Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1952)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY VOL. 71. NO. 78 NEW YORK. U.S.A., TUESDAY. APRIL 22. 1952 TEN CENTS Bids A.T.& T. McCarey Hits Some N. Y. Cut Theatre Critics on 'Son John 9 TV Charges Halpern Sees More Line Facilities for Medium Chicago, April 21. — A bid to the American Telephone and Telegraph Co. to revise its line charges downward, thereby speeding the growth of theatre television and increasing its own returns in this field, was made here today by Nathan L. Halpern, president of Theatre Network Television. Halpern in a progress report on theatre television delivered to the 71st semi-annual convention of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, said he '"anticipated that A.T. & T. will free more facilities for theatre television." Added Halpern : "In this direction, the development of more reasonable telephone charges for theatre television should be high on the agenda.'" Regarding the projected Federal Communications Commission's hearings, a date for which has yet to be set, Halpern said they "will center (Continued on page 2) Hall, Roxy, Para. Grosses Strong in PostEaster Week Leo McCarey, producer-director of "My Son John," a Paramount release, yesterday hit back at some New York daily newspaper film critics who, he said, had committed an "injustice" in their reviews of the current Capitol Theatre attraction. 1 Coming here from Hollywood in an attempt to correct what he termed were "false" accusations, McCarey vigorously denied the following allegations which, he said, were made by a number of the city's motion picture reviewers : that he was a "bigot ;" that he believed in guilt by association ; that he was anti-intellectual ; that his views represented "dangerous thinking." He declined to specify the reviews he found objectionable, preferring to speak in general terms. McCarey said he does not question the right of film critics to say what they want about his directorial talents, but he does challenge the right of any critic to impugn his integrity and motives. The central theme of "My Son John." McCarey said, was to show how the teachings of Communism re (Continued on page 3) Some situations among New York first-runs forecast excellent grosses during this post-Easter week, although others report that with the advent of warm spring weather at the weekend there was a drop in business. Among top grossers are Radio City Music Hall, the Roxy and the Paramount. At the Hall, now featuring "Singin' in the Rain" for a fourth week, a sturdy $160,000 is estimated. The Hall's next attraction will be (Continued on page 3) Milton Cohen in New UA Sales Position NTSC Shaping TV Color Standards Chicago, April 21. — Color television data which would normally take years to compile is being gathered in a few short months by the National Television System Committee. Dr. WR. G. Baker of Syracuse, N. Y., chairman of the Committee, said today. Dr. Baker, General Electric vice-president and general manager of the G-E electronics division, said that the committee hopes to complete color (Continued on page 2) Revive Industrv wf Golf Tournaments Milton E. Cohen has been appointed Eastern-Southern sales manager of United Artists, transferring from his previous post as Western-Southern sales manager, it was announced by William J. Heineman, UA distribution vice-president. Fourteen UA branches make up Cohen's sales territory : New York, Boston, New Haven, Philadelphia, Washington, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Cleveland. Cincinnati, Buffalo, New Orleans, Atlanta. Dallas and Charlotte. Cohen has served as WesternSouthern sales manager for the past year, having assumed the post when he joined United Artists. Formerly (Continued on page 3) High Court Refuses A Milgram Appeal Washington, April 21. — The Supreme Court today refused to hear the appeal of the eight major distributors in the so-called Milgram case. The high court's refusal to hear the appeal means that the decision of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, holding the distributors guilty of violating the anti-trust laws for refusing to license first-run films to the Boulevard Drive-in Theatre in Bethlehem, Pa., will stand. The Boulevard is operated by David E. Milgram, Samuel Milgram. Nathan Milgram, Francis Kret and Bessie Hoberman. The Supreme Court gave no reason for its decision not to hear the appeal, but merely noted the action in a long (Continued on page 3) New York's Cinema Lodge of B'nai B'rith will revive the Eastern industry golf tournaments of the past when it holds its first annual tournament at the Vernon Hills Country Club at Tuckahoe, on Thursday, May 22. Martin Levine, president of the lodge, announced yesterday. Tournaments of the past were a casualty of World War II. Prizes will be awarded to the best (Continued on page 3) Italian Films to 3 Independents from Be Dubbed in U.S. Fuller This Year An extensive program of dubbing Italian films is planned by the Italian industry, almost all of which will be done in this country, Dr. Mauro Zambuto, vice-president of the Italian Society of Motion Picture Engineers and consultant to Italian Films Export, said here yesterday. Zambuto declared that although Italy dubs over 600 pictures a year (Continued on page 3) Three independent features are planned by Sam Fuller Productions this year, the first of which will be "Park Row," soon to be released by United Artists, Fuller declared here yesterday. Fuller at present is displaying an exhibit of American newspapers from 1776 to the present for the interest of publishers gathered at the Waldorf Astoria here for the an(Continued on page 3) Set to Meet Here All Week On Arbitration Large Attendance Due at Opening Parley Today The 10 distributor hosts yesterday were reported to be prepared to accede to any request by exhibition for continuation through the remainder of the business week of the industry conference on arbitration which will open this morning at the Hotel Astor here. A large attendance of distribution presidents, exhibition leaders, company attorneys, exhibitor lawyers and observers from the various branches of the industry was forecast for the opening session which, extending from 11 A.M. to about 1:30 P.M., will be given over to an address by Eric A. Johnston, Motion Picture Association of America president, and a general discussion of the procedure to be followed in executive sessions. The first executive ses (Continued on page 3) 150 Newspapermen At NCA Meeting Minneapolis, April 21. — When the annual convention of North Central Allied is called to order at the Hotel Xicollet on Thursday, May 1 — to run through Friday — 150 newspaper publishers, editors and representatives of the press will be among the delegates, brought here by exhibitors of their respective towns to discuss mutual problems and community interests. For the first time in memory, attacks on trade practices are not on the XCA agenda. Although while not formally listed, however, they are expected to come up for discussion. Md. Legion to Picket Films with 'Reds' Baltimore, April 21. — Plans to picket Baltimore theatres in which films of alleged members or supporters of the Communist Party are appearing were announced by the American Legion here. The picketing campaign will be carried on by the Committee Against Un-American Activities of the Legion's Department of Maryland.