Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1957)

A Motion Picture Daily Television Today Gehring, Fox Official, Is Dead The Critics Say. . . As influential as the many nation-wide syndicated TV columnists, are the hundreds of local newspaper critics whose views — though they inevitably reflect regional preference— more often than not have national validity. These reporters, asked to vote again this year in the annual Motion Picture DailyFAME poll of television talent and shows, added a variety of comments on their views of the industry. Among them were the following reports from New York. If the city represented has a TV outlet, the name of the station and its affiliations appear in brackets, along with the population of the city or town. Robert L. Sokolsky, Herald-Journal, Syracuse (WHEN-TV, CBS basic, ABC; 220,583): "Television is finally beginning to show a maturity that marks a happy compromise between the artistic and the commercial. We are still overloaded with quiz shows and humorless situation comedies. But there is a steady improvement." John Hadley, Times-Union, Rochester (WHAM-TV, NBC, ABC; WHEC-TV, CBS, ABC; WVET-TV, CBS basic, ABC; 332,488): 'This was probably television's darkest year programwise. The spectaculars are unspectacular. The new shows are most unpromising. . . . Too many TV producers forget that they are producing for a small home audience. . ." David G. Rossie, Binghamton Sun, Binghamton (WNBF, NBC, CBS, ABC; 80,674): "Entirely too much emphasis is placed on the results of such polls as Hooper and Nielsen. Their findings are not indicative of taste but of curiosity. Many a worthwhile entertainer, who unfortunately does not reach the masses, is doomed by a nervous sponsor's reaction to polls of this type." Bill Dix Promoted Gordon Gray, executive vice-president and general manager of WORTV, New York, announced yesterday that Bill Dix has been promoted to the newly created post of assistant general manager in charge of sales for the station. At the same time Ivan Reiner, formerly WOR-TV production manager, has been appointed program director. JSew ABC Affiliate Radio station KRSN, Los Alamos, N. M., will become an affiliate of the ABC Radio Network effective Jan. 26, it is announced by Edward J. DeGray, national director of station relations for the ABC Radio Network. folsom Cites Impact, Of Color Television PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 17 One of the "surest and swiftest of tickets to obscurity in modern merchandising is to fail to recognize what color television can do," Frank M. Folsom, president of the Radio Corp. of America, declared here tonight in an address before the Poor Richard Club, which honored him with its Gold Medal of Achievement Award. "Since this annual banquet commemorates the birthday of Benjamin Franklin, the Club's patron saint, it seems natural to turn our thoughts to the fields of science and electricity in which he gained world renown as a pioneer," said Folsom. "From electronics—born of electricity— another great miracle of science has emerged and it is captivating the imagination of the American people, I refer to color television. "As a new dimension in entertainment, education and information, it is performing a service which, I believe, would astound even such a sage as Benjamin Franklin. And as one who was vitally interested in the arts of printing and advertising, he most certainly would appreciate the tremendous power and impact of color in merchandising: and sales." TV Stations Continue Negotiations With Para. A group of "about 30" television stations in top U.S. markets that were engaged in negotiations several weeks ago with Paramount Pictures for the sale of its pre-1948 film library are reported still actively seeking acquisition of the features. According to Bernard Goodwin, president of DuMont Broadcasting Co. and unofficial organizer of the group, the stations are continuing efforts to organize themselves for further negotiations with Paramount. Among the stations which are seeking to acquire the backlog, said to be over 700 pictures, are the two DuMont TV stations in New York and Washington. The production-distribution company owns substantial interests in the broadcasting company. Amy Joins CBS-TV HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 17.