Boxoffice-March.10.1951

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Independents Confident
Of UA Success: Arnall
ATLANTA — Independent
producers
have great confidence in the new United
Artists regime and are now going ahead
with production plans held up during the
company's reorganization, Ellis Arnall,
president of the Society of Independent
Motion Picture Producers, said on his arrival
here Tuesday (6) from the coast.
He will be In his New York office Tuesday
(13).
Arnall said that a general meeting of
SIMPP members previously planned had
not been held while he was on the coast
because of the absence of a number of
members, some of whom were In Europe
and some In the east. A general meeting
will be held later, he said, but no date
has been set.
On arrival In New York, Arnall will
tackle a number of problems closely affecting
the Independents, among them
the raw film stock situation, which the
independents regard as serious, and the
fixing of a formula with the German
industry for Import licenses for U.S.
films.
He also planned to meet with the Italian
delegation due In New York, in an
effort, In collaboration with the Motion
Picture Ass'n of America, to find solutions
to Import problems in Italy.
Film Salesman Exemption
From Wage Freeze Asked
MILWAUKEE — David Beznor, general
counsel for the Colosseum of Motion Picture
Salesmen, this week wired Eric Johnston,
economic stabilizer, asking that wages of film
salesmen for major distributors be exempted
from the wage freeze.
"Aside from the questionable legal right
to freeze wages in industries exempt from
price controls, film salesmen salaries are
lagging far behind the cost of living," he
said. He asked that the Colosseum be given
an immediate opportunity to be heard on Its
appeal.
Francis, the Talking Mule,
Wins First 'Patsy' Award
HOLLYWOOD—Francis, the talking mule,
won the American Humane Association's
first annual "Patsy" award as the best animal
actor of 1950. In a presentation ceremony
at the Carthay Circle Theatre March
7, Francis was decorated with a statuette.
Bonzo, chimpanzee star of U-I's "Bedtime
for Bonzo," was to have presented the
awards, with the aid of Ronald Reagan,
actor. But Bonzo was killed with several
other animals In a fire at an animal compound
in Thousand Oaks, Calif. Bonzo,
whose real name is Tamba, won an award
last year for his work in Paramount's "My
Friend Irma Goes West."
Other winners of the American Humane
award were Flame, an acting police dog;
Black Diamond, a movie horse; Jackie, a
movie lion; Jerry Brown, another horse, and
Lassie, the dog.
BOXOFFICE March 10, 1951
Heineman Tells His Staff
UA Outlook Is Bright
NEW YORK—One of the first official acts
of William J. Heineman after taking over at
United Artists as vice-president in charge of
distribution was to send a wire to all members
of the sales force saying, "I know that
given a steady flow of quality product you
will come through with the kind of performance
that will again place United Artists
among the very top majors of the Industry."
Heineman pointed out expressions of goodwill
and cooperation which have come in
from leading exhibitors, and said that independent
producers were "rallying to the
UA banner."
He promised a quick list of new product
for the next 90 days.
"This is the happiest day of my life In
joining you at United Artists, having firsthand
knowledge of your wonderful record of
accomplishments," the wire began.
LAUDS SALES FORCE
"In my opinion no company In the industry
has had a harder hitting sales force
on quality product and I know that given
a steady flow of quality product you will
come through with the kind of performance
that will again place United Artists among
the top majors of the industry.
"There Is no mystery in distribution. All
that is required is know-how—enthusiasm
and the will to work. Every person in this
company will be given ample opportunity to
prove his worth by pulling his own weight in
the tremendous job that lies before us.
"My confidence and my enthusiasm are
heightened by the very able leadership of
Arthur Krim and his associates. I am happy
and fortunate that Grad Sears has consented
to remain with us and to work with me and
I am grateful for the privilege of being able
to utilize his great ability and experience.
EXPRESSIONS OF GOODWILL
"The expressions of goodwill and cooperation
that have poured in to us during the
past few days from the leading exhibitors
both independent and circuit throughout the
nation are conclusive proof of the great opportunity
that will be offered us. Furthermore,
leading independent producers and
agents representing top personalities are
rallying to our banner and are pledging the
top independent product now available and
to be made available in the future.
"Every day solid progress is being made in
the closing of important talent and product.
"This is it, boys! The chance of a lifetime
for you, for me and for every person
in every capacity connected with United
Artists. My very best wishes to you all."
Meanwhile it was announced that rental
returns from films released by UA for independent
producers will be received by
Walter E. Heller & Co. and deposited in a
special bank account under the terms of the
financial arrangement made by Arthur B.
Krim and his associates with the Chicago
banking firm.
Disbursements will be made only with the
countersignature by a representative of both
companies. The purpose is to assure producers
that their share of rentals will not be
used for any other purpose.
This applies to all films in current release,
the aim being, according to Krim , to
strengthen the confidence of banks and
other financial institutions.
The step, Krim's announcement read, is
designed not only to provide greater security
for active UA producers, but to create a fairer
financial climate for them and for all independent
producers.
The Heller company, however, wUl assume
no responsibility for the preparation of the
accountings of the disbursements, nor for
distribution in proper proportion to various
parties entitled to shares. This responsibility
will continue to be with United Artists.
Roster of New Officers
For UA Is Completed
NEW YORK—The roster of new officers
of United Artists has been completed by
Arthur B. Krim, president, as follows:
William J. Heineman, vice-president in
charge of distribution; Max E. Youngstein,
vice-president and national director of advertising;
Seymour M. Peyser, vice-president
and general counsel; Gradwell Sears, vicepresident;
Seward I. Benjamin, secretary;
H. J. Muller, treasurer; Loyd Wright and H.
J. Muller, assistant secretaries; H. A. Weimer
and Seward I. Benjamin, treasurers.
At the same time it was announced Leon
Roth, in charge of national tleups and promotion
for UA, has been named assistant to
Al Tamarin, publicity manager, by Youngstein.
Under the new setup. Roth will continue
handling the national tleups and promotion,
Integrating this with the total publicity,
trade relations and exploitation program.
Roth joined UA in June 1943 as a feature
writer and was subsequently named pressbook
editor and then promotion manager.
Blanket Retail Levy Asked
To Replace Excise Taxes
WASHINGTON—Replacement of
virtually
all existing excise taxes with a blanket retall
sales tax was proposed Wednesday (7)
by the National Committee for Fair Emergency
Excise Taxation.
Last year this group, consisting of officials
of corporations whose industries are hit by
excises was known as the National Committee
for Repeal of the Wartime Excises, and
Eric Johnston, president of the Motion Picture
Ass'n of America, was a vice-chairman.
The new plan presented by the committee
to the house ways and means committee
calls for repeal of the present 20 per cent
admissions tax and all other excises except
those on alcohol, tobacco and gasoline. A
sales tax would be placed on all items now
subject to these excises, and on all other retail
items except food, medicine, rent and a
few others. The committee made no recommendation
regarding the rate at which the
proposed tax would be levied, but it would
certainly be lower than 10 per cent.
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