Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1953)

Jkti Me Ike Veujf Senate OK Almost Certain As House Passes Mason Bill Theatre owners hopes soared as the House of Representatives last week overwhelmingly passed the Mason Hill to remove the 20 per cent Federal tax on movie admissions. Three days later it was approved by the Senate Finance Committee, overcoming a formidable stumbling block. While passage of the bill by the Senate seemed imminent late last week, theatremen, weren't going to perform any victory dances over the promises of salvation they worked so hard to attain. There were still obstacles to overcome: ( 1 I President Fisenhower has expressed his opposition to any tax cuts this year and is wary of the $100,000,000 in direct revenue this would chop off the $800,000,000 gain by maintenance of the excess profits tax. (So were the congressmen, but COMPO's hard facts and figures to support its survival plea convinced them tha! pro'ltabte operation of 5000 theatres tha* inig'bl otherwise close would at least make up the loss through revenue from corporate and income taxes from industryites.) (2) Since the Senate is due to adjourn on August 1, there is precious little time to get the bill on the floor for a vote. The President's request that the body stay on to tackle necessary legislation might extend the deadline, but it would require tootb-and-nail tactics to put the bill in this category, especially in view of Ike's opposition. There was also the distinct possibility of a presidential veto. (3) Other industries, seeking to have their own excise taxes revised, could endanger the Mason Bill with attempts to tack on amendments. COMPO is making every effort to fend off these riders, which would be almost certain to invoke the President's veto. Bolstered however, by the big Flouse vote, a dim prospect to most theatremen a short time ago, COMPO took a deep breath and pushed the battle with renewed vigor. The all-industry organization's relentless pursuance of the vital tax fight was joined by theatremen from all parts of the country who had streamed into Washington to collar their representatives, then turned to the upper body. WB Sets 14 For '52 Balance A lineup of 14 releases, plus one special, was spread oik by Warner vice president and distribution chief Ben Kalmenson for his district managers to examine at a two-day meeting in New York. Kalmenson promised the sales executives that they would be handling a "variety of product in all media until the end of the year." Stressing the flexibility of WB's production program, ("we must be adequately prepared and geared to move in any direction . . ."), the distribution head paved the way for a later announcement of the company's new widescreen WarnerSuperScope. (See 3DWidescreen Developments). Loew's Profits Up A substantial increase in Loew's third quarter earnings brought the corporation's 40-week net above the comparative 40 weeks last year — but before taxes. This year's three-quarter net, before the Treasury's share, was $5,685,000, compared with the 40 weeks last year of $5,302,000. An increase this year of a million dollars in the tax bite, however, plus an adjustment for the '52 period which returned $005,000 into Loew's coffers for that quarter, brought this year's 40-week net to $3,185,000, compared with $4,478,000 last year. For the 12 weeks ended June 4 1953, consolidated net went up to $1,865,000 before taxes, compared with $425,000 in last year's quarter. After taxes, earnings were $1,014,000, in the '53 quarter, $740,000 in the '52 period. dross for the weeks was estimated at $133,612,000 against $135,646,000. For the current June quarter, $39,684,000 against $39,953,000. Huge 'Robe' Campaign There's no doubt about it — "The Robe" is going to get "the works". An "unprecedented promotional campaign" for the exploitation of the first CinemaScope production was outlined by Charles Einfeld, 20thFox v. p., to an assemblage of the company's domestic and Canadian sales toppers last week. Pointing to the vast backlog <~f publicity breaks for the Lloyd C. Douglas novel in leading magazines over the past decade, Einfeld declared that momentum of the campaign for the spectacle film will be stepped up at an accelerated pace during coming months. The 20th Century-Fox ad executive described how every area of the country will be split up into merchandising components to coordinate exhibitor plans for TV, radio and billboard campaigns. There will be no less than 15 different trailers, ample radio spots and interview transcriptions. Kalmenson Realigns Sales Realignment of the Warner distribution setup by vice-president Ben Kalmenson to step up "distribution efficiency and afford better service to exhibitors" resulted in the following changes July 20. William G. Mansell, Philadelphia branch manager, to Central District manager. Charles Beilan, assistant to Mansell, takes over the Philly branch. Robert H. Dunbar Milwaukee branch head, to Midwest District manager, headquartering from Chicago. Prairie District, split into North and South, moves Arthur W. Anderson, former Midwest head tn North Prairie chief, and Hall Walsh, former Prairie District head, to South Prairie supervision. Jack Kalmenson from Pittsburgh t'> branch manager in Milwaukee; Jerry Wechsler, from Cleveland to Pittsburgh; Finest Sands, to Cleveland. UA Triples Foreign Gross United Artists' foreign gross zoomed mo than 200 per cent in the first six months 1953 over the '52 first half That was the U news concerning the past that UA forei'j distribution vice president Arnold Pick gave out at the company's first inter-conl nental sales convention at London's Sav<l Hotel. Robert S. Benjamin, UA board chairma promised maintenance of the type of prodii that tripled the foreign gross, underscorl UA's policy in the transition period that screen in the world would be "lost" for la of quality, variety product. AB-BT Operating Net Up Second quarter financial report of Ame can llroadcasting-Paramount Theatres, Llj bore out president Leonard H. Goldenso prediction last May of an increase over !'• comparative period last year in operating nl. The company showed a net gain after taxj, but before capital gains, of $218,000 w'i $756,000 for the quarter. For the six-moiji period, there was a slight decrease from 3f343.000 in the '52 half to $2,236,000 this ye . Republic 26-Week Net Risei Republic profits continued to go up. 1 r the 26 weeks ended April 24, the comp; showed a net of $1,019,000 before the tax p visions, $473,000 after Pederal levies. Ts compares with a 26-week net last year;f $794,000 before taxes, $379,000 after. Of Men And Things Frank P. Dervin joins the RKO execu e body August 3 as assistant to Edward Walton, executive aide to president J. Grainger. Dervin served with the UnivejH sales organization for 13 years then \ h Republic for nine years . . . George T. S ipert, UA television vice-president and jfl eral sales mgh., has resigned to join ie American Broadcasting Co., a divisiorpf AB-Paramount Theatres. Frederick V (Ted) Long replaces at UA-TV . The W Cinerama Productions Corp. board will 1 H Thomas L. Perkins as chairman of the xecutive committee, whose members now »elude Paul Kesten and Alger G. Chapi | Lowell Thomas, recentlv named presw of the Corp., will act as -x officio memb' o! the Committee . . . Xon -'n Weitman, foi er U-I Philadelphia city salesman, has en named sales mgr. of the Washington br£ :h. Ed Potash replaces him. New Philly < ff mgr. is Joe Azzarano . . Arthur I. Vpberg, son of Columbia saies executive Iw Weinberg, was named assistant U. S. attorney for Massachusetts . . . Michael lin, Jr. will handle publicity for Lopert 1 '»* . . . Francis Charles, U-I Harrisburg a*) salesman, is recovering from sudden il*s-s . . . Roy O. Disney was in New Yorlfast week for confabs with sales and ad-pub tty toppers . . . Page 16 FILM BULLETIN July 27, 1953