Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1960)

Motion Picture Daily Deny Lord Rank Is Considering Retirement From THE DAILY Bureau LONDON, Sept. 14. A report that Lord Rank is again considering retirement was categorically denied here today by John Davis, managing director of the Rank Organization. Rank Profits ( Continued from page 1 ) attributed by Lord Rank to both the beneficial effects of the rationalisation program and the abolition of the entertainments tax. While profits from theatre exhibition in the United Kingdom were slightly down from last year, those from overseas exhibition maintained roughly last year's level, he said. This latter he called "satisfactory in view of the rapid growth of television in many countries throughout the world." Film production distribution showed a profit of $607,600 compared with a loss of $2,450,000 the previous year. Commenting on this Lord Rank said, "The whole pattern of our film production has been modified to meet changed conditions in the industry. I am pleased to report that the steps taken have justified our expectations." Cites TV Dividends Established manufacturing interests continued to make a contribution towards group profits, but the new and strictly non-film activities have not yet reached the stage of substantial contributors, he warned. He noted a first dividend from Southern Television, Ltd., in which Rank owns 37.6 per cent interest. Income from ballrooms and dance studios showed an increase, but the gramophone record outlet incurred heavy losses. In view of the decline in theatre attendance the Rank group will continue to make fewer films, the report noted, and these will be of a type "with wider international appeal." Some 63 per cent of the company's film revenues came from the overseas market which Lord Rank found "encouraging." The domestic demand for British films also continued to increase, he said. Out of the 12 most successful films played on the Rank circuit last year no less than seven came from British studios, of which the Rank Studio provided five. The Organisation will continue its policy of modernizing existing theatres on which $3,402,000 will be spent this year. Fox Plans 1 7 (Continued from page 1) ing the start of this picture, production will be maintained at a steady stream throughout next three months. These films include: "Journey Into Danger," with George Sherman producing and directing; "Madison Avenue," directed by Bruce Humberstone; "Live Wire," produced by Oscar Brodney and directed by David Butler; "Lion of Sparta," with George St. George as producer and Rudy Mate directing; "The Queen's Story," to be produced and directed by Michael Powell; "Winged Victory at Athens," Robert Lippert production to be directed by Andrew Martonem; "Gi^ot," Bill Smith produces and Frank Tashlin directs; "Warm Bodies," to be produced by Oscar Brodney and directed by Norman Taurog^; "Snow White and the Three Stooges" to be produced by Charles Wick and directed by Walter Lang; "Solo," Dick Powell to produce; "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea," to be produced and directed by Irwin Allen. In addition to these films, the following five productions will get the careen light before the middle of December: David O. Selznick's "Tender Is the Night," Jerry Wald's "Return to Peyton Place" and "Wild Is the Country," two pictures produced by Platp Skouras and his Triton Productions, "Francis of Assisi" and "The Jules Verne Story." Novins Puzzled ( Continued from page 1 ) to some 200 managers, partners and associates of Famous Players Canadian Corp. at the company's national conference being held here. Novins reminded his listeners that many leading exhibitors are holding discussions with Telemeter with a view to entering the fieldc. Without revealing any figures— "we are not going to be pressured to give out figures before they are meaningful"—Novins said that a number of people are buying programs" beyond our expectations." He claimed there had been "no visible effect of telemeter on nearby theatres." Novins said that Telemeter is presently designing and developing equipment that would be used in two years. "Already the present equipment we have has been outmoded." Discusses Etobicoke Project Novins said the Etobicoke projectto be followed by two others in the United States— has not made money, "and we didn't expect to, because our programming has reached the 60 per cent potential." There would be some specific announcements within the next couple of months about programs to be presented, he added. Discussing the business done, Novins declared "the figures have fluctuated without reason. We are at the end of planned stage one, and are now starting on planned stage two, where we will expand the variety of programming and then we can develop figures." Pledges Filing of Bill For Artists' Tax Relief From THE DAILY Bureau HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 14. Jerry Pacht, candidate for Congress from the 16th district, has made a promise in a campaign speech to support "a