Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1963)

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INDUSTRY VIGOR IN STRUGGLE WITH TV STRESSED BY SKOURAS The 30th annual convention of Allied Theatres of Wisconsin brought out a whopping attendance of 250. Left, a chat before the banquet, left to right: Edward Johnson, re-elected president; Bernie Strachota, who emceed the convention; Spyros Skouras, 20th-Fox chairman, and Ben Marcus, Wisconsin circuit owner. At right, Marcus is shown presenting the Showman of the year award to Wayne Berkley. Seated are Strachota, on the left, and Skouras. The woman is unidentified. Ed Johnson Re-Elected President of Allied Of Wisconsin MILWAUKEE — There literally was standing room only in the display rooms and meeting halls during the 30th annual convention of Allied Theatre Owners of Wisconsin here last midweek at the Pfister Hotel. There were more than 250 at the closing dinner, according to Edward E. Johnson, who was re-elected president. Among the industry personalities attracting interest, and attendance, at the convention was Spyros Skouras, who commented: “Caesar was assassinated, Mark Anthony committed suicide and Spyros Skouras was beheaded — all by Cleopatra.” Skouras moved out as 20th-Fox president during the company difficulties stemming from delays and mounting costs of the film spectacular “Cleopatra.” Others elected included Gerry Franzen of Cinema Corp. here, vice-president; Otto Settele, See-More Theatre at Seymour, secretary, and Larry Beltz, Grand at Wausau, treasurer. Ben Marcus is chairman of the board. THE DIRECTORS The directors are Robert Gross, Elm Grove; Larry Beltz, Wausau; Alfred Bergman, Ashland; Don Deacon, Wisconsin Dells; S. J. Goldberg, Wausau; Roland Koutnik, New Berlin; Ranee Mason, Houghton; Dean Fitzgerald, Milwaukee; Frank Lesmeister, Mineral Point; James Suick, Antigo; Jack McWilliams, Portage, and F. J. McWilliams (honorary), Portage. Henry Kratz, in his first year as executive secretary; president Johnson; Rudy Koutnik, the convention chairman; Franzen, Sig Goldberg, Don and Shirley Perlewitz, Ed Johnson and Lydia Fox, Ben Marcus and others organized what perhaps was Wisconsin Allied’s most impressive convention. Bernie Strachota, past chief barker of the Variety Club, did an excellent job as master of ceremonies. Skouras said “Cleopatra” would become one of the most profitable productions in the history of the industry, adding that “Cleo” and Darryl F. Zanuck’s “The Longest Day” have put 20th-Fox back solidly in the movie business. “Fox plans call for an epic to be shown at roadshow prices every year,” he said. Skouras warned exhibitors that free television competition is increasing. The free TV gross income in the U. S. last year was one billion, 400 million dollars. Skouras said, five times what it was ten years ago. On the other hand, he pointed out, the gross from films worldwide last year was less than 90 billion. “But despite the terrific growth of TV, exhibitors have constructed since 1960 almost 5,000 more indoor and outdoor theatres,” Skouras said. “Today the U. S. has 21.000 theatres— 15,000 indoor houses and 6.000 drive-ins — whereas in 1960 there were 16,991 theatres, consisting of 12,291 four-wallers and 4,700 drive-ins.” This is a tribute not only to exhibitor courage, but also to the basic strength and soundness of the motion picture industry, showing that it possesses the tremendous vitality necessary to assure a growth in the face of such heavy competition, Skouras declared. Robert Y. Robb, associate professor of Marketing at Wayne State University, Detroit; Jack Armstrong, National Allied president, and Ben Marcus, Wisconsin Allied chairman, headed the list of speakers. Milton London, National Allied executive director, was unable to attend the convention. SHOWMANSHIP FORUM Henry B. Toilette, general manager of the Marcus circuit, was moderator of the showmanship forum. The panel included Otto Settele, Pulaski theatreman; Ben Katz, Chicago, Universal publicist, and Ralph Barnes, radio station WOKY, Milwaukee. Wayne Berkley of the Viking Theatre at Appleton won Allied’s Showman of the Year Award, and a $100 savings bond. Second place went to Walter Holt, Rialto, Kaukauna, $50 bond, and third to George Andrews, Rivoli at LaCrosse, $25 bond. Honorable mention went to Elmer Brennan, West at Green Bay, and William Hooks, Rainbow at Milwaukee. Robb recalled that over nine months had gone by since he reported the results of a survey, made among Detroit theatregoers, at the National Allied convention in Cleveland last December. CHECK YOUR V.I.P.s “If I had been a theatre owner,” he said, “I would have been disturbed and would have given my V.I.P.s a thorough study . . . Did that survey set you to minding your V.I.P.s, the very important points I refer for your consideration today.” He summarized them as 1. Principles, 2. Policies, 3. Program, 4. Public, and 5. Profits. “What has happened to your Very Important Profits . . . What has happened to your Very Important Principles — of sound finance, entertainment of public service, of public relations, of salesmanship, of showmanship? “What about your Very Important Policies? Do you have a policy to provide your patrons with satisfying film entertainment in a comfortable theatre? To seek improvements in your physical plant and equipment? (Continued on next page) BOONTON, N. J. Large Core Greater Crater Area means MAXIMUM LIGHT Evenly Distributed Wisconsin — NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY, 1027 N. 8th Street, Milwaukee 3, Wisconsin BOXOFFICE :: October 7, 1963 NC-1