Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1955)

ln MOTION PICTURE AH i » i Concise The News H m A W H %/ And That ■ ■ V% ■ ■ I To The Is News II JrZ-jk II I . ! Point VOL. 77. NO. 19 NEW YORK, U. S. A., THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 1955 TEN CENTS Fines Up to $300 File Ohio BiH For Licensing Of Pictures Would Replace Censors; Permit Exhibitor Appeal COLUMBUS, O., Jan. 26.— A bill to license films rather than censor them was introduced in the Ohio legislature by Reps. John J. Conway and James P. Kilbane, Cleveland Democrats, and Jesse Yoder, Democrat of Dayton. The measure is reported to have Governor Lausch's approval. The bill defines "obscenity" and "tending to incite to crime." Under the proposed law, exhibitors would be subject to a fine ranging from $25 to $300 if they showed unlicensed films and distributors would be liable for the same fines if they refused to delete objectionable sections of pictures. License fees would be set at $5 per reel for the first print. This would (Continued on page 4) Memphis' Suburbans Go Single-Feature MEMPHIS, Jan. 26.— Most of Memphis' suburban theaters will soon cut out double features in favor of a single feature policy. Members of the Neighborhood Theater Owners Association have agreed on the change. The shortage of pictures occasioned by Hollywood production cuts, and the rising film terms are the main reason for the change at this time, the members said. In Serving Papers Bryson Says Sales Taxes Real Problem From THE DAILY Bureau WASHINGTON, Jan. 26.— Proposed city and state sales taxes, applying to theatre admissions as well as to other items, will be the real problem for the film industry this year, according to Jack Bryson, legislative representative, of the Motion Picture Association. Bryson said 39 state legislatures are (Continued on page 5) Need Court OK For New 16mm Defendants For Commission Guidance VIEWS ON TOLL TV TO BE ASKED BY FCC Answers to Questionnaire May Be Key to Decision on Holding of Public Hearings By J. A. OTTEN WASHINGTON, Jan. 26. — After several hours of intense and secret discussion, the Federal Communications Commission today ordered its staff to work up a detailed request for written public comments on various aspects of subscription television. Serving of papers against the additional alleged co-conspirators in the government's 16mm. anti-trust suit depends upon court approval of the government motion to expand the list of co-conspirators, it was explained here yesterday by Stanley N. Barnes, assistant United States Attorney General. Barnes, who is head of the antitrust division in the Department of Justice, was here yesterday from Washington to address the New York Bar Association. Barnes, in response to a question following his address, pointed out that the procedure in amending a complaint is different than when an original complaint is filed. The gov(Continued on page 4) 'Oklahoma!' Policy Set "Oklahoma!" in the Todd-AO process will have its initial showings in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles and will be followed by engagements in approximately 25 U. S. cities, Henry S. Woodbridge, Todd-AO Corp., said here yesterday. After a brief period, the picture will open in 25 additional cities, he explained. Installation at the Rivoli Theatre, which will present the premiere of "Oklahoma !" will get under way in the next few weeks. Whether the theatre will have to close down during the installation period has not been determined. Woodbridge said that the delivery of equipment for the first picture would start in March and that sufficient equipment to cover "Oklahoma's" needs for the first year of distribution already is being manufactured and assembled. Additional equipment has been ordered to take care of the needs of the second Todd-AO picture, (Continued on page 5) Denies iiesistunee to UK Films By MURRAY HOROWITZ British films made in terms acceptable to the American market find no resistance from U. S. exhibitors, British producer-distributor Nathan Cohen maintained here yesterday. Cohen, here from London to set a number of co-production deals, contended that he has found American exhibitors "quite cooperative." His sentiments were in sharp contrast to the charges leveled by John Davis, managing director of the J. Arthur Rank organization, who claimed that British films were not given fair consideration on U. S. screens. Cohen, director of Anglo Amalgamated, said that the acceptability of British films in the American market hinges upon the utilization of American talent in pictures made in Britain, both production and star talent, if possible. Blending the two together, he continued, has proven a "good formula" for his company. In order to get "the American flavor," Cohen says he strives to make co-production deals with independent American producers and participation deals with U. S. stars. He pointed to the completion of "Little Red Monkey," co-produced with Tony Owen. American producer Owen, he continued, has just left for England in another co-production venture, "Time Slip," starring Gene Nelson. Both co productions will be distributed in the U. S. by Allied Artists, he added. Anglo Amalgamated, which regularly produces 10 a year, Cohen continued, hopes to have American artists participate in all of its productions this year. "When we employ an American star," he stated, "we get more money out of the American market." The Rank Organization, he contended, uses British talent, pointing out that only a few British stars are popular in America. Until British stars come over here and play leading roles in American films, they are unknown to U. S. audiences, he went on, indicating that there (Continued on page 5) Interested parties will be asked to submit their views on such matters as to whether it would be in public interest to authorize subscription television, whether it would be legal, whether it should be considered a broadcasting service or a common carrier, and the like. It is estimated that the staff will be working at least for the next two weeks preparing the required order, and that it will therefore be at least that long before the commission makes any public announcement on this point. The FCC has before it a petition from Zenith Radio Corp. asking immediate authorization of subscription television. Motion picture exhibitors have indicated their intention to fight toll-TV. One question is whether the commission will announce that it is seeking these written public comments now and will decide after it gets them (Continued on page 5) Gov't to Complete Schine Case Tues. BUFFALO, Jan. 26.— Government expects to complete its case next Tuesday in the Federal Court contempt trial of Schine Chain Theatres, Inc., and alleged associated corporations and individuals, Justice Department attorney Joseph E. McDowell has told the court. Judge John Knight has agreed to a week's adjournment after the government rests, before the defense starts its case. Meanwhile, Judge Knight adjourned the trial until Monday because of the (Continued on page 5) Celler Appoints Self House Probers' Head WASHINGTON, Jan. 26.— House Judiciary Committee chairman Emanuel Celler (D., N. Y.) today named himself as chairman of a special subcommittee tp investigate monopolistic practices. He also named Representatives Rodgers of Colorado and Fine of New York as the other Democratic (Continued on page 5)