The Exhibitor (1959)

8 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR April 8, 1959 Record 1,500 Barkers Pack Vegas; Hoover Wins Humanitarian Award LAS VEGAS, NEV— Variety Clubs Inter¬ national, the showman’s organization which compounds charitable effort with optimism, saw its optimism for a record attendance at the 32nd annual convention fulfilled, with more than 1,500 members pouring into this dazzling capital of fun for four days of non¬ stop activity. By day the barkers and their wives concen¬ trated heavily on business, which did not permit even short breaks for basking in the Nevada sun. By evening, the fun spots were teaming with Varieteers for whom eye-pop¬ ping programs were fashioned by the host tent under the energetic direction of Ernie Cragin. For the first time in its 32 years of annual meetings, all chief barkers met informally at a breakfast hosted by Eby. Included were not only the heads of Variety’s 42 domestic units but Bill Butlin, chief Barker from London; Ireland’s Rick Bourk; Mexico City’s Roberto Cervantes; and Toronto’s Dan Krendel. The international flavor was enlarged with the presence of Chiko Kano, managing editor of Mainich, Japan’s largest newspaper, who ex¬ pressed his mission as reviving the now dor¬ mant Tokyo chapter. Another addition was a series of forums heavily attended by designated representa¬ tives from each tent, in which ways and means of improving all aspects of tent activi¬ ties were discussed. Philadelphia’s Eddie Emanuel was coordinator for these workshop sessions, and discussion leaders included R. L. Bostwick of Memphis, Aaron Seidler of Bal¬ timore, Ralph Pries of Philadelphia, and Ray Bell of New York. One of Variety’s first pieces of business was to reschedule the dates of its Variety Week observances, which barkers from all tents saluted as one of the dynamic activities which helped dramatize Variety’s work to the na¬ tion. Held for the first time last year in Jan¬ uary, all future Variety Week celebration will be held from Feb. 8 to 14. Eby Outlines VC Work To Be Done This Year Eby observed that “though my first year as international chief has been filled with delight over Variety’s continuing gains, I am impressed by the incalculable amount of work still to be done.” “During the past year,” his report stated, “your International officers sought to examine the growth of Variety over a period of 32 year's and the great strengths and accomplish¬ ments which have been produced. For an organization to grow from 11 men expending some $300 annually for the support of one child, to an organization of 10,000 members expending some three million dollars annually for the health and welfare of many children, it must be apparent that Variety is appealing to a very basic quality in human nature — service to others. Based on that premise,” Eby continued, “Variety as an international organization must continue to grow and to expand its charitable efforts.” Eby pointed out that regional meetings which he and other international officers had conducted during the past year, the first such meetings ever held, had generated greater interest and enthusiasm, and that the intro¬ duction last year of The Barker, Variety monthly, together with the appointment of an The Variety Club of London recently held Its seventh annual dinner-dance at the Dorchester Hotel, with the affair netting a profit of ap¬ proximately 14,000 Pounds. Host was chief barker Bill Butlin, seen handing a gift of diamond cuff links to retiring chief barker Sir Tom O'Brien, as Mrs. Butlin (between the men), and Miss Bernadette O'Brien look on. international public relations coordinator in Ray Bell, were part of his program to strengthen services. J. Edgar Hoover Wins V.C. Humanitarian Award The gala audience of over 2,000 shouted its approval of J. Edgar Hoover as the 20th recipient of Variety’s coveted award for his contributions to the fight against juvenile delinquency. A committee of some of the nation’s most distinguished editors, educators, and former recipients was headed by Varie¬ ty’s international fixer, Edward Shafton, of Omaha. It was announced that a committee of barkers would make the presentation to the FBI director in Washington sometime next month. San Francisco’s delegation of 148 topped all other tents for attendance honors, with the 141 barkers from Los Angeles capturing sec¬ ond honors. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh tents were tied for third with 74 registrants each. London’s 26 copped high honors for attend¬ ance from overseas. Review of bylaws for individual tents, constitutional amendments to bring Variety’s current practices in keeping with changed requirements, consideration of expansion of Variety’s international charities committee, further coordination for common future effort between Variety and the Motion Picture Academy, the intensification of tent publica¬ tions, and a spirited bid between Miami and Dublin to be chosen as the site for Variety’s 1961 convention were among other business highlights. Golden Reports Contributions For Year Of $2,700,000 One of the convention high spots was the all-day session devoted to Heart Reports, with the chief barker of each tent presenting a five minute verbal summary of the chari¬ table activities of his tent. International heart chairman Nate Golden, Washington, D.C., reported that during 1958 the various tents had contributed $2,700,000 which had directly benefited 153,000 individuals and countless others indirectly. The year’s figures swelled Variety’s 32-year charity sums to nearly $78,000,000. It was pointed out that the ap¬ pointment of Tracy Hare of Miami, as Varie¬ ty’s charities chairman, would assure tents not fully committed to a continuing charity of expert consultation that should enhance the future humanitarian activities of the in¬ ternational organization. Hare is director of the Variety-sponsored Children’s Hospital in Miami and is a recognized authority in his field. The comely Miss Canada presented a proc¬ lamation from Ontario’s prime minister in¬ viting Varieteers to Toronto, officially chosen for the organization’s 1960 convention. John J. Fitzgibbons, who was announced as gen¬ eral chairman for the upcoming convention, added a personal invitation, promising to match the excitement and fun of Las Vegas when barkers met in his city next year. In addition to the reactivation of the Tokyo Tent, Eby indicated that he expected the dormant tents in Kansas City and Columbus, Ohio, to be revived in succeeding months. Many of the visitors donned western garb to add to the fun, and the best dressed hon¬ ors, Western style, went to Jimmy Carreras and Mike Frankovich, usual dandies in Lon¬ don’s Piccadilly set, who were the envy of attire -hardened Nevadans. The social activities were buttressed with invitations to all leading hotels by Pepsi-Cola and Coca-Cola, which vied with each other in providing hospitality. Tours to Boulder Dam, a fashion show, a boat trip, and special breakfasts and brunches provided a full schedule for the women while the menfolk concentrated on the business sessions. Both sexes converged on the new convention cen¬ ter Friday night for a concluding banquet. Impresario Antonio Morelli staged one of ( Continued on page 16) Conica d'Hondt, Miss Canada, presented at the VCI Las Vegas convention an invitation from Ontario's Prime Minister to George Eby in bebctlf of all Barkers to attend the 1960 Variety Clubs International convention in the Canadian City. Looking on is John J. Fitzgibbons, Jr., who will serve as general chairman of next year's VCI conclave. On the right are seen chief barkers of Variety's four distant tents with Eby. Shown are Dan Krendel, Toronto; Roberto Cervantes, Mexico City; Billy Butlin, London; and Rick Bourk, Dublin.