Boxoffice-11.11.1950

Pcd^Se^tU COMPO Controversy
Ascap and Majors to Meet
For Talks on Music Fees
Sessions scheduled soon with 20th Century-
Pox, Paramount and Warner Bros, to reach
agreement on performance charges which
will replace old seat tax.
CBS Video Shows in Color
For Public Start Nov. 14
Demonstrations set for old Tiffany building
on Fifth avenue, New York City; Radio
and TV Manufacturers Ass'n to start public
relations talks same day.
Century Sets TV Newsreel
For Large-Screen Houses
New York theatre circuit will be the first
to carry a regularly televised newsreel with
the "Camel Newsreel Theatre" at the Marine
Theatre in Brooklyn and the Queens, L. I.,
Monday (13 1.
X
Good First Year Forecast
For Paramount Pictures
Trade sees a $7,000,000 net in initial year
as exclusive production-distribution company;
under old set up, filmmaking end of company
earned $3,261,000 last year.
*
United Paramount to Vote
On Its Stock Options
Special meeting of stockholders called for
December 15
in New York to decide granting
of options to purchase 250,000 shares of common
by officers and employes.
General Release Set Jan. 15
For 'Samson and Delilah'
*
Cecil B. DeMille production will be one of
nine top bracket pictures to be distributed by
Paramount during the first four months of
1951, regional sales meeting in Dallas is told.
*
'Harvey' General Release
During Christmas Week
U-I film will be given extended key-city
runs at popular prices; only exception will be
a limited engagement at the Carthay Circle
in Hollywood late in December.
Price Increase in Chicago
For Morning Hours
First runs in Loop go from 50 cents to 55
cents at B&K and independent houses, with
afternoon and evening schedule still at 98-
cent tops; neighborhoods holding line.
General Precision Income
Jumps in Third Quarter
Net for three months ending September 30
is S299,438, compared with $88,367 for same
period last year; equals 50 cents per share;
25-cent dividend voted.
(Continued from page 8i
are entitled to only one vote. A single veto
can prevent action.
In the meantime, TOA technically is no
longer a member of COMPO since a year has
expired since it joined for that period, and
it hasn't officially renewed its membership,
But TOA exhibitors said that didn't mean
TOA was "out." The possibility of a renewal
of membership still remained. However, the
same TOA sources said
members aren't paying
their COMPO dues until the current dispute
is settled.
STATEMENT FROM MYERS
The reaction of National Allied to the TOA
move was expressed by Abram F. Myers, national
counsel. He visualized an attempt by
TOA to widen its influence in COMPO, and
.said that Allied will combat any such effort as
upsetting the present balance, using the veto
if necessary. He said TOA is perfectly free
to select its COMPO representatives from
the coast or any other section of the country
which considers itself neglected, but that trying
to change the structure of COMPO is
something else again. Comments by 'Wilbur
Snaper, president of the Allied Theatre
Owners of New Jersey, echoed those of Myers.
Both were against granting any favors to
"dissident elements."
Any change in the structure or objectives
of
COMPO would bring about a highly complicated
situation. In the first place, the
original setup was approved by all member
groups and a change or changes would involve
reconsideration by each of them. This
would mean referring the changes back to
the unit members for approval, and since
these do not meet frequently in regular session,
.special meetings would have to be called
or a long delay could result.
EXECUTIVE BOARD CONTROLS
As it now stands, COMPO is managed and
controlled by an executive board, the members
of which need not be members of the
corporation, consisting of the number of
directors equal to twice the number of
charter members of the council. Each charter
member is entitled to select and nominate
two directors to be elected to the executive
board. The term of each director is for one
year. In the case of any vacancy in the board
arising from any cause between annual meetings
of the council, the member who originally
selected and nominated such director
shall select and nominate a new director.
The bylaws also provide:
The executive board shall have power also
to constitute and designate committees in
regional areas such as exchange territories
or states, and to prescribe the powers and
duties of such committees in carrying out
the aims of the council.
Bylaws may be amended at any regular or
special meeting of the executive board by
unanimous vote of the board, provided written
notice of the proposed amendment shall be
given to each member at least 20 days prior
to the meeting.
No notice has been given.
Gamble returned to New York during the
middle of the week and continued conversations
with the members of his committee on
the specific nature of the proposals to be
made to COMPO. His committee consisted
of Charles P. Skouras, R. J. O'Donnell,
Mitchell Wolfson, Sherrill Corwin, Tom Edwards,
E. D. Martin, R. B. 'Wilby, Arthur H.
Lockwood, S. H. Fabian, Max Connett, Sara
Pinanski and Gael Sullivan. Gamble then
was to arrange a meeting with Ned E. Depinet,
COMPO president; Arthur L. Mayer,
executive vice-president, and Robert 'W.
Coyne, counsel. This was to precede the meetings
of the COMPO board.
Ellis Arnall, president of the Society of
Independent Motion Picture Producers, who
was unable to attend the previous COMPO
board meeting, said he would attend the
forthcoming one with Marvin Faris as representatives
of the independent producers. He
said they would attend with open minds and
vote in accordance with what they believed to
be the best interests of the whole industry.
The executive board sessions will be preceded
'Wednesday (15) by a meeting of the
COMPO program and planning committee, of
which Nathan Yamins is
chairman and Abel
Green vice-chairman. The other members
are; Chester Bahn, Maurice Bergman, Max
A. Cohen, Oscar Doob, Charles Einfeld, Earl
J. Hudson, Maurice Kann, 'Walter Reade jr.,.
Allen Rivkin, Robert J. Rubin, Fred J.
Schwartz, Charles Smakwitz, Martin G. Smith,
Leonard Spigelgass, Gael Sullivan, Morton
Sunshine and 'Walter 'Wanger.
On the same days the COMPO board meets,
a National Allied committee will be sitting
in New York to consider proposals to offer
the distributors and the Department of Justice
for changes in the competitive bidding
provisions of the New York court decree.
Tliat means that many of the most influential
exhibitors in the country will be in
New York those days. Anything can happen.
Republic Has Realignment
Of Studio Executives
HOLLYWOOD- A realignment within the
executive ranks of Republic studios, following
the recent resignation of Allen Wilson
as production chieftain, was disclosed by
President Herbert J. Yates.
Named studio manager in charge of all
production and studio operations was Jack
E. Baker, who has been in charge of the
production department for the past six years.
He is a veteran of 25 years' service with
Republic and subsidiary enterprises.
Robert V. Newman, former assistant to
Wilson, was appointed executive studio assistant
to Yates, responsible for all Republic
production activities identified with independent
and outside filmmakers.
Both Baker and Newman have been
named vice-presidents and Baker also will
function as chairman of the studio's executive
committee.
Baker's duties in the production department
will be taken over by Lou Rosso.
Keep Daylight Savings
CLEVELAND — Cleveland voters approved
continued summer daylight savings time in
Tuesday's election. Motion picture theatre
exhibitors staged a strenuous campaign to
repeal the city's fast time ordinance, but
again no luck.
10 BOXOFFICE November 11. 1950