Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1956)

High Cost , Low Rentals Seen Cartoon Woe High and continually rising production costs, coupled with low rentals, are major problems in the cartoon field, according to Walter Lantz, veteran cartoon producer and his representative, Budd Rogers. They told the trade press in New York last week that “exhibitors appreciate the entertainment values in cartoons and shorts, but they do not want to pay for them.” Mr. Lantz, head of Walter Lantz Productions, which releases through Universal Pictures, believes that the present film rental for a cartoon, which averages about $3.50 per booking, should be increased “to a $10 per booking minimum, but I’ll be satisfied if we could just get a 50 cent increase.” The industry veteran said that he is still producing 13 six-minute animated cartoons in color annually at an average cost of $35,000 and above. Cartoons get the best playing time of all short subjects shown in theatres, he asserted. He added: “Shorts are as important to the motion picture program as comics are to a newspaper, but the day of reckoning is coming closer.” Stating that a cartoon gross throughout the world is now about $50,000, he said that he reissues six of his best cartoons annually, besides the 13 new ones produced. Mr. Lantz’ independent company turns out six Woody Woodpeckers, three Chilly Willy cartoons and four specials. In reply to a question concerning the use of Cinemascope for cartoons, Mr. Lantz said that the producers are not finding them practicable as “they cost more and exhibitors wouldn’t give us a nickel more.” Pennsylvania Houses Plead Tax Repeal McKEESPORT, PA.: This city has been formally advised by its theatre operators that unless the five per cent amusement tax is repealed next year, their houses will be reduced to partial operations. A formal protest was lodged by Louis Fordan, operator of the Stanley-Warner Capitol and Victor, and William Weiss, operating the Capitol and Liberty. Pathe Starts Feature Pathe Pictures, Inc., has started production on its first feature-length film, it is announced by Ben Frye, president of the motion picture company. Titled “50 Years of Thrills,” the film, to be produced by Academy Award winner Robert Youngson, will be a review of the most spectacular news shots ever filmed. Business Gains, Odeon Of Canada Reports TORONTO: Business in 70 per cent of Odeon Theatres’ Ontario operations “had this year stabilized their box office receipts, and in many cases, substantial increases were being shown as compared with the same period in 1955,” states a press release from the company. The release issued from the head office here follows a series of three regional meetings in Hamilton, Toronto and Kingston, at which no more than 12 managers were at a single session. Managers promised an all-out effort to promote the coming product, the release stated. L. W. Brockington, president, was not at the meetings, since he was preparing to leave for India, where he will head the Canadian delegation to the UNESCO conference. Other executives at the meetings were E. G. Forsyth, assistant general manager; Harvey Hunt director of film buying and booking; Ron Leonard, director of advertising; Bob Gardner, director of movie clubs and screen advertising, and Steve R. McManus, Ontario district manager. Entertainment Industry Will Honor Durante A mammoth “Entertainment Industry Tribute in honor of Jimmy Durante,” sponsored by the Jewish Theatrical Guild of America, will be held at the WaldorfAstoria March 17, it is announced by Harry E. Gould, executive vice-president of the Guild, who will serve as general chairman of the show business dinner. Mr. Gould said: “Jimmy Durante has become a national institution with a firm hold on the hearts of millions of Americans. He has earned the admiration of all branches of the entertainment industry, and this tribute will reflect our affection for him.” Three New Terrytoons Characters Developed Three new characters have been developed for Terrytoons 1957 CinemaScope shorts release, it is announced by William M. Weiss, vice-president and general manager of the New Rochelle animation studio. The first to be delivered to 20th Century-Fox will be John Doormat, a fadconscious, typical Mr. America character. Next on the production schedule is Gaston Le Crayon, a smock and beret clad painter, and still in the storyboard stage is the third character, Clint Clobber, a grumbling apartment house superintendent. Schaefer Joins Fields Unit HOLLYWOOD: George J. Schaefer has been set as production-distribution executive for Fields Productions, independent production company headed by Ralph Fields, whose first picture will be “Anniversary Waltz.” WARNERS’ SHOWINGS FOR THE TRADE NOVEMBER 14 20th Century-Fox Screening Room Home Office 1052 Bwoy 2 00 P.M. 321 W 44lh St 2 15PM ATLANTA DETROIT 20th Century-Fox Screening Room 20th Century-Fox Screening Rm 197 Walton St. N.W. • 2 00 P.M. 221 1 Cats Ave. 2 00 P.M. BOSTON INDIANAPOLIS 20th Century-Fox Screening Room Universal Screening Room 115 Bway 2 15 P.M. 51 7 No. Illinois St. 100 P.M. BUFFALO JACKSONVILLE Motion Picture Operators Hall Florida Theatre Bldg. Sc. Rm. 498 Pearl St 8 00 P.M. 128 E Forsyth St 2 00 P.M CHARLOTTE KANSAS CITY 20th Century-Fox Screening Room 20th Century-Fox Screening Rm 308 S. Church St. • 2 00 P.M. 1720 Wyandotte St. 1 30 P.M CHICAGO LOS ANGELES Warner Screening Room Fox Westcoost Sc. Rm. 1307 So. Wabash Ave. 1.30 P.M. 1837 So. Vermont Ave 2 00 P.M CINCINNATI OKLAHOMA RKO Palace Th. Screening Room 20th Century-Fox Screening Rm 12 E 6th St 8 00 P.M 10 North Lee St. 10 00 A.M. CLEVELAND OMAHA 20th Century-Fox Screening Room 20th Century-Fox Screening Rm 2219 Payne Ave. 2 00 P.M. 1502 Davenport St. 1:30 P.M. DALLAS PHILADELPHIA 20th Century-Fox Screening Room Warner Screening Room 1803 Wood St. 2 00 P.M 230 No. 13th St. 2 00 P.M. DENVER PITTSBURGH Paramount Screening Room 20th Century-Fox Screening Rm 2100 Stout St. 2 00 P.M. 1715 Blvd. of the Allies 130 P M DES MOINES PORTLAND 20th Century-Fox Screening Room Star Screening Room 1300 High St 12 45 P.M. 925 N W 19th Ave. 2 00 P.M MEMPHIS SALT LAKE CITY 20th Century-Fox Screening Room 20lh Century-Fox Screening Rm 151 Vance Ave. 3 00 P.M. 216 East 1st South 1:00 P.M. MILWAUKEE SAN FRANCISCO Warner Theatre Screening Room Republic Screening Room 212 W. Wisconsin Ave. 8 00 P.M. 221 Golden Cate Ave. 1 30 P M. MINNEAPOLIS SEATTLE Warner Screening Room Egyptian Theatre 1000 Currie Ave. North 2 00 P.M. 2 00 P M. NEW HAVEN ST LOUIS Warner Theatre Screening Room S renco Screening Room 70 College St 130PM 3143 Olive St 1 00 P.M NEW ORLEANS WASHINGTON 20th Century-Fox Screening Room Warner Theatre Screening Room 200 S. Liberty St. 2 00 P.M 13lh & E Sts NW 10 30 A.M. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, NOVEMBER 3, 1956 51