Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1960)

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6 Motion Picture Daily Tuesday, October 4, 1960 Record Net for Universal ( Continued versal's outstanding common stock. Rackmil said Universal is Decca's most valuable asset and its greatest source of income. Universal's earnings will be approximately $6.80 per share on the 888,390 shares outstanding. He predicted continued improvement for both companies in 1961, with Universal being benefited by an increased number of quality releases next year, although the numerical total of about 21 releases will not be increased. Rackmil attributed Universal's progress to its change from 30 or more releases annually with program pictures dominating the line-up to a schedule of fewer pictures with a high percentage of quality productions among them. Saved $8,000,000 Annually The production policy change, he told the capacity luncheon audience in the financial district, made possible the sale and leaseback of the Universal studio and reorganization of the sales force which effected an overall savings between 1957 and 1959 of slightly more than $8 millions per year. Rackmil said Universal has no present intention of disposing of its 325 post1948 pictures to television, and when it does will do so on "an orderly basis." In a question and answer session which followed his talk, Rackmil said he regards pay television as still some from page 1) way off and at present he is content to "sit by and wait." "Our primary interest now," he said, "is in supplying the theatrical film market. He said Universal's foreign business this year is ahead of last year and he expects 1961 to be even better because the pictures that gave the company its high domestic earnings this year will be released abroad in 1961. Rackmil said Decca is ready for further diversification "if we find the right thing," and said both companies would continue to buy each other's stock "when we have the cash and think it advisable to do so." He reiterated earlier denials that there are any plans to merge Universal with Decca. Rackmil predicted that "Spartacus" will be "one of the biggest grossing pictures of all time" and that it "will make substantial contributions to per share earnings over the next several years and will be a continuing source of income for many years." He told a questioner that no amortization plan for "Spartacus" had been settled upon as yet but that the period would be "at least two years." Rackmil declined to divulge Kirk Douglas's share in the picture but said with a smile, "We have a little bit better percentage than he has." Replying to a question, he said the chances for an increase in Decca's $1.20 dividend "look pretty good for next year." Nixon Lauds ( Continued from page 1 ) date's remarks were made in a talk with Eric Johnston, president of the Motion Picture Association of America. The two met at National Airport just prior to the Vice President's departure at noon on another campaign swing. Johnston told the Vice President: "Mr. Vice President: As you so well know, America's strength and vitality require the active participation of each citizen in our national life. "This means that each of us should do two things: vote . . . and contribute money to the party of our choice. I have come here today to inform you that in motion pictures we are endeavoring to make this a reality. "Star and stenographer; director and dancer, we are urging all not merely to vote but to contribute financially to enable you and Senator Kennedy to present your views to the maximum number of American voters in this election." The Vice President, congratulating the industry, replied: "Living in California, I know of the many splendid things that people in motion pictures have done over the years in the national interest. This current effort is a very noteworthy example. I certainly share with you, Mr. Johnston, the hope that more American than ever in history will vote and contribute in the elections this year." Johnston will meet later with Senator John F. Kennedy, the Democratic presidential candidate. 'Spartacus' Screenings Get Underway Here Universal Pictures and Walter Reade, Inc., have started a series of invitational previews at the DeMille Theatre here of "Spartacus," the Rryna Production, which will culminate in the world premiere on Thursday night as a benefit for the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Universal executives from California will join president Milton R. Rackmil on Thursday. They will include Edward Muhl, vice-president in charge of production; David A. Lipton, vicepresident in charge of advertising and publicity, and Morrie Weiner, general manager of the studio. Henry H. "Hi" Martin, vice-president and general sales manager, and Americo Aboaf, vice-president of Universal-International Films, the company's foreign sales subsidiary, head the group of home office executives who will participate in the preview and premiere activities, Walter Reade, Jr., will head the group of Walter Reade, Inc., executives at the premiere. 