Variety (November 1953)

PICTCIIES W-diir*],-. November 4. lq-,5 Theatres Must Control Meter TV or They’D Regret Home Rivalry, Fabian Warns TOA Chicago, Nov. 3 Coinbox television in homes was spotlighted at the Theatre Owners of America convention as repre- senting one of the most serious threats to the welfare of exhibi- tion. Sounding the warning was S. H. Fabian, head of Fabian En- terprises and Stanley Warner, who told t heat remen here that private- h conducted theatre television is bis recommendation for combat- ting the subscription video in honies. As chairman of TOA's theatre television committee, Fabian de- puted disastrous consequences if! exhibs are remiss in harnessing TV for their own use. He stated: "We are faced with a serious threat of home metered TV. This is now an actuality in that pictures, program- ming and TV facilities are avail- able and ready for use to test a se- lected distribution system of enter- tainment brought directly into your own living room. Unless we meet this challenge of home TV by utiliz- ing the grant given us by the Fed- eral Communications Commission we shall have no one but ourselves to blame if our business withers and dries up. as many of us. to our deep sorrow, have seen many phases of our industry drop out.” Paramount's Explanation Fabian was referring to the Palm Springs, Cal., demonstrations of subscription home TV by Interna- tional Telemeter Corp. This outfit is controlled by Paramount Pic- tures. Howcvdr. rather than con- stituting a possibly devastating blow to exhibition. Par execs have declared that exhibitors might par- ticipate in Telemeter, such as In- acquiring territorial franchises and operating the system in conjunc- • Continued on page'22) 1953 Picture-Making Peak Readied By United Artists Hollywood, Nov. 3. With three pictures starting this week, another next week and three currently in work. United Artists has reached the top of its activity for 1953. This week’s starters are “Wit- ness to Murder,” "The Long Wait” and "Adios, My Texas,” to he fol- lowed next week by "Khyber Pass.” Still filming are “King Around Saturn,” “War Clouds” and “Broncho Apache.” Claude Binyon hot authored « whimsical piece •beet frustrated aatharthlp, titled The Woman in the Typewritmr e bright bylina feature in the forthcoming 18th Annltertary Number UfiMETY New COMPO Drive Against 20 % Tax Woos Treasury, Not Just Congress 1,000-Theatre Doctors Rush To C. Skouras Chicago. Nov. 3. Charles P Skouras is in grave condition at the Black-tone Hotel here following a heart attack which lie suffered at 1 30 in the morn- ing. His wile and son Charles i Chuck > came in immediately from the Coast, while brother Spyros Skouras rushed here from New York. Also summoned were National Theatres president’s doctors from New York and Coast, who had at- tended Skouras on previous occa- sions when his cardiac condition threatened his life. Skouras was particularly active the day before the attack, starting ofT on a duck hunting expedition at 5 a m . shooting 200 rounds of ammunition. He cable into Chi- cago to attend the convention of Theatre Owners of America, of which he has been board chairman and which appointed him formally as honorary chairman. Last January, when attending TO\ board meeting in New York. Skouras "suffered an attack from v l.iich he pulled through after pe- r.od of inactivity. Doctors here have him placed under oxygen tent. Last repurt on his condition at Michael Reese Hospital: “Fair.’’ FILM EXHIBS NOW SHRUG OFF VIDEO! Chicago. Nov. 3 Television has lost its place at the top of the list of exhibitor adversaries. As a matter of fact, this former villain of the film business appears hardly worth mentioning at all. Showmen at TOA convention here feel TV has reached its peak as a rival and is now leveling off to position along- side all other businesses servicing or entertaining the public. “TV is a competitor just as trot- ting races or other spectator sports nr participating sports,” declared new TOA prez Walter Reade. “It’s less of a competitor than ever.” stated Georgia t heat reman K. 1) Martin, “because most home sets are now paid for and families have more money for film entertain- ment.” Paramount-ABC proxy Leonard Goldcnson put it this way: “Television is no more prepared or able to offer the same enter- tainment <as films' than is baseball or boxing or the horse show.” Probably the most striking com- mentary on TV as no longer a heavy is the tact that on no meet- ing within the framework of the TOA convention, is television on the agenda. Pool Forming Chicago, Nov. 3. A nationwide film buying com- bine*. in the process of formation in the midwest, is expected to go into operation within the next month. Some theatremen feel if the combine can buy for 1,000 the- atres the cost to them would be reduced by as much as 2 WY. Idea originated with theatres in Chicago and Detroit, Theatres