATE
Say Dietrich Included in
New Executive Team as
Coast Confabs Continue
Conferences on the problem of
interim leadership for RKO Radio
Pictures were reported yesterday to
be reaching their climactic stage on
the Coast, with the arrival there of
Ned E. Depinet, former president, now
company "consultant."
Depinet, according to informed
trade quarters here, was called
to the Coast by Howard Hughes
at the weekend to discuss a new
company executive slate, which
would include himself, Hughes
and Noah Dietrich, former
chairman of the board.
Spurring the selection of company
executives are the dual factors of the
court hearing here next week on the
receivership application pending against
the company and the need to reestab-
lish the company on a sound basis so
that the Ralph Stolkin group can sell
its 29 per cent controlling interest
without incurring a severe financial
penalty.
Depinet, whose stewardship of RKO
(Continued on page 4)
Arbitration Draft
Rejected by WTO
San Francisco, Dec. 1. — Rotus
Harvey told Motion Picture Daily
here today that Western Theatre
Owners finds it necessary to reject
the proposed arbitration plan as ap-
proved by distribution for two seasons.
First, it does not carry out the format
as outlined at the original arbitration
meeting. Second, it is too wordy and
complicated ; any plan to be agreeable
to WTO must be more simple and in-
expensive, he said.
Good Season for
Northwest Drive-ins
Portland, Ore., Dec. 1. —
Practically all of the drive-ins
in the State of Washington
have closed after a most suc-
cessful season. Indications
point to another half-dozen
opening early in 1953. Ten
Oregon drive-ins are still in
operation despite the almost
zero weather in many key
cities.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, December 2, 1952
Personal
Mention
ROY O. DISNEY, president of
Walt Disney Productions, and
Card Walker, advertising director,
have returned to Hollywood from
New York.
•
Max E. Youngstein, United Art-
ists vice-president, left New York last
night to speak at the Indiana Allied
convention being held in Indianapolis
today and tomorrow.
•
Joseph A. Walsh, Paramount's
branch operations manager, was in
Washington yesterday on the first
stop of a tour of the company's ex-
changes.
•
Francis M. Winikus., United Art-
ists advertising-publicity director, will
return here today from a Miami vaca-
tion.
•
Nat Levy, RKO Radio's Eastern
division manager, is in Boston today,
and will stop off in Cleveland before
returning here on Friday.
e
H. M. Richey, M-G-M exhibitor
relations head, will 'attend the New
England Independent Theatre Owners
convention in Boston on Dec. 9.
•
Mike Simons, assistant to H. M.
Richey at M-G-M, left last night by
plane to attend the Indiana Allied con-
vention starting today in Indianapolis.
•
Irving Sochin, Universal short
subject sales head, is visiting Dallas,
Oklahoma City and Cincinnati this
week.
•
Maurice Goodman of the 20th
Century-Fox home office art depart-
ment, announces the birth of a daugh-
ter, Judy Ann, to Mrs Goodman.
•
Jacqueline Maurer of Hal Roach
Studios has become engaged to Mil-
ton Macy.
•
George Weltner, president of Pa-
ramount International, returned here
yesterday from Europe.
•
James Perkins, Paramount's gen-
eral manager in England, is due in
New York from there on Dec. 13.
•
Hugh Owen, Eastern and Southern
division manager, has returned here
from a two-week Southern tour.
•
Martin Friedman, head of Para-
mount's playdate department, began a
two-week vacation yesterday.
•
Arthur Canton, Eastern M-G-M
press representative, left here yester-
day on a tour of Eastern cities.
Ben Lorber, Universal insurance
department head, has returned to New
York from the Coast.
Harry M, Warner will leave here
for the Coast on Dec. 9.
Louis B. Mayer arrived here yes-
terday from the Coast.
Senator Urges Use of the
Screen in 20% Tax Fight
Denver, Dec 1.- — Plans are under way here to start what may well
be a deciding' factor In the fight to get the 20 per cent Federal amuse-
ment tax lifted. The move resulted from suggestions made by United
(Rep. of Colorado), during a meet-
States Senator Eugene D. Millikin
ing between him and a number of
Denver theatremen.
Pointing out that he was acting only
in an advisory capacity, since any tax-
cutting move would have to be started
in the House Ways and Means Com-
mittee, Millikin told the local group
to "Present your case through films.
Get Hollywood to use the best script
writers and the best talent in making
a convincing short that will present
the case of the discriminatory tax in
a manner that will be easily under-
stood. Make a succinct, entertaining
film that will convey your point to
every Senator and Representative."
Denver theatremen are set to get ac-
tion on this move, which they acclaim
to be the best suggestion made to
date.
In presenting arguments to the Sen-
ator, Robert Selig, executive vice-pres-
ident of Fox Intermountain Theatres,
pointed out that "the tax is discrimi-
natory. Many little theatres over the
country are closing because of the tax.
No other industry is taxed in this
manner. Department stores pay tax
on furs and cosmetics, but they have
much other merchandise for sale.
Theatres sell only entertainment, and
that is taxed. In many cases it means
the difference between profit and loss."
Set 'Rachel' Benefit
Pre-show for Dec. 16
"My Cousin Rachel," 20th Century-
Fox contender for the 1952 Academy
Award, will have a special benefit
pre-showing at the Academy of Music
here on Dec. 16 as part of a three-
hour performance to aid a Christmas
fund campaign for wounded service-
men hospitalized in this country and
overseas.
The world premiere is scheduled for
the Rivoli Theatre on Christmas Day.
Clifton Webb and Debra Paget will
appear on the program along with a
caravan of WNBC stars.
Frisch to Preside
At FJP Meeting
Manny Frisch of Randforce Amuse-
ment Co., has called a meeting of top
industry leaders to be held tomorrow,
at the Astor Hotel here to prepare
plans for the 1952-53 campaign of the
amusement division of the Federation
of Jewish Philanthropies.
Frisch, who - was chairman of last
year's Federation drive, will preside
over the meeting which will select
leadership for the current campaign
on behalf of the Federation's 116 hos-
pitals and institutions.
To Open Manos House
Cleveland, Dec. 1. — George Manos,
head of the Manos Circuit operating
20 theatres in Ohio, will open the
Manos in Columbiana after the first
of the year.
Lapidus to Preside
At WB Meet Today
Jules Lapidus, Warner Brothers
Eastern and Canadian division sales
manager, will preside over a meeting
of the company's Eastern district in
Boston beginning today.
Attending will be Norman Ayers,
Eastern district manager, and branch
managers Ray S. Smith, Albany ;
Ralph J. Iannuzzi, Boston; Clayton G.
Eastman, Buffalo ; Max Birnbaum,
New Haven, and Ben Abner, New
York. Home office executives pres-
ent will also include I. F. Dolid and
Bernard R. Goodman, supervisor of
exchanges.
Norman Bieringer
Feted in Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Dec. 1. — Norman S.
Bieringer was honored with a testi-
monial luncheon here in observance
of his 30 years in show business, the
last 25 of which were as a representa-
tive for Warner Brothers Pictures.
Seventy-five members of the Wiscon-
sin industry were present.
Dave Chapman, president of the
Reel Fellows Club of the Colosseum
of Motion Picture Salesmen, presided.
Speakers were Harold J. Fitzgerald
of Fox-Wisconsin Theatres, Ray
Trampe of Allied Artists Corp., Jack
Lorentz of 20th Century-Fox, and
Robert Baker, RKO Radio. The oc
casion was his semi-retirement.
'Bwana' Distribution
Talks on This Week
Negotiations with distributing com-
panies for the release of Natural Vi-
sion's "Bwana Devil" are expected to
get under way this week. George
Schaefer, executive representative of
Natural Vision in New York, said
yesterday that talks with possible dis-
tributors of the three-dimensional pic-
ture would start in a few days.
Meanwhile, Schaefer has been dick-
ering with Warner Theatres for the
showing of the film in the Warner
Theatre on Broadway when that
house reopens. It has been closed since
early summer.
25-cent Warner Dividend
At a special meeting of the board
of directors of Warner Brothers Pic-
tures yesterday, a dividend of 25 cents
per share was declared on the com-
mon stock, payable on Jan. 5 to stock-
holders of record on Dec. 15.
'Kidd' Opens Dec. 17
The Midwest premiere of "Abbott
and Costello Meet Captain Kidd" will
be held at the Balaban and Katz
United Artists Theatre in Chicago on
Dec. 17, with the two stars set to
make a personal appearance.
Films' 'Golden Era,'
Says N. Y. Mirror
The New York Daily Mir-
ror, which has been conduct-
ing a most enthusiastic pro-
motion in print in behalf of
motion pictures, hit a new
high note yesterday when it
told its reading public that
"Motion pictures have always
been wonderful entertainment
— but today they are super-
productions. This is the
golden era of technical genius,
camera magic, brilliant color
and a never-ending stream of
'hit' films. You're missing a
great deal unless you get out
of the stay-at-home rut and
go to the movies. You'll enjoy
life more if you do."
New Re-release Dual
Set by RKO Radio
"The Bachelor and the Bobby-
Soxer" and "Bachelor Mother," RKO
Radio pictures, will be re-released on
Friday.
They will be re-issued in combina-
tion under the title "RKO's Best
Sellers."
Traub Reappointed
Censor Board Head
Baltimore, Dec. 1. — Sydney R.
Traub was reappointed chairman of
the Maryland State Board of Motion
Picture Censors by Governor Theo-
dore McKeldin. Subject to Senate
confirmation, the appointment is a
three-year term that began last May.
Since that time the post has been the
subject of considerable political and
public controversy.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
— — — Rockefeller Center
"PLYMOUTH ADVENTURE"
Spencer TRACY .
Van JOHNSON
Gene TIERNEY
. Leo GENN
Color by TECHNICOLOR - An M-G-M Picture
plus GREAT HOLIDAY STAGE SPECTACLE
Midnight faolurt
SAMUEL GOLDWYN presents
Hans Christian
Andersen
starring
DANNY KAYE ^
CRITERION • PARIS
_ B'way & 45th St. 58th St. W. of 5th Ave.
MOTTDN PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting- 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; Qu.BPubco.
, V™-k" Marttn Ouigley President; Martin Ouigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan. Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy. Vice-President; Leo J- Brady,
£c?etlr • JarrTes P Cun ngh"m Ne s EditorfH?rbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau. Yucca-Vine Budding,
W 1 m R Weaver ' Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative FT 6-3074; Bruce Tr.nz, Editorial Representative. 11 North
Hark Street FR 2-2843 Washington, J. A. O'tten, National' Press Club, Washington, E>. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; Hope Burnup Manager ; Peter Burnup,
Frlitor 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 * Hcture 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, December 2, 1952
Motion Picture daily
3
Chicago Receipts for
October Same as '51
Chicago, Dec. 1. — Theatre
admission receipts here for
the month of October were
virtually the same as for Oc-
tober of last year, according
to figures released today by
the city tax collector's office.
The $88,957.96 collected dur-
ing the past month (on Octo-
ber receipts), although down
almost $12,000 from the previ-
ous month, was off only $327.18
(or less than one half of one
per cent) from the corre-
sponding month last year.
Other amusements showed
a drop of approximately 16
per cent from October of last
year, falling from over $72,-
000 to less than $60,000. For
the year to date, theatre tax
collections are off approxi-
mately $87,000, while income
from other amusements has
dropped less than a thousand
dollars.
Review
20th-Fox May Open
Branch in Houston
Because of increased business pres-
sure on its Dallas branch, 20th Cen-
tury-Fox is considering the possibility
of opening an exchange in Houston.
The sales department plans to make
a comprehensive survey of the situa-
tion in the near future ; a preliminary
study has been completed, but no defi-
nite decision has been made.
Whether the prospective Houston
office would be strictly a shipping
point or a full sales headquarters also
is a question still to be decided. It
is reported that other major distrib-
utors also are eyeing Houston as a
possible key distribution city.
N. Y. Variety Club
Sets Plans for '53
Canvasmen of the New York Vari-
ety Club met yesterday to outline
plans for the coming year and discuss
committee appointments. Plans for a
new club headquarters were consid-
ered and an announcement of the se-
lection of a site may be made shortly.
An active year, with specific char-
ities to be supported by the New
York Tent, was envisioned by Tent
leaders. Al Gorson was named to
handle public relations for the local
chapter.
«
No Time for Flowers
(Mort Briskin-RKO Pictures)
FILMED in its entirety in occupied Austria, this amusing satire on Rus-
sian police tactics in present-day Prague is merchandiseable but will
need exploitation. Most audiences should enjoy the humorous situations but
there are not many strong names for the marquee and the title may be
inappropriate.
Viveca Lindfors and Paul Christian are starred as a secretary and a secret
police agent, respectively, with Christian posing as a pro-American comrade
in order to test her loyalty prior to her assignment as an ambassador's sec-
retary in the U. S. The screenplay by Laslo Vadnay and Hans Wilhelm pro-
vides numerous jabs at Russian poverty.
Christian plies Miss Lindfors with American coffee, nylons, magazines, a
bubble bath, and takes her to an expensive restaurant. Miss Lindfors reports
all to police head, Peter Preses. But her love for Christian prevents her
informing on the final test which concerns a planned escape to an American
zone. Preses mistrusts her and Christian, and notifies personnel chief Frederick
Berger she is not loyal. However, it is Berger who actually is pro-American
and he has Miss Lindfors phone in. Christian discovers this, "arrests" Miss
Lindfors, her family and Berger, and flees with them to the free American
zone.
All of the principal performers turn in convincing portrayals under the
incisive direction of Don Siegel. Manfred Inger supplies humor as a stolid
suitor of Miss Lindfors who gifts her with food instead of flowers. Others
noteworthy are Ludwig Stossel, Peter Czeyke and Adrienne Gessner.
Mort Briskin produced and made effective use of the Austrian streets and
backgrounds. While this is a diverting satire on an almost-sure-fire topic,
it will need special effort. Given proper backing, it should account for itself
fairly well at the box-office.
Running time, 83 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Feb. 20, 1953. Walter Pashkin
Kramer, Selznick
Admitted to SPG
Hollywood, Dec. 1. — Admission of
four new members to the Screen Pro-
ducers Guild has been disclosed by
Arthur Hornblow, Jr., chairman of
the membership committee.
Admitted to full membership were
producers Stanley Kramer, David O.
Selznick and Harry Joe Brown. Ad-
mitted to associate membership was
Oscar Saul.
Closes House Till April
Albany, N. Y., Dec. 1. — Jules
Perlmutter of Albany has closed the
Lake, Lake George, until April.
'Sign' Award Goes
To WB for (Fatima'
Jerry Cotter, motion picture editor
of The Sign, national Catholic month-
ly, reports that the publication's 11th
annual award for the outstanding mo-
tion picture of the year goes to War-
ner Brothers for "The Miracle of Our
Lady of Fatima."
In making the award The Sign sin-
gled the picture out for being "dra-
matically powerful without sacrificing
dignity, . . . and produced with sin-
ceritv and understanding."
Canada 9-Month Film
Imports Increased
Ottawa, Dec. 1. — The Canadian
government reports that the value of
motion picture imports increased to
$4,718,000 in the first nine months of
1952, compared with $4,432,000 in the
same period of 1951.
Film imports for September rose to
$533,000, compared to $421,000 in the
same month last vear.
'Peter Pan' in N. Y.,
Chicago, Premiere
"Peter Pan," Walt Disney's all-
cartoon feature, will have a dual
world premiere at the Roxy Theatre
in New York and the State-Lake
Theatre in Chicago, it was announced
here by Charles Boasberg, general
sales manager for RKO Radio, which
is distributing the picture.
Disney and RKO Radio sales, pub-
licity and advertising executives last
week discussed preliminary plans for
the New York opening.
Grosses Up,
Says Goldwyn
Boston, Dec. 1. — "Motion picture
theatres are doing better business than
they did a year ago, according to
gross reports that are coming into dis-
tributors' offices all over the country,"
it was stated here today by Samuel
Goldwyn at the Ritz Carlton Hotel
during a press interview.
Goldwyn said that television will
definitely help the motion picture in-
dustry as well as theatres. After af-
firming the importance of TV, he
noted, "The public is beginning to
realize that motion picture theatres
are offering better entertainment than
they are getting on television. He
said television has not helped "fringe"
houses or those in small towns.
To Sell 'Ivanhoe'
Flat After Easter
Chicago, Dec. 1. — Independent ex-
hibitors have been informed that
M-G-M's "Ivanhoe" will be sold flat
when it goes into regular runs around
Easter time next year. The picture
will be continued on a pre-release
basis until about next Jan. 15, with
no policy having been disclosed for
the runs between that date and Easter.
Hartman Due From
Europe Saturday
Don Hartman, in charge of produc-
tion for Paramount, will arrive in
New York by plane from Paris Sat-
urday, following conferences in Rome
and London concerning pictures which
have been completed or will be made
in the future overseas. He will take
a plane for Hollywood on Sunday.
In Rome, Hartman conferred with
producer-director William Wyler con-
cerning "Roman Holiday," which
Wyler recently finished in the Italian
capital. In London, Hartman con-
ferred with Roy Boulting, writer-pro-
ducer, on plans for Paramount's pro-
duction of "Wings Across the Sea" ;
discussed with British authorities
plans for Paramount's production in
Ceylon of "Elephant Walk," and made
preliminary arrangements for the
making of "Babylon Revisited," the
F. Scott Fitzgerald story which Wy-
ler will produce and direct.
Charity Drive Advances
Hollywood, Dec. 1,. — The Perma-
nent Charities Committee announced
that $992,156 has been pledged toward
the organization's campaign goal. The
figure is 81 per cent of the total.
NY Lodge Meets Tonight
New York's Cinema Lodge of B'nai
B'rith will hold a business meeting
at the Hotel Astor tonight, reports
Martin Levine, president.
It's a better
theatre with...
Loudspeaker Systems
161 Sixth Avenue
New York 13, N.Y.
9356 Santa Monica Blvd.
Beverly Hills, Calif.
A LIMITED NUMBER ARE STILL AVAILABLE FROM THEATRE SUPPLY DEALERS
4
Motion Picture daily
Tuesday, December 2, 1952
N.Y. Grosses
(Continued from page 1)
Review
The previous Criterion record
of $60,000 was established 16
years ago by "Brute Force."
A fine $125,000 was forecast for the
third week of "Plymouth Adventure"
at Radio City Music Hall, which will
open its Christmas show on Thurs-
day with "Million Dollar Mermaid"
on the screen. "Kansas City Confi-
dential" is expected to do a fine $23,-
500 for its first seven days at the
Globe. Another opener, "The Thief
of Venice," is due to rack up a very
good $25,000 for its initial week at
the Mayfair.
Holding up strongly is "Limelight"
at the Astor and the two-a-day 60th
Street Trans-Lux. A robust $27,000
for the sixth week is seen at the Astor
and a nice $8,500 is indicated for the
picture at the off-Broadway house. At
the Paramount, a pretty good $64,000
is predicted for the second week of
"Iron Mistress."
'Sound Barrier' Healthy
The fourth week of "Breaking
Through the Sound Barrier" at the
Victoria is due to hit a healthy $24,-
000. "Snows of Kilimanjaro," now
in its 11th week at the Rivoli," is ex-
pected to do a good $20,000. The
opening week of "Outpost in Malaya"
at Loew's State was a bit disappoint-
ing, with $18,000 indicated. At the
Capitol, a satisfactory $23,000 is indi-
cated for "Prisoner of Zenda." Week-
end business at the Roxy was fairly
good, with $29,500 grossed up for the
last three days of "Bloodhounds of
Broadway." The picture, in its third
week, was the last for the National
Theatres' house before its closing to
reopen on Dec. 22.
Among other off-Broadway houses,
"The Promoter" is still outstanding,
with the Fine Arts anticipating $13,-
800 for the film's fifth week. At the
Sutton, a steady $8,800 is forecast for
the seventh week of "The Four-
poster." "O. Henry's Full House" at
the 52nd Street Trans-Lux is ex-
pected to do a solid $8,500 for its
seventh week, while a good $7,200 is
seen for the second week of "Under
the Red Sea" at the Beekman.
"Mr. W alkie Talkie"
(Hal Roach, Jr.-Lippert Pictures) Hollywood, Dec. 1
THIS production involves the long-sputtering feud between Sergeant Joe
Sawyer and Sergeant William Tracy of the U. S. Infantry._ It moves a
bit more slowly than usual but stacks up about par for the series as far as
commercial value is concerned. • . _
The screenplay by Edward Seabrook and George Carleton Brown has
Tracy portray a walking-encyclopedia whose glib recitations of rare informa-
tion annoy the stolid Sawyer to the point of hysteria. However, it is Tracy's
photographic memory that extricates the infantry company from a disastrous
position. . .
At the opening of the film in a training camp, Sawyer is so distraught
that he applies for a transfer. It is granted and he is sent to Korea. There
he is on front-line duty and is happy until Tracy arrives by parachute-drop,
to share his life again. There are further adventures under fire and away
from it, until the finale where Sawyer, fleeing Tracy's precocity, upsets his
colonel who is in the act of recommending him for a Congressional Medal
of Honor. Margia Dean supplies the feminine and musical touch as a volun-
teer entertainer. She sings a song number by Leon Klatzkin. Others in the
cast are Russell Hicks, Robert Shayne, Alan Hale, Jr., and Wong Artarne.
Hal Roach Jr., produced and Fred L. Guiol directed.
Running time, 65 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Nov. 28.
RKO Slate
(Continued from page 1)
'Bwana Devil' Breaks All Records
At Hollywood, L.A. Paramounts
Hollywood, Dec. 1. — Arch Oboler's
"Bwana Devil" in Milton Gunzburg's
Natural Vision 3-dimension grossed
$77,000 at the Hollywood and Los
Angeles Paramounts the first four
days, topping all previous records in
the history of both houses.
38 Personalities
(Continued from page 1)
Gualino Heads
(Continued from page 1)
Set 'Sound' Opening
"Breaking The Sound Barrier," will
have its West Coast premiere on Dec.
17 in Los Angeles with simultaneous
openings in four theatres, headed by
the Chinese and Los Angeles, it was
announced by William J. Heineman,
UA distribution vice-president. The
Midwest premiere will be held Thurs-
day at the Oriental in Chicago.
coe Ates, Peter Lawford and Richard
Morris — have joined the troupe
scheduled to perform for military per-
sonnel stationed and hospitalized in
Korea.
Susan Morrow has been assigned
to the unit going to Alaska and nine
others compose the troupe slated to
visit isolated bases in the Northeast
Air Command, covering Greenland,
Baffinland, Newfoundland and Labra-
dor. They are Raymond Burr, Wanda
Curtis, Don Garner, Paul Garteiz,
Eve Halpern, Flo Ann Hedley, Mar-
ilyn Hedley, Jack Iversen and Evelyn
Russell.
"We are in the process of organ-
izing a fourth troupe which will en-
tertain Armed Forces in the Carib-
bean," said HCC president George
Murphy.
The four troupes will take off from
Burbank Airport Dec. 19, returning
on Jan. 4. The Department of De-
fense requested the HCC to organize
the project in cooperation with Army
Special Services and USO Camp
Shows.
Divided Into 3 Units
Twenty volunteers to date have
been divided into three units which
will tour Korea covering a 10-day
schedule of engagements. They are
Paul Douglas, Jan Sterling, Richard
Allen and Richard Morris in one
group ; Walter Pidgeon, Keenan
Wynn, Carleton Carpenter, Carolina
Cotton, Peggy King, Debbie Rey-
nolds, Movita Castaneda and Peter
Lawford in another group ; Dawn Ad-
dams, Roscoe Ates, Lita Baron, Rory
Calhoun, Jeanne Cooper, Virginia
Hall, Bill Shirley and Mark Stevens'
group.
The unit headed for Alaska will in-
clude Freddie Browne, Jean Fowler,
Jane Frazee, Johnny Grant, Ginny
Jackson, Tony Lovello, Susan Mor-
row, Eddie Samuels and Joy Windsor.
president in charge of advertising,
promotion and publicity.
All three will also continue as top
executives of Italian Films Export,
trade association of Italian producers,
Dr. Gualino being general director,
Zorgniotti, U. 1 S. representative, and
Rosenfield, director of public relations.
The parent organization (IFE) was
recently expanded by the addition of
two new departments, a division of
newsreels and short subjects headed
by Robert Gordon Edwards, and a
television division under the direction
of Ralph Serpe.
IFE Releasing Corp., national dis-
tribution organization for Italian films
in the American market, begins its
official activity today, following two
months of organization and planning.
Previously announced was the ap-
pointment of Bernard Jacon as vice-
president in charge of sales.
Field staffs for the five regional of-
fices which IFE Releasing Corp. is
now setting up in New York, Cleve-
land, Chicago, Atlanta and Los An-
geles will be announced shortly, ac-
cording to Zorgniotti. Dr. Gualino
left here for Rome late last week.
Palmer Park to Teicher
Detroit, Dec. 1. — Irving Teicher,
original owner of the Studio The-
atre, is taking over the Palmer Park
Theatre for operation as a first-run
foreign and art film house. The the-
atre is in the process of renovation.
When reopened it will have weekly
art exhibitions and a series of lec-
tures and chamber music programs.
To Show 'A-BomV
A series of special screenings for
more than 200 newspaper and trade
paper publishers and reporters, and
high ranking Marine Corps, officers
will be held for RKO-Pathe's "Oper-
ation A-Bomb," the first motion pic-
ture in color of an atomic bomb ex-
plosion, on Friday, at the Johnny
Victor Theatre in the RCA Exhibi-
tion Hall here.
Radio Pictures had encompassed many
years, was said to be closeted with
Hughes on the Coast over the week-
end. The projected executive slate of
Depinet, Hughes and Dietrich, it is
pointed out, would be agreed upon to
provide the leadership needed to pilot
the company through its interim
course, before a deal for the sale of
the Stolkin group's stock interest is
consummated.
The Stokin syndicate, which pur-
chased its controlling interest in the
company from Hughes, is finding it
difficult to get offers commensurate
with its investment, according to re-
ports. The Stolkin group paid $7 per
share for Hughes' 1,013,420 RKO Pic-
tures shares last September.
Follows Other Talks
The reported Depinet-Hughes talks
came on the heels of Coast conferences
between Hughes and members of the
Stolkin group, including Stolkin him-
self, on the selection of a company
president and the filling of board va-
cancies. Presently on the Coast are
Sherrill Corwin, acting chairman of
the board, and Edward Burke, direc-
tor, both members of the Stolkin
group.
The approaching hearing in New
York Supreme Court, slated for Dec.
10, on the receivership application filed
by three minority stockholders, was
seen as another strong factor pointing
to the selection of new company ex-
ecutives shortly. The filling of the
presidency and directorial vacancies, it
is stressed, would strengthen the com-
pany's arguments opposing the ap-
pointment of a receiver.
Hollywood, Dec. 1. — Ned E. Depi-
net, former RKO Radio Pictures pres-
ident and currently company "consul-
tant," declined to comment today on
New York reports that he, Howard
Hughes and Noah Dietrich, were to
head up the new executive slate of the
company. He said he was here on per-
sonal business only.
Allied Plan
(Continued from page 1)
Kranze Heads
(Continued from page 1)
Central district manager for RKO
Pictures. He was assistant general
sales manager for the J. Arthur Rank
Organization in the United States and
in 1948 became vice-president in
charge of sales for Film Classics. He
was vice-president in charge of dis-
tribution for Eagle Lion Classics be-
fore joining United Artists.
Arbitration
(Continued from page 1)
such a firm stand. While it appears
certain that Allied will participate in
new discussions, sales chiefs believe
that the talks will be fruitless unless
Allied takes a different attitude toward
the film rentals issue.
"but the plan has not been sufficiently
developed to present to the general
assembly" yet.
Plans for the cooperative buying and
booking and the film delivery service
would be limited to the Iowa-Ne-
braska organization. Details of the
plans were not disclosed but commit-
tees have been appointed to investigate
their feasibility. Reports are scheduled
to be made at the January board
meeting.
Pine Extends Tour
Producer William Pine will extend
his current six-week European tour
another three weeks in order to dis-
cuss local audience film preferences
with more exhibitors of England,
France, Spain and Switzerland. Pine
is co-producer with William Thomas,
releasing through Paramount.
German Films in Toronto
Toronto, Dec. 1. — Practically all
theatre circuits and a number of inde-
pendent exhibitors in Canada are play-
ing post-war pictures of German
origin which are said to have met with
approval by theatre-goers.
Thomas in 2nd WB Film
"Wonder Bar" is planned by War-
ner Bros, as a starring vehicle for
Danny Thomas, whose latest picture
is "The Jazz Singer," which will have
its world premiere at the Fox Beverly
Theatre in Beverly Hills, Cal., on
Dec. 30.
Tuesday, December 2, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
Canada Is Cool to
Quebec Censor Law
Ottawa, Dec. 1. — The Canadian
government is looking coolly on the
legislative move by the Quebec pro-
vincial government for the censoring
of films and live shows for television.
Federal comment was that control
of TV programs throughout the coun-
try is vested in the Canadian Broad-
casting Corp., which is the Dominion-
government agency for radio and tele-
vision. Premier Maurice Duplessis of
Quebec announced he would seek
agreement with the Ottawa govern-
ment on the subject of TV censor-
ship. Other provinces in Canada are
awaiting the outcome of negotiations.
The new Quebec law provides for a
penalty of $500 or three months in
jail for the TV exhibition of any un-
censored motion picture.
130 FCC Television
Permits Granted
Washington, Dec. 1. — Eight new
television licenses have been granted
by the Federal Communications Com-
mission, bringing to 130 the number of
grants since the end of the freeze.
New permits went to Paper Broad-
casting, Mobile, Ala. ; Mid-American
Broadcasting, Louisville; Howard D.
Steere, Kalamazoo, Mich. ; Skyland
Broadcasting, Dayton ; Pennsylvania
Broadcasting, Philadelphia ; Westex
Television, San Angelo, Tex. ; Osh-
kosh Broadcasting, Oshkosh, Wise,
and Mid-Hudson Broadcasting, Pough-
keepsie, N. Y.
Film Personalities to
Mexican Film Fete
Hollywood, Dec. 1. — Junket of top
personalities departed for Mexico
City tonight to appear at the annual
Mexican Film Festival, as guests of
the Mexican government and the
Mexican film industry.
Enroute are Gary Cooper, Celeste
Holm, Lex Barker, Hedda Hopper,
Debbie Ravnolds, Virginia Gibson,
Rhonda Fleming, Dr. Lew Mornl,
Peter Lawford, Corinne Calvet, John
Bromfield, Ursula Theiss, and Arthur
Jacobs, public relations advisor.
New SAG Negotiations
Hollywood, Dec. 1.— Screen Actors
Guild, whose strike against television
film-commercial producers became ef-
fective today, announced the com-
mencement of negotiations with the
Alliance of Television Film Producers
and the "Hal Roach group," television
film, producers already signatory to the
SAG contract, for an additional con-
tract covering actors in film commer-
cials.
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
Television-Radio
with Pinky Herman
Perry Como
ART LINKLETTER is en route East to emcee and officiate at
the annual Pillsbury Cake-baking contest which will be decided
at the Waldorf-Astoria, Tues., Dec. 9. While here "The Link" will
do his Dec. 6 and 13th radio and TV CBShows. . . . George F.
Foley's presentation of "The Glacier Giant," starring Chester Morris,
which will be ABChanneled Friday, calls for an eight-foot actor, so
Murray Tannenbaum, TV's tallest thespian, was fitted out with spe-
cial elevator shoes as he stands ONLY seven feet, four inches in
height. . . . CBS-TV press info occupied its temporary quarters at
51 E. 42nd St. yesterday while its radio contemporaries take over
its permanent abode at the CB Studio Bldg. on E. 52nd St. Friday.
Producer Abby Greshler, acutely aware of the influence TV
wields on impressionable youngsters, has switched the "Peck's Bad
Boy" gimmick and instead of permitting young "Peck" to get away
with his pranks and practical jokes, rather has them backfire on the
prankster. Thus he pleases parents and at the same time gets added
laughs from the Kideance.
& &
Add the name of Perry Como to the tiny list of tunestars
who year in and year out remain favorites of John Q. Citizen.
Kate Smith and Bing Crosby first attracted attention back in
1930 and are tied for longevity of reign. About 1935 another
golden-voiced gal, Dinah Shore, graduated
from a local N. Y. station, WNEW, into
the big time where she's become a fixture,
while the Andrews Sisters, via a sensational
rendition of "Bei Mir Bist Du Schein,"
likewise zoomed into the rarified atmo-
sphere of musical leadership, remaining
there for almost two decades. Lanny Ross
and Frank Parker are still delighting their
many fans these past 20 years and must
be included in this charmed circle. . . .
Consolidated Television Sales has acquired
exclusive distribution rights to Tableau
Productions Ltd.'s "A Christmas Carol,"
starring Taylor Holmes as "Scrooge," with
narration by Vincent Price. . . . Handsome young lark, Paul
Darnay, featured in the Columbia filmusical, "Something To
Shout About," is an added starter in the national Baritone
Sweepstakes via his Brewster recording of the torchy "Don't
Cry, My Heart.". . . Al Johnston doing a great directorial job
on the "Bill Silbert" WABDisk Jockey evening series. . . .
# # V
When John B. Gambling was a wireless operator, thirty years
ago, on a British Merchant vessel, he often contacted another
ship's "sparks" named Edmund Franke. Idly glancing thru the
Mutual Directory, John noticed such a name listed and picking
up the telephone, lie learned that his co-WORker, the station's
Supervisor of Transmitters, was the one and the same Franke
of his sea-faring days, (yep, it's a small WO Rid.). . . Samuel
Goldwynjfcfho will be CBSaluted Sunday on Ed. Sullivan's "Toast
of the T<?wn," has won the coveted "Oscar" 8 times and is recog-
nised in' the film world as "All-time Champion of Champions."
Incidentally, ballots for the Motion Picture DAiLY-Fame annual
poll, arc still coming in. TV-radio editors who haven't sent in
their selections have until Dec. 22. . . . Ethel Colby's WABDaily
"Broadway Matinee" series (12:30-12:45 P.M.) is a quarter hour
of interesting patter and chatter about and with Main Stem and
Hollywood personalities. . . . While emoting in the title role of
"Liliom" with an amateur troupe in San Diego, Bob Nelson's out-
standing performance cought the fancy of producer Romer Grey
who signed him for an important part in the Zane Grey classic,
"Light of Western Stars," now on location at Indio, Cal. . . .
Zh & #
LOTSA DOTS. ... A TVersion of "My Little Margie" succeeds
"Racket Squad" for Philip Morris ciggies starting Jan. 1. ... Red
Benson's perennial audience-participation comedy series "Take A
Number" heard every morning via WOR, adds a Saturday nite at
8 :30 stanza as of January 3. . . . Richard LaMarr and Lester Wintz,
both vet theatrical agents have joined forces and the firm, LaMarr
& Wintz, will cover all showbiz for clients. . . . Dr. Renato Gualino,
head of Italian Films Export, has set up a special TV division to
develop co-production deals between Italian producers and American
TV producers. Ralph Serpe will be in charge of I.F.E.'s television
activities.
Coast Production
Steady; 33 in Work
Hollywood, Dec. 1. — The produc-
tion chart remains the same as last
week, for a total of 33 pictures in
work. Six new ones were started
and six were finished.
Started were: "The Copperhead,"
Allied Artists; "Harness Bull," Se-
quoia, "The Blue Gardenia" (Alex
Gottlieb), Warner Brothers; "A
Slight Case of Larceny," Metro-Gold-
wyn-Mayer ; untitled comedy, Para-
mount; "A Perilous Voyage," Re-
public. Completed were : "The Home-
steaders" and "White Lightning," Al-
lied Artists ; "Billy Ringo" (Edward
Small) and "Tarzan and the She-
Devil" (Sol Lesser), independent;
"Forever Female," Paramount ; "Split
Second," RKO Radio.
Would Let TV-Radio
Cover Mass. Solons
Boston, Dec. 1. — A bill to give
Massachusetts radio and television
stations permission to broadcast and
televise the proceedings of the State
Legislature has been filed by Rep.
Harold Putnam of Needham, Mass.
The Putnam bill gives full permis-
sion to any licensed radio and tele-
vision station asking only a pledge
that equal time be given as far as
possible to spokesmen from each party
and that every effort be made to pre-
sent all points on subjects under de-
bate by both houses of legislature.
Salzburg Heads New
TV Film Company
Novel Films, Inc., has been formed
here for the purpose of producing in-
tegrated film programs for television.
Officers of the corporation are J. Mil-
ton Salzburg, president ; Frank Soule,
vice-president, and Jack H. Rosner,
treasurer.
The first series to be produced will
be a group of 13 stories from the
classics. The initial series is scheduled
for release early in 1953.
UPT-Bendix
(Continued front page 1)
up the circuit's predominance in the
number of theatres equipped with tele-
vision, topping the totals of all other
individual circuits.
Continue All-night Policy
Detroit, Dec. 1. — Rufus Shepherd,
manager of United Detroit Theatres'
2,900-seat Palms State here, says
the theatre's all-night policy will con-
tinue. It is the first first-run in De-
troit to operate all night.
BOOKER
Experienced booker desires position in the New
York Metropolitan area. Experience with both
exchange and major circuit. Familiar with
all type motion picture product. Native New
Yorker, desires to return to this area. Inter-
ested in booking or selling position or booker
for TV network.
Box 440, MOTION PICTURE DAILY
1270 Sixth Ave., New York 20, N. Y.
6
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, December 2, 1952
count your blessings
FOR THE HEALTH YOU HAVE
BY HELPING THOSE
WHO LACK IT
Tkcmhiqimu? /95Z
Where the light of knowl-
edge, skill and brotherly
love combine to combat
mankind's ruthless ene-
my. . . . Here exhaustive
research never ends. The
best care — the best medi-
cal and surgical tech-
niques. This is your con-
tribution to mankind. All
this is your protection,
and your responsibility.
WE CARE FOR OUR OWN
Let us view with gratitude the
position we occupy as "stock-
holders" in the Will Rogers
Memorial Hospital ... >
Already we have restored 1109 persons to
useful lives, and we have the enviable record of
having cured more than 90% of all our cases of
tuberculosis.
Our hospital stands ready to help anyone in
the amusement industry who needs TB care . . .
without cost or obligation.
It's wonderful to have a part in such a benefi-
cent movement— and it's also gratifying to know
that the facilities, the skill, and the human un-
derstanding is there for our own use, too, should
we ever need it.
So, let's be thankful that there IS a Will
Rogers Hospital — grateful that we are part of it
. . . and let's be generous in our support of it. Give
gratefully to this year's Christmas Salute — give
"a dime, a dollar, or an endowment".
SIGN
It* CHRISTMAS
SALUTE
SCROLL
WILL ROGERS^
S ARAN AC LAKE
HOSPITAL
NEW YORK
New York Office: 1501 Broadway, New York 36, N.Y. • BRyant 9-1046
US-Argentina Near
Accord: Johnston
Eric Johnston, president of the Mo-
tion Picture Association of America,
states he believed the financial prob-
lems between the Argentine govern-
ment and the American film industry
involving dollar remittances had been
resolved according to a news dispatch
from Buenos Aires. Johnston is re-
ported to have expressed this belief
following conferences in Buenos Aires
with Foreign Minister Jeronimo Re-
morino and Raul Apold, chief of the
sub-secretariat of information.
The industry has not been allowed
officially to transfer any earnings to
the U. S. since about 1947, although
Argentina ratified in July, 1951, an
agreement made with the industry in
May, 1950, that covered the remit-
tance of dollar earnings in this coun-
try. '. _
Earnings frozen in Argentina as a
result of the government's failure to
implement the agreement are estimated
at more than $2,000,000. The govern-
ment ascribed its failure to act to a
dollar shortage.
Under the terms of a five-year
agreement, the industry was to be
permitted to remit profits up to $1,-
100,000 a Year or 50 per cent of its
earnings at the official free rate of
14 pesos to the dollar. The remaining
50 percent was allowed to be invested
in local enterprises under the same
privileges granted other foreign cor-
porations.
Approximately 300 pictures have
been imported bv American companies
in Argentina during the last year and
a half. Of these, 178 are still waiting-
approval by review boards for licenses
that would permit their exhibition.
UA-Heineman Sales
Drive in Last Week
United Artists' "Bill Heineman
Sales Drive" which began on June 15
is in its final week and will end on
Saturday. The home stretch follows
three previous laps of six weeks each.
Vice-president Max E. Youngstein,
serving as drive-captain, reports that
at the end of the fifth week of the
last lap, the Los Angeles, ' New Or-
leans and New Haven exchanges held
down first places in each of the three
groups into which the exchanges had
been divided for the drive. San Fran-
cisco, Charlotte and Vancouver are
the runners-up.
Mass. House Gets 2
Minimum Wage Bills
Boston, Dec. 1. — Two minimum
wage bills, one providing for 85 and
the other for 90 cents an hour, have
been filed in the Massachusetts House
of Representatives. The bills will be
heard by the joint legislative commit-
'tee on Ways and Means before they
reach the floor of the House and
Senate for a vote.
Double Tribute to Webb
The Mugs Club, a fun-making or-
ganization within Philadelphia's Poor
Richard Club, will pay a double trib-
ute to Clifton Webb when the 20th
Century-Fox film star appears as
guest of honor at the annual Christ-
mas dinner on Dec. 20. Webb, who
will be installed as an "Honorary
Chief Mugman" at the affair, will be
presented with a plaque heralding his
contributions in theaflfld of entertain-
ment. .. r~j„a ... .
MOTION PICTURE
VOL. 72. NO. 106
NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1952
TEN CENTS
Arbitration Is
More Confused
ByWTOAction
Coast Group's Rejection
Raises New Questions
Rejection of the distributors' ar-
bitration draft by the Western The-
atre Owners, as announced Monday
in San Francisco by Rotus Harvey,
past president of WTO, was greeted
here yesterday by distribution leaders
as further complicating the entire ar-
bitration picture. It had. been the
feeling that Allied was the only hold-
out on accepting the draft as a spring-
board to a more acceptable formula,
but with WTO siding in with Allied
the problem takes on a more serious
complexion, according to some opin-
ions.
One distributor raised this ques-
tion : If the industry were to move
for the establishment of an arbitration
system without Allied's participation
in the hope of obtaining Department
of Justice approval, regardless, would
there be any chance of obtaining that
approval with WTO, as well as Al-
lied, opposed to the plan? It was
(Continued on page 4)
COLUMBUS, Dec. 2. — The
ITO of Ohio board of di-
rectors voted today to ap-
prove the action of na-
tional Allied rejecting
the distributors' draft
of the arbitration plan.
It also authorized Colum-
bus statistician W. V.
Blake to make a study of
Ohio film carriers. Ac-
cording to secretary Rob-
ert Wile, who was reap-
pointed, a preliminary
report revealed a wide
discrepancy in rates.
•
The Dec. 11 "Carmen" tel-
ecast price range runs
from $1.20 to $7.20, with
most theatres taking the
Theatre Network Televi-
sion event charging from
$2.40 to $4.80, a compila-
tion of field reports dis-
closed here yesterday.
Myers Sees Hope ATLAS REPORTED
In Heart- to-Heart' '
Arbitration Talks IN BID FOR RKO
Indianapolis, Dec. 2. — The door to
industry arbitration was unlocked and
left slightly ajar by Abram F. Myers,
general counsel of national Allied, in
his address before the Allied Theatre
Owners of Indiana state convention
here today.
"The only thing that would open up
the situation," he said, "would be if
distributor executives asked their sales
departments to step aside while they
acquainted themselves with the ex-
hibitor point of view." There were in-
dications that backstage talks toward
this end are under way in New York
with national Allied president Wilbur
Snaper.
"If it results in bringing leaders
(Continued on page 4)
To Set Exchange
Contracts Locally
Letters to local unions representing
exchange workers in each kev city
have been sent by the home offices of
national distributors, requesting the
locals for the terms and conditions de-
manded in new contracts. The locals
voted this year to negotiate new pacts
(Continued on page 2)
Schwalberg Details
'Grass Roots ' Plan
For Sales Meetings
Philadelphia, Dec. 2. — Details of
a new plan for division managers'
sales meetings, with special emphasis
on the specific needs of each indi-
vidual regional territory, was dis-
closed here by A. W. Schwalberg,
president of Paramount Film Dis-
tributing Corp.
The first scheduled application of
(Continued on page 5)
Ned Clarke Disney's
Foreign Sales Head
Ned Clarke has joined the Walt
Disney organization as foreign sales
supervisor, it was announced yester-
day by Roy O. Disney, president of
Walt Disney Productions. Clarke will
assume his duties Monday after con-
ferring with Disney and Leo Samuels,
(Continued on page 5)
TV to Share in Newsreel
'Poor of Ike's Korea Trip
Dave Oliver, Warner-Pathe News cameraman, will be the only news-
reel representative to accompany President-elect Eisenhower to Korea.
The "visual media," which includes television, were limited to one
representative. Oliver was chosen by Walton Anient, chairman of the
Motion Picture Association newsreel
Charles S hour as to
Aid Zukor Jubilee
Dallas, Dec. 2. — Charles
Skouras, president of Nation-
al Theatres, has accepted the
West Coast chairmanship of
the Adolph Zukor Golden Jub-
ilee to be sponsored by the
International Variety Clubs,
it was disclosed here by Rob-
ert J. O'Donnell, international
chairman of the event.
Skouras and O'Donnell will
shortly meet to arrange de-
tails of Hollywood participa-
tion in nationwide industry
plans to honor Zukor through-
out 1953.
committee and vice-president and gen-
eral manager of Warner Pathe, with
the consent of the other four news-
reels. All of Oliver's footage will be
pooled and released to the other reels
simultaneously, immediately that se-
curity regulations on the Eisenhower
journe}' have been lifted.
Plans call for Oliver's footage to be
shipped directly to Washington, where
it will be developed and made ready
for instantaneous release, subject to
security restrictions. Release of the
footage to television will be held up
pending shipment of the reels to thea-
tres. Under this arrangement, TV
could get a release simultaneous with
theatre release but could not "scoop"
the theatres, first-runs, at least, with
the newsreel films.
The arrangement was made neces-
(Continued on page 5)
Proposal Said to Call
For $l-Million Deposit
For Early Take-over
^ Floyd B. Odium, head of Atlas
Corp., which sold the controlling
stock interest in RKO Pictures to
Howard Hughes four years ago,
was reliably reported yesterday to be
a principal figure in a rapidly shaping-
movement to negotiate a deal for a
takeover of control from the Ralph
Stolkin syndicate which now holds it.
Milton Gettinger, New York
attorney, is said to figure in the
Odium proposal, and the two
reportedly conferred at length
yesterday with James A. Mul-
vey, president of Samuel Gold-
wyn Productions, which releases
through RKO Radio. None of
the three could be reached for
comment.
According to one report, Gettinger
recently completed a report on RKO
Pictures' current position which
showed the company to be basically
(Continued on- page 5)
Greene Hit in New
RKO Minority Suit
David J. Greene's intervention as an
RKO Pictures' stockholder in the
minority receivership application was
hit yesterday in a separate action filed
here, by Louis Kipnis, attorney repre-
senting the three minority stockholders
seeking to put the company into
receivership.
Kipnis obtained a show cause order,
returnable Dec. 9, seeking a contempt
of court citation against Greene, who
claims to own and control more than
(Continued on page 5)
Condon, Brandt at
2 -Day Chicago Meet
Chicago, Dec. 2. — Richard Condon,
director of advertising, publicity and
exploitation for RKO Radio, and
Leon Brandt, exploitation manager,
will arrive here tomorrow to conduct
a two-day meeting with the company's
Midwestern field representatives.
Extensive discussions of campaign
plans will be held on Samuel Gold-
wyn's "Hans Christian Andersen,"
Walt Disney's "Peter Pan," Gabriel
(Continued on page 5)
2
Motion Picture daily
Wednesday, December 3, 1952
IFE Releasing Corp. Sets
Six Films for Six Months
Personal
Mention
NATE J. BLUM BERG, Universal
board chairman and "Pioneer of
the Year," left here yesterday for an
extended stay on the Coast.
•
Arthur Gottlieb, Clem Williams
and Walter Ellaby, Audio Pictures
executives, have left Colorado Springs,
Gottlieb for New York, Williams
for Toronto and Ellaby on a sales
trip to Vancouver, Calgary and Win-
nipeg.
F. Phillipe Brais, president of
General Theatres, Ltd., Quebec, was
elected a director of Canadian Fund,
Inc., and Canadian Investment Fund,
Ltd.
Bob Daugherty today will resign
his post as manager of the Olympia
Theatre in Miami, Fla., to become
district manager with the Floyd Thea-
tre circuit, Haines City, Fla.
Cpl. Walter R. Wilson, formerly
assistant manager at the Paramount
Theatre, New Haven, is recipient of
the Bronze Star Medal for heroism
in action in Korea.
Abe Olman, general manager for
the Big Three Music companies, sub-
sidiaries of Loew's, flew to Europe
yesterday from New York.
•
Frederick C. Bruns has joined the
executive staff of Donahue and Coe.
He was formerly vice-president and
a director of Ruthrauff and Ryan.
Stanley Rubin, 20th Century-Fox
producer, returned to the Coast yes-
terday from New York.
A. A. Ward, executive vice-presi-
dent of Altec Lansing Corp., is in
New York from the Coast.
Eric Johnston, MPAA president,
is due in New York Monday from
South America.
Samuel Goldwyn will return here
today from Boston.
Exchange Contracts
(Continued from page 1)
individually, rather than have the
IATSE act for them, and the distribu-
tors plan to set up committees to carry
on the negotiations at the local level.
A two-year contract covering the ex-
changes expired Monday.
When the proposals of each local
are received in New York, the labor
relations departments of the various
companies will study the demands
jointly and individually. It is then
planned to appoint one or more com-
mittees, representing the distributors,
which will go from city to city and
negotiate with the unions on a local
basis.
It is expected that the new pacts,
when consummated, will be retroactive
to Dec. 1.
The IFE Releasing Corp. will have
six major Italian films for nation-
wide release during the first six
months of 1953, at least three of
which will be in dubbed in English,
it was disclosed here yesterday by
Bernard Jacon, sales vice-president.
Jacon also revealed five regional
sales offices involving a staff of 18
will be in operation by Jan. 1. A
division manager and about two sales
representatives will work out of the
Eastern division office in New York
City, the Central division office in
Cleveland, the Midwestern division in
Chicago, Southern division in Atlanta,
and the Western division in Los
Angeles. Jacon will leave on a
month-long trip on Monday on which
he will install division personnel and
finalize booking dates in major cities.
The sales force will work with the
permanent exploitation, publicity and
advertising staff, under Jonas Rosen-
field, Jr., vice-president in charge.
There will also be a per-picture ex-
ploitation staff wherever needed. A
deal is under way with National
Screen Service for accessories and
special trailers for TV.
"Anna," starring Sylvana Man-
gano, initiates the IFE schedule of
one major feature each month, with
two pre-release dates already booked
next month for two United Para-
mount Theatres, the St. Francis
Theatre in San Francisco, starting
Jan. 6, and the Center Theatre in
Buffalo on Jan. 8.
Anna Magnani may make her first
visit to the United States for per-
sonal appearances in connection with
her newest film, "Bellissima" in Feb-
ruary, Jacon indicated.
Balance of the organization's re-
lease schedule through May calls for
a March opening of "Times Gone
By," and an Easter release of a still
untitled film on the life of Pope
Pius X in an American-language
version.
"The Young Caruso" also will be
released in an American-language
version, in April. Final film on the
initial list announced by Jacon is
"Girls of the Piazza."
The Rossellini-Bergman picture,
"Europe '51" has also been acquired
by IFE and will be released early
next fall.
Name Kate Cameron
To NY Critics Post
The New York Film Critics has
selected Kate Cameron, motion pic-
ture critic of the Daily News, vice-
chairman, thereby putting her auto-
matically in line to succeed current
chairman Leo Mishkin, Morning
Telegraph critic, next year. Howard
Thompson of the Times was reelected
secretary and Frank Quinn, Daily
Mirror critic, was named a new
member.
The group also voted to hold its
annual balloting for the year's best
picture, foreign film, director, actor
and actress on Dec. 29.
Kansas City MPA
Elects 4 Directors
Kansas City, Dec. 2. — Four direc-
tors were elected to four-year terms
at the annual meeting yesterday of
the Motion Picture Association of
Greater Kansas City. Twelve direc-
tors hold over.
Elmer C. Rhoden, Sr., president of
Fox Midwest, was reelected a direc-
tor. Three new members of the board
are William Gaddoni, branch manager,
M-G-M ; R. M. Shelton, vice-president
and general manager of Common-
wealth Theatres, and Finton H.
Jones, insurance specialist. Retiring-
directors are Ben Shlyen, R. R.
Biechele and Arthur Cole. The board
of directors will meet Dec. 15 when
officers will be elected. Arthur Cole,
president, presided at the meeting.
Reports included that of Robert
Withers ; chairman of the welfare
committee, the chief project of which
was sponsoring and paying the costs
for 62 boys to a summer camp.
Howard Burkhardt, chairman of the
public relations committee, told of
numerous projects, such as the motion
picture industry division's total of
more than $18,000 to the United
Funds' campaign and theatre contri-
butions to the, polio campaign.
Richey to 'M.C
Independents Fete
Boston, Dec. 2. — Henderson M.
Richey, director of exhibitor rela-
tions for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, has
accepted the Independent Exhibitors
of New England invitation to serve
as master-of-ceremonies at the or-
ganization's annual convention ban-
quet, at the Sheraton Plaza Hotel
here on Tuesday.
Joseph Kaufman, director of theatre
operations for Cinerama Productions,
will speak at the banquet.
Jack Bellman Joins
Favorite Exchange
Jack Bellman, distribution veteran
and formerly Eastern division mana-
ger of Republic Pictures and circuit
sales manager of Eagle Lion, has
joined Joe Felder, Moe Kerman and
Irving Wernick in the operation of
Favorite Pictures Exchange here.
Bellman will assume the post of
general manager in charge of ex-
change operations on Monday. Wer-
nick remains with Favorite in charge
of sales.
Annual Gridiron Film
RKO - Pathe's annual two - reel
special, "Football Highlights," a com-
pilation of outstanding plays from
the nation's collegiate gridiron clas-
sics, will be available for national
exhibition on Dec. 12, according to
Sidney Kramer, short subjects sales
manager.
Newsreel
Parade
PREPARATIONS in Seoul, Korea
for the arrival of President-elect
Dzvight Eisenhower is the highlight
of all current nezvsreels. Featured also
are the White House meeting of Mrs.
Eisenhoiver and Mrs. Truman, the
C-54 plane crash at Tacoma, the
Army's public test of a new amphibi-
ous cargo vehicle, and U. S. Steel ob-
serving its 51st year.
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 98 — Mrs,
Eisenhower sees Mrs. Truman at the White
House. Korea awaits the arrival of Eisen-
hower. Koreans activate two new divisions.
36 killed in crash of C-54 at Tacoma. Chi-
cago1 is host to prize cattle. Notre Dame-
Southern California and Army -Navy foot-
ball games.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 22S— Korea
prepares big welcome for Eisenhower. New
tenant visits White House. U.S. Steel
marks its Slst year by pouring- one-billionth
ton of steel; Clifford H. Hood is the new
president. 37 perish as plane crashes in
fog-. Army-Navy, Notre Dame-Southern
California football games.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 31 — Korea
ready for Ike. Mrs. Eisenhower visits Mrs.
Truman. Heavy toll in C-54 crash at
Tacoma. Winthrop Aldrich new envoy to
Great Britain. Midnight in toyland. Army-
Navy, Notre Dame -Southern California
football games.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 49A— Mam-
moth reception set in Seoul for Ike's visit.
Army tests 60-ton amphibious cargo ve-
hicle. Navy planes stage rocket weapons
show on the Mojave Desert. French patrols
hit Red lines in Endo-China. New fashions
in watches. Some 102,000 watch Army-Navy
football game.
UNIVERSAL NEWS, No. 418 — Korea
awaits Ike as dignitaries gather for his in-
spection. Plane crash at Tacoma. "Mamie"
at the White House. New Army amphibi-
ous vehicle. New and old Secretaries of
Defense, Charles Wilson and Robert Lovett,
confer. Operation Rawin unveils new Signal
Corps meteorological device. Army-Navy
football game.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 33—
Korea awaits Ike. Air crash kills 36. Mrs.
Truman and Mrs. Eisenhower meet at the
White House. Army shows giant 60-ton
amphibian. Cars and stars at Warner's
studio. Pour Homestead's billionth ton of
steel in Pennsylvania. Army-Navy, Notre
Dame-Southern California football games.
IMPPA Names Broidy
To Succeed Chadwick
Hollywood, Dec. 2. — The Indepen-
dent Motion Picture Producers Asso-
ciation has elected Allied Artists
president, Steve Broidy, president,
succeeding the late I. E. Chadwick,
and named Jack Broder, Robert
Lippert and Sam Katzman vice-
presidents. Ed Finney was reelected
secretary-treasurer.
Broidy said, "We are determined
to continue our operations on the
same high plane and following the
same fine ideals set down by Mr.
Chadwick and followed so closely by
him during- his tenure of office."
$65,000 for 'O. Henry'
A new gross record has been set
by "O. Henry's Full House" at the
52nd Street Trans-Lux Theatre here,
with an accumulated seven-week
gross reaching $65,000, the manage-
ment of the theatre reports. The
20th Century-Fox omnibus produc-
tion, which comprises four of O.
Henryi's stories, entered its eighth
week at the theatre last Friday.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor'; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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: Quig-pubco,
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Secretary; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
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Motion Picture daily
Wednesday, December 3, 1952
To Include Remote
Pick-up on Lees TV
Details of the. one-hour production
program for the Dec. 8- Lees Carpets
theatre telecast, highlighting remote
pick-ups and split screen techniques,
were disclosed here yesterday by
Theatre Tele-sessions, subsidiary oi
Theatre Network Television, which
booked the event.
The program will also feature Kate
Smith, whose first TV program for
Lees will go on the air on the same
afternoon as the theatre telecast. Rus-
sell G. Gerbert, vice-president in
charge of production for Lees, will
deliver an address from the company's
Glasgow plant. To show conversa-
tions during the telecast between lead-
ing retailers from other cities and
Lees officials, the split-screen tech-
nique will be used. A new 1953 car-
pet line will be presented in a special
fashion show, augmented off the screen
by a display of Lees merchandise in
the lobbies of participating theatres.
4 Loew's Theatres
In Bendix Deal
Four Loew's TV-equipped theatres
will carry the Dec. 30 Bendix theatre
telecast arranged by Teleconference,
Inc.
Meanwhile, Aaron Feinsot, Telecon-
ference vice-president, left here for
South Bend, Ind., for conferences with
Bendix officials on the finalization of
plans. The four Loew's theatres tak-
ing the "off-hour" program are :
Loew's State, Cleveland, Loew's State,
St. Louis; Loew's Penn, Pittsburgh;
and Loew's State, Boston.
With Loew's taking the program in
four situations, Warner Brothers in
five and United Paramount Theatres'
affiliates in 17, the major circuits
account for 26 of the 42 theatres slated
to take the Coast-to-Coast event.
Soviet Impact Film
Produced by Schary
Hollywood, Dec. 2. — Metro-Gold-
wyn-Mayer's "The Hoaxters," a docu-
mented survey of Soviet Russia's Com-
munist impact on the American scene,
has been completed by Dore Schary
and will open in three Los Angeles
theatres on Saturday, in time to be
eligible for Academy Award con-
sideration. The picture was written
by Herman Hoffman, associate pro-
ducer, and has been booked to play
»the Vogue, Warner's Wiltern and
United Artists.
Myers Sees
(Continued from page 1)
together for a real heart-to-heart dis-
cussion that leads to some measure
of relief and a better arbitration draft,
the action taken in Chicago was not
a mere dragging of feet but a very
fortunate thing to happen," Myers
declared.
Myers pleaded for a "return to the
days when the object was to fill thea-
tres with people and not to get the
most from each individual patron."
"I would like to see the dis-
tributors play along with us to
that end," he said. "1943 defi-
nitely will be a year of decision
in the motion picture business."
"There was not a director or a
member of Allied I talked to who
said he was against arbitration,"
Myers declared. "Arbitration isn't a
word, it consists of a code of con-
duct and a method of enforcing it.
In arriving at such a plan, you had
better give careful consideration to
what goes in it. It could give judicial
sanction to practices many exhibitors
feel are wrong." His criticism of the
industry plan centered on pre-releases,
competitive bidding and the lack of
provisions that "would ease the strain
on exhibitors today."
Caution was urged by Max _ A.
Youngstein, vice-president of United
Artists. "Aggressiveness is not good if
it is without purpose," he argued, "If
we forget where the actual disease
in our business lies, if we are going
to kick the brains out of distributors
because it's a lot of fun, that is a
serious mistake. Most of our prob-
lems will be solved only by recogniz-
ing that there are more areas of agree-
ment than of disagreement."
Youngstein called Cinerama
"the single most dramatic in-
novation in the last 20 years—
in many ways a solid answer
to television."
Trueman Rembusch, president of
the state Allied for the past 7 years,
announced that he was not a candidate
for reelection.
Royal Purchases 5th
Story for '53 Lineup
Purchase of "Murder by Proxy," a
novel by Helen Neilsen, completes the
five-picture lineup of Royal Produc-
tions for 1953, Julian Lesser, head of
Royal, reported. The picture will go
into production in March under the
title of "Whispering Smith Off Bal-
ance."
Royal's first film in the new pro-
gram, "The Lost Hours," produced in
England, will be available in about 10
days. Lesser's program includes two
each in the "Whispering Smith" and
the "Saint" series.
Arbitration
(Continued from page 1)
pointed out that nearly half the or
ganized exhibitors of the country are
represented in the two organizations
The problem now, it was said, is to do
more extensive missionary work in
getting a larger bloc of exhibitors to
agree to the tentative draft than was
first anticipated.
On the other hand, some leaders
took the position that the entire ar
bitration situation eventually would be
solved, but that it would take more
time. Objections to the plan can be
overcome, say the more optimistic
ones.
Meanwhile, both sides are awaiting
the return from South America of
Eric Johnston, president of the Mo
tion Picture Association of America,
who may take some immediate action
in setting up new talks. However, an
MPAA spokesman said here yesterday
that the association's knowledge of the
willingness of exhibitor organization
leaders to continue talks on ironing out
the wrinkles in the latest arbitration
plan has come only from trade press
reports. It was suggested that the
meetings might be expedited if one or
more groups would contact Johnston
or the MPAA and ask that the ses-
sions be called. Johnston is due in
New York next Monday.
Weltner Confirms
Para. -Italian Deal
Completion of the deal whereby
Paramount will co-produce a series of
features in Italy was confirmed here
yesterday by George Weltner, presi-
dent of Paramount-International, who
returned to the home office from a
two-week European trip. Under the
setup, Paramount will distribute in
Europe the entire output of Ponti-De
Laurentiis, Italian production com-
pany. The exact number has not been
determined, but it is understand that
there will be a minimum of 10 pic-
tures.
The first two films under the agree-
ment already are in production. They
are "La Lupa" ("The She-Wolf")
and an untitled feature. Paramount
currently is distributing "Sensualita,"
which was produced by Ponti-De-
Laurentiis prior to the new pact. This
picture is not included in the current
agreement.
UA in Joint Italian
Production Deal
Joint Italo - American production
in Italy of major motion pictures
for world-wide distribution, will be
achieved under* an arrangement con-
cluded in Naples by Arthur B. Krim,
president of United Artists, and An-
gelo Rizzoli and Robert Haggiag of
Italy, it was announced by UA here
yesterday.
The arrangement also provides for
the formation of a new distribution
company, resulting from the merger
of Dearfilm, a company currently dis
tributing Italian films, and DAI, which
is the exclusive agency for distribut
ing UA releases in Italy. Haggiag is
the head of DAI and Rizzoli, Italian
publisher, industrialist and producer
of "Tomorrow Is Too Late" and
"Don Camillo," is the head of Dear-
film.
National
Pre-Selling
French Notify U.S.
Firms on Allocations
Paris, Dec. 2. — Letters to Ameri-
can film companies, notifying them as
to how many dubbing permits each
may apply for under the new French
film pact, are being sent out by the
French government. It is expected
that the allocations will be made in
two "shifts," allowing 90 permits
immediately and 20, possibly in the
spring, for member companies of the
Motion Picture Export Association.
Independent companies are being allo-
cated a total of 11 permits.
The 20 permits, in a sense, are
being borrowed against next year's
quota. France is allowing an overall
import total of 138 pictures from all
countries.
Maas in Japan Seeks
Unrestricted Imports
Unrestricted importation of Ameri-
can films in Japan is being sought by
Irving Maas, representative of the
international division of the Motion
Picture Association of America, now
in Tokyo. Maas is expected back in
New York by Christmas, and it is
believed that negotiations will be con-
cluded within the next two weeks, but
whether Japan will agree to the free
entry of pictures remains a question.
" A QUIET MAN'S MOVIES" is
the title Look gives to a sketch
of producer Hal Wallis's "life in the
movies," appearing in the current is-
sue. The story starts with Wallis in
1920, an obscure studio publicity man
for Warner Brothers : "He dared to
court film comedienne Louise Fa-
zenda, then earning $4,000 a week.
Her friend, Lilyan Tashman, warned
Miss Fazenda against taking seriously
a young nobody who was trying to
hitch his wagon to a star. Miss Fa-
zenda thought otherwise. She married
Walks and retired to watch the young-
nobody rise to head all production at
Warners from 1930 to 1940, and from
1944, operate his independent company
at Paramount." Wallis has two pic-
tures ready for release : "Come Back,
Little Sheba," with Shirley Booth,
and "The Stooge," starring Dean
Martin and Jerry Lewis. Both are
Paramount releases.
The editor of the "Journal About
Town" department in the December
Ladies' Home Journal reports the
following took place after a pre-
view of "Hans Christian Andersen";
Bruce Gould, co-editor of the Jour-
nal; Dore Schary and Ed Murrow
were congratulating Sam Goldwyn
in the 21 Club after seeing the pic-
ture. Goldwyn said, "The better the
picture, the more I'd !ike to start
right in the minute it is made and
do it all over again — and better."
•
Edwin Miller, motion picture editor
of Seventeen, did a "profile" of Aldo
Ray for the December issue. Miller
says "Aldo is without self-conscious-
ness. And without conceit. He hap-
pens to have a number of outstanding
talents; he is azvare of them. Under-
neath it all, though, he appeals for
approval. He wants to feel that you
agree with him, that you like him,
that you feel he's okay." Ray's next
part is a starring role opposite Jane
Wyman in a musical called "Love
Song." After that he is scheduled to
appear in James Jones' story, "From
ILere to Eternity."
•
"Plymouth Adventure" is reviewed
in "McCall's Goes to the Movies" in
the issue now on newsstands. The re-
viewer says " 'Plymouth Adventure,'
the grim story of the Mayflower's
famous voyage from the old world to
New England, is tensely told in this
M-G-M picture. Although founded on
historical record, the film relies on
fiction for action during the 96 days
the Pilgrims were at sea in their tiny
vessel. The hardships of the 102 per-
sons crammed into the little ship, the
tremendous effects of a storm at sea
and the often bitter personal conflicts
among the Pilgrims are all powerfully-
depicted. " Also recommended in Mc-
Call's regular monthly movie guide
are RKO Radio's "The Lusty Men,"
Columbia's "The Four Poster," and
Paramount's "The Stooge."
•
Leslie Caron is pictured as Queen
Nefertete, who ruled Egypt 3,000
years ago, on the front-cover of
This Week magazine, on newsstands
Sunday. The issue also has a spread
of Leslie taken during the filming
of "Lili," her latest M-G-M picture.
Walter Haas
Wednesday, December 3, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
Schwalherg Details Meets
{Continued from page 1)
TV to Share
(Continued from page 1)
sary when TV was counted out of
the Eisenhower traveling party be-
cause it was tardy in making applica-
tion for a representative, it was said.
When TV finally woke up and applied
for representation, accommodations on
the Eisenhower plane were not avail-
able and there was insufficient time
to clear a TV man, give him his
"shots" and complete the numerous
other preliminaries.
Newsreels, of course, maintain rep-
resentation in Korea and Tokyo and
the footage from those sources ob-
tained during Eisenhower's visit_ will
not be made available to television.
However, if security agencies so de-
cide, none of the Eisenhower footage
may be released until the President-
elect is back in the United States,
Condon, Brandt
(Continued from page 1)
Pascal's "Androcles and the Lion,"
Huntington Hartford's "Face to Face,"
Sol Lesser's "Under the Red Sea" and
"'Blackbeard the Pirate."
Douglas Beck, Chicago; William
Brooker, Kansas City ; Joseph Longo,
Cleveland, and Edward Terhune, Salt
Lake City, will attend the confabs.
Similar meetings for members of
the Eastern field force were concluded
today in New York. In attendance
were Spencer Steinhurst, Atlanta;
Hank Howard, Philadelphia ; Barry
Bernard, Buffalo ; Seymour Eaton,
Dallas, and Charles Moss, David Can-
tor, and Norman Poller of the home
office.
Condon is scheduled to leave Chi-
cago on Friday to join producer Fred-
erick Brisson in Washington, to meet
with General Omar Bradley and Mrs.
Anna Rosenberg to discuss plans for
the world premiere of Brison's "Never
Wave at a Wac." Brandt will return
to New York via Miami where he
will set up the opening of "Hans
Christian Andersen" on Christmas
day.
Ned Clarke
(Continued from page 1)
Disney worldwide sales supervisor.
Clarke's post is a new one.
Clarke resigned this week from the
post of Latin-American and Far-East-
ern sales supervisor for RKO Radio
Pictures. An industry veteran, he
started his film sales career in Boston
with Pathe in 1929.
At the time of Pathe's merger with
RKO, Clarke entered the foreign field
and represented the company in
Europe, Latin- America and the Ar-
il gentine.
New House for Harris
Harry A. Harris, owner of a cir-
cuit of Spanish-speaking theatres here,
has taken a long term lease on the
2,000-seat Public Theatre in down-
town Manhattan, it was disclosed by
Berk and Krumgold, realtors. The
aggregate rental is $400,000.
TRADE SHOWING CHANGE
The RKO Radio Pictures trade
showings for "NEVER WAVE
AT A WAC," advertised for
Dec. 8th, 9th and 10th, will not
be held on those dates.
New dates will be announced.
the new plan on more intensive local
promotion policies will cover releases
for the first six months of 1953, it
was explained. Schwalberg stated,
"We feel confident that each of our
division managers and each branch
manager has an intimate knowledge
of his own territory which will be in-
valuable in setting details of mer-
chandising plans and programs. By
coordinating the individual needs of
each territory into one completely-
integrated program of promotion, we
feel that we shall strengthen our
operations tremendously."
Keynote of the plan, according to
Schwalberg, will be the immediate
inauguration of a series of individual
regional meetings to be conducted in
the headquarters city of each Para-
mount division. The meetings, to be
conducted by Schwalberg, also will
be attended by E. K. (Ted) O'Shea,
vice-president, and Jerry Pickman,
vice-president in charge of advertis-
ing, publicity and exploitation, as well
as the division manager and key
division personnel.
"The basis for the added strength
which the Paramount program will
derive from this method of han-
dling," Schwalberg added, "is the fact
that individual division managers and
branch managers are so much more
closely connected with the needs of
theatres throughout the country than
we can possibly be in the home office.
No program can have any value un-
less it provides a direct benefit to the
exhibitor at his own box-office. This
is our aim — to do everything we can
to stimulate box-office revenue to the
individual theatre."
The new program of individual
meetings starts here tomorrow, where
Schwalberg, O'Shea and Pickman
are meeting with Mid-Eastern
division manager Howard G. Minsky
and key division personnel.
Following return to the home office
Friday, Schwalberg, O'Shea and
Pickman will fly to Dallas, where
Sunday and Monday will be spent in
similar meetings with South Central
division manager A. M. Kane and
territory personnel. Next stop will
be Los Angeles, for a two-day ses-
sion Tuesday and Wednesday, with
Western division manager George A.
Smith and Pacific Coast sales forces.
On Dec. 12 and 13, the executive
trio will be in Chicago for sessions
with Central division manager J. J.
Donohue. Final meeting of the trip
will be held in New York on Dec. 15
and 16, with Eastern and Southern
division manager Hugh Owen calling
together key personnel from his terri-
tories to discuss forthcoming product.
A definite date has not yet been set,
Schwalberg said, for a sales meeting
in Toronto with Canadian division
manager Gordon Lightstone and Cana-
dian sales personnel, but it is expected
that this will be held before the first
of the year.
Greene Hits
(Continued from page 1)
78,000 RKO Pictures shares. The
citation is sought on grounds that the
government consent decree forbids
officers and directors of split-up exhi-
bition companies from influencing the
management of the production-distri-
bution firms. Greene is a director of
RKO Theatres.
The show cause order was signed by
Paramount's schedule for the first
six months of 1953, as announced by
Schwalberg, includes the following :
January: "Road to Bali," color by Tech-
nicolor; Bing Crosby-Bob Hope-Dorothy
Lamour starrer; "Thunder in the East,"
starring- Alan Ladd, Deborah Kerr, Charles
Boyer and Corinne Calvet; "Tropic Zone,"
Technicilor, starring Ronald Reagan,
Rhonda Fleming and Estelita.
February: "The Stooge," Dean Martin -
Jerry Lewis starrer; special' pre-release
engagements of "Come Back, Little
Sheba," starring Shirley Booth, Burt
Lancaster, Terry Moore and Richard
Jaeckel.
March: "The Stars Are Singing," Tech-
nicolor, starring Anna Maria Alberghetti,
Rosemary Clooney and Lauritz Melchoir;
"Pleasure Island," in Technicolor, starring
Don Taylor, Leo Genn and Elsa Lan-
chester.
April: "Off Limits," starring Bob Hope,
Mickey Rooney and Marilyn Maxwell;
"Pony Express," in Technicolor, starring
Charlton Heston, Rhonda Fleming, Forrest
Tucker and Jan Sterling.
May: George Pal's Technicolor produc-
tion, "War of the Worlds"; "Jamaica," in
Technicolor, starring Ray Milland, Arlene
Dahl and Wendell Corey.
June: "Alaska Seas," in Technicolor;
"Rock Grayson's Women," in Technicolor,
satrring John Payne, Coleen Gray, Jan
Sterling and Lyle Bettger.
Paramount Sets This Month
For Booker-Salesman Drive
Paramount has dedicated this
month to its fifth annual "Booker-
Salesman's Drive" as a tribute to the
booker - salesmen, whom A. W.
Schwalberg, drive initiater and presi-
dent of the distributing company, re-
gards as "the backbone of any film
organization."
The drive opened on Nov. 30 and
will continue through Jan. 3. The
booker-salesmen have re-dedicated
the drive to Schwalberg and vice-
president E. K. (Ted) O'Shea.
Quotas have been set for the drive,
and advertising material has been
prepared by a home office committee
under the chairmanship of Monroe
R. Goodman. The committee includes
Harold Beecroft, Joe Bisdale, Sid
Blumenstock, Arthur Dunne, Martin
Friedman, J. Knox Haddow, Fred
Leroy, Sid Mesibov, Jack Roper,
George Schur and Joe Walsh.
English Representative Due
Dec. 13 for Production Talks
Richard Mealand, Paramount pro-
duction representative in England,
will arrive in New York by plane
from London on Dec. 13 to start dis-
cussions with company executives
about world-wide production problems
and overseas shooting locales.
This will be Mealand's first U. S.
visit in nearly two years. His first
of several meetings with New York
executives will be with Russell Hol-
man, Paramount's Eastern production
manager. Early in January Mealand
will fly to the Coast to meet with
Y. Frank Freeman, Paramount vice-
president in charge of the studio ;
Don Hartman, in charge of produc-
tion, and other studio heads.
Judge. Sydney Sugarman of U. S.
District Court. The hearing date of
Dec. 9 is just one day before argu-
ments on the receivership application
are scheduled to be heard in New
York Supreme Court.
A Greene spokesman, in comment-
ing on the action, said "we intervened
as a securities firm on the basis of the
feeling that receivership would be un-
wise." He said that Kipnis' move
would be vigorously opposed by
Greene.
Atlas-RKO
(Continued from page 1)
sound. Gettinger occasionally repre-
sents the Chemical Bank & Trust Co.
of this city and, it is said, the plan
he and Odium are putting together
for a deal which would be acceptable
to both the Stolkin group and Hughes
calls for the deposit of $1,000,000 with
Chemical by Atlas Corp. as an initial
payment on the 1,013,420 shares of
RKO Pictures common stock, repre- -
senting a controlling 29 per cent in-
terest, which is presently held by the
Stolkin group.
Further Details Not Clear
Further details of the proposal were
not clear but it was assumed that
thereafter Atlas Corp. would assume
the future stock purchase obligations
of the Stolkin group to Hughes, on
some basis acceptable to both of the
latter. The Stolkin group agreed to
pay Hughes $7 per share for the
stock and made an initial payment last
September of $1,500,000. A similar
amount is due next year and the bal-
ance in 1954. It is assumed the Atlas
proposal will call for price and other
concessions from both Stolkin and
Hughes.
It could not be learned
whether the Atlas proposal will
include a provision, or agree-
ment, to reinstate Ned E. Depi-
net as RKO Pictures president
and Noah Dietrich as board
chairman, as currently proposed
by Hughes. Observers believed
that Hughes might insist on
such a condition in return for
any concessions, price or other-
wise which he might agree to
in a possible modification of the
Stolkin group's stock purchase
agreement.
Meanwhile, Flughes, Depinet and
members of the Stolkin syndicate are
continuing their conferences in Holly-
wood, which are expected to last sev-
eral days more. It is generally be-
lieved that if a deal with Atlas is not
consummated in the very near future, 1
Hughes will pick up the reins again
and designate Depinet and Dietrich
his chief executive officers.
Depinet served as vice-president of
RKO Pictures in charge of distribu-
tion during the previous Atlas Corp.
period of RKO control. N. Peter
Rathvon was Odium's choice for pres-
ident then.
— FLY TO- >^^>
LOS ANGELES
on United's Luxurious
"OVERNIGHT
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Only 1 1 hrs. one-stop!
The fine service of United's "Hollywood"
flights is youfi on the "Overnight Holly-
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Produced by JOSEPH BERNHARD and KING VIDOR • Directed by KING VIDOR 'Screenplay by SILVIA RICHARDS
Story by ARTHUR FITZ-RICHARDS • A Bernhard-Vidor Presentation • Released by 20th Century-Fox
VOL. 72. NO. 106
NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1952
TEN CENTS
Myers Sees Hope
In 'Heart-to-HearV
Arbitration Talks
ATLAS REPORTED
IN BID FOR RKO
Arbitration Is
More Confused
ByWTOAction
Coast Group's Rejection
Raises New Questions
Rejection of the distributors' ar-
bitration draft by the Western The-
atre Owners, as announced Monday
in San Francisco by Rotus Harvey,
past president of WTO, was greeted
here yesterday by distribution leaders
as further complicating the entire ar-
bitration picture. It had been the
feeling that Allied was the only hold-
out on accepting the draft as a spring-
board to a more acceptable formula,
but with WTO siding in with Allied
the problem takes on a more serious
complexion, according to some opin-
ions.
One distributor raised this ques-
tion : If the industry were to move
for the establishment of an arbitration
system without Allied's participation
in the hope of obtaining Department
of Justice approval, regardless, would
there be any chance of obtaining that
approval with WTO, as well as Al-
lied, opposed to the plan? It was
(Continued on page 4)
ITOO Okays Allied
Arbitration Action
Columbus, Dec. 2. The board
of directors of Independent Theatre
Owners of Ohio voted to approve the
action of national Allied to reject the
arbitration plan in its present form
and to notify Abram Myers of the
board's approval of the rejection.
The board authorized W. V. Blake,
Columbus statistician, to make a
study of Ohio film carriers and re-
port his recommendations at the next
board meeting. A preliminary study
revealed a wide discrepancy in rates,
said Robert Wile, secretary.
'Carmen' Tickets
From $1.20 to $7.20
The price range for the Dec. 11
"Carmen" telecast runs from $1.20 to
$7.20, with most theatres taking the
Theatre Network Television event
charging from $2.40 to $4.80', a check
of field reports disclosed here.
In New York, the 450-seat Guild
Theatre on 50th ■ Street, which is
charging $7.20 per seat, including
tax, is nearly sold out.
Indianapolis, Dec. 2. — The door to
industry arbitration was unlocked and
left slightly ajar by Abram F. Myers,
general counsel of national Allied, in
his address before the Allied Theatre
Owners of Indiana state convention
here today.
"The only thing that would open up
the situation," he said, "would be if
distributor executives asked their sales
departments to step aside while they
accmainted themselves with the ex-
hibitor point of view." There were in-
dications that backstage talks toward
this end are under way in New York
with national Allied president Wilbur
Snaper.
"If it results in bringing leaders
' (Continued on page 4)
To Set Exchange
Contracts Locally
Letters to local unions representing
exchange workers in each kev city
have been sent by the home offices of
national distributors, requesting the
locals for the terms and conditions de-
manded in new contracts. The locals
voted this vear to negotiate, new pacts
(Continued on page 2)
Schwalberg Details
'Grass Roots9 Plan
For Sales Meetings
Philadelphia, Dec. 2. — Details of
a new plan for division managers'
sales meetings, with special emphasis
on the specific needs of each indi-
vidual regional territory, was dis-
closed here by A. W. Schwalberg,
president of Paramount Film Dis-
tributing Corp.
The first scheduled application of
(Continued on page 5)
Ned Clarke Disney's
Foreign Sales Head
Ned Clarke has joined the Walt
Disney organization as foreign sales
supervisor, it was announced yester-
day by Roy O. Disney, president of
Walt Disney Productions. Clarke will
assume his duties Monday after con-
ferring with Disney and Leo Samuels,
(Continued on page 5)
Proposal Said to Call
For $l-Million Deposit
For Early Take-over
Floyd B. Odium, head of Atlas
Corp., which sold the controlling
stock interest in RKO Pictures to
Howard Hughes four years ago,
was reliably reported yesterday to be
a principal figure in a rapidly shaping
movement to negotiate a deal for a
takeover of control from the Ralph
Stolkin syndicate which now holds it.
Milton Gettinger, New York
attorney, is said to figure in the
Odium proposal, and the two
reportedly conferred at length
yesterday with James A. Mul-
vey, president of Samuel Gold-
wyn Productions, which releases
through RKO Radio. None of
the three could be reached for
comment.
According to one report, Gettinger
recently completed a report on RKO
Pictures' current position which
showed the company to be basically
(Continued on page 5)
Greene Hit in New
RKO Minority Suit
David J. Greene's intervention as an
RKO Pictures' stockholder in the
minority receivership application was
hit yesterday in a separate action filed
here, by Louis Kipnis, attorney repre-
senting the three minority stockholders
seeking to put the company into
receivership.
Kipnis obtained a show cause order,
returnable Dec. 9, seeking a contempt
of court citation against Greene, who
claims to own and control more than
(Continued on page 5)
Condon, Brandt at
2 -Day Chicago Meet
Chicago, Dec. 2. — Richard Condon,
director of advertising, publicity and
exploitation for RKO Radio, and
Leon Brandt, exploitation manager,
will arrive here tomorrow to conduct
a two-day meeting with the company's
Midwestern field representatives.
Extensive discussions of campaign
plans will be held on Samuel Gold-
wyn's "Hans Christian Andersen,"
Walt Disney's "Peter Pan," Gabriel
(Continued on page 5)
TV to Share in Newsreel
'Poor of Ike's Korea Trip
Dave Oliver, Warner-Pathe News cameraman, will be the only news-
reel representative to accompany President-elect Eisenhower to Korea.
The "visual media," which includes television, were limited to one
representative. Oliver was chosen by Walton Anient, chairman of the
Motion Picture Association newsreel
Charles Skouras to
Aid Zukor Jubilee
Dallas, Dec. 2. — Charles
Skouras, president of Nation-
al Theatres, has accepted the
West Coast chairmanship of
the Adolph Zukor Golden Jub-
ilee to be sponsored by the
International Variety Clubs,
it was disclosed here by Rob-
ert J. O'Donnell, international
chairman of the event.
Skouras and O'Donnell will
shortly meet to arrange de-
tails of Hollywood participa-
tion in nationwide industry
plans to honor Zukor through-
out 1953.
committee and vice-president and gen-
eral manager of Warner Pathe, with
the consent of the other four news-
reels. All of Oliver's footage will be
pooled and released to the other reels
simultaneously, immediately that se-
curity regulations on the Eisenhower
journey have been lifted.
Plans call for Oliver's footage to be
shipped directly to Washington, where
it will be developed and made ready
for instantaneous release, subject to
security restrictions. Release of the
footage to television will be held up
pending shipment of the reels to thea-
tres. Under this arrangement, TV
could get a release simultaneous with
theatre release but could not "scoop"
the theatres, first-runs, at least, with
the newsreel films.
The arrangement was made neces-
(Continned on page 5)
2
Motion Picture daily
Wednesday, December 3, 1952 I
IFE Releasing Corp. Sets
Six Films for Six Months
Personal
Mention
NATE J. BLUMBERG, Universal
board chairman and "Pioneer of
the Year," left here yesterday for an
extended stay on the Coast.
•
Arthur Gottlieb, Clem Williams
and Walter Ellaby, Audio Pictures
executives, have left Colorado Springs,
Gottlieb for New York, Williams
for Toronto and Ellaby on a sales
trip to Vancouver, Calgary and Win-
nipeg.
F. Phillipe Brais, president of
General Theatres, Ltd., Quebec, was
elected a director of Canadian Fund,
Inc., and Canadian Investment Fund,
Ltd.
Bob Daugherty today will resign
his post as manager of the Olympia
Theatre in Miami, Fla., to become
district manager with the Floyd Thea-
tre circuit, Haines City, Fla.
Cpl. Walter R. Wilson, formerly
assistant manager at the Paramount
Theatre, New Haven, is recipient of
the Bronze Star Medal for heroism
in action in Korea.
Abe Olman, general manager for
the Big Three Music companies, sub-
sidiaries of Loew's, flew to Europe
yesterday from New York.
•
Frederick C. Bruns has joined the
executive staff of Donahue and Coe.
He was formerly vice-president and
a director of Ruthrauff and Ryan.
Stanley Rubin, 20th Century-Fox
producer, returned to the Coast yes-
terday from New York.
A. A. Ward, executive vice-presi-
dent' of Altec Lansing Corp., is in
New York from the Coast.
Eric Johnston, MPAA president,
is due in New York Monday from
South America.
Samuel Goldwyn will return here
today from Boston.
Exchange Contracts
(Continued from page 1)
individually, rather than have the
IATSE act for them, and the distribu-
tors plan to set up committees to carry
on the negotiations at the local level.
A two-year contract covering the ex-
changes expired Monday.
When the proposals of each local
are received in New York, the labor
relations departments of the various
companies will study the demands
jointly and individually. It is then
planned to appoint one or more com-
mittees, representing the distributors,
which will go from city to city and
negotiate with the unions on a local
basis.
It is expected that the new pacts,
when consummated, will be retroactive
to Dec. 1.
The IFE Releasing Corp. will have
six major Italian films for nation-
wide release during the first six
months of 1953, at least three of
which will, be in dubbed in English,
it was disclosed here yesterday by
Bernard Jacon, sales vice-president.
Jacon also revealed five regional
sales offices involving a staff of 18
will be in operation by Jan. 1. A
division manager and about two sales
representatives will work out of the
Eastern division office in New York
City, the Central division office in
Cleveland, the Midwestern division in
Chicago, Southern division in Atlanta,
and the Western division in Los
Angeles. Jacon will leave on a
month-long trip on Monday on which
he will install division personnel and
finalize booking dates in major cities.
The sales force will work with the
permanent exploitation, publicity and
advertising staff, under Jonas Rosen-
field, Jr., vice-president in charge.
There will also be a per-picture ex-
ploitation staff wherever needed. A
deal is under way with National
Screen Service for accessories and
special trailers for TV.
"Anna," starring Sylvana Man-
gano, initiates the IFE schedule of
one major feature each month, with
two pre-release dates already booked
next month for two United Para-
mount Theatres, the St. Francis
Theatre in San Francisco, starting
Jan. 6, and the Center Theatre in
Buffalo on Jan. 8.
Anna Magnani may make her first
visit to the United States for per-
sonal appearances in connection with
her newest film, "Bellissima" in Feb-
ruary, Jacon indicated.
Balance of the organization's re-
lease schedule through May calls for
a March opening of "Times Gone
By," and an Easter release of a still
untitled film on the life of Pope
Pius X in an American-language
version.
"The Young Caruso" also will be
released in an American-language
version, in April. Final film on the
initial list announced by Jacon is
"Girls of the Piazza."
The Rossellini-Bergman picture,
"Europe '51" has also been acquired
by IFE and will be released early
next fall.
Name Kate Cameron
To NY Critics Post
. The New York Film Critics has
selected Kate Cameron, motion pic-
ture critic of the Daily Nezvs, vice-
chairman, thereby putting her auto-
matically in line to succeed current
chairman Leo Mishkin, Morning
Telegraph critic, next year. Howard
Thompson of the Times was reelected
secretary and Frank Quinn, Daily
Mirror critic, was named a new
member.
The group also voted to hold its
annual balloting for the year's best
picture, foreign film, director, actor
and actress on Dec. 29.
Kansas City MPA
Elects 4 Directors
Kansas City, Dec. 2. — Four direc-
tors were elected to four-year terms
at the annual meeting yesterday of
the Motion Picture Association of
Greater Kansas City. Twelve direc-
tors hold over.
Elmer C. Rhoden, Sr., president of
Fox Midwest, was reelected a direc-
tor. Three new members of the board
are William Gaddoni, branch manager,
M-G-M ; R. M. Shelton, vice-president
and general manager of Common-
wealth Theatres, and Finton H.
Jones, insurance specialist. Retiring
directors are Ben Shlyen, R. R.
Biechele and Arthur Cole. The board
of directors will meet Dec. 15 when
officers will be elected. Arthur Cole,
president, presided at the meeting.
Reports included that of Robert
Withers ; chairman of the welfare
committee, the chief project of which
was sponsoring and paying the costs
for 62 boys to a summer camp.
Howard Burkhardt, chairman of the
public relations committee, told of
numerous projects, such as the motion
picture industry division's total of
more than $18,000 to the United
Funds' campaign and theatre contri-
butions to the. polio campaign.
Richey to 'M.C
Independents Fete
Boston, Dec. 2. — Henderson M.
Richey, direfctor of exhibitor rela-
tions for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, has
accepted the Independent Exhibitors
of New England invitation to serve
as master-of-ceremonies at the or-
ganization's annual convention ban-
quet, at the Sheraton Plaza Hotel
here on Tuesday.
Joseph Kaufman, director of theatre
operations for Cinerama Productions,
will speak at the banquet.
Jack Bellman Joins
Favorite Exchange
Jack Bellman, distribution veteran
and formerly Eastern division mana-
ger of Republic Pictures and circuit
sales manager of Eagle Lion, has
joined Joe Felder, Moe Kerman and
Irving Wernick in the operation of
Favorite Pictures Exchange here.
Bellman will assume the post of
general manager in charge of ex-
change operations on Monday. Wer-
nick remains with Favorite in charge
of sales.
Annual Gridiron Film
RKO - Pathe's annual two - reel
special, "Football Highlights," a com-
pilation of outstanding plays from
the nation's collegiate gridiron clas-
sics, will be available for national
exhibition on Dec. 12, according to
Sidney Kramer, short subjects sales
manager.
Newsreel
Parade
PREPARATIONS in Seoul, Korea
for the arrival of President-elect
Dzvight Eisenhower is the highlight
of all current neivsreels. Featured also
are the White House meeting of Mrs.
Eisenhozver and Mrs. Truman, the
C-54 plane crash at Tacoma, the
Army's public test of a nezv amphibi-
ous cargo vehicle, and U. S. Steel ob-
serving its 51st year.
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 98 — Mrs.
Eisenhower sees Mrs. Truman at the White
House. Korea awaits the arrival of Eisen-
hower. Koreans activate two new divisions.
36 killed in crash of C-54 at Tacoma. Chi-
cago is host to prize cattle. Notre Dame-
Southern California and Army -Navy foot-
ball games.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 228—Korea
prepares big welcome for Eisenhower. New
tenant visits White House. U.S. Steel
marks its Slst year by pouring one-billionth
ton of steel; Clifford H. Hood is the new
president. 37 perish as plane crashes in
fog. Army-Navy, Notre Dame-Southern
California football games.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 31 — Korea
ready for Ike. Mrs. Eisenhower visits Mrs.
Truman. Heavy toll in C-54 crash at
Tacoma. Winthrop Aldrich new envoy to
Great Britain. Midnight in toyland. Army-
Navy, Notre Dame-Southern California
football games.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 48A — Mam-
moth reception set in Seoul for Ike's visit.
Army tests 60-ton amphibious cargo ve-
hicle. Navy planes stage rocket weapons
show on the Mojave Desert. French patrols
hit Red lines in Indo-China. New fashions
in watches. Some 102,000 watch Army -Navy
football game.
UNIVERSAL NEWS, No. 418 — Korea
awaits Ike as dignitaries gather for his in-
spection. Plane crash at Tacoma. "Mamie"
at the White House. New Army amphibi-
ous vehicle. New and old Secretaries of
Defense, Charles Wilson and Robert Lovett,
confer. Operation Rawin unveils new Signal
Corps meteorological device. Army -Navy
football game.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 33L-
Korea awaits Ike. Air crash kills 36. Mrs.
Truman and Mrs. Eisenhower meet at the
White House. Atmy shows giant 60^ton
amphibian. Cars and stars at Warner's
studio. Pour Homestead's billionth ton of
steel in Pennsylvania. Army-Navy, Notre
Dame-Southern California football games.
IMPPA Names Broidy
To Succeed Chadwick
Hollywood, Dec. 2. — The Indepen-
dent Motion Picture Producers Asso-
ciation has elected Allied Artists
president, Steve Broidy, president,
succeeding the late I. E. Chadwick,
and named Jack Broder, Robert
Lippert and Sam Katzman vice-
presidents. Ed Finney was reelected
secretary-treasurer.
Broidy said, "We are determined
to continue our operations on the
same high plane and following the
same fine ideals set down by Mr.
Chadwick and followed so closely by
him during his tenure of office."
$65,000 for '0. Henry'
A new gross record has been set
by "O. Henry's Full House" at the
52nd Street Trans-Lux Theatre here,
with an accumulated seven-week
gross reaching $65,000, the manage-
ment of the theatre reports. The
20th Century-Fox omnibus produc-
tion, which comprises four of O.
Henry's stories, entered its eighth
i week at the theatre last Friday.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FT 6-3074; Bruce Trmz, Editorial Representative. 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington. D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WT; 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.
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4
Motion Picture daily
Wednesday, December 3, 1952
To Include Remote
Pick-up on Lees TV
Details of the. one-hour production
program for the Dec. 8 Lees Carpets
theatre telecast, highlighting remote
pick-ups and split screen techniques,
were disclosed here yesterday by
Theatre Tele-sessions, subsidiary of
Theatre Network Television, which
booked the event.
The program will also feature. Kate
Smith, whose first TV program for
Lees will go on the air on the same
afternoon as the theatre telecast. Rus-
sell G. . Gerbert, vice-president m
charge of production for Lees, will
deliver an address from the company's
Glasgow plant. To show conversa-
tions during the telecast between lead-
ing retailers from other cities and
Lees officials, the split-screen tech-
nique will be used. A new 1953 car-
pet line will be presented in a special
fashion show, augmented off the screen
by a displav of Lees merchandise in
the lobbies of participating theatres.
4 Loew s Theatres
In Bendix Deal
Myers Sees
(Continued from page 1)
Weltner Confirms
Para. -Italian Deal
Four Loew's TV-equipped theatres
will carry the Dec. 30 Bendix theatre
telecast arranged by Teleconference,
Inc.
Meanwhile, Aaron Femsot, Telecon-
ference vice-president, left here for
South Bend, Ind., for conferences with
Bendix officials on the finalization of
plans. The four Loew's theatres tak-
ing the "off-hour" program are:
Loew's State, Cleveland, Loew's State,
St. Louis; Loew's Penn, Pittsburgh;
and Loew's State, Boston.
With Loew's taking the program in
four situations, Warner Brothers in
five and United Paramount Theatres'
affiliates in 17, the major circuits
account for 26 of the 42 theatres slated
to take the Coast-to-Coast event.
Soviet Impact Film
Produced by Schary
Hollywood, Dec. 2. — Metro-Gold-
wyn-Mayer's "The Hoaxters," a docu-
mented survey of Soviet Russia's Com-
munist impact on the American scene,
has been completed by Dore Schary
and will open in three Los Angeles
theatres on Saturday, in time to be
eligible for Academy Award con-
sideration. The picture was written
by Herman Hoffman, associate pro-
ducer, and has been booked to play
the Vogue, Warner's Wiltern and
United Artists.
together for a real heart-to-heart dis-
cussion that leads to some measure
of relief and a better arbitration draft,
the action taken in Chicago was not
a mere dragging of feet but a very
fortunate thing to happen," Myers
declared.
Myers pleaded for a "return to the
days when the object was to fill thea-
tres with people and not to get the
most from each individual patron."
"I would like to see the dis-
tributors play along with us to
that end," he said. "1943 defi-
nitely will be a year of decision
in the motion picture business."
"There was not a director or a
member of Allied I talked to who
said he was against arbitration,"
Myers declared. "Arbitration isn't a
word, it consists of a code of con-
duct and a method of enforcing it.
In arriving at such a plan, you had
better give careful consideration to
what goes in it. It could give judicial
sanction to practices many exhibitors
feel are wrong." His criticism of the
industry plan centered on pre-releases,
competitive bidding and the lack of
provisions that "would ease the strain
on exhibitors today."
Caution was urged by Max _ A.
Youngstein, vice-president of United
Artists. "Aggressiveness is not good if
it is without purpose," he argued, "If
we forget where the actual disease
in our business lies, if we are going
to kick the brains out of distributors
because it's a lot of fun, that is a
serious mistake. Most of our prob-
lems will be solved only by recogniz-
ing that there are more areas of agree-
ment than of disagreement."
Youngstein called Cinerama
"the single most dramatic in-
novation in the last 20 years—
in many ways a solid answer
to television."
Trueman Rembusch, president of
the state Allied for the past 7 years,
announced that he was not a candidate
for reelection.
Completion of the deal whereby
Paramount will co-produce a series of
features in Italy was confirmed here
yesterday by George Weltner, presi-
dent of Paramount-International, who
returned to the home office from a
two-week European trip. Under the
setup, Paramount will distribute in
Europe the entire output of Ponti-De
Laurentiis, Italian production com-
pany. The exact number has not been
determined, but it is understand that
there will be a minimum of 10 pic-
tures.
The first two films under the agree-
ment already are in production. They
are "La Lupa" ("The She-Wolf")
and an untitled feature. Paramount
currently is distributing "Sensualita.
which was produced by Ponti-De-
Laurentiis prior to the new pact. This
picture is not included in the current
agreement.
National
Pre-Selling
Arbitration
(Continued from page 1)
UA in Joint Italian
Production Deal
Joint Italo - American production
in Italy of major motion pictures
for world-wide distribution, will be
achieved under an arrangement con-
cluded in Naples by Arthur B. Krim,
president of United Artists, and An-
gelo Rizzoli and Robert Haggiag of
Italy, it was announced by UA here
yesterday.
The arrangement also provides for
the formation of a new distribution
company, resulting from the merger
of Dearfilm, a company currently dis-
tributing Italian films, and DAI, which
is the exclusive agency for distribut-
ing UA releases in Italy. Haggiag is
the head of DAI and Rizzoli, Italian
publisher, industrialist and producer
of "Tomorrow Is Too Late" and
"Don Camillo," is the head of Dear-
film.
Royal Purchases 5th
Story for '53 Lineup
Purchase of "Murder by Proxy," a
novel by Helen Neilsen, completes the
five-picture lineup of Royal Produc-
tions for 1953, Julian Lesser, head of
Royal, reported. The picture will go
into production in March under the
title of "Whispering Smith Off Bal-
ance."
Royal's first film in the new pro-
gram, "The Lost Hours," produced in
England, will be available in about 10
days. Lesser's program includes two
each in the "Whispering Smith" and
the "Saint" series.
pointed out that nearly half the or
ganized exhibitors of the country are
represented in the two organizations.
The problem now, it was. said, is to do
more extensive missionary work in
getting a larger bloc of exhibitors to
agree to the tentative draft than was
first anticipated.
On the other hand, some leaders
took the position that the entire ar-
bitration situation eventually would be
solved, but that it would take more
time. Objections to the plan can be
overcome, say the more optimistic
ones. . .
Meanwhile, both sides are awaiting
the return from South America of
Eric Johnston, president of the Mo-
tion Picture Association of America,
who may take some immediate action
in setting up new talks. However, an
MPAA spokesman said here yesterday
that the association's knowledge of the
willingness of exhibitor organization
leaders to continue talks on ironing out
the wrinkles in the latest arbitration
plan has come only from trade press
reports. It was suggested that the
meetings might be expedited if one or
more groups would contact Johnston
or the MPAA and ask that the ses-
sions be called. Johnston is due in
New York next Monday.
French Notify U. S.
Firms on Allocations
Paris, Dec. 2. — Letters to Ameri-
can film companies, notifying them as
to how many dubbing permits each
may apply for under the new French
film pact, are being sent out by the
French government. It is expected
that the allocations will be made in
two "shifts," allowing 90 permits
immediately and 20, possibly in the
spring, for member companies of the
Motion Picture Export Association.
Independent companies are being allo-
cated a total of 11 permits.
The 20 permits, in a sense, are
being borrowed against next year's
quota. France is allowing an overall
import total of 138 pictures from all
countries.
Maas in Japan Seeks
Unrestricted Imports
Unrestricted importation of Ameri-
can films in Japan is being sought by
Irving Maas, representative of the
international division of the Motion
Picture Association of America, now
in Tokyo. Maas is expected back in
New York by Christmas, and it is
believed that negotiations will be con-
cluded within the next two weeks, but
whether Japan will agree to the free
entry of pictures remains a question.
" A QUIET MAN'S MOVIES" is
■ii the title Look gives to a sketch
of producer Hal Wallis's "life in the
movies," appearing in the current is-
sue. The story starts with Wallis in
1920, an obscure studio publicity man
for Warner Brothers : "He dared to
court film comedienne Louise Fa-
zenda, then earning $4,000 a week.
Her friend, Lilyan Tashman, warned
Miss Fazenda against taking seriously
a young nobody who was trying to
hitch his wagon to a star. Miss Fa-
zenda thought otherwise. She married
Walks and retired to watch the young
nobody rise to head all production at
Warners from 1930 to 1940, and from
1944, operate his independent company
at Paramount." Wallis has two pic-
tures ready for release : "Come Back,
Little Sheba," with Shirley Booth,
and "The Stooge," starring Dean
Martin and Jerry Lewis. Both are
Paramount releases.
•
The editor of the "Journal About
Town" department in the December
Ladies' Home Journal reports the
following took place after a pre-
view of "Hans Christian Andersen";
Bruce Gould, co-editor of the Jour-
nal; Dore Schary and Ed Murrow
were congratulating Sam Goldwyn
in the 21 Club after seeing the pic-
ture. Goldwyn said, "The better the
picture, the more I'd like to start
right in the minute it is made and
do it all over again — and better."
•
Edwin Miller, motion picture editor
of Seventeen, did a "profile" of Aldo
Ray for the December issue. Miller
says "Aldo is without self-conscious-
ness. And without conceit. He hap-
pens to have a number of outstanding
talents; he is aware of them. Under-
neath it all, though, he appeals for
approval. He wants to feel that you
agree with him, that you like him,
that you feel he's okay." Ray's next
part is a starring role opposite Jane
Wyman in a musical called "Love
■Song." After that he is scheduled to
appear in James Jones' story, "From
ILere to Eternity."
•
"Plymouth Adventure" is reviewed
in "McC all's Goes to the Movies" in
the issue now on newsstands. The re-
viewer says " 'Plymouth Adventure,'
the grim story of the Mayflower's
famous voyage from the old world to
New England, is tensely told in this
M-G-M picture. Although founded on
historical record, the film relies on
fiction for action during the 96 days
the Pilgrims were at sea in their tiny
vessel. The hardships of the 102 per-
sons crammed into the little ship, the
tremendous effects of a storm at sea
and the often bitter personal conflicts
among the Pilgrims are all powerfully
depicted." Also recommended in Mc-
Call's regular monthly movie guide
are RKO Radio's "The Lusty Men,"
Columbia's "The Four Poster," and
Paramount's "The Stooge."
•
Leslie Caron is pictured as Queen
Nefertete, who ruled Egypt 3,000
years ago, on the front-cover of
This Week magazine, on newsstands
Sunday. The issue also has a spread
of Leslie taken during the filming
of "Lili," her latest M-G-M picture.
Walter Haas
Wednesday, December 3, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
Schwalberg Details Meets
{Continued from page 1)
TV to Share
(Continued from page 1)
sary when TV was counted out of
the Eisenhower traveling party be-
cause it was tardy in making applica-
tion for a representative, it was said.
When TV finally woke up and applied
for representation, accommodations on
the Eisenhower plane were not avail-
able and there was insufficient time
to clear a TV man, give him his
"shots" and complete the numerous
other preliminaries.
Newsreels, of course, maintain rep-
resentation in Korea and Tokyo and
the footage from those sources ob-
tained during Eisenhower's visit_ will
not be made available to television.
However, if security agencies so de-
cide, none of the Eisenhower footage
may be released until the President-
elect is back in the United States.
Condon, Brandt
(Continued from page 1)
Pascal's "Androcles and the Lion/|
Huntington Hartford's "Face to Face,"
Sol Lesser's "Under the Red Sea" and
"Blackbeard the Pirate."
Douglas Beck, Chicago; William
Brooker, Kansas City ; Joseph Longo,
Cleveland, and Edward Terhune, Salt
Lake City, will attend the confabs.
Similar meetings for members of
the Eastern field force were concluded
today in New York. In attendance
were Spencer Steinhurst, Atlanta;
Hank Howard, Philadelphia ; Barry
Bernard, Buffalo; Seymour Eaton,
Dallas, and Charles Moss, David Can-
tor, and Norman Poller of the home
office.
Condon is scheduled to leave Chi-
cago on Friday to join producer Fred-
erick Brisson in Washington, to meet
with General Omar Bradley and Mrs.
Anna Rosenberg to discuss plans for
the world premiere of Brison's "Never
Wave at a Wac." Brandt will return
to New York via Miami where he
will set up the opening of "Hans
Christian Andersen" on Christmas
day.
Ned Clarke
(Continued from page 1)
Disney worldwide sales supervisor.
Clarke's post is a new one.
Clarke resigned this week from the
post of Latin-American and Far-East-
ern sales supervisor for RKO Radio
Pictures. An industry veteran, he
started his film sales career in Boston
with Pathe in 1929.
At the time of Pathe's merger with
RKO, Clarke entered the foreign field
and represented the company in
Europe, Latin- America and the Ar-
gentine.
New House for Harris
Harry A. Harris, owner of a cir-
cuit of Spanish-speaking theatres here,
has taken a long term lease on the
2,000-seat Public Theatre in down-
town Manhattan, it was disclosed by
Berk and Krumgold, realtors. The
aggregate rental is $400,000.
TRADE SHOWING CHANGE
The RKO Radio Pictures trade
showings for "NEVER WAVE
AT A WAC," advertised for
Dec. 8th. 9th and 10th, will not
be held on those dates.
New dates will be announced.
the new plan on more intensive local
promotion policies will cover releases
for the first six months of 1953, it
was explained. Schwalberg stated,
"We feel confident that each of our
division managers and each branch
manager has an intimate knowledge
of his own territory which will be in-
valuable in setting details of mer-
chandising plans and programs. By
coordinating the individual needs of
each territory into one completely-
integrated program of promotion, we
feel that we shall strengthen our
operations tremendously."
Keynote of the plan, according to
Schwalberg, will be the immediate
inauguration of a series of individual
regional meetings to be conducted in
the headquarters city of each Para-
mount division. The meetings, to be
conducted by Schwalberg, also will
be attended by E. K. (Ted) O'Shea,
vice-president, and Jerry Pickman,
vice-president in charge of advertis-
ing, publicity and exploitation, as well
as the division manager and key
division personnel.
"The basis for the added strength
which the Paramount program will
derive from this method of han-
dling," Schwalberg added, "is the fact
that individual division managers and
branch managers are so much more
closely connected with the needs of
theatres throughout the country than
we can possibly be in the home office.
No program can have any value un-
less it provides a direct benefit to the
exhibitor at his own box-office. This
is our aim — to do everything we can
to stimulate box-office revenue to the
individual theatre."
The new program of individual
meetings starts here tomorrow, where
Schwalberg, O'Shea and Pickman
are meeting with Mid-Eastern
division manager Howard G. Minsky
and key division personnel.
Following return to the home office
Friday, Schwalberg, O'Shea and
Pickman will fly to Dallas, where
Sunday and Monday will be spent in
similar meetings with South Central
division manager A. M. Kane and
territory personnel. Next stop will
be Los Angeles, for a two-day ■ ses-
sion Tuesday and Wednesday, with
Western division manager George A.
Smith and Pacific Coast sales forces.
On Dec. 12 and 13, the executive
trio will be in Chicago for sessions
with Central division manager J. J.
Donohue. Final meeting of the trip
will be held in New York on Dec. IS
and 16, with Eastern and Southern
division manager Hugh Owen calling
together key personnel from his terri-
tories to discuss forthcoming product.
A definite date has not yet been set,
Schwalberg said, for a sales meeting
in Toronto with Canadian division
manager Gordon Lightstone and Cana-
dian sales personnel, but it is expected
that this will be held before the first
of the year.
Greene Hits
(Continued from page 1)
78,000 RKO Pictures shares. The
citation is sought on grounds that the
government consent decree forbids
officers and directors of split-up exhi-
bition companies from influencing the
management of the production-distri-
bution firms. Greene is a director of
RKO Theatres.
The show cause order was signed by
Paramount's schedule for the first
six months of 1953, as announced by
Schwalberg, includes the following :
January: "Road to Bali," color by Tech-
nicolor; Bing Crosby-Bob Hope-Dorothy
Lamour starrer; "Thunder in the East,"
starring- Alan Ladd, Deborah Kerr, Charles
Boyer and Corinne Calvet; "Tropic Zone,"
Technicilor, starring Ronald Reagan,
Rhonda Fleming and Estelita.
February: "The Stooge," Dean Martin-
Jerry Lewis starrer; special pre-release
engagements of "Come Back, Little
Sheba," starring Shirley Booth, Burt
Lancaster, Terry Moore and Richard
Jaeckel.
March: "The Stars Are Singing," Tech-
nicolor, starring Anna Maria Alberghetti,
Rosemary Clooney and Lauritz Melchoir;
"Pleasure Island," in Technicolor, starring
Don Taylor, Leo Genn and Elsa Lan-
chester.
April: "Off Limits," starring Bob Hope,
Mickey Rooney and Marilyn Maxwell;
"Pony Express," in Technicolor, starring
Charlton Heston, Rhonda Fleming, Forrest
Tucker and Jan Sterling.
May: George Pal's Technicolor produc-
tion, "War of the Worlds"; "Jamaica," in
Technicolor, starring Ray Milland, Arlene
Dahl and Wendell Corey.
June: "Alaska Seas," in Technicolor;
"Rock Grayson's Women," in Technicolor,
satrring John Payne, Coleen Gray, Jan
Sterling and Lyle Bettger.
Paramount Sets This Month
For Booker-Salesman Drive
Paramount has dedicated this
month to its fifth annual "Booker-
Salesman's Drive" as a tribute to the
booker - salesmen, whom A. W.
Schwalberg, drive initiater and presi-
dent of the distributing company, re-
gards as "the backbone of any film
organization."
The drive opened on Nov. 30 and
will continue through Jan. 3. The
booker-salesmen have re-dedicated
the drive to Schwalberg and vice-
president E. K. (Ted) O'Shea.
Quotas have been set for the drive,
and advertising material has been
prepared by a home office committee
under the chairmanship of Monroe
R. Goodman. The committee includes
Harold Beecroft, Joe Bisdale, Sid
Blumenstock, Arthur Dunne, Martin
Friedman, J. Knox Haddow, Fred
Leroy, Sid Mesibov, Jack Roper,
George Schur and Joe Walsh.
English Representative Due
Dec. 13 for Production Talks
Richard Mealand, Paramount pro-
duction representative in England,
will arrive in New York by plane
from London on Dec. 13 to start dis-
cussions with company executives
about world-wide production problems
and overseas shooting locales.
This will be Mealand's first U. S.
visit in nearly two years. His first
of several meetings with New York
executives will be with Russell Hol-
man, Paramount's Eastern production
manager. Early in January Mealand
will fly to the Coast to meet with
Y. Frank Freeman, Paramount vice-
president in charge of the studio ;
Don Hartman, in charge of produc-
tion, and other studio heads.
Tudge. Svdney Sugarman of U. S.
District Court. The hearing date of
Dec. 9 is just one day before argu-
ments on the receivership application
are scheduled to be heard in New
York Supreme Court.
A Greene spokesman, in comment-
ing on the action, said "we intervened
as a securities firm on the basis of the
feeling that receivership would be un-
wise" He said that Kionis' move
would be vigorously opposed, by
Greene.
Atlas-RKO
(Continued from page 1)
sound. Gettinger occasionally repre-
sents the Chemical Bank & Trust Co.
of this city and, it is said, the plan
he and Odium are putting together
for a deal which would be acceptable
to both the Stolkin group and Hughes
calls for the deposit of $1,000,000 with
.Chemical by Atlas Corp. as an initial
payment on the 1,013,420 shares of
RKO Pictures common stock, repre-
senting a controlling 29 per cent in-
terest, which is presently held by the
Stolkin group.
Further Details Not Clear
Further details of the proposal were
not clear but it was assumed that
thereafter Atlas Corp. would assume
the future stock purchase obligations
of the Stolkin group to Hughes, on
some basis acceptable to both of the
latter. The Stolkin group agreed to
pay Hughes $7 per share for the
stock and made an initial payment last
September of $1,500,000. A similar
amount is due next year and the bal-
ance in 1954. It is assumed the Atlas
proposal will call for price and other
concessions from both Stolkin and
Hughes.
It could not be learned
whether the Atlas proposal will
include a provision, or agree-
ment, to reinstate Ned E. Depi-
net as RKO Pictures president
and Noah Dietrich as board
chairman, as currently proposed
by Hughes. Observers believed
that Hughes might insist on
such a condition in return for
any concessions, price or other-
wise which he might agree to
in a possible modification of the
Stolkin group's stock purchase
agreement.
Meanwhile, Hughes, Depinet and
members of the Stolkin syndicate are
continuing their conferences in Holly-
wood, which are expected to last sev-
eral days more. It is generally be-
lieved that if a deal with Atlas is not
consummated in the very near future,
Hughes will pick up the reins again
and designate Depinet and Dietrich
his chief executive officers.
Depinet served as vice-president of
RKO Pictures in charge of distribu-
tion during the previous Atlas Corp.
period of RKO control. N. Peter
Rathvon was Odium's choice for pres-
ident then.
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LOS ANGELES
on United's Luxurious
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The fine service of United's "Hollywood"
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COMPARE THE FARE AND
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Produced by JOSEPH BERNHARD and KING VIDOR • Directed by KING VIDOR -Screenplay by SILVIA RICHARDS
Story by ARTHUR FITZ-RICHARDS • A Bernhard-Vidor Presentation • Released by 20th Century-Fox
FIRST
MOTION PICTURE
ii ■■i j
tk.
FILM
NEWS
VOL. 72. NO. 107
NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1952
TEN CENTS
TV Promotion
Of Films On
Percentage
Turner and MBS in New
Plan for Advertising
By AL STEEN
A plan whereby television sta-
tions will promote and advertise
motion pictures in theatres on a
percentage basis, the percentage to
be paid by the
distributor, i s
being developed
by Terry Tur-
ner, former ex-
ploitation d i -
rector of RKO
Radio Pictures,
for the owned
and affiliated
TV stations of
the Mutual
Broadcast-
ing System.
Turner took up
his new duties
this week at
MBS.
The plan, which is expected to get
(Continued on page 3)
UPT Divests Itself of
More Than 60 Theatres
Terry Tulnei
See RKO-Skouras in
Da\ -arid-Date Deal
The same day and dates booking
for RKO Theatres and Skouras
Theatres on featured films in New
York has been evidenced in the wake
of a long-time threatened anti-trust
suit by Skouras Theatres against
RKO Theatres, Metropolitan Play-
houses and the majors.
The double bill of "The Miracle of
Fatima" and "The Rose Bowl Story"
recently played in virtually all New
York houses of both circuits simul-
(Continucd on page 3)
United Paramount Theatres has divested itself of over 60 theatres
in conformity with its divestiture schedule requiring the sale of, or the
end of joint interests in, 184 theatres by Sept. 3, 1953, a company offi-
cial reported here yesterday.
UPT's report on the divestiture of
the theatres came on yesterday's
deadline date for divorcement of one-
third of its remaining 184 theatres,
which cannot be retained, according
to the terms of its consent decree.
The original deadline of Sept. 3, set
last March by the New York Statu-
tory Court, had been extended to
Dec. 3.
According to the Statutory Court's
ruling, which gave UPT 18 months
to divorce itself of the 184 theatres,
the next deadline is March 3 for the
divestiture of another third. The
ruling called for the divestiture of at
least one-third of the remaining
theatres in each six-month period.
UPT, when it obtained the March
ruling, had already fulfilled its com-
(Continued on page 3)
Indiana Allied Hits
Price Increases
Indianapolis, Dec. 3. — Resolutions
on price increases, print availability
and film allocation practices were pre-
sented to the closing session of the
Allied Theatre Owners of Indiana
state convention in the Hotel Lincoln
here today.
Election of a new president to suc-
(Continued on page 3)
Two Rep. Senators
Object to Early
FCC Merger Okay
.Washington, Dec. 3. — Two top-
ranking Republican Senators who will
occupy key positions in next year's
Congress were reported today to have
registered objections with the Federal
Communications Commission against
early approval of the proposed mer-
ger of American Broadcasting and
United Paramount Theatres.
The two were Senator Tobey of
New Hampshire, who will head the
(Continued on page 3)
May Bid E. Pa. Unit
Back to Allied
Allied States may make overtures
in the near future to determine
whether or not Allied Theatre Owners
of Eastern Pennsylvania and South-
ern New Jersey can be reclaimed on
an acceptable basis.
The exhibitor unit, headed by Sid-
ney Samuelson, a past president of na-
(Continucd on page 3)
TO A Oklahoma Unit
Okays Arbitration
Theatre Owners of America dis-
closed here yesterday that its Okla-
homa unit, Theatre Owners of Okla-
homa, had endorsed in principle the
industry's arbitration plan. The Okla-
homa unit is the eighth TOA affiliate
to approve the tentative formula.
The endorsement by Oklahoma and
other TOA units, in effect, is a vote
of confidence in arbitration and a
gesture that they will go along with
the national organization on any
formal action it may take on the
issue.
Schary's 'Hoaxters' an
Expose of Communism
Hollywood, Dec. 3. — "The Hoaxters," a 37-minute documen-
tary produced by Dore Schary for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer re-
lease, previewed here last night, is composed of expertly se-
lected and juxtaposed footage from many sources, both for-
eign and domestic, assembled in such a fashion as to trace
Russian Communism's course from 1919 to the present. The
film, which the producer describes as a personal product more
than a year in work, is technically extraordinary, with adroitly
matched scenes and utterances combining with crisp off-screen
commentary and a dynamic music score to give the material
maximum impact. The production is being offered to exhibi-
tors, Schary said at the preview, on a documentary scale of
prices, with the company "more interested in having it widely
seen than in making money on it."
Using specially-filmed footage of an old-fashioned medicine
(Continued on page 3)
Management of
RKO Is Key
To Atlas Plan
Would Provide Cash But
Avoid Stock Purchase
The Atlas Corp. proposal for re-
entering- RKO Pictures is limited
to control of management of the
latter company and not to acquisi-
tion of the controlling- stock interest,
now held by the Ralph Stolkin syndi-
cate, it was learned yesterday.
The Atlas plan is contained in
a report to the board of direc-
tors of that company prepared
by Floyd B. Odium, president.
The report suggests that the Atlas
board, might give consideration to tak-
ing over the operation of RKO Pic-
tures and putting it in good condition
"as Atlas did before." The procedure
suggested for so doing is that Atlas
would advance money to RKO Pic-
tures as needed and take new deben-
tures to be issued by RKO in return.
An initial deposit by Atlas of
$1,000,000 with Chemical Bank &
Trust Co. to RKO Pictures' credit is
(Continued on page 6)
Decontrolling Date
Still in the Air
Washington, Dec. 3. — National
Production Authority officials said
there was still a "good possibility"
that the date for relaxing theatre con-
struction controls would be advanced
to Jan. 1, but that the chances were
somewhat dimmer than they were just
a few days ago.
Everything was all set for an order-
to be issued tomorrow advancing the
date to Jan. 1, NPA officials declared,
but there were last moment objections.
High Court to Hear
Ad Film Case Dec. 8
Washington, Dec 3. — The
IL S. Supreme Court has set
Dec. 8 for argument on the
Federal Trade Commission's
appeal in the advertising film
case
The Commission is appeal-
ing a Fifth Circuit Court de-
cision concerning the Motion
Picture Advertising Service
Co. and other similarly situ-
ated companies.
2
Motion Picture daily
Thursday, December 4, 1952
Personal
Mention
STEVE BROIDY, Allied Artists
president, will leave Hollywood
Sunday for the COMPO meeting in
Chicago.
•
Gordon White of the Motion Pic-
ture Association of America here be-
came a grandfather for the fourth time
when his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Gor-
don White, Jr., gave birth to a son,
named Gordon ~ White, III.
•
M. Met'ori, Paramount's general
"manager in Japan, has arrived in Hol-
lywood from Tokyo and will come to
New York in mid-December.
•
Pincus Sober of the M-G-M home
office legal department left San Fran-
cisco yesterday for Portland.
•
Jack Gunsky, manager of the Fox
and State theatres in Watsonville,
Gal., is the father of his first child, a
girl.
•
Al Schuman, general manager of
the Hartford Theatre Circuit, Hart-
ford, and Mrs. Schuman are in
Miami Beach on a vacation.
•
Otto Braeunig, RKO Radio of-
fice manager in Cleveland, and Mrs.
Braeunig recently celebrated their
25th wedding anniversary.
•
Nat Goldberg has resigned as man-
ager of the West Boyleston, Mass.,
Drive-in Theatre to join his son,
Stanley, in business in Brooklyn.
James Velde, United Artists' W est-
ern division manager, will visit the
Midwest next week.
•
Joseph Walsh, Paramount's branch
operations manager, is spending this
week in Atlanta.
•
Tom Grady, M-G-M home office
master booker, is in San Francisco
from New York.
•
Arthur Leeham, Jackson, Miss.,
exhibitor, is confined to a hospital
there.
•
Oliver Broughton, M-G-M main-
tenance representative, is in San Fran-
cisco from New York.
Screen Gems TV in
Expansion Move
John Mitchell is leaving the vice-
presidency of United Artists Televi-
sion to join Screen Gems, Inc., on
Monday as general sales manager, a
new post.
Screen Gems produces the Ford
Theatre, broadcast weekly over a 54-
station NBC network, and about half
of the programs in DuPont's "Caval-
cade of America" series, carried over
the same network. It is an affiliate
of Columbia Pictures.
Mitchell and Ralph Cohn, general
manager of Screen Gems, will expand
the sales setup to handle packaged
film programs to national advertisers,
as well as a countrywide syndication
organization.
Rank Theatre Is Cleared
Of Film Quota Default
London, Dec. 3. — The summons
against J. Arthur Rank's Circuits
Management Association, charging the
Haymarket Gaumont Theatre with
failure to comply with the 25 per cent
supporting film quota law, was dis-
missed by the Bow Street Magistrate's
Court here today.
Rank personally had testified in the
case at 'the hearing last Saturday, con-
tending that there were not enough
worthwhile British second features to
meet; _ the standard of entertainment
expected of West End showplaces. _
Dismissing the summons against
Rank's theatre, Magistrate Sir Lau-
rence Dunne was highly critical of the
Board of Trade, which filed the com-
plaint. In his judgment, the magistrate
said, government ministers have a
grave ' responsibility to consider all
aspects before launching prosecutions
such as this. "Clearly, the Board of
Trade has not done that this time,"
he said.
The magistrate pointed out that the
exhibitor's need is for films of sound,
commercial practicability.
Exhibitors here are overjoyed at the
verdict, saying that by his stand Rank
has brought immeasurably nearer a
revision of the generally repugnant
supporting program quota.
Oct. Tax Income 2nd
Highest This Year
Washington, Dec. 3. — General ad-
mission tax collections in October, re-
flecting September business, were the
second highest for any 1952 month,
running only slightly behind the Sep-
tember high, the Bureau of Internal
Revenue reported. October collections
were far below those for October,
1951, however. The October collec-
tions were tops last year.
The bureau said collections in Oc-
tober amounted to $31,294,629', com-
pared with $32,174,969 in September
and $37,302,260 in October, 1951. Sep-
tember and October have been the only
two months this vear during which
collections topped the $30,000,000
mark.
Dismiss $1,300,000
Suit vs. Silverman
Chicago, Dec. 3. — Federal Judge
Walter La Buy today dismissed the
$1,300,000 suit 'brought by E. Stern
and the Sidney Spiegel Estate against
Edwin Silverman and associates for
alleged "mismanagement" which led
to the plaintiff ( Stern and the Spiegel
Estate) receiving $1,200,000 for the
sale to Silverman of their stock in
Essaness Theatres instead of the $2,-
500,000 to which they thought they
should have been entitled. Judge La
Buy's decision confirmed that of the
Illinois court.
Drop Ohio 'M' Action
Columbus, O., Dec. 3. — The Ohio
Supreme Court has dismissed an action
filed by Superior Films, Inc., of New
York, to compel Ohio's film censorship
division to review the motion picture
"M."
JDA Fetes Rodgers
And Hammer stein
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Ham-
merstein II were honor guests at a
dinner given by the Joint Defense
Appeal at the Hotel Pierre last night.
They were cited for their outstanding-
contributions to "the enrichment of
America's cultural legacy."
Dinner chairman Harry Brandt,
1951 JDA drive chairman, was pre-
sented with a scroll for his "pioneer-
ing leadership" of the drive. "Audition
for Angels," a dramatic presentation
produced by Morton Sunshine and
enacted by a cast of notables was the
high spot of the event. Proceeds of
the affair are to further the programs
of the American Jewish Committee
and the Anti-Defamation League of
B'nai B'rith.
Name Frisch, Fabian,
Balaban Drive Heads
Barney Balaban, Si Fabian, and
Manny Frisch were chosen as co-
chairmen of the amusement division
for the 1952-53 camnaign of the Fed-
eration of Jewish Philanthropies, at
an FJP meeting held at the Astor
Hotel here yesterday.
Among those present at the meet-
ing were Balaban. Bernard Birnbaum.
Harry Brandt, William Brenner. Sy
Fabian, Frisch, William German. Leon
Goldberg, Arthur Israel, Jr., Harry
Mandel. Martin Newman, Walter
Reade, Jr., Samuel Rinzler, Samuel
Pr\Qpn_ A,doln^ S '-him el T<""ed J.
Schwartz and Sol Strausberg.
BBC Documentary on
Goldwyn Is Set
A full hour documentary radio pro-
gram devoted to producer Samuel
Goldwyn will be broadcast to British
listeners on March 1, it was an-
nounced by John McMillan of the
BBC "light programs" network, who
is visiting in New York. The show
will dramatize Goldwyn's character-
istics, his ideals and his methods of
working-, he said.
McMillan said this will be the
first time a motion picture producer
has been the subject of a detailed
documentary nrogram on the BBC.
McMillan will leave for Hollywood
Sundav to work on the show and other
projects.
Name Sam Gillet
Head of Tent No. 38
Salt Lake City, Dec. 3. — Sam L.
Gillett, Salt Lake City and Toole,
Utah, exhibitor, was named president
of Variety Tent No. 38. Giff Davison,
RKO Radio branch manager, was
named first assistant and Shirl
Thayne, Universal salesman, second
assistant. Other officers are How-
ard Pearson, secretary, and the fol-
lowing directors : Ralph Trathen,
Sid Cohen, K. O. Lloyd, Jack Swon-
son, Dan Kostopulos and Bob Braby.
McGee Says Only
Congressmen Will
See Tax Picture
The short subject which Senator
Milliken of Colorado suggested as the
best vehicle for telling the industry's
tax story is to be shown only to
Senators and Congressmen and is not
to be made available to exhibitors, it
was stressed yesterday by Pat Mc-
Gee, co-chairman of the National Tax
Repeal Campaign Committee.
McGee, who was one of a delega-
tion of Colorado theatremen who con-
ferred last week with Senator Milli-
ken on the industry's tax problems,
emphasized in a wire to the Council
of Motion Picture Organizations yes-
terday that the Colorado Senator said
that if such a picture could be shown
in Washington to groups of Senators
and Congressmen it would be of great
help in the industry's tax campaign.
"Neither the Senator nor any of
those at the conference," McGee
wired, "made any mention of making
the picture available to exhibitors for
screening to the public, since from
the beginning of our campaign we
have carefully avoided making any
appeal to the general public for sup-
port. This picture would be shown
only to Senators and Congressmen,
either in Washington or in their home
districts."
Spyros Skouras to Go
To Rome from Athens
Spyros P. Skouras, president of 20th
Century-Fox, will depart from his na-
tive Greece tomorrow for Rome by
plane on final stops of his round-the-
world trip to survey company and film
industry conditions, the company re-
ports here.
Skouras has been visiting Athens
since Sunday, following stopovers at
Cairo, Bombay and Calcutta. In each
city he has held meetings with ex-
hibitors, 20th-Fox representatives and
government officials, as well as ad-
dressing groups in behalf of the ex-
tension committee of the World
Brotherhood Movement.
Ahrens Heads Film
Editors Local 771
Motion Picture Film Editors, Local
No. 771, IATSE, has elected Fred
Ahrens, president ; Leonard Hein,
vice-president ; Robert Dworsky, sec-
retary ; Lawrence F. Sherman, Jr.,
treasurer ; Charles Wolfe, business
agent, and Fred Edwards and Edward
Wyant, Jr., sergeants-at-arms.
The following executive board was
also elected : Ahrens, chairman, Hein,
Dworsky, Sherman, John Oxton,
James Molini, Frank Madden, Ed-
wards, Wyant, Michael Prusch and
Joseph Castilioni.
New Beck Assignment
"Gilbert and Sullivan," London
Films production starring Robert
Morley and Maurice Evans, will be
represented in the United States on
advertising and publicity by the office
of Myer P. Beck, it was announced
by Lopert Films.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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: Uuigpubco.
New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan. Vice-President and Treasurer: Raymond Levy. Vice-President; Leo J. craay.
Secretary; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertisine Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood . Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FT 6-3074; Bruce Tiinz, Editorial Representative. 11 Worth
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; Hope Burnup, Manager; Feter 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.
Thursday, December 4, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
TV Promotion
(Continued from page 1)
Schary's 'Hoaxters
into operation by next summer, is
said be the most far-reaching in the
so-called "wedding" of TV and the
motion picture industry. Turner
stressed the point here yesterday that
the plan would not be applicable to
all pictures, possibly only 10 a year,
but that its potentialities would be
the means of "harnessing TV" to
bring millions of dollars back to the
box-office.
Turner said that the power of tele-
vision as a promotional factor in
building theatre patronage was proved
in the campaigns he used on "King
Kong," "Snow White" and "Sudden
Fear." In spots where TV was not
used as an advertising medium, the
grosses fell below those in areas
where television was used, he said.
Preliminary Talks
In preliminary talks with a few dis-
tributors, the sales chiefs were recep-
tive to the proposed formula, Turner
said. The idea may be tested first
on reissues. The plan, in substance,
will function like this : Turner will
arrange with a distributor to reissue
a series of pictures, with the same
star, in selected areas, preferably in
summer months, when the more im-
portant new. films are being held back.
Affiliated TV stations in the areas
will saturate all available air time
with specially prepared trailers, using
scene clips and announcements as to
where a picture is playing. Instead
of being paid a flat rate for the
"plugs," the stations will receive a
percentage of the distributor's per-
centage of the film's gross in each
theatre. There will be no cost to the
theatre. The distributor will pay the
stations an amount based on the busi-
ness done by the picture as a result
of the television campaign. In other
words, the station's arrangement with
the distributor would be on a sliding
scale, just as the distributor's pact
with the theatre calls for a remittance
based on the gross.
RKO Radio's television campaign
on "King Kong" in five territories —
Detroit, Cleveland, Cincinnati, In-
dianapolis and Pittsburgh — cost
$25,000 for a specific number of
trailer announcements. Turner
asserted that if the stations had been
on a participating arrangement, they
would have given a much more in-
tensive drive to the picture, spotting
the trailers in all un-sold spot an-
nouncement slots.
Turner said the plan would
be specially attractive to inde-
pendent producers whose releas-
ing contracts with national dis-
tributors are about to expire.
Instead of disposing of the pic-
tures to television, the inde-
pendent producer will see the
opportunity to derive further
revenue from theatres, with the
theatres cashing in on the TV
campaign.
In his contacts with TV stations,
Turner said they were all cooperative,
as the TV executives are eager to
prove the value of the new advertis-
ing medium. If the stations can in-
crease business in theatres through
TV, they will be happy to do so,
especially if they can benefit finan-
cially through the upswing in theatre
patronage by means of the percentage
arrangement.
While all stations in the Mutual
network are not committed as yet to
(Continued from page 1)
show spieler as a connective device, the early portion of the
film shows the rise and fall of Hitler's Nazism, Mussolini's
Fascism, and Japan's Militarism, and likens Russia's Com-
munism to them in essentials.
The latter portion of the picture traces Soviet Russia's
seven changes of policy toward the United States since 1919.
A great many world figures appear in the footage assembled,
and original sound tracks are heard in effective alternation
with commentary spoken by various actors and Schary. The
over-all effect is an exposure and denouncement of Russian
Communism in simple, graphic, dramatic terms, with inci-
dental reference to the dangers of loose accusations and un-
warranted condemnation, and with a rousing conclusion ex-
tolling freedom and liberty.
Associate producer Herman Hoffman wrote the story for
the picture from material compiled and arranged by Victor
Lasky and William Herbert, and a fine editing job is credited
to Laurie Vejar and Harry Komer.
William R. Weaver
Rep. Senators
(Continued from page 1)
]. Pa. Allied
(Continued from page 1)
tional Allied, withdrew from member-
ship in the parent organization two
years ago over what was reported
at the time to be Samuelson's dissat-
isfaction with Allied's policy of co-
operating in all-industry endeavors.
With Allied again in its so-called
"militant" role, and its participation
in cooperative industry activities cur-
tailed, some Allied figures feel that
the national organization may once
again be radical enough to conform
with Samuelson's requirements, pro-
viding acceptable terms for its rein-
statement can be agreed upon.
Explore Possibilities
Irving Dollinger, chairman of New
Jersey Allied, reportedly was in-
structed by the national Allied board
at its Chicago meeting last month
to explore the possibilities of a re-
instatement of the Eastern Pennsyl-
vania unit. A similar attempt at the
New York national convention last
year failed when Samuelson declined
the proffered terms covering payment
cf dues for the period the unit was
out of the national organization.
Indiana Allied
(Continued from page 1)
Philadelphia, Dec. 3. — Sidney
Samuelson todav claimed he "knows
nothing" of any Allied States plan
to contact him on the return of East-
ern Pennsylvania Allied to member-
ship in the national organization.
ceed Trueman Rembusch, who an-
nounced that he was not a candidate
after seven years at the post, and the
officers was deferred until the Jan-
uary meeting of the board of direc-
tors.
Urge Resistance
The convention adopted a resolution
condemning increased admission pic-
tures as "detrimental to theatre public
relations" and urging exhibitors to
resist them. It also passed a resolu-
tion _ calling distributor attention
"again" to the "necessity of making a
greater number of prints available in
the exchange area." The number of
situations to be serviced has been in-
creased by the growth of outdoor
operations in the past decade, while
even fewer prints are available today,
it was stated.
A third resolution, providing- that
Indiana Allied set up a system for the
exchange of information on allocation
and terms to aid exhibitors who are
on their own in outlying situations,
was tabled for subsequent action by
the board. All three resolutions came
out of the film clinics which occupied
the convention's morning sessions
both days. Attendance was light on
account of bad weather.
Interstate Commerce Commission,
with jurisdiction over the FCC, and
Senator Langer of North Dakota,
who will head the Judiciary Commit-
tee, which watches the administration
of the anti-trust laws.
FCC hearing examiner Leo Res-
nick recently recommended approval
of the merger and also found that
nothing in the recent anti-trust record
of either UPT or Paramount Pic-
tures barred them from being TV
licensees. The FCC staff has filed
objections to Resnick's decision and
suggested that the full Commission
hold oral arguments on the case.
Tobey in Paris
Tobey, who is now in Paris, cabled
the Commission early this week.
Both the FCC and Tobey's office re-
fused to discuss the cablegram, but it
was reliably reported that he sug-
gested that the Commission withhold
further action on the case until he
returns late this month and has had a
chance to study it in greater detail.
Langer wrote the FCC expressing
opposition to the Commission's de-
cision to ignore anti-trust violations
more than three years old. He also
argued that the merger would reduce
competition in the entertainment in-
dustry.
DuMont Files Exceptions
In UPT-ABC Merger Case
Washington, Dec. 3.— Allen B.
DuMont Laboratories today filed ex-
ceptions to the initial decision in the
United Paramount Theatres-Ameri-
can Broadcasting Co. merger case,
issued several weeks ago by Federal
Communications Commission hearing
examiner Leo Resnick.
DuMont's attorneys said the filing
was purely formal and was for the
purpose of keeping the record in the
case complete.
US Marine Band at
'Stripes' Premiere
For the first time in its history,
the United States Marine Band has
been granted Presidential approval to
participate in the world premiere of a
motion picture. The band, familiarly
known as "The President's Own,"
will participate in the opening night
ceremonies at the Roxy Theatre here
for 20th Century-Fox's "Stars and
Stripes Forever" on Monday, Dec. 22.
the plan, Turner said they will be
ready to join when the plan becomes
more concrete. Mutual TV outlets
are in New York, Hollywood, Bos-
ton, Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus,
Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington,
Baltimore, Buffalo, Syracuse, Cleve-
land, Detroit, San Antonio, Atlanta,
Louisville and Minneapolis.
RKO-Skouras
(Continued from page 1)
taneously. Despite this, both RKO
Theatres and Skouras spokesmen de-
nied a settlement involving a move-up
for Skouras Theatres. An official of
Warner Brothers, which is releasing
"The Miracle of Fatima," also denied
existence of an agreement between
WB and Skouras Theatres to avert
the threatened suit.
Recently, Loew's and the Skouras
Theatres reached a settlement on the
threatened complaint, moving up play
dates for a number of Skouras Thea-
tres to match Loew's availability.
Hartford Film Opens
"Face to Face," Huntington Hart-
ford's initial production for RKO
Radio, will have its world premiere
today at the Studio Theatre in Salt
Lake City. The picture is the first in
a series to be produced by Hartford
for release through RKO.
Walker, FCC Head,
Before House Group
Washington, Dec. 3. — Federal
Communications Commission chairman
Paul A. Walker will testify on Fri-
day before a House Interstate Com-
merce sub-committee investigating
program content of radio and televi-
sion programs.
Walker's appearance will wind up
three days of hearings held this week
by the Harris sub-committee, which
has heard numerous witnesses on the
subject periodically since last spring.
Today the committee heard from
several local radio station managers.
Tomorrow's witness will be Frederick
R. Gamble, president of the American
Association of Advertising Agencies.
UPT Divests
(Continued from page 1)
mitments on 888 theatres, as required
by the consent decree, which affected
a total of 1,071 theatres.
Pearce to Hollywood
London, Dec. 3.— Perce Pearce has
left here for Hollywood with a rough-
cut of Walt Disney's recently com-
pleted "The Sword and the Rose."
While in Hollywood he will discuss
with Disney pre-production plans for
Disney's fourth all-live action picture,
"Rob Roy."
Why
1S a happy
§^y • •
0-
MOUNT THEATRES, INC.
NEW YORK 36, N. Y.
LONGACRE 3-1100
OFFICE OF
ROBERT M. WEITMAN
VICE PRESIDENT
November 28, 1952
Ve at the New York Paramount
have been hunting for a real laugh- out -loud
attraction and you*ve sure got it in
»Stop, You * re Killing Me1. To me it Ts the
funniest Damon Runyon yarn I can remember —
a terrific entertainment in every sense of the
word I
While I know itfs considerably
ahead of your national release, youTd make me
a very happy guy if we could book it into the
Paramount immediately following the third week
of 'Iron Mistress1. I assure you we'll give
it a grand sendoff and you can look forward to
a swell engagement!
Sincerely, /
Robert M. Veitman
Warner Bros!
Next
ttraction
Paramount
n.y
that
H'PPY 'LASH
ire
wl"«mup
-STOP LAUGH SENSATION
/IRG1NIA GIBSON BILLHAYES
CHARLIE CANTOR- SHELDON LEONARD
OSEPH VITALE • HOWARD ST. JOHN • HENRY MORGAN • MARGARET DUMONT
IENRY SLATE • JACK PEPPER • STEPHEN CHASE • DON BEDDOE • LOUIS LETTIERI
AMeToANLON • DAMON RUNYOM^VhOWARD LINDSAY • LOUIsTedYlMAN • ROY DEL RUTH
DIRECTED BY
ICAL NUMBERS STAGED AND DIRECTED BY LE HOY PR1NZ • MUSICAL DIRECTION BY RAY HEINOORf
T V
u
6
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, December 4, 1952
Atlas-RKO
(Continued from page 1)
understood to be included in the pro-
posal. The Odium report sidesteps
completely the acquisition by it of the
29 per cent controlling stock interest
in RKO Pictures, for which the Stol-
kin group agreed to pay Howard
Hughes in excess of $7,000,000. Pre-
sumably, that would be left to mem-
bers of the Stolkin group to resolve
directly with Hughes.
Substantial Profit
Hughes acquired the stock from At-
las, at a substantial profit to the lat-
ter, in 1948. Last September Hughes
made the deal with the Stolkin group,
which made an initial payment to him
of $1,500,000. The Stolkin group is
endeavoring to get out of the deal now
and for the past several weeks has
been negotiating with Hughes in
Hollywood in an effort to reach some
agreement under which it can be re-
lieved of its purchase commitments.
Hughes appears willing, provided
acceptable arrangements can be made,
particularly with regard to the down
payment made by the Stolkin group.
In that event, it is reliably reported,
RKO Pictures will go back to its pre-
Stolkin status of last September, with
Ned E. Depinet as president ; Noah
Dietrich, board chairman, and Hughes
as head of production.
The trade regards such an ar-
rangement as a temporary one,
designed to ward off the pend-
ing petition for appointment of
a receiver for the company and
to place it in good operating
condition once more so that
either the Stolkin group or
Hughes could obtain an accept-
able offer for the controlling
stock interest.
There appears to be little immediate
prospect of the Odium proposal fitting
into this intention on the part of
Hughes and the Stolkin group. Od-
ium's report is understood to be defi-
nitely averse to paying anything like
the $7 per share for the controlling
block that the Stolkin group is com-
mitted to pay.
Doesn't Propose Depinet
Moreover, the Odium report does
not propose Depinet for president in
the event Atlas succeeded in reentering
RKO Pictures by obtaining manage-
ment control. Rather, it refers to losses
incurred by the company during De-
pinet's tenure as president. The re-
port also refers to N. Peter Rathvon,
Odium's choice as president of RKO
when he acquired control before. Od-
ium suggests that Rathvon might be
enlisted as head of production, par-
ticularly in charge of organizing in-
dependent production units to release
through RKO Radio.
The report does not specify, how-
ever, that Rathvon, in that capacity,
would also be the chief executive of
RKO Pictures.
Not Associated with Odium
Meanwhile, it was ascertained that
Milton Gettinger, New York attorney
who sometimes represents the Chemi-
cal Bank, and James A. Mulvev, presi-
dent of Samuel Goldwyn Productions,
which releases through RKO Radio,
are in no way associated with the Od-
ium report and proposal to the Atlas
board, contrary to earlier reports.
Efforts to contact Gettinger and
Mulvey on Tuesday concerning the re-
ports were unsuccessful. Yesterday,
Gettinger's office said that he is in i
Review
5>
Bwana Devil
(Ar(h Oboler Production) Hollywood, Dec. 3
Hp HIS is the first feature-length dramatic narrative ever made for three-
l dimension motion picture purposes. It is therefore automatically the
best, the worst and the average production of its kind. As it is not to be
exhibited in two-dimensional form, within the predictable future at any rate,
it cannot properly be rated on any existing scale of values. A purely per-
sonal opinion of it is that it is not so bad as Los Angeles newspaper critics
said it is, nor as good as the first picture shot and exhibited by the Natural
Vision method should have been ; but is adequate for the purpose for which
it was made — no more, no less.
"Bwana Devil" was produced in Ansco color by Arch Oboler, who also
wrote the story and directed the performances. It is a story about Africa and
animals, . both of which are suitable subjects for three-dimension treatment,
and it has Robert Stack, Barbara Britton and Nigel Bruce as its principal
players. The story is based on a historical fact, which concerns a couple
of lions which put a stop to the building of a railroad in Africa by devour-
ing the native workmen until killed by an engineer, played by Stack.
The story is a relatively mild chronicle of some not very mild events —
lion hunts, attacks, devourings, pursuits, escapes, etc. — and yet it managed
to create perceptible suspense, about two thirds of its way through, in an
audience seeing three-dimension exhibition for the first time in its life. The
newness of the medium, the expectations of the audience, and the over-
whelming camera effects inherent in "3-d," all were weighing against Oboler's
chances of achieving story suspense. Although he shortly thereafter closes
his picture with disappointing suddenness he has proved decisively that dra-
matic entertainment and "3-d" are compatible.
The picture is 79 minutes long, is obtainable for Natural Vision exhibition
only, and is without a Production Code Administration seal due to a clinch
sequence that is unnecessary to the story. William R. Weaver
SEC Rejects RKO
Minority Request
The Securities and Exchange Com-
mission has disclaimed authority to
intervene in the RKO Pictures situa-
tion as requested by Louis Kipnis,
attorney representing three minority
stockholders seeking to put the com-
pany into receivership.
Kipnis said he received SEC's re-
sponse in a letter yesterday, which
said in part : "Please be advised that
the Commission's statutory authority
in a situation of the kind indicated
by your letters runs only to the solici-
tation of proxies and matters inci-
dental thereto. The Commission has
no power under the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934 to intervene in
matters of internal management."
Kipnis in two letters sent to the
SEC asked the commission to investi-
gate whether Howard Hughes was a
bona fide candidate as a director,
along with, his nominees, when proxies
were sent out last May." He also
called upon the Commission to stop
alleged dealings in the sale of the
company's directors' and officers'
posts. Kipnis contended that Hughes
was negotiating for the sale of his
29 per cent stock interest to the Ralph
Stolkin group when the proxies were
sent out.
Meanwhile, Kipnis reported he has
received no reply to his request , for
a change in the company's by-laws
which was enclosed in a letter to the
company. The attorney representing
three stockholders, claiming to own
2,525 shares, proposed in his letter
that 10 per cent of the stockholders
should be granted the authority to call
a special meeting of stockholders and
that the quorum for the board be in-
creased from two to three directors.
RKO Foreign Post
To Edwin Smith
Appointment of Edwin J. Smith,
Jr., as assistant foreign sales man-
ager of RKO Radio Pictures, was
announced here yesterday by Alfred
Crown, foreign manager. The post is
a new one, created by the resigna-
tions of B. D. Lion and Ned Clarke,
division managers in the foreign de-
partment. The appointment becomes
effective on Monday.
Smith has been with the RKO or-
ganization for many years, having
joined the domestic sales department
in 1931. He rejoined RKO in 1946
after serving three years in the Army
Signal Corps, becoming assistant
treasurer and assistant secretary.
Crown also announced the promo-
tions of Melvin Danheiser and Arthur
Herskovitz to assist Smith with Eu-
ropean-Australasian and Latin Amer-
ican-Far Eastern operations, respec-
tively.
RKO Theatres Board
Increases Dividend
A dividend of 15 cents per
share on the capital stock of
RKO Theatres was declared
here yesterday at a board of
directors meeting, payable on
Jan. 2 to stockholders of
record on Dec. 15, Sol A.
Schwartz, company president,
reported.
The last dividend, of 10
cents per share, was declared
on Sept. 15, 1951.
Find Giant Synchro
Screen Impressive
An impressive demonstration of
RCA's giant Synchro-Screen was
held here yesterday at the RKO 58th
Street Theatre, which will show the
screen to the general public tomorrow.
The added dimensions of the screen
and the "light surround" intensify
the panoramic view of the film. It
also heightens the color values of
Technicolor. Presented at the demon-
stration were newsreel shots and
scenes from "Way of A Gaucho" and
"Lure of the Wilderness."
Sol Schwartz, president of RKO
Theatres, who attended the demon-
stration, said the screen was especially
advantageous to balcony viewers,
bringing them closer to the picture.
The picture width of the new screen
is 30 feet, 7 inches, with 12-foot wings
on each side, heightening the effect of
bigness. The RKO 58th Street in-
stallation is the first in the U. S. The
screen, the largest ever made by RCA,
filled the theatre's entire proscenium.
M. H.
Florida for a brief visit and, while he,
too, is working on a report of RKO
Picture's current position, it is not
associated in any way with Odium's.
Mulvey also denied any association
with the Odium report.
Earle Nines Joins
NT Directorate
Washington, Dec. 3. — Earle G.
Hines, chairman of the board of Gen-
eral Precision Equipment Corp., has
been elected to the expanded board
of National Theatres, the Securities
and Exchange Commission was in-
formed here.
NT reported that its board has been
enlarged from 11 to 12 directors and
that its annual stockholders meetings
will be held on the third Tuesday in
February instead of the third Tuesday
in November of each year.
Berlo Promotes Hamilton
Albany, N. Y., Dec. 3. — Jack
Hamilton, former Schine circuit man-
ager in Syracuse,. Glens Falls and
Rochester, has been appointed Albany
manager for Berlo Vending Co. He
succeeds Vic Cohen, who was trans-
ferred to Los Angeles. Hamilton had
been a Berlo supervisor in Washing-
ton for eight months.
Roxy Installs Large
Size Walker Screen
Installation of a new Walker screen,
measuring 32 feet high and 24 feet
wide, is underway at the shuttered
Roxy Theatre, which will reopen
Dec. 22.
Alterations also include the addi-
tion of three Ashcraft super-high pro-
jection lamps, plus new model Sim-
plex X-L type projectors.
'Quiet Man' Boom
Saves Doomed House
Chicago, Dec. 3— Exhibitors Harrv
Sears and Dick Zazove, owners of the
Park Theatre in suburban Austin, who
last month were prepared to close the
house_ and end their connection with
the industry following a four-day
run of Republic's "The Quiet Man,"
are now solidly entrenched at the
Park with no intention of closing up
shop. At the same time they are try-
ing to hold their print of the picture.
What happened was this : The pro-
jected four-day run that started
Nov. 9 is still running strong, with
business 300 per cent above normal.
But Republic has delivered an ulti-
matum that the print must be returned .
by next Tuesday, so that the exchange
can service other theatres. The ex-
hibitors feel that the film would be
able to hold up until after the first
of the year in their predominantly
Irish neighborhood, but are now re-
signed to acceding to the distributor's
demands. At the moment a "bicyc-
ling" arrangement has been worked
cue with the Balaban and Katz Sen-
ate Theatre.
VOL. 72. NO. 107
NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1952
TEN CENTS
TV Promotion
Of Films On
Percentage
Turner and MBS in New
Plan for Advertising
By AL STEEN
A plan whereby television sta-
tions will promote and advertise
motion pictures in theatres on a
percentage basis, the percentage to
be paid by the
distributor, i s
being developed
by Terry Tur-
ner, former ex-
ploitation d i -
rector of RKO
Radio Pictures,
for the owned
and affiliated
TV stations of
the Mutual
Broadcast-
ing System.
Turner took up
his new duties
this week at
MBS.
The plan, which is expected to get
(Continued on page 3)
Terry Turner
See RKO-Skourasin
Day-and-Date Deal
The same day and dates booking
for RKO Theatres and Skouras
Theatres on featured films in New
York has been evidenced in the wake
of a long-time threatened anti-trust
suit by Skouras Theatres against
RKO Theatres, Metropolitan Play-
houses and the majors.
The double bill of "The Miracle of
Fatima" and "The Rose Bowl Story"
recently played in virtually all New
York houses of both circuits simul-
(Conlinued on page 3)
TO A Oklahoma Unit
Okays Arbitration
Theatre Owners of America dis-
closed here yesterday that its Okla-
homa unit, Theatre Owners of Okla-
homa, had endorsed in principle the
industry's arbitration plan. The Okla-
homa unit is the eighth TOA affiliate
to approve the tentative formula.
The endorsement by Oklahoma and
other TOA units, in effect, is a vote
of confidence in arbitration and a
gesture that they will go along with
the national organization on any
formal action it may take on the
issue.
UPT Divests Itself of
More Than 60 Theatres
United Paramount Theatres has divested itself of over 60 theatres
in conformity with its divestiture schedule requiring the sale of, or the
end of joint interests in, 184 theatres by Sept. 3, 1953, a company offi-
cial reported here yesterday.
UPT's report on the divestiture of
the theatres came on yesterday's
deadline date for divorcement of one-
third of its remaining 184 theatres,
which cannot' be retained, according
to the terms of its consent decree.
The original deadline of Sept. 3, set
last March by the New York Statu-
tory Court, had been extended to
Dec. 3.
According to the Statutory Court's
ruling, which gave UPT 18 months
to divorce itself of the 184 theatres,
the next deadline is March 3 for the
divestiture of another third. The
ruling called for the divestiture of at
least one-third of the remaining
theatres in each six-month period.
UPT, when it obtained the March
ruling, had already fulfilled its com-
(Continued on page 3)
Indiana Allied Hits
Price Increases
Indianapolis, Dec. 3. — Resolutions
on price increases, print availability
and film allocation practices were pre-
sented to the closing session of the
Allied Theatre Owners of Indiana
state convention in the Hotel Lincoln
here today.
Election of a new president to suc-
(Continued on page 3)
Two Rep. Senators
Object to Early
FCC Merger Okay
Washington, Dec. 3. — Two top-
ranking Republican Senators who will
occupy key positions in next year's
Congress were reported today to have
registered objections with the Federal
Communications Commission against
early approval of the proposed mer-
ger of American Broadcasting and
United Paramount Theatres.
The two were Senator Tobey of
New Hampshire, who will head the
{Continued on page 3)
May Bid E. Pa. Unit
Back to Allied
Allied States may make overtures
in the near future to determine
whether or not Allied Theatre Owners
of Eastern Pennsylvania and South-
ern New Jersey can be reclaimed on
an acceptable basis.
The exhibitor unit, headed by Sid-
ney Samuelson, a past president of na-
(Continucd on page 3)
Schary's 'Hoaxters' an
Expose of Communism
Hollywood, Dec. 3. — "The Hoaxters," a 37-minute documen-
tary produced by Dore Schary for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer re-
lease, previewed here last night, is composed of expertly se-
lected and juxtaposed footage from many sources, both for-
eign and domestic, assembled in such a fashion as to trace
Russian Communism's course from 1919 to the present. The
film, which the producer describes as a personal product more
than a year in work, is technically extraordinary, with adroitly
matched scenes and utterances combining with crisp off -screen
commentary and a dynamic music score to give the material
maximum impact. The production is being offered to exhibi-
tors, Schary said at the preview, on a documentary scale of
prices, with the company "more interested in having it widely
seen than in making money on it."
Using specially-filmed footage of an old-fashioned medicine
(Continued on page 3)
Management of
RKO Is Key
To Atlas Plan
Would Provide Cash But
Avoid Stock Purchase
The Atlas Corp. proposal for re-
entering RKO Pictures is limited
to control of management of the
latter company and not to acquisi-
tion of the controlling stock interest,
now held by the Ralph Stolkin syndi-
cate, it was learned yesterday.
The Atlas plan is contained in
a report to the board of direc-
tors of that company prepared
by Floyd B. Odium, president.
The report suggests that the Atlas
board might give consideration to tak-
ing over the operation of RKO Pic-
tures and putting it in good condition
"as Atlas did before." The procedure
suggested for so doing is that Atlas
would advance money to RKO Pic-
tures as needed and take new deben-
tures to be issued by RKO in return.
An initial deposit by Atlas of
$1,000,000 with Chemical Bank &
Trust Co. to RKO Pictures' credit is
(Continued on page 6)
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3. --
There was still a "good
possibility" that the
date for relaxing theatre
construction controls
would be advanced to Jan.
1 , though chances were dim-
mer than they were a short
while ago. An order was
set to be issued tomorrow
advancing the date, but
other agencies entered
last minute objections.
•
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3. —
Dec. 8 has been set by the
U. S. Supreme Court as the
date for argument on the
Federal Trade Commis-
sion's appeal in the ad-
vertising film case. The
FTC is appealing a Fifth
Circuit Court decision
concerning the Motion
Picture Advertising Ser-
vice Co.
2
Motion Picture daily
Thursday, December 4, 1952
Rank Theatre Is Cleared
Of Film Quota Default
Personal
Mention
STEVE BROIDY, Allied Artists
president, will leave Hollywood
Sunday for the COMPO meeting in
Chicago.
•
Gordon White of the Motion Pic-
ture Association of America here be-
came a grandfather for the fourth time
when his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Gor-
don White, Jr., gave birth to a son,
named Gordon White, IIT.
•
M. Metori, Paramount's general
manager in Japan, has arrived in Hol-
lywood from Tokyo and will come to
New York in mid-December.
•
Pincus Sober of the M-G-M home
office legal department left San Fran-
cisco yesterday for Portland.
•
Jack Gunsky, manager of the Fox
and State theatres in Watsonville,
Cal., is the father of his first child, a
girl.
•
Al Schuman, general manager of
the Hartford Theatre Circuit, Hart-
ford, and Mrs. Schuman are in
Miami Beach on a vacation.
•
Otto Braeunig, RKO Radio of-
fice manager in Cleveland, and Mrs.
Braeunig recently celebrated their
25th wedding anniversary.
•
Nat Goldberg has resigned as man-
ager of the West Boyleston, Mass.,
Drive-in Theatre to join his son,
Stanley, in business in Brooklyn.
•
James Velde, United Artists' West-
ern division manager, will visit the
Midwest next week.
•
Joseph Walsh, Paramount's branch
operations manager, is spending this
week in Atlanta.
•
Tom Grady, M-G-M home office
master booker, is in San Francisco
from 'New York.
•
Arthur Leeham, Jackson, Miss.,
exhibitor, is confined to a hospital
there.
•
Oliver BroughtO'N, M-G-M main-
tenance representative, is in San Fran-
cisco from New York.
Screen Gems TV in
Expansion Move
John Mitchell is leaving the vice-
presidency of United Artists Televi-
sion to join Screen Gems, Inc., on
Monday as general sales manager, a
new post.
Screen Gems produces the Ford
Theatre, broadcast weekly over a 54-
station NBC network, and about half
of the programs in DuPont's "Caval-
cade of America" series, carried over
the same network. It is an affiliate
of Columbia Pictures.
Mitchell and Ralph Cohn, general
manager of Screen Gems, will expand
the sales setup to handle packaged
film programs to national advertisers,
as well as a countrywide syndication
organization.
London, Dec. 3. — The summons
against J. Arthur Rank's Circuits
Management Association, charging the
Haymarket Gaumont Theatre with
failure to comply with the 25 per cent
supporting film quota law, was dis-
missed by the Bow Street Magistrate's
Court here today.
Rank personally had testified in the
case at the hearing last Saturday, con-
tending that there were not enough
worthwhile British second features to
meet the standard of entertainment
expected of West End showplaces.
Dismissing the summons against
Rank's theatre. Magistrate Sir Lau-
rence Dunne was highly critical of the
Board of Trade, which filed the com-
plaint. In his judgment, the magistrate
said, government ministers have a
grave responsibility to consider all
aspects before launching prosecutions
such as this. "Clearly, the Board of
Trade has not done that this time,"
he said.
The magistrate pointed out that the
exhibitor's need is for films of sound,
commercial practicability.
Exhibitors here are overjoyed at the
verdict, saying that by his stand Rank
has brought immeasurably nearer a
revision of the generally repugnant
supporting program quota.
Oct. Tax Income 2nd
Highest This Year
Washington, Dec. 3. — General ad-
mission tax collections in October, re-
flecting September business, were the
second highest for any 1952 month,
running only slightly behind the Sep-
tember high, the Bureau of Internal
Revenue reported. October collections
were far below those for October,
1951, however. The October collec-
tions were tops last year.
The bureau said collections in Oc-
tober amounted to $31,294,629, com-
pared with $32,174,969 in September
and $37,302,260 in October, 1951. Sep-
tember and October have been the only
two months this vear during which
collections topped the $30,000,000
mark.
Dismiss $lf30(h000
Suit vs. Silverman
Chicago, Dec. 3. — Federal Judge
Walter La Buy today dismissed the
$1,300,000 suit brought by E. Stern
and the Sidney Spiegel Estate against
Edwin Silverman and associates for
alleged "mismanagement" which led
to the plaintiff (Stern and the Spiegel
Estate) receiving $1,200,000 for the
sale to Silverman of their stock in
Essaness Theatres instead of the $2,-
500,000 to which they thought they
should have been entitled. Judge La
Buy's decision confirmed that of the
Illinois court.
Drop Ohio 'M' Action
Columbus, O., Dec. 3. — The Ohio
Supreme Court has dismissed an action
filed by Superior Films, Inc., of New
York, to compel Ohio's film censorship
division to review the motion picture
"M."
JDA Fetes Rodgers
And Hammer stein
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Ham-
merstein II were honor guests at a
dinner given by the Joint Defense
Appeal at the Hotel Pierre last night.
They were cited for their outstanding
contributions to "the enrichment of
America's cultural legacy."
Dinner chairman Harry Brandt,
1951 JDA drive chairman, was pre-
sented with a scroll for his "pioneer-
ing leadership" of the drive. "Audition
for Angels," a dramatic presentation
produced by Morton Sunshine and
enacted by a cast of notables was the
high spot of the event. Proceeds of
the affair are to further the programs
of the American Jewish Committee
and the Anti-Defamation League of
B'nai B'rith.
Name Frisch, Fabian,
Balaban Drive Heads
Barney Balaban, Si Fabian, and
Manny Frisch were chosen as co-
chairmen of the amusement division
for the 1952-53 campaign of the Fed-
eration of Jewish Philanthropies, at
an FJP meeting held at the Astor
Hotel here yesterday.
Among those present at the meet-
ing were Balaban, Bernard Birnbaum.
Harry Brandt, William Brenner. Sy
Fabian, Frisch, William German. Leon
Goldberg, Arthur Israel, Jr., Harry
Mandel. Martin Newman, Walter
Reade, Jr., Samuel Rinzler. Samuel
T>^or", Adnln^ c"lijme1 E"ed J.
Schwartz and Sol Strausberg.
llliC Documentary on
Goldwyn Is Set
A full hour documentary radio pro-
gram devoted to producer Samuel
Goldwyn will be broadcast to British
listeners on March 1, it was an-
nounced bv John McMillan of the
BBC "light programs" network, who
is visiting in New York. The show
will dramatize Goldwyn's character-
istics, his ideals and his methods of
working', he said.
McMillan said this will be the
first time a motion picture producer
has been the subject of a detailed
documentary program on the BBC
McMillan will leave for Hol'vwood
Sundav to work on the show and other
projects.
Name Sam Gillet
Head of Tent No. 38
Salt Lake City, Dec. 3. — Sam L.
Gillett, Salt Lake City and Toole,
Utah, exhibitor, was named president
of Variety Tent No. 38. Giff Davison,
RKO Radio branch manager, was
named first assistant and Shirl
Thayne, Universal salesman, second
assistant. Other officers are How-
ard Pearson, secretary, and the fol-
lowing directors : Ralph Trathen,
Sid Cohen. K. O. Lloyd, Jack Swon-
son, Dan Kostopulos and Bob Braby.
McGee Says Only
Congressmen Will
See Tax Picture
The short subject which Senator
Milliken of Colorado suggested as the
best vehicle for telling the industry's
tax story is to be shown only to
Senators and Congressmen and is riot
to be made available to exhibitors, it
was stressed yesterday by Pat Mc-
Gee, co-chairman of the National Tax
Repeal Campaign Committee.
McGee, who was one of a delega-
tion of Colorado theatremen who con-
ferred last week with Senator Milli-
ken on the industry's tax problems,
emphasized in a wire to the Council
of Motion Picture Organizations yes-
terday that the Colorado Senator said
that if such a picture could be shown
in Washington to groups of Senators
and Congressmen it would be of great
help in the industry's tax campaign.
"Neither the Senator nor any of
those at the conference," McGee
wired, "made any mention of making
the picture available to exhibitors for
screening to the public, since from
the beginning of our campaign we
have carefully avoided making any
appeal to the general public for sup-
port. This picture would be shown
only to Senators and Congressmen,
either in Washington or in their home
districts."
Spyros Skouras to Go
To Rome from Athens
Spyros P. Skouras, president of 20th
Century-Fox, will depart from his na-
tive Greece tomorrow for Rome by
plane on final stops of his round-the-
world trip to survey company and film
industry conditions, the company re-
ports here.
Skouras has been visiting Athens
since Sunday, following stopovers at
Cairo, Bombay and Calcutta. In each
city he has held meetings with ex-
hibitors, 20th-Fox representatives and
government officials, as well as ad-
dressing groups in behalf of the ex-
tension committee of the World
Brotherhood Movement.
Ahrens Heads Film
Editors Local 771
Motion Picture Film Editors, Local
No. 771, IATSE, has elected Fred
Ahrens, president ; Leonard Hein,
vice-president; Robert Dworsky, sec-
retary; Lawrence F. Sherman, Jr.,
treasurer ; Charles Wolfe, business
agent, and Fred Edwards and Edward
Wyant, Jr., sergeants-at-arms.
The following executive board was
also elected : Ahrens, chairman, Hein,
Dworsky, Sherman, John Oxton,
James Molini, Frank Madden, Ed-
wards, Wyant, Michael Prusch and
Joseph Castilioni.
New Beck Assignment
"Gilbert and Sullivan," London
Films production starring Robert
Morley and Maurice Evans, will be
represented in the United States on
advertising and publicity by the office
of Myer P. Beck, it was announced
by Lopert Films.
MOTION" PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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: Uuigpubco.
New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. T. Sullivan. Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy. Vice-President; Leo J. Brady.
Secretary James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FT 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative. 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington. J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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.
Thursday, December 4, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
TV Promotion
(Continued from page 1)
into operation by next summer, is
said be the most far-reaching in the
so-called "wedding" of TV and the
motion picture industry. Turner
stressed the point here yesterday that
the plan would not be applicable to
all pictures, possibly only 10 a year,
but that its potentialities would be
the means of "harnessing TV" to
bring millions of dollars back to the
box-office.
Turner said that the power of tele-
vision as a promotional factor in
building theatre patronage was proved
in the campaigns he used on "King
Kong," "Snow White" and "Sudden
Fear." In spots where TV was not
used as an advertising medium, the
grosses fell below those in areas
where television was used, he said.
Preliminary Talks
In preliminary talks with a few dis-
tributors, the sales chiefs were recep-
tive to the proposed formula, Turner
said. The idea may be tested first
on reissues. The plan, in substance,
will function like this : Turner will
arrange with a distributor to reissue
a series of pictures, with the same
star, in selected areas, preferably in
summer months, when the more im-
portant new films are being held back.
Affiliated TV stations in the areas
will saturate all available air time
with specially prepared trailers, using
scene clips and announcements as to
where a picture is playing. Instead
of being paid a flat rate for the
"plugs," the stations will receive a
percentage of the distributor's per-
centage of the film's gross in each
theatre. There will be no cost to the
theatre. The distributor will pay the
stations an amount based on the busi-
ness done by the picture as a result
of the television campaign. In other
words, the station's arrangement with
the distributor would be on a sliding
scale, just as the distributor's pact
with the theatre calls for a remittance
based on the gross.
RKO Radio's television campaign
on "King Kong" in five territories —
Detroit, Cleveland, Cincinnati, In-
dianapolis and Pittsburgh — cost
$25,000 for a specific number of
trailer announcements. Turner
asserted that if the stations had been
on a participating arrangement, they
would have given a much more in-
tensive drive to the picture, spotting
the trailers in all un-sold spot an-
nouncement slots.
Turner said the plan would
be specially attractive to inde-
pendent producers whose releas-
ing contracts with national dis-
tributors are about to expire.
Instead of disposing of the pic-
tures to television, the inde-
pendent producer will see the
opportunity to derive further
revenue from theatres, with the
theatres cashing in on the TV
campaign.
In his contacts with TV stations,
Turner said they were all cooperative,
as the TV executives are eager to
prove, the value of the new advertis-
ing medium. If the stations can in-
crease business in theatres through
TV, they will be happy to do so,
especially if they can benefit finan-
cially through the upswing in theatre
patronage by means of the percentage
arrangement.
