Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1953)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY Accurate Concise and Impartial VOL. 74. NO. 1 NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1953 TEN CENTS Univ. 26-Week Net Rises to $1,346,632 Half-Year Earnings Up $126,192 Over 1952 Universal Pictures' consolidated net earnings for the 26 weeks ended May 2 totaled $1,346,632, after provision of $2,310,000 for estimated Federal income and excess profits taxes. After deducting dividends on the preferred stock, the net earnings are equivalent to $1.27 per share on the 961,698 shares of common stock outstanding on May 2. The 1953 period's net is $126,- 192 higher than that of the same period last year when the consolidated net was $1,226,440, after providing $1,550,000 for in- come and excess profits taxes; (Continued on page 8) Johnston Concludes New 1-Year Pact With West Germany A new one-year agreement with West Germany, maintaining a free market for American product, has been concluded in Berlin, according to word received here yesterday from Eric Johnston, president of the Mo- tion Picture Association of America. Johnston, before leaving Berlin for Brussels yesterday, cabled MPAA officers here on the new pact, which extends from Sept. 1, 1953, to Sept. 1, 1954. The deal, in effect, calls for unrestricted imports of American pic- tures and free remittances of revenues jt a rate below the official rate of exchange. The new agreement, in addition, (Continued on page 7) Mayer in Talks on Rialto Operation The possibility of Arthur Mayer resuming operation of the Rialto Theatre on Broadway here was raised yesterday with the opening of negotiations be- tween Mayer and the present operator, James Mage. The talks ended inconclusive- ly yesterday, it was stated. Ne- gotiations grew out of Mage's contractual commitments with Mayer, the former owner. Disney Closes Deal to Film j MPAA to Seek In CinemaScope Process \3 Tax Relief A deal under which Walt Disney Productions will film in the CinemaScope wide-screen process, was disclosed here yesterday by 20th Century-Fox. Walt Disney in commenting on the deal, said that he was convinced that Cinema Scope offers possibili- ties for the bet- ter presentation not only of live- action pictures but animated cartoons as well. He will make three fea- tures in the n e w 20th-Fox process. In ad- dition, he will film a number of shorts in Cinema Scope . and will pro- new "People and fe Stalag' Opening Held at Astor In Military Air (Photos on Page 8) Paramount's "Stalag 17" had its world premiere at New York's Astor Theatre last night in full military splendor as police guard rails held back huge throngs that had gathered to see hundreds of celebrities arrive for the opening which benefited the Air Force Association Widow's Re- habilitation Program. As the premiere ceremonies got under way, Mitchel Field's 60-piece military band marched down Broad- way to the theatre. Giant arc-lights (Continued on page 8) Ohio House Passes Measure to Bar 'Reel' Censoring Columbus, O., June 30. — The Mosher Bill, outlawing the censorship of newsreels in Ohio, was overwhelm- ingly passed here today by the House of Representatives by a vote of 110 to 6. The bill, which already has won the approval of the State Senate, now goes to the governor for his signature be- fore becoming law. Today's legislative victory climaxes a campaign led by the Independent (Continued on page 7) , — *, • ■ Anti- 4 Red' By-Law Proposed by SAG Hollywood, June 30.—The stiff est defense against Communist infiltration yet installed by any Hollywood guild or union was proposed to the Screen Actors Guild membership by the Guild's board of directors today in a letter submitting an anti-subversive by-law for adoption. The board's letter also expressed condemnation by name of 24 members who have refused to answer the (Continued on page 8) Walt Disney duce one of his Places" series. The contract photographic and for CinemaScope production lenses, and the Miracle Mirror screen, was negotiated by Roy O. Disney, presi- dent of Walt Disney Productions, and (Continued on page 8) NPA Film Unit Headed by Golden Cut by Two-Thirds Washington, June 30. — The Na- tional Production Authority's film di- vision has been trimmed back dras- tically, effective tomorrow. Further cutbacks are still a possibility. The Motion Picture, Scientific and Photographic Products Division has been operating with 22 persons, under Nathan D. Golden as director. Early this month, as part of the program to liquidate the defense emergency agencies, all 22, including Golden, got (Continued on page 7) Color Corp. Heading For A Record Year Color Corp. of America is heading for the biggest year in its history, vice-president Sam Burkett said here yesterday. Improvements in the proc- ess formerly known as Cinecolor have attracted wide interest, Burkett said. The company now has 13 pictures in its laboratories and indications are that more than 25 will be made this year in the Color Corp.'s process, thereby hitting a new record, Burkett said. Pro visions To Testify in Capitol Starting on July 9 Washington, June 30.—Spokesmen for the Motion Picture Association of America are scheduled to testify be- fore the current House Ways and Means Committee tax revision hear- ings in support of three major relief provisions. First appearance before the commit- tee is tentatively set for Thursday, July 9, when officials of MPAA's for- eign tax committee will ask the tax- writing House group to exempt from withholding any royalties due foreign motion picture companies on U. S. showings of their films. Under pres- ent law, the distributors must with- hold 30 per cent of these royalties against the tax liabilities of the for- eign companies on these earnings. If the actual tax due is less, as is usually (Continued on page 8) Inquiries on CinemaScope from British Exhibitors London, June 30.—Nine hundred installation inquiries on CinemaScope have been received by the 20th-Cen- tury-Fox office here since the initial demonstration yesterday, the company revealed today. Spyros P. Skouras, 20th-Fox president, said that he and his London associates would be avail- able throughout the week to discuss equipment problems with exhibitors. Skouras has arranged for a mid- (Continued on page 7) Cincinnati Drops Part of Ticket Tax Cincinnati, June 30.—Follow- ing urgent pleas from the Greater Cincinnati Independent Exhibitors' Association, the City Council has exempted admis- sions of 50 cents or less from collection of the three per cent city tax. The exhibitor organi- zation pointed out that con- sistently declining business had forced the closing of 27 area neighborhood subsequent run theatres during the past 18 months.