Variety (April 1953)

Wtdn**d*y* April 22, 195$ “Wedding’ of 3-D to Widescreen Se«n Only Matter of Tine by Par’s Raiboum *-When the technical equipments Is available, and 1 don’t think this is too far away,” says Par v.p. Paul Saibourn, there will be a pano- ramic screen and 3-D wedding. With such demand for it as now exists and with so many minds stimulated, it can be only a matter of time before It is achieved. And viewing glasses will not be re- QJ Exec related, that a ‘'major stu- dio’’ {presumably meaning Metro) already has demonstrated such a combined system with impressive results although, in. this instance, spectacles were used. As for that near future, “a great many thea- tres will be changed over for it (bigscreen-3-D); the required light- ing will be achieved, and *he re- sults will be unusual,” he declared. Raibourn was unusually high on the pix biz future. In addition to the hvpo from technological steps ahead’ he sees the public with more time on its hands for enter- tainment via less work hours. Also, there’s the possibility of admis- sions tax relief. Addressing a meeting of the Customers Brokers Assn.. Wall Street outfit, in N. Y. last week, he stated: ‘The film in- dustry is a growing industry, not a dying one. I doubt if it has even started yet." ‘Serious Times’ Survived Exec, who is in charge of Par’s television and economic planning, in discussing the past, said the in- dustry has survived “serious Sees Sacrifice On the subject of selling standard pix to TV, Paramount v.p. Paul Raibourn fails to see why any film company would enter such deals at prices tele- casters could afford to pay. A film outfit might unload if it is in “financial difficulty ” he said, but otherwise these deals would mean a sacrifice of assets. Asked re 20th-Fox’s big- screen policy, Raibourn stated: “I can understand the interest Darryl Zanuck is taking in Cinemascope. But the problem of introducing it in theatres is a real one. I hope it succeeds because of its emotional effects. But we at Paramount are not moving that quickly because we do not believe the industry can move so fasf.” Green Plans to liquidate 28th, Sez Skouras; 4 New Directors on Slate Determined not to give its cus- tomers any arguments, the film in- dustry is staying clear of all con- troversial subjects. A check indicates that, with one or two minor exceptions, studios have struck all “message” pix off their lists and are toeing the * ♦ Firing hts first broadside against n I .minority stockholder Charles i earlman to tmcrama Green . who is challenging the ; 20th - Fox management, p r e x y Sam Pearlman, managing direc- j Spyros P. Skouras in N. Y, last tor of Loew’s State, N.Y., has re - 'week (16) charged that Green was signed to join the Cinerama organ- planning to shut down production ization. He'll be in charge of the Warner Theatre, N.Y., to which ‘This is Cinerama” now at the straight-and-narrow of pure' enter- N v tr*n*r*r* tainment. This policy apparently | Theatre » NY ” transfers extends to anti-Communist 5 of which only few also films, planned or in release. ^ General trend of thought was j highlighted by the remark of one | industryite this week. “We’ve got j the safest release schedule this l side of the Rockies,” he said. Companies' decision to avoid controversy arises partly from a conviction that the present politi- cal climate doesn’t favor screen treatment of “hot" topics on which any sector of the broad audience might disagree. This now falls \ under the category of “good busi- ness,” despite the satisfactory b.o. \. I Pearlman was with the Loew or- are ; ganization for-21 years. AB-PT Preps New Widescale Educl Theatre TV Plan at 20th’s Westwood studio, sell out to TV and eventually liquidate the company for quick profit. At his press conference as well l as in the management proxy letter . which started mailing to stock- holders last week, Skouras related how he had pleaded