The Exhibitor (Aug-Nov 1948)

THE exhibit*!® ALL editions AUl. ll-NOV. 3, 1948 VOL. 40 I H { ^OIT \ URCAU > «^CULATIMS August 11, 1948 The ASCAP Decision UA’s “Texas, Brooklyn, and Heaven” may be retitled “Brooklyn, Texas, and Heaven” when it has its world how in Brooklyn. As yet no protests have been heard from Heaven. ★ PETE SMITH is going back to the produc¬ tion of those shorts about cooking, with the new on titled “International Dishes.” However, tins can always be changed if the oversea, situation tightens up too much before release. A TEXAS DRIVE-IN has become a center of political activity. Each candidate gets an opportunity to talk, entertainment is free, and a film show is included. It may become a matter of whether the political oratory is funnier than the screen fare. ★ IT HAS BEEN announced that Osa Massen has decided to change her name to Stephanie Pauli. The net effect of all this will be that when patrons see her in a picture, they will undoubtedly declare, “She certainly looks a lot like Osa Massen.” ★ NOW that it has been decided that “Hamlet” won’t he cut in Boston, this will allow such selling lines as “Uncut,” “Una¬ bridged,” or “Exactly as Shakespeare wrote it.” H. M. M. / N d\ E X Voi.. 40, No. 14 " August 11, 1948 Section One Editchial . V . ^ pEATUi^e Article — ^ The Story Behind “The Stort” . 4, 5 A In The Newsreels . People . I*!' Legion of Decency 16 Release Date Guide Inside Back Cover The Score Board 12 Trade Screenings . 16 Extra Profits . EPl — EP6 Section Two While it is a liit early to predict tlie final outcome of the victory won by the Independent Theatre Owners Association of New York City over ASCAP in a far-reaching decision several weeks ago, no one can deny the fact that it is a distinct feather in the cap of those who sponsored the six-year-old case, and that it represents one of the most important verdicts in tlie history of the industry. I Due credit must he given to Harry Brandt, who headed the group which pushed the case, and Milton C. Weisman, of the law firm of Weisman, Celler, Quinn, Allan, and Spett, which repre¬ sented the plaintiffs. It was not surprising, hut disappointing, to note that no ap¬ plause came, following the decision, from the Theatre Owners of America, which predicts that there is a possiliility that the ex¬ hibitors may find themselves in a worse situation than before. Allied States Association, while still clinging to its legislative form of relief from ASCAP, hailed the decision as a distinct victory, and indicated an appreciative trend. W e refuse to join those who think the eventual result will not he advantageous to theatremen. While the individual copyright holders lost no rights through the decision, it is quite possible that eventually the exhibitor wdll find himself paying only one fee, and that to the distributor, without an additional seat tax. W ITHOUT A DOUBT, there will still he a long legal road to travel, particularly since the victors have already served notice that they will appeal wdth an eye to damages under the Sherman Anti-Trust law^ Perhaps arbitration, which might have avoided the litigation, may still supply a solution to this phase of the proceedings. Regardless of the outcome, the decision is to he hailed as a milestone. It is unfortunate that there is no unanimity of opinion among exhibitors, hut, judging from past developments, this could hardly he expected. However, if, wdien the end of the legal road is reached, and there are benefits for exhihitoi's, it is certain that all wdll par¬ ticipate, regardless of present viewpoints. ’Tvvas ever thus. A Jay Emanuel Publication. Founded in 1918. Published weekly by Jay Emanuel Publication* Incorporated. Publishing office: 1225 Vine Street, Philadelphia 7, Pennsylvania. New York office 1600 Broadway, New York 19. West Coast Representative: Paul Manning, 923 Alaridele Avenue, Los Angeles 36, California. Jay Emanuel, publisher; Paul J. Greenhalgh, business manager; Herbert M. Miller, editor; James A. Dalton, advertising manager; George F. Nonamaker and Mel Konecoff, associate editors. Rates: Each edition, one year, $2; three years, $5. Please address communications to oflfice at 1225 Vine Street, Philadelphia 7, Pennsylvania The Check-Up SS-1 -SS-8