Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1960)

aesday, July 12, 1960 Motion Picture Daily 3 Exhibitors Are Urged to Unite ( Continued from page 1 ) speakers at the meeting, the other being Al Myrick, president of Allied States Association. Myrick, in criticizing the government for what he termed inaction in the enforcement of the consent decree, stated that a Senate committee has been urged for two years to take action in that direction "but to date has not seen fit to hold a hearing on the violations." Myrick blasted "film distributors who make films available to first run theatres and then withhold them from other theatres after the first run." By this policy, he said, "people who can't pay advanced admission prices at these first runs are deprived of seeing the pictures. After 60 or 90 days the films lose their public interest and independent theatre owners who get films after that time suffer from small box-office income." Rembusch urged the heads of buy ing and booking services to unite, saying, "an over-riding national buying and booking service must be formed," and he added: "Exhibition must not only unite now but take positive and joint action to correct destructive distribution policies or exhibition will die and with it the motion picture industry. We have no choice if we want to live." Will Start Membership Drive The mid-south Allied group pledged a membership campaign between now and time for the fall meeting. Officers in the group are: D wight Blissard, Okolona Miss, president; Augustine Cianciola, Memphis, vice-president for Tennessee; Ed Lloyd, Houston, Miss., vice-president for Mississippi; W. L. Landers, Batesville, Ark., vice-president for Arkansas; J. A. West, Memphis, secretary-treasurer. lynii, Smith Named [GM Branch Managers Vincent Flynn has been named inneapolis branch manager, and Ley Smith named Des Moines branch inager in another series of promoin moves by Robert Mochrie, etro-Goldwyn-Mayer's general sales mager. Flynn takes over the position held Sidney Eckman, whose appoint;nt to branch manager in Philadelia was announced last week. Smith, salesman in Minneapolis, takes over ynn's former position. Since 1956, Flynn has been branch mager in Des Moines. Prior to that, held a similar position in Omaha. 3 joined the company in 1943. Smith s been with M-G-M since 1936. inerama Board ( Continued from page 1 ) arge of worldwide sales and exhibin for Cinerama, has been elected a ector. In addition, the board has pointed Coleman T. Conroy as a e-president. Conroy, a Cinerama diptor of photography, has recently sn engaged in working with ?tro-Goldwyn-Mayer on the technidevelopment of their joint filmiking venture and future planned )ducts. ank Acquires 'Game9 HOLLYWOOD, July ll.-Distribun rights in 48 countries of Europe, 'ia, the British Empire and Africa Roxy Films' "The Royal Game," ■starring Curt Jurgens and Claire '»m, have been acquired by the Arthur Rank Organization. Negotia!ns are currently underway to set a il for 20th Century-Fox to release jame" throughout the western hem'here. enie Prods. Formed Wesley Barry, former child star but if many years a film and TV produci1 has formed Genie Productions, and Is announced the purchase of "This Pne Tomorrow," a drama of the 21st jitury, by Jay Simms, as the initial ! ture production for the new comply. Barry will co-produce with Ed■ jd J. Kay, and will also direct, with eduction slated to begin later this [nth. ions9 Openings Set ferry Wald's "Sons and Lovers" has fen set for its U.S. premiere at the k-Wilshire Theatre in Los Angeles :| Aug. 10. The evening opening will I an invitational affair. The picture has also been booked at fj; Beekman Theatre here on Aug. i| day-and-date with the Victoria en! ;ement on Broadway, previously anI inced. hvine Signs Lubin Arthur Lubin has been signed by nducer Joseph E. Levine to direct tibassy Pictures' forthcoming "The lief of Bagdad," which is scheduled I go into production on July 15 in I me. Warner Stock ( Continued from page 1 ) sets and high asset value per share. The "hidden" assets, the analysis continues, include real estate with a book value of $5,594,796 and an estimated sale value of $50,000,000; the post1948 films with a book value of only $200 and an estimated sale value of $40,000,000; and the company's holdings of 37Vz% of the stock of Associated British Pictures Corp. with a book value of $5,680,000 and an estimated sale value, after taxes, of $15,000,000. The present market price of 50, the letter continues, is only 44% of the actual book value plus the estimated excess of book value. An additional favorable factor, the letter says, is the company's policy of reacquiring a substantial number of its outstanding shares, a policy which will support