The Exhibitor (1950)

EXHIBITOR 11 Theatre TV Queries Answered By Coy New York — Gael Sullivan, executive director, Theatre Owners of America, Inc., last week released an exchange of corre¬ spondence between Wayne Coy, chairman, Federal Communications Commission, and himself in answer to three questions on theatre television that Sullivan had pro¬ posed to the Commission Chairman. The three questions were: “First, several of our members have understood that there seems to be some serious question about the Commission’s power to make this allocation. Such a question arising at this time bothers me greatly, for obviously it would affect seriously the preparation of the TOA case at the hearing, and, more important, the result of the hearing. Based upon the advice and information which I have re¬ ceived, it would appear to me that there could be no question but that the Com¬ mission has the power to make the allo¬ cation if such an allocation serves the public interest, convenience, and necessity. “Second, some exhibitors seem to be¬ lieve that the Commission is considering seriously vacating some or all of the exist¬ ing VHF frequencies, and moving all tele¬ vision broadcasting upstairs to the UHF. These exhibitors, therefore, seem to be¬ lieve that some of the present VHF chan¬ nels might become available for theatre television requests. Some of the state¬ ments on the subject have caused con¬ fusion. We in TOA have assumed that the present channels allocated to telecasters would not be available for theatre tele¬ vision, and have proceeded in our prepa¬ rations along this basis. “Third, many of the TOA members con¬ tinue to ask when the Commission is likely to hold the public hearings on the¬ atre television channels. If there is any period of time or specific date towards which our preparations should be made, it would help in the efficiency of our work.” Sullivan, commenting upon Coy’s reply, said: “Chairman Coy’s answer to the first question indicates definitely that the Com¬ mission is empowered to make an alloca¬ tion of air channels exclusively for theatre television if if finds that the proposed theatre television service will be in the public interest, convenience, and necessity. “The answer to the second question indicates that there is no present inclina¬ tion on the part of the Federal Com¬ munications Commission to vacate tele¬ casters from VHF (Very High Fre¬ quencies), and thereby make these chan¬ nels available to other services. Rather, it seems that the Commission’s proposal to open up the UHF (Ultra High Fre¬ quencies) for general telecasting is de¬ signed to add new room to the existing structure. This has been the understand¬ ing that we in TOA have had regarding the Commission’s intentions, and in order to avoid any further misunderstanding, we have sought to obtain this direct and official statement on this matter. “In answering the third question, Chair¬ man Coy could not be specific on a sched¬ uled date of hearing, but we in TOA hope the present heavy work schedule of the Federal Communications Commission will History's first television wedding highlighted the recent campaign of the Chicago, Chicago, for MGM's "Father of the Bride," with the TV bride wearing the gown worn by Elizabeth Taylor in the film. Above, from left, are the groom, Joseph Masek; the minister, Dr. George Carl; the bride, Gladys Driver, and m.c. Bill Evans. The affair was staged by Ed Seguin, B. and K., publicity man. Ginsberg Resigns Para. Prod. Post Hollywood — Paramount studio admin¬ istrator and production head Henry Ginsburg resigned last week after six years with the company in those posts. Y. Frank Freeman continues as Para¬ mount vice-president and representative at the studio of President Barney Balaban and the board, and will also be in charge of studio operations. Ginsberg joined the company in 1940. Schenck Leaves UA Posts Hollywood — Joseph M. Schenck re¬ mains as executive head of production for 20th-Fox, it was learned last week, fol¬ lowing his resignation as UA Theatres president and chairman of the board. ease off to permit their consideration of the theatre television hearing before 1950 is over.” Additional Damages Sought In Denver Anti-Trust Suit DENVER — Thurman Arnold was in last fortnight arguing before U. S. District Court Judge Lee Knous that Cinema Amusements, Inc., be per¬ mitted to add a claim for $2,275,000 damages to its already-filed action for $3,000,000 damages against 20th Cen¬ tury-Fox, Loew’s, Inc., and RKO. The original action was filed in Delaware, but was moved to Denver for setting and trial, which is expected to be this fall. Cinema claims that the defend¬ ants refused to sell films for use at the Broadway as first-run or on a move-over policy, which was the policy of the theatre prior to acquisi¬ tion by Cinema. Arnold said the new demand would bring the action up to date, or to last December. Defendant attorneys asked the court to force Cinema to file a new action to cover the alleged additional damages, saying the request, if granted, would continue the old case for several more years. Cinema has asked to see the cutoff sheets of eight film distributors. Judge Knous took the case under advisement. PEOPLE New York — At a stockholders and directors meeting of Realart Pictures, Inc., last fortnight, Jack Broder, Los Angeles, who has now acquired 100 per cent of the capital stock of Realart Pictures, Inc., was elected chairman of the board in addition to president. New directors elected con¬ sist of Jack Broder, chairman; Budd Rogers, Simon Lipson, Charles Rubiner, Carroll Puciato, and William Schulman. Simon Lipson has been elected secretarytreasurer. New York — Jack Schlaifer, recent gen¬ eral sales manager, Eagle Lion, last week announced the formation of Jack Schlaifer Organization, Inc., to act as producers representative and liaison among pro¬ ducer, distributor, and exhibitor. The or¬ ganization will act as representative for N. Peter Rathvon on “The Great Rupert,” “High Lonesome,” “The Torch,” “The Sundowners,” “The Sun Sets At Dawn,” and “Destination Moon.” New York — United Artists mid-west district manager Ralph Cramblet, head¬ quartering in Chicago, has been granted an indefinite leave of absence from his post because of ill health, it was an¬ nounced last weekby Fred M. Jack, UA western-southern general sales manager. J. J. O’Loughlin, branch manager, Los Angeles branch, has been named to re¬ place Cramblet. New York — Norton V. Ritchey, presi¬ dent, Monogram International, announced last fortnight the appointment of Wil¬ liam E. Osborne as assistant export man¬ ager. Osborne has been supervising the Far East and Middle East. New York — Don Tullius was last week promoted from office manager to branch manager, Warners’ Oklahoma City ex¬ change. He succeeds Grover Livingston, recently promoted to Charlotte branch manager. New 20th-Fox Unit Starts Hollywood — Organization of a special service unit was announced at 20th Cen¬ tury-Fox Studios by Harry Brandt last week. The new department will be headed by Jim Denton, currently in charge of all still photography and national magazine pub¬ licity. The special service unit will work within the framework of the studio pub¬ licity department, and will be concerned chiefly with giving added exploitation and publicity aid to 20th Century-Fox prod¬ uct. It will concern itself with extra¬ curricular information to press services, columnists, magazines, and theatre adver¬ tising heads. Keller-Dorian Sues New York — William E. Telestin, head, Keller-Dorian Color Films, last week filed a $3,000,000 damage suit against Eastman and Technicolor in federal court alleging violation of the anti-trust acts in respect to the plaintiff’s property rights claimed in color films under a December, 1930, assignment. The complaint also charges that Eastman obtained technical data and equipment from the plaintiff for which royalties allegedly were not paid. July 12, 1950