Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1934 - Aug 1935)

2 INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN Vol. I No. 17 Jan. 1, 1935 Issued weekly by Film 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 $1.00. check or money order with copy. Send INDEPENDENTS PROCEED WITH PLANS TO REVISE CLEARANCE SCHEDULES Action Will Be Taken Regardless of Code Authority's Failure to Adopt National Plan QUESTIONNAIRES SENT OUT Despite the failure of the Code Authority to decide on one of the several Clearance and Zoning schedules which have been placed before it, the independent exhibitors of this territory are continuing with their plans to force a fairer run for unaffiliated houses in competition to chain theatres. Campi has< been stalling a decision on some clearance schedule which can serve as standard for the entire country, but the local independents are not depending on the Code Authority to give them relief voluntarily. A questionnaire, embodying all the essential features involved in the establishment of a theatre's run, was mailed last week by the IEPA, which is sponsoring the idea, to every independently owned theatre in Eastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware. The exhibitors are filling out and returning the inquiries to the organization's offices with unusual promptness, and it is estimated that within several weeks a record of the clearance demands of about 75 per cent of the independent theatres will have been compiled. These demands will be presented to both the local Clearance and Zoning Board and to the producing companies. Instances where undue protection has been granted to chain theatres over their independent competitors will be pointed out and relief asked for the subsequent run. It is the belief of the IEPA that whereas individual small theatre owners are virtually forced to accept whatever run the circuit and the producers are willing to allow them, they can, as an organized body, with carefully formulated reasons, make demands for fairer, clearance which the producers will have to heed. Those exhibitors who do not return the questionnaire will indicate that they are entirely satisfied with their present run. The sponsors of the plan are conductins the survey and will present the resultant demands on a wholly nonpartisan basis. Code Authority Stalling The Code Authority has several times apparently been on the brink of accepting one of the SUNDAY MOVIES APPEARS SCHEDULED FOR ATTENTION BY PA. LEGISLATURE Exhibitors Differ On Advisability of Sabbath Shows; Some Relieve Small Gain in Gross Receipts Will Not Warrant Loss of Rest Day FILM DULLETIN TO CONDOCT SURVEY ON QUESTION The perennial problem of Sunday movies is apparently due to receive particular consideration by the Pennsylvania State Legislature at this session which convenes on New Year's Day. The Democratic sweep throughout the state in the last election brought in many New Deal Liberals, while eliminating a number of old-line Republicans who were persistent opponents of any moves to reform the ancient Blue Laws. Observers believe that a concerted drive at this time by the exhibitors of the state in favor of open Sundays would swing sufficient votes to discard the present ban on Sabbath entertainments. It is felt that Governor Earle is favorable to movie interests and would not oppose any attempt to liberalize the old statute. In the House, the Democrats hold a majority of approximately three to one, while the Republican lead in the Senate has been cut to 12 votes. The import of this upheaval in the state's political setup is accented by the fact that many of the new members are aggressive, young people, free from the traditional convictions which have motivated the voting of the older legislators on the question, and these new politicians will approach the issue with clearance schedules as a model for all local boards, but on every occasion some obstacle has been thrown in the way of a decision by the circuits or the producers. Several weeks ago, FILM BULLETIN learned from an unimpeachable source that the New Haven schedule was to be adopted, but Loew's found that by that plan the^r theatres may lose a bit of the power they now have in their districts, so they opposed the schedule and blocked the selection. JNow, after many months of bickering and stalling, it appears that Campi is further removed from reaching a decision than he has ever been. The producers and their affiliated theatre interests have become skeptical of the wisdom of accepting any set clearance schedule. As matters stand at present, they control those territories in which they have their circu.ts, and they practically control the local clearance boards throughout the country, so they stand to gain very little by the adoption of a standard clearance schedule which may prove a boomerang by giving the independents something they haven't got now. Rumblings of dissatisfaction with the Code Authority's procrastination on the clearance question in other territories immediately followed announcement of the local plan to present a united front by all independents. The Independent Theatre Owners Association of New York last week started preparations to take some action. A separate group of independent exhibitors in Delaware stated that they, too, would pre:ent their grievances. Similar steps by other exhibitor bodies may finally force Campi to make a decision on a schedule whereby the circuits could not obtain protection for all their theatres over all independent opposition, regardless of film prices, admissions, capacity, class> any other important elements which should guide the setting of runs. an open mind, leaning, if anything, toward a more liberal attitude. Exhibitors Are Undecided Among exhibitors in the Eastern Pennsylvania territory, sentiment on the open Sunday question seems somewhat divided. Tins correspondent has asked many independent theatremen their opinions and was surprised to learn that a considerable number feel that the advantages accruing through increased weekly gross income will be more than offset by the fact that they and their help will lose the Sabbath rest day they now enjoy. Others doubt the value of Sunday shows as an aid to the boxoffice, pointing to the theatres in some cities which have no restrictions as being even less prosperous than they are. One theatreman declared, "We would just be working the extra time for the film companies. They will get an additional day's rental, while our total receipts will hardly pay us for giving up our one day of rest." The prevalence of this attitude is startling to one who has always been under the impression that every movie owner wouid eagerly embrace open Sundays as a bonanza. Of course, there exists a very substantial group of theatre owners who disagree that there will not be a considerable increase in their profits with a seventh day's rece.pts added to the exchequer. While they admit that the week's patronage will be spread over the seven days to some extent, they are convinced that the extra day is bound to result in more frequent attendance. They argue that the person who now goes only once a week would probably become a regu.ar movie-goer three times every two weeks. These proponents of Sunday performances are eager to support a legislative fight for the measure. Exhibitors' Wishes Crucial It is important for both sides of the question to express their wishes to the state legislature, since it is certain that the desires of the theatremen themselves will have much bearing on the voting of the individual representatives and senators. With a view toward obtaining definitely, the reactions, of the exhibitors of the state, next week's issue of FILM BULLETIN will contain a ballot which is to be marked and returned to our offices. The results of this vote will enable exhibitor leaders in this territory to formulate plans for either supporting or opposing any propoced legislation on the issue. Watch for next week's FILM BULLETIN! CLASSIFIED ADS 10 Cents Per Word — #1.00 Minimum EXPERIENCED THEATRE MANAGER is seeking position; 7 years with Warner Bros.; expert advertising man; willing to start at low salary. BOX FB 103.