Variety (March 1964)

“gc week ago: ~,. fendants' i, ahead ae : Se | a in san ; : Lent Moderates: Trade; Jo ones’ N 0. 1, ‘World Second, a ‘Strangelove’ 3d, “May’ Ath, ‘Cardinal’ 5th “Lenten influence. “ig being felt in many. ‘key. cities covered’ ‘by: ‘| .Marrery: this. ‘session: although ° it. -. doesn’t seem to ‘be harniing: trade of:the big. blockbusters: A. number of pix. received ‘a nice -lift when: Academy: . ‘nontinations: were .. an nounced. Weather. varied: from mild . ~ show * ‘promise “as newcomers | in _to®: snowstorms: and | blizzards:’. . “Tom Jones” (UA) (14th wk) is back in-No. 1 “spot. this. stanza after. «ing a -strong second. “Dr. Strangelove”. (cob (Bd. wk) : . again: ds. finishing ..third, same .as_ ; “Seven. Days in’ May. ~. (Par). (2d. wk)_ is. capturing “fourth money,. same: as. it did’ last: round. “The. Cardinal”: (Col) ‘(10th ::wk) -4s. winding up: in’ fifth’ spot,. also | like it. did a week ago..“Love With Proper Stranger” (Par) (6th . wk). |: ‘* “tg edging up to’ sixth position, a “Sunday. Ain. N.::¥.: (MGM) : (3d a a “wik): is’ climbing to: seventh spot as. ~ eompared — with: “10th place — last’ session. ‘The “Victors” (Col). (6th Wk) is: ‘finishing eighth: . “Man’s. Favorite’ ‘Sport” (0). (4th: wi) is winding.up ninth ‘as against. . sixth position: last. ‘round. “Merlin _-' Jones”. (BY) (5th wk): As. ‘capturing. . ° ‘in. release. ‘for. bigger and longrun 10th plac ““Cleopatra”: (oth: ‘6th: wk) ‘will: : be. 11th, same. aS last.session, “How:;' | West. Was Won”: (MGM) (62d. wk) I “Knife: in Water” just . missing . runnerup : category, ( ‘Musie: “Hall: ‘in Detroit: (MGM), ‘dull. inPortland. : ‘rounds out! the: Top: 12, grossers,” ae getting a lift from added ‘bookings: | “America, Ameri| | ea” (WB). ‘and. “Dead Ringer”, (WB), care the. runnersup. pix: “Charade” “(U), “and: both (Embassy) (Kana), L “Easy . Life”. smaller. houses. : Man" in: Middle”: (20th), which” opens . this “ week at” “first -position= was taken. -over for. | N.Y.. Paramount, sone week “by “It’s: a’ Mad | World’ UA): (15th wk). “World” i is finish" : is. brisk” ‘Cleveland... “Captain ‘Newinan”’ (): “still big in .-L.A.:. on . extended-run,. ‘Jooks:: socko: in’: ‘second — session: at “N.Y. “Commando” (AT): looms: good in K. C: on initial playdate.” . “One Man’: s “Way” (A), another: néwie, “shapes” “stout. “in” Denver. “Billy. Liar” (Cont) looms’ nice in | *Balto;brisk. ‘in’ Chi, big: in Boston. and: good: ‘in K.C:... ' . “Soldier in. Rain” (AA), “fine in. “The | :-Prize’”:: --(MGM) ‘Note: The. number’ ‘of weeks. ‘out pix. are. designated in. such. cases. {Complete Bozoffice. Reports: ‘on: pages B-11-14.) ° oe | | State of Hawaii Forces Wn. Forman. ~ To Unload Royal Control by 1965): ‘| between: ‘70° and*. 80° theatres, .and‘that in. Nigeria about::80% of: the|. revenues: are thrown ‘off by: 20% of the. accounts—which. is, much the. | same’: percentage. cited -in .the. doMestic' U.S. market: In the rest of: his: territory; he. says,there. is a. ‘more. even” distribution of the}: a revenues. Honolulu, “Match 3. * “Majority: interest. in. Royal. The os _atres; Ltd., will be sold by.-Wailliam | -< orman’s. Mission: ‘Amusement ‘Co. . before: Juné 30, 1965; ‘according .to |. wo state's antitrust: law. _. JThe suit. charged ‘that. Consol: ae. dated and Royal either. ‘own or |. ~~. ".eontrol-.almost ‘évery theatre. --in. .. Hawaii, -as’ well as ‘distribution of |: films to the : theatres, ©in'a. near-| : monopoly | ofwhat. is considered: to be. a $6,500,000 -a year. industry... ' John -.. ‘H. Traut, both circuits . have. : ‘available .source.‘of: supply.” the outcome of the case “will make one. bit: of difference. to’ the. movies: “goer.” ee 0 P: ‘Rosen, ‘president. of: ‘Royal, said he is pleased that the case -has _ “been “amicably.” coneluded.’’ . sion. ‘pricés.”’ ... Bos . “2 Ftgelg. ‘of: its . interest “in’ Royal’s .: business -of ” -exhibiting < and dis — tributing films -before:: June:..30, -.1965, in.a--manner . acceptable to “thie ‘state’s. attorney: general. The.state;-in entering into ‘the agreement, promised: ‘it. will <dis-. miss.‘the .case.:against’ the. defend : ants. only: ‘when. all” terms: of. the. ~~" agreement. have: ‘been : ; complied 1 With. by. the-.defendants. °°. +. 5; It was. noted that the ownership: ~ “situation: occurred. before. passage .. of. the ‘state’s“ potent antitrust act. . “and .that.-at ‘no -time -was‘there Tl ever a any intent to. violate the law.” Japan's Say To , Consolidated |: . ‘president, said in’ a statement -that. “will -.continue to. operate’ as: separate ‘companies. as | ‘they had :in the: past’? and ‘that both “agreed ‘to: ‘eonfirm: ‘to ‘all: other: exhibitors that. they may “ gontinue to acquire’ films from any: His” “Press. statement: addéd: ‘that. Royal: .} “will -continue. to-serve’ the’ people. : .. Of Hawaii with. the’. finest inmotion |_-/"« pieture entertainment: with’ .the |: --'. Jowest’ admission” ‘pricés | ‘possible.” 7. — :" Traut’s: : ‘press. release: also cited. . 7 ‘Consolidated’s: policy of. providing |. . “the highest -quality. motion Dic: | * *:, tures’ at. fair and reasonable admis: | 7, “Angeles-based _ Mi is sion 7” “Amusement. Co., as one of the. de|. in. “the ‘unprecedented: ' (for Hawaii): ease, ‘agreed to divest. “Both: ‘circuits. operate “first: ‘and rently: operates | a drive-in. as” ‘part ‘of -a-: first-run. unit. Consolidated ow ni 3 Waikiki’ $ terms | of ‘settlement of. .an. anti-.| oly’ two theatres. “and Royal ' ‘for. Ls trust ‘case filed -by the. state. of Ha-. 2. wait Iast September. . ~The California’ theatrical -mag=. “> wate acquired 51%. of--Royal in [1954 cand | full. ‘ownership .of -the.| we rival . Consolidated. Amusement. Co, ' i 4n--1959,:"prior. to~ Passage: of “the: Some. ‘time. has been .. ‘pondering ‘aboiit . building a. ‘Waikika. an house.“ aa “ “olor Market Par lished. ‘a’: new. license: ‘agreement the. ‘Japanese: ‘electronics: “company, the. right: to. ‘manufacture | ‘and ‘sell televisionsets.in the: -U-:S. “using ‘Par’s “chromatic”. ” New. pact. triggers. the. ‘belief that the Japamesé ‘developer is close ‘to. ‘marketing ‘the Paramount. : color -tube,.:. which . has been. under de-} ‘|: velopment: for: several years: A few: ’| weeks ago... ‘Par. -revealed : ‘that ‘if |: anid’ when. Sony: “Was: ready. to: mar-| --ket: the -tube,. its : rights would: be extended ‘beyond. Japan. to: include. US. “manufacture * “and © “sales. ‘The “(Continued on: ‘page. 16). WH ERE’S. MY. PENSION?._ .: Kears, Got. Nuttin’ : °Honohulit, March 3. fusal to ‘pay. ‘him. a. retirement: pen : sion.: Fred G.Williams. has filed ‘the “suit against John B. “Traut,who ‘replaced. him: as: president. in 1961, -Alan-'S. _Davies,. J..; Howard Wor-: ‘Nigeria | instituted admission: ‘taxes ‘within the: last 18 months, but-have} not moved to increase “levies” in Tall; Reynolds L. Burkland, George Williams, now: ‘making his: home. in: Californa, had" been. with fhe cireuit : 3T years.” o, . . . *, ot :. ste aed * ~ "oe wes ‘ most. -AMPEC has released to date: “The | : Magnificent Seven,”. “Some. Like. It] Hot,” “The Nun’s. Story,” the film | | version of. George Bernard. Shaw’s | . 