Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1956)

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Columbia Year Gross Ahead , Holders Told The gross income of Columbia Pictures and its subsidiary companies for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1957 “will be substantially ahead of the previous 12-month volume of $91,145,571,” it was announced this week by Jack Cohn and A. Schneider, executive vice-president and first vicepresident and treasurer, respectively. The Columbia executives, presiding over the company’s 33rd annual stockholder’s meeting in New York in the absence of Harry Cohn, president, said that in the 13-week period of the current fiscal year ended September 29, 1956, the company’s net profit was $843,000, or 71 cents per share. This compares with $899,000 and 77 cents per share earned in last year’s first fiscal quarter. Mr. Schneider said that the profit before income taxes during the 13-week 1956-57 first quarter was $2,003,000 in comparison to $1,763,000. Estimated Federal, state and foreign income taxes totaled $1,160,000 in comparison to $864,000. The earnings per share are based on the 1,095,411 shares outstanding as of September 29, 1956. At the same time Mr. Schneider revealed that Screen Gems, the whollyowned subsidiary of Columbia Pictures, may acquire 52 more features from its parent company’s pre-1948 films for distribution to television. Mr. Schneider added that the subsidiary released 104 Columbia features to TV in 1955 and a package of 52 so far this year. He added that the company’s pre-1948 film library still contains 686 features “suitable for television exhibition.” He said the library also has 304 post-1948 films. Columbia, said Mr. Schneider, has retained the services of H. M. Gartley & Associates, public relations agency, “to tell the Columbia story to the public and attempt to make the company more attractive to stockholders.” At the stockholders meeting, the present board of directors was reelected. The board consists of Harry Cohn, Jack Cohn, N. B. Spingold, A. Montague, A. Schneider, L. M. Blancke, Donald S. Stralem, A. M. Sonnabend and Alfred Hart. The stockholders ratified a new contract with Mr. Schneider until 1962 and approved an option of 35,000 shares of stock to Mr. Schneider. German Heads Polio Drive W. J. German, of W. J. German, Inc., has been appointed chairman of the Motion Pictures Division of the 1957 National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis campaign, it is announced by Harris A. Dunn, general chairman of the drive. New York Variety Club Elects Harold Klein International Variety Clubs will launch a three-month membership drive, beginning December 1, in honor of international chief barker John H. Rowley, it is announced by Harold J. Klein, chief barker of Variety Club Tent No. 35, New York. Mr. Klein was reelected chief barker of Tent No. 35 to serve for 1957. Other officers elected for the coming year are Richard Brandt, first assistant; Larry Morris, second assistant; William Bower, property master; Jack H. Hoffberg, dough guy; George Brandt, Charles Alicoate, Irving Dollinger, Sherwin Kane, Martin Kornbluth, Jack Levin, Martin Levine, Ira Meinhardt, Charles Okun, David Picker, Harold Rinzler, Jack Rosenfeld, Burt Robbins, Ernest Sands, Cy Seymour, Robert Shapiro, Spyros S. Skouras, Charles Smakwitz, Morton Sunshine, Saul Trauner and George Waldman, canvasmen. David A. Levy and Morris Sanders are lifetime honorary canvasmen. "Hymn" Opens February 14 In Home Town of Hero The world premiere of Universal’s “Battle Hymn,” starring Rock Hudson as Colonel Dean E. Hess, USAF, celebrated flying ace, will take place February 14 in Marietta, Ohio, birthplace of Colonel Hess, it has been announced by the company. Plans are now being made for the Governor of Ohio, also a native of Marietta, to proclaim a statewide celebration the day of the opening. Among those scheduled to be present for the opening ceremonies are the Colonel and his family, Rock Hudson, Martha Hyer, producer Ross Hunter, the Governor of Ohio and a large contingent of Air Ferce officials from Washington. The premiere of the film will take place in all three theatres in Marietta — the Colony, Ohio and Putnam. Mexico-Hungary Film Pact Is Discussed MEXICO CITY: A cinematographic pact between Mexico and Hungary is in the making, according to trade figures here. Congressman Jorge Ferritis, chairman of the National Cinematographic Board, reportedly has been talking with an unnamed representative of the Hungarian film industry. The local trade understands that if the deal is consummated, it will be patterned after the Franco-Mexican co-production program. Davis RKO Art Head HOLLYWOOD: George Davis, president of the Society of Motion Picture Art Directors, has been named head of the RKO Studio Art Department, it is announced by Raymond A. Klune, executive manager of studio operations. Legion Hits "Baby Doll " And Code The National Legion of Decency has placed the film, “Baby Doll,” in its C or condemned classification and also has attacked the picture as a violation of the Production Code. Immediately following the decision, Warner Bros., the film’s distributor, and Elia Kazan, its producer-director, issued statements in defense of the new motion picture. Statement by Legion In its statement, the Legion said, “The subject matter of this film is morally repellent both in theme and treatment. It dwells almost without variation or relief upon carnal suggestiveness in action, dialogue and costuming. Its unmitigated emphasis on lust and the various scenes of cruelty are degrading and corruptive. As such it is grievously offensive to Christian and traditional standards of morality and decency.” The Warner statement said, “Our agreement with Newton Productions called for the delivery to us of the motion picture, ‘Baby Doll,’ produced and directed by Elia Kazan, from an original screenplay by Tennessee Williams, respected and experienced craftsmen whose artistic talents and integrity are well known. “ ‘Baby Doll’ has been given the customary Code Seal of Approval by the Motion Picture Association. It has been shown at special previews to leading creative talent of theatre and screen, to exhibitors and to representative members of the press and various organizations eliciting highly favorable reaction. Expect Public Agreement “These advance comments acclaim ‘Baby Doll” as a motion picture which in story, direction and acting provides superior adult entertainment. We expect that the public will concur with these authoritative opinions.” The Legion also said the film “is an obvious violation of the spirit and purposes of the Motion Picture Code,” but nevertheless bears its Seal of Approval. “The subject matter of the film indicates an open disregard of the Code by its administrators,” the organization added. Taylor Mills, public information director for the MPAA in New York, issued the following statement on the Legion’s announcement: “The Production Code Administration obviously feels that ‘Baby Doll’ meets the requirements of the Code or it would not have issued a seal to the picture.” Geoffrey Shurlock, Code Administrator on the coast, declined comment. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, DECEMBER I, 1956 27