Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1951)

Sidney CHtt Ones at G6 LONDON : Funeral services for Sir Sidney Clift, one of the best known exhibitors in the United Kingdom, took place Tuesday at the Parish Church of King’s Norton, Birmingham. Sir Sidney, who was 66, collapsed and died at the Birmingham railway station October 18. He had l)een in London that day on business concerned with his considerable holding in Film Classics (Great Britain) Inc. The seizure occurred as he was leaving the train on his way home. The veteran exhibitor, chairman and managing director of 33 theatres in the Midlands and one time president of the Cinematograph Exhibitors Association, is survived by his widow. Lady Gertrude Clift, and two daughters, both of whom are married to directors of the Clift companies. Sir Sidney practiced law before entering the motion picture business. Fie headed the CEA from 1944-45 and was chairman and president of the Birmingham and Midland Trade Benevolent Fund. Reputedly a very rich man, his benefactions in the film trade and other circles had become legendary. He was knighted in 1947. James Zanias, 72, Veteran Wisconsin Exhibitor, Dies James Zanias, 72, died suddenly of a heart attack at his home in Janesville, Wis., October 6. An immigrant from Greece, Mr. Zanias opened his first theatre, the Lyric, in Janesville in 1908. The next year he purchased a second, the Nickelodeon. He also managed the Appolo and Jeffris theatres there for Saxe Brothers of Milwaukee. He retired from the theatre business in 1939 because of a heart condition. At the time of his death he owned a restaurant. Mr. Zanias was active in civic and charitable affairs in Janesville. MPAA Offers 12 Industry Short Subjects for $ 1 00 Tbe series of 12 industry shorts, released under the general title, "The Movies and You,” and prepared by the Motion Picture Association of America is now available to any theatre or group of theatres for exhibition and general promotion. The 12 subjects, produced at a cost of $300,000, can be had for $100 from Taylor Mills, MPAA, New York. HENRY R. ARIAS PURCHASING AGENT Foreign and Domestic Film Distribution 729 7th Ave., N. Y. 19, N. Y.. Circle 5-4574 Serving the Industry Since 1313. Negotiations In Any Language CABLE: HENARIAS, N. Y. Short Product in First Run Houses NEW YORK— Week of Oct. 22 ASTOR: Pilgrim Popeye Paramount Feature: Here Comes the Groom Paramount CAPITOL: Danger Is My Business Warner Bros. That's What You Think MGM Magical Maestro MGM Feature: Angels in the Outfield MGM CRITERION: Art of Archery ... .Warner Bros. The Stupid Cupid Warner Bros. Feature: Mr. Imperium MGM PARAMOUNT: Double-Cross-Country Race Paramount Way Out West in Florida Paramount The Willie Hoppe Story Columbia Feature: The Mob Columbia RIVOLI: Pastry Panic 20th-Fox Fetaure; David and Bathsheba . 20th-Fox ROXY: The Helpful Geni 20th-Fox Football Winning Ways 20th-Fox The Grand Design United Nations Feature: Anne of the Indies 20th-Fox WARNER: Tweety's S.O.S Warner Bros. World of Kids Warner Bros. Feature: A Streetcar Named Desire .Warner Bros. CHICAGO— Week of Oct. 22 ROOSEVELT: Hoppy in Hoppyland . .Columbia Feature: Crosswinds Paramount Feature: New Mexico United Artists SURF: Room and Bird Warner Bros. Rocky Eden Warner Bros. Feature: Tony Drawss a Horse Fine Arts WOODS: Haunted Cat 20tfi-Fox Feature: Bright Victory Untversal-lnt. ZIEGFELD: Harvest Festival 20th-Fox Feature: No Highway in the Sty 20th-Fox Theatres in Milwaukee Raise Admission Prices A general wave of increased admission prices has made itself felt in Milwaukee, with some first run prices going up to $1.10 and road-show engagements at $2.40. The Fox Wisconsin. Palace and Riverside (latter with stage shows) have a top of $1.10 for Saturday and Sunday, including tax. The Warner and Towne theatres have a weekday top of 95 cents. The Warner has eliminated the until-1 P.M. admission of 44 cents and charges 65 cents from opening until 6 P.M. The three Fox downtown houses charge 70 cents to 6 P.M. and 98 cents thereafter, on weekdays. The Riverside has raised its stage show prices, but retained its admission of 65 cents to 1 P.M., 74 cents to 6 P.M., and 98 cents to closing. First-run suburban Fox houses have an 85cent top on week nights, but 92 cents Saturday and Sunday after 2 P.M. Legion Approves Two; Puts Three in Class B The National Legion of Decency approved two new films this week and put three others in Class B, morally objectionable in part for all. “Tom Brown’s School Days” was placed in Class A-1, morally unobjectionable for general patronage. The Legion gave “Meet Danny Wilson” a Class A-2 rating, morally unobjectionable for adults. It put the following films in Class B : “Adventures of Captain Fabian,” because of a "low moral tone” ; "The Family Secret” because it "tends to condone immoral actions,” and "The Man With a Cloak,” because it "tends to portray suicide sympatbetically.” Documentary Pictures Blind Child Training "I See the Wind,” a documentary on the nursery school of The Lighthouse of The New York Association for the Blind, was shown in New York this week. Produced by Victor D. Solow of Unity Films, the 20minute picture is a moving, excellently pho tographed report on how the Lighthouse helps blind and partially-blind children of pre-school age and how the nursery section prepares them for the difficult years ahead. The film stresses the positive approach throughout, showing children in various stages of their training. Mr. Solow manages to indicate some of the mental torment and the initial helplessness of the blind, and his picture shows how, step by step, their self-confidence is built up. Burgess Meredith is the narrator. The film was originally made for the Army for distribution in Japan. The two-reeler is available free, in both 35mm and 16mm, through the Lighthouse.— F. H. Feldman Distribution Head in Rogers Drive Composition of the national distribution committee for the 1951 “Christmas Salute” to the Will Rogers Hospital was announced this week by Robert J. O’Donnell, president of the Variety Clubs-Will Rogers Memorial Hospital. Charles J. Feldman of Universal is national distribution chairman with A. Montague of Columbia and Robert Mochrie, RKO, vice-chairmen. The 1951 “Christmas Salute” whereby everyone in the amusement industry is asked to contribute to the Hospital Fund, will open nationally November 1. Universal Sets Dividend The hoard of directors of Lhiiversal Pictures Company, Inc., last week declared a quarterly dividend of $1.0625 per share on the company’s 4)4 per cent cumulative preferred stock. It is payable December 1, 1951, to stockholders of record November 15. OUTDOOR REFRESHMENT^ SERVICE from Coast to Coast over Vi Century Refreshment Service for DRIVE IN THEATRES y SPORTSERVICE CORP. SPORTSERVICE SLOG. • BUFFALO, N. Y. 48 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, OCTOBER 27, 1951