Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1960)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY L. 88, NO. 104 i)lT OR1 AL. aowdown Ahead Ry Sherwin Kane itRESPECTIVE of the variety of (reactions within the industry to the Catholic bishops' committee's nunciation yesterday of the incasing number of motion pictures Lich it deems objectionable, there no reason to assume that the Lops' statement took the industry surprise. It was not only that the National ;gion of Decency previously had Iported an increase from 14.59 per nt of total Hollywood films deemed be objectionable in 1959, to 24.33 |ir cent in 1960, but rumblings of >prehension and dissatisfaction over m content have been heard from any quarters with increasing freluency over the past six months or Lore. Many of these rumblings have een from within the industry. Only last week, top company excutives at a Motion Picture Assoiation board meeting were briefed n the legislative prospects faced by he industry in the coming year; argely as a result of the increased lumber of pictures with so-called idult themes. The prospects are disturbing, to iay the least, with 48 of the 50 state egislatures scheduled to meet, and 111 sporadic clamor for municipal attention to motion pictures and theatres in some areas of the country, and federal attention in others. The recent annual gatherings of the two national exhibitor organizations-Theatre Owners of America in Los Angeles in September, and Allied States Ass'n. in Chicago in November-heard theatre owners of national standing voice their concern over mounting criticism of film content on the part of customers, particularly the parents of adolescent children. • In the face of what went before, the bishops' statement cannot have taken the industry by surprise anv more than can similar expressions, and actions, which are certain to come in the weeks and months ahead, when the voices of parents and clergy are joined bv those of legislators. Yet what special preparation the ( Continued on page 2 ) TELEVISION TODAY— page 6 British Censors Seek To End Conflicts From THE DAILY Bureau LONDON, Nov. 30. (By Cable)As an outcome of talks between the British Board of Film Censors and local licensing authorities, representatives of the latter will attend a one day study course on how the BBFC examiner's reach their decisions and on what grounds films are placed in particular categories. It is hoped that this will cut the number of cases on which the BBFC and local authorities give differing verdicts on films, particularly those placed in the "X" category. Beaffie Assi. Sales Head For 20ffi-Fox in Canada Special to THE DAILY TORONTO, Nov. 30. Victor J. Beattie was made assistant general sales manager of 20th Centurv-Fox in Canada. He was promoted from the position of Toronto branch manager; (Continued on page 3) Rackmil, Aboaf Report To European Offices Special to THE DAILY ROME, Nov. 30. Universal Pictures president Milton R. Rackmil told Italian company executives here that U-I was in its most favorable financial and operational position [Continued on page 6) Miss Taylor, Fisher file Libel Actions In what is termed the first major action bv motion picture artists against national "fan" magazines, actress Elizabeth Taylor and her singerhusband Eddie Fisher yesterday initiated libel suits amounting to 87,250 000 against six sets of publishers and' editors of the movie publications. The actions were filed in New York (Continued on page 6) $250,000 Remodeling Plan Set for Criterion Charles B. Moss, president of the B S Moss Theatres, yesterday announced that the Criterion Theatre, newest of the Broadway showplaces, will be remodeled and refurbished at a cost of 8250,000. The theatre will close Sunday at midnight, and will reopen Wednesday evening, Dec. 21, for the reserved seat (Continued on page 6) Okla. City Awaits 'Cimarron' Premiere Bv SIDNEY RECHETNIK OKLAHOMA CITY", Nov. 30.-The world premiere of Metro-GoldwynMaver's "Cimarron," takes place tomorrow evening at the Midwest Theatre here against a backdrop ot excitement and fanfare. Climaxing months of preparation, (Continued on page 3) Sunday Show Question Splits Canadian Theatre Three Ways Geographically Special to THE DAILY TORONTO Nov. 30.-With Sunday movies a burning question here, the value of 8600,000 or more and taxes are paid in proportion to each municipalities where the theatre is located. which has taken up the Sunday movie quesho^ ^J^Pgg "j, Wt corner comprising a single concrete pde are in the municipal . taken up the Sunday movie question. Sees Danger 'Anticipates' Classification Bill for_N. Y. Fitzpatrick Cites Criticism Of Trend to Sex, Violence Special to THE DAILY ALBANY, Nov. 30.-James A. Fitzpatrick, of Pittsburgh, counsel to the joint legislative committee on offensive and obscene material, "anticipates" a film classification bill will be introduced at the coming session of the legislature. He believes, "If the public realizes the inherent danger in the exhibition of motion pictures morally undesirable and objectionable, and abstains from patronizing them, the production of this type will be curtailed. So long as the boxoffice tinkles, such pictures will continue to be made." Dissatisfied with the current situation relating to "obscenity" in literature and on the screen, Fitzpatrick thinks it is increasing in the latter medium. He likewise is critical of television's "undue stress" on violence, brutalitv and crime. The former chairman of the joint (Continued on page 3) Mclean Is Named to Canadian film Post Special to THE DAILY TORONTO, Nov. 30. -Grant McLean, director of production, National Film Board, has been appointed as one of two senior assistants to the trovernment film commissioner, Guy Roberge. His new title will be senior assistant and director of production. Pierre Juneau, the Board's executive director, will continue to be the (Continued on page 6) Selig and Thedford In New N. T. Posts From THE DAILY Bureau HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 30. The appointments of Robert Selig as senior vice-president, and William Thedford as a vice-president of National Theatres, a division of National (Continued on page 6)