Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1957)

IKO-U DEAL SET. Only final details of the deal wherey RKO product will be turned over to Universal for disribution remained to be ironed out late last week. Tom VNeil's representatives and U-I executives were schedled to meet at U's offices the first part of this week, with tie transaction expected to be finalized by Wednesday 23rd). U president Milton Rackmil is understood to have eadied a statement setting forth the details of the deal, nd it is expected that O'Neil will shortly outline RKO's uture plans. 0 JA STOCK ISSUE. Mark down as a certainty that Jnited Artists will issue stock to the public within 1957. "he management group is firmly convinced that the comany's upward march can continue only if it has funds to •rovide complete financing and studio facilities to independents. To be expected also is UA's direct entry into .iroduction. Several films already are on the drawing •oard. 0 TRST-RUN METAMORPHOSIS? The recent first-run howing of Allied Artists' "Friendly Persuasion" in Dejroit naborhood houses has reopened talk about a possible hift of first-runs away from the downtown showcases, "here is talk again about population shifts to suburban reas, shopping centers, parking problems downtown, etc. is factors for multiple first-run engagements. However, onsensus of opinion among the distribution and circuit heatre executives is that naborhood first-runs are feasible Whai They're hiking About □ □ □ In the Movie Business □ □ □ only when a picture lacks the boxoffice power for a sustained downtown engagement or in special situations. The naborhood theatre is in no position, at the present time, to threaten the downtowners because of its inability to match the earning power and extended publicity available to a first-run center city opening. 0 PARAMOUNT & TV. It has been generally believed thac Paramount's delay in selling its old feature library on the television market has been due to the company's expectations that pay-to-see TV was just around the corner. It now appears that with the toll venture seeming more remote Paramount may be ready to take the plunge. If and when that happens, this outfit figures to profit handsomely by the experience of the other film companies with video. There will be no haphazard dumping of films. Ownership will be retained by Paramount and the pictures will be released to TV on a schedule that will guarantee maximum revenue returns. First-run showings of the Paramount library will go to the Dumont outlets in New York, Los Angeles and Washington, in which Paramount has large holdings. Viewpoints (Continued from Page 3) direction of Arthur Krim, Robert S. Benjamin, William J. Heineman, Max E. Youngstein and Arnold M. Picker. It is one of the most impressive accomplishments in our industry's history — all the more so because it came about during some difficult movie years. This organization provided the independent producer with benefits of canny operation, bold selling and increasing participation in the financing picture. Keenly alert to the future, UA's plans for 1957 and 1958, says president Krim, call for 100 per cent production financing by the company. Negotiations are being carried on with exhibitors who have indicated interest in participating in this financing, and serious consideration is being given to a public stock issue. Thus is revealed more of the shrewd business operation that has been responsible for a 350% increase in gross revenue for the company since the present management team took over. The independent product market quite possibly will tighten up under the Treasury's new interpretation of the corporate tax picture, which threaten to discourage "personal corporations" set up by stars and directors to capture the advantage of capital gains taxes. Big money names would be harder to get and the inde film maker will be faced with increasing financing difficulties. By launching their bold production money move, the UA team has obviously anticipated this situation and is girding to overcome it. This is typical of the resourcefulness that has marked the operations of United Artists from the outset of the present regime. It is a success story that is the American Story all over again. The Mail Box To the Editor : That was a superb article on BABY DOLL. I am, and everyone with me is thrilled at what you said. I also thought there was tremendous integrity in the article. I agree especially with what you say about the importance of the American movie. Well, in fact, I agree with everything you have written and your whole attack on the subject and your piece made me very happy. Sincerely yours, ELIA KAZAN Film BULLETIN January 21, 1957 Page 5