Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1960)

4 Motion Picture Daily Wednesday, July 6, 1960 Gaining Hotel |f Started in Naples ( Continued from page 1 ) dents symbolize the further deterioration of the film theatre business. 'Tis not true, Eugene Picker, president of Loew's Theatres, says in the current issue of "Loew's Movie Memo," a bi-weekly lettter to editors and columnists. "The decision to transform the Lexington and 72nd Street Theatres into non-theatrical properties has a simple explanation," Picker said. "Take the Lexington, occupying one of the finest commercial sites in Manhattan. For many years it was loyally supported by tens of thousands of movie-goers. But— a big but— considering the value of the location, other use of the property promised a considerably larger profit. New hotels are needed in New York City; the new Americana (21 stories, 800 rooms ) will be the first important hotel here in 30 years." And what about the 72nd Street, one of the newest and most ornate film palace's on New York's East Side? The story is similar, according to Picker. Predicts Aid to Theatres "Here again is a popular movie theatre on a valuable location in the heart of an area where luxury apartments are in great demand. There have been important changes in the hotel and apartment house businesses, changes that promise increased revenues which even highly popular movie houses cannot match. Times change; we are merely keeping step. "We have not intentions of liquidating our theatre business. In fact, we think in terms of expansion if and where the opportunity arises." To coin a phrase, there'll always be a Loew's. "Windjammer' First Film The new Bronxville Theatre, Bronxville, N. Y., will open on July 15 with National Theatres and Television's Cinemiracle production of "Windjammer." ^ (CONTINUED FROM PAGE I) his elders. This he does easily and he appeals as not only the most likeable but also the most mature, character in the picture. His name is Marietta and he plays the hell-bent but sage nephew of both principals. The boy is the son of Gable's late expatriate brother and of Miss Loren's Neapolitan sister, who also was killed in an accident. In Italy to settle his brother's estate, Gable is as overbearing an American as Philadelphia's Main Line makes them. He has a fiancee in the States but, of course, he loses her (not that he minds much) on the transatlantic telephone. Most of his time thereafter is spent at a bar in Capri watching Miss Loren gyrate about on the dance floor dressed in tights, singing about rock 'n' roll music, whisky and soda and other corn gleaned from the American cob. Theirs is an on-again, off-again romance but Gable and Miss Loren seem finally to be in love. They later quarrel over who shall have custody of young Marietto, after the American tells the woman he will not marry her. Gable is represented in a courtroom farce by Vittorio De Sica who easily loses the case. At the end, however, Gable decides to stay in sunny Capri with his lover and the boy. The screenplay is by Shavelson, Rose and Suso Cecchi d'Amico. Bright color photography-parades, festivals, fishing boats, and that lovely Neapolitan shoreline-is a high spot of the picture. Alessandro Cicognini and Carlo Savina composed the musical score. And then there is that remarkably wise little boy, Marietto, who is set free to triumph all by himself in this picture. Running time, 100 minutes. August release. Saul Ostrove M-G-M Slates 15 ( Continued from page 1 ) ron," completed and set as the company's picture for New Year's; Samuel Bronston's "King of Kings," to be released in the spring of 1961; "Mutiny on the Bounty," to be filmed in Tahiti in Process 65; "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse"; and "The Great Western Story," first M-G-M film in Cinerama. In addition "Charlemagne" is being planned in Cinerama. The other films in active preparation include "Lady L.," "Ada," "The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters," "I Thank a Fool," "Sweet Bird of Youth," "Bachelor in Paradise," "Spinster," "Two Weeks in Another Town," and "Irresistible." Two pictures on the new schedule went before the cameras diis month. They are "Where the Boys Are" and "Atlantis, the Lost Continent." The company's release schedule is now set through the first of the year, Vogel said. In current release are "Bells Are Ringing" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." For Thanksgiving will be "Butterfield 8," and others include "The Time Machine," "All the Fine Young Cannibals," "Go Naked in the World," "The Angel Wore