Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1955)

Friday, February 25, 1955 Motion Picture Daily 3 Well Above 1953 Note Substantial Increase In UK Equipment Exports By PETER BURNUP LONDON, Feb. 24. — United Kingdom exports of motion picture equipment, it is now revealed, increased substantially in 1954, as compared with the previous year, but were affected in the final quarter by a crippling nationwide dock strike. Shipments during the nine months to Sept. 30 amounted to £1,471,000 for the whole of 1953. But for the dock strikes, it is thought that 1954 would have been a record year for cinematograph exports, particularly as the figures for December show that for the first time exports exceeded £200,000 in a month. Exports Rose Steady increases were achieved in exports to the majority of world markets, particularly in Australia, where, up to Sept. 30, £270,000 worth of equipment has been exported, compared with £150,000 for all of 1953. For the year 1954 exports to Australia are now expected to have ex ceeded £300,000, easily the highest value exported by the industry to any one market in a year. Other Areas Show Strength Good recoveries were also made in Canada, Sweden, Spain, Venezuela, Uruguay and Argentina, although in some cases the figures are not comparable with those achieved during 1952, the record year so far for the industry. Markets in which 1954 results were not so favorable as compared with previous years include South Africa, Brazil and France (where trade, it is stated, has been very seriously hampered by import restrictions) and the U. S. TV Film (Continued from page 1) ! cil at the Hotel Delmonico, Kaufman ; asserted that "we must come to a full realization as to what really constiI tutes home entertainment and comi prehend the urgent need for closer I cooperation among the various phases ! in television film exhibition." "People in other branches of show business are looking at films for television with envious eyes and unless : we come to a full realization, there is a danger of our being replaced by organizations more worthy and which have greater experience in the field," Kaufman said. Films for television as an industry has grown up and is here to stay because it is economically sound, the guest speaker said. "The future holds a great promise of more television entertainment being tied up in films, but we must unite on the basic principles and standards of operations," he stated. Sees 'Many Problems' "There are many problems in the industry, direction, production, distributon, finance," Kaufman said. "One of the most serious problems to producers and distributors is pricecutting ourselves right out of business," he said. "One company has even gone so far as to negotiate five-year booking deals for product with television stations," he said, in deploring the price-cutting on TV product. "Our future is tied to the healthy, prosperous television station whose destiny lies in the direction of films," Kaufman said. "Films must take a more important place in the TV stations' time schedules so that a station can serve the public even more and, in turn, make money," he said. "We must take a serious and intelligent attitude in order to bring about the types of films and shows that audiences want." "We must have an awareness of the need for quality in films for television and fully understand what really constitutes home television entertainment," Kaufman said. "Agencies also must realize that their future lies with films. They demand quality shows from producers but beat down prices ; refuse to recommend any new approaches to clients, and are reluctant to take any show that is not a safe bet." Firm Boosted Film Budget "This is a subject with which we all must concern ourselves immediately," Kaufman said. He also reiterated his firm's faith in the industry by announcing that Guild Films had boosted its television film budget two and a half times so that better films can be produced. Outgoing president of NFTC, Mel Gold, introduced comedian Joey Adams who acted as toastmaster of the meeting. The NFTC membership also installed its newly elected slate of officers which was headed by John J. Schneider. Snaper's Advice (Continued from page 1) false box office reporting going on than ever before. This is not to be condoned but certainly understandable. When a man's livelihood is threatened and his family's security endangered by the wilful practices of a few men, he will fight with every means at his command." UA in Brazil (Continued from page 1) manager of the foreign department. The Ribeirao Preto office, managed by Waldemar Rodrigues, topped the 86 UA overseas branches in Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America and Australia that competed in the sales push commemorating the founding of the company in 1919. Picker and Lober concurrently announce that the grand prize in the exploitation phase of the 12-month campaign had gone to Great Britain, whose publicity director is Joe Pole. The Australian head office, topped by managing director Ron Michaels, has won first place in the administration competition. SEC Reports Film Stock Transactions WASHINGTON, Feb. 24. — The Securities and Exchange Commission has reported that officials of two distribution companies and two theatre circuits were involved in stock transfer transactions. A. Montague, vice-president of Columbia Pictures, sold 1,300 shares of common stock, decreasing his