lean-year tax-relief bill" as a measure to protect actors, entertainers and professional athletes "who are penalized for their high earnings over a short period of time." "This leaves nothing for their security when their popularity wanes," Pacht pointed out today. British Pledge ( Continued from page 1 ) Cohen, president of Cinema Circuit, Inc., after he reported to the council on the activities of ACE in setting up an exhibitors production company and organizing opposition to paytelevision. Cohen's circuit was one of those pledging the third $1,000,000 in production funds to ACE, following the first $2,000,000 contributed by five major circuits in the U. S. In Britain, the council pointed out to Cohen, major circuits already have production interests. It is understood that while here Cohen investigated the possibility of producing ACE-financed pictures in Britain. He leaves London for Paris tomorrow. In other business, the council heard a report today from CEA president Alfred Davis on his plan to go to the U. S. Sept. 21 on a combined six-week business and pleasure trip. Davis will make a survey of the American cinematic scene and will also visit Toronto to observe the Telemeter operation there. Sidney Eyes Future ( Continued from page 1 ) system" of motion picture exhibition, including 70mm, and predicted that eventually a 100mm film will be devised. Each script is different, he noted, and therefore calls for the use of the system by which it can best be made and which will serve to make it most enjoyable for the audience. The motion picture theatre of the future, Sidney believes will include many innovations virtually unknown today. He said that the Criterion Theatre here, where "Pepe" opens its initial run on Dec. 21, will undergo an extensive remodeling program prior to the premiere of the CinemaScope-Panavision production. Openings to Be Staggered The first openings of "Pepe" will be staggered with a Dec. 23 date for the Lincoln Theatre in Miami Beach and a West Coast run set to start at the Warner Beverly in Los Angeles on Dec. 28. Sidney remarked that this method would enable him to make personal evaluations of the results of each opening. The veteran director went on to say that producers today should aim at developing the motion picture medium to its greatest potential and that this could be achieved by placing an emphasis on the "unusual." Thursday, September 15, 19! J. Theatre Upbeat ( Continued from page 1 ) first Theatre Owners of America coj vention "university" class on equ;i I ment and maintenance here this motj Jf ing by W. J. Cosby of National Ciw> bon Co. The speaker was a meifflp1 of a panel which included Hal Neidj * purchasing agent for Blumenfei ..' Theatres Circuit, San Francisco, cha; f man; Larry H. Davee, president ■! Century Projector Corp., New Yoiil' and J. Walter Bantau, general pt«i chasing agent and chief engineer ;1» National Theatres Amusement Corl Los Angeles. Emphasizing the importance ml proper screen illumination, Cosby ip( minded exhibitors that the thea;fe patron deserves good screen light, i j Stresses Cost-per-Reel "Don't limit your projection equ | -,t ment by your power source," m warned. "If you are thinking of bi», ing new equipment or going iije 70mm, remember that the corn! J basis on which to buy carbons is th»( cost per reel, not the cost per calm "In buying carbons, bargains ;| , not always what they seem. A lovif TJ priced carbon can burn faster aL leave larger stubs. They may not gi, , you that extra reel you need." Davee urged exhibitors to cooper; ; with equipment manufacturers, wai|P, ing that there is "very little incenti; today for manufacturers to devel* anything new." Banks, he said, wol loan $100,000 to finance new develc; ments on the basis of current marl conditions and receptivity for nil theatre products. Warns of 'Bargains' He warned exhibitors also of ( ceptive "bargains" in foreign-ma equipment at low prices, asserting tl often it is a copy of what was dev oped and is made here. "Ours is one of the biggest indi tries in the world," Davee said. "\ must support it by using the bi equipment. The tools are availab We must be sure to use them c( rectly." He said too many theatres are bei run with obsolete equipment. The bi type of sound and projection, he sa:[ :, is the one the customer is least awst of, the one that causes the least d; traction. ) f 'Give Everything Good Care' Bantau counseled exhibitors to gi close attention to maintenance of phases of the theatre plant, equipme and furnishings. "Give everythi' good care, first of all, and make ij placements when they've done thii work." He advised exhibitors to watch aij check utilities bills, to get regular il ports on the condition of cooler to) ers, air conditioning, motor general! sets and all important units. "Properly maintained, everythi! will give you longer life." The equipment session shared j 8 A. M. start with another "univfj sity" class, one on merchandise Both were well attended. j FILMACK SPECIAL TRAILERS LEAD THE FIELD! j£t*ll G?ODL-£a^i ON TIH*L