Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1960)

Oral Arguments Hit by Phonevision From THE DAILY Bureau WASHINGTON, Dec. 6. Attorneys for Hartford Phonevision, applicant for a pay-tv license in Hartford, Conn., have filed in opposition to a request for oral argument made by motion picture exhibitor group counsel Marcus Cohn. On behalf of the Connecticut Committee Against Pay TV and five local exhibitors, Cohn had urged the Federal Communications Commission to have oral argument on the national implications of issuance of a pay-tv license and related issues. Broadcast Bureau Silent The FCC's broadcast bureau has not yet filed any comments on this request by Cohn. It could take any one of three positions : ( 1 ) oppose it, ( 2 ) support it, or ( 3 ) be neutral and leave the final decision up to the commission itself. Either support or neutrality would be compatible with Cohn's position. Neutrality would, at the very least, indicate that the bureau feels that an examination of the national implications of pay-tv would not be amiss prior to the granting of a first license. In opposing Cohn's request for oral argument, counsel for Hartford Phonevision asserts that further discussion would not fall within the ground rules to which all parties agreed prior to the week-long pay-tv hearings before FCC. These rules provided for oral summation, which was waived by all parties as the hearings drew to a close. Motion Picture Daily Scottish Magistrates Hit 'X' Films; Seek Talks with British Film Censor From THE DAILY Bureau LONDON, Dec. 2 (By Air Mail).-So disturbed are the City Magistrates in Glasgow, Scotland, over the quality of some "X" certificate films (adults only) that they are to seek talks with Britain's film censor. Concern is felt that many of these ■ . Poling Asks ( Continued from page 1 ) without regard to faith— get together in a positive program in support of the everyday decencies of American life and against Hollywood's steadily growing output of objectionable films." The Poling statement grew out of controversy arising from the call of the Roman Catholic Episcopal Committee for Motion Pictures, Radio and Television for a nationwide protest against immoral and objectionable motion pictures. The Catholic Legion of Decency had reported that immoral films increased in volume from 14.59 per cent in 1959 to 24.33 per cent in I960. In rebuttal, spokesman for the Motion Picture Ass'n. released a statement which began: "We do not agree that Hollywood has made a 'bold and unprecedented' departure from previously accepted moral standards." Says Dr. Poling in Christian Herald, "We do agree. We agree completely with the findings of the Roman Catholic committee. The statement of the committee is not an overstatement. In truth it could have said much more than it did say. It exercised commendable restraint." films are "harmful to the morals of young people." Referring to several films before them, Bailie George Moore, chairman of the magistrates, said "we want to see all those dubious films before we commit ourselves." He added that they hoped to convey to the censor their "disquiet" at the nature of some of these films. Groups to Meet As previously reported, a conference is expected to be held shortly between the British Board of Film Censors and representatives of the Association of Muncipal Corporations and die County Councils Associations on "censorship problems." The discussions will revolve around the local authorities' criticism that "there is too much violence in films" and the censor's concern at recent appeals against censorship by some of the authorities. Constitutionality Doubted Hartford's lawyers also say that in the fight of court decisions in this field, Cohn has no constitutitonal right to further argument. They assert, too, that an inquiry into the national implications of pay-tv is not now germane since the question at issue is whether to grant a license in Hartford. The attorneys also note that such a hearing would postpone even further the start of pay-tv, affording an opportunity for wired pay-tv systems—exempt from FCC jurisdiction under present law— to become entrenched. To Plan Global Bows Of Fox's 'Fiercest' A meeting of 20th Century-Fox international department forces in the U. S. and the Southern Hemisphere will plan the concurrent global premieres of "The Fiercest Heart" in America, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and throughout the British Commonwealth four months in advance of release, the film company announced. The production, which deals with the 1831 Boer trek to Southern Africa, stars Raymond Massey, Juliet Prowse, Stuart Whitman, and Signe Hasso. The meetings will begin early next week in New York and Europe. Ontario Votes ( Continued from page 1 ) jected. The victory is seen as an important boost to the cause of Sunday films in this country, where Sunday