Harrison's Reports (1961)

184 HARRISON'S REPORTS November 18, 1961 Thankf u I ... (Continued from Front Page) branch has risen to meet its share. For all the fault' finding, we are making progress. The film industry has widened its own vision of wisdom. Using the open iris of far-reaching prospective, the film industry has created new opportunities as it has widened its vistas of entertainment appeal. In bigger and better pictures, in smarter selling, in improved theatre presentation of Hollywood's wares a whole nation of movie-goers shares. Great Progress Ahead for Film Business For all of the achievements in these recent times, the greater progress of the American motion picture still lies ahead. The objectives won't be reached overnight. But, dedicated men of brilliance and foresight are at work to make these dreams become realities. In all this, we will all share. There is greater grandeur, more powerful drama, more exciting entertainment on the drawing boards of Hollywood producers which will be on its way to the screens of the theatres in the year or so to come. To name a few, is to go through quite an encouraging list. Even in its blueprint stage, it is a guarantee of better times, longer runs, greater profits ahead for the tripod upon which rests our business, production, distribution, exhibition. So, let us really be grateful on this Thanksgiving Holiday. We have much to be thankful for. If only being a part (no matter how small) of this great and glorious business of ours, we have indeed good reason to count our blessings. Yes, there is spiritual beauty in a festive interlude like this.- and so, it is to everybody we say, "Let's be grateful!" For this is a Holiday when man plumbs the depths for his own gratitude to the Fates and to his fellowman. Allied Co n el a v e ... (Continued from Front Page) that the unorganized exhibitors are on the move to become allied with National Allied. Invitation to TOA Surprises Exhibitors Exhibitor circles were surprised, recently, when it was announced that the president of National Allied, Marshall H. Fine, had extended the hand of inter-exhibitor friendship and understanding by inviting John H. Stembler, present president of the Theatre Owners of America, and its past president, Albert M. Pickus. This gesture of a willingness to work together for the common good of exhibitors, was even more surprising when you consider this: Pickus, in his final report to the TOA directors (several weeks ago) found reason to sound off with this indictment against Allied, even if by inference. Said Pickus, "- it's an exhibitor voice more loud and rash than effective." But, Marcus, Fine, Milton H. London, James L. Whittle, et al, want peace between the two exhibitor associations. They want harmony to work out the troublesome problems besetting their branch of the industry. They feel that costly dilemmas can best be solved when all factors involved in f~^erdonai ^ournaiidm The storm clouds are gathering over smog-blanketed Hollywood. It's all because of the "runaway" film production situation that now exists. More than 1,500 members of the Screen Actors' Guild met the other night to demand that less films be produced abroad. The fear that Hollywood faces an "oblivion;" the threat of nation-wide boycotts against the producers; the joining of other powerful unions in the fight to keep film production in the United States highlighted the stormy session . . . Union spokesmen did not deny that some films must be made abroad, - stories whose locales call for shooting away from the American film capital. More meetings are to be held. The union hopes to see the principal producers and studio executives participating in these protest meetings. Stars living abroad, because they can thus avoid paying taxes, in America, were scored. In the meantime, on the agenda of Representative John H. Dent (D. Penn.) is a series of hearings to be held, in all probability, in Hollywood. The sessions will deal with the "runaway" film production situation. . . . Even before the hearings of the Congressional tribunal get under way, there is the cry out Hollywoodway that the entire subject may be given the wellknown brush-off. . . In the meantime, the Screen Actors Guild hopes to use the menacing threat of boycott. Meaning, to prevail upon members of other unions, throughout the country, not to patronize films which the SAG classifies as "runaway" production. Inflight Motion Pictures, Inc., is now a reality. In less than a year 150 jet airliners will be fully equipped to show passengers the latest film releases, for free. The showings will be on six'hour flights, or more. . . All of the major film companies (with the exception of Warner Bros.) have been boo\ed for product. David Flexer, president of Inflight, told the man from Harrison's Reports, that the huge capital outlay is nearly five^milliowdollars. "It's mostly a family invest' ment," he said. When your reporter pointed out that in less than a year more than 100,000 people, weekly, will be seeing this first'run product for free, and how will that ta\e with the exhibitors who can use every additional admission, Flexer said: "This will help the exhibitor. By showing films on jets we thus recapture some of the movies' lost audience." On flight tests, fright films seemed to be the most popular, the Inflight boo\ers revealed. the operation of the nation's theatres see eye-to-eye Solutions come easier, understanding builds firmer and the net, profitable results all around are more stabilized. Whatever the straight business agenda, the convention committee promises those attending, a schedule of "fun in the sun" and other pleasurable aftersession hours the conventioneers, and their ladies, won't forget for a long time to come. At least, not until the 1962 conclave brings them together once again.