Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1960)

March 1960 Motion Picture Daily Can' Advance Hits at Rivoli ,000 i j):35 Tuesday morning the adsale for "Can-Can" at the Theatre here passed the $100,•jiark. i telegram from George Skou! resident of Magna Theatres to P. Skouras, president of 20th -Fox, the former stated that on this fact, he was confident Can-Can," would open March he biggest advance sale of any ion in the history of the moicture industry. lig's Plan ( Continued from page 1 ) it would supply in even greatantitv if the public demanded n: at m Tie daid Mil at \ his first meeting, Selig told the neither it nor the film industry 1 be interested in censorship or lassification of films for adult enile patronage. lat responsibility," he told them, be exercised by each family dually. But the movie industry ive you a chance to evaluate picin order to do a better job for children." a next step, Selig then invited 700 PTA members and selected leaders to a special screening iter-Movmtain's Centre Theatre As an example of family-type rainment available, he showed 'j 20th Century-Fox's "Dog of lers." As an example of movies sducate, he showed them a short \laska, the 50th State," and as ;ample of how films inform, he ned shorts on drives for muscular ophy, and the American Red '|., and a Mr. Magoo cartoon on even steps in cancer detection. Cooperation Increased suits of the meetings could be |ed in unquestioned improvement I operation between the local film I theatre trade and key civic orations and personalities. Selig ;d all local distribution managers state theatre operators to the •rings. Among those present t McCee, Compo; Tom Smiley, berg Theatres; Mayer Monsky, ersal branch manager; Robert , Albuquerque Theatres; Harold Fox Theatres; Fred Brown, < Hills Amusement Co.; Sam i\ itz, Exhibitors Booking Service; nee Batter, Batter Booking ServRobert Spahn, United Enters; Fred Knill, Gibraltar Theatres; Davis, Atlas Amusement Corp.; s Ricketts, Paramount branch iger; William Ostenberg, Scotts Theatres; Frank Dean, Larry -"".n and Gerald Hart, Westland itres; Don Urquhart, Warners "ch manager; Jules Needleman, ] mbia branch manager; Marvin farb, Buena Vista; Chick Lloyd, and Jack Lustig, National wflen Service. Companies Attitude Unchanged ( Continued available. In such instances, subordinates said to the best of their knowledge and belief there had been no change in the company's position as a result of the Universal deal. Late Tuesday night, the Screen Actors Guild board of directors approved an agreement reached a few hours earlier by its negotiating committee with Milton R. Rackmil, Universal president, for a three year contract which includes SAG participation in revenues derived by Universal from the sale or lease of its post-'48 library to television. The SAG board said it would recommend immediate ratification of the agreement by the membership. Earlier, Universal had reached an agreement with the Screen Writers Guild, which has been on strike against producers since Jan. 16. For theatrical pictures made between Aug. 1, 1948, and Jan. 31, 1960, the actors contract provides that Universal shall pay to SAG six per cent of total gross receipts from distribution of such pictures in television after deducting 40 per cent for distribution expenses, when pictures are distributed under a distribution contract. The deduction is reduced to 10 per cent in case of outright sales to television. The contract covers all pictures, from page 1 ) whether they arc in a profit or loss position in theatres. On pictures made after Jan. 31, 1960, the producer will pay seven per cent with similar deductions. On pictures produced after Jan. 31, I960, and released on pay television, the contract provides for a re-opening of the agreement at the request of the guild. All other films released on pay television will be considered as theatrical releases. The new guild contract provides that Universal shall pay into a pension and welfare fund for guild members, to be jointly administered by producers and the guild, five per cent of all actors' earnings, with a limitation of $100,000 per actor per picture. Among salary increases granted in all classifications of players are the following: Day players, up from $90 a day to $i00; weekly free lance players, up from $300 to $350 weekly; stunt men, up from $90 to $100 a day and from $345 to $400 a week; Contract players raised to $300. The contract also provides man)' improvements in work conditions. Its ratification will mean that there will be no strike at Universal Monday. Rackmil has called a trade press conference for this morning in his office here. Foreign Tax Credit Bills Filed in House From THE DAILY Bureau WASHINGTON, March 2. Two bills relating to the so-called gross-up of the foreign tax credit allowed domestic corporations on dividends from a foreign subsidiary were introduced today at the request of the Treasury Department. Ways and Means Committee