Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1956)

Rank Plans to Set Up Distribution Agency for British Films in U. S. The J. Arthur Rank Organization has reached a decision to set up a distribution agency to handle release of its product in the United States, it was announced in New York last week by Harry Norris, joint managing director of J. Arthur Rank Overseas Film Distributors, Ltd. Mr. Norris said the decision had been made following discussions between himself, John Davis, managing director, Robert S. Benjamin, president of J. Arthur Rank Organization, Inc. and their associates. The British film executive said the domestic agency would be tentatively called J. Arthur Rank Film Distributors and that the unit will probably go into operation here by January with a program of 10 to 12 films ready for release, among them such productions as “Reach for the Sky” and “The Battle of the Plate.” Mr. Norris, who returned to London this week, said that no office or personnel has been selected thus far. A representative of the Rank Organization will be appointed shortly to head the U.S. office, he added. The Rank overseas managing director pointed out that the distribution agency which will be set up “will be separate and apart from the company headed by Benjamin. He said that the “need and future” of the Benjamin-headed company “is yet to be discussed” and indicated that talks concerning this would take place in London upon his return to Great Britain. Indiana Allied Meeting Held INDIANAPOLIS : Among the subjects discussed at the 30th annual meeting of the Allied Theatre Owners of Indiana held here last week were an exchange of “ideas to improve profits,” trends in new equipment, and details of the cable theatre plan to be instituted at Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Other features were a film clinic on buying and booking, open to exhibitors only; discussion of local exploitation, theatre insurance problems, and toll TV, and a panel discussion on equipment trends. Speakers included: Roy Kalver, ATOI president; A1 Sindlinger, industry statistician; Milton J. Shapp of Jerrold Electronics, and Trueman Rembusch, state and national Allied leader. Also heard were Abram F. Myers, general counsel of national Allied, Hugh McLachlan, chairman of the local equipment committee, and Spiro Papas, vice-president of the Alliance circuit, who spoke on theatre concessions. According to the cable theatre plan, two pictures a week will be presented, twice a night, with some matinees and midnight shows. Some will be shown day and date in homes and theatres, some first in one and then in the other, to determine the best revenue results. An anticipated flat charge of $6 to $8 monthly for the home service will be made, according to Mr. Shapp. Speaking in a panel discussion on exploitation were Roy Howard, Gary, kid shows; Ted Graulich, Evansville, trading stamps; Vic Sicilia, Muncie, student admission deals; Dick Pell, Rushville, contests, and A. J. Kalberer, Washington, merchant tieups. Roy Kalver was reelected president and national director; J. R. Pell, vice-president; Dick Lochry, treasurer; William A. Carroll, executive secretary. All directors were reelected, with the addition of Pete Panagos, Chicago. Pioneers' Member Drive Honors Bob O'Donnell The inauguration of a membership drive by which the Class of ’56 will honor R. J. “Bob” O’Donnell, selected “Pioneer of the Year,” has been announced by Jack Cohn, president of the Motion Picture Pioneers, whose 18th annual dinner will take place Friday, November 30, at the Waldorf-Astoria, New York. Eligible for membership in the motion picture organization is anyone who has been engaged for 25 or more years in either production, distribution, exhibition or affiliated motion picture organizations. Successful applicants are accepted after a nominal initiation fee. There are no dues or assessments. Rogers Christmas Salute Will Be on Area Basis A. Montague, president of Will Rogers Memorial Hospital, has announced that exchange area meetings to start the Seventh Annual Christmas Salute will be conducted this year on an individual area basis, and that the first meetings are beginning this week. According to the flexible date plan, the exchange area distribution chairmen are given leeway in setting their meeting dates to attract greater participation and attendance. A feature of the meetings will be a standardized, pre-recorded segment of talks by Mr. Montague; Sam Rosen, co-treasurer; S. J. Feldman, National distributor chairman; and M. A. Silver, National exhibitor chairman. Part of this tape recording includes a report from a Will Rogers Hospital patient. TV and Films Co-exist Now: Harry Cohn Columbia Pictures is in the business of making motion pictures for the public and will continue to do so for any medium, Harry Cohn, president of Columbia, told stockholders in the company’s 1956 annual report. “Television has proved to be a competitor— and a very strong one,” Mr. Cohn declared. “However, ours is a business of supplying the public with entertainment. While we are primarily in the field of motion pictures, we have also delved deep, of late, into the field of supplying television entertainment. Let it be noted that we believe there is ample room for both media to exist profitably. Each, we are sure, can and will contribute to the progress of the other.” Mr. Cohn cited the advance of Screen Gems, the company’s wholly owned television subsidiary. Already playing more national network shows than any other TV film company, he said, Screen Gems have five brand new programs and a quota of twenty new programs for future development. “We do not believe in ‘dumping’ old pictures on the market in unreasonable quantities,” he reported. “It is not our policy to release to that medium any pictures which still have a potential in the theatrical market. We have carefully selected 104 old feature films from which we have already obtained the very maximum reissue value and leased them to various television outlets. We are not selling these films outright, but retain full title and residual rights to each.” A gross income of $91,145,571 was reported for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1956, as compared with $88,655,601 for the like period ending June 25, 1955. Earnings were reported as $4,377,795 before taxes and consolidated earnings were put at $2,669,712. Pre-income tax earnings in 1955 were $8,650,395, with a net earning of $4,948,690 after taxes. Earnings per share of common stock were $2.28 for the period ending June 30, 1956, as compared with $4.40 for the previous period. The annual report listed Columbia’s current assets at $56,604,378. In Filmack Post Max Herschmann has been named branch manager of Filmack’s New York office, it is announced by Irving Mack, president of the Filmack Trailer Company, Chicago. He was formerly New York sales manager. Don Mack will remain in charge of TV production and sales in New York. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, OCTOBER 27. 1956 17