Bed," "The Subterraneans," "Gorgo," "Key Witness," "The Day They Robbed the Bank of England," "The Village of the Damned," "Invasion Quartet," "Where the Hot Wind Blows," and "Magic Boy." Maloney Resigns ( Continued from page 1 ) formation of the company, Maloney began his career as a salesman with the Famous Players Company in Pittsburgh, later joining the Goldwyn Company before its merger with M-G-M. Toronto Projectionists Back Sunday Shows Special to THE DAILY TORONTO, July 5. Local 173, IATSE, the Toronto Moving Picture Operators' Union, has unexpectedly come out in support of theatres opening on Sunday. Previously, the Union has been opposed to theatres opening on Sunday. Announcement of the change brought the first open move in the province of Ontario since the resolution of the Motion Picture Industry Council of Canada about 18 months ago which called for Sunday shows. The resolution reads: "In order for theatres to compete with other forms of entertainment, our Local will go on record endorsing Sunday shows by unanimous vote." Endorsement will be sought from the Toronto & District Labor Council. Quebec is the only province in Canada with open theatres on Sunday, although a number of motion pictuer theatres in other areas maintain a seven-day operation quietly and with the favor of the community. Theatre owners who get behind the resolution to have an open Sunday might run into some stiff opposition from the Lord's Day Alliance. Rev. A. S. McGrath, general secretary, the Alliance, told the Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec meeting, "We are living in a time of movement and change is inevitable." Noting the increase in automation, he said: "We are studying changes that might be applied in the light of more leisure time available to people." He suggested that the Alliance might permit latitude in areas where commercial activity is already allowed by law but continue to oppose opening up of areas still closed on Sunday. Republic Net ( Continued from page 1 ) ings of $532,137, or approximately 26 cents a share after federal taxes but before preferred stock dividends for the comparable 26 weeks of 1959. Republic earned 40 cents a share for the first six months of 1960 after federal taxes and after preferred stock dividends compared to approximately 16 cents a share after taxes and preferred dividends for the comparable 1959 period. President Victor M. Carter attributed increased earnings during the period to "the continued economies and sales instituted by present management." Gross revenues from all divisions and subsidiaries for the first six months of 1960 totaled $14,016,422, compared with $13,172,995 for the corresponding period a year ago. Common on Regular Basis Republic's steadily improving outlook has prompted the board of directors to put the common stock on a regular basis for the first time in the company's 33-year history, he said. The first quarterly dividend of 15 cents a share was paid for the May-June-July period, totaling $300,629. Another dividend is planned for the last quarter, representing a pay-out of 30 cents a share for the current fiscal year ending October 31, i 1960. Thereafter Republic's common stock dividend will amount to 60 cents annually. Carter said Consolidated Film Industries' Ft. Lee, N. J., and New York film processing laboratories, operating at a loss when new management took over, joined the successful Hollywood lab in showing second-quarter profits. The two Eastern units foresee annual eaarnings of $500,000 by year's end. Two Series Acquired Hollywood Television Service, subsidiary releasing Republic's 850feature library to television, with more than $4 million in contracts, has acquired distribution of the "Leave It to Beaver" and "Red Ryder" TV series, Carter added. Republic, which does not plan to resume film production, is currently financing two TV series and two motion pictures under a guarantor plan that includes use of the company's facilities. Carter revealed the 30-acre undeveloped area north of the Studio City main lot will be reserved for planned development as real estate. He described the acreage as a valuable parcel in the heart of San Fernando Valley growth. Livingston Named (Continued from page 1) his retirement after 30 years of service. Replacing Livingston as central division sales manager will be Ralph J. Iannuzzi, the company's New York metropolitan division sales manager. Jules Lapidus, eastern division sales manager, will include the New York territory within his division. More light + slower burn= lower costs ATIONAL TRADE MftPK PROJECTOR CARBONS