Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1955)

VOL. 78. NO. 99 MOTION PICTURE DAILY NEW YORK, U. S. A., WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1955 TEN CENTS Defers Acceptance Concerned Over Laxity' Arbitration praft Tabled By M.M.P.T.A. w \Must Await Unanimous ipproval to Take Action n The Metropolitan Motion Picture Theatre Association of New York tabled action on the proposed arbitration draft at a membership meeting here yesterday. The failure of MMPTA to take action was viewed as a set-back for arbitration and met with surprise in some distribution circles, although il Iwas felt that the draft had enough support to warrant further efforts on its behalf. In a prepared statement, MMPTA president Emanuel Frisch, stated that it was the feeling of the membership that substantial progress had been ( Continued on page 5 ) L. J. Williams Heads Missouri-Illinois TO; jCompo Is Supported Special to THE DAILY ST. LOUIS, Nov. 22. L. J. WilSliams, of Union, Mo., today was electled president of the Missouri-Illinois (Theatre Owners at the second and final day of its 1955 convention held Ihere at the Chase Hotel. Thomas James, of St. Louis, was I named chairman of the board; Park Krueger, St. Louis, vice-president; [Charles Goldman, St. Louis, treasuries:; A. E. Margarian, East St. Louis, Jill., secretary. Regional vice-presidents are: Philip (Continued on page 5) Cites Expansion Of TV in Europe The expansion of television facilities in Europe during the past two years was reported here yesterday by Ernest A. Marx, director of the international division of Allen B. Du Mont Laboratories, Inc. Marx, who recently returned from a business trip to Europe, ascribed the expansion to improved' economic ( Continued on page 5 ) Catholic Bishops to Launch Crusade Of Guidance on Films' Moral Trends From THE DAILY Bureau WASHINGTON, Nov. 22.— A crusade of instruction and guidance on moral trends in motion picture entertainment has been called by the Catholic bishops of the United States, prompted, it was said, by a "rising tide of moral laxity in movies." Acting on a report of the Most Rev. William A. Scully, bishop of Albany and chairman of the Bishops' Committee on Motion Pictures, the hierarchy has approved plans calling for revitalization of the aims and purposes of the National Legion of Decency. The crusade will reach into every one of the Church's 131 archdioceses and dioceses "to correct the apathy of many people and to arouse Catholics to vigorous protest over the From THE DAILY Bureau [Continued on page 5) WASHINGTON, Nov. 22.-Allied States Association has formally called on the Justice Department to reject the proposed industry arbitration draft. The association has already forwarded to the Attorney General, it was learned, a copy of the arbitration resolution adopted at the recent Allied convention. That resolution noted that the convention had re(Continued on page 4) Formal Request Allied Plea to D of J: Reject Arbitration FCC May Re-Write Radio, TV Net Rules From THE DAILY Bureau Television WASHINGTON, Nov. "Todau 22.— The network study committee of the Federal Communications Commission suggested today that possibly the Communications Act and the chain ( Continued on page 5 ) Send Only Finest: Golden Stepped-Up Participation In Film Festivals Urged By J. A. OTTEN WASHINGTON, Nov. 22.-U. S. Film companies should step up their participation in international film festivals, and should send only their very finest films there, Commerce Department film chief Nathan D. Golden recommended today. Golden also cautioned that the finest films were not nece s s a r il y the most extravagant nor— with "The Blackboard Jungle" furor obviously in mind— t h e most controversial. H i s recomm e n d a t i ons were contained Nathan Golden a report on the Cannes Film Festival this spring. Golden was the U. S. delegate to that festival. His report said that film companies and the U. S. government should participate "energetically and extensively" in future approved festivals in order to hold on to the American share of the international film market. Noting that a very simple film— "Marty"— won the top prize at the Cannes festival, Golden said "it is possible that neither box-office returns nor the intensity of controversy provoked are the best guides (Continued on page 4) First to Move N.J. Allied Launches EDC Project Here Meets Today with Para. Branch Manager Sattler Allied States Association's regional Emergency Defense Committee will swing into action today when a threeman committee of Allied Theatre Owners of New Jersey will meet with Paramount's New York branch manager to discuss film rentals and other trade practices affecting northern New Jersey exhibitors. This is believed to be the first regional unit to initiate the project which was devised at Allied's national convention in Chicago earlier this month. ATONJ president Sydney Stern, following a meeting of die unit's officers here on Monday, disclosed that "watchdog" Wilbur Snaper, Irving (Continued on page 5) Theatres Asked Not To Reveal Leaders In Awards Balloting Exhibitors across die nation were cautioned by Elmer C. Rhoden, national chairman of the Audience Awards, not to reveal the standings by votes of any contenders "for fear that we may unthinkingly hurt the popularity of pictures or personalities." Rhoden, however, suggested, in his letter to all exchange area Audience (Continued on page 2) USIA to Seek 100% Increase in Budget From THE DAILY Bureau WASHINGTON, Nov. 22-The U. S. Information Agency will ask Congress next year to almost double its current $85,000,000 appropriation, agency chief Theodore Streibert declared. The agency carries on the government's overseas information program. Streibert did not indicate just how the (Continued on page 4)