Boxoffice-March.10.1951

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TfCcK €UtcC Sf^^cnU' Exclusive TV Shows pABIAN Theatres may have tapped a boxoffice gold mine with its exclusive telecast of a college basketball game in a 3,500-seat Albany house. The circuit demonstrated that getting an exclusive connection from one place to another is almost as simple as making a telephone call, except that the arrangements have to be made in advance. And the expense did not eat up too much of the profit. Having demonstrated this, the Fabian executives are now considering their next moves. The stunt proves that a theatre could be filled by means of a television projector without waiting for the kind of national interest material for which the big broadcasters are struggling with the obvious sympathy of the Federal Communications Commission. There are hundreds of towns where college and other local sports stir up great excitement, and in every instance the away-from-home contests make up half the total. Putting the out-of-town half on theatre screens might make the cash register ring. Local news events could be televised in the same way in cooperation with local stations. Beginning on these limited attractions, theatres with investments running up to $25,000 for TV projectors could start paying off, while they are waiting for the PCC to decide on a policy of granting wave lengths to theatres. Divorce by Installment jÔST exhibitors who tried to understand the verbiage in the Warner Bros, consent decree gave up in despair. Obviously it was a new gimmick invented by a new administration of the Department of Justice to make sure competition would be introduced into closed towns while defendants were actively trying to get rid of theatres, or stalling, as the case might be. The new approach also has been introduced Into the Interstate agreement and probably will be included in the forthcoming 20th Century-Fox and Loew's, Inc., decrees. Abram P. Myers' remarks on the subject in his annual report to Allied States Ass'n penetrate through the legalisms. He reported as follows: "The former scheme of requiring a defendant to sell certain theatres in order to break up local monopolies has not always been satisfactory in practice. With receipts at a low ebb, the value of such properties . is depressed and to force a sale sometimes means a considerable loss. This results In application for delay which the courts often feel are meritorious. Moreover, it is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of the local Independent exhibitor who Is not able to purchase the theatre for himself. It merely means the Injection into 'By JAMES H.JERAULD the situation of another—possibly a meaner —competitor. "A main purpose of litigation, and certainly the policy of Allied, is to aid and strengthen the existing independent exhibitors—those who have struggled so long for a place in the sun. In the Warner decree outright divestiture is required in some cases, but in places where there is an independent theatre capable of operating on the same run as the Warner theatre, divestiture is contingent upon the development of such competition within a year and its continuance for five years." Myers calls this a "sword of Damocles" provision and cites the provision affecting the Warner house in Appleton, Wis. Warners will have to get rid of one house there if there is no competition. The provision reads: "One theatre if by the end of one year from the date of this judgment an independent theatre is not regularly playing first run, or if thereafter (during a period of five years from the date of this judgment) for the greater part of any year an independent theatre is not regularly playing first run." It sounds complicated, but in effect it requires Warners to see that there is competition. The same idea is applied in other situations. Bidding in New York ÊW York City has been notably free of competitive bidding on films. A pattern of exhibition has developed over a period of years. Occasional arguments have developed between circuits and between different groups of circuits, but they have been settled without much public disturbance and it has been practically impossible for an outsider to get into the city area. Therefore, there was some eyebrowraising last week when Harry Brandt announced he had won three MGM pictures from Century's Albemarle in Brooklyn for his Flatbush Theatre nearby. In addition, Brandt notified the exchanges that he wants to bid for product after first neighborhood runs in the Loew's and RKO circuits. There's some strategy behind this notification, but if it should develop into a bidding war it would be the biggest thing of its kind since the antitrust decree. UA Producers Enthuse THREE United Ai'tists producers—Robert StiUman, I. O. Goldsmith and Sam Spiegel—voiced their enthusiasm last week over the new outlook for the company. The changed attitude of banks and other