Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1963)

ALLIED CONVENTION WILL BE ACTION-PACKED , STAR-STUDDED Registrations in Advance Show Attendance Now Above #62 Record By H. F. REVES DETROIT — The 34th annual convention of Allied States Ass’n of Motion Picture Exhibitors is slated to draw the largest convention gathering of exhibitors in the organization’s history to the Americana Hotel in New York, October 21-24, according to Milton H. London, executive director. Representatives of the 6,000 independent theatres represented in National Allied membership will be greeted by an action-packed and star-studded galaxy of attractions, in both social and business sessions, for four days. Registration two weeks in advance of opening well exceeded the total final number at the big Cleveland convention of 1962, which broke ten-year records. Critical action for the future of the industry will be concentrated into six key business sessions, “carefully and elaborately programmed to make the individual exhibitor more knowledgeable, more successful, and more prosperous.” FILM BUYING TECHNIQUES On the opening Tuesday (22), both the morning and afternoon sessions will be devoted to the consideration of motion picture releases and the techniques of film buying. Principal facets of discussion will be directed to availabilities, performance, specific sales policies, and current trade practices. All types of situations will be considered, including drive-ins, first runs, subsequent runs and small towns, providing an encyclopedic treatment of the interests of all categories of exhibitors. Marshall H. Fine will deliver the keynote address at the opening session. Jack Armstrong, Allied president, will preside at the business session. He served as president of National Allied in 1961. Fine, chairman of the board of Allied, is a former Allied president and is vice-president and general manager of Associated Theatres of Ohio. Although only 37 years of age, Fine has been active in exhibitor affairs for many years. The Wednesday morning session will be devoted to the merchandising of film product, designed to show exhibitors how to build better business and profit for the theatre. A feature of the convention will be the unveiling of the 1964 Allied Merchandising Manual, an annual which has become a valuable exhibitor operating aid. The Wednesday afternoon session will concentrate on film production, featuring Milton II. London a comprehensive and authoritative briefing on forthcoming film product. A number of outstanding new producers, the type of men selected for “bringing vitality and prosperity back into the business,” will speak at these sessions. Paul N. Lazarus jr., executive vice-president of Samuel Bronston Productions, will be the feature speaker. An actual live debate between experi Marshall Fine enced showmen will be featured on Thursday morning, concentrating on the “Premiere Showcase” development. As explained by London, this will be “actual debate by experienced showmen, on the pros and cons of the new systems of film distribution. No theatre will long remain unaffected by the changes in distribution which are sweeping the country,” he said, adding, “this evaluation in depth by those who know will give exhibitors the background information to make smart decisions when confronted with the choices.” The final business session on Thursday afternoon will be on the theme, “Look Into the Future.” Nicolas Reisini, president and board chairman of Cinerama, Inc., will be a featured speaker, explaining the new geodesic dome type Cinerama Theatre with single-projector operation. Turning to the social aspects, Allied will take over the world-famed Latin Quarter on Wednesday night for convention guests. A spectacular two-hour floor show, complete dinner, and all the refreshments of the house will be available, as part of the regular convention ticket. BANQUET WEDNESDAY NIGHT The banquet on Wednesday night will create a new high in industry entertainment, said London, with the presentation of a complete original musical comedy, “A History of the Movies,” produced by Morton Sunshine, well-known tradepaper editor. This event will include personal appearances by the great stars of the film industry literally from the days of the nickelodeon to today, narrating and singing re-creations of some of their own great scenes in historic films of the past. Among stars and celebrities to have parts in the musical comedy production at the banquet will be Gloria Swanson, John Cameron Swayze, Mitch Miller, Thelma Ritter, Tony Randall, Hermione Gingold, Dore Schary, Roddy McDowall, Glenda Farrell, Conrad Nagel, Ricardo Cortez, Rita Gam, Adolph Zukor, Julia Meade and New York Mayor Robert F. Wagner. Jack Armstrong The following industry leaders and film company executives have accepted invita tions to be dais guests at the Allied banquet, as of this date: President Steve Broidy, vice-president Edward Morey, and general sales manager Ernest Sands of Allied Artists; president James H. Nicholson and executive vice-president Samuel Z. Arkoff of American-International; president and chairman of the board Nicolas Reisini, vice-president B. G. Karnze, and sales manager Sidney Cooper of Cinerama, Inc.; president Irving H. Ludwig of Buena Vista; president Joseph E. Levine and general sales manager Carl Peppercorn of Embassy Pictures; president Robert H. O’Brien and general sales manager Morris E. Mayer; vice-president Charles Boasberg of Paramount; chairman of the board Spyros P. Skouras and vice-president in charge of domestic sales Joseph M. Sugar of 20th Century-Fox; vice-president Eugene Picker and vice-president in charge of domestic sales James R. Velde of United Artists; president Milton R. Rackmil and general sales manager H. H. Martin of Universal; general sales manager M. R. Goldstein of Warner Bros.; president Richard F. Walsh of the IATSE; executive vicepresident Ralph Hetzel of the Motion Picture Ass’n of America; Charles Okun and Harvey Westfall of the Coca-Cola Co. Convention guests will receive a host of valuable prizes, souvenirs and special awards. MOVIE HISTORY BOOK GIFT A copy of the 442-page history of the industry, “The Movies,” by Richard Griffith and Arthur Mayer will be given to each registered guest — probably the most valuable incentive or bonus ever given at a motion picture convention. The book is sold by Crown Publishers at $15, with over 1,000 historic photos of the industry. Registration fee for all activities of the convention is $50, with $25 extra for wives. This covers all breakfasts, luncheons, dinners, the Latin Quarter evening, cocktail events, banquets, all tips and taxes — an important item in New York. A separate complete daytime program is provided for ladies at the convention. These include: (1) Tour of the United Nations, personally escorted by leading statesmen, with luncheon in the Delegates Dining Room. Ramakhanta Sarma, executive in charge of film production for the UN, will address the ladies. (2) Preview of the 1964 World’s Fair, luncheon at the famed Top of the Fair. (3) Private showing of the latest in furs, jewelry, and high style fashions. (4) Special meeting with the worldfamed hairdresser, Mr. Kenneth, designer of coiffures for Jacqueline Kennedy and other fashionable women, credited with “creating the American hairdo of today.” (5) Celebrity luncheon, with the opportunity to meet noted world leaders including Fanny Hurst, Vivien Leigh, Hermione Gingold, Rita Gam, Dina Merrill, Ina Balin and Shari Lewis. BOXOFFICE :: October 14, 1963 5