The Independent Film Journal (1955)

Rentals, Pay TV Mulled By Xhibs Des Moines. — “Pay-As-You-Go” television and the current practices of distributors in film release and rental were the two subjects most discussed at the Allied convention held here at the Hotel Savery. A resolution adopted in the convention’s closing session included “support of a bill to regulate film rentals, if necessary.” It was made clear that most exhibitors here do not favor government regulation but would support that if all other methods were tried and failed. The convention, in another resolution, petitioned national distributors “for the release of more boxoffice attractions during the Spring and Summer months, which now constitute the period of peak theatre attendance.” Supporting their request, the exhibitors cited the fact that only nine feature pictures are scheduled for release during the current months, “one of which is of doubtful value and another . . . due to the peculiar manner in which it is being handled, will not be made available on general release for many weeks to come.” Officers Elected Leo Wolcott, Eldora, and Al Myrick, Lake Park, were re-elected board chairman and president respectively. Newly-elected officers are Harold Struve, Deshler, Neb., Nebraska vice-president, and Esco Lund, South Dakota vice-president. Other officers re-elected include Jim Watts, Osage, vice-president; A. B. Jefferis, Piedmont, Mo., Mid-Central vice-president; Bob Krueger, Sioux City, exec, vice-president; Elmer Huhnke, Omaha, Neb., treasurer; and Charles Jones, Northwood, secretary. Speakers at the meeting included Abram F. Myers, and Ruben Shor, National Allied gen. counsel and president, respectively, and Myron Blank, Central States Theatres Corp., Des Moines. The convention was followed by a M-G-M Ticket-Selling Workshop. Industry NCCJ Net Reached Peak Figure The Motion Picture Division of the National Conference of Christians and Jews rolled up a record $115,000 nationally during the February Brotherhood Week fund-raising campaign, announced Emanuel Frisch at a Waldorf-Astoria luncheon honoring 35 theatre managers in New York area who made outstanding records in securing contributions. Frisch, president of the Metropolitan Motion Picture Theatres Association, announced that of the $115,000, exhibitors were responsible for raising $52,500, a larger sum than ever before. Theatre managers in the metropolitan area accounted for $27,400 of this total. 'Heights' Re-Released “Wuthering Heights” has been given a general re-release by the Samuel Goldwyn organization, according to James A. Mulvey, president. States rights distributors in 32 exchange cities are handling the picture and key city engagements are being made by Robert Mochrie, sales vice-president, for New York, Boston, Atlanta and Dallas. Fox Intermountain Accenting Drive-Ins Billings, Mont. — Drive-ins have become part of an “accelerated building program” on the Fox Intermountain Theatres calendar. According to R. W. Selig, Denver division manager, the chain will make its first venture in the open-air field shortly. Reporting at the opening session of the Intermountain Theatres managers’ annual convention, Selig stated that FI was boosting admissions and giving “improved theatre services and comforts” in an effort to try and meet rocketing operation costs. “We plan an array of activities aimed at young people and children,” Selig asserted. “Such things as kiddie parties for Summertime vacations will be planned with the full cooperation of the children’s film librarians to see that programs are wholesome. He added that FI managers were urged to be sensitive to “community responsibility” by making theatres available for charities, drives and civil defense. Md. Theatremen Combat Rental Tax Washington. — Maryland and District of Columbia Motion Picture Theatre Owners Associations, have decided to seek an injunction against collection of the two percent tax on film rentals decreed at the last session of the Maryland legislature. A. Julian Brylawski explained that the tax applied to film rentals only because the legislative language was broader than intended by proponents of the bill. The theatre owners contacted members of the legislature, who were surprised that film rentals were taxable under the bill, and the exhibitors received assurances that it was not the intent of the legislature to further tax the industry. With this background, the theatre owners believe than an injunction might hold up collections until the legislature has a chance to repeal the tax. Since the bill becomes effective on June 1, taxes will be payable in July on June rentals, which sets a July 1 deadline. Shor, Berger Advocate Greater Exhibitor Unity Denver. — Pleas for Allied unity on crucial issues facing exhibition were issued this week by Ruben Shor, National Allied president, and Benjamin Berger, Central Allied head, at the Allied Rocky Mountain Independent Theatres convention here. Neil Beezley, RMIT prexv, urged members to write their Congressmen opposing the acceptance of toll television while Berger placed the burden on industry ills on high film rentals. Top UJA Responses Seen Adolph Schimel, Universal vice-president and chairman of the Motion Picture and Amusement Division of the United Jewish Appeal of Greater New York, predicted this week that the industry-wide luncheon in honor of Major Albert Warner on Tuesday, May 24, at the Hotel Pierre, would have a record attendance. Schimel pointed out that the division’s drive was off to a solid start two weeks in advance of the luncheon. “Greedy” Blasted OnExportPolicy Burlington, Wise. — A small minority of film companies “interested in greedy profit” have “literally been poisoning the minds of some people in the world against us,” Sen. Alexander Wiley told a May Day-Loyalty Day celebration here. The Wisconsin Republican accused this group of squeezing the last possible dollar from the overseas market by portraying an America of “sex, sin, and sadism, of gangsterism, corruption, filth and degradation.” Wiley said that we are spending $80 million yearly in the U.S. Information Agency Program to create a good impression abroad, and that such “sin-strewn” films are undoing the work. Russian propagandists are “pouring out enough filth about us without our adding to our own problem,” Wiley argued. He said that he does not believe in Government censorship, and called upon Hollywood to “demonstrate its further loyalty ... by taking voluntary action. An unscrupulous few should not be in a position to tarnish the good name of the overwhelming mass of deeply responsible industry leaders,” he concluded. Meanwhile, a “general warning” was reportedly issued by the British Board of Film Censors to the MPAA calling for Hollywood to tone down scenes of violence, crime and passion. Six U. S. films were announced banned in the “last 18 months.” They are: “The Wild One” and “Cell 2445, Death Row” (both Columbia); “Wicked Woman,” “Black Tuesday,” and “Operation Manhunt” (all United Artists), and “Cry Vengeance” (Allied Artists). Japan Repeats Quota For Feature Imports The Japanese Government has again set the quota for imports of feature films into Japan at 180 in fiscal year 1955 (ending March 31, 1956). However, there has been a slight change in the breakdown of import permits. The regular quota is fixed at 164 films, including 122 from the dollar area (103 from the U.S. major companies and 19 from the independents), 16 from the sterling area, and 26 from other countries or the open account area. There are also 16 bonus permits to be awarded in 1955 as rewards for outstanding films or to be granted as awards for exporting Japanese films. Complaints To Congress Urged On “SAC” Terms Columbus. — Exhibitors finding Paramount’s sales terms for “Strategic Air Command” out of line were urged by Robert A. Wile, Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio executive secretary, to complain to their Congressmen. Similar action was advised regarding Warner’s “Battle Cry” as both pictures were made in co-operation with taxsupported armed services. Wile, who issued the advice in an ITOO bulletin last week, reprinted a letter written to Air Force Secretary Harold E. Talbott by Gulf States Allied President Abe Berenson, that earned a complaint about Para’s terms for “SAC.” THE INDEPENDENT FILM JOURNAL— May 14. 1955 7