The Exhibitor (1962)

Record Turnout For Show-A-Rama Meet Klein Keynote Address Features “Talaria” Plan; Orear Outlines Proposal For Ticket-Selling Effort KANSAS CITY, MO. — The exchange of ideas and experiences toward more progres¬ sive theatre operation were the purposes be¬ hind Show-A-Rama VI, the annual conven¬ tion of theatre men sponsored by the United Theatre Owners of the Heart of America at the Hotel Continental. That’s the viewpoint expressed by Douglas Lightner, general chairman and general man¬ ager of Commonwealth Theatres. Around 900 theatre men and industryites gathered for the three-day event, including registrations from more than 30 states, Cana¬ da, England, and France. The trade show saw every available space allotted and showed the theatre men the latest in equipment, concessions, and ideas. The program was boiled to the essence before it ever was put on paper, according to Fred Souttar, president, UTO, and vicepresident of Fox Midwest Theatres (National General). Peak attention was devoted to the keynote address by Eugene V. Klein, president, Na¬ tional General, as his talk on “Make Way For Tomorrow” cited the new “Talaria.” a tech¬ nical advance which will permit closed cir¬ cuit theatre telecasting in color. It is good to have new ideas, he said, but it is not enough. Good ideas must be given wings. New concepts have been the strength of the industry. This idea and many others must be used to the utmost. Klein said theatre operators should be on the ground floor of pay-tv and keep it a theatre medium. A new ticket selling plan especially for ex¬ hibitors in the great plains states was unveiled by Richard Orear, president, Commonwealth Theatres, and member of the UTO Show-ARama general committee. The gist of his plan is to provide advertising and accessories especially geared to concepts prevailing in the midwest. UTO will undertake to create 10, no less than eight, campaigns during the next 12 months, providing a complete advertising package. This will include newspaper ads of popular dimensions in mat form, radio transcripts on tape or discs, and other gim¬ micks for helping sell the picture. Whether or not the plan is put into action depends upon how many exhibitors sign up to use the service at a cost ranging from $2.15 to $4.50 each per kit. This will be avail¬ able to UTO members at these prices; and, at the same price, to others who acquire a UTO associate membership at $15. UTO has ear¬ marked $50,000 to put the plan into action for the year, Orear said. The convention’s sessions were primarily designed for documentation of exploitation campaigns on important upcoming releases, each presented by an experienced theatre man. Another session was devoted to conces¬ sions and a small town theatre clinic. Awards were made citing as female star of the year, Sandra Dee; as male star of the year, Jack Lemmon; with a special award going to Peter Fonda as a promising newcomer. A late-comer to the program was Sean Hyman To Tell Exh.bs Results Of Studio Talks NEW VOKK— Edward L. Hyman, AB-PT vice president, and Morris Sher, an assis¬ tant, returned after a month in Hollywood and Phoenix. He will meet with members of the trade press on Tuesday, March 19, to apprise them of the forthcoming pictures he saw at the studios and to disclose the results of his meetings with studio heads and their executive staffs. Hyman’s findings have been included in his annual “Report From Hollywood” due for release later this month to exhibitors who have endorsed his program of Orderly Release of Quality Product Throughout the Year. Columbia Net Dips NEW YORK — A. Schneider, president of Columbia Pictures Corporation, reported gross earnings of $1,767,000 for the six months ended Dec. 30, 1962, with net earnings, after taxes, of $817,000 or 46 cents per share. This compares with gross earnings of $1,890,000 and net earnings of $1,637,000 or 98 cents per share for the corresponding period of the previous year. The company reported that current earnings were reduced by a provision for full federal taxes while the previous year’s six months benefited from a tax -loss carry forward. Schneider stated that on the basis of its highly successful road show engagements thus far, “Lawrence Of Arabia,” winner of 10 