Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1963)

POINTS TO U. S. CONSENT DECREES John Davis Warns British Industry, Of 'Running to Government for Help By ANTHONY GRUNER LONDON — John Davis, chairman of the Rank Organization, warned certain members of the industry who are seeking more government investigation into the film business, that it was this sort of thinking which had led to the consent decree in America. Davis, who was addressing the Rank Theati-e Division at its annual showmanship luncheon, aimed his remarks as he put it, to those people who “are running to the government for help.” Referring to the parallel with the U.S., Davis said, “The consent decrees led to the divorcement of exhibition from production and distribution. They were brought about by a small group of independent exhibitors and producers who agitated and attacked the large operations and brought the government into the industry’s activities.” The Rank chairman went on to question whether the “huge volume” of film made available for television, would have taken place if the consent decrees had not been enforced. Davis thought that the U.S. industry or, for that matter, any industry, which brought the government in to intervene in a wrangle, found that the net result was worse than it would have been if the industry had resolved its own problems, even if they were not to everyone’s entire satisfaction. Refen'ing to the critics of the Rank film production policy, Davis claimed that the Group was very interested in feature production and had kept its promise to the Board of Trade to maintain its share of filmmaking at a time of great difficulty. Wasser and Baker Named NAC Vice-Presidents CHICAGO — Augie J. Schmitt, president of the National Ass’n of Concessionaires has appointed two new regional vice-presidents. They are Norman Wasser, director of Marketing for National General Corp. and C. S. Baker, president. All WeatherRoller Drome, Nashville. Wasser will serve the newly created NAC region (8) comprising the states of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and Colorado. This area was formerly part of region 6 which is now composed of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming and is served by regional vice-president Larry Moyer, Moyer Theatres, Portland. Baker’s region is No. 2 covering Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Geoi-gia, Florida and Mississippi. Baker’s appointment fills a vacancy created in that office when James O. Hoover, Martin Theatres, Columbus, Ga., was elected first vice-president of NAC at the recent convention. Hoover announced the addition of the following new members to NAC’s roster; Arthur R. Eldred, A.R.E. Co., Inc., Clementon Lake Park, Clementon, N.J.; Russel Brehn, Center Drive-In Theatre Co., 84th and Center, Lincoln, Neb.; Oak Lawn Recreation Center, Inc., Oak Lawn, 111.; In another passage aimed at certain producers now asking for an increase in the British film quota, Davis declared, “You all know of the grave financial difficulties of certain of the major American companies. It is my belief that it is far better for us in Rank and, for that matter, other British production interests to ride out the present storm in good financial heart than to make ‘pieces of celluloid’ which would lose lots of money and, in the long run, only add to the problems of the industry.” Davis was not only against any increase in the present quota of 30 per cent, he was personally unconvinced that “a quota is needed at all, but I am not opposed to it being set at a reasonable level, if only to give the producers confidence that all theatres will play their share of British films.” Both the Rank and ABC circuits were playing between 30 to 35 per cent British films and there was little danger of a good film finding itself without a date Davis finally took up the subject of the X certificate film. This is category for a film, to which no person under 18 can be allowed to see in any British theatre. Davis said there was a place for this type of picture tackling serious adult or social problems, but, he added, “as the film business was primarily to supply entertainment for the masses — that is family entertainment — only a small proportion of programs should be X.” In something imder 20 minutes the chairman of the Rank Organization gave the industry and the government something to think about over the festive season. Pioneer Motor-Vu Theatre, Provo, Utah, Marvin Cox owner; and Bill W. Slaughter, Rowley United Theatres, Inc., Dallas, all of whom are in the Concessionaire Segment. E. D. Gile, Opelousas Oil Refinery, Opelousas, La., joined the Supplier Segment. 20th Fox Signs Doris Day As Star in 'Something' HOLLYWOOD — Doris Day has been set to take over the starring role in “Something’s Got to Give,” which will go before the cameras April 1 . This is the first firm starting date to be announced by 20th-Fox for the new year, and will be Miss Day’s first film for the company. This is the film in which Marilyn Monroe was to have staiTed. A three-way production was consummated with Martin Melcher Productions, Aaron Rosenberg’s Areola Productions and 20thFox, according to Richard D. Zanuck, 20thFox production head. Pickford, Lloyd Honored LOS ANGELES — Jack Lemmon and Steve Allen entertained at Delta Kappa Alpha’s anniversary dinner honoring Mary Pickford and Harold Lloyd January 6 at USC. Bette Davis was mistress of ceremony and Adolph Zukor spoke of the “Mary” and “Harold” he has known so well through the years. Rising Production Costs In Europe Discussed NEW YORK — The rise in film production costs and a demand for higher salaries in Europe was discussed by Michael Cacoyannis, producer from Greece, while here for the premiere and promotion of “Electra” at the Beekman Theatre. He wrote, produced and directed the film, which was made entirely in Greece at a cost of less than Michael Cacoyannis $75,000, but considered high in a country where most Greek pictures, none of which are imported, cost on the average of $25,000. “The American disease of high salaries has started to spread throughout Europe, even to Greece,” according to Cacoyannis, who mentioned that the U.S. producers who have made pictures in Greece, starting with “Boy on a Dolphin” produced there by 20th Century-Fox in 1957, are affecting the local industry, especially the technicians, who now demand higher salaries. Cacoyannis, who has a three-picture deal with United Artists through its subsidiary, Lopert Pictures, will next make “Iphigenia in Aulis” as part of a threepart trilogy of Greek classics. “Electra” was the first, although it follows “Iphigenia” in time context, and the last will be “Orestes,” the other two to be made over an 18-month period. Irene Papas, star of “Electra,” also will star in “Iphigenia.” Cacoyannis was guest of honor at a reception given by the Greek consul general, Basil Vitsaxis, December 17, and was host at an invitational showing of “Electra” at the Museum of Modern Art for faculty members, students and editors of college papers 20th-Fox, Universal Set New Titles for '63 Films NEW YORK — Twentieth Century-Fox and Universal have selected new release titles for forthcoming productions. “The Yellow Canary” will be the final title for Pat Boone’s starring film formerly called “Evil Come, Evil Go,” a Cinemascope picture currently shooting in Hollywood with Barbara Eden, Steve Forrest and Jack Klugman costarred. “For Love or Money” will be the final title of Universal’s previously titled “Three Way Match,” which stars Kirk Douglas, Mitzi Gaynor, Gig Yoimg, Thelma Ritter, Leslie Parrish, William Bendix and Julie Newmar. Mail Preliminary Ballots For Oscar Nominations LOS ANGELES — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences mailed preliminary ballots for nominations voting in six awards, according to Wendell Corey, president. All ballots for art direction, cinematography, costume design, film editing, music scoring and best song awards categories were to be returned to the offices of Price Waterhouse, the Academy’s accounting firm, by January 7. 12 BOXOFFICE :: January 7. 1963