Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1955)

Friday, January 28, 1955 Motion Picture Daily 3 Skouras Arnold Picker Says {Continued from page 1) icated policy to the presentation of CinemaScope's 2.55 to 1 ratio in all types of theatres and seating capacities, including rank and file, throughout the world, Skouras said, indicating however, that the company will also have a system under the possible label of "SuperCinemaScope" which will have its place in special roadshow theatres to parallel the importance of other media, such as Cinerama or Todd-AO. Special Research Organized Fox also is engaged in a special research and development program, developing new camera techniques as well as the use of a special size negative to be processed for 35mm. projection, with an aim toward effecting greater audience participation and closer illusion of 3-D. In describing these changes, Skouras said, "we have gone from 58-degree-angle lenses, used in shooting 'The Robe,' to 90degree-angle for 'There's No Business Like Show Business,' and we expect to have a 145-degree-angle lens shortly to achieve the drawing of attention to the ultimate in CinemaScope perfection exemplified by the size and scope of the legitimate stage." Skouras further disclosed plans for a world tour in March, to inspire interest by foreign producers to film future product in CinemaScope, citing the success of American films being achieved in that medium abroad. Sees 25,000 Installations Skouras also predicted that worldwide CinemaScope installations would reach 25,000 by the year's end. Domestic installations, he said, are being made on an average of 200 monthly with close to 11,000 already operating, while 4,000 theatres abroad are already equipped, with 6,000 more on order. Sees 5,000,000 Class Audience UA 98 Latin American Gross To 'Nearly Double' in 1955 DETROIT, Jan. 27.— There is a class mass audience of 5,000,000 people in America today, ready and eager to support properly produced and presented opera films such as S. Hurok's "Aida," it was contended here today by Jonas Rosenfield, Jr., IFE Releasing Corp. vice-president in charge of advertising, publicity and exploitation. Rosenfield, basing his 5,000,000 figure on a national survey being conducted by IFE, said that Italian producers, watching the success of "Aida" very closely, are now readying other world-famous musical dramas for the American screen. Surveyed Six Cities Addressing the film critics of Detroit, he said the survey covered an audience of more than 250,000 theatre patrons in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Cleveland and New Orleans, during the first 12 weeks of the release of "Aida." This is the greatest number of Americans in history, he declared, to see a classical musical presentation in such a short period of time. Rosenfield went on to say the survey also indicated that 56 per cent of the entire audience had never before seen an opera, and 27]/2 per cent had not been in a motion picture theatre for three years. Arnold Picker By LESTER DINOFF United Artists' business in Latin America during 1955, substantially ahead of last year at present, will nearly double the 1954 gross of $3,000,000, according to Arnold M. Picker, vice president in charge of foreign distribution, who optimistically based his viewpoints on the current good business and t h e "more and better pictures" being distributed overs°as. While foreseeing higher grosses in Central and South America, Picker, who returned late Wednesday from a 23-day tour, said that the net return will not be up because of the inflated operating costs in fnanv countries and the low admission prices being charged in a number r»f countries. "Latin America contributes about 20 per cent of the over-all UA foreiern business," the top film official said. In Brazil and Chile especially, the general rising costs of living, the increased costs of business operation and devaluation of currency, have not helped the industry at all, Picker said. "It is true that many Latin American countries are going through boom periods resulting in theatres having high grosses," he said, "but the high operating costs allow little or no profits." Admission Prices Low The admission prices are still very low in Latin America and in manv instances are the same as one or two ye.qrs ago, Picker said. "Unless the ticket prices are generally boosted, not only for the new processes for which the governments have allowed advanced prices, Latin American business,' dollarwise, will not be on a par with the rest of the world," he asserted. While citing the industry's problems in Latin America, Picker was quite enthused about the stronger economy and excellent business in Europe. "Germany especially is booming and the theatre building is resurging at the rate of 300 new houses every six months," he said. Getting back to his recent trip and Drive-in Field Fertile in L.A. The Latin America market is fertile for the building of drivein theatres as more people are purchasing automobiles and the standards of living are generally rising in many countries, Arnold M. Picker, UA