Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1959)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY 85, NO. 69 NEW YORK, U.S.A., MONDAY, APRIL 13, 1959 TEN CENTS Decline fCO Theatres' rosses Run lead of 1958 ivartz Tells 'Holders iness Is Profitable By WARREN G. HARRIS bn't let people talk the theatre >ss down— we're not declining," RKO Theatres president Sol A. Schwartz, told stockholders of List Industries, parent corporation of the exhibition c o mpany, at its annual meeting here at the weekend at the Hotel Wellington. "We're goirough changes," Schwartz con"but I feel business will staat a profitable level." So far ear, he said, RKO Theatres is ig ahead of 1958 from a busi(Continued on page 9) lion Urged by TO A iuying for 70mm. ■atre Owners of America has d its members not to equip for projection at the present time they plan roadshow operation. "OA recommendation, contained bulletin to its membership re at the weekend, was based on ecial survey of forthcoming and 70mm product from the film companies. id even in a roadshow house," ' Continued on page 2 ) a Profits Are Still stantial: Value Line motion picture companies have hopes of realizing substanrofits from their activities with■ theatrical motion picture field in the absence of any major '■se in theatre attendance," The (Continued on page 8) (AD VT) 'Herald' Merchandising Meetings Win Acclaim Screenings and discussions of MGM's "For the First Time" and of 20thFox's "Son of Robin Hood," Friday concluded the three-day series of merchandising conferences sponsored by Motion Picture Herald. The conferences, during which seven pictures set for summer release were screened by as many companies generated even more enthusiasm than the first series conducted by the Herald last fall. Roth the exhibitor guests and the participating companies found the exchange of ideas on advertising and merchandising stimulating and of great practical value. High Interest Sustained This was indicated at every session of the conferences. Thursday night, after having viewed three pictures starting at 9:30 A.M. the participants spent more than two hours at the conclusion of Universal's "This Earth Is Mine" discussing the highlights of the company's proposed campaign. Earlier in the day they had seen and discussed Warners' "The Young Philadelphians" and United Artists' "Shake Hands with the Devil." Wednesday the group saw Columbia's "It Happened to Jane," took part in an all afternoon round table discussion of general ad(Continued on page 8) For United Artists' "Shake Hands" Conference see page 7. For Universal's "This Earth" Conference see page 7. List of Exhibitors Who Attended on page 8. The campaign and discussion on MGM's "For the First Time," which was screened Friday morning, and on 20thFox's "The Son of Robin Hood," which was shown Friday afternoon, will be reported in Motion Picture Daily tomorrow. Annual Report Paramount '58 Earnings Total $4,567,000 Total Income Estimated At $12,554,000 for Year Paramount Pictures at the weekend reported estimated consolidated net earnings from operations for the year estimated at $12,554,000 or $7.15 per share based upon 1,755,888 shares outstanding at Jan. 3, 1959. The total consolidated income is estimated at $12,554,000 of $7.15 per share and includes $7,987,000 or $4.55 per share of special items income, after provision for income taxes, representing principally profit on disposals of films and investments and after reduction for adjustment of investment in certain affiliated companies. The consolidated net earnings compare to $5,425,000 or $2.80 per share reported for the year 1957 on 1,939,( Continued on page 9) '(/' Executives Laud QP Conference Values Unstinted praise for the usefulness and practical value to film merchandising campaigns of the Motion Picture Herald merchandising conferences was voiced by Henry H. Martin, Universal general sales manager; Phil Gerard, Eastern publicity manager, and Jeff Livingston, Eastern advertising manager, during the discussion period at the Universal home office Thursday night. Martin said that the first Herald merchandising conference last fall helped the campaign for "The Per(Continued on page 8) Embassy Suit Re-Trial With Jury Is Ordered Special to THE DAILY SAN FRANCISCO, April 12.-Retrial of the Embassy Theatre eightmillion-dollar anti-trust suit, this time with a jury, was ordered today by Federal Judge Lloyd Rurke. Last year (Continued on page 8)