The Exhibitor (1953)

PEOPLE EXHIBITOR Among United Artists executive sales staff and sales representatives at the recent sales convention in San Francisco were, front row, left to right, James R. Velde, western division manager; W. J. Heineman, vice-president in charge of distribution; B. G. Kranze, general sales manager; M. E. Cohen, eastern division manager; John Turner, eastern district manager, and, rear row, left to right, G. Pabst, southern district manager; M. Dudelson, northeastern district manager; Skip Weshner, producers' repre¬ sentative; F. J. Lee, midwestern district manager; R. F. Clark, western district manager, and F. Harris, San Francisco branch manager. Future plans and policies were discussed at the several meetings. New York — Clinton J. “Pat” Scollard has joined National Screen Service in a special executive capacity, working di¬ rectly under President Herman Robbins, it was announced last week. Prior to his former association with United Artists as executive vice-president, Scollard was executive assistant to the vice-president in charge of distribution at Paramount, executive vice-president of Pathe, and treasurer, Film Booking Offices. New York — Joseph Kaufman, director of exhibition for Cinerama Productions Corporation, left the company last week. Lester B. Isaac, Cinerama assistant general manager of theatre operations in charge of technical services, has taken over his duties. New York — Harry Thomas resigned last fortnight as general sales manager for Souvaine Selected Pictures. Thomas, prior to joining Souvaine, was an independent producer, president of PRC, and a Mono¬ gram executive. New York — It was announced last fort¬ night that Bert Ennis had been engaged by Altec Service Company to conduct a special promotion campaign in behalf of its stereophonic sound systems. Hollywood — G. Ralph Branton, presi¬ dent, Interstate Television Corporation, announced last week that Lloyd Lind has been elected vice-president in charge of sales. Reissue Distribs Revealed New York — J. J. Unger, Rogers and Unger Associates, announced last week that the 20 J. Arthur Rank feature pic¬ tures for reissue have been set with the following exchanges: Sherman S. Krellberg, Principal, for the New York metropolitan territory; Joseph E. Levine, Embassy, for New England; Fred Sandy, Fred Sandy Film Exchange, for Washington, D. C., and Charlotte; Albert Dezel, Albert Dezel Productions, Inc., and Albert Dezel, Inc., for Detroit and Chicago; Bernie Rubin, Imperial, for Cleveland; Harold Schwarz, Tower, for Dallas and Oklahoma City; Don Swartz, Independent Film Distributors, for Min¬ neapolis and Milwaukee, and N. P. “Red” Jacobs, Favorite Films of California, Inc., for San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, and Denver. Illinois Action Ended Herrin, III. — The anti-trust action filed by the Egyptian Theatre Corporation against Marlow Amusement Corporation and John Marlow was dismissed last week by U. S. District Court Judge Fred L. Wham, who ordered the complainant to pay all costs. Wayne L. Smith, Egyptian head, filed the $525,000 action against Marlow and nine distributors in 1951. THEATRE MANAGERS Experienced. New England Area in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Write J. TOTMAN STANLEY WARNER MANAGEMENT CORP. 70 College Street, New Haven, Conn. Burton Robbins Named Assistant To NSS Pres. _ NEW YORK — The promotion of Burton Robbins, head, National Screen Service advertising accessories divi¬ sion, to the post of assistant to the president, was announced last week by Herman Robbins, NSS president. Burton Robbins started with NSS in 1940 in the Philadelphia office as a shipping room clerk. He was recently elected president, Cinema Lodge, B’nai B’rith, and is a member of AMPA and a member of the crew of the Variety Club, Tent 35. Succeeding him as head, advertising accessories division, is Albert G. Stefanic, NSS veteran of 13 years, who joined the Company in 1940 in the newly formed advertising accessories division after 12 years association with Paramount’s sales department. Rep. Poulson Backs Adm. Tax Exemption Washington — Representative Poulson, Republican, Cal., told Congress last week that the 20 per cent federal admissions tax is a hardship on the public and the industry, and cited the contributions of industry members when called upon by the government in any capacity. N. C. Sunday Ban Fought Charlotte — Attorneys for Charles B. McGee, North 29 Drive-In, announced last week that they would appeal the ruling of the North Carolina Supreme Court to the U. S. Supreme Court in an effort to have the Charlotte Sunday closing law declared unconstitutional. The state court upheld the Jaw prohibiting the showing of motion pictures between 6 and 9 p. m. on Sun¬ days. The North 29 is within the Charlotte city limits. Mount Holly, N. C., 12 miles west, voted to ban the showing of pictures at any time on Sunday. Cinecolor Shows Loss Hollywood — Cinecolor Corporation last fortnight showed a loss of $164,464 for the 52 weeks ended on Dec. 27, 1952. An accumulated loss of $1,012,766 to Dec. 27, after noting adjustments on the ac¬ cumulated loss of the previous year, also was reported. Banner Meeting Scheduled In Georgia Atlanta — The joint convention of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners and Oper¬ ators of Georgia and the Alabama The¬ atres Association will be held on May 31June 2 at the Biltmore Hotel. Business sessions will be devoted ex¬ clusively to the latest developments in all phases of third-dimensional and wide¬ screen exhibition, drive-in school, con¬ ventional theatre school, and current de¬ velopments in the industry. Coast Academy Nominated Hollywood — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences last week an¬ nounced the election results on nomina¬ tions to its board of governors. Serving for two years are: Claire Trevor, actors; Daniel B. Cathcart, art directors; Hal Mohr, cinematographers; George Sidney, directors; Jack H. Karp, executives; Francis D. Lyon, film editors; Johnny Green, music branch; Samuel G. Engel, producers; Sam Israel; public relations; Hal Elias, short subjects; Gordon E. Saw¬ yer, sound, and Charles Brackett. These persons will join governors elected to a two-year term last year. MGM Trailer Tour Starts For "Young Bess'7 _ NEW YORK— MGM is touring a special traveling museum featuring reproductions and accessories used in the making of “Young Bess”, on a 58foot trailer in 65 important cities, according to a tentative schedule set last week, by Howard Dietz, vicepresident and director of advertising, publicity, and exploitation, and his promotional staff. The latest exhibition of features has already started its tour in advance of 60 cross-country opening dates. Elliot Foreman, eastern field press staff, is accompanying the “Young Bess” trailer. Division field super¬ visors will be responsible for advance publicity heralding the arrival of the exhibit in their territories. Special photographs, a one column mat of the queen’s chair, and advance stories have been furnished the field staff. May 20, 1953