The Exhibitor (1950)

10 EXHIBITOR MU KONECOFFS NSW YORK LEONARD GOLDENSON, United Paramount Theatres’ president, last week enter¬ tained the trade press at the first of a series of informal luncheons to exchange views on various problems of showmanship. He stressed the importance at this time of the need for the development of fresh talent and of new screen personalities as well as the role that the trade press can play in any industrywide drive for new faces. If things go through as contemplated, big things can be expected which will help the industry as a whole. Present from United Para¬ mount were, in addition to Goldenson, Bob Weitman, Robert O’Brien, Ed Hyman, and Jack Mclnerney. I , Loew's, 20th-Fox Asking For Rehearing SPACE DEPT.: Several score newspaper people, reviewers, scientists, etc., attended an invitational showing of Eagle Lion’s “Destination Moon” at the Hayden Planetarium. First, everybody was put in the proper mood, by the Planetarium's own version of what a trip to the moon would consist of, with proper music, sound effects, and jingles. Next, the curator welcomed the throng, brought us up-to-date on interplanetary travel, which is still nil at present, and started the film rolling. While seen at a disadvantage because it was thrown on the side of the building with loss in detail and focus, the film still proved a first-class thriller which should prove very popular. It has a fineness of detail and a fastness of pace that will keep audiences waiting and engrossed. A print of the feature was presented to associate curator Robert R. Coles by producer George Pal’s representative, en¬ cased in a metal container, and specially treated to preserve its showing years from now when the first trip to the moon be¬ comes a reality. ITEMS: Sterling Silliphant, in charge of special promotions for 20th CenturyFox, promoted himself a seven-pound, 14-ounce boy to be born on Father’s Day. Sterling always has tieups in mind when working on anything. We have yet to hear hew the event will help to promote “The Black Rose.” . . . Republic is out with a large mailing piece labeled, “This Is What Showmanship Means,” detailing the organization’s campaign on “Rock Island Trail.” . . . The July issue of Argosy magazine has a most unusual serialization of a motion picture, 20th Cen¬ tury-Fox’s “Panic In The Streets,” which is illustrated with actual candid camera scenes from the film. Twenty-five full pages of pictures and text are devoted to the story. It’s a swell job, and the film is well worth the plug. . . . My, but it cer¬ tainly got hot last weekend. It looks like we’ll finally have to change to tropicals. MOVIES ABROAD: A recent issue of the paper, Israel Speaks, calls to attention the means used to get entertainment out to the various settlements. Each has its own 16mm. projection machine and a master electrician trained in its use. Movies are shown weekly in each settle¬ ment via a circulating library system from which are selected the films that the settlers want to see via catalogue con¬ sultation. With each film comes a ques¬ tionnaire, and if members of the audience register their reactions adversely, the film, if voted as a waste of time by enough settlements, is withdrawn from the circuit. Of the nine films chosen as unanimous favorites, seven are American and two are Russian, “The Search,” “The Good Earth,” “The Unfinished Dance,” “I’ve Always Loved You,” “Song Of Scheherazade,” “Rhapsody In Blue,” “Bambi,” “The Stone Flower,” and “Hello, Moscow.” WASHINGTON— “A recognized de¬ cline in the industry,” was cited by top film lawyers for the three remain¬ ing defendants in the government divorcement suit as they made a new plea for a chance to argue against divorcement before the U. S. Supreme Court last week. The court cannot take action before October. Filing against the February decree of the New York District Court were Warners, Loew’s, and 20th-Fox. The three defendants renewed their pleas that conditions within the in¬ dustry have changed so radically that the same factors which seemed to call once for divorcement now point to the importance of maintaining strong, integrated companies. Loew’s and 20th-Fox also