The Exhibitor (1959)

8 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR July 15, 195!) NEWS CAPSULES Chi Revises Censorship CHICAGO — Under a revised censorship ordinance introduced in City Council last week the city’s police commissioner would be empowered to ban the exhibition of “ob¬ jectionable” films for persons under 18." V£ BROADWAY GROSSES "Anatomy" Leads Holdovers NEW YORK — In an all hold-over week. Radio City Music Hall and the Criterion led the parade. “SAY ONE FOR ME" (20th-Fox). Para¬ mount ($39,453)* — The fourth week was sure of $32,000. “THE NUN'S STORY” (Warners). Radio City Music Hall ($147,610) — Thursday through Sunday accounted for $97,000, with the fourth week bound to top $160,000. “THIS EARTH IS MINE” (U-I). Roxy ($55,405) — Friday, Saturday, and Sunday re¬ ported at $30,000, with the third and last week anticipated at $43,000. Stage show. “THE FIVE PENNIES" (Paramount). Capi¬ tol ($33,350) — The fourth week was expected to hit $34,000. “HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES” (UA). Victoria ($22,900) — The second session dropped to $12,000. THE HORSE SOLDIERS” (UA). Astor ($25,630) — The third week was heading toward $33,000. “ANATOMY OF A MURDER” (Columbia). Criterion continued on a smash basis with $51,500 reported for the second week. “MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT" (Columbia). Forum did $14,500 on the fourth week. “SOME LIKE IT HOT” (UA). Loews State claimed $25,394 for the 15th week, with the Sunday of the 16th week doing $4,742. “DIARY OF ANNE FRANK” (20th-Fox). RKO Palace announced $16,000 for the second week of a continuous showing policy. The film is now in its 17th week at the house. * Figures in parentheses represent 1958 aver¬ ages as compiled by MPE. Anatomy Of A Murder Otto Preminger does it again with an unquestioned boxoffice blockbuster, two hours and 40 minutes of dramatic dyna¬ mite supplied by a superb cast. James Stewart is better than ever; Lee Remick, quite a dish, shows why she is rising so fast: Arthur O'Connell is perfect as the brilliant, but alcoholic attorney; and Ben Gazzara is properly puzzling as the de¬ fendant. “Anatomy” shapes up as a definite con¬ tender in the Oscar derby, and Columbia should insist on the playing of this one on a single-bill policy only. A big bow to all concerned in its mak¬ ing, and a special dolt of the cap to Joseph Welch, famous attorney who por¬ trays the judge. It’s an insnirational piece of casting and other powerful exploitation angle. Grab “Anatomy”! It’s Money, and the quickest 160 minutes you’ll ever sit through. — J. E. A Quick Summary of All Important Industry News Condensed for the Busy Executive. FORMS FOR THIS PAGE CLOSED AT 2 P.M. ON MON./ JULY 13 NT Mulls Change In Corporate Name LOS ANGELES — National Theatres, Inc., this week announced a proposed change in name to National Theatres and Television, Inc. (NT&T). Announcement of the change, which is subject to stockholders’ approval, was made jointly by B. Gerald Cantor and John B. Bertero, chairman of the board and presi¬ dent, respectively. “The inclusion of ‘Television’ in our cor¬ porate identification,” the joint statement said, “reflects our constantly expanding ac¬ tivities in all phases of television. Last year we bought and are now operating WDAFTV and AM in Kansas City. More recently, the company acquired National Telefilm As¬ sociates, Inc. (NTA), one of the industry’s most active program distribution organiza¬ tions. Through NTA we are also operating WNTA-TV and WNTA-AM and FM in the New York City metropolitan area and KMSPTV and WNTA-AM and FM in the New York City metropolitan area and KMSP-TV in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Just a few weeks ago, we also acquired a community antenna television system in Williamsport, Pa. “In the future, we plan to expand our television and radio holdings to the limits permitted by the FCC.” Irwin UUman, recently named general man¬ ager of Heilman Drive-In Theatres in Phila¬ delphia, and who previously was Albany district supervisor of Fabian Drive-In Theatres, is seen here with his father, Saul J. Ullman, now retired after being Albany zone manager for Fabian Theatres for over 30 years. %£ FILM FAMILY A ALBUM Arrivals Cynthia Blau, wife of Martin Blau, assist¬ ant publicity manager, Columbia Pictures, gave birth to a boy, Clifford Irwin, on July 10 at White Plains Hospital, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Martin P. Salkin welcomed a daughter, Cathy Lynn, born recently at Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City. They have another daughter and a son. The mother is the daugther of Milton R. Rackmil, presi¬ dent, Universal Pictures and Decca Records, and the father is a vice-president and direc¬ tor of Decca. Harold Spero, national sales director, Pres¬ ident Films, became the proud father of a son, Elliot Curt, born on July 4 at Bronx Hospital, New York City. Mrs. Spero was a stage actress before her marriage. The par¬ ents have two other sons. Go Id Bands Lucille Carver, executive secretary to pres¬ ident Woodrow R. Praught, United Detroit Theatres, became Mrs. John Daniel Wilson last fortnight. Diamond Rings Mr. and Mrs. Bernard R. Goodman, Westwood, Cal., announce the engagement of their daughter, Linda Barbara, to Steven Laifman, with an Autumn wedding planned. Miss Goodman’s father is vice-president of Warner Brothers Distributing Corporation. Obituaries John T. Adler, 50, former president, Allied Independent Theatre Owners of Wisconsin and a member of the current board of direc¬ tors, died suddenly on a golf course in Marshfield, Wis. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. He owned the new Adler and a drive-in in Marshfield, Wis., the Ad¬ ler, Neillsville, and the Palace, Waupaca. M. B. Bilimoria, of M. B. Bilimoria and Son, Bombay, India, died recently there. He made frequent trips to the U. S. and was one of the pioneers in India film industry. R. A. Erickson, 47, owner, Tower Twin Drive-In, Abilene, Tex., died last fortnight following a long illness from cancer. In 1958, he led a successful fight against the Abilene Censor Board. William R. Ferguson, MGM’s exploitation director until his retirement in 1950, died of a cerebral hemorrhage at Wells, Maine. One of the best known figures in the exploitation field, he joined MGM in 1920 and was with the company continuously for the next 30 years. He is survived by his wife. Elmer C. Rhoden, Jr,, 37, died in St. Luke’s hospital, Kansas City. He was the son of Elmer C. Rhoden, Sr., civic leader and mo¬ tion picture executive; and was president of Commonwealth Theatres from March, 1959, until about three months ago when he suf¬ fered a heart attack and resigned. He re¬ sumed business activities about six weeks ago with the founding of Premier Produc¬ tions, a television film concern in which he and his brother, Clark, owned the controlling interest. He served in the Army Air Corps in World War II. He is survived by his parents, his brother, his wife, and a daughter.