The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

EDITORIAL T H [ Volume 23, No. 8 January 3, 1940 A Jay Emanuel Publication. Covering the film territories in the Metropolitan East. Published weekly by Jay Emanuel Publications, Incorporated. Publishing office: 1225 Vine Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. New York City office, 1600 Broadway. West Coast office, 1119 Poinsettia Drive, Hollywood, California Representatives in Washington, D. C.; Albany, Buffalo, Boston, New Haven. Jay Emanuel, publisher; Paul J. Greenhalgh, business manager; Herbert M Miller, managing editor. Subscription rates: $2 for one year; $5 for three years. Address all communications to 1225 Vine Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Just In Passing RKO FINALLY PULLS OUT One of the real bits of news during the past fortnight was the indication that RKO is definitely coming out of its receivership. It doesn’t seem possible that the company’s financial difficulties date back to 1933, but the record shows it. As far as the trade is concerned, this battle of financial plans, court hearings and the like is something for the lawyers and financiers to worry about. Although we are pleased to note that the receivership tangle is ending, exhibitors will be more interested to hear that the first openings of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” were decidedly on the money side. Regardless of who sells or buys RKO stock, the future of the company rests with what is seen on the screen. THE LEGISLATURES FUNCTION In many states January brings further legislative activity. Therefore, in line with the usual policy of this department, exhibitors are advised to keep their ears close to the ground. As usual, there will be a need for greater revenues and, as usual, the motion picture industry is expected to be the target. Keep your eyes open, boys. The staff of this publication in the state capitals as well as in Washington will keep us informed on the goings-on, and, as has been our policy in the past, the columns will be open to all industryites so that everyone may be fully informed on legislative activities. TELL YOUR CONGRESSMAN Within a few days all eyes will turn to Washington where the fate of the Neely bill will be decided. We suggest, if you haven’t already done so, that you contact your Congressman and let him know where you stand on the bill. A NEW YEAR MAKES ITS BOW Some things we’d like to see happen in 1940: That distributors realize that it is less expensive in the long run, and better for exhibitor-distribution relations, to settle some of these current suits and prevent others from being started. That the era of name-calling in the business be ended, at least in the public prints. No one ever won that kind of an argument and the result is fun for the boys on the sidelines, which makes the whole thing nonsensical. That the studios stop sending out publicity that no more “B’s” or “C’s” will be produced, and call a halt on designations via the alphabetical route. The pictures will classify themselves as soon as they are seen, without anyone telling us. That each exhibitor consider seriously the idea of casting his lot with his fellow theatremen. That each organization take a tip from the operators and other unionists and build up their war chests. There is nothing so comforting as a fat treasury. That some method of arbitration be effected within the industry, regardless of whether or not we have a code. That Metro continue to make at least three Hardy Family pictures a year, and also a few Kildares. That the companies which are producing unimportant “series” productions drop them. That “Gone With the Wind” be edited down a bit (it can) and sold to exhibitors at terms which won’t start controversies throughout the country. That the Hollywood execs pay more attention to their productions and less to their polo ponies and horse racing endeavors. That bigger and better hinterland openings of pictures be arranged for every part of the country. That some of the Hollywood commentators who are giving out so much “free advice” on how to run the business attend to their own knitting and not bother with others. That both the Neely Bill and government suit be disposed of so we can all go back to work. QUAD.