mainly interested in the project are members of Allied States Assn, and among those spearheading the movement is Jack Kirsch, head of Illinois Allied. Robert Louis Stevenson _ Characters in Sequels Hollywood, Nov. 3. New indie company, Treasure Island Productions, has been or- ganized here to make a scries of films based on characters in Rob- ert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island.” Organizers are Joseph Kaufman. Byron Haskin, Martin Raekin and Robert Newton, Starter will be “The Adventures of Long John Silver,” with Kauf- man producing, Ilaskin directing, Raekin scripting and Newton star- ring. ‘SUSPENSE’ IS FOOTBALL TV PAYOFF 5 in Work at Metro Hollywood. Nov. 3. Production activity will pick up at Metro this month with the addi- tion of “The POW Story” to the .'hooting schedule, making a total of fi\e films in work. Others in action on the lot will be Biigadoon.” “The Student Prince" and “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." with “Valley of the Kings” slated to start in Egypt. ‘Smoke-Filled Room’ In Chicago Sees Reade Jr. Into TOA Presidency Chicago, Nov. 30. Walter Reade, Jr., president of Reade Theatres, was elected presi- dent of Theatre Owners of America at Conrad Hilton here today. He succeeds Alfred Starr, Nashville circuit owner, who was named chairman of botli the board of di- rectors and the executive commit- tee. Selection of new slate of officers occurred at nominating committee meeting headed by Robert R. Liv- ingston. in a prolonged "sinoke- filled-rooin session” which began late yesterday afternoon and con- cluded past midnight. Official ex- planation given was that meeting largely had concerned mapping agenda for today's board meeting. However, sotto voice comment was that board agenda had been set early yesterday and that personnel disagreements caused protracted nature of nominating conclave. While sentiment for young Reade only 3(J) was strong from start, also favored by some was E. O. Martin, of Columbus, Georgia. Pro- posals were made that Starr stay on as president to resolve the issue. Also suggested was nomination of Pat McGee of Denver as chief exec. Starr declined presidency but yielded to pressure of fellow TOA- (Continucd on page 22) 3-D Regains Much Lost Prestige As Metro Test of ‘Kate’ Favors Depth 10 OLD UNIVERSAL PIX GO TO BANKERS Hollywood. Nov. 3. Federal Judge William Mathec on Monday granted the Bank of America foreclosure on mortgage' on 10 features. About $2 500.000 is due the bank. All tilrnx were <li'- tiihuted by Univcr 'al from 104G to 1948. Pix are “Magnificent Doll ” pro- d iced by Hallmark Pinal net ions; 'Secret Beyond the Door,” by Diana Production'; ‘ Lo't Mo- imm: " a Walter Wnnger picture; 'Senator Was Indi'creet” and “Mr. Peabody arid the Mermaid ’ Inter- jo n Doubfe Lit**,” Kanin Produc- tion'; ‘Letter From an Unknown Woman.” Rampart Production*; ''Connies*; it Monte Cri«to," West- v pod Corp; C;.*bah ' : Mai'ton I iMuir- and One Tom h vf WmiAiti.'!* Alliance, Three-dimension pictures re- ceived a new lease on life this week as a result of the Metro test in six cities which disclosed that the 3-D version of “Kiss Me Kate” did 40 r r better biz than the stand- ard print. Picture will lie held over in five of the six cities, with the 2-D outlets 'witching to 3-D lor the holdover week. Towns playing the picture in 3-D were Columbus, Dallas and Syracuse. The contrasting cities playing the film in standard pro- jection were Evansville. Ind . Rochester, and Houston. Evansville Is the only situation where the pic is not being held over bccau'e, ac- cording to Metro, it “is not suffi- ciently sizable to warrant a sec- ond week except in extraordinary circumstances,” The 40" f average was considerably enhanced by the results in Texas where 3 1) Dallas was reported 60C better than 2-D Houston. “In the light of these experi- ment',” said Metro sales chief Charles Reagan, “we strongly urge theatres to piay ‘Ki'« Me Kate’ in 3-D. Me „ie furnishing prints in j well as in good busi- 'tnndard dimension as 3-D but it seems that ness indicates 3-D.” r The M-G experiment brought general elation to the 3-D pro- ponents, especially among specs and equipment manufacturers. Such organizations as the Council tor 3-1) Progress, backed by the Pola-Lite Co., and the Polaroid Corp., both specs manufacturers, were quick to point out the “Kate” Jesuits to tlie press. Polaroid, which furnished new, improved *pecs for the 3-D engagements, barked the runs with hefty con- sumer advertising in the local newspapers. The ads, which ap- peared up front and in the TV sec- tions of the newspapers, noted that the company's specialists “have completely re-engineered and care- fully inspected all of the theatre equipment.” They also pointed out that Polaroid had “rushed through production a special supply of newly-designed” glasses. 