The Exhibitor (1952)

EXHIBITOR 9 Me! Konecoff's NEW yORK ALLIED STATES ASSOCIATION Presi¬ dent Wilbur Snaper last week warned distributors to pay attention to the request of the unit for an industry conference to discuss arbitration or face the consequences, which could include numerous law suits from indepen¬ dent exhibitors, whose complaints alleging dis¬ crimination have been piling up rapidly at Allied headquarters. Six weeks prior. Allied had mailed out a pamphlet to distributors detailing Allied’s plan for industry arbitration, and while Snaper reported hearing from a few distributors, the majority have not as yet replied one way or the other. Snaper believed that there should be a speedier action or reaction, and hoped that dis¬ tributors wouldn’t think it out of exist¬ ence for the sake of the industry. A meet¬ ing, he opined, should be set so that all concerned could work out something beneficial which would remove some of the intra-industry friction. Snaper believed that after two years of investigation, unless problems can be ironed out, there will be a greater num¬ ber of legal actions taken by exhibitors than ever before. More complaints are being entered about discriminatory poli¬ cies against the independent operator than ever before, with the emphasis be¬ ing on runs, the increasing limited distri¬ bution of specials, etc., he said. On the subject of specials, Snaper said that restriction of distribution of these bigger features has caused the smaller exhibitor to lose much in the way of potential boxoffice gross. When a special is played, it usually goes into a selected house or several houses at increased ad¬ missions, after which it is taken off the market to be released again generally later, usually in the same theatres at regular prices. Thus some theatres get the right to run one feature twice while the smaller independents have to follow at long last in virtually a third-run, which, Snaper believed, is bound to affect busi¬ ness. He maintained that the latter have as much right to run the picture as do the key-runs. Snaper also hit at the distributor prac¬ tice of making deals on specials which are not followed with regard to the smaller situations where, when a film is sold to key runs, exhibitors get a guar¬ antee of 10 per cent of the gross on a 70-30 deal, whereas the smaller runs have to fight for a similar contract. Another irritation to exhibitors has been the prac¬ tice of distributors to throw situations open for bidding upon the slightest prov¬ ocation even though exhibitors don’t want it, he said. One cause for indiscrim¬ inate bidding is an alleged shortage of prints which distributors claim from time to time, he declared. Allied, said Snaper, for the past six months has been complacent about some The heads of the MGM studio recently met with Howard Dietz, vice-pressident, at sessions at the Culver City studio, and seen, are, front row; L. K. Sidney, studio executive; Dore Schary, vicepresident in charge of production; Dietz, and E. J. Mannix, studio general manager, and, back row, newly appointed promotion representatives E. B. Coleman, southern division; Ted Galanter, western division; Arthur Canton, eastern division; Dan Terrell, New York, director of promotion; Ivan Fuldauer, midwest division; E. C. Pearson, central division; Emery Austin, southern division. Dewey Bloom, second from the left, promotion representative for MGM of Canada, attended. problems hoping that they would iron themselves out, but this hasn’t happened, and it now seems evident that the organ¬ ization will have to take a more militant stand despite a reluctance to go to the government for assistance. He reported that there has been much talk about petitioning the government to declare the industry a public utility, and, as such, would require strict supervision over its affairs such as telegraph, phone systems, etc. Other items which have come up from time to time are the refusal of distribu¬ tors to book reissues, which they fear might cause exhibitors to play the oldies in preference to the smaller new films on the mark,et today, and the taking away of runs from exhibs arbitrarily without discussions with exhibitors. Snaper announced that an arbitration committee had been named to discuss the matter, including Colonel H. A. Cole, Jack Kirsch, Trueman Rembusch, Nate Yamins, Snaper, and counsel Abram F. Myers. AD NOTE: The other day, we noticed an unusual two-third page ad in Tide magazine, the magazine for and about advertising, which started out thusly: “Here’s a really terrific opportunity for a top account executive who has had his ulcer removed, but thinks he can still beat the rat race.” The copy that follows goes into a big pitch on how the ideal advertising agency should be set up, which, in turn, is followed by copy plug¬ ging Paramount’s “Something To Live For”, which strangely enough concerns itself with the adventures of an advertis¬ ing agency account executive. Sid Blumenstock, assistant advertising, publicity, and exploitation director at Paramount, is the man responsible, a good man. THE METROPOLITAN SCENE: Italian director Vittorio de Sica was guest of honor at two receptions last week, one co-hosted by Italian Film Export Asso¬ ciation and the Motion Picture Associa (Continiied on page 16) Konecoff Business Sagging Along Broadway New York — Business in the Broadway first-run spots was only fair last week¬ end, according to usually reliable sources reaching Exhibitor. The breakdown was as follows: “A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE” (WB). Warner reported $19,000 for the opening week on this return at popular prices. “BOOTS MALONE” (Col.). Paramount, with stage show, hit $47,000 on the second week. “VIVA ZAPATA!” (20th-Fox). Rivoli was down to $11,000 on the seventh week. “DEADLINE— U.S.A.” (20th-Fox) . Roxy, with stage show, claimed $37,000 for Fri¬ day through Sunday, with the second week due to hit $60,000. “THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH” (Para.). Radio City Music Hall, with stage show, took in $70,000 from Thursday through Sunday, with the 11th, and last week, anticipated at $102,000. “SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS” (RKO-Disney) . Criterion was down to $5,000 for the fifth week. “RED SKIES OF MONTANA” (20thFox). Globe expected the opening week to reach $12,000. “SAILOR BEWARE” (Para.). Mayfair reported that the eighth week would tally $20,000. “QUO VADIS” (MGM). A.stor claimed $15,000 for the 20th, and last, week. “THE BELLE OF NEW YORK” (MGM). Loew’s State had a $10,000 third week. “THE MARRYING KIND” (Col). Vic¬ toria announced the second week figure as $30,000. “THE AFRICAN QUEEN” (UA). Capi¬ tol was heading toward a $29,000 fifth week, helped by Humphrey Bogart win¬ ning the Academy Award. Texas Appeal Delayed Austin, Teix. — It was reported last fort¬ night that the “Pinky” censorship case was marking time pending a decision by the state of Texas as to whether or not the jurisdiction of the U. S. Supreme Court is challengeable in this instance. If the state, which now has superseded the city of Marshall, Tex., as controller of the action, does file an objection to the jurisdiction of the U. S. Supreme Court within 15 days from March 13, the plain¬ tiff, W. L. Gelling, Paramount, Marshall, then will have 20 days in which to file with the high court a printed brief opposing the objection. Ratner Opens Own Office New York — Victor M. Ratner, who has been assisting COMPO in the preparation of its forthcoming nationwide newspaper advertising campaign, last fortnight an¬ nounced his resignation as sales promo¬ tion vice-president, R. H. Macy’s, to open his own public relations office. Arthur L. Mayer, COMPO executive vice-president, .said it was likely that Ratner would con¬ tinue his COMPO assistance. Ratner has indicated that he will do special woi’k for 20th-Fox and the William Morris agency. New Chicago Suit Filed Chicago — An anti-trust action of $700,000 against the eight majors on behalf of the DuPage, DuPage, Ill., was filed last week by attorney John Sullivan. The suit cov¬ ers the 1938-48 period. March 26, 1952