Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1947)

Arthur K. Krini, K:tf;l«-Iiion pi-t^sidcnt, back l'i'<>m ronl'ert-iK'PN with .1. Artliiir ICiiiik in Eng-liiiid, i'ev«'al<'<l nil <'x«-.li!iii>r<' aKT<'<'in<'iit. Niiif :i|>i><>iiitnieiits were annouiicotl last I'ortiiigrht by AVilliam F. Kodgrers, M-G-M sales head; First row, I. to i".. Samuel J. (iardiier, assistant AVest Coast sales manager; Jerome Adams, WashinRton branch mg-r. ; Jack (iohlberg, Albany branch mgr.; second row, Jacciues C. Reville, Charlotte branch mgr.; Sam l>avi>, Seattle br. mgr.; Benn H. Kosenwald, Boston br. mgr.; third row, Thomas A. Aspell. .Tr., T^os Angeles branch mgr.; Chas, D. L,yne, Oklahoma City br. mgr. and Mike Simons, ass't to H. M. Richey, promotion and public relations chief. Claude Tyce (center) Paramonnt's director of public relations, with six winners of the company's British quota sales drive. ConnoiMseurN examining a new Enterprise property are, 1. to r., Harry Sherman, Barbara Stanwyck, Charlv« Einfeld, David Lewis and Kobcrt Taylor. nfUIS DIGfST (Continued from Page 13) The 1946 figure includes $4,840,000 i epre.senting Paiamount'.s inte>';st in undistril,uted enining.s fnr the year of theatre affiliates. This compares with $2,527,000 of undistributed earnings of partially owned subsidiaries in 1945. Earnings fnr the 14-weeks ended Jan. 4 are estimated at $10,163,000, compared with $4,111,000 for the corresponding 1945 quarter. The profit for the last 1946 quarter was equal to $1.37 per share on outstanding common stock, compared with 55c per share for the comparable 1945 quarter. For the year, 1946, the earnings were equal to $5.92 per share; for 1945. $2.39 per share. * * • RODGERS PLEDGES FAIR DECREE PRACTICE "Under no circumstances will we tolerate the turning of the decree to self-advantage," was the statement made by William F. Rodgers, M-G-M vice-president and general sales manager at a luncheon for company executives and trade press representatives. Referring to the future .sales policy by M-G-M under decree provisions, or whatever provisions are in effect at the time the division, district and branch managers meet in New York on April 28, Rodgers stressed the fact his men in the field have been instructed that it is the company's responsibility "to administer the rules as outlined if, as and when they are final, in the same fair friendly manner that has featured our business contacts in the past." Rodgers revealed that Metro has sold by competitive bidding in about 50 situations in all parts of the country on an experimental basis and that M-G-M will sell on that basis everywhere that exhibitors request it now in competitive situations. He reported that the experiments were "satisfactory," returning approximately the same dollar value to the company as formerly, but added that this might vary if bidding is extended to all competitive situations by every company. * * • YATES SEES BIGGEST REPUBLIC YEAR Republic is set for its biggest year, according to Herbert J. Yates, Sr., company president pointing to two important innovations ai evidence. He stressed the inking of a deal with Charles Feldman which brings Lewis Milestone, Orson Welles, Robert Mitchum and Ben Hecht to the Republic lot, as John Steinbeck's "The Red Pony" in Technicolor marks the initial production on the big-time pact. He also laid emphasis on the company's new Trucolor process, pointing to enthusiastic exhibitor reaction as proof that the industry would go all-out for color as soon as laboratories are in a position to meet the demand. Yates spoke before the company's two-day regional meeting convened by James R. Grainger, vice-president in charge of sales and distribution, in New York, April 1-2, following his address to stockholders at the company's annual board meeting a day earlier at the home offices. He presided at the meeting at which the current slate of officers was re-elected and five members of the board were elected: Walter L. Titus, Jr., and Arthur J. Miller, re-elected; Samuel Becker, Harry F. Goetz, and Harry C. Mills. A thorough analysis of the "B" picture and its current market was a highlight of the regional meetings, with increased costs making such production a major problem. A decision was scheduled to be made after the last two regionals, held in Chicago last week and Los Angeles the week of April 14th, whether to eliminate "B" product or to restrict it. Another highlight of the New York meeting was the presentation of baseball's Babe Ruth to the delegates, by Grainger who confirmed that Republic was closing negotiations for the picture rights to the story of the American idol's life. * * * 20th, PARAMOUNT INT'L IN 16MM DEAL A new 16mm distributing corporation, owned jointly by Twentieth Century-Fox International and Paramount International, was announced last week by Emanuel D. Silverstone, home office representative for 20th-International, who will also be president of the new organization. Each corporation will own 50'~'c of the stock. The new corporation, said Silverstone, will distribute substandard v/idth films in those parts of foreign countries, which because of lack of equipment and facilities, are not now reached by standard product. It will have foreign distribution rights, except in Canada, to 16mm versions of both 20th-Fox and Paramount films, marking the first time that these companies' films of substandard gauge have been distributed in foreign countries. Also slated for distribution will be a series of educational shorts called "The World Today," currently being produced by Boris Vermont at Movietone News. Daniel Frankel, vice-president of Four Continent Films, is resigning that post to become general manager of the new set-up. It was announced that the corporate name for the new organization will be revealed shortly. (Continued on Page 29) Republic's regional sales meeting at Xew York's -Athletic Club was the occa-sion for this gathering at company sales executives, district and branch managers. Seated, fifth from left, is M. J. Yates, vresiileiit. and oil his right, .James K. Grainger, general sales manager. 20 FILM BULLETIN