Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1954)

VOL. 75. NO. 29 MOTION PICTURE DAILY NEW YORK, U.S.A., THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1954 TEN CENTS Little Choice Film Supply Worsens for Subsequents But C'Scope Equipped First Runs Not Bothered By AL STEEN The product shortage insofar as subsequent run theatres are concerned is "worse than ever," according to some exhibitors in that category, especially among those who have not equipped for CinemaScope. Independent operators who were contacted here yesterday declared that not only are they booking "dangerously" close to playdates but also that there is very little booking choice. Opposed to the subsequentrun complaints are the opinions of larger circuit operators who assert that the dearth of pictures is ceasing to be a problem (Continued on page 2) M-G-M Prepares 30th Anniversary Book An attractive aura of nostalgia surrounds the pressbook just issued by M-G-M for its 30th Anniversary Jubilee, and which is now being distributed to the company's exchanges. "Footprints of the Lion," a 16page 30th Anniversary Section paying tribute to M-G-M for its three decades of progress and service to the industry, is included in the current issue of "Motion Picture Herald," to be published tomorrow. In describing and picturing M-G-M "yesterday and today," the company reaches back into the era of the silent films to show scenes and stars from (Continued on page 7) American Delegation Leaving for First Brazil Film Festival Bound for the Brazilian International Film Festival in Sao Paulo, a delegation of approximately 30 film industry leaders, including stars, writers and directors, will start leaving the United States today and tomorrow. The festival is scheduled for Feb. 13-26. It is being held in connection with Sao Paulo's 400th anniversary, and will include feature film entries from five American distributors, as well as six documentaries produced by the United States Government. Eric Johnston, president of the Motion Picture Association of America, is the official U.S. representative at the meeting, while Alan Fisher, the U.S. Information Agency's film officer (Continued on page 7) Film Code Panel at AMPA School Tonite Rank Tells Skouras He's No Stereo Fan LONDON, Feb. 10.— Revealing himself as one of those who discerns no additional entertainment value in stereophonic sound, J. Arthur Rank told Spyros Skouras, 20th CenturyFox president, that only 75 of the Rank circuit theatres will be equipped with it. Skouras made this disclosure at an exhibitor mass meeting here today at which the 300 theatre owners present made it clear they agreed with Rank. Free Trade Could Aid U.S. Industry: Arnall HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 10.— A plea that "the full resources of Hollywood and all the various segments of the industry in our country be brought to work for more freedom of trade with other countries, fewer restrictive and obstructive artificial barriers, more (Continued on page 2) A panel discussion on the industry's Production Code will be held at the final session of the present term of the Associated Motion Picture Advertisers Showmanship School tonight in the Columbia home office projection room. Speakers will be Mrs. Clara Edwards, motion picture chairman of the General Federation of Women's Clubs; Mike Simons, M-G-M director of exhibitor relations, and Phil O'Brien, attorney specializing jn censorship law. Arthur DeBra, school faculty and program advisor, who is director of community relations for the Motion Picture Association, will be the moderator. II A -Small Pact Calls For Delivery of 12 Films During 1955 Edward Small will deliver 12 features to United Artists during 1955 under a new production-distribution agreement concluded with Arthur B. Krim, UA president. The releases covered by the new agreement are in addition to 14 films already delivered or to be delivered to UA by Small under a prior agreement. Krim, who returned from Hollywood Tuesday with Robert S. Benjamin, chairman of the UA board of directors, said that "With our product schedule for 1954 set at not less than 48 releases, we are now building our 1955 program. "The agreement with Small, assuringus of one of his productions a month during 1955, combined with other important distribution agreements, should provide further en(Continued on page 7) Johnston Invitation Urges 'Start from Scratch' In Setting Up Arbitration A "start from scratch" in attempting to establish an industry arbitration system was urged yesterday in a letter of invitation by Eric A. Johnston, president of the Motion Picture Association of America, to five exhibitor organizations to participate in an ar bitration conference here within the next 60 days. The letter said the distributors feel that since neither exhibition nor distribution was bound by the 1952 arbitration draft, the present conferees should start from scratch. Johnston added, however: "To avoid misunderstanding, the distributors asked me to make it clear that they will not be able to agree to arbitrate film rentals and that therefore they do not consider this subject open for discussion." Such a stand leaves the area of disagreement between the distributors and Allied States Association, which at its winter board meeting in Cincinnati last week ignored arbitration altogether, as wide apart as ever. Allied, (Continued on page 7) Demand Tests 20th Relaxes 'Scope Screen Policy in U.K. But Skouras Is Adamant On Stereophonic Sound By PETER BURNUP LONDON, Feb. 10. — S p y r o s Skouras, 20th Century-Fox president, told a critical audience of approximately 300 exhibitors here today that his company is prepared to relax its insistence upon installation of a Miracle Mirror or Magni-Glow screen for its C i h em a S cope presentations in Britain. However, Skouras made no concession whatever with respect to his company's further insistence upon stereophonic sound installations for CinemaScope (Continued on page 7) Spyros Skouras RKO Board to Meet On Hughes' Offer RKO Pictures board of directors will meet tomorrow in Hollywood to consider the $23,489,478 cash offer of Howard Hughes to buy the assets of the company, James R. Grainger, president, announced yesterday through the company offices here. Grainger, who is on the Coast, went on to say that a further announcement will be made after the board takes action. The announcement, in all likelihood, industry observers feel, will be the acceptance by the board of Hughes' proposal and the setting up (Continued on page 7) 5 Para. Features, 6 Featurettes in 3 Mo. Five features in Technicolor and six featurettes will be released by Paramount between February and April, A. W. Schwalberg, president of Paramount Film Distributing Corp., announced yesterday. Scheduled for February release are "Money from Home" in both 3-D and (Continued on page 7)