Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1960)

Motion Picture Daily Thursday, August 4 Col. Overseas ( Continued from page 1 ) much as 35 per cent in some cases, Rothman said. Devaluation of local foreign currencies is responsible for the discrepancy. Otherwise, most of the news from Columbia's foreign front is good, the executive stated, and will stay that way so long as the company's overseas department overcomes two obstacles—the growth of foreign TV and excessive theatre taxes in many lands. Rothman estimated that Columbia derives 55 per cent of its revenue from foreign markets. That's one reason why, when he assumed his position with the company last March, he immediately set about integrating the foreign sales and merchandising departments with those in the U.S. Job is to 'Re-energize' His job, he said, was to "re-energize" the foreign department. Now everything is being handled by Columbia in terms of "one world," including premieres of important pictures. Many of these are scheduled for foreign cities. "I Aim at the Stars," the Wernher Von Braun story, will have its global premiere in Munich on Aug. 19. "All the Young Men," because Ingemar Johansson is prominently featured in it, will premiere in Sweden. "The Guns of Navarone," filming in Greece, is expected to get the full world premiere treatment in that country early next year. Columbia will continue to make many of its top films abroad, Rothman said citing, "Lawrence of Arabia," which will be produced in TransJordan. What's more, there no longer exists a time lag between the premiere of any Columbia picture here and abroad. As soon as print and a theatre are available, the company quickly holds its opening in Europe or Asia. Considering 'Backroom' Change Rothman said his department is contemplating the consolidation of selling and backroom facilities with other American companies in foreign countries. On the debit side, attendance in many countries is down considerably from last year. Pointed examples are France, Germany, the Scandinavian group and Japan, Rothman said, citing TV as the villain. Theatre shutterings abroad seem to have leveled off, except in Great Britain, he added. Rothman foresaw no major expansion in any area of the world with the possible exception of Africa. He will visit that continent Try Us Next Time 1357 S. Wabash, CHICAGO 'Wall St. Journal' Reports 'Hollywood Rebound'; Says Second Quarter Earnings Gain Leads Nation "Hollywood's Rebound" was the heading on a Page 1 report in yesterday's "Wall Street Journal" on increased profits, diversification and new production successes of major companies. The article pointed out that despite their varied interests today, the companies are still very much in the film business, with profits from many big budget productions larger than anything the industry has ever known. The article notes that "the movie companies are succeeding in turning in some impressively black profit figures for 1960 at a time when the rest of U.S. industry is hard put to equal 1959 earnings. In a (Wall Street Journal) tabulation of second quarter earnings of 384 corporations, the movie makers led all other industry groups with a 101% gain over the 1959 second quarter earnings, compared with a 12.9% drop for all companies." In addition to huge earnings possibilities spread over a period of years from the high budget blockbusters, the Journal reports that some 4,000 post1948 films are estimated to have a value of between $300,000,000 and $500,000,000 when sold to television. MPAPublisher Program Set (Continued the press." He cited premium and discriminatory ad rates, censorship of film ads, antagonistic or indifferent editorial attention to motion pictures, preferential treatment of television, and other industry grievances against a large section of the nation's press. The new committee under Pickman's chairmanship will move immediately to put some of these complaints and problems directly before the heads of key newspapers throughout the country. Local exhibitor groups, Compo, Theatre Owners of America and the industry's advertising agencies will be asked to cooperate in the action to be mapped out. The MPAA ad-publicity committee also authorized Taylor Mills, MPAA director of public relations to act as its representative at a meeting this morning in relation to possible industry participation in the 1964-'65 New York World's Fair. The meeting, to be held in the City Building at Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, site of the fair, was called by Robert Moses, fair director, to discuss plans with potential exhibitors. In relinquishing his chairmanship of the MPAA committee yesterday, Seadler urged the members to "inject themselves more aggressively