While all stations in the Mutual
network are not committed as yet to
Schary's 'Hoaxters'
(Continued from page 1)
show spieler as a connective device, the early portion of the
film shows the rise and fall of Hitler's Nazism, Mussolini's
Fascism, and Japan's Militarism, and likens Russia's Com-
munism to them in essentials.
The latter portion of the picture traces Soviet Russia's
seven changes of policy toward the United States since 1919.
A great many world figures appear in the footage assembled,
and original sound tracks are heard in effective alternation
with commentary spoken by various actors and Schary. The
over-all effect is an exposure and denouncement of Russian
Communism in simple, graphic, dramatic terms, with inci-
dental reference to the dangers of loose accusations and un-
warranted condemnation, and with a rousing conclusion ex-
tolling freedom and liberty.
Associate producer Herman Hoffman wrote the story for
the picture from material compiled and arranged by Victor
Lasky and William Herbert, and a fine editing job is credited
to Laurie Vejar and Harry Komer.
William R. Weaver
Rep. Senators
(Continued from page 1)
E. Pa. Allied
(Continued from page 1)
tional Allied, withdrew from member-
ship in the parent organization two
years ago over what was reported
at the time to be Samuelson's dissat-
isfaction with Allied's policy of co-
operating" in all-industry endeavors.
With Allied again in its so-called
"militant" role, and its participation
in cooperative industry activities cur-
tailed, some Allied figures feel that
the national organization may once
again be radical enough to conform
witli Samuelson's requirements, pro-
viding acceptable terms for its rein-
statement can be agreed upon.
Explore Possibilities
Irving" Dollinger, chairman of New
Jersey Allied, reportedly was in-
structed by the national Allied board
at its Chicago meeting last month
to< explore the possibilities of a re-
instatement of the Eastern Pennsyl-
vania unit. A similar attempt at the
New York national convention last
year failed when Samuelson declined
the proffered terms covering payment
cf dues for the period the unit was
out of the national organization.
Philadelphia, Dec. 3. — Sidney
Samuelson todav claimed he "knows
nothing" of any Allied States plan
to contact him on the return of East-
ern Pennsylvania Allied to member-
ship in the national organization.
US Marine Band at
'Stripes' Premiere
For the first time in its history,
the United States Marine Band has
been granted Presidential approval to
participate in the world premiere of a
motion picture. The band, familiarly
known as "The President's Own,"
will participate in the opening night
ceremonies at the Roxy Theatre here
for 20th Century-Fox's "Stars and
Stripes Forever" on Monday, Dec. 22.
the plan, Turner said they will be
ready to join when the plan becomes
more concrete. Mutual TV outlets
are in New York, Hollywood, Bos-
ton, Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus,
Chicago, Philadelphia, W ashington,
Baltimore, Buffalo, Syracuse, Cleve-
land, Detroit, San Antonio, Atlanta,
Louisville and Minneapolis.
Indiana Allied
( Continued from page 1)
ceed Trueman Rembusch, who an-
nounced that he was not a candidate
after seven years at the post, and the
officers was deferred until the Jan-
uary meeting of the board of direc-
tors.
Urge Resistance
The convention adopted a resolution
condemning increased admission pic-
tures as "detrimental to theatre public
relations" and urging exhibitors to
resist them. It also passed a resolu-
tion _ calling distributor attention
"again" to the "necessity of making a
greater number of prints available in
the exchange area." The number of
situations to be serviced has been in-
creased by the growth of outdoor
operations in the past decade, while
even fewer prints are available today,
it was stated.
A third resolution, providing that
Indiana Allied set up a system for the
exchange of information on allocation
and terms to aid exhibitors who are
on their own in outlying situations,
was tabled for subsequent action by
the board. All three resolutions came
out of the film clinics which occupied
the convention's morning sessions
both days. Attendance was light on
account of bad weather.
Interstate Commerce Commission,
with jurisdiction over the FCC, and
Senator Langer of North Dakota,
who will head the Judiciary Commit-
tee, which watches the administration
of the anti-trust laws.
FCC hearing examiner Leo Res-
nick recently recommended approval
of the merger and also found that
nothing in the recent anti-trust record
of either UPT or Paramount Pic-
tures barred them from being TV
licensees. The FCC staff has filed
objections to Resnick's decision and
suggested that the full Commission
hold oral arguments on the case.
To bey in Paris
Tobey, who is now in Paris, cabled
the Commission early this week
Both the FCC and Tobey's office re-
fused to discuss the cablegram, but it
was reliably reported that he sug-
gested that the Commission withhold
further action on the case until he
returns late this month and has had a
chance to study it in greater detail.
Langer wrote the FCC expressing
opposition to the Commission's de-
cision to ignore anti-trust violations
more than three years old. He also
argued that the merger would reduce
competition in the entertainment in-
dustry.
RKO-Skouras
(Continued from page 1)
taneously. Despite this, both RKO
Theatres and Skouras spokesmen de-
nied a settlement involving a move-up
for Skouras Theatres. An official of
Warner Brothers, which is releasing
"The Miracle of Fatima," also denied
existence of an agreement between
WB and Skouras Theatres to avert
the threatened suit.
Recently, Loew's and the Skouras
Theatres reached a settlement on the
threatened complaint, moving up play
dates for a number of Skouras Thea-
tres to match Loew's availability.
Hartford Film Opens
"Face to Face," Huntington Hart-
ford's initial production for RKO
Radio, will have its world premiere
today at the Studio Theatre in Salt
Lake City. The picture is the first in
a. series to be produced by Hartford
for release through RKO.
DuMont Files Exceptions
In UPT-ABC Merger Case
Washington, Dec. 3.— Allen B.
DuMont Laboratories today filed ex-
ceptions to the initial decision in the
United Paramount Theatres-Ameri-
can Broadcasting Co. merger case,
issued several weeks ago by Federal
Communications Commission hearing
examiner Leo Resnick.
DuMont's attorneys said the filing
was purely formal and was for the
purpose of keeping the record in the
case complete.
Walker, FCC Head,
Before House Group
Washington, Dec. 3. — Federal
Communications Commission chairman
Paul A. Walker will testify on Fri-
day before a House Interstate Com-
merce sub-committee investigating
program content of radio and televi^
sion programs.
Walker's appearance will wind up
three days of hearings held this week
by the Harris sub-committee, which
has heard numerous witnesses on the
subject periodically since last spring.
Today the committee heard from
several local radio station managers.
Tomorrow's witness will be Frederick
R. Gamble, president of the American
Association of Advertising Agencies.
UPT Divests
(Conthmed from page 1)
mitments on 888 theatres, as required
by the consent decree, which affected
a total of 1,071 theatres.
Pearce to Hollywood
London, Dec. 3.— Perce Pearce has
left here for Hollywood with a rough-
cut of Walt Disney's recently com-
pleted "The Sword and the Rose."
While in Hollywood he will discuss
with Disney pre-production plans for
Disney's fourth all-live action picture,
"Rob Rov."
V * \ / ,* #j
BobWeitman
5 a haPpy
MOUNT THEATRES. INC.
NEW YORK 36, N. Y.
LONGACRE 3-1100
OFFICE OF
ROBERT M. WEITMAN
VICE PRESIDENT
November 28, 1952
We at the New York Paramount
have been hunting for a real laugh-out -loud
attraction and you've sure got it in
'Stop, You're Killing Me'. To me it's the
funniest Damon Runyon yarn I can remember —
a terrific entertainment in every sense of the
word!
While I know it's considerably
ahead of your national release, you'd make me
a very happy guy if we could book it into the
Paramount immediately following the third week
of 'Iron Mistress'. I assure you we'll give
it a grand sendoff and you can look forward to
a swell engagement!
Sincerely, /
Robert M. Weitman
0
Warner Bros!
Next
attraction
Paramount
DAMON RUN YON
NON-STOP LAUGH SENSATION
COLOR BV
0
O
ERRING
BRODERICK
CLAIRE
:GINIA GIBSON - BILL HAYES «
CHARLIE CANTOR- SHELDON LEONARD
M VITALE • HOWARD SI. JOHN • HENRY MORGAN • MARGARET DUMONT
ENRY SLATE • JACK PEPPER • STEPHEN CHASE • DON BED D 0 E • LOUIS LETTIERI
ICRIIN PLAV BY FROM A PLAY BY PRODUCED BV DIRECTED BV
AMES OH AN LON • DAMON RUNYON ... HOWARD LINDSAY • LOUIS F. EOELMAN • ROY DEL RUTH
USICAl NUMBERS STAGED A N 0 DIRECTED tl I.ERQT PRINZ • M U.SIC ALJi E EC TJOM tY_gA* JlE-UlftftB f_
m
6
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, December 4, 1952
Atlas-RKO
(Continued from page 1)
understood to be included in the pro-
posal. The Odium report sidesteps
completely the acquisition by it of the
29 per cent controlling stock interest
in RKO Pictures, for which the Stol-
kin group agreed to pay Howard
Hughes in excess of $7,000,000. Pre-
sumably, that would be left to mem-
bers of the Stolkin group to resolve
directly with Hughes.
Substantial Profit
Hughes acquired the stock from At-
las, at a substantial profit to the lat-
ter, in 1948. Last September Hughes
made the deal with the Stolkin group,
which made an initial payment to him
of $1,500,000. The Stolkin group is
endeavoring to get out of the deal now
and for the past several weeks has
been negotiating with Hughes in
Hollywood in an effort to reach some
agreement under which it can be re-
lieved of its purchase commitments.
Hughes appears willing, provided
acceptable arrangements can be made,
particularly with regard to the do\vn
payment made by the Stolkin group.
In that event, it is reliably reported,
RKO Pictures will go back to its pre-
Stolkin status of last September, with
Ned E. Depinet as president; Noah
Dietrich, board chairman, and Hughes
as head of production.
The trade regards such an ar-
rangement as a temporary one,
designed to ward off the pend-
ing petition for appointment of
a receiver for the company and
to place it in good operating
condition once more so that
either the Stolkin group or
Hughes could obtain an accept-
able offer for the controlling
stock interest.
There appears to be little immediate
prospect of the Odium proposal fitting
into this intention on the part of
Hughes and the Stolkin group. Od-
ium's report, is understood to be defi-
nitely averse to paying anything like
the $7 per share for the controlling
block that the Stolkin group is com-
mitted to pay.
Doesn't Propose Depinet
Moreover, the Odium report does
not propose Depinet for president in
the event Atlas succeeded in reentering
RKO Pictures by obtaining manage-
ment control. Rather, it refers to losses
incurred by the company during De-
pinet's tenure as president. The re-
port also refers to N. Peter Rathvon,
Odium's choice as president of RKO
when he acquired control before. Od-
ium suggests that Rathvon might be
enlisted as head of production, par-
ticularly in charge of organizing in-
dependent production units to release
through RKO Radio.
The report does not specify, how-
ever, that Rathvon, in that capacity,
would also be the chief executive of
RKO Pictures.
Not Associated with Odium
Meanwhile, it was ascertained that
Milton Gettinger, New York attorney
who sometimes represents the Chemi-
cal Bank, and James A. Mulvev, presi-
dent of Samuel Goldwyn Productions,
which releases through RKO Radio,
are in no way associated with the Od-
ium report and proposal to the Atlas
board, contrary to earlier reports.
Efforts to contact Gettinger and
Mulvey on Tuesday concerning the re-
ports were unsuccessful. Yesterday,
Gettinger's office said that he is in
Review
Bwana Devil
(Arch Obolcr Production) Hollyivood, Dec. 3
THIS is the first feature-length dramatic narrative ever made for three-
dimension motion picture purposes. It is therefore automatically the
best, the worst and the average production of its kind. As it is not to be
exhibited in two-dimensional form, within the predictable future at any rate,
it cannot properly be rated on any existing scale of values. A purely per-
sonal opinion of it is that it is not so bad as Los Angeles newspaper critics
said it is, nor as good as the first picture shot and exhibited by the Natural
Vision method should have been ; but is adequate for the purpose for which
it was made — no more, no less.
"Bwana Devil" was produced in Ansco color by Arch Oboler, who also
wrote the story and directed the performances. It is a story about Africa and
animals, both of which are suitable subjects for three-dimension treatment,
and it has Robert Stack, Barbara Britton and Nigel Bruce as its principal
players. The story is based on a historical fact, which concerns a couple
of lions which.put a stop to the building of a railroad in Africa by devour-
ing the native workmen until killed by an engineer, played by Stack.
The story is a relatively mild chronicle of some not very mild events —
lion hunts, attacks, devourings, pursuits, escapes, etc. — and yet it managed
to create perceptible suspense, about two thirds of its way through, in an
audience seeing three-dimension exhibition for the first time in its life. The
newness of the medium, the expectations of the audience, and the over-
whelming camera effects inherent in "3-d," all were weighing against Oboler's
chances of achieving story suspense. Although he shortly thereafter closes
his picture with disappointing suddenness he has proved decisively that dra-
matic entertainment and "3-d" are compatible.
The picture is 79 minutes long, is obtainable for Natural Vision exhibition
only, and is without a Production Code Administration seal due to a clinch
sequence that is unnecessary to the story. William R. Weaver
SEC Rejects RKO
inority Request
The Securities and Exchange Com-
mission has disclaimed authority to
intervene in the RKO Pictures situa-
tion as requested by Louis Kipnis,
attorney representing three minority
stockholders seeking to put the com-
pany into receivership.
Kipnis said he received SEC's re-
sponse in a letter yesterday, which
said in part : "Please be advised that
the Commission's statutory authority
in a situation of the kind indicated
by your letters runs only to the solici-
tation of proxies and matters inci-
dental thereto. The Commission has
no power under the: Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934 to intervene in
matters of internal management."
Kipnis in two letters sent to the
SEC asked the commission to investi-
gate whether Howard Hughes was a
bona fide candidate as a director,
along with his nominees, when proxies
were sent out last May. He also
called upon the Commission to stop
alleged dealings in the sale of the
company's directors' and officers'
posts. Kipnis contended that Hughes
was negotiating for the sale of his
29 per cent stock interest to the Ralph
Stolkin group when the proxies were
sent out.
Meanwhile, Kipnis reported he has
received no reply to his request for
a change in the company's by-laws
which was enclosed in a letter to the
company. The attorney representing
three stockholders, claiming to own
2,525 shares, proposed in his letter
that 10 per cent of the stockholders
should be granted the authority to call
a special meeting of stockholders and
that the quorum for the board be in-
creased from two to three directors.
RKO F o reign Post
To Edwin Smith
Appointment of Edwin J. Smith,
Jr., as assistant foreign sales man-
ager of RKO Radio Pictures, was
announced here yesterday by Alfred
Grown, foreign manager. The post is
a new one, created by the resigna-
tion of B. D. Lion and Ned Clarke,
division managers in the foreign de-
partment. The appointment becomes
effective on Monday.
Smith has been with the RKO or-
ganization for many years, having
joined the domestic sales department
in 1931. He rejoined RKO in 1946
after serving three years in the Army
Signal Corps, becoming assistant
treasurer and assistant secretary.
Crown also announced the promo-
tions of Melvin Danheiser and Arthur
Herskovitz to assist Smith with Eu-
ropean-Australasian and Latin Amer-
ican-Far Eastern operations, respec-
tively.
Earle Hines Joins
NT Directorate
Washington, Dec. 3. — Earle G.
Hines, chairman of the board of Gen-
eral Precision Equipment Corp., has
been elected to the expanded board
of National Theatres, the Securities
and Exchange Commission was in-
formed here.
NT reported that its board has been
enlarged from 11 ff> 12 directors and
that its annual stockholders meetings
will be held on the third Tuesday in
February instead of the third Tuesday
in November of each year.
Florida for a brief visit and, while he,
too, is working on a report of RKO
Picture's current position, it is not
associated in any way with Odium's.
Mulvey also denied any association
! with the Odium report.
Berlo Promotes Hamilton
Albany, N. Y., Dec. 3. — Jack
Hamilton, former Schine circuit man-
ager in Syracuse, Glens Falls and
Rochester, has been appointed Albany
manager for Berlo Vending Co. He
succeeds Vic Cohen, who was trans-
ferred to Los Angeles. Hamilton had
been a Berlo supervisor in Washing-
ton for eight months.
RKO Theatres Board
Increases Dividend
A dividend of 15 cents per
share on the capital stock of
RKO Theatres was declared
here yesterday at a board of
directors meeting, payable on
Jan. 2 to stockholders of
record on Dec. 15, Sol A.
Schwartz, company president,
reported.
The last dividend, of 10
cents per share, was declared
on Sept. 15, 1951.
Find Giant Synchro
Screen Impressive
An impressive demonstration of
RCA's giant Synchro-Screen • was
held here yesterday at the RKO 58th
Street Theatre, which will show the
screen to the general public tomorrow.
The added dimensions of the screen
and the "light surround" intensify
the panoramic view of the film. It
also heightens the color values of
Technicolor. Presented at the demon-
stration were newsreel shots and
scenes from "Way of A Gaucho" and
"Lure of the Wilderness."
^ Sol Schwartz, president of RKO
Theatres, who attended the demon-
stration, said the screen was especially
advantageous to balcony viewers,
bringing them closer to the picture.
The picture width of the new screen
is 30 feet, 7 inches, with 12-foot wings
on each side, heightening the effect of
bigness. The RKO 58th Street in-
stallation is the first in the U. S. The
screen, the largest ever made by RCA,
filled the theatre's entire proscenium.
i M. H.
Roxy Installs Large
Size Walker Screen
Installation of a new Walker screen,
measuring 32 feet high and 24 feet
wide, is underway at the shuttered
Roxy Theatre, which will reopen
Dec. 22.
Alterations also include the addi-
tion of three Ashcraft super-high pro-
jection lamps, plus new model Sim-
plex X-L type projectors.
'Quiet Man' Boom
Saves Doomed House
Chicago, Dec. 3. — Exhibitors Harry
Sears and Dick Zazove, owners of the
Park Theatre in suburban Austin, who
last month were prepared to close the
house and end their connection with
the industry following a four-day
run of Republic's "The Quiet Man,"
are now solidly entrenched at the
Park with no intention of closing up
shop. At the same time they are try-
ing to hold their print of the picture.
What happened was this : The pro-
jected four-day run that started
Nov. 9 is still running strong, with
business 300 per cent above normal.
But Republic has delivered an ulti-
matum that the print must be returned
by next Tuesday, so that the exchange
can service other theatres. The ex-
hibitors feel that the film would be
able to hold up until after the first
of the year in their predominantly
Irish neighborhood, but are now re-
signed to acceding to the distributor's
demands. At the moment a "bicyc-
ling" arrangement has been worked
out with the Balaban and Katz Sen-
ate Theatre.
MOTION PICTURE
\'OL. 72. NO. 108
NEW YORK, U.S.A., FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1952
TEN CENTS
National Tour
For COMPO's
Film Exhibit
Texas Unit Plans 22-Car
Train for Exposition
Dallas, Dec. 4. — A special
streamlined 22-car railroad train
will carry the "Motion Picture
World Exposition," sponsored by
the Texas Council of Motion Picture
Organizations, on a nationwide tour
next year, following its presentation
at the State Fair of Texas, it was
announced here today.
The decision to transfer the
exposition to a train resulted
from the interest shown in the
project by all branches of the
film industry, as well as a large
number of requests for its ap-
pearance from Chambers of
Commerce, civic organizations
and educational institutions,
state COMPO headquarters re-
ported.
Paul Short, creator and designer of
{Continued on page 3)
Reelect Roberts
Cinerama Head
Dudley Roberts, Jr., was reelected
president of Cinerama Productions,
Inc., yesterday at a meeting here of
the company's board of directors.
The reelection of Roberts and all
other officers of the corporation came
following Tuesday's annual meeting of
stockholders. The number of stock-
holders in the company are approxi-
mately 50. Others reelected include
Frank M. Smith, executive vice-presi-
dent ; Louis B. Mayer, chairman of
the board ; Lowell Thomas, vice-chair-
(Continued on page 3)
100 on Telethon
For Palsy Funds
All theatrical unions, crafts and
guilds are cooperating, as well as
more than 100 entertainers and others,
in putting on the 18-hour cerebral
palsy telethon which starts here at
8:00 P. M. tomorrow over WJZ-TV,
Channel No. 7. Robert Weitman is
chairman of the talent committee.
The show will run continuously
until two o'clock Sunday afternoon to
raise funds to help cerebral palsied
(Continued on page 3)
Hughes Gets RKO Stock;
Depinet Again President
Set Early Test of
Video Film Ad
Percentage Plan
First tests of the television pro-
motion plan under which TV sta-
tions will receive a percentage of
the distributors' share of the gross
on pictures advertised through the
TV medium will be made in Feb-
ruary or March, according to Terry
Turner, who is developing the for-
mula for the Mutual Broadcasting
System. The tests will be made on
one new picture and on one reissue.
It is planned, Turner said, to
conduct the campaigns in sep-
arated parts of the country.
(Continued on page 3)
Coast Meet Monday
On Zukor Jubilee
Los Angeles, Dec. 4. — Invitations
were sent out today to studio heads
and industry leaders by Charles P.
Skouras, chairman of the Variety
Clubs International Hollywood din-
ner committee to honor Adolph
Zukor's 80th birthday, to attend a
luncheon-meeting Monday at the Bev-
(Continued on page 3)
Chicago Group Waives $1,250,000 Payment
In Return for Release from Commitments
And Liabilities; Depinet Given Autonomy
Hollywood, Dec. 4. — The Ralph Stolkin syndicate ended weeks
of negotiations here today by forfeiting the $1,250,000 cash payment
it made to Howard Hughes in September for the 29 per cent con-
trolling stock interest in RKO Pictures. Hughes resumes owner-
ship of the stock and control of the
company in return for a waiver
of liability to members of the Stol-
kin group and their release from
all obligations under the stock pur-
chase agreement which called for
the further payment to" Hughes of
$6,000,000 during the next two
years with provisions for interest and
penalties in event of default.
As a result of the agreement Ned
E. Depinet, who participated in the
agreements here, again becomes presi-
dent of RKO Pictures, effective im-
mediately. Hughes has agreed to give
Depinet complete autonomy in the
management of the company. Pre-
sumably, this extends to the designa-
tion of a studio head, which accord-
ingly need not necessarily be Hughes,
(Continued on page S)
RKO Settlement
Herewith arc the highlights
of the agreement reached yes-
terday in Hollyzt'ood zvhich re-
turns RKO Pictures to normal
operating status:
Stolkin's syndicate waived
its $1,250,000* down payment
and returned to Howard
Hughes his 29 per cent con-
trolling stock interest in
RKO.
Hughes reappointed Ned E.
Depinet president with com-
plete autonomy. Appointment
of top executives, including a
studio head, will be up to
Depinet.
Hughes releases Stolkin
group members from further
performance of their stock
purchase contract and from
liabilities arising pursuant to
their administration of the
company.
PLEDGES'CAREFUL'
UPT-ABC STUDY
FCC Replies to Senator Tobey's Letter in
Opposition to Early Approval of Merger
By J. A. OTTEN
\\ ashingtox, Dec. 4. — The Federal Communications Commission has
assured Senator Tobey that it will give "careful study and consideration"
to all of the objections before reaching a final decision on the proposed
merger of American Broadcasting .Co. and United Paramount Theatres.
Both Tobey, who will head the
Senate Interstate Commerce Commit-
tee next year, and Senator Danger,
who will head the Judiciary Commit-
tee, have protested early approval of
the merger as recently recommended
by FCC hearing examiner Leo
Resnick.
Today the FCC made public the
letters from Tobey and Langer and
also the Commission's replies. It
also made public a letter from Sen-
ator Robertson, Virginia Democrat,
urging the Commission to expedite
action on the case. Robertson said
he had some constituents operating
(Continued on page 3)
New Building Code
Nearer Completion
The liberalized building code in New
York City that would permit theatres
to be built in apartment or office build-
ings, legalize theatre erection above
or below street level, allow construc-
tion over a theatre's stage level, and
permit the sale of liquor in theatres
has been drawn up by the technical
committee of the League of New York
Theatres in the form of 21 bills.
The proposed legislation, it is said,
would make investments in new7 the-
(Continaed on page 3)
20th to Release 51
Shorts Next Year
A program of 51 short subjects will
be released during 1953 by 20th Cen-
tury-Fox, Peter G. Levathes, short
subjects sales manager, reports. The
total compares with 50 subjects this
year.
A series of seven Technicolor art
(Continued on j^^^^)
2
Motion Picture daily
Friday, December 5, 1952
Personal
Mention
AW. SCHWALBERG, president
• of Paramount Film Distribut-
ing Corp.; E. K. (Ted) O'Shea., sales
vice-president, and Jerome Pickman,
advertising - publicity vice - president,
will return here today from Philadel-
phia.
•
James Perkins, Paramount man-
aging director for the United King-
dom, will arrive here from London
Dec. 13 aboard the -S\ 6". Queen Elisa-
beth. He will return to London shortly
after the first of the year. His son,
Robert Perkins, Paramount's Far
Eastern manager, will arrive in New
York from Hollywood on Monday.
•
Barney Pitkin, RKO Radio
branch manager, and Mrs. Pitkin
have become grandparents, with the
birth of a son to daughter-in-law Mrs.
Malcolm Pitkin, also of New Haven.
•
Harry Mersaye, head of 20th Cen-
tury-Fox's print department, will cele-
brate his 25th anniversary with the
company today.
•
Richard Condon, director of adver-
tising-publicity for RKO Radio, will
arrive in Washington today from Chi-
cago.
Martin Quigley, Jr., and Mrs.
Quigley announce the birth Wednes-
day of a son, Kevin Francis.
Paul Graetz, European producer,
will arrive in New York on Monday
aboard the 5". 5*. Mauretania.
Shupert Joining
UA TV Affiliate
George T. Shupert has been ap-
pointed vice-president and general
manager of United Artists Television
Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of
United Artists, it was announced by
Robert Benjamin, chairman of the
board. Shupert succeeds John Mit-
chell who resigned to join Columbia
Pictures' Screen Gems-TV.
Shupert, currently vice-president of
Peerless Film Productions, and for-
merly vice-president and director of
commercial operations for Paramount
Television Productions, will assume
his new posts on Monday. United
Artists Television distributes film
programs made especially for tele-
vision and does not handle United
Artists' feature pictures, which are
exhibited only in theatres, said a com-
pany statement.
A Detroit investment banker for
14 years before entering the visual
media field, Shupert, in 1940, organ-
ized Paramount Pictures' industrial
film division and served as its sales
director for three years. He began
his television activities in 1943 as
assistant to Paul Raibourn, president
of Paramount Television. In Oct.,
1951, Shupert helped set up Peerless
Films.
Kansas City Holds Hearings
On New Censor Ordinance
Kansas City, Dec. 4. — A City Council committee held a hearing-
today on a substitute ordinance providing- for the review of motion pic-
tures, but also providing that the reviewer may give certificates of
approval without reviewing- pictures, in cases where the reviewer and
welfare director accept the opinion on
such pictures of national accredited
reviewing organizations or associa-
tions.
The reviewer and director may,
however, later modify a certificate or
after 15 days notice revoke the certifi-
cate on further observation or in-
formation. Newsreels are exempted
from review. A new feature beyond
the present censorship ordinance now
in force prohibits the offer or exhibi-
tion of posters, billboards or similar
advertising of motion pictures that are
considered objectionable on the same
grounds as pictures are judged. Fees
for certifiicates are unchanged.
Arthur Cole, president of the Mo-
tion Picture Association of Greater
Kansas City, Senn Lawler, secretary,
and R. R. Biechele, spoke. No ma-
jor objections against the substitute
ordinance was made by any interested
group at the hearing except that cen-
sorship is itself deplored and that any
such ordinance may be unconstitu-
tional. Industry representatives have
worked with other groups and city
department people for several months
developing this proposed ordinance.
Souvaine Position
In Suit Explained
The inclusion of Souvaine Selective
Pictures as a defendant in Chesapeake
Industries' Federal Court suit to ex-
ercise a chattel mortgage and promis-
sory note against Lou Bunin Produc-
tions, Inc., producers and owners of
'Alice in Wonderland," "is purely of
a technical nature," explains David
P. Wiener, comptroller of Souvaine.
Chesapeake is suing to recover
$24,626 balance said to be due from
Bunin, which, it is asserted, was ad-
vanced to Bunin to cover certain costs
of "Alice" before the picture was
given to Souvaine to distribute. "This
indebtedness," continued Wiener, "is
entirely a matter of the alleged lia-
bility of Bunin to Chesapeake, and not
of Souvaine."
UA Opens Its First
Exchange in Albany
Albany, N. Y., Dec. 4. — United
Artists has opened a film exchange
here in quarters rented from National
Screen Service. Established to pro-
vide better service for exhibitors of
the district, it is the first to be oper-
ated by UA in Albany, which hereto-
fore has been serviced out of New
York City and Buffalo. Robert Ad-
ler, Monogram booker-salesman here
for five years, has been appointed UA
sales manager. Moe Dudelson, dis-
trict manager, and Manny Brown,
Buffalo branch manager, came here
for the opening.
Dale Herman, former supervisor
for Smith-Howell Film Delivery
Service, succeeds Adler at Mono-
gram.
Says Publicity Aid
Of Producers a Must
To assure maximum grosses in the
current film market, a producer, along
with the stars, must assist actively in
publicity and exploitation campaigns,
Frederick Brisson, producer, said here
yesterday enroute to Washington.
In the Capital, he will discuss plans
for the world premiere of Independent
Artists' "Never Wave at A WAC,"
which he produced and is releasing
through RKO Pictures. Conferences
will be held with General Omar Brad-
ley and Assistant Secretary of Defense
Mrs. Anna Rosenberg. The premiere
will be held in Washington in late
January with President-elect and Mrs.
Eisenhower as likely guests of honor,
he said.
In order to insure the participation
of stars, Brissoh noted that he had
included a clause in the contracts of
Rosalind Russell, Paul Douglas and
Marie Wilson, all featured in the film,
requiring them to make a minimum of
six personal appearances with the pic-
ture at key openings.
Delay Col. Minority
Bond Counter -action
A postponement until Dec. 15 was
granted here yesterday on the show
cause order calling upon Columbia
minority stockholder William B.
Weinberger of New York to post
bond in connection with his anti-trust
suit against the company.
The action in New York Supreme
Court was brought by the company
under a section in the general cor-
poration law which requests the plain-
tiff in a minority suit to post a bond
of $75,000 in cash or $50,000 worth
of the company's securities to cover
legal fees in case the suit is lost by
the plaintiff. The minority suit seeks
to enjoin the company and its officers
from engaging in alleged anti-trust
practices in connection with the pro-
duction, distribution and exhibition of
motion pictures.
Zukor Biography an
Industry History
The autobiography of Adolph
Zukor, which will be told by biogra-
pher Dale Kramer, will also be a
history of motion pictures besides
conveying reminiscences of many of
the famous personalities he encoun-
tered in his 50-year career in the in-
dustry.
The book will be published by G. P.
Putnam's Sons in the fall of 1953,
during the "Golden Jubilee" year of
the board chairman of Paramount
Pictures.
MPTOA of Virginia
Favors Arbitration
Richmond, Dec. 4. — The Vir-
ginia Motion Picture Theatre
Association today passed a
resolution favoring arbitra-
tion that is favorable to ex-
hibition-distribution and vot-
ed unanimously to have a
more expanded grievance-con-
ciliation program to assist all
members on local and state-
wide problems.
The summer convention will
be held at Old Point Comfort
on May 4-6.
Goldwyn on TV Show
Samuel Goldwyn, who was to ap-
pear in person on the second of the
two chapters of his film career on
Ed Sullivan's "Toast of the Town"
TV show on CBS, is now set to ap-
pear as Sullivan's guest on the first
chapter this Sunday.
Ask Lower Pro jector Fee
Boston, Dec. 4. — A bill has been
filed for consideration by the 1953
Massachusetts legislature which
would reduce fees for licensing mo-
tion picture projectors from $20 to $6
for new applicants and from $10 to $3
for renewals.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center
"MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID"
Esther WILLIAMS • Victor MATURE
Walter P IDG EON • David BRIAN
Color by TECHNICOLOR . An M-G-IH Picture
& The Music Hall's Great Christmas Stage Show
Midnight Ftotur*
SAMUEL GOLDWYN presents
Hans Christian
Andersen
starring
DANNY KAYE
CRITERION • PARIS
_ B'way & 45th St. 58th St. W. of 5th Ave.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Slierwin Kane, . Editor; Terry- Ramsaye, Consulting- Editor. Published daily, except Saturdays,
Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue. Rockefeller Center. New York 20, N. YV 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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 Motioni 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 5, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
Exhibit on National Tour
{Continued from page 1)
Snaper, Majors in
Arbitration Talks
Wilbur Snaper, national Al-
lied president, revealed here
yesterday that he had dis-
cussed renewal of arbitration
talks with both exhibitor and
distributor leaders, but no
decision had been reached.
When asked what the nature
of his discussions was, Snaper
said, "Our talks were toward
the goal of making arbitration
a reality." He declined fur-
ther comment.
Meanwhile, William F.
Rodgers, chairman of the dis-
tributors' arbitration commit-
tee, leaves next week for an
extended Florida vacation,
which means that a key figure
in the arbitration planning
board will not be present if
exhibitor-distributor negotia-
tions for a mutually approved
system should be resumed.
Rodgers said here yesterday
that he would not delay his
trip in view of possible new
conferences on the issue.
100 on Telethon
(Continued from page 1)
children and adults in the Metropoli-
tan New York area. It is estimated
that 50,000 palsied persons are in the
75-mile radius covered by the tele-
cast.
President-elect Dwight D. Eisen-
hower will launch the marathon pro-
gram by answering (on film) little
Vivian Principe of Bloomfield, N. J.,
six-year-old "National Poster Girl"
for United Cerebral Palsy, who will
be on stage with Yul Brynner, star of
"The King and I."
Performers and others who will
appear on "Celebrity Parade for
Cerebral Palsy" will include:
Robert Merrill, Molly Picon, Morey Am-
sterdam, Arlene Francis, Dbrothy Sarnoff,
Red Buttons, Ed Sullivan, Frank Sinatra.
Toni Arden, Skitch Henderson, Jan Peerce,
Jack Carter, Maria Riva, Mindy Carson,
Herb Shriner, Dennis James, Taylor Grant,
Jan Murray, Jackie Gleason, Janis Paig"e,
Art Mooney and band, Fred Waring; and
23 sing-ers, Guy Lombardo. and orchestra,
Irving- Fields Trio.
Also, Joey Adams, Snooky Lanson,
Johnny Johnston, Lanny Ross, Martha
Wright, George Britton, Woody Herman.
Vivian Blaine, Eileen Barton, Juanita Hall,
Chester Morris, Freddie Robbins, Valentino,
Buster Crabbe, Nancy Craig", Johnny Olsen,
Jim Atkins, Rootie Kazootie, Garry Moore.
Perry Como, Fontaine Sisters.
Also, Steven Allen, Al Bernie, Hazel
Scott, Paul Whiteman, Henny Youngman,
Sunny Gale, Yvette, Don Lowe. Nat
(King) Cole, Billy Daniels, Constance
Carpenter, Tex and Jinx McCrary, Condos
and Brandow, Paul Winchell and Jerry
Mahoney, Ann Jeffreys and Robert Sterling
and Les Paul and Mary Ford.
Building Code
(Continued from page 1)
atres more attractive. The bills are
now being studied by the fire, building
and housing departments. These agen-
cies are represented on the technical
committee and after approval of the
bills' drafts, they will be submitted to
the City Council by Councilman Hugh
Quinn, Democrat, of Queens.
The technical committee of 12 drew
up the 21 code revisions in 10 weeks.
Members of the committee include
architects and engineers. John Phil-
lips of the Metropolitan Motion Pic-
ture Theatres Association, represents
local theatre interests.
f|he exposition, will direct the State
Fair engagement as well as the tour,
assisted by his co-chairmen. He cur-
rently is conferring with officials of
the American Association of Rail-
roads regarding complete details and
plans for the tour. The plans will
be presented to the board of directors
of national COMPO at its Chicago
meeting on Dec. 10-11, by R. j.
O'Donnell, national director of
"Movietime U.S.A." and co-chairman
of Texas COMPO with Col. H. A.
Cole.
The streamliner will be designed in
white, with a red, white and blue
motif, each of the cars bearing the
industry's "Movietime" trademark.
Twelve of the cars will house Holly-
wood studio exhibits, which will in-
clude historical data, costumes, prop-
erties, miniature sets and material
showing the growth of the industry
from magic lantern days to Cinerama.
The exhibits will total approximately
11,000 items.
One of the cars will be especially
equipped to carry network radio
broadcasts ; another will present tele-
vision programs in which audiences
at the various stops of the tour will
participate. Two cars will be
equipped to serve the press, the ex-
ecutive staff and the crew.
Still another car will be converted
into a miniature theatre for the show-
ing of a 20-minute subject covering
the history of the industry with much
of the material taken from the ar-
chives of Hollywood studios which
will be assembled by Hollywood
writers, directors and producers.
Another car will become a
miniature motion picture studio
for screen tests to execute the
Leonard Goldenson plan for a
Coast Meet Monday
(Continued from page 1)
erly Hills Hotel during which Jubilee
plans will be reviewed.
Robert J. O'Donnell, international
chairman of the Zukor birthday cele.-
bration, will come to Hollywood from
Dallas to join Skouras in outlining"
plans for the event.
The 80th birthday dinner will be
held at the Ambassador Hotel here
on Jan. 7, and will be an invitational
affair, ft will also launch the world
wide Adolph Zukor "Golden Jubilee"
celebration marking the film veteran's
50 years in show business, which will
be climaxed by a dinner and celebra-
tion in New York at the Hotel Wal-
dorf-Astoria on March 4, the date on
which he opened his first nickelodeon
theatre in that city and started his film
career.
Those receiving invitations to the
Monday organizational luncheon here
include Steve Broidy, Harry Cohn,
Sherrill Corwin, Cecil B. DeMille,
Ned Depinet, Walt Disney, Y. Frank
Freeman, William Goetz, Samuel
Goldwyn, Jesse L. Lasky, L. B. May-
er, Dore Schary, Joseph Schenck, Leo
Spitz, Jack Warner, Herbert J. Yates,
Darryl F. Zanuck and Eugene Zukor.
RKO to Distribute
'Heavy Water9 Here
RKO Radio Pictures will release in
the U. S. and some foreign countries
an English-dubbed Norwegian feature-
length documentary, "Heavy Water,"
national talent search, in which
all theatres in the United States
will have an opportunity to
offer contestants and candi-
dates. Tests will be made by
noted Hollywood directors and
writers who will be aboard for
this particular assignment.
One of the features of both the
exposition and the tour will be a
$5,000 contest in which awards will
be made to persons submitting the
closest estimates of the number of
feet of film used by the industry in
producing talking pictures and color
pictures. The talking picture footage
contest will be confined to the expo-
sition at the Texas State Fair and
the color film footage will be covered
exclusively by the tour.
"This cavalcade," said a COMPO
statement, "regarded as one of the
most ambitious efforts to date in the
motion picture field of public rela-
tions, will have the active coopera-
tion and sponsorship of all Hollywood
studios, guilds, organizations, , stars
and players, all of whom will be an
important part of the venture. Fans
throughout the entire country will be
given the opportunity of meeting per-
sonally their favorites in acting, pro-
ducing, directing, writing and all re-
lated fields of the cinema.
_ "We shall make every effort to
visit all communities possible," Short
declared. "We hope to cover some
of the most remote territories as well
as the large cities."
_ "There is a possibility for the mo-
tion picture industry to parade before
2,500,000 persons at the State Fair
alone, with an additional 50,000,000
persons being given the opportunity of
seeing, inspecting and enjoying the
industry's caravan."
51 20th Shorts
(Continued from page 1)
films dealing with the works and lives
of renowned, artists will be offered
next year. Three of the subjects pre-
released this year, "Curtain Call" — art
of Degas, "I Rember the Glory" —
art of Botticelli, and "Light in the
Window" — art of Vermeer, will lead
the series. Others are "Birth of
Venus" — art of the Rennaissance,
"Joy of Living" — art of Renoir, "The
Young Immortal" — art of Raphael,
and "The Night Watch"— art of Rem-
brandt. Marilyn Silverstone, as asso-
ciate producer, headed a production
unit that photographed the paintings
in European and American art gal-
leries and museums. Jean Oser di-
rected for producer Boris Vermont.
Terrytoons will be represented by
30 in Technicolor. Twenty-six will
be new, four will be reissues.
Six sport reels will come from
Movietone News, with sportscaster
Mel Allen narrating highlights of
athletic competitions as well as side-
lines of sport. Movietone will intro-
duce a special series of six 10-minute
shorts dealing with headline news
events. Two Lew Lehr featurettes
will be reissued.
which tells about the battle of Nor-
wegian and British saboteurs to pre-
vent the Germans from developing an
atomic bomb in World War II.
The film was photographed in the
Norwegian locale where the story is
laid.
Early Test
(Continued from page 1)
For example, the experiment on
the new picture may be made
in the West, while the test on
the reissue may be held in the
South or East. It may be, he
added, that the new picture ex-
periment will be tried with a
single Broadway theatre.
Possibly 30 theatres within a 50-
mile orbit of a television station will
be tied in on the initial tests. Turner
said that he had received a number
of inquiries from interested distrib-
utors after the announcement of the
plan was reported yesterday in
Motion Picture Daily. Titles of
the pictures to be used in the tests
will be revealed shortly.
Under the plan, television stations
will saturate their areas with trailers
on specific pictures playing at theatres
within their orbit. Instead of receiv-
ing a flat fee for the time slots, the
stations will share in the distributors'
percentage of the gross. Eighteen
stations, owned by, or affiliated with
Mutual will participate in the plan.
UPT-ABC Merger
(Continued from page 1)
radio stations with ABC programs
and that they would appreciate an
early decision. In reply the Com-
mission said it would handle the case
as expeditiously as consistent with
the legal requirements and fairness to
the various parties.
In his protest, Tobey said he was
shocked that Resnick had ignored the
recommendations of the FCC staff,
who had opposed the merger. He
said he hoped the Commission would
consider these objections • before
reaching its decision.
In reply, acting chairman Hyde
said that the Commission would give
full consideration to all of the recom-
mendations of the examiner and also
to all of the exceptions filed by the
FCC staff and other parties.
Langer, in his letter, also attacked
Resnick's decision and said that he
was protesting also to the Attorney
General so that the Justice Depart-
ment could make a thorough study of
the anti-trust aspects of the case and
submit recommendations both to the
FCC and to the Judiciary Committee.
Reelect Roberts
(Continued from page 1)
man of the board, and Ernest Scanlon,
treasurer.
Meanwhile, it was disclosed that dis- ,
cussions on production and exhibition
plans are continuing here among com-
pany executives, including Roberts and
Mayer. Joseph Kaufman, director of
exhibition and theatre operations for
Cinerama Productions, announced that
a series of seven special matinees has
been scheduled for "This Is Cinerama"
at the Broadway Theatre between
Christmas and New Year's Day to
take care of the heavy demand for
tickets.
The extra performances were sched-
uled following- the sell-out of all regu-
lar performances for the eight-day
period and the denial of more than
100,000 applications for tickets.
The annual meeting of stockholders
reelected the following to the board :
Frank M. Smith, Paul W. Kesten,
Marion C. Cooper, Thomas L. Per-
kins, Milo Sutliff and Alger B. Chap-
man.
EYES HAVE
NEVER BEFORE
BEHELD SUCH
TECHNICOLOR
WONDERS AS
M-G-M's
MILLION
DOLLAR
MERMAID
Movie theatres foresee
Millions of people and
Millions of dollars with
M-G-M's
Miracle Musical
"Million Dollar Mermaid"
M-m-m-m-m!
Merry Xmas, Happy New Year!
0m
Qfff THE SONGS THEY SANG!
& THE FUN THEY HAD!
AND THE LOVIN' THEY GOT!
Starring
HUGH VMMI • CKROVl NiWHw
1&i
8
Motion Picture Daily
Friday, December 5, 1952
Review
"Meet Me at the Fair"
( Universal -International)
FRESH personalities and the polished song-and-dance-man, Dan Dailey,
have combined their talents in an impressive, engaging musical that is
geared for strong box-office returns. In color by Technicolor, it has diversi-
fied appeal for any audience and is warmly and unpretentiously played by a
trio of new performers, and Dailey and Diana Lynn.
Foremost of the trio is Chet Allen, a boy soprano who is well-known to
TV viewers for his acclaimed performances in Gian-Carlo Menotti's Christ-
mas opera, "Amahl and the Night Visitors." His beautiful voice is high-
lighted to fine advantage with "Ave Maria" and in several jazz-type duets.
Noteworthy, too, are "Remember the Time," delivered by Dailey and Carole
Matthews, and the latter's singing of the title song. Miss Matthews is a
very smooth performer who sings, dances and acts a familiar role with sur-
prising attractiveness. Pleasant "Scat Man" Crothers winningly portrays
the assistant of Dailey, who plays the owner of a medicine show.
The screenplay, by Irving Wallace, and an adaptation by Martin Berkeley
are derived from a Gene Markey novel, "The Great Companions." The story
has Dailey pick up Allen, an escaped orphan from a viciously-run, corrupt
detention home, and hide him from the incumbent political party which fears
an election expose. Miss Lynn portrays an honest welfare representative
who rejects her dishonest district attorney suitor for Dailey at the finale
after Dailey exposes the graft and is assured of a properly run home.
Douglas Sirk's direction has maintained an even pace and producer Albert
J. Cohen cleverly utilized backstage interiors while retaining the opulent
facade. Others in the cast are Hugh O'Brian, Rhys Williams, Thomas E.
Jackson, Russell Simpson, George Chandler and Doris Packer. Included in
the score are "I Was There," "Ezekiel Saw De Wheel," "I Got the Shiniest
Mouth in Town," "Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home?," "All God's
Chillun Got Wings" and "Sweet Genevieve."
Running time, 87 minutes. General audience classification. For January
release. Walter Pashkin
RKO Stock
(Continued from page 1)
who was the head of the studio and
managing director of production for
four years prior to the sale of the
Hughes and Depinet stock amounting
to some 1,047,000 shares for $7 per
share to the Stolkin group.
Whether or not Noah Dietrich
will again become chairman of
the board of RKO Pictures was
not immediately determined.
Presumably, that too will be
Depinet's decision to make.
It was reported but not confirmed
that Hughes accorded the Stolkin
group some future rights to re-pur-
chase a part of his RKO Pictures
stockholdings at an equitable price,
presumably for re-sale in the event
the company is re-established on a
profitable basis. In that eventuality,
members of the Stolkin group would
be in a position to dispose of the stock
advantageously and thus recoup some
part of the $1,250,000 down payment
they are sacrificing now.
Lengthy Negotiations
The agreement today came after
lengthy negotiations here between the
Stolkin group principals and Hughes.
Members of the group in addition to
Stolkin are A. L. Koolish, Ray Ryan,
E. J. Burke and Sherrill Corwin. It
was reported that an agreement call-
ing merely for deferment of the
syndicate's remaining payments to
Hughes, with Hughes re-assuming
management control of RKO, might
have been reached earlier except for
objections by Corwin. The latter, it
is said, insisted upon being freed of
all continuing obligations to which he
was liable under the stock purchase
agreement. Unable to swing Corwin,
other members of the Stolkin syndi-
cate, it is said, agreed to return the
stock to Hughes and made the final
agreement. Next week a further pay-
ment of $400,000 in interest reportedly
was due Hughes from the Stolkin
group. A payment of $1,500,000 in
principal would come due next year
and the balance in 1954.
The settlement permits RKO
attorneys to go into court in
New York next Wednesday in
a strong position to argue
against the pending action
there for appointment of a re-
ceiver for the company.
Depinet may again offer positions
to the; RKO executives who were dis-
missed during the abortive two-month
regime of Arnold Grant. Grant was
installed by the Stolkin group as chief
executive officer of RKO following
the purchase of the Hughes stock.
The replaced RKO executives in-
clude : Phil Reisman, vice-president
in charge of foreign distribution ;
Robert Mochrie, domestic sales man-
ager ; J. Miller Walker, secretary,
and a number of department heads.
Whether or not all would respond to
a recall is unknown. Reisman now is
vice-president of Joseph P. Kennedy
Industries, Mochrie is sales manager
for Samuel Goldwyn Productions, and
other former RKO executives are
now in other posts. Alfred W. Crown
holds the RKO foreign sales post now
and Charles Boasberg the post of
general sales manager.
Meanwhile, Hughes has obtained
government approval for the release
of his RKO Theatres stock from
trusteeship, in which it was placed as
a condition of the company's Federal
Masterpiece First
In Realart Drive
New Orleans, Dec. 4. — Master-
piece Pictures here has won first
prize in the national Realart-Jack
Broder "Employees Playdate Drive"
which covered the six-month period
from June 1 to Dec. 1, it was dis-
closed here by Milton Dureau, vice-
president and general manager of the
local Realart-Broder franchise ex-
change. All employes will share in
the $1,000 prize.
Reelect Frank King
Hollywood,; Dec. 4. — King Brothjers
stockholders today reelected Frank
King president, and all incumbent
officers. Also, C. H. Van Camp, for-
mer comptroller of Monogram, joined
King Brothers in the same capacity.
consent decree prohibiting individual
ownership of both picture and theatre
interests. The theatre stock again
would have to be returned to trustee-
ship by Hughes.
Brief, Eventful And Unhappy
The Stolkin group's tenure in RKO
was a brief, eventful and presumably
unhappy one. Shortly after the pur-
chase of the stock, the Wall Street
Journal ran an expose of past business
activities of Stolkin and Koolish which
revealed them to have been cited by
Better Business Bureaus, the Federal
Trade Commission and the Postoffice
Department for allegedly unethical
practices in the mail order business
and in distribution of punchboards.
Ryan was revealed to have figured in
the Kefauver Senate crime investiga-
tions of a year ago and to have num-
bered underworld figures among his
acquaintances. The expose forced the
resignations of Stolkin and Koolish
and that of William Gorman, Ryan's
representative on the RKO board.
Grant, unable to reorganize the RKO
board, could not proceed witli the
operation of the company and re-
signed last month.
Stars Record for
South African Fete
John Schlesinger, head of the
Schlesinger film interests in South
Africa, has left the Coast for New
York after conferring with Michael
Silver about Hollywood's participa-
tion in the South African industry's
"Golden Jubilee" during 1953. Silver,
managing director of Commercial
Radio Corp. of South Africa, Ltd.,
has recorded programs with numer-
ous stars saluting African film digni-
taries. They will be broadcast once
a week throughout 1953, beginning
on Jan. 1.
Ad Mechanics Topic
Of AMP A Course
"Ad Mechanics" was the topic
under discussion last night at the
Associated Motion Picture Advertis-
ers showmanship course at the Para-
mount Caterers Hall. William Boley
of the Buchanan Co., was chairman
of the session.
Benjamin Keen of Ad-Set Service
spoke on typography; Tom Walsh
of Wilbar Photo Engraving on en-
graving ; Frank Neubert of Riley
Electrotype Co. on mats and types,
and Richard T. Habel of Intaglio
Printing, whose talk was on printing,
was accompanied by a film.
Two More Tennessee
Drive-in Operations
Nashville, Dec. 4. — Plans for two
more Tennessee drive-ins have been
disclosed here. Crescent Amusement
intends to build one near here and
Ed Burchfield has already begun
work on a 400-car drive-in near Oak
Ridge, to be completed for a March 1
opening.
Town Can Tax Video Sets
Boston, Dec. 4. — Henry F. Long,
Commissioner of Taxation for Massa-
chusetts, has granted the assessors of
the town of Merrimac permission to
tax television sets.
Set TOA Mid-winter
Board Meeting for
Jan. 25-27 in N. Y.
The mid-winter board meeting of
the Theatre Owners of America has
been set for Jan. 25-27 in New York.
Charles P. Skouras, chairman, will
preside at the sessions. The executive
committee will convene on the after-
noon of Sunday, Jan. 25, and the di-
rectors will continue their meetings
Monday and Tuesday.
Although the agenda has not been
prepared, it is expected that arbitra-
tion and the government's 16mm. anti-
trust suit will be the principal topics
of discussion. Trade practices and
general organization business also will
be on the agenda. As a result of a
questionnaire sent to members by gen-
eral counsel Herman Levy, on the
stand TOA should take on the 16mm.
suit, a policy may be determined at the
January meetings.
WB So. American
Executives to Meet
Wolfe Cohen, president of Warner
International, and Karl Macdonald,
vice-president, are en route to Lima,
Peru for the company's annual Latin
American sales meeting which opens
there on Monday for a full week of
sessions.
Attending the conferences will be
division managers Armando Trucies,
Pacific ; Peter Colli, Caribbean, and
Ary Lima, Atlantic. Managers of all
Warner head offices in countries
South of the border will be present.
These include Americo Rosenberger,
Mexico ; Leo Green, Panama and
Central America ; Ira Beck, Co-
lombia; Hugo Geri, Ecuador; Jack
Mindis, Peru ; Louis Lipsky, Chile ;
Cesar Aboaf, Argentine ; Lester
Cohen, Brazil ; Richard Spierman,
Trinidad ; Geza Polaty, Cuba and
John Jones, Puerto Rico.
H. Cohen, Aht Form
Abtcon Pictures
Hollywood, Dec. 4. — Herman
Cohen, former vice-president of Jack
Broder Productions and Realart, to-
day announced the formation of
Abtcon Pictures, Inc., to make ex-
ploitation features. Cohen is presi-
dent, with William L. Abt, former
president of Abt Laboratories, Chi-
cago, secretary-treasurer.
Ky. Groups Meet on
Tax Fight Issues
Louisville, Dec. 4. — A joint meet-
ing on the amusement tax situation
was held here by representatives of
the Kentucky Association of Theatre
Owners and the Louisville Theatre
Owners group. A discussion of ways
and means of implementing the fight
to repeal or reduce both the state and
Federal admission taxes sparked the
meeting.
Premiere of Wilde Story
"The Importance of Being Earn-
est." J. Arthur Rank Organization
British film based on the Oscar Wilde
comedy, will have its American pre-
miere at the Baronet Theatre in New
York on Monday, Dec. 22, it was
announced by Universal, American
distributor of the film.
VOL. 72. NO. 109
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
NEW YORK, U. S. A., MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1952
»e
or
TEN CENTS
Tradewise . . .
By SHERWIN KANE
THERE is no point in minimiz-
ing the significance of the re-
jection of the distributors' pro-
posed arbitration draft by Western
Theatre Owners.
Indeterminate as the organiza-
tion's executive status (it has been
without a president since Rotus V.
Harvey resigned last summer) may
be at the moment, WTO never-
theless manages to speak for quite
a number of very active local and
regional exhibitor organizations
along the length of the Northern
Pacific Coast and inland to the
Rockies.
Geographically, WTO picks up
where Allied States' affiliates leave
off at the Texas, Oklahoma, Rocky
Mountain boundaries. Thus, there
is the appearance, if not the actu-
ality, of Coast to Coast exhibitor
opposition to the distributors' pro-
posed draft. Add to that the fact
that WTO again could become a
fully organized regional associa-
tion overnight by the simple ex-
pedient of calling a board meeting
and electing officers, and you have
a formidable appearing opposition
bloc when coupled with Allied
States as an opponent of the draft.
Numerically, it means two out
of five exhibitor organization par-
ticipants in the industry arbitration
conference are opposed to the
draft.
This much is clear: Any chance
there may have been of obtaining
Department of Justice and Federal
court approval of an industry arbi-
tration plan without the participa-
tion of Allied, has as good as dis-
appeared as a result of WTO's
action.
Accordingly, if there is to be an
industry arbitration plan, it will
have to be one other than that pro-
posed by distributors.
Now is as good a time as any to
start working on it.
• •
WHEN the industry arbitra-
tion conference was initiated
in New York last spring, the
Western Theatre Owners' repre-
sentatives of record at the confer-
ence were Rotus Harvey and L. S.
Hamm, the latter as WTO counsel.
In view of WTO's veto of the
arbitration draft, it is curious now
to note that Hamm is, and was.
president of California Theatres
Association, San Francisco, which
is a member of Theatre Owners of
America, vigorous champion of in-
dustry arbitration.
Regular Use
Of Theatre TV
Seen in Offing
Regularity in theatre television
programming-, with additional pro-
gramming agencies such as Theatre
Network Television and Telecon-
ference, Inc., being organized, is un-
derstood to be in the offing.
The prediction of opening up the
floodgates of programming comes at a
time when the number of theatre TV
installations is approaching 100 or
more, with nearly every key area 1 in
the country possessing a TV installa-
tion. The forecast is also bolstered
by the three theatre TV events slated
for this month, a milestone for the
(Continued on page 6)
2 Tri-Opticon Films
Set by Sol Lesser
Hollywood, Dec. 7. — Sol Lesser
will produce two feature-length films
in three-dimension in the near future,
Lesser told newsmen following the
first American demonstration of Tri-
Opticon, for which he holds the
American rights, Friday afternoon.
Lesser said he is considering "Run-
away Train," an original melodrama
featuring action, for the first, and
may start shooting in a week or so.
For today's demonstration Lesser
(Continued on page 3)
WIND-UP OF RKO
DEAL IMMINENT
Lees Telecast Set
Nationally Today
Eighteen TV-equipped the-
atres in 17 cities, from Coast-
to-Coast, will participate in
today's Lees Carpet dealers
telecast, the first commercial
program for the medium.
The one-hour program,
booked by Tele-Sessions, a
subsidiary of Theatre Net-
work Television, will origi-
nate in the NBC studios in
New York at noon. Locally,
the show will be carried at
the Guild and the Colonial
Theatres.
4A-Bomb' in Color an
Impressive Short
RKO-Pathe's "Operation A-Bomb,"
the first motion picture in color of
an atomic bomb explosion, running 16
minutes, was screened for top state
and city Civil Defense officials and
film trade press representatives at the
Johnny Victor Theatre here on Fri-
day. It was photographed by U. S.
Marine Corps cameramen in the new
Eastman color process at Yucca Flat
and is a well-made, strongly provoca-
(Continticd on page 6)
Zukor Jubilee Getting
Mass Exhibitor Support
Dallas, Dec. 7. — Pledges of "full and unbounded cooperation" in
celebrating Adolph Zukor's "Golden Jubilee" in the motion picture
industry next year are flooding the office of international Jubilee com-
mittee chairman Robert J. O'Donnell, "from every leading exhibitor
organization," the latter disclosed
here at the weekend. Variety Clubs
International is sponsoring the world-
wide event.
In approving the tribute, Rotus V.
Harvey of the Western Theatre
Owners Association, cited Zukor as
"one of the motion picture industry's
true pioneers."
Trueman T. Rembausch of Indiana,
one of the triumvirate governing
the Council of Motion Picture Or-
ganizations, said, "Variety by its ac-
tion insures that the action is non-
partisan, that all within the industry
will cooperate and prove to the pub-
lic that this great motion picture in-
dustry has stability and prestige and
functions in the American tradition.
Mr. Zukor's SO years of devoted
work toward the development of the
industry, his rise from a poor immi-
grant boy to a dean of entertainment,
is inspiring to, the young men coming
into the industry."
Wilbur Snaper, president of na-
tional Allied, wired assurances of
"whole-hearted cooperation for the
salute honoring Adolph Zukor."
Harry Brandt, president of the In-
(Continned on page 3)
Stolkin Group, Hughes,
Depinet Resume Talks
After Weekend Hiatus
Hollywood, Dec. 7. — Members
of the Ralph Stolkin syndicate con-
tinued their discussions here on
Friday with Howard Hughes and
Ned E. Depinet, aiming for a wind-up
of the agreement under which Hughes
recovers ownership of the 29 per cent
controlling stock interest in RKO
Pictures from the syndicate and
Depinet resumes as president of the
company with complete autonomy.
It was stated that no meet-
ings were held yesterday or to-
day and that there was a strong
likelihood that the final confer-
ences would be concluded to-
morrow. Principals on both
sides maintained official silence
concerning the basic points on
which agreements have been
reached.
In the absence of their official con-
firmation, it was not clear whether
new problems had arisen or whether
(Continued on page 3)
More Support for
Ticket Tax Repeal
Minneapolis, Dec. 7. — U. S. Sen-
ator Hubert H. Humphrey of Minne-
sota has reversed his prior stand and
committed himself to complete repeal
of the 20 per cent Federal tax on
theatre tickets. The Senator's back-
ing considerably strengthens the anti-
tax campaign in this area.
Elsewhere in the area the drive to
win commitments from members of
Congress continues.
Predict 'U' Gross
To Top '51's High
Indications are that the 1952
domestic gross income of Uni-
versal will exceed the income
from operations in 1951, which
established an all-time high.
For the 53 weeks ended Nov.
3, 1951, the income was $65,-
172,580, compared to $55,591,-
085 in 1950.
The books now are being
audited for the annual state-
ment which will be sent to
stockholders late in January.
2
Motion Picture daily
Monday, December 8, 1952
Personal
Mention
SAMUEL GOLDWYN will leave
here today for the Coast, accom-
panied by Mrs. Goldwyn.
•
N. Peter Rathvon, Sr., president
of Rathvon Overseas, Ltd., and former
head of RKO Pictures, accompanied
by Mrs. Rathvon ; Frederick
March and his wife, Florence Eld-
ridge, and Madeleine Carroll and
her husband, Andrew Heiskell, Life
magazine publisher, will arrive here
from Europe today aboard the 5". 5.
Liberie.
•
James R. Grainger, Republic ex-
ecutive vice-president, left here Fri-
day for Chicago, first stopover on a
trip which will take him to Milwau-
kee, Denver, Seattle, Portland, San
Francisco and Los Angeles. He will
spend the Christmas holidays at the
Coast.
•
Robert J. O'Donnell, international
chairman of the Adolph Zukor birth-
day celebration, and Lou Smith,
Coast Movietime director, will leave
Hollywood today for the COMPO
meeting in Chicago on Wednesday.
•
Leon J. Bamberger, RKO Radio
sales promotion manager, will leave
here for Boston tomorrow to speak
at the annual convention of the Inde-
pendent Exhibitors of New England.
•
David Lewis, Loew's International
regional director for Continental Eu-
rope, will arrive in New York from
there tomorrow aboard the 5". 5. Mau-
retania.
Ralph Cohn and John H. Mit-
chell, recently elected Screen Gems
vice-presidents, will arrive in Holly-
wood today from New York.
•
Richard Condon, RKO Radio di-
rector of advertising-publicity, and
Frederick Brisson, will return here
today from Washington.
e
John R. Buckley, publisher of
Good Housekeeping magazine, is ce-
lebrating his 25th anniversary with
the Hearst Publications.
•
Jules Livingston, Republic ex-
change manager in New Haven, an-
nounces the birth of a son, Bernard,
to Mrs. Livingston.
•
Edward L. Hyman, United Para-
mount Theatres, and his assistant,
Bernard Levy, will be in Detroit to-
day and tomorrow.
•
William Pine, Paramount pro-
ducer, will sail from Naples for New
York aboard the S. S. Independence
on Dec. 13.
Charles Einfeld, 20th Century-
Fox vice-president, will arrive in New
York from the Coast by plane today.
•
E. Z. Walters, Altec comptroller,
has arrived in New York from
Beverly Hills, Cal.
Universal to Meet Today
On 'Top-LeveV Policy
Hollywood, Dec. 7. — Universal Pic-
tures' sales and promotion executives
will open a week-long series of top-
level policy and planning sessions with
tlie company's production executives
at the studios tomorrow morning,
covering production, distribution and
promotion for the coming year.
Pleading the participants in the
meetings are Milton R. Rackmil,
president ; N. J. Blumberg, chairman
of the board ; Alfred E. Daff , execu-
tive vice-president ; William Goetz,
in charge of production ; Edward
Muhl, vice-president and studio gen-
eral manager ; Charles J. Feldman,
general sales manager, and David A.
Lipton, vice-president in charge of
advertising and publicity.
Division and district sales execu-
tives and promotion heads who are
here for the meetings are scheduled
to see six of the company's recently
completed films, including "The Lone
Hand," "City Beneath the Sea,"
"Seminole," "Desert Legion" and
"Thunder Bay," all with color by
Technicolor, as well as "Girls in the
Night." There will also be a special
screening of "The World's Most
Beautiful Girls," two-reel special in
Technicolor and a visit to the Walter
Lantz Studio.
Sales executives attending besides
Feldman include Ray Moon, F. J. A.
McCarthy, P. T. Dana, Foster M.
Blake, James J. Jordan, Harry Feller-
man, John J. Scully, David A. Levy,
P. F. Rosian, James Frew, Manie M.
Gottlieb, Lester Zucker, Henry J.
Martin, Barney Rose and A. W.
Perry, head of Empire-Universal in
Canada.
Promotion executives include
Charles Simonelli, Philip Gerard, Jeff
Livingston, Ben Kat.z and the West
Coast promotional force headed by Al
Horwits.
Johnston Due from
S. American Trip
Washington, Dec. 7. — Eric Johns-
ton, president of the Motion Picture
Association of America was scheduled
to return today from his South Amer-
ican trip. It was not certain whether
he would come directly here or stop
off in New York.
Johnston is scheduled to report to
the MPAA board within a few clays
on results of his trip which concerned
film export problems in Brazil, Ar-
gentina and other South American
countries, and blocked film revenue
therein. He also is expected _ to take
early action in getting an industry
arbitration conference convened to dis-
cuss exhibitor objections to the dis-
tributors' proposed draft.
Gualino Reelected
Italian Unit Head
Dr. Renato Gualino was reelected
president of the National Producers
Union in Rome, it was reported here
at the weekend by Italian Films Ex-
port. Gualino is director general of
IFE and president of the IFE Re-
leasing Corp.
Allied Artists Has
13 Films in Backlog
Hollywood, Dec. 7. — Allied Artists
is completing the year with a back-
log of 13 pictures. Four are in color.
The color films are "Kansas Paci-
fic," a Sterling Hayden starrer; "The
Roar of the Crowd," starring How-
ard Duff ; "Fort Vengeance," starring
James Craig, and "Son of Belle
Starr," with Keith Larsen starred.
The other films are "Cow Country,"
starring Edmond O'Brien ; "Timber
Wolf," starring Kirby Grant with
Chinook, the canine star ; "Star of
Texas" and "The Marksman," each
starring Wayne Morris ; "Tangier
Incident," George Brent; "The Home-
steaders" and "Copperheads," both
starring Wild Bill Elliott; "White
Lightning," starring Stanley Clements,
and the Bowery Boys' "Jalopy."
Sullivan's Show to
Emanate from Roxy
Ed Sullivan's CBS-TV show,
"Toast of the Town," will emanate
from the Roxy Theatre on Dec. 21
in a special hour-long salute to "Stars
and Stripes Forever," the 20th Cen-
tury-Fox film which will have its pre-
miere at the theatre on the following
day, when the house, following exten-
sive alterations, will reopen with its
"Ice Colorama" show.
Sonja Heme, on the new ice stage,
will make her first TV appearance
on the show, along with Lilli Pal-
mer, Hume Cronyn and Jessica
Tandy, A^ictoria De Los Angelos and
the U. S. Marine Band. Also, the
Roxy's corps of skaters will preview
its "Colorama" show format.
Roxy Sets Production
Staff for Ice Show
The Roxy Theatre has assembled
the following production staff to for-
mulate and execute the "Ice-Colo-
rama" revue opening Dec. 22 :
Arthur Knorr, production chief,
will be in charge of stage production,
special sets and lighting, with Ron
Fletcher as choreographer, assisted
by Flo Walters ; Michi, Japanese-
American designer, will create the
costumes ; Bob Boucher will again
conduct the orchestra, and Rae Porter
will assemble a new group of singers.
Movietone TV Show
Set for Children
A new Movietone TV program
especially prepared and filmed for
children, titled "News Adventures for
Young America," will be launched
this week in 10 markets, it was an-
nounced at the weekend by Peter G.
Levathes, director of television for
20th Century-Fox. The markets set
are New Orleans, Houston, San
Francisco, Seattle, Detroit, Kansas
Citv, Minneapolis, Buffalo, Charlotte
and Cleveland.
Netvsreel
Parade
Jl/TEXICO'S inauguration of Presi-
iVM Adolf o Ruiz Cortiucs is high-
lighted in current newsreels. Featured
also are Walter Reuther's election to
the CIO presidency, the Saar elec-
tions, Winston Churchill's 78th birth-
day celebration, and. the British gov-
ernment's minting of a new Queen
Elizabeth coin. .
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 99— Coi -tines
new president of Mexico. United Nations
votes on India's peace plan. Ike names final
Cabinet choices. Walter Reuther named
CIO president. Gen. Van Fleet visits
wounded in Korea. Air Force unveils new
super jet, the "Thunderstreak." "Snows of
Kilimanjaro" is inspiration for exotic styles.
Heisman trophy to Billy Vessels. Slalom
champs in dizzy drop.
MOVIETONE NEWSREEL SPECIAL
THEATRE SUPPLEMENT — N. J. —
Stevenson speaks at memorial session for
Philip Murray. 111. — 24 of 42 scientists who
began atomic energy experiments at Chi-
cago site 10 years ago in anniversary
observation. France — A flood in the town of
Bergerac due to early snowfalls. Germany —
Tombstone laid in Belsen for 5,000 Jews and
anti-Nazi Germans slaughtered there. India
— Celebration of 63rd birthday of Prime
Minister Nehru. England — Celebration of
Winston Churchill's 78th birthday at 10
Downing Street. N. Y. — Winner of "Most
Beautiful Blind Girl" contest. 111.— Contest
to select the healthiest teen-ager in U. S'.
Penn. — Man perfects working model of
multi-storied mechanized garage building.
Oregon — W. L. Howard perched atop 54
foot flagpole breaks flagpole-sitting record.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 229— First
decade of atomic energy marked by scien-
tists in Chicago ceremonies. Stevenson visits
Truman. Happy birthday No. 78 for Wins-
ton Churchill. New Mexican president,
Adolfo Ruiz Cortines. New Elizabethan
coins for Britain. Football award to Okla-
homa star Billy Vessels. African Gold
Coast inspires new styles. Walter Reuther
new CIO' chief. Yuletide message by Lionel
Barrymore.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 32— Inaugural
of new president in Mexico. Battle for key
outpost in Indo-China. CIO picks Walter
Reuther as president. New Labor Secretary
Dirken interviewed. A warming tale con-
cerning puppies.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 49B — Adlai
Stevenson honors Philip Murray at CIO
national convention. Mexico celebrates as
new president, Adolfo Ruiz Cortines is
sworn in. Captured Russian arms and
trucks in Indo-China prove their aid. New
styles in cruise fashions for the sunny
Southland.
UNIVERSAL NEWS, No. 419— Saar elec-
tions. Reuther chosen CIO1 president. Cor-
tines new Mexican president. French attack
in Indo-China. Royal minting of new Queen
Elizabeth coin. F-84 jet a new jet fighter-
bomber. Puppies in Germany. Santa Claus
in Heidelberg. Billy Vessels gets Heisman
grid trophy.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 34-
Mexican inauguration of new president
Cortines. Stevenson addresses CIO1 conven-
tion in Atlantic City. Winston Churchill
celebrates 78th birthday in London. Ger-
mans erect a memorial to Nazi victims
in Belsen. Vital elections in Saar. Billy
Vessels named grid star of the year. Cleve-
land-Browns-Washington Redskins football
game.
Dancigers Coming
Oscar Dancigers and Henry Ehr-
lich will fly to New York from
Mexico City shortly after Jan. 1 to
finalize negotiations for a major re-
lease for their Pathe color produc-
tion, "Robinson Crusoe," being made
there, it was reported by Alfred Katz,
who will handle publicity and exploi-
tation on the film, before he left here
over the weekend for Mexico City to
confer with the producers.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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.
Monday, December 8, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
Mass. Bill Would
Curtail Workers
Boston, Dec. 7.— A bill has
been filed with the clerk of
the House of Representatives
raising the compulsory school
age from 16 to 18 years of
age.
The bill if passed would
mean that motion picture the-
atres could no longer employ
16 and 17-year-olders as ush-
ers, candy stand girls, cash-
iers and doormen as they do
at present. Some circuit of-
fices also employ 16 and 17-
year-olders as clerks, while
distribution offices employ
them as clerks and shippers.
Beverly, Gettinger in
Distribution Deal
A deal has been consummated here
between Oliver A. Unger's and Her-
bert Bregstein's Beverly Pictures,
Inc., and Milton Gettinger whereby
Beverly will handle national distribu-
tion of 16 former Film Classics fea-
tures. Gettinger is of the law firm of
Gettinger and Gettinger.
The features include "Daughter of
the West," "The Crooked Way,"
"Guilty Bystander," "Miraculous
Journey," "Devil's Cargo," "Money
Madness," "Captain Sirocco," "For
You I Die," "Blonde Ice," "Inner
Sanctum," "The Lovable Cheat,"
"State Department— File 649," "Good
Time Girl," "Sofia," "Four Days'
Leave" and "C-Man."
Terrell Named MGM
Publicity Head Here
Dan S. Terrell, Metro-Goldwyn-
Mayer's home office exploitation di-
rector for the past three years, was
named Eastern publicity manager at
the weekend by Howard Dietz, vice-
president in charge of advertising,
publicity and exploitation.
Terrell succeeds John Joseph, who
resigned recently to move to Cali-
fornia.
Paal Here on Deal
For Two Pictures
Alexander Paal, independent pro-
ducer, has arrived here from London
to arrange for the worldwide dis-
tribution of two films he recently
completed there. They are "The Four-
Sided Triangle," starring Barbara
Payton and James Hayter, and
"There's No Escape," with a cast
headed by Paul Henreid, Lois Max-
well and Kieron Moore.
Tri-Opticon
(Continued from page 1)
used five short subjects, produced and
originally shown in England, which
are now in engagement in Paris, Lon-
don, Rotterdam and elsewhere abroad,
and which he will use for the first
American opening of Tri-Opticon.
The place and date for that opening
has not been selected.
Rites for Philip Bock
Cincinnati, Dec. 7. — Services were
held here yesterday for Philip Bock,
87; president of the Royal Theatre Co.
of this city. He is survived by two
sons and two daughters.
Review
"Invasion VS. A."
(American Pictures Cor p. -Columbia Pictures)
EXCELLENT newsreel footage of the second world war and the Korean
war has been cleverly interjected in this effective propaganda drama
that deals with the possibility of the invasion of America in the next global
conflict. A large amount of the footage depicts atomic and other destruction
of planes, ships and buildings in a most convincing fashion. It is used to
shock the audience into the realization of the dangers of an invasion by "the
enemy," not otherwise identified but implied by the accents of the actors
as Russian.
It is definitely an exploitable film although it suffers from a lack of
dramatic plausibility. The screenplay by Robert Smith from a story which
he co-authored with Franz Spencer follows the actions of a group of pur-
portedly representative people. After their destruction and the enemy's victory
is established at the climax, the trick is used of- having it all labelled a
dream-like look into the future. The characters were supposedly under the
prophetic mass-hypnosis of forecaster Dan O'Herlihy. Given another chance,
they vow to do everything possible to avoid such occurrences as the bomb-
ing of Alaska, California, and New York ; the capturing of Washington,
D. C. and New York, and the A-bombing of the Boulder Dam, all of which
are shown.
Gerald Mohr and Peggy Castle supply the romantic interest. The cast
also includes Robert Bice, Tom Kennedy, Wade Crosby, Erik Blythe,
Phyllis Coates, Aram Katcher, Knox Manning and Edward G. Robinson, Jr.
It is a cleft and economical production that Albert Zugsmith fashioned for
his American Pictures Corp. with Robert Smith. Alfred E. Green directed
adequately, ft ^capitalizes on the- war problems currently prevailing and
exhibitors suitably exploiting it should acquire box-office profits.
Running time, 74 minutes. General audience classification. December
release. Walter Pashkin
RKO Deal Near
(Continued from page 1)
the principals merely are engaged in
wrapping up details of the agree-
ment, which admittedly involves nu-
merous complexities. However, ob-
servers close to the scene are inclined
to accept the latter as the most likely
explanation in view of the lack of
urgency displayed by the principals
in adjourning the meetings over the
weekend.
The latter believed that legal work
involving the preparation of releases
of the Stolkin syndicate members
from their commitments to Hughes
and from liability are being prepared
for signing and may be ready for
tomorrow's session. Such releases are
part of the agreement by which
Hughes recovers the stock which was
turned over to the syndicate last
September, and for which syndicate
members waive their $1,250,000 down
payment to Hughes.
Harold Lloyd May
Reissue Past Hits
Harold Lloyd may reissue others
of his past successful feature comedies
if "The Freshman" is favorably re-
ceived at the Paris Theatre here.
Under consideration for re-release are
"Grandma's Boy" and "Safety Last."
"The Freshman," originally re-
leased in 1925, will have its re-release
"premiere" at the Paris following the
current engagement of Samuel Gold-
wyn's "Hans Christian Andersen."
With "Andersen" in for a long run,
there is no indication when the Lloyd
picture will open.
Lippert Productions is handling the
distribution of "The Freshman."
Trailer for Red Cross
Hollywood, Dec. 7. — A trailer
which will he used by the American
Red Cross as an aid in its fund solici-
tation next year has been filmed at
Warner Brothers with John Wayne
starred. Michael Curtiz, currently
directing the star in WB's "Trouble
Along the Way," does an acting bit
in the trailer.
Zukor Jubilee
(Continued from page 1)
dependent Theatre Owners Associa-
tion of New York, said his group "is
most anxious to participate in the
series of events planned."
After commending O'Donnell for
his part in promoting the tribute,
Abram F. Myers, general counsel of
national Allied said : "In honoring
Adolph Zukor, father of feature films,
the industry not only will pay just
tribute to a worthy pioneer, but will
.launch an effective public relations
campaign to put the industry in a
proper light for all the world to see.
I know we can trust you to see to it
that there is substance along with
the hoop-la, and that attention is
fastened on those features of our
business which are enduring and good
so as to erase from the public mind
that which is transient and trivial."
"There is no greater name in show
business" than Zukor's, "and all ex-
hibitors everywhere are delighted to
have a part in this fine testimonial
to him," wired Alfred Starr, presi-
dent of the Theatre Owners of
America.
Emanuel Frisch, president of the
Metropolitan Motion Picture Theatre
Owners of New York, said he is cer-
tain that "all segments of our indus-
try will enthusiastically join in pay-
ing tribute to one" who can truly be
called "Mr. Motion Pictures."
Ballet Sequence on
HalVs Magnascope
The Radio City Music Hall here
is using its full Magnascope screen
for the water ballet sequence of the
current attraction, "Million Dollar
Mermaid," giving a Cinerama effect.
This optical device has been used reg-
ularly by the Music Hall for its news-
reel presentations, with the screen
frame 45 feet wide.
The difference in the present use
is in the dimensions. Ordinarily, the
picture on the Music Hall screen is
approximately 31 feet in which, but
for the water ballet scenes the picture
is 50 feet wide.
In the THEATRE
Equipment
World . . .
with RAY GALLO
ANEW bulletin describing its re-
tractile cords, which can be used
on in-car speakers and heaters in
drive-in theatres, has been released by
Koiled Kords, Inc., of New Haven.
Explained in the illustrated, eight-
page catalogue are how the cords are
made, where they are used and the
specific features making their use ad-
vantageous. In drive-in theatres,
"they eliminate the danger of cords
catching on door handles and break-
ing," the bulletin states. Also, "they
are compact and stay out of the way
when not in use, yet extend to the
desired length when needed."
The United States Air Condition-
ing Corp. of Minneapolis has named
as its manufacturer's representative
for Eastern Tennessee the Mechan-
ical Equipment Co. of Knoxville.
The firm will handle usAIRco's air
conditioning, heating and ventilat-
ing line.
•
A new drink dispensing unit, in-
corporating a Dad's Root Beer barrel
on tap and tzvo faucets below for
other beverages,
has been de-
signed by the
Dad"s Root
Beer Co. of
Chicago in col-
laboration zvith
t h e Uniflow
M a n it / a c -
tiering Co. of
Erie, Pa. The
Other beverages
"if cither
four carbonated
^"•L^ (_ ( ) (/),)//;
coarse and fine
stream) or tzvo carbonated from one
faucet and two flat from the other.
Other models available have- the bar-
rel and only one faucet below to dis-
pense either tzvo or three extra drinks.
The dispensing cabinet has a pebble-
tone finish zvith sinks and drain plates
of stainless steel. A syrup cabinet
zvith storage tanks is optional. The
complete unit (including the syrup
cabinet) is 35 inches long; 19% zvide,
and 42 high. Without the cabinet, it
is 24 inches long.
•
Appointment of Smith H. Cady, Jr.
as sales promotion .and advertising
manager of the Schutter Candy Co.,
Chicago, has been announced by W.
A. Fette, vice-president and director
of sales. Cady resigned as merchan-
dise manager of the Chase Candy Co.,
St. Louis, to take the new post. He
is well known to the candy trade,
particularly through his speeches and
articles on candy merchandising.
8mm. Films Duty-free
Mexico City, Dec. 7. — Duty-free
importation of eight-mm. films has
been authorized hy the National
Cinematographic Board. It is no
longer necessary to obtain permits
from the board- to bring- in that type
of film.
Something
to
Critics u
Hans Christ
i
Color bj
W ^ W Highest rating from KATE CAMERON, Daily News:
A charming, delightful, tuneful, amusing, touching, colorful, lavish, eye-filling enter-
tainment. All this and more is 'Hans Christian Andersen'."
ROSE PELSWICK, Journal- i merican :
"Lovely to look at and enchanting to hear. Made with taste and skill, a blend of charm
and romance and humor, of beautiful ballets, rhythmic songs, glowing colors and
gorgeous sets. It's delightful entertainment!"
OTIS GUERNSEY, Herald Trib
■une:
■•^erry and tuneful! Samuel Goldwyn has created a Hollywood fairyland. There
is so much spread across the screen that one hardly knows where to begin. A bona
fide Goldwyn dasr,zler !"
\irror.
FR ANK QUINN, m,
"Hurrah for-Gohftvyn!! Everything about this film is laudatory. Rich humor, great
warm*!? btful charm. Frank Loesser contributes a score that will have you
humming wheir^ou leave!"
CI
CHNICOLOR
BOSLEY CROWTHER,
Times:
"As pretly and graceful a picture as has come down the rocky pike tins year. Samuel
Goluwyn's reputation as a maker of quality 81ms, full of exquisite production and
pains-taking craftsmanship should receive further elevation!"
ALTON COOK, WorU-Tdegram & Sun:
The mastcrwork of the long producing career of Samuel Goldwyn. Danny Kaye
leaves an audience with the feeling that everyone in the place has ,ust had some-
thing as nice as a birthday party. Good feeling radiates from the screen. Probably
the most enduring songs in the memory of man!"
IRENE THIRER, /•«,,.•
"It's out of this world! A new star is born - Jeanmaire, who is enchanting and a
charming actress, besides being grace personified. The underwater ballet is breath-
takingly lovely, the production is lavish and grand and replete with melodies. A
resplendent song and dance show!"
DISTRIBUTED BY RKO RADIO PICTURES, INC.
0
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 8, 1952
Theatre TV
{Continued from page 1)
Mexican Control
Law Challenged
TV-Radio Content
Report Is in Work
Washington, Dec. 7. — The Harris
sub-committee of the House Inter-
state Commerce Committee wound up
its hearings on radio and television
program content over the weekend
and settled down to writing a report.
Due to come out about Jan. 1, the
report will probably say that the
broadcasting industry should be given
a chance to operate under its recently
adopted standards of practice code,
without government interference but
that the standards adopted could be
higher than they are.
Final witness before the commit-
tee was Federal Communications
Commission chairman Paul A.
Walker, who said that it would be
dangerous to give a censorship power
over radio and television programs to
any government agency. He pointed
out that the FCC was specifically
forbidden by law to exercise any cen-
sorship and added that he thought
this was "wise."
Walkeri declared that the public
had the responsibility of making its
likes and dislikes known to the
broadcasters who) were licensed to
serve it.
Lippert Sales Meet
In Chicago Jan. 10-11
Hollywood, Dec. 7. — Robert Lip-
pert called the first meeting of the
new Lippert Franchise holders for
Jan. 10-11 at the Blackstone Hotel,
Chicago, with Arthur Greenblatt, gen-
eral sales manager, presiding.
medium as to the number in a 30-day
period.
One major theatre TV circuit ex-
ecutive said that he currently knows
of a number of public relations firms
and TV packaging outfits which are
working on closed-circuit theatre TV
deals. He also mentioned that the
sports field is being scouted by per-
sons interested in promoting theatre
TV deals.
Theatre Network Television and its
subsidiary, Tele-sessions, are working
on a number of projects, while Tele-
conference, Inc., the new agency
which broke into the field with a deal
for the Dec. 30 Bendix telecast, says
that there are a number of other deals
coming up. Aaron Feinsot, Tele-
conference vice-president, told Mo-
tion Picture Daily that following
the Bendix announcement his com-
pany received "a lot of inquiries"
from potential clients.
Meanwhile, circuits with a number
of TV installations are holding ex-
ploratory talks on individual projects,
both in the commercial "off-hour"
period and in the entertainment field.
The three TV events this month
will be kicked off today by TNT's
Lees Carpet telecast, followed by
TNT's Wednesday "Carmen" tele-
cast, and Teleconference's Dec. 30
Bendix program.
Administer Legion Oath
Hollywood, Dec. 7. — Pastors in all
Catholic parishes here today admin-
istered the pledge of the Legion of
Decency at all masses.
Mexico City, Dec. 7. — Enactment
of the highly controversial cinemato-
graphic law with its publication in the
"Diario Oficial" ("Official Gazette"),
generally displeases the trade, although
the measure was somewhat modified
after conferences between industry
representatives and officials of the
Ministry of the Interior.
Studio operators and some distrib-
utors are about the only ones now who
like the law. Those opposing it plan
to seek injunctions against its en-
forcement, fearing that the measure
will have the same result as a similar
law in the Argentine where it prac-
tically established government control
of the industry.
Besides demanding 50 per cent play-
ing time for Mexican pictures, the law
places the Ministry of the Interior in
charge of the industry, "to assure its
moral, artistic and economic eleva-
tion." It gives the Ministry complete
charge of national censorship of Mex-
ican and imported pictures, their im-
portation, exportation, distribution and
exhibition, and also over the produc-
tion of all films in Mexico, whether
in Spanish or other languages. The
Ministry is to have a special budget
allowance yearly to help the Mexican
trade.
The law also provides for the estab-
lishment of a cinematographic library
to which all producers in Mexico
must donate one copy of every picture
they make ; prohibits the export of any
Mexican film that the Ministry con-
siders unfit in theme and development
for exhibition abroad ; regulates the
distribution of Mexican pictures in
A-Bomb'
(Continued from page 1)
tive subject.
Burton Benjamin supervised the
production and wrote a simple com-
mentary that effectively sticks to the
basic facts and allows the footage of
the explosions to provide the power-
ful impact. Bob Considine does the
narration which aides in depicting the
state of mind of the 2,100 Marines
in foxholes less than four miles from
the explosion.
First, the Marines watch a prior
explosion set off for Army troops and
there is a delay before their own test,
because of wind and rain storms.
They are more impressed after the
detonation when they view the havoc
done to heavy armored equipment.
There are many fine shots, perhaps
the most notable being the opening
picture of the "mushroom" and the
closing one which was taken with the
camera aimed directly at the moment
of explosion, capturing the initial
blinding flash.
The tests prove that only exceed-
ingly deep foxholes and shelter are
safeguards against A-bombing. Jay
Bonafield has fashioned a compact
production. It is a short that is sure
to create tremendous attraction wher-
ever it is played. It will be released
nationally on Jan. 16. W.P.
the public interest, and classes the
trade as being in the public interest,
like electrical firms, communications,
railroads, mining and oil. Also, Mexi-
can trade disputes must be arbitrated
by the National Cinematographic Art
Council.
PARAMOUNT
TRADE SHOWS
Monday, Dec. 15, 1952
• • •
RONALD RHONDA
REAGAN • FLEMING
ESTELITA
in
Tropic Zone
with
NOAH BEERY • GRANT WITHERS
Color by TECHNICOLOR
Written for the Screen
and Directed by LEWIS R. FOSTER
Based on a novel by Tom Gill
Produced by
WILLIAM H. PINE and WILLIAM C. THOMAS
CITY PLACE OF SCREENING TIME
ALBANY FOX SCREENING ROOM, 1052 Broadway 2:30 P.M.
ATLANTA PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 154 Walton St., N. W 2 P.M.
BOSTON PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 58-62 Berkeley Street 10:30 A.M.
BUFFALO PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 464 Franklin Street 2 P.M.
CHARLOTTE PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 305-7 South Church Street 70 A.M.
CHICAGO PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1306 South Michigan Avenue 7.30 P.M.
CINCINNATI FOX SCREENING ROOM, 1638 Central Parkway 2:30 P.M.
CLEVELAND PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1735 East 23rd Street 8 P.M.
DALLAS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 401 N. Pearl Expressway 2 P.M.
DENVER PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 2100 Stout Street '. 2 P.M.
DES MOINES PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1 1 25 High Street 7 P.M.
DETROIT PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 479 Ledyard Avenue 2 P.M.
INDIANAPOLIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 116 West Michigan Street 70:30 A.M.
JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA THEATRES SCREENING ROOM, Florida Thea. Bldg 2 P.M.
KANSAS CITY PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1800 Wyandotte Street 2 P.M.
FLOS ANGELES PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1613 West 20th Street 7:30 P.M.
MEMPHIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 362 South Second Street 72:75 NOON
MILWAUKEE PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1121 North Eighth Street 2 P.M.
MINNEAPOLIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1201 Currie Avenue 2 P.M.
NEW HAVEN PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 82 State Street 2 P.M.
NEW ORLEANS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 215 South Liberty Street 2:30 P.M.
NEW YORK CITY. . .PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1501 Broadway (9th Fl.) 2:30 P.M.
OKLAHOMA CITY. .PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 701 West Grand Avenue.. ..... 70:30 A.M.
OMAHA .FOX SCREENING ROOM, 1502 Davenport Street 7:30 P.M.
PHILADELPHIA PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 248 North 12th Street 2 P.M.
PITTSBURGH PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1727 Boulevard of Allies 2 P.M.
PORTLAND PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 909 N. W. 19th Avenue 2 P.M.
ST. LOUIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 2949-2953 Olive Street 7 P.M.
SALT LAKE CITY PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 270 East 1st South Street 7:30 P.M
SAN FRANCISCO. . .PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 205 Golden Gate Ave 2 P.M.
SEATTLE MODERN THEATRE SUPPLY PROJ. ROOM, 2400 Third Ave 7:30 P.M.
WASHINGTON PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 306 H Street, N.W 8 P.M.
Put more
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PR/ZF BflBY Of TH€ /ttDUSTRY
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A BERT E. FRIEDLOB PRODUCTION • RELEASED BY 20th CENTURY-FOX
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MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
VOL. 72. NO. 109
NEW YORK, U. S. A., MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1952
TEN CENTS
Tradewise . . .
By SHERWIN KANE
THERE is no point in minimiz-
ing the significance of the re-
jection of the distributors' pro-
posed arbitration draft by Western
Theatre Owners.
Indeterminate as the organiza-
tion's executive status (it has been
without a president since Rotus V.
Harvey resigned last summer) may
be at " the moment, WTO never-
theless manages to speak for quite
a number of very active local and
regional exhibitor organizations
along the length of the Northern
Pacific Coast and inland to the
Rockies.
Geographically, WTO picks up
where Allied States' affiliates leave
off at the Texas, Oklahoma, Rocky
Mountain boundaries. Thus, there
is the appearance, if not the actu-
ality, of Coast to Coast exhibitor
opposition to the distributors' pro-
posed draft. Add to that the fact
that WTO again could become a
fully organized regional associa-
tion overnight by the simple ex-
pedient of calling a board meeting
and electing officers, and you have
a formidable appearing opposition
bloc when coupled with Allied
States as an opponent of the draft.
Numerically, it means two out
of five exhibitor organization par-
ticipants in the industry arbitration
conference are opposed to the
draft.
This much is clear : Any chance
there may have been of obtaining
Department of Justice and Federal
court approval of an industry arbi-
tration plan without the participa-
tion of Allied, has as good as dis-
appeared as a result of WTO's
action.
Accordingly, if there is to be an
industry arbitration plan, it will
have to be one other than that pro-
posed bv distributors.
Now is as good a time as any to
start working on it.
• •
WHEN the industry arbitra-
tion conference was initiated
in New York last spring, the
Western Theatre Owners' repre-
sentatives of record at the confer-
ence were Rotus Harvey and L. S.
Hamm, the latter as WTO counsel.
In view of WTO's veto of the
arbitration draft, it is curious now
to note that Hamm is, and was,
president of California Theatres
Association, San Francisco, which
is a member of Theatre Owners of
America, vigorous champion of in-
dustry arbitration.
Regular Use
Of Theatre TV
Seen in Offing
Regularity in theatre television
programming, with additional pro-
gramming agencies such as Theatre
Network Television and Telecon-
ference, Inc., being organized, is un-
derstood to be in the offing.
The prediction of opening up the
floodgates of programming comes at a
time when the number of theatre TV
installations is approaching 100 or
more, with nearly every key area in
the country possessing a TV installa-
tion. The forecast is also bolstered
by the three theatre TV events slated
for this month, a milestone for the
(Continued on page 6)
2 Tri-Opticon Films
Set by Sol Lesser
Hollywood, Dec. 7. — Sol Lesser
will produce two feature-length films
in three-dimension in the near future.
Lesser told newsmen following the
first American demonstration of Tri-
Opticon, for which he holds the
American rights, Friday afternoon.
Lesser said he is considering "Run-
away Train," an original melodrama
featuring action, for the first, and
may start shooting in a week or so.
For today's demonstration Lesser
(Continued on page 3)
WIND-UP OF RKO
DEAL IMMINENT
Lees Telecast Set
Nationally Today
Eighteen TV-equipped the-
atres in 17 cities, from Coast-
to-Coast, will participate in
today's Lees Carpet dealers
telecast, the first commercial
program for the medium.
The one-hour program,
booked by Tele-Sessions, a
subsidiary of Theatre Net-
work Television, will origi-
nate in the NBC studios in
New York at noon. Locally,
the show will be carried at
the Guild and the Colonial
Theatres.
'A-Bomb' in Color an
Impressive Short
RKO-Pathe's "Operation A-Bomb,"
the first motion picture in color of
an atomic bomb explosion, running 16
minutes, was screened for top state
and city Civil Defense officials and
film trade press representatives at the
Johnny Victor Theatre here on Fri-
day. It was photographed by U. S.
Marine Corps cameramen in the new
Eastman color process at Yucca Flat
and is a well-made, strongly provoca-
(Continued on page 6)
Zukor Jubilee Getting
Mass Exhibitor Support
Dallas, Dec. 7. — Pledges of "full and unbounded cooperation" in
celebrating Adolph Zukor's "Golden Jubilee" in the motion picture
industry next year are flooding the office of international Jubilee com-
mittee chairman Robert J. O'Donnell, "from every leading exhibitor
organization," the latter disclosed
here at the weekend. Variety Clubs
International is sponsoring the world-
wide event.
In approving the tribute, Rotus V.
Harvey of the Western Theatre
Owners Association, cited Zukor as
"one of the motion picture industry's
true pioneers."
Trueman T. Rembausch of Indiana,
one of the triumvirate governing
the Council of Motion Picture Or-
ganizations, said, "Variety by its ac-
tion insures that the action is non-
partisan, that all within the industry
will cooperate and prove to the pub-
lic that this great motion picture in-
dustry has stability and prestige and
functions in the American tradition.
Mr. Zukor's 50 years of devoted
work toward the development of the
industry, his rise from a poor immi-
grant boy to a dean of entertainment,
is inspiring to the young men coming
into the industry."
Wilbur Snaper, president of na-
tional Allied, wired assurances of
"whole-hearted cooperation for the
salute honoring Adolph Zukor."
Harry Brandt, president of the In-
(Continned on page 3)
Stolkin Group, Hughes,
Depinet Resume Talks
After Weekend Hiatus
Hollywood, Dec. 7. — Members
of the Ralph Stolkin syndicate con-
tinued their discussions here on
Friday with Howard Hughes and
Ned E. Depinet, aiming for a wind-up
of the agreement under which Hughes
recovers ownership of the 29 per cent
controlling stock interest in RKO
Pictures from the syndicate and
Depinet resumes as president of the
company with complete autonomy.
It was stated that no meet-
ings were held yesterday or to-
day and that there was a strong
likelihood that the final confer-
ences would be concluded to-
morrow. Principals on both
sides maintained official silence
concerning the basic points on
which agreements have been
reached.
In the absence of their official con-
firmation, it was not clear whether
new problems had arisen or whether
(Continued on page 3)
MINNEAPOLIS , Dec. 7.--
U. S. Senator Hubert H.
Humphrey of Minnesota has
committed himself to com-
plete repeal of the 20 per
cent Federal tax on the-
atre tickets, reversing
his previous stand and
thereby considerably
strengthening the anti-
tax campaign in the North-
Central area.
•
The 1952 domestic gross
income of Universal will
exceed the income from op-
erations in the 1951 fis-
cal year, which estab-
lished an all-time high,
according to present in-
dications. For the 53
weeks ended Nov. 3, 1951,
the company's income was
$65,172,580 compared to
$55,591,085 for the 1950
fiscal year.
2
Motion Picture daily
Monday, December 8, 1952
Personal
Mention
Universal to Meet Today
On ' Top-Leve I • Po licy
SAMUEL GOLDWIN will leave
here today for the Coast, accom-
panied by Mrs. Goldwyn.
•
N. Peter Rath von, Sr., president
of Rathvon Overseas, Ltd., and former
head of RKO Pictures, accompanied
by Mrs. Rathvon ; Frederick
March and his wife, Florence Eld-
ridge, and Madeleine Carroll and
her husband, Andrew Heiskell, Life
magazine publisher, will arrive here
from Europe today aboard the 5".
Liberie.
James R. Grainger, Republic ex-
ecutive vice-president, left here Fri-
day for Chicago, first stopover on a
trip which will take him to Milwau-
kee, Denver, Seattle, Portland, San
Francisco and Los Angeles. He will
spend the Christmas holidays at the
Coast.
•
Robert J. O'Donnell, international
chairman of the Adolph Zukor birth-
day celebration, and Lou Smith,
Coast Movietime director, will leave
Hollywood today for the COMPO
meeting in Chicago on Wednesday.
•
Leon J. Bamberger, RKO Radio
sales promotion manager, will leave
here for Boston tomorrow to speak
at the annual convention of the Inde-
pendent Exhibitors of New England.
•
David Lewis, Loew's International
regional director for Continental Eu-
rope, will arrive in New York from
there tomorrow aboard the 6". 5\ Mau-
retania.
Ralph Cohn and John H. Mit-
chell, recently elected Screen Gems
vice-presidents, will arrive in Holly-
wood today from New York.
•
Richard Condon, RKO Radio di-
rector of advertising-publicity, and
Frederick Brisson, will return here
today from Washington.
e , ,
John R. Buckley, publisher of
Good Housekeeping magazine, is ce-
lebrating his 25th anniversary with
the Hearst Publications.
•
Jules Livingston, Republic ex-
change manager in New Haven, an-
nounces the birth of a son, Bernard,
to Mrs. Livingston.
•
Edward L. Hyman, United Para-
mount Theatres, and his assistant,
Bernard Levy, will be in Detroit to-
day and tomorrow.
•
William Pine, Paramount pro-
ducer, will sail from Naples for New
York aboard the 5". 5". Independence
on Dec. 13.
Charles Einfeld, 20th Century-
Fox vice-president, will arrive in New
York from the Coast by plane today.
•
E. Z. Walters, Altec comptroller,
has arrived in New York from
Beverly Hills, Cal.
Hollywood, Dec. 7. — Universal Pic-
tures' sales and promotion executives
will open a week-long series of top-
level policy and planning sessions with
the company's production executives
at the studios tomorrow morning,
covering production, distribution and
promotion for the coming year.
Heading the participants in the
meetings are Milton R. Rackmil,
president ; N. J. Blumberg, chairman
of the board ; Alfred E. Daff, execu-
tive vice-president ; William Goetz,
in charge of production ; Edward
Muhl, vice-president and studio gen-
eral manager ; Charles J. Feldman,
general sales manager, and David A.
Lipton, vice-president in charge of
advertising and publicity.
Division and district sales execu-
tives and promotion heads who are
here for the meetings are scheduled
to see six of the company's recently
completed films, including "The Lone
Hand," "City Beneath the Sea,"
"Seminole," "Desert Legion" and
"Thunder Bay," all with color by
Technicolor, as well as "Girls in the
Night." There will also be a special
screening of "The World's Most
Beautiful Girls," two-reel special in
Technicolor and a visit to the Walter
Lantz Studio.
Sales executives attending besides
Feldman include Ray Moon, F. J. A.
McCarthy, P. T. Dana, Foster M.
Blake, James J. Jordan, Harry Feller-
man, John J. Scully, David A. Levy,
P. F. Rosian, James Frew, Manie M.
Gottlieb, Lester Zucker, Henry J.
Martin, Barney Rose and A. W.
Perry, head of Empire-Universal in
Canada.
Promotion executives include
Charles Simonelli, Philip Gerard, Jeff
Livingston, Ben Katz and the West
Coast promotional force headed by Al
Horwits.
Johnston Due from
S. American Trip
Washington, Dec. 7.— Eric Johns-
ton, president of the Motion Picture
Association of America was scheduled
to return today from his South Amer-
ican trip. It was not certain whether
he would come directly here or stop
off in New York.
Johnston is scheduled to report to
the MPAA board within a few days
on results of his trip which concerned
film export problems in. Brazil, Ar-
gentina and other South American
countries, and blocked film revenue
therein. He also is expected to take
early action in getting an industry
arbitration conference convened to dis-
cuss exhibitor objections to the dis-
tributors' proposed draft.
Gualino Reelected
Italian Unit Head
Dr. Renato Gualino was reelected
president of the National Producers
Union in Rome, it was reported here
at the weekend by Italian Films Ex-
port. Gualino is director general of
IFE and president of the IFE Re-
leasing Corp.
Allied Artists Has
13 Films in Backlog
Hollywood, Dec. 7. — Allied Artists
is completing the year with a back-
log of 13 pictures. Four are in color.
The color films are "Kansas Paci-
fic," a Sterling Hayden starrer ; "The
Roar of the- Crowd," starring How-
ard Duff ; "Fort Vengeance," starring
James Craig, and "Son of Belle
Starr," with Keith Larsen starred.
The other films are "Cow Country,"
starring Edmond O'Brien; "Timber
Wolf," starring Kirby Grant with
Chinook, the canine star ; "Star of
Texas" and "The Marksman," each
starring W ayne Morris ; "Tangier
Incident," George Brent ; "The Home-
steaders" and "Copperheads," both
starring Wild Bill Elliott; "White
Lightning," starring Stanley Clements,
and the Bowery Boys' "Jalopy."
Sullivan's Show to
Emanate from Roxy
Ed Sullivan's CBS-TV show,
"Toast of the > Town," will emanate
from the Roxy Theatre on Dec. 21
in a special hour-long salute to "Stars
and Stripes Forever," the 20th Cen-
tury-Fox film which will have its pre-
miere at the theatre on the following
day, when the house, following exten-
sive alterations, will reopen with its
"Ice Colorama" show.
Sonja Henie, on the new ice stage,
will make her first TV appearance
on the show, along with Lilli Pal-
mer, Hume Cronyn and Jessica
Tandy, Victoria De Los Angelos and
the U. S. Marine Band. Also, the
Roxy's corps of skaters will preview
its "Colorama" show format.
Roxy Sets Production
Staff for Ice Show
The Roxy Theatre has assembled
the following production staff to for-
mulate and execute the "Ice-Colo-
rama" revue opening Dec. 22:
Arthur Knorr, production chief,
will be in charge of stage production,
special sets and lighting, with Ron
Fletcher as choreographer, assisted
by Flo Walters ; Michi, Japanese-
American designer, will create the
costumes ; Bob Boucher will again
conduct the orchestra, and Rae Porter
will assemble a new group of singers.
Movietone TV Show
Set for Children
A new Movietone TV program
especially prepared and filmed for
children, titled "News Adventures for
Young America," will be launched
this week in 10 markets, it was an-
nounced at the weekend by Peter G.
Levathes, director of television for
20th Century-Fox. The markets set
are New Orleans, Houston, San
Francisco, Seattle, Detroit, Kansas
Citv, Minneapolis, Buffalo, Charlotte
and Cleveland.
Newsreel
Parade
J\/TEXICO'S inauguration of Presi-
IV* Adolf o Ruiz Cortincs is high-
lighted in current newsreels. Featured
also are Walter Reulher's election to
the CIO presidency, the Saar elec-
tions, Winston Churchill's 78th birth-
day celebration, and. the British gov-
ernment's minting of a new Queen
Elisabeth coin.
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 99 —Cor tines
new president of Mexico. United Nations
votes on India's peace plan. Ike names final
Cabinet choices. Walter Reuther named
CIO president. Gen. Van Fleet visits
wonnded in Korea. Air Force unveils new
super jet, the "Thunderstreak." "Snows of
Kilimanjaro" is inspiration for exotic styles.
Heisman trophy to Billy Vessels. Slalom
champs in dizzy drop.
MOVIETONE NEWSREEL SPECIAL
THEATRE SUPPLEMENT — N. J. —
Stevenson speaks at memorial session for
Philip Murray. 111. — 24 of 42 scientists who
began atomic energy experiments at Chi-
cago site 10 years agoi in anniversary
observation. France — A flood in the town of
Bergerac due to early snowfalls. Germany —
Tombstone laid in Belsen for 5,000 Jews and
anti-Nazi Germans slaughtered there. India
— Celebration of 63rd birthday of Prime
Minister Nehru. England — Celebration of
Winston Churchill's 78th birthday at 10
Downing Street. N. Y. — Winner of "Most
Beautiful Blind Girl" contest. 111. — Contest
to select the healthiest teen-ager in U. S.
Penn. — Man perfects working model of
multi-storied mechanized garage building.
Oregon — W. L. Howard perched atop 54
foot flagpole breaks flagpole-sitting record.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 229— First
decade of atomic energy marked by scien-
tists in Chicago ceremonies- Stevenson visits
Truman. Happy birthday No. 78 for Wins-
ton. Churchill. New Mexican president,
Adolfo Ruiz Cortines. New Elizabethan
coins for Britain. Football award to Okla-
homa star Billy Vessels. African Gold
Coast inspires new styles. Walter Reuther
new CIO chief. Yuletide message by Lionel
Barrymore.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 32— Inaugural
of new president in Mexico. Battle for key
outpost in Tndo-China. CIO picks Walter
Reuther as president. New Labor Secretary
Dirken interviewed. A warming tale con-
cerning puppies.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 49B — Adlai
Stevenson honors Philip Murray at CIO
national convention. Mexico celebrates as
new president, Adolfo Ruiz Cortines is
sworn in. Captured Russian arms and
trucks in Indo- China prove their aid. New
styles in cruise fashions for the sunny
Southland.
UNIVERSAL NEWS, No. 419— Saar elec-
tions. Reuther chosen CIO president. Cor-
tines new Mexican president. French attack
in Indo- China. Royal minting o<f new Queen
Elizabeth coin. F-84 jet a new jet fighter-
bomber. Puppies in Germany. Santa Claus
in Heidelberg. Billy Vessels gets Heisman
grid trophy.
WARNER PATHE NEWS. No. 34-
Mexican inauguration of new president
Cortines. Stevenson addresses CIO1 conven-
tion in Atlantic City. Winston Churchill
celebrates 78th birthday in London. Ger-
mans erect a memorial to Nazi victims
in Belsen. Vital elections in Saar. Billy
Vessels named grid star of the year. Cleve-
land-Browns-Washington Redskins football
game.
Dancigers Coming
Oscar Dancigers and Henry Ehr-
lich will fly to New York from
Mexico City shortly after Jan. 1 to
finalize negotiations for a major re-
lease for their Pathe color produc-
tion, "Robinson Crusoe," being made
there, it was reported by Alfred Katz,
who will handle publicity and exploi-
tation on the film, before he left here
over the weekend for Mexico City to
confer with the producers.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative. 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington. D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; Hope Bumup, 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.
Monday, December 8, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
Mass. Bill Would
Curtail Workers
Boston, Dec. 7.— A bill has
been filed with the clerk of
the House of Representatives
raising the compulsory school
age from 16 to 18 years of
age.
The bill if passed would
mean that motion picture the-
atres could no longer employ
16 and 17-year-olders as ush-
ers, candy stand girls, cash-
iers and doormen as they do
at present. Some circuit of-
fices also employ 16 and 17-
year-olders as clerks, while
distribution offices employ
them as clerks and shippers.
Beverly, Gettinger in
Distribution Deal
A deal has been consummated here
between Oliver A. Unger's and Her-
bert Bregstein's Beverly Pictures,
Inc., and Milton Gettinger whereby
Beverly will handle national distribu-
tion of 16 former Film Classics fea-
tures. Gettinger is of the law firm of
Gettinger and Gettinger.
The features include "Daughter of
the West," "The Crooked Way,"
"Guilty Bystander," "Miraculous
Journey," "Devil's Cargo," "Money
Madness," "Captain Sirocco," "For
You I Die," "Blonde Ice," "Inner
Sanctum," "The Lovable Cheat,"
"State Department— File 649," "Good
Time Girl," "Sofia," "Four Days'
Leave" and "C-Man."
Review
»*
Invasion U.S.A.
(American Pictures Cor p. -Columbia Pictures)
XCELLENT newsreel footage of the second world war and the Korean
war has been cleverly interjected in this effective propaganda drama
that deals with the possibility of the invasion of America in the next global
conflict. A large amount of the footage depicts atomic and other destruction
of planes, ships and buildings in a most convincing fashion. It is used to
shock the audience into the realization of the dangers of an invasion by "the
enemy," not otherwise identified but implied by the accents of the actors
as Russian. . .
It is definitely an exploitable film although it suffers from a lack of
dramatic plausibility. The screenplay by Robert Smith from a story which
he co-authored with Franz Spencer follows the actions of a group of pur-
portedly representative people. After their destruction and the enemy's victory
is established at the climax, the trick is used of having it all labelled a
dream-like look into the future. The characters were supposedly under the
prophetic mass-hypnosis of forecaster Dan O'Herlihy. Given another chance,
they vow to do everything possible to avoid such occurrences as the bomb-
ing of Alaska, California, and New York; the capturing of Washington,
Dr C. and New York, and the A-bombing of the Boulder Dam, all of which
are shown.
Gerald Mohr and Peggy Castle supply the romantic interest. The cast
also includes Robert Bice, Tom Kennedy, Wade Crosby, Erik Blythe,
Phyllis Coates, Aram Katcher, Knox Manning and Edward G. Robinson, Jr.
It is a deft and economical production that Albert Zugsmith fashioned for
his American Pictures Corp. with Robert Smith. Alfred E. Green directed
adequately. It capitalizes on the war problems currently prevailing and
exhibitors suitably exploiting it should acquire box-office profits.
Runnino- time, 74 minutes. General audience classification. December
release. & Walter Pashkin
RKO Deal Near
(Continued from page 1)
Terrell Named MGM
Publicity Head Here
Dan S. Terrell, Metro-Goldwyn-
Mayer's home office exploitation di-
rector for the past three years, was
named Eastern publicity manager at
the weekend by Howard Dietz, vice-
president in charge of advertising,
publicity and exploitation.
Terrell succeeds John Joseph, who
resigned recently to move to Cali-
fornia.
Paal Here on Deal
For Two Pictures
Alexander Paal, independent pro-
ducer, has arrived here from London
to arrange for the worldwide dis-
tribution of two films he recently
completed there. They are "The Four-
Sided Triangle," starring Barbara
Payton and James Hayter, and
"There's No Escape," with a cast
! headed by Paul Henreid, Lois Max-
well and Kieron Moore.
Tri-Opticon
(Continued from page 1)
used five short subjects, produced and
originally shown in England, which
are now in engagement in Paris, Lon-
don, Rotterdam and elsewhere abroad,
and which he will use for the first
American opening of Tri-Opticon.
The place and date for that opening
has not been selected.
the principals merely are engaged in
wrapping up details of the agree-
ment, which admittedly involves nu-
merous complexities. However, ob-
servers close to the scene are inclined
to accept the latter as the most likely
explanation in view of the lack of
urgency displayed by the principals
in adjourning the meetings over the
weekend.
The latter believed that legal work
involving the preparation of releases
of the Stolkin syndicate members
from their commitments to Hughes
and from liability are being prepared
for signing and may be ready for
tomorrow's session. Such releases are
part of the agreement by _ which
Hughes recovers the stock which was
turned over to the syndicate last
September, and for which syndicate
members waive their $1,250,000 down
payment to Hughes.
Harold Lloyd May
Reissue Past Hits
Harold Lloyd may reissue others
of his past successful feature comedies
if "The Freshman" is favorably re-
ceived at the Paris Theatre here.
Under consideration for re-release are
"Grandma's Boy" and "Safety Last."
"The Freshman," originally re-
leased in 1925, will have its re-release
"premiere" at the Paris following the
current engagement of Samuel Gold-
wyn's "Hans Christian Andersen."
With "Andersen" in for a long run,
there is no indication when the Lloyd
picture will open.
Lippert Productions is handling the
distribution of "The Freshman."
Zukor Jubilee
(Continued from page 1)
Rites for Philip Bock
Cincinnati, Dec. 7. — Services were
held here yesterday for Philip Bock,
87, president of the Royal Theatre Co.
of this city. He is survived by two
sons and two daughters.
Trailer for Red Cross
Hollywood, Dec. 7. — A trailer
which will he used by the American
Red Cross as an aid in its fund solici-
tation next year has been filmed at
Warner Brothers with John Wayne
starred. Michael Curtiz, currently
directing the star in WB's "Trouble
Along the Way," does an acting bit
in the trailer.
dependent Theatre Owners Associa-
tion of New York, said his group "is
most anxious to participate in the
series of events planned."
After commending O'Donnell for
his part in promoting the tribute,
Abram F. Myers, general counsel of
national Allied said : "In honoring
Adolph Zukor, father of feature films,
the industry not only will pay just
tribute to a worthy pioneer, but will
launch an effective public relations
campaign to put the industry in a
proper light for all the world to see.
I know we can trust you to see to it
that there is substance along with
the hoop-la, and that attention is
fastened on those features of our
business which are enduring and good
so as to erase from the public mind
that which is transient and trivial."
"There is no greater name in show
business" than Zukor's, "and all ex-
hibitors everywhere are delighted to
have a part in this fine testimonial
to him," wired Alfred Starr, presi-
dent of the Theatre Owners of
America.
Emanuel Frisch, president of the
Metropolitan Motion Picture Theatre
Owners of New York, said he is cer-
tain that "all segments of our indus-
try will enthusiastically join in pay-
ing tribute to one who can truly be
called "Mr. Motion Pictures."
In the THEATRE
Equipment
World . . .
with RAY GALLO
Ballet Sequence on
HalVs Magnascope
The Radio City Music Hall here
is using its full Magnascope screen
for the water ballet sequence of the
current attraction, "Million Dollar
Mermaid," giving a Cinerama effect.
This optical device has been used reg-
ularly by the Music Hall for its news-
reel presentations, with the screen
frame 45 feet wide.
The difference in the present use
is in the dimensions. Ordinarily, the
picture on the Music Hall screen is
approximately 31 feet in which, but
for the water ballet scenes the picture
is 50 feet wide.
ANEW bulletin describing its re-
tractile cords, which can be used
on in-car speakers and heaters in
drive-in theatres, has been released by
Koiled Kords, Inc., of New Haven.
Explained in the illustrated, eight-
page catalogue are how the cords are
made, where they are used and the
specific features making their use ad-
vantageous. In drive-in theatres,
"they eliminate the danger of cords
catching on door handles and break-
ing," the bulletin states. Also, "they
are compact and stay out of the way
when not in use, yet extend to the
desired length when needed."
•
The United States Air Condition-
ing Corp. of Minneapolis has named
as its manufacturer's representative
for Eastern Tennessee the Mechan-
ical Equipment Co. of Knoxville.
The firm will handle usAIRco's air
conditioning, heating and ventilat-
ing line.
•
A new drink dispensing unit, in-
corporating a Dad's Root Beer barrel
on tap and two faucets bclozv for
other beverages,
has been de-
signed by the
Dad"s Root
Beer Co. of
Chicago in col-
I lab oration with
the Unifloiv
MB M a.nufac-
turin9 Co- of
Erie. Pa. The
other beverages
can be either
four carbonated
. ; ::-lLi*L ,„„/ co < b,,ih
coarse and fine
stream) or tzvo carbonated from one
faucet and two flat from the other.
Other models available have the bar-
rel and only one faucet below to dis-
pense either two or three extra drinks.
The dispensing cabinet has a pebble-
tone finish with sinks and drain plates
of stainless steel. A syrup cabinet
with storage tanks is optional. The
complete unit (including the syrup
cabinet) is 35 inches long; 19% wide,
and 42 high. Without the cabinet, it
is 24 inches long.
•
Appointment of Smith H. Cady, Jr.
as sales promotion and advertising
manager of the Schutter Candy Co.,
Chicago, has been announced by W.
A. Fette, vice-president and director
of sales. Cady resigned as merchan-
dise manager of the Chase Candy Co.,
St. Louis, to take the new post. He
is well known to the candy trade,
particularly through his speeches and
articles on candy merchandising.
1
8mm. Films Duty-free
Mexico City, Dec. 7. — Duty-free
importation of eight-mm. films has
been authorized by the National
Cinematographic Board. It is no
longer necessary to obtain permits
from the board- to bring in that type
I of film.
Hans CHrist
Color bv
^PT rT rT W Highest rating from KATE CAMERON, Daily News:
A charming, delightful, tuneful, amusing, touching, colorful, lavish, eye-filling enter-
tainment. All this and more is 'Hans Christian Andersen'."
ROSE PELSWICK, Journal- A rneriean :
Lovely to look at and enchanting to hear. Made with taste and skill, a blend of charm
and romance and humor, of beautiful ballets, rhythmic songs, glowing colors and
gorgeous sets. It's delightful entertainment!"
»TIS GUERNSEY, Herald Tribune:
merry and tuneful! Samuel Goldwyn has created a Hollywood fairyland. There
tuch spread across the screen that one hardly knows where to begin. A bona
fide GoMwyn dazzleiP
rror:
"Hurrah for Goldwyn! ! Everything about this film is laudatory. Rich humor, great
warmth and delightful charm. Frank Loesser contributes a score that will have you
humming when you leave!"
out of
lien they
11 Andersen
vrECHNICOLOR
BOSLEY CROWTHER, r ,,„„.•
"As pretty and graceful a picture as has come .lowu the rocky pike this year. Samuel
Gohlwyn's reputation as a maker of quality 61ms. full of exquisite production and
pains-taking craftsmanship should receive further elevation!"
ALTON COOK, World-Tetegram & Sun:
Tin. masterwork of the long producing career of Samuel Goldwyn. Danny Kaye
leaves an audience with the feeling that everyone in the place has just had some-
thing as nice as a birthday party. Goo.l feeling radiates from the screen. Probably
the most enduring songs in the memory of man!"
6i
Post
IRENE THIRER,
"It's out of this world! A new star is born - Jeanmaire, who is enchanting and a
charming actress, besides being grace personified. The underwater ballet is breath-
takingly lovely, the production is lavish and grand and replete w.th melod.es. A
resplendent song and dance show!"
DISTRIBUTED BY R KO RADIO PICTURES, INC.
6
MOTION PICTURE DAILY
Monday, December 8, 1952
TV-Radio Content
Report Is in Work
Washington, Dec. 7. — The Harris
sub-committee of the House Inter-
state Commerce Committee wound up
its hearings on radio and television
program content over the weekend
and settled down to writing a report.
Due to come out about Jan. 1, the
report will probably say that the
broadcasting industry should be given
a chance to operate under its recently
adopted standards of practice code,
without government interference but
that the standards adopted could be
higher than they are.
Final witness before the commit-
tee was Federal Communications
Commission chairman Paul A.
Walker, who said that it would be
dangerous to give a censorship power
over radio and television programs to
any government agency. He pointed
out that the FCC was specifically
forbidden by law to exercise any cen-
sorship and added that he thought
this was "wise."
Walker^ declared that the public
had the responsibility of making its
likes and dislikes known to the
broadcasters who] were licensed . to
serve it.
Lippert Sales Meet
In Chicago Jan. 10-11
Hollywood, Dec. 7. — Robert Lip-
pert called the first meeting of the
new Lippert Franchise holders for
Jan. 10-11 at the Blackstone Hotel,
Chicago, with Arthur Greenblatt, gen-
eral sales manager, presiding.
Theatre TV
{Continued from page 1)
medium as to the number in a 30-day
period.
One major theatre TV circuit ex-
ecutive said that he currently knows
of a number of public relations firms
and TV packaging outfits which are
working on closed-circuit theatre TV
deals. ■ He also mentioned that the
sports field is being scouted by per-
sons interested in promoting theatre
TV deals.
Theatre Network Television and its
subsidiary, Tele-sessions, are working
on a number of projects, while Tele-
conference, Inc., the new agency
which broke into the field with a deal
for the Dec. 30 Bendix telecast, says
that there are a number of other deals
coming up. Aaron Feinsot, Tele-
conference vice-president, told Mo-
tion Picture Daily that following
the Bendix announcement his com-
pany received "a lot of inquiries"
from potential clients.
Meanwhile, circuits with a number
of TV installations are holding ex-
ploratory talks on individual projects,
both, in the commercial "off-hour"
period and in the entertainment field.
The three TV events this month
will be kicked off today by TNT's
Lees Carpet telecast, followed by
TNT's Wednesday "Carmen" tele-
cast, and Teleconference's Dec. 30
Bendix program.
Administer Legion Oath
Hollywood, Dec. 7. — Pastors in all
Catholic parishes here today admin-
istered the pledge of the Legion of
Decency at all masses.
Mexican Control
Law Challenged
Mexico City, Dec. 7. — Enactment
of the highly controversial cinemato-
graphic law with its publication in the
"Diario Oficial" ("Official Gazette"),
generally displeases the trade, although
the measure was somewhat modified
after conferences between industry
representatives and officials of the
Ministry of the Interior.
Studio operators and some distrib-
utors are about the only ones now who
like the law. Those opposing it plan
to seek injunctions against its en-
forcement, fearing that the measure
will have the same result as a similar
law in the Argentine where it prac-
tically established government control
of the industry.
Besides demanding 50 per cent play-
ing time for Mexican pictures, the law
places the Ministry of the Interior in
charge of the industry, "to assure its
moral, artistic and economic eleva-
tion." It gives the Ministry complete
charge of national censorship of Mex-
ican and imported pictures, their im-
portation, exportation, distribution and
exhibition, and also over the produc-
tion of all films in Mexico, whether
in Spanish or other languages. The
Ministry is to have a special budget
allowance yearly to help the Mexican
trade.
The law also provides for the estab-
lishment of a cinematographic library
to which all producers in Mexico
must donate one copy of every picture
they make ; prohibits the export of any
Mexican film that the Ministry con-
siders unfit in theme and development
for exhibition abroad ; regulates the
distribution of Mexican pictures in
'A-Bomb'
(Continued from page 1)
tive subject.
Burton Benjamin supervised the
production and wrote a simple com-
mentary that effectively sticks to the
basic facts and allows the footage of
the explosions to provide the power-
ful impact. Bob Considine does the
narration which aides in depicting the
state of mind of the 2,100 Marines
in foxholes less than four miles from
the explosion.
First, the Marines watch a prior
explosion set off for Army troops and
there is a delay before their own test,
because of wind and rain storms.
They are more impressed after the
detonation when they view the havoc
done to heavy armored equipment.
There are many fine shots, perhaps
the most notable being the opening
picture of the "mushroom" and the
closing one which was taken with the
camera aimed directly at the moment
of explosion, capturing the initial
blinding flash.
The tests prove that only exceed-
ingly deep foxholes and shelter are
safeguards against A-bombing. Jay
Bonafield has fashioned a compact
production. It is a short that is sure
to create tremendous attraction wher-
ever it is played. It will be released
nationally on Jan. 16. W.P.
the public interest, and classes the
trade as being in the public interest,
like electrical firms, communications,
railroads, mining and oil. Also, Mexi-
can trade disputes must be arbitrated
by the National Cinematographic Art
Council.
CITY PLACE OF SCREENING TIME
ALBANY FOX SCREENING ROOM, 1052 Broadway 2:30 P.M.
ATLANTA PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 154 Walton St., N. W 2 P.M.
BOSTON PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 58-62 Berkeley Street 70:30 A.M.
BUFFALO PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 464 Franklin Street 2 P.M.
CHARLOTTE PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 305-7 South Church Street 10 A.M.
CHICAGO PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1306 South Michigan Avenue 7.30 P.M.
CINCINNATI FOX SCREENING ROOM, 1638 Central Parkway 2:30 P.M.
CLEVELAND PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1735 East 23rd Street 8 P.M.
DALLAS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 401 N. Pearl Expressway 2 P.M.
DENVER PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 2100 Stout Street 2 P.M.
DES MOINES PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1125 High Street 7 P.M.
DETROIT PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 479 Ledyard Avenue 2 P.M.
INDIANAPOLIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1 1 6 West Michigan Street J0:30 A.M.
JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA THEATRES SCREENING ROOM, Florida Thea. Bldg 2 P.M.
KANSAS CITY PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1800 Wyandotte Street 2 P.M.
LOS ANGELES PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1613 West 20th Street J:30 P.M.
MEMPHIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 362 South Second Street 12:75 NOON
MILWAUKEE PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1121 North Eighth Street 2 P.M.
MINNEAPOLIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1201 Currie Avenue 2 P.M.
NEW HAVEN PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 82 State Street 2 P.M.
NEW ORLEANS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 215 South Liberty Street 2:30 P.M.
NEW YORK CITY. . .PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1501 Broadway (9th Fl.) 2:30 P.M.
OKLAHOMA CITY. .PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 701 West Grand Avenue 70:30 A.M.
OMAHA FOX SCREENING ROOM, 1502 Davenport Street 7:30 P.M.
PHILADELPHIA PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 248 North 12th Street...". 2 P.M.
PITTSBURGH PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 1727 Boulevard of Allies 2 P.M.
PORTLAND PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 909 N. W. 19th Avenue 2 P.M.
ST. LOUIS PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 2949-2953 Olive Street 7 P.M.
SALT LAKE CITY PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 270 East 1st South Street 7:30 P.M
SAN FRANCISCO. . .PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 205 Golden Gate Ave 2 P.M.
SEATTLE MODERN THEATRE SUPPLY PROJ. ROOM, 2400 Third Ave 7:30 P.M.
WASHINGTON PARAMOUNT PROJ. ROOM, 306 H Street, N.W 8 P.M.
PARAMOUNT
TRADE SHOWS
Monday, Dec. 15, 1952
• • •
RONALD RHONDA
REAGAN • FLEMING
ESTELITA
' ... * ;V in
Tropic Zone
with
NOAH BEERY • GRANT WITHERS
Color by TECHNICOLOR
Written for the Screen
and Directed by LEWIS R. FOSTER
Based on a novel by Tom Gill
Produced by
WILLIAM H. PINE and WILLIAM C. THOMAS
Your
BOXOFFICE
as good as your
"The Steel Trap Smash Business
is a superior
shocker that
features shivers -
except when
Teresa Wright
is around to
keep you warm!!
-Walter Winchell
New York
Miami
Boston
Washington
Seattle
Pittsburgh
Cleveland
Los Angeles
...Everywhere!
A BERT E. FR1EDLOB PRODUCTION • RELEASED BY 20th CENTURY-FOX
MOTION PICTURE
VOL. 72. NO. 110
NEW YORK, U. S. A., TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1952
TEN CENTS
Lees' Toppers
Enthusiastic
Over Telecast
Lack of Color Noted;
Field Reports Good
Executives of James Lees and
Sons, Inc., sponsors of the first
commercial theatre telecast, ex-
pressed satisfaction following yes-
terday's one-hour telecast here of the
carpet manufacturer's national sales
convention, according to Theatre Net-
work Television, which booked the
event.
Victor Ratner, director of Tele-
Sessions, a subsidiary of TNT, said
that Lees management was enthusias-
tic about the new medium and ex-
pressed complete satisfaction after the
performance, which was seen in 18
theatres in 17 major cities from Coast-
to-Coast.
As seen at the Colonial Theatre
here, the telecast appeared to carry
an effective sales message and was
technically almost without fault. Most
viewers at the Colonial expressed
regret that the carpets on the screen
could not be shown in their true colors,
rather than in black-and-white. How-
(Continued on page 5)
Paramount Host at
Zukor Jubilee Fete
Los Angeles, Dec. 8. — Paramount
Pictures will be the host for the
Adolph Zukor 80th Birthday Dinner
Celebration sponsored by the Variety
Clubs International to be held in
Hollywood Jan. 7, it was announced
today by committee chairman Charles
P. Skouras, who revealed that A. W.
Schwalberg, Paramount Film Distrib-
uting Corp. president, requested the
privilege for his firm in a wire.
The invitational dinner will be held
(Continued on page 4)
UA Theatre Circuit
Net Up to $491,013
Net income of United Artists The-
atre Circuit and subsidiary companies
for the year ended Aug. 31, 1952, was
$491,013. This was an increase over
the corresponding 1951 fiscal period
when the net was $402,290, but it was
below the 1950 earnings of $614,383.
The circuit's net before deducting
interest, depreciation, amortization and
provision for Federal income taxes
(Continued on page 4)
RKO Receivership
Hearing Postponed
For Another Week
The hearing on a petition for ap-
pointment of a receiver for RKO Pic-
tures which had been scheduled for
tomorrow before New York Supreme
Court Justice Henry Clay Greenberg
has been postponed to Dec. 17 at the
request of the company.
The petition was brought by several
RKO Pictures stockholders repre-
sented by Louis Kipnis, attorney. At
a hearing before Justice Greenberg on
Nov. 21, Albert R. Connelly, attor-
ney for the company, said it was ex-
pected the RKO Pictures board of di-
rectors would be re-constituted within
two weeks. Justice Greenberg indi-
cated at that time that if all the par-
ties involved were not ready for a
hearing by tomorrow he would enter-
tain petitions for a further postpone-
ment.
Bronx Independent
Files Trust Suit
An anti-trust suit, brought under
New York State's Donnelly Act, was
filed here yesterday by the 1948 Hold-
ing Corp. and Nathan Steinberg,
operating the Square Theatre in
Westchester Square, The Bronx,
against five theatre companies, three
distributors and three individuals. The
plaintiffs are asking for an injunction
and damages allegedly resulting from
(Continued on page 4)
HUGHES RESUMING
RKO MANAGEMENT
Einfeld Sees Top
Grosser in 'Madam'
A
Fox'
prediction that 20th Century-
; "Call Me Madam"' will rank
as "one of the
all-time top
grossers in the
history of the
industry" was
voiced yester-
day by vice-
president
Charles Einfeld,
upon his return
to New York
from a visit to
the company's
Hollywood stu-
dios.
Three other
20th-Fox pro-
ons to reach the screens next
were also' reported on by Ein-
(Continued on page 4)
Charles Einfeld
ducti
year
Johnston Meets With
MP A A Board Today
Eric Johnston, president of the Mo-
tion Picture Association of America,
will make a report here today on his
South American tour to the MPAA
board of directors. Johnston returned
from Latin America over the week-
(Continued on page 4)
TV WINS OUT IN
KOREA COVERAGE
Video Outlets Pool Resources for Eisenhower's
Tour and Beat Newsreels in Race to the Public
Fine $140,000 for
'Mermaid' at Hall
The newsreel coverage of President-Elect Eisenhower's Korean tour
developed into the most heated race between motion pictures and tele-
vision since the latter medium became a competitive factor. And TV
was the winner in bringing the event
to the public, nosing out theatres by
a 24-hour margin. This was made
possible by four TV networks pooling
their own resources and working in-
dependently of the pooled film industry
newsreel's representative, Dave Oliver
of Warner-Pathe News, insofar as
President-elect Eisenhower's activities
on Korean soil was concerned.
When the television companies were
informed, a week before the President-
elect's departure, that there would be
room for only one newsreel camera-
(Continned on page 5)
The Christmas attraction at Radio
City Music Hall, "Million Dollar
Mermaid," coupled with the Hall's
traditional holiday show, opened to a
fine $140,000 for; its first week. Busi-
ness at most other first-run houses in
New York was from excellent to fair.
(Continued on page 4)
Grants Extensions to
Stolkin Group; Report
Depinet Not Returning
Hollywood, Dec. 8. — The deal
providing for Howard Hughes' re-
turn to RKO Pictures went into
the final stages with the prepara-
tion of legal documents here today.
The company is expected to make a
formal announcement of the new
agreement tomorrow.
Under the deal Hughes will have
management control of the company
in return for granting members of
the Ralph Stolkin syndicate exten-
sions of time on their commitments
to purchase his 29 per cent controll-
ing stock interest in the company.
The extension, it is understood, cov-
ers dates on which payments to
Hughes of the more than $6,000,000
unpaid balance of the purchase price
fall due. The extensions are regarded
as additional periods of grace during
which the Stolkin group can carry on
negotiations for the sale of its RKO
Pictures stock.
At the same time, it is re-
(Continued on page 4)
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8. ~
United Paramount Thea-
tres, American Broadcast-
ing and Balaban and Katz
in a joint petition today
asked the Federal Com-
munications Commission to
make final the FCC ex-
aminer's favorable deci-
sion in the ABC-UPT mer-
ger case without oral ar-
gument. If the Commission
thinks argument is neces-
sary, they continued, it
should set an immediate
date. A similar petition
was filed by Paramount.
0
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8. —
The NPA's decision to end
its theatre construction
ban on Jan. 1 will be an-
nounced this week, prob-
ably on Wednesday. At
present, the ban is slated
to end next May 1.
2
Motion Picture daily
Tuesday, December 9, 1952
Personal
Mention
ARTHUR LOEW, president of
Loew's International, has re-
turned here from the Coast.
•
Carl Dudley of Dudley Pictures
Corp. and Dudley Television Corp.,
will arrive here tomorrow from Holly-
wood.
•
Maxwell Alderman of Allied The-
atres of Connecticut has been named
to the board of directors of the New
Haven Jewish Community Council.
•
Prince Francesco Alliata De
Villafranca, Italian producer, ar-
rived here yesterday from Europe
aboard the Liberie.
t
Kenneth MacKenna, M-G-M stu-
dio story head, will leave here for
the Coast at the weekend.
•
Joseph Walsh, Paramount's branch
operations manager, will be in Dal-
las tomorrow through the weekend.
•
Frederick Brisson, producer, and
publicist Phil Gersdorf returned to
Hollywood yesterday from New York.
•
Harry Goldstein, Allied Artists
Eastern publicity representative, has
returned here from Chicago.
•
Al Lewin, M-G-M producer, will
leave here today by plane for London.
Harry Wessel Dies at 80
Cincinnati, Dec. 8. — Harry J.
(Pop) Wessel, 80, who in 1912
founded the Film Service Co., the
first film delivery service in this area,
died Saturday at his home following
a long illness. He was a past chief
barker of the Cincinnati Variety Club,
in which organization he held a life
membership. He is survived by three
daughters and a son.
UA Booker Killed
Norman Letarte, United Artists
booker at the New York exchange,
was killed in an automobile accident
near Daytona Beach, Fla., while on
his honeymoon last week, the local
office learned yesterday. His bride,
Clara, was injured seriously. Letarte,
who had been with UA for eight years,
was married two weeks ago.
Jack Levin's Mother
Services were held here yesterday
at the Park West Chapel for Mrs.
Sarah Levin, mother of Jack Levin,
president of Jack M. Levin Associates,
who died Sunday at the age of 75.
She was the w(idow of Benjamin
Levin, founder of the Lenox Film Ex-
change.
20% Tax Fight to Highlight
Compo Chicago Meeting
Services for Mark Kelly
Hollywood, Dec. 8. — Funeral
services will be held here tomorrow
morning for Mark Kelly, 59, former
newspaper sports editor and member
of the 20th-Fox studio publicity staff
for the past 12 years, who died Fri-
day night from a stroke.
A report on the industry's drive
for repeal of the 20 per cent Federal
admission tax will be the chief topic
of discussion at the special meeting
of the executive committee and board
of directors of the Council of Motion
Picture Organizations tomorrow at
the Blackstone Hotel in Chicago.
Nearly 50 are expected to attend the
sessions which may extend through
Thursday. Col. H. A. Cole and Pat
McGee, co-chairman of the National
Tax Repeal Campaign Committee,
will report on results to date on the
campaign and lead a discussion on
methods to be pursued in obtaining
favorable action on the tax question
by Congress.
' Robert J. O'Donnell, national di-
rector of "Movietime, U.S.A.," will
report on results obtained so far by
this COMPO project, and there will
be a report on plans for a second
industry round table discussion be-
tween producers and exhibitors in
Hollywood next February.
Arnall to Report
The agenda also provides for re-
ports by officers, a report of the
membership committee by Ellis Ar-
nall, plans for a speakers bureau, a
motion picture exposition and a pre-
sentation of a plan for industry par-
ticipation "in National Health Week"
by Mrs. Albert D. Lasker.
Others at the meeting-, which will be pre-
sided over by Trueman T. Rembusch, one
of CO'MPO's three co-chairmen, will be Al
Lichtman, Sam Pinanski, the two other co-
chairmen; Herman Robbins, treasurer; Sid-
ney Schreiber, secretary; S. H. Fabian.
Richard Bror.s, Harry Brandt, Ben Shlyen,
Ben Berber, Wilbur Snaper, Lauritz Gar-
man, Marvin Faris, Robert Livingston,
Jack Kirsch, Ben Marcus, Henderson
Richey, Allen Johnson, Emanuel F'risch,
Herman Levy, Leo Brecher, Art Arthur,
Steve Broidy, George Murphy. Irving Long,
Norman. Winter, S. J. Goldberg, Ray Col-
vin, Lou Smith, Roy Cooper, Charles Niles,
Tames Costen, John Balaban, LaMar Sarra,
Robert W. Coyne. Charles E, McCarthy,
Sam Shain, Duke Clark, Dave Wallerstein,
Charles McBreeu. Joyce O'Hara, Ralph
Hetzel, William K. Hollander and Loui
Abramson.
P or a.-lnter national's
Rose to State Dept.
Gilbert Rose, service manager of
Paramount-International for the last
seven years, is resigning to join the
U. S. State Department's International
Information Administration of the
Motion Picture Bureau.
Rose, who has been in the indus-
try since 1927, takes over his new
duties on Monday in the New York
office of the State Department.
Files for Injunction
Chicago, Dec. 8. — Attorney Richard
Orlikoff today filed for an injunc-
tion on behalf of the American Civil
Liberties Union in Federal Court
here, asking that the Chicago Police
Censor Board be enjoined from pre-
venting exhibition of "The Mircle."
Banning of the film by the Censor
Board was upheld by Mayor Kennelly,
to whom the ACLU appealed the de-
cision, leaving no further recourse but
court action.
Paramount Confabs
Begin on the Coast
A new series of territory-by-terri-
tory merchandising and promotion
conferences with the West Coast as
the focal point are being conducted
today and tomorrow by A. W.
Schwalberg, president of Paramount
Film Distributing Corp. ; E. K.
O'Shea, sales vice-president; and
Jerome Pickman, vice-president in
charge of advertising-publicity.
The trio are slated to arrive today
in Los Angeles from Dallas. Meetings
were held in Dallas with branch ex-
ecutives yesterday and Sunday under a
new plan devised to lend special em-
phasis to more intensive promotion
policies adapted to the specific needs of
each individual regional territory. They
will hold similar discussions today
and tomorrow with Western division
manager George A. Smith and Pacific
Coast sales personnel.
Klune Named 20th
Executive Producer
Hollywood, Dec. 8. — Raymond A.
Klune has been named 20th Century-
Fox executive producer by Darryl Za-
nuck. He will assume duties formerly
performed by Julian Blaustein. Klune
has been executive production manager
at 20th Century-Fox since 1943, join-
ing the company from the Selznick or-
ganization.
At the same time Zanuck announced
that Michael Abel would be an asso-
ciate to Klune in his new post. Pro-
ducers operating within Klune's sphere
include Robert Bassler, William
Bloom, Otto Lang, Frank McCarthy,
Frank Rosenberg and Stanley Rubin.
Blaustein's contract has been re-
newed, but he will return to individual
production.
'Cinerama' Is Named
Tops of '10 Best9
Top place on the first annual list
of the 10 best films of the year, as
compiled by Frank Quinn, motion
picture editor of the New York
Mirror, went to "This Is Cinerama,"
first production in the new multi-
dimensional, curved-screen medium,
now in its third month at the Broad-
way Theatre here.
The Mirror cited "Cinerama" as
the most important cinema contribu-
tion of the year "for its revolutionary
technique and for its unprecedented
entertainment quality." The other
nine films signled out by Quinn were,
respectively, "High Noon," "Sudden
Fear," "Come Back Little Sheba,"
"The Quiet Man," "Hans Christian
Andersen," "The Greatest Show on
Earth," "Walk East on Beacon,"
"Breaking the Sound Barrier" and
"The Promoter."
NCA Studies Berger
Plan for Distribution
Minneapolis, Dec. 8. — The
North Central Allied board
today instructed executive
counsel Stan Kane to investi-
gate the legality of president
Ben Berger's plan to seek leg-
islation in Minnesota placing
film distribution under public
utilities regulations.
N.Y. Variety Selects
Piccadilly Quarters
The New York Variety Club
selected the Piccadilly Hotel as its
headquarters beginning next month, at
a meeting of the members held here
yesterday. The membership is slated
to meet frequently to accelerate pro-
gram activities and dispose of prob-
lems accumulated over the past year.
Among the activities thus far de-
cided are the official sponsorship of the
Adolph Zukor testimonial dinner here
next year, and the revitalization of the
copper salvage drive for the benefit
of the Heart Fund. Monroe Kaplan
is chairman of the fund.
N. Y. Cinema Lodge
Membership Drive
New York's Cinema Lodge of B'nai
B'rith has launched a 12-week new
membership drive, with the member
bringing in the most in excess of 10
becoming eligible for a one-week free
vacation for two at the North Shore
Manor in Miami Beach, Martin Le-
vine, president of the lodge announced.
Mort Sunshine, Cinema membership
chairman, and Robert K. Shapiro, co-
chairman, are handling details.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center
"MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID"
Esther WILLIAMS • Victor MATURE
Walter PIDGEON • David BRIAN
Color by TECHNICOLOR . An M-G-M Picture
&. The Music Hall's Great Christmas Stage Show
.VIRGINIA
Ladd Mayo
"TheIroa
Mistress
Color by TECHNICOLOR
1
Midnight Fcatvrf
SAMUEL GOLDWYN presents
Hans Christian
Andersen
starring s
DANNY KAYE <
CRITERION • PARIS
_ B'way & 45th St. 58th St. W. ol 5th Ave.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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 J. Brady.
Secretary; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca- Vine Building,
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative. 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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.
ver 1000 spots
played and playing
and nothing but
smash,smash,smash
in every one!
They hold over,
they move over,
they're bowling
em over with
ALAN
LADD
VIRGINIA
MAYO
■
in Warner Bros.
sw 1 fit
Hum
PRODUCED BY
. . . . ^ ^ DIRECTED BY
B Joseph calleia -james rlwebb fcMsrc. ™ER HENRY BLANKEgordon douglas
tecffl/coio/i,
4
MOTION PICTURE DAILY
Tuesday, December 9, 1952
RKO RADIO PICTURES, Inc.
TRADE SHOWINGS of
FREDERICK BRISSON'S
presentation of
NEVER WAVE AT A WAC"
Tues. 12/16
Tues. 12/16
Tues. 12/16
Tues. 12/16
ALBANY
Fax Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
1052 B'vray
ATLANTA
RKO Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
195 Luckie St., N.W.
BOSTON
RKO Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
122-28 Arlington St.
BUFFALO
Mo. Pic. Oper.
Scr. Rm.
498 Pearl St.
CHARLOTTE
Fox Sch. Rm.
308 S. Church St.
CHICAGO
RKO Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
1300 S. Wabash Ave.
CINCINNATI
Palace Scr.Rm. Tues. 12/16
12 East 6th St.
CLEVELAND
Fox Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
2219 Payne Ave.
DALLAS ,„ .,,„,
Rep. Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
412 S. Harwood St.
DENVER
Para. Scr. Rm
2100 Stout St.
DES MOINES
Fox Scr. Rm.
1300 High St.
DETROIT
Blumenthals
Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
2310 Cass Ave.
INDIANAPOLIS
Univ. Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
517 N. Illinois St.
KANSAS CITY
Para. Scr. Rm. Wed. 12/17
1800 Wvandotte St.
LOS ANGELES
RKO Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
1980 S. Vermont Ave.
MEMPHIS
Fox Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
151 Vance Ave.
MILWAUKEE
Warner Scr.
Rm. Tues. 12/16
212 W. Wisconsin Ave.
MINNEAPOLIS
Fox Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
1015 Currie Ave.
NEW HAVEN
Fox Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
40 Whiting St.
NEW ORLEANS
Fox Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
200 S. Liberty St.
NEW YORK
RKO Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
630-Ninth Ave.
OKLAHOMA
Fox Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
10 North Lee St.
OMAHA
Fox Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
1502 Davenport St.
PHILADELPHIA
RKO Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
250 N. 13th St.
PITTSBURGH
RKO Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
1809-13 Blvd. of Allies
PORTLAND
Star Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
925 N.W. 19th Ave.
ST. LOUIS
RKO Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
3143 Olive St.
SALT LAKE CITY
Fox Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
216 E. 1st St. South
SAN FRANCISCO
Fox Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
245 Hyde St.
SEATTLE
Jewel Box
Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
2318 2nd Ave.
SIOUX FALLS
Hollyw'd Thea. Tues. 12/16
212 N. Philips Ave.
WASHINGTON
Film Center
Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
932 New Jersey Ave.
2:00 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
10:30 A.M.
2:00 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
8:00 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
1:00 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
1:00 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
12:15 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
1:30 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
10 :30 A.M
1:30 P.M.
2:30 P.M
1:30 P.M
2:00 P.M.
1:00 P.M.
1:30 P.M.
2:00 P.M
1:00 P.M.
9 :30 A.M
10:00 A.M
Also Showing RKO Pathe's
'OPERATION A-BOMB" Eastman Colo
\.Y. Grosses
(Continued from page 1)
Hans Christian Andersen" contin-
ued its record-breaking pace at the
Criterion and the off-Broadway Paris.
For the second week at the Criterion
a sturdy $46,500 was registered while
the Paris racked up a solid $19,400.
Land-office business is still the rule
of the day at the Broadway Theatre,
where "This Is Cinerama" is featured.
A capacity $40,000 was due there for
the 10th week of the Cinerama show.
At the Paramount, a pretty good $50,-
000 was forecast for the third and
final week of "Iron Mistress," which
will be replaced tomorrow by "Stop,
You're Killing Me."
"Because of You" opened to a nice
$31,000 for its initial seven days at
the Capitol. At the Rivoli, a fair $12,-
000 is indicated for the 12th week of
"Snows of Kilimanjaro," while at
Loew's State a moderate $15,000 is
seen for the second and final week
of "Outpost in Malaya." "Hangman's
Knot" will have its premiere there
tomorrow.
'Limelight" is still holding up fairly
well at the Astor and the two-a-day
60th Street Trans-Lux. The Astor ex-
pects $18,000, for the seventh week of
the film, while $7,000 is indicated for
the 60th Street Trans-Lux. On Fri-
day, "Pony Soldier" will have its pre-
miere at the Globe Theatre, replacing
"Kansas City Confidential" which is
forecast to bow out at a fair $14,500
for its second and final week.
At the Mayfair, a moderate $15,000
is indicated for the second week of
"The Thief of Venice." "Breaking-
Through the Sound Barrier" dropped
somewhat but a more than satisfactory
$15,000 is indicated for its fifth week.
Among off-Broadway theatres, a
solid $9,600 is predicted for the sixth
week of "The Promoter" at the Fine
Arts, while a steady $7,100 is seen
for the eighth week of "The Four-
poster" at the Sutton. "O. Henry's
Full House" at the 52nd Street Trans-
Lux is expected to register a fine
$6,200 for its eighth week. At the
Beekman, a satisfactory $4,500 is fore-
cast for the third week of "Under the
Red Sea."
"Hiawatha" will have its premiere
at the Bijou Theatre, now shuttered,
on Christmas Day and "The Impor-
tance of Being Earnest" will open at
the Baronet on Dec. 22.
Management Heads
Can Join Academy
Hollywood, Dec. 8.— Acad-
emy of Motion Picture
Arts and Sciences president
Charles Brackett reports that
the organization's board of
governors has approved the
establishment of a new branch
of the Academy to consist of
"top management executives."
The addition brings the num-
ber of academy branches to 13.
Zukor Fete
UATC Net Up
(Continued from page 1)
was $749,360, with the deductible
items totalling $494,313. To the re-
maining $255,046 was added $235,966,
representing the proportion of undis-
tributed net profits, less the proportion
of net losses of companies not owned
100 per cent.
It was pointed out in the consoli-
dated balance sheet that "there are re-
maining important theatre operations
in which the company and its partly-
owned companies and major producing
companies are interested which are to
be terminated as a result of the gov-
ernment's anti-trust litigation brought
against certain film producing compa-
nies. The effect which these matters
may have upon' the financial position
of the company and its partly-owned
companies cannot be determined at this
time."
UATC operates 20 theatres in Cali-
fornia, Michigan, Oregon and New
York. It is interested in, but does
not operate, Metropolitan Playhouses
which holds an interest in two circuits
operating 128 theatres in and around
New York City ; United California
Theatres, with 99 theatres ; Rowley
United Theatres, 127 theatres, and
Penn - Federal Enterprises, seven
theatres.
(Continued from page 1)
at the Ambassador Hotel on Zukor's
birthday. R. J. O'Donnell, interna-
tional chairman, who arrived from
Dallas this morning, announced that
the event will be followed by similar
celebrations later in Dallas, Chicago
and other key cities, climaxed by a
dinner March 4 at the Hotel Wal-
dorf-Astoria in New York.
Skouras met with studio and in-
dustry leaders at a Beverly Hills
Hotel luncheon today to formulate
plans for the dinner. Among those
invited to attend were Steve Broidy,
Harry Cohn, Sherrill Corwin, Cecil B.
DeMille, Ned Depinet, Walt Disney,
Y. Frank Freeman, William Goetz,
Samuel Goldwyn, Jesse L. Lasky, L.
B. Mayer, Dore Senary, Joseph
Schenck, Leo Spitz, Jack Warner,
Herbert J. Yates, Darryl F. Zanuck
and Eugene Zukor.
Files Trust Suit
(Continued from page 1)
Film Trade Unions Behind
Zukor Celebration, Jubilee
Dallas, Dec. 8. — Trade unions affi-
liated with the industry in Holly-
wood are swinging in line behind V a-
riety Clubs International with pledges
of support of the all-industry Adolph
Zukor 80th Birthday Celebration and
Golden Jubilee which Variety is
sponsoring in 1953.
Behind the forthcoming event are
the executive board of the Motion
Picture Industry Council and its affili-
ated membership, which includes Art-
ists Managers Guild, Association of
Motion Picture Producers Association,
Independent Office Workers, Screen
Actors Guild, Screen Producers Guild,
Screen Story Analysts' Guild, Screen
Writers' Guild, Society of Independent
Motion Picture Producers, Society of
Motion Picture Art Directors and
Unit Production Managers' Guild.
Hall Slates Extra Performances
To accommodate weekend audiences,
Radio City Music Hall has scheduled
extra performances of its traditional
Christmas show on Saturday, with
doors opening at 8 :00 A.M.
Einfeld Sees
(Continued from page 1)
feld who saw rough cuts of them on
the Coast. The pictures are : "Nia-
gara," which stars Marilyn Monroe,
Joseph Cotten, and Jean Peters ; "Man
on A Tightrope," directed by Elia
Kazan in Germany and starring Fred-
eric March, Gloria Grahame, and
Terry Moore, and "The Star," a Bert
E. Friedlob production starring Bette
Davis.
Einfeld's agenda at the studios in-
cluded discussions with Darryl F.
Zanuck, production chief, and Harry
Brand, studio publicity head, to for-
mulate promotional plans on the films
viewed along with other attractions
scheduled for release during the new
year.
the exclusion of the Square in a move-
up of clearances in the area.
It is charged in the complaint that
Loew's settled a threatened litigation
by Skouras Theatres Corp. for $600,-
000 at a time when Skouras was in
a ''straightened financial position."
Until 1950, Skouras operated the
Square Theatre which then was taken
over by Steinberg and the 1948 Hold-
ing Co. The plaintiffs charge that
until September of this year, the
Square and Skouras' Interboro and
Pilgrim Theatres played day-and-date
seven days after Loew's American,
but that last month the two Skouras
houses were moved up by Paramount
and United Artists to day-and-date
with the American. The Square, it is
charged, was excluded from the im-
provement in clearance. Monroe Stein
is attorney for the plaintiffs.
Defendants in the Steinberg suit
are Loew's, Parkchester Amusement
Co., Number 26 Theatres, Inc., Skou-
ras Theatres Corp., Metropolitan
Playhouses, United Artists Theatre
Circuit, Paramount, United Artists.
George Skouras and Nicholas and
Joseph M. Schenck.
Johnston Meets
(Continued from page
1)
end and went direct to his home in
Washington.
Johnston yesterday declined to com-
Hughes Resuming
(Continued from page 1)
ported that last minute hitches
developed in working out the
status of Ned E. Depinet, who
had been slated to return as
president of RKO Pictures with
full autonomy. That plan is
said to have broken down, with
no agreement concerning Depi-
net having been reached.
It is understood that Noah Dietrich,
who served as RKO board chairman
in the previous Hughes regime, is
interested and may be named presi-
dent.
The statement scheduled to be
issued tomorrow is expected to in-
clude the announcement of new direc-
tors of the company, as well as the
new chief executive officers.
The final agreement on the major
phases of the re-transfer of control
of the company came late today fol-
lowing nearly four weeks of discus-
sions here between Hughes and
members of the Chicago group. The
latter include, in addition to Stolkin,
A. L. Koolish, E. J. Burke, Ray
Ryan and Sherrill Corwin. Depinet
was a participant in the talks during
the past nine days.
ment on arbitration until he had been
briefed on developments during his
absence.
This afternoon, Johnston will speak
at a luncheon for the National Asso-
ciation of Insurance Commissioners
at the Hotel Commodore here.
Tuesday, December 9, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
TV Wins
(Continued from page 1)
man aboard the planes carrying- the
party to Korea, the TV firms decided
on their own coverage. They drew
lots to decide which company would
designate a cameraman. National
Broadcasting "won" and it selected
Julius Zenier, an NBC cameraman in
Korea. Zenier shot the scenes of
Eisenhower's tour on land, although
Oliver's flight footage was available
to the video outlets.
Zenier's pooled footage was flown
via Pan American Airways from
Tokyo and arrived in San Francisco
at 6:15 A.M. (EST) Sunday. After
two hours in San Franciso, where the
film was viewed by security censors,
the footage was rushed to New York
where prints were made for the TV
stations. NBC hit the TV screens
at 5 :30 Sunday afternoon, with CBS
following an hour later. Others in
the pool were DuMont and American
Broadcasting.
Other Stories Excluded
The regular newsreel companies
processed their negatives here yes-
terday and the films reached New
York theatre screens late in the after-
noon. The Eisenhower-Korea scenes
comprise the entire issue, with all
other news stories excluded.
Oliver is reported to be on the
USS. Helena, covering the sessions
between Eisenhower and military
leaders.
7 'Bali' TV Trailers
Set By Paramount
Paramount reports that CBS and
NBC networks across the country will
carry seven special video trailers to
an estimated 60,000,000 persons for
"Road to Bali," forthcoming Hope-
Crosby-Lamour comedy. This marks
the first time, the company claims, that
such a saturation campaign designed
for television has been devised by a
film company.
The trailers do not contain scenes
from the picture but are titled "Great
Moments in History with Bing Crosby
and Bob Hope" and are seven short
subjects that were written by Leon-
ard Neubauer and directed by Phil
Pemberton, head of Paramount's
trailer department.
Hits Undesirable
Films for Children
■ Albany, N. Y., Dec. 8.— "Millions
of American children" are being ex-
posed weekly to undesirable motion
pictures, "not only those sexually bad,
but those which incite to crime, con-
tain horrible thoughts or terrible fan-
tasies," the Rev. Edward J. Lareau,
director of the Catholic Radio Guild
of the Albany Diocese, said in a ser-
mon at the Church of the Sacred
Heart yesterday.
Father Lareau credited the Legion
of Decency with doing a great deal "to
clean up motion pictures."
S. WABASH AVE, CHICAGO
(39 NINTH AVENUE, HEW YORK
Television — Radio
with Pinky Herman
Hill Harrington
ED SULLIVAN entered the Flower Hospital last night for a com-
plete physical check-up (he's been suffering from ulcers) and
the second chapter of the "Samuel Goldwyn Story," on "Toast of the
Town," scheduled for this coming CBSunday, will probably be post-
poned until sometime in January. Incidentally, last Sunday's portion
of the Goldwyn story, with flashes of S.G.'s memorable films, was
easily the piece de resistance of the day's TV fare. Pending "the
smiling Irishman's" return "T.O.T.T." will be hosted by guest
emcees. . . . Bob Goldstein, in town for a few days en route to
Italy where he plans to produce a series of TV films. . . . RE-
UNION IN CLEVELAND :— Henry (Hot Lips) Levine has
signed a one year pact to become musical director of WTAM's
radio and TV starting January 15. He'll join his former boss Nor-
man Cloutier who is now production ' chief ; Lee Sullivan, formerly
heard on NBC, and Johnny Andrews, formerly co-starred on "Easy
Does It," NBTVehicle. for which Hot Lips provided hot licks. . . .
Lon Clark will guest as "Santa Claus" on WOR's "20 Questions,"
Dec. 20, making this his sixth annual visit to the program (and
after so many years as that famous radio sleuth, Lon'll probably be
called "St. Nick" Carter on the show).
ir
Former ''Hit Parade'' NBChanter Bill Harrington, whose cur-
rent series over WNEW tabs him as a triple-
threat (singer, emcee, accordionist) , has
been signed to make a telefilm series by
Bob Saz'ini. In the TV musicals, titled,
"Meet the Composer," Bill sings old and nezv
song hits and will present the writers of these
compositions. . . . The program "Movie
Matinee," formerly heard via Mutual, has
been revised by producers Wilbur Stark and
Jerry Layton and MBStarting Jan. 9 (8:00
to 8:30 P.M.) will be titled "Movie Payoff"
and heard via a 500 station hook-up over
Mutual. The series, based entirely on motion
picture data and, personnel, will be co-spon-
sored by General Mills and Genera! Tire and will feature Johnny
Olsen, as emcee.
it "fr #
Travelers Insurance Co. for the third successive year will
NBCommercialize on the annual year-end round up of news
highlights program, "Voices and Events," which will be aired
Sunday, Dec. 21, from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. Kenneth Banghart
will be narrator. . . . Bob Hope will be honored next Feb-
ruary with a national salute to celebrate his fifteenth anni-
versary with Paramount Pictures and NBC. . . . Blake
Edwards, CBScripter of Dick Powell's two "Singer Four Star
Playhouse" telecasts, will make his debut as a director with
"Knockout" which will star Broderick Crawford on the series.
Edwards also authored the teleplay. . . . Tip to ad agencies :
Latch on to ex GI Merrill E. Joel's talents. His sparkling
characterizations make this Joel a jewel. . . . Duff Baking
Mix (a Pillsbury Mills product) and Deepfreeze (Motors
Products Corp.) are the sixth and seventh sponsors, respec-
tively, to CBSign up for participation in the "Garry Moore
Show" telecasts. (Oh well, the Moore the merrier. Ouch!)
. . . With seven major sponsors already set to spend
$10,000,000 with MBS (radio) in 1953, that net's execs see a
record $20,000,000 gross, a neat 11% increase over 1952.
WOR-TV likewise appears headed for a new gross with the
addition of Coca-Cola, Whelan Drugs and Piel's beer to their
list of 1953 sponsors.
it G £
After 30 years with NBC, during which he served as president,
chairman of the board and member of the board of RCA, Niles
Trammell has resigned to become prexy of the newly formed Bis-
cayne TV Corp., which has filed an application with FCC for a TV
station grant on Channel 7 at Miami, Fla. . . . Beautiful Kathi
Norris, who relinquished the title of "TV's busiest femcee," in
August for the arrival of her second child, is getting ready to resume
her radio and TV career. . . . Jimmy Rich, who discovered and
coached among others Dinah Shore, Dick Brown and Jeff Clark, is
managing a newcomer. Herb George, who is ready to warble on a
major record label. . . . With last nite's showr "Voice of Firestone,"
NBCommenced its 25th consecutive year. Program not only was the
first commercial in radio but it is also the first to have been simul-
cast.
Lees TV
(Continued from page 1)
ever, this was compensated somewhat
by a carpet display in the lobby, where
the multi-colored patterns could be
seen.
Initial reports from the field on the
telecast, which originated in NBC stu-
dios here, were on the whole excellent.
Hundreds of carpet dealers, retailers
and sales personnel across the nation
attended theatres to participate in the
event, which kicked off at 12:00
noon (EST).
Many of the United Paramount
Theatre managers, whose houses car-
ried the program, also commented on
the absence of color, Robert O'Brien,
UPT vice-president, said in reporting
reactions of representatives canvassed.
O'Brien pointed out, however, that the
lack of color will be less noticeable
in the case of the Bendix sales con-
ference, to be held on theatre TV
later, due to the lack of color em-
phasis and importance in the presenta-
tion of Bendix products.
The UPT managers felt, according
to a consensus, that the Lees program
further demonstrated the practicability
and value of off-hours theatre TV.
Reception was good, for the most part,
marred only infrequently by light
fadings. Interest was maintained
throughout the telecast and all of the
aims of the event were realized, it was
said.
Received Well in Chicago
The telecast was well received by
the dealers, the salesmen and retailers
who attended the Telenews Theatre in
Chicago. The only adverse comment
was that the pictures of the carpet-
ing were not too effective in black-
and-white. Those in- attendance at
the Telenews felt, however, that it
was in some respects better than a
regular sales meeting, which does not
afford them a chance to meet or see
top company executives, as heard and
viewed at yesterday's telecast. Quality
of the picture itself was marred by
what seemed to be poor lighting. The
sound was excellent and the engi-
neers seemed to feel that the picture
would have been better had the tele-
cast been carried micro-wave rather
than cable.
In Boston, the telecast was well
received at the Pilgrim Theatre. Many
of the 300 dealers who attended the
sales meeting termed it a very big
success.
In Atlanta, 750 dealers and specta-
tors saw the "off-hour" commercial
show at the Paramount Theatre.
Transmission on the whole was fair,
but at times the picture was too light,
making it difficult in certain instances
to distinguish the speakers clearly.
The sound came over very good, how-
ever. Salesmen expressed regret at
the lack of color.
Gould to Meet Press
Details of a new film distributing-
company will be announced here to-
day by Walter Gould, former foreign
manager of United Artists. Gould
will explain the plans of the new or-
ganization at a trade press conference.
BOOKER
Experienced booker desires position in the New
York Metropolitan area. Experience with both
exchange and major circuit. Familiar with
all type motion picture product. Native New
Yorker, desires to return to this area. Inter-
ested in booking or selling position or booker
for TV network.
Box 440, MOTION PICTURE DAILY
1270 Sixth Ave., New York 20, N. Y.
H
-f ues<laV
ruber
2,\952
.Time
H'woo
dPara
mount
Sets New Record
Jcl t the ^eek' 0f Arch
Sensation ° perforrnance ^
Ob°lerS v;^re to be ma
»engH^ Dimension
Tues., Dec. 2, 1952
700G 'Bwana' Bonanza Booms
LAlstRunsTo 3d Biggest '52Wk.
. Los Angeles first-run gross total
>s soaring to third best w^ek 0f the
" chf/f,0", the CUrrent frame due
dJ nP .J f ,upwards °f $100,000 ex-
Kd n» n *i° e co"tributed °y "Bwa-
Hnll PeVlI >4 the Los Angeles and
Hollywood Paramounts. Also aid-
ing are six other bills " ~
none is particularly
if the estimated tot
onl y bv \\\y j^WwmH
THANKS to Jerry Zigmond, Marco Wolff,
Len Goldenson, and Ed Hyman for their faith
in "Bwana Money-Maker"!
IN
VOL. 72. NO. 110
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
NEW YORK, U. S. A., TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1952
TEN CENTS
Lees' Toppers
Enthusiastic
Over Telecast
Lack of Color Noted;
Field Reports Good
Executives of James Lees and
Sons, Inc., sponsors of the first
commercial theatre telecast, ex-
pressed satisfaction following yes-
terday's one-hour telecast here of the
carpet manufacturer's national sales
convention, according to Theatre Net-
work Television, which booked the
event.
Victor Ratner, director of Tele-
Sessions, a subsidiary of TNT, said
that Lees management was enthusias-
tic about the new medium and ex-
pressed complete satisfaction after the
performance, which was seen in 18
theatres in 17 major cities from Coast-
to-Coast.
As seen at the Colonial Theatre
here, the telecast appeared to carry
an effective sales message and was
technically almost without fault. Most
viewers at the Colonial expressed
regret that the carpets on the screen
could not be shown in their true colors,
rather than in black-and-white. How-
{Contintied on page 5)
Paramount Host at
Zukor Jubilee Fete
Los Angeles, Dec. 8. — Paramount
Pictures will be the host for the
Adolph Zukor 80th Birthday Dinner
Celebration sponsored by the Variety
Clubs International to be held in
Hollywood Jan. 7, it was announced
today by committee chairman Charles
P. Skouras, who revealed that A. W.
Schwalberg, Paramount Film Distrib-
uting Corp. president, requested the
privilege for his firm in a wire.
The invitational dinner will be held
{Continued on page 4)
UA Theatre Circuit
Net Up to $491,013
Net income of United Artists The-
atre Circuit and subsidiary companies
for the year ended Aug. 31, 1952, was
$491,013. This was an increase over
the corresponding 1951 fiscal period
when the net was $402,290, but it was
below the 1950 earnings of $614,383.
The circuit's net before deducting
interest, depreciation, amortization and
provision for Federal income taxes
{Continued on page 4)
RKO Receivership
Hearing Postponed
For Another Week
The hearing on a petition for ap-
pointment of a receiver for RKO Pic-
tures which had been scheduled for
tomorrow before New York Supreme
Court Justice Henry Clay Greenberg
has been postponed to Dec. 17 at the
request of the company.
The petition was brought by several
RKO Pictures stockholders repre-
sented by Louis Kipnis, attorney. At
a hearing before Justice Greenberg on
Nov. 21, Albert R. Connelly, attor-
ney for the company, said it was ex-
pected the RKO Pictures board of di-
rectors would be re-constituted within
two weeks. Justice Greenberg indi-
cated at that time that if all the par-
ties involved were not ready for a
hearing by tomorrow he would enter-
tain petitions for a further postpone-
ment.
Bronx Independent
Files Trust Suit
An anti-trust suit, brought under
New York State's Donnelly Act, was
filed here yesterday by the 1948 Hold-
ing Corp. and Nathan Steinberg,
operating the Square Theatre in
Westchester Square, The Bronx,
against five theatre companies, three
distributors and three individuals. The
plaintiffs are asking for an injunction
and damages allegedly resulting from
{Continued on page 4)
HUGHES RESUMING
RKO MANAGEMENT
Einfeld Sees Top
Grosser in 'Madam'
A prediction that 20th Century-
Fox's "Call Me- Madam" will rank
as "one of the
all-time top
grossers in the
history of the
industry" was
voiced yester-
day by vice-
president
Charles Einfeld,
upon his return
to New York
from a visit to
tile t i i 1 11 | I . U I \
Three other
20th-Fox pro-
ductions to reach the screens next
year were also reported on by Ein-
{Continued on page 4)
Johnston Meets With
MPAA Board Today
Eric Johnston, president of the Mo-
tion Picture Association of America,
will make a report here today on his
South American tour to the MPAA
board of directors. Johnston returned
from Latin America over the week-
{Continued on page 4)
Charles Einfeld
TV WINS OUT IN
KOREA COVERAGE
Video Outlets Pool Resources for Eisenhower's
Tour and Beat Newsreels in Race to the Public
Fine $140,000 for
'Mermaid' at Hall
The newsreel coverage of President-Elect Eisenhower's Korean tour
developed into the most heated race between motion pictures and tele-
vision since the latter medium became a competitive factor. And TV
was the winner in bringing the event
to the public, nosing out theatres by
a 24-hour margin. This was made
possible by four TV networks pooling
their own resources and working in-
dependently of the pooled film industry
newsreel's representative, Dave Oliver
of Warner-Pathe News, insofar as
President-elect Eisenhower's activities
on Korean soil was concerned.
When the television companies were
informed, a week before the President-
elect's departure, that there would be
room for only one newsreel camera-
( Continued on page 5)
The Christmas attraction at Radio
City Music Hall, "Million Dollar
Mermaid," coupled with the Hall's
traditional holiday show, opened to a
fine $140,000 for its first week. Busi-
ness at most other first-run houses in
New York was from excellent to fair.
