The Exhibitor (1955)

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NT-2 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR Legion, Code War Seen Approaching Albany — Storm clouds ai'e gathering between the Legion of Decency and the Production Code Authority of the Motion Picture Association. This is the frank prediction made by The Evangelist, week¬ ly publication of the Albany Catholic Diocese, in its editorial, “Decency Is Reasonable,” asserting that “The Legion’s dissatisfaction with normally objectionable factors characteristic of so many approved films was received with an attitude of obstinancy by Eric John¬ ston, president of the industry’s cen¬ soring office.” Johnston maintained, in reply to the Legion’s complaint of an “obvious trend toward laxity,” and a “retrogressive .attitude” on producei's’ part, that “Pictures reasonably accepted by reasonable people will continue to be made without concessions anybody or anything.” In view of “the comparatively few” films that can be classified by the Legion of Decency as “entirely suitable” for general patronage, Johnston “leaves iio doubt he regards the honest norms of decency to be too right and unreason¬ able in the demands they make on the movie makers,” claimed the editorial. The MPA head’s “reasonably accepted” measui’ing rod gives “unscrupulous pro¬ ducers a wide range which they will not fail to abuse,” The Evangelist con¬ tinued. The reasoning that backs “t’he content of motion pictures is based prin¬ cipally on cash profit, with little, if any, regard for consequences, be they good or bad. . . . Vulgarity, immodesty, and the highly suggestive are continuously employed as the most lucrative instru¬ ments. To many producers, filth in all its categories is the ‘reasonably accept¬ ed.’ If the Code Authority continues to relax present mediocre restrictions, pic¬ tures are sure to sink to unprecedented depths of rottenness.” The Evangelist held that the Legion of Decency “came into being to awaken the Motion Pictui’e Association of its obligations to society.” It asserted: “Boycott is an effective weapon . . . which producers understand and appreciate.” Johnston, “by ignoring the necessity for present vigilance, is inviting the Legion’s action,” stated the editorial in its final shot. The paper has, on occasion, called for a boycott of, or patronage with¬ drawal from, theatres showing “con¬ demned” pictures. Two recent instances concerned the Ritz and the Grand. In the case of the Ritz, the picture was pulled; in that of the Grand, an Italian feature, the Page 1 editorial was ignored. In a third situation, at the Delaware, ,a “C” picture was withdrawn after sev¬ eral days and quiet Catholic objections, and “Camille” was the moved-up re¬ placement! New York City Crosstown (Continued from, preceding page) Blance Livingston, in charge of pub¬ licity for RKO out-of-town theatres, sailed on the Nieuw Amsterdam for Frank Costa, manager, SW Warner, Ridge¬ wood, N. J., recently conducted a bathing beauty contest to pick a winner to rep¬ resent “Miss Ridgewood" at the finals. Going up the steps are Ann Ivors, winner; Sally Joy, Cecilia Corcoran, and Elaine Bradbury. Paris, Amsterdam and the Scandina¬ vian countries. Harry Cohn, president, Columbia, ar¬ rived for a series of conferences with home office executives. . . . W. C. Gehring, 20th-Fox executive assistant general sales manager, returned from Los Angeles following conferences with distribution director A1 Lichtman. Richard A. Harper, MGM home office sales executive, made the upstate trip. He was in Albany and Gloversville. . . . John Dacey, salesman, RKO exchange, and Mrs. Dacey celebrated their 50th Three-year-old Kathy Forsgren, East Islip, recently showed her surprise as Harry Berkmier, general manager, new Bayshore Sunrise Drive-In, on Sunrise Highway, Bayshore, pinned an orchid upon her as the first patron of the new drive-in. The drive-in features a completely equipped children’s playground, sports and picnic area, dance and refreshment pavilion, and a huge outdoor screen for showing Cinemascope and other wide-screen attractions. wedding anniversary. Dacey has been with RKO since 1915, coming from the original Pathe Company. Members of Dacey’s office presented him with a tie pin and gold cuff links in honor of the special event. . . . E. R. Zorgniotti, chairman of the board, IFE, and Sey¬ mour Poe, executive vice-president, left f ir Rome for a meeting with the Board of Italian Film Export, and to negotiate for new product for IFE release. New Jersey Newark The sixth week winners in the Stanley Warner spring festival drive were Frank Costa, manager, Warner, Ridge¬ wood, for best adult activity, and Jack Conhaim, Stanley, Newark, for the best children’s activity. Seventh week winners were George Birkner, Fabian, Paterson, for best picture pro¬ motion and Tom Arrants, Cranford, Cranford, for best children’s activity. The Embassy, Orange, will present a talent program every Wednesday eve¬ ning, thru June 29. . . . The Montauk, Passaic, G. Kemp, manager, presented a “Rock ’N Roll Jam-arama,” plus a championship Rock ’N Roll dance con¬ test. Also on the stage were the HarpTones, The Nutmegs, Varetta Dillard, Little Esther, Stix McGhee and Danny Stiles. . . . The Warner, Ridgewood, held a bathing beauty contest; valuable prizes and an opportunity to represent “Miss Ridgewood” were offered. ... A kiddie bathing beauty contest was pre¬ sented at a Saturday matinee to de¬ termine “Little Miss Ridgewood.” The Trivoli, Newark, presented “Bar¬ ber Shop Quartet Night.” Six quartets were entered for the competition, and prizes were awarded. . . . The Oritani, Hackensack, will present a punch and judy show. . . . Mildred Levy, secretary to Edgar Goth, head of exploitation and publicity, Stanley Warner Jersey Circuit, was married to Robert Klein. The couple are spending their honeymoon in Wash¬ ington. Miss Diane Gordon was the proud recipient of a scroll in recognition of her presentation of a “Canine Show” as manager, Central, Jersey City. National Welfare Guild in their pre¬ sentation stressed the community ser¬ vice attached to her efforts as the chair¬ man for the annual “Canine Cavalcade.” Miss Gordon has been a guest speaker on radio station WAAT on the Ray Hanfield program, and has just re¬ cently been transferred and promoted to the Oritani, Hackensack, where Harry Kalmine started his successful climb, He is now the general manager, Stanley Warner Circuit. Jack Barret, manager, Wellmont, Montclair, N. J., presented a Punch-andJudy show from the stage. . . . The Oritani, Hackensack, N. J., will pre¬ sent a Punch-and-Judy show from the stage on Saturday, June 18. Diane Gordon is manager. . . . The Tivoli, Newark, N. J., presented a public rela¬ tions program from the stage. There was an essay contest, with a savings bond going to the winner. June 15, 1955