into industry policy matters that impinge on public relations." "While the principals of the companies direct the industry's policies, on his next 'round-the-world trip this November. His tour will end at a Latin American convention to be held next February in Buenos Aires or Rio de Janeiro. He will be placing special emphasis on "Song Without End," "Pepe," and "The Guns of Novarone." These pictures, he feels, have "bonus appeal" for the foreign market. Rothman also announced that Marion Jordan is taking over as Columbia's continental manager and will make his headquarters in Paris. Rothman himself said his time each year will be divided equally between the U.S. and the rest of the world. from page 1 ) there is no central group that is in a better position to be vocal about areas in which they operate. For example, the recent appearance of Lazarus before the Newspaper Executives convention; which had the endorsement of this committee, received wide attention throughout the nation. Such appearances should be more frequent. Our committee should seek representation for speakers at annual conventions of publishers, exhibitors and other groups before whom our press problems should be personally presented," Seadler said. The committee unanimously passed a resolution expressing its appreciation for Seadler 's leadership in conducting its activities in behalf of the industry. British Endorse Policy ( Continued from page 1 ) tation of the details by Charles "Jerry" Juroe, Paramount director of advertising and publicity for Continental Europe. Juroe told the circuit bookers and exhibitors there was no question, but that the admission policy had contributed to the great success of the picture in the U.S. Tony Reddin, Paramount director of theatre publicity in Britain, announced plans for further demonstrations of the "Psycho" campaign to branch managers tomorrow. He will also conduct similar meetings during a tour of the provinces. Paramount has been conducting an extensive exploitation campaign for the opening of the picture at the Plaza Theatre in the West End to morrow. Grossman Named ( Continued from page 1 ) tive advertising, promotion, pressbook and still departments. For the past two years he has been a member of the exploitation department at the Warner Studios in Burbank, Calif. Before joining Warner Brothers, Grossman was with the Deutsch & Shea advertising agency. REVIEW; Young Jesse James ! Associated Producers — 20th-F j — CinemaScope A number of Americana's m| mantic bad men— and one bad > 1 —receive what can be regarded usual screen treatment in ' Jesse James." The only possil 1 ception is Jesse himself, pre4 here as little more than an ado 1 victim of circumstances. Present also are his brother 1 Cole Younger, the bearish Q\ and his savage raiders, and Starr. Jesse's father is hang, [, Union soldiers and later theti mother's arm as amputated aft Ik home is bombed. About the,] "quiet" scene in the film is ti n which unites Jesse, played b ,1a Stricklyn, and his (Belle) | Anders, in holy wedlock. The James boys, especially J the elder brother, are depicted i'« fortunate tools of history i screenplay by Orville H. Halo and Jerry Sackheim. Frank anc g argue bitterly in the end, wl really the beginning of Jesse' | crazy career, but they ride (jt gether to inhabit a wider wo t violence. "Young Jesse James" was pre by Jack Leewood and direct I William Claxton. Prominent ; a the players are Willard Parker, li Meyer and Robert Dix. The jui is in CinemaScope. Running time, 73 minutes. Aug^j lease. Saul Os ivj Pensions Provided ( Continued from page 1 ) officers who have reached the i 65 with less than 15 years of si but more than five years, w eligible to a pension amounting sum less than $100. The resolution was a substitu No. 32 presented at the 1958 cc tion but termed too costly by aries. The other resolution acceptet one urging that pressure be br <bl on Congress to eliminate the e.'iption of theatre employees fronfe new minimum wage bill now k consideration in Washington. The delegates turned down affi lution calling for the revision city international constitution to piidf for a second vice-president to m the Western section of the Doniw of Canada. Two resolutions were referred I One held it unlawful for a crafl*1 to do the work of any other crs « location except temporarily for i » or injury. The second provided iat wherever a company is fined fonil' ure to take a qualified craftsma ot location, that the fine shall be us to make the difference between sw pay and location pay of the crafts who would have been sent on cation. Tomorrow's session will be w up with the consideration of & tional resolutions and with nomirnor of officers. Elections will be hel m Friday.