Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1955)

Thursday, January 13, 1955 Motion Picture Daily 5 Columbus Paper Picks 'Caesar' COLUMBUS, O., Jan. 12.— "Julius Caesar" was chosen as the best picture to play Columbus during 1954 in the 10-best selections by Norman Nadel, Columbus Citizen theatre editor. Others were "Rear Window," "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," "The Caine Mutiny," "Broken Lance," "The Glenn Miller Story," "The Little Fugitive," "A Star Is Born," "The Living Desert," and "On the Waterfront." 'U> Lines Up (Continued from page 1) having an interest in the subscription television system. Telemeter. RKO Radio Pictures, Warner Brothers, Republic and Allied Artists officials could not be reached yesterday for comment. Explaining Universale position, the spokesman said that although the company has not formulated any hard and fast policy on the issue, Universal feels itself on the side of exhibitors on the question, believing theatres should remain Universale big market. Skouras Supported Theatres Recently, 20th Century-Fox president Spyros P. Skouras expressed his conviction that the prosperity of 20thFox depends on the success of theatre operations rather than on the fate of toll TV. Speaking for Columbia, A. Schneider, vice-president and treasurer of the company told newsmen last month at the company's annual meeting that he was not in favor of toll TV and that his first interest was the film theatre. However, he added, as a businessman, he must be prepared for any contingency that may develop, referring to the possible value of old features on toll TV. TV Study (Continued from page 1) whether we should have a real investigation." He said he had no idea how long it might be before he has any recommendations for the Senator. Chernoff, a resident of San Diego and a veteran of 25 years in radio and television, said he is also looking into such questions as whether networks, newspapers or set manufacturers should own stations, whether set manufacturers should own networks, whether switching of network affiliation should be permitted as freely as now, and similar subjects. Asked whether he was studying whether theatre owners should be permitted to own stations, lie answered : "That hadn't occured to us. Maybe I should suggest it to the Senator." 4 UA Films Here Four United Artists film attractions— "The Barefoot Contessa," "Sitting Bull," "Black Tuesday" and "Operation Manhunt" — will be seen in the New York metropolitan area beginning next Wednesday with simultaneous openings set for 53 theatres on the Loew's and RKO circuits, UA announced. Wage Law (Continued from page 1) made in the present law, other than to remove the exemption, most theatres would still be exempt, because the present law applies only to those workers in covered industries who are "in" interstate commerce or who "produce for" interstate commerce. The Labor Department, it was learned, is recommending that this language be changed — at the same time the retail-service exemption is removed — to take in any workers "affecting commerce." This is a much broader definition, and, according to labor experts, could be interpreted as covering virtually every theatre. The "affecting commerce — " language is the language used in the Taft-Hartley law. The National Labor Relations Board, in interpreting that law, has consistently argued that it has jurisdiction over every U. S. theatre, but that as a matter of policy it would not exercise this jurisdiction except with respect to interstate circuits. The Labor Department, in interpreting the wage-hour law so far, has never been known to waive jurisdiction over any covered industry. 30 Films Acquired By WCBS-TV Here Thirty feature length motion pictures, 26 of which were produced by Republic Pictures and which are being distributed to television by Hollywood Television Service, a Republic subsidiary, have been acquired by WCBSTV for exclusive first-run TV showings here, it was announced by William C. Lacey, manager of the station's film department. The television exhibition of the films has already started on the station, Lacey said. The majority of the Republic films will be shown starting Feb. 1, he said. The Republic 26-film package includes : "Murder in the Music Hall," "Someone to Remember," "Calendar Girl," "Brazil," "I'll Reach For a Star," "The Hit Parade of 1943," "Earl Carroll's Sketchbook," "Rendevous With Annie," "In Old Sacramento," "That Brennan Girl," "Big Bonanza," "Scotland Yard Investigator," "Headin' For God's Country," (Continued from page 1) followed closely the stand taken by MPEA officials who testified on this point before the House Ways and Means Committee in July, 1953. The MPEA officials then asked that the change be included in the technical tax bill being prepared for 1954, but they got nowhere. Johnston's letter today suggested that the exemption for foreign films be included in the technical tax revision program