Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1952)

MOTION PICTURE HERALD October 4, 1952 TOA head optimistic on industry arbitration system Page 1 3 ALFRED STARR, new TOA president, meets the press Page 13 NPA building controls on theatres due to end by May I Page 14 KANSAS-MISSOURI exhibitor group meets in Kansas City Page 14 CINERAMA is unveiled before an impressed New York public Page 19 TERRY RAMSAYE Says— A column of comment on matters cinematic Page 20 STOLKIN, president of RKO, in east for election of new board Page 20 BRITISH Trade Board reports 2,118 pleas for quota relief Page 22 20TH-FOX now operating as two separate companies Page 22 BOX OFFICE Champions tor the month of September Page 24 SAM ECKMAN has been Mr. Metro in England for 25 years Page 26 THE WORLD MARKET — A section devoted to the world screen, with a Buyers' Index and a special Salute to the Italian Industry Facing Page 30 NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT — Notes on industry personnel across country Page 30a ^ The New York Daily News Monday published a news story under Hedda Hopper’s by-line from Hollywood that a merger between the MGM and 20th Century-Fox studios was in the wind. Before noon that day in New York, Nicholas Schenck and Spyros Skouras had issued official company denials. Said Mr. Schenck: . . without any possible foundation. It is ridiculous, absurd, untrue, never been thought of, a complete invention. You cannot make the denial strong enough.” Said Mr. Skouras: “. . . completely untrue. . . . 20th Century-Fox is entering upon the most important era in its history in the production and distribution of outstanding motion pictures. . . .” ► Coordination between retailers and exhibitors in efforts to get the people downtown and spending continues. In Cleveland, the Meyers Meat Company developed a new advertising campaign based on the slogan “For a family treat, dine out tonight and see a movie.” ^ In Milwaukee Harold J. Fitzgerald, president of FoxWisconsin announced that three of four theatres, closed by the circuit for the summer would re-open because of “healthy box office business” throughout the state and the nation. “The movies still draw 65,000,000 people a week,” Mr. Fitzgerald said. “That’s pretty good business, and it will be around a good long while.” ► With Chairman John S. Wood of the House Committee on Unamerican Activities opening the present Los Angeles hearings by reading aloud formal statements by the Motion Picture Industry Council and the AFL Film Council denouncing published assertions that “Hollywood” would oppose the Committee’s hearings, it would appear that the film industry’s period of unearned infamy is nearing an end. ► The Federal Civil Defense Administration will probably set up another closed circuit theatre television training program before the end of the year. CDA officials are impressed with the medium and would like to use it more often, but are held back by their budget. ^ The Motion Picture Association of America won’t attempt to move against the Maryland State Board of Censors until the Ohio newsreel censorship case is finally settled. Ohio has until the end of this week to appeal the Toledo decision outlawing State newsreel censorship. SERVICE DEPARTMENTS Film Buyer's Rating Page 42 Hollywood Scene Page 28 In the Newsreels Page 30 Managers' Round Table Page 35 People in the News Page 27 Short Product at First Runs Page 41 What the Picture Did for Me Page 40 IN PRODUCT DIGEST SECTION Showmen's Reviews Advance Synopses Short Subjects Chart The Release Chart Page 1549 Page 1551 Page 1551 Page 1552 ANNOUNCEMENT CHARLES S. AARONSON, who has been a member of the editorial staff of Quigley Publications since 1930, has been appointed editor of Motion Picture and Television Almanac, succeeding the late Maurice D. Kann. Mr. Aaronson is Production Editor of Motion Picture Herald and assumes in addition to the duties of that post the editorship of the annual motion picture and television reference book, which is expected to be available for distribution some time later this month. He was born in New York City and is a graduate of the School of Journalism of Columbia University. — Martin Quigley MOTION PICTURE HERALD, published every Saturday by Quigley Publishing Company, Inc., Rockefeller Center, New York City 20. Telephone Circle 7-3100; Cable address, "Quigpubco, New-York”, Martin Quigley, President; Martin Quigley, Jr., Vice-President; Theo J. Sullivan, Vice-President and Treasurer; Raymond Levy, Vice-President; Leo_ J. Brady, Secretary; Martin Quigley, Jr., Editor; Terry Ramsaye, Consulting Editor; James D. Ivers, News Editor; Charles S. Aaronson, Production Editor; Ray Gallagher, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fausel, Production Manager. Bureaus: Hollywood, William R. Weaver, editor, Yucca-Vine Building, Telephone, GRanite 2145; Chicago, 120 So. LaSalle St., UrJsen Farley, advertising representative. Telephone, Financial 6-3074; Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club; London, Hope Williams Burnup, manager, Peter Burnup, edttor, 4^ Golden Square. Correspondents in the principal capitals of the world. Member Audit Bureau of Circulations. Other Quigley Publications: Better Theatres, published thirteen times a year as Section II of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture Daily. International Motion Picture Almanac and Fame. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, OCTOBER 4, 1952