Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1934 - Aug 1935)

2 INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN Allied and IEPA Reach Accord on South Jersey Dual Membership; Will Add Over 40 Houses to Local Group Phila. Body To Handle Film and SHORT INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN Vol. I No. 22 Feb. 5, 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. Send check or money order with copy. EDITORIAL (Continued from Page One) would entirely ruin the independent exhibitors. The trend, by every indication, has been in that direction. The exhibitor has been hamstrung in the operation of his theatre by countless prohibitive clauses in the film contracts. His profits have been reduced and taken away altogether. He has been reduced to the position of a hired hand, begging of the Eight Majors that they allow him to continue in business. He dreads the possibility that he may do something to arouse their displeasure, for they have the power to drive him out of business. IT IS HIGH TIME THAT A HALT WAS CALLED and the Welsh decision may lead the way. The right or wrong, the wisdom or folly, of double features is reserved for discussion in other columns. It is a secondary consideration in evaluating the import of Judge Welsh's determination. The most significant consequence of the decision is that a Judge of the United States has pointed a warning finger and told the producers, "YOU CAN T GET AWAY WITH THAT!" It stands as a potent omen that whereas one exhibitor had the courage to drag them before a court of law on this issue, another may force them to explain one of the other bits of contractual legerdemain in their bag of tricks! This IS a victory — make no mistake about it! Local Issues; Allied Directs National Problems LEADERS ARE ELATED Allied States Association and the local Independent Exhibitors' Protective Association have agreed on and approved a plan for dual membership in both organizations for theatres in the Southern New Jersey district. The deal had been pending for some time and was finally ratified last week by the IEPA. Under the arrangement, Allied is to conduct all national affairs for the South Jersey members, while the Philadelphia group will handle film and all other local problems. It is anticipated that between forty and fifty houses will be enrolled in the IEPA ranks, increasing that organization's total membership to approximately ISO theatres. Allied will gain the eight or ten South Jersey houses which are now members of the IEPA. Sidney Samuelson, president of the national organization, and Morris Wax, leader of the local independents, have both expressed themselves as being greatly pleased by the association of the two bodies. It is believed a possibility that the IEPA may decide to join national Allied in the future, much depending on the efficacy with which the present arrangement works out. Exhibitors To Start Fight On Tap Room Entertainment Claim That Countless Saloons Use Floor Shows Without Having Vaudeville Licenses Extending its drive to eliminate unfair types of competition, the Independent Exhibitors' Protective Association has now turned its attention to the situation of tap room entertainment. An investigation by the organization disclosed the fact that many saloons are presenting floor shows without the formality and expense of securing licenses from the state. Since theatres offering stage attractions are compelled to have a permit, the theatremen insist that the tap rooms likewise be forced to conform to the law. An IEPA committee, consisting of Morris Wax and Oscar Neufeld, conferred with A. C. Michaud, one of the leaders of the Restaurantmen's Association last week and a plan of cooperation between the two groups was formulated. It is not unlikely that the Hotelmen's Association will also lend its efforts to the attempt to outlaw unlicensed tap room entertainment. While the ultimate aims of the theatre owners are not exactly those of the reitaurantmen and the hotelmen, who are seeking to bar floor shows during meal hours, all the parties concerned feel that some general benefits may result from the pooling of their efforts. The Independent Exhibitors are taking their particular complaint directly to the state officials whose duty it is to enforce the licensing of "flesh" entertainment. Many tap rooms, in which the admission is only the price of a glass of beer, 5 or 10 cents, would be unable to pay the $500 license fee and would therefore be compelled to discontinue their shows, if the exhibitors are successful in their fight. SUBJECTS By BREVITY Harry La Vine assumed his new post as manager of Gold Medal Exchange on Tuesday and spent a considerable portion of his first day acknowledging congratulations from his many, many friends. * * * Lewen Pizor took a nasty spill on the ice last Thursday and it is reported that two IEPA men rushed to aid the fallen MPTO president. The independent organization has decided NOT to ask for the resignation of the two members! Lew Blaustein, National Screen's Philadelphia representative, was suddenly stricken with a stroke while at work in his office last Friday. He was rushed to Jefferson Hospital by his friend, Murray Beier. His condition was reported as "improving" when we phoned last night. Almost every week one of the many independent exhibitor organizations throughout the country carry, in their mimeographed house organs, articles and editorials which have appeared in FILM BULLETIN. The bulletin of Allied of Texas is the most recent case. Joe Price lost an expensive pair of fur-lined gloves on Vine Street. There is no reward offered in addition to his thanks. Finder may return them to this collym. * * * The rumor persists that Postmaster Jim Farley is slated to succeed Will Hays as MPPDA czar. We persist in refusing to believe it — at least until after F. D. R. completes his second term. * * * Samuel D. Schwartz, ex-censor boss of Pennsylvania, joined Warners real estate department and has been out on his first assignment already. * * * The ITM, Independent Theatre Managers, holds its semi-annual election of officers this Thursday, February 7th. A record turn-out is expected, according to Prexy Jack Litto. * * * Nate Milgram, the father who looks young enough to be his own son, celebrates his fourth wedding anniversary this Friday, the 8th. This collym joins everybody else in saying, "Many happy returns!" * * * Jack Cohen, son of Barney and brother of Wynnefield's Al, has dashed off a college yarn that is being sought by several producing companies. There is a possibility that it may appear in the Saturday Evening Post before Hollywood gets it. * * * Colonel Jeff Davis has taken over Harry LaVine's post with United Artists. Jeff was U. A.'s Jersey and Scranton representative heretofore. * * * The Evening Ledger has apparently taken the lead in independent theatre advertising. J. Stewart Silver, the paper's capable Vine Street man, has sold both his sheet and himself to the exhibs and they have responded with ads. * * * And, while on the Ledger, it should be noted that Herb Elliott was responsible for the heading which now appears over the independent theatres' listing. It reads "At Your Independent Neighborhood Theatre Where the Selection of Best Pictures Are Shown." * * * Jeannette Willensky, IEPA'S secretary and Portia, is preparing an article on the motion picture code. ( Continued on Page Five)