The Exhibitor (1966)

NEWS CAPSULES FILM FAMILY ALBUM Gold Bands Miss Marion Elizabeth Billitteri, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Salvatore Billitteri (he’s the American International executive) of Garden City, N.Y., was married to John Francis Lundie, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. John Francis Lundie, Sr., of McKeesport, Pa. Lundie, Sr., is city comptroller of McKeesport. Mrs. Lundie, an art teacher, was graduated from Hofstra University, where she is presently en¬ rolled in the Master of Humanities program. Her husband is an honor graduate of Hofstra and will enter his third year of study at the Downstate Medical School of the University of the State of New York. Obituaries Services were held in Detroit for Glenn Kerr, an executive of the Jam Handy Corpora¬ tion, who died at the age of 53 in Hutzel Hos¬ pital, Detroit. Kerr, who served with Jam Handy for 30 years, is survived by his wife, a brother, and a sister. Loyalty Oath Loses NEW YORK — Reversing a lower court ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals termed the Directors Guild of America loyalty oath “an unreasonable and unlawful requirement for union membership.” Denied membership when DGA and the Screen Directors International Guild merged, Robert Braverman, Leo Horowitz, Darrell Random, Lee R. Bokker, Hilary T. Harris, and Gene Searchinger brought suit in District Court last September. Their motion for a pre¬ liminary injunction was denied. In reversing this decision. Court of Appeals Justices stated, “We hold that imposition of the vague oath in question was an unreason¬ able basis for divesting plantiffs of their long¬ standing privilege of union membership.” The American Civil Liberties Union, which provided counsel for the plaintiffs, hailed the decision as an “important civil liberties ad¬ vance.” The disputed oath reads: “I am not a member of the Communist Party or affiliated with such party and I do not believe in and I am not a member nor do I support any organization that believes in or teaches the overthrow of the United States Government by force or by any illegal or unconstitutional methods.” CORRECTION NEW YORK — A report last fortnight by Associated Press picked up by the na¬ tion’s press has proved erroneous. The re¬ port, which was printed in MOTION PIC¬ TURE EXHIBITOR under Obituaries, stated that veteran film actor Bob Steele had died in a Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Biloxi, Miss. The real Bob Steele, however, is hale and hearty at 59, working in the Warner Brothers’ tv series “F Troop” in Hollywood. FORMS FOR THIS PACE CLOSED AT 5 P.M. ON MON., JULY 18 MGM Earnings Continue Strong Upward Trend NEW YORK— The upward trend of MGM earnings continued through the first 40 weeks of the current fiscal year, with profits of $6,798,000 or $1.35 per share, compared to $4,280,000 or 85/2 cents per share in the similar period last year. In tbe third quarter alone, earnings were 41/ cents per share compared with 13/ cents per share a year ago. All of these earnings reflect the two-for-one stock split approved by stockholders on May 24. Each year, earnings at MGM have shown improvement since the turnaround accom¬ plished by president Robert H. O’Brien and the management team that took over direc¬ tion of the company in 1963. Erom a loss of $17,479,000 in 1963, the company earned profits of $7,390,000 in 1964 and $7,809,000 in 1965. Last fall, O’Brien predicted that fiscal 1966, which ends Aug. 31, would show at least 30 per cent improvement over 1965. Report to stockholders was accompanied by a check for the quarterly dividend at the increased rate of 25 cents per share on the split shares. O’Brien noted the success of MGM pictures this summer, particularly “Doctor Zhivago,” reserved-seat attraction now playing in 63 cities in this countiy. He noted continued progress in the music and record divisions, described theatrical productions now before cameras including two roadshows, and in¬ creased activity in filming of tv series for the new season. He expressed appreciation to stockholders for the support given by a majority to man¬ agement’s program and repeated his convic¬ tion that this will be one of MGM’s best years. Other MGM releases noted in the quarterly letter include “The Gla.ss Bottom Boat,” which just completed its engagement at Radio City Music Hall and is playing in key cities throughout the country; “Lady L,” described as “another major summer success”; “Around The World Under The Sea”; and “Maya.” Reporting on production activity at the MGM Studios in Culver City, London and on location, the letter notes that two pictures, “Grand Prix” and “2001 — A Space Odyssey,” are being filmed in Cinerama and color as special roadshow attractions. Goldman Sues Contractor PHILADELPHIA — William Goldman, head, William Goldman Theatres, filed suit in Common Pleas Court Number Live against contractor John MeShain charging MeShain refused to go through with a written agree¬ ment to build a motion picture theatre in the Presidential Apartments complex on City Line. The suit said Goldman was to share in construction costs and that MeShain was to rent the theatre to him for a 25-year period. An injunction is sought directing MeShain to construct the theatre, to be known as the Bar¬ clay, and lease it to William Goldman The¬ atres “on the terms agreed to by the parties.” BROADWAY GROSSES “Steal” Tops Good Week NEW YORK— Fox’s “How To Steal A Mil¬ lion” made the most noise on Broadway with a smash opening at Radio City Music Hall. Here is the breakdown: “HOW TO STEAL A MILLION” (20thFox). Radio City Music Hall, with usual stage show, registered $137,365 Thursday to Sun¬ day, with the first week headed for a sensa¬ tional $220,000. “CAST A GIANT SHADOW” (UA). DeMille reported $8,000 for the 16th week. “DR. ZHIVAGO” (MGM). Capitol took in $31,000 for the 30th week. “BORN FREE” (Columbia). Loew’s State garnered $17,000 in the fourth week. “THE SOUND OF MUSIC” (20th-Fox). Rivoli continued strong with $51,000 for the 72nd week. “THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING” (UA). Astor reported $21,000 for the eighth week. “NEVADA SMITH” (Para.). Victoria took in $23,000 for the third week. “WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?” (WB). Criterion continued super with $85,000 for the fourth week. “KHARTOUM” (UA). Warner Cinerama had a fine opening week of $48,000. Col. Revamps Sales Force NEW YORK — The Columbia Pictures do¬ mestic field sales operation has undergone a general streamlining and restructuring. A major change will find the 35 United States and Canadian branches reporting to five divi¬ sional managers, who in turn will be respon¬ sible to the home office executive sales staff headed by general sales manager Norman Jackter and assistant general sales manager Milt Goodman. Twelve promotions to division manager and branch manager posts have been made, all from within the ranks: Eastern division: division manager, Mar¬ tin Kutner, formerly home office sales execu¬ tive; Albany manager, Charles Dacey, formerly Chicago salesman; Buffalo, Herbert Schwartz, formerly Albany manager. Soutbern division: division manager, Paul Hargette, formerly Atlanta manager; Atlanta manager, Lamar McGarity, formerly Atlanta salesman; Charlotte, Marvin Schubert, for¬ merly Jacksonville salesman; Dallas, R. J. McCafferty, formerly St. Louis manager. Midwestern division : division manager. Milt Zimmerman, formerly Chicago manager; Des Moines-Omaha manager, James Ricketts, Jr., formerly Des Moines salesman; Detroit, William Wood, formerly Detroit sales manager. Western division: division manager, Bryon Shapiro; Salt Lake City manager, Robert Steed, formerly Salt Lake City salesman; Seattle-Portland, Morris Sherman, formerly Portland salesman. July 20, 1966 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR 7