Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1957)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY VOL. 82, NO. 1 NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, JULY 1, 1957 TEN CENTS Marcus Cites: Need to Push Orderly Top Film Release Increase in Attendance Is Predicted for Summer Ben Marcus By JAMES D. IVERS There must be a united effort by exhibition and distribution to establish an orderly release of top attractions, Ben Marcus, president o f Allied o f Wisconsin declared at the weekend. The present policy of seasonal releases — big pictures in July and August and at Christmas time — is having the effect of teaching the public to stay home in droves, he added. Interviewed in New York between phone calls to his office about bookings—"A problem you take with you (Continued on page 2) Telemeter Negotiating With Oceanside, Cal. From THE DAILY Bureau HOLLYWOOD, June 30 International Telemeter Corp. has announced commencement of negotiations with Tele-Movie Development Corp. on its application for rights to install the Telemeter pay-television system in Oceanside, Cal. Tele-Movie Corp. is awaiting action by the Oceanside City council on the petition already filed with that body for a franchise permitting the wiring (Continued on page 6) Television Today Page New Wage Hikes for Theatre Employees Will Go Into Effect in England Today From THE DAILY Bureau LONDON, June 30— The new wage agreement between the Cinematograph Exhibitors Association and the National Association of Theatrical and Kine Employees, which had met much exhibitor opposition, goes into effect tomorrow. The agreement provides for pay rises from six shillings to 14 shillings (84 cents to $1.96) a week for projectionists, usherettes and cashiers. Cinema workers had their last raises of from six shillings to £1 (84 cents to $2.80) a week in December, 1955. Many exhibitors have complained that the new agreement will take up much of their recent tax relief. They point to the latest Board of Trade statistics which estimate that wages and salaries account for nearly 42 per cent of the exhibitors' share of takings. Documentary Films To Promote 'Bridge' By VINCENT CANBY Special promotion plans for Columbia's "The Bridge Over the River Kwai," involving a series of short documentary films made in the course of production of the film in Ceylon, were outlined here Friday by producer Sam Spiegel and Paul Lazarus, Columbia vice-president in charge of publicity, at the Columbia home office. The press conference, also attended by the film's star, William Holden, was highlighted by the showing of three of the special short films designed for both TV and theatrical (Continued on page 4) Decision Is Reserved on Loew's Theatre Petition Federal Judge Edmund L. Palmieri said on Friday he would reserve decision on the petition filed by Loew's Theatres for permission to construct a new theatre in Sunny Isles, Dade County, Fla. Maurice Silverman, attorney representing the anti-trust division, of the Justice Department, rounded out the government's position in the case Friday. He said the government would not support the view of those opposed to the new theatre that it, if built, should be restricted to subsequent-run product. Loew's opponents include Wometco Theatres of Miami and E. M. Loew, operator of the Gulf Drive-In Theatre and the Miami Drive-In Theatre. Seven Theatres Reopen In Upper Midwest Area Special to THE DAILY MINNEAPOLIS, June 30. Seven upper midwest indoor theatres which have been shuttered for varying periods of time have reopened for business. Only one theatre, the Majestic at Barron, Wis., has closed because of poor business after 50 years of operation. Reopening are the Cannon, Cannon Falls, Minn., A. L. Fritsch; Kickapoo, ( Continued on page 3 ) WB Outlook Bright, Warner Tells Meet The outlook for the future of Warner Bros, is very bright, Jack L. Warner, company president, said in a message read to the home office convention of distribution executives and district m a nagers which ended here on Friday. The optimistic viewpoint was seconded in addresses by Benjamin Kalmenson, executive Jack L. Warner vice president, and Roy Haines, general sales manager, the latter of whom presided at the meetings. Both Kalmenson and Haines told the assemblage that box office prospects for forthcoming Warner films (Continued on page 3) SCC Staff Report See Federal Control of TV Nets Possible Lack of Competition In Industry Is Cited By J. A. OTTEN WASHINGTON, June 30. Direct government regulation of television networks may be necessary if steps aren't taken to promote competition in the television broadcasting industry, according to a staff report released over the week-end by the Senate Commerce Committee. Based on lengthy hearings the committee conducted last year into network practices, the report was prepared under the supervision of special television staff counsel Kenneth A. Cox. Although its release was unani( Continued on page 6) FCC Invites Comments Of Anti-Pay TV Groups From THE DAILY Bureau WASHINGTON, June 30. The Federal Communications Commission has decided to let interested parties file replies to the comments the commission has requested concerning a suggested field test of subscription television. In making this decision, the FCC granted a petition filed last week by the Joint Committee against Toll-TV and the National Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters. Both parties asked for permission to file replies to the comments the FCC requested by July 8. The commission set July 22 as the deadline for filing replies. Zenith Radio Corp. opposed the joint committee petition. Allied EDC Holds Meet On Trade Problems The Allied States Association's Emergency Defense Committee held an informal meeting here on Friday to take up the matter of print shortages, clearances, runs and other trade problems, it was learned. Among (Continued on page 6)