Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1953)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY VOL. 73. NO. 119 NEW YORK, U.S.A., FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 1953 TEN CENTS Candy Makers Asked to Ting' Attendance TOA's Levenson Offers Hints to Manufacturers The Theatre Owners of America yesterday proposed to the country's leading candy manufacturers who service concession stands in theatres that they help increase theatre attendance, and thereby increase the sale of their products. A five-point program to increase the sale of confectionery products in motion picture theatres, and to aid in building attendance, was proposed at the National Confectioners' Association meeting here by Leon J. Levenson, chairman of the concessions committee of the TOA. Speaking at the candy men's 70th annual convention at the Hotel Waldorf Astoria, Levenson made the following proposals to the manufacturers : "1. Before bringing out new items, (Continued an page 5) Sell Vistarama Lenses Soon The Vistarama Corp., which recently demonstrated its anamorphic wide-screen process here, will soon make available 35mm. Vistarama projection lenses, Carl Dudley, president, disclosed here yesterday on his departure for Hollywood. He indicated that, his decision to enter the 35mm. field in addition to the 16mm. market was predicated on requests of exhibitors who saw the Vistarama demonstration at the RKO 86th Street Theatre recently. Dud (Continued on page 5) Strike Threat In Boston Exchanges Boston, June 18. — Following the action of New York exchange workers, Locals B-3 and F-3 here have asked for strike permission from Richard A. Walsh, president of the IATSE. The decision to seek walkout approval resulted from a breakdown in negotiations for a new contract for Boston exchange employes. The F-3 group consists of approximately 200 office workers, while the B-3 unit is made up of nearly 100 shippers and inspectresses. Sign Pact on Industry TV Fall Series A preliminary agreement on the television series planned to promote the motion picture industry has been signed by the Motion Picture Association of America and the AB-PT television network, it was learned here yesterday. Signing of the preliminary agreement came after many ; months of negotiations between the two principals and opens the way for the first series of TV shows which has won the cooperation of all major film companies. The pact, it was reported, is not iron-clad, allowing both parties to withdraw in the event of certain contingencies. It was learned that one (Continued on page 5) V. C. Aims Outlined At Tent 35 Luncheon Three past chief barkers of the New York Variety Club Tent No. 35 were honored yesterday at a luncheon in the Hotel Piccadilly. Approximately 250 members of the amusement industry paid homage to Max A. Cohen, William J. German and Fred Schwartz who, it was pointed out, had (Continued on page 4) CinemaScope for Drive-Ins in 1954 Problems affecting CinemaScope installations in drive-in theatres can be overcome and the perfected equipment will be ready in time for drive-in opening next spring, Al Lichtman, 20th-Fox distribution head, said yesterday. He enumerated the drive-in problems as (1) light; (2 J weather-proofing of outdoor screens, and (3) perfection of speakers to accommodate directional sound. Technicians have assured the company all three problems can be licked, Lichtman said. 20th -Fox Enlists 3 To Make Screens For CinemaScope Three screen manufacturing concerns have concluded all arrangements with CinemaScope Products Inc., a subsidiary of 20th Century-Fox, to insure the rapid and continuous production of all-purpose Miracle Mirror and Magnaglow-Astrolite screens, it was announced here yesterday. Agreements were reached with L. E. Carpenter and Co., of Wharton, N. J. ; the Glowmeter Corp., Buffalo, •and the Radiant Manufacturing Corp., Chicago. Under the arrangement, a large volume of screens is expected (Continued on page 4) Compo Sees Good Chance Still for U. S. Tax Relief By AL STEEN The Council of Motion Picture Organizations is not selling short the possibility of Congressional action on the Mason Bill for the elimination of the 20 per cent admission tax at this session of Congress. In fact, Robert Coyne, special counsel for COMPO, and Col. H. A. Cole of COMPO's tax committee, have re turned here from Washington with a strong feeling of optimism following their observation of the start of the current House Ways and Means Committee hearings on tax revision last Monday. There is a definite belief that if the bill is reported out of committee there will be quick action by the rules committee in placing the measure on the House calendar before mid-July. Because there is more than a majority of the necessary votes for the bill already pledged by Congressmen, industry leaders believe the measure will pass by a wide margin, with similar action in the Senate. Coyne said yesterday that COMPO would not make another pitch for the bill at the current tax revision hearings. However, industry officials are keeping a close watch on the progress of the hearings which will cover 40 topics. According to present plans, excise rates revision will be the last topic. Washington sources indicated yesterday that if the hearings move quickly and excise rates come up (Continued on page 4) Sees All -Time Record Gross Due for 'Robe' $20 Million in 1st 1,000 Dates, Lichtman Believes "The Robe," 20th Century-Fox's first CinemaScope production, may pile up the largest box-office gross in motion picture history, Al Lichtman, head of 20th -Fox distribution, said , yesterday. Lichtman said he believes a gross of $20,000,000 is possible for "The Robe" in its first 1,000 engagements and that it will ultimately bring in more than the $35,000,000 gross of "Gone with the Wind." His opinion, he said, is based on the company's experience with "David and (Continued on page 4) Al Lichtman Dealers Will Handle Nord Nord Process, Inc., plans to distribute its single-projector, one-filmstrip 3-D system through established theatre equipment supply dealers, it was stated here yesterday by Edward Lachman, sales manager, and Roy Clapp, inventor of the process and head of the company. It is felt by the executives that dealers can render a better service because they are familiar with theatres in their respective territories. Each installation order will be supervised by Clapp (Continued on page 6) TV on Local Level To Be 'IP Ad Policy Use of television on a local devel will be included in the advertising campaigns prepared by UniversalInternational for its lineup of summer releases, it was revealed yesterday by David A. Lipton, vice-president in charge of advertising and publicity. The TV campaigns will be in the (Continued on page 6)