The Exhibitor (1957)

18 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR New Censor Effort Plaques Ohio Exhibs Columbus, O. — The revised censorship fee system called for in film license bills introduced in the Ohio Legislature are designed to eliminate the “money argu¬ ment” against censorship, according to Robert Wile, secretary. Independent The¬ atre Owners of Ohio, in a bulletin to members. The new schedule calls for a $3 per reel charge for the first print and $3 for each additional entire print, rather than a straight $3 per reel charge, as in the former censorship system. For short subjects, the fee for additional prints would be $1. It is estimated that the lowered fees would produce only about $50,000 annually, approximately the an¬ nual budget of the film censorship division. Under the former system, sorne $250,000 was obtained annually. The ex¬ cess went to support the audio-visual film exchange for schools and colleges. “Though this demolishes the money argument,” said Wile, “all of the other reasons to oppose censorship still remain.” newspapermen, civic leaders, clergymen, and officials were guests at an invita¬ tional preview of Paramount’s “The Ten Commandments” in Loew’s Broad. Cleveland Buses brought some 300 people here from Canton, O., to see “This Is Cine¬ rama” in the Palace, on a package all-day trip that included luncheon, dinner, and time out for shopping. . . . Irwin Pollard, Imperial Pictures, announced he has 70 RKO features made from 1951 to 1957, including five new 1957 features, that have not yet been released for area dis¬ tribution. Additionally, he will have an array to top short subjects, including one three-reeler, 12 two-reelers, and 37 single reels. . . . Stan Rawson again has closed the Best, Scio, O. . . . While Walter Kotowicz vacations in Florida, his Ross, Rossford, O., is being managed by A. Milo DeHaven. . . . Jack Gutilla will not be able to reopen the East Lake Drive-In, Russell’s Point, O., because his lease has expired and the owner of the property will not renew. Louis Wetzel is build¬ ing a new 780-car ozoner between Rus¬ sell’s Point and Lake View, O. This is Wetzel’s first entry into the northern Ohio territory. While Jerome Steel assumes an advis¬ ory capacity, his twin sons will take over the active operation of his theatres. Larry will be in charge of the Apollo, Oberlin, O., and Billy will handle the Star View Drive-In, Norwalk, O. . . . Result of an area survey shows that in most instances, a drive-in is in the center of a group of motels. Nat Barach, NSS branch man¬ ager, suggests that drive-in theatre oper¬ ators take advantage of this fact to estab¬ lish the NSS double display-away boards in these motels, with current attractions listed. Nine Toledo, O., theatres, ordered 70,000 ballots for the Academy Awards Sweepstakes participation, giving that city the top participation spot in the territory. Theatres are Loew’s Valentine, Para¬ mount, Rivoli, Pantheon, Princess, World, Ohio, Colony, and tlie Miracle Mile Theatre Licensing Setup Attacked In Court Suit _ MINNEAPOLIS — Berger Amuse¬ ment Company has filed suit in U. S. District Court against the city of Minneapolis, asking that a section of the theatre licensing ordinance be declared unconstitutional. The com¬ pany said that in May, 1955, it neglected to renew the license of the Lyceum, a semi-legitimate house which it operates, and, on renewing on Nov. 29, found itself subject to a maximum penalty of 50 per cent, or $200, over the normal $400 fee. The clause setting the penalty, the complaint alleges, is unconstitutional and void and it asks a declaratory judgment stipulating its unconstitu¬ tionality as taking property without trial. It also asks for the return of the $200 penalty. Drive-In. Other participants include the Shea Circuit, 100 per cent; the Schine Circuit, 100 per cent, and the Warner Circuit in most of it’s situations, includ¬ ing the Allen, Cleveland. In Cleveland, only other theatre that has applied for Sweepstakes kits is the Hippodrome. Dallas The WOMPI will have an Academy Awards Party in the Regency Room of the Hotel Adolphus on March 27, bor¬ rowing Interstate’s closed-circuit tele¬ vision equipment to watch the Hollywood ceremonies. . . . The shuttered Urban