Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1954)

4 Motion Picture Daily Tuesday, October 26, 1954 Decry Federal Regulation (CoiitiiiHcd from page 1) ^33Grosses {Continued from page 1) motion picture admissions and $1,594,000,000 in 1947. They were the industry's peak revenue years. National spending in the overall category of recreation increased in 1953, the Department said, as did spending for radio and television receivers. Total 1953 recreation spending rose over $500,000,000, from $11,368,000,000 in 1952. to $11,892,000,000 in 1953. And Americans spent $2,176,000,000 on radio and television sets in 1953, as compared with $2,100,000,000 in the previous year. Spending for total recreation, including spending on radio and television sets, has increased steadily since 1946, with almost all categories except motion picture admissions within the overall recreation group showing a continuing rise. No Corporate Figures For the first time this year the Department did not release any corporate income and sales figures, which are usually made public at this time. Department spokesmen said they used the 1951 Internal Revenue Bureau figures as a basis for extrapolating income figures for 1952. They found, they said, that although this method was valid for figuring in broad categories of industrial income, it didn't work out accurately for breakdowns by industry. The Department has consequently discontinued publishing annual figures on corporate income of individual industries. In addition, the Department has revised all of its consumer spending figures for the past 10 or 12 years. The revised figures for motion picture admissions which the Department has just put out are slightly higher than those published each year for the industry. The trend down from the peak years, however, remains the same. $711,000,000 in Salaries The industry paid $711,000,000 in wages and salaries in 1953, compared to $721,000,000 in 1952, the Department reported. The number of persons working in the industry last year was the equivalent of 209,000 full-time employes, a drop from the 1952 reported figure of 216,000. The industry's full-time workers earned an average of $3,244 in 1953, compared with an average of $3,190 the previous year. Some 220,000 people were engaged in production in 1953, a drop from 1952's total of 227,000. Acquires Film Unit McGraw-Hill has acquired the sales and distribution rights to the AudioVisual Division of Popular Science Publishing Co., exclusive of the Filmstrip-of-the-Month Clubs, which Popular Science will continue to operate. To Fete Cinerama A party, celebrating the 109th week of "This Is Cinerama" on Broadway, will be held this afternoon in the offices here of Lynn Farnol. The 109 weeks is said to be a long-run record for any Broadway engagement. CENTURY THEATRE— 2342 N. 3rd St., Milwaukee, Wis.; fully equipped — •20 seats— with §75.000.00 mortgage will be sold to highest bidder on Nov. 1st at 2 P.M. Federal Court, Milwaukee. Hartwig & Westfahl, Attorneys W. Wis. Ave. BR 6-1617 published in later issues of Motion PicTUKii Daily. Carl Zeitz, Academy Theatre, Fall River, Mass. : "The need for relief for the small exhibitor is acute. I do not know whether the Allied States' plan is the answer. However, I feel exhibitors and distributors should get together and make a sincere effort to solve the problem to the satisfaction of all without having recolurse to Federal regulaton which could prove not only costly but consume considerable time." William Purcell, Sr., Embassy Theatre, Fall River: "I beheve that nothing should be done which would give the government control of prices and distribution. Current exhibitiondistribution problems could be ironed out in round table conferences. The small exhibitor's need for relief is urgent but not at the price of government control." Norman A. Zalkind, Strand Theatre, Fall River: "Something must be done to regulate film prices and distribution practices if the so-called little man is to survive, and solutions might be reached at roundtable discussions of the problems. That is the American way of doing things and certainly is to be preferred to government regulation." Barney Tarantul, Burnside Theatre Corp., East Hartford, Conn. : Believes tl-.at Allied States' proposal to seek Federal regulation of distribution unless film terms and other distribution practices are modified by next February should be backed by independent exhibitors everywhere. "There are too many tiagrant abuses of pricescaling. There seems to be no set price policy on the part of distributors. This breeds discontent among small exhibitors and intensifies resentments. If the distributors could set a policy and stick to it, it would remove much of the ill-feeling. But the way things are today, there are no rules or reggulations that distributors abide by." Harry Lament, Lamont Theatres, Albany, N. Y. : "I am against Federal regulation of distribution. There must be an alternative. Arbitration is probably the best way. Simple arbitration machinery should be established in every excnange district for use when requested by an exhibitor. It should be able to function promptly Allied May Meet {Continued from page 1) pressing for government regulation of trade practices when Congress reconvenes in January. It was felt though in Allied quarters that the invitation tor such a round table conference should be extended by distribution, for, it was held, it is up to distribution to present "an alternative plan" to prevent the contemplated Allied move to seek government aid in correcting alleged abuses. One section of distribution, questioned on whether it would call such a round table trade practices conference in mid-November, replied in the negative. Their position was that it would be bowing to pressure. However, they