Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1963)

7/ie tfctCvSxoxv/ THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY Published in Nine Sectional Editions BEN SHLYEN Editor-in-Chief and Publisher DONALD M. MERSEREAU, Associate Publisher & General Manager JESSE SHLYEN Managing Editor HUGH FRAZE Fiela Editor AL STEEN Eastern Editor I. L. THATCHER Equipment Editor MORRIS SCHLOZMAN Business Mgr. Publication Offices: 825 Van Brunt Blvd. Kansas City 24, Mu. Jesse Shlyen, Managing Editor; Morris Sctilozinan, Business Manager; Hugh Fraze, Field Editor; 1. L. Thatcher, Editor The Modern Theatre Section. Telephone Cllestnut 1-7777. Editorial Offices: 1270 Sixth Ave., ttockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Donald M. Mersereau, Associate Publisher & General Manager; A1 Steen, Eastern Editor. Telephone COlumbus 5-6370. Central Offices: Editorial — 020 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago 11, 111., Frances B. Clow, Telephone superior 7-3972. Advertising— 6811 North Lincoln, Louis Didler and Jack Bruderlck, Telephone LOngbeach 1-5284. Western Offices: Editorial and Film Advertising— 6362 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood 28, Calif., Syd Cassyd. Telephone Hollywood 5-1186. Equipment and Non-Film Advertising — New York Life Bldg., 2801 West Sixth St., Los Angeles 57, Calif. Bob Wettsleln, manager. Telephone Dunkirk 8-2286. London Office: Anthony Gruner, 1 Woodherry Way, Finchley, N. 12. Telephone Hillside 6733. The MODERN THEATRE Section Is Included hi the first issue of each month. Albany: J. S. Conners, 140 State St. Atlanta: Maiy Charles Watts, 205 Walton St.. N. W. Baltimore: George Browning, 208 E. 25lb St. Boston: Guy Livingston, 80 Boylston, Boston, Mass. Charlotte: Blanche Carr, 301 S. Church. Cincinnati : Frances Hanford, UNiversity 17180. Cleveland: W. Ward Marsh, Plain Dealer. Columbus: Fred Oeslreicber, 5 2 Vi W. North Broadway. Dallas: Mahle Gulnau, 5927 Wlnton. Denver: Bruce Marshall, 2881 S. Cherry Way. Des Moines: Pat Cooney, 2727 49th St. Detroit: 11. F. Reves, 906 Fox Theatre Bldg., WOodward 2-1144. Hartford: Allen M. Wldem, CH. 9-8211. Indianapolis: Norma Geraghty, 436 N. Illinois St. Jacksonville: Robert Cornwall, 1199 Edgewood Ave. Manchester, N. H. : Guy Langley, P.O. Box 56. Memphis: Null Adams, 707 Spring St. Miami: Martha Lummus, 622 N.E. 98 St. Milwaukee: Wm. Nlchol, 2251 S. Layton. Minneapolis: Jon l’ankake, 729 8th Ave. S.E. New Orleans: Mrs. Jack Auslet, 2268% St. Claude Ave. Oklahoma City: Sam Brunk, 3416 N. Virginia. Omaha: Irving Baker, 5108 Izard St. Philadelphia: A1 Zurawskl, The Bulletin. Pittsburgh: It. F. ICItngensmlth, 516 Jeanette, Wilklnshurg. 412-241-2809. Portland, Ore.: Arnold Marks, Journal. St. Louis: Jue & Joan Pollack, 7335 Shaftsbury, University City, PA 5-7181. Salt Lake City: II. Pearson, Deseret News. San Francisco: Dolores Baruscb, 25 Taylor St., ORdway 3-4813; Advertising: Jerry Nowell, 417 Market St., YUkon 29537. Washington: Virginia R. Collier, 2308 Ashmead Place, N. W., DUpont 7-0892. In Canada Montreal: Room 314, 625 Belmont St., Jules Larochelle. St. John: 43 Waterloo, Sam Babb. Toronto: 2675 Bayview Ave., Wltlowdale, Ont. W. Cladish. Vanoouver: 411 Lyric Theatre Bldg. 751 Granville St., Jack Droy. Winnipeg: The Tribune, Jim Peters. Member Audit Bureau of Circulations Second Class postage paid at Kansas City, Mo. Sectional Edition, $3.00 per year. National Edition, $7.50. NOVEMBER 2 5, 1963 Vol. 84 No. 5 THE BATTLE OVER PAY TV EXHIBITION is really up in arms over the pay television threat looming from California where Subscription Television, Inc., has acquired rights to telecast over its home-wired system the baseball games of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants. The seriousness of the matter is indicated by the raising of a $500,000 “war chest” by California exhibitors, which is to be increased to a million, as voted at the recent Theatre Owners of America convention. And the task