Motion Picture Herald (Apr-Jun 1955)

MOTION PICTURE HERALD cjCetterS to tLe ^J^eraid Enlisting the Papers To THE Editor; Today I talked with our local newspaper editor and also the editor of the daily paper in our county seat regarding toll TV. Both editors were surprised that the thing had gone as far as it had and weren’t aware that it was shaping up as a reality. They both were of the opinion that it would not be granted until I showed them articles from the trade papers. The result was that both of them are going to run editorials against toll TV, urging their readers to write to the FCC in Washington. It occurred to me that if every theatre manager in this country would contact his editor and have him write an editorial on it, asking people to write to Washington, we would have more letters in Washington in one day than we could get in a year through personal contacts. I am passing this on to you for what it is worth. — F. H. BONTSEMA, Orpheum Company, Mitchell, Indiana. Chaos from Toll TV To THE Editor: What will happen to theatre advertising, assistant and theatre managers and all the people involved in the motion picture theatre business if subscription television is approved by the FCC? I hope it won’t ever happen. Recently I wrote a long letter of opposition to the FCC regarding toll-television. I can’t understand how this toll television is going to work out while there are so many fine new technical developments and color processes being used in theatres at the present time.—SVLFIO B. TROIANELLO, Lawrence, Mass. Theatre in Karachi To THE Editor: We are interested in constructing and running the best and most up to date Cinema Theatre in Karachi, which is the capital of Pakistan, and has a population of over 1,500,000. Although there are a number of cinemas here, some good ones, we wish to have the best theatre in this part of the world. We will appreciate it if you can, through your well-known trade paper, help us in realizing our aim. Any kind of assistance will be very highly appreciated. We have got two alternative proposals, as follows : fa) As our country is at the present moment suffering from a shortage of foreign exchange, we find it impossible to import machinery, equipment, etc. from abroad, especially from the U.S.A., which country is far advanced in the manufacture of such equipment. We will appreciate if we are put in contact with parties who can sell us the required equipment on a long-term deferred payments basis i.e. payment will be made in installments over a period of five years (minimum), reasonable interest being paid in the meantime. (b) We are prepared to enter into a partnership with some good party, for the same purpose. The basis of the partnership will be as follows : 49 per cent invested by the party, in the shape of machinery, equipment, air-conditioning plant, seating and other equipment and supplies; 51 per cent invested by us, in the shape of land, buildings and running capital. We will be grateful for any assistance, direct or otherwise, which you can give us. — A. R. Hussain, Hussain-D’ Silva Enterprises, Karachi, Pakistan. [Editor's Note: Correspondence addressed to Mr. Hussain may be directed to Nadir House, McLeod Road, Karachi, Pakistan, or in care of The HERALD.] Right Direction To THE Editor : In talking with exhibitors, both large and small, it is fully agreed that there is no question that A1 Lichtman, (and many others in the motion picture business, as far as that is concerned), is disposed to ease the rental situation for the small town. It is in the small situation that we find the real problem. Mr. Lichtman should be commended for taking the bull by the horns and presenting a concrete plan to aid the small exhibitor. If this Peace Plan is successful with the exhibitors paying $50 and less — would it not follow, later on, that consideration would also be given exhibitors in the higher rental range ? It can be summed up that Mr. Lichtman’s Peace Plan is, most certainly, a step in the right direction. — RALPH E. McCLANAHAN, Kentucky Association of Theatre Owners, Louisville , Kentucky. Indebted to HERALD To THE Editor: We in India are often greatly indebted to the Motion Picture Herald for its regular supply of valuable ammunition in our constant struggle against the assault of propagandists, agitators of special causes and the tinkerings of meddlers. It may be of some consolation for you to know that your great country does not have a monopoly of this tribe of do-gooders. May your publications prosper. — S. S. VASAN, president, Film Federation of India, Madras, India managing director, Gemini Pictures Circuit, Ltd.; president. South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce ; president. South Indian Motion Picture Studio Association. June 25, 1955 Page EXHIBITION and others write in, praising Anniversary issue 12 MYERS intends to testify against reduction in trust damages 12 KANSAS repeal of state censorship faces some delays 12 CELLER bill in House is designed to outlaw toll television 13 HERALD Editor pays a visit to the industry in Great Britain 14 ITALIAN film gains stressed at Titanus meeting in Rome 15 POPE PIUS urges films be made to show respect for man 15 KEFAUVER picks up the headlines at the expense of the screen 18 MGM steps into the TV parade with ABC show planned for autumn 20 HOW to sell the big coming product theme of 20th-Fox convention 24 PINKNEY is named CEA secretary, in succession to Walter Fuller 26 COLUMBIA'S neat stunt has public dialing Jimmy Stewart 28 NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT— Notes on personnel across country 29 SERVICE DEPARTMENTS Refreshment Merchandising 37 Film Buyers' Rating 3rd Cover Hollywood Scene 21 Managers' Round Table 33 People in the News 28 The Winners Circle 27 IN PRODUCT DIGEST SECTION Showmen's Reviews 489 What the Picture Did for Me 491 The Release Chart 492 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; Rayrnond Levy, Vice-President; Leo J. Brady, Secretary; Martin Quigley, Jr., Editor; James D. Ivers, News Editor; Charles S. Aaronson, Production Editor; Floyd E. Stone, Photo Editor;. Ray Gallagher, Advertising Manager; Gus H. Fousel, Production Manager. Bureaus: Hollywood, Samuel D. Berns, Manager; William R. Weaver, editor, Yucca-Vine Building, Telephone Hollywood 7-2145; Chicago, 120 So. LaSalle St., Urben Farley, advertising representative. Telephone Financial 6-3074: Washington, J. A. Otten, National Press Club; London, Hope Williams Burnup, manager, Peter Burnup, editor, 4 Golden Square. Correspondents in the principal capitals of the world. Member Audit Bureau of Circulotions. Other Quigley Publications: Better Theatres and Better Refreshment Merchandising, each published thirteen times a year os a section of Motion Picture Herald; Motion Picture Daily, Motion Picture and Television Almanac, Fame. 8 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, JUNE 25, 1955