Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1955)

6 Motion Picture Daily Thursday, March 24, 1955 1 Censorship (Continued from page 1) all censorship would not financially benefit patrons or exhibitors. He said 60 cities throughout the country have municipal censorship, even though only six states have censorship. Rep. Harry Corkwell, Rep., Putnam County, co-sponsor of the Putka bill, said "It's silly to say we cannot limit rights. Our rights should be limited when the morals of youth are threatened. James P. Kilbane, Dem., Cuyahoga County, one of the four sponsors of the administration-backed bill, said, "No constitution can violate the right of a parent to protect children. The go-sign was given to peddlers of film junk by recent court decisions. The state has been flooded with heralds and newspaper advertisements that would turn the stomach of the lowest hottentot. The Supreme Court has said movies are still subject to restraint. In every censorship decision the court has left the door open for laws regulating films." Sees Films-Comic Book Link Rep. Kenneth A. Robinson, Rep., Marion, committee chairman, said film censorship and comic book regulation are inter-related because of the recent U. S. Supreme Court decisions. The committee is conducting hearings on proposals to censor comic and "pocket" books. Silverstone (Continued from page 1) "The Robe" has returned a rental figure of $500,000 (6,750,000 pesos) as it completes its first year at the Broadway Theatre here. The film company executive, in visits to Mexico, El Salvador, Panama, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile and Argentina during the past few weeks accompanied by Latin America supervisor Edward Cohen, reported the construction of many theatres especially for CinemaScope as well as installations of the system in first and subsequent-run theatres. Meeting with government officials, leading theatremen and film producers in each of the eight countries, Silverstone revealed that public and trade enthusiasm for CinemaScope and stereophonic sound has spurred installations past the 800 mark and that this figure is expected to double by the end of the year. _ Indicative of the rapidity of installations, he reported that in Colombia "every important and practically every secondary theatre" is equipped and showing CinemaScope pictures. Discussions with major film producers in the countries visited also point to a marked upsurge in local production in CinemaScope during the coming months keeping pace with theatre installations of the process, Silverstone added. From here Silverstone will go to Uruguay, Brazil and Venezuela. SPECIAL TRAILERS pUHK, FILMACK We Can Please You Send Us Your Next Order. Shortages Hurt Overseas (Continued from, page 1) press conference here yesterday, the producer of "Gentlemen Marry Brunettes," United Artists first CinemaScope musical release, declared that "at present in France and England there is a shortage of top talent, film equipment and studio space." When American producers start production in those countries, it will be a "mad scramble" for the available material, Bassler said. "In the long run, however, the French and British film situation is easing somewhat and, in time, will afford the same type of services available in this country," he said. Filming a picture abroad, in all situations, tends to build a better box office for the picture, the former 20th Century-Fox producer said. "There is nothing like the real thing in giving audiences authenticity and this in turn helps the picture," Bassler told his listeners. Commenting on television in general, Bassler said that he would like to see some of his old productions appear in that medium, mainly as a matter of interest. Color television will make some inroads into a thea tre's business, but once the novelty wears off, the public will return to theatres because there is a basic desire to get out of the house in seeking entertainment, he said. The same situation applies to subscription television, Bassler said. The public at first, if it becomes a reality, will stay home and watch the medium's shows, but after a while will return to theatres, he said. "It must be remembered that not every picture will be suitable for presentation in subscription television ; 'Gentlemen Marry Brunettes' will be enjoyed more in a theatre than on a TV screen because of its spectacular treatment and wide-screen CinemaScope presentation," he stated. Talking about "Gentlemen Marry Brunettes," Bassler said that the total budget on this Russfield-Vovager Production will be about $2,000,000 in U. S. dollars, English pounds and French francs. "If we made this CinemaScope picture, with Eastman color, in the U. S., the production would cost about $3,000,000," he said, and added that United Artists plans a Fall release for the film. USIA Praises (Continued from page 1) them and the people for whom they are made." It added that "when American producers enter their best products in these important international events, they can bring credit to the U. S., her people and institutions, and contribute to an important aspect of the information task — to help people abroad understand us better." The agency announced that a U.S. LA. film, "Italo-American Athletes," had received a special grand diploma of honor at the 11th International Sports Film Festival held this month in Italy. The film was applauded enthusiastically by the predominantly Italian audience, U.S. I. A. added. Arthur Monkon, films officer at the U.S. I. A. Rome office, represented the U. S. at the festival at Cortina D'Ampezzo. Reciprocal Trade (Continued from page 1) early next week. The bill, which is backed by the motion picture distributors, passed the House substantially as requested by the Administration, but faces very rough sledding in the finance committee and on the Senate floor. Protectionists are confident they can add many protectionist amendments to the bill. To Portray Lindbergh HOLLYWOOD, March 23.