Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1962)

Dynamic Theatre Process To Debut on March 28 Allied Holds Parleys On Roadshow Films NEW YORK — Conferences between Allied States Ass’n leaders and major company executives in regard to the speeding up of roadshow pictures into general release were encouraging but not conclusive, according to checkups on both sides. For three days recently, Marshall Fine, president of Allied, and Wilbur Snaper, board member, met with sales managers and other executives on trade practices in general and specially handled pictures in particular. Following the sessions. Fine reported that while no promises were made, there was an indication on the part of the distributors that they would put such pictures into general release quicker than heretofore. The tendency on the part of distribution, however, is that each situation must be taken individually and that there cannot be a blanket ruling. There was an admission that market conditions had changed and that there was no desire to keep money-making pictures on the shelf between roadshow engagements and general release. On the other hand, there was an indication on the part of the distributors that they knew the potentials of their big pictures better and that they would use caution in making them available. Their contention was that it would be a poor economic practice if they let their specially handled pictures go as requested by exhibition. Fine returned to his Cleveland home with a feeling of optimism and that the atmosphere would clear on that particular problem. He said the meetings were friendly and that the distributors apparently were in sympathy with exhibitors’ problems. Some exhibitors who were contacted by Boxoffice, however, said that unless the distributors changed their policies and patterns of release, they would by-pass those pictures completely and refuse to play them when eventually offered. Details of the meetings will be described to the Allied membership in the form of a special bulletin shortly to be issued. IFIDA Renews Agreement With Michael Mayer NEW YORK — The Independent Film Importers & Distributors of America has ratified a one-year renewal agreement with Michael F. Mayer as executive director and general counsel of the organization, according to Richard Brandt, president of Trans-Lux Distributing Corp. Mayer’s retainer was “substantially increased.” Mayer has served IFIDA as its executive director and counsel since the founding of the organization in September 1959. Bechtel Joins Trans-Lux NEW YORK — John C. Bechtel, formerly with California National Productions, film subsidiary of NBC, has been named assistant to the vice-president of Trans-Lux Television Corp. by Richard Carlton, vicepresident. Bechtel began with NBC as a page in 1949 and later worked in the film division as manager of the sales service department. Allied Board Will Meet March 21 in New Orleans Detroit — A meeting of the board of directors of Allied States Ass’n of Motion Pictures Exhibitors has been called at the Royal Orleans Hotel, New Orleans, March 21-22, with Abe Berenson and the Gulf States unit as hosts. It is understood that Allied leaders who are not directors are welcome to attend as observers. First session will be at 10 a.m., March 21, with the directors dinner scheduled for that evening. Suggestions for discussion or consideration by the board should be made by March 5 if they are to be included in the agenda. TESMA and TEDA to Join Allied Show NEW YORK — Theatre Equipment and Supply Manufacturers Ass’n and Theatre Equipment Dealers Ass’n will hold concurrent conventions and a trade show in conjunction with the annual convention of Allied States Ass’n in Cleveland, December 3-5. The show and convention will be held in the Sheraton Cleveland Hotel. Members of the three organizations met in Cleveland a week ago to conclude the agreement, following preliminary talks. Commenting on the setup, Marshall Fine, Allied president, said that the joint conventions would be the first time in four years that Allied felt the theatre business was right enough to ask TESMA and TEDA to join with the exhibitor organization in staging an equipment trade show. “Allied’s market research has indicated that theatre business and theatre equipment business show enormous new potential,” Fine said. “The manufacturers of theatre equipment have agreed with us and are ready to show new equipment to all theatre owners.” It was learned there will be approximately 65 exhibit booths, but a few more may be added if necessary. A brochure with floor plans will be made available in about 30 days, it was said. Larry Davee, president of TESMA, told Boxoffice that, contrary to reports, TESMA had not been inactive, even though it had not participated in convention trade shows in recent years. Drive-Ins to Be Offered 'Ben-Hur' This Summer NEW YORK — “Ben-Hur” again will be made available to drive-in theatres this spring and summer, according to Morris Lefko, in charge of “Ben-Hur” sales for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Lefko said the decision was prompted by exhibitors’ requests to book the picture. NEW YORK — A new process which, it is claimed, will make it possible for a New York stage play to be simultaneously seen in other cities while being performed on Broadway will be formally introduced on March 28 and four nights and one matinee thereafter. The Paddy Chayefsky hit, “Gideon,” starring Fredric March and Douglas Campbell, will be transmitted by telephone wires from the Plymouth Theatre here to a screen on the stage of the Auditorium Theatre in Rochester, N. Y. The new process was conceived by Dynamic Theatre Network, Inc., in collaboraation with Marconi Wireless Telegraph, Ltd., of Great Britain. The network company is a subsidiary of Dynamic Films, Inc., which is headed by Nathan Zucker and Walter Lowendahl. Zucker told Boxoffice that the system in no way was similar to Telemeter, but that it had some resemblance to 20th Centui-y -Fox’s Eidophor. He said that after the run of “Gideon,” a second Broadway production will be shown in Rochester the following week and that, next fall, he and Lowendahl planned to present other Broadway shows in 24 cities. By 1963, he said, the program would be expanded to reach 180 cities in 27 states and in Canada. Rochester is the first city to have “Gideon” and, in the near future, audiences in non-roadshow cities will be able to participate, Zucker said. The process was demonstrated last September in New York’s Golden Theatre where a regular performance of “Come Blow Your Horn” was theatrevised from the stage of the nearby Brooks Atkinson Theatre. Zucker said that Dynamic felt that the “live” presentation of Broadway plays in non-road cities would have the effect of developing new audiences and encourage more production of plays so that investments could be recouped more rapidly. This fall, the Broadway attractions will be seen, via the system, in Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Utica, Syracuse, Binghamton, Elmira, Ithaca, Auburn, Buffalo and Jamestown, all in New York; and in Allentown, Easton, Bethlehem, Scranton, WilkesBarre, Hazelton, Reading, Lancaster, Hershey, Harrisburg, York, Altoona and Johnstown, in Pennsylvania. Later in the season, the shows are slated for presentations in New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Ohio, West Verginia, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin and cities in eastern Canada. Jos. De Luise Heads UA Sales Statistics Dept. NEW YORK — Joseph De Luise has succeeded Sidney Kramer as head of United Artists’ sales statistics department. He joined UA in 1953 and held several posts in the advertising and exploitation departments. Prior to joining UA, De Luise was with Eagle-Lion Films. BOXOFFICE :: March 5, 1962 7