1 lie 3-1) upbeat had no effect in altering the plans of the Radio C ty Music Hall, N.Y. “We made (Continued on page lti) Tire third theatre telecast of a Notre Dame football game last Saturday (3D, in which the Irish defeated Navy 38-7, revealed a fa- miliar show biz b.o. pattern— if you’ve got the attraction, you can draw the customers. ND's con- ceded superiority somewhat damp- ened the interest in the gridcust resulting in a fairish $10,000 gross in 10 theatres in eight cities as contrasted to the $15,000 draw for ND-Georgia Tech fray the week before in eight theatres. The ND- Tech contest was the outstanding game in the nation, both teams being undefeated at the time. Despite the attendance drop, with theatres registering half to three-quarters of capacity, exhib interest in the weekly theatre grid- casts continues to mount since business generally was superior to the usual Saturday afternoon take. For this Saturday's < 7) ND-Pcnnsyl- vania two more houses in twq addi- tional cities are joining the lineup. The Loew’s circuit, which has been generally wary of theatre TV, has parted for Loew’s State in Boston. Another new* entry is the New Theatre, a 740-seat house in Eliza- beth. NJ. The New is the first bouse to take advantage of the offer of Box Otlice Television. Inc., promoters of the weekly grideos. to install portable equipment on a rental basis. It’ll be a temporary installa- tion on a trial basis. The Stanley Theatre in Philadelphia, which joined the hookup last week, will carry the ND-Penn game although (Continued on page 56) Europe to N. Y. Sidney Bernstein Alfred Black Della Casa Mildred Dilling Peter Dimmock Dick Henry Ilona Kabos Dick Pack Martin Poll Renzo Rufini Henry Sherek John van Druten Tennessee Williams K. R. Zorgniatli N. Y. to Europe Mrs. J. T. Abeles Frank (Bunny) Allen Leslie Caron Charles David Deanna Durbin Jack Good latte Mrs. Joseph S. Hummel Robert Q. Lewis Alicia Markova Patricia Medina Neva Patterson Lois Wilson Robert Wilson N. Y. to L. A. Jerry Devine Ben Henry Reub Kaufman Paul Kohner David A. Liplon Ed Muhl John Patrick George Rosen Nancy Walker * Reversing the procedure f n t. lowed in the Council of Moti, Picture Organization s last' b.,n* for elimination of the 20k. eral admissions tax. next COMP*I try will concentrate on the S., ,. tary of the Treasury before in... k up Congressional support. It’s learned, too. that there v | 1 be a significant switch in strati in that the industry will prop., ,’ that the tax be eliminated pi t only on admissions below a n n.. level. Reasoning is it will be c ficult to sell all of exhibition a hardship case and that it's m< <• realistic to seek relief primaniv for the little fellow who’s found himself in the b.o. dumps. Just what the top should be o n tickets for which the battle lor t.,\ reduction will be fought haMi't been decided yet and is subject to further powwows. It’s felt that the government may have its own opinions on the matter. Meanwhile, there have already been some preliminary soundings in Washing- ton to determine the extent to which the Treasury is prepared to support tax concessions to the the- atres. Fight for elimination of the missions levy earlier this year won the Congress but foundered on Treasury opposition which even- tually translated itself into a Presi- dential veto. President Eisenhower promised that tax relief for thea- tres would be considered in 1954. the assumption being that he had (Continued on page 22) ‘Equipment’ Big Question at TOA Chicago, Nov, 3 This year’s convention of the Theatre Owners of America is pre- occupied as seldom in the past with) 1 “equipment.” There are 144 exhib- its on display. While the sales mo- tivations of manufacturers are ob- vious and constant, what is signifi- cant this year is the number of circuit and exhibitor officials who have come to TOA with their engi- neers in tow so that they may have the benefit of technical counsel. Actually the Theatre Equipment & Supply Assn, is holding its own convention concurrently—but strictly w-ith an eye to romancing the film convention. It may be added that this year's convention of TOA is strictly ‘se- rious” and the large registration is in no way “social.” All theatremen here—those buy- ing new gear, and those waiting- all join in the one query—“Where's the film product coming from and at what prices?” L. A. to N. Y. Lauren Bacall Claire Barry Robert Bray Corinne Calvet Ilka Chase Ted Cott Joan Davis Helen Deutsch Joe DiMaggio Frank M. Folsom Ruth Ford Matty Fort 1 ' Al Goodman Freeman Gosden Lew CTrade Stewart Granger Raymond Greenleaf George Greif Huntz Hall Groucho Marx Marilyn Maxwell Victor McLaglen Ann Miller Michael O’Shea Tony Ou*en George Pal Harold Peary Ben Peskay Vincent Price Thelma Ritter Manie Sacks David Sarnoff Robert Samolf Zachary Scott Frank Sinatra Lou Smith Dennis Stock Jules Styne Franchot Tone Robert Wagner Pat Weaver Helen Winston Frank Worth