Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1954)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY VOL. 75. NO. 30 NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1954 TEN CENTS Rebirth Predicted Quality Films' Increase Seen By Goldenson Notes Tremendous Wave Of Enthusiasm at Studio An increase in the number of "quality" pictures out of Hollywood and a general renaissance in the motion picture industry was forecast here at the weekend by Leonard H. Goldenson, president of American BroadcastingParamount Theatres. Goldenson, basing his prediction on a recent two-and-a-half week visit to the Coast, said there is a tremendous wave of enthusiasm at the studios and with such enthusiasm the industry "can't help but go forward." The AB PT president was flanked at the press conference by John Balaban, president of Balaban and Katz, an AB-PT affiliate, who with Goldenson made a tour of the studios. Goldenson opened the press confer(Continued on page 3) TOA, TESMA Meets Still 'Up in Air' The locale of this year's annual convention of the Theatre Owners of America remains "up in the air," a spokesman said, although negotiations with the Theatre Equipment and Supply Manufacturers Association for a joint conclave-trade show continue. The subject of a convention did not (Continued on page 3) Finds Off-hour Use Grossing $3,500 Within one week, a combination of "off-hour" theatre TV and a private CinemaScope showing of a Ford presentation earned $3,500 for two Balaban and Katz houses, John Balaban, president, disclosed here at the weekend. He expressed satisfaction with such earnings after Leonard H. Goldenson, American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres president, reiterated his endorsement of the theatre TV medium, especially when color is added. Text of Statement Say Code Helps Industry Meet Its Responsibilities Headed "Decent Entertainment Is the B.est Entertainment/3 the following is the complete text of the statement issued at the zv.eekend by member companies of the Motion Picture Association of America reaffirming their confidence in the fundamental principles of the nidustry's Production Code. WE BELIEVE that the motion picture, as a medium of information and entertainment, is entitled to the freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. We abhor and oppose governmental censorship. Such censorship is alien to our basic American traditions of freedom. As producers and distributors of motion pictures for a mass public, we have a continuing responsibility to the people we serve. It is the responsibility to see that what appears in our pictures is decent and moral — fit for the families of all the world. It is the responsibility to see that within these principles, artistic and dramatic integrity is maintained, that the screen may deal honestly and faithfully with life, and that the freedom under law which we claim shall not by its abuse descend into license. The Motion Picture Production Code and the Advertising Code are effective means for discharging these responsibilities. This voluntary system of self-regulation was adopted in our industry nearly a quarter of a century ago. The fundamental principles of the Production Code are not subject to change with the passage of time. Rules and regulations accompanying the Code and dealing with customs and conventions have been changed from time to time in the light of experience. The Code is a living instrument for our guidance. We believe in its principles. We have adhered to them. We shall continue to live up to them. Nothing in the Code has ever prevented the making of superlative, artistic and dramatic entertainment within the normal standards of decency and morality. No sweeping changes or revisions are necessary to maintain this objective. Decent entertainment continues to be the best entertainment. S. Broidy, President, ALLIED ARTISTS PRODUCTIONS, INC. Harry Cohn, President, COLUMBIA PICTURES CORPORATION Nicholas M. Schenck, President, LOEWS, INCORPORATED Barney Balaban, President, PARAMOUNT PICTURES CORPORATION Herbert J. Yates, President, REPUBLIC PICTURES CORPORATION Spyros P. Skouras, President, 20TH CENTURY-FOX FILM CORP. Milton R. Rackmil, President, UNIVERSAL PICTURES CO., INC. Albert Warner, Vice-President, WARNER BROS. PICTURES, INC. Retain Faith MP A Members Pledge to Keep Present Code No Sweeping Revisions Necessary, They State Acting on the premise that "decent entertainment is the best entertainment," eight member companies of the Motion Picture Association of America have pledged their continued support of the industry's Production Code and the Advertising Code. In a formal statement of policy, published in full in adjoining columns, the companies at the weekend declared that the fundamental principles of the Code are not subject to change with the passage of time and that no sweeping changes or revisions in the document are necessary. Reaffirmation of the PCA's purposes was signed by the presidents of Allied Artists, Columbia, Loew's, (Continued on page 6) Brandt Acquires 18 St. Cloud Theatres Brandt Theatres last week purchased the 18 New Jersey theatres of the St. Cloud Amusement Corp. from Harvey Newins, Irving Wormser and Warner H. Mandell. Frank Fowler will continue as general manager of the houses. The acquired theatres are in Belvidere, Blairstown, Clinton, Flemington, Franklin, Frenchtown, Hackettstown, High Bridge, Lambertville, Newton, Sparta, Sussex and Washington. Brandt officially took over the theatres yesterday. Harry Brandt said at the weekend that six would be equipped with stereophonic sound immediately. Communion Breakfast For 2,000 on Coast HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 14.— Approximately 2,000 film people attended the third annual Motion Picture Communion Breakfast today at the Palladium following Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church. James Francis Cardinal Mclntyre delivered the principal address.