vicepresident, said here yesterday upon his return from that area. At present, the UA official said, there are four outdoor theatres located in Latin America and a number of prominent exhibitors are considering the building of more. Brewer Reorganizing Domestic Branch Methods of A.A. his experiences, Picker laughed off a question about a "product shortage" in Latin America. "There is no such thing as a shortage of product in Latin America ; American, Italian, French, Mexican, Argentine or Brazilian pictures are all doing fine business and always are available to exhibitors," he said. It was noted at this point of the. trade press conference by Picker that the Italian and French films have made big inroads into the playing time available. Praises Festival Picker also said that the International Film Festival at Punta del Este, Uruguay, is creating a lot of good will. "This is one of the few film festivals which are honestly judged because no local politics interferes in the judging. That country hasn't a film production industry," he said. Commenting on foreign production, Picker said that the product of main or "big three" Latin America film makers, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina, has not as yet reached a level which will satisfy U.S. film distributors. He revealed that UA has acquired the Mexican production of "Rebellion of the Hanged" for distribution in some foreign markets. Discourses on TV Replying to a question on television, Picker declared that "television has not had the same penetrating effect in Latin America that the medium has had in the United States." This could be attributed to a number of things, among which are, he pointed out, poor programming, the high cost of buy ing a set. Jack Jackter to Col. Panama City Office Jack Jackter, an employee of Columbia Pictures for six years and a salesman in Washington prior to hi;transfer to the home offices two months ago, will assume an executive sales position in the company's Panama City offices, effective Feb. 2. A former Army sergeant with overseas service, he started as a booker in Detroit. Milwaukee and Indianapolis were other service points. Jackter is a younger brother of Norman Jackter, Columbia manager •n Albanv, and is a nephew of Rube lackter, Columbia sales executive. M-G-M Signs Lewis To Producer Pact HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 27. — David Lewis, who recently produced "End of the Affair," today was signed by M-G-M to a producer contract, it was disclosed by Dore Schary, vice-president in charge of production. Lewis will report to the studio on Monday Set 'Affair' Debut LONDON, Jan 27. — The world premiere of Columbia Pictures' David E. Rose production, "The End of the Affair," will take place at the Empire Theatre, Leicester Square, on Feb. 24. Roy Brewer The Allied Artists exchange operations in domestic market currently are being reorganized along lines similar to the pattern in existence in other top film companies, accordi n g to Roy Brewer, manager of AA branch operations. Brewer, who had shifted his h e a d q u arters from the West Coast to New York, is in the process of setting up his office to completely supervise the activities of the 17 AA owned branches and the 14 franchised distributors which handle AA product in the U. S. and Canada. 17 Offices Involved Company-owned exchanges, Brewer revealed, are located in Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Des Moines, Detroit, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Minneapolis,. New York, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, Pittsburgh and Washington. Franchise operated exchanges are located in Atlanta, Charlotte,. Memphis, New Orleans, Albany, Buffalo, Boston, New Haven, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Cleveland, and Milwaukee, the film officials said. Ascap Unit to Tour European Posts Stanley Adams, president of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, announced the formation of the first ASCAP Overseas Unit which will tour European defense installations next month to entertain American troops. The group was organized by Paul Cunningham, member of the ASCAP board. In cooperation with USO Camp Shows, Inc., ASCAP has made available some of its top writers who, assisted by professional entertainers, will perform their own compositions before servicemen and women stationed overseas. Mack Gordon Emcee Master of ceremonies will be Mack Gordon, Hollywood writer of numerous stage and screen hits. Other authors who will make the tour are Abel Baer, pianist and composer of many song-hits ; Rube Bloom, composer, pianist, radio and recording artist ; Gerald Marks, composer and pianist ; Johnny Redmond, composer, author, publisher and singer ; Lou Handman, composer and pianist who with his wife, Florrie LeVere, made many vaudeville tours ; and Bee Walker, composer and pianist. The ASCAP composers and authors will be assisted by the radioTV singers and recording artists, Fran Russell, Gogi Grant and Marion Spellman. Army Transport Service will fly the group to Europe on Feb. 15 from Washington for a tour of three weeks.