The Exhibitor (1959)

As for 1960, I am veiy optimistic. My recent analysis of the product which will be available in 1960, made in connec¬ tion with the compilation and issuance of my latest release schedule, revealed encouraging factors. It is apparent to me, and it should be apparent to all of us, that we now have nine distributors, all dedicated to the production of quality product, something which we have never before had in our industry. Those who are interested in numbers should be pleased to learn that current indications reveal there will be approxi¬ mately 60 to 70 more feature pictures available in 1960 than we had in 1959. And this difference may be further increased since current estimates cannot possibly include all independ¬ ent productions and foreign pictures which are certain to be added. I have already set in motion for our company an AprilM ayJune Drive in order to embellish and fortify any quality product made available in this period which, from our past experience, needs help. Of course, I am urging all exhibition to conduct similar April-May-June Drives and concentrate on creating custom-built, tailor-made campaigns for the quality pictures available, just as our own affiliates will do. And I am also urging exhibitors and distributors to practice flexi¬ bility and adaptability in moving attractions up or back as dictated by the requirements of the particular situation. I intend also to repeat our Sep tember-toYearEnd Drive of 1959 in 1960, just as I intend to conduct April-May-June and September-to-Year-End Drives every year from now on. I am confident that this procedure will result in improved and orderly profits throughout the year. Accordingly, and consid¬ ering all of the factors I have stated, I feel that my optimism for 1960 is justified. "Success In The Sixties" GEORGE WELTNER, Paramount vice-president in charge of world sales “Success in the Sixties/’ the new by¬ word at Paramount, is not merely a slogan —it is a prediction based on observations borne of many years of constant travel, analysis and experience. Paramount, through its world-wide pro¬ duction facilities, is aggressively making practical this philosophy. Our revitalized studio in Hollywood is in high gear; its doors are open to any and all proposals that show promise for a profitable result. The combined resources of our domestic and international production organizations will be reflected in an outstanding array of diversified attractions during the coming period. Right now, more than 30 major Paramount films are in prepa¬ ration or nearing release, including such potential blockbusters as Jerry Lewis’ “Visit to a Small Planet, “One-Eyed Jacks,” starring Marlon Brando, “Jovanka and the Others,” a very unusual war drama, and “Bay of Naples,” pairing Clark Gable and Sophia Loren. Having traveled the world some seven months out of every year during the last 37 years, I have been able to per¬ ceive, perhaps more quickly than others not so privileged, the underlying tides and currents affecting our business. I find a renaissance of interest in theatrical motion pictures everywhere. Amongst the public, discussion of the merits of motion pictures, stars, directors, writers and story content, is taking precedence over other topics of the day. Within the industry, the difficult days of indifference and antagonism are giving way to constructive discussion and a unified effort to attack and solve the problems that are con¬ fronting us. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, I believe the in¬ dustry will emerge from the difficult days of the past few years. I am very proud of the contributions Paramount has made in the past decades and will continue to make in the 1960’s. It is only fair to say that the other producing companies are likewise accelerating their activities and are optimistically creating great pictures for next year and years to come. The revitalized activity now occurring in the production centers of the world must and will be matched by the efforts of exhi¬ bition. This joint effort, undertaken in a spirit of industry harmony and understanding, will spell out my prediction of success in the 1960’s. Resurgence Reaches Britain C. J. LATTA, managing director. Associated British Picture Corporation It is my firm belief that the next few years will witness a vital resurgence in the cinema. The recent news of a very big increase in box-office attendances in Amer¬ ica must be tremendously encouraging to British producers and exhibitors. This pointer to a brighter future reaf¬ firms what most of us have known: that the industry is virile and resilient and that the public will always be attracted to good product. In Britain, it has also been proved, in recent years, that there is a greater potential than ever before for outstanding product. Side-by-side with the big spectacles of the screen there have been a number of modestly budgeted pictures which have hit the jackpot in a big way. We all know that the selection of the right type of story throws a big burden on the pi'oducer, but this obviously is a challenge which has to be met and dealt with effectively. At our studios in Elstree, Associated British have ambitious plans for the coming year. We have already acquired many first-class story properties. We are determined to produce them with the cream of star, creative, and technical talent. Our industry has faced many problems throughout the years. We have hit peaks and been forced into sloughs of depression, but there is no doubt that we have made enormous strides in every direction. I am sure that the coming months will see us more firmly entrenched than ever before as the world’s number one entertainment force. "Hammer New Year" To All JAMES CARRERAS, managing director of Hammer Films In wishing all our American exhibitor friends “A Hammer New Year,” I am sure they will know what I mean! They will know that “Hammer” and “Happy Business" are partners. They will remember “The Curse of Frankenstein,” “Horror of Dracula,” “Camp on Blood Island,” “The Mummy,” and “Yesterday’s Enemy”— all great exploitation pictures which proved themselves at the box-office in terms of cold, hard cash and plenty of it! But as Jolson used to say, “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!” Our two production boys with the golden touch, Michael Carreras and Anthony Hinds, have just come up with some of the most exciting new exploitation pictures in our history. And there are lots more on the way! To Columbia we have delivered “The Stranglers of Bombay,” one of the most terrifying action films ever Scoped. Produced by Anthony Hinds and directed by Terence Fisher, it’s all about the hideous Thuggee killers who terrorized India in the December 23, 1959 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR 51