Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1954)

2 Motion Picture Daily Friday, July 23, 1954 Group's Annual Meet KansaS'Missouri Exhibitors Plan Sept. 28-29 Convention KANSAS CITY, July 22.— The annual meeting of the Kansas-Missouri Theatre Association will be held Sept. 28-29 at the Hotel President here, it was announced following a meeting of the association's board of directors on Wednesday. The meeting was presided over by Leo Hayob of Mar shall. Mo., president of the group. The directors also extended an invitation to the newly organized Western Kansas theatremen's association to take part in the monthly meetings of the Kansas-Missouri board. During the two-day convention, the executive board of the association decided that there will be no commercial displays. Promotion of public relations were discussed by Hayob and his associates. A COMPO message on selections of publicists of the industry in this area to lead in regional work was endorsed bv the group's board. Board members reported on incidents in which contacts were made with editors and publishers had re sulted in editorials and feature stories helpful to the industry. The prospective erection of a large outdoor billboard at an exchange brought suggestions that Film Row, with its attractive buildings, might eventually be so lighted and provided with symbols of the industry as to become a significant means of publicity for motion pictures to the passerby as well as to visitors. A talk by a contractor of drive-in structures brought about a resolution for inquiry to be made concerning insurance rates on particular materials and constructions with a view to discovering ways to keep insurance at a minimum, or secure reduction of rates by using materials and construction that will draw lower rates. Personal Mention AHRAM F. MYERS, Allied States chairman and general counsel, returned to his Washington, D. C, headquarters yesterday from a Maine vacation. • TiiouNTON Sakgknt, publicity, director for National Theatres in Portland, Ore., is meeting with Russell Brown and Willi.\m Thedfoud of Evergreen Theatres in Seattle. • MoRius MEni.XNif, owner of the New Theatre, Baltimore, is entertaining his brother. Bill Mechanic of Florida, who is visiting with him. • Carl Maghne, building supervisor for Evergreen Theatres in Seattle, is in Portland, Ore., to re-check the New Fox Theatre. • John R. Patno, Jr., of the Paramount Theatre, Springfield, Mass., will vacation at Westerly, R. I., next month. • J. Lawrence Schanberger, owner of Keiths Theatre, Baltimore, is vacationing at Atlantic City. • Rodney Collier, manager of the Stanley Theatre, Baltimore, is vacationing in Hershey, Pa. • Jim Larkin, B.O.A.C. theatrical representative, will leave here today for Bermuda and Europe. • Lew Grade, British actor, has left New York for London aboard a B.O.A.C. Monarch. • Ralph Martin of "Seventeen" will leave here today for a three-week vacation. • Charles Vanel, French actor, arrived here yesterday from Europe enroute to Hollyvi'ood. 'La/ice' Bows July 29 Twentieth Century-Fox's CinemaScope production, "Broken Lance," will open at the Roxy Theatre here on July 29, the film company announced. Average Admission Price Now at 49c The average admission price at U. S. theatres today, according to a current Motion Picture Herald Institute of Industry Opinion survey, is 49 cents for adults and 16 cents for children. The average in 1938 was 22 cents and 10 cents, and in 1948 it was 44 cents for adults. Average adult price in towns up to 7,500 population today is 40 cents; 7,500 to 30,000, 46 cents; 30,000 to 100,000, 57 cents, and over 100,000, 54 cents, for a combined average of 49 cents, the survey, which covers the Institute's exhibition panel, disclosed. Youngstein Back From Europe Tour Max E. Youngstein, United Artists vice-president, will arrive here today from Paris after completing a 10-week survey of the company's production and promotion activities abroad. During his tour of Europe's major film centers, Youngstein conferred with producers readying features for UA release and examined properties under consideration for acquisition by the company. The UA executive also met with overseas sales and publicity chiefs in Paris, Rome, London, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Brussels, Barcelona, Geneva and Frankfurt to map promotions for the roster of fall and winter releases. Disney Suit Hearing Scheduled For Today HOLLYWOOD, July 22.