Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1955)

15. H uesday, November 15, 1955 Motion Picture Daily Crosses (Continued from page 1) forecast for the second week of 5uys and Dolls." "The Tender rap" at its opening week at the iadio City Music Hall is expected ) hit a resounding $165,000. The Capitol, at the same time, dislosed that it would reduce the weekay night top for "Guys and Dolls" om $2.50 to $2.00, beginning toay. At the weekend, it was added, le evening top will be $2.50. ' ;An extra holiday performance for Dt( Oklahoma!" at the Rivoli is due to 3H ioost the fourth week gross figure to f111 ' sturdy $58,000. 'Rebel' Strong at Astor ' '* 1 "Rebel Without a Cause" at the "i '\stor also is doing fine business, with lvitl|l>24,000 indicated for its third week. ■''The Big Knife" at its first week at she Victoria is forecast to register a lice $21,000. I "I Died a Thousand Times" at the jlobe, now in its first week, is due o a hit a satisfactory $15,500, while Dnly a fair $21,000 is seen for the inal six days of the second week of 'Sincerely Yours" at the Paramount. 'Target Zero" will open at the Paramount today. At the Roxy, "The View from Pompey's Head" is due to do the same level of business in the current second week as it did the first, with $35,000 seen for the second week, .considered a good figure. At Loew's State a nice $17,000 is seen for the .fifth week of "The Tall Men," which will be replaced on Nov. 22 by "Queen Bee." 'Hours' in Sixth Week A fair $17,000 is indicated for the sixth week of "The Desperate Hours" at the Criterion, while "Gentlemen Marry Brunettes" at the Mayfair is due to rack up a mild, but nice $12,500 for its third week. Among off-Broadway houses, the Guild Theatre reported that the first week of "Umberto D" grossed a big $12,900. The Rivoli, in the meantime, announced a price scale for "Oklahoma!" for New Year's Eve. Orchestra and loge seats will be priced at $5 and balcony seats at $4 and $3. 'G & D' Sets New Record At Astor Theatre, Boston BOSTON, Nov. 14.-"Guys and Dolls" set a new record for attendance and gross receipts at the Astor Theatre here in its first four days through last night. It grossed $34,000 at the 1,390-seat house, with prices scaled to $1.80 top. The previous high admission price was $1.50. Richard Sears, 74 BOSTON, Nov. 14.-Funeral services for Richard W. Sears, 74, of Brookline, veteran newspaper and newsreel photographer, were held here today at Waterman Chapel. He had been with Pathe News and later Universal News, and had developed many "firsts" in his career as a newsreel cameraman. Narcotics and the Production Code ( Continued from page 1 ) body of the Code which is based on moral principles and therefore is not now, or at any other time, subject to change, alteration or honest evasion. Hence, if the anti-narcotic provision should now be thoughtfully judged as not being imperative for the rightful discharge of the industry's responsibility it may be re-written or erased. The Preminger picture offers promise of being a widely-discussed subject. The releasing agency is an important company and a member of the Motion Picture Association of America. The case therefore becomes one for serious attention. It most certainly should not be smoked up in subterfuges and evasions. The Production Code Administration withheld approval of the script of the picture. It therefore is to be presumed that it will not give its approval to the finished picture, if the existing Code provision is honestly applied this would seem to be the inevitable result. If the picture fails in receiving a Code certificate, United Artists, under its association agreement will be subject to a $25,000 fine. If the fine is not paid, it presumably will be subject to expulsion from the association. THE whole situation, now before the release of the picture, should be honestly and fairly examined. If good cause for action is found, such action should be taken. Ir. face of the existing provision the Code Administration should not be left subject to pressures and maneuverings calculated to get them to find some slant or device to make some last minute discovery that after all the picture somehow squeaks by for approval. The association, without shadow-boxing, should take a position either to drop or revise the Code provision or proceed to exert the full penalty of violation of its agreement with its members. The time for action is at hand. The Preminger picture is completed and the nature of its subiect matter is well-known. United Artists has announced that it will release the picture with or without Code approval. It is perhaps nothing more than an idle expectation to assume that the anti-narcotic provision of the Code is not on its way out — probably by the gentle art of evasion. Out of a sense of public responsibility the industry should not let this happen. The Code provision should be carefully re-v/ritten to permit subjects which deal with the theme of narcotics within the bounds of judgment, discretion and a realization of the awful responsibility that is involved. If this action is taken time alone will tell whether it is the right policy for motion picture entertainment. Whatever the eventual outcome it would have the merit of honesty and forthrightness. Doubts Exhibitors Will Play 'Husband' COLUMBUS, O., Nov. 14.-Doubt that many exhibitors will show Sir Alexander Korda's "The Constant Husband," which had its premiere on television on Nov. 6, was expressed by Robert Wile, secretary of the Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio, following an unfavorable review of the film printed in the New York "Times." Said the Times: "In temporarily detouring around such hazards as the boxoffice and the Film Critics' Circle, Sir Alexander would seem to have reaffirmed his stature as a businessman. Sometimes a TV bird-in-thehand is worth two in the theatre bush. 'The Constant Husband' was very routine fare, a far cry from even the general run of English films on home screens." TV Academy to Cite 'Emmy" Winners Don DeFore, president of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences; Johnny Mercer, first vice-president, and Walt Disney, former member of the board of governors of the organization, will address a luncheon meeting at the Plaza Hotel today honoring the 1954 "Emmy" award winners from the East Coast. Among those attending will be Art Carney, John Daly, Tom Gallery, Armina Marshall, Bob Markell, Audrey Meadows, Robert Saudek, Robert Shelby, June Taylor and Max Liebman. The iuncheon is designed to let Eastern television leaders know the work and plans of the Academy. Thomas Freebairn Smith, executive secretary, will act as chairman of the gathering. UK Statutes ( Continued from page 1 ) cision on any quota percentages for the year beginning October 1, 1938, will require to be taken by March cf that year. It is learned that, in view of the present heavy claims on Parliamentary time and the involved procedure necessary for the presentation of a bill to Parliament, the Board of Trade's Films Division has already given detailed consideration to the pattern of future film industry legislation. Other significant factors have also to be taken into account. The Act of Parliament, for example, regulating the National Film Finance Corp. is due to expire in March, 1957. Also, the voluntary agreement under which the Eady Fund operates will come up for renewal in July, 1957. Survey Promised Thorneycroft, on an earlier occasion, gave a pledge to the Commons that the Board of Trade will seek the views of all sections of the industry before any amendment to existing legislation is proposed to the House. SSBC Hearings ( Continued from page 1 ) subcommittee would of necessity have to take testimony from spokesmen for the distributors, Theatre Owners of America, Southern California Theatre Owners Association, independent producers and likely Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission. Witnesses to Be Picked Shortly Subcommittee Chairman Humphrey (D., Minn.), who has promised to begin hearings on Jan. 25, is reported ready to "do whatever is necessary" to get a thorough airing of the problems. Subcommittee staff officials will begin shortly to study the situation and line up witnesses. IFE's Gregory Dies In Kansas City KANSAS CITY, Nov. 14. Ralph Gregory, I.F.E. Releasing Corp.'s Kansas City sales representative, was stricken by a heart attack on Friday and died a short time later. Gregory, who was born on May 7, 1906, began his motion picture sales career as a booker with Warner Brothers in 1941 and held sales positions with various film companies before joining I.F.E. Releasing Corporation on April 25, 1955. He is survived by his wife. IN A HURRY FOR SPECIAL TRAILERS? You'll be glad you did! We'll give you fast service and the finest quality! m FILMACK n