The Exhibitor (1960)

Loew s Stockholders Okay Board Increase World's Barkers Convene In Toronto For 33rd Annual Variety Convention TORONTO — From London, Mexico City, California, and Miami, and, in fact, from every one of the 46 cities where a Variety Tent exists, barkers are convening in this city, where five full days await the more than 800 attending the 33rd annual convention of Variety Clubs International starting today. Plans and enthusiasm evidenced by general chairman Jack Fitzgibbons and his conven¬ tion crew point to a new high in activity, interest and enjoyment. Jack and virtually every member of the host tent, numbering 28, have blueprinted a packed program. Many Barkers have brought their wives. And while Barkers are planning the future of Variety, the gals will have no trouble en¬ joying themselves with a program that lists many interests. The opening day will start with a breakfast for all chief barkers, an event that proved very popular when instituted at last year’s meeting in Las Vegas, and will be followed by a requiem mass for Bob O’Donnel in St. Michael’s Church. One major discussion, which will occur at one of the four business sessions, will revolve about the plan to change Variety’s by-laws so that all future candidates for International office will be named by a nominating com¬ mittee and not by nomination from the floor. This has been discussed at regional meetings conducted through the year by George Eby, Edward Emanuel, and George Hoover, and it would appear that tents are in favor of this method of election. The first day’s schedule will be topped with Coca-Cola night in the Canadian room to which all registrants are invited. Noted bari¬ tone Earl Wrightson will head a program of talent. On Thursday morning, June 2, five break¬ fast meetings will bring together all barkers interested in shirt-sleeve discussions on im¬ portant phases of tent operations. Member¬ ship, charities, entertainment, public rela¬ tions, and fund raising will be the subjects of panel discussions each led by a Variety Club member particularly expert in his des¬ ignated subject. Rotus Harvey, second assistant internation¬ al barker, is chairman of the forum discus¬ sions. Fun will constitute the balance of the second day with everyone scheduled for a trip to Woodbine Race Track where a buffet lunch will set the pace for an interesting afternoon. Pepsi-Cola has planned a full evening for all conventioneers including din¬ ner and an entertainment program headed by comic Allan King. Joan Crawford, who plans to stay throughout the convention, will be among the evening’s hosts. Friday morning’s business session is slated for the early hour of nine o’clock so that luncheon and the remainder of the afternoon can be devoted to one of Variety’s most im¬ portant activities, Heart Reports. Trade paper publishers Martin Quigley, Jr., chairman, Charles Alicoate, Hye Bossin, Ben Shylen, and Jay Emanuel will form the judging panel to select the winning tent. The evening will again be devoted to gayety, this time with a rip-roaring Western Barbecue at the Toronto International Studio. International Chief Barker George Eby, now concluding his second year in that office, will conduct his final business session Satur¬ day morning. This will conclude with elec¬ Max Youngstein, right. United Artists vicepresident, and founder and honorary chair¬ man, Children's Asthma Research Institute and Hospital, Denver, recently presided at a "Salute To Cole Porter" in New York's Metro¬ politan Opera House, which raised over $65,000 for the asthma organization. Above, Youngstein is seen with Harry Belafonte and Faye Emerson, who participated in the Sixth Annual Parade of Stars to raise funds for the institute and hospital. tion of a full slate of International officers as well as International Representatives. With Miami custodian of the 1961 convention, this meeting will again entertain bids for the 1962 conclave. Dublin, Ireland, it is expected, will vigorously pursue the invitation for this meeting. In the Canadian Room that evening, the Barkers and their ladies will put aside their informal attire to attend the formal Heart Award Banquet at which Gina Lollobrigida will be but one of the many scheduled at¬ tractions. Nate Golden, international heart chairman, will announce the winner of the Heart Award, and international fixer Edward Shafton will reveal for the first time the identity of the outstanding individual who has been picked as Variety’s Humanitarian of the