— Superior Judge Arnold Ptager will hear arguments tomorrow on a motion filed by Walt Disney's counsel for a dismissal of a minority stockholders' suit filed June 17, 1953, against Disney and others by Clement J. Melancon, who charged the film producer has been paid an excessive salary under terms which are unfair to the stockholders. Today's motion was based on the plaintifif's failure to post a $70,000 surety by July 14. Melancon, in his suit against Disney, also said that the producer has not paid out any dividends to the stockholders since 1947. 'Brides' in Houston Grosses Over $13,000 HOUSTON, July 22.— "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," in the first four days of its world premiere engagement at the Loew's theatre here, garnered better than $13,000, MGM announced. The film outgrossed every previousMGM, picture at regular prices. SAG, CBS Picture Pact in Negotiations HOLLYWOOD, July 22. — The Screen Actors Guild and the Columbia Broadcasting Co., in a joint statement today, confirmed reports that the network is negotiating with the Guild for collective bargaining agreements covering actors in television films. The statement which was released reads in part : "Discussions now are nearly completed and have had to do with minor clarifications to the Guild's basic television motion picture contract, necessitated by the fact that network operation is involved, CBS will be the first network enabled to produce its own films instead of contracting with producing organizations as is presently done." Other networks are expected to follow the CBS example. Counsel Asks 13 For Retractions Or Else HOLLYWOOD, July 22.— Attorney Mabel Walker Willebrandt, representing Howard Costigan, a former assistant to. Roy M. Brewer when the latter was the lATSE international representative here, served notice on 13 resident lA members that unless they publicly repudiate within 24 hours assertedly libellous communication attributed to them, imputing Costigan's membership in Communistfront organizations, appropriate legal action against them will be taken. AA Signs Finch HOLLYWOOD, July 22. — Allied Artists executive producer Walter Mirisch announced the signing of Peter Finch, British film star seen in "Elephant Walk," to co-star with Errol Flynn and Joanne Dru in "Black Prince," a CinemaScope production which AA and 20th CenturyFox will jointly distribute. People Roy M. Winkler has been named vice-president and creative art head of Buchanan & Co., advertising agency. Winkler, who has been with the agency for 12 j'ears, also was elected to the board of directors. n • Caryl Hamburger will take over the management of Baltimore's Centre Theatre when the house reopens later this month as the Cinema. n William Feld of Realart Pictures, Des Moines, has been appointed sales representative for Louis de Rochemont's "Martin Luther" in the Omaha and Des Moines territories. n Robert Rossen yesterday had an audience with King Paul and Queen Frederika of Greece. Rossen is in Athens scouting locations for "Alexander, the Conqueror." n Herman Barnett has resigned as art director of RKO Theatres here, effective today. He will announce his new affiliation shortly. n Ernest N. Arnberg, vice-president of Theatre Drapery Supply Co. of Seattle, was killed in an automobile accident near there this week. n Harry Lewis, Oregon representative for National Screen Service, became the father of a baby girl this week. n Herman King has arrived in Rome to merchandise "Carnival Story" throughout Europe. Green Signs New Pact HOLLYWOOD, July 22.— Johnny Green, head for the last five years of M-G-M's music department, has signed a new long-term contract with the studio which gives him complete charge of all the studio's music activities. NEW YORK THEATRES RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL Kockefeller Center 'SEVEN BRIDES FOR j SEVEN BROTHERS" ! I in CINEMASCOPE starring • I JANE POWELL HOWARD KEEL ! I Color hv ANSCO An M-G-M Picture | I and SPECTACULAR STAGE PRESENTATION • WARNER BROS WlLtlAM K WaiMAtTS — "<]|IGH«fMIGHTY CINEmaScOPS »>wmnercolor ioHTwAYNE • cuureTREVOR ■ iarjune DAY robertSTACK lANSTERUNG-niiiHARRlS-liOBERTNEWrON-DAViDBRIAN > WAYNE ■ fgtOWS PBOOUCTIOH PARAMOUNT j,.^; ';' : liMIS SQUABC ■ MOTION PICTTJRE DAILY, Martin Qaiigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; Terry ' Ramsaye, Consulting Editor. Published daily, except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, by Quigley Publishing Company, Inc., 1270 Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Telephone Circle 7-3100. Cable address: "Quigpubco, New York." Martin Quigley, President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo. J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Al Steen, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager; Hollywood Bureau, Yucca-Vine Building, William R. 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