Harrison's Reports (1958)

108 HARRISON'S REPORTS July 5, 1958 Still another thing that happens to the first'time visitor is that he gains a new appreciation and profound respect for the dedicated work of a small group of important industry executives who year in and year out manage the hospital's affairs and organize and conduct the fund-raising drives, giving freely of their valuable time and efforts, often at considerable expense to themselves. All this invariably imbues the first-time visitor with "religion" and makes him sincerely eager to return to his territory to "preach" the "gospel" in an allout attempt to put the fund-raising campaign over with a bang. If it were at all possible for every person in the industry to visit the hospital, he, too, would get "religion" and it would not be necessary to urge him to support the fund-raising campaign. Unfortunately, it is not possible for every industryite to make the trip to Saranac Lake to see for himself the marvelous humanitarian work done for members of the amusement industry in particular and mankind in general. But inability to visit the hospital should not deter any one from becoming an active and vigorous participant in the effort to obtain the bulk of the needed funds, which must be raised through the Audience Collection from the theatre-going public and the Christmas salute from industry employees. As was done last year, both drives will be combined and will be conducted during the month of August. The one thing that cannot be repeated to often is that the Will Rogers is "your" hospital and that all members of the entertainment business, including their immediate families, no matter where they live, are eligible to receive the outstanding care and treatment provided at the hospital, including medication, surgery and hospitalization — all at no charge whatever to the patient. Moreover, the hospital now treats not only tuberculosis but also all serious chest diseases so that it can serve an even greater number of industry employees. And, as always, admission to the hospital is simple and speedy if the need for care and treatment is prescribed by a doctor. There is no red-tape and no discrimination due to race, color, creed or position in the industry. When one considers that the facilities and medical care at the Will Rogers is available to every member of the industry, and that a greater number of patients now are being treated because the hospital had broadened its base to include the care and treatment of all chest diseases in addition to tuberculosis, it is quite disheartening to note that only 3,807 theatres participated in the 1957 Audience Collection drive, through which most of the needed funds is raised. Of the slightly more than $418,000 collected last year from the theatre-goers, more than one-half of this amount was raised by three major theatre circuits, namely, StanleyWarner, Loew's and RKO Theatres. It is logical, of course, that the circuit theatres be the backbone of the Audience Collection campaigns, for their houses are, as a general rule, located in heavily populated centers. But it is unfair to expect them to continue to carry the brunt of collecting funds for a cause that assures protection for every person who makes his or her living in the amusement industry, including their immediate families. If you have not yet participated in an Audience Collection campaign, send in your participation pledge at once so that the special appeal trailer featuring Tony Curtis can be supplied to you gratis in time to start your campaign during the week beginning August 18. And in joining the campaign, do not look upon it as an obligation but as a privilege to support a cause that not only exemplifies the spirit of true brotherly love but also affords protection for you and yours. MORE GOOD NEWS FROM UNITED ARTISTS With old and experienced companies like Columbia and Warner Brothers issuing statements about losses, it comes as a welcome relief to learn that United Artists, a relatively new company under its present progressive management team, hit a record high of $2,428,374 in domestic and Canadian billings for the week ending June 28, exceeding the company's best previous week by approximately $25,000. This information was disclosed at a press conference by William J. Heineman, UA's distribution chief, who joyfully reported also that "The Vikings," shown on a continuous policy and at regular admission prices, is setting all-time box-office records across the United States and Canada in its first 46 engagements and is expected to out-gross any picture ever released with the exception of "Around the World in 80 Days," "Gone with the Wind" and "The Ten Commandments," which have been and are being presented on a roadshow basis at advanced admissions. Heineman reported also that the picture has registered 100% holdovers in each of its first 46 dates in 39 cities, with some engagements now in their third week. He added that one reason for the record-breaking grosses enjoyed by the theatres is the exceptional matinee business, boosted by parents and grandparents who come to the theatre with groups of children. THE READERS HAVE THEIR SAY I have never seen a better summation of the exhibitors' two major problems than that contained in the second column of your comments on Mr. Youngstein's remarks as published in your June 28th issue of Harrison's Reports. Some day, someone high enough placed to be able to do it is going to give "incentive selling" a real test. I feel that the results of such a test would be a revelation to the entire industry. Keep plugging this idea. It has merit for all concerned. — Richard A. Smith, Smith Management Company, Boston, Mass. * * * Don't have much quarrel with the reporting on what I said to the Schine Circuit, but one important phase was left out about which I spent considerable time talking on and which raised considerable interest. What I, in effect, asked was that all members of the industry in exhibition get together and honestly reevaluate the effect that the anti-trust decree has had on the industry and place these findings on an economic level before the Government. I think that if this was ever done, it would be one of the major factors in creating a healthy industry. — Max E. Toungstein, Vice-President, United Ay tists Corporation, 7\[etu Tor\, 7\£. Y.