Variety (April 1953)

x 4 HCXIJ1UES 5 -fL*» V^» V P&mmY <| t n loo..,- \Jf/ VcdncsJayy April 8, I 953 Exhibs Losing Coin on 3-D Setup; Customers Balk at While first-run theatreownersf have managed to boost admission prices in amounts up to 10c, or more, lesser important houses are finding 3-D an added expense not fully compensated for, because they can’t tilt the b.o. tariff suf- ficiently. ...... Experience with the exhibition of “Bwana Devil” in many areas has been that theatre ops could boost the price of-a ticket by 4c at the maximum. Viewing glasses needed for the run o£> the 3-D’er.j were priced at 10c each; conse- quently there was a 6c differential. In the “Bwana” setup, specs were paid for off the top of the gross money—that is, before the split with the distributor, United Artists. Thus, of course, the exhib and UA shared the admission loss, the public shelling out for only two-fifths of the glasses expense. Theatreraen, notably in Canada and the midwest, found the public would balk at any attempts to raise scales beyond the 4c level. Latest among the first-runs to tilt the scales by 10c are the top houses in the Interstate. chain in Dallas, bringing the new top price to 70c. 'Buffalo has gone to a new high of 90c; N.Y. showcases for the most part are holding to a top of $1.80, and Minneapolis and St. Paul downtown spots are under- way with price-raising. Ticket boost in Dallas followed immediately on the heels of an case-up in Texas state taxation on admissions, marking the successful conclusion to a campaign pressed by Texas COMPO. Last week, Gov. Allan Shivers signed the bill which (Continued on page. 15) 3-D’s a Gigantic Power Struggle But Can Revive Films: Barnett to ITOO Columbus, April .7. Herbert Barnett, president of the Society of RJption Picture and Tele- vision Engineers, told the annual meeting of' the Independent Thea- tre Owners of .Ohio he wishes he knew which 3-D train has the gravy. He could, he told exhibs, put them "hip deep in money” but he’s unable to. "It’s a secret guarded by time and the public, he declared. The_ convention ' opened today (Tues.) in'the Desh- ler WaUick Hotel. This is no penny ante game, Bar- nett told the convention, “but a gigantic struggle for power—but at the same time having a common interest in revival of the motipn picture industry. Hundreds of mil- lions of dollars are involved. So are the fate of companies and the future of individuals.” Barnett, who refused to indorse - any 3-D widescreen system, was optimistic about the outcome of the turmoil because of the by-products springing from the interest in three-dimension and widescreen techniques. “Motion picture engineers are working hard,” he said, "to ease your troubles in a constructive and reasonable manner; by establishing standards as Quickly as possible. Other engineers are happily taking advantage of this big opportunity (Continued on page 20) COMPO on Sidelines In Small Biz Hearings the Senate Small Business Sub- committee is concerned. Hearings on the Coast last week, which will be continued in other cities, spot- lighted intra-mural dissension and resulted in press reports unfavor- able to the trade. COMPO has been enjoined from any role in the situation by its own bylaws. Organization setup directs that any issue involving trade practices must be avoided, and the Senate probe so far has concerned distributor policies. Council of Motion Picture Or- ganizations, all-industry outfit de;- toms'purposes, Is muted so tar as-I *“ U Delays Pension Plan For More Settled Times Universal will not launch * into any pension plan for company execs, until it has determined what the level of the pic biz is likely to be once the 3-D storm has blown over. Top U exec admitted last week that various pension plans had been studied, but said every such scheme eats up a lot of cash' and the company, while in good finan- cial shape, wants to be sure of suf- Insiders’ Add To Pix Stock Buys / Washington, April 7. Newest monthly SEC report of “insider” transactions shows Harry Warner adding 2,200 shares of Warner Bros. Pictures last month to boost his holdings to 245,200, plus an added 16,000 in a trust ac- count. Samuel Carlisle unloaded his 400 shares of WB. Harry Brandt, the big man in Translux, sold more of that cir- cuit’s stock last month than he bought. He added 1,100 shares to his own account, for a total of 111,- 215. However, he cleaned out the 2,500 shares in his G. Brandt foundation and also the 300 in the H. Brandt foundation. Brandt has another subsidiary, Harday, Inc., which still owns 1,600; and Mrs. Brandt has 17,700 in her name. Charles P. SkOuras bought 7,700 shares of National Theatres Com- mon, and now owns 19,400. Robert Lehman acquired 2,500 shares of 20th-Fox common to boost his hold- ings to 10,000 shares. Arthur J. Palmer, an officer of General Pre- cision Equipment, exercised * his option and picked up 200 shares of the $5 convertible preferred. Jack Cohn added 700 shares of Columbia Pix common to his trust account which maw holds 24,197. He also owns 42,204 in his own name. Herbert Yates picked up an additional 100 shares of Republic common, so that he now owns 87,931. Howard Hughes formally reported to SEC his reacquisition of the 1,013,420 shares of RKO, as a result of the failure of the sale of controlling interest. Par Switch