Motion Picture Daily (Apr-June 1956)

4 Motion Picture Daily Wednesday, April 25. TV Hearing MV,£W; Unidentified Flying Objects Greene-Rouse — United Artists Hollywood, April 24 This nation's, official and secret, investigations of phenomena loosely termed "flying saucers," from 1947 to now, are documented expertly, in extreme detail, and with many close-in individuals portraying themselves, in Greene-Rouse Productions' 91-minute science-fact film named for its frequently miscalled but now blue-printed subject. Included as basic material in its straightaway presentation of investigative procedures, policies and problems, in calendar succession, are the only two motion picture recordings of "flying saucers" (correct term "unknowns") ever made. And at the picture's end these film strips, returned to their owners after years of government analysis and study, and obtained by Greene-Rouse from those owners, are re-run, in various enlargements, with stop-shots for close examination, so that earnest students of UFO (as they're grouped in official language) may inspect them at critical convenience. Although many circumstances may be expected to bear upon consumer response to any attraction so far from fictional precedents as this one is, there is solid ground for confidence that its manifest validity and freedom from sensationalism will earn gratifying grosses. One film strip accredited by authorities as authentic beyond question was made by Navy Chief Photographer Delbert C. Newhouse while motoring through Utah on vacation, becoming his personal property by that circumstance and being returned to him after his retirement from service and the completion of its study by Washington experts. The other likewise authenticated film strip was shot by private citizen Nicholas Mariana at Great Falls, Mont. Copyright to them, they are central points in "UFO" but are by no means the only ones. Even more interesting in some respects is the film's disclosure that 14 UFO's were sighted over Washington, D. C. July 20 and 27, 1952, both by radar and by pilots sent up to investigate. This extended sequence builds solid suspense despite the film's totally factual nature. The production by Clarence Greene is among the best documentary-type undertakings in industry history. Winston Jones' direction and the script by Francis Martin are excellent. Running time, 91 minutes. General classification. No release date set. WILLIAM R. WEAVER (Continued from page 1) available to the public," Edwin C. Johnson, former Democratic senator from Colorado and now governor, told the committee. Johnson, speaking for Zenith Radio Corp., did not appear in person, but his statement was read into the record by committee counsel Kenneth Cox. Cohn to Be Heard Today Johnson's statement opened the second day of the committee's hearing on subscription television as it relates to improving nationwide television service. Zenith Radio Corp. and other proponents of subscription television also testified today. Tomorrow opponents of the system will take the stand, with Marcus Cohn, attorney for the committee against toll television as the first witness. Subscription television on a limited basis would better serve the public, he continued, "and practically every major problem which has been discussed before this committee in the last few months would be eliminated." He said "the public would be better off having 85 per cent of their programs broadcast free with 15 per cent subscription than to have no television service at all." Johnson argued that the commission has legal authority to authorize subscription television, and that no further legislation is required. He asked the committee to make clear to the FCC that "the present financial distress of the television industry and its inadequacies in terms of a competitive system" make it imperative that the commission "take immediate action" to "lift all artificial restrictions" which prevent the industry from obtaining the relief subscription television could give. Sees 'Not More Than 6 Markets' W. Theodore Pierson, Zenith counsel, testified that if subscription television were authorized, "it would be well to the end of a period of two years before even one market was established by a subscription television proponent." Pierson said he "couldn't conceive of more than six markets" operating with subscription television in the immediate two years after its authorization. Senator Pastore (D., R. I.), presiding over the hearing in the absence of committee chairman Magnuson (D., Wash.), questioned Pierson intensively on whether any government agency would regulate the fees charged to the public by subscription television broadcasters. Pierson replied that there was as yet no pay TV experience on which to base any possible rate regulation, and that experience in the field would be gathered slowly over a period of years. Will Seek Station Permits Lou Poller of Television Exhibitors, Inc., told the committee that his group would shortly apply to the FCC for permission to build and operate a number of television stations in several cities in order to transmit subscription television programs. The stations would operate on the UHF band for at least five years, he said. They would not take anything away from existing television services in the areas where they would operate, but would be an additional service. Pastore questioned fee regulation here, also, and asked if the system envisaged by Poller didn't have "the substance of monopoly?" Poller replied that competition with other subscription television broadcasters would rule out any possible monopoly. Charles Caveny, dean of the Undergraduate Division of the University of Illinois, said the authorization oi subscription television would bring in revenues which would enable colleges and universities to conduct graduate and extension course on their educational television stations. A statement by Ralph Bellamy, President of Actors' Equity Association, was put into the record, maintaining that the authorization of subscription television would give needed additional employment to actors, talent pools, craftsmen and technicians working on the legitimate stage. Bellamy, like Johnson, appeared for Zenith. Danish Pact Signed, Then Repudiated The Danish impasse seemed solved here yesterday with the return of Griffith Johnson, Motion Picture Export Association vice-president, but as the day progressed, the situation returned to its former status. Johnson, upon his arrival here from Denmark reported that Danish negotiators, representing the Danish exhibitor group's board of directors, had agreed to free negotiability of all American pictures. In the early afternoon, Johnson was advised that the negotiators signed agreement had been approved by the board. But a few hours later, he was cabled that exhibitor members of the Danish group repudiated the action of the board. It is understood that the American film embargo will continue until a settlement is reached. Youngstein to Europe Max E. Youngstein, vice-president of United Artists, will fly to Europe tomorrow to conduct a series of conferences in Paris, Rome and Madrid. Officers, Directors Of MP A Reelected At Quarterly Meet The board of directors of the I, tion Picture Association of America, its first quarterly meeting yesterj] unanimously reelected all incumt, officers. Those reelected were Eric Jol. ton, president; Ralph Hetzel, Kenr> Clark, G. Griffith Johnson and Gl frey Shurlock, vice-presidents; Sidt Schreiber, secretary; Stanley Weber, treasurer; Thomas J. Me! mara, assistant treasurer, and Ja' S. Howie, assistant secret;l treasurer. At the annual meeting of the mi bers of the association which ] ceded the board meeting, all of present directors were elected. MPAA Approves ( Continued from page 1 ) MPAA contributed $50,000 in ma; ing funds to COMPO. The board, convening in its ani meeting, also heard a report on Senate Small Business Subcommi hearings by Adolph Schimel, cij man of MPAA's legal committee. Regarding the question of a placement for Al Lichtman, now tired, on the governing triumvi of COMPO, the board tabled imni ate action. A meeting of the comp presidents will be held in the i future, it was explained, to re\ the participation of film companie COMPO for the next fiscal yea procedure which is now standard erations. The meeting, which will be attended by some sales n agers, is to decide on a successo Lichtman, representing the film c panies, once the question of whe to participate in COMPO the ) fiscal year is settled. Schimel was said to have rend< a short report on the SSB hear to date, in addition to outlining rebuttal planned by production-di bution. To Boost Eastman'* Shares to 40 Millior ROCHESTER, N. Y., April S Share owners of Eastman Kodak at their annual meeting today Flemington, N. J., voted to pe the company to increase the thorized number of common share 40,000,000. The number of author common shares previously was 000,000, of which 18,277,260 issued and outstanding. As announced earlier, the comj has no present intention of issu selling, or distributing the additi 20,000,000 shares of common si Re-elected as directors for threeterms were James F. Bell, foiu of General Mills, Inc.; Charles Flint, consultant to the Kodak C pany; Gwilym A. Price, chairman president of Westinghouse Elei Corp., and Donald McMaster, v president and general manager of Kodak company.