(Continued on page 4)
Grants Extensions to
Stolkin Group ; Report
Depinet Not Returning
Hollywood, Dec. 8. — The deal
providing for Howard Hughes' re-
turn to RKO Pictures went into
the final stages with the prepara-
tion of legal documents here today.
The company is expected to make a
formal announcement of the new
agreement tomorrow.
Under the deal Hughes will have
management control of the company
in return for granting members of
the Ralph Stolkin syndicate exten-
sions of time on their commitments
to purchase his 29 per cent controll-
ing stock interest in the company.
The extension, it is understood, cov-
ers dates on which payments to
Hughes of the more than $6,000,000
unpaid balance of the purchase price
fall due. The extensions are regarded
as additional periods of grace during
which the Stolkin group can carry on
negotiations for the sale of its RKO
Pictures stock.
At the same time, it is re-
{Continued on page 4)
Ask FCC Ruling on
ABC-UPT Merger
Washington, Dec. 8. — United
Paramount Theatres, American
Broadcasting and Balaban and Katz
today asked the Federal Communica-
tions Commission to make final the
FCC examiner's favorable decision in
the ABC-UPT merger case without
oral argument.
In a joint petition, the three com-
panies said that the FCC broadcast
bureau and Allen B. DuMont Labora-
tories, which had filed exceptions to
the initial decision of the hearing ex-
aminer, had not expressly asked for
oral argument, even though they had
pointed out the desirability of hav-
ing it.
Decision Is Due
Relaxing Controls
• Washington, Dec. 8— The Na-
tional Production Authority will an-
nounce this week, probably on Wed-
nesday, a decision to end its theatre
construction ban on Jan. 1.
At present, the ban is slated to end
next May 1.
2
Motion picture daily
Tuesday, December 9, 1952
Personal
Mention
ARTHUR LOEW, president of
Loew's International, has re-
turned here from the Coast.
•
Carl Dudley of Dudley Pictures
Corp. and Dudley Television Corp.,
will arrive here tomorrow from Holly-
wood.
•
Maxwell Alderman of Allied The-
atres of Connecticut has been named
to the board of directors of the New
Haven Jewish Community Council.
•
Prince Francesco Alliata De
Villafranca, Italian producer, ar-
rived here yesterday from Europe
aboard the S.S. Liberte.
•
Kenneth MacKenna, M-G-M stu-
dio story head, will leave here for
the Coast at the weekend.
•
Joseph Walsh, Paramount's branch
operations manager, will be in Dal-
las tomorrow through the weekend.
•
Frederick Brisson, producer, and
publicist Phil Gersdorf returned to
Hollywood yesterday from New York.
•
Harry Goldstein, Allied Artists
Eastern publicity representative, has
returned here from Chicago.
•
Al Lewin, M-G-M producer, will
leave here today by plane for London.
Harry Wessel Dies at 80
Cincinnati, Dec. 8. — Harry J.
(Pop) Wessel, 80, who in 1912
founded the Film Service Co., the
first film delivery service in this area,
died Saturday at his home following
a long illness. He was a past chief
barker of the Cincinnati Variety Club,
in which organization he held a life
membership. He is survived by three
daughters and a son.
UA Booker Killed
Norman Letarte, United Artists
booker at the New York exchange,
was killed in an automobile accident
near Daytona Beach, Fla., while on
his honeymoon last week, the local
office learned yesterday. His bride,
Clara, was injured seriously. Letarte,
who had been with UA for eight years,
was married two weeks ago.
20% Tax Fight to Highlight
Compo Chicago Meeting
Jack Levin's Mother
Services were held here yesterday
at the Park West Chapel for Mrs.
Sarah Levin, mother of Jack Levin,
president of Jack M. Levin Associates,
who died Sunday at the age of 75.
She was the wiidow of Benjamin
Levin, founder of the Lenox Film Ex-
change.
A report on the industry's drive
for repeal of the 20 per cent Federal
admission tax will be the chief topic
of discussion at the special meeting
of the executive committee and board
of directors of the Council of Motion
Picture Organizations tomorrow at
the Blackstone Hotel in Chicago.
Nearly 50 are expected to attend the
sessi6ns which may extend through
Thursday. Col. H. A. Cole and Pat
McGee, co-chairman of the National
Tax Repeal Campaign Committee,
will report on results to date on the
campaign and lead a discussion on
methods to be pursued in obtaining
favorable action on the tax question
by Congress.
' Robert J. O'Donnell, national di-
rector of "Movietime, U.S.A.," will
report on results obtained so far by
this COMPO project, and there will
be a report on plans for a second
industry round table discussion be-
tween producers and exhibitors in
Hollywood next February.
Arnall to Report
The agenda also provides for re-
ports by officers, a report of the
membership committee by Ellis Ar-
nall, plans for a speakers bureau, a
motion picture exposition and a pre-
sentation of a plan for industry par-
ticipation "in National Health Week"
by Mrs. Albert D. Lasker.
Others at the meeting;, which will be pre-
sided over by Trueman T. Rembusch, one
of COMPO's three co-chairmen, will be Al
Lichtman, Sam Pinanski, the two other co-
chairmen; Herman Robbins, treasurer; Sid-
ney Schreiber, secretary; S. H. Fabian,
Richard Bror.s, Harry Brandt, Ben Shlyen,
Ben Berger, Wilbur Snaper, Lauritz Gar-
man, Marvin Paris, Robert Livingston,
Jack Kirsch, Ben Marcus, Henderson
Richey, Allen Johnson, Emanuel F'risch,
Herman Levy, Leo Brecher, Art Arthur,
Steve Broidy, G'eorg-e Murphy, Irving- Long,
Norman Winter, S. J. Goldberg, Ray Col-
vin, Lou Smith, Roy Cooper, Charles Niles,
Tames Costen, John Balaban, LaMar Sarra,
Robert W. Coyne, Charles E. McCarthy,
Sam Shain, Duke Clark, Dave Wallerstein,
Charles McBreen, Joyce O'Hara, Ralph
Hetzel, William K. Hollander and Loui
Abramson.
Services for Mark Kelly
Hollywood, Dec. 8. — Funeral
services will be held here tomorrow
morning for Mark Kelly, 59, former
newspaper sports editor and member
of the 20th-Fox studio publicity staff
for the past 12 years, who died Fri-
day night from a stroke.
Para.-lnternational's
Rose to State Dept.
Gilbert Rose, service manager of
Paramount-International for the last
seven years, is resigning to join the
U. S. State Department's International
Information Administration of the
Motion Picture Bureau.
Rose, who has been in the indus-
try since 1927, takes over his new
duties on Monday in the New York
office of the State Department.
Files for Injunction
Chicago, Dec. 8.— Attorney Richard
Orlikoff today filed for an injunc-
tion on behalf of the American Civil
Liberties Union in Federal Court
here, asking that the Chicago Police
Censor Board be enjoined from pre-
venting exhibition of "The Mircle."
Banning of the film by the Censor
Board was upheld by Mayor Kennedy,
to whom the ACLU appealed the de-
cision, leaving no further recourse but
court action.
Paramount Confabs
Begin on the Coast
A new series of territory-by-terri-
tory merchandising and promotion
conferences with the West Coast as
the focal point are being conducted
today and tomorrow by A. W.
Schwalberg, president of Paramount
Film Distributing Corp. ; E. K.
O'Shea, sales vice-president; and
Jerome Pickman, vice-president in
charge of advertising-publicity.
The trio are slated to arrive today
in Los Angeles from Dallas. Meetings
were held in Dallas with branch ex-
ecutives yesterday and Sunday under a
new plan devised to lend special em-
phasis to more intensive promotion
policies adapted to the specific needs of
each individual regional territory. They
will hold similar discussions today
and tomorrow with Western division
manager George A. Smith and Pacific
Coast sales personnel.
Klune Named 20th
Executive Producer
Hollywood, Dec. 8. — Raymond A.
Klune has been named 20th Century-
Fox executive producer by Darryl Za-
nuck. He will assume duties formerly
performed by Julian Blaustein. Klune
has been executive production manager
at 20th Century-Fox since 1943, join-
ing the company from the Selznick or-
ganization.
At the same time Zanuck announced
that Michael Abel would be an asso-
ciate to Klune in his new post. Pro-
ducers operating within Klune's sphere
include Robert Bassler, William
Bloom, Otto Lang, Frank McCarthy,
Frank Rosenberg and Stanley Rubin.
Blaustein's contract has been re-
newed, but he will return to individual
production.
'Cinerama' Is Named
Tops of '10 Best'
Top place on the first annual list
of the 10 best films of the year, as
compiled by Frank Quinn, motion
picture editor of the New York
Mirror, went to "This Is Cinerama,"
first production in the new multi-
dimensional, curved-screen medium,
now in its third month at the Broad-
way Theatre here.
The Mirror cited "Cinerama" as
the most important cinema contribu-
tion of the year "for its revolutionary
technique and for its unprecedented
entertainment quality." The other
nine films signled out by Quinn were,
respectively, "High Noon," "Sudden
Fear," "Come Back Little Sheba,"
"The Quiet Man," "Hans Christian
Andersen," "The Greatest Show on
Earth," "Walk East on Beacon,"
"Breaking the Sound Barrier" and
"The Promoter."
NCA Studies Berger
Plan for Distribution
Minneapolis, Dec. 8. — The
North Central Allied board
today instructed executive
counsel Stan Kane to investi-
gate the legality of president
Ben Berger's plan to seek leg-
islation in Minnesota placing
film distribution under public
utilities regulations.
N.Y. Variety Selects
Piccadilly Quarters
The New York Variety Club
selected the Piccadilly Hotel as its
headquarters beginning next month, at
a meeting of the members held here
yesterday. The membership is slated
to meet frequently to accelerate pro-
gram activities and dispose of prob-
lems accumulated over the past year.
Among the activities thus far de-
cided are the official sponsorship of the
Adolph Zukor testimonial dinner here
next year, and the revitalization of the
copper salvage drive for the benefit
of the Heart Fund. Monroe Kaplan
is chairman of the fund.
N. Y. Cinema Lodge
Membership Drive
New York's Cinema Lodge of B'nai
B'rith has launched a 12-week new
membership drive, with the member
bringing in the most in excess of 10
becoming eligible for a one-week free
vacation for two at the North Shore
Manor in Miami Beach, Martin Le-
vine, president of the lodge announced.
Mort Sunshine, Cinema membership
chairman, and Robert K. Shapiro, co-
chairman, are handling details.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center — ^—
"MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID"
Esther WILLIAMS • Victor MATURE
Walter PIDGEON • David BRIAN
Color by TECHNICOLOR . An M-G-M Picture
& The Musio Hall's Great Christmas Stage Show
Midnight Ftatwrt
SAMUEL GOLDWYN presents,
Hans Christiani
starring
DANNY KAYE %
CRITERION
B'way & 45th St.
• PARIS
58th St. W. of 5th Ave.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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; L.eo J. Brady,
Secretary; Tames P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood. Bureau, Yucca-Vine Huildmg
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative. 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; Hope Burmip. 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.
Iver 1000 spots
played and playing
and nothing but
smash, smash, smash
in every one!
They hold over,
they move over,
they're bowling
em over with
ALAN
LADD
VIRGINIA
MAYO
in Warner Bros.
ii
THE
Hall WITH SCREEN PLAY BY
mj JOSEPH CALLEIA -JAMES R.WEBB
PRODUCED BY
r«. HENRY B LA N.KE gordon douglas
Fl40M THE NOVEL By music
PAUL I WEILMAN MAX STEIN ER
Motion Picture daily
Tuesday, December 9, 1952
RKO RADIO PICTURES, Inc.
TRADE SHOWINGS of
FREDERICK BRISSON'S
presentation of
NEVER WAVE AT A WAC
ALBANY
Fox Scr. Rm.
1052 B'way
ATLANTA ,„„,
RKO Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
195 Luckie St., N.W.
Tues. 12/16 2:00 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
10:30 A.M.
BOSTON
RKO Scr. Rm. Tues
122-28 Arlington St.
BUFFALO
Mo. Pic. Oper.
Scr. Rm.
498 Pearl St.
CHARLOTTE
Fox Sell. Rm.
308 S. Church St.
CHICAGO
RKO Scr. Rm. Tues.
1300 S. Wabash Ave.
CINCINNATI
Palace Scr. Rm
12 East 6th St.
CLEVELAND
Fox Scr. Rm.
2219 Payne Ave.
DALLAS
Rep. Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
412 S. Harwood St.
Tues,
Tues.
Tues.
Tues
12/16
12/16
12/16
12/16
12/16
12/16
Tues. 12/16
Tues. 12/16
Tues. 12/16
DENVER
Para. Scr. Rm
2100 Stout St.
DES MOINES
Fox Scr. Rm.
1300 High St.
DETROIT
Blumenthals
Scr. Rm.
2310 Cass Ave.
INDIANAPOLIS
Univ. Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
517 N. Illinois St.
KANSAS CITY
Para. Scr. Rm. Wed. 12/17
1800 Wyandotte St.
LOS ANGELES
RKO Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
1980 S. Vermont Ave.
MEMPHIS
Fox Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
151 Vance Ave.
MILWAUKEE
Warner Scr.
Rm. Tues. 12/16
212 W. Wisconsin Ave.
MINNEAPOLIS
Fox Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
1015 Currie Ave.
NEW HAVEN
Fox Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
40 Whiting St.
NEW ORLEANS
Fox Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
200 S. Liberty St.
NEW YORK
RKO Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
630 Ninth Ave.
OKLAHOMA
Fox Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
10 North Lee St.
OMAHA
Fox Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
1502 Davenport St.
PHILADELPHIA
RKO Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
250 N. 13th St.
PITTSBURGH
RKO Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
1809-13 Blvd. of Allies
PORTLAND
Star Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
925 N.W. 19th Ave.
ST. LOUIS
RKO Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
3143 Olive St.
SALT LAKE CITY
Fox Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
216 E. 1st St. South
SAN FRANCISCO
Fox Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16
245 Hyde St.
SEATTLE
Jewel Box
Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16 1:00 P.M
2318 2nd Ave.
SIOUX FALLS
Hollyw'd Thea. Tues. 12/16 9:30 A.M
212 N. Philips Ave.
WASHINGTON
Film Center
Scr. Rm. Tues. 12/16 10:00 A.M
932 New Jersey Ave.
Also Showing RKO Pathe's
"OPERATION A-BOMB" — Eastman Colo
2:00 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
8:00 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
1:00 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
1:00 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
12:15 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
1:30 P.M,
2:00 P.M.
2:30 P.M,
2:30 P.M
10:30 A.M.
1:30 P.M
2:30 P.M
1:30 P.M
2:00 P.M.
1:00 P.M.
1:30 P.M.
2:00 P.M
N.Y. Grosses
(Continued from page 1)
Hans Christian Andersen" contin-
ued its record-breaking pace at the
Criterion and the off-Broadway Paris.
For the second week at the Criterion
sturdy $46,500 was registered while
the Paris racked up a solid $19,400.
Land-office business is still the rule
of the day at the Broadway Theatre,
where "This Is Cinerama" is featured.
A capacity $40,000 was due there for
the 10th week of the Cinerama show.
At the Paramount, a pretty good $50,-
000 was forecast for the third and
final week of "Iron Mistress," which
will be replaced tomorrow by "Stop,
You're Killing Me."
'Because of You" opened to a nice
$31,000 for its initial seven days at
the Capitol. At the Rivoli, a fair $12,-
000 is indicated for the 12th week of
Snows of Kilimanjaro," while at
Loew's State a moderate $15,000 is
seen for the second and final week
of "Outpost in Malaya." "Hangman's
Knot" will have its premiere there
tomorrow.
"Limelight" is still holding up fairly
well at the Astor and the two-a-day
60th Street Trans-Lux. The Astor ex-
pects $18,000, for the seventh week of
the film, while $7,000 is indicated for
the 60th Street Trans-Lux. On Fri-
day, "Pony Soldier" will have its pre-
miere at the Globe Theatre, replacing
"Kansas City Confidential" _ which is
forecast to bow out at a fair $14,500
for its second and final week.
At the Mayfair, a moderate $15,000
is indicated for the second week of
"The Thief of Venice." "Breaking
Through the Sound Barrier" dropped
somewhat but a more than satisfactory
$15,000 is indicated for its fifth week.
Among off-Broadway theatres, a
solid $9,600 is predicted for the sixth
week of "The Promoter" at the Fine
Arts, while a steady $7,100 is seen
for the eighth week of "The Four-
poster" at the Sutton. "O. Henry's
Full House" at the 52nd Street Trans-
Lux is expected to register a fine
$6,200 for its eighth week. At the
Beekman, a satisfactory $4,500 is fore-
cast for the third week of "Under th'e
Red Sea."
"Hiawatha" will have its premiere
at the Bijou Theatre, now shuttered,
on Christmas Day and "The Impor-
tance of Being Earnest" will open at
the Baronet on Dec. 22.
Management Heads
Can Join Academy
Hollywood, Dec. 8.— Acad-
emy of Motion Picture
Arts and Sciences president
Charles Brackett reports that
the organization's board of
governors has approved the
establishment of a new branch
of the Academy to consist of
"top management executives."
The addition brings the num-
ber of academy branches to 13.
UATC Net Up
(Continued from page 1)
Zukor Fete
(Continued, from page 1)
was $749,360, with the deductible
items totalling $494,313. To the re-
maining $255,046 was added $235,966,
representing the proportion of undis-
tributed net profits, less the proportion
of net losses of companies not owned
100 per cent.
It was pointed out in the consoli-
dated balance sheet that "there are_ re-
maining important theatre operations
in which the company and its partly-
owned companies and major producing
companies are interested which are to
be terminated as a result of the gov-
ernment's anti-trust litigation brought
against certain film producing compa-
nies. The effect which these matters
may have upon' the financial position
of the company and its partly-owned
companies cannot be determined at this
time."
UATC operates 20 theatres in Cali-
fornia, Michigan, Oregon and New
York. It is interested in, but does
not operate, Metropolitan Playhouses
which holds an interest in two circuits
operating 128 theatres in and around
New York City ; United California
Theatres, with 99 theatres ; Rowley
United Theatres, 127 theatres, and
Penn - Federal Enterprises, seven
theatres.
at the Ambassador Hotel on Zukor's
birthday. R. J. O'Donnell, interna-
tional chairman, who arrived from
Dallas this morning, announced that
the event will be followed by similar
celebrations later in Dallas, Chicago
and other key cities, climaxed by a
dinner March 4 at the Hotel Wal-
dorf-Astoria in New York.
Skouras met with studio and in-
dustry leaders at a Beverly Hills
Hotel luncheon today to formulate
plans for the dinner. Among those
invited to attend were Steve Broidy,
Harry Cohn, Sherrill Corwin, Cecil B.
DeMille, Ned Depinet, Walt Disney,
Y. Frank Freeman, William Goetz,
Samuel Goldwyn, Jesse L. Lasky, L.
B. Mayer, Dore Schary, Joseph
Schenck, Leo Spitz, Jack Warner,
Herbert J. Yates, Darryl F. Zanuck
and Eugene Zukor.
Hall Slates Extra Performances
To accommodate weekend audiences,
Radio City Music Hall has scheduled
extra performances of its traditional
Christmas show on Saturday, with
doors opening at 8 :00 A.M.
Einfeld Sees
(Continued from page 1)
feld who saw rough cuts of them on
the Coast. The pictures are : "Nia-
gara," which stars Marilyn Monroe,
Joseph Cotten, and Jean Peters ; "Man
on A Tightrope," directed by Elia
Kazan in Germany and starring Fred-
eric March, Gloria Grahame, and
Terry Moore, and "The Star," a Bert
E. Friedlob production starring Bette
Davis.
Einfeld's agenda at the studios in
eluded discussions with Darryl F.
Zanuck, production chief, and Harry
Brand, studio publicity head, to for
mulate promotional plans on the films
viewed along with other attractions
scheduled for release during the new
year.
Files Trust Suit
(Continued from page 1)
Film Trade Unions Behind
Zukor Celebration, Jubilee
Dallas, Dec. 8. — Trade unions affi- ,
liated with the industry in Holly-
wood are swinging in line behind Va-
riety Clubs International with pledges
of support of the all-industry Adolph
Zukor 80th Birthday Celebration and
Golden Jubilee which Variety is
sponsoring in 1953.
Behind the forthcoming event are
the executive board of the Motion
Picture Industry Council and its affili-
ated membership, which includes Art-
ists Managers Guild, Association of
Motion Picture Producers Association,
Independent Office Workers, Screen
Actors Guild, Screen Producers Guild,
Screen Story Analysts' Guild, Screen
Writers' Guild, Society of Independent
Motion Picture Producers, Society of
Motion Picture Art Directors and
Unit Production Managers' Guild.
Hughes Resuming
(Continued from page 1)
the exclusion of the Square in a move-
up of clearances in the area.
It is charged in the complaint that
Loew's settled a threatened litigation
by Skouras Theatres Corp. for $600,-
000 at a time when Skouras was in
a "straightened financial position."
Until 1950', Skouras operated the
Square Theatre which then was taken
over by Steinberg and the 1948 Hold
ing Co. The plaintiffs charge that
until September of this year, the
Square and Skouras' Interboro and
Pilgrim Theatres played day-and-date
seven days after Loew's American,
but that last month the two Skouras
houses were moved up by Paramount
and United Artists to day-and-date
with the American. The Square, it is
charged, was excluded from the im-
provement in clearance. Monroe Stein
is attorney for the plaintiffs.
Defendants in the Steinberg suit
are Loew's, Parkchester Amusement
Co., Number 26 Theatres, Inc., Skou-
ras Theatres Corp., Metropolitan
Playhouses, United Artists Theatre
Circuit, Paramount, United Artists,
George Skouras and Nicholas and
Joseph M. Schenck.
Johnston Meets
(Continued from page 1)
end and went direct to his home in
Washington.
Johnston yesterday declined to com-
ported that last minute hitches
developed in working out the
status of Ned E. Depinet, who
had been slated to return as
president of RKO Pictures with
full autonomy. That plan is
said to have broken down, with
no agreement concerning Depi-
net having been reached.
It is understood that Noah Dietrich,
who served as RKO board chairman
in the previous Hughes regime, is
interested and may be named presi-
dent.
The statement scheduled to be
issued tomorrow is expected to in-
clude the announcement of new direc-
tors of the company, as well as the
new chief executive officers.
The final agreement on the major
phases of the re-transfer of control
of the company came late today fol-
lowing nearly four weeks of discus-
sions here between Hughes and
members of the Chicago group. The
latter include, in addition to Stolkin,
A. L. Koolish, E. J. Burke, Ray
Ryan and Sherrill Corwin. Depinet
was a participant in the talks during
the past nine days.
ment on arbitration until he had been
briefed on developments during his
absence.
This afternoon, Johnston will speak
at a luncheon for the National Asso-
ciation of Insurance Commissioners
at the Hotel Commodore here.
Tuesday, December 9, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
TV Wins
(Continued from page 1)
man aboard the planes carrying _ the
party to Korea, the TV firms decided
on their own coverage. They drew
lots to decide which company would
designate a cameraman. National
Broadcasting "won" and it selected
Julius Zenier, an NBC cameraman in
Korea. Zenier shot the scenes of
Eisenhower's tour on land, although
Oliver's flight footage was available
to the video outlets.
Zenier's pooled footage was flown
via Pan American Airways from
Tokyo and arrived in San Francisco
at 6:15 A.M. (EST) Sunday. After
two hours in San Franciso, where the
film was viewed by security censors,
the footage was rushed to New York
where prints were made for the TV
stations. NBC hit the TV screens
at 5 :30 Sunday afternoon, with CBS
following an hour later. Others in
the pool were DuMont and American
Broadcasting.
Other Stories Excluded
The regular newsreel companies
processed their negatives here yes-
terday and the films reached New
York theatre screens late in the after-
noon. The Eisenhower-Korea scenes
comprise the entire issue, with all
other news stories excluded.
Oliver is reported to be on the
U.S.S. Helena, covering the sessions
between Eisenhower and military
leaders.
7 'Bali' TV Trailers
Set By Paramount
Paramount reports that CBS and
NBC networks across the country will
carry seven special video trailers to
an estimated 60,000,000 persons for
"Road to Bali," forthcoming Hope-
Crosby-Lamour comedy. This marks
the first time, the company claims, that
such a saturation campaign designed
for television has been devised by a
film company.
The trailers do not contain scenes
from the picture but are titled "Great
Moments in History with Bing Crosby
and Bob Hope" and are seven short
subjects that were written by Leon-
ard Neubauer and directed by Phil
Pemberton, head of Paramount's
trailer department.
Hits Undesirable
Films for Children
Albany, N. Y., Dec. 8.— "Millions
of American children" are being ex-
posed weekly to undesirable motion
pictures, "not only those sexually bad,
but those which incite to crime, con-
tain horrible thoughts or terrible fan-
tasies," the Rev. Edward J. Lareau,
director of the Catholic Radio Guild
of the Albany Diocese, said in a ser-
mon at the Church of the Sacred
Heart yesterday.
Father Lareau credited the Legion
of Decency with doing a great deal "to
clean up motion pictures."
Television -- Radio
with Pinky Herman
L~JBt
Bill Harrington
ED SULLIVAN entered the Flower Hospital last night for a com-
plete physical check-up (he's been suffering from ulcers) and
the second chapter of the "Samuel Goldwyn Story," on "Toast of the
Town," scheduled for this coming CBSunday, will probably be post-
poned until sometime in January. Incidentally, last Sunday's portion
of the Goldwyn story, with flashes of S.G.'s memorable films, was
easily the piece de resistance of the day's TV fare. Pending "the
smiling Irishman's" return "T.O.T.T." will be hosted by guest
emcees. . . . Bob Goldstein, in town for a few days en route to
Italy where he plans to produce a series of TV films. . . . RE-
UNION IN CLEVELAND :— Henry (Hot Lips) Levine has
signed a one year pact to become musical director of WTAM's
radio and TV starting January 15. He'll join his former boss Nor-
man Cloutier who is now production chief ; Lee Sullivan, formerly
heard on NBC, and Johnny Andrews, formerly co-starred on "Easy
Does It," NBTVehicle, for which Hot Lips provided hot licks. . . .
Lon Clark will guest as "Santa Claus" on WOR's "20 Questions,"
Dec. 20, making this his sixth annual visit to the program ( and
after so many years as that famous radio sleuth, Lon'll probably be
called "St. Nick" Carter on the show).
■ft -fr -k
Former "Hit Parade" NBChanter Bill Harrington, zvhose cur-
rent series over WNEW tabs him as a triple-
threat (singer, emcee, accordionist) , has
been signed to make a telefilm series by
Bob Savin i. In the TV musicals, titled,
"Meet the Composer," Bill sings old and nezv
song hits and will present the writers of these
compositions. . . . The programs "Movie
Matinee" formerly heard via Mutual, has
been revised by producers Wilbur Stark and
Jerry Lavton and MB Starting Jan. 9 (8:00
to 8:30 P.M.) will be titled "Movie Payoff"
and heard via a 500 station hook-up over
Mutual. The series, based entirely on motion
picture data and. personnel, will be co-spon-
sored by General Mills and General Tire and will feature Johnny
Olsen, as emcee.
# -fr it
Travelers Insurance Co. for the third successive year will
NBCommercialize on the annual year-end round up of news
highlights program, "Voices and Events," which will be aired
Sunday, Dec. 21, from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. Kenneth Banghart
will be narrator. . . . Bob Hope will be honored next Feb-
ruary with a national salute to celebrate his fifteenth anni-
versary with Paramount Pictures and NBC. . . . Blake
Edwards, CBScripter of Dick Powell's two "Singer Four Star
Playhouse" telecasts, will make his debut as a director with
"Knockout" which will star Broderick Crawford on the series.
Edwards also authored the teleplay. . . . Tip to ad agencies :
Latch on to ex GI Merrill E. Joel's talents. His sparkling
characterizations make this Joel a jewel. . . . Duff Baking
Mix (a Pillsbury Mills product) and Deepfreeze (Motors
Products Corp.) are the sixth and seventh sponsors, respec-
tively, to CBSign up for participation in the "Garry Moore
Show" telecasts. (Oh well, the Moore the merrier. Ouch!)
. . . With seven major sponsors already set to spend
$10,000,000 with MBS (radio) in 1953, that net's execs see a
record $20,000,000 gross, a neat 11 c'c increase over 1952.
WOR-TV likewise appears headed for a new gross with the
addition of Coca-Cola, Whelan Drugs and Piel's beer to their
list of 1953 sponsors.
•fr ix it
After 30 years with NBC. during which he served as president,
chairman of the board and member of the board of RCA, Niles
Trammell has resigned to become prexy of the newly formed Bis-
cayne TV Corp., which has filed an application with FCC for a TV
station grant on Channel 7 at Miami, Fla. . . . Beautiful Kathi
Norris, who relinquished the title of "TV's busiest femcee," in
August for the arrival of her second child, is getting ready to resume
her radio and TV career. . . . Jimmy Rich, who discovered and
coached among others Dinah Shore, Dick Brown and Jeff Clark, is
managing a newcomer. Herb George, who is ready to warble on a
major record label. . . . With last nite's show "Voice of Firestone,"
NBCommenced its 25th consecutive year. Program not only was the
first commercial in radio but it is also the first to have been simul-
cast.
Lees TV
(Continued from page 1)
ever, this was compensated somewhat
by a carpet display in the lobby, where
the multi-colored patterns could be
seen.
Initial reports from the field on the
telecast, which originated in NBC stu-
dios here, were on the whole excellent.
Hundreds of carpet dealers, retailers
and sales personnel across the nation
attended theatres to participate in the
event, which kicked off at 12:00
noon (EST).
Many of the United Paramount
Theatre managers, whose houses car-
ried the program, also commented on
the absence of color, Robert O'Brien,
UPT vice-president, said in reporting
reactions of representatives canvassed.
O'Brien pointed out, however, that the
lack of color will be less noticeable
in the case of the Bendix sales con-
ference, to be held on theatre TV
later, due to the lack of color em-
phasis and importance in the presenta-
tion of Bendix products..
The UPT managers felt, according
to a consensus, that the Lees program
further demonstrated the practicability
and value of off-hours theatre TV.
Reception was good, for the most part,
marred only infrequently by light
fadings. Interest was maintained
throughout the telecast and all of the
aims of the event were realized, it was
said.
Received Well in Chicago
The telecast was well received by
the dealers, the salesmen arid retailers
who attended the Telenews Theatre in
Chicago. The only adverse comment
was that the pictures of the carpet-
ing were not too effective in black-
and-white. Those in attendance at
the Telenews felt, however, that it
was in some respects better than a
regular sales meeting, which does not
afford them a chance to meet or see
top company executives, as heard and
viewed at yesterday's telecast. Quality
of the picture itself was marred by
what seemed to be poor lighting. The
sound was excellent and the engi-
neers seemed to feel that the picture
would have been better had the tele-
cast been carried micro-wave rather
than cable.
In Boston, the telecast was well
received at the Pilgrim Theatre. Many
of the 300 dealers who attended the
sales meeting termed it a very big
success.
In Atlanta, 750 dealers and specta-
tors saw the "off-hour" commercial
show at the Paramount Theatre.
Transmission on the whole was fair,
but at times the picture was too light,
making it difficult in certain instances
to distinguish the speakers clearly.
The sound came over very good, how-
ever. Salesmen expressed regret at
the lack of color.
Gould to Meet Press
Details of a new film distributing
company will be announced here to-
day by Walter Gould, former foreign
manager of United Artists. Gould
will explain the plans of the new or-
ganization at a trade press conference.
BOOKER
Experienced booker desires position In the New
York Metropolitan area. Experience with both
exchange and major circuit. Familiar with
all type motion picture product. Native New
Yorker, desires to return to this area. Inter-
ested in booking or selling position or booker
for TV network.
Box 440, MOTION PICTURE DAILY
1270 Sixth Ave., New York 20, N. Y.
THANKS to Jerry Zigmond, Marco Wolff,
Len Goldenson, and Ed Hyman for their faith
in "Bwana Money-Maker"!
F i RST
IN
NEWS
VOL. 72. NO. Ill
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
NEW YORK, U. S. A., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1952
TEN CENTS
Differences in
Arbitration
Drafts Are Few
MPAA Releases Texts of
Aug., Oct. Proposals
A comparison of the two drafts
designed to establish a system of
arbitration for the motion picture
industry — one prepared by Abram
F. Myers, Allied general counsel, and
the other by major companies' lawyers
—reveals that the differences chiefly
are in verbiage, with some additions
by the distributors in various provi-
sions. Neither draft includes provi-
sions for arbitrating film rentals nor
a plan for financing the proposed over-
all arbitration system.
Last summer, a special sub-commit-
tee of the Arbitration Conference
reached an agreement in principle on
a plan and Myers was designated to
prepare the draft, which was sub-
mitted to the interested parties on
Aug. 21. The distributors' lawyers
revised the August draft and sub-
' mitted it on Oct. 21. It was decided
by the Conference that both drafts
would be withheld from the trade
(Continued on page 5)
Fox Midwest Holds
Meetings This Week
Kansas City, Dec. 9. — Fox Mid-
west district meetings are being held
this week in preparation for the cir-
cuit's mid-winter campaign. Three
districts held sessions at the Hotel
Muehlebach here today after a general
meeting addressed by Elmer C. Rho-
den, Sr., president, and department
heads. District managers in charge of
meetings today were Leon Robertson,
J. J. Long and Ed Haas.
Rhoden and other executives will
meet in Wichita tomorrow and in St.
Louis, Thursday.
Loew's Executives
To Plan 'Ike' Show
Washington, Dec. 9. — The
Eisenhower inaugural pro-
gram variety show, to be held
on Jan. 19, will be coordinated
by Orville Crouch, Allan Zee
and Jack Foxe, local Loew's
executives, according to
George Murphy, director of
entertainment for the entire
inaugural program.
Controlling Interest In
WB Theatres to Fabian
Theatre Deal
THE Warner-Fabian transaction
is a development of deep sig-
nificance to the business of motion
pictures. It will add stature and
scope to the already highly im-
portant exhibition interests of the
Fabian enterprises.
The acquisition by the enter-
prises under the leadership of Mr.
Si Fabian and Mr. Samuel Rosen
of the theatre holdings of Harry,
Albert and Jack Warner consti-
tutes an eloquent pledge of con-
fidence in the future of theatrical
entertainment which will have
sharp impact upon the amusement
world. It will have a stabilizing
influence and it will fan out into
a broad current of confidence.
Under the judicial decision of
divorcement of production and
exhibition the Warner brothers
were required to abandon either
production or exhibition. As they
had entered the exhibition field only
with reluctance the decision as to
where their future efforts would
be devoted was a foregone con-
clusion. They are now left free to
devote themselves single-mindedly
to the business of producing and
distributing motion pictures, which
(Continued on page 2)
4Bwana' Booked in
225 Major Cities
Deals for the booking of "Bwana
Devil," the three-dimensional Natural
Vision feature film, in every major
city in the United States was disclosed
here yesterday by George J. Schaefer,
producer representative who is cur-
rently managing the distribution of
the film.
Schaefer said that the film has been
booked in approximately 230 first-run
houses in 225 cities throughout the
country. Deals for the bookings have
been consummated during the past
two weeks, Schaefer added.
Schaefer, who is also a director of
(Continued on page 4)
Harry, Jack and Albert Warner Sell
Their Personal Stock in Circuit to
Group; 300 Theatres Are Involved
Si Fabian
By MURRAY HOROWITZ
An agreement with Fabian Enterprses, Inc., for the sale of the
Brothers Warner stock in the new exhibition company to be formed
for Warner Brothers theatres was disclosed here yesterday.
Under the agreement, the sale of the brothers' stock will be con-
summated when the parent company, Warner Brothers Pictures, Inc.,
is reorganized under the consent
decree into separate production-
distribution and exhibition com-
panies. This reorganization is ex-
pected to be effected with a few
months.
The market
value of the
deal, based on
the current
market price of
Warner Broth-
er s common,
runs to approx-
imately $9,000,-
000. This fig-
ure is based on
the current quo-
tation of $13.25
for WB com-
mon, and the Samuel Rosen
halving of the
quotation in consideration of the pro-
jected divorcement.
It is understood that the deal would
give Fabian Enterprises, which owns
and operates about 60 theatres in
the East, control of about 25 per cent
in the new Warner Brother theatre
An optimistic picture oi future re- company. The projected theatre com-
lationships between the U. S film m- pany at the time of its reorganization
dustry and various Latin American (Continued on page 5)
governments was presented to the
board of direc-
tors of the Mo-
tion Picture
Association of
America here
yesterday by
MPAA presi-
dent Eric A.
Johnston.
Johnston's ses-
sion with the
MPAA board
was devoted en-
tirely to his
visit to five
South Ameri-
can countries,
having returned from his South-of-
the-border trip last weekend.
Johnston reported that he conferred
personally with the Presidents of Bra-
(Continued on page 4)
Prospects Bright in
$. Amer.: Johnston
Eric Johnston
Talks Continue
On RKO Setup
Hollywood, Dec. 9. — Executives of
RKO Pictures continued their con-
ferences here today, paving the way
for the return of Howard Hughes to
the management of the company.
Necessary legal documents^ were being
prepared and indications were that
they would be completed by late this
evening.
Under the reported setup, Hughes,
in return for an extension of time to
the "Ralph Stolkin syndicate on their
commitments to purchase his stock
(Continued on page 4)
2
Motion Picture daily
Wednesday, December 10, 1952
Personal
Mention
CHARLES B. McDONALD, re-
tired RKO Theatres veteran, is
here from Hollywood, Fla., for eye
surgery at St. Clare's Hospital.
•
Edward Heiber, Universal Cleve-
land branch manager, acting as De-
troit manager during the illness of
Ben Robins, suffered a heart attack
and is confined to a hospital in the
latter city.
Edward L. Hyman, United Para-
mount Theatres vice-president, and
his assistant, Bernard Levy, will be
in Cincinnati today and tomorrow.
•
Arthur Canton, Eastern M-G-M
representative, and Abe Bernstein,
Buffalo and Albany exploiter, were in
the former city yesterday.
•
Nat Levy, Eastern division man-
ager for RKO Radio, will be in Phila-
delphia today from New York.
Columbia Lists 10
Top Productions
Ten top productions were an-
nounced here yesterday by Columbia
for 1953, which Harry Cohn, presi-
dent and head of production, predicted
in a home office statement would be
"the most important in Columbia's
history in quality of new produc-
tions."
Listed were "Salome," color in
Technicolor, with Rita Hayworth,
Stewart Granger, Charles Laughton;
"Let's Do It Again," Technicolor
comedy with music, with Jane Wy-
man, Ray Milland and Aldo Ray ;
"Red Beret," Technicolor, starring
Alin Ladd; "Miss Sadie Thompson,"
Technicolor, to star Rita Hayworth ;
"From Here to Eeternity," adapta-
tion of James Jones' novel ; "The
Franz Liszt Story" ; "The Gay-
Girls," Technicolor, to star Rita
Hayworth ; "The Life of Casanova" ;
"River of the Sun," by James Ramsey
Ullman, and a Judy Holliday vehicle
as yet untitled.
Jerry Wald, as executive producer,
functioning under Cohn, will have
supervision of the company's top
bracket productions.
Theatre Deal
(Continued from page 1)
Sees Para. Production Plans
Hinged on Talent Available
Hollywood, Dec. 9. — Paramount's recently announced 22-picture pro-
duction schedule for the coming year may swell to as many as 28 or
shrink to as few as 12, depending on talent availabilities and other
unpredictabl.es, production head Don Hartman told newsmen here today
on his return from a European visit.
has always been the activity upon
which their major loyalties rested.
This new undertaking is a fitting
capstone to the record of vision
and initiative of the Fabian family,
the third generation of which is
now active in the affairs of the
company. To all concerned in this
significant development hearty
congratulations are in order. —
M. Q.
The executive said the studio's
$45,000,000 inventory of finished pic-
tures is large and varied enough so
that there is no pressure on produc-
tion for the sake of release, and for
this reason the studio is able to sit
back and wait for the best players,
favorable circumstances or right
market conditions, before starting pro-
duction.
He also said the company is now
in a very comfortable condition as to
finances and the present size of the
inventory of unreleased pictures is
about right in proportion to other fis-
cal factors.
Concerning the industry's future,
Hartman mentioned the remote-control
lighting system and other mechanical
devices recently applied in production
and said, "We have lots of mechanical
innovations and production improve-
ments waiting, just around the cor-
ner, and our only concern is to get
around that corner. Rising production
costs is the biggest problem we have."
12 in 1953 from New
Coplan, Gould Firm
Formation of a new distribution
company which plans to release 12
pictures in 1953 was announced here
yesterday by David Coplan and Wal-
ter Gould, both formerly associated
in the worldwide operations of
United Artists. The company, In-
ternational-United Productions, Inc.,
is the exclusive American outlet for a
group of producers in France, Switz-
erland, Italy, England and other
countries.
Coplan, who has held executive in-
dustry posts in the United States and
Canada and was UA managing direc-
tor in Great Britain from 1944 to
1949, is president of the new com-
pany. Gould, who joined UA in 1926
and became general foreign manager
in 1940, is executive vice-president.
International's entire program of
12 films has already been completed,
with the first five available for
nationwide distribution starting Feb.
15. "Black Eagle," starring Rossano
Brazzi and Maria Canale ; "Kill Him
for Me!" starring Arturo de Cordova
with Leticia Palma ; "Swords of the
Musketeers," based on the Alexandre
Dumas story, with Maria Canale and
Peter Trent; "City of Violence,"
starring Maria Montez and Alan
Curtis, with the screenplay by Jesse
L. Lasky, Jr., and Louis L. Gittler,
and "The Captain's Wife," starring
Anne Vernon and Rossano Brazzi.
The balance of the program for
1953 will be: "The Pirate Prince,"
starring Vittorio Gassmann and Milly
Vitale; "High Treason," starring
Signe Hasso and Alf Kjellin, known
in Hollywood as Christopher Kent ;
"The Strange Case of Man and
6U' Sales Drive
To Honor Feldman
Newsreel
Parade
Charles Feldman
Hollywood, Dec. 9. — Universal
will launch an 18-week "Charles J.
Feldman Silver Anniversary Drive" on
Dec. 28, to go through May 2, to mark
Feldman's 25
years with the
company, it was
announced here
by Alfred E.
Daff, executive
vice-president
to the company's
production, dis-
tribution and
promotion
executives
meeting in
a week-long se-
ries of top level
conferences.
Upwards of
$36,000 will be distributed in prizes to
the domestic division, district, branch
and office managers, salesmen and
bookers. As an innovation this year,
in addition to the top national prizes,
branch managers, office managers,
salesmen and bookers will also be
eligible for prizes in their divisions.
Nine of 12 pictures listed by Daff
for release during the period of the
drive have color by Technicolor. The
remaining three in black and white
are highlighted by "Ma and Pa Kettle
on Vacation" and "Abbott and Cos-
tello Go to Mars."
The nine Technicolor films are :
"Against All Flags," starring Errol
Flynn and Maureen O'Hara; "Meet
Me at the Fair," Dan Dailey and
Diana Lvnn ; "The Lawless Breed,"
Raoul Walsh production starring
Rock Hudson and Julia Adams ; "The
Redhead from Wyoming," Maureen
O'Hara and Alex Nicol ; "Missis-
sippi Gambler," Tyrone Power, Piper
Laurie and Julia Adams ; "City Be-
neath the Sea," Robert Ryan, Mala
Powers, Anthony Quinn and Suzan
Ball; "Seminole," Rock Hudson, Bar-
bara Hale, Anthony Quinn and Rich-
ard Carlson ; "Gunsmoke," Audie
Murphy, Susan Cabot and Paul Kelly,
and "Desert Legion," starring Alan
Ladd, Richard Conte and Arlene Dahl.
The 12th picture is an "exploitation"
picture, "Girls in the Night," featur-
ing Joyce Holden, Glenda Farrell,
Harvey Lembeck and Patricia Hardy.
Beast," a new production of Robert
Louis Stevenson's "Dr. Jekyll and
Mr. Hyde"; "The Wicked Lady
Anne," another Dumas story, starring
Rossano Brazzi and Yvette Lebon ;
"The Prisoner of Venice," "Son of
the Hunchback," starring Rossano
Brazzi and Milly Vitale, and "The
Man in the Red Mask."
PRESIDENT-ELECT Eisen-
hower's three-day visit to the
frozen battlefronts of Korea is the
sole topic of almost all current news-
reels.
MOVIETONE NEWS, No.
visit to Korea.
100
Ike's
MOVIETONE NEWSREEL, SPECIAL
THEATRE SUP PLIMENT— Bonn treaty.
Charles R. Sligh, Jr., new National AssOf
ciation of Manufacturers head. Model
atomic power plant in New York City ex-
hibit. Mrs. Van Fleet's 60th birthday. In-
flammable hair spray. Palace horse show
in Tokyo. Far eastern naval commander
Admiral Radford inspects Chiang Kai-Chek
farces. Saharian military company's cen-
tenary in Algeria. Miami Beach scene of
26th American contract bridge tournament.
Model trains in Germany. Swimming pool
floating soft-drink bar in Miami. Drunken
driver test performed by volunteer.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 230— Films of
Eisenhower in Korea.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 33 — Film
diary of Eisenhower's mission to Korea.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 50A — Ike
visits Korea battlefronts. South African
report.
UNIVERSAL NEWS, No. 420— Eisen-
hower in Korea.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 35—
Eisenhower visits Korea.
Studio Heads Meet
On Zukor Tribute
Hollywood, Dec. 9. — Emphasis on
the all-industry angle of the Adolph
Zukor 80th birthday dinner celebration
to be sponsored by Variety Clubs In-
ternational was stressed here yester-
day by R. J. O'Donnell, international
chairman, and Charles P. Skouras,
Hollywood chairman, at a luncheon-
meeting of studio and administration
executives held at the Beverly Hills
Hotel.
O'Donnel said, "For the months of
January, Februaryi and March, Adolph
Zukor no longer belongs solely to
Paramount but to the industry as a
whole. At 80, Mr. Zukor is not a
mere symbol but an actuality repre-
senting and touching every phase of
pioneering and progress through which
our industry has passed."
'Exploitation', Ampa
Topic Tomorrow
The next-to-last meeting of the
Associated Motion Picture Advertis-
ers' Showmanship Class tomorrow
night will be devoted to a discussion
of exploitation. Speakers will be
Dan S. Terrell, exploitation director
of M-G-M for three years and newly
appointed Eastern publicity manager ;
Sid Mesibov, exploitation manager
for Paramount Pictures, and Edgar
Goth, director of advertising, pub-
licity and exploitation for Fabian
Theatres.
"Magazine Magic," a 16mm. sound
picture in color, showing the process
of magazine publication by the Curtis
Publishing Co., will be shown at the
session. Don A. Brennan, a Curtis
executive, will speak in connection
with the showing of the film.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative. 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WT; 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 $12 foreign; single copies, 10c.
Climb Abo$td with the Country's TOP Showmen Who've
Booked "FLAT TOP" for Their TOP First Run Houses!
, . LOEWS STATE
Los Angeles.... and EGYPTIAN
Chicago UNITED ARTISTS
Detroit PALM STATE
San Francisco.... ST. FRANCIS
(Held Over 2nd Week!)
Kansas City PARAMOUNT
Memphis MALCO
Tloma1
(Moved over lo Adams)
Minneapolis STATE
(Moved over to Lyric)
New Haven PARAMOUNT
Pittsburgh
STANLEY
St. Louis FOX
Indianapolis
Cincinnati . .
INDIANA
Washington, D. C
and AMDASSADOR
Duffalo
Denver
.RKO GRAND
PARAMOUNT
Boston
PARAMOUNT
and FENWAY
DENVER
ESQUIRE
Milwaukee Fox WISCONSIN
Des Moines PARAMOUNT
Oklahoma City CENTER
Salt Lake City UTAH
"FLAT TOP" • A WALTER MIRISCH Production IN COLOR starring STERLING HAYDEN and RICHARD CARLSON with
Keith Larsen • Bill Phipps • Phyllis Coates • John Bromfield • Directed by LESLEY SELANDER • Written by STEVE FISHER
The New BOXOFFICE Power is the New ALLIED ARTISTS!
4
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, December 10, 1952
Urges Insurancel/fo^ 'BtVana
On Foreign Trade
(Continued from page 1)
Eric Johnston, president of the Mo-
tion Picture Association of America,
outlined three specific proposals for
consideration in the coming session of
the new Congress that would directly
affect film industry foreign operations
by greatly increasing international
trade and protecting private American
capital investments abroad, at a lunch-
eon yesterday given by the National
Association of Insurance Commission-
ers at the Hotel Commodore here.
Johnston advocated the creation of
a Federal system to insure capital in-
vestments abroad against such extraor-
dinary business risks as wars and
uprisings, or confiscation through na-
tionalization of industry; extension of
present tax incentives to companies do-
ing business in all other areas of the
world as well as the Western Hemi-
sphere to which present tax laws ap-
ply ; and the allowance of reinvestment
of a new overseas enterprise's profits
without payment of U. S. tax on such
profits for branch establishments as
well as the presently provided for for-
eign-organized subsidiary.
Pointing out that foreign economic
aid since the war has cost $35,000,000,-
000 and that "handouts are palliatives
that bring no lasting gains" whereas
increased trade does, Johnston urged
the stimulation of private American in-
dustry abroad to replace handouts.
Natural Vision, said that "Bwana
Devil" grossed
$96,000 in its
first week at
the Paramount
Downtown and
Hollywood the-
atres, in Los
Angeles, break-
ing every rec-
ord of bo t_h
houses. He said
the film will
open in San
Francisco o n
Dec. 16 at the
St. Francis and
o n Christmas
Day in Philadelphia, Dallas, San An
tonio and Houston. He added that
150 prints of the film are expected by
Feb. 1. .
Under the terms, it was explained,
50 per cent of the gross accrues to
the distributor, with both exhibitor
and distributor sharing advertising
costs on a 50-50 basis. Ten cents paid
by the exhibitor for each pair of
Polarized glasses is deducted from the
gross before the distributor-exhibitor
percentage is divided.
George Schaefer
N. E. Independents | National
Hit Advanced Prices , ...
Pre- be I ling
Boston, Dec. 9. — The New Eng-
land Independent Exhibitors voted to
have their members furnish affidavits
and pertinent evidence in an attack
on advanced admission prices on pre-
<<|_J ONOLULU LOONY" is the
title of a tale of Jerry Lewis'
. (Martin and Lewis) Hawaiian vaca-
released pictures and endorsed the tion . it appears in Modem Screen's
policies of national Allied as^ outlined j janu'ary issue. The Honolulu vaca-
tion was born by a sudden impulse.
Jerry, his wife Patty, his press agent,
Jack Keller, Mrs. Keller, and Jerry's
doctor, Martin Levy, were sitting in
Lewis's living room when the phone
ang for the 12th time. Jerry said,
"If that phone rings again I'm going
someplace where no one will find me."
Keller answered the phone. "He's not
here. I think he went to Honolulu."
Jerry said, "That's it, Patty pack the
bags, we're going to Honolulu. Let's
at the recent Chicago convention, to-
day, at a meeting here.
The resolutions were passed at a
joint session this morning of both
conventional and drive-in theatremen
to discuss common problems. Fur-
ther particular problems were _ dis-
cussed later when the group split up
into two separate clinics. No elec-
tion was held and it was decided to
defer this action until the annual
meeting in January.
RKO Talks
(Continued from page 1)
Speakers this afternoon^ ^"eluded | lea°v(I before&the° phone rings again."
Keller said, "You've got to make re-
servations and get tickets." Jerry said,
"Then go ahead and do it, and you
and your wife come along too. It was
Leon J. Bamberger of RKO Radio
Pictures; Burton Robbins, National
Screen Service; Stephen L. Saunders,
publisher of the magazine P revue,
which is sold in theatre lobbies ; | aU - . idea» Dr. Levy said, "You're
Father Joseph A. Pelletier, author of supposed to take jt easy." "Okay,"
Prospects Bright
(Continued from page 1)
zil, Argentina, Chile and Peru and
with national leaders of Uruguay.
The prospects of settling various in-
dustry problems in those countries are
encouraging, Johnston said. While not
going into detail on the many points
of current conflict, it is understood
that those problems involve remit-
tances, import permits, the present ex-
clusion of U. S. newsreels in Brazil
and Argentina and the Brazilian plan
to have all black-and-white prints pro-
cessed in that country after Jan. 1.
All meetings were on a friendly
basis and "everything augurs well" for
the industry down there, Johnston
said.
The MPAA president did not take
up the question or arbitration at yes-
terday's meeting. However, he plans
to return to New York from his
Washington headquarters next week
when the arbitration situation may be
discussed. Johnston returned to Wash-
ington immediately after yesterday's
meeting.
Seeks Industry Aid
On Overseas Films
Sen. Alexander Wiley of Wisconsin
predicted yesterday that leading Hol-
lywood film executives will be invited
to testify before the special Senate
Foreign Relations sub - committee
hearings reviewing America's Over-
seas Information Program, which in-
cludes the wide use of motion pic-
tures.
The ranking Republican on the
committee announced here that the
hearings also will review closer co-
operation between the motion picture
industry and the government's film
program, and closer cooperation with
the industry itself in reviewing over-
seas film exports which might pos-
sibly have an adverse effect on foreign
opinion of the United States.
interest, will resume management
control.
Ned Depinet, who had been slated
to return to the company as presi-
dent, is scheduled to return to New
York tomorrow or Thursday. His
status remains in doubt, but there
could be a switch to the original plan,
sources here said.
Hearing Today on RKO
Receivership Case
A hearing on a move to postpone
arguments in the RKO Radio Pic-
tures receivership application will be
held before Justice Henry Clay Green-
berg in New York Supreme Court
todav. The notice of postponement un-
til Dec. 17 was filed by RKO Radio
Pictures.
According to Louis Kipnis, attorney
for three minority stockholders seek-
ing to put the company into receiver-
ship, he was informed early Monday
that a request for postponement had
been granted, only to be informed by
the court later that hearings on the
request would be held today.
In a separate suit against David J.
Greene, who owns about 78,000 shares
of RKO Pictures stock, Kipnis with-
drew his application to cite Greene
for conptempt of court. Kipnis was
advised by the U. S. District Court
yesterday that the Department of Jus-
tice should be apprised of the evi-
dence supporting such application.
The contempt citation was sought on
the grounds that Greene, who is also
a director in RKO Theatres, violated
the terms of the consent decree by
opposing the RKO Pictures receiver-
ship bid at the last court hearing.
The Sun Danced at Fatima," which
is being sold by theatres playing the
"Lady of Fatima" film; Joseph Rif-
kin, who spoke on Cinerama, and
Irving Isaacs, who gave a complete
report on the exhibitors' fight to
maintain booths with one operator.
It was noted a decision from the
Massachusetts Supreme Court is_ ex-
pected between now and the middle
of February.
Bamberger Sees Need of More
News, Cheaper Film Ads
said Jerry to Keller, "get him a ticket
so he can see that I take it easy."
Within eight hours all four were
aboard a trans-Pacific plane headed
for Honolulu. Jerry Lewis and Dean
Martin's latest picture, the Paramount
release, "The Stooge," is scheduled for
multiple bookings starting New Year's
Day.
•
Cyd Charisse, who started her
career with the Ballet Russe, is
shown in the current issue of Life
dancing through two editorial pages
as she danced in M-G-M's new pic-
Boston, Dec. 9. — Leon J. Bam
berger, sales promotion manager for ture "Sombrero." The picture was
RKO Radio Pictures, outlined for made in Mexico and is in^ the lan-
the convention of /the Independent guage of an "ad man." It's in full
Exhibitors of New England today Color. A rainstorm plays an impor
"the cooperation that should exist be-
tween you and your newspapers, your
greatest ally." He emphasized that
by closer relationships with news-
paper figures, the exhibitors can at-
tain fairer advertising rates and pub-
lication of more news.
tant part in the picture, and Cyd
is shown all soaked. She had to be
doused over and over again for this
scene. Cyd Charisse was voted a
"Star of Tomorrow" in Motion Pic-
ture Herald— Fame Poll of 1948.
Richey Urges Whole Industry
To Practice Public Relations
Boston, Dec. 9. — Henderson Richey,
M-G-M director of exhibitor rela
tions, tonight urged the Independent
Exhibitors of New England at their
Sheraton Plaza Hotel banquet to
night to actively participate in main
taining good public relations and | "My Cousin Rachel.
noted this applies "to every single
person making his living or who has
Louella Parsons reports in Pictorial
Review on Sunday that Olivia De
Havilland is intensely devoted to her
son Benjie. Olivia says, "When any-
thing mechanical goes wrong, I just
call on him and he fixes it. He fixed
the radio in the car. He is going to
be an inventive genius." Olivia De
Haznlland's most recent picture is
On the schedule for "Hans Chris-
ours.
his future in this great business of | tian Andersen" ads are Life, Booh,
Collier's Saturday Evening Post,
Woman's Home Companion, Good
Housekeeping, S eventeen, Ladies'
Home Journal, Coronet, Cosmopoli-
tan, Redbook, and American Maga-
zine. According to a spokesman for
Donahue & Coe, $500,000 is being-
spent in consumer publications.
Richey cited the importance and
gauged the progress of industry pub-
lic relations in the past two years.
Shaeffer to 'Seventeen'
Martha Shaeffer has been appointed
press editor in charge of all Seven-
teen Magazine public relations, effec-
tive immediately, succeeding Tess
Williams, who has resigned to make
her home in Boston, it was disclosed
here yesterday by Mrs. Alice Thomp-
son, publisher and editor of the
magazine.
arcus Files Suit
Vs. Loew's, Para.
A spread is given to pictorial and
text coverage of eight pictures se-
lected by American Magazine in the
December issue. The eicrht chosen
are Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans Chris-
tian Andersen," 'Stars and Stripes
Mil-
lion Dollar Mermaid." M-G-M;
Indianapolis, Dec. 9.— A $300,000
suit against Loew's and Paramount
charging "unreasonable and illegal"
control of distribution channels, ha
been filed in Federal Court here by the | Forever," 20th Century-Fox :
Central Avenue Theatre Corp.
First and subsequent-run policies I "Against All Flags," Universal-In
constitute restraint of trade under the ternational ; "Abbott and Costello
Sherman and Clayton anti-trust laws, Meet Captain Kidd," Warner; "The
according to the action taken on be- Glass Wall," United Artists ; "Eight
half of the Zaring Theatre, Northside Iron Men," Columbia, and "Road to
neighborhood house, by Mannie Mar- Bali," Paramount.
cus, president of Central.
Walter Haas
Wednesday, December 10, 1952
MOTION PICTURE DAILY
5
Arbitration
(Continued from page 1)
Interest in WB Theatres
(Continued from page 1)
press, which meant that only members
of the Conference would be aware of
the progress. As is now known, Al-
lied rejected the distributors' ' plan
at its Chicago convention last month.
The Motion Picture Associa-
tion of America here yesterday
released the texts of both drafts
on the premise that it was de-
sirable to make the plans avail-
able to the industry because of
further joint discussions being
under consideration.
Basically, the summary printed here-
with is from the Oct. 17 draft, with
modifications of the August proposals.
According to the distributors' version,
the purpose of a system would be "to
serve as an expeditious and inexpen-
sive means of settling controversies."
This is a slight variation from the
Myers draft which would make the
plan "serve as an auxiliary enforce-
ment procedure" under the anti-trust
judgments and consent decrees.
Article I specifies that arbi-
tration would be available for
18 months as a test to "qualified
exhibitors," who are defined as
actual operators, operators of
temporarily closed theatres or
of new theatres about to open.
If the system were not renewed
after the 18-month test, awards
made during that period would
continue to be binding.
Article II, dealing with the scope
of arbitration, is in five sections-
clearance, runs, bidding, conditioned
licensing and violations. Under Sec-
tion 1, exhibitor complaints assert-
ing that a distributor or distributors
maintained a system of clearance, or
granted clearance to a theatre or the-
atres not in substantial competition or
granted unreasonable clearance would
be subject to arbitration. Arbitrators
would have the power to dismiss the
complaint, order a distributor to cease
and desist or eliminate or reduce
clearance.
They also would be empowered to
grant damages for the period that the
complained of clearance was in effect,
subject to the provisions of Article
III. As to Section 2, dealing with
runs, the arbitrators would be empow-
ered to dismiss the complaint or to
order a distributor to grant the ex-
hibitor the opportunity to obtain the
run, equal to a competing exhibitor
or exhibitors. If conditions are al-
leged to have changed since an award
was made, the exhibitor, distributor
or intervening exhibitors may seek
new arbitration. The burden of prov-
ing such change would be upon the
party asserting it.
Section 3 — competitive bidding —
provides for arbitrating complaints
that awards allegedly were made in
competitive bidding not on a theatre-
by-theatre basis, solely on the merits
and without discrimination ; when
competitive bidding was established
without written request of one or
more exhibitors, and to comply with a
court order or decree, in good faith
to protect the distributor against col-
lusion among exhibitors. Arbitration
also could be requested if an exhibitor
alleged that a distributor broke the
rules for conducting bidding. There
is nothing in this section that would
compel a distributor to accept an of-
fered bid which he considered inade-
quate. A provision in the October
draft covers the right of a distributor
is expected to own and operate ap-
proximately 300 WB theatres.
Harry M. Warner, president of
WB, Albert Warner and Jack L.
Warner, vice-presidents, together own
about 18 per cent of WB's outstand-
ing stock. Members of their fam-
ily own roughly another seven per
C&Si H. Fabian, president of Fabian
Enterprises, a family corporation op-
erating the Fabian Circuit, said that
only Samuel Rosen, secretary-treas-
urer of the company, himself an as-
sociate of Fabian Enterprises, are
participants in the purchase at this
time. Fabian added, however, that
other persons outside the industry
may be included in the deal later. He
declined to elaborate.
Neither Fabian nor WB would com-
ment on the purchase price. Fabian
said that Serge Semenenko, president
of the First National Bank of Boston,
was instrumental in bringing about
the deal. He declined to state whether
the bank figured in the financing of
the purchase.
Negotiations which led to the suc-
cessful conclusion of the agreement
had gone on for three to four months
both on the East and West coasts,
Fabian said.
The Warner brothers will re-
main with the picture company
and will devote all their time
to the production and distribu-
tion of motion pictures and its
other activities, a WB state-
ment declared.
It was explained that reorganization
of the parent company will take place
sometime following the annual meeting
of stockholders in Wilmington on
Feb. 17. Under the Jan. 5, 1951, con-
sent judgment, Warner Brothers Pic-
tures, Inc*' was required to separate
its theatre business from its produc-
tion and distribution enterprises, and
the brothers were personally required
to either sell or trustee their holdings
in either one or the other branch.
WB stated that "It is expected that
the new theatre company will be
headed by Si Fabian and his asso-
ciates, and the Warner brothers are
happy that their stock is to be ac-
quired by such well known veterans
in the exhibition of motion pictures,
and feel that under this arrangement
the best interests of the stockholders
and employes of the new theatre com
pany will be preserved."
Under the plan for reorganization,
the directors and officers of the new
theatre company may be designated
by the parent company, it was ex-
plained.
Fabian commented, "Samuel Rosen
and I are very happy to have been
able to make this deal with the three
Warner brothers. It evidences our
complete faith and confidence in the
future of the motion picture exhibi-
tion industry. A substantial number
of the men associated with the opera-
tion of the theatres are friends of
many years standing. Under these
circumstances, we are not strangers to
them and they are not strangers to
us. We are sure that the relationship
will be an effective and happy one
for all concerned."
The new theatre company will own
and operate approximately 300 WB
theatres in 16 states, including Cali-
fornia, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois,
Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts,
New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Okla-
homa, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vir-
ginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and
the District of Columbia. The 60-
theatre Fabian Circuit operates m
New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey
and Virginia.
Kalmine to Remain
Head of Circuit
Harry M. Kalmine, president of
Warner Brothers Circuit Manage-
ment Corp.,
will continue
as head of the
new theatre
company, Si
Fabian, presi-
dent of Fabian
Enterprises,
Inc., said here
yesterday.
Fabian made
the statement
following an-
nouncement of
the deal for
the sale of the
three Warner
brothers theatre stock to Fabian
Enterprises.
Harry Kalmine
to negotiate with an exhibitor who
made the best offer, after all bids
had been rejected or to negotiate with
other exhibitors after rejecting the
initial bids. This provision is not in
the August draft.
In regard to conditioning one
license upon another, covered
by Section 4, this point could
be arbitrated, but the exhibitor
would have to make a claim to
the distributor within 10 days
after receipt of the license al-
leged to include the condition-
ing of one sale on another. Con-
tract violations, Section 5, may
be arbitrated if the exhibitor
claims that provisions of a li-
censing agreement have been
violated by the distributor.
Article III deals with damages. If
damages are claimed in the original
complaint, arbitrators may award an
amount equal to the proven loss, or
more if it is found that the damages
were a result of "the deliberate pur-
pose to injure the complainant or in
wilful disregard of the probable harm-
ful consequences to the complainant."
If arbitrators find that other exhib-
itors are involved in the circumstances
that resulted in damages to the com-
plainant, an amount equal to the ar-
bitrators' judgment of damages caused
by the non-intervening exhibitors may
be deducted from the damages to be
paid by the distributor. When dam-
ages are claimed by the complainant
exhibitor, such claim shall be limited
to the damages sustained during the
period of four years preceding the
filing of the complaint, or subject to
the state's statute of limitations.
Section 1 of Article IV, dealing
with the system itself, concerns the
National Administrative Committee.
This section proposes that the arbitra-
tion system would be run by 12 per-
sons composed of three each from
Allied, the Theatre Owners of Amen-
ica and the distributors, one from the
Metropolitan Motion Picture Theatres
Association, one from the Independ-
ent Theatre Owners Association and
one from Western Theatre Owners.
The chairman would be elected by the
group on a rotating basis.
Section 2 provides for a regional
tribunal in each exchange _ city. The
tribunal would be supervised by a
local committee made up of represen-
tatives of exhibitor associations picked
by exhibitor members of the national
administrator and an equal number of
distributors chosen by the adminis-
trator's distributor members. The
August draft does not give the na-
tional body the right to select local
members of the arbitration committee.
A national appeals board of three non-
industry members is provided in Sec-
tion 3.
Article V concerns rules of
practice and procedure. Under
Section 1, arbitration proceed-
ings would be instituted by an
exhibitor filing a prescribed
form with the tribunal's clerk.
The complaint would be filed
with the form and interested
exhibitors and distributors
would have the right to inter-
vene. Selection of arbitrators
is provided in Section. 2. In
cases were the only parties are
the complainant exhibitor and
the respondent distributor or
intervening distributors, each
party would appoint an arbitra-
tor and the two would designate
the third, or neutral, arbitrator.
In the event of disagreement on
the neutral arbitrator, the local
arbitration committee would
name one. If there are more
parties to the case than men-
tioned above and there is dis-
agreement on arbitrators, the
local arbitration committee
would select three neutral ones.
Five other sections in Article V
concern more or less routaine rules.
The only significant difference here
between the October and August
drafts is that the former defines a
lawyer in broad terms to include even
those who have law degrees but have
never been admitted to the bar. If
the exhibitor does not use a lawyer,
the distributor may not use one either.
Article VI contains routine provi-
sions on appeals. In effect, an appeal
may be taken only in connection with
the awarding or denying of damages.
The October draft proposes concilia-
tion in Article VII, which does not
appear in the August proposals. This
section provides for conciliation of all
controversies in a procedure intended
to dispose "of such controversies amic-
ably, informally and quickly." In
order to institute a conciliation pro-
ceeding, an exhibitor would have to
file a written request for a meeting
with the branch manager involved.
The exhibitor could be accompanied
to the meeting by one assistant or
consultant, the same privilege applying
to the branch manager. If the con-
troversy is not settled at the meeting,
the exhibitor may write to the dis-
tributor's general sales manager for
a meeting at the home office, although
by mutual agreement the meeting
could be held anywhere. Here again
the exhibitor could have an assistant,
with the distributor being represented
by the sales manager or an assistant
designated by him. Conciliation meet-
ings would be confidential and without
prejudice and would not bar an ex-
hibitor from going to arbitration or
litigation.
A draft of a court order providing
for the establishment of the arbitra-
tion system was proposed in the
August draft only.
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NEWS
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IT IS
NEWS
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
VOL. 72. NO. Ill
NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1952
TEN CENTS
Differences in
Arbitration
Drafts Are Few
Controlling Interest In
WB Theatres to Fabian
MPAA Releases Texts of
Aug., Oct. Proposals
A comparison of the two drafts
designed to establish a system of
arbitration for the motion picture
industry — one prepared by Abram
F. Myers, Allied general counsel, and
the other by major companies' lawyers
—reveals that the differences chiefly
are in verbiage, with some additions
by the distributors in various provi-
sions. Neither draft includes provi-
sions for arbitrating film rentals nor
a plan for financing the proposed over-
all arbitration system.
Last summer, a special sub-commit-
tee of the Arbitration Conference
reached an agreement in principle on
a plan and Myers was designated to
prepare the draft, which was sub-
mitted to the interested parties on
Aug. 21. The distributors' lawyers
revised the August draft and sub-
mitted it on Oct. 21. It was decided
by the Conference that both drafts
would be withheld from the trade
(Continued on page 5)
KANSAS CITY, Dec. 9.—
Three Fox Midwest dis-
tricts held sessions here
today as the company be-
gan preparations for its
midwinter campaign. Pres-
ident Elmer Rhoden, Sr. ,
who presided at today's
meet, will hold confabs
in Wichita tomorrow and
in St. Louis on Thursday.
The three districts meet-
ing today were headed by
Leon Robertson, J. J. Long
and Ed Haas.
•
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 . ~
Orville Crouch, Allan Zee
and Jack Fox, local Loew's
executives, will coordi-
nate the Eisenhower in-
augural program variety
show, to be held here on
Jan. 19, according to
George Murphy, director
of entertainment.
Theatre Deal
THE Warner-Fabian transaction
is a development of deep sig-
nificance to the business of motion
pictures. It will add stature and
scope to the already highly im-
portant exhibition interests of the
Fabian enterprises.
The acquisition by the enter-
prises under the leadership of Mr.
Si Fabian and Mr. Samuel Rosen
of the theatre holdings of Harry,
Albert and Jack Warner consti-
tutes an eloquent pledge of con-
fidence in the future of theatrical
entertainment which will have
sharp impact upon the amusement
world. It will have a stabilizing
influence and it will fan out into
a broad current of confidence.
Under the judicial decision of
divorcement of production and
exhibition the Warner brothers
were required to abandon either
production or exhibition. As they
had entered the exhibition field only
with reluctance the decision as to
where their future efforts would
be devoted was a foregone con-
clusion. They are now left free to
devote themselves single-mindedly
to the business of producing and
distributing motion pictures, which
(Continued on page 2)
'Bwana' Booked in
225 Major Cities
Deals for the booking of "Bwana
Devil," the three-dimensional Natural
Vision feature film, in every major
city in the United States was disclosed
here yesterday by George J. Schaefer,
producer representative who is cur-
rently managing the distribution of
the film.
Schaefer said that the film has been
booked in approximately 230 first-run
houses in 225 cities throughout the
country. Deals for the bookings have
been consummated during the past
two weeks, Schaefer added.
Schaefer, who is also a director of
(Continued on page 4)
Harry, Jack and Albert Warner Sell
Their Personal Stock in Circuit to
Group; 300 Theatres Are Involved
By MURRAY HOROWITZ
An agreement with Fabian Enterprses, Inc., for the sale of the
Brothers Warner stock in the new exhibition company to be formed
for Warner Brothers theatres was disclosed here yesterday.
Under the agreement, the sale of the brothers' stock will be con-
summated when the parent company, Warner Brothers Pictures, Inc.,
is reorganized under the consent
decree into separate production-
distribution and exhibition com-
panies. This reorganization is ex-
pected to be effected with a few
months.
The market
value of the
deal, based on
the current
market price of
Warner Broth-
e r s common,
runs to approx-
imately $9,000,-
000. This fig-
ure is based on
the current quo-
tation of $13.25
for WB com-
mon, and the
halving of the
quotation in consideration of the pro-
jected divorcement.
It is understood that the deal would
give Fabian Enterprises, which owns
and operates about 60 theatres in
the East, control of about 25 per cent
in the new Warner Brother theatre
company. The projected theatre com-
pany at the time of its reorganization
(Continued on page 5)
Prospects Bright in
S. Amer.: Johnston
An optimistic picture of future re-
lationships between the U. S. film in-
dustry and various Latin American
governments was presented to _ the
board of direc-
tors of the Mo-
tion Picture
Association of
America here
yesterday by
MPAA presi-
dent Eric A.
Johnston.
Johnston's ses-
sion with the
MPAA board
was devoted en-
tirely to his
visit to five
South Ameri-
can countries,
having returned from his South-of-
the-border trip last weekend.
Johnston reported that he conferred
personally with the Presidents of Bra-
(Continued on page 4)
Eric Johnston
Samuel Rosen
Talks Continue
On RKO Setup
Hollywood, Dec. 9. — Executives of
RKO Pictures continued their con-
ferences here today, paving the way
for the return of Howard Hughes to
the management of the company.
Necessary legal documents were being
prepared and indications were that
they would be completed by late this
evening.
Under the reported setup, Hughes,
in return for an extension of time to
the Ralph Stolkin syndicate on their
commitments to purchase his stock
(Continued on page 4)
2
Motion Picture daily
Wednesday, December 10, 1952
Personal
Mention
CHARLES B. McDONALD, re-
tired RKO Theatres veteran, is
here from Hollywood, Fla., for eye
surgery at St. Clare's Hospital.
•
Edward Heiber, Universal Cleve-
land branch manager, acting as De-
troit manager during the illness of
Ben Robins, suffered a heart attack
and is confined to a hospital in the
latter city.
Edward L. Hyman, United Para-
mount Theatres vice-president, and
his assistant, Bernard Levy, will be
in Cincinnati today and tomorrow.
•
■ Arthur Canton, Eastern M-G-M
representative, and Abe Bernstein,
Buffalo and Albany exploiter, were in
the former city yesterday.
•
Nat Levy, Eastern division man-
ager for RKO Radio, will be in Phila-
delphia today from New York.
Columbia Lists 10
Top Productions
Ten top productions were an-
nounced here yesterday by Columbia
for 1953, which Harry Cohn, presi-
dent and head of production, predicted
in a home office statement would be
"the most important in Columbia's
history in quality of new produc-
tions."
Listed were "Salome," color in
Technicolor, with Rita Hayworth,
Stewart Granger, Charles Laughton;
"Let's Do It Again," Technicolor
comedy with music, with Jane Wy-
man, Ray Milland and Aldo Ray ;
"Red Beret," Technicolor, starring
Alan Ladd; "Miss Sadie Thompson,"
Technicolor, to star Rita H'ayworth ;
"From Here to Eeternity," adapta-
tion of James Jones' novel ; "The
Franz Liszt Story" ; "The Gay
Girls," Technicolor, to star Rita
Hayworth ; "The Life of Casanova" ;
"River of the Sun," by James Ramsey
Ullman, and a Judy Holliday vehicle
as yet untitled.
Jerry Wald, as executive producer,
functioning under Cohn, will have
supervision of the company's top
bracket productions.
Theatre Deal
(Continued from page 1)
has always been the activiiy upon
which their major loyalties rested.
This new undertaking is a fitting
capstone to the record of vision
and initiative of the Fabian family,
the third generation of which is
now active in the affairs of the
company. To all concerned in this
significant development hearty
congratulations are in order. —
M. Q.
Sees Para. Production Plans
Hinged on Talent Available
Hollywood, Dec. 9. — Paramount's recently announced 22-picture pro-
duction schedule for the coming year may swell to as many as 28 or
shrink to as few as 12, depending on talent availabilities and other
unpredictables, production head Don Hartman told newsmen here today
on his return from a European visit.
The executive said the studio's
$45,000,000 inventory of finished pic-
tures is large and varied enough so
that there is no pressure on produc-
tion for the sake of release, and for
this reason the studio is able to sit
back and wait for the best players,
favorable circumstances or right
market conditions, before starting pro-
duction.
He also said the company is now
in a very comfortable condition as to
finances and the present size of the
inventory of unreleased pictures is
about right in proportion to other fis-
cal factors.
Concerning the industry's future,
Hartman mentioned the remote-control
lighting system and other mechanical
devices recently applied in production
and said, "We have lots of mechanical
innovations and production improve-
ments waiting, just around the cor-
ner, and our only concern is to get
around that corner. Rising production
costs is the biggest problem we have."
12 in 1953 from New
Coplan, Gould Firm
Formation of a new distribution
company which plans to release 12
pictures in 1953 was announced here
yesterday by David Coplan and Wal-
ter Gould, both formerly associated
in the worldwide operations of
United Artists. The company, In-
ternational-United Productions, Inc.,
is the exclusive American outlet for a
group of producers in France, Switz-
erland, Italy, England and other
countries.
Coplan, who has held executive in-
dustry posts in the United States and
Canada and was UA managing direc-
tor in Great Britain from 1944 to
1949, is president of the new com-
pany. Gould, who joined UA in 1926
and became general foreign manager
in 1940, is executive vice-president.
International's entire program of
12 films has already been completed,
with the first five available for
nationwide distribution starting Feb.
15. "Black Eagle," starring Rossano
Brazzi and Maria Canale ; "Kill Him
for Me !" starring Arturo de Cordova
with Leticia Palma ; "Swords of the
Musketeers," based on the Alexandre
Dumas story, with Maria Canale and
Peter Trent ; "City of Violence,"
starring Maria Montez and Alan
Curtis, with the screenplay by Jesse
L. Lasky, Jr., and Louis L. Gittler,
and "The Captain's Wife," starring
Anne Vernon and Rossano Brazzi.
The balance of the program for
1953 will be: "The Pirate Prince,"
starring Vittorio Gassmann and Milly
Vitale; "High Treason," starring
Signe Hasso and Alf Kjellin, known
in Hollywood' as Christopher Kent ;
"The Strange Case of Man and
4U' Sales Drive
To Honor Feldman
Charles Feldman
Hollywood, Dec. 9. — Universal
will launch an 18-week "Charles J.
Feldman Silver Anniversary Drive" on
Dec. 28, to go through May 2, to mark
Feldman's 25
years with the
company, it was
announced here
by Alfred E.
Daff, executive
vice-president
to the company's
production, dis-
tribution and
promotion
executives
meeting" i n
a week-long se-
ries of top level
conferences.
Upwards of
$36,000 will be distributed in prizes to
the domestic division, district, branch
and office managers, salesmen and
bookers. As an innovation this year,
in addition to the top national prizes,
branch managers, office managers,
salesmen and bookers will also be
eligible for prizes in their divisions.
Nine of 12' pictures listed by Daff
for release during the period of the
drive have color by Technicolor. The
remaining three in black and white
are highlighted by "Ma and Pa Kettle
on Vacation" and "Abbott and Cos-
tello Go to Mars."
The nine Technicolor films are :
"Against All Flags," starring Errol
Flynn and Maureen O'Hara ; "Meet
Me at the Fair," Dan Dailey and
Diana Lvnn ; "The Lawless Breed,"
Raoul Walsh production starring
Rock Hudson and Julia Adams ; "The
Redhead from Wyoming," Maureen
O'Hara and Alex Nicol ; "Missis-
sippi Gambler," Tyrone Power, Piper
Laurie and Julia Adams ; "City Be-
neath the Sea," Robert Ryan, Mala
Powers, Anthony Quinn and Suzan
Ball ; "Seminole," Rock Hudson, Bar-
bara Hale, Anthony Quinn and Rich-
ard Carlson ; "Gunsmoke," Audie
Murphy, Susan Cabot and Paul Kelly,
and "Desert Legion," starring- Alan
Ladd, Richard Conte and Arlene Dahl.
The 12th picture is an "exploitation"
picture, "Girls in the Night," featur-
ing Joyce Holden, Glenda Farrell,
Harvey Lembeck and Patricia Hardy.
Beast," a new production of Robert
Louis Stevenson's "Dr. Jekyll and
Mr. Hyde"; "The Wicked Lady
Anne," another Dumas story, starring
Rossano Brazzi and Yvette Lebon ;
"The Prisoner of Venice," "Son of
the Hunchback," starring Rossano
Brazzi and Milly Vitale, and "The
Man in the Red Mask."
News reel
Parade
p RESIDENT -ELECT Eisen-
1 twicer's three-day visit to the
frozen battlefronts of Korea is the
sole topic of almost all current nctvs-
reels.
MOVIETONE NEWS,
visit to Korea.
No. 100
Ike's
MOVIETONE NEWSREEL SPECIAL.
THEATRE SUPPLIMENT— Bonn treaty.
Charles R. Sligh, Jr.. new National Assoi-
ciation of Manufacturers head. Model
atomic power plant in New York City ex-
hibit. Mrs. Van Fleet's 60th birthday. In-
flammable hair spray. Palace horse show
in Tokyo. Far eastern naval commander
Admiral Radford inspects Chiang Kai-Chek
forces. Saharian military company's cen-
tenary in Algeria. Miami Beach scene of
26th American contract bridge tournament.
Model trains in Germany. Swimming pool
floating soft-drink bar in Miami. Drunken
driver test performed by volunteer.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. 230— Films of
Eisenhower in Korea.
PARAMOUNT NEWS, No. 33 — Film
diary of Eisenhower's mission to Korea.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 50A — Ike
visits Korea battlefronts. South African
report.
UNIVERSAL NEWS, No. 420— Eisen-
hower in Korea.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No. 35—
Eisenhower visits Korea.
Studio Heads Meet
On Zukor Tribute
Hollywood, Dec. 9. — Emphasis on
the all-industry angle of the Adolph
Zukor 80th birthday dinner celebration
to be sponsored by Variety Clubs In-
ternational was stressed here yester-
day by R. J. O'Donnell, international
chairman, and Charles P. Skouras,
Hollywood chairman, at a luncheon-
meeting of studio and administration
executives held at the Beverly Hills
Hotel.
O'Donnel said, "For the months of
January, February and March, Adolph
Zukor no longer belongs solely to
Paramount but to the industry as a
whole. At 80, Mr. Zukor is not a
mere synnbol but an actuality repre-
senting- and touching every phase of
pioneering and progress through which
our industry has passed."
'Exploitation', Ampa
Topic Tomorrow
The next-to-last meeting of the
Associated Motion Picture Advertis-
ers' Showmanship Class tomorrow
night will be devoted to a discussion
of exploitation. Speakers will be
Dan S. Terrell, exploitation director
of M-G-M for three years and newly
appointed Eastern publicity manager ;
Sid Mesibov, exploitation manager
for Paramount Pictures, and Edgar
Goth, director of advertising, pub-
licity and exploitation for Fabian
Theatres.
"Magazine Magic," a 16mm. sound
picture in color, showing the process
of magazine publication by the Curtis
Publishing Co., will be shown at the
session. Don A. Brennan, a Curtis
executive, will speak in connection
with the showing of the film.
MOTION' PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca- Vine Building,
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FT 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative. 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London Wl; 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.
Climb Aboard with the Country's TOP Showmen Who've
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. , „i.c LOEWS STATE
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4
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, December 10, 1952
Urges Insurance
On Foreign Trade
Eric Johnston, president of the Mo-
tion Picture Association of America,
outlined three specific proposals for
consideration in the coming session of
the new Congress that would directly
affect film industry foreign operations
by greatly increasing international
trade and protecting private American
capital investments abroad, at a lunch-
eon yesterday given by the National
Association of Insurance Commission-
ers at the Hotel Commodore here.
Johnston advocated the creation of
a Federal system to insure capital in-
vestments abroad against such extraor-
dinary business risks as wars and
uprisings, or confiscation through na-
tionalization of industry ; extension of
present tax incentives to companies do-
ing business in all other areas of the
world as well as the Western Hemi-
sphere to which present tax laws ap-
ply ; and the allowance of reinvestment
of a new overseas enterprise's profits
without payment of U. S. tax on such
profits for branch establishments as
well as the presently provided for for-
eign-organized subsidiary.
Pointing- out that foreign economic
aid since the war has cost $35,000,000,-
000 and that "handouts are palliatives
that bring no lasting gains" •whereas
increased trade does, Johnston urged
the stimulation of private American in-
dustry abroad to replace handouts.
Book 'Bwana
{Continued from page 1)
Natural Vision, said that "Bwana
Devil" grossed
$96,000 in its
first week at
the Paramount
Downtown and
Hollywood the-
atres, in Los
Angeles, break-
ing every rec-
ord of both
houses. He said
the film will
open in San
Francisco o n
Dec. 16 at the
St. Francis and
o n Christmas
Day in Philadelphia, Dallas, San An-
tonio and Houston. He added that
150 prints of the film are expected by
Feb. 1.
Under the terms, it was explained,
50 per cent of the gross accrues to
the distributor, with both exhibitor
and distributor sharing advertising
costs on a 50-50 basis. Ten cents paid
by the exhibitor for each pair of
Polarized glasses is deducted from the
gross before the distributor-exhibitor
percentage is divided.
Prospects Bright
(Continued from page 1)
zil, Argentina, Chile and Peru and
with national leaders of Uruguay.
The prospects of settling various in-
dustry problems in those countries are
encouraging, Johnston said. While not
going into detail on the many points
of current conflict, it is understood
that those problems involve remit-
tances, import permits, the present ex-
clusion of U. S. newsreels in Brazil
and Argentina and the Brazilian plan
to have all black-and-white prints pro-
cessed in that country after Jan. 1.
All meetings were on a friendly
basis and "everything augurs well" for
the industry down there, Johnston
said.
The MPAA president did not take
up the question or arbitration at yes-
terday's meeting. However, he plans
to return to New York from his
Washington headquarters next week
when the arbitration situation may be
discussed. Johnston returned to Wash
ington immediately after yesterday's
meeting.
N. E. Independents
Hit Advanced Prices
National
Georg-e Scliaefer
Seeks Industry Aid
On Overseas Films
Sen. Alexander Wiley of Wisconsin
predicted yesterday that leading Hoi
lywood film executives will be invited
to testify before the special Senate
Foreign Relations sub - committee
hearings reviewing America's Over
seas Information Program, which in
eludes the wide use of motion pic
tures.
The ranking Republican on the
committee announced here that the
hearings also will review closer co-
operation between the motion picture
industry and the government's film
program, and closer cooperation with
the industry itself in reviewing over-
seas film exports which might pos-
sibly have an adverse effect on foreign
opinion of the United States.
RKO Talks
(Continued from page 1)
interest, will resume management
control.
Ned Depinet, who had been slated
to return to the company as presi-
dent, is scheduled to return to New
York tomorrow or Thursday. His
status remains in doubt, but there
could be a switch to the original plan,
sources here said.
Hearing Today on RKO
Receivership Case
A hearing on a move to postpone
arguments in the RKO Radio Pic-
tures receivership application will be
held before Justice Henry Clay Green-
berg in New York Supreme Court
today. The notice of postponement un-
til Dec. 17 was filed by RKO Radio
Pictures.
According to Louis Kipnis, attorney
for three minority stockholders seek-
ing to put the company into receiver-
ship, he was informed early Monday
that a request for postponement had
been granted, only to be informed by
the' court later that hearings on the
request would be held today.
In a separate suit against David J.
Greene, who owns about 78,000 shares
of RKO Pictures stock, Kipnis with-
drew his application to cite Greene
for conptempt of court. Kipnis was
advised by the U. S. District Court
yesterday that the Department of Jus-
tice should be apprised of the evi-
dence supporting such application.
The contempt citation was sought on
the grounds that Greene, who is also
a director in RKO Theatres, violated
the terms of the consent decree by
opposing the RKO Pictures receiver-
ship bid at the last court hearing.
Boston, Dec. 9. — The New Eng-
land Independent Exhibitors voted to
have their members furnish affidavits
and pertinent evidence in an attack
on advanced admission prices on pre-
released pictures and endorsed the
policies of national Allied as outlined
at the recent Chicago convention, to-
day, at a meeting here.
The resolutions were passed at a
joint session this morning of both
conventional and drive-in theatremen
to discuss common problems. Fur-
ther particular problems were dis-
cussed later when the group split up
into two separate clinics. No elec-
tion was held and it was decided to
defer this action until the annual
meeting in January.
Speakers this afternoon included
Leon J. Bamberger of RKO Radio
Pictures ; Burton Robbins, National
Screen Service; Stephen L. Saunders,
publisher of the magazine Prevue,
which is sold in theatre lobbies ;
Father Joseph A. Pelletier, author of
"The Sun Danced at Fatima," which
is being sold by theatres playing the
"Lady of Fatima" film; Joseph Rif-
kin, who spoke on Cinerama, and
Irving Isaacs, who gave a complete
report on the exhibitors' fight to
maintain booths with one operator.
It was noted a decision from the
Massachusetts Supreme Court is ex-
pected between now and the middle
of February.
Bamberger Sees Need of More
News, Cheaper Film Ads
Boston, Dec. 9. — Leon J. Bam-
berger, sales promotion manager for
RKO Radio Pictures, outlined for
the convention of .the Independent
Exhibitors of New England today
"the cooperation that should exist be
tween you and your newspapers, your
greatest ally." He emphasized that
by closer relationships with news
paper figures, the exhibitors can at
tain fairer advertising rates and pub
lication of more news.
Pre-Selling
Shaeffer to 'Seventeen'
Martha Shaeffer has been appointed
press editor in charge of all Seven-
teen Magazine public relations, effec-
tive immediately, succeeding Tess
Williams, who has resigned to make
her home in Boston, it was disclosed
here yesterday by Mrs. Alice Thomp-
son, publisher and editor of the
magazine.
Richey Urges Whole Industry
To Practice Public Relations
Boston, Dec. 9. — Henderson Richey,
M-G-M director of exhibitor rela-
tions, tonight urged the Independent
Exhibitors of New England at their
Sheraton Plaza Hotel banquet to-
night to actively participate in main-
taining good public relations and
noted this applies "to every single
person making his living or who has
his future in this great business of
ours."
Richey cited the importance and
gauged the progress of industry pub-
lic relations in the past two years.
Marcus Files Suit
Vs. Loew's, Para.
Indianapolis, Dec. 9.— A $300,000
suit against Loew's and Paramount,
charging "unreasonable and illegal"
control of distribution channels, has
been filed in Federal Court here by the
Central Avenue Theatre Corp.
First and subsequent-run policies
constitute restraint of trade under the
Sherman and Clayton anti-trust laws,
according to the action taken on be-
half of the Zaring Theatre, Northside
neighborhood house, by Mannie Mar-
cus, president of Central.
"UONOLULU LOONY" is the
-TT- title of a tale of Jerry Lewis'
(Martin and Lewis) Hawaiian vaca-
tion ; it appears in Modern Screen's
January issue. The Honolulu vaca-
tion was born by a sudden impulse.
Jerry, his wife Patty, his press agent,
Jack Keller, Mrs. Keller, and Jerry's
doctor, Martin Levy, were sitting in
Lewis's living room when the phone
rang for the 12th time. Jerry said,
"If that phone rings again I'm going
someplace where no one will find me."
Keller answered the phone. "He's not
here. I think he went to Honolulu."
Jerry said, "That's it, Patty pack the
bags, we're going to Honolulu. Let's
leave before the phone rings again."
Keller said, "You've got to make re-
servations and get tickets." Jerry said,
"Then go ahead and do it, and you
and your wife come along too. It was
all your idea." Dr. Levy said, "You're
supposed to take it easy." "Okay,"
said Jerry to Keller, "get him a ticket
so he can see that I take it easy."
Within eight hours all four were
aboard a trans-Pacific plane headed
for Honolulu. Jerry Lewis and Dean
Martin's latest picture, the Paramount
release, "The Stooge," is scheduled for
multiple bookings starting New Year's
Day.
«
Cyd Charisse, who started her
career with the Ballet Russe, is
shown in the current issue of Life
dancing through two editorial pages
as she danced in M-G-M's new pic-
ture "Sombrero." The picture was
made in Mexico and is in the lan-
guage of an "ad man." It's in full
Color. A rainstorm plays an impor-
tant part in the picture, and Cyd
is shown all soaked. She had to be
doused over and over again for this
scene. Cyd Charisse was voted a
"Star of Tomorrow" in Motion Pic-
ture Herald— Fame Poll of 1948.
•
Louella Parsons reports in Pictorial
Review on Sunday that Olivia Dc
Havilland is intensely devoted to her
son Bcnjie. Olivia says, "When any-
thing mechanical goes wrong, I just
call on him and he fixes it. He fixed
the radio in the car. He is going to
be an inventive genius." Olivia De
Havilland' s most recent picture is
"My Cousin Rachel."
•
On the schedule for "Hans Chris-
tian Andersen" ads are Life, Book,
Collier's Saturday Evening Post,
Woman's Home Companion, Good
Housekeeping, Seventeen, Ladies'
Flome Journal, Coronet, Cosmopoli-
tan, Redbook, and American Maga-
zine. According to a spokesman for
Donahue & Coe, $500,000 is being
spent in consumer publications.
•
A spread is given to pictorial and
text coverage of eight pictures se-
lected by American Magazine in the
December issue. The eight chosen
are Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans Chris-
tian Andersen," 'Stars and Stripes
Forever," 20th Century-Fox: "Mil-
lion Dollar Mermaid." M-G-M;
"Against All Flags," Universal-In-
ternational; "Abbott and Costello
Meet Captain Kidd," Warner; "The
Glass Wall," United Artists; "Eight
Iron Men," Columbia, and "Road to
Bali," Paramount.
Waltek Haas
Wednesday, December 10, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
Arbitration
(Continued from page 1)
Interest in WB Theatres
(Continued from page 1)
press, which meant that only members
of the Conference would be aware of
the progress. As is now known, Al-
lied rejected the distributors' plan
at its Chicago convention last month.
The Motion Picture Associa-
tion of America here yesterday
released the texts of both drafts
on the premise that it was de-
sirable to make the plans avail-
able to the industry because of
further joint discussions being
under consideration.
Basically, the summary printed here-
with is from the Oct. 17 draft, with
modifications of the August proposals.
According to the distributors' version,
the purpose of a system would be "to
serve as an expeditious and inexpen-
sive means of settling controversies."
This is a slight variation from the
Myers draft which would make the
plan "serve as an auxiliary enforce-
ment procedure" under the anti-trust
judgments and consent decrees.
Article I specifies that arbi-
tration would be available for
18 months as a test to "qualified
exhibitors," who are defined as
actual operators, operators of
temporarily closed theatres or
of new theatres about to open.
If the system were not renewed
after the 18-month test, awards
made during that period would
continue to be binding.
Article II, dealing with the scope
of arbitration, is in five sections —
clearance, runs, bidding, conditioned
licensing and violations. Under Sec-
tion 1, exhibitor complaints assert-
ing that a distributor or distributors
maintained a system of clearance, or
granted clearance to a theatre or the-
atres not in substantial competition or
granted unreasonable clearance would
be subject to arbitration. Arbitrators
would have the power to dismiss the
- complaint, order a distributor to cease
and desist or eliminate or reduce
clearance.
They also would be empowered to
grant damages for the period that the
complained of clearance was in effect,
subject to the provisions of Article
III. As to Section 2, dealing with
runs, the arbitrators would be empow-
ered to dismiss the complaint or to
order a distributor to grant the ex-
hibitor the opportunity to obtain the
run, equal to a competing exhibitor
or exhibitors. If conditions are al-
leged to have changed since an award
was made, the exhibitor, distributor
or intervening exhibitors may seek
new arbitration. The burden of prov-
ing such change would be upon the
party asserting it.
Section 3 — competitive bidding —
provides for arbitrating complaints
that awards allegedly were made in
competitive bidding not on a theatre-
by-theatre basis, solely on the merits
and without discrimination ; when
competitive bidding was established
without written request of one or
more exhibitors, and to comply with a
court order or decree, in good faith
to protect the distributor against col-
lusion among exhibitors. Arbitration
also could be requested if an exhibitor
alleged that a distributor broke the
rules for conducting bidding. There
is nothing in this section that would
compel a distributor to accept an of-
fered bid which he considered inade-
quate. A provision in the October
draft covers the right of a distributor
is expected to own and operate ap-
proximately 300 WB theatres.
Harry M. Warner, president of
WB, Albert Warner and Jack L.
Warner, vice-presidents, together own
about 18 per cent of WB's outstand-
ing stock. Members of their fam-
ily own roughly another seven per
cent.
Si H. Fabian, president of Fabian
Enterprises, a family corporation op-
erating the Fabian Circuit, said that
only Samuel Rosen, secretary-treas-
urer of the company, himself an as-
sociate of Fabian Enterprises, are
participants in the purchase at this
time. Fabian added, however, that
other persons outside the industry
may be included in the deal later. He
declined to elaborate.
Neither Fabian nor WB would com-
ment on the purchase price. Fabian
said that Serge Semenenko, president
of the First National Bank of Boston,
was instrumental in bringing about
the deal. He declined to state whether
the bank figured in the financing of
the purchase.
Negotiations which led to the suc-
cessful conclusion of the agreement
had gone on for three to four months
both on the East and West coasts,
Fabian said.
The Warner brothers will re-
main with the picture company
and will devote all their time
to the production and distribu-
tion of motion pictures and its
other activities, a WB state-
ment declared.
It was explained that reorganization
of the parent company will take place
sometime following the annual meeting
of stockholders in Wilmington on
Feb. 17. Under the Jan. 5, 1951, con-
sent judgment, Warner Brothers Pic-
tures, Inc., was required to separate
its theatre business from its produc-
tion and distribution enterprises, and
the brothers were personally required
to either sell or trustee their holdings
in either one or the other branch.
WB stated that "It is expected that
the new theatre company will be
headed by Si Fabian and his asso-
ciates, and the Warner brothers are
happy that their stock is to be ac-
quired by such well known veterans
in the exhibition of motion pictures,
and feel that under this arrangement
the best interests of the stockholders
and employes of the new theatre com-
pany will be preserved."
Under the plan for reorganization,
the directors and officers of the new
theatre company may be designated
by the parent company, it was ex-
plained.
Fabian commented, "Samuel Rosen
and I are very happy to have been
able to make this deal with the three
Warner brothers. It evidences our
complete faith and confidence in the
future of the motion picture exhibi-
tion industry. A substantial number
of the men associated with the opera-
tion of the theatres are friends of
many years standing. Under these
circumstances, we are not strangers to
them and they are not strangers to
us. We are sure that the relationship
will be an effective and happy one
for all concerned."
The new theatre company will own
and operate approximately 300 WB
theatres in 16 states, including Cali-
fornia, Connecticut', Delaware, Illinois,
Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts,
New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Okla-
homa, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vir-
ginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and
the District of Columbia. The 60-
theatre Fabian Circuit operates in
New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey
and Virginia.
Kalmine to Remain
Head of Circuit
Harry M. Kalmine, president of
Warner Brothers Circuit Manage-
ment Corp.,
will continue
as head of the
new theatre
company, Si
Fabian, presi-
dent of Fabian
Enterprises,
Inc., said here
yesterday.
Fabian made
the statement
following an-
nouncement of
the deal for
Harry Kalmine the Sale of the
three Warner
brothers theatre stock to Fabian
Enterprises.
to negotiate with an exhibitor who
made the best offer, after all bids
had been rejected or to negotiate with
other exhibitors after rejecting the
initial bids. This provision is not in
the August draft.
In regard to conditioning one
license upon another, covered
by Section 4, this point could
be arbitrated, but the exhibitor
would have to make a claim to
the distributor within 10 days
after receipt of the license al-
leged to include the condition-
ing of one sale on another. Con-
tract violations, Section 5, may
be arbitrated if the exhibitor
claims that provisions of a li-
censing agreement have been
violated by the distributor.
Article III deals with damages. If
damages are claimed in the original
complaint, arbitrators may award an
amount equal to the proven loss, or
more if it is found that the damages
were a result of "the deliberate pur-
pose to injure the complainant or in
wilful disregard of the probable harm-
ful consequences to the complainant."
If arbitrators find that other exhib-
itors are involved in the circumstances
that resulted in damages to the com-
plainant, an amount equal to the ar-
bitrators' judgment of damages caused
by the non-intervening exhibitors may
be deducted from the damages to be
paid by the distributor. When dam-
ages are claimed by the complainant
exhibitor, such claim shall be limited
to the damages sustained during the
period of four years preceding the
filing of the complaint, or subject to
the state's statute of limitations.
Section 1 of Article IV, dealing
with the system itself, concerns the
National Administrative Committee.
This section proposes that the arbitra-
tion system would be run by 12 per-
sons composed of three each from
Allied, the Theatre Owners of Ameri-
ica and the distributors, one from the
Metropolitan Motion Picture Theatres
Association, one from the Independ-
ent Theatre Owners Association and
one from Western Theatre Owners.
The chairman would be elected by the
group on a rotating basis.
Section 2 provides for a regional
tribunal in each exchange city. The
tribunal would be supervised by a
local committee made up of represen-
tatives of exhibitor associations picked
by exhibitor members of the national
administrator and an equal number of
distributors chosen by the adminis-
trator's distributor members. The
August draft does not give the na-
tional body the right to select local
members of the arbitration committee.
A national appeals board of three non-
industry members is provided in Sec-
tion 3.
Article V concerns rules of
practice and procedure. Under
Section 1, arbitration proceed-
ings would be instituted by an
exhibitor filing a prescribed
form with the tribunal's clerk.
The complaint would be filed
with the form and interested
exhibitors and distributors
would have the right to inter-
vene. Selection of arbitrators
is provided in Section. 2. In
cases were the only parties are
the complainant exhibitor and
the respondent distributor or
intervening distributors, each
party would appoint an arbitra-
tor and the two would designate
the third, or neutral, arbitrator.
In the event of disagreement on
the neutral arbitrator, the local
arbitration committee would
name one. If there are more
parties to the case than men-
tioned above and there is dis-
agreement on arbitrators, the
local arbitration committee
would select three neutral ones.
Five other sections in Article V
concern more or less routaine rules.
The only significant difference here
between the October and August
drafts is that the former defines a
lawyer in broad terms to include even
those who have law degrees but have
never been admitted to the bar. If
the exhibitor does not use a lawyer,
the distributor may not use one either.
Article VI contains routine provi-
sions on appeals. In effect, an appeal
may be taken only in connection with
the awarding or denying of damages.
The October draft proposes concilia-
tion in Article VII, which does not
appear in the August proposals. This
section provides for conciliation of all
controversies in a procedure intended
to dispose "of such controversies amic-
ably, informally and quickly." In
order to institute a conciliation pro-
ceeding, an exhibitor would have to
file a written request for a meeting
with the branch manager involved.
The exhibitor could be accompanied
to the meeting by one assistant or
consultant, the same privilege applying
to the branch manager. If the con-
troversy is not settled at the meeting,
the exhibitor may write to the dis-
tributor's general sales manager for
a meeting at the home office, although
by mutual agreement the meeting
could be held anywhere. Here again
the exhibitor could have an assistant,
with the distributor being represented
by the sales manager or an assistant
designated by him. Conciliation meet-
ings would be confidential and without
prejudice and would not bar an ex-
hibitor from going to arbitration or
litigation.
A draft of a court order providing
for the establishment of the arbitra-
tion system was proposed in the
August draft only.
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FILM
NEWS
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
VOL. 72. NO. 112
NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1952
TEN CENTS
20% Tax Fight
Highlights
COMPO Meet
First Stage of Fight Seen
Advancing Satisfactorily
Chicago, Dec. 1. — The major
topic discussed today at the first
day's meeting of the executive com-
mittee and board of directors of
the Council of Motion Picture Organ-
izations at the Blackstone Hotel, was
the report of the national tax repeal
campaign committee, headed by H. A.
Cole, and Pat McGee.
Declaring that the first stage of the
campaign, the enlistment of Senators
and Congressman to support repeal,
has progressed most satisfactorily, the
report stated that the next step called
for the securing of information from
distressed theatres which would show
the hardship inflicted by the tax. This
information, it was asserted, will be
used by the tax repeal committee in
its arguments for repeal before the
House Ways and Means Committee.
Recognizing the importance of per-
sonalized experiences with the opera-
tions of the tax, the meeting, which
(Continued on page 6)
NPA to Lift Ban
On Building Jan. 1
Washington, Dec. 10. — The Na-
tional Production Authority announced
today it would end its two-year old
ban on theatre construction Jan. 1,
with one major modification.
Effective Jan. 1, would-be-theatre
builders can self-certify — that is, write
their own priority tickets — up to five
tons of steel and 500 pounds of copper
per project, per quarter. Self-certifi-
cation privileges for aluminum, how-
ever, won't be effective until May 1,
when theatre builders will be able to
self-authorize up to 300 pounds of
aluminum per project, per quarter.
NPA originally had scheduled May
1 as the date for lifting the prohibi-
tion on new theatre construction.
Cinerama Orders
More Equipment
A large order for projectors
and accessory equipment for
future Cinerama installations
has been placed with Century
Projector Corp., it was dis-
closed here yesterday.
Hughes-Stolkin Talks on
RKO Future Collapse
Concern for Welfare
Of RKO 'Holders
Expressed by Court
Justice Henry Clay Greenberg yes-
terday expressed concern for the wel-
fare of RKO Pictures stockholders in
granting another week's adjournment
in the RKO receivership' case. Hear-
ings on the minority stockholders' re-
ceivership application were set for next
Wednesday in New York Supreme
Court.
Justice Greenberg, approving
the company's bid for a delay,
said he was disturbed by cur-
rent reports of company losses
and said the situation does not
seem to be "a very healthy one."
Albert R. Connelly, attorney repre-
(Continued on page 3)
Will Rogers Unit
Reelects Officers
All officers of the Variety Clubs-
Will Rogers Memorial Hospital have
been reelected and three new vice-
presidents have been added for the
coming year. Jack Beresin, interna-
tional chief barker of the Variety
Clubs, and Alfred Starr, president of
the Theatre Owners of America, have
been placed on the board of directors.
Beresin fills the vacancy left by Marc
Wolff, retired chief barker, and Starr
succeeds Mitchell Wolfson, the pre-
vious TOA president. The new vice-
presidents are Charles J. Feldman,
(Continued on page 6)
' Carmen 9 TV
To 31 Houses
All Deals Are Called Off as Coast
Negotiations Break Up; Chicago Group
Keeps Stock; Next Move Is Up to Them
Hollywood, Dec. 10. — Negotiations between the Ralph Stolkin
syndicate and Howard Hughes which have been under way liere for
nearly four weeks were terminated today, for the time being at
least, with no agreements of any kind having been reached.
In consequence of the collapse of all proposals for reorganization
of RKO Pictures' management, reconstitution of its board of direc-
tors and revision or cancellation of
the Stolkin syndicate's agreement
to purchase Hughes' 29 per cent
controlling stock interest in the
company, the ownership and manage-
ment status remains the same as it
was on Nov. 13 when Arnold Grant
resigned as board chairman and chief
executive officer of RKO Pictures for
the Stolkin syndicate.
Sherrill Corwin, a member of the
syndicate, was named acting chair-
man of the board at that time and
presumably continues in the same
capacity. Corwin and Edward J.
Burke are the only members of the
syndicate still on RKO Pictures'
board. Elected with them to the
RKO Radio board following Grant's
resignation were William Zimmer-
man, Charles Boasberg and Ross
Hastings, executives of the company.
Three vacancies on the board remain
unfilled.
The earlier board vacancies oc-
curred Oct. 22 when Stolkin, A. L.
Koolish and William Gorman, the
latter the representative of Ray Ryan,
the fifth member of the syndicate, re-
(Continued on page 3)
The entire Metropolitan Opera
Company's production of "Carmen"
will be televised tonight in 31 thea-
tres in 27 cities from Coast-to-Coast,
Theatre Network Television, the
agency which booked the event, dis-
closed here yesterday.
Theatres located in the following
cities will carry the event, the first
entertainment show ever seen on the
new medium : New York, Fort Lee,
N. J. ; Lynn, Mass. ; Boston, Asbury
Park, N. J. ; Richmond, Pittsburgh,
Toledo, Cleveland, Chicago, Minne-
apolis, Milwaukee, Omaha, Des
Moines, Denver, Salt Lake City, San
Francisco, Los Angeles Hollywood,
Buffalo, Kansas City, Philadelphia,
(Continued on page 6)
Approve Eastern
Crafts' Council
Variety Clubs in
Four Cities Elect
The Variety Clubs of Detroit,
Memphis and Buffalo have elected
new boards of directors, the Detroit
Tent also naming new officials for
1953, and the Variety Club of Cincin-
nati has selected new officers.
In Detroit, the new board chose
Jack Zide of Allied Film exchange as
chief barker; Harold Brown, United
Detroit Theatres, first assistant ;
Milton Zimmerman, Columbia, second
assistant ; Ernest Conlon, Allied of
(Continued on page 3)
Nine local unions affiliated with the
International Alliance of Theatrical
Stage Employes have approved the
constitution of the newly formed East-
ern Motion Picture Council which
will function on a similar basis as the
Hollywood AFL Film Council. The
constitution currently is being sub-
mitted to four additional locals which
will make up the 13-union member-
ship in the Council.
The basic agreement covering the
various crafts identified with the pro-
duction of TV films in the East is
being prepared by a special commit-
tee and the draft will be submitted
to the locals' representatives at a
meeting in New York on Monday.
The Council will not concern itself
(Continued on page 3)
See $15,000,000
From 'Hans' 'Pan'
A potential film rental in-
come of at least $15,000,000 is
expected by RKO Radio Pic-
tures from "Hans Christian
Andersen" and "Peter Pan,"
it was disclosed in a deposi-
tion filed in the New York
Supreme Court by William H.
Clark, director and treasurer
of the company, at yesterday's
hearing on an application for
a receivership for RKO.
The figure was cited to
show the importance of in-
dependent producers such as
Samuel Goldwyn and Walt
Disney to the corporation.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY
Thursday, December 11, 1952
Personal
Mention
HARRY WARNER, Warner
Brothers' president, has left here
for the Coast.
•
Dr Charles A. Brind, Jr., counsel
for the New York State Department
of Education and the Board of Re-
gents will discuss "Motion Picture
Censorship" at a dinner-meeting to-
morrow night at the Mens Club of
Westminster Presbyterian Church m
Albany.
Walter Reade, Jr., president of
Walter Reade Theatres, was named to
the executive board of Monmouth
County, N. J., Boy Scouts of America
and has also been appointed to head a
special Christmas activity committee
in Long Branch, N. J.
Mike Simons, assistant to H. _ M.
Richey, head of M-G-M's exhibitor
relations department, will begin a
four-city speaking tour Monday when
he addresses the Professional Social
Workers of Wheeling, W. Va.
#
Walter Gould, executive vice-pres-
ident of International-United Pro-
ductions, Inc., new film distributing
company, left here for Boston yester
day and will proceed to Chicago over
the weekend.
Walter L. Titus, Jr., Republic dis
trict manager, is visiting the Dallas
branch and is expected to return here
next Thursday.
Alan Barnett of Barnett Interna
tional Forwarders, left here yesterday
for Philadelphia, Baltimore and Wash-
ington. He will return on Monday
•
H. M. Richey, M-G-M exhibitor
relations head, is due back here to
morrow from the COMPO meeting in
Chicago.
Irving Sochin, Universal short sub
jects sales manager, has returned to
New York from Oklahoma City, Dal
las and Cincinnati.
Paul Raibourn, Paramount vice-
president, yesterday returned to New
York from Miami Beach
Mrs. Kate Treske of the Lenox
Theatre, Hartford, has returned there
from a New York vacation.
•
Louis Ram, South Carolina exhibi-
tor, is in a Charlotte hospital follow-
ing a heart attack.
Rathvon Closes Deal to
Finance European Film
N. Peter Rathvon closed a deal for
the financing of one European picture
during his recent overseas trip. The
former RKO president, who returned
here this week from Europe, said
yesterday that the purpose of his for-
eign tour was to look over the Euro-
pean production field with the view of
supplying capital for producers with
outstanding story material.
Rathvon declined to identify the
producer or the picture's title until
after the final details of the transac-
tion have been completed. The deal is
expected to be concluded next week.
No distribution arrangements will be
negotiated until after the picture is
completed, he said.
Rathvon plans to leave for the
Coast late next week to spend Christ-
mas at his California home.
Three Television
Firms in Merger
United Television Programs, Inc.,
in association with Gross-Krasne Pro-
ductions, Inc., and Studio Films, Inc.,
have formed what was described as
"the major all-purpose organization in
the television industry," joining dis-
tribution, production and financial in-
terests.
The board of directors of the com-
bined companies includes Gerald King,
Willson M. Tuttle, Milton Blink, Ben
Frye, Sam A. Costello, Philip N.
Krasne and Jack J. Gross. Tuttle
will be president. He recently re-
siged as vice-president in charge of
radio and television for Ruthrauff &
Ryan. King is chairman of the board.
He was president and co-founder of
TP in 1950 and was once associated
with Warner Brothers. Blink, execu-
tive vice-president, will continue in
the same capacity and as the com-
pany's treasurer. Frye will be vice-
president in charge of sales.
6 RKO 1st -run Films
Here During Holiday
Six RKO Radio releases will play
first-run engagements in New YorK
during the holiday season. Another,
Walt Disney's "Peter Pan," is set to
open early in February.
Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans Christian
Andersen" will continue at the Crite-
rion and Paris. On Christmas Day,
Mort Briskin's "No Time for
Flowers" will bow in at the Norman-
die, and "Blackbeard, the Pirate" will
open at Loew's State. Huntington
Hartford's "Face to Face" will move
into the 52nd St. Trans Lux late this
month, following "O. Henry's Full
House." Gabriel Pascal's "Androcles
and the Lion" will open at the Capitol
and Frederick Brisson's "Never Wave
at a Wac" at an as yet undesignated
theatre, both in January.
RKO First to Set
Long Yule Weekend
RKO Radio Pictures is the first
film company to announce a long
Christmas weekend for home office
employes. The company will be closed
from 3 :00 P.M. on Dec. 24 until Mon-
day morning, Dec. 29. Other film and
theatre companies are expected to fol-
low.
It is understood that city and Fed-
eral departments, as well as a large
number of business establishments,
banks, department stores, etc., will
close on both Fridays, Dec. 26 and
Jan. 2.
N. J. Allied Meets
And Eats in Passaic
Allied of New Jersey last night
held its annual beefsteak dinner at
the Ritz Restaurant in Passaic, fol-
lowing a membership meeting in the
afternoon.
A discussion of national Allied's
convention in Chicago last month
highlighted the business session. Ap
Royal London Debut
For 'Hans Christian'
Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans Christian
Andersen" will be given a royal pre-
miere in London on Dec. 19 at the
Carlton Theatre for the benefit of the
Scottish Veterans' Association, it was
announced here. The Duke and
Duchess of Gloucester will head a
list of distinguished guests who will
attend the performance.
RKO Radio, which is releasing the
Technicolor film, is collaborating on
all arrangements for the premiere.
Legion of Decency
Lists 3 in Class B
Three films are placed in Class B,
six films in Class A-I and six films
in Class A-II in the latest Legion of
Decency report.
The Class B films are : "The Bad
and the Beautiful," M-G-M; "Ruby
Gentry," 20th Century-Fox, and
Two Cents Worth of Hope," (Ital-
RKO Adds Field Men
For 'Hans' and 'Peter'
RKO Radio will add additional field
men to handle pre-release engagements
of Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans Christian
Andersen" and Walt Disney's "Peter
Pan," it was announced here yester-
day by Richard Condon, director of
advertising-publicity. They will work
under exploitation manager Leon
Brandt.
Press Agents Honor
Samuel Goldwyn
Hollywood, Dec. 10. — Samuel Gold-
wyn was the honor guest this eve-
ning at the sixth annual Panhandle
Dinner of the Screen Publicists Guild,
yearly get-together of Hollywood
press agents covering the motion pic-
ture industry. Goldwyn was intro-
duced at the dinner by Edgar Bergen
and Charlie McCarthy, whom he
brought to the screen in "The Gold-
wyn Follies" 15 years ago.
Tentative Date Set
For 'Ronde' Hearing
Albany, N. Y., Dec. 10.—
Jan. 7 has been tentatively set
by the Court of Appeals here
for argument in the "La
Ronde" appeal and for a
screening which the seven
judges will witness. This ac-
tion was taken after Florence
Perlow Shientas, attorney for
Commercial Pictures, dis-
tributor of the French-made
film, filed the printed record
and a brief.
The latter urged the State's
highest tribunal to overrule
the 3-2 decision of the Ap-
pelate division, announced
last May, which supported
the Regent's ruling that the
picture was "immoral and
tended to corrupt morals"
within the meaning of Sec-
tion 122 of the Education Law.
Dr. Charles A. Brind, Jr.,
counsel for the Regents, will
file an answering brief before
Jan. 5. The case is eventually
expected to reach the United
States Supreme Court.
Services Today for
Theresa Dureau, 82
New Orleans, Dec. 10. — A Re-
quiem Mass will be said here tomor-
row in St. Frances Cabrini Roman
Catholic Church for Mrs. Theresa
Maurice Dureau, who died this morn-
ing at the age of 82.
Survivors are a daughter, Mrs.
Edmund Langhetee, three sons, Gas-
ton J., Jr., president and general man-
ager of Paramount Gulf Theatres ;
Milton M., vice-president and general
manager of Masterpiece Pictures, Inc.,
and Alton C, a salesman with Mas-
terpiece Pictures ; a sister, Miss Alice
Marie ; a brother, Sidney Marie, and
11 grandchildren and great grand-
children. Interment will be in Lafay-
ette Cemetery.
proximately 100 attended the dinner. I ian) Times Film Corp.
Dreyfus Rites in Chicago
Chicago, Dec. 10. — Max Dreyfus,
72, former exhibitor and long-time
employee of the Monogram exchange
here when it was operated by Irving
Mandel, was buried at Waldheim
Cemetery yesterday. He is survived
by the widow, a brother, and a sister.
FCC's Smith Joins
Welch Law Firm
Washington, Dec. 10. — Stratford
Smith, Federal Communications Com-
mission theatre television expert, has
joined the firm of Welch, Mott and
Morgan here.
Vincent Welch, senior partner of
the firm, is representing the Motion
Picture Association of America in its
theatre television hearing before the
FCC. It's expected, however, that
Smith will not take part in the theatre
television hearings for some time.
Paramount Group
To Chicago Meet
Los Angeles, Dec. 10. — Para-
mount's A. W. Schwalberg, E. K.
(Ted) O'Shea and Jerome Pickman
this evening prepared to head for
Chicago for a sales parley in their
current series of regional merchandis-
ing-promotion conferences. On Friday
and Saturday they will hold sessions
there with Central division manager
J. J. Donohue and territory personnel.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative. 11 North
dark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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.
Thursday, December 11, 1952
MOTION PICTURE DAILY
3
RKO Talks
(Continued from page 1)
signed following a series of expose
articles in the Wall Street Journal
which concerned the three.
The calling off of all deals
between Hughes and the Stolkin
syndicate today resulted, ac-
cording to reports, from
Hughes' unwillingness to make
concessions or deferments to
the Stolkin group on their stock
purchase agreement with him
without Ned E. Depinet return-
ing to the RKO Pictures presi-
dency.
Depinet had been called here 10
days ago by Hughes to participate in
the final conferences. Shortly after
his arrival an agreement was reached
under which the Stolkin group was
to return the 1,048,012 shares which
it contracted to purchase from
Hughes and Depinet at $7 per share.
The Stolkin group was to have
waived its $1,250,000 down payment
for the stock in return for waivers of
liability under the purchase agree-
ment and during its administration of
RKO Pictures. Depinet was to have
returned as president with complete
autonomy.
Hitch Occurred
A hitch occurred late last week in
effecting the agreement, some reports
having it that Corwin balked at tak-
ing the loss of the down payment,
leading to differences among the
members of the syndicate.
On Monday of this week syndicate
members reached a new agreement
with Hughes under which their stock
purchase commitments would be de-
ferred, but Hughes would assume re-
sponsibility for RKO Pictures' man-
agement until such time as the Stol-
kin group had found a purchaser for
its 29 per cent controlling stock in-
terest. Hughes reportedly rejected
this agreement the following day
upon learning that Depinet would not
Court Expresses Concern
(Continued from page 1)
senting the company, informed the
court that meetings are continuing on
the Coast for reconstitution of the
board and the selection of a president.
Connelly added that a decision on
these problems may come "momen-
tarily." He referred to the series of
meetings between Howard Hughes,
members of the Ralph Stolkin group,
which purchased Hughes' 29 per cent
controlling interest in the company,
and Ned E. Depinet, former RKO
president and now company consult-
ant. The attorney of the law firm of
Cravath, Swaine and Moore, ex-
pressed regret that the Coast confer-
ences had not as yet culminated.
William Zimmerman, RKO general
counsel, told the court that there was
"no real emergency" as to the solvency
of the company. He said the losses
currently being sustained by the com-
pany are "in effect liquidation of high
cost pictures" which were completed
last year. "Our real problem" Zim-
merman continued, "is the accumula-
tion of pictures." He said he saw no
conflict of interest between the 29 per
cent group represented by Stolkin and
the remaining stockholders.
This brought a rejoinder from Jus-
tice Greenberg, who said that "How-
ard Hughes probably can lose $2,000,-
000 or $3,000,000 while others can't
lose $200 or $300."
Justice Greenberg also took
judicial notice of the fact that
more than 50 per cent of the
company's current income is
derived from independent pro-
ducers releasing through RKO.
Contracts of independent pro-
ducers, according to company
affidavits, provide for termina-
tion of distribution rights if a
receiver is appointed.
Judge Samuel J. Rosenman, repre-
senting Samuel Goldwyn Productions,
Inc., questioned the jurisdiction of the
court as to RKO assets outside N,ew
Variety
(Continued from page 1)
return to the RKO Pictures presi- ! York State. Supporting the com
dency without an unequivocal guar
anty of complete autonomy. Hughes
is said to have balked at the guar-
anty with the result that Depinet de-
clined to accept the presidency and a
place on the board of directors.
Depinet to New York
Depinet was scheduled to leave here
for New York by plane tonight.
Collapse of the negotiations here
obviously leaves the next move up to
the Stolkin group. They are back in
the saddle, apparently against their
wishes, and are confronted with the
problem of providing management
and a complete board of directors for
the company before next Wednesday,
when a hearing is scheduled in New
York Supreme Court on a stockhold-
ers' application for appointment of a
receiver for the company. The hear-
ing was postponed for one week
today, largely on company repre-
sentations to the court that a settle-
ment of the management and board
problems was expected "momen-
tarily."
Members Liable
Members of the Stolkin syndicate
are liable individually and as a group |
to Hughes for performance of the
stock purchase contract, under which
they are committed to pay a $6,-
000,000 balance on the purchase price,
plus interest, and with provisions for
penalties, before October, 1954.
pany's bid for a delay, Judge Rosen-
man said RKO's distribution set-up is
now operating in a normal and profit-
able manner.
Whitney Seymour, of Simpson,
Thacher and Bartlett, who represented
the Atlas Corp. and Walt Disney Pro-
ductions, expressed no objection to
postponing the hearing as requested
by RKO. He said he had no comment
as to the operations of the company.
Isadore J. Kresel, counsel for David
J. Greene, who claims to own and
control more than 78,000 shares of
RKO Pictures stock, supported the
application for adjournment.
Louis Kipnis, attorney for the plain-
tiff minority stockholders, said he
could not consent to an adjournment.
The three minority stockholders seek-
ing to put the company in receivership
are Eli B. Castleman and his wife,
Marion V. Castleman of Detroit and
Louis Feuerman of this city, claiming
to own a total of 2,525 shares.
The hearing on the delaying
motion also brought to light a
cross-motion by the company to
to dismiss the receivership ap-
lication. In support of this
cross-motion were the affidavits
of Zimmerman, William H.
Clark, treasurer of RKO Radio
Pictures, and Garrett Van Wag-
ner, comptroller.
Zimmerman, in his affidavit, said
that experienced key employees of the
company who are in great demand by
"our competitors have given indica-
tion of the possibility of their leaving"
the company in the event of a court-
appointed receiver.
The company's motion to dismiss the
receivership application claimed that
the complaint did not state sufficient
facts to constitute a cause of action,
that the plaintiffs have no legal ca-
pacity to sue and that the court should
decline jurisdiction of the action be-
cause it involves the internal affairs
and management of a solvent foreign
corporation.
Clark, in his affidavit, pointed up
the importance of such producers as
Goldwyn, Disney and Sol Lesser to
the company. He said of approxi-
mately $39,000,000 of film rentals in
the 39 weeks ending Sept. 27, 1952,
about $21,000,000 was realized from
features and short subjects produced
by others releasing through RKO.
"The effect upon the company of hav-
ing these distributor contracts can-
celled by reason of the appointment of
a receiver is obvious," he added.
Van Wagner's deposition said, with-
out exception, the basic operating or-
ganization of the company is intact
and fully capable of carrying out its
production and distribution commit-
ments. He said that approximately
1,000 persons are employed at the stu-
dio and currently one picture is being
filmed and five others being cut and
edited. Preparatory work, he went on,
is underway on 13 additional feature
pictures under the supervision of six
producers employed by the studio.
Gordon Is Regent's
U. S. Representative
Gordon Films, Inc., has concluded
a deal with Regent Film Distributors,
Ltd., distributor of foreign language
films in England, to be the exclusive
representative of that company in the
United States, it was disclosed here
by Richard Gordon, president of the
company.
Gordon Films has hitherto only
acted as representative for British
producers, handling their product for
American theatrical and television
distribution, but the new agreement,
negotiated by Gordon with James A.
Wilson, managing director of Regent
in London, will supply the company
with a flow of foreign language mo-
tion pictures, all of which will be sub-
titled or dubbed by Regent in Great
Britain.
Approve Council
(Continued from page 1)
with the producers of theatrical fea-
tures in the East, as contracts with
theatrical film makers already are es-
tablished. The organization will de-
vote itself to the utilization of its
crafts members by the makers of tele-
vision films. These crafts include
cameramen, studio mechanics, film
editors, laboratory technicians, assist-
ant directors, wardrobe personnel,
makeup artists and hair stylists.
The basic agreement will include
base scales and conditions for each
union. The Council proposes to assist
TV producers in working out produc-
tion problems by close cooperation on
both sides, at the same time seeking
the producers' recognition of IATSE
personnel as those who can do the
best work in television filming.
Michigan, property master ; Ben Ro-
sen, Confection Cabinet, dough guy ;
Saul Korman, Korman Theatres,
chairman of the house committee;
Julian Lefkowitz, L & L Concessions,
assistant house committee chairman ;
Zimmerman, chairman of the member-
ship committee ; Brown, press guy ;
Adolph Goldberg, Community Thea-
tres, national canvassman, and Zide,
alternate.
The 11 members of the new board
of directors are Brown ; Dew Wisper,
W & W Theatres ; Zimmerman ; Lef-
kowitz ; Zide ; William Clark, Clark
Theatre Service ; Dan Lewis, Coop-
erative Theatres ; Korman ; Rosen ;
Ivan Clavet, National Screen Serv-
ice, and Conlon.
In Cincinnati the Variety Club
elected Herman Hunt as chief barker,
succeeding Vance Schwartz, and de-
cided to hold the installation dinner
next month.
Other New Officers
Other new officers include Ed Salz-
berg, first assistant chief barker;
Richard Rosenfeld, second assistant ;
Rex Carr, property master, and Hoys
McGown, dough guy. William Onie
and Hunt were chosen delegates to
the international convention, with
Noah Schechter and McGown as
alternates. The crew, in addition to
the officers and past chief barkers,
consists of Saul Greenberg, Harry
Hartman, Stuart Jacobson, Robert
McNabb, Arthur Van Gelder and
Albert Weinstein.
Variety Club of Buffalo has elected
the following directors : Manuel A.
Brown, United Artists ; John G. Chi-
nell, RKO Pictures; Robert Hay-
man, Hayman Theatres ; Marvin
Jacobs, Sportservice ; Billy Keaton,
WGR; Arthur Krolick, United
Paramount Theatres ; W. E. J. Mar-
tin, Courier-Express drama editor ;
Dewey Michaels, Michaels Enter-
prises; Albert Ryde, Buffalo projec-
tionists union ; Elmer C. Winegar of
the same union, and Max Yellen of
Midland Properties.
Delegates elected to the 1953
Variety Clubs International conven-
tion in Mexico City next year are :
William D. Dipson, Dipson circuit,
and Ben Kulick, Faysan Distributors.
Alternates are Myron Gross, Co-Op-
erative Theatres; Wally Gluck,
theatrical agent, and Krolick.
The Memphis Variety Club has
elected the following directors : M. H.
Brandon, Alton Sims, Jack Sawyer,
George Simpson, Tom Kirk, Tony
Tedesko, Ed Doherty, Ben Bluestein,
Tom Young, Vernon Adams and Gil-
bert Brandon. The new board will
meet Monday to select officers for
1953.
Bezel Distribution
Deal with Beverly
Albert Dezel has completed a dis~
tribution deal with Oliver A. Unger
and Herbert Bregstein of Beverly Pic-
tures for the Chicago, Indianapolis,
and Detroit exchange areas for releas-
ing rights to 16 former Film Classics
features.
5-Theatre L.A. Opening
"Breaking the Sound Barrier" will
open in Los Angeles simultaneously at
the Chinese, Los Angeles, Uptown,
Loyola and Wilshire theatres on Wed-
nesday.
torrid w.™ Romance
The redhead
knew what her kisses
could make any mart do.
adventurer didn't
stand a chance
between them
The dancer knew what
she did to men . . . with her
seductive jungle rhythms
and Latin love-ways.
It's Paramount^ ACTION super
"Road to Bali"
Action
BLAZING WITH
Color
TECHNICOLOR
starring
■th Written for the Screen and Directed by
NOAH BEERY • GRANT WITHERS • LEWIS R. FOSTER
Based on a novel by Tom Gill • Produced by William H. Pine and William C.Thomas
month you get the COMEDY super-hit
sTURE super-hit, "Thunder In The East'
7* ~ mi
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, December 11, 1952
Compo Meet
(Continued from page 1)
Reviews
was attended by 50 representatives
of all the organizations making up
COMPO, authorized Cole and Mc-
Gee to take whatever steps may be
necessary to obtain this information.
It was indicated that a simple ques-
tionaire would be put in the hands of
all distressed exhibitors and that, _ if
necessary, salesmen of the various dis-
tributing" companies would be used in
the work.
The meeting adopted a reso-
lution commending the tax cam-
paign committee for its work.
Sam Pinanski, one of the three co-
chairmen now directing the affairs
ot COMPO,
read a report
covering the ac-
tivities of the
co-ch airmen
since their as-
cension of of-
fice last June.
The report em-
phasized that
/ Jt ^HH Al Lichtman,
/ •£ fi T r u c m .i n T.
f / *^ I Rembusch and
11 Pinanski , the
triumvirate, had
Siim Pinanski thrown all of
COMPO's re-
sources and facilities behind the cam-
paign and that this policy would be
pursued until the tax is repealed.
The report of the membership drive
conducted in August and September,
read by Rembusch, as chairman of
the finance committee, stated that
nearly 14,000 exhibitors had paid their
COMPO dues.
Herman Robbins, treasurer,
read a report of COMPO's fi-
nancial condition and policies.
The Theatre Owners of Washing-
ton, Idaho and Alaska were admitted
to membership and the membership
committee was instructed to approach
equipment manufacturers and other
industries allied with the picture busi-
ness to enlist them as members.
The committee voted to give further
consideration to a proposal by Mrs.
Mary Lasker, widow of Albert D.
Lasker, that motion picture theatres
conduct a national health week for the
benefit of charities in need of money
for medical research.
Reporting on the Movietime, U.S.A.
projects, Robert J. O'Donnell, national
director, said
that since the
tours were
started a year
ago, 330 Holly-
wood personali-
ties had made
8,000 personal
appearances in
1,500 cities and
towns in nearly
all of the 48
states. O'Don-
nell, who was
commended for
his work, em-
phasized that
the tours must
be continued because of their great
value in promoting industry good-will
and because they have perfected an
organization for future industry action
on other problems that might arise.
The committee heard a pro-
posal from Steve Broidy, presi-
dent of the Motion Picture In-
dustry Council of Hollywood,
Hollywood, Dec. 10
'Carmen' TV
Hiawatha"
(Allied Artists)
PRODUCER Walter Mirisch has presented the story of the Henry Wads-
worth Longfellow American poetic classic in terms of straightaway action
with fine dramatic values and without loss of the tale's charm.
Filmed in -CineColor, this held a capacity preview audience composed prin-
cipally of press and profession at the Academy Awards Theatre in Holly-
wood completely in its spell, and drew sustained applause at the closing
The production is a notable achievement to be credited to Mirisch and to
his associate producer, Richard Heermance, his director, Kurt Neumann,
his writers, Arthur Strawn and Dan Ullman, and his cinematographer, Harry
Neumann.
The filming of the Longfellow poem presented problems of various kinds.
The measured narration of the poet had to be enlivened, and Mirisch made
it a point to throw in a hot-tempered killing at almost the very beginning
of the film. How to write dialogue that would convey the Longfellow story
without falling into the rhythm of the poem was no simple question. It was
answered by giving the Indians plain every-day English lines to speak in
every-day fashion, with no poetic phrases or expression undertaken Only
at the start and close of the picture are a few lines of the poem spoken, by
an off-screen narrator.
The story of Hiawatha is too well known, for repetition in synopsis _ here.
The important fact is that it comes out in the Mirisch production a
story of Indian life, customs and conflicts in the America of the Ojolbways,
the Illinois and the Dacotahs, before the coming of the whites, and that it
retains the charm of the poem without utilizing the devices of poetry, and
in spite of the swift and sometimes bloody melodrama contained in it.
Vincent Edwards portrays the title character, and Yvette Dugay plays
Minnehaha. Others in the cast are Keith Larsen, Gene Iglesias, Armando
Silvestre, Stuart Randall, Michael Tolan, Ian MacDonald, Katherine Emery,
Morris Ankrum and Stephen Chase.
Running time, 80 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Dec. 28.
"Babes In Bagdad"
(Edward J. and Harry L. Danziger -United Artists)
PAULETTE GODDARD and Gypsy Rose Lee are the two lasses referred
to in the title of this harum-scarum satire that occasionally is humorous
and often is opulent. It is especially attractive when the two _ very amply
endowed actresses are dazzlingly displayed in a variety of revealing costumes
in a bright color process titled Exoticolor.
The emphasis on glamor undoubtedly can be exploited and the marquee
lure of the cast is of value. Richard Ney and John Boles are further aids.
Edward J. and Harry L. Danziger have provided lavish interior settings and
utilized Spanish backgrounds. The screenplay by Felix Feist andjoe Anson
includes harum gags and intersperses modern colloquialisms with pseudo-
Arabian dialogue. Director Edgar G. Ulmer has allowed the performers to
cavort freely and the mixture of serious playing and broad acting is quite
"ludicrous.
Richard Ney is the godson of a Caliph whose monogamous viewpoint re-
sults in his investigating a complaint filed by Miss Lee and other harum
members against Kadi John Boles. At the same time he looks into the Bagdad
corruption carried on by the tax collector, villainously portrayed by Thomas
Gallagher. It takes a few days for Ney to get the goods on Gallagher, trick
Boles into letting him marry Miss Goddard and turn Boles into a tractable
ruler, who accepts Miss Lee as his sole wife.
Others in the cast are Sebastian Cabot, Macdonald Parke, Natalie Benesh,
Hugh Dempster, and Peter Bathurst.
Running time, 79 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Dec. 7. Walter Pashkin
(Continued from page 1)
Detroit, Baltimore, Albany, Cincin-
nati and Sacramento.
TNT said that more than 20 addi-
tional theatres desiring to carry the
opera are unable to because of the
unavailability of A. T. & T. long lines
for the occasion.
See 'Carmen' Telecast Sellout
Unlikely at Albany's Grand
Albany, N. Y., Dec. 10. — Fabian's
Grand Theatre is advertising 263
seats still purchaseable, at $1.20,
$1.80 and $2.40 for the telecast of
"Carmen" tomorrow night. Sales to
date do not indicate a capacity audi-
ence— -1500 — unless they pick up
sharply. Some observers believe the
date is too close to Christmas.
The theatre will show a picture
until 4:30 P.M. Closing for three
hours, it will reopen for the telecast at
8 :30. Breaking time is scheduled for
11 :45. One of the three intermissions
will be devoted to a musical quiz,
from New York. The Grand will
have its concession stand open, but
will sell no popcorn.
'Carmen' Telecast at Orpheum,
Warner Scaled at $1.50-$3.60
Hollywood, Dec. 10. — Admission
prices for the "Carmen" telecast
range from $1.50 to $3.60 at both the
Orpheum, Downtown, and the War-
ner, Hollywood. The Orpheum is
getting $3.60 for the main floor (ex-
cept first five rows at $2.40) and bal-
cony loges. The balcony behind the
loges is $2.40 and $1.50. Warner is
scaled identically for balcony, but gets
$3.60 for first 11 rows downstairs,
$2.40 for remainder.
Paramount in Denver Sees
Sellout for 'Carmen' Telecast
Denver, Dec. 10. — The Paramount
here with 2,200 seats is expected to
be sold out for the telecast of "Car-
men" tomorrow night. Prices are
$2.30, $3.60, and $4.80. Closed all day,
the house will open at 5 :00 for free
coffee and sandwiches with "Carmen"
starting via large screen television
at 6:40.
R. J. O'Dc
si)
that COMPO cooperate in an
extension of the MPIC's public
relations service through exhi-
bitors. It was referred to the
finance committee.
After a presentation by O'Donnell
of the plans of Texas COMPO for
an exposition and touring train, the
committee adopted a resolution ap-
proving the presentation and instruct-
ing the COMPO co-chairmen to pre-
pare a report on the project.
The session was presided over by
Rembusch .and will resume tomorrow
morning.
Notaro in Roth Post
Pat Notaro has resigned from War-
ner Brothers Theatres, effective Jan.
3, after having been with that company
for 24 years, to accept an executive
post with Roth Enterprises which op-
erates theatres in Washington and
Virginia. He will make his headquar-
ters in Washington.
Rogers Unit
(Continued from page 1)
Sam J. Switow and Joseph R. Vogel.
The reelected officers are: A. Mon-
tague, president ; Robert J. O'Donnell,
chairman of the board ; Chick Lewis,
executive vice-president ; Max A.
Cohen, secretary ; S. H. Fabian, treas-
urer ; George Eby, assistant treasurer,
and Harry Brandt, Robert Mochrie,
Herman Robbins and Richard Walsh,
vice-presidents.
At a meeting of the board of di-
rectors here Tuesday, Lewis reported
on the year's improvements at the hos-
pital and announced the appointment
of Charles Gratz of Pittsburgh as
hospital administrator.
Fabian, reported that for the fiscal
year ended Oct. 31, the hospital oper-
ating cost amounted to $174,127, with
an over-all expense for the entire pro-
gram totalling $221,072, an increase of
$7,500 over the costs of 1951.
Fred Schwartz, chairman of the fi-
nance and fund-raising committee, re-
ported that this year's "Christmas
Salute" was running ahead of last
year's drive and that the results will
exceed 1951's total of $97,000. The
"Coin Box" project, Schwartz said,
has 3,754 theatres cooperating.
The 1953 board of directors is com-
prised of Beresin, Maurice Bergman,
Charles Boasberg, Harry Brandt,
Cohen, Tom Connors, George Dem-
bow, Gus S. Eyssell, Fabian, Feld-
man, William J. German, Leonard H.
Goldenson, Maurice R. Goldstein,
John H. Harris, William Heineman,
J. Robert Hoff, Harry M. Kalmine,
Paul N. Lazarus, Jr., Lewis, Al Licht-
man, Mochrie, Montague, O'Donnell,
Sam Rinzler, Robbins, William Rod-
gers, Samuel Rosen, Schwartz, Wil-
bur Snaper, Starr, Switow, Morton
Thalhimer, Vogel, Richard F. Walsh,
Murray Weiss, William White, and
Herbert J. Yates, Sr.
Para. Christmas Party
The Paramount Pictures Club will
be host to Paramount employes of the
New York metropolitan area at a
Christmas party on the afternoon of
Dec. 24 in the Paramount Hotel. Sid
Mesibov is club president.
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
VOL. 72. NO. 112
NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1952
TEN CENTS
20% Tax Fight
Highlights
COMPO Meet
First Stage of Fight Seen
Advancing Satisfactorily
Chicago, Dec. 1. — The major
topic discussed today at the first
day's meeting of the executive com-
mittee and board of directors of
the Council of Motion Picture Organ-
izations at the Blackstone Hotel, was
the report of the national tax repeal
campaign committee, headed by H. A.
Cole, and Pat McGee.
Declaring that the first stage of the
campaign, the enlistment of Senators
and Congressman to support repeal,
has progressed most satisfactorily, the
report stated that the next step called
for the securing of information from
distressed theatres which would show
the hardship inflicted by the tax. This
information, it was asserted, will be
used by the tax repeal committee in
its arguments for repeal before the
House Ways and Means Committee.
Recognizing the importance of per-
sonalized experiences with the opera-
tions of the tax, the meeting, which
{Continued on page 6)
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.—
The NPA's two-year old ban
on theatre construction
will end on Jan. 1, with
one major modification,
the agency announced to-
day. Whereas would-be
theatre builders can
write their own priority
tickets for up to five
tons of steel and 500
pounds of copper per pro j -
ect, per quarter, self-
certification for alumi-
num won't be effective
until May 1, the original
relaxation date.
•
It was disclosed here
yesterday that a large
order for projectors and
accessory equipment for
future Cinerama installa-
tions has been placed with
the Century Projector
Corp.
Hughes-Stolkin Talks on
RKO Future Collapse
Concern for Welfare
Of RKO 'Holders
Expressed by Court
Justice Henry Clay Greenberg yes-
terday expressed concern for the wel-
fare of RKO Pictures stockholders in
granting another week's adjournment
in the RKO receivership case. Hear-
ings on the minority stockholders' re-
ceivership application were set for next
Wednesday in New York Supreme
Court.
Justice Greenberg, approving
the company's bid for a delay,
said he was disturbed by cur-
rent reports of company losses
and said the situation does not
seem to be "a very healthy one."
Albert R. Connelly, attorney repre-
{Continited on page 3)
Will Rogers Unit
Reelects Officers
All officers of the Variety Clubs-
Will Rogers Memorial Hospital have
been reelected and three new vice-
presidents have been added for the
coming year. Jack Beresin, interna-
tional chief barker of the Variety
Clubs, and Alfred Starr, president of
the Theatre Owners of America, have
been placed on the board of directors.
Beresin fills the vacancy left by Marc
Wolff, retired chief barker, and Starr
succeeds Mitchell Wolfson, the pre-
vious TOA president. The new vice-
presidents are Charles J. Feldman,
{Continued on page 6)
' Carmen 9 TV
To 31 Houses
All Deals Are Called Off as Coast
Negotiations Break Up; Chicago Group
Keeps Stock; Next Move Is Up to Them
Hollywood, Dec. 10. — Negotiations between the Ralph Stolkin
syndicate and Howard Hughes which have been under way here for
nearly four weeks were terminated today, for the time being at
least, with no agreements of any kind having been reached.
In consequence of the collapse of all proposals for reorganization
of RKO Pictures' management, reconstitution of its board of direc-
tors and revision or cancellation of
the Stolkin syndicate's agreement
to purchase Hughes' 29 per cent
controlling stock interest in the
company, the ownership and manage-
ment status remains the same as it
was on Nov. 13 when Arnold Grant
resigned as board chairman and chief
executive officer of RKO Pictures for
the Stolkin syndicate.
Sherrill Corwin, a member of the
syndicate, was named acting chair-
man of the board at that time and
presumably continues in the same
capacity. Corwin and Edward J.
Burke are the only members of the
syndicate still on RKO Pictures'
board. Elected with them to the
RKO Radio board following Grant's
resignation were William Zimmer-
man, Charles Boasberg and Ross
Hastings, executives of the company.
Three vacancies on the board remain
unfilled.
The earlier board vacancies oc-
curred Oct. 22 when Stolkin, A. L.
Koolish and William Gorman, the
latter the representative of Ray Ryan,
the fifth member of the syndicate, re-
{Continued on page 3)
The entire Metropolitan Opera
Company's production of "Carmen"
will be televised tonight in 31 thea-
tres in 27 cities from Coast-to-Coast,
Theatre Network Television, the
agency which booked the event, dis-
closed here yesterday.
Theatres located in the following
cities will carry the event, the first
entertainment show ever seen on the
new medium : New York, Fort Lee,
N. J. ; Lynn, Mass. ; Boston, Asbury
Park, N. J. ; Richmond, Pittsburgh,
Toledo, Cleveland, Chicago, Minne-
apolis, Milwaukee, Omaha, Des
Moines, Denver, Salt Lake City, San
Francisco, Los Angeles Hollywood,
Buffalo, Kansas City, Philadelphia,
{Continued on page 6)
Approve Eastern
Crafts' Council
Variety Clubs in
Four Cities Elect
The Variety Clubs of Detroit,
Memphis and Buffalo have elected
new boards of directors, the Detroit
Tent also naming new officials for
1953, and the Variety Club of Cincin-
nati has selected new officers.
In Detroit, the new board chose
Jack Zide of Allied Film exchange as
chief barker; Harold Brown, United
Detroit Theatres, first assistant ;
Milton Zimmerman, Columbia, second
assistant ; Ernest Conlon, Allied of
, {Continued on page 3)
Nine local unions affiliated with the
International Alliance of Theatrical
Stage Employes have approved the
constitution of the newly formed East-
ern Motion Picture Council which
will function on a similar basis as the
Hollywood AFL Film Council. The
constitution currently is being sub-
mitted to four additional locals which
will make up the 13-union member-
ship in the Council.
The basic agreement covering the
various crafts identified with the pro-
duction of TV films in the East is
being prepared by a special commit-
tee and the draft will be submitted
to the locals' representatives at a
meeting in New York on Monday.
The Council will not concern itself
{Continued on page 3)
See $15,000,000
From 'Hans' 'Pan'
A potential film rental in-
come of at least $15,000,000 is
expected by RKO Radio Pic-
tures from "Hans Christian
Andersen" and "Peter Pan,"
it was disclosed in a deposi-
tion filed in the New York
Supreme Court by William H.
Clark, director and treasurer
of the company, at yesterday's
hearing on an application for
a receivership for RKO.
The figure was cited to
show the importance of in-
dependent producers such as
Samuel Goldwyn and Walt
Disney to the corporation.
2
Motion picture daily
Thursday, December 11, 1952
Personal
Mention
WARNER, Warner
Brothers' president, has left here
for the Coast.
|_JARRY
Dr. Charles A. Brind, Jr., counsel
for the New York State Department
of Education and the Board of Re-
gents, will discuss "Motion Picture
Censorship" at a dinner-meeting to-
morrow night at the Mens Club of
Westminster Presbyterian Church in
Albany.
•
Walter Reade, Jr., president of
Walter Reade Theatres, was named to
the executive board of Monmouth
County, N. J., Boy Scouts of America
and has also been appointed to head a
special Christmas activity committee
in Long Branch, N. J.
•
Mike Simons, assistant to H. M.
Richey, head of M-G-M's exhibitor
relations department, will begin a
four-city speaking tour Monday when
he addresses the Professional Social
Workers of Wheeling, W. Va.
•
Walter Gould, executive vice-pres-
ident of International-United Pro-
ductions, Inc., new film distributing
company, left here for Boston yester-
day and will proceed to Chicago over
the weekend.
Walter L. Titus, Jr., Republic dis-
trict manager, is visiting the Dallas
branch and is expected to return here
next Thursday.
Alan1 Barnett of Barnett Interna-
tional Forwarders, left here yesterday
for Philadelphia, Baltimore and Wash-
ington. He will return on Monday.
H. M. Richey, M-G-M exhibitor
relations head, is due back here to-
morrow from the COMPO meeting in
Chicago.
Irving Sochin, Universal short sub-
jects sales manager, has returned to
New York from Oklahoma City, Dal-
las and Cincinnati.
Paul Raibourn, Paramount vice-
president, yesterday returned to New
York from Miami Beach.
Mrs. Kate Treske of the Lenox
Theatre, Hartford, has returned there
from a New York vacation.
Louis Ram, South Carolina exhibi-
tor, is in a Charlotte hospital follow-
ing- a heart attack.
Rathvon Closes Deal to
Finance European Film
N. J. Allied Meets
And Eats in Passaic
Allied of New Jersey last night
held its annual beefsteak dinner at
the Ritz Restaurant in Passaic, fol-
lowing a membership meeting in the
afternoon.
A discussion of national Allied's
convention in Chicago last month
highlighted the business session. Ap-
proximately 100 attended the dinner.
N. Peter Rathvon closed a deal for
the financing of one European picture
during his recent overseas trip. The
former RKO, president, who returned
here this week from Europe, said
yesterday that the purpose of his for-
eign tour was to look over the Euro-
pean production field with the view of
supplying capital for producers with
outstanding story material.
Rathvon declined to identify the
producer or the picture's title until
after the final details of the transac-
tion have been completed. The deal is
expected to be concluded next week.
No distribution arrangements will be
negotiated until after the picture is
completed, he said.
Rathvon plans to leave for the
Coast late next week to spend Christ-
mas at his California home.
Three Television
Firms in Merger
United Television Programs, Inc.,
in association with Gross-Krasne Pro-
ductions, Inc., and Studio Films, Inc.,
have formed what was described as
"the major all-purpose organization in
the television industry," joining dis-
tribution, production and financial in-
terests.
The board of directors of the com-
bined companies includes Gerald King,
Willson M. Tuttle, Milton Blink, Ben
Frye, Sam A. Costello, Philip N.
Krasne and Jack J. Gross. Tuttle
will be president. He recently re-
siged as vice-president in charge of
radio and television for Ruthrauff &
Ryan. King is chairman of the board.
He was president and- co-founder of
TP in 1950 and was once associated
with Warner Brothers. Blink, execu-
tive vice-president, will continue in
the same capacity and as the com-
pany's treasurer. Frye will be vice-
president in charge of sales.
Royal London Debut
For 'Hans Christian'
Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans Christian
Andersen" will be given a royal pre-
miere in London on Dec. 19 at the
Carlton. Theatre for the benefit of the
Scottish Veterans' Association, it was
announced here. The Duke and
Duchess of Gloucester will head a
list of distinguished guests who will
attend the performance.
RKO Radio, which is releasing the
Technicolor film, is collaborating on
all arrangements for the premiere.
Legion of Decency
Lists 3 in Class B
Three films are placed in Class B,
six films in Class A-I and six films
in Class A-II in the latest Legion of
Decency report.
The Class B films are : "The Bad
and the Beautiful," M-G-M ; "Ruby
Gentry," 20th Century-Fox, and
"Two Cents Worth of Hope," (Ital-
ian) Times Film Corp.
6 RKO Ist-run Films
Here During Holiday
Six RKO Radio releases will play
first-run engagements in New "VorK
during the holiday season. Another,
Walt Disney's "Peter Pan," is set to
open early in February.
Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans Christian
Andersen" will continue at the Crite-
rion and Paris. On Christmas Day,
Mort Briskin's "No Time for
Flowers" will bow in at the Norman-
die, and "Blackbeard, the Pirate" will
open at Loew's State. Huntington
Hartford's "Face to Face" will move
into the 52nd St. Trans Lux late this
month, following "O. Henry's Full
House." Gabriel Pascal's "Androcles
and the Lion" will open at the Capitol
and Frederick Brisson's "Never Wave
at a Wac" at an as yet undesignated
theatre, both in January.
RKO First to Set
Long Yule Weekend
RKO Radio Pictures is the first
film company to announce a long
Christmas weekend for home office
employes. The company will be closed
from 3 :00 P.M. on Dec. 24 until Mon-
day morning, Dec. 29. Other film and
theatre companies are expected to fol-
low.
It is understood that city and Fed-
eral departments, as well as a large
number of business establishments,
banks, department stores, etc., will
close on both Fridays, Dec. 26 and
Jan. 2.
RKO Adds Field Men
For 'Hans' and 'Peter'
RKO Radio will add additional field
men to handle pre-release engagements
of Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans Cnristian
Andersen" and Walt Disney's "Peter
Pan," it was announced here yester-
day by Richard Condon, director of
advertising-publicity. They will work
under exploitation manager Leon
Brandt.
Press Agents Honor
Samuel Goldwyn
Hollywood, Dec. 10. — Samuel Gold-
wyn was the honor guest this eve-
ning at the sixth annual Panhandle
Dinner of the Screen Publicists Guild,
yearly get-together of Hollywood
press agents covering the motion pic-
ture industry. Goldwyn was intro-
duced at the dinner by Edgar Bergen
and Charlie McCarthy, whom he
brought to the screen in "The Gold-
wyn Follies" 15 years ago.
Dreyfus Rites in Chicago
^ Chicago, Dec. 10.— Max Dreyfus,
72, former exhibitor and long-time
employee of the Monogram exchange
here when it was operated by Irving
Mandel, was buried at Waldheim
Tentative Date Set
For 'Ronde' Hearing
Albany, N. Y., Dec. 10.—
Jan. 7 has been tentatively set
by the Court of Appeals here
for argument in the "La
Ronde" appeal and for a
screening which the seven
judges will witness. This ac-
tion was taken after Florence
Perlow Shientas, attorney for
Commercial Pictures, dis-
tributor of the French-made
film, filed the printed record
and a brief.
The latter urged the State's
highest tribunal to overrule
the 3-2 decision of the Ap-
pelate division, announced
last May, which supported
the Regent's ruling that the
picture was "immoral and
tended to corrupt morals"
within the meaning of Sec-
tion 122 of the Education Law.
Dr. Charles A. Brind, Jr.,
counsel for the Regents, will
file an answering brief before
Jan. 5. The case is eventually
expected to reach the United
States Supreme Court.
Services Today for
Theresa Dureau, 82
New Orleans, Dec. 10. — A Re-
quiem Mass will be said here tomor-
row in St. Frances Cabrini Roman
Catholic Church for Mrs. Theresa
Maurice Dureau, who died this morn-
ing- at the age of 82.
Survivors are a daughter, Mrs.
Edmund Langhetee, three sons, Gas-
ton J., Jr., president and general man-
ager of Paramount Gulf Theatres ;
Milton M., vice-president and general
manager of Masterpiece Pictures, Inc.,
and Alton C, a salesman with Mas-
terpiece Pictures ; a sister, Miss Alice
Marie ; a brother, Sidney Marie, and
11 grandchildren and great grand-
children. Interment will be in Lafay-
ette Cemetery.
FCC's Smith Joins
Welch Law Firm
Washington, Dec. 10. — Stratford
Smith, Federal Communications Com-
mission theatre television expert, has
joined the firm of Welch, Mott and
Morgan here.
Vincent Welch, senior partner of
the firm, is representing the Motion
Picture Association of America in its
theatre television hearing before the
FCC. It's expected, however, that
Smith will not take part in the theatre
television hearings for some time.
Paramount Group
To Chicago Meet
Los Angeles, Dec. 10. — Para-
mount's A. W. Schwalberg, E. K.
(Ted) O'Shea and Jerome Pickman
this evening prepared to head for
Chicago for a sales parley in their
current series of regional merchandis-
ing-promotion conferences. On Friday
and Saturday they will hold sessions
Cemetery yesterday. He is survived j there with Central division manager
by the widow, a brother, and a sister. | J. J. Donohue and territory personnel.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-m-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, Fl 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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.
Thursday, December 11, 1952
MOTION PICTURE DAILY
3
RKO Talks
(Continued from page 1)
Court Expresses Concern
(Continued from page 1)
signed following a series of expose
articles in the Wall Street Journal
which concerned the three.
The calling off of all deals
between Hughes and the Stolkin
syndicate today resulted, ac-
cording to reports, from
Hughes' unwillingness to make
concessions or deferments to
the Stolkin group on their stock
purchase agreement with him
without Ned E. Depinet return-
ing to the RKO Pictures presi-
dency.
Depinet had been called here 10
days ago by Hughes to participate in
the final conferences. Shortly after
his arrival an agreement was reached
under which the Stolkin group was
to return the 1,048,012 shares which
it contracted to purchase from
Hughes and Depinet at $7 per share.
The Stolkin group was to have
waived its $1,250,000 down payment
for the stock in return for waivers of
liability under the purchase agree-
ment and during its administration of
RKO Pictures. Depinet was to have
returned as president with complete
autonomy.
Hitch Occurred
A hitch occurred late last week in
effecting the agreement, some reports
having it that Corwin balked at tak-
ing the loss of the down payment,
leading to differences among the
members of the syndicate.
On Monday of this week syndicate
members reached a new agreement
with Hughes under which their stock
purchase commitments would be de-
ferred, but Hughes would assume re-
sponsibility for RKO Pictures' man-
agement until such time as the Stol-
kin group had found a purchaser for
its 29 per cent controlling stock in-
terest. Hughes reportedly rejected
this agreement the following day
upon learning that Depinet would not
return to the RKO Pictures presi-
dency without an unequivocal guar-
anty of complete autonomy. Hughes
is said to have balked at the guar-
anty with the result that Depinet de-
clined to accept the presidency and a
place on the board of directors.
Depinet to New York
Depinet was scheduled to leave here
for New York by plane tonight.
Collapse of the negotiations here
obviously leaves the next move up to
the Stolkin group. They are back in
the saddle, apparently against their
wishes, and are confronted with the
problem of providing management
and a complete board of directors for
the company before next Wednesday,
when a hearing is scheduled in New
York Supreme Court on a stockhold-
ers' application for appointment of a
receiver for the company. The hear-
ing was postponed for one week
today, largely on company repre-
sentations to the court that a settle-
ment of the management and board
problems was expected "momen-
tarily."
Members Liable
Members of the Stolkin syndicate
are liable individually and as a group j
to Hughes for performance of the
stock purchase contract, under which
they are committed to pay a $6,-
■000,000 balance on the purchase price,
plus interest, and with provisions for
penalties, before October, 1954.
senting the company, informed the
court that meetings are continuing on
the Coast for reconstitution of the
board and the selection of a president.
Connelly added that a decision on
these problems may come "momen-
tarily." He referred to the series of
meetings between Howard Hughes,
members of the Ralph Stolkin group,
which purchased Hughes' 29 per cent
controlling interest in the company,
and Ned E. Depinet, former RKO
president and now company consult-
ant. The attorney of the law firm of
Cravath, Swaine and Moore, ex-
pressed regret that the Coast confer-
ences had not as yet culminated.
William Zimmerman, RKO general
counsel, told the court that there was
"no real emergency" as to the solvency
of the company. He said the losses
currently being sustained by the com-
pany are "in effect liquidation of high
cost pictures" which were completed
last year. "Our real problem" Zim-
merman continued, "is the accumula-
tion of pictures." He said he saw no
conflict of interest between the 29 per
cent group represented by Stolkin and
the remaining stockholders.
This brought a rejoinder from Jus-
tice Greenberg, who said that "How-
ard Hughes probably can lose $2,000,-
000 or $3,000,000 while others can't
lose $200 or $300."
Justice Greenberg also took
judicial notice of the fact that
more than 50 per cent of the
company's current income is
derived from independent pro-
ducers releasing through RKO.
Contracts of independent pro-
ducers, according to company
affidavits, provide for termina-
tion of distribution rights if a
receiver is appointed.
Judge Samuel J. Rosenman, repre-
senting Samuel Goldwyn Productions,
Inc., questioned the jurisdiction of the
court as to RKO assets outside New
! York State. Supporting the com-
pany's bid for a delay, Judge Rosen-
man said RKO's distribution set-up is
now operating in a normal and profit-
able manner.
Whitney Seymour, of Simpson,
Thacher and Bartlett, who represented
the Atlas Corp. and Walt Disney Pro-
ductions, expressed no objection to
postponing the hearing as requested
by RKO. He said he had no comment
as to the operations of the company.
Isadore J. Kresel, counsel for David
J. Greene, who claims to own arid
Variety
(Continued from page 1)
control more than 78,000 shares of
RKO Pictures stock, supported the
application for adjournment.
Louis Kipnis, attorney for the plain-
tiff minority stockholders, said he
could not consent to an adjournment.
The three minority stockholders seek-
ing to put the company in receivership
are Eli B. Castleman and his wife,
Marion V. Castleman of Detroit and
Louis Feuerman of this city, claiming
to own a total of 2,525 shares.
The hearing on the delaying
motion also brought to light a
cross-motion by the company to
to dismiss the receivership ap-
lication. In support of this
cross-motion were the affidavits
of Zimmerman, William H.
Clark, treasurer of RKO Radio
Pictures, and Garrett Van Wag-
ner, comptroller.
Zimmerman, in his affidavit, said
that experienced key employees of the
company who are in great demand by
"our competitors have given indica-
tion of the possibility of their leaving" |
the company in the event of a court-
appointed receiver.
The company's motion to dismiss the
receivership application claimed that
the complaint did not state sufficient
facts to constitute a cause of action,
that the plaintiffs have no legal ca-
pacity to sue and that the court should
decline jurisdiction of the action be-
cause it involves the internal affairs
and management of a solvent foreign
corporation.
Clark, in his affidavit, pointed up
the importance of such producers as
Goldwyn, Disney and Sol Lesser to
the company. He said of approxi-
mately $39,000,000 of film rentals in
the 39 weeks ending Sept. 27, 1952,
about $21,000,000 was realized from
features and short subjects produced
by others releasing through RKO.
"The effect upon the company of hav-
ing these distributor contracts can-
celled by reason of the appointment of
a receiver is obvious," he added.
Van Wagner's deposition said, with-
out exception, the basic operating or-
ganization of the company is intact
and fully capable of carrying out its
production and distribution commit-
ments. He said that approximately
1,000 persons are employed at the stu-
dio and currently one picture is being
filmed and five others being cut and
edited. Preparatory work, he went on,
is underway on 13 additional feature
pictures under the supervision of six
producers employed by the studio.
Gordon Is Regent's
U. S. Representative
Gordon Films, Inc., has concluded
a deal with Regent Film Distributors,
Ltd., distributor of foreign language
films in England, to be the exclusive
representative of that company in the
United States, it was disclosed here
by Richard Gordon, president of the
company.
Gordon Films has hitherto only
acted as representative for British
producers, handling their product for
American theatrical and television
distribution, but the new agreement,
negotiated by Gordon with James A.
Wilson, managing director of Regent
in London, will supply the company
with a flow of foreign language mo-
tion pictures, all of which will be sub-
titled or dubbed by Regent in Great
Britain.
Approve Council
(Continued from page 1)
with the producers of theatrical fea-
tures in the East, as contracts with
theatrical film makers already are es-
tablished. The organization will de-
vote itself to the utilization of its
crafts members by the makers of tele-
vision films. These crafts include
cameramen, studio mechanics, film
editors, laboratory technicians, assist-
ant directors, wardrobe personnel,
makeup artists and hair stylists.
The basic agreement will include
base scales and conditions for each
union. The Council proposes to assist
TV producers in working out produc-
tion problems by close cooperation on
both sides, at the same time seeking
the producers' recognition of IATSE
personnel as those who can do the
best work in television filming.
Michigan, property master ; Ben Ro-
sen, Confection Cabinet, dough guy ;
Saul Korman, Korman Theatres,
chairman of the house committee;
Julian Lefkowitz, L & L Concessions,
assistant house committee chairman ;
Zimmerman, chairman of the member-
ship committee ; Brown, press guy ;
Adolph Goldberg, Community Thea-
tres, national canvassman, and Zide,
alternate.
The 11 members of the new board
of directors are Brown ; Lew Wisper,
W & W Theatres ; Zimmerman ; Lef-
kowitz ; Zide ; William Clark, Clark
Theatre Service ; Dan Lewis, Coop-
erative Theatres ; Korman ; Rosen ;
Ivan Clavet, National Screen Serv-
ice, and Conlon.
In Cincinnati the Variety Club
elected Herman Hunt as chief barker,
succeeding Vance Schwartz, and de-
cided to hold the installation dinner
next month.
Other New Officers
Other new officers include Ed Salz-
berg, first assistant chief barker;
Richard Rosenfeld, second assistant ;
Rex Carr, property master, and Hoys
McGown, dough guy. William Onie
and Hunt were chosen delegates to
the international convention, with
Noah Schechter and McGown as
alternates. The crew, in addition to
the officers and past chief barkers,
consists of Saul Greenberg, Harry
Hartman, Stuart Jacobson, Robert
McNabb, Arthur Van Gelder and
Albert Weinstein.
Variety Club of Buffalo has elected
the following" directors : Manuel A.
Brown, United Artists ; John G. Chi-
nell, RKO Pictures ; Robert Hay-
man, Hayman Theatres ; Marvin
Jacobs, Sportservice ; Billy Keaton,
WGR; Arthur Krolick, United
Paramount Theatres ; W. E. J. Mar-
tin, Courier-Express drama editor ;
Dewey Michaels, Michaels Enter-
prises; Albert Ryde, Buffalo projec-
tionists union; Elmer C. Winegar of
the same union, and Max Yellen of
Midland Properties.
Delegates elected to the 1953
Variety Clubs International conven-
tion in Mexico City next year are :
William D. Dipson, Dipson circuit,
and Ben Kulick, Faysan Distributors.
Alternates are Myron Gross, Co-Op-
erative Theatres; Wally Gluck,
theatrical agent, and Krolick.
The Memphis Variety Club has
elected the following directors : M. H.
Brandon, Alton Sims, Jack Sawyer,
George Simpson, Tom Kirk, Tony
Tedesko, Ed Doherty, Ben Bluestein,
Tom Young, Vernon Adams and Gil-
bert Brandon. The new board will
meet Monday to select officers for
1953.
Bezel Distribution
Deal with Beverly
Albert Dezel has completed a dis-
tribution deal with Oliver A. Unger
and Herbert Bregstein of Beverly Pic-
tures for the Chicago, Indianapolis,
and Detroit exchange areas for releas-
ing rights to 16 former Film Classics
features.
5-Theatre L.A. Opening
"Breaking the Sound Barrier" will
open in Los Angeles simultaneously at
the Chinese, Los Angeles, Uptown,
Loyola and Wilshire theatres on Wed-
nesday.
torr,dwith Romance
HOT WITH
The redhead
knew what her kisses
could make any man do
It's Paramount^ ACTION super-hit for January-same r
"Road to Bali" ft ft ft and the ADVENt
s
liiiii
TECHNICOLOR
starring
wj^ Written for the Screen and Directed by
BEERY - GRANT WITHERS • LEWIS R. FOSTER
Based on a novel by Tom Gill • Produced by William H. Pine and William C.Thomas
y
Tionth you get the COMEDY super-hit
TURE super-hit, "Thunder In The East'
o
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, December 11, 1952
Compo Meet
(Continued from page 1)
Sam Pinanski
Reviews
was attended by 50 representatives
of all the organizations making up
COMPO, authorized Cole and Mc-
Gee to take whatever steps may be
necessary to obtain this information.
It was indicated that a simple ques-
tional re would be put in the hands of
all distressed exhibitors and that, _ if
necessary, salesmen of the various dis-
tributing companies' would be used in
the work.
The meeting adopted a reso-
lution commending the tax cam-
paign committee for its work.
Sam Pinanski, one of the three co-
chairmen now directing the affairs
ot COMPO,
read a report
covering the ac-
tivities of the
co-chairmen
■since their as-
cension of of-
fice last June.
The report em-
phasized that
Al Lichtman,
True m a n T.
1 Rembusch and
Pinanski, the
triumvirate, had
thrown all of
COMPO's re-
sources and facilities behind the cam-
paign and that this policy would be
pursued until the tax is repealed.
The report of the membership drive
conducted in August and September,
read by Rembusch, as chairman of
the finance committee, stated that
nearly 14,000 exhibitors had paid their
COMPO dues.
Herman Robbins, treasurer,
read a report of COMPO's fi-
nancial condition and policies.
The Theatre Owners of Washing-
ton, Idaho and Alaska were admitted
to membership and the membership
committee was instructed to approach
equipment manufacturers and other
industries allied with the picture busi-
ness to enlist them as members.
The committee voted to give further
consideration to a proposal by Mrs.
Mary Lasker, widow of Albert D.
Lasker, that motion picture theatres
conduct a national health week for the
benefit of charities in need of money
for medical research.
Reporting on the Movietime, U.S.A.
projects, Robert J. O'Donnell, national
director, said
that since the
tours were
started a year
ago, 330 Holly-
wood personali-
ties had made
8,000 personal
appearances in
1 ,500 cities and
towns in nearly
all of the 48
states. O'Don-
nell, who was
commended for
his work, em-
phasized that
the tours must R J" O'Donnell
be continued because of their great
value in promoting industry good-will
and because they have perfected an
organization for future industry action
on other problems that might arise.
The committee heard a pro-
posal from Steve Broidy, presi-
dent of the Motion Picture In-
dustry Council of Hollywood,
"Hiawatha"
(Allied Artists) Hollywood, Dec. 10
PRODUCER Walter Mirisch has presented the story of the Henry Wads-
worth Longfellow American poetic classic in terms of straightaway action
with fine dramatic values and without loss of the tale's charm.
Filmed in CineColor, this held a capacity preview audience composed prin-
cipally of press and profession at the Academy Awards Theatre in Holly-
wood completely in its spell, and drew sustained applause at the closing.
The production is a notable achievement to be credited to Mirisch and to
his associate producer, Richard Heermance, his director, Kurt Neumann,
his writers, Arthur Strawn and Dan Ullman, and his cinematographer, Harry
Neumann.
The filming of the Longfellow poem presented problems of various kinds.
