Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1959)

I'sday, September 15, 1959 K Exhibitors Motion Picture Daily ( Continued from page 1 ) . landlines. If coin television were educed it would be an easy matter them to implement it through their ting channels. Exhibitors would then, this delegate med, be in a position of seeing their IS relayed from other cinemas and ,t was an eventuality which would ipletely eliminate independent the;men. He urged that the Association ;age forthwith in an inquiry and if •essary send delegates to Canada I the U.S. to examine the position re. J Cites Skouras' Warning 'The London branch spokesman raided General Council that Spyros buras had warned the Association's ^ual convention that the moment '11 TV appeared independent exhibi''s might as well sell out. This London man referred to FIDO reminded delegates that when the i'ranization was brought into being iny theatremen wanted its operaJ ns coupled with Toll TV. They had *en imsuccessful in that endeavour, f'as there something sinister in that? ^' wanted to know. Speaking for the executive, the As'ciation's treasurer. Lord Westwood, lid that the whole matter was in his 'ind when he had proposed at the "eeting of the industry's Five Associa')ns' Committee that the industry apy for the control of the proposed jlevision Third Channel. Thoroughly Alerted , At the end of the debate it was rreed that enquiries be made in Canla and the U.S. as well as of the opropriate Government Departments. )i The general council will not assemifle again until Nov. 11 but it may be i:cepted that a great deal of backuage work will be put in by the associirion's very active finance and managelent committee in the meantime. In(ependent theatremen throughout the 53untry are now thoroughly alerted to le peril of uncontrolled Toll TV. Comment has been made concernig the remarkable discretion exhibited y delegates to the general Council in s^rard to the identity of the combines at'erested in Toll TV. But the Rank !)rganisation, at least, has made no lystery of its interest in the medium If Toll TV. Rank's TV Interests As long ago as August, 1958, in a ontribution he made to the National 'rovincial Bank Review, John Davis, tie Organisation's deput)' chairman, ad this to say: "For the specialised appeal— which leans millions of people— a further deelopment in visual entertainment is n the horizon, namely, coin-in-the-slot elevision, or, perhaps a better descripion, the 'home cinema'. Whilst I know towerful interests will resist its introluction and certain legal difiBculties n\\ have to be overcome, I am con■inced that it will be with us one lay." It was announced here recently that Pact Extension 20th Century-Fox's regional product and merchandising forum d^*^ J«P Midwestern showmen to the Sheraton Blackstone Hotel, Chicago, yesterday ramong them, left to right: Dale McFarland Fourth Ave. Amusemem Co , Louisville; D^vid B. Wallerstein, Balaban & Katz, Chicago; Robert Conn 20th-Fox Chicago manager; J. B. Giachetto, Frisina Amusement Co., and Ben Marcus, Milwaukee. ^ ^ wirephoto Fox to Maintain Top Spot (Continued feld remarks to the exhibitors. "We have nineteen regional advertising and publicity managers throughout the U.S.," Einfeld noted, "more than any other company in the business. We will continually aid the exhibitor at the local-level through our sales force and our advertising-publicity force. It is this kind of cooperation between 20th-Fox and the exhibitor which will maintain the company's position as the number one motion picture organization in the world." Doors Open to Merchandisers At the meeting, special merchandising plans for Fox product was revealed, through a variety of non-industry speakers whose organizations are involved in 20th promotions. Einfeld made note of these speeches, stating: "Just as our doors at the studio in Hollywood are open to independent producers, so are our doors open to merchandisers who will help pre-sell 20th productions at the local level and who will aid the exhibitor in each situation. "For example, we are currently engaged in two promotions for "The Best of Everything"— one with "Harper's Bazaar" and the other with Alhed Stores which will benefit every exhibitor-large theatre or small-who plays "Best." With each of these pro from page 1) motions, as well as with any of our merchandising programs, we only enter into a situation whereby the exhibitor will profit. Proper Cooperation "Tieing-in with Harper's and Alhed expands our field force by the thousands, making representatives of these concerns part of the promotion on the picture in each situation." Einfeld summed up: "One of the main reasons we are holding these area showmanship meetings, is to acquaint the exhibitor with the material he will have going for him on each of the pictures. With the proper cooperation between our branch managers, advertising-publicity managers and the exhibitor each of the promotions entered into will be utilized to the fullest." ( Continued from page 1 ) in London, or the presence of the Board of Trade officials here. In past years, the annual negotiations have taken place either in London or Washington, with either the American or British delegation making the crossing. Asked By State Dept. Johnston originally had planned to go to London to negotiate the extension, with the intention of urging the abandonment of all sterfing conversion restrictions on earnings of the American distribution companies in Britain. However, he was asked by the State Dept. to remain here to aid in playing host to Soviet Premier Khrushchev when the latter visits Hollywood next Saturday. As a result, the British negotiations had to be conducted in the present manner. One of the minor changes being sought in the agrement is a stipulation that American film earnings anywhere in the sterling area may be transferred to London and there converted into dollars exactly as though the sterling had been earned in Great Britain. The conversion right, of course, would be subject to the existing $17,000,000 annual ceiling on remittances by the American companies. The agreement permits balances above that amount to be employed for a variety of permitted uses. In addition, American companies are entitled to a bonus conversion amounting to one-third of the amount they spend on production in England. May Be the Last Some British sources have suggested that this year's agreement may be the last, in view of Britain's continuing economic improvement. Should it go on without interruption, it is felt, there will be no need for restrictions on sterling conversions of any kind. First in a Series The Chicago meeting, first in a series of the showmanship meetings resulting from the recently-concluded national sales meeting, was coordinated by 20th's midwestem branch managers: Robert Conn, Chicago; Howard Kinser, Indianapolis; Jack Lorentz, Milwaukee; and William Gehring, St. Louis. In addition to Solomon's address at the meeting, 20th-Fox assistant general sales manager Martin Moskowitz also spoke. the Rank Organisation had formed a new private company, Rank Relays Services, which "is intended to bring together all the various aspects of tlie Group's growing radio and television relay operations." Attempts will doubtless be made to elucidate the position on Wedensday when Lord Rank reveals his annual report to the press. Now 'Sword and Cross^ Samuel Bronston's scheduled motion picture based on the fife of Christ, formerly titled "The Son of Man," has been changed to "The Sword and the Cross." Fihning of the $4,000,000 production reportedly wiU begin in October, both at the Charmartin and Sevilla Studios in Madrid. John Farrow is serving as director and writer. 4 Finished, 26 in Work In Hollywood Studios From THE DAILY Bureau HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 14.-No new films went into production last week, four were completed, making a total of 26 pictures before the cameras. Completed were: "Savage Innocents" (Paramount-Magic Films) for Paramount release; "Hell Bent for Leather" for Universal-International; "Captain Buffalo" for Warner Bros.; "The Choppers" (Rushmore Prod.), independent release. For over 40 Years Service and Quality lias been Our Tradition. Showmen all over America know they will get the best when they order NtW TOBK 630 Ninth FliMACK SPICIAL TRAILERS 1327^. Wobash Ave., Chicago 5, III.