Motion Picture Herald (May-Jun 1947)

Loren Ryder Make Up Mind About Television Now, Says Ryder The physical and economic aspects of theatre television and its dependence on a decisive attitude on the part of the motion picture industry were explored during a press conference held by Loren L. Ryder, president of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers, last Friday in New York. Mr. Ryder also discussed the society's recent meeting in Chicago and detailed plans for the 62nd semi-annual convention set for New York October 20-24. Asserting that the industry had been "too complacent in regard to the future of television," Mr: Ryder said it would have to decide now on whether it is interested or not. While hesitant to predict just when theatre television would come, he nevertheless expressed the opinion that the time had come for theatre men to utilize the new largescreen medium. And he repeated his prediction of early this year that the industry would see large-screen theatre television demonstrations during 1947. He said he had been carrying on talks with producer and exhibitor representatives with a view to exploring their attitude towards theatre television. The society's aim is three-fold, he said. "First, we are asking theatre people whether they are interested in television at all. Second, we attempt to make available all knowledge on theatre television and, third, we wish to bring to the attention of the television people certain vital differences in standard between the two industries." Problem Is Economic Regarding the design of theatres to incorporate provision for television, Mr. Ryder said exhibitors would be wise to take precautions, but he did not expect any change in the physical makeup of the theatre to accommodate the new medium. The basis of the whole problem is an economic, not a scientific one, he asserted. In regard to the society's autumn convention, Mr. Ryder said its proposed theatre engineering exhibit would serve to give exhibitors an idea of what to expect in the line of equipment six months or a year following the meeting. The New York convention also will include theatre managers, engineers, chief projectionists and major company as well as exhibitor representatives, he stated, adding that in planning for the convention emphasis also would be laid on other phases of motion pictures, television and the transmission of picture action by infra-red light. RKO Arranges for New $10,000,000 Credit Arrangements for a new unsecured revolving credit of $10,000,000 were completed this week, it was announced Tuesday by N. Peter Rathvon, president of RKO Radio Pictures, Inc., at the company's office in New York. The credit, which is predicated on a minimum working capital of $20,000,000, will be participated in by the Bankers Trust Company of New York, which will manage the fund, and the First National Bank of Boston and the Security-First National of Los Angeles. This new financing will automatically cancel an existing credit agreement with Bankers Trust for $5,000,000 not due to expire until December 22, 1948. The new revolving credit provides for a scaling down of the fund five per cent per annum, beginning the second year. Negotiations were conducted by William H. Clark, treasurer, and Gordon E. Youngman, general counsel of the company. The new financing,, the announcement said, permits the picture company to maintain a suitable inventory of produced but unreleased features which the management considers necessary for orderly marketing, careful exploitation and maximum results from distribution. RCA First Quarter Net Profit at $4,680,065 Radio Corporation of America made a net profit of $4,680,065, after taxes, for the first quarter of 1947, General David Sarnoff, RCA president, announced Tuesday at the annual meeting of stockholders in New York City. The 1947 quarter profits represent an increase of $1,519,841, or 48 per cent, over the same period in 1946. Earnings per common share for the 1947 quarter amounted to 28 cents, as compared with 17 cents per common share for the first quarter of 1946. Consolidated gross income for RCA during the quarter amounted to $76,560,096, compared with $48,972,924 for the same period last year. 20 Per Cent Theatre Tax Is Retained by Canada No change will be made in Canada's federal amusement tax of 20 per cent on theatre grosses this year, according to the Canadian Government's budget tabled in the House of Commons at Ottawa April 30 by Finance Minister D. C. Abbott. The budget also retains the war luxury taxation on candies and soft drinks and there is no change in the excise tariffs on imports. The government reported that $13,387,000 was collected in amusement taxes during the year ended March 31. Estimated revenue from amusement taxes for the next 12 months is $14,552,000. Drive-ins, Studio Sets Exempt From Building Order Drive-in theatres and studio sets are among the many commercial construction projects benefiting by a relaxation announced in a Government construction limitation order last Thursday in Washington. Government authorization no longer will be required, the Office of the Housing Expediter said, for laying concrete surfaces or bases for drive-in theatres. The statement explained that is because of increased supplies of cement, concrete and concrete blocks. At the same time the agency announced that single motion picture sets, 10,000 square feet or smaller, may now cost up to $15,000 without Government approval required. Prior to the order this set size was exempt only if it cost less than $1,000. Officials in Washington also indicated that district offices were instructed to relax their interpretation of "hardship cases" in examining construction applications made -on this basis. At the same time the House passed the bill extending rent controls but ending all curbs on commercial construction. However, permits could still be required for amusement construction if local agencies certify a shortage of essential housing materials. Prior to the passage of the House bill and before the relaxation of the building curbs, six applications to construct new theatres were approved by the Government. The largest project is in Miami, Fla., where Charles Abel, agent for Ammar Brothers, received permission to spend $53,000 for a foundation and the erection of a framework for a new theatre. Other approvals were given to Carl E. Anderson at Kalispell, Mont; William C. Buck, Rising Sun, Md.; R. V. Keeney, Urbandale, la.; R. C. Cobb, Jr., Fayette, Ala., and D. C. Foxley, Pilot Rock, Ore. Construction has been started on a drivein theatre at Kennewick, Wash., by the Midstate Amusement Company. When completed the theatre will have a capacity of 800 cars. Other building projects have been announced by Independent Theatres of Chattanooga, Tenn., which will build a 700-seat theatre in Rossville; John Lakeman, who will erect a $120,000 theatre in Haley ville, Ala. ; Martin Theatres, another theatre near De-Funiak Springs, Fla., and E. N. Claughton of Miami, who is preparing to start a new 1,100-seat theatre to be located at Coral Gables, Fla. Code Hearing June 6 The first date to be set for public hearings on the proposed revision of the New York State building code is June 6 at the Empire State Building, New York City. "The Ghost" to Music Hall Radio City Music Hall, New York, has booked Twentieth Century-Fox's "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir," starring Gene Tierney, Rex Harrison and George Sanders. The picture will ' follow "Great Expectations" which will follow the current "The Egg and I." 46 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, MAY 10, 1947