has been scheduled for reopening on April 5. . . . The Linda Kay Drive-In has been closed temporarily by Frank Gillespie for repaving. . . . The Variety Club is at work on next September’s Turtle Derby plans. Proceeds from the annual event help support the organization’s nationally known Boy’s Ranch. If things materialize, the 1957 Derby should be one of the best. Denver A sales meeting was held here by Allied Artists, Harold Wirthwein, western sales manager, presided. Attending were Jack Felix, Denver branch manager; John Petriantonio, office manager and booker; Larry Doyle and Robert Ryan, salesman; Don Tibbs, Salt Lake City branch manager; Frank Smith, office manager and booker; Graham Sussman and Frank Iba, salesmen; Frank Thomas, Kansas City branch manager; Don Clark, office manager and booker; Frank West¬ brook and Earl Ogan, salesmen; Maurice Schweitzer, St. Louis branch manager; William Tange, booker; and Joe Howard and William Lightfoot, salesmen. . . . Theatre men and other groups are fight¬ ing the daylight savings bill that is cur¬ rently being considered by the Colorado legislature. . . . Glen Wittstruck has sold the Rio, Meeker, Colo., to Dr. Willis E. Scott. . . . Harold Cunyus, Roxy owner, leased the Park and reopened it. Des Moines Robert Dunbar has been appointed branch manager, Warners. The Omaha office has been merged with the Des Moines office, and Frank Hannon, who was Omaha branch manager, will remain Problems Discussed At Drive-In Meeting Dallas — The Texas Drive-In Theatre Owners Association reelected Eddie Joseph, Austin, as president; other offi¬ cers named at the close of the group’s annual session last month include Jack Parr, Houston, first vice-president; Charles Weisenburger, Dallas, second vice-president; E. L. Pack, Dallas, third vice-president; Robert Davis, Dallas, secretary; Skeet Noret, Lamesa, treas¬ urer; and Eddie Tobolowsky, Dallas, gen¬ eral counsel. Providing air-conditioning, policing teenagers’ activities, and getting first run and top pictures as soon as suburban theatres were some of the major problems taken up at the three-day convention. The 400 member association comprises about 75 to 90 per cent of the state’s drive-ins. Julius M. Gordon, president, Jefferson Amusement Company, Beaumont, Tex., and president. Allied States Association, addressed the opening session as a sur¬ prise visitor. He discussed film rentals and blamed high costs on a conspiracy in Hollywood among talent managers, auditors, and aging stars with tax fav¬ ored companies. The keynote speaker was Edwin Tobolowsky, general counsel, and chief barker. Variety Club. Other speakers included Mike Simons, MGM director of exhibitor relations; Dr. Franz von Heidelman; Mayor R. L. Thornton of Dallas; Ralph Pries, Berio Vending Company; Jake Elder, on main¬ tenance problems; Don Ahrens, on play¬ ground equipment; Dr. Arthur A. Smith spoke on economics for showmen; and Marvin Sandorf, on operational develop¬ ments, as well as Joseph. Principal speaker was Will Wilson, Texas Attor¬ ney General. there in charge of sales in Nebraska and part of South Dakota. . . . The Garwood, Garnavillo, la., has been reopened by businessmen and will operate Saturday and Sunday. . . . Jim Blank, Universal assistant booker, resigned; Frank Zanotti, formerly at RKO, has taken over his duties. . . . Walt Weverstad closed his Broadway, Centerville, S. Dak., and is planning to close also the Orpheum, Rock Valley, la. . . . The Senate, Sumner, la., has been purchased by a newly or¬ ganized group, the Sunset Theatre Company. Houston Elmo Ward, manager, Navaway, has resigned, according to Ruby Gibson, owner. No successor had been named. . . . Harold Mitchamore, coowner. Mar¬ ket Street and Tidwell Drive-Ins, was recuperating from illness. . . . Erwin Brown, assistant to Harry McHaffie, Avalon Art, resigned. . . . The scheduled showing of “The Ten Commandments” was delayed in the Metropolitan be¬ cause Paul McDaniel was host to 2,300 needy and handicapped persons of the city at the premiere showing. . . . The Long, Pasadena, Tex., has been leased by Johnny Long to the Phil Isley Circuit, Dallas. . . . The new Universal exchange did not open as scheduled on March 1, but now has been scheduled for April 1. March 13, 1957