Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1954)

Monday, July 12, 1954 Motion Picture Daily 5 In the THEATRE Eqoipment & tteireshwnent World . . . • • wUh RAY GALLO ^~^HE Fairchild Recording Equipment Co., Whitestone, N. Y., has announced a new model of the Perspecta Sound "Integrator" with the standard "Integrator" and power supply mounted on a vertical chassis of the recessed type. Designated Model 3 ISC, the new unit is designed for mounting in theatres where horizontal booth space is at a premium. The unit is made for normal rack mounting and features easy accessibility to all components for installation as well as service. All under-chassis wiring may be reached by removal of the front panel. Shipments of the new model are already being made, according to Sherman M. Fairchild, company head. • For large theatre operations Manley, Inc., Kansas City, Mo., has developed a new model of its "Super Stadium" popcorn machine featuring an enclosed top. The new design is to "enable operators to take advantage of the extra merchandising possibilities afforded by a closedtype machine." The top has flashy red corners to attract customer attention and lights from the top "reflect on the fully-enclosed mound of corn in the case to show it off to its best advantage." • Charles H. Brinkinann has been appointed vice-president in charge of sales of the Rowe Manufacturing Co., New York, makers of coinoperated equipment for the vending of a great variety of products. H e was formerly assistant sales manager, h i s post since 1950. The appointment zvas anno unc e d by Robert Z . Greene, president of both the company and its parent body, the Roive Corporation, who also reported that Roive is currently expanding its nationwide sales organisation zfith additional offices and personnel. The expansion ivill mean "better service for our customers throughout the country," Greene said. • Rollin K. Stonebrook, former theatre manager, has been named national manager of theatre sales for the Cole Products Corp., Chicago, manufacturers of beverage dispensing equipment. During his many years of association with theatre operation he was connected with Paramount, Loew's and Arthur M. Wirtz. Before joining Cole he was_ at the Northcenter and the Palace in Chicago, both of which have "ColeSpa" equipment, which includes a 6-drink dispenser combining carbonated and non-carbonated beverages. C. H. Brinkmann Clearance ( Continued from^ page 1 ) tributors, Warner Brothers Circuit Management Corp. and Stanley Co. of .■\merica. The suit charged a conspiracy to make the Bryn Mawr Theatre play films behind the Warner i heacre in tne area. The District Court threw out the case, and was sustained by the Circuit Court. in appealing the case to the Supreme Court, Harrison's attorneys said the trial court was in error in refusing to allow the Paramount decree as prima facie evidence of the unlawful motives of the distributors and in refusing to direct a verdict for Harrison on the basis of the Paramount decree and other evidence. Several cases on all sides of this point have been appealed to the high court recently, but the court has turned them all down. The appeal also said the circuit ruling conflicted with the ruling of other circuit courts as to whether clearances growing out of a conspiracy must be held illegal, even if reasonable. The appeal brief declared the Third Circuit Court had held that even if clearances were imposed as part of the Paramount conspiracy, the distributors could still prove that they were reasonable and thereby avoid consequences. This rule, the brief said, directly conflicts with the Second Circuit Court's ruling in the J. J. Theatres case and with the Ninth Circuit Court's ruling in the Chorak case. Makelim {Continued from page 1) right sale or an "equitable" percentage arrangement, Makelim stated. He stressed that it would not follow the pattern of the U. S. plan under which exhibitors sign for guaranteed playdates. The first picture in the co-production deal will be based on a book which is reported to be popular in England titled "Solid, Said the Earl." The film title has been tentatively set as "G. I. in Ermine." Reopen Guatemala ( Continued from page 1 ) would undoubtedly be approved at a board meeting scheduled for tomorrow, the MPEA indicated. The major 10 American film distributors suspended film shipments to the Latin America country in June, 1953, after the pro-Communist regime imposed additional taxation in a move to force the U. S. product out of the local market. The junta, Guatemala's interim governing body, has eliminated the excise tax, according to reports received at MPEA offices here. The decision to resume immediate shipment of films is motivated by a determination on the part of U. S. companies to extend fullest cooperation to the new regime in its effort to restore pre-Red morale to Guatemala. Injunction Could Halt Tax {Continued from page 1) take place in Supreme Court, Queens County, at 10:00 A.M. At that time the city attorneys must show cause why the law is not in violation of four respective city, state and Federal laws. They are : €| Section B32-5.0, of the Administrative Code of the City of New York. ^ The New York State "enabling act," which empowers state municipalities of 25,000 and over to levy a tax on amusements of up to five per cent. ^, The Constitution of the United States. ^ The Constitution of the State .of New York. If the Supreme Court issues the temporary injunction, one of several possibilities may result, pending a trial. The most important of these is that the injunction could cease collection of the tax by motion picture houses in the city, Raftery spokesman reported. Among other possibilities, outlined by exhibitor attorneys, is one permitting the city time to amend the tax law in order to remove the alleged violations. Another would have exhibitors holding the collected tax money, while the injunction is in effect, "in trust," until termination of the restriction or a trial. If the case goes to trial, industry spokesmen believe it will be an important "test case," which may set a precedent all over the country. While the five per cent tax law was being deliberated by the city, exhibitors and film industry union leaders warned that it would spread throughout the nation, with state municipalities using the New York City law as a precedent for imposing new levies. The latest argument by exhibitors to the recently imposed tax is that they are required under one city law to do what another city law forbids. The admissions tax law, like the city sales tax measure, they argue, requires that the levy be passed on to the theatregoer, with the theatre acting merely as a collector for the city. This, they assert, is in direct conflict with the administrative code that forbids a theatre to make any charge other than its stated admission fee, plus any Federal law. In another development, Mayor Wagner on Friday signed an amendment to the tax law offering partial relief to the two motion picture houses in the city which have advance ticket sales. The amendment exempts pre-sold tickets bought before July 1, and affects the Warner Theatre and the Radio City Music Hall. The tax was absorbed by the Radio City Music Hall on tickets sold prior to June 20 for perforrnances after July 1, according to Russell V. Downing, general manager. 'Waterfront* Invited For Venice Festival "On the Waterfront," Elia Kazen production starring Marlon Brando, has been requested for inclusion in the international competition of the 15tii annual Venice Film Festival, which will open in the famous Italian city on Aug. 22 and will run for 16 days. The invitation was tendered to Sam Spiegel, producer, currently in Italy. The film will have its world premiere engagement at the Astor Theatre later this month. Break-Figure Pact Is Sought By U.K. Trade LONDON, July 11.— A Board of Trade reminder that a statutory Eady le^y will be introduced failing agreement on a voluntary scheme appears Lo have jolted the industry toward a settlement of the "break-figure" dispute. ^ Following two more meetings of the Four Trade Associations and a specially convened meeting of the Kinematograph Renters Society it has finally been decided that exhibitors and distributors should meet before an independent chairman, Cyril Salmon, Q. C. Altiiough the preliminary meeting will decide only whether or not either side shall be represented by lawyers at subsequent hearings, both sides are expected to abide by the decision of the independent chairman. Object to Attorneys K. R. S. earlier agreed to a meeting before the independent chairman but objected to the C. E. A. retaining Sir Hartley Shawcross, Q. C. to present the exhibitors' case. The renters maintain that the conciliatory atmosphere of the meetings would be destroyed by the introduction of lawyers. There is no legal question involved, so why employ counsel, they ask. It is understood, however, that the C. E. A. intends to have Sir Hartley Shawcross representing the Association at the preliminary meeting. The K. R. S. on the other hand will be represented by its own officers. No date has yet been fixed for the first hearing. Meanwhile, progress has also been made between the exhibitors and producers over the sharing of the entertainments tax remission. Exhibitors complained that the producers' original memorandum did not contain sufficient information to justify their claim for a higher levy. Exhibitors are now determining what extra information they want and the Four Trade Associations met again last rt-eek to discuss this. 'Compulsory' Plan Ready The Board of Trade reminder of the possibility of a statutory levy was issued at a press conference last week when a spokesman said : "The president of the Board of Trade had stated that if there is no voluntary levy there will be a new statutory one. The Government is watching the present situation carefully and while it hopes the industry will reach a voluntary agreement to extend the present scheme beyond July 31, a draft of a compulsory scheme is ready, if necessary, to go before Parliament." New Conn, Drive-in Opens on July 15 HARTFORD, July 1 1.— Connecticut's newest drive-in project, the East Hartford Family Drive-In, is being readied for a July 15 opening by South Windsor Realty Corp. headed by Abe Bronstein, Hartford. Cost of construction is estimated over $125,000.