The Exhibitor (1955)

MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR 17 Industry Golden Era Predicted By Warner New York — The motion picture indus¬ try is undergoing a definite economic upsurge, Major Albert Warner told the Warners sales executives at the closing session of a two-day meeting at the com¬ pany’s home office last week. This steady climb in the indus¬ try’s business baro¬ meter, Major Warner pointed out, “will con¬ tinue indefinitely as long as our company, and other companies, adhere to the policy of producing and dis¬ tributing top quality pictures.” “Today,” the Major asserted, “more than any other period in the history of this business, it is the excellence of the prod¬ uct that counts. In a sense, we ourselves are responsible for creating a more de¬ manding and discriminating consumer public for our pictures. By constant re¬ search and experimentation, we have made tremendous improvements in meth¬ ods of filming and projecting motion pictures.” Warner predicted an increasingly fav¬ orable position for his company due primarily to the lineup of top story properties and artists gathered by produc¬ tion head Jack Warner. He called atten¬ tion to the success of such features as “Battle Cry” and “Mister Roberts,” and predicted a continued success with such forthcoming releases as “The Bad Seed,” “The Spirit Of St. Louis,” “Giant,” “Moby Dick,” “The Searchers,” “The Wrong Man,” “The Old Man And The Sea,” “Rebel Without A Cause,” “Sincerely Yours,” “Miracle In The Rain,” “Helen Of Troy,” “The Lone Ranger,” “The Court Martial Of Billy Mitchell,” and others. “As for the future,” Major Warner de¬ clared “that our business will be healthier than ever. With a general economic pic¬ ture of continued health and growth, the way is open to a truly golden era for this indixstry. I know that my brothers Harry and Jack are determined to meet the de¬ mands of the time by a continuous supply of truly great motion pictures. And I am certain that you, Ben Kalmenson, and all of the men in your distribution force, as well as our advertising and publicity de¬ partments, will merchandise and market these motion pictures with enterprise. Former Industry Racketeer Killed Violently In West Phoenix, Ariz. — William Bioff, 54, who, with George E. Browne, one-time lATSE president, once tried to extort $550,000 from film companies on threats of calling a nation-wide strike of projectionists which would have ruined the industry, I was killed last week at his home here when a bomb exploded in his automobile, i Bioff was sent to prison on the shakedown charges and later admitted he had ex¬ torted $1,800,000. Released from prison only a year after trial, reportedly for having turned informer on A1 Capone’s associates, local police attributed Bioff’s violent death to gang revenge. . November 9, 1955 New Jersey Allied Unit Protests Circuit Expansion NEW YORK — The expansion of di¬ vorced circuits, especially in drive-in operations will be protested at the current National Allied convention in Chicago, it was indicated by Allied Theatre Owners of New Jersey, the first exhibitor organization to take such action. The position of ATONJ was revealed when it was learned that Loew’s Theatres has petitioned the Department of Justice for permission to acquire an outdoor theatre near Keyport, N. J. The circuit recently acquired drive-ins at Evanston, Ill., and Jacksonville, in addition to a roofed theatre at Coral Gables, Fla. National Theatres, which also has been actively expanding, recently added to its holdings seven theatres in the Salt Lake City area and a drive-in at Las Vegas, Nev. Before Loew’s can obtain the New Jersey site. Justice must submit an opinion to Federal Court at a hearing where those opposing the application can also state their views. The decision is made by the presiding judge. In the past. Justice has told the courts that additional theatres in the specific areas do not threaten the existing competitive patteni. Konecoff (Continued from page 8) also lilies to combine newer talent with top people, e.g. Rock Hudson and Jane Wyman, because the end result is pleasing and the newer people get a hand up tho ladder. The talent training school at the studio is a big help while TV does its share of developing and uncovering new ability and faces. Rosenberg is the man who started the participation deals with stars and has made most ^ of these films for the studio with the end result working out fine for producer and star alike. He found this method of operating very satisfactory and there are no complaints from anyone. IT’S A DOLL: Sometimes Macy’s tells everyone including Gimbels and last week was one of those times when the world’s largest store took out a full page ad in the New York Times saluting Samuel Goldwyn’s “Guys And Dolls.” Said they. “Sam, you made the movie too short.” Following this, more than three quarters of the space was devoted to copy plug¬ ging the film, the situations, and the characters. After months of planning and building, the climax in the way of the premiere of “Guys And Dolls” took place last week at the Capitol on Broadway with the total receipts going to the Will Rogers Hospital, the industry’s own project. It was expected that the institution would realize approximately $35,000, with more than 260 theatres in the Greater New York area cooperating by running trailers, taking ticket orders, etc. All walks of life were represented in the parade before the batteries of photo¬ graphers and arc lights including politi¬ cians, stars, figures from the sporting world, top industryites, and famous col¬ umnists and other members of the fourth estate. The ordinary guys and dolls whr» plunk their dough down at the boxoffice SCTOA Turns Down New Arbitration Pact New York — An invitation to participate in the arbitration plan as recently drafted has been “declined, with thanks,” by Southern California Theatre Owners As¬ sociation, it was announced here last fortnight by SCTOA president Harry C. Arthur, who said that the organization’s dirtetors took that action on the west coast following a report from a special committee which had been established to study the plan. The committee consisted of one circuit operator, one independent exhibitor, and one buyer for a buying¬ booking unit. The rejection of the proposed industry plan was the first by an exhibitor or¬ ganization. It was approved by Theatre Owners of America and the Independent Theatre Owners Association of New York. According to Arthur, the SCTOA board decided that the draft as it stands will not accomplish what it intends to ac¬ complish, and he agreed with National Allied general counsel Abram F. Myers that exclusion of a clear definition of clearances and the allowance of two pre¬ releases annually by the film companies are detrimental to the interests of ex¬ hibitors. Allied has taken no formal ac¬ tion on the draft, although it was expected to be high on the agenda at this week’s Chicago convention. The SCTOA head asserted that the only way, now, to create a satisfactory arbi¬ tration plan is to form one large organi¬ zation to represent all exhibitors. He recommended not a merger of the various national groups, but establishment of “working agreements” whereby exhibi¬ tion could speak as a single voice in negotiations. In effect, Arthur said, con¬ ciliation is already underway, although “the little fellow” is often left out. The over-all sales policies of the companies, he said, should be arbitrable inasmuch as they are the key to the whole dilemma of exhibitors. Waldman Gets UA Post New York — Walter Waldman has joined the United Artists publicity department, replacing George Nelson, resigned, it was announced last week by Francis M. Winikus, national director of advertising, pub¬ licity, and exploitation. got a chance to come in as well to see the film and all the trimmings, as well as to contribute to charity. THE METROPOLITAN SCENE: We hear that the projectionist’s union has practically gotten a 10 per cent raise frorr the circuits. Next on the list is the operaion of the studios and home offices, after which the independents will be seen. Settlement may be for a little less on the latter. . . . Celebs, press, and industry representatives turned out for the preview of “The View Of Pompey’s Head” at the Roxy last week. Plenty of exhibition representatives were on hand. . . . MGM’s “Good Will To Men” is an eight minute wonder in cartoon form for the Christmas Holiday season. . . . Okay pressbooks out on “Tarantula,” “Lady Godiva,” “Run¬ ning Wild,” “Hold Back Tomorrow,” “The Treasure Of Pancho Villa.”