Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1962)

Forum in Columbia, Mo. Area Boosts Coming Films to Press, Radio, TV Censor Lauds SAG Stand Against Nudity in Films BALTIMORE — The timely topic of obscenity in current motion pictures gets the spotlight again by way of a communication to the president of the Screen Actors Guild in Hollywood. It was written by Mrs. Roslyn Shecter. vice-chairman of the Maryland State Board of Motion Picture Censors, who lauds George Chandler, the Guild’s top executive, for his stand against nudity in films, as recently published in the New York City press. Her letter is as follows: I om deeply concerned about your statement publ.shed in the Oct. 1, 1962 issue of the New York Times in which you state that some American movie producers are demanding that actresses, as a condition of employment, appear before the camera in the nude. The fact that your orgonization is opposing this trend to nudity as audience bait is encouraging to those of us who are interested in maintaining good taste in American motion picture art. Your observation about current movie employment contract practices supports the views of important religious and civic organizations. These groups have been complaining with increasing vehemence that youngsters are seeing movies not suitable for them. I applaud your statement that you will back any member of the Screen Actors Guild who feels she is being asked fo do something offensive when she is required to appear in the nude. I agree with you that there is a vast difference between artistic portrayals and something that is indecent and vulgar. According to a story appear. ng in the New York Times "at least one famous young star appeared in the nude briefly in a movie made for a major studio. The footage of this expensive film was deleted by the movie company before it was released. The picture was made by one of the cou.ntry's best known directors and the actress wos obviously willing to be filmed without clothes." There is no doubt that the industry's self-censoring authority would refuse to grant o seal of approval to such movies. However, it is becoming increasingly apparent to Hollywood that films can do quite well in the United States without a seal. The accent on sheer obscenity for boxoffice purposes should be discouraged in view of the fact that American movie actors, American movie writers and American movie directors are rren and women of exceptional talent and are capable of producing quality entertainment without resorting to the cheap vulgorisms of fly-by-night, quick-buck producers. I believe that Americans of goodwill should support the many able producers who concentrate on good stories, excellent writing and brilliant acting in motion picture production. Vulgarity and indecency, on the other hand, should not produce profits for the little people who produce movies thot only appeal to the lower-grade mentalities. Directors Guild Selects Four Film Candidates HOLLY-WOOD— The Directors Guild of America has selected four pictures released in the third quarter of this year, for viewing by its membership, as possible nominees for Directorial Achievement Awards, according to president George Sidney. Films, directors and assistants are : “Bird Man of Alcatraz,” John Frankenheimer, assistant Dave Silver; “Music Man,” Morton DaCosta, assistant Russell Llewellyn: “Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm,” Henry Levin and George Pal, assistant James E. Jennings: “Boccaccio ’70,” Federico Fellini, Vittorio De Sica, Luchino Visconti. Says Fullmer-Tiger Fight Revived TV Interests NEW YORK — The recent closed circuit telecast of the Gene Fullmer-Dick Tiger middleweight title fight erased the bad impressions caused by the telecast of the Floyd Patterson-Sonny Liston heavyweight bout, according to Irving B. Kahn, president of TelePiompTer Corp. That company supplied projection equipment and cable facilities. The Fullmer-Tiger fight was seen in 53 locations in 48 cities and on 71 commimity antenna TV systems. Kahn said the picture quality was excellent and everybody was satisfied. COLUMBIA, MO. — A forthright effort to acquaint members of the press, radio and TV with motion picture production plans, upcoming releases and with the branch managers of the various film distributing companies was made here last week at a regional motion picture forum sponsored by the United Theatre Owners of the Heart of America and hosted by Commonwealth Theatres, Inc. The forum was held October 23 in the Gaslight Room of Breisch’s restaurant. Organization leaders, TV and radio representatives and members of the press from a 150-mile area around Columbia joined with exhibitors and distributors in a discussion of the motion picture industry. Tape recordings were made for use on local radio stations, video tapes were exposed, exhibitors had photos taken with the branch managers, representing ten major film distributors, for use in their local papers, and personal interviews were conducted for members of the press. As a followup to the forum, photos of the exhibitors and press releases will be mailed out to the showmen for publication in their local papers, and an eight-page special edition will be issued at Columbia covering the event and the forthcoming film product which was described in five-minute speeches by each of the branch managei’s. Reception to the film foimm idea was described as enthusiastic and similar programs are being considered by the distributor representatives, UTO and Commonwealth for other areas. M. B. Smith, director of advertising for Commonwealth, said: “I think that this show or fomm garnered more publicity and advertising for the fine pictures coming out of Hollywood in the next few months than anything of similar nature in years. I’m amazed at the healthy interest expressed for the industry, and surely the personal contacts made here demonstrate that news media and the public leaders that were present are highly interested in good motion picture product! This idea could easily be expanded upon in other areas, and it’s bound to develop better understanding for the motion picture. “We certainly discovered that many people in newspaper, radio and TV media were not aware of the fine gentlemen who represent the distribution companies in Kansas City, and their acquaintance with these gentlemen will give them new access to motion picture production information.” Distributor representatives detailed product which will be released by their companies in the next 90 days and discussed further film production plans. Among those participating, all from Kansas City, were Don Walker, Warner Bros.; Chick Evens and Joe Neger, 20th-Fox; Larry Biechele, American International; Tom Bailey, MGM; Tommy Thompson, Buena Vista: Harry Hamburg, Paramount: Ralph Amacher, United Ai’tists; E. C. Elder, Universal; Frank Thomas, Allied Artists, and Ben Marcus, Columbia. Douglas Lightner, Commonwealth general manager, was master of ceremonies. “We are aware,” he said, “that much news media in any given area are unaware of the fact that we do have fine gentlemen who are direct representatives of the production companies in Hollywood. These people can give us a keen insight into motion picture production for the future, and we’re sure that many people from press, radio and TV would like to know these people and have access to pertinent information about forthcoming motion picture product.” Following the five-minute speeches, M. B. Smith conducted a question and answer forum discussion in which discussions ranged over a wide field, including star values, story values and economic values in film production, trade problems concerning sex and censorship, and the various materials used in film advertising for radio, newspaper and TV. Under the sponsorship of the United Theatre Owners of the Heart of America, the above group was hosted by Commonwealth Theatres, Inc., in presenting a motion picture forum in Columbia, Mo. Left to right: Larry Biechele, representative for American -International; Shelby Bourne, city manager for Commonwealth Theatres, Columbia, Mo.; Ben Marcus, division manager for Columbia Pictures; Ray McKittrick, assistant sales manager for the Kansas City branch of Universal Pictures; Earl Douglass, district manager for Commonwealth with headquarters in Columbia; Joe Neger, Kansas City branch manager for 20th Century-Fox; Douglas Lightner, general manager for Commonwealth, Kansas City; Tom Bailey, Kansas City branch manager for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer; R. R. Thompson, Kansas City branch manager for Buena Vista Pictures; Frank Thomas, Kansas City branch manager for Allied Artists; George Willhoite, city manager for Commonwealth Theatres, Lawrence, Kas. BOXOFFICE :: November 5, 1962 17