' . I THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY Published In Nine Sectional Editions BEN SHLYEN Editor-in-Chiel and Publisher RALPH M. DELMONT Managing Editor MORRIS SCHLOZMAN ...Business Mgr. GARY KABRICK Equipment Editor RALPH KAMINSKY Western Editor Publication Offices: 825 Van Brunt Blvd. Kansas City. Mo 64114. (816) Ml mi Western Offices: 642S BoHyi Bird 1 Cl, BOOM (2K(> 4r;5-llS(i. Eastern Offices: 1270 Sixth inane, Suite 1408, Koaefeller Center. New York. N.Y. 10080 12121 265-0370. London Office: Anthony Cruner. 1 Woodtvrry Way. Klnchlfy. N. 12. Telephone Hillside BT83 THE MODERN THEATRE Section Is Included In one issue each month. Albuquerque: Chuck Mlttlestadt. P.O. Boi W14. Station C 87108. Tele. 268- 6&78. M6-1T91 Atlanta: Qennleu- Camp. 166 UmlbiTtli Drhe, n.b. 30305. Baltimore: Kate Saragf. 3607 Sprlngdale. 21216 Boeton: Ernest Warren. 1 Cblgste Hoed. Needhan. Mass. 03102. Tele. (617) 444-1657. Buffalo. Edward t. Meade. 760 Main St.. 14203. Tele. (716) 854-1558. Chicago: Frances B. 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JUNE Vol. Ill 6, 1 977 No. 9 Guest Editorial EXHIBITORS MISSING A GOOD BET By DON CARLE GILLETTE THE UNDIGNIFIED name-calling and general dog-fighting that have been taking place between the two rival exhibitor associations are both amusing and senseless to the Hollywood filmmakers and distributors. It is a sorry spectacle, creating a most unfavorable image of the theatre operators in the eyes of the producers. And it betrays a weak position that puts the exhibitors at a disadvantage in dealing with the suppliers of their product. Never before has the industry witnessed such a divisive situation at the retail outlet level. It raises questions among filmmakers about the reliability of the theatrical market as compared with the television market, and so more motion picture producers are inclined to turn to the TV field where there are fewer uncertainties. This is ironic, since for a long time most of the TV creative talent has looked forward to graduating to the making of theatrical films—and right now, with theatre owners on the verge of expanding their financing of movies, the TV producers, directors and writers, as well as actors who have attracted followings through video, would be good bets for the exhibitor-sponsored productions. Furthermore, some TV production companies view the theatrical field as still offering lucrative inducements for the first-run of motion pictures—with potentials for TV release after the theatre showings. One such organization is the solidly established Danny Thomas Productions, which has embarked on an initial slate of five theatrical films in addition to its big TV schedule. The efficiencies and economies imposed on TV by economic factors could enable these producers, craftsmen and artists to bring in feature films on well-controlled shooting schedules and reasonable budgets— by eliminating the wastes and delays that bloat many theatrical film projects—and thus reduce the exhibitors' risks. The upheaval in Hollywood already has caused much floundering in the most vital division of the industry— production. Endless squabbling among exhibitors could knock the industry so much more groggy 1 that all its functions might be seriously impaired. Why should there be two national exhibitor organizations, anyway? If theatre operators can't get together and handle their problems under one banner, they certainly won't do it under two or three or five banners. And they surely can't do it under "leaders" who seem motivated' more by intemperate personal attacks than by calm reasoning and objective approaches to the realities so that the most practical solutions can be achieved. If exhibitors can finance and control the marketing of a substantial number of films, they also will be able to cope more effectively with CATV and other growing competition. The public, when dialing motion pictures on TV, still is more inclined to watch films that have the stamp of prior exhibition in theatres where they commanded a price of admission. Once the movie fans are weaned away from that "habit," they will have still less inducement for going to theatres — where pictures made primarily for theatre exhibition can be seen to the best advantage and while they are still fresh and not cut to accommodate commercials. As a tipoff to some important bets that theatre owners may be missing, some of the contemplated deals for future film productions in which TV factors are interested call for initial showing of the picture in theatres. Ponder over that potential for a while. W1 ijjNiii*""" ha* ][>* ' LiecW « I ' LusislJi* . , Goltow wtekCta** at Mike Chake i legislaticn. (illlSUPP* Id lis* Li* i, s io NATO. feanization Emajoc distr Kj as quick!) , independenis Idtvelopei" "1 Se declared, jta M lies in has m v arsn'hop!^ j detriment o! Lily tau Irioit that all i t fair shah iBiriinaiei" nil for "P. similar." M iffl H k ,,
, Sunn I ; HOLLYWOOD— < .-long atterson Lauds NATO Model Legislation 7 \ll \N I A lorn Patterson, president i the National Independenl rheatre Bxbib us \ss'n. lias issued a statement coin ending several officials of the National |77
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