The Exhibitor (1963)

COMPO Bill Of Rights Drive Tool Vs. Censors, Not Race Tensions Drive-In Owners Sue Over Cement Co. Blasting ALBANY — Operators of the now-closed Albano’s Drive-In, Ravena, have brought suit against Atlantic Cement Company for $200,000 damages, claiming blasting opera¬ tions at Atlantic’s multi-million dollar plant in Ravena had frequently damaged the automobiler’s equipment, interrupted perform¬ ances, and caused patrons to leave. An affidavit by Ravena Justice of the Peace Sylvester J. Albano contended that, in effect, the ozoner had been “driven out of business” by the explosion. The operation was very profitable until Atlantic opened operations and began blasting limestones to produce cement, Judge Albano declared. Albano and two sons, John S. and Michael S., operated the outdoor theatre. Frances M. Albano is also a plaintaff in the action. A temporary injunction was sought at Special Term of Supreme Court here. This would be in effect pending trial of the dam¬ age suit. A permanent injunction would be asked later. Benjamin Ungerman, of Ungerman, Green¬ berg, and Harris, Albany attorneys, via a lengthy affidavit, listed property owners in the vicinity who also complained about the explosions and allegedly resulting damage to their properties. Atlantic Cement Company, a Delaware corporation authorized to conduct business in New York State, is contesting the actions. Supreme Court Justice Herbert D. Hamm heard arguments on a show-cause order is¬ sued by Supreme Court Justice Russell G. Hunt. New Dates For "Cleo" NEW YORK — The number of domestic “Cleopatra” engagements will swell to 44 in August when 20th Century -Fox premieres the Todd-AO spectacle in three more U.S. cities. The internationally-acclaimed attraction launched reserved-seat runs at the Elmwood, Providence, Aug. 2; Riviera, Rochester, N.Y., and the Shoppingtown, Syracuse, both on Aug. 7. NEW YORK — Estimated net operating profit for American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres, Inc., for the second quarter of 1963 was $1,830,000 or 41 cents a share, compared with $2,511,000 or 56 cents a share for the like 1962 period, Leonard H. Goldenson, president, reported. Net profit, including capital gains, was $2,061,000 or 46 cents a share, compared with $2,487,000 or 56 cents a share for last year. Estimated net operating profit for the first six months was $4,219,000 or 95 cents a share compared with $5,553,000 or $1.24 a share for the same period of the previous year. Net profit, including capital gains, was $4,573,000 or $1.03 a share compared with $5,396,000 or $1.21 a share in 1962. As was indicated in previous stockholders reports, Goldenson noted that some of the television programs in the current season did Prooucer Dino De Laurent. is, left; Columbia Pictures executive vice-president Leo Jaffe, seated; and Columbia first vice-president M. J. Frankovich sign a 20 million agreement to film "The Bible," termed "the biggest deal ever made by Columbia." Coi.-De Laurentiis Plan "Bible" LONDON — Columbia Pictures executive vice-president Leo Jaffe and first vice-presi¬ dent M. J. Frankovich signed a 20 million dollar agreement with producer Dino De Laurentiis to film “The Bible.” The Columbia executives stated, “It is the biggest deal ever made by our company, and we are particularly proud to be reunited with Dino De Laurentiis in bringing to the screen the greatest book of all time.” De Laurentiis said, “It is the culmination of my ambitions as a producer and I am proud and delighted that it is with Columbia, the company with which I have had such a long and successful association.” “The Bible” will require more than a year to film and will call lor vast location shoot¬ ing in Italy, Egypt, and Spain. The film interiors will be shot at the huge new De Laurentiis Studios outside Rome. “The Bible” will be distributed worldwide by Columbia outside of Italy. not measure up to expectations and this was reflected in first and second quarter results. He pointed out, however, that ABC-TV’s 1963-64 schedule includes many new exciting programs. These, together with the net¬ work’s well established shows, are expected to be strongly competitive. The entire sched¬ ule will premiere during the week of Sept. 15, an earlier starting date than in the past. Goldenson said, “We feel that the creative quality of this programming in the area of entertainment as well as in sports and news and public affairs will merit the enthusiasm and support of television viewers and adver¬ tisers.” Goldenson reported that theatre business in the second quarter was off from the same 1962 period. “However,” he explained, “the summer is generally the best theatre period and we look forward to good results during those months.” KIAMESHA LAKE, N.Y. — The COMPO campaign to promote a keener awareness of the Bill of Rights and its protection against censorship must not be confused with the current racial conflict over civil rights, it was declared by Charles E. McCarthy, COMPO executive vice-president. Speaking at the annual joint convention of the New York and New Jersey Allied organizations at the Concord Hotel, Mc¬ Carthy asserted that the sole purpose of the COMPO effort was to make Americans more aware of the protection which the Bill of Rights provides for all citizens and thus in¬ crease the protection of the motion picture in¬ dustry against the assaults of censorship zealots. “Exhibitors in each community and state v/ill have the say-so on the kind of Bill of Rights campaign, if any, that is to be con¬ ducted in their areas,” McCarthy said. “In¬ deed,” he added, “it is conceivable that, to prevent confusion, exhibitors in some areas will postpone action on the Bill of Rights campaign altogether until times seem more propitious.” McCarthy cited figures to show that gross misapprehension prevailed among the nation’s high school students regarding the provisions of the Bill of Rights and even the necessity of having the Bill of Rights in the Federal Constitution. “However,” McCarthy said, “there is a pronounced counter movement afoot among thoughtful public figures to arouse the public to the need for action to protect the Bill of Rights. Thus the motion picture industry will not be alone in this fight, but will have strong allies.” He mentioned Supreme Court Justices Brennan and Douglas as being active in pro¬ moting support for the Bill of Rights. The COMPO campaign was authorized by the COMPO executive committee in May as part of COMPO’s warfare on censorship. Fox Winds Sales Meets WASHINGTON— The fourth and final in a series of 20th Century-Fox regional sales meetings detailing merchandising plans of the company’s release program for the second half of 1963 and early 1964 was held here. Joseph M. Sugar, vice-president in charge of domestic sales, and R. C. McNabb, eastern division manager, presided over the sessions, attended by sales managers from branches in Boston, Washington, Philadelphia, Pitts¬ burgh, Buffalo, Cincinnati, and Cleveland. The meetings covered plans for such forth¬ coming important attractions as “The Leop¬ ard,” Cannes Film Festivalwinner starring Burt Lancaster, Alain Delon, and Claudia Cardinale; “The Condemned of Altona,” star¬ ring Sophia Loren, Maximilian Schell, Fredric March, and Robert Wagner; and “Of Love and Desire,” starring Merle Oberon, Steve Coch¬ ran, and Curt Jurgens. Other important product covered included two romantic comedies now nearing comple¬ tion, “Take Her, She’s Mine,” with James Stewart, Sandra Dee, and Audrey Meadows, and “Move Over, Darling,” which stars Doris Day, James Garner and Polly Bergen. Theatre Receipts Down As AB-PT estimates Half-Year Net Below '62 August 7, 1963 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR 21