The measured narration of the poet had to be enlivened, and Mirisch made
it a point to throw in a hot-tempered killing at almost the very beginning
of the film. How to write dialogue that would convey the Longfellow story
without falling into the rhythm of the poem was no simple question. It was
answered by giving the Indians plain every-day English lines to speak in
every-day fashion, with no poetic phrases or expression undertaken. Only
at the start and close of the picture are a few lines of the poem spoken, by
an off -screen narrator.
The story of Hiawatha is too well known, for repetition in synopsis here.
The important fact is that it comes out in the Mirisch production a
story of Indian life, customs and conflicts in the America of the Ojolbways,
the Illinois and the Dacotahs, before the coming of the whites, and that it
retains the charm of the poem without utilizing the devices of poetry, and
in spite of the swift and sometimes bloody melodrama contained in it.
Vincent Edwards portrays the title character, and Yvette Dugay plays
Minnehaha. Others in the cast are Keith Larsen, Gene Iglesias, Armando
Silvestre, Stuart Randall, Michael Tolan, Ian MacDonald, Katherine Emery,
Morris Ankrum and Stephen Chase.
Running time, 80 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Dec. 28.
'Carmen' TV
(Continued from page 1)
"Babes In Bagdad"
(Edward J. and Harry L. Dansiger --United Artists)
PAULETTE GODDARD and Gypsy Rose Lee are the two lasses referred
to in the title of this harum-scarum satire that occasionally is humorous
and often is opulent. It is especially attractive when the two very amply
endowed actresses are dazzlingly displayed in a variety of revealing costumes
in a bright color process titled Exoticolor.
The emphasis on glamor undoubtedly can be exploited and the marquee
lure of the cast is of value. Richard Ney and John Boles are further aids.
Edward J. and Harry L. Danziger have provided lavish interior settings and
utilized Spanish backgrounds. The screenplay by Felix Feist and Joe Anson
includes harum gags and intersperses modern colloquialisms with pseudo-
Arabian dialogue. Director Edgar G. Ulmer has allowed the performers to
cavort freely and the mixture of serious playing and broad acting is quite
ludicrous.
Richard Ney is the godson of a Caliph whose monogamous viewpoint re-
sults in his investigating a complaint filed by Miss Lee and other harum
members against Kadi John Boles. At the same time he looks into the Bagdad
corruption carried on by the tax collector, villainously portrayed by Thomas
Gallagher. It takes a few days for Ney to get the goods on Gallagher, trick-
Boles into letting him marry Miss Goddard and turn Boles into a tractable
ruler, who accepts Miss Lee as his sole wife.
Others in the cast are Sebastian Cabot, Macdonald Parke, Natalie Benesh,
Hugh Dempster, and Peter Bathurst.
Running time, 79 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Dec. 7. Walter Pashkin
Detroit, Baltimore, Albany, Cincin-
nati and Sacramento.
TNT said that more than 20 addi-
tional theatres desiring to carry the
opera are unable to because of the
unavailability of A. T. & T. long lines
for the occasion.
See 'Carmen' Telecast Sellout
Unlikely at Albany's Grand
Albany, N. Y., Dec. 10. — Fabian's
Grand Theatre is advertising 263
seats still purchaseable, at $1.20,
$1.80 and $2.40 for the telecast of
"Carmen" tomorrow night. Sales to
date do not indicate a capacity audi-
ence—1500 — unless they pick up
sharply. Some observers believe the
date is too close to Christmas.
The theatre will show a picture
until 4 :30 P.M. Closing for three
hours, it will reopen for the telecast at
8 :30. Breaking time is scheduled for
11 :45. One of the three intermissions
will be devoted to a musical quiz,
from New York. The Grand will
have its concession stand open, but
will sell no popcorn.
'Carmen' Telecast at Orpheum,
Warner Scaled at $1.50-$3.60
Hollywood, Dec. 10. — Admission
prices for the "Carmen" telecast
range from $1.50 to $3.60 at both the
Orpheum, Downtown, and the War-
ner, Hollywood. The Orpheum is
getting $3.60 for the main floor (ex-
cept first five rows at $2.40) and bal-
cony loges. The balconv behind the
loges is $2.40 and $1.50". Warner is
scaled identically for balcony, but gets
$3.60 for first 11 rows downstairs,
$2.40 for remainder.
Paramount in Denver Sees
Sellout for 'Carmen' Telecast
Denver, Dec. 10. — The Paramount
here with 2,200 seats is expected to
be sold out for the telecast of "Car-
men" tomorrow night. Prices are
$2.30, $3.60, and $4.80. Closed all day,
the house will open at 5 :00 for free
coffee and sandwiches with "Carmen"
starting via large screen television
at 6:40.
that COMPO cooperate in an
extension of the MPIC's public
relations service through exhi-
bitors. It was referred to the
finance committee.
After a presentation by O'Donnell
of the plans of Texas COMPO for
an exposition and touring train, the
committee adopted a resolution ap-
proving the presentation and instruct-
ing the COMPO co-chairmen to pre-
pare a report on the project.
The session was presided over by
Rembusch and will resume tomorrow
morning.
Rogers Unit
(Continued from page 1 )
Notaro in Roth Post
Pat Notaro has resigned from War-
ner Brothers Theatres, effective Jan.
3, after having been with that company
for 24 years, to accept an executive
post with Roth Enterprises which op-
erates theatres in Washington and
Vi rginia. He will make his headquar-
ters in Washington.
Sam J. Switow and Joseph R. Vogel.
The reelected officers are : A. Mon-
tague, president ; Robert J. O'Donnell,
chairman of the board ; Chick Lewis,
executive vice-president ; Max A.
Cohen, secretary ; S. H. Fabian, treas-
urer ; George Eby, assistant treasurer,
and Harry Brandt, Robert Mochrie,
Herman Robbins and Richard Walsh,
vice-presidents.
At a meeting of the board of di-
rectors here Tuesday, Lewis reported
on the year's improvements at the hos-
pital and announced the appointment
of Charles Gratz of Pittsburgh as
hospital administrator.
Fabian, reported that for the fisca
year ended Oct. 31, the hospital oper-
ating cost amounted to $174,127, with
an over-all expense for the entire pro
gram totalling $221,072, an increase of
$7,500 over the costs of 1951.
Fred Schwartz, chairman of the fi
nance and fund-raising committee, re-
ported that this year's "Christmas
Salute" was running ahead of last
year's drive and that the results will
exceed 1951's total of $97,000. The
"Coin Box" project, Schwartz said,
has 3,754 theatres cooperating.
The 1953 board of directors is com-
prised of Beresin, Maurice Bergman,
Charles Boasberg, Harry Brandt,
Cohen, Tom Connors, George Dem-
bow, Gus S. Eyssell, Fabian, Feld-
man, William J. German, Leonard H.
Goldenson, Maurice R. Goldstein,
John H. Harris, William Heineman,
J. Robert Hoff, Harry M. Kalmine,
Paul N. Lazarus, Jr., Lewis, Al Licht-
man, Mochrie, Montague, O'Donnell,
Sam Rinzler, Robbins, William Rod-
gers, Samuel Rosen, Schwartz, Wil-
bur Snaper, Starr, Switow, Morton
Thalhimer, Vogel, Richard F. Walsh,
Murray Weiss, William White, and
Herbert J. Yates, Sr.
Para. Christmas Party
The Paramount Pictures Club will
be host to Paramount employes of the
New York metropolitan area at a
Christmas party on the afternoon of
Dec. 24 in the Paramount Hotel. Sid
I Mesibov is club president.
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
VOL. 72. NO. 113
NEW YORK, U.S.A., FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1952
TEN CENTS
Myers Clarifies
Allied's Stand
On Arbitration
Issue May Be Discussed,
But Only Board Can Act
Washington, Dec. 11.— Allied
States Association general counsel
Abram F. Myers said today that
Allied leaders cannot participate in
any arbitration negotiations until the
board reverses the stand it took at
the recent Chicago meeting.
However, he added, "it would
be proper for Allied's president
to confer informally with repre-
sentatives of distribution on
this or any other subject and
to receive from them and report
to the board any proposals they
may see fit to offer for ending
the impasse."
Myers' statement was issued to
clarify the confusion existing in the
industry as to how far Allied leaders
can now take part in arbitration talks.
Myers has always taken the stand
(Continued on page 5)
Compo Reelects
Trio of Heads
For One Year
Chicago, Dec. 11. — The Council
of Motion Picture Organizations
will retain its executive triumvirate
for another year. The executive
committee of COMPO today unani-
mously reelected Trueman T. Rem-
busch, San Pinanski and Al Lichtman
as co-chairman of the organization
for 1953 and expressed full approval
of the trio's conduct of COMPO
(Continued on page 5)
Southwest Industry
Will Honor Zukor
Dallas, Dec. 11. — The Texas Va-
riety Club and the Texas Council of
Motion Picture Organizations will
jointly honor Adolph Zukor at a
Golden Jubilee celebration banquet at
the Baker Hotel here on Jan. 28.
Variety Clubs International,, sponsor
of the Zukor Jubilee next year, will
participate.
One thousand Southwest exhibitors
are expected to attend. Dignitaries
(Continued on page 5)
Green, Veteran of
Proxy Wars, Admits
Buying Fox Stock
Recent stock market activity in
20th Century-Fox shares is officially
attributed to buying by Charles
Green, a New York appliance dealer,
who has specialized in several well-
known proxy fights and campaigns
against management in such com-
panies as Twin City Rapid Transit
and United Cigar-Whelan Stores
Corp.
Green confirmed his buying of 20th-
Fox stock in the open market to
Motion Picture Daily yesterday.
He pointed out that he had been criti-
cal of company operations at the an-
nual meeting of 20th-Fox stockhold-
ers at the home office last May but
said his current buying of the stock
is "strictly as an investment." How-
ever, Green's past activities in corpo-
rate relations suggest the possibility
(Continued on page 5)
Allied Policy Okayed
By New Jersey Unit
National Allied's statement of
policy regarding the association's
withdrawal from intra-industry activi-
ties in order to devote itself to taxes
and other problems has been approved
by Allied Theatre Owners of New
Jersey. At its membership meeting
in Passaic Wednesday. The New Jer-
sey unit also endorsed the national
organization's stand on arbitration in
(Continued on page 5)
HUGHES MAY PICK
RKO MANAGEMENT
DepinetConfirms
His Decision Not
To Re-enter RKO
Hollywood, Dec. 11. — Confirming
earlier reports that he would not re-
turn to RKO Pictures, Ned E. De-
pinet, in a statement issued here prior
to his departure
for New York
today, said:
"Due to exist-
ing circum-
stances it was
my considered
decision that it
would serve no
useful purpose
for me to re-
enter the man-
agement of
RKO at this
time."
Ned E. Depinet Depinet add-
ed : "I am sure
Mr. (Howard) Hughes intends to do
whatever is necessary to give RKO
good management and I hope with all
my heart that he succeeds."
Depinet was here for the past 10
days as a participant in the Hughes-
Stolkin syndicate discussions. His
statement in full follows :
"There has been for the past few
(Continued on page 4)
Find 'Carmen' Box-Off ice
Video Event Fair-Good
The box-office performance of last night's ''Carmen" theatre telecast
was spotty, varying from excellent to fair, on the basis of advance sales
in most of the 31 theatres in 27 cities which carried the Metropolitan
Opera Company's three-hour show
Postpone Bendix
Telecast to Spring
The scheduled Dec. 30 Ben-
dix theatre telecast has been
postponed until the spring,
according to circuit execu-
tives who said they were in-
formed here yesterday of the
postponement by Teleconfer-
ence, Inc., the new theatre TV
programming agency which
booked the event.
The Theatre Network Television
attraction was the first entertainment
show offered on theatre TV.
In New York, before curtain time,
Fox Fabian's in Brooklyn reported
the ticket sale as fair, while the RKO
Fordham, Bronx, found the ticket sale
encouraging. The 50th Street Guild
Theatre reported a virtual sell-out of
its 450 seats, which were lowered
from $7.20 to $4.80 when tickets
failed to sell as quickly as expected.
Factors affecting poor results in
some situations, it was explained, was
the price for the attraction, which
varied in the majority of situations
from $1.80 to $3.60, and opera not
(Continued on page 4)
Report Stalemate Ends
With Stolkin Group
Given Pact Deferments
Hollywood, Dec. 11. — Howard
Hughes and Ralph Stolkin were
scheduled to issue a statement late
tonight announcing that the defer-
ment on the Stolkin stock purchase
agreement had been . granted and it
would result in a new RKO Pictures
management and board of directors.
According to the reports, both
sides are reverting to the position
they took earlier this week under
which Hughes would grant defer-
ments of obligations of the Stolkin
group under their stock purchase
agreement which gave them Hughes'
29 per cent controlling interest in
RKO Pictures, and would himself be
responsible for designation of new
management and reorganization of
the board of directors.
With Ned E. Depinet, former
company president, confirming
(Continued on page 4)
26 £U' Productions
Before the Cameras
In Next 7 Months
Hollywood, Dec. 11. — Universal-
International will put a minimum of
26 productions before the camera dur-
ing the next seven months, at least
16 of them to have color by Techni-
color.
The new production schedule was
made public as a climax to a week-
long series of policy meetings at the
U-I studio, with executives of the
company from all sections of the
country in attendance.
The company pointed out that the
(Continued on page 4)
Oral Argument Jan.5
OnUPT-ABCMerger
Washington, Dec. 11. — The Fed-
eral Communications Commission has
ordered oral argument on Jan. 5 in
the United Paramount - American
Broadcasting merger case.
The argument will also cover the
question of Paramount Pictures' rela-
tionship with Allen B. DuMont Tele-
vision Laboratories, the anti-trust
records of Paramount and UPT, and
(Continued on page 5)
2
Motion Picture Daily
Friday, December 12, 1952
Personal
Mention
K
ARL HOBLITZELLE'S
story was the subject of
life
radio
program over WFAA, Dallas, this
week. The program was directed by
Texas COMPO's Paul Short.
•
George Nichols of the M-G-M
studio publicity department arrived
here yesterday from the Coast for a
week's visit.
•
Jean Renor, French director, will
arrive here today from Paris via
Pan American Airways.
•
Leon Brandt, RKO Radio Pictures
exploitation manager left here last
night by plane for Hollywood.
•
David Golding. Goldwyn Produc-
tions' advertising-publicity director,
left here yesterday for Florida.
Production Code
Seal to 'Bwana'
Hollywood, Dec. 11. — "Bwana
Devil," now in its third week at the
two Paramount theatres here, has re-
ceived Production Code seal of ap-
proval, which it lacked for the open-
ing, following producer Arch Oboler's
elimination of the sequence found
objectionable by the PC A.
Meanwhile, Oboler flew today to
San Francisco for advance promo-
tional work on the St. Francis
Theatre engagement of the first
Natural Vision feature in three-
dimension, which starts on Dec. 16.
Following the premiere there, Oboler
flies to Detroit for an opening on the
23rd, then to Texas, where the film
will open in Dallas, Houston and San
Antonio on Christmas Day.
Montague Option
Deal with Columbia
An option to acquire an aggregate
10,000 shares of Columbia Pictures
common stock has been provisionally
granted to Abe Montague, Columbia
vice-president, the Securities and
Exchange Commission was informed
here yesterday. A similar option for
1,000 shares was reported for Gerald
Rackett, supervisor of the company's
film laboratory.
The five-year Montague contract,
the SEC was informed, sets the pur-
chase price at $12 per share and is
exercisable at any time from Nov. 3,
1952 to Sept. 9, 1958. The execution
of the option must be approved at the
next annual meeting of stockholders
in Jan., 1953.
'Collier's' Editorial Lauds 'Andersen';
Sees Good Patronage for Better Films
Another friendly salute to the motion picture industry, together
with a persuasive "plug" for Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans Christian
Andersen" appears on the editorial page of the Dec. 20 issue of
Collier's, on newsstands today.
A large color photo of Jeanmaire dominates the magazine s edi-
torial page. The lead editorial beneath it is headed "Something
Worth Seeing." Introducing Jeanmaire to its readers, the Collier's
editorial says: "We liked her in the picture and we liked and en-
thusiastically recommend the picture itself— which reminds us that
we've seen a lot of good movies this year. It also reminds us that
Mr Goldwyn, who has made many a good one in his time, wrote an
article in Collier's something more than a year ago. Its title was
'Is Hollywood Through?'. . . He figured Hollywood would keep on
going, turned out he was right. ,
"We notice that people still seem to be going to the movies. And
when there's a particularly popular attraction playing, its still
tough to get a seat.
"Maybe the box-office scare of the last two or three years will
turn out to be a healthy thing for the film makers. It seems to
us that even now they are turning out a better product in a strong-
er effort to compete with television for the American audience.
Collier's was one of the national magazines which editorialized
strongly against the Justice Department's anti-trust suit to torce
the sale of 16mm. films to television and other non-theatrical users.
Stress Exploitation
At AMPAs Clinic
UPT Closes 'Frisco Run
San Francisco, Dec. 11. — The
2,135-seat downtown State Theatre
has been closed by United Paramount
and the reason given was high opera-
tional costs, including labon Fox
West Coast closed the 2,578-seat El
Capitan and the 990-seat Noe (both
neighborhoods) last month, a few
days after signing new contracts with
the projectionists' local, which incor-
porated a health and welfare plan.
9 AM Sale of Roxy
Reopening Tickets
The box-office of the Roxy Theatre
here will open on Monday at 9:00
A. M. for the advance sale of re-
served seat tickets for the theatre's
reopening on Monday evening,
Dec. 22. The box-office will be open
daily thereafter from 9:00 A. M. to
9:00 P. M.
The premiere will introduce an en-
larged ice stage with "Ice-Colorama,"
presenting "Crystal Circus," with a
company of 80. The new ice stage,
measuring 3,600 square feet, will in-
troduce the use of neon color tubing
in four colors, in addition to black
light, for fluorescent effects. Also,
John Philip Sousa's "Stars and
Stripes Forever," 20th-Fox, starring
Clifton Webb, will have its world
premiere on the 22nd.
Tribute to Sousa
Here on Sunday
A group of celebrities will gather
at the Lambs Club here Sunday eve-
ning to honor the memory of Amer-
ican "March King" John Philip
Sousa. Heading the roster will be
Clifton Webb, who portrays Sousa in
20th Century-Fox's musical, "Stars
and Stripes Forever" ; John Philip
Sousa, III; Brig. Gen. V. J. McCaul,
director of public information, USMC ;
District Attorney Frank Hogan ;
N. Y. C. Commissioners Walter
Shirley and Jacob Grumet, and Win-
throp Rockefeller. Representing the
entertainment world will be Vinton
Freedley, Conrad Nagel, Rube Gold-
berg, Bobby Clarke, Ralph Bellamy
and Jack Pearl.
Meet on Hartford
'Times' Symposium
Commendations, continue for the two
motion picture industry and news-
paper symposiums sponsored at Hart-
ford during the year by the Hartford
Times.
Both Robert M. Weitman, vice-
president, and Robert H. O'Brien,
secretary-treasurer of United Para-
mount Theatres, addressing a meeting
here this week in the Paramount
Building, of UPT and Hartford Times
executives, stated that the two sessions
of motion picture-newspaper personnel
held by the Gannett daily "went far"
in discussions of common ailments of
the film business, as related to the
press.
Weitman said, "There's a new feel-
ing" of optimism in Hollywood. This
is based not only on better industry
relations, as seen in the two Hartford
Times symposiums, but also in stepped-
up interest on the part of top execu-
tives in better story selection, improved
production technique and the disap-
pearance of those 'Doubting Thomases'
of a year or two ago who proclaimed
that the movies were done and fin-
ished."
O'Brien observed : "Millions of new
dollars have been invested in Holly-
wood productions. New methods of
production not only are welcomed and
tried, but the production community
itself is ever-searching for new talent,
new scripts."
In attendance, in addition to Weit-
man and O'Brien were Leonard H.
Goldenson, UPT president; Walter
Gross, vice-president and general
counsel ; M. J. Mullin and Harry
Browning, New England Theatres ; F.
S. Murphy, David R. Daniel and Al-
len M. Widem, Hartford Times.
Practical ways to put exploitation
to the best uses of the exhibitor high-
lighted last night's Showmanship
Class of the Associated Motion Pic-
ture Advertisers at the Woodstock
Hotel here. Speakers were Dan S.
Terrell, exploitation-publicity direc-
tor of M-G-M ; Sid Meisbov, exploi-
tation manager of Paramount Pic-
tures ; Edgar Goth, director of adver-
tising-publicity-exploitation for Fa-
bian Theatres, and Don A. Brennan,
an executive of Curtis Publishing Co.
Terrell pointed up the value of "off-
the-amusement page" ads in news-
papers in stimulating public interest,
emphasizing the potentialities of co-
operative advertising pages and classi-
fied ad tieups. It is necessary, he
said, to attract the attention of per-
sons who ordinarily do not read the
amusement pages.
"Any theatre that neglects the op-
portunity for extra "off -amusement-
page" publicity provided by the right
sort of commercial tieups is making a
serious omission in campaigns to
bring attractions to the widest pos-
sible audience," Terrell said.
Mesibov stressed the "stunt" ex-
ploitation of all forms of retail or
point-of-sale advertising that falls in
the jurisdiction of exploitation activi-
ties. The so-called "stunt," he said,
can be head and shoulders above re-
tail advertising in any other business.
Regardless of product, even when
pre-sold, the "stunt" by its very
nature can be the ace-in-the-hole, he
asserted.
Goth played up the so-called "at-
tendance stunts," such as jitterbug
contests, giving case histories of suc-
cessful promotions of this type. He
also presented advertising "roughs"
to illustrate his point.
L. Raphael Resigns
Louise B. Raphael, formerly assist-
ant to John Mitchell, has resigned
from United Artists-TV, effective to-
day and will announce new plans fol-
i lowing a vacation.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
— — — Rockefeller Center
"MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID"
Esther WILLIAMS • Victor MATURE
Waiter PEDGEON • David BRIAN
Color by TECHNICOLOR . An M-G-M Picture
& The Music Hall's Great Christmas Stage Show
DAMON RUNYON'S
Samuel Ward Dies
Baltimore, Dec. 11. — Samuel
Ward, 48, manager of the Royal
Theatre here, died today at Maryland
General Hospital.
SAMUEL GOLDWYN presents,
Hans Christian!
Andersen
starring
OANNY KAYE%
a*.
CRITERION • PARIS
B'way & 45th St. 58th St. W. of 5th Ave.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting- 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 ; " James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FT 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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.
M-G-M presents The Love Story Behind
The Billion Dollar Secret!
"ABOVE AND BEYOND" starring
Robert Taylor • Eleanor Parker • with
James Whitmore • Marilyn Erskine • Screen
play by Melvin Frank, Norman Panama
and Beirne Lay, Jr. • Story by Beirne
Lay, Jr.- Produced and Directed by Melvin
Frank and Norman Panama
From Editorial in Hollywood Reporter, Nov. 26, 1952
"ROBERT TAYLOR will probably play
to more people for the rest of this
year and next than any other star in
films, being in 'Quo Vadis', Ivanhoe' and
ABOVE AND
BEYOND!"
Robert Taylor
Eleanor Parker
44 Picture of the Month. A !ove story no woman will ever forget."— LOUELLA PARSONS, Cosmopolitan Magazine
"Thrilling and exciting picture."— HEDDA HOPPER, Nationally Syndicated Columnist
"His finest performance and the picture is a certain Academy Award Winner."— SHEILAH GRAHAM, Nationally Syndicated Columnist
"Will fascinate both men and women. Thrilling and moving."— FLORENCE SOMERS, Feature Editor of Redbook
"Spine-tingling experience. Its excitement is the warm emotional impact." —RUTH HARBERT,Good Housekeeping Motion Picture Editor
"A wonderful modern love story, dramatizing sharply the emotional problems of our times."
—ELEANOR STIERHAM, Today's Woman Fiction Editor
ITS FAME WILL GROW AND GROW!
Motion Picture Daily
Friday, December 12, 1952
RKO Pictures
(Continued from page 1)
prior to his departure for New
York today that he had decided
not to return to the company,
it was believed that under the
presently reported plan Noah
Dietrich, former RKO board
chairman, would be named pres-
ident and a director.
In addition, it is believed that
Hughes will invite J. Miller Walker,
former RKO secretary, general coun-
sel and board member, to return to
the company in those capacities.
Walker was among the RKO Radio
executives who were let out during
the brief tenure of Arnold Grant, as
chief executive officer of the company
for the Stolkin group. The appoint-
ment of a Hughes financial associate
as an officer, probably chairman, and
member of the board, also was said
to be in readiness.
Court Hearing
Should these appointments ma-
terialize, the present board vacancies
would be filled in advance of the hear-
ing next Wednesday in New York
Supreme Court on the petition of
some RKO Pictures' stockholders for
the appointment of a receiver for the
company. That hearing was ad-
journed from last Wednesday, largely
on representations that the manage-
ment and board vacancies would be
settled "momentarily."
The presently reported develop-
ment followed close on the heels of
what appeared yesterday to be a
stand-off for both the Hughes and
Stolkin sides. A number of earlier
plans having been kicked over for one
reason or another, it appeared definite
last night that all deals were being
called off, with Hughes holding the
Stolkin group to its original stock
purchase agreement, carrying with it
the management and board responsi-
bilities.
However, that stalemate today ap-
peared to have been broken as fur-
ther talks ensued, leading to the
board - management responsibility
going to Hughes who, presumably, is
granting the Stolkin group additional
time in which to seek a purchaser for
its stock.
CDA Considers 2
Theatre Telecasts
Washington, Dec. 11.— Fed-
eral Civil Defense Adminis-
tration officials said they
hoped to send two training
programs over closed circuit
theatre television early next
year.
One would be aimed at'
plant managers and the other
at union officials. Full details
are still to be worked out.
The CDA pioneered in the
use of theatre television as a
government information and
training device.
'Carmen'
(Continued from page 1)
being a prime draw in many loeah
ties. Other negative factors were the
proximity to the holiday season, and
m some places, inclement weather
which precluded last-minute drop-in
trade. _, ,
In San Francisco, the 400-seat Tele-
news sold out at $6.00 per seat. Con-
sidering the opposition, Dancers Bah
at the local opera house, district man-
ager John Parsons said there is def-
inately an audience for this type of
attraction. He said out of 20,000 names
on the San Francisco opera list, cer-
tainly 400 would pay to see this type
of entertainment. However, beyond the
400, the appeal is definitely limited,
he said.
FCC Lets ML Hood
Amend TV Petition
Washington, Dec. 11. — The Fed-
eral Communications Commission has
agreed to let Mt. Hood Radio and
Television Broadcasting Corp. amend
its application for a television station
to show that Ralph Stolkin, Sherril
Corwin and Edward G. Burke, Jr.,
had sold their stock in the company
Mt. Hood, applicant for a Port-
land, Ore., station, is owned 43.5 per
cent by Ted Gamble. Stolkin, Cor-
win and Burke owned another 43.5
per cent but some weeks ago sold out
to more than 30 employes of station
KOIN, Mt. Hood's Portland AM
station.
Hearings were then underway on
Mt. Hood's application but when the
company petitioned to amend its ap-
plication to show the changed owner-
ship, the hearing examiner ruled
against the petition and the hearing
was recessed while Mt. Hood ap-
pealed to the full Commission.
The FCC decision, which set aside
the examiner's ruling, opens the way
for an immediate resumption of the
hearing.
Fabian's Grand
In Albany the telecast in Fabian's
Grand drew an audience of 950 in the
1500-seat theatre, at $3.60 top. Man-
ager Paul Wallen said that the
weather — heavy rain fell during the
entire day — and the time of year — near
Christmas — were adverse factors. He
thought that at a more favorable
period, an opera might attract a larger
crowd.
The fact that the higher priced seats
did not sell too well indicated that the
house might have been over-scaled.
The orchestra was about 50 percent of
capacity. First balcony had a larger
percentage of patrons, while second
balcony was reported full. Seats went
at $3.60, $3, $2.40, $1.80 and $1.20.
It was not a cream crop audience, in
money and in dress, but it was atten-
tiv and responsive. A surprising num-
ber of young men and young women
attended. Souvenir program sales to-
talled 175. The concession stand did
a fair candy, ice cream and cigarette
business. Popcorn was not sold.
The picture thrown on the screen,
during the first act, was clear. Sound
occasionally was too loud, although
this was corrected.
Met Poll
Patrons were asked to rate — on an
official ballot, mailable to the Metro-
politan Opera Association — the picture
and sound, with their reaction to
"Carmen" and their willingness "to
see other operas here." Twelve works
were listed for choice.
Thirty State Teachers College stu-
dents, the girls in evening clothes,
served as ushers. Manager Wallen and
his assistants wore tuxedos. Palms
decorated the outer lobby. Fabian up-
state general manager Saul J. Ullman
observed the telecast.
In Baltimore, the State Theatre,
with 1,820 seats, was slightly over
half filled for "Carmen." While
owner Frank Durkee declined to re-
port the gross, he declared the box-
office was just about out of the red.
The audience reaction at intermis-
sion was completely enthusiastic,
which prompted Durkee to state "per-
haps the public can be sold on this
form of entertainment." At what in-
tervals he hesitated to state. How-
ever, Durkee added the idea would be
undoubtedly excellent if something of
mass appeal such as "South Pacific"
were offered. He blamed some of
last night's half-filled house on the
uncooperative local press rather than
the lack of interest by the music lov-
ing public. The reception and sound
came through with exceptional clar-
ity. Numerous theatres executives
from Washington came over to wit-
ness the performance.
Chicago
The telecast at the Telenews Thea-
tre in Chicago was a virtual sell-out,
with only a few seats in the back row
of the balcony vacant as the opera
started. In contrast to the poor
visual reception for the Lees telecast
the "Carmen" picture was excellent
on the close-ups although fuzzy on the
long shots. The sound was excellent.
Prices charged at the Telenews, the
only theatre in Chicago to carry the
telecast of the opera, were $6, includ-
ing tax, for all seats.
In Kansas City, Mo., "Carmen" on
the Ashland screen drew much more
than half of the capacity, which is
1,200, with the event priced at $2.44,
reserved seats leading in advance
sales, and $1.22 and $3.66 priced seats
about equally divided.
Kansan regular opera goers and
music lovers were enthusiastic over
the event, with many small parties
both in advance sales and buying
tickets at the door. The head usher
and the staff of the Kansas City
Music Hall were in tuxedos, provid-
ing a familiar atmosphere for patrons
of the Philharmonic and similar
musical events. The management
says the project was well worth while
and will put on such events when
feasible, educating the public to the
high value of the television screen
presentation and also as to the loca-
tion of this Eastside neighborhood
theatre.
'IT Films
(Continued from page 1)
Denver
In Denver, "Carmen" was well re-
ceived. Reception and sound were
fine. The gross was about $3,500,
with half going to the Met and the
arranging company. The audience
reaction was good and those talked
to indicated they would like to see
more of the same.
In Omaha, the telecast of "Car-
men" drew a 1,400 house at the Or-
pheum, with $3.85 top and $1.20 low.
Tri-States district manager William
Miskell said the crowd was about 50
per cent of the 3,000 seating capacity
but it was enthusiastic. He said he
feels pre-Christmas period was a poor
time for presentation.
In Boston, the Pilgrim reported a
sell-out, while the Hippodrome in
Cleveland reported only a fair advance
sale.
1951-52 fiscal year, which ended a few
weeks ago, "was one of the most suc-
cessful in Universal-International's
history. Therefore, plans for the
coming year will follow closely the
pattern set during the preceding 12
months."
As already announced, u-I will
make 36 pictures, 26 of them in Tech-
nicolor, during 1952-53.
The meetings were attended by
Milton R. Rackmil, president; N. J.
Blumberg, chairman of the board;
William Goetz, in charge of produc-
tion ; Alfred E. Daff , executive vice-
president; Edward Muhl, vice-presi-
dent and general manager ; Charles
J. Feldman, general sales manager ;
David A. Lipton, vice-president in
charge of advertising-publicity, and
sales executives from all over the
country.
Emphasis was placed on plans for
"The Glenn Miller Story," based on
the life of the orchestra leader.
James Stewart will star and Anthony
Mann will direct the picture, which
will be produced by Aaron Rosen-
berg.
Four of the pictures, all in Techni-
color, already are before the cameras.
They are : "The Golden Blade,"
starring Rock Hudson and Piper
Laurie; "Prince of Bagdad," starring
Victor Mature and Mari Blanchard ;
"East of Sumatra," starring Jeff
Chandler, Marilyn Maxwell, Anthony
Quinn and Suzan Ball, and "The
Stand at Apache River."
Other Technicolor productions in-
clude "Walkin' My Baby Back
Home," a musical starring Donald
O'Connor; "Bengal Rifle," "Fort
Laramie," "Wings of the Hawk,"
starring Glenn Ford, "Outlaw Ha-
vten," "King of the Wind," "Port
Royal," "Devil's Canyon," "The Long
Hunters," "Smoke Signal," "Streets
of Cairo," "Men of Iron," "Saskatche-
wan," "Sun Mountain" and "Co-
manche Sky."
Black and white films include :
"You Belong to Me," starring Bar-
bara Stanwyck and Richard Carlson;
"Drifting," starring Tony Curtis,
Joanne Dru and Lyle Bettger ; "It
Happens Every Thursday," starring
Loretta Young and John Forsythe.
"Abbott and Costello Meet Dr.
Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," "Bonzo, Pri-
vate Eye," "The Man from Outer
Space," "All-American," "Black La-
goon, "Spin the Glass Web" and
"Francis Joins the Wacs."
To Raze Baltimore Rivoli
Baltimore, Dec. 11. — The Rivoli
Theatre here, one of Baltimore's
deluxe first-runs a generation ago, is
to be torn down to make way for a
parking lot. Present plans are for
closing Christmas Eve. Bob House-
man is manager. When the house
originally opened it marked the intro-
duction to the public of Fred Waring
and His Pennsylvanians.
Depinet
(Continued from page 1)
weeks considerable speculation as to
my position in a new RKO executive
set-up and numerous stories have been
published implying that I might re-
turn to the presidency of the company.
It is true that Mr. Howard Hughes
asked me to return to the board of
directors of RKO and to again be-
come the president. I deeply appreci-
ated this expression of confidence in
me by Mr. Hughes.
"However, due to existing circum-
stances it was my considered decision
that it would serve no useful pur-
pose for me to re-enter the manage-
ment of RKO at this time. I there-
fore declined, with thanks, Mr.
Hughes' request. I am sure Mr.
Hughes intends to do whatever is nec-
essary to give RKO good management
and I hope with all my heart that he
succeeds."
Friday, December 12, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
Fox Stock
(Continued from page 1)
that he cold be preparing to engage
in a proxy fight for next year's an-
nual meeting.
The cumulative voting method is
used in 20th Century-Fox board elec-
tions and if Green gained representa-
tion on the board, he would be in a
position to demand a voice in manage-
ment, observers point out.
Green's holdings of 20th- Fox stock
are reportedly around 20,000 shares,
owned personally. However, it is be-
lieved he may control much more
than that, which would be voted his
way in the event of a proxy fight.
Green's proxy battles have been
the subject of national magazine at-
tention in the past year and a half,
in suchs publications as Collier's and
Time. He is said to have sued
Collier's subsequently and the case
was settled out of court.
In its issue of Oct. 15, 1951, Time
described him as having "a sharp eye
for a quick profit. He buys stock in
companies that make money, but pay
small dividends, or none, then pres-
sures the management into shelling
out."
Of Green's invasion of United
Cigar-Whelan Stores Co., Time said :
"Green started his attack by charging
that President Walter G. Baumbog-
ger and his associates 'haven't the
faintest idea how to run the business
profitably.'
Green's Career
"President Baumhogger and asso-
ciates then reopened a chapter in
Green's career that he would like to
forget — a stormy 16 months when he
was president of Minneapolis and St.
Paul's Twin City Rapid Transit Co.,"
Time relates. "Green had won that
job after threatening a proxy fight.
In November, 1949, he had gone to
Minnesota armed with 19,200 shares
of T.C.R.T. and complaints about no
dividends. As an ally in his fight,
he picked up Nightclub Proprietor
Isadore Blumenfeld, alias Kid Cann,
a wealthy Minneapolis underworld
character with a record of 30 arrests
(two for murder) and three liquor
convictions.
"Green won and got the $40,000-a-
year president's job. While car
riders howled bitterly, Green won ap-
proval of a fare hike from 12c to 15c.
He fired 800 employes, curtailed
schedules, abandoned unprofitable
trolley and bus lines.
"Green's lawyer, Fred A. Ossanna
and other associates became so
alarmed at the publicity that they
quarreled with Green," the Time ac-
count continues.
"In July 1950 the Ossanna group
had helped buy up Green's shares.
Green was eased out last March, and
Ossanna put in as board chairman.
Charlie Green hastened back to New
York a wiser and richer (by about
$100,000) man.
"In all this," Time said, "United
Cigar-Whelan's management saw a
baleful parallel to Green's present
maneuvering. But Green mustered
enough votes to force his foes to
hold a special stockholders' meeting.
"This week (October, 1951) the
ballot count was announced. Green
polled more votes than the manage-
ment 1,010,000 to 598,000) but lacked
the majority of all common shares
(2,307,000) needed to unseat the
management at a special meeting.
Faced with probable defeat at the
next regular meeting (where only a
Myers Clarifies
(Continued from page 1)
that the Chicago resolution barred
any formal Allied participation and
he reaffirmed this today.
His statement began by pointing-
out that the recent Chicago board
meeting and the convention itself
voted to take Allied officials out of
all cooperative activities which did
not give direct and immediate bene-
fits to exhibitors. He said that the
rejection of the distributors' arbitra-
tion draft was based on dissatisfac-
tion with the draft itself and also on
the belief that Allied leaders working
on arbitration could spend their time
better in other activities. He pointed
out that arbitration was the only co-
operative activity "deemed to be ex-
pendable" by the board. He said that
the "necessary effect" of the board's
action was to terminate Allied's arbi-
tration negotiating committee and the
activities in this field of Myers him-
self.
UPT-ABC Merger
(Continued from page 1)
other issues in the proceedings.
The Commission has allotted five
hours for argument, with each major
party getting one hour. One of the
parties will be the Commission's own
broadcast bureau which appealed ex-
aminer Leo Resnick's decision ap-
proving the merger and giving film
companies a clean bill of health as
television licensees.
Called on Ticket Taxes
Bradenton, Fla., Dec. 11. — Two
officials of 'the company operating the
Trail Drive-in have been ordered to
appear in Federal Court in Tampa
on a charge of failing to report
$11,000 in amusement taxes. Mose
L. Waller of Lenior City, Tenn., is
president and F. H. Thomas of Sara-
sota, Fla., is secretary-treasurer of
the Waller and Thomas Amusement
Co. operating the drive-in. Seven
counts charge them with "wilfully
failing to make returns of collected
taxes."
majority of those present would be
needed), the management 'compro-
mised.' It apparently planned to give
Green a majority of directors on a
new board."
The turnover of 20th-Fox stock
yesterday on the New York Stock
Exchange was 18,600 shares, closing
at 14, a gain of three-quarters of a
point on the day for a new high for
this year.
Green also is said to have engaged
in several successful proxy fights in
the steel industry.
Compo Reelects
(Continued from page 1)
affairs since they took office last
June.
At the conclusion of the commit-
tee's two-day meeting here, the group
approved a budget including all esti-
mated expenses for the tax repeal
campaign. A proposal that COMPO
cooperate with the Motion Picture
Industry Council of Hollywood in an
extension of MPIC public relations
work was referred to the organiza-
tion's finance committee for further
study.
A committee report on a "National
Health Week" project, calling for
theatres to collect funds for charities
needing money for medical research,
was accepted and referred to
COMPO's constituent organization
members with the proviso that if they
approve the report a committee will
be appointed to put the plan into
effect.
Because of a conflict of dates with
other meetings scheduled by exhibitor
organizations, it was decided to post-
pone the industry "round table" in
Hollywood which had been tenta-
tively set for Feb. 2-6. A date in
April or May will be fixed later, de-
pending on the needs of the tax repeal
campaign.
The committee went on rec-
ord as favoring production of a
new series of short subjects
similar to the "Movies and You"
series released a few years ago.
An effort will be made to obtain
from the trustees of the resi-
dual funds the use of $44,000
surplus remaining from the in-
come of the previous series.
Because of the cost, a plan for an
industry radio program! was voted
down. The plan, submitted by Robert
J. O'Donnell, called for five recorded
broadcasts each week, the subject
matter to be devoted to promoting
industry causes.
Part of the session was given over
to further discussion of the tax repeal
campagn, with emphasis being laid on
procedures to be followed after Con-
gress convenes. The committee ap-
proved the work of the tax repeal
campaign committee and gave it a
vote of confidence in its plans for the
second phase of the campaign.
N. J. Allied
(Continued from page 1)
rejecting the distributors' draft of a
proposed system. The members also
held a general discussion on film
rentals and other trade matters.
The beefsteak dinner at the Ritz
Restaurant which followed the busi-
ness session was attended by 118.
Honor Zukor
(Continued from page 1)
invited include Governors Allan Shiv-
ers, Texas ; Roy J. Turner, Okla-
homa ; Robert Kennon, Louisiana ;
Francis Cherry, Arkansas ; Frank
Clement, Tennessee ; Hugh White,
Mississippi; Howard Pyle, Arizona;
Edward L. Mechem, New Mexico ;
Dan Thornton, Colorado ; Edward F.
Arn, Kansas; Phil M. Donnelly, Mis-
souri and Robert Crosby of Ne-
braska.
Paul Short and John Rowley were
appointed temporary co-chairmen, but
it is expected that R. J. O'Donnell,
international chairman of the Zukor
Jubilee celebration, will appoint a gen-
eral chairman at the next board of
directors and general meeting of
Texas Variety.
Arrangements are being completed
to televise the banquet in addition to
bringing it to radio audiences via net-
work hookups. Newsreel coverage will
be extensive.
Rowley is arranging a meeting with
the chief barkers of Houston, Okla-
homa City and Memphis, as well as
film leaders from Kansas City, Den-
ver and New Orleans who will work
together to bring leaders to Dallas
for this event.
Variety International will also
honor Zukor at the International Va-
riety convention in Mexico City, April
18-23. Los Angeles Variety, under
the chairmanship of Charles Skouras,
will hold a celebration on Jan. 7. The
New York tent will pay homage to
Zukor on March 14. The clubs in Lon-
don, Paris and Rome have not set
exact dates, but they are expected to
plans events for June and July.
Chief barkers of Variety in Chi-
cago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Boston and
Toronto have expressed their approval
and pledged their clubs to honor
Zukor during 1953.
Charles Skouras Names Zukor
Jubilee Dinner Committee
Los Angeles, Dec. 11. — Charles P.
Skouras, chairman of the Hollywood
Adolph Zukor Golden Jubilee testi-
monial dinner to be held at the Am-
bassador Hotel here on Jan. 7, has
named the following general commit-
tee :
Steve Broidy, Harry Cohn, Sherrill
Corwin, Ned Depinet. Cecil B. De-
Mille, Walt Disney, Y. Frank Free-
man, William Goetz, Samuel Gold-
wyn, Don Hartman, B. B. Kahane,
Jesse L. Lasky, Sol Lesser, L. B.
Mayer, Dore Senary, Joseph Schenck,
Louis K. Sidney, Edward Small, Leo
Spitz:, Walter Wanger, Harry War-
ner, Jack Warner, Herbert J. Yates,
Darryl Zanuck and Eugene Zukor.
Sidney and Lasky are co-chairmen
heading the committe in charge of
program and entertainment.
The general arrangements commit-
tee, which includes studio publicity di-
rectors, is headed by Perry Lieber.
Members are Harry Brand, Teet
Carle, Alex Evelove, Mickey Gross,
Al Horwits, George Lait, Howard
Strickling and Duke Wales.
Such is FAME .
Recognized by Fame
. . . through the years that
has become a soundly es-
tablished hallmark of
authority on the standing
of Producers, Directors,
Stars and Productions in
the fields of motion pic-
tures, radio and televi-
sion. For the genuinely
famous are in FAME
and the reasons why they
are there are dear and
dependable.
Editorially, in the newspaper and magazines of the
nation and throughout the world, FAME is the recog
nized authority for articles, stories and items con
cerning the status of Hollywood personalities and
product. It is by far the most often quoted source
of information of its kind. The 1952 issue of FAME
was the acknowledged basis of such information
published, broadcast, or televised to an aggregate of
well over sixty million people!
Such is the incomparable service of FAME in the
widespread interests of the industry — in addition to
its thoroughly accepted reference values within the
industry itself.
-engineering
"e mto creat.
The FAME polls for this year's audit of personalities
are now in active process of fact-finding. The an-
nouncements of the results will have an even greater
significance than ever before.
next issue of
FAME.
ONE
A
SERIES ON THE INFLUENCE OF FAME
— r
MOTION PICTURE
VOL. 72. NO. 114
NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1952
TEN CENTS
MixedReaction
By Exhibitors
To 'Carmen'
Theatre Men Divided As
To Future of Opera TV
Exhibitor reaction to the first
large screen telecast of an operatic
performance, the Metropolitan Op-
era's production of "Carmen" last
Thursday night, was mixed but
might fairly be described as an artis-
tic success, while something less than
that, financially, to the exhibitor.
However, virtually all theatres oper-
ators contacted agreed that the tele-
cast was a showmanly experience
which they would be interested in re-
peating if the operatic attraction se-
lected is a good one and the price for
it is "right." ' .
Fewer than a half-dozen ot the 3i
theatres in 27 cities which took the
"Carmen" telecast reported sell-outs.
Even after allowing for inclement
weather in many cities, which held
down drop-in trade, and for the pro-
ximity of the date to the Christmas
holidav, the traditionally slow show
business season, attendance was less
{Continued on page 4)
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14. —
Notices of appearance
have been filed by 19
groups at the theatre tel-
evision hearings sched-
uled to reopen Jan. 26 be-
fore the Federal Communi-
cations Commission. All
have indicated that they
will file exhibits. Among
the 19 are the Motion Pic-
ture Association of Amer-
ica, and National Exhibi-
tors Theatre Television
Committee .
•
OTTAWA, Dec. 14. — The
removal of steel controls
for theatre construction
and repair, effective
Dec. 31, was announced by
the Canadian government.
The lifting of steel con-
trols is expected to stim-
ulate large expenditures
by major circuits.
U. A. Sales Drive
To Honor Krauze
United Artists will launch
a 26-week sales, billing and li-
quidation drive on Dec. 22,
in honor of B. G. Kranze,
the company's newly-ap-
pointed general sales mana-
ger, it was announced at the
weekend by William J. Heine-
man, vice-president in charge
of distribution.
To be called the "Bernie
Kranze Drive," it will extend
through June 20.
'Stars & Stripes '
Premiere 1st to Be
Nationally TV'd
The first national telecast of a mo-
tion picture premiere has been set by
20th Century-Fox for "Stars and
Stripes Forever," on Dec. 22 at the
newly-refurbished Roxy Theatre in
New York, Charles Einfeld, vice-
president of the company, announced
at the weekend.
The event will be televised by ABC
in a "live," theatre-front show be-
tween 8 :30 and 9 :00 P.M.. EST, and
will be carried by ABC's flagship sta-
tion in N.ew York, WJZ-TV, and out-
lets in such key cities as Philadelphia,
Chicago, Atlanta and Cleveland, where
the production will have openings dur-
ing the Christmas-New Year's holi-
days.
Two nights later, on Dec. 24, the
original telecast will be seen over other
stations of the ABC-TV network, in-
cluding those in Detroit and Baltimore
with additional stations expected to
carry the half-hour show that evening.
(Continued on page 4)
Bergman, White and
DeBra at AMPA
GettingerRKOPlan
Calls for Three
SeparateCompaniet
A plan for the reorganization of
RKO Pictures calling for the creation
of a new studio company, a new re-
issue company and the conversion of
the present company into a distribu-
tion organization physically consoli-
dated with some existing company,
"like United Artists," has been pre-
pared by Milton M. Gettinger, attor-
ney, who sometimes represents the
Chemical Bank & Trust Co. of this
city.
Gettinger said he had been asked to
prepare the plan- by several groups
interested in purchasing control of
RKO Pictures, whom he did not iden-
tify.
Salient provisions of Gettinger's
plan are as follows :
A new "Studio Corporation" would
be formed and would issue 4,000,000
shares to RKO Pictures in exchange
for the Hollywood studio properties
and the entire inventory of currently
released and new product, which he
says has an estimated cost of approxi-
mately $35,000,000. The 4,000,000
(Continued on page 2)
The Associated Motion Picture
Advertisers will wind up its series of
Showmanship Classes for the year
here on Thursday night when the
principal speakers will be Maurice
Bergman of Universal Pictures, and
Gordon White and Arthur DeBra, of
the Motion Picture Association of
America. They will summarize the
role of public relations in the motion
picture industry and tell of their ex-
periences in this field.
The showmanship clinics were in-
augurated this year by AMPA presi-
dent Harry McWilliams of Columbia
Pictures. Personnel in the publicity,
advertising and exploitation fields,
and others served as lecturers.
Cinerama May Open
In Chicago in March
Chicago, Dec. 14. — Papers are
being drawn up for the official con-
summation next week of a contract
between Cinerama and Eitel's Palace
Theatre, which will lead to Cinerama
opening in Chicago around the begin-
ning of March.
Following the run of "Stars and
Stripes Forever" at the Palace, which
opens Christmas day, the house will
go dark for about six weeks for in-
stallation of the Cinerama equipment.
The Palace has been run under joint
management of Arthur Wirtz, James
Coston, and the landlord, Otto K.
Eitel, since last spring when RKO
gave it up after many years.
Industry Leaders to
Aid FJP Drive
An executive committee of the
amusement division of the Federation
of Jewish Philanthropies has been an-
nounced by Barney Balaban, S. H.
Fabian and Manny Frisch, joint heads
of the industry's FJP drive.
Named to the committee are : Harry
Brandt, Brandt Theatres ; Jack Cohn,
Columbia Pictures ; Emil Friedlander ;
Leopold Friedman, Loew's ; Leonard
(Continued on- page 4)
MPA's Foreign
Operations to
Be Broadened
McCarthy Resigns Post;
Geographical Area Set
The international division of the
Motion Picture Association of
America will be reorganized in or-
der to step up operations in the
foreign field, Eric Johnston, MPAA
president, announced here at the week-
end. Johnston told the association's
board of directors that the reorganiza-
tion plan would deal more effectively
with the constantly increasing prob-
lems of the industry's overseas activi-
ties.
The resignation of John G. Mc-
Carthy, managing director of the in-
ternational division, was announced at
the meeting. The resignation became
effective immediately. It was stated
that McCarthy had several new affilia-
tions under consideration and would
announce future plans after a vacation.
Ralph D. Hetzel, Jr., will serve di-
rectly under Johnston in New York
in the conduct of foreign business.
Joyce O'Hara will handle contacts
(Continued cm page 4)
May Oppose 16mm.
Suit Charges Today
Los Angeles, Dec. 14.— Defendant
film companies in the government's
anti-trust suit to force the sale of
16mm. films to television and other
non-theatrical users plan to move in
Federal court here tomorrow for the
elimination of some allegations in the
government's complaint.
The companies' answers to the com-
(Continued on page 4)
New England Show
Train to the Hall
Seven hundred New Eng-
enders came to New York
Friday evening on a special
New Haven Railroad show
train to witness Radio City
Music Hall's Christmas pro-
duction. The special train
brought theatre-goers from
as far North as Massachu-
setts to the Rockefeller Cen-
ter showplace.
Russell V. Downing, Music
Hall president; Raymond
Paige, music director, and
Richard Leibert, organist,
rode the train with the the-
atre guests.
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 15, 1952
Personal
Mention
G
EORGE J. SCHAEFER left here
at the weekend for the Coast.
•
T E. Perkins, chairman and man-
aging director of Paramount Film
Service, London, and Rita Hay-
worth, were among the passengers
who arrived here on the S.S. Queen
Elizabeth Saturday.
•
Mrs. Hayden Evans is the mother
of a daughter born at King Edward
Hospital in Bermuda. Mrs. Evans,
formerly with United Artists, is the
daughter of Jack Krieger, producer.
•
Edward L. Hyman, vice-president
of United Paramount Theatres, and
his assistant, Bernard Levy, have re-
turned to New York from Detroit and
Cincinnati.
•
William F. Rodgers, M-G-M vice-
president and sales consultant, left
here Sunday for an indefinite stay in
Florida.
•
Joseph Walsh, Paramount's branch
operations manager, will arrive in Los
Angeles tomorrow from New York,
e
Pincus Sober of M-G-M's legal_ de-
partment, has returned to New York
after a 10-day trip to the Northwest.
•
Clyde Dickerson has been named
booker at the Schine office in Cleve-
land to succeed Bennett Goldstein.
Big Ad Campaign
For 4U' Drive
Hollywood, Dec. 14.— An extensive
advertising and promotional campaign
in conjunction with the "Charles J.
Feldman Silver Anniversary Drive,"
covering 12 releases during an 18-week
period beginning Dec. 28, was an-
nounced here by David A. Lipton,
vice-president in charge of advertising
and publicity.
The drive, plans for which were
blueprinted during last week's execu-
tive meetings at the studio, will high-
light four major Technicolor produc-
tions. Lipton added that top stars and
young players, heads of the costume
and make-up departments and other
studio personnel will aid in the promo-
tion of the pictures.
Carolinas Get 1st
Theatre Television
Charlotte, Dec. 14. — First
theatre in the Carolinas to re-
ceive large-screen television
program will be the Carolina
here. Equipment is now being
installed.
RKO Plan
(Continued from page 1)
NEWS
in Brief .
The final two-day merchandising-
promotion meeting in the series being
held by Paramount's A. W. Schwal-
berg, E. K. (Ted) O'Shea and Jerome
Pick'man, will get underway here to-
morrow, with Hugh Owen, Eastern
and Southern division manager, and
key personnel from his territories.
Schwalberg, O'Shea and Pickman
will arrive in New York tomorrow
morning from Chicago. Schwalberg
will preside, as he did at the recent
Philadelphia, Dallas, Los Angeles and
Chicago meetings.
Newsreel
Parade
With free trips to Paris
prizes, Warner Brothers has
Loew's RKO Theatres
Get Long Holidays
Employes of Loew's — M-G-M and
RKO Theatres home offices will en-
joy a long Christmas holiday week-
end, the companies have announced.
M-G-M will be closed from 4 :00 P.M.
Dec. 24 until Monday, Dec. 29 and
RKO from 1:00 P.M. Dec. 24 until
Monday. RKO Radio Pictures had
previously decided to close over the
Christmas weekend. M-G-M also an-
nounced that it will close New Year's
weekend from 4:00 P.M. Dec. 31
until Monday, Jan. 5.
as top
set up
an essay contest of national scope to
promote "April in Paris," with the
cooperation of Air France and the
French Government Tourist Office.
Theatres all over the country are
eligible to participate if their play-
date of "April in Paris" is between
Dec. 25 and Feb. 14.
"Why I Would Like to Spend
April in Paris?" is the poser which
contestants are required to answer in
100 words or less, with entry blanks
available at participating theatres.
The theatre manager and a local
committee will select the five best
local letters which are to be for-
warded to a national committee in
New York for judging of the two
final winners to be awarded the trip.
;•;
Plans for the production of "Romeo
and Juliet" were announced here by
the J. Arthur Rank Organization. The
picture, to be made, in Technicolor,
is to be produced jointly by the Rank
organization and the Italian film com-
pany, Universalcine.
•
Washington. Dec. 14.— A House
Interstate Commerce sub-committee
which has been holding intensive hear-
ings on the program content of radio
and television broadcasts will release
its report tomorrow, Oren D. Harris,
sub-committee chairman, announced
over the weekend.
A special premiere of "The Jazz
Singer" will take place on Jan. 13 at
the Paramount Theatre here for the
benefit of the National Foundation
for Infantile Paralysis, as a result of
arrangements concluded by Warner
Brothers, the producers, Basil O'Con-
nor, president of the Foundation, and
Robert Weitman, vice-president of
United Paramount Theatres.
The Paramount - has a ticket sale
goal of $50,000, with tickets scaled
from $2 up to "Golden Circle" seats
at $100.
shares of the new company would be
turned over as a stock dividend to
RKO Pictures stockholders.
A new "Library Corporation" would
be formed and would receive title to
all old shorts and features in RKO
Pictures' vaults, in exchange for
4,000,000 shares of the new corpora-
tion, these shares also to be declared
as a stock dividend to RKO Pictures
stockholders. It is contemplated that
the pictures out of release would be
turned over for reissue by a company
such as Realart, under a deal similar
to that by which Realart distributes
reissues for Universal.
RKO Pictures would be continued
solely as a distributor of independent
product, including that made at the
new Studio Corporation's plant. Such
product, the plan contemplates, would
consist of a minimum of 26 pictures
annually, each budgeted between
$300,000 and $500,000.
As an integral part of the
conversion of the present RKO
company to an exclusively dis-
tributing organization, Gettin-
ger's plan contemplates a con-
solidation of its distribution
facilities, worldwide, with those
of United Artists, primarily to
effect operating and executive
economies.
Gettinger said~he had asked Arthur
Krim, U.A. president, if he would be
interested in the plan and received an
affirmative answer. Krim is now in
Europe. Other U.A. officials here said
they knew nothing of the plan and had
no interest in it.
Gettinger's plan for consolidation of
distribution of the two companies pro-
poses that U.A. transfer its present
distribution contracts to RKO, retain-
ing all other assets, in exchange for a
block of RKO Pictures common stock,
the number of shares to be determined
by the ratio of RKO and U.A. dis-
tribution gross for the past several
vears. U.A.'s is estimated at $24,-
000.000 annually, RKO's at $36,000,000.
Gettinger sees an annual profit on
this operation of between $8,000,000
and $10,000,000 on a gross of $60,000,-
000, in which the new consolidated
distribution companv would share at
the rate of 30 to 35 per cent in dis-
tribution fees. He estimates the over-
head of the company at $10,000,000
per year maximum.
The new studio company, it is sug-
gested in the plan, would attract in-
dependent nroducers by offering,
through banks, estimated production
loans of about 60 per cent of the ao-
proved budget. Production would be
on a "cooperative" basis to provide
studio facilities at actual cost as well
'as release arrangements through RKO.
The independent producers would pay
the studio an agree-on percentage of
profits after negative cost has been re-
covered.
In addition, it is contemplated that
RKO also would distribute product of
"outside" independents.
The plan envisions a distribution to
stockholders by the studio company
of "between $20,000,000 and $30,000,-
000 over the next several years" after
repayment of bank loans. It also sug-
G
RE AT BRITAIN'S explosion of
the atomic bomb in the barren
Monte Bello Islands off the coast of
Australia making England, the third
atomic potver in the world is high-
lighted in all current newsreels. Also
featured is President-elect Eisenhower
returning from Korea.
MOVIETONE NEWS, No. 101— British
A-bomb exploded off Australia. Ike return-
ing from Korea. Big battle in Indo-China.
Peron announces new five-year plan. Jewels
for the Coronation. Post office aids Santa.
Mermaids throw porpoise party at Marine -
land, Florida. Rodeo in Australia.
MOVIETONE NEWS SPECIAL THEA-
TRE, SUPPLEMENT— Russian foreign min-
ister Vishinsky leaves from New York.
Ridgeway on inspection tour of NATO
forces. "Mamie" Eisenhower at Great Neck
in funding raising for USO Camp Shows for
Korea. Mark Clark and Syngman Rhee
visit cadets at Korean Military Acad-
emy. "GIs" give toys to German orphans.
Army demonstrates new tank retriever of
wounded. Korea black-market operations.
Two Detroit boys pilot midget automobiles.
Christmas village in Torrington, Conn.
Postman wins national crocheting cham-
pionship. Cat mothers brood of chicks and
kittens in Australia.
NEWS OF THE DAY, No. Z31— Britain's
first atomic bomb explosion. Ike homeward
bound. Fight for survival in Indo-China.
Peron declares new five-year plan. Atomic
power plant model. Coronation jewels. San-
ta's home town celebrates in Indiana. Gen-
eral Franco goes partridge hunting. Jap-
anese judo champ routs Geman.
PARAMOUNT NEWS. No. 34— Truman
assails Ike and MacArthur. Eisenhower
aboard USS Helena. British crown jewels.
Argentina's new five-year plan. French
Morocco, davs of unrest. Judo expert throws
20 opponents. Britain's first atomic bomb
explosion.
TELENEWS DIGEST, No. 40B— British
explode atom bomb. Itzhak Ben-Zvi elected
Israel's second president. Secretary Sawyer
visits Franco, Sultan of Morocco, at festi-
val as riots spread in Casablanca. Marines
receive training in mock battle. New resort
styles displayed at Palm Beach. British
fleet on maneuvers in Arctic waters.
UNIVERSAL NEWS, No. 421— French
strike back in savage attack in Indo-China.
Eisenhower at sea. Freighter aground m
Washington. Peron plan. "Operation Mor-
ale" for the Navy. Crocheting in New York.
Commando troops in training in Malta.
Britain explodes its A-bomb.
WARNER PATHE NEWS, No, 36—
British A-bomb explosion. Eisenhower re-
turning. Peron plan. Indo-Chma battle.
Royal'jewels for the Coronation. Christmas
trees to Hawaii. Youngsters in Paris at
Christmas time. Cleveland Browns -Chicago
Cardinals football game.
Winikus to Coast on
Advertising Plans
Francis M. Winikus, national direc-
tor of advertising-publicity for United
Artists, will leave here for Hollywood
today by plane for a week's stay to
set final advertising and promotion
plans for the pre-release Academy
Award premiere of "Moulin Rouge"
and to confer with producers.
gests "that there should be freed to
stockholders between $15,000,000 and
$20,000,000 of working capital as liqui-
dating dividends during the next 18
months."
The plan estimates the RKO stu-
dio's worth at $4,000,000 and the back-
log of old pictures at between $10,-
000,000 and $15,000,00. There is no
proposal to sell the latter to television.
ivrnTTrw PTrTin?F DATT Y Martin Ouiflev. Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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 ' Tames P Cunningham News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager: Otis H. Fausel. Production Manager: Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
William R Weaver ' Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FT 6-3074; Bruce Trinz. Editorial Representative. 11 North
Clark Street FR 2-2843 Washington. J. A. Otten. National Press Club, Washington. D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WT: Hope Burnup. Manager; Peter Burnup,
Fditor- 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.
'THE AFRICAN
QUEEN"
United
Artists
"RED SKIES
OF MONTANA"
"THE
HAPPY
TIME"
2q
CENTURY- FOX
"SNOWS OF
KILIMANJARO"
"THE •
LUSTY
MEN"
R K O
RADIO
PICTURES
V
CONVICTS'
SCARAMOUCHE" .
"THE
BLAZING
FOREST"
"THE QUIET
MAN" . .
"DENVER - *
and
RIO GRANDE"
Unite
Artists
'ISLAND C
DESIRE'
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 15, 1952
'Carmen' Telecast Reaction
(Continued from page 1)
MP A 'sForeign
(Continued from page 1)
with the State Department and foreign
embassies in Washington.
Under the reorganization plan,
Johnston is setting up three geo-
graphical divisions — Europe and
Africa, the Western Hemisphere and
Asia. Responsibility for each of these
areas will be assigned to a represen-
tative in the New York headquarters.
Johnston personally will take over ac-
tive direction of all of the association's
international affairs.
European-African Desk
Hetzel, in addition to his over-all
duties, will be in acting charge of the
European-African desk, with George
R. Canty as assistant director. Robert
J. Corkery, who accompanied John-
ston on his recent trip to South Amer-
ica, will handle the Western Hemi-
sphere desk. The head of the Asiatic
desk will be named shortly.
The changes, Johnston explained,
are designed to attune the association
tit the growing importance of the
overseas business to the industry. In
virtually every country, he said, new
and complicated problems that are
constantly developing require special-
ized attention and action. He felt the
new division setup would facilitate the
successful handling- of these problems.
To keep the association currently
abreast of economic developments in
the different countries, Johnston has
assigned the association's economist, G.
Griffith Johnson, to devote his time to
international affairs.
Delay Crescent Hearing
Washington, Dec. 14. — Argument
on the Government's contempt charges
against Crescent Amusement Co. will
not be heard until after Jan. 1, Su-
preme Court officials said.
'Stars & Stripes'
(Continued from page 1)
An eight-day saturation advertising-
campaign, beginning today and run-
ning, through the day of the "Stars
and Stripes" launching, will pre-sell
the musical over 80 TV spot an-
nouncements.
The intensified spot compaign is con-
sidered to be the largest single sale
of its kind ever consummated for a
motion picture campaign.
16mm Suit
(Continued from page 1)
plaint were scheduled to be filed to-
morrow, after several postponements
of the original deadline. However, it
is now assumed that if the defendants
move to strike out some of the gov-
ernment allegations, as planned, their
motion would be made returnable in
a week or two, thus automatically
setting back the date again for the
filing of their answers.
FJP Campaign
(Continued from page 1)
H. Goldenson, United Paramount
Theatres ; Henry Jaffe, Jaffe and
Jaffe ; Al Lichtman, 20th Century-
Fox ; Herman Robbins, National
Screen Service ; Samuel Rosen,
Fabian Theatres ; Fred Schwartz,
Century Circuit ; Sol A. Schwartz,
RKO Theatres; George Skouras and
Spyros S. Skouras, Skouras Theatres ;
Albert Warner, Warner Brothers.
than anticipated in many theatres.
The experience, exhibitors said, de-
monstrated that some cities have suffi-
cient opera enthusiasts to draw a good
house and others haven't. Those that
have, apparently, are Boston, San
Francisco, New York and Los An-
geles. The latter did not have sell-
outs but attendance was, on the whole,
better than in some other cities much
farther from the "Met's" home base,
and where smaller theatres and fewer
of them took the telecast.
Exhibitor reaction to the reception
of the telecast also was mixed. There
were numerous criticisms of an indis-
tinct picture and excessive sound
volume. Other exhibitors found the
reception good, on the whole, and
pointed out that TV, as a medium,
simply will not accommodate crowd
scenes such as the opera's massed
choruses, even when on large screens.
The lack of color also was men-
tioned frequently, many stating that
it would add tremendously to an oper-
atic telecast.
Complain of Costs
The recurring complaint of exhibi-
tors, though, was the cost of booking
the attraction, which virtually every-
one contacted referred to as "too
high." Several pointed out that even
allowing for 20 additional theatres
which Theatre Network Television
said wanted the program but were
unable to get because of unavailability
of A. T. & T. lines, half of the TV-
equipped theatres were uninterested.
They attributed this solely to the
terms asked, which were a guaranty
of 40 cents per seat against 50 per-
cent of the gross, whichever was
higher. Some newspapers reported
that half of this went to the Metro-
politan and half to TNT. The esti-
mated gross for the 31 theatres was
in excess of $100,000.
Following are individual city re-
ports on the telecast, in addition to
those published in Motion Picture
Daily last Friday.
Chicago — Local critics blasted the
theatre television presentation of
"Carmen," which was marred here by
the failure of an electronic control
that overheated, distorting the picture,
particularly on the long- shots. Critics
Janet Kern of the Herald-American
and Sam Lesner of the Daily News
were more critical, however, of the
production which they felt should
have originated in a studio.
Hit Admission Price
They agreed that the sound was
"excellent at times" although the vol-
ume was overpowering in certain
arias. Both remarked that the admis-
sion price of $6 was out of line and
that some method should be devised
to bring opera to the public at a more
reasonable price and with greater
visual and auditory fidelity.
Jack McPaul, Sun-Times reporter,
rated the performance a "click," say-
ing that although the picture left
something to be desired, the sound
was excellent and audience reaction
was good. The picture, while better
in many respects than that for the
Lees telecast, was not up to what has
been experienced with fight telecasts
here.
Cleveland — There was a small at-
tendance of 1,500 at the 3,500-seat
Hippodrome here for the "Carmen"
theatre telecast. About 1,000 patrons
occupied the $2.40 balcony seats and
the other 500 the $3.60 orchestra seats.
There were no takers for the upper
balcony, priced at $1.25. The gross
for the performance was approxi-
mately $4,200.
Theatre manager Jack Silverthorne
believes audience enthusiasm, as evi-
denced by generous applause, justifies
an occasional repeat presentation of
TV operas selected for popular appeal.
Sound was perfect and there were
no continuity breaks. Picture clarity
varied from gray to clear and was
not comparable to motion picture
standards. A representative of the
Northern .Ohio Metropolitan Opera
Company, which sponsors annual
Metropolitan Cleveland engagements,
thought the presentation interesting,
with room for mechanical improve-
ment and that it should be repeated.
They do not see it as a threat to live
opera because of limited screen area,
lack of color and loss of audience
excitement.
Repeat Called For
Buffalo — The "Carmen" telecast
was practically a sell-out at the Cen-
ter Theatre. Only a few hundred
seats were unsold in the orchestra.
No seats were reserved. The price
scale was: balcony, $1.80, which was
sold out several days in advance ;
orchestra, $2.40, and loges, $2.80.
Business was around $3,500 net. Man-
agement reaction was very good, be-
lieving- that opera should be repeated
several times annually on a reserved
seat basis.
Press reaction here was very good,
the Courier-Express declaring: "On
the whole, reception and sound were
good at the Center. Several times the
audience, although 400 miles from the
proceedings, applauded arias. Unlike
the New York assemblage, Buffalo
opera-goers were not in formal dress,
but their sense of communion with
the big city production was unmis-
takable."
Said the Evening News : "Buffalo's
first theatre telecast was a qualified
success. As a musical event it was
first class. As a telecast it was imagi-
native, dramatic and exciting. But
due to unexplained transmission diffi-
culties that resulted in a picture some-
thing- less than perfect, it did not fully
realize the tremendous potentialities of
the video medium. That this fault did
not detract overly from the show was
indicated by many comments of praise
from persons in the near-capacity au-
dicence. By and large the viewers
seemed enthusiastic over this initial
Buffalo presentation and the future of
large screen telecast entertainment."
Big Scene Comment
Detroit — Approximately 2,500 peo-
ple paid $1.20 to $3.60 for reserved
seats to see the large screen telecast
of "Carmen" at the 3,500-seat Holly-
wood Theatre here.
The regular screen of the theatre
was used. It is 22 feet by 16 feet high.
The picture looked like a TV movie,
especially in the distance shots. An
A. T. & T. representative explained
that as the picture size increased its
clarity was reduced. Quality of close-
ups was good and contained clear de-
tail, but when scenes shifted to a pano-
rama xif the stage, it was like looking
down at a group of people from a
great height. Sound was excellent.
Minneapolis — A near-capacity au-
dience of almost 1,000 braved a snow-
storm for the telecast of the Metro-
politan Opera's "Carmen" at the
Boston Wants More
Opera Theatre TV
Boston, Dec. 14.— Edward S.
Canter, treasurer of American
Theatre Corp. here, said his
company "will be very glad
to present future opera tele-
casts" as a result of its ex-
perience with the "Carmen"
performance at the Pilgrim
Theatre.
He called the presentation
of the opera "a tremendous
success," pointing out that
Boston has a ready-made au-
dience for this type of enter-
tainment. The Pilgrim sold
out for the performance in
advance.
Gopher here. The Minneapolis sym-
phony Orchestra played in opposition
at the University of Minnesota Audi-
torium, splitting the carriage trade.
Sound reception was good with the
music lovers applauding vigorously.
Reaction to the picture was mixed as
the long shots turned fuzzy and had
insufficient light. Most often heard
comment was, "If it had only been
in color." The house was scaled from
$1.80 to $3.60.
Boston — According to a report
from Lynn, Mass., the Paramount
Theatre there grossed approximately
$1,500 for the telecast of "Carmen"
last Thursday night. Capacity of the
house is 2,500. It was scaled at $2.40
orchestra and $1.25 balcony, both re-
served.
Milwaukee — Bad weather here on
the night of the "Carmen" theatre
telecast held down box office sales of
tickets somewhat, in contrast to a very
good advance sale for the performance
at Standard's Riverside Theatre. The
management stated, however, that it
would definitely be interested in sched-
uling another operatic telecast should
one be made available.
Cincinnati ■ — "Carmen" did less
than two-thirds capacity at the 3,300-
seat RKO Albee here. Audience re-
ception was excellent and sound, per-
fect. The house was scaled at $1.19
to $3.59, including tax. Gross was
about $3,300. The consensus of thea-
tre men here was that opera telecasts
will not pay off.
Hollywood — The telecast was just
slightly less than a sell-out at both
the Warner Hollywood and the Los
Angeles Orpheum theatres despite the
5 :30 P.M. starting time which ob-
viously prevented many interested
persons from attending.
Trade circles on the Coast displayed
uniformly favorable reaction to the
first such telecast, expressing the
opinion that future events of a similar
nature will fare as well or better
financially. The newspaper critics
gave the telecast extensive coverage,
almost totally favorable.
Frank Abbott Stricken
Detroit, Dec. 14. — Frank P. Ab-
bott, manager of the Regent Theatre
in Battlecreek, and associated with
theatres there for 45 years, died at a
Battlecreek Hospital after being
stricken on stage last Tuesday.
Harold Bernstein, 47
Detroit, Dec. 14. — Harold Bern-
stein, 47, of Bay City, owner of five
theatres, died Wednesday of a heart
attack in a Detroit hospital. He was
stricken while on business in Detroit.
I His widow and four children survive.
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OrricE or the President
MOTION picture: herald
MOTION PICTURE DAILY
BETTER THEATRES
THEATRE SALES
MOTION PICTURE ALMANAC
FAME
November 25, 1952
Dear Sam:
As a long-time admirer of the art and showman-
ship of Samuel Goldwyn, I am delighted to seize this
first moment of a new business day to express pleasure
and gratification over my happy experience last even-
ing in seeing "Hans Christian Andersen."
I feel a deep sense of obligation to you for
this rare experience — an obligation which I believe I
shall eventually be sharing with countless millions of
people the whole world over.
"Hans Christian Andersen," as you have brought
the subject to the screen, is, in my opinion, a living,
vibrant work of art — an achievement of classic signifi-
cance in its beauty, melody, humor, movement and senti-
ment. It represents to me the Screen in the full bloom
of the maturity of the art. This production alone would
insure for its producer a permanent place in the hall
of fame of theatrical entertainment.
Yours sincerely,
Mr. Samuel Goldwyn
Sherry Netherland Hotel
Fifth Avenue at 59th Street
New York, New York
MOTION PICTURE
Accurate
and
Impartial
VOL. 72. NO. 114
NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1952
TEN CENTS
MixedReaction
By Exhibitors
To 4Carmen'
Theatre Men Divided As
To Future of Opera TV
Exhibitor reaction to the first
large screen telecast of an operatic
performance,, the Metropolitan Op-
era's production of "Carmen" last
Thursday night, was mixed but
might fairly be described as an artis-
tic success, while something less than
that, financially, to the exhibitor.
However, virtually all theatres oper-
ators contacted agreed that the tele-
cast was a showmanly experience
which they would be interested in re-
peating if the operatic attraction se-
lected is a good one and the price for
it is "right."
Fewer than a half-dozen of the 31
theatres in 27 cities which took the
"Carmen" telecast reported sell-outs.
Even after allowing for inclement
weather in many cities, which held
down drop-in trade, and for the pro-
ximity of the date to the Christmas
holiday, the traditionally slow show
business season, attendance was less
(Continued on page 4)
19 Groups to File
Theatre TV Exhibits
Washington, Dec. 14.— Nineteen
groups have filed notice of appearance
at the theatre television hearings
scheduled to reopen Jan. 26 before the
Federal Communications Commission,
and- have indicated will file exhibits.
Among the 19 are the Motion Pic-
ture Association of America, the Na-
tional Exhibitors Theatre Television
. Committee, American Telephone and
'Telegraph, Paramount Television Pro-
ductions, Allen B. DuMont Labora-
tories and Skiatron.
Lift Steel Controls
In Canada Dec. 31
Ottawa, Dec. 14.— The Ca-
nadian government announces
the removal of steel controls
for theatre construction and
repair, effective Dec. 31. The
lifting of controls is expected
to stimulate large expendi-
tures by major theatrical
companies next year since
many projects had been held
up by restrictions.
U. A. Sales Drive
To Honor Kranze
United Artists will launch
a 26-week sales, billing and li-
quidation drive on Dec. 22,
in honor of B. G. Kranze,
the company's newly-ap-
pointed general sales mana-
ger, it was announced at the
weekend by William J. Heine-
man, vice-president in charge
of distribution.
To be called the "Bernie
Kranze Drive," it will extend
through June 20.
'Stars & Stripes 9
Premiere 1st to Be
Nationally TV'd
The first national telecast of a mo-
tion picture premiere has been set by
20th Century-Fox for "Stars and
Stripes Forever," on Dec. 22 at the
newly-refurbished Roxy Theatre in
New York, Charles Einfeld, vice-
president of the company, announced
at the weekend.
The event will be televised by ABC
in a "live," theatre-front show be-
tween 8 :30 and 9 :00 P.M., EST, and
will be carried by ABC's flagship sta-
tion in New York, WJZ-TV, and out-
lets in such key cities as Philadelphia,
Chicago, Atlanta and Cleveland, where
the production will have openings dur-
ing the Christmas-New Year's holi-
days.
Two nights later, on Dec. 24, the
original telecast will be seen over other
stations of the ABC-TV network, in-
cluding those in Detroit and Baltimore
with additional stations expected to
carry the half-hour show that evening.
An eight-day saturation advertising
(Continued on page 4)
Cinerama May Open
In Chicago in March
Chicago, Dec. 14. — Papers are
being drawn up for the official con-
summation next week of a contract
between: Cinerama- and Eitel's Palace
Theatre, which will lead to Cinerama
opening in Chicago around the begin-
ning of March.
Following the run of "Stars and
Stripes Forever" at the Palace, which
opens Christmas day, the house will
go dark for about six weeks for in-
stallation of the Cinerama equipment.
The Palace has been run under joint
management of Arthur Wirtz, James
Coston, and the landlord, Otto K.
Eitel, since last spring when RKO
gave it up after many years.
NEW RKO RADIO
DIRECTORS NAMED
GettingerRKOPlan
Calls for Three
Separate Firms
A plan for the reorganization of
RKO Pictures calling for the creation
of a new studio company, a new re-
issue company and the conversion of
the present company into a distribu-
tion organization physically consoli-
dated with some existing company,
"like United Artists," has been pre-
pared by Milton M. Gettinger, attor-
ney, who sometimes represents the
Chemical Bank & Trust Co. of this
city.
Gettinger said he had been asked to
prepare the plan by several groups
interested in purchasing control of
RKO Pictures, whom he did not iden-
tify.
Salient provisions of Gettinger's
plan are as follows :
A new "Studio Corporation" would
be formed and would issue 4,000,000
shares to RKO Pictures in exchange
for the Hollywood studio properties
and the entire inventory of currently
released and new . product, which he
says has an estimated cost of approxi-
mately $35,000,000. The 4,000,000
(Continued on page 2)
McCarthy Resigns
MP A Foreign Post
The international division of the
Motion Picture Association of
America will be reorganized in or-
der to step up operations in the
foreign field, Eric Johnston, MPAA
president, announced here at the week-
end. Johnston told the association's
board of directors that the reorganiza-
tion plan would deal more effectively
with the constantly increasing prob-
lems of the industry's overseas activi-
ties. The resignation of John G. Mc-
(Continued on page 4)
Industry Leaders to
Aid FJP Drive
An executive committee of the
amusement division of the Federation
of Jewish Philanthropies has been an-
nounced by Barney Balaban, S. H.
Fabian and Manny Frisch, joint heads
of the industry's FJP drive.
Named to. the. committee are: Harry
Brandt, Brandt Theatres ; Jack Cohn,
Columbia Pictures ; Emil Friedlander ;
Leopold Friedman, Loew's ; Leonard
(Continued on page 4)
Hughes, Dietrich, Brent,
Walker, Burke Named;
See Diettich President
Hollywood,1 Dec. 14. — Election
of four new directors and the resig-
nation of jSherrill C. Corwin as
chairman of the board of RKO Pic-
tures were; announced by the com-
pany at the weekend. The new board
now consists of Howard Hughes,
Noah Dietrich, J. Miller Walker,
Maurice H. Brent and Edward G.
Burke, Jr. The latter is the only mem-
ber of the directorate who likewise
was a member of the board in exist-
ence at the start of the executive
meeting dn Friday.
Brent is a senior member of
the investment firm of Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Beane.
Walker previously was a vice-
president, general counsel and
a diijec'tpr of the corporation
and /had been with RKO for
21 year's.. Dietrich long has been
assopiat^d with Hughes in his
various /enterprises.
Cor\idn / asked . to be permitted to
resign/ as; an officer and director of
RKO/iii order to devote his time to
other/business interests. For that rea-
son, the! board announced that his
resignation was accepted.
Tljei new directorate is expected to
meetl jimmediately to elect Dietrich
pres/d^t of RKO Pictures and RKO
Radfoj ^nd Walker to the executive
posts /hfe held previously.
Brehf, who has handled special
ass gprrtents of a financial nature in
RHO before, -is -regarded -as the de-
signee' to the board -of the Mellon
Bank ;of Pittsburgh, which is associ-
ated with the Bankers Trust Co. ~of
IS^few /York in RKO financing.
■' The move this weekend marks the
i/eturn of Hughes to a position of
pia/nkgement responsibility in RKO.
^v^ich he relinquished last September
w/th the sale, oft his stock to the
Stolfkin group.* As 'reported by Motion-
(Continued on page 2) ■
May Oppose 16mm.
Suit Charges Today
Los Angeles., Dec. 14. — Defendant
film companies in the government's
anti-trust suit to force the sale of
16mm. films to television and other
non-theatrical users plan to- move in
Federal court here tomorrow for the
elimination of some allegations in the
government's complaint.
The companies' answers to the com-
(Contifmed on page 4)
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 15. 1952
Personal
Mention
G
EOKtiE J. SCHARFER left here
at the weekend for the Coast.
RKO Plan
{Continued from page 1)
T. E. Perkins, chairman and man-
aging director of Paramount Film
Service, London, and Rita Hay-
woRtii, were among the passengers
who arrived here on the 5.5". Queen
Elizabeth Saturday.
•
Mrs. Hayden Evans is the mother
of a daughter born at King Edward
Hospital in Bermuda. Mrs. Evans,
formerly with United Artists, is the
daughter of Jack Krieger, producer.
•
Edward L. Hyman. vice-president
of United Paramount Theatres, and
his assistant, Bernard Levy, have re-
turned to New York from Detroit and
Cincinnati.
•
William F. Rodgers, M-G-M vice-
president and sales consultant, left
here Sunday for an indefinite stay in
Florida.
9
Joseph Walsh, Paramount's branch
operations manager, will arrive in Los
Angeles tomorrow from New York.
•
Pincus Sober of M-G-M's legal de-
partment, has returned to New York
after a 10-day trip to the Northwest.
•
Clyde Dickerson has been named
booker at the Schine office in Cleve-
land to succeed Bennett Goldstein.
Big Ad Campaign
For 4IT Drive
Hollywood, Dec. 14. — An extensive
advertising and promotional campaign
in conjunction with the "Charles J.
Feldman Silver Anniversary Drive,"
covering 12 releases during an 18-week
period beginning Dec. 28, was an-
nounced here by David A. Lipto'n,
vice-president in charge of advertising
and publicity.
The drive, plans for which were
blueprinted during last week's execu-
tive meetings at the studio, will high-
light four major Technicolor produc-
tions. Lipton added that top stars and
young players, heads of the costume
and make-up departments and other
studio personnel will aid in the promo-
tion of the pictures.
MGM, RKO Theatres
Get Long Holidays
Employes of Loew's — M-G-M and
RKO Theatres home offices will en-
joy a long Christmas holiday week-
end, the companies have announced.
M-G-M will be closed from 4:00 P.M.
Dec. 24 until Monday, Dec. 29 and
RKO from 1:00 P.M. Dec. 24 until
Monday. RKO Radio Pictures had
previously decided to close over the
Christmas weekend. M-G-M also an-
nounced that it will close New Year's
weekend from 4:00 P.M. Dec. 31
until' Monday, Jan. 5.
shares of the new company would be
turned over as a stock dividend to
RKO Pictures stockholders.
A new "Library Corporation" would
be formed and would receive title to
all old shorts and features in RKO
Pictures' vaults, in exchange for
4,000,000 shares of the new corpora-
tion, these shares also to be declared
as a stock dividend to RKO Pictures
stockholders. It is contemplated that
the pictures out of release would be
turned over for reissue by a company
such as Realart, under a deal similar
to that by which Realart distributes
reissues for Universal.
RKO Pictures would be continued
solely as a distributor of independent
product, including that made at the
new Studio Corporation's plant. Such
product, the plan contemplates, would
consist of a minimum of 26 pictures
annually, each budgeted between
$300,000 and $500,000.
Gettinger said he had asked Arthur
Krim, U.A. president, if he would be
interested in the plan and received "an
affirmative answer. Krim is now- -.in
Europe. Other U.A. officials here said
they knew nothing of the plan and had
no interest in it.
Talked to Krim
Gettinger's plan for consolidation of
distribution of the two companies pro-
poses that U.A. transfer its present
distribution contracts to RKO, retain-
ing all other assets, in exchange for a
block of RKO Pictures common stock,
the number of shares to be determined
by the ratio of RKO and U.A. dis-
tribution gross for the past several
vears. U.A.'s is estimated at $24,-
000,000 annually, RKO's at $36,000,000.
Gettinger sees an annual profit on
this operation of between $8,000,000
and $10,000,000 on a gross of $60,000,-
000, in which the new consolidated
distribution company would share at
the rate of 30 to 35 per cent in dis-
tribution fees. He estimates the over-
head of the company at $10,000,000
per year maximum.
'Cooperative' Basis
The new studio company, it is sug-
gested in the plan, would attract _ in-
dependent producers by offering,
through banks, estimated production
loans of about 60 per cent of the ap-
proved budget. Production would be
on a "cooperative" basis to provide
studio facilities at actual cost as well
as release arrangements through RKO.
The independent producers would pay
the studio ah agree-on percentage of
profits after negative cost has been re-
covered.
The plan envisions a distribution to
stockholders by the studio company
of "between $20,000,000 and $30,000,-
000 over the next several years" after
repayment of bank loans. It also sug-
gests "that there should be freed to
stockholders between $15,000,000 and
$20,000,000 of working capital as liqui-
dating dividends during the next 18
months."
The plan estimates the RKO stu-
dio's worth at $4,000,000 and the back-
log of old pictures at between $10,-
000,000 and $15,000,00. There is no
proposal to sell the latter to television
Carolinas Get 1st
Theatre Television
Charlotte, Dec. 14. — First
theatre in the Carolinas to re-
ceive large-screen television
program will be the Carolina
here. Equipment is now being
installed.
NEWS
in Brief ■
RKO Board
(Continued from page 1)
The final two-day merchandising-
promotion meeting in the series being-
held by Paramount's A. W. Schwal-
berg, E. K. (Ted) O'Shea and Jerome
Pickman, will get underway here to-
morrow, with Hugh Owen, Eastern
and Southern division manager, and
key personnel from his territories.
Schwalberg, O'Shea and Pickman
will arrive in New York tomorrow
morning from Chicago. Schwalberg
will preside, as he did at the recent
Philadelphia, Dallas, Los Angeles and
Chicago meetings.
•
With free trips to Paris as top
prizes, Warner Brothers has set up
an essay contest, of national scope to
promote "April in Paris," with the
cooperation of Air France and the
French Government Tourist Office.
Theatres all over the country are
eligible to participate if their play-
date of "April in Paris" is between
Dec. 25 and Feb. 14.
"Why I Would Like to Spend
April in Paris?" is the poser which
contestants are required to answer in
100 words or less, with entry blanks
available at participating theatres.
The theatre manager and a local
committee will select the five best
local letters which are to be for-
warded to a national committee in
New York for judging of the two
final winners to be awarded the trip.
«
Plans for the production of "Romeo
and Juliet" were announced here by
the J. Arthur Rank Organization. The
picture, to be made, in Technicolor,
is to be produced jointly by the Rank
organization and the Italian film com-
pany, Universalcine.
•
Washington. Dec. 14. — A House
Interstate Commerce sub-committee
which has been holding intensive hear-
ings on the program content of radio
and television broadcasts will release
its report tomorrow, Oren D. Harris,
sub-committee chairman, announced
over the weekend.
•
A special premiere of "The Jazz
Singer" will take place on Jan. 13 at
the Paramount Theatre here for the
benefit of the National Foundation
for Infantile Paralysis, as a result of
arrangements concluded by Warner
Brothers, the producers, Basil O'Con-
nor, president of the Foundation, and
Robert Weitman, vice-president of
United Paramount Theatres.
The Paramount has a ticket sale
goal of $50,000, with tickets, scaled
from $2 up to "Golden Circle" seats
at $100.
Picture Daily on Friday, Hughes is
granting deferments to the Stolkin
group of maturity dates on their future
payments due him under their stock
purchase agreement. They paid $1,-
250,000 down in September and have
approximately $6,000,000 more to pay
in the next two years.
Ends Negotiations
The agreement on the new board
culminates weeks of negotiations be-
tween Hughes and the Stolkin group
here, during which one solution after
another was discarded after having
been tentatively agreed upon. This
final agreement was reported substan-
tially in Motion Picture Daily on
Friday. It permits RKO to go into
New York Supreme Court next
Wednesday with a complete board
and chief executive officers to combat
the pending stockholders' application
there for appointment of a receiver
for the company.
It is believed that Hughes will
again assume direction of studio oper-
ations and production, although the
official statement said nothing on that
subject.
Depinet Declined
Ned E. Depinet announced on Fri-
day that he had been invited, but de-
clined, to become president and a
member of the board of the company.
In prepared statements by Hughes
and Ralph Stolkin, head of the syndi-
cate which purchased Hughes' 29 per
cent interest in RKO Pictures, each
explained the events leading up to the
selection of the new board. Hughes
said that on Nov. 22, he had received
a call from Stolkin asking for a meet-
ing between his group and Hughes
concerning the company. One of the
points of discussion, he said, was a
review of the names of men who were
being considered by the directors as
possible candidates to fill_ existing
vacancies. Following these discussions,
the board met and elected the new
members.
Stolkin Statement
Stolkin's statement was similar,
pointing out that the purchase of
Hughes' stock was motivated by a
"sincere confidence in the future of
the motion picture business and the
potential resources of RKO." He said
his group's confidence in the invest-
ment and RKO's future had not dimin-
ished. Stolkin said the "feeling of
responsibility impelled us to do every-
thing within our power to reconstitute
the board with stature, dignity and in-
tegrity." He added that at the same
time, the group felt that new board
members should have to be familiar
with RKO and its problems. He de-
clared that he was certain the men
elected to the board would immedi-
ately focus their attention and effort
upon the revitalization of RKO.
It is understood here that Hughes
has granted the Stolkin group a defer-
ment of obligations under its stock
purchase agreement in order to allow
more time for the disposition of the
stock or the acquisition of capital to
make the subsequent payments.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY.
"THE AFRICAN
QUEEN'
United
Artists
"WEEKEND
WITH FATHER"
44,
QUO
VADIS"
2a
CENTURY- FOX
"RED SKIES
OF MONTANA"
"DENVER * *
and
RIO GRANDE"
"ISLAND OF
DESIRE"
MP A 'sForeign
(Continued from page 1)
Carthy, managing director of the in-
ternational division, was announced at
the meeting. The resignation became
effective immediately. It was stated
that McCarthy had several new affilia-
tions under consideration and would
announce future plans after a vacation.
Ralph D. Hetzel, Jr., will serve di-
rectly under Johnston in New York
in the conduct of foreign business.
Joyce O'Hara will handle contacts
with the State Department and foreign
embassies in Washington.
Under the reorganization plan,
Johnston is setting up three geo-
graphical divisions — Europe and
Africa, the Western Hemisphere and
Asia. Responsibility for each of these
areas will be assigned to a represen-
tative in the New York headquarters.
Johnston personally will take over ac-
tive direction of all of the association's
international affairs.
Hetzel, in addition to his over-all
duties, will be in acting charge of the
European-African desk, with George
R. Canty as assistant director. Robert
J. Corkery, who accompanied John-
ston on his recent trip to South Amer-
ica, will handle the Western Hemi-
sphere desk. The head of the Asiatic
desk will be named shortly.
The changes, Johnston explained,
are designed to attune the association
to the growing importance of the
overseas business to the industry. In
virtually every country, he said, new
and complicated problems that are
constantly developing require special-
ized attention and action. He felt the
new division setup would facilitate the
successful handling of these problems.
To keep the association currently
abreast of economic developments in
the different countries, Johnston has
assigned the association's economist, G.
Griffith Johnson, to devote his time to
international affairs.
Motion Picture Daily
Carmen' Telecast Reaction
(Continued from page 1)
'Stars & Stripes'
(Continued from page 1)
campaign, beginning today and run-
ning through the day of the "Stars
and Stripes" launching, will pre-sell
the musical over 80 TV spot an-
nouncements.
The intensified spot compaign is con-
sidered to be the largest single sale
of its kind ever consummated for a
motion picture campaign.
16mm Suit
(Continued from page 1)
plaint were scheduled to be filed to-
morrow, after several postponements
of the original deadline. However, it
is now assumed that if the defendants
move to strike out some of the gov-
ernment allegations, as planned, their
motion would be made returnable in
a week or two, thus automatically
setting back the date again for the
filing of their answers.
FJP Campaign
(Continued from page 1)
H. Golden son, United Paramount
Theatres ; Henry Jaffe, Jaffe and
Jaffe ; Al Lichtman. 20th Century-
Fox ; Herman Robbins, National
Screen Service ; Samuel Rosen,
Fabian Theatres ; Fred Schwartz,
Century Circuit ; Sol A. Schwartz,
RKO Theatres; George Skouras and
Spyros S. Skouras, Skouras Theatres ;
Albert W arner, Warner Brothers.
than anticipated in many theatres.
The experience, exhibitors said, de-
monstrated that some cities have suffi-
cient opera enthusiasts to draw a good
house and others haven't. Those that
have, apparently, are Boston, San
Francisco, New York and Los An-
geles. The latter did not have sell-
outs but attendance was, on the whole,
better than in some other cities much
farther from the "Met's" home base,
and where smaller theatres and fewer
of them took the telecast.
Exhibitor reaction to the reception
of the telecast also was mixed. There
were numerous criticisms of an indis-
tinct picture and excessive sound
volume. Other exhibitors found the
reception good, on the whole, and
pointed out that TV, as a medium,
simply will not accommodate crowd
scenes such as the opera's massed
choruses, even when on large screens.
The lack of color also was men-
tioned frequently, many stating that
it would add tremendously to an oper-
atic telecast.
Complain of Costs
The recurring complaint of exhibi-
tors, though, was the cost of booking
the attraction, which virtually every-
one contacted referred to as "too
high." Several pointed out that even
allowing for 20 additional theatres
which Theatre Network Television
said wanted the program but were
unable to get because of unavailability
of A. T. & Tv lines, half of the TV-
equipped theatres were uninterested.
They attributed this sojely to the
terms asked, which were a guaranty
of 40 cents per seat against 50 per
cent of the gross, whichever was
higher. Some newspapers reported
that half of this went to the Metro-
politan and half to TNT. The esti-
mated gross for the 31 theatres was
in excess of $100,000.
Following are individual city re-
ports on the telecast, in addition to
those published in Motion Picture
Daily last Friday.
Chicago — Local critics blasted the
theatre television presentation of
"Carmen," which was marred here by
the failure of an electronic control
that overheated, distorting the picture,
particularly on the long shots. Critics
Janet Kern of the He raid- Am eric an
and Sam Lesner of the Daily News
were more critical, however, of the
production which they felt should
have originated in a studio.
Hit Admission Price
They agreed that the sound was
"excellent at times" although the vol-
ume was overpowering in certain
arias. Both remarked that the_ admis-
sion price of $6 was out of line and
that some method should be devised
to bring opera to the public at a more
reasonable price and with greater
visual and auditory fidelity.
Jack McPaul, Sim-Times reporter,
rated the performance a "click," say-
ing that although the picture left
something to be desired, the sound
was excellent and audience reaction
was good. The picture, while better
in many respects than that for the
Lees telecast, was not up to what has
been experienced with fight telecasts
here.
Cleveland — There was a small at-
tendance of 1,500 at the 3,500-seat
Hippodrome here for the ''Carmen"
theatre telecast. About 1,000 patrons
occupied the $2.40 balcony seats and
the other 500 the $3.60 orchestra seats.
There were no takers for the upper
balcony, priced at $1.25. The gross
for the performance was approxi-
mately $4,200.
Theatre manager Jack Silverthorne
believes audience enthusiasm, as evi-
denced by generous applause, justifies
an occasional repeat presentation of
TV operas selected for popular appeal.
Sound was perfect and there were
no continuity breaks. Picture clarity
varied from gray to clear and was
not comparable to motion picture
standards. A representative of the
Northern ,Ohio Metropolitan Opera
Company, which sponsors annual
Metropolitan Cleveland engagements,
thought the presentation interesting,
with room for mechanical improve-
ment and that it should be repeated.
They do not see it as a threat to live
opera because of limited screen area,
lack of color and loss of audience
excitement.
Repeat Called For
Buffalo — The "Carmen" telecast
was practically a sell-out at the Cen-
ter Theatre. Only a few hundred
seats were unsold in the orchestra.
No seats were reserved. The price
scale was: balcony, $1.80, which was
sold out several days in advance;
orchestra, $2.40,' and loges, $2.80.
Business was around $3,500 net. Man-
agement reaction was very good, be-
lieving that opera should be repeated
several times annually on a reserved
seat basis.
Press reaction here was very good,
the Courier-Express declaring: "On
the whole, reception and sound were
good at the Center. Several times the
audience, although 400 miles from the
proceedings, applauded arias. Unlike
the New York assemblage, Buffalo
opera-goers were not in formal dress,
but their sense of communion with
the big city production was unmis-
takable."
Said the Evening News: "Buffalo's
first theatre telecast was a qualified
success. As a musical event it was
first class. As a telecast it was imagi-
native, dramatic and exciting. But
due to unexplained transmission diffi-
culties that resulted in a picture some-
thing less than perfect, it didnotfully
realize the tremendous potentialities of
the video medium. That this fault did
not detract overly from the show was
indicated by many comments of praise
from persons in the near-capacity au-
dicence. By and large the viewers
seemed enthusiastic over this ' initial
Buffalo presentation and the future of
large screen telecast entertainment."
Big Scene Comment
Detroit — Approximately 2,500 peo-
ple paid $1.20 to $3.60 for reserved
seats to see the large screen telecast
of "Carmen" at the 3,500-seat Holly-
wood Theatre here.
The regular screen of the theatre
was used. It is 22 feet by 16 feet high.
The picture looked like a TV movie,
especially in the distance shots. An
A. T. & T. representative explained
that as the picture size increased its
clarity was reduced. Quality of close-
ups was good and contained clear de-
tail, but when scenes shifted to a pano-
rama of the stage, it was like looking
down at a group of people from a
great height. Sound was excellent.
Minneapolis — A near-capacity au-
dience of almost 1,000 braved a snow-
storm for the telecast of the Metro-
politan Opera's "Carmen" at the
Monday, December 15, 1952
Boston Wants More
Opera Theatre TV
Boston, Dec. 14.— Edward S.
Canter, treasurer of American
Theatre Corp. here, said his
company "will be very glad
to present future opera tele-
casts" as a result of its ex-
perience with the "Carmen"
performance at the Pilgrim
Theatre.
He called the presentation
of the opera "a tremendous
success," pointing out that
Boston has a ready-made au-
dience for this type of enter-
tainment. The Pilgrim sold
out for the performance in
advance.
Gopher here. The Minneapolis sym-
phony Orchestra played in opposition
at the University of Minnesota Audi-
torium, splitting the carriage trade.
Sound reception was good with the
music lovers applauding vigorously.
Reaction to the picture was mixed as
the long shots turned fuzzy and had
insufficient light. Most often heard
comment was, "If it had only been
in color." The house was scaled from
$1.80 to $3.60.
Boston — According to a report
from Lynn, Mass., the Paramount
Theatre there grossed approximately
$1,500 for the telecast of "Carmen"
last Thursday night. Capacity of the
house is 2,500. It was scaled at $2.40
orchestra and $1.25 balcony, both re-
served.
Milwaukee — Bad weather here on
the night of the "Carmen" theatre
telecast held down box office sales of
tickets somewhat, in contrast to a very
good advance sale for the performance
at Standard's Riverside Theatre. The
management stated, however, that it
would definitely be interested in sched-
uling another operatic telecast should
one be made available.
Cincinnati — "Carmen" did less
than two-thirds capacity at the 3,300-
seat RKO Albee here. Audience re-
ception was excellent and sound, per-
fect. The house was scaled at $1.19
to $3.59, including tax. Gross was
about $3,300. The consensus of thea-
tre men here was that opera telecasts
will not pay off.
Hollywood — The telecast was just
slightly less than a sell-out at both
the Warner Hollywood and the Los
Angeles Orpheum theatres despite the
5:30 P.M. starting time which ob-
viously prevented many interested
persons from attending.
Trade circles on the Coast displayed
uniformly favorable reaction to the
first such telecast, expressing the
opinion that future events of a similar
nature will fare as well or better
financially. The newspaper critics
gave the telecast extensive coverage,
almost totally favorable.
Frank Abbott Stricken
Detroit, Dec. 14. — Frank P. Ab-
bott, manager of the Regent Theatre
in Battlecreek, and associated with
theatres there for 45 years, died at a
Battlecreek Hospital after being
stricken on stage last Tuesday.
Harold Bernstein, 47
Detroit, Dec. 14. — Harold Bern-
stein, 47, of Bay City, owner of five
theatres, died Wednesday of a heart
attack in a Detroit hospital. He was
stricken while on business in Detroit.
His widow and four children survive.
Not just claims but VISIBLE improve-
ments distinguish the NEW 9 mm
"Suprex" projector carbon in any 9-8 mm
copper-coated high-intensity trim.
AND THAT'S NOT ALL! With an opti-
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appropriate holders and guides in your
present equipment and get:
0k
y WISE'
DEMi
• More light at slightly increased current
• Equal light at same current
• Lower carbon consumption and cost
• Better light distribution at all currents
• Above 70 amperes, see your theatre supply dealer
for his equipment recommendations.
ii
ERE
The terms "Suprex" and "Orotifi" are trade - marks
of Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation
NATIONAL CARBON COMPANY
A Division of Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation
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District Sales Offices: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City,
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In Canada: National Carbon Limited, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg
Ouigley Publishing Company. Inc
rockefeller center
New York
f the President
Mr. Samuel Goldwyn
Sherry Netherland Hotel
Fifth Avenue at 59th Street
New York, New York
Dear Sam:
As a long-time admirer of the art and showman-
ship of Samuel Goldwyn, I am delighted to seize this
first moment of a new business day to express pleasure
and gratification over my happy experience last even-
ing in seeing "Hans Christian Andersen."
I feel a deep sense of obligation to you for
this rare experience — an obligation which I believe I
shall eventually be sharing with countless millions of
people the whole world over.
"Hans Christian Andersen," as you have brought
the subject to the screen, is, in my opinion, a living,
vibrant work of art — an achievement of classic signifi-
cance in its beauty, melody, humor, movement and senti-
ment. It represents to me the Screen in the full bloom
of the maturity of the art. This production alone would
insure for its producer a permanent place in the hall
of fame of theatrical entertainment.
Yours sincerely,
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
VOL. 72. NO. 115
NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1952
TEN CENTS
United Artists
Opens Six .
New Offices
Openings in Key Cities
Disclosed by Heineman
United Artists has opened six
new booking offices in key cities, it
was disclosed by William J. Heine-
man, vice-president in charge of dis-
tribution. The new offices are in Des
Moines, Jacksonville, Memphis, Okla-
homa City, Portland, Ore., and Al-
bany, N. Y., and are part rof an ex-
pansion move which was designed to
increase sales services to exhibitors.
The Des Moines office, with Dor-
othy Pobst as booker, is at 1110 High
Street and will function under the ju-
risdiction of the Omaha exchange. The
Jacksonville office, under the Atlanta
exchange, h at 414 Masonic Temple
building and has Orville Ray, Jr., as
booker. The Memphis offices, under
the St. Louis exchange, is at 408
South Second Street and has Katha-
rine Randall as booker., Wanda Mc-
Clain is the booker at the Oklahoma
City office, at 18^4 North Lee Street,
which is under the Dallas exchange.
(Continued ^on page 3)
Justice Abandons
Crescent Appeal
Washington, Dec. IS. — The Su-
preme Court today, acting on the mo-
tion of the Justice Department, agreed
to dismiss the ^Department's appeal of
a lower court ruling throwing out
civil contempt charges against Cres-
cent Amusement Co.
The Justice Department motion
came as a surprise since the high
court had already agreed to hear the
appeal and argument was expected
early next year.
Justice officials said they had de-
(Continued on page 3)
To Name Consultant
On New French Tax
Film company foreign department
managers voted here yesterday to au-
thorize their representatives in Paris
to engage" a tax consultant to seek a
solution to the French government's
demand for an eight per cent turn-
over tax on remittances. The consult-
ant will represent all of the American
film companies. The decision was
made at a meeting with Eric Johns-
(Continned on page 3)
Benjamin Denies UA
Involved in 'Merger'
The mention of United Art-
ists in attorney Milton Get-
tinger's plan for the reorgan-
ization of RKO Pictures in
daily papers here yesterday
brought the following state-
ment from Robert S. Benja-
min, UA board chairman:
"No one at United Artists
is now negotiating, nor has
anyone in the past negotiated
any deal with or for RKO
merger or otherwise, nor has
anyone been authorized on
United Artists' behalf to do
so."
In the story of the reorgan-
ization plan it was stated that
Gettinger had a company "like
United Artists" in mind for
the distribution of RKO pic-
tures.
'Ike ' and Johnston
Hold Meeting Here
President-elect Dwight D. Eisen-
hower and Eric Johnston, president
;of the Motion Picture Association of
America, conferred briefly yesterday
in New York, but the nature of the
discussions was not revealed. It is re-
ported that Eisenhower asked Johns-
ton to call on him.
i Because of recurring reports that
Johnston may be asked to take a
diplomatic post, yesterday's parley
stirred up conjectures in the trade
here. Some basis for the conjectures
stems from th fact that Johnston is
not well acquainted with the Presi-
dent-elect and that a meeting between
the two would not be a social visit.
Johnston left a meeting of the for--
eign managers at MPAA headquar-
(Continued on page 3)
2 Cinerama Films
Planned for 1953
Two Cinerama productions and the
equipping of at least IS theatres are
planned for 1953, Dudley Roberts, Jr.,
president of Cinerama Productions,
Inc., disclosed here yesterday.
Shooting on Cinerama's second fea-
ture production will begin in another
five or six weeks under the supervi-
sion of Louis B. Mayer, chairman of
the board, and Merian C. Cooper,
general manager in charge of produc-
tion, it was stated. Roberts added that
the two stories for 1953 already have
been selected. He denied that "Blos-
som Time," the Broadway stage play
whose film rights have been acquired
(Continued on page 3)
RKO Prepares 5
For Shooting;
20 Releases Set
Following the reconstitution of
RKO Pictures' board of directors, the
studio is preparing to swing into acr
tion for the production of five pictures
for which scripts have been completed,
the company reported here yesterday.
Charles Boasberg, general sales man-
ager, has gone to the Coast for pro-
duction conferences with Howard
Hughes, indicating Hughes' return to
studio activity.
At the same time, RKO Radio this
week set its release schedule into mid-
June, listing 20 pictures.
Pictures set to go before the cam-
eras are : "Gambler Moon," which Ed-
mund Grainger will produce with
Robert Mitchum starring ; "High
(Continued on page 5)
125 Theatres in NY
'News' Ad Plan
From 125 to 150 theatres are ex-
pected to participate in the "Neigh-
borhood Movie Houses" theatre direc-
tory advertising format recently in-
troduced by the New York Daily
Nezvs.
The format offers advertisers sec-
tional theatre listings. Since the in-
troduction of the plan on Nov. 2, the
number of theatres has grown from
54 to 100. Circuits already using the
format include Skouras Theatres,
(Continued on page 5)
18 -Week Drive Set
For TJniv. Abroad
An 18-week global sales competi-
tion dubbed the "Daff-Third-of-a-Cen-
tury Drive" will be launched by Uni-
versal International sales forces in 38
countries on Dec. 28. The drive, which
will mark the 33rd anniversary in the
business of Al Daff, executive vice-
president of Universal, will continue to
May 2.
Ben Cohn of Universal's foreign de-
(Continued on page 5)
Hearings on 16 mm.
Suit Motions Dec. 29
Hollywood, Dec. 15. — Fed-
eral Judge William Byrne to-
day set Dec. 29, for hearings
on motions for the clarifica-
tion of the government's
language in charges against
them filed by defendents in
the 16 mm. case to force the
sale of films to TV.
Bent, Designee
ToRKOBoard,
May Not Serve
Burke Says Officers
To Be Elected Later
Whether Maurice H. Bent is or
is not a member of the hew RKO
Pictures board of directors re-
mained an unanswered question
here yesterday. RKO announced
from the Coast over the weekend
that Bent had been elected to the
board, but subsequent events indi-
cated that Bent can't, or is. unwilling,
to accept the post. Bent was identi-
fied as a senior partner in the invest-
ment firm of Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Feiiner and Beane, but according to
Winthrop H. Smith, managing direc-
tor of the brokerage house, Bent is an
employe in its underwriting division.
Bent, himself, would make no com-
ment on his reported election, but it
was said that he would make a clari-
fying announcement shortly: There
was a hint that he wold • make the
announcement late yesterday, but he
left his office in the mid-afternoon
without commenting on the situation.
(Continued on page 5)
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 15. —
Hal E. Roach, president of
Hal Roach Studios, today-
disclosed a deal with
Harry J. Allen of Toronto
for the world-wide dis-
tribution of 12 feature
pictures for the year com-
mencing in 1953. Distri-
bution will be under the
supervision of Allen, who
will operate under the
firm name of Guild Inter-
national Films.
•
KANSAS CITY, Dec. 15.—
The Motion Picture Asso-
ciation of Greater Kansas
City elected Senn Lawler
of Fox Midwest, presi-
dent; J. W. Lewis, first
vice-president; Stanley
Durwood, second vice-
president; William Gad-
doni, secretary, and Ed
Hartman, treasurer.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, December 16, 1952
Personal
Mention
E. DEPINET returned here
from the Coast yesterday.
Judge Roy Russell, owner of the
Russell Theatre in Millersburg, O.;
his wife, Mrs. Helen Smith Rus-
sell, owner of the Majestic Theatre
in Akron; their daughter and son-in-
law, Mrs. Barbara Russell Cox and
Wilbur Cox, have become owners
and publishers of the Holmes County
Farmer-Hub.
•
Arthur Krolick, UPT general
manager in Buffalo and Rochester,
has accepted the exhibitor chairman-
ship for Brotherhood Week in the
Buffalo exchange area.
•
Ed Reilly of Florida State The-
atres, has been elected president of the
Greater Miami chapter of the National
Association of Building Owners and
Managers.
•
Bernard Prager, general sales man-
ager for Robbins Music Co., Loew's
music subsidiary, will leave here Jan.
11 on a two-month tour of the
country.
•
Harry Feinstein, Warner The-
atress' New Haven zone manager ;
James Tottman, his assistant, and
James Bracken, contact manager,
have returned to that city from Al-
bany.
•
Maxwell Alderman of Allied
Theatres of Connecticut and Mrs Al-
derman are marking their 25th wed-
ding anniversary.
Max Birnbaum, Warner Brothers
branch manager in New Haven, has
resumed his duties following a six-
week illness.
H. B. Allinsmith, formerly man-
aging director of Western Electric
Co.,, Ltd., has returned to New York
from London.
Jack Beresin, Variety Clubs In-
ternational chief barker, will be in
Buffalo today on his tour of the coun-
try's tents.
David Golding, Samuel Goldwyn
Productions advertising-publicity di-
rector, will return here today from
Florida.
o
William H. Wright, M-G-M pro-
ducer, will arrive here from the Coast
on Dec. 29, accompanied by Mrs.
Wright.
Ben Goetz, head of M-G-M's studio
in Great Britain, is due here Monday
from London by plane en route to the
Coast.
Rube Joiner of Joiner Booking
Service, Atlanta, has returned there
from Charlotte.
•
Steve Broidy, Allied Artists presi-
dent, has returned to Hollywood from
Chicago.
AMENT HOLDS REELS BEAT TV
WITH FOOTAGE OF IKE S TRIP
Editor, Motion Picture Daily:
Your issue of Tuesday, December
9, 1952, carried an article on its first
page, which I feel conveyed several
improper and inaccurate expressions.
The facts are these :
All of the motion picture film, in-
cluding the film made available by
TV's own correspondent in Korea,
arrived at La Guardia Field at 6:30
A. M. Sunday, December 7th. In
accordance with arrangements made
by the theatrical newsreel companies
the film was instantly picked up by
Army Signal Corps representatives
and rushed to the Astoria Signal
Corps Studio. There it was met by
Mr. Jack Le Vien, representing the
theatrical newsreels, and Mr. Ted
Genock, representing the TV reels,
and immediately distributed.
The film was forthwith developed
and the neecssary prints processed for
all theatrical newsreels and all TV
reels with all possible dispatch. This
shipment of film contained the only
film of any sort received bv the the-
atrical newsreels and the TV news-
reels on Eisenhower's trip to Korea.
This was in accordance with the care-
ful forehanded planning of the the-
atrical newsreels and only by virtue
of that did the TV reels have any
film to show. The theatrical news-
reels had three cameramen in Korea
with Eisenhower: Dave Oliver, who
was the only motion picture camera-
man to travel with General Eisen-
hower, Gene Zenier and Kim Wee.
The film mae'e by all three of these
men was made available to the TV
reels in accordance with an arrange-
ment imposed by the authorities iir
the Korean Theater. To the best of
our knowledge the TV reels had only
one man covering for them in Korea.
Therefore, it was the theatrical news-
reels who won out in Korea.
Walton C. Ament,
Vice-president and
General manager,
Warner News, Inc.
Albany TOA to Meet
On TV, Legislation
Albany, N. Y., Dec. 15. — The
Theatre Owners Association of this
area will meet at Keeler's Restaurant
on Jan. 13 to consider an agenda con-
sisting of a talk on theatre television
by an RCA representative from Cam-
den, a discussion of a proposed amend-
ment to the Labor Law Code No. 36
covering theatres and other places of
public assembly, and bills affecting
the industry that may be pending be-
fore the state legislature, executive
director Lewis A. Sumberg reports
to members.
'Not Too Harmful'
Sumberg expressed the opinion that
based on a study of the latest draft
of the code "you will find the code
as now constituted not too harmful
due in a large part to the fact that
the Board of Standards and Appeals
has made concessions at the request
of this organization." As counsel,
he attended and participated in dis-
cussions at various board hearings.
"I think you should also know,"
Sumberg stated, "that in some small
measure your executive director co-
operated with Saul Ullman, chairman
of COMPO in this area, with regard
to enlisting the support of Congress-
man O'Brien of Albany in the tax
repeal campaign. I think also that
recognition and thanks for work well
done should go to Ullman since he
also enlisted the support of U. S.
Senator Irving M. Ives and Congress-
men Dean Taylor of Troy and Ber-
nard W. Kearney of Gloversville.
Beverly Hills Will
Honor Sam Goldwyn
Hollywood, Dec. 15. — Beverly Hills
will pay tribute to Samuel Goldwyn
on Monday in a citywide observance
of the producer's 40th anniversary in
the film industry. The day will be
set aside as "Samuel Goldwyn Day,"
and the producer will be presented
with a medal in ceremonies in City
Hall.
Among those on the committee
selected by Mayor David Tannenbaum
to supervise the tribute are : Jack L.
Warner, Don Hartman, George Jes-
sel, Irene Dunne, Dore Schary, Wil-
liam Goetz, Cecil B. DeMille, Jesse L.
Lasky, Jean Hersholt, Jerry Wald
and Y. Frank Freeman.
Rathvon Returns to
Paris on Finance Deal
N. Peter Rathvon returned to Paris
yesterday via Pan American Airways
for several days of conferences in con-
nection with independent production
which he is financing. The picture is
to be produced in France, shooting to
start shortly after Jan. 1.
Rathvon, former RKO president, ar-
rived here from Paris last Monday and
had planned to leave for the Coast this
week. He will return to New York
late this week and will leave immedi-
ately to spend the Christinas holidays
at his California home.
Tri-Opticon Premiere
In Chi. Christmas
Hollywood, Dec. 15. — Sol
Lesser announced that the
American premiere engage-
ment of the Tri-Opticon three
dimension program will be
held at Telenews Theatre,
Chicago, Christmas Day. The
program includes five demon-
stration subjects, totalling
less than an hour, acquired
for American marketing by
Lesser from Stereo - Tech-
niques, Ltd., London. The
process requires polaroid
glasses. It is believed the
program will consist of the
subjects plus a newsreel.
Lasky Confers Here
On Financing Film
Conferences on the financing of in-
dependent producer Jesse L. Lasky's
planned color in Technicolor produc-
tion, "The Big Brass Band," got un-
derway here yesterday following
Lasky's arrival from the Coast. The
film, which has been in active prepa-
ration for the past 18 months, will
cost an estimated $2,000,000.
Niagara Falls Kills
Admission Tax Rise
Buffalo, Dec. 15. — Niagara Falls
has overwhelmingly defeated a pro-
posed referendum which would have
permitted an additional five per cent
admission tax. Prominent in the
fight against the measure were
Robert and Richard Hayman of the
Hayman circuit, Al Pierce of Shea's
Bellevue and Richard Walsh of Hay-
man.
Rockland Houses Burn
Boston, Dec. 15. — Two Rockland,
Me., theatres, the Knox and the
Strand, were damaged by a $1,000,000
fire in the business district.
3 Houses Change Booking
Cincinnati, Dec. 15. — RKO's
Paramount and Western theatres here
and the 105th St. theatre in Cleveland
hereafter will be booked out of the
Cincinnati RKO headquarters instead
of the New York office.
The three houses are subsequent
runs on a multiple-change weekly
basis, playing "exploitation" pictures.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center
"MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID"
Esther WILLIAMS • Victor MATURE
Walter PIDGEON • David BRIAN
Color by TECHNICOLOR . An M-G-M Picture
& The Music Hall's Great Christmas Stage Show
ccioi >, WARNER COLOR
........ BRODERICK CLAIRt
f CRAWFORD [REVOI
SAMUEL GOLDWYN presents
Hans Christian
Andersen
starring s
DANNY KAYE^.
CRITERION • PARIS
_ B'way & 45th St. 58th St.W. of 5th Ave.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quiglev, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin. Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting- 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; James P. "Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising- Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London Wl; 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, December 16, 1952
Motion picture daily
Cinerama
(Continued from page 1)
by Mayer, will be produced by Cine-
rama as its next,
Currently, deals are being set for
the showing of Cinerama in Los An-
geles and Detroit, Roberts said, add-
ing that Eitel's Palace in Chicago has
already been set for the next Cine-
rama installation.
The target of other installations,
Roberts explained, is to have at least
15 theatres from Coast-to- Coast equip-
ped by Nov. 1953. The Cinerama pres-
ident said the theatres would be leased,
not bought, stating "we're not in the
real estate business."
Three projectors, the number cur-
rently being used at the Broadway
Theatre in New York, will be neces-
sary for the showing of Cinerama for
at least another year or two, Roberts
forecast.
As to structural changes necessary
in future theatres, Roberts estimated
that the costs would be less than the
estimated $75,000 for the Broadway
Theatre here. He said the Chicago
situation would cost from $25,000 to
$50,000 to alter. Orders to completely
equip 20 theatres have now been
placed by Cinerama, Roberts stated.
Review
N. Y. Visitors Told
About Cinerama
That Cinerama has made the
Broadway Theatre here an "interna-
tional institution" is acknowledged by
the New York Convention and Visi-
tors Bureau in a special listing which
says, "Cinerama, the new motion pic-
ture medium that creates a startling
illusion of three dimensional reality, is
at the Broadway Theatre."
The publication goes to 4,000,000 of
New York's visitors each year. No
entertainment has ever had a listing
of this kind, it was said.
"Member of the Wedding'*
(Stanley Kramer-Columbia Pictures)
CARSON McCULLERS' sensitive portrait of a girl's painful entrance
into adolescence that made a noted book and a hit Broadway play has
been filmed with reverential awe by Stanley Kramer in a virtually verbatim
fashion.
It is a difficult theme to present to a large general audience. The produc-
tion, employs the talents of the outstanding Broadway cast stars, Ethel
Waters, Julie Harris and Brandon De Wilde. Its greatest appeal will be
to the ultra-intellectual audience. It can be merchandised via a prestige
approach and may be well received in urban areas and specialized houses.
There is a modicum of motion as Miss Harris portrays the girl who is
too old for her younger playmates and too tomboyish for her more feminine
friends. Close-ups have been used excessively so that the girl's dream world
has not been established sympathetically and the hiatus of the adult world
is not definitively shown.
The story is largely the thoughts and emotions of Miss Harris as she
identifies herself in the universe for the first time by "belonging" to her
brother, Arthur Franz, his fiance, Nancy Gates, and their wedding. She can-
not comprehend, despite Miss Waters' warnings, that she cannot accompany
the two on their honeymoon. Her attempts to do so are roughly foiled by
her father, William Hansen. Rejected, she does not respond to kind treat-
ment by Miss Waters and her younger child friend De Wilde, but goes on
a telescoped tour of the sleazier section of the town. She enters a cafe and
talks to drunken soldier Dick Moore who attempts to kiss her and is hit over
the head with a bottle. She returns home to find De Wilde dead of an illness.
Soon after Miss Harris has "recovered" from the wedding and the death,
and fallen into the usual adolescent ways.
Fred Zinnemann directed and has allowed the principals full sway in the
exhibition of ultra-realistic histrionics. Edna and Edward Anhalt are credited
with the screenplay. Others in the cast are James Edwards, Harry Bolden,
Danny Mummert, June Hedin and Ann Carter.
This is a pretentious, Art with a capital A, film. Exhibitors should see
it for proper evaluation of merchandising possibilities for their situations.
Running time, 91 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
not set.
Italy Slashes Film
Production Subsidy
By ARGEO SANTUCCI
Rome, Dec. 15. — The government
committee charged with reducing
budget expenditures has approved a
formula which lowers government con-
tributions to native motion picture pro-
duction from $9,000,000 to $3,500,000.
Half of . the achieved economies ef-
fected by the committee will be used
for defense and half for reducing the
deficit. Members of the committee,
established in 1948, are representative
of the Treasury Ministry and of Par
liament.
Since 1948 the government has
granted $35,000,000 to the film pro-
duction industry.
Crescent Appeal
(Continued from page I]
cided to forget about contempt
charges and instead concentrate on
getting the Nashville District Court
to toughen the original Crescent con-
sent decree.
In 1950, the anti-trust division
brought civil and criminal contempt
charges against Crescent, four allied
theatre circuits and three circuit offi-
cers. The Nashville District Court
threw out the contempt charges but
reserved- jurisdiction on several Jus-
tice requests to broaden some of the
theatre acquisition provisions in the
earlier consent decree.
Justice appealed the criminal con-
tempt decision to the Sixth Circuit
Court of Appeals and the civil con-
tempt decision directly to the Supreme
Court.
Department spokesmen today said
the criminal contempt appeal had been
quietly withdrawn some weeks back,
and the civil contempt appeal action
followed. They said the Department
felt that "as a matter of tactics it was
better , to prosecute what'; still left
in the District Court." They indicated
they did not yet know the date for
further proceedings in the District
Court.
U. A. Will Release
Three in January
United Artists will place three
films, "Kansas City Confidential,"
"Guerilla Girl" and "Luxury Girls,"
in general release during January, it
was announced here by William J.
Heineman, vice-president in charge of
distribution.
"Kansas City Confidential," an
Edward Small production starring
John Payne and Coleen Gray, will go
into general release on Jan. 16.
"Guerrilla Girl" will be released on
Jan. 23. Produced and directed by
John Christian, it stars Helmut Dan-
tine and introduces a new screen act-
ress, Mariana. On Jan. 30 U.A. will
release "Luxury Girls," filmed on
location in Europe.
Stage Shows at Capitol
Johnnie Ray will start a series of
personal appearances at New York's
Capitol Theatre on Wednesday, Dec.
24, in the first stage show at that
house in more than a year and a half.
Ray Anthony and his orchestra and
songstress Gloria Gibbs will be co-
starred with Ray. On the screen will
be Universal International's "Against
All Flags."
To Name Consultant
. (Continued from page 1).,
ton, president of the Motion Picture
Association of America, and Joyce
O'Hara^ MPAA vice-president.
The foreign department chiefs were
told that the change of government in
Japan had slowed tdown the efforts of
Richard P, McDonn'elL MP AA\ inter-
national department representative, in
obtaining remittances pn, frozen funds.
Irving Maas, of' the" Motion* Picture
Export Association, who" has been
negotiating a new agreement . on im-
port licenses in Tokyo,1' is on his way
back to the United. States.
'Stars' Set for 400
Holiday Openings
"Stars and Stripes Forever" will
open in over 400 situations in the
U. S. and Canada during the Christ-
mas-New Year season, reports 20th
Century-Fox. This represents one of
the largest holiday booking totals for
the company.
The film, a biography in color by
Technicolor of bandleader John Philip
Sousa, is being pre-sold' through a
campaign embracing the musical, his-
torical, and personality aspects of the
picture.
'Ike' and Johnston
(Continued from page 1)
ters to keep the appointment with
Eisenhower, turning the meeting over
to Joyce O'Hara. Johnston later re-
turned to the meeting for a brief stay
and then planed to Washington.
UA Opens Offices
(Continued from page 1)
The Portland office, under the Seattle
exchange, is at 1816 N. W. Keaney.
The Albany office is at 443 North
Pearl Street.
3
Name Carolina TOA
Committee Heads
Charlotte, Dec. 15.— Wood-
row Fussell, president of the
Theater Owners Association,
of North and South Carolina,
has appointed new commit-
tees for the ensuing year.
Chairmen are: John Dineen,
Leaksville, conciliation; Wal-
ter Griffith, Charlotte, mem-
bership; H. F. Kincey, Char-
lotte, screenings; Jack Fuller,
Columbia, public relations;
Warren Irving, Columbia,
South Carolina legislature; H.
E. Buchanan, Hendersonville,
North Carolina legislature.
End Odeon Interest
In NTS Theatres
Toronto, Dec. 15. — -Sam Fingold,
president of National Theatre Ser-
vices, has announced the termination,
effective Jan. 3, 1953 of his association
with Odeon Theatres (Canada)
in the operation of 16 theatres, adding
that Odeon's interest in his company
had also been acquired.
National is now 100 per cent owned
by him, Fingold stated, and will con-
tinue to operate a circuit of 30 the-
atres in Ontario. including; the 16 units
jointly operated. ,
Delay Columbia Suit
A postponement until Jan. 15 was
granted here yesterday on the show
cause , order calling - upon Columbia
Pictures' minority stockholder- Wil-
liam B. Weinberger .of -New York- to
post bond in connection with his anti-
trust suit against the company.
THE BILLION
DOLLAR SECRET
We cannot withhold
the secret any longer.
It is revealed in
the film "Above and
Beyond" which
M-G-M is now about
to release.
Do not tell anyone
the basic facts behind
this unusual narrative.
It is an obligation
"Above and Beyond"
the call of duty.
For security reasons
we do not reveal why
"Above and Beyond"
was one of the most
"restricted" sets
during its filming.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY
Tuesday, December 16. 1952
N.Y. State Censor
Sees Difficulties if
Censorship Ends
Aliunv, N. Y., Dec. IS.— Dr.
Charles A. Brind, Jr., counsel to the
Slate Education Department and the
Board of Regents, predicted "chaos" in
the motion picture industry if film
censorship were declared unconstitu-
tional.
Speaking before the Men's Club of
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Dr.
Brind declared that different cities
would take different positions on what
is censorable within their police power
whereas now producers are "set" once
a picture is licensed in New York
State. Emphasizing- that "someone
will have to keep a watch on things,"
he pointed out that "enforcement under
the penal law" bad been tried before
the present licensing statute was en-
acted and "did not work." To meet
the situation that might develop with
the invalidation of censorship, Dr.
Brind projected, as he had recently in
a speech in Washington, the possibility
of theatre licensing.
Brind stated that "it is not true to
say that the motion picture industry
has cleaned house when 50 per cent
of the pictures presented to the mo-
tion picture division of the State Edu-
cation Department are foreign-made
or produced by fly-by-night compa-
nies" that do not subscribe to the Pro-
duction Code. He said that the_ major
Hollywood producing companies do
not give the motion picture division
any "trouble."
FPC Seeks Toronto
Telemeter Permit
Toronto, Dec. 15.— W. Z. Estey,
representing the Famous Players Can-
adian Corp., appeared before the
Toronto Board of Control to ask for
a permit to erect a 300-foot Telemeter
aerial and for a franchise to operate
the subscriber system of TV programs.
The Toronto city fathers promised
to study the application before giving
an answer, probably in January.
Similar applications have been made
by Famous Players in other cities,
but the Toronto situation is different
because, the Canadian Broadcasting
Corp. already operates a television
station here.
112 TV Stations Now
The long lines department of the
American Telephone and Telegraph
Co. reports the opening of a new
microwave link connecting Roanoke,
Va., with the Bell System's nation-
wide television network.
Network service is now available
to 112 television stations in 69 cities.
INVITATION TO
Television--Radio
with Pinky Herman
ACMIOLA
FILM EDITING MACHINES
PICTURE Cr SOUND, 1 6-35 mm
Shipments within 3 months! Built to out-
last three ordinary machines! Continuous
demonstrations commencing Friday, Dec.
19th. 2 P.M.
S.O.S.CINEMA SUPPLY CORP.
602 WEST 52nd ST., NEW YORK CITY
XTOT only did Ed CBSullivan regain his health during his weeks
stay at the Flower Hospital but the host of the "Toast of the
Town" series also learned of the fine work of Flower Hospital
Student Nurses' Choir of Fifty Voices and forthwith signed them to
Christmas carol-lick on Sunday's program, an Icetraganza, which
will originate from the enlarged stage of the Roxy Theatre. Sonja
Henie will make her TV debut, wearing a forty pound hula costume
during her famous hula dance on ice. . . . When Marguerite Piazza
waxes a new album of light operatic selections next month for MOM
Records, background and supporting music will be furnished by
Charles Sanford's Orchestra. Both are featured regularly on Max
Liebman's "Your Show of Shows," perennial NBChckeroo. .
When Jack Benny's next TVer for Lucky Strikes goes on Dec. 28
from the new CBS TV City, Screen Star Jimmy Stewart will make
his initial venture in television. . . . Songstress Benay Venuta
observes that "if the dollar depreciates another three cents from its
current 53 cent value, then they could stop making half-dollar pieces."
(A half-truth, no?). . . . Starting Monday, Dec. 29, beauteous Kyle
MacDonnell's vocalisthenics will be heard five times a week at 11:15
to 11 :30 P.M. via WOR.
ftr "ft ft ' . , ,
There's no business people like show business people when it
comes to unselfish donations of their time, talents, money, etc.,
for worthy charities. Bob Weitmmis 18-hour telethon, ABCon-
ducted last week for the United Cerebral Palsy Fund, raised more
than- half a million dollars. Incidentally,
Dennis James turned in a masterful stint as
MC. . . . CBS is lining up another TV series
for Eddie Albert in addition to his Tuesday at
8 P.M. program. New half-hour format will
be alotted in the afternoon, where it is hoped
he will duplicate the success he enjoyed with
daytime TV on the coast. . . . Bob Manning,
former chirper with Art Mooney's ork, has
been signed to warble on Capitol Records. His
first platter ("Gypsy Girl ) could very well
launch the tall, good-looking youngster smack,
dab into the middle of the baritone szueep-
stakes. . . . The MacQuarrie Network
(Australia) poll for the "most popular vocal-
ist" c roamed Rosemary Clooney, the new
currently making "Here Come the Girls," with
. While on the subject of Polls, the Motion
Picture Daily-Fame annual Television Radio Poll is Hearing com-
pletion and'will be announced in a few weeks.
ft ft • ft"
CBS' TV series, "Omnibus," flashed Sundays from 4:30 to
6:00 P.M., is now completely sold out, the latest co-sponsor
being Scott Paper. Others include, Willys-Overland, Grey-
hound Bus, Electric Shaver Div. of Remington-Rand and
American Machine & Foundry. . . . Questioning a 14-year-
old girl on his "Name That Tune," NBC quizzer, Red Benson
had no comeback, when to his query, "What do you want to
be when you grow up," she answered simply, "Why I'd like
to be married." . . . We caught Larry Storch's hilarious
"Benny" routine Sunday on "This Is Show Business" and are
even more mystified than ever that this clever comic doesn't
have his own TV series. . . . Quite by accident we turned the
radio dial to WMGM one midnight last week and fortunately,
too, for we found ourselves listening to a program, originating
from Hutton's Restaurant, and featuring the wit and humor
of Henry Morgan. Stay-up-lates can now enjoy a happy,
relaxed and completely new Morgan personality, whose easy-
to-listen-to chatter without becoming enmeshed in contro-
versial harangues by would-be radioracles. . . . Bob Quigley's
Kideo series. "Shenanigans," which bowed in recently via
WPIX in the daily 5:00 to 6:00 P.M. slot is sure-fire moppet
material. Written by Bob, with B.Q. himself doing the em-
ceeing honors, the program features games, cartoon strips,
movies and daily adventures of "Slick Trick Quigley, Private
Eye."
ft ft ft
LOTSA DOTS . . . Radio's newest Space Hero, "Planet Man,"
made a personal appearance last week in Buffalo, co-sponsored by the
New York State Nurses and Station WEBR. The popular Space
Man, hero of the Palladium Radio Productions sensational ET series,
drew a crowd of over 75,000 people, according to Bill Schwietzer,
promotion mgr. of WEBR.
Dennis James
Paramount star
Bob Hope.
House Group Sees
No Good in TV,
Radio Censorship
Washington, Dec. 15— A House
investigating committee said today it
thought Congress could, if necessary,
enact Federal censorship of radio and
television broadcasting, but that no
good might come from such legisla-
tion.
The conclusion came from a House
Commerce sub-committee headed by
Rep. Harris (D., Ark.), which has
been investigating the moral stand-
ards of radio and TV programs.
The sub-committee held hearings from
June into December, and today issued
its final report.
The report said the question had
been raised whether Congress could
legislate in this field. Quoting from
the Supreme Court decision in "The
Miracle" motion picture censorship
case, the sub-committee said the court
had clearly found that under some
circumstances some form of com-
munity control over films was con-
stitutional and that the same thought
could be applied to broadcasting.
"The sub-committee believes, how-
ever, that the potential evils inherent
in such governmental controls might
be even greater than the evils that
such controls might be designed to
remedy," the report stated. "Fur-
thermore, the sub-committee feels
that there appears to be no good rea-
son why such controls should be im-
posed at this time before the indus-
try has had an opportunity to explore
fully whether effective self-regulation
is feasible."
Welcomes TV Code
The sub-committee welcomed the
television industry's recent code of
standards and said that "self-regula-
tion is making substantial progress in
this field, and, so long as the public
interest is served, is preferable to
government-imposed regulation." It
urged, however, that Congress con-
tinue to keep an eye on the subject
and that the new Congress "continue
and expand" the investigation.
Other conclusions in the report :
There is still entirely too much em-
phasis upon crime programs ;
Television reaches a different audi-
ence from other media, and perform-
ances or discussions which might be
okay in motion picture theatres, on
the stage or in books or_ magazines
might be considered offensive on tele-
vision, especially when presented dur-
ing periods when children are watch-
ing ;
While networks have some respon-
sibility for program standards, indi-
vidual licensees still bear the final re-
sponsibility -
One method for improving program
standards is for the public to express
its criticisms freely and fully;
Poor taste has been displayed in
advertising many products ;
Television is trying to get more cul-
tural and educational programs, and
should continue to do so.
] \m i nua me. awn
i mrm * wwot no* »w*
Tuesday, December 16, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
In the THEATRE
Equipment
World . . .
. . with RAY GALLO
RKO Board Designee
(Continued from page 1)
T NSTALLATIQNS of Simplex tele-
1 vision systems in two theatres have
been announced by National Theatre
Supply, New York. Both systems are
the direct projection type, manufac-
tured by General Precision Labora-
tory, Pleasantville, X. Y. One instal-
lation was in B. S. Moss' 1,500-seat
Lee Theatre at Fort Lee, N. J., the
other was at the 1,028-seat Gopher
Theatre in Minneapolis.
•
Ray Dunn, Chicago branch man-
ager for A. & M. Karagheusian, Inc.,
New York, manufacturer of Guli-
stan carpets, will assume control
over the entire Chicago territory,
upon retirement Dec. 31 of Edward
Strauss as Midwestern division
manager. The territory includes the
Northern half of Illinois, all of
Iowa, the Eastern half of Nebraska,
most of Wisconsin, the Upper Pen-
insula of Michigan, and the North-
ern half of Indiana. From head-
quarters in Chicago, Dunn will su-
pervise activities of three salesmen,
Charles Mallinson, John Manfrin
and Robert Palm.
•
David E. Feinberg has been named
general manager of the United States
Air Conditioning Corp. of Minne-
apolis:- to suc-
ceed his father,
the late A. A.
Feinberg. A
vice-president of
the corporation
since May, 1951,
David has also
served as sales
manager of the
c o m pany' s re-
frigeration divi-
sion and as co-
o r din at or of
us A I Rco's de-
fense production
activities. Ex-
cept for three years in the Army Air
Force, he has been associated zvith
the corporation since 1940.
e
A new rubber runner matting es-
pecially designed for lobbies or other
inside entrance ways has been an-
nounced bv the D. W. Moor Co. of
Toledo. Called the "Do-All Long-
Ribbed Matting," it is made from
corded rubber in 3/16-inch thickness.
It has traction-type ribbing running
the long way of the mat to facilitate
cleaning with a broom. Sold by the
running foot, the matting is 34 inches
wide and comes in rolls of approxi-
mately 38 feet in length. Colors avail-
able include red, green, blue, mosaic
and black.
•
Renovating and redecorating of
its showrooms on the 18th floor of
the Merchandise Mart in Chicago is
being carried out in time for an
early January reopening by the
James Lee and Sons Co., Bridge-
port, Pa., manufacturers of carpets.
The company also has announced
new warehouses in Cleveland and
Los Angeles and additions to show-
rooms in Atlanta and Dallas.
Motion- Picture Daily was told by
the Merrill Lynch firm that by virtue
of the firm's policy it would not be
possible for a member of the com-
pany to be on the board of any or-
ganization. It also was stated that
the brokerage company had no con-
nections whatsoever with RKO Pic-
tures.
Bent, however, served on the
RKO Pictures board for about a
year in 1949-'50, presumably as
a Hughes' nominee, shortly after
Hughes purchased the Atlas
Corp. controlling stock interest
in RKO.
Edward G. Burke, Jr., a member
of the new RKO board, who arrived
here from the Coast yesterday, could
not clarify the confusion over Bent.
He said that he presumed an official
statement would be issued by the
board this week. It is believed that
a new director will be elected to re-
place Bent, if the latter is definitely
off the directorate.
Burke said there had been no elec-
tion of RKO officers over the week-
end, as had been scheduled. He said
he believed an election would be held
later this week. Because the other
three directors are on the Coast, he
said the election would be held in
Hollywood. Burke will be in New
York for two or three days.
It is generally anticipated in
the trade that Noah Dietrich,
cne of the new members of the
board, will be named president
when the election is held. Die-
trich was chairman of the board
of RKO Pictures prior to the
sale of Hughes' stock to the
Ralph Stolkin syndicate last
September.
The other new members of the
board, as announced by the company
in Hollywood on Saturday, are
Hughes and J. Miller Walker. The
latter was a board member, secretary
and general counsel of RKO prior to
the sale to Stolkin, and resigned at
that time.
It was reported from Hollywood
that in addition to granting the Stol-
kin group deferments on maturity
dates of the stock purchase payments
due him, Hughes also waived a pro-
vision of the agreement holding the
members of the Stolkin group "jointly
and severally" liable for performance
of the contract. In consequence of
such a waiver, it was said, members
of the Stolkin group could, if they so
desired, sell their RKO stock hold-
ings individually, rather than in a
block.
However, three of the five mem-
bers, Stolkin, A. L. Koolish and Ray
Ryan, are said to hold 90 per cent of
the block, with Burke and Sherrill
Corwin owning the other 10 per cent.
Meanwhile, a hearing is scheduled
in New York Supreme Court here
tomorrow on a petition by a stock-
holders' group for appointment of a
receiver for RKO, an adjunct of an
action for recovery which they have
brought against Hughes.
RKO Radio 'Holders
File Suit on Coast
Hollywood, Dec. 15. — A mil-
lion dollar suit against RKO
Pictures, RKO Radio Pic-
tures, RKO Radio Pictures,
Inc., Howard Hughes and
Chase National Bank was
filed in Federal Court here
today by Eli B. and Marion B.
Castleman and Louis Feuer-
man, stockholders. The
charges duplicate those made
by the same group in filing a
parallel suit in New York
Nov. 13.
Universal Drive
(Continued from page 1)
partment has been named captain of
the drive by Americo Aboaf, foreign
general sales manager. Prizes of trips
to New York, or any other city of
their choosing, will go to managers
of winning forces in the Latin Ameri-
can, Far Eastern and European divi-
sions. Staff members in the top coun-
try will receive three weeks' salary ;
second place territory, two weeks' sal-
ary, and third, fourth and fifth place
countries, one week's salary.
News' Ad Plan
(Continued from page 1)
Century, Prudential, Interboro and
Randforce. The Warner circuit is
slated to join the plan following the
Christmas holidays.
RKO Prepares 5
(Contimted from page 1)
David E. Feinberg
Frontier," to be produced by Robert
Sparks from an original story by
Beirne Lay, Jr. ; "Size 12," Techni-
color, based on an original story by
Jerome Weidman, which Harriet Par-
sons will produce ; "Second Chance,"
to be produced by Sam Wiesenthal ;
"The Return of Zorro," written for
the screen by Walter Ferris and
Frances Kavanaugh from an adapta-
tion by Laurence Hazzard.
The 20 pictures to be released be-
tween now and June 18 are: "Hans
Christian Andersen," Dec. 19 ; "Black-
beard the Pirate," Dec. 25 ; "Andro-
cles and the Lion," Jan. 9 ; "Never
Wave at A Wac," Jan. 28 ; "No Time
for Flowers," Jan. 31 ; "Peter Pan,"
Feb. 5; "Angel Face." Feb. 11;
"Sword of Venus," Feb. 20; "Night
Without Stars," March 6 ; "The Per-
suader," March 13 ; "Fort Apache"
and "Blood on the Moon" (reissues),
March 27 ; "Beautiful but Dangerous."
April L; "Port Sinister," April 10;
"The Sea Around Us," April 22 ; "Sea
Devils," May 1 ; "Mickey Mouse
Birthdav Party," May 15 ; "Below
the Sahara," May 22; "Break-Up,"
June 11 ; and "Split-Second," June 18.
'Jazz Singer' Promotion
Hollywood, Dec. 15. — In a cam-
paign aimed at reaching the largest
post-premiere audience in company
history, Warner Brothers has com-
pleted arrangements to translate spe-
cial recordings of "The Jazz Singer"
world premiere on Dec. 30 into sev-
eral foreign languages. The special
discs will be used domestically on
radio stations catering to foreign lan-
gauge audiences.
GREAT MOTION PICTURES ARE PROCESSED BY PATHE
BEN PI VA R. L i dependent Film Library
Preside?! r says:
"Our very survival is
often dependent upon lab service.
Pathe has never let us down."
When the lab work can make or break
a picture, don't take chances. Specify
Pathe because Pathe produces the
highest-c\VL2X\ty work with best service
available anywhere.
Both New York and Hollywood Have Complete Pathe Laboratory Facilities:
35MM • l6MM • COLOR • BLACK AND WHITE
Pathe Laboratories, Inc. is a subsidiary of Chesapeake Industries, Inc.
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
VOL. 72. NO. 115
NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1952
TEN CENTS
United Artists
Opens Six
New Offices
Openings in Key Cities
Disclosed by Heineman
United Artists has opened six
new booking offices in key cities, it
was disclosed by William J. Heine-
man, vice-president in charge of dis-
tribution. The new offices are in Des
Moines, Jacksonville, Memphis, Okla-
homa City, Portland, Ore., and Al-
bany, N. Y.. and are part of an ex-
pansion move which was designed to
increase sales services to exhibitors.
The Des Moines office, with Dor-
othy Pobst as booker, is at 1110 High
Street and will function under the ju-
risdiction of the Omaha exchange. The
Jacksonville office, under the Atlanta
exchange, is at 414 Masonic Temple
building and has Orville Ray, Jr., as
booker. The Memphis offices, under
the St. Louis exchange, is at 408
South Second Street and has Katha-
rine Randall as booker. Wanda Mc-
Clain is the booker at the Oklahoma
City office, at IS1/. North Lee Street,
which is under the Dallas exchange.
(Continued on page 3)
Justice Abandons
Crescent Appeal
Washington. Dec. 15. — The Su-
preme Court today, acting on the mo-
tion of the Justice Department, agreed
to dismiss the Department's appeal of
a lower court ruling throwing out
civil contempt charges against Cres-
cent Amusement Co.
The Justice Department motion
came as a surprise since the high
court had already agreed to hear the
appeal and argument was expected
early next year.
Justice officials said they had de-
(Continued on page 3)
To Name Consultant
On New French Tax
Film company foreign department
managers voted here yesterday to au-
thorize their representatives in Paris
to engage a tax consultant to seek a
solution to the French government's
demand for an eight per cent turn-
over tax on remittances. The consult-
ant will represent all of the American
film companies. The decision was
made at a meeting with Eric Johns-
(Continued on page 3)
Benjamin Denies UA
Involved in 'Merger'
The mention of United Art-
ists in attorney Milton Get-
tinger's plan for the reorgan-
ization of RKO Pictures in
daily papers here yesterday
brought the following state-
ment from Robert S. Benja-
min, UA board chairman:
"No one at United Artists
is now negotiating, nor has
anyone in the past negotiated
any deal with or for RKO
merger or otherwise, nor has
anyone been authorized on
United Artists' behalf to do
so."
In the story of the reorgan-
ization plan it was stated that
Gettinger had a company "like
United Artists" in mind for
the distribution of RKO pic-
tures.
'Ike ' and Johnston
Hold Meeting Here
President-elect Dwight D. Eisen-
hower and Eric Johnston, president
of the Motion Picture Association of
America, conferred briefly yesterday
in New York, but the nature of the
discussions was not revealed. It is re-
ported that Eisenhower asked Johns-
ton to call on him.
Because of recurring reports that
Johnston may be asked to take a
diplomatic post, yesterday's parley
stirred up conjectures in the trade
here. Some basis for the conjectures
stems from th fact that Johnston is
not well acquainted with the Presi-
dent-elect and that a meeting between
the two would not be a social visit.
Johnston left a meeting of the for-
eign managers at MPAA headquar-
(Continued on page 3)
2 Cinerama Films
Planned for 1953
Two Cinerama productions and the
equipping of at least 15 theatres are
planned for 1953, Dudley Roberts,. Jr.,
president of Cinerama Productions,
Inc., disclosed here yesterday.
Shooting on Cinerama's second fea-
ture production will begin in another
five or six weeks under the supervi-
sion of Louis B. Mayer, chairman of
the board, and Merian C. Cooper,
general manager in charge of produc-
tion, it was stated. Roberts added that
the two stories for 1953 already have
been selected. He denied that "Blos-
som Time," the Broadway stage play
whose film rights have been acquired
{Continued on page 3)
RKO Prepares 5
For Shooting;
20 Releases Set
Following the reconstitution of
RKO Pictures' board of directors, the
studio is preparing to swing into ac-
tion for the production of five pictures
for which scripts have been completed,
the company reported here yesterday.
Charles Boasberg, general sales man-
ager, has gone to the Coast for pro-
duction conferences with Howard
Hughes, indicating Hughes' return to
studio activity.
At the same time, RKO Radio this
week set its release schedule into mid-
June, listing 20 pictures.
Pictures set to go before the cam-
eras are : "Gambler Moon," which Ed-
mund Grainger will produce with
Robert Mitchum starring ; "High
(Continued on page 5)
125 Theatres in NY
News' Ad Plan
From 125 to 150 theatres are ex-
pected to participate in the "Neigh-
borhood Movie Houses" theatre direc-
tory advertising format recently in-
troduced by the New York Daily
Neit/s.
The format offers advertisers sec-
tional theatre listings. Since the in-
troduction of the plan on Nov. 2, the
number of theatres has grown from
54 to 100. Circuits already using the
format include Skouras Theatres,
(Continued on page 5)
18-Week Drive Set
For Univ. Abroad
An 18-week global sales competi-
tion dubbed the "Daff-Third-of-a-Cen-
tury Drive" will be launched by Uni-
versal International sales forces in 38
countries on Dec. 28. The drive, which
will mark the 33rd anniversary in the
business of Al Daff, executive vice-
president of Universal, will continue to
May 2.
Ben Cohn of Universal's foreign de-
(Continued on page 5)
Hearings on 16 mm.
Suit Motions Dec. 29
Hollywood, Dec. 15. — Fed-
eral Judge William Byrne to-
day set Dec. 29, for hearings
on motions for the clarifica-
tion of the government's
language in charges against
them filed by defendents in
the 16 mm. case to force the
sale of films to TV.
Bent, Designee
ToRKOBoard,
May Not Serve
Burke Says Officers
To Be Elected Later
Whether Maurice H. Bent is or
is not a member of the new RKO
Pictures board of directors re-
mained an unanswered question
here yesterday. RKO announced
from the Coast over the weekend
that Bent had been elected to the
board, but subsequent events _ indi-
cated that Bent can't, or is unwilling,
to accept the post. Bent was identi-
fied as a senior partner in the invest-
ment firm of Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner and Beane, but according to
Winthrop H. Smith, managing direc-
tor of the brokerage house, Bent is an
employe in its underwriting division.
Bent, himself, would make no com-
ment on his reported election, but it
was said that he would make a clari-
fying announcement shortly. There
was a hint that he wold make the
announcement late yesterday, but he
left his office in the mid-afternoon
without commenting on the situation.
(Continued on page 5)
Roach in Deal With
Harry J. Allen
Hollywood, Dec. 15. — Hal Roach,
president of Hal Roach Studios, dis-
closed here today an association with
Harry J. Allen of Toronto for the
worldwide distribution of 12 feature
pictures in 1953. Distribution will be
under the supervision of Allen, who
will operate under the firm name of
Guild International Films.
Senn Lawler Heads
Kansas City Unit
Kansas City, Dec. 15. — Senn
Lawler of Fox Midwest was elected
president of the Motion Picture Asso-
ciation of Greater Kansas City by
the board of directors. J. W. Lewis,
RKO Radio branch manager, was re-
elected first vice-president and Stan-
ley Durwood of Durwood Theatres,
second vice-president.
William Gaddoni, M-G-M branch
manager, was elected secretary to
succeed Senn Lawler. Ed Hartman
of Hartman Booking Agency was
elected treasurer, succeeding Sam
Abend of Exhibitors Film Delivery.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, December 16, 1952
Personal
Mention
XT ED E. DEPINET returned here
IN from the Coast yesterday.
•
Judge Roy Russell, owner o£ the
Russell Theatre in Millersburg, O. ;
his wife, Mrs. Helen Smith Rus-
sell, owner oi the Majestic Theatre
in Akron; their daughter and son-in-
law, Mrs. Barbara Russell Cox and
Wilbur Cox, have become owners
and publishers of the Holmes County
Farmer-Hub.
•
Arthur Krolick, UPT general
manager in Buffalo and Rochester,
has accepted the exhibitor chairman-
ship for Brotherhood Week in the
Buffalo exchange area.
•
Ed Reilly of Florida State The-
atres, has been elected president of the
Greater Miami chapter of the National
Association of Building Owners and
Managers.
•
Bernard Prager, general sales man-
ager for Robbins Music Co., Loew's
music subsidiary, will leave here Jan.
11 on a two-month tour of the
country.
Harry Feinstein, Warner The-
atf ess' New Haven zone manager ;
James Tottman, his assistant, and
James Bracken, contact manager,
have returned to that city from Al-
bany.
•
^Maxwell Alderman of Allied
Theatres of Connecticut and Mrs Al-
derman are marking their 25th wed-
ding anniversary.
•
Max Birnbaum, Warner Brothers
branch manager in New Haven, has
resumed his duties following a six-
week illness.
H. B. Allinsmith, formerly man-
aging director of Western Electric
Co.,, Ltd., has returned to New York
from London.
Jack Beresin, Variety Clubs In-
ternational chief barker, will be in
Buffalo today on his tour of the coun-
try's tents.
•
David Golding, Samuel Goldwyn
Productions advertising-publicity di-
rector, will return here today from
Florida.
•
William H. Wright, M-G-M pro-
ducer, will arrive here from the Coast
on Dec. 29, accompanied by Mrs.
Wright.
Ben Goetz, head of M-G-M's studio
in Great Britain, is due here Monday
from London by plane en route to the
Coast.
•
Rube Joiner of Joiner Booking
Service, Atlanta, has returned there
from Charlotte.
Steve Broidy, Allied Artists presi-
dent, has returned to Hollywood from
Chicago.
AMENT HOLDS 'REELS BEAT TV
WITH FOOTAGE OF IKE S TRIP
Editor, Motion Picture Daily :
Your issue of Tuesday, December
9, 1952, carried an article on its first
page, which" I feel conveyed several
improper and inaccurate expressions.
The facts are these :
All of the motion picture film, in-
cluding the film made available by
TV's own correspondent in Korea,
arrived at La Guardia Field at 6:30
A. M. Sunday, December 7th. In
accordance with arrangements made
by the theatrical newsreel companies
the film was instantly picked up by
Army Signal Corps representatives
and rushed to the Astoria Signal
Corps Studio. There it was met by
Mr. Jack Le Vien, representing the
theatrical newsreels, and Mr. Ted
Genock, representing the TV reels,
and immediately distributed.
The film was forthwith developed
and the neecssary prints processed for
all theatrical newsreels and all TV
reels with all possible dispatch. This
shipment of film contained the only
film of any sort received by the the-
atrical newsreels and the TV news-
reels on Eisenhower's trip to Korea.
This was in accordance with the care-
ful forehanded planning of the the-
atrical newsreels and only by virtue
of that did the TV reels have any
film to show. The theatrical news-
reels had three cameramen in Korea
with Eisenhower: Dave Oliver, who
was the only motion picture camera-
man to travel with General Eisen-
hower, Gene Zenier and Kim Wee.
The film made by all three of these
men was made available to the TV
reels in accordance with an arrange-
ment imposed by the authorities in
the Korean Theater. To the best of
our knowledge the TV reels had only
one man covering for them in Korea.
Therefore, it was the theatrical news-
reels who won out in Korea.
Walton C. Ament,
Vice-president and
General manager,
Warner News, Inc.
Tri-Opticon Premiere
In Chi. Christmas
Hollywood, Dec. 15. — Sol
Lesser announced that the
American premiere engage-
ment of the Tri-Opticon three
dimension program will be
held at Telenews Theatre,
Chicago, Christmas Day. The
program includes five demon-
stration subjects, totalling
less than an hour, acquired
for American marketing by
Lesser from Stereo - Tech-
niques, Ltd., London. The
process requires polaroid
glasses. It is believed the
program will consist of the
subjects plus a newsreel.
Albany TO A to Meet
On TV, Legislation
Albany, N. Y., Dec. 15. — The
Theatre Owners Association of this
area will meet at Keeler's Restaurant
on Jan. 13 to consider an agenda con-
sisting of a talk on theatre television
by an RCA representative from Cam-
den, a discussion of a proposed amend-
ment to the Labor Law Code No. 36
covering theatres and other places of
public assembly, and bills affecting
the industry that may be pending be-
fore the state legislature, executive
director Lewis A. Sumberg reports
to members.
'Not Too Harmful'
Sumberg expressed the opinion that
based on a study of the latest draft
of the code "you will find the code
as now constituted not too harmful
due in a large part to the fact that
the Board of Standards and Appeals
has made concessions at the request
of this organization." As counsel,
he attended and participated in dis-
cussions at various board hearings.
"I think you should also know,"
Sumberg stated, "that in some small
measure your executive director co-
operated with Saul Ullman, chairman
of COMPO in this area, with regard
to enlisting the support of Congress-
man O'Brien of Albany in the tax
repeal campaign. I think also that
recognition and thanks for work well
done should go to Ullman since he
also enlisted the support of U. S.
Senator Irving M. Ives and Congress-
men Dean Taylor of Troy and Ber-
nard W. Kearney of Gloversville.
Beverly Hills Will
Honor Sam Goldwyn
Hollywood, Dec. 15. — Beverly Hills
will pay tribute to Samuel Goldwyn
on Monday in a citywide observance
of the producer's 40th anniversary in
the film industry. The day will be
set aside as "Samuel Goldwyn Day,"
and the producer will be presented
with a medal in ceremonies in City
Hall.
Among those on the committee
selected by Mayor David Tannenbaum
to supervise the tribute are: Jack L.
Warner, Don Hartman, George Jes-
sel, Irene Dunne, Dor.e Senary, Wil-
liam Goetz, Cecil B. DeMille, Jesse L.
Lasky, Jean Hersholt, Jerry Wald
and Y. Frank Freeman.
Rathvon Returns to
Paris on Finance Deal
N. Peter Rathvon returned to Paris
yesterday via Pan American Airways
for several days of conferences in con-
nection with independent production
which he is financing. The picture is
to be produced in France, shooting to
start shortly after Jan. 1.
Rathvon, former RKO president, ar-
rived here from Paris last Monday and
had planned to leave for the Coast this
week. He will return to New York
late this week and will leave immedi-
ately to spend the Christmas holidays
at his California home.
Lasky Confers Here
On Financing Film
Conferences on the financing of in-
dependent producer Jesse L. Lasky's
planned color in Technicolor produc-
tion, "The Big Brass Band," got un-
derway here yesterday following
Lasky's arrival from the Coast. The
film, which has been in active prepa-
ration for the past 18 months, will
cost an estimated $2,000,000.
Niagara Falls Kills
Admission Tax Rise
Buffalo, Dec. 15. — Niagara Falls
has overwhelmingly defeated a pro-
posed referendum which would have
permitted an additional five per cent
admission tax. Prominent in the
fight against the measure were
Robert and Richard Hayman of the
Hayman circuit, Al Pierce of Shea's
Bellevue and Richard Walsh of Hay-
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center
"MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID"
Esther WILLIAMS • Victor MATURE
Walter PIDGEON • David BRIAN
Color by TECHNICOLOR . An M-G-M Picture
& The Music Hall's Great Christmas Stage Show
Rockland Houses Burn
Boston, Dec. 15. — Two Rockland,
Me., theatres, the Knox and the
Strand, were damaged by a $1,000,000
fire in the business district.
3 Houses Change Booking
Cincinnati, Dec. 15. — RKO's
Paramount and Western theatres here
and the 105th St. theatre in Cleveland
hereafter will be booked out of the
Cincinnati RKO headquarters instead
of the New York office.
The three houses are subsequent
runs on a multiple-change weekly
basis, playing "exploitation" pictures.
m.i «, WARNER COLOR
„ BR00ERICK CLAIRt
SAMUEL GOLDWYN presents
Hans Christian
Andersen
starring
DANNY KAYEw
CRITERION • PARIS
_ B'way & 45th St. 58th St. W. of 5th Ave.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin, Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting- 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 J. Brady,
Secretary; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FT 6-3074; Bruce Trin2, Editorial Representative, 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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, December 16, 1952
Motion Picture daily
3
Review
"Member of the Wedding"
(Stanley Kramer-Columbia Pictures)
CARSON McCULLERS' sensitive portrait of1 a girl's painful entrance
into adolescence that made a noted book and a hit Broadway play has
been filmed with reverential awe by Stanley Kramer in a virtually verbatim
fashion.
It is a difficult theme to present to a large general audience. The produc-
tion employs the talents of the outstanding Broadway cast stars, Ethel
Waters, Julie Harris and Brandon De Wilde. Its greatest appeal will be
to the ultra-intellectual audience. It can be merchandised via a prestige
approach and may be well received in urban areas and specialized houses.
There is a modicum of motion as Miss Harris portrays the girl who is
too old for her younger playmates and too tomboyish for her more feminine
friends. Close-ups have been used excessively so that the girl's dream world
has not been established sympathetically and the hiatus of the adult world
is not definitively shown.
The story is largely the thoughts and emotions of Miss Harris as she
identifies herself in the universe for the first time by "belonging" to her
brother, Arthur Franz, his fiance, Nancy Gates, and their wedding. She can-
not comprehend, despite Miss Waters' warnings, that she cannot accompany
the two on their honeymoon. Her attempts to do so are roughly foiled by
her father, William Hansen. Rejected, she does not respond to kind treat-
ment by Miss Waters and her younger child friend De Wilde, but goes on
a telescoped tour of the sleazier section of the town. She enters a cafe and
talks to drunken soldier Dick Moore who attempts to kiss her and is hit over
the head with a bottle. She returns home to find De Wilde dead of an illness.
Soon after Miss Harris has "recovered" from the wedding and the death,
and fallen into the usual adolescent ways.
Fred Zinnemann directed and has allowed the principals full sway in the
exhibition of ultra-realistic histrionics. Edna and Edward Anhalt are credited
with the screenplay. Others in the cast are James Edwards, Harry Bolden,
Danny Mummert, June Hedin and Ann Carter.
This is a pretentious, Art with a capital A, film. Exhibitors should see
it for proper evaluation of merchandising possibilities for their situations.
Running time, 91 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
not set.
Name Carolina TO A
Committee Heads
Charlotte, Dec. 15.— Wood-
row Fussell, president of the
Theater Owners Association,
of North and South Carolina,
has appointed new commit-
tees for the ensuing year.
Chairmen are: John Dineen,
Leaksville, conciliation; Wal-
ter Griffith, Charlotte, mem-
bership; H. F. Kincey, Char-
lotte, screenings; Jack Fuller,
Columbia, public relations;
Warren Irving, Columbia,
South Carolina legislature; H.
E. Buchanan, Hendersonville,
North Carolina legislature.
Cinerama
(Contimied from page 1)
by Mayer, will be produced by Cine-
rama as its next.
Currently, deals are being set for
the showing of Cinerama in Los An-
geles and Detroit, Roberts said, add-
ing that Eitel's Palace in Chicago has
already been set for the next Cine-
rama installation.
The target of other installations,
Roberts explained, is to have at least
15 theatres from Coast-to- Coast equip-
ped by Nov. 1953. The Cinerama pres-
ident said the theatres would be leased,
not bought, stating "we're not in the
real estate business."
Three projectors, the number cur-
rently being used at the Broadway
Theatre in New York, will be neces-
sary for the showing of Cinerama for
at least another year or two, Roberts
forecast.
As to structural changes necessary
in future theatres, Roberts estimated
that the costs would be less than the
estimated $75,000 for the Broadway
Theatre here. He said the Chicago
situation would cost from $25,000 to
$50,000 to alter. Orders to completely
equip 20 theatres have now been
placed by Cinerama, Roberts stated.
N. Y. Visitors Told
About Cinerama
That Cinerama has made the
Broadway Theatre here an "interna-
tional institution" is acknowledged by
the New York Convention and Visi-
tors Bureau in a special listing which
says, "Cinerama, the new motion pic-
ture medium that creates a startling
illusion of three dimensional reality, is
at the Broadway Theatre."
The publication goes, to 4,000,000 of
New York's visitors each year. No
entertainment has ever had a listing
of this kind, it was said.
Italy Slashes Film
Production Subsidy
By ARGEO SANTUCCI
Rome, Dec. 15. — The government
committee charged with reducing
budget expenditures has approved a
formula which lowers government con-
tributions to native motion picture pro-
duction from $9,000,000 to $3,500,000.
Half of the achieved economies ef-
fected by the committee will be used
for defense and half for reducing the
deficit. Members of the committee,
established in 1948, are representative
of the Treasury Ministry and of Par-
liament.
Since 1948 the government has
granted $35,000,000 to the film pro-
duction industry.
To Name Consultant
(Continued from page 1)
ton, president of the Motion Picture
Association of America, and Joyce
O'Hara, MPAA vice-president.
The foreign department chiefs were
told that the change of government in
Japan had slowed down the efforts of
Richard P. McDonnell, MPAA inter-
national department representative, in
obtaining remittances on frozen funds.
Irving Maas, of the Motion Picture
Export Association, who has been
negotiating a new agreement on im-
port licenses in Tokyo, is on his way
back to the United States.
Crescent Appeal
(Continued from, page 1 )
cided to forget about contempt
charges and instead concentrate on
getting the Nashville District Court
to toughen the original Crescent con-
sent decree.
In 1950, the anti-trust division
brought civil and criminal contempt
charges against Crescent, four allied
theatre circuits and three circuit offi-
cers. The Nashville District Court
threw out the contempt charges but
reserved jurisdiction on several Jus-
tice requests to broaden some of the
theatre acquisition provisions in the
earlier consent decree.
Justice appealed the criminal con-
tempt decision to the Sixth Circuit
Court of Appeals and the civil con-
tempt decision directly to the Supreme
Court.
Department spokesmen today said
the criminal contempt appeal had been
quietly withdrawn some weeks back,
and the civil contempt appeal action
followed. They said the Department
felt that "as a matter of tactics it was
better to prosecute what's still left
in the District Court." They indicated
they did not yet know the date for
further proceedings in the District
Court.
'Stars' Set for 400
Holiday Openings
"Stars and Stripes Forever" will
open in over 400 situations in the
U. S. and Canada during the Christ-
mas-New Year season, reports 20th
Century-Fox. This represents one of
the largest holiday booking totals for
the company.
The film, a biography in color by
Technicolor of bandleader John Philip
Sousa, is being pre-sold through a
campaign embracing the musical, his-
torical, and personality aspects of the
picture.
U. A. Will Release
Three in January
United Artists will place three
films, "Kansas City Confidential,"
"Guerilla Girl" and "Luxury Girls,"
in general release during January, it
was announced here by William J.
Heineman, vice-president in charge of
distribution.
"Kansas City Confidential," an
Edward Small production starring
John Payne and Coken Gray, will go
into general release on Jan. 16.
"Guerrilla Girl" will be released on
Jan. 23. Produced and directed by
John Christian, it stars Helmut Dan-
tine and introduces a new screen act-
ress, Mariana. On Jan. 30 U.A. will
release "Luxury Girls," filmed on
location in Europe.
Stage Shows at Capitol
Johnnie Ray will start a series of
personal appearances at New York's
Capitol Theatre on Wednesday, Dec.
24, in the first stage show at that
house in more than a year and a half.
Ray Anthony and his orchestra and
songstress Gloria Gibbs will be co-
starred with Ray. On the screen will
be Universal International's "Against
All Flags."
'Ike' and Johnston
(Continued from page 1)
ters to keep the appointment with
Eisenhower, turning the meeting over
to Joyce O'Hara. Johnston later re-
turned to the meeting for a brief stay
and then planed to Washington.
UA Opens Offices
(Continued from page 1)
The Portland office, under the Seattle
exchange, is at 1816 N. W. Keanev.
The Albany, office is at 443 North
Pearl Street.'
End Odeon Interest
In NTS Theatres
Toronto, Dec. 15. — Sam Fingold,
president of National Theatre Ser-
vices, has announced the termination,
effective Jan. 3, 1953 of his association
with Odeon Theatres . (Canada)
in the operation of 16 theatres, adding
that Odeon's interest in his company
had also been acquired.
National is now 100 per cent owned
by him, Fingold stated, and will con-
tinue to operate a circuit of 30 the-
atres in Ontario including the 16 units
jointly operated.
Delay Columbia Suit
A postponement until Jan. 15 was
granted here yesterday on the show
cause order calling upon Columbia
Pictures' minority stockholder Wil-
liam B. Weinberger of New York to
post bond in connection with his anti-
trust suit against the company.
THE BILLION
DOLLAR SECRET
We cannot withhold
the secret any longer.
It is revealed in
the film "Above and
Beyond" which
M-G-M is now about
to release.
Do not tell anyone
the basic facts behind
this unusual narrative.
It is an obligation
"Above and Beyond"
the call of duty.
For security reasons
we do not reveal why
"Above and Beyond"
was one of the most
"restricted" sets
during its filming.
Motion Picture Daily
N.Y. State Censor
Sees Difficulties if
Censorship Ends
Albany, N. Y., Dec. 15".— Dr.:
Charlies A. Brind, Jr., counsel to the
State Education Department and the
Board of Regents, predicted "chaos" in
the motion picture industry if film
censorship were declared unconstitu-
tional.
Speaking before the Men s Club of
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Dr.
Brind declared that different cities
would take different positions on what
is censorable within their police power
whereas now producers are "set" once
a picture is licensed in New ^ork
State. Emphasizing that "someone
will have to keep a watch on things,"
he pointed out that "enforcement under
the penal law" had been tried before
the present licensing statute was en-
acted and "did not work." To meet
the situation that might develop with
the invalidation of censorship, Dr.
Brind projected, as he had recently m
a speech in Washington, the possibility
of theatre licensing.
Brind stated that "it is not true to
say that the motion picture industry
has cleaned house when 50 per cent
of the pictures presented to the mo
tion picture division of the State Edu
cation Department are foreign-made
or produced by fly-by-night compa
nies" that do not subscribe to the Pro
duction Code. He said that the_ major
Hollywood producing companies do
not give the motion picture division
any "trouble."
