Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1955)

Wednesday, March 30, 1955 Motion Picture Daily 3 Oklahoma (Continued from page 1) homa City, secretary ; C. F. Motley, Oklahoma City, treasurer ; Earl Snyder, Jr., Tulsa, board chairman. Other directors elected were Glen Thompson, Athel Boyter, Bob Busch, all of Oklahoma City ; Henry Simpson, Bristow ; J. S. Worley, Shamrock, Tex. ; Don Cole, Buffalo ; Lloyd Elliott, Harold Bowers and Gene McKenna, all of Tulsa ; Jess Jones, Crescent and Max Feinsilber, Yukon. Total registration for the convention in the Skirvin Hotel was 150. Ruben Shor, national Allied president, and Col. H. A. Cole, Bonham, Tex., were the principal speakers on the program of the closing day of the convention. Court Grants (Continued from page 1) his appeal of a Supreme Court decision which forbids the municipality from collecting" the "major fraction." The exhibitors' respondents brief is expected to be received at the clerk's office of the Court of Appeals in time for the state's highest tribunal to announce a ruling in mid-April. Buchsbaum's brief pointed out that Chief Judge Albert Conway of the State's Court of Appeals had granted on March 3 permission to file supplemental brief "in the event that a bill relating to the five per cent tax was enacted." On March IS, the Assembly and Senate unanimously passed a measure along to Gov. Averell Harriman, which he signed, setting forth "the grant of the authority to impose a tax was intended to include the power to employ the customary methods of dealing with fractions of a cent so as to eliminate any need for attempting to assure collections which in the aggregate would equal the percentage of the tax authorized." House Votes (Continued from page 1) the maximum one-year jail sentence, a penalty practically never handed out. Before passing the bill, the House voted down several attempts by Rep. Patman (D., Tex.) to make the maximum fine still tougher. He said even a $50,000 maximum wouldn't deter "a billionaire corporation," and proposed a maximum fine of 5 per cent of the firm's capital assets, plus mandatory jail sentences for individuals violating the Anti-Trust Act a third or fourth time. Meanwhile, the Senate Small Business Committee issued its annual report, and as predicted, for the fir^t time in several years made no mention of the film industry as one of the problem areas before the committee. Committee members have said they presently plan no major investigations or hearings this year on film trade practices. Columbia Licensed For Perspecta Sound Perspecta Sound, Inc., announced yesterday that a license has been issued to Columbia Pictures to use the Perspecta system of optical stereophonic sound on all its productions. Coinciding with the first anniversary of the introduction of Perspecta to the industry, this makes Columbia the sixth major producing company to choose Perspecta. 'Stranger' World Gross (Continued from page 1) mendous interest in the book, which has been read by an estimated 28 to 30 million readers," Kramer stated. The producer also expects his latest film to outgross his "The Caine Mutiny," which has grossed thus far $9,500,000 domestically and from 12 to 13 million world-wide. "An excellent overseas gross is anticipated also because of the serialization of the best-selling novel in foreign daily newspapers and the tremendous circulation of the Readers Digest Book Club," Kramer said. "Not As A Stranger" is the kind of product which will help the "youthful and aggressive" United Artists step into a new era, Kramer said, in describing the domestic and foreign set-up and facilities of the company. Kramer revealed that he plans to tour the United States and Canada in conjunction with the openings of his $3,000,000 budgeted picture. The producer and director said that he plans to visit 15 to 18 cities in this country Stanley Kramer and 11 cities in Europe when "Not As A Stranger" openings are set. Commenting on his future production plans, Kramer said that he hoped to begin production on "The Pride and the Passion" in Madrid, Spain, in the fall using VistaVision and color. Asked why he was using that particular wide-screen medium, Kramer replied that "the finest photography yet seen in VistaVision was employed by Alfred Hitchcock in making 'To Catch A Thief.' That sold me on using the medium for my film." The novelty in the various motion picture processes has "worn off now," Kramer said, in explaining that a production medium should be used as "a hook" in selling and enhancing a film's box office value, not just to use a medium to make a picture look better. He cited as examples the success of "On the Waterfront," "The Country Girl" and "From Here To Eternity," films which attained high grosses without technical wide-screen innovations. Won't Predict Future The future is difficult to predict with such talk about closed circuit television, Kramer said. "For all I know, I may be making 12 television shorts or two 'spectaculars' in the future," he said. Kramer had no comment about subscription television. Ilka Chase 'Emcee' Of 'Peter' Telecast Ilka Chase has accepted the invitation to be mistress of ceremonies at tomorrow night's half-hour telecast on WPIX of festivities planned for the American premiere of 20th Century-Fox's CinemaScope drama, "A Alan Called Peter," at the Roxy Theatre here. The program will be on the air from 8:30 to 8:55 P.M. The opening will be covered for radio by the Mutual network, with