Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1952)

VOL. 72. NO. 72 NEW YORK, U. S. A., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1952 TEN CENTS Arbitration Okay Greeted With Caution Optimism Is Tempered by Draft Change Prospects Exhibition representatives and distribution officials, by now accustomed to the "off again— on again" reports during the past year or so concerning prospects for an industry system of arbitration, yesterday refused to become more than mildly elated about the fact that distribution heads have approved an arbitration draft and will submit it to exhibition representatives for action. While conceding that distribution s action could safely be called a step toward the establishment of a system, observers reminded that how long or short a step this was would not be determined until after Allied and the Theatre Owners of America have indicated whether one or both want further changes made in the draft. At the recent TO A convention in (Continued on page 4) Sponable,Raibourn Are Theatre TV Hearing Witnesses Washington, Oct. 9.— The Motion Picture Association of America and the National Exhibitors Theatre Television Committee told the Federal Communications Commission today that seven witnesses will present engineering and accounting facts in the first phase of the theatre television hearing which opens Oct. 20. Among them will be Earl Sponable, who will give a description of the Eidophor method and equipment and (Continued on page 4) New Storey Circuit In Atlanta Area Better Theatres! by MARTIN QUIGLEY THE coveted goal of progress and betterment in the affairs of the industry faces a formidable challenge due to the hopeless obsolescence of large numbers of the theatres that seek to cater to the leisure hours of the theatre-going public. At one time in the history of the industry it could well be said that the motion picture theatre was an acknowledged symbol of attractiveness, comfort and service. The physical environment offered to patrons was a magnet to which millions were drawn to revel in an unaccustomed luxury and comfort. The theatre was a precious escape from the dinginess of the worka-day world and even, in many cases, from a pervading drabness of the surroundings of the home. No such condition continues generally as the rule of theatre environment. It is true indeed that the nation boasts of thousands of beautifully designed, appointed and functioning theatre structures which serve a great public attractively and efficiently in cities, towns and even in villages. But in sharp contrast to such play-houses there are far too many, dotting the whole map of the country, which, in effect, are dragging their feet in the industry's march of progress and betterment. Such theatres have been for some time and are continuing to be a darkening shadow on the prestige of motion picture entertainment. The plain fact is that large numbers of the nation's theatres are out-dated and out-moded and are no longer able to allure and delight the amusement-seeking public. It is to be realized that much of the existing exhibition plant in the United States was constructed in the Nineteen Twenties ; a considerable portion of it is a carry-over from even earlier decades. Some of it consists of what was merely emergency adaptation of structures which were originally designed for the stage play and for (Continued on page 4) U. S. Sees 'No Problem' in RKO Changes Decree Doesn't Cover Corwin's Theatre Ties Washington, Oct. 9. — The Justice Department sees almost no major problems growing out of the sale of Howard Hughes' RKO Pictures stock to the syndicate headed by Ralph Stolkin as long as Hughes' RKO Theatres stock remains in a trusteeship, a Department official said today. He would not say whether the Department would regard it as a violation of the RKO consent decree if Hughes were to recover his RKO Theatres stock from the Irving Trust Company, which now holds it. Such an act would pose problems which the Department would have to study, he said, but added that the Department felt there was "no problem" as long as the theatre stock remains in trust. The official said there were "quite (Continued on page 4) Atlanta, Oct. 9.— Storey Theatres, Inc., has. been formed to operate a circuit of 11 suburban theatres here and in the Decatur, Ga., area by Frederick G. Storey, president, formerly general manager of Community Theatres, Inc., and prior to that vice-president and assistant general manager of Georgia Theatre Co. According to Storey, the new company is not limited by its (Continued on page 4) U-I Has A Record Backlog of 22 With the windup of shooting on Universal International's "Law and Order" this week, the studio has 22 pictures in various phases of editing or awaiting release. This is the largest backlog the studio has had m several years. Fourteen of the completed films are in color by Technicolor. In addition, Universal currently has five ' pictures before the cameras, four in Technicolor. Technicolor films now m cuttingrooms or awaiting release are : "Horizons West," "The, Raiders," Against (Continued on page 4) Says Subject Sets 0\ erseasProduction American firms determine overseas production on the basis of subject matter, rather than the amount of frozen funds in a particular country, Dore Schary, M-G-M vice-president in charge of production, yesterday told Italian industry representatives at a luncheon here at the Hotel Pierre. Schary told the luncheon, given by the Salute to Italian Films Week committee to newspaper and magazine editors of New York, that overseas production by M-G-M is "part of a long range and long term policy that • . (Continued on page 4) Says 20th-Fox Will Disclose High Bids; Some Restrictions Columbus, O., Oct. 9.— Under given conditions, 20th Century-Fox will disclose winning bids for films to losers where the company has invited competitive bidding. The ITO of Ohio advises members in a current bulletin it has been so informed by Al Lichtman, head of 20thFox distribution. The bulletin quotes Lichtman as saying that offers will not be opened until 14 days after the invitation date for bids, and that only on that date and (Continued, on page 2) S. S. Skouras Heads Skouras Theatres Spyros S. Skouras, formerly executive vice-president of Skouras Theatres Corp. here, has been elected president of the company ta succeed George P. Skouras, his uncle. Spyros S. is the son of Spyros P. Skouras,. president of 20th Century-Fox. George Skouras, who is president of United Artists Theatre Circuit; is expected to be named chairman of , the (Continued on page 4) .. •