Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1952)

JXvtvs an*l Opinion (Continued from Page 8) which to bolster its own unsatisfactory programs". Myers recalled Zenith's pressure on the FCC and the Justice Department to get product for Phonevision, and cited the current hearings before the FCC regarding film companies' willingness to furnish quality pictures for TV. "These activities by Government agencies are clearly outside the the scope of their statutory authority and reflect the political influence that has been brought to bear upon them by the television interests," Myers charged. Both the Sherman Anti-Trust Act and the Communications Act are not designed to "promote or preserve competition to build a new industry on the ashes of the old one,'' he said. "It is not going too far to say that if the Commission's present policies should prevail, and the film companies should be compelled to supply their finest productions for exploitation on TV, the motion picture industry would be put out of business." The Allied leader felt that the industry should correct the apparent impression by I he FCC that the movie industry "consists only of the studios in Hollywood. It seems to think it makes no difference to the producers whether they sell their products to the theatres or to TV. The vast amount of money invested in theatres— far exceeding any prospective investment in television broadcasting— and the large number of people dependent upon the theatres for their livelihood, apparently mean nothing" to the FCC. Myers urged that the Commission" encourage TV to develop along the lines for which it is specially adapted," for instantaneous communication of events of general interest — public events, sporting events, etc. "Government officials should be made to realize that motion pictures and television are two entirely different businesses. The motion picture business is a straightforward, legitimate entertainment business," Myers stated. "Television is a huckster . . . (It) uses entertainment merely as ballyhoo for merchandise. Advocates of films for television would do well to consider when, and if, Hollywood's finest products arc turned over to the hucksters." Top-Level Confab To Guard Industry Urged By A. F. Myers Allied's A. F. Myers has called for a toplevel meeting of industryites to "plan for the protection of the industry against outside attacks, to provide for the industry's internal peace and security and plan for its future prosperity". Myers charged that the "best known and best equipped industry executives not only will not try to lead but will not permit leadership to be thrust upon them", adding that they seem to prefer lo shunt off these responsibilities on "job seekers, limcservers 22 and routineers". Despite the industry's crying need for able, dynamic leadership, Myers' blast continued, it is "dominated— and hamstrung— by a new and curious breed of executives — nabobs too big to be bothered." Citing the current FCC hearings, Myers admitted that those distributors testifying were obliged to be equivocal in their stand on sales of films to television. Now, however, he declared, is the time for all the film toppers to take their stand on this topic. "Their attitude on television is a matter of vital interest to the exhibitors of the country and in justice to their theatre customers they should make their attitudes known," the Allied leader stated. "And no matter what their ideas for the future may be, they should now join in an all-industry effort to expose, match or repel the clandestine efforts of TV to undermine the movies by exerting political influence". NT'S SKOURAS Product and Push Make B. 0. NT's Skouras Credits Good Films, Bally For B.O. Rise Good product and an intensified promotional surge have put the skids on the boxoffice toboggan and started the upward trend, National Theatres president Charles P. Skouras told a meeting of NT executives. The proof was in the circuit's first quarter profits which, he said, will better the comparable quarter's net last year. This despite a dip in the early weeks of 1952. The upswing, Skouras said, began about the end of February. To continue the favorable outlook, more good films and a sustaining showmanship effort is needed, he said. He also revealed that following completion of divorcement next June, the company will drop the Fox West Coast Theatres designation and be known only as National Theatres, Inc. Congressman Says Moviemen Must Appear To Rid Red Onus Just how the motion picture industry stands in the eyes of the House Un-American Committee was more confused than ever, after reports from Hollywood and Washington. In the movie capital, Rep. Clyde Doyle (D., Cal.) publicly asserted his conviction that any changes in the House Committee report charging Hollywood with laxity in handling Communist activities would be forthcoming if and when industry representatives brought their rebuttal before the Committee. In Washington, however, the word (from an unidentified member of the group) was that the Committee is preparing a new analysis of Hollywood's efforts based on more recent developments in the movie industry activities against Reds. It was also reported that a Committee member had declared that this time "the members will read" the report before it is released, with the implication that the original report slipped past some Committee members with only cursory attention. Which brings to mind the Japanese comment before World War II after several damaging "incidents" which they met with, "So sorry." Paramount Sets Strong Hot-Weather Product Lineup The trend toward release of strongest product in the hot-weather months was strengthened with Paramount's announcement of its July-August releases. Three of the company's top films of 1952 will go go into their regular run at that time, it was revealed by A. W. Schwalberg, Paramount Film Distributing Corp. president, as well as two more high budget productions. The big three are "Greatest ShowOn Earth", to go into its general release in July; William Wyler's "Carrie", starring Laurence Olivier and Jennifer Jones, and "Son of Paleface", the Bob Hope-Jane Russell-Roy Rogers starrer, both due in August. The other July releases are "The Savage", Charlton Heston of "Greatest Show" fame starred, and W. Somerset Maugham's "Encore", successor to "Quartet" and "Trio". Eight more films have tentatively been set for the balance of the year. Schwalberg pointed out that nine of the 13 scheduled for July through December will be in Technicolor, biggest percentage of color films in company's history, and that each would be "backed solidly by a far-reaching advertising, publicity and exploitation campaign". FILM BULLETIN