Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1957)

Viewpoints JANUARY 21, 1957 * voiumc »K no ? VOLUME 25, NO. 2 Control Of M^avu?9s It is difficult at this moment to determine just who was victorious in the struggle for control of Loew's, Inc. Joseph Tomlinson, leader of the dissident stockholders, has folded his proxy battle tents, apparently satisfied with the new slate of directors to be presented to the stockholders. Joseph Vogel, president of the company, displaying a notable flair for diplomacy, seems to have appeased the various groups of stockholders who have been demanding new faces at the policymaking level. Now must be resolved the question: Who is to make Loew's future? There is no denying that the nominated board of directors assures Loew's of ample keen business brains to grace its corporate board. But, for all its distinguished membership, this group comprises a film company board of curious genre. With the exception of Mr. Vogel and Stanley Meyer, none of the other eleven nominees have any known experience in the production, distribution or exhibition of motion pictures. This is not meant to insist that only "old hands" at the movie game are qualified to govern the affairs of a film company. To the contrary, new blood is essential, we believe, to reenergize this industry. Tzo many movie old-timers are living in that dream-world of the "good old days", and lack the zest for tackling the necessary rebuilding job. However, motion pictures are a unique commodity, and their intricacies are not usually immediately apparent to those without experience in some phase of show business. The lack of a logical balance between experience and new blood on the proposed Loew board of directors will throw a very heavy burden on president Vogel. If he is to have a fair chance to restore to the company its proud tradition, it is essential that the new board, together with Mr. Tomlinson and other influential stockholders, promptly, publicly confirm Mr. Vogel's authority to do the job. . I Business ©/ Ups untl Downs Those in the industry who are tempted by periodic business doldrums to look fearfully for the demise of exhibition might do well to take note of the recent statement by Stanley Warner president S. H. Fabian to the company's stockholders. Uncolored by supposition and wishful thinking, Mr. Fabian's message glowed a subdued pink of optimism based on facts. Reporting a better than $3 million increase in gross income for the quarter ended last November, and a corresponding net profit, Mr. Fabian noted that the release of quality pictures continued to reflect increased boxoffice receipts. He pointed out that since the first week in November, each week's gross has topped that of the same periods in the previous year, climaxed by the week ended Jan. 5 ringing up the largest single week since the organization of Stanley Warner. It is significant that the increase was accomplished with fewer theatres than last year. This bright boxoffice picture might have moved more impressionable BULLETIN Film BULLETIN: Motion Picture Trade Paper published every other Monday by Wax Publications, Inc. Mo Wax, Editor and Publisher. PUBLICATION-EDITORIAL OFFICES: 1239 Vine Street, Philadelphia 7, Pa., LOcust 8-0950, 0951. Philip R. Ward, Associate Editor Leonard Coulter, New York Associate Editor; Duncan G. Steele, Business Manager; Marvin Schiller, Publication Manager; Robert Heath, Circulation Manager. BUSINESS OFFICE: 522 Fifth Avenue, New York 36, N. Y., MUrray Hill 2-3631; Alf Dinhofer, Editorial Representative. Subscription Rates: ONE YEAR, $3.00 in the U. S.; Canada, $4.00; Europe, S5.00. TWO YEARS: S5.00 in the U. S.; Canada, $7.50; Europe, $9.00. theatremen to soaring flights of fancy as to the future of the movie theatre. Mr. Fabian, however, was quitely realistic. The rise, he stressed, was "encouraging but not necessarily conclusive as to the trend of future grosses". Even as he spoke, a cold wave throughout much of the country brought about a sharp drop in theatre attendance. Certainly there will be temporary setbacks that will give the gloom mongers fresh toeholds. The weather, always a factor, is much more so with home television a convenient prop to fall back on when the elements are forbidding. So will special events, sports, holidays, and all the other perpetual influences on the boxoffice — including poor pictures. But with every indication that the quality of the product which theatres will have to offer will be up to par or better, upbeat attitudes, coupled with hard work and showmanship, are necessary to eke out the full potential of every picture. Theatremen everywhere can take their cue from Mr. Fabian's balanced thinking. Ours is a business of ups and downs, more sensitive to variables than the average commercial enterprise. We must not let the "ups" make us complacent nor the "downs" despairing. Let's just take for granted that theatre business is here to stay — and concentrate on making the most of every opportunity to better it. xlfl Aiiti'rivtttt Suw€*ss Story 1951, $18 million; 1952, $28 million; 1953, $36 million; 1954, $44 million; 1955, $55 million, and in 1956, an all-time record high of $65,300,000: These gross income figures tell the phenomenal story of United Artists' growth under the executive (Continued on Page 5) Film BULLETIN January 21, 1957 Page 3