sources of film finance was the first thing that Impressed them. In addition. Goldsmith said the bookings on his current UA release had suddenly taken a spurt. He attributed this to new confidence and enthusiasm in the UA sales department. Both Goldsmith and Spiegel used the word "miraculous" in describing the rapidity of developments. Milton Cohen Named ELC Sales Manager NEW YORK—Milton E. Cohen has been made general sales manager of Eagle Lion Classics by Bernard G. Milton E. Cohen Kranze, new vicepresident in charge of distribution. His successor as eastern sales manager is Clayton Eastman. Kranze also will name a sales executive to concentrate on distribution of foreign product. Cohen entered the industry as a salesman for United Artists at Chicago in 1929 and ^^^^^^ Columbia in 1931. He became Detroit sales manager for Columbia in 1932. He joined RKO in 1938 as sales manager in the Detroit exchange, and was named eastern central district manager in 1946. He went to Eagle Lion as eastern sales manager in 1948. SUGAR TO ASSIST KRANZE Eastman has been in the film business since 1923 when he became a booker in the Paramount Albany branch. In 1932 he was named branch manager. He joined United Artists as district manager for the Boston, New England and Buffalo areas in 1946. He was appointed New England district manager for Film Classics in 1949 and held that position for Eagle Lion Classics following the merger of Eagle Lion with Film Classics. Joseph M. Sugar has been named as assistant to Kranze. Sugar has been in the industry since 1936 when he joined the sales department of Republic Pictures. He was advanced to manager of the contract department in 1942 and later that year he went into service. He became manager of the PRC contract department. When PRC merged with Eagle Joseph M. Sugar Lion he kept the same job. Kranze said "Oliver Twist" will be released April 17. It has received a production code seal as a result of cuts totaling about seven minutes. SCHEDULE 13 RELEASES Thirteen pictures will be released in the next three months as follows: March 15 "My Outlaw Brother"; March 22— "Circle of Danger"; April 3— "Skipalong Rosenbloom" and "Badman's Gold"; April 10— "The Long Dark Hall"; April 17— "Oliver Twist"; April 20— "When I Grow Up"; May 1— "Volcano"; May 8— "Cairo Road"; May 15 — "Hoodlum" May 22—"Man and "Two Guys and a Gal"; With My Face." ELC will sell in blocks to exhibitors who want to buy that way. There will be no television sales by the company, but Kranze pointed out that films revert to their producers after playoff and there are no strings on the producers. A recent sale of old foreign films to TV, he said, was made by an "individual." 20 BOXOFTICE :: March 10. 1951
National Theatres Executives Discuss: How Lagging Grosses Can Be Stimulated LOS ANGELES—Consensus of opinion that lagging boxoffices can be stimulated through large-screen theatre television and revitalized showmanship, including a foUowup to last season's Movies Are Better Than Ever campaign, characterized the recent annual fourday meeting of National Theatres' divisional presidents, district managers, film buyers, bookers and department heads. The sessions were held at NT headquarters here with Charles P. Skouras, circuit president, as chairman. SPYROS SKOURAS ALSO SPEAKS The industry in all its facets faces a "severe test," and the NT circuit "must demonstrate how to succeed" under such conditions, Skouras stressed. His remarks were substantiated by Spyros Skouras, president of 20th Century-Fox, who as a featured speaker said he regretted the "apathy and overconfidence" which he claimed is pervading all of filmdom's branches. The 20th-Fox topper added, however, that he looked to COMPO to develop a program which will "stimulate renewed interest" in motion pictures. As concerns plans for theatre TV, a detailed report was presented by R. H. McCullough, purchasing chief and TV director, on the new Swiss Eidophor system, in which 20th Century-Fox has purchased a substantial interest. McCullough said the device, which will be ready for installation within 12 to 18 months, projects as well as any motion picture and can be readily fitted into any projection booth. Blueprints for the followup to the Movies Are Better Than Ever drive are being prepared by NT's district and advertising managers and another showmanship facet—the ninth annual Charles P. Skouras campaign will be inaugurated March 21, continuing through July 10, the assembled delegates were informed. TO AID PATRIOTIC GROUPS A resolution was passed pledging the full cooperation of the circuit's 450 theatres and staff members to city, state and national defense authorities. Theatre personnel will be trained in first aid procedure and "structurally suitable" showcases will be made available for emergencies. Civilian defense trailers will be screened and support will be given the Red Cross, USO, U.S. treasury bond drives and other