chairman Wilbur Mills (D., Ark.) and ranking minority member Noah Mason (R., 111.) introduced the identical measures. Chairman Mills has announced two days of public hearings on the bills will start March 28. In August, 1959, the committee tentatively agreed to the substance of these bills, which were then a part of H. R. 5, the Boggs (D., La.) foreign investment incentive act. The committee later decided to limit the scope of that measure, and dropped the "gross-up" (which had been inserted at Treasury's request) from H. R. 5. The newly introduced bills provide, in effect, that the amount of a dividend received from a foreign corporation (10 per cent or more owned by a U.S. firm) shall be increased i. e., grossed-up) by a proportionate part of the foreign taxes paid by such corporation on the profits out of which the dividend was paid. The committee says that this is designed to equalize the tax treatment of income derived through foreign subsidiaries with the treatment accorded to income from foreign branches. It is intended to deny to subsidiaries a double allowance with respect to foreign taxes paid. Carle Finds (Continued from page 1) campaigning on every worthy picture," Carle said. "I handle a campaign from its inception, outline it from the very beginning— read the script, sit in on conferences, observe it during production, learn all I can about it. When I get out into the field I can answer all questions. There's no guesswork involved." Discusses 'Hiatus Period' But the specialist is concerned most with the "hiatus period," as Carle called it, the gap between the time the picture completes production and the time it is actually released to exhibition— weeks or months. A specialist closes the gap this way: He travels constantly, meeting with the company's regional exploitation men— Fox has 26— and telling them all they need know about a picture scheduled for release. He emphasizes the need for personal and continuous contact with local exhibitors and newspaper people, so that interest in the film does not flag between endof-production and release dates. Then it is up to the regional man to make the most of whatever exploitation aids the specialist has provided for him. What is this wholesale publicity worth in cash? Forty to 50 per cent more at the box office— more than tin picture would have grossed had it not been treated to saturation publicity, Carle estimated, adding: "Daily newspaper reaction surprised us. People on the amusements TENT TALK Variety Club News LONDON Tin eighth annual dinner and dance of Variety Club of Great Britain attracted some 950 members and friends, breaking all existing records for the event. Organized by co-chairmen Nat Cohen and James Carreras, the function raised more than £ 14,000, beating last year's figure by £2,000. M. J. Frankovich headed the car raffle committee, which raised £5,500. A NEW ORLEANS Variety Club's membership drive, spearheaded by chief barker Irwin Poche, has passed the half-way mark to its goal of 200. Poche, himself, has brought in 47 members. Others very active in the drive include Page Baker, Don Stafford, Dan Brandon, Al Hodges, Carl Mabry, Al Demody, Gene Calongne and Sammy Wright. WGA Replies to ACE ( Continued from page 1) lar investment in motion pictures. However, an encouraging note is the fact that a healthy flow of top quality product is already assured for the nation's exhibitors. A very sizeable group of producers with first rate records at the box-office arc now in a position to continue their production activities and to expand them as the market demands. "We have signed an agreement with Universal-International studios and with more than 40 independent companies. There is every probability that others also will reach agreement with the Screen Actors Guild. "Universal International certainly can be expected to continue and, if necessary, expand its flow of first rate product ... in the light of the above it is our earnest hope that the industry's upward movement at the box office after years of decline will not be arrested. Appreciation Expressed "Nevertheless we want you to know that your telegram was received with appreciation and with recognition of the industry statesmanship it represents. Please be assured that the Writers Guild of America will hear with interest any constructive suggestions put forward by you and vour organization which are designed to resolve the present crisis." pages go for good, newsy pre-release stories. They want more than what they get from wire service columns. "What's more, the better job you do with an independent picture for major company release, the more likely you are to retain the services of a top producer or director. LeRov is an important example." Concerning the campaign for "Wake Me When It's Over," Carle praised the recent merchandising section of Motion Picture Herald which was devoted to mats of publicity material for the picture. That's what the dailies want, too. Carle stated.