Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1956)

German Photo Exposition Is Described as An Avenue of Understanding and Peace by VOLKMAR VON ZUEHLSDORFF BAD GODESBERG, GERMANY : “Fotokina,” a comprehensive photo and cinetechnical exposition held this year for the fifth time in Cologne, Germany, from September 29 to October 7 was described by President Eisenhower who sent a special message for its opening as “an avenue toward world understanding and peaceful interchange of knowledge.” Combining the features of a trade fair and an exhibition, “Fotokina” took on an international look, with almost 500 firms, 139 of them from abroad, exhibiting in eight large halls covering 66,000 square meters. The United States was represented by 20 exhibitors, taking third place after Germany (311) and France (47). Except for the collective displays of some countries such as France, exhibitors were grouped without regard to nationality, thus affording a good general survey. Firms from all countries had access on equal terms. Most of the cinetechnical products were assembled in the largest hall, among them RCA, Ampro, Neuert Wilton and the Da"jite Screen Company from the United Itates. Trades people were attracted from ome 70 countries including 22 North and South American nations. About 70 per cent of business contracted this year by the German exhibitors was for export, with similar figures among the other nationalities. While in the cinetechnical field there OPENING the Photokina: German president Theodor Heuss, right. were no sensational features and methods of a basically novel nature, many interesting improvements and new developments of established ones were offered. Among the demonstrations were those of the ToddAO process; Eugene Bauer’s new B-14, 35 mm projector for large and medium theatres; Siemens & Halske’s system of adaptable amplifiers based on exchangeable elements, now extended for studio use; Isco’s adaptation of an anamorphic lens for 8 mm amateur motion picture cameras; Bell & Howell’s electric eye model 200 EE, and many others. Win Point in Goldwyn Suit SAN FRANCISCO: Fox West Coast Theatres scored a major victory last week in its defense of the multi-million dollar anti-trust suit filed more than six years ago by Samuel Goldwyn Productions. United States District Judge Edward P. Murphy granted a defense motion for a partial summary judgment, which reduces from 26 to six the number of films on which Mr. Goldwyn may seek damages. The court further held that whereas the original suit sought damages for films made as far back as 1937, the statute of limitations eliminates all disputed motion pictures made prior to May 16, 1947. After many delays over the past six years, the case will go to trial here January 7. In his ruling Judge Murphy held that the statute of limitations was not suspended as the result of the Government suit against Paramount which was tried in New York. In effect the court ruled that most of the Goldwyn claims do not fall within the illegalities which were established in the Paramount case. Arguments in the summary judgment on which today’s ruling was based were made before the judge last July. The sucessful Fox motion was argued by attorney Arthur Dunne while Joseph L. Allioto represented the Goldwyn firm. Among the disputed films was “The Best Years of Our Lives.” Schwartz Chairman of Pioneers' Dinner Sol Schwartz, president of RKO Theatres Corp., was selected general chairman of the dinner committee for the Motion Picture Pioneers’ 18th annual dinner to be held November 30 in honor of veteran showman R. J. O’Donnell, it has been announced. Others appointed to the committee, to be held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York were: Ned E. Depinet, George Dembrow and Marvin Kirsch, cochairmen; Raymond Willie and Harry Mandel, co-ordinators; Charles A. Alicoate, in charge of new members; Jake Starr, decorations; Chester B. Bahn, trade papers; Harry J. Takiff, dinner treasurer, and Herb Berg, publicity. Cut Billings to Improve Ads , Group Urges No program to improve box office receipts can exclude the necessity of an immediate and drastic revision of advertising billings, in the unanimous opinion of the advertising and publicity directors committee of the Motion Picture Association of America. Last week the group presented to the MPAA board of directors a lengthy report on “ways and means to revitalize the box office and promote the general welfare of the industry.” Jerry Pickman of Paramount Pictures, committee chairman, told the MPAA directors that “almost without exception, every ad campaign today is a costly compromise between what should be emphasized and what we are compelled to emphasize. This is due to increasingly unreasonable restrictions demanded in billings.” The subcommittee report, prepared by Gil Golden of Warner Brothers, asserted that it is not possible to estimate the considerable cost required to purchase unnecessary newspaper space. “Even more shocking is our tremendous loss in revenue due to contractual stipulations that require devoting major areas of our advertising to non-selling and even detrimental factors. To improve this condition, special clauses having to do with matching color, weight and design of names with titles must be eliminated. Credits which have no pertinence in advertising to the public should pertain solely to trade advertising, screen credit, theatre displays and ‘publicity’ releases. Special conditions can also be arranged for advertising appearing in Los Angeles and possibly in New York and ‘home’ cities where certain credits may be of some benefit to the names involved and the picture.” Johnston Tells President Of Iron Curtain Tour WASHINGTON: Eric Johnston, president of the Motion Picture Association of America, visited the White House last week to discuss his coming tour of Iron Curtain countries with President Eisenhower. Although Mr. Johnston is going purely on industry business, he wished to inform the President of his projected trip before leaving. Mr. Johnston will visit Budapest, Prague, Moscow, returning, via Warsaw, to this country about October 28. Although Johnston’s initial purpose in making the Iron Curtain countries tour was to study the operation of local motion picture industries, it is believed he will also hold discussions about the possible sale of Hollywood films to some of those countries. 24 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, OCTOBER 13, 1956