Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1956)

On the OJ'i onzon MORE TV SALES Twentieth Century-Fox is negotiating with National Telefilm Associates and other television film distributors for the sale of more of its film library to TV, it is reported. According to a 20th-Fox official, the NTA offer under discussion is for NTA to pay about $12,000,000 in cash for 156 pre-1948 20th-Fox features and to split the gross TV income after a certain figure has been reached. Another off er involves the sale of the entire film library, it was said. Earlier this year, 20th-Fox released 52 films to NTA on a rental basis similar to the terms now offered for the 156 features. LESS VIOLENCE The Association of Motion Picture Producers in Hollywood has been urged to reduce the violence in American motion pictures to the end that American product may obtain more family acceptance abroad, according to Geoffrey Shurlock, vice-president and director of the Production Code Administration. Mr. Shurlock said in New York that his recommendation to the producers followed observations he had made on a recent tour of Europe. He said the trip had been designed primarily to study censorship in foreign countries and its effect on U.S. motion pictures. "Seventy per cent of our films are receiving family classifications abroad," Mr. Shurlock said, "and we can boost this percentage figure if our producers reduce the violence in films. " HAPPY HOLIDAY Box office grosses along New York’s Broadway over the Columbus Day weekend were "brisk" with October 12 receipts "very much higher" than on Columbus Day last year, which came in the middle of the week, according to the exhibitors. Theatre attendance in New York reportedly showed no significant cut because of local television, which carried some "big" films recently acquired from the maj or studios. CLOSINGS, BUILDING PREDICTED Between five and six thousand of the nation's present theatres will close in the next three years, but two thirds of them will be replaced by driveins and new, modern houses , according to Frank H. Ricketson, Jr. , vice-president and general manager of National Theatres. He said that NT's own 335 theatres may be reduced about 10 percent during the next 36 months, taking into account closings of certain obsolete houses and replacement with upto-date theatres. Mr. Ricketson said his circuit spends about $2,000,000 annually on theatre repair and modernization. NO MERGER A denial that there has been any discussion of a merger of Allied States Association with Theatre Owners of America has come from Ruben Shor, Allied States president. Mr. Shor added: "Rumors of the kind that have been circulating regarding Allied and its chairman and general counsel— whatever their their source or inspiration are calculated to weaken Allied and embarrass its officers at a time when they are bending every effort to serve Allied, its members, and the industry in general. " VOGEL PRESIDENT OF Joseph R. Vogel, industry veteran, who has been president of Loew's Theatres since 1954, Thursday was elected president of Loew's, Inc., at a meeting of the board of directors in New York. He was named to succeed Arthur M. Loew, who, effective immediately, becomes chairman of Loew's, Inc. Nicholas Schenck, who has been chairman, becomes honorary chairman of the board of Loew's, Inc. At the same time, Leopold Friedman, vice-president of Loew's Theatres, was named president of Loew's Theatres, to succeed Mr. Vogel. Mr. Loew will continue as president of Loew's International. Mr. Vogel's election climaxed several weeks of uncertainty, as several persons were reported scheduled to get the post. The most recent was producer Sol Siegel, who earlier this week asked that his name be withdrawn from those being considered. WHEN and WHERE October 22-23: Annual convention of Theatre Owners of Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee, Hotel Gayosa, Memphis. October 22-24: Allied Theatre Owners of Indiana, meeting at the Morott Hotel, Indianapolis. October 27: Annual dinner dance of the Los Angeles Motion Picture Salesmen, Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles. October 28-30: A nnual convention of the Motion Picture Theatre Exhibitors of Florida, to be held at Roosevelt Hotel, Jacksonville. November 13-14: Annual convention of the Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio, to be held at Deshler-Hilton Hotel, Columbus. November 19: Annual convention of the Motion Picture Theatres Association of Ontario, King Edward Hotel, Toronto. November 20: Annual convention, National Committee of Motion Picture Exhibitor Associations, King Edward Hotel, Toronto. November 21: Annual meeting of the Motion Picture Industry Council of Canada, King Edward Hotel, Toronto. November 22: Annual dinner of the Canadian Motion Picture Pioneers, King Edward Hotel, Toronto. November 25-27: 44th annual convention of the Theatre Owners of North and South Carolina, Hotel Charlotte, Charlotte, N.C. November 27-29: Allied States Association, Fall board meeting and annual convention, to be held at Statler Hotel, Dallas. LOEW'S , INC, JOSEPH R. VOGEL MOTION PICTURE HERALD, OCTOBER 20, 1956 9