Academy Award nominations, could emerge as one of the box-office champions of all time. “Barabbas” and “Diamond Head,” he said, were doing unusually good business both here and abroad, and the impact of revenues from these productions would not be reflected until the final portion of this fiscal year. SPG Honors Spiegel HOLLYWOOD — Sam Spiegel was named best producer of the year for the Sam Spiegel David Lean Production of “Lawrence of Arabia” at the Screen Producers Guild’s an¬ nual Milestone Awards ceremonies. Connery, of the cast of United Artists’ “Dr. No,” one of the pictures given the exploitation treatment. He was accompanied by three girls boosting the film, Jane Europh, Marilyn Chase, and Valerie Fowles; and Herb Pickman, New York UA staff. Another late-comer to the program was Martin Pool, producer, “Love Is A Ball,” who was beginning a national tour on behalf of his United Artists’ release. Samuel D. Berns, producer, “Hollywood Spotlight News,” addressed the convention and used a demonstration reel of the subject to exemplify his talk. He said his project enabled “all factions of the industry in a cam¬ paign to build audiences for future ticket sales, create a desire to see more pictures, and thereby help revive the movie-going habit. . . . Certain footage of Hollywood’s major film makers is shown together in a single reel, via the new industry newsreel medium with its effect to generate a want-to-see more pictures.” ( Continued on page 16) Fox Readies 24 Features For Production In 1963-64 NEW YORK — Darryl F. Zanuck, president, 20th Century-Fox, announced the corpora¬ tion’s production program for 1963-64. All Hollywood productions will be under the supervision of Richard D. Zanuck, and all foreign productions will be under the supervision of Elmo Williams. Starting April 22, “Take Her, She’s Mine,” in Technicolor, starring James Stewart and Sandra Dee, directed by Henry Koster, with screenplay by Nunnally Johnson. Starting May 15, “Something’s Got To Give,” in Technicolor, starring Doris Day and James Garner. Starting June 15, “The Last 24 Hours,” to be produced in Berlin and Munich, and based on the best-selling book, “The Last Days Of Hitler.” Starting June 15, “Shock Treatment,” a psychological melodrama. Starting July 1, “Morituri,” adventure melo¬ drama laid in the Pacific during World War II. Starting July 15, “Fate Is The Hunter,” story of two airline pilots and their relation¬ ship during World War II, from best-selling book of same title. Starting Aug. 1, “The Agony and The Ecstasy,” in Technicolor, story of Michelangelo and his conflict with Pope Julius II. Starting Aug. 15, “High Wind In Jamaica,” to be produced in England and the Carib¬ bean, with screenplay by Nunnally Johnson from book by Richard Hughes. Starting Sept. 1, “The Sound Of Music,” by Rogers and Hammerstein, in Technicolor, with William Wyler producing and directing. Starting Sept. 1, “The Visit,” starring Ingrid Bergman and Anthony Quinn, to be made in Yugoslavia. Based on famous stage play which starred Lunt and Fontanne. Starting Sept. 15, “Montserrat” by Lillian Heilman, based on French play. Starting Sept. 15, “Rapture In My Rags,” to be produced in Scotland. Starting Sept. 15, “Goodbye Charlie,” com¬ edy by George Axelrod. Starting Sept. 30, “Watcher In The Shad¬ ows,” to be made in England, an adventui'e melodrama by Geoffrey Household. Other projects now in preparation for 196364 include “Justine,” “Illicit,” “Voyage Out, Voyage Home,” “Trap For A Lonely Man,” “Incense To Idols,” “The Sand Pebbles,” “Big River, Big Man.” “The Greatest Raid Of All,” “The Wingate Story,” and “The Short Cut.” It was announced that Wyler had quit his post on the 20th-Fox board to free himself for the ‘“Sound of Music” enterprise. Lury Joins AIP In Orient NEW YORK — Robert M. Lury has been appointed American International Pictures’ representative for Japan, Okinawa, and South Korea, it was announced by Samuel L. Seidelman, vice-president in charge of foreign distribution for American International. Lury has dissolved his partnership with Shochiku Select and reactivated Select Inter¬ national Films. Headquarters for Lury’s new organization will be in Tokyo. 8 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR March II, 1963