The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

7 Commerce Dept. Plan Reaches Second Stage Many Hurdles Still to Be Cleared New York City — The Exhibitor learned from what it believed to be authentic sources last week end that a plan, which, if satisfactory to all sides, might mean the end of the government suit, and prepared by the Department of Commerce after conferences with industry executives, had reached the stage where a second draft was being considered. The plan, it is understood, was still in the stage where the Department of Justice had not entered the picture. If a satisfactory outline could be arranged by the Department of Commerce and industry leaders, there still remained the Department of Justice, independent exhibitors, the Court and plaintiffs in the government suit to satisfy. Briefly, the Commerce plan would include a three-man arbitration committee, with the Department of Commerce represented by one man, the other two being distributor and exhibitor members. It was also said that blind selling would be eliminated, block booking restricted to a degree, with other reforms also included. The arbitration feature was believed the strongest part of the arrangement, with practically all disputes between distributor and exhibitor to be ironed out through this method. The arbitrator authority would have power to award costs and inflict penalties. In short, it is believed that the plan would include reform of many of the present headaches of the industry. Just how far the idea has advanced is not known, but even if it gets by the present hurdle, it has some tough obstacles to overcome, in the opinion of observers. More Execs to Be Heard New York City — Scheduled to be heard this week in the pre-trial examination series were William Kupper, William Sussman, 20th Century Fox; A. Montague, Columbia; with possibility of Adolph Zukor and Darryl Zanuck also appearing if in the East. Film Carriers to Meet New York City — National Film Carriers, Inc., will hold its annual convention May 12-14, preceded by an executive committee meeting May 12, it was announced last week. Philly Walkout Off PHILADELPHIA — It was announced last week end that the stagehands and operators would not walkout of the Stanley-Warner theatres April 1 in support of the musicians, who have been tiffing with the circuit. Previously, the IATSE units were expected to aid the musicians in their battle. A. Rex Riccardi, secretary, musicians local, announced an “indefinite postponement.” U, Exhibs, Trade Fete Joe Pasternak Producer Meets Metropolitan Leaders New York City — More than 100 of the leading metropolitan exhibitors, circuit operators and representatives of the trade press turned out to honor Joe Pasternak, Universal producer, at a luncheon in the Hotel Astor March 28. William A. Scully, Universal general sales manager, introduced Pasternak who, however, took little credit for the successes to himself. At the center table, with Pasternak, were seated Nate Blumberg, J. Cheever Cowdin, William A. Scully, William J. Heineman, Joe Seidelman, John J. O'Connor, Fred Meyers, John Wright, Arthur Mayer, Harry Brandt and Clayton Bond. Among the theatre men who attended were : John J. O'Conner, Fred Meyers, Max Fellerman, Harry Mandel, RKO theatres ; Oscar Doob, Eugene Picker, Loew theatres ; George Skouras, John Benas, William Powers, Milton Hossfeld, William White and E. Zabel, Skouras theatres; Clayton Bond, Ed Hinehy, Leonard Schlesinger, Don Jacocks. Harry Goldberg, I. J. Hoffman, Warner theatres ; Fred Schwartz, Sam Goodman, A1 Hovel, Century. Also Leo Justin, Morris Jacks, Walter Reade theatres; William P. Phillips, United Artists theatres, and John Wright and James Dunn, Rivoli ; Joseph M. Seider, Prudential circuit; Arthur Mayer, Rialto ; Leo Brecher, Plaza ; Joe Philipson, Paramount; Sam Rinzer, Irving Kapan, Manny Frisch, Randforce ; J. J. Thompson, Cocalis. Also Si Fabian, Harry Brandt, Jack Hattem, Harold Eskin, Harry Katz. From the Universal home office were Blumberg, Cowdin, Scully, Seidelman, Heineman, C. D. Prutzman, S. Machnovitch, Peyton Gibson, F. T. Murray, J. J. Jordan, Leo Abrams, Louis Pollock, Hank Linet, Morris Alin, Andy Sharick, Larney Goodkind, E. Winer, D. A. Levy, Max Cohen, C. C. Margon, Fortunat Baronat. Edington in East New York City — Harry Edington, executive producer for RKO. arrived from the Coast this week and met the trade press at a cocktail party April 1. Easter Business Helps Broadway Gross Spurt ''Rebecca” in the Big Money New York City — Easter proved a great break for local houses, with business spurting upward. Highlights were “Rebecca,” “Road to Singapore,” “It’s a Date,” “Virginia City,” and “Primrose Path.” “IT’S A DATE” (Universal) — Will do estimated $28,000 on the second week at the Rivoli ; good. "BROADWAY MELODY" (Metro) — Expects to hit in the neighborhood of $40,000 at the Capitol ; good. "HUMAN MONSTER” (Monogram) — Did $2,850 Saturday and Sunday of the second week at the Globe after a good first week, earning the holdover. “THE SHOWDOWN" (Paramount) “KILLERS OF THE WILD" (Times)— Did $1600 Saturday and Sunday ; good, at the Central. “PINOCCHIO" (RKO) — Recorded a neat $25,000 gross at the Center, thanks to the Easter business. “REBECCA" (UA) — Opening day broke all records, with $76,000 Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, with expectation of an $110,000 first week at the Radio City Music Hall ; excellent, with stage show. “GONE WITH THE WIND" (Metro)— Still knocking off $21,000 weekly at the Astor. “VIRGINIA CITY" (Warners)— About $21,000 Friday, Saturday, Sunday of the second week, after $45,000 first week, with stage show. “PRIMROSE PATH" (RKO)— Did about $25,000 Friday, Saturday, Sunday of the second week at the Roxy ; good, with stage show. “ROAD TO SINGAPORE" (Paramount) — Did $19,000 Saturday, Sunday at the Paramount, with stage show, third week ; good. Theatre Changes Emaus, Pennsylvania — Jack Miller last week took over the local State from J. Foreman Corbett. Miller formerly handled the Lenox, Philadelphia. Smithfield, Virginia — Pitts-Roth Corporation last week took over the Smithfield from Mr. and Mrs. Jesse J. Scott. Deal involves the land and building, with the latter to be remodelled. Cortland Manager Fined Cortland, New York — Garson Jaffa, Schine manager was fined $50 here last week after pleading guilty following his arrest on complaint of the State Parole Board that classified teaser ads for “Parole Fixer” resulted in misleading advertising. Ads were taken seriously by convicts in Attica State Prison, it was charged. Boston RKOite Passes Boston — Funeral of William Lillis, RKO head shipper, was held March 28 at East Pepperell, with full military honors. Lillis leaves one son. Philly Union Meets Philadelphia — A special meeting of local bookers in Local B17 will be held tomorrow night (April 4) in the Vine Street Projection Room, it was announced last week. Floods in Pennsylvania PHILADELPHIA — Reports from the upstate area received here early this week said that many theatres in the district had already been affected by floods resulting from a heavy rain and melting snows. April 3, 1940 THE EXHIBITOR QUAD.