Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Mar 1954)

Universal Net Shows Increase Universal Pictures Company, Inc., reports consolidated net earnings for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1953 of $2,616,356 after provision of $3,863,000 for Federal income and excess profits taxes and after provision of $500,000 for contingent liabilities. After deducting dividends on the preferred stock, such consolidated net earnings amounted to $2.35 per share on the 1,010,411 shares of common stock outstanding on October 31, 1953. For the preceding fiscal year, consolidated net earnings were $2,307,701 after provision of $4,309,924 for Federal income and excess profits taxes and after provision of $500,000 for contingent liabilities. After deducting dividends on the preferred stock, these earnings were equivalent to $2.15 per share on the 961,698 shares of common stock outstanding on November 1, 1952. Film rentals and sales for the fiscal year 1953, according to the company’s annual report, mailed to stockholders last week, were $70,490,254 as compared with $64,128,719 for the previous fiscal year. It is noted in the report that it continues to be the practice of the company to reflect in its accounts the operating results of subsidiaries in foreign countries having exchange restrictions only to the extent that net earnings resulting therefrom have been realized in U. S. dollars, regardless of the period or periods in which such revenue may have accrued. The report also notes that during the calendar year 1953 two semi-annual dividends of 50c per share each and one extra dividend of 25c per share were paid on the common stock. Starrs Fight to Save Their Bijou Theatre Alfred Starr, Nashville circuit owner and former Theatre Owners of America president and his brother Milton, owning the Bijou theatre in that city, have gone to Federal Court there to prevent its inclusion in a housing project, sponsored by the Nashville Flousing Authority. The brothers point out that other properties were omitted from development plans, and that the Authority doesn’t state what use it will have for the location. They also assert they do not desire to interfere with the project. ( WANTED^ — A ^ Advertising Artist For jl Los Angeles First Run Houses Small Los Angeles circuit seeking experienced ad artist to handle first-run newspaper campaigns. Must be creative, know layout, work from stills or press books and turn out finished artwork ready for engraving. Reply confidential. State qualifications, recent and current affiliations, age, family status, salary Wrife— Box 100, Motion Picture Herald 6305 Yucca Street, Hollywood 28, California SUPREME COURT HEARS TV GIVEAWAY CASE WASHINGTON: The legality of radio and television "giveaway" shows, always big audience snatchers, was up before the Supreme Court this week in an appeal by the Federal Communications Commission to have its ruling upheld that such shows are lotteries and hence violate the law. The FCC ruling, in 1949, was attacked by the broadcasting industry at large and last year enforcement was enjoined by the Federal District Court for the Southern District of New York. Monday the Supreme Court was told by an FCC spokesman that giveaway shows are "devices to exploit the cupidity of people who want to get something for nothing." Justice Frankfurter said simply that he thought people tuned in on the shows because of a "vacuity of mind." Pola-Lite Realigns Sales And Service Staff Men A1 O'Keefe, vice-president in charge of distribution for the Pola-Lite Company, this week announced a realignment of its sales and service staff “to assure exhibitors continued efficient service.” Now active on sales will be A. E. Cates, national field supervisor; James Gray, director of foreign sales, and Seymour Moses, eastern exhibitor contact. Mr. Moses recently joined the PolaLite Company. For the past eight years he has been associated with Loew’s International foreign department, where he managed offices in Denmark, Ffolland and Sweden. The service department has been augmented by Miran Aprehamian, director of quality control at the company’s plants, and Robbie Robbins, home office exchange sales contact. New York Legislator Says He'll Change 3-D Bill New York Assemblyman Daniel M. Kelly, who is proposing a measure requiring theatres playing 3-D pictures to post near their boxoffices a sign at least one foot high stating that glasses are required to view the films, said last week he would change the word “polaroid ” to ‘ ‘polarized.” He explained the Pola-Lite Company pointed out to him that Polaroid is a trade name for one manufacturer. Tower Theatre's Case Against Majors Settled Out of Court The suit by the Tower theatre, Wichita, Kan., against eight major distributors and the Fox Midwest circut has been settled out of court, the theatre’s attorney, Seymour Simon, told the press in Chicago last week. The suit had asked $160,000 in damages. Mr. Simon had been assisted in the case by Kansas attorney Solbert Wassentrom, the press also was told. U.S. May Re-evaluate 16 nmt Suit The 16mm. anti-trust suit pending in Los Angeles Federal Court against the industry will be reviewed by the Government for possible “dismissal” or “re-evaluation,’ Assistant Attorney General Stanley Barnes said in New York last week. Mr. Barnes, addressing a meeting of the anti-trust section of the New York State Bar Association, said in response to a question that the 16mm. suit was one of the anti-trust suits being reviewed by the Department of Justice, referring to the back-log of anti-trust cases inherited from the previous Administration. He went on to say that “one of our lawyers” has been sent to examine into the case m Los Angeles, where the suit charging a conspiracy by six major producers to restrict the showing of 16mm. films, especially to television, had been filed there in July of 1952. In his address Mr. Barnes said “with respect to anv difference of approach between the cases filed since Jan. 20, 1953, and those filed by the previous Administration,” I think you will find that those recently instituted are based upon classic hardcore anti-trust violations.” He went on to say that this does not mean that the division will not seek to extend the thrust of antitrust litigation when necessity demands such a move to protect basic principles. However, he ruled out suits filed on the basis of “sociological theories.” He acknowledged frankly that there are “some cases pending’ which in their “present form would not have been recommended.” Mr. Barnes warned, however, that out of the 139 cases pending last August, when he said that they would be reviewed, “I found only five justified dismissal. ’ I want to reemphasize,” he continued, “that only where substantially nothing can be accomplished by decree, will cases be dismissed by the Government.” Legion Reviews Seven And Approves Six Seven pictures have been classified by the National Legion of Decency this week, with one, “Bait,” receiving a B, objectionable in part, rating. In Class A-l were “The Boy from Oklahoma,” “The Conquest of Everest,” “Dragon’s Gold” and “Gypsy Colt." In Class A-II were “Always a Bride” and “Charge of the Lancers.” Nation's Theatres Showing March of Dimes Trailer Theatres the country over have been showing the special 1954 March of Dimes trailer, “Look for the Silver Lining,” which features Howard Keel, MGM player. National Screen Service distributed the subject to showmen cooperating with the National Foundation of Infantile Paralysis. 36 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, FEBRUARY 6, 1954