The Exhibitor (1964)

WELTNER ( Continued from page 6) doing exceptionally well; that Talent Associates-Paramount, Ltd., in which Paramount holds a 50 per cent interest, occupies a posi¬ tion of growing importance in the tv indus¬ try; that the sale of tv station KTLA, Los Angeles, resulted in the receiving of $12,000,000 in cash; that the company is closer than ever to seeing the eventual marketing of the Chromatron color television tube; and that the pay television subsidiary, Interna¬ tional Telemeter Company, is doing particu¬ larly well, especially in Great Britain. He also briefly indicated the progress be¬ ing made in the long-range experiment being conducted in Toronto, Canada, which, he said, has been most helpful in providing the tech¬ nical knowledge, operational know-how, and programming requirements for the launching of a Telemeter system of pay television for the world market. Also, Balaban said, “Progress is being made in overcoming some of the obstacles facing a wired system of pay television in the United States.” “Famous Players Canadian Corporation, Ltd., in which Paramount holds about 51 per cent interest, is continuing its policy of diversification in the entertainment and allied fields and represents a most important and substantial holding for the company,” he said. “Dot Records, our wholly-owned phono¬ graph record company, enjoyed a year of some progress, although profits and business were generally disappointing.” Balaban also pointed out that during 1963, the company enjoyed' an increase in income over the previous year from rental of studio facilities; and that a substantial profits was made from the liquidation of the Autometric Corporation, with the major portion of the assets being disposed of to Raytheon Corpora¬ tion on a profitable basis. All directors of Paramount Pictures Cor¬ poration were re-elected by the stockholders. Re-elected to the board were Weltner, Bala¬ ban, Zukor, Paul Raibourn, James H. Rich¬ ardson, and Y. Frank Freeman, all execu¬ tives of Paramount Pictures, and Edwin L. Weisl, Stanton Griffis, Duncan G. Harris, Paul Manheim, and Maurice Newton. Jaffey To Cinema V Post NEW YORK — Herbert Jaffey has been named executive director of publicity and ad¬ vertising for Cinema V Distributing, Inc., it was announced by Donald S. Rugoff, presi¬ dent, and Carl Peppercorn, executive vicepresident. His immediate assignment will be the handling of “The Soft Skin,” the new Francois Truffaut film acquired by the com¬ pany for national distribution. In addition to his new duties, Jaffey will continue as advertising and publicity director of Rugoff Theatres. Academy Reelects Freed HOLLYWOOD — Arthur Freed' has been re¬ elected president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the 1964-65 '■ year. Other officers are Elmer Bernstein, first vice-president; Jacob H. Karp, second vicepresident; Hal Elias, secretary; Hal Mohr, assistant secretary; Fred L. Metzler, treas¬ urer; and Richard Murphy, assistant treasurer. iMiiiiiliiiimnnniiMHiiiMMiiiiHiHiiiiiiiiHMiimiiMiimimmHMMiiMiMMMimimmiiMmiiiiiimmmimmimmmiimiiuii MiiiiMiiililliiiiiiiMiimiiiiiiiiminiiiiimiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiimmiiiiiiiimmiiimiiiiiimimiiiiuiiiHiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiniii LONDON Observations By Jock MacGregor FOR THE FIRST TIME, Rank’s John Davis has addressed a . trade union. He accepted Sir Tom O’Brien’s invitation to speak at the National Association of Theatrical and Kine Employees’ annual delegate conference, and took advantage of a captive audience to discuss forcefully their joint responsibilities in the serious job that faces them in show business in general and the film industry in particular. “It would be a very great and tragic mistake,” he said, “if we allowed ourselves to believe that our mutual interests are confined within the orbits of the film industry as it is, or even as it used to be. I could see that the public’s leisure needs would change as their leisure time and money increased; that the change would be brought about not by any act of mind, but by the inexorable onward march of public taste. I am de¬ lighted that my organization has moved in the forefront of the times in providing the many new kinds of facilities which are now needed. I know that you will not have forgotten that these facilities employ your members in just the same way as the cinema has always done. My company has been able, in providing expansion for itself, to pro¬ vide diversification and steady employment for your members. “The cinema itself has not only been a story of closing and retrenchment. Rather it lias been one of rationalization and face lifting. The public still wants a night out at the cinema, but they want it under different conditions. These could not be fulfilled by the methods and with the facilities which served us so well in the boom years. There is no reason why my company and others in the film industry, and your union and other unions, should not be able to see ahead a bright future for the film industry — for your union members and our shareholders.” Davis blamed lack of foresight for the talk of crisis in the industry, and warned of the dangers of divorcement, which some seek. “In my view,” he stated, “the industry’s current problems stem from two factors — the decline in attendances and the limited number of first rate films of real box office appeal which are available.” Later he added, “The cinema has been plagued in the past year or two by a glut of low budget films which ought never to have been con¬ ceived as first features. They have done incalculable harm to the reputation of British film entertainment, in particular. Why should anyone leave his home to go to the cinema unless he is confident that the film offered will be worth seeing — and, more important, worth paying for? Today, the cinema-goer demands an evening out in the fullest sense.” On falling attendances, he said, “I am afraid that it is those cinemas which have ( Continued on page 22) All Exhibitors, Distributors and Suppliers are invited— VIRGINIA MOTION PICTURE THEATRE ASSOCIATION (Founded July 24, 1934) 30th ANNUAL CONVENTION Cavalier Hotel & Beach Club Beacli, Virginia July 20-21-22 John H. Rowley, President, Theatre Owners of America Also to speak at the Tuesday business session: Jack Armstrong, President, Allied States Association of Motion Picture Exhibitors Exhibitors' Problems Nearly 100% of the distributors are sending sales and advertising-promotion executives to outline plans for promoting future product on the national and local levels. 7th Annual Golf Tournament — Surf Bathing — Indoor and Outdoor Pools — Bus Tour of Chesapeake Bay BRIDGE-TUNNEL — Tour of Frontier City — President's Reception — Sunken Garden Shrimparoo— Banquet and Entertainment — 3 Cocktail Parties — Eye-Opener Breakfasts — Dance Nightly to Don Glasser and His Orchestra — FREE: Drawings for 2 Rooms — Admission for all to Fishing Pier. The Cavalier is American Plan. $35 for Twins, $22 for Singles, Children's Rates (sharing room with parents) Up to 5 — $5; 5-8 — $8; 8-12 — $10. Over 12 adult rate. These rates include three meals. Make your reservations now — direct with hotel. CONVENTION REGISTRATION FEE: MEN S10— LADIES S5 — CHILDREN FREE Complete information: V.M.P.T.A., 110 N. Adams St., Richmond, Virginia 23220 Virginia Keynoter: Tues., July 21 Clinic: Tues., July 21 Distribution: Wed., July 22 June 10, 1964 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR 17