Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1946)

qq /T^e PICTUR jna fit $L. 60. NO. 96— In Two Sections (Sec. Two) NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1946 d I m lor 20TH-FOX SETS NEW the List Business Has Reached Top, ShowmenSay Hard Work Required to Hold Present Gross Level THEATRE attendance has reached its peak and the duration of the period of high level business will be dependent upon energetic showmanship from now on. That is the consensus of leading exhibitors in strategic areas throughout the country as disclosed in interviews for Motion Picture Daily. Most theatre operators share the opinion that increased work in presenting and selling their programs will be required if present attendance figures are to be maintained for any length of time. However, many see theatre business tied closely to the national industrial position and feel that attendance from now on will move in whatever direction is taken by the nation's business index as a whole. Considerable optimism is apparent in exhibitor camps over the quality and box office strength of Hollywood product for the coming year. Higher Admissions The survey disclosed that practically no adverse public reaction to increased admission scales was encountered. However, frequently mentioned among the major problems confronting exhibition, were prevailing high rates of taxation and the threat of new taxes by state and local governments. Detailed reports of the exhibitor views appear on this page and pages 2. 23 and 24 of thi« section R. J. O'Donnell Lauds New Films Dallas, Nov. 13. — "Prospects for the new season look great," R. J. O'Donnell, vice-president and general manager of Interstate, says. "I have screened in the last few weeks some of the greatest pictures I have ever seen, and when this product is shown business should be great if the public is a good judge. Because we have always kept the single feature policy there is no shortage of product for us. But we will play these great films just as fast as we can put them in our houses." Labor conditions as far as Interstate, which extends over all Texas and into New Mexico and Arizona, is concerned have never been better, according to O'Donnell. The admission price situation over this circuit is status quo. The small raise of six (Continued on page 2) 'Razor 's Edge 9 Premiere Set Dignitaries from the United Nations General Assembly, Hollywood stars, prominent members of New York society, the press and leaders of the motion picture industry will combine to make the world premiere of Darryl F. Zanuck's production of "The Razor's Edge" the most notable in the annals of motion picture openings in New York city. A mounting campaign of publicity and advertising carried on for months by 20th Century-Fox will be climaxed on the night of Nov. 19 at the Roxy Theatre here and will set the pattern for day and date openings of "The Razor's Edge" throughout the nation during Christmas week. Never before has 20th Century-Fox (Continued on page 2) Insider's Outlook By RED KANN Hollywood, Nov. 13 BIG league studio operation in these strike ridden Hollywood days finds no better example than the current thinking at 20th Century-Fox illustrates. It has been stressed before, but Darryl Zanuck — tanned, wiry and drawing upon what appears to be his inexhaustible well of enthusiasm and endurance — stressed it again today. Forthcoming product made directly by the 20th-Fox studio will not bend a solitary knee before a fixed production budget. There is full intention of maintaining the policy of acquiring important properties, whether novel or stage play, which Top Mosknwitz lias nrniprterl into such sweeping success in New York. More so than before it is the intention to give such material all the traffic can bear in casting, script treatment and the investitures of big-time production. Zanuck says "The Razor's Edge" marks a turn in the road for the company. He explains this as meaning its domestic and overseas career will be subjected to rigorous and constant inspection and its course weighed in the scales as an indicator of the precision to be applied to future negative investments. Spyros Skouras and Tom Connors have given him an expectancy (Continued on baae 2") mc Them C y a Or 1 an have tbax; in its 1 IV pany's rs ; ing reion be far. drive \_ ThisTa been i;t s with tbith ductioral ture, cftly ductioimpc studios, ho Christii mi added nds miere met on No an) s," ncre In s:ing pany'sen Shockiplac nicoloict 1< Haym> H by thdmp! Perlben as Georgrint: screeny pi; Alsexist weeks stat "My ;ssai old Wsing Darne „ in T<Ho Both ;esidi fice rount; leases,end< "Thvels hearteiess, starrin rat Viviaiel C and F ha\ in subeel. Theie b top pber ( „• of '