Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1956)

Arthur M. Loew Resigns as President of Loew#s; No Successor Named as Yet Arthur M. Loew, who has been active in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer organization for 35 years, has resigned as president of Loew’s, Inc., effective November 15, it was announced in New York Tuesday by the production-distribution company. Mr. Loew, who assumed the presidency December 14, 1955, will remain as president of Loew’s International, supervising the company’s film distribution and theatres in all countries outside the United States and Canada. According to a high ranking Loew’s executive, no successor to Mr. Loew has been named thus far. However, he said that a number of highly qualified persons within and without the company and industry and a few entertainment industry figures are under consideration for the high post by the Loew’s board of directors, who may meet next week on this matter. The next regular scheduled meeting of the Loew’s board is set for October 17. Mr. Loew, who will remain a member of the Loew’s board of directors, succeeded Arthur M. Loew as president Nicholas M. Schenck, who was elevated to the post of board chairman. The management engineering firm of Booz, Allen & Hamilton has been retained by Loew’s Inc., to conduct a four-week survey at the studio to effect production economies and will recommend a man to succeed Mr. Loew. MPA Board Would Expand PCA Appeals The board of directors of the Motion Picture Association of America “approved in principle to enlarge the Appeals Board of the Production Code Administration to include exhibitors and independent producers,” it was announced Tuesday following a meeting of the group. It was presided over by Eric Johnston, president, who left at the weekend for Europe. Kenneth Clark, vice-president of the MPAA, said following the meeting, the board also recommended its self-regulation study subcommittee study further the details of expanding the Appeals Board. Mr. Clark indicated the subcommittee, which includes himself, Barney Balaban of Paramount, A. Schneider of Columbia, and Daniel T. O’Shea of RKO Radio, will continue its weekly meetings so that an operational program for the Appeals Board expansion could perhaps be ready by the next meeting of the MPAA board, scheduled for November when Mr. Johnston returns. The COMPO request for annual dues increases was disapproved. The MPAA directors also heard progress reports from two of its committees— the advertising and publicity directors group’s report on ways and means of re vitalizing the box office, and the subcommittee report on a business management survey of the industry. Advertisingpublicity chairman Jerry Pickman, supported by Si Seadler, Paul N. Lazarus, Jr., Rodney Bush, Alfred Tamarin and Phil Gerard, presented the group’s report, which detailed such proposals as an industry survey, a Hollywood press junket, executive field trips, advertising, merchandising and promotion. It was so extensive that Mr. Pickman asked the board to further discuss the report again at their next meeting. The MPAA board was also told by Mr. Pickman that a preliminary industry market research study is currently taking place on a national scale to determine the problems concerning motion pictures. The MPAA directors also authorized its subcommittee to proceed with plans for a business management survey. The proposals is in line with streamlining film company operations. The committee is composed of John J. O’Connor of Universal, Charles Reagan of Loew’s, and A. Schneider of Columbia. Republic Pictures Net $946,595 in 39 Weeks For the 39 weeks ended July 28, 1956, Republic Pictures Corporation and its subsidiaries report a net profit of $1,431,595 before Federal Tax provision, estimated Federal, normal and surtax of $485,000 or a net after taxes of $946,595. For the 39 weeks ended July 30, 1955, Republic and its subsidiaries reported a net profit of $2,833,168 before taxes. Study TO A as Liaison for Production A Theatre Owners of America committee has announced it is studying a plan under which TOA would act “as a clearance house and liaison” between independent producers and TOA’s members. The exhibitor group, which was said to have an “unofficial status” was formed at the recent TOA convention in New York. The “clearance house” plan, as it was explained last week, is similar to the Makelim plan which Allied States Association tried to promote. This plan, he said, was discussed at the TOA convention but was “sidestepped” as most members felt that it was something for TOA’s future and not a present need. In outlining the plan, the TOA exhibitor said, “Most of the guys are in favor of supporting the independent producer who could turn out exploitable pictures at a low cost. We realize that these small films in many cases enable the producer to receive a little revenue which is stretched over a long period when the picture is put into the normal distribution pattern. “Our proposal is to have TOA act as a liaison between the small independent producer and the exhibitor. The producer would advise TOA of his production plans and what films he currently has available to theatres. TOA would then tell its membership of these pictures and forward a playdate contract along with the film data. If the exhibitor wants the film, he would sign the contract guaranteeing the booking and forward to TOA a fee which would bind the pact. “If the producer is satisfied with the contract terms, then he would arrange with a film carrier to ship a print to the TOA exhibitors. If not, he would notify TOA, which would return the guarantee,” the exhibitor stated. It was pointed out that the proposal “while quite sketchy now” is expected to be worked out thoroughly by the next meeting of the board of directors of TOA, which usually takes place during the Winter. Declining to disclose the identity of the exhibitors on this “unofficial committee,” the TOA member said the plan “may be one solution for getting us more product at lower film rentals.” He said this proposal is supported by many small theatre men. Film Center Started HAMDEN, CONN.: Construction of Connecticut’s new film center building has been started here by the All-State Realty Corp. of New York. According to Samuel H. Faiman, of the Faiman Agency, about 11 major film distributors will be tenants. 12 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, OCTOBER 6, 1956