direct holdings to 13,661 shares. Abraham Schneider, vice-president and treasurer of Columbia, sold 1,000 shares and made gifts of 907 shares of common stock, decreasing his direct holdings to 18,569 shares. Sam Wolf, secretary of Allied Artists Pictures Corp., sold 1,100 shares of common stock, decreasing his direct holdings to 150 shares. A. Louis Oresman, a director of RKO Theatres Corp., made a gift of 11,200 shares of common stock, decreasing his direct holdings in the circuit to 31,356 shares. Allan D. Dowling, a director of City Investing Co., made a gift of 206 shares of common stock and sold 21,499 common shares, decreasing his direct holdings to 106,259 shares. Alfred P. Ilch, vice-president of the circuit, bought through stock options, 2,065 shares in City Investing. R. E. Dowling Realty Corp., direct beneficial owners of more than 10 per cent of the listed equity securities, bought Extend AB-PT (Continued from page 1) consent decree. This means its divestiture is almost 95 per cent completed. Justice officials also pointed out that 27 of the 43 theatres still unsold involve joint ownerships, which always complicate disposal problems. AB-PT is now the only circuit of the five major circuits covered by the original consent decrees which either hasn't already completed its divestiture or will not complete it in the very near future. National Theatres, Loew's, Stanley-Warner and RKO Theatres have all either already completed their required divestiture or are in the wind-up order stage and will complete it very shortly. Some $10 Seats for 'East9 Benefit Bow Balcony tickets at $10 each will be sold for the Actors Studio benefit premiere of Warner Brothers "East of Eden" at the Astor Theatre here on March 9. Orchestra and mezzanine tickets, at $50 each, are reported as selling rapidly. The price of these tickets includes a special after-theatre supper and show at the Sheraton Astor roof. Among the entertainers who will appear in person at the after-theatre show will be Marilyn Monroe, who will sing "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend." 'Battle' Holdovers Warner Brothers' "Battle Cry" is reported to be making a bid for sustaining power with 100 per cent holdovers recorded in each of its close to 80_ engagements to date, the company said. Extended holdovers, in excess of two weeks, are: fourth week at the Paramount, New York ; Stanley, Baltimore ; Paramount, Los Angeles ; Egyptian, Hollywood; Fox California, San Diego ; Metropolitan and Ambassador, Washington, D. C, and Center, Buffalo. 11,741 common shares, increasing direct holdings in the theatre operating circuit to 186,362 shares. Paramount (Continued from page 1) sales of investments, represent $4.10 per share and, excluding such net profit, $3.72 per share, as compared with consolidated earnings for the year 1953 of $6,779,563 or $3.06 per share on the shares then outstanding. Estimated earnings for the fourth quarter, ending Jan. 1, of Paramount Pictures and its domestic and Canadian subsidiaries were reported at $2,613,000 after provision for United States and Canadian income taxes, representing $1.19 per share, as compared with consolidated earnings for the quarter ended Jan. 2, 1954, of $1,783,000 or 80 cents per share. The Faramount board of directors yesterday voted a quarterly dividend of 50 cents per share on the common stock payable Mar. 15 to holders of record on Mar. 4. FCC Criticized (Continued from page 1) Broadcasting ■ Co. of Miami, specifically challenged the rules as applied to TV stations, but the court's decision was broad enough to knock out the rules for radio stations, too. At present, the FCC holds that no one interest can control more than seven TV stations, of which at least two must be UHF stations, and that no one interest can control more than seven radio stations. The court held that "it is conceivable that in some circumstances ownership of a greater number of stations might be compatible with the public interest," while in other circumstances even seven might be too many to allow one person. It indicated the FCC could still use five or seven or any other number as a rough guide for its own decision in each case, but that il could not lay down any hard and fast rules governing all cases, without giving the applicant opportunity to prove in a particular case that he is entitled to more than a certain number. No Industry Probe (Continued from page 1) bers have been asked to submit a list of the subjects they'd like the committee or its sub-committees to cover during the coming year, and that not a single Senator has mentioned the film industry on his list of suggested subjects. A committee meeting to go over the proposed agenda for the year ahead will likely be held in the next two or three weeks. The committee's proposed annual report for the past year also avoids any lengthy reference to the film industry. It was reported this would be the first time in several years that this has been the case. Yahr Heads RCA Theatre Products CAMDEN, N. J., Feb. 24. — Appointment of M. J. (Mike) Yahr to the newly created post of manager of RCA theatre and sound products was announced by J. F. O'Brien, manager of RCA's theatre and industrial equipment marketing, engineering products division. Yahr will coordinate all planning, promotion and sales activities for a wide range of equipment and products which the RCA engineering products division markets through distributors.