'Package* Switch "Surprise Package," the Stanley Donen production for Columbia, previously announced as the next attraction at the Criterion Theatre here, will have instead a dual engagement at the Criterion and Murray Hill Theatres, beginning Friday, Oct. 14. Canadian Pioneer ( Continued from page 1 ) quet in the Crystal Rallroom, King Edward Hotel, here on Oct. 26. Stein was selected by a committee chaired by Oscar R. Hanson and comprised of John J. Fitzeibbons, CBE, N. A. Taylor and Haskell M. Masters. All are previous winners of the award. Chosen for ancillary honors were Clare J. Appel, Toronto; Reg Doddridge, Calgary; A. E. (Steve) Rolston, Vancouver and Thomas J. Cleary, Montreal. "As eastern division general manager for Famous Players Morris Stein was responsible personally for a great share of the Canadian motion picture industry's daily operation," said Fisher. "His presidency of every leading organization in our industry across the years has given his career a range that affected and bettered the lives of many people." Va. Drive-Ins Join TO A Two Virginia drive-in theatres have joined both the Theatre Owners of America, and its new regional unit, the Virginia Motion Picture Theatre Association. Albert M. Pickus, TOA president, said that Carlton Duffus, executive secretary of the Virginia Association, had advised him the 360 Drive-In Theatre of Danville and the Shenandoah Drive-In of Roanoke, had joined. Both are units of the Dixie Drive-In Theatres circuit. MPA Board to Review Title Registry Ruling The Motion Picture Ass'n. board of directors will hear an appeal by Hazen-Wallis Prods, tomorrow from an arbitrator's decision refusing title registration to their "Sweet Talk" on the grounds it conflicts with other original titles. The Motion Picture Export Ass'n. is scheduled to meet today to hear a report on the Mexican market by Robert Corkery. New Post for Bennin Herbert J. Bennin will come here from Washington, D. C, to join the M-G-M sales executive staff at the home office, working with Maurice Lefko, who is in charge of domestic distribution of "Ben-Hur," it was announced by Robert Mochrie. Bennin, a native of Chicago, has been manager of M-G-M's Washington branch for the past seven years, and has been with the company for 32 years. 4 Dared' Openings Set Walt Disney's "Ten Who Dared" will world premiere in Denver, Colo., at the Denver Theatre on Oct. 18 and begin a 180-city saturation throughout the 11 state Rocky Mountain territory, the following day, it was announced by Irving H. Ludwig, Vuena Vista president. PEOPLE Ernest Emerling, advertising-publicity vice-president of Loew's Theatres, will again apply motion picture type showmanship to his company's expansion in the hotel field when ground is broken tomorrow for the new Americana (West), Seventh Ave. and 52nd Street. At that time, Ted Brown, WMGM radio station personality, will begin living and broadcasting for an indefinite period from a 1961 Chrysler station wagon held 40 feet aloft by a construction crane. Like Pay-TV ( Continued from page 1 ) dience for a specific program if it were available on a pay-tv basis." In the survey, 500 men and women in the 17-county Metropolitan New York area were asked the following: "Here are the programs which will be televised tonight from 9 to 11 P.M. (Respondents were shown a roster listing the programs.) "Here is the name of the movie now being shown at the Radio City Music Hall. (Respondent was shown newspaper ad of the movie.) "Let's assume that in addition to the regular television programs, this movie was to be shown on television tonight from 9 to 11 P.M. Would you pay to watch this movie in preference to watching the regular tv programs available at no charge?" The 38.8 per cent who answered affirmatively were then asked: "How much would you be willing to pay: 25c, 50c, 75c, $1.00 or more than $1.00?" Their answers produced these estimates of the pay-tv audience for this first-run Hollywood film: At 25c— 547,400 homes; 50c-648,700 homes; 75c-176,500 homes; $1-261,500 homes (includes 9,800 homes who would pay more than $1.) Among those willing to pay to see this film, 27 per cent were willing to pay 75c or more. This, too, represents an increase from the June 1957 survey when only 19 per cent were so inclined. Set 'Gulliver9 Float Columbia Pictures has arranged with the R. H. Macy Company for a special "3 Worlds of Gulliver" float to appear in the department store's annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. The float may tour the country later as part of the promotional campaign for the Charles H. Schneer production. Sam Koomer Dies Funeral services will be held in Brooklyn tomorrow for Sam Koomer, 77, for many years chief painter for Loew's Theatres here. His widow, Ida, survives. Services will be at the Riverside Memorial Chapel, Ocean Parkway and Coney Island Avenue, at 12 noon.