Motion Picture Herald (Jul-Sep 1956)

U.A. Theatres Talks Merger With Affiliates United Artists Theatre Corp., is discussing with Skouras Theatres and its other theatre and industry affiliations a program under which all interests will be merged into one large operation, it was learned this week. It was indicated the merging may take place early next year. The discussions between United Artists Theatres, headed by George P. Skouras, and Skouras Theatres, headed by Spyros S. Skouras, have been going on for some time. It was pointed out that Rowley United Theatres of Texas is also involved in the merger planning and that a combination of all UATC interests would bring about a theatre operation involving close to 250 theatres throughout the United States. UATC operates 40 theatres, Skouras 45 theatres, Rowley United 135 houses. UATC, it was reported, has extensive exhibition interests in Metropolitan Playhouses, United California Theatres, and Penn Federal Enterprises. The circuit is also financially active in Magna Theatre Corp., and Todd-AO Corp., the licensed producers to make motion pictures in the Todd-AO process and distribute Todd-AO motion picture theatre equipment. An executive of Skouras Theatres, when questioned about the merging of interests between his organization and UATC, said that the talks “have been going on for some time.” He said that both circuits have “been working together” for a long time and that a “merging of interests was eventual.” The Skouras Theatres executive said that legal proceedings, and other matters, was holding up progress and that he wouldn’t be surprised if the “wedding” took place early next year. 20th-Fox Holds Atlanta Sales Drive Meetings ATLANTA: The second in a series of regional sales meetings launching a 20th Century-Fox “World Showmanship Drive” was convened here July 17-18 under the chairmanship of Alex Harrison, general sales manager, and Harry G. Ballance, southern division manager. Bringing together managers and salesmen from the company’s four southeastern and four southwestern district offices, the twoday parley developed and initiated local applications of the drive, the first joint program conducted by the domestic and international sales organizations. At the conference the executives described the objectives of the global campaign which covers the third and fourth quarters of 1956 and the lineup of films to be released in the 26-week period. Charlie Picquet Marks 80 Years As Showman and Friend to Many PINEHURST, N. C.: Fourscore years of age and still going strong. That’s the story of a remarkable exhibitor down Carolina way who woke up the other day to find himself 80 years young, and the folk who had loved him and worked with him for 44 years, on hand to do him honor. Charles M. Picquet, a long-time president of the North and South Carolina exhibitors, got into this motion picture business back in 1912 in the Sandhills. He started the Carolina theatre in Southern Pines, which he still operates, in 1914, after three years as a professional entertainer in Canada and parts north and west. In 1916 he invaded nearby Pinehurst, N. C., opening another theatre in that community. For the past four decades the name of Picquet has rung a bell — a loud bell — among film aficionados and just plain folks in the area, all of whom know' Charlie as a warm friend and a devotee of public-spirited causes. Take Charlie’s glee clubs. He loves to hear folks’ voices raised in song, and for years he organized singing groups in Pinehurst and Southern Pines. He also went about promoting singing in the public schools of his home county through his donation of a trophy, to be presented annually by the Kiwanis Club, of which he is an honorary member, to the school glee club adjudged best in each year’s contest. This mark of recognition, cherished by many a budding thrush to whom it has gone, is known as the Picquet Cup. A good example of the esteem in which Charlie is held was the presentation to him in 1940 of the Kiwanis Builders Cup, awarded annually for “unselfish personal service, without hope of personal gain, and for outstanding contribution to the upbuilding of the Sandhills section.” Charlie and his wife, Juanita, were married in 1908 after several years as entertainers in the same troupe, where they often co-starred in song-and-dance num CHARLES M. PICQUET bers for delighted audiences. One of his oldest friends said recently that Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy had nothing on Charlie and Juanita in those days. So Charlie knows what it is like on both sides of the proscenium arch — one reason for his exceptional showmanship sense and shrewd exhibitor policies which have brought the best in entertainment to his theatres, culminating with a popular run of “Guys and Dolls” this year. At noon one day recently, he arrived at his Carolina theatre in Southern Pines. The house is usually dark and empty at that hour. Suddenly the lights went on, and scores of folk were on hand singing “Happy Birthday to You” to a surprised and delighted Charlie. Eats were provided, and all settled down for a viewing of “Guys and Dolls.” A huge cake was brought in. The lump in Charlie’s throat prevented him from blowing out all the 80 candles. — Lawrence J. Quirk Drive-in Houses Evolve New Single Rate Basis A new single rate basis for compensation went into effect June 30 for. drive-in theatres. This is the result of meetings held last November and this February with the National Council of Compensation. The matter of rating and classification was presented to the Council in New York by a special TOA committee composed of Philip F. Harling of Fabian Theatres, Milton Blumberg of Walter Reade Theatres, Robert Rawley of Michael Redstone Theatres, Jack G. Wallens of A. Yarchin Insurance Company, and Joseph G. Alterman of TOA. Harry Birch Is Named To Filmack Post Harry H. Birch has been named executive vice-president of Filmack Studios, Chicago, producers of theatre trailers and television film commercials, it is announced by Irving Mack, president. Mr. Birch will assume direction of Filmack’s live action production and will be in charge of the firm’s new sound stage, scheduled to open August 1. He was formerly chief cameraman and camera department head for WBBM-TV, Chicago CES station. He had held the same position previously with WBKB, the Chicago ABC outlet. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, JULY 21, 1956 23