FPC Seeks Toronto
Telemeter Permit
Toronto, Dec. 15.— W. Z. Estey,
representing the Famous Players Can-
adian Corp., appeared before the
Toronto Board of Control to ask for
a permit to erect a 300-foot Telemeter
aerial and for a franchise to operate
the subscriber system of TV programs.
The Toronto city fathers promised
to study the application before giving
an answer, probably in January.
Similar applications have been made
by Famous Players in other cities,
but the Toronto situation is different
because, the Canadian Broadcasting
Corp. already operates a television
station here.
112 TV Stations Now
The long lines department of the
American Telephone and Telegraph
Co. reports the opening of a new
microwave link connecting Roanoke,
Va., with the Bell System's nation-
wide television network.
Network service is now available
to 112 television stations in 69 cities.
Television -Radio
with Pinky Herman
INVITATION TO
PREMIERE SHOWING
ACMIOLA
FILM EDITING MACHINES
PICTURE & SOUND, 16-35 mm
Shipments within 3 months! Built to out-
last three ordinary machines! Continuous
demonstrations commencing Friday, Dec.
19th, 2 P.M.
S.O.S. CINEMA SUPPLY CORP.
602 WEST 52nd ST., NEW YORK CITY
Dennis James
Tuesday, December 16, 1952
House Group Sees
No Good in TV,
Radio Censorship
XTOT only did Ed CBSullivan regain his health during his i week :s
JM stay at the Flower Hospital but the host of the Toast of the
Town" series also learned of the fine work of Flower Hospital
Student Nurses' Choir of Fifty Voices and forthwith signed them to
Christmas carol-lick on Sunday's program, an Icetraganza, which
will originate from the enlarged stage of the Roxy Theatre. Sonja
Henie will make her TV debut, wearing a forty pound hula costume
during her famous hula dance on ice. . . . When Marguerite Piazza
waxes a new album of light operatic selections next month for MOM
Records, background and supporting music will be furnished by
Charles Sanford's Orchestra. Both are featured regularly on Max
Liebman's "Your Show of Shows," perennial NBChckeroo^ .
When Tack Benny's next TVer for Lucky Strikes goes on Dec. 28
from the new CBS TV City, Screen Star Jimmy Stewart will make
his initial venture in television. . . . Songstress Benay Venuta
observes that "if the dollar depreciates another three cents irom its
current 53 cent value, then they could stop making half-dollar pieces.
(A half-truth, no?). . . . Starting Monday, Dec. 29, beauteous Kyle
MacDonnell's vocalisthenics will be heard five times a week at 11 :lo
to 11:30 P.M. via WOR.
if if # , •
There's no business people like show business people when it
comes to unselfish donations of their time, talents, money, etc.,
for worthy charities. Bob Weitman's 18-hour telethon, ABC on-
ducted last week for the United Cerebral Palsy Fund, raised more
than half a million dollars. Incidentally,
Dennis James turned in a masterful stint as
MC. . . . CBS is lining up another TV series
for Eddie Albert in addition to his Tuesday at
8 P.M. program. New half-hour format will
be dotted in the afternoon, where it is hoped
he will duplicate the success he enjoyed with
daytime TV on the coast. . . . Bob Manning,
former chirper with Art Mooney's ork, has
been signed to warble on Capitol Records. His
first platter ("Gypsy Girl ) could very well
launch the tall, good-looking youngster smack,
dab into the middle of the baritone sweep-
stakes. . . . The MacQuarrie Network
(Australia) poll for the "most popular vocal-
ist" crowned Rosemary Clooney, the nevo
Paramount star currently making "Here Come the Girls," with
Bob Hope. . . . While on the subject of Polls, the Motion
Picture Daily-Fame annual Television Radio Poll is nearing com-
pletion and will be announced in a few weeks.
if if if
CBS' TV series. "Omnibus," flashed Sundays from 4:30 to
6:00 P.M., is now completely sold out, the latest co-sponsor
being Scott Paper. Others include, Willys-Overland, Grey-
hound Bus, Electric Shaver Div. of Remington-Rand and
American Machine & Foundry. . . . Questioning a 14-year-
old girl on his "Name That Tune," NBC quizzer, Red Benson
had no comeback, when to his query, "What do you want to
be when you grow up," she answered simply, "Why I'd like
to be married." . . . We caught Larry Storch's hilarious
"Benny" routine Sunday on "This Is Show Business" and are
even more mystified than ever that this clever comic doesn't
have his own TV series. . . . Quite by accident we turned the
radio dial to WMGM one midnight last week and fortunately,
too, for we found ourselves listening to a program, originating
from Hutton's Restaurant, and featuring the wit and humor
of Henry Morgan. Stay-up-lates can now enjoy a happy,
relaxed and completely new Morgan personality, whose easy-
tq-listen-to chatter without becoming enmeshed in contro-
versial harangues by would-be radioracles. . . . Bob Quigley's
Kideo series. "Shenanigans," which bowed in recently via
WPIX in the daily 5:00 to 6:00 P.M. slot is sure-fire moppet
material. Written by Bob, with B.Q. himself doing the em-
ceeing honors, the program features games, cartoon strips,
movies and daily adventures of "Slick Trick Quigley, Private
Eye."
if it if
LOTSA DOTS . . . Radio's newest Space Hero, "Planet Man,"
made a personal appearance last week in Buffalo, co-sponsored by the
New York State Nurses and Station WEBR. The popular Space
Man, hero of the Palladium Radio Productions sensational ET series,
drew a crowd of over 75,000 people, according to Bill Schwietzer,
promotion mgr. of WEBR.
Washington, Dec. 15.--A House,
investigating committee said today it
thought Congress could, if necessary,
enact Federal censorship of radio and
television broadcasting, but that no
good might come from such legisla-
tion.
The conclusion came from a House
Commerce sub-committee headed by
Rep. Harris (D., Ark.), which has
been investigating the moral stand-
ards of radio and TV programs.
The sub-committee held hearings from
June into December, and today issued
its final report.
The report said the question had
been raised whether Congress could
legislate in this field. Quoting from
the Supreme Court decision in "The
Miracle" motion picture _ censorship
case, the sub-committee said the court
had clearly found that under some
circumstances some form of com-
munity control over films was con-
stitutional and that the same thought
could be applied to broadcasting.
"The sub-committee believes, how-
ever, that the potential evils inherent
in such governmental controls might
be even greater -than the evils that
such controls might- be designed to
remedy," the report stated. "Fur-
thermore, the sub-committee feels
that there appears to be no good rea-
son why such controls should be im-
posed at this time before the indus-
try has had an opportunity to explore
fully whether effective self-regulation
is feasible."
Welcomes TV Code
The sub-committee welcomed the
television industry's recent code of
standards and said that "self-regula-
tion is making substantial progress in
this field, and, so long as the public
interest is served, is preferable to
government-imposed regulation." It
urged, however, that Congress con-
tinue to keep an eye on the subject
and that the new Congress "continue
and expand" the investigation.
Other conclusions in the report :
There is still entirely too much em-
phasis upon crime programs ;
Television reaches a different audi-
ence from other media, and perform-
ances or discussions which might be
okay in motion picture theatres, on
the stage or in books or magazines
might be considered offensive on tele-
vision, especially when presented dur-
ing periods when children are watch-
ing ;
While networks have some respon-
sibility for program standards, indi-
vidual licensees still bear the final re-
sponsibility ;
One method for improving program
standards is for the public to express
its criticisms freely and fully;
Poor taste has been displayed in
advertising many products ;
Television is trying to get more cul-
tural and educational programs, and
should continue to do so.
Tuesday, December 16, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
In the THEATRE
Equipment
World . . .
with RAY GALLO
RKO Board Designee
{Continued from page 1)
David E. Feinber;
INSTALLATIONS of Simplex tele-
vision systems in two theatres have
been announced by National Theatre
Supply, New York. Both systems are
the direct projection type, manufac-
tured by General Precision Labora-
tory, Pleasantville, N. Y. One instal-
lation was in B. S. Moss' 1,500-seat
Lee Theatre at Fort Lee, N. J., the
other was at the 1,028-seat Gopher
Theatre in Minneapolis.
•
Ray Dunn, Chicago branch man-
ager for A. & M. Karagheusian, Inc.,
New York, manufacturer of Guli-
stan carpets, will assume control
over the entire Chicago territory,
upon retirement Dec. 31 of Edward
Strauss as Midwestern division
manager. The territory includes the
Northern half of Illinois, all of
Iowa, the Eastern half of Nebraska,
most of Wisconsin, the Upper Pen-
insula of Michigan, and the North-
ern half of Indiana. From head-
quarters in Chicago, Dunn will su-
pervise activities of three salesmen,
Charles Mallinson, John Manfrin
and Robert Palm.
•
David E. Feinberg has been named
general manager of the United States
Air Conditioning Corp. of Minne-
apolis, to suc-
ceed his father,
the late A. A.
Feinberg . A
vice-president of
the corporation
since May, 1951,
David has also
served as sales
manager of the
company's re-
frigeration divi-
sion and as co-
ord inator of
us A I Rco's de-
fense production
activities. Ex-
cept for three years in the Army Air
Force, he has been associated ivith
the corporation since 1940.
a
A new rubber runner matting es-
pecially designed for lobbies or other
inside entrance ways has been an-
nounced bv the D. W. Moor Co. of
Toledo. Called the "Do-All Long-
Ribbed Matting,'' it is made from
corded rubber in 3/16-inch thickness.
It has traction-type ribbing running
the long way of the mat to facilitate
cleaning with a broom. Sold by the
running foot, the matting is 34 inches
wide ; and comes in rolls of approxi-
mately 38 feet in length. Colors avail-
able include red, green, blue, mosaic
and black.
•
Renovating and redecorating of
its showrooms on the 18th floor of
the Merchandise Mart in Chicago is
being carried out in time for an
early January reopening by the
James Lee and Sons Co., Bridge-
port, Pa., manufacturers of carpets.
The company also has announced
new warehouses in Cleveland and
Los Angeles and additions to show-
rooms in Atlanta and Dallas.
Motion Picture Daily was told by
the Merrill Lynch firm that by virtue
of the firm's policy it would not be
possible for a member of the com-
pany to be on the board of any or-
ganization. It also was stated that
the brokerage company had no con-
nections whatsoever with RKO Pic-
tures.
Bent, however, served on the
RKO Pictures board for about a
year in 1949-'50, presumably as
a Hughes' nominee, shortly after
Hughes purchased the Atlas
Corp. controlling stock interest
in RKO.
Edward G. Burke, Jr., a member
of the new RKO board, who arrived
here from the Coast yesterday, could
not clarify the confusion over Bent.
He said that he presumed an official
statement would be issued by the
board this week. It is believed that
a new director will be elected to re-
place Bent, if the latter is definitely
off the directorate.
Burke said there had been no elec-
tion of RKO officers over the week-
end, as had been scheduled. He said
he believed an election would be held
later this week. Because the other
three directors are on the Coast, .he
said the election would be held in
Hollywood. Burke will be in New
York for two or three days.
It is generally anticipated in
the trade that Noah Dietrich,
one of the new members of the
board, will be named president
when the election is held. Die-
trich was chairman of the board
of RKO Pictures prior to the
sale of Hughes' stock to the
Ralph Stolkin syndicate last
September.
The other new members of the
board, as announced by the company
in Hollywood on Saturday, are
Hughes and J. Miller Walker. The
latter was a board member, secretary
and general counsel of RKO prior to
the sale to Stolkin, and resigned at
that time.
It was reported from Hollywood
that in addition to granting the Stol-
kin group deferments on maturity
dates of the stock purchase payments
due him, Hughes also waived a pro-
vision of the agreement holding the
members of the Stolkin group "jointly
and severally" liable for performance
of the contract. In consequence of
such a waiver, it was said, members
of the Stolkin group could, if they so
desired, sell their RKO stock hold-
ings individually, rather than in a
block.
However, three of the five mem-
bers, Stolkin, A. L. Koolish and Ray
Ryan, are said to hold 90 per cent of
the block, with Burke and Sherrill
Corwin owning the other 10 per cent.
Meanwhile, a hearing is scheduled
in New York Supreme Court here
tomorrow on a petition by a stock-
holders' group for appointment of a
receiver for RKO, an adjunct of an
action for recovery which they have
brought against Hughes.
RKO Radio 'Holders
File Suit on Coast
Hollywood, Dec. 15. — A mil-
lion dollar suit against RKO
Pictures, RKO Radio Pic-
tures, RKO Radio Pictures,
Inc., Howard Hughes and
Chase National Bank was
filed in Federal Court here
today by Eli B. and Marion B.
Castleman and Louis Feuer-
man, stockholders. The
charges duplicate those made
by the same group in filing a
parallel suit in New York
Nov. 13.
Universal Drive
(Continued from page 1)
partment has been named captain of
the drive by Americo Aboaf, foreign
general sales manager. Prizes of trips
to New York, or any other city of
their choosing, will go to managers
of winning forces in the Latin Ameri-
can, Far Eastern and European divi-
sions. Staff members in the top coun-
try will receive three weeks' salary ;
second place territory, two weeks' sal-
ary, and third, fourth and fifth place
countries, one week's salary. .
'News' Ad Plan
(Continued from page 1)
Century, Prudential, Interboro and
Randforce. The Warner circuit is
slated to join the plan following the
Christmas holidavs.
RKO Prepares 5
(Continued from page 1)
Frontier," to be produced by Robert
Sparks from an original story by
Beirne Lay, Jr.; "Size 12," Techni-
color, based on an original story by
Jerome Weidman, which Harriet Par-
sons will produce; "Second Chance,"
to be produced by Sam' Wiesenthal ;
"The Return of Zorro," written for
the screen by Walter Ferris and
Frances . Kavanaugh from an adapta-
tion by Laurence Hazzard.
The 20 pictures to be released be-
tween now and June 18 are : "Hans
Christian Andersen," Dec. 19 ; "Black-
•beard the Pirate," Dec. 25 ; "Andro-
cles and the Lion," Jan. 9 ; "Never
Wave at A Wac," Jan. 28 ; "No Time
for Flowers," Jan. 31 ; "Peter Pan,"
Feb. 5; "Angel Face," Feb. 11;
"Sword of Venus," Feb. 20; "Night
Without Stars," March 6 ; "The Per-
suader," March 13 ; "Fort Apache"
and "Blood on the Moon" (reissues),
March 27 ; "Beautiful but Dangerous,"
April 1 ; "Port Sinister," April 10 ;
"The Sea Around Us," April 22; "Sea
Devils," May 1 ; "Mickey Mouse
Birthday Party," May 15 ; "Below
the Sahara," May 22; "Break-Up,"
June 11 ; and "Split-Second," June 18.
'Jazz Singer' Promotion
Hollywood, Dec. 15. — In a cam-
paign aimed at reaching the largest
post-premiere audience in company
history, Warner Brothers has com-
pleted arrangements to translate spe-
cial recordings of "The Jazz Singer"
world premiere on Dec. 30 into sev-
eral foreign languages. The special
discs will be used domestically on
radio stations catering to foreign lan-
gauge audiences.
GREAT MOTION PICTURES ARE PROCESSED BY PATHE
BEN PIVAR. Independent Film Libra? y
President says :
"Our very survival is
often dependent upon lab service.
Pathe lias never let us down."
When the lab work can make or break
a picture, don't take chances. Specify
Pathe because Pathe produces the
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Both New York and Hollywood Have Complete Pathe Laboratory Facilities:
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Pathe Laboratories, Inc. is a subsidiary of Chesapeake Industries, Inc.
VOL. 72. NO. 116
TEN CENTS
104 Republic Films Sold
To WCBS-TV; No Westerns
A deal for 104 Republic features, most of them produced between 1945
and 1948, was disclosed here yesterday by WCBS-TV, key station of
the CBS television network, and Hollywood Television Service, Inc., a
completely-owned subsidiary of Republic Pictures.
It is estimated that the deal, the
Harbinger of Good
Business at Hall
A harbinger of good Christ-
mas holiday business for ex-
hibitors was provided here
yesterday by the Radio City
Music Hall, which tradition-
ally finds its grosses up with
the opening of its Christmas
stage show. Currently, busi-
ness is ahead of last year.
The second week of "Million
Dollar Mermaid," plus the
holiday stage show, is due to
hit a big $145,000, topping the
first week's gross of $142,000.
Pathe Television
Seeking Material
Although the Pathe Television
Corp. was formed 10 months ago for
the purpose of financing and distribut-
ing film programs for TV, the com-
pany is still looking for packages to
finance and, as yet, has not started to
function. Last March the newly-
formed organization announced that it
had set up a budget of $6,250,000 to
cover two years of operations.
According to William C. MacMil-
len, Jr., president of Chesapeake (for-
merly Pathe) Industries, the group
had not found a "package attractive
enough to finance." MacMillen said
here yesterday that the company had
not used the funds which had been al-
(Continued on page 2)
largest ever negotiated directly be-
tween a motion picture company's
TV subsidiary and a telecaster, in-
volves about $200,000. No picture in
the package is a Western, it was dis-
closed. The films, which will be re-
leased to WCBS-TV for exclusive
first-run television showings in the
New York area, will be shown start-
ing Feb. 1, on the New York tele-
vision station's "The Early Show"
and "The Late Show."
A spokesman for the network said
similar deals with Hollywood Tele-
vision Service are expected to be con-
summated for owned and operated
CBS-TV stations and affiliated sta-
tions elsewhere in the country.
Included in the 104 films are musi-
cals, comedies, adventure stories and
mysteries. Among them are : "North-
west Outpost," with Nelson Eddy;
"Specter of the Rose," with Judith
(Continued on- page 5)
$18,160,000 World
Gross Sales for 4IT
Washington, Dec. 16. — Universal
Pictures and subsidiaries reported to
the Securities and Exchange Commis-
sion here todav estimated consolidated
world gross sales of $18,160,000 for
the 13-week final fiscal quarter of
1952 ending Nov. 1. Consolidated
world gross sales for the 14 weeks
final quarter of 1951 were $21,138,791.
For the 52 weeks of 1952 ending
Nov. 1, the estimated total was $63,-
991,682, compared with $65,172,580
for the 53 weeks of 1951.
In its report, Universal points out
(Continued on page 5)
Johnston Sees
Exhibitors
On Arbitration
Initiates First Session
Aimed at New Agreement
Steps toward reaching an under-
standing- on the future of arbitration
in the motion picture business have
been taken in a preliminary "off-
the-record" meeting between three
exhibitor leaders and Eric Johnston,
president of the Motion Picture Asso-
ciation of America, with Joyce
O'Hara and Ralph Hetzel, MPAA
vice-presidents, sitting in. The meet-
ing was held in New York last Fri-
day but efforts were made to with-
hold news of the sessions and the
nature of the talks.
It was learned, however, that
the parleys covered the general
problems relating to arbitra-
tion, with no conclusions
reached, nor were any future
meetings scheduled.
Exhibitor representatives at the
meeting were Herman Levy, general
counsel of Theatre Owners of Araer-
(Continued on page 5)
It was learned here yes-
terday that the Depart-
ment of Justice has
granted an extension of
time for the disposition
of RKO's stock interests
in Metropolitan Play-
houses. The new deadline
to report to the New York
Statutory Court is Feb. 2,
instead of the old date of
Dec. 20.
KANSAS CITY, Dec. 16. —
City Council has passed an
ordinance, effective Sun-
day, providing for the re-
view of motion pictures,
but also providing that
the reviewer may give cer-
tificates of approval
without reviewing pic-
tures in cases where he
accepts the opinion of na-
tional accredited review-
ing organizations.
Robinson Succeeds
Folsom at Kodak
Rochester, N. Y., Dec. 16. — Arch-
bold Robinson was elected treasurer of
Eastman Kodak at a meeting of direc-
tors today. His election followed the
board's acceptance of the resignation
of Marion B. Folsom as treasurer and
a director, Folsom resigning to take
the appointment of Under-Secretary
of the Treasury in the Eisenhower
Administration. The selection of Fol-
som was announced by Eisenhower's
headquarters yesterday. Robinson will
assume his new duties when Folsom's
(Continued on page 2)
Sugar Heads UA's
Exchange Here
Joseph Sugar has been promoted to
the post of branch manager of United
Artists' New York exchange, under
district manager Fred Myers, it was
announced here by general sales man-
ager B. G. Kranze. The position had
been vacant for more than a year. -
Sugar had been manager of the
home office contract and playdate de-
partment since joining United Artists
early last year.
He began his industry career in
(Continued on page 5)
New AS CAP
Rates Effect
Cuts up to 25%
Revised Schedule Aids
Smaller Houses Mainly
Savings up to 25 per cent have
been effected in new contracts of
the American Society of Com-
posers, Authors and Publishers cov-
ering the performance of ASCAP
music by means of recordings in con-
ventional and drive-in motion picture
theatres. The basic changes, which
were negotiated by the Theatre Own-
ers of America and other groups, are
noted principally in the contracts for
the smaller type of theatres in both
categories. It was pointed out by
J. M. Collins, ASCAP sales man-
ager, that the decrease in fees was
made possible by inserting an ad-
ditional bracket in both schedules.
The new rates become effective
Jan. 1.
For conventional theatres,
the annual rates range from $12
for seating capacities of less
than 400, to $48 for theatres
(Continued cm page 5)
RKO Rec eivership
Case Set for Fri.
Postponement until Friday of a
hearing on an RKO Pictures stock-
holders' application for appointment of
a receiver in New York Supreme
Court was granted yesterday. The
hearing, twice postponed, had been
slated for today.
Meanwhile, the investment firm of
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and
Beane stated that Maurice Bent, one
of its executives, definitely is not a
member of the new board of directors
(Continued on page 5)
Disney Series and
Lesser Film to RKO
A new series of Walt Disney fea-
turettes with color in Technicolor, and
Julian Lesser's "The Lost Hours"
will be released by RKO Radio Pic-
tures, the company reported here yes-
terday. Sidney Kramer, short sub-
jects sales manager, said that the
Disney series, which will deal with
little-known and out-of-the-ordinary
people and places,, will have, no es-
tablished releasing schedule nor will it
(Continued on page 5)
2
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, December 17, 1952
Personal
Mention
DAVID GOLDING, advertising-
publicity director for Samuel
Goldwyn Productions, will arrive in
Hollywood today from New York.
•
Morton Spring, Loew's Interna-
tional vice-president, and Seymour
Mayer, Far East supervisor, will
leave here by plane Jan. 10 for a five-
week tour of Europe and the Far
Kast.
A. Dale Hermans has been named
Allied Artists office manager-booker
in Albany, succeeding Robert Adler,
who has become United Artists sales
manager in that city.
•
Harry Feinstein, Warner The-
atres' New England zone manager,
and Mrs. Feinstein are marking their
11th wedding anniversary.
•
John Huston, director, and Co-
lette Marchand, French actress-
dancer, will arrive here by plane to-
day from Paris.
•
Jean Renoir, director, will leave
New York today for Hollywood, but
will stop off en route to visit his son
in Ohio.
Richard Condon, RKO Radio di-
rector of advertising-publicity, will re-
turn to New York today from Wash-
ington.
•
Abe Olman, general manager of
M-G-M's music subsidiaries, has re-
turned from a 10-day European trip.
•
Jules B. Weill, president of Spe-
cialty Television Films, has left New
York for Chicago and the Coast.
•
Leon Brandt, RKO Radio exploi-
tation manager, has returned to New
York from Hollywood.
•
Milton Weisman of Telenews will
leave here on Jan. 7 on a six-month
world survey.
Allan Davis, M-G-M director, is
in New York from the Coast.
Mexican Theatres Closed.
Fined for Over-charging
Mexico City, Dec. 16.— Ninety-six
local theatres have reduced their ad-
mission prices 20 to 35 per cent be-
cause of drastic action taken against
lb in the form of a two-hour closing
and sealing of their box-offices by Er-
nesto P. Uruchurtu, the new mayor,
and Adolfo Fernandez Bustamante,
new chief of the city amusements su-
pervision department, for alleged over-
charging.
The closings resulted when 11 top
first-runs and five secondary first-runs
did not take seriously Bustamante's
announcement that his department
would collect and turn over to public
charities all that the top theatres
charged over 46 cents and all over 34
cents which secondary houses de-
manded. The department insisted that
the rate of 57 cents, which the top
theatres charged and the 46 cents
charged by the secondaries, were ex-
cessive. The action caused 80 second
and subsequent-run theatres to cut
from 20 to 35 per cent.
The department had been fining the-
atres $57.80 per day for charging
prices higher than those authorized.
It said the exhibitors were glad to
pay because of the huge profits they
made.
U. S. distributors' reaction to the
new theatre prices was the suspension
of Mexican premieres, scheduled dur-
ing Christmastime, of three top
American films : Paramount's "The
Greatest Show on Earth," M-G-M's
"Ivanhoe" and Republic's "The Quiet
Man." The companies had booked
these pictures at very high percentages
under the old theatre prices. They
want to see how the forced-down price
situation develops before releasing the
three.
Pathe Television
{Continued from page 1)
lotted to the project and there were
no immediate plans for operations. He
denied reports that the company had
been dissolved.
Bruce Eels, Hollywood radio pack-
ager and former executive of the
Young and Rubicam advertising-
agency, was announced as president of
the Pathe subsidiary, with Henry
Briggs, James Wolcott, Livingston
Goddard, Eels and MacMillen as di-
rectors.
Will Show Acmiola
Machine Here Friday
A premiere showing and demonstra-
tion of the Acmiola 16mm. and 35mm.
film editing, viewing and sound repro-
ducing machine will be held here Fri-
day afternoon at the showrooms of
S. O. S. Cinema Supply Corp. Film
producers, editors and laboratory tech-
nicians were invited.
Zukor Family at
Birthday Dinner
Hollywood, Dec. 16. — More than
20 members of Adolph Zukor's family
who live in the Los Angeles area
will be on hand for his 80th birth-
day dinner to be held at the Ambassa-
dor Hotel on Jan. 7. The all-indus-
try event is sponsored by Variety
Clubs International with Charles P.
Skouras as dinner chairman.
Family members include Mr. and
Mrs. Eugene Zukor, son, and their
children, E. John Zukor, Adolph
Zukor II, and James R. Zukor; Mr.
and Mrs. Boyd Morse, Arthur Loew,
Jr., Albert A. Kaufman, Mr. and
Mrs. Albert Kaufman, Jr., Mr. and
Mrs. Melville A. Shauer, Mrs. Jenny
Shauer, Mr. and Mrs. David Loew,
Mr. and Mrs. Walter S. Beck and
Stewart Stern. A group of friends
and relatives from the East are plan-
ning to attend.
Four-week Advance
Sale for Kaye
In anticipation of a heavy sale of
tickets for Danny Kaye in person
with his "All-Star International Va-
riety Show," starting at the RKO
Palace Theatre Sunday evening, Jan.
18, the box-office will open today,
four weeks in advance.
Box-office hours will be from 10 :00
A.M. to 10:00 P.M. daily, and from
12:00 noon on Sundays until 10:00
P.M. Prices Monday through Thurs-
day, and Sunday evenings will range
from $1.80 to $4.80; Friday and Sat-
urday evenings, $1.80 to $6.00; Wed-
nesday matinees, $1.20 to $3.60, and
Saturday and Sunday matinees, $1.20
to $4.20-.
QP Party Tomorrow
The Quigley Publishing Company's
employes' Christmas party will be
held at The Tavern on the Green to-
morrow evening. Jack Lasher, mana-
ger of the United Nations restaurant,
Manny Wolf's Chop House, and The
Tavern on the Green, and Harry Ana-
stasia of the circulation department of
Quigley Publishing, are handling de-
tails.
Set 'Hiawatha' Opening
The Eastern premiere of Allied Ar-
tists' "Hiawatha" has been set at the
Bijou Theatre here on Christmas
Day. "Climbing the Matterhorn"
will also be on the bill.
Date Australian Film
The American premiere of the Aus-
tralian-made "Wherever She Goes"
has been scheduled for New York's
Beekman Theatre following the cur-
rent run of "Under the Red Sea."
Arthur Mayer and Edward Kingsley
are distributing in the U. S.
Name Independent to
Head Ontario T. A,
Toronto, Dec. 16. — An independent
exhibitor, J. D. McCulloch, owner of
the Iroquois Theatre, Petrolia, has
been elected 1953 president of the Mo-
tion Picture Theatres Association of
Ontario. He succeeds Harry S. Man-
dell of 20th Century Theatres, To-
ronto.
Other officers are : vice-president,
William A. Summerville, Jr., B. & F.
Theatres, Toronto ; secretary, E. G.
Forsyth, Odeon Theatres, (Canada)
Ltd., and treasurer, John Clarke,
Loew's Theatre, Toronto. Arch H.
Jolley was re-appointed executive sec-
retary for the eighth year.
Set FJP Home
Office Unit
Canada to Lift
Building Curbs
Toronto, Dec. 16. — Federal con-
trols on the use of steel for non-es-
sential construction, which includes
theatres, will be lifted Dec. 31, ac-
cording to formal announcement by
Production Minister C. D. Howe. Im-
provement in Canada's steel position
has made the move possible.
A committee of home office chair-
men for the amusement division cam-
paign of the Federation of Jewish
Philanthropies has been named by
Barney Balaban, Si Fabian and
Manny Frisch, campaign leaders.
On the new committee are : Martin
H. Newman, Century Circuit ; Abe
Schneider, Columbia Pictures ; Ed
Fabian, Fabian Theatres ; Leopold
Friedman and Irving Greenfield,
Loew's ; William Brenner and Bur-
ton Robbins, National Screen Serv-
ice ; Arthur Israel, Jr., and Louis A.
Novins, Paramount ; Harry Mandel,
RKO Theatres ; Charles Boasberg,
RKO Radio Pictures ; Louis M.
Weber, Skouras Theatres ; Max
Youngstein, United Artists ; Edward
L. Hyman and Robert Weitman.
United Paramount Theatres ; Leon
Goldberg and Adolph O. Schimel,
Universal Pictures ; Samuel Schneider,
Warner Bros.
William J. German, of the firm of
the same name, has accepted the chair-
manship of the film laboratories' Fed-
eration drive.
Long Weekend for
New York Industry
Eight more home offices have de-
cided to give their employes a long
Christmas weekend. They are Allied
Artists, Columbia, Paramount Pic-
tures, 20th Century-Fox, United Art-
ists, United Paramount Theatres,
Universal-International and Warner
Brothers. M-G-M, RKO Radio Pic-
tures and RKO Theatres had previ-
ously announced the weekend closing.
Republic and the Motion Picture As-
sociation have not set their plans as
yet.
Companies observing the long week-
end will close early in the afternoon
on Dec. 24, at which time most of
them will hold Christmas parties and
will remain closed until Monday,
Dec. 29.
Cowan Named Davis
Ad-Puhlicity Head
Phil Cowan has been appointed di-
rector of advertising, publicity and
exploitation for Arthur Davis Asso-
ciates, president Arthur Davis dis-
closed here yesterday. Cowan, former
publicist with Eagle Lion Films and
United Artists, was recently with
Kenyon and Eckhardt. He will take
over his new post immediately.
Specializing in the distribution of
foreign films, Davis will release 18
features in 1953.
Robinson Succeeds
{Continued from page 1)
resignation becomes effective at the
end of the year.
Carl L. Stevenson was elected an
assistant treasurer. He has been man-
ager of the company's employee bene-
fits department.
Robinson, an assistant treasurer
since 1937, has been with Kodak for
more than 30 years. He began in
the sales department in 1919.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin. Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting- 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 J. Brady,
Secretary; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, TJrben Farley, Advertising Representative, FT 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; Hope Bumup. 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.
Wednesday, December 17, 1952
Motion Picture daily
3
National
Pre-Selling
ANOTHER example of national
magazine cooperation with ex-
hibitors is an offer of free pre-selling
tie-in material by Seventeen Maga-
zine. The feature selected by Seven-
teen as "Picture of the Month" is
"Million Dollar Mermaid." Avail-
able now to exhibitors for lobby dis-
play or other use, are reprints of
'Seventeen' s review together with a
copy of the "Picture of the Month"
seal and the cover of the magazine.
•
Some Bermuda fish are being im-
mortalized this week in a story
called "Film Stars with Fins," ap-
pearing in the current issue of Life.
It pictures the trials and triumphs
of shooting in Bermuda waters
"Main Street, Under Sea," a half-
hour featurette in Eastman color
produced by Marion Gering of G-L
Enterprises. Life's cameraman went
under water to get pictures of
Bronson Hartley, director, and Mar-
tica, his wife, who swims the lead.
The camera, a secret invention, is
shown as a mysterious dark object
— carefully shrouded in Martica's
black taffeta slip.
•
A four-color ad for "Hans ■Ohris*-
tian Andersen" appears in the Janu-
: ary issue of Woman's Home Com-
<. panion. the same issue the Com-
panion-a/»/>row</' features for January
'■are pictorially displayed. They are
,-P aramount' s "Come Back, Little
? Sheba," M-G-M's "Plymouth Adven-
1,-iuve" and "Prisoner of Zcnda," Gold-
]<ivyn's "Hans Christian Andersen,"
^United Artists' "Outpost in Malaya",
and V ' niversal-Intcrnatioual 's • "Be-
cause of You."
f •
■• A; precedent is being broken by The
(Saturday Review of Literature in its
issue of Dec. 27. For the first time
-in its history the magazine will use
'the portrait of a performer, Shirley
Booth, on the cover. The issue will
also carry a review of Miss Booth's
film debut in Hal Wallis's "Come
iBack, Little. Sheba." This film will
Lave its pre-release opening on Dec.
23 at the Victoria Theatre in New
.York.
•
- A full-color page ad on Universal-
International's "Against All Flags," a
■page-and-one-half four-color ad on
Sam Goldwyn's "Hans Christian An-
dersen," and a one-half page ad on
Hal Wallis's "Come Back, Little
Sheba" appear in the issue of Look
now on the newsstands.
I--.''*--
A tzvo-page color picture story
■about Gary Cooper's spear-fishing in
■Samjoa during, the filming on tlmt
South Pacific island of his forthcom-
ing United Artists release, "Return
to Paradise," appears in the issue of
Collier's nozv on the newsstands.
Also appearing in this issue are a
page-and-one-half four-color ad on
"Hans Christian Andersen" and a.
clear-thinking editorial on ' the motion
picture industry.
•
Samuel Goldwyn's musical fairy
tale, i "Hans Christian Andersen," an
RKO Radio release, receives top bill-
ing—one page and four pictures— in
the January "McCalfs Goes to the
Movies."
Walter Haas
Reviews
Never Wave At a Wac
(Frederick BrissonzRKO Pictures)
ROSALIND RUSSELL is back in top form in another of her famed
comedy roles and this one, with Marie Wilson, is really stacked. Both
stars and Paul Douglas provide strong marquee lure but what's most impor-
tant is that Ken Englund has contributed a .screenplay that is loaded with
gags and distributes the punch-lines lavishly among the trio. From all angles
this looks like one of the company's top grossers ; it is sure-fire entertainment.
Norman Z. McLeod directed excellently, maintaining a rapid pace and
utilizing many incisive visual jokes. • Miss Russell is seen at the opening as
a Washington hostess, a Senator's daughter who caters to "V.I.P.s" and
gaudy panties. She is divorced from textile expert Douglas and being
romanced by Army Col. William Ching. When Ching is stationed in Paris
and. Miss- Russell's rival, Hillary Brooke, joins the WAC and is assigned
near him,' the famed hostess joins up too expecting a commission and ;duty
near her intended.'
However, her father, Charles Dingle, desires the Army to straighten her
out and refuses a' commission" for her. Miss" Wilson, a showgirl tired of
over appreciative males, enlists and is Rosalind's pal. Douglas shows up as
a tester of military clothing and gets his ex-wife special, rigorous .duty with
his group, which is experiencing Arctic tests. 'Eventually she : gets, tired of
the needling and having her passes : cancelled and demands separation from
the service. She is court-martialed "and. released, although Douglas testifies
■in her behalf. Set to marry Ching Who has commuted from Paris, to see her,
she attends an engagement party of Miss Wilson and Sergeant Leif Erickson
and decides on the next day ~to" gcr back"tO" " Douglas "and the WAC." Miss
Russell and Miss Wilson are expert comediennes and a fine team. Perform-
ances are top-notch all around with Erickson notable as the sergeant. Others
in the. cast, are' Arleen Whalen, Lurene Tuttle, Regis Toomey, Frieda Ines-
cort, Louise Beavers and Bernedine Simpson.
Word-o£mouth advertising should get around on this one for it is a
smartly produced comedy that deftly treats with familiar situations and
should prove a crowd-pleaser of magnitude.
"Running time,~87 minutes: General' audience "dassirTcaTionr Release date
Jan. 16. X V
Spiegal Stresses
Importance of
Overseas Market
The importance of the foreign
market was stressed here yesterday by
independent producer Sam Spiegal,
who has returned from England where
he completed production on "M.elba,"
which will be released through United
Artists.
Spiegal cited the revenues of
"African Queen" as an example. He
■estimated that "African Queen" will
earn from $7,000,000 to $8,OO0',0OO, 45
per cent of which will be derived out-
side the United States and Canada.
"African Queen," released through -
UA, was made under the Horizon-
American banner, a company in which
he is associated with John Huston.
Spiegal said that "Melba," produced
in color by Technicolor, cost about
$1,000,000-. • Costs were held down,
Spiegal continued," by shooting on lo-
cation abroad. He praised Britain's..
Eady Plan as an incentive for Ipro-
ducing in England.
Stop, You're Killing Me
(Warner Brothers)
j^AMON RUNYON'S distinctive touch is evident in this zany post-Prohi-
tion story ki-volviiig-^'-hatikrupr-beer-baTOri, a half-million dollar "bookie"
robbery, and an orphan with a penchant for practical jokes. This is a pleasant
package of entertainment in color by WarnerColor that has marquee lure in
the names of Broderick Crawford and Claire Trevor, and plenty of situation
comedy. It is a potent bit of merchandise- which, properlv promoted, should do
well at the box-office. i - » - - .
The screenplay by James O'Hanlon presents". Crawford, Miss Trevor's hus-
band, as a beer baron who goes to Saratoga to arrange payment of a loan on
his brewery. Crawford's daughter, Virginia Gibson, accompanies her parents
and her suitor, Bill Hayes, who , takes a state trooper's job nearby. He is
leally the son of a socially prominent and wealthy family.
In' Crawford's absence from hjs . Saratoga mansion the five men who robbed
the bookies hide out. One Henry. Morgan, kills his four partners when they
jtry to double-cross him. He cannot flee because Crawford's mobster -pals,
turned" house-servants, arrived cn the scene with Louis Lettieri, six-year-old
orphaned boy whom Crawford has taken along for a vacation. Crawford
throws a big party in a futile' money-raising effort. Lettieri, who has found
Morgan's black bag full of money and hidden it, empties some of its content
among the. guests. Crawford uses the currency to get an extension from bank
representatives Don Beddoe and Steven Chase. He makes Hayes a hero by
having him shoot the closeted already-dead crooks and accidentally capture
Morgan.. Hayes and Miss ( Gibson clinch at .the happy fadeout. ,
Crawford; Miss Trevor, and!" Lettieri "handle the comedy adeptly, ably sup-
ported by ' Charles Cantor, Sheldon Leonard and Joe Vitale as Crawford's
aides. Others in the cast are Howard St. John, Margaret Dumont, Henry
Slate, Jack Pepper arid Ned Glass. There are neat renditions, of .the title
song and "My Everlovin','-' ";Ain't She Sweet," "Baby Face" and "Let- the
Rest of the World Go- By."' "r.r^\
Roy Del Ruth's capable direction emphasized the broad - comedy aspects.
Louis F. Edehnan's production is attractive and authentic for the period.
Running time", 86 minutes. General audience classification." - Release date,
Jan. 17.
$13,915,000 Gross
In Mexico City
Mexico City, Dec. 16. — Local
theatres had a $13,915,000 gross last
year, announced the National Statis-
tics Department which cited that
revenue as demonstrating" general
prosperity. Films are Mexico's top
paid public amusement.
The theatres' gross ^compares with
the $920,000 which the local bull -fight
ring expects to gross from 16 shows
this season.
Control of Scandia
Films Passes to 3
To assure films from Sweden and
the Scandinavian countries wider dis-
tribution in the United States, three
Swedish producers have purchased
Scandia Films, Inc., distributor of
Swedish films in America, Ernest
Mattsson, president and owner, of
Scandia, announced. Thei producers
are A. B. Europa Film, A. B. San-
drews. Ateljeer .and., the A.-B.— S-ve-nsk
Filmindustri, all of Stockholm.
Three Will Plan
Wise. Drive-in Meet
Milwaukee, Dec. 16. — Sig Gokberg,
president of Wisconsin Allied, has ap-
pointed three to head the three nain. \
committees to set in motion plans for
the national drive-in convention to ' '
be held in conjunction with Allied of - I
Wisconsin's state convention. Match":,1
24-26 at the Schroeder Hotel, Mil- 1
waukee. They are: Eric* BroW'n, . ,
Plymouth, overall chairman of the' !
convention-;- - Ben Marcus, drive-in
chairman ; Oliver Trampe, |state chair- 1
man.
THE MEANING
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ance in "Quo Vadis"
and "Ivanhoe"^ iii
"Above and Beyond. 7
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"Above and Beyond"
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Wednesday, December 17, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
New ASCAP Rates
Following are the new and pre-
vious annual rates for ASCAP mu-
sic, on recordings, for both conven-
tional and drive-in theatres:
Conventional Theatres
NEW RATES
Up to 400 seats $12
401 to 800 seats $18
801 to 1,200 seats $24
1,201 to 1,600 seats $36
Over 1,600 seats $48
PREVIOUS RATES
Up to 600 seats $15
601 to 1,200 seats $24
1,201 to 1,600 seats $36
Over 1,600 seats $48
Drive-Ins
NEW RATES
Up to 250 cars $24
251 to 500 cars $36
501 to 700 cars $48
Over 700 cars $60
PREVIOUS RATES
Up to 350 cars $36
351 to 650 cars $48
Over 650 cars $60
New Ascap Rates
(Continued from page 1)
with more than 1,600 seats,
compared with a previous range
of $15 up to 600 seats and $48
for 1,600 seats or more. The
changes in brackets apply to
to those houses with less than
1,200 seats.
There are four basic changes in the
drive-in theatre schedules, which start
at $24 for capacities up to 250 cars,
with the top being $60 for theatres
having space for 700 or more cars.
On Pro-rata Basis
Collins said that several theatre
operators had inquired whether they
would be obliged to pay the full
annual rate in cases where the thea-
tres did not operate the entire year.
He said the policy of ASCAP in thi-
respect was that if a theatre operated
on n. seasonal basis, its rate would be
pro-rated on the basis of the annual
rate.
Theatres and circuits that already
have signed contracts may continue to
operate under their present pacts for
the first year of the agreement or
execute a new contract embodying the
new rates.
Reviews
Tropic Zone
(Pine & Thomas-Paramount)
\T7lLLIAM PINE and William Thomas have fashioned another of their
VV smooth, actionful productions in color by Technicolor that utilizes
handsome island settings and stars Ronald Reagan and Rhonda Fleming.
Estelita is featured as a casino singer and dancer and performs zestfully.
Like Miss Fleming, she is quite attractive and both are well-costumed. The
film has plenty of brawls and under the skillfull direction of Lewis Foster
there is a neat blending of action, romance, and song. There are sufficient
merchandising angles to garner ample box-office returns.
Based on a novel by Tom Gill and written by Lewis R. Foster, the plot
presents Reagan as a political refugee who is smuggled into the country by
Estelita and soldier of fortune pilot Noah Beery. He meets Miss Fleming
who has inherited a small banana plantation which is being deliberately run
down by foreman Grant Withers. The latter is in the pay of John Wengraf,
monopolistic shipper seeking to ruin and buy up all small plantations.
Reagan happens to have been a banana expert so he easily replaces Withers
who gets fired after getting drunk. However, Wengraf threatens to turn in
Reagan as an illegal entry and blackmails him into damaging the plantation.
Reagan and Miss Fleming fall in love so he double crosses Wengraf and has
Beery fly off to arrange a fruit supplying contract with a big firm for the
independents. Beery obtains the contract, Reagan's political friends return
to power in his exiled country, he fills the contract on time, and convinces
Estelita he and Miss Fleming are enamoured. The stars perform capably and
and Estelita effectively dances the Handkerchief Dance and the Cali Conga.
She also sings "I'll Always Love You" and "The Magic of You." Others
in the cast are Argentina Brunetti, Ricco Alanez, Maurice Jara and Pilar
Del Rey.
1 \v n.ng time, 94 minutes. General audience classification. For January
release.
"The Gambler and the Lady"
(Exclusive Fihns-Lipfert) Hollytuood, Dec. 16
PRODUCED in England by Exclusive Films, this melodrama presents
Dane Clark as an American ex-convict, who, although operating a London
night club, has ambitions to crash English society. Clark is the only Ameri-
can personality in the cast and he handles his role in a highly satisfactory
manner. Others are : Kathleen Byron, Naomi Chance, Meredith Edwards,
Anthony Forwood, Eric Pholmann, Julian Somers, Anthony Ireland, Max
Bacon and Mona Washbourne.
Clark portrays a mobster whose temper has involved him in a murder
charge in the United States. His social ambitions cause him to jilt the
club's dancer, who loves him, in favor of a socialite who, he believes, can
set him accepted by the social set. However, Clark finds that his goal is not
as easy as he imagined. Just as he seems to be making some headway, the
dancer runs him down with her car, ending his ambitions and his life. Miss
Byron gives a polished performance, as do the others in the all-British cast.
Estelita'' he and Miss Fleming are enamoured. The stars perform capably
Anthony Hinds produced the picture, which is satisfactory, and which was
co-directed by Sam Newfield and Patrick Jenkins.
Kumi.ng ume, 72 minutes. General audience classification. Release date.
Dec. 26. "
Johnston Sees
(Continued from page 1)
Disney Series
(Continued from page 1)
Films to TV
(Continued from page 1)
Anderson ; "Casanova in Burlesque,"
starring Joe E. Brown and June
Havoc ; "Madonna's Secret," with
Francis Lederer, Gail Patrick and
Ann Rutherford ; "Steppin' in So-
ciety," "Scotland Yard Investigator,"
and "The Cheaters."
Negotiations for the contract, which
required six months to complete,
were conducted by David Savage,
film manager for WCBS-TV, and
Earl Collins, president of Hollywood
Television Service. It is the second
contract for an exclusive film pack-
age negotiated for WCBS-TV within
the past three weeks. The first in-
volved 18 films produced by Sol
Wurtzel.
100 Films Cost $6,930,000
Mexico City, Dec. 16. — Production
of the 100 pictures which the trade
estimates will be Mexico's maximum
have any predetermined number of
issues.
"The Lost Hours," which was pro-
duced in England by Robert Baker
and Monty Berman for Eros Films,
Ltd., will' be added to the release
schedule shortly.
The first issue of the featurettes, to
be known as "People and Places,"
is "The Alaskan Eskimo." This has
been completed and will be set for
early release.
Meanwhile, with the addition of two
re-releases to its schedule, plus the
Lesser production, RKO will have
23 pictures available in the seven-
month span from December to next
June. The additional reissues are
"The Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer"
and "Bachelor Mother."
ica; Wilbur Snaper, president of Al-
lied States Association, and Manny
Frisch, head of Metropolitan Motion
Picture Theatres Association.
Snaper, it was said, reported that
Allied wanted two points involving
general trade practices cleared up
before his association would enter into
any new discussions of the proposed
arbitration system. The two points
were high film rentals and the large
number of pre-release pictures being
released by distributors. Those
issues, Snaper was reported to have
said, were Allied's "main concerns."
Snaper pointed out that Allied wanted
some indication from distributors that
they are aware of the exhibitor prob-
lems on the two points, hinting at the
possibility of conciliating the differ-
ences before entering into arbitration
discussions.
It was brought out that TOA also
agreed that film rentals were too
high, but that the organization was
ready to proceed with arbitration
talks anyway. It is expected that
Snaper will give a report on the ses-
sions to the national Allied board at
its meeting in New Orleans next
month.
U' Gross Sales
(Continued from page 1)
that excise taxes are not included in
gross sales ; that gross sales include
gross revenue from foreign countries
having exchange restrictions only to
the extent that net earnings resulting
therefrom have been or can be real-
ized in U. S. dollars, regardless of
the period or periods in which such
gross revenue may have been earned
in those foreign countries ; and that
gross sales are only partly estimated.
for 1952 will have a calculated cost
of $6,930,000. Up to Nov. 30, 88
pictures had been made and 12 more
are to be finished by Dec. 31. After
starting very slowly because of
financing and labor troubles, produc-
tion was normalized in August and
since then has continued satisfactorily.
The present average cost per pic-
ture is $69,300.
RKO Pictures
(Continued from page 1)
of RKO Pictures. Bent's election to
the board had been announced last
week in Hollywood. Presumably, rules
of the brokerage firm prevent him
from taking the post but no official
explanation was made.
Edward Burke, the only member
of the Ralph Stolkin syndicate which
purchased Howard Hughes' 29 per
cent interest in the company to re-
main on the RKO board, left here
yesterday for Texas.
Heard by Justice Greenberg
The receivership application, brought
by three minority stockholders claim-
ing to own 2,525 shares of stock, will
be heard before Justice Henry Clay
Greenberg,, who expressed concern
over the welfare of RKO stockholders
at the hearing, last Wednesday.
It was reported on the Coast that
C. J. Tevlin, long time Howard
Hughes employee who served as
RKO vice-president in charge of
studio operations during Hughes'
regime as general director of produc-
tion, will return to that post in conse-
quence of Hughes' resumption of vir-
tual control as the dominant member
of the new board.
Sugar Heads
(Continued from page 1)
1935 when he entered the home office
contract department of Republic Pic-
tures. In 1946 he became manager
of the contract department of Pro-
ducers Releasing Corp. and later held
the same position with Eagle Lion
Films, before moving to United Ar-
tists. From 1942 to 1946, Sugar
served in the Armed Forces.
— FLY TO
LOS ANGELES
on United's Luxurious
OVERNIGHT
HOLLYWOOD
99
Only 1 IVa hrs. one-stop!
The fine service of United's "Hollywood"
flights is you:'., on the "Overnight Holly-
wood " to Los Angeles. You leave New
York after midnight, stop only at Denver,
enjoy a delicious breakfast aloft, and
arrive in Los Angeles at 8:20 a. m., giv-
ing you a full day for business.
United air lines
COMPARE THE FARE AND
YOU'LL GO BY AIR
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Wednesday, December 17, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
Reviews
"Tropic Zone"
(Pine & Thomas-Paramount)
\17lLLIAM PINE and William Thomas have fashioned another of their
VV smooth, actionful productions in color by Technicolor that utilizes
handsome island settings and stars Ronald Reagan and Rhonda Fleming.
Estelita is featured as a casino singer and dancer and performs zestfully.
Like Miss Fleming, she is quite attractive and both are well-costumed. The
film has plenty of brawls and under the skillfull direction of Lewis Foster
there is a neat blending of action, romance, and song. There are sufficient
merchandising angles to garner ample box-office returns.
Based on a novel by Tom Gill and written toy Lewis R. Foster, the plot
presents Reagan as a political refugee who is smuggled into the country by
Estelita and soldier of fortune pilot Noah Beery. He meets Miss Fleming
who has inherited a small banana plantation which is being deliberately run
down by foreman Grant Withers. The latter is in the pay of John Wengraf,
monopolistic shipper seeking to ruin and buy up all small plantations.
Reagan happens to have been a banana expert so he easily replaces Withers
who gets fired after getting drunk. However, Wengraf threatens to turn in
Reagan as an illegal entry and blackmails him into damaging the plantation.
Reagan and Miss Fleming fall in love so he double crosses Wengraf and has
Beery fly off to arrange a fruit supplying contract with a big firm for the
independents. Beery obtains the contract, Reagan's political friends return
to power in his exiled country, he fills the contract on time, and convinces
Estelita he and Miss Fleming are enamoured. The stars perform capably and
and Estelita effectively dances the Handkerchief Dance and the Cali Conga.
She also sings "I'll Always Love You" and "The Magic of You." Others
in the cast are Argentina Brunetti, Ricco Alanez, Maurice Jara and Pilar
Del Rey.
1 tr n. ng time, 94 minutes. General audience classification. For January
release.
"The Gambler and the Lady"
(Exclusive Films-Lippcrt) Hollywood, Dec. 16
PRODUCED in England by Exclusive Films, this melodrama presents
Dane Clark as an American ex-convict, who, although operating a London
night club, has ambitions to crash English society. Clark is the only Ameri-
can personality in the cast and he handles his role in a highly satisfactory-
manner. Others are : Kathleen Byron, Naomi Chance, Meredith Edwards,
Anthony Forwood. Eric Pholmann, Julian Somers, Anthony Ireland, Max
Bacon and Mona Washbourne.
Clark portrays a mobster whose temper has involved him in a murder
charge in the United States. His social ambitions cause him to jilt the
club's dancer, who loves him, in favor of a socialite who, he believes, can
get him accepted by the social set. However, Clark finds that his goal is not
as easy as he imagined. Just as he seems to be making some headway, the
dancer runs him down with her car, ending his ambitions and his life. Miss
Byron gives a polished performance, as do the others in the all-British cast.
Estelita he and Miss Fleming are enamoured. The stars perform capably
Anthony Hinds produced the picture, which is satisfactory, and which was
co-directed by Sam Newfield and Patrick Jenkins.
Kunmng lime, 72 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Dec. 26. '
New ASCAP Rates
Following are the new and pre-
vious annual rates for ASCAP mu-
sic, on recordings, for both conven-
tional and drive-in theatres:
Conventional Theatres
NEW RATES
Up to 400 seats $12
401 to 800 seats $18
801 to 1,200 seats $24
1,201 to 1,600 seats $36
Over 1,600 seats $48
PREVIOUS RATES
Up to 600 seats $15
601 to 1,200 seats $24
1,201 to 1,600 seats $36
Over 1,600 seats $48
Drive-Ins
NEW RATES
Up to 250 cars $24
251 to 500 cars $36
501 to 700 cars $48
Over 700 cars $60
PREVIOUS RATES
Up to 350 cars $36
351 to 650 cars $48
Over 650 cars $60
New Ascap Rates
(Continued from page 1)
with more than 1,600 seats,
compared with a previous range
of $15 up to 600 seats and $48
for 1,600 seats or more. The
changes in brackets apply to
to those houses with less than
1,200 seats.
There are four basic changes in the
drive-in theatre schedules, which start
at $24 for capacities up to 250 cars,
with the top being $60 for theatres
having space for 700 or more cars.
On Pro-rata Basis
Collins said that several theatre
operators had inquired whether they
would be obliged to pay the full
annual rate in cases where the thea-
tres did not operate the entire year.
He said the policy of ASCAP in this
respect was that if a theatre operated
on -\ seasonal basis, its rate would be
pro-rated on the basis of the annual
rate.
Theatres and circuits that already
have signed contracts may continue to
operate under their present pacts for
the first year of the agreement or
execute a new contract embodying the
new rates.
Films to TV
(Continucu from page 1)
Anderson ; "Casanova in Burlesque,"
starring Joe E. Brown and June
Havoc ; "Madonna's Secret," with
Francis Lederer, Gail Patrick and
Ann Rutherford; "Steppin' in So-
ciety," "Scotland Yard Investigator,"
and "The Cheaters."
Negotiations for the contract, which
required six months to complete,
were conducted by David Savage,
film manager for WCBS-TV, and
Earl Collins, president of Hollywood
Television Service. It is the second
contract for an exclusive film pack-
age negotiated for WCBS-TV within
the past three weeks. The first in-
volved 18 films produced by Sol
Wurtzel.
100 Films Cost $6,930,000
Mexico City, Dec. 16.— Production
of the 100 pictures which the trade
estimates will be Mexico's maximum
Disney Series
(Continued from page 1)
have any predetermined number of
issues.
"The Lost Hours," which was pro-
duced in England by Robert Baker
and Monty Berman for Eros Films,
Ltd., will be added to the release
schedule shortly.
The first issue of the featurettes, to
be known as "People and Places,"
is "The Alaskan Eskimo." This has
been completed and will be set for
early release.
Meanwhile, with the addition of two
re-releases to its schedule, plus the
Lesser production, RKO will have
23 pictures available in the seven-
month span from December to next
June. The additional reissues are
"The Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer"
and "Bachelor Mother."
for 1952 will have a calculated cost
of $6,930,000. Up to Nov. 30, 88
pictures had been made and 12 more
are to be finished by Dec. 31. After
starting very slowly because of
financing and labor troubles, produc-
tion was normalized in August and
since then has continued satisfactorily.
The present average cost per pic-
ture is $69,300.
RKO Pictures
( Continued from page 1 )
of RKO Pictures. Bent's election to
the board had been announced last
week in Hollywood. Presumably, rules
of the brokerage firm prevent him
from taking the post but no official
explanation was made.
Edward Burke, the only member
of the Ralph Stolkin syndicate which
purchased Howard Hughes' 29 per
cent interest in the company to re-
main on the RKO board, left here
yresterday for Texas.
Heard by Justice Greenberg
The receivership application, brought
by three minority stockholders claim-
ing to own 2,525 shares of stock, will
be heard before Justice Henry Clay
Greenberg;,, who expressed concern
over the welfare of RKO stockholders
at the hearing, last Wednesday.
It was reported on the Coast that
C. J. Tevlin, long time Howard
Hughes employee who served as
RKO vice-president in charge of
studio operations during Hughes'
regime as general director of produc-
tion, will return to that post in conse-
quence of Hughes' resumption of vir-
tual control as the dominant member
of the new board.
Johnston Sees
(Continued from page 1)
ica ; Wilbur Snaper, president of Al-
lied States Association, and Manny
Frisch, head of Metropolitan Motion
Picture Theatres Association.
Snaper, it was said, reported that
Allied wanted two points involving
general trade practices cleared up
before his association would enter into
any new discussions of the proposed
arbitration system. The two points
were high film rentals and the large
number of pre-release pictures being
released by distributors. Those
issues, Snaper was reported to have
said, were Allied's "main concerns."
Snaper pointed out that Allied wanted
some indication from distributors that
they are aware of the exhibitor prob-
lems on the two points, hinting at the
possibility of conciliating the differ-
ences before entering into arbitration
discussions.
It was brought out that TOA also
agreed that film rentals were too
high, but that the organization was
ready to proceed with arbitration
talks anyway. It is expected that
Snaper will give a report on the ses-
sions to the national Allied board at
its meeting in New Orleans next
month.
'U' Gross Sales
(Continued from page 1)
that excise taxes are not included in
gross sales ; that gross sales include
gross revenue from foreign countries
having exchange restrictions only to
the extent that net earnings resulting
therefrom have been or can be real-
ized in U. S. dollars, regardless of
the period or periods in which such
gross revenue may have been earned
in those foreign countries ; and that
gross sales are only partly estimated.
Sugar Heads
(Continued from page 1)
1935 when he entered the home office
contract department of Republic Pic-
tures. In 1946 he became manager
of the contract department of Pro-
ducers Releasing Corp. and later held
the same position with Eagle Lion
Films, before moving to United Ar-
tists. From 1942 to 1946, Sugar
served in the Armed Forces.
» •
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MOTION PICTURE
VOL. 72. NO. 116
NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1952
TEN CENTS
Johnston Sees
Exhibitors
On Arbitration
Initiates First Session
Aimed at New Agreement
Steps toward reaching an under-
standing on the future of arbitration
in the motion picture business have
been taken in a preliminary "off-
the-record" meeting between three
exhibitor leaders and Eric Johnston,
president of the Motion Picture Asso-
ciation of America, with Joyce
O'Hara and Ralph Hetzel, MPAA
vice-presidents, sitting in. The meet-
ing was held in New York last Fri-
day but efforts were made to with-
hold news of the sessions and the
nature of the talks.
It was learned, however, that
the parleys covered the general
problems relating to arbitra-
tion, with no conclusions
reached, nor were any future
meetings scheduled.
Exhibitor representatives at the
meeting were Herman Levy, general
counsel of Theatre Owners of Amer-
(Continued on page 5)
104 Republic Films Sold
To WCBS-TV; No Westerns
A deal for 104 Republic features, most of them produced between 1945
and 1948, was disclosed here yesterday by WCBS-TV, key station of
the CBS television network, and Hollywood Television Service, Inc., a
completely-owned subsidiary of Republic Pictures.
It is estimated that the deal, the
Harbinger of Good
Business at Hall
A harbinger of good Christ-
mas holiday business for ex-
hibitors was provided here
yesterday by the Radio City
Music Hall, which tradition-
ally finds its grosses up with
the opening of its Christmas
stage show. Currently, busi-
ness is ahead of last year.
The second week of "Million
Dollar Mermaid," plus the
holiday stage show, is due to
hit a big $145,000, topping the
first week's gross of $142,000.
RKO Theatres Wins
D. of J. Extension
The Department of Justice has
granted an extension of time for the
disposition of RKO's stock interests in
Metropolitan Playhouses.
The new deadline date for George
Alger, trustee of the stock, to report
to the New York Statutory Court on
the disposition of the stock is Feb. 2,
instead of Dec. 20. The disposal of
56,488f shares of Class A stock in
Metropolitan is called for under the
terms of the RKO consent decree.
New K. C. Censor
Ordinance Dec. 21
Kansas City, Dec. 16.— The
new city ordinance providing
for the review of motion pic-
tures and also providing that
the reviewer may give certi-
ficates of approval without
reviewing in cases where the
reviewer and welfare director
accept the opinion of national
accredited reviewing organi-
zations will become effective
on Sunday.
Pathe Television
Seeking Material
Although the Pathe Television
Corp. was formed 10 months ago for
the purpose of financing and distribut-
ing film programs for TV, the com-
pany is still looking for packages to
finance and, as yet, has not started to
function. Last March the newly-
formed organization announced that it
had set up a budget of $6,250,000 to
cover two years of operations.
According to William C. MacMil-
len, Jr., president of Chesapeake (for-
merly Pathe) Industries, the group
had not found a "package attractive
enough to finance." MacMillen said
here yesterday that the company had
not used the funds which had been al-
(Continued on page 2)
largest ever negotiated directly be
tween a motion picture company's
TV subsidiary and a telecaster, in-
volves about $200,000. No picture in
the package is a Western, it was dis-
closed. The films, which will be re-
leased to WCBS-TV for exclusive
first-run television showings in the
New York area, will be shown start-
ing Feb. 1, on the New York tele-
vision station's "The Early Show"
and "The Late Show."
A spokesman for the network said
similar deals with Hollywood Tele-
vision Service are expected to be con-
summated for owned and operated
CBS-TV stations and affiliated sta-
tions elsewhere in the country.
Included in the 104 films are musi-
cals, comedies, adventure stories and
mysteries. Among them are : "North-
west Outpost," with Nelson Eddy;
"Specter of the Rose," with Judith
(Continued on page 5)
Robinson Succeeds
Folsom at Kodak
Rochester, N. Y., Dec. 16— Arch-
bold Robinson was elected treasurer of
Eastman Kodak at a meeting of direc-
tors today. His election followed the
board's acceptance of the resignation
of Marion B. Folsom as treasurer and
a director, Folsom resigning to take
the appointment of Under-Secretary
of the Treasury in the Eisenhower
Administration. The selection of Fol-
som was announced by Eisenhower's
headquarters yesterday. Robinson will
assume his new duties when Folsom's
(Continued on page 2)
$18,160,000 World
Gross Sales for fcLP
Washington, Dec. 16. — Universal
Pictures and subsidiaries reported to
the Securities and Exchange Commis-
sion here today estimated consolidated
world gross sales of $18,160,000 for
the 13-week final fiscal quarter of
1952 ending Nov. 1. Consolidated
world gross sales for the 14 weeks
final quarter of 1951 were $21,138,791.
For the 52 weeks of 1952 ending
Nov. 1, the estimated total was $63,-
991,682, compared with $65,172,580
for the 53 weeks of 1951.
In its report, Universal points out
(Continued on- page 5)
New ASCAP
Rates Effect
Cuts up to 25%
Revised Schedule Aids
Smaller Houses Mainly
Savings up to 25 per cent have
been effected in new contracts of
the American Society of Com-
posers, Authors and Publishers cov-
ering the performance of ASCAP
music by means of recordings in con-
ventional and drive-in motion picture
theatres. The basic changes, which
were negotiated by the Theatre Own-
ers of America and other groups, are
noted principally in the contracts for
the smaller type of theatres in both
categories. It was pointed out by
J. M. Collins, ASCAP sales man-
ager, that the decrease in fees was
made possible by inserting an ad-
ditional bracket in both schedules.
The new rates become effective
Jan. 1.
For conventional theatres,
the annual rates range from $12
for seating capacities of less
than 400, to $48 for theatres
(Continued on page 5)
RKO Receivership
Case Set for Fri.
Sugar Heads UA's
Exchange Here
Joseph Sugar has been promoted to
the post of branch manager of United
Artists' New York exchange, under
district manager Fred Myers, it was
announced here by general sales man-
ager B. G. Kranze. The position had
been vacant for more than a year.
Sugar had been manager of the
home office contract and playdate de-
partment since joining United Artists
early last year.
He began his industry career in
(Continued on page 5)
Postponement until Friday of a
hearing on an RKO Pictures stock-
holders' application for appointment of
a receiver in New York Supreme
Court was granted yesterday. The
hearing, twice postponed, had been
slated for today.
Meanwhile, the investment firm of
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and
Beane stated that Maurice Bent, one
of its executives, definitely is not a
member of the new board of directors
(Continued on page 5)
Disney Series and
Lesser Film to RKO
A new series of Walt Disney fea-
turettes with color in Technicolor, and
Julian Lesser's "The Lost Hours"
will be released by RKO Radio Pic-
tures, the company reported here yes-
terday. Sidney Kramer, short sub-
jects sales manager, said that the
Disney series, which will deal with
little-known and out-of-the-ordinary
people and places, will have no es-
tablished releasing schedule nor will it
(Continued on page 5)
2
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, December 17, 1952
Personal
Mention
DAVID GOLDING, advertising-
publicity director for Samuel
Goldwyn Productions, will arrive in
Hollywood today from New York,
•
Morton Spring, Loew's Interna-
tional vice-president, and Seymour
Mayer, Far East supervisor, will
leave here by plane Jan. 10 for a five-
week tour of Europe and the Far
East.
■A. Dale Hermans has been named
Allied Artists office manager-booker
in Albany, succeeding Robert Adler,
who has become United Artists sales
manager in that city.
•
Harry Feinstein, Warner The-
atres' New England zone manager,
and Mrs. Feinstein are marking their
11th wedding anniversary.
•
John Huston, director, and Co-
lette Marchand, French actress-
dancer, will arrive here by plane to-
day from Paris.
•
Jean Renoir, director, will leave
New York today for Hollywood, but
will stop off en route to visit his son
in Ohio.
Richard Condon, RKO Radio di-
rector of advertising-publicity, will re-
turn to New York today from Wash-
ington.
•
Abe Olman, general manager of
M-G-M's music subsidiaries, has re-
turned from a 10-day European trip.
•
Jules B. Weill, president of Spe-
cialty Television Films, has left New
York for Chicago and the Coast.
•
Leon Brandt, RKO Radio exploi-
tation manager, has returned to New
York from Hollywood.
•
Milton Weisman of Telenews will
leave here on Jan. 7 on a six-month
world survey.
Allan Davis, M-G-M director, is
in New York from the Coast.
Mexican Theatres Closed.
Fined for Over-charging
Mexico City, Dec. 16.— Ninety-six
local theatres have reduced their ad-
mission prices 20 to 35 per cent be-
cause of drastic action taken against
16 in the form of a two-hour closing
and sealing of their box-offices by Er-
nesto P. Uruchurtu, the new mayor,
and Adolfo Fernandez Bustamante,
new chief of the city amusements su-
pervision department, for alleged over-
charging.
The closings resulted when 11 top
first-runs and five secondary first-runs
did not take seriously Bustamante's
announcement that his department
would collect and turn over to public
charities all that the top theatres
charged over 46 cents and all over 34
cents which secondary houses de-
manded. The department insisted that
the rate of 57 cents, which the top
theatres charged and the 46 cents
charged by the secondaries, were ex-
cessive. The action caused 80 second
and subsequent-run theatres to cut
from 20 to 35 per cent.
The department had been fining the-
atres $57.80 per day for charging
prices higher than those authorized.
It said the exhibitors were glad to
pay because of the huge profits they
made.
U. S. distributors' reaction to the
new theatre prices was the suspension
of Mexican premieres, scheduled dur-
ing Christmastime, of three top
American films : Paramount's "The
Greatest Show on Earth," M-G-M's
"Ivanhoe" and Republic's "The Quiet
Man." The companies had booked
these pictures at very high percentages
under the old theatre prices. They
want to see how the forced-down price
situation develops before releasing the
three.
Pathe Television
{Continued from page 1)
lotted to the project and there were
no immediate plans for operations. He
denied reports that the company had
been dissolved.
Bruce Eels, Hollywood radio pack-
ager and former executive of the
Young and Rubicam advertising
agency, was announced as president of
the Pathe subsidiary, with Henry
Briggs, James Wolcott, Livingston
Goddard, Eels and MacMillen as di-
rectors.
Set 'Hiawatha' Opening
The Eastern premiere of Allied Ar-
tists' "Hiawatha" has been set at the
Bijou Theatre here on Christmas
Day. "Climbing the Matterhorn"
will also be on the bill.
Will Show Acmiola
Machine Here Friday
A premiere showing and demonstra-
tion of the Acmiola 16mm. and 35mm.
film editing, viewing and sound repro-
ducing machine will be held here Fri-
day afternoon at the showrooms _ of
S. O. S. Cinema Supply Corp. Film
producers, editors and laboratory tech-
nicians were invited.
QP Party Tomorrow
The Quigley Publishing Company's
employes' Christmas party will be
held at The Tavern on the Green to-
morrow evening. Jack Lasher, mana-
ger of the United Nations restaurant,
Manny Wolf's Chop House, and The
Tavern on the Green, and Harry Ana-
stasia of the circulation department of
Quigley Publishing, are handling de-
tails.
Zukor Family at
Birthday Dinner
Hollywood, Dec. 16. — More than
20 members of Adolph Zukor's family
who live in the Los Angeles area
will be on hand for his 80th birth-
day dinner to be held at the Ambassa-
dor Hotel on Jan. 7. The all-indus-
try event is sponsored by Variety
Clubs International with Charles P.
Skouras as dinner chairman.
Family members include Mr. and
Mrs. Eugene Zukor, son, and their
children, E. John Zukor, Adolph
Zukor II, and James R. Zukor; Mr.
and Mrs. Boyd Morse, Arthur Loew,
Jr., Albert A. Kaufman, Mr. and
Mrs. Albert Kaufman, Jr., Mr. and
Mrs. Melville A. Shauer, Mrs. Jenny
Shauer, Mr. and Mrs. David Loew,
Mr. and Mrs. Walter S. Beck and
Stewart Stern. A group of friends
and relatives from the East are plan-
ning to attend.
Date Australian Film
The American premiere of the Aus-
tralian-made "Wherever She Goes"
has been scheduled for New York's
Beekman Theatre following the cur-
rent run of "Under the Red Sea."
Arthur Mayer and Edward Kingsley
are distributing in the U. S.
Four-week Advance
Sale for Kaye
In anticipation of a heavy sale of
tickets for Danny Kaye in person
with his "All-Star International Va-
riety Show," starting at the RKO
Palace Theatre Sunday evening, Jan.
18, the box-office will open today,
four weeks in advance.
Box-office hours will be from 10 :00
A.M. to 10:00 P.M. daily, and from
12 :00 noon on Sundays until 10 :00
P.M. Prices Monday through Thurs-
day, and Sunday evenings will range
from $1.80 to $4.80; Friday and Sat-
urday evenings, $1.80 to $6.00 ; Wed-
nesday matinees, $1.20 to $3.60, and
Saturday and Sunday matinees, $1.20
to $4.20.
Set FJP Home
Office Unit
Name Independent to
Head Ontario T. A.
Toronto, Dec. 16. — An independent
exhibitor, J. D. McCulloch, owner of
the Iroquois Theatre, Petrolia, has
been elected 1953 president of the Mo-
tion Picture Theatres Association of
Ontario. He succeeds Harry S. Man-
dell of 20th Century Theatres, To-
ronto.
Other officers are : vice-president,
William A. Summerville, Jr., B. & F.
Theatres, Toronto ; secretary, E. G.
Forsyth, Odeon Theatres, (Canada)
Ltd., and treasurer, John Clarke,
Loew's Theatre, Toronto. Arch H.
Jolley was re-appointed executive sec-
retary for the eighth year.
Canada to Lift
Building Curbs
Toronto, Dec. 16. — Federal con-
trols on the use of steel for non-es-
sential construction, which includes
theatres, will be lifted Dec. 31, ac-
cording to formal announcement by
Production Minister C. D. Howe. Im-
provement in Canada's steel position
has made the move possible.
A committee of home office chair-
men for the amusement division cam-
paign of the Federation of Jewish
Philanthropies has been named by
Barney Balaban, Si Fabian and
Manny Frisch, campaign leaders.
On the new committee are: Martin
H. Newman, Century Circuit ; Abe
Schneider, Columbia Pictures ; Ed
Fabian, Fabian Theatres ; Leopold
Friedman and Irving Greenfield,
Loew's ; William Brenner and Bur-
ton Robbins, National Screen Serv-
ice ; Arthur Israel, Jr., and Louis A.
Novins, Paramount ; Harry Mandel,
RKO Theatres ; Charles Boasberg,
RKO Radio Pictures ; Louis M.
Weber, Skouras Theatres ; Max
Youngstein, United Artists; Edward
L. Hyman and Robert Weitman,
United Paramount Theatres ; Leon
Goldberg and Adolph O. Schimel,
Universal Pictures ; Samuel Schneider,
Warner Bros.
William J. German, of the firm of
the same name, has accepted the chair-
manship of the film laboratories' Fed-
eration drive.
Long Weekend for
New York Industry
Eight more home offices have de-
cided to give their employes a long
Christmas weekend. They are Allied
Artists, Columbia, Paramount Pic-
tures, 20th Century-Fox, United Art-
ists, United Paramount Theatres,
Universal-International and Warner
Brothers. M-G-M, RKO Radio Pic-
tures and RKO Theatres had previ-
ously announced the weekend closing.
Republic and the Motion Picture As-
sociation have not set their plans as
yet.
Companies observing the long Week-
end will close early in the afternoon
on Dec. 24, at which time most of
them will hold Christmas parties and
will remain closed until Monday,
Dec. 29.
Cowan Named Davis
Ad-Publicity Head
Phil Cowan has been appointed di-
rector of advertising, publicity and
exploitation for Arthur Davis Asso-
ciates, president Arthur Davis dis-
closed here yesterday. Cowan, former
publicist with Eagle Lion Films and
United Artists, was recently with
Kenyon and Eckhardt. He will take
over his new post immediately.
Specializing in the distribution of
foreign films, Davis will release 18
features in 1953.
Robinson Succeeds
(Continued from page 1)
resignation becomes effective at the
end of the year.
Carl L. Stevenson was elected an
assistant treasurer. He has been man-
ager of the company's employee bene-
fits department.
Robinson, an assistant treasurer
since 1937, has been with Kodak for
more than 30 years. He began in
the sales department in 1919.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin. Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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 J. Brady,
Secretary; James P. Cunningham,' News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI: Hope Burnup. Manager; Peter Burnup,
Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres and Theatre Sales, each published 1-3 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 17, 1952
Motion Picture daily
3
National
Pre-Selling
AXOTHER example of national
magazine cooperation with ex-
hibitors is an offer of free pre-selling
tie-in material by Seventeen Maga-
zine. The feature selected by Seven-
teen as "Picture of the Month" is
"Million Dollar Mermaid." Avail-
able now to exhibitors for lobby dis-
play or other use, are reprints of
Seven teen s review together with a
copy of the "Picture of the Month"
seal and the cover of the magazine.
•
Some Bermuda fish are being im-
mortalized this week in a story
called "Film Stars with Fins," ap-
pearing in the current issue of Life.
It pictures the trials and triumphs
of shooting in Bermuda waters
"Main Street, Under Sea," a half-
hour featurette in Eastman color
produced by Marion Gering of G-L
Enterprises. Life's cameraman went
under water to get pictures of
Bronson Hartley, director, and Mar-
tica, his wife, who swims the lead.
The camera, a secret invention, is
shown as a mysterious dark object
— carefully shrouded in Martica's
black taffeta slip.
•
A four-color ad for "Hans Chris-
tian Andersen" appears in the Janu-
ary issue of Woman's Home Com-
panion. In the same issue the Com-
\r<mion-approz'cd features for January
arc pictorially displayed. They are
Paramount' s "Come Back, Little
Sheba," M-G-M's "Plymouth Adven-
ture" and "Prisoner of Zcnda," Gold-
wyn's "Hans Christian Andersen,"
United Artists' "Outpost in Malaya"
and Universal-International's "Be-
cause of You."
•
A1 precedent is being broken by The
Saturday Review of Literature in its
issue of Dec. 27. For the first time
in its history the magazine will use
the portrait of a performer, Shirley
Booth, on the cover. The issue will
also carry a review of Miss Booth's
film debut in Hal Wallis's "Come
Back, Little Sheba." This film will
have its pre-release opening on Dec.
23 at the Victoria Theatre in New
York.
•
A full-color page ad on Universal-
International's "Against All Flags," a
page-and-one-half four-color ad on
Sam Goldwyn's "Hans Christian An-
dersen," and a one-half page ad on
Hal Wallis's "Come Back, Little
Sheba" appear in the issue of Look
now on the newsstands.
•
A two-page color picture story
about Gary Cooper's spear-fishing in
Sampa during the filming on that
South Pacific island of his forthcom-
ing United Artists release, "Return
to Paradise," appears in the issue of
Collier's now on the newsstands.
Also appearing m this issue are a
page-and-one-half four-color ad on
"Hans Christian Andersen" and a
clear-thinking editorial on the motion
picture industry.
Samuel Goldwyn's musical fairy
tale, "Hans Christian Andersen," an
RKO Radio release, receives top bill-
ing— one page and four pictures — in
the January "M cCall's Goes to the
Movies."
Walter Haas
Reviews
"Never Wave At a Wac"
(Frederick Brisson-RKO Pictures)
"D OSALIND RUSSELL is back in top form in another of her famed
1V comedy roles and this one, with Marie Wilson, is really stacked Both
stars and Paul Douglas provide strong marquee lure but what's most impor-
tant is that Ken Englund has contributed a screenplay that is loaded with
gags and distributes the punch lines lavishly among the trio. From all angles
this looks like one of the company's top grossers ; it is sure-fire entertainment.
Norman Z. McLeod directed excellently, maintaining a rapid pace and
utilizing many incisive visual jokes. Miss Russell is seen at the opening as
a Washington hostess, a Senator's daughter who caters to "VIPs"°and
gaudy parties She is divorced from textile expert Douglas and being
r°T alVCed bJ Af,my ^0L WilHam ChinS- When ChinS ^ stationed in Paris
and Miss Russell s rival, Hillary Brooke, joins the WAC and is assigned
near him, the famed hostess joins up too expecting a commission and duty
near her intended. -
However her father, Charles Dingle, desires the Army to straighten her
out and refuses a commission for her. Miss Wilson, a showgirl tired of
over appreciative males enlists and is Rosalind's pal. Douglas shows up as
a tester of military clothing and gets his ex-wife special, rigorous duty With
his group, which is experiencing Arctic tests. Eventually she gets tired of
he needling and having her passes cancelled and demands separation from
the service She is court-martialed and released although Douglas testifies
in her behalf. Set to marry Ching who has commuted from Paris to see her
she attends an engagement party of Miss Wilson and Sergeant Leif Erickson
and decides on the next day to go back to Douglas and the WAC Miss
Russell and Miss Wilson are expert comediennes and a fine team. Perform-
ances are top-notch all around with Erickson notable as the servant Others
m the cast are Arleen Whalen, Lurene Tuttle, Regis Toome^ F eda ne -
cort, Louise Beavers and Bernedine Simpson.
Word-of-mouth advertising should get around on this one for it is a
^SynPr°dUCed CTe,dy that deftly treats with familiar situations and
should prove a crowd-pleaser of magnitude
^Running time, 87 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Stop, You're Killing Me
(Warner Brothers)
Dl,^„0IrRUNYpN'S df Tive t0UCh is evideilt in ^ «W Post-Prohi-
tion story involving a bankrupt beer baron, a half-million dollar bookie
io.bb.ery, and an orphan with a penchant for practical jokes Th is is nleasant
package of entertainment in color by WarnerColor that has marquee ure
com reitlfD°oreentCkhitCrfWf0rd1 ^ Pem> a"d P^nty "of situation
S Irthe box £e bt 01 men*andlSe Whlch' Pr°™ted, should do
KaLhVCrTPlay. by JaTeS °'HanIo» Presents Crawford, Miss Trevor's hus-
band as a beer baron ^yho goes to Saratoga to arrange payment of a loan ™
iiSd^Ts3torCrBn °H ' yirginia Gibs°"' -cornpanie^Lr parents
rSl thJ ' f yfS' Wh° takes a state trooP«-'s job nearby. He is
leally the son of a socially prominent and wealthy family.
rlJnK?^f0.!v.'S ab!encA fr°Tm h'S SaratoSa mansion the five men who robbed
the bookies hide out. One Henry. Morgan, kills his four partners when the
try to double-cross him. He cannot flee because Crawford's mobster-pals
turned house-servants arrived on the scene with Louis Lettieri, six-vear-o d
orphaned boy whom Crawford has taken along for a vacation. Crawford
throws a big party in a futile money-raising effort. Lettieri who has found
Morgan s black bag full of money and hidden it, empties some of i s conten
among the guests. Crawford uses the currency to get an extension from bank
representatives Don Beddoe and Steven Chase. He makes Haves a hero by
having hmi shoot the closeted already-dead crooks and accidentally capture
Morgan. Hayes and Miss Gibson clinch at the happy fadeout.
Crawford Miss Trevor, and Lettieri handle the comedy adeptly, ablv sup-
ported by Charles Cantor, Sheldon Leonard and Joe Vitale as Crawford's
aides. Others in the cast are Howard St. John, Margaret Dumont. Henrv
Slate, Jack Pepper and Ned Glass. There are neat renditions of the title
song and My Everlovin, "Ain't She Sweet," "Baby Face" and "Let the
Rest of the World Go By.
Roy Del Ruth's capable direction emphasized the broad comedy aspects
Louis F. Edelman's production is attractive and authentic for the period
Running time, 86 minutes. General audience classification. Release date
Jan. 17.
$13,915,000 Gross
In Mexico City
Mexico City, Dec. 16. — Local
theatres had a $13,915,000 gross last
year, announced the National Statis-
tics Department which cited that
revenue as demonstrating general
prosperity. Films are Mexico's top
paid public amusement.
The theatres' gross compares with
the $920,000 which the local bull-fight
ring expects to gross from 16 shows
this season.
Control of Scandia
Films Passes to 3
To assure films from Sweden and
the Scandinavian countries wider dis-
tribution in the United States, three
Swedish producers have purchased
Scandia Films, Inc., distributor of
Swedish films in America, Ernest
Mattsson, president and owner of
Scandia, announced. The producers
are A. B. Europa Film, A. B. San-
drews Ateljeer and the A. B. Svensk
Filmindustri, all of Stockholm.
Spiegal Stresses
Importance of
Overseas Market
The importance of the -foreign
market was stressed here yesterday by
independent producer Sam Spiegal,
who has returned from England where
he completed production on "Melba,"
which will be released through United
Artists.
Spiegal cited the revenues of
"African Queen" as an example. He
.estimated that "African Queen'? will
earn from $7,000,000 to $8,000,000, 45
per cent of which will be derived out-
side the United States and Canada.
"African Queen," released through
UA, was made under the Horizon-
American banner, a company in which
he is associated with John Huston.
Spiegal said that "Melba," produced
in color by Technicolor, cost about
$1,000,000. Costs were held down,
Spiegal continued, by shooting on lo-
cation abroad. He praised Britain's
Eady Plan as an incentive for pro-
ducing in England.
Three Will Plan
Wise. Drive-in Meet
Milwaukee, Dec. 16.— Sig Goldberg,
president of Wisconsin Allied, has ap-
pointed three to head the three main
committees to set in motion plans for
the national drive-in convention to
be held in conjunction with Allied of
Wisconsin's state convention, March
24-26 at the Schroeder Hotel, Mil-
waukee. They are: Eric Brown,
Plymouth, overall chairman of the
convention; Ben Marcus, drive-in
chairman ; Oliver Trampe. state chair-
man.
THE MEANING
OF "THE
BLUE LIGHT"
This is the key to why
"Above and Beyond"
was a hush-hush pic-
ture. But now it can
be told.
Robert Taylor sur-
passes his perform-
ance in "Quo Vadis"
and "Ivanhoe" in
"Above and Beyond."
"Above and Beyond"
contains the Billion
Dollar Secret which
Robert Taylor kept
from Eleanor Parker,
who plays his wife.
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BLACKBEARD
THE PIRATE
(Color)
Linda Darnell
Robert Newton
D — 99 min.
(Rev. 11/28/52)
NEVER WAVE AT
A WAC
Rosalind Russell
Paul Douglas
C — 87 min.
THUN0ERB1RDS
John Derek
John Barrymore, Jr.
D— 98 min. (5201)
(Rev. 11/25/52)
RIDE THE MAN
DOWN
(Color)
Brian Donlevy
OI>— 90 min.
(Rer. 10/30/52)
MARSHAL OF
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Wednesday, December 17, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
Reviews
"Tropic Zone"
{Pine & Tliomas-Paramount)
XX7TLLIAM PINE and William Thomas have fashioned another of their
VV smooth, actionful productions in color by Technicolor that utilizes
handsome island settings and stars Ronald Reagan and Rhonda Fleming.
Estelita is featured as a casino singer and dancer and performs zestfully.
Like Miss Fleming, she is quite attractive and both are well-costumed. The
film has plenty of brawls and under the skillfull direction of Lewis Foster
there is a neat blending of action, romance, and song. There are sufficient
merchandising angles to garner ample box-office returns.
Based on a novel by Tom Gill and written by Lewis R. Foster, the plot
presents Reagan as a political refugee who is smuggled into the country by
Estelita and soldier of fortune pilot Noah Beery. He meets Miss Fleming
who has inherited a small banana plantation which is being deliberately run
down by foreman Grant Withers. The latter is in the pay of John Wengraf,
monopolistic shipper seeking to ruin and buy up all small plantations.
Reagan happens to have been a banana expert so he easily replaces Withers
who gets fired after getting drunk. However, Wengraf threatens to turn in
Reagan as an illegal entry and blackmails him into damaging the plantation.
Reagan and Miss Fleming fall in love so he double crosses Wengraf and has
Beery fly off to arrange a fruit supplying contract with a big firm for the
independents. Beery obtains the contract, Reagan's political friends return
to power in his exiled country, he fills the contract on time, and convinces
Estelita he and Miss Fleming are enamoured. The stars perform capably and
and Estelita effectively dances the Handkerchief Dance and the Cali Conga.
She also sings i'l'll Always Love You" and "The Magic of You." Others
in the cast are" Argentina Brunetti, Ricco Alanez, Maurice Jara and Pilar
Del Rey.
Ru'-iimg- time, 94 minutes. General audience classification. For January
release.
"The Gambler and the Lady"
(Exclusive Films-Lippert) Hollywood, Dec. 16
PRODUCED in England by Exclusive Films, this melodrama presents
Dane Clark as an American ex-convict, who, although operating a London
night club, has ambitions to crash English society. Clark is the only Ameri-
can personality in the cast and he handles his role in a highly satisfactory
manner. Others are : Kathleen Byron, Naomi Chance, Meredith Edwards,
Anthony Forwood, Eric Pholmann, Julian Somers, Anthony Ireland, Max
Bacon and Mona Washbourne.
Clark portrays a mobster whose temper has involved him in a murder
charge in the United States. His social ambitions cause him to jilt the
club's dancer, who loves him, in favor of a socialite who, he believes, can
get him accepted by the social set. However, Clark finds that his goal is not
as easy as he imagined. Just as he seems to be making some headway, the
dancer runs him down, with her car, ending his ambitions and his life. Miss
Byron gives a polished performance, as do the others in the all-British cast.
Estelita he and Miss Fleming are enamoured. The stars perform capably
Anthony Hinds produced the picture, which is satisfactory, and which was
co-directed by Sam Newfield and Patrick Jenkins.
Running time, 72 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
Dec. 26.
New ASCAP Rates
Following are the new and pre-
vious annual rates for ASCAP mu-
sic, on recordings, for both conven-
tional and drive-in theatres:
Conventional Theatres
NEW RATES
Up to 400 seats $12
401 to 800 seats $18
801 to 1,200 seats $24
1,201 to 1,600 seats $36
Over 1,600 seats $48
PREVIOUS RATES
Up to 600 seats $15
601 to 1,200 seats $24
1,201 to 1,600 seats $36
Over 1,600 seats $48
Drive-ins
NEW RATES
Up to 250 cars $24
251 to 500 cars $36
501 to 700 cars $48
Over 700 cars $60
PREVIOUS RATES
Up to 350 cars $36
351 to 650 cars $48
Over 650 cars $60
New Aseap Rates
(Continued from page 1)
with more than 1,600 seats,
compared with a previous range
of $15 up to 600 seats and $48
for 1,600 seats or more. The
changes in brackets apply to
to those houses with less than
1,200 seats.
There are four basic changes in the
drive-in theatre schedules, which start
at $24 for capacities up to 250 cars,
with the top being $60 for theatres
having space for 700 or more cars.
On Pro-rata Basis
Collins said that several theatre
operators had inquired whether they
would be obliged to pay the full
annual rate in cases where the thea-
tres did not operate the entire year.
He said the policy of ASCAP in this
respect was that if a theatre operated
on a seasonal basis, its rate would be
pro-rated on the basis of the annual
rate.
Theatres and circuits that already
have signed contracts may continue to
operate under their present pacts for
the first year of the agreement or
execute a new contract embodying the
new rates.
Films to TV
(Continued from page 1)
Anderson ; "Casanova in Burlesque,"
starring Joe E. Brown and June
Havoc ; "Madonna's Secret," with
Francis Lederer, Gail Patrick and
Ann Rutherford ; "Steppin' in So-
ciety," "Scotland Yard Investigator,"
and "The Cheaters."
Negotiations for the contract, which
required six months to complete,
were conducted by David Savage,
film manager for WCBS-TV, and
Earl Collins, president of Hollywood
Television Service. It is the second
contract for an exclusive film pack-
age negotiated for WCBS-TV within
the past three weeks. The first in-
volved 18 films produced by Sol
Wurtzel.
100 Films Cost $6,930,000
Mexico City, Dec. 16.— Production
of the 100 pictures which the trade
estimates will be Mexico's maximum
Disney Series
(Continued from page 1)
have any predetermined number of
issues.
"The Lost Hours," which was pro-
duced in England by Robert Baker
and Monty Berman for Eros Films,
Ltd., will be added to the release
schedule shortly.
The first issue of the featurettes, to
be known as "People and Places,"
is "The Alaskan Eskimo." This has
been completed and will be set for
early release.
Meanwhile, with the addition of two
re-releases to its schedule, plus the
Lesser production, RKO will have
23 pictures available in the seven-
month span from December to next
June. The additional reissues are
"The Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer"
and "Bachelor Mother."
for 1952 will have a calculated cost
of $6,930,000. Up to Nov. 30, 88
pictures had been made and 12 more
are to be finished by Dec. 31. After
starting very slowly because of
financing and labor troubles, produc-
tion was normalized in August and
since then has continued satisfactorily.
The present average cost per pic-
ture is $69,300.
RKO Pictures
(Continued from page 1)
of RKO Pictures. Bent's election to
the board had been announced last
week in Hollywood. Presumably, rules
of the brokerage firm prevent him
from taking the post but no official
explanation was made.
Edward Burke, the only member
of the Ralph Stolkin syndicate which
purchased Howard Hughes' 29 per
cent interest in the company to re-
main on the RKO board, left here
yesterday for Texas.
Heard by Justice Greenberg
The receivership application, brought
by three minority stockholders claim-
ing to own 2,525 shares of stock, will
be heard before Justice Henry Clay
Greenberg,, who expressed concern
over the welfare of RKO stockholders
at the hearing, last Wednesday.
It was reported on the Coast that
C. J. Tevlin, long time Howard
Hughes employee who served as
RKO vice-president in charge of
studio operations during Hughes'
regime as general director of produc-
tion, will return to that post in conse-
quence of Hughes' resumption of vir-
tual control as the dominant member
of the new board.
Johnston Sees
(Continued from page 1)
ica ; Wilbur Snaper, president of Al-
lied States Association, and Manny
Frisch, head of Metropolitan Motion
Picture Theatres Association.
Snaper, it was said, reported that
Allied wanted two points involving
general trade practices cleared up
before his association would enter into
any new discussions of the proposed
arbitration system. The two points
were high film rentals and the large
number of pre-release pictures being
released by distributors. Those
issues, Snaper was reported to have
said, were Allied's "main concerns."
Snaper pointed out that Allied wanted
some indication from distributors that
they are aware of the exhibitor prob-
lems on the two points, hinting at the
possibility of conciliating the differ-
ences before entering into arbitration
discussions.
It was brought out that TOA also
agreed that film rentals were too
high, but that the organization was
ready to proceed with arbitration
talks anyway. It is expected that
Snaper will give a report on the ses-
sions to the national Allied board at
its meeting in New Orleans next
month.
'U' Gross Sales
(Continued from page 1)
that excise taxes are not included in
gross sales ; that gross sales include
gross revenue from foreign countries
having exchange restrictions only to
the extent that net earnings resulting
therefrom have been or can be real-
ized in U. S. dollars, regardless of
the period or periods in which such
gross revenue may have been earned
in those foreign countries ; and that
gross sales are only partly estimated.
Sugar Heads
(Continued from page 1)
1935 when he entered the home office
contract department of Republic Pic-
tures. In 1946 he became manager
of the contract department of Pro-
ducers Releasing Corp. and later held
the same position with Eagle Lion
Films, before moving to United Ar-
tists. From 1942 to 1946, Sugar
served in the Armed Forces.
— FLY TO— N^^p
LOS ANGELES
on United's Luxurious
"OVERNIGHT
HOLLYWOOD"
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The fins service of United's "Hollywood"
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COMPARE THE FARE AND
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Currently advertised
in the COMPANION
Hans Christian Andersen. ..Goldwyn-RKO
The Bad and the Beautiful.. MGM
Plymouth Adventure MGM
Over 4,300,000 women know what they want in
entertainment— thanks to the Companion's complete
movie news coverage. That's why Hollywood has
invested more money in the Companion during the
past six years than in any other monthly magazine.*
*Except of course the fan magazines.
Current Circulation over 4,300,000
THE CROWELL-COLLIER PUBLISHING COMPANY — PUBLISHERS OF COLLIER'S, THE AMERICAN MAGAZINE, WOMAN'S HOME COMPANION
MOTION PICTURE
VOL. 72. NO. 117
NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1952
TEN CENTS
WB Officials \RKO Streamlining Short
Mull Divorce Subject Presentations
Plan Changes
Si Fabian Confers with
Executives on Details
Possible changes in the Warner
Brothers reorganization plan, in-
cluding those arising from Fabian
Enterprises' purchase of controlling-
interest in the projected Warner
Brothers theatre company, are cur-
rently being ironed out by top WB
executives, it was learned here yes-
terday.
In addition, conferences are being
held between Si Fabian, president of
the company bearing his name, and
WB officials to put the . finishing
touches on the agreement, under
which Fabian Enterprises will buy
the estimated 25 per cent stock inter-
est of Harry W. Warner, WB presi-
dent, Albert Warner and Jack L.
Warner in the new theatre company.
The reorganization changes and
the selection of directors and officers
of the new theatre company will be
embodied in the proxy statement, due
in January, a month before the com-
(Continued on page 4)
By AL STEEN
RKO Radio Pictures is streamlining its concept of short subjects
production, distribution and exhibition to conform with present day
tastes and to meet TV competition by tying in television and radio
personali
Elect Howard Hughes
RKO Board Chairman
Hollywood, Dec. 17. — At a meet-
ing of the RKO Radio Pictures
board of directors this afternoon
Howard Hughes was elected chair-
man of the board. A. B. Simpson,
who is vice-chairman of the Na-
tional Bank of Commerce of Hous-
ton, was elected a director, com-
pleting the RKO five-man board.
The other members are Noah
Dietrich, J. Miller Walker and Ed-
ward Burke, Jr.
Los Angeles Tops
U. A. Sales Drive
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 17.
— Sol Lesser will meet
with John Parsons, Tele-
news district manager
here, in Los Angeles to
make a deal whereby the
local Telenews Theatres
will become the first in
Northern California to
hold exhibition rights to
the Tri-Opticon three di-
mension process, which is
a British development.
•
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.—
The film division of the
NPA was allotted amounts
of metals for parcelling
out among film and photo-
graphic product manufac-
turers in the second quar-
ter of 1953 that are
sharply below the totals
for the first quarter of
1953 and the four quarters
of this year.
United Artists branches in Los
Angeles, New Orleans and Vancou-
ver are winners of the 25-week "Bill
Heieneman Sales Drive" which ended
Dec. 6, it was disclosed here yester-
day by Max E. Youngstein, UA vice-
president and drive captain. The
three exchanges topped their indi-
vidual divisions in the drive which
was launched last June.
Runners-up in each of the three
groups into which the sales organiza-
tion had been divided were : San
Francisco and Chicago, group one ;
Charlotte and St. Louis, group two,
(Continued on page 4)
RKO Receivership
Case Set for Jan. 5
Another postponement, this one to
Jan. 5, was granted here yesterday
by the New York Supreme Court for
a hearing on the RKO Pictures mi-
nority suit, seeking a court-appointed
receiver for the company. The post-
ponement was sought by Louis
Kipnis, attorney for the three minor-
ity stockholders. The hearing was
slated for tomorrow.
Kipnis said he needed more time
to study and answer the affidavits
supporting the company's position
submitted by James A. Mulvey,
president of Samuel Goldwyn Pro-
ductions, which releases through
(Continued on page 4)
ties with com-
pleted shorts.
Sid Kramer,
RKO's short
subjects sales
manager,
revealed here
that the new ap-
proach to the
merchan-
dising of shorts
is designed to
stimulate the
interest of both
exhibitors and
the public in the
entertainment value of featurettes.
One radical innovation planned for
1953, Kramer said, is the linking of
two or three short subjects into fea-
ture length offerings, with a well
(Continued on page 4)
Sid Kramer
Reelect Mullin N.E.
TOA Unit President
_ Boston, Dec. 17.— Martin J. Mul-
lin was reelected president of the
Allied Theatres of New England at
the unit's annual meeting today in the
Hotel Touraine here. The following
were named vice-presidents : Samuel
Pinanski, Charles E. Kurtzman, Ben
Domingo, Al Somerby and Harry
Feinstein.
Stanley Sumner was reelected treas-
urer and John J. Ford was reelected
chairman of the board of directors.
Other members of the board are
Walter A. Brown, Edward S. Canter,
Theodore Fleisher, Winthrop S. Knox,
Jr., Joseph Liss and Phillip Smith.
(Continued on page 4)
Dickstein Heads
N. Y. Film BOT
Sales Heads
To Meet Today
On Arbitration
Johnston to Confer On
Possible Draft Changes
Film company sales managers
are scheduled to meet here this
morning- at the Motion Picture As-
sociation of America offices to dis-
cuss the current stalemate in the
establishment of an arbitration sys-
tem for the motion picture industry.
MP A A president Eric Johnston and
Ralph Hetzel, Jr., in charge of the
New York MPAA office, will attend
the meeting, possibly along with
Joyce O'Hara, vice-president at the
Washington headquarters.
The sales chiefs are expected
to exchange opinions as to what
concessions the distributors
may offer that would be attrac-
tive to exhibitors and to delve
into the objections expressed by
Allied to the Oct. 21 arbitration
proposals prepared by company
attorneys. This will be the first
meeting on the issue by the
(Continued on page 4)
Warns Against Rose
Bowl Game Pickup
A warning against any unauthor-
ized large-screen theatre television
pickup of the Rose Bowl game was
sounded by L. S. Frost, of the Na-
tional Broadcasting Co., in a letter
to the Theatre Owners of America.
The letter said in part, "Any un-
authorized exhibition of the telecast
would be in violation of theatre tele-
vision rights owned and reserved by
the Pacific Coast Intercollegiate Ath-
letic Conference and the Pasadena
(Continued on page 4)
The New York Film Board of
Trade yesterday named Abe Dickstein
of 20th Century-Fox to succeed
Henry Randel of Paramount as
president. Lou Allerhand of
M-G-M, formerly second vice-presi-
dent, was named first vice-president,
replacing William Murphy of Repub-
lic. Myron Sattler of Paramount
was named second vice-president.
Robert J. Fannon of Republic fol-
(Continued on page 4)
U. K. Theatre TV to
Bow with Coronation
London, Dec. 17.— Large screen
theatre television of the Coronation
next June appears to be a certainty
with an announcement expected from
the House of Commons shortly speci-
fying the conditions under which it
will be permitted. B.B.C. obstacles
and copyright difficulties heretofore
have prevented large screen TV in
British theatres. The government
(Continued on page 4)
2
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, December 18, 1952
Long Park Suit Judgment
Favors RKO Theatres
'Graduates' of Ampa
Showmanship Class
To Get Diplomas
Personal
Mention
EL. SCANLAN, newly appointed
• treasurer of Cinerama Produc-
tions, has arrived here from Holly-
wood.
•
Ben Morris, Columbia service de-
partment manager here, and Mrs.
Morris announce the marriage of
their daughter, Roberta Elaine, to
Herbert L. Green on Sunday.
Boyd Sparrow, manager of Loew's
Warfield in San Francisco, is visiting
in New York. M. C. Burnett, Cen-
tral division manager, is substituting
for Sparrow.
•
Joe Huff, former city manager in
Stockton, Cal., for Blumenfeld The-
atres, has gone into temporary retire-
ment and plans a South American trip
with Mrs. Huff.
S. J. Gardner, M-G-M assistant
West Coast sales manager, and his
wife will leave San Francisco on Mon-
day for a two-week cruise on the 5\.S\
Lurline.
Phil Williams, 20th Century-Fox
executive on the staff of Peter Le-
vathes, will return here next week
from a two-week visit to Houston.
Jerry Zigmond, West Coast divi-
sion manager for United Paramount
Theatres, is in San Francisco from
Los Angeles.
Harold Wirthwein, Allied Artists
Western sales manager, has returned
to Hollywood from a two-week Mid-
western trip.
Max Bercutt, Warner Brothers
field representative, is in Los Angeles
from San Francisco.
Frank Jenkins, former San Fran-
cisco theatre manager, is in New
York.
Personnel, Theatre
Changes on Coast
San Francisco, Dec. 17.— Redwood
Theatres, headed by George M. Mann,
has transferred Bert Henson, former
city manager at Modesto, to Klamath
Falls, Ore, Lou Vaughn has also
been transferred to Klamath Falls
from Eureka. Earl Baughman has
gone from Klamath to take over dis-
trict managership of Eureka, Ray
Duddy replaces Hensen at Modesto.
Other changes in Northern Cali-
fornia include the Rio at Alameda
being purchased by Robert L. Mc-
Kee. At Pollock Pines, the Grand,
owned by Graff Broadbent and booked
by Ed Rewden, has closed. E. F.
Michelsen put the Brisbane (just
outside of San Francisco) on a two-
change-six-day week, with the house
remaining dark on Thursdays. Previ-
ously it was operated on a three
changes a week, seven-day policy.
Dave Richards sold his Rialto at Oak-
land to Pete Kyprios, and Edgar P.
Weiss purchased the Vista at Rio
Judgment in favor of RKO The-
atres was rendered here yesterday by
Judge Aaron Steuer of the New York
Supreme Court in the suit filed by
Long Park', Inc., a Walter Reade
Theatres company.
The suit grew out of RKO The-
atres' purchase in Sept., 1950 of Long-
Park's stock interest in the Trenton-
New Brunswick Corp. The Reade
firm contended that the $792,500, paid
by RKO was for a 25 per cent inter-
est in the stock, valued at $750,000,
and $42,500 as a dividend due the Reade
firm at the time. It was further
claimed that a $50,000 dividend pay-
ment, over and above the $42,500, was
Skouras in London,
Back Here Next Week
London, Dec. 17. — Spyros P.
Skouras, 20th Century-Fox president,
has arrived here from the Continent
on the last leg of his round-the-world
business trip. He plans to remain in
England until Monday when he and
Mrs. Skouras will leave for New
York by plane.
William J. Kupper, 20th-Fox man-
aging director for Britain, will leave
for New York later in the month and,
after home office conferences, will
visit the West Coast before returning
here.
WB Houses in Joint
'Hans' Promotion
Hollywood, Dec. 17. — Warner thea-
tres in this area have joined in a
campaign to promote the West Coast
premiere of Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans
Christian Andersen" on Dec. 26 at the
Beverly Theatre in Beverly Hills.
Feature of the campaign, wdiich in-
volves the Wiltern, Warner Down-
town, Hollywood and Huntington
Park theatres, is a 10-foot high lobby
display sign in each of the houses.
Other cross "plugs" .include trailers,
full-size cutouts and photo blow-ups
in color.
Melford Film to WB
Hollywood, Dec. 17. — Warner
Brothers has concluded a deal under
which independent producer Frank
Melford will deliver "The Diamond
Queen" to the company for distribu-
tion. The film, set to enter production
next month, will be filmed in the new
Eastman three-color process.
First Rep.-Wilcox Film
London, Dec. 17. — Shooting has
started at Shepperton Studio on the
first of the joint Republic Pictures-
Herbert Wilcox productions, a Tech-
nicolor version of Joseph Conrad's
"Laughing Anne." Forrest Tucker and
Wendell Corey are cast opposite Mar-
garet Lockwood and Ronald Shiner.
Vista. Dick Rose was named mana-
ger of Blumenfeld's El Cerrito Motor
Movies at El Cerrito, replacing Frank
Jenkins, who resigned.
due Long Park and that the contract
agreement with RKO Theatres should
be set aside.
Judge Steuer in his decision denied
any fraud had taken place and dis-
missed the Long Park complaint.
Among those who testified in the suit
were Walter Reade, Jr., president of
the circuit bearing his name ; Sol
Schwartz, president of RKO The-
atres; Tom O'Connor, RKO vice-
president, and Harold Newcomb,
comptroller.
Solomon Goodman was the attor-
ney for Long Park, while O'Brien,
Driscoll and Raftery and George
Raftery were trial counsel.
Braden Touring to
Promote 'Andersen'
Publicist Frank Braden has left
on a three-month tour of 19 key cities
in the United States and Canada on
behalf of Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans
Christian Andersen," which RKO
Radio is releasing.
Working in advance of the regular
campaign, Braden will spend a mini-
mum of two days in each city, be-
tween now and mid-February, plant-
ing feature material with, newspapers.
Cities on Braden's itinerary are Phila-
delphia, Baltimore, Washington, At-
lanta, New Orleans, Dallas, Memphis,
St. Louis, Kansas City, Denver, Min-
neapolis, Milwaukee, Chicago, De-
troit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Buffalo,
Toronto and Montreal.
Adler Manager of
UA's Albany Office
Buffalo, Dec. 17. • — Robert Adler
has been named sales manager and
Lillian Paulin booker in the new Al-
bany office of United Artists, accord-
ing to M. E. Brown, U. A. manager
of Buffalo and Albany. Adler was
formerly with Monogram and Miss
Paulin was with Columbia.
Rent Morning Use
Of U pstate Houses
Albany, N. Y., Dec. 17. — Warner's
Strand has been rented to Gateway
Motors for free shows on the morn-
ings of Dec. 23-24. Admission by
ticket will be given to members of
the "Ford Family" and their children.
Also, Fabian's Plaza, Schenectady,
has been leased to Kaye Motors for
a "Christmas kiddie carnival" on the
morning of Dec. 22. Admission will
be a useable toy which the Schenec-
tady Related Activities Council will
repair for presentation to needy boys
and girls.
'Peter' on 'Omnibus'
Television Show
Walt Disney's "Peter Pan," an
RKO Radio release, will be the first
picture distributed by a major studio
to be represented on "Omnibus,"
CBS Television's new Coast-to-
Coast program, on Sunday, Dec. 28.
"Graduates" of the Associated Mo-
tion Picture Advertisers' Showman-
ship Classes will be given diplomas at
the January AMPA meeting to be
held in the Hotel Piccadilly here on
Jan. 15, it was reported yesterday
by AMPA president Harry K. Mc-
Williams. The final class of the first
series of clinics will be held tonight at
the Woodstock Hotel.
Speakers at tonight's session will
be Arthur D.e Bra, director of com-
munity relations, and Gordon White,
director of the Advertising Code Ad-
ministration of the Motion Picture As-
sociation of America, and Maurice
Bergman, director of public relations
and asssistant to the president of Uni-
versal Pictures. Their subject will
be "public relations." Since the classes
were started on Sept. 29, 45 in the
industry here have lectured.
The AMPA board will hold a meet-
ing today to discuss next year's pro-
gram and other matters.
To Show Tri-Color
Tube Here Shortly
A demonstration of the tri-color
television tube developed by Chroma-
tic, Inc., a subsidiary of Paramount
Pictures, will be held at the Para-
mount home office here in about an-
other week.
The tube, which is adaptable either
for home or theatre television, has
been demonstrated in Los Angeles
frequently. The purpose of the New
York demonstration, according to a
Chromatic spokesman, is to acquaint
the home television industry with its
performance. Paramount, which has
halted production of its theatre TV
system, has no current plans to adopt
the tube for theatre television.
Charles Moss Enters
Radio-TV Production
Charles B. Moss, executive director
of the Criterion Theatre here and
president of B. S. Moss Theatrical
Enterprises, and Richard Lewis, ra-
dio-TV producer and director, have
formed a new company, Moss and
Lewis, Inc., for the purpose of devel-
oping "live" and film programs for
television and radio.
The new firm's first production will
be Mickey Spillane's "That Hammer
Guy," based on the mystery novels,
which will tee off over the Mutual
Broadcasting System on Jan. 6.
Legion of Decency
Puts 6 in Class B
Six films are placed in Class B,
eight in Class A-I and four in Class
A-II in the latest Legion of Decency
report.
The six Class B films are: "Angel
Face" and "Blackbeard the Pirate,"
RKO Radio; "April in Paris,"
Warner Brothers ; "The Desperate
Search," M-G-M; "Mesa of Lost
Women," Realart, and "Shamed,"
Westport International Films.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin. Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting- 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau. Yucca-Vine Building,
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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.
MILDRED DUNNOCK- EDUARD FRANZ
FOM 7ULLY-ALEX GERRY-AliYN JOSLYN- HAROLD GOROOM
DIRECTED BY
BASED ON THE PLAY BY
PRODUCED BY
WIS MEM -SAMSON RAPHAELSO
MUSICAL NUMBERS STAGED AND
DIRECTED BY LE ROY PRINZ
MUSICAL DIRECTION BY RAY HEINDORF
mm
MICHAEL CURTIZ
4
MOTION PICTURE DAILY
Thursday, December 18, 1952
Divorce Plan
(Continued from page 1)
pany's annual stockholders' meeting,
slated for Feb. 17 in Wilmington,
Del. Fabian, who is expected to head
up the new theatre company, declined
comment as to the identity of the
directors and officers of the projected
theatre company, which will be
formed under the company's consent
decree divorcing production and dis-
tribution from exhibition.
The changes in the plan will be
subject to the approval of stockhold-
ers, who last year approved the
original formula for divorcement.
RKO Radio Streamlining
(Continued from page 1)
UA Sales Drive
(Continued from page 1)
and New Haven and Buffalo, group
three.
Prize money has been awarded
branch managers, salesmen, bookers
and cashiers of the winning offices.
Special awards went to . George
Pabst, Southern district manager, and
James Velde, Southern - Western
division manager, for the showings in
their territories.
Granada Theatres
Reports Profit
London, Dec. 17. — Granada Thea-
tres, Ltd., reports a trading profit for
the year ended Sept. 30 of £212,912,
compared with £219,949 in the previ-
ous year. Last year's dividends were
maintained.
known personality of the airways —
radio or TV— doing a commentary as
an introduction, a chatter routine be-
tween each subject and a sign off at
the end of the final subject.
While no "names" have been signed
as yet, Kramer said he visualized per-
sons like Herb Shrkier and Art Link-
letter for the interpolations. Shriner
and Linkletter are familiar to TV au-
diences and their presence on the the-
atre screen would be drawing cards,
Kramer said. RKO, he added, will
"tailor" the subject to the require-
ments of the exhibitor, eliminating one
short from the feature-length _ subject
to fit a scheduled running time for
an over-all program. Thus, the con-
nected shorts and the inserted com-
mentaries by the personalities may be-
come the second feature on dual pro-
grams.
Lost Entertainment
Kramer said he believed the projects
would whet the appetite of the public
for short comedies which, in many
theatres, have become lost entertain-
ment due to the length of each feature
on double bills.
Following the pattern set by TV
film production whereby filmed sub-
jects are turned out speedily after
careful preparation, RKO short sub-
ject producer George Bilson has pro-
duced six two-reel comedies at the
Hollywood studio in 12 days, Kramer
said. The six included four Gil Lamb
subjects and two in the "Newly wed"
series. With scripts completed and
production crews ready, Bilson shot
Arbitration
(Continued from page 1)
the block of shorts in about the time
that it ordinarily took to film one
subject on a staggered schedule. There
was no loss of quality and the eco-
nomic savings were sizeable, Kramer
said. In that way, the balance of
RKO's shorts program for the 1952-
53 season were completed in less than
two weeks.
Greater attention is being given to
the merchandising of the shorts sub-
jects, Kramer explained. Under Joe
Ehrlich, recently named to promote
the company's shorts, tie-ups are being
made on a scale almost equal to that
of features. The company's A-bomb
subject is getting special attention,
with the Armed Forces and Civil De-
fense groups alerted to promote the
picture in local areas.
When "Mickey Mouse Birthday
Party" — which is composed of five
"Mickey Mouse" subjects— is released
in the spring, a heavy exploitation
campaign is planned, with "birth-
day parties and grand balls" to be
staged from Coast-to-Coast.
Greater impetus than ever given
before to the sales and promotion of
shorts subjects will be in evidence
next year, Kramer said.
ANSWER
TO YOUR
TECHNICAL
PROBLEMS . . .
The Altec
Service Man and
the organization
behind him
RKO Receivership
(Continued from page 1)
RKO ; David J . Greene, who claims
to own and control more than 78,000
RKO Pictures shares, and the Chase
National Bank, which is in charge of
keeping the company records.
Kipnis said he had been informed
by RKO Pictures' attorneys that one
more affidavit from the Coast is due
to be submitted. The affidavits of
Mulvey and Greene oppose the ap-
pointment of a receiver. Mulvey, it
was learned, expressed satisfaction
with RKO as a releasing organiza-
tion and spoke about the losses that
would result if a receiver were ap-
pointed.
Kipnis said he had called upon the
Department of Justice to investigate
Greene's relations with RKO Pic-
tures for possible violation of the
company's consent decree. Greene,
besires being a stockholder in RKO
Pictures, is a director of RKO
Theatres.
sales heads since Allied's na-
tional convention in Chicago,
where the exhibitor organiza-
tions rejected the distributors'
draft.
It was reported here that the sales
managers will give serious attention
to the request by Wilbur Snaper,
national Allied president, that the
distributors clear up two points in-
volving trade practices before Allied
will go along on new arbitration
negotiations. The two points, pre-
sented by Snaper at a meeting with
Johnston here last Friday, were high
film rentals and an excessive number
of pre-release pictures. The sales
managers may be willing to clarify
those two points if Aliied's accept-
ance of an arbitration plan hinges on
such action. Last Friday's session
also was attended by Herman Levy,
general counsel of Theatre Owners
of America, and Manny Frisch, presi-
dent of Metropolitan Picture Theatres
Association.
In some quarters, the opinion was
expressed that Allied and the dis-
tributors are not as far apart on an
agreement in regard to an arbitra-
tion plan as some in the industry be-
lieve, in view of the fact that the
draft prepared by Abram F. Myers,
Allied general counsel, and submitted
on Aug. 21, was approved by all par-
ties. The so-called apple-cart was
kicked over when certain distributor
lawyers allegedly asked for some ad-
ditional provisions, with Allied then
requesting some changes of their
own.
Rose Bowl Game
(Continued from page 1)
Tournament of Roses Association and
also of similar rights ... of the
National Broadcasting Company."
Last year, Sherrill Corwin's Or-
pheum Theatre in Los Angeles was
the only TV-tquipped theatre in the
nation to carry the Jan. 1 Rose Bowl
game, in conjunction with a home
telecast of the football event.
Frost's letter asked the TOA to
convey the warning to its members.
161 Sixth Avenue,
New York 13, N. Y.
PROTECTING THE THEATRE -FIRST PLACE IN ENTERTAINMENT
U. K. Theatre TV
(Continued from page 1)
now has taken the matter of the
Coronation theatre telecast, at least,
out of B.B.C.'s hands.
J. Arthur Rank's Leicester Square
Odeon and three of his larger pro-
vincial theatres are equipped with
large screen TV. Associated British
Cinema's 3,000-seat Commodore The-
atre in a London suburb is to be
equipped with Cintel apparatus, while
the Monseigneur newsreel theatres
and Sidney Bernstein's Granada cir-
cuit plan installations as soon as the
necessary permission issues from the
government.
Dickstein Heads
(Continued from page 1)
lowed Nat Furst of Allied Artists
into the treasurer's post and Phil
Hodes of RKO Pictures succeeded
Dickstein as secretary. David I.
Levy of Universal became sergeant-
at-arms, replacing Saul Trauner of
Columbia.
Reelect Mullin
(Continued from page 1)
Canter is a new member of the board.
Frank C. Lydon is executive secretary.
Samuel Pinanski, a member of the
ruling triumvirate of COMPO, gave
a complete report on COMPO's activi-
ties to date, which included the meet-
ing held in Chicago recently.
INVITATION TO
PREMIERE SHOWING
ACMiOLA
FILM EDITING MACHINES
PICTURE & SOUND, 16-35 mm
Shipments within 3 months! Built to out-
last three ordinary machines! Continuous
demonstrations commencing Friday, Dec.
19th, 2 P.M.
S.O.S.CINEMA SUPPLY CORP.
602 WEST 52nd ST., NEW YORK CITY
Thursday, December 18, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
Review
"Torpedo Alley"
(Allied Artists) Hollywood, Dec. 17
MANY productions concerning U. S. military services have preceded
"Torpedo Alley," a tale about submarines and the men aboard them,
but few were as well-rounded as this one, from the standpoints of entertain-
ment, action, performances, story, production and direction. Strong marquee
and market values spring from the names of the cast of Mark Stevens, Doro-
thy Malone, Charles Winninger and Bill Williams.
This story of the submarine is so skillfully worked into the flow of the
personal narrative as to add to the film the substantial impact of the docu-
mentary without incurring the tedium of that medium.
The production is by Lindsley Parsons, with John H. Burrows serving
as associate producer, and with Commander B. R. Van Buskirk (Ret.) and
Rear Admiral Thomas N. Dykers (Ret.) as technical advisers. Direction
is by the dependable Lew Landers, and the writing credit goes to Sam
Roeca and Warren Douglas, who did their best to keep the story from
following too closely in the footsteps of the hundreds of service stories that
have gone before.
Stevens portrays a Navy flier who is picked up from the sea, after having
frozen at the controls during combat, at the cost of his crew's lives, by a
submarine on which Douglas Kennedy is executive officer. At war's end
Stevens finds civilian employment no balm for his sense-of-guilt and rejoins
the Navy, signing up for submarine service, in which he again meets Ken-
nedy and also Kennedy's girl, Miss Malone. While she's getting around to
making up her mind between the men, the Korean fighting begins, the men
are ordered to sea, and Stevens proves, in the course of leading 'a landing
party which blows up a tunnel, that he is no coward.
Others in the cast are James Millican, Bill Henry, James Seay Robert
Rose, John Alvin, Carlton Young and Ralph Sanford.
Running time, 84 minutes. General audience classification.
Studying Delivery
Tariffs in Ohio
Columbus, O., Dec. 17. — A study of
rates and service offered to Ohio ex-
hibitors by 12 film carriers is being
conducted by W. V. Blake of Colum-
bus for the Independent Theatre Own-
ers of Ohio.
Robert Wile, 1TOO secretary, said
that his office will furnish members
with proposed rate changes as soon as
they are filed with the Ohio Public
Utilities Commission. Only notifica-
tion to theatres in the past has been
publication in Ohio newspapers of pro-
posed rate changes. Wile said that a
preliminary survey conducted by Blake
has revealed a "wide discrepancy" in
rates.
Notes Discrepancies
"Some carriers charge a certain
amount for a minimum number of
reels," Wile said, "with a per-reel
charge for the excess. Some of them
do not charge for the return of the
film brought to the theatre from the
exchange. Some carriers charge a
flat rate per change of show. Some
charge by weight, others by distance.
Some carry advertising matter,
trailers, candy and popcorn, etc, for
nothing while others charge for this
service. Some of them make differ-
entiations among their own customers
for this service— charging some and
not others."
List Carriers
The Ohio film carriers under study
include : Columbus-Cincinnati Truck-
ing Co., Cincinnati; E. S. Johnson,
Cleveland ; Film Transit Co., Cleve-
land; L. C. Gross, Cleveland ; Leon-
ard N. Albrecht and Walter M. Solo-
mon, Cleveland; Film Service Co.,
Cincinnati ; Huntington - Cincinnati
Truck Lines, Portsmouth ; Larry Tuc-
cio, Belleaire ; Louis J. Iori, Jr., Cin-
cinnati; John Thomas Larkin, St.
Mary's; Theatre Transport Co.,
Cleveland, and Film Deliveries, Inc.,
Columbus.
'Brotherhood Week'
Leaders Appointed
Sol A. Schwartz, national chair-
man for the amusement industry's
participation in "Brotherhood Week,"
Feb. 15-22, on behalf of the 25th
anniversary of the National Confer-
ence of Christians and Jews, has an-
nounced the following national com-
mittee members :
William W. Howard, vice-chair-
man; Harry Mandel, co-ordinator;
Ben Kalmenson, national distributor
chai rman with Bernard Goodman as
his assistant ; Si Seadler, national ad-
vertising and publicity chairman, with
Ira Morais as his assistant ; Walter
Reade, Jr., national exhibitor chair-
man ; Brooks Atkinson, chairman of
the legitimate theatres division ;
William J. German, laboratories
chairman; C. Walton Ament, news-
reel chairman ; Richard Walsh,
chairman for labor organizations, and
Burton Robbins, accessories chairman.
'Cincy' Exhibitors
In New Display Plan
Cincinnati, Dec. 17. — Local ex-
hibitors are co-operating with Robert
Wile, secretary of the Independent
Theatre Owners of Ohio, and the Cin-
cinnati Gas and Electric Co. in a
Hollywood display scheduled for the
company's main downtown offices
March 16-April 9. The display, in-
spired by the success of the "Holly-
wood At The Fair" exhibit at Ohio
State Fair last August, would show
props, miniature sets, costumes and
displays from coming pictures. Wile
is soliciting the co-operation of major
Hollywood studios.
Cincinnati exhibitors already
pledged include F. W. Huss, Jr.,
RKO Theatres, Rube Shor, Herman
Hunt, Louis Wiethe, N. G. Shafer
and William Bein. Others are ex-
pected to join soon.
Spectacle! Romance! High- tides of excitement
sending wave after wave
of teens your way (along with friends & families)
to see January Seventeen7s
Picture of the Month
MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID
starring
ESTHER WILLIAMS
VICTOR MATURE
WALTER PIDGEON
DAVID BRIAN
with
DONNA CORCORAN
screen play by
EVERETT FREEMAN
directed by
MERVYN LEROY
produced by
ARTHUR HORNBLOW Jr.
color by
TECHNICOLOR
seventeen
ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE FOR
YOUNG WOMEN IN THEIR TEENS
ran
*
HAS
HAPPENED
AGAIN!
• ••and it's called
It's the same kind of MIRACLE
you found in *MIRACLE ON 34th STREET,
SITTING PRETTY and
COME TO THE STABLE.
A MIRACLE of laughter, tenderness
and joy . . . that will fill your
theater with the warm, wonderful
glow of success and pride!
Soon the whole
industry will be
talking about it!
THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE
h CENTURY- FOX BUSINESS!
FIRST
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
VOL. 72. NO. 117
NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1952
TEN CENTS
WB Officials
Mull Divorce
Plan Changes
Si Fabian Confers with
Executives on Details
Possible changes in the Warner
Brothers reorganization plan, in-
cluding those arising from Fabian
Enterprises' purchase of controlling
interest in the projected Warner
Brothers theatre company, are cur-
rently being ironed out by top WB
executives, it was learned here yes-
terday.
In addition, conferences are being
held between Si Fabian, president of
the company bearing his name, and
WB officials to put the finishing
touches on the agreement, under
which Fabian Enterprises will buy
the estimated 25 per cent stock inter-
est of Harry W. Warner, WB presi-
dent, Albert Warner and Jack L.
Warner in the new theatre company.
The reorganization changes and
the selection of directors and officers
of the new theatre company will be
embodied in the proxy statement, due
in January, a month before the com-
(Continued on page 4)
Tri-opticon System
To Telenews Circuit
RKO Streamlining Short
Subject Presentations
By AL STEEN
RKO Radio Pictures is streamlining its concept of short subjects
production, distribution and exhibition to conform with present day
tastes and to meet TV competition by tying in television and radio
personali-
Elect Howard Hughes
RKO Board Chairman
Hollywood, Dec. 17. — At a meet-
ing of the RKO Radio Pictures
board of directors this afternoon
Howard Hughes was elected chair-
man of the board. A. B. Simpson,
who is vice-chairman of the Na-
tional Bank of Commerce of Hous-
ton, was elected a director, com-
pleting the RKO five-man board.
The other members are Noah
Dietrich, J. Miller Walker and Ed-
ward Burke, Jr.
Los Angeles Tops
U. A. Sales Drive
San Francisco, Dec. 17. — John
Parsons, Telenews district manager,
flew to Los Angeles from here to
make a deal with Sol Lesser whereby
the local Telenews Theatre will be-
come the first in Northern California
to hold exhibition rights to the Sol
Lesser Tri-opticon three dimensional
process.
Telenews in Chicago will be the
first in the circuit to show the new
process, starting Christmas Day.
NP A Cuts 2nd Period
Metals Allocations
United Artists branches in Los
Angeles, New Orleans and Vancou-
ver are winners of the 25-week "Bill
Heieneman Sales Drive" which ended
Dec. 6, it was disclosed here yester-
day by Max E. Youngstein, UA vice-
president and drive captain. The
three exchanges topped their indi-
vidual divisions in the drive which
was launched last June.
Runners-up in each of the three
groups into which the sales organiza-
tion had been divided were : San
Francisco and Chicago, group one ;
Charlotte and St. Louis, group two,
(Continued on page 4)
ties with com-
pleted shorts.
Sid Kramer,
RKO's short
subj ect s sales
manager,
revealed here
that the new ap-
proach to the
merchan-
dising of shorts
is designed to
stimulate the
interest of both
exhibitors and
the public in the
entertainment value of featurettes.
One radical innovation planned for
1953, Kramer said, is the linking of
two or three short subjects into fea-
ture length offerings, with a well
(.Continued on page 4)
Sid Kramer
Reelect Mullin N.E.
TO A Unit President
Sales Heads
To Meet Today
On Arbitration
RKO Receivership
Case Set for Jan. 5
Boston, Dec. 17. — Martin J. Mul-
lin was reelected president of the
Allied Theatres of New England at
the unit's annual meeting today in the
Hotel Touraine here. The following
were named vice-presidents : Samuel
Pinanski, Charles E. Kurtzman, Ben
Domingo, Al Somerby and Harry
Feinstein.
Stanley Sumner was reelected treas-
urer and John J. Ford was reelected
chairman of the board of directors.
Other members of the board are
Walter A. Brown, Edward S. Canter,
Theodore Fleisher, Winthrop S. Knox,
Jr., Joseph Liss and Phillip Smith.
(Continued on page 4)
. Washington, Dec. 17. — The Na-
tional Production Authority's film
division was allotted 3,029 tons of
steel, 820,000 pounds of copper and
1,106,000 pounds of aluminum for
parcelling out among film and photo-
graphic product manufacturers in the
second quarter of 1953.
The amounts are sharply below the
totals for the first quarter of 1953
and the four quarters of this year,
said NPA officials.
Another postponement, this one to
Jan. 5, was granted here yesterday
by the New York Supreme Court for
a hearing on the RKO Pictures mi-
nority suit, seeking a court-appointed
receiver for the company. The post-
ponement was sought by Louis
Kipnis, attorney for the three minor-
ity stockholders. The hearing was
slated for tomorrow.
Kipnis said he needed more time
to study and answer the affidavits
supporting the company's position
submitted by James A. Mulvey,
president of Samuel Goldwyn Pro-
ductions, which releases through
(Continued on page 4)
Dickstein Heads
N. Y. Film EOT
Johnston to Confer On
Possible Draft Changes
Film company sales managers
are scheduled to meet here this
morning at the Motion Picture As-
sociation of America offices to dis-
cuss the current stalemate in the
establishment of an arbitration sys-
tem for the motion picture industry.
MPAA president Eric Johnston and
Ralph Hetzel, Jr., in charge of the
New York MPAA office, will attend
the meeting, possibly along with
Joyce O'Hara, vice-president at the
Washington headquarters.
The sales chiefs are expected
to exchange opinions as to what
concessions the distributors
may offer that would be attrac-
tive to exhibitors and to delve
into the objections expressed by
Allied to the Oct. 21 arbitration
proposals prepared by company
attorneys. This will be the first
meeting on the issue by the
(Continued on page 4)
Warns Against Rose
Bowl Game Pickup
A warning against any unauthor-
ized large-screen theatre television
pickup of the Rose Bowl game was
sounded by L. S. Frost, of the Na-
tional Broadcasting Co., in a letter
to the Theatre Owners of America.
The letter said in part, "Any un-
authorized exhibition of the telecast
would be in violation of theatre tele-
vision rights owned and reserved by
the Pacific Coast Intercollegiate Ath-
letic Conference and the Pasadena
(Continued on page 4)
The New York Film Board of
Trade yesterday named Abe Dickstein
of 20th Century-Fox to succeed
Henry Randel of Paramount as
president. Lou Allerhand of
M-G-M, formerly second vice-presi-
dent, was named first vice-president,
replacing William Murphy of Repub-
lic. Myron Sattler of Paramount
was named second vice-president.
Robert J. Fannon of Republic fol-
(Continued on page 4)
U. K. Theatre TV to
Bow with Coronation
London, Dec. 17.— Large screen
theatre television of the Coronation
next June appears to be a certainty
with an announcement expected from
the House of Commons shortly speci-
fying the conditions under which it
will be permitted. B.B.C. obstacles
and copyright difficulties heretofore
have prevented large screen TV in
British theatres. The government
(Continued on page 4)
2
Motion Picture Daily
Thursday, December 18, 1952
Long Park Suit Judgment
Favors RKO Theatres
'Graduates' of Ampa
Showmanship Class
To Get Diplomas
Personal
Mention
EL. SCANLAN, newly appointed
• treasurer of Cinerama Produc-
tions, has arrived here from Holly-
wood.
•
Ben Morris, Columbia service de-
partment manager here, and Mrs.
Morris announce the marriage of
their daughter, Roberta Elaine, to
Herbert L. Green on Sunday.
•
Boyd Sparrow, manager of Loew's
Warfield in San Francisco, is visiting
in New York. M. C. Burnett, Cen-
tral division manager, is substituting
for Sparrow.
•
Joe Huff, former city manager in
Stockton, Cal., for Blumenfeld The-
atres, has gone into temporary retire-
ment and plans a South American trip
with Mrs. Huff.
S. J. Gardner, M-G-M assistant
West Coast sales manager, and his
wife will leave San Francisco on Mon-
day for a two-week cruise on the 5.6".
Lurline.
•
Phil Williams, 20th Century-Fox
executive on the staff of Peter Le-
Vathes, will return here next week
from a two-week visit to Houston.
•
Jerry Zigmond, West Coast divi-
sion manager for United Paramount
Theatres, is in San Francisco from
Los Angeles.
Harold Wirthwein, Allied Artists
Western sales manager, has returned
to Hollywood from a two-week Mid-
western trip.
Max Bercutt, Warner Brothers
field representative, is in Los Angeles
from San Francisco.
Frank Jenkins, former San Fran-
cisco theatre manager, is in New
York.
Personnel, Theatre
Changes on Coast
San Francisco, Dec. 17. — Redwood
Theatres, headed by George M. Mann,
has transferred Bert Henson, former
city manager at Modesto, to Klamath
Falls, Ore. Lou Vaughn has also
been transferred to Klamath Falls
from Eureka. Earl Baughman has
gone from Klamath to take over dis-
trict managership of Eureka. Ray
Duddy replaces Hensen at Modesto.
Other changes in Northern Cali-
fornia include the Rio at Alameda
being purchased by Robert L. Mc-
Kee. At Pollock Pines, the Grand,
owned by Graff Broadbent and booked
by Ed Rewden, has closed. E. F.
Michelsen put the Brisbane (just
outside of San Francisco) on a two-
change-six-day week, with the house
remaining dark on Thursdays. Previ-
ously it was operated on a three
changes a week, seven-day policy.
Dave Richards sold his Rialto at Oak-
land to Pete Kyprios, and Edgar P.
Weiss purchased the Vista at Rio
Judgment in favor of RKO The-
atres was rendered here yesterday by
Judge Aaron Steuer of the New York
Supreme Court in the suit filed by
Long Park, Inc., a Walter Reade
Theatres company.
The suit grew out of RKO The-
atres' purchase in Sept., 1950 of Long
Park's stock interest in the Trenton-
New Brunswick Corp. The Reade
firm contended that the $792,500,_ paid
by RKO was for a 25 per cent inter-
est in the stock, valued at $750,000,
and $42,500 as a dividend due the Reade
firm at the time. It was further
claimed that a $50,000 dividend pay-
ment, over and above the $42,500, was
Skouras in London,
Back Here Next Week
London, Dec. 17. — Spyros P.
Skouras, 20th Century-Fox president,
has arrived here from the Continent
on the last leg of his round-the-world
business trip. He plans to remain in
England until Monday when he and
Mrs. Skouras will leave for New
York by plane.
William J. Kupper, 20th-Fox man-
aging director for Britain, will leave
for New York later in the month and,
after home office conferences, will
visit the West Coast before returning
here.
WB Houses in Joint
'Hans* Promotion
Hollywood, Dec. 17. — Warner thea-
tres in this area have joined in a
campaign to promote the West Coast
premiere of Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans
Christian Andersen" on Dec. 26 at the
Beverly Theatre in Beverly Hills.
Feature of the campaign, which in-
volves the Wiltern, Warner Down-
town, Hollywood and Huntington
Park theatres, is a 10-foot high lobby
display sign in each of the houses.
Other cross "plugs" include trailers,
full-size cutouts and photo blow-ups
in color.
Melford Film to WB
Hollywood, Dec. 17. ■ — Warner
Brothers has concluded a deal under
which independent producer Frank
Melford will deliver "The Diamond
Queen" to the company for distribu-
tion. The film, set to enter production
next month, will be filmed in the new
Eastman three-color process.
First Rep. -Wilcox Film
London, Dec. 17. — Shooting has
started at Shepperton Studio on the
first of the joint Republic Pictures-
Herbert Wilcox productions, a Tech-
nicolor version of Joseph Conrad's
"Laughing Anne." Forrest Tucker and
Wendell Corey are cast opposite Mar-
garet Lockwood and Ronald Shiner.
Vista. Dick Rose was named mana-
ger of Blumenfeld's El Cerrito Motor
Movies at El Cerrito, replacing Frank
Jenkins, who resigned.
due Long Park and that the contract
agreement with RKO Theatres should
be set aside.
Judge Steuer in his decision denied
any fraud had taken place and dis-
missed the Long Park complaint.
Among those who testified in the suit
were Walter Reade, Jr., president of
the circuit bearing his name ; Sol
Schwartz, president of RKO The-
atres ; Tom O'Connor, RKO vice-
president, and Harold Newcomb,
comptroller.
Solomon Goodman was the attor-
ney for Long Park, while O'Brien,
Driscoll and Raftery and George
Raftery were trial counsel.
Braden Touring to
Promote 'Andersen'
Publicist Frank Braden has left
on a three-month tour of 19 key cities
in the United States and Canada on
behalf of Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans
Christian Andersen," which RKO
Radio is releasing.
Working in advance of the regular
campaign, Braden will spend a mini-
mum of two days in each city, be-
tween now and mid-February, plant-
ing feature material with newspapers.
Cities on Braden's itinerary are Phila-
delphia, Baltimore, Washington, At-
lanta, New Orleans, Dallas, Memphis,
St. Louis, Kansas City, Denver, Min-
neapolis, Milwaukee, Chicago, De-
troit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Buffalo,
Toronto and Montreal.
Adler Manager of
UA's Albany Office
Buffalo, Dec. 17. — Robert Adler
has been named sales manager and
Lillian Paulin booker in the new Al-
bany office of United Artists, accord-
ing to M. E. Brown, U. A. manager
of Buffalo and Albany. Adler was
formerly with Monogram and Miss
Paulin was with Columbia.
Rent Morning Use
Of U pstate Houses
Albany, N. Y., Dec. 17. — Warner's
Strand has been rented to Gateway
Motors for free shows on the morn-
ings of Dec. 23-24. Admission by
ticket will be given to members of
the "Ford Family" and their children.
Also, Fabian's Plaza, Schenectady,
has been leased to Kaye Motors for
a "Christmas kiddie carnival" on the
morning of Dec. 22. Admission will
be a useable toy which the Schenec-
tady Related Activities Council will
repair for presentation to needy boys
and girls.
'Peter' on 'Omnibus'
Television Show
Walt Disney's "Peter Pan," an
RKO Radio release, will be the first
picture distributed by a major studio
to be represented on "Omnibus,"
CBS Television's new Coast-to-
Coast program, on Sunday, Dec. 28.
"Graduates" of the Associated Mo-
tion Picture Advertisers' Showman-
ship Classes will be given diplomas at
the January AMPA meeting to be
held in the Hotel Piccadilly here on
Jan. 15, it was reported yesterday
by AMPA president Harry K. Mc-
Williams. The final class of the first
series of clinics will be held tonight at
the Woodstock Hotel.
Speakers at tonight's session will
be Arthur D,e Bra, director of com-
munity relations, and Gordon White,
director of the Advertising Code Ad-
ministration of the Motion Picture As-
sociation of America, and Maurice
Bergman, director of public relations
and asssistant to the president of Uni-
versal Pictures. Their subject will
be "public relations." Since the classes
were started on Sept. 29, 45 in the
industry here have lectured.
The AMPA board will hold a meet-
ing today to discuss next year's pro-
gram and other matters.
To Show Tri-Color
Tube Here Shortly
A demonstration of the tri-color
television tube developed by Chroma-
tic, Inc., a subsidiary of" Paramount
Pictures, will be held at the Para-
mount home office here in about an-
other week.
The tube, which is adaptable either
for home or theatre television, has
been demonstrated in Los Angeles
frequently. The purpose of the New
York demonstration, according to a
Chromatic spokesman, is to acquaint
the home television industry with its
performance. Paramount, which has
halted production of its theatre TV
system, has no current plans to adopt
the tube for theatre television.
Charles Moss Enters
Radio-TV Production
Charles B. Moss, executive director
of the Criterion Theatre here and
president of B. S. Moss Theatrical
Enterprises, and Richard Lewis, ra-
dio-TV producer and director, have
formed a new company, Moss and
Lewis, Inc., for the purpose of devel-
oping "live" and film programs for
television and radio.
The new firm's first production will
be Mickey Spillane's "That Hammer
Guy," based on the mystery novels,
which will tee off over the Mutual
Broadcasting System on Jan. 6.
Legion of Decency
Puts 6 in Class B
Six films are placed in Class B,
eight in Class A-I and four in Class
A- 1 1 in the latest Legion of Decency
report.
The six Class B films are: "Angel
Face" and "Blackbeard the Pirate,"
RKO Radio; "April in Paris,"
Warner Brothers ; "The Desperate
Search," M-G-M; "Mesa of Lost
Women," Realart, and "Shamed,"
Westport International Films.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting- 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, H North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, L>. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WIr 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.
MILDRED DUNNOCK- EDU/
TOM IULLY-ALEX GERRY- ALIYN JOSLYN- HAROLD GORDON
DIRECTED BV
FRANK DAVIS&LEONA
PRODUCED BY
.LEWIS ME1JZER-SAMS0N RAPHAELSO
MUSICAL NUMBERS STAGED AND
DIRECTED BY LE ROY PRINZ
MUSICAL DIRECTION BYRAY H E I N DOR F
MICHAELCURTIZ
4
Motion Picture daily
Thursday, December 18, 1952
Divorce Plan
(Continued from page 1)
pany's annual stockholders' meeting,
slated for Feb. 17 in Wilmington,
Del. Fabian, who is expected to head
up the new theatre company, declined
comment as to the identity of the
directors and officers of the projected
theatre company, which will be
formed under the company's consent
decree divorcing production and dis-
tribution from exhibition.
The changes in the plan will be
subject to the approval of stockhold-
ers, who last year approved the
original formula for divorcement.
UA Sales Drive
(Continued from page 1)
and New Haven and Buffalo, group
three.
Prize money has been awarded
branch managers, salesmen, bookers
and cashiers of the winning offices.
Special awards went to George
Pabst, Southern district manager, and
James Velde, Southern - Western
division manager, for the showings in
their territories.
RKO Radio Streamlining
(Continued from page 1)
Granada Theatres
Reports Profit
London, Dec. 17. — Granada Thea-
tres, Ltd., reports a trading profit for
the year ended Sept. 30 of £212,912,
compared with £219,949 in the previ-
ous year. Last year's dividends were
maintained.
known personality of the airways —
radio or TV — doing a commentary as
an introduction, a chatter routine be-
tween each subject and a sign off at
the end of the final subject.
While no "names" have been signed
as yet, Kramer said he visualized per-
sons like Herb Shriner and Art Link-
letter for the interpolations. Shriner
and Linkletter are familiar to TV au-
diences and their presence on the the-
atre screen would be drawing cards,
Kramer said. RKO, he added, will
"tailor" the subject to the require-
ments of the exhibitor, eliminating one
short from the feature-length _ subj ect
to fit a scheduled running time for
an Over-all program. Thus, the con-
nected shorts and the inserted com-
mentaries by the personalities may be-
come the second feature on dual pro-
grams.
Lost Entertainment
Kramer said he believed the projects
would whet the appetite of the public
for short comedies which, in many
theatres, have become lost entertain-
ment due to the length of each feature
on double bills.
Following the pattern set by TV
film production whereby filmed sub-
jects are turned out speedily after
careful preparation, RKO short sub-
ject producer George Bilson has pro-
duced six two-reel comedies at the
Hollywood studio in 12 days, Kramer
said. The six included four Gil Lamb
subjects and two in the "Newly wed"
series. With scripts completed and
production crews ready, Bilson shot
Arbitration
(Continued from page 1)
the block of shorts in about the time
that it ordinarily took to film one
subject on a staggered schedule. There
was no loss of quality and the eco-
nomic savings were sizeable, Kramer
said. In that way, the balance of
RKO's shorts program for the 1952-
53 season were completed in less than
two weeks.
Greater attention is being given to
the merchandising of the shorts sub-
jects, Kramer explained. Under Joe
Ehrlich, recently named to promote
the company's shorts, tie-ups are being
made on a scale almost equal to that
of features. The company's A-bomb
subject is getting special attention,
with the Armed Forces and Civil De-
fense groups alerted to promote the
picture in local areas.
When "Mickey Mouse Birthday
Party"— which is composed of five
"Mickey Mouse" subjects— is released
in the spring, a heavy exploitation
campaign is planned, with "birth-
day parties and grand balls" to be
staged from Coast-to-Coast.
Greater impetus than ever given
before to the sales and promotion of
shorts subjects will be in evidence
next year, Kramer said.
ANSWER
TO YOUR
TECHNICAL
PROBLEMS
The Altec
Service Man and
the organization
behind him
ALTEC
TfKWWMJI.M/MJi
RKO Receivership
(Continued from page 1)
RKO ; David J. Greene, who claims
to own and control more than 78,000
RKO Pictures shares, and the Chase
National Bank, which is in charge of
keeping the company records.
Kipnis said he had been informed
by RKO Pictures' attorneys that one
more affidavit from the Coast is due
to be submitted. The affidavits of
Mulvey and Greene oppose the ap-
pointment of a receiver. Mulvey, it
was learned, expressed satisfaction
with RKO as a releasing organiza-
tion and spoke about the losses that
would result if a receiver were ap-
pointed.
Kipnis said he had called upon the
Department of Justice to investigate
Greene's relations with RKO Pic-
tures for possible violation of the
company's consent decree. Greene,
besires being a stockholder in RKO
Pictures, is a director of RKO
Theatres.
sales heads since Allied's na-
tional convention in Chicago,
where the exhibitor organiza-
tions rejected the distributors'
draft.
It was reported here that the sales
managers will give serious attention
to the request by Wilbur Snaper,
national Allied president, that the
distributors clear up two points in-
volving trade practices before Allied
will go along on new arbitration
negotiations. The two points, pre-
sented by Snaper at a meeting with
Johnston here last Friday, were high
film rentals and an excessive number
of pre-release pictures. The sales
managers may be willing to clarify
those two points if Allied's accept-
ance of an arbitration plan hinges on
such action. Last Friday's session
also was attended by Herman Levy,
general counsel of Theatre Owners
of America, and Manny Frisch, presi-
dent of Metropolitan Picture Theatres
Association.
In some quarters, the opinion was
expressed that Allied and the dis-
tributors are not as far apart on an
agreement in regard to an arbitra-
tion plan as some in the industry be-
lieve, in view of the fact that the
draft prepared by Abram F. Myers,
Allied general counsel, and submitted
on Aug. 21, was approved by all par-
ties. The so-called apple-cart was
kicked over when certain distributor
lawyers allegedly asked for some ad-
ditional provisions, with Allied then
requesting some changes of their
own.
U. K. Theatre TV
(Continued from page 1)
now has taken the matter of the
Coronation theatre telecast, at least,
out of B.B.C.'s hands.
J. Arthur Rank's Leicester Square
Odeon and three of his larger pro-
vincial theatres are equipped with
large screen TV. Associated British
Cinema's 3,000-seat Commodore The-
atre in a London suburb is to be
equipped with Cintel apparatus, while
the Monseigneur newsreel theatres
and Sidney Bernstein's Granada cir-
cuit plan installations as soon as the
necessary permission issues from the
government.
Rose Bowl Game
(Continued from page 1)
Tournament of Roses Association and
also of similar rights ... of the
National Broadcasting Company."
Last year, Sherrill Corwin's Or-
pheum Theatre in Los Angeles was
the only TV-equipped theatre in the
nation to carry the Jan. 1 Rose Bowl
game, in conjunction with a home
telecast of the football event.
Frost's letter asked the TOA to
convey the warning to its members.
Reelect Mullin
(Continued from page 1)
161 Sixth Avenue,
New York 13, N. Y.
PROTECTING THE THEATRE — FIRST PLACE IN ENTERTAINMENT
Dickstein Heads
(Continued from page 1)
lowed Nat Furst of Allied Artists
into the treasurer's post and Phil
Hodes of RKO Pictures succeeded
Dickstein as secretary. David I.
Levy of Universal became sergeant-
at-arms, replacing Saul Trauner of
Columbia.
Canter is a new member of the board.
Frank C. Lydon is executive secretary.
Samuel Pinanski, a member of the
ruling triumvirate of COMPO, gave
a complete report on COMPO's activi-
ties to date, which included the meet-
ing held in Chicago recently.
INVITATION TO
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ACMIOLA
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Shipments within 3 months! Built to out-
last three ordinary machines! Continuous
demonstrations commencing Friday, Dec.
19th. 2 P.M.
S.O.S. CINEMA SUPPLY CORP.
602 WEST 52nd ST., NEW YORK CITY
Thursday, December 18, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
s
Review
"Torpedo Alley"
(Allied Artists) Hollywood, Dec. 17
MANY productions concerning U. S. military services have preceded
"Torpedo Alley," a tale about submarines and the men aboard them,
but few were as well-rounded as this one, from the standpoints of entertain-
ment, action, performances, story, production and direction. Strong marquee
and market values spring from the names of the cast of Mark Stevens, Doro-
thy Malone, Charles Winninger and Bill Williams.
This story of the submarine is so skillfully worked into the flow of the
personal narrative as to add to the film the substantial impact of the docu-
mentary without incurring the tedium of that medium.
The production is by Lindsley Parsons, with John H. Burrows serving
as associate producer, and with Commander B. R. Van Buskirk (Ret.) and
Rear Admiral Thomas N. Dykers (Ret.) as technical advisers. Direction
is by the dependable Lew Landers, and the writing credit goes to Sam
Roeca and Warren Douglas, who did their best to keep the story from
following too closely in the footsteps of the hundreds of service stories that
have gone before.
Stevens portrays a Navy flier who is picked up from the sea, after having
frozen at the controls during combat, at the cost of his crew's lives, by a
submarine on which Douglas Kennedy is executive officer. At war's end
Stevens finds civilian employment no balm for his sense-of-guilt and rejoins
the Navy, signing up for submarine service, in which he again meets Ken-
nedy and also Kennedy's girl, Miss Malone. While she's getting around to
making up her mind between the men, the Korean fighting begins, the men
are ordered to sea, and Stevens proves, in the course of leading 'a landing
party which blows up a tunnel, that he is no coward.
Others in the cast are James Millican, Bill Henry, James Seay Robert
Rose, John Alvin, Carlton Young and Ralph Sanford.
Running time, 84 minutes. General audience classification.
Studying Delivery
Tariffs in Ohio
Columbus, O., Dec. 17. — A study of
rates and service offered to Ohio ex-
hibitors by 12 film carriers is being
conducted by W. V. Blake of Colum-
bus for the Independent Theatre Own-
ers of Ohio.
Robert Wile, ITOO secretary, said
that his office will furnish members
with proposed rate changes as soon as
they are filed with the Ohio Public
Utilities Commission. Only notifica-
tion to theatres in the past has been
publication in Ohio newspapers of pro-
posed rate changes. Wile said that a
preliminary survey conducted by Blake
has revealed a "wide discrepancy" in
rates.
Notes Discrepancies
"Some carriers charge a certain
amount for a minimum number of
reels," Wile said, "with a per-reel
charge for the excess. Some of them
do not charge for the return of the
film brought to the theatre from the
exchange. Some carriers charge a
flat rate per change of show. Some
charge by weight, others by distance.
Some carry advertising matter,
trailers, candy and popcorn, etc, for
nothing while others charge for this
service. Some of them make differ-
entiations among their own customers
for this service — charging some and
not others."
List Carriers
The Ohio film carriers under study
include: Columbus-Cincinnati Truck-
ing Co., Cincinnati; E. S. Johnson,
Cleveland ; Film Transit Co., Cleve-
land ; L. C. Gross, Cleveland ; Leon-
ard N. Albrecht and Walter M. Solo-
mon, Cleveland; Film Service Co.,
Cincinnati ; Huntington - Cincinnati
Truck Lines, Portsmouth ; Larry Tuc-
cio, Belleaire; Louis J. Iori, Jr., Cin-
cinnati; John Thomas Larkin, St.
Mary's; Theatre Transport Co,
Cleveland, and Film Deliveries, Inc.,
Columbus.
'Brotherhood Week'
Leaders Appointed
Sol A. Schwartz, national chair-
man for the amusement industry's
participation in "Brotherhood Week,"
Feb. 15-22, on behalf of the 25th
anniversary of the National Confer-
ence of Christians and Jews, has an-
nounced the following national com-
mittee members :
William W. Howard, vice-chair-
man; Harry Mandel, co-ordinator;
Ben Kalmenson, national distributor
chairman with Bernard Goodman as
his assistant; Si Seadler, national ad-
vertising and publicity chairman, with
Ira Morais as his assistant ; Walter
Reade, Jr., national exhibitor chair-
man; Brooks Atkinson, chairman of
the legitimate theatres division ;
William J. German, laboratories
chairman; C. Walton Anient, news-
reel chairman ; Richard Walsh,
chairman for labor organizations, and
Burton Robbins, accessories chairman.
'Cincy' Exhibitors
In New Display Plan
Cincinnati, Dec. 17. — Local ex-
hibitors are co-operating with Robert
Wile, secretary of the Independent
Theatre Owners of Ohio, and the Cin-
cinnati Gas and Electric Co. in a
Hollywood display scheduled for the
company's main downtown offices
March 16- April 9. The display, in-
spired by the success of the "Holly-
wood At The Fair" exhibit at Ohio
State Fair last August, would show
props, miniature sets, costumes and
displays from coming pictures. Wile
is soliciting the co-operation of major
Hollywood studios.
Cincinnati exhibitors already
pledged include F. W. Huss, Jr.,
RKO Theatres, Rube Shor, Herman
Hunt, Louis Wiethe, N. G. Shafer
and William Bein. Others are ex-
pected to join soon.
Spectacle! Romance! High-tides of excitement
sending wave after wave
of teens your Way (along with friends & families)
to see January Seventeen 's
Picture of the Month
MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID
starring
ESTHER WILLIAMS
VICTOR MATURE
WALTER PIDGEON
DAVID BRIAN
with
DONNA CORCORAN
screen play by
EVERETT FREEMAN
directed by
MERVYN LEROY
produced by
ARTHUR HORNBLOW Jr.
color by
TECHNICOLOR
An M-G-M Picture
Ik,
seventeen
ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE FOR
YOUNG WOMEN IN THEIR TEENS
HAPPENED
AGAIN!
•••and it's called
It's the same kind of MIRACLE
you found in *MIRACLE ON 34th STREET,
SITTING PRETTY and
COME TO THE STABLE.
A MIRACLE cf laughter, tenderness
and joy . . . that will fill your
theater with the warm, wonderful
glow of success and pride!
Soon the whole
industry will he
talking about it!
THERE'S NO BUSINESS
BUSINESS!
I FIRST
FILM
NEWS
VOL. 72.
MOTION PICTURE
NEW YORK, U.S.A., FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1952
TEN CENTS
Gettinger to
Submit RKO
Plan to Hughes
Author of Formula to
Meet with RKO Chief
Milton Gettinger, New York at-
torney who last week made public
a plan for the reorganization of
RKO Pictures, plans to go to the
Coast shortly after the first of the
year to discuss the plan with Howard
Hughes. Gettinger prepared the plan
at the request of several groups re-
portedly interested in buying control
of the company, he said.
There has been some misunder-
standing as to the purpose of the
plan, the attorney said yesterday,
pointing out that in some quarters it
had been interpreted as a "camou-
flaged liquidation" proposal. In real-
ity, he said, the plan would have the
opposite effect, designed to revitalize
and strengthen the company and place
it on a firm foundation. Gettinger
asserted that the reaction to the plan
has been "excellent" by scores of
stockholders who have contacted him
since the formula was released to the
press.
In fact, Gettinger said, a group of
(.Continued on page 4)
Music Hall Ready
For the Earlybirds
To accommodate weekend
audiences, Radio City Music
Hall, has scheduled extra per-
formances of its institutional
Christmas show tomorrow
with doors opening at 8:00
A.M.
AMPA Speakers
Urge Close Public
Relations Ties
See Hughes' Theatre
Stock Kept in Trust
Howard Hughes' controlling stock
interest in RKO Theatres will have
to remain in trusteeship indefinitely
in consequence of this week's devel-
opments which returned him to man-
agement control of RKO Pictures, ac-
cording to informal opinions of Fed-
eral attorneys.
Hughes had sought and obtained
Department of Justice permission to
reclaim his RKO Theatres stock from
the trusteeship of Irving Trust Co.
here shortly after the sale of his con-
(Continued on page 4)
'Quiet Man' Named
'Best Film of 1952'
Republic Pictures' "The Quiet Man,"
the film about Irish life, directed by
John Ford, has been chosen as the
best motion picture of 1952 by the
Committee on Exceptional Films of
the National Board of Review of Mo-
tion Pictures.
The National Board's remaining
nine of the 10 best for 1952 are : "High
Noon," "Limelight," "Five Fingers,"
"The Snows of Kilimanjaro," "The
Thief," "The Bad and the Beautiful,"
"Singin' in the Rain," "Above and
Beyond" and "My Son John."
"Breaking the Sound Barrier" was
voted the best foreign film seen in the
U.S. during 1952, and four other for-
eign films were voted exceptional ■
"The Man in the White Suit," "For-
bidden Games," "Beauty and the
Devil" and "Ivory Hunter."
David Lean's direction of "Breaking
the Sound Barrier" was deemed the
(Continued on page 2)
The relationship of advertising to
public relations in the motion picture
industry was the keynote of speakers
at the final session of the first series
in the Associated Motion Picture Ad-
vertisers' Showmanship Class project
here last night at the Woodstock
Hotel. The instructors were Maurice
Bergman, director of public relations
of Universal Pictures ; Arthur DeBra,
director of community relations for
the Motion Picture Association of
America, and Gordon S. White, of the
Advertising Advisory Council of the
MP A A.
Bergman advocated an industry-
financed motion picture which would
factually tell the story of the industry.
(Continued on page 4)
H. M. Warner Salary
$182,000 in '51-52
Washington, Dec. 18.— Harry M.
Warner, president of Warner Brothers,
received a salary of $182,100 in the
fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 1952, ac-
cording to a report filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Other yearly WB salaries listed in
the report included the following:
Jack L. Warner, vice-president,
(Continued on page 4)
Arbitration Up
To Allied, Sales
Heads Declare
Meeting Here Results
In Policy Reiteration
The distributors' committee of
the Motion Picture Association of
America met here yesterday to re-
view developments in the efforts to
set up an industry arbitration system,
and the discussions culminated with
the re-affirmation of the distributors'
stand that the "door was still open"
for further negotiations with exhi-
bitors. No conclusions were reached
and there, were indications that the
sales managers would meet again in
the near future. Eric A. Johnston,
MPAA president, presided at the ses-
sion which lasted less than an hour.
While the committee expressed
itself as being receptive to ex-
hibitor recommendations for
changes in the already prepared
arbitration drafts, the members
reiterated their position that
they would not agree to the ar-
bitration of film rentals. The
attitude appeared to be that it
was up to Allied, which has re-
{Continued on page 4)
ASCAP Passes New
ElectionAmendment
The American Society of Compos-
ers, Authors and Publishers has
passed an amendment to its. organiza-
tion articles which is designed to off-
set ASCAP's past difficulties in elect-
ing presidents. It appears that past
presidents have objected to being re-
(Continued on page 4)
Theatre TV of B 'way Shows
Waits on Equity's Scales
Actors Equity and Chorus Equity are continuing a study of conditions
under which they will authorize members to appear in stage performances
winch are made available to large screen theatre television. Until the
study has been completed and the conditions for such performances
defined, there can be no telecasts to
Sees Increase in
Theatre Telecasts
Camden, N. J., Dec. 18. — Last
week's theatre telecasts of "Carmen"
by the Metropolitan Opera, and a
sales meeting to field men of James
Lees & Co., both arranged by Theatre
Network Television, Inc., and both
considered pioneering steps in TV,
"point the way to a greater number
and a greater variety of entertainment
events for theatre television, in the
opinion of J. F. O'Brien, manager of
theatre, sound and visual equipment
sales of the Victor Division of the
.(Continued on page 2}
motion picture theatres of any top
Broadway dramatic or musical pro-
ductions.
An experimental telecast of Mike
Todd's "A Night in Venice" from
Jones Beach Amphitheatre to the
Warner Theatre on Broadway had
to be canceled last summer because
Actors Equity demanded a full week's
salary for every member of the large
cast for the single, experimental
transmission of the water show to the
theatre. The cost made the experi-
ment prohibitive.
Equity has since indicated that the
one week's pay for its members de-
manded last summer for the experi-
mental theatre telecast is not to be
regarded as a standard for commer-
(Continued on page 2)
Five Variety Clubs
Elect 1953 Officers
Variety clubs in Charlotte, Memphis,
Buffalo, Baltimore and Cleveland have
elected officers for 1953, the tent in
Chicago has named committee chair-
men, and the tent in Los Angeles has
elected crewmen.
Bob Alander is the new chief barker
of Charlotte Tent No. 24, succeeding
Don Graham. Cy Dillon is first as-
sistant chief barker, William P. White
is second assistant, Bob Saunders is
dough guy and Bob Simril, property
master. Six others were named to
(Continued on page 4)
Court Favors WB
In Donahue Case
The District Court of Utah has de-
cided in the case of Donahue vs.
Warner Brothers, on constitutional
grounds, that the Utah right of pri-
vacy statute does not prohibit the por-
trayal of a deceased public figure in
a fictional motion picture, and that
the consent of the heirs of such a
(Continued on page 4)
2
Motion Picture daily
Friday, December 19, 1952
Personal
Mention
AL DAFF, Universal Pictures ex-
ecutive vice-president, will leave
here today for Europe, beginning an
extended business trip abroad.
•
William Dieterle, Paramount di-
rector, and Franz Bachelin, art di-
rector', have returned to Hollywood
from location scouting on "Elephant
Walk" in Ceylon. Irving As her, pro-
ducer, and unit chief Ken DeLand
are slated to arrive in Hollywood
on Sunday from London.
•
William Pine of the Pine-Thomas
production team returned here yester-
day from Europe aboard the S. S. In-
dependence and will leave for Holly-
wood over the weekend.
•
Frederick Brisson. producer, will
arrive in New York today from Holly-
wood, after a stopoff in Washington.
•
Stanley Kramer will be the guest
on "Art Linkletter's House Party,"
over CBS-TV on Monday.
•
E. A. Dickinson of the Westrex
Corp. has returned here from Jo-
hannesburg, South Africa.
N. Peter Rathvon is due here from
Europe over the weekend.
Clubwomen Urged
To See 'Andersen'
Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans Christian
Andersen" has received the endorse-
ment of the General Federation of
Women's Clubs, representing a mem-
bership of 5,500,000 throughout the
country. RKO Radio, the distributor,
reported here yesterday.
In a letter to all local chapters of
the Women's Clubs, Mrs. Dean Gray
Edwards, chairman of the motion
picture division, urged all members
and their friends to see the production.
'Quiet Man'
(Continued from page 1)
best of the year. For his performance
in that film Ralph Richardson was
chosen as the best actor of the year.
For her part in "Come Back, Little
Sheba," Shirley Booth was voted the
best actress.
'The National Board selected three
films for honorable mention because
of their contribution to the art and
technics of the motion picture.^ "This
Is Cinerama" was cited for _ its re-
emphasis of the possibilities inherent
in wide-angle photography and large-
screen projection; "Leonardo da Vinci"
was cited for the methods by which
it gave cinematic interest "to the
drawings of a great artist" ; "Four
Poster" was cited for its use of ani-
mation to convey background infor-
mation and time and space details in
a feature fiction film.
'Stripes' TV Comment
By Lewis, McNellis
Robert Q. Lewis and Maggi
McNellis will handle the television
commentary of the "Stars and Stripes
Forever" premiere Monday evening
at the Roxy Theatre here, 20th Cen-
tury-Fox announced.
To emanate from the front of the
theatre between 8:30 and 9:00 P.M.,
the "live" show — the first national
telecast of a film premiere — will be
carried around the country through
the facilities of American Broadcast-
ing's television network.
Aaron Heads Cinema
Stamp Collectors
The Cinema Stamp Collectors here
has elected the following officers for
1953: Edwin Aaron, 20th Century-
Fox, president ; Leon J. Bamberger,
RKO Radio, first vice-president ;
Jack Levy, National Screen Service,
second vice-president ; Elias Sand-
berg, third vice-president ; Dr. Elliot
W. Lawrence, treasurer ; Sidney Lieb,
United Artists, recording secretary,
and Joseph Marcy, corresponding sec-
retary.
The new executive committee in-
cludes all of the foregoing and Hen-
derson M. Richey, Loew's, chairman ;
Nat Cohn. Columbia; Jack Hoffberg,
Hoffberg Productions ; Alfreda Rubin,
Milton Zucker, Herman Seltzer and
Sidney Weiner.
CSC will continue its semi-monthly
meetings at the Hotel Astor during
the coming year.
Para. Holds
Coast Meet
As a follow-up to the three-day
meeting conducted in Los Angeles by
A. W. Schwalberg, Paramount Film
Distributing Co. president, and vice-
presidents E. K. O'Shea and Jerry
Pickman, individual sessions with
divisional branch managers are now
being held by Western division man-
ager George A. Smith.
Currently conferring with Smith
are Frank Ricketts, Denver ; Wayne
Thiriot, Portland; Henry Haustein,
Seattle; H. Neal East, San Fran-
cisco; Frank Smith, Salt Lake City,
and A. R. Taylor, Los Angeles. The
meetings concern the new regional
merchandising and promotion plan
designed to stimulate revenues at
local theatre levels.
TV of Shows
(Continued from page 1)
Press Cites Smakwitz
Albany, N. Y., Dec. 18.— The New
York State Associated Press Associa-
tion has adopted a resolution citing
Charles A. Smakwitz, Warner
Brothers zone manager, for his co-
operation in arranging its annual
photo-contest exhibit here. The
-"solution will be forwarded to Harry
M. Warner. Smakwitz and Governor
Thomas E. Dewey were the only
"outside" guests at the recent annual
dinner of the association here.
Gould Back from Chicago
Walter Gould, executive vice-presi-
dent of International - United Film
Corp., has returned to New York
from Chicago after a week's survey
of the distribution pattern in that
territory. While in Chicago he also
held screenings of three of the 12 pro-
ductions already completed for Inter-
national release. These were "Black
Eagle," "Kill Him for Me!" and
"Swords of the Musketeers."
Extra FP-C Dividends
Toronto, Dec. 18. — Famous Play-
ers Canadian Corp. is closing out the
year with two extra dividends on the
common shares for the fourth quar-
ter. An extra five cents has been
added to the regular payment of 30
cents, payable Dec. 27 to stockholders
of record on Dec. 12, while a bonus
dividend of 15 cents has been declared
for the same date, making a total of
50 cents. Payments for the year total
$1.40, compared with $1.20 in 1951.
Pollard, Silent Actor
Hollywood, Dec. 18. — Bud Pollard,
silent film actor, died yesterday of a
heart attack in Culver City at the
i age of 65.
Mamoulian to Aid
Zukor Celebration
Hollywood, Dec. 18. — Rouben
Mamoulian, stage and screen director,
has accepted the post of producer and
director of entertainment for the
Adolph Zukor 80th birthday dinner
which will be held here on Jan. 7,
under the auspices of Variety Clubs
International. ,
Assisting Mamoulian will be a
group of production aides, with Carey
Wilson in charge of writers ; William
Meiklejohn, Bill Golden and Les
Petersen in charge of talent ; Louis
Lipstone in charge of music, and
Sammy Ledner in charge of stage
management.
The appointment of Mamoulian and
his staff was announced by co-chair-
men Louis Sidney and Jesse Lasky
Sr., who head the entertainment com-
mittee under Variety Club's dinner
chairman Charles P. Skouras.
cial telecasts of stage performances.
The. results of the current study could
bring about demands in excess of that,
it was indicated.
The recent telecast of the Metro-
politan Opera production of "Car-
men" was made possible when the
American Guild of Musical Artists
which, like. Actors and Chorus Equity
is a member of the Associated Actors
& Artists of America, accepted only
token compensation because the
"Met's" share of proceeds, about 25
per cent of the gross, was donated to
the Metropolitan Opera Benevolent
Fund.
Would Have Been Impossible
Had the "Met's" participation been
on a strictly commercial basis, it is
believed that AGMA's demands, like
those of Actors Equity last summer,
would have made the theatre telecast
of "Carmen" impossible. However,
observers point out that the Four A's
unions are not intent upon barring
theatre telecasts of stage productions
but merely wish to appraise the situa-
tion carefully before setting scales for
even a limited period of time.
The problems involved being com-
plex as well as new, the studies in
progress are being carefully made.
Heavy Promotion for
Feldman Drive Films
Universal-International plans ex-
tensive promotions for the initial four
pictures in its "Charles J. Feldman
Silver Anniversary Drive," reports
David A. Lipton, vice-president in
charge of Advertising-Publicity.
Spearheading the activity will be
the Mississippi River Valley terri-
torial saturation world premiere of
"Mississippi Gambler" which will kick
off in St. Louis, Memphis and New
Orleans on Jan. 13, 14 and 15 and in
more than 200 other situations in the
territory.
"Meet Me at the Fair" will be
launched with a series of special pre-
release New Year's Eve performances
with campaign designed to point up
the music and nostalgia of the travel-
ling medicine shows.
"Against All Flags," the first re-
lease in the drive period, is being
launched with national campaigning
and a simultaneous key-city opening
across the country during Christmas
week.
"The Lawless Breed," which has
been designated as the anniversary
picture to mark 50 years of westerns,
is being kicked off with a Texas pre-
release saturation.
Sees Increase
(Continued from page 1)
Radio Corp. of America.
