The Canadian Motion Picture Exhibitor (Jul 15, 1941)

A Semi-Monthly SUMMARY of World-Wide Motion Picture NEWS Vol. 7,-No. 14. Against Hasty Anti-Dual Action The hurricane of opposition that looked as though it might blow double-features off the screen seems to have abated somewhat. Producers and Independent leaders have hit them pretty hard lately and opinion seemed unanimous. Now the Independent Motion Picture Producers Association has tackled the problem from _ the other viewpoint. A Capital-Labor common front for the retention of the doubles may result. A com mittee was appointed to. meet with the Screen Actors Guild and other bodies of Hollywood workers whom the removal of dual bills would affect greatly. The concern of the Independent Producers is easy to understand. Their product usually goes into better theatres on the backs of bigger pictures. With exceptions, of course. The Hollywood unions also have a great deal at stake. Even now they have an unemployment problem. (Continued on Page 2) Ottawa Picks Coplan David H. Coplan, Columbia Pictures Canadian Sales Executive, has been appointed by Ottawa to act in an advisory capacity to the National Film Board. He’ll deal with. exhibition and _ distribution matters. At $1.00 a year. Wilg ress Leaves National Film Board L. D. Wilgress, Deputy Minister of Trade and Commerce, has resigned as a member of the National Film Board. Hon. J. F. Thorson, head of the board, announced the resignation at the first meeting. Thorson suggested that Judge T. C. Davis, Associate Deputy Minister of War Services, might fill Wilgress’ unfinished term, which runs to August, 1942. | YHl MOT. rit PICTURE © Toronto, July 15, 1941 Alberta Exhibs in Tax Protest Independents, in Resolution to Ottawa, Deseribe Tax as Unfair; Call For New Rate and Method In a strongly-worded resolution of nine points the Al berta Independent Theatre Exhibitors’ Organization called upon Ottawa for a drastic downward revision of the present 20 per cent tax to not more than 5 per cent. You Can't Kid The Customers The patrons are becoming aware of the bickering over the quality of the current Hollywood product. With the daily press sticking its nose into this inner trade problem the question has become public property. A manager reports this. tale by his head usher. The latter was summoned to shush two talky customers. “Would you mind not talking?” he asked... ‘“You’re disturbing the other patrons.” “Oh?” crackedone of the gabby boys, “is everybody asleep already ?” Congrats Due Jack Roher of Peerless Films and Miss Lottie Probst of Mon It suggested also that “the logical way to impose a tax of this kind is on the cost of the goods, such as the imposition of the sales tax on retail businesses. In our case, it would be imposed on film rentals. In this way, although it adds to the cost of the goods, our admission prices would not be frozen and we would have a chance to meet your expenses.” — Addressed to Finance Minister J. L. Ilsley and signed by H. G. Stevenson of Edson, president, and Matt Park of Wetaskiwin, secretary-treasurer, the resolution explained that it was an attempt to present the facts “in a desperate effort to bring justice into action as applied to the theatre industry in Canada.” Western exhibitors were especially hard-hit by the tax. There was an almost immediate drop of 50 treal were married in that city |per cent in patronage. To add to recently. Dr. Abramovitz officiated. They’ll live.in Toronto. the difficult situation, the usual (Continued on Page 2) PRESS-STUDIOS SETTLE | The press preview problem, which has been fought over since early April, has been settled temporarily. The decision has gone to ‘the studios. There will be a certain time allowance, perhaps two weeks, for Hollywood correspondents and syndicate representatives but most newspaper criticism will coincide with the release of the picture in each separate area. The issue was in doubt for a long time, the studios being unwilling to provoke the scribes, until the exhibitors forced action. The trade press has been made an exception to the restrictions, its activity being regarded as part of the function of distribution. Studio advertising executives drafted the new rules, which are as follows: 1. That the trade press attend and review films at the tradeshowings for exhibitors in various parts of the U.S., since the primary function of the trade press is the dissemination of information for the trade itself and serves as a guide to exhibitors; 2. That advance showings be arranged for magazines and weekly publications of general circulation, such advance showings necessary; 38. That, as the result of discussions with syndicate heads and newspaper publishers throughout the country, it was found that the consensus of their opinions was that the lay press and radio commentators be shown the pictures for review when they open for public exhibition in their local theatres. Therefore, this has been adopted as the practice. Official Organ — of the INDEPENDENT THEATRES ASSOCIATION $5.00 Per Annum MPTOA Plans Interest Revival Exhibitor organizations won't wait on Hollywood measures for reviving customer interest. The Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America are planning a fall campaign designed to impress the benefits of relaxation and diversion to be found in theatres. A slogan has been chosen. It’s “You Need Diversion—See a Good Movie.” Considerable planning is being done, there being a desire to profit by the mistakes of the “Movies Are Your Best Entertainment” campaign of a couple of years ago. The first letter of that slogan read MAYBE and that was the general public reaction. The producers have been invited to co-operate but if they prefer their own methods the MPTOA is ready with alternative ideas. About $500,000 is the figure that the plan calls for. Advertising: will rely on art and suggestion nather than reading matter. If the exhibitors go it alone, Canada will have to get busy on (Continued on Page 2) Chaplin Boom? The success of “The Great Dictator”’ and recent Chaplin revivals has caused the comedian to take his old efforts. seriously. Chaplin silents have been taken from the vaults for editing and the addition of new musical. scores. Which means that “The Kid,’ ‘The Pilgrim,” “Shoulder Arms” and all the rest of the old moneymakers will be back in action soon. Pickford to Produce Mary Pickford announced in Cleveland recently that she will produce her own in the fall. Her activities will be for United Artists, there being no change in her relationship with the company. Miss Pickford has a remake of “Coquette” under’ consideration but will drop it for a _ strong original story if one shows up.