to raise these funds is being undertaken by exhibitors in every exchange territory. While pay TV tests, in Bartlesville, Okla., Chicago, 111., Palm Springs, Calif., proved failures and those in Etobicoke, Canada and Hartford, Conn., are still in progress with their claimed success greatly questioned, exhibitors have reason to be greatly concerned over the possibility in California. In the other cases, above named, failure was, in large measure, attributed to the inability of those stations to secure top first-run pictures. This has also held in check the progress in Canada and Connecticut. But the feasibility of breaking down the resistance of producer-distributors to make such product available is considered more likely in California by the “phenomenal” rental offers reportedly being advanced by Subscription TV, Inc. On this point alone, as one leadingcircuit executive put it, “Let them get just one new picture away from theatres, and we are hurt.” Remember that “hole in the dike” caused by RKO General when it opened the flood gates by the sale of its backlog to free TV? Speaking of RKO General, it is not moving in pay TV only in Hartford; it has some 30 or more Community Antenna Television stations in the midwest, is acquiring more, as are others engaged in this field. Doubtless, the already-wired homes using this service through approximately 1,000 CATV stations, will pounce on the opportunity to get top first-run films, once the dike is broken. So it can readily be seen how vital it is for exhibition to prevent the first break. The danger point, unquestionably, is in California, where large financial strength has been obtained by the adversary, STV, Inc. The outcome of exhibition’s effort — to bring about a referendum to let the people decide whether or not they want pay TV — is its first and most important step. This must be supported to the hilt by exhibitors in all parts of the country. Pay TV may be “inevitable,” as some, particularly producer-distributors, aver. But the rest of the industry shouldn’t let that theory bowl them over. The battle will be a tough one. But it can be won. ★ ★ An Important Day The COMPO plan to aid in the observance of Bill of Rights Day, December 15, has come to fruition with the announcement that a two-and-one-halfminute trailer has been made available for this purpose. In the trailer, a message from President Kennedy conveys to the American public the full meaning of the Bill of Rights and the preservation of basic freedoms, as provided by the Constitution, thereby afforded. In part, the President’s message is as follows: “I am grateful to the motion 'picture industry for this opportunity to remind you of this most important day in our lives. December 15 is Bill of Rights Day. The Bill of Rights are the first ten amendments to the American Constitution. “Because the first ten amendments to the Constitution — because of the Bill of Rights — we have guaranteed freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, the right of assembly and petition, the right of trial by jury, the right to be secure in one’s home, the protection of due process of law and many other things that perhaps you take for granted but which we are guaranteed in the United States Constitution. So December 15 is an important day.” To give this message the widest possible circulation is a duty of every medium of communication. And it is of especial importance to the theatremen who would, thereby, not only be serving their country and their industry but also themselves. For a widespread understanding of the Bill of Rights throughout the nation could serve to alleviate at least some of the pernicious and recurring pressure of demands for censorship. Through the good offices of National Screen Service, Eastman Kodak, News of the Day and Movielab, 1,000 prints of the trailer have been made available. We urge every exhibitor to participate in this patriotic endeavor by showing the trailer between now and December 15.