Variety (November 1954)

Wednesday, November 10, 1954 USSiiET 5 r PICTURES 23 ii Footnotes, TOA, Chicago ;; 5 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦ >> 4 ♦ ♦ » ♦ » » f ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦♦♦♦ ♦ ♦ ♦♦♦»+♦» ( Variety’s issue a/ last week went to press■ unusually early, Tuesday (2) having been Election Day.—Editor) Fabian’s Hospital Collection S H. (Si) Fabian told the meeting he intended a one-day audience collection in behalf of the Will Roger? Memorial Hospital and en- couraged other theatremen to do the same. Fabian’s announcement followed ah address made by Abe Montague, president of the hospital, who pitched for financial support. NBC’s Spec Gesture To Exhibs Robert J. O’Donnell related that Fred Wile, NBC-TV v.p. the Coast, has proposed a one-shot “spectacular” sometime In January which would be “in dedication to exhibitors.” Program-, which Would be sold to an outside sponsor, if it goes through, Will have as its format the use of clips from new pix and “live” appearances of screen personalities. It’s now O'DonneH’s job to put the show in shape via studios’ cooperation. Columbia News Wasn't News Some theatremen Wondered what was new about the Columbia “announcement’’ of setting $10,000,000 aside to finance, indie produc- tion, They pointed out that Col has had heavy investments, in “outside” pix for some time and there -hadn’t been any doubt that this policy, would be continued. Serious-Miiided Convention Observers were impressed with, the active and serious participation of nearly all TOA-ers in the various business sessions. Little time was given to hi-jinks. Gesture To St. Sophia tTOA membership Voted to furnish a Sunday school classroom at the Greek Orthodox St. Sophia Cathedral, L.A., as a memorial to Charles P. Skouras. Sentiment widely expressed for\holding next year’s convention in L.A i; .This will be decided formally at the mid winter board meeting next February in Washington. .. TOA reportedly wound Up the year with a surplus of over $80,000, a neat achievement in view of previous years’ deficit operations. 'Gives Away What It Sells' On receiving his “Star" of the Year” award at the* convention’s Windup banquet Thursday (4), Danny Kaye discoursed on his pride in his profession which he called “the greatest self-sustaining democ- racy in the world,” “Some may have the notion that we’re all a bunch of eccentrics,” Kaye said, “but: perhaps we have something to give them that may be lacking. Only show business knows how to organize charity benefits in times of need. It’s probably the 6nly business that gives away free what it has to sell.” Jurisdictional Crossfire, Much Legalism Beset Herman Stern’s House The N. Y. State Labor Relations Board has thrown out the com- plaint of Local 306, Projectionist Union, -charging Herman Stern, op- erator of the Fair Theatre, Jackson Heights, N> Y., with “discrimination and unfair labor practice.” Stern's attorney will use the labor board's; decision to reargue the denial of a temporary injunc- tion against Local 36 picketing,. The union, affiliated with the Inter- national Alliance of. Theatrical Stage Employees, threw a picket line around Stern’s theatre when the veteran theatreman, Who re- cently took over the house after it had been closed for a long, time, installed boothmen belonging to the rival Independent Motion Pic- ture Machine Operators. The pickets were Withdrawn when a temporary injunction was obtained and were reinstated when Queens Supreme Court Judge Stod- dard set. aside the temporary in- junction after a hearing. Before the labor board decision. Stern’s attorney planned to continue the case by seeking a hearing on a per- manent injunction. Point made is that the indie union is legal labor group and the Local 306 'picketing constitutes a jurisdictional suit. When the dispute on jurisdiction first broke out, with the indie men manning the booths, the theatre suffered several waves Of vandal- ism, with screen and projection equipment being destroyed. Stem charged that the job. Was done by men who knew their way around theatre equipment. TEXTILE SLUMP CAUSES FIRSTRUN SHUTTERING Burlington, Vt., Nov. 9. After 42 years of operation, the Majestic Theatre has closed here,: the victim of a declining economy in the area, plus growing competi- tion from, television and drive-in establishments. Raymond J. Burns/ manager, said the first-run/house had been adversely affected 1 by the shutdown of big textile mills in nearby Winooski and layoffs at the Bur- lington plant of the General Elec- tric Co. “Then there’s, the,competition of television and drive-in theatres,” he said. “It's a national' trend that has finally reached Burlington,” In Both TOA, Allied | Chicago, Nov. 9. E. D. Martin, new TOA prez, and Alfred Starr, con- tinuing executive committee chairman, are also members “in good, standing” of the rival Allied States Assn. They have theatres in some areas where only Allied exists and both being exhibitor or- ganization-minded, they’ve con- tinued their association with Allied despite their key roles in TOA. Important, But Not Too, Says Cincy of Critics By JOE ROLLING Cincinnati, Nov. 9. Everybody is a critic, and the one who gets paid for it are fair in their opinions and helpful to the picture industry. That sums up the thinking of Cincy exhibitors, distributors and film reviewers. Rube Shor, Who operates