The Exhibitor (1966)

I *1 > Technicolor Vets Gather; > 1,200 Years Represented HOLLYWOOD — Twelve centuries of color motion picture experience were represented I by a group of 44 Technicolor veterans gathered ; at the Los Angeles Club to mark their anniver| saries of 25 years or 35 or more years associa¬ tion with the company. Host for the luncheon 11 was Paul W. Fassnacht, president and chief 11 executive officer, himself a 37-year veteran with Technicolor. “By managing to put up with each other ! this long,” Fassnacht told the group, “we amassed an unequaled store of know-how that is an invaluable asset to the motion picture industry. We have become a team to whom film producers, for both screen and television, turn when they want to be assured of the tops in color quality.” Longest service record in the company is that of Walter J. Feloney, supervisor in the negative assembly department, 45 years with Technicolor. Others in the more-than-35-years group were Robert Riley, who retired in November as vice-president, Rudolph E. T. Cave, shift boss in the control department, both with 44 years of service, and Stanley J. Gillis, supervisor of the negative cutting depart¬ ment, with 43 years. Also, Edward O. Fairley, who retired this year as supervisor of the wet maintenance department; Richard M. Blanco, vice-presi¬ dent, sales, in the television division; and Wilford W. Rector, shift boss in the negative developing department, all with 41 years service. Also, Sidney F. McElwee, who retired this year as office shift boss in the transfer depart¬ ment after 40 years; Edwin J. Cook, supervisor in the answer print department, 38 years; Gifford S. Chamberlain, head of the camera department; Charles J. Fitzimmons, receiving department; Frank J. Downey, matrix depart¬ ment; Russell W. Conant, who retired this year as senior photographic engineer; and David L. Balser, supervisor in the answer print department, all 37-year veterans. Also, James P. McTear, foreman in the control department; Charles iE. McGrale, assistant purchasing agent; A. S. Tyson, staff assistant in order services department, 36-year veterans; and Roland R. Forcier, supervisor in the production order department, who has been with Technicolor only 35 years. The “youngsters” who constitute the 25 -year employee group are Gayle C. Weaver, matrix department; Paul Rutan, sales administration manager; Betty Dirr, foreign scheduling section of the production department; Harold M. Hand, assistant corporate comptroller; Emily Brogger, cost accounting department; Chester B. Sanderson, Europe expediter in the produc¬ tion department. Also, Elsworth S. Primeau, projection gang boss; Emma L. Scanlan, accounts receivable supervisor; William Hammond, news writer in the office of corporate communication; Lloyd R. Brennan, foreman, negative develop¬ ing department; Martin J. Beck, control depart¬ ment; Samuel Sacks and Charles McFadden, matrix department; John C. Wright, control department. Also, John Haffner, negative assembly department; Harold Hobart, answer print department timer; Lin M. Raring, matrix department; Max C. Wilkinson, foreman of the transfer department; James H. Babbee, printer in the matrix department; Lou Bertz, control department; and Wayne W. King, shift boss in the matrix department. Also, John L. Whetsel, dry maintenance department; Edwin H. Brooks, matrix depart Foreman Urges US Subsidy Plan To Permit "Risk" In FilmMaking Jack Valenti, president. Motion Picture Association, visits John Wayne and Kirk Douglas on the set of "War Wagon," being made for Universal release. Fox West Coast Names Paulson To New Theatre LOS ANGELES — Arthur Paulson has been appointed manager of the deluxe, 922-seat Fox Valley Circle Theatre in Mission Valley Cen¬ ter-West in San Diego, Calif., it is announced by John Klee, Pacific Coast division manager of Fox West Coast Theatres, a subsidiary of National General Corporation. Paulson’s’ appointment to the key post at the new $600,000 motion picture showcase follows a 30 year career with Fox West Coast Theatres when he started as a doorman at the Fox Theatre in San Diego. Subsequently, Paulson served as manager of the Fox Egyptian, North Park, Calif., and Orpheum Theatres in San Diego, and at the Inglewood Theatre in Inglewood, Calif. His most recent assignment has been at the State Theatre in San Diego. Soaring skyward on wide