The Exhibitor (1960)

End Of Censorship Could Batkfire, Harming Exhibitors, Myers Warns INDIANAPOLIS — Abram F. Myers, adviser to National Allied, at the Allied Theatre Own¬ ers of Indiana convention, issued a warning on the increasing criticism of motion pic¬ tures’ moral tone and the alleged failure to enforce the Production Code. Myers said the effects of this were being visited first on the small town theatres. Hitting the attitude of the industry, Myers asserted that “the Motion Picture Association, directly and through COMPO, is waging total warfare against all manner of pre-censorship of films and has enlisted the cooperation of many exhibitors in the effort.” He said he is “as much opposed to political censorship as anybody,” but pointed out that “I am also devoted to the intrests of the class of exhibitors I have long been associated with. ... I have in mind the probable, perhaps inevitable consequences of the end of all pre¬ censorship unless the producers cease making a mere pretense at self-regulation and restore teeth to the Production Code. “If the Supreme Court rules against pre¬ censorship, the onus will be on you exhibitors. “And if the only public redress for objec¬ tionable pictures is the prosecution of the exhibitors for showing them, then I earnestly hope that the other branches of the industry will view very seriously their obligation to police themselves and not force every exhibi¬ tor to make a hazardous guess concerning the pictures he shows.” Discussing business-building, Myers de¬ clared that “business building devices, ex¬ travagant claims, and many exploitation stunts may backfire if you do not have the product to back them up.” On the subject of the American Congress of Exhibitors. Myers said that “whatever other effects ACE may have had, it certainly had the effect to derail the White Paper campaign special.” The reference was to ef¬ forts by Allied to get action on grievances against the distributors. He added, “I know of no better way to build, or rebuild, business than to have access to the top pictures while the customers still retain the urge to see them inspired by the pre-selling campaigns of the film companies. . . . I simply cannot be convinced that it is good business for anyone to give a metropoli¬ tan theatre an indeterminate exclusive run over a theatre located in a smaller city or town 40 to 60 miles distant.” Eddie Solomon, vice-president, Embassy Pictures Corporation, issued a call for show¬ manship at the convention. He told the the¬ atre men that exhibitors in some sections of the country are backing their pictures to the hilt with vast amounts of showmanship, while in other areas they are showing a “vapid sterility” in selling their merchandise. Keifer Heads Exhib Unit MEMPHIS — Joe Keifer, Malco Theatres, was elected president of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee, succeeding Gordon Hutchens, who became chairman of the board. Elected vice-presidents were Leon Roun¬ tree, Robin Wightman, and Ed Doherty. Martin Mounger became secretary-treasurer, while representatives to TOA are R. Cox, Hayes Remon, and K. K. King. High Court Takes Briefs On Drive To End Censors WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court will accept for consideration briefs from the MPAA, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Independent Film Im¬ porters and Distributors of America in its oral hearings on Times Film Corporation’s challenge to prior-viewing censorship laws and ordinances scheduled for the week of Oct. 17. Times has appealed the constitutionality of a Chicago city ordinance that compels films to be submitted to municipal censors for approval before public exhibition. A ruling by the High Court is expected to set a sweeping precedent regarding sim¬ ilar local laws. Allied Seeks Big Turnout CHICAGO — National Allied has set up a national attendance committee in a move to draw the largest possible turnout for its 1960 convention at the Conrad Hilton Hotel here on Nov. 6-9. Named to the committee by Jack Kirsch, president, Allied of Illinois and general con¬ vention chairmen are: Abe Berenson and F. G. Prat, Jr., Gulf States; S. J. Gregory and Marc J. Wolf, In¬ diana; Sam C. Meyers and Arthur Schoenstadt, Illinois; Lester Versteeg and Tim Evans, Iowa-Nebraska-South Dakota; Meyer Leventhal and Edward F. Perotka, Maryland; Carl Buermele and