The Exhibitor (1957)

6 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR Allied Preparing "White Paper " On Its Differences With COMPO Columbus, O. — Robert A, Wile, exec¬ utive secretary, ITO of Ohio, in a bulletin issued to the membership last fortnight stated that National Allied is preparing a “white paper” on the circumstances which caused its board in Detroit last month to back away from a return to the COMPO fold. The “paper” will be issued “after the Triumvirate have had a reasonable time in which to react to Allied’s willingness ‘to continue negotiations with the COMPO representatives, if agreeable to the latter’; and it seems likely that our suggestions will be ignored.” The following reforms were proposed by the Allied group, “that COMPO’s affairs be conducted under the immediate supervision of the president of the Tri¬ umvirate; that Robert W. Coyne exer¬ cise no authority outside that specifically delegated to him from time to time; that the president of the Triumvirate watch carefully all expenditures and seek to institute economies; that there shall be no dues collections by film salesmen in any area unless agreeable to the ex¬ hibitor organization therein; that more frequent meetings of the executive com¬ mittee be held with an agenda sent out in time to permit organization members to consider the same and advise their representatives in advance of the meet¬ ings; that the ultimate purpose, when finances warrant, is to retain a man of stature as executive vice-president as contemplated by the by-laws; that Allied would prefer that COMPO be headed by a president, if a competent industry fig¬ ure willing to devote the necessary time can be found, otherwise continuation of the Triumvirate.” It is claimed that COMPO representa¬ tives agreed to these proposals. BROADWAY GROSSES (As of this Monday) "Face" Draws "Crowd" New York — Below average business was reported by all the Broadway first-runs last weekend with the exception of the Globe. “The D.I.” (Warners). Paramount ($47,654)* — Opening session heading to¬ ward $39,000. “Desk Set” (20th-Fox). Roxy ($81,388) — Thursday through Sunday hit $29,336, with the last six days of the fourth week sure to tally $37,000. Stage show. “Designing Woman” (MGM). Radio City Music Hall ($146,192) — Thursday through Sunday accounted for $92,000; fourth, and last, week bound to reach $110,000. Stage show. “Gunfight At O.K. Corral” (Paramount). Capitol ($39,813) — Second week antici¬ pated at $35,000. “Face In The Crowd” (Warners). Globe ($11,854) — Second week great at $32,000. “Joe Butterfly” (U-I). Mayfair ($15,087) — Second and last week down to $9,000. “Something Of Value” (MGM). Astor ($24,578) — Fifth week heading toward $19,000. “The Wayward Bus” (20th-Fox). Vic¬ toria ($21,930) — Opening session hit $18,000. “Monkey On My Back” (UA). Loew’s State ($18,644) — Second week estimated at 814,000. * Figures in parentheses are 1956 weekly averages based on Motion Picture Ex¬ hibitor reports. Baseball Eyes Toll-TV New York — It was learned last fort¬ night that one motivating factor in the move of the Dodgers and Giants baseball teams to the west coast was the possible availability of closed circuit toll-TV, with Matty Fox’s Skiatron TV Corporation said to have the inside track. Two millions a year for a 10-year period was the figure mentioned in connection with the tolltelevising of the Dodgers games on the west coast. In New York, they are said to get $750,000 a year for televising of games, while the Giants get $600,000. To launch toll-TV of the wired variety successfully, Fox’s company would have to have multi-million dollar backing to meet wire costs and permit mass produc¬ tion of Skiatron decoders. He would also have to obtain the necessary franchises throughout the territories served. I M P £ X Volume 58, Number 7 June 12, 1957 Section One Editorial — “When Is A Key Run Not A Key Run?” . 5 The New York Scene By Mel Konecoff 6 As A Theatreman Sees Current Theatre Problems — By Jay Emanuel 10 The International Scene 14 Showmanship Sweepstakes 16 News Of The Territories 19 Section Two The Servisection . SS-1 — SS-4 (Pink Reviews Section) The NEW YORK Scene By Mel Konecoff LAST WEEK saw the passing of William F. Rodgers, known for his fine qualities as executive, friend, and person. He will be missed, not only by us but by thousands everywhere, for he made his mark, one that will be remembered. * * * Variety Note: Local Tent 35 met last week at Toots Shor’s for the primary purpose of showing members the 40 minute subject, “The Heart Of Show Business,” which deals with the heart projects of the various tents and which has almost every star in Hollywood partici¬ pating. Variety will benefit from the proceeds, and Rube Jackter, Columbia assistant general sales manager, pledged to do the best job possible in distributing the subject. Exhibitor support was urged. The death of Bill Rodgers was noted by close friend Harry Brandt, who related incidents demonstrating his capacities and who urged the industry to follow through on Bill’s wish for an arbitration and conciliation setup as a memorial. Chief barker Harold Klein presided, and aboard the dais was Ed Fabian, Bill German, Ed Lachman, Richard Brandt, Harry Brandt, Larry Morris, and Jack Hoffberg. MAKING PICTURES: We met some nice people last week who also make pictures. They are Andrew and Virginia Stone, who have a deal to make three pictures for MGM over the next 18 months. The first will be “The Third Rail” (tentative title); and second will be “The Guided Missile Story”; and the third will be a suspense story, “Infamv at Sea.” The Stones like to concentrate on suspense stories which have acceptance with all types and ages, and they have had a lot of success with this type of subject matter, the last one being “Julie” with Doris Day, also for Metro. They shoot all their pictures on location because the result is realistic, and they don't have to go to the trouble and expense of building expensive sets, etc. They edit, write, and plan their subjects at home and very rarely use the studio. Mrs. Stone, as a matter of fact, had trouble getting into the studio when she forgot her pass because the guard sees her so seldom. The Stones were in town to scout locations for “The Third Rail” and will return in July to start actual filming. Nice people. THE METROPOLITAN SCENE: Bob Taplinger, Warners ad-pub vee pee, was helping his parents celebrate their golden wedding anniversary via a special party. . . . UA has acquired to date TV rights to 250 of its releases. ... A special motion picture edition of Foxs Hatful Of Rain is hitting the book stores across the country in time to tie in with openings of the film. . . . George Jessel was on hand when the “Beau James Room was dedicated at Leone’s restaurant last week, following which press guests and the late Mayor James J. Walker’s relatives adjourned to the Victoria on Broadway for a sneak preview of the film based on Walker’s life. ... A paperback edition of the Terence Rattigan script for “The Prince And The Showgirl” carrying illustrations from the Warner film is in book shops. . . . Incidentally, to promote the film a paity was held for princes and showgirls at the Place Elegante. Prince Schmuhersel of Doi ton-on-the-Shinnecock and showgirl Zelda Hammantosh were real gone. June 12, 1957