Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1954)

Thursday, February 11, 1954 Motion Picture Daily 7 Arbitration (Continued from page 1) as stated repeatedly by Abram F. Myers, general counsel, will not accept an arbitration system which does not include film rentals in its provisions. Johnston's letter is in line with the proposal of Theatre Owners of America at the organization's convention last November, which called for the convening of conferences of all exhibitors interested in establishing an arbitration system. Johnston asked the exhibitor organizations to appoint an arbitration delegation of two officers or members and the organization's counsel. A similar invitation, Johnston continued, is being extended to the general sales managers and counsel of participating distribution companies. Copies to Washington The MPAA head went on to say that he is sending a copy of his letter to the U. S. Attorney General and to the chairman of the subcommittee of the Select Committee on Small Business in the U. S. Senate, which has "expressed great interest in arbitration." The invitations went out to the following: Ben Marcus, president, Allied ; Walter Reade, jr., president, TOA; Harry Brandt, president, Independent Theatre Owners Association ; Emanuel Frisch, president, Metropolitan Motion Picture Theatres Association; Harry Arthur, president, Southern California Theatres Association, the latter organization replacing the recently dissolved Western Theatre Owners. Para. Releases (Continued from page 1) 2-D, and "Jivaro." In March and April "Red Garters," "The Naked Jungle," and "Casanova's Big Night" are scheduled for release. The featurettes are titled "Calling Scotland Yard" and star Paul Douglas. All are three reels and will be released during March and April. "With features becoming bigger and, naturally, longer, these subjects were ideally designed to round out a program, not only in single feature territories but, more importantly, in double feature territories," stated Schwalberg. He indicated that the three-reel featurettes would become standard in Paramount distribution if the reception of the first warrants. Dany Robin Here for 'Act' Opening Tonite With her 10-day nationwide publicity tour for "Act of Love" completed, Dany Robin, French actress who co-stars with Kirk Douglas in the Anatole Litvak drama, returned to New York yesterday and will serve as hostess tonight for the premiere of the picture at the Astor Theatre. United Artists has invited approximately 500 celebrities to attend. Relax ''Scope Screen Policy (Continued from page 1) exhibitions here, despite the almost hostile attitude on the subject of his audience of Cinematograph Exhibitors Association members. Skouras said 20th-Fox will approve the use here of the British-made Stableford or Harkness screens for CinemaScope exhibition in all but large first run theatres. The 20th Century-Fox president, although forewarned of the bitter feeling in exhibitor ranks here against his company's CinemaScope policy, was obviously surprised at the nearviolent feeling of his exhibitor audience on the subject of the stereophonic sound requirement. The exhibitors demanded that tests be made of the four-track magnetic sound and single track sound on forthcoming CinemaScope releases, with the public to be the final judge. There was, however, no indication that Skouras would agree to such demand. His audience was completely representative of all sections of British exhibition. Several of the leading ex hibitoi s told Skouras that the bulk of Britain's film-goers patronize subsequent run theatres and these, currently, are unable to afford the expense of installing stereophonic sound. Several also accused 20th-Fox of endeavoring to impose through its CinemaScope restrictions a "devastating monopolistic system." Despite Skouras's promise that his company will assist small exhibitors in securing acceptable credit terms with which to finance installation of CinemaScope equipment, C.E.A. leaders feel that the matter clearly doesn't end there. In their present temper, independent exhibitors are determined to pursue their demand that stereophony be submitted to public tests. John W. Davies, C.E.A. president, was chairman of the mass meeting. Skouras was accompanied by Murray Silverstone, president of 20th CenturyFox International Corp. ; Earl Sponable, 20th-Fox research head, and William J. Kupper, the company's managing director here. Film Festival (Continued from page 1) in Sao Paulo, is alternate U.S. representative. Included in the U.S. delegation is Martin Quigley, Jr., editor of the "Motion Picture Herald" and editor of the recently published volume, "New Screen Techniques." He will discuss the new photographic and projection processes, including 3-D, widescreen and CinemaScope, at one of the many forums to be held in conjunction with the film festival. Scheduled to be shown under the American banner are Paramount's "Roman Holiday" ; Universal-International's "The Glenn Miller Story" ; Warner Brothers' "Hondo" in 3-D ; 20th Century-Fox's "How to Marry a Millionaire" in CinemaScope, and M-G-M's "Julius Caesar." Shorts Entered U.S. short subjects entries include "Waterbirds," Disney-RKO ; "Johann Mouse," Loew's ; "Ungava," RKOPathe; "Bully for Bugs," Warner Brothers, and "Dancers of the Deep" in CinemaScope, 20th Century-Fox. Besides the United States, other countries invited to attend the festival, and the number of films they have been asked to submit, are : Italy, three ; England, three ; France, three ; Mexico, two ; Portugal, one : Argentina, two ; Germany, two ; Japan, two ; Sweden, one ; Spain, one ; India, one, and Austria, one. The following are some of the American film personalities expected to attend : Tyrone Power, Linda Christian, Janet Gaynor, Adrian, Billy Wilder, Walter Pidgeon, Jeanne Crain, Paul Brinkman, Joan Fontaine, Rhonda Fleming, Irene Dunne, Dr. Francis Griffin, Jeanette MacDonald, Gene Raymond, Ann Miller, Jane Powell, Mervyn LeRoy and Errol Flynn. Pinanski Again Director BOSTON, Feb. 10.— Samuel Pinanski, president of the American Theatres Corp., has been reelected to the board of directors of the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co. for a term of four years. UA-Small Pact (Continued from page 1) couragement to exhibitors who may have had fears about a so-called shortage product." The 12 new films from Small will include a minimum of two by Clarence Green and Russell Rouse, and at least one from Arthur Gardner and Jules V. Levy, producers of "Vice Squad." RKO Board (Continued from page 1) of a special stockholders meeting to vote on the offer. The two steps expected to be taken at tomorrow's board meeting follow the provisions contained in the Hughes' offer, which, when pro-rated among the company's stockholders, will provide for a $6 payment for each share of stock. Hughes, in making the offer, said that he would not vote on the decision, either as board chairman, or as the principal stockholder. March 30 Is Deadline Hughes stipulated that his offer would have to be approved by the board not later than next Monday evening, and by RKO Pictures stockholders not later than March 30. Meawhile, trading on the stock continued strong on the New York StockExchange yesterday with the quotation climbing y&th of a point, to close at $5.25. A total of 85,500 shares was traded yesterday. M-G-M Book (Continued from page 1) outstanding pictures of those times, then brings the reader up to date with a description of the product lineup for 1954, with a special article devoted to the company's two CinemaScope features, "Knights of the Round Table" and "Rose Marie." Prints from mats showing scenes from nine other "Jubilee" films also are included, as are line mats in all sizes for Jubilee campaign material to be used by theatres. How does it begin ? Where does it end? TP FILMACK SPECIAL TRAILERS LEAD THE FIELD! WABAS* ' ' '"Joi^s, ST