Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

Industry Can Settle Own Problems, Declares Haijs LOEW'S SHIFTS ITS METROPOLITAN STAFF New York — In preparation for increased spring promotional activities, Loew’s this week announced the following elevations and shifts in its metropolitan publicity setup: Tom Rogers of the office staff advances to a junior publicity post under Eddie Dowden in Brooklyn. Gene Murphy goes from the Valencia, Jamaica, L. I., to a group of eight Manhattan houses, with Teddy Arnow promoted from the home office to assist Murphy. Arthur Herschmann is assigned to six lower Eastside houses and lower Manhattan situations. Henry Spiegel of the Brooklyn publicity staff moves to the Valencia, Hillside and Willard theatres, on Long Island. Pete McCarty, with Sam Coolick, will handle the north Queens, L. I., group of theatres, plus the bill-posting detail for the circuit The Bronx is divided into several separate groups, with Perry Spencer, Junior Dowden, George Sharf and Leon Goodman sharing the houses Joel Levy jr. is moved from office assistant at the Capitol to office publicity work at Loew headquarters. Buddy Friedlander takes Levy’s place at the Capitol. CONN. PROPOSES RESIDENCE TAX Bridgeport — A bill designed to tax the incomes of persons who make their money in other states, but maintain homes in Connecticut, is scheduled to be submitted to the general assembly about the middle of April. Strongly affected by the measure will be the members of the various theatrical colonies in the state, as it will mean the paying of a federal income tax, a New York income tax and a Connecticut income tax. Stage and film folk who maintain homes in the state are largely centered around this city and are making plans for a strenuous campaign to keep the bill from getting beyond the committee stage. PITT DELEGATION TO MOSS TESTIMONIAL Pittsburgh — Among local exhibitors who will journey to Philadelphia for the testimonial dinner to be given in honor of Edgar Moss, 20th-Fox district manager, on April 19, are A1 Weiss, Mark Browar, Ben Amdur, C. J. Latta, Ben Steerman, Harry M. Kalmine, Harry Feinstein and Tony Stern. Others are expected to make arrangements to attend the affair which will celebrate Moss’ twentieth anniversary in the motion picture industry. Ira H. Cohn, local branch manager for 20th-Fox, will head the delegation. AUSTRIAN FILM DATED Buffalo — “Masquerade in Vienna,’’ an Austrian film released by World Pictures Corp., opened the new Gaiety Filmarte Theatre here this week. Busy noio in the filming of Emanuel Cohen's “Midnight Madonna” is Mady Correll whose recent arrival in Hollywood from the legitimate stage is here so accentuated by sunshine and flowers. Trade Practices Investigation On Los Angeles — Moving under a businesslike cloak of secrecy which all efforts so far have been unable to pierce, Albert J. Law, special assistant to the United States attorney general, came in this week to launch a long-delayed investigation into the practices of distributors and exhibitors in the southern California territory. Independents Protest While it is known that Law is here to delve into the ramifications behind protests made by independent showmen against what are alleged to be anti-trust violations for which distributors and theatre chains are asserted to be responsible, the Department of Justice man could not be contacted, and exhibitor and distributor executives declared that they had no information on the matter. Although Law, moving quietly, is understood to have subpoenaed several independent exhibitors in the area for questioning as to details of the alleged anti-trust violation, neither Robert Poole, executive secretary of the ITO, nor Harry Rackin, chief of the Western States Theatre Service, (Continued on page 20A) New York — “There is enough elasticity in the trade structure of the industry and enough men of good will within it — exhibitors, distributors and producers — to solve through self-regulation all its trade prob->. lems that exist or may arise from time to time.” Will H. Hays, president of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, made that assertion in his annual report submitted to the 15th annual meeting of the a.ssociation here on Friday. The meeting was attended by representatives of the 28 companies which are members of the MPPDA and was largely routine, including a discussion of Hays’ report, the fixing of the association’s budget for the ensuing year and plans for the future. Need Always Present Hays’ report covered a wide range of subjects and activities pertinent to the industry in 1936-37 and the future. On the subject of trade relations. Hays continued: “There never will be a time in this or any other industry when individual grievances will not exist and need to be adjusted and when there will not be groups which will demand legislation instead of cooperation. But the overwhelming number of responsible exhibitors, distributors and producers fully understands that any act which would destroy initiative and enterprise in the industry must endanger the investment in all theatre properties, make it impossible to serve large portions of the public with outstanding entertainment and hurt the small theatre now protected by the assurance of a constant and unfailing picture service.” A Story of Progress The showing made by film theatres during the past year, the present state of the “art” and the universal popularity of screen entertainment not only tell the story of the progress of the “art” but the evolution of the industry’s business structure over a period of 15 years. Hays pointed out. “The progress of motion pictures during the period under review should bring satisfaction but not equanimity,” he went on. “As always, our problems are before, not behind us.” Praise for Code Touching on the production code. Hays said: “During the past year, the fact has been further emphasized that great variety of screen entertainment may be developed and financially successful pictures produced without violating the natural and proper regulations of the industry’s Motion Picture Production Code. It has been proved that within the boundaries of good taste and good morals there is illimitable opportunity, creatively, artistically and dramatically, for the screen to rise to the highest levels. “The pictures now projected from our screen and the appraisals of independent public groups testify to the success of selfregulation.” BOXOFFICE :: April 3, 1937. 17