Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1946)

Burnty Balaban, president «!' Pa •• a i>u :ii rtetu-o, which announced an e tima'.ed 194(i fi\ i! (lis' net "'.' .'-".'I .:::;. (I ;<). the greate ( profit I i' this i:< -in. I ever male by the company. Vi :ll:ant < ■■::: \:\ li , lit pre : :t of I 11:71 l's.-il tuli national Productions, in his first conference with William Dozier, after the latter reported to International studios as vicepi e jident . s president Katie Lion Films, Inc., a subsidiary of Pathe Industries, was recently announced by Robert Purcell, chairman of the board of Pathe. HIS DIGEST [Continued from Preceding Page) circuit and the major distributors, which he won. The case is still in Federal Cour pending fixing oi the amount of damages Goldman suffered. The opening of the Goldman Theatre, which war, completed in record tirna and is reportedly the first post-war theatre to open in the East, was a major civic event. as a group of Philly biggies, headed by Mayor Bernard Samuel, dedicated the new t-howhouse. Charles Reagan, Paramount distribution chief, and Earle Sweigert, eastern division manager, represented the producer-distributors of the p.cture. Seating approximately 1200, the Goldman has several innovations in unique design, fabrication and use of new materials. The theatre is equipped with sliding seats, most advanced air-conditioning, a stagele;s, easel-type screen and a specially designed projection booth with optical glass openings and the latest projection equipment. * * * IN 'BEST POSITION', SAYS JACK L V/ARNER With 20 features completed cr before the cameras, 40 stories in preparation and fO other properties from which to select for the coming year, Warners "is in the best position of its history", Jack L. Warner, vice-president and executive producer, told the company's international sales convention in Atlantic City last fortnight. Thi meeting, which took place at the Ambassador Hotel. August 5-7, celebrated the 20t> Anniversary of sound, and was highlighted by the presence of all three Warner brothers. Harry M., president, Jack L. and Major Albert Warner, who made their first joint appearance in year; at a sales meeting. Casts Up 150 Per Cent Citing production costs which he said had increased 150 per cent since pre-war days, Jack Warner advocated matching the rise with increased quality in order to produce greater income. He called upon distribution and exhibition efforts to "match those of production," which he said will be "operating to the full extent of our studio ' great physical and creative capacities." Single picture and auction selling not only will speed up the industry's method of doing business to a degree never imagined, but it will make the field sales forces doubly important and shoulder them with twice as many responsibilities, Ben Kalmenson, vice-president and general sales manager, declared in addressing the session over which he presided. Salesmen will have to cover "a lot more territory", he said, and they, as well as branch and district managers will have to use their own initiative and judgment more than ever. "Dress Rehearsal" Warners is fortunate, declared Kalmenson, because it has already had a thorough "dress rehearsal" in single picture selling, having used this method in selling its pictures during the past few years. Howard Levinson, attorney in charge of distribution matters for the company, also discussed single rales, but said the auction selling plan is still too indefinite to present in detail. He spoke about revisions in zoning and clearances, also. Harry M. Warner paid tribute to the men who played a part in the succecs of talking pictures, both technical and commercial. He said the career of talking pictures has only begun, and that the next twenty years will see new advancements surpassing past feats. 17,504 Play Warner Product Norman H. Moray, captain of the company's 1946 sales drive, revealed that an amazing total of 17,504 theatres throughout the country played Warner product during Sound Anniversary Week. Moray, as short subjects sales chief, also outlined the new season's shorts. Kalmenson also described feature product up to the end of 1946. which included "The Big Sleep", "Cloak and Dagger". "Nobody Lives Forever". "Deception", "The Man I Love", "Never Say Goodbye" and "The Time, the Place and the Girl". Speakers also included Mort Blumenstock, director of advertising and publicity: Harry M. Kalmine, general manager of Warner Theatres; Wolfe Cohen, vice-president of Warner International; Max Milder, Robert W. Perkins. Samuel Schneider, Joseph Bernhard, Roy Haines, Jules Lapidus, Norman Ayers and others. * * * CIEA SETS DECREE MEET The Conference of Independent Exhibitor Associations has set the last week in September for its meeting in Washington to discuss and pool recommendations of its units and to formulate recommendations for a final consent decree in the New York equity case. Representatives from each member unit and from other exhibitor organi ( Continued on Page 30) I his office. In Seated on dais at Warners sales convention io Atlantic Citj are, 1. to r. : Samuel Schneider, ricepresident; .lack I.. Warner, v.p. and executive producer; Harrj M. Warner, president: Ben Kalmenson, v.p. ami general sales manager; Major Albert Warner, v.p. ami treasurer, and Mort Blumenstock, «l>. in charge or advertising and publicity, FILM H U I. I. E T I N