Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Mar 1954)

f~^eopie in ^Jhe tyjews iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimimimiiiiiiiiiiiii Myer P. Beck has concluded an agreement to represent the newly-formed Stanley Kramer Pictures Corp. as eastern publicity and advertising director, it was announced by Stanley Kramer. Mort Blumenstock, Warner Bros, advertising and publicity vice-president, arrived in New York from the coast last weekend for home offices conferences on forthcoming product. Edward C. Dowden, assistant to Ernest Emerling, advertising and publicity director of Loew’s Theatres, has been made a member of the Society of Silurians, an honorary newspaper society. Harnett Shapiro, head of Allied Artists studio legal department, for the past 10 years, has resigned to accept a post with Hecht-Lancaster Productions. Drive-in Men Meet Feb . 2 Approximately 250 drive-in operators already have registered for the first convention of the National Allied Drive-in Theatre Association scheduled for the Netherlands Plaza Hotel, Cincinnati, Febuary 2-4, according to Wilbur Snaper, Allied president. Ruben Shor, of Cincinnati, and Robert Wile, of Columbus, are co-chairmen of the convention, which is being held concurrent with the annual convention of the Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio, of which group Mr. Wile is secretary. It is planned to devote a full day to a discussion of film problems and another day to a symposium on equipment. It is understood that space for equipment exhibits has been sold out. Other topics on the agenda are new methods of operation, advertising methods adapted to the present market, trade practices as they apply to booking, buying, availability, prints and clearances ; advanced techniques in concession management and ways to increase box office receipts. Among the speakers will be Herbert Barnett, president of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineeers. Following the convention, the Allied board will hold its annual meeting, February 5 and 6. Buffalo Variety Heart Award to Marvin Jacobs Marvin Jacobs received a special Heart Award from the Buffalo Variety, Tent 7, last week in that city. The award was a highlight of installation ceremonies at the Hotel Statler. The new officers are Billy Keaton, chief barker ; Mr. Jacobs, first as George Schwartz, executive officer for the past 10 years of the Goldwurm-Schwartz organization, theatre operators, has resigned. He will announce his plans shortly. Otis W. Murray has been named vicepresident of Pathe Laboratories’ west coast plant. He was formerly vice-president and general manager of Color Corporation of America. L. E. Cooley, Sr., veteran in screen manufacturing, has joined the Raystone Screen Corp. as midwest representative. Herbert T. Blass, former salesman for Warner Bros, in Minneapolis, has been promoted to branch manager in Des Moines. He replaces Leon Mendelson, resigned. sistant ; Arthur Krolick, second assistant ; Robert Hayman, dough guy; W. E. J. Martin, secretary. New directors are Harry L. Berkson, Robert Boasberg, David Cheskin, Jack Chinell, Ben L. Kulick, and Manford Pickrell. Myron Gross was arrangements committee chairman, assisted by Dewey Michaels, Murray Whiteman, David Miller, and Mr. Chinell. Name Spyros S. Skouras Brotherhood Chairman Spyros S. Skouras, executive vice-president of the Skouras Theatres Corp., has accepted the chairmanship of the National Exhibitors Committee for the motion picture industry’s 1954 Brotherhood Week campaign, it was announced this week by Emanuel Frisch, national chairman of the film industry drive. The motion picture industry campaign will be highlighted by a Brotherhood Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Thursday evening, February 4. Brotherhood Week, sponsored by the National Conference, will be observed from Feb. 21 to Feb. 28 under the slogan of “Let’s Get Together for Brotherhood.’’ Producer Nat Holt Leaves Paramount Nat Holt, whose company produced nine pictures the past three years for Paramount release, is leaving the studio. He said last week: “I feel that I would like to develop my production plans along other lines. It will give me a greater opportunity to study more carefully the present trends in our business.” The company said in a statement Mr. Holt’s record was good, his pictures an asset, and that all had made money. It added it was agreeing with reluctance to Mr. Holt’s cancellation of contract, which called for two more pictures. Will Direct Crusade for Freedom Barney Balaban, president of Paramount Pictures, is New York State chairman of the Crusade for Freedom. He will direct the county campa i g n volunteeers for financing o f Radio Free Europe, which broadcasts to Eastern Europe. The programs are produced and delivered by exiles from that territory. These are educators, diplomats, journalists, artists. National Crusade chairman H e nr y Ford II said of Mr. Balaban’s appointment : “Now, through the Crusade for Freedom and Radio Free Europe each of us can take a personal part in countering Communist tyranny with the most powerful weapon at our command — truth.” Mr. Balaban was a founder of the American Heritage Foundation, of which the Crusade is a project. He also organized the “Freedom Train” which toured the country during 1948 and 1949. He has a long record of participation in varied philanthropic endeavors in and of the motion picture industry, and has been cited for such activity on many occasions. Universal Files Contracts For Feldman, Walsh WASHINGTON : The new five-year contract of Charles J. Feldman, vice-president and general domestic sales manager of Universal Pictures, calls for a weekly salary of $1,350 for the first year, according to a company report to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Eugene F. Walsh, vice-president and treasurer, under his new three-year contract which went into effect Nov. 1, 1953, will receive $800 weekly for the first year, $900 the second year, and $1,000 the third. Thereafter, according to the contract, Mr. Walsh agrees to render his services in a consultative capacity for a period of five years, beginning Nov. 1, 1956, when he will be paid $9,360 per year, payable at $180 per week. Cleveland Exhibitor Unit Reelects Schwartz The Cleveland Motion Picture Exhibitors Association has reelected Ernest Schwartz president, secretary and general manager. This will be his 20th year in that position. Also reelected by acclamation were Ted Vermes, treasurer, and all directors. The meeting was preceded by a luncheon. 26 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, JANUARY 23, 1954