The Exhibitor (1965)

Battle Lines Drawn In Campaign For N. Y. Classification Of Films ALBANY — Lines appeared to be in the process of drawing for a continuation at the session of the session of the Legislature open¬ ing Jan. 5 of the battle waged at the 1965 conclave over film licensing and classifica¬ tion. Senator Earl W. Brydges, Niagara Falls Republican, unanimously designated by his fellow Republicans as Majority Leader, had announced, in late October, he would make introduction of a bill replacing the 43-yearold statute, invalidated by N. Y. State Court of Appeals last June, one of “the first orders of business next January. “The present Minority Leader made this pledge in a telegram to the Board of Regents of the State Education Department’s Motion petitioning them to retain “key” personnel Pictures Division until Jan. 15. Senator Brydges wired that the Division’s top people could be kept on the payroll to that date for two purposes to work on the draft of a “replacement” bill and to “keep an eye out for invasion of our communities by sex¬ laden films.” Regents declined Senator Brydges’ request, but reld themselves ready to rconstitute the Motion Pictures Division, if Legislature acted. Brydges had attacked the Democratic-controlled Senate for failing to vote on the Regents — advocated Ferrall measure to con¬ tinue prior censorship under a process of review (ultimately, by a State Supreme Court judge) that would fall within the lines of the “permissible” procedures enunciated by the U.S. Supreme Court in the Freedom (Maryland) case. Democratic Majority Leader Joseph Zaretzki, Bronx, blocked a ballot on th ground the nation’s highest tribunal had outlawed film censorship. Public Meetings Held The Joint Legislative Committee on Offen¬ sive and Obscene Material, long an advocate of “classification” for unaccompanied school children, has been holding public hearings. It reputedly planned another in Albany be¬ fore presenting its recommendations on “re¬ medial legislation.” Meanwhile, Assemblyman Noah Goldstein, Kings County Democrat, prefiled two bills, one of which reached third reading in the Lower House at the past session. It would be a misdemeanor, for the owner, lease, oper¬ ator, manager, or an employee to admit young¬ sters under 16 to a theatre showing a film exhibitor-advertised “For Adults Only” or “Recommended for Adult Showing Only” — unless the teenagers were accompanied by parents, guardian, or a relative-adult. The second Goldstein measure provides for basically the same thing, although the lang¬ uage differs. The Brooklyn lawyer-legislator said he “expected” the first bill to pass and be signed by the Governor. Goldstein added that he intended to confer with the Joint Committee on Obscenity before it submitted a report to the President Pro Tern and the Assembly Speaker. The Motion Picture Association of America, unalterably opposed to both “prior review” and “classification,” has already begun a quiet campaign to kill all such legislation. Allied Theatres of New York will support MPAA’s effort. Queen-Sized "Swinger" Found By George Sidney HOLLYWOOD — Producer director George Sidney, who has been searching for a queensized glamour girl to play a role with Ann-Margret and Tony Franciosa in Paramount’s “The Swinger,” calling for her to wear a scant bikini, has signed Ricki Covette to make her screen debut in the comedy now before the cameras at the company’s Hollywood studios. Billed as “The World’s Tallest Dancer,” Miss Covette is six-foot-eight-inches tall, weighs 164 pounds, with physical measure¬ ments of 41-26-39. Miss Covette was found in Tokyo, where she was starring at the Nechigeki Music Hall, by a local Para¬ mount representative. Finnish Blonde Crowned Doris Day Look-Alike HOLLYWOOD — A 24-year-old librarian from Finland was crowned grand prize-win¬ ner in 20 th Century -Fox’s international “Doris-for-a-Day” look-alike competition in ceremonies here at the world premiere of Miss Day’s latest film, “Do Not Disturb.” The winner, lovely Tuula Mattila of Seinajoki, Finland, was selected from 50 finalists representing 15 countries throughout the world. She will make an appearance in Miss Day’s next film for 20th-Fox, “Fifth Avenue Folly,” and will receive a “dream” wardrobe created by Bardley Country Clothes, as well as other valuable gifts. The selection of the grand prize-winner at the 20th Century-Fox Studio Theatre was the climax of five days of whirlwind activi¬ ties in Hollywood for the 50 finalists, prior to the final judging. Miss Mattila, who is 5'3" tall, weighs 104 pounds, and has gray-blue eyes, works in her home town as a children’s librarian. She was graduated from the College of Social Studies in 1965 and is continuing her schooling at Helsinki University, studying literature, folk art, and folk music. She also appears in children’s plays and has been presented on Finnish radio in “The Sleeping Beauty.” Miss Mattila’s father, Eino, is a retired Fin¬ nish army captain and is the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce in Seinajoki. The Mattila’s have three other children. The competition, the first event of its kind ever to be conducted on a world-wide scale in connection with the launching of a motion picture, produced finalists from England, South Africa, Chile, Venezuela, Peru, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, France, Holland, Belgium, and Austria, as well as from Finland and the United States. Graff Leaves Embassy NEW YORK — Joseph E. Levine, president, Embassy, announced that E. Jonny Graff had resigned as Embassy Pictures’ vice-president for television, effective immediately. Graff’s future plans will be announced later. Three Dallas Operators Invent Automatic Projector DALLAS — Sonart Production Co. has started marketing an automatic projector device for showing motion pictures. The device was invented by three local motion picture projectionists, James B. Hardin, Forest Hardin, and Herman L. Day, owners of CTI Electronics, Inc. Sonart has established a sales office and stage and studio to produce films at theCTI plant. Although a patent was granted in October, the device has been undergoing field and en¬ gineering tests in the Dallas area for about five years, according to James Moore, Sonart general manager. “This equipment eliminates the need for retaining a projectionist in showing varied types of film programs, a major cost in this type of promotional advertising and training programs,” according to Moore. One feature claimed for the device is that it practically eliminates film breakage. It also has other jam proof safety devices. CTI adapts its feed mechanism to RCA’s basic 400 projector. Sonart is adopting the trade name of Cinematic and expects to use the projectors for animated billboards as well as for color movies with, music in private clubs. It also can be used as the heart of a closedcircuit tv system for exhibiting movies on commercial airlines. Miss Ann Lacey, singer and entertainer, is producer and talent director for Sonart in Dallas. The firm started two years ago in Los Angeles as a producer of training, docu-? mentary, advertising, and entertainment films, according to Moore. Schneider Joins Mastan NEW YORK — Sam Schneider has joined the Mastan Company where he will be in charge of a new division formed to con¬ centrate on financing in the motion picture and television industry Schneider was formerly vice-president, treasurer, and director of Warner Bros. Pic¬ tures, Inc., and was responsible for financing many of the company’s motion pictures. He has also served as a member of the board of Motion Picture Association. After retiring from Warner Bros, in 1957, he was an inde¬ pendent motion picture distributor until his present position. Schneider said that the “new vigor being shown by the film industry indicates there is a place for the type of financing that can be supplied by Mastan.” Mastan, with headquarters in New York, is a commercial and industrial financing or¬ ganization providing a broad range of serv¬ ices including receivables financing, inventory and rediscounting loans, and time sales financing. N.Y. Variety To Meet NEW YORK — Jack H. Levin, chief barker of the New York Variety Club, Tent 35, an¬ nounced that the organization’s new slate of officers for 1966 will be instaolled at a general membership luncheon to be held on Wednes¬ day, Jan. 12, in the Georgian Ballroom of the Hotel Americana. Levin also announced the appointment of S. H. Fabian, president, Stan¬ ley Warner Corporation, as luncheon chair¬ man. 20 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR December 29, 1965