indicated that they were not adverse to talking things over individually once again with Allied officials on trade practices. and dispose of actions swiftly — within one week. I think Allied is right, though, in holding out for arbitration that will include film rentals but I am definitely against government regulation. It has already taken block booking away from us. I think that was a mistake." • Sidney Dwore, Cameo Theatre, Schenectady, N. Y. : "I am opposed to Federal regulation except as a last resort — after arbitration, including rentals, has had a fair trial, say of one or two years. I believe the industry has the leaders and intelligence to settle its problems without government intervention. But distributors must recognize the situation faced by the neighborhood exhibitor. We are truly the 'forgotten men.' Our backs are to the wall but branch offices give us no relief. Our problems are properly subjects for arbitration. I think there is a chance distributors will agree to arbitrate film rentals. Let's set up a system of arbitration boards and try it." Clarence Dopp, operating theatres in Frankfort, Northville and Poland, N. Y. : "My 38 years in motion picture business has shown me that no industry benefits from government regulation. Mine are small weekend operations. My problems, therefore, are not those faced by larger exhibitors. I do think, however, that the motion picture industry has the brains to solve its own problems. Let us hope it also has the will." Dopp feels that distributing companies having an established record of cooperating with exhibitors should be "encouraged." Smitt, of Utica First Run Says "The Less the Better" UTICA, N. Y., Oct. iS. — "I am against Federal regulation of film distribution," George J. Smitt, of the first run Olympic 1 neatre here, declared today. "The less government regulation any industry has, the better off It is," said the son-in-lav\' of Charles Gordon, Olympic owner. Smitt was a Navy officer during" world War II. Explaining that he is an "individualist," smitt siated he has been able to get along satistactorily with distributors in dealing for "small pictures." added "I do not buy big pictures, because my capacity and patronage will not permit their purchase at tne terms asked." W. Pa. Allied {Continued from page 1) lish the basis for fair deals between our members and tne film companies, including the kindred industries that serve theatres m our areas," Hendel said. Ted Grance, president of the TriState Drive-in Association, asserted that "no exnibitor wants government control, but it is surely better to have such control than for the small exhibitors to be forced against tne wall." Settles Suit HARTFORD, Oct. 25.— The suit of a West Haven, Conn., woman who blamed a fall at the Forest Theatre, West Haven, for a miscarriage she suffered, was settled for $1,700 in an out-of-court arangement, it was disclosed at the Superior Court session in Meriden. Skouras {Continued from page 1) final view of the deceased. Burial took place in the Skourasbuilt mausoleum adjoining the cathedral. Very Rev. Leonidas C. Contos, Dean of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, said, in the course of his eulogy : 'Fine, Sympathetic Spirit' "Blessed by God with an extraordinary mind and keen insight, a high degree of sensitivity and the broad grasp of things which is typical of the true artist, he distilled all of these great talents through a fine, sympathetic spirit, and in turn blessed the world around him. . . . Jesus of Nazareth loved the enthusiast who gave himself without reserve. He liked energetic action. . . . Charles Skouras has banged on life's door more insistently than most men, and over and over again the door has been opened and life's choicest blessings have been besto^jred on him — material wealth only incidentally. More important to him have been the devotion of a truly wonderful family, the esteem and the warm, unconstrained love of countless friends ; a great sense of achievement and service ; the deep and abiding sense of God's nearness. "All last week as his tired heart pounded, and all of us prayed, it was as though he were pounding at the door of Heaven itself, not audaciously as in life, but quietly, humbly. I believe this door has opened too, and if we will listen over the tumult of our own grieving, I think we may hear the voice of The Master of the Household : 'well done, thou good and faithful servant'." Leading Executives Present Among the friends attending the funeral were Buddy Adler, irving Alien, Edward L. Alperson, Pandro S. Berman, A. R. Broccoli, Jack tsroder, Steve Broidy, Sherriu Corwm, Michael Curtiz, Sam Uembow, Ned Depinet, Si t-abian, J. J. Fitzgerald, Bert triedlob, i"ed Gamble, uayle Giterson, bamuei Goldwyn, James R. Grainger, Pete Harrison, iJon riartman, jacK Jungmeyer, ben Kaimeiison, Harry ivannine, Carl l-aemmie, jr., Pete Latsis, Carl Leserman, Kobert L. Lippert, Jim Londos, narry Maizlish, INick John Matsoukas, Harold Mirisch, George Murphy, James and George XNasser, Ben Ir'esKay, Harry ropKin, Mayor Norris Poulson, Sid kugea, i hornton Sargent, Harold ieidenberg, David O. belznick, I* red Sitein, Michael Todd, Steve Trilling, Ben VVallerstein, Waiter Wanger, Albert, Harry ancl JacK Warner, and Darryl b'. Zanuck. Cite 'Carmen' Stars Dorothy Dandridge and Pearl Bailey, starred in 2'Oth Century-Fox's CinemaScope production of "Carmen Jones," will be guests of honor at a reception this evening in the Skyline Room of the Hotel 1 heresa. The reception will be highlighted by the presentation of scrolls to the two stars, and to Otto Preminger, who directed and produced the filmization of Oscar Hammerstein's stage production. Parade Moves Parade, the Sunday picture magazine, has moved to new quarters here at 285 Madison Ave.