down? town Keith’s and a chain of nabes and admits to verbal clashes with critics is quick to say that they have a place in the trade and do a good job of it by and large. Yet he feels that film fans are not too critic-minded and that most pictures are presold. Ed Carberry, Cincy Post re- viewer for 20 years, said he aims to tell what a picture is about, how he liked it or didn’t, and why, keeping in mind what the picture people are trying to do. He puts patrons ’ two classes—regulars and shoppers. And believes that honest criticism does have an ef- fect on the small and growing group of picture shoppers. ... E. B. Radcliffe, who; has been calling ’em for the Enquirer since 1937, and grading them alpha- betically all that while, says he has checked up himself via Variety’s listings of boxoffice winners from time to time anil found his opinions to be 83-85% tested with,the top grossers. Both of these reviewers, and the Times-Star's Henry Humphreys, testify that they receive com- plaints; from readers who disagree with- their Opinions, but very rarely “hear about the good ones.” “Dream No More," Israel-made film about a young Polish immi- grant adjusting to the new Jewish state, opens Nov. 18 under auspices of Temple Sinai Brotherhood, Toronto. WIVJI ««WIvm J I HI II 3IIA, Theatres, Bars, Hotels Unite Under Reade Led .by circuit operator and tv station owner Walter Reade Jr., Asbury Park's show business ele- ment and reps of allied fields ganged up on the New Jersey re- sort towii’s . City Administration and killed a proposed tax of 3c on a dollar on gross income at thea- tres, hotels/ barroom trade, etc. Responding to editorial urging by the Asbury Park Press, the - city fathers, just 10 days in advance of the NoV; 2 elections,, passed an ordinance placing the tax matter up to a referendum vote. With Reade as prime mover, an anti-tax committee was formed comprising members of the theatrical industry, the Tavern Owners A£sn., hotel di- vision of the Chamber of Com- merce, Rooming House Assn., Pack- age Liquor Dealers Assn., Tobacco Dealers Assn, and the musicians, bartenders and waiters Union. . Forums Were conducted on Reade’s WRTV (channel 58), trail- ers were shown at theatres, lobby signs Went .up, letters were sent to the public and a door to door canvassing was engaged in. All designed to influence the balloting against the tax, . The tax was killed by a vote of 4,000 against 1,200 approving. Which proves, state Reade arid his associates, " that team work pays off when there’s a fight to be fought by varied groups commonly affected. Many of the N.Y, arties, and particularly the sub-runs, are suf- fering from a product shortage. Re- sult is that a number of these situ- ations are trying their luck with “revival” shows. Series of one-a-day classics from France, Italy arid Britain is cur- rent at the Normandie Trans-Lux pending the incoming British pic, “The Heart of the Matter.” The 5th Ave. Playhouse, also is prepping a string of revivals on a “see ’em again’’ note; And Thomas Brandon has .put to- gether a repertory “package" of Continental vintage faves under the title of “The Grand Repertory of the World Cinema.” Part one, consisting of 12 films, launches later this month at the 55th St. Playhouse: ,‘n N.Y. Brandon is cur- rently in Paris in connection with this project. The Normandie festival, pitched to New York’s “discriminating and sophisticated iriotion picture audi- ences,” includes such past critical foreign successes as “Paisan,” “Open City,” “Justice Is Done,” “The Little World of Don Camillo,” "Forbidden Games,” “Devil in the Flesh/” etc, Artie ops say the plight of the sub-runs is largely the result of a scarcity of top product and a ten- dency towards long runs in the first-runs. The 5th Ave. Theatre, for instance, has been having trouble finding the proper French film fare. Theatres like the Little Carnegie and the Paris, on the. other hand, are set for many months to come, the former hay- ing slotted “Aida” and the latter likely following up “Bread, Love and Dreams” with “Wages of Fear.” Still '-another factor; has been the. decline in American offrbe^t pix that used to channel into the arties. Britain has in; part filled this gap. Meanwhile, Sure-seater operators ate showing interest in Third Ave- nue in N.Y, where, within a couple of years, the elevated structure Will come down. It’s expected that this will transform that area into a giant shopping center with room for several new showcases. At least two exhibits have already scouted possibilities for acquiring the necessary properties. % Texas Ozoners Sold San Antonio, Nov. 9. Sale of two local ozoners an- nounced by Thurman Barrett, Jr., owner. Buyer is %one Star Thea- tres, Inc., of Dallas, owned by the Pack-Murchigoh interests! The ozoners are the Lackland and the Kelly. The two are report- ed to have been sold for $275,600. Write Legislators! % Columbus, Nov. 9. Continuing Its pressure to keep admissions taxes down or out; the Independent Theatre Owners, of Ohio exhorted, its members to use a little, politi-. cal diplomacy to. keep on friendly terms with legisla- tors* ; Members are urged to send a letter of congratulation to their 'newly elected Senator or Congressman, “no matter What your personal politics . , You will remember how useful your acquaintance with Congressmen was the tax fight.” > Allied States Assn.’s plan to seek