Brings Early Release on Strong Pix A. W. • Schwalberg, Paramount distribution chief, this week claimed a switch away from the traditional sluffoff of the spring and early summer months so far as pic releases are concerned. Exhibs over the.years have beefed that the film companies hold back on their' important pix until late summer; when business generally trends up- ward- Schwalberg reported a lineup of 10 Par films on the distribution sked for April, May, June and July, These include “Off Limits,” Bob Hope-Mickey Rooney comedy, In April; Par’s first 3-D’er, “Sanga- ree,”’ land the new general release of “Greatest Show on Earth,” May; "Scared Stiff,” Dean Martin-Jerry Lewis; June, and “Stalag 17,” July. Both* George Stevens* “Shane” and George PaPs “War of the Worlds”'have been withdrawn from tHe releasing sked* Bar’s ideajaeing to groove them for tridescreen ahowings at a later date, 1 COL SEEKS SEC OKAY ON STOCK OPTION ISSUES Washington, April 7. Columbia Pictures has made formal application with the Se- curities & Exchange Commission for registration of 11,275 shares of common stock to be issued upon exercise of options held by general sales manager Abe Montague and laboratory exec Gerald Rackett. These privileges were granted by the company as an inducement to the two officials to extend their respective employment pacts, and were approved at the firm’s recent annual stockholders’ meet. Montague’s option embraces 10,- 250 shares which may be exercised at $11.70 per share at any time from Nov. 3, 1952, through Sept. 9, 1958.' Rackett’s deal permits him to buy 1,025 shares at $15.60 per share in the stretch starting July ’1, 1956, up to Dec. 31, 1959. Entire block of 11,275 shares is to be added to- a previously registered reserve of 49,768 shares of com- mon against various outstanding warrants and options. - %i RKO Sets Attorney Los Angeles, April 7. Roy W. McDonald, N. Y. attor- ney; was approved by Federal Judge Ben Harrison to represent RKO in the minority stockholder suit brought by Louis Feuerman and Eli and Marion Castleman. McDonald asked the court to order the plaintiffs to post security amounting to $35,000 to cover costs. Case comes up on April 13. eventualities before it goes into any non-filmic expenditures. Col’s 4-Way Camera Bows ’ On ‘Miss Sadie Thompson’ With Stereo Sound Used Hollywood, April 7. Columbia Vitascope, a new pro- duction process consisting of a four-way camera combined with stereophonic sound, will be used In the UTVning of “Miss Sadie [Thompson” and all future Colum- bia pictures, according to prexy Harry C<Jhn and executive pro- ducer Jerry Wald. Camera is de- signed to shoot simultaneously in 2-d, 3-D, 2-D large-screen and 3-D large-screen. Studio photography and sound departments have been experi- menting *for more than a year to devise a method to include the best features of stereoscopic and larger screen film and stereophonic sound, all in one single process. First tests with the new camera were made on “Man in the Dark,” which goes into release next week. Since -the filming of that picture, further improvements have been made, and the improved invention will he used on “Sadie.” The entire new process will he utilized in the making of “I Ride Alone” and “Renegade Canyon,” both of which will be released be- fore “Sadie.” The new magnetic -stereophonic system' uses three amplifiers and three microphones to pipe sound into a single film track. Sound, in turn, is piped to various outlets in the theatre. No Industry Reps Set ' Yet for Tax Hearings Although ‘the Washington hear- ings on film admission taxation are set for April 20, there has yet to be any designation of which execs will appear in behalf of the in- dustry. This is to be decided by the trade’s National Tax Committee, headed by H. A. Cole and Pat McGee. It’s apparent, however, that a key film rep will be Robert W. Coyne,' special counsel for the Council of Motion Picture Organiza- tions. He’s immediately acquainted with all the data concerning the tax-repeal fight. L. A. to N. Y. Lucille Barkley Ray Benson Ward Bond Marlon Brando Frederick Brisson Gloria DeHaven Olivia DeHavilland Marian Lloyd Dix Irene Dunne Marilyn Erskine Mike Frankovitch Milton Grossman . Teddy Hart Marcia. Henderson Betty Hutton Sherry Jackson Van Johnson Ben Kamsler Alf Kjellin Jesse L. Lasky Robert E. Lee Frank Loesser -Frank LovejOy Pamela Mason Wallace MacDonald Frank Marx Stan Murphy Helen O’Connell Paul Picerni • ‘Vincent Price Hal Roach Alexander Seourby Clark Smith George Stevens Dorothy Stickney Jule Styne Gloria Swanson Benny Thau Henry Tobias IPs not generally known that RCA's sponsorship of the 2 hv. annual Academy Awards was the direct result of a Bevhills dinn partyat Frances and Samuel Goldwyn’s house to which thev hi invited both Frank 'M. -Folsom, president of RCA, and Chari Brackett, prez of* the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Science This was last January when the Oscars faced eclipse in celebra* tion at least, exactly at the quarter-of-a-centurymark, because some of the major studios had threatened to withdraw financial support While Goldwyn may have thought his current; “Hans Christian Andersen” perhaps had a chance in the Oscar sweepstakes-- actually the film lost out—the producer’s prime thought was ? to give the'Acad financial’succor and