The sales meeting telecast points
also, he added, "to a new source of
revenue for the exhibitor from off-
hour use of theatre TV facilities for
non-entertainment purposes.
O'Brien reported that 23 of the 31
theatres in 28 cities which presented
the "Carmen" telecast are equipped
with RCA TV systems.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center — —
"MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID"
Esther WILLIAMS • Victor MATURE
Walter PIDGEON • David BRIAN
.« Color by TECHNICOLOR . An M-G-M Picture
i & The Music Hall's Great Christmas Stage Show
DAMON RUNYON'S
«», », WARNER COLOR
BRODERICK
Si
PUDDY MORROW j
Midnight f*ot«r«
SAMUEL GOLDWYN presents
I Bans Christian
Andersen
starring
DANNY KAYEw
CRITERION • PARIS
_ B'way & 45th St. 58th SI. W. of 5th Ave.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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 •' Tames P Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building
William R Weaver Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, H North
©I AVJLUWUU iiwui*- i,*.v*.wi£ - ~ — - 7 , ; , .
of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 m the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies, 10c.
Women decide the picture "to see"
SELL THE WOMEN AND
YOU SELL THE TICKETS!
LADIES OF THE PRESS SAY "GO!"
The most endorsed Picture of the Year. Women editors, writers, colum-
nists with countless millions of circulation, urge America to see M-G-M's
ABOVE and BEYOND
'"Picture of the Month'... a love story no woman will ever
forget." — Louella Parsons, COSMOPOLITAN
"Thrilling and spectacular, but above and beyond that is
its exciting love story. Certain Academy Award Winner."
— Sheilah Graham, SYNDICATED COLUMNIST
"Will fascinate both men and women. Thrilling and
moving." — Florence Somers, Feature Editor, REDBOOK
"An extraordinary picture. The love interest is very real.
Every woman should see it."
—Dorothy Wheelock, Theatre Editor, HARPER'S BAZAAR
"A wonderful, modern love story dramatizing sharply the
emotional problems of our times."
— Eleanor Stierham, Fiction Editor, TODAY'S WOMAN
"M-G-M's 'ABOVE AND BEYOND' is a love story with
tenderness and heartbreak. Ladies, take a couple of hankies
with you. You'll need them."
— Hedda Hopper, SYNDICATED COLUMNIST
"Spine-tingling experience ... its excitement is the warm
emotional impact."
— Roth Herbert, Motion Picture Editor, GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
"Intensely interesting and very moving." — Elizabeth Madeira,
Fashion Editor, WOMAN'S HOME COMPANION
"Not just for women, but for everyone."
— Allene Talmey, Feature Editor, VOGUE
"A thrilling experience. Women who have sacrificed for
the man they love will understand."
—Vivien Todrin, Production Editor, BETTER LIVING
And more every day!
ITS FAME WILL GROW AND GROW!
*
M-G-M presents "ABOVE AND BEYOND" starring Robert Taylor • Eleanor Parker • with James Whitmore • Marilyn Erskine • Screenplay by
Melvin Frank, Norman Panama and Beirne Lay, Jr. - Story by Beime Lay, Jr. • Produced and Directed by Melvin Frank and Norman Panama
Motion Picture daily
Friday, December 19, 1952
Hughes' Stock
(Continued from page 1)
trolling stock interest in RKO Pic-
tures Co. to the Ralph Stolkin syndi-
cate last September. However, inso-
far as could be learned yesterday,
Hughes never acted on the govern-
ment authorization to recover his the-
atre stock and it has remained in
trust.
There it will have to remain, at-
torneys believe, for as long as
Hughes exercises the management
control of the picture company. In
addition to being chairman of the
board, the first time in his four-year
association with RKO Pictures that
he has consented to becoming an offi-
cer of the company, Hughes also has
appointed a majority of the board of
directors of five, of which he is one.
The RKO consent decree of 1950,
providing for the divorcement of_ the
company's film and theatre operations,
specified that Hughes could retain his
interest in either the new picture com-
pany or the new theatre company, but
not both. He elected to hold the pic-
ture company stock and the court ap-
pointed Irving Trust as trustee for the
theatre stock.
Attorneys believe that while Hughes
probably could not be required to sell
his theatre stock while the present
circumstances continue, he would _ be
restrained from directly exercising
the control it represents in the theatre
company for as long as he continues
to wield management control of the
picture company.
Variety Clubs Elect
(Continued from page 1)
Gettinger Plan
(Continued from page 1)
the crew. They are Frank Bedding-
field, J. E. Holston, W. Frank Lowry,
Hugh Sykes, Jr., Johnny Vickers and
Walter Griffith.
M. Ii. Brandon was reelected chief
barker of Memphis Variety. Others
reelected were Ben Bluestein, first
assistant ; Tom Kirk, second assistant ;
Vernon Adams, property master ;
Jack Sawyer, dough guy.
Dewey Michaels of Michaels Thea-
tres, has been elected chief barker of
Tent No. 7 of Buffalo, Other new
officers are : Billy Keaton, WGR, first
assistant chief barker ; Marvin Jacobs,
second assistant ; Robert Hayman, Hay-
man Theatres, Niagara Falls, dough
guy, and W. E. J. Martin, Courier-
Express drama editor, property mas-
ter. New directors are : Henry L.
Berkson, Monogram; John G. Chinell,
RKO Radio; Albert F. Ryde and
Elmer C. Winegar, Local No. 233,
Motion Picture Operators ; Max Yel-
len, Century Theatre, and Arthur
Krolick, United Paramount Theatres.
Baltimore Tent No. 19, named the
following officers : Jack Pollack, chief
barker ; Joe Walderman and Cy
Bloom, first and second chief barkers,
respectively : Milton Schwaber, dough
guy ; John Volz, property master ;
Rodney Collier and Sam Tabor, dele-
gates, with Earl Lewis and Joseph
Grant as alternates, and Barry Gold-
man, international canvasman. In ad-
dition to the officers the newly elected
board includes Isador M. Rappaport,
Richard Dubin, Lou Becker, Aaron
Seidler and Fred Sapperstein.
Cleveland Variety reelected Henry
Greenberger to serve a second term
foreign producers, whom he did not
identify, is interested in buying into
the company if the plan can be
effected so that the group may repre-
sent RKO in the foreign field.
The Gettinger plan, in brief, pro-
vides for the establishment of three
active corporations within the RKO
framework — a production company, a
"library company" which would
handle older product and a distribut-
ing organization. Production would
be on a cooperative basis to provide
studio facilities at actual cost and on
a profit-sharing arrangement. A
board of five producers would super-
vise and pass on all stories, casts and
production details.
Gettinger said that several of the
groups interested in purchasing con-
trol have assured him that they would
back the plan if they were successful
bidders for the stock.
as chief barker. Other officers elected
are : first vice-barker, Jack Silver-
thorne ; second vice-barker, Jerry
Wechsler ; dough guy, I. J. Schmertz ;
property man, Leonard Greenberger.
The board of directors is composed
Greenberger, Silverthorne, Wechsler,
Irwin Pollard, Milton Grant, Irwin
Shenker, M. B. Horwitz, Schmertz,
Abe Kramer, Oscar Ruby, Sanford
Leavitt, Leonard Greenberger, Nat
Barach, Marshall Fine and Max Mink.
Variety announced a New Year's
party to be held in its Hollenden
Hotel club rooms. Silverthorne is in
charge of arrangements.
Merle Chambeiiin has been elected
a member of the crew for 1953 of
Tent No. 25, Variety Club of South-
ern California, in Los Angeles. In-
cumbents reelected include George
Bowser, W. H. (Bud) Lollier, Wih
lard Keith, Lloyd C. Ownbey, O. N.
(Bill) Srere, Hugh W. Bruen, Ezra
Stern, Howard Stubbins, Morton
Scott and Al Hanson.
At a meeting of the new 1953 crew
of the Variety Club of Illinois at its
Congress Hotel headquarters in Chi-
cago, chief barker John J. Jones
named the following committee chair-
men for 1953 :
House committee, Nat Nathanson;
Heart committee, Edwin Silverman
entertainment committee, Nate Piatt ;
publicity, Irving Mack; banquet, Jack
Kirsch ; ticket sales, Jack Rose and
Manuel Smerling ; membership. Joe
Berenson ; law, Aaron Stein ; golf,
Elmer Balaban; special activities com-
mittee, Arthur Schoenstadt and James
Donahue.
Arbitration
(Continued from page 1)
Ky. Tax Take Down
Louisville, Dec. 18. — The Depart-
ment of Finance and the Department
of Revenue report the tax revenue
on amusements for October was
$156,989, compared to $162,293 for
October, 1951, a decrease of $5,304.
Tax revenue for July through Octo-
ber was $607,009, compared to
$603,777 for the same period in 1951,
an increase of $3,232.
AMPA Speakers
(Continued from page 1)
He pointed out that other industries
make large funds available to conduct
consistent, well organized public rela-
tions programs in all media of com-
munications, but that "it is a strange
omission to think that we do not even
use our screens to counter-attack and
to educate the people of our commend-
able attributes." Bergman cited as
one of the best public relations pro-
grams the establishing of a school for
the training and development of not
only young talent, but of young ex-
ecutives and administrators on an in-
dustry-wide basis.
White, who served as chairman of
last night's meeting, sketched a brief
history of the MPAA and its prede-
cessor, the Motion Picture Producers
and Distributors of America, and ex-
plained the workings of the Advertis-
ing Code. He said that in 1951 more
than 151,000 pieces of advertising ma-
terial went through his department
and that not more than two per cent
received any comment other than a
formal stamp of approval. Since the
organization of the association, he
said, no new censorship law has come
into being.
DeBra explained the different ap-
proach to publicity as practiced by ad-
vertising departments and his own
MPAA unit. Whereas advertising men
appeal to the individual, he appeals to
organizations, more than 2,000 of
them, in the course of a year. He
urged that the efforts of both seg-
ments be coordinated. He asserted
that intra-industry friction "hurts us
both," and that "we can hope to suc-
ceed only if we have the wholehearted
cooperation of the exhibitors."
Donahue Case
(Continued from page 1)
deceased public figure for such a por-
trayal is not necessary, Warner Broth-
ers stated here yesterday. "This deci-
sion of the court followed the verdict
of the jury, rendered on Nov. 21, in
favor of Warner Brothers on the facts
of the case, and the decision now fixes
the law of the case," according to the
company.
The District Court of Utah indicated
in an oral decision from the bench that
it would grant the counterclaim of
Warner Brothers for a declaratory
judgment and will declare that the
Utah right of privacy statute does not
apply to fictional depictions of de-
ceased public figures in photoplays, it
was said. This statement was made
by the court after holding the question
under advisement since Nov. 21, the
date on which the jury had brought
in a verdict in favor of Warner
Brothers and other defendants, War-
ner stated.
"Following the jury's verdict, the
court took under advisement War-
ner's counterclaim for a declaratory
judgment. The court announced that
it would decide the question raised by
this counterclaim in favor of Warner
Brothers. The formal written judg-
ment has not yet been entered. The
case went to trial before Judge Ray
Van Cott and a jury on Nov. 17, the
trial lasting five days. In the course
of the trial the jury heard testimony
by leading national educators, among
them Dr. Lorin Wheelwright of Salt
Lake City, Professor Mark May and
Walter Prichard Eaton of Yale, Pro-
fessor Lilla Belle Pitts, leading Amer-
ican music educator of Teachers Col-
lege, and Eric Haight of Encyclopedia
jetted the distributors' draft, to
come up with suggestions for
changes. However, it was ex-
pected that no formal action
could be taken until after the
Allied board meeting in New
Orleans next month.
As one sales executive said after
yesterday's meeting, the tenor of the
session was : "Allied turned down the
last draft. What'll we do now?"
It was pointed out that a letter to
Allied executives which accompanied
the October draft of the distributors
asking for Allied's comments on the
proposals has not brought forth a
reply. In fact, one sales head said,
"we never received even a formal
notification that Allied had rejected
the last arbitration draft."
Despite reports that some distri-
butors were not too anxious for an
arbitration system, all of the repre-
sentatives yesterday gave their assur-
ance that they would back a system
and expressed hope that a plan could
be worked out.
An informal press release, by the
MPAA after yesterday's meeting
stated Johnston "reiterated that there
was no change in the distributors'
readiness to discuss possible changes
in the arbitration proposals with ex-
hibitor representatives. It was re-
called that this was made clear in
October in a letter to exhibitor leaders
inviting comments on modifications
suggested by the distributors. There
was a unanimous sentiment expressed
on the desirability of establishing a
mutually beneficial industry system."
The meeting yesterday was attended
by sales managers and Austin Keough,
Adolph Schimel and Robert Perkins,
attorneys for Paramount, Universal
and Warner Brothers, respectively,
who drew up the distributors' draft
in October.
Ascap Amendment
(Continued from page 1)
elected, with the result that for cer-
tain periods the organization has been
without an official head.
Under the amendment, in the event
of a failure to elect a president at the
end of his one-year term, the office
shall remain vacant, but pending an
election, the first vice-president shall
discharge the duties of the president.
The term of office is one year, but no
president can be elected for more than
three successive terms.
The amendment was passed by 72.5
per cent of the members of the So-
ciety.
Warner Salary
(Continued from page 1)
$182,050; Albert Warner, vice-presi-
dent, $104,000; Harry M. Kalmine,
vice-president, $130,000; Robert W.
Perkins, vice-president and general
counsel, $104,800 ; Samuel Schneider,
vice-president, $104,700, Samuel
Carlisle, comptroller, $50,720 ; and
Stanleigh P. Friedman, vice-president,
$65,800.
The total paid to all directors and
officers for the year was $1,199,970.
Britannica Films," said Warner's
statement.
Trial counsel for Warner was Den-
nis McCarthy of Salt Lake City.
Dear Esther Williams:
It couldn't have happened to a nicer person. Youve
got another great big HIT! Wish you could take a
plane to New York and see those gay crowds at Radio
City Music Hall enjoying every Technicolorful minute
of your wonderful "Million Dollar Mermaid." Congratu-
lations, Esther and thanks too for your enthusiastic
cooperation in helping us to promote your pictures to
the public. Soon "Million Dollar Mermaid" will open in
hundreds of cities to delight the holiday crowds. We're
sure that both the exhibitors and their patrons join us
in saying Merry Christmas, Happy New Year to you.
Sincerely,
DtC»A»tR
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a^0' V' lia\ do^n ™?
Watch for
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announcement
regarding the
next issne of
FAME.
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Money-Making Stars
\— as voted by the
exhibitors of the
United States and Canada-
in Motion Picture Herald'?
audit of personalities j
conducted for FAME...
will be reported in
this weeks issue of
capac,
rrV\ne
a reg1
ra'A
MOTION PKTWIE
HERALD
NEWS
WHILE
IT |S
NEWS
MOTION PICTURE
VOL. 72. NO. 119
NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1952
TEN CENTS
Tradewise . . .
By SHERWIN KANE
T> EACTION of many exhibitors
to the recently published com-
parisons of the Aug. 20 and Oct. 21
(distributors') industry arbitration
drafts: If, as distributors say, the
changes they have made in the
Aug. 20 draft are restricted largely
to verbiage and are of "minor''
significance, then presumably they
have little to lose by waiving their
proposed changes and restoring the
Aug. 20 draft, on which there was
substantial, though tentative, ex-
hibitor agreement.
Another frequently encountered
exhibitor reaction to the two drafts
is that it requires legal training to
determine the exact significance of
the changes made in the Aug. 20
draft. Most exhibitors, not being
lawyers, are deferring conclusions
on that score.
r\ FFICIAL Washington reac-
" tion on the value of Eric
Johnston's recent journey through
South America : Johnston did a
good job, saw many of the top
people in the countries visited and
received from them promises
which, if performed, could be of
great value to the industry. BUT —
Officials of most of the countries
visited by Johnston are known to
have made promises before, many
of which were not kept. An evalu-
ation of the Johnston trip, there-
fore, may be impossible to make
accurately for another several
months when a determination may
be had of whether performances
match the promises.
A L DAFF, executive vice-presi-
dent of Universal, and Charles
Feldman, general sales manager,
soon will be honored by the com-
pany's domestic and foreign sales
organizations with sales drives, the
occasions being Daff's third of a
century anniversary with Univer-
sal, and Feldman's quarter of a
century anniversary.
Both Daff and Feldman came up
from the ranks in the company
they have served so many years ;
Daff from the obscurity of a branch
office in Tasmania, Feldman from
the perhaps greater obscurity of a
Sioux City office.
Their careers are both testimony
to the opportunity this industry
affords and incentive to younger
men eager and qualified to make
careers in the business of motion
(Continued on pane 2)
CURB ON TREBLE
Completion ofRKO
Officers ' Slate Due;
DieMchHereJan.5\DAMAGES URGED
Hollywood, Dec. 21. — With at least
a quorum of the new RKO Pictures
board of five members in periodic
meetings here over the weekend, an
announcement, was expected of the
election of new officers of the com-
pany.
Noah Dietrich, former RKO board
chairman, still is expected to be named
president. Dietrich is participating in
the conferences here with Hughes
and J. Miller Walker. The latter is
expected to be reelected vice-presi-
dent, secretary and general counsel,
posts he held prior to the sale of
Hughes' controlling stock interest to
the Ralph Stolkin syndicate.
The company announced the elec-
tion of Hughes as board chairman
last week. The other members of
the board, in addition to Hughes, Die-
trich and Walker, are A. B. Simp-
son of Houston and Edward Burke,
(Continued on page 4)
Bill to Halve U.S.
Tax Stirs COMPO
Washington, Dec. 21. — Rep. Din-
ged, Michigan Democrat, said he
would introduce early in January a
bill to halve the present 20 per cent
Federal admission tax and to reduce
or eliminate many other Federal ex-
cises.
Dinged, a member of the House
Ways and Means committee, has long-
been an opponent of practically all
excise taxes.
20th-Fox Shuns TV
Production Now
Twentieth Century-Fox,
which last May disclosed plans
to study its entrance into the
field of TV film production,
has not acted on such plans
as yet, a top 20th-Fox execu-
tive said here at the weekend.
The 20th-Fox official, ex-
plaining the company's reluc-
tance to study the TV produc-
tion field at this time, said
that 20th-Fox considers the
production of motion pictures
for theatrical distribution is
its sole function.
Para. Subsidiary
Enters Field of
TV Film Production
Commerce Dep't Advisory
Group Also Asks D. of J.
Pre-Court Conferences
The Council of Motion Picture Or-
ganizations said on Friday it had
(Continued on page 4)
Entrance into the field of television
film production by Paramount Tele-
vision Productions, Inc., a wholly-
owned subsidiary of Paramount Pic-
tures Corp., was disclosed here at the
weekend by Paul Raibourn, president
of Paramount Television and vice-
president of Paramount Pictures.
"We have just completed arrange-
ments with Edward J. and Harry Lee
Danziger, Hollywood independent
producers, for the production of a TV
series of 39 half-hour dramatic films,"
Raibourn declared. He added that 39
scripts have already been written for
(Continued on. page 4)
4 Universal Executives
Get New 3- Year Contracts
Washington, Dec. 21. — The
Commerce Department's Business
Advisory Council today urged that
courts avoid imposing retroactive
treble damages in anti-trust suits
where the evidence indicates lack of
wilful violation.
The Council submitted to Secretary
Sawyer an exhaustive study of the
anti-trust laws entitled 'Effective
Competition."
"A strong sense of injustice is
aroused," the report said at one point,
"by penalizing people for action which
they could not have known to be ille-
gal. A large majority of major anti-
trust cases are decided by a divided
court. For example in trade regula-
tion cases in 1948-49 only four of 11
Supreme Court decisions were unani-
mous, dissents running from two to
four in the other seven cases. Fur-
thermore, the Court overruled 30
earlier decisions in 12 years. The best
efforts toward compliance cannot cope
(Continued on page 4)
New three-year employment cont
Universal Pictures board of director
Feldman Heads MP A
Distributors' Group
C. J. Feldman, general sales man-
ager of Universal Pictures, has been
named chairman of the Distributors
Committee of the Motion Picture
Association of America. He succeeds
A. W. Schwalberg of Paramount
Pictures. As outgoing chairman,
(Continued on page 4)
racts have been authorized by the
s for Leon Goldberg-, vice-president
and treasurer; John J. O'Connor,
vice-president; Adolph Schimel, vice-
president, general counsel and secre-
tary, and Charles J. Feldman, general
sales manager and vice-president of
Universal Film Exchanges.
The new pacts will replace one-
year contracts expiring Dec. 31.
Contracts for other top Universal
executives, completed earlier, include
those for Milton R. Rackmil, Uni-
versal president; Nate J. Blumberg,
(Continued on page 4)
Struggling against the
record competition which
is expected by the home
telecasting of the Jan.
20 inaugural ceremonies
of President-elect Eisen-
hower, plans are underway
here and in Washington for
record newsreel coverage,
with most companies plan-
ning to devote at least
the major portion and
probably all of their reel
to the ceremonies.
•
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 21. —
Jack L. Warner has con-
firmed negotiations with
Milton L. Gunzburg, pres-
ident of Natural Vision
Corp., for the production
of a feature picture in
the new three dimension
process and WarnerColor,
with production set to
start by Jan. 15.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 22, 1952
Personal
Mention
$250,000,000 Outlay for
Recreational Bldg. in '53
WILLIAM BOASBERG, RKO
Radio general sales manager,
returned to New York from the Coast
at the weekend, following conferences
with Howard Hughes.
•
Simon H. Fabian, president of
Fabian Enterprises, has been named
a member of the newly created board
for development at New York Uni-
versity.
•
Steve Levitz, promotion manager
for Robbins Music Co., M-G-M sub-
sidiary, will leave here Saturday by
plane for a Miami vacation, accom-
panied by Mrs. Levitz.
Earl Sponable, director of research
for 20th Century-Fox, is due here to-
day from Europe.
•
David Coplan, president of. the
newly - formed International - United
Film Corp., left here at the weekend
for England by plane.
•
Elias Lapinere, M-G-M's special
publicity representative in Continental
Europe, will sail from here tomorrow
aboard 'the 5. S. Queen Mary.
•
George Nichols of M-G-M's stu-
dio publicity staff returned to the
Coast over the weekend from New
York.
•
James A. Fitzpatrick, M-G-M
producer of Traveltalks, will leave the
Coast Feb. 1 for a South American
cruise on the S. S. Caronia.
•
William H. Wright, M-G-M pro-
ducer, is in Cincinnati from the Coast
with his wife. They will leave for
New York on Saturday.
•
Arthur Krim, United Artists pre-
sident, is due in New York this week
from Europe.
John McCarthy Going
On Vacation Jan. 1
John G. McCarthy, who resigned as
head of the international division of
the Motion Picture Association of
America, plans to leave for a South-
ern vacation shortly after Jan. 1.
He said here at the weekend that he
hoped to be able to take a "good
rest" before becoming associated with
a new enterprise.
McCarthy has had one meeting
with Samuel Goldwyn and James
Mulvey in regard to the possibility
of his taking an executive post with
the Society of Independent Motion
Picture Producers. However, nothing
definite was decided, although it is
reported that SIMPP leaders are in-
terested in acquiring McCarthy's
services.
Bookers' Theatre Party
A theatre party has been organized
by the Motion Picture Bookers Club
of New York for the March 5 per-
formance of "Hazel Flagg" at the
Mark Hellinger Theatre, Louis Wolf,
club president, has announced.
Washington, Dec. 21. — A top Na-
tional Production Authority official
predicted today that close to $250,-
000,000 worth of theatres, bowling
alleys, playgrounds and other recrea-
tional structures would be built in
1953,
NPA has announced that its 26-
month old ban on theatre and other
construction would end Jan. 1.
John L. Haynes, director of NPA's
building materials division, also said
that he thought builders of these types
of structures would be able to have
Film Communion
Breakfast on Feb. 1
The third : annual Communion
breakfast for members of the motion
picture industry in the New York
area will be held on Feb. 1 in the
Hotel Waldorf Astoria. The break-
fast will he preceded by Mass in St.
Patrick's Cathedral at 9:00 A.M.
The idea of a Communion break-
fast for Catholics in the industry
started in New York two years ago.
Last year similar events were held
in Los Angeles and Toronto. Com-
munion breakfasts will again be held
in those two cities this year, also on
Feb. 1, and plans are under way for
a series of them to be held in a num-
ber of Canadian cities, including Ham-
ilton, Chatham, St. John, Halifax,
Winnipeg, Calgary, Vancouver and
Windsor.
Attendance at this year's New York
breakfast is expected to equal the ca-
pacity crowd of 1,500 who attended
last year's.
Tickets, which will go on sale early
in January, will be handled, as in past
years, by members of the committee in
each company office or branch of the
industry. Members of the sponsoring
committee are :
Frank Alford, MPEA; William E. Barry,
Shea Enterprises; Marguerite Bourdette,
Paramount; Frank Bryan, Skouras Thea-
tres; Frank E. Cahill, Jr., Warner Brothers
Circuit Management Corp. ; Francis X.
Carroll, 20th Century- Fox; Pat Casey, Pat
Casey Enterprises ; John Confort, Jr., Con-
fort & Co., Inc.; Robert W. Coyne,
COMPO; Thomas Creban, RKOi Theatres;
William Cronin, Comerford Theatres; John
Dervin, Monogram Pictures; Edward C.
Dowden, Loew's; Joseph Eagan. Fabian
Theatres ; James M. Franey, United World
Films; Joseph M. Geoghan, Century Thea-
tres; Edmund C Grainger, RKO Theatres.
Also, James R. Grainger, Republic Pic-
tures; William J. Heineman, United Ar-
tists; Walter F. J. Higgins, Prudential
Theatres; John Hughes, United Artists;
James D1. Ivers, Quigley Publishing Co. ;
John Kane, Columbia Pictures; Austin C.
Keough, Paramount Pictures; Mrs. James
Looram, International Federation of Cath-
olic Alumnae; Fred Lynch, Music Hall;
Thomas J. Martin, Warner Bros. ; William
Moclair, Roxy; Peter J. Mooney, Audio
Productions; Paul C. Mooney, Sr.. National
Screen Service; James A. Mulvey, Goldwyn
Productions; John F. Murphy, Loew's;
William P. Murphy, Republic Pictures ;
Thomas Murtha, IATSE, Local No. 4,
Brooklyn.
Also, Joseph A. McConville. Columbia
Pictures International Corp.; Joseph Mc-
Mahon, Republic Pictures; William J.
McShea. RKO1 Radio Pictures; L. Douglas
Netter, Jr., Altec Service; John J. O^Connor,
Universal Pictures; Thomas F. O'Connor,
RKO' Theatres; Paul D. O'Brien, O'Brien.
Driscoll & Rafferty; Robert H. O'Brien,
delivered without any trouble the
maximum amounts of steel, copper
and aluminum authorized for them by
NPA regulations.
"Fortunately," he said, "the pre-
dominant types of building materials
used in most recreational construc-
tion— concrete, cinder blocks, brick,
rough lumber, wall board and non-
metallic roofings — should be amply
available to fill the stored-up demand
in this field in addition to the con-
tinuing requirements for other types
of construction."
58 Short Subjects
From U-I in 1953
Universal - International Pictures
will release 58 short subjects — 29 one-
reelers and 29 two-reelers with color
predominating — and 104 issues of the
Universal-International Newsreel dur-
ing" the new year, Irving Sochin,
short subjects sales manager, an-
nounced at the weekend. The com-
pany is committed to 59 this year — 33
one-reelers and, 26 in two reels.
Highlighting the program will be
the release of the two-reel Technicolor
subject, "The World's Most Beautiful
Girls," filmed at the "Miss Universe"
beauty pageant in Pasadena last June.
The picture will receive a special
promotional campaign and will be sold
as a possible second feature.
With the enlargement of the facili-
ties of the Walter Lantz Studios,
Lantz will deliver seven new Tech-
nicolor cartoons in addition to the six
"Woody Woodpecker Cartunes" which
he has been making for U-I. Special
promotional opportunities are available
to exhibitors now that Woody Wood-
pecker is a syndicated cartoon in addi-
tion to a comic book series.
U-I will introduce a new series of
one-reelers in color to be known as
"U-I Color Parade," on a variety of
subjects. "Fiesta Frolics" will be the
first.
Expanding the company's "Name
Band Musical" series of two-reelers
U-I will release a new series under
the more-inclusive title of "Musical
Featurettes" with 13 subjects featur-
ing name singers, entertainers and
dancers in addition to the customary
name bands. More attention will be
given to story and production in this
series.
The company's two-reel Louis De-
Rochemont "The Earth and Its
Peoples" series will include 13 more
subjects. Rounding out the program
of two-reelers will be two specials.
Completing the program of one-reelers
will be the "Variety Views" series
of eight one-reelers.
United Paramount Theatres; Toyce O'Hara.
MPAA; Edward K. O'Shea, Paramount;
Martin Quigley. Quigley Publishing Co. ;
Charles M. Reagan, Loew's; George J.
Schaefer; Bert Sanford; Edwin T- Smith,
Jr., RKO Radio Pictures; Nick Tronolone;
Frank C. Walker, Comerford Theatres ;
Richard F. Walsh, IATSE; William A.
White, Skouras Theatres; Very Rev. Pat-
rick J. Masterson, Spiritual Director.
Cohen, Velde and
Chaplin Head Drive
Milton E. Cohen, James
Velde and Charles Chaplin,
United Artists' Eastern,
Western and Canadian divi-
sion managers, respectively,
have been named co-captains
of the company's "Bernie
Kranze Drive," which gets
under way today, it was an-
nounced by William J. Heine-
man, vice-president in charge
of distribution.
The 26-week sales, billings
and liquidation drive, named
in honor of UA's newly-
appointed general sales man-
ager, will extend through
June 20, 1953.
Expect 200 at Ampa
Party Tomorrow
Almost 200 persons are expected to
attend the Associated Motion Picture
Advertisers' annual Christmas lunch-
eon party here tomorrow in the Hotel
Piccadilly. Every guest will receive
at least one door prize and AMPA
members will be eligible to win a
week's vacation at the Lord Tarlton
Hotel, Miami Beach, or the Sheraton
Beach Hotel, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Iii addition, there will be drawings
entitling winners to a weekend at the
Ritz Carlton Hotel, Atlantic City,
and a four-day vacation at Grossin-
ger's Hotel and Country Club.
Among Hollywood and Broadway
celebrities who are expected to attend
are Boris Karloff, Blossom Seeley,
Benny Fields, Joe E. Brown, Clifton
Webb, Terry Moore and Richard
Widmark.
Skouras to Germany,
Paris; Then Home
London, Dec. 21. — Spyros Skoures,
20th Century-Fox president, left here
by plane at the weekend for Frank-
fort, Germany for a brief visit. He
went from there to Paris to join
Mrs. Skouras, who will accompany
him to New York by plane. They
are scheduled to arrive there Christ-
mas Eve.
While in Paris, it is reported but
not confirmed, Skouras will confer
with Eidophor large screen television
officials.
Tradewise . . .
(Continued from page 1)
pictures. The achievements of
Daff and Felclman, also, are elo-
quent rebuttal to the cynical atti-
tude, sometimes encountered, which
holds that loyalty too often is
poorly rewarded.
Our sincere congratulations to
Daff and Feldman on the occasion
of these memorable new milestones
in their eventful careers.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsave, Consulting 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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.
GIFT SUGGESTION !
"Give them
M-G-M Pictures!"
"MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID" (Tech.)
Esther Williams, Victor Mature, David Brian.
"THE CLOWN"
Red Skelton, Jane Greer, Tim Considine
"THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL"
Lana Turner, Kirk Douglas, Walter Pidgeon, Dick Powell.
"SOMBRERO" (Tech.)
Ricardo Montalban, Pier Angeli, Vittorio Gassman, Cyd Charisse,
Yvonne de Carlo.
"DREAM WIFE"
Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr, Walter Pidgeon.
"LI LI" (Tech.)
Leslie Caron, Mel Ferrer, Jean Pierre Aumont.
"THE GIRL WHO HAD EVERYTHING"
Elizabeth Taylor, Fernando Lamas, William Powell.
"BATTLE CIRCUS"
Humphrey Bogart, June Allyson.
"VAQUERO" (Ansco Color)
Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner, Howard Keel.
"REMAINS TO BE SEEN"
June Allyson, Van Johnson.
"ABOVE AND BEYOND"
Robert Taylor, Eleanor Parker.
"THE NAKED SPUR" (Jech)
James Stewart, Janet Leigh, Robert Ryan, Ralph Meeker.
"I LOVE MELVIN" (Tech.)
Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds.
"SMALL TOWN GIRL" (Tech.)
Jane Powell, Farley Granger.
"STORY OF THREE LOVES" (Tech)
Pier Angeli, Ethel Barrymore, Leslie Caron, Kirk Douglas, Farley
Granger, James Mason, Moira Shearer.
"VICKI" (Tech)
Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon.
"NEVER LET ME GO"
Clark Gable, Gene Tierney.
"JULIUS CAESAR"
Marlon Brando, James Mason, John Gielgud, Louis Calhern, Edmond
O'Brien, and Greer Garson, Deborah Kerr.
"YOUNG BESS" (Tech.)
Jean Simmons, Stewart Granger, Deborah Kerr, Charles Laughton.
and many other big entertainments!
4
Motion Picture daily
Monday, December 22, 1952
New 'U' Pacts
(Continued from page 1)
Leon Goldberg John J. O'Connor
Adolph Sehimel Charles J. Feldman
board chairman; Alfred E. Daff, ex-
ecutive vice-president ; David Lipton,
vice-president in charge of advertis-
ing-publicity, and Edward Muhl, vice-
president.
The contracts of William Goetz
and Leo Spitz, studio executives, have
another year to run. Spitz has been
inactive because of protracted illness.
Depending on the condition of his
health in the future, his contract may
not be renewed on its expiration next
year.
Feldman Heads
(Continued from page 1)
Schwalberg was host at a dinner hon-
oring the sales executives of the com-
panies.
Present at the dinner, in addition
to Schwalberg and Feldman, were :
Al Lichtman, William C. Gehring,
Charles M. Reagan, Maurice Gold-
stein, William J. Heineman, Bernard
G. Kranze, George F. Denibow,
Ralph D. Hetzel, Ned E. Depinet,
Robert Mochrie, Martin Quigley,
John J. O'Connor, Ted O'Shea and
Monroe Goodman.
Several of the other sales execu-
tives were out of the city.
Premiere of 'Jazz'
Will Be Telecast
Warner Brothers' ''The Jazz
Singer" special benefit premiere ac-
tivities on Jan. 13 at the Paramount
Theatre here for the National Foun-
dation for Infantile Paralysis, will be
telecast over WJZ-TV from 8:30 to
9:00 P.M.
Danny Thomas and Peggy Lee,
stars of the film, will attend, in ad-
dition to many other celebrities.
Tickets for the benefit range up to
$100 per seat. Three TV cameras
will be used for the opening night
ceremonies, with Dennis James han-
dling the play-by-play report of the
proceedings and Maggi McNellis re-
porting the fashions and society.
Delay Filings for
Theatre TV Hearing
Washington, Dec. 21.— The
Federal Communications
Commission has set back
from tomorrow until Jan. 12
the deadline for parties in the
theatre television hearings to
submit lists, of their pro-
posed witnesses and sum-
maries of the testimony to be
covered. The hearings are
slated to resume Jan. 26.
Para. TV Films
(Continued from page 1)
the series and shooting is scheduled to
start on Jan. 5.
The announcement, which marked
Paramount' s first venture into TV film
production, was met by a one-and-an-
eighth point rise in the quotation of
Paramount stock on the New York
Stock Exchange. The trading was
active on Friday with 93,000 shares
sold.
'Sister Arts'
Stated Raibourn: "We believe that
television and motion pictures are sis-
ter arts and that each has a construc-
tive contribution to make to the other."
The programs, he explained, will be
produced under the supervision of Burt
Balaban, director "of programming and
production for Paramount Television
Productions, Inc.
At the same time, John F. Howell,
director of sales and merchandising
for Paramount Television, announced
that a complete merchandising and ex-
ploitation campaign is now being pre-
pared.
RKO Officers
(Continued from page 1)
Jr. Simpson and Burke have not
been continuous participants in the
current meetings.
Posts Undisturbed
Dietrich, it is learned, is scheduled
to arrive in New York on Jan. 5,
presumably to take over executive di-
rection of the company there. Wil-
liam Clark is expected to continue as
RKO treasurer and Garrett Van Wag-
ner as comptroller. The posts of the
latter two were undisturbed during
the Stolkin syndicate's 10-week inter-
lude in control of management.
Green Said Seeking
20th Proxy Support
Charles Green, whose recent exten-
sive purchases of 20th Century-Fox
stock has been interpreted in the
trade as the forerunner to a proxy
fight at the next stockholders meet-
ing, is reported to be seeking support
among stockholders. Green is said to
have contacted banking interests with
20th-Fox stock holdings or voting
trusts preparatory to the predicted
proxy battle. According to Wall
Street reports, however, Green has
not been given much assurance that
the interests will line up on his side.
Green, at the weekend, would make
no comment on the report that he was
lining up stockholder support.
"I'm only trying to run my own
business," he told Motion Picture
j Daily.
Curb Damages
(Continued from page 1)
with such contingencies. Hundreds of
millions of dollars of retroactive pe-
nalties hinge on such a state of law.
"Under these circumstances
it seems that where the evi-
dence indicates lack of wilful
violation, discretion should be
used to avoid any effort to im-
pose retroactive treble dam-
ages, often covering many
years."
The Council's report said business
policy generally is to comply with the
anti-trust laws, but that the big dif-
ficulty is that agencies and courts in-
terpret the statutes differently. "So
confused is the picture that it is often
impossible for a business man or his
lawyer to know whether he is con-
forming with or violating the anti-
trust laws," the report stated.
The Council suggested a conference
section be set up in the Department
of Justice, and that this section dis-
cuss Deparment complaints with busi-
nessmen before going to court. "There
is reason to believe," the report said,
"that fully 90 per cent of the cases
arising in the anti-trust field can be
solved by preliminary conference."
The Council also urged that business-
men should be able to get authorita-
tive rulings on a particular practice,
and that such a service might be oper-
ated as an adjunct to the conference
section.
Finally, the Council urged the es-
tablishment of one or more objective
review boards, consisting of competent
businessmen, engineers, economists
and non-prosecuting lawyers, to "in-
sure that government commencement
of anti-trust cases conforms to na-
tional policy."
Secretary Sawyer praised the re-
port and specifically endorsed the sug-
gestion for a conference section in the
Department of Justice.
U. S. Tax Bill
(Continued from page 1)
been given to understand that Rep.
Dingell's bill would provide for com-
plete elimination of the Federal ad-
mission tax on tickets priced at 60
cents and under, and that the reduc-
tion of the tax to 10 per cent would
be on tickets over 60 cents.
COMPO officials said they expect
several bills for outright repeal of the
20 per cent tax as well as others
similar to Dingell's to be introduced
early next month. For that reason
they are not unduly concerned about
Dingell's bill failing to make pro-
vision for complete elimination of
the tax.
Robert W. Coyne, executive direc-
tor of COMPO, expressed some sur-
prise that Dingell's bill is taking the
form reported in view of the fact that
its author has been represented as an
advocate of outright repeal of the
tax. The bill, it is understood, calls
for complete elimination of the tax on
dance halls, cabarets and the like.
Coyne said COMPO at the week-
end was endeavoring to get in touch
with Dingell in Detroit to obtain a
clarification of his views.
Schwarz Resigns
Film director Mickey Schwarz has
resigned from Parsonnet TV Studios
here, with whom he has been affiliated
for the past two years.
In the THEATRE
Equipment
World . . .
with RAY GALLO
TWO NEW poster cases of ex-
truded aluminum, smaller in size
than its "Deluxe" model while em-
ploying that same design, have been
added to its line by Poblocki & Sons
of Milwaukee. The new "Premiere"
model is for cases 40 inches wide by
any height or 40 inches high by any
width. The new "Econ" model is for
cases 30 inches wide by any height
or 30 inches high by any width. Both
of the new cases are piano-hinged
and an extra moulding of extruded
aluminum can be added to accommo-
date lighting on all four sides of
the case.
A new carpet which has a sponge
rubber cushion "built in" under a
broadloom surface is being manu-
factured by Shelton Looms for Sid-
ney Blumenthal & Co., Inc., New
York. It is being distributed by
Weil Bros. Textiles, Inc., New York.
Called "Loma Loom," the carpet can
be repaired when damaged by cigar-
ette burns or stains by simply lift-
ing out the harmed section and in-
serting new carpet. For installa-
tion no base or underlay are re-
quired, the sponge rubber back
being designed to mould to the
available type of flooring. Clean-
ing can be either by vacuum or
shampoo. The carpet is manufac-
tured in a wide range of colors.
The Wensel Projector Co. of Chi-
cago has appointed as exclusive dis-
tributors in Mexico of its "Ace"
PRO-4 projectors and WSH-3 sound
heads, the Cinemex Co. of Mexico
City and Guadalajara.
New vending machines for dispens-
ing combs, bobby pins or napkins in
theatre rest rooms have been an-
nounced by White's Comb Vendor,
Inc., Elgin, 111. The comb vendors,
with a capacity of 200 combs, are 30
inches long ; 4>4 inches wide and 6l/2
inches thick. The bobby pin vendor
dispenses 18 pins in one package and
has a capacity of 80 such packages.
The napkin vendor has a capacity of
32 napkins.
•
New, individually motorized ticket
issuing units, automatically dispensing
tickets in sets of from one to four,
have been announced by the Argus
Manufacturing Co., Chicago. Cabi-
nets are also available from the com-
pany accommodating three, four or
five separate units, any one of ivhich
may be easily removed without affect-
ing operation of the others. The
mechanisms were developed with a
number of protective devices, includ-
ing separately locked magazine com-
partments to prevent access to un-
authorised personnel. Also, not more
than one key of the same unit may
be operated at one time, and the
machine will not repeat if the key is
held dozm. The delivery chute is
designed not to jam even if tickets
are accidentally pushed back. When
the ticket magazine is empty, the unit
locks automatically. '
Monday. December 22, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
Review
"The Pathfinder"
(Columbia)
THE TIMELESS NOVEL of James Fenimore Cooper, "The Pathfinder,"
serves as the basis upon which this historical adventure drama has been
produced. Fashioned in knowing formula style, the picture bristles with
action, combat and historical overtones. It is entertainment that is relaxing
and easy to follow. As such it should prove attractive with general patron-
age. The lead and title role is played by George Montgomery, with top billing
shared by Helena Carter.
The story is set in the year 1754 with both France and England seeking
to gain control of the prized American territory around the Great Lakes.
On the side of the English are the peaceful Mohicans while the war-like
Mingos are lined up with the French. As the story opens, the Pathfinder
beholds the atrocities of the Mingos and in rage decides to aid the English.
He agrees to become a scout for them and do some espionage work around a
French supply center. Because he speaks no French, it is decided to provide
him with an interpreter. The interpreter turns out to be Miss Carter.
As one might expect, each becomes competitive with the other and a lot
of innocent differences arise as they infiltrate enemy territory. However, faced
with the common danger of the enemy, both are brought closer together, until
finally love flowers.
Throughout the screenplay, by Robert E. Kent, there are skirmishes with
Indians and dangerous calls in general. The finale sees Montgomery and
Miss Carter captured and doomed to death as spies. It takes some brisk action
by Montgomery and a fortunately-timed attack by the British to save the day.
Sam Katzman produced and Sidney Salkow directed. Others in the cast
are Jay Silverheels and Walter Kingsford.
Running time, 78 minutes. General audience classification. For January
release.
Freeman Denounces
Certain Publicists
Hollywood, Dec. 21. — "Irresponsible
personal publicity agents" were de-
nounced by Association of Motion
Picture Producers board chairman
Y. Frank Freeman over the weekend
for "descending to the lowest level of
bad taste" in causing the publication
of "salacious" photographic material
in "some trade papers and some fan
magazines."
Freeman pointed out in a statement
released to the press that the organ-
ized industry maintains the Produc-
tion Code and Advertising Code,
which prevent improper material from
emanating from responsible studios or
producers, and called upon all peri-
odicals to lend their "cooperation to-
ward the elimination of such ma-
terial."
$2,340,000 Suit Is
Filed Here by Pix
A $2,340,000 anti-trust suit was
filed here in Federal Court Friday by
the Pix Theatre Co., which owns the
Pix Theatre, Washington, against
eight majors and United Paramount
Theatres.
Listed as co-partners in the Pix
Theatre Co., which also has offices
in New York, are Samuel, Faith and
Max Cummins, Rose Chatkin and
Cecilia B. Cohen. The suit charged,
among other things, discrimination
by the majors against the Pix.
Arthur Leaving FP-C
For Stage Production
Toronto, Dec. 21. — Jack Arthur,
official of the Famous Players-Cana-
dian Corp., the Dominion's largest
circuit since its start, will retire at
the end of the year as a district man-
ager but will continue in an advisory
capacity, it was announced here in
connection with preparations for a
dinner in his honor next month.
Formal announcement will then be
mdae of his acceptance of a contract
as stage producer of the Canadian
National Exhibition, Toronto fair.
Book 'Niagara,' 'Pan/
'Madam' At Roxy
A line-up of three films to follow
tonight's reopening feature, "Stars
and Stripes Forever" at the Roxy
here was disclosed at the weekend.
Tn addition to the reopening feature,
the Roxv will introduce its "Ice-
colorama" stage policy.
The three films are "Niagara,"
which will follow "Stars and Stripes
Forever," "Peter Pan," which will
open Feb. 4, and "Call Me Madam."
'Ivanhoe' Goes Into
Release on Feb. 20
Charles M. Reagan, general sales
manager of M-G-M, disclosed at the
weekend that "Ivanhoe" will be made
available for general release on
Feb. 20.
"The nre-release engagements in the
first 200 showings of 'Ivanhoe' set a
record of grossing more than $5,000,-
000, Reagan stated.
Saville to Produce
Soillane Stories
Completion of a deal to film the
mystery novels of Mickey Spillane
was disclosed here at the weekend by
Victor Saville, producer-director.
Sav'lle, who produced "Goodbve
Mr. Chips," "Citadel," "Dr. Jekyll
pnd Mr. Hyde." and others, said the
first film based on a Spillane novel
will be released in the spring.
Ornstein, Ettinger
Aid 'Brotherhood'
William Ornstein and George Et-
tinger have been appointed to aid the
amusement industry's participation in
"Brotherhood Week," Feb. 15-22, on
behalf of the 25th anniversary of the
National Conference of Christians
and Jews, Si Seadler, national adver-
tising-publicity chairman for the in-
dustry drive, disclosed here at the
weekend.
Ornstein, of M-G-M, will handle
trade publications, while Ettinger, of
Columbia Pictures, will handle radio
and television.
Announcement!!
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA
December 15, 1952
Hal E. Roach, 'President of the Hal
Roach Studios announced here today an
association with Mr. Harry J. Allen of
Toronto, Canada for the tvorld wide distri-
bution of twelve feature pictures per year
commencing in 195 3.
Asserting his confidence that the Motion
Picture theatre will continue to serve the
public to even a greater extent than hereto-
fore, his plan provides for a series of films
of unique plot and character which will be
a "musf for the theatre marquees of the
xvorld.
The first six subjects are tentatively entitled: —
"THE LOST BEYOND"
"THE ELEVENTH COMMANDMENT"
"SHADOW OF THE IRON CURTAIN"
"THE STORM AND THE LOBSTER"
"CICERO"
"THE WOMAN IN WARD NINE"
to be followed by: —
"PRETTY BOY"
"MR. WILMER"
"WALLS OF JERICHO"
"THE GLICKET CAT"
"THE STRIKE"
"TREASURE OF MONTEZUMA"
World-wide distribution will be under
the supervision of Harry J. Allen, who will
operate under the title of Guild Inter-
national Films, Inc., 40 Wall Street, N.Y. C.
THERE'S
PLENTY
OF
Scratch
IN
i
i
The story
of a flame
named Ruby...
who wrecked
a whole town...
5fN BY SIN!
JENNIFER
JONES
CHARLTON
HESTON
KARL MAIDEN
in
Produced by JOSEPH BERNHARD and
KING VIDOR -Directed by KING VIDOR
Screenplay by SILVIA RICHARDS
Story by ARTHUR " FITZ-RICHARDS
A Bernhard-Vidor Presentation
Released by 20th Century-Fox
#\ MOOLA . . . CABBAGE . . . GREENBACKS . . . SKINS . . .
THERE'S REAL MONEY IN YOUR DATE WITH RUBY!
FIRST
ills!;:
FILM
NEWS
MOTION PICTURE
1
VOL. 72. NO. 119
NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1952
TEN CENTS
Tradewise . . .
By SHERWIN KANE
"D EACTION of many exhibitors
to the recently published com-
parisons of the Aug. 20 and Oct. 21
(distributors') industry arbitration
drafts: If, as distributors say, the
changes they have made in the
Aug. 20 draft are restricted largely
to verbiage and are of "minor"
significance, then presumably they
have little to lose by waiving their
proposed changes and restoring the
Aug. 20 draft, on which there was
substantial, though tentative, ex-
hibitor agreement.
Another frequently encountered
exhibitor reaction to the two drafts
is that it requires legal training to
determine the exact significance of
the changes made in the Aug. 20
draft. Most exhibitors, not being-
lawyers, are deferring conclusions
on that score.
r\ FFICIAL Washington reac-
" tion on the value of Eric
Johnston's recent journey through
South America : Johnston did a
good job, saw many of the top
people in the countries visited and
received from them promises
which, if performed, could be of
great value to the industry. BUT—
Officials of most of the countries
visited by Johnston are known to
have made promises before, many
of which were not kept. An evalu-
ation of the Johnston trip, there-
fore, may be impossible to make
accurately for another several
months when a determination may
be had of whether performances
match the promises.
A L DAFF, executive vice-presi-
dent of Universal, and Charles
Feldman, general sales manager,
soon will be honored by the com-
pany's domestic and foreign sales
organizations with sales drives, the
occasions being Daff's third of a
century anniversary with Univer-
sal, and Feldman's quarter of a
century anniversary.
Both Daff and Feldman came up
from the ranks in the company
they have served so many years ;
Daff from the obscurity of a branch
office in Tasmania, Feldman from
the perhaps greater obscurity of a
Sioux City office.
Their careers are both testimony
to the opportunity this industry
affords and incentive to younger
men eager and qualified to make
careers in the business of motion
(Continued on page 2)
Completion ofRKO
Officers 'Slate Due;
Dietrich Here Jan. 5
Hollywood, Dec. 21.— With at least
a quorum of the new RKO Pictures
board of five members in periodic
meetings here over the weekend, an
announcement was expected of the
election of new officers of the com-
pany.
Noah Dietrich, former RKO board
chairman, still is expected to be named
president. Dietrich is participating in
the conferences here with Hughes
and J. Miller Walker. The latter is
expected to be reelected vice-presi-
dent, secretary and general counsel,
posts he held prior to the sale of
Hughes' controlling stock interest to
the Ralph Stolkin syndicate.
_ The company announced the elec-
tion of Hughes as board chairman
last week. The other members of
the board, in addition to Hughes, Die-
trich and Walker, are A. B. Simp-
son of Houston and Edward Burke,
(Continued on page 4)
Bill to Halve U.S.
Tax Stirs COMPO
Washington, Dec. 21. — Rep. Din-
gell, Michigan Democrat, said he
would introduce early in January a
bill to halve the present 20 per cent
Federal admission tax and to reduce
or eliminate many other Federal ex-
cises.
Dingell, a member of the House
Ways and Means committee, has long
been an opponent of practically all
excise taxes.
CURB ON TREBLE
DAMAGES URGED
20th-Fox Shuns TV
Production Now
Twentieth Century-Fox,
which last May disclosed plans
to study its entrance into the
field of TV film production,
has not acted on such plans
as yet, a top 20th-Fox execu-
tive said here at the weekend.
The 20th-Fox official, ex-
plaining the company's reluc-
tance to study the TV produc-
tion field at this time, said
that 20th-Fox considers the
production of motion pictures
for theatrical distribution is
its sole function.
Para. Subsidiary
Enters Field of
TV Film Production
The Council of Motion Picture Or-
ganizations said on Friday it had
(Continued on page 4)
Entrance into the field of television
film production by Paramount Tele-
vision Productions, Inc., a wholly-
owned subsidiary of Paramount Pic-
tures Corp., was disclosed here at the
weekend by Paul Raibourn, president
of Paramount Television and vice-
president of Paramount Pictures.
'We have just completed arrange-
ments with Edward J. and Harry Lee
Danziger, Hollywood independent
producers, for the production of a TV
series of 39 half-hour dramatic films,"
Raibourn declared. He added that 39
scripts have already been written for
(Continued on page 4)
4 Universal Executives
Get New 3- Year Contracts
New three-year employment contracts have been authorized by the
Universal Pictures board of directors for Leon Goldberg, vice-president
and treasurer ; John J. O'Connor,
vice-president ; Adolph Schimel, vice-
president, general counsel and secre-
tary, and Charles J. Feldman, general
sales manager and vice-president of
Feldman Heads MP A
Distributors' Group
C. J. Feldman, general sales man-
ager of Universal Pictures, has been
named chairman of the Distributors
Committee of the Motion Picture
Association of America. He succeeds
A. W. Schwalberg of Paramount
Pictures. As outgoing chairman,
(Continued on page 4)
Universal Film Exchanges.
The new pacts will replace one-
year contracts expiring Dec. 31.
Contracts for other top Universal
executives, completed earlier, include
those for Milton R. Rackmil, Uni-
versal president; Nate J. Blumberg,
(Continued on page 4)
Commerce Dep't Advisory
Group Also Asks D. of J.
Pre-Court Conferences
Washington, Dec. 21. — The
Commerce Department's Business
Advisory Council today urged that
courts avoid imposing retroactive
treble damages in anti-trust suits
where the evidence indicates lack of
wilful violation.
The Council submitted to Secretary
Sawyer an exhaustive study of the
anti-trust laws entitled 'Effective
Competition."
"A strong sense of injustice is
aroused," the report said at one point,
"by penalizing people for action which
they could not have known to be ille-
gal. A large majority of major anti-
trust cases are decided by a divided
court. For example in trade regula-
tion cases in 1948-49 only four of 11
Supreme Court decisions were unani-
mous, dissents running from two to
four in the other seven cases. Fur-
thermore, the Court overruled 30
earlier decisions in 12 years. The best
efforts toward compliance cannot cope
(Continued on page 4)
WB to Make Feature
In Natural Vision
Hollywood, Dec. 21. — Negotiations
with Milton L. Gunzburg, president
of National Vision Corp., for the pro-
duction of a feature picture in the new
Natural Vision three dimension proc-
ess and WarnerColor was confirmed
here by Jack L. Warner, Warner
Brothers production head.
In making the announcement, War-
ner stated that the film will go into
production by Jan. 15.
'Reels Plan Record
Inaugural Coverage
Plans are underway here and in
Washington for record newsreel cov-
erage of the Jan. 20 inaugural cere-
monies of President-elect Eisenhower,
against the record competition which
is expected by the home telecasting of
the event.
Most newsreel companies polled
plan to devote either the whole or
the major portion of their reel to the
ceremonies. The inaugural reel
should be ready for showing on
theatre screens on the following day.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 22, 1952
$250,000,000 Outlay for
Recreational Bldg. in '53
Personal
Mention
WILLIAM BOASBERG, RKO
Radio general sales manager,
returned to New York from the Coast
at the weekend, following conferences
with Howard Hughes.
•
Simon H. Fabian, president of
Fabian Enterprises, has been named
a "member of the newly created board
for development at New York Uni-
versity.
•
Steve Levitz, promotion manager
for Robbins Music Co., M-G-M sub-
sidiary, will leave here Saturday by
plane for a Miami vacation, accom-
panied by Mrs. Levitz.
Earl Sponable, director of research
for 20th Century-Fox, is due here to-
day from Europe.
•
David Coplan, president of the
newly - formed International - United
Film Corp., left here at the weekend
for England by plane.
•
Elias Lapinere, M-G-M's special
publicity representative in Continental
Europe, will sail from here tomorrow
aboard the S. S. Queen Mary.
•
George Nichols of M-G-M's stu-
dio publicity staff returned to the
Coast over the weekend from New
York.
•
James A. Fitzpatrick, M-G-M
producer of Traveltalks, will leave the
Coast Feb. 1 for a South American
cruise on the 6\ S. Caronia.
m
William H. Wright, M-G-M pro-
ducer, is in Cincinnati from the Coast
with his wife. They will leave for
New York on Saturday.
•
Arthur Krim, United Artists pre-
sident, is due in New York this week
from Europe.
John McCarthy Going
On Vacation Jan. 1
John G. McCarthy, who resigned as
head of the international division of
the Motion Picture Association of
America, plans to leave for a South-
ern vacation shortly after Jan. 1.
He said here at the weekend that he
hoped to be able to take a "good
rest" before becoming associated with
a new enterprise.
McCarthy has had one meeting
with Samuel Goldwyn and James
Mulvey in regard to the possibility
of his taking an executive post with
the Society of Independent Motion
Picture Producers. However, nothing
definite was decided, although it is
reported that SIMPP leaders are in-
terested in acquiring McCarthy's
services.
Bookers' Theatre Party
A theatre party has been organized
by the Motion Picture Bookers Club
of New York for the March S per-
formance of "Hazel Flagg" at the
Mark Hellinger Theatre, Louis Wolf,
club president, has announced.
Washington, Dec. 21. — A top Na-
tional Production Authority official
predicted today that close to $250,-
000,000 worth of theatres, bowling
alleys, playgrounds and other recrea-
tional structures would be built in
1953.
NPA has announced that its 26-
month old ban on theatre and other
construction would end Jan. 1.
John L. H'aynes, director of NPA's
building materials division, also said
that he thought builders of these types
of structures would be able to have
Film Communion
Breakfast on Feb. 1
The third 'annual Communion
breakfast for members of the motion
picture industry in the New York
area will be held on Feb. 1 in the
Hotel Waldorf Astoria. The break-
fast will he preceded by Mass in St.
Patrick's Cathedral at 9 :0O A.M.
The idea of a Communion break-
fast -for Catholics in the industry
started in New York two years ago.
Last year, similar events were held
in Los Angeles and Toronto. Com-
munion breakfasts will again be held
in those two cities this year, also on
Feb. 1, and plans are under way for
a series of them to be held in a num-
ber of Canadian cities, including Ham-
ilton, Chatham, St. John, Halifax,
Winnipeg, Calgary, Vancouver and
Windsor.
Attendance at this year's New York
breakfast is expected to equal the ca-
pacity crowd of 1,500 who attended
last year's.
Tickets, which will go on sale early
in January, will be handled, as in past
years, by members of the committee in
each company office or branch of the
industry. Members of the sponsoring
committee are:
Frank Alford, MPEA; William E. Barry,
Shea Enterprises ; Marguerite Bourdette,
Paramount; Frank Bryan, Skouras Thea-
tres; Frank E. Cahill, Jr., Warner Brothers
Circuit Management Corp. ; Francis X.
Carroll, 20th Century-Fox; Pat Casey, Pat
Casey Enterprises ; John Confort, Jr., Con-
fort & Co., Inc.; Robert W. Coyne,
COMPO; Thomas Creban, RKO Theatres;
William Cronin, Comerford Theatres; John
Dervin, Monogram Pictures; Edward C.
Dowden, Loew's; Joseph Eagan. Fabian
Theatres; James M. Franey, United World
Films; Toseph M. Geoghan, Century Thea-
tres; Edmund C. Grainger, RKO Theatres.
Also, James R. Grainger, Republic Pic-
tures; William J. Heineman, United Ar-
tists; Walter F. J. Higgins, Prudential
Theatres; John . Hughes, United Artists;
James D. Ivers, Quigley Publishing Co. ;
John Kane, Columbia Pictures; Austin C.
Keough, Paramount Pictures; Mrs. James
Looram, International Federation of Cath-
olic Alumnae; Fred Lynch, Music Hall;
Thomas J. Martin, Warner Bros. ; William
Moclair, Roxy; Peter J. Mooney, Audio
Productions; Paul C. Mooney, Sr.. National
Screen Service; James A. Mulvey, Goldwyn
Productions; John F. Murphy, Loew's;
William P. Murphy, Republic Pictures;
Thomas Murtha, IATSE, Local No. 4,
Brooklyn.
Also, Joseph A. McConville, Columbia
Pictures International Corp.; Joseph Mc-
Mahon, Republic Pictures; William J.
McShea. RKO1 Radio Pictures; L, Douglas
Netter, Jr., Altec Service; John J. 0''Connor,
Universal Pictures; Thomas F. O'Connor,
RKO* Theatres; Paul D. O'Brien, O'Brien.
Driscoll & Rafferty; Robert H. O'Brien,
delivered without any trouble the
maximum amounts of steel, copper
and aluminum authorized for them by
NPA regulations.
"Fortunately," he said, "the pre-
dominant types of building materials
used in most recreational construc-
tion— concrete, cinder blocks, brick,
rough lumber, wall board and non-
metallic roofings — should be amply
available to fill the stored-up demand
in this field in addition to the con-
tinuing requirements for other types
of construction."
58 Short Subjects
From U-I in 1953
Universal - International Pictures
will release 58 short subjects — 29 one-
reelers and 29 two-reelers with color
predominating — and 104 issues of the
Universal-International Newsreel dur-
ing the new year, Irving Sochin,
short subjects sales manager, an-
nounced at the weekend. The com-
pany is committed to 59 this year — 33
one-reelers and 26 in two reels.
Highlighting the program will be
the release of the two-reel Technicolor
subject, "The World's Most Beautiful
Girls," filmed at the "Miss Universe"
beauty pageant in Pasadena last June.
The picture will receive a special
promotional campaign and will be sold
as a possible second feature.
With the enlargement of the facili-
ties of the Walter Lantz Studios,
Lantz will deliver seven new Tech-
nicolor cartoons in addition to the six
"Woody Woodpecker Cartunes" which
he has been making for U-I. Special
promotional opportunities are available
to exhibitors now that Woody Wood-
pecker is a syndicated cartoon in addi-
tion to a comic book series.
U-I will introduce a new series of
one-reelers in color to be known as
"U-I Color Parade," on a variety of
subjects. "Fiesta Frolics" will be the
first.
Expanding the company's "Name
Band Musical" series of two-reelers
U-I will release a new series under
the more-inclusive title of "Musical
Featurettes" with 13 subjects featur-
ing name singers, entertainers and
dancers in addition to the customary
name bands. More attention will be
given to story and production in this
series.
The company's two-reel Louis De-
Rochemont "The Earth and Its
Peoples" series will include 13 more
subjects. Rounding out the program
of two-reelers will be two specials.
Completing the program of one-reelers
will be the "Variety Views" series
of eight one-reelers.
United Paramount Theatres; Joyce O'Hara,
MPAA; Edward K. O'Shea, Paramount;
Martin Quigley, Quigley Publishing Co. ;
Charles M. Reagan. Loew's ; George J.
Schaefer; Bert Sanford; Edwin J. Smith,
Tr., RKO1 Radio Pictures; Nick Tronolone;
Frank C Walker, Comerford Theatres;
Richard F. Walsh, IATSE; William A.
White, Skouras Theatres; Very Rev. Pat-
rick J. Masterson, Spiritual Director.
Cohen, Velde and
Chaplin Head Drive
Milton E. Cohen, James
Velde and Charles Chaplin,
United Artists' Eastern,
Western and Canadian divi-
sion managers, respectively,
have been named co-captains
of the company's "Bernie
Kranze Drive," which gets
under way today, it was an-
nounced by William J. Heine-
man, vice-president in charge
of distribution.
The 26-week sales, billings
and liquidation drive, named
in honor of UA's newly-
appointed general sales man-
ager, will extend through
June 20, 1953.
Expect 200 at Ampa
Party Tomorrow
Almost 200 persons are expected to
attend the Associated Motion Picture
Advertisers' annual Christmas lunch-
eon party here tomorrow in the Hotel
Piccadilly. Every guest will receive
at least one door prize and AMPA
members will be eligible to win a
week's vacation at the Lord Tarlton
Hotel, Miami Beach, or the Sheraton
Beach Hotel, Daytona Beach, Fla.
In addition, there will be drawings
entitling winners to a weekend at the
Ritz Carlton Hotel, Atlantic City,
and a four-day vacation at Grossin-
ger's Hotel and Country Club.
Among Hollywood and Broadway
celebrities who are expected to attend
are Boris Karloff, Blossom Seeley,
Benny Fields, Joe E. Brown, Clifton
Webb, Terry Moore and Richard
Widmark.
Skouras to Germany,
Paris; Then Home
London, Dec. 21. — Spyros Skoures,
20th Century-Fox president, left here
by plane at the weekend for Frank-
fort, Germany for a brief visit. He
went from there to Paris to join
Mrs. Skouras, who will accompany
him to New York by plane. They
are scheduled to arrive there Christ-
mas Eve.
While in Paris, it is reported but
not confirmed, Skouras will confer
with Eidophor large screen television
officials.
Tradewise . . .
(Continued from page 1)
pictures. The achievements of
Daff and Feldman, also, are elo-
quent rebuttal to the cynical atti-
tude, sometimes encountered, which
holds that loyalty too often is
poorly rewarded.
Our sincere congratulations to
Daff and Feldman on the occasion
of these memorable, new milestones
in their eventful careers.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sfaerwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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: QuigpuDco,
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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A, O'tten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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.
(A date to remember. Brother-
hood Week's Silver Anniversary,
Feb. 15-22, 195 S.)
I have just seen
THE CLOWN'
starring Red
Skelton. It is su-
perb — a picture
with heart and
soul and joy, a
great boxofj ice
attraction!"
GIFT SUGGESTION !
"Give them
M-G-M Pictures!"
MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID" (Tech.)
Esther Williams, Victor Mature, David Brian.
"THE CLOWN"
Red Skelton, Jane Greer, Tim Considine
"THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL"
Lana Turner, Kirk Douglas, Walter Pidgeon, Dick Powell.
"SOMBRERO" (^ch.)
Ricardo Montalban, Pier Angeli, Vittorio Gassman, Cyd Charisse,
Yvonne de Carlo.
"DREAM WIFE"
Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr, Walter Pidgeon.
"LILI" (Tech.)
Leslie Caron, Mel Ferrer, Jean Pierre Aumont.
"THE GIRL WHO HAD EVERYTHING"
Elizabeth Taylor, Fernando Lamas, William Powell.
"BATTLE CIRCUS"
Humphrey Bogart, June Allyson.
"VAQUERO" (Ansco Color)
Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner, Howard Keel.
"REMAINS TO BE SEEN"
June Allyson, Van Johnson.
"ABOVE AND BEYOND"
Robert Taylor, Eleanor Parker.
"THE NAKED SPUR" (Jech-)
James Stewart, Janet Leigh, Robert Ryan, Ralph Meeker.
"I LOVE MELVIN" (Tech.)
Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds.
"SMALL TOWN GIRL" (Tech.)
Jane Powell, Farley Granger.
"STORY OF THREE LOVES" (Tech.)
Pier Angeli, Ethel Barrymore, Leslie Caron, Kirk Douglas, Farley
Granger, James Mason, Moira Shearer.
"VICKI" (Tech.)
Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon.
"NEVER LET ME GO"
Clark Gable, Gene Tierney.
"JULIUS CAESAR"
Marlon Brando, James Mason, John Gielgud, Louis Calhern, Edmond
O'Brien, and Greer Garson, Deborah Kerr.
"YOUNG BESS" (Tech-)
Jean Simmons, Stewart Granger, Deborah Kerr, Charles Laughton.
and many other big entertainments!
4
MOTION PICTURE DAILY
Monday, December 22, 1952
New 'IT Pacts
(Continued from page 1)
Leon Goldberg: John J. O'Connor
Adolph Schlmel Charles J. Feldman
board chairman; Alfred E. Daff, ex-
ecutive vice-president ; David Lipton,
vice-president in charge of advertis-
ing-publicity, and Edward Muhl, vice-
president. -
The contracts of William Goetz
and Leo Spitz, studio executives, have
another year to run. Spitz has been
inactive because of protracted illness.
Depending on the condition of his
health in the future, his contract may
not be renewed on its expiration next
year.
Feldman Heads
(Continued from page 1)
Schwalberg was host at a dinner hon-
oring the sales executives of the com-
panies.
Present at the dinner, in addition
to Schwalberg and Feldman, were
Al Lichtman, William C. Gehring,
Charles M. Reagan, Maurice Gold
stein, William J. Heineman, Bernard
G. Kranze, George F. Dembow
Ralph D. Hetzel, Ned E. Depinet,
Robert Mochrie, Martin Quigley,
John J. O'Connor, Ted O'Shea and
Monroe Goodman.
Several of the other sales execu
tives were out of the city.
Delay Filings for
Theatre TV Hearing
Washington, Dec. 21— The
Federal Communications
Commission has set back
from tomorrow until Jan. 12
the deadline for parties in the
theatre television hearings to
submit lists, of their pro-
posed witnesses and sum-
maries of the testimony to be
covered. The hearings are
slated to resume Jan. 26.
Para. TV Films
(Continued from page 1)
the series and shooting is scheduled to
start on Jan. 5.
The announcement, which marked
Paramount's first venture into TV film
production, was met by a one-and-an-
eighth point rise in the quotation of
Paramount stock on the New York
Stock Exchange. The trading was
active on Friday with 93,000 shares
sold.
'Sister Arts'
Stated Raibourn: "We believe that
television and motion pictures are sis-
ter arts and that each has a construc-
tive contribution to make to the other."
The programs, he explained, will be
produced under the supervision of Burt
Balaban, director of programming and
production for Paramount Television
Productions, Inc.
At the same time, John F. Howell,
director of sales and merchandising
for Paramount Television, announced
that a complete merchandising and ex-
ploitation campaign is now being pre-
pared.
Curb Damages
(Continued from page 1)
RKO Officers
(Continued from page 1)
Jr. Simpson and Burke have not
been continuous participants in the
current meetings.
Posts Undisturbed
Dietrich, it is learned, is scheduled
to arrive in New York on Jan. 5,
presumably to take over executive di-
rection of the company there. Wil-
liam Clark is expected to continue as
RKO treasurer and Garrett Van Wag-
ner as comptroller. The posts of the
latter two were undisturbed during
the Stolkin syndicate's 10-week inter-
lude in control of management.
with such contingencies. Hundreds of
millions of dollars of retroactive pe-
nalties hinge on such a state of law.
"Under these circumstances
it seems that where the evi-
dence indicates lack of wilful
violation, discretion should be
used to avoid any effort to im-
pose retroactive treble dam-
ages, often covering many
years."
The Council's report said business
policy generally is to comply with the
anti-trust laws, but that the big dif-
ficulty is that agencies and courts in-
terpret the statutes differently. "So
confused is the picture that it is often
impossible for a business man or his
lawyer to know whether he is con-
forming with or violating the anti-
trust laws," the report stated.
The Council suggested a conference
section be set up in the Department
of Justice, and that this section dis-
cuss Deparment complaints with busi-
nessmen before going to court. "There
is reason to believe," the report said,
"that fully 90 per cent of the cases
arising in the anti-trust field can be
solved by preliminary conference."
The Council also urged that business-
men should be able to get authorita-
tive rulings oh a particular practice,
and that such a service might be oper-
ated as an adjunct to the conference
section.
Finally, the Council urged the es-
tablishment of one or more objective
review boards, consisting of competent
businessmen, engineers, economists
and non-prosecuting lawyers, to "in-
sure that government commencement
of anti-trust cases conforms to na-
tional policy."
Secretary Sawyer praised the re-
port and specifically endorsed the sug-
gestion for a conference section in the
Department of Justice.
In the THEATRE
Equipment
World . . .
with RAY GALLO
U. S. Tax Bill
(Continued from page 1)
Premiere of 'Jazz*
Will Be Telecast
Warner Brothers' "The Jazz
Singer" special benefit premiere ac-
tivities on Jan. 13 at the Paramount
Theatre here for the National Foun-
dation for Infantile Paralysis, will be
telecast over WJZ-TV from 8:30 to
9:00 P.M.
Danny Thomas and Peggy Lee,
stars of the film, will attend, in ad-
dition to many other celebrities.
Tickets for the benefit range up to
$100 per seat. Three TV cameras
will be used for the opening night
ceremonies, with Dennis James han-
dling the play-by-play report of the
proceedings and Maggi McNellis re-
porting the fashions and society.
Green Said Seeking
20th Proxy Support
Charles Green, whose recent exten-
sive purchases of 20th Century-Fox
stock has been interpreted in the
trade as the forerunner to a proxy
fight at the next stockholders meet-
ing, is reported to be seeking support
among stockholders. Green is said to
have contacted banking interests with
20th-Fox stock holdings or voting
trusts preparatory to the predicted
proxy battle. According to Wall
Street reports, however, Green has
not been given much assurance that
the interests will line up on his side.
Green, at the weekend, would make
no comment on the report that he was
lining up stockholder support.
"I'm only trying to run my own
business," he told Motion Picture
Daily.
been given to understand that Rep.
Dingell's bill would provide for com-
plete elimination of the Federal ad-
mission tax on tickets priced at 60
cents and under, and that the reduc-
tion of the tax to 10 per cent would
be on tickets over 60 cents.
COMPO officials said they expect
several bills for outright repeal of the
20 per cent tax as well as others
similar to Dingell's to be introduced
early next month. For that reason
they are not unduly concerned about
Dingell's bill failing to make pro-
vision for complete elimination of
the tax.
Robert W. Coyne, executive direc-
tor of COMPO, expressed some sur-
prise that Dingell's bill is taking the
form reported in view of the fact that
its author has been represented as an
advocate of outright repeal of the
tax. The bill, it is understood, calls
for complete elimination of the tax on
dance halls, cabarets and the like.
Coyne said COMPO at the week-
end was endeavoring to get in touch
with Dingell in Detroit to obtain a
clarification of his views.
Schivarz Resigns
Film director Mickey Schwarz has
resigned from Parsonnet TV Studios
here, with whom he has been affiliated
for the past two years.
TWO NEW poster cases of ex-
truded aluminum, smaller in size
than its "Deluxe" model while em-
ploying that same design, have been
added to its line by Poblocki & Sons
of Milwaukee. The new "Premiere"
model is for cases 40 inches wide by
any height or 40 inches high by any
width. The new "Econ" model is for
cases 30 inches wide by any height
or 30 inches high by any width. Both
of the new cases are piano-hinged
and an extra moulding of extruded
aluminum can be added to accommo-
date lighting on all four sides of
the case.
A new carpet which has a sponge
rubber cushion "built in" under a
broadloom surface is being manu-
factured by Shelton Looms for Sid-
ney Blumenthal & Co., Inc., New
York. It is being distributed by
Weil Bros. Textiles, Inc., New York.
Called "Loma Loom," the carpet can
be repaired when damaged by cigar-
ette burns or stains by simply lift-
ing out the harmed section and in-
serting new carpet. For installa-
tion no base or underlay are re-
quired, the sponge rubber back
being designed to mould to the
available type of flooring. Clean-
ing can be either by vacuum or
shampoo. The carpet is manufac-
tured in a wide range of colors.
•
The Wenzel Projector Co. of Chi-
cago has appointed as exclusive dis-
tributors in Mexico of its "Ace"
PRO-4 projectors and WSH-3 sound
heads, the Cinemex Co. of Mexico
City and Guadalajara.
New vending machines for dispens-
ing combs, bobby pins or napkins in
theatre rest rooms have been an-
nounced by White's Comb Vendor,
Inc., Elgin, 111. The comb vendors,
with a capacity of 200 combs, are 30
inches long ; 4>4 inches wide and 6^4
inches thick. The bobby pin vendor
dispenses 18 pins in one package and
has a capacity of 80 such packages.
The napkin vendor has a capacity of
32 napkins.
•
New, individually motorized ticket
issuing units, automatically dispensing
tickets in sets of from one to four,
have been announced by the Argus
Manufacturing Co., Chicago. Cabi-
nets are also available from the com-
pany accommodating three, four or
five separate units, any one of which
may be easily removed without affect-
ing operation of the others. The
mechanisms were developed with a
number of protective devices, includ-
ing separately locked magazine com-
partments to prevent access to un-
authorized personnel. Also, not more
than one key of the same unit may
be operated at one time, and the
machine will not repeat if the key is
held down. The delivery dhute is
designed not to jam even if tickets
are accidentally pushed back. When
the ticket magazine is empty, the unit
locks automatically.
Monday, December 22, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
Review
"The Pathfinder"
(Columbia)
THE TIMELESS NOVEL of James Fenimore Cooper, "The Pathfinder,"
serves as the basis upon which this historical adventure drama has been
produced. Fashioned in knowing formula style, the picture bristles with
action, combat and historical overtones. It is entertainment that is relaxing
and easy to follow. As such it should prove attractive with general patron-
age. The lead and title role is played by George Montgomery, with top billing
shared by Helena Carter.
The story is set in the year 1754 with both France and England seeking
to gain control of the prized American territory around the Great Lakes.
On the side of the English are the peaceful Mohicans while the war-like
Mingos are lined up with the French. As the story opens, the Pathfinder
beholds the atrocities of the Mingos and in rage decides to aid the English.
He agrees to become a scout for them and do some espionage work around a
French supply center. Because he speaks no French, it is decided to provide
him with an interpreter. The interpreter turns out to be Miss Carter.
As one might expect, each becomes competitive with the other and a lot
of innocent differences arise as they infiltrate enemy territory. However, faced
with the common danger of the enemy, both are brought closer together, until
finally love flowers.
Throughout the screenplay, by Robert E. Kent, there are skirmishes with
Indians and dangerous calls in general. The finale sees Montgomery and
Miss Carter captured and doomed to death as spies. It takes some brisk action
by Montgomery and a fortunately-timed attack by the British to save the day.
Sam Katzman produced and Sidney Salkow directed. Others in the cast
are Jay Silverheels and Walter Kingsford.
Running time, 78 minutes. General audience classification. For January
release.
Freeman Denounces
Certain Publicists
Hollywood, Dec. 21 .—"Irresponsible
personal publicity agents" were de-
nounced by Association of Motion
Picture Producers board chairman
Y. Frank Freeman over the weekend
for "descending to the lowest level of
bad taste" in causing the publication
of "salacious" photographic material
in "some trade papers and some fan
magazines."
Freeman pointed out in a statement
released to the press that the organ-
ized industry maintains the Produc-
tion Code and Advertising Code,
which prevent improper material from
emanating from responsible studios or
producers, and called upon all peri-
odicals to lend their "cooperation to-
ward the elimination of such ma-
terial."
$2,340,000 Suit Is
Filed Here by Pix
A $2,340,000 anti-trust suit was
filed here in Federal Court Friday by
the Pix Theatre Co., which owns the
Pix Theatre, Washington, against
eight majors and United Paramount
Theatres.
Listed as co-partners in the Pix
Theatre Co., which also has offices
in New York, are Samuel, Faith and
Max Cummins, Rose Chatkin and
Cecilia B. Cohen. The suit charged,
among other things, discrimination
by the majors against the Pix.
Arthur Leaving FP-C
For Stage Production
Toronto, Dec. 21. — Jack Arthur,
official of the Famous Players-Cana-
dian Corp., the Dominion's largest
circuit since its start, will retire at
the end of the year as a district man-
ager but will continue in an advisory-
capacity, it was announced here in
connection with preparations for a
dinner in his honor next month.
Formal announcement will then be
mdae of his acceptance of a contract
as stage producer of the Canadian
National Exhibition, Toronto fair.
Book 'Niagara,' 'Pan/
'Madam' At Roxy
A line-up of three films to follow
tonight's reopening feature, "Stars
and Stripes Forever" at the Roxy
here was disclosed at the weekend.
In addition to the reopening feature,
the Roxy will introduce its "Ice-
colorama" stage policy.
The three films are "Niagara,"
which will follow "Stars and Stripes
Forever," "Peter Pan," which will
open Feb. 4, and "Call Me Madam."
'Ivanhoe' Goes Into
Release on Feb. 20
Charles M. Reagan, general sales
manager of M-G-M, disclosed at the
weekend that "Ivanhoe" will be made
available for general release on
Feb. 20.
"The pre-release engagements in the
first 200 showings of 'Ivanhoe' set a
record of grossing more than $5,000,-
000, Reagan stated.
Saville to Produce
Spillane Stories
Completion of a deal to film the
mystery novels of Mickey Spillane
was disclosed here at the weekend by
Victor Saville, producer-director.
Saville, who produced "Goodbve
Mr. Chips," "Citadel," "Dr. Jekyll
and Mr. Hyde," and others, said the
first film based on a Spillane novel
will be released in the spring.
Ornstein, Ettinger
Aid 'Brotherhood'
William Ornstein and George Et-
tinger have been appointed to aid the
amusement industry's participation in
"Brotherhood Week," Feb. 15-22, on
behalf of the 25th anniversary of the
National Conference of Christians
and Jews, Si Seadler, national adver-
tising-publicity chairman for the in-
dustry drive, disclosed here at the
weekend.
Ornstein, of M-G-M, will handle
trade publications, while Ettinger, of
Columbia Pictures, will handle radio
and television.
Announcement!!
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA
December 15, 1952
Hal E. Roach, President of the Hal
Roach Studios announced here today an
association with Mr. Harry J. Allen of
Toronto, Canada for the world %vide distri-
bution of twelve feature pictures per year
commencing in 1953.
Asserting his confidence that the Motion
Picture theatre will continue to serve the
public to even a greater extent than hereto-
fore, his plan provides for a series of films
of unique plot and character which ivill be
a "must" for the theatre marquees of the
tuorld.
The first six subjects are tentatively entitled: —
"THE LOST BEYOND"
"THE ELEVENTH COMMANDMENT"
"SHADOW OF THE IRON CURTAIN"
"THE STORM AND THE LOBSTER"
"CICERO"
"THE WOMAN IN WARD NINE"
to be followed by: —
"PRETTY BOY"
"MR. WILMER"
"WALLS OF JERICHO"
"THE GLICKET CAT"
"THE STRIKE"
"TREASURE OF MONTEZUMA"
World-wide distribution will be under
the supervision of Harry J. Allen, ivho will
operate under the title of Guild Inter-
national Films, Inc., 40 Wall Street, N.Y. C.
FIRST
IN
FILM
NEWS
VOL. 72. NO. 120
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
NEW YORK, U. S. A., TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1952
TEN CENTS
Selznick Finds
Reissue Value
Tops TV Deals
Rules Out Sale of Old
SRO Films to Video
Plans to reissue for theatrical
distribution 18 or 19 pictures of the
Selznick Releasing Organization
were disclosed here yesterday by
Frank I. Davis, Jr., vice-president of
SRO, who vigorously denied any in-
tention of selling SRO films to tele-
vision at this time, as reported.
Davis said that David O. Selznick,
SRO president, has rejected offers
from television interests substantially
in excess of $1,000,000 for the films,
which were produced between 1936
and 1952. The reason for the rejection,
according to Davis, was that it "is
economically unfeasible" to release the
films at this time to television. He
said the TV market had been studied
by SRO. "We believe," he added,
"that a greater amount of revenue"
lies in the theatrical reissue value of
.the pictures. He did not rule out,
however, the possibility of selling the
(Continued on page 5)
High Court Rejects
Utah Carrier Case
Washington, Dec. 22. — The Su-
preme Court, by an eight to one vote,
threw out an attempt by a Utah film
carrier to bar the Utah Public Serv-
ice Commission from regulating its
business.
The court ruled largely on techni-
cal grounds that the Utah firm, Wy-
(Continued on page 5)
Hall's Pre - Holiday
Gross Still Climbs
The pre-Christmas gross at
Radio City Music Hall con-
tinues to climb, with a robust
$151,000 forecast for the third
week of "Million Dollar Mer-
maid" and the traditional
holiday stage show.
To further accommodate
holiday audiences, the Hall
has scheduled extra perform-
ances beginning Friday, with
doors opening at 7:30 A.M.,
Saturday at 8:00 A.M., Sun-
day, 11:30 A.M., and Monday
and Tuesday, 7:30 A.M.
20th, Roxy Unveil
'Stripes' and Ice
Show in Gala Bow
(Photo on page 5)
Twentieth Century-Fox and Na-
tional Theatres joined in a double un-
veiling here last night, the former
with its premiere of "The Stars and
Stripes Forever" at the Roxy The-
atre and the latter, which has just
taken over the theatre, with its new
"Ice Colorama" stage pageant. A
third high point in the important event
was the Coast-to-Coast telecast of
the premiere, marking the first "across
the board" televising of an opening,
via American Broadcasting Co. The
occasion also was covered by the
(Continued on page 5)
Drive-in Convention
Committee Is Named
Milwaukee, Dec. 22. — The national
drive-in theatre convention, to be held
at the Schroeder Hotel, here, March
24-26, will be conducted by a main
committee consisting of S. J. Gold-
berg, Hollywood and 29 Drive-in the-
atres, Wausau, president ; Eric Brown,
Plymouth Theatres, vice-president and
over-all convention chairman ; Ben
Marcus, S. & M. Theatres, national
director of Wisconsin Allied, and na-
tional treasurer of Allied, acting as
(Continued on page 5)
RKO Pictures Board
Reelects Walker
Hollywood, Dec. 22.— J. Mil-
ler Walker, as forecast in
Motion Picture Dtoily on Mon-
day, was reelected vice-presi-
dent, general counsel and sec-
retary of RKO Pictures Corp.,
it was disclosed here today
following a meeting of the
board of directors. The post
of presidency was not filled,
however.
Walker is also a member
of the board which includes
Howard Hughes, chairman,
Noah Dietrich, A. D. Simpson
and Edward G. Burke, Jr. The
newly chosen vice-president
has been with the company
22 years.
Report Changes in
Stock to the SEC
Washington, Dec. 22. — Changes in
stock holdings in three industry cor-
porations were reported to the Securi-
ties and Exchange Commission. The
companies were RKO Theatres, Na-
tional Theatres and Warner Brothers
Pictures.
A. Louis Oresman and David
Greene, directors in RKO Theatres,
were purchasers of company stock.
Oresman bought 2,400 shares of com-
(Continned on page 5)
Canada Spent $108,207,000
On Films Last Year; Up 15%
MGM's 'Hoaxters'
Released on Jan. 30
M-G-M has scheduled "The Hoax-
ters," its special 36-minute subject for
national release on Jan. 30.
"The Hoaxters," produced by Dore
Schary, "tells of the evils of Commun-
ism, shows why it is no different basic-
ally from Fascism or Nazism, traces
its history in America and shows how
it must be fought," said the company.
Branch managers throughout the
country will screen the picture locally
for all leading exhibitors who, in turn,
will be asked to hold special showings
(Continued on page 5)
Ottawa, Dec. 22. — Canadians spent an unprecedented high total of
$108,207,000 on motion picture entertainment last year; an increase of
15 per cent over the previous total of $94,152,000. The number of paid
admissions increased three per cent to 239,132,000 from 231,747,000,
! with the per capita expenditure rising
to $7.72 from $7.12, the Canadian
government reports.
There were 1,808 regular theatres
in operation and their receipts were
boosted to $90,986,000 from $82,708,-
000, while amusement taxes declined
slightly to $11,374,000; from $11,445,-
000. _
Drive-in theatres numbered 82 and
accounted for $3,348,000 of the total
receipts and 6,555,000 of the paid ad-
missions, compared with 62 theatres
with receipts of $2,291,000 and 4,943,-
000 paid admissions in the previous
year. There were 632 community en-
terprises operating in 1951 as com-
pared with 586 in 1950. Total receipts
amounted to $1,500,000, an increase of
nearly 20 per cent, while attendance
at these halls was 4,861,000.
RKO Plans 20,
Most in Color,
For Next Year
Would Be in Addition to
Independent Productions
By MURRAY HOROWITZ
Twenty feature productions, the
majority of them in color, are plan-
ned by RKO Pictures for 1953,
Charles Boasberg, RKO Radio Pic-
tures general sales manager, disclosed
here yesterday upon his return from
the Coast where he conferred with
Howard Hughes, board chairman.
The 20, Boasberg- explained, would
be in addition to independent produc-
tions which may be released through
RKO. He said the 1953 production
schedule would be launched in Feb-
ruary, when four or five pictures are
slated for filming, story properties for
which already have been selected.
He said the studio is currently
geared for substantial production on
the properties owned by RKO. While
on the Coast, Boasberg conferred with
Hughes on other projected films, re-
laying his views on the selling poten-
tial of various stories and casting
problems.
Favorable Outlook
Seen in Legislatures
Washington, Dec. 22. — Forty-four
state legislatures will meet next year,
with no indication so far of any un-
usual legislation threatening the in-
dustry, according to Jack Bryson,
legislative representative of the Mo-
tion Picture Association of America.
Only Kentucky, Louisiana, Missis-
sippi and Virginia do not have ses-
sions scheduled for 1953. Fifteen
state legislatures will convene be-
tween Jan. 1 and 8, Bryson stated.
Three Dimension for
11 Evergreen Houses
Portland, Ore., Dec. 22. —
Frank L. Newman, Sr., presi-
dent of Evergreen Theatres
reports that one of its three
Seattle theatres will be equip-
ped early next year for Nat-
ural Vision third-dimensional
films.
Evergreen also will install
third-dimensional equipment
in theatres in 10 other cities
in the Northwest area.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, December 23, 1952
Personal
Mention
GEORGE SCHAEFER will return
to New York today from Holly-
wood.
•
Robeut Gruver, Glenburnie, Md.,
exhibitor, has been discharged from
Mercy Hospital, Baltimore, but is still
confined to bed as the result of in-
juries received in an auto accident.
•
Earl Revoir, Allied Artists assist-
ant treasurer, and Miss Frances
Ramey will be married Christmas
Day at Clinton, Md. They will then
go for a brief trip to Bermuda.
•
Howard Stubbins, Allied Artists
West Coast franchise co-owner, ac-
companied by Mrs. Stubbins, left
Los Angeles yesterday to spend the
holidays in Phoenix.
•
Arthur Krim, United Artists
president, has delayed his return to
New York from Europe until after
Jan. 1. He is currently in Italy,
a
Merle Oberon and Harold Rus-
sell arrived here over the weekend
from Europe aboard the 5". 6\ Queen
Mary.
•
Arthur Davis, president of the firm
bearing his name, will leave here today
for Detroit and Chicago.
•
Steve Broidy, Allied Artists presi-
dent, has returned to his office at the
studio after a four-day illness.
Ben Goetz, head of M-G-M's Brit-
ish studios, left here yesterday by
plane for the Coast.
•
Ray Milland and Mrs. Milland
will sail from here today for Europe
aboard the 5". 5". Queen Mary. -
•
Lester Cowan left here for Holly-
wood yesterday.
U. S. Lists $111,600,000 in
Foreign Film Investments
Washington, Dec. 22. — The U. S.
motion picture industry had $111,-
600,000 invested in foreign countries
at the end of 1950, the Commerce
Department reported today.
The report was based on a census
of film companies, the first since the
end of World War II.
Of the total, $56,400,000 was in-
vested in Western Europe, Commerce
said. The next largest area invest-
ment was $22,900,000 in Canada.
U. S. film companies reported a $16,-
400,000 stake in Latin America. All
other parts of the world accounted
for the remaining $15,900,000.
Commerce officials said that by far
the largest part of the foreign invest-
ments was owned by foreign-incor-
porated subsidiaries, rather than
branches.
See Mayers, Perle
In Top NTFC Posts
Arche Mayers, president of Unity
Television, and Sally Perle of the
Mesal Organization, are expected to
be elected president and vice-presi-
dent, respectively, of the National
Television Film Council at the or-
ganization's annual luncheon-meeting
on Friday.
According to Melvin L. Gold,
NTFC president, who is completing
his third term in office, the posts of
president and vice-president for 1953
are assured to the above-mentioned
nominees due to other candidates
dropping out of the race. At Fri-
day's meeting", the offices of treasurer
and secretary will also be filled, as
well as positions on the board of
directors.
Capitol Books UA's
'Moulin Rouge'
"Moulin Rouge" will have its New
York premiere at the Capitol. Theatre
following the engagement of "An-
drocles and the Lion," it was disclosed
here yesterday by William J. Heine-
man, United Artists vice-president in
charge of distribution. The Romulus
production was directed by John
Huston.
Kaye Has Texas Date
Hollywood, Dec. 22. — Danny Kaye
has been signed for a personal ap
pearance engagement beginning
Christmas Day at the State Fair in
Dallas. He is also booked for the
Palace in New York opening Jan. 18,
Hollander in New Post
Elmer Hollander, for the past three
years film buyer for the St. Cloud
Amusement Co., has resigned and will
assume a new connection after Jan. 1
with Florida States Theatres in Jack-
sonville, Fla.
Set Variety Mexico
Meet for May 18-22
The Variety Clubs International
convention in Mexico City will be
held on May 18-22 next year instead
of in April as previously planned, ac-
cording to word received from Louis
Montes, chairman of the convention,
in Mexico City.
The change was necessary, it was
said, because the previous date con-
flicted with several events being
staged by other Tents throughout the
country and also because it would be
a more suitable time for the "good-
will" milk train for Mexico that is
now being organized by William
Koster of Tent No. 23 of Boston.
Plans for a scrap book contest and
a photo contest at the convention
were also disclosed. A scroll will be
awarded to the Tent having the best
scrap book containing all published
material collected from June 1, 1952
to April 1, 1953 pertaining to club
and Heart activities. In the photo
contest a prize of $300 will be
awarded for the best photograph of a
Variety Club activity or personality
which has been reproduced in a
recognized newspaper, magazine,
trade paper or other periodical after
June 1, 1952 and before April 1, 1953.
In addition, it was disclosed that
American Broadcasting" will broad-
cast over its entire radio network a
special Christmas Eve program salut-
ing Variety Clubs International on the
25th anniversary of the organization's
charitable work.
Special Display for
4Sheba' Premiere
At Victoria Tonight
A full-color 40-by-80-foot display
has been erected over New York's
Victoria Theatre announcing Hal
Wallis' "Come Back, Little Sheba,"
which has its premiere there tonight.
The sign, designed by the Paramount
art department and constructed by
Artcraft-Strauss, is said to be the
largest ever to use concealed shadow-
box illumination through lucite. The
lights are located behind the letters
spelling out the names of the stars —
Burt Lancaster and Shirley Booth —
and those of Terry Moore and
Richard Jaeckel, along with the title
of the picture.
Miss Booth's debut as a motion
picture actress in "Little Sheba" will
receive special television recognition
this morning on the NBC-TV "Today
with Dave Garroway" show.
Lapkin, Moss Aid
Federation Drive
Trustees to Rule on
Operators* Benefits
San Francisco, Dec. 22. — Follow-
ing incorporation of a health and wel-
fare plan in the contracts between
exhibitors and projectionists, a board
of trustees has been set up to sit in
on all health and welfare cases where
payments are to be made for death
or illness.
Members include theatremen Gra-
ham Kislingbury, North Coast The-
atres district manager ; Ben Levin, of
General Theatrical, and Paul Williams
of Golden State Theatres. Represent-
ing projectionists and the local are
business manager John Forde, secre-
tary-treasurer Frank W. Costello and
auditor Rexford Elder.
34 Features Are in
Work on the Coast
Rites for Widow of Katz
Chicago, Dec. 22'. — Services were
held here for Mrs. Sonia Katz, 80,
widow of Morris Katz, one of the
founders of the Balaban and Katz
circuit, who died here at her home on
Friday. She is survived by a son,
Sam, also one of the founders of B.
and K. and more recently chairman of
the board of Stanley Kramer Produc-
tions, two daughters and two brothers.
Hollywood, Dec. 22. — The produc-
tion chart lost a point for a total of
34 pictures in work. Six new ones
were started and seven were com-
pleted.
Started were : "Jalopy," Allied Art-
ists ; "Conquest of Cochise" (Esskay
Pictures), and "Forty-Nine Men,"
Columbia ; "A Lion Is in the Streets"
(Cagney), Warner Brothers; "China
Gold" (Wisberg-Pollexfer) and "The
Neanderthal Man" (Wisberg-Pollex-
fer) both independent.
Completed were : "The Sword and
the Rose" (Disney-British), Inde-
pendent ; "A Slight Case of Larceny"
and "Give a Girl a Break," Metro-
Goldwyn-Mayer ; "Arrowhead" and
"Little Boy Lost," Paramount ;
"Nearer My God to Thee," 20th
Century-Fox ; "The System," Warner
Brothers.
Nat Lapkin, of Fabian Theatres, and
Charles B. Moss, of the B. S. Moss
Corp., have been named co-chairmen
of the vendors committee of the amuse-
ment division of the Federation of
Jewish Philanthropies. Barney Bala-
ban, Simon H. Fabian and Manny
Frisch are the over-all chairmen of
the industry's campaign.
Assisting Lapkin and Moss on the
vendors committee are : Frank An-
gotti, RKO Theatres; Charles Biegel,
Loew's-M-G-M ; Ethel C. Black, Uni-
versal International ; Jules Catsiff,
Skouras Theatres ; J. P. Friedhoff ,
Monogram ; Milton Green, Republic ;
George Hornstein, J. Hornstein, Inc. ;
Stanley Kolbert, Interboro Circuit ;
Fred Lakeman, RKO Theatres; Her-
man R. Maier, Warner Brothers ; Ben
Perse, Capitol Motion Picture Sup-
plies ; Leslie Schwartz, Century Cir-
cuit ; Robert Schwartz, United Art-
ists ; Max Seligman, Columbia ; Al
Streimer, Frisch and Rinzler.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Jefferson's TV Bid
Washington, Dec. 22.— The Jef-
ferson Amusement Co. has applied to
the Federal Communications Com-
mission for a license to build a tele-
vision station in Beaumont, Texas.
Rockefeller Center
"MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID"
Esther WILLIAMS • Victor MATURE
Walter PIDGEON • David BRIAN
Color by TECHNICOLOR . An M-G-M Picture
jii & The Music Hall's Great Christmas Stage Show
rs
coio> o. WARNER COLOR
BR0DERICK CLAIRE
f CRAWFORD ■ FREVOR
Midnight Feature
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin. Kane, Editor; Terry Kamsave, Consulting- 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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
E FEEL THERE IS NO FINER WAY OF PAYING TRIBUTE TO
CHARLES J. FELDMAN THAN FULFILLING TO THE MAXIMUM OF
OUR ABILITY THE UNIVERSAL- INTERNATIONAL TRADITION
which he has helped establish.
That tradition is the consistent delivery of
top-profit product to the nation's exhibitors.
OO WE HAVE SELECTED TWELVE PICTURES -
NINE OF THEM IN TECHNICOLOR - PROVIDING THE STRONGEST
GROUP OF CONSECUTIVE RELEASES IN OUR COMPANY'S
HISTORY. . .WITH WHICH TO ENCOURAGE THE GREATEST
EXHIBITOR PARTICIPATION IN THIS 25TH SILVER ANNIVERSARY DRIVE.
DECEMBER 28TH TO MAY 2ND
-0
lyNIVERSAL-UNTERNATIONAU^^/^^
MAUREEN
flynn • o'hara
Against all flags
COLOR BY
Technicolor
TYRONE POWER
PIPER LAURIE • JULIA ADAMS
%e MISSISSIPPI
GAMBLER,
COLOR
BV Technicolor
ALAN LADD
DESERT LEGh
CO-STARRING
RICHARD ARLENE
CONTE " DAHL
COLOR
BY Technicolor
MEET ME-
AT THE FAIR.
STARRING
DAN DIANA
DAILEY • LYNN
Technicolor
COLOR BY
QTYBEHEmi
THE SEA
STARRING
ANTHONY QUINN * SUZAN BALL
COLOR
BY Technicolor
MA m?A KETTLE
ON VACATION
STARRING
smxmw percy
MAIN • KILBRIDE
The Redhead
■from WYOMING
STARRING
MAUREEN ALEX
O'HARA • NICOL
BY Technicolor
COLOR
GuttfMOKE
AUDIE SUSAN
MURPHY • CABOT
PAUL KELLY • CHARLES DRAKE
COLOR
BV Technicolor
GNUS*™ NIGHT
HARVEY LEMBECK • JOYCE HOLDEN
GLENDA FARRELL • GLEN ROBERTS
PATRICIA HARDY • JACLYNNE GREENE
RAOUL WALSH'S
The LAWLESS
ROCK JULIA
HUDSON • ADAMS
color bv Technicolor
SEMINOLE
STARRING
ROCK BARBARA
HUDSON • HALE
ANTHONY RICHARD
QUINN • CARLSON
Technicolor
COLOR BY
BUD IOU
ABBOTT^ COSW
GOTO MARS
MAR! BLANCHARD and the
Miss Universe Contest Beauties
MBER 2STH TO MAY 2ND
Tuesday, December 23, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
'Stars and Stripes' Premiere
Al Lichtman, director of distribution for 20th Century-Fox, and Mrs.
Lichiman join with show business luminaries and notables from the
political and social world at the world premiere of John Philip Sousa's
"Stars and Stripes Forever," at the newly refurbished Roxy Theatre
here last night.
Customs to Expedite
Foreign Film Release
Changes in procedure for clearing
foreign motion picture film designed
to more completely utilize govern-
ment facilities here, as well as . expe-
dite the release of such imported films
here, are announced by Harry M.
Durning, collector for the Bureau of
Customs, New York.
The changes, to be made effective
next month, contemplate that com-
mercial and feature films arriving by
air which do not require screening,
or with regard to which screening is
waived, will be cleared and com-
pletely released at the airport where
entry is made.
Films requiring screening will be
sent to the Appraiser's Stores or to
the Custom House Building. In
either case, prompt action will be
taken to examine and release the
films.
At present a good deal of com-
mercial film is examined and screened
outside the Customs buildings at the
request of importers. In many in-
stances, it was found, the film would
have been released more promptly had
it been sent to the Appraiser's Stores.
Should the government facilities be
overtaxed to the extent that undue
delays might result, consideration will
be given to importers' requests for
screenings at private preview rooms,
it was stated.
Also, under a new procedure, im-
ported film requiring processing or
printing will be released to recognized
film laboratories for necessary work
on assurances from importers and the
laboratories that the printed or
processed material will be submitted
to Customs for examination when the
"lab" work is completed.
Selznick Finds
(Continued from page 1)
films to television following their re-
issue theatrical run.
The SRO executive explained that
the reissue value of the films would
be depleted at this time if the same
films also appeared on home television.
He declined to estimate how long it
would take SRO to reissue the pack-
age theatrically, but said that the or-
dinary run for complete distribution
of a reissue is about two years. He
said it has not been decided as yet
how many reissues would be released
at' one time.
Selznick arrived here yesterday
from Rome, where his latest produc-
tion, "Terminal Station," is being
filmed.
High Court
(Continued from page 1)
coff Co., Inc., had brought the suit
before its business really was threat-
ened with regulation.
Wycoff contended that all film
carrying was part of interstate com-
merce and that even its routes wholly
within Utah could not be regulated
by the Utah Commission. It asked
for a "declaratory judgment" to this
effect. A District court ruled against
it, but the Court of Appeals upheld
the company.
In the high court's opinion today,
Justice Jackson said the company
offered "no evidence whatever of any
past, pending of threatened action by
the Utah Commission touching its
business in any respect."
MGM's 'Hoaxters'
(Continued from page 1)
in their own projection rooms, where
possible, and arrange for representa-
tives of the press, clergy, educational
institutions, American Legion, Vet-
erans of Foreign Wars and persons in
local, public and civic life to attend.
In connection with the distribution
and releasing plans for "The Hoax-
ters," Charles M. Reagan, general
sales manager, stated : "It is the com-
pany's desire to get the widest possible
circulation of this picture in the belief
that there will accrue to theatres in
particular and the industry at large a
result that cannot help but be of the
greatest benefit to all concerned."
Hughes and Reiman
In New UA Posts
John Hughes and Arthur Reiman
have been promoted to head the
newly-established dual contract de-
partments of United Artists' Eastern-
Southern and Western - Canadian
divisions, respectively, it was an-
nounced by B. G. Kranze, general
sales manager. The reorganization
does away with a single contract de-
partment.
Hughes has been assistant to East-
ern-Southern division manager Mil-
ton E. Cohen. Reiman has been
assistant to Joseph Sugar, who had
been head of the over-all contract
department until his appointment last
week as branch manager of United
Artists' New York exchange.
April 13-14 Tentative
Dates for KATO Meet
Louisville, Dec. 22. — Tentative
dates of April 13-14 have been set for
the annual Kentucky Association of
Theatre Owners convention, according
to president Ralph McCianahan, who
also disclosed that Bob Cox of Schine
Theatres, Lexington, succeeds Harold
Sliter as a KATO director. Schine
has transferred Sliter' to Ohio.
Underwriters List
Fire Safety Films
The National Board of Fire Under-
writers has made public its new 1953
listing of 22 current fire prevention
films that are being offered free. The
films, several in color, run from five
to 20 minutes. All emphasize the need
for increased fire prevention in the
face of today's record annual loss of
11,000 lives and $770,000,000 worth of
property.
Baron with 'Redbook'
Harold Baron has been named
articles editor of Redbook Magazine
by Wade H. Nichols, editor. He
succeeds John B. Danby who was
recently appointed executive editor.
Baron was formerly with Today's
Woman Magazine where he served as
feature editor for four years before
free lancing as a magazine writer for
the past year. He also was associate
articles editor for This Week Maga-
zine and a manuscript scout for the
Thomas Y. Crowell Publishing Co.
Roxy Reopens
(Continued from page 1)
"Voice of America" and the Armed
Forces Radio Service, beaming the
show to listeners around the world.
Despite cold weather and a threat
of rain or snow, thousands of specta-
tors jammed a three-block area flank-
ing the 50th Street and 7th Avenue
entrances to the theatre to view the
arrival of celebrities. Robert Q.
Lewis and Maggi McNellis "M.C'd
the 30-minute ABC video show at the
theatre which had been closed for the
installation of the ice equipment.
Citation to Webb
Following the theatre-front festivi-
ties, ceremonies were held on stage at
which Clifton Webb accepted a cita-
tion from the U. S. Marine Corps to
20th-Fox for its many films depicting-
Marine Corps life and traditions. The
citation was made by Col. William
F. Santelmann, conductor of the U. S.
Marine Corps band which played a
medley of John Philip Sousa marches
after the ceremonies.
Preceding the presentation of "The
Stars^ and Stripes Forever," the
Roxy's corps of dancers-on-ice per-
formed the theatre's initial "Ice Color -
ama" program, teeing off the theatre's
new ice show policy. A preview of the
ice show was presented on Ed Sulli-
van's "Toast of the Town" CBS-TV
program Sunday night.
Report Changes
( Continued from page 1 )
mon, increasing his direct holdings to
32,400 shares. Greene bought 2,400
shares of common through the
Chemical Bank and Trust Co. for
Dorothy Greene, increasing the total
to 36,500 shares.
Elmer C. Rhoden, a director of
National Theatres and president of
Fox Midwest, purchased 3,000 shares
of common, increasing direct holdings
to 8,900 shares. He also has indirect
holdings of 2,025 shares.
Warner vice-president Albert War-
ner made gifts of 3,200 shares of
common, decreasing holdings to
329,350 shares. Warner also pur-
chased 5,600 shares of common, repre-
senting additions to holdings in a
trust in which Warner is a beneficiary
q'f 26,000 shares.
Drive-in Convention
(Continued from page 1)
national drive-in chairman ; Oliver
Trampe, Cudahy Theatres, treasurer
of Wisconsin Allied, acting as state
chairman; Robert C. Peck, Keno and
Westgate Drive-in theatres, Kenosha
and Racine, publicity chairman ; Ed-
ward E. Johnson, Roosevelt Theatre,
Milwaukee, advertising chairman.
Peck states that the convention is
strictly for drive-in theatre owners and
that the invitation is extended whether
an exhibitor is affiliated or not with
Allied.
On The Line
By BOB CONSIDINE
NEW YORK, NOV. 27- (INS) -I saw a
moving picture the other night which my
great grandchildren should enjoy in the
21st century-just as my grandfather would
have enjoyed it if it had appeared in the
19th century.
It is Samuel Goldwyn's new one, "Hans
Christian Andersen," starring Danny Kaye,
with Farley Granger and a stunning bal-
lerina named Jeanmaire. Moss Hart magic-
ally built a durable and touching story out
of sheer gossamer ; Frank Loesser wrote a
barrel of sprightly and moving music;
Charles Vidor directed this demi-factual
fable with the surest of hands, and Roland
Petit's choreography was so impressive we
looked up the meaning of the word.
To begin with, it is not an easy task to
make a moving picture as lush as this one is.
Nobody in Hollywood is more aware of tele-
vision and other causes of a falling off of
movie attendances. But Goldwyn put more
than $3,000,000 into this story of the whim-
sical, semi-tragic, wonderful cobbler who
almost made good in the big city of Copen-
hagen. His confidence should be rewarded
for years to come, for this is an effort that
can be brought back whenever man's hearts
need lightening.
Kaye's Best
It must have been a tough one to write
too. But Hart has put together a story
which, while not a biography of Andersen
in the strict sense, leaves the viewer with an
unusually well-defined memory of an eccen-
tric Dane whose wan, sad, happy, explosive
fairy stories have won the rapt attention of
children throughout the world for more
than a hundred years.
This is the best thing Kaye has ever done.
He is as nimble and believable as Ander-
sen's stories are to children. His handling
of the film's swarm of Technicolored chil-
dren, his miming with 14-year-old Joey
Walsh (a fine young actor from the East
Side of New York who is making his debut
in films ) , and his forlorn love for the hap-
pily married ballet dancer show us a Kaye
infinitely better than ever before.
Unfeeling slob that I am, I've always felt
that with the possible exception of opera
the most inept way to tell a story is by bal-
let. The sight of a girl dancing on her toes,
no matter how delicately, has always made
me wince like a quince. I keep thinking the
off-stage castanets are toes snapping like
popcorn. I have an occasional nightmare of
being forced at gunpoint to do one of these
excruciating pirouettes, at a certain point
of which I break both ankles and babble the
H-Bomb plans to the mad man.
Artful Blend
Getting back to the ballet, however, the
flouncing in "Hans Christian Andersen" is
blended into the story as artfully as Kaye s
song cubs. This Jeanmaire is something to
see. She would have set grandpaw's mus-
tache a'twitter, just as I predict she'll cause
the jet-propelled rotors on my great-grand-
children's beanies to whir happily in 2052
A.D.
If you're still with me, you may ask,
"Won't her clothes look as out of place in
the 21st century as Lillian Russell's now
do?" Nope. Jeanmaire's costumes in
"Hans," or lack of same, have no ^ more
chance of going out of style than Eve's.
I wanted to say something nice about
Frank Loesser's words and music. But the
man who sat next to me said it better by his
applause at the end of almost every Loesser
number. The man who sat next to me was a
fair hand at that profession himself. Fellow
named Richard Rodgers.
news I MOTION PICTURE
™ DAI LY
VOL. 72. NO. 120
NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1952
TEN CENTS
Selznick Finds
Reissue Value
Tops TV Deals
Rules Out Sale of Old
SRO Films to Video
Plans to reissue for theatrical
distribution 18 or 19 pictures of the
Selznick Releasing Organization
were disclosed here yesterday by
Frank I. Davis, Jr., vice-president of
SRO, who vigorously denied any in-
tention of selling SRO films to tele-
vision at this time, as reported.
Davis said that David O. Selznick,
SRO president, has rejected offers
from television interests substantially
in excess of $1,000,000 for the films,
which were produced between 1936
and 1952. The reason for the rejection,
according to Davis, was that it "is
economically unfeasible" to release the
films at this time to television. He
said the TV market had been studied
by SRO. "We believe," he added,
"that a greater amount of revenue"
lies in the theatrical reissue value of
the pictures. He did not rule out,
however, the possibility of selling the
(Continued on page 5)
High Court Rejects
Utah Carrier Case
Washington, Dec. 22. — The Su-
preme Court, by an eight to one vote,
threw out an attempt by a Utah film
carrier to bar the Utah Public Serv-
ice Commission from regulating its
business.
The court ruled largely on techni-
cal grounds that the Utah firm, Wy-
(Continued on page 5)
20th, Roxy Unveil
'Stripes' and Ice
Show in Gala Bow
(Photo on page 5)
Twentieth Century-Fox and Na-
tional Theatres joined in a double un-
veiling here last night, the former
with its premiere of "The Stars and
Stripes Forever" at the Roxy The-
atre and the latter, which has just
taken over the theatre, with its new
"Ice Colorama" stage pageant. A
third high point in the important event
was the Coast-to-Coast telecast of
the premiere, marking the first "across
the board" televising of an opening,
via American Broadcasting Co. The
occasion also was covered by the
(Continued on page 5)
Drive-in Convention
Committee Is Named
Milwaukee, Dec. 22. — The national
drive-in theatre convention, to be held
at the Schroeder Hotel, here, March
24-26, will be conducted by a main
committee consisting of S. J. Gold-
berg, Hollywood and 29 Drive-in the-
atres, Wausau, president ; Eric Brown,
Plymouth Theatres, vice-president and
over-all contention chairman ; Ben
Marcus, S. & M. Theatres, national
director of Wisconsin Allied, and na-
tional treasurer of Allied, acting as
(.Continued on page 5)
RKO Pictures Board
Reelects Walker
Hollywood, Dec. 22.— J. Mil-
ler Walker, as forecast in
Motion Picture Dbily on Mon-
day, was reelected vice-presi-
dent, general counsel and sec-
retary of RKO Pictures Corp.,
it was disclosed here today
following a meeting of the
board of directors. The post
of presidency was not filled,
however.
Walker is also a member
of the board which includes
Howard Hughes, chairman,
Noah Dietrich, A. D. Simpson
and Edward G. Burke, Jr. The
newly chosen vice-president
has been with the company
22 years.
Report Changes in
Stock to the SEC
Washington, Dec. 22. — Changes in
stock holdings in three industry cor-
porations were reported to the Securi-
ties and Exchange Commission. The
companies were RKO Theatres, Na-
tional Theatres and Warner Brothers
Pictures.
A. Louis Oresman and David
Greene, directors in RKO Theatres,
were purchasers of company stock.
Oresman bought 2,400 shares of com-
(Continued on page 5)
Hall's Pre -Holiday
Gross Still Climbs
The pre-Christmas gross at
Radio City Music Hall con-
tinues to climb, with a robust
$151,000 forecast for the third
week of "Million Dollar Mer-
maid" and the traditional
holiday stage show.
To further accommodate
holiday audiences, the Hall
has scheduled extra perform-
ances beginning Friday, with
doors opening at 7:30 A.M.,
Saturday at 8:00 A.M., Sun-
day, 11:30 A.M., and Monday
and Tuesday, 7:30 A.M.
Canada Spent $108,207,000
On Films Last Year; Up 15%
Ottawa, Dec. 22. — Canadians spent an unprecedented high total of
$108,207,000 on motion picture entertainment last year ; an increase of
15 per cent over the previous total of $94,152,000. The number of paid
admissions increased three per cent to 239,132,000 from 231,747,000,
with the per capita expenditure rising
MGM's Hoaxters'
Released on Jan. 30
M-G-M has scheduled "The Hoax-
ters," its special 36-minute subject for
national release on Jan. 30.
"The Hoaxters," produced by Dore
Schary, "tells of the evils of Commun-
ism, shows why it is no different basic-
ally from Fascism or Nazism, traces
its history in America and shows how
it must be fought," said the company.
Branch managers throughout the
country will screen the picture locally
for all leading exhibitors who, in turn,
will be asked to hold special showings
(Continued on page 5)
to $7.72 from $7.12, the Canadian
government reports.
There were 1,808 regular theatres
in operation and their receipts were
boosted to $90,986,000 from $82,708,-
000, while amusement taxes declined
slightly to $11,374,000; from $11,445,-
000.
Drive-in theatres numbered 82 and
accounted for $3,348,000 of the total
receipts and 6,555,000 of the paid ad-
missions, compared with 62 theatres
with receipts of $2,291,000 and 4,943,-
000 paid admissions in the previous
year. There were 632 community en-
terprises operating in 1951 as com-
pared with 586 in 1950. Total receipts
amounted to $1,500,000, an increase of
nearly 20 per cent, while attendance
at these halls was 4,861,000.
RKO Plans 20,
Most in Color,
For Next Year
Would Be in Addition to
Independent Productions
By MURRAY HOROWITZ
Twenty feature productions, the
majority of them in color, are plan-
ned by RKO Pictures for 1953,
Charles Boasberg, RKO Radio Pic-
tures general sales manager, disclosed
here yesterday upon his return from
the Coast where he conferred with
Howard Hughes, board chairman.
The 20, Boasberg- explained, would
be in addition to independent produc-
tions which may be released through
RKO. He said the 1953 production
schedule would be launched in Feb-
ruary, when four or five pictures are
slated for filming, story properties for
which already have been selected.
He said the studio is currently
geared for substantial production on
the properties owned by RKO. While
on the Coast, Boasberg conferred with
Hughes on other projected films, re-
laying his views on the selling poten-
tial of various stories and casting
problems.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22.--
Jack Bryson, legislative
representative of the
MPAA, reports that 44
state legislatures will
meet next year, with no
indication so far of
any unusual legislation
threatening the industry.
Only Kentucky , Louisiana,
Mississippi and Virginia
do not have sessions
scheduled for 1953.
e
PORTLAND, Ore., Dec.
22. — One of Evergreen
Theatres' three Seattle
houses will be equipped to
show Natural Vision three
dimension films, reports
Frank L. Newman, Sr.,
president of the circuit.
Evergreen will also in-
stall the NV system in 10
other cities in the North-
west area.
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, December 23, 1952
Personal
Mention
EORGE SCHAEFER will return
to New York today from Holly-
wood.
U. S. Lists $111,600,000 in Special Display for
Foreign Film Investments 'fthevba' PrenTr?
At Victoria lonight
Robert Gruveu, Glenburnie, Md.,
exhibitor, has been discharged from
Mercy Hospital, Baltimore, but is still
confined to bed as the result of in-
juries received in an auto accident.
•
Eaul Revoir, Allied Artists assist-
ant treasurer, and Miss Frances
Ramey will be married Christmas
Day at Clinton, Md. Tbey will then
go for a brief trip to Bermuda.
•
Howard Stubbins, Allied Artists
West Coast franchise co-owner, ac-
companied by Mrs. Stubbins, left
Los Angeles yesterday to spend the
holidays in Phoenix.
•
Arthur Krim, United Artists
president, has delayed his return to
New York from Europe until after
Tan. 1. He is currently in Italy.
•
Merle Oberon and Harold Rus-
sell arrived here over the weekend
from Europe aboard the 5. S\ Queen
Marx. .
•
Arthur Davis, president of the firm
bearing his name, will leave here today
for Detroit and Chicago.
•
Steve Broidy, Allied Artists presi-
dent, has returned to his office at the
studio after a four-day illness. -
Ben Goetz, head of M-G-M's Brit-
ish studios, left here yesterday by
plane for the Coast.
Ray Milland and Mrs. Milland
will sail from here today for Europe
aboard the 5\ 6*. Queen Mary.
Lester Cowan left here for Holly-
wood yesterday.
Washington, Dec. 22. — The U. S.
motion picture industry had $111,-
600,000 invested in foreign countries
at the end of 1950, the Commerce
Department " reported today.
The report was based on a census
of film companies, the first since the
end of World War II.
Of the total, $56,400,000 was in-
vested in Western Europe, Commerce
said. The next largest area invest-
ment was $22,900,000 in Canada.
U. S. film companies reported a $16,-
400,000 stake in Latin America. All
other parts of the world accounted
for the remaining $15,900,000.
Commerce officials said that by far
the largest part of the foreign invest-
ments was owned by foreign-incor-
porated subsidiaries, rather than
branches.
See Mayers, Perle
In Top NTFC Posts
Arche Mayers, president of Unity
Television, and Sally Perle of the
Mesal Organization, are expected to
be elected president and vice-presi-
dent, respectively, of the National
Television Film Council at the or-
ganization's annual luncheon-meeting
on Friday.
According to Melvin L. Gold,
NTFC president, who is completing
his third term in office, the posts of
president and vice-president for 1953
are assured to the above-mentioned
nominees due to other candidates
dropping out of the race. At Fri-
day's meeting, the offices of treasurer
and secretary will also be filled, as
well as positions on the board of
directors.
Capitol Books UA's
'Moulin Rouge'
"Moulin Rouge" will have its New
York premiere at the Capitol Theatre
following the engagement of "An-
drocles and the Lion," it was disclosed
here yesterday by William J. Heine-
man. United Artists vice-president in
charge of distribution. The Romulus
production was directed by John
Huston.
Set Variety Mexico
Meet for May 18-22
The Variety Clubs International
convention in Mexico City will be
held on May 18-22 next year instead
of in April as previously planned, ac-
cording to word received from Louis
Montes, chairman of the convention,
in Mexico City.
The change was' necessary, it was
said, because the previous date con-
flicted with several events being
staged by other Tents throughout the
country and also because it would be
a more suitable time for the "good-
will" milk train for Mexico that is
now being organized by William
Koster of Tent No. 23 of Boston.
Plans for a scrap book contest and
a photo contest at the convention
were also disclosed. A scroll will be
awarded to the Tent having the best
scrap book containing all published
material collected from June 1, 1952
to April 1, 1953 pertaining to club
and Heart activities. In the photo
contest a prize of $300 will be
awarded for the best photograph of a
Variety Club activity or personality
which has been reproduced in a
recognized newspaper, magazine,
trade paper or other periodical after
June 1, 1952 and before April 1, 1953.
In addition, it was disclosed that
American Broadcasting will broad-
cast over its entire radio network a
special Christmas Eve program salut-
ing Variety Clubs International on the
25th anniversary of the organization's
charitable work.
A full-color 40-by-80-foot display-
has been erected over New York's
Victoria Theatre announcing Hal
Wallis' "Come Back, Little Sheba,"
which has its premiere there tonight.
The sign, designed by the Paramount
art department and constructed by
Artcraft-Strauss, is said to be the
largest ever to use concealed shadow-
box illumination through lucite. The
lights are located behind the letters
spelling out the names of the stars —
Burt Lancaster and Shirley Booth —
and those of Terry Moore and
Richard Jaeckel, along with the title
of the picture.
Miss Booth's debut as a motion
picture actress in "Little Sheba" will
receive special television recognition
this morning on the NBC-TV "Today
with Dave Garroway" show.
Lapkin, Moss Aid
Federation Drive
Kaye Has Texas Date
Hollywood, Dec. 22. — Danny Kaye
has been signed for a personal ap-
pearance engagement b e g i n n i n g
Christmas Day at the State Fair in
Dallas. He is also booked for the
Palace in New York opening Jan. 18.
Trustees to Rule on
Operators' Benefits
San Francisco, Dec. 22. — Follow-
ing incorporation of a health and wel-
fare plan in the contracts between
exhibitors and projectionists, a board
of trustees has been set up to sit in
on all health and welfare cases where
payments are to be made for death
or illness.
Members include theatremen Gra-
ham Kislingbury, North Coast The-
atres district manager ; Ben Levin, of
General Theatrical, and Paul Williams
of Golden State Theatres. Represent-
ing projectionists and the local are
business manager John Forde, secre-
tary-treasurer Frank W. Costello and
auditor Rexford Elder.
34 Features Are in
Work on the Coast
Hollander in New Post
Elmer Hollander, for the past three
years film buyer for the St. Cloud
Amusement Co., has resigned and will
assume a new connection after Jan. 1
with Florida States Theatres in Jack-
sonville, Fla.
Rites for Widow of Katz
Chicago, Dec. 22. — Services were
held here for Mrs. Sonia Katz, 80,
widow of Morris Katz, one of the
founders of the Balaban and Katz
circuit, who died here at her home on
Friday. She is survived by a son.
Sam, also one of the founders of B.
and K. and more recently chairman of
the board of Stanley Kramer Produc-
tions, two daughters and two brothers.
Hollywood, Dec. 22. — The produc-
tion chart lost a point for a total of
34 pictures in work. Six new ones
were started and seven were com-
pleted.
Started were : "Jalopy," Allied Art-
ists ; "Conquest of Cochise" (Esskay
Pictures), and "Forty-Nine Men,"
Columbia ; "A Lion Is in the Streets"
(Cagney), Warner Brothers; "China
Gold" ( Wisberg-Pollexfer) and "The
Neanderthal Man" (Wisberg-Pollex-
fer) both independent.
Completed were : "The Sword and
the Rose" (Disney-British), Inde-
pendent ; "A Slight Case of Larceny"
and "Give a Girl a Break," Metro-
Goldwyn-Mayer ; "Arrowhead" and
"Little Boy Lost," Paramount ;
"Nearer My God to Thee," 20th
Century-Fox ; "The System," Warner
Brothers.
Nat Lapkin, of Fabian Theatres, and
Charles B. Moss, of the B. S. Moss
Corp., have been named co-chairmen
of the vendors committee of the amuse-
ment division of the Federation of
Jewish Philanthropies. Barney Bala-
ban, Simon H. Fabian and Manny
Frisch are the over-all chairmen of
the industry's campaign.
Assisting Lapkin and Moss on the
vendors committee are : Frank An-
gotti, RKO Theatres ; Charles Biegel,
Loew's-M-G-M ; Ethel C. Black, Uni-
versal International ; Jules Catsiff ,
Skouras Theatres ; J. P. Friedhoff ,
Monogram ; Milton Green, Republic ;
George Hornstein, J. Hornstein, Inc. ;
Stanley Kolbert, Interboro Circuit ;
Fred Lakeman, RKO Theatres ; Her-
man R. Maier, Wrarner Brothers ; Ben
Perse, Capitol Motion Picture Sup-
plies ; Leslie Schwartz, Century Cir-
cuit ; Robert Schwartz, United Art-
ists ; Max Seligman, Columbia ; Al
Streimer, Frisch and Rinzler.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center — ^— ^—
"MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID"
Esther WILLIAMS* Victor MATURE
Walter PIDGEON • David BRIAN
Color by TECHNICOLOR . An M-G-M Picture
! & The Music Hall's Great Christmas Stage Show
i
Jefferson's TV Bid
Washington, Dec. 22. — The Jef-
ferson Amusement Co. has applied to
the Federal Communications Com-
mission for a license to build a tele-
vision station in Beaumont, Texas.
DAMON RUNYON'S
•stop*
aw », WARNER COLOR
BROOERICK CLAIRE
f CRAWFORD ■ [8
ORCHESTRA
Midnight Feature
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin. Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting 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: yuigpubco,
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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, Fl 6-3074; Bruce Trmz, Editorial Representative, 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, T. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; Hope Burnup. Manager; Feter 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 $12 foreign; single copies, 10c
rmotmced
• • • •
E FEEL THERE IS NO FINER WAY OF PAYING TRIBUTE TO
CHARLES J. FELDMAN THAN FULFILLING TO THE MAXIMUM ©F
OUR ABILITY THE UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL TRADITION
WHICH HE HAS HELPED ESTABLISH.
I HAT TRADITION IS THE CONSISTENT DELIVERY OF
TOP-PROFIT PRODUCT TO THE NATION'S EXHIBITORS.
OO WE HAVE SELECTED TWELVE PICTURES -
NINE OF THEM IN TECHNICOLOR - PROVIDING THE STRONGEST
GROUP OF CONSECUTIVE RELEASES IN OUR COMPANY'S
HISTORY. . .WITH WHICH TO ENCOURAGE THE GREATEST
EXHIBITOR PARTICIPATION IN THIS 25TH SILVER ANNIVERSARY DRIVE.
N I VE RSAL- LInTE RN ATI ON ALj^grf
ERROL MAUREEN
flynn • o'hara
Against all flags
COLOR BV
Technicolor
TYRONE POWER
PIPER LAURIE • JULIA ADAMS
%e MISSISSIPPI
GAMBLER,
COLOR Bv"|ecnrlJCOf OF
ALAN LADO
Desert UGh
CO- STARRING
RICHARD ARLEN
CONTE ' DAHL
COLOR BV^^ppJcQfor
MEET ME
AT THE FAIR.
STARRING
DAN DIANA
DAILEY • LYNN
color ^Technicolor
The redhead
fan WYOMING
STARRING
MAUREEN ALEX
O'HARA • NICOL
color ^Technicolor
RAOUL WALSH'S
Tie LAWLESS
ROCK JULIA
HUDSON • ADAMS
color Bv"Jecnnfcofor
QTYBEHEffl
THE SEA
STARRING
ROBERT RYAN • MALA POWERS
ANTHONY QUINN • SUZAN BALL
COLOR
BYTechnicolor
&jli$NlOKE
AUDIE SUSAN
MURPHY • CABOT
PAUL KELLY • CHARLES DRAKE
colo. "Technicolor
SEMINOLE
STARRING
ROCK BARBARA
HUDSON • HALE
ANTHONY RICHARD
QUINN • CARLSON
color BvTgchpkjoloj-
MA anpPA KETTLE
ON VACATION
STARRING
MARJORIE PERCY
MAIN • KILBRIDE
GffelSiNme NIGHT
HARVEY LEMBECK • JOYCE HOLDEN
GLENDA FARRELL * GLEN ROBERTS
PATRICIA HARDY • JACLYNNE GREENE
SOP LjOU
ABBOTT** CQSfe
GOTO MARS
MARI BLANCHARD and the
Miss Universe Contest Beautie
DEC
BER a 8 TH TO MAV 2ND
Tuesday, December 23, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
'Stars and Stripes' Premiere
Al Lichtman, director of distribution for 20ih Century-Fox, and Mrs.
Lichtman join with show business luminaries and notables from the
political and social world at the world premiere of John Philip Sousa's
"Stars and Stripes Forever," at the newly refurbished Roxy Theatre
here last night.
Customs to Expedite-
Foreign Film Release
Changes in procedure for clearing
foreign motion picture film designed
to more completely utilize govern-
ment facilities here, as well as expe-
dite the release of such imported films
here, are announced by Harry M.
Darning, collector for the Bureau of
Customs, New York.
The changes, to be made effective
next month, contemplate that com-
mercial and feature films arriving by
air which do not require screening,
or with regard to which screening is
waived, will be cleared and com-
pletely released at the airport where
entry is made.
Films requiring screening will be
sent to the Appraiser's Stores or to
the Custom House Building. In
either case, prompt action will be
taken to examine and release the
films.
At present a good deal of com-
mercial film is examined and screened
outside the Customs buildings at the
request of importers. In many in-
stances, it was found, the film would
have been released more promptly had
it been sent to the Appraiser's Stores.
Should the government facilities be
overtaxed to the extent that undue
delays might result, consideration will
be given to importers' requests for
screenings at private preview rooms,
it was stated.
Also, under a new procedure, im-
ported film requiring processing or
printing will be released to recognized
film laboratories for necessary work
on assurances from importers and the
laboratories that the printed or
processed material will be submitted
to Customs for examination when the
"lab" work is completed.
Selznick Finds
(Continued from page 1)
films to television following their re-
issue theatrical run.
The SRO executive explained that
the reissue value of the films would
be depleted at this time if the same
films also appeared on home television.
He declined to estimate how long it
would take SRO to reissue the pack-
age theatrically, but said that the or-
dinary run for complete distribution
of a reissue is about two years. He
said it has not been decided as yet
how many reissues would be released
at one time.
Selznick arrived here yesterday
from Rome, where his latest produc-
tion, "Terminal Station," is being
filmed.
High Court
(Continued from page 1)
coff Co., Inc., had brought the suit
before its business really was threat-
ened with regulation.
Wycoff contended that all film
carrying was part of interstate com-
merce and that even its routes wholly
within Utah could not be regulated
by the Utah Commission. It asked
for a "declaratory judgment" to this
effect. A District court ruled against
it, but the Court of Appeals upheld
the company.
In the high court's opinion today,
Justice Jackson said the company
offered "no evidence whatever of any
past, pending of threatened action by
the Utah Commission touching its
business in any respect."
MGM's 'Hoaxters'
(Continued from page 1)
in their own projection rooms, where
possible, and arrange for representa-
tives of the press, clergy, -educational
institutions, American Legion, Vet-
erans of Foreign Wars and persons in
local, public and civic life to attend.
In connection witli the distribution
and releasing plans for "The Hoax-
ters," Charles M. Reagan, general
sales manager, stated: "It is the com-
pany's desire to get the widest possible
circulation of this picture in the belief
that there will accrue to theatres in
particular and the industry at large a
result that cannot help but be oi the
greatest benefit to all concerned."
Hughes and Reiman
In New UA Posts
John Hughes and Arthur Reiman
have been promoted to head the
newly-established dual contract de-
partments of United Artists' Eastern-
Southern and Western - Canadian
divisions, respectively, it was an-
nounced by B. G. Kranze, general
sales manager. The reorganization
does away with a single contract de-
partment.
Hughes has been assistant to East-
ern-Southern division manager Mil-
ton E. Cohen. Reiman has been
assistant to Joseph Sugar, who had
been head of the over-all contract
department until his appointment last
week as branch manager of United
Artists' New York exchange.
April 13-14 Tentative
Dates for KATO Meet
Louisville, Dec. 22. — Tentative
dates of April 13-14 have been set for
the annual Kentucky Association of
Theatre Owners convention, according
to president Ralph McClanahan, who
also disclosed that Bob Cox of Schine
Theatres, Lexington, succeeds Harold
Sliter as a KATO director. Schine
has transferred Sliter to Ohio.
Underwriters List
Fire Safety Films
The National Board of Fire Under-
writers has made public its new 1953
listing of 22 current fire prevention
films that are being offered free. The
films, several in color, run from five
to 20 minutes. All emphasize the need
for increased fire prevention in the
face of today's record annual loss of
11,000 lives and $770,000,000 worth of
property.
Baron with 'Redbook'
Harold Baron has been named
articles editor of Redbook Magazine
by Wade H. Nichols, editor. He
succeeds John B. Danby who was
recently appointed executive editor.
Baron was formerly with Today's
Woman Magazine where he served as
feature editor for four years before
free lancing as a magazine writer for
the past year. He also was associate
articles editor for This Week Maga-
zine and a manuscript scout for the
Thomas Y. Crowell Publishing Co.
Roxy Reopens
(Continued from page 1 )
"Voice of America" and the Armed
Forces Radio Service, beaming the
show to listeners around the world.
Despite cold weather and a threat
of rain or snow, thousands of specta-
tors jammed a three-block area flank-
ing the 50th Street and 7th Avenue
entrances to the theatre to view the
arrival of celebrities. Robert Q.
Lewis and Maggi McNellis "M.C'd
the 30-minute ABC video show at the
theatre which had been closed for the
installation of the ice equipment.
Citation to Webb
Following the theatre-front festivi-
ties, ceremonies were held on stage at
which Clifton Webb accepted a cita-
tion from the U. S. Marine Corps to
20th-Fox for its many films depicting
Marine Corps life and traditions. The
citation was made by Col. William
F. Santelmann, conductor of the U. S.
Marine Corps band which played a
medley of John Philip Sousa marches
after the ceremonies.
Preceding the presentation of "The
Stars and Stripes Forever," the
Roxy's corps of dancers-on-ice per-
formed the theatre's initial "Ice Color -
ama" program, teeing off the theatre's
new ice show policy. A preview of the
ice show was presented on Ed Sulli-
van's "Toast of the Town" CBS-TY
program Sunday night.
Report Changes
(Continued from page 1)
mon, increasing his direct holdings to
32,400 shares. Greene bought 2,400
shares of common through the
Chemical Bank and Trust Co. for
Dorothy Greene, increasing the total
to 36,500 shares.
Elmer C. Rhoden, a director of
National Theatres and president of
Fox Midwest, purchased 3,000 shares
of common, increasing direct holdings
to 8,900 shares. He also has indirect
holdings of 2,025 shares.
Warner vice-president Albert War-
ner made gifts of 3,200 shares of
common, decreasing holdings to
329,350 shares. Warner also pur-
chased 5,600 shares of common, repre-
senting additions to holdings in a
trust in which Warner is a beneficiary
of 26,000 shares.
Drive-in Convention
(Continued from page 1)
national drive-in chairman ; Oliver
Trampe, Cudahy Theatres, treasurer
of Wisconsin Allied, acting as state
chairman ; Robert C. Peck, Keno and
Westgate Drive-in theatres, Kenosha
and Racine, publicity chairman ; Ed-
ward E. Johnson, Roosevelt Theatre.
Milwaukee, advertising chairman.
Peck states that the convention is
strictly for drive-in theatre owners and
that the invitation is extended whether
an exhibitor is affiliated or not with
Allied.
On The Line
By BOB CONSIDINE
NEW YORK, NOV. 27- (INS) -I saw a
moving picture the other night which my
great grandchildren should enjoy in the
21st century-just as my grandfather would
have enjoyed it if it had appeared in the
19th century.
It is Samuel Goldwyn's new one, "Hans
Christian Andersen," starring Danny Kaye,
with Farley Granger and a stunning bal-
lerina named Jeanmaire. Moss Hart magic-
ally built a durable and touching story out
of sheer gossamer; Frank Loesser wrote a
barrel of sprightly and moving music;
Charles Vidor directed this demi-factual
fable with the surest of hands, and Roland
Petit's choreography was so impressive we
looked up the meaning of the word.
To begin with, it is not an easy task to
make a moving picture as lush as this one is.
Nobody in Hollywood is more aware of tele-
vision and other causes of a falling off of
movie attendances. But Goldwyn put more
than $3,000,000 into this story of the whim-
sical, semi-tragic, wonderful cobbler who
almost made good in the big city of Copen-
hagen. His confidence should be rewarded
for years to come, for this is an effort that
can be brought back whenever man's hearts
need lightening.
Kaye's Best
It must have been a tough one to write
too. But Hart has put together a story
which, while not a biography of Andersen
in the strict sense, leaves the viewer with an
unusually well-defined memory of an eccen-
tric Dane whose wan, sad, happy, explosive
fairy stories have won the rapt attention of
children throughout the world for more
than a hundred years.
This is the best thing Kaye has ever done.
He is as nimble and believable as Ander-
sen's stories are to children. His handling
of the film's swarm of Technicolored chil-
dren, his miming with 14-year-old Joey
Walsh (a fine young actor from the East
Side of New York who is making his debut
in films ) , and his forlorn love for the hap-
pily married ballet dancer show us a Kaye
infinitely better than ever before.
Unfeeling slob that I am, I've always felt
that with the possible exception of opera
the most inept way to tell a story is by bal-
let. The sight of a girl dancing on her toes,
no matter how delicately, has always made
me wince like a quince. I keep thinking the
off-stage castanets are toes snapping like
popcorn. I have an occasional nightmare of
being forced at gunpoint to do one of these
excruciating pirouettes, at a certain point
of which I break both ankles and babble the
H-Bomb plans to the mad man.
Artful Blend
Getting back to the ballet, however, the
flouncing in "Hans Christian Andersen" is
blended into the story as artfully as Kaye's
song cues. This Jeanmaire is something to
see. She would have set grandpaw's mus-
tache a'twitter, just as I predict she'll cause
the jet-propelled rotors on my great-grand-
children's beanies to whir happily in 2052
A.D.
If you're still with me, you may ask,
"Won't her clothes look as out of place in
the 21st century as Lillian Russell's now
do?" Nope. Jeanmaire's costumes in
"Hans," or lack of same, have no^ more
chance of going out of style than Eve's.
I wanted to say something nice about
Frank Loesser's words and music. But the
man who sat next to me said it better by his
applause at the end of almost every Loesser
number. The man who sat next to me was a
fair hand at that profession himself. Fellow
named Richard Rodgers.
a JBertp, JWerrp Gfcnstmas «o 911
MOTION PICTURE
VOL. 72. NO. 121
NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1952
TEN CENTS
Bankers Trust 1 16 from MGM
Sets New Film In 4 Months
Loan Policy
Calls for A $500,000
Maximum, 50% of Cost
By AL STEEN
Bankers Trust Co. of New York
has evolved a three-cornered policy
in making production loans to film
producers, a policy which is said by
the bank to be "about as foolproof as
you can get in a business that's defi-
nitely not foolproof."
The policy in brief is (1) no
loan of more than 50 per cent
of production cost will be made,
(2) no loan beyond $500,000 will
be granted on a film and (3) no
single-picture loans will be made.
This means that a producer
must come in with a program
of at least two and preferably
three pictures.
The loans are cross-collaterized so
that in the event one film proves to
be unprofitable, there is some assur-
ance of success for the producer via
profits on the others, ft is explained
(Continued on page 5)
Say Dietrich Balks
Over Status in RKO
Hollywood, Dec. 23. — Failure of
the RKO Pictures board of directors
to elect Noah Dietrich, former board
chairman, to the company presidency
earlier this week, as had been ex-
pected, is attributed by observers here
to a situation similar to that which
impelled Ned E. Depinet, former com-
pany president, to decline the post
two weeks ago, that is, unwillingness
of the Howard Hughes' controlled
board to delegate complete autonomy
to the chief executive of the company.
Dietrich, it is believed, has balked
at taking the post without assurances
(Continued on page 5)
Skouras Is Due Back
In New York Today
Spyros P. Skouras, president of
20th Century-Fox, is scheduled to
arrive here from Paris today by
plane, concluding a three-month,
round-the-world survey of company
and film industry conditions. His
(Continued on page 5)
M-G-M will release 16 pictures dur-
ing the four months starting Jan. 1
instead of 12 as previously announced,
it was disclosed here yesterday by
Charles M. Reagan, general sales
manager.
Under the tentative schedule an-
nounced several weeks ago, M-G-M
had three pictures a month listed for
the same period. The new program
of releases will make available five
pictures in January, four in Feb-
ruary, of which two are in color by
Technicolor; three in March, one in
Technicolor, and four in April, one
in Technicolor.
"Lili" and "The Story of Three
Loves," both in Technicolor, will be
(Continued on page 5)
Mixed Reaction to
Tri-Opticon System
Chicago, Dec. 23.— Mixed reaction
came at the unveiling of the Tri-Opti-
con third dimensional system in the
Tel enews Theatre here before an in-
vited audience of the press and others.
The program consisted of several
short subjects, including a ballet, a
visit to a zoo and aquarium, a British
travelogue and cartoons. Some view-
ers though the pictures caused se-
vere eye-strain, particularly in the
(Continued on page 5)
MPA IN NEW MOVE
ON CENSORSHIP
Estimate $15,000
For Roxy Opener
The best non-holiday busi-
ness since Aug., 1951, was
being chalked up by 20th
Century - Fox's "Stars and
Stripes Forever," with "Ice
Colorama" on the Roxy Thea-
tre stage yesterday, its open-
ing day, it was announced by
David Katz, managing direc-
tor. At 3:00 P.M. the box-
office recorded $3,097 and
Katz estimated that $15,000
would be in the till before the
theatre closed last night.
Sees Majors Making
12-15 in NV in '53
Hollywood, Dec. 23.— Estimating
that 12 to 15 features will be pro-
duced by the majors in Natural
Vision three-dimension during the next
12 months, NV president Milton L.
Gunzburg has allocated $40,000 for
the expansion of his plant and an ex-
perimental laboratory to keep pace
with developments.
With orders already placed with
(Continued cm page 5)
"Moulin Rouge
99
Hopes for Repeal Bills
In Hopper in 5 States
By J. A. OTTEN
Washington, Dec. 23. — The
Motion Picture Association of
America will swing into action for
legislation repealing existing film
censorship laws in five states when
their legislatures meet next year. An
MPA A spokesman said here yester-
day that the association hoped repeal
bills would be introduced in New
York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Kan-
sas and Ohio. A sixth state, Vir-
ginia, has set no 1953 sessions.
The MPAA's projected move
for censorship repeal is re-
garded here as the next step in
the association's continuing
drive against state censorship.
The manner in which action
will be taken has not been de-
fined, but it is presumed that it
will be done through contacts
with legislators. The associa-
tion, itself, could not introduce
the repeal bills.
ft is expected that attention also
(Continued on page 5)
ACLU Suit Would
End Chi. Censors
[Romulus- U nited Artists]
ALL OF THE COLOR, excitement and energy of a rich seg-
ment of life has been captured in this portrayal of Henri de
Toulouse-Lautrec, the famed French artist of the Paris streets.
His personality as depicted by Jose Ferrer under the imaginative
direction of John Huston electrifies the screen. This is a picture
which is among the best of the year and some of those participating
in its production should be candidates for Academy Awards.
Paris of the 1880's, or more exactly, the Paris familiar to Tou-
louse-Lautrec, comes alive in this Romulus production, illuminating
a tragic life against the gay, savage, emotional background of Paris
nightlife. There are many entertainment values in this picture and
they should pay off at the box-office.
The Can-Can girls, the night-life scenes, the prints of horse races
and circuses, all of the familiar artistry of Toulouse-Lautrec, are in-
terwoven in the story, and the color by Technicolor enhances their
reproduction. There is sweep and depth in this picture which, in its
123 mintes, ranges through the life of a talented, sensitive individual
who was swept by the currents of his period.
The tragedy of Toulouse-Lautrec was that he was dwarfed by a childhood
(Continued on page 5)
Chicago, Dec. 23.— Abolition of the
Chicago censor board is sought in an
action for declaratory judgment filed
in Circuit Court here today by the
Chicago branch of the American Civil
Liberties Union and Charles Liebman,
who holds local rights to "The
Miracle."
The action follows unsuccessful ef-
forts over a period of months to ob-
tain a reversal of the local censor
board's ban on "The Miracle."
Projectionists Put Off
Theatre TV Bid
The IATSE projectionists' union
will withhold special wage demands
for theatre telecasts until the medium
proves itself successful, a spokesman
for Local No. 306 said here yes-
terday.
He explained that the union has
alerted exhibitors owning theatre TV
equipment that it would enter nego-
tiations on wage demands at some
later date.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, December 24, 1952
Personal
Mention
ARNOLD M. PICKER. United
Artists vice-president in charge
of foreign distribution, arrived in New
York by plane yesterday from the Far
East.
•
Harry Lamont, head of Lamont
Theatres, and Mrs. Lamont will leave
Albany Monday for a month's vaca-
tion in Key West, Fla. Robert W.
Case, manager of Lamont's Sunset
Drive-in, Kingston, and Mrs. Case
will accompany them.
e
Robert W. Coyne, COMPO ex-
ecutive director, and Charles E. Mc-
Carthy, information director, were
hosts to trade press representatives at
an informal luncheon at the Astor
Hotel here yesterday.
•
Morgan Hudgins of M-G-M's stu-
dio publicity staff is scheduled to
arrive here from Nairobi, Africa, on
Jan. 2 and will return to the Coast
shortly thereafter.
•
Jerome Pickman, Paramount vice-
president in charge of advertising-
publicity, will leave here today by
plane for Hollywood.
•
Milton Sperling, Warner Brothers
producer, and Hugo Fregonese, di-
rector, have returned to Hollywood
from Mexico City.
•
Martin Friedman, head of Para-
mount's playdate department, has re-
turned to his desk here from a two-
week vacation.
•
Arthur Lubin, Warner Brothers
director, has left Hollywood on loca-
tion scouting down the coast of South-
ern California.
•
R. M. Savini, president of Astor
Pictures Corp., will fly to Miami
Beach from here today.
Nat Cohen Here from
London; to Coast Sun.
Nat Cohen, managing director of
Anglo-Amalgamated Film Distribu-
tors, Ltd., has arrived here from
London and will leave for Hollywood
on Sunday to turn over to William
Nassour a print of their joint pro-
duction, "Street of Shadows," star-
ring Cesar Romero. He will also
discuss further joint Anglo-American
production there.
Cohen will also discuss American
distribution here for "Ghost Ship"
and "Noose for a Lady," both re-
cently completed in England.
'Daily' Not Published
Tomorrow or Friday
Motion Picture Daily will
not be published tomorrow,
Christmas Day, a legal holi-
day, or on Friday because of
the extended observance of
the holiday.
'Met' Poll Finds Public
Favoring Theatre TV
An "overwhelmingly favorable response" by the public to theatre tele-
casts of operas was recorded in the poll taken by the Metropolitan Opera
Company on the "Carmen" telecast, according to preliminary tabulation,
it was learned here from a Theatre Network Television spokesman.
Thousands of persons who saw the
Dec. 11 event — the first theatre TV
entertainment program offered to the
public — said they would like to see
more of such telecasts, it was stated.
In addition to the favorable responses
recorded on a questionnaire distrib-
uted to the audiences of 30 theatres
from Coast-to- Coast, there was some
adverse comment too. It was ex-
plained that some individuals ex-
pressed criticism of the picture tele-
cast.. .
A complete tabulation of the results
of the survey is expected shortly.
The spokesman for TNT, which acted
as the production-distribution organ-
ization for the telecast, said the re-
sults were very encouraging. He de-
clined to state whether TNT would
offer additional operas this season.
Improved Tri-Color
Video Tube Shown
AMPA Party Draws
Packed House Here
Frivolity and good fellowship
reigned at the Piccadilly Hotel here
yesterday when the Associated Mo-
tion Picture Advertisers held its an-
nual Christmas party for members
and guests. The party played to a
packed house in the Georgian Room
of the hotel where everybody received
a door prize which ranged from liquor
to bars of soap to gloves and back
to liquor again.
Chairman was Chester Friedman.
The guests were entertained by such
personalities as Benny Fields, Boris
Karloff and Joe E. Brown. Numbers
for the prizes were drawn by Brown
and Fields, the latter tying in the
drawings with amusing episodes ex-
perienced in the filming of Para-
mount's "Somebody Loves Me," which
depicted the lives of Fields and his
wife, Blossom Seeley. Karloff thanked
AMPA for what it had done for himi
publicity-wise.
The grand prizes were restricted
to AMPA members only, the prizes
consisting of vacations in Miami, Day-
tona Beach, Atlantic City and at
Grossinger's.
Herring to Roses
In RKO Press Play
The opening of "No Time for Flow-
ers" at the Normandie Theatre here
tomorrow has been preceded by a
courtship of newsmen by RKO Radio
publicists. One day they came bear-
ing knockwurst, another day, her-
ring; another, preserves. Yesterday
they came with flowers.
The explanation : background of the
picture is Behind the Iron Curtain.
There, swains woo not with flowers
but with food, rarer and more highly
prized. The switch to flowers yes-
terday, the publicists explained, is to
impress in the American manner.
An improved model of the Lawrence
tri-color tube, now called the Chroma-
tron Tube, was demonstrated here yes-
terday by Chromatic Laboratories,
Inc., in which Paramount Pictures
owns a 50 per cent interest.
The tube, currently designed for
home television sets, gave an excellent
performance within the limitations of
the demonstration. The color defini-
tion and the color depth were excel-
lent. Specially-made Kodochrome
slides, used by the television indus-
try for testing purposes, were utilized.
The' transmission was from a neigh-
boring room.
Dick Hodgson, Chromatic president,
said the purpose of the demonstration
was to awaken interest in color TV
and to show ithe television industry
the type of tube available for mass
production. The industry currently is
under government controls rigidly con-
fining the use of color television.
Hodgson said the tube, now made to
operate in harmony with the Columbia
Broadcasting color system, would be
compatible with any color system
adopted by the TV system. He esti-
mated that the additional price to the
consumer for a Chromatron tube set
would be $50 over current TV set
prices under a mass-production set-up
and using the CBS color system. He
said such a set would offer color and
black-and-white reception. M. H.
VI TV Subsidiary
Cuts Production
Hollywood, Dec. 23. — United
World Films, a TV production com-
pany owned by Universal-Interna-
tional, has decided to cut-back on pro-
duction plans due to what was de-
scribed as the financial uncertainty of
the television market.
U-I executives were said to have
found production costs substantial in
comparison to the earning potential
of TV films. Members of the pro-
duction staff are being laid off or
assigned to' other work.
Doubles Guarantee
For 'Moulin Rouge'
New York's Capitol Theatre, out-
bidding all competitors for "Moulin
Rouge," doubled its "African Queen"
guarantee for the latest John Huston
production, a spokesman for United
Artists, the distributor of the picture,
disclosed here yesterday.
"Moulin Rouge" will bave its New
York premiere at the Capitol follow-
ing the engagement of "Androcles
and the Lion."
Approve TV Stations
For Idaho, Nevada
Washington, Dec. 23. — The
Federal Communications
Commission today authorized
the first television stations in
Idaho and Nevada, approving
applications for stations in
Boise and Reno. They were
among 12 approved today,
bringing to 169 the number
approved since the freeze was
lifted early this year.
Two of today's grants were
for new Pittsburgh stations.
Others were for Bakersfield,
Calif., Neenah, Wis.; Lafay-
ette, Ind., Muskegon, Mich.,
Buffalo, N. Y., Watertown,
N. Y-; Lawton, Okla.; and
Meridian, Miss.
Set Spots for Three
20th-Fox TV Series
Sales in key markets of three 20th
Century-Fox video series, "Three
Guesses," "Crusade in Europe," and
"News Adventures for Young Amer-
ica," were announced here by Phil
Williams, national sales executive for
20th Century-Fox Television Produc-
tions.
Stations contracting for "Three
Guesses" are WSM-TV, Nashville
and WTVR, Richmond. "Crusade
in Europe" will be seen first-run on
KROD-TV, El Paso; KGNC-TV,
Amarillo, and Beaumont, Texas;
with third-run showings set- on
KPRC-TV, Houston ; WFIL-TV,
Philadelphia, and WEWS-TV, Cleve-
land. "News Adventures for Young
America" has been set for showings
in Beaumont, Texas.
20th to Hold Party
The 20th Century-Fox Family Club
will hold its annual Christmas party
today at the City Center Casino,
here, with all home office employes,
members of the New York exchange
and Movietone News personnel in-
vited. Ted Shaw, president of the
club, will greet the guests. Harry
Reinhardt is chairman of the arrange-
ments committee.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center
"MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID"
Esther WILLIAMS • Victor MATURE
Walter PIDGEON • David BRIAN
Color by TECHNICOLOR . An M-G-M Picture
& The Music Hall's Great Christmas Stag* Show
IHH4I* MAY
April m
Color br
flAUDKDAIIHIIN TYXUXK.'Ol
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Nazism
Midnight Foalvr*
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin. Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting Editor. Published daily, except Saturdays,
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WHEN ITS JANUARY 1ST IN THE
USA--. ITS APRIL IN PARIS!
From
WARNER BROS.
for New Years
that oo-la-lovely
musical spree
in Paree!
DORIS
WITH
CLAUDE DAUPHIN
«NdEVE MILLER • GEORGE GIVOI • PAUL HARVEY
WRITTEN BY JACK ROSE and MELVILLE SHAVELSON
1|. Musical Numbers Staged and Directed by LeRoy Pnnz
Song "April in Paris", Lyrics by L Y. Harburg, Music by Vernon Duke
Original Songs, Lyrics by Sammy Cahn, Music by Vernon Duke
Musical Direction by Ray Heindorf
PRODUCED BY WILLIAM JACOBS
DAVID BOILER
Motion Picture daily
Wednesday, December 24, 1952
Motion Picture Daily Feature Reviews
"The Clown"
(Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)
Hollywood, Dec. 23
7 CLOWN" of 1952 is "The Champ" of 1931 with Red Skelton and
1 Tim Considine batting for the late Wallace Beery and the grown-up
Tackie Cooper, and with the star playing an alcoholic comedian instead of an
alcoholic boxer. Although the science of film production has progressed dur-
ing the 21 -year interval, and although there are differences in emphasis and
incident it "is still in essence the Frances Marion story, adapted this time by
Leonard Praskins (who wrote the dialogue for the 1931 picture), and scripted
by Martin Rackin. There is, therefore, no good reason for doubting that the
new picture will exert the same prosperous tear-jerkmg influence the old
one did The Hollywood preview experience argues that it will. The film
was previewed blind at the Village Theatre in Westwood, a college com-
munity and the flashing of the title and credits on the screen didn't get a
ripple, ' but the tragic finish collected fervent applause. It would seem to
follow that persons attracted by a Skelton billing would eat it up.
When the story opens, Skelton, a once-famous comedian, has drunk him-
self out of job after job but still is the idol of his son, played with simple
directness by young Considine. Fired from an amusement park, Skelton is
offered a minor booking but shows up drunk at the audition and loses out.
The boy appeals to his former agent, whom Skelton has avoided since a
break of his own making, and gets the comedian another booking which
winds up disappointingly. On this occasion the boy's mother, divorced from
Skelton some years and now remarried and well off, shows up and tells the
boy her identity. Skelton is at first resentful but accepts money from _ her
new husband for letting the boy see her, and then loses the money in a
crap game. After being arrested for participation in a stag performance,
Skelton forces his son to go to his mother, but the boy refuses to stay
away, and is happy again as he helps Skelton prepare for a television pro-
gram' which is to open up for him a new career in show business. It does
so (the program being, of course, identical with the real Skelton TV show),
but the strain proves too much and the comedian dies following his success-
full TV premiere. . .
The boy's mother is played by Jane Greer, the agent by Lorm Smith,
and the cast also includes Philip Ober, Lou Lubin, Fay Roope, Walter Reed,
Edward Marr, Jonathan Cott and Don Beddoe.
Although Skelton has two or three occasions in the course of the story
to go into his typical comedy routines, these sequences are secondary to the
straight-line story of comedian and son. William H. Wright produced, and
Robert Z. Leonard directed.
Running time, 89 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
jan. 16. William R. Weaver
Ruby Gentry
(Bemhard- Vidor— 20th Century -Fox )
JENNIFER JONES plays her role as Ruby Gentry, the compulsive, savage
young lady of the swamplands, to the hilt, rendering a striking, though
stylized characterization which should win this film a receptive audience.
The accent of the story is on love, passion and violence. Although there is
much unexplained in the delineation of the characters, there is sufficient
action and violence on the screen to capture the interest of most audiences.
With proper promotion, especially aimed at women, this film should do good
business.
Impetuous Jennifer Jones is deeply enchanted with Charlton Heston, who
plays the role of a young North Carolina gentleman whose family back-
ground blocks him from returning Ruby Gentry's love. Despite the clan-
destine affair between the two, Heston marries a young lady of social stand-
ing. In her loneliness and grief, Jennifer turns to an old friend and bene-
factor, Karl Maiden, and marries him. Maiden, almost twice the age of his
wife, attempts to gain social acceptance of Ruby Gentry through the utiliza-
tion of his wealth. This fails and the failure is doubly compounded by
Maiden's accidental death while boating with his wife. In revenge on the
town that turned against her, Jennifer uses her deceased husband's wealth
to wreck the leaders of the community, among them her ex-lover, Heston.
The closing tempestuous scenes find Heston almost killing her in his wrath.
However, it is he who is shot by Ruby Gentry's fanatical brother.
Others in the cast include Tom Tully, Bernard Phillips, James Anderson,
Josephine Hutchinson and Phyllis Avery. Joseph Bernhard and King Vidor
produced, while Vidor directed from a screenplay by Silvia Richards based
on a story by Arthur Fitz-Richards.
Running time, 82 minutes. Adult audience classification. Release date,
Dec. 23. M. H.
Hollywood, Dec. 23
"The I Don't Care Girl"
(20th Century-Fox) Hollyzvood, Dec. 23
MITZI GAYNOR herein gives a dazzling portrayal of the scintillating-
Eva Tanguay whose meteoric manner and footlighted showmanship
brightened the Broadway and the hinterland of these United States in the
infancy of the present century. Due to the march of science and invention,
Miss Gaynor's music numbers are colorful and resplendent far beyond Miss
Tanguay's originals, and ditto her costumes, etc., but this is all on the plus
side of the balance sheet. The production is strictly in the tradition of the
20th Century-Fox musicals with color in Technicolor — light, glib, swift, tune-
ful, frankly fabricated as to story and neatly in the groove as to score — and
figures to give traditional satisfaction. Besides Miss Gaynor and David
Wayne, both of whom earned "Top Ten" ranking in Quigley Publications'
"Stars-of-Tomorrow" poll of exhibitors for 1952, the cast supplies the name
and talent of Oscar Levant for a showman to exploit. Likewise George
Jessel, who is down as producer of the picture and plays himself in it (as
producer of the picture), as well as sharing some of the song credits.
The prime strength of the production is in the musical numbers, which
cover a wide range as to kind and presentation. First on the screen (before
the title, even) is a chorus handling of the all-but-forgotten "Miss You."
Later on "Beale Street Blues" is utilized in one of the hottest production
numbers yet seen on the screen. At a couple of midpoints the pace is slowed
down for the camera to closeup the keyboard while Levant performs classical
solo numbers in his best concert manner. Anybody who doesn't like music
in large and assorted doses has no business attending this picture.
Walter Bullock is credited with writing the script, which is a loose out-
lining of the era of show business in which Miss Tanguay was a reigning
luminary, and it serves the purpose without getting overly earnest at any
point. The cast, in addition to those named above, includes Bob Graham,
Craigh Hill, Warren Stevens, Hazel Brooks, Marietta Canty, Sam Hearn,
Wilton Graff, Dwayne Ratliff, Bill Foster and Gwyneth Verdon. Seymour
Felix staged three of the production numbers on a scale and in a fashion
he'll be hard pressed to top until and unless they start making musicals in
Natural Color three-dimension.
Running time, 81 minutes. General audience classification. For January
release. W. R. W.
"My Cousin Rachel"
(20th Century-Fox)
p HE readers of best-selling books, among which this novel ■ by Daphne
du Maurier recently was a distinguished leader, and the fans of Olivia
de Havilland, a numerous and constant contingent, are the target groups
likeliest to respond with enthusiasm to this fastidiously produced story about
some landed gentry in England about 1840. For these, and for whatever
other especially conditioned groups there may be within box-office range,
this doubtless is an eminently satisfying motion picture. But for plain
admission-buying Americans (Britishers may be different) the attraction
stacks up as an extremely well made picture of little or no moment, a pleasant
thing to look at but only in the mildest sense a dramatic experience. Its pro-
spects for financial success on this side of the Atlantic, save in the class
situations, are far less brilliant than the workmanship lavished upon it by
the studio.
The production is beneficiary of the skilled hand of Nunnally Johnson,
both as producer and as writer of the screenplay, and of the masterly direc-
tion of Henry Koster. The numerous and costly sets are of top calibre, and
the photography by Joseph La Shelle makes the most of them. Miss de
Havilland's performance is fine, as usual, although she is called upon for
nothing that could be called a challenge to her art, and the many others in
the large cast, none of whose names have marquee value of consequence, do
well enough with the singularly colorless portrayals assigned them.
The production's damaging weakness is, oddly enough, the du Maurier
story itself, which seems to have been one of those not infrequent instances
of good reading which does not translate into good viewing. It concerns
primarily a young Englishman whose cousin and guardian has died abroad
after marrying a remote family relative and after writing a couple of letters
during his last illness which arouse a suspicion that his wife may have done
him in. Later on, the widow (Miss de Havilland) comes to England and
the young man (Richard Burton) invites her to the family estate, despite
his suspicions, and proceeds to fall in love with her. From this point on
the tale piles up hints that (1) she is a murderess and (2) she is not a
murderess, which is where matters stand when she falls to her death through
a bridge on the property. The inconclusive ending is said to have been a
characteristic of the novel, although handled a little differently, and it there-
fore has at least the virtue of fidelity to source. It is not, however, what
may be termed "good movie," in this reviewer's opinion.
Running time 98 minutes. General audience classification. For January
release. W. R. W.
New Coast Transmitter
Hollywood, Dec. 23. — Construction
has begun at Santa Barbara on TV
station KEYT's 4,100-foot mountain
peak transmitter. The station is due
on the air in May. Ronald Colman
is one of the station's owners.
WB's Utica Dark Again
Albany, N. Y., Dec. 23. — Warner's
Utica, Utica, which reopened in Octo-
ber after a summer shutdown, has
discontinued the exhibition of motion
pictures but will continue boxing and
wrestling matches.
'Jazz Singer9 Fla.
Premiere on Jan. 1
Warner Brothers' "The Jazz Sing-
er," starring Danny Thomas and
Peggy Lee, has been set for a spe-
cial engagement day-and-date at the
Paramount Theatre, Miami, and the
Beach Theatre, Miami Beach, over
New Year's. The picture will be-
gin this special engagement immedi-
ately following the Dec. 30 world
premiere at the Fox Beverly in Bev-
erly Hills, Cal., with a midnight show
on Dec. 31 and the regular engage-
ment starting Jan. 1 for an indefinite
run at both houses.
New York's WJZ-TV is broadcast-
ing 12 daily spot announcements on
the local benefit premiere of "The
Jazz Singer," which will have its
New York debut on behalf of the
National Foundation for Infantile
Paralysis at the New York Para-
mount Theatre on Tuesday evening,
Jan. 13. The announcements, which
are being telecast for four weeks in
advance of the premiere, are also be-
ing broadcast over the station's six
daily audience participation TV shows.
Wednesday, December 24, 1952
5
'Moulin Rouge"
{Continued from page 1)
accident which stunted the growth of his legs. The accident turned him
away from his aristocratic heritage, sending him into the streets of Paris
where he sought refuge and a milieu in which his artistic talents could
flower. Constantly thwarted in love because of his deformity, he takes up
with a trollop, superbly played by Colette Marchand.
Toulouse-Lautrec, the midget who was a giant of a man, finally does find
a woman who accepts him completely, but by this time he is so steeped in
bitterness that he realizes it is too' late. The woman who plays that role is
Suzanne Flon, a model who takes to Toulouse-Lautrec out of loneliness and
respect for his genius.
The impact of the final love tragedy proves too much for Toulouse-Lautrec,
who destroys himself by intensifying his drinking. His death comes at a
moment when the greatest recognition of his talents is given him in France.
Lightening the dark overtones, weaving in and out of the story, are the
delightful dancers and singers of the "Moulin Rouge," the cafe made famous
by Toulouse-Lautrec in his posters. Among them are Zsa Zsa Gabor,
Katherine Kath, Rubert John, Muriel Smith and Walter Crisham. Jose
Ferrer, in addition to playing the dwarfed artist, portrays the father of
Toulouse-Lautrec, while his mother is portrayed by Claude Nollier.
Others in the cast include Georges Lannes, Mary Clare, Harold Gasket, Lee
Montague, Jill Bennet, Maureen Swanson and Jim Gerald. The screen
play was by Anthony Veiller and John Huston, while the associate producer
was Jack Clayton.
Running time, 123 minutes. Adult audience classification. For March
release. Murray Horowitz
National
Pre-Selling
THE January issue of Seventeen
is written and illustrated entirely
by young people. Patricia Perrin, 17
years old, who attends high school in
Warwick, Va., conducted the "At the
Movies" department. Contrary to
popular belief, Patricia says "teen-
agers are capable of intelligent criti-
cism of a movie even when Tony
Curtis is in it." A full-color page ad
on "Hans Christian Andersen" also
appears in this issue.
•
A Gilbert and Sullivan film biog-
raphy recently completed received a
five-page story including full-color
pictures in the Dec. 22 issue of Life.
Also in this issue is a four-color ad
on "Hans Christian Andersen" and
a one-half page ad on "Come Back,
Little Sheba."
•
Tzvo of Hollywood's best-known
stars t are living refutations of the
fable that there's no room in one
home for two careers, writes Ruth
Harberth in the January issue of
Good Housekeeping. June Allyson
and Dick Powell, each in the top
echelon of motion pictures, have no
conflict over their careers. Their
home life with four-year-old Pamela
and not-quit e-two Richard is warm
and delightful. June Allyson s latest
picture is M-G-M' s "Battle Circus"
and Dick Potvell is directing "Split
Second" for RKO Radio.
e
Loretta Young, star of Universal-
International's "Because of You," tells
a very enlightening story about St.
Anne's Maternity Hospital for Un-
married Mothers, in the Jan. 4 issue
of American Weekly. Loretta is
president of St. Anne's. The same
issue of the magazine carries a one-
half page full-color ad on "The Mis-
sissippi Gambler," starring Tyrone
Power.
•
Hal Wallis' "Come Back, Little
Sheba" has been greeted by fan
magazines with sweeping praise,
including predictions that the film
will figure prominently in the
Academy Awards running. In the
January issues of Photoplay, Mod-
ern Screen, Motion Picture Maga-
zine, Screenland and Movieland the
reviewers for these publications tap
Wallis on the shoulder when pre-
senting their accolade for "Little
Sheba."
•
Walt Disney's "Peter Pan" will be
the first motion picture distributed by
a major studio to be represented on
"Omnibus," CBS Television s Coast-
■ to-Coast program on Sunday. Full
and one-half page color ads will
j appear in Look, Life, Saturday Eve-
ning Post, Woman's Home Com-
panion, Good Housekeeping, McCall's,
Cosmopolitan, Redbook, American
Magazine and American Weekly.
•
Chosen as "very fine films" by the
movie department of Redbook in its
January issue are "Million Dollar
Mermaid," M-G-M ; "Breaking the
Sound Barrier," United Artists ;
"Stars and Stripes Forever," 20th
Century-Fox, and "The Last of the
Comanches," Columbia. However,
the picture winning top honors in the
issue is Paramount's "Come Back,
Little Sheba."
Walter Haas
16 from M-G-M
(Continued from page 1)
given special handling, although not
listed on the regular release schedule.
For January, there will be "Above
and Beyond," starring Robert Taylor
and Eleanor Parker ; "The Clown,"
starring Red Skelton ; "The Bad and
the Beautiful," slated to be the next
attraction at Radio City Music Hall,
with Lana Turner, Kirk Douglas,
Walter Pidgeon and Dick Powell;
"The Hoaxters," with narration by
Dore Schary, Robert Taylor, Howard
Keel, George Murphy, and others.
This is a 36-minute subject.
For February the following will be
released: "The Naked Spur," Tech-
nicolor, starring James Stewart, Janet
Leigh ; "Rogue's March," starring
Peter Lawford; "Ivanhoe," Techni-
color, starring Robert Taylor, Eliza-
beth Taylor, Joan Fontaine and
George Sanders ; "Jeopardy," star-
ring Barbara Stanwyck.