— Jack L. Warner has announced that James Stewart had been signed to portray Charles Lindbergh in "The Spirit of St. Louis," Leland Hayward's production of Lindbergh's own Pulitzer-Prize story, which Billy Wilder will direct. Montana Theatre Burns BILLINGS, Mont., March 23: — Fire of undetermined origin completely gutted the Lyric Theatre here today. Loss estimated at more than $75,000 is partially covered by insurance. Owners of the house are William A. Dollison and Paula Lewis. AA's Plans (Continued from page 1) tres successfully with 150 pictures a year, would you change your policy because suddenly 400 pictures were made available to you?" Broidy asked. He gave a resume of the pictures to be made" at the A. A. studios and promised two major films a month along with the regular program pictures. Morey Goldstein, A. A. sales manager, announced that the Walter Reade circuit had promised full support of the A. A. production project. Al Daytz of Daytz Theatre Enterprises, representing 75 theatres, pledged full support to Broidy and Goldstein and the A. A. production plans. Head table guests at the luncheon were Martin Mullin, toastmaster ; Herman Rifkin, Julian Rifkin, Ben Abrams, John Pavone, Herman Mintz and John Flynn, director of advertising for A. A. Goldstein left tonight for Washington for a conference at the Pentagon tomorrow. Broidy and Flinn left for New York, where they will meet exhibitors tomorrow. SMPTE (Continued from page 1) the membership drive has been organized on a regional level, with John Duvall, of DuPont, national chairman ; Edward Warnecke, of EastmanKodak, Eastern chairman ; Harry Lange, Sarra, Inc., Central chairman ; and Lou Vincent, Acme Film Laboratories, Coast chairman. Rep.'s MCA Films Open to Theatres Although MCA-TV has obtained the television distribution rights to 123 Gene Autry and Roy Rogers features, Republic still owns the properties and will continue to distribute the 35mm. versions to theatres that want them, it was reported yesterday. The lineup consists of 67 Rogers pictures and 56 Autrys, each of which has been re-edited for television use. tened. 'Workshop' (Continued from page 1) the Workshop, Simons, who has already conducted 11 conclaves thus far and has 13 more scheduled up to' late June, informed AM PA members that exhibitors are striving to learn' more about showmanship and the selling of films. "Drive-in owners and' operators are now starting to sell pictures instead of releasing greased pigs and turkeys in order to draw customers," he said. Simons, during his dissertation, said that exhibitors should try to influence the 13-year-old girl, who is an adult at the theatres, but a child at home and school, because this age group influences the buying in families. He also spoke on the Workshop's discussion on a theatre's role in keeping "Main Street" well-lighted. Austin Discusses Pressbooks Austin discussed the promotional i services available to exhibitors, mentioning that some theatremen in the'; business have never seen a pressbook. He explained a number of the 33 aids which M-G-M makes available to ex ■ hibitors in presenting product. "Ex ■; hibitors are in favor of the Workshop's information program of discussing selling ideas," he said. The AMPA meeting was presided over by Dave Bader, president. Seated on the dais were Simons, Austin, Bader, Lige Brien, Hans Barnstyn and Cy Eichman. Albert Mont of Brandt Theatres was the receipient of a leather portfolio winning the door prize. 'ANTA Album' (Continued from page 1) earlier in the week. He said that boxoffice sale of tickets will begin nationally tomorrow. The CARE official said he had no way of reporting the expected attendance, explaining that many people and organizations sent in contributions above the price of tickets, which range from $2 to $10. He said that CARE and ANTA, which will divide the rroceeds of the performance on a 50-50 basis, have reduced their boxoffice goal from $500,000 to $300,000 with the reduction in the number of cities slated to receive the telecast, from 45 to 32. The performance will be telecast from the Adelphi Theatre here, beginning at 10:30 P.M. (EDT). All ticket sales heretofore have been handled by CARE committees. Ontario Taxes (Continued from page 1) 1 announced reduction of one-fifth from the present 12^4 per cent levy, will mean approximately a further cut of less than one cent per ticket valued at 26 cents to 50 cents, admissions under 26 cents being tax-free under the new schedule. The further adjustment has yet to be adopted by the Provincial Legislature in amendments to the Ontario Hospitals Tax Act under which the amusement levy is administered. Theatre owners have expressed disappointment over the tax revision announced by Premier L. M. Frost but it is conceded that the film industry was the only one to obtain a tax cut while Ontario is the only Province to grant amusement-tax relief this year.