Motion Picture Herald (Jul-Sep 1953)

House Unit Cuts Money For Films WASHINGTON : A House Appropriations sub-committee last week drastically cut funds requested by the Eisenhower Administration for the International Information Administration, including the film program. The Truman Administration originally had proposed appropriations of $114,500,000 for the fiscal year which started last Tuesday. The Eisenhower Administration revised this downward to $87,600,000, and the House sub-committee voted to allow only $60,000,000. The unit had $88,300,000 for its operations during the 12 months ended Tuesday. Meanwhile this week the resignation of Dr. Robert L. Johnson as head of the unit was announced. It was Mr. Johnson who picked Cecil B. DeMille as chief film consultant for the program and more recently named J. Cheever Cowden to head the International Motion Picture Service. There was no indication that either of these appointments would be affected by the resignation. Mr. Johnson said he was forced to quit on doctor’s orders. In New York this week John G. McCarthy, former vicepresident of the Motion Picture Export Association, said that Mr. Johnson’s resignation might have some effect on his decision to accept the offered post as special assistant director of the information office. If the cut by the House sub-committee should be sustained by the House and Senate, it would require drastic cutbacks in all divisions, including the film program. The motion picture division had asked $6,400,000 for the year, compared with $6,900,000 received during the past year and $10,200,000 in 1952. Elimination of the Government’s film program and the liquidation of the overseas film department were recommended by Eugene Castle, former president of Castle Films and now an investment banker. In an attack on the Government’s international motion picture services, Mr. Castle claimed that his plan would save $2,000,000,000. He also proposed drastic reduction of the information unit by substituting a small staff of trained newspapermen attached to the State Department and embassies abroad for the purpose of "interpreting our policies and objectives through the foreign press and radio.” Mississippi Exhibitors Form Film Company Lloyd Royal and T. V. Garraway, Mississippi exhibitors, have announced the formation of a film production company to be known as Panorama Pictures Corporation. The company has been specifically formed to produce films in Mississippi. The initial picture to be produced by Panorama will be “Jesse James’ Women.” Hope to Unblock Funds Due Companies in Brazil The goal of American film companies in Brazil is $10,000,000 to $14,000,000, where Robert J. Corkery of the Motion Picture Association of America this week was negotiating with Brazilian Government officials. They want the money “unfrozen.” Mr. Corkery ’s visit followed a Government order prohibiting the Bank of Brazil from paying the monies to the Americans out of the $300,000,000 loan given Brazil by the U. S. Export Bank, although the understanding at the time of such a loan was that the Americans would receive some or all of their money. Brazil is the third largest market abroad for U. S. films. AA Officials Confer on "Black Prince" Plans Steve Broidy, Allied Artists president, Harold Mirisch, vice-president, Walter Mirisch, executive producer, and Allen K. Wood, production manager, have returned to Hollywood following last week’s conferences on production plans for “The Black Prince,” to be filmed in color by Technicolor in England as a joint effort with Associated British Pictures Corporation. The four AA executives conferred with Robert Clark, managing director in charge of production for the British company, and H. G. Inglis, his executive assistant. "Hollywood Parade" Work Proceeds Despite AFM Despite some disagreement with the American Federation of Musicians, the American Broadcasting Company this week continued its production of a pilot film, television promotion for the industry, titled “Hollywood Parade.” The AFM contends the musicians should receive regular rates for films to be telecast : $25 for each musician, and five per cent of program proceeds should go to the AFM fund. ABC officials are countering that revenues of the proposed series are expected to go to the Motion Picture Relief Fund, in which the AFM also participates ; and that only portions of films are to be telecast. Drive-In Owners to Plan New Tennessee Group DALLAS : Claude Ezell, founder of the International Drive-In Theatre Owners Association, met with the drive-in owners in the Memphis area July 7 to plan a branch for exhibitors in that area. Mr. Ezell has announced that he has received requests from owners in nine other states for assistance in setting up state organizations as part of the large international organization. Buys Long Island Drive-In Joseph M. Seider, president of Prudential & Playhouses Operating Company, has purchased the 900-car Fifth Avenue Bayshore Drive-In theatre, Bayshore, L. I., from Michael Redstone. HillsitletoHit A ppeul My Price Act Despite the ruling by Judge Sidney Sugarman that the Robinson-Patman Act does not apply to motion picture films, the plaintiff in the Hillside Amusement case wiil make the validity of the act one of the principal points in the appeal that will be filed this month or early in August. Judge Sugarman last Monday granted the defendants their motion for dismissal of the case, which charged discrimination of film rentals against Jacob Unger’s Mayfair theatre in Hillside, N. J. Six distributors were named defendants. Arthur C. Fink of counsel for Mr. Unger declared in New York last week that an appeal would be filed shortly after Judge Sugarman signed the findings of fact and conclusions of law in the dismissed case. The plaintiff had claimed that the RobinsonPatman Act, which deals with discrimination of prices, had been violated by the distributors on the ground that the Mayfair paid higher terms for pictures than those paid by competing Warner Brothers theatres. Judge Sugarman ruled that the Act did not apply because pictures are licensed and not sold as pieces of tangible merchandise. It is the plaintiff’s contention that the Act covers the distribution and licensing of pictures and will base a large portion of the appeal on that point. Named as defendants in the case were Paramount, RKO Radio, Warner Brothers, Universal, United Artists and Loew’s. Colliers Salutes Palance The July 10 issue of “Colliers Magazine” devotes a two-page spread to Jack Palance, who co-stars with Robert Mitchum and Linda Darnell in RKO’s first 3-D film, ‘Second Chance.” Paul Graf Dies Paul Graf, projectionist at the Buffalo theatre, Buffalo, N. Y., died July 2 at his home in Akron, N. Y. Mr. Graf had been a member of the staff of the theatre since 1926. Adele Lacey Futter Adele Lacey Futter, 39, film actress during the thirties, died July 4 in Mexico City. Mrs. Futter, wife of producer Walter A. Futter, had played opposite Eddie Cantor, Hoot Gibson and Tex Ritter. Robert W. Leicester Robert W. Leicester, 63, one of the first scenic artists in the industry, died July 1 in Hollywood. Mr. Leicester started with Essanay in 1908 and worked with many companies before becoming business manager for the Scenic Artists Local 816, IATSE. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, JULY II, 1953 23