The Exhibitor (1953)

8 E X H I R I T O 1 CAN NEWS A guide to the headlines in EXHIBITOR this issue. Corporate Life Magazine covers CinemaScope and Spyros Skouras (page 8). Terms of the deal whereby Si Fabian and Sam Rosen will be employed by Stanley Warner are revealed by a report to the SEC (page 12). Deaths Willie Osborne, a realold timer, dies (page 12). Howard Burkhardt, veteran Loew’s manager, passes (page 20). Distribution The flexibility of its releases marks the announcement of the five-month WB re¬ leasing schedule (page 12). Paramount plans to be the host to ex¬ hibitors at screenings of three shows only July 27 (page 18). Exhibition The 3-D sales policies of distributors are called unrealistic by the New Jersey Allied conventioneers (page 12). The progress of the Mason tax exemp¬ tion measure through Congress draws at¬ tention (page 12). Financial Republic shows a greater profit in its 26-week report (page 12). Loew’s upturn in profits is shown in its 12-week report (page 16). International Exhibitors’ screen ads preferences in Canada, censorship and labor matters in Mexico, trouble with 3-D glasses in Mexico City, a deal between UA and Schlesinger in England, and other items are covered (pages 14 and 19). Eric Johnston reports on the foreign situation (page 14). Legal The Skouras suit against various dis¬ tributors has to be simplified (page 8). A suit by Local 306 is withdrawn in New York City (page 20). Legislative The Senate subcommittee finishes its hearings on trade complaints (page 19). Censorship of newsreels is ended in Ohio (page 16). Mel Konekoff Organization of a new kind of specialty service in New York City, a cliarge-it system, and a sneak preview are covered (pages 8 and 20). Production Jack Warner and Ben Kalmenson reveal details of new WB WarnerSuperScope process (page 18). Allied Artists announces its production program for the rest of the year (page 18). Technical Laboratories form a new organization, and elect Neal Keehn president (page 18). Life Magazine Reviews Skouras, CinemaScope _ NEW’ YORK — Last week’s issue of Life magazine contained an article on Spyros Skouras, 20th -Fox president, and the company’s development of CinemaScope as an answer to the competitive force of home TV. The article, “Spyros Skouras and His Won¬ derful CinemaScope,” praised Skouras and his industry achievements, and described his relationship with his brothers, Charles, president, National Theatres, and George, president, United Artists Theatre Circuit. John Couglan wrote the article. "Blondes," "Wagon", 3-D B' way's Best New York — Broadway grosses suffered over the weekend as a result of the heat, and, except for strong holdovers at the Music Hall. Astor, and Victoria, and ex¬ cellent opening weeks at the Paramount and Roxy, business was sluggish. The breakdown, according to usually reliable sources reaching Exhibitor, was as follows: “THE CHARGE AT FEATHER RIVER” (WB). Paramount, with stage show, re¬ ported an excellent $90,000 for the first week of this 3-D attraction. “GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES” (20th-Fox). Roxy, with ice show, took in $105,000. Wednesday through Sunday, with the first week heading for a huge $155,000. “THE BAND WAGON” (MGM) . Radio City Music Hall, with stage show, re¬ ported $95,000 from Thursday through Sunday, with the second week expected to tally $155,000. “AFFAIR WITH A STRANGER” (RKO) . Criterion expected the last five days of an incomplete second week to tally $9,000. “SALOME” (Col.). Rivoli expected the 17th week to hold steady at $6,000. “HOUDINI” (Para.). Holiday reported a third week gross of $16,000. “TRADER HORN” and “SEQUOIA” (MGM). Globe reported that the first week of this reissue package would reach $9,000. “SCARED STIFF” (Para.). Mayfair claimed a third week total of $18,000, con¬ siderably below the second week. “STALAG 17” (Para.). Astor reported an excellent third week gross of $32,000. “IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE” (U-I). Loew’s State claimed the fifth, and last, week of this 3-D attraction would reach $10,000. “RIDE, VAQUERO” (MGM). Capitol re¬ ported an opening week tally of $21,000. “THE MOON IS BLUE” (UA). Victoria reported the second week holding good at $30,000. Skouras Suit Too Complicated New York — The Skouras Theatres’ $88,000,000 anti-trust suit against several distributors was dismissed last week by U. S. District Court Judge John F. X. McGohey on the basis that it was too long and involved, but the way was left clear for the plaintiffs to file a less compli¬ cated action. Dividend Payments Up Washington — The Commerce Depart¬ ment announced last week that publicly reported cash dividend payments by film companies in June totaled $3,932,000, com¬ pared with $3,754,000 last June. New York News Letter By Mel Konecoff WE HAD LUNCH the other day with Robert Goldfarb, veteran industryite, who, in the last few weeks, has started an employment agency that specializes in the amusement field. He has put his 25 years in the business at the disposal of employer and employe. His clients include all the distribution companies, a majority of theatre operating companies, radio and TV stations and offices, indepen¬ dent producers, and independent circuits, as well as individual the¬ atres such as the Roxy, Radio City Music Hall, etc. Since the announcement of the forma¬ tion of the organization appeared, the re¬ sponse has been strong both from employ¬ ers and would-be employes. Goldfarb, gratified, feels that he can be of definite value in the industry. His back¬ ground includes service in the mail room, as a receptionist, clerk, advertising sales manager, executive assistant to a vicepresident in charge of operations, execu¬ tive assistant to a general sales manager, general office manager, purchasing agent, and personnel manager, which qualifies him as an expert. He told us that the day may very well come when branches may be opened in exchange areas to provide personnel for distributor branch offices and for theatre circuits. Incidentally, he estimated that salaries in the business have jumped about 25 per cent over the past 10 years, but that £hey are still lower than similar positions in other lines of endeavor. Asked to ex¬ plain the continuing flood of applicants for positions in the industry, Goldfarb commented, “There’s no business like show businesss, with apologies to Irving Berlin, and that certain magnetism and glamour is still to be found in the indus¬ try. It really brings them in.” That fellow Goldfarb certainly seems to have his eye on the ball. CHARGE IT: Walter Reade Theatres announced that tickets purchased for stage shows at the Savoy, Asbury Park, N. J., can now be charged, with patrons being billed. Patrons who have the proper charge account card issued by the local bank order their tickets, and are billed later by the bank. That institution reimburses the theatre for the tickets the day the patron gets them at the theatre, and takes care of the collection from the buyer at a later date. ( Continued on page 20) Konecoff July 22, 1953