Boxoffice-March.20.1948

Coast Economy Seen
As Smallfry Boon
NEW YORK — The current economy drive
in Hollywood may be a break for newcomers,
according to George Stevens, executive producer
of "I Remember Mama." He predicted
that lesser-known writers, stars and directors
may find employment in studios now cutting
down on high priced talent and screen
material.
At the same time he warned against
economies that will hurt the film. Audiences
expect certain stars and certain material
that cannot be eliminated from a film without
serious damage. The producer who
economizes recklessly may find himself
trailing the competition, he added.
Speaking of competition, Stevens said Hollywood
is being challenged by foreign films.
He cited the fact that one New York newspaper
carried ads for 17 foreign films in a
single issue.
Stevens pointed out that the foreign producer
has the Hollywood producer at a disadvantage.
The American filmmaker has the
enormous responsibility of working with a
$2,000,000 production that has to pay its way
at the boxoffice. He cannot afford to take
the chances taken by the foreign producer
who often works on a shoestring. However,
the U.S. producer has to learn not to be intimidated
by the huge investment placed in
his care. Stevens added.
He then discussed the length of pictures.
It was Stevens' contention that a good long
picture has usually had more audience appeal
than a good short picture. He backed this
statement by citing the success of "Gone
With the Wind," "The Best Years of Our
Lives." and "It Happened One Night," which
was one of the longest comedies made up to
1934.
Stevens declared that the. length of a film
should be determined by the preview audience.
It should not be determined by the
desire of the exhibitor to fit a film to his
type of theatre operation. The turnover
policy should not be the deciding factor, he
added.
Ocean City Admission Tax
Up for Vote on April 20
OCEAN CITY, N. J.—Voters of this city
may decide April 20, primary day, whether
to approve a three per cent sales tax on theatre
tickets and other so-called luxuries. An
ordinance is now being prepared by the city
solicitor for approval by the city commission.
This is one of the preliminary moves for a
referendum authorized in fourth class coastal
cities by the 1947 legislature.
Atlantic City has had this tax in effect
since early last sununer and is said to have
netted $1,500,000 on the forms of business to
which it applies.
Other businesses taxable under this law are
cigarets, hotel rooms and liquors. In this
city no liquors are sold.
There are four theatres in Ocean City—the
Moorlyn, Strand, Village and the Surf, the
latter
seasonal.
"Voice of Theatre Speakers"
JOE HORNSTEIN has them!
Foreign Fan Club Formed
NEW YORK—The Foreign Films Movie
Club, Inc.. has been organized here, with a
member.s,hip of more than 10,000. A $2 yearly
membership fee entitles members to copies
of a monthly magazine devoted to British,
French, Italian and Mexican pictures and
players.
To Open N.Y. Story Office
Flames in Glen Burnie, Md.,
Damages Glen Theatre
GLEN BURNIE, MD.—The entire block
in the business district was threatened by
a fire which broke out in the kitchen of a
restaurant. The restaurant, a grocery store
and the Glen Theatre were badly damaged
by the blaze. Fireman from Glen Burnie
and thi-ee neighboring commuiiities fought
NEW YORK — United-California Prod.,
the flames for almost an hour before the
fire was brought under control.
now producing "Let's Live a Little" for Eagle The restaurant, store and theatre are imder
Lion release, will open a story purcha.se office
one roof. Firemen estimated the dam-
age at $45,000. No one was injured. Most
in New York. It will be headed by Mrs.
Messmore Kendall. The branch will be of the damage to the theatre was from smoke
called Discovery, Inc.
and water.
Indoors or out DeVry
For 250-seat to 6,000 seat theatres
and outstandingly for drive-ins with
up to 1,000 car capacity—the trend is
definitely to DeVry "12000" Series
projectors, amplifiers and in-car
speakers.
Typical of DEVRY-equipped outdoor
theatres now being readied for
spring opening is the model Drive-In
at Muncie, Indiana, shown in the airview
shot above. Other DeVry installations
being made for the coming
season are:
CALIFORNIA: Drive-In near San
Diego. GEORGIA: Drive-In Theatres
at Thomasville & Moultrie. INDI-
ANA: Terre Ha
Drive-In. lO'WA:
Drive-In at Sioux
City. OHIO: "Sciota'"
at Portsmouth,
"Triangle" at Wilmington.
Also Drive-Ins at Springfield and St.
Marys. MICHIGAN: Drive-In at
Grand Rapids. NORTH CAROLINA:
Drive-ins at Asheville, Stateville &
Charlotte. PENNSYLVANIA: "Family"
Drive-In at New Kensington.
TEXAS: Drive-In at Midland. 'WEST
VIRGINIA: Drive-In at Elkins and
Meadowbrook. CANADA: Peter
Drive-In, Lansing, Ontario.
// you contemplate modernizing present equipment or building anew, he
sure and see DeVry before you buy.
faction, increased
box office take,
closer approach to
the perfect show
indoors or out —
buy DeVry
•12000 Series"
theatre
projectors
See them at the
DeVry dealer
nearest you.
FOR THE PERFECT SHOW
Indoors or Out
S^* DeVry
NEW YORK -
NEW JERSEY
E. J. Barnes Associates
10 Rockefeller Plaza
New York 20. New York
Telephone: Cir. 5-4SS1
or Cir. 6-1487
WESTERN
VIRGINIA
Perdue Cinema Service
406 First Street. S. W.
Roanoke 11, Virginia
2-8817
BOXOFFICE :: March 20, 1948 50A