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INDEPEND
FILM BULLETIN
Vol. I No. 26
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1935
PRICE 10 CENTS
SLACKER EXHIBITORS
Whenever, upon occasion, someone describes to an outsider the true state of affairs in the motion picture industry — how 8 major producers so completely dominate the business destinies of over 10,000 independent theatre owners — it is only natural that the outsider should put the query: "But how is that possible; have the theatre owners no organization?"
So it becomes necessary to explain that organizations do exist, that there is Allied, the IEPA, and many ITOs throughout the country, and that these groups are battling the major producers to win fair play for the independent exhibitors.
But, the outsider hears, too, that many independent theatremen are too confounded lazy and indifferent to do their share in maintaining those organizations; that there are parasites, always ready to grab the fruits of a victory won by those who are willing to fight for it, while they do nothing to help.
The exhibitor who is a blind, unthinking slacker probably deserves every injustice heaped upon him by the film companies. He lacks the intelligence and foresight to realize that whereas it is his competitor who is driven out of business today, he may be the one exterminated tomor
row. Or, does he lack the courage to show his face in an organization which fights for the independent theatre owner's rights?
Whatever the reason for his failure to be part of an organization, the fact remains that the slacker exhibitor becomes a tool of the producers. They use him to "break the strikes" of the organized exhibitors. When a group holds out against unfair selling terms, the slacker signs up and supplies the producers with ammunition to break the attack.
Of course, some exhibitors are wary of theatre owners' organizations because they have an ugly example, today, of a national body which is controlled by the major producers. But, this is no justification for doubting the integrity of groups which are really independent and have proven themselves entirely free of the slightest influence by the film companies.
To the producers, individual exhibitors are just so many insignificant "suckers," waiting to be "taken over." Film prices are raised at the pleasure of the moguls in Hollywood and New York; enslaving clauses are inserted in film contracts with an utter disregard for equity or legality. AND THE EXHIBITORS TAKE IT— even if they don't like it!
(Continued on Page Two)
FOX LOSES TRI-ERGON SUIT
■ ■
WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE MOTION PICTURE CODE
The First of Two Articles by Jeannette Willensky
PENNA. EXHIBS MARCH ON STATE CAPITAL
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ACTION ON PHILA. DUAL BILL CASE SOON