Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1960)

Newsmakers Schwartz Ace Head Sol A. Schwartz (left), president of RKO Theatres, is the second chairman of the American Congress of Exhibitors. I lc w as named to succeed S. H. Fabian. Schwartz said that he will continue the policies of ACE as outlined in its r i g i n . agenda, and was assured by the executive committee that he will have its full cooperation in his activities, Fabian, it was announced, will continue as chairman of the increased production arm. Tisch Waits for Profit Sign Loew's Theatres wants to see if exhibition is "a profitable industry before we go further", board chairman Laurence A. Tisch (above) said (see Financial Bulletin). Skouras Pledges Four Per Month Twentieth-Fox will have at least four films simultaneously in production, here and abroad, each month for the next 18 months, and at least four in release every month in the period. The production schedule was outlined at a meeting of 20th executives headed by president Spyros P. Skouras ( above). In man) cases, five and six pictures will be released at once, in addition to such Todd-AO roadshow attractions as "Cleopatra", "The Greatest Story Ever Told" and "State Fair". Skouras called the confab "the most successful and optimistic production meeting in the history of 20th Century-Fox". Executive producer Robert Goldstein returned to the studio to carry out the ambitious production schedule that extends through Spring of 1962, Also attending were executive v.p. W. C. Michel; Fox International head Murray Silverstone; \.p. Charles Einfeld; treasurer Donald Henderson, and general sales manager Glenn Norris. Specific discussions took place on several important films, all of which will be produced within the 18-month period: Jerry Wald's "Return to Peyton Place"; "Celebration", based on William Inge's \ Loss of Roses"; Joseph L. Mankicwicz's "Justine", based on the modern classic by Lawrence Durrell: "Champagne Complex", to be produced by Walter Wanger; "The Turn of the Screw", with Deborah Kerr; David O. Selznick's "Tender Is the Night"; "The Visit", with Ingrid Bergman. 20th Ups 63 in Sales Twentieth-Fox general sales chief Glenn Norris (left) announced the largest number of promotion, from the ranks in the history of the firm's sales department. The announcements constitute the second step in the reinforcement of the autonomous structure of the 20th field offices, as well as the finalizing of the co-ordination program initiated with the establishment of the sales cabinet. The promotions involve 63 employees at 1 1 20th-Fox branches in the U.S. and Canada. ATONJ Asks Skouras For 'Can-Can' Confab Allied of New Jcrse> s campaign K. have "Can-Can" made widc-K available to N.J. theatres resulted in the board's request for a meeting with 20th Eox president Sp;,ro> P, SltOUrU "to tliscuss this urgent matter." The N.J. group told Skouras thai "\our present pnlic) of releasing 'Can ( .in in the State of New Jctsc-v is a complete reversal of your promise to us It was noted thai Skouras had promised the ATONJ never to keep ( in Can" too long in a first run art) where British Group Buys Rights to Telemeter Paramount announced thai all British rights to its Telemeter pay-TV system have been acquired bj British Telemeter Home Viewing Limited. British Lion Films and the Granada Ciroup (theatres) are among the original subscribers. The British Government, however, has not vet approved pay telev ision. FCC Fyes Etobicoke The results of a survey of the Telemeter pay-TV svstem in Etobicoke havebeen filed with the FCC for its consideration in connection with the Hartford Phones ision application. The survey revealed that those subscribers contacted spent an average of 2.1 hours per week watching feevce. ALEX HARRISON Alex Harrison, former general sales boss of 20th-Fox, died of a heart attack at age 45. Headliners Arthur Freed named producer i Oscar show second consecutive ye; . . . Maurice Bergman selected Eastet p.r. coordinator for the big night. Pickman To Sales Paramount named v.p. Jerry Pickman (abon) domestic general sales manager mi der global chief George Weltner. Film BULLETIN November 23. I960 Page 21