7 66 h 99: It d 1 Ciney,” looks hep’ in*Chi. and. lofty: The “Millionairess,”. BP: us. any an “Children. of Damned” a ‘nice in: : Boston, is | “rated. we "shapes . stout. in Buffalo: and: lusty, in L.A. “Kings. of Sun” (WAY Tooks: fine: in Balto. ~-: subsequent run housés. ‘Each® cure. Tube h ALU U. §. ®.!lem:. once’ weekly railroad-.skeds, which -Inake keeping | track.:; of ‘Paramount. ‘Pictures has: -estab-'| with ‘the -“Seny~Corp. which gives: “AMPEG. is. “slowly. revolutionizing: “color -tvtube}: | and. establishing : a: lower. royalty. He: stibsequently commented’ to}? rate payable by Sony.” a reporter. that he. doesn’t: ‘think:| bases: Ex-Prez. of. ‘Consolidated, ‘After * “Former president of Consolidated a ‘Amuseinent Co,, the: state’s major: “of. ‘Navarone”. motion picture. chain; is suing both. | the. company.-and ‘members _ of: ‘its |? pension: committee for alleged ‘‘re-. HH: ‘Viears. 3r.,. and | the..company: | itself. It’s.. ‘understood... amount ato. issue «is somewhat More: than |: $10; 000. “| tremely good. relations. with ‘the. ‘other directions. They. don’t. have By. ‘VIN CEN tT: CANBY: _ Gooa: guys. ‘can't. die,. at least’ not| in features: which ‘hope for success. ‘in..the newly... independent nations |: which . formerly comprised: British | colonies " in West 7 -That’s the report’ of. Jack. Labow, . | general. manager of the American’ ...Motion Picture Export ‘Co. (Africa); | the Motion Picture’: Export -Assn:’s. in.| distributing Subsid, headquartered {in Lagos; Nigeria, ‘which’ ‘went into}: Africa: . operation 20 months. ago.. However, while ‘such -a-fundamental rule -as |. | Labow. quotés .above still. applies, | there’s unmistakable evidence. that4--{the West African: audiences. are be-|~ ‘coming: increasingly ‘sophisticated: Cited by. the exéc as.among the} which |. ‘successful | films: -: all twist. pix, | ‘Data ‘Under ‘Wraps. Sierre: many: accounts. AMPEC. is actually ‘servicing :. by’ saying:. “We: had no Exec will say that:the ‘bulk of his |: accounts are.-in: Nigeria, .which has : “Last Pioneer ; ‘As Labow describes: it, ‘he. heads -bone of ‘the. last: pioneering: opera-. tions’ in the’.film world.. So’ far, -in “| 20 months, “he :has. réleased: about: ‘| 200 films and expects from here -on : out,. to’ release approximately 200 ‘| more: “each -year.. He uses ‘one. or}. “| two prints: for: each: pic, and. the. | territory: is so vast that it’s not .un‘usual..for a’ pic. to: be. out .ef his: ‘office. for: three ~ “weeks, just -to. -service.one two-day. account. sProb prints. none. too easy. a job. : “He. . does | feel, “however; that film: distribution in’ West.. Africa (“Prints. which have been lost since: 1951 are-turning up in our office’). All’ accounts -arebeing sold. on the against ‘percentages. of the: ‘grosses: ‘How can he ‘check. such datés? “We. ‘do;”: he -answers,. via reports froni ‘the. field which might ° come.in from] opposition; /@X local . néwspapers, ‘: hibs. and. the dike. --2, klog: . aid, learning. the. ‘value ‘Of. adver-|. fg @ .@ eh a ‘paigns which ‘paid. off with extra4-ordinary .. results.” in’. Ghana . and: Nigeria’ were: built around “Guns -and ’ “Lovers ‘*Must Learn” (‘Rome Adventure” in the ‘States). “Hf, as ‘Labow states; ‘film boxoffice totals. have’: ‘climbed. remarkably since the advent ‘of. AMPEC, have governments ‘of both -Ghana. and. -Helps Both Ways -.. : “AMPEC:: -he: says; maintains. ex: to; their. tax: takings. have gone. up | AGontinaed ¢ on pase 22)" -: Guplicate Oscars ‘for their. own “ : ‘From’ his: Lagos. office, ‘which. has ” +a staff’ of: 14,/ Labow ‘is’ presently servicing, in addition: to. Nigeria, an ‘area:-embracing | .Ghana, | Leone, Liberia: and Gambia... He] = | declines... ‘to: reveal. . exactly’: how .. achievements... are. done | [Eon Pas Hal idea. what: the market would bel until: we. got: in. there; and. so.I see} “. ?fno. Teason.:. to’ let: the. opposition | —.! benefit from our: experience.” There}. .