Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1962)

Herman Levy Analyzes Decision 'Georgia's Censor Ruling Is Another Step Forward' NEW YORK — The recent niling of the Georgia Supreme Court that the Atlanta censorship ordinance was unconstitutional has some interesting aspects, according to Herman M. Levy, general counsel of Theatre Owners of America, who, in an industry case digest, described it as another step forward in what should be the ultimate goal of the film industry. The decision was unusual. Levy said, because the com't made a suggestion that Atlanta might di-aft a new ordinance which might be “within the bounds of constitutionally permissible legislation.” However, he said, such an attempt would pose a problem because the new ordinance would have to be permissible not only under the Georgia Constitution, but under the federal Constitution as well. “Granting, for the purpose of this discussion, that the conclusion of the Georgia coui’t is valid and substantiated,” Levy wrote, “there is still the grave problem ahead for all motion picture licensing agencies to prove that the standards applied by them, in censoring motion pictm'es, do not affront the guarantees of the First and 14th Amendments.” The case under consideration was that of K. Gordon Murray Productions, Inc., and Levy noted the ruling’s importance stemmed from the fact the Georgia court decided the case, not under the federal Constitution, but vmder the state constitution. Levy pointed out that in the Times Film case versus the city of Chicago, the U. S. Supreme Court stated it was not passing on the question as to whether the standards set out in the Chicago ordinance were unconstitutional. Rather, he said, Mr. Justice Reed explained that it would be the duty of the courts, when such cases came before them, “to determine whether the principles of the First Amendment have been honored.” Wometco Film Rating System in Ads Is Designed As Guide to Parents MIAMI — For the past few weeks, the Wometco Theatre chain in Miami and Fort Lauderdale has inserted a rating designation in all of its motion picture ads in newspapers, in the theatres, on the trailers and in radio and TV copy. The ratings: A . . . strictly adult entertainment. AM . . . adults and matm'e young people. OK . . . good entertainment for all. The Wometco rating, according to Mitchell Wolfson, president, “is not designed to grade the entertainment value of the movie but rather is designed to guide parents in selecting movie choices for their children.” The guide to the ratings is placed at the top of each overall Wometco movie ad. The individual symbol is placed within the framework of each sp>ecific movie and adjacent to the title. “We’re opposed to censorship,” says Wolfson. “It is our feeling that parents are the best judge of what movies they want their children to see. The Wometco rating should help them in making their selection.” Each week a committee meets at Wometco to make up a list of ratings on each of the pictures currently booked to play at one or more of the Wometco theatres. In making up the Wometco rating, careful attention is paid to classifications given other groups such as the Protestant Motion Pictiue Council, the National Congress of Parents and Teachers, the Legion of Decency and the Federation of Motion Picture Councils. ’The rating will appear in each and every ad, no matter what the medium of advertisement. The rating symbol is so standardized that it can be easily recognizable and readily seen. It is hoped that this service will still the complaint frequently heard that the movie title by itself many times does not give any clue to the content of the picture. Wolfson, a longtime motion picture exhibitor with many titles in the industry, is at present a member of TOA’s Pi'oduction Code liaison committee which is attempting to set up a nationwide system whereby exhibitors can “rate” pictures uniformly and pass this rating along to the movie public in their individual areas. Wolfson believes: “Hollywood has about completed the cycle of so-called problem pictm’es simply because the oversaturation of the offbeat theme is not paying off at the boxoffice. As more and more parents exercise ‘home censorship’ there will be a return to the type of movie that Wometco rates as ‘OK’.” The Wometco rating will apply to only the 22 Wometco Theatres cmrently in operation in Greater Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Already, however, exhibitors in other parts of the country have written to Wometco for full details and intimated that they will institute a similar “rating” system for guidance of parents and movie goers in their areas. Tim 'Tyler, manager of Wometco’s 163rd Street Theatre, received a petition demanding something else beside “adult” pictures,” signed by 200 teenagers protesting that “the rash of sex films” has closed the doors to them for their favorite Saturday afternoon matinees, and he decided to do something about it. For six weeks his theatre will run only pictures like “A Hole in the Head,” “April Love,” “The Wackiest Ship in the Anny,” etc., and if the experiment catches on, it will be continued. Arkansas Exhibitors To Meet This Week LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — The 43rd annual two-day convention of Independent Theatre Owners of Arkansas will be in session at the Lafayette Hotel here May 1, 2, according to Miss Nona White, secretary of the theatre association. One of the principal speakers on opening day, Tuesday, will be John G. Broumas, president of the Maryland Theatre Owners Ass’n and assistant to the president of 'Theatre Owners of America. His subject will be “Exhibition.” Also on the same day’s progi’am is Bill Slaughter of Rowley United 'Theatres, Dallas, who will talk on “Concessions.” Clarence Walker of Atlanta, somewhat an expert in public relations and in the fields of amusements, concessions and allied trades, is scheduled to speak on “Keys to Success.” M. B. Smith of Commonwealth 'Theatres of Kansas City, a nationally known authority on publicity, will tell exhibitors about “Exploitation and Publicity.” An open forum will be a high point of interest at the luncheon on Wednesday. Coming up for discussion will be taxes, censorship, and anything else exhibitors may want to bring before the panel. 'This may include the pay television controversy now being tried in the com'ts, and Leon B. Catlett, one of the attorneys for exhibitors, is scheduled to bring the delegates up to date on progi’ess of the litigation. At the Coca-Cola-sponsored banquet Wednesday evening, something special is in store. This will be a prize awai’d of a two-day weekend stay at the Ai’hngton Hotel in Hot Springs — won thi’ough a drawing of registrants at the banquet. One feature of the meeting for several years has been the annual award of a showmanship plaque to an outstanding member. Buster Flake’s orchestra, a local organization, will play for the dance on ’Tuesday night. Election of officers will close the event on Wednesday afternoon. J. T. Hitt, Bentonville, is president. Over 700 Reservations In For VCI Convention MIAMI — More than 700 barkers with their wives have already registered for the Variety Clubs International convention to be held in Dublin, Ireland May 15-19. Contingents will make the trip from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, London and Ireland. 'The total is expected to reach over 1,000. There are still a few spaces available for charter flights with Irish Airlines. Hotel accommodations are being held for the conventioners. Sean Lemass, the prime minister of Ireland, will entertain the delegates at a state reception at Dublin Castle on Tuesday night. May 15. 'The next day the delegates will attend the famous Cm-ragh Racecourse. On Thursday evening the PepsiCola Co. will host a dinner-dance and cabaret at the Gresham and Metropole ballrooms. Coca-Cola will be the host for the banquet on Friday evening for the Hearts Awards and Humanitai’ian Award. Special trips and a garden pai’ty at the Embassy are scheduled for the ladies while the barkers attend the business sessions. 4 BOXOFFICE :: April 30, 1962