year. VC I Spent $2,700,000 For 1959 "Heart" Projects TORONTO — Variety Clubs International spent about $2,700,000 during 1959 in their varied efforts to aid underprivileged and handicapped children, the convention Heart Report shows. Approximately 8,500 showmen, members of Variety Clubs International, gave generously of their time, talents, and money during 1959 in the operation of these child welfare activi¬ ties which benefitted over 400,000 individuals. Among the activities are clinics for treat¬ ment and research of such diseases as cancer, cerebral palsy, polio, epilepsy, heart diseases, rheumatic fever, and diabetes. Several of these “heart projects” sponsored and financed by Variety Clubs International have received world-wide recognition for the splendid work being accomplished and for their contribution to the health and well-being of children. Other “heart” activities include sponsoring and financing children’s hospitals, eye clinics, orphanages, day care nurseries, schools and workshops for handicapped, retarded, and emotionally disturbed children; care and training of blind children and children with hearing and speech defects; and boys’ clubs, camps, and other activities. Since its inception in 1928, Variety Clubs NEW YORK— At a special meeting of stockholders of Loew’s Theatres, Inc., share¬ holders overwhelmingly approved an increase in the minimum number of directors from six to nine, and the maximum, from 10 to 15. Following approval of this amendment, five new directors were elected to the board. They include Charles B. Beneson, officer and director, Benenson Realty Corporation; James Bruce, director of various corporations, among which are American Airlines, Inc., Republic Steel Corporation, Commercial Credit Corporation, Revlon, Inc., Congoleum Nairn Corporation, Technicolor, Inc., and Fruehauf Trailer Company; Lewis Gruber, director and principal executive officer of P. Lorillard Company; Preston R. Tisch, hotel operator of the Tisch Hotels, Inc.; and Jay Wells, president, Wells Television, Inc. Other members of the board include George T. Baker, president of National Airlines; Thomas J. Connellan, retired former vicepresident of the First National City Bank of New York; Leopold Friedman, chairman of the board of Loew’s Theatres, Inc., Arnold M. Grant, New York attorney and member of the Los Angeles law firm of Bautzer and Grant; Herbert H. Hoffman, executive vicepresident of Tisch Hotels, Inc.; John F. Murphy, executive vice-president, Loew’s Theatres, Inc.; Thomas L. Norton, dean of the New York University School of Com¬ merce, Accounts and Finance; Eugene Picker, president, Loew’s Theatres, Inc.; Simon H. Rifkind, of the law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton and Garrison, and Laurence A. Tisch, president of Tisch Hotels, Inc. In an interview following the meeting, Tisch and Picker stated that the company planned expansion in the theatre field in situations which hold promise for adequate financial return, and that, meanwhile, the board is continuing to study diversification into other fields with the idea of investing in one major effort rather than several smaller ones. AA From Red To Black HOLLYWOOD — Steve Broidy, president, Allied Artists, reported last fortnight that the company had a net profit of $1,005,995 in the 39 weeks ended March 26, compared with a net loss of $190,424 in the same period last year. This is on the basis of unaudited figures. The net, after provision for preferred stock dividends, was equal to $1.08 per common share on 895,346 shares outstanding on March 26. Gross for the 39 weeks was $12,915,723, com¬ pared with $10,247,689 last year. Goldman Leaves NTA NEW YORK— Harold Goldman, executive vice-president of National Telefilm Associ¬ ates, Inc., announced his resignation from the company, effective June 2. He will announce his new activity shortly. Goldman, as executive vice-president, has directed NTA sales activities virtually since the organization of the company in 1954. International has spent about $78,000,000 in charitable endeavors throughout the world where Variety Tents are located. In addition to a main “heart” project, all Tents carry on welfare and charitable activi¬ ties such as showing motion pictures to shutins, providing equipment to hospitals and boys’ groups, free tickets to sporting events and other entertainments, as well as contri¬ butions to a large number of local charities. 10 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR June I, I960