Boxoffice barometer (1941)

The Trend of Production for 1941 (Continued from Page 6) Hollywood workers — from stars, producers, directors ana writers down the line to technicians and backlot workers. The decree specifies films in the blocks of five may be interchangeable, with suJDStitutions possible in territories where certain players are popular and others are not wellliked. Hence it is felt stars will have to be generally well accepted throughout every section of the country in order to remain in the top ranks, while players who now are smash hits in either the cities or rural districts, but not in both, may slide down the scale. On the other hand, the Screen Actors Guild feels that settlement of the anti-trust action may have a possible wholesome effect on actors' earnings because adoption of the consent decree has dispelled a "mesh of lawsuits." Although conferences between studio and home office executives have been almost continually on the calendar since the consent decree was adopted, little has been officially announced except in scattered instances. Paramount, for example, admits its studio, theatre partners and distributing organization will have to "draw their belts a little tighter and fight to stay on top." Further, conferences at 20th Century-Fox have already indicated that studio may plan to film its product in packages of five, to expedite distribution under the consent decree. Apparently other companies have not yet gone far enough to disclose their finaings, or possibly are reluctant to reveal them to their competitors. Perhaps the decree will eliminate, however coincidentally, one current production practice — that wherein at one given time the bulk of films being shot at a given studio is of the "A" variety, whereas at another period the majority of product in work is of the low-budget type. The blocks-of-five plan may force the majors to schedule at least one or two big-budgeters out of every five in work so distributors will have one or more "leaders" to enable them to sen the other films in the block. Production of the so-called "prestige" picture may also be affected with the scrapping of the block booking system which has enabled majors to turn out such films even though a downright revenue loss is a possibility. Under the blocks of five arrangement the "leader" must be a fore-ordained money-maker or the block will not be attractive to showmen; and under such a set of conditions the "prestige" film may pass out of existence. The Outstanding News Events of 1940 (Continued from Page 10) revenue of major companies was completely or partially frozen, with shrinkage expected to mount as conditions abroad become more intensified and disorganized. June 15 issue. A new federal amusements tax was adopted, with levies of 10 per cent on all admissions over 20 cents. June 22 issue. Someone's brain child, answering to the name of dime-in-the-slot projection machine, began to plague the country with more offshoots than all the bars, taverns, hotels and transportation terminals in the country could comfortably or otherwise accommodate. Plans for these novel, 16mm machines reached staggering proportions, but analyses of their announcements revealed they were composed largely of two-thirds talk and one-third action, maybe less. See July 6 issue. After a month of negotiations between department of justice representatives on one side and eight major defendants on the other looking toward a consent decree to settle the government suit, Columbia, UA and Universal walked out, leaving the "Big Five" to shift for themselves. The justice department had insisted the "Little Three" be parties to the decree, the showdown coming when the "Little Three" declared they would have no part of small block sales and advance screenings. See July 13 issue. Practically no surprise at all was the result of a Gallup poll on double features, which revealed a 57 per cent vote against the duals and 43 per cent in favor of their retention. The one phase of the national survey that elicited interest, however, was the flat statement that "an estimated total of 32,000,000 persons, financially able to attend pictures frequently, actually go less than once a month." Details of the poll in the August 10 issue; reaction of industry observers, August 17 issue. Sounding a predictive keynote of things to come if and when television reaches maturity. Dr. Lee De Forest of Los Angeles declared: "It is almost inevitable that the smaller theatre owners will suffer from the impact of home television. Film producers, however, will not suffer. They have awakened to television and the film industry will be partly diverted to putting prepared entertainment into the home. 1 feel that every city of reasonable size will have its own television transmitter." See issue of August 31. Frank C. Walker, head of the Comerford Circuit, entered President Roosevelt's official family as postmaster general, the first industry representative to be honored in a cabinet post. See September 7 issue. Another first, but in reverse, was the advent of President Roosevelt's son, James, as a film producer, with the premiere of his first film by acquisition. See September 28 issue. October 15 marked the world premiere of "The Great Dictator," the first Charles Chaplin picture in four years. A pre-premiere account was noted in the October 12 issue. The same day saw Arthur W. Kelly, head of UA's foreign operations, promoted to vice-president in charge of the company's domestic distribution. See October 19 issue. In a six-hour session before Federal Judge Henry W. Goddard, representatives of 16 different exhibitor organizations launched an attack upon the proposed decree, urging the court not to approve it. Much stress was placed on the allegation that the terms of the decree, rather than relieving conditions, in effect would perpetuate them and give to consenting distributor defendants protection of their alleged monopolies through government sanction. See November 16 issue. Will H. Hays was offered an extension of his five-year contract as president of the MPPDA which expires in 1941. Also in November 16 issue. At 2:15 p. m., Novem,ber 20, Federal Judge Henry W. Goddard signed the decree, thus writing finis to the suit which originated in July, 1938. Defendant signatories were the "Big Five," leaving the "Little Three" to defend themselves either through trial or stipulation. See November 23. M-G-M realigned its national sales personnel, creating a larger number of aistricts and a third geographical sales division. See December 7 issue. The annual All-American Screen Favorite poll conducted by BOXOFFICE put Clark Gable in front as "King;" Bette Davis as "Queen," and Gene Autry as No. 1 western star. Miss Davis repeated her achievement of 1939. 16 BOXOFFICE BAROMETER