The Exhibitor (1952)

EXHIBITOR 17 This Was The Week When . . . . The Savoy, San Diego, Cal., was announced as having been awarded a “Joshua”, symbolizing first prize for “the most distinguished use of match book advertising in the various entertainment industries during the last year”, with Ralph Smith, owner, getting the plaque for the embossed front cover, striking surface on the rear cover, and girlie picture on the match splints; U-I, at the same time, receiving honorable mention for its “Flame Of Araby.” Peter Mole, president, Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, revealed that the recipient of the Samuel L. Warner Memorial Award for 1952 would be Dr. Herbert T. Kalmus, president, Technicolor Motion Picture Corporation, who will accept it at the semi-annual convention in Washington during the Oct. 6-10 period. . . . Paramount decided to honor Oscar A. Morgan, general sales manager, shorts subjects and Paramount News, by a drive extending from Sept. 28-Oct. 4. . . . WB set the world premiere of “Springfield Rifle” for the Capitol and Art, Springfield, Mass., on Oct. 8. . . . 20th-Fox announced the first key pre-release playdates for “The Snows Of Kilimanjaro” at the Paramount, Atlanta, on Oct. 8, and the Hippodrome, Cleveland, on Oct. 9. . . . RKO began its shorts drive. . . . RKO’s “The Lusty Men” held its world bow at San Antonio, Tex. The world premiere of MGM’s “Plymouth Adventure” was set for the Old Colony, Plymouth, Mass., on Nov. 24. . . . The world premiere of 20th-Fox’s “Way Of A Gaucho” was held aboard the S. S. Argentina, at the foot of Canal Street, New York City, with more than 400 guests, celebrities, and newsmen on hand as well as stars and dignitaries. . . . U-I designated January as Technicolor month, with “The Lawless Breed”, “City Beneath The Sea”, and “Meet Me At The Fair” to be released. . . . The MPAA revealed that two newsreel issues dealing with each of the Presidential candidates would be released nationally in theatres as a public service. UA revealed that “Limelight” would have its American bow at the Astor and TransLux, New York, on Oct. 23. . . . 20th-Fox indicated that “The Stars And Stripes Forever” would be the Christmas attraction of the company. ... U-I announced that “Willie And Joe At The Front” would open in 1000 key and sub-key situations during the 30-day period from Oct. 15. . . . Eastman Kodak’s John T. Crabtree was named the recipient of the SMPTE Progress Medal, to be awarded in connection with the convention to be held in, Washington, D. C., from Oct. 6-10. Konecoff ( Continued from page 10) VCI is doing being distributed world-wide to theatres as well as chartering additional tents overseas throughout Europe. Live talent units are expected to be sent over to Europe in November and again in June to put the tents across, and to raise funds. THE METROPOLITAN SCENE: The release from Paramount said that at a cocktail party honoring Blossom Seeley and Benny Fields at the Friars Club, it would be the first time a woman was allowed there. Be that as it may, the place was loaded with attractive females, who seemed to know their way around, and everyone seemed to be having a grand time. Incidentally, the entire member¬ ship of the Friars was on hand, along with other show folk when the film about Seeley and Fields opened at the Roxy, with a scroll being presented to the pair on the stage. ... A musical stage version of “Gone With The Wind” under the title of “Scarlet O’Hara” will be presented on Broadway in about a year by David O. Selznick, who recently acquired the TV, radio, and stage rights to the work. It’s Selznick’s bow as a stage producer. Meanwhile, he has several film commit¬ ments to take care of in Europe, which include Mrs. Selznick, alias Jennifer Jones. He intends to conduct a world-wide search for a new Scarlett O’Hara to play the lead. . . . Sterling Silliphant, producer of “The Joe Louis Story”, and writer Bob Sylvester visited Chicago and Detroit for background conferences and possible loca¬ tion scouting. . . . NYU’s motion picture department will analyze Metro’s “Red Badge Of Courage” backwards, forwards, and sidewise this semester to say noth¬ ing of the upside down version. . . . The Film Library of the Museum of Modern Art has issued a new listing of circulat¬ ing film programs available for rent. Tech. Declares Dividend New York — Dr. Herbert T. Kalmus, president-general manager, Technicolor, Inc., announced last week that the board of Technicolor, Inc., had declared a divi¬ dend of 50 cents a share. Cinerama Makes Bow At Broadway, New York _ NEW YORK — Cinerama was un¬ veiled last night (Sept. 30) at the Broadway to a distinguished audience. The first production, “This Is Cin¬ erama”, was produced by Merian C. Cooper and Robert L. Bendick. Three synchronized projection machines “throw” on a huge curved screen six times the ordinary size to create a three-dimensional illusion. Also in¬ troduced was stereophonic sound, utilizing nine amplifiers to enact direc¬ tional movement in sound with the same ease as movement in sight is pictured. Lowell Thomas, chairman of the board, did the prologue, and narrated . the two hours of entertainment. Louis Forbes conducted the symphony or¬ chestra. The process is the invention of Fred Waller. Suzan Ball, new U-I star, currently touring key cities to help promote her two films, "Untamed Frontier" and "Yankee Buccaneer," is seen in New York with P. T. Dana, U-I eastern sales manager, and, right, F. J. A. McCarthy, southern and Canadian sales manager for the company. Texas Makes Plan For 1953 Exhibit Dallas — R. J. O’Donnell, spokesman for the executive board, Texas COMPO, an¬ nounced last fortnight the formulation of plans for the presentation of the “Motion Picture World Exposition” at the 1953 State Fair of Texas. The plan is based on an original idea from Paul Short, repre¬ senting the executive chairmen of Texas COMPO. The exposition will pursue the story of the motion picture industry from its nickelodeon days. A modern building, circular in shape, is being especially de¬ signed to house the display on the State Fair Grounds, and exhibits from the archives and libraries of all the Holly¬ wood studios showing the development of the industry will be features. H. Stanley Marcus, Dallas merchant, will cooperate in bringing the exposition to Dallas, and the famed Neiman Marcus models will conduct guest tours of the affair during the 16 days of showing. Nationwide radio broadcasts will originate daily from the exposition theatres, and there will be an audience participation TV show daily. The estimated 3,000,000 persons expected to attend the fair will have an oppor¬ tunity to participate in $5,000 cash prizes to be given as awards to those attending the exposition. The prizes in cash will be awarded to these who submit the closest estimate of the approximate number of feet of film that has been used in the making of motion pictures through 1952. Another attraction will be the selection of a “Mister And Miss State Fair”, with prizes a screen test at one of the Holly¬ wood studios. A two-reel subject cover¬ ing the history and growth of the industry is being prepared, and will be shown continuously. Lippert Chicago Franchise Sold Chicago — The Lippert franchise was bought by Albert Dezel last week. The transaction becomes effective on Oct. 4. Harry Dudelson will remain as Lippert midwest manager, Sam Kaplan, Dezel city salesman and booker, will continue in that capacity under the new arrangement, and John Rubin, Lippert county sales¬ man, will retain those duties. October 1, 1952