showings are only permitted in the province of Quebec. Approval was given in Toronto, Branford, Oakville, Cornwall, Windsor, Oshawa, Niagara Falls and Stamford Township, with votes still to be taken in three other communities, St. Catharines, Kapuskasing and Cochrane. The plebiscites accompanied ballots for the municipal elections and only asked the public whether it was in favor of films, plays and concerts on Sundays. No hours were set. In many communities, Sunday sports between 1:30 P.M. and 6 P.M. has already been approved; for example, Toronto. Legislation Necessary Under the 1950 provincial legislation, Sunday sports are permitted by local by-law. Movies, however, could not be legal without an enabling act of legislature. Monday's plebiscites were held merely to register electorial opinion. The move to obtain approval started with the film projectionists, who realized their jobs were going out the window unless something was done to bolster sagging theatre leceipts. A request to the various city councils was forwarded by the various local labour councils. The councils, under some pressure from the exhibitors, put the issue on the ballot. Peculiarly enough, opposition came not only from the church groups in the various communities but from the Film Exchange Employees Union, who saw an end to their present fiveday week. The union sent out letters opposing Sunday films. MPEA Assignments ( Continued from page 1 ) Frankfurt, Germany, as manager for the Mediterranean area (Italy, Spain, Greece and Middle East), succeeding Frank Gervasi. Stephen Beers, assistant to G. Griffith Johnson, MPEA vice-president, European area, goes to Frankfurt, where he will be responsible for Germany, Austria and Scandinavia. The new assignments will become effective early in 1961. Hochstetter joined the Motion Picture Association in 1952 as assistant to Johnston in Washington. From December 1955 to January 1958 he served as Far East manager of MPEAA with headquarters in Tokyo. Long a Newsman A veteran newspaperman and writer, Hochstetter worked on newspapers in Washington, and from 1946 to 1949 served as correspondent in the Middle East for the Columbia Broadcasting System and the North American Newspaper Alliance. He was deputy director of information for the Mutual Security Agency in Washington prior to joining the MPAA. Beers joined MPEA in 1957. Prior to joining the Association he was with the Commerce Department, Office of Technical Services. Beers served in the U. S. Navy for nine years as a flyet and pilot-four years during World War II and five years beginning with the war in Korea. Wednesday, December 7, SAG and AFTR Approve Pat From THE DAILY Bureau HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 6. national board of directors of Screen Actors Guild last night proved unanimously the new tract between guild, television works, advertisement agencies film producers governing wages conditions for performers in fit and taped television common Details of agreement will be rele later. The majority of the West C members of the national board of American Federation of Televi and Radio Artists likewise apprc its agreement with networks, agencies and commercial prodiuj Preliminary negotiations betw major motion picture and televi! producers, the IATSE and K crafts locals are expected to be q pletely early next week to allov breather for the holiday season. MMPTA Leaders (Continued from page 1) fidence, trust and faith in Schwartz, who is president of C tury Circuit, said that this confide is reflected in the construction new theatres by his company. Sol A. Schwartz, outgoing MMP president, who becomes chairman the board, noted that MMPTA h record of always working with other industry organizations on a thing that will contribute to the terment of the industry. "I hope for the day," he s "when all branches will sit down gether and plan for the indust future. It will only survive and p per if all contribute to it. This r resentative gathering today is a go nucleus to begin such an effort." Schwartz, president of RKO Th< tres, recently was elected chairni of American Congress of Exhibito Russell V. Downing, president Radio City Music Hall, as chai of the inaugural luncheon committ acted as master of ceremonies, w coming the guests, presenting t new officers and the guest speak Eric Johnston, Motion Picture Ass' president. On behalf of MMPTA, Downi presented Sol Schwartz with a scr expressing the organization's a1 preciation for his two years servij as its president. U.A. 9-Month Net (Continued from page 1) ly dividend of 40 cents per comm< share, payable Dec. 30 to stockholde of record Dec. 16. UA's gross world-wide income f the first nine months of 1960 totalis $80,595,000 against $72,061,000 f the same period in 1959. The nine-month net represen earnings of $1.79 per share compare with $1.73 per share for the first nin months of 1959.