Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1959)

2 Motion Picture Daily Wednesday, October 14, 1959 PERSONAL MENTION SAMUEL J. BRISKIN, Columbia Pictures vice-president in charge of West Coast activities, and Abthur Kramer, his executive assistant, have arrived in New York from Hollywood. • Eugene Picker, president of Loew's Theatres, returned to New York yesterday from the Coast. John Murphy, executive vice-president, returned last Thursday. • Fred Coldberg, United Artists national director of advertising-publicity, has returned to New York following conferences at the studios. • Irving H. Ludwig, president of Buena Vista, has returned to New York from the Coast. • Paul N. Lazarus, Jr., Columbia Pictures vice-president, has returned here from Hollywood. • William G. Reich, general sales manager for American International Export Corp., foreign division of AIP, has returned to New York from a world-wide tour. • Herman D. Kenin, president of the American Federation of Musicians, was in Cleveland on Monday from New York. • I. J. Schmertz, retired branch manager for 20th Century-Fox in Cleveland, has returned to his home in Miami after having visited the Ohio city to aid in the Skouras Sales Drive there. • Jack H. Harris, producer of "4-D Man" for Universal release, will leave here today for Atlanta and other key cities of the South. • Leonard Mosley, film critic of the London Daily Express, has arrived in New York from London via B.O.A.C. KNOW-HOW EXPERIENCE DEPENDABILITY Allied Girds for Wage Battle ( Continued years, and with overtime provisions after 46 hours the first year and scaling down to 40 hours in the fourth year, for theatres grossing over $750,000. Noting that the pressure for passage of the legislation will be greater next year, Myers asks Allied regional units to request their members to prepare specific information on how the bill would affect them for presentation to members of the Senate and House committees. He said the information, which is wanted before January when Congress reconvenes, should include "statements supported by figures of receipts and operating costs, if possible, showing clearly what the effect from page 1 ) of the increased salaries will be." He said the statements should include the number of part-time employes receiving less than $1 an hour "who do not compete in the general labor market" for any of several common reasons. Copies of the information asked for should be retained by the exhibitors providing it "for later use in writing their congressmen and senators when and if word goes out for a general letter writing campaign." Theatre Owners of America also informed its members recently of plans for an organized fight against the proposed new minimum wage legislation as applied to theatres. 'Solomon' Set to Reopen Remodeled Capitol Here Edward Small's "Solomon and Sheba," starring Yul Brynner and Gina Lollobrigida, will have its New York premiere at the new Loew's Capitol Theatre in late December, as the inaugural attraction following the theatre's million dollar renovation, it was announced yesterday by William J. Heineman, vice-president of United Artists, and Eugene Picker, president of Loew's Theatres. Both U.A. and the Capitol are observing their 40th anniversaries this year. It was on October 24, 1919 that the Capitol opened with UA's first film, "His Majesty, The American," which starred Douglas Fairbanks, one of the four founders of the company. Johnston to Speak BALTIMORE, Oct. 13. Eric Johnston, president of the Motion Picture Association of America, will address an audience of approximately 12,000 teachers during the opening session of the 93rd convention of the Maryland State Teachers' Convention here Thursday afternoon. His topic is "We Must Put Our Best Minds Forward." Brandt Drops Drive-in Brandt Theatres has relinquished its lease on the Portland Drive-in Theatre, Portland, Conn. The owners, Joe and Ted Markoff, of Markoff Bros. Theatres, Colchester, Conn., have resumed operation. Fred McNaughton has been named resident manager. Moss on Compo Staff Alec Moss, veteran exploitation man, has joined the Compo staff to handle a special assignment, it was announced yesterday by Charles E. McCarthy, Compo information director. Moss began his duties yesterday. Negulesco Forms Outfit ; To Release Thru U.A. Jean Negulesco has formed his own independent production organization which will release through United Artists, it was announced yesterday by the distribution company. As his first independent venture Negulesco will produce and direct "Apple Pie Bed," in which Maurice Chevalier will play one of the starring roles. Production is scheduled to begin in Europe early next year. A veteran Hollywood director, Negulesco has to his credit such films as "Three Coins in the Fountain," "Johnny Belinda," "How to Marry a Millionaire" and "Daddy Long Legs." His most recent picture is "The Best of Everything." Arthur Loew Becomes Theatre Producer Arthur Loew, former president of Loew's, Inc., and a veteran of 40 years in the motion picture industry, has entered the producing ranks of the legitimate theatre. For his initial venture, he has joined forces with the Theatre Guild and will co-produce with them the play by Lonnie Coleman, "Jolly's Progress." Loew is now president of Pembroke Productions, film producing company, and hopes to divide his time between films and plays in the future. Mrs. Goldwyn a Speaker Mrs. Samuel Goldwyn, who has been representing her husband at premieres of "Porgy and Bess," will address the Women's Press Club in Washington today prior to the premiere of the picture at the Uptown Theatre. The event is sponsored by International Student House and the foreign Service Council under the patronage of Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower. Admissions Decrease in \ U.K. for 2nd Quarter From THE DAILY Bureau LONDON, Oct. 13. Total theatre) admissions in Great Britain for the second quarter of 1959 were 153,000,000, which is 20 per cent less than the same period a year earlier, the L Board of Trade revealed today. The smallest decline was shown in London and the Southeast, which is j perhaps explained by the high pro, portion of larger theatres and the fact I that commercial television has op1 erated there for the longest period, i Gross takings for the period were £17,500,000, a 16 per cent decrease; from a year earlier. The statistics relate to 3,721 theatres operating with a seating capacity 3,540,000. Final results of the 1958 annual report show that, although gross takings were £9,500,000 less than 1957, net takings were £1,300,000 higher.1 Exhibitors share of this was £42,100,1 000, an increase of 2.6 per cent over 1957. British films again improved their i position in the home market with 1 gross rentals for 1958 at £8,400,000, up six per cent from the previous year. Foreign films grossed £13,000,000,1 three per cent below 1957. Rites Held for Fine, Pioneer Exhibitor, 74 Special to THE DAILY CLEVELAND, Oct. 13.-Funeral services have been held here for Sam [j Fine, 74, pioneer film theatre operator of Cleveland until 1940, when he entered the real estate business. He died last week in Los Angeles while visiting his daughter Mrs. Theresa Garfield. He is survived by his wife, Rose, three sons, two sisters and two brothers, one of whom is Meyer Fine, president of Associated Theatres circuit. Bronston and Farrow Terminate Association John Farrow, who was to direct "The Sword and the Cross," has ended his association with the film's producer, Samuel Bronston, Bronston announced yesterday. Here for conferences with new directors, Bronston will also see Sonja Levien, co-author of "The Sword and the Cross," and scenario writer. Bronston stated that set construction is near completion in Madrid. WANTED Motion Picture Theatre Manager with previous road show experience for deluxe operation in New York State. Reply giving complete resume, your salary requirements and references to: Box 1014. MOTION PICTURE DAILY. 1270 6th Avenue. New York 20, N. Y. MOTION PICTURE DAILY, Martin Quigley, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher; Sherwin Kane, Editor; James D. Ivers, Managing Editor; Richard Gertner, News Editor; Herbert V. Fecke, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager, TELEVISION TODAY, Charles S. Aaronson, Editorial Director; Pinky Herman. Vincent Canby, Eastern Editors. 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