The Exhibitor (1959)

July 22, 1959 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR 11 St Louis Radio Station, Newspaper Plan City Wide Salute To Industry Reade Named To Head M.P. Investors Group KANSAS CITY — The annual meeting of the shareholders and the board members of the Motion Picture Investors, Inc., was held here last week. The company was organized April 30, 1958, for the primary purpose of investing in securities of motion picture pro¬ duction and distribution companies. Present members of the board are Robert S. Ballantyne, Ballantyne Company, Omaha; Jack D. Braunagel, president of Hope Enter¬ prises, Little Rock; W. Hardy Hendron, presi¬ dent, United Film Service, Inc., Kansas City; H. B. Jameyson, Meredith, Colo.; L. J. Kimbriel, manager, Missouri Theatre Supply, Kansas City; Beverly Miller, Miller Enter¬ prises, Kansas City; Richard H. Drear, presi¬ dent, Commonwealth Theatres, Inc., Kan¬ sas City; Clifford E. Parker, vice-president, theatres division, Alexander Film Company, Colorado Springs; Walter Reade, Jr., presi¬ dent, of Walter Reade, Inc., Oakhurst, N.J.; Clark S. Rhoden, Rhoden Enterprises, Kansas City; Ben Shlyen, Kansas City; and Phillip Smith, president, Midwest Drive-In Theatres, Boston. At the election, Walter Reade, Jr., was elected as president of the company, Beverly Miller and Robert Ballantyne as vice-presi¬ dents. Byron Spencer, Kansas City, was elect¬ ed secretary, and Richard H. Orear as treas¬ urer. H. B. Jameyson, former president of the organization, was elected chairman of the board. Reade stated, “The annual meeting brought forward some exceptionally fine financial reports which gave proof that motion picture exhibitors are most enthusiastic about the Motion Picture Investors group. I am deeply honored with my election to the presidency, and I look forward to a real opportunity and challenge for tremendous progress in this company. It is the intention of the board of directors, and the officers, to further explore an opportunity for research and public re¬ lations within the motion picture industry.” SW Seeks New Theatre WASHINGTON — It was learned last week from the Justice Department that Stanley Warner Corporation is proposing to petition the Court having jurisdiction over the Para¬ mount case for authorization to lease and operate a theatre to be built in Cheltenham Township, just outside of Philadelphia. The site of the proposed new theatre would be near the intersection of Cheltenham Ave¬ nue and Ogontz Avenue in the commercial development known as Cheltenham Center, and would have a seating capacity of ap¬ proximately 1300. Under the judgment to which it is subject, Stanley Warner is required to make a show¬ ing to the Court that its acquisition of this theatre will not unduly restrain competition. When the matter comes up for a hearing, it will be heard in New York City. "Fisherman" Goes Hard-Ticket NEW YORK— “The Big Fisherman,” a Rowland V. Lee production in Panavision70, Technicolor, and full stereophonic sound, adapted from Lloyd C. Douglas’ celebrated novel, will be world premiered on the evening of Aug. 4 at the Rivoli to start an exclusive engagement in this area. The Buena Vista release, produced at a cost of $4,000,000, will open the next day for presentation on a reserved seat, 10 perform¬ ances a week basis. ST. LOUIS — Plans for a city-wide motion picture industry salute during the period of July 26 through Aug. 19 have been announced. Plans for the salute were perfected at a gathering of exhibitors and representatives of Radio Station KWK and the St. Louis Globe -Democrat. In attendance at the plan¬ ning conference were Jerry Berger, house publicist, Esquire; Michael Ruppe, Jr., promo¬ tion director, KWK; Howard Zulauf, Esquire; Bob Johnson, representing Arthur Enterprises and COMPO; Dick Fitzmaurice, Holiday Drive-In; Frank Hansen, Loew’s Theatres; Charles Goldman, Senate; Demitrious James, representing the Missouri-Illinois Theatre Owners; John Meinardi, Fox Midwest Thea¬ tres district manager; and Howard Spiess, Smith Management and Midwest Drive-In Theatres. The gathering discussed plans for an area-wide promotion for the motion picture industry, with KWK and the St. Louis GlobeDemocrat, local morning and Sunday news¬ paper, and various retail record outlets participating in the tribute. The promotion program as announced will consist of the following: Silvertone Heads Welfare Unit CHICAGO — Appointment of Murray Silverstone as chairman of the film committee for the Eighth World Congress of the Inter¬ national Society for the Welfare of Cripples has been announced by Dr. Howard A. Rusk. Silverstone is president of the 20th-Fox In¬ ternational Corporation. KWK radio will relinquish three Sunday broadcasts of their Hi-Fi Showcase to allow the motion picture exhibitors to tell of their economic, cultural, and musical contributions to the community, as well as their many philanthropic and charitable contributions. The broadcasts will also contain taped inter¬ views with executives of the motion picture industry as well as boxoffice names. Also, 30 years of Academy Awards music will be aired. KWK will also promote the shows through gratis spot announcements during the two weeks prior to the first formal broadcast on behalf of the film industry. The St. Louis Globe-Democrat will publish four one-quarter page advertisements to pub¬ licize the film industry broadcasts prior to their airing. The exhibitors of the St. Louis film trade area will plug the radio broadcasts by special screen advertising. Lobby posters and 40x60s will be furnished to the theatres by KWK. All retail record outlets in the area will also publicize the promotion campaign by the use of special counter displays and other media in their stores. The Eighth World Congress, which is to be the first international meeting on re¬ habilitation to be held in the United States, will take place Aug. 29-Sept. 3, 1960, in New York City. It is expected that more than 5,000 physicians and other professional re¬ habilitation workers and volunteer citizens will attend. A MESSAGE TO SHOWMEN about . . . \ s ; Within the next week or ten days we will proudly make available prints of BLUE DENIM for screenings. This is a picture that must be seen before any bookings are made or exploitation and publicity cam¬ paigns are planned, because it is a far cry from the usual run of pictures. It is strong entertainment with something important to say, ingredients which guarantee it real attention from today’s public which de¬ mands those very things Here is a motion picture that should be seen by every man, woman, and teenager m the U S The men who made it, Mr Charles Brackett, distinguished producer and past President of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences, and Mr Philip Dunne, noted director and screenwriter, believe that the screen can be candid and provocative about a subject which affects millions of young Americans and their families in our present society I think you will share my pride in being associated with the release DENIM General Sales Manager