The Exhibitor (1950)

EXHIBITORS plagued by television com¬ petition can appreciate the sentiments of a member of a midwest transit board, who blames television for a deficit incurred by the transportation system. He claims that because more people stay home, they aren’t riding the cars, and the deficit has resulted. This will probably result in the transportation system installing video sets. ★ AN ENTERPRISING manager in an eastern city made arrangements to have the local school bus service pick up children on the regular route on a Saturday morning to see “Cinderella,” and, after the show was over, the buses were on hand to take the kids back home again. ★ LOSSES of speakers in drive-ins in one area have been so great that theatremen are now taking down license numbers of cars at¬ tending, checking them against the miss¬ ing speakers later on. ★ A NEW DRIVE-IN in the south will feature a regular size automobile on top of the marquee, which, as the announcement in¬ dicates, should undoubtedly attract much attention. ★ A MIDWESTERN student, racing in his car to get to a theatre before the price changed, found it rather expensive. He was arrested for speeding, and was fined $11. While he did get to the theatre before the price changed, and thereby saved 20 cents, that still left him $10.80 poorer. ★ IF all goes well, there will be three theatremen in the Iowa state legislature, while still another exhibitor is in the running for a nomination to the U. S. Senate. ★ BURGLARS who stole money from a Texas theatre will have a surprise coming if they are brought before the local judge. lie owns the house. — H. M. M. Three Big Campaigns There are three points on the industry agenda at the present time in which all tradesters should participate: 1. The big push for the elimination of the 20 per cent federal admissions tax. 2. The “Movies Are Better Than Ever” campaign. 3. The Independence Savings Bond Drive. Some may argue with the order of things hut there is no deny¬ ing the fact that each has some connection with the others. Grosses at theatres will he helped if the 20 per cent tax is eliminated, impetus to theatre-going will be aided by the “Movies Are Better Than Ever” campaign, and the more people at the theatres the greater number can he sold on the importance of the bond drive. By this time, the trade well knows that it has become essential in the matter of selling savings bonds. The legislators may not seem to give any preference to the industry when it comes to cutting taxes, hut the government certainly feels that the business is necessary for the success of a bond campaign. No industry can match this business when it conies to selling bonds, collecting money, etc. Still, in seeking to eliminate unfair taxes, the trade is placed in the same category as night clubs and manufacturers of jewelry, handbags, and similar products. Compare the civic accomplishments of a theatre with the other lines of endeavor, and the answer is obvious. Nevertheless the trade will give its best to the bond cam¬ paign. Under the direction of Samuel Pinanski, who made a success of the Seventh War Loan, it can he expected, as always, to help. However, it would he nice if the same government which seeks its aid can think of it and its patrons more kindly in eliminating taxes. In our opinion, one request is definitely linked with the other. INDEX Vol. 44, No. 1 May 10, 1950 Section One Editorial . 3 Feature Article — “ ‘Bingsday’ Is Added To The Calendar” . 5, 6 In The Newsreels . 11 People 12 Release Date Guide Inside Back Cover Score Board 10 Trade Screenings . 10 Extra Profits . EP-1 — EP-8 A JAY EMANUEL PUBLICATION. Founded in 1918. Published weekly by Jay Emanuel Publica¬ tions. Incorporated. Publishing office: 1225 Vine Street, Philadelphia 7, Pennsylvania. New York office: 1600 Broadway, New York 19. West Coast Representative: Paul Manning, 923 Alandele Avenue, Los Angeles 36, California. Jay Emanuel, publisher; Paul J. Greenhalgh, busi¬ ness manager; Herbert M. Miller, editor; James A. Dalton, advertising manager; Max Cades, production manager; Marguerite Gibson, circulation manager; George F. Nonamaker and Mel Konecoff, associate editors. Subscription rates: Each of six sectional editions (New England, New York State, Philadelphia— Washington, Southern, Mideast, Midwest— Western): one year, $2; two years, $3.50; three years, $5. General edition: one year, $7.50 in U. S. and possessions, $10 in Canada and Pan-American countries, $15 in all other countries. Address editorial and business correspondence to the publishing office, 1225 Vine Street, Philadelphia 7, Pennsylvania. Reviews Section Two SS-1— SS-8