the market in addition to increasing the net per share asset value. Jack Warner Named (Continued irom page 1) tor Company and chairman of the HOPE Business and Industry Committee. Warner will head an industry-wide drive to raise funds for Project HOPE. "By supporting an effort such as HOPE," Warner said, "American business and industry can take part in a tangible demonstration of the deep concern of Americans for the plight of millions in other lands. In ways such as this, America can most effectively wage peace." Hospital Ship Planned Part of the People-to-People Program, HOPE will send a 15,000-ton hospital ship equipped as a medical training center to Southeast Asia in late summer. Primary objective of the Project is to bring modern technical knowledge and techniques to the medical and health professions of newly developing countries in that area. U.S. Won't Participate In Czech Film Festival From THE DAILY Bureau WASHINGTON, July 11. The U. S. will not officially participate in the Czechoslovak Film Festival at Karlovy Vary, according to U.S.I.A.'s international films chief Turner Shelton. A number of companies will exhibit their product out of competition. The festival continues through July 24. 'Ruth9 Wins Award HOLLYWOOD, July 11. "The Story of Ruth," 20th Century-Fox production, was unanimously voted the best picture of the month for July by the members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Marika Aba, board member, announced. Formal presentation of the bronze plaque citing the film will be presented to producer Sam Engel at the Greater Los Angeles Press Club July 27 when the downtown newsmen and women will honor HFPA members at a "gang dinner." Also scheduled to be present are director Henry Koster and two of the film's stars, Elana Eden and Tom Tryon. Parker Shifted to N.Y. Jud Parker, for the past three years Boston sales manager for Embassy Pictures, has been transferred to the company's New York offices, where he will serve on the advertising staff under Eddie Solomon, vice-president. 'Battle9 Big Here Columbia's "Battle in Outer Space" opened to top business here with a hefty three-day gross of $11,700 at the Forum Theatre. 'Naples9 to Victoria Paramount's "It Started in Naples" will have its New York premiere at the Victoria Theatre in August. Can't Pipe Sound To Homes Near Drive-In Special to THE DAILY HARTFORD, July ll.-The Groton, Conn., Town Council has squelched the Bridge Drive-In Theatre's plans to pipe sound into nearby homes. The theatre had asked permission to run a wire through a storm sewer to five homes that get a free peek at the screen but miss the dialogue. The theatre management hoped this would squelch complaints about the theatre's operations. The council, however, decided it was best not to have wires running through the sewer. Koster Named ( Continued from page 1 ) voted service as Heart Chairman" were highly lauded by Emanuel. The International Chief Barker also announced that James Balmer, of Pittsburgh, would continue as Variety's chief ceremonial officer and sergeant at arms. Balmer is one of the organization's 11 original founders. Koster has been prominently identified with Variety activity for many years. For a number of years he has simultaneously served as executive director of the Boston tent as well as administrative vice-president of Variety Clubs Children's Cancer Research Foundation, better known as the Jimmy Fund. This has been one of Variety's best known Heart projects. Greenville Openings (Continued from page 1 ) group of Greenville area theatres, was on vacation and also unavailable for comment. However, it was learned from other sources that the information on the delivery of the census figures was "on good authority." As noted, this moves up by more than 60 days the anticipated time that the local theatres can request City Council for permission to operate Sunday movies. It was pointed out that one of the exemptions written into state law regarding the antiquated "blue laws" is to permit Sunday movies in counties which have a city of more than 62,000 population. Greenville thus qualified under this exemption, with the unofficial 1960 census population figure of 65,773. This figure is not expected to be changed except perhaps by a few counts in the official figure to be released by the U. S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Census, a spokesman said. Alain Schuller Dies Alain Schuller, 74, died recently in Antwerp, Belgium, it has been disclosed here. Schuller, a chemical enginer, was honorary manager of Gavaert Photo Producten, N. V., Martsel, Antwerp, and for more than 25 years had played an important role in the growth of the Gavaert organization, a leader in the Belgian photographic industry.