Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1961)

Opinions on City Censorship of Films Vary in Letters to Columbus Papers Pennsylvania lo Add Curbs on Obscenity HARRISBURG — A package of four new senate bills defining the word obscene in several sections of the penal code pertaining to entertainment and literature, and backed by the Dave Lawrence administration, has been introduced into the general assembly. The measures are designed to take up some of the slack left by upsetting the motion picture censor board. Roy Schafer, legislative secretary to the governor, declared the bills were not designed to replace movie censorship which was declared unconstitutional by the state supreme court, but he said, the amendments would militate against obscenity in movies as well as other entertainment forms. The U. S. Supreme Court definition of the word obscene would be inserted into state laws governing art, literature and exhibitions in the package of four bills which has bipartisan sponsorship. Obscene, thereby is “that which, to the average person applying contemporary community standards, has as its dominant theme, taken as a whole, an appeal to prurient interest.” The bills apply the definition to sales of comic books, magazines, books, pictures, theatrical presentations, movies, photographs, paintings and statues among others. The measures make no move to set up any kind of state machinery, leaving the enforcement to local hands. Sen. Charles R. Weiner (Dem.), Philadelphia, and Roy Schafer say the bills do not represent temporary moves to replace the recently knocked-out movie censor or control law. The sponsors include Democrats Joseph D. Ripp, Allegheny; William J. Lane, Washington, and Thomas P. McCreesh, Philadelphia, and Republicans George B. Stevenson, Clinton, and William Z. Scott, Carbon. Podhorzer From Europe With 33 German Films NEW YORK — Munio Podhorzer, president of United Film Enterprises and Casino Films and the U.S. representative of Franco London Film, S.A., has returned from a two-month trip to Europe and Israel, during which time he attended the 11th Berlin International Film Festival, as official representative of IFIDA. Podhorzer purchased the U.S. distribution rights to 33 German features, which Casino Films will release in 1962, and several French and Italian pictures which will be offered to local distributors. 'Grimm' Crew to Germany For Location Lensing HOLLYWOOD— “The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm,” MGM-Cinerama presentation of a George Pal production, leaves for location in Germany next week. The film, now shooting at the studio, will return to resume lensing here October 21. Montrose, Colo, has been selected for the locale of the second episode of MGMCinerama’s “How the West Was Won.” Henry Hathaway will direct this episode which stars Gregory Peck and Debbie Reynolds and is slated to start in late September. COLUMBUS, OHIO — Pro and con opinions on city movie censorship are being expressed in letters to local newspapers, coming after the announcement by Councilwoman Golda May Edmonston that she plans to introduce a city censorship ordinance in September. Mrs. Walter Harris of the Interfaith Committee for Better Entertainment in Columbus, endorsed the Columbus Dispatch editorial on “questionable” movies but said that “as a group we take no stand pro or con regarding censorship.” The Interfaith Committee publishes ratings of current films as to suitability for showing to children. “There are many fine movies and we feel sure our ratings will help make decisions for parents,” said Mrs. Harris. “Before movie censorship was abolished in Ohio we did not have such a plethora of sex and filth,” said Robert C. Burrows, Worthington. “We used to enjoy going to the movies two or three times a month, but it has been increasingly hard to find a program fit for family consumption. So we just don’t go anymore. Good movies would be a boon to mankind, and I believe more of them would bring more dollars back to the boxoffice.” “We should not have a group of people pronouncing judgment upon what we see,” said Bruce Gilbert, Bexley, in a letter opposing censorship. “In the appointment of a censorship board, persons supposedly of righteous morals and actions are given the tremendous privilege of judging what is good and what is bad for thousands of people with equal or superior reasoning ability and taste. The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees freedom of Inflight Negotiates Deal For Two MGM Pictures NEW YORK — Inflight Motion Pictures has closed a deal with MGM to present two of the company’s summer releases, “Ada” and “The Honeymoon Machine,” aboard overseas jet flights, according to David Flexer, Inflight president. The pictures will be featured on the U. S. and on the overseas routes of Trans-World Airlines, which started August 16. “The Honeymoon Machine,” which will open at Loew’s State Theatre, New York, August 23, will debut on the TWA intercontinental flights September 26 while “Ada,” which will open at the Capitol Theatre, New York, August 25, will play on the TWA flights September 27. Writer to Tour for 'King' HOLLYWOOD — In connection with forthcoming premiere engagements of “King of Kings,” noted writer Adela Rogers St. Johns, whose “Affirmative Prayer in Action” is a best-seller among religious works, will make a lecture tour in key cities where the MGM film will open during October and November. Miss St. John penned the “King of Kings” serialization to be syndicated by King Features. thought and expression.” Geraldine F. Enkel of Columbus noted an “improvement” in the advertising of films on the movie page after the Dispatch editorial. “Will we go right back to being subjected to having this filth come into our homes each day?” she asked. “Or have you decided to do your part in helping to improve the low moral standards which prevail in our city?” “Parents can keep their children away from these movies but must they dissect the paper before allowing them to read it?” she asked. “Two thoughts stand out in my mind concerning these movies and the ads. One is that demoralization of America is the main aim of the Communists. The other is that Rome, at one time the greatest power in the civilized world, fell through immorality and history repeats.” “I would like to point out what I believe are dangers hidden behind the glossy cause of protection or morality via censorship,” said Stephen Gussler of Columbus. “There is danger when any man or group of men is given the power to alter or restrict any legitimate source of mass communication. As is the case with all rights and freedoms, it is often abused in a way which sickens solid citizens. Atrocities committed in the name of freedom should be fought on a moral rather than a legal level. Censorship, no matter how wellintended, is a step away from democracy. The next logical step would be extension of censorship to books, radio, television and newspapers. The basic idea of censorship is workable in theory only. There are no perfect men and it would take a perfect man to administer censorship truly in the public interest.” Arwin to Rerelease Three Doris Day Former Hits LOS ANGELES — Arwin Productions will have three of Doris Day’s former film hits in rerelease by the end of the year, according to Martin Melcher, who declared that the program will meet demands of U.S. exhibitors for additional Day product. First on the agenda will be “Julie,” coproduced by MGM and Arwin. It will be retitled “Sky Pirate,” inasmuch as the yarn deals with the spot news angle of hijacking a commercial airliner in flight. Also rereleased will be “Young in Heart,” the Doris Day-Frank Sinatra topliner, followed by a national saturation U.S. art house booking of the German -language dubbed version of “Pillow Talk.” Melcher disclosed that “Twinkle and Shine,” rerelease title of “It Happened to Jane,” has grossed $500,000 since its reissue a few months ago. AB-PT Dividends NEW YORK — A quarterly dividend of 25 cents per share on the common stock and 25 cents per share on the preferred of American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres has been declared by the board of directors. The dividends are payable September 15 to stockholders of record on August 25. BOXOFFICE :: August 21, 1961 9