The following are down for March :
"Dream Wife," starring Cary Grant,
Deborah Kerr and Walter Pidgeon;
"Confidentially Connie," starring Van
Johnson, Janet Leigh and Louis Cal-
hern ; "I Love Melvin," a musical in
Technicolor, starring Donald O'Con-
nor, Debbie Reynolds and a group of
guest stars including Robert Taylor,
Howard Keel and V era-Ellen.
For April the following are sched-
uled : "Battle Circus," starring Hum-
phrey Bogart, June Allyson and Kee-
nan Wynn; "Small Town Girl," a
musical in Technicolor, starring Jane
Powell, Farley Granger, Ann Miller
and Nat King Cole; "See How They
Runi," starring Dorothy Dandridge
and Robert Horton, and "Never Let
Me Go," starring Clark Gable, Gene
Tierney and Richard Hadyn.
"Above and Beyond" is slated to
open at the Capitol here about the
middle of February.
12-15 in NV in '53
(Continued from page 1)
Polaroid Corp. for 7,000,000 NV
spectacles, which he figures will take
"Bwana Devil" through January and
February and also provide enough for
Sol Lesser's Tri-Opticon run in Chi-
cago, Gunzburg expects requirements
will exceed 50,000,000 within the
year. "Bwana Devil," in its fourth
week here, still is the biggest draw in
town.
Censorship Move
(Continued from page 1)
will be given to the situation in
Massachusetts where a Sunday cen-
sorship law exists. While the law
there technically applies only to Sun-
day deletions, it has become a seven-
day law in practice, inasmuch as a
scene ordered deleted for Sunday
showings usually becomes a perma-
nent cut.
In Ohio, where newsreel censorship
repeal is in effect only in Toledo,
efforts are expected to be continued
to make the reels exempt from cen-
sorship state-wide. The newsreels are
paying the censorship levy under
protest.
An attempt will be made to have
the Virginia censorship law repealed
when its legislature convenes in 1954.
Dietrich-RKO
(Continued from page 1)
that it carries with it authority match-
ing its responsibilities, including au-
thority over production or the desig-
nation of a production head. Hughes
retained the latter authority in his ear-
lier regime in control of RKO.
The presidency is the only company
post still vacant. Hughes has been
elected chairman of the board ; J.
Miller Walker, vice-president, general
counsel and secretary ; William Clark
is treasurer and Garrett Van Wagner,
comptroller. Should Dietrich for-
mally decline the post, as Depinet
did, Hughes has given no indication
what his next step would be.
Skouras Is Due
(Continued from page 1)
trip included a visit to the Korean
fighting front, accompanied by Gen-
eral Van Fleet.
London, Dec. 23. — Questioned on
prospects for introduction of the
Eidophor large screen television in
which his company is interested, Spy-
ros Skouras while here said the sys-
tem has a long way to go before it
can be commercially applied on any
wide scale. He predicted that large
screen TV will serve one day in a
manner which, if properly used, will
treble previous theatre profits.
Loan Policy
(Continued from page 1)
that while interest rates to major
companies are generally at or near the
prime three per cent, independent pro-
ducers pay six per cent or close to it.
It is pointed out that despite "head-
ache powders that are standard equip-
ment" for the bank's Amusement In-
dustries Division executives, losses
over the years have not been out of
proportion to the apparently high in-
terest rates charged, so that the busi-
ness has been satisfyingly profitable.
It is disclosed that Bankers Trust
has loaned approximately $120,000,000
to the film business over the years.
And now, with television making
rapid strides, the company has moved
to maintain its position as a leading
show business bank. The Amusement
Industries Division also has been
delving into the financing of new TV
stations. Permits for around 1,500
additional transmitting outlets even-
tually will be issued by the Federal
Communications Commission. It is
estimated that the cost of setting each
one in business will average more
than $500,000 and Bankers Trust
plans to get them started.
The bank admits that all banks on
both coasts dealing with independent
production were "clipped" in the
1947-48 era and that Bankers Trust
was among them. However, it is
pointed out that because of a con-
servative loan policy, "it was hurt
less than most of the others and
wasn't, like some of its colleagues,
scared right out of show business. It
merely trimmed its sails to meet
Hollywood's new economic weather
conditions and went right on."
In 1947 and the following year, the
picture industry suffered an unlooked-
for slump and Bankers Trust claims
that part of it was due to TV and
part of it wasn't.
"In any event," the bank asserts,
"loans that had to be paid in the
future were being based on the ex-'
perience of the past, and it just did
not work out for some of the banks
involved."
For that reason, the new policy was
instituted, it is disclosed in an
article prepared for the bank's house
publication, The Pyramid, by Herb
Golden of the bank's Amusement In-
dustries Division.
Tri-Opticon System
(Continued from page 1)
transitions from one scene to another.
Others thought that the program was
too "arty," without enough sensational
demonstrations of the third-dimen-
sional illusion to give it mass appeal.
However, the various subjects were
well-produced and there was a definite
feeling of depth throughout.
The Tri-Opticon program, which
requires special glasses, will open at
the Telenews on Christmas Day for
an indefinite run. The theatre will
charge 98 cents during mornings,
$1.25 after 1 :00 P.M. and 50 cents at
all times for children.
6
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, December 24, 1952
Danny Thomas, Ike in
March of Dimes Film
Danny Thomas will be the
first film actor to appear on
the screen with President-
elect Dwight D. Eisenhower,
according to Warner Brothers.
Thomas will go to Washing-
ton shortly after Jan. 1 to
make a March of Dimes news-
reel with Eisenhower. The
reel will not be released until
after the Presidential inaugu-
ration.
Gala Premiere for
Para's 'Little Sheba'
More than 600 celebrities of Holly-
wood and Broadway, social and civic
leaders, and others attended the Vic-
toria Theatre here last night for the
world premiere of Hal Wallis' "Come
Back, Little Sheba," starring Shirley
Booth and Burt Lancaster.
As crowds pressed against police
guard rails to glimpse arriving head-
liners, newsreel and press cameras
recorded the event.
Theatrical celebrities and newspa-
per by-liners and publishers were
guests of Paramount president Bar-
ney Balaban at a later party at Sar-
di's honoring- Miss Booth on the oc-
casion of her motion picture debut in
"Little Sheba." The 150 guests had
earlier attended the premiere.
Defer Decision on
Denver TV Channel
Washington, Dec. 23. _ — Federal
Communications Commission exam-
iner James Cunningham said he would
probably rule early in January on two
competing applications for a Denver
television channel. One of the appli-
cants is Aladdin Radio and Television
Co., in which Frank Ricketson, Jr.,
and Harry Huffman of Fox Inter-
mountain Theatres, and Ted Gamble
are the main stockholders. The other
company seeking the station is Denver
Television Co., in which Denver ex-
hibitor John Wolfberg is the main
stockholder. Extensive hearings on
the competing applications have been
concluded and Cunningham has the
case under advisement. His decision
will have to be confirmed by the Com-
mission itself.
Hearings on competing applications
for another Denver channel have been
recessed until Jan. 13. One of the
firms seeking this channel is KMYR
Broadcasting Co., whose principal
stockholder is Bob Hope.
Set Palace Openings
By opening its weekly eight-act
vaudeville show on Thursday begin-
ning this week, the RKO Palace will
offer new programs Christmas Day,
New Year's Day and on Jan. 8. The
latter will be the last of the combina-
tion vaudeville-first-run film policy at
the Palace for this season; Danny
Kay and his "All-Star International
Variety Show" takes over at the
theatre starting Jan. 18.
NTFC Luncheon Dec. 30
The National Television Film Coun-
cil will hold a luncheon-meeting Tues-
day at the Warwick Hotel here. It
was previously stated that the meeting
would be held on Friday.
By JAMES CUNNINGHAM ^$-$^-$4
SIG COHEN, our Boston Brisbane, nominates Abraham Spitz of Provi-
dence, Rhode Island, as the nation's oldest living motion picture theatre
owner. "Abe" is observing his 100th birthday. Hearty Congratulations. . . .
Young Frank Freeman, a pretty responsible person in Hollywood, speaking as
board chairman of the Association of Motion P'icture Producers, denounced, the
other day, "irresponsible personal publicity agents" for "descending to the
lowest level and bad taste" in causing publication of "salacious" photographic
material in "some trade papers and some fan magazines." Mr. Freeman,
name 'em ! ! ! ! !
&
Memo to Management: In Puerto Rico, employes have been given a
six-day New Year's holiday. New Year's Day is a natch; Luis Munoz
Marin will be installed as Governor on Jan. 2, another natch; Jan. 6 is a
national holiday, natch; Jan. 3 and 4 fall on Saturday and Sunday.
& & W. »
To Kay Norton, vivacious publicity manager of RKO Radio Pictures' home
office, zve are indebted for the information that researchers working on the
company s "Blackbcard the Pirate" (opening on Christmas Day at New
York's Loew's State — free ad) — found that pirates zvere not battered and
bewhiskered wrecks they are usually depicted as being. They didn't live that
long; their average age was 19. . . . The bookkeepers at 20th Century-Fox
were so close to hitting a mammoth mathematical coincidence: The corpora-
tion's gross income for the 39 zveeks ended on Sept. 27. 1952, zcas $119,120,-
437. The gross income for the same period in 1951 was $119,120,446.
We are making progress in this great motion picture industry. Universal,
the other day, announced it will produce 36 pictures during 1952-53, and, we
quote, "with entertainment values." ... At RKO Radio Pictures' home office,
the choir which has been practicing, "He's Back in the Saddle, Again," has
worn out, oh, so many saddles. . . . The National Board of Review of Motion
Pictures made these observations in reviewing Sam Goldwyn's splendiferous
"Hans Christian Andersen" : "Audiences will find this film too full of schmaltz
... it includes some mildly pleasing songs and some well-photographed ballet
(with a tough baby from France called Jeanmaire)."
$ & M '&
The Schines of Gloversville, New York, are installing RCA- Victor TV
sets in each room of their hotels, the Roney Plaza and Gulfstream in
Miami Beach and the McAllister in downtown Miami. Meanwhile, the
popcorn will continue to pop at the Schines' Upstate New York theatres.
Which reminds us of California Rotus Harvey's observation: "The best
way to jingle coins in your pocket is to shake a leg."
-& # $
A zwrd of encouragement to all yon industry stalwarts zvho have been
fighting so strenuously to haz'e controls completely lifted from the blanket
covering new theatre construction: The Government has lifted price controls
from juke-boxes, pinball games and "strength-testing" machines. . . . Hender-
son Rickey's definition of mixed emotions: Witnessing one's mother-in-law
going over a steep cliff in your brand-new, white-walled., super-duper Cadillac.
€3t «2
TO YOU, Mr. Robert J. O'Donnell, may we nominate three co-chairmen
to serve with you on your committee dedicated to make memorably happy
the Golden Jubilee tribute to that Grand Old Man, Adolph Zukor :
Mary Pickford, who, after many bit parts in and around her native
Toronto, under her family name of Glady's Mary Smith, and after more im-
portant parts in Belasco productions and some screen work for David Wark
Griffith, in New York, became Mr. Zukor's first great star ;
Cecil Blount DeMille, Mr. Zukor's first great producer, who went from
"The Squaw Man" in 1912 to "The Greatest Show on Earth" ; and,
Jesse L. Lasky, who became one of Mr. Zukor's first business associates
after he combed out from his then very full hirsute adornment the gold-dust
from the gold-rush to Alaska in the early 1900's, and after he put down the
horn that he tooted with a Honolulu band.
Greetings to ALL: To those persons who have done so much for this
industry; and greetings, too, to those who have not. Could be that, in
the New Year, someone, somehow, in some place will discover a deep-
down hatchet-burying hole, on top of which might rise some seeds of,
let's say, olive trees. With the kind of branches that are spread around!
Spread among exhibitors, and among distributors, and just spread all
over the place. Could be.
C. Skouras Sees
New Developments
Boosting Business
Hollywood, Dec. 23. — National
Theatres president Charles P. Skou-
ras today told 234 Fox West Coast
Theatres executives, department heads,
managers, bookers and buyers, "We
are entering a new era in the motion
picture theatre industry. It is one
filled with optimism and one that will
certainly bring people back to the
movie going habit." Pointing out the
potentialities in Cinerama, Ediphor,
three-dimension and large screen the-
atre TV, Skouras said "We can look
forward with confidence to better
business in line with all these new
developments."
FWC general manager George
Bowser distributed checks represent-
ing bonuses, awards and insurance
dividends to various members attend-
ing the annual Christmas meeting at
the Ambassador Hotel here, and pre-
sented the Charles P. Skouras Na-
tional Showman's plaque, together
with a check for $250, to Robert
Apple, manager of the Crest Theatre,
Reno, Nevada.
Prior to the meeting FWC per-
sonnel received spiritual blessing at
Saint Sophia's Orthodox Cathedral,
built largely under Skouras' leader-
ship, and witnessed a 90-minute pon-
tifical liturgy service.
Drive-in Insurance
Rates Increased
Albany, N. Y., Dec. 23. — Drive-in
owners have been advised that casualty
insurance rate increases, effective
now, include a minimum hike of $5
on property damage ($1,000 dollar
policy) and a minimum jump of $25
oh liability ($5,000-$10,000) , for me-
chanically operated amusement devices
and pony rides, whether conducted by
the owner or a concessionaire.
It is presumed that the number of
damage claims made and paid on such
devices and rides led the board of un-
derwriters to ask for the increases.
New York is not the only state af-
fected, according to information here.
40 'Invasion* Dates
Set Before Jan. 1
"Invasion U.S.A.," Columbia ex-
ploitation film dealing with an A-
bomb attack on the United States,
has been set in more than 40 situa-
tions between now and Jan. 1, with
virtually all of them scheduled to re-
ceive full-scale exploitation treatment.
Telenews at Inauguration
Plans for Telenews' TV news cov-
erage of the Jan. 20 inauguration
ceremonies of Dwight D. Eisenhower
have virtually been completed, it was
announced by Telenews editor-in-chief
Edward P. Genock. He disclosed
that the Washington bureau staff will
be supplemented by several full
camera-sound crews.
Levy, Allegret in Mexico
Raoul Levy and Yves Allegret,
French producer and director, respec-
tively, are in Mexico from New York,
to produce a French film to star
Michele Morgan, Gerard Phillippe
and Mexican actor Pedro Armen-
dariz. It will be co-produced with
Salvador Elizondo, head of Reforma
Films.
news | MOTION PICTURE » ...
NEWS! I III I I W EDITION
VOL. 72. NO. 121
NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1952
TEN CENTS
Bankers Trust
Sets New Film
Loan Policy
Calls for A $500,000
Maximum, 50% of Cost
By AL STEEN
Bankers Trust Co. of New York
has evolved a three-cornered policy
in making production loans to film
producers, a policy which is said by
the bank to be "about as foolproof as
you can get in a business that's defi-
nitely not foolproof."
The policy in brief is (1) no
loan of more than 50 per cent
of production cost will be made,
(2) no loan beyond $500,000 will
be granted on a film and (3) no
single-picture loans will be made.
This means that a producer
must come in with a program
of at least two and preferably
three pictures.
The loans are cross-collaterized so
that in the event one film proves to
, be unprofitable, there is some assur-
ance of success for the producer via
profits on the others, ft is explained
(Continued on page 5)
16 from MGM
In 4 Months
M-G-M will release 16 pictures dur-
ing the four months starting Jan. 1
instead of 12 as previously announced,
it was disclosed here yesterday by
Charles M. Reagan, general sales
manager.
Under the tentative schedule an-
nounced several weeks ago, M-G-M
had three pictures a month listed for
the same period. The new program
of releases will make available five
pictures in January, four in Feb-
ruary, of which two are in color by
Technicolor ; three in March, one in
Technicolor, and four in April, one
in Technicolor.
"Lili" and "The Story of Three
Loves," both in Technicolor, will be
(Continued on page 5)
Say Dietrich Balks
Over Status in RKO
Hollywood, Dec. 23. — Failure of
the RKO Pictures board of directors
to elect Noah Dietrich, former board
chairman, to the company presidency
earlier this week, as had been ex-
pected, is attributed by observers here
to a situation similar to that which
impelled Ned E. Depinet, former com-
pany president, to decline the post
ftwo weeks ago, that is, unwillingness
of the Howard Hughes' controlled
|board to delegate complete autonomy
to the chief executive of the company.
Dietrich, it is believed, has balked
| at taking the post without assurances
(Continued on page 5)
Mixed Reaction to
Tri-Opticon System
Chicago, Dec. 23.— Mixed reaction
came at the unveiling of the Tri-Opti-
con third dimensional system in the
Telenews Theatre here before an in-
vited audience of the press and others.
The program consisted of several
short subjects, including a ballet, a
visit to a zoo and aquarium, a British
travelogue and cartoons. Some view-
ers though the pictures caused se-
vere eye-strain, particularly in the
(Continued on page 5)
MPA IN NEW MOVE
ON CENSORSHIP
Estimate $15,000
For Roxy Opener
The best non-holiday busi-
ness since Aug., 1951, was
being chalked up by 20th
Century - Fox's "Stars and
Stripes Forever," with "Ice
Colorama" on the Roxy Thea-
tre stage yesterday, its open-
ing day, it was announced by
David Katz, managing direc-
tor. At 3:00 P.M. the box-
office recorded $3,097 and
Katz estimated that $15,000
would be in the till before the
theatre closed last night.
Sees Majors Making
12-15 in NV in '53
Hollywood, Dec. 23.— Estimating
that 12 to 15 features will be pro-
duced by the majors in Natural
Vision three-dimension during the next
12 months, NV president Milton L.
Gunzburg has allocated $40,000 for
the expansion of his plant and an ex-
perimental laboratory to keep pace
with developments.
With orders already placed with
(Continued on page 5)
Hopes for Repeal Bills
In Hopper in 5 States
By J. A. OTTEN
Washington, Dec. 23. — The
Motion Picture Association of
America will swing into action for
legislation repealing- existing film
censorship laws in five states when
their legislatures meet next year. An
MPA A spokesman said here yester-
day that the association hoped repeal
bills would be introduced in New
York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Kan-
sas and Ohio. A sixth state, Vir-
ginia, has set no 1953 sessions.
The MPAA's projected move
for censorship repeal is re-
garded here as the next step in
the association's continuing
drive against state censorship.
The manner in which action
will be taken has not been de-
fined, but it is presumed that it
will be done through contacts
with legislators. The associa-
tion, itself, could not introduce
the repeal bills.
ft is expected that attention also
(Continued on page 5)
66
Skouras Is Due Back
In New York Today
Spyros P. Skouras, president of
20th Century-Fox, is scheduled to
arrive here from Paris today by
plane, concluding a three-month,
round-the-world survey of company
tod film industry conditions. His
(Continued on page 5)
Moulin Rouge
[Romulus-United Artists]
ALL OF THE COLOR, excitement and energy of a rich seg-
ment of life has been captured in this portrayal of Henri de
Toulouse-Lautrec, the famed French artist of the Paris streets.
His personality as depicted by Jose Ferrer under the imaginative
direction of John Huston electrifies the screen. This is a picture
which is among the best of the year and some of those participating
in its production should be candidates for Academy Awards.
Paris of the 1880's, or more exactly, the Paris familiar to Tou-
louse-Lautrec, comes alive in this Romulus production, illuminating
a tragic life against the gay, savage, emotional background of Paris
nightlife. There are many entertainment values in this picture and
they should pay off at the box-office.
The Can-Can girls, the night-life scenes, the prints of horse races
and circuses, all of the familiar artistry of Toulouse-Lautrec, are in-
terwoven in the story, and the color by Technicolor enhances their
reproduction. There is sweep and depth in this picture which, in its
123 mintes, ranges through the life of a talented, sensitive individual
who was swept by the currents of his period.
The tragedy of Toulouse-Lautrec was that he was dwarfed by a childhood
(Continued on page 5)
Chicago, Dec. 23. —
Abolition of the Chicago
censor board is sought in
an action for declaratory
judgment filed in Circuit
Court here today by the
Chicago branch of the
American Civil Liberties
Union and Charles Lieb-
man, who holds local
rights to "The Miracle."
•
A spokesman for the
Motion Picture Machine
Operators Union, Local
306, IATSE, said here yes-
terday that the projec-
tionist ' s union will
withhold special wage de-
mands for theatre tele-
casts until the medium
proves itself successful
enough financially.
2
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, December 24, 1952
Personal
Mention
ARNOLD M. PICKER, United
Artists vice-president in charge
of foreign distribution, arrived in New
York by plane yesterday from the Far
East.
•
Harry Lamont, head of Lamont
Theatres, and Mrs. Lamont will leave
Albany Monday for a month's vaca-
tion in Key West, Fla. Robert W.
Case, manager of Lamont' s Sunset
Drive-in, Kingston, and Mrs. Case
will accompany them.
•
Robert W. Coyne, COMPO ex-
ecutive director, and Charles E. Mc-
Carthy, information director, were
hosts to trade press representatives at
an informal luncheon at the Astor
Hotel here yesterday.
•
Morgan Hudgins of M-G-M's stu-
dio publicity staff is scheduled to
arrive here from Nairobi, Africa, on
Jan. 2 and will return to the Coast
shortly thereafter.
•
Jerome Pickman, Paramount vice-
president in charge of advertising-
publicity, will leave here today by
plane for Hollywood.
•
Milton Sperling, Warner Brothers
producer, and Hugo Fregonese, di-
rector, have returned to Hollywood
from Mexico City.
•
Martin Friedman, head of Para-
mount's playdate department, has re-
turned to his desk here from a two-
week vacation.
Arthur Lubin, Warner Brothers
director, has left Hollywood on loca-
tion scouting- down the coast of South-
ern California.
•
R. M. Savini, president of Astor
Pictures Corp., will fly to Miami
Beach from here today.
Met' Poll Finds Public
Favoring Theatre TV
An "overwhelmingly favorable response" by the public to theatre tele-
casts of operas was recorded in the poll taken by the Metropolitan Opera
Company on the "Carmen" telecast, according to preliminary tabulation,
it was learned here from a Theatre Network Television spokesman.
Thousands of persons who saw the
Dec. 11 event — the first theatre TV
entertainment program offered to the
public— said they would like to see
more of such telecasts, it was stated.
In addition to the favorable responses
recorded on a questionnaire distrib-
uted to the audiences of 30 theatres
from Coast-to- Coast, there was some
adverse comment too. It was ex-
plained that some individuals ex-
pressed criticism of the picture tele-
cast.
A complete tabulation of the results
of the survey is expected shortly.
The spokesman for TNT, which acted
as the production-distribution organ-
ization for the telecast, said the re-
sults were very encouraging. He de-
clined to state whether TNT would
offer additional operas this season.
Nat Cohen Here from
London; to Coast Sun.
Nat Cohen, managing director of
Anglo-Amalgamated Film Distribu-
tors, Ltd., has arrived here from
London and will leave for Hollywood
on Sunday to turn over to William
Nassour a print of their joint pro-
duction, "Street of Shadows," star-
ring Cesar Romero. He will also
discuss further joint Anglo- American
production there.
Cohen will also discuss American
distribution here for "Ghost Ship"
and "Noose for a Lady," both re-
cently completed in England.
AMPA Party Draws
Packed House Here
'Daily* Not Published
Tomorrow or Friday
Motion Picture Daily will
not be published tomorrow,
Christmas Day, a legal holi-
day, or on Friday because of
the extended observance of
the holiday.
Frivolity and good fellowship
reigned at the Piccadilly Hotel here
yesterday when the Associated Mo-
tion Picture Advertisers held its an-
nual Christmas party for members
and guests. The party played to a
packed house in the Georgian Room
of the hotel where everybody received
a door prize which ranged from liquor
to bars of soap to gloves and back
to liquor again.
Chairman was Chester Friedman.
The guests were entertained by such
personalities as Benny Fields, Boris
Karloff and Joe E. Brown. Numbers
for the prizes were drawn by Brown
and Fields, the latter tying in the
drawings with amusing episodes ex-
perienced in the filming of Para-
mount's "Somebody Loves Me," which
depicted the lives of Fields and his
wife, Blossom Seeley. Karloff thanked
AMPA for what it had done for him
publicity-wise.
The grand prizes were restricted
to AMPA members only, the prizes
consisting of vacations in Miami, Day-
tona Beach, Atlantic City and at
Grossinger's.
Improved Tri-Color
Video Tube Shown
An improved model of the Lawrence
tri-color tube, now called the Chroma-
tron Tube, was demonstrated here yes-
terday by Chromatic Laboratories,
Inc., in which Paramount Pictures
owns a 50 per cent interest.
The tube, currently designed for
home television sets, gave an excellent
performance within the limitations of
the demonstration. The color defini-
tion and the color depth were excel-
lent. Specially-made Kodochrome
slides, used by the television indus-
try for testing purposes, were utilized.
The transmission was from a neigh-
boring room.
Dick Hodgson, Chromatic president,
said the purpose of the demonstration
was to awaken interest in color TV
and to show the television industry
the type of tube available for mass
production. The industry currently is
under government controls rigidly con-
fining the use of color television.
Hodgson said the tube, now made to
operate in harmony with the Columbia
Broadcasting color system, would be
compatible with any color system
adopted by the TV system. He esti-
mated that the additional price to the
consumer for a Chromatron tube set
would be $50 over current TV set
prices under a mass-production set-up
and using the CBS color system. He
said such a set would offer color and
black-and-white reception. M. H.
Herring to Roses
In RKO Press Play
The opening of "No Time for Flow-
ers" at the Normandie Theatre here
tomorrow has been preceded by a
courtship of newsmen by RKO Radio
publicists. One day they came bear-
ing knockwurst, another day, her-
ring ; another, preserves. Yesterday
they came with flowers.
The explanation : background of the
picture is Behind the Iron Curtain.
There, swains woo not with flowers
but with food, rarer and more highly
prized. The switch to flowers yes-
terday, the publicists explained, is to
impress in the American manner.
U-l TV Subsidiary
Cuts Production
Hollywood, Dec. 23. — United
World Films, a TV production com-
pany owned by Universal-Interna-
tional, has decided to cut-back on pro-
duction plans due to what was de-
scribed as the financial uncertainty of
the television market.
U-I executives were said to have
found production costs substantial in
comparison to the earning potential
of TV films. Members of the pro-
duction staff are being laid off or
assigned to other work.
Doubles Guarantee
For 'Moulin Rouge'
New York's Capitol Theatre, out
bidding all competitors for "Moulin
Rouge," doubled its "African Queen"
guarantee for the latest John Huston
production, a spokesman for United
Artists, the distributor of the picture,
disclosed here yesterday.
"Moulin Rouge" will bave its New
York premiere at the Capitol follow-
ing the engagement of "Androcles
and the Lion."
Approve TV Stations
For Idaho, Nevada
Washington, Dec. 23. — The
Federal Communications
Commission today authorized
the first television stations in
Idaho and Nevada, approving
applications for stations in
Boise and Reno. They were
among 12 approved today,
bringing to 169 the number
approved since the freeze was
lifted early this year.
Two of today's grants were
for new Pittsburgh stations.
Others were for Bakersfield,
Calif., Neenah, Wis.; Lafay-
ette, Ind., Muskegon, Mich.,
Buffalo, N. Y., Watertown,
N. Y.; Lawton, Okla.; and
Meridian, Miss.
Set Spots for Three
20th-Fox TV Series
Sales in key markets of three 20th
Century-Fox video series, "Three
Guesses," "Crusade in Europe," and
"News Adventures for Young Amer-
ica," were announced here by Phil
Williams, national sales executive for
20th Century-Fox Television Produc-
tions.
Stations contracting for "Three
Guesses" are WSM-TV, Nashville
and WTVR, Richmond. "Crusade
in Europe" will be seen first-run on
KROD-TV, El Pasoi; KGNC-TV,
Amarillo, and Beaumont, Texas;
with third-run showings set on
KPRC-TV, Houston ; WFIL-TV,
Philadelphia, and WEWS-TV, Cleve-
land. "News Adventures for Young
America" has been set for showings
in Beaumont, Texas.
20th to Hold Party
The 20th Century-Fox Family Club
will hold its annual Christmas party-
today at the City Center Casino,
here, with all home office employes,
members of the New York exchange
and Movietone News personnel in-
vited. Ted Shaw, president of the
club, will greet the guests. Harry
Reinhardt is chairman of the arrange-
ments committee.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center
"MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID"
Esther WILLIAMS • Victor MATURE
Walter PIDGEON • David BRIAN
Color by TECHNICOLOR . 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; Terry Eamsaye, Consulting- 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; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 Sovith LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FT 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11 North
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; 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-
WHEN ITS JANUARY 1ST IN THE
USA... IT'S APRIL IN PARIS'
From
WARNER BROS
for New Years
that oo-la-lovely
musical spree
in Paree!
DORIS
frm-m CULOR BY
Technicolor,
WITH
CLAUDE DAUPHIN
and EVE MILLER • GEORGE GIVOI • PAUL HARVEY
WRITTEN 8Y JACK ROSE *nd MELVILLE SHAVELSON
Musical Numbers Staged and Directed by LeRoy Prinz
Song "April in Paris", Lyrics by E. Y. Harburg, Music by Vernon Duke
Original Songs. Lyrics by Sammy Cahn, Music by Vernon Duke
Musical Direction by Ray Heindorf
WILLIAM JACOBS foff
DIRECTED BY OAVID BUTLER
/ Big-spat
. advertising
in Collier's
(plus cover
4
Motion Picture daily
Wednesday, December 24, 1952
Motion Pictu re Da ilyFeatu re Reviews
The Clown
(Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) Hollywood, Dec. 23
<<T"HE CLOWN" of 1952 is "The Champ" of 1931 with Red Skelton and
1 Tim Considine batting for the late Wallace Beery and the grown-up
Tackie Cooper, and with the star playing an alcoholic comedian instead of an
alcoholic boxer Although the science of film production has progressed dur-
ing the 21-vear interval, and although there are differences m emphasis and
incident it is still in essence the Frances Marion story, adapted this time by
1 eonard Praskins (who wrote the dialogue for the 1931 picture) and scripted
by Martin Rackin. There is, therefore, no good reason for doubting that the
new picture will exert the same prosperous tear-jerking influence the old
one did The Hollywood preview experience argues that it will. Ihe him
was previewed blind at the Village Theatre in Westwood, a college com-
munity and the flashing of the title and credits on the screen didn t get a
ripple, ' but the tragic finish collected fervent applause. It would seem to
follow that persons attracted by a Skelton billing would eat it up.
When the story opens, Skelton, a once-famous comedian, has drunk him-
self out of job after job but still is the idol of his son, played with simple
directness by young Considine. Fired from an amusement park, Skelton is
offered a minor booking but shows up drunk at the audition and loses out.
The boy appeals to his former agent, whom Skelton has avoided since a
break of his own making, and gets the comedian another booking which
winds up disappointingly. On this occasion the boy's mother, divorced from
Skelton some years and now remarried and well off, shows up and tells the
boy her identity. Skelton is at first resentful but accepts money from her
new husband for letting the boy see her, and then loses the money in a
crap game. After being arrested for participation in a stag performance,
Skelton forces his son to go to his mother, but the boy refuses to stay
away, and is happy again as he helps Skelton prepare for a television pro-
gram' which is to open up for him a new career in show business. It does
so (the program being, of course, identical with the real Skelton TV show),
but the strain proves too much and the comedian dies following his success-
full TV premiere. .
The boy's mother is played by Jane Greer, the agent by Lorm bmith,
and the cast also includes Philip Ober, Lou Lubin, Fay Roope, Walter Reed,
Edward Marr, Jonathan Cott and Don Beddoe.
Although Skelton has two or three occasions in the course of the story
to go into his typical comedy routines, these sequences are secondary to the
straight-line story of comedian and son. William H. Wright produced, and
Robert Z. Leonard directed.
Running time, 89 minutes. General audience classification. Release date,
jan 16 William R. Weaver
Ruby Gentry
(Bemh ard- T 7 id or— 2Qtth Centu ry-F ox )
JENNIFER JONES plays her role as Ruby Gentry, the compulsive, savage
young lady of the swamplands, to the hilt, rendering a striking, though
stylized characterization which should win this film a receptive audience.
The accent of the story is on love, passion and violence. Although there is
much unexplained in the delineation of the characters, there is sufficient
action and violence on the screen to capture the interest of most audiences.
With proper promotion, especially aimed at women, this film should do good
business.
Impetuous Jennifer Jones is deeply enchanted with Charlton Heston, who
plays the role of a young North Carolina gentleman whose family back-
ground blocks him from returning Ruby Gentry's love. Despite the clan-
destine affair between the two, Heston marries a young lady of social stand-
ing. In her loneliness and grief, Jennifer turns to an old friend and bene-
factor, Karl Maiden, and marries him. Maiden, almost twice the age of his
wife, attempts to gain social acceptance of Ruby Gentry through the utiliza-
tion ' of his wealth. This fails and the failure is doubly compounded by
Maiden's accidental death while boating with his wife. In revenge on the
town that turned against her, Jennifer uses her deceased husband's wealth
to wreck the leaders of the community, among them her ex-lover,_ Heston.
The closing tempestuous scenes find Heston almost killing her in his wrath.
However, it is he who is shot by Ruby Gentry's fanatical brother.
Others in the cast include Tom Tully, Bernard Phillips, James Anderson,
Josephine Hutchinson and Phyllis Avery. Joseph Bernhard and King Vidor
produced, while Vidor directed from a screenplay by Silvia Richards based
on a story by Arthur Fitz-Richards.
Running time, 82 minutes. Adult audience classification. Release date,
Dec. 23.
M. H.
"The I Dont Care Girl"
(20th Century-Fox) Hollywood, Dec. 23
MITZI GAYNOR herein gives a dazzling portrayal of the scintillating-
Eva Tanguay whose meteoric manner and footlighted showmanship
brightened the Broadway and the hinterland of these United States in the
infancy of the present century. Due to the march of science and invention,
Miss Gaynor's music numbers are colorful and resplendent far beyond Miss
Tanguay's originals, and ditto her costumes, etc., but this is all on the plus
side of the balance sheet. The production is strictly in the tradition of the
20th Century-Fox musicals with color in Technicolor— light, glib, swift, tune-
ful, frankly fabricated as to story and neatly in the groove as to score— and
figures to give traditional satisfaction. Besides Miss Gaynor and David
Wayne, both of whom earned "Top Ten" ranking in Quigley Publications'
"Stars-of-Tomorrow" poll of exhibitors for 1952, the cast supplies the name
and talent of Oscar Levant for a showman to exploit. Likewise George
Jessel, who is down as producer of the picture and plays himself in it (as
producer of the picture), as well as sharing some of the song credits.
The prime strength of the production is in the musical numbers, which
cover a wide range as to kind and presentation. First on the screen (before
the title, even) is a chorus handling of the all-but-forgotten "Miss You."
Later on "Beale Street Blues" is utilized in one of the hottest production
numbers yet seen on the screen. At a couple of midpoints the pace is slowed
down for the camera to closeup the keyboard while Levant performs classical
solo numbers in his best concert manner. Anybody who doesn't like music
in large and assorted doses has no business attending this picture.
Walter Bullock is credited with writing the script, which is a loose out-
lining of the era of show business in which Miss Tanguay was a reigning
luminary, and it serves the purpose without getting overly earnest at any
point. The cast, in addition to those named above, includes Bob Graham,
Craigh Hill, Warren Stevens, Hazel Brooks, Marietta Canty, Sam Hearn,
Wilton Graff, Dwayne Ratliff, Bill Foster and Gwyneth Verdon. Seymour
Felix staged three of the production numbers on a scale and in a fashion
he'll be hard pressed to top until and unless they start making musicals in
Natural Color three-dimension.
Running time, 81 minutes. General audience classification. For January
release. W. R. W.
My Cousin Rachel'
(20th Century-Fox) Hollywood, Dec. 23
pHE readers of best-selling books, among which this novel by Daphne
*■ du Maurier recently was a distinguished leader, and the fans of Olivia
de Havilland, a numerous and constant contingent, are the target groups
likeliest to respond with enthusiasm to this fastidiously produced story about
some landed gentry in England about 1840. For these, and for whatever
other especially conditioned groups there may be within box-office range,
this doubtless is an eminently satisfying motion picture. But for plain
admission-buying Americans (Britishers may be different) the attraction
stacks up as an extremely well made picture of little or no moment, a pleasant
thing to look at but only in the mildest sense a dramatic experience. Its pro-
spects for financial success on this side of the Atlantic, save in the class
situations, are far less brilliant than the workmanship lavished upon it by
the studio.
The production is beneficiary of the skilled hand of Nunnally Johnson,
both as producer and as writer of the screenplay, and of the masterly direc-
tion of Henry Koster. The numerous and costly sets are of top calibre, and
the photography by Joseph La Shelle makes the most of them. Miss de
Havilland' s performance is fine, as usual, although she is called upon for
nothing that could be called a challenge to her art, and the many others in
the large cast, none of whose names have marquee value of consequence, do
well enough with the singularly colorless portrayals assigned them.
The production's damaging weakness is, oddly enough, the du Maurier
story itself, which seems to have been one of those not infrequent instances
of good reading which does not translate into good viewing. It concerns
primarily a young Englishman whose cousin and guardian has died abroad
after marrying a remote family relative and after writing a couple of letters
during his last illness which arouse a suspicion that his wife may have done
him in. Later on, the widow (Miss de Havilland) comes to England and
the young man (Richard Burton) invites her to the family estate, despite
his suspicions, and proceeds to fall in love with her. From this point on
the tale piles up hints that (1) she is a murderess and (2) she is not a
murderess, which is where matters stand when she falls to her death through
a bridge on the property. The inconclusive ending is said to have been a
characteristic of the novel, although handled a little differently, and it there-
fore has at least the virtue of fidelity to source. It is not, however, what
may be termed "good movie," in this reviewer's opinion.
Running time 98 minutes. General audience classification. For January
release. W. R. W.
New Coast Transmitter
Hollywood, Dec. 23. — Construction
has begun at Santa Barbara on TV
station KEYT's 4,100-foot mountain
peak transmitter. The station is due
on the air in May. Ronald Colman
is one of the station's owners.
WB's Utica Dark Again
Albany, N. Y., Dec. 23.— Warner's
Utica, Utica, which reopened in Octo-
ber after a summer shutdown, has
discontinued the exhibition of motion
pictures but will continue boxing and
wrestling matches.
'Jazz Singer' Fla.
Premiere on Jan. 1
Warner Brothers' "The Jazz Sing-
er," starring Danny Thomas and
Peggy Lee, has been set for a spe-
cial engagement day-and-date at the
Paramount Theatre, Miami, and the
Beach Theatre, Miami Beach, over
New Year's. The picture will be-
gin this special engagement immedi-
ately following the Dec. 30 world
premiere at the Fox Beverly in Bev
on Dec. 31 and the , regular engage-
ment starting Jan. 1 for an indefinite
run at both houses.
New York's WJZ-TV is broadcast-
ing 12 daily spot announcements on
the local benefit premiere of "The
Jazz Singer," which will have its
New York debut on behalf of the
National Foundation for Infantile
Paralysis at the New York Para-
mount Theatre on Tuesday evening,
Jan. 13. The announcements, which
are being telecast for four weeks in
advance of the premiere, are also be-
ing broadcast over the station's six
erly Hills, Cal., with a midnight show I daily audience participation TV shows.
Wednesday, December 24, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
'Moulin Rouge"
(Continued from page 1)
accident which stunted the growth of his legs. The accident turned him
away from his aristocratic heritage, sending him into the streets of Paris
where he sought refuge and a milieu in which his artistic talents could
flower. Constantly thwarted in love because of his deformity, he takes up
with a trollop, superbly played by Colette Marchand.
Toulouse-Lautrec, the midget who was a giant of a man, finally does find
a woman who accepts him completely, but by this time he is so steeped in
bitterness that he realizes it is too' late. The woman who plays that role is
Suzanne Flon, a model who takes to Toulouse-Lautrec out of loneliness and
respect for his genius.
The impact of the final love tragedy proves too much for Toulouse-Lautrec,
who destroys himself by intensifying his drinking. His death comes at a
moment when the greatest recognition of his talents is given him in France.
Lightening the dark overtones, weaving in and out of the story, are the
delightful dancers and singers of the "Moulin Rouge," the cafe made famous
by Toulouse-Lautrec in his posters. Among them are Zsa Zsa Gabor,
Katherine Kath, Rubert John, Muriel Smith and Walter Crisham. Jose
Ferrer, in addition to playing the dwarfed artist, portrays the father of
Toulouse-Lautrec, while his mother is portrayed by Claude Nollier.
Others in the cast include Georges Lannes, Mary Clare, Harold Gasket, Lee
Montague, Jill Bennet, Maureen Swanson and Jim Gerald. The screen
play was by Anthony Veiller and John Huston, while the associate producer
was Jack Clayton.
Running time, 123 minutes. Adult audience classification. For March
release. Murray Horowitz
National
Pre-Selling
THE January issue of Seventeen
is written and illustrated entirely
by young people. Patricia Perrin, 17
years old, who attends high school in
Warwick, Va., conducted the "At the
Movies" department. Contrary to
popular belief, Patricia says "teen-
agers are capable of intelligent criti-
cism of a movie even when Tony
Curtis is in it." A full-color page ad
on "Hans Christian Andersen" also
appears in this issue.
•
A Gilbert and Sullivan film biog-
raphy recently completed received a
five-page story including full-color
pictures in the Dec. 22 issue of Life.
Also in this issue is a four-color ad
on "Hans Christian Andersen" and
a one-half page ad on "Come Back,
Little Sheba."
•
Tvdo of Hollywood's best-known
stars are living refutations of the
fable that there's no room in one
home for two careers, writes Ruth
Harberth in the January issue of
Good Housekeeping. June Allyson
and Dick Powell, each in the top
echelon of motion pictures, have no
conflict over their careers. Their
home life with four-year-old Pamela
and not-quite-two RicJtard is warm
and delightful. June Allyson s latest
picture is M-G-M's "Battle Circus"
and Dick Powell is directing "Split
Second" for RI\0 Radio.
e
Loretta Young, star of Universal-
International's "Because of You," tells
a very enlightening story about St.
Anne's Maternity Hospital for Un-
married Mothers, in the Jan. 4 issue
of American Weekly. Loretta is
president of St. Anne's. The same
issue of the magazine carries a one-
half page full-color ad on "The Mis-
sissippi Gambler," starring Tyrone
Power.
•
Hal Wallis' "Come Back, Little
Sheba" has been greeted by fan
magazines with sweeping praise,
including predictions that the film
will figure prominently in the
Academy Awards running. In the
January issues of Photoplay, Mod-
ern Screen, Motion Picture Maga-
zine, Screenland and Movieland the
reviewers for these publications tap
Wallis on the shoulder when pre-
senting their accolade for "Little
Sheba."
•
Walt Disney's "Peter Pan" will be
the first motion picture distributed by
a major studio to be represented on
"Omnibus," CBS Television's Coast-
to-Coast program on Sunday. Full
and one-half page color ads will
appear in Look, Life, Saturday Eve-
ning Post, Woman's Home Com-
panion, Good Housekeeping, McCall's,
Cosmopolitan, Redbook, American
Magazine and American Weekly.
•
Chosen as "very fine films" by the
movie department of Redbook in its
January issue are "Million Dollar
Mermaid," M-G-M ; "Breaking the
Sound Barrier," United Artists ;
"Stars and Stripes Forever," 20th
Century-Fox, and "The Last of the
Comanches," Columbia. However,
the picture winning top honors in the
issue is Paramount's "Come Back,
Little Sheba."
Walter Haas
16 from M-G-M
(Continued from page 1)
given special handling, although not
listed on the regular release schedule.
For January, there will be "Above
and Beyond," starring Robert Taylor
and Eleanor Parker ; "The Clown,"
starring Red Skelton ; "The Bad and
the Beautiful," slated to he the next
attraction at Radio City Music Hall,
with Lana Turner, Kirk Douglas,
Walter Pidgeon and Dick Powell ;
"The Lloaxters," with narration by
Dore Schary, Robert Taylor, Howard
Keel, George Murphy, and others.
This is a 36-minute subject.
For February the following will be
released : "The Naked Spur," Tech-
nicolor, starring James Stewart, Janet
Leigh ; "Rogue's March," starring
Peter Lawford ; "Ivanhoe," Techni-
color, starring Robert Taylor, Eliza-
beth Taylor, Joan Fontaine and
George Sanders ; "Jeopardy," star-
ring Barbara Stanwyck.
The following are down for March :
"Dream Wife," starring Cary Grant,
Deborah Kerr and Walter Pidgeon ;
"Confidentially Connie," starring Van
Johnson, Janet Leigh and Louis Cal-
hern ; "I Love Melvin," a musical in
Technicolor, starring Donald O'Con-
nor, Debbie Reynolds and a group of
guest stars including Robert Taylor,
Howard Keel and Vera-Ellen.
For April the following are sched-
uled : "Battle Circus," starring Hum-
phrey Bogart, June Allyson and Kee-
nan Wynn ; "Small Town Girl," a
musical in Technicolor, starring Jane
Powell, Farley Granger, Ann Miller
and Nat King Cole; "See How They
Run!," starring Dorothy Dandridge
and. Robert Horton, and "Never Let
Me Go," starring Clark Gable, Gene
Tierney and Richard Hadyn.
"Above and Beyond" is slated to
open at the Capitol here about the
middle of February.
12-15 in NV in '53
(Continued from page 1)
Polaroid Corp. for 7,000,000 NV
spectacles, which he figures will take
"Bwana Devil" through January and
February and also provide enough for
Sol Lesser's Tri-Opticon run in Chi-
cago, Gunzburg expects requirements
will exceed 50,000,000 within the
year. "Bwana Devil," in its fourth
week here, still is the biggest draw in
town.
Censorship Move
(Continued from page 1)
will be given to the situation in
Massachusetts where a Sunday cen-
sorship law exists. While the law
there technically applies only to Sun-
day deletions, it has become a seven-
day law in practice, inasmuch as a
scene ordered deleted for Sunday
showings usually becomes a perma-
nent cut.
In Ohio, where newsreel censorship
repeal is in effect only in Toledo,
efforts are expected to be continued
to make the reels exempt from cen-
sorship state-wide. The newsreels are
paying the censorship levy under
protest.
An attempt will be made to have
the Virginia censorship law repealed
when its legislature convenes in 1954.
Dietrich-RKO
(Continued from page 1)
that it carries with it authority match-
ing its responsibilities, including au-
thority over production or the desig-
nation of a production head. Hughes
retained the latter authority in his ear-
lier regime in control of RKO.
The presidency is the only company
post still vacant. Hughes has been
elected chairman of the board; J.
Miller Walker, vice-president, general
counsel and secretary ; William Clark
is treasurer and Garrett Van Wagner,
comptroller. Should Dietrich for-
mally decline the post, as Depinet
did, Hughes has given no indication
what his next step would be.
Skouras Is Due
(Continued from page 1)
trip included a visit to the Korean
fighting front, accompanied by Gen-
eral V an Fleet.
London, Dec. 23. — Questioned on
prospects for introduction of the
Eidophor large screen television in
which his company is interested, Spy-
ros Skouras while here said the sys-
tem has a long way to go before it
can be commercially applied on any
wide scale. He predicted that large
screen TV will serve one day in a
manner which, if properly used, will
treble previous theatre profits.
Loan Policy
(Continued from page 1)
that while interest rates to major
companies are generally at or near the
prime three per cent, independent pro-
ducers pay six per cent or close to it.
It is pointed out that despite "head-
ache powders that are standard equip-
ment" for the bank's Amusement In-
dustries Division executives, losses
over the years have not been out of
proportion to the apparently high in-
terest rates charged, so that the busi-
ness has been satisfyingly profitable.
It is disclosed that Bankers Trust
has loaned approximately $120,000,000
to the film business over the years.
And now, with television making
rapid strides, the company has moved
to maintain its position as a leading
show business bank. The Amusement
Industries Division also has been
delving into the financing of new TV
stations. Permits for around 1,500
additional transmitting outlets even-
tually will be issued by the Federal
Communications Commission. It is
estimated that the cost of setting each
one in business will average more
than $500,000 and Bankers Trust
plans to get them started.
The bank admits that all banks on
both coasts dealing with independent
production were "clipped" in the
1947-48 era and that Bankers Trust
was among them. However, it is
pointed out that because of a con-
servative loan policy, "it was hurt
less than most of the others and
wasn't, like some of its colleagues,
scared right out of show business. It
merely trimmed its sails to meet
Hollywood's new economic weather
conditions and went right on."
In 1947 and the following year, the
picture industry suffered an unlooked-
for slump and Bankers Trust claims
that part of it was due to TV and
part of it wasn't.
"In any event," the bank asserts,
"loans that had to be paid in the
future were being based on the ex-
perience of the past, and it just did
not work out for some of the banks
involved."
For that reason, the new policy was
instituted, it is disclosed in an
article prepared for the bank's house
publication, The Pyramid, by Herb
Golden of the bank's Amusement In-
dustries Division.
Tri-Opticon System
(Continued from page 1)
transitions from one scene to another.
Others thought that the program was
too "arty," without enough sensational
demonstrations of the third-dimen-
sional illusion to give it mass appeal.
However, the various subjects were
well-produced and there was a definite
feeling of depth throughout.
The Tri-Opticon program, which
requires special glasses, will open at
the Telenews on Christmas Day for
an indefinite run. The theatre will
charge 98 cents during mornings,
$1.25 after 1 :00 P.M. and 50 cents at
all times for children.
o
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, December 24, 1952
Danny Thomas, Ike in
March of Dimes Film
Danny Thomas will be the
first film actor to appear on
the screen with President-
elect Dwight D. Eisenhower,
according to Warner Brothers.
Thomas will go to Washing-
ton shortly after Jan. 1 to
make a March of Dimes news-
reel with Eisenhower. The
reel will not be released until
after the Presidential inaugu-
ration.
Gala Premiere for
Para's 'Little Sheba'
More than 600 celebrities of Holly-
wood and Broadway, social and civic
leaders, and others attended the Vic-
toria Theatre here last night for the
world premiere of Hal Wallis' "Come
Back, Little Sheba," starring Shirley
Booth and Burt Lancaster.
As crowds pressed against police
guard rails to glimpse arriving head-
liners, newsreel and press cameras
recorded the event.
Theatrical celebrities and newspa-
per by-liners and publishers were
guests of Paramount president Bar-
ney Balaban at a later party at Sar-
di's honoring Miss Booth on the oc-
casion of her motion picture debut in
"Little Sheba." The ISO guests had
earlier attended the premiere.
Defer Decision on
Denver TV Channel
Washington, Dec. 23. — Federal
Communications Commission exam-
iner James Cunningham said he would
probably rule early in January on two
competing applications for a Denver
television channel. One of the appli-
cants is Aladdin Radio and Television
Co., in which Frank Ricketson, Jr.,
and Harry Huffman of Fox Inter-
mountain Theatres, and Ted Gamble
are the main stockholders. The other
company seeking the station is Denver
Television Co., in which Denver ex-
hibitor John Wolfberg is the. main
stockholder. Extensive hearings on
the competing applications have been
concluded and Cunningham has the
case under advisement. His decision
will have to be confirmed by the Com-
mission itself.
Hearings on competing applications
for another Denver channel have been
recessed until Jan. 13. One of the
firms seeking this channel is KMYR
Broadcasting Co., whose principal
stockholder is Bob Hope.
5J$^~$4^ By JAMES CUNNINGHAM
SIG COHEN, our Boston Brisbane, nominates Abraham Spitz of Provi-
dence, Rhode Island, as the nation's oldest living motion picture theatre
owner. "Abe" is observing his 100th birthday. Hearty Congratulations. . . .
Young Frank Freeman, a pretty responsible person in Hollywood, speaking as
board chairman of the Association of Motion Picture Producers, denounced, the
other day, "irresponsible personal publicity agents" for "descending to the
lowest level and bad taste" in causing publication of "salacious" photographic
material in "some trade papers and some fan magazines." Mr. Freeman,
name em
I I 1 1 I
Set Palace Openings
By opening its weekly eight-act
vaudeville show on Thursday begin-
ning this week, the RKO Palace will
offer new programs Christmas Day,
New Year's Day and on Jan. 8. The
latter will be the last of the combina-
tion vaudeville-first-run film policy at
the Palace for this season; Danny
Kay and his "All-Star International
Variety Show" takes over at the
theatre starting Jan. 18.
NTFC Luncheon Dec, 30
The National Television Film Coun-
cil will hold a luncheon-meeting Tues-
day at the Warwick Hotel here. It
was previously stated that the meeting-
would be held on Friday.
$- &
Memo to Management: In Puerto Rico, employes have been given a
six-day New Year's holiday. New Year's Day is a natch; Luis Munoz
Marin will be installed as Governor on Jan. 2, another natch; Jan. 6 is a
national holiday, natch; Jan. 3 and 4 fall on Saturday and Sunday.
W W 'M.
W.\ W. 5K SK
To Kay Norton, vivacious publicity manager of RKO Radio Pictures' home
office, we are indebted for the information that researchers working on the
company's "Blackbcard the Pirate" (opening on Christmas Day at Nezv
York's Loew's State— free ad)— found that pirates were not battered and
bewhiskered wrecks they are usually depicted as being. They didn't live that
long; their average age was 19. . . . The bookkeepers at 20th Century-Fox
were so close to hitting a mammoth mathematical coincidence: The corpora-
tion's gross income for the 39 zveeks ended on Sept. 27, 1952, was $119,120,-
437. The gross income for the same period in 1951 was $119,120,446.
-0- -0- $-
We are making progress in this great motion picture industry. Universal,
the other day, announced it will produce 36 pictures during 1952-53, and,_ we
quote, "with entertainment values." ... At RKO Radio Pictures' home office,
the choir which has been practicing, "He's Back in the Saddle, Again," has
worn out, oh, so many saddles. . . . The National Board of Review of Motion
Pictures made these observations in reviewing Sam Goldwyn's splendiferous
"Hans Christian Andersen" : "Audiences will find this film too full of schmaltz
... it includes some mildly pleasing songs and some well-photographed ballet
(with a tough baby from France called Jeanmaire)."
A A A A
The Schines of Gloversville, New York, are installing RCA-Victor TV
sets in each room of their hotels, the Roney Plaza and Gulfstream in
Miami Beach and the McAllister in downtown Miami. Meanwhile, the
popcorn will continue to pop at the Schines' Upstate New York theatres.
Which reminds us of California Rotus Harvey's observation: "The best
way to jingle coins in your pocket is to shake a leg."
$ $- $
A word of encouragement to all you- industry stalwarts who have been
fighting so strenuously to have controls completely lifted from the blanket
covering nezv theatre construction : The Government has lifted price controls
from juke-boxes, pinball games and "strength-testing" machines. . . . Hender-
son Richcy's definition of mixed emotions: Witnessing one's mother-in-law
going over a steep cliff in your brand-new, zvhite-wallcd, super-duper Cadillac.
*A" *A' W
TO YOU, Mr. Robert J. O'Donnell, may we nominate three co-chairmen
to serve with you on your committee dedicated to make memorably happy
the Golden Jubilee tribute to that Grand Old Man, Adolph Zukor :
Mary Pickford, who, after many bit parts in and around her native
Toronto, under her family name of Glady's Mary Smith, and after more im-
portant parts in Belasco productions and some screen work for David Wark
Griffith, in New York, became Mr. Zukor's first great star ;
Cecil Blount DeMille, Mr. Zukor's first great producer, who went from
"The Squaw Man" in 1912 to "The Greatest Show on Earth" ; and,
Jesse L. Lasky, who became one of Mr. Zukor's first business associates
after he combed out from his then very full hirsute adornment the gold-dust
from the gold-rush to Alaska in the early 1900's, and after he put down the
horn that he tooted with a Honolulu band.
& $- $
Greetings to ALL: To those persons who have done so much for this
industry; and greetings, too, to those who have not. Could be that, in
the New Year, someone, somehow, in some place will discover a deep-
down hatchet-burying hole, on top of which might rise some seeds of,
let's say, olive trees. With the kind of branches that are spread around!
Spread among exhibitors, and among distributors, and just spread all
over the place. Could be.
Cm Skouras Sees
New Developments
Boosting Business
Hollywood, Dec. 23. — National
Theatres president Charles P. Skou-
ras today told 234 Fox West Coast
Theatres executives, department heads,
managers, bookers and buyers, "We
are entering a new era in the motion
picture theatre industry. It is one
filled with optimism and one that will
certainly bring people back to the
movie going habit." Pointing out the
potentialities in Cinerama, Ediphor.
three-dimension and large screen the-
atre TV, Skouras said "We can look
forward with confidence to better
business in line with all these new
developments."
FWC general manager George
Bowser distributed checks represent-
ing bonuses, awards and insurance
dividends to various members attend-
ing the annual Christmas meeting at
the Ambassador Hotel here, and pre-
sented the Charles P. Skouras Na-
tional Showman's plaque, together
with a check for $250, to Robert
Apple, manager of the Crest Theatre,
Reno, Nevada.
Prior to the meeting FWC per-
sonnel received spiritual blessing at
Saint Sophia's Orthodox Cathedral,
built largely under Skouras' leader-
ship, and witnessed a 90-minute pon-
tifical liturgy service.
Drive-in Insurance
Rates Increased
Albany, N. Y., Dec. 23. — Drive-in
owners have been advised that casualty
insurance rate increases, effective
now, include a minimum hike of $5
on property damage ($1,000 dollar
policy) and a minimum jump of $25
on liability ($5,000-$10,000) , for me-
chanically operated amusement devices
and pony rides, whether conducted by
the owner or a concessionaire.
It is presumed that the number of
damage claims made and paid on such
devices and rides led the board of un-
derwriters to ask for the increases.
New York is not the only state af-
fected, according to information here.
40 'Invasion* Dates
Set Before Jan. 1
"Invasion U.S.A.," Columbia ex-
ploitation film dealing with an A-
bomb attack on the United States,
has been set in more than 40 situa-
tions between now and Jan. 1, with
virtually all of them scheduled to re-
ceive full-scale exploitation treatment.
Telenews at Inauguration
Plans for Telenews' TV news cov-
erage of the Jan. 20 inauguration
ceremonies of Dwight D. Eisenhower
have virtually been completed, it was
announced by Telenews editor-in-chief
Edward P. Genock. He disclosed
that the Washington bureau staff will
be supplemented by several full
camera-sound crews.
Levy, Allegret in Mexico
Raoul Levy and Yves Allegret,
French producer and director, respec-
tively, are in Mexico from New York,
to produce a French film to star
Michele Morgan, Gerard Phillippe
and Mexican actor Pedro Armen-
dariz. It will be co-produced with
Salvador Elizondo,. head of Reforma
Films.
VOL. 72. NO. 122
MOTION PICTURE
NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1952
TEN CENTS
Tradewise . . .
By SHERWIN KANE
AS Radio City Music Hall comes
to its 20th anniversary, marked
in this issue of Motion Picture
Daily as has been its earlier anni-
versaries at each five-year mile-
stone in the theatre's history, the
Music Hall's claim to the title
"Showplace of the Nation" is more
secure than ever before.
In many ways the Music Hall is
unique. A glance at some of the
facts culled from its records shows
why.
In 1951, a poor business year for
most theatres, the Music Hall
established a record gross of
$6,811,769. On the basis of still
incomplete figures, the gross for
this year probably will set a new
high for the theatre.
The average annual attendance
is nearly 7,000,000 persons. The
20-year attendance at the Music
Hall by the end of this year will
be in the neighborhood of 123,-
000,000.
The 20-year gross for the theatre
is estimated at $104,425,000.
One picture, "The Great Caru-
so," grossed $1,392,943 in 10 weeks
at the Music Hall. Four others
[Continued on page 2)
U. S. Sees Theatre
Building Prospects
Washington, Dec. 28. — A Com-
merce Department survey of the eco-
nomic outlook declared that "the largest
volume of unfilled requirements" in
the private building field was for
social and recreational facilities such
as theatres, dance halls, broadcasting
studios, community bouses and other
structures.
The need for recreational facilities
is due largely to government building
1 curbs, the survey stated. It estimated
over $3,000,000,000 of deferred build-
ing in this field.
Lamont Sees Drive-In
Boon Also from 3-D
Albany, N. Y., Dec. 28.— Third-
dimension projection will prove a box-
office boon not only to indoor theatres
but also to drive-ins during 1953,
Harry Lamont, head of Lamont Thea-
tres and president of the Albany TOA,
believes.
Citing "the sensational business"
being done by "Bwana Devil," Lamont
said he expected it and two other
third-dimensional films to be "avail-
able for drive-ins during the next
year."
CELEBRATING THE
20th ANNIVERSAR Y OE
RADIO CITY
IM) HALL
■
Martin and Lewis Voted
Top Money-Making Stars
The team of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were the top "Money-
Making Stars of 1952," having been voted into the No. 1 position by
exhibitors in the Motion Picture Herald-Fame's 21st annual poll. The-
atre operators — both circuit and independent — voting by confidential
ballot strictly on box-office revenues
O'Donnell Heralds
\\lovietime" Train,
Other Com po Aids
Dallas, Dec. 28. — The 22-car
streamliner ''Movietime'' train, which
will tour the country in 1953, and
other pre-selling projects of the Coun-
cil of Motion Picture Organizations
were heralded by R. J. O'Donnell,
vice-president and general manager of
Interstate Circuit and national direc-
tor of "Movietime, U.S.A." as re-
flecting faith and confidence in the
industry for the coming year.
Additional expressions of optimism
(Continued on page 11)
Report 20th's '52
Earnings Higher
A forecast that 20th Century-Fox's
net earnings for 1952, based on pre-
liminary reports for the fourth quar-
ter, would be in excess of those of
last year was made here at the week-
end by a 20th-Fox official.
A decrease in amortization would
help take up the "slight decline" in
(Continued on page 2)
had placed the duo in second place in
the 1951 audit.
Martin and Lewis were followed by
Gary Cooper, John Wayne, Bing'
Crosby, Bob Hope, James Stewart,
Doris Day, Gregory Peck, Susan Hay-
ward and Randolph Scott, in that or-
der, on the list of Money-Making
Stars. The single newcomer to the
"Top Ten" is Susan Hayward, al-
though some of the others are re-
turnees. She rose from 19th place in
the 1951 poll to ninth position in 1952.
Gary Cooper, runner-up, is on the
list for the 13th time, a record tied
only by Bing Crosby. John Wayne,
(Continued on page 11)
Appoint Regional
NCCJ Chairmen
Regional exhibitor chairmen for the
'amusement' industry's participation in
Brotherhood Week, Feb. 15-22, on be-
half of the 25th anniversary of the
National Conference of Christians and
Jews were disclosed at the weekend
by Sol A. Schwartz, national c^aiman.
Serving under Walter Reade, Jr..
national exhibitor chairman, will be .
Albany: Charles Smakwitz and Harry
Lamont ; Atlanta : Boyd Fry ; Boston :
(Continued on page 2)
ouse Group
Cites Films9
Red Probe Aid
Un-American Activities
Committee Reviews Year
By J. A. OTTEN
Washington, Dec. 28. — The
House Un-American Activities
Committee said today that if Com-
munist efforts to infiltrate Holly-
wood had not been exposed, the screen
would have become a medium for
Communist propaganda.
The statement was made in
the Committee's year-end re-
port to Congress, reviewing
recent hearings and investiga-
tions. It noted that in its film
hearings last year and this
year, it had received much bet-
ter cooperation from individ-
uals in the industry than during
the earlier 1947 hearings.
The Committee report carefully
avoided giving the industry too great
a pat on the back, but at least it did
not criticize the industry as did ear-
lier reports.
In 1951, when hearings were re-
(Continned on page 2)
NY lst-run Grosses
Climb for Holidays
The end of the pre-holiday box-
office lull came with Christmas Day
along Broadway heralding a week of
robust business that will be climaxed
by the New Year's weekend. The
lively box-office performance in New
York was also experienced by theatres
in many other sections of the country.
At Radio City Music Hall, the
fourth week of "Million Dollar Mer-
(Continued on page 2)
Sees Fewer Gov't
Controls in '53
Dallas, Dec. 28. — Less gov-
ernmental control as a result
of the recent general elec-
tions was forecast by Karl
Hoblitzelle, president of In-
terstate Circuit, at a meeting
here of the Texas Council of
Motion Picture Organizations.
He said fewer controls "will
mean the salvation of many
types of business including
our own."
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 29, 1952
Personal
Mention
H
ERBERT J. YATES, Republic
. president, and Mrs. Yates are in
New York from the Coast.
o
Walter Gould, executive vice-
president of International-United Film
Corp., left here for the Coast by
plane at the weekend where he will
remain until the middle of January.
0
Allen Hodshire goes to Wash-
ington on his first assignment for
RKO Radio after joining the com-
pany's exploitation staff here today.
David O. Selznick, president of the
Selznick Releasing Organization, will
leave here today for London by plane.
•
Jack L. Warner is in New York
from the Coast.
•
Major Albert Warner is in Flor-
ida on vacation.
Red Probe Aid
{Continued from page 1 )
Tradewise . . .
(Continued from page 1)
sumed, "the Committee experienced
much fuller cooperation and assistance
from individuals in and associated with
the motion picture industry," the re-
port declared. "As a result, the Com-
mittee ascertained that the Communist
efforts to infiltrate this industry had
been a full-scale and carefully planned
operation and that the Communist
Party had been successful m recruiting
individuals in important and strategic
positions in almost all phases of motion
picture production. Had these Com-
munist efforts gone unexposed, it is
almost inevitable that the content ol
motion pictures would have been in-
fluenced and slanted and become a
medium for Communist propaganda.
Financial Reservoir
The Committee said it also felt that
as a result of its hearings, the exten-
sive financial reservoir which had ex-
isted in Hollywood for Communist
purposes has been greatly diminished.
The report urged "all fields of en-
tertainment and culture to maintain a
steadfast vigilance in order to avoid
the possibility of further Communist
infiltration into them." It announced
that it still has a "number of wit-
nesses" to be called in connection with
the Hollywood investigation.
The Committee listed the names of
30 persons who had been one-time
members of the Party and who, m
testimonv before the Committee, "have
been of invaluable assistance to the
Committee and the American people in
supplying facts relating to Communist
efforts and success in infiltrating the
motion picture industry."
The list included Elia Kazan, Ld-
ward Dmvtryk, Sterling Hayden,
Larry Parks, Budd Schulberg, Frank
Tuttle and Clifford Odets.
Others on the list were George
Bassman, George Beck, Martin Berke-
ley, Lloyd Bridges, Richard Collins,
Eve Ettinger, Bernyce Fleury, Eugene
Fleury, Anne Ray Frank, Roy Hug-
gins, Leon Janney, Fred Keating,
Marc Lawrence, Isobel Lennart, Mel-
g-rossed more than $1,150,000 in
runs of eight to 11 weeks.
During the last Christmas-New
Year's holiday week, "I'll See You
in My Dreams" grossed a record
$180,068 in seven clays. "Ivanhoe,"
in one non-holiday week, grossed
$175,958.
The Music Hall has played 42b
feature pictures since its opening
20 years ago. Of these, 317 were
played during the first 10 years
and 108 during the second 10 years..
In 1946, the Music Hall used
only eight feature films ; in 1945,
nine; in 1944 and this year. 10; in
1943. 1947 and 1951, it used 1.1.
In its early years, before its
present policy had been established,
the1: Music Hall used almost four
times as many films as in recent
years. In 1933, it used an all-time
high of 46 ; in 1934, it used 43, and
in 1935, 40. From 1936 on, the
drop in feature film consumption
was sharp and continuous.
Numerically. RKO Radio pro-
vided the Music Hall with the
most films over the 20-year period ;
a total of 115 features which con-
sumed 221 weeks and five days of
playing time. MGM has furnished
71 features which have used 319
weeks of plaving time, including
the '■■ run, to date, of the current
"Million Dollar Mermaid."
Other product suppliers and their
playing time include: Columbia,
63 pictures; 131 weeks running
time; 20th Century-Fox, 62 fea-
tures, for 104 weeks and four days ;
United Artists, 48 features, for 94
weeks ; Warner Brothers, 28 fea-
tures, for 67 weeks ; Universal, 20
features, for 36 weeks and three
days; Paramount, 14 features, for
55 weeks.
Pandro Berman is the leading-
producer of pictures booked by the
Music Hall, with 28. David Selz-
nick has 11; Arthur Freed 10.
John Cromwell, with 17 pictures, is
the leading director on the Hall's
books. Alexander Hall has 11, and
John Ford, 10.
Katharine Hepburn and Ginger
Rogers are tied for first as the
female stars of the greatest number
of pictures to play the Hall — 22
each. However, Greer Garson's
11 starring vehicles at the Hall had
the longest playing time for any
female star, 65 weeks.
Cary Grant ranks as the male
star who has appeared in the most
Music Hall pictures, and for the
most playing time — 21 pictures
which ran 68 weeks. Walter Pid-
geon was in eight which ran 45
weeks and Spencer Tracy in 12
which ran 41 weeks.
These wholly statistical facts are
but one phase of the story that
proves the Radio City Music Hall
unique. The other is the great or-
ganization, directed by Russell V.
Downing, which meticulously main-
tains the high standards of enter-
tainment and service in the Music
Hall's distinguished setting. That
story is told elsewhere in this
issue.
30 Cleve. Theatres
In Pre-Xmas Closing
Cleveland, Dec. 28.— Thirty
independently owned subse-
quent run houses, represent-
ing 50 9r of the theatres in
this classification in Greater
Cleveland, closed Monday
through Wednesday before
Christmas. This is the first
time such a wide sweeping
policy including the largest
and newest theatres, has ever
been adopted. In previous
years many theatres closed
Christmas Eve to give their
employees one holiday night
with their families.
The three-day closing was
not a concerted action on the
part of exhibitors but was
instituted on the basis of in-
dividual theatre lack of at-
tendance. All reopened Christ-
mas Day with new programs.
Grosses Climb
(Continued from page 1)
20th's Earnings
(Continued from page 1)
worldwide 1952 revenues from film
rentals, it was said. Foreign film
rentals for the calendar year are run-
ning about eight per cent higher than
last year, also absorbing some decline
in 1952 domestic film rentals.
Last year, the income from film
rentals was $92,489,357, both domestic
and foreign. Theatre receipts for
1951 were $58,169,152. Net profit was
$4,308,431.
With the company sphtup as ot last
Sept. 27 into separate production-dis-
tribution and exhibition firms accord-
ing to the terms of the consent de-
cree, there are no comparable figures
for net earnings this year. In its last
report for the 39 weeks ended Sept. 27,
which covered operations before the
split-up, the company disclosed con-
solidated net earnings of $2,768,191
and a special credit of $1,077,755.
This compared with net earnings of
$2 147,628 for the 39-week period
ended Sept. 29, 1951.
NCCJ Chairmen
(Continued from page 1)
vin Levy, Paul Marion, David Raksin,
Stanley Roberts, Meta Reis Rosen-
berg, Bernard C. Schoenfeld, Leo
Townsend, Owen Vinson and Eliza-
beth Wilson.
The report noted that Bridges, Jan-
ney and Keating had all admitted for-
mer Party membership in executive
session statements, and that their tes-
timony had not yet been made public.
Ben Domingo ; Buffalo : Arthur
Krolick; Charlotte: H. D. Hearn ;
Chicago : John Balaban ; Cincinnati :
Rube Shor and Jerome Shinbach ;
Cleveland: Frank Murphy and Max
Mink ; Dallas : Julius Gordon and
James O. Cherry ; Denver : Hall Baetz
and William Hastings ; Des Moines :
Myron Blank; Detroit: Jack Sharkey;
Indianapolis : Howard Rutherford ;
Jacksonville: Leon Netter ; Kansas
City: Howard Burkhardt and E. C.
Rhoden ; Los Angeles : W. O. Srere
and H. A. Anderson ; Memphis : Jack
Katz.
Also : Milwaukee : Harold Fitz-
gerald and A. D. Kvool ; Minneapolis :
Harold Fields, Ed Rubin and Harry
Weiss ; New Haven : Harry Shaw
and H. Feinstein ; New Jersey : Frank
Damis ; New Orleans : Henry Plitt ;
New York City: Sam Rinzler, Spyros
Skouras, Jr., and Michael Edelstein ;
Oklahoma City : Morris Lowenstein ;
Omaha : Robert Livingston, and Larry
Kaplane ; Philadelphia : William Gold-
man ; Pittsburgh : Bert Stearn and
maid" and the traditional Christmas
stage show is expected to top $180,000,
the sturdy figure realized last year
during Christmas week. The esti-
mate is based on pre-Christmas busi-
ness at the Hall, which- unlike most
other theatres, picks up a few weeks
before the holiday with the introduc-
tion of the Christmas show.
At the Victoria, a tremendous
$12,500 was chalked up for the
first two days of "Come Back,
Little Sheba," leading Para-
mount officials to predict that
the first week of the film will
break the house record of
$57,000 set by "Joan of Arc."
Other sturdy product, highlighted
by "Ruby Gentry," at the May-
fair; "April In Paris," at the Para-
mount, and "Hiawatha," at the Bijou,
was introduced along Broadway for
the holidays with a commensurate
boost in business. Other holiday fare
which drew many customers was the
in-person appearance of Johnnie Ray
at the Capitol, coupled with "Against
All Flags" as the screen attraction,
and "My Cousin Rachel" at the
Rivoli.
Thousands of couples, accompanied
by their children, flocked to see "Hans
Christian Andersen" at the Criterion
and the off-Broadway Paris. Also
doing brisk business was the newly-
reopened Roxy, currently featuring
"Stars and Stripes Forever," _ and
"Icecolorama" on stage. "Limelight"
at the Astor and at the two-a-day
60th Street Trans-Lux also did quite
well.
Moe Silver ; Portland : Jack Matlack ;
St. Louis : Harry Arthur, Jr., and
Kuss Bovim ; Salt Lake City : Ray
Hendrey ; San Francisco : Joseph
Blumenfeld and Mark Ailing; Seattle:
Frank Newman ; Tampa : Herman
Silverman ; Washington : A. Julian
Brylawski and Orville Crouch.
The regional distributor and public-
ity chairmen will be announced shortly.
~ ~ _ . . ttj;^- ;„ rwf and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsave, Consulting Editor. Published daily, except Saturdays,
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. M a**" R^n^ Cornea nv " In c 1 270 Si xth A v en ue . Rockefeller Center. New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100.. Cable address : "Quigpubco,
Sundays and holidays by Quigley P^^jf.^Xde'y Tr' Vice-President: Theo. T. Sullivan. Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy. Vice-President; Leo J Brady.
New York." Martin Quigley, Presiden ^ ^tar • Herbe'rt V Fecke. Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood . Bureau, Yucca- Vine Building
Secretary; James P. Cunningham, News Ed, tor ^rtert v. , e • Advertising Representative, FT 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative. 11 North
William R. Weaver, Editor Chicago 'Bureau, 12 South LahaJe^t ^ Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; Hope Burnup. Manager; Peter Burnup.
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. WmW^I-A- ^^^l^^Uotkm Picture Herald; Better Theatres and Theatre Sales, each published 13 times a year as a section
Editor; cable address, "Quigpubco, London. ««™Afm™a Fame. Entered M second-class matter. Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York, N. Y.. under the act
THE YEAR OF PARAMOUNT'S NEW CONCEPT...
SUPER-HITS
TO RESTORE HIGHEST ATTENDANCE LEVELS
Examine Paramount's
product for the next
A
CONCEPT OF
Every picture presented in '53 re-
flects Paramount's intention to make
only top -quality attractions, the ad-
vantage of which is proved by Cecil B.
Mr by
TCCHNICOiOR
starring
CROsmr hope
DORomr
Produced by HARRY TUGEND- Directed by HAL WALKER
Screenplay by FRANK BUTLER, HAL KANTER and WILLIAM MORROW
New Songs -Lyrics by JOHNNY BURKE -Music by JAMES VAN HEUSEN
Cecil B. DeMille'S
starring
Color by
TECHNICOLOR
BETTY HUnON CORNEL WILDE CHARLTON HESTON
1
E
HENRY WILCOXON-LYLEBETTGER
LAWRENCE TIERNEY ■ EMMETT KELLY ^
CUCCIOLA- ANTOINETTE CONCELLO
Produced and Directed by CECIL B. DeMILLE • Produced with the
cooperation of Ringling Bros.-Barnum & Bailey Circus • Screenplay
by Fredric M. Frank. Barre Lyndon and Theodore St. John • Story by
Fredric M. Frank, Theodore St. John and Frank Cavett
DeMille's "The Greatest Show On
Earth," soon entering its second year of
record business. In addition to extra
story-and-star values, an all-time high
percentage of these productions will be
made in color byTechnicolor. Paramount
leads the industry in meeting the needs
of present-day boxoffice demands.
BURT
LANCASTER
SHIRLEY
BOOTH
N
Hal Wallis'
PRODUCTION
Come Back,
Little Sheba
Co-starring
TERRY MOORE • RICHARD JAECKEL
Directed by DANIEL MANN • Screenplay by KETTI FRINGS
Based on the original play by William Inge
Produced on the stage by the Theatre Guild
DEAN
JERRV
HHflHHS
HAL
mas
Production
with
POLLY BERGEN
Directed by Screenplay by
NORMAN IAUR0G - FRED F. FINKLEHOFFE and MARTIN RACKIN
Additional Dialogue by CUfTUUU ULLIVIHN 'From a story by
FRED F. FINKLEHOFFE and SID SILVERS
A NEW CONCEPT OF
Color by
TeCHNlCOloG.
starring
with
BOB WILLIAMS • TOM MORTON • FRED CLARK
JOHN ARCHER and RED DUST
Produced by IRVING ASHER • Directed by NORMAN TAUROG
Screenplay by LI AM O'BRIEN
a story by Paul Hervey Fox
£ A fresh and sure-fire planned pro-
gram adding new names to Paramount' s
long list of ticket-selling stars is now
in operation for '53. Many of them
I to
M
I
I
THUNDER
starring
ALAN DEBORAH
CHARLES CORIHNE
Produced by EVERETT RISKIN
Directed by CHARLES VI DOR • Screenplay by JO SWERLING
Adaptation by
GEORGE TABORI and FREDERICK HAZLITT BRENNAN
From the novel by Alan Moorehead
fa
come to the screen widely publicised
in other fields: Rosemary Clooney,
Audrey Hepburn, Anna Maria
Alberghetti, Yul Brynner. Thus they
are immediate marquee assets, ready to
assume the stature which Paramount
has recently given personalities like
Martin and Lewis, and Charlton Heston.
COLOR BY
TECHNICOLOR
starring
NOAH BEERY -GRANT WITHERS
Written for the Screen and Directed by LEWIS R. FOSTER • Based on a novel by Tom Gill
Produced by William H. Pine and William C.Thomas
Color by
TECHNICOLOR
starring
RAY MILLAND
ARLENE DAHL
WENDELL COREY
with
PATRIC KNOWLES • LAURA ELLIOT
Directed and Written for the Screen by
LEWIS R. FOSTER
From a novel by Max Murray
Produced by
WILLIAM H. PINE and WILLIAM C. THOMAS
CONCEPT OF
BOB HOPE
CKEY MONEY
MARILYN MAXWELL
0 FF
LIMITS
co-starring
EDDIE MAYEHOFF
with STANLEY CLEMENTS
JACK DEMPSEY • MARVIN MILLER
Produced by Directed by
HARRY TUGEND • GEORGE MARSHALL
Story and Screenplay by
HAL KANTER and JACK SHER
in
>8§1 Paramount's forward drive to
recapture maximum boxoffice attend-
ance has rejected all old, tired pre-selling
methods. New, aggressive ideas in
CHARLTON BESTON
RHONDA FLEMING
JAN STERLING
FORREST TUCKER
in
PONY
EXPRESS
Color by TECHNICOLOR
Directed by JERRY HOPPER
Screenplay by CHARLES MARQUIS WARREN
Story by Frank Gruber
Produced by NAT HOLT
showmanship meet the challenge of
each attraction. Amplifying the means
of communication to the public
has been successfully achieved by
Paramount for'53-and this pioneering
in new interest- compelling devices will
continue as a primary means of ex-
tending the film audience
I HE WAR
of rail
WORLDS
Color by
TECHNICOLOR
Produced by GEORGE PAL
Directed by BYRON HASKIN
Screenplay by BARRE LYNDON
Based on the novel by
H. G. WELLS
PLEASURE
ISLAND
Color by
TECHNICOLOR
starring
LEO GEM DOH TAYLOR
witkSENF BARRY- ELM (WINCHESTER
■And introducing
DOROTHY . AUDREY. JOAN
BROMILEy DALTOtf EMM
Produced by PAUL JONES
Directed by F. HUGH HERBERT and ALVIN GANZER
Screenplay by F. HUGH HERBERT
Based on the novel by William Maier
IN ADDITION THESE SUPER-HITS
ARE YOUR PARAMOUNT FUTURE FOR
ROMAN HOLIDAY
A William Wyler Production.
Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn,
Eddie Albert.
SCARED STIFF
A Hal Wallis Production.
Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis,
Lizabeth Scott, Carmen Miranda.
ARROWHEAD
Charlton Heston, Mary Sinclair,
Jack Palance, Michael Keith.
Produced by Nat Holt
Color by Technicolor.
HOUDINI
Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh
Produced by George Pal
Color by Technicolor
SHANE
A George Stevens Production.
Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur, Van Heflin,
Brandon de Wilde.
Color by Technicolor.
STALAG 17
Produced by Billy Wilder.
William Holden, Don Taylor, Otto Preminger.
From the Broadway stage success.,
LITTLE BOY LOST
A Perlberg-Seaton Production
Bing Crosby, Claude Dauphin.
FOREVER FEMALE
Ginger Rogers, William Holden,
Paul Douglas, Pat Crowley.
Produced by Pat Duggan.
HERE COME THE GIRLS
Bob Hope, Arlene Dahl,
Rosemary Clooney, Tony Martin.
Produced by Paul Jones.
Color by Technicolor.
THE CONQUERORS
John Payne, Coleen Grey,
Jan Sterling, Lyle Bettgei .
Produced by Pine and Thomas.
Color by Technicolor.
LEADING SUPER-HITS TO COME
Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS
-Rosemary Cloon
4 :<ffl
Monday, December 29, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
11
'Look' Features
'Herald-Fame' Poll
The Jan. 13 issue of Look
Magazine, which will be on
the newsstands tomorrow,
will carry a three-page pic-
torial layout on the Motion
Picture Herald-Fame 21st an-
nual exhibitor poll results of
the top box-office stars of the
year. Titled "America's Fav-
orite Movie Stars," the three
pages are devoted to photos
of present and past winners,
with their ranking positions
in previous polls.
Martin and Lewis
{Continued from page 1)
after holding the No. 1 spot in the
two previous years, was in third place,
possibly due to the fact that he was
seen less often during the year than
was good for his poll standing. Bing
Crosby climbed a notch from his 1951
position, taking fourth place, but he
shares with nobody the record of five
consecutive years in the No. 1 slot
(1944-48 inclusive).
Hope jumped from sixth to fifth
place and is on the "team" for the
12th time, taking first place in 1949.
Stewart is in the Top Ten for the
second time, finishing sixth, while
Miss Day, in seventh place, is up two
stations from last year's ninth, which
was her initial appearance on the list.
Peck, finishing eighth, duplicates his
standing in the 1947 poll.
The Herald observes that the fluc-
tuations of box-office fame are singu-
larly slight from year to year. Bud
Abbott and Lou Costello, 11th in the
1952 poll, although eighth in the in-
dependent exhibitors' column, have
seven Top Ten placements, including
a No. 1 in 1941. Esther Williams,
12th in the present listing, although
10th in the circuit theatres' column,
was eighth in both the 1949 and 1950
polls. The most striking shift of poll
positions is that of Betty Grable, who
was third in 1951, and dropped to 20th
this year. The repeated suspensions
she drew from her studio are reported
to have accounted for the dip.
Winners in the Western film
category are Roy Rogers, Gene
Autry, Rex Allen, Bill Elliott,
Tim Holt, Gabby Hayes, Smiley
Burnette, Charles Starrett,
Dale Evans and William Boyd.
Fluctuations in this department
are even slighter, with Rogers
leading the parade for the 10th
consecutive year.
British exhibitors participated in the
poll, casting votes in three groups ; the
top money-making- British players, in-
ternational players, and Western stars,
respectively.
The British performers ranked in
the following order : Ronald Shiner,
Alastair Sim, Alec Guinness, Anthony
Steel and Jack Hawkins (tied), Rich-
ard Todd, Nigel Patrick, Jack War-
ner, Anna Neagle, Trevor Howard
and Glynis Johns.
In the international bracket, the
winner was Bob Hope, followed by
Gregory Peck, Betty Hutton, Martin
and Lewis, John Wayne, Mario Lanza,
James Mason, James Stewart, Doris
Day and Humphrey Bogart.
The Westerns' leaders were Gary
Cooper, Randolph Scott, James Stew-
art, Roy Rogers, John Wayne, Rod
Cameron, Alan Ladd, Gene Autry,
Jeff Chandler and Clark Gable.
Television--Radio
with Pinky Herman
WHAT will probably be the only Chinese Christmas Carols on
TV, will be heard on "Letter to Lee Graham" ABCast 3 :00 to
3:15 P.M. Christmas Day, when Father John Moore and ten children
from the Kung Wah Cantonese settlement on Mott St. will guestrill.
. . . For the first time in the 19-year history of the Sugar Bowl game,
the contest on New Year's Day between Georgia Tech and U of
Miss, will be telecast. Jim Britt's play by play will be heard and
seen on the five owned and operated ABC-TV stations while Bob
Finnegan will radiorate the classic for indie co-sponsors. . . . March
of Time's interesting Film Series, sponsored by Miller Brewing Co.
in about 60 key cities, moves from ABC to NBC, and will be tele-
cast Weds., 7:15 to 7:30 P.M. There was quite a to-do last week
when someone stated that "New York's Finest WEREN'T." That
may or may not be so but local gendarmes have certainly proven
themselves "the smartest." On Dec. 9, Patrolman Robert R. Maloney
(paired with Joyce Robinson of Omaha, Neb.) split the record sum
of $2,835.00 on NBC-TV's "Two For The Money," and on the same
day Stanley Chappie, New York traffic cop, gave the right answers on
"The Big Payoff" and copped a mink coat and a trip to Paris for
himself and his wife.
it , & "ft
Tom Slater, Ruthrauff & Ryan v.p., who was recently named
director of that firm's radio and TV dep't., has enjoyed a wide
and varied career. Upon graduation from College he served on
the faculties of Northwestern U, Miami U. and Western College
for Women at Oxford, 0. From 1934 until he
joined R & R in 1946, Slater was a writer-
prodncer-performer and for several years
headed special events and sports for MBS. His
"Contacting the Moon By Radar," in 1946
won him the coveted National Headliners
Award for "Radio's outstanding special events
broadcast of the year." He is chairman of the
TV committee for the broadcasting and film-
commission of the National Council of the
Churches of Christ in America, and some few
weeks ago succeeded his brother Bill a<s emcee
and host of the "Luncheon at Sardi's," series
via WOR. . . . After a recording-breaking p.a.
tour of theatres in Montreal and Toronto,
The Four Aces paused in New York for a
guestint on Kate Smith's program, then left for another theatre
date in Chicago. . . . Bob Monroe's "High Adventure" and "John
Steele" MBShows resume next month. . . . The Wendell Coreys
due back in town next month and are mulling an offer to do a
"Mr. & Mrs." program on TV.
it ' -fr #
Jack Lescoulie who has been doing a CBSwell announcing
job on the "Jackie Gleason Show" these past two months, add-
ed another chore to his busy schedule when he subs for Dave
Garroway on "Today," the NBC-TV early bird series, from
Dec. 25 through the 29th. . . . George F. Foley's adult science
fiction TV series, "Tales of Tomorrow," ABCast for the past
two years, will also become a radio series over the same net-
work starting Thursday Jan. 1. Clark Andrews will direct the
radio version. . . . "Wild Bill Hickok" has been MBSigned to
continue on through 1953. . . . Deejays will latch onto Jerry
Cooper's newest Anchor platter of two nostalgic ballads,
"Have You Ever Been Lonely" and "I'm Sorry I Made You
Cry." The former Monogram Pictures lark is headed for a
comeback. . . . Maggi McNellis turned in one of the finest
femceeing jobs we've ever seen last Tuesday nite via WJZ-TV
for the special premiere of the 20th Century-Fox musical,
"Stars and Stripes Forever," at the Roxy Theatre. In fact well
coin a word and say her charm, wit and graciousness made this
a Magginificent telecast. . . . Charles Sanford, musical director
of "Your Show of Shows," has nixxed offers from two Broad-
way producers to NBContinue with Max Liebman, with whom
he's been associated for a decade. . . . Telenews Exec Milton
Weisman sails Jan. 7 for a six-month world tour to set up
world news coverage facilities. . . . Abbie Greshler has started
his own music publishing firm and will publish songs written
and recorded by the new singing sensation, Jimmy Boyd, whose
current platter of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"' has
already reached the three MILLION sales mark. . . . Sotto
Voce to Alice Heinecke : Durn purtiest birthday card we ever
received. Merci beaucoup. . . .
Tom Slater
Warner Theatres Set
3-D N. E. Premieres
Hartford, Dec. 28.— Warner
Bros. Theatres have scheduled
the first northern Connecticut
booking of "Bwana Devil,"
three-dimensional film, for the
Warner Strand, Hartford, in
either late January or early
February, according to Harry
Feinstein, Warner circuit zone
manager.
Similar bookings are being
lined up for Warner houses
throughout the territory.
O'Donnell Heralds
{Continued from page 1)
came from members of the executive
board of Texas COMPO, who at-
tended a special meeting here. Among
them were Karl Hoblitzelle, founder
and president of Interstate Circuit ;
Col. H. A. Cole, chairman of the
board of Allied Theatre Owners of
Texas and national chairman of the
COMPO tax repeal campaign; Ed
Rowley, president of Rowley United
Theatres; H. J. Griffith, president of
Theatre Enterprises, and Claude
Ezell, president of Ezell and Asso-
ciates.
Cole stated, "We have every
reason to believe that our ef-
forts in the tax repeal cam-
paign will bear fruitful returns
to the industry during the com-
ing year, but this will represent
only a partial solution to our
problems. The new year will
see our thoughts directed to-
ward establishing inter-indus-
try harmony with the introduc-
tion of an incentive selling pro-
gram which will benefit both
exhibition and distribution.
This will require a cooperative
spirit and a period of experi-
mentation to prove its value,
and I feel that Texas will be the
testing grounds for this impor-
tant project."
Rowley cited Cinerama as "a mile-
stone in the progress" of the industry
and envisioned the need for a trans-
ition in the industry to harness the
new medium.
Griffith forecast that a successful
outcome of the tax repeal campaign
would mean the salvation for thou-
sands of theatres and a more stabil-
ized industry. Ezell predicted that
drive-ins were headed for the most
prosperous year in their history.
Phil Isley, president of Isley Thea-
tres and president of Allied Theatre
Owners of Texas, condemned the De-
partment of Justice's 16mm. suit seek-
ing the release of feature films to TV
stations, among other things.
Mother of Bucky Harris
Mrs. Lena Harris, mother of
Maurice "Bucky" Harris, Universal
Pictures exploiteer, died here Friday
at the age of 93. Funeral services
were held the following morning.
Mrs. Harris is survived by two other
sons and several grandchildren.
D. Kaye Advance Sale
The Danny Kaye "in person" show
which opens at the RKO Palace here
Jan. 18 had racked up an advance
sale of $201,322 at the end of last
week. Seats are now being sold eight
weeks in advance.
(Congratulations to
Greatest Showplace
* On Earth
FROM
"The Greatest Show
On Earth"
ON THE HAPPY OCCASION
OF THE 20th BIRTHDAY OF RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Another happy anniversary coming up ! Early this year—
on January 10th, 1952— the World Premiere of Cecil B.
DeMille's "The Greatest Show On Earth" took place at Radio City Music Hall, start-
ing an endless line of ticket-buyers which has now extended to more than five thou-
sand theatres and will go on and on thru 1953. Never has any motion picture hit
grosses like it and never has any company been as proud as p^J^^]\/[Q"QNT
:EC!L B. DeMILLE'S 'THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH" Color by TECHNICOLOI
Monday, December 29, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
13
celebrating
the 20 th Anniversary of
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
7*
f WO decades ago comedians in a Broad-
way musical review were making merry over what they referred
to as "Young John D's Folly." Their reference was to the institu-
tion created through the vision and enterprise of Mr. John D.
Rockefeller, Jr., which has since become world-famous as the
Radio City Music Hall.
The Music Hall was inaugurated in the midst of the Great
Depression and the inaugural program, unhappily in tune with
the spirit of the day, was not without various depressive aspects.
But that was only the starting point. The best laugh — the last
laugh — was yet to come.
An the succeeding years this institution, endowed with a
physical plant and character never previously realized, and enjoy-
ing a sponsorship of vision, taste and initiative, has gone on to
establish for itself a unique status in the amusement world. It is
doubtlessly the most widely known theatre of the day. It numbers
among its public an army of regular and devoted patrons resid-
ing in the New York area, and it is the top-of-the-list place to
go for great numbers of visitors from points throughout this
country and from overseas. It has solidly built a reputation of
even greater value than the physical values of the enterprise.
CJ The rise of the Music Hall to its position of eminence was
first under the guidance of the masterful hand of the late W. G.
Van Schmus, and ably continued by his immediate successor,
Mr. Gus S. Eyssell, who went on from the Music Hall post to his
present position as president of Rockefeller Center, Inc. The
successful tradition is now continuing under Mr. Russell V. Down-
ing, president and managing director.
The Music Hall is an institution of the amusement industry
which reflects substantial credit upon the industry at large. Its
twentieth anniversary is an appropriate occasion for an acknowl-
edgment of this obligation and for the offering of hearty con-
gratulations to -the management and to the numerous personnel
which constitute the Music Hall family.
— MARTIN QUIGLEY
GUS, RUSS AND LEO
A VERY HAPPY TRIO!
Congratulations to Gus Eyssell, President of Rockefeller
Center, to Russell Downing, Managing Director of Radio
City Music Hall and tkeir splendid associates on tke
Twentieth Anniversary of tke World's Largest Theatre.
you enjoy many more years of distinguished and
successful showmanship.
{continued)
{continued)
It is a matter of extreme pride that you selected M-G-M's
great Technicolor musical "MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID"
for your Anniversary Picture. We are delighted that it is
such a sensational attraction.
And starting the 21st year of your famed show shop, what
an honor to present THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL.77
This powerful M-G-M drama is already talked ahout as a
strong contender for the Academy Award and sure-fire for
the Ten Best List of 1953.
We can assure you that there are many other M-G-M attrac-
tions of Music Hall quality coming in the months ahead.
We take pardonahle pride in the part you have permitted
us to play in the 20 years you are now celehrating. May we
look hach hriefly over those years:
M-G-M had 5 of the 10 top grossing pictures, more than any other company ("The
Great Caruso," "Ivanhoe," "Show Boat," "Random Harvest," "Valley of Decision").
M-G-M had the top grosser of all time "The Great Caruso." M-G-M had the
co-holder of the longest run record, 11 weehs for "Random Harvest." 71 M-G-M
pictures played the Hall for the greatest numher of weehs of any company. During
the year 1952 now concluding, M-G-M had 62% of Music Hall playing time.
Happy Anniversary to the great institution of Radio City
Music Hall which has hrought honor and prestige to this
industry and may it he the privilege of Leo the Lion to
roar from its giant screen for years to come.
16
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 29, 1952
from Biggest
to Greatest
Welling tht
Radio City Music Hall through two decades
.he twentieth anniversary
of the Radio City Music Hall is a signal
occasion for all the institution of the motion
picture, art and industry. Standing there in
New York's mid-town, its event of Now,
taking provocation from the yesterdays, con-
structively pertains more importantly to en-
couragement for the tomorrows.
When the Music Hall was opened Decem-
ber 27, 1932, those two decades ago, with
much pomp and ceremony, it was the world's
biggest theatre. In the years since, it has
come by ordeal and experience to be the
world's greatest theatre.
Through steps of evolution and the ad-
ventures of the hectic career of the problem-
beset motion picture, this theatre has become
and is today a looming beacon on a head-
land, shining through the pessi-
mism and questioning that float
across an industry burdened with
adjustment to the new order,
and disorder, of the day.
There are facts.
The Music Hall's flowing suc-
cesses, continuous across the tele-
vision invasion, its accompany-
ing fevers, and other rising com-
petitions for the entertainment
dollar, have set significant tide
marks of motion picture box-
office values in genuine ledger
figures:
"Sunset Boulevard," 195 0 — -
7 weeks, $1,015,000 . . . "Show Boat." 1951
— 8 weeks, $1,160,000 . . . "The Great
Caruso," 1951 — 10 weeks, $1,392,000 . . .
"The Greatest Show on Earth," 19 5 2—1 1
weeks, $1,3 3 5,000 . . . "Ivanhoe," 195 2—
8 weeks, $1,290,000.
By TERRY RAM SAYE
J. D. Rockefeller, Jr
Founder of
Rockefeller Center
It is to be noted chat these pictures, along
with the rest of the presentations of the
Music Hall screen, were selected out of pro-
jection room judgments, inevitably in pur-
suit of a policy. It is a firm policy which
pertains as much to maintaining an institu-
tion for its continuing career as to selling
the seats for tonight's show.
Those high gross figures are impressive and
important as denoting that flow of seven to
eight millions of customers which come each
year to fill those 6200 seats, often to the ca-
pacity of the house.
While we are among the statistics, it is
appropriate to record again that
the Music Hall has the biggest
indoor screen, 70 by 40 feet, a
throw from projection ports to
screen of 190 feet, and a stage
so long that it takes a row of 46
precision dancers, the Rockettes,
to stretch across it. Also after
twenty years of operation, it is
the newest of theatres, with an
interior of luxury and unosten-
tatious elegance, with sheer size
and scale the principal assertion
of grandeur. If the gregarious
impulse and the sense of audi-
ence participation are factors of
a show, in the Music Hall they get it. It
was built big, but it had to grow great.
This quality of newness is maintained by
a continuous process of modernizations and
refurbishments in detail. The patron gets
nowhere a suggestion of obsolescence, no
spots worn through, nothing obviously re-
paired. It maintains the perfections of an
opening night, from the lush carpet trod
by those millions of feet, to an overall spot-
lessness. Incidentally that carpet runs be-
tween the seats with its tactile impress
of luxury — and probably subtle satisfaction
to the foot-tired ladies who like to slip off
their shoes and yield in relaxed comfort to
the entertainment.
The operation and all its policies start
with the customer, addressed at the big
middle class of solvent Americans, observant
of their tastes and public proprieties, when
assembled under each ether's eyes.
Exploiting Distinction
The process of address to that Music Hall
public became conspicuous to the observer
in its avoidance of the promotional antics
and publicity high pitches which so often
and conspicuously affect the metropolitan
scene and the frenetics of Broadway.
There are no parades with prancing drum
majors, no balloons, no skywriters, no snip-
ing, window cards and throwaways. The
Music Hall's large staff of creative artists
of note and fame do not have their names
bestrewn across the gossip columns, nor are
they photographed at the night clubs and
hot spots.
The basic audience is drawn from a fifty-
mile circle around Rockefeller Center, and
[CONTINUED ON PAGE 18]
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR
18
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 29, 1952
THE HALL'S" HEAD MAN
USSELL V. DOWNING, president and man-
aging director of Radio City Music Hall,
^ has spent his entire career in show business
as an officer of the world's premiere theatre. As the
Music Hall marks its 20th anniversary, Downing's per-
sonal 20th anniversary in show business and in the
service of the theatre is not far distant.
Downing joined the Music Hall executive organi-
zation as treasurer in October, 1933. In 1942 he
was elected vice-president and treasurer of Radio
City Music Hall Corp. and Center Theatre Corp. He
was named executive vice-president of both compa-
nies on June I, 1948, and became president and man-
aging director of the Music Hall last March. In No-
vember he was elected a member of the board of
directors of Rockefeller Center, Inc., in addition to
his other positions.
Apart from the brief, early period during which
the operating policy of the Music Hall was in a state
of flux, when S. L. (Roxy) Rothafel and Harold B.
Franklin, successively, were in charge, the world's
greatest showplace has had but three managing direc-
tors. Preceding Downing in that capacity were the
late W. G. Van Schmus and Gus S. Eyssell. The lat-
ter is chairman of the board of the Music Hall Corpo-
ration now and also holds the post of president of
Rockefeller Center, Inc.
Downing was born in Yonkers, N. Y., Aug. 1 1, 1900.
He attended local public schools; then the Wharton
School of Commerce of the University of Pennsylvania.
He was in officers' training at Camp Zachary Taylor
for a time during World War I and returned to school-
ing at Columbia Uni-
versity. His early busi-
ness experience in-
cluded the posts of
treasurer of the Pru-
dence Co., assistant
treasurer of Holmes
Products, assistant
treasurer of Magazine
Repeating Razor Co.
and assistant to the
president of Tidewater
Oil Sales Corp.
As part of his ad-
ministrative duties as
head of the Music
Hall, Downing makes frequent journeys to Hollywood
for the purpose of previewing the best of the newly
completed film product and also to view rushes of
other productions which promise to meet the Music
Hall's high standards for bookings. In both film and
stage presentations the Music Hall's cardinal policy
may be described as clean entertainment for the whole
family. That, and an inflexible policy of good, honest
service to the public have been the keys to the great
theatre's 20 years of success.
In both his long service to the Music Hall and his
still brief tenure as its chief executive officer, Downing
has proved himself an able custodian of those policies
and an administrator eminently capable of ensuring
the further success of the Radio City Music Hall as
the world's pre-eminent theatre.
[CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16]
a very considerable proportion comes from
all that endless flow of some three or four
hundred thousand visiting out-of-towners.
It is probably as much a Cen-
ter influence as it was the late
Fiorello La Guardia who sought to
make Sixth Avenue the Avenue
of the Americas. If that name is
ever actually accepted by the
public it may be credited to the
Music Hall. It daily makes that
Fiftieth street corner the center
of an international concourse.
They come from everywhere,
with the Music Hall the best
known theatre around the world.
Back of the Music Hall is the
somewhat more than atmospher-
ic influence of the institutional-
ly of the House of Rockefeller, so exten-
sively integrated with far flung and extensive
financial, industrial influences and participa-
tion in social causes all over the globe. The
impress is upon it. Also it may be observed
that the Music Hall constitutes the most
G. S. Eyssell, president
of Rockefeller Center,
chairman of Music Hall
vitally intimate, direct and daily contact of
the Rockefeller institution with the public,
the people in person. There is stature and re-
sponsibility not shared by any other theatre.
It is to be remembered that
the great theatre now known as
the Music Hall went into the
Rockefeller Center-Radio City
design originally to create a sort
of splendid boutonniere for the
big real estate project. It was, as
many know, to have been a
new home for the grandiose
Metropolitan Opera. That went
a-glimmering in social politics.
Radio influences, with ill-fated
design to become important in
the motion picture through the
much merged RKO — remember
that "Titan" advertising cam-
paign— found opportunity. It took over the
theatre as it emerged from blue prints and
therein installed the great Roxy. It was
Roxy, grown too great for the screen
who gave the house its initial vaudeville
policy, when vaudeville was all but dead,
for that debacle program of the opening
all the night of the December 27, 1932.
The bill, which included most everything
from Ray Bolger to extracts from Carmen,
complete with horses on stage, ran on till
3 o'clock in the morning of December 28th.
At the final curtain there were as many on
stage as there were in the audience.
From Bust to Business
One of the amazements of the occasion
was the fact that this vast, chaotic, costly
opening program had never been put
through a rehearsal !
It is to be recorded today that the man-
agement of the theatre as of then could not
reach a bookkeeping accounting of that
opening show. It was conceived in a chaos
of dreams, and bought free-hand, without
budget, without requisitions, authorizations,
by telephone and across luncheon conversa-
tions, from here to the capitals of Europe.
Today the cost of that opening is un-
[CONTINUED ON PAGE 28]
Monday, December 29, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
19
LEON LEONIDOFF, Vice-Pres.
Senior Producer
RUSSELL MARKERT, Vice-Pres.
Producer & Rockettes Director
RAYMOND PAIGE
Director of Music
CxecuWe
OF THE MUSIC HALL
MARGARET SANDE
Ballef Director
HATTIE ROGGE
Costume Dept. Director
JOHN JACKSON
Stage Manager
EUGENE BRAUN
Stage Lighting Director
FRANK SPENCER
Costume Designer
EDWARD SERLIN
Press Representative
CHARLES HACKER
Manager of Operations
SYDNEY M. GOLDMAN ARTHUR CLARY
Theatre Manager Box-Office Treasurer
IRVING EVANS. Vice-Pres.
Asst. Managing Director
JAMES GOULD
Treasurer
FRED L. LYNCH
Adv. & Publicity Director
JAMES STEWART MORCOM
Art Director
20
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 29, 1952
ft
Hit th<
hi ALL
From Biggest to Greatest
■CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18-
•
I
Seat» 6.200 people. Aver-
ages four complete shows, five
feature film showings daily;
increases on holidays to five
complete shows, six and occa-
sionally seven feature show-
ings. Regular price scale, 90
cents to SI. 50, tax included.
Mezzanine has 950 reserved
seats priced at SI. 80 to $2.40.
tax included.
Operates from about 10 to
11:40 p.m. daily. Midnight
show usually on Saturdays.
Doors open as early as 7:30
a.m. on major holidays.
•
Total permanent staff 622
persons (equivalent to one
employe for every ten seats).
It has a service staff of 141
persons — 59 maintenance
workers, 53 stage department
employes, production staff of
to. 21 hox office employes, ac-
counting department, 9; exec-
utive ntaff assistants, 8; adver-
tising-publicity, 6; poster de-
partment. 2; organists, 3; pro-
ectionists, 14.
known and always will be. It has been
deemed absurdly unimportant to analyze the
details of what required a single entry —
"A bust complete."
Several things happened in sequel. RKO
was in other difficulties a-plenty, and an
expedition the next morning, right after
breakfast, raised half a million dollars as-
sistance from a Rockefeller office, the sym-
pathetic but perturbed landlord. Presently,
while it was still a leasehold operation, a
grey haired gentleman, W. G. Van Schmus,
appeared about back stage and elsewhere
silently observing. Word percolated in time
that he was "a Rockefeller man." He was,
in fact, an industrial and public relations ex-
pert of Chicago background, recommended
into the picture by the late Ivy Lee, of
public relations counsel and much fame
thereby in the Rockefeller service.
That vast Rockefeller operation could not
accept such a conspicuous debacle in the
limelight of the Center's greatest challenge
to public attention. With understandable
reluctance Mr. Rockefeller was defensively
brought into the show business. One may be
assured that in so coming, he was not trying
to get rich.
Metaphorically, the Music Hall was still
tremendous, but like an iceberg — mostly
under water.
It is necessary to have this recalled to give
perspective to the status of the Hall at this
anniversary of 195 2. The way up started
with many difficulties. The situation had
been precipitated by undisciplined ardors of
showmanship and the collaborations of men
and forces with designs of personal glory
and profit, with small measure of the larger
scene.
Soon it was clear that only the motion
picture was big enough both in physical
dimension and supply to continuously serve
that tremendous auditorium and its vast pro-
scenium. Ranking pictures was a problem.
The Music Hall and RKO shared the hos-
tility of a film industry which looked as-
kance at radio and its leadership bent on
invasion. There was no sympathy.
The situation was to be met only by quiet
strategy and the application of the patient
genius of commonsense. With "The Bitter
Tea of General Yen" the week of January
1 1, 1933, the Music Hall entered upon a
motion picture policy, with more policy
than pictures. Prestige and buying power
were far in the distance.
March 13, Mr. Van Schmus took over.
The Rockefeller interest had acquired its
lease of the Music Hall by a quiet process
tantamount to a foreclosure, and RKO was
going through that benevolent order of
receivership known as "77-B".
The problem in hand was the building of
the creative departments relating to the
stage numbers and all the complex of func-
tions behind them, and the establishment of
a supply of screen entertainment. The quest
of films was a large problem for a theatre
with no status. It was to take years for the
Music Hall to establish, by performance,
the standing which gave it call on top rank
pictures from skeptical and jealous pro-
duction-exhibition competitors. It was no
royal road.
Enter Two Young Men
Two young men in the reconstituted
Music Hall organization in that difficult
1933 were to prove figures of destiny. The
canny Van Schmus found his concept of
policy ably aided by Gus S. Eyssell, who
joined in January of 1933, bringing experi-
ence of exhibition on major assignments
across the land from his native Kansas City
to Los Angeles, to New York and way sta-
tions, under Paramount auspices. He knew
a lot about who and what and why within
the esoterics of movieland — if you know
what I mean, and you do. He spoke softly
and passed the ammunition.
Concurrently there appeared most un-
ostentatiously what the industry would call
"a figure man." This was, and surely is,
Russell V. Downing, who came to what is
a highly important desk in any Rockefeller
organization, treasurer and comptroller, in
1933. To borrow a phrase from Ben Frank-
lin, those Rockefellers are positively super-
stitious about figures. So is Mr. Downing,
possibly more then than now, because there
were so many ghosts among them way back
then.
About Gus Eyssell you know, and how
he came along to succeed the late Mr. Van
Schmus to become president and managing
director of the Music Hall and has since
moved on to become president of Rocke-
feller Center, Inc., becoming the while
chairman of the board of the Music Hall
Corporation. That made him unique as a
big business executive, alumnus of movie-
land. This recognition that capacity for the
functions of weighty concerns of wide-
based American enterprise can evolve in and
be demonstrated against the complex and
frenetic background of movies and enter-
tainment was reiterated only the other day,
November 7th, when Mr. Downing was
[CONTINUED ON PAGE ,32]
Mr. Russell V. Downing
and tlie industry at large
HO
RADIO
Look to
Tke New RKO Radio
for more and more
pictures of true
RADIO CITY MUSIC
HALL caliber
K O
RADIO
HOURES"
Back BROTHERHOOD WEEK, Feb. 15-22
22
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 29, 1952
motion pictures . . .
Scene from MGM's "The Great Caruso," which established,
during a 10-week run, beginning May 10, 1951, the Music Hall's
high gross for 20 years — $1,392,943. The run included a holiday.
CJ Quality entertainment on screen
and on stage, presented in an
atmosphere of luxury, truly have
earned Radio City Mosic Hall the
right to call itself Showplace of the
Nation. On this and following pages
are scenes from some of the outstand-
ing attractions of the Mosic Hall's
20-year career, and of the organization
and functions of the theatre itself.
MGM's "Ivanhoe," (below) grossed $1,255,070 in an eight-week
run, which gave it third place in the Music Hall's record holders.
Scene (above) from
Paramount's Cecil B. De
Mille production, "The
Greatest Show on Earth,"
runner-up for the 20-year
gross record, with $1,335,-
835. It ran eleven weeks.
The RKO Radio-Leo McCarey produc-
tion, "The Bells of St. Mary's," ran nine
weeks, grossed $1,195,147, standing fourth
among the Music Hall's record holders.
MGM's "Show Boat," with a gross of $1,-
160,048 in an eight-week run, ranks fifth among
the Music Hall's 20 -year all-time record-holders.
The 20th Century-Fox production "Anna and
the King of Siam" ran eight weeks and is among
the top 10 grossers in the Music Hall's history.
24
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 29, 1952
^kcutptace c{[ the flatten
'The Great White <?Way"
reproduced (at left) on
world's largest stage as a set-
ting for one of the Rockettes'
sophisticated precision routines.
cathedral pageant, "The
o^f Easter" (above), is
ear of that
Music Hall,
y ( l^onidoff.
V
An underseas ballet (above)
provides another example of
the Music Hall's lavish spec-
tacle productions >imh un- -^r
usual effects
popular with
annual stage spectacle pro-
duced with a huge cast at
the Music Hall each year
just before and during the
Christmas - New Year season.
Mmle Hall production and staff photos by Cosmo-Sileo, N. Y.
0-
Happy Birthday to the
* New Vork landmark
we're all. proud of.
Warner Bros.
26
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 29, 1952
* ft
Wm
continued
The MusicBHall's Rockettes (above) are renowned
the world Iver for their precision dancing. There
are 36 gin on stage at a time. Choreography is
by Russell Markert, troupe originator and director.
The art of the ballet is brought to Music Hall audi-
ences in all its phases — classic, modern and char-
acter— by the only resident ballet in the United
States. It is under the direction of Margaret Sande.
Forty ballerinas and outstanding dance soloists pre-
sent such ballets as "The Romance of Giselle" and
Ravel's "Al Valse" mi "Bolero" to name a few.
28
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 29, 1952
£kmfilace c$ the Wathn
continued
Music is given a major part in all the
Music Hall's programs through the large
permanent orchestra (above) and the
male Glee Club (right). Both groups are
under the direction of Raymond Paige
(shown on podium in picture above).
The Glee Club is composed of 30 sing-
ers, who furnish a wide variety of vocal
music from opera to swing. Associate
Director Ralph Hunter is pictured at
right conducting a rehearsal. Further
regularly contributing to Music at the
Music Hall is the pipe organ, at which
Richard Leibert (below) is featured, with
Ashley Miller and Raymond F. Bohr, Jr.,
as associate organists.
30
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 29, 1952
The Music Hall's symphony
orchestra of 75 members is
shown above in rehearsal un-
der the baton of Raymond
Paige, the director of music.
While a Rocltette awaits
cue, John Jackson, stage man-
ager, and assistant, stand
ready at the complex stage
lighting and rigging controls.
£kmplace e{ the tfatieh
continued
Leon Leonidoff, senior producer, confers
on a production with James Stewart Mor-
com, art director, before a model of the
Music Hall's huge stage used to create fac-
simile patterns of production set designs.
The Roclcettes, celebrated precision
dance ensemble, are shown below rehears-
ing a routine under the leadership of their
world famous director, Russell Markert.
Motion pictures are projected by a battery of four Sim-
plex X-L mechanisms with RCA sound reproducers, and con-
denser lamps operated at 175 amperes for 30-foot feature
pictures. Projection is under the supervision of Charles
Muller (in background of projection room photo below).
em
all in Color by TECHNICOLOR
"THE GREAT CARUSO" (M-G-M)
THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH". . . (DeMILLE, PAR.)
M IVAN HOE" (M-G-M)
. -i^ei to as. >
TECHNICOLOR
IS THE TRADE-MARK OF
TECHNICOLOR MOTION PICTURE CORPORATION
HERBERT T. KALMUS, PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER
32
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 29, 1952
More Views "Behind the Scenes" at the Music Hall
A between-shows snack is enjoyed in the Hall's cafeteria by Girls of the dance troupes resting in dormitory between shows, rehearsals and costume flt-
jnembers of the Rocltettes, Corps de Ballet and Glee Club. tings. The dormitory is supervised by a registered nurse on the Music Hall's staff.
FROM BIGGEST TO GREATEST continued from page 20
elected a member of the board of Rocke-
feller Center, Inc.
This Downing, like the Van Schmus, came
from the outer world of industry with an
abundant background of varied industrial
and financial experience in posts which de-
noted his capacity as a man of facts, deliber-
ation and action. He was by temperament
and position a specially well placed observer
of what went on and why and who did it,
with what consequences. He was on his way
up — vice-president in 1941, executive vice-
president in 1948. Then Gus Eyssell, brought
to recognition for his participation in the
rise of the Music Hall, was made the presi-
dent of Rockefeller Center, Inc., and moved
into the observant post of chairman of the
Music Hall board.
So it came that this man-with-the-facts,
Russell Downing, moved into the presidency
of the theatre corporation. This came about
by a process as suave as an overlap dissolve
in the films.
Those million dollar statistics of his in-
cumbency, cited at our beginning, are attest
to the most conspicuous aspect of the oper-
ation. They do not convey report directly,
however, on the painstaking process of selec-
tion, those studies of production in process,
inquiring excursions to Hollywood, endless
screenings and evaluations, and the problems
of availability-dates and timing which con-
cern this tireless pursuit of facts, facts,
facts. All this to be carried on, mind you,
with executive attentions the while to the
co-ordination of sensitive creative depart-
ments in such matters as stage craft, cho-
reography, a great orchestra, and the very
important and exactingly continuous func-
tioning of theatrical housekeeping.
Mr. Downing, like many deliberative men,
smokes a pipe, a slow burning briar, in inter-
ludes of long thoughts. He has more on his
mind than on his desk. He has to take mea-
sure of several million minds — the customers,
also a staff of 600, and I.B.M. has no ma-
chine for that, yet.
With the operation dependent on ten or
eleven shows a year, the estimates have to
be as sound as the judgments of fact can
make them. That word fact seems always
coming up.
And on this anniversary occasion it is ap-
propriate, too, to make note that what comes
out in type and printed word from the
Music Hall, emanates from the advertising
and publicity department presided over ever
since when by a quietly blithe optimist, Fred
Lynch, one time newspaper man. He has
been there nearly since the beginning, get-
ting the publicity and advertising put on
paper, in the careful convincing manner
and spirit of this all-American Music Hall.
American Seating Company
proudly shares in the 20th Anniversary of
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
America's largest theatre is observing its
Twentieth Anniversary. Since the opening of
Radio City, millions have enjoyed the luxurious
spring backs and seats of American Seating
Company chairs while also enjoying the finest
in entertainment.
We are proud of having designed, built, and
installed the seating in this world-famous show-
place. Only the superlative best has ever been
considered good enough for Radio City Music
Hall. To its continuing service we pledge the
skills and the products resulting from more than
65 years of successful experience in theatre
seating.
cy/mezicaji Seaf/fig Company
WORLD'S LEADER IN PUBLIC SEATING • GRAND RAPIDS 2, MICHIGAN . BRANCH OFFICES AND DISTRIBUTORS IN PRINCIPAL CITIES
MANUFACTURERS OF THEATRE . SCHOOL • CHURCH . AUDITORIUM . TRANSPORTATION . STADIUM SEATING • AND FOLDING CHAIRS
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
THE
SHOW PLACE
OF
THE NATION
THE PARAMOUNT THEATRE
HOME OF
BROADWAY'S ORIGINAL
TWO-FOR-ONE
Office OF THE
RESIDENT
NEW YORK 20, N.Y.
December 5, 1952
New York 16, N. y#
Gentlemen:
we want to ten
P^uKl1;^^^, of which we ar. v
Its beauty and * e? C0untleS8 comnif^6 Jei*
feature noi«? ^deelen make it ^P^ents.
visitors.
Sincerely,
[
R» V. Downing
President
GILI§TA
the most / beautiful f awh i o on underfoot
WOVEN OH TOWI« IOOKS IN THE U. S. A, • • Y A. 4 M KARAGHEOSIAN, INC
2 9 S E I Is T H AVENUE, NEW YORK CITY
36
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 29, 1952
Reviews
"The Redhead from Wyoming"
{Universal International)
AN EPIC WINDUP battle scene is offered in Leonard Goldstein's pro-
duction, lifting this Western somewhat above standard formula lines.
The color by Technicolor aids, too, in the appreciation of the excitement
furnished by the final lengthy battle scene. The acting is adequate, none of
the characters developing, mainly because of the dialogue. Lee Sholem directed,
from a screenplay by Polly James and Herb Meadow, working from a Polly
James story. . .
The story has Maureen O'Hara, pretty and trusting yet shrewd girl set up
in a Wyoming town as a gambling house proprietor and cattle buyer. The
setting up is done by an old associate in such matters, William Bishop He
merely tells her he's ambitious to become governor. What he doesn t tell her
is that he has gunmen m the hills rustling cattle from a nasty cattle baron to
add to her herd ; and that he hopes the baron will war on the townspeople,
whom he ostensibly champions ; and that his gunmen will step in at the end
and take over. .
He also frames her for both the rustling and a murder, still posing as her
champion. This nefariousness goes awry because a lowly, ill-paid sheriff,
Alex Nicol, becomes curious. He also falls in love with Miss O Hara, and
she unwillingly returns the feeling. The pair succeed in having the towns-
people and the cattle baron unite to do battle with the gunmen.
Others in the cast include Alexander Scourby, Jeanne Cooper, Claudette
Thornton, Palmer Lee and Jack Kelly. , -l \- -c- T
Running time, 80 minutes. General audience classification. For January
release.
Target Hong Kong
(Columbia),
ALTHOUGH ROUTINE in theme, "Target Hong Kong" packs enough
action to satisfy the adventure fans. A series of episodes leads up to a
suspenseful climax in which a bomb, set afloat through, Hong Kong s sewers,
is located and disposed of in the nick of time. _
Richard Denning and Nancy Gates share the starring roles in commendable
fashion while the supporting cast of sinister characters supply an atmosphere
of intrigue which is the basis of the story. Denning portrays an American
soldier of fortune in Hong Kong who finds himself involved in the fighting
between the Nationalists and Communists. He lines up with the Nationalists,
pitting himself against all sorts of Red villainy and intrigue At a spy
hanoout in a gambling casino, Denning meets Nancy Gates and thus Herman
Purdum's screenplay has its romantic angle. Wallace MacDonald produced
and Fred F Sears directed. Others in the cast are Richard Loo, Soo Yong,
Ben Astar, Michael Pate, Philip Ahn, Henry Kulky, Victor Sen Yung, Weaver
Levy, Kam Tong, Robert W. Lee. . .'
Running time, 66 minutes. General audience classification. Release date
not set.
'Hall' Started New
Theatre-chair Era
The opening of Radio City Music
Hall started a new era in theatre-
chair design and construction, accord-
ing to Keith Dickinson, theatre prod-
uct manager of American Seating.
"Our research and development on
theatre seating gathered impetus as a
result of the success of this show
place," Dickinson said. "Until then,
the emphasis was on the ornate, with
restricted spacing and width of seat
inflicting their measure of suffering on
the patron. The more 'overstuffed'
chairs per row, the better theatre
owners liked them.
"Now, however, sleek, comfortable
seating, with ample space to sit in, is
consistently preferred by the theatre
owner who understands his customers'
needs.
Modern Design
"Luxurious chairs, featuring mod-
ern design and modern comfort have
come into their own, just as modern
architecture and construction have ad-
vanced over the last 20 years. Im-
provements in chair design have elimi-
nated frivolous ornamentation. New
ways of providing comfort without
overstuffed bulk give greater space
for relaxed sitting. Better upholster-
ing methods and materials have vastly
reduced costly reupholstering.
"Experimentation in design, backed
by laboratory testing have proved
conclusively that cast-iron aisle stand-
ards can be streamlined and still per-
form their functions without failure,"
declared Dickinson.
To Seek Review of
Jackson Pk. Ruling
Chicago, Dec. 28. — Commenting on
a Federal Circuit court opinion leav-
ing the door open for distributing
companies to ask the Towne, Milwau-
kee, and Jackson Park Theatre, Chi-
cago, to bid for pictures, attorney
Thomas C. McConnell, representing
the two theatres, said he intends to
petition for certiorari in the U. S.
Supreme Court.
McConnell interprets the Circuit
court ruling not as making it manda-
tory for the two theatres to bid for
pictures, but as permitting bidding or
any other selling method which will
fulfill the provisions of the Jackson
Park and Towne decrees requiring
distributors to offer pictures to the
two theatres at "fair and reasonable
rentals."
In other words, according to Mc-
Connell, the Circuit court overruled
the District court's opinion that bid-
ding is outlawed by the decrees, de-
claring that the end result, rather than
the means of providing the two thea-
tres with film at fair and reasonable
prices, should determine whether the
defendant distributors are meeting the
requirements of the decree.
Ask Town to Repeal Tax
Columbus, O., Dec. 28. — Attorneys
for Lancaster, O., theatres have asked
the City Council to repeal the mu-
nicipal three per cent admission tax
because of "declining revenues." One
local theatre has closed since the tax
was levied four years ago. Two of
the. four remaining Lancaster houses
"will barely break even" this year,
the attorneys told the Council.
London Variety Tent
Raises $90,000 in '52
London, Dec. 28.— The London
Variety Tent in 1952, the third year
of its existence, raised for its chari-
ties £26,673 which, with the proceeds
from a special show given just before
last year's end, makes £29,086 avail-
able for distribution.
Principal beneficiaries are the Na-
tional Playing Fields Association, of
which the Duke of Edinburgh, an
honorary Barker, is president, and the
Central Council of Physical Recrea-
tion.
D. E. Griffiths, president of the
Kinematograph Renters Society, has
been chief barker for 1952. His suc-
cessor will be appointed on New
Year's Day.
To Raze 'Cincy's' Lyric
Cincinnati, Dec. 28.— The 1,400-
seat RKO Lyric Theatre, located in
a building containing stores and
offices, has been closed. The building
will be razed and the site used for a
large parking lot. The house played
legitimate attractions years ago prior
to its acquisition by RKO.
Name Essanjay Manager
Chicago, Dec. 28. — Essanjay Films
of this city has appointed Jack H.
Harris of Jack H. Harris Produc-
tions, Philadelphia zone manager, and
Lewis Hanna of Hanna Theatre
Service, Pittsburgh zone manager.
Toronto Joins Zukor
Jubilee Celebration
Hollywood, Dec. 28. — A dinner in
honor of Adolph Zukor's 50th year in
the industry and his 80th birthday
will be held in Toronto on a date in
March to be designated later, R. J.
O'Donnell, national chairman of the
Zukor golden jubilee celebration, an-
nounced here.
The Toronto dinner, like those
scheduled earlier for Dallas, Feb. 6 ;
New York, March 4, and Mexico
City, March 21, will be under the
sponsorship of Variety Clubs Inter-
national. The lead-off banquet to
Zukor will be held at the Palladium
here on his 80th birthday, Jan. 7.
Zukor will attend each of the events,
following which he will make a tour
of Europe.
O'Donnell is here completing plans
for the celebration at meetings with
Charles Skouras, Hollywood chair-
man.
114 Stations Are
Now Telecasting
A microwave installation making
network television service available to
York, Pa., has been placed in opera-
tion, the long lines department of the
American Telephone and Telegraph
Co. has announced.
With the addition of the new tele-
vision station at York, network pro-
grams are now available to 114 tele-
vision stations in 71 cities
Says O. Carriers
Will Discuss Rates
Cleveland, Dec. 28. — The Ohio
Association of Film Haulers will be
glad to meet with state exhibitor or-
ganization representatives or with in-
dividual exhibitors to discuss film
hauling tariffs, L. C. Gross of this
city, a member of the Film Haulers,
states in commenting on a recent an-
nouncement by the ITO of Ohio that
it is conducting a study of such tariffs.
No request for a meeting has been
received, he said.
Gross said exhibitor customers were
notified in advance of the proposed
changes in tariffs and that the rates
are on file at carriers' offices, with
the Public Utilities Commission of
Ohio and with the Interstate Com-
merce Commission.
"The tariffs have been approved by
both of those commissions," Gross
said, adding that both are on the look-
out for any significant discrepancies
in the tariffs charged by haulers.
Lawler Heads KMTA
Public Relations
Kansas City, Dec. 28. — Senn Law-
ler has been appointed chairman of
the public relations committee of the
Kansas-Missouri Theatres Associa-
tion. Other committee members are
George Baker, R. R. Biechele, Glen
Hall, Joseph Redmond and Homer
Strowig. Louis Higdon has been
appointed chairman of the special
events and promotion committee. The
appointments were made by C. E.
(Doc) Cook, president, in conjunc-
tion with the board of directors.
Other committee chairmen are:
Membership : Kansas, Homer Stro-
wig ; Missouri, Leo Hayob ; drive-in,
Stanley Durwood, Earl Jameson, Jr. ;
exhibitor-distributor relations-arbitra-
tion-trade practices, J. A. Becker ;
Legislation, R. R. Biechele; theatre
television, Dale Danielson ; film sales-
men's co-ordinating committee, Ray-
mond McKittrick.
Name Harry Warner
'Man of the Year'
Hollywood, Dec. 28. — Harry M.
Warner, president of Warner Brothers
Pictures, has been named "Man of the
Year" by the Woodland Hills Men's
Club.
The announcement was made by
Harry Martin, president of the club,
who presented Warner with a scroll.
Major Raymond Harvey, Congres-
sional Medal of Honor winner, gave
the principal address. Comedian
Dick Wesson was master of cere-
monies. Warner, as a resident of the
community of Woodland Hills, has
been active in promoting and assist-
ing in the development of civic proj-
ects, including the new American
Legion town hall which serves as a
meeting place for Woodland Hills
groups.
Texas Lauds Chill Wills
Dallas, Dec. 28. — A holiday mes-
sage to Chill Wills from Texas
COMPO expresses the organization's
gratitude for his representation of the
industry on many public occasions
and his willing cooperation in local
and national public relations activities.
Sincere Congratulations
to
RUSSELL V. DOWNING
and to the
ENTIRE STAFF
of the
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
on its
20th ANNIVERSARY
of
Distinctive Theatre Achievement
LEW SARNOFF SAMUEL BERGER
Monday, December 29, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
39
Congratulations
• Under your management, Mr. Russell V. Downing, The
Radio City Music Hall, has demonstrated to the industry
the pattern for consistent success . . . fine entertainment,
unmatched showmanship, top-quality equipment, and the
best in service.
RCA Theatre Equipment
Engineering Products Department
Radio Corporation of America
Camden, N. J.
RCA Service Company, Inc.
A Radio Corporation
of America Subsidiary
Camden, N. J.
J.
Our hat's off
to the
Radio City Music Hair
on its 20th
Anniversary
Our Sincere Congratulations
TO
Russell V. Downing
AND HIS STAFF
ON THE
20th ANNIVERSARY
OF THE
Radio City Music Hall
Gladstone Fabrics
Theatrical — Display — Novelty
Fabrics
117 West 47th Street, N. Y. 19, N. Y.
40
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 29, 1952
Heartiest Congratulations
TO
RUSSELL V. DOWNING
AND THE
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
CELEBRATING THEIR
20th Anniversary
Still the premier theatre of the world ; far ahead in concep-
tion, construction, and instrumentations; leading all others
in the magnificence of its presentations; Radio City Music
Hall offers a standard in show business difficult to surpass.
Extensively provided with Kliegl stage and auditorium
lighting — the original lighting equipment is still in use
after twenty years of constant service, testifying to the
advanced design, enduring qualities and satisfactory per-
formance of Kliegl products.
UEGL BROS
Universal Electric Stage Lighting Co., inc.
ESTABLISHED 1896
THEATRICAL • DECORATIVE • SPECTACULAR
321 West 50th Street
N EW YORK 19. N Y.
• ORIGINATORS and MANUFACTURERS o£ KLIEG LIGHTS •
Out SeAt WtikeA to
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
o« its
Twentieth AmiHetMn^
u.
V
if1
METROPOLITAN REFINING CO., INC.
50-23 Twenty-Third Street
Long Island City 1, N. Y.
Manufacturers of
AIR CONDITIONING WATER TREATMENTS,
BOILER TREATMENTS, SOOT REMOVERS,
FUEL OIL ADDITIVES and other specialties.
Representation in all principal cities
Our Congratulations
to
Radio City Music Hall
on its Twentieth Anniversary
* * *
NATIONAL CONSUMERS PAPER CO.
227 Avenue of the' Americas, New York City
Our 43rd Year
DISTRIBUTORS OF
DIXIE CUPS
Congratulations to the MUSIC HALL
KAJ VELDEN STUDIOS INC.
249 WEST 64th STREET
NEW YORK 23, N. Y.
TR 7-4672
Makers of the Music Hall Contour Curtain
and Stage Settings
BROOKS UNIFORM CO.
LARGEST THEATRE UNIFORM MAKERS
COAST TO COAST
We appreciate the privilege of making
Radio City Music Hall Service Staff
Uniforms for the past 17 years.
75 WEST 45th STREET
BUDD LYTTON
NEW YORK
JOE WEINBERG
Monday, December 29, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
41
Congratulations to Radio City Music Hall
A China fartkday
Congratulations for having provided 7,305
days of continuous entertainment.
And thanks for permitting us to take care
of your costume and uniform needs.
BROOKS
3 WEST 61st STREET
Tel. Plaza 7-* 800
PHILIP BOOS
JOHN E. GUARINO
The ALLIED STUDIOS, Inc.
20 West 17th Street
New York 11, N. Y.
OREGON J -28 5 3
Theatrical Curtains — Draperies and
Wall Coverings
BROADWAY
MAINTENANCE
CORP.
LONG ISLAND CITY
Satneth Exterminating Company
Incorporated
157 CHAMBERS STREET, NEW YORK 7, N. Y.
TELEPHONE COrtlandt 7-7300
NEW YORK'S LARGEST
Congratulations
on your
'0th Anniversary
Falk Glass & Plastic Co., Inc.
48-10 Astoria Boulevard
Long Island City, L. I.
AS 8-2606
ESTIMATING
SEWING
P. J. MCMORROW, INC.
WORKROOM FOR CARPET TRADE
92-96 BLEECKER STREET
NEW YORK 12, N. Y.
TEL. ALGONQUIN 4-5130
CUTTING
LAYING
NEWS
COLOR
COMMERCIAL
C0SM0-SILE0
ASSOCIATES
PHOTOGRAPHY
75 WEST 45+h STREET, NEW YORK 19, N. Y.
LUxemburg 2-0912
HENRY RAPISARDA
JAMES V. SILEO
Builders of Scenery for
Radio City Music Hall
NOLAN BROTHERS
533 W. 24th St., New York, N. Y.
Telephone: W Atkins 4-3140
42
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 29, 1952
Reviews
"Last of the Commanches"
(Columbia)
ACTION AND SUSPENSE, combined with effective outdoor scenery
and color by Technicolor, compose the necessary ingredients to satisfy
the most demanding outdoor action fans. The story concerns the tragic adven-
tures of a group of soldiers and Western travellers who are seeking to escape
to a fort after having been beset by Indian attacks.
Six tattered U. S. Cavalry men, under Broderick Crawford, are the sole
survivors of a renegade Commanche raid on a Western village. In their
trek across the desert to reach the haven of a fort, they come upon a stage
coach in which Barbara Hale is a passenger, thus offering the slight romantic
angle. Two additional members of the caravan are picked up en route, Hugh
Sanders and Johnny Stewart, the latter a young Indian. When the . party
takes refuge in an old Spanish mansion, the Indians start their rounds of
attack and Crawford sends Stewart through the lines to get cavalry help.
With the arrival of the horsemen, the party is saved — just as ammunition and
water are about to run out.
Buddy Adler produced and Andre DeToth directed, from a screenplay by
Kenneth Garnet.
Others in the cast are Lloyd Bridges, Mickey Shaughnessy, George
Matthews, Ric Roman, Chubby Johnson, Martin Parsons, Jack Woody, John
War Eagle, Carleton Young, William Andrews.
Running time, 85 minutes. General audience classification. For February
release.
"The Importance of Being Earnest"
(J. Arthur Rank Organisation-Universal)
THIS FILM VERSION of Oscar Wilde's play is made-to-order for art
theatres ; its chances for commercial success in regular houses are some-
what remote. It is strictly adult fare, smartly directed and produced, capably
acted and further enhanced by rich tones of color by Technicolor. The subtle
lines of Wilde's original play have been augmented by equally fine dialogue,
made to conform with film requirements. By American standards, the picture
might be considered by some to be "too British," and yet it is the British
touch that brings out the full appreciation of Wilde's comedy. At times the
rapid, clipped English dialogue becomes difficult to follow, but such instances
are in the minority. For those who like sophisticated comedy, "The Im-
portance of Being Earnest" should have strong appeal.
The story concerns two eligible bachelors, Michael Redgrave and Michael
Denison, the former in love with Denison's cousin, Joan Greenwood, and
Denison with Dorothy Tutlin, Redgrave's ward. Anxious to keep his freedom
as a playboy, Redgrave creates an imaginary brother, Earnest, and in that
guise wins Joan's affections. Denison learns of Redgrave's deception and
pretends to be Earnest in wooing Dorothy. Thus, each girl believes herself
to be engaged to the non-existent Earnest. The resulting entanglements and
the untangling of the situations form the basis for the improbable and yet
highly amusing episodes.
The stars and supporting players turn in excellent performances under
Anthony Asquith's direction and the production guidance of Teddy Baird.
Others in the cast are Edith Evans, Margaret Rutherford, Richard Wattis,
Miles Malleson, Walter Hudd and Aubrey Mather.
Running time, 95 minutes. Adult classification. December release.
Al Steen
Zukor Hails
Color Tube
The newly developed Chromatic
tri-color home television tube was
underscored here by Adolph Zukor,
board chairman of Paramount Pic-
tures, as in keeping with Paramount's
eye-on-the-future policy. Paramount
owns a 50 per cent interest in Chro-
matic Laboratories Inc.
The occasion for Zukor's comments
was the induction on Christmas Eve
of 32 Paramount employes into the
company's 25-Year-Club at the home
office in the presence of Barney Bala-
ban, president, and scores of other
Paramount executives.
Following welcoming remarks by
Balaban, in which he signaled 1953
as the most important year for the
industry, Zukor presented to the 32
inductees gold watches to mark their
entry into the club. In presenting
Zukor to the inductees, Balaban
pointed out that the occasion was
doubly auspicious in that Zukor, in
1953, will mark the 50th anniversary
of his association with Paramount,
and its predecessors.
New Members
Those admitted to the 25-Year-Club
were : Louis Phillips, Robert Denton,
A. J. Richard, Edgar H. Fay, Mary
A. Turner, Jack Pearley, Henry De-
Siena, Fred Pelbinger, John Oxton,
James Pelkey, George Pavlonis, Ur-
ban Santone, John Ahern, Arthur
Auspaker, Charles Bade, Charles O.
Bonaria, Philip U. Bonaria, Oscar
Geyer, Russell Higgins, Edward
Moltje, James Kaudelky, William
Kuntz, George Lewis, Michael Men-
ditto, D. S. Mnngillo, Fred Stederoth,
Edmund Theise, Frederick Zech,
Anna Schneider, Minnie Treisner,
Robert Seaton and William Piper.
Dana Presiding at
4IT Sales Meeting
P. T. Dana, Eastern sales manager
of Universal Pictures, will hold a
sales meeting in Pittsburgh today and
tomorrow of the managers and sales-
men of P. F. Rosian's district which
includes the Pittsburgh, Washington,
Cleveland and Detroit branches.
Next Monday and Tuesday he will
hold a similar meeting in Boston of
the managers and salesmen of John
J. Scully's district which includes the
Boston, Albany, Buffalo, Philadelphia
and New Haven branches.
Inaugural Job to Maine
The President's Inauguration Ball
Committee of Washington has com-
missioned Bruno Maine to design and
decorate the Armory in Washington
for the inaugural of President-elect
Eisenhower. Maine was formerly on
the Radio City Music Hall staff for
18 years as designer, and created the
Nativity and Easter stage settings
which have been part of the Music
Hall repertoire.
TV, Radio Coverage
Of 6Stooge' Preview
Hollywood, Dec. 28. — Coast-to-
Coast radio and television coverage
will spotlight the press preview today
of Hal Wallis' new Dean Martin-
Jerry Lewis comedy, "The Stooge,"
at Hollywood's Carthay Circle Thea-
tre. National Broadcasting Co. will
cover the event with a 25-minute
radio show from 9 :05 to 9 :30 p.m.,
Pacific time, followed tomorrow by a
Coast-to-Coast television presentation
of the preview via NBC Newsreel.
New Type Screen for
"Jazz" Premiere
Hollywood, Dec. 28. — The new
enlarged Walker high-intensity screen
was installed at the Fox Beverly
Theatre here over the weekend for
the world premiere tomorrow night
of Warner Brothers' "The Jazz
Singer."
The premiere will be given world-
wide radio coverage, with plans to
beam the program to foreign countries
in their own languages. Tape record-
ings later will be broadcast to coun-
tries behind the Iron Curtain.
TOA to Study
3-Dimension
The executive committee and the
board of directors of the Theatre
Owners of America will devote an
entire day to the study of three-dimen-
sional films when the TOA leaders
meet here next month. Future possi-
bilities of tri-dimensional pictures at
the box-office will be discussed thor-
oughly, according to Herman Levy,
TOA general counsel.
Levy said that the TOA executives
would view Cinerama at the Broad-
way Theatre on the night of Monday,
Jan. 26 and efforts would be made to
obtain a print of "Bwana Devil," the
Natural Vision feature, so that they
can witness a demonstration of that
project on Monday afternoon.
TOA's position on the government's
16mm. anti-trust suit will be decided
at the sessions, which will be held
Jan. 25-27, Levy said. The organiza-
tion will determine whether to try to
intervene in the case, and, if that step
is vetoed, what other action should be
taken. Other subjects, such as arbi-
tration and admission taxes, also are
on the agenda.
Levy said 'that between 50 and 60
are expected to attend the meetings
which will be held at the Pierre
Hotel.
U.K.FilmMen,BB.€.
To Air TV Ideas
London, Dec. 28. — An exploratory
meeting to discuss, among other
things, British Broadcasting Com-
pany's need of films for television and
what's to be done about it, has been
scheduled by the British Film Pro-
ducers Association for Jan. 1.
Invited to the meeting at BFPA
headquarters, in addition to B.B.C.'s
television service chief, George Barnes,
are William Speakman, president of
the Cinematograph Exhibitors Asso-
ciation ; Edward Hinge, treasurer,
and Walter Fuller, general secretary.
They will be present as observers
only.
BFPA Policy
Sir Henry French of B.F.P.A. is
understood to have prepared a docu-
ment setting forth the conditions on
which BFPA members would like to
use large screen TV. British ex-
hibitors remain opposed to coopera-
tion with television but it appears that
producers might be willing to discuss
some method of making TV films for
BBC in return for theatre TV privi-
leges from the government video-radio
monopoly.
Significantly, Norman Collins, for-
mer BBC television service head, who
is now identified with High Definition
Films and Associated Broadcasting
Development Co., both of which are
partly backed by J. Arthur Rank and
Sir Alexander Korda, is discussing
arrangements for making his film
supply available to BBC. His Brit-
ish-made films already have been
made available to American and Cana-
dian TV services.
On A.B.-Pathe Board
London, Dec. 28. — W. A. Fielder,
for many years general manager of
Associated British-Pathe, has been
elected a director of the company.
Best of Wishes to
RUSSELL V. DOWNING
and
MUSIC HALL STAFF
from
Ed W. Wassman
ACME HARDWARE & SUPPLY COMPANY
n
"KHcan
MA(iA2IN- X
Coin
The national magazines wiucii
have conveyed trade messages
to the Industry through Motion
Picture Daily during 1952 take
this opportunity to- express
greetings and all good
wisnes to the motion picture
distributors and exhibitors of
the nation, * #
•te -A- •& Us
tiff
^0
BAZAAR
10
LI FE
MOTION PICTURE
VOL. 72. NO. 122
NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1952
TEN CENTS
Tra de wise . . .
By SHERWIN KANE
AS Radio City Music Hall comes
to its 20th anniversary, marked
in this issue of Motion Picture
Daily as has been its earlier anni-
versaries at each five-year mile-
stone in the theatre's history, the
Music Hall's claim to the title
"Showplace of the Nation" is more
secure than ever before.
In many ways the Music Hall is
unique. A glance at some of the
facts culled from its records shows
why.
In 1951, a poor business year for
most theatres, the Music Hall
established a record gross of
$6,811,769. On the basis of still
incomplete figures, the gross for
this year probably will set a new
high for the theatre.
The average annual attendance
is nearly 7,000,000 persons. The
20-year attendance at the Music
Hall by the end of this year will
be in the neighborhood of 123,-
000,000.
The 20-year gross for the theatre
is estimated at $104,425,000.
One picture, "The Great Caru-
so," grossed $1,392,943 in 10 weeks
at the Music Hall. Four others
[Continued on page 2)
CELEBRATING THE
20th ANNIVERSARY OI
RADIO CITY
House Group
Cites Films'
Red Probe Aid
Martin and Lewis Voted
Top Money-Making Stars
The team of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were the top "Money-
Making Stars of 1952," having been voted into the No. 1 position by
exhibitors in the Motion Picture Herald-Fame's 21st annual poll. The-
atre operators— both circuit and independent— voting by confidential
ballot strictly on box-office revenues
Un-American Activities
Committee Reviews Year
By J. A. OTTEN
Washington, Dec. 28. — The
House Un-American Activities
Committee said today that if Com-
munist efforts to infiltrate Holly-
wood had not been exposed, the screen
would have become a medium for
Communist propaganda.
The statement was made in
the Committee's year-end re-
port to Congress, reviewing
recent hearings and investiga-
tions. It noted that in its film
hearings last year and this
year, it had received much bet-
ter cooperation from individ-
uals in the industry than during
the earlier 1947 hearings.
The Committee report carefully
avoided giving the industry too great
a pat on the back, but at least it did
not criticize the industry as did ear-
lier reports.
In 1951, when hearings were re-
(Continued on page 2)
1
WASHINGTON, Dec. 28.--
"The largest volume of
unfilled requirement s " in
the private building
field was declared to
exist for recreational
facilities in a Commerce
Department economic out-
look survey. The need for
such construction was
said to be due largely
to government building
curbs, with over $3 bil-
lion of deferred building.
ALBANY, N. Y. , Dec. 28.
— Citing the "sensational
business" being done by
"Bwana Devil," Harry La-
mont , head of Lamont Thea-
tres, stated that third
dimension projection will
prove a box-office boon
not only to indoor thea-
tres but also to drive-
ins during 1953.
O'Donnell Heralds
'Movietime' Train,
Other Compo Aids
Dallas, Dec. 28. — The 22-car
streamliner "Movietime" tram, which
will tour the country in 1953, and
other pre-selling projects of the Coun-
cil of Motion Picture Organizations
were heralded by R. J- O'Donnell,
vice-president and general manager of
Interstate Circuit and national direc-
tor of "Movietime, U.S.A." as re-
flecting faith and confidence m the
industry for the coming year.
Additional expressions of optimism
(Continued on page 11)
had placed the duo in second place in
the 1951 audit.
Martin and Lewis were followed by
Gary Cooper, John Wayne, Bing
Crosby, Bob Hope, James Stewart,
Doris Day, Gregory Peck, Susan Hay-
ward and Randolph Scott, in that or-
der, on the list of Money-Making
Stars. The single newcomer to the
"Top Ten" is Susan Hayward, al-
though some of the others are re-
turnees. She rose from 19th place in
the 1951 poll to ninth position in 1952.
Gary Cooper, runner-up, is on the
list for the 13th time, a record tied
only by Bing Crosby. John Wayne,
(Continued on page 11)
Report 20th>s '52
Earnings Higher
A forecast that 20th Century-Fox's
net earnings for 1952, based on pre-
liminary reports for the fourth quar-
ter, would be in excess of those of
last year was made here at the week-
end by a 20th-Fox official.
A decrease in amortization would
help take up the "slight decline" in
(Continued on page 2)
Appoint Regional
NCCJ Chairmen
Regional exhibitor chairmen for the
'amusement industry's participation in
Brotherhood Week, Feb. 15-22, on be-
half of the 25th anniversary of the
National Conference of Christians and
Jews were disclosed at the weekend
by Sol A. Schwartz, national c^aiman.
Serving under Walter Reade, Jr..
national exhibitor chairman, will be .
Albany : Charles Smakwitz and Harry
Lamont; Atlanta: Boyd Fry; Boston:
{Lontlnii~d on page 2)
NY 1st -run Grosses
Climb for Holidays
The end of the pre-holiday box-
office lull came with Christmas Day
along Broadway heralding a week of
robust business that will be climaxed
by the New Year's weekend. The
lively box-office performance in New
York was also experienced by theatres
in many other sections of the country.
At Radio City Music Hall, the
fourth week of "Million Dollar Mer-
(Con tinned on page 2)
Sees Fewer Gov't
Controls in '53
Dallas, Dec. 28.— Less gov-
ernmental control as a result
of the recent general elec-
tions was forecast by Karl
Hoblitzelle, president of In-
terstate Circuit, at a meeting
here of the Texas Council of
Motion Picture Organizations.
He said fewer controls "will
mean the salvation of many
types of business including
our own."
2
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 29, 1952
Personal
Mention
H
New
ERBERT J. YATES, Republic
president, and Mrs. Yates are in
York from the Coast.
Tradewise .
Walter Gould, executive vice-
president of International-United Film
Corp., left here for the Coast by
plane at the weekend where he will
remain until the middle of January,
e
Allen Hods hire goes to Wash-
ington on his first assignment for
RLvO Radio after joining the com-
pany's exploitation staff here today.
David O. Selznick, president of the
Selzniek Releasing Organization, will
leave here today for London by plane.
Jack L. Warner is in New York
from the Coast.
•
Major Albert Warner is in Flor-
ida on vacation.
Red Probe Aid
(Continued from page V
sumed, "the Committee experienced
much fuller cooperation and assistance
from individuals in and associated with
the motion picture industry," the re-
port declared. "As a result, the Com-
mittee ascertained that the Communist
efforts to infiltrate this industry had
been a full-scale and carefully planned
operation and that the Communist
Party had been successful in recruiting
individuals in important and strategic
positions in almost all phases of motion
picture production. Had these Com-
munist efforts gone unexposed, it is
almost inevitable that the content of
motion pictures would have been in-
fluenced and slanted and become a
medium for Communist propaganda."
Financial Reservoir
The Committee said it also felt that
as a result of its hearings, the exten-
sive financial reservoir which had ex-
isted in Hollywood for Communist
purposes has been greatly diminished.
The report urged "all fields of en-
tertainment and culture to maintain a
steadfast vigilance in order to avoid
the possibility of further Communist
infiltration into them." It announced
that it still has a "number of wit-
nesses" to be called in connection with
the Hollywood investigation.
The Committee listed the names of
30 persons who had been one-time
members of the Party and who, in
testimony before the Committee, "have
been of invaluable assistance to the
Committee and the American people in
supplying facts relating to Communist
efforts and success in infiltrating the
motion picture industry."
The list included Elia Kazan, Ed-
ward Dmytryk, Sterling Hayden,
Larry Parks, Budd Schulberg, Frank
Tuttle and Clifford Odets.
Others on the list were George
Bassman, George Beck, Martin Berke-
ley, Lloyd Bridges, Richard Collins,
Eve Ettinger, Bernyce Fleury, Eugene
Fleurv, Anne Ray Frank, Roy Hug-
gins, ' Leon Janney, Fred Keating,
Marc Lawrence, Isobel Lennart, Mel-
(Continued from page 1)
grossed more than $1,150,000 in
runs of eight to 11 weeks.
During the last Christmas-New
Year's holiday week, "I'll See You
in My Dreams" grossed a record
$180,068 in seven days. "Ivanhoe,"
in one non-holiday week, grossed
$175,958.
The Music Hall has played 425
feature pictures since its opening
20 years ago. Of these, 317 were
played during the first 10 years
and" 108 during the second 10 years.
In 1946. the Music Hall used
only eight feature films; in 1945,
nine; in 1944 and this year. 10; in
1943. 1947 and 1951, it used 11.
In its early years, before its
present policy had been established,
the Music Hall used almost four
times as many films as in recent
years. In 1933, it used an all-time
high of 46; in 1934, it used 43, and
in 1935, 40. From 1936 on, the
drop in feature film consumption
was sharp and continuous.
Numerically, RKO Radio pro-
vided the Music Hall with the
most films over the 20-year period;
a total of 115 features which con-
sumed 221 weeks and five days of
playing time. MGM has furnished
71 features which have used 319
weeks of playing time, including
the run, to elate, of the current
"Million Dollar Mermaid."
Other product suppliers and then-
playing time include: Columbia,
63 "pictures; 131 weeks running
time; 20th Century-Fox, 62 fea-
tures, for 104 weeks and four days ;
United Artists, 48 features, for 94
weeks ; Warner Brothers. 28 fea-
tures, for 67 weeks ; Universal, 20
features, for 36 weeks and three
days; Paramount, 14 features, for
55 weeks.
Pandro Berman is the leading-
producer of pictures booked by the
Music Hall, with 28. David Selz-
niek has 11; Arthur Freed 10.
John Cromwell, with 17 pictures, is
the leading director on the Hall's
books. Alexander Hall has 11, and
John Ford, 10.
Katharine Hepburn and Ginger
Rogers are tied for first as the
female stars of the greatest number
of pictures to play the Hall — 22
each. However, Greer Garson's
11 starring vehicles at the Hall had
the longest playing time for any
female star. 65 weeks.
Cary Grant ranks as the male
star who has appeared in the most
Music Hall pictures, and for the
most playing time — 21 pictures
which ran 68 weeks. Walter Pid-
geon was in eight which ran 45
weeks and Spencer Tracy in 12
which ran 41' weeks.
These wholly statistical facts are
but one phase of the story that
proves the Radio City Music Hall
unique. The other is the great or-
ganization, directed by Russell V.
Downing, which meticulously main-
tains the high standards of enter-
tainment and service in the Music
Hall's distinguished setting. That
story is told elsewhere in this
issue.
20th's Earnings
(Continued from page 1)
worldwide 1952 revenues from film
rentals, it was said. Foreign film
rentals for the calendar year are run-
ning about eight per cent higher than
last year, also absorbing some decline
in 1952 domestic film rentals.
Last year, the income from film
rentals was $92,489,357, both domestic
and foreign. Theatre receipts for
1951 were $58,169,152. Net profit was
$4,308,431.
With the company splitup as of last
Sept. 27 into separate production-dis-
tribution and exhibition firms accord-
ing to the terms of the consent de-
cree, there are no comparable figures
for net earnings this year. In its last
report for the 39 weeks ended Sept. 27,
which covered operations before the
split-up, the company disclosed con-
solidated net earnings of $2,768,191
and a special
This compared
$2,147,628 for
ended Sept. 29,
credit of $1,077,755.
with net earnings of
the 39-week period
1951.
NCCJ Chairmen
(Continued from page 1)
vin Levy, Paul Marion, David Raksin,
Stanley Roberts, Meta Reis Rosen-
berg, Bernard C. Schoenfeld, Leo
Townsend, Owen Vinson and Eliza-
beth Wilson.
The report noted that Bridges, Jan-
ney and Keating had all admitted for-
mer Party membership in executive
session statements, and that their tes-
timony had not yet been made public.
Ben Domingo ; Buffalo : Arthur
Krolick ; Charlotte : H. D. Hearn ;
Chicago : John Balaban ; Cincinnati :
Rube Shor and Jerome Shinbach ;
Cleveland : Frank Murphy and Max
Mink ; Dallas : Julius Gordon and
James O. Cherry ; Denver : Hall Baetz
and William Hastings ; Des Moines :
Myron Blank; Detroit: Jack Sharkey ;
Indianapolis : Howard Rutherford ;
Jacksonville : Leon Netter ; Kansas
City : Howard Burkhardt and E. C.
Rhoden ; Los Angeles : W. O. Srere
and H. A. Anderson ; Memphis : Jack
Katz.
Also : Milwaukee : Harold Fitz-
gerald and A. D. Kvool ; Minneapolis :
Harold Fields, Ed Rubin and Harry
Weiss ; Newr Haven : Harry Shaw
and H. Feinstein ; New Jersey : Frank
Damis ; New Orleans : Henry Plitt ;
New York City : Sam Rinzler, Spyros
Skouras, Jr., and Michael Edelstein ;
Oklahoma City : Morris Lowenstein :
Omaha : Robert Livingston and Larry
Kaplane ; Philadelphia : William Gold-
man ; Pittsburgh : Bert Stearn and
30 Cleve. Theatres
In Pre-Xmas Closing
Cleveland, Dec. 28.— Thirty
independently owned subse-
quent run houses, represent-
ing 50% of the theatres in
this classification in Greater
Cleveland, closed Monday
through Wednesday before
Christinas. This is the first
time such a wide sweeping
policy including the largest
and newest theatres, has ever
been adopted. In previous
years many theatres closed
Christmas Eve to give their
employees one holiday night
with their families.
The three-day closing was
not a concerted action on the
part of exhibitors but was
instituted on the basis of in-
dividual theatre lack of at-
tendance. All reopened Christ-
mas Day with new programs.
Grosses Climb
(Continued from page 1)
maid" and the traditional Christmas
stage show is expected to top $180,000,
the sturdy figure realized last year
during Christmas week. The esti-
mate is based on pre-Christmas busi-
ness at the Hall, which unlike most
other theatres, picks up a few weeks
before the holiday with the introduc-
tion of the Christmas show.
At the Victoria, a tremendous
$12,500 was chalked up for the
first two days of "Come Back,
Little Sheba," leading Para-
mount officials to predict that
the first week of the film will
break the house record of
$57,000 set by "Joan of Arc."
Other sturdy product, highlighted
by "Ruby Gentry," at the May-
fair ; "April in Paris," at the Para-
mount, and "Hiawatha," at the Bijou,
was introduced along Broadway for
the holidays with a commensurate
boost in business. Other holiday fare
which 'drew many customers was the
in-person appearance of Johnnie Ray
at the Capitol, coupled with "Against
All Flags" as the screen attraction,
and "My Cousin Rachel" at the
Rivoli.
Thousands of couples, accompanied
by their children, flocked to see "Hans
Christian Andersen" at the Criterion
and the off-Broadway Paris. Also
doing brisk business was the newly-
reopened Roxy, currently featuring
"Stars and Stripes Forever," and
"Icecolorama" on stage. "Limelight"
at the Astor and at the two-a-day
60th Street Trans-Lux also did quite
well.
Moe Silver ; Portland : Jack Matlack ;
St. Louis: Harry Arthur, Jr., and
Russ Bovim ; Salt Lake City : Ray
Hendrey ; San Francisco : Joseph
Blumenfeld and Mark Ailing ; Seattle :
Frank Newman ; Tampa : Herman
Silverman; Washington: A. Julian
Brylawski and Orville Crouch.
The regional distributor and public-
ity chairmen will be announced shortly.
iir,mn.i,T -dt^tttdt? Fi ATT V Martin Ouitrlev Editor-in-Chief and Publisher: Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting- Editor. Published daily, except Saturdays,
S^ndlvs f^and holidays, by QuigJey Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth . Avenue: Rockefeller Center. New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable addressj "Quigpubco,
■M Vrvrlf " Martin Ouiglev President- Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan. Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy. Vice-President; Leo J. Brady,
c tarv- Tames P Cunningham News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke. Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building,
wriiam R Weaver ' Editor ^Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FT 6-3074; Bruce Trinz, Editorial Representative, 11 North
n b- Street FR 2 2843 Washington T A Otten National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; Hope Burnup. Manager; Peter Burnup,
FJitnr- pahle address "Quigpubco! London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres and Theatre Sales, each published 13 times a year as
f Motion Picture Herald- Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter. Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New York,
of March 3 1879 Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies. 10c
N.
section
Y., under the act
■
SUPER-HITS
TO RESTORE HIGHEST ATTENDANCE LEVELS
A NEW CONCEPT OF
f§|§; Every picture presented in '53 re-
flects Paramount^ intention to make
only top-quality attractions, the ad-
vantage of which is proved by Cecil B.
D
! re
Color by
TfCHWCOlOR
starring
CROSS? HOPE
DOROTHY
Produced by HARRY TUGEND - Directed by HAL WALKER
Screenplay by FRANK BUTLER, HAL KANTER and WILLIAM MORROW
New Songs-Lyrics by JOHNNY BURKE -Music by JAMES VAN HEUSEN
Cecil B. DeMille'S
Color by
TECHNICOLOR
HE
[
HENRY WILCOXON-LYLE BETTGER
LAWRENCE TIERNEY • EMMETT KELLY *<
CUCCIOLA- ANTOINETTE CONCELLO
Produced and Directed by CECIL B. DeMILLE • Produced with the
cooperation of Ringling Bros.-Barnum & Bailey Circus • Screenplay
by Fredric M. Frank. Barre Lyndon and Theodore St. John • Story by
Fredric M. Frank, Theodore St. John and Frank Cavett
I J
DeMille's "The Greatest Show On
Earth," soon entering its second year of
record business. In addition to extra
story-and-star values, an all-time high
percentage of these productions will be
made in color byTechnicolor. Paramount
leads the industry in meeting the needs
of present-day boxoffice demands.
BURT
LANCASTER
SHIRLEY
BOOTH
N
Hal Wallis'
PRODUCTION
Come Back,
Little Sheba
Co-starring
TERRY MOORE • richard'jaeckel
Directed by DANIEL MANN • Screenplay by KETTI FRINGS
Based on the original play by William Inge
Produced on the stage by the Theatre Guild
DEAN
JERRf
NHvHHS
HAL
WILIS
Production
with
EDDIE MAYEHOFF
L
POLLY BERGEN
Directed by Screenplay by
NORMAN TAUROG - FRED F. FINKLEHOFFE and MARTIN RACKIN
Additional Dialogue by tLWUUU ULLIVIHI1 • From a story by
FRED F. FINKLEHOFFE and SID SILVERS
1
■
A N CONCEPT OF
A fresh and sure-fire planned pro-
gram adding new names to Paramount's
long list of ticket-selling stars is now
in operation for '53. Many of them
co
in
A'
A!
Sieging
<*ohr by
TecHNicoioR.
starring
Rosmm win
MUk MARIA NBfflm
IMMZ MtlCHlOU
with
BOB WILLIAMS • TOM MORTON • FRED CLARK
JOHN ARCHER and RED DUST
Produced by IRVING ASHER • Directed by NORMAN TAUROG
Screenplay by LIAM O'BRIEN
Based on a story by Paul Hervey Fox
THUNDER
starring
ALAN DEBORAH
CHARlfS CORINNE
Produced by EVERETT RISKIN
Directed by CHARLES VIDOR • Screenplay by JO SWERLING
Adaptation by
GEORGE TABORI and FREDERICK HAZLITT BRENNAN
From the novel by Alan Moorehead
come to the screen widely publicised
in other fields: Rosemary Clooney,
Audrey Hepburn, Anna Maria
Alberghetti, Yul Brynner. Thus they
are immediate marquee assets, ready to
assume the stature which Paramount
has recently given personalities like
Martin and Lewis, and Charlton Heston.
COLOR BY
TECHNICOLOR
starring
NOAH BEERY -GRANT WITHERS
Written for the Screen and Directed by LEWIS R. FOSTER • Based on a novel by Tom Gill
Produced by William H. Pine and William C.Thomas
RUM
Color by
TECHNICOLOR
starring
RAY MILLAND
ARLENE DAHL
WENDELL COREY
with
PATRIC KNOWLES • LAURA ELLIOT
Directed and Written for the Screen by
LEWIS R. FOSTER
From a novel by Max Murray
Produced by
WILLIAM H. PINE and WILLIAM C. THOMAS
CONCEPT OF
BOB HOPE
MICKEY ROONEY
MARILYN MAXWELL
OFF
LI M IT
co-starring
EDDIE MAYEHOFF
with STANLEY CLEMENTS
JACK DEMPSEY • MARVIN MILLER
Produced by Directed by
HARRY TUGEND • GEORGE MARSHALL
Story and Screenplay by
HAL KANTER and JACK SHER
in
Paramount's forward drive to
recapture maximum boxoffice attend-
ance has rejected all old, tired pre-selling
methods. New, aggressive ideas in
CHARLTON UESTON
RHONDA FLEMING
JAN STERLING
FORREST TUCKER
in
PONY
EXPRESS
Color by TECHNICOLOR
Directed by JERRY HOPPER
Screenplay by CHARLES MARQUIS WARREN
Story by Frank Gruber
Produced by NAT HOLT
showmanship meet the challenge of
each attraction. Amplifying the means
of communication to the public
has been successfully achieved by
Paramount for'53-and this pioneering
in new interest- compelling devices will
continue as a primary means of ex-
tending the film audience
THE WAR
OF THE
WORLDS
Color by
TECHNICOLOR
Produced by GEORGE PAL
y Directed by BYRON HASKIN
Screenplay by BARRE LYNDON
Based on the novel by
H. G. WELLS
PLEASURE
ISLAND
Color by
TECHNICOLOR
starring
LEO GfNtf DOM WLOR
witkGENe BARRY- HSAIANCHESTER
■Qnd introducing
DOROTHY , AUDREY . JOAN
BROMILEV DALTOf/ ElAM
Produced by PAUL JONES
Directed by F. HUGH HERBERT and ALVIN GANZER
Screenplay by F. HUGH HERBERT
Based on the novel by William Maier
j-
N ADDITION THESE SUPER-HITS
ARE YOUR PARAMOUNT FUTURE FOR
ROMAN HOLIDAY
A William Wyler Production.
Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn,
Eddie Albert.
SCARED STIFF
A Hal Wallis Production.
Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis,
Lizabeth Scott, Carmen Miranda.
ARROWHEAD
Charlton Heston, Mary Sinclair,
Jack Palance, Michael Keith.
Produced by Nat Holt
Color by Technicolor.
HOUDINI
Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh
Produced by George Pal
Color by Technicolor
SHANE
A George Stevens Production.
Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur, Van Heflin,
Brandon de Wilde.
Color by Technicolor.
FOREVER FEMALE
Ginger Rogers, William Holden,
Paul Douglas, Pat Crowley.
Produced by Pat Duggan.
STALAG 17
Produced by Billy Wilder.
William Holden, Don Taylor, Otto Preminger.
From the Broadway stage success.,
HERE COME THE GIRLS
Bob Hope, Arlene Dahl,
Rosemary Clooney, Tony Martin
Produced by Paul Jones.
Color by Technicolor.
LITTLE BOY LOST
A Perlberg-Seaton Production
Bing Crosby, Claude Dauphin.
N Lt
THE CONQUERORS
John Payne, Coleen Grey,
Jan Sterling, Lyle Bettgei .
Produced by Pine and Thomas.
Color by Technicolor.
LEADING SUPER-HITS TO COME
Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS
Fred Astaire— Rosemary Clooney
Monday, December 29, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
11
'Look' Features
'Herald-Fame' Poll
The Jan. 13 issue of Look
Magazine, which will be on
the newsstands tomorrow,
will carry a three-page pic-
torial layout on the Motion
Picture Herald-Fame 21st an-
nual exhibitor poll results of
the top box-office stars of the
year. Titled "America's Fav-
orite Movie Stars," the three
pages are devoted to photos
of present, and past winners,
with their ranking positions
in previous polls.
Martin and Lewis
(Continued from page 1)
after holding the No. 1 spot in the
two previous years, was in third place,
possibly due to the fact that he was
seen less often during' the year than
was good for his poll standing. Bing
Crosby climbed a notch from his 1951
position, taking fourth place, but he
shares with nobody the record of five
consecutive .years in the No. 1 slot
(1944-48 inclusive).
Hope jumped from sixth to fifth
place and is on the "team" for the
12th time, taking first place in 1949.
Stewart is in the Top Ten for the
second time, finishing sixth, while
Miss Day, in seventh place, is up two
stations from last year's ninth, which
was her initial appearance on the list.
Peck, finishing eighth, duplicates his
standing in the 1947 poll.
The Herald observes that the fluc-
tuations of box-office fame are singu-
larly slight from year to year. Bud
Abbott and Lou Costello, 11th in the
1952 poll, although eighth in the in-
dependent exhibitors' column, have
seven Top Ten placements, including
a No. 1 in 1941. Esther Williams,
12th in the present listing, although
10th in the circuit theatres' column,
was eighth in both the 1949' and 1950
polls. The most striking shift of poll
positions is that of Betty Grable, who
was third in 1951, and dropped to 20th
this year. The repeated suspensions
she drew from her studio are reported
to have accounted for the dip.
Winners in the Western film
category are Roy Rogers, Gene
Autry, Rex Allen, Bill Elliott,
Tim Holt, Gabby Hayes, Smiley
Burnette, Charles Starrett,
Dale Evans and William Boyd.
Fluctuations in this department
are even slighter, with Rogers
leading the parade for the 10th
consecutive year.
British exhibitors participated in the
poll, casting votes in three groups ; the
top money-making British players, in-
ternational players, and Western stars,
respectively.
The British performers ranked in
the following order : Ronald Shiner,
Alastair Sim, Alec Guinness, Anthony
Steel and Jack Hawkins (tied), Rich-
ard Todd, Nigel Patrick, Jack War-
ner, Anna Neagle, Trevor Howard
and Glynis Johns.
In the international bracket, the
winner was Bob Hope, followed by
Gregory Peck, Betty Hutton, Martin
and Lewis, John Wayne, Mario Lanza,
James Mason, James Stewart, Doris
Day and Humphrey Bogart.
The Westerns' leaders were Gary
Cooper, Randolph Scott, James Stew-
art, Roy Rogers, John Wayne, Rod
Cameron, Alan Ladd, Gene Autry,
Jeff Chandler and Clark Gable.
Television - Radio
with Pinky Herman
WHAT will probably be the only Chinese Christmas Carols on
TV, will be heard on "Letter to Lee Graham" ABCast 3 :00 to
3:15 P.M. Christmas Day, when Father John Moore and ten children
from the Kung Wah Cantonese settlement on Mott St. will guestrill.
