Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1963)

'Bright7 Prospects For Next 9 Months Predicted by Hyman Doggedly pursuing his goal of Orderly Distribution — he's been at it for eight years — Edward L. Hyman, vice president of American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres, had some encouraging news for theatremen in his latest semi-annual product report issued Oct. 8. On the basis of the substantial number of quality films promised for release by twelve national distributors during the next nine months, Hyman forecast a "bright period" for the balance of the current year and the first half of 1964. Meeting with the trade press, he revealed the contents of the new edition of his Orderly Distribution Release Book, listing 143 productions with release dates set from last August as far ahead as next June, and 69 other pictures unscheduled. Leading in volume of releases is M-G-M, with 22 features slated for delivery to June. Paramount's program to April totals 19, of which four are re-issues. The other distributors furnished Hyman the following schedules: Warner Bros., 13; Universal, 10; 20th-Fox, 10; United Artists, 12; Columbia, 11; Allied Artists, 16; American International, 10; Embassy, 5; Continental, 9; Buena Vista, 5. Hyman stated that two "orphan" periods, April-May and September, still persist, and he is planning further talks with distributors in hopes of obtaining a flow of quality product in those months. The usually slack pre-Christmas period has heen accorded some relief this CAST & CREDITS Report on the Industry's PEOPLE and EVENTS year, he said, on the condition that exhibitors will give the cooperating film companies some of the prime holiday playing time. "Orderly distribution must go hand in hand with orderly exhibition," the ABPT executive declared, urging theatremen to extend themselves in exploiting the pictures provided them during the "orphan" periods. Noting that theatre business all over the country suffered last winter as the result of poor weather, Hyman said there is little likelihood that the same conditions will prevail this winter. Better weather, plus the increase in quality product, make prospects for the 1963 last quarter and the first half of '64 "bright", he stated. MARTIN U Slates 14 for First Half of '64 A sharp pick-up in the volume of Universal's releases for the first six months of 1964 was announced by Henry (Hi) Martin, vice president and sales chief at the company's sales convention in New York. A total of 14 new features and two re-issues have been scheduled in that period, starting with the Christmas release of "Charade" (Cary GrantAudrey Hepburn), Martin told the sales and promotion executives. This program, he declared, represents "the greatest boxoffice potential in the history of the company." In addition to "Charade", six of Universal's big ones were screened for the enthusiastic distribution force. At the opening session, president Milton R. Rackmil told the convention: "Plans are now being made for long years ahead. Universal looks to the future for its greatest achievements." Warning To Pay-TV Investors: i rits4id<> To Stymie Feevee Funds The barricades are going up in the all-out war by west coast exhibitors against the threatened onslaught of PayTV. Serving notice on the financial world that they intend to oppose the feevee promotion in California through the ballot box, as well as in the courts and the public forums, the Southern California Theatre Owners Ass'n carried this one-quarter page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal last Friday (11th). The strategy of going into the financial publication was shrewd, if obvious: it is a move to stymie feevee's pro( Continued on Page 19) A LAW TO OUTLAW PAY-TV STATEWIDE INITIATIVE BEING PREPARED FOR CALIFORNIA BALLOT \\ INITIATIVE WILL BE St'BM ITTED FOR SIGXATl RKS AND I'OPt LAR VOTE. MAKING IT UNLAWFUL TO IMPOSE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ANY FEE OR CHARGE TO THE GENERAL ITBLIC FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF VIEWING TELEVISION IN THE HOME. We believe pay television will be rejected liy the voters of California as soon as they are given the opportunity to vote on it. ITS YOUR TV-KEEP IT FREE! SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THEATRE OWNERS ASSOCIATION Page 6 Film BULLETIN October 14. 1963