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