Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1934 - Aug 1935)

2 INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN Vol. I No. 25 Feb. 27, 193S 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. The Re-Birth of Independent Production As the season bears on, it becomes increasingly evident that independent film production this year reached its high water mark since the advent of talking pictures. And, even prior to 1928, it is difficult to recall when there was such consistently good product delivered by the independent studios. This improvement in state-right films demonstrates a re-birth of the independent producers' faith and confidence in the business sense of exhibitors. They have invested more heavily than ever before in making better pictures, realizing that the independent theatre owner is their friend and that he is vitally concerned with their progress. Under the yoke of the Majors' monopoly, exhibitors, on their part, have come to the realization that each independent film they play is a declaration of independence. Houses which have displayed nothing but major films for the past six or seven years, have played independents this year — and found that their audiences were pleased. Exhibitors control the means of creating a public DEMAND for certain pictures, and by intelligent exploitation they can develop a demand for independent films. Men like Nat Levine of Mascot, M. H. Hoffman of Liberty, W. Ray Johnston of Monogram, Herman Gluckman of Majestic and Harry Thomas of First Division are bringing new blood — much needed blood — into the film production field. They are deserving of the support of every independent exhibitor — not merely as a gesture of encouragement, but as a self-protective measure. More film producers means more FREEDOM for exhibitors! PA.'S 10 PERCENT AMUSEMENT TAX HELD UNLIKELY TO PASS SENATE Exhibitors' Group Warns Governor Tax Threatens Existence of Theatres HARRISBURG — The belief prevails here that the 10 per cent, amusement tax proposed by Governor Earle in his financial program announced two weeks ago, will never be passed by the Republican Senate. It is held unlikely that the measure will even get by the Democratic House, in which considerable opposition to the entire program has grown rapidly since the Governor's statement was delivered. A delegation of theatre representatives converged on Harrisburg last Tuesday evening to lay plans for fighting the proposed levy. Independent exhibitors were represented by their organizations and affiliated chains had others there to guard their interests. The delegation consisted of the following: Allied of Western Pennsylvania had ten exhibitors present, headed by Fred Herrington. IEPA of Eastern Pa.; Oscar Neufeld. Warner Bros., Eastern District; Samuel D. Schwartz. Warner Bros., Pittsburgh District; Harry Kalmine. Comerford Theatres; Michael O'Toole. Loew's; Carter Barron. Wilmer and Vincent Theatres; M. Bierbower. MPTO of Eastern Pa.; C. Floyd Hopkins, also of Wilmer and Vincent Theatres. Senator Frank Harris, of Western Pennsylvania, instructed the committee on procedure. Committee Meets Governor The delegation conferred with Governor Earle last Wednesday and presented to him a comprehensive picture of the movie theatres' desperate circumstances these past few years. He was told that a 10 per cent tax would drive out of business many small houses which would find it impossible either to absorb the levy or pass it on to their patrons. The Governor is understood to have expressed himself as being in sympathy with the theatre owners. A meeting of the committee with Attorney General Margiotti was arranged for this week. They arj also to confer with Luther Harr, of the Revenue Department, on a solution of the amusement tux pioblem. Other Levies Hit Concerted attacks on the gasoline and chain store tax proposals are being conducted by the companies interested in preventing the passage of these levies. The chain stores and gasoline companies are asking every patron to sign printed pro Roxy-Mastbaum Closing Definitely on Saturday Philadelphia's Roxy-Mastbaum Theatre will defintely go dark this Saturday, March 2nd, after a 10-week effort to make the Quaker City conscious of its presence. It had been predicted in this paper for some time that, since the other downtown theatres had been so adversely affected by the reopening of the huge 4500-seat house, it was only a question of a short time before Warners would be forced to shut down either the Roxy-Mastbaum or one or more of their other first runs. Samuel L. (Roxy) Rothafel has made no announcement of his future plans, but it is believed that the noted presentation maestro will return to New York's theatrical activities. M. E. Comerford Stricken M. E. Comerford, head of the Comerford Theatre circuit throughout Pennsylvania, was suddenly stricken in Washington, D. C., Sunday afternoon. His condition is reported as "serious" by the hospital where he was rushed. tests against the tax and large quantities of these forms are arriving in Harrisburg daily. William G. Sarig, Speaker of the House, declared on Monday, "None of us is fooled by this organized propaganda." The theatremen have not taken their case to the public, but it is realized by the legislators and the Administration that movie screens are the most potent propaganda medium available. It is not believed likely that exhibitors will utilize their screens unless there are indications that the tax may go through. In the meantime, theatre owners throughout the State are continuing to contact their local legislators personally and by mail. The IEPA of Philadelphia is asking its members to make a show of their individual opposition to the measure. Public Hearings Scheduled Public hearings on the amusement tax will take place either on March 12th or 19th. There will, doubtlessly, be a large delegation of independent and affiliated theatremen present in the State Capitol at that time. Following are the Eastern Pennsylvania members of the House Ways and Means Committee, which will first consider the amusement tax. It is advisable that exhibitors communicate with their local representatives on this committee, since their conclusions will be of great importance in the final consideration of the measure. Reading, Ruth Dunmore, O'Neill York, Cohen Higgins, Schrope Bethlehem, Sinnell Archibald, Manley Phila., Caputp, Mdchiorrj, Witkin, Greensteiu Lancaster, Downey Red Lion, Flinchbaugh Loch Haven, Simon Renshaw, Stark Melrose Park, Ederer. Upper Darby, Wiedman Scranton, Cordier Larksville, Roan Manheim, Traut Old Forge, Davis