government regulation of the in- dustry sharply blasted by Mitchell Wolfson, Wometco The- atres topper and influential leader of Theatre Owners of America. In statement issued both by Wometco and TOA. headquar- ters in . New York, Wolfson said Allied general counsel Abram F. Myers’ proposed bill “gives me the shivers.” The Florida theatre operator said the Allied plan“speaks of. reg- ulation but invites regimebtation.” He said he was strongly opposed “to the loss of the American con- cept of a free market which this bill proposes by substituting con- trol by the Federal Government.” Wolfson said that exhibitors should continue a United fight for fair prices and policies, “but we should hot seek the help of pro- fessional politicians who owe no -allegiance of heart and may well become guests who will eat more than we can place on the table. “The making of more pictures must be encouraged by exhibitors,” "he declared. . “For this reason, there must remain hope of gain if we are to hope that there Will remain those willing to risk mak- ing pictures of unusual boxoffice Value. Limit the hope and you limit the hazard men are willing to face; predetermine his potential and you will preemept his per- formance.” Wolfson emphasized that' “we Want more pictures—not more poli- ; cies. We should work to that end In unity and not force prices up by trying to outbid each other.” TO HUB REVIEWERS By RUDY ELIE Boston, Nov. 9. Although there are a few local exhibs Who feel that the film critic has very little or no effect on the boxoffice, the majority believe they wield influence ranging from “some” to a great deal.” One exhib expressed the opinion that a poor review can hurt but on the other hand doesn’t believe a good notice helps appreciably.. Another pointed out that a critic’s notice, no matter how unfavorable, will not hurt a “mugg” pic but def- initely figures in when playing a class product, Still another feels film shoppers, at today’s scales, are rapidly becoming more choosey and inclined to bypass a pic if their favorite reviewer gives It the thumbs down treatment. Art houses gladly acknowledge their debt to critics. The lone tribe who practically ignore notices are the distributors, who rely on hefty tubthumping campaigns to sell a pic and couldn’t admit publicly the pic was a clunker although they best of all know if. Lack of rnoveover. houses in the grass-roots was deplored in N. Y„ last week by Bernard Jacob, sales v.p. of Italian Films Export, on his return from a midwestern swing. This, plus, the lack of distrib con- centration on suburban ru hurting the industry, he said. Jacon observed that last year, when the industry found itself in a crisis, too many exhibs shuttered top many houses in too much of a hurry.. Today, he said,, they regret it. “There is less of turnover of profits now than there would be were more houses operating,’’ ha declared,, The IFE sales topper said the good films were enjoying long runs, but that the second, lesser, group of films was not exploited neatly as well. He knew of. many instances, he reported, where a picture had dpne. very well in the first tun but had to be held over in the sanie house for, lack of adequate rnoveover outlets. “There just aren't enough theatres on the. Mainstreets today,” he said. AS Jacon sees it, distribs ar missing an. important bet in over? looking the importance of the suburbs. “That’s the center how,” he said. “That’s where people ar moving to. More of Our money is coming from those runs than ever before. It’s time we paid some at- tention to them.” He urged circuits and indies to reopen houses “so that product can be played off properly.” IFE is studying an ex- periment under Which one of its pix may be opened in a suburban situation to study the results. Jacon plans to go to the Coast Dec. 13 for huddles with indie pro- ducers. IFE is still in the market. for from four to six U. S. indie films a year “provided We can find the quality product We want/’ Jacob reported. Chicago, Nov, 9, Last Week’s Theatre Owners or America; convention, in keeping with retiring prexy Walter Reade Jr.’ advice to “keep abreast of changes” if future investments are to be economically sound, showed an in- crease in equipment and conces- sions exhibits, with 208 trade show ■ booths engaged in gladhanding and giveaways. The International Popcorn Assn, joined for the first time the com- bined displays of the Theatre Equipment Suppliers and Manu- facturers Assn, and the Theatre Equipment Dealers Assn. In woo- ing exhibs with 44 popcorn booths. Exhibitor interest in- the “mutual benefit” trade show was at a peak, as improvements in concessions and updating of equipment con- tinued to be stressed as vital to the film industry today. New York Theatres >00 Wakncr Bros. * V PRESENT , oooooooooog )oooowi*iwuivcora ooooo Technicolor «no Stereophonic Sound Aiea •tannino JACK CARSON CHARLES 8ICKF0R0I, TOM NOONAN ; MOSS HART - IDNEY LUFT 1 OlR*CT «0 BY VUIlCAL OlRIOTtON StRAV HUNOORe GEORGE CUKOR A.TRANSCQNA ENT ISES PpOO ■M« 4 ntc» »v . c»«Te» a. . WARNER BROS. harou) arienv,»iracwshwii*. CONTINUOUS AT TWO THEATRES 1 PARAMOUNT b 'Way A 43rd St. VICTORIA E'way *, 44 th Si. DAOI0 CUT MUSIC NtU— Rockefeller Center WW Mai“WHITE CHRISTMAS" in VlttaVlilM starring BING CROSBY • DANNY KAYE ROSEMARY CLOONEY • VERA ELIEN Color by Technicolor « A Paramount Pieter# and SfttTICVUI ffAtfnfttNTATWB