The Exhibitor (1953)

12 EXHIBITOR 3-D Selling Policies Called Unrealistic NJ Allied Convention Hits Attitude As "Shortsighted"; Use of Single Projector Stereo Systems Advocated Atlantic City, N. J. — A statement issued last fortnight at the conclusion of the Allied Theatre Owners of New Jersey convention referred to distributor 3-D sales policies as “unrealistic and short¬ sighted” in their failure to recognize the right of the independent exhibitor to make a profit on the stereo films. The statement pointed out that only 2,500 theatres are now equipped for 3-D while thousands are holding off until film prices are reduced to where the exhibitor can make an equitable profit. The organ¬ ization warned that current practices, if continued, “will destroy the stimulus of these new presentations.” ATONJ feels that while the new screen techniques have been profitable to equipment manufac¬ turers and distributors and to companies handling the 3-D films, “the exhibitor has been completely ignored, and has failed to benefit.” The statement said that the only way all theatres can be induced to equip for 3-D, thereby greatly increasing the dis¬ tributor’s market, is for film prices to come down. Allied further recommended that film companies give careful consid¬ eration to single projector 3-D systems as a means of trimming the costs of pro¬ jecting 3-D features. Earlier, Abram F. Myers, National Allied board chairman and general counsel, had reported that results of a “thoroughly un¬ scientific” survey conducted by him and his wife indicate that “his majesty, the American infant” appears to be the major factor keeping folks away from the movies. With people generally marrying younger, the youthful element which makes up the bulk of theatre attendance has been forced to turn to other methods of recrea¬ tion so that they can care for the children, Myers said. The older folk, Myers said, apparently have lost interest in the movies because they feel that today’s attractions are not strong enough. Fabian, Rosen Terms Revealed Washington — A Stanley Warner report last week to the Securities and Exchange Commission gave details of a three-year deal between SW and Fabian Enterprises, Inc., calling for the payment by SW of $3,000 per week for the services of Si Fabian, SW president, and Samuel Rosen, vice-president. The executives hold dual positions in both corporations. Under the terms, the services either executive can give to Fabian Enterprises is limited to one-third of his regular time. The deal also has a percentage participa¬ tion clause calling for no payment under the clause if net profits are below $2,599,000 for the year, five per cent accruing to Fabian Enterprises if net profits are be¬ tween $2 500,000 and $5,000,000, and seven and one-half per cent if they exceed that figure. Edward Muhl, U-l vice-president in charge of studio operations, who has been a key figure in the production and other phases of the com¬ pany's operation, is in charge of U-l production. Exhibitors Watch Mason Bill Progress Washington — House Majority Leader Halleck, R., Ind., announced last week that the Mason Bill for theatre tax relief was due to reach the floor of the House this week. Heartened by the news, the industry expected its passage by a wide margin. The Senate outlook was different, how¬ ever. Sympathetic Senators were being urged by spokesmen for industries other than the movies to take care of their problems by amending the theatre tax relief bill when it goes from the House to the Senate. The House Rules Committee cleared the Mason Bill under a procedure barring amendment from the House floor, so the fur, liquor, jewelry, railroad, telephone, and other industries switched their efforts to the upper house. COMPO spokesmen, aware of the danger, were urging Senators to oppose such amendments since they will greatly reduce chances for the bill’s passage. Senator George, ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, said he agreed the ticket tax should be reduced or elimi¬ nated, but did not think the time for such action was now. Albert Sindlinger, industry research spokesman, conferred with Dan Throop, Treasury Department economic chief, in an effort to soften Administration opposition to the Mason Bill. A Republican repre¬ sentative said he had been told that the Treasury Department would recommend that the President veto the measure if it nassed both the House and Senate. Colonel H. A. Cole, co-chairman, COMPO’s tax committee, expressed confidence, however, that the bill would be signed by Presi¬ dent Eisenhower if it passed without addi¬ tional amendments giving relief to other industries and running up the cost to the Treasury. Willie Osborne Passes Ridgefield, N. J. — Willie Osborne, 90, a veteran in distribution in this territory, died last week. Flexibility Marks Warner Releases New York — Flexibility in production will mark the WB program for the next several months, Ben Kalmenson, vicepresident in charge of distribution told district managers last week. In addition, he outlined forthcoming product, from August through December, as follows: August — “The Master Of Ballantrae”, in Technicolor, starring Errol Flynn, and directed by William Keighley; “So This Is Love”, in Technicolor, starring Kathryn Grayson, produced for the studio by Henry Blanke, and directed by Gordon Douglas; and “Plunder Of The Sun”, a WayneFellows production, and starring Glenn Ford, Diana Lynn, and Patricia Medina, produced by Robert Fellows, and directed by John Farrow. September — “Island In The Sky” star¬ ring John Wayne, with Lloyd Nolan, Walter Abel, James Arness, and Andy Devine, in a Wayne-Fellows production, directed by William Wellman; “Diamond Queen”, starring Fernando Lamas, Arlene Dahl, and Gilbert Roland, produced by Frank Medford, with John Brahm direct¬ ing; “The Moonlighter”, in 3-D, starring Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck, produced by Joseph Bernhard with direc¬ tion by Raoul Walsh, and, for special engagements, “The Beggar’s Opera”, pro¬ duced by Herbert Wilcox and Laurence Olivier, directed by Peter Brook. October — “A Lion Is In The Streets”, a William Cagney production starring James Cagney, with Raoul Walsh as director; “Blowing Wild”, filmed by United States Pictures, and starring Gary Cooper, Bar¬ bara Stanwyck, Ruth Roman, and An¬ thony Quinn, produced by Milton Sper¬ ling, and directed by Hugo Fregonese, and “The Eddie Cantor Story”, in Technicolor, with Keefe Brasselle and Marilyn Erskine. produced by Sidney Skolsky, and directed by Alfred Green. November — “The City Is Dark”, starring Sterling Hayden, Gene Nelson, and Phyllis Kirk, produced by Bryan Foy, and di¬ rected by Andre de Toth; “Hondo”, 3-D, Wayne-Fellows production, and starring John Wayne and Geraldine Page, and “So Big”, starring Jane Wyman, Sterling Hay¬ den, and Nancy Olson, with Henry Blanke producing, and directed by Robert Wise. December — “Thunder Over The Plains”, in WarnerColor, starring Randolph Scott, Lex Barker, and Phyllis Kirk, and directed by Andre de Toth, and “Calamity Jane”, in Technicolor, co-starring Doris Day, Howard Keel, and Allyn McLerie, with William Jacobs producing, and David Butler directing. Republic Profit Increases New York — For the 26 weeks ended on April 24, Republic Pictures Corporation and its subsidiaries reported a net profit of $1,019,150 before federal tax provisions and estimated federal normal and sur¬ taxes of $546,000 or a net after taxes of $473,150, it was revealed last week. For the 26 weeks ended on April 25. Republic and its subsidiaries reported a net profit of $794,550 before federal tax provisions and estimated federal normal and surtaxes of $415,000, cr a net after taxes of $379,550. July 22, 1953