Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1954)

VOL. 75. NO. 25 NEW YORK, U.S.A., FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1954 TEN CENTS Wo Re-writing' Code Vital as Guard, Mayer Tells AMPA Best Protection Against Harmful Films, He Says The industry's Production Code represents the best protection that can be mustered against the production of films harmful to the public interest and the good name of the industry, Arthur Mayer, former executive director of the Council of Motion Picture Organizations, told a session of the Associated Motion Picture Advertisers Showmanship School at the Columbia home office screening room last night. Mayer referred to the Code's "shortcomings" as something frequently publicized but rarely specified, and (Continued on page 3) Arthur Mayer Brotherhood Awards To Romulo, Murphy With Louis Nizer serving as toastmaster, the annual Brotherhood dinner of the amusement industry was held last night at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel here with approximately 1,100 in attendance. The first World Brotherhood gold medal awards were bestowed upon Gen. Carlos P. Romulo, former president of the United Nations General Assembly, and to Robert D. Murphy, United States Undersecre(Continued. on page 3) Name Censor Board For Stockton, Cal. SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 4. — A three-member film censorship committee has been named by Stockton City Manager John C. Lilly in consequence of increased showing here of questionable "girlie" films. Stockton City Attorney William Biddick, Jr., said that the United States Supreme Court decision that state censorship boards may not ban (Continued, on page 3) Appeal by Jury from N. Y. State Censor Proposed in Bill ALBANY, Feb. 4.— A bill providing for jury trials of cases involving pictures which have been rejected by the New York state censorship board was introduced here today by Senator Fred G. Moritt, Brooklyn Democrat. The measure, which is in the form of an amendment to the state licensing law, would allow the applicant for a picture license to appeal a denial to a supreme court judge and jury, rather than to the Board of Regents, if he so elected. It changes Section 124 of the Education Law, which presently permits an applicant to appeal to the Regents where the director of the motion picture division has denied a license or refused to act on the particular picture. Senator Moritt, a lawyer and a partner in McDonald Pictures, of New York, contended that a jury trial would be fairer and quicker ; that the public should be permitted, through a jury, to say whether a film is "good" or "evil." Refuse Chicago Stay Of Loew's, 20th-Fox CHICAGO, Feb. 4. — A request for a preliminary injunction against Loew's, Inc., and 20th Century-Fox preventing them from imposing special conditions for the showing of their pictures in the first outlying runs was denied here today by Federal Judge Sam Perry, who will hear the case at a later date. The suit was brought by the Melbro Amusement Co., oper(Continued on page 3) Myers Advocates: STOCK-BUY UNITY, PROMOTION PLAN Russia, Italy to Exchange Films ROME, Feb. 4. — An agreement providing for an equal exchange of films has been signed by Russian and Italian representatives in Moscow. From five to 15 pictures per year will be exchanged. Each will have a free choice of films although no alteration in either film content or sound tracks will be permitted. SBC Delays Decision On Future Program WASHINGTON, Feb. 4. — The Senate Small Business Committee today delayed probably for two to three weeks, any decision as to whether it should continue the film industry trade practice investigation. The committee met today to discuss its agenda for the coming year, but broke up without any final decision on any point. The question of whether the film investigation should be continued had barely been mentioned "among many, many other" subjects. Sen. Schoeppel (R., Kan.), whose subcommittee carried on ' last year's hearings and investigations, did not (Continued, on page 3) $2,500,000 for Equipment Loew's Installing Surround Speakers; Sold on C 'Scope Surround speakers for stereophonic over 100 Loew's houses, making those Scope pictures, it was disclosed here operations for the circuit in New York. Picker said the step is being taken in preparation for the circuit's Easter engagement in New York of "Knights of the Round Table," in CinemaScope, and is in line with the belief of Loew's executives that there is a great potential in stereophonic sound, a potential which is just starting to be realized. At the beginning, Picker explained, the circuit, which has invested over $2,500,000 in CinemaScope equipment to date, marked time on the introduc sound are currently being installed in installations fully equipped for Cinemayesterday by Eugene Picker, head of tion of surround speakers. The stage of watchful waiting, he indicated, is now over. "Loew's is very happy with CinemaScope and is satisfied that it is paying us to make the installations," Picker said. The Loew's executive said it is his opinion that the flow of product is fairly stable now and if "you're equipped for CinemaScope there is no reason why you shouldn't be in fairly good shape in the foreseeable future." Allied Board Told That Projects Could Solve Film Shortage Situation CINCINNATI, Feb. 4.— A recommendation that all exhibitors regardless of affiliations, participate in Allied States' proposal for stock acquisitions in film companies and advocating an all-industry prom o t i o n a 1 campaign to keep the public "movie conscious" highlight the annual report to the Allied board by Abram F. Myers, general counsel and board chairman, to be presented to the annual directors meeting here tomorrow. Describing the product situation as "desperate," Myers points out that both projects are linked to the "paucity of available product" and that all other problems are subordinate to it. Except for the key theatres that have been converted to Cinerama and those playing the early CinemaScope pictures on extended runs, the booking of pictures has become a "nightmare," Myers tells the Allied board. "It has been asserted that the film companies have deliberately brought (Continued on page 6) Abram Myers Brandt to Skouras: Hold Stereo Stand In a letter written to Spyros Skouras in London by New York circuit operator Harry Brandt, the 20th Century-Fox president was urged not to retreat from his position that CinemaScope pictures must be presented with stereophonic sound to achieve maximum results. "I urge you," Brandt wrote, "with all the persuasion at my command, to remain steadfast in your convictions and uphold the high standards that you have established for CinemaScope presentations." Brandt said he had installed the equipment in approximately 20 of his theatres, ranging from 450 to 3,000 in seating capacities, and that he is (Continued, on page 3)