Motion Picture Herald (1953)

Ohia Unit Is lUarn^d on Showing COLUMBUS : Exhibitors were advised not to go in for 3-D “unless you can do a top notch job of projection” by Herbert Barnett, president of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers in an address before the Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio during Tuesday’s session of the 18th annual convention. “Unlike the presentation of conventional pictures, anything less than fine projection destroys what you are selling— a three-dimensional picture.” Wide Range of Topics Although 3-D was the principal topic oi discussion, the two-day convention covered a wide range of other topics. Wednesday afternoon the members unanimously approved a resolution supporting a bill introduced in the Ohio state legislature by Senator Charles A. Mosher to abolish the state’s film censorship law. The resolution condemned the censorship law as “unconstitutional, restrictive, capricious, arbitrary and an affront to human freedom” and pledged the unit’s members to “their best efforts” to seek passage of the Mosher bill. The resolution pointed out that ending the censorship would ease the print situation by makingprints from out of state exchanges available, not now the case. Stating that exhibitor headaches aren't helped any by conflicting statements and claims to miracles, Mr. Barnett pointed out that the “wide-screen, 3-D scramble is a gigantic struggle for power, but at the same time having a common interest in revival of the motion picture industry. Hundreds of millions of dollars are involved. So are the fate of companies and the future of individuals. ■ He said film engineers “are working hard to ease your troubles in a constructive and reasonable manner by establishing standards as quickly and easily as possible.” “Things may be in a turmoil for a year or so, but I am certain that when the dust settles the film industry will be stronger than ever.” In his speech, Mr. Barnett questioned the value of wide-screens in smaller theatres, but Maurice Bergman, Universal public relations executive, told the convention Universal engineers are working on a widescreen suitable for smaller theatres throughout the country. Cites Universal Screen Mr. Bergman also mentioned his company's all-purpose wide-screen, which he said Universal expects to demonstrate to the public, probably at Loew’s State in New York soon, with a standard feature, “Thunder Bay,” with James Stewart in the film’s starring role. . Bob Hall, vice-president of Magic-Vuers, B ox Office Uhnwnpions For JUnreh^ 1933 COME BACK, LITTLE SHEBA ( Paramount-W allis) Produced by Hal B, Wallis. Directed by Daniel Mann. Written by Ketti Frings. Cast: Burt Lancaster, Shirley Booth, Terry Moore, Richard Jaeckel. HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (RKO-Goldwyn ) Produced by Samuel Goldwyn. Directed by Charles Vidor. Written by Moss Hart. Technicolor. Cast: Danny Kaye, Farley Granger, Jeanmaire, Joey Walsh. (Champion for second month.) JEOPARDY ( Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) Produced by Sol Baer Fielding. Directed by John Sturges. Written by Mel Dinelli. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Barry Sullivan, Ralph Meeker, Lee Aaker. PETER PAN ( RKO-Disney ) Produced by Walt Disney. Directed by Hamilton Luske, Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson. Adaptation of the play by Sir James M. Barrie. Technicolor. Cast (Voices): Bobby Driscoll, Kathryn Beaumont, Hans Conried, Bill Thompson, Heather Angel, Tom Conway. THE STAR ( 20th-Fox-Friedlob ) Produced by Bert E. Friedlob. Directed by Stuart Heisler. Written by Katherine Albert and Dale Eunson. Cast: Bette Davis, Sterling Hayden. THE STOOGE ( Paramount-W allis ) Produced by Hal B. Wallis. Directed by Norman Taurog. Written by Fred F. Finkelhoffe and Martin Rackin. Cast: Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Polly Bergen, Marion Marshall, Eddie Mayehoff. (Champion for second month.) showed 3-D color slides of scenes from “Bwana Devil,” “House of Wax” and “Arena.” He said 3-D is not injurious to the eye. The small-town clinic conducted by William Carroll discussed increased admissions and pre-releases in relation to extra clearances. The subsequent run clinic conducted by Louis Wiethe, Cincinnati, discussed the value of TV spots and declared distributors should give assist ad campaigns for first subsequent runs. Rube Shor, Cincinnati, conducted the drive-in clinic. Sees Better Entertainment Martin Quigley, Jr., editor of Motion Picture Herald, urged the convention delegates to concentrate on the industry’s very real and very valuable assets and to exploit them to the fullest. “There will always be a future for the motion picture industry,” he said, emphasizing that no matter what system or systems emerge from the present technological ferment, they are certain to result in better entertainment and better attraction value. Arthur Mayer, former executive vicepresident of Compo, also stressed optimism, saying that the industry has regained its courage and is “looking at the world through rose-colored (3-D) glasses.” A testimonial plaque was presented to Martin Smith, past president, at the annual banquet Wednesday night “in grateful appreciation of his services as president, treasurer and director of National Allied and his gallant contribution to the cause of freedom in successfully opposing the censorship law.” Mr. Smith showed an uncensored newsreel in one of his theatres last year in a test of the law. Ralph Heacock, of the RCA Theatre Equipment Division, speaking Wednesday said that Cinerama is responsible for all the new projection methods. He said CinemaScope’s lenticular screen will be excellent, but he declined to say whether 3-D or wide screens would be supreme two years from now. Screens will be developed that will be equally good for conventional and 3-D, he said and forecast use of at least two in-car speakers per car for drive-ins if they install stereophonic sound. He said houses with only 20-foot proscenium could use CinemaScope by reduction in screen height. Louis Wiethe, Cincinnati, chairman of the subsequent run clinic, charged that Paramount and Warners make no attempt to sell their pictures. The group opposed forced admission hikes but said there is little objection to increased admissions for films like “Quo Vadis” and “The Greatest Show on Earth.” Leo Jones, Upper Sandusky, urged exhibitors to contact U.S. Representatives and urge them to support elimination of the 20 per cent Federal admissions tax in House hearings April 20. C. F. Pfister was reelected president of the Ohio group. The only change in officers was the election of Horace Adams as second vice-president. Park Belden, Akron, was the only new member of the board of directors. Buy Arkansas Drive-In The K. Lee Williams circuit has purchased the De Queen Drive-In theatre, De Queen, Ark. The theatre will be reconditioned before it is opened for the summer. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, APRIL II, 1953 21