Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1960)

/OL. 88, NO. 76 MOTION PICTURE DAILY NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1960 TEN CENTS In Plea to FCC AMPA Cites Fabian, Universal, MGM, Commended Cohn for More Levine «nd whit© f°r Annual Awards 'Marcus Plan' Program Data From Hartford "alls It 'Heart' of Pay-TV Question Set for Hearing By E. H. KAHN WASHINGTON, Oct. 18.-<Marcus .ohn, attorney for exhibitor interests opposing Hartford Phonevision's proposed trial of pay-tv, has urged the ,rederal Communications Commission o, require more specific information n toll-tv programming than the ''CC's Broadcast Bureau would denand or that Hartford contemplates •resenting. In another action, the Broadcast tureau, which has the status of anther lawyer in matters before the i'CC, told the FCC that it opposes dmission of Zenith Radio and Teco, nc, (Zenith's licensee for the Phoneision system) as parties to the payy proceeding. Zenith and Teco filed ( Continued on page 9 ) i ■ — Irosby to Make Six or Astor Pictures Formation of a new production ompany to be called Everett N. Crosiy Productions was announced here esterday. Everett Crosby said his irm has signed a contract with Astor 'ictures, Inc., for six features to be lelivered in the next two years. At the same -time, Franklin F. Bru(Continued on page 10) Winners of the first annual achievement awards of the Associated Motion Picture Advertisers were announced yesterday by Bob Montgomery, president. The awards will be presented Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the Piccadilly Hotel — here, at the luncheon opening the Association's 1960-1961 season. Five awards will be presented: To the individual who has done the most for exhibition during the 1959-60 period: S. H. Fabian, president of Stanley Warner Corp., for his work as first chairman of the American Congress of Exhibitors. To the film company having most benefited the industry during the 12month period: Universal Pictures "in recognition of its resurgence, after a period of inactivity and loss." Milton R. Rackmil, president, has been invited to accept the award. For the year's best advertising (Continued on page 2) TOA Board Meet Set In Washington Mar. 19 The annual midWinter meeting of the board of directors and executive committee of the Theatre Owners of America, will be held Sunday through Tuesday, March 19-21, at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., it was announced by Albert M. Pickus, TOA president. Washington was chosen as the site of the mid-Winter session for the third consecutive year, Pickus said, because it will give TOA executives an opportunity to meet with their Congressmen and Senators to discuss anticipated legislation affecting the motion picture theatre business. TOA will also hold a reception for ( Continued on page 9 ) Krushen Heads UA Press And Exhibitor Relations Mori Krushen, United Artists national exploitation manager, has been named to the newly created post of director of press and exhibitor relations, it was announced yesterday by Roger H. Lewis, UA vice-president in charge of advertising, publicity and exploitation. In outlining the scope of the new position Lewis stated: "Krushen's (Continued on page 9) Family Films Goal Of Woman Producer By SIDNEY RECHETNIK The objective of Helen Winston, who was introduced yesterday to the trade press by Robert S. Ferguson, Columbia Pictures' national director of advertising, publicity, and exploitation, as "the only woman in the industry with her own producing company," is to make "positive" pictures. She told the trade press at the Columbia home office here that a picture need not "have an unwholesome idea to entertain." As head of Helen Winston Productions, she plans (Continued on page 10) HP A Campaign Aid )rive Hits Stride REVIEW: G.I. Blues Hal Wallis — Paramount The Motion Picture Association reorted yesterday that contribution nvelopes are already pouring in to 1PAA headquarters in response to ie industry-wide non-partisan oamaign to raise funds for the major olitical parties and candidates. The campaign, which was launched (Continued on page 9) When the news was released that Elvis Presley was scheduled to cut his first record following a two-year Army stretch, business-wise disc dealers across the country sent in advance orders for a million copies of the unnamed platter and thereby assured it of success. It is not unlikely that his first post-service film will meet with similar reaction. "G. I. Blues" should bring in large audiences wherever played. This is surely the most entertaining of the Presley pictures, and producer Hal Wallis has dressed up the production with eye-catching Technicolor ■ and an engaging supporting cast. The Edmund Beloin and Henry Garson ELEVISION TODAY P. 10 script temporarily puts Presley back in uniform and tells of a Germany __ ( Continued on page 9 ) On Target in Western Penn. Early Reports on First Week's Test Encouraging Sverinl to THE DAJT.Y PITTSBURGH, Oct. 18. Partial returns indicate that the Marcus promotion plan is proving successful in its first test in the Pittsburgh area, according to Alec Moss, Compo coordinator of the plan's operation in this territory! The first picture given the Marcus promotion treatment was "Jungle Cat," Walt Disney's production released by Buena Vista. It completed the first week of its engagements today in several of the 25 key situations in Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia that were in the first wave of key-run plan-backed bookings. Harry Feinstein, zone manager for the nine StanleyWarner theatres in the Pittsburgh exchange area, said: "I am very delighted with the results of the promotion in our theatres. The Marcus plan should be kept going by all means. The StanleyWarner thea(Continued on page 3) Arnswalder Is Fox N.Y. Branch Manager Alex Arnswalder has been promoted to the managership of the 20th Century-Fox New York branch office, it was announced yesterday by Glenn Norris, general sales manager. Arnswalder moves up from the position of assistant branch manager and re(Continued on page 9) To Follow Through on SPG Joining with AMPP From THE DAILY Bureau HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 18. Eric Johnston, president of the Motion Picture Association; told members of the Screen Producers Guild last night that he would "follow through" on the matter of SPG joining the Association of Morion Picture Producers when he (Continued on page 9)