The Exhibitor (1960)

Optimism Keynotes N.E. Exhibitor Meet BOSTON— Optimism was the keynote of the 29th annual convention of Independent Exhibitors, Inc., and Drive-In Theatres As¬ sociation of New England held at Chatham Bars Inn, on Cape Cod. General sales managers of two different companies were the leading speakers. Henry “Hi” Martin of Universal and C. Glenn Nor¬ ris of 20th-Fox gave out bright pictures for the immediate future of the business. Mar¬ tin gave a listing of the 1960-61 releases from Universal and said that the exploitation de¬ partment is working closer than ever with the production department so that each film can be marketed with extreme care. Norris warned of the dangers of TV films and added that his company is planning a 60 million dollar program for films for theatres for next year which proves “we are not transferring our affection from motion pic¬ ture theatres to films for television.” He added that in 1962 Fox is allocating a larger sum of money for 51 releases to cost in ex¬ cess of the 60 million, all to be released in orderly fashion of two or three a month and all to be diversified in type. Edward W. Lider, general chairman of the convention and president of IENE, presided. Other speakers were Frank Lydon, Allied Theatres of New England, who told of the minimum wage bills in Washington; and Irving Dollinger, New Jersey, who spoke on ACE and its plans for producing and fi¬ nancing pictures for the benefit of exhi¬ bitors. Arizona Studio Planned PHOENIX — Plans for the construction here of a $2,000,000 studio to be devoted to the production of theatrical and TV films was announced by Kenneth Altose, president of Phoenix Film Studios. Phoenix Film Studios recently produced “Four Fast Guns” for Universal -International distribution. This is the first picture ever to be wholly produced in Arizona. The new studio will be on a 40-acre lot eight miles north of downtown Phoenix. First units to be built will be a 12,000 square foot sound stage and associated buildings. Included will be a mill, cutting rooms, pro¬ jection rooms, dressing rooms and offices. Several exterior sets will also be constructed. “We are convinced that we can cut the costs of film-making by producing in Phoenix,” Altose said. “We intend to employ experienced Hollywood union technicians. By making one picture at a time, we will keep them fully employed. With the same group of technicians working together continually, we hope to develop a sense of teamwork that will lead to greater efficiency in our opera¬ tion.” Phoenix Film Studios plan to make eight to 10 pictures a year. Jules Schwartz, ex¬ ecutive director and general business man¬ ager, will direct the operations from Holly¬ wood. Smerling To Europe NEWARK, N.J.— Sheldon Smerling, ex¬ ecutive vice-president of Eastern Theatres, sailed for Europe on the Queen Elizabeth to confer with Roger Corman on their first joint production, “Atlas.” Corman finished shooting the picture on location in Greece. Smerling will also screen other film fare for possible distribution in the United States and seek new features adaptable for his radio station property. IFIDA Raises Special "War Chest " To Fight A tlanta Film Censorship De Laurentiis Sets Active 1961 Production Schedule ROME, ITALY — Producer Dino De Laurentiis announced an important de¬ parture in his entire European production schedule of 16 films to be produced in 1961, and budgeted in excess of 17 million dollars, in that all films will be beamed for the world wide market and all films will be made in English and dubbed for other markets. De Laurentiis also is expanding his studio facilities which now include two Rome studios with the completion during 1961 of another ultra modern seven stage De Laurentiis studio. In addition to the production of these 16 films, De Laurentiis will make co-production deals with other independent pro¬ ducers. He is also signing a contract list of top writers, directors, and stars. To coordinate this program, Luigi Luraschi has been signed as executive producer in charge of international distribution. Luraschi resigned from Paramount Studios, where he headed up the international de¬ partment for 31 years, to assume his new post. Smakwitz Heads Alumni Unit NEWARK, N.J. — Charles A. Smakwitz, zone manager for the Stanley Warner The¬ atres for the Newark and New York zones, was elected president of the Syracuse Uni¬ versity Alumni Association of Greater New York for a second year. There are approximately 14,000 alumni re¬ siding throughout the area which includes all the boroughs of New York City, as well as the state of New Jersey. Fox-Triton Deal Signed NEW YORK — A three picture distribution deal has been signed between 20th-Fox and the independent Triton Productions. The trio of films, slated for upcoming production are “St. Francis Of Assisi,” “California Street,” and “Journey Of Jules Verne.” Triton Productions is headed by Plato Skouras, Spyros Skouras, Jr., and Charles Skouras. William J. Heineman, right, vice-president. United Artists, and Salah Hassanein, president, Skouras Theatres, recently signed a contract for the New York road show engagement of United Artists'-John Wayne Todd-AO produc¬ tion, "The Alamo," on a reserved seat basis at the New York Rivoli. NEW YORK — The Independent Film Im¬ porters and Distributors of American (IFIDA) have raised a special “War Fund” and retained the services of the law firm of Heyman, Abram, and Young of Atlanta, in an all-out attempt to overthrow the Atlanta Film Cen¬ sorship Ordinance, it was announced by Richard P. Brandt, president of Trans-Lux Distributing Corporation and member of the board of governors of IFIDA. “For some years,” stated Brandt, “our or¬ ganization has been concerned over the highly arbitrary methods and capricious deci¬ sions of the Atlanta Censorship Board. Be¬ cause of these decisions some 30 to 40 motion pictures controlled by our membership — a number of which have Production Code Seals and approval of the Legion of Decency — have been prevented from exhibition in Atlanta motion picture theatres. “IFIDA has therefore requested Heyman, Abram and Young, whose experience in Con¬ stitutional litigation is a matter of record, to proceed at once with a selection of a ‘test case’ and, if necessary, to pursue such case through the Supreme Court of the United States.” Brandt stated further, “Atlanta normally represents an important source of revenue for any motion picture. While this is sufficient reason for attacking the censorship ordinance, it is not the main reason for IFIDA’s action. The most important reason for this action is the absolute necessity of fighting censorship wherever it arises, and in line with this IFIDA has indicated its willingness to pursue unfair censorship laws in other areas of the country.” UA Honors Drive Winners NEW YORK — United Artists’ Jacksonville, Cleveland, and Salt Lake City exchanges have won the three grand prizes in the Bob Benjamin Drive, it was announced by James R. Velde, vice-president in charge of do¬ mestic sales. Velde and David V. Picker, executive assistant to UA president Arthur B. Krim, co-captained the six-month sales salute to Benjamin, chairman of the board. By capturing first place honors in the three competing groups, Jacksonville, Cleveland, and Salt Lake City have earned top shares of the $60,000 prize money. The winning ex¬ changes are managed respectively by Byron Adams, Dave Rosenthal, and W. W. McKendrick. First place in the competition among UA's sales divisions went to Sidney Cooper’s cen¬ tral and southern division. Gene Tunick’s eastern district took top honors in the dis¬ trict standings, with James Hendel’s central district winning second -place money. Also participating in the division of the cash awards were runners-up among the 33 branches in the United States and Canada that competed in three groups of equal gross¬ ing potential. Trailing Jacksonville in the first group was Syd J. Bowman’s Detroit branch, with C. Frank Harris’ San Francisco exchange taking third. Second place winner behind Cleveland in the second group was the New Orleans branch led by George Pabst, while Jack Finberg’s Cincinnati branch earrned the third-spot prize. Runner up to Salt Lake City in the third group was Irving Mendleson’s New Haven office, followed by the Calgary exchange under Robert Radis. September 28, I960 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR 15