Motion Picture Herald (Jul-Sep 1956)

WHEN and WHERE On the Olt onzon CLOSING NEAR Due to its complex nature, the deal for purchase of a controlling interest in Warner Brothers from Harry M. and Maj or Albert Warner and other members of the family has been slightly delayed but now it is scheduled to be closed some time this coming week. One of the principals involved said this week that Serge Semenenko, first vicepresident of the First National Bank of Boston, who initiated the deal on behalf of S. H. Fabian, president of Stanley Warner Theatres, will become a shareholder himself, and Jack L. Warner, production head of the studio, who is scheduled to become its president under the new ownership, will add to his holdings in the company, presumably absorbing some of the shares originally intended for Mr. Fabian. TO STUDY MERGER Federal Communications Commission approval of the American Broadcasting Paramount Theatres merger is one of the subjects on the agenda for study by the House Judiciary subcommittee, which is investigating television, according to Emanuel Celler (D. , N. Y. ) , chairman of the committee. It was also learned that the Justice Department is using a grand jury in Philadelphia to investigate possible antitrust law violation in the acquisition by NBC of Westinghouse Broadcasting Company's Philadelphia TV station. WIN AT BERLIN American companies won three of the four top awards at the Berlin Film Festival this week. The Golden Bear went to "Invitation to the Dance" for "originality, imagination and rhythm," while Silver Bears went to England's "Richard III" on general merit, to Robert Aidrich for direction of "Autumn Leaves" and to Burt Lancaster for his acting in "Trapeze." In addition, Silver Bears went to "The Long Arm," British; "Blonde Witch," French; "Ma dame Whitesnake," Japanese, and "Humor, Love and-," Italian. For full-length documentaries, Golden Bear went to "No Space for Wild Beasts," German, and Silver Bear went to "The African Lion," American. For short documentaries, Golden Bear went to "Night in Paris," French, while Silver Bears went to "Rhythmetics , " Canadian; "Spring Comes to Cashmir," Indian, and "Hethite Sun," Turkish. The OCIC (International Catholic Film Office) award went to Finland's "Unknown Soldier." ACADEMY TELECAST Motion picture company presidents will meet with Eric Johnston, president of the MPAA, "in late July or early August" for additional discussions of the 1957 telecasting of the Academy Awards, George Seaton, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, has stated. Mr. Seaton said that when he met with Mr. Johnston in Hollywood a short time ago and discussed the matter "the MPAA head was non-committal on industry sponsorship." Mr. Seaton added that while there was talk that telecasting of the nominations might be done away with, it should be remembered that there are contractual obligations to be considered with Oldsmobile. NEW AUDIENCE AWARDS A new Audience Awards campaign, sponsored by the Council of Motion "Picture Organizations, seems to be assured. The assurance came in the form of a favorable ruling by member companies of the Motion Picture Association of America on a COMPO request for further financial cooperation. The companies renewed their agreement to match exhibitors' dues payments to COMPO up to a maximum of $100,000 for another year. DISPLAY DONATION Downtown Boston traffic is currently getting a timely reminder to "This Very Night Take the Family to the Movies July 19: Allied Theatres of Michigan, annual golf party and luncheon, Midland Country Club, Midland, Michigan. August 20-24: Biennial convention of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes, Hotel Muehlebach, Kansas City, Mo. September 19-25: Annual convention of Theatre Owners of America, in conjunction with the annual convention and trade shows of the Theatre Equipment Dealers Association and Theatre Equipment and Supply Manufacturers Association at the Coliseum, New York. September 28-30: Third annual national convention of the Women of the Motion Picture Industry, Dinkler-Plaza Hotel, Atlanta. October 5-7: Third national convention of the Women of the Motion Picture Industry, Dinkler-Plaza Hotel, Atlanta. October 7-12: 80th semi-annual convention of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, scheduled to be in Los Angeles. October 15-16: Annual regional convention of Independent Exhibitors of New England and The Drive-In Theatre Association of New England, Winchendon, Mass. October 23-24: Allied Theatre Owners of Indiana, meeting at the Marott Hotel, Indianapolis. October 28-30: Annual convention of the Motion Picture Theatre Exhibitors of Florida, to be held at Roosevelt Hotel, Jacksonville. November 24-28: Allied States Association, Fall board meeting and annual convention, to be held at Statler Hotel, Dallas. November 25-27: 44th annual convention of the Theatre Owners of North and South Carolina, Hotel Charlotte, Charlotte, N.C. February 26-27: Annual convention of the Kansas-Missouri Theatre Association, Pickwick Hotel, Kansas City, Mo. For the Fun of it !" For that is the legend on a mammoth display board donated by John Donnelly & Sons, well-known New England advertisers to the industry. William R. WeaverLawrence J. Quirk — Jay Remer MOTION PICTURE HERALD, JULY 7. 1956 9