Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

Echoes Reverberate On St. Louis Case (Continued from page 8) tures determine the sales policy, the UA executive stated, adding the 1938-39 season started with ''Algiers” and ends with “Captain Fury,” which will make a total of 15. These are not sold in block, he insisted. but most exhibitors buy the entire lineup. Again Raftery interposed to inform the government UA's contracts do not provide for cancellations. Most pacts are for one and two pictures with the maximum this season of five to one producer’s contract. Clearance and zoning are not discussed by Schlaifer in making deals, he said, this angle being worked out by branch managers in the individual areas. When Krieger attempted to have Schlaifer go on record as to distributors selling the same number of runs as each other, he pointed out UA alone never sells an identical number of runs. Individual territories were then broken down by the department of justice agent with Portland first. National Theatres has three and J. J. Parker two in this town and there ai'e from 30 to 40 individuals owning one, two and three houses each. Into Individual Areas San Francisco was next and Schlaifer had to explain the difference between National Theatres, Fox West Coast and Fox Theatres. Krieger’s unfamiliarity with circuit names apparently had him confused. Fox West Coast, RKO and Cohen were listed as the owners of all the first runs in this city and in Long Beach, Cal. Fox West Coast controlled all three first runs. In San Diego, FWC has five first runs with Simon Lazarus operating the subsequents. At this point, Schlaifer denied the number of FWC situations influenced purchases because Lazarus runs ahead of the Skouras-operated circuit in several subsequent run theatres. In Salt Lake City, Harry David buys UA for the Paramount, Centre and Utah; in Seattle, the Fifth Ave., Paramount, Music Hall and Blue Mouse, jointly owned by Evergreen States, a National Theatres’ subsidiary, and Jensen & Von Herberg. Another first run account in the town is the Palomar. The St. Paul and Riviera, operated by Minnesota Amusement Co., are among the first run St. Paul accounts. Benny Berger’s World is another prior run and it waS revealed he was given four of five pictures not offered to Minnesota Amusements because Schlaifer thought the pictures would gross more at the World than at the other houses. Cohen, who has the UA in San Francisco, gets UA product first run despite the numerous FWC situations. This is a franchise as is Parker’s Broadway in Portland, the town boasting of the Paramount, Orpheum and Liberty which are not the independent’s units. A. H. Blank has the Orpheum in Omaha in addition to a string of other theatres and considerable questioning was focused on UA sales in this town. (Continued from page 6) Now, and for purposes designed to fit a specific objective hardly subtle, this sort of thing shows up in the non-advertising columns of an occasional tradepaper. The Columbia regional in Chicago and an address delivered there by Jack Cohn demonstrate the point. Cohn was talking about the duty of motion pictures which he remarked was to entertain. Quoting Cohn: "The world today looks for release from care and for entertainment as never before in its history. Where one person may go to the theatre hoping for the strong meat of controversy, hundreds go for lighter, but no less important fare." This made its way into one editorial piece. But there was more which did not. For instance: "We mustn't forget that young people go to movie theatres in great numbers, urged by a desire to enjoy themselves; this doesn't mean that we must provide the public with immature entertainment. It means that when we have a social message to offer, we must provide it with interest and excitement." And, for instance, this: "The problem of entertainment versus the presentation of current problems does not exist. Every truly fine picture has its message." Cohn emphasized his point by naming several pictures, adding that "each was entertainment of the first order, yet each had something vital to say regarding the social scheme and they pulled no punches in saying it." It's all in the editing. Schlaifer Finishes; Smith Next , Maybe New York — With the conclusion of testimony from L. lack Schlaifer, UA western sales manager, in the examination before trial in the government's all-industry suit, Seymour Krieger, assistant to the attorney general, intimated A. W. Smith, former general sales manager for the company, will be called the week of June 5. Krieger also wants to examine additional producer contracts of UA. He may ask for some of the individuals to appear here to secure additional data on their distribution arrangements. Schlaifer's final testimony dealt with BcSK's operations in Chicago, with the Roosevelt, UA. Apollo and Garrick; Jones, Linick <S Schaefer, who have the Oriental, McVickers and State-Lake, and RKO's Palace. Allied lo Acl Only On Completed Pact (Continued from page 5) month, of the anti-trust investigation on the coast coming to a head any day with the filing of a suit. While FWC and major companies are involved, Spyros Skouras and Charles Buckley, general counsel for the coast circuit, journeyed to Washington several weeks ago and conferred with Thurman Arnold on the clearance situation. Arnold is now in California, presumably to see what can be done on the coast setup. Frank Murphy, attorney general, was scheduled to arrive over the weekend for a general get-together with all parties concerned. Also during his visit here, Cole spent some time with Arthur Howard, business manager and secretary of the New England unit. No Immediate Television Threat Is Revealed (Continued from page 9) preparing programs are currently too high, and receiving sets are too expensive to permit any nation-wide development in the immediate future. At the present time, it is believed no city of less than 100,000 population could easily support one station; and in cities of less than 1,000,000 it would be difficult to operate two stations profitably if reliance for financial support must be placed upon advertising as the only source of income. “It seems safe to conclude that the establishment of a television service on a national scale will be a process of gradual development, beginning progressively with the larger cities and, over a period of years, finally becoming available to smaller communities,” the committee said. Myers Attacks on Neely Bill; Kindlier on Pact (Continued from page 5) tures determine the sales policy, the UA itself can, and must, fashion a workable plan of operation. Let us wait with entire confidence the dawn of a great day.” In his statement, Max A. Cohen, head of the local unit, continues to expound his principle of settling disputes “with a spirit of harmony, fairness and cooperation.” Having studied the various moves on trade practice negotiations, Harry G. Kosch comments, “It is true this document does not give the independent theatre all that it is entitled to, but it does grant many necessary reforms and eliminates some essential evils of our industry.” Allied of New York, however, which had been urging the acceptance of the draft by the national organization, reversed its policy Wednesday and adopted a resolution to go along with the national Allied legislative program. 12 BOXOFFICE :: May 27, 1939