The Exhibitor (1966)

XEWS CAPSULES FILM FAMILY ALBUM FORMS FOR THIS PAGE CLOSED \\ AT 5 P.M. ON MON., MAY 23 U BROADWAY ^ GROSSES Obituaries Alfred Louis Weitschat, 64, Detroit’s best known movie critic, died at East Side General Hospital of a heart attack. He had been with the Detroit News for 45 years and was its movie critic 31 years. Surviving are his wife, two sons, two brothers, a sister, and three grandchildren. Reade Outlook Bright NEW YORK — Optimism for both an im¬ proved first half and for long range prospects based on growth and expansion in all depart¬ ments of Walter Reade-Sterling, Inc., was voiced by Walter Reade, Jr., president and chairman of the board, at the annual share¬ holders’ meeting. The shareholders elected Stephen P. Dug¬ gan, Jr., a director to succeed Edwin Gage, resigned. Other directors were reelected, in¬ cluding Reade; Sheldon Gunsberg, executive vice-president; Allan D. Emil, attorney; Wil¬ liam H. McElnea, Jr.; and Gharles Simonelli, executive vice-president of Technicolor Gorporation. Gompany officers were reelected by the directors. Giting the Gompany’s 20 per cent increase in 1965 gross to $16,417,000 and increase in net profit after taxes to $505,000 against an adjusted loss of $637,000 in 1964, Reade told shareholders that the company is operating on budget. Reade also cited the growing value of the Company’s library of nearly 700 feature films, including $2,500,000 in new acquisitions. He described the recent purchases as new films still in production, some recent theatrical re¬ leases, and some time-honored movie classics, none of which have ever been seen on Ameri¬ can tv screens. He also discussed the improved prospects of the theatrical film distribution division, point¬ ing to the summer release schedule which in¬ cludes “McGuire, Go Home!,” “Gypsy Girl,” “Dr. Who and the Daleks,” and “Gulliver’s Travels Beyond The Moon.” Reade also noted the company had re¬ negotiated its agreement with the Bank of America, leading to an increased credit line. Showdown At MGM NEW YORK — The battle for control of MGM between management and dissident di¬ rector Philip Levin moved toward the cli¬ mactic special stockholders’ meeting (May 24) amid a flurry of moves and the counter-moves. Levin, rebuffed in every attempt to have the meeting cancelled, took his fight to the stock¬ holders via a full page ad in the New York Times. Management took issue with his state¬ ments, particularly one in which he took credit for progress made by MGM Records. Levin finally abandoned efforts to win a court ruling, setting the stage for a showdown. R.I. Anti-Obscenity Bill Passes Senate, Assembly PROVIDENGE, R. I. —Sitting in session until after 2 o’clock in the morning, the Rhode Island House approved the anti-obscenity bill recently passed by the state Senate after a stormy two-hour session earlier in the week. In a surprising move, the bill reached the floor of the House before a vote for final adjournment of the present session was taken. It had been believed in many quarters that further hearings would be necessary prior to the receipt of the bill by the House from the Senate. However, its proponents mustered up enough strength to secure speedy action and eventual passage. Sections of the bill, as it would affect the owners and operators of motion picture the¬ atres in this state, would amend Rhode Is¬ land’s “in rem” statute — under which action is taken against the allegedly “obscene” film rather than against the person or persons responsible for its exhibition. It demands a hearing within 24 hours and a court decision within 48 hours, thus eliminating long drawnout litigation. (Gurrently, several cases are still pending in this state, even though action was sought weeks, and even months, ago). The revised bill would also change the list of ques¬ tions on which evidence may be introduced at the initial hearing. Another portion of the controversial legis¬ lation would allow communities to license not only places where films are to be exhibited, but also the individual film in question. A license could be denied only on grounds of obscenity, and a suit would have to be brought within 48 hours of receipt of license application. An immediate court decision (within 48 hours) would be mandatory. This provision would eliminate, once and for all, refusal of licenses based on “traffic conges¬ tion,” “rowdy actions of teen-agers,” “ob¬ noxious noise,” and other “weak” excuses which have been used in the past by some city and town officials in their efforts to hamper operators of both drive-ins and hard-top situa¬ tions. Another section of the “package” bill would set up a board to determine the rights of per¬ sons under the age of 18 to be admitted to witness a questionable film. Here, the theatre operators have the privilege of securing a speedy “day in court,” and a complete review of the situation, with the court being required to render a decision within 48 hours. As previously indicated, the theatre man¬ ager or operator cannot be arrested or ham¬ pered by city or town officials for screening a questionable picture until the court has passed judgement and definitely decreed that said film was obscene. Nor can a theatre man¬ ager or operator be apprehended for admit¬ ting persons under 18 until after a full hearing “Lady L” Opens Big NEW YORK— MGM’s “Lady L” opened big at Loew’s State while the rest of the Broadway first-runs held their own. The breakdown was as follows: “ARABESQUE” ( U). Radio Gity Music Hall, with usual stage show, did $109,800 on Thursday through Sunday, with the third week sure of $160,000. “CAST A GIANT SHADOW” (UA). DeMille reported $23,500 for the eighth week. “DR. ZHIVAGO” (MGM). Gapitol claimed $34,000 for the 22nd week. “LADY L” (MGM). Loew’s State stated that the opening w'eek would be a fine $43,000. “THE SOUND OE MUSIC” (20th-Fox). Rivoli announced that the 65th week was $43,000. “A MAN COULD GET KILLED” (U). Astor reported $10,000 for the second week. “THE TROUBLE WITH ANGELS” (Golumbia). Victoria stated the seventh week was $11,000. “MY FAIR LADY” (Warners). Griterion did $22,850 on the 83rd week. “CINERAMA’S RUSSIAN ADVEN¬ TURE” (United Roadshows). Warner Cine¬ rama stated the sixth week vv'as $26,000. Laub Named BV V-P NEW YORK — Joseph J. Laub, secretary and general counsel of Buena Vista Distribu¬ tion Company, Inc., has been elected vicepresident of the Walt Disney distributing subsidiary. The announcement was made by Irving H. Ludwig, president of Buena Vista, in behalf of the board of directors. Laub will continue his legal executive responsibilities as the com¬ pany’s secretary and general counsel. before judicial authorities. All actions must be taken against the film, but never against a theatre or its privileges to continue opera¬ tions (as has been the case in Rhode Island on several occasions in the past). The new piece of legislation will bring upto-date existing Rhode Island laws, and attune them to recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Governor John Chafee’s immediate signa¬ ture to the bill is expected momentarily. Should the governor fail to sign, or even veto the bill, sufficient support is available to over¬ ride such action. As a matter of fact. Gov. Chafee is the one and only Republican to hold major office in Rhode Island. The Demo¬ crats occupy all other key posts. 4 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR May 25, 1966