Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

Page 14 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW June 10, 1939 WB BLASTS SKOURAS DUALS Latter Charges WB Doubles Big Films In Its Own Houses CO. TO SELL INDIES A hot controversy raged this week between Warner Bros, and Skouras Theatres over the question of double features. The excitement started with a statement by Gradwell Sears, Warner sales manager, that Warner Bros, "is dissatisfied with the presentation of its product by Fox West Coast and in turn has decided to sell away from this circuit and instead offers its new season's program to aggressive independent exhibitors." In his statement Sears said : "In our opinion, a policy which makes possible the presentation of two A attractions such as 'Dodge City' and 'Alexander Graham Bell'; 'Wuthering Heights' and '3 Smart Girls'; 'Oklahoma Kid' and 'Love Affair'; and 'Navy, Blue and Gold' and 'Submarine Dl' is definitely destructive, both as far as the public and producers are concerned. "After a careful examination of the income and performance of Fox West Coast over a period of years, we have reached the conclusion that the handling of our product by this circuit does not contribute to our progress and that its policy of double-billing and flat rental engagements offer no opportunity for expanded income regardless of mert. The Warners decision has far reaching implications inasmuch as under the industry FAIR TRADE PRACTICE CODE now being drafted, a line of product sold to an independent exhibitor panded income regardless of merit. This statement mas answered by Spyros Skouras this week charging that Warner Bros. Theatres consistently show double features themselves. "If Warner Bros, aspire," said Mr. Skouras, "to the honor of being the standard bearers for the abolition of double features, they should abolish double features in some three hundred theatres which they own and operate themselves. "For instance, the Warner Beverly Theatre of Beverly Hills, California, has recently played double bill such attractions as the following: 'Four Daughters' with 'Valley of the Giants,' 'Wings of the Navy' with 'Yes, My Darling Daughter,' 'Dodge City' with 'Story of Vernon and Irene Castle,' 'Three Smart Girls' with 'Confessions of a Nazi Spy,' and 'Dark Victory' with 'Confessions of a Nazi Spy.' This double feature policy is practiced in over three hundred Warner theatres located in the territories of Pittsburgh, Chicago and Albany and in the states of Connecticut, New Jersey, Ohio and Wisconsin. "We ourselves are personally opposed to double features, and I want to point out that as long ago as the NRA conferences in Washington, our representative was instructed to advocate the abolition of double feature programs. Although he was unsuccessful, his endeavors and the efforts of those who joined with him are a mattei' of record. It is well recognized that competitive conditions at present necessitate the use of double feature programs in certain localities. "In their statement Warner Bros, attacked the showmanship with which we exhibited their product and stated that our methods were costing them loss of revenue. Under the present management of Fox West Coast Theatres Corporation and the other theatre interests of National Theatres Corporation, the filmi rental paid tc Warners for their pictures was about $500,000 for the year 1932 and will be over $1,500,000 for the year 1939 for the same number of theatres. "Our present contract with Warner Bros, is for the two theatrical seasons 1937-38 and 1938-39. The number of designations of 'A' pictures is largely in excess of those in previous years. Despite the optimism of the sales management at the time the contract was made with us, our results with Warner pictures for 1937-38 were disappointing at the box office. Since last November we have discussed in a number of conferences with Mr. Sears and Mr. Leserman of the Warner Bros, sales department, an adjustment for 19?7-38 based on our experience with those pictures and also other liabilities pro and con under the existing contract. We expect that all these matters will be negotiated and settled in the regular course. "Concerning Warner Bros.' statement that they propose to sell to other exhibitors in our competitive situations, we beg to say that this meets with our whole-hearted approval. We have not solicited Warner pictures for the coming year. We cannot, and of course do not, object to Warner Bros.' election to sell to other exhibitors. This freedom to contract has always been respected by us. We wish Warner Bros, every success." Wisconsin Exhibitors Face Occupational Tax Madison, Wis. — An occupation al sales tax on their theatres is faced by Wisconsin exhibitors in connection with three sales tax proposals presented to the legislature by Gov. Julius P. Heil as a means of balancing the state's biennium budget. Three million dollars would be raised annually by the tax, it is estimated. A bill to assess a $2.50 tax on each 1,000 feet of film shown in the state is apparently headed for defeat. NAME RKO RADIO MEET COMMITTEE Plans Near Completion For 7th Annual Convention Final preparations for the seventh annual and fourth International Sales Convention of RKO Radio Pictures, which will take place June 19-22 at the Westchester Country Club. Rye, N. Y., are nearing completion with the announcement this week of the various committees to officiate at the sessions. The committees are: General — A. A. Schubart, M. G. Pollar, W. J. McShea, Plarry Gittleson and S. Barret McCormick; Reception — A. A. Schubart, William McShea. M. G. Poller, Bob Wolff, Frank L. Drumm, Phil Hodes, Jack Ellis, Lou Kutinsky. Eddie Carroll. Harry Zeitels and John Dacey; Foreign Reception — Phil Reisman, B. D. Lion, Michael Hofi^ay and R. K. Hawkinson; Publicity — S. Barret McCormick, Rutgers Neilson, Harry Gittleson and Michael Hoffay; Decorations — Leon Bamberger and Lou Gaudreau; Transportation — W. J. AlcShea and William Gegenbach. Columbia Seeks Suit Dismissal A notification that it will apply to Federal Judge William Bondy on June 16 for an order dismissing the Department's suit against it was made by Columbia this week to the Department of Justice. EXHIB UNIT FLAYSJILL Carolina Showmen Hit Neely Measure Myrtle Beach, S. C. — Condemnation of the Neely anti blockbooking bill now pending in Congress was contained in a resolution unanimously adopted this week by the semi-annual convention of the Theatre Owners of North and South Carolina meeting here at the Ocean Forest Hotel. Non-theatrical competition was also denounced, although the convention approved of entertainment for shut-ins. Sessions for the final day of the meet Monday were in charge of Lyle Wilson of Roanoke Rapids, N. C, president. Ed Kuykendall, MPTOA prexy, was the guest speaker. Meanwhile, in San Francisco, a new pressure campaign to force passage of the Neely bill by the Senate without delay was being marshalled with the full strength of the Motion Picture Research Council. Okla. Allied Votes "No" On Arbitration Oklahoma City — Delegates to the National Allied convention in Minneapolis next week were instructed by members of Allied Theatre Owners of Oklahoma organizing committee meeting here to vote "No" on the Arbitration question. More than 30 other Allied members who rejected the buying pool plan as part of the Allied of Oklahoma set-up also attended the meeting. COMPLETE PRODUCT SUMMARY 1938-39 1939-40 Major Companies Colum1)ia Westerns RKO Radio Westerns 20th-Fox UA Universal Westerns Warner Bros TOTAL Independenf Companies TOTAL Sold Completed Being in Prod. Sold Completed Being In P Edited Edited 40 25 r ,T 4 40 1 15 12 2 15 52 41 3 1 44-52 3 7 52 44 3 52 2 7 7 6 5 1 6 1 54 27 6 3 Not announced 6 4 1 54 49 4 1 52 4 8 29 16 1 32 1 3 3 40 33 1 4 44 1 2 6 6 13 1 1 60 46 9 52 4 7 408 308 35 17 339 4 23 36 32 10 2 1 Not announced 18 5 26 20 1 30 16 11 1 24 30 18 1 1 30 24 15 2 2 24 146 79 6 5 108 554 387 41 22 447 4 23 36 FOR DETAILED PRODUCT CHECK-UP SEE PACES 16 AND 17