Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1952)

V#'#rs it MBit Opinion Continued from Page 20) FCC examiner Leo Resnick said he wanted cts pertaining to Paramount's trade pracL-cs with independent exhibitors prior to •48. When this information is in, Resnick lid the Commission "can judge what might Ippen it the same trade practices are ;rried over to television." Resnick wanted formation in addition to that offered by the pastry and the high court's decision of '48. |Y. Frank Freeman, Paramount production ief. echoed president Harney Balaban's ularation that Paramount would sell films TV if the film company received the pricked. Freeman stated that he "would vote I sale of any picture we have made to any Dividual or corporation, with unrestricted tht to use that negative in any medium he (sires — if the price is in the best interests i Paramount." Freeman felt, however, t.re was little chance that pictures made 1) year could reach free TV viewers before [Hie FCC theatre TV hearings assumed ijw proportions when the Motion Picture Isociation of America and the National .hibitors Theatre Television Committee Jve the commission names of 18 more key Itnesses. This expands a list of 40 names Id earlier. Witnesses who will testify on the structral set up of the film industry arc: Gael ^llivan, TOA and Arthur Mayer, COMPO Ecutive. Company theatre plans and proKals will be covered by J. Robert Rubin, llews and John O'Connor, Universal. Testiilmy on programming for theatre television \ 1 be given by remaining new witnesses Ucil B. DeMille, and Y. Frank Freeman llramount; William Goetz, L'niversal; llrryl Zanuck, Ray Klune and Peter Lavat[s, 20th Century-Fo.x; Bryan Foy and 1 vid Butler, Warners; Walton Anient, \jirner Pathe News; Ronald Reagan and (orge Murphy, Screen Actors Guild; Mary } Call, Screen Writers Guild, and Larry \iodin, Wellsboro, Pa., exhibitor. Jhnston Lashes Out At 'lelf -Appointed Vigilantes" mrrender to the state "or to self appointe vigilante groups" of the right to deterpie what pictures the public shall see is t road to complete thought control, Eric .1 mston told an enthusiastic representation 0 the National Film Preview Committees, le NFPC represents motion picture chairnn of 13 leading national organizations that a >raise and rate movies for more than 40 nlion Americans. he occasion was a "triple honor" citation tjthe industry, presented to Johnston as P sident of the Motion Picture Association "America, for the record number (43) of " tstanding" films in 1951; for its mcreas» emphasis on films for the general family a lence, and for its "constructive presents on of those principles and ideals which h e made this a great democratic nation." 1 BRUARY 25, 1 9 5 2 MPAA'S JOHNSTON The MPAA head, in turn, praised the work of the preview committees, lauding their organizations for "setting an example which gives the lie to censors and would-be censors in America."' Last year the combined national organizations reviewed a total of 350 pictures and classified 275, or 78 per cent, for family audiences. Goldwyn Merges East-West Ad-Publicity; Golding At Helm Samuel Goldwyn, pointing up the longrange pre-selling plans for his forthcoming "Hans Christian Andersen", gave notice that he was going to shoot the ballyhoo works on the Danny Kaye starrer as he announced the consolidation of his studio and Fast Coast publicity-advertising departments. David Golding takes over as chief of the combined departments and will remain at the studio until completion of the film's production, then commute for the film's promotion. GOLDWYN'S GOLDING "Place' & 'Streetcar' Get Oscar Nominees In Big Four " A I 'lace in the Sun" and "A Streetcar Named Desire" I ned as the favorites in the Oscar Derby, as nominations for the 24th annual Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences Awards were announced in Hollywood. The coveted gold trophy winmi will be revealed at the Academy's dinner on March 20th. The two favorites wire also tlx Ofll) productions to place candidates in each of the big four groups — best picture, actor, actress and director. In addition to Paramount's "Place" and WB's "Streetcar." 20th Fox's "Decision Before Dawn," M-G-M's "An American in I'aris" aiid the same company's "Quo Vadis" rounded out the candidates for best picture. Performance awards in both male and fcmale categories were destined to reach a photo-finish. In the actor division two old timers Humphrey Hogart ("African Queen" — UA) and Fredric March ("Death of a Salesman" — WB), were pitted against three comparative newcomers, Marlon Brando ("Streetcar"), Montgomery Clift ("Place in Sun") Arthur Kennedy ("Bright Victory" — Universal). The distaff side featured Katharine Hepburn ("African Queen"), Vivien Leigh ("Streetcar"), Fleanor Parker ("Dctective Story"), Shelley Winters ("Place") and Jane Wyman ("Blue Veil" — RKO). n the director category, the nominations were: John Huston, "Queen"; Yinccntc Minnelli, "American"; William Wyler, •"Detective Story"; George Stevens, "Place" and Elia Kazan. "Streetcar." Record $1,125,000 Damages Awarded In K. C. Trust Suit Eight major film distributors were nicked for $1,125,000 plus interest and attorney fees of $100,000. when the U. S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court's verdict in favor of the Brookside Theatre Corporation of Kansas City, Mo. This judgment, for ('amages sustained in 1936 and 1937. was the largest ever awarded in a motion picture anti-trust suit. Another important aspect of the case was that the Court approved use of the industry anti-trust suit as evidence which will establish the fact to be proved. The Circuit Court also ruled for the first time against the contention of the distributors that the California three-year statute of limitations on these suits was an effective defense against recovery. The court's reasoning was based on the pendency of the L*. S. vs. Paramount appeal, which was not decided until 1950. If the eight defendants take an appeal to the U. S. Supreme Court, which is virtually certain, the issue will probably hinge on the appeal Court's decision in regard to the statute of limitations. 21