Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1952)

VOL. 71. NO. 99 MOTION PICTURE DAILY NEW YORK, U. S. A., WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1952 TEN CENTS Holds Short Runs Harmful To Industry Goldenson Cites Loss Of 'W or d-of -Mouth' Ads The "rapid release system" now prevalent was termed "harmful" to the industry in an address yesterday by Leonard H. Goldenson, president of United Paramount Theatres, to the annual meeting of stockholders held at UPT's home office. Goldenson said this system of rapid picture runs and clearances, brought on by anti-trust litigation, minimize to a great extent the valuable contribution of "word-of-mouth" advertising. The whole release period in major communities is currently being compressed to six weeks or two months of playing time, Goldenson stated. "This has adversely affected practically all theatres in the industry, as well as the business of producers," the UPT president declared. He forecast that substitute practices (Continued on page 4) Bids Ohio Unit Urge Compo Tax Action Cleveland. May 20. — Calling the Council of Motion Picture Organizations the finest concept ever developed in the industry, Abram F. Myers, Allied States general counsel, in his talk entitled "What's Wrong With The Industry" before the general Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio meeting here today, asked why it is today's industry stepchild with nobody willing to accept presidency and called for a resolution bidding COMPO to start all-out action campaign immedi(Continued on page 4) Pinanski Appointed A Compo Governor er Samuel Pinanski, president of Amercan Theatres Corp. of Boston, and rmer president of the Theatre Owners of America, yesterday accepted appointment as TOA's representative on the three-man interim committee which will run the Council of Motion Picture Organizations until an election of new officers can be held, it (Continued on page 6) Industry Pledges to UJA At $390,000 in Mid-Drive Upwards of $390,000 was pledged by industry leaders at a special gifts luncheon of the amusement division of United Jewish Appeal at 21 Club here yesterday. The contributions represent only part of the goal, Robert Benjamin, amusement division chairman, re Give to U.J. A. in Memory of Red Kann Spontaneous contributions "in memory of Red Kann" were made to the United Jewish Appeal by a number of industry executives at yesterday's special gifts luncheon at the 21 Club here. UJA had been a special interest of Kann, vice-president of Quigley Publications, who died in Hollywood last week. Among those making such contributions, all in addition to their regular gifts, were: Robert Benjamin, UJA chairman for the amusement industry; Barney Balaban, cochairman; Sam Rosen and Si Fabian, Arthur Krim and Max Youngstein. minded the gathering. "The industry," Benjamin added, "is 22 per cent ahead of last year's drive at the halfway mark. I am confident that by the time the drive ends we will have established a new high." Highlights of the luncheon were a vivid and moving description of Israel's problems and current conditions by Lou Novins of Paramount Pictures, who returned recently from a visit to the new nation, and a sincere expression of gratitude for American help to Israel and an appeal for its continuance by Michal Harrel (Miss Israel of 1952). Barney Balaban, co-chairman of the industry division, was presented with a desk set by UJA co-workers in appreciation of his aid in the conduct of this and earlier drives. Sam Rosen, who made the presentation to Balaban, in turn was presented with a silver bowl for his work as chairman of the two previous industry campaigns, (Continued on page 4) Over 350 from Industry At Kann Funeral Services More than 350 industry members attended funeral services at Riverside Chapel here yesterday for Maurice D. (Red) Kann, vice-president of Quigley Publications. The impressive gathering included persons from every strata of the industry — company presidents, head of distribution, top theatre executives, production representatives, key department heads, attorneys, trade press colleagues, publicity and advertising men — both a symbol of and a testimonial to the respect in which Kann was held throughout the industry and the wide circle of his friendships. Dr. Nathan Perilman of Temple Emanu-El delivered the eulogy, enumerating man} of the outstanding personal traits for which Kami was so well liked and widely known. "Red was a perfectionist," Dr. Perilman said. "He was not satisfied merely to get the day's work done. He wanted it also to be the best of which he was capable. "Steady and solid, he was not a meteoric person. He lived with a world of make-believe, but there was no make-believe about him. Critic and commentator, he was ever friendly, constructive and loyal. He had a universality of person that made him one (Continued on page 6) Goldwyn Is Closing Two Offices Abroad Hollywood, May 20. — Samuel Goldwyn Productions is closing several of its branch offices in foreign territories in what is regarded as both an economy move and the start of a period of increased reliance on RKO Radio Pictures' foreign services. Goldwyn signed a new five-year distribution deal with RKO Radio last month which, however, has the usual provisions for cancellation at the end of each year of the term. Goldwyn's New York office, with James A. Mulvey, president, in charge, is not affected but under the new plan it is to occupy smaller quarters. Principal office affected by the closing is in London, where Emmett Dalton has been in charge for the past several (Continued on page 6) Skouras Sees Merger of TV and Films Forecasts No Alteration On Theatrical Emphasis The merging of the film and television industries to "their mutual benefit" was forecast here yesterday by Spyros P. Skouras, 20th Century-Fox president, at the annual meeting of stockholders held at the company's home office. The predicted merger would in no way alter 20th-Fox's emphasis on the production of theatrical films as the main source of the company's revenues, Skouras declared. Plans are currently underway, Skouras disclosed, for 20th-Fox to produce special films for home TV. Another source of revenue from the TV medium will be the Eidophor color theatre TV system, the 20thFox president said, adding the prediction that it will be a boon to theatres. Eidophor was unveiled to the stockholders during the meeting. Skouras (Continued on page 6) Name Har grave E-K Board Chairman Rochester, N. Y., May 20. — Thomas J. Hargrave, Eastman Kodak president since 1941, has succeeded Perley S. Wilcox as chairman of the board, the company disclosed today following elections at the annual meeting of the board of directors. Wilcox had expressed his desire to retire. Albert K. Chapman, vice-president since 1941 and general manager since 1943, becomes president. Sees Participation Deals for 20th-Fox Twentieth Century Fox may shortly inaugurate a policy of profit participation deals with top stars and directors on future films, Spyros P. Skouras, 20th-Fox president, disclosed here yesterday. Skouras advised stockholders it may deem it wise to do so in the future in order to reduce the company's risk in film production.