+are, ‘however,. about: 200::theatres |. {in : the: ‘terrifory,. though. some: are | ohn’ opposition: to-each other’ so that) | a ‘eomplete: playoff would be. some‘|.what. less than that’ total: Russia: With” “Love.” record ‘biz. in . England” ‘and will. ‘preem in. the. U:S.: .$00n,” United: Artists distributing: oo -Besides this, ' Bon : is making’ a film: in India called “Beyond ‘the. -Pass.. in’. Kashmir. ”* Columbia . will ‘distribute. this . one, — of. minimum. © guarantees. Bae AMPEC: ‘was “somewhat. ‘slow: ‘al. ‘getting underway, he reports, since. the local‘ distribs, ‘most. of. -whom |: | are ‘primarily. ‘exhibs, -hada large | +backlog of ‘U.S. praduct ‘to play off. |. oy That backlog has almost -disap-. peared. now; and: ‘they... ‘are buying.|" 11from AMPEC and; with AMPEC’s|.. British aE PROGRESS) est to toler} With Manhatan : ~ Could Help Eastern Production ‘Mant Piece Check-List 7 . Hollywood, March 3. _. “"Wcademy‘of’ Motion: Picture Arts ‘& Sciences. reports: ‘that approximately’... ‘1,000. Oscars have been ‘issued during org’s' “736‘year of ~ “honoring top>: -achievements.: on the .screen, ‘) avith a minimum of .26 golden 929. have been: presented -.to individuals, ‘but.-overall. figure 7 has-been. swelled: to thousand.. -: mitting studios: andcompanies.” * for ‘which: winners. turned in’ ..honored ‘achievement: to buy. "April 13, in all probability will: be “increased “since . some: a in . " collaboration.: _ Eon Productions, « based: indie--.film:..company best known: for the’ ‘wnaking of .J.am_.e:s |. Bond: mysteries by Tan Fleming,: is’ ‘other ‘production’ moving in:: spheres..: The. idéais to make two ‘films.a yéar,. one a Fleming -mystery: and, the. : other: from. another, ‘source: © =. “The. néxt Borid: pie: > tolls Feb. 24, ; ‘although ‘some. second: ‘unit . work |. {has already: been: done’ in.Florida. The. picture -is.“Goldfinger”. ‘and: and “From Latter : it: ‘follows “Dr.. No” turned. it. down. Also, the company is planning to. make a film. of the British. legit: ‘click “Fings . “Ain't ‘What. ‘They Used ‘To. Be,” which. UA. will: handle. In. -the ease: of |. “Goldfinger,” Guy. Hamilton’. will. ‘be..the director; marking .a change from Terence. Young’ who. did the 1:firsttwo. Bond pix: -In addition. to: “Goldfinger,” -Hamilton will also’ be the director; marking achange. from Terence. Young’ who did the. ‘first two Bond pix: In addition to “Goldfinger,” Hamilton ‘will. also do another™ ‘pic: ‘out.. of the “Bond: | range for Eon. “Young has. formed oo (Continued: on page 22), . SEEN 10. DAYS Too. SOON. “Terminus? ‘Bligibility As ‘Documentary | . a : Hollywood;. March 3° Academy. of Motion Picture Arts’ |-&. Sciences: “has ‘withdrawn’ “Ter-i minus,” ’. British-produced documen-/| tary. . feature | nominated for. this. “year’s. doc award, due to.fact it was first:shown to. N .Y, audiences Dec.. 1-22, 1962. ‘Rules. governing the-Doc| umentary: Awards’ ‘specify: . ‘that: qualifying films | must. have. been exhibited for.‘the’ first time during ‘the. ‘Jast’ calendar. year. 280 0. there been any. moves by the vari| ‘ous -governments to. grab more. of j the loot? According to’ Labow, the .. Norman: Corwin,. chairman. of dos: awards nominating. committee, stressed . that Edgar | Anstey, film’s producer;--had been. under the im “pression the -American distrib had ‘frst: shown. pic in January, 1963. “mark: die. to -Academy‘per -_ “This ‘year’s | ‘26-figure, to. ‘bee | :presented:’ on Awards night: ~ | and: the. ‘New. York area in par-..-. ‘ticular. ‘It: is believed that the 52. |:membership will . vote for. ‘the _.