The Exhibitor (1960)

Hyman Battling Last "Orphan Period" Orderly Release Effort Seen Making Progress; Exhib Support Urged For April-June Pictures NEW YORK — Edward L. Hyman, vicepresident of American Broadcasting-Para¬ mount Theatres and the industry’s outstand¬ ing champion for the orderly and increased release of pictures, unveiled some good news for exhibitors at one of his periodic trade press luncheons the other day. He reported that the next six months of 1961 should see more features released than were distributed this year. Hyman noted that his new release schedule lists 55 feature releases plus two specials, “The Alamo” and “Exodus,” from the 10 major dis¬ tributors in the first quarter, as compared to 53 features released during the same period in 1960. These figures do not include re-issues. The second quarter of 1961 will see 67 fea¬ tures plus six specials and these are “Pepe,” “Guns of Navaronne,” “Cimarron,” “Four Horsemen of the Apocolypse,” “One-Eyed Jacks,” and “Spartacus,” whereas the second quarter of 1960 saw 53 features released again. These figures do not include features from newly-formed sources nor do they include foreign films. One of his primary objectives for next year is to overcome the weakness exhibited in past second quarter periods — April, May, and June — and 1961 may see the problem licked with 29 “quality” features scheduled for those 14 weeks as compared to the 11 in 1960 when strikes, etc., interfered. He is hop¬ ing exhibitors will indulge in strong cam¬ paigns to back the apparent willing coopera¬ tion of the major distributors for the period, and he will spark a drive amongst his cir¬ cuit’s theatres to take advantage of the films scheduled for release. Speaking again for his circuit, Hyman re¬ ported that the week’s business before Thanksgiving was the best since 1956, while Thanksgiving week was the best since 1954 when the present record system was installed at the circuit. He attributed the improvement to better quality product and because more of it was available. The theatre executive felt that the forth¬ coming issues of the publication Movie Digest, which carries articles and fotos on future films, will play an important part in audience stimulation. He thought its primary appeal was to the 16 to 34 age group, quite important at the boxofhce these days. A book containing “proven profit-making ideas” used successfully over the years was also unveiled by Hyman, and he thought applying the thoughts found herein could insure the success of most drives. He also reported that he has received as¬ surances from advertising and publicity heads of all of the companies that the utmost in cooperation would be forthcoming. Incidentally, Allied Theatres of Michigan adopted a resolution commending Hyman “for his diligent efforts to increase communica¬ tion, coordination and cooperation within the motion picture industry which has benefited the industry in general and motion picture exhibitors everywhere.” Hyman has worked for an end to the “feast and famine” psychology in film releases for the past several years. Exhibs Sues Newspaper; Charges "False" Editorial CHARLOTTE — Robert E. Schrader, part owner and general manager, Visualite, Charlotte, filed a $150,000 libel suit against the Charlotte Observer alleging “loss of business” and “mental torture” as a re¬ sult of an editorial which appeared in the newspaper. This suit is based on an editorial com¬ menting on Schrader’s being cleared in court of charges filed as the result of the showing of a motion picture about a nudist camp. It alleges that the language of the editorial was “false and known by the de¬ fendants to be false.” The action, filed in Mecklenburg County Superior Court, names as defendants the Knight Publishing Company, trading as the Charlotte Observer and the Charlotte News, and Observer editor C. A. McKnight. UA Circuit Conducting Survey BALTIMORE, MD. — United Artists Theatre Circuit is conducting a survey to effect econ¬ omies which will reflect favorably in the circuit’s earnings, according to A. E. Bollengier, financial vice-president and treasurer, who presided at an annual stockholders meet¬ ing here. UA Theatres also is arranging to sell thea¬ tres that are not operating at a profit. Bollengier held an optimistic outlook for the next 12 months. John H. Rowley, head, Rowley United Theatres, Dallas, was named to the board to succeed his father, Edward H. Rowley, who retired last August. The rest of the board was reelected. Consolidated Goes Modern NEW YORK — Consolidated Film Indus¬ tries, which undertook a $150,000 moderniza¬ tion program a year ago, will continue to improve its facilities in 1961, Victor Carter, board chairman of Republic Corporation, announced. Consolidated, a Republic divi¬ sion, has headquarters in Manhattan and its plant in Fort Lee, N. J. The modernization program includes the installation of two specially-designed ma¬ chines in the Fort Lee laboratory to increase Consolidated’s capacity for processing color film and television film commercials. Sal Mineo, who is one of the stars of Otto Preminger's UA release, "Exodus," is seen with Frank Damis, Stanley Warner Theatres zone manager, at a luncheon to announce the Phila¬ delphia opening of 'he film at the SW Boyd on Feb. 1. "Health For Peace" Affair Honors Nizer NEW YORK — The urgent, practical nature of the “Health for Peace” concept — based on the assiunption that when people work to¬ gether for health they learn to live together in peace — was underscored by President Dwight D. Eisenhower; Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare Arthur S. Flemming; his successor. Governor Abraham Ribicoff of Connecticut, and other national, state, and local leaders. In a message to the “Health for Peace” dinner — which highlighted the $2,500,000 na¬ tional campaign of the Children’s Asthma Institute for Research and Hospital at Denver — President Eisenhower declared that “each citizen who helps to advance the health of his neighbors helps to strengthen the founda¬ tions of peace.” Secretary Felmming, in a statement to the dinner which honored attorney Louis Nizer of New York, assured that “the fight for better health protects and enriches our nation. A sick child cannot understand democracy, much less stand up and defend it.” Governor Ribicoff pointed to the Children’s Asthma Institute for Research as an example of what can be done on a global basis. “Man has now reached a stage in his de¬ velopment,” he said, “where he has at his command resources which can end illness, illiteracy, and poverty not only in the United States but throughout the world.” Max E. Youngstein, a founder of the In¬ stitute, vice-president of United Artists, and honorary chairman of the dinner, pointed out that the motion picture industry has long been aware of the fact that “when people laugh together, or cry together, they have laid the foundation of living together in peace.” Arthur B. Lorber, president of the Institute, presented the Institute’s Joey Award to Nizer and pointed out that “the fact that children are accepted by the Institute without regard to race, creed, or color laid the groundwork for the development of the health for peace concept.” Nizer stressed the necessity for closing the gap between scientific achievement and con¬ cern for the individual. He added, “helping one child to breathe by supporting the Chil¬ dren’s Asthma Institute is a real contribution to humanity.” SW To Elect Directors NEW YORK — Stanley WcU’ner stockholders will elect three directors for two-year terms at the annual meeting scheduled for January 12 at Wilmington, Del. Director nominees for re-election are Simon H. Fabian, Samuel Rosen and Nathaniel Lapkin. Directors whose terms will continue after the meeting are F jrry M. Kalmine, Dr. Charles F. McKhann, and W. Stewart McDonald. Final Embassy Postponement SAN FRANCISCO— Federal Judge Lloyd Burke granted “the absolutely final” continu¬ ance in the more than 10-year old Embassy theatre monopoly suit and warned counsel for the plaintiffs that the case must be con¬ cluded in nine days after starting on January 3, the date set in response to the motion of Embassy attorney Robert D. Raven. December 21, I960 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR 7