with Green to cease his attacks for one year while 120th was retooling for and adjust- I ing to CinemaScope and other de- li velopments. j According to Skouras, Green had j turned him down and. after being jj refused his bid for three directors ji on the 20th board, had reaffirmed ' his intention of going through with • the proxy battle. $ The slate of directors of the 20th ? management sees three officers of ft 1 rk • I ness.” desDite the satisfactnrv h n * Theatre television will be given • the company bowing off the board, Schwartz Revise By RKO Theatres pix as Pinky,” etc. with ‘Snake Pit," are being re- i issued by 20th-Fox. • Story editors in N. Y. discussed. plan involving ^ Former, coupled. B roa< j ca sting-Paramoiint Theatres .I 10-man board includes Colby M. j. Leonard Goldenson, AB-PT presi-jj Chester, Jr., honorary chairman i dent, disclosed that the idea callsand director of General Foods , „ j .. ... _ * ran ^: for a nationwide theatre tieup and ! it that n ? thJDg * hat to “ ch ® S , closed-circuit telecasting of a pro- on controversy has a chance of be- J gj. ain - - A JJ rt Pl A J_ Tu a on careers in science and XlflffS ulDGn !JPJ|j by the studios today. * engineering. Technical Societies XlUUO UlvVn UKsUl The filmindustry has shed its cru- ; Council of N. Y. is indicated as. ciA cr, r* u u . r _ / ts n -°2? n ® er r ~ the sponsor if the show goes Sol A. Schwartz has been inked ested m being; an instrument for through In the past seven years, aito a revised emoloyment contract' social improvement,” one storv de- ’ « & , . _ “wild inflation and a 35% rise in‘as RKO Theatres president which partment head said. ’ J Smne outfit conducted a seminar aojnms to Apnl 30. 19 d 7. Thi^ m- One pom t-of-view is that Hollv- r ar-PT’s Paramount on Broadwav ihC : MnHoc a cfr\pl* nntmn Hanl enKi^of tttaa/I nov»AM J a - _i.i _ AO*lr X S x aldlDOUDv OH DlOaQ ♦ ' times/' — r t iuw xucaucd HiUWU costs" were coped with while ad- runs to April 30. 1957. This in- missions fell off one-third. “The ; j-.i amazing thing is company managements were able Corp.; Kerin C. McCann, president of Defiance College; B. Earl Puckett, chairman and director of Allied Stores Corp.. and Gen. James A. Van Fleet, former U. N. commander in Korea. Resigning are W. J. Eadie, comp- troller and assistant treasurer; Donald A. Henderson, treasurer and secretary, and Murray Sil- 6 » cludes a stock option deal, subject wood never had any right tackling >T arrh 2 i on career mnortunities verstone, 20th-Fox International that the picture; to stockholders 1 approval, which the race and other islues in the ^ opportunities , (Continued on page 18) Majors Assure 111. Allied on Product gives him the privilege of buying t up to 25,000 shares of the chain’s! common stock at 95% of market! value on the day of purchase. Orig-1: inal employment pact, which gives Schwartz about $80,000 annually in, f remuneration plus $17,400 in an- nual benefits upon retirement, was f a three-year termer to expire at the end of this year. Option provision is part of an overall stocks plan for numerous! “Irnu” nmnlnvooc whinli Vise Koon (Continued on page 18) 3-D Stalls S-ff Action on Divvy Stanley Warner Corp., theatre m engineering and scientific re- P rex y* Renominated to the board J search. Due to the “excellent re- Sherman Adams, Robert spouse.” according to Goldenson,! J- Clarkson, Daniel O Hastings. | piping of a similar program to the- ? Robert Lehman, Michel and : atres across the country is now be- ■ Skouras. ing considered. Total of 3,500 high school youngsters attended the March 21 Par show. In a letter to AB-PT stockhold- ers, dated Monday <20), Goldenson listed consolidated earnings of $5.- 732,000 for the first quarter of 1953, with the American Broadcast-: Decision in the proxy’ fight will come May 5 in Wilmington, Del., at a special meet of stockholders called by 20th to decide on the proposed abolition of cumulative (Continued on page 14) I * ‘ i —r. _ iur me nrst, quarver ox overaU stocks plan for numerous Stanley Warner Corp., theatre. 