Unchanged, Says Rodgers Of MGM Sales Policies NEW YORK—No changes in MGM's sales policies have been made or are contemplated, asserts William F. Rodgers, vice-president and general sales manager. Sliding scales are to be retained and special consideration will be extended to small operators who find it difficult to play MGM pictures on a percentage basis. Rodgers had this to say on the subject: •Reports to the contrary notwithstanding, Loew's, Inc., has not abandoned the sliding scale policy as a basis of rental terms for the use of MGM product. As a policy it has been considered by us and by thousands of our customers to be eminently fair. "Having faith in our product and the future of this business, we intend to aggressively solicit even a greater number of our customers to play even a greater number of our pictures on this proven method of fair merchandising. "We have not adopted a policy of specific percentage terms except where we are unable to mutually agree upon a basis to govern a sliding scale arrangement. "Loew's, Inc., has not changed its sales policies except that we are prepared to even expand, if necessary, our existing policy of special consideration for some small operations which find it difficult and sometimes impractical to play our pictures at the present time on a participating arrangement." Rodgers will hold a large meeting of sales executives on the coast early in February, so that the staff can see as much forthcoming product as possible in preparation for the 25th anniversary year— 1949. A general observance of the anniversary extending throughout the year is planned. During the 2Dth anniversary five years ago the company set out to conduct a concentrated drive to get MGM pictures into every theatre in the United States during a fixed period, and succeeded in doing this. Rodgers hopes all theatres will be represented with MGM product at some time during the course of this anniversary campaign. He is aiming for a new domestic sales record. "There never has been a time when the industry has been more in need of good pictures," he declared, "and we intend to try to supply them." Rodgers admitted that in recent months some first run grosses have been spotty, but he said that subsequent run grosses were holding up well. He described the market as "unsettled," and refused to venture a guess on whether the United States income could be made to support the industry without income from the foreign market. "We have not skimped on quality," he said. "Our pictures are costly, with the story, casting and production values tops. We think they will pay off, both for exhibitors and for the company." Eagle Lion to Release 16 Films Through April, With 6 in Color NEW YORK—Eagle Lion will release 16 features, Including six in color, by the end of April, according to William J. Heineman, vice-president in charge of distribution. Two of these are Walter Wanger productions and two are J. Arthur Rank productions. The December releases are: "He Walked by Night," starring Richard Basehart and Scott Brady; "Parole, Inc.," starring Michael O'Shea, Turhan Bey and Evelyn Ankers, and "The Strange Mrs. Crane," with Marjorie Lord, Robert Shayne and Pierre Watkin. The January releases will be: "Red Stallion in the Rockies," in Cinecolor, starring Arthur Franz, Jean Heather and James Davis; "An Old-Fashioned Girl," starring Gloria Jean, Jimmy Lydon, John Hubbard and Frances Rafferty, and "Ride, Ryder Ride," first of a new series of action films in Cinecolor, starring Jim Bannon with Peggy Stewart and Emmett Lynn. For February, the releases will be: "Alice in Wonderland," Ansco color feature combining live-action and three-dimensional puppets, produced by Lou Bunin; Walter Wanger's "Reign of Terror," starring Robert Cummings, Arlene Dahl and Richard Basehart; "Shamrock HiU," Equity Rctures' production with Peggy Ryan, Ray MacDonald and John Litel, and "Roll, Thunder, Roll," second in the Red Ryder series. The second Wanger production, "Tulsa," will be released in March. This is in Technicolor and stars Susan Hayward, Robert Preston and Pedro Ai'mendariz. The other March releases will be the J. Arthur Rank production, "Miranda," with Glynis Johns, Google Withers and Griffith Jones, and "Alimony," another Equity production. The April releases wiU be: "The Big Cat," in