that the Treasury is expected to recommend to Congress later this year. This was Johnston's second request to the Treasury within a week. Earlier he had written urging that U. S. film companies be made eligible for any special tax relief the Treasuryrecommends on income earned overseas. Johnston declared today that applying the 30 per cent withholding tax -to rentals earned in the U. S. by foreign Arbitration (Continued from page 1) meeting on arbitration are Herman Levy, general counsel for TOA, Leo Brecher of the Metropolitan Motion Picture Theatre Association; Max A. Cohen of Independent Theatre Owners Association ; Si Fabian, a TOA leader ; Wolfson, Adolph Schimel, Universal Pictures general counsel ; Al Lichtman, 20th Century-Fox director of distribution ; A. Montague, Columbia Pictures vice president ; Charles Reagan, M-G-M director of distribution, and Ralph Hetzel, vicepresident of the Motion Picture Association of America. Ohio (Continued from page 1) Lharles Mosher sponsored a bill asking for repeal of all censorship. Rep. Andrew C. Putka asked the House to revise present laws so that censorship, now ineffective under the Supreme Court decision, might again become effective. His bill exempts news, scientific and educational films from censoring, but cites obscene films inciting crime and containing "vile and profane language" or contempt for law and promoting the use of drugs. Spokane Partners Split PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 12.— Joint announcement has been made by Joseph J. Rosenfield, president and general manager of Favorite Theatres, Inc., and Howard D. McBride, owner of the Granada Theatre, in Spokane, Wash., that they have dissolved their six-year partnership. Favorite Theatres under Rosenfield's direction will continue to operate the Post, East Sprague DriveIn and East Trent Motor-in Theatres, while McBride has once more taken over operation of the Granada. "In Old Missouri," "Night Train to Memphis," "Campus Honeymoon," "Oh My Darling Clementine," "Hitchhike to Happiness," "Village Barn Dance" and seven Judy Canova films. Three Tom Conway films acquired by WCBS-TV are "The Checkered Coat," "Bungalow 13" and "I Cheated the Law." "The Sullivans," which was also acquired recently, was presented to the public earlier this week. film producers and distributors "is based on a fantastic misconception about the motion picture industry. It assumes that approximately 60 cents out of every dollar of film rental is net profit. That is an egregious error." He said this assumes that the film involves littie or no financial investment, whereas it obviously does. Moreover, he told the Treasury, the tax "is the greatest obstacle to our efforts to obtain fair income tax treatment in foreign countries," especially in countries without domestic film industries. When the U. S. protests to these countries that it is unfair to assume that all film earnings there are net income, these countries reply that the U. S. makes the same assumption by imposing the 30 per cent withholding tax, the MPEA official wrote. "So our arguments don't get very far, and they won't so long as our law retains this unwarranted practice," he 475 Technicolor Prints on 'Cruz* Exhibitor demand for HechtLancaster's Productions "Vera Cruz" has caused United Artists to order 475 prints from Technicolor, the highest print order in the distribution company's history, according to UA vicepresident William Heineman. People Deborah Kerr, Esther Williams, Eva Le Gallienne and John Ericson will join other Hollywood stars at the dinner of the Motion Picture Associates in the Bellevue-Stratford Ballroom on Tuesday. n H. A. Haines, a newcomer, has purchased the Alpine Theatre and the Auto Drive-in at Colville, Wash., and the Avalon in Chewelah. The theatres formerly were owned by Max Hadfield. n Jim Crockett, formerly associated with various film exchanges in Atlanta, and Mrs. Crockett have opened a motel in Statesboro, Ga. □ John Lee, who operates a small circuit of theatres in the Pacific Northwest, has added the Othello Theatre, Othello, Wash., to his string. a Eddie Klein, head of Bay State Film Co. in Boston, is in Massachusetts Memorial Hospital for an operation. n Harris B. Tuttle, a member of the Eastman Kodak Co. sales service department in Rochester, has been appointed consultant on law enforcement photography, it was announced by Theodore F. Pevear, genera! sales manager. continued. "The result is that in many foreign countries we are compelled to pay taxes that bear not the remotest relation to our net income." The Treasury would be better off with repeal of the tax, Johnston concluded. He said the withholding tax on foreign film earnings produces very little revenue, while better tax treatment for U. S. companies abroad "would obviously result in large income tax payments at home from American film companies." Ask Tax Exemption for Foreign Firms YOU CAN ALWAYS DEPEND ON FOR THE BEST SPECIAL TRAILERS