1953 . ith the America,, Broadcasl .! , _ “key’ employees which has been offspnng of Warner Bros. Pictures. ? ing division’s earnings being in- /ftfl| FV/ltoptf? dv^d! a Pf r ® ved Oythe hoard and is to be will not determme a dividend pol- ; dodM „ o£ Feb . 10. OveraU profit iUlll I lUlvtld 1VCU , vnfpfl iinnn hv <5tn/»Vhnlrtprc at 1CV until a lafpr riatp Rvarf fimo u., - T Chicago, April 21, Jack Kirsch, head of Allied a.res oi Illinois, last week received : vo t e ^ upon by all stockholders at icy until a later date. Exact time included net caDital sains of S4 - jor ^pro?ucSTthat ”they n Su f con- ‘!! e " leeti " g at at H which such a policy wiU be 252 ,000. mainly P from S the sale $ o'fi ^e P ^SSshtte^aJTSMS.L«J?..“ t0 86tfl St Theatre ' 13? i WBKB. Chicago, to Columbia! tors with 2-D product, although May 7. v S. H, (Si) Fabian in a letter this If approved, the plan will be ad- r week to stockholders. Broadcasting. thev are aoinv full steam ahead on * “ lltc ” il1 *•'*"! \ In comparison, the first quarter CinemaScoDe g 3-D and other new ‘ ministered by a committee of three ? Fabian noted the financial posi- : of 1952 brought earnings of $2,049,- projktion units. Kirscli had sent * board members * Qnl y others se- tion of the company and its sub- \ 000. includine ! i 000, including $244,000 in net cap Exhibs: Skouras Protection of exhib interests is the key to 20th-Fox policy “at all “and Thomas F. O’Connor, v.p.- could not convert to the new sys- < treasurer, but subsequently the list asking help for those houses that!. ..... i; rf faced wit h terns in the near future. — : i n referring to his announcement large coin amounts of 25c per share on the that the company would eventually in oben letter'the^weik irevibis j 1“^ fo L.^. e OP«ton Pri»«Je»» »• j s soand -. bu . t stressed that; gains. : times ” 20th prexy Spyros P. to heads of the major companies,! far ,arc William w. Howard, v.p.. the theatre outfit, to maintain a; Goldensons letter accompanied Sk0uras sa ,d ) n n. y. Monday (21). J ^ “ -'” A v n ronnnr v r.. strong competitive position, is first quarter dividend checks in the relatively \ may go up to 50 or 75 persons.' Outlays for conversion to 3-D. I common stock and 14^ c on the AU C T C ' hAfld fnr • Optioned shares will number upto widescreen and stereophonic preferred. Co^bia P?ctoes, ^d. f we ta ! • ^ ** j sound ' j tend to continue to make all 3-D! (Continued on page 14) j As another reason tor delaying! , , . „ pictures available in 2-D. -Miss I l a decision on a dividend Fabian GrPOn S IS! TrOIV MOIC pointed to the decline m the oper- « *“ * J available in 2-D. ‘Miss J Sadie Thompson* in 3-D will also /i 11 j rfl nan be available in 2-D, with or with- ' (jOiOBlISO!! S SiD^jUUlJ out stereophonic sound. I person-1 w n n i • a'dy do not believe that there will { Tnnc AK-P| SalanCS* be a shortage of 2-D pictures. It i ttS3rl 1 looks like we will have a program of 40 odd pictures.” Arthur Krim, United Artists top- per, called attention to his pre- vious statement, that UA will re- lease 65 films in 2-D, whether pro- duced in 3-D originally or not. 20th‘s A1 Lichtman told Kirsch ating profit of the theatre com- pany, prior to its split from the picture company, and the fact that s a dividend was paid in February, 1953. to all the stockholders of the old Warner Bros. Pictures. With ff P tX n ^meTerei r a a s' ! before tteT^p^’sTc- ioik hoid^ a^he ^e levelas - mUnte emuptet*, the^dit of * ' Reelect Board May 19 Shows His Gronp Owns $2,000,000 of 20th Stock In his first proxy letter to be mailed to 20th-Fox stockholders this week, minority shareholder Charles Green revealed Monday. different product. Offer some of its old pix to TV. *T want to clear up any mis- understandings that may have arisen over