Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1960)

November 18, 1960 Motion Picture Daily h May Ease Demand Schary Urges Quality Films [T • Foreign Firm Data From THE DAILY Bureau \SHINGTON, Nov. 17. Intera nal Revenue Service officials i been urged by spokesmen for , ess to modify their demands for I mation returns concerning forj, subsidiaries of American cor, inns. It is indicated that IRS soon revise its requirements so I i reduce die paperwork burden I ,S. companies. The revision prob\ will go into effect for 1961. uliness representatives centered I fire on the IRS demand for , ,lete and detailed information ,, eming ownership, business, type I icome and accumulated profits of [ subsidiary directly or indirectly I ast half-owned by a U.S. firm. teens Theatre Files ti-Trust Action To anti-trust action seeking $1,500,in damages has been filed in York Federal Court by Parion *atre Corp. against MGM, Colum4 Pictures, United Artsits, and tun Theatres. The suit charges s 'riniination by the film companies fhe booking of their first-run films ' 3,nst plaintiff's Parsons Theatre in ( Continued could not be an antidote to a worried and scared world or to the insecurity of children. The public, Schary claimed, is not a "fat lump of acquiescence" and it will not be satisfied with just more and more. In order to compete with the "stultifying effect of tv," he said, films must make a contribution; it is not enough to use more stars, increase running time, spend more money, and pile up all sexual variations. Schary declared that even some worthwhile films would have been just as successful if more restraint and "good taste" had been used. Schary also hit film ads that emphasize the female anatomy and urged that freedom "not be limited to the pelvis." As he has in the past, Schary opposed classification as the answer to from page 1 ) the problem. Some advocates he noted, in the theatre cynically suggest classification in the hope of titillating an audience. He said that children would be encouraged to lie about their ages and theatre managers would tire of asking ages when the money came in. Setting an age limit "invites children to put on false moustaches," he added. Although Schary recognized ^ the "basic theatrical right to offend," he wished for less offense. He asked that industry leaders try to find areas of agreement and to exercise good taste. He urged adherence to the Motion Picture Production Code, but said that if it needed to be changed, it should be. If it needed to be ripped up, he added, it should be; however, he warned that in the flood of censorship that would inevitably follow, a new code "will emerge." rens an uit. ,d in favor of the Century 'T'arion has asked an injunction inst the defendants and urged the tart to compel them to "negotiate ^rood faith" for product. >n-Hur' Rentals its {Continued from page 1 ) level of maximum profit return," ew-rel said. 1 Theatre for theatre, 'Ben-Hur is "fdmuing to roll up the biggest box ttPce grosses and set the longest rj!jis of any production in the history the motion picture business. Con[uently, revenue to the company is Bet record proportions." Promptness Emphasized mil em 'It is particularly noteworthy that ,1 ■ "Ben-Hur' costs were recovered todi promptly in so few engagements, a I we than half the 325 theatres Aliened 'Ben-Hur' within the last few e. mths, so that actual playing time is n : ite small in relation to its earnings coiii'd its potential." mas lilitary Cutbacks (Continued from page 1) Wry theatre audience. This may or '§ not mean that fewer facilities 11 be needed. Service installations ■road are playing five pictures a ;ek now, with about 1V2 being ought back for a second or even ird time. It is possible that a dimished audience might make it deable to have the houses stay closed ther than to show additional reFilm procurement practices will .t change as a result of the new rective "All films shown abroad are ocured either in the U.S. or through .S. distributors. mi Eastman Kodak Elects 2 Jo Vice-Presidencies Special to THE DAILY ROCHESTER, Nov. 17. Two assistant vice-presidents of Eastman Kodak Company were elected today at a meeting of the Kodak board of directors here. They are Joseph R. Allendorf, director of sales promotion, and A. Dexter Johnson, advertising manager. Both will retain their present responsibilities. Allendorf, a sales executive associated with Kodak since 1926, has been in charge of sales promotion for the company since 1959. This responsibilitv has included such functions as advertising displays, wholesaler and dealer promotion, dealer advertising services, advertising trade relations, and package design. Allendorf was born in Dayton, Ohio, and attended