asked for a stay in the delivery of the U. S. Supreme Court's mandate to the New York Court, seeking a delay in the effective date of divorcement. The government also was granted the right to file a rehearing petition of its own, should the court grant that of the defendants. Warners, Loew's, and 20th -Fox later asked the U. S. Supreme Court to stay the divorcement and divestiture pro¬ visions until the highest court ruled on. the rehearing petitions. Goldwyn Hearing Date Set San Francisco — Federal court last week set July 15 as the date for the hearing of Samuel Goldwyn’s $6,750,000 anti-trust suit charging monopoly practices in ex¬ hibition. The defendants, United Cali¬ fornia Theatres, Golden State Theatres, T. and D., Jr., Enterprises, San Francisco Theatres, Excelsior Amusement, Michael A. Naify, R. A. McNeil, Charles P. Skouras, Fox West Coast Theatres, Fox West Coast Agency, National Theatres Amusement, and 20th Century-Fox, asked for an ex¬ tension to file answers and make pleas. Crescent Files Denial Nashville, Tenn. — Crescent Amusement Company last week denied that it used deception and threats to keep out com¬ petition, as it replied to charges of crim¬ inal contempt of the U. S. District Court’s settlement in the government’s 1344 anti¬ trust suit. Replying to similar charges were the Rockwood Amusement Company and R. E. Balch, and Kermit Stengel, who holds a controlling interest in the circuits. " Father " Hottest In Placid Broadway New York — Radio City Music Hall held its lead of Broadway first-runs last week, with other Main Stem business below expectations, according to usually reliable sources reaching Exhibitor. The break¬ down is as follows: “BRIGHT LEAF” (WB). Strand, with stage show, took in $15,000 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with $29,000 an¬ ticipated for the second week. “THE SECRET FURY” (RKO) . Para¬ mount, with stage show, looked for $60,000 on the opening week. “FORTUNES OF CAPTAIN BLOOD” (Col.). Rivoli expected $7,000 for the third week. “THE GUNFIGHTER” (20th-Fox). Roxy, with stage show, took in $38,000 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and looked for $65,000 for the opening week. “FATHER OF TRIE BRIDE” (MGM). Radio City Music Hall, with stage show, reported $83,000 for Thursday through Sunday, and estimated the sixth week to bring $137,000. “TARZAN AND THE SLAVE GIRL” (RKO). Criterion headed toward $6,000 on the second week. “WAGONM ASTER” (RKO). Globe looked for $8,000 on the second week. “THE 3RD MAN” (SRO-EL). Vic¬ toria expected $8,300 on the 21st week. “ANNIE GET YOUR GUN” (MGM). Loew's State looked for $15,000 on the sixth week. “THE LAWLESS” (Paramount). Astor estimated the opening week to bring $20,000. “THE ASPHALT JUNGLE” (MGM). Capitol, with stage show, headed toward $33,000 on the third week. “THE ROCKING HORSE WINNER” (U-I). Park Avenue anticipated $7,000 for the third week. UJA Aides Named New York — Fred J. Schwartz and Sam Rosen, joint chairmen, New York amuse¬ ment division, 1950 United Jewish Appeal drive, last week announced the appoint¬ ment of 11 film company chairmen to assist in preparations for the All-Presi¬ dent’s Dinner of the United Jewish Appeal of Greater New York, to be held at the Waldorf-Astoria on June 29. Chairmen are: Abe Schneider, Colum¬ bia; Irving Greenfield, Loew’s; Nat Furst, Monogram; George Dembow, National Screen Service; Arthur Israel, Paramount; Steve Edwards, Republic; Sol Schwartz, RKO Theatres; Jack Lang, 20th CenturyFox; Nat Nathanson, United Artists; Adolph Schimel, U-I, and Harry Gold¬ berg, Warners. The obligations for the din¬ ner, to which admission is free, will be assumed by its sponsors and hosts: Bar¬ ney Balaban, Paramount; Nate J. Blumfeerg, U-I; Harry Cohn, Columbia; Ned E. Depinet, RKO; Herman Robbins, Na¬ tional Screen Service; Nicholas M. Schenck, Loew’s; Gradwell L. Sears, United Artists; Lee Shubert, Shubert Theatres; Spyros P. Skouras, 20th Cen¬ tury-Fox, and Harry M. Warner, War¬ ners. Harry Brandt, Brandt Theatres, is dinner chairman. The dinner will climax the 1950 UJA drive by the New York amusement divi¬ sion, and will honor drive chairmen, past and present. June 28, 1950