greater scope. Folsom last week in writing Goldwyn* who is currently in New York prior to sailing April 21 on the Queen Mary with his wife, saluted . the producer in a personal tribute. Wrote Folsom to Goldwyn . . here was the kind of man whose fortitude and imagination provided the film industry with. life-blood that has raised it to its present level of peeminence. A welcome and salutary con- trast, I felt, to those cynics and skeptics who attempt to stem the tide of the future. With dignity, good taste and technical proficiency, the telecast, sponsored by RCA, brought into the homes of countless millions one of filmdom’s most respected and . honored events. The public, oh whose behalf the awards were actually made, participated for the first time. They, in whose name the awards were presented, joined with Hollywood's elite in . bestowing praise and esteem upon those whose talent and ability provided them with enjoyment and entertainment. “That these millions were impressed is an unmistakable fact -on two counts. First, the size of the television audience; and secondly, the number who patronized their motion picture theatres following the event. Interest was undoubtedly stimulated for both media, which is what we hoped for and, indeed, expected. This has been a wonderful and exhilarating experience for me, Sam. It has proven what I have always contended—that motion pictures and television can live side by side and prosper, further, that each has its place In American life and if used intelligently and in- ventively, can complement the other. I hope that from this aus- picious beginning, we can move ahead unencumbered by carping and envious critics . . COMPO Burns at Rosy B.O. Yarns; Takes Rap at “Villain Dfetrib’ Tag McCarthy on 8-Week 0.0. Overseas for State DepL John G. McCarthy, former v.p. in charge of the Motion Picture Assn, of America’s international division and now consultant to the State Dept, on film matters, leaves N. Y. today (Wed.) for an • eight- week European tour to survey and] report on State Dept, film activi- ties abroad. He expects to cover 11 countries. McCarthy, who is accompanied by his wife, will attend the Coron- ation in London June 2 as guest of J. Arthur Rank and plans to return home in mid-June, Break for UA’s 3-D In Delay of Fight With hookings going slowly for its release of the upcoming 3-D Marciano-Walcott fight film, United Artists got a break with postpone- ment of the contest from tomor- row (Thurs.) to May 15. At least, there’s that much more time for the distrib to hustle sales and for more exhibs to be equipped for the 3-D showings. To date, contracts volunie has been disappointing despite the novel aspects of a championship fray in the new dimension. Situ- ation is said to reflect the feeling among many theatremen that 3-D already has reached the point where novelty alone is not. suffi- ciently salable; the subject matter must have the basic entertainment values. Concerning the bout it- self, public interest apparently has been slim and consequently some theatre ops aren’t particularly eager about a filmization of it. Another factor is the possibility of either a dull fight or a quick one. This is always a considera- tion, of course, but of extra con- cern with the UA release because it involves extra expense for ex- (Continued on page 18) N. Y* to L. A. Sir Michael Balcon Edith Barstow Steve Broidy Hal B. Cook John C. Flirin, Jr. . L, Wolfe GilbWt Van' Johnson Robert E. Lee Borrah Minevitch Norman Moray. Sam Schneider Franchot Tone Janet Waldo Walter Winchell + How can the film industry win repeal of the Federal 20% admis- sions tax, on grounds of economic necessity, if exhibitors proclaim everything’s rosy? Or if others spotlight distributor practices as causing their woe, rather than the offish b.o.? Council of Motion Picture Organ- izations is doing a burn this week on each of those two counts. COMPO reps across the country have been making the pitch to kill the 20% levy largely because it’s the only way to prevent thousands of theatres from shuttering. Now, however, the org may have some extensive explaining to do when Congressional hearings on the tax matter open in Washington April 20, because of the “business vil- lain” identity given the film com- panies, and a prominently-pub- lished observation made by a N. Y. circuit op. Latter is William Brandt who, in a statement printed by 4Jie N. Y, Times, declared that theatre busi- ness is 25% ahead of two years ago and receipts figure to go high- er In the future. Daily’s story, which appeared in its financial sec- tion Monday (9), quoted Brandt as saying the economic structure of the theatre trade is its strongest in years, and that TV has been licked as a competitor. This, of course, is the direct op- (Continued on page 15) Europe to N, Y. Richard W. Altschuler Renzo Avanzo Sir Michael Balcon A1 Crown Jean Desnoyer John Ford Jocelyn Barbara Lyon Anna Magnani C. Bruce Newbury Louis Phillips Gottfried Reinhardt William M. Saal William L. Synder Dario Soria George Weltner N. Y. to Europe George K. Arthur 9 Anne Baxter Lou Breslow Sidney Carroll' — Arlene Dahl. Jerry Devine Walt Disney -Grade Fields Gustave Haenschen William Karol Stubby Kaye . Fernando Lamas. Pamela Mason John G. . McCarthy Fred Raphael Howie Richmond Edward 6. Robinson Richard Thorpe Jerry Wayne