The Exhibitor (1966)

Battle Lines Drawn In Censor Fight MGM, Levin Present Views To Stockholders NEW YORK — MGM director Philip J. Levin in a proxy statement sent to stock¬ holders asked them to vote at a shareholders meeting on May 24 against a management proposal that the common stock be split twofor-one and the authorized shares increased from three to eight million; to support his proposal to effect a two-for-one stock split hut to increase the authorized common stock from three to six million shares; to sign a requisition form that would ask the president ■or secretary of the corporation to call a new special meeting for the purpose of considering a proposal for preferential rights of subscrip¬ tion for holders of common stock when any shares are issued by the corporation for cash; and to consider and act upon a recommenda¬ tion of the board providing that approval by the holdei's of a majority of the outstandingstock be required for the issuance of more than $10 million in market value of stock for acquisition of assets or companies. At the same time, a proxy solicitation letter from MGM president Robert H. O’Brien went ■out to holders, noting that “MGM is moving forward, but we must not lose momentum. We need your support to continue the same management programs which have brought such excellent results since 1963.” O’Brien cited the MGM stock proposal as “a procedure which has been followed by many ■of the major American corporations” and which “will create a broader and more vigorous market for your stock.” He held that the in■creased number of shares will provide man¬ agement a range of choices and flexibility to adopt the most favorable method of refinancing or expansion through acquisitions. O’Brien said, “Mr. Levin has expressed the fear that the company program was designed to reduce the relative amount of his voting power through the issuance of additional shares. Thus MGM’s program for growth in the best interests of all stockholders has col¬ lided with Levin’s own personal ambitions and interests. The program has a single objective — the promotion and advancement of the in¬ terests of MGM and its stockholders. This latest statement by Mr. Levin is consistent with his prior position in voting against an increase in the dividend in December 1965 and voting against the regular quarterly dividend at the directors’ meeting Leb. 24, 1966.” ^Xamelot^* Finds Guenevere BURBANK, CALIL. — Vanessa Redgrave, English actress and daughter of Michael Red¬ grave, has been chosen by Jack L. Warner to star as Guenevere in Warner Bros., forth¬ coming production of “Camelot.” Miss Redgrave’s first major film, “Morgan!,” opened recently in New York Gity to fine re¬ views. One writer predicted that “she seems set to conquer the movie world.” Miss Redgrave has appeared on the London stage frequently and with great success in Shakespearean productions, as well as con¬ temporary plays. She is the wife of film director Tony Rich¬ ardson. On her first visit to Galifornia last year, when her husband was at work there, she took a course in political science at U.C.L.A. Her mother is the actress Rachel Kempson. Field Marshall Sir Richard Hull recently thanked Sam Spiegel for his gift of $28,000 towards the cost of the Variety Club of Great Britain's spon¬ sored White City Boys Club and the pledge of $2,800 annually towards the upkeep after the official opening in London. Col/s Cleveland Branch Leads Jackter Drive NEW YORK — With Golumbia Pictures’ “Salute to Rube Jackter” drive at the halfway mark, Jules Livingston, branch manager at Gleveland, has piloted his exchange into first place from 10th position earlier in the drive. Lollowing Gleveland are Atlanta, Memphis, and Dallas, in second, third and fourth places respectively. Columbia has also announced the first winners of “Showman of the Week” awards, given to individuals who have advanced the most imaginative or effective idea in their specific area of responsibility. The winners chosen thus far include Bill Jeffries, office man¬ ager and head booker in Kansas City; Mrs. Billie Benick, booker in Washington, D.C.; Mae Carper, Memphis contract clerk; Stanley Smith, St. Louis salesman; and Juanita Myers, Dallas booker. Backed by Columbia’s current product line-up which includes “The Silencers,” “The Trouble With Angels,” “Born Lree,” as well as “Cat Ballou” and “Ship of Pools” Academy Award bookings, and “A Study In Terror” and “Ride Beyond Vengeance,” most branches are running ahead of quota and competing fiercely for top position, with just a few percentage points separating each branch. “Columbia on Every Screen Weeks” are coming up at the end of May and beginning of June. The Salute, which was launced on March 11, will run through June 23. Festival Advisors Named SAN LRANCISCO— A Hollywood advisory committee for the San Prancisco International Lilm Festival, with Mr. and Mrs. Bing Crosby as co-chairmen, has been organized by Shirley Temple Black, chairman of the Festival’s pro¬ gram division. Other members are Jennifer Jones Selznick, Academy-award winning actress; Mervyn LeRoy, motion picture director; Joseph Gotten and his actress wife, Patricia Medina; and Deane F. Johnson, motion picture industry attorney. The committee will serve as liaison between the Festival and the Hollywood motion picture industry and participate in various Festival events. Rhode Island Struggle Brings Stormy Hearing; Assembly Adjournment Seen Blocking Any Early Action PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Proposed revision of the state’s anti-obscenity laws was both upheld as a means of stemming a “tide of filth,” and attacked as still failing to cure constitutional defects, at a stormy two-hour hearing in the state house. Conducted jointly by the Senate and House judiciary committees, the hearing was on a “package” introduced earlier. The six bills included, which would affect movie censorship m this state, seek to update existing statutes in the light of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions, and to add new material. One provision, for a state board to classify movies as fit or unfit for persons under 18, drew considerable criticism. Spokesmen for the Rhode Island affiliates of the American Civil Liberties Union said the proposed new board would be “worse” and more unconsti¬ tutional than the defunct state Commission to Encourage Morality in Youth, whose activities were ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Su¬ preme Court in 1963. Sen. J. Joseph Garrahy (D), Providence, who introduced four of the bills in the presen¬ tation, quoted J. Edgar Hoover, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as saying that obscenity is a major cause of sex violence. The purpose of the new legislation, as pro¬ posed, is “not to censor” but to bring the issue of obscenity speedily before the state’s courts, the senator said. Barbara Scott, attorney for the Motion Picture Association of America, said the youth review board bill, as written, would be un¬ workable. Her major objection, she said, is to providing a fine for an exhibitor who admits youths to shows the board finds unfit, before a court has examined the ban. Lt. Edward F. Apt, amusement inspector for the Providence police department and the city Bureau of Licenses, said enforcement officers in the state have been frustrated for lack of legal machinery to control obscenity. He said the proposed legislation is good and that the state needs the revisions included. Judge Leo M. Cooney, Providence Police Court, said he feels the bills are constitutional. In talking about “rights,” upholders of the Constitution should consider the rights of parents “to bring up children without exposing them to things they shouldn’t be exposed to.” Due to the impending adjournment of the General Assembly, dim hopes are held out for the passage of any part of the legislation during the current session. It is believed that several other hearings, such as the recent one, will have to be held. In some quarters, it was felt that the pro¬ posed legislation could loom as a major po¬ litical campaign issue in the November elec¬ tions. Especially may this be true in those cities and towns where the local authorities have been battling with the owners and op¬ erators of motion picture theatres, where socalled “dirty” movies, traffic congestion in the area surrounding the houses, and “wild” activities on the part of teen-age patrons has caused reasons to refuse applications for re¬ newal of operating licenses. May 18, 1966 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR 5