Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1960)

lay, July 15, 1960 Motion Picture Daily 3 Jigger, Better' Talks with skouras ABPC Tradin9 Hgwes Abroad Were 'Social' Up for First Quarter (Continued from page L) cessful," he commented that exition can possibly be tied into wired -TV. le added that perhaps methods of -TV exhibition in theatres could be ised, to not only furnish revenue alter the entire status of theatres, i problems of broadcast pay-TV, eh may be tested in Hartford, in., are quite different from the ibitor's viewpoint, and should be ched closely, he declared. Currency Blocking Discussed i)ne aspect of Johnston's trip inled a discussion of the removal of nch currency blocking restrictions, nston is "very hopeful" that free vertibility of film earnings will le to pass in France soon. The ntry's economy soon be able to rd convertibility. hough Johnston did not visit Italy this trip, he indicated he hoped country, too, would soon institute convertibility of film earnings, ccording to Johnston, the film exInge with Russia is progressing in lighly satisfactory" manner. U. S. >s sent there are being seen by e numbers of people — perhaps 50 00 million — over wide areas. The sians are showing them at regular '-run prices. Payment for film sales 'been prompt, he disclosed. Says Russians Are Friendly Shnston noted that the Russians showing their best product at all festivals, that they entertain lav/ at these functions, and that they nut of their way to be friendly and Derative. He pointed out that Rusfilms are being shown all over world, most often on a low-cost s. In some cases, the Russians are langing their product on a film-forbasis with the product of studios le less-developed countries. There theatres in many countries of the ' world that show only Russian duct. Since they are usually poorly ;ided (though attendance seems to ^mproving), this might well raise , question whether these theatres owned or controlled by Russia. )hnston held discussions with Gergovernment officials on the Euro 1 common market and its impact ■ U. S. film exports. "As of now," 'stated, "I'm inclined to believe I it will not have any material efJ on imports of American films." l said that this could change, of f'se, since foreign industry groups la advance proposals to impose ner import restrictions. >ees Government Aid Lacking 'is conversations with foreign of: Is however, led Johnston to bethat the industry there is not ling government backing in the l:er of adding new restrictions to i;e already extant; in fact, foreign :';rnment people seem far more incited in taking steps that could ease Is of the discrimination against [i. films now being practiced, ihnston's trip to Africa, originally From THE DAILY Bureau WASHINGTON, July 14.-Although he met with Spyros Skouras, president of 20th Century-Fox, three times while both were abroad recently, there were no discussions on the company's resignation from the Motion Picture Ass'n., Eric Johnston, MPA president, said here today. Most of the conversation was "social," Johnston declared. Johnston said that Skouras had indicated his willingness to go along with Johnston in any solution to the Spanish problem that may be reached, and that Skouras had also said he would always be glad to cooperate with Johnston on other foreign problems. Johnston observed that he did not think it appropriate to discuss 20th's resignation from MPAA in a foreign country, and added that he thought that if such discussions were held the presidents of other member companies should be represented. From THE DAILY Bureau WASHINGTON, July 14.-Asked about a reference in the Democratic Party platform to the "exploitation of sadistic violence" in entertainment today, Eric Johnston said it raises the whole question of the content of media of communication. In an interview here, the Motion Picture Ass'n. president remarked, "there are periodic and spasmodic complaints that are to be expected in a free country." But, he added, "in addition to the problem of the responsibility of the makers of media, it is not unfair to expect a degree of maturity and responsibility from readers and viewers— the consumers of the product." The Democratic plank asserted, in part, that "we have drifted into a national mood that accepts . . . exploitation of sadistic violence as popular entertainment." Johnston indicated his belief that this sort of plank would not be found in the Republican platform. He will be a delegate to the Republican convention next week. The title of the forthcoming film biography of Mahatma Ghandi will be "Amritsar," it has been announced by Lloyd Young, who will produce. Casting has not as yet been completed. The picture will be filmed on location in India, with interiors to be shot in London. scheduled to begin July 29, has been postponed until Aug. 12. He will return about Sept. 10. Plans still call for him to visit the strife-torn Congo. This part of the trip could, of course, be quickly cancelled if U. S. diplomats there indicate that it would be unwise for foreigners to visit. From THE DAILY Bureau LONDON, July 14.