. . . For the first time in the IP-year history of the Sugar Bowl game,
the contest on New Year's Day between Georgia Tech and U of
Miss, will be telecast. Jim Britt's play by play will be heard and
seen on the five owned and operated ABC-TV stations while Bob
Finnegan will radiorate the classic for indie co-sponsors. . . . March
of Time's interesting Film Series, sponsored by Miller Brewing Co.
in about 60 key cities, moves from ABC to NBC, and will be tele-
cast Weds., 7:15 to 7:30 P.M. There was quite a to-do last week
when someone stated that "New York's Finest WEREN'T." That
may or may not be so but local gendarmes have certainly proven
themselves "the smartest." On Dec. 9, Patrolman Robert R. Maloney
(paired with Joyce Robinson of Omaha, Neb.) split the record sum
of $2,835.00 on NBC-TV's "Two For The Money," and on the same
day Stanley Chappie, New York traffic cop, gave the right answers on
"The Big Payoff" and copped a mink coat and a trip to Paris for
himself and his wife.
ft ft ft
Tom Slater, Ruthrauff & Ryan v.p., who was recently named
director of that firm's radio and TV dep't., has enjoyed a wide
and varied career. Upon graduation from College he served on
the faculties of Northwestern U, Miami U. and Western College
for Women at Oxford, 0. From 1934 until he
joined R & R in 1946, Slater was a writer-
producer-performer mid for several years
headed special events and sports for MBS. His
"Contacting the Moon By Radar," in 1946
won him the coveted National Headliners
Award for "Radio's outstanding special events
broadcast of the year." He is chairman of the
TV committee for the broadcasting and film
commission of the National Council of the
Churches of Christ in America, and some few
weeks ago succeeded his brother Bill as emcee
and host of the "Luncheon at Sardi's," series
via WOR. . . . After a recording-breaking p.a.
tour of theatres in Montreal and Toronto,
The Four Aces paused in New York for a
guestint on Kate Smith's program, then left for another theatre
date in Chicago. . . . Bob Monroe's "High Adventure" and "John
Steele" MB Shows resume next month. . . . The Wendell Coreys
due back in town next month and are mulling an offer to do a
"Mr. & Mrs." program on TV.
.ft ft , ft
Jack Lescoulie who has been doing a CBSwell announcing
job on the "Jackie Gleason Show" these past two months, add-
ed another chore to his busy schedule when he subs for Dave
Garroway on "Today," the NBC-TV early bird series, from
Dec. 25 through the 29th. . . . George F. Foley's adult science
fiction TV series, "Tales of Tomorrow," ABCast for the past
two years, will also become a radio series over the same net-
work starting Thursday Jan. 1. Clark Andrews will direct the
radio version. . . . "Wild Bill Hickok" has been MBSigned to
continue on through 1953. . . . Deejays will latch onto Jerry
Cooper's newest Anchor platter of two nostalgic ballads,
"Have You Ever Been Lonely" and "I'm Sorry I Made You
Cry." The former Monogram Pictures lark is headed for a
comeback. . . . Maggi McNellis turned in one of the finest
femceeing jobs we've ever seen last Tuesday nite via WJZ-TV
for the special premiere of the 20th Century-Fox musical,
"Stars and Stripes Forever," at the Roxy Theatre. In fact we'll
coin a word and say her charm, wit and graciousness made this
a Magginificent telecast. . . . Charles Saj#ord, musical director
of "Your Show of Shows," has nixxed offers from two Broad-
way producers to NBContinue with Max Liebman, with whom
he's been associated for a decade. . . . Telenews Exec Milton
Weisman sails Jan. 7 for a six-month world tour to set up
world news coverage facilities. . . . Abbie Greshler has started
his own music publishing firm and will publish songs written
and recorded by the new singing sensation, Jimmy Boyd, whose
current platter of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Glaus" has
already reached the three MILLION sales mark. . . . Sotto
Voce to Alice Heinecke : Durn purtiest birthday card we ever
received. Merci beaucoup. . .
Tom Slater
Warner Theatres Set
3-D N, E. Premieres
Hartford, Dec. 28.—Warner
Bros. Theatres have scheduled
the first northern Connecticut
booking of "Bwana Devil,"
three-dimensional film, for the
Warner Strand, Hartford, in
either late January or early
February, according to Harry
Feinstein, Warner circuit zone
manager.
Similar bookings are being
lined up for Warner houses
throughout the territory.
O'Donnell Heralds
(Continued from page 1)
came from members of the executive
board of Texas COMPO, who at-
tended a special meeting here. Among
them were Karl Hoblitzelle, founder
and president of Interstate Circuit;
Col. H. A. Cole, chairman of the
board of Allied Theatre Owners of
Texas and national chairman of the
COMPO tax repeal campaign; Ed
Rowley, president of Rowley United
Theatres; H. J. Griffith, president of
Theatre Enterprises, and Claude
Ezell, president of Ezell and Asso-
ciates.
Cole stated, "We have every
reason to believe that our ef-
forts in the tax repeal cam-
paign will bear fruitful returns
to the industry during the com-
ing year, but this will represent
only a partial solution to our
problems. The new year will
see our thoughts ; directed to-
ward establishing/ inter-indus-
try harmony witK the introduc-
tion of an incentive selling pro-
gram which will benefit both
exhibition and distribution.
This will require a cooperative
spirit and a period of experi-
mentation to prove its value,
and I feel that Texas will be the
testing grounds for this impor-
tant project."
Rowley cited Cinerama as "a mile-
stone in the progress" of the industry
and envisioned the need for a trans-
ition in the industry to harness the
new medium.
Griffith forecast that a successful
outcome of the tax repeal campaign
would mean the salvation for thou-
sands of theatres and a more stabil-
ized industry. Ezell predicted that
drive-ins were headed for the most
prosperous year in their history.
Phil Isley, president of Isley Thea-
tres and president of Allied Theatre
Owners of Texas, condemned the De-
partment of Justice's 16mm. suit seek-
ing the release of feature films to TV
stations, among other things.
Mother of Bucky Harris
Mrs. Lena Harris, mother of
Maurice "Bucky" Harris, Universal
Pictures exploiteer, died here Friday
at the age of 93. Funeral services
were held the following morning.
Mrs. Harris is suryv* by two other
sons and several giTtatichildren.
D. Kaye Advance Sale
The Danny Kaye "in person" show
which opens a ' the RKO Palace hen ?-
Jan. 18 had Tacked up an advance
sale of $201,-522 at the end of last
week. Seats are now being sold eight
weeks in advance. 6 i
(Congratulations to
reatest Showplace
On Earth
FROM
"The Greatest Show
On Earth"
ON THE HAPPY OCCASION
OF THE 20th BIRTHDAY OF RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Another happy anniversary coming up ! Early this year—
on January 10th, 1952— the World Premiere of Cecil B.
DeMille's "The Greatest Show On Earth" took place at Radio City Music Hall, start-
ing an endless line of ticket-buyers which has now extended to more than five thou-
sand theatres and will go on and on thru 1953. Never has any motion picture hit
grosses like it and never has any company been as proud as PARAMOUNT
CECIL B. DeMIHE'S "THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH" Color by TECHNICOLO
ETTY HUTTON • CORNEL WILDE • CHARLTON HESTON • DOROTHY LAMOUR • GLORIA GRAHAME and JAMES STEWART
Henry Wilcoxon ••Lyle Bettger . Lawrence Tierney Emmett Kelly • Cuccioia • Antoinette Concello • Produced and Directed by Cecil E. DeMille • Produced with the cooperation of Ringling Bros,
urn & Bailey Circus * Screenplay, by Fredric M, Frank, Barre Lyndon and Theodore St. John | Story by Fredric M. Frank, Theodore St. John and Frank Cavett
I
Monday, December 29, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
13
celebrating
the ZOth Anniversary of
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
7w
WO decades ago comedians in a Broad-
way musical review were making merry over what they referred
to as "Young John D's Folly." Their reference was to the institu-
tion created through the vision and enterprise of Mr. John D.
Rockefeller, Jr., which has since become world-famous as the
Radio City Music Hall.
The Music Hall was inaugurated in the midst of the Great
Depression and the inaugural program, unhappily in tune with
the spirit of the day, was not without various depressive aspects.
But that was only the starting point. The best laugh — the last
laugh — was yet to come.
In the succeeding years this institution, endowed with a
physical plant and character never previously realized, and enjoy-
ing a sponsorship of vision, taste and initiative, has gone on to
establish for itself a unique status in the amusement world. It is
doubtlessly the most widely known theatre of the day. It numbers
among its public an army of regular and devoted patrons resid-
ing in the New York area, and it is the top-of-the-list place to
go for great numbers of visitors from points throughout this
country and from overseas. It has solidly built a reputation of
even greater value than the physical values of the enterprise.
<I The rise of the Music Hall to its position of eminence was
first under the guidance of the masterful hand of the late W. G.
Van Schmus, and ably continued by his immediate successor,
Mr. Gus S. Eyssell, who went on from the Music Hall post to his
present position as president of Rockefeller Center, Inc. The
successful tradition is now continuing under Mr. Russell V. Down-
ing, president and managing director.
The Music Hall is an institution of the amusement industry
which reflects substantial credit upon the industry at large. Its
twentieth anniversary is an appropriate occasion for an acknowl-
edgment of this obligation and for the offering of hearty con-
gratulations to the management and to the numerous personnel
which constitute the Music Hall family.
— MARTIN QUIGLEY
GUS, RUSS AND LEO
A VERY HAPPY TRIO!
Congratulations to Gus Eyssell, President of Rockefeller
Center, to Russell Downing, Managing Director of Radio
City Music Hall and tlieir splendid associates on tke
Twentieth Anniversary of tke World's Largest Tkeatre.
May you enjoy many more years of distinguisked and
successful skowmanskip.
(continued)
It is a matter of extreme pride that you selected M-G-M's
£reat Technicolor musical "MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID"
for your Anniversary Picture. We are delighted that it is
such a sensational attraction.
And starting the 21st year of your famed show shop, what
an honor to present "THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL:
This powerful M-G-M drama is already talked ahout as a
strong contender for the Academy Award and sure-fire for
the Ten Best List of 1953.
We can assure you that there are many other M-G-M attrac-
tions of Music Hall quality coming in the months ahead.
We take pardonahle pride in the part you have permitted
us to play in the 20 years you are now celehrating. May we
look hack hriefly over those years:
M-G-M had 5 of tke 10 top grossing pictures, more tkan any otker company ("Tke
Great Caruso," "Ivankoe," "Skow Boat," "Random Harvest," "Valley of Decision").
M-G-M kad tke top grosser of all time "Tke Great Caruso." M-G-M kad tke
co-kolder of tke longest run record, 11 weeks for "Random Harvest." 71 M-G-M
pictures played tke Hall for tke greatest numker of weeks of any company. During
tke year 1952 now concluding, M-G-M kad 62% of Music Hall playing time.
Happy Anniversary to the great institution of Radio City
Music Hall which has hrought honor and prestige to this
industry and may it he the privilege of Leo the Lion to
roar from its giant screen for years to come.
16
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 29, 1952
from Biggest
to Greatest
Madia City Music Hall through twa decades
i
he twentieth anniversary
of the Radio City Music Hall is a signal
occasion for all the institution of the motion
picture, art and industry. Standing there in
New York's mid-town, its event of Now,
taking provocation from the yesterdays, con-
strnctively pertains more importantly to en-
couragement for the tomorrows.
When the Music Hall was opened Decem-
ber 27, 193 2, those two decades ago, with
much pomp and ceremony, it was the world's
biggest theatre. In the years since, it has
come by ordeal and experience to be the
world's greatest theatre.
Through steps of evolution and the ad-
ventures of the hectic career of the problem-
beset motion picture, this theatre has become
and is today a looming beacon on a head-
land, shining through the pessi-
mism and questioning that float
across an industry burdened with
adjustment to the new order,
and disorder, of the day.
There are facts.
The Music Hall's flowing suc-
cesses, continuous across the tele-
vision invasion, its accompany-
ing fevers, and other rising com-
petitions for the entertainment
dollar, have set significant tide
marks of motion picture box-
office values in genuine ledger
figures:
"Sunset Boulevard," 1950—
7 weeks, $1,015,000 . . . "Show Boat." 19 51
—8 weeks, $1,160,000 . . . "The Great
Caruso" 1951—10 weeks, $1,392,000 . . .
"The Greatest Show on Earth," 1952—11
weeks, $1,3 3 5,000 . . . "Ivanhoe," 195 2—
8 weeks, $1,290,000.
By TERRY RAMSAYE
J. D. Rockefeller, Jr
Founder of
Rockefeller Center
It is to be noted chat these pictures, along
with the rest of the presentations of the
Music Hall screen, were selected out of pro-
jection room judgments, inevitably in pur-
suit of a policy. It is a firm policy which
pertains as much to maintaining an institu-
tion for its continuing career as to selling
the seats for tonight's show.
Those high gross figures are impressive and
important as denoting that flow of seven to
eight millions of customers which come each
year to fill those 6200 seats, often to the ca-
pacity of the house.
While we are among the statistics, it is
appropriate to record again that
the Music Hall has the biggest
indoor screen, 70 by 40 feet, a
throw from projection ports to
screen of 190 feet, and a stage
so long that it takes a row of 46
precision dancers, the Rockettes,
to stretch across it. Also after
twenty years of operation, it is
the newest of theatres, with an
interior of luxury and unosten-
tatious elegance, with sheer size
and scale the principal assertion
of grandeur. If the gregarious
impulse and the sense of audi-
ence participation are factors of
a show, in the Music Hall they get it. It
was built big, but it had to grow great.
This quality of newness is maintained by
a continuous process of modernizations and
refurbishments in detail. The patron gets
nowhere a suggestion of obsolescence, no
spots worn through, nothing obviously re-
paired. It maintains the perfections of an
opening night, from the lush carpet trod
by those millions of feet, to an overall spot-
lessness. Incidentally that carpet runs be-
tween the seats with its tactile impress
of luxury — and probably subtle satisfaction
to the foot-tired ladies who like to slip off
their shoes and yield in relaxed comfort to
the entertainment.
The operation and all its policies start
with the customer, addressed at the big
middle class of solvent Americans, observant
of their tastes and public proprieties, when
assembled under each other's eyes.
Exploiting Distinction
The process of address to that Music Hall
public became conspicuous to the observer
in its avoidance of the promotional antics
and publicity high pitches which so often
and conspicuously affect the metropolitan
scene and the frenetics of Broadway.
There are no parades with prancing drum
majors, no balloons, no skywriters, no snip-
ing, window cards and throwaways. The
Music Hall's large staff of creative artists
of note and fame do not have their names
bestrewn across the gossip columns, nor are
they photographed at the night clubs and
hot spots.
The basic audience is drawn from a fifty-
mile circle around Rockefeller Center, and
[CONTINUED ON PAGE 18]
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR
18
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 29, 1952
THE HALLS'' HEAD MAN
USSELL V- DOWNING, president and man-
aging director of Radio City Music Hall,
has spent his entire career in show business
as an officer of the world's premiere theatre. As the
Music Hall marks its 20th anniversary, Downing's per-
sonal 20th anniversary in show business and in the
service of the theatre is not far distant.
Downing joined the Music Hall executive organi-
zation as treasurer in October, 1933. In 1942 he
was elected vice-president and treasurer of Radio
City Music Hall Corp. and Center Theatre Corp. He
was named executive vice-president of both compa-
nies on June I, 1948, and became president and man-
aging director of the Music Hall last March. In No-
vember he Was elected a member of the board of
directors of Rockefeller Center, Inc., in addition to
his other positions.
Apart from the brief, early period during which
the operating policy of the Music Hall was in a state
of flux, when S. L. (Roxy) Rothafel and Harold B.
Franklin, successively, were in charge, the world's
greatest showplace has had but three managing direc-
tors. Preceding Downing in that capacity were the
Tate W. G. Van Schmus and Gus S, Eyssell. The lat-
ter is chairman of the board of the Music Hall Corpo-
ration now and also holds the post of president of
Rockefeller Center, Inc.
Downing was born in Yonkers, N. Y., Aug. 1 1, 1900.
He attended local public schools; then the Wharton
School of Commerce of the University of Pennsylvania.
He was in officers' training at Camp Zachary Taylor
for a time during World War I and returned to school-
ing at Columbia Uni-
versity. His early busi-
ness experience in-
cluded the posts of
treasurer of the Pru-
dence Co., assistant
treasurer of Holmes
Products, assistant
treasurer of Magazine
Repeating Razor Co.
and assistant to the
president of Tidewater
Oil Sales Corp.
As part of his ad-
ministrative duties as
head of the Music
Hall, Downing makes frequent journeys to Hollywood
for the purpose of previewing the best of the newly
completed film product and also to view rushes of
other productions which promise to meet the Music
Hall's high standards for bookings. In both film and
stage presentations the Music Hall's cardinal policy
may be described as clean entertainment for the whole
family. That, and an inflexible policy of good, honest
service to the public have been the keys to the great
theatre's 20 years of success.
In both his long service to the Music Hall and his
still brief tenure as its chief executive officer, Downing
has proved himself an able custodian of those policies
and an administrator eminently capable of ensuring
the further success of the Radio City Music Hall as
the world's pre-eminent theatre.
[CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16]
a very considerable proportion comes from
all that endless flow of some three or four
hundred thousand visiting out-of-towners.
It is probably as much a Cen-
ter influence as it was the late
Fiorello La Guardia who sought to
make Sixth Avenue the Avenue
of the Americas. If that name is
ever actually accepted by the
public it may be credited to the
Music Hall. It daily makes that
Fiftieth street corner the center
of an international concourse.
They come from everywhere,
with the Music Hall the best
known theatre around the world.
Back of the Music Hall is the
somewhat more than atmospher-
ic influence of the institutional-
ity of the House of Rockefeller, so exten-
sively integrated with far flung and extensive
financial, industrial influences and participa-
tion in social causes all over the globe. The
impress is upon it. Also it may be observed
that the Music Hall constitutes the most
G. S. Eyssell
of Rockefell
chairman of
vitally intimate, direct and daily contact of
the Rockefeller institution with the public,
the people in person. There is stature and re-
sponsibility not shared by any other theatre.
It is to be remembered that
the great theatre now known as
the Music Hall went into the
Rockefeller Center-Radio City
design originally to create a sort
of splendid boutonniere for the
big real estate project. It was, as
many know, to have been a
new home for the grandiose
Metropolitan Opera. That went
a-glimmering in social politics.
Radio influences, with ill-fated
design to become important in
the motion picture through the
much merged RKO — remember
that "Titan" advertising cam-
paign— found opportunity. It took over the
theatre as it emerged from blue prints and
therein installed the great Roxy. It was
Roxy, grown too great for the screen
who gave the house its initial vaudeville
policy, when vaudeville was all but dead,
president
er Center,
Music Hall
for that debacle program of the opening
all the night of the December 27, 1932.
The bill, which included most everything
from Ray Bolger to extracts from Carmen,
complete with horses on stage, ran on till
3 o'clock in the morning of December 28th.
At the final curtain there were as many on
stage as there were in the audience.
From Bust to Business
One of the amazements of the occasion
was the fact that this vast, chaotic, costly
opening program had never been put
through a rehearsal !
It is to be recorded today that the man-
agement of the theatre as of then could not
reach a bookkeeping accounting of that
opening show. It was conceived in a chaos
of dreams, and bought free-hand, without
budget, without requisitions, authorizations,
by telephone and across luncheon conversa-
tions, from here to the capitals of Europe.
Today the cost of that opening is un-
[CONTINUED ON PAGE 29]
Monday, December 29, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
19
LEON LEONIDOFF, Vice-Pres.
Senior Producer
RUSSELL MARKERT, Vice-Pres.
Producer & RockeHes Director
RAYMOND PAIGE
Director of Music
CxecuWe
OF THE MUSIC
MARGARET SANDE
Baflet Director
HATTIE ROGGE
Costume Dept. Director
JOHN JACKSON
Stage Manager
EUGENE BRAUN
Stage Lighting Director
FRANK SPENCER
Costume Designer
EDWARD SERLIN
Press Representative
CHARLES HACKER
Manager of Operations
SYDNEY M. GOLDMAN
Theatre Manager
ARTHUR CLARY
Box-Office Treasurer
IRVING EVANS. Vice-Pres.
Asst. Managing Director
JAMES GOULD
Treasurer
FRED L. LYNCH
Adv. & Publicity Director
JAMES STEWART MORCOM
Art Director
20
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 29, 1952
From Biggest to Greatest
•CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18-
!.' people. Aver-
rompleie shows, five
■iitur<« film showings daily:
increases on holidays to five
complete shows, six and occa-
sional!; seven feature show-
ing*. Regular price scale, 90
tents to $1.50, tax included.
Mezzanine has 950 reserved
seats priced at $1.80 to $2.40,
tax included.
Operates from about 10 to
11:40 p.m. daily. Midnight
show usually on Saturdays.
Doors open as early as 7:30
.m. on major holiday*.
•
Total permanent staff 622
persons (equivalent lo one
employe for every ten seats).
It has a service staff of 141
persons — 59 maintenance
workers, 53 stage department
employes, production staff of
i(>. 2 1 hox office employes, ac-
counting department, 9; exec-
utive staff assistants, 8; adver-
lising-puhlicity, 6; poster de-
partment. 2; organists, 3; pro-
jectionists, 14.
•
The Rocketles comprise the
second largest numerical
group within -he Music Hall
stage organization. There are
!6 Rocketle* with a director,
captain, assistant captain and
ffrcomprmislt. The Corps de
llf?Uf>t f$ only slightly smaller >
«/ $6 girts, nine
- ••clor. assistant di-
known and always will be. It has been
deemed absurdly unimportant to analyze the
details of what required a single entry —
"A bust complete."
Several things happened in sequel. RKO
was in other difficulties a-plenty, and an
expedition the next morning, right after
breakfast, raised half a million dollars as-
sistance from a Rockefeller office, the sym-
pathetic but perturbed landlord. Presently,
while it was still a leasehold operation, a
grey haired gentleman, W. G. Van Schmus,
appeared about back stage and elsewhere
silently observing. Word percolated in time
that he was "a Rockefeller man." He was,
in fact, an industrial and public relations ex-
pert of Chicago background, recommended
into the picture by the late Ivy Lee, of
public relations counsel and much fame
thereby in the Rockefeller service. ,
That vast Rockefeller operation could not
accept such a conspicuous debacle in the
limelight of the Center's greatest challenge
to public attention. With understandable
reluctance Mr. Rockefeller was defensively
brought into the show business. One may be
assured that in so coming, he was not trying
to get rich.
Metaphorically, the Music Hall was still
tremendous, but like an iceberg — mostly
under water.
It is necessary to have this recalled to give
perspective to the status of the Hall at this
anniversary of 195 2. The way up started
with many difficulties. The situation had
been precipitated by undisciplined ardors of
showmanship and the collaborations of men
and forces with designs of personal glory
and profit, with small measure of the larger
scene.
Soon it was clear that only the motion
picture was big enough both in physical
dimension and supply to continuously serve
that tremendous auditorium and its vast pro-
scenium. Ranking pictures was a problem.
The Music Hall and RKO shared the hos-
tility of a film industry which looked as-
kance at radio and its leadership bent on
invasion. There was no sympathy.
The situation was to be met only by quiet
strategy and the application of the patient
genius of commonsense. With "The Bitter
Tea of General Yen" the week of January
11, 1933, the Music Hall entered upon a
motion picture policy, with more policy
than pictures. Prestige and buying power
were far in the distance.
March 13, Mr. Van Schmus took over.
The Rockefeller interest had acquired its
lease of the Music Hall by a quiet process
tantamount to a foreclosure, and RKO was
going through that benevolent order of
receivership known as "77-B".
The problem in hand was the building of
the creative departments relating to the
stage numbers and all the complex of func-
tions behind them, and the establishment of
a supply of screen entertainment. The quest
of films was a large problem for a theatre
with no status. It was to take years for the
Music Hall to establish, by performance,
the standing which gave it call on top rank
pictures from skeptical and jealous pro-
duction-exhibition competitors. It was no
royal road.
Enter Two Young Men
Two young men in the reconstituted
Music Hall organization in that difficult
1933 were to prove figures of destiny. The
canny Van Schmus found his concept of
policy ably aided by Gus S. Eyssell, who
joined in January of 1933, bringing experi-
ence of exhibition on major assignments
across the land from his native Kansas City
to Los Angeles, to New York and way sta-
tions, under Paramount auspices. He knew
a lot about who and what and why within
the esoterics of movieland — if you know
what I mean, and you do. He spoke softly
and passed the ammunition.
Concurrently there appeared most un-
ostentatiously what the industry would call
"a figure man." This was, and surely is,
Russell V. Downing, who came to what is
a highly important desk in any Rockefeller
organization, treasurer and comptroller, in
1933. To borrow a phrase from Ben Frank-
lin, those Rockefellers are positively super-
stitious about figures. So is Mr. Downing,
possibly more then than now, because there
were so many ghosts among them way back
then.
About Gus Eyssell you know, and how
he came along to succeed the late Mr. Van
Schmus to become president and managing
director of the Music Hall and has since
moved on to become president of Rocke-
feller Center, Inc., becoming the while
chairman of the board of the Music Hall
Corporation. That made him unique as a
big business executive, alumnus of movie-
land. This recognition that capacity for the
functions of weighty concerns of wide-
based American enterprise can evolve in and
be demonstrated against the complex and
frenetic background of movies and enter-
tainment was reiterated only the other day,
November 7th, when Mr. Downing was
[CONTINUED ON PAGE 32]
Mr. Russell V. Downing
an ,1 the industry at larde
no
RADIO
Look to
Tke New RKO Radio
for more and more
pictures of true
RADIO CITY MUSIC
HALL caliL er
K O
RADIO
PICTURES
Back BROTHERHOOD WEEK, Feb. 15-22
22
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 2f, 1952
motion pictures . . .
Scene from MGM's "The Great Caruso," which established,
during a 10-week run, beginning May 10, 1951, the Music Hall's
high gross for 20 years — $1,392,943. The run included a holiday.
CJ Quality entertainment on screen
and on stage, presented in an
atmosphere of loxory, truly have
earned Hadio City Mosic Hall the
right to call itself Showplace of the
Nation. On this and following pages
are scenes from some of the outstand-
ing attractions of the Music Hall's
20-year career, and of the organization
and functions of the theatre itself.
MGM's "Ivanhoe," (below) grossed $1,255,070 in an eight-weelt
run, which gave it third place in the Music Hall's record holders.
Scene (above) from
Paramount's Cecil B. De
Mille production, "The
Greatest Show on Earth,"
runner-up for the 20-year
gross record, with $1,335,-
835. It ran eleven weeks.
The RKO Radio-Leo McCarey produc-
tion, "The Bells of St. Mary's," ran nine
weeks, grossed $1,195,147, standing fourth
among the Music Hall's record holders.
MGM's "Show Boat," with a gross of $1,-
160,048 in an eight-week run, ranks fifth among
the Music Hall's 20-year all-time record-holders.
The 20th Century-Fox production "Anna and
the King of Siam" ran eight weeks and is among
the top 10 grossers in the Music Hall's history.
Back BROTHERHOOD WEEK, Feb. 15-22
24
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 29, 1952
£km/itace ejf the ttatich
continued
■ I-.. -.: ./.. .:
■IBS
■fill*
' ■ * ■ *
6>,.
i 1 J c"
"The Great White 'Way" a^as
reproduced (at left) on fhe
world's largest stage as a set-
ting for one of the Rockettes'
sophisticated precision routines.
Aj, cathedral pageant, "The
Glory $f Easter" (above), is
Music Hall.
nidoff.
An underseas ballet (above)
provides another example of
the Music Hall's lavish spec-
tacle productions /with un-^
usual effects
popular with
annual stage spectacle pro-
duced with a huge cast at
the Music Hall each year
just before and during the
Christmas - New Year season.
Mllile Hall production and staff photos by Cosmo-Sileo, N. Y.
it
Happy Birthday to the
* New York landmark
WE'RE ALL PROUD OF.
WARNER BROS
26
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 29, 1952
The MusiclHall's Rockettes (above) are renowned
the world Ever for their precision dancing. There
are 36 gijs on stage at a time. Choreography is
by Russelr Markert, troupe originator and director.
f.
The art of the ballet is brought to Music Hall audi-
ences in all its phases — classic, modern and char-
acter—by the only resident ballet in the United
States. It is under the direction of Margaret Sande.
Forty beilerinas and outstanding dance soloists pre-
sent such ballets as "The Romance of Giselle" and
Ravef's "A! Valse" and "Bolero," to name a few.
28
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 29, 1952
£kcuplace off the Watbn
continued
Music is given a major part in all the
Music Hall's programs through the large
permanent orchestra (above) and the
male Glee Club (right). Both groups are
under the direction of Raymond Paige
(shown on podium in picture above).
The Glee Club is composed of 30 sing-
ers, who furnish a wide variety of vocal
music from opera to swing. Associate
Director Ralph Hunter is pictured at
right conducting a rehearsal. Further
regularly contributing to Music at the
Music Hall is the pipe organ, at which
Richard Leibert (below) is featured, with
Ashley Miller and Raymond F. Bohr, Jr.,
as associate organists.
30
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 29, 1952
The Music Hall's symphony
orchestra of 75 members is
shown above in rehearsal un-
der the baton of Raymond
Paige, the director of music.
While a Rockette awaits
cue, John Jackson, stage man-
ager, and assistant, stand
ready at the complex stage
lighting and rigging controls.
continued
Leon Leonidoff, senior producer, confers
on a production with James Stewart Mor-
com, art director, before a model of the
Music Hall's huge stage used to create fac-
simile patterns of production set designs.
The Rockettes, celebrated precision
dance ensemble, are shown below rehears-
ing a routine under the leadership of their
world famous director, Russell Markert.
Motion pictures are projected by a battery of four Sim-
plex X-L mechanisms with RCA sound reproducers, and con-
denser lamps operated at 175 amperes for 30-foot feature
pictures. Projection is under the supervision of Charles
Muller (in background of projection room photo below).
Costumes for Music Hall productions are made in the theatre's own
costume department, which operates under the direction of Hattie Rogge.
all in Color by TECHNICOLOR
"THE GREAT CARUSO" (M-G-M)
"THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH". . . -(DeMILLE, PAR.)
"IVAN HOE". (M-G-M)
TECHNICOLOR
IS THE TRAD E-M ARK OF
TECHNICOLOR MOTION PICTURE CORPORATION
HERBERT T. KALMUS, PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER
32
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 29, 1952
More Views ''Behind the Scenes" at the Music Hall
A between-shows snack is enjoyed in the Hall's cafeteria by Girls of the dance troupes resting in dormitory between shows, rehearsal
members of the Rockettes, Corps de Ballet and Glee Club. tings. The dormitory is supervised by a registered nurse on the Music Ha
s and costume fit-
I's staff.
Free time between shows being spent by Rockettes
in some sketching in recreation area on the roof.
Members of the service staff line up for inspection
each day (left) before they begin their duties.
FROM BIGGEST TO GREATEST continued from page 20
elected a member of the board of Rocke-
feller Center, Inc.
This Downing, like the Van Schmus, came
from the outer world of industry with an
abundant background of varied industrial
and financial experience in posts which de-
noted his capacity as a man of facts, deliber-
ation and action. He was by temperament
and position a specially well placed observer
of what went on and why and who did it,
with what consequences. He was on his way
up — vice-president in 1941, executive vice-
president in 1948. Then Gus Eyssell, brought
to recognition for his participation in the
rise of the Music Hall, was made the presi-
dent of Rockefeller Center, Inc., and moved
into the observant post of chairman of the
Music Hall board.
So it came that this man-with-the-facts,
Russell Downing, moved into the presidency
of the theatre corporation. This came about
by a process as suave as an overlap dissolve
in the films.
Those million dollar statistics of his in-
cumbency, cited at our beginning, are attest
to the most conspicuous aspect of the oper-
ation. They do not convey report directly,
however, on the painstaking process of selec-
tion, those studies of production in process,
inquiring excursions to Hollywood, endless
screenings and evaluations, and the problems
of availability-dates and timing which con-
cern this tireless pursuit of facts, facts,
facts. All this to be carried on, mind you,
with executive attentions the while to the
co-ordination of sensitive creative depart-
ments in such matters as stage craft, cho-
reography, a great orchestra, and the very
important and exactingly continuous func-
tioning of theatrical housekeeping.
Mr. Downing, like many deliberative men,
smokes a pipe, a slow burning briar, in inter-
ludes of long thoughts. He has more on his
mind than on his desk. He has to take mea-
sure of several million minds — the customers,
also a staff of 600, and I.B.M. has no ma-
chine for that, yet.
With the operation dependent on ten or
eleven shows a year, the estimates have to
be as sound as the judgments of fact can
make them. That word fact seems always
coming up.
And on this anniversary occasion it is ap-
propriate, too, to make note that what comes
out in type and printed word from the
Music Hall, emanates from the advertising
and publicity department presided over ever
since when by a quietly blithe optimist, Fred
Lynch, one time newspaper man. He has
been there nearly since the beginning, get-
ting the publicity and advertising put on
paper, in the careful convincing manner
and spirit of this ail-American Music Hall.
American Seating Company
proudly shares in the 20th Anniversary of
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
America's largest theatre is observing its
Twentieth Anniversary. Since the opening of
Radio City, millions have enjoyed the luxurious
spring backs and seats of American Seating
Company chairs while also enjoying the finest
in entertainment.
We are proud of having designed, built, and
installed the seating in this world-famous show-
place. Only the superlative best has ever been
considered good enough for Radio City Music
Hall. To its continuing service we pledge the
skills and the products resulting from more than
65 years of successful experience in theatre
seating.
WORLD'S LEADER IN PUBLIC SEATING . GRAND RAPIDS 2, MICHIGAN . BRANCH OFFICES AND DISTRIBUTORS IN PRINCIPAL CITIES
MANUFACTURERS OF THEATRE . SCHOOL • CHURCH . AUDITORIUM . TRANSPORTATION . STADIUM SEATING . AND FOLDING CHAIRS
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
THE
SHOW PLACE
OF
THE NATION
THE PARAMOUNT
HOME OF
BROADWAY'S ORIGINAL
TWO-FOR-ONE
— - _
OffCE OF THE
PRESIDENT
December 5, 1952
New York 16, N. v#
Gentlemen:
We want to ten
°ur exclusive n«t-*
^uiaee to visitors.
Sincerely,
R» V. Downing
President
the most / b«aatlial lasbions underfoot
WOVEN Of* POWER LOOMS IN THE U. 8. A. • tY A * M K A R A G H E U S I A N, INC
29$ T-IPTH AVENUE. NEW YORK CITY
36
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 29, 1952
'Hall' Started New
Theatre-chair Era
The opening of Radio City Music
Hall started a new era in theatre-
chair design and construction, accord-
ing to Keith Dickinson, theatre prod-
uct manager of American Seating.
"Our research and development on
theatre seating gathered impetus as a
result of the success of this show
place," Dickinson said. "Until then,
the emphasis was on the ornate, with
restricted spacing and width of seat
inflicting their measure of suffering on
the patron. The more 'overstuffed'
chairs per row, the better theatre
owners liked them.
"Now, however, sleek, comfortable
seating, with ample space to sit in, is
consistently preferred by the theatre
owner who understands his customers'
needs.
Modern Design
"Luxurious chairs, featuring mod-
ern design and modern comfort have
come into their own, just as modern
architecture and construction have ad-
vanced over the last 20 years. Im-
provements in chair design have elimi-
nated frivolous ornamentation. New
ways of providing comfort without
overstuffed bulk give greater space
for relaxed sitting. Better upholster-
ing methods and materials have vastly
reduced costly reupholstering.
"Experimentation in design, backed
by laboratory testing have proved
conclusively that cast-iron aisle stand-
ards can be streamlined and still per-
form their functions without failure,"
declared Dickinson.
Reviews
"The Redhead from Wyoming"
( Universal International)
AN EPIC WINDUP battle scene is offered in Leonard Goldstein's pro-
duction, lifting this Western somewhat above standard formula lines.
The color by Technicolor aids, too, in the appreciation of the excitement
furnished by the final lengthy battle scene. The acting is adequate, none of
the characters developing, mainly because of the dialogue. Lee Sholem directed,
from a screenplay by Polly James and Herb Meadow, working from a Polly
Tames story. „ . , .
The story has Maureen O'Hara, pretty and trusting yet shrewd girl set up
in a Wyoming town as a gambling house proprietor and cattle buyer, lhe
setting up is done by an old associate in such matters, William Bishop He
merely tells her he's ambitious to become governor. What he doesn t tell her
is that he has gunmen in the hills rustling cattle from a nasty cattle baron to
add to her herd ; and that he hopes the baron will war on the townspeople
whom he ostensibly champions ; and that his gunmen will step in at the end
and take over. . ,
He also frames her for both the rustling and a murder, still posing as her
champion. This nefariousness goes awry because a lowly, ill-paid shentt
Alex Nicol, becomes curious. He also falls in love with Miss O Hara, and
she ' unwillingly returns the feeling. The pair succeed in having the towns-
people and the cattle baron unite to do battle with the gunmen.
Others in the cast include Alexander Scourby, Jeanne Cooper, Claudette
Thornton, Palmer Lee and Jack Kelly. ' .„ . t,™^™
Running time, 80 minutes. General audience classification. For January
release.
Says O. Carriers
Will Discuss Rates
Target Hong Kong
(Columbia)
/\ LTHOUGH ROUTINE in theme, "Target Hong Kong"
packs enough
leads up to a
To Seek Review of
Jackson Pk. Ruling
Chicago, Dec. 28.— Commenting on
a Federal Circuit court opinion leav-
ing the door open for distributing
companies to ask the Towne, Milwau-
kee, and Jackson Park Theatre, Chi-
cago, to bid for pictures, attorney
Thomas C. McConnell, representing
the two theatres, said he intends to
petition for certiorari in the U. S.
Supreme Court.
McConnell interprets the Circuit
court ruling not as making it manda-
tory for the two theatres to bid for
pictures, but as permitting bidding or
any other selling method which will
fulfill the provisions of the Jackson
Park and Towne decrees requiring
distributors to offer pictures to the
two theatres at "fair and reasonable
rentals."
In other words, according to Mc^
Connell, the Circuit court overruled
the District court's opinion that bid-
ding is outlawed by the decrees, de-
claring that the end result, rather than
the means of providing the two thea-
tres with film at fair and reasonable
prices, should determine whether the
defendant distributors are meeting the
requirements of the decree.
tA action to satisfy the adventure fans. A series of episodes
suspenseful climax in which a bomb, set afloat through 'Hong Kong s sewers,
is located and disposed of in the nick of time. _
Richard Denning and Nancy Gates share the starring roles in commendable
fashion while the supporting cast of sinister characters supply an atmosphere
of intrigue which is the basis of the story. Denning portrays an American
soldier of fortune in Hong Kong who finds himself involved in the fighting
between the Nationalists and Communists. He lines up with the Nationalists,
pitting himself against all sorts of Red villainy and intrigue. At a spy
hangout in a gambling casino, Denning meets Nancy Gates and thus Herman
Purdum's screenplay has its romantic angle. Wallace MacDonald [produced
and Fred F. Sears directed. Others in the cast are Richard Loo, SooYong,
Ben Astar, Michael Pate, Philip Ahn, Henry Kulky, Victor Sen Yung, Weaver
Levy, Kam Tong, Robert W. Lee.
Running time, 66 minutes. General audience classification,
not set.
Release date
London Variety Tent Toronto Joins Zukor
Jubilee Celebration
Raises $90,000 in 9 52
London, Dec. 28.— The London
Variety Tent in 1952, the third year
of its existence, raised for its chari-
ties £26,673 which, with the proceeds
from a special show given just before
last year's end, makes £29,086 avail-
able for distribution.
Principal beneficiaries are the Na-
tional Playing Fields Association, of
which the Duke of Edinburgh, an
honorary Barker, is president, and the
Central Council of Physical Recrea-
tion.
D. E. Griffiths, president of the
Kinematograph Renters Society, has
been chief barker for 1952. His suc-
cessor will be appointed on New
Year's Day.
Ask Town to Repeal Tax
Columbus, O., Dec. 28.— Attorneys
for Lancaster, O., theatres have asked
the City Council to repeal the mu-
nicipal three per cent admission tax
because of "declining revenues." One
local theatre has closed since the tax
was levied four years ago. Two of
the. four remaining Lancaster houses
"will barely break even" this year,
the attorneys told the Council.
To Raze 'Cincy's' Lyric
Cincinnati, Dec. 28.— The 1,400-
seat RKO Lyric Theatre, located in
a building containing stores and
offices, has been closed. The building
will be razed and the site used for a
large parking lot. The house played
legitimate attractions years ago prior
to its acquisition by RKO.
Hollywood, Dec. 28. — A dinner in
honor of Adolph Zukor's 50th year in
the industry and his 80th birthday
will be held in Toronto on a date in
March to be designated later, R. J.
O'Donnell, national chairman of the
Zukor golden jubilee celebration, an
nounced here.
The Toronto dinner, like those
scheduled earlier for Dallas, Feb. 6
New York, March 4, and Mexico
City, March 21, will be under the
sponsorship of Variety Clubs Inter
national. The lead-off banquet to
Zukor will be held at the Palladium
here on his 80th birthday, Jan. 7,
Zukor will attend each of the events
following which he. -will make a tour
of Europe.
O'Donnell is here completing plans
for the celebration at meetings with
Charles Skouras, Hollywood chair-
man.
Cleveland, Dec. 28. — The Ohio
Association of Film Haulers will be
glad to meet with state exhibitor or-
ganization representatives or with in-
dividual exhibitors to discuss film
hauling tariffs, L. C. Gross of this
city, a member of the Film Haulers,
states in commenting on a recent an-
nouncement by the ITO of Ohio that
it is conducting a study of such tariffs.
No request for a meeting has been
received, he said.
Gross said exhibitor customers were
notified in advance of the proposed
changes in tariffs and that the rates
are on file at carriers' offices, with
the Public Utilities Commission of
Ohio and with the Interstate Com-
merce Commission.
"The tariffs have been approved by
both of those commissions," Gross
said, adding that both are on the look-
out for any significant discrepancies
in the tariffs charged by haulers.
LawlerHeadsKMTA
Public Relations
Kansas City, Dec. 28.— Senn Law-
ler has been appointed chairman of
the public relations committee of the
Kansas-Missouri Theatres Associa-
tion. Other committee members are
George Baker, R. R. Biechele, Glen
Hall, Joseph Redmond and Homer
Strowig. Louis Higdon has been
appointed chairman of the special
events and promotion committee. The
appointments were made by C. E.
(Doc) Cook, president, in conjunc-
tion with the board of directors.
Other committee chairmen are :
Membership : Kansas, Homer _ Stro-
wig ; Missouri, Leo Hayob; drive-in,
Stanley Durwood, Earl Jameson, Jr. ;
exhibitor-distributor relations-arbitra-
tion-trade practices, J. A. Becker;
Legislation, R. R. Biechele; theatre
television, Dale Danielson ; film sales-
men's co-ordinating committee, Ray-
mond McKittrick.
Name Essamjay Manager
Chicago, Dec. 28. — Essanjay Films
of this city has appointed Jack H.
Harris of Jack H. Harris Produc-
tions, Philadelphia zone manager, and
Lewis Hanna of Hanna Theatre
Service, Pittsburgh zone manager.
114 Stations Are
Now Telecasting
A microwave installation making
network television service available to
York, Pa., has been placed in opera-
tion, the long lines department of the
American Telephone and Telegraph
Co. has announced.
With the addition of the new tele-
vision station at York, network pro-
grams are now available to 114 tele-
vision stations in 71 cities
Name Harry Warner
'Man of the Year*
Hollywood, Dec. 28— Harry M.
Warner, president of Warner Brothers
Pictures, has been named "Man of the
Year" by the Woodland Hills Men's
Club.
The announcement was made by
Harry Martin, president of the club,
who presented Warner with a scroll.
Major Raymond Harvey, Congres-
sional Medal of Honor winner, gave
the principal address. Comedian
Dick Wesson was master of cere-
monies. Warner, as a resident of the
community of Woodland Hills, has
been active in promoting and assist-
ing in the development of civic proj-
ects, including the new American
Legion town hall which serves as a
meeting place for Woodland Hills
groups.
Texas Lauds Chill Wills
Dallas, Dec. 28. — A holiday mes-
sage to Chill Wills from Texas
COMPO expresses the organization's
gratitude for his representation of the
industry on many public occasions
and his willing cooperation in local
and national public relations activities.
Sincere Congratulations
to
RUSSELL V. DOWNING
and to the
ENTIRE STAFF
of the
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
on its
20th ANNIVERSARY
of
Distinctive Theatre Achievement
LEW SARNOFF SAMUEL BERGER
Monday, December 29, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
39
Congratulations
• Under your management, Mr. Russell V. Downing, The
Radio City Music Hall, has demonstrated to the industry
the pattern for consistent success . . . fine entertainment,
unmatched showmanship, top-quality equipment, and the
best in service.
RCA Theatre Equipment
Engineering Products Department
Radio Corporation of America
Camden, N. J.
RCA Service Company, Inc.
A Radio Corporation
of America Subsidiary
Camden, N. J.
Our hat's off
to the
Radio City Music Hair
on its 20th
Anniversary
Our Sincere Congratulations
TO
Russell V. Downing
AND HIS STAFF
ON THE
20th ANNIVERSARY
OF THE
Radio City Music Hall
Gladstone Fabrics
Theatrical — Display — Novelty
Fabrics
117 West 47th Street, N. Y. 19, N. Y.
4()
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 29, 1952
Heartiest Congratulations
TO
RUSSELL V. DOWNING
AND THE
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
CELEBRATING THEIR
20th Anniversary
Still the premier theatre of the world; far ahead in concep-
tion, construction, and instrumentations; leading all others
in the magnificence of its presentations; Radio City Music
Hall offers a standard in show business difficult to surpass.
Extensively provided with Kliegl stage and auditorium
lighting — the original lighting equipment is still in use
after twenty years of constant service, testifying to the
advanced design, enduring qualities and satisfactory per-
formance of Kliegl products.
KLIEGL BROS
Universal Electric Stage Lighting Co.. inc.
ESTABLISH ED 1896
theatrical • decorative • SPECTACULAR
LIG HTIN
321 West 50th Street
N EW YORK 19. N Y.
• ORIGINATORS and MANUFACTURERS of KLIEG LIGHTS •
Our Rett WUkeA tc
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
oh its
Twentieth fimtiwAam
k i
METROPOLITAN REFINING CO., INC.
50-23 Twenty-Third Street
Long Island City 1, N. Y.
Manufacturers of
AIR CONDITIONING WATER TREATMENTS,
BOILER TREATMENTS, SOOT REMOVERS,
FUEL OIL ADDITIVES and other specialties.
RepreseiHalio-i in all principal cities
Our Congratulations
to
Radio City Music Hall
on its Twentieth. Anniversary
* * *
NATIONAL CONSUMERS PAPER CO.
227 Avenue of the Americas, Mew York City
Our 43rd Year
DISTRIBUTORS OF
DIXIE CUPS
Congratulations to the MUSIC HALL
KAJ VELDEN STUDIOS INC.
249 WEST 64th STREET
NEW YORK 23, N. Y.
TR 7-4672
Makers of the Music Hall Contour Curtain
and Stage Settings
BROOKS UNIFORM CO.
LARGEST THEATRE UNIFORM MAKERS
COAST TO COAST
We appreciate the privilege of making
Radio City Music Hall Service Staff
Uniforms for the past 17 years.
75 WEST 45th STREET
BUDD LYTTON
NEW YORK
JOE WEINBERG
Monday, December 29, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
41
Congratulations to Radio City Music Hall
A China fcittUay
Congratulations for having provided 7,305
days of continuous entertainment.
And thanks for permitting us to take care
of your costume and uniform needs.
BROOKS
3 WEST 61st STREET
Tel. Plaza 7-5 800
PHILIP BOOS
JOHN E. GUARINO
The ALLIED STUDIOS, Inc.
20 West 17th Street
New York 11, U. Y.
OREGON 5-28 53
Theatrical Curtains — Draperies and
Wall Coverings
BROADWAY
MAINTENANCE
CORP.
LONG ISLAND CITY
Sameth Exterminating Company
Incorporated
157 CHAMBERS STREET, NEW YORK 7, N. Y.
TELEPHONE COrtlandt 7-7300
NEW YORK'S LARGEST
Congratulations
on your
20th Anniversary
Falk Glass & Plastic Co., Inc.
48-10 Astoria Boulevard
Long Island City, L. I.
AS 8-2606
ESTIMATING
SEWING
P. J. MCMORROW, INC.
WORKROOM FOR CARPET TRADE
92-96 BLEECKER STREET
NEW YORK 12, N. Y.
TEL. ALGONQUIN 4-5130
CUTTING
LAYING
1
NEWS
COLOR
COMMERCIAL
C0SM0-SILE0
ASSOCIATES
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
PHOTOGRAPHY
75 WEST 45th STREET, NEW YORK 19, N. Y.
LUxemburg 2-0912
HENRY RAPISARDA
JAMES V. SILEO
Builders of Scenery for
Radio City Music Hall
NOLAN BROTHERS
533 W. 24th St., New York, N. Y.
Telephone: W Atkins 4-3140
42
Motion Picture Daily
Monday, December 29, 1952
Reviews
"Last of the Commanches"
{Columbia)
ACTION AND SUSPENSE, combined with effective outdoor scenery
and color by Technicolor, compose the necessary ingredients to satisfy
the most demanding outdoor action fans. The story concerns the tragic adven-
tures of a group of soldiers and Western travellers who are seeking to escape
to a fort after having been beset by Indian attacks.
Six tattered U. S. Cavalry men, under Broderick Crawford, are the sole
survivors of a renegade Commanche raid on a Western village. In their
trek across the desert to reach the haven of a fort, they come upon a stage
coach in which Barbara Hale is a passenger, thus offering the slight romantic
angle. Two additional members of the caravan are picked up en route, Hugh
Sanders and Johnny Stewart, the latter a young Indian. When the party
takes refuge in an old Spanish mansion, the Indians start their rounds of
attack and Crawford sends Stewart through the lines to get cavalry help.
With the arrival of the horsemen, the party is saved — just as ammunition and
water are about to run out.
Buddy Adler produced and Andre DeToth directed, from a screenplay by
Kenneth Garnet.
Others in the cast are Lloyd Bridges, Mickey Shaughnessy, George
Matthews, Ric Roman, Chubby Johnson, Martin Parsons, Jack Woody, John
War Eagle, Carleton Young, William Andrews.
Running time, 85 minutes. General audience classification. For February
release.
"The Importance of Being Earnest"
(J. Arthur Rank Organisation-Universal)
THIS FILM VERSION of Oscar Wilde's play is made-to-order for art
theatres ; its chances for commercial success in regular houses are some-
what remote. It is strictly adult fare, smartly directed and produced, capably
acted and further enhanced by rich tones of color by Technicolor. The subtle
lines of Wilde's original play have been augmented by equally fine dialogue,
made to conform with film requirements. By American .standards, the picture
might be considered by some to be "too British," and yet it is the British
touch that brings out the full appreciation of Wilde's comedy. At times the
rapid, clipped English dialogue becomes difficult to follow, but such instances
are in the minority. For those who like sophisticated comedy, "The Im-
portance of Being Earnest" should have strong appeal.
The story concerns two eligible bachelors, Michael Redgrave and Michael
Denison, the former in love with Denison's cousin, Joan Greenwood, and
Denison with Dorothy Tutlin, Redgrave's ward. Anxious to keep his freedom
as a playboy, Redgrave creates an imaginary brother, Earnest, and in that
guise wins Joan's affections. Denison learns of Redgrave's deception and
pretends to be Earnest in wooing Dorothy. Thus, each girl believes herself
to be engaged to the non-existent Earnest. The resulting entanglements and
the untangling of the situations form the basis for the improbable and yet
highly amusing episodes.
The stars and supporting players turn in excellent performances under
Anthony Asquith's direction and the production guidance of Teddy Baird.
Others in the cast are Edith Evans, Margaret Rutherford, Richard Wattis,
Miles Malleson, Walter Hudd and Aubrey Mather.
Running time, 95 minutes. Adult classification. December release.
Al Steen
Zukor Hails
Color Tube
The newly developed Chromatic
tri-color home television tube was
underscored here by Adolph Zukor,
board chairman of Paramount Pic-
tures, as in keeping with Paramount's
eye-on-the-future policy. Paramount
owns a 50 per cent interest in Chro-
matic Laboratories Inc.
The occasion for Zukor's comments
was the induction on Christmas Eve
of 32 Paramount employes into the
company's 25-Year-Club at the home
office in the presence of Barney Bala-
ban, president, and scores of other
Paramount executives.
Following welcoming remarks by
Balaban, in which he signaled 1953
as the most important year for the
industry, Zukor presented to the 32
inductees gold watches to mark their
entry into the club. In presenting
Zukor to the inductees, Balaban
pointed out that the occasion was
doubly auspicious in that Zukor, in
1953, will mark the 50th anniversary
of his association with Paramount,
and its predecessors.
New Members
Those admitted to the 25-Year-Club
were : Louis Phillips, Robert Denton,
A. J. Richard, Edgar H. Fay, Mary
A. Turner, Jack Pearley, Henry De-
Siena, Fred Pelbinger, John Oxton,
James Pelkey, George Pavlonis, Ur-
ban Santone, John Ahern, Arthur
Auspaker, Charles Bade, Charles O.
J3onaria, Philip U. Bonaria, Oscar
Geyer, Russell Higgins, Edward
Moltje, James Kaudelky, William
Kuntz, George Lewis, Michael Men-
ditto, D. S. Mungillo, Fred Stederoth,
Edmund Theise, Frederick Zech,
Anna Schneider, Minnie Treisner,
Robert Seaton and William Piper.
Dana Presiding at
6U* Sales Meeting
P. T. Dana, Eastern sales manager
of Universal Pictures, will hold a
sales meeting in Pittsburgh today and
tomorrow of the managers and sales-
men of P. F. Rosian's district which
includes the Pittsburgh, Washington,
Cleveland and Detroit branches.
Next Monday and Tuesday he will
hold a similar meeting in Boston of
the managers and salesmen of John
J. Scully's district which includes the
Boston, Albany, Buffalo, Philadelphia
and New Haven branches.
Inaugural Job to Maine
The President's Inauguration Ball
Committee of Washington has com-
missioned Bruno Maine to design and
decorate the Armory in Washington
for the inaugural of President-elect
Eisenhower. Maine was formerly on
the Radio City Music Hall staff for
18 years as designer, and created the
Nativity and Easter stage settings
which have been part of the Music
Hall repertoire.
TV, Radio Coverage
Of 'Stooge' Preview
Hollywood, Dec. 28. — Coast-to-
Coast radio and television coverage
will spotlight the press preview today
of Hal Wallis' new Dean Martin-
Jerry Lewis comedy, "The Stooge,"
at Hollywood's Carthay Circle Thea-
tre. National Broadcasting Co. will
cover the event with a 25-minute
radio show from 9 :05 to 9 :30 p.m.,
Pacific time, followed tomorrow by a
Coast-to-Coast television presentation
of the preview via NBC Newsreel.
New Type Screen for
"Jazz" Premiere
Hollywood, Dec. 28. — The new
enlarged Walker high-intensity screen
was installed at the Fox Beverly
Theatre here over the weekend for
the world premiere tomorrow night
of Warner Brothers' "The Jazz
Singer."
The premiere will be given world-
wide radio coverage, with plans to
beam the program to foreign countries
in their own languages. Tape record-
ings later will be broadcast to coun-
tries behind the Iron Curtain.
TOA to Study
3-Dimension
The executive committee and the
board of directors of the Theatre
Owners of America will devote an
entire day to the study- of three-dimen-
sional films when the TOA leaders
meet here next month. Future possi-
bilities of tri-dimensional pictures at
the box-office will be discussed thor-
oughly, according to Herman Levy,
TOA general counsel.
Levy said that the TOA executives
would view Cinerama at the Broad-
way Theatre on the night of Monday,
Jan. 26 and efforts would be made to
obtain a print of "Bwana Devil," the
Natural Vision feature, so that they
can witness a demonstration of that
project on Monday afternoon.
TOA's position on the government's
16mm. anti-trust suit will be decided
at the sessions, which will be held
Jan. 25-27, Levy said. The organiza-
tion will determine whether to try to
intervene in the case, and, if that step
is vetoed, what other action should be
taken. Other subjects, such as arbi-
tration and admission taxes, also are
on the agenda.
Levy said that between 50 and 60
are expected to attend the meetings
which will be held at the Pierre
Hotel.
U.K.FilmMen,B.B.€.
To Air TV Ideas
London, Dec. 28. — An exploratory
meeting to discuss, among other
things, British Broadcasting Com-
pany's need of films for television and
what's to be done about it, has been
scheduled by the British Film Pro-
ducers Association for Jan. 1.
Invited to the meeting at BFPA
headquarters, in addition to B.B.C.'s
television service chief, George Barnes,
are William Speakman, president of
the Cinematograph Exhibitors Asso-
ciation ; Edward Hinge, treasurer,
and Walter Fuller, general secretary.
They will be present as observers
only.
BFPA Policy
Sir Henry French of B.F.P.A. is
understood to have prepared a docu-
ment setting forth the conditions on
which BFPA members would like to
use large screen TV. British ex-
hibitors remain opposed to coopera-
tion with television but it appears that
producers might be willing to discuss
some method of making TV films for
BBC in return for theatre TV privi-
leges from the government video-radio
monopoly.
Significantly, Norman Collins, for-
mer BBC television service head, who
is now identified with High Definition
Films and Associated Broadcasting
Development Co., both of which are
partly backed by J. Arthur Rank and
Sir Alexander Korda, is discussing
arrangements for making his film
supply available to BBC. His Brit-
ish-made films already have been
made available to American and Cana-
dian TV services.
On A.B.-Pathe Board
London, Dec. 28. — W. A. Fielder,
for many years general manager of
Associated British-Pathe, has been
elected a director of the company.
Best of Wishes to
RUSSELL V. DOWNING
and
MUSIC HALL STAFF
from
Ed W. Wassman
ACME HARDWARE & SUPPLY COMPANY
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The national magazines which
have conveyed trade messages
to the industry through Motion
Picture Daily during 1952 take
this opportunity to 'express
cordial greetings and all good
wishes to the motion picture
stributors and exhibitors o
# & .' & •& -ft -sir
tllBftw
BAZAAR
I!
LIFE
NEWS
WHILE
IT |S
NEWS
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
VOL. 72. NO. 123
NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1952
TEN CENTS
50% Increase
In Film Real
Estate Deals
Brokers Note Upswing
In Sales and Leases
By AL STEEN
Activity in theatre buying and
leasing has increased at least 50 per
cent in the last year after about a
two-year slump, according to Berk
and Krumgold, theatre brokers here.
Two years ago, the brokers said, "you
couldn't give theatres away," but the
situation has changed to such an ex-
tent that it is becoming difficult to
supply the demand.
While some newcomers are coming
into the field, most of the activity
stems from exhibitors with one or
two theatres who are seeking to ex-
pand their holdings. However, it was
pointed out that the expanding theatre
owners are aware of the fact that-they
must become accustomed to lower
grosses than existed during the "lush"
years. The spurt in theatre leases
and sales, the brokers said, is a sign
of renewed optimism in the industry.
Deals for drive-in theatres are
(Continued cm page 5)
The MPAA will seek ex-
hibitor reaction to its
plan for an industry in-
stitutional TV show imme-
diately after the new
year, so that the project
can be formulated quick-
ly, even though the show
may not hit TV screens un-
til late in the year. Pre-
liminary details are ex-
pected to be perfected
within the first three
months of the year, it is
reported.
•
OTTAWA, Dec. 29. -A gov-
ernment trade survey re-
ports that the total rev-
enue of Canadian film dis-
tributing companies
reached a new record of
$29,225,867 during 1951
from all bookings, as com-
pared with $26,800,789 in
the preceeding year.
Technicolor Plans
Expansion Abroad,
Dr. Ka Imus Reports
Hollywood, Dec. 29. — With a Tech-
nicolor expansion campaign already in
progress in Hollywood, prospects .for
expansion abroad are being studied by
Dr. Herbert T.
Kalmus, presi-
dent and gen-
eral manager of
Techni-
color Motion
Picture Corp.
"Pressure is
being put on
Technicolor to
establish centers
in France,
Italy and Ger-
many similar to
that in Eng-
land," Dr. Kal-
mus stated.
"Centers in the European capitals,
such as Paris, Rome and Berlin,
(Continued on page 4)
Dr. Herbert Kalmus
N. Y. Critics Name
•High Noon' As Best
Stanley Kramer's production, "High
Noon," a United Artists release star-
ring Gary Cooper, was voted the best
picture of the year by the New York
Film Critics in their 18th annual
balloting, conducted yesterday at the
New York Newspaper Guild club-
rooms here.
At the same time, the critics voted
(Continued on page 4)
B'WAY THEATRES
IN HOLIDAY BOOM
UPT Tells of 20%
Holiday Upswing
Business for the four-day
Christmas weekend was about
20 per cent higher this year
tnan last year at houses af-
filiated with United Para-
mount Theatres, a UPT
spokesman disclosed here yes-
terday. He credited the rise
to a multiplicity of factors,
including strong product.
Snaper Slated for
Allied Reelection
Wilbur Snaper appears to be in line
for reelection as president of national
Allied when the board of directors
meets in New Orleans next month.
With the exception of Al Steffes and
James C. Ritter in the early 1930's,
every president has served at least
two terms. Steffes and Ritter headed
the organization for only one year
each and Col. H. A. Cole was re-
elected for a third term, serving from
1939 through 1941. Abram F. Myers,
general counsel, was president in the
early days of the association, heading
Allied from 1929 through 1931. Un-
less Snaper rejects the nomination,
it is believed among Allied members
(Continued on page 5)
3-Di m ensio n a I Films Here
To Stay: Irving Lesser
Three dimensional motion pictures are the next major development
in the history of the film industry and are here to stay, it was stated here
yesterday by Irving Lesser who, with Seymour Poe of Producers Repre-
sentatives, will supervise the distribution of Sol Cesser's Tri-Opticon
project. The tri-dimensional picture
is in the same position that talking
pictures were in 1927 and exhibitors
might as well prepare for the in-
evitable, he said.
Lesser explained that Tri-Opticon
was launched officially in Chicago on
Christmas Day at the Telenews Thea-
tre where it is heading for a $30,000
week. The house average is between
$4,000 and $5,000, he said. The in-
itial program consists of five short
subjects, running approximately an
hour. The next opening will be at
the ' Pilgrim Theatre in Boston on
(Continued on page 4)
'52 Hall Record of
$6,855,000 Seen
As 1952 draws to a close, a
record 12-month gross of
$6,855,000 is indicated for
Radio City Music Hall. This
year's estimated figure tops
the record set in 1951 of
$6,811,769, the previous high
in the 20-year operation of
the Hall.
Hall, Victoria, Capitol,
Roxy Break Records in
Post-Christmas Business
Booming Broadway business for
the four-day Christmas holiday sent
first-run New York grosses spiral-
ing this week amid reports from
other sections of the country of robust
holiday grosses, certain to continue
through Sunday.
Records were broken at the Radio
City Music Hall, Victoria, Roxy, and
Capitol. Most New York neighbor-
hood circuit houses reported grosses
either on a par with Christmas week
last year or better. Other favorable
reports came from the extensive
United Paramount Theatres circuit
and the smaller Shea circuit.
At the Radio City Music Hall, a
20-year record gross of $187,000- is
estimated for the fourth week of "Mil-
lion Dollar Mermaid" and the Hall's
traditional stage show. The Hall's
last previous high was set during the
Christmas week of 1951, when $180,068
was racked up.
Another house record was broken at
the Victoria Theatre, featuring the
(Continued on page 4)
Order US to Clarify
16mm. Case Charges
Hollywood, Dec. 29. — Federal
Judge William Byrne today granted
two among 12 requests made by coun-
sel for the defendant companies in
the 16mm. case, and gave the govern-
ment 30 days in which to file • an
amended bill. The court ordered the
government to clarify and particu-
larize the meaning of the phrase
"among other things" in the language
of the original charge that defendants
conspired to withhold 16mm. films
from certain outlets, including tele-
(Continued on page 4)
Grainger Heads New
RKO Studio Unit
Hollywood, Dec. 29. — Edmund
Grainger, who has been working on
the RKO Radio lot, will head a new
production unit at the studio, with pro-
ducers Sam Wiesenthal and Irwin
Allen assigncu to him, it was an-
nounced here today by C. J. Tevlin,
vice-president in charge of studio op-
erations, following a meeting with
chairman Howard Hughes and the
board of directors.
As previously stated, the company
(Continued on page 4)
2
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, December 30, 1952
Personal
Mention
ADOLPH ZUKOR, chairman of
the board of Paramount Pictures,
will leave here for the Coast over the
weekend.
•
Maurice Greenberg, owner of the
Parsons Theatre, Hartford, and Mrs.
Greenberg are grandparents for the
first time, with the birth of a girl,
Roberta, to their daughter-in-law,
Mrs. Leonard Greenberg, also of
Hartford.
•
Irwin Allen, producer and writer
of "The Sea Around Us," is due here
early next month and will visit Wash-
ington to discuss a world premiere of
the picture with National Geographic
Society officials.
•
Herbert Ochs, U. S. and Canadian
drive-in operator, added his sixth
grandson and 11th grandchild to the
family tree with the birth of a boy to
his daughter, Mrs. Peter Hill of
Dayton, O.
•
Neil Hellman. Albany theatre
owner, announces the engagement of
his daughter, Joyce, a Cornell Uni-
versity student, to Navy Lieutenant
Sanford A. Bookstein, also of Al-
bany.
•
Arthur Gottlieb, president of
Audio Pictures, Ltd., and Film
Laboratories of Canada, Ltd., both
of Toronto, is hospitalized as the re-
sult of serious injuries received in a
fall.
•
Lazarus Phillips, a director of
Empire-Universal Films, Ltd., and of
Consolidated Theatres, Ltd., both of
Canada, has been elected a director
of the Montreal Life Insurance Co.
•
Myron J. Hayes, vice-president
and general manager of Eastman Ko-
dak's Camera Works' Hawk- Eye
plant, and Navy Ordnance division,
will retire on Jan. 1.
o
Frank Schilken, Jr., has been re-
elected business agent of the Minne-
apolis Motion Picture Machine Oper-
ators Local No. 219.
•
Geraldine Flood, secretary to
Phil Gravitz, M-G-M New Haven
branch manager, is recuperating from
virus.
o
Georges E. Landers, Loew's The-
atres Hartford division manager, has
returned there from Boston.
•
Oscar Howell, president of Capital
City Supply Co., Atlanta, has returned
there from a Nashville vacation,
o
Harry. Feinstein, New Haven
zone manager for Warner Brothers
Theatres, is in Pittsburgh.
•
Jack Share, United Artists sales-
man in Cleveland, is vacationing in
Miami for the holidays.
Jimmy Hobbs, Allied Artists At-
lanta branch manager, has left- there
for New Orleans.
Industry in N. W. Complains
About Shipment Delays
Minneapolis, Dec. 29. — Exchangemen in this Northwest area are up
in arms over what is described as a long and needless delay in returning
prints to film offices, complaining that prints requiring only one day to
deliver to theatres are delayed three days on the return trip.
They charge that the problem has
'The Jazz Singer'
Premiere Tonight
Hollywood, Dec. 29. — The stage
is all set for the world premiere to-
morrow night of Warner Brothers'
"The Jazz Singer," at the Fox Bev-
erly Theatre in Beverly Hills. Scores
of stars and celebrities from all walks
of life will join with fans from nearly
every section of America in giving
19S2 a film season farewell at the
premiere of the Technicolor musical
starring Danny Thomas and Peggy
Lee. As a result of the influx of
holiday visitors, the theatre was sold
out days in advance of the event, with
the studio announcing an all-time
record in out-of-town reservations.
The uniforms of the Armed Forces
also will be plentifully represented.
Congressmen, governors of numerous
states and mayors of many cities have
reserved seats for service men and
women from their respective com-
munities. Members of the first "Jazz
Singer" cast and crew, including
William Demarest and May Mac-
Avoy, two of the stars, will attend.
News syndicates and radio networks
have arranged to carry the premiere
ceremonies around the world, even
penetrating behind the Iron Curtain.
The globe-girdling radio broadcasts
will be made in foreign languages, as
well as in English.
In New York, a special premiere
of "The Jazz Singer" for the benefit
of the National Foundation of Infan-
tile Paralysis will take place at the
Paramount Theatre on Tuesday eve-
ning, Jan. 13.
Rites Tomorrow for
William C. Smalley
Albany, N. Y., Dec. 29. — Funeral
services will be held Wednesday
afternoon in Cooperstown for William
C. Smalley, 63, head of Smalley Thea-
tres, who died last night in Mary
Imogene Bassett Hospital, Coopers-
town, after a long illness.
The circuit, which currently com-
prises 12 theatres, has been headquar-
tered in Cooperstown since 1921.
Survivors include the widow, Mrs.
Hazel Smith Smalley, for years treas-
urer of the circuit.
Ben Jacksen Dies
On Coast at 67
Hollywood, Dec. 29. — Ben Jacksen,
formerly studio and general produc-
tion manager of 20th Century-Fox,
died here on Thursday at the age of
67. Associated with the company for
more than 25 years, Jacksen started
with William Fox as a manager of
theatres in New York.
become so acute it may have to be
placed in the hands of the U. S. In-
terstate Commerce Commission and
the Minnesota Railroad and Ware-
house Commission to force the crea-
tion of a film and theatre supply de-
livery service run independently of
existing haulage concerns. The prob-
lem is in getting the film back to the
exchange in time for adequate inspec-
tion and reshipment within a short
time. At present the slow returns
sometime mean that a badly-needed
print is out of circulation for as long
a period as two weeks.
The bottleneck is said to be on
hauls where shipments are subject to
truck relay. If a print which closes a
weekend run on Sunday night misses
a pick-up at the relay point, it is
sometimes three days before it makes
its way back to the exchange.
Film companies state that under the
present system of contract carriers
there is no central point where a
trace can be made and that if the film
is delayed in transit either to or from
the exhibitor, neither the exhibitor nor
the film company can check its where-
abouts.
A previous appeal to the ICC for
help in regulating the shipments failed
because the ICC pointed out that the
shipments were a matter of contract
between the trucking firm and the ex-
hibitor.
Although the film companies are re-
luctant to enforce it, there is said to
be a clause in film contracts providing
penalties against exhibitors for the
late return of film. Distributors doubt
that such drastic action will be taken
but said that in cases where film is
habitually late in return exchanges
may refuse to sell film or impose
rigid regulations covering pickup and
return.
Rites Tomorrow For
Roth, RKO Theatres
A solemn requiem mass will be held
tomorrow at St. Aloysius Church in
Great Neck, L. I., for James Roth,
RKO Theatres' operating department
executive, who died Sunday in Nas-
sau Hospital, Mineola, L. I. Roth
had been with the company since
1929.
Survivors are his widow, Florence,
and two children, William, 10, and
Joann, six.
Father of Peter Geiger
Funeral services for Jacob Geiger,
father of Peter Geiger, who is asso-
ciated with the motion picture depart-
ment of the New York office of the
Bank of America and formerly was
with Goldwyn Productions, were held
yesterday at the Schwartz Brothers
Funeral Home, Forest Hills, L. I.
Also surviving is the widow. Geiger
died Dec. 26. Burial was in Maple
Grove Cemetery.
Four to Close for
4-Day Weekend
M-G-M, 20th Century-Fox,
Allied Artists, and United
Artists will remain closed on
Friday, giving their employes
a four-day weekend for New
Year's as they did for Christ-
mas. Paramount, RKO Pic-
tures, RKO Theatres, United
Paramount Theatres, Uni-
versal-International and War-
ner Brothers will be open on
Friday. Still undecided about
possible Friday closings are
Columbia, Republic and the
Motion Picture Association of
America. Most companies will
close earlier than usual to-
morrow.
Liehler Is Named
To Monogram Post
Walter Liebler has been appointed
assistant treasurer of Monogram In-
ternational Corp. by Norton V.
Ritchey, president of the company.
Liebler succeeds James J. Tierney
who occupied the position, for many
years and who resigned for personal
reasons. Tierney has, however,
agreed to postpone his departure for
a number of weeks in order that he
may work with Liebler and familiar-
ize him with operational -routines.
Liebler was with United Artists as
foreign controller.
Extra 'Hall' Shows
Friday and Saturday
To accommodate holiday audiences
Radio City Music Hall has scheduled
extra performances of its Christmas
show on Friday, with doors opening
7 :30 A.M. and Saturday, with doors
opening 8 A.M.
Ralph Redmond Dies
Cleveland, Dec. 29. — Ralph Red-
mond, manager of the Jewel Theatre
and affiliated for more than 20 years
with the Associated Circuit as theatre
manager, died here Friday.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center
"MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID"
Esther WILLI AIMS • Victor MATURE
Walter P8DGEON • David BRIAN
Color by TECHNICOLOR . An M-G-M Picture
& The Music Hall's Great Christmas Stage Show
Children
30$
4S AUMKS
RC3T.
ikvmi"
WM.
NEWTON' DARNELL* BENDIX
Published daily, except Saturdays,
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwm Kane, Editor; Te^y Ka^saye Consulting Edit^
Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue. Rockefeller Center, New York 20 ^^J^^^lI^^^^^i^J. Brady
New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-Pxesident and I Treasure Raymond Levy^ ^>ce Resident, Leo j y
Secretary; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production _ Manager, Ho ^^..£^^^^1 *
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Clark Street, FR 212843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington. ^ C. Lon^don Bureau 4 Golden Sq Lo^
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of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies. 10c
11 North
iurnup,
section
under the act
TO THE EXHIBITORS OF AMERICA!
A
4fc
tf/IPPK PROSPEROUS PICTURES LIKE..
V//
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0
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ill
/
/
\
SAMUEL GOLDWYN'S
HANS CHRISTIAN
ANDERSEN
TECHNICOLOR
BLACKBEARD
THE PIRATE
TECHNICOLOR
Edmund Grainger Production
WALT DISNEY S
PETER PAN
TECHNICOLOR
Frederick Brisson presents
NEVER WAVE
AT A WAC
Huntington Hartford's
FACE TO
FACE
Howard Hughes presents
BEAUTIFUL BUT
DANGEROUS
David E. Rose presents
SEA
DEVILS
TECHNICOLOR
MONTANA
BELLE
ANDROCLES
AND THE LION
Produced by Gabriel Pascal
The Filmakers
THE
HITCH-HIKER
HOWARD HUGHES presents
ANGEL
FACE
SPLIT
SECOND
Edmund Grainger
production
TRUCOLOR
Rachel L. Carson's
THE SEA
AROUND US
Print by TECHNICOLOR
BELOW THE
SAHARA
Print by TECHNICOLOR
Mort Briskin's
NO TIME
FOR FLOWERS
General Sales Manager
THE NEW RKO RADIO PICTURES
Back BROTHERHOOD WEEK, Feb. 15-22
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, December 30, 1952
'Moulin Rouge' Tops
'African Queen' Bow
Hollywood, Dec. 29.— With a
five-day gross of nearly $22,-
000 racked up as of last night,
John Huston's "Moulin Rouge"
is running well ahead of his
last film, "African Queen,"
which opened in the Fox Wil-
shire Theatre here at Christ-
mas time a year ago.
"Moulin Rouge," playing the
same theatre, grossed well
over $5,000 yesterday for the
biggest single day's business
in the history of the house.
Gross for the first week, end-
ing tomorrow night, will be a
record for any United Artists
release ever to play the Fox
Wilshire.
Holiday Grosses
(Continued from page 1)
N. Y. Critics
(Continued from page 1)
Fred Zinneman the best director of
the year for his direction of "riigh
Noon."
Shirley Booth was voted best act-
ress of the year tor her role in the
Hal Wallis production, "Come Back,
Little Sneba, ' a Paramount release.
Ralph Richardson was voted Dest
actor of the year for his perform-
ance in the English-made, "Breaking
the Sound Barrier," a United Artists
release here.
French Film Wins
The French production, "Forbid-
den Games," released here by Times
Film Corp., was voted the Dest for-
eign picture of the year.
Under the critics voting method, a
two-thirds majority is required to
designate a winner on any one of the
first five ballots. A simple majority
is sufficient on the sixth and nnai
ballot, it one is necessary. "high
Noon'' won on a sixth ballot, witn
"African Queen," also a United Art-
ists release, the runner-up.
bhirley Bootn was named on the
first ballot, with the task of the 15
voting critics simplified as a result
of their being only one other nomi-
nation, that of Katharine Hepburn
for her performance in "African
Queen.'
Zinneman won on the second bal-
lot, kichardson won on the sixth
by a vote of 10 to Charlie Chaplin's
hve for his performance in "Lime-
light." The critics also took six
ballots to decide their best foreign
film of the year, "Forbidden Games"
winning over "The White Line" by
an eight to six vote. One critic ab-
stained on the ground she had not
caught enough foreign films to be
eligible to vote.
Technicolor Plans
(Continued from page 1)
would have a number of advantages
for the European motion picture in-
dustry. They would make possible
more prompt service and reduce costs.
"As it is now, cameras and crews
to operate them have to be brought in
from Hollywood or from England.
Rush prints would be available at the
end of each day's work, instead of
after appreciable delay.
"Financial exchange problems would
be minimized and payments of duty
would be eliminated, and, of course,
employment opportunity would be af-
forded citizens of the country," stated
Kalmus.
first week of "Come Back, Little
Sheba," which is expected to register
a sturdy $57,000. At the reopened
Roxy, the initial week of "Stars and
Stripes Forever" and the "Icecolor-
ama" show set a new Christmas week
record of $157,000.
At the Capitol, the initial week of
Johnnie Ray on stage and "Against
All Flags" on the screen is expected
to hit a terrific $110,000. The holi-
day weekend at the Capitol saw the
greatest number of admissions in the
theatre's history.
'April in Paris' Excellent
The first seven days of "April in
Paris" at the Paramount, which also
features Sarah Vaughan on stage, is
due to hit an excellent $108,000. A
very nice $42,000 is expected for the
opening week of "Blackbeard the Pi-
rate" at Loew's State. "Hans Chris-
tian Andersen" at the Criterion and
the off-Broadway Paris also is doing
top business. A big $60,000 is due
for the fifth week of the Samuel Gold-
wyn production at the Criterion, while
a terrific $23,500 is slated for the
Paris, also a fifth week for the picture.
At the Rivoli, a pretty good $50,000
is forecast for the first week of "My
Cousin Rachel," while at the Mayfair
a fine $25,000 is indicated for the ini-
tial seven days of "Ruby Gentry."
"Limelight" at the Astor and the two-
day-a-day 60th Street Trans-Lux did
quite well, with $20,000 indicated for
the tenth week of the picture at the
Astor and $7,500 at the 60th Street
Trans-Lux. A fairly good $15,000 is
seen for the second and final week of
"Pony Soldier" at the Globe, where
"Eight Iron Men" will have its bow
Thursday.
Circuits Report
Among the New York neighborhood
circuits reporting business good were
RKO Theatres and Loew's Theatres.
The Brandt circuit reported that
grosses were on a par with last year's
Christmas business, while a number of
Trans-Lux houses reported holiday
business less than anticipated.
The Broadway upswing was also felt
by first-run houses off the main stem.
"The Importance of Being Earnest"
set a record of $12,000 for its first
week at the Baronet. At the Fine
Arts, a big $10,800 is due for the tenth
week of "The Promoter." The ini-
tial seven days of "No Time for
Flowers" at the Normanide is expected
to rack up a fine $9,000, while a fairly
good $5,800 is indicated for the final
six days of "The Four Poster" at
the Sutton. The Sutton's new attrac-
tion which opens today is "The Mem-
ber of the Wedding."
With extra holiday showings, "This
Is Cinerama" at the Broadway The-
atre is forecast to hit a tremendous
$42,000. "O. Henry's Full House" at
the Trans-Lux 52nd Street is pre-
dicted to do a nice $6,000 for its 11th
week.
Outlying business was spotty, being
very good in some locations and medi-
ocre in others.
Here to Stay
(Continued from page 1)
'Road' Leads Boston Parade
Boston, Dec. 29. — The Metropoli-
tan, featuring "Road to Bali," and the
Astor, now playing "Hans Chris-
tian Andersen," led the holiday field
among first-run theatres here. The
Metropolitan is expected to gross
$40,000 for the six day holiday period,
ending tomorrow night, while the
Astor is due to hit $40,000 for the
Christmas holiday week, with ad-
vanced admission prices. Other the-
atres reported business ranging from
excellent to fair.
Tri-Opticon Premiere
Hailed As Success
Chicago, Dec. 29. — The U. S
premiere of Tri-Opticon at the Tele-
news Theatre here was a resounding"
success, breaking the single day rec-
ord at the 600-seat Loop house with a
gross of $5,000. Tri-opticon is ex-
pected to turn in the biggest week in
the 13-year history of the house.
_ Elsewhere in the Loop, business
picked up nicely to wind up much
better than Christmas Day last year.
Cleveland Spotty
Cleveland, Dec. 29!. — Christmas
Day business was very good to fair at
Downtown first-runs. However, most
neighborhood theatres reported
grosses slow except the Fairmount
where "The Promoter" is featured.
Exceptionally good business at the
majority of out-of-town theatres was
reported. Good business was reported
by the Loew and Warner Downstate
houses and by the Select Theatre
chain with theatres in various parts
of Northern Ohio. Weather was clear
with scattered snow flurries.
Up in Chatanooga
Chattanooga, Dec. 29. — With the
Tivoli probably going strongest with
"Million Dollar Mermaid," the Rogers
with "Meet Captain Kid" and the
State with "It Grows on Trees,"
Chattanooga theatre managers say
"this year's holiday business easily
topped 1951."
Knoxville Grosses
Knoxville, Dec. 29. — With "Opera-
tion Secret" moving over to the Bijou
for a holdover after an unexpectedly
good run at the Tennessee, "Million
Dollar Mermaid" opened at the Ten-
nessee with a full house, topping last
year's holiday business. Knoxville has
no television.
Best in 3 Years
Nashville, Dec. 29. — With "Meet
Me at the Fair" at the Tennessee and
"Stars and Stripes Forever" at the
Paramount, Crescent houses in Nash-
ville scored the best holiday business
in three years. Sales of theatre ticket
books for gifts went well, with an
automobile as the top prize in a sales
contest.
Jan. 15. After these two engage-
ments, Lesser and Poe will evaluate
the presentations before additional
bookings will be taken. However, the
Victoria Theatre here has asked for
a Tri-Opticon run after the closing
of the current attraction, "Come Back,
Little Sheba." No deal has been set.
Three more short subjects are now
in production on the Coast and a
script for a feature length picture,
"The Runaway Train," has been com-
pleted, Poe said.
Four-part Package
Tri-Opticon is delivered to theatres
in a four-part package, consisting of
a metalized screen, the film, a coupling
device for interlocking the projectors
and the polaroid glasses. Unlike
other tri-dimensional processes, Tri-
Opticon furnishes permanent glasses
instead of cardboard throwaways. The
glasses are sterilized after each use.
The depth effect cannot be achieved
on an ordinary beaded screen, it was
explained.
Distribution will be handled by Max
Roth, headquartering in Chicago, for
the Central territories, while Jack
Thomas will head up the distribution
in the Far West, with headquarters
in Los Angeles. The major initial
task in launching the project is the
advertising and publicity. Because
the public and the trade must be edu-
cated to the scope of the new medium,
extensive campaigns are being planned
for newspapers and the trade press,
Lesser said.
'Hans' Sets Records in
Boston, Miami Beach
Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans Christian
Andersen" broke box-office records in
Christmas Day openings at the Astor
Theatre in Boston and the Colony
Theatre in Miami Beach, it is re-
ported, with the first four days at the
Colony grossing $11,500 and the same
period at the Astor drawing $26,000.
The film will outscore by more
than 50 per cent the previous record-
holder at the Astor, Goldwyn's "The
Best Years of Our Lives," it was said.
At the Colony, the film has played to
capacity audiences at every perform-
ance. Meanwhile, in New York, the
picture begins its sixth week at the
Paris and Criterion theatres, with the
fifth week reportedly almost equalling
that of the opening session.
Grainger Heads
(Continued from page 1)
will make a minimum of 20 features in
1953, with starting dates now set on
the first two ; five others are ready to
follow.
"Arizona Territory," with Grainger
as producer, and "Second Chance,"
with Wiesenthal as producer and
Grainger as executive producer, have
been given January starting" dates.
Also headed for early starts are
producer Robert Sparks' "The Son
of Sinbad" ; "The Silver Horde," a
Rex Beach story ; a Park Ranger
story to be made in one of the Na-
tional Parks, titled "High Frontier" ;
Harriet Parsons' "Size 12," and sev-
eral stories recently submitted that the
studio is considering" purchasing.
It was also announced again that
"the studio will consider any inde-
pendent productions which are of top
calibre which are submitted, although
the present schedule of 20 films is
sufficient to meet the distribution or-
ganization's demands."
16mm. Case Charges
(Continued from page 1)
vision, and to define the phrase "limit-
ing conditions," as applied to terms
under which 16mm. films were
licensed.
Defendants will have 30 days in
which to answer the amended com-
plaint following its filing.
William C. Dixon, Western chief
of the anti-trust division, and James
M. McGrath, who has handled the
16mm. case directly, represented the
government in the all-day session.
Ten defendant requests which the
court denied pertained principal^ to
relationships between individual de-
fendants.
Tuesday, December 30, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
Newspapers, Wire Services Here and Abroad
Carry Herald Poll of 'Money-Making Stars'
London, Dec. 29. — Newspapers throughout the British Isles gave
unusual prominence to the Motion Picture Herald-Fame polls of
American and British box-office champions of 1952, voted by ex-
hibitors of the two countries. Results of the polls also were fea-
tured on British Broadcasting Co. programs.
Special comment was given to the survey's disclosure that eight
British pictures figure among the 12 top-grossing films on this side
in 1952. Responsible industry executives here commented that the
newspaper space and radio time devoted to the poll stories con-
stituted a valuable contribution not only to British production
but to the whole industry here as well.
Newspapers and magazine supplements throughout the United
States, as well as national and foreign wire services, also featured
the 21st annual Motion Picture Herald-Fame poll of "Money-Mak-
ing Stars of 1952" over the past weekend, from Friday through
Sunday.
Exchangemen to Aid
Federation Drive
Len Gruenberg, of RKO Radio
Pictures, has been named chairman of
the exchangemen's committee of the
amusement division of the Federation
of Jewish Philanthropies, it has been
announced by over-all co-chairmen
Barney Balaban, Simon H. Fabian
and Manny Frisch.
In the process of completing or-
ganization- of the industry in support
of the current $20,000,000 city-wide
maintenance effort on behalf of Feder-
ation's 116 hospitals and social service
agencies, the co-chairmen also an-
nounced a Federation committee _ in
film exchanges consisting of the fol-
lowing :
Alex Arnswalder, Abe Dickstein,
Tom Feeney, 20th Century Fox;
Da\id uurican, Keaiart; William
Murphy, Robert Fannon, Republic ;
Howard Levy, Loew's; Charles Pen-
ser, liKU Radio ; Samuel Rifkin,
United Artists ; Saul Trauner, Co-
lumb.a ; Louis Ailerhand, Loew's ;
Jack Farkas, Allied Artists ; Myron
E. Sattler, Paramount; Philip Hodes,
RKO Radio; George J. Waldman,
United Artists.
Denied Relief from
New Mexican Law
Mexico City, Dec. 29. — Exhibitors
have partially lost their litigation
against enforcement of the recently-
enacted cinematographic controls law.
Two hundred exhibitors in the prov-
inces, of the syndicate that Manuel
Espinosa Iglesias heads, were denied
a temporary injunction against the
law's enforcement by Federal Judge
Ignacio Burgoa here. These exhibi-
tors contended that the law is uncon-
stitutional in that it gives the gov-
ernment almost complete control of
the film trade. They also attacked
the measure on the ground of viola-
tion of the constitutional precept of
free trade by demanding 50 per cent
playing time for Mexican pictures.
Judge Burgoa, who last year
granted a group of exhibitors a per-
manent injunction against enforce-
ment of a cinematographic law then
impending on the ground that it was
unconstitutional, explained that he
refused the 200 exhibitors an injunc-
tion because they had failed to make
out a clear case of the unconstitution-
ality of the present law.
Denney to Study
TV for Paramount
Charles E. Denney, Jr., will join the
staff of Paul Raibourn, president of
Paramount Television Productions,
immediately. Denney, who was for-
merly an account executive with Na-
tional Broadcasting, will conduct a
survey of the social and economic
aspects of local, as compared with na-
tional programming in television.
Denney's first assignment will be a
study of the factors in the Los An-
geles market under the supervision
of Klaus Landsberg, general manager
of Station KTLA.
'Bali' at Astor
Paramount's "Road to Bali," star-
ring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and Dor-
othy Lamour, has been booked by the
Astor Theatre on New York's Times
Square as its next attraction.
Eastern Film Group
Starting Pact Talks
The newly-formed Eastern Motion
Picture Council, set up by the Interna-
tional Alliance of Theatrical Stage
Employes, will start negotiating for
its first contracts with New York
television film producers shortly after
Jan. 1, it was reported here yesterday.
The Council, patterned after the
American Federation of Labor Film
Council in Hollywood, has completed
its preliminary groundwork and is ex-
pected to get into full operation with-
in a month.
Purpose of the Council is to obtain
basic pacts for the various produc-
tion crafts in the TV film and inde-
pendent commercial picture produc-
tion fields. The group's constitu-
tion, recently drafted, has been ap-
proved by a majority of participating
unions.
Masselli, Robinson,
Finn in New Posts
Hartford, Dec. 29. — Michael Mas-
selli, formerly on the staff of the
Webb Playhouse at Wethersfield, has
been named manager of the Plainfield
at Plamfield, replacing Edward Mor-
anski, resigned.
Earl Robinson, former manager of
the Warner Regal at Hartford, is
now managing the circuit's Palace,
Norwalk. He succeeds Joseph Sfeir,
who has left the circuit.
Jay Finn, house manager at E. M.
Loew's Theatre, Hartford, has been
appointed manager of the circuit's
Winchester at Winchester, Mass. He
is a son of Max Finn, E. M. Loew
circuit home office executive.
Ferrer Pledges Aid
In Anti-Red' Drive
FIollywood, Dec. 29. — Jose Ferrer
declared his support of the American
Legion's fight against communism in
a statement, issued at the weekend,
following picketing here by Legion-
naires of Tuesday night's premiere of
"Moulin Rouge," the John Huston
production starring Ferrer.
Declared Ferrer in a telegram to
Legion officials, "It is my conviction
that an artist cannot function under
communism. ... I want you and the
responsible leaders of the American
Legion to know that I invite oppor-
tunities to join in the anti-communist
fight when and where, time permit-
ting, my abilities can be effectively
utilized."
Expect 1,000 at
Coast Breakfast
Hollywood, Dec. 29. — More than
1,000 Catholics of the Hollywood film
industry are expected to attend the
second annual all-industry Communion
breakfast here on Sunday, Feb. 1 at
the Hotel Statler, according to George
Smith, Paramount Western division
manager, who is general chairman
of the event. James Francis Cardi-
nal-designate Mclntyre will celebrate
Mass at St. Vibiana's Cathedral pre-
ceding the breakfast.
Similar breakfasts will be held in
New York, New Orleans, and To-
ronto on the same day.
Names Chairmen
Committee chairmen here were an-
nounced by Smith as follows : Song
writer Jimmy McHugh, tickets ;
Thomas H. Lewis, special arrange-
ments ; William Wall, 20th Century-
Fox, ticket distribution ; Pat Mc-
Carthy, Paramount, church contacts ;
M. J. E. McCarthy, Allied Artists,
ushers and parking ; Bob Fennell,
Family Theatre, entertainment ; Mil-
dred Bocklage, National Theatre Sup-
ply, arrangements, and William Moor-
ing, The Tidings, religious press pub-
licity. Miss Bocklage will also serve
as administrative aide to Smith.
50% Increase
{Continued from page 1)
especially active, the brokers said.
This is due not only to the fact that
the car theatres are doing big busi-
ness in the warm months but because
many of them are operating in the
winter even in cold areas. Locally,
the Bronx Whitestone and the Route
S-3 drive-ins are currently in opera-
tion despite the low temperatures.
The Route S-3 is furnishing car heat-
ers to its patrons.
The brisk business in sales and
leases is not confined to any one ter-
ritory, it was said. The boom is
nationwide.
Snaper Slated
(Continued from page 1)
that the two-term custom will prevail.
Other items on the board agenda
will be the all-important subject of
arbitration, with a decision expected
as to Allied's future position on the
issue ; the admission tax repeal cam-
paign and possibly action on the re-
admittance of the former Eastern
Pennsylvania unit to the national or-
ganization's fold.
Exchangemen to Aid
"Brotherhood Week'
Regional distribution chairmen for
the amusement industry's participation
in "Brotherhood Week," Feb. 15-22,
on behalf of the 25th anniversary of
the National Conference of Christians
and Jews, were announced here yes-
terday by Ben Kalmenson, national
chairman of the distribution commit-
tee, as follows :
Albany: Jack Goldberg; Atlanta:
W. Gordon Bradley; Boston: J. M.
Connolly ; Buffalo : Manuel A. Brown ;
Charlotte : J. W. Greenleaf ; Chicago :
William J. Devaney ; Cincinnati : Ed-
win M. Booth ; Cleveland : Harry S.
Buxbaum ; Dallas : Mark Sheridan,
Jr.: Denver: Marvin Goldfarb; Des
Moines: Donald R. Hicks; Detroit:
Joe Baringhaus ; Indianapolis : Claude
W. McKean.
Also, Jacksonville : Paul Hargette ;
Kansas City : Tom Baldwin ; Los
Angeles : A. Swerdlow ; Memphis :
Louis C. Ingram ; Milwaukee : Low
Elman; Minneapolis: J. T. McBride;
New Haven : Jules Livingston ; New
Orleans : Luke Conner ; New York
City : Phil Hodes ; Oklahoma City :
R. B. Williams; Omaha: D. V.
McLucas ; Philadelphia : Joseph G.
Leon; Pittsburgh: Al .Levy; Port-
land: I. R. Beale; St. Louis: C. C.
Hill; Salt Lake City: C. R. Wade;
San Francisco : Jack M. Erickson ;
Seattle : Paul McElhinney ; Washing-
ton : Pete R. DeFazio.
Mono. -Inter national
Deals Are Renewed
Renewal of distribution deals in
Latin America for Monogram-Inter-
national were negotiated by Norton
V. Ritchey, president, during his re-
cently completed tour of the Caribbean
circuit. Renewals include those with
Caribe Films in Medellin, Colombia,
and British and General Film Dis-
tributors of Trinidad.
Conferences on forthcoming Allied
Artists product were held in Mexico,
Panama, V enezuela, Cuba and Puerto
Rico.
Loew's Dates 'Limelight'
Charles Chaplin's "Limelight" will
open throughout the country on the
Loew's circuit during January and
February, beginning with engagements
in 20 cities, it was announced by Wil-
liam J. Heineman, vice-president of
United Artists. Loew's will launch
"Limelight" on Jan. 15 in five key the-
atres : the Vendome in Nashville,
Loew's in Rochester, N. Y., the State
in Cleveland, the Midland in Kansas
City and the Penn in Pittsburgh.
Gets Hettinger Rights
Les Hafner and Co., Inc., has com-
pleted negotiations for the acquisition
of the radio, television and motion
picture rights to all Mark Hellinger
short stories, with an option to renew
for an additional five years. The
stories number 4,500, it was said.
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MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
Impartial
VOL. 72. NO. 123
NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1952
TEN CENTS
50% Increase
In Film Real
Estate Deals
Brokers Note Upswing
In Sales and Leases
By AL STEEN
Activity in theatre buying and
leasing has increased at least 50 per
cent in the last year after about a
two-year slump, according to Berk
and Krumgold, theatre brokers here.
Two years ago, the brokers said, "you
couldn't give theatres away," but the
situation has changed to such an ex-
tent that it is becoming difficult to
supply the demand.
While some newcomers are coming
into the field, most of the activity
stems from exhibitors with one or
two theatres who are seeking to ex-
pand their holdings. However, it was
pointed out that the expanding theatre
owners are aware of the fact that they
must become accustomed to lower
grosses than existed during the "lush"
years. The spurt in theatre leases
and sales, the brokers said, is a sign
of renewed optimism in the industry.
Deals for drive-in theatres are
(Continued on page 5)
Exhibitor Reaction
Sought on TV Show
Exhibitor reaction to the Motion
Picture Association of America's plan
for an industry institutional television
show will be sought by the MPAA-
immediately after Jan. 1 so that the
project can be formulated as quickly
as possible. While the proposed TV
program may not hit home screens
until late in 1953, preliminary de-
tails are expected to be perfected with-
in the first three months of the new
year, it was reported here.
Exhibitors will be informed that
the proposed telecasts are being
designed as a business-builder for the-
atres and not as ,a form of competi-
tion. It is reported that Hollywood
guilds will not be contacted until after
exhibitors have given their approval.
Report Rise in Film
Rentals in Canada
Ottawa, Dec. 29.— The total rev-
enue^ of Canadian film distributing
companies reached a new record of
$29,225,867 during 1951 from all book-
ings, compared with $26,800,789 in the
preceding year, it is reported by the
government in a trade survey.
Technicolor Plans
B'WAY THEATRES
St IN HOLIDAY BOOM
Hollywood, Dec. 29. — With a Tech-
nicolor expansion campaign already in
progress in Hollywood, prospects for
expansion abroad are being studied by
Dr. Herbert T.
Kalmus, presi-
dent and gen-
eral manager of
Techni-
color Motion
Picture Corp.
"Pressure is
being put on
Technicolor to
establish centers
in France,
Italy and Ger-
many similar to
that in Eng-
land," Dr. Kal-
mus stated.
"Centers in the European capitals,
such as Paris, Rome and Berlin,
(Continued on page 4)
Dr. Herbert Kalmus
N. Y. Critics Name
'High Noon' As Best
Stanley Kramer's production, "High
Noon," a United Artists release star-
ring Gary Cooper, was voted the best
picture of the year by the New York
Film Critics in. their 18th annual
balloting, conducted yesterday at the
New York Newspaper Guild club-
rooms here.
At the same time, the critics voted
(Continued on page 4)
UPT Tells of 20%
Holiday Upswing
Business for the four-day
Christmas weekend was about
20 per cent higher this year
than last year at houses af-
filiated with United Para-
mount Theatres, a UPT
spokesman disclosed here yes-
terday. He credited the rise
to a multiplicity of factors,
including strong product.
Snaper Slated for
Allied Reelection
Wilbur Snaper appears to be in line
for reelection as president of national
Allied when the board of directors
meets in New Orleans next month.
With the exception of Al Steffes and
James C. Ritter in the early 1930s,
every president has served at least
two terms. Steffes and Ritter headed
the organization for only one year
each and Col. H. A. Cole was re-
elected for a third term, serving from
1939 through 1941. Abram F. Myers,
general counsel, was president in the
early days of the association, heading
Allied from 1929 through 1931. Un-
less Snaper rejects the nomination,
it is believed among Allied members
(Continued on page 5)
3 -Dimensional Films Here
To Stay: Irving Lesser
Three dimensional motion pictures are the next major development
in the history of the film industry and are here to stay, it was stated here
yesterday by Irving Lesser who, with Seymour Poe of Producers Repre-
sentatives, will supervise the distribution of Sol Lesser's Tri-Opticon
project. The tri-dimensional picture
'52 Hall Record of
$6,855,000 Seen
As 1952 draws to a close, a
record 12-month gross of
$6,855,000 is indicated for
Radio City Music Hall. This
year's estimated figure tops
the record set in 1951 of
$6,811,769, the previous high
in the 20-year operation of
the Hall.
is in the same position that talking
pictures were in 1927 and exhibitors
might as well prepare for the in-
evitable, he said.
Lesser explained that Tri-Opticon
was launched officially in Chicago on
Christmas Day at the Telenews Thea-
tre where it is heading for a $30,000
week. The house average is between
$4,000 and $5,000, he said. The in-
itial program consists of five short
subjects, running approximately an
hour."; The next opening will be, at
the Pilgrim Theatre in ' Boston on
(Continued on page 4)
Hall, Victoria, Capitol,
Roxy Break Records in
Post-Christmas Business
Booming Broadway business for
the four-day Christmas holiday sent
first-run New York grosses spiral-
ing this week amid reports from
other sections of the country of robust
holiday grosses, certain to continue
through Sunday.
Records were broken at the Radio
City Music Hall, Victoria, Roxy, and
Capitol. Most New York neighbor-
hood circuit houses reported grosses
either on a par with Christmas week
last year or better. Other favorable
reports came from the extensive
United Paramount Theatres circuit
and the smaller Shea circuit.
At the Radio City Music Hall, a
20-year record gross of $187,000 is
estimated for the fourth week of "Mil-
lion Dollar Mermaid" and the Hall's
traditional stage show. The Hall's
last previous high was set during the
Christmas week of 1951, when $180,068
was racked up.
Another house record was broken at
the Victoria Theatre, featuring the
(Continued on page 4)
Order US to Clarify
16mm. Case Charges
Hollywood, Dec. 29. — Federal
Judge William Byrne today granted
two among 12 requests made by coun-
sel for the defendant companies in
the 16mm. case, and gave the govern-
ment 30 days in which to file an
amended bill. The court ordered the
government to clarify and particu-
larize the meaning of the phrase
"among other things" in the language
of the original charge that defendants
conspired to withhold 16mm. films
from certain outlets, including tele-
(Continued on page 4)
Grainger Heads New
RKO Studio Unit
Hollywood, Dec. 29. — Edmund
Grainger, who has been working on
the RKO Radio lot, will head a "new
production unit at the studio, with pro-
ducers Sam Wiesenthal and Irwin
Allen assigntu to , him, , it was ah-,
nounced here today by C. J. TevKn, "
vice-president in charge of studio Op-
erations, following a meeting, with'
chairman .Howard Hughes and the
board of directors.
As previously staled, the company
(Continued on page 4)
2
Motion Picture Daily
Tuesday, December 30, 1952
Industry in N. W. Complains
About Shipment Delays
Minneapolis, Dec. 29. — Exchangemen in this Northwest area are up
in arms over what is described as a long and needless delay in returning
prints to film offices, complaining that prints requiring only one clay to
deliver to theatres are delayed three days on the return trip.
They charge that the problem has
4The Jazz Singer'
Premiere Tonight
Hollywood, Dec. 29. — The stage
is all set for the world premiere to-
morrow night of Warner Brothers'
'The Jazz Singer," at the Fox Bev-
erly Theatre in Beverly Hills. Scores
of stars and celebrities from all walks
of life will join with fans from nearly
every section of America in giving
1952 a film season farewell at the
premiere of the Technicolor musical
starring Danny Thomas and Peggy
Lee. As a result of the influx of
holiday visitors, the theatre was sold
out days in advance of the event, with
the studio announcing an all-time
record in out-of-town reservations.
The uniforms of the Armed Forces
also will be plentifully represented.
Congressmen, governors of numerous
states and mayors of many cities have
reserved seats for service men and
women from their respective com-
munities. Members of the first "Jazz
Singer" cast and crew, including
William Demarest and May Mac-
Avoy, two of the stars, will attend.
News syndicates and radio networks
have arranged to carry the premiere
ceremonies around the world, even
penetrating behind the Iron Curtain.
The globe-girdling radio broadcasts
will be made in foreign languages, as
well as in English.
In New York, a special premiere
of "The Jazz Singer" for the benefit
of the National Foundation of Infan-
tile Paralysis will take place at the
Paramount Theatre on Tuesday eve-
ning, Jan. 13.
Rites Tomorrow for
William C. Smalley
Albany, N. Y., Dec. 29. — Funeral
services will be held Wednesday
afternoon in Cooperstown for William
C. Smalley, 63, head of Smalley Thea-
tres, who died last night in Mary
Imogene Bassett Hospital, Coopers-
town, after a long illness.
The circuit, which currently com-
prises 12 theatres, has been headquar-
tered in Cooperstown since 1921.
Survivors include the widow, Mrs.
Hazel Smith Smalley, for years treas-
urer of the circuit.
Ben Jacksen Dies
On Coast at 67
Hollywood, Dec. 29. — Ben Jacksen,
formerly studio and general produc-
tion manager of 20th Century-Fox,
died here on Thursday at the age of
67. Associated with the company for
more than 25 years, Jacksen started
with William Fox as a manager of
theatres in New York.
become so acute it may have to be
placed in the hands of the U. S. In-
terstate Commerce Commission and
the Minnesota Railroad and Ware-
house Commission to force the crea-
tion of a film and theatre supply de-
livery service run independently of
existing haulage concerns. The prob-
lem is in getting the film back to the
exchange in time for adequate inspec-
tion and reshipment within a short
time. At present the slow returns
sometime mean that a badly-needed
print is out of circulation for as long
a period as two weeks.
The bottleneck is said to be on
hauls where shipments are subject to
truck relay. If a print which closes a
weekend run on Sunday night misses
a pick-up at the relay point, it is
sometimes three days before it makes
its way back to the exchange.
Film companies state that under the
present system of contract carriers
there is no central point where a
trace can be made and that if the film
is delayed in transit either to or from
the exhibitor, neither the exhibitor nor
the film company can check its where-
abouts.
A previous appeal to the ICC for
help in regulating the shipments failed
because the ICC pointed out that the
shipments were a matter of contract
between the trucking firm and the ex-
hibitor.
Although the film companies are re-
luctant to enforce it, there is said to
be a clause in film contracts providing
penalties against exhibitors for the
late return of film. Distributors doubt
that such drastic action will be taken
but said that in cases where film is
habitually late in return exchanges
may refuse to sell film or impose
rigid regulations covering pickup and
return.
Four to Close for
4-Day Weekend
M-G-M, 20th Century-Fox,
Allied Artists, and United
Artists will remain closed on
Friday, giving their employes
a four-day weekend for New
Year's as they did for Christ-
mas. Paramount, RKO Pic-
tures, RKO Theatres, United
Paramount Theatres, Uni-
versal-International and War-
ner Brothers will be open on
Friday. Still undecided about
possible Friday closings are
Columbia, Republic and the
Motion Picture Association of
America. Most companies will
close earlier than usual to-
morrow.
Liebler Is Named
To Monogram Post
Walter Liebler has been appointed
assistant treasurer of Monogram In-
ternational Corp. by Norton V.
Ritchey, president of the company.
Liebler succeeds James J. Tierney
who occupied the position for many
years and who resigned for personal
reasons. Tierney has, however,
agreed to postpone his departure for
a number of weeks in order that he
may work with Liebler and familiar-
ize him with operational routines.
Liebler was with United Artists as
foreign controller.
Personal
Mention
ADOLPH ZUKOR, chairman of
the board of Paramount Pictures,
will leave here for the Coast over the
weekend.
•
Maurice Greenberg, owner of the
Parsons Theatre, Hartford, and Mrs.
Greenberg are grandparents for the
first time, with the birth of a girl,
Roberta, to their daughter-in-law,
Mrs. Leonard Greenberg, also of
Hartford.
•
Irwin Allen, producer and writer
of "The Sea Around Us," is due here
early next month and will visit Wash-
ington to discuss a world premiere of
the picture with National Geographic
Society officials.
e
Herbert Ochs, U. S. and Canadian
drive-in operator, added his sixth
grandson and 11th grandchild to the
family tree with the birth of a boy to
his daughter, Mrs. Peter Hill of
Dayton, O.
•
Neil Hellman, Albany theatre
owner, announces the engagement of
his daughter, Joyce, a Cornell Uni-
versity student, to Navy Lieutenant
Sanford A. Bookstein, also of Al-
bany.
•
Arthur Gottlieb, president of
Audio Pictures, Ltd., and Film
Laboratories of Canada, Ltd., both
of Toronto, is hospitalized as the re-
sult of serious injuries received in a
fall.
•
Lazarus Phillips, a director of
Empire-Universal Films, Ltd., and of
Consolidated Theatres, Ltd., both of
Canada, has been elected a director
of the Montreal Life Insurance Co.
•
Myron J. Hayes, vice-president
and general manager of Eastman Ko-
dak's Camera Works' Hawk-Eye
plant, and Navy Ordnance division,
will retire on Jan. 1.
o
Frank Schilken, Jr., has been re-
elected business agent of the Minne-
apolis Motion Picture Machine Oper-
ators Local No. 219.
•
Geraldine Flood, secretary to
Phil Gravitz, M-G-M New Haven
branch manager, is recuperating from
virus.
•
Georges E. Landers, Loew's The-
atres Hartford division manager, has
returned there from Boston.
•
Oscar Howell, president of Capital
City Supply Co., Atlanta, has returned
there from a Nashville vacation.
•
Harry. Feinstein, New Haven
zone manager for Warner Brothers
Theatres, is in Pittsburgh.
•
Jack Share, United Artists sales-
man in Cleveland, is vacationing in
Miami for the holidays.
•
Jimmy Hobbs, Allied Artists At-
lanta branch manager, has left there
for New Orleans.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry Ram save ConsulU^Etoor ™£sh£dab?eai^
Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue. Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y . Telephone CIrc 1 ? 7-31 l^X^-fft*
New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, V.ce-Pres.<tent and Treasurer; i j£j«wd Levy. V.ce F ^es.dent^ Leo tfray
Secretary; James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel Production Manager, Ho ^^^^2^^ fl North
William R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative FI |-3074; Bru^ce Tr.n^ ^ Editorial *g£^$I<e£SE
Clark Street, FR 2-2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, D. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden, Sq London WI, 3,^£'.^„VS
Editor; cable address, "Quigpubcof London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres and Tbgatae ^t^^^J3^^ Y under the ^
of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter. Sept. 21, 1938. at the post oriice at i\ew *orK,
of March 3, 1879. Subscription rates per year. $6 in the Americas and $12 foreign; single copies. 10c
Rites Tomorrow For
Roth, RKO Theatres
A solemn requiem mass will be held
tomorrow at St. Aloysius Church in
Great Neck, L. I., for James Roth,
RKO Theatres' operating department
executive, who died Sunday in Nas-
sau Hospital, Mineola, L. I. Roth
had been with the company since
1929.
Survivors are his widow, Florence,
and two children, William, 10, and
Joann, six.
Father of Peter Geiger
Funeral services for Jacob Geiger,
father of Peter Geiger, who is asso-
ciated with the motion picture depart-
ment of the New York office of the
Bank of America and formerly was
with Goldwyn Productions, were held
yesterday at the Schwartz Brothers
Funeral Home, Forest Hills, L. I.
Also surviving is the widow. Geiger
died Dec. 26. Burial was in Maple
Grove Cemetery.
Extra 'HaW Shows
Friday and Saturday
To accommodate holiday audiences
Radio City Music Hall has scheduled
extra performances of its Christmas
show on Friday, with doors opening
7 :30 A.M. and Saturday, with doors
opening 8 A.M.
Ralph Redmond Dies
Cleveland, Dec. 29. — Ralph Red-
mond, manager of the Jewel Theatre
and affiliated for more than 20 years
with the Associated Circuit as theatre
manager, died here Friday.
NEW YORK THEATRES
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Rockefeller Center — — —
"MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID"
Esther WILLIAMS • Victor MATURE
Walter PIDGEON • David BRIAN
Color by TECHNICOLOR . An M-G-M Picture
& The Music Hall's Great Christmas Stage Show
30*
iSAlWKfi
ifeWWTf
UNDA WM.
NEWTON' 0ARHELL* BEN DIX
TO THE EXHIBITORS OF AMERICA!
R. K o
RADIO
WITH HAPPY PROSPEROUS PICTURES LIKE...
u
it :
¥/// ///.
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fm " /// /
/ /
SAMUEL GOLDWYN'S
HANS CHRISTIAN
ANDERSEN
BLACKBEARD
THE PIRATE
TECHNICOLOR
Edmund Grainger Production
WALT DISNEY'S
PETER PAN
TECHNICOLOR
TECHNICOLOR
^ — "
Frederick Brisson presents
NEVER WAVE
AT A WAC
Huntington Hartford's
FACE TO
FACE
Howard Hughes presents
BEAUTIFUL BUT
DANGEROUS
ANDROCLES
AND THE LION
Produced by Gabriel Pascal
David E. Rose presents
SEA
DEVILS
TECHNICOLOR
MONTANA
BELLE
The Filmakers
THE
HITCH-HIKER
HOWARD HUGHES presents
ANGEL
FACE
SPLIT
SECOND
Edmund Grainger
production
TRUCOLOR
Rachel L. Carson's
THE SEA
AROUND US
Print by TECHNICOLOR
BELOW THE
SAHARA
Print by TECHNICOLOR
Mort Briskin's
NO TIME
FOR FLOWERS
General Sales Manager
THE NEW RKO RADIO PICTURES
Back BROTHERHOOD WEEK, Feb. 15-22
MOTION PICTURE DAILY
Tuesday, December 30, 1952
'Moulin Rouge' Tops
'African Queen' Bow
Hollywood, Dec. 29.— With a
five-day gross of nearly $22,-
000 racked up as of last night,
John Huston's "Moulin Rouge"
is running well ahead of his
last film, "African Queen,"
which opened in the Fox Wil-
shire Theatre here at Christ-
mas time a year ago.
"Moulin Rouge," playing the
same theatre, grossed well
over $5,000 yesterday for the
biggest single day's business
in the history of the house.
Gross for the first week, end-
ing tomorrow night, will be a
record for any United Artists
release ever to play the Fox
Wilshire.
Holiday Grosses
(Continued from page 1)
N. Y. Critics
(Continued from page 1)
Fred Zinneman the best director of
the year tor his direction ot '"nigh
Noon."
Shirley Booth was voted best act-
ress of the year for her role in the
Hal Wahis production, "Come Back,
Little Sneba, ' a Paramount release.
Ralph Richardson was voted best
actor of the year for his perform-
ance in the English-made, "Breaking
the Sound Barrier," a United Artists
release here.
French Film Wins
The French production, "Forbid-
den Games," released here by Times
Film Corp., was voted the best for-
eign picture of the year.
Under the critics' voting method, a
two-thirds majority is required to
designate a winner on any one of the
first hve ballots. A simple majority
is sufficient on the sixtn anu final
ballot, it one is necessary. "high
Noon" won on a sixth Dallot, witn
"African Queen," also a United Art-
ists release, the runner-up.
bhirley Bootn was named on the
first ballot, with the task of the 15
voting critics simplified as a result
of their being only one other nomi-
nation, that of Katharine Hepburn
for her performance in "African
Queen. "
Zinneman won on the second bal-
lot. Richardson won on the sixth
by a vote of 10 to Charlie Chaplin's
hve for his performance in "Lime-
light." The critics also took six
ballots to decide their best foreign
film of the year, "Forbidden Games"
winning over "The White Line" by
an eight to six vote. One critic ab-
stained on the ground she had not
caught enough foreign films to be
eligible to vote.
Technicolor Plans
(Continued from page 1)
would have a number of advantages
for the European motion picture in-
dustry. They would make possible
more prompt service and reduce costs.
"As it is now, cameras and crews
to operate them have to be brought in
from Hollywood or from England.
Rush prints would be available at the
end of each day's work, instead of
after appreciable delay.
"Financial exchange problems would
be minimized and payments of duty
would be eliminated, and, of course,
employment opportunity would be af-
forded citizens of the country," stated
Kalmus.
first week of "Come Back, Little
Sheba," which is expected to register
a sturdy $57,000. At the reopened
Roxy, the initial week of "Stars and
Stripes Forever" and the "Icecolor-
ama" show set a new Christmas week
record of $157,000.
At the Capitol, the initial week of
Johnnie Ray on stage and "Against
All Flags" on the screen is expected
to hit a terrific $110,000. The holi-
day weekend at the Capitol saw the
greatest number of admissions in the
theatre's history.
'April in Paris' Excellent
The first seven days of "April in
Paris" at the Paramount, which also
features Sarah Vaughan on stage, is
due to hit an excellent $108,000. A
very nice $42,000 is expected for the
opening week of "Blackbeard the Pi-
rate" at Loew's State. "Hans Chris-
tian Andersen" at the Criterion and
the off-Broadway Paris also is doing
top business. A big $60,000 is due
for the fifth week of the Samuel Gold-
wyn production at the Criterion, while
a terrific $2'3, 500 is slated for the
Paris, also a fifth week for the picture.
At the Rivoli, a pretty good $50,000
is forecast for the first week of "My
Cousin Rachel," while at the Mayfair
a fine $25,000 is indicated for the ini-
tial seven days of "Ruby Gentry."
"Limelight" at the Astor and the two-
day-a-day 60th Street Trans-Lux did
quite well, with $20,000 indicated for
the tenth week of the picture at the
Astor and $7,500 at the 60th Street
Trans-Lux. A fairly good $15,000 is
seen for the second and final week of
Pony Soldier" at the Globe, where
"Eight Iron Men" will have its bow
Thursday.
Circuits Report
Among the New York neighborhood
circuits reporting business good were
RKO Theatres and Loew's Theatres.
The Brandt circuit reported that
grosses were on a par with last year's
Christmas business, while a number of
Trans-Lux houses reported holiday
business less than anticipated.
The Broadway upswing was also felt
by first-run houses off the main stem.
"The Importance of Being Earnest"
set a record of $12,000 for its first
week at the Baronet. At the Fine
Arts, a big $10,800 is due for the tenth
week of "The Promoter." The ini-
tial seven days of "No Time for
Flowers" at the Normanide is expected
to rack up a fine $9,000, while a fairly
good $5,800 is indicated for the final
six days of "The Four Poster" at
the Sutton. The Sutton's new attrac-
tion which opens today is "The Mem-
ber of the Wedding."
With extra holiday showings, "This
Is Cinerama" at the Broadway The-
atre is forecast to hit a tremendous
$42,000. "O. Henry's Full House" at
the Trans-Lux 52nd Street is pre-
dicted to do a nice $6,000 for its 11th
week.
Outlying business was spotty, being
very good in some locations and medi-
ocre in others.
'Road' Leads Boston Parade
Boston, Dec. 29.— The Metropoli-
tan, featuring "Road to Bali," and the
Astor, now playing "Hans Chris-
tian Andersen," led the holiday field
among first-run theatres here. The
Metropolitan is expected to gross
$40,000 for the six day holiday period,
ending tomorrow night, while the
Astor is due to hit $40,000 for the
Christmas holiday week, with ad-
vanced admission prices. Other the-
atres reported business ranging from
excellent to fair.
Here to Stay
(Continued from page 1)
Cleveland Spotty
Cleveland, Dec. 29. — Christmas
Day business was very good to fair at
Downtown first-runs. However, most
neighborhood theatres reported
grosses slow except the Fairmount
where "The Promoter" is featured.
Exceptionally good business at the
majority of out-of-town theatres was
reported. Good business was reported
by the Loew and Warner Downstate
houses and by the Select Theatre
chain with theatres in various parts
of Northern Ohio. Weather was clear
with scattered snow flurries.
Up in Chatanooga
Chattanooga, Dec. 29. — With the
Tivoli probably going strongest with
"Million Dollar Mermaid," the Rogers
with "Meet Captain Kid" and the
State with "It Grows on Trees,"
Chattanooga theatre managers say
"this year's holiday business easily
topped 1951."
Jan. 15. After these two engage-
ments, Lesser and Poe will evaluate
the presentations before additional
bookings will be taken. However, the
Victoria Theatre here has asked for
a Tri-Opticon run after the closing
of the current attraction, "Come Back,
Little Sheba." No deal has been set.
Three more short subjects are now
in production on the Coast and a
script for a feature length picture,
"The Runaway Train," has been com-
pleted, Poe said.
Four-part Package
Tri-Opticon is delivered to theatres
in a four-part package, consisting of
a metalized screen, the film, a coupling
device for interlocking the projectors
and the polaroid glasses. Unlike
other tri-dimensional processes, Tri-
Opticon furnishes permanent glasses
instead of cardboard throwaways. The
glasses are sterilized after each use.
The depth effect cannot be achieved
on an ordinary beaded screen, it was
explained.
Distribution will be handled by Max
Roth, headquartering in Chicago, for
the Central territories, while Jack
Thomas will head up the distribution
in the Far West, with headquarters
in Los Angeles. The major initial
task in launching the project is the
advertising and publicity. Because
the public and the trade must be edu-
cated to the scope of the new medium,
extensive campaigns are being planned
for newspapers and the trade press,
Lesser said.
Knoxville Grosses
Knoxville, Dec. 29. — With "Opera-
tion Secret" moving over to the Bijou
for a holdover after an unexpectedly
good run at the Tennessee, "Million
Dollar Mermaid" opened at the Ten-
nessee with a full house, topping last
year's holiday business. Knoxville has
no television.
Grainger Heads
(Continued from page V
Best in 3 Years
Nashville, Dec. 29.— With "Meet
Me at the Fair" at the Tennessee and
"Stars and Stripes Forever" at the
Paramount, Crescent houses in Nash-
ville scored the best holiday business
in three years. Sales of theatre ticket
books for gifts went well, with an
automobile as the top prize in a sales
contest.
Tri-Opticon Premiere
Hailed As Success
Chicago, Dec. 29. — The U. S.
premiere of Tri-Opticon at the Tele-
news Theatre here was a resounding
success, breaking the single day rec-
ord at the 600-seat Loop house with a
gross of $5,000. Tri-opticon is ex-
pected to turn in the biggest week in
the 13-year history of the house.
Elsewhere in the Loop, business
picked up nicely to wind up much
better than Christmas Day last year.
'Hans' Sets Records in
Boston, Miami Beach
Samuel Goldwyn's "Hans Christian
Andersen" broke box-office records in
Christmas Day openings at the Astor
Theatre in Boston and the Colony
Theatre in Miami Beach, it is re-
ported, with the first four days at the
Colony grossing $11,500 and the same
period at the Astor drawing $26,000.
The film will outscore by more
than 50 per cent the previous record-
holder at the Astor, Goldwyn's "The
Best Years of Our Lives," it was said.
At the Colony, the film has played to
capacity audiences at every perform-
ance. Meanwhile, in New York, the
picture begins its sixth week at the
Paris and Criterion theatres, with the
fifth week reportedly almost equalling
that of the opening session.
will make a minimum of 20 features in
1953, with starting dates now set on
the first two ; five others are ready to
follow.
"Arizona Territory," with Grainger
as producer, and "Second Chance,"
with Wiesenthal as producer and
Grainger as executive producer, have
been given January starting dates.
Also headed for early starts are
producer Robert Sparks' "The Son
of Sinbad" ; "The Silver Horde," a
Rex Beach story ; a Park Ranger
story to be made in one of the Na-
tional Parks, titled "High Frontier" ;
Harriet Parsons' "Size 12," and sev-
eral stories recently submitted that the
studio is considering purchasing.
It was also announced again that
"the studio will consider any inde-
pendent productions which are of top
calibre which are submitted, although
the present schedule of 20 films is
sufficient to meet the distribution or-
ganization's demands."
16mm. Case Charges
(Continued from page 1)
vision, and to define the phrase "limit-
ing conditions," as applied to terms
under which 16mm. films were
licensed.
Defendants will have 30 days in
which to answer the amended com-
plaint following its filing.
William C. Dixon, Western chief
of the anti-trust division, and James
M. McGrath, who has handled the
16mm. case directly, represented the
government in the all-day session.
Ten defendant requests which the
court denied pertained principally to
relationships between individual de-
fendants.
Tuesday, December 30, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
5
Exchangemen to Aid
Federation Drive
Len Gruenberg, of RKO Radio
Pictures, has been named chairman of
the exchangemen' s committee of the
amusement division of the Federation
of Jewish Philanthropies, it has_ been
announced by over-all co-chairmen
Barney Balaban, Simon H. Fabian
and Manny Frisch.
In the process of completing or-
ganization of the industry in support
of the current $20,000,000 city-wide
maintenance effort on behalf of Feder-
ation's 116 hospitals and social service
agencies, the co-chairmen also an-
nounced a Federation committee in
film exchanges consisting of the fol-
lowing :
Alex Arnswalder, Abe Dickstein,
Tom Feeney, 20th Century Fox ;
David burKan, Kealart ; William
Murphy, Robert Fannon, Republic ;
Howard Levy, Loew's; Charles Pen-
ser, KKO Radio ; Samuel Rifkin,
United Artists ; Saul Trauner, Co-
lumbia ; Louis Allerhand, Loew's ;
Jack Farkas, Allied Artists ; Myron
E. Sattler, Paramount; Philip Hodes,
RKO Radio ; George J. Waldman,
United Artists.
Denied Relief from
New Mexican Law
Mexico City, Dec. 29. — Exhibitors
have partially lost their litigation
against enforcement of the recently-
enacted cinematographic controls law.
Two hundred exhibitors in the prov-
inces, of the syndicate that Manuel
Espinosa Iglesias heads, were denied
a temporary injunction against the
law's enforcement by Federal Judge
Ignacio Burgoa here. These exhibi-
tors contended that the law is uncon-
stitutional in that it gives the gov-
ernment almost complete control of
the film trade. They also attacked
the measure on the ground of viola-
tion of the constitutional precept of
free trade by demanding 50 per cent
playing time for Mexican pictures.
Judge Burgoa, who last year
granted a group of exhibitors a per-
manent injunction against enforce-
ment of a cinematographic law then
impending on the ground that it was
unconstitutional, explained that he
refused the 200 exhibitors an injunc-
tion because they had failed to make
out a clear case of the unconstitution-
ality of the present law.
Denney to Study
TV for Paramount
Charles E. Denney, Jr., will join the
staff of Paul Raibourn, president of
Paramount Television Productions,
immediately. Denney, who was for-
merly an account executive with Na-
tional Broadcasting, will conduct a
survey of the social and economic
aspects of local, as compared with na-
tional programming in television.
Denney's first assignment will be a
study of the factors in the Los An-
geles market under the supervision
of Klaus Landsberg, general manager
of Station KTLA.
'Bali' at Astor
Paramount's "Road to Bali," star-
ring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and Dor-
othy Lamour, has been booked by the
Astor Theatre on New York's Times
Square as its next attraction.
Newspapers, Wire Services Here and Abroad
Carry Herald Poll of 'Money-Making Stars'
London, Dec. 29. — Newspapers throughout the British Isles gave
unusual prominence to the Motion Picture Herald-Fame polls of
American and British box-office champions of 1952, voted by ex-
hibitors of the two countries. Results of the polls also were fea-
tured on British Broadcasting Co. programs.
Special comment was given to the survey's disclosure that eight
British pictures figure among the 12 top-grossing films on this side
in 1952. Responsible industry executives here commented that the
newspaper space and radio time devoted to the poll stories con-
stituted a valuable contribution not only to British production
but to the whole industry here as well.
Newspapers and magazine supplements throughout the United
States, as well as national and foreign wire services, also featured
the 21st annual Motion Picture Herald-Fame poll of "Money-Mak-
ing Stars of 1952" over the past weekend, from Friday through
Sunday.
Eastern Film Group
Starting Pact Talks
The newly-formed Eastern Motion
Picture Council, set up by the Interna-
tional Alliance of Theatrical Stage
Employes, will start negotiating for
its first contracts with New York
television film producers shortly after
Jan. 1, it was reported here yesterday.
The Council, patterned after the
American Federation of Labor Film
Council in Hollywood, has completed
its preliminary groundwork and is ex-
pected to get into full operation with-
in a month.
Purpose of the Council is to obtain
basic pacts for the various produc-
tion crafts in the TV film and inde-
pendent commercial picture produc-
tion fields. The group's constitu-
tion, recently drafted, has been ap-
proved by a majority of participating
unions.
M asset I i, Robinson,
Finn in New Posts
Hartford, Dec. 29. — Michael Mas-
selli, formerly on the staff of the
Webb Playhouse at Wethersfield, has
been named manager of the Plainfield
at Plainfield, replacing Edward Mor-
anski, resigned.
Earl Robinson, former manager of
the Warner Regal at Hartford, is
now managing the circuit's Palace,
Norwalk. He succeeds Joseph Sfeir,
who has left the circuit.
Jay Finn, house manager at E. M.
Loew's Theatre, Hartford, has been
appointed manager of the circuit's
Winchester at Winchester, Mass. He
is a son of Max Finn, E. M. Loew
circuit home office executive.
Ferrer Pledges Aid
In Anti-Red' Drive
Hollywood, Dec. 29. — Jose Ferrer
declared his support of the American
Legion's fight against communism in
a statement, issued at the weekend,
following picketing here by Legion-
naires of Tuesday night's premiere of
"Moulin Rouge," the John Huston
production starring Ferrer.
Declared Ferrer in a telegram _ to
Legion officials, "It is my conviction
that an artist cannot function under
communism. ... I want you and the
responsible leaders of the American
Legion to know that I invite oppor-
tunities to join in the anti-communist
fight when and where, time permit-
ting, my abilities can be effectively
utilized."
Expect 1,000 at
Coast Breakfast
Hollywood, Dec. 29. — More than
1,000 Catholics of the Hollywood film
industry are expected to attend the
second annual all-industry Communion
breakfast here on Sunday, Feb. 1 at
the Hotel Statler, according to George
Smith, Paramount Western division
manager, who is general chairman
of the event. James Francis Cardi-
nal-designate Mclntyre will celebrate
Mass at St. Vibiana's Cathedral pre-
ceding the breakfast.
Similar breakfasts will be held in
New York, New Orleans, and To-
ronto on the same day.
Names Chairmen
Committee chairmen here were an-
nounced by Smith as follows : Song-
writer Jimmy McHugh, tickets ;
Thomas H. Lewis, special arrange-
ments ; William Wall, 20th Century-
Fox, ticket distribution ; Pat Mc-
Carthy, Paramount, church contacts ;
M. J. E. McCarthy, Allied Artists,
ushers and parking ; Bob Fennell,
Family Theatre, entertainment ; Mil-
dred Bocklage, National Theatre Sup-
ply, arrangements, and William Moor-
ing, The Tidings, religious press pub-
licity. Miss Bocklage will also serve
as administrative aide to Smith.
50% Increase
{Continued from page 1)
especially active, the brokers said.
This is due not only to the fact that
the car theatres are doing big busi-
ness in the warm months but because
many of them are operating in the
winter even in cold areas. Locally,
the Bronx Whitestone and the Route
S-3 drive-ins are currently in opera-
tion despite the low temperatures.
The Route S-3 is furnishing car heat-
ers to its patrons.
The brisk business in sales and
leases is not confined to any one ter-
ritory, it was said. The boom is
nationwide.
Snaper Slated
{Continued from page 1)
Exchangemen to Aid
'Brotherhood Week'
that the two-term custom will prevail.
Other items on the board agenda
will be the all-important subject of
arbitration, with a decision expected
as to Allied's future position on the
issue ; the admission tax repeal cam-
paign and possibly action on the re-
admittance of the former Eastern
Pennsylvania unit to the national or-
ganization's fold.
Regional distribution chairmen for
the amusement industry's participation
in "Brotherhood Week," Feb. 15-22,
on behalf of the 25th anniversary of
the National Conference of Christians
and Jews, were announced here yes-
terday by Ben Kalmenson, national
chairman of the distribution commit-
tee, as follows :
Albany : Jack Goldberg ; Atlanta :
W. Gordon Bradley ; Boston : J. M.
Connolly ; Buffalo : Manuel A. Brown ;
Charlotte : J. W. Greenleaf ; Chicago :
William J. Devaney ; Cincinnati : Ed-
win M. Booth ; Cleveland : Harry S.
Buxbaum ; Dallas : Mark Sheridan,
Jr.; Denver: Marvin Goldfarb; Des
Moines : Donald R. Hicks ; Detroit :
Joe Baringhaus ; Indianapolis : Claude
W. McKean.
Also, Jacksonville : Paul Hargette ;
Kansas City : Tom Baldwin ; Los
Angeles : A. Swerdlow ; Memphis :
Louis C. Ingram ; Milwaukee : Low
Elman; Minneapolis: J. T. McBride ;
New Haven : Jules Livingston ; New
Orleans : Luke Conner ; New York
City : Phil Hodes ; Oklahoma City :
R. B. Williams; Omaha: D. V.
McLucas ; Philadelphia : Joseph G.
Leon ; Pittsburgh : Al Levy ; Port-
land: T. R. Beale; St. Louis: C. C.
Hill; Salt Lake City: C. R. Wade;
San Francisco : Jack M. Erickson ;
Seattle : Paul McElhinney ; Washing-
ton : Pete R. DeFazio.
International
Deals Are Renewed
Renewal of distribution deals in
Latin America for Monogram-Inter-
national were negotiated by Norton
V. Ritchey, president, during his re-
cently completed tour of the Caribbean
circuit. Renewals include those with
Caribe Films in Medellin, Colombia,
and British and General Film Dis-
tributors of Trinidad.
Conferences on forthcoming Allied
Artists product were held in Mexico,
Panama, Venezuela, Cuba and Puerto
Rico.
Loew's Dates 'Limelight'
Charles Chaplin's "Limelight" will
open throughout the country on the
Loew's circuit during January and
February, beginning with engagements
in 20 cities, it was announced by Wil-
liam J. Heineman, vice-president of
United Artists. Loew's will launch
"Limelight" on Jan. 15 in five key the-
atres : the Vendome in Nashville,
Loew's in Rochester, N. Y., the State
in Cleveland, the Midland in Kansas
City and the Penn in Pittsburgh.
Gets Hellinger Rights
Les Hafner and Co., Inc., has com-
pleted negotiations for the acquisition
of the radio, television and motion
picture rights to all Mark Hellinger
short stories, with an option to renew
for an additional five years. The
stories number 4,500, it was said.
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with CASEY ADAMS • DENIS O'DEA • RICHARD ALLAN • DON WILSON • LURENE TUTTLE • RUSSELL COLLINS • WILL WRIGHT
Produced by Directed by Written by
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'here's No Business Like
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VOL. 72. NO. 124
MOTION PICTURE
DAILY
NEW YORK, U. S. A., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1952
TEN CENTS
WB Reports
$7,229,000
Net Profit
Fiscal Year Earnings
Below 1951's Figure
Warner Brothers Pictures and
subsidiary companies report for the
year ending Aug. 31, 1952, a net
profit of $7,229,000' after provision
of $7,700,000 for Federal income
taxes and after a provision of $550,000
for contingent liabilities. The net
profit for the year ending Aug. 31,
1951, amounted to $9,427,000 after
provision of $9,100,000 for Federal in-
come taxes and after a provision of
$700,000 for contingent liabilities.
Included in the current operating
profit is a profit of $878,000' from
sales of capital assets, before provi-
sion for Federal incomes taxes, which
compares with a corresponding profit
of $1,189,000 for the previous year.
The net profit for the year is equiva-
lent to $1.46 per share on 4,950,600
{Continued on page 2)
Holiday Grosses in
Los Angeles Top
1951 by 20 Per Cent
Hollywood, Dec. 30. — The concen-
tration of Academy-contending pic-
tures combined with ideal theatre-
going weather and a minimum of
competitor amusements to< give first-
run houses here the biggest holiday
week in recent seasons. Over-all esti-
mates had the total take up nearly
20 per cent from the first holiday
{Continued on page 2)
M. Fox Gets Loan
For TV Expansion
A $1,525,000 loan has been con-
cluded between the amusement indus-
try division of Bankers Trust Co. and
the Western Television Corp., it was
announced here yesterday by Matthew
Fox, president and chairman of the
board of Western TV.
The loan, said to be the first of
such magnitude made between a com-
{Continued on page 2)
Jleto §ear to 311
I A Foreign Business Up
100%, Picker Reports
United Artists' income from foreign distribution during the fiscal year
ended Nov. 1 was approximately double that of the previous 12-month
period, according to Arnold M. Picker, vice-president in charge of for-
eign distribution. Picker, who has returned from a four-week tour of
the Far East,
said here yes-
terday that the
rise in business
was due not
only to the
product but a
renewal of faith
in the company
by exhibitors.
Picker, in re-
viewing his lat-
est overseas
trip, revealed,
among other
things, (1) the
appointment of new executive person-
nel in the Far East, (2) signing of im-
portant circuit deals, (3) plans for the
distribution' of a picture made in
Manila, (4) plans for the opening of
the company's own branch in Indonesia
and (5) improved business conditions
throughout the area.
Picker said the foreign department
still is in the process of reorganiza-
tion, the task he assumed when he took
over the post a year ago. He said he
{Continued on page 3)
Arnold Picker
6 Jazz Singer' Closes
The Industry's Year
Beverly Hills, CaL, Dec. 30. — Top
stars and notables of the industry
turned out here tonight for the world
premiere of Warner Brothers color in
Technicolor musical "The Jazz Sing-
er," starring Danny Thomas and
Peggy Lee.
The last film world premiere of
1952, the event held at the Fox Bever-
ly Theatre, Beverly Hills, provided a
New Year's warmup for record
ihrongs of street spectators. With the
{Continued on page 3)
WB Theatre Sale
Extension Is Due
A "substantial" extension in time
for the divestiture of 54 Warner
Brothers theatres, in line with the
terms of the company's consent decree,
is expected shortly, it was learned
here yesterday.
Negotiations between company at-
torneys and Department of Justice
officials, looking toward an extension
from the Sunday deadline, have been
going on both here and in Washing-
ton. Documents authorizing such an
extension, the duration of which was
not made public, are due here any day.
A company spokesman said the ex-
tension had nothing to do with the
recent deal between Fabian Enter-
prises and the Brothers Warner,
under which Fabian acquired the
brothers' projected stock interest in
Warner theatres.
Grainger to Preside
At 4 Sales Meetings
James R. Grainger, Republic's ex-
ecutive vice-president and director of
sales, will preside at a series of four
regional sales meetings, the first of
which will be held at the company's
North Hollywood studios on Tuesday
and Wednesday, to be followed by
others in Chicago, Jan. 19-20 ; New
York, Jan. 22-23, and Miami, Jan.
28-29.
Company president Herbert J.
Yates will address all meetings, which
{Continued on page 3)
20th Foreign
'52 Income Is
Up $3,200,000
S hour as Sees $5 -Million
Foreign Rise in '53
Twentieth Century-Fox gross
earnings from foreign film rentals
in 1952 will be $3,200,000 greater
than in the pre vious year, Spyros
P. Skouras,
president, dis-
closed here yes-
terday follow-
ing his return
from a three-
month global
tour.
Skouras, un-
derlining the im-
portance of the
foreign market,
said he antici-
pates that in
1953 20th-Fox
foreign reven-
ues would be
$5,000,000 greater than 1951 foreign
{Continued on page 3)
Spyros Skouras
(900,000 Saving
In 20th Salary
Cut Plan Forecast
A potential saving of $900,000 for
20th Century-Fox under the com-
pany's new and more drastic volun-
tary executive salary cut plan, which
will be introduced as of the first of
the year, was estimated here yester-
day by Spyros P. Skouras, president.
The 1953 plan calls for a 50 per
cent salary reduction of top execu-
{Continued on page 3)
'Brotherhood' Ad
Men Are Appointed
Si Seadler, national publicity and
advertising chairman for the amuse-
ment industry's participation in
"Brotherhood Week," Feb. 15-22, on
behalf of the silver anniversary of the
National Conference of Christians and
Jews, has announced the following
{Continued on page 3)
Happp iSeto |9ear from ffintteb 3rtt£te
2
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, December 31, 1952
Personal
Mention
pHARLES BOASBERG, RKO
Radio general sales manager, and
Walter Branson, assistant sales
manager, were in Chicago yesterday
for conferences with company officials.
•
J. Miller Walker, RKO Pictures
director, vice-president, secretary and
general counsel, has returned to New
York from Hollywood conferences
with Howard Hughes, board chair-
man.
•
Eric A. Johnston, president of the
Motion Picture Association of Amer-
ica, will be the guest on the "Chrono-
scope" TV program over CBS Mon-
day night.
Rube Jackter, assistant general
sales manager of Columbia, and Mrs.
Jackter announce the engagement of
their daughter, Minna, to Leonard
Kahn.
Walter Lantz returned to Holly-
wood from New York over the week-
end.
WB Net Profit
{Continued from page 1)
shares of common stock outstanding.
The net profit for the previous year
was equivalent to $1.67 per share, on
5,619,785 shares of common stock
then outstanding.
Film rentals, theatre admissions,
sales, etc., after eliminating inter-
company transactions, for the year
ending last Aug. 31, amounted to
$112,422,000, compared with $116,909,-
000 for the previous year.
Loss and damage claims resulting
from the two fires at the Burbank
studio were settled with the insurance
companies subsequent to Aug. 31, for
$4,515,690. Because the insurance
carried was based on the replacement
cost rather than on the depreciated
book value of the properties, the in-
surance claims were for a substan-
tially greater amount than the book
value of such properties. Final de-
termination of the assets to be re-
placed and the treatment for Federal
income tax purposes of the excess of
the insurance proceeds over the book
value of the assets destroyed has not
yet been made and, accordingly, no
portion of such excess has been re-
flected in the net profit for the year.
The operating results of the com-
pany for the quarter ending Nov. 29,
1952, are not yet available but it is
expected that the profit before capital
gains and before provision for Fed-
eral income taxes and contingencies
will be considerably lower than the
corresponding profit of $4,170,000
earned for the same quarter last year.
Willie A Chairman
For Zukor Banquet
Dallas, Dec. 30.— Raymond
Willie, general manager of
Interstate circuit, has been
appointed general chairman
for the Adolph Zukor Golden
Jubilee banquet here. Willie
succeeds Paul Short who had
been serving as temorary
chairman.
Willie announced that the
new date for the Zukor cele-
bration in Dallas has been
changed from Jan. 28 to
Feb. 6 at the Adolphus Hotel.
BVay Set for New
Year's Eve Trade
L. A. Grosses
(Continued from page 1)
Virtually all Broadway first-run
theatres here have set New Year's
Eve plans, designed to take care of the
holiday trade.
As a special treat, the Roxy will
present its new Icecolorama stage
show, "Crystal Circus," in addition
to the screen attraction "Stars and
Stripes Forever" as its late show to-
night. Other late shows, to take care
of the New Year's Eve crowd, in-
clude those of Radio City Music Hall,
the Paramount, Capitol, Loew's State,
Astor and Victoria.
Charles Drayton in
New RKO Radio Post
Charles G. Drayton has been elected
assistant treasurer-assistant secretary
of RKO Radio Pictures.
Drayton joined the company in 1940,
and for some years prior to his elec-
tion now acted in the capacity of
assistant to the comptroller.
M. Fox Gets Loan
(Continued from page i)
No Paper Tomorrow
Motion Picture Daily will
not be published tomorrow,
New Year's Day, a legal
holiday.
mercial bank and a corporation dis-
tributing films for television, was
negotiated by Harry Watkins, Ray
Andersen and Herbert Golden repre-
senting Bankers Trust, and Fox and
Henry Zittau, treasurer of Western
Television.
Western distributes all of its prod-
uct through Motion Pictures for Tele-
vision, Inc., "which does the largest
volume of business in film in the tele-
vision industry today," said MPTV,
which is also headed and owned by
Fox.
Purpose of the loan is for the ac-
quisition of new product by Western
and to provide for the expansion of
distribution facilities of Motion Pic-
tures for Television.
Currently MPTV operates distribu-
tion offices in New York, Chicago,
Boston, Dallas and Los Angeles. The
location of additional offices will be
announced in the near future.
week a year ago.
Seven attractions declaredly pointed
at Academy consideration, and ex-
ploited on a grand scale accordingly,
stacked up roughly as follows :
"Hans Christian Andersen," War-
ner's Beverly Hills Theatre, $45,000;
"Member of the Wedding," Beverly
Hills Canon, $7,500 ; "My Cousin Ra-
chel," Fox Ritz, $14,500; "Moulin
Rouge," Fox Wilshire, $25,000;
"Star," Four Star, $12,500; "Come
Back Little Sheba," Fine Arts, $9,000 ;
"The Bad and the Beautiful," United
Artists and Vogue theatres, $30,000.
Sharing in the prosperity wave are
"Road to Bali," likely to gross close
to $100,000 in seven area openings,
"Million Dollar Mermaid," looking-
for $33,000 in two, and "Blackbeard
the Pirate," aiming for similar figures
at two others.
Chicago First-run Holiday
Grosses Called Phenomenal
Chicago, Dec. 30. — First run busi-
ness here since the middle of last week
has been little short of phenomenal,
with some houses racking up their
highs for the year. The Telenews
probably will go over $30,000, a house
record, for the opening week of Tri-
Opticon's premiere showing.
The Chicago, with sidewalk hold-
outs all week long, showing "April in
Paris," plus an ice show on the stage,
should top $75,000. "Road to Bali"
appears to be headed for $40,000 at
the State Lake, as does "Million Dol-
lar Mermaid" at the Oriental, with
"Stars and Stripes Forever" and
"Against All Flags" racking up $30,-
000 at Eitel's Palace and the Roose-
velt, respectively, and "Invasion
U. S. A." and "Red Planet Mars"
winding up a big session of better
than $20,000 at the RKO Grand.
At the art houses, "One Summer
of Happiness" is going strong at the
World Playhouse with $8,000 in pros-
pect for the first week, and "The Pro-
moter" is running ahead of "Lavender
Hill Mob" and "Man in the White
Suit" at the Surf and could top "Kon-
Tiki" with a boost from the New Year
holidays.
John Dimichele, 70
Hartford, Dec. 30. — John A. Di-
michele, 70, owner of the Star Thea-
ter at Poultney, Vt, is dead. The
widow, Lucia, survives.
Total Christmas Week Gross in
Kansas City Same as in 1951
Kansas City, Dec. 30. — The total
gross for Christmas week of area the-
atres appears on present data to have
been about equal to that of 1951
with numerous reports of gains.
Christmas Day receipts were called
generally up to or ahead of last year's.
Attendance that week was strikingly
better than the average during the
previous months in many situations
when patronage seemed lagging be-
hind commodity buying.
Several executives suggested that
the fact of theatres on the whole get-
ting not far from their full tradi-
tional share of holiday spending of-
fers a fair index for expecting good
health for the theatre business in the
coming year. In cities marked selec-
tivity of feature was evident, some
theatres getting substantially above
average grosses, others substantially
below, indicating that the public was
not merely going to a show.
Republic TV Deal
Draws Allied Fire
As a result of Republic's
sale of pictures for TV, na-
tional Allied issued the fol-
lowing statement here yester-
day:
"It is with regret that we
view the action of Republic in
its sale of pictures made for
motion picture theatres to
television. One of the most
important factors in the sales
equation is goodwill and with
one move Republic may very
well have destroyed that fac-
tor. They certainly can do
nothing but harm to the in-
dustry as a whole."
Holidays Bring Big
Cincinnati Business
Cinncinati, Dec. 30. — The tradi-
tional slump in holiday theatre attend-
ance here failed to materialize this
year, with first-run theatres racking
up the highest grosses in many weeks
and subsequent runs cashing in on the
upsurge.
Heading the list was the RKO
Albee, which did an estimated $16,000
with "Million Dollar Mermaid."
Average at this house is $11,000. The
RKO Palace, with "Blackbeard, the
Pirate," was second with $14,000,
compared with a $11,000. average. A
double bill at the RKO Grand, "Thun-
derbirds" and "Battles of Chief Pon-
tiac," reported a plus-average figure
of $3,000 for a $10,000 gross. "Thun-
der in the East" accounted for an
average figure of $10,000 at the RKO
Capitol, where returns have been un-
der par in recent weeks, "Stars and
Stripes Forever" gave Keith's a
healthy plus figure of around $10,000 ;
average is $7,500.
Average Holiday Grosses in Capital
Washington, Dec. 30. — Downtown
and neighborhood theatre business
during the holiday season so far has
been just about the same as last year,
"nothing exceptional," according to
local exhibitors.
They said there had been the usual
pre-Christmas slump and a little pick-
up over the Christmas week-end.
Baltimore Business Spotty
Baltimore, Dec. 30. — Business is
spotty during this week between
Christmas and New Year's with ma-
jor attractions drawing substantial
grosses and film fans neglecting less
important features. Some Christmas
shows proved insufficiently strong to
hold over for New Year's. Brighter
news is from J. Lawrence Schan-
berger of Keith's who states "Road
to Bali" grosses are the best since
1948 and 25 per cent above last year.
New Theatre reports "Stars and
Stripes" business 25 per cent above
the same week last year.
Portland Up 25 per cent
Portland, Ore., Dec. 30.— With the
closing of Oregon's drive-in theatres,
Christmas business made a decided
swing to downtown. Theatres reported
grosses 25 per cent above normal,
soaring well above managers' predic-
tions for the week.
MOTION PICTURE DAILY. Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwm Kane, Editor; Terry Karasaye Consulting: Editor. Publishec daily, except .A5*^^'
Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue. Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address U U1^UD=°'
New York " Martin Quigley, President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy Vice-President Lea J. Brady.
SecTetao ' James P. Cunningham, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Ho lywooc Bureau, Yucra;Vine Building.
Wulfam R. Weaver, Editor. Chicago Bureau, 120 South LaSalle Street, Urben Farley, Advertising Representative, FI 6-3074; Bruce Tr.nz, Editorial K^rese^tative. " North
ClarkStreet, FR 2^2843. Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club, Washington, J>. C. London Bureau, 4 Golden Sq., London WI; Hope . BuJn™-Mana^. Peter Buraup.
Editor; ; cable address, "Quigpubco, London." Other Quigley Publications: Motion Picture Herald; Better Theatres and Theatre Sales, each published 13 1 times a year as a sect urn
of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture and Television Almanac; Fame. Entered as second-class matter. Sept. 21, 1938, at the post office at New Yoik, 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 31, 1952
Motion Picture Daily
3
Skouras Hits Back
At Green Criticism
The management of 20th
Century-Fox stands on its
record, Spyros P. Skouras,
president, said here yesterday
when asked to comment on
charges of "mismanagement"
made by financier Charles
Green, who has acquired at
least 20,000 shares of 20th-
Fox stock.
Skouras said "we welcome
any kind of honest criticism,"
adding that "we have nothing
to fear." He pointed to profit-
able current operations of the
company and questioned why
Green should choose 20th-Fox
of all motion picture com-
panies at which to level his
criticism.
20th Salary Plan
(Continued from page 1)
tiv/es earning more than $500 per
week, with recovery of the reduction
contingent on the company earning
more than $1 per share on its common
stock, Skouras explained. With 2,769,-
484 shares of stock outstanding, the
company would have to net more than
that number in dollars before any
restitution of voluntary salary cuts
is made. Skouras said the plan affects
about 87 executives in New York and
in Hollywood and that all are co-
operating in its execution.
Unlike the previous voluntary cut
plan, instituted two years ago, which
hedged recovery of salaries on the
basis of losses, the 1953 plan is based
on earning at least $1 per share on
outstanding stock, Skouras pointed
out. He emphasized that the more
drastic plan was adopted to point up
the need for economy.
Skouras said he hoped the plan
would serve as a guide to Hollywood
production executives and to talent,
whose salaries, he said, are not geared
to the current box-office level. He
called present salaries of stars "very
high." Twentieth-Fox, he said, is try-
ing to meet the situation in some de-
gree by offering participation deals.
Due to many competitive factors,
Skouras said, it is difficult to bring
production costs down with the de-
mands of the public currently, as com-
pared to years ago.
• •
—FLY TO—
LOS ANGELES
on United's Luxurious
"OVERNIGHT
HOLLYWOOD"
Only 1 VA hrs. one -stop!
The fine service of United's "Hollywood"
flights is you;., on the "Overnight Holly-
wood" to Los Angeles. You leave New
York after midnight, stop only at Denver,
enjoy a delicious breakfast aloft, and
arrive in Los Angeles at 8:20 a. m., giv-
ing you a full day for business.
United air lines
COMPARE THE FARE AND
YOU'LL GO BY AIR
Foreign Gross
(Continued from page 1)
earnings. He credited the worldwide
acceptance of American films as the
reason for the growing rise in foreign
revenues, which, he said, currently
account for about 38 per cent of 20th-
Fox's income.
■On the basis of his trip to the Far
East, Skouras said he would forward
a recommendation to the Motion Pic-
ture Association of America to encour-
age theatre construction in that area.
The 20th-Fox president said that coun-
tries such as India, Indonesia, Thai-
land and the Philippines could utilize
at least three times the number of
theatres currently existing.
Skouras, who visited 22 countries in
his 10-week trip which also took him
to Europe, said his recommendation
would be contained in a report which
he will submit to the MP A A.
On his stop-over in Zurich, Switzer-
land, Skouras said he learned of fur-
ther improvements made on the com-
pany's Eidophor CBS color theatre
TV system. Current improvements,
Skouras added, are aimed at simpli-
fying the operation of the unit so that
it will not require more skill in han-
dling than is required of a projection-
ist. He estimated that within six
months, a number of models of the
improved Eidophor system would be
available and, following a 90-day test,
the equipment would be ready for pro-
duction under the company's contract
with General Electric.
Cites Growth
The growth of the international mo-
tion picture industry was cited by
Skouras. The following is a run-
down of the status of the industry in
various countries as described by the
20th-Fox president :
Japan : Production and exhibition
is extremely prosperous. At present
there are 3,000 theatres, with many
under construction. About 250 Japa-
nese films are produced yearly, mak-
ing Japan the second largest film
producing country in the world.
Philippines : Three hundred theatres
have been built since the liberation of
the islands, putting the number of
theatres in existence today at about
500. Domestically, 60 to 80 pictures
are produced yearly, although domes-
tic films are not nearly as financially
successfuly as those produced in Japan.
Thailand : Progress in theatre con-
struction is slow.
Indonesia: Needs many more the-
atres to aid in its spiritual develop-
ment as a nation.
Australia : American films ex-
tremely popular, with the public being
the most theatre-conscious in the
world, having the largest per capita
attendance of any country.
New Zealand: Development of the
theatre-going habit is as high as in
Australia.
India : Native film production is
very high, but the need for new the-
atres to serve India's 500,000,000
population is acute.
Wherever he went, Skouras said, the
majority of people expressed pro-
American sentiments. He maintained
that pictures sent abroad should not
be hand-picked for purity or depiction
of only the good side of American
life. Skouras said all types of films
should be sent abroad and foreign
populations will recognize the honesty
and courage of American producers
who show all, not only the nice cur-
rents in American life. Skouras said
that while the U. S. Government
' should encourage theatre construe-
Guilds Force 20th
Out of TV: Skouras
Blame for 20th Century-Fox
not entering the television
film production field was
placed on the demands of the
various TV guilds by Spyros
P. Skouras, president, here
yesterday. He said the guild
'requirements for extra pay-
ment money for repeat TV
film showings was "stifling"
TV production.
Skouras claimed that if
29th-Fox and other major
studios would engage in TV
production, as well as the
production of theatrical films,
it would tend to bring down
the cost of theatrical films.
'Brotherhood*
(Continued from page 1)
regional publicity and advertising
chairmen for the drive :
Albany : Jerry Atkin ; Atlanta : Ro-
bert Moscow ; Boston : Paul Levi,
James King ; Buffalo : Ed Meade ;
Charlotte : Everett Olsen ; Chicago :
William Hollander, Ansel Winston ;
Cincinnati : Joseph Alexander ; Cleve-
land : Ted Barker ; Dallas : Frank
Starz ; Denver : William Hastings ;
Des Moines : A. Don Allen, Jerry
Bloedow; Detroit: Mrs. Alice N.
Gorham ; Indianapolis : Dale McFar-
land ; Jacksonville : Howard Petten-
gill ; Kansas City: Senn Lawler,
Lawrence Lehman ; Los Angeles :
Thornton Sargent, Ed Meek ;
Also Memphis : Richard Lightman ;
Milwaukee : Hortense Brunner ; Min-
neapolis : Robert Whelan ; New
Haven : Lou Brown ; New Jersey :
Ward Farrar; New Orleans: Mau-
rice Barr, Ross McCausland ; New
York City : John A. Cassidy ; Okla-
homa City : Roger Rice ; Omaha :
William Miskell, Larry Kaplane ;
Philadelphia : Everett Callow ; Pitts-
burgh : William Elder ; Portland :
Keith Petzgold ; St. Louis : Bob John-
son ; Salt Lake City : Helen Garrity :
San Francisco : Fay Reeder, William
Blake; Seattle: Willard Coghlan ;
Washington : Jack Foxe, Jerry Baker.
'Jazz Singer'
(Continued from page 1)
arriving stars were scores of service-
men who attended the premiere as per-
sonal guests of governors and Con-
gressmen of their home states. Also
attracting cheers were arriving guests
wearing the colors of the University
of Wisconsin whose football team
meets the University of Southern Cali-
fornia Trojans in the Rose Bowl to-
morrow.
Early arriving fans had six sections
of bleachers facing the theatre across
Beverly Drive filled before dark. By
8 :00 P. M., when forecourt cere-
monies started and the parade of stars
began ariving, the crowd had formed
a mass through which Beverly Hills
police were hard pressed to keep thea-
tre-bound traffic moving.
Adding a touch of nostalgia was the
introduction of stars from the first
"Jazz Singer," with which Warner
launched talking pictures.
tion in the Far East, it should not be
underwritten by the government.
During a three-day visit to Korea,
the 20th-Fox president was the guest
of General Van Fleet.
UA Business
(Continued from page 1)
was "happy over the results" and that
planned improvements are " continuing.
Ron Michaels, formerly sales mana-
ger for Australia and New Zealand,
has been named co-managing director
of the same territory, sharing the post
with Walter Thorburn. Constantin
Goldin, formerly with UA and recently
with M-G-M, has been appointed man-
ager for Indonesia where the company
is preparing for the establishment of
its own exchange. UA product cur-
rently is being handled there by. In-
traport under a franchise arrangement.
While in Manila, Picker arranged
for the worldwide distribution of
"Genghis Khan," which was produced
by Manuel Conde on a multi-lingual
scale. Further commenting on Far
East production, Picker said that the
Shaw Brothers in Malaya were in-
creasing their producing schedule,
turning out 18 pictures a year. The
Shaws, who are large theatre opera-
tors, formerly operated on a smaller
scale but now are expanding their pro-
duction schedules and studios, Picker
said.
A deal to play UA product through-
out the Amalgamated Circuit in New
Zealand was closed by Picker during
his stay in Aukland where UA pic-
tures will play for the first time in the
Civic Theatre. By the end of the
first week in February, Picker said,
Charles Chaplin's "Limelight" will be
played in all of the circuit's 50-odd
theatres. Twelve prints of "Lime-
light" are being made available for
New Zealand whereas five prints for-
merly was the maximum for a picture.
In Australia Picker met with the
Hoyt circuit executives, his visit be-
ing the first by a UA foreign head
since 1934. Picker said that "High
Noon" had just finished a 10-week
run at the Plaza Theatre, Sydney,
the longest engagement of a picture
at that house since "The Great Dic-
tator" 11 years ago.
Pointing out that both theatre and
general business were continuing on
a high level throughout the Far East,
Picker singled out Manila as a par-
ticularly good "movie-minded" city.
Five new theatres are opening there
in January. On Quezon Boulevard,
a principal thoroughfare, 12 theatres
are doing a thriving business, he said.
Picker reported that after careful
study, UA planned to enter the 16mm.
distribution market in 1953, teeing off
in Brazil and Australia. He said the
markets were now "ripe" for such
development, although concrete plans
have not been completed. He also dis-
closed that there had been "conversa-
tions" in regard to the pooling of
^.'arious . companies' operations in the
foreign field but that the move had
not gone beyond the discussion stage.
Grainger to Preside
(Continued from page 1)
will be highlighted by discussions of
promotion plans for "Fair. Wind To
Java," starring Fred MacMurray and
Vera Ralston, in Trucolor; John
Ford's "The Sun Shines Bright," with
Charles Winninger, Arleen Whelan
and John Russell ; "The Lady 'Wants
Mink," Dennis O'Keefe, Ruth Hussey,
Eve Arden and William Demarest, in
Trucolor; "Sweetheart Time," ; Tru-
color musical starring Ray Middleton,
Lucille Norman, Eileen Christy ^ Bill
Shirley and Estelita ; and "San An-
tone," . with Rod . Cameron, : Arleen
Whelan, Forest Tucker and Katy
Jurado.
4
Motion Picture Daily
Wednesday, December 31, 1952
PARAMOUNT STARTS 1953 RELEASE SCHEDULE
WITH 23 FEATURES; MORE ARE TO BE ADDED
14 Set for First Half,
10 Are in Technicolor
PARAMOUNT thus far has slated 23 pic-
tures for release in 1 953, with addi-
tional pictures to be announced as soon as
arrangements have been completed with
the studio, according to A. W. Schwal-
berg, president of Paramount Filrn^ Dis-
tributing Corp. Fourteen of these will be
released during the first half of the year,
and of that number 10 will be in Techni-
color.
"On the basis of exhibitor reaction to
pictures that have been announced for the
year and to plans the company has for
providing intensive point-of-sale, local and
regional promotion activity for the 1 953
program, I hesitate not at all to forecast
one of the greatest business years in Para-
mount's long history," Schwalberg asserted.
Jerome Pickman, vice-president in charge
of advertising-publicity-exploitation, elab-
orating on promotion plans for the year,
declared that this year more than ever will
Paramount "gear to local level operation."
"It is on that level," he explained, "that our
customers — and consequently our company
— can derive the greafest benefits."
To Use National Media
For Initial Pre-Selling
Pickman said that national magazines,
supplements and fan magazines will be
used in 1 953 "to the limit of potential re-
turns on every picture on which their use
can be integrated into the over-all cam-
paign as initial pre-selling. Where possible,
these national media will be keyed to
regional release dates."
Both Schwalberg and Pickman empha-
sized the extent to which Paramount's 1 953
releasing plans have come to reflect the
exhibitor viewpoint. The year's line-up,
said Schwalberg, has been based on infor-
mation gathered in face-to-face talks with
exhibitors in every region. Pickman said
the 1 953 promotion programs "are based
in large degree on conferences with ex-
hibitors in all parts of the country, aimed
at achieving the greatest possible direct
value to local box offices from all company
expenditures and efforts in promotion.
Confer with Exhibitors
On Production Schedule
Schwalberg explained that "every one
of the company's executives, including Bar-
ney Balaban, president of Paramount Pic-
tures; Adolph Zukor, board chairman; E. K.
(Ted) O'Shea, vice-president of Paramount
Film Distributing Corp., Pickman, myself
and others, has at various times met with
theatremen to learn at first-hand the enter-
A. W. Schwalberg
Jerome Pickman
tainment tastes and demands of their
patrons." He added that the pictures
Paramount is offering the showmen in I 953
"are a synthesis of every element in the
entertainment spectrum. And every pic-
ture reflects Paramount's determination to
make only top-quality attractions and add
new names to its long list of ticket-selling
stars."
Pickman explained, too, that rad'io and
television also will be employed where pos-
sible to get the biggest local returns on
the pictures and stars. Local and national
spot announcements and interviews will be
widely employed. "No media, no method,
no technique," he added, "will be over-
looked in our determination to exploit
every box office potential for our custom-
ers in every selling area."
Meanwhile, Schwalberg and Pickman re-
minded, the tours which they, in company
with O'Shea, have been making will be
continued in 1 953 so they may keep in-
formed on how promotion policies can be
set up to conform to the individual needs
of each territory.
Schwalberg described the Paramount
studio's approach to production as "em-
bodying intensive research into every re-
quirement of exhibitors and their custom-
ers." Thus, he added, "when Paramount
breaks new entertainment ground it does
so with full assurance that box office
strength is firmly fixed in the 'departure'
picture."
Release Schedule for
First Half of 1953
The Paramount line-up for the first six
months of 1953 is as follows:
January — "Road to Bali," in Technicolor,
starring Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Doro-
thy Lamour (this is the sixth in the famous
"Road" series and the first to be made in
Technicolor); "Thunder in the East," star-
ring Alan Ladd, Charles Boyer, Deborah
Kerr and Corinne Calvet; "Tropic Zone,"
produced in Technicolor by William Pine
and William Thomas, and starring Ronald
Reagan, Rhonda Fleming and Estelita.
Also, Cecil B. DeMille's circus epic in
Tech nicolor, "The Greatest Show on
Earth," is to all intents and purposes a
January release. Approximately 10,000
playdates are ahead of it in 1953 even
though some 6,000 playdates were cov-
ered in 1952 and, therefore, the DeMille
picture is regarded by the company as one
of its outstanding 1953 releases. Starring
in it are Betty Hutton, Cornel Wilde,
Charlton Heston, Dorothy Lamour, Gloria
Grahame and James Stewart.
February — Hal Wallis' new Dean Martin
and Jerry Lewis comedy, "The Stooge,"
and Wallis' "Come Back, Little Sheba,"
starring Burt Lancaster and Shirley Booth.
The latter picture had its premiere open-
ings as 1952 drew to a close, so that it
could be considered eligible for the Acad-
emy Awards next March.
March — Two Technicolor productions,
"The Stars Are Singing," starring Rose-
mary Clooney, Anna Maria Alberghetti
and Lauritz Melchior, and "Pleasure
Island," starring Don Taylor, Leo Genn and
Elsa Lanchester.
Bob Hope's 'Off Limits'
Is Set for April
April — Bob Hope's new comedy, "Off
Limits," co-starring Mickey Rooney and
Marilyn Maxwell, and "Pony Express," in
Technicolor, starring Charlton Heston,
Rhonda Fleming, Forrest Tucker and Jan
Sterling.
May — George Pal's Technicolor produc-
tion, "War of the Worlds," based on H. G.
Wells' classic of science-fiction, and "Ja-
maica Run," also in Technicolor, starring
Ray Milland, Arlene Dahl and Wendell
Corey.
June — "Alaska Seas," in Technicolor,
and Pine-Thomas' "The Conquerors," also
in Technicolor, starring John Payne, Coleen
Gray, Jan Sterling and Lyle Bettger.
The schedule for the rest of the year
includes the following and others to be
announced later:
June Releases Include
Wyler's 'Roman Holiday'
"Roman Holiday," produced in the Ital-
ian capital by William Wyler, and starring
Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn and Eddie
Albert; "Arrowhead," produced in Techni-
color by Nat Holt, and starring Charlton
Heston and Mary Sinclair; "Shane," in
Technicolor, produced by George Stevens
and starring Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur and
Van Heflin; Billy Wilder's production of
the Broadway stage success, "Stalag 17,"
with William Holden, Don Taylor and Otto
Preminger in starring roles; "Little Boy
Lost," new Bing Crosby vehicle produced
by Perlberg-Seaton.
Also, Hal Wallis' Martin-Lewis comedy,
"Scared Stiff"; George Pal's "Houdini," in
Technicolor, starring Tony Curtis and Janet
Leigh; "Forever Female," starrring Ginger
Rogers and William Holden; "Here Come
the Girls," in Technicolor, starring Bob
Hope, Arlene Dahl, Rosemary Clooney.
Motion Picture Daily
5
AMONG PARAMOUNT'S 1953 RELEASES
1
A BOVE, Burt Lancaster and Shirley Booth in a scene
from the Hal Wallis production, "Come Back Little
Sheba," which has attracted wide acclaim from trade
and lay press reviewers. At right, a scene from the
popular "Road to Bali," starring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope
and Dorothy Lamour. Produced by Harry Tugend and
directed by Hal Walker, it is in color by Technicolor.
A BOVE, a scene from George Pal's "The
War of the Worlds," in color by
Technicolor. At right, Betty Hutton in a
scene from Cecil B. DeMille's hit, "The
Greatest Show on Earth," which also stars
Cornel Wilde, Charlton Heston, Dorothy
Lamour and Gloria Grahame. Techni-
color. At left, Rosemary Clooney, Lauritz
Melchior and Anna Maria Alberghetti,
starred in "The Stars Are Singing."
//
THE STOOGE," at left, Hal Wallis's comedy starring
Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Shown with them is
Polly Bergen, who is co-starred with Marion Marshall and
Eddie Mayehoff. Above, Charlton Heston and Forrest
Tucker in Nat Holt's color by Technicolor production
"Pony Express."
Joufsai
erican
PUBLIC SERVICE
lWH, JUSTICE ^ pECEMBER 30, 1952
^Tj»sc Ferrer
About Hobeso*
By GEORGE E. SOK
Paul
absorbed by .Sovi f^°ry » vehement
larded as African ia and his services
citizenship. He is in this country
protagonist of Soviet ^ Joe staim. d by
have been acKn0™ * st Robeson is »f jf*pted by so-
indignation against never been temp paul
patriotic Americans wnu haS ever aen jorgiv-
Robeson with sucn land as Jose *
able sins against nis i of his asso^i presses
has also been attached or because he tfg ^
si0n but rejects treas
Robeson: accepts an award irui
TTninn has QlSCreui^
S honesty of purpose.
ana iw»v"-'
Injures Negro ^use minority groups
dwavs felt deeply about , the m Q^ his
•1 have always i<= se oI t-aua
and their P*^s^ so-called £^fte doing
action in accept ng » reprehensible becau .n_ury
to me to be P"*^™ to his own race and | spQkeS-
almost i"ePa^Nhegroes. He pretends tabe^ on
to the cause of all a eg believe that rav BunChee
man, and he is not. X ap 1 c0tnmon with Raipn
S^SSST*? ^ hTaxfwS uphni
Marian Andef ^er Negroes who are wi
»or much , common J* £
-Nor does he have ; very ^ g to ng and
Negro P*ȣ^5&* .Communist aggressi
battle for freedom ^ rf
dictatorship. arts must have
"Communism is mm
nf those who in the hey-day of
ti0nally difficult S^Sn as an alternative
■Hitlerism were willing w . . alternative to eyn.
the same position dence of ™ou| no visit his
namely, that any m v very few Negroes ^
iSe,s«s ^ nan on r ,eaa
Negroes as well. I i from the particular . A h ^
human trait to S^unists", therefore the i lUog ^
of Negroes are C^m difficult and unused o
logic is pe rhaP^the ^ or most> or a gr
Communists ^
^TkVv ^ af tver""? "WaVr IW
bTf 6 When he rings "Ole Mar . River or s
lose Ferrer has ser^u . not the wegi"
issue Tear-cut and ^^SU in his nat.ve land,
^t0ntShe™to M and mstituuon,
josE ^s,t« —
„M«m> *^°»Sfr-iS* Hi..., 0*1—
468 No,«h Camden Dnv.^i 6U5
i r^oree E. Sokolsky.
Jl.
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