Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1956)

6 Motion Picture Daily Friday, August 31, ] TOA Preview review. {Continued from page 1) ecutive convention chairman, have asked the companies to join in with the national exhibitor group in making the TOA meeting "an all-industry fair." According to a representative of the MPAA, the companies which have been studying the TOA bid, have decided to set up a number of advertising and promotional displays on current and forthcoming motion pictures and to make available some new films for special screening for the TOA members attending the Sept. 20-25 meeting at the New York City Coliseum here. It was pointed out that at this time, the companies "find it unlikely that they will be taking booth space at the trade show." In past years, the companies extended some financial assistance to exhibitor organizations holding annual meetings, took a number of booths at the accompanying trade shows, and were hosts at luncheons and dinners during convention time. The Motion Picture Export Association will also take part in the TOA meeting by acting as host at a luncheon meeting for the foreign film people who are expected to be in the United States at that time, according to the MPAA official. It was pointed out that many of the foreign film delegations are not coming to this country for only the TOA convention, but to also conduct business while here. Credit Plan Survey ( Continued from page 1 ) learned here yesterday. The sub-committee of the Motion Picture Association of America's sales managers committee, headed by William C. Gehring, vice-president of 20th Century-Fox, has compiled all the necessary data for launching a survey of the public's reactions in Indianapolis-Marion County to the plan. It was stated that the sub-committee's members will meet with officials of a research organization, which will conduct the survey, next week to iron out last minute details so that the survey could be started by midSeptember. The distribution companies have thus far allocated $25,000 for the project— the retention by the subcommittee of a research organization and for the survey itslf. UA Sets TV Sales Unit (Continued from page 1) television network for the sale of a package of 39 films for tv distribution. It was said that the asking price for the package was over $1,000,000, or close to $30,000 per film for multiple showings on tv commencing this Fall. Among the pictures involved in this package of 39 features, a majority of them being produced after 1953, are "Top Banana," "Sabre Jet," "Man With a Million," "Operation Manhunt" and "Melba." The Vagabond King Para. — VistaVision — Technicolor Hollywood, August 31, 1956 All of the rich materials that have made previous filmings of "The Vagabond King" successful are abundantly present in this one, plus the pictorial riches supplied so splendidly by the VistaVision process. The great "Vagabond King" music by Rudolf Friml is sung again, and greatly— by Kathryn Grayson, by the newcomer to top-bracket singing ranks, Oreste, and by Rita Moreno— and five more songs, by Friml and Johnny Burke, have been added to the original work. Production by Pat Duggan is luxuriously scaled, and the Technicolor treatment of the subject, in the spectacular sequences and in the intimate ones, is superlative. "The Vagabond King" of 1956 looks every inch the box office monarch "The Vagabond King" has always been. Directed by the king of versatile directors, Michael Curtiz, with sweep, pomp and power, the screenplay by Ken Englund and Noel Langley keep the familiar old story moving steadily along at a smart pace, which is no easy trick in an undertaking of this vintage, and some ripely experienced actors contribute sound, common sense performances in roles that could get out of control in less skilled hands. Walter Hampden as King Louis, Sir Cedric Hardwicke as his counselor, to name two of many, furnish solid support to stars who, except when they're singing, need that kind. The story itself is too well remembered for synopsizing at this late date. The orchestral arrangements by Leo Shuken, Gus Levene and Albert Sendrey are properly conservative, for a work of this kind, and Charles Henderson's vocal adaptations and arrangements give the singers every benefit of expert presentation. Music scoring is credited to Victor Young, and choreography by Hanya Holm includes a "Watch Out for the Devil" ballet such as King Louis never dreamed of but might have liked quite well. Running time, 88 minutes. General classification. September release. William R. Weaver Joint Handling Seen Okay ( Continued ties for purposes of economy in operations was presented. Unofficial Viewpoint Speaking completely unofficially, the Justice officials agreed that occupancy of a single office building, use of a common film vault or film delivery service and the like by two or more distribution companies very probably would involve no anti-trust consideration. However, the officials also feel that use of a common salesman by a group of companies, with such a representative applying the same or similar policies and following similar instructions would almost certainly be an antitrust violation. Depends on Details Specific cases in between the two extremes would depend upon the details and manner of carrying out each plan, it was felt. In any event, the Justice officials said, the question would be solely whether a specific operating plan could be construed as eliminating competition in film distribution. The existing industry Federal consent decree is not involved, it was pointed out, because nothing in the decree from page 1 ) prohibits consolidations of physical distribution facilities. Should questionable legal complications evolve from the operation of such an undertaking, it would require the bringing of an entirely new anti-trust action by the government to obtain court determination of the legality or illegality, as the case might be, of the operations in question, it was stated. Urge Streamlining Streamlining of physical distribution for purposes of greater efficiency and economy has been recommended to the industry from time to time. The industry was prepared to make an elaborate test of a specific plan in the New York City exchange area three years ago, but it was deferred when 20th Century-Fox withdrew from the plan in the interest of an individual launching of its CinemaScope process. Favorable Reaction Since then the project has been discussed intermittently and is now understood to be favorably regarded by some of the distributors for at least partial trial in various exchange centers throughout the country and at other strategic points. 20th -Fox Nt (Continued from page 1) 486 shares of common stock were l standing. The earnings for the second qu; ended June 30, 1956 amountec $1,695,931 or 65 cents per shan compared to the similar 1955 pe; of $1,366,989 or 52 cents per si The financial report disclosed as of June 30, 1956, film rei totaled $47,321,374, leased televi rights were $2,340,000, other a! ating income totaled $6,319,729 dividends added up to $798,723 a gross income of $56,779,826. gross income for 20th-Fox in 1955 comparable period was $56,C 173 with $50,902,792 being der, then from film rentals. Expenses which the film comr, accrued during the 26 week pe ended on June 30, 1956 totaled $ 160,185 as compared to $50,627,1 Foreign, federal and other taxes income totaled $1,462,971 as pared to the 1955 total of $2,611,1, Radio-TV Campaign ( Continued from page 1 ) weeks, starting over the Labor weekend and climaxing on Colun: Day are planned. The program exceed the promotion which prope "The King and I" to the big grosses since "The Robe," said ] feld. The drive will be directed at market in the U. S. and Canada, said, reaching 14,519,000 radio hoi 50 million out-of-home radios and multimillion tv audience. Songs f the picture will be plugged on rec programs during the campaign stars and producers of the film be interviewed throughout the wi end "Monitor" broadcasts. An added feature, Einfeld said, be interviews on NRC of leading tion picture exhibitors for their oj ions on the production and to nounce opening dates at their vari theatres. i ii 1 .1 TOA Convention (Continued from page 1) J Small Rusiness Administration's tude towards extension of loans wards these theatres. Among ot topics which will be delved into the TOA directors and the organ) tion's membership commitees are si issues as: real estate, taxes and insji ance; foreign motion picture handli; advertising and publicity; the all dustry conference which has b< recommended by the Senate S'n Business sub-committee and wh: has been called for by Allied Sta? Associaiton; arbitration; the furtlT ance of TOA liaison with foreign fr associations, and other topics. Special consideration will be gi\> by the TOA directors and members!! to the suggestion offered by Sam P[ anski, a member of the Council f Motion Picture Organization's triuf virate, concerning an industry fin:; cial conference. Also, the natioi theatre public relations progn which COMPO is studying in beh; of TOA, will be discussed.