Boxoffice-December.17.1955

:
16mm Decision Called
Of 'Greatest Importance
NEW YORK-^udge Leon R. Yankwich's
decision in the 16mm case was "of the
greatest importance in industry history,"
Herman M. Levy,
Herman Levy
Theatre Owners of
America general
counsel, declares in a
"digest" of the case
j.^ s^"*' xiiv
*° ^^' members.
^ fji If the Department of
^»^ ^i' Justice had won the
decision, he states,
thousands of small
theatres would have
been compelled to close
and some of the major
distributors would have
gone into the red. In
this he agrees with testimony given diu:ing
the trial by Spyros P. Skouras, president of
20th Century-Pox.
In the course of his testimony, Skouras replied
to a question by Judge Yankwich a.s to
what would happen to small exhibitors, generally,
if a general policy of quick distribution
of motion pictures to television, omitting
the value of remakes and reissues, were
adopted.
Skouras' response was: "A majority of the
small theatres of America would close their
doors. At least eight to ten thousand."
Levy puts emphasis on this statement by
saying
"Then, Mr. Skoiu-as, in answer to questions
by his company's attorney, Mr. Mitchell,
stated that the margin of profit of the 'small
theatre' is, at present, very small; that the
impact of television on the 'small theatre' was
great; that the 'small theatre' is a 'struggling'
industry; that, if it were not for the federal
admissions tax reduction, many more theatres
would have closed; that widescreen development,
'such as Cinemascope,' played a
part in helping the small theatres, but not
sufficient so that we can say that the small
theatres of America can be saved, if the entertainment
that they sell with admission
later on is offered to the public gratis."
Levy said the court's decision "discloses a
''—And Now It Is Time,"
Comments Herman Levy
After pointing out the testimony of
Spyros P. Skouras in which he said the
loss of small theatre revenue would put
20th Century-Fox into the red, Herman
Levy commented:
"And now it is time for all other distribution
company presidents to revaluate
their opinions of the position of importance
of the small theatres to their companies
and to the industry, to recognize
Up to this point, all
their sad plight, and to cffcr major relief.
that the small theatre
owner has been confronted with is
demands for prohibitive film rental, untenable
conditions of licensing, and callous
indifference to his welfare and continued
existence. He is the 'forgotten man' of
the industry."
complete understanding by the judge of the
industry and of the problems confronting it
at the times in question. It is fortunate, too,
that the 'memorandum of decision' is so well,
so clear, and so understandably written. It
is highly recommended for reading, in its
entirety, to all people in the industry."
In his closing paragraph Levy wrote:
"We of TOA take this opportunity to express
our thanks and appreciation to those
defendants who decided, as they should have,
to battle with force, with logic and with intelligence,
this attempt by the federal government
to intrude on legitimate business enterprise."
The digest also details D. of J. arguments.
Allied Artists Extends
Revolving Fund Pact
HOLLYWOOD—Allied Artists has signed
an agreement extending until Jan. 1,
1957, its
present loan commitment with the Security-
First National Bank of Los Angeles, in participation
with Bankers Trust Co. of New
York, it was announced Tuesday (13) by Steve
Broidy. AA president, and George D. Burrows,
executive vice-president and treasurer.
The new agreement provides for a revolving
loan of a maximum of $2,500,000 and permits
guarantees up to $600,000 covering bank
loans to producers releasing through AA. The
previous loan arrangement allowed maximum
borrowing of $1,750,000 and guarantees of
$500,000.
Morris Goodman Named
As Lacy Kastner's Aide
NEW YORK—Lacy W. Kastner, president
of Columbia Pictures International, has
named Morris Goodman as his aide on sales
and distribution throughout the world. Goodman
recently gave up his post as sales manager
for Columbia in Continental Europe and
the Middle East with headquarters in Paris.
Columbia Goodman headed
Before joining
Republic's foreign operation for over a decade.
In July 1945 he left Republic to take a special
a.ssigrunent as the industry's representative
attached to the U. S. Department of State in
Germany and Austria where he functioned as
special consultant in connection with the
government's program to rehabilitate the film
industries in both countries.
Kerman Buys Out Interest
Of Felder in 11 Firms
NEW YORK—Moe Kerman has bought out
the interests of Joe Felder in 11 companies,
ending as association that had lasted 11 years.
Kerman will continue to operate them. He
left at the weekend for the coast in search
of new product.
The companies are : Favorite Films, Savoy
Films, Tudor Pictures, Allied Films, Congress
Films, Favorite Attractions, Zenith Features.
Monarch pnims. Regal Television Pictures,
Emblem Television Pictures and Mutual
Productions.
FAMILY-FILM AWARD—Roger H.
Lewis, left. United .\rtists national director
of advertising, publicity and exploitation,
receives the Parents' Magazine
award for "Heidi and Peter" as the outstanding
film for January from Philip
Willcox, director of motion picture relations
for the magazine.
Air Force in Zanesville
'Court-Martial' Premieres
ZANESVILLE, OHIO—The Air Force joined
in a salute to the memory of Gen. William
Mitchell by sending a fUght of jet planes
over this city during the premiere ceremonies
for "The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell,'
starring Gary Cooper, Wednesday (14).
An Air Force color guard also marched in a
parade, part of the three-day program to
welcome Hollywood stars and to celebrate
the first world premiere here.
Walter Brennan and George O'Hanlon, Tab
Hunter, Natalie Wood. Ann Robinson, Gon
zalez Gonzalez, Fred Clark and Benay Venura
were among those who made personal appear
ances. The openings took place in two houses,
the Liberty and the Waller.
Warner Bros, staged the premiere here because
Zanesville residents purchased more
Christmas seals proportionately than any
other city during the opening week of the
campaign. Dale Tysinger, manager here for
the Shea circuit, carried on a communitywide
promotion urging residents to buy seals so
that the premiere could be obtained for the
town. Home office circuit officials consider
it a top public relations job for the industry
and for the local theatres.
Podhorzer Plans Talks on
Co-production in Germany
NEW YORK—After two months of discussion
with five leaders of the German film
industry, Munio Podhorzer, president of
United German Film Enterprises, says he has
outlined a plan for stimulating distribution
of German pictures in this country and for
encouragement of co-production deals in Germany.
Those with whom he conferred were: Dr.
Guenter Schwarz. head of the German Export
Union; Carol Hellman, general manager
of Omnia; Guenther Stapenhorst of Carlton
Studio; Walter Koppel of Real Film Studios
and also head of the German Film Producers
Ass'n, and Herbert O. Horn of Neue Film
Verleih.
Podhorzer will leave soon for Germany for
further discussions with producers.
14
BOXOFFICE
:
: December 17, 1955