Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

I™ 1 I I ....................... .a ■ ■ a a a * a m m m p • » a •) ■ ■ .•> •'■..■ V£ -THE U*OE.F>-END-£Nr ISjU-lii-iliilili::!::::^::!!!^ Published Weekly by EXHIBITORS HERALD CO. at 203 South Dearborn Street, Chicago Tel.. Harrison 7355 H MARTIN J. QUIGLEY . Editor NEW YORK OFFICE [■) I 480 Broadway Tel.. Bryant 5111 James Beecroft. Manager Subscription Price $1.50 Ye a r 1 y All editorial copy and correspondence, and advertising copy should be addressed to the Chicago Office. Forms close at 6 p. Monday of each week. ENTERED AS SECOND CLASS MATTER AT THE POST OFFICE AT CHICAGO. ILL.. UNDER THE ACT OF MARCH 3. 1879 +— — — Volume V SEPTEMBER 8 1917 Number 1 1 Paramount Deposits NOTWITHSTANDING the terrific amount of objection which has been raised by exhibitors everywhere over the subject of "advance deposits" it has remained for the Paramount Pictures Corporation to develop recently a system of advance deposits which is far more iniquitous, from the exhibitors' standpoint, than any which has previously been in vogue. The system in question is that of requiring separate advance deposits on the productions of the various important players whose services are at the command of this company and its affiliated organizations. Never since the first cry against advance deposits was raised has there been such a bitter feeling against a system as there is against this one, according to information the HERALD is receiving daily. In fact, this editorial is written at the earnest solicitation of a group of prominent exhibitors who state their belief that with the subject brought up for discussion generally they will receive an equitable readjustment, especially in view of Paramount's long record of fair dealing with exhibitors. The HERALD believes in accord with these exhibitors that the present system is eminently unfair and should be changed forthwith. This trade paper does not believe, however, that Paramount should be stripped entirely of its means of protect ing itself against financial loss in its transactions with dishonest or unsuccessful exhibitors. A fair deposit system is no more vital to exhibitors than is proper credit protection to producers and distributors. Those who make and distribute films must be protected against a high percentage of loss through non-payment of bills or the entire industry will encounter disaster. But when the deposit system no longer remains a system of credit protection but becomes a system for borrowing large sums of money — without sanction of consent — from the exhibitors of the country, then it becomes a genuine evil and should be cornbatted vigorously. No honest and intelligent exhibitor can object to the proposition of giving to distributors fullest justification for the credit which the exhibitor asks. The motion picture business in the exhibiting branch is a "cash business" and for. that reason exhibitors should not require any "terms" on the payment of their bills. In addition, it must be recognized that there are a large number of exhibitors who, unfortunately, are not willing or able to meet their film bills promptly. This fact probably is the greatest contributing factor to the establishment of the advance deposit system. But the Paramount system of "separate deposits" is more than a credit guarantee and as such should be modified.