pre-stressed con¬ crete wings, highlighting a 40-foot high pylon, the new Fox Valley Circle Theatre will face south on San Diego’s Mission Valley Freeway. The theatre will open on Friday, Dec. 23, with a gala premiere performance of L’nited Artists’ new Peter Sellers suspense comedy, “After the Fox.” Oscar Nyberg is the district manager for Fox West Coast Theatres in San Diego. ment; and Leonard W. Wurtz and George L. Van Beveren, both in the negative assembly department. Present at the luncheon, in addition to the honored veterans, were Thomas J. Welsh, chairman of the board; Charles F. Simonelli, executive vice-president; Gary Thomas, vicepresident and general manager, consumer photographic division; A. P. Lofquist, Jr., vice-president and general manager of the motion picture division; W. C. Chambliss, vice-president, corporate communication; Robert T. Kreiman, vice-president and general manager, commercial and educational division; J. E. Bluth, vice-president and general man¬ ager, vidtronics division; F. W. Hardt, vicepresident and general manager, magna crafts division; D. J. Sheaff, vice-president, produc¬ tion, television division; and Norman Pottle, vice-president, personnel. HARTFORD — Speaking before the Greater Hartford Forum audience, producer-directorwriter Carl Foreman noted that a subsidy is the key to better films. Foreman, whose most recent film “Born Free,” enjoyed outstanding interest and boxoffice success, appeared in the last of the forum’s four sessions devoted to evaluating films. He said every country except the United States subsidizes its films in some way. “Without a subsidy,” he said, “the New Wave in France would never have taken place and the British film industry couldn’t live 24 hours. It’s the same for Sweden and Italy.” He added, however, that the subsidy should not be a direct government handout. Foreman also defended the “many talented, honest film makers in Hollywood who have been let down by the public when they have tried to do something worthwhile. If Ameri¬ cans — even those who flock to foreign films — supported ‘worthwhile’ American films, there would be more of them. “From time to time,” he said, “film makers have gambled on American taste and made something they felt must be made. Most of these films have not been accepted. Each time one fails, it’s harder for the next man to aim at something higher than the 12-year-old.” Foreman noted that some form of govern¬ ment subsidy or tax break would make pos¬ sible the making of more risky films in the U.S. “The film industry has as much reason to be subsidized as the oil industry.” Sweden, he feels, has the best system. Taxes taken in from films are put into a pool and divided three ways. One-third is divided among all films released that year. Another third helps to offset losses of films that were not financial successes. And the other third goes to the makers of the top artistic films made. Sweden also subsidizes a national film school, and the United States should think about setting up the same sort of school here, he said. He also proposed that film apprecia¬ tion courses be offered in high schools. Commenting on current censorship prob¬ lems, the producer noted that censorship by state and local groups inhibits the subjects American films can treat. Answering questions from the audience, Forum director Joseph L. Steinberg, and Hart¬ ford Times movie critic Bernard L. Drew, Foreman noted that success tends to isolate movie makers. “The more successful they are,” he said, “the harder they work, and the more they stay in Hollywood, never seeing the outside world. It would be very healthy for them to take three months off every two years and see things. They should go in to a small moviehouse and see how their films are re¬ ceived. It’s a very sobering experience.” Hawaii V. C. Tenf Active LONDON — The Variety Clubs Interna¬ tional’s newest tent, established in Hawaii, has increased its membership to 100 in the 10 weeks since its formation. The new barkers include tv and radio station owners, newspa¬ per publishers, and top theatre executives. The new club’s efforts include the raising of $3,000 from the sale of record albums, and its Heart Fund currently stands at $5,000. Several thousand additional dollars are likely to be realised from a premiere of ‘The Bible.’ December 21, 1966 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR 7