Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1957)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY OL. 81, NO. 6 NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1957 TEN CENTS fear Closing oint RKO, U-I Distribution Deal Reported Push Industry PoliCY Change for 1,58-,w 'Sweeps 'Plan (/. A. Plans ' Fewer but Bigger' Film Program onfirmation Absent; Both ompanies* Officials Silent Negotiations for the consolidation RKO Radio Pictures' distribution lith that of Universal's were rerted to be close to consummation re yesterday. Trade reports lacking confirmation :re that the talks also embraced the lissibility that Universal would sell well as handle the RKO Radio oduct. Officials of both companies were ent in the face of the reports and forts to reach any of them were lsuccessful. It was known that the Iks were continuing as of yesterday id reports that a deal had been Dsed already were, therefore, be;ved to be inaccurate. However, it (Continued on page 6) j-H Act Doesn't Cover Vet Music Composers From THE DAILY Bureau WASHINGTON, Jan. 8.-Composs of radio and television network usic are independent contractors and pt employees within the meaning of le Taft-Hartley Act, the National abor Relations Board held today. The NLRB rejected a petition by le Composers and Lyricists Guild of raerica seeking representation as the irgaining unit for the composers of usical material for network televibn programs originating in New hrk and Los Angeles for CBS, NBC pd ABC programs. fcolden Will Produce (Stalin's Children' From THE DAILY Bureau HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 8 Edward . Golden, producer, whose "Hitler's hildren" made box office history in 943, today told the press he has ampleted pre-production preparaon of "Stalin's Children," which he 'ill produce independently, starting (Continued on page 3) The Academy Awards Sweepstakes is being pushed toward implementation following a vote of support given it Monday night at a meeting of the Motion Picture Association of America advertising-publicity committee and representatives of the Council of Motion Picture Organizations and exhibitor groups at the Sheraton-Astor Hotel. Although the mutual acceptance of an all-round business building plan was again deferred pending a merging of the best ideas of three separate proposals, the conference voted to put the Sweepstakes plan into effect without further delay because of the nearness of the Academy Awards nominations. Alfred Tamarin, in charge of the Sweepstakes sub-committee, said yesterday that the Sweepstakes materials have gone into preparation and will (Continued on page 6) See Ma\or Tax Cuts Doubtful This Year From THE DAILY Bureau WASHINGTON, Jan. 8.-President Eisenhower and Republican legislative leaders agreed to seek top legislative priority on extension of present corporate and excise tax rates. This was announced after a White House meeting this morning. GOP leaders at the meeting said the implications of the meeting were clearly against any major tax cuts this year. On April 1, under present law, the (Continued on page 6) To Release 48 This Year, About 36 Next; Theatre, Public Financing Considered (Picture on Page 2) United Artists plans to switch to the "fewer but bigger" production policy in 1958, Arthur Krim, president, told a press conference at the home office yesterday. U.A., which released 48 pictures in 1956, many of them scaled at lower budgets, will release the same number this year. Beginning in 1958 it will reduce production by about 12 features, but the overall production expenditure will be greater, Krim said. To finance the increased number of top budgeted productions, he said, U.A. is considering two new sources of financing to supplement the company's present bank financing, which because of general prevailing borrowing conditions cannot be expanded. The new sources are possible advances by theatre companies and a public stock issue. U. A. presently is privately owned, the stock held by the top management executives. Krim explained that the moves were decided upon in consequence of a (Continued on page 2) WB Plans Expansion Of Theatres Abroad Wolfe Cohen, president of Warner Bros. International, leaves here tomorrow for the Far East where he will institute a program of theatre expansion for the company in the foreign field. The program will be developed as rapidly as possible wherever the need exists, it was explained, through the acquisition of sites and erection of new theatres by Warners, or in conjunction with local interest. Cohen's tour will include Australia (Continued on page 2) Wolfe Cohen Arthur Loew Withdraws As Board Directorship Nominee Arthur M. Loew, chairman of the board of directors of Loew's Inc., said yesterday that he has withdrawn his name as a nominee for directorship of the new Loew's board to be elected in February. His statement follows: "Last Octo ber I announced my desire to withdraw as president and director of Loew's Inc. When Joseph Vogel was elected president, at his request I agreed to continue as chairman of the board. "As a new board will be elected in February I have withdrawn my name as a nominee for directorship. I will continue in my capacity as president of Loew's International to which I will henceforth be able to devote all my time." Meanwhile, Wall Street heard reports that Howard S. Cullman is (Continued on page 3) Weltner Opening Para. Phi/a. Meeting Today Special to THE DAILY PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 8. George Weltner, president of Paramount Film Distributing Corp., will open the first part of the company's two-part 1957 national sales and merchandising meeting tomorrow morning at the Warwick Hotel here. The second will get underway next Jan. 16 at the Chase Hotel, St. Louis. At tomorrow's session Hugh Owen, (Continued on page 2) Television f odd if f