Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1960)

87, NO. 56 MOTION PICTURE DAILY NEW YORK, U.S.A., WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1960 TEN CENTS § quested by Guild IMPP-SAG alks Resume o m o r r o w for Post-1960 Films me Issue, Says Boren Bv SAMUEL D. BERNS OLLYWOOD, March 22.-Negor>ns between the Screen Actors d and the Association of Motion ore Producers seeking to reach a ement of the current strike will esumed at 2 P.M. on Thursday, as disclosed here today by Charles •oren, executive vice-president of i\MPP. oren's announcement followed a ( Continued on page 4 ) / Younglove's Bill 5 Strong Opposition Special to THE DAILY LB ANY, N.Y., March 22. As Assembly prepared to vote to•ow on the Younglove film classiion bill, reports were heard of derated opposition by exhibitors other industry sources, slephone calls, wired messages (Continued on page 2) iu Revision today— page 5 npany Heads Conclude ike Confabs Here op company executives concluded consecutive days of conferences , he Hollywood strike situation yes.ay but issued no statement on the ■ome of their deliberations, held he Motion Picture Association of ?rica board room here. Eric John, MPAA president, and Kenneth "k, vice-president, left for Washon following the meeting, o comment was obtainable on res that the conferees considered josals of the Screen Actors Guild counter-proposals of their own, dispatched instructions to Assoion of Motion Picture Producers otiators in Hollywood. Hyman Sees 1960 As Best Theatre Business Year Since 7956; lauds Forthcoming Product Based on current prospects of product to be made available throughout the year and on the trend of theatre attendance nationally, Edward L. Hyman, American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres vice-president, expects 1960 "will be a better year than any since 1956." Meeting with trade press representatives at luncheon in the AB-PT home office dining room, Hyman expressed his "extreme optimism for our industry this year." He noted that, "as a general matter, the trend of business for ABPT Theatres is usuallv indicative of the trend for exhibition around the country." "Our company's results in the first quarter are well ahead of the same period last year. Barring a protracted strike by the Screen Actors Guild, our analysis of the product available for the second quarter, sparked by the April-May-June drive of exhibition, makes us confident that this momentum will continue through the second quarter. "Release for the summer months are little less than sensational, so we anticipate continued improvement during the third quarter. Releases to be available for the last quarter, plus exhibition's annual fourth quarter drive, leaves no question but that the upward trend will continue," Hyman said. O'Connor Heads Catholic Charities Film Division John J. O'Connor, vice-president of Universal Pictures, has been appointed chairman of the Motion Picture Divis i o n, Special Gifts Unit, of the Cardinal's Committee o f the Laity for the I960' Fund Appeal of New York Catholic Charities. H e has been assoc i a t e d with Catholic Charities Fund Appeal since 1936, when he was asked by Frank C. Walker, then chairman of the Mo(Continued on page 6) John O'Connor Review Denied in NSS Poster Case From THE DAILY Bureau WASHINGTON, March 22. The United States Supreme Court handed down an order yesterday denying poster-renters Lawlor and Pantzer's application in the Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari to review the decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Handed down by that Court last May the decision affirmed the district court's dismissal of the Lawlor-Pantzer antitrust action against National Screen and the eight leading motion picture producers and distributors. The Supreme Court's refusal to grant certiorari, which in substance constitutes an affirmance of the dis(Continued on page 6) REVIEW: The Mountain Road William Goetz Production — Columbia Hollywood, March 22 It took courage to make a significant film of such magnitude, and producer William Goetz accepted the risk of presenting what should be regarded as daring screen entertainment. No punches have been pulled in the characterization of an American army officer who suddenly finds an opportunity to experience a sense of power he never had before by (Continued on page 4) Cites Quality Hyman Sees '60 Releases At 227 Minimum Restdts of Yearly Study To AB-PT Meet This Week Ten national distributors will have a minimum of 227 features available for release this year, exclusive of reissues, foreignmade acquisitions and 70mm specials, Edward L. Hyman, American B r o adcastingP a r a m o u nt Theatres vicepresident, told trade press represent atives yesterday. Hyman's tabulation was made following extensive conferences with executives of the distribution companies and ( Continued on page 3 ) Edward L. Hyman TV Spot-Sale Plan For Roach, Sr., Films From THE DAILY Bureau HOLLYWOOD, March 22. Hal Roach, Sr.'s projected plan for his active return to production in both motion picture and television fields smacks of an opportunitv to eliminate ( Continued on page 4 ) MPAA Annual Meeting Is Set for Tuesday The annual meeting of Motion Picture Association of America has been scheduled for next Tuesday at its New York offices. The principal business is the election of directors. The annual meeting of the board subsequently will elect officers, with no significant changes in either the directorate or officers expected.