The Exhibitor (1960)

NEWS CAPSULES Lewis Heads Mont. Exhibs SALT LAKE CITY — Finus Lewis was re¬ elected president of the Montana Theatres Association last week at the joint conven¬ tion of the MTA and Mountain States Theatre Association. Officers also retained were Cris Gorder, vice-president, and Robert Suckstorff, secre¬ tary-treasurer. Carl Anderson was reelected TOA representative and Tom Grady stays on as MPTA representative on COMPO. Albert M. Pickus, head TOA, addressed the convention on the effect of the current strike. He also urged that attacks on the industry be vigorously fought, saying this can be done only through powerful exhibitor organiza¬ tions. BROADWAY GROSSES Holdovers Keep Up Pace NEW YORK — Things were generally okay in the Broadway first-rims last weekend with holdovers keeping a good pace. According to.usually reliable sources reach¬ ing MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR, the breakdown was as follows: “SEVEN THIEVES” (20th-Fox). Paramount ($39,435)* — The second session was announced as $37,000. “HOME FROM THE HILL” (MGM). Radio City Music Hall ($147,610) — Thursday through Simday accounted for $80,000, with the third week boimd to tally $120,000. Stage show. “THE WIND CANNOT READ” (20th-Fox). Roxy, with no stage show, claimed $20,0C0 for the second week. “HELLER IN PINK TIGHTS” (Para¬ mount). Capitol claimed the opening week would reach $27,000. “BEN-HUR” (MGM). Loew’s State on re¬ served seat policy with extra performances stated the 18th week was $45,163. “ON THE BEACH” (UA). Astor reported $18,000 for the 14th week. “OUR MAN IN HAVANA” (Col.). Forum claimed the eighth week at $14,500. “SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER” (Col ). Cri¬ terion reported the 13th week as $25,500. “CANCAN” (20th-Fox). Rivoli with hard ticket policy annoimced the second week as a capacity $40,500. ^Figures in parentheses represent 1960 aver¬ ages as compiled by Motion Picture Ex¬ hibitor. Some Progress Seen During Strike Talks HOLLYWOOD— The SAG and the AMPP reported “progress” after recent meetings with hopes for an early settlement of the studio strike expressed by some. Meanwhile, the SAG refused to permit re¬ sumption of work on eight films at major studios until it was more certain that negotia¬ tions would produce “an equitable deal.” A discussion at a meeting of the Guild and the AMPP related to the following unex¬ plored areas: “The Guild’s proposals for five per cent non-contributory health and wel¬ fare and pension plan; no discussion of a payment foiTnula for post-1948 pictures; but consideration of a past-service credit of a fixed payment, in an amount to be mutually determined, into a proposed pension fund to place the actors in a position comparable to the other guilds and unions which have been in the existing motion picture industry pen¬ sion plan since October, 1953; negotiations are continuing for a solution to the problems of TV exhibition of post-1960 pictures.” Following other sessions last week-end, further meetings were scheduled for this week. Anna M. Rosenberg Associates, engaged as public relations consultants by the MPAA for one year, stated that it will not engage in labor-relations activities under its con¬ tract. Mrs. Rosenberg, who left for the west coast, said she would meet with MPAA head Eric Johnston in Hollywood to discuss pos¬ sible public relations activities. BEN AMSTERDAM The death of Ben Amsterdam is a loss to the entire industry. “Uncle Ben” as he was popularly known had just passed his 80th birthday. He was an outstanding citizen interested in in¬ dustry and civic affairs, and was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him. Active in Variety Club, he sponsored shows for shut-ins. Experienced in all phases of the indus¬ try, he operated Masterpiece Film Ex¬ change in Philadelphia, Equity Theatres, and at the time of his death headed At¬ lantic Theatres. His loss will be felt. He was a good friend. —JAY EMANUEL. FILM FAMILY ALBUM Arrivals Dudley Wilkinson, MGM talent depart¬ ment, became the father of a boy, Robert, bom on March 10. Sick Call E. E. Whitaker, vice-president and opera¬ tions manager, Georgia Theatre Company, Atlanta, suffered a broken hip in an auto¬ mobile accident last fortnight. He is in Pied¬ mont Hospital, where in an operation a pin and a plate were placed in his hip. Obituaries Ben Amsterdam, 80, industry veteran in both distribution and exhibition, who headed Atlantic Theatres of southern New Jersey, and at one time operated Masterpiece Film Exchange, Philadelphia, died after a brief illness in University Hospital. He is sur¬ vived by his wife and son, Gus. Mrs. Maurice Chalfen, wife of the owner of “Holiday On Ice,” and three children were killed in a plane crash last fortnight. Chalfen is a prominent member of the Minneapolis Variety Club Tent and Mrs. Chalfen was Women’s Committee Chairman of the Tent. Through their efforts $30,000 was raised in one show of the ice extravaganza for the Minneapolis Heart Hospital. Harry Chertcoff, 72, Lancaster, Pa., owner of a chain of movie theatres, including the Hill, Camp Hill, Pa., died in Miami, Fla. He had suffered a heart attack a month ago. He had operated theatres in Lebanon, Middletown, Elizabethtown, Moimt Joy, Lititz, and Lancaster. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. W. E. Heliums, 49, city manager. Interstate Theatres in Austin, Texas, since 1952, died in a hospital there. He formerly managed the old Hancock, Austin, and joined the Inter¬ state Circuit in 1932. William H. Storey, 74, auditor for Ever¬ green Theatres, Seattle, died at his home. Before joining the Evergreen organization, he had been auditor for John Hamrick Theatres and Sterling Theatres. Survivors are his wife, a son, and two brothers. The world premiere of 20th-Fox's "Con-Con" in Todd-AO ot the United Artists; Mrs. Krim; 20th-Fox president Spyros P. Skouros; Mrs. Rivoli, New York City, wos in the noture of o benefit for the Olympic Skouros; Eric Johnston, president, MPAA; Mrs. Johnston; ond Mogno Fund. Among those on bond were, left to right, Arthur Krim, president, Theotres president George Skouros ond wife. March 23, I960 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR 9