The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

5 Introduce Wages, Hours Measure In Legislature Colonel Cole, Jenkins Debate on Neely Bill Montclair, New Jersey, Hears Verbal Tussle Montclair, New Jersey — Highlight of a discussion on the Neely Bill here last week before local Motion Picture Council between Colonel H. A. Cole, president, Allied States Association, and Felix Jenkins, counsel for 20th Century-Fox Film Corporation, was an admission by Cole that the block booking system did not force immoral or obscene pictures on exhibitors, according to report. Jenkins stated that he was both “pleased and surprised at Cole’s admission as to the moral issue, since the bill has been sold to women’s organizations throughout the country almost entirely on the false moral issue.” Colonel Cole’s chief argument for the Neely Bill was that under the existing distribution system the exhibitors did not have sufficient right of selectivity in order to obtain pictures which were best suitable to their patrons. Jenkins devoted most of his time to an attack on the synopsis and criminal provisions of the bill. New Bronx Theatre New York City — Kay Theatres, Inc., George Kleinman, treasurer, last week leased for 21 years at an aggregate rental of about $250,000, from the New Era Management Corporation, Dr. B. A. Kantrowitz, president, the motion-picture theatre to be erected at 85-89 Hugh Grant Circle, Bronx. Theatre site is directly opposite the proposed main thoroughfare through the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Parkchester development. House is expected to be ready for operation in June. David Berk and J. Krumgold arranged the lease as brokers and Moses H. Hoenig was attorney for the lessee. Javanese Courtesy NEW YORK CITY — The following correspondence from Malang (Java), Dutch West Indies, was received by Metro’s still department last week. “Dear Sir: “I ask you polietly to send me pictures of your players. I like your flicks very well and that’s why I ask you for this favor. I thank you kindly beforehand.” February 7, 1940 Jersey Rights Bill Would Affect Theatres Other Legislation of Interest Introduced Trenton — Assemblyman Frank S. Hargrave, Orange, New Jersey, last week introduced in the New Jersey Legislature a bill to amend the Civil Rights Law. Amendment provides that penalties paid in damage suits for violation of civil liberties shall be recovered by the aggrieved person instead of by the state. It applies principally to hotels, restaurants and theatres. Negro organizations are leading the fight for enactment of this measure, tending to stop segregation of negro patrons in theatres. A similar bill was offered by Hargraves last year but failed of enactment following a public hearing. The Ferster Assembly Bill 40, wages and hour measure, fixing minimum wage and standard hours was reported out of committee January 29, and advanced to second reading. Other measures introduced January 29 of interest to motion picture theatre owners are: Assembly 128, introduced by William P. Howe, Pennington, to limit the working week of employed persons to six days. Referred to the Judiciary Committee. Assembly 133. Introduced by Frank S. Platts, Newark. To clarify “gross income” with reference to taxation of foreign corporations. Referred to the Corporations Committee. Theatre Suit Dismissed Flushing — The suit of Marjorie Whittington, ex-Follies dancer, against RKOKeith’s Flushing was dismissed last week by Justice Rodman Richardson in Municipal Court here. Charging that she had sprained her ankle on one of the house’s stairways because of inadequate lighting, Miss Whittington sued for $1,000 damages. Justice Richardson ruled that since the plaintiff had visited the theatre many times before the accident, she had had opportunities to observe any deficiencies in the lighting system and could have demanded better lights or assistance in using the stairs. "Bingo” Back in Rochester Rochester — “Bingo” has returned to neighborhood houses despite District Attorney O’Mara’s edict against the games, a survey showed last week. Bill Brimmer’s Schine Madison is playing it, with others to follow. THE EXHIBITOR Forty Hours, at 40 Cents Per, Asked Albany — A State wages-hour bill, sponsored by the American Labor party, which would set up a minimum wage rate of 40 cents an hour and a maximum work week of 40 hours, was introduced in the Legislature last week by Senator Kleinfeld, Democrat, Brooklyn, and Assemblyman Boccia, Republican-Laborite, Manhattan. Bill provides for a supervision of wages and hours by the State Industrial Commissioner and levies drastic penalties against employers violating the proposed measure. Under the terms of the bill, employes working more than eight hours a day and 40 hours a week would receive time-anda-half for overtime up to 10 hours a day and 54 hours a week. Over that period overtime is to be paid at double the hourly rate. The bill exempts domestic servants and farmers. It also gives an employer the right of judicial review from the rates imposed by the wage board. The wage boards, under the bill, would be established by the commissioner in each industry. The supervision of the bill would be given to the commission and the present division of minimum wages. New Binghamton Theatre Binghamton — Plans for the construction of a new 600-seat super-modern theatre downtown were announced last week by Frederick Nansen, designer and contractor. Structure will be located at 200 Court Street on a site now occupied by a frame residence. He reported that the theatre will be operated by Mrs. Esther Nansen, Johnson City, his wife. Cinema Lodge Meeting New York City — A general meeting of Cinema Lodge, B’nai B’rith, will be held February 8 at the Hotel Edison, with Louis Nizer, Dr. Charles H. Johnson and Myron Sulzberger as principal speakers. Harold Rodner is chairman of the program committee. Dr. deSola Pool will be guest of honor. Ellis Keeps Post NEW YORK CITY— RKO salesman Jack Ellis keeps his post as president of the Motion Picture Associates for a third term, it was decided last week. He will be installed February 20. At session of the board, presided over by William Stein, Morris Sanders, who was one vote behind in the election count, withdrew his objection, but recommended change in the by-laws to prevent a similar situation from arising later. NYS.