Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1960)

MOTION PICTURE l. 88, NO. 109 NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1960 ick Cohn Request | Iral Argument In Pay-TV Is avored by B B iys New Hearing Might Aid ZC in Reaching Decision By E. H. KAHN WASHINGTON, Dec. 7. The deral Communications Commism Broadcast 'Bureau has filed a ief saying it "offers no objection" i a short additional oral argument i tncerning pay-tv. „The bureau, filing a reply to Mar5 Cohn's request for further discusi|l ||)n of the whole subscription tv quesj u>n, noted that this argument is not \ Jandatory under the law. It said, Jwever, that even though this is not requirement, it might be helpful to ZC, and that the commission should erefore consider the advisability of , giving further argument. „ p The Broadcast Bureau pointed out jt )>tat additional oral proceedings might cibstitute for filing of reply findings, jihich were not provided for in the ,,rocedure under which the pay-tv earing was held. It also notes that ( Continued on page 2 ) Mirisch Schedules 15 Major Pictures For Next 2 Years; Budget $55 Million By SIDNEY RECHETNK The Mirisch Company has scheduled 15 major motion pictures for production during the next two years. They will represent a total budget outlay of from 50 to 55 million dollars, Harold Mirisch, president, revealed J at a trade press conference at the Sherry Netherlands Hotel here yesterday. These pictures, all of which will be financed and released by United Artists, are in addition to three Mirisch Company films now shooting. They are "West Side Story," which has five or six weeks more to go before the cameras; "By Love Possessed," in its second week of production, and "Town Without Pity," currently before the cameras in Munich, with Kirk Douglas starring. Pointing with pride to the top producers, directors and star personnel associated with his company, Mirisch explained it by saying that "Holly(Continued on page 3) Mexico Reassures MPEA on Theatres iensor Threat Up at i. J. Allied meeting " New censorship threats, of increaslg concern to Allied Theatre Owners of New Jersey since the recent idictment of a Newark member blowing exhibition of a so-called urlesque film, is scheduled to be a rincipal topic of discussion at the rganization's business meeting pre(Continued on page 2) Samuel A. Wright Dies; Sew Orleans Exhibitor Special to THE DAILY ,, NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 7.-Funeral ervices and Masonic rites were held lere today for Samuel A. Wright, Jr., 12, exhibitor prominent here in the iperation of neighborhood and driven theatres, who died suddenly on Monday following a heart attack on he City Park golf links. He is sur(Continued on page 3) Assurances have been given Motion Picture Association representatives in Mexico City by official sources there that the take-over by the government of Mexico's two principal theatre circuits will not result in any discrimination against American productions in any manner, MPEA headquarters here has been advised. The official assurances, directed as well to all American film distributors in Mexico, said that both the government and the Mexican industry consider American films "indispensable in this market." The purchase of Theatre Operating ( Continued on page 2 ) 'Sunday' Laws Validity Before Supreme Court From THE DAILY Bureau WASHINGTON, Dec. 7. Argument on the constitutionality of Sunday "blue laws" opened in the U. S. Supreme Court here today. Being tested are two statutes in Pennsylvania, one in Maryland and one in Massachusetts. Opponents charge that the laws violate the First and 14th Amendments to the Constitution. No theatre interests are involved. loew's Installs First Automatic Cashier Vendaticket, the first self-service dieatre ticket selling machine to be installed anywhere, began doing business yesterday morning at Loew's 175th St. Theatre, Broadway at 175th St. Jinx Falkenburg, whose career began in motion pictures, bought the first ticket. Next to purchase tickets were Laurence A. Tisch, chairman of the board of Loew's Theatres; and Louis Chesler and M. Mac Schwebel, chairman of the board and president, respectively, of Universal Controls, which developed and built Venda( Continued on page 3 ) 'Herald' Report on World Market Shows Changes But General Picture Is One of Improvement "Change" seems to be the keynote of the thinking of those who guide the destinies of the film industry abroad, as they face sometimes vexatious competitive problems ranging from television to motor scooters. The general picture, however, is one of general improvement, as indicated in the 15th annual World Market section of Motion Picture Herald, published tomorrow. In its yearly salute to the leaders of the industry overseas. The HERALD publishes detailed reports from correspondents in 22 countries. The reports re-emphasize the fact that today's audiences, in all countries, are more selective than ever in searching for screen entertainment, and the American industry might well bear that in mind. One of Series Co-operation Promised by Gannett Chain Ad-Publicity Directors Get 'Encouraging' Response Assurances of complete cooperation with the objectives of the advertising-publicity directors committee of the Motion Picture Ass'n. of America were given yesterday by the Gannett newspaper group, which includes papers in many large cities upstate. The assurances" were given a subcommittee consisting of Martin Davis, chairman of the advertising-publicity directors group; William Levy, cochairman, and Taylor Mills, MPAA information director, by George J. Allen, vice-president and general manager of Gannett Advertising Sales Inc. The industry advertising-publicity executives were told that the promised cooperation would include content, make-up and positioning of entertainment pages and avoidance of (Continued on page 3) Shanahan to Loew's Hotel Ad-Publicity With the entry of Loew's Theatres into the hotel field and the acceleration of plans for the opening of The Summit of New York in July, 1961, James Shanahan, assistant to Ernie Emerling, Loew's ad-publicity head, has been appointed director of publicity for Loew's Hotels. Emerling will supervise advertising and promo(Continued on page 2) Roach and Case Form Showcase Enterprises From THE DAILY Bureau. HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 7. Hal Roach, Jr., and Carroll Case have formed Showcase Enterprises as a new producing company with complete financing and a program of eight pictures to be filmed in 1961. No single distribution outlet is contemplated. The company's first pro(Continued on page 2)