The Exhibitor (1954)

MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR NT-3 Judge Explains Censor Ruling Columbus, O. — Judge John C. Nichols, who wrote the Appellate Court’s deci¬ sion ending state censorship, castigated Attorney General William O’Neill and Judge Ralph Barlett for not keeping before them “more clearly the nature of their oaths to support, uphold, and defend the United States Constitution and the Ohio Constitution.” Nichols said if they had done so, “I am sure the decree would have been to the contrary and their fine talents not wasted in whittling away at these great charters of human liberty under which United States citizens have lived, prospered, been happy and secure in the rights and privileges guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.” Nicholas added, “The guarantees of freedom of speech and press are couched in the unmistakable language that no law shall be passed abridging such guarantees. “That language is not susceptible of interpretation that some laws having that effect may be passed while other laws may not be passed,” said Judge Nichols. “Congress has passed no law which abridges the right to transmit films by television, although television has brought motion pictures into the homes of millions, although many of us are convinced some of such pictures have no educational, religious, or hum¬ orous characteristics.” Judge Nichols warned the motion picture industry that “any violation of universally-recognized laws of decency and morality will bring condemnation and may destroy this instrumentality capable of so much good in furthering morality, education, and wholesome amusement.” In condemning censorship. Judge Nic¬ hols said, “Who am I to impose upon another my conception of what is beau¬ tiful, moral, educational, or amusing?” He said that parents have a responsi¬ bility in choosing what films or tele¬ vision plays their children see. R. M. Eyman, chief Ohio censor, is known to be writing a more stronglyworded censorship bill which is expected to be introduced in the present session of the General Assembly. “It’s just another nail in the coffin of censorship,” said Wile of the decision. “I don’t see how any Committee of the Legislature can ignore the opinions of the Court of Appeals, the Ohio Supreme Court, and the United States Supreme Court.” Laux, SW Holly^^ood, had a fifth child, a girl, Sandra. . . . The largest family night crowd attended the RKO night at the Variety Club. Dave Silverman, RKO branch manager, was heartily congrat¬ ulated on this fine turnout. Jimmy Hendel, United Artists man¬ ager, was elected national secretary. Kappa Nu fraternity, at the recent con¬ vention held in New York. . . . MGM has installed CinemaScope screen and hmses for the local exchange. . . . Dr. II. C. Winslow, owner. Park, Meadville, Pa., was honored on the Erie television station WSEE as one of the most piominent citizens of this area. Among state theatres adding CinemaScope in the past weeks were the Lake, Sandy Lake; Grant, Millvale; Lamp, Irwin; Grand, Port Allegheny; and the Village, Salisbury. . . . /Marcia Joseph, Republic booker, and her husband moved into their new Eastmont, Pa., home and Larry Seidelman, Republic branch manager, has moved his family from Omaha to this city. Tom Duane, former Republic man¬ ager, and now manager. Paramount, in Detroit, recently Was a Film Row visi¬ tor. . . . Sam Milberg and Joel Golden, RKO salesmen, both received new Ford V-8s. A story came out during the holidays that Frank Thomas, Film Row pro¬ jectionist, has turned over all profits on the sale of Christmas cards to charity. His son. Bob, who was killed in action in Korea and in whose memory a memorial stone has been erected on Film Row, had been selling these cards, and his father took over when he left for service. Fifteen neighborhoods are scheduled to run a giant double feature bill from RKO first-run in the area. The features are “Passion” and “This is My Love.” The State, Ambridge, Pa., closed for several weeks, re-opened Christmas day with a first-run policy. . . . Dave LefF, IFE district manager, was in for the holidays. He formerly lived here as the local branch manager for United Artists. John Rigas, Coudersport, Coudersport, Pa., gathered a five column coop ad by contracting the local Chevrolet dealer for a tie-in copy plugging “The Student Prince.” Slugged “A Toast to the ’55 Chevrolet,” the ad featured a scene mat showing the film’s stars singing a toast and carried prominent picture and theatre credits. . . . The Vox, Ligonier, Pa., has closed, but the Ligonier, Li¬ gonier, will continue to operate, accord¬ ing to its owner, Alvin Seiler. Paramount will hold a trade screening of “The Bridges of Toko-Ri” at the Shadyside. ... It looked as though John McGreevey, Harris buyer, was on the way to recovery, but a sudden turn for the worse has kept him at the Mercy Hospital. . . . The Penn, Blatrsville, Pa., recently taken over by Tommy Bello, Nanty G!o, Pa., and Saul Perlman, wil be managed by Bello’s son John. Ohio Carlton R. Ulmer and Bernard Dobbins, Park, North Canton, O., are new members of the Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio. Columbus “Julius Caesar” heads the list of 10 best films shown in Columbus during 1954, in the opinion of Norman Nadel, Citizen theatre critic. Others include “The Caine Mutiny,” “Seven Brides For Seven Brothers,” “On The Waterfront,” “A Star Is Born,” “The Little Fugitive,” “Broken Lance,” “Rear Window,” “The Living Desert,” and “The Glenn Miller Story.” Arlington, neighborhood house, oper¬ ated by the Academy Theatres until its closing some time ago, has been con¬ verted into an ice-skating academy by Charles Hain. This is the first such installation in the central Ohio area. . . . Leo and Milton Yassenoff, Academy Theatres, were part of the Ohio State party attending the Rose Bowl game at Pasadena, Cal. Convention of the Independent Thea¬ tre Owners of Ohio will be held on Feb. 2,8 and March 1, announced Robert Wile, ITOO secretary. Dates originally announced as March 1 and 2. Convention will be held here at the Deshler-Hilton Hotel. William C. Gehring, general sales manager, 20th Century-Fox, and Abram F. Myers, Allied general counsel, have accepted invitations to address the dele BOX OFFICE STATEMENTS — a Daily memoranda of the complete THEATRE CASH CONTROL SYSTEM Price: 25c per SO-sheet pad Printed on both sides so that complete factual totals for one day can be kept on one 8Y2 X SY2 inch sheet, each itemizes: 1. OPENING AND CLOSING TICKET NUMBERS 2. PASS AND WALK-IN TICKET NUMBERS 3. CASH TOTALS AND REFUNDS 4. TAX TOTALS 5. PROGRAM, WEATHER, AND OPPOSI¬ TION 6. SPACES FOR HOURLY TOTALS 7. MISCELLANEOUS INCOME AND DEPOSITS * Ask tor SAMPLE’ SHEETS' Sold ONLY to Subscribing Theatres by EXHIBITOR BOOK SHOP 246-48 N. Clarion ’street, Philadelphia tiw/ MARCH OF DIMES Jcmuuty 3 -3t JunHanj 19, 1955