Harrison's Reports (1961)

Entered as second-olass m attar January 4, 1M1, at the post offioe at New York, Now York, under the act of March 3, 1879. Harrison's Reports Tearty Subscription Rates: 1270 SIXTH AVENUI Published Weekly by United States $lfi.00 New Yorfc 20, N. Y. ^"'"^'vMiftS'' U. S. Insular Possessions. 17.00 Canada and Mexico 17.00 A Motion Picture Reviewing Service WYNN LOEWENTHAL Great Britain, South Devoted Chiefly to the Interests of the Exhibitor* 1 America. Australia, _ New Zealand, India, Established July I, 1011 Europe, Asia 17-40 ft* Editorial Policy: No Problem Too Big for Its Editorial jumo 36c a Copy Columns, if It is to Benefit the Exhibitor. Circle 7-4622 A REVIEWING SERVICE FREE FROM THE INFLUENCE OF FILM ADVERTISING Vol. XLIII SATURDAY, MAY 6, 1961 No. 18 UNOFFICIAL 60-MAN MEMPHIS GROUP TO CLASSIFY FILMS A phone call from a naval officer stationed near Memphis to the pastor of that city's First Baptist Church asking what could be done about halting the showing of objectionable films near a naval base. is reported to be a catalyst in the establishment last week of an unofficial motion picture classification group in Memphis. The pastor, Dr. Paul Caudill, now is founder and chairman of the Judeo-Christian Council for Decency, a 60-member committee with no official connection to the authorities, which will review films, recommend support of worthy ones and issue classi' fications. Dr. Caudill, denying his group is a censoring body, calls it "but an effort to point out the merits and demerits of pictures. The Council will not seek to usurp the local censor board's power, he asserted. The committee will rate films either (1) acceptable for family, (2) acceptable for adults only, or (3) morally objectionable. Churches, civic bodies and newspaper will be uti' lized to disseminate the ratings given pictures by the Council. Half the membership of the committee will be divided into 10 Jewish members, 10 Catholic members and 10 Protestants. The broad base of the new group's membership should give it a great deal of prestige in Memphis. Certainly it will receive more acceptance from the general public than any single relegious sect's filmreviewing committee. Anti-classificationists in Memphis will have a tough time opposing local citizens representing the major faiths. LIPPERT FOR CLASSIFICATION Robert L. Lippert is another important industryite who has announced his support of classification of motion pictures. Mr. Lippert holds that the alternative would be be imposed censorship that would vitiate or destroy the vitality of the industry. The 20th-Fox producer, speaking before a group of California exhibitors, declared that film classification has been accepted in such countries as Italy and France on an eminently successful basis. In both nations, he asserted, classification is a "sensible division" between pictures for adults and for minors under the age of 18. Mr. Lippert believes that good as some motion pictures are, they are not made to be seen by children. TOA WILL PUSH ITS PLAN TO TELL FILM CONTENTS TO PARENTS Albert M. Pickus, president of Theatre Owners of America, speaking at the recent annual convention cf the Montana Theatres Association, declared that TOA is pledged to develop and make operable for its members a method of distributing information on film content in order to fully inform prospective patrons — parents in particular — of the nature of pictures offered in local theatres. Mr. Pickus said that TOA will continue the parleys it has begun in New York with the Motion Picture Association of America, individual producers and film executives. The film content information service was approved by the TOA board recently as one method of reducing demands for censorship of motion pictures. Mr. Pickus also noted that attaining the means of implementing his organization's informational service to fight censorship is one of the three most urgent taks of exhibition today. The others: to increase the supply of product and to "defeat pay-TV." With the film content data, "every conscientious parent will be able to decide whether this is a picture he wants his children to see. Then no one can say they were not forewarned of the subject and content of any individual picture," the TOA president observed. Censor Plans "Clean Up" Drive Norman C. Mason, who assumed office on May 1 as chairman of the Maryland's state censor board, has expressed hope that he will be able to "clean up" the motion pictures shown in Maryland. His prime reason: "Movie audiences today are made up for the most part of teen-agers, their younger brothers and sisters, and young adults — an age group most susceptible to obscenity and violence in films." Exhibs. Gave Disney Profit While TV Revenue Dropped Walt Disney Productions' film rentals increased $2,404,048 for the six months ended April, 1960, while the corporation's television revenue decreased $84,710 for the same period. New England Meet The Independent Exhibitors, Inc. and Drive-In Theatres Association of New England will conduct its 30th anniversary regional convention at Chatham B.irs Inn, Chatham, Cape Cod, Mass., September 5 through 7, it was announced.