The Exhibitor (1966)

UA's New Contract Will Be Modified Rivoli Benefit Premiere For Fox's "Sand Pebbles" NEW YORK — The world premiere of Rob¬ ert Wise’s “The Sand Pebbles,” Tuesday, Dec. 20, will be a gala event benefiting both the Korea. Society and the Pearl Buck Foundation, Inc., it was announced by Joseph M. Sugar, vice-president in charge of domestic sales for 20th Century-Fox. General James A. Van Fleet, president of the Korea Society and chairman of the committee planning the pre¬ miere festivities, attended a press conference with Wise at the Rivoli Theatre, scene of this next Wise premiere as well as home of the current world premiere engagement for Wise’s “The Sound of Music” and his “West Side Story,” which premiered there in 1961. Candice Bergen, a star of “The Sand Pebbles,” was also present with H. E. Mr. Yong Shik Kim, Permanent Observer at the United Nations from the Republic of Korea, and other representatives of the two premiere sponsors. Ticket purchasers for this first per¬ formance of the motion picture, drawn from Richard McKenna’s celebrated novel about a group of Americans caught in China during the turbulent up-rising of the 1920’s, will also be admitted to a supper-dance following at the New York Hilton. Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower heads the honorary committee of distinguished vice-chairmen supporting the premiere com¬ mittee’s campaign. In addition to the noted representatives of the two sponsors, many per¬ sonalities of the entertainment world, diplo¬ matic corps and prominent leaders of the Philadelphia, Washington and New York communities will be present for the evening to join the film’s stars Steve McQueen, Rich¬ ard Attenborough, Richard Crenna, and Miss Bergen. Wise recently completed editing “The Sand Pebbles,” now being scored and processed, which represents his final step on the produc¬ tion after four years of work. He arrived in New York after Jamaica conferences with Noel Coward for his next film, “Star!,” a musical biography of Gertrude Fawrence starring Julie Andrews. In answering questions during the conference, Wise revealed that he had ex¬ pected to film “The Sand Pebbles” before “The Sound of Music” started production. He decided to do the musical while awaiting clear¬ ance to shoot the high adventure drama on location in the Far East. It was finally filmed in Hong Kong and Taiwan. According to General Van Fleet, it is par¬ ticularly appropriate for the Korea Society and the Pearl Buck Foundation, Inc., to be sharing in the premiere of this film, set in the Orient during one of the most crucial eras of recent generations. The work of both groups aids the Far East through educational grants, scholar¬ ships, health and hospital programs, and a grass roots effort to stimulate the economy and raise living conditions. The General introduced Mrs. R. Gordon Hoxie, wife of the Chan¬ cellor of Fong Island University, whose C. W. Post College is a sister unit of Korea’s Chung’ang University. Their exchange student and scholarship fund will share in benefit con¬ tributions. Signing the contract making Incentive Travel Man¬ agement of New York City the official travel agency handling the International Variety Clubs Mexican convention to be held in May were, seated, left to right, Richard Gelder, vice-president of I.T.M., and Edward Emanuel, past international chief barker of Variety Clubs and chairman of the convention site committee. Standing are Alfred Teweles, I.T.M. vice president, and Bernard B. Azarow, senior vicepresident. Malco's Lightman Urges All-Out Fight On DST DETROIT — M. A. Fightman, Jr., president of the Malco Circuit, has called upon the National Association of Theatre Owners to request their help in contacting circuits as well as independents in utilizing their managers to retain standard time. The Malco Circuit operates theatres in Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennes¬ see. Fightman has mobilized his circuit per¬ sonnel to obtain action. He has sent out a detailed letter explaining how to handle legis¬ lators in their areas. Fightman pointed out the importance of contacting and enlisting the aid of PTA women, restaurant owners, bowling lane operators, and dairy farmers. Fightman’s letter to the various managers impressed the statistics that Daylight Saving Time causes drive-ins to fall off 30 percent or more, and conventional theatres 20 percent or more. He wants each and every manager to drop practically everything for about two weeks and work on fighting Daylight Savings Time. Torregrosa Joins Reade NEW YORK — Joseph Torregrosa has been appointed general manager for The Walter Reade Organization’s nine New York City theatres, Edward F. Schuman, vice-president for the theatre division, announced. Torregrosa will supervise the operation of the DeMille Theatre, Coronet, Baronet, Fine Arts, Tittle Carnegie, Festival, and 34th Street East in Manhattan, and the Continental and Tittle Neck in Queens. Torregrosa comes to his new post from a position as director of information services and assistant research director of the Regional Health and Welfare Council of Kansas City, Mo. Prior to that, he managed the Rock Hill Art Theatre, Kansas City, for four years after serving as assistant manager for three years. Corwin, Velde Announce Results After Meeting; NATO Leader Commends UA Spirit Of Cooperation NEW YORK — Sherrill C. Corwin, newlyelected president of NATO, and James R. Velde, vice-president and general sales man¬ ager of United Artists Corporation, announced that certain modifications will be made by United Artists in its new exhibition contract. Corwin stated, “I would like to commend United Artists for its willingness to meet in a spirit of cooperation and understanding with representatives of NATO and to discuss the provisions of the exhibition contract. It is the hope of NATO that the spirit exemplified during these meetings is indicative of a new era whereby exhibition and distribution will be able to resolve industry problems in a mutually beneficial manner. “The NATO negotiating committee be¬ lieves that the modifications which will be made to the exhibition contract will amelio¬ rate many of the provisions which NATO sought to correct. A provision concerning heater charges is still under discussion, and the parties feel that a mutually beneficial provision will be forthcoming in the immediate future on this subject. “United Artists has advised the NATO committee that it will take approximately 45 days to prepare a new contract containing the modifications and that all modifications will apply retroactively to the present contract form.” Discussions concerning provisions in the new United Artists contract began during the recent NATO convention in New York. Herman M. Fevy was retained by NATO as special counsel. In addition to Corwin, the NATO committee participating in the meetings was composed of board chairman Jack Armstrong, legal affairs chairman Stuart H. Aarons, Sumner M. Red¬ stone, Marshall H. Fine, Melvin R. Wintman, and John Stembler. United Artists was represented in the dis¬ cussions by executive vice-president Arnold Picker, vice-president and general sales man¬ ager James R. Velde, vice-president Eugene Picker, and attorneys Gerald F. Phillips and Joel H. Resnick. According to Corwin, the executive com¬ mittee and directors of NATO are being ad¬ vised of the specific contract modifications. An analysis of these modifications will go to the entire membership of NATO shortly. Beinner Joins MGM Ad-Pub NEW YORK — Michael D. Beinner, former MGM field press representative, has joined the home office publicity department to assist Emery Austin, assistant director of advertising, publicity and exploitation, in the advertising and exploitation of all MGM roadshow attrac¬ tions. Beinner served as field press representative in the Dallas and Cincinnati territories, and was also associated with the Affiliate Relations Department of CBS. He is currently working on the forthcoming roadshow release of “Grand Prix,” which will have its world pre¬ miere on December 21 at the Warner Cine¬ rama Theatre here. October 26, 1966 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR 5