Exhibitors Herald (1927)

EXHIBITORS HERALD 29 Reported Move to “Squeeze” New Albany House Protested Exhibitor Said to Have Sought Booking Deal with Large Outside Chain in Order to Shut Off Product from Competitor (Special to the Herald) ALBANY, Sept. 20. — Isn’t it about time that both exhibitors and film exchange managers ceased an unethical form of competition that destroys, rather than builds, in the industry? This query was made last week by one of the leading exhibitors in Albany, N. Y., who has found it pays to maintain a straight, above board policy in his dealing both with the public and his competitors, and also with exchange managers and salesmen. In other words, this theatre owner is running his house as a straight business proposition. Attempt to “Freeze” Competition Reported The remark was occasioned in connection with a deal of a few weeks ago when one of Albany’s exhibitors is said to have attempted to arrange a deal with the heads of a large chain of houses, none of which is located in Albany, to do the booking for the Albany theatres owned by this exhibitor as a means of shutting off another owner who was erecting a new theatre in the immediate neighborhood. September 24, 1927 Louis G. Sewnig Busy Supervising 1 1 Houses in “U” Milwaukee Chain ( Special to the Herald) MILWAUKEE, Sept. 20. — Louis G. Sewnig is now up to his shoulder in his duties as supervisor of the eleven theatres in the Milwaukee Theatre Circuit. The genial Sewnig recently was awarded that post with the theatre chain organization after a record of successful service. The Milwaukee Theatre Circuit is part of the Universal chain and its eleven theatres in Milwaukee run in close competition with the Saxe Circuit, with its twelve houses in that city, as was shown in the survey on overseating which appeared in the September 3 issue of the Herald. Buyers 9 Directory of T. O. C. C. Is Service to New York Exhibitors Concise and ready information to theatre owners in booking product is the aim of the T. O. C. C. in publishing its Buyers’ Directory and Exhibitors’ Guide, a copy of which has just been received. Clauses added to the Standard Exhibition Contract are printed separately from the contract, as well as arbitration board rules. The directory also contains a list of motion picture theatres in Greater New York, with addresses and seating capacity, and a compilation of the theatres by zones. Charts of exchanges and releases occupy 57 pages, with columns for exhibitor notations. The volume is well arranged, on good paper and is a serviceable reference medium for exhibitors. McGuirk Month Drive Goes on Despite Shift ( Special to the Herald) NEW YORK, Sept. 20. — The resignation of John J. McGuirk as president of First Natoinal will cause no change in the plans of the company’s sales department for the John McGuirk Month sales drive. This announcement was made by Ned E. Depinet, general sales manager, who has instructed his branch managers to proceed with unabated enthusiasm. Estelle Taylor9 s Sister Marries Roger White (Special to the Herald) HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 20.— H e 1 e n Carter Taylor, sister of Estelle Taylor, and Roger White were married here today. White was an American consular attache in Belgium before the war. Court Frees Exhibitor ( Special to the Herald) KANSAS CITY, Sept. 20.— James B. Nichols, manager of the Bonaventure theatre of Kansas City, who was arrested recently on a fugitive warrant charging him with making a false statement to an Atchison, Kas., bank, was discharged this week after a hearing on a writ of habeas corpus in the circuit court at Kansas City. The new theatre, when completed, will represent an investment of approximately $100,000 and will be a second or third-run house. The deal, according to all reports, failed to materialize to the extent that was anticipated by the exhibitor who was seeking to protect himself at all costs against the possible invasion by the new house. It is claimed that an attempt was made to shut out the new exhibitor from desirable product by having the large chain organization book for the Albany house, not only getting pictures at a cheaper price than could be paid by the one erecting the new theatre, but also wielding a bludgeon through the knowledge that the business offered by the chain organization could not be turned down at any cost. As a general thing, the situation in Albany is far better than it was a few years ago, when exhibitors resorted to any means to obtain pictures and patronage. The houses that have been run on a straight business policy have prospered and this has made its impression upon such exhibitors as might be inclined to resort to rather unethical means of competition. Better Feeling Reflected There is a better feeling between the exhibitors of the city and the exchanges, due to the work of the Board of Arbitration, before whom matters are threshed out twice a month and where everyone present is permited to have a say. The last few months have also served to open the eyes of the exhibitors in Albany as to the possibilities of a summer’s business. It was only a. year ago that one prominent exhibitor was heard to remark that he would be money in the pocket if he closed his house during July and August and eliminated his overhead. This summer some of the exhibitors decided to book and run some of the biggest and best pictures obtainable, using plenty of newspaper space, and the result has been a most pleasing one to the owners of these houses. Comparing the receipts of July and August, at these houses, with the same two months last year, has shown profits running into the thousands of dollars. There has been no attempt at special exploitation, however, for both Albany and Troy appear to fight shy of bringing their attractions to the attention of the public through such avenues. Fox Films Breaks Its Weekly Record For Gross Income (Special to the Herald) NEW YORK, Sept. 20.— Fox Film Corp., in the week ended September 17, established a new weekly record for gross income in the United States and Canada amounting to $577,300, against $471,400 in the corresponding week last year. Incomplete tabulation of foreign business indicates a total greatly above a year ago. “Hula” Breaks Record ( Special to the Herald) DALLAS, Sept. 20. — “Hula,” Clara Bow’s most recent Paramount starring vehicle, broke the house record at the Palace last week. The record, which was made over a year ago, was well over $20,000. “The Quarterback” was the picture that the first record was made on, and that of “Hula” promises to be broken again this week with “Chang.” F & R and Publix Complete Alliance; Circuit Assured of Paramount Films (Special to the Herald) MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 20. — Completion of an alliance between Northwest Theatres, Inc., (Finkelstein & Ruben) and Paramount and Publix follows negotiations which have been in the making all summer. Details of the deal include an assurance of F & R preference on Paramount product and operation by F & R of the 3,000-seat Publix theatre being constructed here.