Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1961)

ATTEND CENTURY PROJECTOR TRAINING CONFERENCE— Stanley Warner Theatre Corp. engineers and supervisory personnel attended a training conference at the Century Projector Corp. factory on the new transistor sound systems being installed in a number of their theatres, including the Allen Theatre in Cleveland, which will open soon with 70mm projection and the new Century multiple channel (6-4-1) transistorized sound system. The meeting was conducted by Gio Gagliardi, chief engineer of Stanley Warner Theatres and included the operation and service of the complete projection and sound systems being installed. In the photo, left to right, are Michael Chitty, chief engineer and designer of the Century projector transistor sound systems; Charles Piltz, Stanley Warner; Frank E. Cahill jr., vice-president of Century; Phil De Ivernois, Stanley Warner; Robert Giles, Stanley Warner; Joe Schmidlin (background), Stanley Warner; Ben Perse (foreground), Capitol Motion Picture Supply Co.; Cy O’Toole, Stanley Warner, and Gagliardi. In the background are the Century 70-35mm projectors and the transistorized multiple channel sound systems. WB Six-Month Net Up to $3,564,000 NEW YORK— A net profit of $3,564,000 after a provision of $3,100,000 for federal income taxes was reported by Warner Bros, and subsidiaries for the six months ended February 25. This compared with a net of $3,422,000 for the corresponding period last year after providing $3,500,000 for taxes. The net earnings in the latest report was equivalent to $3.18 per share on the 1,120,013 shares of outstanding common stock after deducting 723,283 shares held in the treasury. For the corresponding period last year, the net profit was equivalent to $2.27 per share on 1,504,000 shares, after deducting 339,296 shares held in the treasury. Theatrical and television film rentals, sales, etc., amounted to $43,394,000, while dividends from foreign subsidiaries not consolidated were $389,000 and profit on sales of capital assets was $342,000 for the six months ended last February 25. For the half-year period of the previous year, the figures were $45,983,000, $881,000 and $196,000, respectively. Net current assets amounted to $37,688,000, including $13,950,000 cash and U. S. government securities, and debt maturing after one year was $4,762,000. An aggregate of 407,887 shares of stock were purchased at a cost of $22,200,000 as a result of the invitation to tender stock dated January 9. Preminger Postpones One; To Start on 'Advise' NEW YORK — Otto Preminger, who had planned to produce “Bunny Lake Is Missing” in New York this summer, has postponed the picture to spring 1962 because of casting difficulties and will start work on the film version of “Advise and Consent,” to be filmed in Washington, D.C., in September. Wendell Mayes has completed the screenplay for “Advise and Consent,” based on Allen Drury’s Pulitzer prize-winning novel, now in its 95th week on the bestseller lists. “Advise and Consent” will be released by United Artists while “Bunny Lake Is Missing” will be a Columbia Pictures release. Lee Remick, Preminger’s original choice for “Bunny Lake,” will be available for the 1962 filming, Preminger said. Film Producer Joe Levine Hospitalized in Boston BOSTON — Joe Levine, the Boston-based producer-distributor, is confined to the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital here with a baffling ailment. The producer entered the hospital Thursday (1) for what was expected to be a three -day stay, for treatment of a reported torn leg ligament, but doctors reported they were puzzled and began conducting tests on the producer-distributor, which will necessitate his being in the hospital for at least two weeks. In the meantime. Life had a writer sent up to Boston for interviews with Levine on an upcoming article to be published in the picture weekly, and the producer was carrying on business as much as possible by phone from the hospital. Levine staffs were flying in from New York for conferences at the hospital. Peter Lawford Company To Make Three for UA NEW YORK — A three-year deal under which Peter Lawford’s newly organized Chrislaw Productions will produce theatrical and television films exclusively for United Artists has been completed. A minimum of three features and two TV series will be produced. The program will represent an investment of more than $10,000,000, according to Arthur Krim, UA president, and Lawford. The Chrislaw-UA agreement is non-exclusive for Lawford as a performer, but his production company will make films only for UA. William Asher has been signed as executive producer and Milton Ebbins will serve as executive coordinator for Lawford and Asher in the new company. Chrislaw’s first project will be a modern version of Edwin Porter’s “The Great Train Robbery,” which was the first motion picture to tell a story. It will star Lawford, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis jr. and Joey Bishop. This is the same quintet that appeared in “Ocean’s 11.” Robert Miller to Handle Filmack Advertising CHICAGO — Robert Miller has been appointed advertising manager of Filmack’s theatre division. He will be editor of Filmack’s monthly publication, Inspiration, and will handle tradepaper and direct mail advertising. Before coming to Chicago, Miller was affiliated with the Berger Amusement Co. as manager of the Dakota Theatre in Grand Forks, N. D. He also has managed and handled advertising for theatres in Minneapolis and St. Paul for the Minnesota Amusement Co., Ted Mann Enterprises and Fisher Amusement Co. America Corp. Buys Large Block of Republic Shares HOLLYWOOD — In a personal film stock deal, Victor M. Carter, president and chairman of Republic Corp., sold 265,420 shares of his common stock in the company to America Corp., industrial management company which has Pathe Laboratories for a subsidiary. The price reportedly was $17.50 per share, or approximately $4,642,500, representing about 13 per cent of the 2,004,190 outstanding common shares of Republic. Announcement of the purchase was made jointly by Gordon K. Greenfield, president of America Corp. and Carter. The purchase, according to Greenfield, was made in line with a diversification policy, stated in the company’s annual report two months ago, to acquire attractive investments that reflect the continuing improvement in America Corp.’s operating and financial position. Fifty thousand shares of Republic common are still retained by Carter, plus 30,000 shares of preferred and $1,200,000 in debentures, representing over $3,000,000. It is understood that current management of the company will continue, with Carter holding the same offices. Walt Disney Will Produce 'Rainbow Road to Oz' HOLLYWOOD — Based on a classic story by L. Frank Baum, Walt Disney will produce “The Rainbow Road to Oz” as a motion picture musical. Disney purchased the screen rights to Baum’s complete series of “Oz” stories in 1954, excepting “The Wizard of Oz,” which is owned by MGM. Disney will search for a young actress to play Dorothy, the role which Judy Garland essayed in “Wizard.” BOXOFFICE June 12, 1961 23