The Canadian Independent (Nov 15, 1937)

ce da 4 “Stella Dallas’’ Sets Record One of the biggest week-end records was made by ‘Stella Dallas’ at the Orpheum Theatre, Montreal. Over 10,000 admissions were recorded and more people were’ turned away than were admitted. 4% (Continued from Page 1) houses. The ten new theatres were the following: Bellevue, Toronto, 785 seats; Elgin, Ottawa, 750 seats; Rio, Levack, 350 seats; Bellard, Dunnville, 450 seats; Somerset, Ottawa, 750 seats; McCarthy, Belleville, 836; Simcoe, Simcoe, 700; Princess, Little Current, 210; Roxy, Beardown, 400; Muskoka, Gravenhurst, 400. The five houses reopened were: Paradise (formerly the Kitchener) Toronto, increased from 350 to 650 seats; Granada, in Peterboro, remodelled, 800; Royal, North Bay, remodelled, 762; Family, Toronto, 785; Fox (formerly the Prince Edward) remodelled, Toronto, 630. INCREASE FOR THEATRE REQUIREMENTS — ee FATON aA TON Phone AD. 5471 we ane THe CANADIAN nn /SSUED FOR THE BENEFIT OF ee INDEPENDENT THEATRE OWNERS SSG SE. USS INDEPENDENT PATRONIZE THE ADVERTISERS WHO MAINTAIN (7. ia, U.S. State Dept. To Ask | KUYKENDALL OUTLINES Changes In Quota Act Word comes from Washington that the State Department is to press for modification in the British Films Bill (Quota Act). This official request for re-consideration and modification of the Quota Act is said to be made in the interests of sustained film trade between the countries. It is thought that the Film Act, if passed in its present form, would prevent American producers from making big-scale quality pictures in England because of a shutting off of credits, and that the foreign trade of both countries would suffer. Forty per cent of the total U.S. film trade is carried on in the foreign market, of which 45 per cent is in the } United Kingdom. The gross revenue from these sales is said to approximate $16,000,000, the net revenue from rentals being between $5,000,000 and $7,000,000. Another 15 percent of the foreign market lies in Australia, New Zealand and New South Wales, where it is feared quota laws similar to the one enacted by the mother country may follow. This would place in jeopardy another substantial source of film revenue. As the act stands now, the first increase in quota is to take place April 1, 1939, when the 15 percent feature requirements is boosted to 20 percent. It is again increased in 1940 to 2214 percent, in 1942 to 25 percent, in 1944 to 271% percent and in 1946 to 30. percent. Cagney Stays With G. N. Despite rumors that James Cagney was going over to Warner Brothers, James slipped quietly into New York the other day to lunch with Edward L. Alperson, Grand National president, where they talked over the star’s next vehicle following “Something To Sing About.” A budget of $400,000 was set for the next picture to start some time this month, “a picture, ‘picture stars, POLICIES (Continued from Page 1) ulate a fair-trade practice program or agreement. Kuykendall, while admitt-. ing that the percentage arrangement was a fair way of arriving at the real value of was opposed to the way in which percentages operate at present, his contention being that distributors should be willing to share in losses as well as profits. Also that the distributor furnish the entire program where percentages are invoked. Extended runs’ were re nounced by him as a means of ‘‘milking’”’ the film to the detriment of subsequent houses. He was. against double features as_ they cheapened the industry. He charged that film and equipment people were forcing sales in non-theatrical spots to extend their business to the detriment of exhibitors. He recited incidents where film men promoted Parent-Teacher and similar organizations to give benefit shows in school auditoriums or town halls, and that supply houses were working the same field. He also pointed out that distributor contracts were so worded that, while the distributor has a contract with the exhibitor, the exhibitor has no contract with the distributor. That the contract tells what the exhibitor can and must do, but not ‘al the distributor must Qa. He urged the establishment of conciliation boards, and advised exhibitors to fight for a 20 percent cancellation privilege; also the abolition of forcing the buying of shorts where not used. The score charge was again branded as a racket by him. The fight against Performing Rights (A.S.C.A.P. in the U.S.) would be ecarried on, said Kuykendall, as he held that the present copyright law was antiquated and unfair. He discussed the mooted question of broadcasting by admitting that there was a difference of opinion men about the value or among theatre | Noy. 15, 1937 QUEBEC INDIES PETITION DUPLESSIS (Continued from Page 1) the Province of Quebec. The delegation reports a very satisfactory, and sympathetic reception by the Attorney General who assured that the petition would receive consideration. A subsequent meeting was held by representatives of the Quebec Association with a representative of the Attorney General’s Department in Quebec. The Walt Disney radio show will be on the NBC network, beginning Sunday, Jan. 2, 1938, at 3.30-4.00 ‘p.m. for Pepsodent. This broadcast will include all of the Walt Disney animal characters including “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’, his feature-length picture to be released early in the new year. The contract is set for 13 weeks with options at $10,000 per week. Reisman Decorated Phil Reisman, R K O foreign sales manager, was recently decorated by the French Government with the cross of the Legion of Honor.. detriment of such broadcasts to boxoffice receipts. But, he suggested that such broadcasts should be limited to time other than the peak hours in theatres. Genuine Claude Neon SIGNS MARQUEES INTERIOR LIGHTING MODERN DESIGNS Coast to Coast Service E. L. RUDDY CO. LIMITED 317 Spadina Avenue Toronto