Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1955)

Motion Picture Daily Wednesday, November 16, 195 Vedi l\o Name-Calling by TO A* Blank Says '"Theatre Owners of America will not become embroiled in a name-calling contest with anyone," TOA president Myron Blank said here yesterday when asked to comment on speeches made at the Allied States convention in Chicago last week by Allied president Rube Shor and counsel Abram Myers. "We stand firmly as ever on a policy of constructive progress and sanity of endeavor with a realistic approach to exhibitor problems for all exhibitors, small, medium and large." TOA Will Be Heard At Probe by SSBC Starting on Jan. 25 Theatre Owners of America, by im itation or by special request, will have a representative appear before the Senate Small Business subcommittee on Jan. 25. The subcommittee is investigating the industry, Myron X. Blank, TOA president, stated here yesterday. "TOA will be happy to appear before any U. S. group," the exhibitor group's president declared, in reply to a statement that Sen. Hubert Humphrey (D., Minn.), had notified Allied States Association of the start of the hearings. Favors 'Beneficial' Control National j) ( Continued is in favor of is different from that proposed by Allied States Association. He cited, as an example of favorable legislation, a law "doing away with the admission tax. ' He emphasized that TOA "is against any governmental laws which will be detrimental to the industry." Blank pointed out that at present, the U. S. restrictions in the industry, the consent decrees, has created "a seller's market." "The producers are making more money than ever, but exhibition is making less money now than it was in the 1940's," he stated. Hits Product-Withholding "Government regulations should create conditions which should induce die production of more motion pictures," Blank stated, adding that he would also like to see a number of the distribution practices corrected. He did not say how a law could be devised to handle such issues. One of the distribution practices which TOA would like to see corrected, Blank said, is diat of having the distribution companies create a steady flow of films to theatres instead oi holding back the good product for holiday periods and seasons." There isn't a shortage of product, the TOA president stated. "It is just that the studios' vaults are full of completed pictures which are being Puts the Indelible Mark of Greatness on — with a screen-filling torrent of elemental emotions that will have audiences reeling . . . from page 1) held back," he said. "Between now and Christmas most theatres will be playing poor films or re-issues," Blank said. He pointed out that U. S. theatres are anxious to play foreign films if "we could make money on them." Blank said that diis was one of the main reasons for his European trip. "TOA is interested in creating the best conditions for all people in the industry by having healthy exhibition, distribution and production," Blank stated. "We will fight for anything Herman M. Levy, general counsel for Theatre Owners of America, reported yesterday that he had received no word as yet from Adolph Schimel, Universal Pictures vice-president and general counsel, as to whether the distribution companies had approved or disapproved the arbitration draft. Levy and Schimel represented exhibition and distribution, respectively, in formulating the proposed set of industry rules and regulations for arbitration. which is right and to keep any or all theatres from going out of business due to film shortages," the TOA head declared. Commenting on the possibility of meeting in the future with the sales managers of the distribution companies, Blank said that "meetings will take place when it is necessary." He said that there had been considerable relief from problems in the field since the last meetings between exhibition and distribution. In reply to a question concerning the development of new talent, which Blank said was one way to boost Hope that a European film festival could be run in conjunction with the 1956 Theatre Owners of America convention in New York was expressed here yesterday by Myron N. Blank, TOA president. Such an event would create a better understanding between U. S. and foreign film industries and would help build a better flow of monies between America and foreign nations, according to Blank. business and attendance, the TOA head said that it "is the job of the production studios, not exhibition, to build new faces as the studios and producers do the exploitation and publicity for new product and talents." The press conference, which was held at TOA headquarters here, was also attended by J. J. Rosenfield, assistant to the president; Albert M. Pickus, vice-president; Robert Livingston, secretary; Herman M. Levy, general counsel, and Joseph G. Alterman, assistant secretary. It was reported that E. D. Martin, board chairman, Walter Reade and Ernest Stealings had previously conferred with Blank before the press meeting. Pre-Selling ( < A LEXANDER THE GREAT receives substantial assistanc from an 11-page pictorial and editoi ial story appearing in the Nov issue of "Life." The story opens picturing Alexan der saving his father's life on Macedonian battlefield. The photo reproduced in delicate colors, as ar the ones that follow, which are dis played on two double-page spread "Alexander the Great" was pro duced in Spain under the directioi of Robert Rossen. All the photo were made on the production sets. In addition, this issue of "Life" ha a comphrensive history of Alexander' career written by Sir Harold Nicol i Tii lent »it(' f r. "The Rose Tattoo" and "The Des perate Hours" are recommended t( the readers of "Redbook's" Decembe issue by Florence Somers. • "Two Broadway hits that have be come top film fun, 'Oklahoma!' and 'My Sister Eileen,' " in the opinion of the motion picture editor of "Com net." In the November issue he telh why he selected these two films Janet Leigh and Tony Martin, stars of "Safari" and "Trapeze," are on the cover of the current issue ol "Look." The cover photo was taken on location in Europe. Considerable space in the issue is devoted to a pictorial story of these stars while in Paris and its environs. • "Guys and Dolls" is advertised on the table of contents page in the November issue of "Seventeen." • "Pageant's" December issue devoted eight pages of photos to Susan Strasberg, star of "Picnic." The pictures are candid camera shots taken on location in Kansas where the Pulitzer prize winning play was being filmed. • Bette Davis, whose latest picture is "Storm Center," has written a history of her 25 years in motion pictures for "Collier's." Her biography has been divided into two installments, the first appearing in the current issue followed by the concluding installment, which will be in the issue of Dec. 9. It makes interesting reading and is illustrated by photos of her starring roles in the past and a full color photo from her new release, "Storm Center." • The readers of "Photoplay's" December issue are being asked to vote for their "Favorite Stars and Movies for 1955." When counted, these votes will constitute "Photoplay's" Gold Medal Awards for 1955-56. • Kim Novak, star of "The Eddy Duchin Story," is the cover girl on the Nov. 16 issue of "People ToDay." A profile of the new Columbia star appears in the same issue. WALTER HAAS ire to K Frie emai