-"Trading figures for the first quarter of the current financial year are rather better than those for the corresponding period last year," Sir Philip Warter, chairman of Associated British Picture Corporation, states in his annual report to stockholders. "In the year under review £ 2,347,204 ($6,572,171) of the trading profit of the group was contributed by television and £1,413,326 ($3,057,312) came from the production, distribution and cinema sections," he disclosed. It has already been announced that the Corporation is paying a final dividend of 40 per cent, which, with the interim dividend, makes a total distribution of 60 per cent, the same as the previous year. Commenting on the Group's cinema activities, Sir Philip said: "During the course of the year 13 of the company's cinemas were closed and of these six have been sold; one has been leased and one converted into a bowling centre. On the other hand, four have been acquired so that the total number of ABC Cinemas at the end of last March was 339. Extended Runs Continuing ABC, recorded Sir Philip, has successfully continued its policy of extended runs of exceptional films on a theatrical basis with bookable seats and a good example of this has been the successful showing of "The Nun's Story" in about 40 cinemas for many consecutive weeks prior to its general release. Turning to the continued downward trend of admissions, the ABPC chairman concluded his report: "It is true, however, that in the right situation the more modern and well-equipped cinema does better than average and it is for this reason that we are continuing and, indeed, increasing the allocation for maintenance and re-equipment but the money is being devoted to those cinemas which have the best opportunity of doing well in the future." Six-Way Tie-Up Plugs 'Hercules' in Chicago Special to THE DAILY CHICAGO, July 14. A six-way commercial tie-up, involving five of Chicago's largest merchants and the Chicago Sun-Times, has been set here to herald the Aug. 5 saturation of Joseph E. Levine's "Hercules Unchained" in more than 90 theatres. The promotion will encompass newspaper display space, television spot promotion, and window and instore displays. The merchants involved include Thriftway, Suresafe, and MidWest Super Markets, Goldblatt's Department Stores, Grand Central Motors, and the afore-mentioned newspapers Sun-Times Fun Club. The promotion was set by Paul Montague, Embassy's special field exploitation representative in Chicago. PEOPLE John H. Davis, deputy chairman and managing director of the Rank Organisation, London, has been named a Governor of the British Film Institute, a government-subsidized body. Ellis F. Pinkney, general secretary of the Cinematograph Exhibitors Association, has been reappointed as a Governor. o M. H. Fritchle who has spent most of his business life in the Cleveland theatre equipment field, since 1958 as manager of the local National Theatre Supply branch and prior to that as manager of Oliver Theatre Supply Co., which went out of business in June, 1958, has announced his retirement. Succeeding him is Miles M. Mutchler who henceforth combines management of the supply business with the operation of NTS's motel furnishing department. „ D Milton "Tiny" Paris, formerly assistant production manager at 20th Century Fox, has now joined the staff of Union Film Distributors, Inc., as print booker. 'Ben-Hur' Set for Dublin Bow on September 8 From THE DAILY Bureau LONDON, July 14. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's "Ben-Hur" is to be launched in Dublin in September. It will open with a gala premiere, in aid of the Centenary Fund of Blackrock College, on Sept. 8 at the Ambassador Cinema, Parnell Street. The agreement allowing Capitol and Allied Theatres, proprietors of the Ambassador, to play "Ben-Hur" for a long-term engagement at this theatre, was signed in Dublin this week by Peter Farrell, managing director, and Charles Goldsmith, chairman and managing director of Metro-GoldwynMayer Pictures, Ltd. "Ben-Hur" will play at separate performance on an advance-booking policy throughout its entire Dublin run. There will also be special student's shows, similar in style to the series running at Metro's Empire Theatre in London. Last week it was announced that "Ben-Hur" is to open its first British provincial dates in September at ABC theatres in Bristol, Birmingham and Glasgow. 'Hercules' Big $256,491 Joseph E. Levine's "Hercules Unchained" scored an outstanding opening day gross Wednesday of $256,491 initiating the film's mass saturation throughout Greater New York. POUND RIDGE EXECUTIVE'S SMATJ. ESTATE Commuter's dream. Country privacy. Gracious mod Colonial Banch, 7 acres overlking breathless view. Liv rm. fam din rm w/fplce, 3 bedrms. 2 Hollywood bths, electric ktchn. Cut stone front, slate roof, 2-car gar. Private swimming pond. Sacrif at $55,000. Open house Sat & Sun 1-5 PM. Garga-gliano, Rte 124 or call for directions. MAE ALT M A N Sole Agt MO 4-4044 or MO 8-3537 Title to Be iAmritsar> Johnston Replies to Democrats on 'Violence'