The Exhibitor (1952)

10 EXHIBITOR New York News Letter By Mel Konecoff SAMUEL GOLDWYN must have a good picture in his “Hans Christian An¬ dersen”. When he returned from a European trip the other day, he was almost reluctant to praise the film, say¬ ing that he thought he had a pretty good picture or at least that was what people were telling him. Having been in on these pre¬ release interviews be¬ fore with Goldwyn, we would say that this type of statement was a little unusual. Goldwyn, with great faith in the industry, stated that if exhibi¬ tors would spend more time in their theatres and less at meetings, they would be better off. He referred to the arbitra¬ tion meeting and the subject as a whole as “nonsense”, and that he was against it generally and particularly. Instead, he urged everyone to concentrate on good pictures to overcome all the troubles of the industry, and thought that exhibitors should encourage producers, and not try to get all of their pictures as cheaply as possible. As far as “Andersen” is concerned, it is planned to open the film in New York and Los Angeles about Christmas time, which, of course, would put it in the running for Academy Award considera¬ tion. Houses are presently being consid¬ ered. He claimed that he has to get back eight millions in order to start showing a profit, and also that his own money was involved. He also thought that there seems to be quite a demand for the film, “greater than for any he has ever made”, and stated that exhibitors thought that advanced admissions should be charged, which seemed to be the only way he would get his money back within a reasonable span of time. The producer claimed that bidding by exhibitors for the film in some situations was already under way, and that while RKO was releasing it, he still had final approval on all deals. A half-million dollars has already been allocated for an advertising campaign in magazines, and probably a million more will be set aside for newspaper plugging throughout the country. He is presently planning his next pro¬ duction, tentatively tagged “Number 89”, his 89th feature since he started in the business. All he would reveal about the film is that music will play an important part, and that some foreign location shoot¬ ing will be required. Otherwise, he was reluctant to give information on it, fear¬ ing prior production by someone else who can work faster than he. No budget Producer Bert E. Friedlob met with EXHIBITOR'S Mel Konecoff in New York City recently to dis¬ cuss his latest 20th-Fox film, "The Steel Trap." has been set, and it will get rolling about May 1. Other Goldwyn notes: He called the 16mm. government suit “silly”, opining that it won’t get anywhere, and that it was inspired by some minor people in the TV field. . . . Political donations in Holly¬ wood should be left up to the individual concerned, and is not anyone’s business regardless of political leanings. He him¬ self is avidly for Eisenhower just for a change in the administration. . . . Ameri¬ can pictures are doing well abroad, he noted on his six-week swing through Europe mostly on business, and France seems to be recovering, while Italy is doing quite well. . . . He is against sub¬ sidies anywhere, especially abroad, where they have become the custom of late. He thought that if they paid more attention to picture-making instead of waiting around for handouts that they would be better off. He claimed no one in Holly¬ wood got any subsidies, yet they are doing pretty good out there, and it’s bad for any creative talent. . . . Subscription TV is definitely coming. It may take two or three years, but, anyhow, he has great faith in the industry. CORRECTION: Just for the record, last week’s column stated that 3,000 were present at the Warner Club golf tourney. That was a typo, and, naturally, it should have read 300 (correct, Mr. Editor.) DEPT. OF MAILING PIECES: That U-I is right on its toes with a fine mailing Arriving in New York City recently after a vacation in Europe, producer Samuel Goldwyn and hit wife were met at the pier by James A. Mulvey, right, president, Samuel Goldwyn Pro¬ ductions. Goldwyn remained in New York to assist in setting up the campaign for his "Hans Christian Andersen," to be released by RKO. Grosses On Up-Beat At Broadway First-Runs New York — With quite a few newcom¬ ers, and several strong hold-overs, grosses were on the up-beat in the Broadway first-runs last weekend. According to usually reliable sources reaching Exhibi¬ tor, the break-down was as follows: “BIG JIM McLAIN” (WB). Paramount, with stage show, expected the second week to tally $63,000. “SOMEBODY LOVES ME” (Para.). Roxy, with stage show, claimed $72,000 for Wednesday through Sunday, with the first week bound to top $90,000. “BECAUSE YOU’RE MINE” (MGM) . Radio City Music Hall, with stage show, opened to $90,000 for Thursday through Sunday, with the opening week expected to exceed a very good $145,000. “ONE MINUTE TO ZERO” (RKO). Cri¬ terion announced $25,000 for the second week. Added showing of Marciano-Walcott fight films helped. “THE SNOWS OF KILIMANJARO” (20th-Fox). Rivoli was up to $79,000 on the second week. “YOU FOR ME” (MGM) . Globe antici¬ pated that the opening week would reach $9 000 “HIGH NOON” (UA). Mayfair claimed $17,000 for the 10th week. “THE MIRACLE OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA” (WB). Astor expected the sixth week to be $12,000. “THE MERRY WIDOW” (MGM). Loew’s State opened to a good $30,000. “THE QUIET MAN” (Rep.). Capitol reported $40,000 for the sixth week, with the John Wayne starrer holding well. “AFFAIR IN TRINIDAD” (Col.). Vic¬ toria was heading toward a $9,000 gross on the ninth week. piece prepared under the direction of vee-pee Dave Lipton, advertising, pub¬ licity, and exploitation chief, entitled “Modesty Ain’t Our Policy”, which not only stresses forthcoming product but also notes of enthusiasm and satisfaction from prominent exhibs. It’s in the mails. . . . Also from U-I comes another booklet in which is proven that monkeys can do almost anything people can, and then some. It’s a follow-up on that Bonzo booklet of several years back depicting the clever ch'mp going through all sorts of ordeals as a semi-human, and this one is even better, showing Bonzo operat¬ ing a theatre single-handedly, and doing quite well, too. It reminds us of some people we know. . . . From Italy comes a sexy mailing on an Italian film called “Anna”, with a series of shots which evi¬ dently were not approved by the MPA, from the film to be released here by Lux. Sylvania Mangano is featmed. VARIETY CLUBS INTERNATIONAL: Representatives of Variety Clubs Interna¬ tional, including Chief Barker Jack Beresin. International Press Guy Jack Chis¬ holm, New York tent Chief Barker Wil¬ liam German, and John Fulton, Atlanta tent, were in last week to meet with trade press and representatives of the radio and TV field to discuss forthcoming public relations campaigns. Beresin announced that the future would see a two-reel film showing what (Continued on page 17) October 1, 19b2