Stanford University. Johnson, who joined Kodak in 1934, was appointed advertising manager in 1957. He has been responsible for the general working operations of the advertising department. Kodak's Dividend Up From 45 to 50 Cents Eastman Kodak Co. has increased its quarterly dividend from 45 to 50 cents, payable Jan. 3, 1961 to holders of record on Dec. 2, 1960. The company also has voted an extra 25 cents, payable in the same manner. Kodak dividends for the year thus total $2.10, as compared with $1.80 last year. Disney Dividend Set HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 17. Roy Disnev, president of Walt Disney Productions, announced that the board of directors at a special meeting held todav, declared a quarterly dividend of '10 cents per share, payable Jan. 1, 1961 to stockholders of record Dec. 16. A stock dividend was omitted. Clark Gable ( Continued from page 1 ) died in Presbyterian Hospital here last night of a heart attack. Gable was a 30-year veteran of the motion picture industry and had set an enviable record. FAME Magazine reports that he had been named among die Top Ten Money Making Stars on 16 separate occasions between 1932 and 1955 and was said to be still high on current lists. Although most famous for his 1939 portrayal of Rliett Butler in "Gone With the Wind," it was his performance in "It Happened One Night" in 1934 that won him an Academy Award. Sol Siegel, vice-president in charge of MGM production, in a tribute to Gable said: "Clark Gable always will remain in the hearts of those who were associated with him for so many memorable years at Metro-Gold wynMayer. He was, without question, one of the greatest stars the motion picture industry has produced. "But to those who were his friends throughout the studio, and the world of show business, he will first be remembered as a fine and wonderful human being, a man who inspired and earned the love, respect and esteem of all privileged to know him. "His is an immeasurable loss to us and to the millions everywhere to whom he contributed so much enjoyment and pleasure ; through the motion picture screen." Nlorey Heads Family Fund Film Division The Community Service Society of New York has appointed Edward Morey, vice president of Allied Artists Pictures, chairman of the motion picture division for this year's Family Fund drive. The overall goal of the CSS for the city wide drive i s $2,000,000 which will be used to aid and care for the young and old, to help the mentally ill physically handicapped and disturbed youth. Upon notice of his appointment, which was suggested to CSS by Eric Johnston of the MPAA, Morey said, "I appreciate Mr. Johnston's confidence and am honored to play this part in the vital work of the CSS. I also take this opportunity to call on all members of the motion picture industry to support the drive and the CSS with their contributions." Commenting here on the death of Clark Gable in Hollywood Wednesday night, Joseph R. Vogel, president of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, yesterday issued the following statement: "The death of Clark Gable is a deep and personal loss to the legions of friends and admirers he made during his long and successful association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. "In a sense, Gable and the studio reached success together, and his con Tent 35 Elects New Officers for Year Charles A. Alicoate has been elected chief barker of the Variety Club of New York, Tent No. 35, for the coming year, succeeding Harry Brandt. Other officers named at the annual election were Robert K. Shapiro, first assistant; Irving Dollinger, second assistant; Jack H. Levin, property master; and Jack H. Hoffberg, re-elected dough guy. Canvassmen named were Bud Edele, Walt Framer, Joseph E. Levine, Morris Sanders, Charles Smakwitz, and George Waldman. Maryland Exhibitors Protest Tax Increase Special to THE DAILY BALTIMORE, Nov. 17-Members of Maryland Theatre Owners Association and Allied Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Maryland combined forces yesterday at a board of estimates hearing to protest a proposed increase on amusement admissions from % of one per cent to five per cent. Their protest labeling the tax as a discriminating levy which would be harmful to the industry, was heard by Mayor J. Harold Grady. tribution to motion pictures and the happiness he gave to millions of moviegoers throughout the world as one of the screen's greatest stars, can never be estimated. "Clark Gable was a star as a human being, as well as of film. He will be sorely missed in the years to come, but his stature both as an actor and as a beloved personality will live on forever. I revered him as a friend and feel his loss deeply."