William M. Clark, Michi¬ gan; Dwight F. Blizzard, J. A. West, Sr., and Edward O. Cullins, Mid-South; Wilfred P. Smith and Howard Herman, New Jersey; Marshall H. Fine, Louis Wiethe and Ken Prickett, Ohio; Steve Rodnok, Jr., and Mor¬ ris M. Finkel, Western Pennsylvania; Tom Smiley, Joe Ashby and Neil Beezley, Rocky Mountain; Edward E. Johnson and S. J. Gold¬ berg, Wisconsin; Julius M. Gordon, Texas; Frank Mantzke, North Central; Edward L. Ornstein, Kentucky; and Frank Allara, West Virginia. ATLANTA — A resolution praising film censorship as “desirable and essential” was presented by Dr. Louis D. Newton and unanimously approved at the weekly Atlanta Baptist Pastor’s Conference here. Dr. Newton, pastor of Druid Hill Baptist Church, presented the resolution addressed to the mayor of Atlanta and the aldermanic board. It cited “the constructive work of Mrs. E. A. Gilliam (the city’s motion picture cen¬ sor) for the past 15 years,” and added: “We are convinced that censorship, as pro¬ vided under law and wisely administered is necessary if we are to maintain moral and cultural standards of decency in our rapidly growing community.” The resolution says that since February, 1945, some 4,220 films were presented to be shown in Atlanta and 97 of these were re Record Exhib Turnout For Mich. Allied Meet DETROIT — About 170 members of Michigan Allied, plus guests and wives, an all-time high, turned out to open the 41st annual convention. Business session and elections followed the Alexander Film Company breakfast. President Milton H. London told the gather¬ ing a changing world called for abandoning outmoded policies. When an industry cannot change conditions, it must adapt itself to the new ones, if it is to survive. For the immediate future, London foresees tough sledding. This he compounded as stem¬ ming from a continued product shortage due in part to the increasing number of road¬ shows, and what he felt was an imminent general business recession. However, he said, this would be temporary, augmented roadshowing “will be self-defeat¬ ing,” and the number of movies in general release will increase substantially. London called for stressing advertising out¬ side the theatre. Conceding that trailers are exhibitors’ most potent sales-force, he re¬ marked dryly the medium was ineffective in an empty house. He pointed to the “amazing and overwhelming effectiveness” of the trailer show at the recent Michigan State Fair. Officers re-elected were President London, Detroit; Vice-President Wayne C. Smith, Pon¬ tiac; treasurer William M. Wetsman, Detroit; and secretary Fred P. Sweet, Detroit. The board, which includes the officers, were also re-elected save Harold Clark, Detroit, who resigned and was replaced by Gordon M. Bennett of Hastings. Those continuing in office are S. H. Barret,, Detroit; Richard Beechler, Eaton Rapids; Irving Belinsky, East Detroit; Carl Buermele, Detroit; Frank R. Forman, Oxford; Nicholas George, Allen Park; Adolph Goldberg, Detroit; William Jenkins, Adrian; Jack Krass, Royal Oak; Norman Ladoucer, Detroit; Jack D. Loeks, Grand Ra¬ pids, Lou Lutz, Highland Park; Lou Mitchell, Detroit; Vincent Pope, Dearborn; Del A. Rit¬ ter, Detroit; Emmett F. Roche, Hart; Elton L. Samuels, Pontiac; Alden W. Smith, Detroit, and Frank R. Spangle, Utica. A resolution and a pledge of support was passed lauding Si Fabian for stimulating pro¬ duction through ACE. Edward L. Hyman was likewise commended for his continuing efforts ( Continued on page 11) fused permit by the censor. More than half of these, the resolution says, were foreign films. The resolution concludes with a petition to the mayor and aldermen “to resist any effort to weaken the work of our office of censorship of film in Atlanta,” and expresses the hope that other Georgia communities might follow Atlanta “in seeking to maintain a wholesome type of entertainment for our young people.” The resolution was offered, Dr. Newton said, because of the suit announced by Inde¬ pendent Film Importers and Distributors of America to be brought against the city’s censorship law. The IFIDA has retained the service of the Atlanta law firm of Heyman, Abram, and Young to present a test case in an all-out effort to overthrow Atlanta’s censorship law. Churches Back Atlanta Censorship As IFIDA Prepares For Court Test 10 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR October 19, I960