patriotic activities. Every NT segment was represented. Divisional presidents attending were Frank Ricketson jr., Fox Intermountain, Denver; EHmer Rhoden, Fox Midwest, Kansas City; Frank L. Newman sr., Evergreen, Portland; Harold Fitzgerald, Fox Wisconsin, Milwaukee; David Idzal, Fox Michigan, Detroit; Harold Seidenberg, Philadelphia; George Bowser, PWC general manager; and Dick Dickson and M. Spencer Leve, respectively southern and northern California division managers. ^^m^^mmmmmmiimmmtmsmmmm^t.'iis'i^^m^mmsm umiI RKO to Show Tarzan Film NEW YORK—RKO will tradeshow Sol Lessor's "Tarzan's Peril," filmed in Africa with Lex Barker in the title role, in all exchanges March 13. The picture will be released March 15. BOXOFFICE :: March 10, 1951 21
Page 1 and 2: Errol Flynn and Dean Stockwcll in a
Page 3 and 4: UP! "THE GREAT CARUSO" One BIG M-G-
Page 5 and 6: l(bur Next Demonstration of the Pow
Page 7 and 8: I I THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY Publis
Page 9 and 10: No Shortage of Carbons Seen by Manu
Page 11 and 12: I I I I I Independents Confident Of
Page 13 and 14: Independents Confident Of UA Succes
Page 15 and 16: ...Easter , * . The PARAMOUNTS VERY
Page 17 and 18: ITS 34.928.741 READERS THE w im EXC
Page 19 and 20: Hughes, Government File Stock Brief
Page 21: IRES PRODUCED BY REPUBLIC! THAT [7O
Page 25 and 26: He Tells of His Success Paramount E
Page 27 and 28: ^re's theJk^ât SjEZIS/ 2" X 3" DIE
Page 29 and 30: British Economic Crisis Expected to
Page 31 and 32: aucer-Director Clarence Brown's age
Page 33 and 34: MGM Promotes Four In Realignment NE
Page 35 and 36: CHESTER FRIEDMAN EDITOR HUGH E. FRA
Page 37 and 38: I Tadi( adio Contests Spark New Hav
Page 39 and 40: It The army brought up its heavy ar
Page 41 and 42: ' beside Doyleslown, Pa., Key Seeks
Page 43 and 44: Left, the Eastman 16mm. Projector,
Page 45 and 46: I6th MMPTA Is Opposing Booth Standa
Page 47 and 48: Eastman Kodak Net For 1950 Increase
Page 49 and 50: . . . . Herb Jersey Showman Given C
Page 51 and 52: . . Melvin . . The PHILADELPHIA par
Page 53 and 54: (Hollywood Office— Suite 219 at 6
Page 55 and 56: Left, the Eastman I6mm. Projector,
Page 57 and 58: 'Hornblower' Debut In London April
Page 59 and 60: i [ ment i during Waive Wage Freeze
Page 61 and 62: Tcane Seattle Lioness Gets Film Con
Page 63 and 64: . . Edward PHOENIX nctress Virginia
Page 65 and 66: Kansas Bill Seeks To End Censorship
Page 67 and 68: Enjoy GREATER PROFITS because it's
Page 69 and 70: Allied Board Plans Spring Conventio
Page 71 and 72: [alco Chain Starts Profit-Sharing P
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$310,000 Theatre Honors E.R. Rogers
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Mayor Brings Change To Higher Type
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I with a large assortment of tropic
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MIAMI Tack Cohn, executive vice-pre
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VARIETY LEADERS WILL SPEAK AT OKLAH
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'Air Cadet' Will Open In San Antoni
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I Ben Cockrell Denver, Buys Out Gam
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. . . Jean Drive-In Near Waukegan F
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Stench Bombs Tossed In Louisville S
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Gordon, who operates a commercial f
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'On Demand' Garners Top Deiroit Gro
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CINCINNATI . . fêorge Fetick, oper
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Conn. Film Men Join To Discuss 8 Bi
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BOSTON piizabeth Taylor, Anthony De
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Variety Village Affair To Be Held A
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People in Greece Look For Invasion
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BOXOFFICE BAROMETER • EXHIBITOR H
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attendance. Played Sat., Sun.—C.
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Alphabetical Picture Go/1/0 ladex a
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++VerY Good; + Good- ±Fair; -Poor
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CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHA
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REPUBLIC _j (S5) Driuna SOOS MACBET
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20th Century-Fox Universal-Internat
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Opinions 00 Correof Prodaetlons; Ex
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I CLOSING DATE: Monday noon pracadi
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Boxoffice-March.10.1951

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