Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1934 - Aug 1935)

INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN Vol. l No. 14 Dec. 11, 1934 Issued weekly by Eilra Bulletin Company, at 1313 Vine Street. Phila., Pa. Mo Wax, editor and publisher. Telephone: Rittenhouse 4816. Address all communications to Editor, Film Bulletin ADVERTISING RATES Write or call us for our Advertising Rates. In New York City call Mo Wax, Circle 7-3094. CLASSIFIED RATE Ten cents per word. Minimum Si. 00. Send check or money order with copy. KUYKENDALL AVERS THAT MPTO OF E. PA. IS UNIT OF MPTOA Oft Denied Fact is Admitted by National President in D-F Case MEMBERS' IRE AROUSED Quite unexpectedly the "cat" jumped out of the bag last week. During his examination as a witness in the Harry Perelman double feature case, Ed Kuykendall, national president of the MPTOA, admitted a fact that has been repeatedly denied or hedged on by the leaders of the MPTOA of Eastern Pennsylvania, namely, that the local group is a unit of the national organization. For years the men who conduct the affairs of the theatre owners' group have sought to mislead the independent exhibitors of the territory on the question of its affiliation with the producer-controlled Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America. Either denying directly any connection with the parent group, or evading the issue whenever the question has been put to them, they have carried on the organization's activities behind a smoke screen of strict independence. A number of prominent independent exhibitors have stood by the MPTOA in the belief that their group was really unassociated with the national body. Fuel was added to the blaze started by Kuykendall's declaration when Ben Golder revealed the decision of the Nebraska District Court finding the MPTOA guilty of conspiracy with the major producers. 15 Million Catholics Decency Pledges to Lists of Approved and Banned Pictures To Be Posted In All Churches STATUS HERE UNCHANCED That the Catholic Church's drive against indecency in motion pictures is not being relaxed was evidenced by the fact that approximately 15,000,000 faithful Catholics were asked to take the Legion of Decency pledge last Sunday in all Churches throughout the country. A revised and condensed pledge was read from the pulpits at all masses. This new pledge follows: "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. "I condemn indecent and immoral motion pictures and those which glorify crime or criminals. "I promise to do all that I can to strengthen public opinion against the production of indecent and immoral films, and to unite with all who protest against them. "I acknowledge my obligation to form a right conscience about pictures that are dangerous to my moral life. As a member of the Legion of Decency, I pledge myself to remain away from them. I promise, further, to stay away altogether from places of amusement which show them as a matter of policy." Standard lists of films in three classifications will be posted in the vestibule of every church. The classifications are: (A) those approved unreservedly for adults and children alike; (B) those on which the Church will not commit itself for adults, but which it forbids children to see; (C) films which are considered by the Church to be "indecent and immoral and unfit for public entertainment." These lists will be revised weekly to keep them up to date. It is believed unlikely that the renewed efforts of the Catholic Church to enlist a unanimous following of its faithful in its Legion of Decency campaign to boycott indecent pictures will in any wise affect the situation in the Philadelphia Diocese where the complete boycott of all movie houses still prevails. There has been no indication that Cardinal Dougherty will instigate his stand of an indiscriminate ban on all films. New Haven Clearance Schedule To Be Adopted; Will Set Precedent For National Zoning FILM BULLETIN learned from an authoritative source today that the New Haven clearance schedule will probably be adopted as the standard plan to be followed by Code Authority zoning boards throughout the country. The New Haven plan takes into consideration many particulars in setting the clearance that a theatre can have. It does not allow theatres to buy protection over houses which arc not com|>ctitive. After months of bickering and investigating Campi lia finally tome to a decision on the New Haven schedule. The Kansas City plan of basing clearance solely on admission prices came in for considerable discussion, but was strenuously opposed by the producers who would find themselves deprived, under that schedule, of their important protection whip in selling their products. Announcement of the New Haven schedule as the official one is expected before the end of this week. It is doubtful that hearings will be started by the local Zoning Board before the beginning of l he New Year. In the meantime, the local independent exhibitors proceed with their plans of presenting a united front on clearance demands under whatever plan Campi adopts. Sign New Legion of Shun Immoral Films LEGAL CHARACTER SKETCHES in the Courtroom JUDGE WELSH: Wholly unlike the general conception of the stern jurist. Genial, gentlemanly, kindly. Possibly best characterized as (what the movie advertising men relish in terming) a "lovable old gent." But really not so old. On the bench, you would guess he's 65, but watching him gingerly walking down the corridor, you'd say 25. The gentle sport of bare-fist fighting kept him in trim as a youth. At his approximate 55 years today he can swim a mere 15 miles (without water-wings). That cute white-haired tot that appeared in court one day last week wasn't his granddaughter, as so many presumed — she was His Honor's daughter ! BEN GOLDER: "Poker Face." We watched him intently many times while witnesses were being questioned, hoping to catch some revealing emotion on his countenance. Might just as well have focused our attention on Billy Penh's immobile face at the top of City Hall. In court the man's expression would turn Buster Keaton green with envy. Whether he is examining a witness, or listening to his adversary, or engaging in a verbal tiff, or addressing the bench, there is never a visible flicker to betray his thoughts. A brilliant orator and a shrewd strategist. Headed for, if he desires it, a top spot in the film industry. MORRIS WOLF : In court, the direct antithesis, emotionally, of his opponent. Reveals his pleasure or displeasure with every bit of testimony. Impresses favorable evidence on the judge by smiling; looks glum when things go adversely. Keenly alert invariably. Youthful, spry, erect, rartorially perfect. Head of one of Philadelphia's foremost legal firms, he could pass for a youngster of 28. They say he's over 40, and graying temples seem to substantiate it. INSURANCE SAVING FOR MEMBERS IS PLANNED BY I EPA Expect to Close Deal With N. Y. Firm Shortly for Entire Croup In an effort to effect a considerable saving for the organization's member, the IEPA Insurance Committee has been investigating the rates of various insurance firms, and seeking to consummate a special deal for the entire 110 theatres in the group. Chairman Harry Fried, of the committee, states that a tentative schedule of rates has already been submitted by a prominent NewYork company and that it will be presented to the members in the near future. Insurance for theatres has always been considered abnormally high and while exhibitors have often complained, there has been no concerted attempt by a local organization to obtain a reduction. The IEPA employed experts to make the investigation for them and the result will probably be a large saving on the important insurance rates, namely, fire, liability and transportation.