Technicolor, starring Lon McCallister, Peggy Ann Garner and Preston Foster; "Scott of the Antarctic." a J. Arthur Rank production in Technicolor, starring John Mills, and "Silver Streak." UA Sets Distribution For 2 New Pictures NEW YORK—The United Ai'tists board of directors has ratified distribution deals for two new independent pictures, "Jigsaw," a Danziger-Tower production starring Franchot Tone, and "Under the Roman Sun," a foreign-made on which fui'ther details are not available. "Jigsaw," which was filmed in New York by Fletcher Markle, director of the radio program, "Studio One," is scheduled to be released in January. Neil Agnew will act as producers' representative for "Jigsaw." Gradwell L. Sears, UA president, gave a report to the board meeting December 21 on the present status of the Hughes-Nasser deal and said that fmids are still available for suitable story properties. The board also held a lengthy discussion on the financial problems of its independent producers. 20th-Fox Loss on 18 Totals $5,556,200 NEW YORK— Up to Nov. 8, 1948, 20th Century-Fox showed a loss of $5,556,200 on 18 features produced during 1947. This figure was included in the written testimony submitted to the thi-ee-judge court by Donald A. Henderson, treasurer, during the two-day hearings December 20 and 21. He said the 18 features had been produced at a total cost of $41,914,100, or at an average of $2,328,500 each. The cumulative 1948 domestic revenue, mcluding Canada, from these films was $36,375,900. Henderson added that little additional revenue from these pictures will be received. By way of contrast, he pointed out that the average cost of a 20th-Fox picture during 1944-45 was $1,350,000. He also said the total domestic revenue, excluding Canada, from all features, shorts and accessories during 1947 was $53,618,400. Of this amount 18.761.387, or 36.8 per cent, came from the five affiliated circuits. The circuit breakdown follows: Paramount $7,128,215 National Theatres 6,224,993 RKO 3,190,028 Warners 1,862,054 Loew's 1,356.397 In addition, 20th-Fox received $1,408,994 in rentals from its Roxy Theatre, New York. New TOA Unit Is Formed In Denver Territory DENVER—A new theatre owners association to be known as the Colorado Ass'n of Theatre Owners (CATO), and to become affiliated with TOA, has been organized. The TOA thereby moves into the territory which heretofore has had only an Allied unit. Incorporators of the new group are B. D. Cockrill, managing director of the Denham Theatre, who is president; Pat McGee, general manager of the Cooper Foundation Theatres, vice-president; Charles Gilmour. president Gibraltar Enterprises, secretary; William Agren, booker. Fox Intermountain; A. P. Archer, president. Civic Theatres; Dave Davis, general manager. Atlas Theatres, all of Denver, and Larry Starsmore, president. Westland Theatres, Colorado Springs, board members. The first convention has been called for February 1, 2. Ted Gamble, chairman of the board of TOA; R. J. O'Donnell, chief barker of Variety International, and George Murphy, film star, will be guests. Rathvon Officially Ends RKO Affiliation Jan. 3 HOLL'YWOOD-Last vestige of the old Floyd Odium regime at RKO Radio was wiped out with the disclosure that N. Peter Rathvon, former president, will officially terminate all connections with the company as of Jan. 3, 1949. The RKO Radio board of directors some months ago selected Ned E. Depinet, distribution chief, to succeed Rathvon as president of the company which now is controlled by Howard Hughes. At a recent board meeting in New York approval was given to a plan whereby, in settlement of the balance of his contract, Rathvon receives $60,000, payable at the rate of $2,000 weekly. 14 BOXOFFICE December 25, 1948
Amu AS A SENSHIONAL BOXOFFICE PERFORMANCE In spite of opening pre-release and in the midst of the pre -Christmas lull, it topped all but two of the nonholiday openings in the past six months at the Hollywood Paramount— and bettered current business of a ago by nearly fifty year percent— backed by Paramount's unique "Everything-Points-To-The-Accused" campaign! LORETTA YOUNG ROBERT CUMMINGS m'THE ACCUSED A HAL WALLIS production with Wendell Corey Sam Jaffe Douglas Dick • Directed by William Dieterle Screenplay by Ketti Frings jt
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