Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1952)

MOTION PICTURE ■ DAILY VOL. 71. NO. 93 NEW YORK, U. S. A., TUESDAY, MAY 13, 1952 TEN CENTS 6IA' Exchange Worker Revolt 'Fizzles Out' Walsh Investigation Seen Bringing Local Benefits San Francisco, May 12. — While a measure of dissidence is understood to be continuing in isolated localities, the threatened bolt from the union of a large segment of the IATSE's exchange workers across the country has "fizzled out" to all intents and purposes, it was learned here today. It was reported in exchange labor circles here last March that a sizeable number of locals was considering a plan to meet in Chicago this summer to protest the alleged disregard of the IATSE international office for the wages and working conditions which were a source of complaint among front office and back room exchange workers in the exchanges. The report that is abroad here now is that Richard F. Walsh, IATSE international president, meanwhile conducted an intensive investigation into {Continued on page 6) Embassy Battles Ban on 'Latuko' A private screening of the controversial documentary, "Latuko," was held last night by the Embassy Newsreel Theatre in Newark for a group of prominent local citizens, including clergymen, educators and civic leaders. The purpose of the screening, according to a theatre spokesman, was to test the reaction of the selected audience in wake of the ban imposed by the Newark Police Department. Meanwhile, both the Embassy Thea{Continucd on page 6) Blank Testifies on Ia.-Neb. Situation Washington, May 12. — The longdelayed testimony of veteran exhibitor A. H. Blank got off to a slow start today before the Federal Communications Commission's Paramount hearing. Blank, a United Paramount Theatre's director, will also be a director of L'PTAmerican Broadcasting Co., it the proposed merger between the companies goes through. FC"C attorneys have said they in {Continucd on page 6) 'Scaramouche' at Hall Sets Pace For NY First -runs The opening week of "Scaramouche" at Radio City Music Hall is expected to rack up a sturdy $130,000, setting the pace for other first-run New York theatres which, in the main, reported this week's boxoffice business somewhat on the sluggish side. However, a number of films did fairly well. Among them were "The Sniper" at the Criterion, which is due to gross a good $20,000 for its first seven days. Under the good-to-fair category are "Belles on Their Toes" at the Roxy which is forecast to hit $52,000 for its second and final inning, and "Macao" at the Paramount where $47,000 is seen for the second and final stanza. "Kangaroo" will open Friday at the Roxy, while "Rancho Notorious" bows tomorrow at the Paramount. A moderately nice week is indicated {Continued on page 6) $500,000 Set for Ads on 'Kangaroo' A $500,000 advertising-exploitation budget, which includes what was described as "the largest sum ever set aside for cooperative advertising," has been established by 20th Century-Fox for the Australian-made production, "Kangaroo," the company disclosed here yesterday. The company this week will commence a six-point public promotional campaign on the picture which will include, in addition to cooperative advertising, the following : national billboard advertising, a 21 -day "teaser" campaign in key city newspapers, special television trailer advertising, radio {Continued on page 6) Broidy Here to Plan OverseasProduction Steve Broidy, Monogram Allied Artists president, arrived here yesterday from Hollywood for several days of conferences with other company executives, particularly Norton A . Ritchey, president of Monogram International, with whom discussion will center around foreign production and distribution plans. Broidy met yesterday with Maurice Goldstein, distribution vice-president, and Edward Morey, operations vice-president. The Monogram president will leave here on May 28 for Washington where, on the following day, as guest of Secretary of Defense Robert S. {Continued on page 4) Business Generally Is Up: Fitzgibbons Ottawa, May 12. — Improvement in the quality of motion picture production has brought a great increase in theatre attendance generally, according to J. J. Fitzgibbons, president of Famous Players Canadian Corp. He said, however, that theatre attendance has dropped off some in certain situations where the circuit has been compelled on account of high local taxes and operating costs to increase admission prices. 8 Take 'Movietime' To South This Week Little Rock, Ark., May 12.— Western Tennessee, Northern Mississippi and Arkansas this week will be toured by a contingent of eight Hollywood personalities carrying the "Movietime U.S.A." banner and messages designed to elicit goodwill for the motion picture industry. The group includes players Frank Lovejoy, Wayne Morris, Rod Cameron, Susan Cabot and Terry Moore, producer-director George Waggner, and writers Manny Seff and William Lively. .Part of the group, at the invitation of "Movietime" committee chairman Sam B. Kirby of Little Rock, will remain over to be guests at the annual convention of the Independent Theatre Owners of Arkansas, set for this city May 19-21. Electronic Camera Is Demonstrated London, May 12. — Demonstration here of High Definition Films pilot reel made on the company's first experimental electronic camera impressed a gathering of scientists. It is claimed that the apparatus, when perfected, will enable 10 minutes of screen-time to be put in the can daily in lieu of the currently accepted maximum of two minutes and that the process may reduce the present cost of production "in revolutionary proportions." The single reel test film, of good definition, was projected on a screen about one-fourth the size of an average theatre screen. High Definition is now working on the second step of its experiment, the aim of which is to bring the projected image up to orthodox theatre definition. This is expected to be ready for demonstration {Continued on page 6) MGM Meetings Considered for Other Cities Proposal Is Made By Several Exhibitors By RED KANN Hollywood, May 12. — Enthusiastic exhibitors attending M-G-M's three-day "Seeing Is Believing'" meetings think the plan ought to be carried into various exchange centers and may get their wish. The company originally considered such an idea and may go ahead on a modified basis made necessary by laboratory limitations in delivering color prints. A number of showmen who made the suggestion are willing to settle for less than the six attractions screened here. Whether or not they get any, the plan is in the bag for the Texas COMPO meeting slated for Dallas early next month where at least two of the films, one to be "Lovely To Look At," will be screened. Robert J. O'Donnell, who made the {Continued on page 6) To Appeal Yankwich Ruling on Tax Law Washington, May 12. — The government has definitely decided to appeal Federal Judge Yankwich's recent ruling that collapsible corporations set up prior to the 1950 tax law must be taxed at easier, capital gains rates. The government argues that collapsible corporations, at one time fairly widely used in the film industry, actually were tax-avoidance devices and income should be taxed at regular income tax rates. House Okays Probe Of TV and Radio Washington, May 12. — The House today by a voice vote and with a minimum of debate approved a resolution directing the House Commerce Committee to investigate to determine whether radio and television programs "contain immoral or otherwise offensive matter or place improper emphasis upon crime, violence, and corruption." The resolution is sponsored by Rep. Gathings, Democrat of Arkansas.