Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1950)

i i j-iu, uui — r DO NOT REMOVT MOTION PICTURE OL. NEW YORK, U.S.A., TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1950 TEN CENTS I J.K. Grosses Start Climb, Report Shows ?ut Taxes Up, Too; Film lentals Average 35.9% By PETER BURNUP | London, Aug. 14. — During the ;rst quarter of the current year |iere were 371,063,000 paid admissions to British theatres, represent|ig a gross of £28,040,000 ($78,512,00), according to results of the first jtatutorily-ordered inquiry into the irade's fiscal set-up', just published in he Board of Trade Journal. S In the first quarter of 1949, theatres aid £9,461,000 ($26,490,080) in enj;rtainment tax. In the first quarter of ais year they paid £9,939,000, an injrease of £478,000 ($1,336,400). Of the £18,101,000 left to theatres ifter entertainment tax, they paid p.6,497,000 ($18,191,600), or 35.9 per (ant for film rental. Average payment pr admission was 18.1d., although nere were marked regional differ|nces, prices in the South being higher nan in the North. ; The questionnaire was sent to 4,692 jieatres, all but 109 of which sent in Replies. | On the production side, the report was less favorable, showing that half {Continued on page 5) Ben Marcus Wants Rodger s to Head Up Arbitration Board ' I Milwaukee, Aug. 14. — An arbitraiion board headed by a drafted Wiliam F. Rodgers has been proposed by , ilien Marcus, head of the Associated Independent Theatre Owners of Wisjonsin. I At an AITO board meeting, Marcus i luggested the adoption of an arbitraI ion plan which could be adopted on a | [ational basis. The Wisconsin unit, farcus said, has always felt that in rder to create unity in all branches (Continued on page 4) pi Are Named to Aid IVef Film Production Thirty-one distribution chairmen in ■xchange centers of the country were lamed yesterday by Andy W. Smith, Pr., chairman of the sales managers hommittee, and Herman Robbins, I'hairman of the distribution comniit|ee, for the handling of the Disabled (Continued on page 4) Allport Bringing U.K. Pact Terms Here Next Week London, Aug. 14. — F. W. Allport, London manager of the Motion Picture Association of America, hopes to be able to leave for New York by plane early next week with a completed draft of the new agreement providing for the conversion into dollars of American film companies' sterling earnings here. Allport has been meeting regularly with London representatives of the American companies on a draft implementing the agreement reached in principle by Eric Johnston, Ellis Arnall, James Mulvey and Harold Wilson, president of Britain's Board of Trade. It is understood that under the chairmanship of R. C. G. Somervell a committee of officials has been similarly engaged on behalf of the British government. It is anticipated that Allport and Somervell will meet this week in an endeavor to match up the documents each has prepared. SIMPP in New Push For Markets Abroad Society of Independent Motion Picture Producers is getting underway with a new campaign to widen foreign markets for the independents, with the matter slated for discussion at a meeting of the SIMPP Eastern distribution committee here today. Ellis G. Arnall, SIMPP president, said here yesterday that with domestic business far below what it should be it is imperative that "we move aggressively abroad." Countries placed on the agenda for today's session include England, France, Spain, Italy and Japan. Arnall said that finalization of the new trade agreement with the British Board of Trade is awaiting completion of the technical details of the pact. LEGION LEADER URGES MAKING OF ANTI-COMMUNIST PICTURES Zanuck to Set U.K. Production Plans London, Aug. 14. — Darryl Zanuck, who is expected to arrive here from New York by plane on Thursday, will complete details during his visit on 20th Century-Fox's British production following the new Anglo-U. S. remittance agreement. Spyros P. Skouras, 20th-Fox presi (Continned on page 4) Albany, N. Y., Aug. 14. — The motion picture industry has a great opportunity today to assist in the vitally important anti-Communist campaign by making films balancing that message with entertainment which will appeal to the mass public. The Most Reverend William A. Scully, Coadjutor Bishop of the Albany Catholic Diocese and chairman of the Bishops' National Committee on Motion Pictures said here. Bishop Scully, a leader in the Legion of Decency for the five years he has headed the high (Continued on page 4) Says Theatres Will Again Be Integrated in Emergency Albany, N. Y., Aug. 14. — Thomas W. Ryan, director of the State Division of Safety and member of the nineman State Civilian Defense Commission, said here today that "based on my experience in the last emergency, in which I played a part in the defense setup of the largest upstate city" (Buffalo, where he was then chief inspector of the police), "I would say the same procedures will prevail this time — theatres will be closely integrated into the new effort." Ryan added : "Among the public supporting groups, the theatres have (Continued on page 5) Green Urges Defense At 4IA' Convention Detroit, Aug. 14.— More than 1,000 persons crowded into Detroit's Masonic Temple this morning to start the five-day convention of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes. The convention was opened by E. Clyde Adler, president of ' Local 812 and chairman of the Detroit IA locals (Continued on page 2) See Definite Trend in Film Income Rise Product Credited with General Business Boost Theatre business still is marching back, with box-office revenue throughout the country continuing to pick up in encouraging fashion, distribution and exhibition executives stated here yesterday. The majority agreed that the upswing over the past several weeks is definitely indicative of a trend, with no let-up in immediate view. Credited with the new boxoffice vigor is the flow of product from all the companies. Sol A. Schwartz, head of RKO Theatres, said there has been "a predominance of good pictures and more are coming up." The important aspect of the condition today, however, is that a few months ago even the quality product wasn't faring too well, Schwartz added. He reported the improvement was first noted about three weeks ago and looks upon the continued upswing as "more encouraging." Neighborhood situations as well as (Continued on page 5) Big Week at NY 1st Runs; $165,500 for 'Sunset/ A Record While a few spots are still drawing modest income the majority of New York's first-runs are taking in big money this week with the overall business picture the brightest since the Easter holiday period. The situation at the Music Hall is spectacular. "Sunset Boulevard" with the stage presentation is headed for an initial week's take estimated at $165,500, representing a new all-time record for the Hall in a non-holiday week. "Three Little Words" opened (Continued on page 4) 'Louisa' Maintains Record Chi. Pace Chicago, Aug. 14. — With a record $35,000 in the till of the Chicago Theatre for its first three days, Universal's "Louisa" appears certain to end its first week with an outstanding gross of $65,000 or better. An estimated 20,000 persons entered (Continued on page 4) J