Ray Heatherton in charge, and will be recorded by the Armed Forces Radio Network and Voice of America. Movietonews cameras and a corps of still photographers also will be on hand. In addition, a special broadcast is being arranged to be picked up by the British Broadcasting Corp. in England. The film is having simultaneous premieres tomorrow in London and Glasgow, Scotland. Richard Todd, star of the picture, today will conduct a mass interview here with 200 high school and college newspaper editors, which will follow a special screening for the students Todd, additionally, will visit seven key cities on behalf of the picture. Following his present stay in New York, he will go to Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Washington and Atlanta, before returning to Hollywood. Among the promotional features that will be utilized in publicizing the film will be the introduction of a new ballad, "A Man Called Peter," written by Charles Tobias and Ken Sloan, of ASCAP, and Max Stein, copy chief in the advertising department of 20th Century-Fox. Fleisher Leaving Fox Robert Fleisher, 20th Century-Fox national magazine contact, has resigned from the company effective April 8. No successor has been named. RKO to Hold Four Regional Meets HOLLYWOOD, March 29.— J. R. Grainger, president of RKO Radio Pictures, Inc., announced today that four regional sales meetings of the RKO domestic sales force will be held starting on Thursday in San Francisco and Chicago to discuss forthcomingRKO product. Grainger, accompanied by J. H. Maclntyre, Western division sales manager, will leave Hollywood for San Francisco tomorrow night to attend the two-day Bay-City sales meeting which will be held Thursday and Friday at the St. Francis Hotel. Walter Branson, RKO world-wide sales manager, will conduct the Chicago sales meeting, which will be held Thursday and Friday at the Blackstone Hotel. H. H. Greenblatt, domestic sales manager, will conduct a New Orleans meeting which will be held at the Jung Hotel Friday and Saturday. A New York sales meeting will be held at the Warwick Hotel, April 4 and 5, with Branson conducting. Settle Out of Court J. J. -Luxor Action The $3,000,000 anti-trust suit filed in 1953 by J. J. Theatres and the Luxor Group against 20th CenturyFox and Skouras Theatres in New York Federal Court was settled and discontinued here yesterday. Under the settlement, the Luxor Theatre in The Bronx will play product day-and-date with Skouras' Park Plaza Theatre and the RKO neighborhood houses. The plaintiffs also will receive an undisclosed sum of money. The case was first tried in 1953 and was won by the defendants. Upon appeal, the court reversed the lower court verdict and ordered a new trial. The settlement followed. Wisconsin (Continued from page 1) which the national is fighting "this monster." He asserted that they have prevented the Zenith deal that would have put in toll TV at once. Angelo Provinzano opened the first business session of the convention, introducing president Sig Goldberg. The keynote of Goldberg's talk was the accomplishment of the association legislative-wise and the plight of the small town exhibitor. Decries Exhibitors' Plight In wishing he had a larger crowd, Goldberg pointed out that many of the members throughout the state cannot afford to come and many have day jobs in order to keep their theatres open at night. Speaking on conditions of the industry here he said theatres, especially in the territory where TV is now hitting hard, are in serious trouble. • In speaking on legislative activities of the association Goldberg said, "If we did nothing for the next two years, what we did for you on the daylight saving job is worth the dues you paidIt was necessary for the theatres of Wisconsin to fight the bill. It hurts indoors and outdoors alike. The theatres in Wisconsin got a break when our association and other associations prevented the passing of this bill." He credited Harold Pearson, executive secretary, for much of this work "that I think was a tremendous accomplishment." Says Unions Oppose Toll TV Snaper pointed out many things connected with toll TV that even those interested in it do not realize. Just the collection of the money in itself would be an expense, he said, and added, "We have a lot of allies in this. The candy companies alone stand to lose a lot. The unions are behind us." Asked about franchises Snaper said he knew of no one who has or even applied for a franchise on toll TV. Everyone in attendance took a hand vote to fight the medium. Goldberg warned, "Even if they get permission to try it and even fail, in the yearsit takes them to fail, it could break us." Goldwyn Gains Point In the Pickford Suit HOLLYWOOD, March 29.— Samuel Goldwyn appeared the winner over Mary Pickford in one phase of their cross-suit under trial today when Judge Paul Nourse ruled the latter was not ousted from studio, as claimed, and was not entitled, therefore, to the accounting from Goldwyn which she has been seeking. Two other principal issues remain to be settled. Crosby Academy Sub For Judy Garland HOLLYWOOD, March 29.— Bing Crosby will substitute for Judy Garland in presenting the music awards at tomorrow night's Academy ceremonies. The actress gave birth to a son this morning. All candidates for awards are doubling as presenters of awards in other categories this year. Lauren Bacall was selected today to present any technical or scientific awards that the board of governors may vote tonight.