Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1963)

Exhibs Hope, but Can't Halt U Deal with TV Exhibitors will derive no comfort from the news that another huge block of features is going up for grabs by television, but they are doubtlessly hoping that Universal doesn't find a buyer. In accordance with the consent decree by which MCA last summer acquired control of Universal Pictures and its parent, Decca Records, U was required to set a figure and offer its 1948 to '56 releases to TV. Last week, president Milton R. Rackmil revealed that Universal is asking $21,500,000, plus a percentage, for 215 post-'48 features. The stipulation in the decree provided that a price was to be fixed on the library by June, 1963, and that if no taker was found by Oct. 1, Uni RACKMIL versal would be free to do anything it likes with the films, except distribute them through MCA. That restriction is off after Oct. 1, 1967. Universal is putting the pictures up, Rackmil stated, for a seven years licensing period at the $100,000-per price tag, plus 50% of the proceeds after the TV distributor recoups a fee, the guarantee and allowable expenses. There is no limit on the number of TV showings. U asks about one-third of the total price ($7,000,000) on completion of an agreement. Universal's pre-'48 library is being distributed to TV by Screen Gems under an agreement which guarantees the film company $3 million annual income for six years ending June, 1964. SW Will Back New Productions— Fabian Nothing is plaguing exhibition as much as the product shortage, Stanley Warner Theatres president S. H. Fabian declared last Friday, and his Report on the Industry's PEOPLE and EVENTS ■ CAST & CREDITS FABIAN company plans to do everything possible to relieve the situation. The occasion of his talk was a meeting of the circuit's New York-New Jersey personnel to kick off the "Spring Promotion" sales drive in celebration of the Fabian management's 10th anniversary of operation. Stanley Warner, he stated, intends to "finance new people" in production, while "encouraging the established majors" to increase their output of product in order to fill the "vacuum" created by cutbacks in production. He suggested that if the film companies would heed exhibition's success with certain types of pictures of late, they might "concentrate on theatres and leave TV to its own devices." Morey Goldsrein, president and sales chief of Warner Bros. Distributing, also addressed the meeting and urged the assembled theatremen to put maximum showmanship effort behind every film they play. This, he indicated, would encourage producers to make more pictures. New Theatre Ideas: Marina-Cine, Car-Roof New ideas and concepts in theatre construction are cropping up with some regularity these days. Cinerama has announced the geodesic dome type of construction as the new form of future Cinerama theatres. Tandem and bunktype dual theatres are no longer a novelty. Now two new innovations, one in the drive-in field, the other in the con GOLDMAN'S MARINA-CINE ventional house. Pennsylvania circuit operator William Goldman and Philip Klein, president of Philadelphia Marina Inc., a non-profit organization for the development of a Delaware River-front marina and recreation complex, have signed a long-term lease for the construction and operation of a unique drive-in theatre. Reluctant to refer to it as a "drivein" because it so broadly extends the usual concept of outdoor theatres, Goldman described the venture as "the most complete, unique and inviting center for public entertainment anywhere." To cover 14 of the development area's 88 acres, the outdoor theatre will have a ramp capacity of 1600 cars, a picnic area and playground facilities for pre-show amusement. The playground will include a miniature railway, wading pool, pony riding track and a professional Punch and Judy show. The theatre catering facilities will be extended by silent electric mobile carts for servicing the ramp area during screening and will also serve the picnic area. The theatre will be equipped for year-round operation. The newest addition to the WalterReade Sterling circuit, the Continental, in Forest Hills, N.Y., which opens this week, is the first four-wall theatre in America to provide roof-top parking. The novel solution to the parking headache is an idea that has possibilities of catching on in new theatre construction and, where it is feasible, as an addition to houses already in existence. (Continued on Page 15) READE STERLING'S CAR-TOP CONTINENTAL Page 6 Film BULLETIN March 18, 1943