Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1962)

Consent Decree Signed; MCA to Start Expansion NEW YORK— With the signing Thursday (18) of the consent decree under which MCA was permitted to acquire control of Universal Pictures and Decca Records, MCA, as the parent company, now is able to move ahead on its agenda of expansion. Milton Rackmil, vice-chainnan of MCA and president of both Decca and Universal, observed the effective date of the decree with the announcement of plans at a press luncheon in the Laurent restaurant. Under the setup. Universal will make all pictures for theatrical release, while Revue Productions will concern itself exclusively with television. Rackmil said that Universal would have more quality pictures for release in the coming year, although he declined to be specific as to exact numbers. Since MCA acquired the Universal Studios in 1958, it has spent $10,000,000 on improvements and expansion and now is prepared to spend another $10,000,000 for further de COLUMBUS, OHIO — In an address to the Columbus and Franklin County Motion Picture Council here Monday (15), Eric Johnston, president of the Motion Picture Ass’n of America, warned that parents who supported motion picture censorship were surrendering rights that they may never regain and freedoms their children might never know. Johnston said that “playing around with censorship is like playing with fire” and advised his listeners not to strike the match “unless you’re prepared to face the blaze.” The MPAA president said that legislative moves against the motion picture or any other free medium of communication had a clear-cut significance for the individual citizen, which posed the question of whether the citizen was free to select his own film fare or let the government do it for him. Johnston said he hoped people would not be fooled by the tricks and tactics of would-be censors who used devious methods to win over converts, one method being to prey on parents’ rightful concern for the children. “This is a hoax and a sham,” Johnston said. “What they’re really saying is that you don’t have the intelligence to decide what’s best for your children, that you don’t care enough to select prop>er films for your family. I don’t believe them, and I don’t think you do.” Johnston asked that parents protect their children from all those who would create a world in which the children would never know freedom of expression, a world in which children would never have the right to decide for themselves. He said that everybody wanted better pictures but “make it your business to know good movies from bad ones; then support the good ones and stay away from the bad,” which, he velopments in order to make Universal City truly a city. A 14 -story building will be erected, the commissary will be doubled in size and space has been assigned for a branch of Bank of America and Hutton & Co., brokerage firm, Rackmil said. Universal City occupies 408 acres, 208 of which are devoted to production. The remaining 200 acres will be used for a real estate development. Commenting on Universal pictures for TV, Rackmil said that, under the decree, if Universal wanted to dispose of product to TV by June, 1963, an upset price would be announced. If no group meets the upset price, then Universal will be permitted to distribute the films itself. Approximately 215 pictures which have been released through 1956 would be available. Rackmil said that Universal would sell no films less than five years out of release to TV. contended, was the truly effective way in a free society. The MPAA president said censorship and classification of films were not needed when there were alert, informed citizens and parents. He pointed out that ideals of a nation could be determined by the freedoms enjoyed. “Let’s sacrifice none of them,” he concluded. Court Tests Would Follow NYC Wage Law Signing NEW YORK — Court challenges can be expected pi’omptly if the city’s $1.25 hourly minimum wage enactment becomes a law. The Commerce and Industry Ass’n announced that two trade associations and a company are preparing to test the question in court, the legal point being whether the city has a right to enter a legislative field already occupied by both the fedei-al and state governments. The measure has been approved by the city’s board of estimates and now is before Mayor Robert Wagner, who must hold a public hearing before signing it. He is known to favor the bill, which would become law 30 days after he signs it. “Parttime” theatre employes would be exempt under the minimum hour regulation. Sandy Abrahams to Madrid HOLLYWOOD— Sandy Abrahams, Allied Artists advertising-publicity director, is en route to Madrid to attend Samuel Bronston’s distributors conference on “55 Days at Peking” starting October 23. Following the Madrid conference, Abrahams will go to London for a screening of “The Day of the Triffids.” Gregory Peck Picked As TOA Star of Year New York — Gregory Peck, a fourtime Academy Award nominee, has been selected by Theatre Owners of America as the Star of the Year, according to John H, Stembler, TOA president, He will be the ninth recipient of the annual award, which is given to the actor or actress who, in TOA’s opinion, is not only a top-calibre performer and boxoffice attraction but whose personal life and other activities have brought honor to the motion picture industry. Peck will attend the president’s banquet, which will conclude TOA’s 15th annual convention at the Americana Hotel in Bal Harbour, Fla., November 10, to receive the award. Peck’s most recent release was “Cape Fear,” distributed by Universal-International in May. His next will be “To Kill a Mockingbird,” which will be released by U-I early in 1963. His Oscar nominations were for “Keys of the Kingdom,” “The Yearling,” “Gentlemen’s Agreement” and “Twelve O’Clock High.” He will also be seen in the forthcoming MGM-Cinerama picture, “How the West Was Won.” The Star of the Year Award was initiated in 1954 with Danny Kaye the first recipient. It was given to John Wayne in 1961. Cliff Richard to Sing At TOA Closing Event NEW YORK— Cliff Richard, the young British singing star of Paramount’s “Wonderful to Be Young,” which will be released in November, will appear and perform at the president’s banquet which will conclude the 15th annual convention of the Theatre Owners of America at the Americana Hotel, Bal Harbour, Fla., November 10. Richard, who is Britain’s top male singing star, is in America to promote the British-made musical, which was released in England as “The Young Ones” late in 1961. Richard made two appearances on Ed Sullivan’s CBS-TV show October 14 and October 21, the first time to be introduced to the TV audience, the second time to sing the title tune and other songs from “Wonderful to Be Young.” Richard sings with The Shadows, a four-man musical group, who also appear in the Paramount release. He arrived in America October 2. Mr. <3nd Mrs. Ben Shlyen Voyaging NEW YORK — Ben Shlyen, publisher and editor-in-chief of Boxoffice, and Mrs. Shlyen left here on the Constitution Saturday (20) for a business trip to Europe. They are expected to return to New York November 11. Playing With Censorship Is Playing With Fire: Johnston to Ohio Group Gregory Peck 6 BOXOFFICE :: October 22, 1962