Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1963)

Stembler Cites Basis For Bright Future RESERVATIONS REACH RECORD VOLUME T OA Convention to Offer Program of Wide Interest ATLANTA — Reviewing industry events of the last ten years, John Stembler stated here Monday (30) that “only by looking at what has gone on in the past, only by being aware of what is happening in the present, can we anticipate what is possible in the future.” Stembler, president of Theatre Owners of America, delivered the keynote address at the joint convention of the theatre owners of Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee at the Dinkier Plaza Hotel and pointed out that the past decade had been one of great changes for exhibition. The TOA president cited the increase in the number of theatres, the rise of the shopping center theatre, the transition to summer as the best season of the year, the showing of almost new pictures on television and the static position of pay TV. The upcoming TOA national convention in New York will have as its theme “The Big Look Ahead,” Stembler said, explaining that the conclave would be based on today’s experiences and requirements, concerning itself with product needs, theatre construction, ticket-selling and art theatre operation. He said the slogan contained the promise of the potential growth of exhibition to meet the entertainment needs of a gi’owing population. Stembler said the only prediction he could make was that the industry would be subject to change in the future as it had been in the past. In conclusion, he said: “If we keep our theatres clean and comfortable, if we build new theatres when and where needed, if our suppliers produce a sufficient number of quality motion pictures for our needs, then exhibition will, I believe, continue in its present form far into the future, and ‘The Big Look Ahead’ will prove to be not merely a slogan, but a reality in years to come.” Anti-Defamation League To Honor Barney Balaban NEW YORK — Barney Balaban, president of Paramount Pictures, will be honored for his contributions to the fight against racial and religious prejudices and discrimination at the 50th anniversary luncheon of the AntiDefamation League at the Americana Hotel November 1, according to Benjamin Melniker, vice-president of MGM and this year’s chairman of the amusement division of the League. The ADL luncheon will spotlight the League’s drive for $3,940,000 for the development of a five-point educational and research program. Balaban has for many years been a leading force of the League, which was founded in 1913 “to secure justice and fair treatment for all citizens.” A part of the League’s program for this year will be the preparation of dozens of one-minute TV announcements featuring Frank Sinatra, Nanette Fabray, G. Marshall, Chuck Connors and others. NEW YORK — An advance look at the convention agenda of Theatre Owners of America indicates that the program is one of the most comprehensive in exhibition history and that no facet of showmanship and theatre operation has been neglected. As of midweek, more than 700 rooms at the Americana Hotel had been reserved for the convention, October 2831. According to Joseph Alterman, TOA executive secretary, the convention will be drawing theatremen who never had attended a convention before, many of them coming from very small towns in Montana, Washington and other western states. Describing the convention as one that will have “depth and variety,” Alterman said there would be something of interest for every exhibitor and that the programs would have new techniques and approaches, never before attempted at an exhibitor gathering. Every industry problem will be faced “realistically,” he said, among them being construction trends, art theatre operation, censorship, showmanship, pay TV, small and big-town management, drive-in operations, product, new equipment and concessions. TO SCREEN CLIPS FROM FILMS As to product, several companies will screen clips from pictures they will release from now until Easter. The accent will be on open discussions of all matters and there will be a minimum of speeches. It was noted that many previous conventions had been slowed down by an overflow of speeches; this year, they will be held to a minimum in order to offer ample opportunities for the exchange of information. It was noted that the TOA convention offered the only opportunity for exhibitors to inspect new equipment and concession items and to talk with the manufacturers. In addition to the serious business sessions, an extensive social program has been mapped out, each loaded with stars, starlets and other personalities. Edward Fabian, convention chairman, said the agenda now was complete, with no holes to fill, unless there should be some last-minute, unavoidable cancellations of speakers. Some important “name” speakers are still to be announced, strictly because of the need to await formal confirmation. In other respects, the convention, still three weeks off, is “ready to go.” Here is the agenda, subject to only minor changes : On Saturday, October 26, the nominating committee will hold a luncheon meeting, with Roy Cooper presiding. This will be followed by a session of the finance committee, headed by Myron Blank. Registration will start the next morning, Sunday, and the board of directors and executive committee will meet throughout the day, breaking only for a luncheon of tribute to Herman Levy, retiring general counsel. ‘SURPRISE’ AT OPENING The official opening of the convention at 10 o’clock Monday morning will have some “surprises,” according to the convention committee. It will be a novel curtainraiser, it was said, but details were being kept under wraps for obvious reasons. The address of welcome will be delivered by Edward Fabian, with follow-up comments by John H. Stembler. There will be discussions by Richard A. Smith of Boston on “The Progressive Exhibitor Looks Ahead”; Philip F. Harling and E. Lamar Sarra on pay television and legislation and Drew Eberson, noted theatre architect, on theatre trends. At this session also, Eugene V. Klein, head of National General Corp., will reveal plans for the unveiling of Talaria, its closed-circuit theatre television system. National Screen Service will be the host of the opening day luncheon, with Julian Rifkin of Boston as toastmaster. Guest speakers will be Louis Nizer, noted industry attorney; Burton Robbins, NSS president, and Mel Gold, NSS general sales manager. That night, Joseph E. Levine will present a cocktail reception and dinner under the title of “A World of Showmanship for the Showmen of the World,” for which he has promised some surprises. Following a continental breakfast Tuesday morning, an art theatre seminar will lead off the morning business session, with Norman Levinson, Dallas, as chairman. This session will cover advertising and publicity, public relations and a panel discussion on the rise of today’s art theatre. Speakers will be Bosley Crowther of the New York Times, Richard Brandt, Mel Brown and Sidney Deneau. Under the heading of “The Big Look Ahead,” the slogan of the convention, the delegates will witness a massive trailer type of presentation which will show highlights of upcoming pictures from the major companies. This will be held at the Rivoli Theatre under the direction of Nat Fellman of New York. MPAA TO HOST LUNCHEON The Tuesday luncheon will be hosted by the member companies of the Motion Picture Ass’n, with Arthur Tolchin of Loew’s Theatres as toastmaster. A very prominent industry personality will be introduced at this event. Other guest speakers will be Henry “Hi” Martin, vice-president of Universal Pictures, and Ralph Hetzel, acting head of the MPAA. Columbia Pictures will offer a “surprise package” as the evening social affair. The theme of the Wednesday business sessions will be “Tomorrow’s Theatres and Concessions Today,” which will be moder(Continued on page 15) Barney Balaban Joseph Alterman BOXOFFICE :: October 7, 1963 5