The Exhibitor (1966)

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Exhibitor Cohen Vehement Against Buffalo Citizen Film Review Board . Theatre Reps Oppose CATV In High Point, M.C. HIGH POINT, N.C. — Representatives of motion picture theatres appeared before the High Point, N. C., City Council to oppose the proposed granting of a franchise for the opera¬ tion of a community antenna television (CATV) system in the city. They said that CATV, by buying up rights to good motion pictures and offering more variety, would dip into the moviegoing audi¬ ence, thereby hurting theatres. They said such a system could eventually take over every facet of the television field and strangle other enter! tainment and information media. (Among those speaking against the proposal was James Lovelace, attorney for the Para¬ mount, who termed a “smart move” an offer of the petitioning firm, Cablevision of High Point, to offer a gift of free stock to High Point Col¬ lege. He said the move would enlist the “pres¬ tige, influence and power” of the college be¬ hind the CATV forces, “and for a small price.” The company also proposed that if the city grants it a permit to operate, using utility poles on which to string its cables, it also would give the city about three per cent of its gross re¬ ceipts and the college an additional five per cent as a “gift.” Joining theatre interests in opposing the proposal were representatives of local radio and television stations, the Merchants Asso¬ ciation, and television salesmen, repairmen, I and antenna installers. They indicated that the city would be inviting a court suit if the pro¬ posed ordinance is adopted. The City Council took no immediate action. “Pebbles” In Paperback NEW YORK — The paperback version of Richard McKenna’s prize-winning novel, “The Sand Pebbles,” upon which Robert Wise’s roadshow attraction is based, has been published by Fawcett Crest Books and dis¬ tributed to their many paperback outlets throughout the country. The initial print order is for 300,000 copies. The jacket features the 20th Century-Fox logo from the national advertising campaign, plus cast and credits, highlighted by a color photograph from the production. Nizer Sees Leisure Time As Man’s Greatest Problem HARTFORD — Louis Nizer, MPAA gen¬ eral counsel, told the Greater Hartford Forum that only the inner resources of man can close the gap between science and humanism. The greatest problem facing man in the next two decades, he said, is that of leisure. And the motion picture is a solution. Nizer said he feels that the gap between science and humanism, between the unful¬ filled duties of peace and the powers of destruction, and between the highest stand¬ ard of living and the highest standard for living can be closed only by creative intro¬ spection. Leisure’s problems, he added, can be solved only by study, self-improvement, and creativity. And the most promising source of these factors is the motion picture industry through its embracing of music, art, and acting. Nizer holds great promise for the screen’s future. Exhibs Hear “Ulysses” Story CHICAGO— The Walter Reade, Jr./Jo¬ seph Strick production of James Joyce’s “Ulysses” was fully described and the cam¬ paign for it was fully outlined to over 50 exhibitors here at the Continental Plaza Hotel in the first of a series of luncheon seminars to be held across the country. Walter Reade, Jr., president of the Walter Reade Organization, was the main speaker during the proceedings. Norman Weitman, general sales manager; Arthur Rubine, pub¬ licity director; and Ralph T. Desiderio, special assistant to Reade on “Ulysses,” also addressed the exhibitors. Slides, portions of the sound track and an advance trailer of the film were also used in the presentation. BUFFALO — “I am firmly against it. Let me be more emphatic, I am vehemently against it,” declared Sidney J. Cohen, president of Allied Theatres of New York State, Inc., in discussing his reaction to District Attorney Michael F. Dillon’s announcement that he was planning a citizens’ review board whose mem¬ bers would determine if a motion picture or a book has any social value. “I can see no reason for this kind of citizens’ review board. I can see no value in it. I can see great harm to all the communications media resulting from it,” Cohen continued. Dillon, in reporting the plans for his board, stated that it would include a cross section of the community that would serve his office in an advisory capacity. “If my office or the Buffalo Police received a complaint that a motion picture is obscene, I would ask members of this board to view the movie,” Dillon said. In that way, Dillon explained the members could testify to the film’s social value if charges were brought. “Who are they going to pick to decide some¬ thing like that?” Cohen asked. “You could pick 20 people and have 20 different ideas. As for judging a film’s social value, well, what is that anyway? “Is it something that could be harmful to youngsters?” he continued. “If that is the case, I ask what youngsters? All of them? Fifty per cent of them? The bright ones? The dull ones? And, who determines that? “My record in such matters is quite clear,” Cohen stated. “I firmly believe that there are certain films certain children should not see. But unless we sit down and personally examine each juvenile before he comes into a theatre, I fail to see how we can correctly decide to admit some youngsters and bar others. “Let’s face the obvious. It is the parent who should determine the motion picture fare for his children. And once we permit that light to leave our home and go to any agency, no matter how well meaning it might be, we are opening the door on a kind of trouble that is frightening to even think about. “As for deciding whether a film is obscene or not,” said Cohen, “just who do we trust with that monumental task? The PTA? Are these the laws of the courts? “Let me be very clear on this,” he said. “I have no use for obscene or lewd motion pic¬ tures. However, we have ample laws on our books to protect us against this type of film. As district attorney, Mr. Dillon should know how to use these laws without calling in a citizens’ review board.” MGM Joins Variety Sponsors LONDON — Robert O’Brien, MGM presi¬ dent and chief executive, has told Variety Clubs International president Jim Carreras that MGM will sponsor a function at the Variety convention in Mexico City on May 15-19. CritchSey Takes N.H. H ouse MANCHESTER, N.H. — Don Critchley, owner-manager, Plaza Cinema, Derry, N.H., has assumed control of the 1,000 seat de luxe downtown Palace theatre here. He plans to reopen the theatre after extensive refurbishing on or about Dec. 1. Seymour Poe, 20th Century-Fox executive vice-president, is shown congratulating Abe Dickstein, assistant general sales manager and director of the 20th Century-Fox Sales Trainee School, at graduation ceremonies held at the home office. The trainees, left to right, and their branch assignments are Barry Cohen, Boston; Paul Jellinek, Cincinnati; Stanley Schneider, Cleveland; Joel Kane, Philadelphia; Richard Porter, Los Angeles; Christopher Berliner, San Francisco; and Warren Danzig, Detroit. November 30, 1966 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR 17