The Exhibitor (1953)

THIS being the fifth INTERNATIONAL LAUREL AWARDS issue, it is interesting to turn back the clock to see what oc¬ curred when the competition made its bow in 1949. Here are some of the results: Leading feature: “Johnny Belinda.” Leading female star: Ingrid Bergman. Leading male star: Gary Cooper. Leading producer-director: Cecil B. DeMille. Leading western star: Roy Rogers. Leading new female personality: Doris Day. Leading new male personality: Montgom¬ ery Clift. Leading musical director: Ray Heindorf. Leading musical composer: Max Steiner. Leading shorts series: Serial: Columbia. Two reel comedy: “The Three Stooges.’ Two reel topical: “This Is America.” Two reel musical: “Name Band Musicals.” Two reel dramatic: “Specials In Tech nicolor.” One reel cartoon: MGM. One reel musical: “Community Sing.” One reel novelty: “Pete Smith Special¬ ties.” One reel sport: “Grantland Rice Sportlights” One reel travel: “Fitzpatrick Traveltalks.” MGM was first as far as the product which meant the most and the fairest terms were concerned. — H. M. M. INDEX Vol. 50, No. 10 July 8, 1953 Section One Editorial . 5 Feature Article — “Production Declines, But The Visits Continue” 6,7 New York News Letter 8 The International Scene . 12 This Was The Week When 16 The Score Board . 16 People 18 In The Newsreels . 19 Studio Survey SS-1 — SS-94 Section Two fHIIITII Vol. 50, No. 10 July 8, 1953 Thu Laurel Awards Highlighting this issue of Exhibitor is the section devoted to the fifth annual International Laurel Awards, emphasizing the results of the balloting of the hookers and buyers of this country, Canada, and some overseas areas. The fifth in an auspicious series comes at a time when Holly¬ wood is emphasizing the technical side, but we are still firmly of the opinion that people and stories are more important than ever. It is true that a rebirth of interest through the use of polaroid viewers and wider screens is having a good effect on attendance generally. More people are talking about films and are going to movies. However, unlike the wag who remarked that the day will come when all theatres will do will he to sell glasses, we believe that the future of our industry rests with the Hollywood creators, the players, the writers, producers, technical men, music men, and the others responsible for production. Temporarily, there is emphasis on technological changes, hut within a space of time, audiences will come hack to the same old question: “Just how good is the picture?” And, as always, their ticket buying will depend on the answers. The fifth International Laurel Awards again demonstrate the prowess of the folks in Hollywood. Their average is high, and each year from them have come better pictures. In the past few years, the stress has been on quality, and it is to the credit of those who make the films that they have accepted the challenge and are delivering. m The result speaks for itself. Please turn to it now, and get to know the boxolfice developers better. A JAY EMANUEL PUBLICATION. Founded in 1918. Published weekly by Joy Emanuel Publica¬ tions, Incorporated. Publishing office! 246-248 North Clarion Street, Philadelphia 7, Pennsylvania. New York office: 1600 Broadway, New York 19. West Coast Representative: Paul Manning, 9628 Cresta Drive, Los Angeles 35, California. Jay Emanuel, publisher; Paul J. Greenhalgh, general manager; Herbert M. Miller, editor; A. J. Martin, advertising manager; Max Cades, business manager; Marguerite Gibson, circulation manager; George Nonamaker and Mel Konecoff, associate editors. Subscription rates: Each of six sectional editions (New England, New York State, Philadelphia— Washington, Southern, Mideast, Midwest— Western): one year, $2; two years, $3.50; three years, $5. International edition: one year, $2.00 in United States and pos¬ sessions, $3.00 in Canada and Pan-American countries, $5.00 in all other countries. General edition: one year, $7.50 in United States and possessions, $10 in Canada and Pan-American countries. $15 in all other countries. Address all correspondence to the Philadelphia office. The Servisection SS-1— SS-8