Harrison's Reports (1962)

Entered as seeo-nd-class matter January 4, 1921, at the po.st office at New York, New York, under the a«t of March 3, 18t9. Harrison's Reports Yearly Subscription Rates: Published Weekly by United States $17.00 Harrison's Reports, Inc., U. S. Insular Possessions... 19.00 Canada and Mexico 19.00 A Motlon picture Reviewing Service 1600 Broadway Other Countries 19.50 New York 19, N. Y. 45c a Copy Devoted Chiefly to the Interests of the Exhibitors COlumbus 5-4434 Established July 1, 1919 Martin Starr, Editor A REVIEWING SERVICE FREE FROM THE INFLUENCE OF FILM ADVERTISING Vol. XLIV SATURDAY, JULY 28, 1962 No. 29 Theatre Closings Through an editor's desk, passes the day -to' day history of the motion picture industry in which we ply our trade as a weekly. The material comes in many ways and is written in different style and tone. But, of all the items of expression that bring their greater depression, are those which lead off with: "We find it necessary to close our theatre." There isn't a week that goes by that one or two of these prophetic notes from a subscriber of many years doesn't reach us. Of course, with each of these closings Harrison's Reports loses a subscription. But, that is not our only concern as we are told by the exhibi' tors themselves that they've got to "throw in the towel." It is a pathetic situation, as you read the openly frank letters of these theatre operators. Ironically enough, most of these closings are in small towns. Some of the exhibitors have been running their little theatres for several decades. A few have been in no other business than the theatre. All their life they've been at it, never wanting more out of the movie business than a living. They didn't look for riches. They didn't expect any knowing the limitations of their kind of operation. One of the economic tragedies of any industry, is an ever lessening number of outlets for its product. In the motion picture business this can be more disastrous than in most other industries. With each passing year the film business has been feeling this state of weakness more and more. It began setting in, of course, from the moment television made itself felt as a powerful competitor. Theatres Rally trom Tv Blow That so many theatres were able to rally so soon from the overall blow of Tv was almost a miracle. Sleeves-rolled'up showmanship, better product and a strong co-operative pull helped the resurgence to better box office return take place that much sooner. But, some theatres, the smaller ones, never really got over the blow. They kept on staggering from the Tv impact until they had to "« call it quits" as the exhibitors have been writing us. With week-end nights gobbled up by the National Broadcasting Company (on Saturday) and the American Broadcasting Company (on Sunday) with post '48 product, the lot hasn't been made any easier for the tottering little neighborhood theatre, or the houses in small towns. When a network brings in one of these not-too-old films it invades the entertainment pages of the local newspapers with big, costly spreads using the kind of deceptive copy that gives the reader the impression that the film never really UA defends ^--Showcase" United Artists didn't think it got the best of it in our "Premiere Showcase" story (issue No. 26). One of its upper-echelon good will spreaders and public opinion moulders called us to tell us so. We explained that the story wasn't ours. It came from the participating exhibitors. It came from the theatre operators nearly two weeks after the "--Showcase" premiered. We waited long enough for the exhibitors to be able to speak with a sufficient amount of authority based on box office results and general reaction. Another fortnight has gone by and "Premiere Showcase" continues to be important news tradewise. Now comes the United Artists side of the story. (Continued on Bac\ Page) Zanuck President of 20th-Fox Few press conferences of promised news importance ever see-sawed up and down so much as the one in which Darryl F. Zanuck was supposed to answer reporters' queries that covered decisively inflammatory controversial matters regarding the overall question, "Whither is 20th Century-Fox going? Who will do the leading?" . . . Woven into the press conference were Zanuck's plans of launching his latest film "The Longest Day." With Gen. Omar Bradley, chairman of the benefit for the Rescue Committee to which will go the proceeds of the premiere present, that end of the business was dealt with. But, the big story was Zanuck. Does he intend to replace Spyros Plato Skouras as president of 20th-Fox? Would he like to see some of the Wall Streeters replaced by men with movie background? Put all these pressingly important questions together and here's what the press got from Mr. Zanuck: "No comment!" . . . But a few days later, at a turbulent session of the board of directors, the big question was settled. Darryl F. Zanuck was elected president of 20th-Fox, thus succeeding Skouras who becomes chairman of the board replacing Samuel I. Rosenman . . . Highlighting the Zanuck acceptance of the bossman post was his feeling that "— the president of a motion picture company today should be its production head as well as its administrative head." (Continued on Bac\ Page)