Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1956)

PeoJe in ol n eu/3 Germans May Open Publicity Office in U.S. The German motion picture industry, which is seeking to enlarge the American market for its product, may set up “an information office” in the United States to provide information, public relations and publicity about German product, according to Dr. Horst Von Hartlieb, managing director of the West German Distributors Association. Dr. Von Hartlieb, who plans to be in Hollywood and Washington during his month-long visit said in New York last week, prior to a Motion Picture Export Association luncheon tendered by the foreign sales managers, that he is “here to study the operations and conditions of the American film industry and its domestic market.” Dr. Von Hartlieb said his report to his West German association would hold much information about the similarity between “our industries.” He said that he reached this conclusion following a study of the Senate Small Business subcommittee report on trade practices. Dr. Von Hartlieb also disclosed that he will make a study of the industry’s Production Code Administration with the thought of incorporating some of the American industry’s methods of self regulation into the West German manner of self regulation. He said that he will confer with Geoffrey Shurlock, PCA administrator, in Hollywood on this. The MPEA luncheon was presided over by Eric Johnston, MPEA president. Mr. Johnston, in recounting the conditions of the West German industry, said that 130 features were produced there last year and that the exhibition industry in Germany has grown from 1.300 to 5,600 theatres. Gurney Cites Problem Of the Independent The triple problems of budget, casting and finding a suitable script, loom even larger in the nightmares of the independent producer than they do for the larger operator. That is the opinion of Robert Gurney, Jr., producer of “Edge of Fury” scheduled for United Artists release. Mr. Gurney was in New York last week preparing the script and scouting locations for his next production, “Thin Edge of Violence” which will be made in New York. “Budgets”, he declared “must be kept at the minimum justified by the expected return from the so-called small market picture. Stars won’t work for what you can pay them and distributors won’t make a release deal unless you have marquee names.” Albert Goldman, projectionist at the Beacon Hill theatre, Boston, will be installed Commander of the Lt. A. Vernon Macaulay Post No. 270, theatrical post of the American Legion, November 20 at Blinstrub’s Village. Charles Kontulis has been named president of the Stanley Warner Club, it is announced by the organization. Other officers include: Harriett Pettit, Stanley Amster, Etta Rodoff, Fred Stengel and Donald Sherwood, vice-presidents; John T. Holmes, treasurer; and Stuart H. Aarons, secretary. Milton Gabler has been elected vicepresident of Decca Records, Inc., in charge of artists and repertoire, it is announced by Milton R. Rackmil, president. Ralph Carmichael has joined the Metropolitan Theatres circuit, Los Angeles, it is announced by Sherrill Corwin, head of the circuit. Mr. Carmichael recently had the position of film buyer for Stanley Warner Southern California Theatres. "Oklahoma!'' Regular Run In New York Nov . 2 Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!” in CinemaScope and color by Technicolor, will open Friday, November 2 at Brandt’s Mayfair theatre on a continuous-performance, popular-priced basis, it is announced by 20th Century-Fox, distributors of the film. Originally produced for the theatre in 1943, “Oklahoma!” premiered in its film version at the Rivoli theatre, New York, in Todd-AO a year ago this month. It closed October 2. The Magna production stars Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones; Arthur Hornblow, Jr., produced and Fred Zinnemann directed. U. A. Package Sold In 39 TV Markets The United Artists package of 39 features, a majority of which were produced after 1948, have already been sold to television stations in 30 markets, it was reported in New York this week. According to a U.A. official, the company, which is aiming to sell the package in 100 markets of the U. S., has realized approximately $1,500,000 from the TV sales in the 30 markets, which include New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Denver, Dallas and St. Louis. An official of the Screen Actors Guild reported early last week that negotiations Thomas E. Dunn, Jr., Universal salesman in New Orleans since 1945, has been promoted to branch manager in St. Louis. He replaces Harry Hynes, who is retiring after 29 years with the company. J. J. O’Leary is retiring as an officer of Comerford Theatres circuit, effective immediately, it is announced by Frank C. Walker, chief executive of the Comerford Theatres interests. Mr. O’Leary, vice-president and a director for many years, will remain as a consultant. Wendell B. Campbell, radio network and station executive, has been elected vicepresident for national sales of RKO Teleradio Pictures, Inc., it is announced by president and board chairman Thomas F. O’Neil. Curtis H. Mees has been named division manager of the northern New Jersey division of Skouras Theatres, it is announced by Spyros S. Skouras, president of Skouras Theatres Corp. Mr. Mees is well known in industry circles as a contributing writer on theatre management to the Better Theatres Section of The Herald. concerning the sale of post-1948 films would be set up shortly following discussions on this matter by the SAG board of directors. He said that U.A. and Matthew Fox of C & C Television Corp., which seeks to release post-1948 product produced by RKO Radio Pictures to television, have approached the guild concerning their position in the TV film sales regarding rights involved. The guild official said a new formula would have to be worked out as the SAG contract only covers films produced up to August, 1948. TV Shift to UHF Seen "Jeopardizing" Service The transfer of all television broadcasting to the ultra high frequency (UHF) band would jeopardize the future of television in the country, the Radio Corp. of America and the National Broadcasting Co. have protested to the FCC. Both companies filed comments with the FCC saying that the 12 very high frequency (VHF) channels are needed in conjunction with the 70 UHF channels “in order that television may have room in which to grow and expand.” There are basic differences in VHF and UHF performance, they said, which arise from conditions of nature. They cited television in areas of mountainous terrain and cities with large structures, saying that VHF in these situations would normally “continue to be superior to UHF.” 30 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, CCTOCER 20, 1956