Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1962)

What Jhey'te Talking About □ □ □ In the Movie Business □ □ □ fkCTOR TAKES STOCK. A refreshing switch in he popular conception of independent iroduction as the end-all for Hollywood talent /as provided recently by Gregory Peck, who has iad a taste of same. Interviewing the star, olumnist Joe Hyams wrote: "Gregory Peck is iow working as a salaried actor in 'To Kill a /lockingbird' at Universal Studios after a short nd financially disastrous career as an actor and idependent producer. Two of Mr. Peck's idependent films, 'The Big Country' and Pork Chop Hill,' lost more than two million lollars." Peck told the columnist: "I spent a year n each of those pictures working without salary, lost money." Marlon Brando, please note. o )ECCA-MCA OPPOSITION. The proposed lerger of Decca Records and MCA, details of mich are expected to be announced this week, tight run afoul of some serious opposition. ddo F. Sand, Buffalo attorney and business nalyst, indicated that he will give close study d the merger plan when it is revealed "to af eguard the interests of Decca and Universal nareholders." Sand queried Decca-Universal resident Milton Rackmil sharply at the annual leetings last Tuesday ( 10th) on why Decca and Jniversal have not been combined. He argued hat the film unit is the principal asset of the ecord company and the chief contributor to s earnings. Following the meetings, Sand stated hat he saw a danger of the Decca-MCA proposal working out to the disadvantage of Decca and, specially, Universal shareholders. If this is the ase, he declared, he will undertake o stymie the deal. o BRANCH CUTS. Sharp trimming of personnel n exchanges throughout the country is being iffected by two companies, Warner Bros, and Columbia. In many of the Warner branches les forces have been slashed to the bone, and anagers are being sent out into the field to do the peddling. The dearth of product and disappointing returns on several recent releases are the chief factors triggering the economy wave by Warners. The distribution cuts by Columbia, far less severe, are in line with the company's gradual retrenchment policy, evidenced by the failure in the past year to replace key home office and exchange personnel lost by death or retirement. o PREMINGER'S WORRY. The barbs tossed at "Advise and Consent" by some members of Congress, who argue that the film gives an unflattering portrayal of the U.S. and will be damaging to our country's "image" abroad, are giving cause for concern to producer Otto Preminger and Columbia, the distributor. In a shrewd move to offset the attacks against the film, due for June release, Preminger held a press conference in Washington last Wednesday, at which he countered the criticism by voicing the opinion that the American "image" abroad is too strong to be affected adversely by any motion picture, and by announcement of a series of charity-sponsored previews of "Advise" to be held in the largest city in each state. In each instance the two U. S. Senators will decide upon the charity to be benefited. o OLD CENSORS NEVER DIE. The recent Georgia Supreme Court decision finding Atlanta's municipal censor law in violation of the state constitution points up perfectly the continuing character of the struggle against the bluenoses. While it knocked down the ordinance, the Georgia tribunal noted that it does not violate the U.S. Constitution, thereby leaving the door open for an appeal to the highest court in the land. In fact, the state Supreme Court even suggested that the legislature draft a new law that would not involve prior restraint, but would guard against obscenity in films. Observers expect to see, first, an appeal to the Supreme Court, then, failing there, a fresh attempt to impose censorship on local theatres. Exhibitors, of course, have refused to be lulled into a false sense of security, well aware that in most cities, old (and defeated) censors never die; they just rewrite their laws. Film BULLETIN April 14 1942 Page S