my message to the stockholders," the 20th topper stated. “We are not even thinking ? of TV until and unless theatres have made the switch to Cinema- Scope and other systems that will so antiquate the 2-Ds that they can no longer be considered competi- . tion for exhibitors who by then will be dealing with altogether iu 1951, Leonard Goldenson. pres- f tte operatlon for the sjx . month s ■ - The original announcement ident of American Broadcasting- j per j 0( j ending February, _ \ (Continued on page 20) Paramount Theatres, topped the S company’s list of top money earn be »ve have scheduled 37 pictures to | ers with a salary of $159,000 and e relea^d this year, three of expense allow r anCes of $25,000 for!! ^'bich are CinemaScope, one pos-' in 3-D, thus making 33 pie- sibiv (Continued on page 14) Raftery Fighting W. Va. B.O. Gross Fraud Sait (16) that he and four of his asso- q-o jj dates—all nominees for the board AS#0 *M—own or control 118^30 shares of common stock representing over $ 2 , 000 , 000 . Second Green proxy letter is al- ready at the • Securities and Ex- change Commission and should.be TKTC* ^ TMIRF RAWS mailing over the coming weekend. l£aik>, t> RVDfi WlnJ Better part of Green’s proxy, - « l n , Denoting wider lens availability \ as well as a spedal section at- N ^TTl PJl fc^STPlTII UPDATE CINEMASCOPE from 20th said the advent of Cin- emascope and other processes would greatly decrease the thea- tres’ demand for older pix and that “it is likely these older pic- tures will then be made available (Continued on page 14) RKO Ad-Pnb Director 1952. Proxy statement sent to AB-PT j stockholders in advance of the an- j nual meeting May 19 in New York j lists these remunerations to other | fl officers: A. H. Blank, $48,100; Rob- and a desire to give as many as: tached to it, concerned itself with j } eft B. Wilby, $49,000; Walter Gross, possible in the trade an advance ! the forthcoming fight over the j Edward l/ Hyman, Robert M. looksee, 20th-Fox is readying a j elimination of cumulative voting, j Weitman and Robert H. O’Brien, demonstration of its CinemaScope s which is proposed by management * Merrin Hauser, who has been Edward C Rafteiy member of! $52 850 each. widescreen system at the Roxy jj and strongly opposed by the Green ^heading publicity at the RKO the X.Y. law’firm of O’Brien Oris- Corporation’s 18 incumbent board * Theatre, New York, Friday (24), group. Issue is to be taken up at * homeoffice the last couple of M “ — * ----- ‘ *- “— ’ - ’ * in • months, .following a shift from the studio, has been- named the com- against the Rogers Slate comprises Earl Anderson, “ loweu Dy snowing in anouier j.i ^ management uuisl raxse a simple rpany’s eastern ad-pub director, it Shore chain based on charges of ! John B^aban, Blank, John A.! keys. | majority to carry its motion. t was disclosed by Perry Lieber, na- fr aud in reporting boxoffice! Coleman. Charles T. Fisher, Jr.;£ First Cinemoscope pic, “The ; Five directors nominated by; tional ad-pub chief. Sro>ses. | e. Chester Gersten, Goldenson, s Robe,” is set for simultaneous Oe- “ Green for the 20th board include : Hauser also will supervise the Hearing got underway Monday * Gross Robert H. Hincklev, Robert ftober preems at the Roxy, N. Y.;l himself; Patrick J. Frawley, Jr., of eastern sales promotion and for- > before special master Howard i Huffines William T. Kilborn, Rob- the Fox Theatre, Philadelphia, and Beverly Hills, Cal., prez of Frawley f. eign publicity departments, which ' * - Marshall, i the Fox, Detroit. ; Corp.; Harry T. Silverman, N. Y..' are headed by Leon Bamberger It’s understood that the deal 20th “ sec.-treas. of Dorset Products, Inc.; • and Rutgers Neilson, respectively. Owen D. 1 made with Bausch 3c Lomb for pro- ■ Robert Roy Dann, N. Y. attorney Ben Grimm continues as ad man- i ’ (Continued on page 14) » (Continued on page 18) t ager under Hauser. in the action. i Young.