-George Amy, recently elected president of the American Cinema Editors, has joined CBS Television's program department as film program coordinator on all films produced in Hollywood under the supervision of CBS, Alfred J. Scalpone, vice-president in charge of network programs, announced yesterday. He will supervise the technical and assembly procedure of all CBS network film programs and will work directly with film editors and the technical crews. ( Continued sitions during a 37-year career, of which 35 were with the Fox Film Co., and later 20th Century-Fox. For the past year, he has been acting Motion Picture Association of America representative on the governing board of the Council of Motion Picture Organizations, having replaced Al Lichtman, former 20th-Fox director of distribution, who resigned upon his retirement. Born in Rensselaer, N. Y., he attended Pennsylvania State College and served in the Army during World War I. Following the war, he joined the Fox Film Co., in 1918, where he rose from a poster clerk to branch manager at the company's exchanges in Buffalo, Detroit, Albany, Salt Lake City, Montreal and Toronto. Gehring left Fox in 1929 to serve as Eastern f rom page 1 ) division manager for Tiffany Productions, Inc., but returned two years later as manager of Fox's Cincinnati branch. With the formation of 20th Century-Fox, Gehring was named to a succession of major sales department executive positions. In 1952, he was named executive assistant general sales manager. Last year, he was elevated to the post of vice-president in the organization. Gehring was a member of the Motion Picture Pioneers, Variety Clubs, and other industry organizations. He was given a testimonial dinner by his friends and business associates in 1953. He frequently represented 20th-Fox at major exhibition, distribution, civic and religious gath Tributes: ( Continued from page 1 ) hearts are too full to express the profound regard we had for this man. Gifted with rare abilities, he brought to his work a dedication which was an inspiration to us all." Alex Harrison, general sales manager: "Bill Gehring has always been an inspiration to every employee in the entire 20th Century-Fox organization, and indeed to the entire motion picture industry. His passing will be sorely felt throughout the entire United States and Canada where his friends are legion." Sol Schwartz, president of RKO Theatres: "Bill was a good friend as well as a man with whom it was a pleasure to do business. He was always ready to give generously of himself to every worthy cause." Jack L. Warner, president of Warner Brothers Pictures: "He was one of those rare people who inspired confidence in everyone with whom he dealt." Leonard H. Goldenson, president of American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres: "I knew and admired Bill for a long time and as one of his many friends I shall miss him." Benjamin Kalmenson, executive vice-president of Warner Brothers: "Bill Gehring's grasp of every facet of our business was equalled only by his great humanity and generosity." Sol Strausberg, president of Metropolitan Motion Picture Theatres Association: "The industry has lost someone who cannot be replaced." Leopold Friedman, president of Loew's Theatres: "Our industry has lost one of its most respected and capable pioneers." Arthur B. Krim, president of United Artists: "The passing of William Gehring is a profound loss to all those who have known him over the years and to the industry which he served so long and so well." Eric Johnston, president of the Motion Picture Association of America: "There is no better tribute to pay to Bill Gehring than to say, as we all know, that he was truly industry minded. He knew that the welfare: of his own company was tied to the: welfare of the whole industry an|] he always worked to advance the best interests of both." Robert W. Coyne, co-chairman and special counsel for COMPO: "Upright, able, always fair and considerate of others, Bill Gehring will be sadly missed in our business." Charles Reagan, vice-president ol Loew's Inc.: "He was my good friend and a good friend of many people in all branches of our industry." Walter Reade, Jr., of Walter Reade Theatres: "The industry in general and exhibition in particular lose one of our most considerate and most dependable friends and allies." Charles J. Feldman, vice-president of Universal Pictures: "I was shocked to learn of his passing. I considered him a personal friend and a valued member of our business." A. Montague, vice-president of Columbia Pictures: "Through the years I knew him not only as a vigorous and enterprising distribution executive, but also as a wonderful fellow." Sam Rosen, executive vice-president of Stanley Warner Corp.: "A great citizen of our industry, a showman second to none." Walter Branson, vice-president of RKO Radio Pictures: "The motion picture industry has known its share of fine gentlemen in our times, and of these, one of the finest was William Gehring." Richard W. Altschuler, vice-president of Republic Pictures: "The loss of Bill Gehring is such a personal shock to me that it is difficult to express what his loss means to the industry." Morey Goldstein, vice-president of Allied Artists Pictures: "He was loved by every one who knew him, and respected for his fairness by both distributors and exhibitors." Si Fabian, president of Stanley Warner Corp.: "It was a privilege to be his friend. He was not only a showman of exceptional stature, but more, a fine human being."