| merger but it is also remembered | that: many. members were. dis-_ 7 pleased by 340's attitude during ft ‘the: first merger try. | | Té. amalgamation is adopted: by [5a membership, it will mean an _|-end to-:the geographical haggling | that -has -always been .a thorn in. Mn pe Production | aegis of. 52, with 340 remaining in the ’ Britishe |-tactfor stage work, a lucrative part ‘dia UA. having: -+ ‘Loeal 340,. the Nassau Suffolic ‘stagehands unit of the. Interna~ “| tional Alliance of Theatrical ‘Stage _ | Employees, voted over the weekend to. merge ‘with New York’ ‘studio . ‘mechanics. Local 52. Gotham. unit’ “| wil: ‘vote. on the amalgamation at \ its” regular: monthly membership ~ meeting March. 10. _ statuettes ‘to-be. presented. this. “ » year. ‘By actual -count,. total: of ts Nassau-Suffolk group had. held: a -| vote. oni ‘the -merger idéa, Which Was’ originally: proposed by 52, but 7 then voted the idea down. Gotham-. ‘ites are. ‘being: strongly urged ‘to | back. ‘the ‘plan by the 52 leadership, ‘the 52 chiefs seeing amalgamation ‘aS. a positive move toward stimu| lating film: production in the east.. A couple. of. months . ago, the the. side. oF local ‘production. It will ‘bring allNassau-Suffolk and New York: film. production. ‘under’ the of. the members’ ‘employment scheme: especially. during the sum ‘mer’ Stock. season. It is. also be-. | lieved. that, should merger get final “approval, local, 366,: would ‘not be far behind jin joining the. amalgamated. the | Westchester. stage’ package. . 3 The 340-52. merger; and.. what ‘ever may develop with 366, has ‘several advantages " for local. pro-. {| duction, 52 feels, in’ addition to the: ; eliminating of geographical: bar‘riers. jaway “with | costly travel. time | charges Jevied. against a production 44 because’ ‘crews. would -report. diTectly : to a job within: their ex-. -For: one thing, it. will do panded jurisdiction. It is seen as ‘a particular boon to Michael Myer berg’s Long Island Studios, a multi Stage. plant. at. Roosevelt . Field -which has been orie of the. trigger4 . ing. factors in’ ‘the ‘merger attempt. © -It was: ‘at the’ LI. Studios that Jerry Hellman’s Pan Arts. made ‘its “Worldof: Henry Orient,” during -thefilming | of. which it’ arranged. ‘for -atemporary. merger between the . ‘anits” ‘by seeking the. inter-"' vention of ‘the International on the: “grounds that 52 was necessary to. the successful. completion: ‘of the ‘project. The Alliance later. backed the .merger. plan. itself, assistant ‘prez. Walter F. Diehl even address| | Sect the 340 membership on the sub| ject; Execs of 52 feel that merger. will . “ultimately mean more work . for. ‘Loses ‘Oscar | everyone in. New York, ‘Producers will be able now to select key men. Hoe both: units: under the merger. | for work on the same. project, with1 out jurisdictional hassels. 340° film men. will be’ able to work.in Gotham freely and:-vice versa. All film ‘work would ' be handled under §2 | contracts; while 340 would continue j.to work.on its own for legit. Same would. be’ the arrangements with 366 if. it: joins Up. 52 is: already in a. strong position in. eastern ‘filming, controlling all + Mmajor crafts. such as. grips, soundmen, -_propmen ete. Both.340 and 366 are® “primarily. stage locals. but have held sway in their. territories, S| which has always caused produc tion. troubles. when producers. wanted: to ..imiport, 52 technical people across. jurisdictional lines. Withdrawal . now. leaves: three} ‘This. would, -of course, be. ended. ‘nominations in categody: “Le. Mail=| 52's Jon et. La Chaine’’(The ‘Link and domination would also. be solidified, Ait: being sble to: virtually : call all. Lover's ‘Quarrel ‘With: the’. Worl al the film: labor shots ‘for the whole and “The. Yanks: Are ‘Coming. a the: :Chain), “Robert: Frost: | “authority: and eastern film barea.. a °